Motherlove by Thorne Moore

Motherlove by Thorne Moore

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Motherlove is contemporary fiction and a heart-wrenching tale of three mothers and their love for their children. Mrs Parish haunts a local park everyday searching for any clues which would lead her to find her baby who was snatched twenty-two years ago. She is a shell barely surviving, constantly facing those who accuse her of murdering her baby, even after so many years.

Kelly Sheldon arrives home to find her Mum seriously ill. Roz has always shied away from doctors and authority but now she needs help, diagnosed with Diabetes, she’s damaged her kidneys. The vegetarian diet they eat will help her recovery and Roz still insists on her herbal remedies, but Kelly goes behind her back to have tests to see if she can donate a kidney for a Mother’s survival.

Gillain walks on eggshells around her angry daughter never knowing the right way to deal with her and always feeling guilty about never finding the right time to tell her she is adopted. That is until the evil Joan blabs in yet another bought of hatred towards her family. Grasping for details Vicky digs up news reports from twenty-two years ago which fuel her anger at the world.

As the story unfolds we read of women who were victims of strong emotions surrounding their babies and life experiences which shaped their futures. There’s no right or wrong definition of a mother’s love in the constant flux of life but it still exists.

A very good tale which kept me enthralled until the end.

This review is based on a free copy of the book given to me by the author via Honno Press

Launched today February 19th, find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

View all my reviews on Goodreads

Author Interview Rishika Sitlani

Today our guest is Rishika Sitlani author of yesterday’s book “One Chance”, here is a link to the post if you missed it. http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-53V

Let’s find out more about Rishika and her writing.

1. Where is your home town?

My home town is Pune, in India. I have travelled to Europe and Africa, and have even lived there for some years, but Pune has been my home for most of my years – and will probably continue to be so.

2. How long have you been writing?

I’ve been writing for about eleven years. The first thing I ever wrote was a story that had popped into my head. I would write every night for half an hour – it felt like a creative release. It was just something I would do to give myself satisfaction. I took up writing full time only two and a half years ago. I wrote content and even short stories for others. But towards the end of last year, I decided that I wanted to get into writing full time for myself. That’s how I made the final transition from writer to author.

3. What is your favourite genre of writing and why?

To be honest – I like writing in multiple genres. When I started writing, I loved writing mystery, thrillers, and romantic suspense. Along the way, I developed an interest in writing contemporary romance too. I’ve also worked on historical fiction and have loved it! For me, the story matters, not the genre. If an idea comes to me in which I believe wholeheartedly, I will write the story. My style may vary slightly to allow for the change in the genre, but I write what feels right and I will still enjoy writing every word.

4. What was the idea which began your story of “One Chance”?

Without giving away too much, I’d have to say that it was the way the story ends. An image of the end hit me one day and the rest of the story just built itself around that vision.

5. Can you tell the readers a little about Ava and Ethan Russell and their backgrounds?

Ava and Ethan are bound together through a past that Ava assumes to have left behind. She married Ethan within months of meeting him and they are very much in love. But when she learns the truth about who her husband really is, her trust is completely shattered. She’s left trying to make sense of the lie that had once been everything in which she’d believed.

Ethan too wants to let go of his past, even though he is the reason it comes to haunt them. The only problem is that their past won’t leave them; which leaves Ethan struggling to build a future from the ashes of a past that have burned them both. One Chance looks at Ava’s ability to forgive and Ethan’s ability to love, while the past that connects their families continues to test their abilities.

6. What is this past that their two families have faced?

As was common in many regions at the time, the families were pitted against each other for land that they refused to share. The greed for the land led to a gruesome and tragic past, one that is tainted with anger, greed, and ego; and one that destroys both families completely through death, hatred, and darkness.

7. What do you think are Ava and Ethan’s strengths?

Ava’s strength lies in her ability to pick herself up. From the difficult decisions she made as a teenager, to the point when she has to face Ethan’s betrayal, she never shies away from what is required of her. She hurts, yes, but she pushes forward to see the real picture, however painful that might be. She makes an attempt to understand everything in its entirety and that makes her the well-rounded, strong woman that she is.

Ethan’s strength lies in his ability to look beyond himself and be loyal to that in which he believes. That is what gives him his integrity. It isn’t just about his personal gain or loss – he’ll stick by you even if it’s not in his best interest, as long as having him by your side is in your best interest.

Do you think there needs to be more forgiveness in the world today?

In the end, we’re all human beings. People will make mistakes and they will hurt. And as long as this happens, there will be a need for forgiveness; because it is only through forgiveness that we can move forward with our own lives.

   9.  Are you working on another book?

I recently completed and published my second short story in the Kindle store – A Bond Unbroken. After that, I began work on a much larger project – a historical fiction novel. This historical fiction is based in ancient India and follows a fictional story line woven into real events. It talks about political conspiracies, it depicts love and faith, and it shows the best and worst of human desire and belief. While I can’t say when this will be completed, I am looking to publish it by the end of this year or the beginning of the next, at the very latest.

   10. Where can readers find out more about you?

I have a Facebook page where I post updates about my work and discussions. Anyone can follow this page at http://on.fb.me/R4HfLU

I also have a Goodreads author page which can be followed at http://bit.ly/1ga5Hkp

My Amazon author page is available at http://amzn.to/1oOt1h5

You can participate in the various discussions on my Google+ profile at http://bit.ly/1huJ6V2

You can also follow me on Twitter @RishikaSitlani and my personal blog where I post book reviews, discussions, and tips at http://bit.ly/174LsiN

 

 

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

 

 

 

Thank you Rishika and Good Luck with your writing.

 

 

One Chance by Rishika Sitlani

One Chance by Rishika S.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

One Chance is a short story. Ava has had a whirlwind romance and is now happily married to Ethan. When a lawyer turns up at the house with papers for Ethan to sign, Ava’s world comes tumbling down.

Helena, Mississippi was a place from the past, full of pain, anger and family feuds. Ava ran away from the loss of her parents and made a new life for herself. When she finds out that Ethan is from the “Other” family she feels she can never forgive him.

What can Ethan do to save his marriage and prove to Ava that love and peace mean more to him than any past family? He goes to face his family to put to rest once and for all the terrible feuding.

This story is about forgiveness, letting go of anger and resentment and moving forward. Forgiveness can be one of the hardest things for people to do, but it can also be one of the most rewarding.
Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

View all my reviews on Goodreads

Rishika will be our guest on the blog tomorrow do come back and join us.

The Wrath Inside by RR Gall

The Wrath Inside by RR Gall

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Wrath Inside is set in the town of Nares, Palestine in AD15. Roman occupation of the land and the aggression of the Roman soldiers add to the hostile attitudes of the nation. The people of Nares lead a simple life, their highlight is the traders who pass through on the road to Jerusalem.

The book centres around 15 year old Ezera, his home life, his friends and his upbringing. These are all set into turmoil when a stranger attacks Ezera with a knife while he sleeps, falsely accusing him of kidnapping his children. Ezera helps the man called Khalil to find his children, on route they discover a cohort of Roman soldiers not far from the village.

The Romans demand a census takes place in the town, but a scuffle causes a soldier to be wounded and the situation becomes more threatening. Ezera and his friends become embroiled in the conflict. The morals of the town are put into question when they allow an innocent man to die as revenge for the Roman soldier.

When an important priest and his entourage arrive in town the Roman power authority is lessened, highlighting some of the trouble there was at the time between the religious leaders and the occupying forces. Yet the leader of the Romans has come to this town for more than one reason.

Find a copy on Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com.

View all my reviews on Goodreads.

Author Richard Gall will be our guest here on the blog tomorrow.

Letter D on the A to Z April Challenge

Today is letter D on the A to Z Challenge. My book today is “Derek’s Revenge” by Mac Black, Third book in the Derek Series. Genre: Adult Humour

Let’s meet Derek, he currently works as a newspaper reporter, but his life’s ambition is to write a best selling book.

Name: Derek Toozlethwaite.

Objective: To write a factual best seller.

At long last a great idea for the book – about a rock band that made the big-time in the USA.

RABID REVENGE – and they came from Newingsworth UK – his town!

In the USA they made their name,

Top gee-tar-ists in the ‘Hall of Fame’

Wow, they’re celebs – from Derek’s town.

Trust TOOZLETHWAITE

He’ll track them down.

They’ve had their glory

Their time at the top

They’re older now,

They’ve had to stop.

Rabid Revenge – rockers, acting tough

But they’ve made their money,

They’ve had enough.

Will he let them settle? He will not!

There’s a book to be written!

And DEREK’S …hot!

Read about his escapades, if you dare, and become a ‘Derek’ fan…

Derek Toozlethwaite’ series:

Please…Call me Derek. Derek travels from child to confused adult, from reporter for the local paper to any job available, doing everything he thinks he should, but doing it his way. Pursuing life and employment leads Derek to fling himself into the sort of sticky situations he won’t want to have to explain to his friends or his family. With determination, gritting his teeth, doing everything for the best, how could anything go wrong.

Derek’s in Trouble.  As funny as ever and as unlucky as always, Derek is going through another unexpected crisis in his life. A local reporter with the partner of his dreams, his life is all set to be perfect. So, how will he explain his foray out in his wife’s dress? Then, there’s the leggy lady intent on making a lasting impression …on top of that, there are everyone else’s problems to sort. Is his Gran, the secret Radio agony aunt, capable of helping anyone?

Derek’s Revenge. Derek has not had much success getting his first great novel started – in fact, the research it requires has nearly cost him his marriage and ruined several pairs of his wife’s tights. All he needs is a better topic, maybe he should be writing non-fiction, he is a journalist, after all… As is normal for Derek, things go pretty rapidly and hilariously downhill from there!

Derek’s Good Relations. Relations and Relationships – poor Derek has far too many of both – he has a book to write – a mother he has only just met – a wife about to give birth and a poodle who hates him. Life had been so different a year and a half ago. Back then it had been a life before ET and Mom and a heap of other people interfering with his good intentions.

Derek’s Secrets (out soon)

Available from:

Amazon.co.uk (paperback/kindle);

Amazon.com (paperback/kindle);

Waterstones (paperback)

Barnes and Noble (paperback);

Mac Black contacts:

Email: macblack.author

Facebook: facebook.com

Goodreads

Back in January, I reviewed the first book “Please Call Me Derek” http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-4nZ and Mac was also my guest author for the day. http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-4oJ You can also read my review of “Derek’s in Trouble” here. http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-4Y1

Here are some randomly chosen links to blog from others taking up the challenge, please find a few moments to visit their sites too.

http://kmdlifeisgood.blogspot.co.uk/

http://rhymetime24.blogspot.ca/

http://multicoloreddiary.blogspot.co.uk/

http://gigglingtruckerswife.blogspot.co.uk/

http://asoutherngypsy.com/#sthash.ql9BPF5C.dpbs

During the challenge we are asking visitors to leave comments on as many blogs as possible, all supportive comments are much appreciated, thank you.

Diary of A Hapless House-Husband by Sam Holden

Diary of a Hapless Househusband by Sam Holden

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When Sam Holden gets the sack from work he finds himself swapping the childcare role with his wife Sally. He is thrown into the battleground of looking after a 3 year old and a 1 year old, plus trying to juggle all the household duties as well.

Needless to say, Sam starts drowning in domestic duties. So he decides to implement a management plan to resolve the chaos. The children and the situations that Sam finds himself in don’t fit in to his management plan. He’s banned from the supermarket, nearly lets the baby choke, falls out with his mother-in-law, has to call 999 for an ambulance and ends up trying to inflict pain upon himself just to get out of all duties.

It takes a lot of domestic disasters and dishonesty before Sam realises that his family are the most important thing to him. In the end not even getting his old job back can persuade him to change his mind as Sam decides that he can be happy being a Househusband.

This is a funny tale, childcare and running a household is definitely a hard job.

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

View all my reviews on Goodreads

Guest Author Elaine Jeremiah

Today our guest is Elaine Jeremiah, author of yesterday’s book review The Inheritance, here is a link to the review http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-4oH

Let’s find out more about Elaine and her work.

1) Where is your home town?

I live in Bristol, UK but I grew up in Hampshire near Southampton.

2) How long have you been writing?

I’ve been doing some form of writing most of my life.  I always loved doing creative writing while I was at school as well as at home.  Unfortunately being in education for so long (I studied English at university) meant that for a while my creative writing was put on the back burner, as I was doing a lot of studying.  But since leaving university I’ve been able to concentrate on my writing again and now I’m writing more or less every day.  I’m writing more now than ever.

3) What was the inspiration behind “The Inheritance”?

Well question no 7 pretty much answers this one!  I was searching for inspiration for a story I could write.  I hit on the idea of retelling the parable of the prodigal son for a modern audience.  I thought it would be interesting to tell it from the point of view of two sisters and ‘The Inheritance’ was what I came up with.

4) Do you come from a farming or rural background?

No I don’t.  I had to do some research on farming as I don’t know a lot about it.  It was interesting to me to find out a little about how dairy farms are run.  I have always loved being out in the countryside in England though, and I know parts of Cornwall as I have a lot of family living there.  So using my knowledge of Cornwall and researching the parts I didn’t know seemed to work well.

5) Would you like to live in London as Emma did?

Again, no!  I like to visit London, I find it’s incredibly fascinating as a place, but I would hate to live there.  The reason being it’s just so huge and busy as well as being a bit impersonal.  My sister lives and works there and I have yet to visit her at her new flat, so I’m planning on doing that soon.  I think there are various sides to London; it’s incredibly big as I’ve said and you can have different experiences depending on where you live.  If you’re very wealthy as my character Emma’s best friend is that potentially affects how you see it, I should imagine.

6) Tell us more about Steven’s brother Dan.

He’s been difficult for Steven as a brother because he’s always on the wrong side of the law and trying to get Steven involved in his schemes.  He’s not really interested in Steven as a person, certainly not in a brotherly way.  He just sees him in terms of how he can be useful to him in his dealings with other criminals.  So not a nice man.

7) I’m not the first to mention that the story reflects the parable of the prodigal son, was this your intention?

Yes, this was my intention (see above).  But I wanted to put my own slant on the retelling of it, particularly by having it be about two sisters and set in modern England.  I hope I’ve achieved that.

8) What’s your favourite genre and why?

Oh that’s a hard one.  The truth is I don’t really have one favourite genre; I have lots.  I’ve read a lot of historical fiction, some crime, romance, thrillers…  I could go on.  I think for me to enjoy a novel when I’m reading it, it has to grab me and be gripping no matter what genre it is.

9) What are you working on at the moment?

My current work in progress is called ‘Reunion’.  It’s a romance about a young woman who goes back to her school for a reunion.  Her schooldays were not happy ones and she’s only gone because her best friend thought it might be good for her.  It’s about the consequences of her going to it and what happens to her as a result after that.

10) Do you have an expected publication date?

I haven’t set a specific date to publish it.  I haven’t finished writing it yet, but I hope to get it finished and publish it sometime this year.

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Thank you Elaine, it was great hearing more about your work, good luck with the next book.

24 Sleeps ’til Xmas Tour “Coming Home For Christmas” by Jenny Hale (Day 20)

Coming Home For Christmas by Jenny Hale

Description Courtesy of Goodreads

Allie Richfield loves Christmas, so when she lands a job as House Manager for the amazing Ashford Estate—which includes organizing the Marley family festivities—she is in her element.  With a budget bigger than her life savings and a team of staff, how hard can it be?
As one-by-one she meets the Marleys, she’s about to find out…
Allie’s new boss, Robert, might be gorgeous, but he’s also colder than the snow outside and refuses to come home for Christmas.  Robert’s playboy brother, Kip, flirts with her relentlessly; and his sister, Sloane, arrives home with baggage—both the divorce-kind and the Louis Vuitton kind.  Their ninety-two year old grandmother, Pippa, spends her day grumbling at everybody from her mobility scooter.
With Robert intending to sell Ashford, it’s the Marley’s last chance to create some happy memories in their family home—and Allie is determined to make it happen… even if it takes a little Christmas magic!  With the festive spirit in full swing, she might even discover a little happiness of her own.

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Join the readers in this season of Goodwill with my daily Good Deed suggestions. Today is the last Friday night before Christmas, offer to be the driver tonight if you are off out celebrating.

What it Takes by Terry Tyler (Oct 16th)

What It Takes by Terry Tyler

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This review is based on a free copy given to me by the author. “What it Takes” is a modern tale of family, relationships, loves and losses, it is very easy to relate to and I could imagine it happening in today’s world. The reader is drawn by a human desire to know what goes on in other people’s lives and ultimately to sub consciously compare it to your own. The characters are very realistic, dealing with their own hardships and finding ways to survive on their own paths. This is the first book I’ve read by this author and it won’t be the last.

Get your copy here from Amazon.

View all my reviews

A Punctual Paymaster by Dan Groat

A Punctual Paymaster by Dan Groat

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I had forgotten why I down loaded this book and it sat on my kindle for a long time, but once I began reading it I was drawn straight in to the world of Cousin and the town of Delphi. We follow an intricately woven trail through the lives of the generations of people who are split into the “North” side of town and the “South” side. I’m talking about segregation and all that comes with the times and the territory, but there is such a deeper side to the book. Cousin instils a proud set of rules through an old family name with a meaning “Walk with Strength” which his grandson continues to live by, years later. The book title does not become apparent until the very last line of the book. If you read “The Help” by Kathryn Stockett and found it moving, then I believe this book will have a similar effect.
Find this book here on Amazon.

View all my reviews