Beneath an Irish Sky by Isobella Connor

Jack Stewert thought he’d put the past behind him. On the surface he has everything – success, money, a big house and he is never short of an attractive woman by his side, but a tragic road accident shatters his world.

Raised as an Irish traveller, Luke Kiernan hasn’t had it easy, and when he wakes up in a Dublin hospital to find the man he’s hated since childhood at his bedside he’s hungry for revenge.

Two very different worlds collide bringing new dangers exposing past deceits, and unearthing dark family secrets buried long ago. But from tragedy springs the promise of a fresh start with two women who are intent on helping Jack and Luke mend their lives.

This story reaches all of the emotional senses its part family saga, part mystery, part love story but unearthing all of the family skeletons over the preceding 20 years makes it part tragedy. Just as you think you’ve got it figured out where the story is going, you get a twist and it’s off down a different route.

Both the protagonist’s, Luke and Jack are lovable, believable and the story is written in such a way you really care about them both. You believe both sides of their very different perspectives, and if they would just tell each other, and piece it together it would save you so much emotional wringing, but where would that leave the reader?

Once engrossed into the story this book really is un-put-a-down-able. It made me laugh, cry, shout, hope, hold my breath and pray. I was sat on the edge of my seat praying that it would be ok, I needn’t have worried, because this is after all a Choclit novel and therefore a happy ever after ending is guaranteed and this novel does not disappoint. So much so I cried with joy! This is the most wonderful book and it deserves to win every single award around.

The Commuting Bookworm 29/07/2013

The Overlook by Michael Connelly

I was lucky enough to be sent this book published by Orian by my kind freinds at Newbooks magazine (http://www.newbooksmag.com/).

This is my first Michael Connelly read, and I was enthralled at the plot and twists that reminded me somewhat of a 1980’s US cop show. It flows well and the story is written in joined up writing, without bad language and it seems that the main protagonist Harry Bosch, is the most organised detective, as demonstrated when we are told about his habit of starting a new notebook for each case.  However, because of the references to a previous case in several parts of the story I did wonder if I was missing out by not having read the previous books in the series.  Without giving away any spoilers, I question if the references to the previous cases were totally necessary as they did not seem to have any relevance to the case in hand and the did make me question if it was worth continuing reading the book.

The last third of the book does have many twists and we are taken down dead end leads, but I did correctly work out who the guilty party was well before the last chapter’s got going, this I found disappointing that I was not kept on tender hooks for a little longer.  Connelly however is a bestselling author and this is well deserved. I would definitely read another, especially if I was going on a long train journey and wanted a book to keep me entertained for the whole journey.

Personal read 4*

Bookgroup read 3*

 

The Commuting Bookworm 09/06/13

Out of Sight Out of Mind by Evonne Wareham from my friends at Choclit

I confess that Evonne Wareham is one of my all-time favourite authors so therefore I admit to being biased. I knew the minute this landed on my door step from my friends at ChocLit I was going to totally enjoy. As always Wareham does not disappoint. The story subject and matter is very well researched and although out on the fringes of credible science she has us believing every word. It amazes me how she can really get inside the head of both of the protagonist’s.

The story itself, not wanting to give away any spoilers is a good old fashioned love story, but we have hot sexy scenes where as the reader you can feel the passion, the hard rock solid body of him and the slim sexy smooth skin of her and we can all be inspired beyond Monday to stay on our diets, oh just to have some of the body.

Wareham keeps us all guessing as to what is really going on until the last few chapters and you never quite know will they or won’t they?  However as always the book is un-put-a-down- able until the last page is turned and then you kick yourself for finishing it so quick because it ended and now what are you going to read that is anywhere near as good?

I loved this book, I loved the story and I loved the end. A perfect book to read anywhere, any when any how.

Personal Read 5*

Reading Group 5*

 

The Commuting Bookworm 06/09/13

What I did on My Holidays by Chrissie Manby

Hey everyone             Having the most fantastic time! The beach is amazing! I’m getting an incredible tan! I am absolutely definitely, categorically not hiding out in my bedroom… The Balearics are wonderful at this time of year, Wish you were there? I know I do Sophie xox

 
 When Callum dumps Sophie the night before they were meant to go to Majorca together, she has a choice. Completely forget about the holiday, or go  without him?

In a show of bravery and independence, Sophie says she’ll go to Majorca alone. But actually she hides in her London flat. And when her friends and family (not to mention Callum) seem impressed by her single girl courage, Sophie decides to go all out and create the ultimate ‘fake break,…..with hilarious results.

This is a light rom com that is great for reading over a weekend curled up in front of the fire with some junk food. It has some great moments, when you think you have worked out where things are going, only for a twist to take you down another route. I highly recommend and I am looking forward to reading one of Chrissie Manby’s other books.
The Commuting Bookworm 2013

The Greatest Love Story of all Time by Lucy Robinson

Its Frans 30^th birthday and things are good. She’s bluffed her way into a very posh job and her outlandishly handsome and talented boyfriend Michael is escorting her to the Ritz with a bulge in the shape of a ring box in his pocket.

But something has gone wrong. By the end of the evening Fran is howling in bed with a bottle of cheap brandy and one of Michaels old socks.

In her quest to figure out why her life has suddenly gone down the pan, Fran comes up with a failsafe plan: live like a badger, stalk a stranger called Nellie and cancel her beloved Gin Thursdays in favour for drinking gin every night. But then Frans friends force a very different plan on her and its nowhere near as fun. How could eight dates possibly make her feel better?

But eventually she agrees. And so begins the greatest love story of all time………

The blog on the back of this book, nowhere near covers the delectable delights, the LOL one liners that are in store for the reader. The emotional turmoil that most of us can relate to when we are dumped, but also with an alcoholic mother who is having a 20 year affair with a tory politician there is some real emotional depth. As a daughter of two alcoholic parents I totally get the angst that Fran goes through.

Without giving too much away, I guarantee a feel good ending that we expect from this kind of story. A lovely light, entertaining read that I would highly recommend.

The Commuting Bookworm 18/03/2013

The Brightest Star in the Sky by Marian Keyes

June the first, a bright summers evening, a Monday and into the busy bustling homes at 66 Star Street slips unseen, a mysterious visitor. As the couples, flatmates and repentant singletons on No 66 fall in and out of love, clutch at and drop secrets, laugh, cry and simply try to live, no one suspects the caller patiently in the wings. For soon: really soon, everything is going to change…….

This is my first Marian Keyes, and it took a while to get into it. Not because of her style but because I was trying to work out who or what the narrator is. However once I penetrated the story and I was in, there was no putting it down until the last page was turned.  This novel is like peeling an onion there are so many layers to it. If you have chunks of time to read blocks of pages in each reading sitting, this is a worthwhile read.

Having spoken to a friend who has read more Marian Keyes, this one is not representative of her others. This has wet my appetite and I will read another at some point in the future.

The Commuting Bookworm 2013

Lifesaving for Beginners by Ciara Geraghty

She has lots of friends, an ordinary job, and she never ever thinks about her past. This is Kats story. None of it is true.

Milo McIntyre loves his mam, the peanut butter and banana muffins at the funky Banana café, and the lifesaving class he does after school. He never thinks about his future, until the day it changes forever. This is Milo’s story, all of it is true.

And then there is the other story. The one with a twist of fate which somehow brings together a boy from Brighton and a woman in Dublin, and uncovers the truth once and for all.

This is the story that’s just about to begin……..

This really is a read with real depth. It also shows how society has changes in its opinions over the last 20 years. This is a family that faces crises and grows through it. A wonderful heart-warming, believable tale. Ciara Geraghty has been compared to Marian and I can quite understand why. A very enjoyable read and should not be overlooked for this year’s holiday reads selection.

The Commuting Bookworm 2013

Move Over Darling By Christine Stovell

Coralie Casey is haunted by her past, moves to the marvellous close knit community of Penmorfa, where she builds her business of Sweet Cleans, and all natural cleaning and beauty products based on her Grandmas formulas.

Gethin Lewis is an internationally acclaimed artist originally from Penmorfa now residing in New York, who returns to the village to settle his late father estate. The locals think that Gethin has betrayed them both in his work and also in they way he wants nothing to do with the village.

The village has a village hall that need renovating but they have no money. Gethin, feels attracted to Coralie, and knows from past experience if he can paint the girl he will work the attraction out of his system. Therefore he offers the village a painting that they can auction and get the money they so desperately need. There is only one catch, the subject has to be Coralie and she has to go to New York to sit for him.

There are many sub – stories running through this will they or wont they, roller coaster of a novel. Christine Stovell has the gift of interweaving the characters and getting the reader to care about all of them. She uses the colour of Coralies retro clothes to exenterate the happy and sad emotions of the story.

As the secrets of all become unravelled, the truth is exposed as are the true feelings of them all, they reader is rewarded with being the fly on the wall in this small village life, as if we there. A wonderful story by an amazing author who gives us her all.

The Commuting Bookworm 01/10/12

To buy from Amazon

The Road Back by Liz Harris

The Road Back by Liz Harris

 When Patricia accompanies her father, Major George Carstairs on a trip to Ladakh, north of the Himalayas, in the early 1960s, she sees it as a chance to finally win his love. What she could never have foreseen is meeting Kalden – a local man destined by circumstances beyond his control to be a monk, but fated to be the love of her life. Despite her fathers fury, the lovers are determined to be together, but can forbidden love survive?

The story is classic, girl meets boy, controlling father forbids it, adversity needs to be overcome, and the rest as they say is history. However, this story takes the reader on so many twist’s and turns it becomes the ultimate emotional roller coaster. This book has all of the special ingredients we have come to expect from the Choc Lit library and does not disappoint. Im not going to give any spoilers but you will need the hankies along the way and a box of Malteesers, a cosy beanbag and the phone switched off would mean you really do get the full benefit of this wonderful novel.

Liz Harris has a degree in English and therefore the quality of the writing is excellent and it a real treat to enjoy. As well as following the story of Patricia, Kalden and others, the trip to Ladakh is insightfully picturesque and a fraction of the cost of going for real but no less vivid. 

The Commuting Bookworm 27/09/12

The Secret She Kept by Amelia Carr

As it was an Advance Reading Copy I was sent to review by Newbooks Magazine, there is no blurb on the back of my copy telling me what this novel is about, or what to expect.  This always makes for an exciting adventure within the pages and this book is no disappointment. I will focus on the barebones of the story but concentrate on how I enjoyed it, so as not to give any spoilers.

The story jumps between the 1950’s and the late 1980’s. We have Fliss and Jo who are sailing partners and best friends. When Fliss finds herself pregnant in the 1950’S she has no alternative but to marry Martin. We really get a bit of social history because the narrative tells us about the cars, the house and also people’s perception at the time. We also know about the emotions of heartbreak surrounding young girls who had to have babies adopted.

 In the 1980’S are introduced to Emma and we follow her journey for the search of the truth.  We follow her onto the Jubilee Sailing trust’s boat The lord Nelson, where she becomes a watch leader and becomes friends with a young disabled woman called Mel.  

Amelia Carr transforms us from one era, to another and keeps us attached to all of the characters in the most substantial way. I found myself being so attached to this book, I was even stirring the dinner whilst reading, so unable to leave it, it is a real page turner. I feel that Emma is my own personal  friend; I cared so very much about her and her story.

There is no disappointment in this emotional page turner, it has several ‘love stories’ for the romantics amongst us, lots of interest for those who like a bit of social history and plenty of emotional action and the twist and turns would make Agatha Christie jealous! 

Personal Read 5 : Reading Group 5

The Commuting Bookworm 06/09/12

http://www.newbooksmag.com/

Police, Crime & 999 by John Donoghue

I was kindly sent a copy of this book by the author, however this in no way has influenced my review.

I found this book to be laugh out load funny in many places, John has a very wicked sense of humour and this comes out in his reminiscence of situations he has found himself in, whilst on duty as a Police constable some where up north in the UK.

Because of his location, I found some of the stereo types of people quite sad, but I do know from personal experience they are probably very true. I’m sure he has cleaned up many of the stories so that they do not cause offence and to protect the innocent (and those that could influence his career). 

A well written book that has been written in a narrative form and therefore sometimes John does digress, and you feel like you want to prod him back on track of his original story. However, this is a trait that so many ex-solders have, and it’s a bit endearing and reminds me of sitting in the pub listening to my dads (also ex-solder) stories. Because each chapter is a separate incidence, this is a great book for having by your bed side or in the bathroom as it is perfect for dipping in and out of when you only have a few minutes to read.

The Commuting Bookworm 04/09/12

Vampire State of Mind by Jane Lovering

Jessica Grant knows vampires only too well. She runs the York Council tracker programme making sure that Otherworlders are all where they should be, keeps the filing in order and drinks far too much coffee. To Jess vampires are annoying and arrogant and far too sexy for their own good, particularly her ex-colleague Sil. When a

demon turns up and threatens the equilibrium they must work together. The stakes are high, the challenge is great and to top it all off she’s falling in love…

This is my first vampire novel and therefore I had no pre-conceived ideas as to what to expect, I also had no knowledge of what is excepted or known about vampires (They can drink synthetic blood, live forever ect) and I managed to stay in this story. Lovering explains the things that the reader needs and in a way that keeps the pace of the novel moving.

As expected (because it’s from the Choc Lit library) this story has you laughing, empathising, understanding and really feeling the emotions of the characters.  Lovering has a great knack at tying the reader in emotionally with all of the main characters and being able to see all points of view.

Terrific love story set within the Vampire world. Easily read and will make a great summer holiday read. Not to be missed. 

http://www.choc-lit.co.uk/html/vampire_state_of_mind.html

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vampire-State-Mind-Jane-Lovering/dp/1906931747

Girl Reading by Katie Ward

The Blurb on the back tells us: An Orphan poses nervously for a Renaissance maestro in Medieval Siena, and an artist servant girl in 17^th century Amsterdam snatches a moment away from her work to lose herself in tales of knights and battles. In a Victorian photography studio, a woman holds a book that she barely acknowledges while she waits for the exposure and in Shoreditch bar in 2008 a woman reading catches the eye of a young man who takes her picture.

What is perhaps not apparent is that this book is a collection of short stories; all have a woman at the centre, and man somewhere and emotion everywhere. Viv Groskop, The Times states this book “has a real beating heart”, and I would agree with that statement. The book as a piece of literature is brilliant. I could really have got an essay out of this for so many courses in the past and I am confident some course lecturer will pick this as content for one of their books. It’s brilliantly written and the change in voices could be compared to David Mitchell (The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet) without a doubt. Any women’s reading group that chose this book would not be disappointed and they would run over time in their discussions.

It is somewhat more intellectual than your average bestseller and therefore if you are after something a bit more stimulating to read this would make an excellent choice, curled up in the beanbag, in front of the fire whilst it is pouring down with rain.

The Commuting Bookworm 08/08/12

The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell

I was supplied this book by We Love This Book for review, However the review is my un-biased and not influenced by any one else’s  opinion.

A tiny man-made island in the bay of Nagasaki, for two hundred years the sole gateway between Japan and the West. Here, in the dying days of the 18^th Century, a young Dutch clerk arrives to make his fortune. Instead he looses his heart but keeps his integrity.

This is one of those books that on reflection after reading it, when you go to list all of the things you have got out of it, you realise it’s a huge epic. To skate on but a few, we read about “Those Yankee leeches” and we realise that this was the time that the English were trying to get rid of the Dutch occupancy of New York in America. We also learn about the collapse of the Dutch East India company 1799. Mitchell also does a great honour to the culture of the Japanese of that period.

This book fits into so many boxes, it’s a love story, it’s a piece of social history, he covers the Dutch and Japanese trading exploits in much the same way as Dickens covered the social history of English childhood poverty in the 19^th Century. However, due to Mitchells fluid voices of different characters, its not a dusty old history lesson but an escape through a portal just like all other time-travellers.

This read would suit anyone who likes their books with a bit more meat on the bones, something a bit more challenging than a top 10 casual BOGOHP (buy one get one half price) but not quite as heavy as a Dickens, Trollop of any of the great classics.

The Commuting Bookworm 27/06/12

Lemon Sherbet and Dolly Blue The Story of an Accidental Family

Set in a part of Derbyshire (Chesterfield), the home to the Nash family and their corner shop, which served a small mining community. However this is no ordinary family. It’s a story about how three lost children of different generations found love and a home with people who had big hearts. The story starts with her great-grandfather, a fairground boy, given away when his parents left for America in 1865, then how her great aunt, who was rescued from an industrial school in 1909 and finally of her own mother was adopted as a baby in 1930 via the NCAA (National Children Adoption Association) and bought from London to Chesterfield.

The story spans three generations of attitudes regarding adoption and two world wars. Through the delightful story we learn from a social history point of view our changing attitudes to adoption, poverty, and what it is to be of a certain class. We learn about the tales of how the miners lived, the poverty, how they treated their wives and how the families survived. Along the way we get to know about how accepting often already a poor society can be regarding different people such as gypsies, teachers, bakers.  

We also get a snippet of attitudes of people during the Great War from a family perspective, of how families, wives and children coped with the restrictions, loss, injuries and aftermath of the both wars.

The tale itself trots along at the pace of life, at a rate to keep the reader interested but not so fast you think you have missed chunks of time. All characters are accounted for and no threads are left untied which is also nice. As with all families there are a lot of members to put into place, and it is necessary to remember who uncle_ is related to and therefore who auntie _ is married to, however by careful reading and remembering a few names this is not impossible.

There was sufficient depth to the book to make it a really good quality read and although I normally steer away from ‘memoirs’ I thoroughly enjoyed this and would recommend it to anyone who has an interest in this period.

The Commuting Bookworm 13/07/12 on behalf of Newbooks Magazine http://www.newbooksmag.com/

Choc Lit's Ripple in time!

The Silent Touch of Shadows by Christina Courtenay

Melissa Granthem has split from her husband and  the father of her daughter, the promise of ‘to have and to hold forever’ was broken and not by her. Jake Precy, is a widower with a daughter the same age as Melissa’s and the two girls become friends through school once Melissa moves from London, into her ancestral home.

Sibell’s husband was killed in 1459 and she was then forced to move back with her abusive father and brothers until they signed the deal for her re-marriage to a man old enough to be her grandfather. Sir Roger meets Sibell whilst he is on his quest to get his real father to acknowledge his existence and inheritance. Despite the odds, they fall very much in love but will they ever be together?

Through ghosts and love the two worlds merge into the here and now however will Melissa be at peace until it’s resolved once and for all?. Primarily this is a love story, first and foremost and as readers have come to expect from Choc Lit its all credible and the reader knows there is going to be a happy ever after ending. The journey to get there is enjoyable, intriguing and enlightening. 

Christina Courtenay must either study a thesaurus or she goes to bed with one. Some of the vocabulary in this story is wonderfully unique and delicious. Words such as sweeting, melee, guffaw, doppelganger to name just a few. The story is well written and delivered including the end that if it were a chocolate bar would be satisfying and silky all at the same time.

Out from Choc Lit 07^th July 2012, treat yourself to a good read because you deserve it!

The Commuting Bookworm 26/06/12

And So The Margaret James Trilogy Begins

The Silver Locket by Margaret James

This is the first book in the trilogy that follows the Denham family. It starts in 1914 and we meet the young head strong, wonderfully defiant Rose Courtenay who is not willing to confirm to her families Victorian wishes. Therefore rather than being married to her parent’s choice of suitor she runs away and becomes a nurse. Whilst working in France during the war, she meets Lieutenant Alex Denham who reminds me of a Lion Bar of chocolate. He has many layers and textures, some chewy, some soft, but over all very solid.

In Choc Lit true fashion, we are encapsulated into the story and characters, so that they become so vivid, bright and alive, we care about them and what happens to them. This novel has so many depths and layers, it’s a love story with muscles. The research is comprehensive and therefore every reader will learn something, they did not previously know about that time in our history.

One of the nicest feelings about getting to the last few chapters, is not only finding out how it all ends, but knowing that you have another two books to read afterwards, you do not feel like you are saying good bye to the characters. You know you are going to be able to catch up with them in  The Golden Chain and The Penny Bangle. 

In conclusion a lovely, romantic novel that every woman who loves chocolate will adore.

The Commuting Bookworm 12/06/12



No Wonder it was short listed for The Melissa Nathan Award For Comedy Romance

An Autumn Crush by Milly Johnson

Juliet is looking for a flat mate and Coco her friend is helping her look and interview possible flatmates. Floz arrives late because she had to take a hedgehog to the vets!  Juliet has a twin brother who has a best friend called Steve who is into wrestling and dreams of making it big in America. Coco is gay, and looking for the man of his dreams. In short they have all suffered heartbreak, they are all very individual personalities. It does not sound like it but you have some great ingredients for a fabulously funny, romantic, heart warmingly, Tragic, uplifting story.

Coupled with secrets, misunderstandings and pre-conceived ideas, a bully, an alcoholic, a death, the eternal optimism of Juliet, the love of Steve and the strong friendship they all build leads us through a wonderful tale to a happy ending.

I loved this book, it was easy to read, not pretentious and it is true to life with some great one liners. With many of the situations, it is easy to see one in the same fixes, because of the same actions. There is no real nasty violence, no swearing and nothing dark or sinister about this story. If anyone is feeling a bit down, they should read this book, not for any other reason, than its great, its happy, its funny, its romantic without being slushy.

Its one of those rare books that could be read and enjoyed again and again. It has made me interested in reading Milly Johnson’s back catalogue.



I would give this a rating of 5/5 for both a personal read and also as a reading group read as there is loads to get your teeth into in discussions and you really would be laughing all over again! 



http://www.melissanathan.com/Award/







 

A Commuting Bookworms Life: Independent Publisher Choc Lit scores again

A Commuting Bookworms Life: Independent Publisher Choc Lit scores again: Run Rabbit Run by Kate Johnson: Choc-Lit Sophie Green is an ex-spy. An MI5 officer has been shot dead with her gun, her fingerprints ...

Independent Publisher Choc Lit scores again

Run Rabbit Run by Kate Johnson: Choc-Lit

Sophie Green is an ex-spy. An MI5 officer has been shot dead with her gun, her fingerprints are all over his office, but she swears she is innocent. Her boyfriend Luke Sharpe is tall, tanned, sexy and does not do commitment, he is a MI6 spook, or was until his girlfriend Sophie kills, again.

Jack de Valera, English by birth, but lives as a bounty hunter in the US, until he is framed for the murder of a Supreme High court judge, Irene Shepherd, he is on the run, all the way into Sophie’s arms quite literally whilst she is camping in France, he steels her gun, ties her up, They connect dots and then they go on the run together.

This novel is a great read; it’s a cross between Chic Lit, Spooks and carry on spying. Its not to be taken too seriously but Johnson has done her research and treats her readers with respect. She pulls the strands in, with some great curve balls throw in to send you down the garden path.

There are however gaps, some could probably be plugged by reading her Sophie Green back catalogue, others like how does Sophie fly from JFK to London and then back again but keeping her gun? These need to be resolved or ignored in the readers mind.

Run Rabbit Run is Chic Lit with muscles, and therefore I would highly recommend it for a nice easy read, either whilst commuting, holidaying or just whilst soaking in the bath to relax. You will not be disappointed. 

The Commuting Bookworm 29/03/12