Maddy's Book Blog

  Rebecca and Jack had an amazing life together. Both extremely busy with their work, but making time for the other. They were both adamant that they didn't want children in their lives. One evening the doorbell rings and it's one of Jack's ex girlfriend's, with a 4 year old child in tow, who she says is Jack's. Why has Cara appeared now with her daughter? Where was she for the last 4 years? Rebecca has a strong feeling that Cara is about to turn their lives upside down, but not necessarily in the way Rebecca expects. This is a wonderfully written book full of love, pain, friendship, hope, and a whole lot more love, because a mother will do anything for her daughter. A fabulous book, and a lovely story, but keep some tissues to hand.

This was a difficult review to write without giving too much away. I really enjoyed the book and it was far more complex than it appeared to be. Suffice it to say I really enjoyed it, and cared about the characters and what would happen to them, and had to read right to the end. However I did work out one of the main hidden premises in the book very early on, although this didn't detract from my enjoyment. Romily Kemp lives with her father, who adores her. He moves them out to Braër House, a remote country house when she is 9. She lives a very solitary life, especially when she ends up leaving school to be home schooled, and becomes friends with Stacey who lives with her single mum, but occasionally goes to stay with her Grandmother so Romily doesn't see her then. Romily's father Tobias is an artist, and paints pictures - mainly of Romily and her kitten Monty. Then Tobias decides to write a series of books about Romily and Monty, and illustrate them himself.  It becomes obv...

  This is not a long story, but nonetheless extremely harrowing. Not because it is written that way, it is actually written in an extremely matter of fact way, detailing the events, but because it is a true story and about a set of 10 year old twins who were caught up in the most evil of wars, and the most evil of atrocities, that completely shocks you to the core. You think these things couldn't happen now? They were convinced these things couldn't happen then, so they missed their chance to escape to freedom with others of their family. Eva and her sister Miriam grew up in Romania - the only Jews in the area as they lived on a remote farm. They got on with their neighbours, and must have thought life was good. When the war started they thought they were far enough away to be left untouched, but the attitudes of their neighbours slowly changed and they experienced antisemitism. One day, the family were rounded up and put on cattle cars to be taken to Germany, and no one spoke ...

Sue Moorcroft takes a cozy love story and elevates it to a whole new level with her amazing characterisation, her beautiful descriptive locations, and her twists and turns - we know the path of true love never runs smooth - even at Christmas! Hannah is in a dead end relationship in Stockholm, when her brother's best friend Nico (originally from Stockholm but living in the UK) walks in, sent by her brother to check up on her. He helps her re-arrange her window display and she is reminded why she had a crush on him as a child. Hannah sees him again at her brother's wedding in the UK, and they have a moment, but it all dissapears leaving Hannah very confused. When Hannah returns to Stockholm, resolving to speak to her boyfriend about their relationship, she finds he gets in first and she not only loses her accommodation, but her beloved shop.  When her Grandmother in the UK falls and breaks her arm Hannah sees it as a sign she should go home and look after her and she returns to ...

Despite it taking a long while to get into this book, I highly recommend that you stick with it. You won't be disappointed and you will see how all the stories entwine. Although the book is called Spirited, and there is a Spiritualism aspect, the main story is about 4 people who know what they want and have the spirit to go for it against any conventions of the day - the book is set in Victorian England and India where conventions were very strongly followed. Viola and Jonah were childhood best friends. She was the daughter of the Vicar, and he owned property in India, but was sent to live with Viola's parents as a child so much of his upbringing was in England rather than in India  and it was always assumed that Viola and Jonah would marry. Henriette had a very difficult start to her life, but re-invented herself, partly due to a fortunate marriage, as a world renowned Spiritualist - and travelled the world with the help of benefactors, giving reading and holding séances - al...

  This is the true story of a mother and son, and the evil illness which is depression. What happens when your lovely, sunny boy, in whom you have so much hope, love and expectation invested becomes so low with depression that their world turns grey, and they feel the only way out is suicide? How can any mother cope with the terrible pain and helplessness?  Amanda Prowse is an incredibly talented and prolific writer, and her son Josiah (Josh) is a very intelligent and likeable young man, and together they document their way through the darkest period in their lives, and how they eventually bring colour back to Josh's world with the help of Josh's incredible Stepfather Simeon, and the whole family. Amanda and Josh take turns at writing chapters, often telling the same incident from their different points of view, which is extremely inciteful. This is a book that had to be written, and will stay with me for a very long time. It should be compulsory reading in every Sec...

  Fredrik Backman is a genius! What a brilliant book!! Just when you think you know what is going on, you find you really didn’t at all. Firstly, don’t make any assumptions - you will be wrong! All those things you thought were nothing to do with the story - they were. So clever is Mr Backman, that you don’t see what is going on until it hits you. Genius!! This is the story of a failed bank robber who tried to rob a cashless bank for the price of a month’s rent. Who is so unlucky that when the robber runs away they find themselves in a flat viewing with a bunch of people who can only be described as “the worst hostages in the world “. Or it’s the story of a bridge and who does or doesn’t jump and how it affects everyone’s lives. You decide........... READ THIS BOOK!!!  

  I really enjoyed this book. A twisty, turny novel which kept you enthralled right to the end. It is written in three parts, on slightly different timelines. The first part builds you to a crescendo and then the second takes you back to explain how the protagonists got to the point where the books started. The book starts when Marianne's husband Greg dies, and she finds on his laptop that he has been accessing the dark web. When she checks to see what he has been looking at, she finds her name on a Hit List -as per the title. The second part explains how Greg, Marianne, and the assassin got to the point they did in the first part. The third section sorts it all out and explains everything to a very clever, nifty ending. Highly recommended, but put some time aside - you won't want to put it down.  

Maréa was born in a whorehouse to single mum Leàman but not knowing who her father was. In truth even her mother didn't know his name, but he was her true love. Maréa knew she was different - she had feathers growing from her back, and she was kept hidden in the whorehouse by her mother and the other ladies there, and only taken out once a year with her feathers well hidden. When Maréa is 17, she decides to visit The City of Murmurs - the last place her mother saw her father - to try and find him and to see where she fits in. This started the biggest adventure of her life for a girl who had barely left the building she was born in. I absolutely loved this book. It reminded me of The Night Circus in as much as it is a fantasy set in a fantasy land of bird people and mermaids, and people with the powers of prophecy. It is beautifully written, and extremely evocative of a bygone era, but more magical and exciting. I loved it and was sad when I finished.

I have read everything by John Marrs, and have been a massive fan since the start of his writing career. Probably my two favourite books of his have been The One and The Passengers. When I found out that the Minders referenced these 2 books my happiness was at a whole new level! John Marrs is a master of intrigue and suspense, and also of leading you up paths you didn't realise you were travelling. His writing is just brilliant and every word is carefully thought out and placed. This book is utterly amazing. I feel privileged at having read it and envious of those who have yet to read it. In the UK cyber hacking is rife, and so the secrets of the country are implanted into 5 people with extraordinary skills - the Minders. Their job is to stay safe, live cut off from their previous lives, and guard the data in their heads. When Minders start being killed, what happens to the nation's security, and what steps can the other Minders take to ensure that they won't be next? There...

When Sophia Perkins' parents die, she feels adrift. Her teaching job in a local school has become monotonous, and she longs for escape. Her fiancé had died years before and she felt very alone. When one of her pupils tells her that he hasn't read her set book, only watched part of the film, she feels this is the last straw and resigns. Her parents have left her boxes and boxes of books so she decides to open a second hand bookshop. The bookshop is ticking over, and every day at 10am she receives a visit from the previous inhabitant of the store, Mr Portobello, who is almost twice her age. They chat, become friends, and he gives her advice. However sometimes things are not always what they seem, and sometimes the most important things are right under your nose. I absolutely loved this short story, and devoured it in one sitting. It's a quick read which packs a punch and the characters stay with you a long while. Working in a school there were many truths, eloquently captured...

It took me a couple of very confusing chapters to understand what was going on. It's the story of a man, his brother and sister, and parents starting back in AD1 where his parents are named Martinis and Floriana. In the second chapter you have moved to Turkey in AD41 where his parents are now called Merek and Folami. As you move through each chapter you move from country to country and forward in time until you travel through present day and to the future. Each time the names change in keeping with the time and country but keeping the same initial letter. When you have understood this, the writing is brilliant, taking you through a story with slight changes as befit the time and place, but with a common thread. The narrator is an artist, and stays with his family, whilst his brother is more bloodthirsty and leaves home to follow adventures. The artistry changes again dependant on the time and place - carving statues, painting, woodwork, book binding to name but a few, however some ...

  This book is basically a YA novel but would have a wider audience with those who enjoy stories taking place in magical worlds. It's a very quick read - I read it in a day. This is Book 1 in a trilogy, and is setting you up for the series. Steve Haven is the main character and is a (very mature) 12 year old boy, living in the year 2110 where robots are commonplace. His parents often disappear for long periods of time and Steve finds himself in a boarding school he hates, surrounded by bullies - and not just the children! His Uncle is the CEO of the top robotics firm, and when he dies Steve is taken from school to go to his funeral, as the only relative they can find. This coincides with Steve receiving a mysterious package. What Steve can't know is that his life will never be the same again. This book would be perfect for late primary/early secondary school children, but could be enjoyed by children of all ages - even over 50!

  Amanda Prowse is one of my favourite authors and I was so excited to dive into this story - and it didn't disappoint. Amanda is the master of taking a plausible situation, populate it with real and likeable characters, and twist you around, wringing every possible emotion out of you. I cried (a lot), I smiled, and once or twice got quite annoyed. I have finished the book with a massive book hangover, and an waiting for one of my friends to finish it as I'm dying to talk about it The story centres around 18 year old Victoria. Her parents died when she was very young, and she was brought up by her Grandparents. Her Grandfather also died when she was fairly yound, so Victoria and her Grandmother Prim (short for Primrose) were very close.  When Prim passes away suddenly a mysterious stranger turns up at the funeral. Who is she and what is she after. An emotional roller coaster of a book, with characters you will miss after you have finished reading.

Mary Jayne Baker is the master of Romantic Comedy with a twist, and this book is no exception. The dialogue is very funny, and extremely believable, making the characters both believable and endearing. This is the perfect summer read and I devoured it in 2 days. There have been many stories of girls growing up with the boy next door and one day finding herself in love, but what happens when that boy dumps Robyn big time, and goes traveling, and then she has his identical brother next door as a reminder of what she has lost? Add to that, a need for the village to help each other complete items on their bucket list, and The Never Have I Ever Club is born. Robyn is forced to see the identical face to her lost love more often than she was expecting, as they help everyone, especially Robyn's Great Aunt, to fulfil their wishes. A funny, sweet book with a fabulous ending.  

  This is a book for anyone who loves books passionately, who believes in the magic of books and how they can transport you into other realms. Who believes that love stories really can come true, even to the most ordinary of people in the most extraordinary way. If you love books as much as I do you won't be able to put this down, and you will be looking for your nearest second hand bookshop! Hallie is having the worst day ever - fired from her job due to her inherent clumsyness, living in a dingy flat with a horrible flatmate who eats all her food, and a mother who keeps trying to matchmake with the most unsuitable of men. Her only escape is books - and lots of them. So much so that she is on first name terms with the owner of the local bookshop in the village near her mum. When Hallie is told she was the winner of the raffle in the bookshop and is now the owner of both the shop and the flat above, and a rather unusual goldfish called Heathcliff, she thinks things can't get a...

  Rosa has just broken up with her boyfriend, and is devastated. When her mother asks her to come to Malta with her to help her with a Mediterranean cookbook she is writing Rosa takes a leave of absence and goes. Rosa's mum has also been invited to a reunion of ex servicemen and their children who lived on the Island. Zach is also invited to the reunion in place of his father and grandfather, and it just so happens that his family own the appartments that Rosa and her Mum are renting. Zach is also fixing up his Aunt's appartment in the block for her whilst volunteering at a children's centre trying to use his own problem childhood to good effect. Both Rosa and Zach have trust issues, and problem family members. Both have no intention of getting into a relationship. But sometimes a beautiful Island will work it's magic. A lovely summer's tale, set on a beautiful Island. It made me want to book a holiday to Malta and I couldn't stop until I had finished the book.

  I absolutely love this series - one of my absolute favourites, and as I keep saying, it seems to have been written just for me! We catch up with Stella, who is now married, living in Edgware with her husband, and with a baby on the way. Her business is flourishing and that along with everything else you would think would ensure she was too busy to get into any trouble - fortunately you would be wrong! One of her staff is being 'moulded' by a controlling husband, and Stella feels the need to keep an eye on this situation, but rather more disturbing is the feeling that her old friend Ruth is being controlled too but by a much more malevolent source. Stella is implored to keep out of situations for her own protection and those of her baby - but fortunately Stella is just not a girl to listen. I read this book in a couple of days because I just couldn't put it down. It made me giggle, gasp, and desperately long for more. If you read nothing else this year, read this series. A...

  I was very excited to read this as I love Ms Lynes books. I did find the first third hard going, and I wasn't sure if I was in the right state of mind to persevere, but I'm so glad I did. It turned out to be a great 'edge of your seat' murder mystery whodunit. Rachel is in a room, in a somewhat confused state, with a lady she can't quite remember, talking through a list of murders she must have committed, but can't quite remember. Over time, she talks though her story, and her feeling of becoming invisible, how she met all the murder victims and the circumstances. A very powerful story that will keep you guessing right to the end. A very clever story.

  Reading the first part of the book is rather like watching Dr Who from behind a cushion - knowing something bad will happen but unable to prevent it, or to prevent watching. It's also like watching a hospital drama where you know someone is going to have a bad accident or become ill and go to hospital, but there's nothing you can do about it. From the first pages in the book you feel totally invested, and you find yourself sneaking off to read 'just a bit more' The story is a true to form Mark Edwards - twisty, turny, riveting, edge of your seat drama. All mixed in with his classic sense of humour, and coming to a satisfying conclusion. I absolutely loved this book - a very easy 5 stars from me.  

  I absolutely loved Rosie's Travelling Tea Shop, and when I heard that Rebecca Raisin had written a sequel I was so excited to read it, and it certainly didn't disappoint. It felt like coming home to old friends and catching up on their lives.  Aria hasn't got over losing her husband, and love of her life TJ to cancer a few years before. Her mother in law, who was more like a mother to her resents her for 'taking away' TJ to the Lake District before he died (at his request). However she does send Aria his diary as per his request - only 3 years late! Aria's best friend Rosie runs the tea shop van, and is forever making up delicious herbal infusions, and the most delicious cakes, and Aria I'd more than happy to try them for her. However, Rosie is no longer single, as she is dating Max who runs a van selling vegan juices. The three of them get on beautifully and pull together, however just occasionally Aria does feel lonely, and misses TJ terribly. In the tim...

  This is the most fantastic sequel to 'The last days of Rabbit Hayes'. Wow, this really didn't disappoint. Absolutely loved this book and catching up with all the characters. When 40 year old 'Rabbit' Hayes dies, she leaves behind a lot of very broken and distraught family and friends. Not least her 12 year old daughter Juliet who she leaves in the care of her brother Davey. Unfortunately Davey has no experience in bringing up children and it is uncertain who is looking after whom! Marjorie, her best friend, was more at home with Rabbit's family than her own, and is now unsure of her place any more. Grace her sister has a wonderful husband and lovely children but finds out a secret that rocks her world Molly, her mum, is the strong dependable glue holding them all together, but has a secret which threatens to blow her apart, and finish her formerly strong marriage. Her husband Jack is keeping secrets of his own. If you loved The Last Days of Rabbit Hayes, you w...

A mother and daughter living together. What could be more normal? In the hands of the evil genius John Marrs this is far, far from normal. John has created a plot so twisted, and so full of secrets and lies that you won't know what's coming next - and where the truth ends and the lies begin. The one thing you will know, for an absolute fact is that this is a book you won't want to put down, and when you finish you won't be able to stop thinking about it. I have heard that this book has already been optioned for a film. Oh wow!!!  

  I am just recovering from the greatest book hangover, having binge read this book in about 8 hours. I literally couldn't put it down. I just want to jump up and down and tell everyone that they have to read this book. Cally Taylor - you are an incredible writer. The three Strangers in question are:- Ursula who has been on a downhill spiral since she lost the love of her life, though you don't find out the circumstances until near the end. She has a warm heart, but is very self destructive, and can't help but capture your heart. Gareth the security guard. Initially, a somewhat pitiable character, bumbling through his job, and binging on McDonald's. However Ms Taylor soon fleshes him out - his father disappeared many years before. His mother has developing Alzheimer's, and when Gareth has to choose between his girlfriend and his mother he was forced to choose his mother. Coming home becomes a burden as he doesn't know what he will find. You cannot help having a ...

  I was very excited to read a new book by Heidi Perks, and this one didn't let me down. The author built up a clear picture of the 3 suspects, and made you feel very sympathetic to each in turn, so you weren't sure who to root for. This book has the ability to keep you guessing all the way to the end, and was very hard to put down.  Harry Woods, the head of a London advertising firm, decides to build a new premises in Lymington much to the consternation of the locals. His wife Janie, a big shot Lawyer from London moves with him for reasons which aren't clear at the beginning of the book, but it's clear she has something to hide. When Laura has to go off on Maternity leave from her high powered job in the firm, she deliberately picks Mia to replace her for the 6 months maternity cover as Mia categorically states that she doesn't want this as a permanent job, and she wants to leave after this time. Unfortunately Mia has secrets of her own and she makes sure that she ...

Just finished this book and I'm on a book high. I absolutely loved it. I hadn't heard of the author or her previous book, but will definitely be looking out for it now. Lydia met Freddie when they were 14, and from then on they were an item. Lydia's best friend Jonah soon becomes Freddie's best friend and the 3 couldn't be closer. Lydia and Freddie are engaged and planning their dream wedding, when on her 28th birthday Freddie stops to pick up Jonah, running late to the restaurant, and is killed in a car accident. Lydia falls apart and Jonah in his own grief doesn't know how to help her. She has lost the love of her life, and he his best friend. She is prescribed sleeping pills from the Doctor, as she isn't sleeping, and she finds that when she takes one she wakes in a parallel world where Freddie hasn't died, and her life goes on with him as it was - even up to the wedding and honeymoon she didn't get to take. However, slowly she realises that apart...

  This was so amazing that I couldn't put it down and read most of it in a day! This is a beautiful piece of historical fiction, very evocative of the times. When Bess finds out she is pregnant and the father has died, she realises that she cannot keep the baby. Heartbroken, she leaves her child at the Foundling Hospital in London and vows she will retrieve her as soon as she can. She leaves her with a token - half a heart made of whalebone - all she has of the child's father. Six years later, full of trepidation, she goes back to the Foundling Hospital with money saved up to regain her child. She is sick with fear that her daughter may have died in the interim. However, when she arrives at the Hospital, she is shocked to find that the daughter she gave up was apparently claimed the day after she was left, and apparently by her! When Bess has collected her thoughts she goes back to the Hospital to find someone who can solve mystery, perhaps someone who can remember the pe...

  I have read a few of this author's books before so I was really looking forward to reading this one, and I'm glad to say I wasn't disappointed. The books are very funny, and though I may not have laughed out loud, I definitely smiled a lot. 'Sandra' is the only child of illusionists Adam and Ophelia who are self absorbed in eachother and in their act. She is largely left to herself, believing she had no other family. In fact she is closest to her parents' agent, who is the only down to earth and practical person she knows. Her parents are very beautiful, and her father is not averse to a lot of flirting and light dalliences, but always returns to her mother. There was always something a little odd about her mother, but Sandra never persued it or gave it too much thought. When one of her father's affairs goes too far, and he moves in with a (much) younger chorus girl with her eye on his money and stage act, Sandra's mother persuades Sandra to drive her ...

  I will start by saying that a few years back I read an extremely similar book, however that did not detract from this book at all and I really enjoyed it. It was an extremely compelling read, if quite dark in places. Eve used to walk home from school with her younger sister Belle. Unfortunately younger sisters get in the way when you want to spend time with the love of your life, and Eve was happy to walk on ahead whilst Belle dawdled behind.  Eve never got over the fact that Belle was taken whilst she was supposed to be watching her, neither did their mother. You see, it was just the 3 of them - Eve and Belle never knew their father as he was already married and had a family. The day that Belle got taken the world shifted for Eve and her mother. But one day Eve gets a call that a girl has been found who meets her sister's description. However she is in a coma having been hit by 2 speeding cars and is in a terrible state. Will Belle be able to wake up and tell them where she...

  Kate Goss is brought up in Bermondsey. When she is very young her mother died in a tragic accident, and her father leaves her with his horrible sister and vile cousins while he disappears on business, but promises to come back. Years later he hasn't come back. Her Aunt removes her from school and sets her to work in the local tin factory - keeping nearly all the money. Kate spends much of her precious spare time daydreaming of when her father would return and take her away. Meanwhile the situation at her Aunt's is so horrible she gets into a fight, and has to make her own way. She takes on an extra cleaning job at the Bermondsey Bookshop to help make ends meet. This soon becomes a refuge where she makes friends and sees another side to life. When the tin factory lays off girls for a while, she gets into debt with the local money lender, but help comes from an unexpected source. She continues dreaming, in her cold and lonely Garrett, of when her father will return and rescue h...

  It's nearly 3am and I'm awake because I couldn't put this book down! Wow!! The Assistant in the book is one of the Alexa Echo or Google Home devices that so many of us have around our houses. But what if the device goes rogue and starts learning from us. And what happens if someone has a very real, very serious grudge against you. They could start to use the tech all around you to make you feel you are going mad, and to convince everyone else that you are. What if you already had a family history of mental illness?  Omg! One of the most creepy and upsetting stories, but with a serious compulsion that will make you want to binge read it to the end.

A sweet story about the 3 Casey brothers, their wives, children and parents. What happens when one of the family falls and bumps their heads and gets concussion, and the result is like giving them a truth serum. Way too much comes out at a family dinner party. The story starts with the dinner party, goes back in time to see how they got there, and then moves forward in time to see how it ends. A lovely story but not my favourite of hers. I didn't feel like I couldn't put it down.

  Livia didn't have the fantastic wedding she always wanted - she was accidentally pregnant far too young, so she has been saving for years to make her 40th birthday party a magical evening to replace the kind of wedding she always wanted. Her husband Adam is determined to make sure she has that amazing evening come what may. Unfortunately both Livia and Adam are keeping a major secret from eachother with the potential to ruin not only Livia's magical evening, but the rest of their lives. Can they get through the evening together and have one last perfect evening, or will it all explode? This is a real page turner. I didn't want to put it down. Well written with extremely believable characters you feel very invested in. I loved Livia and Adam's story and was praying love would see them through.

  I loved the first book and I really loved the second too. I felt like I was meeting old friends. In this second book Stella is older, and trying to live a 'normal' life. She sets up a company to help others in whatever they may need such as taking people to appointments or shopping, organising events, or generally helping out wherever she is needed. Her first, somewhat unexpected, employee is her Grandmother who joins the company to keep an eye on her. When her 'Strange' friends ask her to keep her mind open to listen for those in danger, she finds that against her will someone is entering into her dreams and giving her horrible nightmares. Stella can't help herself, and just listening out ends up putting herself, her Grandmother, in mortal danger. This is a book that will have you on the edge of your seat,  but more importantly it will have you smiling all through the book. Another triumph. Book 3 please?

  This was very different from the other books by JoJo Moyes, in that it is Historical Fiction, but I loved it no less. A really fascinating book, with very real characters you are really rooting for during their trials and tribulations. It is set during the Depression in Kentucky, America, and is about the Packhorse Librarians, a group of women set up to deliver and collect books to the mountain folk in the area who might have no access to books or magazines and reading. The initiative was set up by the First Lady and the Librarians were paid, but it was a free service to the borrower's, and in many cases became a bit of a lifeline to them. When bored, middle class Alice meets the handsome and dashing Bennett Van Cleave, and he proposes, she accepts with alacrity, and eagerly anticipates her new life in Kentucky, however things are not always as they seem. She soon realised when they move in with her infuriating father in law that she has swapped one set of problems for anoth...

Christmas at Miss Moonshine's Emporium by nine award winning novelists Helena, Mary and her team have done it again. An absolute triumph. If you only read one Christmas novel, make it this one. A stand alone book, but the second about the fictitious town of Haven Bridge, and the wonderful emporium owned by the magical Miss Moonshine and her dog Napoleon. This wonderful group of ladies meet up regularly for a book club, and each write a story that all fit together so cleverly to make a fantastic novel with Miss Moonshine and her amazing emporium at its heart. How I'd love to attend that book club! The emporium sells everything from cards to furniture, from calendars to snow globes, and Miss Moonshine has the knack of always selling you just what you need to make your life better. Not all the stories are set in the present day but the mysterious Miss Moonshine never seems to age. I can't wait for my next outing to Haven Bridge - more please!  

Just listened to this as an audiobook - actually read by Michael McIntyre himself. Definitely worth reading if you can. I borrowed it from the Library online. He's very funny, and I loved the impersonations.    

  This is not the type of book I would usually choose but the premise sounded intriguing, and I'm so glad I read it. Isobel is an Australian travel journalist, and whilst waiting for a bus on a visit to London, a man fall on top of her in the icy streets. She looks at him and decides that a) she is wet and very dishevelled, and b) he was seriously good looking. His car arrives, and with a quick apology he is gone and she didn't even catch his name. As she's already in London, and had been asking her boss for some other types of journalistic experience, he sends her to interview an up and coming actor. Isobel turn up for the interview unprepared, but not as unprepared as she is to come face to face with the man who knocked her over the day before - and now she has his name. Tom invites her to visit some Christmas fayres, and ice skating to make up for knocking her over, and they start to fall in love. Unfortunately they live on different continents, and have different lives ...

  Carol lived with her  abusive husband, and their children Nicola and Graham, and life was hell. Her husband was a drunk and a bully and used her as a punchbag. You put up with so much for your children until a line is crossed, where you realise that if you were killed, your children would only have the scumbag bully ok n their lives - and then you run. This sets off a chain of events to change everyone's life.  The important focus in the family is that the youngest, Nicola, must pass her exams, get into University, and make a better life for herself. Mother and son enter several pacts to make sure that Nicola is safe and can become the person they want her to be. The other 'voice' in the story is Richard, a prison chaplain, who sees something in Graham and is determined to make him a better man. A brilliant, twisty story, of family abuse, lies, and even murder. How far would you go to protect your family?  

  This is somewhere between a novel and a short story, telling the true story of the Author's own mother in law at the the of the second world war. The family were Jewish, and having seen first hand the terrible things that were going on in their country of Poland, they decided that the only way to survive was to run away into the forest. Living out in the forest for a prolonged period is not easy. Pearl had to run away without shoes and her feet are a mass of sores. Her many sisters and brothers needed to eat and her parents found feeding them very hard from what they could forage. As they were blonde and blue eyed, and looked Aryan, it was decided for them to hide in plain sight by pretending to be Catholic orphans, and work on various farms in return for their keep. Their parents were heartbroken at having to separate them but knew they would have to do it in order for them to survive. Pearl was billeted by a very unpleasant woman who wanted her as in unpaid slave, and...