Lil's Bus Trip by Judy Leigh Women’s fiction-

Sprightly eight two year old Lil is off on an adventure. She is going with a

group of locals to northern Europe. She has roped in her daughter Cassie

and good friend Maggie who very much needs to get away from her

husband Brian who just sits in front of the TV letting her do everything.

She almost bottled out thinking he couldn't manage without her. Lil is a

character and couldn't let her friend not come. Many many years ago,

Lil’s love was Cassie's father who then had to return home to the

states following the war. Lil was left wondering what happened to him

and hasn't really had a man in her life ever since. The group set out

and visit war memorials, cemeteries along with cider makers and

everything else along the way.

I love Judy’s novels- there is a depth of message amongst so much

going on and many smiles. From ghosts and flirting to storytelling,

there is the warmth of a group who although very different have

some common bonds. Of life and loves, ups and downs and the

gamut of emotions we all go through. A wonderful, inspirational read.

For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/

or follow me on Twitter@nickisbookblog

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Lil's Bus Trip It’s always a good time for a road trip… When 82-year-old Lil decides to book herself, her 65-year-old daughter, Cassie, and her friend Maggie on a bus trip across Europe, she hopes for a little adventure to counteract the monotony of life in sheltered accommodation. Along with three members of the Salterley Tennis Club and the Jolly Weaver five-a side football team, whose ideas of a good time are rather different to Lil’s and strikingly at odds with each other’s, the merry band of travelers set out on their great adventure. From moving moments on the beaches of Normandy, outrageous adventures in Amsterdam, to the beauty of Bruges and gastronomic delights of France, the holiday is just the tonic Lil, Maggie and Cassie needed. And as the time approaches for them to head home, Lil makes an unexpected discovery - even in her advancing years, men are like buses – there isn’t one for ages then two come along at once. Is Lil ready to share her golden years, and can the ladies embrace the fresh starts that the trip has given them. Or is it just too late to change… Purchase Link - https://amzn.to/3wV7Kr4

Author Bio – Judy Leigh is the bestselling author of A Grand Old Time and The Age of Misadventure and the doyenne of the ‘it’s never too late’ genre of women’s fiction. She has lived all over the UK from Liverpool to Cornwall, but currently resides in Somerset. Social Media Links – Facebook https://www.facebook.com/judyleighuk Twitter https://twitter.com/JudyLeighWriter Instagram https://www.instagram.com/judyrleigh/ Newsletter Sign Up Link http://bit.ly/JudyLeighNewsletter Bookbub profile https://www.bookbub.com/authors/judy-leigh

 

The Secrets of Latimer house- Jules Wake- Historical fiction WW2

1943: Three women each with a different skill are posted to Latimer House

deep in the English countryside. Evelyn Brooke-Edwards - a lieutenant  who

thought she would be demoted after an incident with a senior officer but

she has excellent technical knowledge. Judith Stern, a German jew is now

in the ATS having previously worked in an aircraft factory but hiding her

nationality for obvious reasons. Betty Connors, locally born and bred and

knows the big house of old is not really sure why her less than speedy

or perfect typing skills are required. The three women sign the official

secrets act so can't even tell each other what they are doing but each

knows they are a key part to the war effort. This was easy to get into-

there is quickly a camaraderie amongst the women along with a sense

of purpose and fulfilment. Betty and Evelyn soon find that they have

similar experiences with bullies and that the men around them are of

a different breed. Judith finds out more about what is going on in her

homeland and struggles to come to terms with it. A story of

determination and friendships and of putting the past behind you-

however difficult that may be. Based on true events- Latimer house

was a distribution centre. “ Friendship improves happiness and

abates grief by the doubling of our joy and the dividing of our grief” ( Cicero) 

For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/

or follow me on Twitter@nickisbookblog

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She’ll Never Tell- Maggie James-psychological suspense

Olivia has always been close to her mother and is devastated when two

policemen at her door tell her of her mothers demise. The post mortem

shows that her mother Sonia had never given birth- something Olivia

vehemently denies. She is unable to ask her father as he has had a severe

injury leaving him needing twenty four hour care and little speech. Her

friend Elena comforts her but says some odd things and before Olivia can

find out more Elena abruptly moves away, leaving Olivia with more

questions than answers. We then go back to when Olivia was born and

the circumstances surrounding it. I won’t say any more so as not to give

anything away.

Wow!! What a very clever concept and one perfectly executed. As ever

with Maggie's books, the characters come alive and I found myself turning

ever faster to find out who and what but as I found one part answered,

another question is poised. I took to Olivia and her predicament, as on

e door opened another closed. Skillfully constructed and a plot that

comes alive putting the pieces of the puzzle together.

A  highly recommended read, another stunner from Maggie. 

For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/

or follow me on Twitter@nickisbookblog

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The Liar Next Door Nicola Marsh- psychological thriller-

“Oh what a tangled web we weave…." A small group of mothers each with

their own secrets. One sees an ex who now lives across the street, someone

she really didn't want to come into her life. Another who has run away

from something or someone and wishes to remain invisible to them.

Most of this is done from Frankie’s point of view. She is a vlogger and

has a secret in her marriage. Alternate chapters give the stories of Frankie

in the past and then present day the other main characters. Cleverly

written- there is so much subterfuge that I wasn't sure who is the liar

in the title and even if there was more than one. Each tells a little without

really saying anything other than wanting to hide things from others

as doing so would shatter their lives or their families. Twists and turns

and then the ending! OMG- once seen it all became clear. Not a

book to peek at the end of as allis revealed in the last chapter or

two. Clever,  very well thought out and yet complex in its own way

(but easy to follow). One to remember- Im stunned!

For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/

or follow me on Twitter@nickisbookblog

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Buy Link: 

Amazon: https://geni.us/B095PLZ3LJcover

Apple: http://ow.ly/4wKU50EVACt 

Kobo: http://ow.ly/itdV50EVAAX 

Google: http://ow.ly/qXSt50EVAEt 

About the Book: 

Numbness floods my body as I stumble up the steps leading to my house. Inside I know my five-year-old’s bed is empty, her dresser is ransacked, her overnight bag is gone. I can see her dolls lying untouched through the window of our perfect family home – in the place where I thought I could protect her forever. My daughter is missing.

You’d think my first instinct would be to call the police.

But I know who’s taken my daughter.

And I know that the police can’t help me.

Only I can convince the woman who has my baby to give her back. She thinks she knows my secrets… but she has no idea.

Fans of Liane Moriarty, Sally Hepworth and The Girl on the Train will love this utterly unputdownable domestic thriller from USA Today bestselling author Nicola Marsh.

Author Bio

USA TODAY bestseller and multi-award winner Nicola Marsh writes feel-good fiction…with a twist!

She has published 68 novels and sold over 8 million copies worldwide. She currently writes rural romance for Harper Collins Australia, emotional domestic suspense for Bookouture and contemporary romance for Harlequin Dare.

She’s also a Waldenbooks, Bookscan, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble bestseller, a RBY (Romantic Book of the Year) and National Readers’ Choice Award winner.

A physiotherapist for thirteen years, she now writes full time, raises two dashing young heroes, shares fine food with family and friends, and her favorite, curls up with a good book!

Social Media

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NicolaMarshAuthor

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/NicolaMarsh

Website: http://www.nicolamarsh.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolamarshauthor

 The Madness of Crowds- Louise Penny- Crime thriller

When a statistician is giving a lecture at a hall in a village outside Quebec,

the last thing the police expect is trouble. However the speaker has a

theory about post covid and has been stirring up feelings- social media

as ever spreads things even quicker than a virus. The police limit the

number of people and everyone is searched so how on earth did

firecrackers and a gun get into the hall and having been fired narrowly

miss the target- the speaker herself? Chief Inspector Armand Gamache

was at the scene- something everyone thought would be a non event

which they tried to cancel beforehand to no avail. Three pines village

has a distinguished visitor- a nobel peace prize candidater- but Haniya

has a very hard side to her as well as the saintly side, having

endured much in her short life. This is brilliantly written and a

page turner. Much is narrative rather than action but done to keep the

reader's interest and the pages turning easily. Although one of a

series, -this is number 17-this does stand alone ( I hadn’t read the

others).  To write a novel about post covid is a brave and interesting

scenario when we are just coming out of it in reality and the world

is a different place for all sorts of reasons, some of which is reflected

in the book- of people's mindsets etc. A clever concept and one

very well executed. One to keep the grey matter active and

wonder about the madness of crowds. 

For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/

or follow me on Twitter@nickisbookblog

 

The Dark- Emma Haughton- Crime thriller

Kate is the new doctor at UNA- United Nations Antarctica station where

to go outside freezes immediately. There are strict rules as supplies are

limited for things such as water and space amongst other things. Kate

had an accident a while ago and is here to try and get away from things-

and now on her arrival she is already wondering if she has done the right

thing. Her predecessor Jean-Luc died in an accident out on the ice-

only as time goes on some think that it wasn't an accident at all-

possibly murder. Is someone out to get Kate as when she tries to find

out more things go missing and she finds herself rather unpopular

amongst the group? Being confined in twenty four hour darkness for

several months amongst strangers can be difficult- but when there is

maybe something amiss- tensions and suspicions are running even

higher. Kate has her own demons and is rather a pill popper-

something that began as pain relief after her accident but has now

turned to different issues.

A “ locked room” type mystery of a different and interesting nature.

One I didn't want to put down. There was a brilliant tension building

and that air of something not quite right. A world of 24 hour

darkness and dependency on others- and if generators or other

equipment fails then lives are very much at risk- nothing can fly

in or out due to the weather. A thrilling read, well written and

one perhaps not to read in the depths of winter!

For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/

or follow me on Twitter@nickisbookblog

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 I Let Him In- Jill Childs-psychological thriller

Lou is cycling back from her ex-boyfriends Toby’s place after trying to talk

to him and them having a row. It's windy and raining and the next thing she

knows she has been hit from behind by an unknown vehicle. When the

paramedics arrive she is heard to say “ Am I going to jail”. She recovers

and is allowed home on crutches due to a broken leg. Her sister Jo

suggests that she get some decorating done- it will brighten the place

up and also give her some company. The lady from victim support has

a contact and so appears Ed on the scene who Lou instantly gets on

with. Both have secrets from their past and without saying very much

soon find that they relate to each other's situation. I quickly became

engrossed in this. There's a tension without really knowing why

along with an air of mystery about both Lou and Ed. Lou tells her

secret but Ed has always said that he will never speak of his. This is

cleverly written to engage the reader and as you find out a snippet

there's more to come. Wow! I didn't see that ending coming! My

head spun for a while and then it all made sense. Wowsers!

Most certainly one to remember. 

For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/

or follow me on Twitter@nickisbookblog

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Buy Link: 

Amazon: https://geni.us/B096MP3X7Bsocial

Apple: http://ow.ly/bp2Y50F4h3g 

Kobo: http://ow.ly/ixMy50F4h1X 

Google: http://ow.ly/dhC650F4h53 

About the Book: 

Last night I dreamt about the past for the first time in years. I thought I was over it. I thought I’d finally learned to block it out. But I’m right back there, all over again, inside the house. The room is dark, the corners black with shadow. Then, the scream…

When Louise Taylor is hit by a car as she cycles home in the rain following a fight with her boyfriend, she’s left hurt, frightened and confused. And worse, something tells her it wasn’t an accident.

Housebound in her cramped apartment while she recovers, flashbacks to her traumatic childhood begin to resurface, threatening her hard-won self-control. Desperate to keep busy and distract herself, she hires Edward – a friend of a friend – to repaint her shabby living room and, hopefully, keep the past at bay.

But when Edward arrives – quiet, considerate and handsome – Lou instantly feels like they’ve met before, that she can trust him. Tired of carrying the guilt alone after all these years, Lou tells Edward her secret. And to her surprise, he doesn’t pull away. He doesn’t gasp, or grimace or preach about what she did. And Lou is so relieved to finally be free of this burden at last.

Until she learns that Edward has a secret of his own. One he’s been waiting a very, very long time to tell…

A gripping domestic drama from a USA Today bestselling author full of twists and turns, and with a very unexpected ending. Fans of Amanda Prowse, Kerry Fisher and Jodi Picoult won’t be able to stop turning the pages.

Author Bio

Jill always loved writing – real and imaginary – and spent thirty years travelling the world as a journalist, living overseas and reporting wherever the news took her. She's now made her home in south-west London with her husband and twin girls who love stories as much as she does. Although she's covered everything from earthquakes and floods, wars and riots, she's decided some of the most extraordinary stories are right here at home - in the secrets and lies she imagines behind closed doors on ordinary streets just like yours.

Social Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jill.childs.71

Twitter: https://twitter.com/author_jill

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17843718.Jill_Childs

Rock Paper Scissors- Alice Feeney -psychological thriller

Adam and Amelia despite being married have a rather strange relationship.

He suffers from Prosopagnosia which is an inability to recognise faces-

even his own so often walks past even his wife. They have taken a weekend

away in Scotland to try and repair their marriage but even the journey has

been straining. Each year on their anniversary they share gifts relevant

to the anniversary according to tradition (paper, linen etc) This is their

tenth. Each year Amelia has written Adma a letter- which he never

receives- with some truths about their marriage in each one.  On

arrival at the isolated  converted chapel they think it is locked having

tried the doors. A quick walk around to see if there is another door

and getting back to the main doors find they are wide open- and it's

not the wind. Both Adam and Amelia have their secrets and schedule

of what is to happen on this break- something they won in a raffle.

This is a very cleverly crafted read- even a few pages in and there is a

tension you can’t quite put your finger on. Two people, two agendas-

some of which may not involve the other certainly keep the pages

turning. A mystery and tension- a heady combination skillfully crafted.

Oh wow! I won’t give anything away but wowzers!! How very very

clever. I thought I knew who,what and maybe why- ok brain try again.

An ending that stopped me in my tracks and made me reconsider

the whole concept of the book. I’ll say no more. Brilliant doesn’t cover it 5*

For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/

or follow me on Twitter@nickisbookblog