Books Read: Kimberley Freeman - Lighthouse Bay

1901: Isabella Winterbourne has suffered the worst loss a woman can know, and can no longer bear her husband nor his oppressive upper-class family. On a voyage between London and Sydney to accompany a priceless gift to the Australian parliament, Isabella is the sole survivor of a shipwreck off the sun-drenched Queensland coast. But in this strange new place, she finds she cannot escape her past quite as easily as she'd hoped. 

2011: A woman returns from Paris to her beachside hometown to reconcile with her sister. But she, too, has a past that is hard to escape, and her sister is not in a mood to forgive her. Strange noises at night and activity at the abandoned lighthouse raise her curiosity, and she finds herself investigating a century-old town mystery.

Amazon links: Kindle or Paperback

Reader Spotlight: Ella Pocock

When I was planning my Reader Spotlight feature I was hoping to connect with anyone who loves reading, it didn't have to be fellow bloggers.  So I was delighted when Ella Pocock, who works in the publishing industry, contacted me and asked if she could take part especially as I was already in the process of planning a feature week for her employers, Quercus Books, so it fitted in perfectly with the feature week and the regular feature.  

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I work in marketing at Quercus Books, a UK book publisher and live in London. I have always loved books and the adventures that they can take you on and the conversations they can start. Publishing is an industry I am incredibly passionate about and I’m very pleased to be part of it. In my spare time I play netball, write poetry and I am enjoying exploring London with friends and my boyfriend. 

Have you always been a bookworm? 
For as long as I can remember! When I was younger bedtime stories with my parents and sibilings was a much-loved part of my day. I think my dad can still recite Watership Down off by heart even now! I loved English at school (I hold fond memories for Educating Rita) and studied it at University and was very lucky to end up in my dream job, working in a publishing house. On average I read 2/3 books a week.

Books Read: Lucy Cruickshanks - The Trader of Saigon

Vietnam, 1980s. Propelled by greed, fear and hope, three desperate lives are about to collide.

Alexander: A US Army deserter engaged in the dark business of trading women.

Hanh: A girl trapped in poverty who believes Alexander is the answer to her prayers.

Phuc: A man who gambled everything to save his family and must now pay his debts.

From a society torn apart by war comes a heart-warming tale of salvation and redemption.

Amazon links: Kindle or Paperback

Coming soon from Quercus Books

As we've come to the end of this feature week for Quercus Books it's time to look at some of the books they are publishing in the next couple of months.

Betrayed by Anna Smith (published on 8th May)

You don't mess with Rosie Gilmour and get away with it.

Crime reporter Rosie Gilmour is back at The Post, bruised and battered from her last investigation but determined to find missing barmaid Wendy Graham. 

Convinced that Wendy is the key to an explosive new story, Rosie's search leads her deep into the dangerous world of Glasgow's Ulster Volunteer Force.

This time, Rosie will find herself at the mercy of the most vicious gangsters she's ever encountered. 

Has she met her match?

Debut Spotlight: Sinéad Crowley

Today I'd like to introduce to you Irish journalist Sinéad Crowley whose debut novel, psychological thriller Can Anybody Help Me?, is published next month.

Sinéad Crowley is Arts and Media Correspondent for RTE, Ireland’s national broadcaster. Working for radio, television and online, she has covered stories ranging from general elections to the Eurovision Song Contest, and has reported from locations including Southern Africa, Azerbaijan and the Oscars. 

A self-confessed internet addict, she discovered the world of parenting websites when on maternity leave with her first child. Sinéad lives in Dublin with her husband and two young sons.

It was crazy, really, she had never met this young woman, and had no idea of her real name but she thought of her as a friend. Or, at least, the closest thing she had to a friend in Dublin. 

Having recently moved from London, and struggling to cope with a new baby, Yvonne turns to an online forum, netmammy, for support. Drawn into a community of new mothers, she spends increasing amounts of time online and volunteers more and more information about herself. 

When one of her new friends disappears, Yvonne feels something is wrong, but dismisses her fears. After all, how well does she really know this woman? Then, as the body of a young woman with striking similarities to her missing friend is found, Yvonne begins to suspect that their close-knit community is in danger. 

Can she persuade Sergeant Claire Boyle, herself about to go on maternity leave, to take her seriously? How can you ever know who you’re really talking to online?

Can you tell us a little bit about your debut book Can Anybody Help Me?
First of all, thanks for having me! 

My book tells the story of a young mum, Yvonne, who has moved from the UK to live in Dublin with her husband and baby daughter. Her husband’s busy job means he is rarely around and because her baby is so small she hasn’t had a chance to make friends in her new city, so she relies on an internet forum, netmammy, for company. One day Yvonne realises that one of the other posters, known as MyBabba hasn’t been around for a few days. 
In the real world, a young mother is reported missing and Yvonne is afraid something has happened to her virtual friend. But how can she give the police information about a woman she has never actually met?

The other main character is Claire, a hard working detective who also happens to be expecting her first child. She is very sceptical about the whole idea of parenting websites, but soon also finds herself drawn into the netmammy world.

Guest Book Review: James Long - The Lives She Left Behind

Reviewed by Louise Wykes


In a Somerset school, a teenage boy confronts a teacher with a story he should know nothing about. The boy's impossible knowledge uncovers memories Michael Martin has done his utmost to forget - and soon propels him into danger. 

As Martin confronts his past once more, three girls arrive in the village of Pen Selwood, one of them drawn by an ancient instinct to find a man called Ferney. 

Her actions reignite a love story, a force that cannot be broken, irrespective of the hurt and danger it brings to those around them...

Amazon links: Kindle or Paperback

Giveaway: Win a copy of The Flavours of Love by Dorothy Koomson

Today is publication day for The Flavours of Love by Dorothy Koomson and to celebrate I have a copy of the book to giveaway to one lucky follower.

'I'm looking for that perfect blend of flavours; the taste that used to be you.'

It's been 18 months since my husband was murdered and I've decided to finish writing The Flavours of Love, the cookbook he started before he died. Everyone thinks I'm coping so well without him - they have no idea what I've been hiding or what I did back then to protect my family. But now that my 14-year-old daughter has confessed a devastating secret, and my husband's killer, who was never caught, has started to write to me, I know it's only a matter of time before the truth about me and what I've done will be revealed.

My name is Saffron Mackleroy and this is my story.

Debut Spotlight: Joanna Bolouri

Today I'm delighted to introduce you to one of Quercus Books newest authors Joanna Bolouri whose debut novel The List  is published tomorrow.

Joanna Bolouri worked in sales before she began writing professionally at the age of thirty. Winning a BBC comedy script competition allowed her to work and write with stand-up comedians, comedy scriptwriters and actors from across the UK. She's had articles and reviews published in The Skinny, the Scottish Sun, the Huffington Post and HecklerSpray.

She lives in Glasgow with her daughter. 

Phoebe Henderson may be single but she sure doesn't feel fabulous. It's been a year since she found her boyfriend Alex in bed with another woman, and multiple cases of wine and extensive relationship analysis with best friend Lucy have done nothing to help. Faced with a new year but no new love, Phoebe concocts a different kind of resolution.

The List: ten things she's always wanted to do in bed but has never had the chance (or the courage!) to try. A bucket list for between the sheets. One year of pleasure, no strings attached. 

Simple, right? 

Factor in meddlesome colleagues, friends with benefits, getting frisky al fresco and maybe, possibly, true love and Phoebe's got her work cut out for her.

Can you tell us a little bit about your debut book The List? 
The List is a romcom which follows a year in the life of Phoebe Henderson, a thirty something woman who makes a New Year’s resolution – a list of ten things she’s always wanted to do in bed. She’s determined to take control of her life but of course, it doesn’t always go to plan.

Guest Book Review: Elizabeth Gill - The Fall and Rise of Lucy Charlton

Reviewed by Elizabeth Mullenger

"1920, Durham. Since she was a child, Lucy Charlton has dreamed of working with her father in the family solicitor's firm. But a scandal shatters her dreams and, when her father disowns her, she finds herself on the streets, fighting for survival.

Joe Hardy has returned to London after the Great War to find his life in tatters - his father is dead and his pregnant fiancée has disappeared. Then Joe learns he's unexpectedly inherited an old river house in Durham from a stranger called Margaret Lee. With nothing left for him in London, he makes arrangements to travel north and claim it.

Lucy's determination has finally secured her a job as a legal secretary, campaigning for the rights of the poorest in society. As Joe arrives in her office to collect the keys to his new home, she promises to help him uncover information about his mystery benefactor. But before long, the past comes back to haunt them both, with shocking consequences..."

Amazon links: Kindle or Paperback

Author Interview: Rosanna Ley

Today is the start of a new publisher feature week, this time for Quercus Books, as a way to catch up on outstanding reviews for books that they have kindly sent me as well as a few additional features including interviews with some of their authors.

First up I'm delighted to welcome bestselling author Rosanna Ley to talk about her new book Return to Mandalay which is published next month.

Rosanna Ley has worked as a creative tutor for over twelve years, leading workshops in the UK and abroad, and has completed an MA in creative writing. Her writing holidays and retreats take place in stunning locations in Italy and Spain. Rosanna has written numerous articles and stories for national magazines. When she is not travelling, Rosanna lives in West Dorset by the sea.

Can you tell us a little bit about your latest book Return to Mandalay? 

‘Return to Mandalay’ is set in Burma, land of scorching heat and monsoons, of green paddy fields and golden temples... The story is told from two main perspectives: Lawrence’s and his granddaughter Eva’s. This enables me to tell a story ranging from 1938 to present day, but in fact the story goes back even further – to the time of the final Burmese dynasty. 

As a child, Eva was entranced by her grandfather’s stories of his life in Burma, working with elephants, sending timber down the River Irrawaddy, and fighting in the Burmese jungle during World War II. And she senses that his heart still remains there - but he will not tell her why. When Eva's job as an antique dealer requires her to go to Mandalay, Lawrence breaks his silence and asks her to return a mysterious artefact he has in his possession - a decoratively carved wooden chinthe - to its rightful owner. But when Eva arrives in Burma, her mission proves dangerously complicated and the treasure she is guarding becomes the centre of a conspiracy dating from the final Burmese dynasty. Unsure who she can trust, Eva is caught between love, loyalty and integrity, but she is determined to find the truth about her grandfather's past, her own family origins, and the red-eyed chinthe itself – enigmatic symbol of the riches of Mandalay.