Welcome to 2016

Book Review – The Other Son

Oh looksee – I seem to have finished reading another book. This time we are back to one of my favourite authors. So here we have:

The Other Son by Nick Alexander

Book Blurb: Alice has been lying to herself for years, holding fast to the belief that the needs of her family far outweigh her own.

But her outwardly successful marriage hides dark secrets, and for much of her life, the children were the only reason she stuck around.

These days, though her successful banker son lives nearby, his young wife seems to do everything she can to keep Alice at bay. As for Alice’s other son, he has always been something of a stranger and has been traveling for so long that Alice isn’t even sure what continent he is on anymore.

Alice can’t help but wonder if the effort she expends presenting a united front to the outside world is actually helping anyone and what would happen if she suddenly stopped pretending.

Could life, like the novels she devours, hold surprises in its closing chapters?
And if she did shake everything up by admitting the truth about her marriage, would anyone be on her side? Has the time finally come for Alice to put her own needs first?

For the first time in years, her heart is racing. Can Alice really change her life?
Dare she even imagine such a thing?

Rating: 5/5

My Thoughts:  Well here we have yet another amazing story from the very talented Nick Alexander. I have to say that I found sections of this book rather hard reading, not because it was badly written but rather because it was SO well written that it was almost painful.

The relationship between Alice and the three men in her life, her husband and two sons, is nothing if not complicated.

From very early on we get the feeling that Alice has long since accepted her lot in life but it is certainly not the happiest of existences.

Like many women in her situation she is both strong and yet beaten down, never believing that there is any possibility of things changing, but when she finally realises that things have to change she is unsure of where she can turn to for help.

Her son Tim is rather weak and mostly wants to protect the comfortable life he has made for himself and his own family. Her friend Dot is supportive but has a life of her own. As for her “other son” Matt… well most of the the time Alice doesn’t even know where he is let alone be able to relate to him.

The relationships between all of the different characters in this book are so well written that they really do feel fully formed people with all the complications that can come with that.

A wonderful book which I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending. Another triumph!

Book Review – The Glade

Well hello to you lovely folks… It’s time for me to tell you about another book I’ve just read

The Glade by Harmony Kent

Book blurb: This gripping, edge-of-your-seat mystery/thriller will have you thinking twice about booking that idyllic cottage in the country. Nothing in this woodland paradise within the Forest of Dean is what it seems.

The Wenstrops have it all: health, wealth, and happiness. Until everything falls apart. Helen gets arrested for murder, and yet is either unable or unwilling to give a defence. During her detention, vital evidence goes missing and tensions run high.

Meanwhile, in the woods, malignant forces gather power.

This sensational second novel by acclaimed author Harmony Kent will have you alternately laughing, crying, and gripping the edge of your seat as this roller-coaster ride of a plot unfolds. It will keep you guessing through its many twists and turns, and hijack your attention right up until you turn the final page. This book has it all: murder, intrigue, the supernatural, a broken marriage, a love affair, courage against impossible odds, suspense, and high drama.

“Expertly written, the book keeps you guessing at every turn. What can I say? You really have to read this book … if you’re brave enough!”—Review by Fantasy Queen

The Glade is an IndieB.R.A.G.Medallion honoree, and an Official Selection for the New Apple Book Awards 2015.

My rating: 5/5

My thoughts:  This is the first book I’ve read by this author so I wasn’t totally sure what to expect but it sounded like something that would appeal to me so I thought I would give it a go.

The story opens with a woman being arrested for her husband’s murder but even that isn’t as simple as it sounds and, with scenes alternating between past and present, we discover what lead to that murder and also why it wasn’t actually a murder in any real sense of the word.

You would imagine that moving to live in a beautiful glade in the Forest of Dean would be a good thing and for Helen it turns out to be a true life saver, but at a cost that might not be worth the price after all.

Life in the Glade might seem idylic to start with but there are forces lurking out there that have their own agenda and they wont be denied.

It’s hard to fully describe this book without giving away too many spoilers and that truly would spoil the story – but if you like a good creepy story that will make you think and also declare several times “I didn’t see that coming” then this will be a good read for you.

There are twists and turns, betrayals and violence, fear and evil forces and the stark warning – if the locals warn you to stay away from a glade in the woods they might just know something!!