After a decadelong career combating wildfires, Elizabeth has traded in her former life for a quieter one with her husband. Now she works as the local arson investigator in a beautiful, quaint town in the Rockies. But that tranquil life vanishes when she and her husband agree to divorce and a fire in nearby Cooper Basin begins to spread rapidly. For Elizabeth, containing a raging wildfire is easier than accepting that her marriage has failed.
For Elizabeth’s ex-friend Mindy, who feels disconnected from her husband and teenage children, the fire represents a chance to find a new purpose: helping a man who has lost his home to the blaze. But her faith is shattered by a shocking accusation.
As the encroaching inferno threatens the town’s residents, Elizabeth and Mindy must discover what will be lost in the fire, and what will be saved.
I love the feeling of having a completely new novel written by an author whose writing you just really love, waiting for you to pick it up and give it a read. Over the past few years I have had the chance to read several of author Catherine McKenzie’s novels, such as ‘Forgotten’ and ‘Spin’, which I both really enjoyed. I fell in love with Catherine McKenzie’s writing straight away; her captivating storytelling never feels to pull me in, so I was definitely curious when I was asked to review another one of her books, namely ‘Smoke’. I don’t know whether this is really the kind of read I would have picked up based only on the book description, but with this author I think I would have picked it up anyway, no matter the description… Fingers crossed it would live up to my expectations!
Elizabeth and her husband Ben have been together for a long time, living in the town of Nelson in the Rockies, but things haven’t been great between them for quite a while now. Both of them see no other way out than to get a divorce, but their plans are put on hold when a raging forest fire suddenly threatens their town. With a former career within the world of wildfires, Elizabeth is involved in finding out what started this fire: can it be stopped on time, was it perhaps started intentionally? Elizabeth’s former friend Mindy is also dealing with how the forest fire is affecting her life; initially she is determined to help out a man who needs it, but then certain allegations result in her and her family getting even more involved in the fire than she ever expected.
‘Smoke’ is another great and convincing novel by author Catherine McKenzie; an author whose books I hope to be able to pick up for years to come. The story focuses on female characters Elizabeth and Mindy, who used to be good friends but are now no longer speaking but both dealing with some pretty big things going on in their lives. The different storylines are all linked to a big forest fire that is threatening the town of Nelson, and the questions is what is going to happen to the town and what is the story behind this fire? I really enjoyed the different elements that were brought together in the book; there was a touch of mystery/detective, but also a focus on relationships, family, friends, and a touch of romance.
It’s clear author Catherine McKenzie did quite a bit of research before writing this book; there are a lot of details focusing on the forest fire, and everything that goes with it. She also created some realistic leading ladies in the form of Elizabeth and Mindy; whose stories both intrigued me and I was really keen to just keep on reading and see what would eventually happen. I have to admit this wasn’t my favourite Catherine McKenzie novel, but ‘Smoke’ was still a convincing and entertaining read and one I can definitely recommend to women’s fiction fans out there, and I’m personally already looking forward to what this author is going to treat us to next.
Rating:
8,5/10
For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads
Thanks to the author for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Emma Tupper is a dedicated lawyer with a bright future. But, shattered by her mother’s death, she fulfills her dying wish by embarking on a month-long trip to Africa. There she falls ill, and spends six months trapped in a remote village thanks to a devastating earthquake.
On her eventual return home Emma discovers that her friends, boyfriend, and colleagues thought she was dead and that life has moved on without her. As she struggles to recreate her old life, throwing herself into solving a big case for a client and trying to reclaim her beloved apartment from the handsome photographer who’s taken over her lease, everyone around her thinks she should take the opportunity to change.
But is she willing to sacrifice the job, relationships and everything else she worked so hard to build?
I was introduced to author Catherine McKenzie and her work last year when I received the chance to read and review her novel 'Spin.' I ended up really enjoying the book (I gave it a rating of 9/10) and also got the chance to interview Catherine herself (click here to read both my review and the interview). So, when I was provided with the opportunity to check out one of Catherine's other novels, 'Forgotten', I jumped at the chance and couldn't wait to give another one of her books a try, especially one that sounded so promising and received many positive reviews from other book fans!
Emma Tupper works as a lawyer and she's a true workaholic with her eyes only focused on one goal: becoming partner. When her mother becomes ill and passes away, she wants Emma to go on a trip to Africa, the continent she herself loved throughout her life. Emma knows she might risk her chance at becoming partner, but she can't possibly ignore her mother's last wish. She takes a month off to go to Tswanaland, but due to unforeseen circumstances these few weeks turn into six whole months. Without any possibility of communication, Emma gets back home after all those months, determined to pick up her old life but she quickly comes to realise everything has changed. It might not be as easy as Emma thinks to get back into the swing of things, especially when everyone and everything seems to have moved on without her...
I definitely enjoyed Catherine McKenzie's novel 'Forgotten' as much as I enjoyed her other novel 'Spin'; it's a really entertaining and captivating read with quite an original storyline that held my interest from the first until the last page! The protagonist, Emma, has been through a lot and finds herself in quite an extraordinary situation; after an unforeseen long stay in Africa, she comes back home where everyone thinks she is dead and has moved on without her. This is a storyline I haven't come across before, and Catherine McKenzie really turned it into a fascinating story. I personally really enjoy this author's writing style; she's a great story-teller and it's incredibly easy to fall into one of her novels and not get out until you've finished it.
I loved seeing the main character Emma develop throughout the book, and the story included some great and fascinating other characters, for example Emma's best friend Stephanie and new guy Dominic, that all added something to the storyline. I don't have anything negative to say about this novel, because it's quite simply just a really entertaining read. 'Forgotten' is a fast-paced, original and thoroughly enjoyable read with a captivating storyline; a book that comes highly recommended, just like its author. If you're a women's fiction fan, definitely pick up one of Catherine McKenzie's books, you won't be disappointed!
Rating:9/10
For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads
Thanks to the author for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Kate's To-Do List:
1. Go to rehab
2. Befriend/spy on "It Girl"
3. Write killer expose
4. Land dream job
Piece of cake!
Katie Sandford has just landed an interview at her favourite music magazine, The Line. It’s the chance of a lifetime. So what does she do? Goes out to celebrate - and shows up still drunk at the interview. No surprise, she doesn’t get the job, but the folks at The Line think she might be perfect for another assignment for their sister gossip rag. All Katie has to do is follow It Girl Amber Sheppard into rehab. If she can get the inside scoop (and complete the 30-day program without getting kicked out), they’ll reconsider her for the job at The Line.
Katie takes the job. But things get complicated when real friendships develop, a cute celebrity handler named Henry gets involved, and Katie begins to realize she may be in rehab for a reason. Katie has to make a decision - is publishing the article worth everything she has to lose?
At the start of the summer I was contacted about possibly reviewing author Catherine McKenzie’s bestselling novel ‘Spin.’ Catherine McKenzie is an internationally bestselling author of four novels and up until now I wasn’t familiar with her work. ‘Spin’ was first released in 2009 and quickly became a bestseller in Canada. The book was released in the UK this year and I’m really excited to be able to tell you all a bit more about it today by sharing my review. Next to that, I’ve also had the chance to interview Catherine McKenzie about ‘Spin’, so be sure to scroll down to check it out!
Katie Sandford has always dreamed of working as a journalist for her favourite music magazine, The Line. So, when she manages to finally land an interview for a position at The Line she knows she has to do anything she can to get the job. Unfortunately, the celebrations for her 30th birthday the night before the interview get out of hand, resulting in Katie completely ruining her chances. The Line decides they want to give Katie another chance because they need someone to go undercover to a rehab facility to spy on one of the biggest celebrities of the moment, Amber Sheppard, also known as ‘The Girl Next Door.’ Katie immediately accepts the assignment, but things get more complicated than she expected as soon as she walks into that rehab facility.
After reading this novel I completely understand why it was such a big bestseller in Canada and I’m quite surprised I never heard or read anything about the book before I was asked to review it! Catherine McKenzie has managed to write an engaging and thoroughly entertaining debut novel that has some great characters, a fascinating plotline and a lovely touch of romance at its core. I really enjoyed Katie’s story, mainly because she is a naive and realistic heroine who, just like every single one of us, makes mistakes and has her own personal issues and dreams. Next to Katie, the book is filled with a large cast of interesting secondary characters, who each bring something to the story. I specifically warmed to Amber and loved seeing the friendship between her and Katie develop.
The book is quite fast-paced, devoting just the right amount of time to each event and conversation. It felt like I was flying through the pages, which had to do with both the author’s comfortable style of writing and the fact that I just really enjoyed what I was reading and was curious to find out what would happen next. Catherine McKenzie has definitely written a wonderful debut novel and I’m already looking forward to checking out her novella ‘Spun’ which is a follow-up to this book. ‘Spin’ is a convincing, compelling and entertaining read which I would like to recommend to all chick lit fans, I loved it!
Rating:
9
/10
For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads
Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Author interview with Catherine McKenzie!
I'm really excited to welcome Catherine McKenzie to the blog today to answer some questions about her wonderful novel 'Spin', her own favourite books and what the future has in store for her!
Can you tell us something about your novel, ‘Spin’?
Well, it’s about a journalist who follows a celebrity into rehab undercover so she can try to get her dream job.
Where did you get the inspiration for your novel? Is it in any way based on your own personal experiences?
It is in no way based on my personal experience. Got that, Mom. Good. Okay, seriously, I am not a journalist, nor have I been to rehab. I do, however, have a slight addiction to people.com etc. and watching celebrities go in and out of rehab—and the invasive nature of the paparazzi who report on their time there—was what popped the idea into my head.
Can you tell us a bit more about the main protagonist, Katie?
Katie’s a wanna-be music journalist who, even though she’s about to turn thirty, pretends she’s a twenty-five year old grad student so she can scam free wine and cheese a university functions. Think of a female Rob Gordon in High Fidelity.
There’s a great cast of supporting characters in the novel as well. Which character did you most enjoy writing?
Oh, that’s easy! Henry :) I have a serious crush on Henry.
A large part of the novel is set in a rehab facility. Did you do any particular research for this part of the book?
I did read several memoirs about being in rehab and research treatment programs. I also ran the therapy aspects by two people I know who are therapists.
Can you perhaps tell us something about your future plans? Are you perhaps already working on a next novel?
Yes! My novel, Forgotten, will be releasing in the UK this fall. It’s about a woman who was supposed to go on a one month trip to Africa but got stuck there for six months. When she returns home, she finds out that everyone thinks she’s dead and her life has moved on without her. Oh, and if you liked Spin, I’ve written a novella sequel called … wait for it … SPUN, which is available now!
Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?
Write, write, write. Read, read, read.
What is the last book you read that you’d like to recommend to others?
May I pick three? Of course I can: (1) I read Robin Black’s Life Drawing this summer (it came out in the UK in the spring) and I just loved, loved, loved it. Such a beautifully written and suspenseful book—think Gone Girl meets The Husband’s Secret. (2) I recently read my first Jonathan Tropper novel, This is Where I Leave You, and I found it hilarious. (I think a movie based on the book is coming out soon). (3) One of my favourite novels of last year is coming out in the UK on September 23rd – it’s called The Banks of Certain Rivers by Jon Harrison. A really touching story about a single dad and his son trying to figure out how to move on with their lives and beautifully written.
Which book could you not live without?
Well, I don’t think I could live without books, period, really, but Pride & Prejudice is crucial.
And last but not least, if you had to describe ‘Spin’ in just three words, which words would you pick?
Funny, touching, thought-provoking (okay, that last one is two words, but the hyphen kind of makes it one, right?)
Thanks so much, Catherine!
