My massive TBR...

I have been sorting out my booksheleves today, as I ended up with a messy pile from just trying to stack them on in any way I could and thought I would show you what's on my massive TBR list. These are books that I actually own and not ones that are on my Amazon wishlist which I also class as my TBR. I have broken these down into 3 categories, Books I have bought/ been bought, Books on my Kindle and Books I have received for review.

Books I have bought/ been bought

The Rosie Project - Graeme Simsion
I Heart Paris - Lindsey Kelk
Mockingjay (The Hunger Games) - Suzanne Collins
The Time Traveller's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
Little Beach Street Bakery - Jenny Colgan
The Man Who Forgot His Wife - John O'Farrell
Trains and Lovers - Alexander McCall Smith
Here's Looking At You - Mhairi McFarlane
Summer by the Lake - Erica James (Won in Goodreads giveaway)
The Understudy - David Nicholls
One Hundred Names - Cecelia Ahern
The Husbands Secret - Liane Moriarty
Uglies - Scott Westerfeld
Pretties - Scott Westerfeld
The Wish List - Jane Costello
The Host - Stephanie Meyer

Books on my Kindle

The Guestbook - Holly Martin
Little Lies - Liane Moriarty
Girl on the Run - Jane Costello
The House We Grew Up In - Lisa Jewell
Love by Numbers - Sara Donovan
The Woman who Stole my Life - Marian Keyes
Prada and Prejudice - Katie Oliver
Miracle at the Museum of Broken Hearts - Talli Roland
A Place for us (Part 2) - Harriet Evans
In a New York Minute - Eleanor Moran
Written in the Stars - Ali Harris
Take Mum Out - Fiona Gibson
Two Weddings and a Baby - Scarlett Bailey

Books received for review

The Telling Error - Sophie Hannah
The Voice In My Ear - Ken Newman
Red Rising - Pierce Brown
The 100 Day 21 - Kass Morgan
Crossing the Line - Kerry Wilkinson
Gutenburg's Apprentice - Alix Christie
Remember Me This Way - Sabine Durrant
The Tell-Tale Heart - Jill Dawson
Beautiful Day - Elin Hilderbrand
Paper Swans - Jessica Thompson
The Proposal - Tasmina Perry
Mrs Sinclair's Suitcase - Louise Walters
If You Were Me - Sheila O'Flanagan
Season  to Taste or How to Eat Your Husband - Natalie Young
Away From You - Kay Langdale
The Informant - Susan Wilkins

I am not sure when and if I will get around to reading all of these as this list is forever increasing but I aim to read as many of them as I can in the near future!

Have you read or planning on reading any of these? I'd love to know your thoughts!

First To Fall Blog Tour Author Interview - Carys Jones

I am delighted to be part of the blog tour for First To Fall by Carys Jones. Thank you to Girls Love To Read for inviting me to take part and to Carys for being kind enough to answer some questions I had for her! Read below for interview with Carys.

Could you please tell me a little bit about First To Fall?
First to Fall was the first book I ever wrote. It is the first book in the Avalon series and tells the story of Aiden Connelly, an idealistic young lawyer who relocates his family from Chicago to the small Southern town of Avalon in search of a more peaceful way of life.

His first case at his new firm is that of fallen beauty queen Brandy White who is awaiting sentencing for murdering her husband, local football hero, Brandon. As Aiden delves deeper in to the case he realises that all is not as it seems and that Avalon is far from the idyllic place it appears to be.

When did you first realise you wanted to be a writer?
I knew I wanted to be a writer at a very young age. As soon as I started reading stories and getting lost in the pages I knew I wanted to create that kind of magic myself! I used to spend hours with my friend creating short stories and making covers for them!

How long does it take you to write a book?
It depends on how much freelance work I’m committed to when writing but usually two to three months. I like to write daily to maintain the continuity in the story and keep the ideas fresh in my mind.

What is your work schedule like when you're writing?
Very strict! I don’t sit down at my laptop and let my ideas guide me. I plan out every book I write in meticulous detail. Then I break everything down and assign myself daily targets. Such a rigid approach stops me succumbing to writer’s block.

How was your journey to becoming a writer? Easy or difficult? How long did it take?
It was difficult. It has taken me around five years to get to the point I’m at now. The hardest part is picking yourself back up in the face of rejection. But I write because I love it. The knockbacks are hard but they just made me more determined to succeed.

How did you decide on the genre of novels you were going to write?
It was never a conscious decision. I never sat down and thought I want to write within a certain genre. My stories developed on their own and afterwards I could look back and realise which genre they belonged to. But saying that, my writing is very difficult to categorise as I incorporate elements of thrillers but also romance.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?
I’m a bit of a film geek! I love nothing more than sitting down to watch a film! I also like taking walks in the woodlands behind my home with my beloved dog, Rollo. He is my constant companion when I’m writing!

Have you learnt anything new about yourself since becoming a writer?
I’m my harshest critic. It was something I was never aware of before but since becoming a writer I’ve realised how hard I can be on myself. But I feel I have to be. There is no one else pushing me to achieve my dream to become a writer, only me so I owe it to myself to be tough, to work hard and do everything I can to make it happen!

What is your all time favourite book?
Hands down it has to be Little House on the Prairie. I remember reading it when I was young and being blown away by how the book transported me from my tiny bedroom in a corner of rain soaked England to the open wilderness of the American prairies. I’ve read that book so many times that the pages are starting to fall out I should really invest in a new copy but there is something special about it still being that same book I originally fell in love with.

Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
I’m a bit addicted to Twitter and hear from readers on there and also through Goodreads. I love connecting with readers! Often we chat about TV shows and random stuff! I don’t like to use my social media as a tool to push my books, I prefer for it to be a way that people can get to know me if they want to. Which is why I tend to Tweet far too much about Rollo and films that I’m watching!

Is there anything you do for motivation when you are writing?
I bribe myself. For instance, if I hit my word target I’m allowed to go downstairs and enjoy a snack of my choosing which is usually jelly babies! I love jelly babies! If I’m in need of inspiration I either walk my dog, go for a long drive or have a bath as oddly, those are the times when I do my best thinking.

What book do you wish you could have written and why?
Flowers in the Attic by Virginia Andrews because it is just so powerful. It takes a seemingly dull premise; four children trapped in the attic and creates a wonderful tale of bravery, optimism and evil. I adored that book and keep meaning to re-read it! I’d love to create a story as powerful and evocative as that.

What do you think makes a good story?
Having someone you can root for. A book might have the most amazing plot but if you can’t engage with the characters you don’t really care. I like books with strong heroines, like the Sookie Stackhouse series. You’re always on her side and she’s the girl everyone wants to be as she knows her own mind and is sassy!

As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
A writer. That answer is kind of boring though, isn’t it? The other great love of my life was ballet and I trained as a classical ballerina until I was twelve. I had the opportunity to go and study dance in London but chose not to. And I think I made the right choice as writer was always top of my list!

What writing advice do you have for aspiring authors?
Don’t ever stop writing. Write because you love it. If you keep writing and creating because you love it, it will make it easier to face those inevitable knocks along the way on your journey to publication.

Are you working on anything at the moment?
Right now I’m working on the third book in the Avalon series, working title Coming Home. I also recently completed a fantastical psychological thriller which I’m pretty excited about.

  

Thank you so much Carys for answering my questions, they are some great answers and I can't wait for your next novels!

First To Fall is available to buy on Amazon now:

Amazon UK

Amazon US

For more information about Carys please visit www.carys-jones.com or follow her on Twitter; @tiny_dancer85


See my review of First To Fall Here

First To Fall by Carys Jones

Aiden Connelly’s first case…

Lawyer Aiden Connelly has traded the frenzy of Chicago for a slower pace in sleepy Avalon – and his first case appears to be as open-and-shut as he could hope for. Hired to defend a local ex-beauty queen accused of murdering her husband, he’s confident that he’ll have the case closed in record time. But below the surface lurks a darker truth…

Will be one he’ll never forget.

Suddenly, a quiet backwater has transformed into a dangerous pressure cooker. In a town where everyone knows everyone, gathering evidence should be easy… but the harder Aiden searches, the more he appreciates how tangled this net of loyalties is. And as he digs deeper, Aiden begins to realise that his very first case in Avalon could be the beginning of his undoing…

 I was delighted when I was asked to take part in the book tour for First To Fall and jumped at the chance. After how much I loved Prime Deception I couldn't wait to read Carys' next novel and it did not disappoint, Carys has the most amazing writing style that grabs and pulls you into the story straight away.

I wasn’t really sure what to expect when I started to read this book, and especially because it wasn’t out yet it meant that I hadn’t heard or seen anybody else’s thoughts on it. I loved this because it meant I had a blank mind going into the book and was able to form an opinion on it without thinking ‘well people have said it gets good so I’ll carry on reading’. However, this was not the case at all with this book, you don’t have to force yourself to keep reading you just can’t help it, I was hooked from the first chapter and finished this book in a day and a half (whilst also being in work both days)!

The story opens with lawyer Aiden, his wife Isla and daughter Meegan who have moved from Chicago to Alvalon where they want to start their life again and work on their marriage. His want for a peaceful life however is quickly changed when he is given his first case in his new job, a murder. Although it seems a simple, already solved case at first, it may not actually be what it seems, as Aiden soon finds out.

There are so many things I loved about this book, but mainly that you don’t have to wait for the story to build up, it is such a fast paced book that starts straight away and keeps you guessing the whole way through. Also, unlike a lot of other books it is not predictable, what you think may be the case at the start of the book may not be the case at the end! I was so excited throughout the whole book which is something that I don’t always find, I just couldn’t wait to find out what happened and I was so tempted to read ahead so many times! (I didn’t though)! Did Brandy really kill her husband? Or will the truth be something else? You will have to read the book to find out!

Each character was a perfect addition to the story and made it what it is. I thought Aiden was the perfect lead character for the story and made it what it is, he was strong and determined, he wanted to do right by his wife and daughter but also solve the case that he has been given and in turn do right my Brandy. He seems to be somebody that tries to please everybody and is dedicated to his work.
Isla however, at first I did like her and thought she was just missing her old life where she was very sociable, missing her husband due to him working long hours, was stressed out with the move, not knowing anybody and looking after Meegan whilst Aiden was working, but as the story went on she started to get on my nerves a bit. She seemed very needy, selfish and unreasonable. Yes she was finding it difficult to make friends because her husband was defending the woman that killed one of the most popular and well thought of men in Avalon but this seemed too much of a problem for her and she treated her husband and daughter very badly.

I don’t want to say too much more about this book because I urge everybody to go and buy a copy and read pretty much blind like I did, it makes it SO much better! I can’t tell you enough how much I loved this book. There is a twist at the end of the book that I did not see coming at all and it got me so excited for the next book in the series.

I mentioned in my review of Prime Deception how much I love Carys’ writing style and this opinion hasn’t changed, this book proves even more how much of a talented writer she is. She has the ability to transport you from your life straight into the middle of her character’s lives with such ease.

There is nothing negative at all that I can say about this book because I really did love everything, the plot, the characters, the writing style, the twists, the way you just don’t know what will happen next! Everything! I was felt as though I was living the character’s lives with them and it will take me a long time to get out, I can’t stop wondering what is going to happen in the next book now! Each of Carys’ books I read makes me fall in love with her writing style even more, this book has gone straight on my list of my favourite books of this year! I would recommend this book to anybody and everybody even if you don’t read novels of this kind of genre because I guarantee you will enjoy it!

Amazon UK | Amazon US

Bad Bridesmaid by Portia MacIntosh

‘My wedding is ruined and my marriage is going to fail. And it’s all your fault!'

LA romcom writer Mia Valentina has it all; money, success, a tanned and toned body, golden blonde hair and a string of sexy lovers. She’s almost forgotten her previous self: plain old Mia Harrison. Until a wedding invitation arrives requesting (demanding!) her presence as chief bridesmaid at her younger sister Belle’s upcoming nuptials.

Mia’s barely been back in England before she’s accidentally injured the groom, unintentionally ‘cursed’ the wedding and been caught in a compromising position with her sister’s soon to be brother-in-law!

With the wedding of the year going dangerously off the rails, Mia has no time to waste – especially with sexy fireman and best man Leo on hand to help… Will she use all of her expert romance knowledge to save the day or will she just walk away? No one ever said a bad girl had to turn good…

Thank you to Portia for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I adored Portia’s previous novel ‘How Not to be Starstruck’ so when Portia sent me this book I did a little scream with excitement and got stuck straight in.

I have to admit I was a bit worried when I first started this book as this is a different genre and style of book than Portia usually writes, but as soon as I was a few pages in this worry went away and from reading this book I truly think she could write anything. I finished this book in 2 days because it just sucked me in, the writing style and how simple yet addictive it was made it impossible for me to stop reading.
As everyone that reads my reviews will know I love romance books and anything of the sort, so I think this was a big reason why I loved this book, Portia has made it laugh out loud funny and romantic. It is an entertaining read that you can get through in no time.

Mia is one of those people that you love but are very jealous of, she’s living her dream in LA, with nobody to answer to and living her life to the full. Some of the situations she gets herself into are hilarious and so embarrassing that you can’t help feel for her but still laugh. She is so realistic and the fact that Portia has made her this way makes you love the book and the characters even more. All of the characters have something to give to the story and they are all very funny and interesting so you never get bored of any of them. When Mia is asked to fly home to be bridesmaid at her sister’s upcoming wedding she can’t think of anything worse as she has no intention of ever falling in love or settling down. Being a bridesmaid changes her more than you would think, what happens? Well you are just going to have to read the book and find out!

I don’t want to say much more because I want everybody to pick up a copy of this book and enjoy it as much as I did. I would recommend this book to anybody that wants lots of laugh and love, it is the perfect beach read or one to read with a cup of tea on the sofa. Portia’s books make me laugh until I cry and she well and truly deserves 5 stars. I definitively think there is a bright future ahead for Portia and her books. Bring on the next one!

Amazon UK | Amazon US

BLOG TOUR 25th August - 5th September

The First To Fall by Carys Jones Blog Tour is starting this Monday so don't forget to keep your eyes out on Twitter for posts and tweets!  Here is the schedule for the two weeks:

Giveaway - The Telling Error by Sophie Hannah

I have received 2 copies of The Telling Error by Sophie Hannah so I have decided to give away 1 of them. All you need to do is enter below, the giveaway will end on 25th August so make sure you enter before then to be in with a chance of winning. 
Apologies but this is a UK only giveaway as I cannot ship internationally.

Good luck!

Controversial newspaper columnist Damon Blundy has been murdered, and a woman who has never met him – housewife and mother Nicki Clements – is brought in for questioning.

Nicki can’t answer any of the baffling questions detectives fire at her. She has no idea why a killer might use a knife in such an unusual way – a way that involves no stabbing or spilling of blood. She doesn’t know what ‘HE IS NO LESS DEAD’ means, or why the murderer painted it on the wall of Damon Blundy’s study.

And she can’t explain why she was so close to the crime scene – not without revealing the secret that could ruin her life. Because, although Nicki is not guilty of murder, she is far from innocent…

a Rafflecopter giveaway

One Hundred Proposals by Holly Martin

Is there really such a thing as a perfect proposal?

Over the next hundred days I intend to find out. I will find one hundred ways to propose to our Chief Proposer Suzie McKenzie and post the results here for your enjoyment. One thing’s for sure, not one of my proposals will be on top of the Eiffel Tower with a dozen red roses.’

Best friends Suzie and Harry are partners in romance. That is, they run the.PerfectProposal.com, coming to the aid of would-be grooms to create the ultimate marriage proposal.

But when Harry decides to catapult the business into the big leagues with a PR stunt all Suzie can see is a hundred days of heartbreak stretching ahead of her. But however exotic the location, or breath-takingly romantic the setting, Suzie has to keep remembering that ‘Marry Me?’ is the one question she can’t say yes to.

This business proposal should come with one hundred broken heart warnings...

One hundred proposals, one hundred chances to say yes.

I have had Holly's previous book 'The Guestbook' sitting on my Kindle for a while now and still haven't got around to reading it. I was about to when I saw this book had been released, it was a toss up between the two but as soon as I saw the hype surrounding this and the praise it was getting I had to choose this one. Plus I am a sucker for romance and proposals so that won me over too!

All I can say after reading this book is WOW!!! I tried writing this review as soon as I finished reading it so I could put every emotion that I just felt into it but it has proved to be quite impossible, I can't some up how I feel in any way that could be made sense of. I feel as though what just happened in this book happened to me and now that it's over a part of me is missing. Whatever Holly Martin has just done I don’t think I’ll ever be the same again. This book is PERFECT! It has to be the most romantic, heart-breaking, emotional, amazing book I have ever read. I will never be able to say exactly how much I loved this book and I know my review will probably never do it justice so just go buy it and feel everything for yourself, I promise you it will be the best thing you have ever read.

As soon as I read the blurb I knew it was something I would love, it sounded so romantic and intriguing that eventually I thought it can’t be as good as it seems. I was wrong, so wrong, this book deserves every bit of praise it gets as does Holly for her wonderful writing. 

I finished this book in 3 days and that was too long because I wanted to spend every waking moment reading it. All I could think about was what was going to happen, what the next proposal would be, if they would confess their love for each other. Holly’s writing is beautiful and that is why you get so sucked into the story so quickly, there is such emotion and it seems so effortless. The thought and imagination that has gone into this book well and truly pays off. 

The characters of Suzie and Harry are so like-able, although it is written from Suzie's perspective we get to know Harry through her and through his blog posts about each proposal. This is such a genius way of getting to know a character and it makes you love them both equally. Throughout the whole book I was aching for them to tell each other how they feel and it broke my heart slightly when Suzie had to turn down the proposals that she so desperately wants to say yes to, due to not realising the real reason behind them. I was willing her to tell Harry how she felt right from the start but the fact that she doesn't makes the book so much better. They are the perfect two people to have as main characters, they bounce off and complement each other perfectly. What is also great about them is that they are real, you can easily imagine them as real people, especially Suzie who is clumsy and awkward but so love-able, and I think that really helps in keeping you hooked to the story.

Holly takes you on a journey around the world to each and every beautiful place with Suzie and Harry. She describes everything perfectly that if you closed your eyes you would think you were there. Each of the proposals are beautiful and romantic from the small intimate ones to the huge gestures, they all make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Each one was made so personal to Suzie and each one I wanted her to say yes to, I couldn't stop thinking ‘surely this is the best he can do’, then again and again he would prove me wrong. The proposals made the book so enjoyable, you just couldn't wait to find out what the next one would be and what Suzie’s reaction would be.

This story has you hooked from the very first page, the way it is written, set out, the plot, the ideas, emotion, everything in this book is perfect and there is nobody that wouldn't love this. It has everything you want from a chic-lit novel and so much more, you can laugh out loud, cry and shout when reading it and although you think you can kind of guess the ending you still aren't sure right up until the end if it will work out how you hoped.
This is one of those books that sucks you in so much you feel as though you are part of it, you can 100% escape reality with ease as this book makes you wonder if you are still reading or if this is your life.

Along with the wonderfulness of the story there were some lines in the book that makes my heart melt, the way Suzie and Harry spoke about each other, the love and emotion between them, they were so beautiful. My favourite of them all has to have been at the end when Harry says “I can give all you would-be proposers one piece of advice. Tell her you love her, tell her every day until she knows it and believes it. Then tell her every day anyway. If you’re incredibly lucky she’ll love you back.”

I know that this book will not leave me for a long time and it will definitely be one that I will read over and over again. I am now going to read The Guestbook after it’s lengthy wait on my Kindle as I am not ready to leave Holly’s writing just yet! This book I am sure will be a bestseller and I cannot wait to see what else Holly brings us in the future. If you haven’t read this book yet then please don’t wait any longer, go read it and you will feel how I feel now. This is the most perfect summer read. If you are one of those silly people that don’t believe in love or romance, read this book and you will soon think differently. I would give it all of the stars in the world if I could but for starters it gets my 5 stars! Thank you Holly for such a wonderful, wonderful book.

Amazon UK | Amazon US

From Paris With Love by Samantha Tonge

Every girl dreams of hearing those four magical words Will you marry me? But no-one tells you what’s supposed to happen next…

Fun-loving Gemma Goodwin knows she should be revelling in her happy-ever-after. Except when her boyfriend Lord Edward popped the question, after a whirlwind romance, although she didn’t say no….she didn’t exactly say yes either!

A month-long cookery course in Paris could be just the place to make sure her heart and her head are on the same page… And however disenchanted with romance Gemma is feeling, the City of Love has plenty to keep her busy; the champagne is decadently quaffable, the croissants almost too delicious, and shopping is a national past-time! In fact, everything in Paris makes her want to say Je t’aime… Except Edward!

But whilst Paris might offer plenty of distractions from wedding planning – including her new friends, mysterious Joe and hot French rockstar Blade - there’s no reason she couldn’t just try one or two couture dresses is there? Just for fun…

Thank you to Sam for sending me a copy of this book for review. I loved it! This is the first of Sam’s books I have read and it will definitely not be the last. Although it is a follow on from the first you don’t feel lost if you pick this one up first as it starts the story as if it is brand new and introduces the characters all over again.

I was in Paris myself in February so I am still sad at the fact that I’m back in the UK and everything is still pretty fresh, making this book so much more enjoyable for me to read as I could picture everything the way I remember it. Things that Gemma and Edward saw there (the building, landmarks etc.) are things that I saw whilst I was there, so I could picture them perfectly and it made me want to get myself back to Paris asap! The way Sam has described the whole city is wonderful, you could picture yourself walking down the Parisian streets and every detail was real. My fiancé even proposed to me shortly before we went! Although unlike Gemma, I said yes straight away ha!

The whole concept of the story is genius and makes the book kind of cross over genres with the classic chic-lit, the rom com and the James Bond elements to it. I don’t want to say too much because I want everybody to read it and be as amazed, fascinated and giggly as I was, but you just don’t know what will happen next throughout the story, will Gemma marry Edward?, will she prove herself as an MI6 agent? See how could you even guess what goes on in this book?! Yes the book has some far-fetched parts to it, which doesn’t always work but it does in this book, it brings something different, new and intriguing to the novel. There is also a great little twist at the end.

I really liked Gemma, she was somebody that if she was real I could see myself being friends with. She never asked too much of anybody, was down to earth, real and so likeable, which helps you to get sucked into the story and like you are experiencing her life in Paris and all of its highs and lows with her. You just can’t help but take her side through everything. I also loved how so obviously British she was among the French and her struggles with the language made for a few giggles. I am definitely going to pick up Doubting Abbey as I’m not ready to leave Gemma’s world just yet!

Sam is such a talented author and if this book is anything to go by I am definitely going to keep my eye out for her other books! I would recommend this book to anybody that fancies a bit of love, fun, food, silliness and Paris! It is a perfect summer read.

Amazon UK | Amazon US

Grading Him by Elizabeth Lynx

Josephine Powell is an intelligent assistant professor of Psychology. She is a woman who knows what she wants, a man she would be happy giving a grade A to in the bedroom. Unfortunately, she has yet to meet a man that even comes close. She’s tired of dealing with men who just don’t try; she needs a man who can handle her and her needs.
Pierce Carver is a smart man. So, smart he got out of the slums of Baltimore to go to MIT and make a lot of money so he never has to visit his old neighborhood ever again. He’s not interested in making money anymore; he’s interested in only two things, his charity to help inner city youth and woman. The later he prefers variety, as in one good lay and then out the door you go. Women are for sex and nothing more.
Josephine meet Pierce.
Pierce meet Josephine.
Can they handle what each wants and needs?

Thank you to Elizabeth for sending me a copy of this book for review! I was intrigued from reading the blurb and decided to read it straight away!

The story is very short but it gives you the perfect insight into the start of Josephine and Pierce’s ‘relationship’. I love that it is written all in one night and we get a view of the events from both characters. This allows you straight away to fall for both of them. There is so much emotion, passion and reality in each character and I was sucked in from the first paragraph.
I usually hate the male characters in books like this but Pierce is different, although he first comes across as a bit of a player, he is not controlling as you find almost all male characters are, that is what I hate! Instead he is very like-able and treats Josephine really well. Josephine is a strong, confident woman who although is completely obsessed by Pierce keeps him on his toes and has him falling at her feet. I love this idea of having the woman as the stronger character because you don’t often find this and it shows women can be just as powerful as men!

I finished this book in an hour and loved it! Elizabeth completely leaves you wanting more and I don’t want to have to wait until September for the next part (a month is just too long)! I know I will be wishing the days away until then! I would recommend this book to anybody! It is a short, sexy and completely addictive read! Elizabeth is definitely a writer to watch out for! She gets a well deserved 5 stars from me! Hurry up September!

Amazon UK | Amazon US