Cross My Heart

by Helen Slavin

Synopsis coming soon.......

Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Helen Slavin was born in Heywood in Lancashire in 1966. She was raised by eccentric parents on a diet of Laurel and Hardy, William Shakespeare and the Blackpool Illuminations. Educated at her local comp her favourite subjects at school were English and Going Home.

After The University of Warwick she worked in many jobs including, plant and access hire, a local government Education department typing pool, and a vasectomy clinic. A job as a television scriptwriter gave her the opportunity to spend all day drinking tea, living in a made-up fantasy world and getting paid for it (sometimes).

Helen has been a professional writer for fifteen years. Her first novel The Extra Large Medium was chosen as the winner in the Long Barn Books competition run by Susan Hill.

A paragliding Welsh husband and two children distract her and give her ample opportunity to spend all day drinking tea, nagging about homework and washing pants for England. In the wee small hours she still keeps a bijou flat in that fantasy world of writing.When not working with animals and striving for world peace, Helen enjoys the music of Elbow and baking bread. Her favourite colour is purple and if she had to be stranded on a desert island with someone it would be Ray Mears ( alright, George Clooney is very good looking but can he make fire with a stick? No. See?)

She now lives, with her family, in Trowbridge, Wiltshire where, when she’s not writing, she’s asleep. Or in Tescos.

Reviews

[Ainsley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written, with strong characters. The troubled home life of the young female protagonist was particularly well portrayed. Overall a satisfying read.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful piece of writing, which is effectively two stories: the 'before' story, and the 'after'. While reading the first half of this book I thought, this deserves five stars, easy. The characters and detail were brilliant. But I feel the second, 'after' story let the whole thing down. Such a shame. The child Grace and the adult Grace barely seemed connected. As for how the author dealt with Nan, well, I won't go there. Needless to say, I was far from satisfied.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really good read, easy going and kept my interest in the two main characters. Interesting how the mind can help us to play tricks on ourselves and make us believe anything. A sense of injustice brought about by naivety and massive bad parenting. I wanted to shake her to wake her up. The final chapter completely unnecessary as i had worked that twist out much earlier!

A good bookclub choice cant wait to discuss it with the girls.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book for me was slow to start but by the end I did enjoy it ths second part more then the first part. The part that I thought I could of done with more of what went on was what happened in the story before nan died but in all quite enjoyed it

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very sad, dark subject matter, so well written, loved this book

[Simon newson · Rating 3 out of 5]

quick enjoyable read if you ignore all the 'but surely' moments

[Emma Roeyaboat · Rating 2 out of 5]

Found this book slow going. Second part was a lot better than the first.

[Tia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like this story. I was a bit worried about how it would turn out during the first half, but couldn't put it down once their paths began to intertwine.

[Richard Spring · Rating 4 out of 5]

good with twists and turns

[Julie Round · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too many books with this title. This one is a real treat. A girl who tells lies. So good I bought a copy. (I usually use the library)