Book Review: Crossing the Line (Jessica Daniel #8) by Kerry Wilkinson

Published: September 11th 2014

Publisher: Pan Macmillan

Pages: 300

Available: Kindle and Paperback

Order from Amazon here

 

Blurb



Long before Jessica Daniel became a police officer, Manchester was once a ghost city after dark. Fear ruled as people were afraid to be out by themselves, the notorious Stretford Slasher terrorising its inhabitants.

Twenty-five years on and the media are feeling nostalgic over the milestone but Jessica has a new panic to worry about. Apparent strangers are being targeted in daylight, the attacker unworried about being caught. If only she and her team could find him…

It’s the coldest spring in memory and Jessica has old friends to look out for, plus secrets - so many secrets - that should have long been buried.

 

Review

 

Firstly I would like to thank Pan Macmillan for sending me a copy of this book to review.  I’ve not read many crime novels recently and this is the first time I have encountered the author Kerry Wilkinson and the Jessica Daniel novels. I didn’t realise this was book eight in the series so I wasn’t sure whether or not to read this but it says it is book 1 in “Season 2” and is a good place to start for new readers, so I decided I  would just jump and review this book as it is.

 

Jessica Daniel has been recently promoted to Detective Inspector and I’m guessing this is the reasoning behind the season 2 label.  Jessica is a very complex  character to understand  and as the book starts right in the middle of the action  it took me a good third of the book to understand a bit more about her. There are lots of hints about her past which did help me to gain more insight into her character but also gave away things which probably happened in previous books, so if you haven’t read them and want to I would recommend reading from the start if you don’t want spoilers.

 

I did feel that the first third of the book was quite slow in what was happening and it did take me a while to completely get into this book but once the case started to unfold  I was hooked, wanting to know what happened. Some plot twists were a bit unexpected and a bit abrupt but somehow it all linked together and formed a cohesive ending.

 

Crossing the Line is an honest look at the gritty Manchester underworld with a fearless and likeable female lead in Jessica Daniel. I’ve had a taste for Kerry Wilkinson’s writing and will definitely be back for more. Hopefully I will have time to start from book one and catch up before book nine appears.

 

Rating 4/5

 

 

 

Top Ten Tuesday - Underrated Chick-Lit Authors

 

This week the Top Ten over at The Broke and the Bookish was Top Ten authors/books in genre X. I chose authors in the Chick-Lit genre although there is some crossover with erotic fiction and women's fiction. So here is my list:

1. Jane Linfoot

I was given a free e-book of Jane's book The Right Side of Mr Wrong as part of the #SexMeUpReadathon back in July and was instantly hooked on her work. Its full of sexy handsome men and strong women with brilliant sexual chemistry between them, mixed in with funny plotlines.

 

2. Emma Garcia

I've only read one book by this author, Never Google Heartbreak but for me it was the perfect chick-lit book with heartbreak, comforting friends and a heroine you just can't help but love. I'm eager to read her second book and hope she writes more.

 

3. Imogen Parker

She hasn't wrote anything new for about five years but her early books are for me perfect chick-lit and I really hope we haven't seen the last of her.

 

4. Fiona Walker

This ladies ability to write huge novels with a large amount of characters which don't confuse me amazes me everytime I read one, she deserves a medal for been able to do that in my opinion.

 

5. Jill Steeples

Again only read one book by the woman but it was brilliant and I'm surprised how few reviews she has on Amazon.

 

 

6. Holly Martin

Her book One Hundred Proposals blew me away with how romantic it was, I do think everyone who reads chick-lit should read this book, it will make you laugh and cry and wish you had your very own Harry

 

7.Sophie Hart

The Naughty Girls Book Club was probably one of my favourite reads of last year, I loved the way it showed real women's views of sex. I can't wait to read her second book out on the 19th September.

 

 

8. Jo Carnegie

I adored her Churchminister series, it was perfect for me and I loved the way each book focused on different characters in the village.

9. Lulu Taylor

I adore this women's books and get so excited when a new one is released, they just totally absorb my and nothing else gets done when I'm reading one as I just can't put them down.

 

10. Lucy Dillon

Lucy's books seem to come out and then disappear almost as quick which I  don't understand as her writing has such a magical quality to it.

 

So that's my list, what is on your list? check out the other lists here.

 

 



Book Review - The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks

 

Published: September 11th 2014

Publisher: Sphere

Pages: 336

 

 

Blurb

 

They were teenage sweethearts from opposite sides of the tracks - with a passion that would change their lives for ever. But life would force them apart.

Years later, the lines they had drawn between past and present are about to slip . . . Called back to their hometown for the funeral of the mentor who once gave them shelter when they needed it most, they are faced with each other once again, and forced to confront the paths they chose. Can true love ever rewrite the past?

 

 

Review

 

This is the first Nicholas Sparks book which I have read although he has been on my list of authors to read for some time, so when I won a copy of this in a giveaway I was delighted, thank you Sphere and Little Book Café for this copy.

The Best of Me is the story of first love between Dawson Cole and Amanda Collier. They fall madly in love when they are teenagers but sadly are split apart when Amanda goes off to college and Dawson to prison. Years later they are reunited when their old friend Tuck dies and they come together to say goodbye. As the feelings come flooding back to them Amanda has to decide to give her love with Dawson one more chance or return to her husband and children.

I loved both of the main characters.  Dawson is such great male lead, very early on you realise just how much he seems to be driven by a sense of guilt and duty for events in his past and I think meeting again Amanda helped him to realise it was time to move on let it go. I bet he was an incredibly sexy brooding teenager so there is no wonder Amanda fell for him. Amanda seems to be a lovely person who is devoted to her family life even though her marriage to husband Frank does not seem ideal. When she meets Dawson again she is torn between following her heart and rekindling their love and her head telling her not to break her family up.

Dawson’s two cousins Abee and Ted for me added a comical touch to the book as they just reminded me of the two buglers in the Home Alone movie the way they could never quite get to Dawson and I’ll be interested to see who plays these characters in the movie.

This is a beautiful will they, won’t they story where you feel emotion of these two characters all the way through, which made my heart ache and the ending was not something I was expecting and it totally threw me and I wasn’t sure it was the ending I wanted but now I’ve thought about it for a few days it does seem a very fitting end to a beautiful love story.

After reading this I think I have caught the Nicholas Sparks’ bug and definitely need to read more of his work soon it’s magical.

Rating 5/5



Showcase Sunday #7

 

Showcase Sunday is a weekly event hosted by Vicky at Books, Biscuits and Tea where book bloggers share all things book related in the last week. This post covers two weeks for me as I took a blogging break last week. So here is what I've collected:

 

Bought:

 

 

 

 

Borrowed from the Library:

 

    

 

From Publishers:

 

   

 

Thank you to Pan Macmillian for Crossing the Line and The Silent Sister (which has a different cover) , to Sphere for the copy of The Best of Me and Bookbridgr and Headline Review for The Fortune Hunter

 

 

NetGalley:

 

     

 

 

So I've had a very busy fortnight adding to my to be read pile, think I need to try and make a dent in it before I get anything else. What have you received this week? Take a look at other people's lists here.

Book Review - Hopelessly Devoted to You by Jill Steeples

Publisher: Carina UK

Published: August 14th 2014

Pages: 304

Available on Kindle

Order from amazon here.

 

Blurb

Meet Ruby’s fiancé, Finn. He’s gorgeous, thoughtful, successful and adoring – pretty much anyone could ever want in a man. In fact, he’s perfect. The catch? He’s just not perfect for her. But when Ruby finally plucks up the courage to come clean, Finn’s so furious that he misses his footing as he runs down the stairs – and suddenly, it’s not just his heart that’s broken!

When Finn wakes up, he can’t remember a thing. Not that Ruby dumped him – not even that they were ever engaged! It’s on the tip of Ruby’s tongue to come clean, but somehow, it never seems to be the right time... And as the weeks pass, she sees a new side to Finn. Arrogant and a shameless flirt, he’s irresistibly bad, and the chemistry between them is explosive!

It’s not that Ruby’s lying… she’s just withholding the truth. And seeing as things are going so well, perhaps there’s no need for Finn to have his memory jogged… The trouble is, there’s every chance that Finn might remember for himself!

 

Review

Firstly I would like to thank Carina UK for allowing me to read this via NetGalley.

 

To be totally honest I knew nothing about this book or its author before I requested it, I just saw that beautiful cover and was instantly drawn to it. I'm so glad I read it because I devoured it in one sitting, which doesn't happen often. The story really drew me in and I just couldn't put it down.

 

At first I didn't warm to the character of Ruby, she has this perfect boyfriend in Finn who is sexy, polite, considerate and even brings her flowers when its not her birthday but Ruby  feels she can't marry him because she doesn't love him. The first couple of chapters are just about Ruby trying to work out how to get rid of Finn and I just found Ruby to by whiny and annoying at this point, luckily after Finn has his accident  she changes and becomes a lovely caring person who I would actually like to be friends with.

 

I loved that this book had a couple of unexpected twists so wasn't as predictable as I thought it might be, this made for a story which I wanted to keep reading as I wanted to know if things would happen in the way I expected or not. Jill's style of writing flows really well and with a few unexpected plot twists and characters which became really quite loveable it makes reading this book a joy.

 

I will definitely be reading more of her work as her writing suits me perfectly when I just want a heart warming tale to curl up with. If you enjoy Milly Johnson or Katie Fforde then I'm sure you will enjoy this book. I give this book 5/5

 

 

 

 

Release Day Round Up #1

While I had my blogging break I decided on a few changes for my blog, firstly I will probably not be participating in the "Waiting On" Wednesday event hosted over at Breaking The Spine anymore, instead as Thursday seems to be the main publication day in the UK I will be showcasing three to five of my favourite books that I have reviewed or intend to read soon,  which are released today or this week. So here is my selection for today:

 

Stable Mates by Zara Stoneley

Available on Kindle

Released September 4th 2014
Publisher: Harper Impulse

Order from Amazon here

 

Secrets and scandals, love and lust – when the ‘Cheshire Set’ are up against the ‘Footballer’s Wives’ the only common ground is carnal…
Flirting and fun seem the perfect antidote for Lottie's battered heart, and where better to find them than back in tranquil Tippermere, home of sexy eventer Rory Steel, the smiling Irish eyes of hunky farrier Mick O'Neal, and mysterious newcomer, model Tom Strachan?
But when landowner Marcus James drops dead unexpectedly, and the threat of his waggish wife Amanda selling the heart of the village out from under them looms large, things look like they're about to heat up in and out of the saddle.
With tensions running high, and the champagne flowing as freely as the adrenalin, is it any wonder that love catches more than one of them unawares?

 

I reviewed this on the blog yesterday and I loved it. Its set in the villages of Tippermere and Kitterly Heath and is the perfect mix of horsey shenanigans and footballers wife glamor fans of Fiona Walker and Tilly Bagshaw will love this.

 

 

 

A Husband's Confession by Zoe Miller

Available: Kindle and Paperback

Released September 4th 2014
Publisher: Hachette Books Ireland

Order from Amazon here

 

The artisan bakery Ali and Max Kennedy own isn't just a successful business - it's a second home, a dream come true. But when bad luck begins to stalk the couple, Ali worries that her fear of losing it all is becoming a reality.
Across the city, Max's brother Finn and his wife Jo long for the carefree happiness they had when they first met in Australia over twenty years ago. But when Finn loses his high profile TV job and becomes more bitter by the day, Jo starts to suspect that he's hiding something from her.
While both couples navigate their marriages, little do they realise that Max and Ali's daughter Jessica harbours a dark secret which threatens to destroy the whole family.
Then it happens - the accident. And the Kennedys will never be the same again.

I'm really intrigued by this book and its 'accindent', I've not read anything by Zoe Miller and I've discovered so many great new authors recently so I'm excited to get hold of this and give it a read.

 

The Wedding Proposal by Sue Moorcroft

Available: Kindle and Paperback

Released: September 5th 2014
Publisher: Choc Lit

Order from Amazon here

 

Elle Jamieson is a private person, in relationships as well as at work - and for good reason. But then she's made redundant and with no ties to hold her, Elle heads off to sunny Malta.

Lucas Rose hates secrets - he prides himself on his ability to lay his cards on the table and he expects nothing less in return. He's furious when his summer working as a divemaster is interrupted by the arrival of Elle, his ex, all thanks to his Uncle Simon's misguided attempts at matchmaking.

Forced to live in close proximity, it's hard to ignore what they had shared before Lucas's wedding proposal scared Elle away. But then a phone call from England allows Lucas a rare glimpse of the true Elle. Can he deal with Elle's closely guarded past when it finally comes to light?

 

Again another author whose books I've not read but looks really good, I love books where there are secrets from the past to learn about.

 



 



 

The Playground by Julia Kelly
Available: Kindle and Paperback
Published: 4th September 2014 (Paperback)
Publisher: Quercus
Order from amazon here



 

 

Eve is putting her life together again.
Her partner has walked out on her. She's moved into a tiny flat on the outskirts of Dublin. She has no job. But she does have her beloved baby daughter - and there's a little playground across the street.
It's a tired spot for teenagers and tramps, but Eve is determined to make this new life work. Alongside her interfering lodger and a group of local mums she swings into action to make the playground the heart of the community.
But not all games are innocent - and not all friends are true. When a terrible accident is blamed on her, Eve must forge her own independence - and realise that the playground is not a place to hide from adulthood.

This is another book that looks like it is full of mystery, can't wait to read it. So there are my picks of  this weeks releases, which one is your favourite?
 

 

 

 

Book Review - Stable Mates by Zara Stoneley

 

Published: 4th September 2014

Publisher: Harper Impulse

Pages: 288

Available from Amazon on Kindle

 

Blurb

Secrets and scandals, love and lust – when the ‘Cheshire Set’ are up against the ‘Footballer’s Wives’ the only common ground is carnal…

Flirting and fun seem the perfect antidote for Lottie's battered heart, and where better to find them than back in tranquil Tippermere, home of sexy eventer Rory Steel, the smiling Irish eyes of hunky farrier Mick O'Neal, and mysterious newcomer, model Tom Strachan?

But when landowner Marcus James drops dead unexpectedly, and the threat of his waggish wife Amanda selling the heart of the village out from under them looms large, things look like they're about to heat up in and out of the saddle.

With tensions running high, and the champagne flowing as freely as the adrenalin, is it any wonder that love catches more than one of them unawares?

 

Review

Thank you to Harper Impulse for the copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

“Stable Mates” is the perfect mix of horsey shenanigans, Cheshire glamour and flirty fun. Set in the villages of Tippermere and Kitterley Heath we meet an eclectic bunch of characters ranging from down to earth Lottie Brinkley, posh Lady Elizabeth Stanthorpe ,  Goth teenager Tabatha Strachan and Sam the stereotypical footballers wife. I loved all of these characters and although the main focus was on Lottie the other characters were all brought to life so well I felt like I was one of the Tippermere residents also.

Lottie was my favourite character, she’s like so many women enjoying the fun with hunky boyfriend Rory but deep down wondering if he is the one for keeps or if the she would be better with charming Mick the farrier or sexy newcomer Tom. I so wanted Rory to just admit to Lottie how he felt as all she wants is her forever man, just like her mother had with her father.

The book is full of little mysteries which all add up to a brilliant read where you just want to find out what is going to happen next. I really liked how little pieces of information were given so we could slowly unravel all the mysteries in the characters histories.

Fans of Fiona Walker and Jo Carnegie’s Churchminister series will love this book as it has the same mix of wonderful characters and frivolous fun, along with an interesting plot. I laughed all the way through this book and really hope she writes a follow up as I’d love to read more about these characters. I rate this book 5/5