I don’t know about you, but I love it when I discover a new author who instantly becomes a firm favourite. This is even more special when the author happens to have been born and raised in my hometown!

Tonight I will be attending a talk by Mel Sherratt at our library in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent and I’m very much looking forward to it. My Mum and friends, Gayle and Stacey, are coming along also. We’re all very excited 🙂

I have been lucky enough to meet Mel twice already. Once at the Stoke-on-Trent Literary Festival 2014 and again for a coffee and cake at Café Nero in Hanley. She is a lovely, lovely lady as well as being a fabulous writer.

Unfortunately, the Stoke-on-Trent Literary Festival of 2015 didn’t see fit to include our local talented authors, which to me was a total let down so I didn’t attend this year. They should be supported and celebrated and I think we should be proud of them all.

  Mel Sherratt

I have read all of the above and reviewed them all with a 5 star rating. I cannot recommend them highly enough.

Check out Mel’s author page on Amazon http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mel-Sherratt/e/B006L2BMLC/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1449227724&sr=1-1 and give them a go, if you haven’t already. (I would suggest reading the two series’ in order) I’m sure you won’t be disappointed!

Mel also writes under the pen-name Marcie Steele.

  These two lovely novels are 5 star reads also. Have a look for yourself….

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Marcie-Steele/e/B005WJ5UT0/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1449228423&sr=1-1

Alison Lingwood…..

… is a lovely lady who I first ‘met’ when she joined my Book Club page on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/222135907823649/) and I also had the pleasure of meeting her at the 2014 Stoke-on-Trent Literary Festival. She lives in Newcastle-under-Lyme, as I do, and has currently published four books. She published her first book at the age of 60 once she had retired! I think that is amazing!

 My 5 star review from Amazon back in July 2014:

‘Brilliant! Excellent story, characters and setting! (I am from Newcastle-under-Lyme!) Definitely my kind of read. A good example of how easily the internet can be misused, but also how helpful it can be to a police investigation. Angela is an odd character, but I didn’t see the ending coming! Looking forward to reading Alison’s other two books.’

Alison’s other books are currently on my to-be-read list.

Check out Alison’s author page on Amazon here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alison-Lingwood/e/B00J951G3M/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2?qid=1449229404&sr=8-2

John Pye…..

…is another author I was introduced to when he joined my Facebook Book Club. He also lives in Newcastle-under-Lyme and is a retired police officer. I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting John in person, but I have had the pleasure of enjoying his books.

‘This grabbed my attention from the very start. It’s very fast paced with lots of twists and turns. Very well written with interesting characters. I look forward to the sequel John!’

‘This is a very interesting story about a case I knew nothing about previously. It did happen before my time though!
As I am from Stoke-on-Trent (well, Newcastle-under-Lyme) I enjoyed learning about this little piece of local history and will be interested in finding out if any of my older relatives remember anything about it.’

The sequel to Cathedral of Lies is currently on my to-be-read list.

I’m sure there are other brilliant authors who are from my hometown. I look forward to discovering their work one day.

Publisher – Bookouture (11th December 2015)

Book description –

Best friends tell each other everything… right?

Sam and Louise have been best friends since they hung their coats side by side on the first day of primary school. Now in their thirties, they’re just as close, but life is a little bit more complicated…

On the outside, thirty-something Sam seems to have it all; the gorgeous husband, the beautiful home and the flourishing business. But things are not quite as rosy as they seem. So when handsome stranger, Dan, walks into her life, Sam finds his attentions hard to resist.

Louise might seem like life and soul of the party, but her outgoing exterior hides her sadness about the heartbreak in her past. She just wants someone to love – but all Louise gets left with is a quick fumble with an ex at the end of the night.

When a glamorous face from the past returns to shake things up, things get even more complicated for Sam and Louise. And just when they need each other the most, they’ve reason to wonder whether they ever really knew each other at all.

An emotional and uplifting tale of love, secrets and the importance of having a best friend.

What readers are saying about Marcie Steele

‘I absolutely, honest and truly LOVED this book.’ Crime Book Junkie
‘Filled with heartache and laugh aloud moments, “Stirred With Love” is well-developed story with endearing characters as well as twists and turns that will charm any reader. Fans of Chick-Lit and simply a good heart-warming story will love this! FIVE stars.’ Novels of the Heart

‘This is a story about hope and friendship with a helping of love stirred in for good measure. Who wouldn’t love a book set in a coffee shop – I could literally taste the coffee and gained pounds virtually eating all of the cake… a feel good book that will make you smile.’ Crooks on Books

‘Wonderfully warm with characters every woman can relate to, reading Marcie Steele’s Stirred with Love will remind you of chatting over coffee with three of your closest girlfriends. A fantastic read about overcoming life’s obstacles with friendship and love.’ Talli Roland

My rating 5/5

Well, what a fabulous book! If you like a love story which is not too mushy, you will love this. It’s full of likeable characters and some you will no doubt be able to relate to.

I make no secret of the fact that I am a massive Mel Sherratt fan. Her Allie Shenton series, The Estate Series and her stand alone novel, Watching Over You, are all excellent, so imagine my excitement when Mel told me she also writes chick lit under a pen-name! Stirred With Love was a fabulous story and That’s What Friends Are For is equally fabulous.

I love how close this bunch of family and friends are. They work together on the market, although not always happily, and always look out for each other even though some have secrets they are reluctant to share.

Louise is a single Mum. Having had her daughter, Charley, at 18 she has never told a soul who the father is. Not even her best friend, Sam. She was married for a short time, but that wasn’t to be. Now she longs to be loved and cherished by someone, even if she won’t admit that to herself. Luckily she can rely on Matt to look after her and Charley. Matt sometimes feels like a glorified babysitter, only seemingly needed at the weekends when Louise wants to go out and get drunk, but he’s always there for her and he loves Charley as if she were his own. Everyone can see that Matt and Louise are crazy about each other, but neither of them seem willing to admit it. Will they ever get it together?

Charley is 15 and is struggling at school due to bullies who are aware of her mother’s active social life. She feels they are tarring her with the same brush and starts to resent her mother for going out and getting drunk all the time. She falls out with her best friend and feels like the only person she can rely on is Alex, a boy she has been chatting to online, but has yet to meet. At least he understands her.

I can totally relate to Louise and Charley’s relationship. I have two teenagers myself, a son and a daughter, and my relationship with my daughter can be challenging, shall we say, at times. As a mother you feel like you can’t do right for doing wrong sometimes, but we do forget what it was like to be 15. This was a good reminder to just be there and listen.

Sam is married to Reece, but is worried her marriage isn’t going to survive for much longer. Will they manage to rekindle what they once shared?

Nicci is all loved up with Jay, but struggles with the fact that he doesn’t seem keen on marrying her when she is so desperate to marry him. She dreams of their big day, but fears it may never happen.

Ryan is married to Sarah, with two beautiful children, but he has cheated before and it doesn’t take him long to fall for Jess’s charms when she returns from London and sets her sights on him. Jess is pregnant, by a married man who now wants nothing to do with her. Maybe if she can get her claws into Ryan, she could pass off the baby as his. Why should everyone else be happy when she’s miserable?

Unfortunately not everyone has a fairytale happy ending.

This book has everything. Love, family, friendship, secrets and lies, happiness and heartbreak. You’ll love it!

A big thank you to Mel for my advance copy.

Proud, as always, to be part of Team Sherratt!

That’s What Friends Are For is available for pre-order: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Thats-What-Friends-Are-friends-ebook/dp/B017HWLP4S/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Why not also check out Mel’s other books, if you haven’t already: http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B006L2BMLC/ref=dp_byline_sr_ebooks_1?ie=UTF8&text=Mel+Sherratt&search-alias=digital-text&field-author=Mel+Sherratt&sort=relevancerank

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Marcie-Steele/e/B005WJ5UT0/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1448966160&sr=1-1

Publication date – 1st December 2013

Book description –

The terrifying true story of a family in fear

An innocent family finds itself completely helpless against the sudden onset of paranormal activity in their quiet rural home. A knife embedded in a kitchen cupboard, crockery smashed by invisible hands, and blood-chilling growls emit from thin air. Caroline and her husband Neil search for answers as they try to protect their family from the unseen entity that seems determined to rip them apart.
The biggest question looms over them like a dark cloud who is going to help us? There are emergency services for many things, but not of this nature. It might be easier to believe temporary insanity, if not for the vast amount of witnesses. Police, fire services, mediums, priests and investigators all become embroiled in the mystery. The family struggles to cope, and Caroline grows concerned for her husband’s failing health as he withdraws from the world. However, the entity has only just begun.
Paranormal Intruder is the true story of one family’s brave fight against an invisible entity. Described as one of the best documented cases of paranormal activity, this best selling book will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.

To see more about this remarkable case, including pictures and evidence, visit and subscribe to http://www.caroline-writes.com

My rating 5/5

I decided I needed to read this book after seeing lots of great reviews and recommendations for Caroline Mitchell’s books and as much as it scares me, the paranormal has always fascinated me.

Paranormal Intruder intrigued me as it is a true account of paranormal activity which Caroline, her husband Neil, their family and friends were subjected to. Seemingly random as they wouldn’t have expected their house to be haunted as it was a new build and they were the first and only family to live there.

The occurrences they experienced ranged from seemingly playful games to down right dangerous, such as fire starting and knife throwing! I can only imagine what it must have been like to witness such activity and actually fear for the safety of your family. The disruption they had to deal with because of this ‘entity’ was more than many could have dealt with whilst trying to function normally day-to-day. Having to travel to parents homes, for quite long periods of time as they were too scared to stay in their own home overnight must have been a strain on family life. Having to re-home their beloved dogs must have been heartbreaking. I can’t imagine having to give up my Shih Tzu. I’d be devastated, as Caroline and her family obviously were. To feel like you aren’t welcome in your own home must be horrendous!

This is a fascinating story, but equally terrifying. Not for the faint hearted, but a must read for anyone with even the slightest interest in the paranormal. If you are a sceptic, I challenge you to read this and offer a reasonable alternative explanation for these occurrences. I doubt anyone could!

I’m happy to say I’m now a Caroline Mitchell fan and I will be reading her other books.

Publisher: Blood Red Books (30th October 2015)

Book description –

Welcome to The Estate – where even the darkest times have their lighter moments…

Scars. Sometimes they’re visible. Sometimes they’re hidden deep within.

After years of living as a single parent, all Donna Adams longs for is someone to make her smile, to share hopes and dreams with, to keep her warm at night. But when that certain someone gives her the attention she craves, true love doesn’t always follow the right path.

Home from the army, Lewis is a changed man. Angry and consumed by grief, troubled by nightmares and flashbacks, his mind is worse now than ever. Shutting out what he’s seen isn’t easy, but he risks losing everything he’s come back to if he doesn’t, including his sanity.

Megan Cooper hides her scars for fear of being rejected. Mary Marshall can’t always remember how she got hers.

If the past could be erased to make a better future, we’d all want that, wouldn’t we? But life is never that easy for the residents of The Mitchell Estate…

WRITTEN IN THE SCARS is the fourth book in The Estate Series but each one can be read as a standalone novel.

My rating 5/5

Having already read the first three books in the Estate Series as well as the Allie Shenton Series, Watching Over You, Secrets on the Estate and Stirred With Love written under her pen-name, Marcie Steele, I was very excited to be one of a lucky few to receive an advance review copy of Written In The Scars.

Once again I was immersed in the lives of those living on the Mitchell Estate. It’s a bit like catching up on the gossip with an old friend you haven’t seen for a while.

Donna is a single parent, with grown up children who she still worries about constantly. Her son, Sam, is a petty thief, living on benefits, but she’s right at his side when he badly injures his hand in an accident. Her daughter, Keera, works and keeps herself out of trouble at least. Or so Donna believes. Her mother, Mary, has dementia and barely recognises her anymore. As much as she loves her family she craves more from life, surely she’s not ready for the scrapheap yet. She’s only in her 40’s. So when she meets Owen, who is only in his 30’s she finally allows herself a bit of fun. Why should she not be allowed a bit of time to herself? What’s the worst that can happen?

Lewis has returned from the Army a different man. Obviously suffering from PTSD after witnessing the death of a friend, but unwilling to seek help he finds himself visited regularly by Josie, the local housing officer, after complaints regarding his unsocial behaviour. His Dad died suddenly, but he’s unable to talk to his Mum about it. His marriage has broken down and he doesn’t spend as much time with his son as he’d like. Why does no-one understand how he feels? Why are they always on his case?

Megan has a birthmark which covers most of her face, but wears make-up to conceal it. Her biggest fear is rejection. When she meets Sam at the hospital, after his accident, there is an obvious spark between them. How can she get close to him though when she’s sure he’ll be repulsed by the sight of her without make-up? Sam is wondering if he’s good enough for her though considering the life he’s led so far.

This book is full of real characters with average day-to-day lives and real problems. They could easily be living in your street.

I can personally relate to Mary’s story as my Grandad has recently been diagnosed with a dementia. It’s heartbreaking to watch someone you love disappear before your eyes, but still physically be there.

Although difficult to read at times, I think it’s great how Lewis’s story will help to raise awareness of PTSD and how devastating it can be for everyone involved.

I love how believable all of the characters are, across the whole series, whether they are likeable or not.

Brilliant! I can’t wait for book 5!

Many thanks again to Mel for my advance review copy.

Proud to be part of ‘Team Sherratt.’

As I have almost finished Written In The Scars, Book 4 in the Estate series by Mel Sherratt, I thought I would share my very short but sweet reviews for the first three books, which I posted on Amazon last year.

I didn’t elaborate much back then, as you will see, but I was more than happy to rate each book 5 stars. I would happily recommend the series to anyone!

Book 1

Published 19th December 2013

Book description –

What if you had no one to turn to and nowhere to hide?

Welcome to The Estate – where even the darkest times have their lighter moments…

Cath Mason has learned to be tough. The things she’s seen growing up on the Mitchell Estate, she’s had to be. Yet, even broken and beaten by life at times, she’s still the first person a woman in need of help seeks out.

At Cath’s house, there is safety in numbers as well as a place to hide. No matter what trouble comes to her door, she won’t turn anyone away – because she knows what it’s like to live with secrets and lies. But now a problem from her past has come back to haunt her, and she’s the one faced with a dilemma. What should she do first – help or be helped? Or has the potential for revenge already gone a step too far?

SOMEWHERE TO HIDE is emotional, authentic, down-to-earth drama of life’s ups and downs. It is the first book in The Estate Series. So pound those streets, open those doors, pull back those curtains and take a peep into the lives of the people who live there…

My rating – 5/5

This is a brilliant start to the Estate series. The characters and their stories draw you in from the very beginning!

Book 2

Published 19th December 2013

Book description –

‘The worst terrors are always those that hide closest to home.’ Elizabeth Haynes, Into the Darkest Corner.

Welcome to The Estate – where even the darkest times have their lighter moments…

Working on the notorious Mitchell Estate, housing officer Josie Mellor faces challenges every day, but not nearly as many as those of her tenants.

Kelly Winterton is scared and alone after her partner has been jailed. A victim of domestic abuse, Charlotte Hatfield has fled from her violent partner four times already. He’ll probably kill her if he finds her this time. Disowned by her family, someone is taking advantage of Amy Cartwright’s vulnerability. Who can she turn to for support?

But Josie has her own problems to deal with too. As her home life deteriorates and she struggles to escape her controlling husband, she realises only a thin line separates her from the people she’s trying to help.

BEHIND A CLOSED DOOR is the second book in THE ESTATE SERIES, which begins with SOMEWHERE TO HIDE, but it can be enjoyed as a stand-alone story.

My rating 5/5

An excellent second book in the Estate series. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the new characters as well as learning more about characters featured in book 1. I already have book 3 downloaded so I will be starting that now.

Book 3

Published 19th December 2013

Book description –

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger…

Welcome to The Estate – where even the darkest times have their lighter moments…

When Caren Williams finds herself back on the estate she fought so hard to get away from, little does she realise she’ll be living opposite her arch-enemy, Gina Bradley. Gina thinks she and her family rule Stanley Avenue so when Caren starts to become popular, she decides to hit her where it will hurt the most – she wants her husband.

Lonely and depressed, Ruth Millington finds it a constant struggle to get through the dark times. Spiralling out of control, maybe she should let Gina’s husband help her out when he comes calling.

Twins Rachel and Claire Bradley, took control of the girl gang, the Mitchell Mob, when their leader was sent to a juvenile detention centre for assault. But Stacey Hunter is out now and wants to hold the position of top dog again. No one will back down – let battle commence.

Secrets and lies, brawling in the street and conforming to peer pressure – it all comes down to holding your nerve. But this time not everyone will survive the notorious Stanley Avenue…

FIGHTING FOR SURVIVAL is the third book in THE ESTATE SERIES. It follows on from SOMEWHERE TO HIDE and BEHIND A CLOSED DOOR but can be enjoyed as a stand-alone novel.

My rating 5/5

Excellent! Book three is as good as the first two, if not better. I’ve really enjoyed this series! The characters and their stories draw you in from the very beginning. You have to know how things turn out for them!
I quickly became a fan of Mel Sherratt after reading Taunting The Dead, which I loved, so I soon downloaded this series and I’m so glad I did.

 Written In The Scars is the 4th book in the Estate Series. It will be published on 30th October 2015. I am one of a lucky few to receive an early review copy and I’m loving it!

Book description –

‘A writer to watch out for.’ Mandasue Heller

**LOW PREORDER PRICE**

Welcome to The Estate – where even the darkest times have their lighter moments…

Scars. Sometimes they’re visible. Sometimes they’re hidden deep within.

After years of living as a single parent, all Donna Adams longs for is someone to make her smile, to share hopes and dreams with, to keep her warm at night. But when that certain someone gives her the attention she craves, true love doesn’t always follow the right path.

Home from the army, Lewis is a changed man. Angry and consumed by grief, troubled by nightmares and flashbacks, his mind is worse now than ever. Shutting out what he’s seen isn’t easy, but he risks losing everything he’s come back to if he doesn’t, including his sanity.

Megan Cooper hides her scars for fear of being rejected. Mary Marshall can’t always remember how she got hers.

If the past could be erased to make a better future, we’d all want that, wouldn’t we? But life is never that easy for the residents of The Mitchell Estate…

WRITTEN IN THE SCARS is the fourth book in The Estate Series but each one can be read as a standalone novel.

Publisher – Thomas & Mercer (30th June 2015)

Book description –

The page-turning psychological thriller from the author of #1 bestsellers The Magpies and Because She Loves Me.

It was supposed to be the trip of a lifetime, a final adventure before settling down. But after a perfect start, an encounter with a young couple on a night train forces Daniel and Laura to cut their dream trip short and flee home.

Back in London, Daniel and Laura vow never to talk about what happened that night. But as they try to fit into their old lives again, they realise they are in terrible danger—and that their nightmare is just beginning…

My rating 5/5

My review –

Daniel and Laura are on a trip of a lifetime before returning home to settle down and start a family. What should have created many happy memories, soon goes pear shaped when they get chatting to another couple on a train. Later, after a couple of hours sleep they find that their tickets and passports have been stolen and are soon thrown off the train, in the middle of nowhere, along with the girl they’ve just met.

When they return home, very different people, they never speak of that trip again. What happened in those woods?
Back in London, Daniel and Laura drift apart.
Laura has never been the same since and as much as she loves Daniel, he’s a painful reminder of what happened over there.
Daniel has his flat broken in to. His laptop etc. stolen, but then mysteriously returned!
What is going on?
As the story unfolds it becomes more and more of a page turner. I had to know what had happened to them out there.
Who is spying on them now?
Gripping and scary!
I never saw the ending coming! Brilliant!

Publisher – Novelistas Ink Press.

Publication date – 24th June 2015.

I’ve noticed today that this lovely book is part of the Autumn special. It’s currently only 99p/99c (or free with Kindle Unlimited). So, I thought I would share the little review I wrote on Amazon back in August, before I started blogging.

Book description –

Now if this was a modern fairy tale, the hero might be a handsome young widower, hiding from the world in his castle and managing to avoid any meaningful romantic entanglements. Unfortunately, Sawyer Ellis would have stepchildren who think they know best, and most of the time it seems as if they do.

The heroine could have recently moved into the wisteria-covered cottage by the strawberry field. Sophie would be a thoroughly independent woman, as well as smart, self-obsessed, vulnerable and vain. She might be about to find out if her heart is made of gold. Sophie would have her doubts, but we’d know better.

It’s obvious to us they’ll need help from a fairy godmother, although she might not be as theatrical or mature as Cinderella’s.
Her name would probably be Lily.
Lily Rose.
And normally she would get things very, very right.
Except this time somehow it would all go very, very wrong.

But the setting is only a small Cheshire village, drowsily nudging Wales. A village known as Fools Castle. And in real life, in the present day, nothing like that could ever happen here.

Could it?

My little review –

A lovely, heart-warming story.

Another lovely read by Valerie-Anne Baglietto.
If you enjoy a love story with a magical twist then this is a must read.

Beautifully descriptive!

A story that draws you in from the very beginning.

Loved it!

Publisher – Bookouture

Publication date – 15th October 2015

Synopsis –

Twenty years running from your past. Today it catches up.

A gripping psychological thriller for fans of Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train.

Leah Mills lives a life of a fugitive – kept on the run by one terrible day from her past. It is a lonely life, without a social life or friends until – longing for a connection – she meets Julian. For the first time she dares to believe she can live a normal life.

Then, on the twentieth anniversary of that day, she receives a card. Someone knows the truth about what happened. Someone who won’t stop until they’ve destroyed the life Leah has created.

But is Leah all she seems? Or does she deserve everything she gets?

Everyone has secrets. But some are deadly.

My rating – 5/5

My review…..

Wow!
This book grabbed me from the very beginning! 

When we are first introduced to Leah she is leading a simple, solitary life, doing her best to have as little contact with others as possible. She works in a library and despite getting on OK with her colleagues she doesn't give much away regarding her private life. She doesn't really have one! She lives alone in a tiny flat, with minimal furniture, but surrounded by books. She doesn't do much other than go to work, shop for food when necessary, read and browse chat rooms from her laptop. A laptop she can hide behind instead of having any real contact with anyone. She doesn't visit her Mother very often which is something she feels guilty about. She refers to her life as being just what she deserves after what she did.

To say this book is a page turner would be an understatement! I just had to find out what it was she did that was so terrible. Why does she feel so unworthy of a happy life? She's basically just existing.

The chapters alternate between Leah in the present and 15 year old Leah at High School. 15 year old Leah is desperate to fit in and feels like there is something wrong with her as she doesn't fancy boys like her friend does. Until Adam joins their school. She is immediately drawn to him and a relationship soon develops. Her relationship with Adam is very believable and typical of a teenage girls first love which is more of an infatuation. 

Is Adam part of the reason she can't move on from her past? Leah refers to him a lot, but it's obvious he is no longer in her life. We don't find out why until much later on though. 

Things start to look up for Leah when she makes friends with Ben, after he donates some books to the library. She starts to see him as a friend. Then she meets Julian online, they click straight away and she agrees to meet him. She starts to think maybe her life could be turning a corner. Maybe she does deserve some happiness after all. But her past won't stay in the past. Someone is trying to punish her.

Things take a chilling turn when it becomes obvious she's being stalked. She receives threatening emails, gets mugged and has her flat broken in to whilst she's in bed. She is being watched and it's the same person responsible for it all. It's obviously someone involved with what happened back then. But, who could it be? She needs to start taking these threats seriously. Eventually she turns to Ben as he's the only person she trusts, apart from her Mother. 

This book is full of suspense. There are lots of twists and turns and a surprising conclusion.  Just brilliant! 

With thanks to the publisher, the author and Netgalley for my advance Kindle copy.

Hi!

I thought I might give this blogging a go. Please bare with me whilst I find my way around 🙂