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!

A "Fabulous" Night in..............

Earlier this week I went to a book evening hosted by Fabulous magazine and met the lovely authors Lindsay Kelk, Lucy Robinson and Lucy Holliday. All lovely authors answered questions regarding the process of writing their new books.

I went with my lovely friend and fellow book buddy Julie and met up with other book bloggers (and even meeting  Karen for the first time!!)

As you can see from the background we got to see the famous book wall - it's amazing!!

And I even managed to find another of my favourite authors, Miranda Dickinson's book amongst the wall............

The new Harper Collins building in London Bridge is amazing and the views are gorgeous (I just can't stand too near the edge as I come over all dizzy and that's before a glass of wine!!).

I love going to these book events and meeting new people. Roll on the next one!!

The Day We Disappeared by Lucy Robinson

Annie has a secret. But if she's not going to tell, we won't either. It's a heart-breaking secret she wishes she didn't have - yet Annie isn't broken, not quite yet. Especially now there's someone out there who seems determined to fix her.

Kate has run away. But she's not going to tell us why - that would defeat the point of running, wouldn't it? It's proving difficult to reinvent herself, however, with one person always on her mind.

Scratch beneath the surface and nobody is really who they seem. Even Annie and Kate, two old friends, aren't entirely sure who they are any more. Perhaps you can work it out, before their pasts catch up with them for good . . .

Review
I had heard so many great reviews of this book that I just had to buy a copy and find out what all the fuss was about! I wasn’t disappointed. The Prologue alone got my heart racing and “the twist” that everyone kept talking about was exceptional and I admit, I had to go back and re-read a few pages as I thought I had missed something!!

I am not going to delve into the storyline too much because I just don’t want to give any spoilers, but it tells the story of Annie who loses her Mum at such a young age and how she has to cope with that growing up and how her world changes when she meets Stephen Flint, who seems too good to be true………

Then there’s Kate who is running away to start a new life in a riding stables even though she doesn’t know the first thing about horses! As you read you just want to know why and what she is running away from and why she is so nervous and agitated all of the time.

The way the story comes together is just brilliant. I won’t say any more than that, other than you will only find out if you read it as I am giving nothing away!!

This is my first Lucy Robinson book but if this one was anything to go by, it certainly won’t be my last!!

*****