Author: Patricegotting

Today I am on the tour for Those Who Dwell In Darkness by Steve McHugh, thank you to Zoé at Zooloos Book Tours for organising it and inviting me to take part & thank you to the author and the publisher for my copy.

Pages: 358

Synopsis: Vampires and humans live side by side thanks to an uneasy peace maintained by the Assembly. As an Arbiter for the powerful organization, Miles Watson is authorized to act as judge, jury, and executioner for anyone—living or undead—who breaks the law. But now Miles is up against a threat more sinister than anything he’s seen in his centuries as a vampire.

A criminal network in London is offering wealthy humans the chance to become vampires without the Assembly’s consent. When the process goes disastrously wrong, the Boss wants to eliminate any trace of the fiasco. But a rogue enforcer refuses to play along, and trouble quickly escalates out of anyone’s control.

As Miles sets off searching for the illegal vampires, he finds himself on the trail of a monstrous serial killer. The twisty investigation takes him from London’s deadly underworld to the rural backwaters of the Pacific Northwest—where an even more devious criminal enterprise threatens all of vampire-kind . . .

About The Author:

Steve is a bestselling author of Urban Fantasy. His book, Scorched Shadows, was shortlisted for a Gemmell Award for best novel.

Steve was born in a small village called Mexborough, South Yorkshire, but now lives with his wife and three young daughters in Southampton.

If you like the sound of this it can be bought here! – it will be available on the 19th December.

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Today I am on the tour for The Waitress by Emily Shiner, thank you to Zoé at Zooloos Book Tours for organising it and inviting me to take part and thank you to the author and the publisher for my copy.

Pages: 234

Synopsis: Anne Marie would love a son who is kind, respectful, obedient. But she’s got Dave.

Anne Marie’s life isn’t easy. She’s a single mom in a dead-end waitressing job with a beater car and bills to pay. Adding to the pressure, her teenage son, Dave, is out of control, and no matter what she does, Anne Marie can’t seem to get through to him.

Then, out of the blue, Dave completely changes. He’s kind, he’s thoughtful, he helps out around the house and looks after his mom. Anne Marie can’t believe her luck.

Until she discovers the reason for her son’s sudden transformation – he’s done something really awful and he’s terrified he’ll be caught. Even worse, someone out there knows about it and they’re blackmailing him.

Anne Marie is desperate to protect her son and knows she has to somehow stop the blackmailer. But how?

As she considers her choices, Anne Marie realizes she may be taking the first steps on a path that will lead her straight to the gates of hell.

How far is she willing to go to save her only child?

My Rating: 🐧🐧🐧🐧🐧

My Thoughts: oh my word Emily has done it again and officially made it on to my autoread author list!

This one had me tied in knots the whole way through, which is a strange feeling because we knew the one of the culprits from quite early on, but obviously that’s only half the story.

Anne-Marie is a main character that you want the best for, you can tell she’s not had the easiest life & unfortunately her son Dave does absolutely nothing to make it any easier for her, he defies her at every turn and pushes both her and the boundaries to the very edge every day.. until one day he does a complete 180.. little does she know their lives are about to change forever!

Emily just has an incredible skill when it comes to writing stories that just completely mess with your head, she leads you in one direction lulls you into a false sense of security and then pulls the rug from your feet leaving you reeling and not knowing which way is up.

I think this one might be her best one yet!

If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers then I highly recommend this one! 😍

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Today I am on the tour for Be More Octopus by Suzanne Lissaman, thank you to Anne at Random Things Tours for organising it and inviting me to take part and thank you to the author and the publisher for my copy.

Pages: 343

Synopsis: Is hitting a handsome professor with a vacuum cleaner a good way to start a new relationship? Em doesn’t think so. But she’s not looking for a new man, or is she?

When Em discovers that her fiancé’s having an affair, she leaves her stressful call centre job, packs up her paints and easel and moves to the coast to build a better life on her own. But her new life becomes more complicated when a charming professor, Jack Carver, arrives for a holiday. Who’s he avoiding? And what do Jack and Em have in common?

Set in Birmingham, London and the fictional town of Dashford in North Devon, ‘Be More Octopus’ is an entertaining, friends-to-lovers romantic comedy following the twists and turns of Em and Jack’s love lives with lots of ‘will they, won’t they?’ moments.

My Rating: 🐧🐧🐧🐧

My Thoughts: this one was a real breath of fresh air, it’s light hearted and effortlessly funny, I found myself actually laughing more than once and then looking around to make sure there was no one looking at me 🤣

Em finds out her fiancé is cheating on her and moves back in with her dad temporarily, made even more temporary when she discovers his lifestyle is now vastly different to when her mum was alive!

Em is an artist, so when she takes a job in North Devon, she can’t help but feel like this would be the best place to get back to her painting too.

The last thing she expects is to fall in love, but when she hits someone with a hoover, she just can’t help herself.

Obviously things never run smoothly in a rom-com & there were plenty of bumps in the road, but the constant push and pull between kept me intrigued and invested.

Im trying to be careful not to give anything away, but I 100% recommend picking this one up.

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Today I am on the tour for Our Darkest Hour by Gabriella E. Mari, thank you to Write Reads Tours for organising it and inviting me to take part and thank you to the author and the publisher for my copy.

Pages: 510

Synopsis: ‘Our Darkest Hour’ is a gay love story centered around paranormal investigations. It features ghosts, demons, and one psychic who is slowly but surely coming to terms with his powers… and the feelings he develops for one of his colleagues.


Coming into his psychic powers by accident, Adrian Sinclair finds he has the ability to see and communicate with spirits yet zero understanding of how anything works. So when the YouTube-famous Crossroads Paranormal Research Society offers to take him under their wing, he knows he is in no position to refuse.

As Adrian learns what it means to be a paranormal investigator and how to navigate his newfound online celebrity status, he discovers that psychics are quitting en masse, and there are only vague rumors as to why…

… until something beyond his reach starts stalking him.

My Rating: 🐧🐧🐧🐧

My Thoughts: this one was a lot of fun, part romance, part paranormal, with a great group of friends that genuinely had each others backs throughout.

The group of lads went to various places to communicate with spirits & exorcise demons and the like, which is how they originally meet Adrian, he’s a psychic just coming into his abilities & doesn’t quite understand what’s going on or how it all works.

Although I did feel this story was a bit too long and we didn’t get enough of the CPRS side of things, the parts we did get were brilliant, eery & chilling with just enough drama and suspense to keep you hooked.

The romance in the book was very slow burn, but once it going it was pretty spicy & I loved it.

I really enjoyed this one and can’t wait to see what comes next!

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Today I am taking part in the Publication Day Blitz for Let Float by Katy Wimhurst, thank you to Zoé at Zooloos Book Tours for organising it and inviting me to take part and thank you to the author for my copy.

Pages: 109

Synopsis: In these short stories, Katy Wimhurst creates off-kilter worlds that illuminate our own. Apocalyptic rabbits invade a town. People overwhelmed by their lives float above an urban park. A woman turns transparent after a virus. The playful lens of magical realism is used to explore physical and mental illness and our fragile environment. Thought-provoking fiction with a good dose of whimsy.

My Thoughts; I’ll be honest, I’m not normally a fan of short story collections, purely because I like a book you can get lost in and completely immerse yourself in its pages..

that being said, these stories were a powerful yet almost lighthearted representation of life, it’s unpredictabilities and the fragility of a persons health, both mental and physical.

They really make you stop and think about the characters and everything they’re going through.

In some parts I wanted to laugh, but try it didn’t really feel appropriate for the story and I was left feeling confused at the emotions that were being stirred up which doesn’t happen often!

A fun, magical collection of stories that could almost feel real if you suspend your belief enough!

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Today I am on the tour for Waiting For A Brand New Future by Sally Jenkins, thank you to Zoé at Zooloos Book Tours for organising it and inviting me to take part & thank you to the author and the publisher for my copy.

Pages: 335

Synopsis: Is it ever too late to start living for the first time?

Florence is buoyant and colourful, an ageing tribute band singer who’s full of life. And the complete opposite of staid Stuart, her new landlord.

Stuart’s not sure about having a lodger. And he’s not used to the singing and dancing that now fills the house. Nor the pairs of voluminous knickers left to dry on every spare surface in the bathroom.

Florence is everything Stuart has never allowed himself to be: bold, fearless, unabashedly herself. He’s spent his life putting everyone’s needs ahead of his own, avoiding risks and hiding from chances.

Soon Florence is persuading Stuart to dance with her in the kitchen. And when his childhood sweetheart shows up again, it’s Florence who encourages him to make his move.

Florence can see how much he’s changed, even if he won’t admit it. But Stuart has changed. He’s no longer the timid man he was when they first met.

Life is about to give Stuart a second chance, if only he has enough courage to grasp it . . .

My Rating: 🐧🐧🐧🐧🐧

My Thoughts: now let me be honest from the off, I’ve had to put this down half way through, something just happened in the book that for personal reasons I can’t handle right now, so this will be a partial review, I fully intend on finishing the book in the near future.

Stuart is the kind of main character that you just want to give a big hug too, you want everything to go his way because he deserves the world.. whilst also knowing his life just needs a big shake up… in walks Florence, she’s loud, she’s bright, she’s colourful and she might be exactly what Stuart needs!

The writing in this book is beautiful, it’s so easy to read, I was so engrossed that i found myself feeling like I was experiencing the grief and heartache myself, which from the authors point of view is an absolutely fantastic skill to have, but as a reader I just had to put it down for a while.

I’m hoping for the best for all of the characters.. William and Lillian especially. 🥺

Based on what I’ve read, I would absolutely recommend this book, just make sure you have the tissues ready.

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Today I am on the tour for The Weatherman by Royston Reeves, thank you to Anne at Random Things Tours for organising it and inviting me to take part and thank you to the author and the publisher for my copy.

Pages: 336

Synopsis: I’m going to tell you about the worst thing that ever happened to me.’

Will’s a nice guy. So when he takes a shortcut to the tube station after a few beers with his mates from work, he steps out of the way of the fellow who’s staggering towards him. But he – deliberately – moves back into his path. They knock each other as they pass.

Moments later one man is dead and another’s life is changed forever. Or is it? There are no CCTV cameras. There was no one else in the out-of-the-way alley. Maybe the world doesn’t have to end for Will after all.

But there’s always someone watching . . . and Will’s life is about to implode.

My Rating: 🐧🐧🐧🐧

My Thoughts: this book was hard to put down because it’s something that happens a lot more than you think in real life, it really brought home that one moment and one wrong decision can end one persons life and change another’s exponentially!

Will do just in the wrong place at the wrong time and around the wrong people & ends up doing something so out of character.. but what he didn’t realise was that someone was watching & they’re determined to make him pay.

There weren’t really any likeable characters in this book except maybe Ellie, but for me this added to the enjoyment, because I wasn’t necessarily rooting for anyone as horrid as that seems so I wasn’t really wishing for a particular outcome, which then meant I wasn’t actively looking for clues as to how the book would end!

I was however completely invested in the story, the writing flowed nicely, helped along by what was for the most part short chapters.

I did find myself inwardly cringing every time Solly was on the pages, what a horrible, pitiful excuse for a human being he is!

The book was cleverly descriptive so I could actually see everything that was described perfectly, which was probably why Solly made me feel so uncomfortable.

The outcome completely shocked me & then made me feel sorry for Will and everything he went through, his feelings were executed so well that I felt them with him.

For a debut novel this was fantastic and I can’t wait to discover what Royston comes up with next!

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Today I am on the tour for Courting Samira by Amal Awad, thank you to Anne at Random Things Tours for organising it and inviting me to take part and thank you to the author and the publisher for my copy.

Pages: 322

Synopsis: Coming from a moderately traditional Muslim family, twenty-seven-year-old Samira Abdel-Aziz has endured her fair share of arranged matches—first dates she calls “doorknock appeals,” where she and her possible suitors eat snacks in her living room in the company of both sets of parents. Her general rule: no shoes with tassels, no cheesy leather jackets, no mustaches. A girl has to have some standards, right? The truth is, Samira is already experiencing enough wedding drama as an assistant at Bridal Bazaar magazine and as a gofer for her soon-to-be-married cousin and nemesis Zahra. She’s not sure she needs to add any of her own.

When she meets the charismatic Menem at a work retreat, Samira finds herself intrigued. But her best friend Lara insists Menem isn’t right for her, and now her childhood friend Hakeem has begun behaving oddly. Adding to the confusion, Samira is seeking a promotion at work, yet isn’t sure it’s the job of her dreams. Suddenly, her life is full of drama and complications, and she realizes that part of growing up is making difficult choices about what—and whom—she really wants.

My Rating: 🐧🐧🐧🐧

My Thoughts: this one was a lot of fun, with a serious undertone. Samira was the perfect main character, she takes her religion seriously, but not overly so, she has a job that she’s happy in yet open to change & can have a laugh at her own expense of her inner monologue is anything to go by 😂

The only thing she hasn’t managed to do is find herself a husband and settle down, which irritates her parents, but I also appreciated that they weren’t pushy, they just couldn’t understand why every man they suggested weren’t suitable.. but like Samira says a girl has to have standards and they just weren’t right.

But will that change when she meets Menem? Or will she find happiness with Hakeem?

This book dealt with a lot of insecurities from several characters in a sensitive yet lighthearted way, making their vulnerability and self doubt normal which I know I found refreshing and I’m sure a lot of other readers will to.

I’m always looking out for more diverse reads & this one was fantastic, if it’s not on your radar then it should be.

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Today I am on the tour for Making Sacrifices by B.C. Harris, thank you to Zoé at Zooloos Book Tours for organising it and inviting me to take part and thank you to the author and the publisher for my copy.

Pages: 403

Synopsis: To the world she is Vida.

To Isaac Saddler she epitomises only fear, the stuff of his nightmares, willed into existence through art and writing.

Transformed from victim to warrior, she became Vida, Queen of the Vidian Empire.

But Vida doesn’t just exist between the pages of a book.

High on Exmoor archaeologists think they’ve found ancient remains, but the body proves to be evidence of a modern murder. A facial reconstruction publicised by the police quickly goes viral.

Now Isaac must find out why the woman of his nightmares ended up in a bog pool close to his childhood home.

A lifetime of secrets that threaten to undermine his entire existence.

My Rating: 🐧🐧🐧🐧

My Thoughts: yet again another book that I didn’t really know much about before I started and again it went in my favour, this was brilliant!

Isaac has written a book under a pen name, based on horrific dreams he was having, he just saw it as cathartic and a form of therapy. he didn’t expect it to be a best seller and he definitely didn’t expect to see the face of his main character on the news!

The story is eery & gripping, yet sweet and romantic too. It’s a whole mix of genres that you wouldn’t think to put together but it really works, I couldn’t put it down!

This book had me feeling all sorts of different feelings sometimes all at once. It made me laugh, it made me cry, it had me wanting to knock some sense into the characters at times too.

Full of secrets and lies and a heartbreaking reveal that makes you understand why things were kept quiet!

I will definitely be looking out for more from this author in the future!

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Today I am on the tour for I Remember Now by Robert W Kirby, thank you to Zoé at Zooloos Book Tours for organising it and inviting me to take part and thank you to the author and the publisher for my copy.

Pages: 346

Synopsis: Melinda never really knew her husband. Until he died.

When Melinda’s husband, Gabriel, is murdered while walking their dog in some local fields, her world is smashed to pieces.

Melinda, who was also attacked and knocked out during the terrifying ordeal, tries to get her life back on track, but the grief is overwhelming.

Then, months after the incident, she has an intense flashback. The killer said something to Gabriel in the moments before stabbing him, something that seems to indicate they knew each other.

Now convinced Gabriel was targeted on purpose, Melinda becomes obsessed with discovering the truth about her husband’s death. But her daughters are concerned she’s becoming delusional and she’s seeing conspiracies where there are none.

As she digs deeper into his past, Melinda begins to realise that Gabriel had secrets, that despite all their years together, she may never have really known him.

What she doesn’t realise is that she is inching towards the biggest secret of all, a secret that people have killed for – and died for. Can Melinda uncover it before she becomes its next tragic victim?

My Rating: 🐧🐧🐧🐧

My Thoughts: Roberts writing just has me so easily gripped every single time, I know that if I’m going to pick up a book of his I’ll enjoy it!

This one was a lot slower than the others I’ve read from him to begin with, but it had to set the story, there were a fair few characters to keep track of and I couldn’t work out how they were all connected as they all just seemed so different.

It’s not until you get to about the half way point that things start to slowly fall into place & the action really picks up!

This felt more than just your average psychological thriller, there was elements of family drama that really made you think and so many secrets being kept by so many people.

This was told mainly in present day but with odd chapters from the past which gave the book a well rounded feel.

I absolutely loved it and urge you all to add it to your TBR!

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