Imposter by LJ Ross

You need this book in your life.

It is an audiobook I loved from start to finish. I was gripped the entire story so much so finished in 2 sittings.

Hugh Dancy does an amazing job narrating the story. His voice sounds like heaven and after seeing his picture I think I am in love. 

However, it wasn't just the voice that made it my top audiobook so far. LJ Ross wrote this book in a way few could do it credit.

Profiling to catch criminals has been seen on tv and in other books so wasn't sure what to expect with Dr Alexander Gregory. 

In this book it shows him taking a break from his day job to help the police of a small town catch a killer. He understands people in a way others either can't or don't want to, giving great insight into why the perpetrator is committing muder. 

LJ Ross' talent in writing her characters and story are clearly demonstrated in this book. The characters are all amazingly described and so many of them seem to fit Dr Gregory's profile of the killer.

As you read/listen to the story they all seem plausible suspects. Just as you settle on one of them you change your mind. 

I often find I know the ending before it is revealed but with Imposter I was kept guessing to the very end. 

I can't think of any reason why I wouldn't recommend this book. It's a must read.  

Out today! Link below

 https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Impostor-Audiobook/1528882490?qid=1571835712&sr=1-3&pf_rd_p=c6e316b8-14da-418d-8f91-b3cad83c5183&pf_rd_r=4C1MAM9MT4KSJZ7VGKRK&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_3

 

 

Wrapped Up For Christmas by Katlyn Duncan

A nice easy feel good read.

I needed something nice and cheery to read. Romantic christmas novel seemed in order. This fit the bill exactly.

Angie returns home after a breakup and needing to start over and so of course sparks fly when she meets Nick.

The dynamics to the characters are there to show a gradual buildup of the relationship rather than rushing head first in to it. 

However, it is still a very typical romance story with not much mystery involved but still a good read. Especially nice to get into the holiday spirit and take a break from some of the heavier reads.

By Claire 

A Shaper's Promise by Karen MacRae

It's a different world.

Karen MacRae does an amazing job describing a world completely different from ours as well as bringing all the characters to life. The idea of people having gifts or superpowers has been something a lot of authors have written about however few have engrossed me so quickly. 

Anna is an amazingly strong and morale female protagonist that we need to see more of. She may be young and seemingly fragile but deep down she has a lot of power and stands up for what she believes in. 

The book is set in a world where all abilities are accepted and embraced, all except one. Annas. She is an Aura Shaper and using her gifts is punishable by death. She has kept her secret for a long time so understandably is very wary when 2 strangers, on the course of finding a friend in trouble, discover what she is. 

However even though they are frightened of her abilities they help her. I like that Sy and Spider accept her despite being afraid instead of them instantly disregarding everything they had been told or knew of others with her ability. 

Fate seems to send her with them on their travels and appears to have much larger plans for her. With her abilities she looks to be the only one who can save the entire Kingdom. However first she must learn what she can do and how to control her powers. 

This is merely the beginning of her journey. I didn't realise this was a series when I started to read it but I now cant wait to read and see how Anna and the other characters develop. 

By Claire

Candy Canes And Buckets Of Blood by Heide Goody and Iain Grant

I needed a change and that's what I got!

It turned out to be a nice and easy read that also perfectly fit in with my strange sense of humour. The title was the first thing that drew me to this book, it wasn't to be your typical happy holiday novel at all. But I also loved the fact that it also wasn't a normal horror book either, it was different and I found it was really an enjoyable read.

I did feel that it dragged a bit at the beginning. I was waiting on the buckets of blood which took a few chapters to get to. It does however give you more background on the characters so you can understand better how they behave once things start getting strange.

The characters themselves are to be a blended family and are spending time together for their first Christmas and getting to know each other. What's a better way to get to know one another than being stranded with mythical killer elves? 

Even with the bloody title and some disturbing things described it is also very comical as well and found myself still laughing throughout. It also certainly brings to prospective how some disastrous holidays certainly could be a lot worse.  

Glad to have read it definitely just what I needed.

In The Absence Of Miracles by Michael J Malone

Wow. Where can I even begin to describe this book. 

First of all, I love this author's books. House of Spines is one of my favourite books and I find Mr Malone a phenomenally talented author and now one of my firm favourites.

Being Scottish, I love seeing Scottish vocab and characters in a book. No one quite delivers the word sh*te as well as a Scot! This book is incredibly powerful, raw and moving. 

It deals with such a sensitive issue but one that needs to be spoken about much more. I am so incredibly in awe that he had taken such an awful but all too real issue and not shyed away with it within his story. 

The words in this book are just beautifully descriptive that at times it felt like poetry. 

This book willl stay with me long after finishing it. It's just incredible writing.

By Laurel

Lost Daughter by Ali Mercer

Loved this book. 

It took 3 woman who were all separated from there children for different reasons and from different backgrounds and gave their stories. 

They are amazing friends even with their differences and although sad topics are raised it's done very well and very inspiring and uplifting as well. 

First book of Ali Mercer's I have read although I wasnt entirely sure it would be for me when I started it I am glad to say I ended up really enjoying it. 

I will be looking to see if can get more of Ali Mercer's books because if they are half as good as this one I know I will enjoy it. 

By Claire 

Making Friends With Anxiety by Sarah Rayner

Right Book at Right Time.

I don't normally go much for Self Help books there are so many that cover the same thing and not always helpful. However it was Mental Health week and I have been suffering more than usual so I decided to give this a go. I am so glad that I did.

Sarah is a sufferer herself but she has looked into the medical side and the fact that anxiety effects everyone differently. I listened to her Audio version and found her voice (she narrates herself) calming and understanding. 

I loved that it was not only short but still broke down into manageable chunks because it can be hard to stay focused when I am struggling which she also brings up in the book. I large portion of it was very applicable to me and advice although similar to what I have heard before did bring it into a more practical applications and reinforce something that I often need reminded of. 

I think this one could help a lot of anxiety sufferers and I know that I will be returning to listen to parts of this book whenever I need a reminder. I am considering some of her other works as well but will look more into this once I have had another listen,

By Claire

Relatively Strange by Marilyn Messik

Wow! Just Wow!

With so many people raving about this book I just wasn't sure what to expect but I think I was expecting to be let down. This was not the case! This went beyond my expectations. 

The first line of the book "I was five when I discovered I could fly, sixteen when I killed a man. Both events were unsettling in their own way." had me intrigued straight away. I couldn't put it down and had it finished in two days. 

Marilyn Messik done such a wonderful job writing this that it came to life for me and made it so believable I just wanted to know what happens to the main character Stella. It is written from her point of view and she is particularly interesting as she has some amazing abilities in the form of mind reading, telekinesis, fire starting and levitation (which she called flying) but is also a great personality. I just love her sense of humour. 

It follows her life from earliest memories until she starts working and I was gripped every second. Some of her story was very dark and had some very disturbing moments where at other times I just had to laugh out loud at Stella's actions and thoughts and the way they were described. 

I am not sure I could put this book into a category of who should read this as personally after finishing early hours of this morning I want to recommend to all to give this a read. I will be on the look out for more by this author as this was first one I had tried but if the rest are even close to as well written I can't wait for more.

By Claire

The Children's Block by Otto B Kraus

A book that will stay with me for a long time. 

Otto B Kraus is an Auschwitz survivor who wrote a novel to tell the story of those from the Czech Family Camp. It has taken his own memories and others to put together into a smaller group of characters but is all based on true life events. 

All the characters bring a tale of different goings on around the camp and there different ways of thinking. It shows that they think and cope differently even though there situations are the same. It makes me as a reader really think of the horrifying situations they are facing and ask questions of morality and survival, which aren't always the same thing.

The author created Alex as the main character of the book. He is a teacher of the children even though this was illegal in the camp. Therefor lessons had to be hidden or disguised as something else such as a game. A dangerous situation for someone to do. Alex is also a survivor his thoughts always seem to be on the future and how they can fight against the guards. I love that Otto makes it so that the women he falls for, Lisa, is in nearly every way his opposite. She thinks they should live for the moment and not think of plans for the future they don't know they will have. 

I would recommend to any readers who read historical and true event stories but as with all Auschwitz novels it may also be disturbing and cause upset. I know it was hard read for me but worth it and a well written book that I wont forget in a hurry.

By Claire