Stand by me by S.D. Robertson blog tour with extract

They’ll always have each other…won’t they?

Lisa and Elliot have been best friends ever since the day they met as children. Popular, bright and sporty, Lisa was Elliot’s biggest supporter when the school bullies made his life a misery, and for that, he will always be grateful.

Twenty years later, life has pulled the pair apart and Lisa is struggling. Her marriage is floundering, her teenage kids are being secretive, and she’s so tired she can’t think straight. So when Elliot knocks on the door, looking much better than she remembers, she can’t help but be delighted to see her old friend again.

With Elliot back in their lives, Lisa’s family problems begin to improve – he’s like the fairy godmother she never had. As their bond deepens, she realises how much she’s missed him, and prays that this is one friendship that will last a lifetime. But sometimes, life has other ideas…

A heartwarming story perfect for fans of Keith Stewart and Jojo Moyes, that will leave you with a tear in your eye but hope in your heart.

Extract Eleven: Chapter 41, pp.415-416
There was a knock on the closed bedroom door.
‘Hello?’ she said, walking over and opening it a tiny crack to see who was there.
Her heart skipped a beat when she saw a bespectacled, curly haired, overweight young Elliot flashing a wonky grin back at her, looking exactly like he had when they’d first met.
‘Are you going to let me in then, or what?’ he asked.
‘Of course,’ she replied, swinging the door open. ‘Is it really you, El?’
‘It sure is,’ he replied in his high-pitched boy’s voice. ‘How are you, Lise?’
She pulled him into an embrace and held him tight.
Then she let go and looked him square in the eyes. ‘Is it you you? The one who came to visit us somehow, despite the fact it was impossible?’
He nodded. ‘The very same.’
‘So why did you leave without saying goodbye? How on earth were you there in the first place? And . . .’
She paused as her mind caught up with her mouth. In a quieter voice she added: ‘So you’re dead?’
‘In human terms, yes.’
For the first time, the hard truth of this fact really dawned on her. It was too much. She fell back on to the bed and the tears started to flow. ‘Are you okay? Will I ever see you again, like you were, for real? I’ve only just got my best friend back and now . . .’
Elliot took a seat next to her and pulled her into a hug. Despite the boyish tone of his voice, Lisa still recognised the man within as he spoke. ‘Listen, we don’t have long.’ He took a deep breath. ‘And after this, I don’t know if or when we’ll see each other again.’

The Guilty Wife by Elle Croft

The Guilty Wife by Elle Croft
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

If you were being framed for murder, how far would you go to clear your name?

The debut psychological thriller that reads as Apple Tree Yard meets Behind Closed Doors, by way of Double Jeopardy.


I'm guilty of many things.

Bethany Reston is happily married. But she's also having an affair with a famous client.

And no one can ever know.

But I'm innocent of murder.

When Bethany's lover is brutally murdered, she has to hide her grief from everyone.

But someone knows her secret. And then one day the threats begin.

With an ever-growing pile of evidence pointing to her as the murderer, the only way she can protect her secrets is to prove her innocence. And that means tracking down a killer.



Nice little psychological thriller this both k had good pace and sufficient red herrings to keep the reader intrigued until the end.

Essentially it’s about Bethan a photographer who lands a job of a photo shoot and has an affair with her client a billionaire (Callum) who is also allegedly happily married. Bethany convinced herself that she is in love with Callum and she gives him a USB stick of photos of the both of them taken during one of their nights together. He promises her to hide them and never share them with anyone. Bethany and Callum row one night over their relationship and having unfinished business Callum arranges to meet her one night to continue the conversation. He ends the affair and she leaves. The following day he is reported dead. She can’t risk exposure as she’ll almost definitely loose everything so she decides not to tell the Police they were lovers. Someone starts sending her threatening messages and then someone sends the police CCTV footage of her meeting Callum.
Bethany didn’t kill Callum but she has to find out who did before she’s framed for his murder.

An easy read with just enough twists and turns to keep the reader engaged. It wasn’t easy to guess who the real killer was because those in the firing line all had good enough motives - the ending wasn’t what you might expect and for this reason I give it 4 stars and it did leave it open for a sequel so maybe Bethany will be back.

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

Perfect Match by Zoe Ball bloug tour with extract

PERFECT MATCH, by Zoe Ball

Can you ever find true love online?

Sophia Jones is an expert in all things online dating: the best sites, how to write a decent bio, which questions to ask and the right type of photos to use. The only thing she’s not so great at? Picking the guys…

After sitting through yet another dreadful date with a man who isn’t quite what she expected, Sophia is just about ready to give up on the whole dating scene. But her flatmate, Kate, persuades her to give it one more chance, only this time she must create a profile describing her ‘perfect’ man.

Yes, he must look like Robert Pattinson and needs to own a multi-million pound business, but there are a couple of other deal breakers, too! So, when a guy comes along who ticks every box, surely there’s got to be a catch?

Extract: 

Can you ever find true love online?

Sophia Jones is an expert in all things online dating: the best sites, how to write a decent bio, which questions to ask and the right type of photos to use. The only thing she’s not so great at? Picking the guys… 

After sitting through yet another dreadful date with a man who isn’t quite what she expected, Sophia is just about ready to give up on the whole dating scene. But her flatmate, Kate, persuades her to give it one more chance, only this time she must create a profile describing her ‘perfect’ man. Yes, he must look like Robert Pattinson and needs to own a multi-million pound business, but there are a couple of other deal breakers, too! So, when a guy comes along who ticks every box, surely there’s got to be a catch? A laugh-out-loud romantic comedy, perfect for fans of Catherine Bennetto and Rosie Blake

She's Not There by Joy Fielding

She's Not There by Joy Fielding
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

'I think my real name is Samantha. I think I'm your daughter.'

When Caroline Shipley's two-year-old daughter disappeared, her whole world came crashing down.

Now, fifteen years later, Caroline receives a phone-call that could change everything.

But could this stranger really be her daughter? And what happened all those years ago to make her vanish without a trace? As Caroline pieces together the events of that ill-fated holiday, she begins to question whether the answers could lie dangerously close to home . . .

I felt I already knew this story before I began as it mirrors the Madeleine McCann story so closely.

A two year old girl is kidnapped from her holiday apartment bedroom one night while her parents are having supper with their friends in the restaurant below. Like the McCann story each parent goes up to check on the children every half hour. Samantha (the child that is taken) is in her cot while her sister who is five (Michelle) is asleep in the same room. The discovery is made by Caroline (the mother) when towards the end of the meal it’s her turn again to check the children. Like the McCann case the Mexican authorities and the locals after the initial shock start to look to blame the parents and after weeks of no real leads and Hunter (the father) having left just a week later Caroline has no choice but to go back home without knowing what has happened to her youngest child. She never gives up hope of finding Samantha and follows up any and all leads no matter how obscure which is why when 15 years later she can’t dismiss it when she receives a phone call from someone who believes she may be her long lost daughter.

The story is told with alternative chapters set between between the past and present. We learn how the marriage disintegrated and that Caroline and Hunter eventually divorce; we get a better insight into the rest of the family history and meet Caroline’s parents, learn more about Michelle, and a little more about Hunter. This all builds nicely as the truth about happened that night 15 years ago starts to come together.

This is well written and made me think perhaps there was more to the McCann story than we know. It highlights the dangers of speculation and how destructive this can be.

I needed to read to the end and did not guess the outcome of what really happened that night. Good suspense building throughout and a thoroughly enjoyable read which deserves four stars.

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

Flytrap by Simon Kernick

Flytrap by Simon Kernick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Also includes a sneak preview of Simon Kernick's blistering new thriller, The Bone Field.

Him
He has an addiction that he cannot quench. His solitary life sailing the Caribbean is the only way he can survive. That is, until, he meets…

Her
A widow with nothing left to lose, she finds herself on his sleek forty-foot yacht. He’s handsome and charming; exactly what she’s been looking for.

But the night doesn’t go exactly as they had planned, and only one of them will get out alive.

An excellent little thriller!

I was looking for something to get my teeth into just before I started another large novel, this was perfect. I was very quickly transported to the Caribbean, to a beach bar, where we meet our characters of the book. Although it is a short story, I really liked the format of the chapter changes entitles him and her. This is a fast paced thriller and Kernick really added a lot into it.

I really enjoyed this short story and after reading this I would be tempted to pick up a full length novel by Kernick, the best thing about this was it is currently on kindle for free. This can allow you to check out his writing style before you commit. If you are anything like me though you will race through it and go searching for his full length novels.

A brilliant little thriller.

On a Beautiful Day by Lucy Diamond blog tour

On a Beautiful Day by Lucy Diamond
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Treasure every moment. Life can change in a heartbeat.

What the fans say: 'Wonderful characters and the stories are always great, with twists and turns' Gemma

It’s a beautiful day in Manchester and four friends are meeting for a birthday lunch. But then they witness a shocking accident just metres away which acts as a catalyst for each of them.


I love Lucy Diamond, her books allow you to really get into and get lost in the story, they are such easy reads. I also love that you can always find a character to relate to and this story is no different.

As soon as I began reading this I was lost in the story. Four best friends witness a tragic accident on the street while they are celebrating a birthday, this is an accident that changes their lives forever.

Over the course of the book we find out each individual story of the four friends, Eve, she finds a lump and is trying to ignore it. She doesn't want to go to the doctors about it, but after yet another accident decides she needs to tell someone, she then instantly regrets her choice. Laura is desperate for a baby but isn't sure it is going to happen. India gets reconnected with someone from her past and secrets start to resurface, and finally Jo moves in with her new boyfriend due to problems with her flat but he has a dreadful teenage daughter who won't warm to her.

This is a brilliant read, I always look forward to a Lucy Diamond novel and this was no different. This book has it all, love, friendship and heartache. A wonderfully written novel that I recommend you read. Also if you haven't read any of Lucy Diamond's books, where have you been? Go grab any of her books, you are guaranteed to love them!

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

Mega Robo Rumble by Neill Cameron

Mega Robo Rumble by Neill Cameron
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Alex and Freddy are brothers. Robot brothers! When duty calls, they're agents of R.A.I.D., an elite government unit that protects the world from robotic attacks. Now they're facing new and terrifying threats: a giant drill-bot is destroying London, Freddy gets famous, and even worse, a mysterious robot twisted with rage is intent on ruthlessly exacting his revenge on R.A.I.D...

I don't read graphic novels as a rule, they are something I want to get into but don't often get the opportunity to. This is the second in a series, one that to be honest I have little interest in, (Robots/Superheroes) but I thought I would give it a go none the less.

This is a bright and highly illustrated graphic novel, which follows the same characters from the first in the series, even though I hadn't read the first, this didn't matter as you could read this as a stand a lone.

This follows two robots, who are brothers, this covers sibling rivalry and how to deal with growing up. I enjoyed that aspect of the story and the more 'real life' parts, for example when they were at school etc.

Overall this was a quick read, one that I wouldn't have chosen but it was a different read and I am pleased I picked it up. The story does end on a cliff hanger so I would like to read the next in the series now just to find out what happens.

If you like sci-fi graphic novels or superhero based ones then I would recommend this to you. The only reason I have given this 3 stars is down to the fact this is not my cup of tea. I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.

It Started With A Tweet by Anna Bell

It Started With A Tweet by Anna Bell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Daisy Hobson lives her whole life online. A marketing manager by day, she tweets her friends, instagrams every meal and arranges (frankly, appalling) dates on Tinder. But when her social media obsession causes her to make a catastrophic mistake at work, Daisy finds her life going into free-fall . . .

Her sister Rosie thinks she has the answer to all of Daisy's problems - a digital detox in a remote cottage in Cumbria, that she just happens to need help doing up. Soon, too, Daisy finds herself with two welcome distractions: sexy French exchange-help Jean-Marie, and Jack, the brusque and rugged man-next-door, who keeps accidentally rescuing her.

But can Daisy, a London girl, ever really settle into life in a tiny, isolated village? And, more importantly, can she survive without her phone?


I enjoyed this funny realistic look at someone so reliant on technology who reluctantly agrees to do a detox and spend some time with her sister in a dilapidated run down Cottage for a couple of weeks. Daisy has disastrously pretty much ruined her career when she accidentally posts a tweet on her company’s account instead of her own and is fired. Her career in meltdown she is looking to escape so when her sister suggests this detox she thinks ‘why not how bad could it be’ but almost bails out when her sister drops both their mobiles down a well promising they will easily get them out at the end of the detox.

The Cottage is in the middle of nowhere and the only thing keeping her from going completely mad is the hunky brooding neighbour and the sexy Frenchman Alexis who has obvious designs on her.

The appeal of this book is really that we can all relate to Daisy and her dependency on technology and how she has to relearn how to exist without it - and for her, the traumas and benefits this eventually brings her.

Good laugh out loud moments, well written but pretty predictable as most of these chic lits tend to be but nevertheless a good entertaining read and worth four stars.

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

Why Mummy Drinks by Gill Sims

Why Mummy Drinks by Gill Sims
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Why Mummy Drinks is the brilliant novel from Gill Sims, the author of the online sensation Peter and Jane.

It is Mummy’s 39th birthday. She is staring down the barrel of a future of people asking if she wants to come to their advanced yoga classes, and polite book clubs where everyone claims to be tiddly after a glass of Pinot Grigio and says things like ‘Oooh gosh, are you having another glass?’

But Mummy does not want to go quietly into that good night of women with sensible haircuts who ‘live for their children’ and stand in the playground trying to trump each other with their offspring’s extracurricular activities and achievements, and boasting about their latest holidays.

Instead, she clutches a large glass of wine, muttering ‘FML’ over and over again. Until she remembers the gem of an idea she’s had…

Another observational type novel this one is about Ellen a working mum of two children Peter and Jane and husband Simon and how she struggles to bring up her children, look after her husband and house while battling guilt at not being a stay at home mum and all the insecurities it brings. It was well written with some good laugh go out loud moments, very relatable for any mum and a good light hearted read. I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.

Happy New Year!

I just wanted to wish all my readers a Happy New Year! 

I am sorry that towards the end of the year I have been a little slack with posting, I am not sure really what has happened, life??? 

I will try to ensure that I post more in 2018, one of my new years resolutions! 

Do you have any hopes or resolutions of 2018?