His Other Life by Beth Thomas

His Other Life
By Beth Thomas
Published by Avon Books (12 March 2015)
ISBN: 978-0007544837

Publisher's description
He was hiding a terrible secret…

Grace's new husband Adam seems like the perfect package. Good looking, great job, completely charming - almost too good to be true …

So when Adam suddenly disappear from Grace's life, she is left bewildered and heartbroken. And with a lot of unanswered questions.

As she tries desperately to find him, Grace opens a Pandora's Box of secrets and lies - and starts to learn that Adam wasn't so perfect after all.

What shameful secrets was her husband hiding? Is Grace in danger? And can she survive the truth? However terrible it may be...

My verdict
Reading the synopsis of His Other Life, I was expecting a psychological thriller. But this book is actually more chick lit (as suggested by the eye-catching cover) than a serious read.

When her husband Adam disappears on their first wedding anniversary, Grace realises that she has been viewing him through rose-tinted glasses. Her marriage hasn't been as perfect as she thought and she actually knows nothing about Adam's past. You would expect Grace to be suspicious about Adam's secretive behaviour, but she is incredibly naive and immature. When Adam disappears, she doesn't act like a worried or grieving wife, but tries to continue with life as normal (including visits down the pub). She starts to search for her missing husband with the help of a childhood friend, although the police are also conducting an investigation.

Overall, the book is well written and entertaining, although it's a little predictable. The author has made astute observations in her writing, making people and places come alive.

His Other Life isn't a novel to take seriously and the synopsis may be a little misleading. If you love dark psychological thrillers, then this probably won't be a book for you. But if you enjoy something light and fluffy with some romance and suspense thrown in, then this would make an ideal summer holiday read.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Fire Sermon by Francesca Haig

The Fire Sermon
By Francesca Haig
Published by Harper Collins UK (26 February 2015)
ISBN: 978-0007563050

Publisher's description
Born as twins. Raised as enemies. One strong Alpha twin and one mutated Omega; the only thing they share is the moment of their death.

The Omegas live in segregation, cast out by their families as soon as their mutation becomes clear. Forced to live apart they are ruthlessly oppressed by their Alpha counterparts.

The Alphas are the elite. Once their weaker twin has been cast aside, they're free to live in privilege and safety, their Omega twin far from their thoughts.

Cass and Zach are both perfect on the outside: no missing limbs, no visible Omega mutation. But Cass has a secret: one that Zach will stop at nothing to expose.

The potential to change the world lies in both their hands. One will have to defeat the other to see their vision of the future come to pass, but if they're not careful both will die in the struggle for power.

My verdict
The Fire Sermon is a fascinating concept. A world where radiation has caused all births to result in twins - one boy and one girl, one of whom is mutated. People are persecuted for their disability. The mutated twin (the Omega) is cast out by the family as soon as the mutation is identified - this could be a missing limb or psychic abilities, for example. The twins have an invisible bond; when one dies, the other dies too. This is why the Omegas can't be killed and, when their twin is an important Alpha, they can become a target.

This dystopian young adult novel started off a bit too slowly for me. It was well written and there were some good twists, but I felt that it needed more action early on. The characters weren't as well developed as they could have been. The relationship between Cass and Zach wasn't explored deeply enough and I didn't find that the romance element of the story was believable.

Overall, however, The Fire Sermon was an enjoyable read and I can see it appealing to the young adult market. The ending left many unanswered questions and felt a bit abrupt, which leads me to assume that there is a sequel on its way.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A Most Desirable Marriage by Hilary Boyd

A Most Desirable Marriage
By Hilary Boyd
Published by Quercus Books (9 October 2014)
ISBN: 978-1782067924

Publisher's description

Lawrence and Jo have enjoyed a strong marriage, the envy of their friends. Even after thirty years they have lots to say to each other, many interests in common and, until recently, a good sex life.

But Lawrence seems wary and restless. Something's wrong. Just how wrong, Jo is about to discover…

Can they use their years of history - all the things they've shared - to overcome a devastating betrayal?

My verdict

A Most Desirable Marriage is a slow burning story about a husband who has an affair. Not only is this totally out of character for him, but the person with whom he has the affair is a complete shock for his wife and children. The couple are in their 60s, having been married for over 30 years, making it even more unexpected.

The story was a bit too slow for me and cliched. I found it difficult to feel anything for the characters. In particular, I found Jo and Lawrence's children to be very needy. I would also have liked Jo to have had more backbone, as I found the ending to be unsatisfying.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Hausfrau by Jill Alexander Essbaum

Hausfrau
By Jill Alexander Essbaum
Published by Random House (26 March 2015)
ISBN: 978-1447280798

Publisher's description
Anna Benz, an American in her late thirties, lives with her Swiss husband Bruno and their three young children in a postcard-perfect suburb of Zurich. Though she leads a comfortable well-appointed life, Anna is falling apart inside. Adrift and increasingly unable to connect with the emotionally unavailable Bruno, even with her own thoughts and feelings, Anna tries to rouse herself with new experiences: German language classes, Jungian analysis, and a series of sexual affairs she enters into with an ease that surprises even her. Tensions escalate, and her lies start to spin out of the control. Having crosses a moral threshold, Anna will discover where a woman goes when there's no doing back.

My verdict
Not many books leave my head spinning, overloaded with thoughts and emotions. Hausfrau is certainly one of those books. It is the story of an intelligent married American woman who feels bored, alone and unhappy in Zurich. Her Swiss husband works long hours and gives her little attention. Although she clearly loves her children, she is just as happy to spend her days roaming around the shops, and embarks on several affairs to help pass the time.

I felt like I should despise Anna, who made little effort to learn the language and make friends, yet all I could feel for her was pity. All her materialistic needs were being met, but she was clearly craving physical closeness and attention, turning to men for comfort. There was no love or affection involved in these affairs, just sex and desire.

The book grabbed my attention from the first line: 'Anna was a good wife, mostly.' The words had a poetic rhythm that sang as I read. The language was timeless and indulgent. The clever use of German grammar moves the story along. I wanted to keep reading, yet at the same time I didn't want the book to end.

Hausfrau is about people not places - there are no vivid descriptions of Switzerland, for example. It's Anna's emotions and feelings that take prominence, as she spirals out of control both morally and psychologically. This is certainly not light reading or a book with any humour. But it is a fascinating, highly addictive, story.

Thanks to the publisher for an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.

Prayer for the Dead by James Oswald

Prayer for the Dead
By James Oswald
Published by Michael Joseph (12 February 2015)
ISBN: 978-0718180195

Publisher's description
A body is found at the scene of a carefully staged murder. In a sealed chamber deep in the heart of Gilmerton Cove, the victim has undergone a macabre ritual of purification.

Inspector Tony McLean knew the dead man, and can't shake the suspicion that there is more to this case than meets the eye. The lack of forensics at the crime scene is not the only thing that McLean will find beyond belief.

Teamed with the most unlikely and unwelcome of allies, McLean must track down a killer with the darkest compulsions, who answers only to a higher power...

My verdict
This is my first James Oswald book, but is the fifth in the Inspector McClean series. Despite some references to previous books, this didn't affect my enjoyment of Prayer for the Dead.

Prayer for the Dead is a police procedural with some supernatural aspects. This was a welcome change from some of the other (equally as enjoyable) crime books I have read recently. There was plenty of forensic information and descriptions of the police investigations, as well as some interesting characters.

The book begins when McClean is asked to investigate the disappearance of a journalist, whose body is then found in an obscure location - dark caves underneath the Edinburgh and only accessible through underground passages. When another body is found, again with little forensic evidence to provide any clues, it's clear that there is a twisted killer on the loose.

I didn't learn much about McLean in this book and would have liked to know more - this may have been covered in previous books, but I noticed that some other reviews suggest he is a fairly mysterious character.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

You Belong to Me (Samantha Hayes) - BLOG TOUR

I am delighted to be today's stop on the BLOG TOUR for Samantha Hayes' You Belong to Me, which is being published tomorrow (12 March 2015) by Century.

I would like to welcome Samantha Hayes, who has some excellent advice for aspiring authors.

My Top 10 Writing Tips by Samantha Hayes

I know what it feels like to have a story or novel burning away inside you, yet somehow it just won’t come out onto the page the way you want, let alone turn into a full-length novel. So I thought I’d compose a list of tips to help aspiring writers along their journey. I’ve done all of these things myself, so it’s proof they work! Some may be obvious, but they’re still really, really important – and they’re in no particular order. Happy writing!

1) You're going to need support on the long journey to publication, so it's a great idea to join a writing group or club. You'll meet like-minded people who understand your frustrations, and who will also congratulate you on your successes. This may be online or 'in real life', but either way, it will help keep the focus.

2) Read the type of books you want to write. These should be books that inspire you, excite you, throw fuel on your literary fire. Don't copy or emulate, but innovate. And all the while read, read, read in your chosen genre.

3) Following on from above, don't write what you know, rather write what you love. There's a difference. If you're excited by your writing, it will shine through and your readers will stick with you to the end.

4) Write every day. If you want to be a published author, you need to start treating it like a profession. It's hard work, and you need to put pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard, every day. Set a word target or a time limit, and stick to it. Even if you only write a paragraph or two, it's better than nothing. I firmly believe writing is like a muscle. The more you do it, the stronger and better it gets.

5) Give as good as you get… in terms of feedback, that is. Offer your opinion and constructive criticism to members of your writing group. It will help you immensely in identifying what may be wrong with your work. Critiquing a piece of writing will shine a light on your own.

6) Get to know the business. Go to writing festivals, literary events, author talks, 'meet the agent' pitches, public book launches… Whatever you can find, go and mingle with people who also love books. Don't shove your 600-page manuscript under every editor or agent's nose, but use the experience to learn about how the business works.  Be professional now, and those in the business will remember you when your work arrives on their desk. A quick 'google' will bring up many events to attend.

7) Another obvious one - but make sure you have a cracking story to tell! You need a hook, something to grab the reader's attention from page one, and keep them turning the pages. Try to sum up your idea in a sentence or two. For example, You Belong to Me is about a woman who fled her stalker, but is forced to return home when her parents are killed. She thinks she's safe, but her nightmare is about to begin again.

8) Never give up! I knew I wanted to be an author aged around 11 or 12. My first thriller was published when I was 40. During that time, I was always writing, practicing, getting better, developing and doing all the other points in this list. Stick at it!

9) Edit your work. Know the value of this process, because in many ways, it's almost more important than the writing itself. Once your work is finished, I'd advise not looking at it for a month. When you come back to it with fresh eyes, make notes to yourself where the story doesn't work. And fix it! If that means cutting a character, or your favourite scene, or even adding in another point of view to make it work, then do it. Take your time. This is the most important stage and will pay dividends.

10) Finally, enjoy your writing! If you don't, no one else will. You are creating a piece of entertainment - what could be better? So find yourself a quiet space, make a cuppa, turn off your phone, and write your novel. I absolutely loved writing You Belong to Me (though I scared myself a few times!) and I really hope you love reading it.

You Belong to Me by Samantha Hayes,

published by Century, at £12.99

My verdict: This brilliant psychological thriller is an amazing read. This is Samantha Hayes at her best.

Read my full review: http://off-the-shelfbooks.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/you-belong-to-me.html

Find out more

Follow Samantha Hayes on Twitter…https://twitter.com/samhayes

Follow the BLOG TOUR! Next up …http://lizlovesbooks.com

Fragile Lies by Laura Elliot

Fragile Lies
By Laura Elliot
Published by Bookouture (13 February 2015)
ISBN: 978-1909490796

Publisher's description
His name is Michael Carmody. He is a writer and a father. His son is lying in a coma, fighting for his life.

Her name is Lorraine Cheevers. She is an artist and mother. An illicit affair has destroyed her marriage.

Michael is desperate to find the couple who left his son for dead, a victim of a hit and run.

Lorraine is desperate to start a new life for her and her daughter.

Michael and Lorraine are about to cross paths - damaged souls, drawn to one another.

They don't know that their lives are already connected.

They don't know the web of lies surrounding them.

They are each searching for the truth. But when they find it, it could destroy them both.

My verdict
Fragile Lies is a complex story of relationships, betrayal and deception with tragic consequences.

The book begins with an illicit liaison that ends in a hit and run accident. We are then introduced to Lorraine, who is setting up a new life with her daughter, following the breakdown of her marriage. And also to Michael, who is the father of the hit and run victim and is determined to discover who did this to his child.

Fragile Lies didn't grab my attention straight away. I found the flashbacks and switching between characters to be disjointed, and I was confused in places. The chapters from the viewpoint of Killian, the hit-and-run victim, were too short and didn't really add anything to the story early on. Later, they became more significant and more relevant to the story.

Laura Elliot has created two totally unlikeable characters in Virginia and Adrian, which I assume was her intention. Virginia is a nasty piece of work - prepared to step on anyone, including her husband and best friend. Adrian is weak and totally besotted with Virginia, to the detriment of his marriage and relationship with his daughter. Lorraine and Michael's characters seemed a little flat and I found it hard to sympathise with either of them until the second half of the book.

I am pleased that I persisted, however, as the pace picked up at around 43%. From this moment, the plot flowed more smoothly and it became obvious where the story was heading. I assume that the author intended for the readers to figure everything out at around this stage.

Overall, I give Fragile Lies a 3.5 star rating. With more careful editing, I would give it 4 stars, but it doesn't quite reach that for me.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.