 Release date - 28th February 2017
Book length - 307 pages Amazon UK - Blind Faith (Steel Jackals MC Book 2) Amazon US - www.amazon.com BLURB After years of solitude, Tish O’Malley made the mistake of assuming happiness was finally hers. But before she can relax her guard and enjoy her protective—albeit secretive—Sergeant at Arms, another selfish choice made by her unconscionable drug-addict mother brings about deadly consequences. With Rachel conveniently tucked away behind bars, her massive debt is laid at Tish’s feet. Josh “The Guardian” Sylvan knew when he claimed his young queen, her well-being would become his life’s purpose. When her mother’s senseless idiocy brings his estranged father’s notorious club to town, to protect Tish, Josh must consider taking out a member of the Obsidian Devils MC. Can he risk it all? Jeopardize his brothers and their families as they stand at his back, preparing to fight this personal battle? Everything changes when Josh discovers his and Tish’s love has produced the one thing that will bind her to his side forever. Only then does indecision flee, and his possessive rage takes over. MY REVIEW I am a HUGE fan of Nancy Haviland's Wanted Men series so when I learned that she was writing an MC series I knew I would have to read it, even though I have never really tried that genre before and was a little concerned if it would be for me, but I am so glad that I did. Compelling, gritty, tough, and sizzling, this book (and series) has got it all. Josh, aka The Guardian, has lived through such torment and heartbreak that he will do everything he can to protect the one person who means more to him than life itself - Tish. Tish has also broken her way through her horrific childhood and has always loved Josh, and now that she has him she yearns for him to open up to her and let her into every part of his heart, even the damaged part. But as they try to settle into their new relationship, an outside threat endangers Tish, and The Guardian will break down the walls of hell itself to keep her by his side and protect her, now more than ever. Exciting, dangerous, and brimming with sexual chemistry and sizzling connections, BLIND FAITH by Nancy Haviland is hot, hot, hot! Now if you are looking for a sweet, gentle romance, this is not the book for you - this is sexy, dirty-talking, rough and ready, passionate romance writing at it's best. And it also shows the loyalty, love, and friendship that exists in a world all of its own. I cannot wait for the next book as this author can do no wrong! BOOK RATING - 📖📖📖📖📖 5+++++++++++++++++++ Author Bio: Nancy Haviland, author of the bestselling organized crime series, WANTED MEN, writes about her alpha mobsters and their ladies from her home near Toronto, Ontario. She fights for space on her keyboard with her arrogant kitty named Talbot, and adores her Tim Horton’s coffee; as any self-respecting Canadian would. She writes contemporary romantic suspense but will happily read anything that involves two people smooching. A member of Romance Writers of America, Nancy is represented by Nalini Akolekar of Spencerhill Associates, and is published by Montlake Romance/Amazon Publishing. For more information: Website - www.nancyhaviland.com Twitter - twitter.com/Nancy_Haviland Facebook - www.facebook.com/nancyhavilandauthor *I voluntarily reviewed this book from the author
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 Book length - 384 pages
Book Depository - www.bookdepository.com Amazon UK - The Inheritance Amazon US - www.amazon.com BLURB When Anna Rose arrived in London to start a career in PR with the fabulous Gilda Winterbottom, she hadn’t banked on falling for the city’s most eligible bachelor, art dealer and heir to a fortune, George Wyndham. But as love strikes, fate plays a brutal card in the form of Sofia Tamper, a ravishing Hollywood actress, who serves up a dish of ice-cold revenge. And with the inheritance of his ancestral Scottish estate under threat, George is forced to make a terrible choice — one with devastating consequences. Set in a world of opulence and privilege, where sex and money go to battle with tradition and romance, The Inheritance is a fast-moving, plot-twisting story packed with characters you won’t want to leave behind! MY REVIEW THE INHERITANCE by Ally Bunbury is a well-paced, emotional tale of love, loss, and greed, that will effortlessly pluck at your heartstrings, and make you fall completely into the story. Anna Rose is an Irish girl working hard in London for a PR Queen when she bumps into George Wyndham at a Socialite's party. Together they delve into a beautiful relationship that promises a future that they both crave. But when George's childhood estate, and the only link left to his beloved mother, is threatened, he will be forced to turn his back on Anna, in order to save it. But his decision will have consequences that even he cannot imagine, and as the cast of characters in this tale each struggle to gain control over the craziness in their lives, they will question if it is ever possible to fix the broken memories of the past. I adored the kaleidoscope of madcap characters in this energetic story, especially Gilda who is a force to be reckoned with and hilarious to boot, but Anna is easily my favourite. Strong, caring, loyal, and humble, Anna faces many harsh trials throughout this novel, but always handles herself with dignity and aplomb. I became completely wrapped up in THE INHERITANCE and found myself laughing out loud and crying throughout because this is a story that has it all - excitement, heartbreak, love, failure, and just that extra something that makes it very special. THE INHERITANCE by Ally Bunbury is the perfect contemporary read for fiction fans everywhere. BOOK RATING - 📖📖📖📖📖 5++++++++ Author Bio: Born in 1976, Ally Bunbury was brought up with her three sisters, and a menagerie of animals, in County Monaghan. Following a serendipitous encounter at a dinner party, Ally landed a dream internship with a PR agency on New York's Fifth Avenue, which, in turn, led to a flourishing career in London and Dublin. Ally now runs her own PR company and continues to create dynamic media campaigns for her clients. She lives in County Carlow with her husband, the historian, Turtle Bunbury and their two daughters, Jemima and Bay. From their house, overlooking the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains, Ally wrote her debut novel, The Inheritance. For more information: Website - www.allybunbury.com Twitter - twitter.com/ally_bunbury Facebook - www.facebook.com/allybunburybooks/?fref=ts *I voluntarily reviewed this book from the Publisher - Poolbeg Publishing.  Release date - 12th January 2017
Book length - 263 pages Book Depository - www.bookdepository.com Amazon UK - Miss Christie Regrets Amazon US - www.amazon.com BLURB “a neatly lacquered puzzle-box filled with golden-age trickery, as warm and timeless as crumpets and honey; a murder to curl up by the fire with on a winter’s night” - Christopher Fowler, author of the bestselling Bryant and May mysteries. The second in the Hampstead Murders series opens with a sudden death at an iconic local venue, which some of the team believe may be connected with an unsolved murder featuring Cold War betrayals worthy of George Smiley. It soon emerges that none other than Agatha Christie herself may be the key witness who is able to provide the missing link. As with its bestselling predecessor, Death in Profile, the book develops the lives and loves of the team at 'Hampstead Nick'. While the next phase of a complicated love triangle plays itself out, the protagonists, struggling to crack not one but two apparently insoluble murders, face issues of national security in working alongside Special Branch. On one level a classic whodunit, this quirky and intelligent read harks back not only to the world of Agatha Christie, but also to the Cold War thrillers of John Le Carre, making it a worthy successor to Death in Profile which was dubbed 'a love letter to the detective novel'. MY REVIEW In the second volume of the Hampstead Murders series, a new murder investigation is underway with links to a cold case from the history books. With plenty of dead ends, confusion, and clues, there is definitely something about these murders that is more than meets the eye, and as the Detectives dig deeper, it is possible that Agatha Christie herself is connected somehow. As the novel unfolds, the complex and gripping relationships between the characters that were created in the first book of the series, are further developed, and this really added that something extra to the book for me. In MISS CHRISTIE REGRETS by Guy Fraser-Sampson the author's elegant and sophisticated writing style has a unique flair all of its own, which really captures a reader's imagination and keeps it fixated on the story until the very end. MISS CHRISTIE REGRETS is a clever blend of old-school detective work and modern police procedures, and I am really looking forward to the next instalment. I recommend that you read the first book in the series (Death in Profile) to fully appreciate this novel. BOOK RATING - 📖📖📖📖📖 5+ Author Bio: Guy Fraser-Sampson is an established writer best known for his series of ‘Mapp and Lucia’ novels which have been featured on BBC Radio 4 and optioned by BBC television. Originally a corporate lawyer, he currently teaches at Cass Business School and acts as a board advisor to high growth companies. For more information: Website - guyfs.com Twitter - twitter.com/GuyFSAuthor *I voluntarily reviewed this book from the author  Release date - 21st February 2017
Book length - 182 pages Amazon UK - A Duke By Any Other Name (Dukes' Club Book 7) Amazon US - www.amazon.com BLURB Are you ready to romp with The Dukes' Club? Her dance card is nearly full. The only sister of the Duke of Hunt, Lady Gemma, is finally ready to settle down. After all, she's spent too many of her days frolicking all over town. As an Eversleigh, she's ready for an excellent match. Desiring a serious, reserved, and strong husband who can handle her antics, Gemma handpicks Captain Duke. Surely, she's selected the perfect man, but perfection may not be as it seems. This pirate is treading on dangerous water. Alexander Duke knows the violence of the seas, the brutality of humanity, and the dangers of fighting for a cause. He has no patience for a silly and persistent woman, who exudes more bubbles than a bottle of champagne. But when Lady Gemma turns on the charm, no man can resist her wiles, not even a rugged and courageous pirate. However, protecting his heart is Captain Duke's number one priority. When a scandalous event shocks his hardened soul, he's forced to take action, turning his back on his lifelong oath. Suddenly, he's asking for her hand and putting both of their hearts on the line. Can two stubborn people relinquish control to know true love or will they rock the boat too violently to find their happy ever after? MY REVIEW A DUKE BY ANY OTHER NAME by Eva Devon stands out amongst the best of the Regency and historical romance genre with its deeply evocative settings, well-developed characters, and the inclusion of serious historical events to flesh out this invigorating time period, all expertly blended with passionate relationships founded on loyalty and love. Lady Gemma is strong and defiant, just like so many in her scandalous family, so when she sets her sights on Mr. Duke for a potential husband, she is shocked when he does not seem inclined to accept her proposal. Alexander Duke knows firsthand that you can never trust love or the word of a woman, and he carries the scars from his past alongside those that he has witnessed on the violent seas. The last thing he needs is a spoilt little rich girl looking for a husband. But as her presence surrounds him at every opportunity, Alexander soon learns that she is intelligent, headstrong, caring, and willing to help those who need it most, and when she is with him she fills his senses in every possible way. Sadly love is not a possibility for him. But when a scandal threatens can Alexander do everything he can to make it right? Even if it means opening up his heart to the possibility of love and heartbreak? Well-paced, thoughtful, and extremely addictive, A DUKE BY ANY OTHER NAME by Eva Devon completely captured my interest from the first sentence and kept me under Gemma's and Alexander's spell to the very end. Gemma is a wonderful character as she is so upfront, fiery, independent and loyal, but yet has a vulnerable, softer side at times that makes her so relatable. Alexander struggles to let go of his past, and while at times I wanted to shout at him, you cannot help but love him as he is such an admirable, loyal, giving character who wants to change the world for the better. With lots of energy, sizzling passion, friendship, family, love, and yearning to make a difference, A DUKE BY ANY OTHER NAME by Eva Devon is everything you want in a book and more. I highly recommend this novel and all of Eva's books as she is one of my go-to authors for a guaranteed cracking read. Enjoy! BOOK RATING - 📖📖📖📖📖 5+++++++++++ Author Bio: USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR, Eva Devon, was raised on literary fiction, but quite accidentally and thankfully, she was introduced to romance one Christmas by Johanna Lindsey’s Mallory novella, The Present. A romance addict was born. She devoured every single Lindsey novel within a few months and moved on to contemporary and paranormal with gusto. Now, she loves to write her own roguish dukes, alpha males and the heroines who tame them. She loves to hear from her readers. So please pen her a note! For more information: Website - evadevonauthor.com/site/ Twitter - twitter.com/evadevonauthor Facebook - www.facebook.com/Eva-Devon-1464806663776356/?fref=ts *I voluntarily reviewed this book from the author  Release date - 24th February 2017
Book length - 374 pages Amazon UK - The Silent Wife: A gripping emotional page turner with a twist that will take your breath away Amazon US - www.amazon.com BLURB Would you risk everything for the man you loved? Even if you knew he'd done something terrible? A heart wrenching and gripping tale. I was hooked from the very first page.' Write Escape Lara’s life looks perfect on the surface. Gorgeous doting husband Massimo, sweet little son Sandro and the perfect home. Lara knows something about Massimo. Something she can’t tell anyone else or everything Massimo has worked so hard for will be destroyed: his job, their reputation, their son. This secret is keeping Lara a prisoner in her marriage. Maggie is married to Massimo’s brother Nico and lives with him and her troubled stepdaughter. She knows all of Nico’s darkest secrets – or so she thinks. The one day she discovers a letter in the attic which reveals a shocking secret about Nico’s first wife Caitlin. Will Maggie set the record straight or keep silent to protect those she loves? For a family held together by lies, the truth will come at a devastating price. A heart-wrenching, emotionally gripping read for fans of Amanda Prowse, Liane Moriarty and Diane Chamberlain. This book was previously titled The Secrets of Second Wives. MY REVIEW THE SILENT WIFE by Kerry Fisher is an addictive novel about family dynamics, secrets and betrayals that will have your mouth hanging open in disbelief many times along the way. When Maggie marries Nico, she is thrown headfirst into the Farinelli family with its wealth and high expectations. Having to adjust to her new surroundings is difficult enough but when she is constantly surrounded by the memories of Nico's first wife, Caitlin, who died a few years ago, has a teenage stepdaughter who is determined to chase her away, and a mother-in-law who treats her like something she stepped in, life is anything but easy. But Maggie is tough, strong, and completely in love with Nico, and will do anything to blend their families together, even if it means burying a secret that could destroy everything. Lara and Massimo have the perfect life to the outside world, but looks can be deceiving. Being around Maggie and her independent spirit brings something back to life in Lara, and as she struggles to keep her organised, controlled life in order, she cannot help but wonder what would happen if she shared the truth with the world. As events unfold at home and abroad, will Lara and Maggie's choices destroy the fabric of the Farinelli family forever or will it finally let them breathe in a way they never knew was possible? THE SILENT WIFE by Kerry Fisher gripped me from the very first line and held me captive until the last sentence. With exquisitely crafted characters, I became so caught up in Maggie's and Lara's lives, that my heart raced when theirs raced, broke when theirs broke. The pace of the novel is perfect as it flowed effortlessly from one character to another. Beryl, Maggie's mum, is one of my favourites, as I just adore her caring, no-nonsense, open and honest approach to her life and her family. THE SILENT WIFE by Kerry Fisher is one of those stories that you will remember long after who close the book, and should definitely be on your must-read list for 2017! BOOK RATING - 📖📖📖📖📖 5++++++++++++ Author Bio: I write funny, honest books about ordinary women and family life. When I’m not doing that, I can be seen haring across the Surrey hills trying to stop my lab/schnauzer eating other people’s picnics or running off with their kites. Or helping my teenage son think back to when he might last have seen his rugby shorts. Or explaining to my daughter that I can help with English, Latin and Spanish but art, technology or, ugh, sewing, she’s on her own. Or telling my very tolerant husband that the dog needs organic chicken because she’s got a sensitive stomach but could he make do with an omelette? But I wasn’t always a writer. Once I left my hometown of Peterborough to go to university in Bath, I got the travel bug and have never recovered. I was an English teacher in Spain and Corsica, a holiday rep in Tuscany, a PA in an art school in Florence, a guidebook researcher and author, travel journalist. Horizons, broad, exciting, unknown and promising were what inspired me. Nothing thrilled or terrified me quite as much as landing in a foreign country with a whole new territory to discover. And then the children arrived…and with them disappeared the days of elephant riding in Thailand, testing new theme park rides in America and abseiling down the highest tower in Rotterdam. So I had to find new ways of exploring far-flung lands. After working as a book reviewer for Candis magazine, I realised fiction was the way to keep that sense of anticipation and excitement alive. When the children were young, the challenge was finding the time to write. Now both are at senior school, the challenge is to write down the funny (and sometimes hideous) things they say before I forget in case I need to use them in a novel – in our house, there’s no such thing as a free lunch. Even the dog has to make friends on the hill so that I can talk to their owners about books. So if you see otherwise sane-looking women leaping into hedges and hiding behind oak trees on the Surrey Downs, they’ve probably spotted me heading their way with my latest book recommendation… Other than reading and writing, I love cooking, entertaining, wine and friends…I’m more like Clover than Jen1 – not very groomed and a bit messy, though I don’t have wellies in my kitchen sink. Or a trust fund… For more information: Website - www.kerryfisherauthor.com Twitter - twitter.com/KerryFSwayne Facebook - www.facebook.com/kerryfisherauthor?fref=ts *I voluntarily reviewed this book from Netgalley.com  Release date - 21st March 2017
Publisher - www.notapipepublishing.com Amazon US - www.amazon.com BLURB Heather S. Ransom's stunning debut, the YA dystopia Going Green, tackles issues like GMOs, citizens filming acts of police brutality, and political extremism in a fun, fast-paced coming-of-age adventure. In the future, the color of your skin lets everyone know who you are. The privileged become Green, walking GMOs with plant chloroplasts in their cells who no longer need to eat. Life is good. People are happy. Well, ...some people. Not everyone gets to “go Green.” Calyssa Brentwood, a high school senior just finishing her cellular enhancement, is on her way to the upper ranks of society. Until she finds herself far from the safety of Sci-City, ...on a farm, ...in the middle of a rebel insurgency. Realizing that nothing is as simple as it seems, Lyssa soon discovers that each choice brings new consequences ...ones that may turn deadly for those she cares about most. MY REVIEW In a future where the human population almost died out because of a virus destroying all of the earth's plant life, scientists and researchers saved the planet by changing humans, or enhancing them, into something more, something special. This process is known as Going Green due to the physical changes involved and is considered to be the ultimate goal - to go green, join the upper echelons of Sci-City, and devote your life to technology and development. For those who cannot afford to have the enhancement procedure, a tougher future lies ahead, where they are ridiculed and deemed as drones, or worse they may join the rebel forces who fight against Sci-City and all that it stands for. Calyssa Brentwood has waited for the day that her eyes would change colour and the changing process would begin. Finally, she is going to be green and maybe now she will fit in with her father and sister. Maybe now she will feel more comfortable in her own skin. But when a mix-up over spring break finds Calyssa staying out of the city with Ana and her brother Gabe Stayton, life will never be the same for her again. At the farm where everything is done the old way before technology took over, Calyssa begins to find a peace that she never thought possible, and witnessing the love that flourishes in the Stayton home, she cannot help but feel envious of their closeness. But as danger enters their countryside idyll, Calyssa begins to realise that maybe her entire life has been a lie - what if those in power in Sci-City are not as honest as they appear? What if the rebels have genuine reasons to stand together and fight? And as her independence and confidence grow, Calyssa cannot help the feelings that are growing for Gabe, who is so much more than a drone. But with a powerful father and a deeper, darker, threat on the horizon, will Calyssa be brave enough to take a chance and risk it all? GOING GREEN by Heather S. Ransom is a gripping and addictive dystopian novel that hooked me instantly and kept me riveted to the very last page. With characters that are so much more than what they initially appear to be and a unique and engaging plot, GOING GREEN is a Young Adult novel like no other. The pace is perfect, and the scientific elements of the story fascinating, and I really cannot wait for more from Calyssa and Sci-City. An excellent read! BOOK RATING - 📖📖📖📖📖 5++++++ Author Bio: Life as a middle school science teacher for twenty-four years has allowed Heather an intimate look into the minds of thousands of young adults, most of whom are desperate to find their place in a society constantly changing around them. Many have found escape, ideas for facing challenges, or simply hope for a future where they can make a difference, through reading. So every year, even though she’s teaching science, Heather has her classes read. And they imagine together what their futures might hold, telling stories about advances in technology that could change their world. Heather grew up in a family that loved stories. Her mom told incredible, fanciful adventures where she, along with her brother and sister, lived in a pond with tadpoles, or traveled across the dusty hills as Native Americans, or howled at the moon with the coyotes. As her mom told these stories, Heather became the character. She felt the water moving through her gills as she swam with Wally Wadpole. She tasted the dust in her mouth while riding her horse, Many Moons, on the hunt to bring back food to her tribe. She heard the coyotes calling her to come play, long after the stories were over. Heather fell in love with a good story, one that immersed her in a world that felt so real she never wanted to leave. This is what she hopes to bring to her readers. When not teaching or writing, Heather enjoys spending time with the man of her dreams, Marv, and their two absolutely amazing adult kids, Danielle and Marvin. Living in Grants Pass, Oregon, affords her the luxury of ample opportunities in the amazing outdoors, as well as helping out at their local businesses, a pizza pub and cigar shop. “Every day brings a new adventure. Dream the dream you want, then find the way to make it happen.” For more information: Twitter - twitter.com/heathersransom Facebook - www.facebook.com/heathersransom/?fref=ts *I voluntarily reviewed this book from Not A Pipe Publishing  Book length - 432 pages
Book Depository - www.bookdepository.com Amazon UK - On the Other Side Amazon US - www.amazon.com BLURB A love story like no other, this is the debut novel from Carrie Hope Fletcher, author of the Sunday Times No. 1 bestseller All I Know Now. Evie Snow is eighty-two when she quietly passes away in her sleep, surrounded by her children and grandchildren. It's the way most people wish to leave the world but when Evie reaches the door of her own private heaven, she finds that she's become her twenty-seven-year-old self and the door won't open. Evie's soul must be light enough to pass through so she needs to get rid of whatever is making her soul heavy. For Evie, this means unburdening herself of the three secrets that have weighed her down for over fifty years, so she must find a way to reveal them before it's too late. As Evie begins the journey of a lifetime, she learns more about life and love than she ever thought possible, and somehow , some way, she may also find her way back to her long lost love . . . On the Other Side will transport you to a world that is impossible to forget. Powerful, magical and utterly romantic, this is a love story like no other from everyone's favourite 'big sister', Carrie Hope Fletcher. MY REVIEW Unlike so many of you, I had never heard of this author before, so I read ON THE OTHER SIDE by Carrie Hope Fletcher without any expectations. When Evie Snow passes away in her old age, she finds herself at the doors of the afterlife transformed into her former twenty-seven-year-old self. Unable to enter, she must relieve her soul of her heaviest burdens from her lifetime, to be able to pass through, and so the journey begins for Evie as she finally faces the major secrets of her life. ON THE OTHER SIDE is a unique take on life after death and I really enjoyed the concept which allows you to escape reality for a while. And while I found it sweet and interesting overall, at certain points the story did seem a little disjointed and didn't flow as easily as I would have liked. Still well worth a read if you are looking for a little magical entertainment. BOOK RATING - 📖📖📖 3.5 Author Bio: Carrie Hope Fletcher is an actress, a singer-songwriter and an author. She also plays the ukulele, guitar and saxophone. Carrie is well known on YouTube for her channel 'ItsWayPastMyBedtime' where she has over 600,000 subscribers. Most of her videos consist of giving advice to her younger audience, talking about Disney and covering her favourite songs. She played Eponine in the West End production of Les Miserables at the Queen's Theatre until February 13th 2016. She is the first actress to have played both young Eponine and older Eponine. She went on to play Truly Scrumptious in the UK touring production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Her debut book, 'All I Know Now: Wonderings and Reflections on Growing Up Gracefully' was published in May 2015. The book is based on what she writes on her blog. Her first fiction novel, 'On the Other Side' was published in July 2016. For more information: Website - carriehopefletcher.com Twitter - twitter.com/carriehfletcher Facebook - www.facebook.com/ItsWayPastMyBedTime/?fref=ts *I voluntarily reviewed this book from Netgalley.com  Release date - 15th February 2017 Book length - 298 pages Book Links: Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon AUS | Kobo | Google Play | Itunes | Escape | Goodreads BLURB Raw and risky, a new rural romance that explores the dark side of small towns, and the people who put everything on the line to protect them... Kat Daily is excited to trade her Sydney airport quarantine uniform for an RSPCA inspector’s uniform and a job in the rural town of Walgarra. A fresh start in a new place, where she can make a real difference in the lives of the animals that she loves. But Walgarra doesn’t offer a peaceful, bucolic existence. Like many small towns, the distance from urban settings — and urban law enforcement — has allowed a criminal element to set in. Kat may only be looking after animals, but that doesn’t mean she will be immune to people with sinister agendas. The previous RSCPCA inspector was murdered, and Officer Luka Belovuk is determined to keep the new inspector from the same fate. He may have very broad shoulders, but carrying the safety of the law-abiding community just trying to live their lives has weighed him down, and one more death might be more than he can take. Not all small towns are quaint and quiet, but they all have one thing in common: a community of people willing to protect their population with everything they have. I am delighted to have an excerpt for you all to read, to give you a taste of SHELTER by Rhyll Biest. Enjoy!! Excerpt The young eucalyptus forest whispered 'rural bliss' rather than 'murder scene' but Kat knew better. Will be your murder scene too, Galenka muttered. Since Galenka, who sometimes preferred to be called Galina, was merely the vestigial remains of Kat's childhood imaginary friend—a sad, mean half-Russian girl with snakes for eyes who relished her role as a troublemaker and prophetess of doom and who only made an appearance during times of great stress—Kat felt justified in ignoring her. Especially since Galenka spoke with an east European accent and haphazard sentence structure eerily similar to that of Kat's late mother, whereas Kat's English was perfect. You can't forget us, Galenka sneered. Just watch me. I’m going to do my new job well and forget about everything else. You included. Not happening. Galenka, the little bitch, had appeared as soon as Kat had crossed the state border. Any psychologist would have a field day with that. Despite working at an international airport, Kat had never left Australia, had lived her whole life in and around Sydney. So now that she'd split up with New South Wales to take a job in Victoria, it only made sense that—like a cat dumped a long way from home—she was spooked by the wrong colour of the sky, the strange-smelling air and the wrong number of trees. How she longed for her comfortable former rut right now. The fierce afternoon sun baked the hard plastic steering wheel, the heat transferring to her engagement ring to turn it branding hot. Handling the steering wheel gingerly, she took the turn-off indicated on her GPS before pulling over to tug her fake engagement ring from her finger and slip it in her pocket. Petra, her quarantine colleague, had suggested the fake engagement ring. ‘Unless you want every two-headed, potato-humping breeder pawing at you, toots.’ Not a fan of country life, Petra. Serenaded by shrieking cicadas she squinted at two pock-marked road signs through the heat haze rising off the bitumen. One sign, the one with a black blob with a tail on a yellow background, warned of crossing kangaroos, the other indicated that the Walgarra RSPCA shelter was thirteen kilometres away. Some friendly local had blasted holes through both signs so that each looked like a chewed leaf. A nice, friendly touch. The urge to turn around and drive right back home made her fingers twitch. Minutes later she passed the Welcome to Walgarra sign, bullets centred together in one large gaping hole, a mortal wound designed to spill guts. Like last RSPCA inspector, Galenka leered. Shut up. A cluster of blood red, rusting farm letterboxes flashed by. Don't think about the murder. But it was a lot like telling herself not to think of a blue cow. As soon as she did, all she saw were blue cows. Bullet-ridden blue cows. And no amount of self-administered pep talks changed the fact that violence was an occupational hazard that any RSPCA inspector could expect. Galenka’s comments had nothing on the news stories that a cursory Google search produced. Inspectors who’d been choked out, stabbed, punched and spat on. It was a sad fact that the people most likely to neglect or abuse animals were also likely to react inappropriately, and sometimes violently, towards inspectors investigating a case. And sure, that violence smeared queasy doubt all over the joy of working with animals, but those animals needed her. If she didn’t help them just because she was afraid then she was just as bad as all the people who never helped her, or her mother, because they were afraid to. Because her dad was not only a mean bastard but also a cop. So stuff the queasiness, stuff the sweat that slicked her hands whenever she thought too long about the murdered RSPCA inspector. Faith in people—and she had no such faith—was not enough to protect the weak and vulnerable. Only laws and protective authority could work that magic and she’d signed up to do her bit. She’d seen too many terrapins stuffed down travellers’ pants, too many rare birds tucked into socks. The parrots, pangolins and pythons stuffed inside suitcases, the drugs sewed into the bellies of puppies, she was sick of it, choking on it. And all she had to do to change things, to feel clean again, was to hang onto courage and do her job. You can do this.  MY REVIEW SHELTER by Rhyll Biest is an unusual story with plenty of raw emotion and conflict to get your teeth into, as well as a little romance thrown in for good measure. Kat Daily is moving away from the only city she has ever known, to have a fresh start in small-town Walgarra as their new RSPCA Inspector. Hoping to leave behind her haunting childhood and do a lot of good in her new role, she is positive that this is the right move for her. But life in this beautiful countryside town is far from idyllic, where its isolation and solitude is also part of its problem. The previous Inspector was murdered, and there are plenty of people who would like to see the back of her too. But with Luka by her side, determined to bring the murderer to justice, while keeping Kat safe at the same time, who knows what will happen? SHELTER by Rhyll Biest has danger, damaged souls, a flaring attraction, and a unique plot line to keep you interested - an entertaining and emotional read. BOOK RATING - 📖📖📖📖 4 Author Bio: Living in Prague, Shanghai and Germany and studying several languages has given Rhyll a taste for the exotic, and she populates her writing with sexy Soviets, hot Aussie vixens and gratuitously attractive Teutonic gods. Outside of playing host to the United Nations of Hotness in her writer's imagination, she can be found trying to pass for normal at her office job, twiddling with art, or reading. She's also a proud member of Romance Writers of Australia. For more information: Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads I want to thank LRR Promotions and Rhyll, for the opportunity to read this novel and be a part of this exciting blog tour!!  |
WelcomeHi fellow bookworms. My name is Linda and I'm a reviewer & blogger, wife & mother who loves all things books! 
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