Emma's Review: The Art of Hiding by Amanda Prowse

Reviewed by Emma Crowley 

What would you do if you learned that the life you lived was a lie?

Nina McCarrick lives the perfect life, until her husband, Finn, is killed in a car accident and everything Nina thought she could rely on unravels.

Alone, bereft and faced with a mountain of debt, Nina quickly loses her life of luxury and she begins to question whether she ever really knew the man she married. Forced to move out of her family home, Nina returns to the rundown Southampton council estate—and the sister—she thought she had left far behind.

But Nina can’t let herself be overwhelmed—her boys need her. To save them, and herself, she will have to do what her husband discouraged for so long: pursue a career of her own. Torn between the life she thought she knew and the reality she now faces, Nina finally must learn what it means to take control of her life.

Amazon Links: Kindle or Paperback

Emma's Review: The Idea of You by Amanda Prowse

Reviewed by Emma Crowley

With her fortieth birthday approaching, Lucy Carpenter thinks she finally has it all: a wonderful new husband, Jonah, a successful career and the chance of a precious baby of her own. Life couldn’t be more perfect.

But becoming parents proves much harder to achieve than Lucy and Jonah imagined, and when Jonah’s teenage daughter Camille comes to stay with them, she becomes a constant reminder of what Lucy doesn’t have. Jonah’s love and support are unquestioning, but Lucy’s struggles with work and her own failing dreams begin to take their toll. With Camille’s presence straining the bonds of Lucy’s marriage even further, Lucy suddenly feels herself close to losing everything…

Amazon links: Kindle or Paperback

Emma's Review: The Food of Love by Amanda Prowse

Reviewed by Emma Crowley

A loving mother. A perfect family. A shock wave that could shatter everything.

Freya Braithwaite knows she is lucky. Nineteen years of marriage to a man who still warms her soul and two beautiful teenage daughters to show for it: confident Charlotte and thoughtful Lexi. Her home is filled with love and laughter.

But when Lexi’s struggles with weight take control of her life, everything Freya once took for granted falls apart, leaving the whole family with a sense of helplessness that can only be confronted with understanding, unity and, above all, love.

Amazon links: Kindle or Paperback

Blogiversary Giveaway #4: Take your Pick from Emma's Top Books this Year

As part of Sharon's five year blogiversary giveaways I had offered an Amazon voucher as a prize, then Sharon suggested why not do a top three books of the year for 2016 and the winner can choose the book of their choice from that selection? So that is what I'm doing although the initial idea of choosing three books has slightly stretched a bit!

I think it must be coming up to three years that I have been reviewing for Sharon and over that time I have read many wonderful books and of course a few not so great along the way. But I have been a fan of Sharon's blog right from the beginning and it's hard to believe that five years has passed so quickly. Although myself and Sharon may not have actually 'met' in real life she has become a very, very close friend to me and I feel I could tell her anything. It's not only books we chat about, it's everything and with this year being an especially tough year for me she has always been there for me - to listen to me rant, to let me offload or just offer the right words when needed. I'm very privileged to call Sharon a friend and would be lost without her and it's our love of reading and all things connected with books that brought us together and continues to develop and deepen our friendship. Sharon is so dedicated to the blog as well as working full time and I am in awe as to how she keeps everything going. She's always great at keeping me on track with what books I have to review, although my list seems to get longer not shorter - but alot of the time that's my fault.

Sharon as ever is always very generous with her giveaways and you are in for a real treat with all the goodies she has on offer to celebrate five brilliant years of reviews, début spotlights and features. Actually now that I think of it was a reader spotlight that connected myself and Sharon and we have never looked back. It was a Lesley Pearse book that Sharon first sent me so really we were destined to become friends as Lesley is a favourite author of mine for years and years. I'm delighted to be able to help celebrate five years of fantastic blogging and wish Sharon all the best for many many more years of reading, reviewing and blogging.

So now on to business as I mentioned Sharon asked me to pick my top three choices from this year. As I write it is mid October and I know there will probably more books that I read before the year is out that I would say definitely make my best books of the year list but I am going on what I have read so far. I know around the beginning of November there are three books sitting waiting to be read on my bedside locker that I have been anticipating all year but they will have to wait not to mention all the Christmas books I have yet to read (although I have made a start). I have decided to choose three books that quite simply blew me away and are still stuck in my head all these months later. They are quite serious in their themes so I decided to lighten things up a little and decided I would pick three other books on the lighter end of women's fiction so people will have a nice range from which to choose their prize once Sharon has picked the winner at the end of the giveaway. So now onto my selections.

Emma's Review: My Husband's Wife by Amanda Prowse

Reviewed by Emma Crowley

Once a week, Rosie Tipcott counts her blessings.

She goes to sit on her favourite bench on the north Devon cliffs, and thanks her lucky stars for her wonderful husband, her mischievous young daughters, and her neat little house by the sea. She vows to dedicate every waking hour to making her family happy.

But then her husband unexpectedly leaves her for another woman and takes the children. Now she must ask the question: what is left in her life? Can Rosie find the strength to rebuild herself? More importantly, does she even want to?

Amazon links: Kindle or Hardcover

Emma's Review: Another Love by Amanda Prowse

Reviewed by Emma Crowley

In the early years, she was happy.

Romilly had worked hard for her stunning, modern house in one of Bristol's most fashionable suburbs. She adored her gorgeous, gap-toothed daughter and her kind and handsome husband. Sure, life was sometimes exhausting - but nothing that a large glass of wine at the end of the day couldn't fix.

But then, as deep-buried insecurities surfaced, everything started to unravel. A glass of wine became a bottle; one bottle became two. Once, Romilly's family were everything to her. Now, after years of hiding the drinking, she must finally admit that she has found another love...

Amazon links: Kindle or Hardback

Emma's Guest Review: Amanda Prowse - The Christmas Cafe

Reviewed by Emma Crowley

Bea does not believe in second chances.

A widow at fifty-three, Bea knows she must accept that she will be alone forever. She buries her grief in hard work, and soon the deli she runs in Surry Hills has a reputation for the best carrot cake in Sydney.

But then an email from a cafe-owner in Edinburgh leads her to take a trip to Scotland in the depths of winter. There, transported by the twinkling lights and falling snow of a traditional Christmas, Bea is drawn back to a secret past - and a secret love - that she has long ago tried to forget...

Amazon links: Kindle or Paperback

Guest Book Review: Amanda Prowse - Three-and-a-half Heartbeats

Reviewed by Emma Crowley

Grace and Tom Penderford had a strong marriage, a comfortable home in the Hertfordshire countryside, and a healthy baby girl. They were happy. They were normal.

But soon after Chloe turns three, tragedy strikes. A disease called Sepsis claims the life of their daughter, devastating their little family. The Penderfords had never heard of Sepsis - a cruel, indiscriminate disease that claims a life somewhere in the world every three and a half seconds. Now, with their world crumbling, they must mend each others broken hearts... and try to save their marriage if they can.

To find out more about this tragic disease, please visit www.sepsistrust.org. All the proceeds from this novel will go straight to the Sepsis Trust. By buying it, you will help in their battle to save lives. Thank you for making a difference.

Amazon link: Kindle

Guest Book Review: Amanda Prowse - Perfect Daughter

Reviewed by Emma Crowley

Once upon a time, Jacks Morgan had dreams.

She was going to have a successful career and travel the world. She would own a house on the beach, and spend long nights with her boyfriend strolling under the stars.

But life had other ideas. First Martha came along, then Jonty. Then Jacks' elderly mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and had to move in. Now their little terrace in Weston-super-Mare is bursting at the seams.


Jacks' dreams were put on hold long ago. But if she can save up enough to give her teenage daughter a bright future, then all her sacrifice will be worth something... won't it?

Amazon links: Kindle or Hardcover

Author Interview: Emma chats to Amanda Prowse

Today I'm handing over the reins of the blog to Emma, this morning she's chatting with author Amanda Prowse about Amanda's latest book Perfect Daughter which is published tomorrow and then later you can read her fab review of Perfect Daughter.

Can you tell us about your latest fantastic release Perfect Daughter? 
Well thank you for saying fantastic! That’s a great start and made me happy! ‘Perfect Daughter’ is Jacks’ story, she lives in a cramped house in Weston Super Mare with her two children, her ailing mum and in a marriage that has lost its sparkle. As Jacks says ‘love, space and money are all in short supply.’ She hankers for her past and the dreams she used to carry, until that past catches up with her and forces her to rethink her life and her future. What she learns about herself and her family is wonderful!

Who was your favourite character to write about and why? 
I did love Jacks but admit having a soft spot for Jonty. His comedic timing throughout the novel gave light relief at just the right moments. Yes! Jonty is great, I often use kids in my books in that way (Peg in Will You Remember Me?) to add that big dollop of funny in the most dire of situations, in the way that children often do! I loved Jacks, her spirit, her commitment, her loyalty and the fact that she remains kind throughout any ordeal. I like her ordinariness, and think that my readers will recognise a lot of themselves in her. I know I do, like having to lock herself in the loo just to have five mintues of peace or to have a cry! (or is that just me??)

The issues raised in Perfect Daughter are all really relevant to today's society. The term 'sandwich mother' will become even more common in the future. Did you write from your own personal experience or where you inspired by the stories of friends or something you may have read online perhaps?
My lovely, lovely Nan had dementia and lived with us. I watched my mum caring for her own children, grandchildren and her mother. It was a very, very difficult time and as you say, this situation is all too common. There was no break, no light at the end of the tunnel, just hard work and exhaustion with the odd pocket of joy. People who are carers in this way are heros, each and every one. It takes strength and a lot of love to do this day in and day out. 

Guest Book Review: Amanda Prowse - A Mother's Story

Reviewed by Emma Crowley

I deserve all this because I did the worst thing a woman can do. The very worst. 

Jessica's wedding was like a fairytale. She looked radiant in a dress strewn with crystals. Her Dad conquered his nerves and made a tearful speech. And her gorgeous husband Matthew declared himself the luckiest man alive. Together, Jessica and Matthew feel like they can take on the world. 

But when their beautiful baby girl is born, Jessica is gripped with panic and fear. She can't tell anyone how she feels. Even when her life starts to spiral out of control... 

This is her story. A mother's story.

Amazon links: Kindle, Hardback or Paperback

Guest Book Review: Amanda Prowse - Christmas for One

As a child, Meg always dreamed of the perfect Christmas... 

This year, she can make it come true for her own little boy. There will be turkey and all the trimmings, a glittering tree, and a stocking hung up by a roaring fire. Who cares if there's no devoted husband in the picture? She and Lucas will be just fine on their own. 

But then a chance meeting with a stranger in New York unravels everything she's planned. Will Meg finally get everything she wished for? Or will she be alone this Christmas after all?

Amazon links: Kindle or Paperback