Nicki's book blog

Return to the Little Cottage on the Hill- Emma Davis- We return to the little cottage on the hill with Megan, Seth, Trixie, Liam, Maddie  and Clara . A tv crew, a blacksmithing competition, paying guests and a house and garden as well as food to prepare daily. What could possibly go wrong? A story of life with its ups and downs, of friendships which also have their moments and of bonds that hold the world together. A book that takes you into the heart of things from the word go. This is the second in the series and to know the characters and background it is best having read the first one. Why miss out on another wonderful read? As with the first book this is an uplifting read to make you smile along the way. A wonderful easy, holiday read. For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/ or follow me on Twitter @nickijmurphy

Finding Eva- J.A Baker Women's Fiction/crime/psychological Eva was given away as a baby, unwanted by her parents who were unable to cope with a child at that time. Having had a successful career in finance in London she has sold her flat and moved to Whitby where she believes her parents are living. Whilst in London she had a relationship with Gareth- a turbulent one to say the least. She found respite in  the bottom of a bottle and now wishes to put all of this behind her although she does miss Gareth and finds herself calling him more than she feels she should. This is a very descriptive read. Something I wouldn’t normally go for but this is done somehow in a different way. The descriptions drew me in both to the character and the situation- the mark of a good author in my humble opinion. Chapters alternate between three main characters- Eva, Gareth and Celia. Celia is Eva’s lifelong friend whom she was in foster care with. Celia has always ha

Angelica Stone- Susi Osbourne contemporary womens fiction Lola (not a showgirl) is back living with her loved up parents after being dumped by Will literally at the altar. She has taken a checkout job, despite having a degree “until she gets herself sorted out”- the words of her mother.  She lives a very middle class, sheltered life and only realises this when she makes friends with Angel. Angelina Stone didn’t have the best start in life and is still struggling and Lola soon realises that she has little to grumble about and much to be thankful for compared to Angel. However - behind closed doors maybe secrets we know nothing about.  I loved reading this and didn’t want it to end. Be warned- it is not the read you maybe were thinking of. There are some difficult subject matters very well handled. Lola had a trait of “helping lame ducks” something most of us can relate to. You don’t know how fortunate/lucky/happy you are until you are not….. Brilliantly

Not me personally!!! But 99p... go on....

Murder at Midnight- Faith Martin-( First published as A Narrow Victory) Hillary is back at her desk. This time the case she has been given to review is that of a man murdered but not really any suspicious circumstances. The nearest to it is that he was involved in a fatal RTA in which the other driver despite being over the speed limit and over the alcohol limit blamed him for the death of his son. Otherwise the victim is an unassuming person leading an everyday life. But this is Hillary and nothing is ever what it first appears. One of her new team has a hidden agenda. Little does he realise how astute our Hillary is. She doesn’t have a top reputation for solving crimes that others have failed at for nothing. This was a slightly different read in the series as much was about the past and the new team. To me it didn’t quite have that same edge as the other books which made me want to find out “whodunnit”. This one just seemed to drop from the pages. Th

Dreaming about Daran - Jessica Redland Clare has a past. One she tried to leave behind when she left Ireland 17 years ago, forced away after “bringing disgrace to the family”. When a great aunt dies and leaves her a letter she is blown away with the contents to say the very least. We think such things are in the past but I am fairly certain they they still exist behind closed doors. .A girl of 16 rejected by her catholic family for “bringing shame” on them. Today we struggle with how they could put themselves first and not one of their own. Clare coped by blocking it out and getting on with her life, telling no-one of her past. I think many of us have done the same in one way or another until something, just maybe a very small something causes the dam to break and we come to our senses. All of Jessica’s books have more to them than “just” the story. They are written in a sensitive and caring way that makes you think about life and your own situati

Over my shoulder- Patricia Dixon- 5** Stunning, Gripping, Captivating.! OMG!!! What a read! The story of a young woman enamoured by a "flamboyant and wealthy" boyfriend who turns out to be more- so very much more in a way that she could never envisage. Freya starts to realise Kane's power and that his reach is far beyond anything she thought possible. How is she ever going to break free from his grasp? This is a brilliantly written book, the latter section especially (I won't give anything away) which made me turn faster and faster to find out what happens, so taken was I by the story and the very strong determined lead character. A story of hope, of positivity against all odds, of fighting for yourself in every way possible, and that domestic abuse doesn't have to be the end. A truly magnificent read. I only award 5** to the books that make me think, have memorable characters and have a good ending. This has all of them in spades. I read 250+

The Other Victim- Helen Durrant An estate agent is found dead in a house when he should be showing prospective buyers around. An unassuming man who lived very frugally despite doing well in business in the past. Why him? When a man is found burned in a car dumped in the canal the team suddenly have their hands full. A young girl is missing who is also a mother. She has taken herself off before but this time it doesn’t somehow ring true.. Could any of these be linked or is there a visitor in town causing chaos? Helen as ever gives us a wonderful read which you lose yourself in very easily. DI Matt Brindle and team are new on the pages and by half way through I felt not only comfortable with them but that I was getting to “know” them as I always enjoy in a crime read. Some background to the main players which always makes for a more interesting book and a good plot mean I can disappear easily within the pages without even thinking about it. Twists and turns along the w