#Blogtour #Review: The Spaces In Between by Collin Van Reenan @RedDoorBooks #TheSpacesInBetween31/1/2018  Release date - 8th February 2018 Book length - 288 pages Publisher - Red Door Publishing Book Depository - www.bookdepository.com Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk Amazon US - www.amazon.com I want to thank Anna from Red Door Publishing for the opportunity to take part in this blog tour and for providing me with a copy of this book for review. ABOUT THE BOOK One of the most disturbing true stories you will ever read… Paris, 1968. Nicholas finds himself broke, without papers and on the verge of being deported back to England. Seeking to stay in France, Nicholas takes a three-month contract as an English tutor to the 17-year-old Imperial Highness Natalya. It is the perfect solution; free room and board, his wages saved, and a place to hide from police raids. All that is asked of Nicholas is to obey the lifestyle of the household and not to leave the grounds. It should have solved all his problems… The Spaces In Between details the experience of Nicholas as he finds himself an unwitting prisoner within an aristocratic household, apparently frozen in time, and surrounded by macabre and eccentric personalities who seem determined to drag him to the point of insanity. Much deeper runs a question every reader is left to ponder – if this tale is fact and not fiction, then what motivation could have driven his tormenters? MY REVIEW What is real? And what is fiction? These are the questions that will constantly replay in your mind on a loop as you delve into the dark and mysterious pages of THE SPACES IN BETWEEN by Collin Van Reenan. In 1968 Nicholas finds himself more or less destitute in Paris, desperate to find a job and remain under the radar. Becoming a tutor to Natalya seems to be the perfect job for him but he soon realises that all is not what it seems behind the walls of this household. Everyone must dress and follow the Victorian lifestyle down to the very last detail and obedience is essential at all times. Stuck in what seems like a time warp, it is not long before Nicholas feels trapped, but can he truly escape ... Deftly weaving between fact and fiction, this is a creepy and intriguing story that blurs the lines of reality, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The characters are fascinating and although I didn't always feel connected to them, it did not take away from my enjoyment of this tale. THE SPACES IN BETWEEN by Collin Van Reenan is an unusual story with a gothic feel to it and would suit anyone who enjoys a plot where not everything can be explained away - a solid story!! Author Bio: Only with the passing of time and the current less hostile attitude towards psychosis and the supernatural, has Collin Van Reenan felt able to tell his story. After the events recounted in the book, Collin returned to England and for many years worked as a Police Officer both in London and in Paris, and then as an Interpreter/translator for the Home Office, the Police, and the Courts of Law, mainly Bow St. and The Old Bailey. Before that, he worked in many jobs including being an interpreter at the Old Bailey trial for the murder of Victoria Climbie and the ‘body in the suitcase’ murder in York. DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT ALL OF THE OTHER STOPS ALONG THE WAY!! 
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#Blogtour #Review: The Bucktown Babies by Janine R. Pestel @JanineRPestel @annecater #BucktownBabies30/1/2018  Available now Book length - 178 pages Publisher - Creativia Book Depository - www.bookdepository.com Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk Amazon US - www.amazon.com I want to thank Anne Cater from randomthingsthroughmyletterbox.blogspot.ie for the opportunity to take part in this blog tour and for providing me with a copy of this book for review. ABOUT THE BOOK A former priest and demon hunter, Father Gunter is a demon's worst nightmare. But even he will need help to destroy the demons that threaten the small farming community of Bucktown. When he sees a news broadcast about tragic events taking place in the town, he realizes he has work to do. Along the way, help arrives - but from an unexpected source. Will it be enough to see the demon hunter through the final showdown with evil? MY REVIEW The first book in this series, THE BUCKTOWN BABIES by Janine R. Pestel is a quirky, compelling, and at times, horrifying tale of good versus evil. When Johann sees a news programme detailing the shocking sudden deaths of infants and unborn babies in the small town of Bucktown, he immediately senses that this is so much more than a tragic accident. He trusts his instinct that a demon is involved and is ready to take action. An ex-priest, Johann is prepared to face down this evil while always on the lookout for his sister who is missing. But when he gets to Bucktown he is going to need help if he is to have any chance at destroying this creature, and as often happens, help comes from the strangest of places ... THE BUCKTOWN BABIES by Janine R. Pestel immediately throws you into a terrifying plot when you realise that something is murdering babies, and this terror and emotion will certainly resurface throughout as you read this book. But don't get me wrong, this isn't some horror-laden screamfest but rather a developed and well thought-out story of family, goodness, and how far you will go to protect the innocent and do what is right. I liked the character of Johann and look forward to reading more from this series. If you like demons, demon-hunters, and characters with some grit, then this is the story for you. Author Bio: Born in Coledale, PA and raised in NJ. Lived in NYC for about 7 years. Met my husband in 1978 and married in 1985. Have been happily married ever since! Now, we live in beautiful Mesa AZ. Author of "The Bucktown Babies", "The Mons Connection" and "Infected and Other Short Stories" as well as short stories in the SciFi / Occult / Horror genre(s) and an upcoming paranormal / occult series. I was always interested in science fiction, action adventure and comedy. Tried my hand at writing a book back in the 1970's but did not have the direction I needed in order to complete it. The story was going along great until one day while I was sitting at my typewriter (remember those?) and the thought suddenly struck me that I had no idea where I was going with the story or how it was going to end. Now, many years later, I do have the drive and direction to write a complete book. My only regret is that it took me this long. A lot of my ideas come from "What if?" For example, "What if there were a mountain on another planet that wasn't exactly a mountain?" or "What if we could reanimate corpses and have them perform menial tasks?" The whole world is full of "What if?" we just have to explore it. My favorite color is blue. I just love blue. Being from NJ, of course, my favorite food is a good, NY style pizza. Not much of a "ball sport" fan, but I love motor racing. Doesn't matter if it's cars, motorcycles or boats. I'm also a big nature and animal lover. My husband (who also writes, by the way), and I currently have 3 dogs and 1 cat. Love them all. For more information: Twitter - twitter.com/JanineRPestel Facebook - www.facebook.com/JanineRPestel/ DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT ALL OF THE OTHER STOPS ALONG THE WAY!!   Book length - 199 pages
Publisher - Self-Published Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk Amazon US - www.amazon.com I want to thank April Munday for providing me with a copy of this book for review. ABOUT THE BOOK Four brothers – one battle that changes everything 1357 - Ancelin Montfort returns to England as his father's heir, following the death of his older brother at the Battle of Poitiers. Everything he does from now on is to prepare him to be the Earl of Somerton, even marrying the woman his father has chosen for him. Emma has loved Ancelin through the months of his absence, but the man who has returned from war is not the man who left. As the day of their wedding draws near, she wonders if she ever knew him at all. Then he accuses her of betraying her with another man. Can she convince him of her innocence? Does she want to? MY REVIEW The first book in a historical series that focuses on a group of brothers set in the fourteenth century, THE HEIR'S TALE by April Munday weaves a fascinating and compelling tale of power and love while painting a picture of life at that time. When Ancelin Montfort returns to England it is as his father's new heir which plays heavy on his mind. Having never been raised with this duty at the forefront, Ancelin is concerned about what his future will hold. And then there is wife to be, Emma. Plain but kind, much like himself, can he truly be happy with her? Especially when there is the seductive Alice, his brother's widow waiting in the wings. Add in plenty of intrigue and drama from that time period, and this story will definitely hold your interest. There were plenty of moments that made me uncomfortable and really appreciate the fact that I live now and not back then, but history is what it is and this is well portrayed throughout. THE HEIR'S TALE by April Mundy is a well-paced historical story with characters of all types (some that you will love and some that you will loathe) and I look forward to reading more. Author Bio: April Munday writes historical romances set in the fourteenth and early nineteenth centuries. She enjoys writing about intelligent men who know how to protect the women they love and will do so regardless of the cost. Her heroines are the equal of their men and will do whatever is necessary to be with the man they love. For more information: Website - aprilmunday.wordpress.com Twitter - twitter.com/AprilMunday Facebook - twitter.com/AprilMunday  Release date - 25th January 2018 Book length - 299 pages Publisher - Bantam Press (Transworld) Book Depository - www.bookdepository.com Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk Amazon US - www.amazon.com I want to thank Anne Cater and Transworld Books for the opportunity to take part in this blog tour and for providing me with a copy of this book for review - and I have to mention the best bookpost package of 2018 so far!!! ABOUT THE BOOK In pursuit of a Russian sleeper cell on American soil, a CIA analyst uncovers a dangerous secret that will test her loyalty to the agency—and to her family. What do you do when everything you trust might be a lie? Vivian Miller is a dedicated CIA counterintelligence analyst assigned to uncover the leaders of Russian sleeper cells in the United States. On track for a much-needed promotion, she’s developed a system for identifying Russian agents, seemingly normal people living in plain sight. After accessing the computer of a potential Russian operative, Vivian stumbles on a secret dossier of deep-cover agents within America’s borders. A few clicks later, everything that matters to her—her job, her husband, even her four children—are threatened. Vivian has vowed to defend her country against all enemies, foreign and domestic. But now she’s facing impossible choices. Torn between loyalty and betrayal, allegiance and treason, love and suspicion, who can she trust? MY REVIEW MIND. BLOWN. Sucked in from the start, this superb tale of lies, secrets, betrayals, and espionage, will grip you like no other story has done before, and take you on the tensest ride of your life. Vivian Miller has it all - a fulfilling job as a CIA analyst, four kids that she adores, and a husband that is just too good to be true. But when she uncovers a file during her search for Russian spies living in the US, her entire world will change forever, and thus begins a slippery slope where Vivian desperately tries to balance her love and devotion for her family and her love and devotion for her country. But with so much resting on her shoulders who on earth can she trust?? NEED TO KNOW by Karen Cleveland is a stunning story with characters that are so detailed and relatable that you feel like you know them. Vivian is a strong character and as we get glimpses into her past, we see how she has come to this point in her life, and how much her family means to her. This novel keeps you guessing throughout and I must have changed my mind twenty times at different points but nothing prepared me for that ending - WOW!! Perfectly-paced, compelling, and dangerous NEED TO KNOW by Karen Cleveland is everything you want in a spy thriller and so much more, because it is about family and love, and how far you can ever really know anybody. An unbelievable 5 star read and currently topping my list for best books for 2018. Author Bio: Karen Cleveland spent eight years as a CIA analyst, the last six in counterterrorism. She has master’s degrees from Trinity College Dublin, where she studied as a Fulbright Scholar, and from Harvard University. She lives in northern Virginia with her husband and two young kids. For more information: Website - karen-cleveland.com Twitter - twitter.com/karecleve Facebook - www.facebook.com/KarenClevelandAuthor/ DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT ALL OF THE OTHER STOPS ALONG THE WAY!!   Release date - 25th January 2018 Book length - 319 pages Publisher - Bloodhound Books Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk Amazon US - www.amazon.com I want to thank Sarah from Bloodhound Books, and Sharon Thompson, for the opportunity to take part in this blog tour, and for providing me with a copy of this book for review. I was honoured to beta-read The Abandoned for Sharon and I want to thank you Sharon for trusting me to read your baby xx ABOUT THE BOOK Do you love crime thrillers full of suspense? Then you'll love Sharon Thompson's unmissable debut. Peggy Bowden has not had an easy life. As a teenager, her mother was committed to an asylum and then a local priest forced her into an abusive marriage. But when her husband dies in an accident Peggy sees an opportunity to start again and trains as a midwife. In 1950s Dublin it is not easy for a woman to make a living and Peggy sees a chance to start a business and soon a lucrative maternity home is up and running. But when Peggy realizes that the lack of birth control is an issue for women, she uses their plight as a way to make more money. Very soon Peggy is on the wrong side of the law. What makes a woman decide to walk down a dark path? Can Peggy ever get back on the straight and narrow? Or will she have to pay for her crimes? Set against the backdrop of Ireland in the 1950’s The Abandoned tells the story of one woman’s fight for survival and her journey into the underbelly of a dangerous criminal world. MY REVIEW Where do I start with THE ABANDONED by Sharon Thompson? Gripping, emotive, raw, and compelling are just some of the adjectives I could use to describe this stunning debut that will take your breath away. Peggy Bowden has had to become tough in order to survive life. So when she finds herself in Dublin in the 1950s and spots the opportunity to set herself up in business, there is nothing that will stop her. But as she begins to help women in ways that went against the religion and the law in Ireland, Peggy will soon find herself cast among the criminal underworld. Is she really tough enough to survive? This is not an action-packed, psychological thriller, but rather a gritty and destructive tale of a woman who will do what she must, and the twists and turns of this story will honestly have your heart in your throat. Peggy is such a detailed, excellently portrayed character and is unusual in that you probably won't like her, you probably won't agree with half of what she does, but you will respect her for what she has overcome and her uncanny ability to pick herself up and move forward. You can never condemn her as you read her story. THE ABANDONED by Sharon Thompson will make you uncomfortable, it will make you emotional, and it will make you think. And in the year when Irish women will hopefully get the chance to be heard in a referendum, it is a timely read. THE ABANDONED by Sharon Thompson is an exquisite debut that simply must be read to be believed, and I cannot wait for more from the talented Sharon Thompson (and it wouldn't surprise me at all if we were to see it on our tv screens someday soon). Author Bio: Sharon Thompson lives in Donegal, Ireland and is an ex-primary school principal. Represented by the Trace Literary Agency, Sharon writes crime fiction, short stories and commercial fiction. Sharon is an avid member of Imagine, Write, Inspire a writing group, under the mentorship of HarperCollins author Carmel Harrington. Sharon's short stories have been published in various on-line magazines. Her latest non-fiction piece is published on the international Dangerous Woman's project. Through her charity and writing work Sharon has given lectures, completed live interviews and written articles. For more information: Website - www.sharontwriter.com Twitter - twitter.com/sharontwriter Facebook - www.facebook.com/sharontwriter/ DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT ALL OF THE OTHER STOPS ALONG THE WAY!!!  #Review: The Lights Went Out and Other Stories by Fiona Cooke Hogan @cookehogan #TheLightsWentOut26/1/2018  Book length - 264 pages
Publisher - Self-Published Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk Amazon US - www.amazon.com I want to thank Fiona Cooke Hogan for providing me with a copy of this book for review. ABOUT THE BOOK An eclectic mix of flash fiction, short and longer stories. At times humorous, eerie and poignant; a mother burdened by financial troubles shares her problem with a stranger, a young couples' journey to the the airport takes a strange turn, a wedding anniversary in Dingle goes from bad to worse, a small dog is forced to change his ways and a vampire hiding out in suburbia just wants to be left alone. Dip your toes into this quirky collection and find your favourite. MY REVIEW THE LIGHTS WENT OUT AND OTHER STORIES by Fiona Cook Hogan is a dynamic and fascinating collection of stories that is sure to have something to suit everyone. From heartbreak, love, life lessons, death, and a pinch of the paranormal, this group of 21 stories is perfect to dip into or read in one sitting, which is what I did. Short and snappy with characters that are well-rounded and in some cases, very relatable, THE LIGHTS WENT OUT AND OTHER STORIES by Fiona Cook Hogan is a splendid display of different genres gathered together in one place. I had a couple of favourites but I enjoyed each and every unique story for what it was. Definitely a must-read for lovers of short stories. Author Bio: Fiona Cooke Hogan is a writer and poet living in Abbeyleix, County Laois. This is her first collection of short stories; an eclectic mix of humorous, eerie and poignant tales that are mostly based around the Midlands. She has been writing since childhood and takes inspiration from her everyday life and experiences. Her novel "Martha's Cottage" will shortly be out on Kindle and she is currently working on her second: a horror story as yet untitled. When not scribbling away she is an avid reader and self confessed addict of Game Of Thrones and The Walking Dead. For more information: Website - unusualfiction.wordpress.com Twitter - twitter.com/cookehogan Facebook - www.facebook.com/TheHazelHedge/  Release date - 25th January 2018
Book length - 304 pages Publisher - Mulholland Books (Hodder) Book Depository - www.bookdepository.com Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk Amazon US - www.amazon.com I want to thank Kerry from Hodder Books for providing me with a copy of this book for review. ABOUT THE BOOK The police think Crystal Heathers isn't missing. The trainee detective assigned to the case isn't so sure. McAvoy thinks someone was being held at the derelict building where they just found a body pinned to the wall...and that all the signs point to it being a little girl. But why would anyone not report a kidnapping? And how far would someone go to get revenge? The case will test McAvoy to breaking point - as the crimes of the present lead him to a final violent confrontation with an enemy from his own past. MY REVIEW This book was my first encounter with the McAvoy series but that did not take away at all from this gripping, twisting, compelling story that sucked me in from the very first page. When McAvoy gets a tip-off from an old retired police friend about suspicious activity at an abandoned house, it will throw him into the realm of a twisted criminal mind that is determined to seek revenge. With one dead body and evidence of a child being held captive there at one point, McAvoy doesn't know where to begin. And how is this linked to a mother in the countryside who is determined that her adult daughter has disappeared, even though by all appearances she has gone off on holiday with friends? As McAvoy and the team begin to pick this case apart piece by piece, the violence and deceit will span over many countries, and across many backgrounds, as lies and secrets suddenly come to the forefront. But will McAvoy be able to survive the truth? With plenty of twists and turns, SCORCHED EARTH by David Mark is an energetic, addictive, and top-notch crime fiction novel. While it is always advisable to start a series from the beginning, this book is honestly easily read as a standalone and you never feel like you have missed out - but why have one good book when you can have more?! I really enjoyed the character of McAvoy and his co-workers who were all intriguing and dynamic in their own right. SCORCHED EARTH by David Mark is a cracker of a story and I highly recommend to crime fiction fans everywhere. Author Bio: David spent more than fifteen years as a journalist, including seven years as a crime reporter with the Yorkshire Post - walking the Hull streets that would later become the setting for the Detective Sergeant Aector McAvoy novels. His writing is heavily influenced by the court cases he covered: the defeatist and jaded police officers; the competent and incompetent investigators; the inertia of the justice system and the sheer raw grief of those touched by savagery and tragedy. He has written six novels in the McAvoy series: Dark Winter, Original Skin, Sorrow Bound, Taking Pity, Dead Pretty and Cruel Mercy, as well as two McAvoy novellas, A Bad Death and Fire of Lies, which are available as ebooks. His first historical thriller, The Zealot’s Bones, is out now. Dark Winter was selected for the Harrogate New Blood panel (where he was Reader in Residence) and was a Richard & Judy pick and a Sunday Times bestseller. Dead Pretty was longlisted for the Crime Writers Association Gold Dagger in 2016. David’s Radio 4 drama, A Marriage of Inconvenience, aired last year. His first novel is currently being adapted for the stage. He has also written for the stage and has contributed articles and reviews to several national and international publications. He is a regular performer at literary festivals and is a sought-after public speaker. He also teaches creative writing. For more information: Website - www.davidmarkwriter.co.uk Twitter - twitter.com/davidmarkwriter Instagram - www.instagram.com/davidmarkwriter/  Release date - 25th January 2018 Book length - 288 pages Publisher - Mills & Boon Historical Book Depository - www.bookdepository.com Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk Amazon US - www.amazon.com I want to thank Rachel from www.rachelsrandomresources.com for the opportunity to take part in this blog tour and for providing me with a copy of this book for review. ABOUT THE BOOK A shy innocent…wary of all men… After a shocking incident, shy Lady Isabella Beaumont is perfectly happy to stay in the background and let her sister get all the attention from handsome suitors! However, working with Dr. Joseph Warriner to help the sick and needy pushes her closer to a man than she’s ever been before. Is this man worth trusting with her deepest of desires…? MY REVIEW Oh, Virginia Heath, your AMAZING story was just what I needed when I picked it up the other evening and it was well worth the late night as I simply could not put it down. Lady Isabella Beaumont may come across as rude and surly to many, especially when she is compared to her popular sister, but Isabella has her reasons. After a horrific ordeal, it is only since the family moved from London to Retford, that she has started to feel her old self try to resurface. Working with the poorer, ill children, has allowed her to stretch her medical muscles as Isabella uses her intelligence to help others. But that doesn't stop the fear or the memories of what happened that night from haunting her at every turn. But when Isabella finds herself friends with Dr. Joseph Warriner, she begins to see that she can trust others if she allows herself to move on. And as their mutual respect and friendship deepen, Isabella may even fall for the handsome, clever, caring Dr. Warriner. If only he wasn't in love with her sister ... This historical novel has sizzling romance, danger, heartbreaking emotion, and characters that you will fall head over heels in love with. While portraying the rigid and often ridiculous traditions and ideals from that time, Virginia Heath brings her independent-thinking characters to life with the belief and intelligence that we have come to love and appreciate to this day. Isabella is a wonderful woman with strength, intelligence, and compassion by the bucketload, and I quickly became enamoured by the sensitive Dr. Warriner who recognises Isabella for the beautiful spirit that she really is. While A WARRINER TO TEMPT HER by Virginia Heath is the third book in this series, it is easily read as a standalone novel but I'm telling you now, buy the lot! Why have one excellent book when you can have three?!?! A WARRINER TO TEMPT HER by Virginia Heath is everything you want in a historical novel and so much more, so pop on the kettle and settle in for a magical read. Author Bio: When Virginia Heath was a little girl it took her ages to fall asleep, so she made up stories in her head to help pass the time while she was staring at the ceiling. As she got older, the stories became more complicated, sometimes taking weeks to get to the happy ending. Then one day, she decided to embrace the insomnia and start writing them down. Fortunately, the lovely people at Harlequin took pity on her and decided to publish her romances, but it still takes her forever to fall asleep. For more information: Website - www.virginiaheathromance.com Twitter - twitter.com/VirginiaHeath_ Facebook - www.facebook.com/virginiaheathauthor/ DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT ALL OF THE OTHER STOPS ALONG THE WAY!!  |
WelcomeHi fellow bookworms. My name is Linda and I'm a reviewer & blogger, wife & mother who loves all things books! 
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