The Little Shop of Hopes and Dreams by Fiona Harper

Nicole was a true hardcore romantic when she came up with the great idea to start a Marriage Proposal Planning company. 

Now after watching one too many enthusiastic couples melt into each others arms she realises she is missing out on something. 

Something or someone who will make her heart sing like a canary on champagne.

On a night out she meets that certain someone and he not only makes her heart sing, he also makes her limbs weak, her heart pound and her body ache for the horizontal tango. Numbers are exchanged and one would think things are a go, except Nicole chickens out and that’s when things get really complicated.

One year later and the perfect solution to all their business problems has waltzed in the door. The problem with the oh so perfect solution is the unexpected complication called Alex.

Harper knows just how to twist the plot in a way that keeps readers on their toes. A man with trust issues, a gal who doesn’t trust her instincts and a delightfully spontaneous socialite called Saffron to top it all off. This is certainly a romance with more ups and downs than a roller coaster ride.

Buy The Little Shop of Hopes and Dreams at Amazon UK or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.

Follow @FiHarper_Author, @HQStories or @HarperCollinsUK

Read The Summer we Danced, The Doris Day Vintage Film Club or The Other Us by Fiona Harper

The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E. Smith

"There's a difference between loneliness and solitude." Never were there truer words spoken. I loved this wee book and the sheer simplicity of it.

No complicated love triangles, no predictable bad boy and no overly dramatic teen scenarios. It is just Owen and Lucy, and the perfect imperfection of the two of them.

Life is strange when it comes to rare random encounters, especially when two people click in a way that is hard to describe. Something more than just a physical need, a connection of souls, although it may be somewhat of a cliché.

Sometimes when you meet the right person it just isn't the right time to be together. People pass each other like ships in the night, and that's all it will ever be. Just a chance encounter.

Owen and Lucy hold on tight to that red string , which seems to connect them. Throughout the span of time, the complexity of different locations and other relationships, they still pine for each other. Sending postcards to each other, almost like stepping back a few decades before emails, sms and social media.

Not many of the new generations understand the nostalgic thought behind this now outdated mode of communication. Not many of them will  ever experience the beauty of receiving a handwritten letter. In this technology filled era communication is electronic, digital and paperless.

The Geography of You and Me is suitable for both younger and older readers, despite the main market target being YA. The story is such that the ages of the two main characters could be raised a few decades and the tale would still remain the same. The undeniable and inexplicable connection of two human beings.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley.

Ruthless by Cath Stainciffe

You don't often get books turned into TV series that stick more or less precisely to the written word.

Staincliffe writes the way it would look if given to a screenplay writer, which saves and passes a particular element in her writing onto the screen.

The focus is on the interview techniques, securing a confession and in doing so being able to charge the perpetrator with the crime.

Staincliffe has created a fierce trio of female police officers, who are bound together by gender, loyalty, leadership and friendship.

I really enjoyed the character of Gill the most. Her snarky remarks, bolshy attitude and her strong leadership of those around her. She rules with an iron fist and yet still manages to maintain a close friendship with Janet. The same applies to Rachel and Janet.

The story mixes police crime with the personal lives of the three of them. Tragedy, heartbreak, past lives filled with neglect, all have to be set aside when it comes to law, order and procedure.

The author has also chosen to shine a spotlight on legal and illegal highs. An interesting point of view, focusing on the fact that the illegal drugs are probably less of a risk than the unknown legal highs being sold by drug dealers.

Staincliffe offers up a fresh breath of reality with the third book in the Scott & Bailey series.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley.

Maybe This Christmas by Sarah Morgan

Finally Sarah Morgan brings us the story of the most stubborn and difficult of the O'Neil brothers.

Tyler has the reputation of a daredevil playboy, who hops from woman to woman in the blink of an eye.

The tabloids were full of his supposed exploits during his time as a ski champion and celebrity.

Unfortunately everyone tends to believe what they read in the media, despite the fact most of the gossip magazines make stuff up as they go along.

Tyler and Brenna have been friends for their entire life. Brenna has been in love with him for a long time, but keeps it hidden from everyone. Well, at least she thinks she is keeping it hidden.

The reality is every knows how she feels except for Tyler. He has no clue at all and tries very hard to maintain the strict boundaries of friendship between the two of them.

The women of the O'Neil family conspire to play matchmaker between the Brenna and Tyler. Their sly move rattles the bones and memories of the past. Brenna finally confronts a secret she has kept from everyone, a secret she let determine her life since her teenage years.

The pain and humiliation of being the victim of a bully. Day in and day out Brenna went through hell and didn't tell a soul. Now the bully is back in town and it is time to deal with her horrible past.

Sarah Morgan brings this delightful series of romances set around the Snow Crystal resort to a surprising and compelling end. In her own very specific and talented way Morgan manages to create a warm-hearted tear-jerker with plenty of laughs and a good ol' family feeling.

Buy Maybe This Christmas at Amazon UK or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.

You can connect with Sarah online at her website: www.sarahmorgan.com on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AuthorSarahMorgan or on Twitter @SarahMorgan_

Read: The Christmas Sisters, Moonlight over Manhattan (From Manhattan with Love #6), Holiday in the Hamptons (From Manhattan with Love #5), New York Actually (From Manhattan with Love #4), Miracle on 5th Avenue (From Manhattan with Love #3), Sunset in Central Park (From Manhattan with Love #2), Sleepless in Manhattan (From Manhattan with Love #1), Christmas Ever After. First Time in Forever, Suddenly Last Summer or The Notting Hill Diaries, all by Sarah Morgan.

Follow @SarahMorgan_, @HQStories and @HarperCollinsUK

The Emerald Comb by Kathleen McGurl

The Emerald Comb is a story of betrayal, murder and the hidden mysteries of genealogy.

Katie, like many others since the internet has made it easier for laymen, is set on discovering more about her ancestors.

Genealogy has led her right to the front door of where her own family mystery started many years ago. The type of mystery and crime that remains a secret, because nobody knows a crime has been committed at all.

The reader is introduced to Bartholomew St. Clair, his timid fiancée Georgia and the woman who has ignited his passion, the manipulative Agnes.

The threesome become involved in a fatal collision of emotions and deceit. At one point a decision is made, which will change the face of their family in the future

Simultaneously we see Katie's own family change. In a strange way there are similarities in the patchwork construction to the family in the past, although those in the present are completely unaware of them.

It might have been better to have Agnes tell her own part of the story, as opposed to Mr St. Clair speaking for all the characters. Giving each character their own chapters for instance.

What I really liked was the realistic ending. In real life there would be no way of finding out just who is or was under the tree. In genealogy one often comes up against brick walls and unanswered questions, due to the lack of data, pictures and general physical evidence. Not knowing is therefore the more realistic ending, which the author has opted for instead of the usual happy end. A much better way to end it I think.

I received a copy of this book courtesy of the author.

Buy The Emerald Comb by Kathleen McGurl at Amazon UK or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.

Follow @KathMcGurl  @HQStories @HQDigitalUK

Visit kathleenmcgurl.com

Read The Girl from Ballymor by Kathleen McGurl

Read The Pearl Locket or The Daughters of Red Hill Hall by Kathleen McGurl.
Read about Kathleen McGurl here.

Summer House with Swimming Pool by Herman Koch

It takes a while to get where it is headed, but when the story actually gets to the point it is well worth the wait.

Sort of like drinking an old single malt scotch, you can feel it wandering down your throat and when it hits the right place the burn shoots a rocket of signals into your taste buds.

Marc is the main character and the narrator of the story. He isn't very likeable at all. In fact his view on being a general practitioner, how he secures his income and patients, what he actually really thinks about his job, well it is enough to put anyone off going to see their GP ever again.

He is quick to judge others, especially Ralph, which is completely ironic when you consider his own actions during the story. Glass houses and all that jazz.

The reader is led into the story with the accusation of medical malpractice on Marc's part. It is however something far more sinister. Marc seeks vengeance for an unforgivable deed. A deed he believes was perpetrated by Ralph.

That moment between Marc and Ralph in the sitting room, after the event, when they both stop being just men and slide into the role of protective parents instead. That is when Ralph makes the mistake of victim blaming. You've seen your daughter you know what she is like. If she didn't like it why didn't she say so? The usual rubbish akin to it is her fault because she wore  a short skirt.

I also have to say I was surprised, dismayed and just could not understand how both Marc and Caroline decided to deal with their daughters ordeal. Ignore, deny and sweep under the rug in the hope it will one day fade from memory. Regardless of what actually happened, this type of reaction only places a bigger burden on the victim. A blanket of silence, as a coping mechanism. Not really something anyone should teach their children.

The conversation between Marc an his old teacher was an eye opener from a purely moral point of view. Depending on the reasons he will condone the actions, which of course brings vigilantism into the picture. Do people with the power over life and death have a get out of jail free card when it comes to the medical boys club, especially if the error or the deed was committed, due to specific circumstances?

Koch certainly knows how to mix base emotion with controversial subjects. I enjoyed the way he does that.
I received a copy of this book courtesy of Atlantic Books and Edelweiss.

Lies We Tell Ourselves by Robin Talley

UK Cover

Not many books make me seethe with anger. The injustice and blind ignorance in this story does, especially because the main plot is based on historical fact.

Unfortunately the issue of civil rights is still relevant, alive and kicking even after all these years.

I cannot even fathom treating others with such a level of contempt, hate and anger, just because they have a different skin tone to my own.

Perhaps because I was raised to treat all people equally and base my interactions or judgements about them on their person, their words and their actions, and not on their race or religion.

Children are not born hating others. They are taught to hate. Racism is indoctrinated into generations of people and they in turn repeat the insane cycle with their own offspring.

Again, I just have to repeat, I cannot comprehend how any person could think they are superior to another person based on the shade of their skin. It really does boggle my mind.

I wonder how many of these 'white' people read or watch history programmes or read books like this and recognise themselves in the role of the racist? Many of the teens, children and even adults involved in the events surrounding the civil rights movement are still alive. Do they still believe the mantras of the bigots or have they acknowledged any wrong doing on their part?

Talley has fed some of the frankly quite ignorant and insane statements people believed and repeated, during that time, into the story. For instance, 'Negro brains are naturally predisposed to be submissive.' Very reminiscent of eugenics during the Nazi era.

When you read the dates of events and realise that on the grand scheme of time we aren't talking about very long ago. Based on recent events I would say there is still a huge underlying issue regarding civil rights bubbling beneath the surface of the US.

Talley has mixed two controversial topics together to create a firecracker of a story, which is meant to stretch the boundaries of your understanding of these issues. The reader practically sits inside the heads of both Linda and Sarah , thereby giving a complete view of the issue from both sides.

US Cover

The events take place during the desegregation in schools in the late 50's early 60's. Talley has added the element of not only an interracial relationship, but also that of two girls. A triple whammy for the period of
time we are talking about.

Just so we are clear none of them should be controversial or a problem. Not race, skin colour or sexual orientation.

I can only imagine how scared the children and young teens must have been at the time. Walking through crowds of violent, abusive people, who were bent on getting rid of them no matter the cost. Being subjected to torrents of verbal and physical abuse, being spat on and called an assortment of demeaning names. Day in and day out, a war on the front-lines.

Within this story it becomes apparent that some of the children or teens being integrated into the school, feel as if they are being pushed into the part of role model and spearhead for the movement.

Making a point on behalf of their parents, for the world and the future children to come. Under those difficult circumstance anyone would have crumbled and given in, however I am glad they didn't.

It also puts the civil rights movement into perspective. How courageous these people must have been to stand up for their rights and to weather this unfathomable hatred from each corner.

Sarah is a girl just like any other girl in the process of discovering her sexual identity. Her confusion, her guilt, her shame, all emotions that Linda shares, which shows the identical nature of the human beast, regardless of skin colour.

Linda fights with her own belief system, the reader gets a keen insight into her internal battles. She likes Sarah, more than likes her, which must mean Sarah is different from the rest, right? Of course eventually she comes to the conclusion that perhaps what she has been taught her entire lifetime is wrong. Wrong on every single level, and in turn that realisation makes her regard the people around her in a completely different way.

This is a book I would recommend as scholastic material to teach children what it is like to be confronted with racism, bigotry and hate. It will also give a good insight into the doubts of the indoctrinated few, who manage to free themselves from the repetitive cycle of hatred.

I could go on for hours and pages about how good I think this book is, which of course I recommend you read for yourself.

Buy Lies We Tell Ourselves at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any retailer.