A Memory of Violets by Hazel Gaynor

A Memory of Violets: A Novel of London's Flower Sellers by Hazel Gaynor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


The author of the USA Today and New York Times bestselling novel The Girl Who Came Home has once again created an unforgettable historical novel. Step into the world of Victorian London, where the wealth and poverty exist side by side. This is the story of two long-lost sisters, whose lives take different paths, and the young woman who will be transformed by their experiences.

In 1912, twenty-year-old Tilly Harper leaves the peace and beauty of her native Lake District for London, to become assistant housemother at Mr. Shaw’s Home for Watercress and Flower Girls. For years, the home has cared for London’s flower girls—orphaned and crippled children living on the grimy streets and selling posies of violets and watercress to survive.

Soon after she arrives, Tilly discovers a diary written by an orphan named Florrie—a young Irish flower girl who died of a broken heart after she and her sister, Rosie, were separated. Moved by Florrie’s pain and all she endured in her brief life, Tilly sets out to discover what happened to Rosie. But the search will not be easy. Full of twists and surprises, it leads the caring and determined young woman into unexpected places, including the depths of her own heart.


So when this book arrived for review, my mum couldn't resist and she wanted to review it for me. Here is her review:

Such a lovely well written novel; as a Londoner and former florist who was a regular 4am visitor to old Covent Garden I could almost smell the flowers in this book. I remember the hustle and bustle of the early morning traders, cupping and blowing into my frozen fingers and feeling the warmth of tea or hot chocolate to keep out the cold, banging my frozen feet on the ground waiting while my father bartered with the sellers and then loading boxes of flowers onto our van ready to take back to our shop to sell. All these long forgotten memories came flooding back to me as I read about Flora and Rosie the little orphaned flower sellers. Good storytellers evoke memories and Hazel Gaynor definitely did this for me with A Memory of Violets.

Covent Garden has changed quite a bit now but when I was a child it must have been unchanged from the late 1800's and I could easily picture Flora and Rosie picking up fallen flowers and watercress to make into posies to sell to the gentry. Because I felt such a connection this was quite a special read for me. I loved how the whole story was bought together by Tilly Harpers' story and how she fitted into the novel to help find the missing little flower sellers' sister.

I don't want to retell the story or give away any spoilers to this beautiful heartwarming and often heart wrenching story so you'll have to trust me and read it yourself but I can say that you won't be disappointed. It is even more poignant when you remember that life really was like this for so many children at the turn of the century, never knowing if they would eat, having no where warm and safe to live, being terrified of the Work House and having to work as soon as they were able. I'm sure Flora's story was not uncommon and many young girls suffered the deprivation and hardship of poverty, many died young, lost their families and spent their lives searching for their siblings on the often cruel streets of London. This novel is so much more than a work of fiction and that is what for me makes this such a good piece of writing.

Tilly, Flora and Rosie will stay with me for a long time, I am so glad I read this book and so glad that I was not born in the late 1800's

I have to give this book 5 stars.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.

Weekly Wrap Up - 29.3.15

So this post has actually been scheduled, as you read this I shall be exploring the gambling capital of the world! So I do apologise if this is a little on the empty side!  

This week I have been sent:

This week I have bought: 

Books I have read this week:

The books I have read all have reviews and they will be on the blog soon so look out for that!

Thanks for stopping by at The Book Corner, I loved  hearing what you have got this week so please leave a comment to let me know

Holiday TBR

So I have waited years for this holiday, I think 2 years ago it was being planned, for my Father in laws special birthday. I cannot believe it has finally come round. Tomorrow morning I will be arriving at the airport to check in. Before I headed off I thought after sending a tweet a few weeks ago, asking if anyone would be interested in reading my TBR for my holiday and it being so popular, that I would do one. So here goes... I am going to be taking a mixture of ebooks, audio books and paperbacks. 

Audio Books:

The audio books I have on my kindle and on my iphone that I want to listen to on the plane are:

The Year I Met You - Cecelia Ahern. I am currently in the middle of this audio book, it is one that I really want to get stuck into but never had a long enough period to listen to it. I am hoping this will be a good one for the plane. I think I have about 7 hours left to listen to, so hopefully I would be able to finish this one. 

The Last Anniversary - Liane Moriarty. This is an audio book that I am really looking forward to, however it is over 14 hours long - this is another for a really long plane journey! I am hoping that on the flight home I may get to listen to this one. I do have this in paper back, but I do feel I would enjoy listening to one of Moriarty's books as they are so good! I have high hopes for this audio and I am hoping that the narrator doesn't let me down! 

Ebooks: 

Well I will be taking my kindle away with me so technically anything I have on it that I have not read I may end up reading, however the one ebook I would like to read while I am away is: 

The Secrets Sisters Keep - Sinead Moriarty. I was lucky enough to be able to discover Moriarty last year when I read, Mad about you. This was a brilliant novel, which I raced through. That was the onle book I had read before and I was keen to try others. I that this sitting on my kindle to be read and this is certainly going to be one that I hope to pick up.

Paper backs: 

Paper backs are always a hard choice for me when I go on holiday. I love to actually turn pages in a book and I want to make sure that I have the opportunity to do that while I am away. The thing is that I need to be in the mood normally to read a type of genre and because I am limited to the books I take I always want to know I have one that I will fancy reading. This is why I am normally over my luggage allowance!! So this has been a difficult call for me and I will be taking more than it is possible for me to read, just so I know I am covering all basis. As I am only going for a week too, this means I do have more space in my luggage :D. 

The Sudden Departure of the Frasers - Louise Candlish. This is a book that I have had for quite a few months now, sitting on my TBR pile. I have desperately wanted to read it but it has been way too early to release a review. It is due out near the end of May so I figured I could read it now. This sounds so intriguing that I really can not wait any longer. 

Walk on By - Stacey Solomon. I have decided to take this book with me as I think it will be a quick and easy read. It sounds like they type of read you want on holiday. I have also had this a little while sitting waiting to be reviewed, so this is the prefect opportunity for me to read it. 

Wish You Were Here - Catherine Alliott. This is another book I have had sat on my TBR... I know I am a terrible book blogger but unfortunately life has just got in the way lately. This is another book that is a summery holiday read and I am looking forward to getting stuck in. 

So these are my intended reads for while I am away, these may change slightly, (paper backs) and I maybe adding to them. 

If you have read any of the books I am taking with me, please leave me a comment to let me know what you thought of them, or even to just let me know which book you would start with first. 

Thanks for reading. 

Beneath the Moon and Stars by Amelia Thorne

Beneath the Moon and the Stars by Amelia Thorne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Home, sweet home…

Joy Cartier has been to some of the most beautiful places in the world – but none of them have ever felt like home. So moving into a tiny cottage in the idyllic village of Bramble Hill, walking distance from her childhood home, seems like the perfect plan.

That is, until she gets there. The surly inhabitants of Britain’s Friendliest Village are anything but welcoming. Even her neighbour, reclusive Hollywood star Finn Mackenzie, takes one look at her and walks in the other direction.

But when the village animosity steps up a gear, it is the infuriatingly brooding Finn who keeps coming to her rescue. Slowly Joy begins to realise that maybe a happy home isn’t about where you live, but who you’re with…

When I say this on netgalley I knew I had to request it. I had heard really great things about this book, and with a cover like that it had to be brilliant.

Joy Cartier has never really been settled in life, after her parents died when she was a child, she relied on her brother Alex to bring her up. Since then she has jumped around from job to job and travelled the world, never really having anywhere she can call home though.

Joy discovers the family home she grew up in at Bramble Hill is up for sale and decides she wants to buy it. After lots of felines by the New owner, Joy decides to move back to try and persuade them.

Joy believes that she can be happy again and make a home for herself in the village. The villagers seem to disagree, they really take to hating her and start to make her life miserable. That is Everton other than Casey, who doesn't live in the village and her hot neighbour Finn. Finn feels sorry for her, although has recently had his heart broken by his wife, he does instantly want to dislike Joy, mainly for the reason she is a red head, just like his ex.

There are quite a few background stories going on in the book, Casey's relationship, Joys brothers and what is Joy actually up to? There are robberies going on, has she anything o do with these? And why is she creeping about at night?

This book I found very easy to read, unfortunately I didn't have time to read it in on or two sittings, but this didn't matter, I was able to dip in and out of it with no trouble of knowing where I was.

I enjoyed the humour that was present in the story but also loved all the emotion that surrounded the characters too. My only negative is that it was predictable, which was ok an most chick lits are, their were occasions that I got a little fed up of Finn and Joys relationship as it felt it wasn't going anywhere. This however were only the negatives I have of the book. Overall it's a warm debut novel that is written well.

I would recommend this to others as a light hearted book that will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy. I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.

London Book Fair Show

LONDON BOOK & SCREEN WEEK GIVES MORE REASONS TO VISIT LONDON, WITH LAUNCH OF INAUGURAL PROGRAMME IN ASSOCIATION WITH LONDON & PARTNERS

THE FIRST LONDON BOOK & SCREEN WEEK TO HOST EVENTS FEATURING DEBORAH MOGGACH, LOUISA YOUNG, JOE ABERCROMBIE, JOHN BANVILLE, SARAH HALL, PATRICIA DUNCKER AND MORE AT ICONIC LONDON VENUES INCLUDING FOYLES, SOHO HOUSE & PICTUREHOUSE CINEMAS

London Book & Screen Week – the capital’s biggest ever celebration of books, and the films, TV programmes and virtual worlds they’ve inspired - has unveiled its inaugural programme of events with London & Partners as a strategic partner.

Running from 13-19th April 2015, this new seven day, citywide, landmark event brings storytelling and the written word to life, uniting the capital’s avid readers, writers, game, film and TV fans with a whole host of events taking place right across literary London.

There’s something for everyone with author Q&As, writing master classes, film screenings, cook book demonstrations, bookshop crawls, literary debates, live readings, poetry parties, fiction prizes, book launches and self-publishing workshops – there are even Mad Hatter tea parties and Harry Potter fan expos!

London Book & Screen Week coincides with The London Book Fair, one of the most important events in the publishing calendar, which is attended by 25,000 book industry professionals from around the world.  The books they are publishing today will be the box office hits and the TV ratings grabbers of the future. This is London’s first chance to join them in a citywide celebration of imagination, creativity and culture, all inspired by books.

Authors taking part include David Nicholls (One Day), Deborah Moggach (Best Exotic Marigold Hotel), John Banville (The Sea), former Children’s Laureate Anthony Browne (Gorilla), Patricia Duncker (Sophie and the Sibyl) and Sarah Hall (The Wolf Border).

Jacks Thomas, Director The London Book Fair and LBSW, says: “We are delighted to announce such an exciting and varied line-up for our first ever London Book & Screen Week. This special programme of events celebrates the written word in all its glory.  There really is something for everyone.”

Kate Mosse, international bestselling author ofLabyrinth, says:  “London Book & Screen Week is a wonderful, inspired idea – it’s the perfect opportunity to galvanise the global creative community and bring all kinds of storytelling together.”

Luigi Bonomi, Managing Director of top literary agency LBA, says: “The creation of London Book & Screen Week is genius.  Building on the fabulous position that London has as a global leader in culture, creativity and knowledge, The London Book Fair is leveraging its market-leading position in books and creativity to reach out beyond the publishing industry to consumers and creators.  The cross-media zeitgeist is being captured in this one, great celebration of literary forms, across all media.”

London Book & Screen Week has teamed up with some of the capital’s highest-profile brands, including London & Partners, the Mayor’s official promotional company for London, which attracts businesses and visitors to the capital and operates VisitLondon.com, the official city guide for London. London & Partners works to attract leisure and business visitors to London, as well as new businesses and major events.

Zanine Adams, Head of Events and Business Development UK at London & Partners, said: “We are delighted to add London Book & Screen Week to our calendar of superb offerings. This great initiative will attract people from London, the UK and beyond to our city to experience wonderful moments of creative inspiration, further enhancing London’s reputation as the leading city in the world for culture.”

Highlights of the London Book & Screen Week programme include:-

Monday 13^th April

New Writers Evening, Monday 13^th April @ 7pm, Foyles Charing CrossLondon Book & Screen Week kicks off at Foyles Charing Cross with a special event focusing on future stars of the literary firmament.

Tuesday 14^th April

Guardian Masterclass – How to Write Fantasy and Dystopian Fiction, 6.30pm

A two-hour course in how to master the genres, with Joe Abercrombie, Peter V Brett, and Francesca Haig – chaired by Harper Voyager Publisher Jane Johnson. Each author will discuss their path to publication, followed by a discussion about the genre more generally, covering writing a pitch, finding an agent, and getting the concept right.

Good Housekeeping presents Deborah Moggach and Louisa Young in Conversation, October Gallery, 7pm

Best-selling author of Tulip Fever and Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and Author of the Day for The London Book Fair, Deborah Moggach, will appear in conversation with author of My Dear, I Wanted To Tell You Louisa Young. This event is presented by Good Housekeeping in association with London Book & Screen Week.

Sarah Hall: The Wolf Border, Foyles Charing Cross, 6-7pmIn her only London event, one of Granta magazine’s Best of Young British Novelists, Sarah Hall, talks about her award-winning work including her outstanding new book The Wolf Border.

Pin Drop, sponsored by Audible.co.uk @ Soho House, 7pm

Pin Drop, the spoken word salon that presents world-leading authors and actors reading short stories live, will present a special event for London Book & Screen Week sponsored by Audible.co.uk. Join Pin Drop in the exclusive environment of Soho House to celebrate the joy of hearing a short story well told.

Wednesday 15^th April

Patricia Duncker: Sophie and The Sibyl, Bloomsbury Institute, on Wednesday 15^th April @ 6pm

A chance to hear award-winning novelist Patricia Duncker talk about her compelling new Victorian novel, which is published in April.  Sophie and the Sibyl balances a tale of courtship and seduction with a fascinating, lively imagining of the writer George Eliot at the end of her boldly unconventional life, and the height of her fame. 

Literary Death Match London, Ep.47 - MOVIE SPECIAL, Foyles Charing Cross @ 7pm

Four writers read their own work for seven minutes or less, and are then judged by three all-star judges. Two finalists are chosen to compete in the Literary Death Match finale, a vaguely-literary game to decide the ultimate winner.

Pablo, The Graphic Novel, Institut Francais, Queensberry Place @ 7pm

Writer Julie Birmant and artist Clément Oubrerie visit The Institut Français to discuss their award-winning graphic novel biography of Picasso with journalist, historian and curator of the British Library Comics Unmasked exhibition ,Paul Gravett. Together they will explore the themes and obsessions – among them, sex, death and his great nemesis, Henri Matisse – that drove Picasso to express himself.

Thursday 16^th April

Independent Foreign Fiction Prize 2015 @ Foyles, Charing Cross, 6pm-7pmThe shortlist of six titles will be announced for this prestigious prize, which celebrates its 25^thanniversary this year, and honours the best work of fiction by a living author that has been translated into English from any other language and published in the UK in 2014.  

Friday 17^th April

Indie Author Fringe Fest @ Foyles, Charing Cross, @ 12-7pm

The Fringe Fest offers exciting ways for readers to meet indie authors and discover great reads. It will also be live streamed, so authors and readers who can’t be in London can still take part online.

Saturday 18^th April

Mad Hatter’s Tea Party on Saturday 18^th April @12pmA delightful children’s party to celebrate the 150^thanniversary of Lewis Caroll’s Alice in Wonderland, attended by the former Children’s Laureate Anthony Browne.

How to write and illustrate children’s story books with Rebecca Elliott

This one-day course, picture book author and illustrator Rebecca Elliott (Just Because, The Last Tiger, Naked Trevor) will help aspiring illustrators make the most of your ideas, understand exactly what commissioning editors are looking for, and how to achieve it in their work.

How to be a ghostwriter with Andrew Crofts

This course taught by one of the UK’s leading ghostwriters introduces all the skills writers need to
get started in this potentially lucrative field. Learn how to find and recognise great stories, and how to build a relationship with a subject that helps get straight to the heart of their life story.

Sunday 19^th April

The Sea at Hackney Picturehouse with John Banville @ 1pmJoin author John Banville and director Stephen Brown in conversation, followed by a screening of the highly-acclaimed adaption of Banville’s bookThe Sea, which tells the story of a man who returns to the sea where he spent his childhood summers, in search of peace following the death of his wife.

For the full details on these and a list of all other events taking place, please visit the website:http://www.londonbookandscreenweek.co.uk or follow London Book & Screen Week on Twitter at @LBandSW Please note that extra events are being added all the time.

www.londonbookfair.co.uk

2015 SHOW DATES

THE LONDON BOOK FAIR, OLYMPIA, LONDON

Tuesday 14 -Thursday 16 April 2015

Weekly wrap up 23/3/15

Wow! What a week!!! I have had 2 parents evening, been assessing children all week, plus had the usual swimming, cricket and recorders going on. I can't believe I have had time to read at all! This weekend I have been sorting my dollars out for my holiday and getting last minute items.  :) eeek only 6 days to go!!! 

This week I have been sent:

His Other Life - Beth Thomas
A mothers story - Amanda Prowse (signed copy won) 

This week I have bought: 

Saving Grace - Jane Green
The House on Carnival Street - Deborah Rodriguez
The museum of extraordinary things - Alice Hoffman

Books I have read this week:

 Beneath the moon and Stars - Ameila Thorne
Finding Audrey - Sophie Kinsella (currently reading)

The books I have read all have reviews and they will be on the blog soon so look out for that!

Thanks for stopping by at The Book Corner, I loved  hearing what you have got this week so please leave a comment to let me know

The Glam Guide - Fleur de Force

The Glam Guide by Fleur de Force
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Fleur De Force started making YouTube videos in 2009 out of a passion for everything beauty and fashion related. What began as a fun hobby quickly turned into something much bigger, and she's spent the past five years seeking out the best products, top tips and easiest ways for us all to look and feel more fabulous. In The Glam Guide she shares all of her secrets and discoveries so whether you're looking for makeup tips, wardrobe cheats, first-date pointers or healthy lifestyle motivation, this is the book for you.




This book I had seen a lot of and desperately wanted to get my hands on a copy. As a blogger I have recently got into reviewing the odd beauty item and Fleur being a beauty Youtuber I was interested in her take on beauty. I have never watched any of her videos but I will now be searching for her as I enjoyed this book so much.

I really love the look of it, the front cover is just so girly and the theme follows throughout. I love the layout of the book, it is very easy to follow and has some great tips in.

Personally I love the travel part of the book, I am going away soon and I found this extremely interesting and useful. I really enjoyed reading about taking a chunky scarf on a flight even in summer, some of the ideas for the uses of it were really useful and I hadn't thought of some of the uses. I will certainly be taking a big scarf on my flight after reading this. The Glam Guide is very easy to read and the sections are short which allows you to dip in and out of this book. This is a book that I feel I will always be using as it is so useful and covers so many things a girl wants to know.

The overall look of the book is very professional, mature and clean. A lot of Youtube books seem to be attracting a younger/teenage audience. This is the first Youtube book that I have seen that has a more adult look to it and I feel the book has been targeted well for the late 20's early 30's audience. I also believe it will do very well in this age bracket.

I do have one negative about this book, (it's not actually that negative, more like an opinion) that is that I would have liked to have seen more photographs in the book. I do like the mix between illustration and photo's, however I feel it would have benefited from more high definition photographs.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.

Her - Harriet Lane

Her by Harriet Lane
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Two women; two different worlds.

Emma is a struggling mother who has put everything on hold.

Nina is sophisticated and independent - entirely in control.

When the pair meet, Nina generously draws Emma into her life. But this isn't the first time the women's paths have crossed. Nina remembers Emma and she remembers what Emma did.

But what exactly does Nina want from her?

And how far will she go in pursuit of it?

This book has been a hard one for me to review. I finished it a few days ago and its taken me this ling to really think about how to describe this book.

Her has been already a big hit and got quite a bit of hype around it, so when I received this in the post for review I couldn't wait to get started.

Her is a psychological thriller with two main characters, Nina and Emma. We follow both characters and get both their point of view on each event. This I really struggled with as majority of the even would be repeated in the perspective of the other character. I enjoyed reading the event the first time around but by the time I began to read that chapter again but in th Point of view of someone else I began to get bored. Sometimes it would almost be.identical and have paragraphs which were a complete repeat. Once I identified this was the pattern of the book I found myself skimming the second chapter of that event.

Nina knows Emma from her past and she has done something to Nina, the who story is building up to us find in out what she has done an to be honest I found This was done very slowly. I did expect a lot more from this book an I think that is probably down to the amount of hype this book already has received. I felt I was constantly waiting for something to happen in th plot, I waited and waited until almost 90% through, when we as th reader finally fin out what is happening. When I did find out I was disappointed, I found it to be unrealistic and silly. I was really expecting more.

The Book is beautifully written , however and it s a pleasure to read from that respect, but unfortunately this book did not do it for me. There were too many issues I had to over come and then I felt left down at the end. I also felt that the ending was incredibly rushed. It felt like as the reader we waited forever for th plot to arrive, but blink and you miss it. I actually had to go back and reread what had just happened.

Overall the book was O.K, I have tried to be very honest about my review and as I said I have found it quite difficult to write. I wish the author the best of luck with this book, but unfortunately this was not for me. I would rate this book 2.5 stars, so rounded it up for Goodreads and Amazon.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending me this copy in exchange for an honest review.

View all my revi

Red for Revenge - Fanny Blake

Red for Revenge by Fanny Blake
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Maggie is married with two grown-up children. Her 25-year-old marriage to Phil has lost its sparkle.

Carla is widowed. She understands life is short so she lives it to the full. But is her new romance all that it seems?

When the two women meet in the beauty salon, they soon find they have more in common than the colour of their nails.

The discovery that they are sharing the same man is shocking. How will Phil be taught a lesson or two he won't forget?



Red for Revenge is part of the Quick reads for this year and high up on my list for this reason. I think Quick Reads are a great program, and this was another great short story to come out of it.

This is about two women, one has a husband of 25 years and things have gone a little stale, Maggie knows things have been a little dry for a long time but Phil is the father of her children, they are grown up now but Maggie still feels there is a place for the family. She has got into a rut but decides for their anniversary dinner to make more of an effort and to look her best. She decides to use a beauty voucher that her bought her for Christmas.

Carla works with Phil, she is single and knows how to dress well. When the two women meet in the beauty salon it becomes apparent that they have a lot in common.

I really felt that I connected with the two women, both for different reasons, I felt the emotion that came across in this short story and I thought it was executed well. This is a short read, just over 100 pages and I really loved that. IT allowed me to read this in one sitting which was brilliant as I felt I could really get into the story and be with the characters.

I would recommend this to anyone who wants to escape life for an hour. It was a satisfying read, however I do wish I knew a little more. I don't want to spoil it for you by telling you what happened in this short story, that is for you to go and find out for yourself.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.

weekly wrap up 15.3.15

It is another weekend closer to my holiday and I can't wait! I am really looking forward to spending some time just reading. Before that though I have a really busy week with 2 parents evenings to get through first! 

This week I have been sent:

Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella

Runaway Wife by Rowan Coleman

This week I have bought: 

Books I have read this week:

Currently reading Beneath the moon and stars by Amerlia Thorne 

The books I have read all have reviews and they will be on the blog soon so look out for that!

Thanks for stopping by at The Book Corner, I loved  hearing what you have got this week so please leave a comment to let me know

The Life I Left Behind - Colette McBeth

The Life I Left Behind by Colette McBeth
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

She's dead but she's the only one who knows what really happened;

What your friends have said.

What the police missed.

Who attacked you.

So if you want the truth who else are you going to turn to?



This is an unusual psychological novel in the respect that part of it is told by someone who is already dead. The story is told from 3 different perspectives, Eve the girl who is dead, Melody who has been attacked and survived, and Victoria the DCI who is investigating Eve's murder. A cleverly woven plot that links Eve and Melody together on similar paths, Eve already dead who cannot pass over until she has warned Melody of her impending danger and Melody who after an attack on her life can't quite rid herself of her demons and retreats into a half life. Melody's emotional decline is perfectly balanced against the tension Eve builds up to her own death. Seemingly two separate people who's lives collide in a chase against time to save Melody from a similar fate as Eve is captured very well in this novel.

Secondary characters were not really developed enough for me but since this was essentially about two main characters it did not detract from the overall plot of the novel. I did guess the outcome but for quite a while it could have been one of two people which made it worth reading until the end. I think Colette McBeth could have given more background on the killer than she did - without giving too much away in a spoiler I felt that we knew very little about him and his reasons to turn killer. This I felt was a weakness in the plot line especially since such a lot of time was spent building up another character to look like the killer. I also felt that the novel was a bit too long, lots of padding out which could have been filled with more insight into the killer's mind that was in my opinion lacking.

However overall it was unusual enough to keep me reading; I would give this 3 stars, a good read in parts, not so great in others and a little predictable, certainly not the best psychological thriller I have read and a bit disappointing hence the 3 stars - just didn't do it for me I'm afraid.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.

Second Chance Island - Jenny Schwartz

Second Chance Island by Jenny Schwartz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


She’s escaped to a tropical paradise, but her past is going to find her.

Laura Robertson is working at a tropical resort on the Great Barrier Reef, biding her time and nursing her wounds when her ex-lover Phil Cooper arrives on Topaz Island. She’s betrayed him, broken his trust, and shamed herself. And yet it seems that he’s the one man she can’t let go.

She’s spent her whole life fighting to save the reef, and her time on Topaz Island fighting for her self-respect. Does she have enough fight left to fight for a second chance?



This short novella does not lack any drama or action, from the first few pages you are thrown right into it.

I love the setting of this novella, with a back drop of the Great Barrier Reef, this book just gleams sparkle and holidays. It took me back to my time in Australia and reminded me what a beautiful county it is.

It is just over 40 pages, which makes it such an easy and quick read for the odd hour you have, I read this in one sitting in just under an hour and I was really swept up in the story.

This is about a girl and a guy, who had previously met, however they have changed a lot and perhaps are not the people they remember them as. Laura had hurt Phil four years ago and now she is here, with him on Tropical Island. This is a great contemporary which is going to be brilliant for the summer months, personally I love a little bit of heat and anything that can take me away from the winter skies, so reading it this time of year was perfect for me.

This was my first experience of Jenny Schwartz, however I would be keen in reading her longer novels after finishing this.

I would recommend this novella for a pick me up on a winters day and urge you to look out for this author.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.

Naughty Girl's Guide to Las Vegas - Sienna Sinclaire

Naughty Girl's Guide to Las Vegas by Sienna Sinclaire
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

For locals and visitors alike, who want to experience something naughty in Las Vegas, look no further! Naughty lifestyle expert Sienna Sinclaire’s recently released second travel book, Naughty Girl’s Guide to Las Vegas covers everything saucy in Sin City - from dining to shopping to clubbing while also delving into the history of each venue. So rather than surf the internet for hours trying to finding fun in the most exciting city in the States, this single gal by choice compiled all the naughty information that’s fit to print for those looking for something different to do around town.

Sinclaire serves as a personal tour guide, leading the reader through planning the perfect getaway for singles, couples or just the girls. A must read for anyone planning to visit Las Vegas that makes Las Vegas sexy – not sleazy or slutty.



I requested this on Netgalley as I am going to be visiting Las Vegas next month for the first time and wanted to find out a bit more about the place.

The contents make this book very easy to follow and gives clear indication where to find things about Vegas. I decided to read the majority of this book as I found it all relevant.

I really enjoyed reading about the history of Vegas and seeing how it emerged. Building the Hoover Dam was also great to have in this book as it isn't the initial thing you think of when you think of Vegas and it reminds you that there are other areas of interest to visit outside the Strip.

I loved reading 'Vegas cleans up its act' this talked about different hotels on the strip and the hotel I am going to be staying at was mentioned here as a 'chic resort' which really made me excited about staying.

There were great tips in this guide for girls that you wouldn't actually think about before leaving home. When I read that the lobby to your hotel room can sometimes be 1 mile, and that you should be packing some flip flops for when you are out as well as your heels, this is something that is now high on my priority for packing. Thanks so much Sinclaire for this piece of advise. This is probably going to be the most valuable advise I will have before going.

There is some of the guide that I didn't care to read as I didn't have any interest in that when I am there but it is quite easy to filter that out as it is non fiction.

I would say that this is a good guide for Vegas, it has a selection of things to do during the day and night, plus info on hotels, spas, shopping and shows. I have discovered a lot since reading this guide that I didn't know before. I am really glad I decided to request this guide and I am glad it is handy on my kindle. I will be opening this book again closer to my visit to Vegas. I will also probably read it again on the plane and once I am there.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.

Weekly Wrap Up 7.3.15

Another week has gone by and the weather so far this weekend has been beautiful! I am hoping that spring may be on it's way...Don't forget that there is an international competition running on The Book Corner at the moment so make sure you enter.

This week I have been sent:

The Glam Guide by Fleur de Force

The Three by Sarah Lotz

Miss Peregrine's home for peculiar children by Ransom Riggs

This week I have bought: 

Books I have read this week:

The Glam Guide by Fleur de Force

The books I have read all have reviews and they will be on the blog soon so look out for that!

Thanks for stopping by at The Book Corner, I loved  hearing what you have got this week so please leave a comment to let me know.