All I Want For Christmas By Amy Silver.

Hey Guys, Merry Christmas!!!
Been as though it is Christmas day I thought I would review a Christmas book for you.
Product Details:
Publisher: Arrow Books
Paperback 325 Pages.
Source: Bought by myself.
Rating:4 out of 5.
Synopsis/Blurb: Twelve days and counting.... It's Bea's first Christmas with her baby son, and this year she is determined to do everything right. But there is still so much to do: presents need to be bought; the Christmas menu needs refining; her café, The Honey Pot, needs decorating; and she's invited the whole neighbourhood to a party on Christmas day. She really doesn't have time to get involved in two new people's lives, let alone fall in love. When Olivia gets knocked over in the street, her into The Honey Pot and getting to know her. Olivia's life is even more hectic than her own, and with her fiancé's entire family over from Ireland for Christmas, she shouldn't be lingering in the cosy warmth of Bea's café. Chloe, on the other hand, has nowhere else to go. Her affair with a married man has alienated her friends, and left her lonelier than ever. But Christmas is a magical time, and in the fragrant atmosphere of The Honey Pot, anything can happen: new friends can be made, hearts can heal and romance can blossom...

I'm not usually one for chick flick love stories but as it's Christmas I thought I would give this book a go and I really enjoyed it. I couldn't put it down and I wanted to finished it just to see how it ended and I managed to read this book within in two days! Bea, Chloe and Olivia all have different sad/bad issues going on in their lives but with the help of each other they all pull through. They all relate to one another problems in some ways and I think that's what held this book together. Bea's loss of her husband really pulls on your heart strings and I found this helped keep you wanting more from this story. Olivia being newly engaged is stressed out from things that she thinks will change. Chloe is the other woman, but even though you think you should hate her you really feel for her as she didn't ask to be the other woman and she is all alone. All three character become good friends and their friendship I'm sure will last a lifetime. This book I feel was a very good read I highly recommend but I don't think I would read this book again as it's not one of those you will learn a little bit more each time you read it. This book was written in 1st person for Bea and 3rd For Olivia and Chloe's point of view.
Sorry this blog post is a little different from other posts but my laptop is on a go slow and it took me just under 3 hours just to write this post as it wouldn't load or save the picture of the book cover like I usually do. I hope you all have a nice Christmas and I will see you next week...well next year
Laura xxx

The Chemistry of Death By Simon Beckett.

Product Details:
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Paperback, 419 Pages.
Source: Bought For me.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Synopsis/Blurb: Three years ago, forensics expert David Hunter abandoned his old life after a tragedy destroyed him. Now working as a doctor in remote Norfolk village, he believes he's left the past behind. But then they find what's left of Sally Palmer... The body has been savagely mutilated. The police need Hunter's expertise to find the killer, but he is desperate to remain uninvolved. Then a second woman disappears and the close-knit community that had been Hunter's refuge becomes a maelstrom of fear and paranoia. No one is exempt from suspicion. Suddenly, there is no place to hide...
This book was fantastic from page one. I loved this book so much, it was an easy read but one I couldn't put it down. Slowly through this book you find out what ruined Doctor Hunter's life and how it affects him now, also you learn about each individual character with this Norfolk village some you come to love some you come to hate. This book is written in 1st person for Dr Hunter parts and 3rd person for all other characters. Towards the end of the book when you learn who dunnit it's a great shock even I would never have guessed who it was and to me that is how a book should be written, it keeps you guessing but knocks you down with shock at the end. You get the epilogue at the end aswell which I like as you find out how or if they got over the tragic murders. I will reading this book again and also I am on the hunt for more Simon Beckett novels.
Laura xx
Picture taken from here.



Tell me no secrets By Julie Corbin.

Product Details:
Publisher: Hodder Paperbacks.
Paperback, 372 Pages.
Source: Bought By Myself.
Rating: 3 out of 5.
Synopsis/Blurb: Grace has lived in the same village on the east coast of Scotland for almost her entire life. It’s a small place where everyone knows one another. Safe and secure, it’s the perfect place for her and her husband Paul to bring up their twin girls. Grace feels that, finally, life is good. Until a phone call from her old best friend, a woman she hasn’t seen since her teens threatens to take away everything she holds dear...

This book was very good and it was gripping, I couldn't put it down. From page one makes you want to know what happened to Rose which keeps you hooked. You really start to feel for Grace as her world starts to take a turn for the worst and there is nothing she can do to make it right other than kill or lose everyone she loves, you know she is a strong confident woman, that makes a few mistakes but puts them right.  I found this book very exciting and I couldn't put it down, I could imagine myself as Grace but couldn't even imagine the trouble she was going through and how much stress that would of caused her.It is written in 3rd person and with each page you turn the story gets deeper and deeper. Great twists and turns, I did find the ending was a bit blunt as well, but the rest of the book makes up for that tiny downfall. I have recommended this book to everyone I know and I will defiantly be reading more of this author. I had my copy thrown away by accident but I will be re-purchasing.
Laura xx
Picture taken from here.

Monsters University.

Product Details:
Publisher: Phildal
Paperback, 128 pages.
Source: Present from sister.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Synopsis/Blurb: Long before they were lurking in closets... for a living, Mike and Sulley were just two Scaring majors at Monsters University, dreaming of the day they would make children shriek in terror. When their heated competition to be the most fearsome in their class gets out of hand, however, Mike and Sulley find themselves ejected from the prestigious Scare Program, and they are forced to seek the aid of their oddball friends in order to get their education back on track.
When I was little Monster Inc was my favourite film and even though I'm 21 I got excited to see Monsters University was coming out in film (which I now have on DVD). For my birthday my big sister bought me the book of the film for Monsters University  as she knows/remembers how much I loved Monsters Inc and yes it's for children but I enjoyed it very much. Good quick easy read as it's a short book, can't wait to read this to my children. Didn't take very long to read as it is only 128 pages long. If you have seen the film or even read the book like me, at first you really feel for Mike as he's an outsider and all the way through he never really is a "scarer" but as the book/film progresses you see what Mike is really made of and it's a great storyline. Monsters Inc was in Sulley's point of view and I really enjoyed seeing more of Mike and also how they go to become scarers at Monster Inc. I recommend everyone young or old to try this book or film you will love it. The book is written in third person which gives it a little bit extra and think this is Disney's best film in 2013.
Have you seen the film yet?
Laura xx

Picture taken from here.

What I Did On My Holidays By Chrissie Manby.

Product Details:
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton.
Paperback, 320 Pages.
Source: Bought by Myself.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Synopsis/Blurb: Sophie Sturgeon can't wait for her annual summer holiday. Not only will it be a week away from work, it will be a chance to reconnect with her boyfriend Callum. So this upcoming trip to Majorca is a big deal. Sophie's spent a lot of time getting ready. She's bought a new wardrobe. She's been waxed to within an inch of her life. She's determined she and Callum will have the best time ever. Then Callum dumps her, the night before they're due to leave. In a show of bravery and independence, Sophie says she'll go to Majorca alone - but in fact, she hides in her London flat. But when her friends, family, and even Callum seem so surprised and delighted at her single girl courage, Sophie decides to go all out and recreate the ultimate 'fake break' . . . with hilarious results.
 To begin the book is very sad as Sophie has just had her heart kind of ripped out by her boyfriend the night before they are ment to go on holiday together, but as you read on you learn a lot about each character and you start to feel for each and every one of them. You get to understand how hurt Sophie really is and what she will do to be happy again. I did think the beach party in her back yard was a bit strange, but I bet it would have been great fun. I really enjoyed this book as whilst I was reading this I was in Majorca myself on holiday for two weeks. This book mentioned parts of Majorca I where I had been or things I had wanted to do, which made me enjoy this book much better as I could relate to it. Was written in 1st person as far as I can remember, I gave my copy to a friend as she thought it sounded good. I thought it was a great book but not one I think I would sit down and read again.
Laura xx
Picture was taken from here.

The Birthing House By Christopher Ransom.

Product Details:
Publisher: Sphere.
Paperback, 506 Pages.
Source: Bought by myself.
Rating: 2 out of 5.
Synopsis/Blurb: When Conrad Harrison impulse-buys a big old house in Wisconsin, his wife Jo doesn't share his enthusiasm, reluctant at the idea of leaving their LA life - so Conrad is left to set up their new home as she ties up loose ends at work. But Conrad's new purchase is not all that it seems. Soon Conrad is hearing the ghostly wailing of a baby in the night, seeing blood on the floor and being haunted by a woman who looks exactly like Jo. With his wife away, Conrad becomes obsessed by the pregnant girl next door, Nadia, who claims to be a victim of the evil in the house. The crying leads him to a bricked-up body, and the mystery of the Birthing House unravels, pulling in Jo, Nadia and leading Conrad to a nightmarish conclusion...

A good spine chilling read that made my hair stand on end a few times. I was naughty and judged the book by it's cover as it looked hauntingly beautiful, I was pulled to read this book by the cover. I thought this was an okay book, but won't be reading again as I thought the storyline was good but the suspense that went with it was completely rubbish. The synopsis makes the book sound so intriguing, yet it really wasn't, too many things were happening in the book that was slightly far fetched for me to enjoy. I am all for imagination but this book I just couldn't seem to grasp or maybe it's because I just didn't understand what was going on.  I gave me copy to my mother as she thought the same as me, the cover looked good but she agreed with me that the story was to fast and seemed a little rushed. The ending was a big let down and didn't make that much sense. It was like a big climb to the finishing line and it was as though the author just wanted to get it over and done with. How the ladies got pregnant from just being in the house I thought was a bit silly and that ruined the book for me as I said this book seemed too far fetched. Other people have enjoyed this book as I did my research and many people thinks it's brilliant but in my opinion not worth the £6.99 I paid. Because I didn't enjoy this book I didn't really get the feel of each character and kind of semi read it just to get it over and done with.
Hope you enjoyed this post and new format of my blogs?
Laura x
I would like to say my new blog set up was ruined by this book as, because I couldn't get into it I didn't really feel for any of the characters but hopefully the next one will be how I planned.
Picture taken from here.

Blog Update.

Hey Guys,
Todays post is about the little changes I will be making to the blog. I want it to look more and read more professional so posts will be set out a little different so you get more information about the books I will be reviewing. Also you may find changes to the home page too in due time.Also u may find my posts may differ from week to week as i will be trying a few styles of writting until i feel satisfied.
Hope you prefer the new set up to the blog is not leave a comment below.
Laura xx

A Author Review: Richard Laymon.

Hey Guys,
As promised a author review of Richard laymon.
I have read three of Richard Laymons books: Midnight's Lair, Allhallows eve and Island. I am not saying i am a huge fan of Richard Laymon but his book are good to pass the time away. I would recommend these books to people who like cruel gruesome stories but if you have a soft heart or don't like blood and gore don't bother.
I was recommend Richard Laymon by the father who loves his books, infact i was lent two of the books by him and he purchased me the third as i also enjoyed the way he writes.
Richard keeps the reader wanting more and each page you turn gets better and better athough (spoiler alert) i think the way he writes is a bit peverted. I am not saying he has a sick twisted mind and gets off on stuff like this but i think the books would be just as good without anyone getting raped or chewed up or beated up during sex and stuff like that. Infact on the back of my copy of Midnight;s Lair there was a quote i think describes Richard Laymon perfectly: " A gut crunching writer who could maybe teach Bret Easton Ellis a thing or two about keeping the reader hooked on obnixous characters who do horrible things", Time out. This describes how he writes perfectly, the stuff he writes is horrible and discusting and i find the books work great with or without it but some people may enjoy the sick twisted things to make the story lines better and better.
Do you like Richard Laymon? Recommend a book or two and i will read and review.
Sorry if you didn't enjoy this blog post but honest opinions = honest blogger.
Laura xx

The Haunted By Niki Valentine.

Hey Guys,
Another book review i am on a roll =]

Blurb/Synopsis: Arriving in the Scottish Highlands, Martin and Sue leave their luxury hotel with romantic thoughts of spending a night together in an abandoned bothy. When a storm strikes, they find themselves stranded in the simple hut, miles from anywhere and completely isolated. As gentle bickering leads to violent arguments, Sue starts to sense they are not truly alone - a deep, dark presence appears to have taken hold of them. With no way to escape, Sue and Martin must try to hold on to their sanity as their shelter becomes a prison and their thoughts turn Murderous.
Good quick easy read that had me turning the pages quickly. Only 405 pages in this book and i read this book in three nights. I would recommend this book, but not highly. I enjoyed the book but it was kind of predictable, you know when the twists and turns were coming and i knew what would happen in the end. I did start to feel for Sue and Martin, but at the same time i felt the book was a tad rubbish because i knew what was coming before it even happened so i wouldn't read again. The ending was rubbish and blunt and i think would of been better if the ending was longer and more graffic. I give this book a 2.5 out of 5 as i did enjoy it, as it passed the time away before going to sleep it's just the blurb made it sounds a great read and i just don't feel i got that.
Laura xx
Image was taken from here.

Midnight's Lair By Richard Laymon.

Hey guys,
Another Richard Laymon book review.

Blurb/Synopsis: Mordock's Cave is one of the spectacular wonders of the world, a place where thousands of sightseers every year take an awe-inspiring boat trip on a lake deep beneath the earth's surface to marvel at Nature's handiwork. But the darkness is also the home of things Nature never intended - things violent, bestial, and obscenely evil. When a sudden power failure incapacitates the elevator to the surface, a group of tourists is trapped in the underground depths. Cold and scared, without lights or food, their only hope is to find an escape route through the sealed-off end of the cavern. But their explorations uncover a nest of horrors that has lain hidden for generations, and their idyllic underground journey becomes a nightmare trip through hell, as they find themselves battling for survival against the creatures of the abyss.
Yet another good gripping read from Richard Laymon, i do enjoy reading his books and will have  author review up shortly. The caves secret is revealed and many people get hurts some even killed. This is told from many characters point of view in third person. Still gruesome parts in bok that don't really need to be in, but then again other peopl may have other opinions. It was a good ending but became a bit of a flop as there was no epilogue to see what happens to some characters after everything. Will give this book a 3 out of 5 as it did give me shivers at some parts.
See you sson with Richard Laymon author review.
Laura xx
Image was taken from here.

If i Stay By Gayle Forman.

Hey guys,
I'm back with another book review for you all. If I stay isn't a book I would typically go for as I think it is written more for teens than adults, but the blurb/synopsis painted a gripping ghostly book.

Blurb/Synopsis:A cold February morning ...a snowy road ...and suddenly all of Mia's choices are gone. Except one. As alone as she'll ever be, Mia must make the most difficult choice of all. Gripping, heartrending and ultimately life-affirming.
A family go out on a snowy day and end up in a accident, Mia (the main character) has a out of body experience as she sees the paramedics pulling her from the wreck, now all she has to do is choose live or die... This book was 250 pages long and I read very quickly as I is a quick read, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is a deep and meaningful book with love and loss that pulls on the heart strings. You get to know each character individually one by one and really start to feel for each person. A very haunting but beautiful read that will leave you wanting more as the ending is a cliff hanger. This book is rumoured to become a film and if it does I will defiantly go see this. There a sequel to this book called Where She Went and is written from Mia's boyfriends's point of view, I plan on buying and reading this book in the near future. I would recommend you read these books as the series goes as reading where she went will ruin If I stay for you.  I highly recommend anyone from teens to adults to read this book and I think people will enjoy this book.
4 out of 5
Hope you enjoyed todays book reviews.
Laura xx
*Image taken from here.

Lifeguard By James Patterson and Andrew Gross.

Hey,
Another week another book review. I am really getting into reading and blogging and i love my Wednesdays sat in front of computer writing them for you all.



Blurb/Synopsis: Working as a lifeguard at a luxurious Florida resort, Ned Kelly meets the woman of his dreams. It feels perfect in every way-except that she's used to caviar and Manolo Blahniks, and he's used to burgers and flip-flops. So when Ned's cousin offers to cut him in on a fast break-and-enter job, Ned can't turn it down. The risk is high, and the reward is even greater-$5 million. But the robbery goes devastatingly wrong. Forced to run away from his town and the woman he's fallen in love with, Ned knows that only distance and secrecy can save his life. But who is pursuing him? The FBI? Whoever sabotaged the heist? Or is it all somehow tied in to his new love-and his oldest enemies?
I really enjoyed this book infact I am already on the hunt for more of James Patterson books and I also really want to read this book again. This book was thrilling from page one It has many twist and turns and you really start to feel for the characters as each of them have their own big part in this book and you really get to know each individual character and start to feel for each and everyone of them. It is written in first person for the main character and when it about other characters point of view it is written in third which i found entertaining, it was like looking from the outside in. This book lets you get to guess who dunnit and you know who it is well before the end and also you have an epilogue telling you how their lives set out months down the line. It was a quick easy read 487 pages long, but book was small and font was medium. The ending was mind blowing as even I didn't see how it ends coming, but it's brilliant as it doesn't leave you on a cliff hanging for the finishing touches.
4.8 out of five, I would say 5 but i don't want to say it was perfection as other people will have their opinions too.
Have you read any or James Patterson's books and would like to recommend any to me to read?
Laura xx
Image was taken from here.

The Further Adventures Of An Idiot Abroad By Karl Pilkington.

Hey guys,
Todays book review is also a TV series review too. I have waited for this book to come out in paperback for what felt like months as i love Karl Pilkington.
Blurb/Synopsis: The nation's idiot is back. Safely home from the final series of Anidiot Abroad, Karl has decided to share his hard-earned wisdom of the world. Using the bucket list of 100 things to do before you die, Karl combines brilliant stories from his 3 years of reluctant globe-trotting with entertaining opinions on what other people aspire to do with their lives. Such as... Run a Marathon. Have lunch with the Queen. Join the mile high club. Frank, funny and strangely inspiring, this is Karl's final word on travel.
I am a huge fan of the An Idiot Abroad series on telly and have all this three series on DVD. I have also purchased and read Karl's first series adventures book an Idiot abroad. Both books are written like a journal/diary and both and a brilliant funny read. I was in tears for laughing at Karl and his ways. Love how Karl moans about literally everything but most of the time what he is saying is true. Like how in both books it has pictures that go with Karls Journal and you can see in the pictures how much "fun" Karl is having. This is not a story as it has no real story line to it but it is a good quick read. I do hope he writes a book to go with his third series with his "little Friend" as i think it would keep you up to date with the series. 4.5 out of 5 on this book and i recommend everyone to either read the book or go watch the tv series right now as I think you are all missing out. Also i think i would like to read Karl's other books and i am looking forward to his new book coming out later this year(i will wait for it to come out in hardback) called A Moaning Life.
Hope you enjoyed this book/journal review.
Laura xx
Image was taken from here.

Quick Update.

Hey guys,
I just wanted to let you know for the next two weeks i will be on holiday so there won't be any blog posts till 2nd of October 2013. I have a load of books to review and hopefully will have many more when i get back as i plan to relax in the sun with a book or three hehe.
I hope you understand and it won't b long till i am back. I am so excited i can't wait Wednesday 11th is my 21st birthday and on the 16th of September my fiancee is taking me to Alcudia for two weeks with his family.
See you guys soon.
Laura x

Harm Done By Ruth Rendell.

Hey Guys,
Today is a short but sweet review of Harm Done By Ruth Rendell.

Blurb/synopsis: A young girl disappears, then another. A notorious paedophile is released back into the community. The residents of the Muriel Campden Estate are up in arms, and even prepared to take the law into their own hands...Chief Inspector Wexford is faced with the effects of violence and prejudice every day as a policeman, and he is also involved with a new programme to help victims of domestic violence. His daughter, Sylvia, has come to work nearby in a refuge for battered women. Her marriage is not a happy one, although her husband has never raised a hand to her. They are merely incompatible. Other women in Kingsmarkham are not so lucky...Wexford is soon called upon to investigate two extremely serious crimes which will affect the lives and attitudes of police and innocent villagers alike...
This book was written in 2000 and is 467 pages long and to be honest I read 100 pages and still couldn't get into it, so I didn't finish it. I don't know why but I didn't seem to enjoy this book as I have the other books I  read in the past. I'm not going to say its rubbish or don't go and read it as I didn't finish it. I can't really say if it was brilliant or not but for me it just wasn't one a could get into. Sorry for such a short book review.
Laura xx
*Image was taken from here.

Allhallows Eve By Richard Laymon.

Hey guys,
Another book review. Allhallows eve By Richard laymon, another that was lent to me and i enjoyed muchly.

Blurb/Synopsis:Nothing unusual ever happens in Ashburg, until a local family are mutilated and left to die in their own home. Since then, the house has stood empty, but when mysterious invitations arrive announcing a party there, nobody thinks its a joke. After all, it is Allhallow's Eve
Another fantastic book by Richard Laymon, i'm really starting to like this author and will be reading more of his books. there are many different characters within this book that are all connected one way or another, through family or friends. This book was written in 1985 and although it is a old book it is still up to date. Haunting book as based around a house that had a horrific murder within and now the very same house is hosting a Halloween party but by whom? I would like to add I think It may be the way Richard Laymon writes but the main character is a child created from rape, why this is added I don't know as without this little added part to the main character this book it still a brilliant read. The ending is a bit blunt, but it doesn't leave you at a cliff hanger at least like the last Richard Laymon book I read called Island. I would recommend this book to everyone to give it a try as Richard Laymon was a fantastic writer. 4 out of 5 for this book.
What have you been reading recently?
Laura xx
*Image was taken from here.

Risk By Dick Francis.

Hey guys,
Another book review. Risk by Dick francis. As mentioned in my previous blog here I bought this book in a collection from WhSmith and to be honest I didn't think I would enjoy this book as much as I did.

Blurb/Synopsis: As an amateur jockey, Roland Britten was lucky; as an accountant he was zealous. He knew he was on the hate list of several fraudsters, but never thought pen-pushers got kidnapped - not from a racecourse. Not long after winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup. The identity of the kidnappers unknown, the reason behind Britten's abduction is a mystery. Then, with the help of old school headmistress Hilary Pinlock, he escapes and begins to use his accountant's logic to track his abductors down. But they have other ideas ...
I was quite surprised at this book as it had been written in 1979 so I was expecting it to be written as it was in them times but this book is written very well. I didn't think I would enjoy this book as much as the rest I purchased and also didn't expect it to be such a page turner. It's not a book I would read again but it is one I would recommend. The main character Roland is kidnapped but he escapes with a little bit of help but not for long as they kidnap him again. Roland goes on the hunt for his kidnappers and obviously succeeds but along the way there are many twists and turns. It is written in first person and after awhile you sense he knows who the kidnappers are but it leaves you guessing the little hints here and there. The book is a great read although I would like to add, why he slept the Hilary the Headmistress was beyond me as, yes she helped him escapes but I think that part of the story would have made it better getting left out. This book had 314 pages in it so wasn't a very long book but even so was an good book.
3 out of 5.
What books have you read lately?
Laura xx
*Image taken from Here.

Island By Richard Laymon.

Hey guys,
Todays post is a book review.. I was recommended this book to read by my step father as Richard Laymon is his favourite author. He actually lent me this book to read and it took me awhile to begin to read it as I thought I wouldn't enjoy it.

Blurb/Synopsis: When eight people go on a cruise in the Bahamas, they plan to swim, sunbathe and relax. Getting shipwrecked is definitely not in the script. But after the yacht blows up they're stranded on a deserted island, and there's a maniac on the loose.

As the Blurb says eight people go on holiday together in a ship and it gets blown up and they are all stranded on an island. People start to go missing and turn up dead. This book is 504 pages long and each page turned leaves you wanting more. I would like to say by page 78 you do realise who is killing everyone, but it doesn't ruin the book if anything it make it even better. This book is written as a journal kind of thing and is written in first person, some parts of the story aren't for the faint hearted as it is goes into details on some horrific scenes. It's kind of horrible fun, it keeps you entertained but not in a good way. Many twists and turns within the story that leaves you wanting more, the details within the story are brilliant and allows you to really picture what is happening. The ending of the story is a cliff hanger and It left me looking on the internet wanting more, I searched for a sequel and found they are trying to make this book into a film and I hope this goes ahead. I will definatly be reading more of Richard Laymon's books as he was a very talented writer, sadly he passed away when he was 50 years old but he legacy will still go on.
4.5 our of 5.
Hope you enjoyed this.
Laura xx
*image was taken from here.

Blog Update.

Hey Guys,
I haven't had many questions about this blog but I would like to stop the questions before they begin.
As it says on the main page this is a blog of two people who have a passion for books and will be writing our reviews and as you will see it is mostly myself (laura) reading and writing reviews. When I started this blog, I asked my step father who also loves reading to help me out and we would take it in turns to write blogs and post them online, but he is very busy and hardly finds to read let alone write blogs and post them online. So if you all don't mind you will just get my blog posts for awhile and my step father as a guest blogger hehe.
I hope you all don't mind.
Laura xx

The unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry By Rachel Joyce.

Hey guys,
It's been a while.. sorry I have been on a little holiday which was a nice break but I'm back.
Today I thought I would write a book review on a book I recently read. I have the Waterstones app on my phone and every so often I like to look for new books out now or coming soon, and I had seen The unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry was very popular and highly recommended book and I had read many great reviews online so when I found in a local shop for £3 I thought bargin and purchased it.
Blurb/Synopsis: When Harold Fry nips out one morning to post a letter, leaving his wife hoovering upstairs, he has no idea that he is about to walk from one end of the country to the other. He has no hiking boots or map, let alone a compass, waterproof or mobile phone. All he knows is that he must keep walking. To save someone else's life.

This isn't my typical book I tend to go for, but because it had great reviews I thought I would give it a go and I loved every single page. It starts out how The main character (Harold Fry) receives a letter from a old work colleague saying she has got cancer and is dying. Harold writes back and leaves to post the letter but after walking past 5 post boxes he finds a letter isn't enough and he feel he should go see her and decides to walk from one end of the country to the other. It is a heart warming story with many ups and downs. Each character has their own story and you get to know each and every one of them a little. Throughout the book Harold meets many wonderful people and sees people in different lights. It's a brilliant book which I highly recommend every one to read. It's a great page turner and quite an easy book to read. If given the time you could read this in one to two sittings. The ending is brilliant and would be great as a film. This is a book I would read all over again.
4.5 out of 5.
Hope you enjoyed this book review.
Laura xx

What Do You Do When You read...?

Hey guys,
Today I thought I would talk about what people do when they read, I bet you sat there thinking well obviously we all read but, what I mean is what do you do with the information? I have asked a few people this recently and I had a few answers so I thought I would share them with you and you can tell me what you do when you read.
1) Read between the lines: Some people really take in the information and read between the lines and get more information. Eg. The cat sat on the mat... Some "read between the lines" people will wonder what colour is the mat?, what colour is the cat? Why did he sit on the mat? They get more information out of a little sentence. As other will just think he sat on a mat and so what? "Read between the lines" people will think he sat on a mat why? where? These type of people usually feel the story lines more and may even get emotional with what is happening within the book.
2) Scanner: These people scan over the words but don't take them in as much, they will only remember parts of the book or if any at all. Scanners tend to read very quickly as there are not taking the information in totally it's as if they are taking it in, in one ear and out the other. Sometimes if someone has other things are on there mind or don't feel like reading they will become a scanner and will have to go back over what they just read. I do sometimes do this myself.
3) I was there: Many people I have spoke to tend to read the same way I do... Best way to explain this type of reader is, they picture themselves either as a character within the story, they feel what the character feels like pain, sadness and happiness or, like I do, I tend to put myself in the story as if its happening around me and I'm sat in the middle watching it all happen. I don't tend to feel for characters but I tend to feel the shock as I would if I were watching a film.
I hope you understood what I said when I tried to explain different ways people read books, Let me know in the comments below which type you are or if you are a different type and tell me about it below. Also I would love to know if you are a mix of all them and why? I tend to be a scanner when I don't feel like reading but most of the time a I was there person.
Hope you enjoyed this blog.
Laura xx

Kay Scarpetta Series - Patricia Cornwell

Hey guys,
Sorry that it has been nearly two weeks since I wrote a blog post but I have been ever so busy with work and stuff. I recently finished reading the Kay Scarpetta book series written by Patricia Cornwell who I have wrote a author review about here. It has taken me just over a year to read his series but I have read other books in between and I was waiting for the last book to come out on paperback for a month, but if I had the choice I would read them all again one after the other and could do so easily in a few months if given the time.
The series consists of 20 twenty books called: Postmortem, Body of Evidence, All that Remains, Cause of Death, Unnatural Exposure, Point of origin, Black Notice, The Last Precinct, Blow Fly, Trace, Predator, Book of the Dead, Scarpetta, The Scarpetta Factor, Port Mortuary, Red Mist and The Bone Bed. All of these books has there own story line to them, but at the same time do follow on from each other. I wouldn't say you have to read these books in order to understand the stories but you get to know the characters better and you tend to understand more. Although on the other hand the last book The Bone Bed doesn't follow on from the last 19 books and if you are new to Patricia Cornwell is a good taster of what to expect from this author.  With each story the characters grow on you and it keeps you hooked just to learn a bit more about the main characters Benton, Kay Scarpetta, Marino and Lucy, other characters eg: the baddies you do learn about those too but its the main characters and their relationships together that keep you wanting more. Kay Scarpetta, obviously being the main character, as all the books are based around her and her life is such a strong confident character that has good and bad times, she is so intelligent and you begin to understand her so well it is like you know her in real life, you get how she feels when things happen good or bad.
As you read the stories written by Patricia Cornwell her writing style changes from third person to first person and her writing style does get better and better and as the first book in this series was written in 1990 and the last being 2012 as science has changed through the years it also has in the books too. The way these books are written is so intelligent and you learn a great deal from Patricia Cornwell/Scarpetta. I really enjoyed the twists and turn within each novel which keeps you hooked till the very last page, all the thrills and suspense make you want to read another chapter when you know you shouldn't. I would say though what I do find disappointing about these books is you never really get to guess who is the murderer, the end two chapters usually say who it is and then how they find out how they figured this out I think I would give this series a definite 5 out of 5 if you could guess who "dunnit" as you could feel the books more and possibly feel more involved in the story lines.
All in all though I am a huge fan of this series and would recommend anyone and everyone to give at least one of these books a try, my fiancé hates reading but even he was intrigued by the synopsis on a few of these books and instead of reading them, he was asking me what was happening in the novels keeping with the story line via myself.
If you would like me to book review on each individual book I will just comment below and I will get to it. I hope you enjoyed this series review and I will be back shortly with another book review.
Laura xx
p.s I am currently reading The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce so look out for a book review shortly on that.

Warner Borthers Studio Tour - Harry Potter

Hey guys,
As promised this blog post will be about my day out at Warner Brothers Studio Tour The making of Harry Potter. I really enjoyed my day out and even though my fiance hates Harry potter he found it very interesting too. It was very interesting how they made some of the caracters come alive and how the special effects helped changes how we see things. I would go again 100% as i think each time you go you would learn something new every time. I did have a go on the broom sticks but my video and pictures looked horrible so when we got to the gift shop i had another picture taken as a wanted wizard(which you will find at the bottom of the blog). I was going to do this post much better with each picture with a caption but for some reason it wouldn't allow me to do this and when i tried to write by each of the pictures is kept moving the pictures and puttin them in the wrong order so i am sorry it's just a basic pictures blog. There will be alot of pictures just to be warned as i tried to get a picture of pretty much everything.
Hope you enjoyed this.
Laura . xx

Ticket Holder.

The Tickets.

Entrance, Photos from through-out the films.