Chat About Books

Happy Publication Day, Marcie Steele!

Coming Home to Hope Street

(The Hope Street Series Book 2)

Marcie Steele

(Review written on 11^th September 2020)

If you’re looking for a book that will leave you with a smile on your face, then look no further. Coming Home to Hope Street is a beautifully written, feel good story which has certainly cheered me up massively over the last couple of days.

It has been lovely catching up with some of the characters from book one in this series, The Man Across the Street (which I LOVED!), as well as getting to know some lovely new characters (and some not so lovely!).

This book is centred around Livvy, who left Hope Street twenty years previously as a young lady desperate for the freedom of a big city. Her life in Manchester has been far from rosy though and she returns to Hope Street, feeling like she has no other choice, in the hope that her sister, Hannah, will welcome her back. On the surface of things it seems a bit of a cheek considering she left Hannah with the responsibility of caring for their mother and didn’t even bother to stay in touch so it’s easy to understand some people’s cynicism. However, there is always two sides to a story and it’s soon apparent that Livvy has hardly been living the high life.

I have loved pretty much everything about this book.

I especially love the sense of community in Somerley. I think many communities lack that these days, which is sad. I love how the residents of Hope Street look out for each other.

I loved seeing Hannah rebuild her relationship with Livvy after such a long time apart and also how she welcomes her 15-year-old niece, who she had never met before, with open arms. Hannah is quite the inspirational character. I love that her relationship with Doug is going from strength to strength also.

Pip is a lovely character, despite her tantrums. Typical Daddy’s girl, until she’s trusted with the truth.

I’m extremely envious of Hannah realising her dream and opening her own book shop, right next door to The Coffee Stop. LOVE it! It’s lovely to see her so happy after everything she’s been through.

I don’t watch soaps, but I get the comparison here. This book is full of lovable characters who have their fair share of drama and heartache, but also enjoy each other’s friendship and neighbourly support through the rough times as well as the good. It tackles issues such as addiction and emotional abuse sensitively.

Its focus is people, their relationships with each other and the town they live in and I love it! I’m sure you will too!

Many thanks to Marcie Steele (AKA Mel Sherratt) and Sarah Hardy at Book On The Bright Side Publicity for my review copy. I will happily recommend to all!

Blurb….

Step across the cobblestones, pull back the curtains and peek behind the doors in the second instalment of The Hope Street Series. Catch up with old friends and fall in love with new ones in a story of friendship, second chances and new beginnings.

Livvy has no choice but to return to Hope Street, the childhood home she left over twenty years ago. Along with her sixteen-year-old daughter, Pip, she turns up on the doorstep, hoping for forgiveness from her sister.

Hannah thought she’d never see Livvy again. She’s overwhelmed with emotion but locks away her real feelings. How could Livvy stay away without any contact? And why has she come back now?

It isn’t long before the charm of the market town of Somerley begins to work its magic. Hannah is opening a book shop in the square, adjoining The Coffee Stop, and Livvy’s offer to help out brings the sisters closer together.

But when someone from Livvy’s past arrives unannounced too, he threatens everything she’s built up since her return. Can Livvy convince her sister, and her new friends, that her intentions to return were good ones? Or will her dreams of settling down and being happy again become nothing but a closed book?

If you love an uplifting story, then Coming Home to Hope Street is the perfect feel-good read to curl up with. Ideal for fans of Hannah Ellis, Holly Martin and Emily Harvale.

Also available in The Hope Street Series

The Man Across the Street (Book 1)

Also available by Marcie Steele

Stirred with Love (Book 1, The Somerley Series)

Secrets, Lies & Love (Book 2, The Somerley Series)

Second Chances at Love (Book 3, The Somerley Series)

Buy now!

Marcie Steele is the pen name of Mel Sherratt. For as long as she can remember, she’s been a meddler of words. Born and raised in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, she’s a romantic at heart and has always enjoyed writing about characters that fall in and out of love, have good friends to hang around with, and live in communities with great spirit. 

She can often be found sitting in her favourite coffee shop, sipping a cappuccino and eating a chocolate chip cookie, either catching up with friends or writing on her laptop. Whether she writes crime or women’s fiction, she loves making up things for a living.

You can find more about Marcie Steele on Mel Sherratt’s website www.melsherratt.co.uk  at Twitter:  https://twitter.com/writermels and at Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MelSherrattauthor/

ICYMI….

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2020/01/04/the-man-across-the-street-an-uplifting-story-of-love-and-hope-for-2020-the-hope-street-series-book-1-by-marcie-steele-marcie_steele-bookreview/

Follow, like and share the book love with these awesome book bloggers….

happy reading! 🙂

Dear L A Evans,

For those who don’t know already, could you tell us about yourself and your book(s) please?

Of course. I was born in Taunton, Somerset (UK) and now live in Bridgwater with my partner Carl and my two feline friends, Spot and Strudel. I’m a bit of a geek, definitely odd and have a tendency to act a little bit crazy. 

I’d love to say I’ve studied creative writing and have qualifications to prove it. I don’t. I’ve never studied creative writing or received any training. I’ve always been creative though, my degree is in Fine Art. I studied English Literature at A Level which gave me a little confidence, so I thought,‘I’ll give novel writing a go, why not! What’s the worst thing that could happen?’And I’m so pleased I did. I’m surprised by the reception I’ve received already for my debut novel and so far, the feedback has been wonderful, for which I’m immensely grateful.

The name Evans is a token to my heritage and my dear, late Grandma. My real surname is Guttridge, but Evans had a much better ring to it, so author name L A Evans was born.

‘Junction: Time’s Ticking’ is my debut novel. Predominantly, it’s a suspense thriller. However, there are snippets of many other genres, including romance, mystery and drama.

Where did/do you get your ideas from?

Funnily enough, I had a dream. I woke up one morning and thought, ‘Wow! That dream could make a fantastic book!’

And so, Junction was born.

Are any of your characters based (however loosely) on anyone you know?

Absolutely. There are elements of me in both female characters Aisha and Zoe (you’ll find out more about Zoe in the sequel I’m currently writing called ‘Junction: Still Ticking’).

As a writer, I think it’s important to use your imagination, but I believe it’s equally vital to use your experiences. By drawing on your own life experiences, you can really tune into the emotion and write from the heart.

How do you pick your characters’ names?

Because ‘Junction: Time’s Ticking’ is all about the twists and turns of a young woman’s life, after she crashes her car with another woman, I wanted the two main characters’ names to mean ‘life’.   

The two main characters are polar opposites, they’re both at complete opposite ends of the spectrum. So, I knew their first names had to start with A and Z and their surnames with B and Y – opposite ends of the alphabet. Therefore, the names Aisha Brown and Zoe Young were born, both first names meaning life.

When thinking of other characters’ names, I just try to imagine their personalities, age and appearance. Once I can visualise them, I can find a name I feel suits their character.

Can you share your writing process with us, in a nutshell?

It’s important to plan and ensure you have structure first and foremost. I plan each book into four parts, plot a twist or turn of events at the end of each part and then map the individual chapters. One of the tools I find useful is creating a mind map. I use the app, MindLine to help me plot my characters and map the intricate details of each chapter before I start to write.

Once written, I review, time and time again. My partner and I started our own little ‘book club’, reading a chapter a day of ‘Junction: Time’s Ticking’, correcting grammatical errors and searching for ways in which to make it even better. It was surprisingly fantastic quality time spent together!

Who are your top 5 favourite authors?

I’m not going to rank them because I admire them equally but for different reasons. My top five authors would be as follows:

Michael Crichton – Similar to my novel, Michael Crichton writes about the unimaginable but makes it fathomable. As an example, you wouldn’t imagine dinosaurs could possibly roam the Earth again, but the concept of DNA being found in a fossilised mosquito makes it believable.

Suzanne Collins – Who isn’t fascinated by the creator of ‘The Hunger Games Trilogy’? The strong female protagonist who fights the corrupt government that was responsible for social inequality and inexplicable violence. Everyone loves a protagonist and a strong one at that.

Stephen King – The weird and wonderful, sinister world of Stephen King. The master of horror and the supernatural. He is a genius.

WM. Paul Young – One of the most spiritually profound and life-changing books I have read is this author’s novel, ‘The Shack’. It’s a beautiful read with vivid imagery and it left a lump in my throat that I can still feel now when I think back to when I read this wonderful book.

Lisa Jewell – This author often gets me blubbing whilst reading her books. Love, drama, humour all merged into one bubble of loveliness!

If you could meet any author, who would it be and what would you ask them?

The ‘king’ of all writers, Stephen King of course. I mean, who wouldn’t want to meet him? He is an inspiration.

I would probably ask him what he thinks of my book and ask for his feedback, if he could spare the time for little old me. I would massively value his opinion. Now, if the ‘king’ of horror, supernatural thrillers and suspense were to buy and read my novel, ‘Junction: Time’s Ticking’ that would be overwhelming as mine is also a suspense thriller with an air of supernatural mystery. It might make me pee my pants with excitement a little though!

Were you a big reader as a child?

Yes, I loved reading books, namely books by Roald Dahl and C S Lewis.

Although, my favourite author was Enid Blyton. My favourite childhood books were and are still ‘The Magic Faraway Tree’ novels. Moonface, the Saucepan Man and Silky the fairy, to name a few of the marvellous characters. The slippery slip and the magical ladder at the top of the tree bring back so many emotional memories.

Enid Blyton allowed me to escape as a child into another world, whether it be up the ladder of The Magic Faraway Tree, in a smuggler’s cave with The Famous Five or investigating mysteries with The Secret Seven.

When did you start to write?

About six years ago, I had my dream. It was this dream that inspired me to write ‘Junction: Time’s Ticking’. Whilst working full time, I wrote my book over three years, with a number of breaks. Over the course of the last year, I was encouraged by Carl to pick it back up again, dust it off and knuckle down with editing. Now it’s available for purchase on Amazon which is fantastic! With this continued support and encouragement from Carl and my family, I’m currently writing a sequel called ‘Junction: Still Ticking’ which will be the second book in the trilogy. Don’t worry, it won’t be six years before the second book is released! It will be published early next year.

If you could re-write the ending to any book what would it be and what would you change?

Honestly, I wouldn’t want to re-write or change anyone’s work. As a reader, sometimes you can think, ‘Hmmm, I’m not sure about that ending,’ or ‘I think this ending may have worked better’. But that author has written their book and their ending for a reason and they stand by it. Endings will appeal to many people but not all, that’s just how it is and how it should be.

Is there a book you wish you had written?

The Harry Potter series is the most creative writing written in the history of fantasy. Who wouldn’t wish they had the innovative mind of J K Rowling? She is an inspiration to every aspiring writer out there, especially those who have received knock-back upon knock-back from publishers. The publishers who didn’t give her a chance must be kicking themselves now!

If you wrote an autobiography, what would your title be?  

Good question! I’ll go with, ‘A Billion Stars’. My partner is a song writer and wrote a song called, ‘A Billion Stars’ and dedicated it to me.

As an author, I am one small star out of billions in the Kindle sky. If you read my book and review it, you are supporting a little star and helping me transform into a Supernova!

If you could invite any fictional character for coffee who would it be and where would you take them?

Definitely Charlie Bucket. He’d invite me to his chocolate factory, we’d have a coffee, I’d meet some Oompa-Loompas and maybe walk away with a few free samples!

Tell us a random fact about yourself

I love writing silly poems or changing lyrics to songs to make them current and humorous.

I also have my zombie apocalypse survival plan fully rehearsed in my head. You never know when you might need to be prepared!

What are you working on right now?

I’m currently working on the second book in the Junction Trilogy, ‘Junction: Still Ticking’, to be released early next year.

Tell us about your last release?

‘Junction: Time’s Ticking’ is now available to buy on Amazon as a Kindle or Paperback. Without giving any big spoilers, it’s a suspense thriller about a woman who crashes her car with another woman and upon waking from a coma, she finds that she is no longer the woman she was before the accident. Her parents are dead, she has a stranger for a husband, and she looks completely different. I’ll let you read the rest, there are lots of twists and turns to keep you on your toes!

Do you have a new release due?

Not yet, the sequel to ‘Junction: Time’s Ticking’ is currently being written. I’m on track and have a deadline for spring 2021, so as not to keep people waiting for too long.

What do you generally do to celebrate on publication day?

Repetitively flick through my new paperback, sniffing the pages and feeling exceptionally proud. There might be gin involved too!

How can readers keep in touch with you?

I have my own Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/laevansbooks) and I am on Twitter (www.twitter.com/LAEvansBooks). I’m more than happy for people to contact me regarding my novel or for advice, if I can be of any help to aspiring authors.

Is there anything else you would like us to know?

Only that I’m so proud to be interviewed as the author of ‘Junction: Time’s Ticking’. Please, if anyone fancies giving it a read and posting a review, you’d be massively supporting me as a new and upcoming author. I’m so grateful for those who have already taken the time to read my novel and review it. Please check out the reviews people have already written as this may encourage you to give it a shot. It’s available to buy now on Amazon.

Buy now….

happy reading! 🙂

Check out the pinned post on my Facebook blog page for your chance to win a Kindle copy of this fabulous book, The Man Across the Street by Marcie Steele (AKA Mel Sherratt)….

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1611955228967122&id=490876001075056

Thanks in advance for joining in and good luck! 🙂

Big Thoughts For Little Thinkers

Written by Daniel Thompson

Illustrated by Connor Edwards

(Review written on 12^th September 2020)

Big Thoughts For Little Thinkers is a stunning book!

This didn’t surprise me at all as I have read, and LOVED, both The Christmas Tale of Elaine Gale and The Humundo Sorterium by Daniel Thompson. He is a very talented poet and children’s book author. I knew I was in for a treat when Daniel offered me the chance to read an advance copy of Big Thoughts For Little Thinkers and it is just brilliant!

The aim of the book is “to introduce children to philosophy and critical thinking as well as to encourage self-confidence and self-love.” It most certainly achieves that in my opinion. I think this book should be in every child’s permanent collection. A book which they can read again and again, to reinforce what is really important in this life. I wish I could have read this to my children when they were little, but I think we can all learn from these lovely little poems whatever age we are.

I’ve been trying the think which poem is my favourite, but I honestly can’t choose. They are all fun yet carry a powerful message for all.

Big Thoughts for Little Thinkers and big thinkers alike!

Beautifully written and beautifully illustrated. I highly recommend!

Many thanks to Daniel Thompson for my digital review copy.

Blurb….

You mustn’t be afraid to dream a little bigger!

It is not the job of a parent to pick their child up when they fall, it is their job to teach their child how to get up for themselves. Just as it is not a parent’s job to teach their child what to think but rather how to think, how to question the daily interactions and encounters of the life they have ahead of them and how to value the morality within those interactions.

This book is my attempt to encourage children towards a lifelong journey of critical thinking and sow the seeds of wider philosophical principals to the next generation of big thinkers. This book deals with the principles of self-esteem self-respect, racial and religious tolerance, success, love, friendship and many more values and virtue that a well rounded forward thinker may wish to consider.

We live in a world where we often hold ourselves to other people’s standards. Be it beauty, success, happiness or wealth, we tend to look outwardly for confirmation of our achievements and we forget to question why we do things that way at all. It is my hope to illuminate the possibility that perhaps we have what we need to feel successful or beautiful or happy within ourselves already and it is only our perception of those things that we need to change.

Keep asking questions,
Keep wondering why.
And remember to always THINK BIG!

This book is intended to introduce children to philosophy and critical thinking as well as to encourage self-confidence and self-love. It also serves as a fun way to begin conversations between children and adults on some of life’s bigger questions.

I thank you for your interest and hope you enjoy the book.

From the Back Cover

The brain is a magical, marvelous thing,
And though it looks small there is plenty,
Of room for a lifetime of wondrous thoughts,
So please, don’t just leave it half empty.

Fill it with puzzling and pondering and pressing,
And questions and quandaries and queries.
Fill it with laughter and learning and love,
Theological thinking and theories.

Question your reasons, imagine ideas,
Make knowledge your business to know.
With every new sort of wondrous thought,
Your brains will continue to grow.

This book’s not instructions on how you should live,
Or a rule book of what you must do.
It’s just a few thoughts for you to explore,
To help form your own point of view.

So read it with caution, don’t take it as fact.
Then ask yourself, do I agree?
Put it back on your shelf, then decide for yourself,
What kind of you, YOU want to be.

Pre-order now….

ICYMI….

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2017/12/20/the-christmas-tale-of-elaine-gale-by-daniel-thompson-authordthompson-bookreview-childrensbook/

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2019/09/15/the-humundo-sorterium-by-daniel-thompson-author-authordthompson-connor-edwards-illustrator-bookreview/

happy reading! 🙂

Island of Fear

The Adventures of Letty Parker, Book 3

Misha Herwin

Penkhull Press

Having read, and LOVED, books one and two in this series (City of Secrets and Bridge of Lies) I was very much looking forward to catching up with Letty Parker, and her friends, again in Island of Fear. This book is another thoroughly enjoyable addition to this excellent series.

In Island of Fear Letty finds herself in a race against time to solve a family mystery for one of her closest friends. She is as determined as always to succeed and shows no fear even when faced with numerous dangers. She really is a force to be reckoned with and is an amazing character. She is fiercely loyal despite being let down by others herself. Her own mother is even too busy being famous to care for her. This understandably gets Letty down occasionally, but not for long. She doesn’t need looking after. She is too busy being focused on the task ahead and she will stop at nothing to achieve her goal.

This story is full of action, adventure, magic and mystery as well as many fascinating characters. I can’t imagine anyone not loving it. It’s aimed at 9–12 year olds but will appeal to adults and children alike. Younger children will enjoy having it read to them, more confident readers will devour it I’m sure, and adults will enjoy the adventures equally as much. I know I have and I’m 42!

All the stars from me!

Many thanks to Misha Herwin for my review copy.

ICYMI

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2018/11/04/city-of-secrets-adventures-of-letty-parker-by-misha-herwin-mishaherwin-bookreview-penkhullpress/

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2019/05/10/bridge-of-lies-adventures-of-letty-parker-book-2-by-misha-herwin-mishaherwin-penkhullpress-bookreview/

happy reading! 🙂

Hi, and welcome to my Flashback Friday feature 🙂

On the first Friday of each month I like to have a little look back at what I was reading during the same month in previous years, since starting my blog.

Please do join in, I’d love to see your posts.

Here are my reviews from September 2019….

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2019/09/19/the-rising-storm-paradigm-trilogy-book-1-by-ceri-a-lowe-cerilowepetrask-bookreview-morecambevice-crimewritingfestival-blogtour-botbspublicity/

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2019/09/15/the-humundo-sorterium-by-daniel-thompson-author-authordthompson-connor-edwards-illustrator-bookreview/

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2019/09/03/stains-of-suspicion-by-alison-lingwood-bookreview/

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2019/09/13/the-calibre-of-death-a-dci-timothy-mystery-book-5-by-alison-lingwood-bookreview/

And that seems to be it for September 2019! There were lots of lovely author interviews that month also, though, if you fancy checking any of those out.

ICYMI

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2019/09/06/flashbackfriday-september-2019-with-alex-walters-mikewalters60-nikki-ashton-nikkerash-caroline-mitchell-caroline_writes-jo-furniss-jo_furniss-sarahjane-ford-sjfordauthor-bookreviews/

Only Human

Diane Chandler

Blackbird Books

(Review written on 2^nd September 2020)

WOW! Diane Chandler knows how to tell a story!

Having read and LOVED Moondance back in October 2016 (I got very emotionally involved with certain characters in that book and it stays with me to this day) I was very excited to discover that Only Human was on it’s way and over the moon to have the pleasure of reading an advance copy. BIG thanks to Diane Chandler and Blackbird Books.

Only Human starts as it intends to go on, with an emotional punch. I almost felt winded!

Imagine you’re out shopping and see your husband, of almost 20 years, kissing another woman. This is exactly what happens to 45-year-old Anna Bond. She confronts Ollie and discovers he’s been having an affair for five months!! She had not had the faintest clue. She thought their little family unit was ticking along nicely apart the typical issues with having a 15-year-old daughter (Sophie). I mean, we can all take things for granted, but honestly, I would be devastated if it were me. I’d like to say that Steve would be out on his ear immediately, but I don’t really know how I would react to be honest. I wouldn’t be able to stand the thought of him being elsewhere doing goodness knows what with goodness knows who, but I don’t think I’d want to be with him anymore either. It’s a difficult situation for anyone to find themselves in. I am pretty sure that I wouldn’t take the path that Anna decides on though.

There is so much going on throughout this novel. It is truly intense. I will probably ramble, so I apologise in advance. I really don’t want to spoil anything for anyone who hasn’t read this yet though.

I was completed immersed in the life of this family. I’m not sure I liked Anna to be begin with, but she definitely grew on me throughout the story, especially when we were introduced to Fred. He is such a lovely character and I loved the relationship they developed.

I can’t say I warmed to Ollie at all.

Or Scar.

Sophie is a fairly typical teenage girl. I found her relationship with her mother quite relatable, although I haven’t had to deal with any cheating boyfriends as yet. I think Jack is probably quite typical of a boy of his age too. The whole Sophie, Jack, Anna and Ollie dynamic is quite fascinating though. I totally did not imagine for one second how that would all pan out!

This book is made up of multiple complicated relationships intertwined to create the most captivating of family dramas. A marriage on the brink, a teenage daughter’s first boyfriend and the heartache that that brings, a wife’s need to re-invent herself, a female friendship which is not immune to deceit either and a beautiful, lifechanging, new friendship with an 87 year old gentleman (and his dog).

Only Human is a story so full of secrets, lies and powerful heart-wrenching emotion. I was almost exhausted by the end of it. Beautiful, seemingly effortless storytelling. I absolutely adored it and can’t recommend it highly enough!

I have a feeling the Bond family (as well as Fred and Dougal) will stay in my thoughts for a long time to come. Everyone needs to read this book. I promise you won’t regret it if you do!

An easy five stars for me.

Many thanks to Diane Chandler for my beautiful, signed paperback copy also. It has taken pride of place on my bookshelf next to my signed copy of Moondance 😊

Pre-order now!

And don’t just take my word for it….

‘Just wonderful – absolutely without question one of my books of the year.’ Being Anne, Romantic Novelists’ Association Media Star of the Year 2019

‘WOW! So much going on, so many shocks! I really could not put it down.’ Susie Kelly

Every betrayal has a consequence… one family… one summer… one woman

The Bonds are, seemingly, a tight family unit, until one fateful summer when the temptations of lust and love come for them all

Tiger mum Anna, who gave up her career to build the perfect home life in London’s leafy Chiswick, is shocked to the core when she discovers that her husband of 20 years is having an affair.

Her daughter meanwhile is transforming into a tricky teen chopping at the apron strings.

Then Jack walks into their lives. Sophie’s first boyfriend is a breath of fresh air for the whole family, and Anna gradually discovers new purpose for herself.

But when more deceit creeps in, tensions soar, and Anna is propelled through a tangled web of secrets and lies towards a devastating climax.

This tale of love & betrayal, by the winner of the 2016 People’s Book Prize for Fiction and longlisted for The Guardian Not The Booker Prize 2020, is the perfect novel for you if you enjoy intelligent, elegantly-written, novels by authors like Jodi Picoult and Louise Doughty.

‘A stunning family drama that many people will relate to and others will hope to never encounter.’ Netgalley advance reviewer

‘Beautifully-written with intrigue, genuine emotions and family life dealing with friends, fidelity and secrets, this story was outstanding.’ Netgalley

‘Kept me fascinated throughout. I can’t recommend it enough!‘ Netgalley advance reader

‘A wonderful and sometimes very raw story of infidelity, lies, lust, pain, love, deceit, callousness, gentleness, caring and self-discovery.’ Goodreads

‘I’m not surprised at all that Only Human has made the long list for the NotTheBooker prize. I adored this fabulously written book from the very first page.’ Goodreads

‘Diane Chandler is one fearless storyteller.’ Goodreads

‘Captures your intrigue and emotions.’ Goodreads

‘A moving analysis of what it is to grow a little bit older as a parent, woman, spouse, friend, daughter.’ Goodreads

About the author….

Diane Chandler was a political lobbyist in Brussels and then worked at the European Commission for several years, where she managed overseas aid programmes in Ukraine just after the fall of communism. Back in London, she joined the Department for International Development (DFID) on the Ukraine and then Africa desks. Her first novel, The Road to Donetsk, draws on her experience of managing overseas aid programmes, and won the People’s Book Prize. Her second, Moondance, tackles the emotional impact of IVF fertility treatment on a loving couple. Only Human, her third novel, is about a woman struggling to find meaning in life after her husband cheats on her and her only daughter is about to fly the nest. Published 8th September 2020. Diane co-runs Creative Writing Workshops London with Stephanie Zia of Blackbird Digital Books, and also coaches aspiring writers. She is the host of chiswickbuzz TV Book Club, Words with Wine in W4.

ICYMI

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2016/10/28/moondance-by-diane-chandler-blog-tour-dchandlerauthor-blackbird_bks/

happy reading 🙂

Happy Publication Day, Misha Herwin!

When Letty Parker is asked by her best friend, Hepzibah, to solve a family mystery she willingly agrees. She has no idea that investigations will lead the Letty Parker & Associates Detective Agency team across the high seas to the exotic isles of the Caribbean.

Letty, Jeb and Mango, are soon fighting for their very lives in a world where pirates rule the seas, evil plantation managers hold the land, and the forests are filled with duppies and dark magic.

Advance reader review –

“The Adventures of Letty Parker Book 3.
A fantasy adventure series for children, aimed at 9-12yr olds.
A fabulous mystery involving Letty, Jeb and Mango and some pirates. Set in Bristol and on the choppy seas to the Caribbean. A whole host of dark and scary creatures including a bear, monsters, dragons and gargoyles. And watch out for those eels!
A fast moving tale that parents and kids alike will enjoy. Maybe one to read along with your child.”

BUY NOW!

Happy Reading! 🙂

Update….

Well, as it’s now the 2nd September I thought I would do a little update post on my 20 Books of Summer 20 challenge.

I failed miserably and only managed 12! I have read two other books which weren’t on my list though (review requests received after I’d compiled my list). Where did that three months go!??

Here are the books I have read….

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2020/06/04/convictions-by-caro-land-cazengland-bloodhoundbook-bookreview-20booksofsummer20-1/

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2020/06/12/confessions-by-caro-land-cazengland-bloodhoundbook-bookreview-20booksofsummer20-2/

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2020/06/29/carrion-by-graeme-cumming-graemecumming63-bookreview/

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2020/07/02/the-devils-dice-a-di-meg-dalton-thriller-book-1-by-roz-watkins-rozwatkins-bookreview-20weeksofsummer20-4/

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2020/07/15/turn-to-dust-detective-kay-hunter-murder-mystery-series-book-9-by-rachel-amphlett-rachelamphlett-blogtour-bookreview-botbspublicity-20booksofsummer20-5/

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2020/07/13/circuit-by-keith-bullock-bookreview-20booksofsummer20-6/

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2020/07/16/the-shrine-the-dci-ryan-mysteries-book-16-by-l-j-ross-ljrossauthor-bookreview-20booksofsummer20-7/

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2020/07/18/bedlam-the-alexander-gregory-thrillers-book-3-by-l-j-ross-ljrossauthor-bookreview-20booksofsummer20-8/

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2020/07/24/the-hopes-and-dreams-of-lucy-baker-by-jenni-keer-jennikeer-0nemorechapter_-bookreview-20books0fsummer20-9/

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2020/08/12/guardian-of-lies-by-john-pye-cathedraloflies-bookreview-20booksofsummer20/

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2020/08/18/how-to-save-a-life-by-s-d-robertson-sdrauthor-bookreview-20booksofsummer20-11/

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2020/08/25/summer-on-a-sunny-island-by-sue-moorcroft-suemoorcroft-avonbooksuk-bookreview-20weeksofsummer20-12/

How did you do?

Here is the link to my sign up post….

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2020/05/28/20booksofsummer20-sign-up-post/

I will endeavour to read the remaining eight books on that list asap!

If you have a 20BooksofSummer20 challenge roundup post feel free to share it in the comments in case I miss it elsewhere.

happy reading! 🙂

Step across the cobblestones, pull back the curtains and peek behind the doors in the second instalment of The Hope Street Series. Catch up with old friends and fall in love with new ones in a story of friendship, second chances and new beginnings. 

Livvy has no choice but to return to Hope Street, the childhood home she left over twenty years ago. Along with her sixteen-year-old daughter, Pip, she turns up on the doorstep, hoping for forgiveness from her sister.

Hannah thought she’d never see Livvy again. She’s overwhelmed with emotion but locks away her real feelings. How could Livvy stay away without any contact? And why has she come back now?

It isn’t long before the charm of the market town of Somerley begins to work its magic. Hannah is opening a book shop in the square, adjoining The Coffee Stop, and Livvy’s offer to help out brings the sisters closer together.

But when someone from Livvy’s past arrives unannounced too, he threatens everything she’s built up since her return. Can Livvy convince her sister, and her new friends, that her intentions to return were good ones? Or will her dreams of settling down and being happy again become nothing but a closed book?  

Check this out!

How gorgeous is that!?

Pre-order now….

Marcie Steele is the pen name of Mel Sherratt. For as long as she can remember, she’s been a meddler of words. Born and raised in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, she’s a romantic at heart and has always enjoyed writing about characters that fall in and out of love, have good friends to hang around with, and live in communities with great spirit. 

She can often be found sitting in her favourite coffee shop, sipping a cappuccino and eating a chocolate chip cookie, either catching up with friends or writing on her laptop. Whether she writes crime or women’s fiction, she loves making up things for a living.

You can find more about Marcie Steele on Mel Sherratt’s website www.melsherratt.co.uk  at Twitter:  https://twitter.com/writermels and at Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MelSherrattauthor/

🙂