The Lost Children by Theresa Talbot

4*

I quite enjoyed this book, well written and evenly paced, I read it in a couple of days.
It followed a female journalist called Oonagh as she tried to uncover an old scandal regarding the church and child trafficking, but found more than she bargained for.
Oonagh is a good character, full of life and wisecracks and I quite liked Father Tom too even though he was a bit useless at times, his heart was in the right place.
The premise is truly horrific and sad to think that things like this did used to go on but the plot is sensitively handled and hopeful.
I will read more by this author.

Anna by Amanda Prowse

I’ve really come to enjoy reading books by this author, each time I pick up one of her novels I’m hooked from the first chapter.
Anna is a hopeful story following a little girl who suffers some terrible losses and has her world turned upside down but never gives up.
When she meets Theo, who has also had a difficult childhood albeit in a completely different way, she feels she has found her soulmate.
The characters in this book were solid and interesting, I was rooting for Anna throughout and felt really close to her.
The plot was well paced and flowed along nicely with smooth language which had a knack for pulling you right in.
I’ll happily read anymore of Amanda Prowses books as I’m getting to be quite a fan.

While You Sleep by Stephanie Merritt

What an eerie but compelling tale.
It started off looking like your regular haunted house jaunt but soon became much more to me.
It was an unsettling horror with a twist, atmospheric and descriptive complete with likeable characters and an abundance of secrets.
Zoe was a bit of an odd one, though I warmed to her by the end and had guessed her story from the hints throughout the book.
The setting of the McBride house and the language was realistic and easy to read, well paced and addictive, I will read more from this author.

Bring Me back by B A Paris

A great psychological thriller that truly made me stay up way past my bed time and #ForgetSleep.
From the first chapter I was hooked, dying to know what happened to Finn’s girlfriend and wondering constantly if he had actuall done away with her.
What followed however was a suspenseful plot that had so many twists and turns that I just didn’t know who, in the end, was the suspect.
A fantastic ending which I did actually work out a few chapters before but still kept me gripped until the last word.
Fast paced, interesting characters and a plot that never quits, this book is recommended

Lost for Words by Stephanie Butland

Absolutely loved this book from beginning to end, Loveday was a lovely, quirky character and so well fleshed out that it felt like I knew her and genuinely cared for her.
The plot was heartwarming and emotional, touching on various subjects like spousal abuse in a sensitive manner and keeping me intrigued and wanting more throughout.
The pace flowed easily, the language smooth and easy to read, the book overall was unputdownable.
I can’t wait to read more from this author.

NSPCC Talk Pants Campaign

A few weeks ago I participated in a Bzz Campaign for NSPCC, called Talk Pants, it includes helpful tips and fun activities on how to approach the subject of helping kids to avoid any sort of sexual abuse and understanding the signs of what is right/wrong.
It’s a sensitive subject but so important in helping to safeguard children from the horrific predators that exist out there.
The campaign pack was very useful in assisting me attempt this conversation with my younger children in a non-intimidating way.
@nspcc #TalkPants
Here is the website to help your own conversations... Nspcc.org.uk/pants.