I couldn't understand the characters or the motivation behind their actions at all and I was simply bored through major part of the book. His is also very much a family man. He worships his old mum; he takes care of his siblings who help run his business empire in Southend; he dotes on his two young sons who will one day take over the reins. And then there's his wife and saviour Christine, whom he loves with a vengeance.

Loyalty By Martina Cole | New | 9781472249456 | World of Books

The only thing this exercise in personal lobotomisation achieved was to make me wonder how bad a Martina Cole book has to be to get rejected. I am going to admit this: I am in two minds over Betrayal. I enjoyed the story and kept listening to the audiobook, but at the same time, I can't help but think that I had read this story before... There are trigger points that deal with chid abuse, sexual and physical, rape, violence towards women, drug taking and if you flinch at the C word be prepared to flinch a lot One of the initial novels written by Martina Cole was called ‘The Runaway’. It was published in the year 1997 by the Headline publishing house. The plot of the novel revolves around the lives of the main characters Eamonn Docherty and Cathy Connor. In the opening sequence of the novel, the main characters Eamonn Docherty and Cathy Connor are thrown on the streets of London’s sleazy East End and they are left to be on their own. Having grown up as the child of a prostitute, Cathy’s life becomes miserable, which leads to a disturbing ordeal as she does not have any other choice or anywhere else to go. On attempting to run away from her miserable life, she is rescued by Desrae who teaches her how to survive in the society of the criminal underworld. Meanwhile, Eamonn leaves for America along with his father and after some time he becomes one of the deadliest villains of New York. It is believed that when the paths of both of them will cross, they will be a perfect match for each other and it is only a matter of time before this happens. Cathy is beautiful, tough and clever and Eamonn is strong and powerful. Hence, if the two meet they are not going to run away again and will hopefully lead a happy life. Aiden O'Hara has always looked out for his family, ever since he was a wee laddie. His mother has something of a reputation and many children to different fathers. Aiden is fiercely protective and soon makes himself a name with the local face. Drugs, prostitution and murder are all things Aiden finds himself caught up in but it pays the bills and keeps his family safe. However as Aiden's reputation grows his arrogance and unpredictability grows with it turning Aiden from protector to a possible danger to his family and business.

At Holly Brookes Children's Home, the two girls unite in the face of horrific abuse and form an unbreakable bond of loyalty. It was good except the ending. I was hoping for a plot twist somewhere and there was none. The book was too straight. Everything was expected.. what I did love was the writing style and the journey and the effort put in to the side characters. It was beautiful. I had to take a break from reading it because I had heard the line ‘he doesn’t suffer fools gladly’ one too many times and it still came up multiple times when I resumed the read.

Loyalty - Martina Cole - Google Books

Keep your friends close, your enemies closer and your family close of all, because betrayal comes in all shape and sizes... I have read many gangland books inc all of the authors previous but got to say this for me was probably the grittiest, hard hitting and genuinely brutal one yet Ultimately you believe the story is about that fierce loyalty of family but sometimes pride and jealously can be the strongest emotion.

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

Michael rises to heights beyond anything the criminal underworld has seen. He owns everyone and he rules his empire with an even but fierce hand. No one would dare challenge him. The actual story and characters are mediocre in my opinion. I didn't connect with any of them. I had no sympathy for them and seeing Michael escape at the end, starting a new life with his new girlfriend and baby didn't gall me in a way that I think might have been intended. Excels at school but instead of academics, Aiden is taken under the wing of his mother's boyfriend Tony and is introduced to Eric Palmer a legend in East and South London and a reputation not to mess with. I am convinced that the author assumes all of her readers are idiots. She described her characters an infuriating number of times. By chapter 10, you've already got the idea that Phil is a good-looking, but soul-less and cruel bastard. Instead of just leaving you with a few descriptions here and there of him, adding details to his character every now and then, she describes him in pretty much the same language every other chapter. People don't want to be told he's a complete jerk by every other character in the book, they want to see it in action! She did this for every character. It was horrible.

The Family by Martina Cole | Goodreads The Family by Martina Cole | Goodreads

Set over a period of 30 Years its gritty, violent and fast paced, I enjoyed everything about this book. This one took me a little while to get into. It wasn't the writing it was the way you were dropped in at the deep end. But as the story evolved you understood more.Aiden O'Hara is the oldest, loves his mum but knows she attracts the wrong sort of guys so he has to watch over his family. This is only the second book I have read by this author and already I am a huge fan and want to read more. Her writing is amazing and I am intrigued by what her other work has to offer. Our servers are getting hit pretty hard right now. To continue shopping, enter the characters as they are shown

Loyalty: The brand new novel from the bestselling author Loyalty: The brand new novel from the bestselling author

An excellent story, as befits Martina Cole. My only reservation is the prolific use of the most common four-letter risqué word, extended to seven and used too frequently as an adjective to numerous different words. In mitigation, however, this is perhaps the sort of language used by low life within the criminal community, of which Martina has a personal knowledge. Started to read Dangerous Lady on holiday couldn’t put it down, had to finish it then bought another on my Kindle. Searching charity shops for more. Reply

Publication Order of DI Kate Burrows Books

Once when I was in year six we had a supply teacher who asked us to write a story. Someone asked if we could swear in it and, largely not caring, the supply teacher said yes. Martina Cole’s writing here reminds me of the stories produced that day. I have read all Martina’s books listed above and now that I am retired I am going to read them all again – love love love them !!