Cat is feeling a bit stuck in a rut. Her job is a bit too easy. Her flat share is not going well. Her love life is non existent.
Then she spots in a newspaper that her former love Sam has returned from Australia and is doing a stand up routine about her! She used to do stand up too but lost confidence: can she get her life back under control?
Her other romantic interests include Sam’s brother Harvey and her boss Nick. Will she choose the right man? Who is The One?
I loved Cat’s relationship with her best friend Kelly. I really wish I had a friend like that! The friendship between Kelly, her husband Sean and son Arnold, and Cat is just brilliant.
This is a very funny book as well as heartwarming. Cat is a flawed but loveable character. She has a strained relationship with her father and her childhood haunts her, skewing her decisions. Her developing romantic feelings for Harvey are constrained by her mixed emotions for Sam and the fact that she never got over him leaving. Meanwhile, her boss Nick offers her a chance to relocate to New York and she needs to figure out where her heart lies quickly to prevent herself getting hurt again.
If you are looking for love and laughs then look no further!
Title: The One Who’s Not The One
Author: KERIS STAINTON
Publication Day: Feb 26th 2019
Buy link:
Description:
A hilarious rom com about falling in love, falling out of love, and finding out who you really are.
Cat’s life has hit a brick wall. Since her ex ditched her without ceremony five years ago she’s quit stand-up comedy, landed in a steady but dull job, and lives in a tiny flat with roommates she knows only as The One Who Eats All My Food and The One Who Has Really Loud Sex.
So when she bumps into old friend Harvey and sparks fly, Cat is surprised – and horrified, because Harvey is her ex’s brother, and so absolutely, 100% off-limits romantically. Even if his dimples do make her insides fizz…
When she’s offered a new job abroad, Cat is tempted to accept – and leave her depressing flat and mess of a love life behind her. But will running away from her problems really solve them?
Fans of Jenny Colgan, Marian Keyes and Mhairi McFarlane will love Keris Stainton!
About the Author
Keris Stainton was born in Canada, grew up on the Wirral, lived in London for a while and now lives in Lancashire with two boys, two guinea pigs, and an unhealthy (but enjoyable) obsession with One Direction.
She’s written books for children, teenagers, and adults and can almost always be found on Twitter.
Not the usual type of book that I review but I was drawn to this baby advice book having devoured many during my three sets of newborn days and first months.
Sarah Norris does not promise to make you an expert on all babies. Instead, she aims to give you the skills to decode what your invidiudal baby is trying to tell you. She treats this in a methodical way in the same way that the police may undertake a case. Lots of questions and note taking are essential!
Sarah’s method has 3 elements which she summarises as AIM: assess, investigate, modify. The first stage involves lots of honesty about what the circumstances are. It can be difficult to be objective when investigating the reasons for reactions but it needs to be in order to modify the situation.
Most advice books try to give you answers and claim to have the only way to do things. The Baby Detective does not try to do this. All babies are unique due to their temperament and emotional responses so enviromental factors and biological needs are responded to in a different way, meaning that what works for one baby won’t work for another.
I worry that some parents might disregard this book as they are desperate for a quick fix but I actually agree with Sarah’s philosophy of treating your baby as an individual. Having had three babies, I know how different they can be!
The Baby Detective by Sarah Norris
-
Paperback:304 pages
-
Publisher:Orion Spring; 01 edition (7 Sept. 2017)
-
Language:English
-
ISBN-10:1409168425
-
ISBN-13:978-1409168423
BLURB The only parenting book that offers a unique, step-by-step guide to enable parents to solve baby care problems for themselves.
The Baby Detective is the only book of the parenting genre to develop a unique, step-by-step investigative process that will enable parents to solve their own baby care problems.
It puts them firmly back in the driving seat, giving them the tools to do away with sometimes conflicting and confusing expert advice, and to face parenting challenges using their own intuition.
Drawing on case studies of Sarah’s previous clients, the book is based around her unique principle of AIM, in which parents are guided through the process of Assessing a problematic situation, Investigating the possible causes and Modifying behaviour in order to resolve it.
It provides insight in to how and why environment, biology and personality interact to affect your baby, as well as suggesting numerous tips and strategies for remedying problems.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
With 25 years experience Sarah is one of the top Maternity Nurses and Baby Care Consultants in the UK, and is the author of the exciting new parenting book ‘The Baby Detective’, with Orion Books.
In her role as The Baby Detective, Sarah employs her unique investigative approach, based on clear thinking, common sense and compassion, to empower and encourage new parents, and to help guide and support them through the confusion that is modern day parenting.
Sarah is passionate about her work and is dedicated to providing advice that is non judgemental and unbiased, is equally supportive of all parenting and feeding methods, and is always respectful of the parents choices.
Kane and Alton are still recovering from their last encounter with a serial killer but now another strikes!
Sky and Ella are travelling home from college when they see someone with a broken down car. They stop to help but the man attacks Sky. Ella runs for her life and escapes. When the police arrive at the scene there is no sign of Sky, the man, or either vehicle. They want to believe Ella’s story but she could also be a suspect…
Sky’s brother Doug and Ella decide to go out searching for Sky and agree to meet up with someone online to help. On their way to meet ‘Jim’, they spot a crashed car with two women inside. One is already dead. ‘Jim’ arrives and kidnaps Doug and the injured woman, leaving Ella behind. Kane and Alton are struggling with the weather, illness and the aftermath of their last case. Can they trust Ella’s story and can they find the killer before he takes more victims…?
The past seems to be catching up with both lead detectives which brings both fear and sorrow. This is a continuing thread that was present in the last book and no doubt will remain relevant in subsequent books (PLEEEEEASE let there be more in the series!)
Meanwhile, we see events from the perspective of the killer and his victims. There is not a lot of graphic detail about their injuries and deaths but the disposal of previous victims is described so we know what happens and left to our own imaginations to consider the full horror.
This is a brilliant book. I was slightly worried as I enjoyed the previous book so much that I was afraid of setting my expectations too high, but there was no need as this was just as good as the last one!
Title: WHERE ANGELS FEAR
Author: DK Hood
PUBLICATION DAY: Feb 21st 2019
BUY LINKS:
Description:
As she opened her eyes and took in her surroundings, a feeling of terror ran through her weakened body. She knew exactly where she was. And she knew exactly what was about to happen to her…
When Ella Tate stumbles into Black Rock Falls, her exhausted and bloodied body is a terrifying sight, but not as frightening as the story she has to tell. Ambushed on their way into town when they stopped to help a man by the side of the road, Ella and her friend Sky ran when he pulled a knife on them. But only one of them got away.
As Detective Jenna Alton investigates the case, she looks into the history of missing persons in the town, and uncovers more cases – all young people. All stopped on the same stretch of road into town. All vanished without a trace.
When a distinctive pink sweater belonging to Sky turns up in Black Rock Falls, Jenna follows the trail to a derelict building on the outskirts of town. But she isn’t prepared for what lies behind those doors. Can she stop the killer before more lives are lost?
If you like Robert Dugoni, Karin Slaughter and Rachel Abbott you’ll love this nail-biting thriller from D.K. Hood.
**Each Kane and Alton book can be read as part of the series or as a standalone**
Author Bio:
I’ve always had a wicked sense of humour and was the kid who told the ghost stories around the campfire. I am lucky to have family all over the world and have spent many vacations in places from Paris France to Montana USA and Australia. I use the wonderful memories from these visits to enhance my stories.
My interest in the development of forensic science to solve crime goes back many years. I enjoy writing crime, mystery and thrillers. With many stories, waiting for me to write I’ll look forward to sharing many spine-tingling stories with you.
D.K. Hood is an active member of International Thriller Writers.
Author Social Media Links:
I was hugely excited to be invited to The Body Shop in Basingstoke last Friday for a blogger event to check out new products.
I went to an event at their Reading branch last year and I am pleased to inform you that they managed to get enough signatures to petition the UN to end cruelty to animals (here’s a reminder of Ollie sporting his #ForeverAgainstAnimalTesting bandana.
My first task was to look around the store and identify the vegan products which are clearly labelled. The Body Shop estimates that around half of its products are vegan and all are vegetarian and cruelty free.
One of the things I love about The Body Shop is the colour and brightness which reflects the naturalness of the products and the vivid vibrant colours seen in the natural world.
These wipes are not vegan (the tea tree oil ones are) but they are completely biodegradeable. Perfect for anyone looking to reduce their waste and help protect the planet.
There is a new sheet mask in the Drops of Youth range that has just launched and this is also fully biodegradeable in just one month!
I had a moisture test on my face and I’m pleased to report that my skin is only slightly dehydrated which is a relief after years of moisturising, my recent allergic reaction and skin devastation, and the fact that I am only 2 years away from being 40!
A new Cactus Blossom range is coming out in time for Mother’s Day and Easter. It smells so fresh and includes a body yoghurt which is a hugely popular product.
I enjoyed a hand massage with strawberry hand cream: you can get one too, just ask in store!
Thank you so much to The Body Shop for the invite!
This is the third book to feature Tara Thorpe (I have read the first where she is a reporter and makes the decision to change career to join the police, but haven’t read the second 🙁 )
In this book, Tara and her colleagues are called upon to investigate the disappearance of artist Luke Cope. A body is discovered but it isn’t his! It is his alleged lover, married woman Freya Cross. Did Luke kill her or was her husband involved. And where is Luke now?
I loved the first book, need to read the second book and loved this one too. I had no idea who was responsible for the murder of Freya and the motive behind it. There are lots of suspects and suspicious behaviour to keep the reader guessing until the end.
There is not a lot of gory detail in this book and the focus is on the investigation and relationships between the police officers.
There is a lot of tension in the team as one person is suspended follwing his behaviour in the second book where he gave out secret information to a journalist. He continues to stir up trouble, hinting that Blake and Tara have a more intimate relationship than they do.
Meanwhile they are struggling to keep their relationship professional for the sake of the case and also because Blake’s wife is pregnant (did she deliberately get pregnant to keep Blake and make amends for cheating on him in the past…?)
Tara is a great lead character and a positive role model for women. She won’t let her past get in the way of her future although the very end of the book lets us know that her past is coming back to haunt her: can’t wait for the next book!
Title: Death Comes to Call
Author: Clare Chase
Publication Day: Feb 20th 2019
BUY LINKS:
Description:
Frost sparkles on the bare winter branches, as night falls over the quiet country lanes bordering the fens. But nestled beneath an ivy-covered bough, a body lies pale in the bright moonlight…
When a promising local artist disappears, the victim’s brother begs Detective Tara Thorpe to take the case. It seems there’s no evidence of foul play… he simply disappeared without a trace.
Tara agrees to do some digging… never mind that her unorthodox approach to policing has got a few of her colleagues’ backs up. Amongst them is her former supervisor Detective Patrick Wilkins… he’s had enough of Tara calling the shots and will do anything to knock her down. She must be careful.
At least she has an ally in their boss, Detective Garstin Blake. He’ll always back her hunches. If anything, they work together too well… at least, that’s the rumour around the station these days.
When a body of a young woman is found frozen near the fens, Tara’s evidence suddenly becomes key to solving a high-profile murder. Is their missing artist still a victim… or in fact a clever murderer with a deadly plan?
An unputdownable page-turner that will keep you hooked until the very last page!
Author Bio:
Clare Chase writes women sleuth mysteries and recently signed a three-book deal with Bookouture for a new crime series set in Cambridge. The opening book, Murder on the Marshes, published in July 2018. The mystery follows investigative journalist Tara Thorpe as she teams up with Detective Garstin Blake to solve the murder of a young female professor at Cambridge University. The case takes them through the dark underbelly of Cambridge and in to the murky fens that surround the centuries-old city.
After graduating from London University with a degree in English Literature, Clare moved to Cambridge and has lived there ever since. She’s fascinated by the city’s contrasts and contradictions, which feed into her writing. She’s worked in diverse settings – from the 800-year-old University to one of the local prisons – and lived everywhere from the house of a Lord to a slug-infested flat. The terrace she now occupies, with her husband and teenage children, presents a good happy medium.
As well as writing, Clare loves family time, art and architecture, cooking, and of course, reading other people’s books.
Clare’s debut novel, You Think You Know Me, was shortlisted for the Novelicious Undiscovered Award 2012, and an EPIC award in 2015. It was also chosen as a debut of the month by Lovereading.
You can find Clare’s website and blog at www.clarechase.com
Author Social Media Links:
