Head Over Heels - Jill Mansell

Head Over Heels by Jill Mansell

Jessie has kept the identity of her son Oliver's father a secret for years. One glance at Oliver, and a little mental arithmetic, and Toby has the situation sussed. Meeting the son he never knew he had is the shock of a lifetime. 

As the attraction between them flares up again, Jessie just can't see her way to a happy ending. But no one is quite what they seem.

Interior designer Jess has lived in Upper Sisley all her life, she's built up a great business, brought up her handsome son Ollie and has the best friendship a woman could ask for with mum of three, Lily. 

So when Jess gets the call to decorate the luxurious Sisley house, she jumps at the chance. Though as soon as she hears the voice on the other end of the line, Jess can't quite believe her luck.

Toby Gillespie on the other hand is ecstatic to unveil that Jess has been hiding in the village all along. Though water certainly hasn't ran under the bridge, too many things have happened since they last met. 

Will Jess be able to live with herself once the secret is out in the open? 

Head Over Heels by Jill Mansell, is such a brilliant book. I read this as part of a mini book club with my mum and we both thoroughly enjoyed it. The last couple of books by Mansell, I couldn't really get on with, though I feel like I have come back to the main reason why I started reading her books with this brilliant read. 

There are some places in the book where you feel you know whats going to happen, but let me tell you, the ending really did surprise me and I was quite shocked. I really thought that something else was going to happen but was pleasantly surprised. 

The characters are all well written, I felt that they had a read depth to them, they all had their own little stories that all mixed and blended in with one another. I loved that Jess had her own business and she was portrayed as doing  something that she really enjoys, which was lovely to read about. The book flits between all characters and it works very well.

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed Head Over Heels and I can't wait to get onto the next JM instalment on my shelves. 

I will be giving this book a 9 out of 10 

**This book was read in August, this is a late review

A Winters Tale * Trisha Ashley

A Winters Tale by Trisha Ashley

Sophy Winter is not your typical Lady of the Manor...

Unexpectedly inheriting Winters End - a vast mansion in the beautiful Lancashire countryside - seems like the answer to Sophy's prayers. She eagerly swaps life as an impoverished house keeper for running her own team of staff.

But Sophy quickly realises the challenge in her hands - the house is decrepit and its eccentric inhabitants are a nightmare. And once it is discovered that Winter's End played host to young Shakespeare, the village of Sticklepond becomes curious about Sophey's plans, especially charming Jack Lewis. But is he really smitten with Sophy - or her newly acquired cash?

Meanwhile, Sophy's gorgeous head gardener Seth is the strong and silent type. But does his passion blood for anything else other than horticultural?

As Sophy gets to grips with squabbling relatives, collapsing buildings and the ghostly presence of one of her ancestors, she wonders if Winter's End is not so much a gift from the gods, as a mixed blessing.

When Sophy Winter is greeted upon her little cottage doorstep baby the ever so handsome Jack Lewis, she knows things are about to change. So when the nephew of her late employer kicks her out of her cottage, she has nowhere to to. Though she didn't realise how soon and the  shock that would come with it. 

When Jack tells her that she is now the proud owner of an old stately home that she used to grow up in when she was younger, Sophy can't quite believe it. Much to Jack's disappointment she decided to come back to Winter's End and see what's in store for her. Jumping into the brightly coloured but battered VW Camper, she drives to Stickle Pond, where she's greeted by her distant family and a very grumpy Gardener. Who tires to force her off the premises and to take her "travelling gypsy friends" with her if they show up.  

It soon turns out that the house is much more worse than Sophy imagined, with rotting walls, caving in buildings, covered in dust from waist upwards and cobwebs in every corner in the house. It's going to need a big clean and plenty of hands, so it's a good thing that Sophy loves to clean and has worked in old stately homes before!

Though there is a slight problem, there is the gardener, Seth Greenwood. Who only has eyes for the restoration of the Gardens which his father always dreamt of completing. And nothing will get in his way of completing it, not even the new head of the house Sophy. But all hell breaks loose when she asks to borrow his staff for a couple of hours to do the handy work around the house, soon Seth and Sophy are in constant battle and cannot stand each other, but will this change? 

With Sophy's only daughter away and working abroad in Japan, Sophy feels lost with not having her wing man to help her make decisions. Especially with her grumpy and vicious Aunt Hebe, who only had eyes for her precious Jack. But he's not so glamorous and charming as everyone seems, and Seth knows it. But it's difficult to try and get this into Sophy's head. 

With a broody but handsome gardener, a charming but arrogant man of the hour, a prude of an aunt and also an eccentric one too! The cooks, the cleaners, a  new dog and a cat and a rehearsal in good old fashioned clothing. All to be done and in time for the big annual Christmas party, Sophy has a lot on her plate and her mind. 

Will she end up with her own Mr. Darcy? Will her daughter come home from Japan? And will the annoying but bitter Mel Christopher ever leave her alone? 

Hi all, sorry long time and no update! But I'm here now! A Winters Tale by Trisha Ashley was a different read for me I think. I picked this up from work whilst on my lunch break and took a shine to it. Though at first it took me a little while to get into it. 

I liked the idea on how Sophy got to go back to Winters end and I liked how her Aunt's we're portrayed. I knew Jack would be a snake in the grass from the word go and thought there could of been a bit more secretiveness to it. I loved Seth's character and could just picture him, I think ever romance needs a bit of a rough, rouged man at some point in the books. You just know there going to be a keeper if there handsome but gloomy, well I think so. 

This is the first book I have read by Ashley and I have already got some of her books on my shelf, that are still waiting to be read. I will be reading more of her books, though I do hope there a little bit different to this one. As much as I enjoyed it, I found it hard to concentrate or find the lack of effort to finish the book. In some stages I wanted to carry on and in others I just couldn't be bothered and wanted to read another book. 

Though all in all, I would say the book was okay, the story line was great but did think at some point that some of the characters could of been a little different. 

I will give this book 4 out of 10 

Tempt Me * Olivia Cunning

Tempt Me by Olivia Cunning

For the five sexy rock gods of Sole Regret, finding love is easy, keeping it is hard.

One more night…

For almost a year, Madison has been Adam’s hook-up every time his band, Sole Regret, tours through Dallas. But in spite of the way he sets her body ablaze with passion, the occasional night of rock-her-world sex isn't enough anymore. She needs a commitment and knows that won’t fit into Adam’s rock-star lifestyle. Madison will take one more hot-and-heavy night with the sexy musician before she cuts all ties with him for good. Even if she must break her own heart to do it.

To tempt him…

Life isn't all bright lights and fan adulation for the lead guitarist for Sole Regret. Madison has seen Adam at his worst and still managed to bring out the best in him. Her cleverly concealed naughty side also brings out the beast in him. He’s never met a more tempting woman in his life.

Madison has no problem tempting Adam into her bed, but can she tempt his heart into taking a chance on love?

Sole Regret's back for another night in another place. But this time for the band it's guitarist Adam and his regular hook up Madison, who turn up the heat on tour and a romance starts brewing down in Dallas.

Being on the road can push you to the edge and to some extremes, but when former drug addict Adam Taylor meets his sexual hook up in Dallas, things will start to change for him. 

Madison had first met Adam in a rehab clinic in Dallas after he had a massive overdose on drugs, since then Madi has helped him recover and stay clear and clean of drugs for a year. She would do anything in the world to keep him safe, to know he was alright since she knew the cravings would start to come again. But they didn't and haven't so far since she started up a lusty relationship with Mr. Taylor, in her office of the day of him leaving rehab. 

Since then it's been a year and the couple have had regular sightings of each other in Dallas when Sole Regret's on tour. Madi is so pleased to hear about him being clean and welcomes him into the warm embrace of her arms and her thighs when they meet again on this tour. Adam can't wait to see her as he rushes to find her at the restaurant they always go to for a lovely meal, and hoping for some lusty romance in the bathroom of the restaurant.

Though there's still some problems lurking beneath in Adam's life that he just can't seem to shake free of. Such as him lying to Madison about being clean, trying to tell her his undying love for her. Or possibly the fact that his washed up junkie of a father is back in his life, and living in his apartment at home. The one man who decided to shoot him up with heroin on his sixteenth birthday as "A right of manhood" or so he Say's. And he's got some anger issues with the lead singer of the band, Shade. Which he just can't seem to understand why. 

Following a night of family issues, hot passion and romance as Madison and Adam's relationship grows closer. Go on an adventure with them into the world of Sex, Drugs and Rock N' Roll.

Tempt Me by Olivia Cunning, Is the second novel in the Sole Regret series. Though this story follows the relationship of Adam and Madi. Each book is a different band member each time, which I think is a great idea. I know that it goes through all the band members first and then starts at the beginning again, but like the second half to each members story. Which I think is good. 

It's hard though, writing reviews on small books like these, cause although the review maybe really short, I can't add too much in, otherwise the whole story will come out. I know that this review isn't all that great, but I'm tired and needed to write it. So sorry folks!

But! I did enjoy this book with these characters in more than the first one Try Me. I think this is because of the way Madi and Adam had a relationship beforehand, and you could see how they we're falling for each other, over the time they had had with each other. I'm not going to lie, I did enjoy the sexual side of the book (though some parts we're a bit too much for my liking) but I much rather prefer the romance side to there relationship. I can't wait to read where there's will go! 
Even Mr. Burrows was reading it and being nosey, and he usually tuts at books like that! Haha. 

All in all I will give this book an 9.5 out of 10 

Black Dawn * Rachel Caine

Black Dawn by Rachel Caine

When a tide of ferocious draug, the vampire's deadliest enemy, floods Morganville, it's eclectic mix of residents must fight to save their town from devastation.

Chaos has taken over the quiet college town of Morganville as the threat of the draug rapidly spreads with the help of city's water system. Whilst most of the locals have already fled, student Claire Danvers and her friends Shane, Eve and Michael chose to stay and fight. 

Things take a turn for the worse when vampire Amelie, the town's founder, is infected by the master draug's bite, Unless Claire and her friends can find an antidote to save Amelie and overcome the draug, Morganville's future looks bleak...

Claire, Shane, Eve and Michael are back to kick some ass, and for once it's not the vampire's there after. No, it's Magnus, a creepy, slimy, wet, rotting creature known as the master draug. And the vampire's worst enemy of all time. 

With the whole town at stake and their lives, the four of them must find a way to stop the draug, but it's not that simple. As the creatures can't be killed by silver or stakes, like vampire's, no. They need something stronger, fire can work but not for long. So they need a new plan on how to kill them, but where to start is the question. The undead are now more vulnerable and scared than the actual humans. 

The good news is that they might be able to kill the draug. The band news is that the draug travel in water. Meaning that the toilets are out of bound, it's difficult to go outside if it's raining, to stay clear of puddles and also not to go swimming anytime soon. And if it couldn't get any worse, don't use the taps, as they have to be turned off at the main water plants, where the draug will be waiting, for human flesh and vampire blood to feed. 

Though if you do come into contact with them, make sure you're wearing some protective gear as it may start to sting and you might bleed. 

With Amelie badly infected, Shane has been taken captive my the horrible, faceless creatures. Eve and Michael have had a row over a recent attack and the wedding is a no go. Claire is still stuck serving a purpose, as the assistant for the vampire mad professor Myrnin. Oliver is still uptight and mardy as usual and Miranda makes a random appearance. 

Oh, one more thing. Jason is back, all twisted, dangerous and ready for action. 

With the weight of Morganville in their hands, and their fate handing on by a thin thread, what will happen to them all? Will they survive once again? Or will the plan break under the pressure? Join Claire as she goes on another adventure with her friends, to save their lives and their town. 

Black Dawn by Rachel Caine is the twelfth book in the Morganville Vampire series. I think is one is different from all the other ones as it had more of a war theme to it, which I loved. It had the sense of "Will they?" "Won't they?" And I just loved it. I thought this one was past pacing, with old characters brought back into this book and disaster striking the town on every page you read. 

It made me sad at some parts to think if a certain character won't be able to remember someone, and shocked to find out who dies. How come characters could change and the way the story flowed perfect. Morganville is in ruins and at war with everything and I think Rachel Caine captured that very well within this story line. The imagery that was created whilst I was reading this was wonderful. I honestly can say that this book is the reason why this book series will always be one of my favorite series. 

I also love that each chapter is set in a characters point of view as I find that much better than just one person's POV and I'm so glad that she did this. And the track listings are great to as you can listen to the songs and imagine the story, it fits so well. As always I recommend the Morganville series for anyone of any age. 

I will give this book 9.5 out of 10

Hell's Belles * Jackie Kessler

Hell's Belles by Jackie Kessler

Once upon a time, Jezebel was a powerful succubus, capable of seducing men and sucking out their souls. But that was before Hell out a bounty on her head. Now Jesse's only chance to escape a fate far worse than death is to live as a mortal, losing herself in a sea of unfamiliar humanity, in a place where sinners walk hand-in-hand with saints - a place like Belle's strip club in New York City.
Working as an exotic dancer is a piece of cake for a former demon that once specialised in sex.
Taking money from men? Please. But she hadn't counted on meeting sexy Paul Hamilton, a man haunted by his past.

Learning all about how complicated - and pleasurable - love can be, Jesse thinks she's turned her back on Hell. But Hell hasn't stopped looking for her. The secrets she holds are the most dangerous of all, the kind every demon in the Underworld would do it's worst to protect, and the demons are closing in...

When Jezebel knocks upon Caitlin's door, she doesn't know what to do. Running from the devil himself is a task, so knocking upon a mortals door and asking for help has got to be worse hasn't it? Though Caitlin is a witch and can do many powerful spells and whatnot.

Sow hen Jezebels asks her to make her a mortal, she agrees but Jesse also puts her under a spell and steals the shield stone, which makes her safe from all the band people coming after her.

Jesse soon realises that she needs a job to blend in more with the mortal community, and hunting for a job couldn't be easier when she walks into Belle's, a New York City strip club. So it may not be just like her recent job, which was sucking the souls out of men she slept with, but it was something she liked and she had the body to do it, plus the sex appeal.

Checking into the nearest hotel with Caitlin's bank cards and going on a shopping spree for new clothes could be every girls dream right? Okay, so maybe it might just be Jezebel's.

One day whilst strutting her stuff on stage, Jesse notices a rather sexy man. Though once confronted with him, she realises that it was the same man that she saw in South Station, and the same man who helped her with her luggage on the train. Paul Hamilton.

As both Jesse and Paul get to know each other, feelings are shared and Jezebel can't help but feel attraction towards him, and not just sexual but emotional too.

With Hell still hot on her heels, a romance blossoming and a burning desire to have sex with everyone she See's. Being human can't simply be this bad can it?

Will Jesse stay human forever, or does she still belong in hell as a former demon of lust?

This is the first book in the A Hell On Earth series by Jackie Kessler. I must say it was a very different read from what I'm used too haha. But none the less I thought it was a good read, it got a bit slow in some places, but all in all it was an okay book.

I will be reading the rest of the series at some point, but I can't find myself rushing to the store to grab the next book.

Kessler has a very different way of writing, not the the sex parts but by some of the words that are used also. To me it's a bit cheeky, with plenty of humour in places and twists with a bit of adventure. I love a good book with plenty of different things going off, instead of just one thing on constant repeat.

I will give this book 5 out of 10 :)

Torment * Lauren Kate

Torment by Lauren Kate


Summary:


Love Never Dies...


It took Lucinda an eternity to find her beloved angel, Daniel. But he waited for her. Now they are forced apart again, to protect Luce from the Outcasts - Immortals who want her dead. During their separation, Luce learns about her mysterious past lives. But the more she discovers the more she suspects that Daniel is hiding something.


What if Daniel's version of the past isn't true?
Is it really their destiny to be together?
Or is Luce actually meant to be with somebody else?


Fallen by Lauren Kate, is the second book in this thrilling series. The book picks up right where the last book (Fallen) left off, and is soon picked into the motion and chaos of Luce Price's life.


When we last left Luce, terribly things had just happened. The death of a friend lays deep within her heart and she has the feeling that if she never came to Swords & Cross Reform school, this would have never happened.


The battle that is currently happening with a mix of angles, demons and outcasts is still on the agenda and Daniel is forced to move her to a whole new different school.


Shoreline is different from Luce's last school Swords & Cross. The lovely Californian sun shines down on Shoreline constantly as the school is located just on the coast. Luce begins to like the place fast, and tries to start fresh to try and get away from the problems that had happened at Swords & Cross.


At Shoreline Luce meets Shelby. A tough looking, bossy and yoga loving chick. Shelby doesn't take to kindly to Luce's new appearance in her dorm room and wishes that she would find somewhere else to crash. But Luce decides to stick at it to see if she can make some type of friendship blossom between them both. While at Shoreline, Luce is put into the 'gifted' group with the Nephilim students.


Here she meets trustworthy and good looking Miles. He's charming, kind, loveable and just a happy person to be around, causing both Luce and Miles to be friends instantly.


Although the curriculum in Luce's classes, taught by and Angel and Demon (Which Luce finds it a little hard to get her head round) are a lot more different than the classes that were taught at Swords & Cross. Luce soon learns how to glimpse into the shadows that have bee following her round for all her life, and soon see's what they hold. Memories of her past lives.


Startled by the fact, Luce becomes more curious and goes on a hunt for the shadows in the woods to find out more about her life, where she came from, other parents she has had. And finds out that she had siblings.


Though with finding out her past, it still doesn't let the aching feeling go that she doesn't see Daniel as much as she would like to, and when she does. He's mean and too over protective for Luce's liking. Daniel doesn't tell her much about her past lives, which Luce soon starts to get mad about, and starts to question if she really loves him. And if there's any future for them both.


Luce realises that Daniel is holding her back, or so she feels that way. And starts to seek comfort from Shelby and Miles.
Which soon leads to Miles falling for Luce. Hard.


But the battle isn't over yet, and with so much to fight for: Daniel, her life, family, friends and Luce herself. Will Luce finally live to tell the tale of her life this time? Or will it be another past life put onto the shelf and inside a memory?


Will Luce ever be with Daniel again?
And will the battle ever end?
...
Will Luce come back?


Fallen by Lauren Kate, is an amazing book that made me dive straight into the first page, after reading the first book. A friends mother loaned me them and I’m so glad that she did. Because otherwise I wouldn't have had fun reading these books. Although I did find that the second book was a bit slow in places, and thought that the first book was still best out of the two. I stopped reading it after a while because I didn't want to take it on Holiday with me, since it's not mine and picked it straight back up when I arrived home. Though I did feel the struggle to read it, and found that it was a bit of a force to get me going again. But nonetheless, I am glad that I picked it back up and finished it to the very end.


My emotions were fixed with sad, happy and a little frustration at some of the characters. Not because they were not written well, but because of how they acted as a person. But that was part of the story. Also I nearly cried, because some parts are just cute, but then again I’m a sap for 'mushy' things haha.


All in all, I enjoyed the book very much and can't wait to read the third book in the series. I hoped my review helped anyone wishing to read or buy the book, and hope you have a good read. I would recommend this book for readers of any Vampire books e.g. Morganville Vampires or Twilight. And Angel books like Kissed By An Angel. And like always, someone who may wish for a change :)


I would rate this book at 7.5/10 :)
Enjoy, Emma x

Kissed By And Angel * Elizabeth Chandler

Kissed By An Angel by Elizabeth Chandler

Summary:
'If the love of your life died, what would you miss the most?
His voice? His touch? His heart beating against yours?

When Ivy's boyfriend Tristan dies, she's desolate without him, until she discovers Tristan hasn't abandoned her - he's her guardian angel, watching over her, close enough to hear, to see, to touch...


But Ivy's life is in danger. If Tristan rescues her, his mission on earth will be over and he'll have to leaver her behind. Will Ivy lose Tristan forever?

Kissed By An Angel is a heartwarming love story about a young couple who fall deeply in love with each other. But there's a twist.
When Ivy and Tristan set off on a date together and soon turn out to be late to their reservations, Tristan starts up the car and drives towards the restaurant, though when he starts to go over the speed limit a little, he can't slow down and there's something wrong with the brakes. Causing an accident to occur.


Ivy becomes depressed over Tristan's death and thinks that she will never feel his touch,  heard his voice or his presence at all. Though Tristan is still with her, he can hear her but he can't touch, he's an angel. And his one quest on his mind is to tell Ivy he loved her.
But when his angel tutor, Lacey, come to help him. He is soon pushed into another direction and a different mission.


Since Ivy's mother remarried into a wealthy husband, Andrew. She also got Gregory in the bargain with the house, Andrews son and Ivy's step brother. Ivy likes Gregory, she thinks that there is nothing wrong with him at all and thinks that he's just a loving, caring brother. And so does Phillip, Ivy's younger, blood related brother.


Although, Gregory is not all that he appears to be. His mother was found dead at her home, yet he shows no remorse over his own mothers death, and uses this chance to get close to Ivy, but will it blossom into a relationship or just steamy kisses? Though Ivy cannot compete with her friend Suzanne who has had the hots for Gregory since they started High school, will the closeness of Ivy and Gregory ruin there childhood friendship?


As more strange deaths pop up in the sequence throughout the story, Ivy is drawn with who to believe and who to to be against, all deaths close to Gregory, she starts to wonder is he really is the nice, sweet step brother. Or a twisted phsyco who wants revenge.
Does Ivy take advice from Beth, her loving friend who always finds herself writing harlequin romances at ever hour of the day. About what is happening, due to the dreams and visions she See's or does she just wave them by and doesn't do anything. But when Ivy forgets about them, they come back to haunt her, but there not just dreams anymore. There the real thing.


But soon Tristan realizes that it wasn't a car malfunction with his brakes, someone had tampered with them. Tristan soon finds pieces to the puzzle that he needs to fix and with the help of Lacey, Ivy, Beth and Will they may find the reason for all these deaths.


Including Tristan's.

Kissed By An Angel is an amazing story that I found wonderful. It had me on the edge of my seat every time I read it. The story itself was very creative and full of different feelings, I found myself laughing, smiling, sighing, crying and even scared at once point in the book. I think that Elizabeth Chandler has wrote this book wonderfully, full of romance and passion but also with a twist full of fright and puzzlement. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat and you wont be able to put the book down or stop turning pages. The book has a wonderful and beautiful ending. Read it, you won't be disappointed! (P.s:: Sorry if this book review wasn't that great today)

RATED: 5 STARS! * * * * *