Month: April 2020

Posted on

Blog Tour (Review): The Terror Within by Linda Regan

Some books have intriguing plots that wind their way to the end, hooking you with just enough information to keep you interested. And some books take off like a rocket, shooting you into the action that continues at such a rapid pace it is nearly impossible to turn pages fast enough to keep up.

The Terror Within is squarely and solidly in the latter category. It quite literally left me breathless.

The author chose to start the story with a happy event before things went south, and that happened very quickly. Almost immediately, the reader is catapulted into the middle of riots that morph into something much more insidious and dangerous. And watch out for the twists (mini-spoiler?)

I thought that the author did an incredible job of keeping the plot moving with action flipping between three different locations. It was so seamless I felt like I was watching a movie – the cuts to each character or location happened that quickly.

I was also impressed with the level of detail the author had regarding the subject matter. Not just about police-work and hostage negotiation but about the perpetrators’ motivations as well.

And that is what I think stood out to me the most about this book. Aside from the pulse-pounding action, the bravery of the author to choose this topic in today’s overly-PC world was bold and unforgettable. The details of the perps’ past crimes and their reasons for their actions were both well-researched and accurate. I commend the author for daring to anger the “righteous indignation” crowd.

Brutality exists in the world. Better to shine a light on it and be aware than be afraid of offending someone. And these guys are brutal. Be forewarned, there is graphic detail of injuries and harming of other people. But for me, this made it all the more realistic and gritty and put it into my top reads of the year.

About Linda Regan

Linda is a successful actress, still best known for her portrayal of April, the sweet yellow-coat, in the BBC award winning comedy Hi-De-Hi. Other programmes she has appeared in include: The Bafta nominated Channel five series: Harry and Cosh, The Bill, London’s Burning, Minder, Gentle Touch, The Knock, a Lynda La Plante series: Framed, to name but a few. Also many films, a season with the RSC, and many good theatre roles. To date she has appeared in nearly a hundred commercials.

She has been writing all her life: short stories, radio, fact and fiction. Her first crime novel was published in 2006, and her subsequent novels have all received excellent reviews.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Linda_Regan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LindaReganAuthor/
Website: https://lindareganonline.co.uk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/linda.regan.01/
Posted on

Blog Tour (Review): Summer Storms by Brittainy Cherry

I first introduced to this author’s work with Eleanor & Grey, which to me, is still her best work. Summer Storms comes close, though.

Download your copy today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3bJYlYJ
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/SouthernStorms
Add Southern Storms to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2Rj7I94

I love how Ms. Cherry’s characters have a way of seeming familiar as if they’re people that you already know. It’s not because all of her characters are the same (far from it). I think that it is more because they are so relatable and down to earth. They are never caricatures.

What they are, however, is flawed, and that is what makes them human. None of her characters are ever perfect. I mean, even the therapist and his wife have a “moment” that makes them more than “just” a therapist. And that’s not to say that their moment is flawed…I’m getting tangled up. Anyway, the characters always just seem to have an extra something that makes them easier to get to know.

I enjoyed the flashbacks to when Jax and Kennedy were children. I thought those scenes were very well done and gave great insight into the events that further shaped their lives.

I did feel like the editing got lax about two-thirds of the way through. There seemed to be an increase in the number of repeated phrases and paragraphs that seemed to ramble. But that could be because it was an ARC and not fully edited yet.

The one thing I was a little disappointed in was how lackluster the “big reveal” for Jax was. It was something that he had built his whole life upon, and then all of a sudden, it was different, and he raged, but then he was sort of like, “what can I do?” I felt like that should have been a much bigger deal for them to deal with, maybe as a couple.

But I did love the way they found each other again, and how they “knew” what was right. That’s the kind of hope and love that will keep me coming back to her books.

About Brittainy

Author Brittainy C. Cherry is an Amazon #1 bestselling author.

She has been in love with words since the day she took her first breath. She graduated from Carroll University with a Bachelor Degree in Theatre Arts and a minor in Creative Writing.

Her novels have been published in 18+ countries around the world. Brittainy lives in Brookfield, Wisconsin with her fur babies.

Connect with Brittainy
Facebook: http://bit.ly/2Fc8izo
Twitter: http://bit.ly/2Oe1m8V
Instagram: http://bit.ly/2Fltnc1
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Fk2jKg
GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2ThAciJ

Join Brittainy’s Golden Girls (And Boys) Reader Group: http://bit.ly/2Y4WEir
Stay up to date with Brittainy by joining her mailing list: http://bit.ly/2oK1voU

Posted on

Blog Tour (Review): Blood on the Tyne-Body Parts

What a departure from my usual genres this book was!

The description caught my eye, so I thought I would give it a go. I’ve always enjoyed “older” mysteries from Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett. I love the whole “noir” genre. Imagine my surprise to find that Blood on the Tyne fits right in with them.

I loved the setting from the time period to the location. The mid-50s is a ripe playground for exciting characters, and the author gets them all in there: the chanteuse, the homebody sister, the gangster, the bad boy ex…it’s a great gallery of personalities.

The premise is good also. Rosie has returned home from London for her mam’s funeral. While she is there, she gets embroiled in a police investigation. Young ladies are missing and then found murdered. And they all have a connection to the very places and people Rosie is around. (Don’t want to give too much detail and give anything away).

One thing I especially appreciated was the way the author wrote dialectically. I think it takes great talent to portray an accent or lexicon accurately. When an author takes the time to do so, it adds a whole new layer to the story for me. It also usually takes me longer to read because I read all of it as written to get the full effect. (Plus, the theater-geek in me still likes to work on accents).

I was pleased to see that this is the first in what might be a series, or at least there will be a book two. I enjoyed this one very much, and I look forward to the further adventures of Rosie Robson.

About Colin Garrow

True-born Geordie Colin Garrow grew up in a former mining town in Northumberland and has worked in a plethora of professions including taxi driver, antiques dealer, drama facilitator, theatre director and fish processor, and has occasionally masqueraded as a pirate. Colin has published three stage plays, six adventures for middle grade readers, two books of short stories, the Watson Letters series and the Terry Bell Mysteries. His short stories have appeared in several literary mags, including: SN Review, Flash Fiction Magazine, The Grind, A3 Review, Inkapture and Scribble Magazine. These days he lives in a humble cottage in North East Scotland where he writes novels, stories. poems and the occasional song.

Posted on

Books On Tour (Review): The Secret Admirer by Carol Wyer

I have a confession to make.

After the bombshell events of The Blossom Twins, I was a little bit concerned as to where the author would go with Detective Natalie Ward. Ms. Wyer set a high bar, and it was difficult to see where she would be able to go with the narrative.

Spoiler alert: I shouldn’t have worried.

Not only did the author meet expectations set from the previous book, but she also exceeded them.

Amazon: https://bit.ly/3bCi78y

The tension begins in the very first chapter with a vicious attack and never lets up. The reader knows that Natalie will be on the case. However, as she is still reeling from personal tragedy, there is a natural curiosity as to whether she will give the investigation her full attention.

Again, no need to worry. Natalie is a consummate professional.

One of the strengths of this series, as I have mentioned in past reviews, is how well the author balances Natalies personal and professional lives. The transitions between the two are seamless and allow the reader to glimpse insights into the thought process of a woman struggling with a significant loss. As you know from the blurb, these two storylines converge, which leads to even more personal turmoil for Natalie.

Another strength is the accuracy of the investigation undertaken by Natalie and her team. Finding clues, following leads, and taking nothing for granted, this is one of the most realistic portrayals of police work I have ever come across. I especially liked how the focus of the investigation changed as new evidence came to light.

I also thought that the author’s portrayal of college students was especially astute. She captured that lack of self-responsibility that some millennials exhibit – nothing is ever their fault, it’s always somebody else’s. This just added to the realism of the plot and its characters.

I absolutely tore through this book! Just know that Ms. Wyer has outdone herself once again, and I can’t wait for the next Detective Natalie Ward investigation.

Author Bio

Carol Wyer garnered a loyal following as an author of romantic comedies, and won The People’s Book Prize Award for non-fiction (2015). In 2017 she stepped from comedy to the “dark side” and embarked on a series of thrillers, featuring the popular DI Robyn Carter, which earned her recognition as a crime writer.

The Staffordshire-based writer now has more crime novels in the pipeline, although she can still sometimes be found performing her stand-up comedy routine Laugh While You Still Have Teeth.

Website: https://www.carolwyer.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCarolEWyer/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/carolewyer
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14925467.Carol_Wyer

Posted on

Books On Tour (Review): The Garden of Lost Memories by Ruby Hummingbird

I absolutely loved this author’s first novel, The Wish List of Albie Young, so I was very excited to see this new one. No sophomore slump here. Once again, the author tugs at the heartstrings while emphasizing the importance of living life while you can.

I instantly related to Elsie. Although I have not lost my mom, I am far away from her, and I often think of all of the memories that we have shared. And yes, I do talk to her even when she is not here. I can see myself being more like Elsie as I get older as well. Not to the extent of sticking to rigid schedules like her (that would never happen here). But I could easily get caught up in the past more than looking at the present or future.

I also liked Billy more than I expected. It is difficult to make a ten-year-old boy a likable and relatable character, but the author succeeds. I think it is because Billy has his challenges, between being uprooted to a new home and the bullies at school (where he doesn’t fit in). Those are events that many people have experienced.

Secondary and even bit characters are also well-developed. I got a good feel for Billy’s mom, and June reminded me of Mrs. Tishell from Doc Martin (one of my favorite shows). This type of detail gives depth to the story.

I particularly like the author’s writing style in that nothing is “hit you over the head” obvious. Instead, clues to the causes of events are more subtle. For example, Billy remembers his dad promising to take him fun places. But in the morning, Dad had slept on the couch, smells funny, and takes paracetamol. Couple that with why Billy and his mom moved, and the reasons become crystal clear. I appreciate the careful attention this type of reveal requires.

Ultimately this story is about the mutual respect that grows between Billy and Elsie as he helps her learn how to live again, while she helps him navigate his new life. And it proves that the best, and possibly most helpful, friendships can pop up in the strangest of ways. No fooling around, it’s another winner from this author.

Author Bio

Ruby Hummingbird is a novelist based in the English countryside. She loves nothing more than writing uplifting and heartwarming fiction that gets her readers reaching for the tissues. When she isn’t storytelling, she can be found tending to her beloved sunflowers or sipping on hazelnut lattes.  

close

Enjoy this blog? Please spread the word :)