FESTIVE READS: Wish Upon a Christmas Cake by Darcie Boleyn

Darcie Boleyn's new novel, Wish Upon a Christmas Cake, was released earlier this month by UKCarina, and follows Katie, who has an unexpected Christmas visit that could change her life...

The most wonderful time of the year?

Katie Warham has just one wish this year…to have the best Christmas ever!

If only she could lock herself away in a cloud of flour and sugar at her cosy little tearoom, Crumbtious Cakes, instead of spending the festive season trapped with her judgemental mother, crazy Aunt Gina and loved-up celebrity brother Carl...

But Katie never expected her ex-boyfriend, widower Sam – and his two adorable children – to turn up on her doorstep. She didn’t think that any man could tempt her under the mistletoe this year, but Sam might just prove the exception! And as the snow begins to fall and Katie puts the final touches to her famous Christmas cake, she begins to wonder, could her Christmas wish actually come true?

FESTIVE READS: UKCarina launches Christmas Collection

Digital imprint UKCarina (who publish romance authors such as Samantha Tonge, Lynsey James and Jenny Oliver, are to release a collection of Christmas stories. Christmas Wish Come True will feature three romantic stories from Gina Rochelle, Misty Shaw and Jaimie Admans, and will be released on December 4.

All I Want for Christmas by Gina Rochelle
Ditching her faithless fiancé, schoolteacher  Isabella  plans to spend the holidays alone. But when she unintentionally inspires a young pupil to make an impossible wish, she joins forces with his – totally gorgeous – uncle to put things right! Could two wishes could come true this Christmas?

Dreaming of a White Wedding by Misty Shaw
When  Scarlet  discovered her husband-to-be in bed with her bridesmaid, she called off her Valentine’s wedding and ran away to London. But when her sister asks for her help, she can’t refuse…even if it means coming face-to-face with her ex – the man she never stopped loving!

Christmas Every Day by Jaimie Admans
Emma  loves bumping into Gorgeous Dog Walker, Nick, every evening. But when he ends up in a coma (partly her fault), she ends up taking care of ‘his job’…and his dog! Emma stopped believing in Santa years ago, but this Christmas her world is about to be turned upside-down!

UNCOVERED INTERVIEWS: Lynsey James

Just the Way You Are was published by UK Carina in May, and author Lynsey James has stopped by to share her inspiration behind the book, in which Ava falls for a mysterious letter-writer that she's never met...

Tell us about your latest novel in 15 words or less.
Ava Clements’ secret admirer starts writing to her again and that’s when things get complicated!

What inspired you to write Just The Way You Are?
I was writing a completely different story and ended up using the love letter element, just in a different way. It caught my imagination and the plot for Just the Way You Are kind of popped up and said hello! I started writing it that night; five drafts and a lot of tears later, here we are!

Where do you do most of your writing?
I do it either on the couch while I snack, cuddle my dog and binge-watch a boxset (Desperate Housewives is the current favourite) or in bed where I do much the same thing.

What is your favourite book?
I Remember You by Harriet Evans. It’s a beautiful story about love and loss, set in a beautiful English village called Langford. If I could live anywhere from a book it would be there. Or Hogwarts.

Which part of Just The Way You Are did you enjoy writing the most?
I enjoyed writing the love letters from Mr Writer to Ava the most. They were really different to the rest of the book and it let me really get into his head.

Who is your favourite literary heroine?
I love Rosie Duncan from Fairytale of New York by Miranda Dickinson. She’s really positive and makes things happen to her instead of waiting for her happy ending to come to her.

Do you have any tips for readers who are looking to become published writers?
I’d say the most important things are to never give up and to write. If you do those two things, it will happen for you one day. I didn’t believe dreams ever came true until mine did. It can happen!

Are you working on anything else at the moment and if so, can you tell us?
I’ve just finished writing my second novel The Broken Hearts Book Club, which will be out on 21st August. Now I’m dreaming up ideas for books 3 and 4!

Thanks, Lynsey!

About Lynsey

Lynsey James was born in Fife in 1991 and has been telling people how to spell her name ever since. She's an incurable bookworm who loves nothing more than getting lost in a good story with memorable characters. She started writing when she was really young and credits her lovely Grandad- and possibly a bump on the head from a Mr Frosty machine- with her love of telling stories. She used to write her own episodes of Friends and act them out in front of her family (in fact she's sure she put Ross and Rachel together first!)

A careers adviser at school once told Lynsey writing wasn't a "good option" and for a few years, she believed her. She tried a little bit of everything, including make-up artistry, teaching and doing admin for a chocolate fountain company. The free chocolate was brilliant. When Lynsey left her job a couple of years ago, she started writing full-time while she looked for another one. As soon as she started working on her story, Lynsey fell in love and decided to finally pursue her dream. She haven't looked back since.

When Lynsey's not writing, eating cake or drinking tea, she's daydreaming about the day Dylan O'Brien FINALLY realises they're meant to be together. It'll happen one day…

Just the Way You Are by Lynsey James

How do you start writing a letter to someone, six years after breaking their heart? 

Ava is unlucky in love as well as in life. The new office bitch has landed the dating column Ava wanted, and she can't remember the last time she had a second date. It's a good thing she has best friends Max and Gwen to pick up the pieces. 

Deep down, Ava knows the reason why one date never turns into two – she's in love with someone else. Someone she's never even met. 

It all started six years ago, with a letter from a secret admirer, Mr Writer... but then they suddenly stopped and Ava was heartbroken. 

Now the letters have started again and Ava knows it could mean winning back the dating column at work. This time she's determined to unmask Mr Writer... and find out once and for all if he's Mr Right or Mr Very Definitely Wrong!

BLOG TOUR: Rebecca Pugh's fantasy casting for Return to Bluebell Hill!

Rebecca Pugh, blogger at Becca's Books and debut novelist with UK Carina, joins us this week as part of the Return to Bluebell Hill blog tour! Do you ever read a book wonder which famous folk would play your favourite characters? (Or your own characters, if you're a writer too!) Here Rebecca shares the cast list for a Return to Bluebell Hill adaptation - which would in itself be a whole lot of fun! (Are you listening, Hollywood?!)

Please don’t hate me but, when it comes to the stars of Hollywood, I’m absolutely rubbish! I tend to stick to my favourites, and can never remember names of the people who I do happen to enjoy watching on screen! But, I’m going to give casting the characters in Return to Bluebell Hill a go, although feel free to cast your own, too!

Jessica Mcadams

I am a MASSIVE fan of Anne Hathaway, and in my mind, I think she’d play the role of Jessica perfectly (with raven black hair, of course). She’s strong, but capable of being broken down by the painful memories of her past. Anne Hathaway has such a classic look about her, which I also think would fit Jessica perfectly, as she doesn’t tend to fuss about with her hair or make-up. I can definitely imagine Anne Hathaway on the train on the way to Bluebell Hill. She’d play Jessica McAdams perfectly!

Rueben Greer

This is mainly for selfish reasons and I pretty much imagine most fictional men as being Channing Tatum! He’s got the physical build that I’d imaged Rueben to have from all the physical work, as well as the looks to make Jessica’s legs tremble just that little bit. She talks a lot in the book about how capable and strong Rueben looks… Channing is the perfect fit! 

Esme

Yes, yes and yes AGAIN! I absolutely LOVE Meryl Streep, and I think she would play my character Esme flawlessly (just imagine she’s wearing her hair in a bun and Meryl’s spot on!) Esme adores Jessica, and Meryl just has that look about her, like she’d invite you into her cottage, but there’s still a hint of cheekiness in there too, which Rueben definitely brings out in Esme.

Sarah

Sarah is Jessica’s best-friend who stays in London while Jessica returns to Bluebell Hill. I think Amanda Seyfriend would play the part of Sarah effortlessly! She’s funny, completely supportive and has a slight childish sparkle to her that really helps Jessica along on her journey. She’s loving and loyal, and just wishes that Jessica would have some fun!

So, those are the people who I would choose to cast in the movie, if there were ever to be a film of Return to Bluebell Hill! I’d love to see these actors playing the roles of my characters and I believe that they’d do a brilliant job! What do you think? Do you have any preferences?

Return to Bluebell Hill by Rebecca Pugh

Home is where the heart is…

Jessica McAdams has never belonged anywhere; never truly felt at home. Of course, what did she expect from parents who never made her feel welcome in her own house? Leaving her life in London to return home to the charming country village of Bluebell Hill is harder than she thought. Especially as she never considered she’d be returning under such heart wrenching circumstances…

Clearing out the stunning and imposing Bluebell House after her parents’ death is difficult for Jessica—they never had the best relationship and now it’s too late. Yet spending time in the house that was never a home, having afternoon tea with dear old friend Esme—and sharing hot, sizzling kisses with delectable gardener Rueben!—opens Jessica’s eyes to the potential of Bluebell House… Could this big old, beautiful manor really be her forever home? Is Bluebell Hill where her heart is, has always been?

Jessica soon dares to dream of her very own home with delicious Rueben by her side. But when a deep, dark secret of Bluebell House is unearthed, Jessica’s world is turned upside down…

Will Jessica ever find where her heart truly lies?

UPCOMING RELEASE: Return to Bluebell Hill by Rebecca Pugh

Since debut author Rebecca Pugh (who also runs fab review blog Becca's Books) announced the news of her first novel on Twitter, chick-lit fans have been waiting for its release! Return to Bluebell Hill will be available from Carina UK tomorrow and follows Jessica, who has to return home to the idyllic Bluebell Hill after the death of her parents.

Jessica McAdams has never belonged anywhere; never truly felt at home. Of course, what did she expect from parents who never made her feel welcome in her own house? Leaving her life in London to return home to the charming country village of Bluebell Hill is harder than she thought. Especially as she never considered she'd be returning under such heart wrenching circumstances.

Clearing out the stunning and imposing Bluebell House after her parents' death is difficult for Jessica -they never had the best relationship and now it'stoo late. Yet spending time in the house that was never a home, having afternoon tea with dear old friend Esme - and sharing hot, sizzling kisses with delectable gardener Rueben! - opens Jessica's eyes to the potential of Bluebell House. Could this big old, beautiful manor really be her forever home? Is Bluebell Hill where her heart is, has always been? 

Jessica soon dares to dream of her very own home with delicious Rueben by her side. But when a deep, dark secret of Bluebell House is unearthed, Jessica's world is turned upside down.

Will Jessica ever find where her heart truly lies? 

BOOK NEWS: If You Don't Know Me By Now by A L Michael

Barista Imogen has dreams of becoming a writer in the upcoming novel from A L Michael (author of The Last Word and My So-Called Love Life). Imogen starts an anonymous blog about her customers which starts to become particularly popular...

If You Don't Know Me By Now will be available from Carina in early July.

What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?

Imogen has come to London to make it as a writer. At least, that was the plan. Finding herself in a dead-end job serving coffee to hipsters was not on her to-do list. And even if gorgeous colleague Declan does give her more of a buzz than a triple-shot cappuccino, Imogen can feel her dreams evaporating faster than the steam from an extra-hot latte.

Until her anonymous tell-all blog about London’s rudest customers goes viral – and suddenly, Imogen realises that landing the worst job in the world might just be the best thing that’s ever happened to her! As long as she can keep her identity to herself...

UNCOVERED INTERVIEWS: Holly Martin

We loved Holly Martin's novel One Hundred Proposals (which recently made the shortlist for Best Romantic Read at the Festival of Romantic Fiction!) Given that we always love to pry a bit further into the lives of lovely writers (in a nice way, of course!) we put our weekly questions to Holly.

Tell us about your latest novel in 15 words or less.
Round the world with 100 romantic, spectacular gorgeous proposals, a story of friendship and love.

What inspired you to write One Hundred Proposals?
It just came to me one day as a fully formed idea, how do you propose to proposer, how can you be romantic when your whole business is romance?

Where do you do most of your writing?
Where I can, in my bed, on my sofa, in my conservatory, at work scribbled in the back of notepads over lunch, just wherever I have the time.

What is your favourite book?
There's so many great ones, I love Twenties Girl from Sophie Kinsella and Waiting for Prince Harry from Aven Ellis.

Which part of One Hundred Proposals did you enjoy writing the most?
The proposals, coming up with new and exciting ways for Harry to propose to Suzie and I love the ending, it makes me smile so much.

Who is your favourite literary heroine?
It's not very original but Bridget Jones, she was just a normal girl who ended up in the middle of disaster after disaster.

Do you have any tips for readers who are looking to become published writers?
Just write, every idea, every sentence, every scene, just write it down, it could turn into something, it could not, but if you don't write it down, it will never be anything?

Thanks, Holly!

You can find out more about Holly Martin and her books over at her website, or by following her on Twitter (@hollymartin00).

INDUSTRY NEWS: Awards shortlists announced for Festival of Romantic Fiction

Shortlists were released today for the Romance Reader Awards, New Talent Award, and Romance Industry Awards. The winners will be announced at a gala awards ceremony at the Festival of Romantic Fiction on Saturday, 13th September.

Awards organiser Sarah Taylor said: "With the highest number of entries the awards have had in their four year history, the standard this year was exceptionally high with many highly rated novels not making the shortlists. The breath and depth of quality writing in romantic fiction should be celebrated and that's what these awards are all about."

Congratulations and good luck to all those who made it to the final lists! And now, on with the shortlists...

Best Romantic Read
Two Weddings and a Baby by Scarlett Bailey (Ebury)
The Memory Book by Rowan Coleman (Ebury)
The Cornish Stranger by Liz Fenwick (Orion)
After The Honeymoon by Janey Fraser (Arrow)
The Unpredictable Consequences of Love by Jill Mansell (Headline Review)
One Hundred Proposals by Holly Martin (Carina)
The Wedding Proposal by Sue Moorcroft (Choc Lit)
The Proposal by Tasmina Perry (Headline Review)
One Step Closer to You by Alice Peterson (Quercus)

Best Historical Read 
The Downstairs Maid by Rosie Clarke (Ebury)
Monsoon Mists by Christina Courtenay (Choc Lit)
The Maid of Milan by Beverley Eikili (Choc Lit)
The Dress Thief by Natalie Meg Evans (Quercus)
Crosscurrents by Jane Jackson (Accent Press)
Home For Christmas by Lizzie Lane (Ebury)
A Rose in Flanders Fields by Terri Nixon (Carina)
Queen of Bedlam by Laura Purcell (Myrmidon)

Best Short Romance
Don't Tell Penny by Anna Bell (Quercus)
Taming Her Italian Boss by Fiona Harper (Mills and Boon Cherish)
A Western Heart by Liz Harris (Choc Lit Lite)
Just You by Jane Lark (Harper Impulse)
The Right Side of Mr Wrong by Jane Linfoot (Harper Impulse)
Grand Designs by Linda Mitchelmore (Choc Lit Lite)
The Bookshop on the Corner by Rebecca Raisin (Carina)

Best E-Book
The Second Time I Saw You by Pippa Croft (Penguin)
The Wedding Cake Tree by Melanie Hudson (Choc Lit)
Summer at Castle Stone by Lynn-Marie Hulsmann (Harper Impulse)
Dear Lizzie by Annie Lyons (Carina)
The Guestbook by Holly Martin (Carina)
Room For Love by Sophie Pembroke (Carina)
The Oyster Catcher by Jo Thomas (Headline)
Doubting Abbey by Samantha Tonge (Carina)

Best Author Published
Mary Bennet by Kate Allan
Sweet Occasions by Linn B Halton
Drumbeats by Julia Ibbotson
Fairlights by Jan Jones
Christmas Yves by Nicola May
A Change of Heart by Adrienne Vaughan

New Talent Award Shortlist
An Infamous Seduction by Glenda Cooper
Country Strife by Debbie Fuller-White
Fancy Cakes and Skinny Lattes by Melanie Griffiths
For One Last Time by Louise Hall
The Gossamer Trail by Brenda Hawkey
Who Does He Think He Is? by Emily Kerr
Hats Off To Love by Susan Jones
Meeting Halfway by Mairibeth MacMillan
The Perfect Blend by Catherine Meadows
True Colours by Caroline Rayner
Maggie's Child by Glynis Smy

Industry Awards Shortlists

Innovation in Romantic Fiction - Publisher
Accent Amour – new commercial imprint from independent publisher Accent Press investing in backlists as well as new authors
Carina UK – celebrating it's first birthday in 2014, Carina digitally publishes over 75 authors from around the world and has been exceptionally successful in the ebook charts
Mills and Boon – launching a brand new reader-centred website including an interactive story world The Chatsfield that blends fiction and reality
Simon and Schuster – continuing development of their Books in the City website, a popular hub for readers to connect with authors

Innovation in Romantic Fiction – Author
Jenny Barden – for championing the whole genre with innovation in events for the Historical Novels Society and Romantic Novelists Association
Rowan Coleman - after writing Dearest Rose, Rowan was inspired to raise money for women suffering from domestic abuse by writing Woman Walks into a Bar and donating the royalties to Refuge
Nadine Dorries – for shining light on the romantic saga by topping the bestseller charts with her debut novel The Four Streets
Belinda Jones – for connecting with readers with an engaging theme across her website and social media including the Belinda Jones Travel Club on Facebook and Va-va-vacation.com website
Holly Martin - for her debut novel The Guestbook which uniquely tells the story through guest comments left in a leather-bound guestbook

Romance Blogger of the Year
ChickLitClub.com – an excellent example of a group of readers working together to share book news and reviews
Reviewedthebook.co.uk – passion shines through from blogger Sophie Hedley who has been nominated for her dedication and professionalism
Onemorepage.co.uk – blogger Amanda is described as an indefatigable advocate for books and their authors she champions

NEW RELEASE: First to Fall by Carys Jones

We first heard about Carys Jones when her April novel, romantic thriller Prime Deception, was released. Carys's new novel, First to Fall, was released on Thursday, and it follows lawyer Aiden Connelly, whose latest case turns out to be much more difficult than he expected...

Aiden Connelly’s first case…

Lawyer Aiden Connelly has traded the frenzy of Chicago for a slower pace in sleepy Avalon – and his first case appears to be as open-and-shut as he could hope for. Hired to defend a local ex-beauty queen accused of murdering her husband, he’s confident that he’ll have the case closed in record time. But below the surface lurks a darker truth…

Will be one he’ll never forget.

Suddenly, a quiet backwater has transformed into a dangerous pressure cooker. In a town where everyone knows everyone, gathering evidence should be easy… but the harder Aiden searches, the more he appreciates how tangled this net of loyalties is. And as he digs deeper, Aiden begins to realise that his very first case in Avalon could be the beginning of his undoing…

Head over to Amazon to download First to Fall. You can also find out more about Carys and her books over at her website, or by following her on Twitter, @tiny_dancer85. Also, check out the stops on the First to Fall blog tour!

About the Author

Carys Jones loves nothing more than to write and create stories which ignite the reader's imagination. Based in Shropshire, England, Carys lives with her husband, two guinea pigs and her adored canine companion, Rollo.

When she's not writing, Carys likes to indulge her inner geek by watching science- fiction films or playing video games.

She lists John Green, Jodi Picoult and Virginia Andrews as her favorite authors and draws inspiration for her own work from anything and everything.

To Carys, there is no greater feeling than when you lose yourself in a great story and it is that feeling of ultimate escapism which she tries to bring to her books.

UNCOVERED INTERVIEW: Samantha Tonge

Joining us for the Q&A this week is Samantha Tonge, bestselling author of fabulous novel Doubting Abbey, and new book From Paris With Love, which sees heroine Gemma take a trip to Paris after an engagement she's rather unsure of...

Tell us about your latest novel in 15 words or less.
A story about Paris, food and hot guys – starring fun-loving Gemma and gorgeous Lord Edward.

What inspired you to write From Paris With Love?
As a young woman, I lived in Paris for a while and clichéd as it is, I really do think it the most romantic city in the world. Plus I couldn’t resist creating more antics for bonkers Gemma, in the French capital, which include her being stalked by a mysterious James Bond look-a-like and forming a close friendship with a hot rockstar.

Where do you do most of your writing?
In the spare room at a TINY desk which pushes back into a wardrobe, at the end of the day.

What is your favourite book?
I haven’t read it for a while, but it has to be Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. We’re all still drooling over Mr Darcy decades after the author created him.

Which part of  From Paris With Love did you enjoy writing the most?
I loved all the parts where I got to revisit my favourite haunts in Paris, like the majestic Sacre Coeur church, the atmospheric Père Lachaise cemetary and the bustling flea market at Porte de Clignancourt.

Who is your favourite literary heroine?
Bridget Jones. I can relate to her as I am always getting myself into awkward and embarrassing situations. Plus I like wine and cake.

Do you have any tips for readers who are looking to become published writers?
Don’t ever give up. In my opinion, perseverance and determination count for more than talent. Also, get involved with the online writing community – fellow writers offer much-needed support to get you through the rejections and all the advice and feedback will greatly improve your work and chances of getting published.

Are you working on anything else at the moment and if so, can you tell us?
Ooh, a fun Christmas story! I am yet to have it officially accepted by CarinaUK, but it features celebrities, a hunky handyman and a suspected ghost.

Thanks, Samantha!

To find out more about Samantha and her novels, visit her website and Facebook, or follow her on Twitter. You can also check out the Doubting Abbey blog.

From Paris With Love by Samantha Tonge
Every girl dreams of hearing those four magical words - Will you marry me? But no-one tells you what’s supposed to happen next…

Fun-loving Gemma Goodwin knows she should be revelling in her happy-ever-after. Except when her boyfriend Lord Edward popped the question, after a whirlwind romance, although she didn’t say no….she didn’t exactly say yes either!

A month-long cookery course in Paris could be just the place to make sure her heart and her head are on the same page… And however disenchanted with romance Gemma is feeling, the City of Love has plenty to keep her busy; the champagne is decadently quaffable, the croissants almost too delicious, and shopping is a national past-time! In fact, everything in Paris makes her want to say Je t’aime… Except Edward!

But whilst Paris might offer plenty of distractions from wedding planning – including her new friends, mysterious Joe and hot French rockstar Blade - there’s no reason she couldn’t just try one or two couture dresses is there? Just for fun…

BOOK EVENTS: Festival of Romantic Fiction 2014

Tickets are now available for the 2014 Festival of Romantic Fiction, which will take place in the market town of Leighton Buzzard from 12-13 September.

The festival will bring together authors and readers of romantic fiction with great events and workshops, such as a Fiction into Film class, Chocolate Workshop, author party, Afternoon Tea and a book fair. Authors such as Mandy Baggott, Jane Lovering, Rowan Coleman, Liz Fenwick and Tracy Bloom will be attending the Festival, which will also provide an opportunity to pitch your novel live to publishers and literary agents, and see the Romance Reader Awards live.

The Festival of Romance will be supported by a variety of publishers such as Carina, Choc Lit and Mills & Boon.

For a full programme and to book tickets, head over to the festival website. You can also follow the festival on Twitter (official hashtag #romancefest14)

BOOK NEWS: Dear Lizzie by Annie Lyons

Dear Lizzie by Annie Lyons, which will be published by Carina on July 3rd, and is said to be a perfect read for fans of Jojo Moyes, Cecelia Ahern and Polly Williams. Read on for the synopsis...

Lizzie and Bea Harris were always very close. They were sisters and nothing could tear them apart. Until Bea dies from cancer at the age of thirty-five, leaving her sister twelve letters and a mission that will change Lizzie’s life forever.

Alone for the first time in her life Lizzie is left trying to pull together the pieces of a life she has for so long ignored. With Bea’s list of last requests, Lizzie has a chance to finally find a place for herself in the world out from under the shadow of her sister.

BOOK REVIEW: Prime Deception by Carys Jones

I was intrigued when I received a review copy of Prime Deception, the recently-released novel by Carys Jones. Published by Carina in the crime/thriller genre, Prime Deception focuses on Deputy Prime Minister Charles Lloyd, whose affair with an intern is about to be made headline news...

Investigative journalist John Quinn has spent years waiting and working to get a story that will shock the nation. Working for a notorious British tabloid, he finds himself extremely close to the story of his dreams - a kiss-and-tell with the young intern mistress of the Deputy Prime Minister. However, just before the story is printed, John receives a call that quickly puts an end to his dream. The intern, Lorna Thomas, is dead.

Charles Lloyd is devastated when he hears of Lorna's death. However, with his job as the Deputy PM, his feelings have to be kept strictly under wraps. Charles is regretful about the affair with Lorna - mainly because he was never able to admit his true feelings for her. And now it's too late. Having to put on a brave face for his wife, for his colleagues, and for the nation, is a difficult feat, because Lorna won't ever be coming back.

Meanwhile, convinced that her twin's death was uncharacteristic, Laurie Thomas leaves her quiet life behind for a while and heads to London with a mission in mind: to finally find out the truth about her sister.

Successfully getting into the Downing Street internship programme, Laurie puts herself in her sister's shoes in a bid to find out what truly happened. Ambitious, confident and lively Lorna would never have killed herself - so why did it happen?

Knowing about the affair, Laurie gets close to Charles to try and work out her twin sister's motives. Yet it becomes difficult for Charles when, after the initial shock of realising his lover had a twin, he begins to fall for Laurie.

Just what - or who - made Lorna Thomas drive to her death?

When I first started reading Prime Deception, I couldn't put it down. The book begins with reporter John, finding out that the story he's worked so hard on has fallen through. Lorna has been killed, and Charles has no idea why - and no way to find out without being caught out about the affair - a secret that'd make news across the nation if it was ever to be found out...

However, I couldn't help but find that a lot of the book focused more on the feelings of the characters, and less on the mystery of Lorna's disappearance. Throughout the book, the reader is given an insight into the feelings of Charles - his guilt, his love for Lorna, the thoughts that do not seem to go away. And there's Laurie, now an outsider in her family home now that her perfect sister has gone, and unable to let Lorna go until she unearths the truth. Even though I enjoyed reading about these characters and their obvious struggles at the start, I felt that it continued for too many chapters, and that information that could have made Prime Deception an even more addictive read, was left out. I wanted to read even more about John, for example, and more into the life of Faye, secretary to Charles.

I noticed quite early in this book that Prime Deception seemed to be a mix of the crime and romance genres, which I thought would work very well, though about halfway through I found that it was more confusing; there was no real romance besides that of Charles and Lorna. The ending of Prime Deception was surprising and great, although I felt cheated in some way by one of the minor characters turning up right at the end, and having not known that much about him, I was unsure about his motives. (I don't want to say too much as I do not want to spoil this book!) The book ended well, though a lot of the suspense happened mainly towards the end.

I enjoyed reading Prime Deception, and I will definitely read any future novels by this author as I feel that she is a very good writer with a great writing style. As someone who enjoys both the crime genre and romance, this was an interesting read. However, I did get the feeling that it might disappoint those who are looking for a fast-paced crime novel.

Rating: 4/5

UNCOVERED PICKS: Five July Releases

July is an exciting month for chick-lit releases, bringing us a fun new title from Lindsey Kelk, a perfect summer read from Victoria Fox, and many more! Here are five titles on the reading list this month!

Power Games by Victoria Fox

Play if you dare…

SEVEN INFAMOUS CELEBRITIES
The most exclusive invitation of the year has been issued; the supermodel, the thief, the senator, the heiress, the paparazzo, the pop prince and the playboy board a private jet. Destination: paradise.

SEVEN DEADLY SINNERS
Someone is watching. Someone who knows the dark secrets and the wicked reputations lurking beneath their glamorous facades. When it comes to revenge, knowledge is power. Vanity, pride, lust, greed - whatever their crime…

ONE PUNISHMENT FITS THEM ALL
No one saw the plane go down, but everyone knew who was on board. Seven notorious passengers, on an island that does not welcome visitors. The challenge is to survive. Let the power games begin.

What Would Mary Berry Do? by Claire Sandy

Marie Dunwoody doesn't want for much in life. She has a lovely husband, three wonderful children, and a business of her own. Except, her cupcakes are crap. Her meringues are runny and her biscuits rock-hard. She cannot bake for toffee. Or, for that matter, make toffee.

Marie can't ignore the disappointed looks any more, or continue to be shamed by neighbour and nemesis, Lucy Gray. Lucy whips up perfect profiteroles with one hand, while ironing her bed sheets with the other. Marie's had enough: this is the year it all changes. She vows to follow - to the letter - recipes from the Queen of Baking and at all times ask 'What would Mary Berry do?'

Husband Robert has noticed that his boss takes crumb structure as seriously as budget sheets and so puts on the pinny: serious redundancies are on the horizon. Twins Rose and Iris are happy to eat all the half-baked mistakes that come their way, but big brother Angus is more distant than usual, as if something is troubling him. And there is no one as nosey as a matching pair of nine-year-old girls . . .

Marie starts to realise that the wise words of Mary Berry can help her with more than just a Victoria Sponge. But can Robert save the wobbling soufflé that is his career? And is Lucy's sweet demeanour hiding something secretly sour?

From Paris With Love by Samantha Tonge

Every girl dreams of hearing those four magical words Will you marry me? But no-one tells you what’s supposed to happen next…

Fun-loving Gemma Goodwin knows she should be revelling in her happy-ever-after. Except when her boyfriend Lord Edward popped the question, after a whirlwind romance, although she didn’t say no….she didn’t exactly say yes either!

A month-long cookery course in Paris could be just the place to make sure her heart and her head are on the same page… And however disenchanted with romance Gemma is feeling, the City of Love has plenty to keep her busy; the champagne is decadently quaffable, the croissants almost too delicious, and shopping is a national past-time! In fact, everything in Paris makes her want to say Je t’aime… Except Edward!

But whilst Paris might offer plenty of distractions from wedding planning – including her new friends, mysterious Joe and hot French rockstar Blade - there’s no reason she couldn’t just try one or two couture dresses is there? Just for fun…

What a Girl Wants by Lindsey Kelk

Being arrested in your own bedroom is never a good start to the day. Tess Brookes really needs to sort out her back-stabbing flatmate – and her life.

Should she gamble all on the new photography job she’s landed, or snap up the offer from long-time crush and best friend Charlie to start up on their own – in more ways than one? There’s just one small thing she hasn’t mentioned. Or rather, one tall thing. He’s handsome, infuriating and called Nick…

For the first time, Tess has to choose between the life she always dreamed of and a future she never imagined possible. From London to Milan, with high fashion and low behaviour thrown in, she’s going to have to make up her mind what a girl really wants…

Low Expectations by Elizabeth Aaron

Georgie has a glamorous career in fashion.
Her boss doesn't know her name, but working for a genius will pay off one day. She hopes.

She also has great friends.
Granted, they're sometimes a bit superficial, but who wants to discuss a global crisis on a Friday night?

And she's enjoying her single life.
Eighteen months of celibacy, and not a hot prospect in sight.

Perhaps life's not quite what she was hoping for...
But how can she change it, and what does she really want? Stuck somewhere between a quarter-life crisis and self-fulfillment, Georgie is determined that this year, everything will be different. Armed only with her sense of humour, some black eyeliner and her best attempt at 'charming', she's on the way. But just how long will the new improved Georgie last?