Friday 28 August 2015

From the Cradle - Louise Voss, Mark Edwards



The first child was taken from her house.
The second from his mother's car.
The third from her own bedroom...
When Helen and Sean Philips go out for the evening, leaving their teenage daughter babysitting little Frankie, they have no idea that they are about to face every parent's greatest fear.
Detective Inspector Patrick Lennon is hopeful that the three children who have been abducted in this patch of south-west London will be returned safe and well. But when a body is found in a local park, Lennon realizes that time is running out—and that nothing in this case is as it seems...
Blending police procedural with psychological thriller, From the Cradle will have every parent checking that their children are safe in their beds...then checking again.

I would like to thank the authors for allowing me to read this book. I have had this book for a bit and also the audio as well. At 1st I wasn't sure how this book was going to pan out due to the nature of the synopsis as it led me to believe that it was like someone taking babies.
As I got further into the book and read more, it got to the part where it was leading the reader to believe there was something more to the storyline that they 1st perceived. DI Patrick Lennon has a past that his colleagues know about, but no one speaks about. I disliked DI Adrian Winkler for his arrogance and downright rude nature lol. But a great story never the less.
The book reminded me of a time when my daughter was little and did a walk about to a main road (I know it's not like she was taken), but it bought back the fear I had all those years ago. Praise for both authors and can't wait to read more from them.

Sunday 23 August 2015

The Color Purple by Alice Walker



The Color Purple is a 1982 epistolary novel by American author Alice Walker which won the 1983 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the National Book Award for Fiction. It was later adapted into a film and musical of the same name.

Taking place mostly in rural Georgia, the story focuses on the life of women of color in the southern United States in the 1930s, addressing numerous issues including their exceedingly low position in American social culture. The novel has been the frequent target of censors and appears on the American Library Association list of the 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2000-2009 at number seventeen because of the sometimes explicit content, particularly in terms of violence.


I have been meaning to read this for a while and hubby has informed me I have watched the film. Mind you, I don't remember the film much (just 3 people who was in it. Oprah Winfrey, Whoppi Goldberg and I think Danny Glover). 

I felt like I was just reading letters between Celie and God, Celie and her sister Nettie. But with the insight to everyday life. Was ok for me to listen to. But I can see where people have liked it.

Saturday 22 August 2015

Not Over (Parker Siblings #4) by Leigh Ann Lunsford



Dustin Parker had life and love in his grasp until the moment she disappeared without a good-bye. He has watched his sisters struggle, fall in love, and find a happily ever after. He thought it was his turn, but fate had other plans. Leaving the family again, this time to attend school across the country, he will play soccer, and try to keep her off his mind. All of a sudden in walks someone to occupy his bed but not his heart. Why is he promising her forever? 

Teryn Hall has suffered years of abuse, held a prisoner in her home by the one man who should have nurtured and loved her. Her scars run deep, and when her pain bubbles to the surface she can’t control the memories and the anguish. She thought she was doing the right thing when she walked away. She thought he would wait for her. Didn’t he promise her forever? Right when she thinks things are back on track, the news of Dustin moving on could derail her. 

Can love really survive anything? 

**This is fourth book in series**
***Due to strong language and sexual content not intended for anyone under age of 18***
****This book does reference abuse****


I would like to thank the author for allowing me to read and review this wonderful box set.

This is the fourth and final book in the Parker Sibling series. This is all about Teryn Hall and Dustin Parker. How Teryn's father has screwed up her life and the whole Parker clan. There are some scenes in the book that are disturbing and makes you think how crap life is and what kids are capable of. 

A great way to finish off the series and many thanks to Leigh Ann Lunsford for the great series.

Thursday 20 August 2015

Not Hiding (Parker Siblings #3) by Leigh Ann Lunsford



Cambree Parker has finally flown the nest and headed off to college in a different state, truly alone for the first time. Trying to escape from her sisters shadows, she runs from the lies and deceit that have plagued her family for years, and from the boy who stole her heart and shredded it in the process. Once there, she realizes her freedom is not all she hoped it would be. She misses her family, thinks of Max daily, and when she decides she wants to take control, she is attacked, leaving her family to fear for their safety. Can she protect her heart and remain safe when the source of her heartache has taken up permanent residence by her side?

Max Baird knew he messed up. His guilt over Cambree being attacked makes him doubt if he is good enough for her. He just knows he can’t walk away. She has told him she hates the lies, but the one he is keeping can blow her family apart, and he doesn’t know if she will ever forgive him. He has seen his share of sorrow and heartbreak, but he refuses to allow Cambree to suffer at his hands anymore. He will prove to her they can work. Hopefully he isn’t too late.


I would like to thank the author for letting me read and review this wonderful Installment of Parker Siblings.

This installment carries on from where the previous ones have been. This is to do with Cambree and Max. I have found some OMG moments in this section as I wasn't clued in to what would happen. You have to understand the family and the outsiders in this dysfunctional book. I loved what happens to make a compassionate person like Cambree want to take on bad boy Max (they have history ;-) ). But boy do sparks fly when the rest of the sisters get involved in stuff.

Can't wait to read the final installment of this saga.

Not Leaving (Parker Siblings #2) by Leigh Ann Lunsford



Addison Parker has loved one boy all her life, Tyler James. She met him the first day of school after moving to Tennessee to live with her grandparents. Through death, raising her younger siblings, betrayal, and heartbreak, he has been there. She has forgiven him for many things, but this time when he leaves, she decides he is not her future anymore. 

Tyler James loves Addison Parker. He has made mistakes, but his love is always constant. He wants to be with her, but through lies and misunderstandings it doesn’t seem possible anymore. When a single moment changes his future, will he be able to come back and pick up the pieces of their relationship, or did he finally break all of her faith in him? 
**Due to strong language and sexual content this book is not suitable for under the age of 18***


I just want to start by thanking the author for allowing me to read these wonderful and lovely books she has written.

The next installment in the Parker Siblings saga brings us Addison and Tyler. A couple who in the previous book was looking tight knit and nothing could break them. THEN we find out Addison was pregnant and Tyler walked away (OMG). My heart broke for Addison and Tyler due to what had happened to Tyler in the previous book (won't give it away if you've not read book 1 lol). You also see more of the characters from book 1 and what else happens in their lives.

I've loved these 2 books so far and the way all lives are entangling with each other. You even find a few surprises along the way with other characters. Praise for Ms Lunsford and her team.

Not Enough (Parker Siblings #1) by Leigh Ann Lunsford



Brielle Parker has her life in front of her; she just does not know how to live it. After years of not being enough for her parents, or the dreams she once had, how did one man Colby James show her she was actually more than enough?

Raised by her grandparents with her three siblings, Brielle was loved, no doubt. However, her grandparents were taken too soon, and she was left with her older sibling to try to raise her younger ones. She couldn’t help but let the doubts take over her life. Would she ever be enough? Then Colby walked in and changed everything, and just when she was facing her fears and falling in love for the first time, Colby ripped her heart out. 

Will they be able to get past their mistakes to live the life they both want? Did Colby finally break Brielle when all he wanted to do was protect and love her? You can rebound from some mistakes, but some you just have to learn from and walk away. The love they have is true and pure, but will they finally be enough for each other?


I would like to thank the author for letting me read her books. I originally borrowed this from Kindle Unlimited, but have since got the whole series to read. 

When I first picked up the book I was immediately hooked with the story and the way Brielle was with her family. Then you add Colby and boy do sparks fly when these two hook up. I loved the fierceness of Brielle and the compassion Colby has once her finds out stuff about Brielle.

I can't wait to read more of Leigh Ann Lunsford books in the future as she writes with such passion and knowledge of these characters.

Sunday 2 August 2015

The Vintage Teacup Club by Vanessa Greene



At a car boot sale in Sussex, three very different women meet and fall for the same vintage teaset. They decide to share it - and form a friendship that changes their lives . . .

Jenny can't wait to marry Dan. Then, after years of silence, she hears from the woman who could shatter her dreams.

Maggie has put her broken heart behind her and is gearing up for the biggest event of her career - until she's forced to confront the past once more.

Alison seems to have it all: married to her childhood sweetheart, with two gorgeous daughters. But as tensions mount, she is pushed to breaking point.

Dealing with friendship and families, relationships and careers, highs and lows, The Vintage Teacup Club is heart-warming storytelling at its very best.


I've had this for a while and I thought it would be a nice read/audio before I settle into some crime/thrillers. Well I can honestly say that I couldn't connect with the characters. I'm sorry if others enjoyed the book, I carried on with the book to halfway and wasn't really interested in their lives or the Vintage teaset to be honest.