My Top 10 reads of 2015

It’s been an absolute nightmare trying to choose my top 10 reads of the year, but I have finally done it and without intentionally hurting any author’s feelings, here goes……

1. A Memory of Violets by Hazel Gaynor – I read this whilst I was on holiday in August and can honestly say it brought me to tears. Written beautifully with a gorgeous cover and the text inside is the best I have seen in a paperback with lovely drawings at the top of the pages and throughout. Utterly stunning read that will leave you wanting more!

2. The Island by Victoria Hislop – I had this book on my bookshelf for more years than I care to divulge, but again, when I went on holiday my good friend recommended I take this one. This book made me cry more than once, but it is so beautifully written that I can’t wait to read more of Victoria’s work and I hope to get to an event to finally meet her as I couldn’t make the ones this year!

3. River of Souls by Kate Rhodes – It’s not a secret that I am Kate’s number one fan and this book is the fourth in the Alice Quentin series (and in my humble opinion, her best!). It has nothing to do with the fact that my name is mentioned in the acknowledgements!!

4. All The Dark Secrets by Jennie Felton – I loved this book so much and am determined to read the second instalment soon as I just adore family sagas! I loved the characters and the way their lives turn around in the face of tragedy. I just loved it!

5. The Girl Who Wouldn’t Die by Marnie Riches – I hosted the first book on my blog as my very first Blog Tour but I think this second book in the George Mackenzie series is even better (I think this might be a trend, so can’t wait for the next instalment!!).

6. No Place for A Lady by Gill Paul – This is an historical wartime novel, again which I love! It came out during the year and one of the battles was in Gallipoli, which was very poignant as it was the anniversary of the battle in WWI.

7. The Day we Disappeared by Lucy Robinson – There is a twist, that’s all I’m saying!! Loved it and can’t wait for the next one!

8. The Piano Man Project by Kat French – This was a great read. Very funny and Hal is a character who just stays with you (mostly for all of the wrong reasons!!!).

9. Rings of Smoke by Diane O’Toole - this one scared the pants out of me with a very creepy main character, but a book that I couldn't put down!

10. Make a Christmas Wish by Julia Williams - This was the first Christmas book I read this year and by far my favourite! I will read this one again and again! Made me laugh one page and then cry like a baby on the next page! Loved it!

I'm SO excited to reveal the cover for Julia Williams new book Make A Christmas Wish

Last Christmas, when Livvy was knocked down in the supermarket car park, she certainly wasn’t ready to actually be dead! For months now she’s floated on the edge of the afterlife, generally making a nuisance of herself.

And she’s not ready to go just yet! She’s furious about the new woman in her husband’s life and she’s worried about her beloved son who doesn’t seem to be adjusting to life without her at all.

This Christmas, Livvy is given one last magical chance to make everything right. Will she take it and give her family the perfect Christmas?

Perfect for fans of CAROLE MATTHEWS, TRISHA ASHLEY and JENNY COLGAN.

Author bio:

Julia has always made up stories in her head, and until recently she thought everyone else did too. She grew up in London, one of eight children, including a twin sister. She married Dave, a dentist, in 1989, and they have four daughters. After the birth of the second Julia decided to try her hand at writing. Since then she has written 8 hugely popular novels, selling over a quarter of a million copies in the UK alone, and hitting the Sunday Times bestseller list.