REVIEW: The Secret Sister by M.M Deluca published by Canelo Books

Anna is a teacher who works in a school for vulnerable young people. She struggles to make ends meet, living hand to mouth as she feeds her shopping addiction. When Guy walks into the school lecture hall one day to deliver to the staff a professional development session, Anna’s life changes.

She wants to tell Guy the truth about her past, but she can’t but she has also made a promise to her sister Birdie, who has gone missing, that she will reveal the truth about what happened to her.

Wow! This book was gripping. In one description it quotes “A completely addictive thriller that will keep you guessing into the early hours of the morning” and it did I couldn’t go to sleep as I wanted to know how certain characters would respond to certain situations! I guessed the twist about two pages before it was revealed and I was a) chuffed that I managed to solve the mystery and b) thrilled that it wasn’t so obvious that I was just waiting for the author to reveal what I already knew.

I would have liked to have known what happened to certain characters after the news was revealed, but in this case, less is more!

This is a disturbing, heart-breaking story which tackles head-on the story line of child exploitation in the care system and it certainly doesn’t hold any punches.

A wonderful, enthralling, chilling read.

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REVIEW: Moonlight Over Studland Bay by Della Galton

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Review: One Enchanted Evening

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Diva written by Daisy Goodwin and published by Aria and Aries

Opera singer Maria Callas known as “ la divina” with her fabulous voice was born with note only a gift of singing, but also the drama and beauty needed to succeed on the worldwide operatic stages. Sadly, liked a bird in a gilded cage, Maria’s life is lonely, and although surrounded by people and her husband she feels isolated. When she meets the fabulously rich shipping magnate, Aristotle Onassis, her isolation melts away. For the first time in her life, she believes she's found a man who sees the woman rather than the legendary soprano. Desperately in love, Onassis introduces her to a life of unbelievable luxury, mixing with celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. And then, suddenly, it's over. The international press announce that Onassis will marry the most famous woman in the world, former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, leaving Maria to pick up the pieces. This is a fictional account based on true events, think of The...

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