Book Review: The Book Of You by Claire Kendal

Publisher: HarperCollins

Publication Date: April 2014

The Book of you is about a lady called Clarissa who is being stalked by a work colleague called Rafe, he won't leave her alone, everywhere she turns he's there, he leaves her gifts and most certainly won't take no for answer. When Clarissa get's to be part of Jury service, she finally feels safe for a while...but for how long?

There is no words to describe how hooked I was with this book and how I was really worried for Clarissa and what Rafe was going to do to her.

This is Claire Kendal's debut novel and what a superb way to get noticed! The Book of You is just thrilling that your looking behind yourself just like Clarissa is doing.

Clarissa is a 38 year old English woman who takes up with a distant coworker one night at a little party after his book is published and something dark happens that changes her life in every way. This guy, Rafe, stalks her every move and she becomes like a prisoner in her own life. He's everywhere. Her house, her work, the park...and he leaves lots of notes and gifts for her.

I liked the style of writing Claire has done, the way we flick between the "book" all about Rafe and his ways of stalking following instructions from a leaflet about Domestic abuse telling her to write everything down so that what she does. To present day but she doesn't get much of present day until she is that court being part of Jury service. 
The question is when will Rafe get the picture that Clarissa isn't interested..maybe when it's too late? as Clarissa is writing in the journal every day she see's him and the unwanted gifts she keeps tucked away so when the time comes to go straight to the police that they will listen to her and there will be plenty of evidence... the only place Clarissa feels safe is in the Court House and when she gets to know the other people part of Jury service, she become's friendly with a guy called Robert but becoming more than friends with Robert angers Rafe and isn't a good thing!
The Book of You is one gripping and scary book! for fan's who love to read a good psychological thriller then you will love this!
You may not sleep without wanting to keep the light on but it'll be worth it!
5 page turning stars!
 

Revamped Cover Reveal: New bright and refreshing E-Book Covers by Belinda Jones

Ta-Dah! Here are Belinda Jones' book covers with a new and exciting look for each one!
You will also notice three of the books have changed names

Summer in Greece is Out of the blue
Dancing Girls is Living La Vida Loca

Hollywood Calling is California Dreamers

I am such a big fan of Belinda's book and I think these covers will look beautiful and summery on my Kindle so now I'm off to buy them all!
Psst...they are all out NOW!!


My favourite cover that stands out so much and I love is...... The Paradise Room! 
I want to be swimming in that gorgeous blue sea! 

Now its your turn...which cover do you love the most? 
Write in the comments below and lets show the love for Belinda Jones!

Book Review: The Girl On The Train by Paula Hawkins

Well Guess who's back!?!
 Miss Bookworm Reviews is back for another year of new fab releases!!
Here is my first book review of 2015.
Enjoy!

Publication: 15th January 2015Publisher: Transworld

Well I have heard so much about this book and the cover of the book drew me in straight away! I had the pleasure of getting an e-copy of Netgalley and I couldn't wait to jump in as I've heard from a lot of blogger friends that they had enjoyed it so I wanted to check out the book!

We meet Rachel who catches the same commuter train every morning when the train stops at this stop she sees a row of houses by the tracks where she imagines a life for a couple who she sees day to day on her commute who happen to live couple of doors down from where she used to live with her Ex Husband Tom.

Rachel one day is on the commuter train when she sees something terrible but once it has happened after that..things start to unravel so much....Rachel gets into deep then!

I'l admit it is hard to like Rachel as she is a heavy drinker and just comes across as a bit of a nutter and seems to just stalk her ex husband a lot, I really didn't think i was going to be able to get into this book so much but I must tell you to carry on if you think your gonna hate it at the beginning because it gets bloody good towards the end chapters I was gob smacked as I never thought It was a certain character from the book at all.

This review is hard to tell you what I loved the most without giving the story away too much! Although I can definitely say The Girl On The Train is the most talked about book of January 2015 and may even still be by the end of the year too!

 I have recently got into Psychological Thrillers and this book is definitely right at the top for me right now! It is the most thrilling and page turning book!

I had never of Paula Hawkins before but The Girl On The Train being her debut Novel she's definitely brought the blogging community to a craze this year!

I would definitely recommend going buying The Girl On The Train when its out on 15th January!

You won't want to miss out!

Miss Bookworm Reviews 2014 Year Wrap Up

Well It's nearly the end of 2014 and this is the last post to close up a fantastic year with some fab books that I have enjoyed! Some books have stuck in my mind so much and I cannot stop recommending them to you all and also to my friends & family!


Here are a random selection of books that I loved in 2014:

Paige Toon Book Signings!

I saw the lovely Paige Toon Twice this year which was so exciting for me! Paige is one of my favourite Chick Lit authors and She was the first book signing I ever went to last year and It makes me want to meet so many more authors in the future!

Rainbow Rowell Book Signing!
My lovely childhood friend but also blogger friend Katie asked me to go a book signing with her in Liverpool to meet American YA writer Rainbow Rowell! She is so lovely!! Enjoyed it so much and met two other bloggers Emma & Clare too!

2nd Blogiversary
Miss Bookworm Reviews celebrated 2 year Blogiversary this September which was great fun and I am so grateful to all my followers & readers as I didn't think I would still be here blogging this year and I have met so many lovely bloggers who I can call my friends now and to be able to talk Books all the time is fab!
I also managed to achieve 1,174 followers on Twitter which is just fantastic.
Thank You!


Festive-Blog-Athon

 Me and my lovely blogger friend Katie ( @intothebookcase) came up with a great festive idea this December called Festive-Blog-Athon which went so successful and enjoyed sharing and chatting to you all throughout this month.
Huge thank you to all the Authors & Bloggers who took part in any way or form you did! Your all amazing!
Thank You Thank You Thank You!!

Hope my reviews throughout the year has got you buying so many new books and enjoying them as much as I did!
Thank you to my followers, you are all amazing!

2015
I Think 2015 will be another busy year again with another lot of great books! I'm hoping to go to more book signings & events too! Also got a trip to London in march to meet lovely author Rebecca Raisin for a sight seeing trip hehe!
I will also be trying to blog a lot more too and try some new ideas!

Miss Bookworm Reviews wishes you all Happy New Year and bring on 2015!
xox

Festive Guest Post: Xmas Quiz with the HarperCollins Avon Team ++ Festive Giveaway

The Lovely Harpercollins Avon Team clubbed together and answered a few festive Questions and have offered a special giveaway too!!


What’s your favourite Christmas tradition?

KL: Decorating the tree

HH: I’m a traditionalist, so it’s got to be midnight mass – I love seeing in Christmas with carols and candles a-plenty.

ED: Making my whole family (of adults) watch THE SNOWMAN cartoon after going to a carol service at Chester cathedral on Christmas Eve

PK: Decorating the Christmas tree very quickly became my job (I’m a serious perfectionist). It’s now become tradition to watch me do it, and try to change it when I’m not looking.

RN: Xmas eve lunch with the family then to the pub with my friends!

JD: The carol service at my local church, anything for a bit of Christmas music! 

What books will you be reading this Christmas?

KL: Re-reading Jane Eyre

HH: The Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb – I haven’t read any of her books before but keep hearing how amazing she is. I can’t wait to get cracking.

ED: LAMENTATION by C.J. Sansom (been waiting years for it!) and THE TAXIDERMIST’S DAUGHTER by Kate Mosse 

PK: I read The Hobbit every year, so that, and probably Wuthering Heights again.

RN: I still haven’t read Wolf Hall and Bringing Up The Bodies and feeling ever more guilty about it, so probably those two. 

JD: Either Robin Hobb’s Fools Assassin, or the Silmarillion… maybe this year!

What’s your worst ever Christmas present?

KL: A clothes dryer (gran I hope you're not reading this…)

HH: Monogramed towels. I mean, really.

ED: Anti-aging eye cream from my Mum. Thanks Mum. 

PK: Make-up wipes and shampoo. Oh and Man-U socks…. I support Liverpool.

RN: I’m pretty pleased with most presents I get to be honest, though one year I got a ‘Lynx for Girls’ set. That shouldn’t even be a thing, let alone a present! 

JD: A candle in the shape of a Spaniel…. 

How last minute do you leave your Christmas shopping?

KL: Normally a couple of weeks before - I'm not too bad, but I am quite lazy and do it all online.

HH: I try to shop a month ahead but always have at least two false starts where I leave the shops without any present, but plenty of things for myself.

ED: I’m usually done by mid-December. My ex used to drive me mad by doing his on Xmas eve!

PK: I’m almost last minute. I start with 3 weeks to go but often get things on Xmas eve too!

RN: I’m generally pretty good and finish with a week to go but I’m always terrible at wrapping them…that’s almost certainly an Xmas eve job. 

JD: I always have it ready to go before mid-December!

Mistletoe or mince pies?

KL: Ooh depends on the man...

HH: Mince pies – basically anything food related at Christmas.

ED: Mistletoe – so romantic

PK: Neither. Give me a glass of mulled wine, a blanket, and a good book!

RN: Mince pies. They should be sold all year round. 

JD: Brandy Butter. It’s not an option, so I’ll make it one!







!! Festive Giveaway Time !!

The lovely Harpercollins Avon Team are offering two lucky winners a book bundle of these books each; 
- Alfie the doorstep cat
- Coming Home for Christmas by Julia Williams
- I'll Take New York by Miranda Dickinson
Enter Here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Festive Guest Post: Xmas Q&A with .....Blogger Stephanie Carr

I'm Steph., 22, from England. Recent English Literature graduate and lover of books, makeup, swimming, live music & comedy, and tea. Currently work in admin and recently undertook a couple of weeks work experience at Penguin books, now pursuing a career in publishing.  Try to blog as often as I can!  

Blog:  ivoryandgold

"When do you normally get in the festive spirit?"

Now! It's normally around the end of November that I start feeling festive and thinking about how I could decorate my room, and what presents I need to buy. It's also the time I start playing Christmas songs all the time!

"What is a family tradition you like to have or do at Christmas?"

We don't really have any traditions; we all just spend time together and eat and watch TV and give presents. Nothing specific.

"Favourite past Christmas?"

I can't think of a specific year, but any year when both sets of my grandparents were here and all of us spent the day together.

"Do you love buying/wrapping gifts and seeing everyone's faces on Christmas day?"

YES! Choosing/buying/wrapping/giving presents is one of my favourite things about Christmas.  

"Favourite Christmas book?"

I don't really have any favourite books that are about Christmas, but books I always tend to re-read around the festive season are Harry Potter (the descriptions of the Christmas feast & decorations etc are just beautiful, and Harry Potter is such a nostalgic thing to read). This year I'll probably also re-read The Perks of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, and Jack Kerouac's On The Road because they're old favourites that I haven't read in a long time.

"What is it like on Christmas day for you and your family?"

We just have a really chilled out, lazy day.  Listen to Christmas music, watch Christmas films, eat, etc. Sometimes we all go to the pub at some point which is nice too. This year I think we're spending Christmas afternoon with friends.

"When do you normally put your Christmas tree up?"

If it were up to me I'd have it up on 1st December, but usually it's a couple of weeks before Christmas when we finally get it out and decorate it.

"Favourite Christmas movie?"

ELF! As well as Home Alone, and Uncle Buck. (Is Uncle Buck even a Christmas film? I'm not sure, but it's always on TV at Christmas).

Festive-Blog-Athon Day Twenty Four: Xmas Throwback & Traditions ++ Special Festive Giveaway

Today is the last post for Festive-Blog-Athon! Feel kind of sad ending this today! I've had so much fun these past 24 days.. however will talk more of that later.
 First is my post about my Xmas Traditions from the past when I was growing up. 

Our First Tradition is on Christmas Eve for me and my younger Lois when we was younger was we used to get new pjs, put them on and then would snuggle up on the sofa to watch a couple of Christmas Films to bring in the Christmas and then would run upstairs excited for Christmas Day to arrive and would try and listen out for Father Christmas..which one year when I was younger I did hear bells and got all excited that he was here!As me and my sister are getting older we now have a tradition every Christmas Eve is the four of us go for a meal at the local pub and get all a bit festive and bring the Christmas cheer in after having a hard week at work with working in retail.


Christmas Day when me and Lois were younger was the exciting part being up at crack of dawn would run into our mum and dad's room and we weren't allowed downstairs until my dad checked if "he had been" only then could we run down stairs and see our presents!

Christmas Day morning after the presents on the couch are opened we have Bucks Fizz and a cooked breakfast which is always so yummy! Then after that we all open all the presents under the Christmas tree.

 My mum is always the one who cooks the Christmas Dinner and she makes it oh so perfect! Turkey and all the trimmings ( Sprouts, Parsnips, Roast Potatoes, Mash, Carrots.. yum yum)

I can’t believe this is the final post in the Festive-Blog-Athon and I just want to say thank you for everyone that has made this such a success. Thanks to everyone that has read, shared and participated, and a huge thank you to all of the people that kindly did a festive guest post. We’re truly honoured and thankful.

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas however you choose to celebrate it, and I’d like to send you all the best wishes for 2015! I’ll see you all then.

Oh wait, I need to tell you all about the final giveaway for Festive-Blog-Athon!



!! Festive Giveaway Time !!
Katie and I are giving away a £10 Waterstones gift card to one of you lucky people. This giveaway is UK only unfortunately. We hope you find something lovely in the sales!
Enter Here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

AND SURPRISE ANNOUNCEMENT!!

THE WINNER OF THE FESTIVE PHOTO CHALLENGE IS….

@lynseybfarmer

Congratulations Lynsey! DM one of us on twitter and we’ll get the prize to you!