Posted in Adult Fiction, Blog Tour, Historical Fiction

Today I am joining the #BookstagramTour for These Lost & Broken Things by Helen Fields

Today I am delighted to be sharing my review for These Lost & Broken Things by Helen Fields, this was my first book by this author and I loved getting to know Sofia and her family.

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My Review

Based in the early 1900’s in London we get to know Sofia when her husband suddenly dies leaving her sole provider for their young children. Throughout this story you observe Sofia struggling to put food on the table for her children and gain an insight into her childhood where she initially learnt to spot cheats as a child travelling with her family. As you keep reading Sofia visits the darkest corners of her past whilst trying to find a way forward and remain in control of her life and keep her children safe.

I found that once I had started to read to story of Sofia both past and present it lured me in. Set against the suffragete movement in London this story is full of vivid descriptions of both the squalor and splendure of London dependent on your social class. It highlights how poorly women were treated by men and how this was deemed normal and acceptable just over 100 years ago.

A book that I thoroughly enjoyed and so pleased to have discovered a new author whose books I can’t wait to read again in the future.

 

Book Blurb

Maiden-Mother-Murderer

How dangerous is a woman with nothing left to lose?

The year is 1905. London is a playground for the rich and a death trap for the poor. When Sofia Logan’s husband dies unexpectedly, leaving her penniless with two young children, she knows she will do anything to keep them from the workhouse. But can she bring herself to murder? Even if she has done it before…

Emmet Vinsant, wealthy industrialist, offers Sofia a job in one of his gaming houses. He knows more about Sofia’s past than he has revealed. Brought up as part of a travelling fair, she’s an expert at counting cards and spotting cheats, and Vinsant puts her talents to good use. His demands on her grow until she finds herself with blood on her hands.

Set against the backdrop of the Suffragette protests, with industry changing the face of the city but disease still rampant, and poverty the greatest threat of all, every decision you make is life or death. Either yours or someone else’s. Read best-selling crime writer Helen Fields’ first explosive historical thriller.

 

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Available to purchase here

 

About the Author

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An international and Amazon #1 best-selling author, Helen is a former criminal and family law barrister. Every book in the Callanach series claimed an Amazon #1 bestseller flag. Her next book, the sixth in the series, ‘Perfect Kill’ is due out on 6 February 2020. Helen also writes as HS Chandler, and last year released legal thriller ‘Degrees of Guilt’. Her previous audio book ‘Perfect Crime’ knocked Michelle Obama off the #1 spot. Translated into 15 languages, and also selling in the USA, Canada & Australasia, Helen‘s books have won global recognition. Her first historical thriller ‘These Lost & Broken Things’ comes out in May 2020. A further standalone thriller published by HarperColllins will come soon. She currently commutes between Hampshire, Scotland and California, where she lives with her husband and three children. Helen can be found on Twitter @Helen_Fields for up to date news and information or at www.helenfields.co.uk.

 

Many thanks to Love Books Tours for the invitation to join this blog tour, please remember to like and share to help spread the book love!

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Posted in Adult Fiction, Blog Tour, Chick Lit

Today I am delighted to be sharing my review for The Summer Villa by Melissa Hill

Today I am delighted to be sharing my review for the latest release by Melissa Hill. I love it when I have the opportunity to read and review for an author whose books I love and what isn’t there to love about a story set in sunny Italy.

My Review

Set against the stunning backdrop of Italy with it’s amazing views and beautiful villas. This is a story about friendship and how these lovely ladies found themselves and each other whilst on a trip to Italy many years ago. Told over a dual timeline 6 years apart, you get an insight from all of them as to where they were in their lives when they first arrived in Italy and what instigated them being there in the first place. 

I enjoyed getting to know these ladies through their highs and lows and how no-one really quite knows everything that happened during their visit where they all first became friends. 

I love a book set in Italy and this oozes stereotypical cute Italians and delicious food. A story that keeps you guessing throughout as to how other events all link together from their first trip and discover what really happened during those gorgeous summer days.

A book that will provide the perfect companion during the long summer days and that I highly recommend adding to your TBR pile.

 

Book Blurb

Three women. One summer reunion. Secrets will be revealed…

Villa Dolce Vita, a rambling stone house on the Amalfi Coast, sits high above the Gulf of Naples amidst dappled lemon groves and the fragrant, tumbling bougainvillea. Kim, Colette and Annie all came to the villa in need of escape and in the process forged an unlikely friendship.

Now, years later, Kim has transformed the crumbling house into a luxury retreat and has invited her friends back for the summer to celebrate.

But as friendships are rekindled under the Italian sun, secrets buried in the past will come to light, and not everyone is happy that the three friends are reuniting… Each woman will have things to face up to if they are all to find true happiness and fully embrace the sweet life.

 

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Available to purchase here

 

About the Author

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International #1 bestselling Irish author Melissa Hill lives in County Wicklow.
Her page-turning, contemporary novels are published worldwide and translated into 25 different languages.

Many of her novels are currently in development for movies and TV.
An adaptation of A GIFT TO REMEMBER is airing now on Hallmark Channel US and Sky Cinema in Ireland/UK, and a sequel, CHERISHED MEMORIES filmed in 2019.
A Christmas movie adaptation of her USA Today bestseller, THE CHARM BRACELET is scheduled for release in 2020.

Her latest novel, KEEP YOU SAFE has also been optioned for UK TV, and a series based on one of her short stories is in development at Netflix.

Her brand new novel THE SUMMER VILLA available now, is a #1 Irish Times bestseller.

For more info visit her website at http://www.melissahill.ie
Twitter: @melissahillbks
Facebook: facebook.com/melissahillbooks
Instagram: @melissahillbooks

 

Many thanks to Harper Collins for the invitation to join the blog tour,  please remember to like and share to help spread the book love! 

THE SUMMER VILLA BTB