Release date - 16th December 2016
Book length - 270 pages Available on - www.amazon.com | www.amazon.co.uk BLURB ‘Past events can be changed but one must be careful of how one does it because it’ll impact on the rest of one’s life.’—Dáire Quin, Modify your Destiny if you Must, 2003 No one saw Julie’s car leave the road, no one saw her crash into the watery ditch, no one saw the gnarled tree branch pierce through the window screen and impale her to her seat. No one heard her screams. Yet, this was the beginning of Julie’s life. Julie Compton, is a forty-something woman, striving for success in a male dominated business world. She thinks she’s made it. She thinks she has it all. Trouble is, her destiny has been travelling in the wrong direction and Julie is now forced to relive her life by occupying people’s bodies from her past in a time-travel, paranormal adventure. For readers who enjoyed books like 'The Time Traveler's Wife' and 'The Lovely Bones'. Author Bio: Louise Wise is a British author. She lives in the Midlands with her husband and four sons, and works as a pharmacy technician. Her debut novel is the acclaimed sci-fi romance EDEN, which was followed by its sequel HUNTED in 2013. Her other works include A PROPER CHARLIE (romantic comedy), OH NO, I’VE FALLEN IN LOVE! (dark, comedy romance), and SCRUFFY TRAINERS (a collection of short stories). She has written numerous short stories for women’s magazines including Women’s Own and Take a Break. Her latest novel, WIDE AWAKE ASLEEP, is out December 16th 2016 and available for pre-order. In this novel, she has mixed time travel and romance with her on-going theme of isolation and loneliness. For more information: Website: http://louisewise.website Email: [email protected] Books: http://amzn.to/1Ne7KX0 Louise has kindly provided an excerpt to give you a little taste of what you can expect from WIDE AWAKE ASLEEP!! Happy Reading📚😊 Excerpt from WIDE AWAKE ASLEEP – a paranormal, time travel romance. Disorientated, I looked around at my surroundings. I had the strange feeling that I wasn’t here at all. I thought I heard a voice, and I cocked my head, but it was carried away on a gust of wind. The feeling of hands touching my body subsided and I was left in this paradox universe where I was me inside someone else’s body. I looked down at myself and the first thing I saw was a plaid skirt, and thick tights, which sagged at the knees and ankles. My heart began to beat in horror. No, no. Please, God, no. My hands touched the stained cardigan over my large droopy breasts. Up further to my face… My hands recoiled. I felt a moustache! I gasped in horror. I was ‘Auntie’ Iris Grimshaw! It was bad enough being goofy Sarah Marshall, but now I had a moustache! And a bloody monobrow! Iris began to walk, and I felt a sharp pain in my hip. I slowed, but the pain persisted. It shot down my left leg every time my foot touched the ground. No wonder the old sod was grouchy.
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Release date - 29th December 2016 Book length - 384 pages Available on - www.amazon.com | www.amazon.co.uk BLURB The Girl on the Train meets Rear Window, The Watcher is an absolutely addictive and on trend commercial psychological suspense read, with a captivating unreliable narrator and some powerful narrative twists. She's watching you, but who's watching her? Lily Gullick lives with her husband Aiden in a new-build flat opposite an estate which has been marked for demolition. A keen birdwatcher, she can't help spying on her neighbours. Until one day Lily sees something suspicious through her binoculars and soon her elderly neighbour Jean is found dead. Lily, intrigued by the social divide in her local area as it becomes increasingly gentrified, knows that she has to act. But her interference is not going unnoticed, and as she starts to get close to the truth, her own life comes under threat. But can Lily really trust everything she sees? MY REVIEW
THE WATCHER by Ross Armstrong is completely different from anything I have ever read before. With a unique style of writing, it took me a while to get into the story and I did find myself picking it up and putting it down again after a while. At times I found the narrative confusing but as I read on everything became clearer as the plot developed, and the tension built up. The main character, Lily, is frustrating a lot of the time but there are reasons for that, and it is all part of the story as a whole. I don't want to give too much away so I cannot delve too deep in this review, but I am glad that I persevered with this book. THE WATCHER by Ross Armstrong is a book that I feel will divide opinion, but overall it is a solid psychological thriller. BOOK RATING - 📖📖📖 3.5 Author Bio: Ross Armstrong is a British stage and screen actor who has performed in the West End of London, on Broadway and in theatres throughout the UK. Among others, he has acted opposite Jude Law (Hamlet), Joseph Fiennes (Cyrano de Bergerac), Kim Cattrall (Antony and Cleopatra) and Maxine Peake (The Deep Blue Sea). His TV appearances include Foyle’s War, Jonathan Creek, Mr Selfridge, DCI Banks and most recently, Ripper Street. After gaining a BA in English Literature and Theatre at Warwick University, Ross joined the National Youth Theatre where his contemporaries included Matt Smith and Rafe Spall. A three year course at RADA followed and whilst there he won the RADA Poetry Writing Award. The idea for his debut novel The Watcher came to him when he moved into a new apartment block and discovered whilst looking at the moon through binoculars that he could see into his neighbours’ homes. Thankfully for them, he put down his binoculars and picked up his pen. He is an avid cricket fan and regular contributor to All Out Cricket magazine. He also has a monthly column in You and Your Wedding magazine as he prepares for his own wedding in 2017. For more information: Twitter - twitter.com/Rarmstrongbooks *I voluntarily reviewed this book from the Publisher Release date - 5th December 2016 Book length - 356 pages Available on - www.amazon.com | www.amazon.co.uk BLURB She was willing to sacrifice everything for her country. He was willing to sacrifice everything for her. 'Make a difference in the world,' are the last words Maggie Gilligan's father ever says to her. They form a legacy that she carries in her heart, years later when, at the age of fifteen, she tries to better the lives of Dublin's largely forgotten poor. 'Don't go getting distracted, now,' is what Daniel Healy's father says to him after seeing him talking to the same Maggie Gilligan. Daniel is more than distracted. He is intrigued. Never has he met anyone as dismissive, argumentative . . . as downright infuriating. A dare from Maggie is all it takes. Daniel volunteers at a food kitchen. There, his eyes are opened to the plight of the poor. It is 1913 and Dublin's striking workers have been locked out of their jobs. Their families are going hungry. Daniel and Maggie do what they can. Soon, however, Maggie realises that the only way to make a difference is to take up arms. The story of Maggie and Daniel is one of friendship, love, war and revolution, of two people prepared to sacrifice their lives: Maggie for her country, Daniel for Maggie. Their mutual sacrifices put them on opposite sides of a revolution. Can their love survive? MY REVIEW
THROUGH THE BARRICADES by Denise Deegan is by far my favourite book of 2016. Through the hypnotic characters of Maggie Gilligan and Danny Healy, not only do we get to see an important moment in Irish history come alive in front of our eyes, we also get to understand the harrowing life that so many lived back then, and the undeniable strength and spirit of those that changed the face of Ireland forever. But this is not just a history lesson. This is a story about love and friendship. I fell in love with Danny and Maggie's relationship as it evolved, with Maggie's fierce determination to make a difference and improve life for all those she encounters, while Danny literally places his life on the line to protect the woman he loves like no other. We follow them along their dangerous journey as they make new friendships and try to make a change for everyone's future, and we also get to see the effect this has on their families, watching on the sidelines. THROUGH THE BARRICADES by Denise Deegan does not shy away from the harrowing impact of war or death, and it certainly made me emotional at times, but it was the moments of pure love in this tale that really brought a tear to my eye. THROUGH THE BARRICADES by Denise Deegan is a powerful, emotional story about love - love for one's country, love for one's family - and the need to stand up and make yourself heard, to make a difference. Something we all need to be aware of today. THROUGH THE BARRICADES by Denise Deegan is nothing short of stunning and I know it is a book I will re-read for many years to come. BOOK RATING - 📖📖📖📖📖 5++++ Author Bio: Denise Deegan lives in Dublin with her family where she regularly dreams of sunshine, a life without cooking and her novels being made into movies. Denise has been a nurse, a china restorer, a pharmaceutical sales rep, a public relations officer, an entrepreneur and a college lecturer. Her most difficult job was being a checkout girl, although ultimately this experience did inspire a short story… Denise writes for both adults and teenagers. Her novels have been published by Penguin, Random House, Hachette and Lake Union Publishing. Writing under the pen name Aimee Alexander, Denise's contemporary family dramas have become international best-sellers on Kindle. For more information: Website - denisedeegan.wordpress.com Twitter - twitter.com/denisedeegan Facebook - www.facebook.com/butterflynovels/ *I voluntarily reviewed this book from the author 12 DAYS OF CLINK STREET - CHAMPAGNE & LEMONADE: A COLLECTION OF SHORT STORIES by John A.D. Hickling12/12/2016 Available now on - www.amazon.com | www.amazon.co.uk BLURB Champagne & Lemonade is a delightful collection of eclectic short stories, taking readers on a journey to different times and places, meeting a sparkling cast of well-drawn characters. Nibble the fish is desperate to escape his boring old pond. A new breed of super hero has been born and his name is Bob Cheesecake. Dumpton Hospital’s staff have a somewhat unconventional approach to looking after their patients. Robert Hood is on a mission to save modern England. And just who is the vampire terrorising the neighbourhood from his home at 113A Greenstone Street? From the quixotic to the poignant, John A. D. Hickling’s wild and whimsical tales fizz with fun and are sure to entertain almost everyone! MY REVIEW CHAMPAGNE & LEMONADE by John A.D. Hickling is a delightful collection of fifteen short stories that contain a little bit of everything for everyone. With stories that suit children, to tales for grown-ups, this is a great collection to dip in and out of at will. A thoroughly entertaining book of stories. BOOK RATING - 📖📖📖📖 4 Author Bio: Proud father and grandfather, and jack of all trades John A.D. Hickling currently lives with his family in Nottingham. A lover of music, especially 60’s rock, John has previously recorded two independent albums, appeared in comedy band Space Cadets on Britain’s Got Talent and is an active member of Masque Productions amateur theatre group. His debut book, Champagne & Lemonade (published by Clink Street Publishing June 5th 2016 RRP £6.99 paperback, RRP £3.99 ebook) is available to purchase from online retailers including amazon.co.uk and to order from all good bookstores. For more information please visit Website - www.johnchewyhickling.com Twitter - https://twitter.com/chewyhickling Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/John-AD-Hickling-1179766218721837/?skip_nax_wizard=true *I would like to thank Rachel and Authoright.com, and John A.D. Hickling, for the opportunity to review this book and to take part in the #12DaysOfClinkStreet. Read on for an extract from this short story collection! EXTRACT
THE MONSTER HUNTERS. Sightings of monster's, mythical creatures were ever growing, which posed a problem for the Prime minister, until a chance meeting created the monster hunters. The Prime Minister jumped up and kicked over the coffee table. He watched the news reporter explain in graphic detail how out of four climbers tackling Everest, three of them had been killed. The shook-up fourth climber, who was in intensive care, had reportedly mumbled something to the paramedics about how an 8 foot tall, white, horrible faced and sharp teethed thing with straggly fur had attacked and killed his friends. Bigfoot was what the reporter had deduced. Then, in the next report, two fishermen had been dragged to the bottom of Loch Ness; no bodies had so far been recovered. The locals were saying that it was the work of the monster. Release date - 20th December 2016 Book length - 338 pages Available on - www.amazon.com | www.amazon.co.uk BLURB To Rebecca it was a brave decision that led to her freedom from domestic abuse. To Solomon it was the ultimate betrayal. It’s been ten years since Rebecca’s testimony saw Solomon locked away. Enough time for the nightmares to recede, the nerves to relax; enough time to rebuild her life and put the past behind her. Then one day a phone rings in her bedroom—but it’s not her phone. Solomon has been in her home, and has a very simple message for her: for each of the ten years he has spent in jail, Rebecca must witness a crime. And, to make matters worse, she has to choose the victims. Fail to respond and you get hurt. Talk to police and you die. Ready to play? You have sixty seconds to decide… As the crimes grow more severe, the victims closer to home, Rebecca is forced to confront a past she had hoped was gone forever. MY REVIEW
WITNESS by Caroline Mitchell is a book that grabs you from the very beginning and brings you on an engrossing, terrifying ride to the very last page, with plenty of heart-stopping moments along the way. Rebecca has managed to move on from her abusive past, and now is happily living in a small community with her loving husband Sean, and her little girl Lottie. In a place where everyone knows everything about each other, she feels somewhat secure. But can you ever really hide from your past? For ten years Solomon has planned his revenge on Rebecca and now that he is free, he is ready to let the games begin. Her witness statement destroyed everything for him and he is ready to push her to the brink. How far would you go to protect those that you love? Would you sacrifice anyone/everyone to keep your family safe? The book is told from both Solomon's and Rebecca's perspectives which really lets you delve deep into their characters, their motivations, their reasonings behind their decisions and actions, and this makes the suspense all the more electrifying. With danger, twists, and plenty of WTF moments, WITNESS by Caroline Mitchell is a psychological thriller that will leave you reeling, Caroline Mitchell is fast becoming one of my favourite authors in this genre!! BOOK RATING - 📖📖📖📖📖 5+++ Author Bio: A former police detective, Caroline has worked in CID and specialised in roles dealing with vulnerable victims, high risk victims of domestic abuse, and serious sexual offences. She now writes full time. Published by Bookouture, her DC Knight crime thriller series reached the number one position in the Amazon crime charts and sold over a quarter of a million copies in the first year and a half of publication. The first in her new series, Love You To Death, features DS Ruby Preston is due for publication 11th November 2016. Her new psychological thriller, Witness, is published with Thomas & Mercer and due for publication 20th December 2016. Originally from Ireland, Caroline lives with her family in a pretty village on the coast of Essex. Sign up to join her Reader's club for access to news, updates and exclusive competitions and giveaways. For more information: Website - carolinemitchellauthor.com Twitter - twitter.com/Caroline_writes Facebook - www.facebook.com/paranormalintruder *I voluntarily reviewed this book from Netgalley.com Available now on - www.amazon.com | www.amazon.co.uk BLURB Her father stabbed to death, her brother caught with the bloody murder weapon, and her stepmother suspiciously missing: eighteen year old Abigail Sergeant is forced into a dangerous cross country adventure to uncover the truth and bring the real killer to justice. Travelling from England to Australia in the late nineteenth-century, Abigail and her naive younger brother hope that reuniting with their father — and his new wife — will offer them security. What awaits them on the shores of the Swan River dashes any prospects of a blissful life. Discovering her father murdered and her brother seemingly caught red handed, Abigail’s life is thrown into turmoil. The police are convinced of Bertrand’s guilt, but Abigail is determined to prove his innocence, whatever it takes. The only thing that the now insensible Bertrand will say about the murder is that their step-mother, Frances, knows what really happened. Frances, however, has fled south to Albany, a port from which she plans to board a ship bound for New Zealand. With time running out, Abigail persuades the police to let her follow Frances, but only if she is chaperoned by the reluctant Constable Ridley Dunning. Embarking on a heroic train journey across Western Australia, Abigail faces deception, kidnap, sabotage and arson, forcing her to draw on a resolve she didn’t know she possessed. But will that be enough to save her brother from injustice? MY REVIEW ON TRACK FOR MURDER by Stephen Childs is a thoroughly exciting murder mystery set in 1889. Abigail Sergeant has dealt with a lot in her eighteen years - the death of her mother, her father's remarriage to a woman who dislikes them, caring for her younger brother who is detached from life a lot of the time, and now a journey to Australia. But when she arrives at her father's new home at the Swan River Colony, Abigail is hopeful about their fresh start. But when her father is found murdered soon after their arrival, and her little brother is arrested as the killer, Abigail knows that she must find out the truth. Using her intelligence and determination, Abigail finds herself amidst danger at every turn, and a plot is unfolding her around her that is beyond belief. Can she trust Constable Dunning or Mr. Sleath? And how is her stepmother involved in this nightmare? With plenty of twists and turns, and life at that time described in such a fascinating way, ON TRACK FOR MURDER by Stephen Childs is a great story that will keep you entertained from beginning to end. BOOK RATING - 📖📖📖📖 4.5 Author Bio: Born in Ealing, West London, Stephen Childs immigrated with his family to New Zealand in the 1970s. He has enjoyed a long career in the film and television industry. After a serious health scare in 2005, Childs’ view of life changed. He briefly went into politics as a parliamentary candidate in the national elections, standing against the now New Zealand Prime Minister, John Key. The drive to pursue new challenges prompted Childs to relocate to Western Australia, where he now lives in Joondalup, north of Perth, with his family and two cats. In his spare time, Childs enjoys exploring the great Australian outdoors and studying genealogy. *I would like to thank Rachel and Authoright.com, alongside Stephen Childs, for the opportunity to review this book and to be a part of the #12DaysOfClinkStreet. Read on for an extract from On Track for Murder 📚 EXTRACT
It’s 1889 in west Australia. Abigail Sergeant is searching for evidence that will disprove a murder charge. In this extract Abigail has been kidnapped and tied up in the engine room of a small steam boat. She fell asleep attempting to wear away her rope bindings… A loud scraping noise woke Abigail. Firstly, she felt the pain of numb hands twisted in rope bonds. Then the hard floor that had deadened her bottom. A dribble of perspiration ran from her forehead into her eye. She blinked, desperate to rub it away but unable to do so. Why is it so hot in here? Another scrape, this time followed by a clang as the firebox door slammed shut. Hissing sounds began to rise to her attention. A low roar from the boiler provided a background to further thumps. Larkin began yelling from above. Eugene appeared from behind the boiler and strode angrily out the door. The light level was lifting, the blackness outside turning to light grey as night slowly receded. Shouts from above became more recognisable; an argument. Larkin’s distinctive voice cut across the others’, shouting and stomping around in anger. Abigail strained, listening intently. She could make out occasional words, enough to establish a thread. Larkin wasn’t happy. The two men had got drunk the previous evening and subsequently overslept. They were supposed to be ready to leave by now. A full head of steam should have been up hours ago. Now, they were in some danger of discovery if they became trapped by the tide. Where are we going? Abigail searched her memory of the surrounding area. Albany sat in a large bay with an entrance at the eastern end. Beyond that, she had been told, was a river that ran inland and a couple of small islands. Heading directly out to sea would take them either west to Africa, or east to Sydney or maybe even New Zealand. Abigail didn’t imagine this vessel was capable of such a sea voyage, being designed purely for port work. She hoped that the men wouldn’t be so stupid as to risk such a trip. The door clanged open and Eugene strode back in. “So, you’re awake at last. Good dream, was it?” He turned to face her. “Did you dream of me? You would make a good wife. Strong willed, I like that in a woman.” Laughing, he clomped up to the coal hopper and recommenced his shovelling. The heat from the open firebox was more intense than in the railway locomotive. With no open sides to allow for cooling, the thick air had become like treacle. Abigail shuffled in an attempt to regain feeling in her lower limbs. “Where are we going, Eugene?” “None of your business.” She shuffled some more. “Look, I’m here with you on this boat, aren’t I? Don’t I have a right to know where we are bound?” “Listen, you.” Eugene paused his work. “I don’t know what is going on. I just do as I’m told, right. If you need to know something, ask Stan. He knows everything. He’s the one who hired us for this bit.” “But Eugene.” Abigail smiled a false but believable smile. “You seem to be an intelligent fellow. Do you not care if your life is placed in jeopardy?” “It’s not.” He turned to the coal heap, yelling over his shoulder, “Talk to Stan.” The shovelling continued. Abigail watched the pressure gauge rise. As the reading neared its optimum level, Thomas yelled out from above. Eugene was wanted on deck for casting off duty. He slammed the firebox door and strode out, muttering under his breath. So, Larkin hired Thomas and Eugene. This must be their boat. A clanging sound brought Abigail’s attention back to the engine, where several levers moved around under control from above. Mad hissing was quickly followed by movement as the entire apparatus shuddered into life. The boat rocked then leaned over as they turned away from the jetty. The engine speed increased. Abigail watched the gauges flick and bounce as they gained speed. Abigail wished they were still tied up to the jetty. She had made reasonable progress working away at her rope bindings, but all that would be to no avail if they were miles out to sea. She couldn’t swim and had no intention of learning with such short notice. Thinking about it, she realised that she would willingly leap overboard if her life depended on it. That would be a difficult decision, and one that would have to be considered at the time. She immediately recommenced sawing the ropes over the pipe mounting. The vessel began to pitch and roll as they moved further away from the shore. Where they were going, and how she would get back, worried her. Beads of sweat streamed down her face. She considered the irony: ceasing crying in favour of action yet still being plagued with wet cheeks. In any other situation it would have made her laugh. At this particular time, laughter was not an option. A large wave caught the boat side on, sending it rolling heavily to the left. The motion caught Abigail off guard and she fell backwards. There was a light pop and Abigail felt her hands come away from the pipe, the rope dropping to the floor. She was finally free. It all happened rather faster than she had imagined, before a proper plan had been formulated. She remained still, using the time to wipe away perspiration from her face and to massage her numb legs. Slowly, Abigail lifted herself to a standing position and turned to peep out the small window. They were powering across the bay towards the entrance. As they passed through the heads Abigail groaned softly. Civilisation was slipping away. They were headed out to sea. Available now on - www.amazon.com | www.amazon.co.uk
The Enemy series, which has sold 200,000 copies worldwide since release of Dance with the Enemy in 2014, tells the story of embattled intelligence agent Carl Logan, a formerly ruthless operator for a clandestine intelligence agency, who may just have a soul... DANCE WITH THE ENEMY: Carl Logan was the perfect agent. A loner. No real friends or family. Trained to deal with any situation with cold efficiency, devoid of emotion. But Logan isn’t the man he used to be, or the asset he once was. Five months ago his life changed forever when he was captured, tortured and left for dead by Youssef Selim, one of the world’s most violent terrorists. When Selim mysteriously reappears in Paris, linked to the kidnapping of America’s Attorney General, Logan smells his chance for revenge. Pursuing his man relentlessly, oblivious to the growing trail of destruction that he leaves in his wake, Logan delves increasingly deep into the web of lies and deceit surrounding the kidnapping. Finally, he comes to learn just what it means to Dance with the Enemy. RISE OF THE ENEMY: Everyone has a breaking point. Carl Logan might just have found his. The Joint Intelligence Agency sends agent Carl Logan on a routine mission to Russia. It should have been simple. But when Logan's cover is blown, he's transported into a world of hell he thought he would never see again. Something is different this time, though, and before long doubts begin to surface in Logan's mind as to why the assignment went so wrong. Logan has never been short of enemies. And sometimes the enemy is closer to home than you think. Could his own people really have set him up? HUNT FOR THE ENEMY: They've erased his past. Wiped out his very existence. But Carl Logan isn't finished yet. On the run in a harsh Russian winter, Logan - once an invaluable asset but now branded a traitor - has been framed for murder. His own firm, the secretive Joint Intelligence Agency, have labeled him a rogue operative after two decades of loyal service. The agency is hunting him down... and they're not the only ones. But there's much more at stake than just Logan's life. One by one, agents and informants from all sides, all allegiances, are dying. And Carl Logan is the only man who can put a stop to it, once and for all. Genre: Historical Saga Release Date: 01 December 2016 Publisher: Piatkus Books 1910. Anna Garvey arrives in Caernoweth, Cornwall with her daughter and a secret. Having come from Ireland to take up an inheritance of the local pub, she and her eighteen year-old daughter Mairead are initially viewed with suspicion by the close-knit community. Anna soon becomes acquainted with Freya Penhaligon, a vulnerable girl struggling to keep her family business afloat in the wake of her grandmother's death, and starts to gain the trust of the locals. As their friendship deepens, and Freya is brought out of her shell by the clever and lively Mairead, even Freya's protective father Matthew begins to thaw. But when a part of Anna's past she'd long tried to escape turns up in the town, she is forced to confront the life she left behind - for her sake and her daughter's too . . . Thanks to Brook Cottage Books and Terri Nixon, I am lucky enough to have an extract to whet your appetite. Enjoy!! EXTRACT Eight-year-old Freya Penhaligon has woken in the night to a storm; aware that her fisherman father is at sea, and has not returned as expected, she sneaks from the family home to go down to the beach and wait for news. The strength of the wind took Freya’s breath away, until she learned to turn her head to the side and down. She waited until she was able to see a little better, and watched her own feet as they sloshed through puddles towards the gate of Hawthorn Cottage, and then onto the lane. Now she could hear the sea, and smell it too, that fresh, salt tang right off the water. She strained for the sound of someone coming up the hill, for voices, footsteps, even laboured breathing, but there was only the howling wind and the boom of the tide. Within five minutes she was tasting sea-spray on her lips, and only then did she raise her face to stare forwards, into the driving rain. Lightning flickered, and left her with an imprint of the shoreline, but she could see no people in the lingering image. Boats had been dragged as high up the beach as they could go, turned upside-down and secured with ropes and weights, but in the dark she couldn’t read the names. The bigger boats, including Papá’s Isabel, would be anchored around the headland where the harbour provided some shelter. The black sea rolled, looking like some huge, hump-backed monster, with white eyes that only opened when it struck rocks or the breakwater; the tide was halfway up the beach, but Freya couldn’t remember how to work out if it was on its way in or out. She shouted, in case there was anyone there, but her voice was whipped away on the wind – she would find some shelter and wait. For the first time in her life Freya felt a surge of anger towards the Papá’s friend Mr Fry; he should have turned the trawler back to shore as soon as it became dangerous, and if he had done that, Papá would already be home. Safe and dry and snoring. There was a sudden stinging in her nose and throat, and although she couldn’t feel the tears she knew they were there. Shivering, she found the place where the breakwater met the sea wall, pulled Grace’s coat straight and sat on it. She shoved her wet hands beneath her armpits and wished she’d thought to pick up gloves, then she lowered her head so her face was tucked into the little dry, quiet pocket formed by her arms and her raised knees, and waited. After what might have been five minutes, but equally might have been an hour or more, she thought she heard something. A voice? She lifted her head, and turned it to lessen the noise of the wind. The storm was finally abating, and the sound had come from the other side of the breakwater… Freya stood up and brushed the sand off her frozen, wet hands, then felt her way through the dark, up the steps and onto the breakwater. The wind was louder up here, and gusted hard, but she heard the call again, coming from just ahead. The thunder had gone from deafening shout to low grumble, and the swell of the sea was more rhythmic now, less fiercely unpredictable. Still, the water washed across the stone at her feet and she slipped more than once; it had been a dangerous idea to come out here, even if it meant she might find whoever was looking for her... A gull’s cry sounded, and Freya’s heart skittered, then sank as she recognised the sound. There was no one here after all, just a hungry bird. Papá said gulls would sometimes even fly at night, in order to get at the smaller fish washed up by the incoming tide. The disappointment was almost painful, but it told her one important thing; the tide was halfway in after all, which meant Freya would need to get back up to the foot of the cliff, or perhaps even further back, to remain safe while she waited. She turned to make her way back to the beach, but a fresh surge from the sea caused her to hurry and her foot went out from under her once again. Steadying herself on one hand and one knee, she started to rise, all her attention on the safety that waited at the other end of the breakwater, and a moment later she was slapped from head to boots from behind, thrown forwards, and then crushed flat by the weight of the wave. Dragging a ragged, shocked breath, she struggled to her knees, but the backwash stole her balance once more and sent her sliding towards the edge. Her hands slapped around frantically, trying to find something to grip, but there was only smooth stone and the tug of the tide running back to the shoreline, pulling her with it. And then she was tumbling into empty air. REVIEW
PENHALIGON'S ATTIC by Terri Nixon is a masterpiece of historical fiction making life in Cornwall in the early 1900's spring to life in front of your very eyes. From the harsh life of work and poverty to the unyielding strength of community spirit and loyalty, this novel portrays this and more in every page. While I enjoyed all of the characters, Anna Garvey is by far my favourite in this tale. Strong, determined, and willing to do whatever she must to create a new life for herself and her daughter, you cannot help but admire Anna. But as secrets from her past follow her just when she is finding true happiness in her new home, will she be forced to walk away and leave it all behind? Matthew has made many mistakes in his life, but things are finally starting to look up for him and his family, when an old enemy returns which could ruin his very livelihood, and the woman he is starting to fall for is hiding something monumental from him. With a beautiful narrative and engaging characters, PENHALIGON'S ATTIC by Terri Nixon is just one of those books that you don't want to put down, and I cannot wait to read more from this Cornish community. BOOK RATING - 📖📖📖📖📖 5 Author Bio: Terri was born in Plymouth in 1965. At the age of 9 she moved with her family to Cornwall, to the village featured in Jamaica Inn -- North Hill -- where she discovered a love of writing that has stayed with her ever since. She also discovered apple-scrumping, and how to jump out of a hayloft without breaking any bones, but no-one's ever offered to pay her for doing those. Since publishing in paperback for the first time in 2002, Terri has appeared in both print and online fiction collections, and is proud to have contributed to the Shirley Jackson award-nominated hardback collection: Bound for Evil, by Dead Letter Press. As a Hybrid author, her first commercially published novel was Maid of Oaklands Manor, published by Piatkus Entice (a digital-first imprint of Little, Brown) in 2013. The paperback is published by Piatkus Books. The two further books in this series: A Rose in Flanders Fields and Daughter of Dark River Farm are published by Carina UK (a digital-first imprint of HarperCollins) Terri's self-published Mythic Fiction series set in Cornwall, The Lynher Mill Chronicles, is available in paperback and e-book. Terri also writes under the name T Nixon, and has contributed to anthologies under the names Terri Pine and Teresa Nixon. She is represented by the Kate Nash Literary Agency. She now lives in Plymouth with her youngest son, and works in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at Plymouth University, where she is constantly baffled by the number of students who don't possess pens. For more information: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/terri.nixon.page Twitter: @TerriNixon Goodreads Author Page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7161840.Terri_Nixon Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/telnixon/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/telnix Blog: https://terrinixon.wordpress.com/ Website: www.terrinixon.com *Thank you to Brook Cottage Books for the opportunity to review this title |
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