Category: Blog Tour

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Blog Tour (Review): Family for Beginners by Sarah Morgan

Based on the first chapter, I thought that the book was going to go in a completely different direction. I was expecting flashbacks to how Clare and Becca got to that starting point. I could not have been more pleasantly surprised when the action instead jumped to Flora, with seemingly no connection.

Shortly, however, the connection became apparent, and that is when the book really took flight. The author has a special knack for creating whole scenes that make it feel like you’re watching the action instead of reading it. I was fully immersed.

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I liked the way that the author split the narration between Flora, Izzy, and (later) Clare. Reading the story from the three different perspectives allowed me to compare their personality traits and try to get to the underlying issues that were causing the conflict.

What was most interesting to me was that each of them was ultimately more like the others than they could have imagined. Being able to connect the dots and see each woman’s strengths and weaknesses gave added depth to the story.

I appreciated that the author gave some realism to the males in the story. For the most part, they are relatively tangential characters (even though Jack is a catalyst for it all), but their interactions with the women were natural and not forced. They were typical men, but admitted it and tried to improve where necessary. There weren’t any male-bashing or shallow stereotypes. They were just real.

Ultimately, it is a book about family and all of the ugly stuff that goes with it. Families are never perfect, and they don’t necessarily only connect by blood. They also are not always what you think they might be. The importance of communication is another theme. If the characters had talked with each other, to begin with, a lot of misunderstandings would have been avoided. Of course, then there wouldn’t have been a plot. And it wouldn’t have been as realistic, because those missteps are part of human nature and we have all made them.

This book was emotional but not manipulative, and I could not put it down. Watching each of the characters navigate through the trickiness of death and new relationships was ultimately heartwarming, and I highly recommend it.

Author Bio: USA Today bestselling author Sarah Morgan writes lively, sexy contemporary stories for Harlequin.

Romantic Times has described her as ‘a magician with words’ and nominated her books for their Reviewer’s Choice Awards and their ‘Top Pick’ slot. In 2012 Sarah received the prestigious RITA® Award from the Romance Writers of America. She lives near London with her family. Find out more at www.sararahmorgan.com.

Social Links:
Author Website
Twitter: @SarahMorgan_
Facebook: @AuthorSarahMorgan 
Instagram: @SarahMorganWrites
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Books on Tour (Review): The Happy Couple by Samantha Hayes

It started slowly, but boy did this one take a few turns and end on a completely different note from what it started. Let’s unpack it, shall we?

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Jo was an interesting main character. She began as a very sad figure, trying to keep her life going even as she approached a year since her husband had disappeared. Through the first third of the book, I got the sense that Jo was pretty much just going through the motions (totally understandable given the circumstances).

She decides to take her best friend’s advice and ends up house-sitting in a village near the ocean. I’m not giving away plot points (you know how I dislike that), but there are particular reasons for Jo to pick the house that she does.

And that’s where the fun really starts.

I thought the way the author plotted the story was interesting. I could tell that there was more going on with Jo and that she was hiding secrets. I also didn’t know whether or not to trust Simon at times. I like it when I am kept off-balance like that. But all of the characters’ actions seemed realistic.

I thought the use of red herrings was also effective. There were just enough thrown in that made me question other character’s motives and whether or not Jo was losing it or the only sane one in the story. A few twists were less successful, as they felt a tad forced, and a few I figured out. But I did like the resolutions for all – justice was definitely served. I also liked Suzanne’s character arc. She was the most surprising.

This book twisted in places where I didn’t expect it, which I loved. Just know that there is more than what is going on than what meets the eye. And I enjoyed every minute.

Author Bio
Samantha Hayes grew up in Warwickshire, left school at sixteen, avoided university and took jobs ranging from private detective to barmaid to fruit picker and factory worker. She lived on a kibbutz, and spent time living in Australia and the USA, before finally becoming a crime-writer.

Her writing career began when she won a short story competition in 2003 and her sixteenth novel, THE HAPPY COUPLE is out 6th May. Her novels are family-based psychological thrillers, with the emphasis being on ‘real life fiction’. She focuses on current issues and sets out to make her readers ask, ‘What if this happened to me or my family?’ And you’ll always find a BIG twist at the end of her novels!

Website: www.samanthahayes.co.uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SamanthaHayesAuthor
Twitter: @samhayes
Instagram: samanthahayes.author
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Blog Tour (Review): The Secrets of Love Story Bridge by Phaedra Patrick

After quite a few psych thrillers, I was in the mood for a change of pace, and this book fit the bill nicely. It took a little while to get into, but once I did, I couldn’t put it down.

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I had a difficult time understanding Mitchell at first, as he was a little bit of an enigma. I couldn’t get a grasp on his character, because at times he seemed old and doddery, but I knew from the description (and his daughter) that he wasn’t as old as he came across. As his backstory became clear, so did his character. I loved the symbolism of how he enjoyed his job cutting locks (and how that related to his own broken heart).

I enjoyed the way the plot unfolded. A few different things were going on, but they all sort of related to each other, or at least influenced other events. It was an effective way to illustrate how easy it is to touch others’ lives and how one small event can set off a ripple effect for many people.

Back to Mitchell for a minute – I was satisfied to see his character grow throughout the story as he learned the importance of personal connections. It would have been easy to keep him uptight, but showing him reawaken was heartfelt and moving.

I also liked the secondary characters and how Yvette’s part of the action wove them all into the story. I was drawn in by Mitchell’s heroics, captivated by the letters he received, and eager to unravel the mystery that connected it all.

Do yourself a favor, take some time, and read this uplifting book about second chances.

Phaedra Patrick is the author of The Library of Lost and Found, Rise and Shine, Benedict Stone and The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper, which has been published in over twenty countries around the world. She studied art and marketing, and has worked as a stained-glass artist, film festival organizer and communications manager. An award-winning short story writer, she now writes full-time. She lives in Saddleworth, UK, with her husband and son.

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Blog Tour (Review): The Wave by Virginia Moffat

I don’t think I have ever read a book that felt so claustrophobic, which is ironic because a beach is one of the most open places imaginable. The ominous, titular wave is what causes the tense foreboding feeling, and it is the perfect counterpoint to the characters’ journeys.

The story unfolds through the points of view of seven characters, as well as comments from social media and Facebook posts. The rhythm set by this constant rotation invoked waves to me. After the first iteration, I knew how the rise and fall of the action would proceed. It was a great technique that helped create the mood of the story.

I liked how the author related the same events in each wave (section) of the story, but from each person’s point of view. It gave the reader more depth of character and a better understanding of the overall picture. I also think that the looming disaster was a compelling catalyst for the characters to make amends, however they could. Each of them had their secrets or struggles that they felt needed to be resolved, and following each through the other characters’ actions was fascinating.

I did think that a few of the moments seemed forced and overdone, but then again, these people were on a beach, basically having made their decisions to die on their terms. So, maybe they were entitled to over-react and have a few dramatic moments. With that said, I am not sure that I really connected to any of them.

I thought Poppy’s backstory was the most interesting. However, it felt incomplete as most of it was in a thought-dump towards the end. I suppose I related to Margaret most, only because of her age. And I would have actually liked to have more of Shelley’s journey because I think she had the farthest to travel (but I’m glad she got there).

It is worth noting that I also was unsure if the wave was going to hit at the end. There were a few times where I felt that these people were having their last confessionals and making decisions and that the wave wasn’t going to hit, leaving them to face the decisions of the night.

I’m not going to tell you if I was right about that or not.

Ultimately a thought-provoking look at what’s important in the face of impending doom, I rode this wave to the end and would highly recommend it.

About Virginia Moffatt

Virginia Moffatt was born in London, one of eight children, several of whom are writers. ‘The Wave’ is her second novel. Her previous publications are ‘Echo Hall’ (Unbound) and ‘Rapture and what comes after’ (Flash fiction collection published by Gumbo Press). She also writes non-fiction. Virginia is married to Chris Cole, Director of Drone Wars UK. They have two daughters at University and a son still living with them in Oxford.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/aroomofmyown1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/virginiamoffattauthor/
Website: https://virginiamoffattwriter.wordpress.com/
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Books On Tour (Review): The Sister-In-Law by Sue Watson

I must be lucky because this is the second book I have read in less than a week set in a villa on the Amalfi Coast. Picture it, a beautiful villa with a pool and terrace, overlooking the ocean, with a little town nearby to shop and eat delicious food. It’s the perfect vacation getaway.

Until it isn’t.

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Clare hopes that this family vacation will help put her family back on track, but the arrival of her brother-in-law with his new wife puts a screeching halt to that. The whole family has secrets and someone is bent on exposing them, with Clare as a particular target.

The author did a great job of wratcheting the tension, and I enjoyed the juxtaposition of the beautiful, serene setting and the family’s infighting. There were a lot of foreboding moments, and hints of darkness to come, as the story is told as a memory. So, there were more than a few “had I known” statements, but they were dropped casually and were never jarring.

I also thought that the characters were an interesting mix of personalities. Each of them was realistic. They also each had a few moments where their actions surprised the other characters, proving that even family members are not always who one thinks they are. I thought that Clare was the most interesting. Because of her own family history, she is insecure and longs for the stability of a family. This makes her an easy target (and boy, did she pick the wrong family).

Once the battle lines were established, it seemed as if the story dragged a bit (through the middle). However, I think that was due more to my impatience that I had established theories and I wanted to get to the good stuff to see if I was right. I understand that the author needed to make character motivations crystal clear. It was deliciously unnerving to read a few such moments, only because the character was so disturbing. I could feel the viciousness and knew there was a lot going on.

I hope that all makes sense.

I liked this book so much that I read it pretty much in one sitting while I was supposed to be doing other things. I don’t feel guilty about that at all.

Author Bio

Sue Watson was a TV Producer at the BBC until she wrote her first book and was hooked.Now a USA Today bestselling author, Sue has written fifteen novels – many involving cake – which have been translated into several languages and involved tough ‘cake research.’ Sue is now exploring the darker side of life with her thrillers OUR LITTLE LIES, THE WOMAN NEXT DOOR, THE EMPTY NEST and THE SISTER-IN-LAW. Writing in this new genre doesn’t involve the deep research of baked goods and Sue’s hoping the change in direction will be reflected on the weighing scales.

Originally from Manchester, Sue now lives with her husband and teenage daughter in Worcestershire where much of her day is spent writing – okay, procrastinating, eating and watching ‘My 600lb Life,’ on the sofa.

Website; http://www.suewatsonbooks.com/
FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/suewatsonbooks
Twitter @suewatsonwriter
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Books On Tour (Review): The Spare Bedroom by Elizabeth Neep

Let’s get one thing straight right away: this is not your typical romantic comedy. All of the usual elements are there, but most of them are stood on their ear. It made for a unique and entertaining read.

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I thought the set-up was great. Jess and her ex, Sam, meet cute (or should I say, reunite cute) in Australia, half a world away from where they last saw each other. He is in a good space. She is not. Through a few misunderstandings and unfinished comments, she ends up in the guest room (the spare bedroom) in his apartment.

But there are many surprises to come. (You won’t find spoilers here though).

It’s difficult to put my finger on this one. I came into it expecting a romantic comedy, and as I mentioned, the aspects were there, but it wasn’t a typical one, which left me puzzled for a bit. As I thought about it, however, I realized it was much deeper than a RomCom. It was more about the journey that Jess had to take to growing up.

Let’s be honest, she spends a lot of the book being fairly unlikable. She only thinks of herself and how other things affect her. She’s immature, and frankly sometimes annoying. She misreads situations, lies, and takes people for granted. Not exactly somebody to root for.

Until she hits rock bottom. And she does it in pretty spectacular fashion. (Again, no spoilers).

She at first seemed spoiled and self-centered.  She doesn’t know when enough is enough when it comes to Sam. After her biggest mistake, she slowly starts to realize how wrong she was about so much, and that is where her growth truly begins. She actually reminded me of Rachel from the television show “Friends.”

Once I realized that this was Jess’ trajectory, I was able to look back at the rest of the book and cut her a little bit of slack. To me, that’s the mark of a good author; it’s not easy to change a reader’s mind about a main character like that.

I also liked that the author was unapologetic about Sam and Jamie. It was nice to see faith treated in a respectful way instead of as a disease.

I went into this book thinking one thing, thought something else throughout most of the book, and then ended thinking something completely different. That’s quite a journey for a “light” read.

Author Bio

Elizabeth Neep was born in 1990 in Derbyshire and now lives in London Bridge. After studying Law at the University of Nottingham and the University of New South Wales, she worked in magazine journalism, most noticeably writing for Dazed and Confused and PETRIe. Elizabeth now works as a non-fiction Senior Commissioning Editor and writes and paints in her spare time.

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Blog Tour (Review): The Summer Villa by Melissa Hill

After a few good psych thrillers, I was ready for something lighter, and I certainly got it with this book.

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Right off, the setting drew me in. I would welcome the opportunity to “visit” the Amalfi Coast any day, but it was especially attractive given the current worldwide social/travel situation. The descriptions did not disappoint. I could picture, and almost feel, the atmosphere every time a scene took place at the villa. In fact, those were some of my favorite moments.

I also liked that the three main characters were so different from each other. Kim (American), Colette (English), and Annie (Irish), all meet at the villa in their 20s, each having their reasons (and methods) of being there. I liked Annie the best, as I found her to be the most interesting character. Unfortunately, it felt like there were times that she got shorted more details that she deserved.

Kim was the center of the story, as she is the one who brings them back together six years after they initially met. She describes herself as being like Paris Hilton, and that seems apt. She was less likable, mainly because it seemed like she didn’t do a whole lot of growing up, despite having more responsibilities. It was pretty apparent that she couldn’t get a grasp on motherhood due to her own mother’s attitude as Kim was growing up.

Colette was somewhere in the middle of the two. I liked her, but just as her character always put herself aside for others or tried especially hard to please people, she sometimes faded into the background and lost her self. She was the hardest for me to get a clear picture of…but maybe that was intentional.

I thought that the author did a good job exploring relationships between female friends. I also could totally relate to a place having special memories and wanting to recapture what made it so special in the first place. That’s not always possible, as it turns out. I will admit, I also saw the twist coming, but that is probably just because I read A LOT.

I did find it a little difficult to care about any of the characters, but I enjoyed just letting the story carry me along, and I already mentioned how much I loved the setting. Not everything has to be deep; sometimes, just a little vacation is enough. This one fit that bill for me.

AUTHOR BIO

MELISSA HILL lives in south Dublin with her husband and daughter. A USA TODAY and international #1 bestseller, she is the author of 13 novels, including The Gift of a Charm and A Gift From Tiffany’s. The Gift of a Charm was a USA TODAY bestseller. Hailed “the queen of the big plot twist,” she combines all the warmth and humor of contemporary women’s fiction with plots that keep readers guessing from page to page. Melissa also cowrites forensic thrillers with her husband, Kevin, under the pseudonym Casey Hill, featuring crime scene investigator Reilly Steel. For more information, visit www.caseyhillbooks.com.

This is the last book of the Harlequin Trade Publishing 2020 Spring Reads Blog Tour, and I am grateful to have been able to read each of these amazing books. Keep an eye out for the Summer Tour, coming soon!!!

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Blog Tour (Review): The Closer You Get by Mary Torjusssen

I’m back on a psych thriller kick. I just came off of a fantastic roller coaster of a read, so I was a little leery about jumping into another one. Fortunately, this one completely surprised me as well. (Two for two ain’t bad!)

Complete honesty here: The first few chapters had me worried. Ruby took action for a few good reasons (or so she thought), but it seemed like it all dragged on. I thought that the book was going to be more of that, and it was frankly getting a little tiresome.

But about a third of the way through, it zigged when I thought it was going to zag, and we were off to the races.

The chapters then move seamlessly back and forth between Ruby and Emma, and the depths of sinister motives are slowly revealed. There is A LOT more going on than what is on the surface. It is only at the very end that the reader gets a chance to reflect on events and put all of the pieces together.

I thought Emma and Ruby were interesting counterparts. Both appeared to be strong at some points and weak at others, but their strengths came out at different times. I also thought that both women showed tremendous growth, both internal and in terms of each other. Emma’s realizations were especially truthful, as she was brutally honest with herself (sometimes lacking in characters). She realized that nobody was blameless in the whole situation.

(I know that sounds a little convoluted, but I don’t want to give away any plot points).

I also think that Tom was one of the best-written characters I have “met.” He is complex and unpredictable. I was always off-balance with him, so the characters’ interactions felt especially “lifelike.” He was one twisted bastard. You should definitely give this one a try. Stick with it through the set up because it takes off and keeps you guessing to the very end.

About Mary Torjussen

Mary Torjussen has an MA in Creative Writing from Liverpool John Moores University and worked for several years as a teacher. She is the author of two novels, Gone Without a Trace and The Girl I Used to Be, and her new novel will be published in 2020. She writes dark, gripping thrillers and her debut novel, published in several international territories, has been optioned for television by Ecosse Productions.

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Blog Tour (Review): Roses Are Red by Miranda Rijks

When I read a book, I make notes and write the review in my head as I proceed. The final result that you see on this blog is usually a mixture of the highlights of each mental review I complete. I can’t remember the last time I had a review change in my mind as much as it did for Roses Are Red.

At the beginning of the book, I thought it would be a psych thriller in flashbacks, illustrating the reasons leading up to the shocking first chapter. That was wrong.

Then, I thought it would be about a woman putting herself back together after trauma. That was partially right.  

As I reached a little under halfway, I was positive I had it all figured out. I was disappointed that it seemed so simple and that I still had lots more in the book to go. But I kept reading because I wanted to see how it all played out.

Can I just say that the last third of the book had me turning pages as the action ratcheted up and some of what I thought I knew got thrown out the window?

In other words, if you think that you know what is happening, you probably don’t. I don’t want to say much more than this, because it is kind of pointless to go into character development and things like that without giving away plot points, and I definitely don’t want to do that.

Suffice to say that this is a great psych thriller that can also serve as a cautionary tale (you’ll figure that one out as you read), and was compelling enough for me to read it in one sitting. That’s difficult to do. So, grab it and give yourself a whirlwind treat of a read. This is a psychological thriller with lots of suspense and you will not be disappointed.

About Miranda Rijks

Miranda Rijks is a writer of psychological thrillers and suspense novels. She has an eclectic background ranging from law to running a garden centre. She’s been writing all of her life and has a Masters in writing. A couple of years ago she decided to ditch the business plans and press releases and now she’s living the dream, writing suspense novels full time. She lives in Sussex, England with her Dutch husband, musician daughter and black Labrador.
Miranda is the author of YOU ARE MINE and I WANT YOU GONE. ROSES ARE RED will be her seventh novel published with Inkubator Books.

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Blog Tour (Review): The Heirloom Garden by Viola Shipman

I like books where I learn something new, in addition to a great plot, of course. The Heirloom Garden fits the bill in both cases. And just take a look at that gorgeous cover!

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I liked the main plot of the book. Iris lost her family in the 1940s and has since become a hermit, tending only to her flowers (and boy does she have a lot of them). Abby and her family rent the house next door (owned by Iris) but are dealing with their own set of problems. Through a few events, the two women forge a bond that develops. It is an emotional and uplifting story.

I liked Iris and her story the best. She was an interesting character, and the way she dealt with loss and her life after WWII felt realistic. A lot of her perspectives seemed familiar, as they sounded like things my grandmother used to say. I also know that I have eaten in her kitchen, right down to the table and chairs that matched the countertops, and everything being color-coordinated. Those descriptions brought back great memories for me.

Additionally, Shirley’s comments on her husband’s return from the war were especially real, as that same thing happened to my grandfather. He died before I was born, but my mom still tells stories of how different he was when he came back from the South Pacific. I think that is true for a lot of men.

It certainly was true for Cory. His experience was certainly similar to that of men returning from WWII. However,  they didn’t have the diagnosis of PTSD in the 40s and 50s. I thought this was a good parallel to be made, and it connected the two families nicely. Less successful were Abby’s attitudes about feminism and the workplace. While I recognize that chauvinistic attitudes still exist, the ones described seem more fitting to the 1980s or 90s than to the book’s setting of 2003. That note didn’t hit for me, nor did her reluctance to let Lily play with dolls (but that’s another issue altogether).

I learned more about the cross-breeding and care of flowers than I ever thought I would. I understand the need to highlight Iris’s intelligence and passion, given her past renown.  It did get a little bit heavy at times, sometimes going for more than a few pages. I loved the detail (because I love learning), but there were times that it detracted from the story. I wanted the plot to move along.

Ultimately, however, there was a strong message that family is always with you. I also thought a sub-message was “family is where you find it” as the relationship between Abby and Iris progressed. I loved how Iris honored her family going back generations, and how much importance she put on traditions. People are quick to create their own sets of memories these days, and I wish that more people cherished the items and memories of their past. Iris is someone I would love to know in real life.

Author Bio

Viola Shipman is the pen name for Wade Rouse, a popular, award-winning memoirist. Rouse chose his grandmother’s name, Viola Shipman, to honor the woman whose heirlooms and family stories inspire his writing. Rouse is the author of The Summer Cottage, as well as The Charm Bracelet and The Hope Chest which have been translated into more than a dozen languages and become international bestsellers. He lives in Saugatuck, Michigan and Palm Springs, California, and has written for People, Coastal Living, Good Housekeeping, and Taste of Home, along with other publications, and is a contributor to All Things Considered.

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This review is part of the Harlequin Trade Publishing 2020 Spring Reads Blog Tour. Come back on April 30th for my review of The Summer Villa – the last book until we head into summer reading!

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