I am absolutely delighted to share my review of Handcuff’s, Truncheons and a Polyester Thong by Gina Kirkham. This is a book I have had on my TBR for a while and when I knew Zoe at Zooloo’s Book Diary had her #AuthorTakeover featuring Gina I knew it was the perfect opportunity to pick up this book. And the title appeals to me 😁
Over the past few days Zoe and Gina have featured, extracts, Q&A’a, Behind the story features and so much more. There are interviews, reviews and it has been brilliant reading them. Please head over and have a giggle at the antics of Gina and her alter-ego Mavis Upton you will not regret it.
So, let me show you what the book is about…
Will have you laughing out loud and is hugely entertaining. This is a book that oozes charisma and character, one you will not be able to put down – Nikki’s Books4U
Meet Mavis Upton. As mummy to 7-year old Ella, surrogate to far too many pets and with a failed marriage under her belt, Mavis knows she needs to make some life-changing decisions. It’s time to strike out into the world, to stand on her own two feet … to pursue a lifelong ambition to become a Police Officer. I mean, what could go wrong?
Supported by her quirky, malapropism-suffering mum, Mavis throws herself headlong into a world of uncertainty, self-discovery, fearless escapades, laughter and extra-large knickers. And using her newly discovered investigative skills, she reluctantly embarks on a search to find her errant dad who was last seen years before, making off with her mum’s much needed coupon for a fabulous foam cup bra all the way from America.
Follow Mavis as she tackles everything life can throw at her, and revel in Gina Kirkham’s humorous, poignant and moving story of an everyday girl who one day followed a dream.
Hilarious…real life and so touching, a fabulous read! – Christina Green
Oh my goodness this is such a hilarious read. The author has used her own experiences in the Police and gave them to her alter ego – Mavis Upton and adds a little fiction.
The story starts and within a few pages I knew I was going to love this book. Mavis finally does something about her dream job and joins the police. A series of mishaps, some good friends and she has made it.
Now out in the real world her training has provided her with the knowledge to do her job, but her naivety still leaves her open to some of the in-jokes. She does however stand her own and makes her mark.
This book had me giggling, chuckling and laughing out loud so many times. It is just what the doctor ordered for brightening up any day. This is a book that is like a series of anecdotes, some of which you can see coming and others catch you out of the blue. Both sorts are funny no matter how they are delivered.
As this is a story based on experience it does have a semi autobiographic feel but it also has some fiction, but it is so easy to read. A book that readers who like humour, funny stories and just want a good giggle would really enjoy. I thought it was excellent and I would definitely recommend it.
Image taken from Gina’s Author Page on Amazon UK
Gina was born during the not-so-swinging 50’s to a mum who frequently abandoned her in a pram outside Woolworths and a dad who, after two pints of beer, could play a mean Boogie Woogie on the piano in the front room of their 3-bed semi on the Wirral. Being the less adventurous of three children, she remains there to this day – apart from a long weekend in Bognor Regis in 1982.
Her teenage years were filled with angst, a CSE in Arithmetic, pimples, PLJ juice, Barry White and rather large knickers. Marriage and motherhood ensued, quickly followed by divorce in her early thirties and a desperate need for a career and some form of financial support for herself and her daughter. Trundling a bicycle along a leafy path one wintry day, a lifelong passion to be a police officer gave her simultaneously an epiphany and fond memories of her favourite author Enid Blyton and moments of solving mysteries.
And thus began an enjoyable and fulfilling career with Merseyside Police.
On reaching an age most women lie about, she quickly adapted to retirement by utilising her policing skills to chase after two granddaughters, two dogs and one previously used, but still in excellent condition, husband. Having said goodbye to what had been a huge part of her life, she suddenly had another wonderful epiphany. This time it was to put pen to paper to write a book based on her experiences as a police officer.
Lying in bed one night staring at the ceiling and contemplating life as she knew it, Gina’s alter-ego, Mavis Upton was born, ready to star in a humorous and sometimes poignant look at the life, loves and career of an everyday girl who followed a dream and embarked upon a search for the missing piece of her childhood.
I am delighted to once again join Zoe at Zooloos Book Diary and to take part in her Author Take Over. This is Zoe’s fabulous idea and this week she is talking, grilling and discussing the book by Book Blogger and Author Noelle Holten.
Noelle has two books published and I know there is also a third due soon and I am sure there is a 4th in progress. Having read and loved the first two books I am going to share snippets of my reviews.
Dead Inside is the first time I got to meet DC Maggie Jamieson and is a brilliant start to the series.
“The thing I liked about this book, well actually there was lots of things I loved, not just liked. Hang on! Scrap that!!! I loved everything about this book! The story is set out in very quick chapters that flitted back and forth between the main characters. It meant that the pace was good and had me eager to read what would happen to each character, I wanted to know” about everyone all at the same time!
If you want a hard-hitting crime thriller then you seriously need to get this book. A fabulous story that is the beginning of what I feel will be an amazing writing career.
I think you can tell from these snippets that I really liked the book. You can read my full review HERE
Dead Wrong is the second book in the series, and here are a few of my thoughts…
The author has created such a good baddie with Bill Raven, he loves to play mind games and Maggie is in the firing line for him as he gets under her skin and taunts her at every turn. Maggie and the team have to go back over notes, files and every bit of information they have to try and discover what was missed and also to see if they have got the wrong man.
This is a fabulous 2nd book in the series and if you are a fan of crime thriller reads then this is going to be a book that is right up your street. It is fast-paced, gritty, at times creepy and cleverly written. I would definitely recommend it and I would also advise putting the 3rd book on your wish list.
Noelle Holten is an award-winning blogger at www.crimebookjunkie.co.uk. She is the PR & Social Media Manager for Bookouture, a leading digital publisher in the UK, and was a regular reviewer on the Two Crime Writers and a Microphone podcast. Noelle worked as a Senior Probation Officer for eighteen years, covering a variety of cases including those involving serious domestic abuse. She has three Hons BA’s – Philosophy, Sociology (Crime & Deviance) and Community Justice – and a Masters in Criminology. Noelle’s hobbies include reading, author-stalking and sharing the booklove via her blog. Dead Inside is her debut novel with One More Chapter / Killer Reads/Harper Collins UK and the start of a new series featuring DC Maggie Jamieson.
Purchase links – Head over to Noelle’s Amazon Page and you can see her books – CLICK HERE
Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx
I am delighted to join in with Zoe in her fabulous Author Take Over, a fabulous idea that allows us readers to showcase some of the wonderful Authors out there. Over the past few days Zoe has been sharing reviews and posts for Amanda James and you can check out the posts on her blog at – Zooloo’s Book Diary.
Yesterday I listed three books that I have read you can read that post HERE.
So to continue with Mandy’s book. I read The Cornish Retribution
A snippet of my review… Samantha (Sam) is recently widowed and struggling to deal with various things. She decides to attend an school reunion and meets up with Penny and Dan. They haven’t seen each other for many years and when Penny and Dan decide to visit. They find Sam isn’t quite as financially secure as she thought she would be and so a business partnership is arranged though not everyone is quite so keen …
One thing I have discovered with this author, no actually there are two things… one is the ability to keep me dangling as she weaves her story and the other is the spectacular setting descriptions.
As the characters were gradually introduced I did wonder how the connections would be made, they came across as nice, normal people…but what is normal? By the end of the book I had been manipulated into various beliefs and thoughts that had me chopping and changing as I read. I have to say the baddie was one that made my skin crawl as I discovered who they were and why they were doing the things they did. You will certainly work out your favourites.
Next up was The Feud
Here is part of my review… There is such an underlying sense of malice throughout this story, it gives it such a suspenseful edge. Using the feud as the basis for the story, then adding and expanding on it makes it such a compelling read. The malice gradually increases as the story progresses and it made me wonder how far a person would actually go.
I loved the way this author took the feud to various extremes. She uses family members and friends like chess pieces and has a fabulous way of moving and manipulating them into place. I found friends were manipulated, the truth was distorted and twisted in this old vendetta. On Matt’s arrival in the village sparks off the revenge and family honour and it is just the tip of the iceberg as revenge turns in vengeance.
The I read Dark Deception
And yes part of my review… What starts as a basic story about a married couple gradually turns into something far deeper, each chapter seems to add more intrigue and the suspense is slowly and surely ramped up.
I did have a couple of theories as I was reading, I will admit one of those theories turned out to be right. But the journey to whittle my theories down to the right one was fabulous. Even when I proved right there was more to come, more twists and turns than one of our Cornish lanes!
This is such a brilliant read and I think the author has definitely created a fabulous psychological thriller. The storylines are wonderfully interwoven with the characters involved. Even when I thought I had a handle on the story the author deftly sidestepped me and had me avidly turning pages to discover what was going to happen next.
Now this is also another favourite one. I did mention that The Calico Cat was my favourite, but this one was as well. But they are two very different reads, so I am having two favourites, just because I can 😁
Now there is a further book to add to my list, but I’m not sharing or showing you anything abut it as it has not yet been released. I have read it and it is fabulous and dark and twisty and I loved it. You will have to wait until the beginning of May xx
Amanda has written since she was a child, but never imagined that her words would be published, given that she left school with no real qualifications of note apart from an A* in how to be a nuisance in class. Nevertheless, she returned to education when her daughter was five and eventually became a history teacher. Then in 2010, after many twists and turns, the dream of becoming a writer came true when her first short story was published. Amanda has written many short stories and has six novels currently published.
Amanda grew up in Sheffield but now has realised her lifelong dream of living in Cornwall and her writing is inspired every day by the dramatic coastline near her home. She has sketched out many stories in her head while walking the cliff paths. Three of her mystery/suspense novels are set there, Somewhere Beyond the Sea, Summer in Tintagel and the Behind the Lie. Rip Current is also set in Cornwall and will be published by Bloodhound Books in April 2018.
Amanda, known to many as Mandy, spends far more time than is good for her on social media and has turned procrastination to a fine art. She can also usually be found playing on the beach with her family, or walking the cliff paths planning her next book.
I am delighted to join in with Zoe in her fabulous Author Take Over, a fabulous idea that allows us readers to showcase some of the wonderful Authors out there. Over the past few days Zoe has been sharing reviews and posts for Amanda James and you can check out the posts on her blog at – Zooloo’s Book Diary.
I have read a few of Mandy’s books and the first I read was Behind The Lie.
Here is a snippet of my review…
Well what a book, I do admit to falling for the synopsis, and it did it’s job and did not disappoint. We meet Holly and Simon West, husband and wife and expecting twins. But they only take their daughter Iona home, their son, who was to be called Ruan, didn’t survive. Holly has had a troubled past, and when she starts to think and then believe Ruan is actually alive her husband and her best friend Demi start to believe her past is not quite her past and believe she is suffering from depression, well some people try to be supportive.
There are a quite a few characters in the story that have known Holly and Simon before they were married, and they have different opinions that are expressed throughout, this gives a really good background to the characters and the dynamics between them. The plot was good, but I do admit to being correct on a few thoughts as I was reading, but to be perfectly honest that really didn’t matter as I was more interested in how Holly dealt with the situations as they arose. It was Holly on her journey that was intriguing me as well as my being a witness as she transformed from a self doubting, beholden to her husband type of woman, to a strong, resilient woman who is willing to put her family first regardless of the risk. There were also a few things I didn’t expect and and a couple of great twists. It was all told at a good pace that kept me frantically reading until the last page.
After I had finished this book I knew I would be back to read more, so the next one was Another Mother…
Her is part of my review…
Lu is your average almost 30 something, dead-end job and a bit of a loner, she is also adopted. After the recent death of her adoptive mother she decides this is the thing she needs to give her the push to actually find her birth mother. When contact is made, Lu makes the decision to make the visit to meet her mother in Cornwall. Things seem to go well and a tentative relationship is struck between mother and daughter. As they get to know each other a little more the cracks start to show.
This starts off more like a contemporary fiction and then slowly it morphs into an absolutely amazing psychological story…this story changes, it steps up a gear and the depth the plot is revealed. Here I think the author has done a great job of building up the thought of something not being quite right and when the twist finally shows itself bloody hell was I shocked, really didn’t see it coming and caught me completely unawares.
By this time I was hooked on this author and the next book I read was The Calico Cat…
Now this is my favourite book (so far..) and here is what I thought… Oh this is a book that I adored and so very different to the couple of other books I have previously read by this author. Set in beautiful Cornwall I got to meet Charlotte, or Lottie as she prefers to be called, and learn of her story. She tells of her family life from a teenager to present day. There have been changes, teen rebellion but also of a dramatic change in her family that still has a hold over her and her feelings. Lottie is not quiet or timid, she is quite vocal in her beliefs and extremely principled with a very matter of fact way in her conversation and thoughts, with an interesting way of voicing her opinion. I would say she is the sort of person that would be very easy to misunderstand, but that is the way she is and it is quite refreshing.
This is a gentle amble around the Cornish coastline and also Lotties life, it mixes elements of the dramatic landscape and personal heartache with hope and moving forward, with new starts and beginnings. The plot and story of how Lottie and those in her life has been done in a wonderful way that gradually drew me in. I wanted to know more about her and why she reacts the way she does, it held my attention and I loved being immersed in her world for the few hours it took me to read it.
I have read a few more of Mandy’s books and come back tomorrow and I will share the rest that I have read.
Amanda has written since she was a child, but never imagined that her words would be published, given that she left school with no real qualifications of note apart from an A* in how to be a nuisance in class. Nevertheless, she returned to education when her daughter was five and eventually became a history teacher. Then in 2010, after many twists and turns, the dream of becoming a writer came true when her first short story was published. Amanda has written many short stories and has six novels currently published.
Amanda grew up in Sheffield but now has realised her lifelong dream of living in Cornwall and her writing is inspired every day by the dramatic coastline near her home. She has sketched out many stories in her head while walking the cliff paths. Three of her mystery/suspense novels are set there, Somewhere Beyond the Sea, Summer in Tintagel and the Behind the Lie. Rip Current is also set in Cornwall and will be published by Bloodhound Books in April 2018.
Amanda, known to many as Mandy, spends far more time than is good for her on social media and has turned procrastination to a fine art. She can also usually be found playing on the beach with her family, or walking the cliff paths planning her next book.
Today I am joining in with Zoe at Zooloo’s Book Diary as she has a fabulous “Author Take Over” feature where she puts an Author and their books in the spotlight. Zoe’s current Author Take Over is with Kim Nash and I am delighted to join in to shout about Kim’s books, they are amzingly brilliant reads.
My mum is also a fan of Kim’s books and she says that “Kim’s writing feels honest and has a good realistic feel”. This was something my Mum mentioned a while ago, it just goes to show that I do listen to what she says, and this little inclusion will come as a surprise to her 😉😁 xx
When I first saw that Kim was releasing a book I immediately signed up for the Blog Tour. I was sent a digital copy of the book and read it that afternoon, yep the whole book in one sitting and I knew I had found an author who I was going to immediately add to my list of must read authors. This list is one that I have where any new books by these authors come available I will read without even glancing at the synopsis. Yes Kim made that list with her first book!
The first book is Amazing Grace, and Amazing is just what it is. Here is the synopsis…
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 on her doorstep, 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?
Here is my full review for this wonderful book…
Oh My Goodness this book is superb and my poor emotions have gone through the wringer, crying and laughing to myself one moment to anger within the turn of a page. This author has a story that is so very realistic and one that can be related to.
Grace has gradually got stuck in a rut after the breakdown of her marriage. Her son Archie spends the odd evening and weekend at his Dad’s house. During these times loneliness creeps in for Grace, weight goes on, clothes are black and shapeless…then the intervention by her friend Monica.
It seems that things after this intervention tart to fall into place, or is it because Grace starts to feel confident? A phone call to landscape gardener Vinnie sees a spark of interest flicker back to life in Grace again. Mark, her ex, however, is not going to make things easy.
The characters in this book are just brilliant, the dilemmas are very real and the scenarios they find themselves in are also ones that I found it very easy to relate to. The uncertainties of new relationships combined with the guilt of old add tension.
There are so many thought-provoking moments in this book. They start from the dedication at the very beginning of the book, yep even before I even got to the start of the story I knew I was going to like this book. In fact, I didn’t just like it, I bloody loved it, every single word.
I did mention emotions, anger yes that was there and also a surprising little comment from a young boy, and there are some very special moments in italics, these you will discover for yourself. But these had me reaching for the tissues time and again.
It was one of those books that just wrapped me up immediately and held me in its embrace. It is a stunning, beautifully written story about Grace and life, she discovers she needs to love herself more, occasionally put herself first, to take a chance on life, start to live and to stand up for herself.
This is a book I would absolutely and most definitely recommend.
Even if she’s lost most of her friends because of spending all her time at work, and can’t remember when she last had fun, it’s worth it.
Until she’s suddenly made redundant. Now she’s 37, jobless, and after the breakup with the former love of her life, unhappily single.
Enter Maddy’s childhood friend, Beth, the owner of Growlers, the doggy daycare centre at Giddywell Grange, on a mission to make Maddy see there’s more to life than work.
Soon, Maddy is swapping spreadsheets for volunteer duty at the library, daily Starbucks for cups of tea with elderly neighbours, and her Prada handbag for doggy poo bags… And with Beth’s gorgeous brother, Alex, back from the States, Maddy starts to think that Giddywell Grange might just be her happy place.
But when her old life – and her old boyfriend – comes calling, will Maddy go back to the job she loved so much? Or will she discover that the key to happiness lies in making others happy?
Here’s my review for Kim’s second fabulous book…
The synopsis gives a wonderful idea as to what the book is about. I met maddy as she is nervously waiting for her meeting where she is expecting to be promoted. This is something that Maddy feels she deserves due to all the hard work she has being doing over the years in PR. Work has been her life she has missed family and friends important events and not seen them as much as she should have done because she has been too busy with her work. So from anticipated nervous excitement she is suddenly dropped into a devastated place where she feels she is now surplus to requirements.
I immediately felt my heart go out to Maddy and I quickly found myself caught up with the story within a matter of a few paragraphs. This is the second book by this author and yet again she has absolutely and completely had me hooked and wrapped up within her writing.
I love how quickly the author shows the extreme emotions with Maddy, from enthusiasm to dejected in just a few words. It is this empathy that she brings out in the reader that shows how well she engages with this reader. I think this is why she is going to be a writer whose future books I will always buy without giving it a second thought. I know this is only the second book she has written but I am already a huge fan.
So, from starting the book I spent a few delightful hours devouring the story, I learned about Maddy, her Mum and her best friend Beth. I love how the once best friends had drifted due to Maddy’s work, but instantly connected when Maddy decides to come home again. I must say I also love the characters of Uncle Tom and Alex. They, along with Mum and Beth are full of advice and support as Maddy tries to find her feet and are on hand with loads of love and hugs with the occasional kick up the backside for good measure.
I loved watching the transformation in Maddy from a highflying PR career woman to one who pick up poo as she helps in Beth’s Dog Kennels. The author got the balance so right as it would have been so easy to stray into that feeling of “how the mighty have fallen”, but instead of that she created a character who is warm, helpful and supportive, as I said she got the balance right! The author has created little situations where Maddy is not expected to take part, but she when she surprises people and does these little tasks, it makes for humorous reading.
Life is not straight forward for Maddy and even though she has taken a step back from the PR world, she still has her eye out for another job while helping Beth out. I loved that nothing was straight forward and I wasn’t sure how things were eventually going to pan out and I discovered some nice little surprises along the way!
The author has once again created a story that completely wrapped me up for the few hours that I sat and read. I loved watching the characters develop through the story and how they react and interact with each other. The feeling of warmth, love and family at Giddywell Grange is fabulous and sounds a wonderful place that I would quite happily love to live in.
This is a story about searching your soul and doing what is right and best for yourself. Maddy is fortunate to have a great cast behind her as she learns and discovers things about herself, what makes her happy and I loved watching her discover that there is more to life than a high flying stressful career.
This is a wonderful heartwarming story the I would absolutely Recommend because it is just fabulous. And left me wanting to read more by this author.
So here’s a bit more about this wonderful Author…
Kim Nash is an author of feel-good, heart-warming, romantic comedies. She lives in Staffordshire with son Ollie and English Setter Roni, is Head of Publicity for Bookouture and is a book blogger.
Kim won the Romantic Novelists Association’s Media Star of the Year in 2016, which she still can’t quite believe. She is now quite delighted to be a member of the RNA. When she’s not working or writing, Kim can be found walking her dog, reading, standing on the sidelines of a football pitch cheering on Ollie and binge watching box sets on the TV. She’s also quite partial to a spa day and a gin and tonic (not at the same time!) Kim also runs a book club in Cannock, Staffs.
Amazing Grace was her debut novel with Hera Books and came out in April 2019.Escape to Giddywell Grange is Kim’s second novel and was published on September 18th 2019.
Yvonne - Me and My Books 