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Today is my stop on the blog tour for Mother by Laura Jarratt, thank you to Tracy at Compulsive Readers for organising it and inviting me to take part & thank you to the author for my copy

Pages: 352

Synopsis: Two Girls. One Chance.

When Lizzie’s car crashes with her two daughters inside, she faces a terrible choice. And when she recovers from her injuries, she has to deal with the impact of that tragedy as well as the police investigation into it.

As Lizzie and her family struggle to come to terms with the events of that night, things take an even darker turn. Just what did happen on that remote country road? Who is responsible? And can the family get through this together…Or will the truth finally tear them apart?

My Rating: 🐧🐧🐧🐧

My Thoughts: Laura’s writing drew me in instantly, it had a way of making you feel like you were there within the story! – when the car crash happened I found myself gripping the arm of the sofa, as if that would save me? 😂

When the car went under the water & Lizzie was struggling to firstly get herself out and then the daughter that she chose, I found myself holding my breath too, it’s crazy when a book effects you physically in that way, but it left me invested in the story.

I loved the fact that the truth about which daughter was saved was kept from us at first, it left me looking for any little clue that the author may have left us and following them like a trail, I have to be honest though I was completely wrong!

As well as having to deal with the fact that she essentially left one of her daughters to die, Lizzie then gets accused of falling asleep at the wheel and causing the accident and although she had no memory of what happened she is 100% sure that that didn’t happen, right?

The rest of the story is the family coming to terms with the loss of a daughter and a sister and the guilt they’re all feeling because of it, all of them in their own way, as well as the police trying to work out what really happened that night.

A thriller with a story that wasn’t obvious in any way and constantly had you thinking about who you could trust.

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Today is my stop on the blog tour for The Fractured Globe by Angela Fish, thank you to Emma at Damp Pebbles for organising it and inviting me to take part and thank you to the author for my copy.

Pages: 281

Synopsis: Nature? Nurture? Or just plain luck?

Single mums, Tia and Kay, meet when their sons are born on the same day.

Tia is a product of the welfare system but wants a better life for her son. Her entrapment by her manipulative and controlling boyfriend in the world of drink, drugs, crime and enforced prostitution suggests otherwise. Is she a ‘born devil’ or can she change and break free?

Kay comes from a stable home but sacrifices it all, initially, to live her own kind of life.

Overshadowed by betrayals, mistakes, regrets, and the mystery of an abandoned child, their paths – and those of their families – run parallel or criss-cross over twenty-five years.

Can determination and the power of the snow globe offer a chance of happiness?

My Rating: 🐧🐧🐧🐧🐧

My Thoughts: this story hit me on a whole new emotional level, my mum was very into drugs when is children were small, luckily my dad stepped in when my mum admitted she needed help, but parts of this book had me thinking what if he didn’t? would put lives have been like this?

We follow Tia and Kay, who have babies on the same day, seemingly under very similar circumstances, both single mums, both with no job and no money, with Tia being a little younger and having had no experience with babies Kay takes her under her wing, until she leaves the hospital and assumes that is that.

Until Tia turns up on her doorstep with her baby in her arms telling her she’s run away from the hospital and needs help!

The story follows both women for many years and we learn what becomes of them and the babies.

The story is told in 2 parts, one happy and uplifting and the other one harrowing and absolutely heartbreaking, there were times where I felt I needed to put the book down and gather my thoughts before continuing, but as a reader I felt it was important for me to finish the story & I’m so glad I did.

It will definitely stay with me for a long, long time.

Not for the faint hearted and you will probably need tissues at more than one point in the book, but I definitely think it’s worth giving it a go.

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Today is my stop on the blog tour for The Islanders by S.V. Leonard, thank you to Emma at Damp Pebbles Blog Tours for organising it and inviting me to take part & thank you to the author for my copy.

Pages: 246

Synopsis: Her dream escape is about to become a nightmare…
Kimberley King has spent the last five years trying to outrun the reason she left the police force. Her life is a mess and she’s desperate for change. So when she is randomly selected for the new series of the hit show LoveWrecked, she can’t pass up the chance to win the £100,000 prize. All Kimberley needs to do is couple up with one of her fellow contestants, win the infamous LoveWrecked challenges, and she will have enough cash for a fresh start.

But the island isn’t the paradise she was promised and within hours, one of the contestants is dead. Then the announcement comes: one of the islanders is a murderer and Kimberley must find out who, live on television. For every hour it takes her, one more person will die.

The game is rigged, everyone is hiding secrets, and time is running out…

My Rating: 🐧🐧🐧🐧

My Thoughts: this book is like a fictional Love Island, but unlike the programme which I can’t stand this book had me hooked!

Kimberley left the police force for reasons that as yet are unknown to us, she’s just been fired from a job that she didn’t really like he actually really needed, and the bills are starting to stack up!

She’s approached by a stranger and asked if she wants to appear in LoveWrecked, one of her favourite tv shows that is returning for the first time in years! – she’s dubious, there are secrets in her past that she doesn’t want people finding out, but when she finds out there is a £100,000 prize for the winner she realises that it’s an opportunity that she just can’t afford to pass up!

Very quickly we learn that this isn’t the escape that it’s made out to be, people are dying with no apparent reason & then appears the judge!

I could not put this book down, it’s shorter than your average thriller but in all honesty that added to the fast pace of it! – I don’t want to say too much and give the story away but all I can say is DO NOT TRUST ANYONE!

One of the best thrillers I’ve read in a while, definitely own you all need to add to your shelves!

Thank me later 😉

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Today is my stop on the blog tour for How to Save your Own Life by Erica Jong and I’m coming out with an excerpt of the book! – thank you to Agora Books for organising it and inviting me to take part.

Before I show you the excerpt, let me tell you a little about the book!

Synopsis: Three years after the events of Fear of Flying, we catch up with Isadora Wing.
With two marriages and a bestseller in her wake, Isadora finds herself in sunny California and the
hedonistic Hollywood.
From grief and betrayal to jealousy and trust, Jong explores the ways in which a marriage unravels. In the end, Isadora must learn to save herself.

About The Author: Erica Jong is an American writer famously known for her debut novel, Fear of Flying. Published in 1973, it revolutionised conventional beliefs about women, marriage, and sexuality. Erica created an outlet for every woman’s inner voice, and her frank discussions of sex and sexuality has made her one of the the world’s most iconic writers. With her work being published in 45 languages worldwide, Erica Jong is a hero to millions. Since beginning with Fear of Flying, Erica has published over 25 books spanning fiction, non-fiction, and poetry.

Excerpt:

How to Save Your Own Life
The Wit & Wisdom of Isadora Wing
(Amanuensis to the Zeitgeist)
“Have Pen, will travel”

1. Renounce useless guilt.
2. Don’t make a cult of suffering.
3. Live in the Now (or at least the Soon).
4. Always do the things you fear the most; courage is an acquired taste, like caviar.
5. Trust all joy.
6. If the evil eye fixes you in its gaze, look elsewhere.
7. Get ready to be eighty-seven

If you like the sound of this you can buy yourself a copy here!

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Today is my stop on the blog tour for In a Deep Dark Wood by Tina Pritchard, thank you to Emma at Damp Pebbles for organising it and inviting me to take part & thank you to the publisher for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

Pages:320

Synopsis: What she saw in the wood would change her life forever.

Walking in the wood one day, Fran witnesses the horrifying murder of local teen, Tyler. She tells the police exactly what she saw, but their investigation doesn’t seem to make much headway.

Fran tries to settle back into a normal life, but is tormented by guilt – was there something she could have done to save the boy? Fran can’t let it go and finds herself drawn to Tyler’s grieving mother, Mel, both finding some strange connection through this shared trauma.

Then someone launches a terrifying campaign of intimidation against Fran and her husband, Laurie. Could it be the killers? Are they letting her know she had better be careful what she says? Who she sees? And why is Mel acting so strangely? Does she know more about her son’s death than she is saying?

Fran can’t help herself – she needs to know the truth. But when she begins to dig, she uncovers the terrible secret of the deep, dark wood – a secret that will change her life forever.

My rating: 🐧🐧🐧🐧

My thoughts: this is a debut psychological thriller, and it’s definitely thrilling, it had me turning the pages (theoretically of course, it was a digital copy) quicker than I could read the words 😂 but it quite honestly didn’t feel like a debut novel, I couldn’t find fault in the writing style at all, not that I was looking., but you know what I mean.

Poor Fran witnesses a young teenager being murdered right before her eyes, but it gets worse when one of the culprits spots her watching & gets a good look at her! – he won’t leave it at that will he, he’ll have to come back for her surely? – she was only taking the dog for a walk and now wishes she had never left the house!

after the young lad is identified, Fran finds herself interwoven in the life of his mum and dragged into a situation that she never saw coming.

Full of characters that stay with you for a long time, even after you’ve put the book down and events that aren’t easily forgotten, this one is a book that isn’t for the faint of heart.

I can’t recommend it enough 😍

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Today is my stop on the blog tour for Seven Days by Michelle Kidd, thank you to Emma at Damp Pebbles for organising it and inviting me to take part and thank you to the author for my copy.

Pages: 545

Synopsis:One killer. One city. One week.

July 2012 and a serial killer is terrorising the streets of London. With the Opening Ceremony of the London Olympic Games in just seven days time, Detective Inspector Jack MacIntosh and his team at the Metropolitan Police have one week to find him. With the killer’s motives unknown, and a mysterious clue being left at each scene, the case takes on a menacing and personal twist.
Distracted by his own demons, will DI Jack MacIntosh solve the case before it is too late?
The clock is ticking.
Tick.
Tock.

My Rating: 🐧🐧🐧🐧

My Thoughts: this is the second book in the DI Jack MacIntosh series, although I didn’t realise that when I picked it up so I can attest to the fact that it would work brilliantly as a standalone!

It’s 2012 and the Olympics opening ceremony will be happening in just 7 days so there couldn’t possibly be a worst time for a dead body to be found! Poor Jack is given just a few days to solve it before the opening ceremony!

Just as the case is getting underway another body is found. the only thing linking them is a shoe found at the crime scene of the first body!

Before they know it the bodies are building up, they have no leads, nor even the smallest inclination as to who is committing the crimes and the motive behind them, feeling the pressure Jack starts losing his way! So in steps DS Carmichael, but the truth is no one knows where he came from and every time he’s needed he’s off doing his own thing, is he hiding something?

This book was tense and thrilling, one where you never know where it’s going to go next! – there weren’t too many characters to keep track of and we soon learn that they’re all linked somehow! – for a long book it was a page turner that I really struggled to put down at times.

It was action packed and the characters were relatable and loveable, this is definitely one I would recommend to fans of a police procedural and I can’t wait to see what the next instalment holds.

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Today is my stop on the blog tour for the big ol’ bike by Rachael Clarke, thank you to Emma at Damp Pebbles for organising it and inviting me to take part & thank you to the author for my copy.

Pages: 81

Synopsis: Big things are happening in Little Springs…

Everything about Oliver is small, from his footprint to his glasses—and a trio of bullies never let him forget it. When Oliver receives his grandfather’s old bike for his birthday, he rides tall for the first time. But the meanest bully in school doesn’t like that at all. Oliver quickly finds himself challenged to a race. Now, he’ll have to be bigger than he ever imagined in order to prove heroes come in small packages too.

The Big Ol’ Bike is a contemporary slice of life for ages 7-10. It’s filled with characters who could live down the street from you, or have a locker beside yours at school. Come hang out with Oliver, Austin, and Sue, as they experience excitement, setbacks, and adventure together. Themes of bullying, family, friendship, confidence, and community are all explored.

Longer than average for this age range, The Big Ol’ Bike is meant to be transitional between chapter books and middle grade novels. It’s an equally perfect choice for eager readers who fly through the pages, and kids who enjoy taking it chapter by chapter.

My Rating: 🐧🐧🐧🐧🐧

my Thoughts: I loved this book so much, obviously as a 30 year old woman I am not the target audience but it was just so lovely.

This book is longer than most children’s books, so I think it’s perfect for someone who is just moving from children’s books to middle grade as it has chapters but they’re all quite short.

The underlying message in the story is that, newer doesn’t always mean better, sometimes the sentimental value of something is more important than how much it costs and even more important than wether you have the latest version of something.

It’s about being true to yourself, standing up for a what you believe in and not giving into peer pressure.

“Don’t let anyone make you feel bad for being who you are, you hear? Not ever.”

This quote really hit home to me & it’s an important message for children to learn from an early age.

It made me feel so warm and happy inside and I can’t wait for my godson to be old enough to read and learn from it!

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Today is my stop on the blog tour for A Beautiful Spy by Rachel Hore, Thank you to Anne at random things yours for organising it and inviting me to take part & thank you to the publisher for my copy.

Pages: 400

Synopsis: Minnie Gray is an ordinary young woman.
She is also a spy for the British government.

It all began in the summer of 1928…

Minnie is supposed to find a nice man, get married and have children. The problem is it doesn’t appeal to her at all. She is working as a secretary, but longs to make a difference.

Then, one day, she gets her chance. She is recruited by the British government as a spy. Under strict instructions not to tell anyone, not even her family, she moves to London and begins her mission – to infiltrate the Communist movement.

She soon gains the trust of important leaders. But as she grows more and more entangled in the workings of the movement, her job becomes increasingly dangerous. Leading a double life is starting to take its toll on her relationships and, feeling more isolated than ever, she starts to wonder how this is all going to end. The Russians are notorious for ruthlessly disposing of people given the slightest suspicion.

What if they find out?

Full of suspense, courage and love, A Beautiful Spy is a stunningly written story about resisting the norm and following your dreams, even if they come with sacrifices

My Rating: 🐧🐧🐧🐧

My Thoughts: Minnie is in her twenties, working as a typist and belong to support her mother and young siblings, but she’s bored and wants more with her life.

People are telling her she should settle down, get herself a husband and have children, but she doesn’t want that, at least not yet. she wants to do something that will make a difference.

When she’s approached by someone from the government asking if she would like a job with them doing some secret undercover work, thinking this is the break she’s been waiting for she jumps at the chance!

Unfortunately for her it’s not at all what she was expecting and she starts second guessing her decision, can she get out before it’s too late?

This book wasn’t at all what I was expecting, it was so good, I thoroughly enjoyed it, at times I wanted more from the story, I wanted a little more depth – but at the end of the story I learnt that it’s based on a true story with explains why some parts weren’t embellished more.

If you’re a fan of spy stories and historical fiction then I can highly recommend this one. it was a joy to read

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Today is my stop on the blog tour for Chasing Petalouthes, thank you to the team at Love Books Tours for organising it and inviting me to take part & thank you to the author for my copy.

Pages: 464

Synopsis: Evvie has lived through more tragedy than a young girl should ever endure, having lost both her father and a most beloved grandmother at a young age. Her rebellious ways are her only defense to mask the ever-present pain in her heart. Closing herself off emotionally, Evvie vows to never let anyone into her heart. But will her determination to keep everyone out see her lose the only person who could heal her broken soul?

Over-achieving, focused, talented, determined to succeed. Those are the traits Stella envies in her siblings and cousins. Her insecurities and lack of confidence stunts her ability to realize her own worth. When an older, handsome young man claims her as his own, Stella believes she has finally found who she has been looking for—someone to love her enough to mold her into the best version of herself. But has she fallen in love too quickly for a man she barely knows anything about?

Chasing Petalouthes (Chasing Butterflies) is the coming of age story of two flawed, young women who push their way out from the confines of the cocoons they’d built around themselves and discover how to soar.

My Rating: 🐧🐧🐧🐧🐧

My Thoughts: I was lucky enough to be part of the blog tour for all 3 parts of this incredible trilogy – every single one has lived up to and exceeded the high expectations that I had for them.

The third and final instalment follows the younger generation, the children of the “honey hill girls” all of them are teenagers now and this story is a real coming of age story, they’re discovering more about themselves and what they want to do with the rest of their lives!

Just like the other 2 this one was an emotional rollercoaster, with grief, heartache, heartbreak love and intrigue!

I don’t want to give anything away, but be warned trigger warnings for abuse, mental, sexual and physical, coercive control and rape – but every single subject is dealt with in a sensitive way.

This can be read as a stand alone but to get the overall effect I would highly recommend reading the other 2, starting with Evanthia’s Gift and then waiting for Aegina.

This is one series that had me totally engrossed and swept away with the stories, it made me feel real emotions, it had me crying, it had me feeling nervous for the characters and even had my heart beating out of my chest.

Most of all though it made my heart happy and I really wish I could experience it for the first time all over again ❤️

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Today is my stop on the blog tour for Singapore fire, thank you to Murray for organising it, inviting me to take part and for providing me with a copy of the book.

Pages: 370

Synopsis: She wants to escape He wants to save her But nothing is what it seems

Singapore 1954 and once again, private investigator, Ash Carter is caught between the government and the criminal gangs. It’s time for Carter to choose. Escape now or stand and fight?

My Rating: 🐧🐧🐧🐧🐧

My Thoughts: after being part of the blog tour for Singapore Killer last year and being totally drawn in by the story when Murray asked me if I’d like to be part of the blog your for Singapore Fire, there was no way I could say no!

We’re back with Ash Carter, who after the whole BlackJack case has a better reputation in his Job as a private investigator and finds himself with more clients and more money coming in, which in turn is keeping his receptionist Madame Chau happy and off his back a little.

Unfortunately Ash doesn’t seem to learn from his past and had found himself tangled up with and falling in love with Su Ling, the Mistress of the crime boss Andrew Yipp, who also happens to be Ash’s arch nemesis, what could possibly go wrong? 😂

One night Su confessed to Ash that she needs to leave Andrew and that she needs his help doing so, clouded by the love he feels for her he sets out on a mission to help her calling in favours from friends!

Just as he has everything in place Su goes missing and it soon becomes clear that it won’t be as easy as he hoped, but when Andrew Yipp comes looking for him wondering where Su is Ash is left confused and wondering who he can trust!

This story is packed with action and intrigue and had me feeling like I couldn’t take it all in quick enough!

I adored the story and was left a little sad that this was the final instalment of the Ash Carter series, but what an ending it was… wow 😍

Thank you Murray for trusting me to read and review your book, I can’t wait to see what you come up with next!

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