Nicki's book blog

- My Best Mistake by Carole Wolfe -Womens fiction Tasha won the lottery big time. When she and her husband split of course so also were the winnings. They have seven year old twins via IVF although her husband denies that they are his as her “asked for “ two boys. The doctor involved is threatening her with legal action over some bad reviews, which had nothing to do with Tasha as it happens but of course she is big news with the lottery win. I liked Tasha. She has grit determination and although has her weaknesses is no push over. She is going through a messy time with her ex husband who just wants more and more and also making discoveries about the rest of her family. This is the story of a single mother and the ups and downs despite having wealth. In other words, having money doesn’t necessarily make you happy. Of secrets and discoveries of life, love and those special moments. A fairly short (195 pages) easy read that kept me within the pages....

Silent Money GD Harper- crime Michael works in a bank as an assistant branch manager. When his manager leaves he applies for the post but sadly doesn’t get it. When the new incumbent arrives, a man who is known to staff for not being the hardest worker, Michael assists him all he can- with his own means to an end in sight. When this manager is replaced Michael thinks about his own position, one he feels stuck in and that others appear to be getting what they want but not him. He devises a plan to change things a little. With a little research and a lot of wherewithal he starts his own business, making more money than he ever dreamt of. This is set in the mid 1970’s and so there are typed bank statements, no cctv and many things that we take for granted today. This doesn’t detract at all in fact when reading this I had to check the dates due to the typing aspect and then everything slotted in place beautifully. I liked Michael and his determination and h...

To Keep You Safe - Kate Bradley - -psychological thriller Jenni is a teacher having previously been in the military. Her hobby is doing Ironmans (swim 2.4miles/bike 112m/ Run marathon-26m) and she has won three of them. One of her pupils, fifteen year old Destiny, is known to social services and lives in care. When Jenni see Destiny in trouble- men are trying to abduct her- she doesn’t expect to be faced with a gun and more problems in dealing with authority than they are solving. Jenni’s natural instinct is to protect. Destiny’s is to flee. They set off on a journey that leads them to far far more than either one of them expected. A story of hope and life and challenges along the way. Of different types of determination and grit. This is a beautifully written book that takes you to a different plane and makes you think and tugs at the emotions , in part almost ethereal despite the rugged plot. Kate is a wordsmith of the highest quality and I wouldn’t hesit...

Close to you- Kerry Wilkinson Psychological thriller Morgan is a successful personal trainer. When she goes to an awards ceremony and a picture is taken she thinks she recognises someone in the back of the photograph. That someone looks very much like her husband David who disappeared two years ago. He was rather secretive about some things and Morgan later discovered told lies after lies. When things go missing and the only person who would know about certain things is David, Morgan starts to question herself. It can’t be David can it? It can’t be as she herself killed him two years ago. This one gripped me very quickly- always a good sign. Chapters alternate between now and before David was killed to give us the background of their relationship and what happened. I took to Morgan (despite what had happened) and how things were panning out. Her critical mother which many daughters will understand. I read this in a day- it hooked me and kept me there...

The Children’s Block-  Otto B Kraus- Historical Fiction A work of fiction based on fact. Cold hard fact that the author lived through. Fact that every man woman and child should know and learn about until the ends of time. The Czech edition was entitled “Smoke is my brother”. Says so very much…..I read this having previously read “ The Tattooist of Auschwitz” so knew what I was in for…. so I thought. Alex is a teacher and undercover he teaches the children in their block in Auschwitz, never knowing what the next day let alone hour may hold. He keeps a diary that is carefully concealed. Whether it will ever be found or who by he does not know. If found by the guards it will be burnt to yet more smoke. I learnt so much. That when Germany first took rule there were lots of things that the Jewish were not allowed. To even buy fresh fruit or to listen to music. Strange rules hidden amongst the things we know about clothes and doors being marked to make ...

Savage Children by Peter Boland- Crime A crime book with a difference. I would normally describe this as police procedural- however its not the police that are proceeding with the evidence in this case. Children are going missing and then the parents are receiving a picture. A picture drawn by their child of themselves as an angel. Savage is ex SAS and now retired. He loves nothing more than being a detective- unofficially of course. He and his friend Tannaz who is a computer whizz get on the case when his neighbours child goes missing,  as the police appear to be going around in circles and getting nowhere. I quickly grew to like Savage- there is something about his personality that makes him likeable although he can be one tough man not to be messed with- someone you most definitely want on your side. His relationship with Tannaz comes across very well and they bounce off of each other in many ways. There is hard work and determination and also a l...

Grace- Patrica Dixon-Womens fiction I was lucky enough to win this book when I read it the first time around  and am so glad I did. I have just re read this and once again instantly found the magic that this book holds between its pages. Grace has split from her husband who has now found himself a new partner, one that isn;t quite like his soon to be ex- wife.. The three children have pretty much grown and flown and so fed up of being put on at Christmas when the children are each doing other things Grace takes herself and the dog off to France for a break. Max is also on his own and wonders who the lovely lady is that he saw on the ferry crossing- another opportunity missed so back to his lonely wanderings all for lack of courage.  After an eventful Christmas at home I enjoyed reading of another with its inevitable ups and downs. Families and relationships- always a minefield at this time of year. A heart-warming story of life, love, friend...