A Question of Love by Gwen Kirkwood

Title: A Question of Love

Author: Gwen Kirkwood

Publisher: Endeavour Press

Release Date: 19th November 2013

Genre: Romance

Summary:

Roseanne Fairfax is a determined, young business women who has no time, or tolerance, for men in her life. However this all changes when Euan Kennedy, the nephew of her business partner, takes charge whilst his uncle is away. He is handsome, charming and funny; everything that Roseanne thought she never wanted.

Will Roseanne be able to keep up her hard, cold exterior or will she take a chance on this handsome stranger and realise that there is more to life than work? 

Review: 

I think this is the perfect holiday book as it is short, sweet and ever-so cheesy. 

Rather oddly this story of romance is centred around a meat packing plant in the Scottish highlands. Although, I found this quite unusual at first; as the story developed I felt this was nicely linked to the tranquility of the farm and was the perfect, yet unconventional, back-drop to the protagonists's romance.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Title: The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Author: Stephen Chbosky
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Release Date: 2nd February 2009
Genre: Coming of age

Summary:
Charlie is a wallflower. He spends his life curiously watching people and asking himself "why?" However, when he starts high school he decides he does not want to watch people anymore. He wants to actually live his life, make friends and fall in love.

Review:
When reading this book I loved the way the story was told through a series of letters addressed to Charlies anonymous friend (he never even gets a reply!). Although, it took some time to get used to, I thought this was really effective as it highlighted how isolated and different Charlie is compared to all the other characters in the book.

I love the way Chbosky has characterised Charlie as a socially awkward pre-teen, who does not know how to act around other people, as I am sure it is relatable to everyone at some point in their life. It also highlights how his character changes throughout the plot and the progress (if can call it that) he makes as a person. He grows up A LOT.

Marley & Me by John Grogan

Title: Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog
Author: John Grogan
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Release Date: 26th July 2007
Genre: True Story, Humour

Summary:
Marley & Me follows the life and loves of the Grogan family and their (extremely) badly behaved dog, Marley. From being a dry-wall-eating puppy, to a training class flunk; Marley is "the world's worst dog!" However, throughout his short life he teaches his owners, and family, what it really means to be alive. Marley & Me is a true account and tribute to a much loved family pet.

Review:
For those of you who do not know me, I LOVE dogs (especially Labradors) so it comes as no surprise that I love this book and every time I read it; I cry like a baby (especially at the ending!).

The book is beautifully written in a relaxed and casual tone and provides the perfect balance of humour and love that portrays how much Marley affected the lives of his family.

Sword of Empire: Praetorian by Richard Foreman

Title: Sword of Empire: Praetorian
Author: Richard Foreman
Publisher: Endeavour Press
Release Date: 14th November 2013
Genre: Historical Fiction

Summary: 
Set in 171 AD, Sword of Empire: Praetorian follows Gaius Maximus, a centurion officer of the Praetorian guard, as he escorts the son and daughter of a powerful German tribal chief back to their home in Germany. Amid rising tensions, and imminent battles between the Germanic armies, will Maximus's attempts be futile or will the Emperor succeed in his plans to gain back power and establish a treaty between the two rivals?

Review:
I have to admit Sword of Empire: Praetorian is not something I would usually read but as it was only 99p on Amazon Kindle I thought I would give it a try!

I was expecting the tone of the novella to be quite serious and political. I was, however, pleasantly surprised as little snippets of humour caught me off-guard and the underlying, yet subtle, themes of romance, family and rivalry made the plot interesting and entertaining.

Virals by Kathy Reichs

Title: Virals

Author: Kathy Reichs

Publisher: Young Arrow Books, Random House

Release Date: 27th October 2011

Genre: Young Adult, Crime, Supernatural

Summary:
Virals is the first in a series of books which follows, the budding, young explorer, Tory Brennan as she explores Morris Island (a secluded island off of Charleston in South Carolina). After stumbling upon the grave of a young girl, Tory and her friends are catapulted into a world of lies, murder and deceit.

After rescuing a young, wild dog on the very same island; they discover that the two incidents are linked. However, Tory and her friends soon become victims of a dangerous infection which changes them beyond belief...

Review:
Virals, and the other books in the series, are my guilty pleasure. They may be cheesy but they are well-written and engaging for all ages! I have no idea why more people do not know about them!

Along Came a Spider & Kiss the Girls by James Patterson

To celebrate 20 years since the release of the first Alex Cross book, Along Came a Spider by James Patterson; I thought I would review the first and second book in arguably one of the world's most famous crime series.

Title: Along Came A Spider

Author: James Patterson

Publisher: HarperCollins

Release Date: 7th November 1993

Genre: Crime, Thriller

Summary:
After two celebrity children are kidnapped from under the Secret Service's noses; Alex Cross, one of Washington's finest detectives, is put to work. Cross's ability as a detective, and psychologist, are challenged to the extreme as he faces the case which defines his career where nothing appears as it seems...

Review:
After months of begging, my best friend finally persuaded me to read the Alex Cross series by James Patterson and I am so glad I did!

Along Came a Spider is Patterson's first book in the series and, is by far the best! It keeps you on the edge of your seat right until the very end and is expertly written! His writing style allows you to engage with Cross and, at points, sympathise with him as you gain an insight into working as a detective and the hardships experienced.

The Humorist by Russell Kane

Title: The Humorist

Author: Russell Kane

Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK

Release Date: 25th October 2012

Genre: Thriller

Summary:

Benjamin White, London's most feared comedy critic, has the ability to understand humour at its deepest level. However, he has never smiled of laughed in his life. One day he stumbles upon the formula for the world's most powerful joke. A joke unlike any other. A joke that can kill. 

Review:

I was suckered into reading this book after seeing Russell Kane doing an interview about it on TV. I thought I'd give it a go. Meh.

Whilst the concept behind the book was interesting and the plot very original; the further I got into it, it became a chore. This is the first book I've actually looked forward to finishing!

There are two main issues I had with the book; the main character and the progression of the plot. Firstly, I found the main character unloveable, dark and hard to tolerate. In the end I even found myself egging him on screw up his life! He was that annoying.

Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch

Title: Rivers of London (aka. Midnight Riot)

Author: Ben Aaronovitch

Publisher: Gollancz, Orion Publishing Group

Release Date: 25th August 2011

Genre: Fantasy, Crime, Young Adult

Summary:

Rivers of London is the first of a series of books which follows London policeman, Peter Grant, as he enters the secret underground world of magic and supernatural beings. Can he stop the ghosts and ghouls from wrecking havoc on the streets of London? Only time will tell...

Review:

After reading this book, I was confused as to why it isn't as well known as it should be! 

The tongue in cheek style of writing highlights the satirical nature of British humour well and the balance between romance, crime and supernatural beings is perfect. You can certainly tell Aaronovitch used to work in a book shop, as the combination and balance of themes is perfect for young adults!

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Title: Gone Girl
Author: Gillian Flynn
Publisher: Phoenix Fiction
Release Date: 3rd January 2013
Genre: Thriller

Summary:

Nick Dunne awakes on the morning of his of his fifth wedding anniversary to find his wife, Amy, missing. Everyone suspects Nick but did he do it? As the damming evidence builds, a web of lies and careful manipulation over many years is soon revealed.

Review:

WOW.

I loved the plot. I loved the characters. I loved everything about this book.

The characters, and their relationships with each other, are by far the craziest, most developed, complicated and engaging in any book I have ever read (I'm running out of adjectives, aren't I?) Along with a fast paced and exciting plot which was full of twists and turns, I found this book unbelievably hard to put down. One minute Flynn would be taking you in one direction but then suddenly perform a complete U-turn and turn everything upside down- leaving you shocked and wanting more! Genius.