Notes of Life

Author: S. J. Bolton
Publisher: Bantam Press
ISBN: 978-0-593-06415-3

Having first appeared in Now You See Me, DC Lacey Flint once again finds herself involved in one of DI Mark Joesbury’s investigations, but she might just find herself in too deep.

Joesbury sends Lacey to Cambridge to work undercover as a vulnerable student. A student there has attempted to take her own life in a horrifying way and it comes to light that a number of other students have also taken their lives in extraordinary ways. Lacey and Dr Evi Oliver, the only other person in Cambridge who knows who Flint really is, must work together to find out exactly what’s going on, before it’s too late.

But as Lacey starts to experience disturbing nightmares, something reported by the dead students, it might already be too late.

OK, I have just finished Dead Scared by S. J. Bolton and it has to be the best crime/psychological thriller of the year! I’m not sure my review will give it the justice it deserves, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Lacey Flint and Mark Joesbury aren’t the only characters to return from a previous book. Evi Oliver can also be found in S. J. Bolton’s Blood Harvest. You don’t need to have read the previous books to enjoy Dead Scared though, as a bit of background it dotted throughout the story. However, I do think you’ll know Flint & Joesbury’s backgrounds better if you’ve already read Now You See Me (another great read).

I found the book thoroughly gripping and tense. The story plays on the characters’ fears and S. J. Bolton does this brilliantly. The suicides are shockingly creative, but just on the right side of believable. It’s right there on the edge… but thankfully it’s just fiction!

The short chapters and exciting narrative had me racing through it. I felt that the story grabbed hold of me at the very start and didn’t let go until the end… In fact, I’m not sure it’s let go of me even now I’ve finished it! It’s one of those stories that gets into your head.

Dead Scared is a crime thriller that will creep you out! It will have shivers running up and down your spine and you might think twice about closing your eyes to go to sleep at night. I certainly began to think maybe it wasn’t such a great idea to be reading it just before bedtime!

If you haven’t guessed by now, I’d highly recommend Dead Scared to anyone after a fantastic read. I can’t wait to see what comes next from S. J. Bolton.

Buy Dead Scared by S. J. Bolton.

This is the 13th book I’ve read as part of the British Books Challenge 2012.

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Please note: I received this book free from Transworld Publishers in return for a review. However, this has in no way influenced my opinion of the book.

Author: Shauna Sever
Publisher: Quirk Books
ISBN: 978-1-59474-572-0

Who doesn’t enjoy eating marshmallows?! Myself, I love them! I can eat them on their own, toasted or (and this is a favourite thing of mine to do) have mini-marshmallows floating on top of a delicious mug of hot chocolate (lactose-free for me!). So when I was given the opportunity to review a copy of Marshmallow Madness! by Shauna Sever, I jumped at the chance.

Before getting to the recipes, Shauna talks us through an introduction to marshmallows, including the history of marshmallow, key ingredients, tools, tips and techniques, and even how to store your marshmallows. It’s definitely worth reading this section rather than skipping it as it gives some great information and tips for when you’re actually making your marshmallows. Shauna also recommends experimenting, which I think I’ll do next time! This time I’ve tried to follow my first marshmallow recipe down the the letter.

Who knew there were so many marshmallow recipes?! This book contains dozens of different recipes for marshmallows and each of them sounds delicious in their own right. The recipes are split into sections, starting with ‘The Classics’, then ‘Fresh and Fruity’, ‘Happy Hour’ (cocktail-inspired marshmallows), ‘For the Mallow Connoisseur’ (gourmet flavours and textures), ‘Kids in a Candy Story’ (fun flavours) and ‘Fluffy, Puffy Desserts’. Along the way we’re treated to recipes for foods to compliment marshmallows, information on natural flavours, ideas for gifting marshmallows, desserts made drinkable and how to shape, layer and twist our marshmallows. There’s just so much to do with marshmallow and it’s practically all in this book!

It’s not just the descriptive titles that will have you watering at the mouth either, the photography in the book is brilliant. The photos just make you want to reach in and pull out the marshmallows, to eat them straight off the pages of the book!

The best thing about this book (apart from tasting the finished product!) is that these recipes are all simple and easy to follow. The ingredients needed are listed in sections (and colour coded), so you know exactly when you’ll need them.

I made the first (and probably the easiest) recipe in the book – Classic Vanilla Marshmallows. They were so easy to make and so tasty! In fact, you can see just how simple it is to make marshmallows as Shauna has posted the recipe for Classic Vanilla Marshmallows on her blog. So why not check it out and make your own marshmallows?!

I plan on making the Malibu Marshmallows (yes, made with Malibu coconut rum!) and the Sea Salt Caramel Swirl Marshmallows next!

As you’ve probably already guessed, I’d definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes making and baking in the kitchen. There’s so many irresistible marshmallow creations to make!

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Please note: I received this book free from Quirk Books in return for a review. However, this has in no way influenced my opinion of the book.

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WIN A COPY OF MARSHMALLOW MADNESS! BY SHAUNA SEVER

Closing Date: Saturday, 5th May 2012 – Mid-day (BST) – CLOSED!

Open to UK & International readers (as long as The Book Depository deliver to you)

To be in with a chance of winning a copy of Marshmallow Madness! by Shauna Sever all you have to do is leave a comment on the post and…

- What flavour marshmallows would you like? (Pick one you already know or think up a new flavour!)

Entries are open until mid-day (BST) on Saturday, 5th May 2012 and a winner will be picked at random.

Good luck!

I am very pleased to welcome the lovely Eleanor Prescott to the website! I had the pleasure of meeting Eleanor at the Quercus Shindig in London back in February. She ‘gate-crashed’ our conversation, but I’m so glad she did! Eleanor told us about her book and it’s fairly long title and I immediately fell in love with the cover. Now, Eleanor has kindly agreed to take part in an interview with me. So, without further a do…….

It’s not easy to land a publishing deal, can you tell us how you came to be published by the wonderful Quercus?

I got really lucky, I know!

Basically, I’d always intended to write, but found myself working in PR.  One day I was doing the PR for a book awards ceremony, and – being surrounded by books – I finally found the inspiration to give it a go. On the night the awards took place, my husband came along to help out and managed to get talking to a very lovely lady from Quercus.  He broke all the rules of etiquette and asked her to read some of my work. She agreed, and to my massive surprise (and joy!) she liked the 3 chapters I sent her.  She asked to see more (which I hastily had to write) but then disaster struck!  She got flu, and by the time she got back to the office, her entire inbox had been wiped. She had no way of contacting me – and I took her silence as a rejection.  But she decided to leave it to fate… if it was meant to be, she decided, I’d get back in touch. And a couple of years later, when the manuscript was finally finished, I did.  And that very lovely lady from Quercus is now my editor!

As you know, the cover of your book really caught my eye. Did you get any say in the design of the cover?

No, none whatsoever.  But I love it!

When Quercus first sent it to me as a jpeg, I braced myself.  I didn’t know what I expected exactly, but I was sure I was going to be disappointed (let’s face it, if you’ve spent your whole life dreaming about your first book, no cover could come close to living up to expectations!).  But I loved it straight away.

What does it feel like to see your first novel sitting on the shop shelves?

Very peculiar!  My son, who’s 5, thinks that because it’s my book all copies belong to me!  A sighting of ALICE BROWN is usually accompanied by him saying ‘hey, what’s that doing there?’  He keeps trying to put them in my bag to take them home.

Are any of the characters in your book based on yourself or anyone you know?

No, not really – although Audrey’s hair was inspired by a teacher from school.  And the more I think about it, the more I see similarities between myself and Kate.  But I can see a little bit of me in all the characters really, even Sheryl.  If I could get away with wearing tight skirts, low-cut tops and purple marabou thongs, I would!

I know you’re married, but if you’d just joined a dating agency such as Table for Two how would you describe your ideal man?

The face of George Clooney, the empathy of Jeremy Vine and the bank balance of Bernie Ecclestone. I’m not bothered about a six pack… a one pack would do.

Personally, I think I’d just describe Gary Barlow! He’s married though…

Do you have a particular place where you sit and write?

Well, life is pretty hectic as I’ve got two young children, one of whom is too young for school.  I write in snatched moments in odd places… the kitchen table if I’m lucky.  Otherwise it might be the local library, the leisure centre caf, or even the Wetherspoons pub (open from 7.30am; dead quiet until 10; porridge and a mug of tea for £1.79!).

Good advert for Wetherspoons there!

What do you like to do to relax when you’re not working?

I wish I could say that I read, but by the time the day’s over, I usually just veg in front of the telly.  I’m currently addicted to ‘Homeland’, and engrossed in Kay Mellor’s ‘The Syndicate’.  And I fell in love with ‘Stella’ a few months back – Ruth Jones is amazing.  There’s nothing she can’t do!

Do you have any favourite authors/books?

Sadly, reading is usually confined to bedtime when I tend to pass out, so finishing a book takes me ages! I like to mix up my genres.  I recently read ‘City Of Thieves’ by David Benioff, which I loved.  I also really enjoy a Marian Keyes (‘This Charming Man’ is my favourite) and the latest from Sophie Hannah.  I devoured ‘Notes On A Scandal’ by Zoe Heller, and tend to reread ‘Bridget Jones’ Diary’ every few years because I still think it’s brilliant.  I belong to a book club, and our next read will be ‘Flowers For Algernon’ by Daniel Keyes – I’ve no idea what it’s about, but I’m about to get stuck in!  But left to my own devices, I’d probably say my favourite author is Lionel Shriver. I can’t wait to get my hands on ‘The New Republic’.

So what’s next for you? Is there a second book being worked on?

My second book is nearly finished.  I’m about to submit it to my editor, so fingers crossed!  It’s about people who used to be famous and are finding it hard to adjust back to ordinary life.  It’s another romantic comedy, and is due out early next year.

Can’t wait!

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Big thanks to Eleanor for taking time out to answer my questions. It’s very much appreciated. I love that her little boy thinks all copies of her book belong to her!

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WIN A COPY OF ALICE BROWN’S LESSONS IN THE CURIOUS ART OF DATING

Closing date Thursday, 3rd May 2012 – CLOSED!

UK Readers only.

To be in with a chance of winning a copy of Alice Brown’s Lessons in the Curious Art of Dating by Eleanor Prescott all you have to do is leave a comment on this post and…

- Describe your ideal date!

Entries are open until 5pm (BST) on Thursday, 3rd May 2012 and a winner will be picked at random. Apologies to international readers, but this giveaway is open to UK residents only.

Many thanks to Quercus for providing the prize.

Good luck!

Author: Imogen Robertson
Publisher: Headline
ISBN: 9780755372041

Cumbria, 1783: The first Earl of Greta and his wife had lain in their altar-tomb since the middle of the fifteenth century, but their remains were not alone. When the stone lid to the tomb is opened one body too many is discovered and the mystery begins.

Gabriel Crowther’s family bought the Gretas’ land a long time ago, but he had left long ago with the hope of forgetting its own bloody history. But now he is called to return, the mystery brings him home at last. Crowther and his companion, the forthright Mrs Harriet Westerman, travel together up to Cumbria to investigate, but Crowther soon finds his own past refusing to stay buried.

I first came across Imogen Robertson in a blog post she’d done on The History Girls website, regarding research she’d done for Island of Bones. Imogen had included nuggets of information which hadn’t made it into the book, but were still very interesting. Island of Bones was on my radar and I was determined that I would read it. Whether destiny, fate or otherwise, Island of Bones landed in my mailbox last week, courtesy of Real Readers, and jumped straight to the top of the pile.

Island of Bones is not the first of Imogen’s books to feature Crowther and Westerman, but it is the first I have read. Island of Bones can certainly be read as a stand-alone book and I thoroughly enjoyed it without having read Instruments of Darkness or Anatomy of Murder, but I’ll definitely be picking up the rest of the series shortly. In fact, the latest book of the Crower and Westerman series, Circle of Shadows, is out today (26th April 2012).

Imogen Robertson is a wonderful storyteller. I found myself very much immersed in the story and found the characters and settings simply come alive before the reader. The story moves at a steady pace and held my attention all the way through. With its various story threads weaving together, I found Island of Bones compelling and gripping.

Despite not having read the previous books in the series, I found it only took a few pages before I felt like I knew both Gabriel Crowther and Harriet Westerman well. Even the various and colourful supporting characters are well rounded and come alive (or dead as the case may be!).

Whether you’ve read the other Crowther and Westerman books or not, I’d highly recommend Island of Bones. It’s a great piece of historical crime fiction!

Buy Island of Bones by Imogen Robertson.

This is the 12th book I’ve read as part of the British Books Challenge 2012.

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Please note: I received this book free from Real Readers in return for a review. However, this has in no way influenced my opinion of the book.

Author: Madasue Heller
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
ISBN: 978-0-340-96010-3

When Johnny Conroy meets Ruth Hynes, his life is turned upside down. He wanted to show his mates that he could pull the daughter of hard-man Frankie Hynes, but things don’t go as planned and he ends up a lot closer to the family than he ever could have imagined. There is no way out.

Stuck in the living hell that is his marriage, Johnny has one thing that he can be thankful for… his sweet and innocent daughter, Angel. The only thing keeping him sane? His secret life…….

This is one of those books where very few of the characters seem to be nice people. I thoroughly disliked Ruth and her drunken excuse for a mother. Johnny starts off as a likeable guy (with flaws), but during the course of the story he seems to turn into his not-so-nice father-in-law… though I still didn’t find myself disliking him.

Lost Angel plods along at a decent rate and had me captivated. I found that most of the book is actually the back story which forms the background and leads up to the main events in the last few chapters. With most of the book setting the scene (tension, emotions, etc), it’s these last few chapters that really make the story. All hell lets loose when Angel meets Johnny’s employee Ryan and we’re treated to quite a fireworks show!

Lost Angel is a gritty thriller set in Hulme, Manchester. While it is classed as crime fiction, the story is really more about family, relationships, loyalty and, perhaps, love & hate, while the crime takes more of a back seat.

Recommended!

Buy Lost Angel by Mandasue Heller.

This is the 11th book I’ve read as part of the British Books Challenge 2012.

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Please note: I received this book free from Hodder & Stoughton in return for a review. However, this has in no way influenced my opinion of the book.