Month: May 2020

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Blog Tour (Review): The Guest by Cathryn Grant.

Every so often, I come across a book that has a lot of promise that I am excited to read, especially if I enjoyed a previous book by the author. I liked The Good Mother, so I figured that The Guest would be of those books.

I liked how the author set the stage. A stranger with a tenuous friendship with a relative is invited to stay with the family. What could possibly go wrong?

Purchase Links: Amazon UK-https://tinyurl.com/TheGuest-AmazonUK Amazon US-https://tinyurl.com/TheGuest-AmazonUS

There are also character tensions galore: husband and wife, stepson and husband, stepson and schoolmates. Everybody seems to have an issue with at least one other character. Things take a turn early when the son is questioned about a missing classmate. And then things got weird.

The stranger insinuates himself seamlessly into the lives of the family. Tensions between husband and wife continue; wife gets suspicious of the stranger even as she fights her attraction to him. There’s also bad news about the classmate. When it comes to light that the husband has been lying about something, all bets are off.  

I think that is a problem that I had with this book. There was just way too much going on, and it all lacked focus. There were also a lot of details in odd places. I thought the descriptions of food were strange but enjoyed the perspectives on art. I just kept hoping that the seemingly disparate storylines would converge, and all make sense together.

I can’t stress enough; I liked the premise, and the storylines could have been woven into an amazing psychological thriller. The pieces were there, and it could have been so good. But it ultimately needed editing to keep things tight and cohesive. As it was, by the time I got to the epilogue, I wasn’t that surprised by what should have been a shocking reveal.

I would still recommend it because there were some entertaining aspects. But in the end, it felt rushed; if a little more time had been taken, it could have been so much more.

About Cathryn Grant

Cathryn Grant writes psychological thrillers, psychological suspense, and ghost stories. She’s the author of twenty-three novels.

She’s loved crime fiction all her life and is endlessly fascinated by the twists and turns, and the dark corners of the human mind.

When she’s not writing, Cathryn reads fiction, eavesdrops, and tries to play golf without hitting her ball into the sand or the water. She lives on the Central California coast with her husband and two cats.

Cathryn is the author of The Good Neighbor and many other crime thrillers. THE GUEST will be her third novel published with Inkubator Books.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CathrynGrant
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CathrynGrant.Writer/
Website: https://www.cathryngrant.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cathryngrant_fiction/
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cathryn-Grant/e/B004G1I484?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_3&qid=1566901527&sr=8-3
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Cover Reveal: An Eye for an Eye by Carol Wyer

If you love Natalie Ward, be sure to pre-order to check out this new series from Carol Wyer, featuring DI Kate Young!

Eye-catching, right?!? Here’s a blurb for more info.

AN EYE FOR AN EYE by Carol Wyer

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?

Out February 4th 2021 but available to pre order now

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Blog Tour (Review): Sister Dear by Hannah Mary McKinnon

This book had me running the gamut of emotions. I wasn’t sure who to trust at any given time, my loyalties to individual characters switched, and I was left feeling disturbed. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Buy Links:  Harlequin  Barnes & Noble Amazon
Books-A-Million Powell’s

The author did an admirable job of creating sympathy for Eleanor in the beginning. She had been beaten down by life (literally and physically), and she was losing the one person she could rely on…until she couldn’t anymore. I related to her early on, because her feelings about her father brought back memories of my dad’s illness. I could feel her pain.

I was fortunate, however, to not have a vile mother like Sylvia. It was easy to see why Eleanor was as insecure as she was. Both her mother and sister, Amy, were horrible people in general and specifically to Eleanor.

Eleanor finds out a secret that she isn’t meant to know, and at that point, I thought the book took an odd turn. I understand the point that desperate people can be led to do desperate things, but it felt a little off. I’m not sure why, but because Eleanor got a little dark, I felt less sympathy for her.

I don’t want to give away the rest of the book, because it all flowed well after that, and I found myself going back and forth between disliking Eleanor for her duplicity and feeling sorry for her because she obviously had severe issues that compelled her decisions.

I also don’t want to give away anything, because there are a few twists that I did not see coming. There were also a few I thought would happen and didn’t. I like it when an author can balance the tension like that. I did think that the middle was drawn out, and then an awful lot happened in the last quarter of the book. Some of it was even just described instead of actually occurring within the plot. There were some surprises, but I think I would have enjoyed the action of them instead of a description. (hope that makes sense).

In the end, I was left feeling…I’m not sure of the word? Empty, maybe. A little angry or disappointed that people can be so evil to each other? Psychopathy is real, and it is certainly exhibited in spades in this book. Human nature can be the most harmful of all forces.

Kudos to the author for creating memorable characters that left me feeling disturbed and unsettled. And very glad that I don’t have a sister (to my knowledge).  

AUTHOR BIO

Hannah Mary McKinnon was born in the UK, grew up in Switzerland and moved to Canada in 2010. After a successful career in recruitment, she quit the corporate world in favor of writing, and is now the author of The Neighbors and Her Secret Son. She lives in Oakville, Ontario, with her husband and three sons, and is delighted by her twenty-second commute.

Social Links: Author Website Goodreads
Twitter: @HannahMMcKinnon
Instagram: @hannahmarymckinnon
Facebook: @HannahMaryMcKinnon
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Books On Tour (Review): Why She Died by J.G. Roberts

In my review of What He Did, the second book in the Detective Rachel Hart series, I said, “The subplot of Rachel’s personal life fit into the plot neatly, which isn’t always the case. Although, I do think that there is more to be revealed in future books if the ending is any clue.” I didn’t know the half of it!

Amazon: https://bit.ly/2z8Hph1 Apple: https://apple.co/2LOHYze
Kobo: https://bit.ly/2TrLeVl Google: https://bit.ly/3cSCkYL

The book starts with a perfectly normal, albeit sad, investigation, and it doesn’t take long before Rachel and her coworkers are chasing down clues trying to find a murderer. The investigation is well-plotted and takes turns that are to be expected (i.e., suspects of interest). The author did a good job of making some of the characters’ motivations questionable so it wasn’t easy to figure who was telling the truth and who had something to hide.

As with the last book, Rachel’s personal life is intertwined with this case. In fact, it seemed like there was almost more focus on Rachel’s state of mind concerning her sister, which led to some scenes that seemed unprofessional and out of character for Rachel. I suppose they were necessary, given how it all turned out, though.

I did like how she seemed to be mentoring the younger members of her unit, reminding them not to assume things and coaching them on how to react to the behaviors of others. It’s all advice she could have taken herself as well. I also liked how Graham stepped up and took control. I hope to see more of that as Rachel sorts herself out.

And boy, does she have to do that. Even though everything seemed relatively routine, about ¾ of the way through, it all just kicks off. The last part of the book just flew by with revelations, confessions, and reveals that left my jaw on the floor. It took a turn and went gonzo (but in a really good way).

I’m not saying any more than that; you’ll have to read it for yourself. You really should check out this series while it’s still near the beginning. At this point, it is better to read the previous books so you have the full backstory. I think that’s going to be necessary going forward.

Oh, and (by the way), the title is awesome, because the answer is not exactly straightforward 😉

Author Bio:
Having signed with Bookouture in late 2018, my first book with them, Little Girl Missing, was published in June 2019 followed by the second in the Detective Rachel Hart series in October of the same year. The third book in the series, my seventh novel overall, is called Why She Died and is on pre-order prior to publication in May 2020.

I’m originally from Nottingham, where I have based a couple of my novels, but I am now resident in Berkshire and have used Reading and the surrounding area as the location for the DCI Rachel Hart series. From the age of ten I had wanted to write fiction but left it until I was fifty-seven before self-publishing my first novel, Life’s a Beach and Then, proving it’s never too late to start something new.

When I’m not writing, I am a full-time presenter on QVC, the UK’s most successful shopping channel where I have worked for over twenty-six years. I also enjoy cooking, watching football, in particular my team Crystal Palace, gardening, and Pilates which is helping with my rehabilitation following recent ankle surgery. I’m an animal lover and a committed vegetarian for the past thirty-five years.

@JuliaRobertsTV
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Books On Tour (Review): Buried Angels by Patricia Gibney

Lottie Parker just keeps getting better. After some big revelations in book 7, I was wondering what could happen next.

Amazon: https://bit.ly/2zTH9T3 Apple: https://apple.co/2Zjp2Am
Kobo: https://bit.ly/2Xgk0C6 Google: https://bit.ly/2ZniMYG

Suffice to say that this is one of the most convoluted investigations that Lottie and her team has faced. There are old crimes, new crimes, a virtual spiderweb of characters…and somehow it all works as a cohesive and page-turning story.

One of the things this author excels at it introducing characters who seem to have no connection to each other and disparate lives or plot arcs. However, during the investigation, links are found. Sometimes the characters know about them and sometimes they’re surprised as well. And nobody is every superfluous, even seemingly secondary characters.

Ms. Gibney also does a fine job of plotting the suspense so that it ebbs and flows. Some crime novels build until a big reveal, and that’s just fine too. But Lottie’s investigations always seem to have more than a few “big” moments, and then the action continues until the next moment. I like that push and pull in a book because it keeps it from potentially being monotonous.

I will say that this plot had a few aspects that might be troubling to some readers. Aside from child victims, there’s also domestic abuse and neglect. Nothing is overly graphic but seemed natural to the characters. I thought they were vital to the story and, therefore, did not bother me, but more sensitive readers may have a different view.

As I said at the outset, at this point, the plots are more intricate, and Lottie still stays on top. I can’t wait to see what’s in store next.

Author Bio:
Patricia is the million-copy bestselling author of the DI Lottie Parker series. She yearned to be a writer after reading Enid Blyton and Carolyn Keene and even wanted to be Nancy Drew when she grew up. She has now grown up (she thinks) but the closest she’s come to Nancy Drew is writing crime!

In 2009, after her husband died, she retired from her job and started writing seriously. Fascinated by people and their quirky characteristics, she always carries a notebook to scribble down observations.

Patricia also loves to paint in watercolour and lives in the Irish midlands with her children. 

Website: http://patriciagibney.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trisha460/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/trisha460
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What Only We Know by Catherine Hokin

Captivating. Compelling. Creative. Crushing.

Truly unforgettable.

This one will stay with me for a very long time.

I know that it is sort of backward to say that at the beginning of the review, but I can’t begin to explain how impactful this book was. The author has woven an incredible story that covers not one but two significant historical periods, and it is told with compassion and a deep understanding of humanity.

Amazon: https://bit.ly/3e1ofIy Apple: https://apple.co/3e28r8h
Kobo: https://bit.ly/2zWwXZK Google: https://bit.ly/36f8RWt

Right from the start in the prologue, set in 1971, it is apparent that there is a detailed story to be told. We then jump to Berlin, 1936. Anyone who knows even a little bit about history knows why this year is important, especially as it relates to WWII. The setting for Leise and Michael to have their first notable argument was also appropriate because it clearly outlined their perspectives.

I loved the unique setting of the fashion house, or salon, for the first part of the book. By utilizing a very international business, the author was able to highlight just how far-reaching the sanctions in Germany became, and how quickly they changed. I particularly liked the details, such as Paul urging Leise to identify the scents in the air. It was a moment of joy and beauty that belied the horrors growing in the city.

Once we meet Karen in the more contemporary timeline of 1971, the reader can start to draw some connections. However, the author does an admirable job of building Karen’s identity. I don’t want to give away plot points, but her experiences as an 11-year-old shape her reactions all the way to the very last pages.

It is difficult to put into words how well the author weaves both the WWII storyline and the 1970s storyline together. Suffice to say that in other books with dual storylines, I often find myself wanting to get back to one or the other. In this book, I was equally eager for both, especially later, when Karen was older.

Side note: her first entry into Berlin brought back strong memories. My parents and I went to Germany in 1983, and our experience going through Checkpoint Charlie was very similar to Karen’s. We were on a tour bus with a class of high school students, and their teachers had to reprimand them, reminding them of the rules for when the soldiers came on to check passports. It is a trip I will never forget, and Karen’s experience brought it all back.

But now, back to the review. By the time Kristallnacht occurs, Liese’s life turns upside down, inside out, and sideways. She is a formidable character, even as a teenager. I think that is what makes her character arc so compelling because, through her, we see how very simple it was for the Nazis to break even the strongest of people.

I appreciated that the author didn’t feel the need to wrap up people’s stories. Sometimes they just…disappeared. It was another stark reminder of how life was at that time. People came and went, and some were never to be seen again.

I’m starting to ramble now, and I’m not even halfway through the book! I will leave it that Liese’s life goes from bad to worse, and her actions suddenly become much more understandable. Karen also “grows up” when she finally realizes the truth of her mother’s story.

And that whole truth is about as gut-wrenching as anything I have ever read.

The reveal and reconciliation take place in the shadow of the Berlin Wall and stretches into 1989. Again, if you know anything about history, you see the significance. And this section of reconciliation was almost as powerful and moving as Liese’s story from WWII.

It’s a tremendous balancing act that the author accomplishes with aplomb. Straight to the top of my list for this year. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Author Bio
Catherine Hokin is a Glasgow-based author writing both long and short fiction. Her short stories have been placed in competition (including first prize in the 2019 Fiction 500 Short Story Competition) and published by iScot, Writers Forum and Myslexia. She blogs on the 22nd of each month as part of The History Girls collective. 

Website: https://www.catherinehokin.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cathokin/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cathokin
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Books On Tour (Review): Her Darkest Hour by Sharon Maas

I’ve mentioned several times that I enjoy historical novels for a few reasons. One, I’m just a big history buff; and two, I like learning new things. Even if I know the overall theme, there’s usually some nugget of previously unknown information to be found.

Amazon: https://bit.ly/2X1lW1l Apple Books: https://apple.co/35ZGKdA
Kobo: https://bit.ly/2zEYnU5 Google Play: https://bit.ly/361JE1q

In the case of Her Darkest Hour, I knew that the Germans had invaded France and had taken control of most regions, but I did not remember (based on previous studies) the extent to which they turned everything German. And I did not know that they actually built a camp in France. That was very revealing and educational (and I love that).

As to the plot in general, it was somewhat unique among many WWII historical fiction novels in that there was one time period; there wasn’t a contemporary and flashback. That made it easier to follow each of the girls’ stories.

I liked that the families in question were established wine-makers. Their standing in the town made the decisions of the individual members more intriguing. I was a little confused by the family relations at the beginning, but I got them straightened out. I felt a little better about that later in the book when I found out just why everything seemed confusing.

I thought the author did a pretty good job of embodying the spirits of the French people during the Occupation by giving each of the girls (Juliette, Victoire, and Marie-Claire) different perspectives and attitudes. I do wish there had been more of Juliette; I thought that the novel would be more between the three girls. But her story just sort of disappeared for quite a while.

There was certainly plenty else to focus on, and I found Marie-Claire’s story to be indicative of what many women had to deal with when it came to the Germans who took over. I thought that Jacques’ evaluation of her to be accurate, as she never quite reached her potential and made some poor choices that seemed to be based on trying to make herself feel better. She did not seem to be very deep and ended up reaping what she had sown. I can’t say I’m too sorry about that, honestly.

I did think that the build-up took up most of the book, and then a LOT of events happened in the last quarter of the story. Characters came and went, secrets were revealed, and time sped up. Once the story reached early 1942, events went by at rocket speed, with some only receiving a quick mention.

I understand the importance of laying the background, but I wish that it had been a bit more balanced. The events at the end were quite exciting, as were the actions of the girls, and I would have liked more detail of those.  I also felt that a few of the stories were left unfinished or up in the air. It was almost like the author had to wrap it up quickly.

But that didn’t detract from what I learned about the depth of German infiltration into French society (Mein Kampf and German names?!?). It also confirmed that their brand of tyranny and power should never again be allowed to see the light of day.

Post Script: I wasn’t going to add this, but I strongly feel that it needs to be mentioned. It concerns the scene where the Nazis arrived at the chateau and informed Margaux that her livestock, property, and anything she produced belonged to the state. I read that section late at night.

The next morning I woke up to a headline in the news. A legislator in Illinois had proposed legislation that would give the governor the power to confiscate livestock, food, property, clothing, etc. For no other reason except for that he could do so.

I cried.

It was a stark reminder that this type of history should NEVER be repeated. No. Matter. What.

Author Bio
Sharon Maas was born in Georgetown, Guyana, in 1951 and educated in Guyana and England. After leaving school she worked as a staff journalist at the Guyana Graphic and the Sunday Chronicle in Georgetown.

Sharon has always had a great sense of adventure and curiosity about the world we live in, and Guyana could not hold her for long. In 1971 she set off on a year-long backpacking trip around South America. In 1973 she travelled overland to India through Europe, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan, and spent two years in an Ashram in South India. 

Website: https://www.sharonmaas.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sharon_maas  
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Blog Tour (Review): The Best Man by A.S. Kelly

Everybody has favorite authors and look forward to their series, but sometimes it’s fun to find new authors and new places to explore. This is the case with Connemara in The Best Man.

The action starts with a bang as Alex interrupts his best friend’s wedding for, shall we say, personal reasons. From there, we get a long and winding story as Alex and Ellie try to find their way to each other as the pressures of their choices complicate things.

The story does is not rushed. There are a lot of internal monologues and even more angst on both parts. These are interspersed with scenes that could only be set in Ireland. I almost enjoyed the secondary characters more than the main ones, especially Ellie’s brothers.

I liked the setting. I could picture the towns and townspeople; the author made Ireland come alive. I also thought the business that Alex and Ellie worked in was creative – who doesn’t like a good Irish whiskey?

I did think that there were passages that seemed to go on a bit too long. It was almost like the author was trying to meet a word count instead of just getting to the point. However, when I looked at the front of the book, I saw that it was a translation; the wordiness makes a lot more sense in that context.

I do wish that I had seen that before I started reading because it certainly would have changed my mindset. That’s totally my fault. But now I know that for the next book. I am looking forward to it because it was a neat little place to visit. It was also pleasant to take time with a book instead of being rushed through it.

♡ Connect with A. S. Kelly ♡

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Books On Tour (Review): Little Whispers by K. L. Slater

In my opinion, good psychological thrillers lay a groundwork of “normality,” drop a few hints here and there to let the reader know that all is not as it seems, and then start unraveling everything building to what I call “the big reveal.” I’m happy to say that this book mostly succeeds in the formula.

Amazon: https://bit.ly/3cKxlJm Apple books: https://apple.co/2zI94VP
Kobo: https://bit.ly/2X5gZod Google Play:  https://bit.ly/3670IDm

Right from the start, we know that there is some dark secret that Janey’s mom confesses to her from her death bed. It takes a long time to find out what that actual secret is, but there are clues dropped in the form of a few flashback chapters, as well as in Janey’s own memories. As the past takes shape, the question becomes how it fits into the main plot. And that’s where it gets a tad foggy.

I enjoyed the main thrust of the story. I could relate to Janey and how she felt moving to a new area where she didn’t fit in. With her mom’s recent death still fresh, her young son having to adjust, and a husband who had pushed it all to happen quickly, Janey had a lot going on. Safe to say that nothing is as it seems throughout it all.

Which of the Buckingham Crescent mummies is lying? Which is hiding something? Can any of them be trusted? And why is Janey’s husband Isaac being so cagey about everything? And really, what DOES the deathbed secret have to do with it all?

There are quite a few twists and turns along the way. The author does a good job of tying everything up by the end, and I was satisfied with the resolution. I did think that the first half was a tad drawn out; I kept waiting for something “bigger” to happen. But once the flashback chapters entered into the narrative, things took off at a rapid pace, and it was a page-turner for the rest of the book.

There were still a few stumbles. Janey’s behavior at school towards a student was shocking. Even in the face of what she was dealing with, it seemed very out of character (not to mention that she would have been out on her butt in a heartbeat regardless of the reason in most schools).

That, and I thought Rowan got a little left behind in the whole story as one of his actions was out of character, but then sort of glossed over. They didn’t distract me from the story (well, Janey’s kind of did), because the rest of the action was still swirling.

I also thought that the “big reveal” was good, but because of how it functioned within the main plot, I wish that there had been a bit more revelation earlier. As it stood, it seemed a little manipulative. Which now that I think about it, is precisely how it was used: to manipulate a situation.  So maybe that’s all okay then.

On a side note, I thought that the commentary on social standing and the importance of money was interesting and accurate. The author excelled at truly illustrating how money is at the root of all evil. I’ll leave it at that. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it for summer reading.

Author Bio:
For many years, Kim sent her work out to literary agents but never made it off the slush pile. At the age of 40 she went back to Nottingham Trent University and now has an MA in Creative Writing.

Before graduating, she received five offers of representation from London literary agents which was, as Kim says, ‘a fairytale … at the end of a very long road!’

Kim is a full-time writer and lives in Nottingham with her husband, Mac. 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KimLSlater 
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15622135.K_L_Slater
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KimLSlaterAuthor/ 
Website: https://klslaterauthor.com/
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Cover Reveal: Love Me Like You Do by Aimee Brown

I enjoyed this author’s The Lucky Dress, so I’m excited to see what she has in store next. Ready for the Cover Reveal?

About the book

A runaway bride. A handsome stranger. Two pasts to put behind them.

Parker is ready to marry the man of her dreams. But he isn’t ready to marry her. It would be helpful if he didn’t choose their wedding day to tell her this. But as she flees from the travesty behind her, she literally runs into the arms of a handsome stranger. The southern drawl, the dreamy eyes, she can’t fall for another man after being left at the altar – can she?

When Liam agreed to go to go on a date he didn’t expect to leave with the bride. Nor did he expect to take her the emergency room. Immediately he’s drawn to her fiery spirit, her kind heart and beautiful smile. Liam’s got a whole host of problems and a past that keeps coming back, now can’t be the time to fall in love, but Parker might just be the one to break down his barriers and let him live a little – if she’ll let him in.

Will these two strangers allow serendipity to put them together, or will their fears keep them apart?

Looks great, right? Here’s how you can pre-order

  • Amazon: https://amzn.to/3bpI2zK
  • Kobo: https://bit.ly/2WvEA2g
  • Google Play: https://bit.ly/2WYRZ1K

And here is some author info!

About the author

Aimee Brown is a writer of romantic comedies set in Portland, Oregon, and an avid reader. She spends much of her time writing, raising three teenagers, binge-watching shows on Netflix and obsessively cleaning and redecorating her house. She’s fluent in sarcasm and has been known to utter profanities like she’s competing for a medal. Aimee grew up in Oregon, but is now a transplant living in cold Montana with her husband of twenty years, three teenage children, and far too many pets. She is a lot older than she looks and yes, that is a tattoo across her chest. (In the Portlandia spirit, yes, I lived many years in PDX and I do indeed have a bird tattooed on me (2!)) Aimee is very active on social media. You can find her at any of the networks below. Stop by and say hello! 

Follow Aimee:

  • Twitter: @AimeeBWrites
  • Instagram:@authoraimeeb
  • Facebook: @authoraimeeb

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