prdgreads

Today I’m on the tour for Santa Fe Psychosis by Max Talley, 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: 178

Synopsis: Jackson Bardo, an out-of-work Private Investigator, is summoned to New Mexico by his ex-girlfriend. Her life is being threatened and she needs money. But he doesn’t have enough when he arrives. And days later, she disappears.

Joining forces with his friend, Police Detective Diego Juarez, the pair set out to find her.

During their search, Juarez is given the job of locating a missing teenager. But the discovery of another girl – dead – leads them to uncover a child trafficking operation.

My Rating: 🐧🐧🐧.5

My Thoughts: I’ve never read anything by Max before, but when I saw the beautiful cover and read the synopsis I couldn’t wait to dive in!

The book opens with Bardo receiving phone calls after midnight from his ex girlfriend saying she was in trouble and needed money. So he drips everything and travels to Santa Fe to help, he doesn’t have all the money she needs but as a PI he thinks he might be able to use his unique skill set to help her, only once he gives her the little money he has and she disappears does he learn that maybe he doesn’t have the whole story!

Whilst looking for her he gets himself into a bit of trouble which ends with him and his partner Juarez finding a dead body.. they had no how deep that one body was going to throw them.

For such a short book this had a lot in it and I was here for it, every time you thought you’d got to the crux of the action and surprises it threw something else at you.

Parts of this book made for very uncomfortable reading but in the best kind of way! Some of the characters have me an uneasy feeling from the beginning and outside of the main 3 Bardo, Juarez and Ravello you didn’t know who could be trusted and who couldn’t.

The book was told in the 3rd person which meant we got to experience everyone’s feelings and thoughts rather than seeing them through the opinion of the first person, for me this made it easier to get lost in the story because the writing just flowed so easily.

Gripping, powerful, shocking and left on a cliffhanger.. does this mean it will be part of a series?! I really hope so. I wasn’t quite ready to say goodbye to the main characters.

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Today I’m on the book tour for How to Spot a Psychopath by MQ Webb, 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: 354

Synopsis: Could you tell… Would you?

When four-year-old Mia Edwards goes missing on a play date, everyone suspects Jessica Green knows what happened, especially Mia’s mother, Holly…

But Jess won’t tell anyone.

Psychiatrist, Dr. Oscar de la Nuit, is perceptive and determined to save Jess from the same regret and secrets he lives with.

Big Little Lies meets The Silent Patient in this psychological suspense, as a missing child case turns into a deep, psychological puzzle that explores whether you can ever know who someone really is.

Oscar thinks he has Jess figured out, but will she lead to Oscar’s redemption, or will she be his downfall?

My Rating: 🐧🐧🐧🐧

My Thoughts: well this book kept me guessing until the last couple of chapters! – I absolutely loved it!

We’re following Oscar, a psychiatrist he’s trying to help Jess remember what happened to Mia, a 4 year old who went missing whilst in her care, she’s being accused of murdering her and with Jess staying silent she’ll be sent down for a long time of she doesn’t start talking.

This story was told in 2 different timelines, then obviously starting before and leading up to Mia’s disappearance and the now which is dealing with the aftermath. I love a book told in this way because you kind of get both parts of the story at the same time. You’re left guessing but in the right way & not left trying to remember bits for too long.

There’s a whole host of characters that could be guilty and an underlying story with more than one of them, I genuinely had no idea who to trust!

The ‘good guys’ were brilliant Oscar and Hayley were a perfect team, working together but not afraid to question each other when things just didn’t add up.

I thought I had everything figured out and then a curveball was thrown in at the last minute, the writing was addictive and immersive, I can’t explain why but something kept me just turning the pages, I lost all sense of time and life around me whilst I was reading!

Would absolutely recommend this if you’re a fan of a psychological thriller and cannot wait for book 2 to be released ☺️

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Today I’m on the tour for The Tenant by Angela Lester, 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: 261

Synopsis: Amy is the perfect landlady. But she does have some ground rules…

Kate has always dreamed of a life in music. And now she’s finally done something about it – giving up her steady job, moving to the city to enroll in a degree program at a prestigious college.

Needing a place to live, she answers an ad and moves in with Amy who seems a nice lady – mothering and protective.

At first Kate is glad to have some support in this strange city, but gradually Amy’s presence becomes more and more stifling – it just seems so hard to get away from her. And every time Kate tries, something terrible happens…

As her life spirals downwards, Kate struggles to understand what’s happening. Is Amy plotting against her? Or is she simply buckling under the stress of adjusting to her new life?

Fearing for her sanity, Kate knows she needs to get some answers and begins to look into the history of the creepy old house she shares with Amy. What she finds is beyond her worst nightmares…

My Rating: 🐧🐧🐧.5

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this thriller, it was a slow burn, at times a little too slow for me but there was something about the writing that made it impossible for me to put down and keep turning the pages.

We’re following Kate, who is wanting a career in music so she’s given up her job and the stability she had to attend a music college and get her degree.. the only problem is that she has no where to stay.. enter Amy a landlady who recently lost her mum and is looking for a tenant for company as well as much needed money.

There’s a whole host of different characters and who all have an integral part on the story.

Every one is hiding something & poor Kate can’t remember anything, is she sleepwalking or is she drinking too much and having blackouts?

The chapters were the perfect length for me for a thriller which had me always saying “just one more” and before I knew it I’d finished the book!

I guessed parts of the reveal but not all of it.

A good solid thriller that I would recommend to everyone ☺️

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Today I’m on the tour for It Never Rains But It Paws by Jacqueline Lambert, thank you to Anne at Random Things Tours for organising it and inviting me to take part and thank you to the author for my copy.

Pages: 217

Synopsis: Five years after giving up work to travel full time, Dog-ma Jacqueline (Jackie) and Dogfather Mark race against time to leave the UK before Britain exits the EU. If Brexit happens, their four Cavapoos (Cavalier/Poodle cross) Kai, Rosie, Ruby, and Lani will lose their puppy passports, and the Lambert Family will be unable to travel together. But Brexit isn’t their only obstacle. A few months into their adventure, the pandemic suddenly shatters their plans, and leaves them trapped in the epicentre of Europe’s No. 1 coronavirus hotspot.

The fourth road trip Europe adventure in author Jacqueline Lambert’s “inspirational and hilarious” series of true travel memoirs invites you to join the couple as they discover even more amazing and little-known places, this time in France and Italy. However, this isn’t just a priceless escape travel story filled with humorous mishaps and mountain adventure. The coronavirus pandemic separates the family from their loved ones at home, and leaves Jackie stranded alone during a blizzard in a remote Italian village, with Mark thousands of miles away, back in the UK.

Between terrible weather, political mayhem, and a global pandemic, Jackie and Mark try to take lessons from each hardship. Yet, even with a positive attitude, a sense of adventure, and a caravan full of loved ones, you can’t stop all the obstacles life rolls your way. These “amusing and informative” travel stories are certainly proof that It Never Rains… But It Paws!

My Rating: 🐧🐧🐧🐧

My Thoughts: I was originally interested in this because my grandad and his partner Sue quite regularly go away in their camper van with their dogs (although unfortunately there is only one of them left now 😔) so I thought it would be fun to see a “behind the scenes” as such.

This has everything I was hoping it would and more.

The descriptions of some of the places were beautiful and quite vivid so it was easy to picture them & there was history thrown in too which was a really nice touch.

Parts of this book made me laugh a lot, especially the snake in the garden 😂

Other parts made me feel sad especially the parts about marks family some of that felt very close to home and my heart went out to them.

Reliving the pandemic through a book brought everything back again, how difficult things were but also how different things were all over the world and how each country dealt with it all differently.

I didn’t realise when reading this that there were 3 books previous to this one & I can’t wait to find the time to dive into the others because this one just had me captivated from the beginning.

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Today I’m on the tour for Fly by Jacob Moore, 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: 281

Synopsis Will, is a normal 12 year old boy. He dislikes school, doesn’t get good grades, thinks about girls, and dreams of escaping his ordinary life by flying away. He is totally unremarkable until he discovers he has special powers which he cannot control and does not yet understand.

With the guidance of his principal, who recognizes his gift, he joins three other ‘special’ classmates on a magical journey to a fantasy world. This strange, unique place is extraordinary in every way. Reality and time are fluid and can change at any moment, space can be warped and manipulated in the blink of an eye, and the four young adults begin to learn how to control their powers for good. When they are confronted with an evil more powerful than they can imagine, three of the classmates are sucked in and cannot escape, and Will and his powers alone can save them.

In order to do so, he must first learn to control his powers as he grows from a child into an adult. Until he can harness his unique abilities in this magical world, he cannot properly function in any reality and the evil only grows stronger. The fate of his three classmates depends on whether he can let go of his childhood in time.The first book in a series from debut author Jacob Moore, FLY is a coming of age fantasy built on real life values and experiences. It is appropriate for teens 12 and up, and also designed to be appealing for adults and parents. The adventures of Will and his friends are a thrilling, fun, and educational way to encourage kids to read, or for adults to enjoy a good story. FLY successfully manages to transcend age as it develops the concepts of self-belief and self-control, mindfulness, and the hardships of growing up.

My Rating: 🐧🐧🐧🐧

My Thoughts: sometimes I struggle to review books that are aimed towards the younger end of YA because at the age of 31 I know I am definitely not the intended audience, so was I a little dubious about going into this one? absolutely!

I thoroughly enjoyed this, I am however struggling to get my thoughts into words because it was just so magical. We’re following Will who always just seems to be lost in his own little world, always thinking a lot more than he should or at least that’s what his dad tells him.. he should be present more.

He’s not the smartest kid in school, he struggles academically but none of that matters once he discovers he can move things with his mind… or is he imagining it?

I loved the messages in this book.. that being different isn’t always a bad thing. This one in particular is one I would’ve benefitted from in school ❤️

That the people who seem to have your best interests at heart don’t always mean well.

That you can’t change the past no matter how much you try.

And to always believe in your dreams.

Sometimes you read a book and it just resonates with you and will stay with you for a long time.. Fly is one of those for me & I can’t wait to pass it on to the older children in my life.

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Today I’m on the book tour for Stone Ruins and City Smoke by Charlie Martin, 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.

Firstly I have to be honest and admit that I haven’t actually finished the book yet. joys of a chronic illness I fell asleep after work 🤦🏻‍♀️ it will be finished tonight and I’ll come back tomorrow and finish my review but I didn’t want to miss my stop and I’m over 60% of the way through so here are my thoughts so far.

Pages: 331

Synopsis: Recovering agoraphobic, Tom Maynard, runs a converted Cornish tin mine in Sennen Cove as a rural retreat for the rich and famous. Melanie Taylor runs a successful London hotel, and wants to buy shares in the property he developed in his late wife’s memory, but he refuses her offer.

Sensing a connection between the pair, his daughter, Amy, sets them up on a blind date. But while together in London, during a storm, Amy goes missing. As they battle the elements to save her, they must decide if the distance between them is also worth fighting.

My Thoughts: i instantly had a soft spot for Tom, you could tell he was uncomfortable at the awards ceremony and I just wanted to give him a cuddle. Kelly is just like the best friend that everyone wants, she pushes Tom out of his comfort zone whilst also being there todistract him and make him laugh when things get a little too much.

I didn’t like Mel, she was rude standoffish and I just got the feeling that she thought she was better than everyone else.

And that didn’t change for a while, she was sent to Toms hotel on the pretence of a business deal, little did she know that her dad had an ulterior motive.. can she fall in love with somewhere that isn’t London whilst also softening her heart that seems to be made of stone?!

We soon find out that there is a very sad undertone to both Tom and Mel’s personalities and we’re just getting to the point now where they’re starting to relax and open up.. for those that have read the book Marcus has just turned up at the hotel and shit has hit the fan 😂😂

I’m absolutely loving this story so far, I’m so invested but have a feeling this isn’t going to be the straight forward love story we’re all used to and that the best is still yet to come!

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Today I’m on the blog tour for The Children of Pisces by R E Lewin, thank you to Anne at Random Things Tours for organising it and inviting me to take part.

I have an extract for you today but first let me tell you about the book!

Synopsis: At that moment, the seeker hurtled towards them at great speed.

‘Run!’ Mikie shouted.

It’s 2070 and our post-apocalyptic world is different. Aliens secretly invaded with a lethal biological weapon. A terrifying virus annihilated almost every living creature in its path. People still believe it was a natural virus, oblivious to aliens and the truth. Humanity’s survival is in the hands of the alliance, a team of humans and aliens who stand against the evil arch-enemy alien leader. Orphaned children are raised in army-style schools. But from this barren wasteland, a few shall rise…

Tammy and Mikie are half-human and half-alien siblings, with immense metaphysical powers and a crystal weapon. Their powers are extraordinary alone, but together they are unstoppable. At twelve, these two are already too powerful to ignore. Can Mikie overcome his inner conflict? Will his compulsion to protect put those closest to him in even more danger? Can Tammy rise above her animal instincts and maintain her humanity? This adventure will take them across the world and maybe into the stars beyond. They must reunite their family and decide where their loyalties lie. The seekers are coming…

About the Author: Rachael has loved writing since she finished her first book at age thirteen. Since then she has broadened her experiences by becoming a project manager, energy healer and helping animals with applied zoopharmacognosy, as well as helping nurture creativity in others, including her twins, who are the primary age group for this, her debut.

Extract:Prologue

A Mother’s Protection

Winter 2058, South West England
The creature threw back its head as a long howl bellowed through the forest, sending waves of terror through Sarah. It was giving a new set of orders to the rest of the pack. Sarah’s legs buckled and she plunged headfirst to the forest floor. She raised her head, spitting leaves and gasping for breath as she looked behind her. The fear made her want to vomit.
‘Get up, Sarah! Get up!’ she told herself.
She’d been on the run for two days and they were very close behind her. Could she outstrip them? Grabbing a tree for support, she hauled herself to her feet, looking around desperately as she caught her breath. She must find somewhere to hide, and hiding from them would not be easy. She felt movement and placed her trembling hand over her huge stomach. She must protect her babies.
Grunting with determination, she left the support of the tree and stumbled deeper into the forest, desperately searching as she passed. Then she saw it – so small and hidden she almost missed it – behind a huge and ancient tree was a shallow hole, almost concealed by undergrowth. It was just big enough for her to hide in. She ran past the area, doubled back, and retraced her steps a few times, expertly covering her tracks.
She eased off her rucksack and reached inside. Where was that fire blanket she had taken? It might not look much and was very small, yet it had many special qualities. Would it be soundproof? Would it prevent them and their machines from hearing her or her unborn children? She hoped so. She snuggled into position, wrapped the blanket around her and dragged leaves and twigs over the blanket, ensuring the undergrowth covered her completely. Only a small fraction of her face remained uncovered, which she smeared with soil and spit to make a mud mask. With sheer willpower, she slowed her breathing down, placed a reassuring hand on her stomach and waited.
The first two appeared from within the trees so suddenly that Sarah jumped with surprise at not having heard them. She had excellent hearing – they were super silent. They were dressed all in black, just like ninjas, and could have passed for humans except for their large eyes, far more menacing than any human ones. They were black and looked as if they had been plucked from the eye sockets of a seal before being placed into the head of a ghost: bulging and shimmering in the pale grey skin like a dark nightmare whenever the light caught them. Her heart raced and she again felt the sickness rising within her. She heard the footsteps of the others. There were about twenty of them now, scanning the environment for any traces of her existence as they moved through the forest.
They came to a halt a few yards from where Sarah was hiding, looking and listening intently, trying to sense her presence. One was holding a small glowing machine in his hand. This was the machine they used to sense the unborns – her babies. They moved back and forth, the machine’s colours changing as they went.
And they moved closer to Sarah.

If you like the sound of this amazing book it can be bought here!

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Today I’m on the blog tour for You Only Live Thrice by Karl Perry, 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: Sometimes, the Universe goes out of its way, to invite the opportunity of not just a second, but a third incarnation of life.You Only Live Thrice is a sometimes comic, but brutally honest account of surviving cardiac arrest at home, embracing the chance for a second life, struggling to get balance in that second life, only to be forced to close a well-established event business, due to Covid-19.You’ll be taken on the rollercoaster journey of diagnosis, resuscitation and recovery, to considering parallel Universes, the administration processes of an afterlife, how to survive experimentation by oversized insects, dealing with a parent’s death and managing the mixed emotions attached to a business closure.Ultimately, learning to appreciate that not knowing what to do next, can be a wonderful opportunity. Uplifting, frank and irreverent, this isn’t a self-help book. But in testing times, it can help to realise that your own perspective on life, is sometimes your greatest Superpower.

My Rating: 🐧🐧🐧🐧🐧

My Thoughts: this book 🥺 I thought to myself when I picked it up on Friday after work “it’s only just over 300 pages I can get that finished tonight” boy was I wrong.

It’s a very honest, hard hitting emotional book that I found myself having to put it down and step away more than once.

Don’t get me wrong, the overall message of the book is positive but it doesn’t shy away from any of the details and the chapter told from Karinas perspective about the CPR had tears streaming down my face so much that the pages became very blurry so that one took a while to read 😂

There were some very funny moments in here too, the bit about the other leg having to be scanned made me actually laugh out loud & again a second time when it was mentioned later in the book.. if Karl learnt anything from his experience it’s that when you go into hospital for the most part the word dignity doesn’t exist!

Thank you Karl for putting your experience into writing and allowing us all to share it, the awareness you’ll raise with this is incredible.

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Today I’m helping to close the book tour for The Perfect Family by Lorna Douneva, 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: 313

Synopsis: They seem like the perfect family. Until you discover their secret.

For Victoria, image is everything. And on the surface, she has it all – a big house, a successful husband and two beautiful children.

But behind the scenes, things are very different. Because Victoria and her husband have a dark secret and she lives in terror of it being discovered, of her perfect facade being shattered forever.

Under massive stress, but still desperately trying to keep up appearances, this is a family that is falling apart.
Husband Kit is unable to work. Teenage daughter Anna grows ever more rebellious. And nine-year-old Joey seems increasingly different from other kids.

Victoria realises she has to act now or she will lose everything. And that’s when she has to ask herself – how far is she willing to go, how much is she willing to do, to preserve her perfect family?

The answer is beyond shocking and will plunge them all into a nightmare from which they may never wake.

My Rating: 🐧🐧🐧🐧

My Thoughts: I love a psychological thriller to pull me in from the first chapter and this one definitely did that!! – I felt uneasy and wanting to jump inside the book to help right from the beginning. The truth is it happens isn’t fiction.. it happens all the time & that made it all more shocking.

After the intense first chapter the book slows down a lot, but in a very fitting, eerie way that you don’t realise to begin with, but before you know it you’re pulled in and wanting to know where it’s going to take you next!

We’re following Victoria, wife to Kit and mum to Anna and Joey.. they’re living the perfect life. Or at least that’s what Victoria wants you to believe, and you do to begin with.. Kit has a high flying job, Anna is doing A level Latin at the age of 14 and Joey? He’s quiet but he’s gifted.

It’s not long until the cracks start to appear though and you being to see you the facade that Victoria has so expertly created, they’re all keeping secrets.. some bigger than others but that can’t be kept forever…

I thought this was bloody brilliant. The writing seemed effortless, I didn’t see any of the twists coming but every time I thought that was it another one got thrown in.

As someone with a family member with autism I thought the representation in this book was as spot on. At certain points within the book I just wanted to shake Victoria whilst also wanting to protect Joey at the same time.

Cannot recommend this book enough if you like your thrillers more character based and slow burn. I will definitely be looking out for Lorna’s next book in the future.

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Today I’m on the blog tour for Guilty Women by Melanie Blake, thank you to Anne at Random Things Tours for organising it and inviting me to take part & thank you to the author and the publisher for my copy.

Pages: 416

Synopsis: Can they get away with murder?

On a beautiful island off the English coast, four TV actresses gather.
Their fifth member is missing – and only they know why she was killed.
As the secret between them threatens to come out, tensions on set run high.
The women are determined that the show must go on – no matter what it costs.
But one of them is on the edge of telling the truth – and no show in the world could survive this scandal…

All of the women have something to hide – but the question is, are they all guilty?

My Rating: 🐧🐧🐧.5

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed being back with all these ladies, after the ending of the first book I was left wanting more and this provided exactly that!

I didn’t find the story lines as gripping, but I almost feel like a slightly tamer approach was needed!

Everyone at Falcon Bay is coming to terms with the death of one of their lead stars but unexpected and horrific as it was their a tv show & as they say ‘the show must go on.” But can they bring it back after what happened at Christmas? – the live show got all the views they wanted but not necessarily for the right reasons!

All of these women are guilty of something and they all have their secrets and as we all know secrets never stay buried for long!

There was so much action in this book, another person dead, an unexpected pregnancy, old faces returning where they’re not wanted.. just when you think that’s it something else happens!

Lots of humour, lots of steam and spice.. just the way we like it 😂😏

I don’t think I enjoyed it as much as the first book, but it definitely filled the Melanie Blake shaped hole I had been left with, a book I would highly recommend 🙂

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