April Book Round-Up

*sent to me for review. Here's what I've been reading in April:

*The Bass Rock by Evie Wyld - The Bass Rock is central to the story of the three main characters lives which are linked and interwoven.

In the 18th Century, Sarah, who is taken for a witch flees with her Priest and his son. In the aftermath of WWII Ruth marries widower, Peter and takes on his two young sons. Their house, at North Berwick is too big for her when he's working in London and they boys are away at school. She befriends Betty, the cook/housekeeper, not particularly wanting to throw herself into village life and she still sorely misses her rock, her brother.

In the present day, Viviane is getting over her beloved father's death and is tasked with cataloguing Ruth's belongings prior to the house being put up for sale. She has her secrets, one of which is tearing her relationship with her sister Katherine apart.

The story is beautifully drawn and atmospheric and draws on mental health issues, physical and sexual abuse, domestic violence, friendship and the strengths of these three special women. I'd highly recommend.

*Payback (Maggie Laird & Wilma Harcus #4) by Claire MacLeary - oh how I love Big Wilma and Maggie. I took part in the blog tour. See my review HERE.

*Q by Christina Dalcher - I took part in the Blogger takeover for this un-put-downable read. See my review HERE. It's published today so make sure to pick up your copy!

*The Butchers by Ruth Giligan - I took part in the blog tour for this excellent read. See my review HERE (it's one of my favourite reads this year).

*Sisters of Berlin by Juliet Conlin - I loved the story and characters of the two sisters. I took part in the blog tour. See my review HERE.

*Death of a Mermaid by Lesley Thomson - I'm taking part in the blog tour for this cracking read in May so catch my review then.

*Buried Angels - DI Lottie Parker #8 by Patricia Gibney - book 8! How did that happen. An amazing read which isn't published until May - I'll share my review in my May Book Round-Up (it's brilliant and I love Lottie!)

*Killing Mind - DI Kim Stone #12 by Angela Marsons - book 12!!! I just love Kim Stone and this series, it just keeps getting better and better. An amazing read. Again, not published until next month so I'll share my review then.

*Handle with Care by Rachel Hearson - the book isn't published until June so I'll share my review in my June round-up. An interesting read which I recommend.

From last month (awaiting publication):

*The Switch by Beth O'Leary - Having adored Beth's first book - The Flatshare I was over the moon to read The Switch. It's filled with serious issues, family, sadness, friendship, laugh out loud moments and romance.

High flyer and City Exec Leena Cotton fluffs and important presentation and her boss tells her, no orders her, to take a two month sabbatical and come back refreshed. She's never not worked and doesn't know what she's going to do. She returns to visit her grandmother in the sleepy village in Yorkshire, in the middle of nowhere where her gran and mother live. Her grandmother is sympathetic, to a point but thinks Leena needs to slow down especially to get over the death of her sister but also to make peace with her mum.

They decide on a two month swap - her newly single 79 year old gran, Eileen is going to move to Leena's London flat and live with her flatmates and find love while Leena is going to slow down and take over her grandmother's community tasks. Nothing can go wrong...or can it?

What follows is an amusing tale of Eileen finding love (and sex!) on the internet and Leena having time to relax and chat things through with her mum..which works to a certain extent. Taking over her grandmother's community role is a step too far... I loved the characters (especially the elderly residents in the village) and of course her friendship with the handsome young school teacher and his loveable dog. A fantastic read which I thoroughly recommend.

What have you been reading this month?