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In Safe Hands by J.P.Carter.

This is everyone's nightmare. When 9 children are kidnapped from a day nursery DCI Anna Tate and her team have to job of tracking the kids and her kidnappers down. They have a 6 million ransom demand before they start killing the children. DCI knows what it's like to never see a child again after her ex husband ran off with their young girl so she is determined to do everything in her power to bring those kids back. It is not made any easier when one of the kid Liam has cystic fibrosis so they need to be found quick. The story unfolds on the kidnappers and the parents of the children. I certainly didn't guess it would end as it did and was a nice suprise. I was given this book to read by Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.    

Great new book by Amy Reece

What a great story from finish to end. When Melanie's cat starts going down the road to another house and goes back with a note attched to it's collar she is intrigued. She answers the note and receives a reply. They soon meet and like each other straight away. What's not to like a good looking cop called Finn with a sense of humour and a large loving family.
When Melanie starts to feel that someone is following her and has been in her  place Finn is concnerned. Then a fire with a message burned into the ground makes them fear for her life. Can they get to whoever is doing this before it's too late. The ending was great and was totally expecting it to be someone else. I can't wait to read other books in this series. I was given this to read for free in exchange for my honest opinion.

Hot Pursuit by Rebecca Freeborn

What a faced fast book, loved it. After her boyfriend walks out on her leaving her with a huge mortgage she is on a night out with the girls when she meets Chris a famous popstar only she doesn't know who he is. They go to his hotel room and when he recieves a phone call and makes a fast exit. She soon finds out that he is wanted for the murder of one his band members and has gone on the run. She goes looking for him along with a photographer called Nick who she hates to get his side of the story. She soon finds out that there is much more to this when drugs and drug dealers are added to the mix.
I found I just couldn't put this down and loved the romance thrown in. I will be looking out for more books from this author.“
I recieved this book for free in exchange for my own honest opinion.

Missing Pieces by Laura Pearson

This was a thought provoking book. The first half of the book is about a young family whose world is torn apart when their young daughter dies at home whilst being left alone in the care of her 7 year old sister. She is pregnant at that time and is so overwhelmed with grief she turns to the bottle and pulls away from everyone around her. After the baby is born things get worse and she ends up taking her own life.
The 2nd part of the book now skips ahead and the baby- Bea discovers she is pregnant. Now she wants answers on how her young sister Phoebe died as it was never talked about at home. I read this book in 1 day it was that good. I wanted to keep reading to see if they got close again as a family and the family ghosts were laid to rest at last.

I was sent this book for free in exchange for my own honest opinion.

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Do Not Disturb by Claire Douglas

I have just finished this book and loved it. After her husband walked out on his job and tried to hang himself when the chance for her dream life of running a hotel in Wales where she grew up as a child she bought an old house along with some financial help from her mum.
Her past soon comes back to haunt her when her cousin Selena turns up with her sick young child. Things start to go from bad to worse with dead flowers being left and warnings and then Selena is found dead in her hotel. There are so many surprises with this book it will keep you wanting to read more, I know I couldn't put it down. I will look forward to reading more this author. 

I was sent this book for a reveiw and is my own unbiased opinion on reading it.

Autumn Of Fear by Glede Browne Kabongo

This is a very compelling book that I found hard to put down. I hadn't read the first book in the series and the references back to the first book only made me want to read that one too. Abbie woke up in hospital after a most viscious attack and rape and couldn't remember what had happened. She is attending college and with her best friend Ty tries to get on with her life until her memory comes back. One lad at college goes out of his way to be friends with. He is using her to get back at someone else and what happens after the rape has a major life changing experience for Abbie. I was kept guessing right upto the end as to who had attacked her. I loved it from start to finish.

 

 

Moments of Time by Gloria Cook

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This is the 2nd book of a series by Gloria Cook. I read the first book and so was looking forward to reading this. It continues on with what has been happening in the Harvey's family life. New people come into their lives with an impact that could have dire consequences for Emily if others found out what was going on. This is yet another moving book and can't wait to read the next book.

 

Touch The Silence by Gloria Cook

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I was lucky to receive 2 books in this series and will be looking to read the series. It focuses on 3 Harvey brothers, their wives, children and friends. Emelia works for them and is seeing Ben Harvey one of their sons. When an accident causes him to lose the sight in one of his eye he blames Emily and rejects her. She turns to his elder brother Alec and they fall in love and get married. There is of adultery, scandall and lots of drama to keep you wanting to read more. I would highly recommend.    

A Fallen Woman by Nancy Carson

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I was lucky enough to receive a free copy of this book and thoroughly enjoyed it.`It follows the story of an aristocratic young women who is in a loveless marriage. After he gets their former nanny pregnant she turns for love elsewhere with a knock on effect. She falls pregnant by him but as her half sister is also expecting a baby by him she gives him up so that her sister can have him. It is about how this affects her life and those around her. I would recommend this book to those who love a romance but also has a great story to it and a nice ending.

 

A Daughters Gift by Maggie Hope

“This is the 2nd novel by Maggie Hope that I have read and I enjoyed it as much as I did the first. When Elizabeth, her brothers and sisters are orphaned after their mum dies their horrible aunt takes in the youngest one and sends the others to the orphanage. This story tells the hardship that she and her siblings have to endure to survive.
When her path crosses with a wounded Captain from the war what happens after that is heart breaking at times. It revolves around the coal mining community and the hardships that they faced just to get through each day. It is a lovely heart warming romance book that once started you won't want to put down. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was glad I was sent the book for free to give my honest feedback.

Her Last Word by Mary Burton

“I was sent a copy of this book free to read and review before it's release next month. When I can read a book in just over 2 days it has to be good. The story is about  a school girl called Gina that was attacked and never found whilst out drinking in a remote spot with her cousin Kaitlin and a few other girls from school.  Her cousin Kaitlin is told to run which she does but can't forgive herself for leaving her with the attacker.
Years later she decides to interview all those connected with that night and this has desire consequences both to her and those involved. People start turning up dead and it all revolves around her. With the help of a detective who believes in her they eventually find those responsible. This book was riveting from start to finish and the twist at the end was unexpected.

Paige Dearth - Never Be Alone

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After reading Mean Little People I was so excited to be able to read this book by Netgalley to give my review on it. When Joon's  mum and dad died suddenly she ended up in a foster parents family that ended up being her worst nightmare. Physically and mentally tortured she ran away and lived on the streets. She meets various people, some good and some really bad. Who should she trust and how can she survive the cold winters. This book had me on a rollercoaster of emotions, happy one minute then holding back the tears.I was happy how this book linked on occassions to Tony and how he helped her when he could. I will be looking out for more books from this author.

 

 

Summer at the Comfort Food Cafe by Debbie Johnson

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When I first started to read it I didn't know if I would enjoy it as it wasn't the kind of book that I usually read but ended up loving it. It follows the life of a widowed young woman trying to cope and bring up her family without her husband after he died. She applies to work in a cafe for the summer hoping that a different scene will be good fro them all and when she gets the job she moves her family there.
She soon makes friends and starts to have feelings for someone again. This book will make you laugh and cry so be prepared for it.

 

 

Together Forever - Judy Hedlund

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I was sent an early preview of this book and absolutely loved it. A truly enthralling love story about 1 young lady trying to find her sister. She works for a Children's Aid Society in New York that helps to relocate impoverished and unwanted children from orphanges  to the country hopefully to a better life. She is joined by another young man who has a troubled past and they soon fall in love. This book tells the story of the trials and tribulations that they had to go through getting the 30 children in their care to their future homes. You will be hooked from start to finish. I am hoping there will be more books to follow in this series

 

 

What She Doesn't Know by Andrew E Kaufman

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I was sent an advanced copy of this book before release and really loved this book from start to finish. After being admitted to a mental institute for a few years after being accused of murduring her own daughter she is up for release. This book follows how hard it is to get back to a normal life after everyone knew what she did or thought she did. She doesn't have a close relationship with her sister who tries to help her adjust on the outside.

When she befriends another young woman things take a turn for the worse. Throughout my reading of the book I was asking myself was she guilty, was her new friend and things that happend just her mind playing tricks again. Right until the end it keeps you guessing and interested. I don't normally read this type of book but would recommend it.

Body And Soul by John Harvey

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The book follows the story of a young lady that as a teen was kidnapped and suffered an ordeal so much so that it affected her throughout her life with self harming. She isn't close to her father but one day turns up out of the blue with both her wrists bandaged up. She had been doing nude modelling for a well known artist and they ended up having an affair when he turns up dead she is the first suspect.

Although it wasn't  a fast paced book I would read it again.

 

 

The Craftsman By Sharon Bolton - Fantastic Read

“What can I say about this book other than how much I loved it. The book is focused on a man called Larry Glassbrook who was convicted of burying several teenagers alive. The young policelady who caught him always believed that he was guilty until years later when he died things began to happen. The book centers on withcraft and folklore  which are linked to the murders. There are so many twists and turns at the end  that when you finally find out what happened all those years ago you are surprised. I would recommend this book to anyone.

A Mother's Courage by Maggie Hope - Great Book

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For anyone that is into Catherine Cookson this book fits into that category it was such a good book to read. It follows the life of a young woman and her new husband as they travel to Fiji to try and bring the church into there lives. They take with 2 sisters from the village to be their maids but things take a turn before they even get there.

Once you pick up this book you won't want to stop. I will be reading another of this Authors books soon and am looking forward to reading it.

Riveting Book - The Fear by C.L. Taylor

“The book follows the life of a girl that was groomed by her Karate teacher who now in her thirties regrets not speaking out more against him at his trial. After only serving 5 years he his back to his old tricks. She endeavours to warn the girl and her family but they don't believe her.
As the story unfolds it involves his ex-wife who bares a grudge against her for splitting up her marriage when he got sent to prison.
This book had me grabbed from beginning to end. You will become immersed into her story as the book goes from past to the present and how in the end they all come to terms with it. I will look forward to reading more from this author.

Mean Little People by Paige Dearth - Book Review

“This book is the latest by Paige Dearth and will have you hooked from beginning to end. It follows the life of Tony who as a child was bullied constantly at school and out of school. His father is a violent man who also beat him and his mother.
Chucked out of his family home at the age of thirteen wrong choices that he made in his own life had a big everlasting knock on effect on his life. He ended up in a gang whose life was violence, guns, drugs and the most degrading acts to women.
He has 2 childhood friends one of whose father is a big mafia boss that try and help him.
This book moved me to tears at the end as it really gets you involved in the characters.
I was given this book read for free in exchange for a review. I will be looking out for more books from this author to read.

The Lost Girl - By Carol Drinkwater

The Lost Girl by Carol Drinkwater follows the lives of a few people that from their past upto the present day. There are flashbacks from the 2nd world war and back to a horrific bombing and shooting in France which interlinks the characters in the book.
It is a moving and powerful book and one you will not want to put down.

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Mumm'ys Favourite by Sarah Flint Book Review

I haven't read any of this author's books before but reading a bit of the bio got my attention. I downloaded it and after the first chapter found it hard to put it down. It is about a killer targeting mothers that favour one child over another and punishing both the mother and the child by making sure they stay together forever by brutely killing them. It is quite a graphic book so not for the screamish. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.“

Malaformed Realities Volume 3 - Book Review

I have never read a book like this before so really didn't know what to expect. I enjoyed most of the stories but did skip the clown one as it didn't keep my interest.
On the whole I would recommend this book as the stories were short and entertaining with enough horror and suspense to make them interesting.“

The Tracker by John Hunt - Book Review

“I picked this book after reading the intro to the book and am so glad that I chose to read it. I read this in under 2 days as it was too good to put down and left you feeeling that you wantd to see what happened next.
The main character Taylor is one of societys missfts who was picked on for his size and was targeted by a man/creature called the Tracker as he wouldn't be missed by anyone.  He was given a set of rules that he had to obey or else face the consquences and told to run for his life. If he disobeyed any of the rules anyone  that he asked for help or involved them faced the most gruesome of deaths.
From start to finish you will be immersed in this book and will feel sorry for Taylor even though he does cause a few people to die the most horrendous death. I will look forward to read more of this authors books.

Defiant Souls - Fantastic Horror Book

“I have just finished reading a fantastic book called Defiant Souls written by Kathleen Chadwick. This is the first of her novels that I have read and will look forward to more of her work.
The cover of the book caught my attention first then afer reading what the story was about I decided I would give it a try.
It is about good versus evil, the devil or has come back again to try and take over the world by recruiting souls to help him in his goal. He didn't reckon on a young boy with the ability to see things teaming up with one of gods servants fighting to save the world. There is just enough horror and gore for those that like it without being too over the top.
This book had me hooked from start to finish and kept the suspense going right to the end.

I received this book to read for free for a review and is my own honest opinion of the book.

Art by shelikethis

 Today I am featuring a wonderful lady that I have befriended through selling myself on Etsy. From someone that isn't good at art myself I admire her work and her gift which seems to shine through her work. There is something for everyone from bookmarks, journals, felt and beaded brooches to modern wall art you will be never be short of gift ideas. If you like what I picked and want to see her visit her shop here https://www.etsy.com/shop/shelikesthis

 Just one of Ali's beautiful journals

I love creating with colour and texture, mixed with a little fun.
Selling on-line means that I am free to create art wherever my heart leads, it also enables me to be involved in the whole process from my studio to you.I love creating with colour and texture, mixed with a little fun.
My usual week normally takes me into town at least one day where I indulge myself in my favourite museums often sketching and looking longingly at my favourite pictures.. maybe a Renoir, Degas or Cezanne not missing the only Modigliani in the collection….dreams are so sweet!
I draw every day, my art materials, papers and paints, are always out ready to use. I do have far too much stuff, loads of quirky things, bits of old wood, odd shaped stones, feathers, bits of curled up papers, fabric threads, odd bits and pieces that are just far too yummy to not pick up and treasure.
I love to take time out to have my favourite goats milk latte mid-morning and quietly watch the world moving around. Surprising what thoughts and inspiration that brings.
Afternoon usually seeing me settling into more serious painting usually working on 2, 3,or 4 paintings at any one time.
If I am not painting you’ll find me involved with a textile project, maybe designing and making a new quilt or creating an textile art piece, maybe making more fabric beads.
In my spare time I make books not only my sketch books but beautifully bound arty books (my latest was using those wooden coffee stirrers) great fun….
I photograph the world around me as well as sketching, often old walls, doors, windows and great textures. I do like to add to these and use my imagination to create my own style in my work.
I like to have projects. I’m just starting a new project, which will be on my blog site http://blog.painting.me.uk/
I have just finished doing a daily sketch for a year also on my blog.
Inspiration is usually things I seen around me or ideas I’m trying to work out, usually a few at a time."

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 Water colour Painting

 Bookmarks by Ali which are suitable for all age groups.

1. 

  Felt and beaded brooches

Postcards

Bargain Bags Wednesday

“Each week I will pick on a theme and find them at a sale price. Todays theme is bags andI  selected just a few that I found from the NewLook website.  I know from experience that if you want something you  need to buy it fast as these tend to sell out quickly.

I hope you like my picks and will follow my blog to check out my sale items finds next time.
http://www.newlook.com/shop/sale/view-all-sale/accessories-sale/bags-and-purses/_/N-kwfZet3#results

Fashion Tuesday Finds

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Each Tuesday I will put together an outfit that won't break the bank. Some will be on sale and in limited stock so you need to be quick. Follow me to see what I choose each week.

Left Over Pie

“ We had a joint of pork for dinner on Sunday and plenty left over for another meal so decided to make a pie with it. The joint was only £7 and was big enough to cut it into half for another week so this meant for a roast it was a really good buy. The fact that it did a family of 5 two  meals meant it was a super value deal.

Here is my meat pie recipe

Leftover meat cut into small pieces
Handful of peas
2 medium cooked sliced carrots
4 large potatoes cut into small chunks and cooked
Medium sized casserole dish

Crust
6 oz of Plain Flour
2.5 oz marg or half marg and half lard
spot of cold water

Put the flour in a mixing bowl and add your chosen fat. Rub it in until it resembles fine breadcrumbs. With a knife slowly add a bit of water, keep stirring the mix with the knife until it starts to come together to form a ball. It doesn't need much water due to the fat content so don't over do it. If it is too dry add a bit more water or if it's too wet add a bit more flour. Form it into the shape of a ball and put it in the fridge until you are ready to use it.

When your vegetables are nearly cooked make some thick gravy and add the meat to it. Thoroughly warm through until hot ( I use the microwave for quickness)

Put the meat and some of the gravy in the bottom of the dish then place the cooked peas and carrots evenly on top. Add the potatoes then roll out the crust to fit your dish and place the crust on top. Use a form and stab the pie crust in a few places to let the steam escape whilst it is cooking.
I cook it on gas mark 6 for 20mins or until the top is a turning brown.
Serve with  gravy and cauliflower and green beans or vegetables of your choice.

This also works with any other left over meat.

My kids love my leftover pies and they are so much better than shop bought ones and so much healthier.