Hall of Fame Review: The Santangelos by Jackie Collins

Title: The Santangelos
Author: Jackie Collins
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Publication Date: 16th June 2015 (US) / 10th September 2015 (UK)
Pages: 544
ISBN: 9781471112492
Source: Review Copy / Purchased
Rating: 5/5
Purchase: Amazon UK / US

A vicious hit, a vengeful enemy, a drug addled Colombian club owner and a sex crazed Italian family... the ever powerful Lucky Santangelo has to deal with them all.

Meanwhile Max - her teenage daughter - is becoming the 'it' girl in Europe's modeling world. And her Kennedyesque son, Bobby, is being set up for a murder he didn't commit. But Lucky can deal. Always strong and unpredictable, with her husband Lennie by her side, she lives up to the family motto - Never f**k with a Santangelo.

Lucky rules ...the Santangelos always come out on top. The Santangelos is an epic family saga filled with love, lust, revenge and passion.

Review: Dream a Little Dream by Giovanna Fletcher

Title: Dream a Little Dream
Author: Giovanna Fletcher
Publisher: Penguin
Publication Date: 18th June 2015
Pages: 432
ISBN: 9781405919166
Source: Purchased
Rating: 5/5
Purchase: Amazon

Sarah is doing just fine. Sure she's been single for the last five years, and has to spend an uncomfortable amount of time around her ex-boyfriend, his perfect new girlfriend and all their mutual friends. And yes, her job as a PA to one of the most disgusting men in London is mind-numbingly tedious and her career is a constant disappointment to her mother. But it's really okay. She's happy (ish).

So it's not surprising that when Sarah starts dreaming about a handsome stranger, she begins to look forward to falling asleep every night. Reality isn't nearly as exciting. That is until her dream-stranger makes an unexpected real-life appearance, leaving Sarah questioning everything she thought she wanted.

Because no one ever really finds the person of their dreams... do they?

My Week in Books #27 (Month #6)

Goodreads Target

While I was away I finished The Santangelos and read three other books, one of which (All That Glitters) I loved so much that I had to get it on the blog immediately even though writing reviews on an iPad is a nightmare (even with the Blogsy app)!

Review: All That Glitters by Vicky Pattison

Title: All That Glitters
Author: Vicky Pattison
Publisher: Sphere
Publication Date: 2nd July 2015
Pages: 384
ISBN: 9780751561333
Source: Purchased
Rating: 5/5
Purchase: Amazon

Three years ago Issy Jones walked away from her dream because her family needed her. Today, she spends her days working in her mum's salon and her nights going out with her best friend, Molly. Life is good yet Issy can't help wishing for something more.

When Issy's dad puts her forward for a sensational new reality TV show, no one expects her to actually be selected. With her family urging her to grab the opportunity with both hands, Issy suddenly finds herself surrounded by glamour, fame and celebrities. Full of excitement, Issy embraces it all - it's what she needs to do to achieve her goals. But when the reality of what she's signed up for doesn't match the dream Issy is chasing, things begin to fall apart. Issy is so close to getting everything she ever wanted - but just how much of herself will she have to sacrifice to get it?

Bold, thrilling and romantic, Vicky Pattison's first ever novel is a rollercoaster ride full of glitz, warmth and drama. It's a must-read for fans everywhere!

#BritCrime 10 Book Giveaway!

To celebrate the launch of BritCrime’s first free online crime fiction festival, 11-13 July, I have teamed up with BritCrime authors to give away one fabulous prize.

You could win a gift bundle of ten print books, including new releases by Colette McBeth and Sarah Hilary, and MJ McGrath’s Gold Dagger longlisted White Heat. This giveaway is open internationally. One lucky winner will win all ten books.

Review: Summer at Tiffany's by Karen Swan

Title: Summer at Tiffany's
Author: Karen Swan
Publisher: Pan
Publication Date: 2nd July 2015
Pages: 468
ISBN: 9781447280194
Source: Review Copy
Rating: 4/5
Purchase: Amazon

A wedding to plan. A wedding to stop. What could go wrong?

Cassie loves Henry. Henry loves Cassie. With a Tiffany ring on her finger, all that Cassie has left to do is plan the wedding. It should be so simple but when Henry pushes for a date, Cassie pulls back.

Henry's wild, young cousin, Gem, has no such hesitations and is racing to the aisle at a sprint, determined to marry in the Cornish church where her parents were wed. But the family is set against it, and Cassie resolves to stop the wedding from going ahead.

When Henry lands an expedition sailing the Pacific for the summer, Cassie decamps to Cornwall, hoping to find the peace of mind she needs to move forwards. But in the dunes and coves of the northern Cornish coast, she soon discovers the past isn't finished with her yet . . .

Review: First One Missing by Tammy Cohen

Title: First One Missing
Author: Tammy Cohen
Publisher: Doubleday
Publication Date: 2nd July 2015
Pages: 320
ISBN: 9780857522771
Source: Review Copy
Rating: 3.5/5
Purchase: Amazon

There are three things no-one can prepare you for when your daughter is murdered:

- You are haunted by her memory day and night

- Even close friends can't understand what you are going through.

- Only in a group with mothers of other victims can you find real comfort.

But as the bereaved parents gather to offer support in the wake of another killing, a crack appears in the group that threatens to rock their lives all over again.

Welcome to the club no one wants to join.