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Today is my stop on the blog tour for An Eye for an Eye by Carol Wyer, thank you to Emma at Damp Pebbles Blog tours for organising it and inviting me to take part.

Pages: 428

Synopsis: A killer running rings around the police. A detective spiralling out of control.

DI Kate Young is on leave. She’s the force’s best detective, but her bosses know she’s under pressure, on medication and overcoming trauma. So after her bad judgement call leads to a narrowly averted public disaster, they’re sure all she needs is a rest.

But when Staffordshire Police summon her back to work on a murder case, it’s a harder, more suspicious Kate Young who returns. With a new ruthlessness, she sets about tracking down a clinical, calculating serial killer who is torturing victims and leaving clues to taunt the police. Spurred on by her reporter husband, Young begins to suspect that the murderer might be closer than she ever imagined.

As she works to uncover the truth, Young unravels a network of secrets and lies, with even those closest to her having something to hide. But with her own competence—and her grip on reality—called into question, can she unmask the killer before they strike again?

My Rating: 🐧🐧🐧🐧🐧

My thoughts: wow, this book was absolutely incredible, it had me going round in circles, tied up in knots and constantly second guessing myself, so much so that by 70% of the way through I still didn’t know where the story was going and didn’t trust a single one or the characters!

We follow Kate who has been having some time off following a traumatic event, but she’s asked to come back early because they need her expertise on this case, but it’s only given 2 colleagues to help her solve a string of murders that seem to be somehow linked to her boss!

I can’t say too much about the story to be honest because part of the joy of reading it was the never knowing what was going to happen next, I was totally gripped and drawn into the story!

I’ll be honest, I worked out the culprit a couple of pages before it was revealed but all this did was make me more determined to finish the book to make sure justice wasn’t done 😂

Please, please, please pick up this book and let me know your thoughts!

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Today is publication day for The Devils Mark by WD Jackson-Smart so I’m here to tell you all about it & about the author himself!

Synopsis: Bloody remains. Multiple victims. Ritual sacrifice?

When a blood-stained effigy of body parts is found in a central London park, D.I Daniel Graves must set about trying to discover what it could mean and find the person responsible. Symbols at the crime scene suggest the occult. Who would leave a murder victim in such a way, and why?

As Graves and partner DI Charlie Palmer begin to investigate the ritual and the act of human sacrifice, they enlist the help of Charlotte Gooding, a talented professor specialising in the subject. They hope to narrow down on a motive. Could the killer believe in the supernatural? Witchcraft even?

Then the next crime scene is found. More blood, more symbols, and out in the open. It seems the killer wants the world to pay attention, but why? How are they choosing their victims?

The pressure is on for Graves to put an end to the murders before more remains show up in brutal tableaus. One thing is for sure, this killer is out for blood and is not afraid to make it a very public display.

There’s just one problem. Grave’s past is still not behind him. Someone is eager to make sure he doesn’t forget, cannot move on. And they’re not playing games anymore. There may be an occult killer out there, but now there’s another out for blood, Daniel Grave’s blood.

About the Author: WD Jackson-Smart, 35, is a London-based horror and crime fiction author who has been writing crime and horror fiction since 2011. His novel Red Light was self published on Amazon and charted in the top twenty best selling Suspense / Thriller Kindle books on release.

His horror short story, What’s Yours Is Mine, was shortlisted for the Horror For Good anthology.
His first crime thriller Slasher, about a serial killer targeting slasher movie actresses in Hollywood, is out now, and he has launched a brand new crime series set in London and starring D.I. Graves. The Demons Beneath is the first in the series, and the sequel From Inside The House was published on July 1st 2019.

As well as his passion for horror and crime thrillers in all forms, WD Jackson-Smart also loves art and design, having studied Fine Art and Art History in Leeds and Toronto and working as a graphic designer for the majority of his career.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/wdejackson
Website: https://www.wdjacksonauthor.co.uk/

If you like the sound of this book you can buy it here!

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Today is my stop on the blog tour for Cerebral Palsy: A Story by Ilana Estelle, 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: 288

Synopsis: Living with cerebral palsy is enormously difficult. But what if you never knew you had it?

This is the incredible story of Ilana Estelle.

Born the second of premature twins, an hour apart, from a young age Ilana knew she was different, but for all the wrong reasons. A child of the 60s, Ilana experienced first-hand the way that disability was, at the time, so often brushed under the carpet, not spoken about. Her constant physical and mental struggles made her feel isolated, alone, frustrated, and misunderstood. It took 46 years for her to find out why.

Part memoir, part motivational guide, Cerebral Palsy: My story is Ilana’s open and honest journey from an angry, confused child, knowing something was wrong, not knowing what was wrong, what her disability was, or that there was a diagnosis – to the ‘real’ her – a courageous woman using her experiences and lessons to create inspiring messages about mental and physical health, resilience and change.

My Rating: 🐧🐧🐧🐧🐧

My Thoughts: firstly let me tell you that I was actually really nervous and apprehensive about going into this book, as much as I couldn’t wait to read it. – for those of you that don’t know I have Cerebral Palsy myself. I know everyone is different but I was really worried that this was going to be a sad negative story.

Needless to say if you hadn’t guessed by my 5 star rating this is not what I found! – this book is brilliant, it gives insight to how Ilana felt growing up, knowing things were different for her, maybe a little harder than those around her especially her twin sister. Knowing that she couldn’t do things in quite the same way and always having to adapt, but only finding out the reason why at the age of 46! – i personally couldn’t imagine it, I grew up knowing I had Cerebral Palsy and was able to explain to people why my body didn’t work in quite the same way as theirs!

Cerebral palsy wasn’t the only diagnosis she had to contend with and done to terms with as an adult either, but I won’t spoil the book for you!!

The book is also filled with advice on how to deal with certain situations thrown at you either as a disabled person or when around a disabled person, which I thought was lovely! – this book would have been a useful tool for me to have growing up to just give to people when they had questions that I wasn’t sure how to answer.

By far my favourite parts of the book were the anecdotes and Ilana telling her story, if you’re looking for a story about an inspiring woman who has overcome a lot in her life and come out of the other side still smiling and stronger than ever then this is the one for you.

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Side note: if anyone is offended by my use of the word disabled, then please know that was not my intention, as a disabled person to me the word is something I use all the time.

Today is my stop on the Blog Tour for Two Wrongs by Rebecca Reid, thank you to Emma at Damp Pebbles Blog Tours for organising it and inviting me to take part and thank you to the author and publisher for my copy.

Pages: 384

Synopsis: How far would you go to correct your worst mistake?

When Chloe goes to university and meets wild, carefree Zadie, she is utterly seduced by her and her lifestyle. It doesn’t take long for Chloe to ditch her studies in favour of all-night parties at Zadie’s huge house off campus.

But when something goes badly wrong one night and Zadie disappears in the aftermath, Chloe knows she should have done more to help her friend. It’s something she’ll always regret.

Fifteen years later, Chloe finally gets the chance to make it right. But in order to do so, she’ll have to put everything at stake . . .

My Rating: 🐧🐧🐧🐧

My Thoughts: I found this story very gripping to begin with, we follow Chloe through 2 timelines, present day where she is married to Rav and their currently deciding wether they’re happy as they are or wether they want to settle down properly and have children! – Rav is all for children. His parents have promised to buy them a house when they provide them with grandchildren.

We also follow Chloe through her uni days where she meets Zadie, a party girl into drink and drugs (the complete opposite to Chloe.) Zadie very quickly manages to drag Chloe into her world, but is it all it’s cracked up to be?

We soon learn that one night, after one of her famous parties Zadie is attacked and disappears without a word, nobody hears anything from her, no online presence is found of her either! – until one day whilst looking online Chloe stumbles upon something! Is it time to confront someone from her past who she feels has been hiding the truth for 15 years?

I found the story a really easy read but one that kept me gripped enough to finish it in one sitting! – the story flowed nicely without getting boring, although I thought it was slightly predictable I honestly didn’t see the ending coming!

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of the mystery thriller genre.

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Today is my stop on the blog tour for Sorry, it’s a Girl by A.A. Khan, 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: 552

Synopsis: Lahore, 2018: In a city teeming with gossip and rumours, where the spoken word is as sharp as a whip, five women lead extraordinary lives.

Born into wealth and opulence, Maya and Arzoo are best friends, achieving everything that is expected of them, from top grades to entry into the exclusive Ivy League schools. Gliding through Lahore’s glittering soirees, Ariyana is the picture of perfection. Charming Laila is married to a business tycoon, living a life of luxury that others could only dream of. But life is rarely perfect…

In this world where image is everything and tradition prevails, these women struggle to negotiate friendships, family and society’s expectations. Beneath the designer clothes lie hidden scars and secrets that cannot be told. And in amongst it all, love blooms.

My Rating: 🐧🐧🐧🐧🐧

My Thoughts: this was a complete eye opener of a book, based in Pakistan, it gives you a small glimpse in what the culture is like and I can tell you it’s totally different to what I’m used to and I found it very honest but also very shocking.

We get to see it from 2 sides, the rich families and the house servants who are quite regularly beaten and spoken down and let me tell you both sides are flawed, it turns out being rich and coming from a well known family isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

There’s arranged marriages, domestic abuse and rape, it’s a hard read, but also one I feel is very important.

Parts made me smile, parts made me cry and some parts were very, very difficult to read. It shows that people just never know what’s going on behind closed doors, but as long as everything looks perfect to everyone on the outside that’s all that matters right?

I don’t know what I expected to I’m this going going in, but it went a LOT deeper than I ever expected.

I can’t recommend it enough.

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Today is my stop on the blog tour for Evanthia’s gift by Effie Kammenou, 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: 570

My Rating: 🐧🐧🐧🐧🐧

My Thoughts: I absolutely loved this book, it’s a multi generational love story following the same 2 families as they grow up together and discover new things in the beautiful setting of Greece!

I finished this book whilst sat on the sofa with my stepmum and I turned to her and said “aww wow, I loved that it made me all warm and happy” ❤️ and that sums the story up completely.

We start with Ana, who after catching her husband in a compromising situation with someone who Ana thought could never sink any lower she finds out she’s pregnant! & in walks Alex who unbeknownst to Ana is going to be her one true love and will fix everything, sounds perfect, right?

Then later on we follow Sophia (Ana’s daughter) As she’s growing up with Demi and Dean or Dino as she likes to call him.

Dino is off for Ana, she’s 14, he’s 16. He would never look twice at her, he see’s her as his little sister, these are all things that Ana tells herself, but is that really now Dino feels? – I have to be careful here not to say too much, but you’ll have to dive into the story to find out, I promise you won’t be disappointed 😂

There was so many layers to the story, but underneath it all it’s about love, loyalty, friendships that can withstand anything and never giving up on your dreams!

This is a story that I will be recommending to everyone!

I’m currently almost finished with book 2, so you’ll have to look out for my thoughts on that one next month!

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Today is my stop on the blog tour for poppy flowers at the front by Jon Wilkins, 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: 129

Synopsis: 1917: with her father in the British secret service and her brother Alfie in the trenches, under-age Poppy Loveday volunteers against her parents’ wishes to drive ambulances in France. We follow her adventures, racing to save wounded men driven to the Casualty Clearing Station, and back to the Base Hospital.

During one battle she finds Élodie Proux, a French nurse, at a roadside clutching a dead soldier. Poppy rescues her. Élodie becomes her dearest girl as they fall in love.

Poppy and Élodie encounter frightening adversaries at the Western Front as well as away from it during the closing weeks of World War One.

My Rating:🐧🐧🐧🐧🐧

My Thoughts: this was such a powerful read, for such a short book it really made me feel a whole load of different emotions.

It felt so real, I was totally immersed in the story, I even had dreams about going to war after reading it!

The characters were strong and well developed, I found myself feeling what they were feeling constantly. Poppy was by far my favourite, she really was a force to be reckoned with and I loved the fact that she was able to show her vulnerable side when things just got too much, it added to the realistic feel of the book because we all have a breaking point, but she was quick enough to build herself up and go back to doing the job in hand.

I don’t want to say too much, I don’t want to give the whole story but the letters too and from home were my favourite part, they gave us a little insight into the way Poppy was before she went away to war as a teenager.

I feel this is an important read & one that should even be put into the school curriculum because it didn’t try to sugarcoat anything.

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Today is my stop on the blog tour for Forgotten Lives by Ray Britain, Thank you to Emma at Damppebbles blog tours for organising it and inviting me to take part & thank you to the author for my copy.

Pages: 422

Synopsis: A man is murdered with quiet efficiency on his doorstep. A strange emblem left behind suggests a gang killing but when more bodies are found with the same emblem, and one of them a cop, DCI Doug Stirling’s investigation takes a sinister turn.
But what linked the victims in life, and now in death?
When more deaths are uncovered, miles away and years apart, but all with the same emblem left behind, pressure mounts on Stirling. Is it the work of the same person? If so, why are they killing again, and why here? One thing is clear. The killer is highly skilled, ruthless, and always one step ahead of the investigation. Is someone feeding information to them?
Working in a crippling heatwave with too few investigators, too many questions and not enough answers, when wild media speculation of a vigilante at work sparks copycat attacks, demonstrations for justice and with politicians fearing riots, Stirling needs a result – fast!
Meanwhile, Stirling’s private life is falling apart, not helped when Lena Novak of the National Crime Agency is assigned to his team. But is she all that she seems? Things could not get worse. Stirling takes a call from a retired cop. Things just got worse!
As Stirling closes in on the killer he finds the killer’s trademark inside his home – he is being targeted.

My Rating: 🐧🐧🐧🐧🐧

My Thoughts: Crime fiction is amongst one of my favourite genres & this book really cemented why to me.

Ray Britain is a new author for me and after this o will definitely be looking forward to seeing what else he comes up with.

The story was gripping and twisty and I found that I just couldn’t put it down.

People keep turning up dead and at first it seems like there is no link but it soon comes to light that the link is more disturbing than anyone wants to admit, especially when they realise that one of their own is involved,

The only clue they have to lead them to the killer is the blue V shaped badges that are being left at the scenes, sometimes in obvious places, other times they have to do serious searching to find it.

We are constantly being pulled in different directions so I honestly had no idea who the culprit was until it was revealed .

I would recommend this book to everyone, those who are fans of the genre and those who are new and wanting to give it a try.

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Today is my stop on the blog tour for Amari and the Night brothers by B.B. Alston, thank you to The Write Reads Tours for organising it and inviting me to take part & thank you to the publisher for my copy.

Pages: 416

Synopsis: Amari Peters knows three things.

Her big brother Quinton has gone missing.
No one will talk about it.
His mysterious job holds the secret . . .

So when Amari gets an invitation to the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs, she’s certain this is her chance to find Quinton. But first she has to get her head around the new world of the Bureau, where mermaids, aliens and magicians are real, and her roommate is a weredragon.

Amari must compete against kids who’ve known about the supernatural world their whole lives, and when each trainee is awarded a special supernatural talent, Amari is given an illegal talent – one that the Bureau views as dangerous.

With an evil magician threatening the whole supernatural world, and her own classmates thinking she is the enemy, Amari has never felt more alone. But if she doesn’t pass the three tryouts, she may never find out what happened to Quinton . . .

My Rating: 🐧🐧🐧🐧🐧

My Thoughts: This book was EVERYTHING 🤩😍

I’ve never read a middle grade that gripped me quite like this one, I would definitely say it’s marketed towards the older range of middle grade.

We quickly learn that Amari’s brother Quinton went missing 6 months ago, he went to work & never came back, whilst Amari and her mum don’t actually know what Quinton does they know in their hearts that something has happened to him, because he wouldn’t just run out on them, right?

One day Amari receives a visitor with a package for her and only her, but little does she know that when she signs for it her life will change forever, could this be the clue she needs to find her brother?

Like I said before this book is gripping, the writing is fast paced and the story just flows so well, I found my self itching to pick it back up whenever life happened and I had to put it down.

All the characters are strong in their own right. Elsie and Amari were my favourites, they were the ultimate misfit girl gang who always had each other’s back no matter what.

If you love a story full of magic & mystery, a story that is never predictable & will have you thinking it’s heading in one direction whilst also pulling you in the opposite direction (in the best way possible I promise!) then this one is definitely the one for you.

I already can’t wait for the next instalment! 😍

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Today I’m part of the blog tour for incognito by Michael Winson, organised by the ladies and Love Books Tours 🥰

Pages: 190

Synopsis: Betrayal deserves vengeance….Redemption needs sacrifice
Still reeling from leading a disastrous raid, SO15 anti-terror officer Lisa Reid is grateful for an easy assignment this time out; identify and bring in a target thought to have information on a fugitive cell leader

There is no such thing as a routine job for Lisa though, and a devastating chain of events quickly plunges her, and her partner Will, into a dangerous game of cat and mouse with thousands of lives hanging in the balance

As the scale of the threat is revealed, and the body count starts to rise, the pair have to make choices that could cost their partnership, if not their lives. But one of them has a deadly agenda all of their own, and as the man that’s been pulling all the strings steps out of the shadows to choreograph his masterpiece, that could end up costing a lot more…..

My Rating: 🐧🐧🐧🐧

My Thoughts: wow… what a book.

I knew absolutely nothing about this going in, with it being such a short book I was worried that reading the synopsis would give the story away so I went in blind & being honest I am so glad I did!

This story packs a punch right from the very beginning, we’re following Abdul, who is in a big shopping Mall in Manchester and he’s up to something but as of yet we don’t know what, but you instantly get the feeling that whatever it is, it’s definitely not good.

The chapters were short and snappy for the most part with a few slightly longer ones thrown in that tell more of the back story of the events that have happened to lead up to today’s seemingly devastating conclusion.

I honestly don’t want to give too much away because I feel it’ll take away from the feel of the story, but can someone from Abduls past stop him from making the worst decision of his life?

This book felt so real!! – I’m normally a quick reader, but I had to spread this one over a few days because of the emotions it was making me feel, I’m nor ashamed to admit that I cried more than once. The story was so atmospheric that I felt that I was actually there experiencing the events rather than just reading about them.

There is no way this felt like a debut novel and I honestly cannot wait to see what Michael comes up with next.

Thank you so much for giving me the privilege of reading your story.

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