Nicki's book blog

Everybody works in sales-Niraj Kapur  5* non fiction Sales. Why ever would you want to read a book on sales? Bear with me- and you might be more interested than you imagine.  We either love them- shopping in them, or loathe them. Just put “person” after the word. Those phone calls that you either don’t want or the person on the other end cannot deviate from a script and so can’t answer your question. We have all suffered this so many times. You, yes you reading this, think you have nothing to do with sales. Did you try to get your children/significant other/friend to do something for you recently- go out maybe or a favour? Welcome to the world of sales- you sold an idea to them without even knowing it. Did you debate/argue/discuss something to put across your point of view? You were selling an idea/thought/whatever. This book is all about that. It gives Niraj’s life through his successes and failures, jobs, hobbies and experiences his views on the world of sale

The Pursuit of Ordinary- Nigel Jay Cooper 5*   Another brilliant book from Nigel Jay Cooper- one you won’t forget- for good reasons. Joe was involved in a car accident whilst walking with his wife,  but he sees the scene and is able to walk away. He sees his wife cradling a man who is obviously dead.  Little by little he realises he is in another man’s body-Dan. Dan is homeless and has mental issues such as bulimia. Slowly Joe talks to Dan and gets him to pass a note to Joe’s wife. What transpires is rather unusual to say the least. This is a wonderfully creative story with all the depth of character that Nigel writes with ease. A tale of the unexpected, a tale of hope and despair and life. Of smiles, and tears , ups and downs. Friends, lovers and relations. A brilliant concept,beautifully written and a highly enjoyable read. For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/ or follow me on Twitter @nickijmurphy1

Dying to see you - Kerena Swan-4*   Sophie is a single mum to two girls. She keeps having that feeling that she is being watched and maybe followed. The bus stop across the road from her house has shadows and she can’t quite work out if it is her imagination or not. Max is an estate agent with an elderly mother. His mother although needing care is not quite what she seems and has her moments- in more ways than one could imagine. When Max meets Sophie and they take to each other their lives change, at least for one party. The other has even more secrets to keep. This is an interesting read. Some is written in the first party which took me a little while to get into, however once I did it kept me enthralled. You just know that something is going to happen and you might even think what. But was I right? I won’t spoil it. An enthralling read. For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/ or follow me on Twitter @nickijmurphy1

The Kindness of Strangers- Julie Newman- 4* Helen has just lost her husband and is trying to get back to normal life, whatever that means. She comes across a locked cabinet. Once opened it reveals far more than she ever thought possible. Secrets and lies are not a good start to being a widow. Martin is homeless. He left the army and has struggled with his memories of Helmand. He has PTSD and needs a new start. With an helping hand he finds somewhere to stay and a job, but what he wants more than anything is to put things right with his wife and children who are now rather fearful of him. Charley is a teenager who stands on her own two feet as her Mother takes life lying down- in every sense of the word. When a thin blue line appears and Charley’s boyfriend joins the army, her life takes on a very different turn. This is a well told story that draws you in from the start. Characters that you take to even if you don’t particularly like (if that makes sense

Flip Flops ,Fiesta and Flamenco - Donna Hepburn 5* Abby has had enough. Enough of her ex-husband and his conniving girlfriend. Enough of her two grown up sons who take her for granted, and enough of the English weather. When her long time friend Lou offers her the chance to live in Spain(which has always been her dream), it doesn't take her long to make her decision. This is the story of the beginning of their adventures in Spain. Think All creatures great and small meets El Dorado mixed with all the wonderful, colourful cultures of the true Spain. I loved reading this. From animal antics to conmen and larger than life characters whom we have all come across in one form or another. It made me smile several times along the way (and sad at one point too). When you come across Santos you can;t help but smile!  For anyone who loves life, animals and a laugh then I think that this would be a wonderful holiday read wherever you may be. Love, love , love it F

Godsend- J.A Marley 4*  crime Danny is a lot of things to say the least. He has a good heart but also gets into trouble. He starts this book by helping a store that is being robbed at gunpoint by telling the robbers that they are doing it all wrong. See what I mean? When his old adversary arrives on his doorstep by leaving “gifts” things start to get rather more serious. This is a fairly light hearted read with a smile along the way. You can’t help but like Danny even though he is a bit of a rogue, he is one you would like on your side knowing that your back would always be covered come what may. The title comes from a gospel outfit that are doing rather more than just praying to the Lord- they prey on others too.  An entertaining read with a smile. For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/ or follow me on Twitter @nickijmurphy1 Godsend  blurb It has been eighteen months since Danny Felix pulled off the robbery of his   life

Uncommon Cruelty- Liz Mistry 4* A couple arrive home to find not only has their teenage son had a party in their weekend absence but he has gone AWOL. When two bodies are discovered at the property this puts a serious twist on the party and who attended. Years beforehand a house fire has claimed 5 lives. Why and who is behind them? DI Gus is a lovable character (which I like in a main player). He brings leadership and determination but also something of a rogue about him- especially when he meets up with his father Angus who just happens to be a pathologist. There is an excellent plot, wonderful characters (as always) and a little humour along the way. Nothing to put you off your dinner, just an engaging, very entertaining read. Gus is one of those characters you would like to meet- and be glad that he is on your side. A wonderful series, a brilliant read. For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/ or follow me on Tw

Murder at work- Faith Martin-4* I really enjoy reading this series. Always assured of an interesting plot, excellent believable characters and at least one undercurrent to add a little spice along the way. DI Hillary Greene has handed her notice in and is set to retire in a few short weeks. She is looking forward to taking the Mollern, her canal boat, along the wonderful canal stretches of Great Britain. So why is she getting nervous about it all? When a person is found murdered and the nightwatchman is her ex colleague Frank, she hopes she can solve this one before she hangs up her boots for the final time. Superintendent Vane is still worming his way around trying to discredit both Hillary and Janine from the incident in the last book. This novel does stand alone however some things won’t make sense unless you have read the others- why miss out on some cracking good  reads?Another wonderful read from Faith Martin and I look forward to the next ones. For mor

A Home at Honeysuckle Farm-Christie Barlow- 4*   ( Womens fiction/chick-lit) Alice was taken to New York by her mother when she was eight. Her mother had a falling out with her Father (Alice’s grandfather) and they left the next morning. Grandie ran a dance school and dance has been in Alice’s blood for as long as she can remember. Despite graduating from a school of dance and drama with flying colours,her life in New York has been rather unsuccessful. When Grandie takes ill, Alice decides to fly home to see him, perhaps for one last time. On arriving she realises that she feels more at home than in the thirteen intervening years. This is a heartwarming story and you can see where it perhaps will go but that doesn’t spoil it in the least. A wonderfully uplifting read of relationships, family and heartache. Of what should be done and what ought to be done. Those sensitive situations we have all found ourselves in. A truly enjoyable read with a smile. For

Another Mother - Amanda Jame s -4* Lucinda has a happy home life but isn’t happy in her work. On the day she decides that she has had enough she arrives home to a life changing event. This leads her to track down her birth mother which she had thought about years beforehand but then decided that it wasn’t the right time. She travels to meet the woman who gave her life and she of course wants answers as to what happened thirty years ago. For the first half this is a family drama scenario, but you have that feeling that something, just that little niggle that you can’t quite put your finger on, isn’t quite right. This is a very well written novel and you can’t help but feel for Lu. I love books where the writing is so vivid about characters that you almost feel that you know them. A tense drama for the latter half that only made sense in the final chapter- no way did I guess the ending- the mark of a good book. A gripping, slightly chilling, very entertai