Tag Archives: Debut novel

AMAZING GRACE BY KIM NASH @KIMTHEBOOKWORM @HERABOOKS #REVIEW

Today I’m sharing my review for Amazing Grace by Kim Nash, not my normal go to genre by any means, but I really enjoyed this book. Don’t think for one minute this book is a typical Rom Com, it’s a book that has a heart and soul. Read on for my thoughts…….

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She’s taking her life back, one step at a time…

Grace thought she had it all. Living in the beautiful village of Little Ollington, along with head teacher husband Mark and gorgeous son, Archie, she devoted herself to being the perfect mum and the perfect wife, her little family giving her everything she ever wanted.

Until that fateful day when she walked in on Mark kissing his secretary – and her perfect life fell apart.

Now she’s a single mum to Archie, trying to find her way in life and keep things together for his sake. Saturday nights consist of a Chinese takeaway eaten in front of the TV clad in greying pyjamas, and she can’t remember the last time she had a kiss from anyone aside from her dog, Becks.

Grace’s life needs a shake up – fast. So when gorgeous gardener Vinnie turns up, his twinkling eyes suggesting that he might be interested in more than just her conifers, she might just have found the answer to her prayers. But as Grace falls deeper for Vinnie, ten-year-old Archie fears that his mum finding love means she’ll never reconcile with the dad he loves.

So when ex-husband Mark begs her for another chance, telling her he’s changed from the man that broke her heart, Grace finds herself with an impossible dilemma. Should she take back Mark and reunite the family that Archie loves? Or risk it all for a new chance of happiness?

A funny, feel good romance about finding your own path and changing your life – readers of Cathy Bramley, Jill Mansell and Josie Silver will love this uplifting read.

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No you aren’t seeing things I really am reviewing a book that doesn’t involve a crime being committed, copious amounts of blood and gore or a serial killer lurking in the shadows. I decided I needed to read something different, something out of my comfort zone, and I’m so glad I took a chance and picked up Kim Nash debut novel Amazing Grace. I absolutely adored this book, it’s heart lifting, emotional, funny and captivating in equal measures. Grace is devastated to find out that her husband Mark has been having an affair and now finds herself a single mum to son Archie. Determined to make a new life for her and her son she sets out on a journey of self discovery.

Grace is a character every woman up and down the country will be able to relate to on some level, she lacks confidence, her life revolves around work and being a single mum (after her failed marriage to dastardly Mark how I wanted to slap him) mum to Archie. Everyone needs a friend like Grace she has so many positive qualities that make her such an endearing character, she’s warm, bubbly, and honest. The relationship between Grace and her son Archie is such a heartwarming one, I adored Archie, he’s funny, smart and very wise, the relationship between the pair and their love for each other is clear to see. As for Vinnie, I’m sure readers are going to fall in love with him, he’s the perfect pairing for Grace I wouldn’t Be surprised if the author gets inundated with messages to see if he’s based on a real person. 

I love the way the author incorporated Grace’s mother into the story, these small bitter sweet snippets made for an emotional read. Kim Nash has created an array of characters that help Grace on the road to self discovery, each one is well drawn, that by the end of the book they feel like old friends. I thought Amazing Grace was such a fun book to read. This book has many a laugh out loud moments, the dating scenes especially, but there’s also depth to this book that I wasn’t expecting. At times I found it quite emotional, but the author manages to inject just the right of humour to balance the story. 

Amazing Grace has many themes, juggling motherhood, new beginning’s, loss, self discovery, love and the importance of family. It’s hard to believe this is Kim Nash’s debut, the writing, the characters that were superbly depicted, and although my first love will always be my crime thrillers, I would pick up the author’s next book without hesitation. This is the perfect book to read if you are looking for an uplifting book, one that’s beautifully written, If you are feeling down and need a big dose of sunshine in your life then Amazing Grace is definitely the book for you. 

**a note to the author please sign me up to Graces “fat club” it sounds perfect for me **

  • Print Length: 257 pages
  • Publisher: Hera Books (10 April 2019)

Available from: Amazon | Kobo | Google | Apple

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**Blog tour** Lies Between Us by Ronnie Turner #MustReads @Ronnie_Turner @HQDigitalUK

Today I’m over the moon to be on the blog tour for Lies Between Us by Ronnie Turner, a fabulous book blogger turned author. Before you read my review here’s the book description……

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Will they ever learn the truth?

Three people, leading very different lives, are about to be brought together – with devastating consequences . . .

John has a perfect life, until the day his daughter goes missing.

Maisie cares for her patients, but hides her own traumatic past.

Miller should be an innocent child, but is obsessed with something he can’t have.

They all have something in common, though none of them know it – and the truth won’t stay hidden for long . .

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Every parents worse fear becomes a reality for John when his daughter goes missing. “Not another child missing book” I can here you muttering, but wait Lies Between Us the debut novel by Ronnie Turner takes a familiar subject used in psychological thrillers and then turns it on its head. What makes it stand out? Firstly the characters, best of luck trying to work out their connection, it’s intricately plotted, and the writing is superb, best of all I loved the way the author keeps the reader guessing throughout. If you are looking for a read that’s taut with tension and rife with suspense then look no further Lies Between Us contains bucketfuls of both.      

Told from three POV this book is very much character driven, the BIG question is what connects the three? As a parent my heart went out to John whose daughter has been taken, his emotions and fears were very credible. My favourite character was definitely Miller, oh dearie me what a disturbed and creepy child he turned out to be, the chapters told from his POV add an overwhelming sense of menace to the overall story. Maisie a nurse was a character who puzzled me  I knew her POV must have some relevance to the story, but as to the “how” I just couldn’t fathom it out, but once I reached the big reveal and so superbly executed might I add, I realised just how devious the author had been. Lies Between Us does require the reader’s full attention due to the complexity of the plot, there were a couple of times where I did find myself confused, my advice would be to pay particular attention to the chapters time stamps it definitely helps.

There’s nothing more satisfying than reading a psychological thriller that takes me by surprise, and Lies Between Us not only surprised me it left me sat there flabbergasted. I did manage to work out the “who” after numerous false starts, but by the time I did I had nearly reached the end of the novel, so my “detective radar” was definitely scuppered by the author. Ronnie Turner deftly explores obsession and the lengths people go to in the name of “love” it’s deliciously dark and definitely very twisted but I loved every page of this novel. I must admit as I reached the conclusion I was left wondering about a few things, but that’s the beauty of this book as the author lets the reader come to their own conclusion.

should mention the author has the most twisted mind (I mean that as a compliment) Ronnie Turner teases and taunts the reader at every possible turn. Lies Between Us is my perfect kind of psychology thriller, it’s  one that kept me constantly guessing with enough “OMFG” moments to make Lies Between Us a superbly compelling read. A promising debut from Ronnie Turner and I will certainly be reading her next book without a shadow of a doubt.

  •  Paperback: 384 pages
  • Publisher: HQ Digital (1st Oct. 2018)

Buying link:  Amazon UK 🇬🇧

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Ronnie Turner grew up in Cornwall, the youngest in a large family. At an early age, she discovered a love of literature and dreamed of being a published author. Ronnie now lives in Dorset with her family and three dogs. In her spare time, she reviews books on her blog and enjoys long walks on the coast. She is currently working on her second novel.

Find her on:

Twitter: @Ronnie_ _Turner

Facebook: @RonnieTurnerAuthor

Instagram: @ronnieturner8702

Website: www.ronnieturner.wordpress.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40169201-lies-between-us

This Is a huge blog tour and if my review for Lies Between You hasn’t tempted you, perhaps one of my fellow 71 awesome book bloggers reviews will……

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