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It’s been a while since I’ve done a review that isn’t part of a blog tour, but the lovely Sara Madderson provided me with an early copy of her new book A Fair Affair in exchange for an honest review.. who was I to say no?

Before I get into it though let me just say I have read every single one of Sara’s fiction books bar one, which she advised me not to read just yet, purely for personal reasons, she never disappoints and has become of my biggest supporters in both my book blogging life but also my personal life. I honestly cannot thank her enough ❤️

Enough of the soppiness now, let’s get into the book.

Pages: 268

Synopsis: Noah’s #1 celebrity crush since med school is Honor Chapman, one half of the UK’s most famous power-couple. When she moves her mother into his hospice, Noah gets to know the real Honor. And she’s spectacular. His vocation is helping the dying go peacefully. But his new obsession is bringing this woman back to life.

Honor’s on the brink. Her movie-star husband is cheating (again) and her mum is dying (for the first time, admittedly). They’ve built an empire from their family’s brand, but their gilded life feels more like a gilded cage. So, when delicious doctor Noah propositions her by a moonlit pool, she is there for it. His bedside manner has nothing on his poolside manner, and she deserves some extra-marital steam. It’s only fair!

It’s supposed to be a sexy little fling. It’s not supposed to jeopardise everything Honor has built. But as professional pressures mount and the paps circle, she and Noah must decide what’s worth fighting for.

A Fair Affair is a deliciously indulgent celebrity romance featuring divine doctors, glamorous lifestyles, Provencal vineyards and steamy poolside action! It’s just what the doctor ordered.

My Rating: 🐧🐧🐧🐧🐧

My Thoughts: well… I thought I knew what to expect from Saras books, but this just took everything up to another level and I was here for it!

Honor and Jackson have what looks on the surface to be the perfect marriage, both holding down pretty good jobs (or running their own business) 2 children in a god school and security on hand.. but it’s true what they say about not knowing what goes on behind closed doors.

Jackson has it all, a popular film star with endless female costars that he is allowed to have sex with.. (yes you heard that right, honor doesn’t have a very high sex drive anymore and knows that men ‘have needs’)

But what happens when the tables are turned? Will it work both ways?

In walks Dr Noah Thierry, sexy, confident and the biggest perk is that he’s had a crush on Honor Chapman since he was a medical student, so once he sees her he only has eyes for her.

This book broke my heart in places & fixed it in others, it made me laugh, it made me cry and god do I wish I could read it again for the first time 🥺

The sex scenes were very steamy so prepare yourself for that 🔥

I definitely have myself a new favourite Sara Madderson book that’s going to take some beating in the future!

This book is released on the 2nd February and you all need to add it to your TBR’s

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Today I’m on the Book Tour for A Balancing Kind Of Love by Joanna Cates, 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: 259

Synopsis: Kirsty Young, a 40-year-old single woman, is at a crossroads in her life. She works hard and enjoys socialising, especially with her best friend Henrietta Green and the rest of the gang. However, something is missing. Has she left it too late to meet Mr Right and become a mother?
With life-changing decisions to make, she packs her bags and travels off to Ibiza and Cyprus on a six-month sabbatical.
Max Bright, now in charge of the family business, Brightside Hotels, is emotionally exhausted. All the travelling and keeping an eye on his mother and playboy brother is taking its toll. He is unhappy with his lifestyle, and he wants balance. Is there room in his life for romance?
Max and Kirsty’s paths cross and it isn’t love at first sight. Fortunately, they head off in different directions. When fate and a little help from their friends intervene, they meet again. Is there such a thing as a second chance?

My Rating: 🐧🐧🐧🐧🐧

My Thoughts: Oh my gosh I LOVED THIS! – I devoured it in one sitting in just a few hours, I just couldn’t put it down!

I do sometimes feel a bit guilty when I read a book so quickly that an author has put so much work into, but when it grips you what can you do?!

Kirsty as a character was relatable in some ways, although we weren’t similar in any way, she really resonated with me and I just wanted to give her a big cuddle and tell her she wasn’t alone.

Right from the beginning Max was a little standoffish and came across as rude, unhelpful and just everything you don’t want in a guy, but what a turn around he had in the book!

Once you got to know the real Max and dig a little deeper you soon learn that that isn’t the real him and there are reasons that he’s built so many walls around himself, the question is can Kirsty knock them down?

This was a real will they/won’t they story. Every time it looked like a dead cert something would happen to put a spanner in the works that would leave you frustrating and shouting at the book (or is that just me?!)

I can’t tell you too much more because part of the joy of this book is in the reading and not knowing much. but there are plenty of loveable characters for you to get behind, and just remember that not everyone is as they seem.

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Today I’m on the book tour for Birth Rite by Anthony Steven, 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: 400

Synopsis: Nine-year-old David Ryan is in mortal danger. He has a deadly secret that is unknown even to himself. But there is someone that does know: a relentless killer born of hatred, who draws upon dark powers to destroy God’s chosen ones.

As David grows into a troubled teenager, he has toconfront the truth about himself to have any hope of stopping the malignant spread of evil that is engulfing his small town. He must accept his birth-rite, or the whole world will burn.

My Rating: 🐧🐧🐧.5

My Thoughts: this was the first book I read knowing it was going to be reviewed & the one that convinced me I was doing the right thing getting back into it!

The writing was intricate and kept me interested even if for the first third of the book I didn’t really understand what was going on, the jump between the timelines and the characters confused me. But the writing kept me reading, it was so well written that I just had to keep going.

The timelines and characters did all start to come together and make sense but I’d say the story really comes into its own in the last part, it’s essentially the story of good and evil and who will win.

Although parts of this story were dark I wouldn’t class it as horror, maybe more of a thriller with some fantastical elements thrown in! – 2 of my favourite genres!

At a few points within the book I didn’t actually know who’s side I was on, so credit to the author for making me doubt myself throughout!

I would definitely recommend this book to fans of thriller stories where the conclusion is never straight forward and for those who enjoy a bit of light fantasy too.

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Today I’m on the book tour for 3 Days In Vienna by John Steinberg, 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

Firstly, please be gentle with me, this is the first review I’ve posted since my unplanned break in November and I feel a little rusty 😂

Pages: 350

Synopsis: Elizabeth McCreary’s mother Lillian Frankl was a child of the Kindertransport – but she refuses to speak of the past. Determined to learn more, Elizabeth flies to Vienna on the start of a life-changing journey.

At home in London, her lawyer husband Anthony is facing disgrace. Vast sums have been siphoned off from his firm’s client account to support the far right British Independent Party of which his father, William, is Treasurer. William’s close links with the Crediton Trust in Devon, a pharmaceutical company of prestige and power, are helping to make his political ambitions a reality. However, behind the big-business façade of Crediton lies a dark past rooted in Nazi Germany, of theft and the sinister use to which its drugs were put during World War Two. 

For the McCrearys, one astounding revelation follows another. Nothing can ever be the same – and all roads lead inexorably back to Vienna.

My Rating: 🐧🐧🐧🐧

My Thoughts: when I picked this book up, although it wasn’t the first book I read that I knew would have to be reviewed it was the one that I knew would be the first review I would post in 2 and a half months & I instantly felt the pressure, like I would forget which aspects were important and which ones would be perfect to mention.. but once I turned my brain off and allowed myself to get lost in the story I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Elizabeth was such a likeable character I was in her corner and wanted her to find out her family history whilst also having a bit of a holiday away from a husband who doesn’t seem to do anything and children who can be a little demanding.

We soon learn that the story goes deeper than anyone ever thought possible & uncovering the secrets could put not only her life but the lives of many others in danger!

There are secrets being kept at home too so none of our characters had an easy ride.

The character development in this book was incredible, there were characters that I started off the book really disliking that I soon grew to love.

Parts of this book made me smile, other parts made me cry and I felt all of the emotions in between.

I was hooked on this book from the beginning, it was fast paced without being too fast, one I will be highly recommending to everyone.

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Today is my stop on the book tour for Dementia Adventure and Seaweed in My Hair by Miller Caldwell, thank you to Kelly at Love Books Tours for organising it and inviting me to take part.

Seaweed in My Hair

Synopsis: Central London gets Kate and Greg Bailey down. The skills of a hair stylist and a health club manager seem transferable to the Scottish Isle of Arran. But the move turns out to be a disaster for them both. As their relationship tears apart, Kate must survive traumatic events. Can she turn her world around on her own? Can she possibly find contentment in her life as the wild sea churns over and the fresh sea breezes blow in her direction?

Dementia Adventure

Synopsis: Retired Postman Ronnie Jackson suffers from Dementia. He retains a very early hour of rising and on several occasions sees something suspicious at the Blackwaterfoot slipway. He is not believed. Can Ronnie make sense of what has happened to him and can he settle happily after his traumatic experiences?

If you like the sound of this it can be bought here https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09CTNVSFG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_MBA6PH6RJ0SC66BXRX11

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Today is my stop on the blog tour for Servant of the Lesser Good by Shaun Paul Stevens & I am coming at you with a spotlight where I tell you all about the book!

Synopsis: A Cursed Symphony and Magic which tells Stories in your Mind
High Mistress Talia is a hell-raising socialite with a murky past. But she has a bright future. Beautiful, rich, and a virtuoso harpist, she’s betrothed to the Count of Brecht. In short, she has it all. Or so it would seem.

Marla Holst is the new lady’s maid, but never has the ‘help’ been so unhelpful. Marla, real name Mist, has only one mission: to stop the high mistress’s marriage. By any means necessary.

But complications abound. Talia’s disturbed daughter, a girl who can see into the future, is cursed with the stigma of a devil-worshipping father. The count’s father, the Duke of Rizak, is a recluse, too afraid of assassins to show his face. And all the nobility want to do is duel.

Meanwhile, the highlight of the season—a recital of the famous ‘Cursed Symphony,’ draws ever closer.

About the Author: Born in London in 1972, Shaun spent his formative years in the shadows of the dreaming spires of Oxford, before moving to Nottingham, where he graduated university with a degree in English and Media.

Navigating a path through music, art and the internet, writing came calling and he found himself ensconced in alternate realities and gritty fantasy worlds. He has written several books to date.

Shaun now lives in Brighton, on the south coast of England, with his patient family and ungrateful cat, generally being a nerd.

I was lucky enough to be sent a copy of this book and it sounds brilliant, I can’t wait to get to it when I get back to reviewing! but if you like the sound of it, it can be bought using the following link…

Servant of the Lesser Good https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09MGSNK1G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_S6GG1JHH3556PGWJQ1ZS

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Today I’m on the book tour for Murders at Blackwaterfoot by Miller Caldwell, thank you to Kelly at Love Books Tours for organising it and inviting me to take part.

Synopsis: Based at Lamlash on Arran, PC Rory Murdoch has a minimal caseload, giving him ample time to think about his daughter, Ella, and her special needs. Then three murders occur in close succession. His supervising officer, mainland-based D.I. Samuel Grant is not supportive. Can Rory stand up to this bully and undermine their superior? Rory receives a letter from Belgium and Ella has a remarkable insight both of which lead to High Court trials in Ayr. How can Rory cope with three murder trials while his mind is preoccupied with greater matters? This is a fast-paced story set on the stunningly beautiful island of Arran with elements of humour, pathos, romance and great sadness.

About the Author: Miller H Caldwell was born in 1950 growing up in the manse at Kirriemuir,in the north east of Scotland. He finished schooling in Glasgow determined to lead a humanitarian life. He was appointed by the Church of Scotland to work in Ghana. He was the Secretary to the Tema Council of Churches and the Tema Community Project. He received Charlie, an African monkey, as a gift for providing employment for a large group of agriculturalists. He also owned an African Grey parrot called Kofi. (qv The Parrot’s Tale) He met his wife in Ghana.
Returning to the UK in 1978 he enrolled at London University for a post graduate degree in African Studies. He worked at St Modan’s High School, Stirling before becoming a reporter to the children’s panels. Promotion led him from Kilmarnock to Ayr and finally to be the Regional then first Authority Reporter for Dumfries & Galloway. In 2002 in London he received the inter-agency Community Care Award. In 2003 he retired and became an author. In 2006 he was appointed Camp Manager at Mundihar in the NW Frontier of Pakistan following the south Asian earthquake. He was presented with the International Award for services to earthquake victims at a ceremony in Islamabad. He has been the President of the Dumfries Burns Club three times and Chair of the Scottish Association for the Study of Offending. He is married to Jocelyn and has two daughters, Fiona and Laura.
His other loves are his trombone, tenor sax and clarinet.
He is currently the President of the Dumfries Burns Club in its 200th year. Miller is a direct descendant of the Bard.

If you like the sound of this is can be bought using the following link…

https://amzn.to/3E54Wen

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Today I’m on the book tour for Imperfect by Holly Carr, thank you to Kelly at Love Books Tours for organising it and inviting me to take part!

Synopsis: A workplace crush is supposed to be light-hearted. Frivolous, even. Just some daydream inspiration to make the hours go faster, or to fill in twenty boring minutes.
Sam isn’t ready to develop actual feelings for someone. Not with Logan still looming so large in her heart, and especially not when the subject of her infatuation is her new employer.
Alex doesn’t plan to fall in love ever again. Not after what happened with Victoria.
But fate seems determined to begin an unwanted love story, and a tentative romance blossoms as Alex and Sam battle the malicious sabotage of a rival company.
That is, until Alex’s cruel ex-wife re-enters his life, threatening to take custody of their daughter.
Sam’s determination to help the desperate man stand up for himself brings the two would-be lovers closer, but Victoria’s antics only highlight to Alex the dangers of leaving himself vulnerable.
Can Sam convince him to set aside eleven years of stanch celibacy and give into his feelings?
And just how did he get that mysterious scar on his face?

About the Author: Holly Carr was born in Geelong, Victoria, where she still lives today with her husband and their very affectionate cat. She graduated from Deakin University in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts (Public Relations), majoring in Literary Studies. IMPERFECT is her debut novel.

If you like the sound of this the book can be bought from Amazon using the following link!

https://amzn.to/3pstABK

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Today I’m on the book tour for Extreme Prejudice by Gordon Bickerstaff and I’m coming at you with an extract! Thank you to Zoé at Zooloos book tours for organising her and inviting me to take part, and than you to Gordon himself for providing me with an extract of the book to post!

Before I share the extract with you let me tell you a bit more about the book and the author!

Synopsis: For a price, he’ll expose a terrorist attack on London, but is the price too great?

If you fear trouble, don’t get into trouble. A foreign embassy official warns the UK government of a bomb attack on London. Zoe Tampsin’s Lambeth Group team is launched into a race against time to find the terrorists.

As Zoe unpicks the details, she suspects the informant didn’t tell her the whole story. With time running out, her team chase a promising lead only to have it wrenched from their grasp. Either the bombers were incredibly lucky, or they received a tip-off.

One of her team infiltrates the bombers. She discovers the attack has started, and her colleague Gavin Shawlens is missing, presumed killed by the terrorists.

While searching for Gavin, a massive disaster unfolds. Can Zoe stop colossal loss of life in a small community and prevent the collapse of a key pillar of society?

Zoe is a match for thriller fans seeking a heroine equal to Jack Reacher and Jason Bourne.
Every country needs one Zoe Tampsin.

About the Author: Gordon Bickerstaff was born and raised in Glasgow but spent his student years in Edinburgh. He spent the following 30 years as a university lecturer and Open University tutor before he retired to write thriller fiction.
His Lambeth Group books form a series of standalone crime/conspiracy/suspense thrillers. Inspired by the 1970s ‘Doomwatch’ TV series, they feature undercover investigators Zoe Tampsin and Gavin Shawlens who protect the country and the world from the worst nightmares that mankind can imagine.
He lives with his wife in Scotland where corrupt academics, psychopaths, serial killers, mystery, murder, and intrigue exists mostly in my mind. He enjoys walking in the hills, 60s & 70s music, reading and travel.

Extract: She pushed her shoulder-length hair behind her head and picked at an Elastoplast dressing behind her ear. She pulled it off and held it in her palm. Embedded in the gauze was a phone micro memory card. ‘That is everything.’
Black pocketed the Elastoplast, then lifted the remaining pieces of her housekeeping uniform. ‘You won’t be needing these.’ He stepped back from the camper door and shouted at the tractor driver. ‘Billy. Park the tractor in the field them drive me back to Serennity.’
Peaty smashed the cosh into Jeff’s head to knock him unconscious. With help from Black, they dragged Jeff to the open door and unceremoniously dumped the crumpled heap at Kacey’s feet.
Black said to Carver, ‘Okay, we’re done. Follow the tractor into the field. Clear the lane for my car. We’ll be on our way. Billy will come back for you in half-an-hour.’
Before he closed the side door, he said to Kacey, ‘Never try this stunt again. Next time, I won’t be so forgiving.’
Kacey knelt beside Jeff and examined the back of his head. She figured he would have a nasty lump when he regained consciousness. She slumped on the floor, leaning against a cabinet with a grim expression and mixed feelings.
She covered her eyes with one hand. Angry with herself over the time and effort she spent on this investigation with nothing to show, and sickened by the fact she had a massive prize in her hands, but had to give it back. Relieved to be heading home in one piece, albeit with her tail between her legs.
The tractor reversed into the field, and Carver followed with the camper. He turned sharply left and parked the van with the passenger side close to the hedgerow so Liam couldn’t open the passenger door, and if Kacey opened the side door, she would face the hedge.
Kacey shifted her gaze to Carver. ‘What are you doing?’
He ignored her and switched off the engine. He opened the door and held it open for Peaty to climb into the driver’s seat.
Carver moved to the front of the van and rested open palms on the bonnet, as if he might push the vehicle back, like a superhuman.
Peaty swivelled in the driver’s seat and faced Kacey with a menacing expression.
Liam panicked and tried to force the passenger door against the hedgerow, but it wouldn’t open enough for him to squeeze through.
Peaty pulled the cosh from his pocket, switched hands, and struck Liam on the side of the head.
Kacey screamed. ‘Bastard! Stop it.’
Liam slumped into the footwell. Either unconscious or pretending.
Peaty returned his cosh to his pocket, then twisted his body in the chair to face Kacey. His piercing eyes scanned her body as if trying to picture her naked.
He nodded to the back of the camper. ‘What’s the bed like in this van? Comfy?’
Then he slipped off the seat, turned around, and planted a foot on the cushion to climb over the back of the front seats.
He faced her with a grin. One loaded with a particular meaning. I’m going to have you, and there is nothing you can do about it.
She recoiled and shuffled away from him. ‘Stay where you are,’ she shouted.
‘Come on, sexy woman. Fair is fair. You fucked us good and proper. Now it’s our turn.’

If you like the sound of this is can be bought here!

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Today I’m on the book tour for Marikas best Laid Plan, thank you to Kelly at Love Books Tours for organising it and inviting me to take part

Synopsis: Marika is a social worker trying to heal her drug addict clients, but she can’t seem to mend her damaged self. She avoids love because love sits too close to death. Her choices have left her carefully ordered life a lonely, disconnected one.

Everything is about to change.

Big-hearted, quirky, emotionally walled-off Marika embarks on a plan that ultimately forces her to confront the very thing she’s spent her life avoiding: love. Marika’s Best Laid Plan is story about the power of connection and hope, the things without which life is unbearable.

About the Author: Judy was born and raised in Israel. When she was a teenager, she moved with her family to the U.S. Her experience as a psychotherapist in a New York City methadone clinic served as an inspiration for her novel. She spends her spare time writing, painting, walking the local beaches and trails, and cooking Israeli food for her Jamaican husband…and trying to keep the flowers in her garden from dying

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

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