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Book length - 352 pages Publisher - Tinder Press Worldwide - www.bookdepository.com Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk Amazon US - www.amazon.com I want to thank Anne from randomthingsthroughmyletterbox.blogspot.com for the opportunity to take part in this blog tour and for providing me with a copy of this book for review. ABOUT THIS BOOK Audrey Hart is on the Isle of Skye to collect the word-of-mouth folk tales of the people and communities around her. It is 1857, the Highland Clearances have left devastation and poverty, and the crofters are suspicious and hostile, claiming they no longer know their stories. Then Audrey discovers the body of a young girl washed up on the beach and the crofters tell her that it is only a matter of weeks since another girl has disappeared. They believe the girls are the victims of the spirits of the unforgiven dead. Initially, Audrey is sure the girls are being abducted, but then she is reminded of her own mother, a Skye woman who disappeared in mysterious circumstances. It seems there is a link to be explored, and Audrey may uncover just what her family have been hiding from her all these years. MY REVIEW Dark, atmospheric, and enthralling, THE STORY KEEPER by Anna Mazzola is the type of historical novel that gets under your skin and rattles around in your mind long after you finish the last line. When Audrey Hart arrives on the Isle of Skye in 1857 to work as an assistant to the folklorist of the area, she also hopes to find out more about her beloved mother who died there many years ago. But Audrey has only just begun to seek out the stories of the land when strange things begin to happen and young girls seem to be disappearing or turning up dead. Believing the spirits to be at the root of it all, the crofters do not want to open their tales to an outsider but as Audrey gets to know those around her can she piece the truth together before another girl goes missing? This story will make you feel uncomfortable at times, and rightly so, as we read about the clearings that took place in the 1800s and some of the superstitions that existed which were cruel and barbaric, and this book also highlights the abuse of power that thrives in secrecy and fear. But there is also hope and light in the strength and determination of those characters who will not be cowed and silenced. Audrey is remarkable as she uses her independence and intelligence to discover the truth and for a woman in the 1800s, this is no mean feat. From beginning to end there is a heaviness that hangs over this story which only adds to its rich magic and I highly recommend THE STORY KEEPER by Anna Mazzola to all historical fiction fans. AUTHOR BIO Anna Mazzola is a writer of historical crime fiction. Her debut novel, The Unseeing, won an Edgar Award in the US and was nominated for the Historical Writers Association Debut Crown in the UK. The Times called it 'sizzling'. The Mirror described it as 'a brilliant debut.’ Her second novel, a dark fairy tale about a collector of folklore and missing girls on the Isle of Skye, will be published by Headline in July. Anna studied English at Pembroke College, Oxford, before accidentally becoming a criminal justice solicitor. She lives in Camberwell, London, with two small children, two cats and one husband. She loves to hear from readers, so do get in touch on Goodreads or on social media. For more information: Website - annamazzola.com Twitter - twitter.com/Anna_Mazz Facebook - www.facebook.com/AnnaMazzolaWriter/?fref=ts Instagram - www.instagram.com/annamazzolawriter/ DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT ALL OF THE OTHER STOPS ALONG THE WAY!!
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Book length - 464 pages Publisher - Titan Books Worldwide - www.bookdepository.com Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk Amazon US - www.amazon.com I want to thank Lydia from titanbooks.com for providing me with a copy of this book for review. ABOUT THIS BOOK Now retired from detective work, Sherlock Holmes is called on once again to do battle with occult forces. Unrest in Europe is threatening to turn into all-out war, and there are certain parties who would seek to gain from the mass slaughter. When his brother, Mycroft, is found dead on a lonely stretch of beach in Sussex, the body covered in slime and hideously mutilated, Holmes unearths a plot against members of the Diogenes Club that has far-reaching, apocalyptic consequences. With trusty Watson once more at his side, Holmes sallies forth one last time to defy the nameless, unspeakable entities from beyond who would wish to conquer the earth and make every human their slave. MY REVIEW The final instalment in The Cthulhu Casebooks series, SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE SUSSEX SEA-DEVILS by James Lovegrove is compelling, addictive, and everything you want from the sophisticated and exceptional Sherlock Holmes. Sherlock Holmes has retired from London and living a more relaxed life in Sussex or so it would appear. But it isn't long before Holmes and Watson are back to their usual tricks trying to solve riddles that would bemuse and exasperate everybody else. When Holmes receives a strange phone call from his older brother it launches him back to London but tragedy has already struck and Holmes demands justice which he is determined to dole out himself. For their old enemy has resurfaced and is determined to drag our world into darkness and despair while old magic will rise up and destroy life as we know it for everyone. Can Holmes and Watson put an end to this evil for good? Dangerous, exciting, clever and engaging, I thoroughly enjoyed this story which is gripping from beginning to end. With the loss that Holmes experiences we get to see glimpses of a more human and emotional Holmes as he seeks to destroy the evil that is running rampant in our world. Watson and Holmes together are their usual cavalier and witty selves and there is never a dull moment among these pages. SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE SUSSEX SEA-DEVILS by James Lovegrove is a must-read for Holmes fans, as is the entire series, and they are some of the best historical mysteries that I have had the pleasure to read. AUTHOR BIO James Lovegrove is the author of several acclaimed novels and books for children. Currently James resides in Eastbourne on the Sussex Coast, having moved there in August 2007 with his wife Lou, sons Monty and Theo, and cat Ozzy. He has a terrific view of the sea from his study window, which he doesn’t sit staring out at all day when he should be working. Honest. For more information: Website - www.jameslovegrove.com Twitter - twitter.com/JamesLovegrove7 Available Now
Book length - 284 pages Publisher - HQ Digital Worldwide - 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 an e-copy of this book via Netgalley. ABOUT THIS BOOK It’s never too late to find love… When Juliet Scott falls for ruggedly handsome Pete while away travelling, she never imagines how different her life will be to that of her sister, successful and beautiful model Hero. Based on a cattle station in the vast Australian Outback, Juliet’s life is now simple, down-to earth and honest, and the perfect antidote to the chaotic celebrity lifestyle that Hero leads in the UK. With her striking brunette hair, perfect posture, and mesmerising green eyes, it is no wonder Hero has come so far in such a superficial industry. But when tragedy strikes, Hero finds herself in the arms of her sister, recuperating from a terrible accident on the other side of the world. With her modelling career in tatters, and her scars more than just skin deep, Juliet worries that Hero will hide behind the mask she wears forever. But does Australia have something, or someone, to offer that London never could? MY REVIEW Emotional, engaging, and heartwarming, SECOND CHANCE AT THE RANCH by Maxine Morrey is a wonderful contemporary story of love finding you when you need it most. Juliet and Hero are more than just sisters, they are the only family that they have so when Juliet finds the love of her life in the Australian Outback, Hero is delighted for her caring and compassionate sister but she understands that their relationship will change. But it's fine because Hero can throw herself even more into her successful modelling career where she wears a mask of cool control and detachment. However underneath it all, Hero is still that little girl that yearned for her parent's love which they were unwilling to give. As Hero gets to know Juliet's new extended family she cannot help but fall under their spell a little, especially around Nick, but Hero knows that opening up leads to heartbreak so she runs away. But when tragedy strikes, Hero's life will turn upside down and inside out but maybe she will find the path she was destined to follow and open herself up to love. I really enjoyed this book and while at times Hero annoyed me because she was so determined to remain alone, as we learn about her childhood I could understand her reasons. The setting is tranquil and inviting, and the home and lifestyle of Juliet and Pete were really appealing. There is drama, secrets, sadness, and hope and I thoroughly recommend SECOND CHANCE AT THE RANCH by Maxine Morrey to all contemporary fiction fans. AUTHOR BIO Maxine has wanted to be a writer for as long as she can remember and wrote her first (very short) book for school when she was ten. Coming in first, she won a handful of book tokens – perfect for a bookworm! As years went by, she continued to write, but ‘normal’ work often got in the way. She has written articles on a variety of subjects, as well as a book on Brighton for a Local History publisher. However, novels are what she loves writing the most. After self publishing her first novel when a contract fell through, thanks to the recession, she continued to look for opportunities. In August 2015, she won Harper Collins/Carina UK’s ‘Write Christmas’ competition with her romantic comedy, ‘Winter’s Fairytale’. Maxine lives on the south coast of England, and when not wrangling with words loves to read sew and listen to podcasts. As she also likes cake she can also be found either walking or doing something vaguely physical at the gym. For more information: Website - scribblermaxi.co.uk Twitter - twitter.com/scribbler_maxi Facebook - www.facebook.com/MaxineMorreyAuthor/ Instagram - www.instagram.com/scribbler_maxi/ DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT ALL OF THE OTHER STOPS ALONG THE WAY!!! Available Now
Book length - 480 pages Publisher - Wildfire Books Worldwide - www.bookdepository.com Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk Amazon US - www.amazon.com I want to thank Tracy from www.compulsivereaders.com and Becky from Wildfire Books for providing me with a copy of this book for review. ABOUT THIS BOOK Violence and death have come to the land under the Northern Sky. The Anakim dwell in the desolate forests and mountains beyond the black river, the land under the Northern Sky. Their ancient ways are forged in Unthank silver and carved in the grey stone of their heartland, their lives measured out in the turning of centuries, not years. By contrast, the Sutherners live in the moment, their vitality much more immediate and ephemeral than their Anakim neighbors. Fragile is the peace that has existed between these very different races - and that peace is shattered when the Suthern armies flood the lands to the north. These two races revive their age-old hatred and fear of each other. Within the maelstrom of war, two leaders will rise to lead their people to victory. Only one will succeed. MY REVIEW A gripping and evocative read, THE WOLF by Leo Carew is the first instalment in what is destined to be a compelling series. When an intelligent Sutherner brings war to the Anakim in the North, the destiny of many will change that day. When the Black Lord, leader of the Anakim, is slain, it falls on his young and inexperienced son Roper to take up the mantle of rule. But there are those among his own people who will challenge him for the throne and Roper must learn who he can trust and get his own people to trust and believe in him, all the while preparing for the enemy outside the gate. Wonderfully descriptive, THE WOLF by Leo Carew paints a picture of medieval kingdoms that will draw you in and hold you prisoner among the pages until the very end. The characters are intriguing, some likeable, some not, but like those in another well-known fantasy series, they fascinate you and make you want to delve deeper. There is plenty of bloodshed and battle, intricate relationships and secrets, and the struggle for power reigns supreme throughout this story and I cannot wait for what is next to come in The Spider which is released this April. A great start to a great new series! AUTHOR BIO The third of four children, Leo Carew grew up in the centre of London, in the shadow of St. Paul’s Cathedral. Inspired by audiobooks, he developed a late interest in reading and began trying his hand at writing soon afterwards. It was at this time that he also developed a sneaking suspicion that the city was not for him and spent as much time as possible exploring remote areas. After school, this led to two formative months spent on expedition in the High Arctic archipelago of Svalbard. Three years followed reading Biological Anthropology at Cambridge University, most of which was spent staring out of the window, dreaming about colder climates. Obligatory time with serious studying done, Leo returned to Svalbard – Old Norse for “The Cold Edge” - where he lived in a tent for a year training and working as an Arctic guide. During this time, he revisited a novel he had begun at the age of 12 and began reassembling it in the considerable space offered by 24hr darkness. A reluctant return to London to train as a doctor and pursue a career as an army medic followed, during which time he completed his first novel, The Wolf. Leo currently lives in London, writing, studying medicine and breaking off as often as possible for an adventure somewhere cold and wild. For more information: Website - leocarew.com Twitter - twitter.com/leocarew1 Facebook - www.facebook.com/leocarew1/ Instagram - www.instagram.com/leocarew/ Available Now
Book length - 448 pages Publisher - The Borough Press Worldwide - www.bookdepository.com Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk Amazon US - www.amazon.com I want to thank Mary from Harper Collins Ireland for providing me with a copy of this book for review. ABOUT THIS BOOK Imagine you could erase grief. Imagine you could remove pain. Imagine you could hide the darkest, most horrifying secret. Forever. Young Emmett Farmer is working in the fields when a strange letter arrives summoning him away from his family. He is to begin an apprenticeship as a Bookbinder—a vocation that arouses fear, superstition, and prejudice among their small community but one neither he nor his parents can afford to refuse. For as long as he can recall, Emmett has been drawn to books, even though they are strictly forbidden. Bookbinding is a sacred calling, Seredith informs her new apprentice, and he is a binder born. Under the old woman’s watchful eye, Emmett learns to hand-craft the elegant leather-bound volumes. Within each one they will capture something unique and extraordinary: a memory. If there’s something you want to forget, a binder can help. If there’s something you need to erase, they can assist. Within the pages of the books they create, secrets are concealed and the past is locked away. In a vault under his mentor’s workshop, rows upon rows of books are meticulously stored. But while Seredith is an artisan, there are others of their kind, avaricious and amoral tradesman who use their talents for dark ends—and just as Emmett begins to settle into his new circumstances, he makes an astonishing discovery: one of the books has his name on it. Soon, everything he thought he understood about his life will be dramatically rewritten. MY REVIEW Occasionally you will come across a book that exceeds all expectations and hype, that actually changes you as you read it, and that makes you absolutely terrified to write the review for it because you just don't know how you will satisfactorily convey how special this book really is. THE BINDING by Bridget Collins is this book for me. Emmett Farmer works on his family farm and lives a simple life. But all of that changed when he was struck down with a mysterious illness that ravaged his body and mind and left his family fearful of him. When he receives a letter from the bookbinder demanding he go to her to become an apprentice, Emmett is afraid but understands that he has no choice. Seredith, the bookbinder, is not what he expected, and as he begins to slowly learn his new craft, Emmett begins to find peace in his new future. But the magic of bookbinding can take its toll, as Emmett will learn, for those who come to them for help will hand over their most painful memories into their book, and return to their life without that memory forever. But when Emmett finds a book with his own name on it, it will change everything for him. Compelling, hypnotic, emotional, magical, thought-provoking, unique, engaging - these are all words that flare to the surface while I read THE BINDING by Bridget Collins. You often hear that a book is unlike any other etc, but this really is true in this case. The characters and the memories touched my heart and soul in a way that no other book has done before. This is a story to be savoured and as it is released into the world I find myself a little jealous of those who are getting to read it for the first time. I say the first time because THE BINDING by Bridget Collins is one of those rare books that I will re-read over and over again. THE BINDING by Bridget Collins is that special that I am happy to say this early in 2019, if you read only one book this year, make it this one! AUTHOR BIO Bridget Collins trained as an actor at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art after reading English at King's College, Cambridge. She is the author of seven acclaimed books for young adults and has had two plays produced, one at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. THE BINDING is her first adult novel. For more information: Website - www.thebindingbook.com Twitter - twitter.com/Br1dgetCollins Release date - 10th January 2019
Book length - 385 pages Publisher - Head of Zeus Worldwide - www.bookdepository.com Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk Amazon US - www.amazon.com I want to thank Anne from randomthingsthroughmyletterbox.blogspot.com for the opportunity to take part in this blog tour and for providing me with a copy of this book for review. ABOUT THIS BOOK Liverpool, 1963. Mary Kate Malone is seventeen and bitterly unhappy that her father has married again after the death of her mother. On her last day at school, she decides to leave home in Tarabeg on the west coast of Ireland and head for Liverpool to find her mother's sister. But absolutely nothing goes to plan. Within hours of disembarking, she finds herself penniless and alone, with no place to stay and no idea how she will survive. Meanwhile, back in Ireland, where old sins cast long shadows, a long-buried secret is about to come to light and a day of reckoning, in the shape of a stranger from America, will set an unstoppable chain of events in motion. MY REVIEW From Liverpool to Ireland with some Boston thrown in for good measure, MARY KATE by Nadine Dorries is another wonderful historical tale that will effortlessly pull you back in time. In America, a man soon learns more about his Irish ancestry and is determined to fulfil his promise to his dead father but are the people back in Ireland ready for his arrival and all that it holds? While at the same time seventeen-year-old Mary Kate is determined to fly the nest and make a different life for herself that doesn't include living forever in the small Irish village of Tarabeg and so she hatches a plan that will lead her into all sorts of danger and trouble. As nothing seems to be going to plan will Mary Kate find her place in this world and realise the strength of family and love? Engaging, descriptive, and with perfect pace, MARY KATE by Nadine Dorries is a story about life and the strength needed to do what you must to try and be happy. There is plenty of drama, danger, secrets, and friendship, all entwined with the richness in detail and the often harsh reality of what life was like back then. While this is a sequel, this story can be read as a standalone story which is what I did and I fully enjoyed it from start to finish. Definitely a must for historical fiction fans. AUTHOR BIO Nadine Dorries was born in Liverpool in the 1950s and raised on a council estate, the daughter of a bus driver. Her first novel, THE FOUR STREETS, was inspired by memories of her childhood, particularly her Irish grandmother who she was very close to. Nadine trained as a nurse, then followed with a successful career in which she established and then sold her own business. She has been the MP for Mid-Befordshire since 2005 and has three daughters. For more information: Website - nadinedorries.co.uk Twitter - twitter.com/NadineDorries Facebook - www.facebook.com/NadineDorriesAuthor/ DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT ALL OF THE OTHER STOPS ALONG THE WAY!! Release date - 10th January 2019 (Paperback)
Book length - 352 pages Publisher - Mulholland Books Worldwide - www.bookdepository.com Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk Amazon US - www.amazon.com I want to thank Jasmine from www.mulhollandbooks.com for providing me with a copy of this book for review. ABOUT THIS BOOK The only thing worse than finding out that your husband is dead, is discovering the secrets he left behind. Annabel's seemingly perfect ex-patriate life in Geneva is shattered when her banker husband Matthew's plane crashes in the Alps. When Annabel finds clues that his death may not be all it seems, she puts herself in the crosshairs of powerful enemies and questions whether she really knew her husband at all. Meanwhile, journalist Marina is investigating Swiss United, the bank where Matthew worked. But when she uncovers evidence of a shocking global financial scandal that implicates someone close to home, she is forced to make an impossible choice. MY REVIEW Having just finished reading THE BANKER'S WIFE by Cristina Alger I completely understand why the television rights for this book have already been snatched up as this is riveting drama at its finest. Annabel adores her husband Matthew but is beginning to feel lonely in their affluent life in Geneva which was only ever supposed to be short-term. And the pressure of Matthew's high profile banking job seems to be taking its toll on her husband in many ways. But when Matthew dies in a plane crash in the Alps it throws Annabel's life into a tailspin. Why was he on that plane? And was it an accident like everyone around her seems insistent upon? While Annabel is trying to uncover the truth, Marina, a journalist is getting ready to leave the job she loves to become the wife of Grant Ellis, the perfect man. But when her boss and mentor is murdered, Marina knows that it is to do with a story that he was covering and she is determined to finish it for him. But as the truth starts to bubble to the surface Marina's life and those that she trusts will also be in danger. And sometimes the truth is very unexpected. Absolutely unputdownable, THE BANKER'S WIFE by Cristina Alger is everything you want in a clever thriller with enough greed, lies, and subterfuge to keep you hooked from beginning to end. The characters are fascinating and I found myself warming to Marina more than Annabel, mainly because of her strong and independent will to do the right thing. THE BANKER'S WIFE by Cristina Alger may be one of the first books that I have read this year but I guarantee you it will definitely be in my top list for 2019 - a must-read for suspense and thriller fans alike. AUTHOR BIO Cristina Alger is a lifelong New Yorker. A graduate of Harvard College and NYU Law School, she worked as a financial analyst and a corporate attorney before becoming a writer. She lives in New York with her husband and children. 'The Banker's Wife' is her first thriller. For more information: Website - cristinaalger.com Twitter - twitter.com/cristinaalger Facebook - www.facebook.com/AuthorCristinaAlger/ Instagram - www.instagram.com/cristina.alger/ Available Now
Book length - 400 pages Publisher - Harper Impulse 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 an e-copy of this book via Netgalley. ABOUT THIS BOOK More than just a holiday romance? Her daughter, her job and divorcing her untrustworthy ex are Leah’s main priorities. She isn’t really bothered that her life might be missing a few things. But after winning a prestigious travel blogger award, she’s inundated with offers to review glamorous holiday destinations. Lying around drinking exotic cocktails and being paid for it … what could be better? Perhaps a romantic trip to idyllic Greece to find the one man who might make Leah risk her heart again… MY REVIEW Bringing a blast of sunshine and warmth into a cold January evening, A GREEK AFFAIR by Linn B. Halton is a contemporary romance with a lot more to it than meets the eye. Abandoned by her husband in the most despicable of ways, Leah and her daughter Rosie are finally starting to see the sunshine through the trees almost seven years later. Setting up a travel blog, Leah has found her passion and when she wins a prestigious award, it isn't long before their dreams are becoming reality. New opportunities are providing them both with new friendships and widening their horizons as they travel to different locations. But is Leah able to let go of the hurt from the past to let someone new into her life? And when her no-good ex slithers back onto the scene, will he take her precious daughter away from her? With plenty of drama, laughter, friendship, and tears, A GREEK AFFAIR by Linn B. Halton takes you on a journey of the senses as her characters and settings come alive for the reader. While the story did not always go in the direction that I thought it would, it never stopped fascinating me and I wanted to know how things would end up for Leah and the lovely Rosie. I highly recommend A GREEK AFFAIR by Linn B. Halton for fans of contemporary fiction everywhere and it will definitely give you more travel destinations for your bucket list. AUTHOR BIO From interior designer to author, Linn - who also writes under the pen name of Lucy Coleman - says ‘it’s been a fantastic journey!’ Linn is the bestselling author of more than a dozen novels and is excited to be writing for both Harper Impulse (Harper Collins) and Aria Fiction (Head of Zeus); she’s represented by Sara Keane of the Keane Kataria Literary Agency. When she’s not writing, or spending time with the family, she’s either upcycling furniture or working in the garden. Linn won the 2013 UK Festival of Romance: Innovation in Romantic Fiction award; her novels have been short-listed in the UK's Festival of Romance and the eFestival of Words Book Awards. Living in Coed Duon in the Welsh Valleys with her ‘rock’, Lawrence, and gorgeous Bengal cat Ziggy, she freely admits she’s an eternal romantic. Linn is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and writes feel-good, uplifting novels about life, love and relationships. For more information: Website - linnbhalton.co.uk Twitter - twitter.com/linnbhalton Facebook - www.facebook.com/LinnBHaltonAuthor/ Instagram - www.instagram.com/linnbhalton/ 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! Currently ReadingUPCOMING BLOG TOURS
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