Category: Blog Tour

Posted on

Books On Tour (Review): The Stranger's Wife by Anna Lou Weatherley

I have mixed feelings about this book. By the end, I found myself asking what I had just read. It seemed (to me) that the author couldn’t decide whether to write a police procedural or a psych thriller. The result is a mash-up of the two.

Amazon: https://geni.us/B082VLSD3FSocial 
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2PC55j6
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2PYwGKl
Googleplay: http://bit.ly/2S4p7EB

That’s not to say that it was a bad book; I did enjoy it. It is quite apparent from the very beginning that there are secrets galore, although some of the secrets are more apparent than others. The author does an admirable job of unveiling them. Whether it was through the course of the investigation or other character confessions, it all seemed natural.

I think part of the issue that I had was that the chapters jumped back and forth between characters and time. I usually do not have problems when books do that; I’m good at following the thread, regardless. For some reason, however, I found myself getting confused with this plot. It could be that I was distracted (I didn’t feel like I was, but maybe). It just seemed as if some events didn’t fit into the story as well as others.

I also had a difficult time getting behind any of the characters. I didn’t get depth from any of them. Even the investigative squad, which I can usually relate to due to personal reasons, seemed shallow; I didn’t feel a cohesiveness.

In reading over this review, I realize that it seems as if I didn’t like the book – that’s not the case. As I mentioned, I did like it. It kept me engaged and turning pages. It just seemed to be disjointed in the actual telling of the story itself. I would still recommend it, but with the warning to pay close attention to the chapter headings, so you know when and who is telling the story.

Author Bio

Anna-Lou began her career as a dancer but a moped accident in Ibiza put paid to those aspirations and so she went back to her first and one true love – writing! She re-trained as a journalist, specialising mainly in women’s interest and celebrity, becoming the Editor of J-17 and Smash Hits as well as writing for a host of women’s magazines.

Anna-Lou has written three Adult Fiction titles – Vengeful Wives and Wicked Wives, both published by Avon in the UK and Bookouture in the US and Canada and Pleasure Island published by Bookouture.

To find out more about Anna’s novels, go to https://www.facebook.com/annalouweatherleyauthor/ or follow https://twitter.com/annaloulondon on Twitter.

Posted on

Books On Tour (Review): The Man She Married by Alison James

It’s difficult to classify this book into one genre. It starts as a psychological thriller but then morphs through two more sections that are very different from the initial story. This unique structure had me turning pages to figure out what the “real story” was.

AMZ: https://geni.us/B07ZFY1NVTSocial  
Apple Books: https://buff.ly/2BBTuss
Kobo: https://buff.ly/32GKe26
Googleplay: https://buff.ly/2P7tHjY

The first section was a little challenging to get through, only because it was blatantly apparent that there was something very wrong with Dom’s reactions. I felt that Alice was extraordinarily gullible, and I had a hard time feeling sympathetic towards her confusion and uncertainty.

To be fair, she did have a rocky romantic past, so I suppose that could have had something to do with her willingness to be swept away. I also think that her confusion in Part One was a good set up for later when she tries to unravel the whole mystery that has suddenly been sprung on her.

It was apparent that there was more to the story, and the reader gets the whole background in Part Two (which reminded me a little bit of “American Psycho” of the book. I thought this was effective, and it was different from the usual “alternating chapters” approach. Seeing the action through one character’s eyes and then the other’s provided added depth to the story.

I also liked how the story came full circle with a few different red herrings thrown in. The author paid close attention to detail, and everything dovetailed neatly. I did think that the epilogue was a little bit of a throwaway, as there was not a lot to add to the story, but I can see why the author felt it necessary to “wrap it up.”

Taken in sections, the book felt uneven at times. But put all together, it was a cohesive story that I enjoyed. I would certainly recommend this one to anyone looking for a different type of psych-thriller.

Author Bio

Born in the Cotswolds, Alison spent most of her formative years abroad. She studied languages at Oxford, then became a journalist and author, returning to university after her two children to take a law degree. After a three-year stint as a criminal paralegal, Alison worked as a commercial copywriter and then a TV storyliner, before coming full circle to write fiction again.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alison.james.90226628
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/AlisonJbooks
Posted on

Books On Tour (Review): Her Last Goodnight by Michael Scanlon

As this is the third book in the series, I was a little bit concerned (as I usually am when I start a series in the middle) that it could be an uphill battle. Sometimes authors include so much detail from previous installments; it makes coming in late challenging. I’m happy to say, however, that this is not so much the case with this book.

Beck was a tough character to get to know. Without a baseline, it was jarring to have his personal demons come to light in the face of the case at hand. And what a doozy that situation is. As always, I don’t give plot points away here, and you can read blurbs for the background. Suffice to say that I thought this was a unique plot with sympathetic victims and a twisted perpetrator.

In spite of Beck being a tough person to crack, I thought he was also realistic. Given what police see every day, it is often no wonder when they can’t cope. How Beck tries to deal is very familiar to those in law enforcement across the globe. I also appreciated that he had an astute eye for details and evidence. That made him more likable.

I enjoyed the setting of this story. The small Irish town was quaint and appealing while still being the center of a twisted case. The size also added to the claustrophobic feel. In small towns, everybody knows everybody else’s business but are often loathe to share it, even when it’s vital to a criminal case. This hampers the investigation while also providing urgency to Beck’s investigation.

Despite a slow start, this book did take off, and it was quite a read to the final pages. I grew to appreciate Beck more, and I look forward to reading the first two books, as well as any others to come.

Author Bio

Michael Scanlon is a civilian employee of the An Garda Siochana (the Irish police force), but a life threatening undiagnosed illness that struck while travelling in Spain in 2014 has rendered him on long term sick leave. He is married to Eileen and has a daughter, Sarah. He lives in the countryside outside the town of Ballina in County Mayo. The town has arguably the best salmon river in Europe, called the Moy.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MScanlonAuthor

Posted on

Blog Tour (w/Review): The Little Bookshop on the Seine by Rebecca Raisin

What a charming novel! I am so grateful I had the opportunity to read it through the Harlequin Trade Publishing Romance and Women’s Fiction Winter Blog Tour

The author got right to the point – there was not a lot of pretense or beating around the bush. Sarah and Sophie swap bookshops, with Sarah arguably getting the better end of the deal because she gets to go to Paris (although Sophie has her reasons for wanting to trade places as well).

I loved how Sarah approached books, and the author’s personification of the books (Sarah could hear them sighing, felt that they whispered secrets, etc.) was relatable. Anyone who is a book lover knows that dog-earing pages and cracking spines physically hurts the book. (Not really, but book lovers understand what I mean).

I thought the author did an excellent job of charting Sarah’s relationship with Ridge, her mostly absent boyfriend. I don’t want to give anything away, but the arc was unique and did not go in the direction I thought that it would (and I was glad it didn’t).

I liked all of the secondary characters as well. I saw through Beatrice from the get-go but would love to have Oceane as a friend and guide in Paris. She was the epitome of Paris-chic.

This book read as a love letter to Paris as much as it did to books. The author took great care in describing the sights and the people of Paris, both in the narrative and through Sarah’s eyes. I particularly liked the moments where Oceane or Luiz let Sarah in on a “secret” café or boutique that had specific “rules” for entry (especially loved the antique shop).

I was in Paris with my family two summers ago. It was a brief visit, but it was enough to get a taste of the charm that is so well described in this book. I loved reading the descriptions of the alleyways and arrondissements as they brought back memories of our strolls through the streets. This was a delightful book with likable characters and a spectacular backdrop, and it shouldn’t be missed.

Buy Links

Author Website
Twitter: @JaxandWillsMum
Facebook: @RebeccaRaisinAuthor
Instagram: @RebeccaRaisinWrites
Goodreads

Author Bio: Rebecca Raisin is the author of several novels, including the beloved Little Paris series and the Gingerbread Café trilogy, and her short stories have been published in various anthologies and fiction magazines. You can follow Rebecca on Facebook, and at www.rebeccaraisin.com

Posted on

Books On Tour (Review): The Missing Letters of Mrs. Bright by Beth Miller

A (late) middle-aged woman married for 29 (not 30!) years decides to leave her empty nest and pursue…well, she’s not exactly sure at first. I’m pretty sure that the premise of this book is relatable to any woman who has been married for more than a decade or two.

Amazon: https://bit.ly/39xYAG1
Kobo: https://bit.ly/2MQs7km
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2rRQuag
Google Play:  https://bit.ly/2ZLpiGH

When Kay does something, she does it in a big way. She blindsides her husband, co-workers, and adult children with her decision. Some of them are more understanding than others. I could empathize with her for most of the book, but there were a few parts where she was downright unlikeable.

I related to her feeling of “the path not taken.” I think that is a common theme for women who have devoted their lives to their husbands and children, only to find their own interests have been pushed aside. Once “empty nest syndrome” sets in, there is more opportunity to think about what has been missed over the years.

What kept the story interesting, and ultimately saves Kay as a redeemable character, is that her memories of certain events and people are faulty, painted with a golden tinge of fond memories instead of stark reality. She also eventually finds out that real life bears little resemblance to the life she imagined might have happened.

There is a sub-plot with her daughter, Stella, who only recently moved out of the house. At times, it seemed like those parts didn’t fit into the narrative, but about halfway through it became apparent as to why Stella’s story was important to tell alongside of Kay’s

The letters mentioned in the title are between Kay and her friend Bear (it takes a while to discern who Bear is and the importance of the character). They serve as a “point/counterpoint” to Kay’s present story.

All in all, this was a well-crafted story that emphasized the importance of not losing oneself while also moving forward and not living in the past of “what could have been.” I very much enjoyed reading it and would recommend it.  

Author Bio

I have been told that I write like a tall blonde, so that’s how I’d like you to picture me.

I’ve published three novels, with one more about to be born, in January 2020. I’ve also published two non-fiction books. I work as a book coach and creative writing tutor.

Before writing books, I did a lot of different jobs. I worked in schools, shops, offices, hospitals, students’ unions, basements, from home, in my car, and up a tree. OK, not up a tree. I’ve been a sexual health trainer, a journalist, a psychology lecturer, a PhD student, a lousy alcohol counsellor, and an inept audio-typist. I sold pens, bread, and condoms. Not in the same shop. I taught parents how to tell if their teenagers are taking drugs (clue: they act like teenagers), and taught teenagers how to put on condoms (clue: there won’t really be a cucumber). I taught rabbis how to tell if their teenagers are druggedly putting condoms on cucumbers.

Throughout this, I always wrote, and always drank a lot of tea. I’m now pretty much unbeatable at drinking tea.

@drbethmiller  

https://www.bethmiller.co.uk/ 
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beth-Miller/e/B00PWNOA2Y/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1
Posted on

Books On Tour (Review): The Daughter's Promise by Sarah Clutton

After the pulse-pounding thriller I finished previously, I thought it would be nice to read something that was a bit simpler. I quickly found out, however, that there was an underlying current to this book that was almost as intriguing as the thriller.

Amazon: https://geni.us/B0821GP4C2
Apple Books: https://apple.co/35JyLjH
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2pZLWha
Googleplay: http://bit.ly/2KZIRVv

Plot points are described in the blurb found on multiple sites, which is sort of a pet peeve of mine. I know that blurbs are supposed to create buzz, but I don’t like it when so much of the plot is given away in them. If I know too much going in, I look for those points thereby possibly missing other important things.  

In this case (thankfully) I didn’t read the whole blurb before I read the book. I was able to enjoy the revelations of the book as they occurred, which I think is very important to how I view a book when I am finished.

I liked being able to understand each of the women as they were introduced and to follow them through the story. The message that secrets can destroy families was very clear and the plot points that illustrated that theme were organic and plausible.

I related to Willa very strongly. I am an adoptee and also know very little about my birth parents. The scene where she thinks about her medical history especially struck home, because I go through the same thing every time I go to the doctor. It is sometimes disheartening to have to say “I don’t know” to family medical histories, especially as I get older and certain diseases or problems can arise.

I thought the differences between Annabelle and Sylvia were very interesting. They were almost polar opposites, with each thinking they were happier than the other…when in reality neither was entirely satisfied (as evidenced by both of their actions).

This wasn’t a page-turner in a thriller sense, but it did keep me reading to get to the bottom of Lillian’s motivations. It was nicely crafted to wind its way through the different points of view to arrive at the resolution.  I would definitely recommend this book.

Author Bio

Sarah Clutton is an Australian author and former lawyer whose debut novel, Good Little Liars, mixes suspense and domestic drama with nuanced characters. Having majored in psychology in her original degree, Sarah is fascinated by people. How does the past shape us? Can we can learn empathy? What determines the outcomes when moral and legal boundaries collide?

Sarah’s work earned her the Dymocks/Fiona McIntosh Commercial Fiction Scholarship in 2018, a coveted national award run by one of Australia’s most successful commercial fiction authors and sponsored by Australia’s largest book chain. An alumna of the Australian Writers’ Centre novel writing course, and with a mostly-finished Master of Arts (Writing) that she has no interest in finishing because she prefers making stuff up, Sarah lives with her family in the very pretty tourist town of Bowral, near Sydney. She has lived all over Australia, and if she didn’t live in Bowral, she would live in Hobart, the most beautiful city she knows.

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/sarahcluttonauthor/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/sarahmclutton

Posted on

Books On Tour (Review): Winter Dark by Alex Callister

I’m not always a fan of action books because it sometimes seems like the author tries too hard. That is not the case with this new series by Alex Callister.

Amazon: https://geni.us/B07YX7P4V6Social
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/winter-dark
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=zPC0DwAAQBAJ
Apple Books:  https://books.apple.com/us/book/winter-dark/id1482904710

The action starts from the beginning and doesn’t let up (for once, the tag line of “heart-pounding suspense” is truthful). 

I did find it difficult to sort out the characters at first. There seemed to be references that referred to prior events (but this is the first book). Eventually, however, it all became clear.

I loved that the protagonist was a young female. With all of the talk these days of female empowerment, it was refreshing (and sure as heck a lot better than the proposed new “female Bond.” But I digress).

I thought that Winter was an interesting character. I liked that she had a spotty background, but that she was smart as well as feisty. In fact, her intelligence (to me) is what made her stand out as a heroine to root for.

The concept of torture for the online masses is also timely. As people become more involved with virtual experiences, and with the lack of civility that seems to be tracking with the rise of social media, it is not too farfetched to believe that we will one day have these types of options, as distasteful as it is. Who knows, maybe it’s already occurring on the Dark Web.

Anyway, I thought it was a great book. It was exciting and read like a movie, which I appreciate because the action moved the plot along quickly. If you’re looking for a crime thriller that keeps you intrigued, look no further.

Posted on

Blog Tour w/Review: You, Me, and the Movies by Fiona Collins

I cannot think of another way to describe this book other than cinematic.

Yes, movies and movie quotes are a significant part of the plot, but it is so much more than that.

Scene descriptions were incredibly detailed and created vivid pictures. Events had depth and everything had a purpose. The book as a whole was focused and entertaining.

And heartbreaking.

Confession: I had to re-read the last few chapters twice. The first time I could barely see the pages through my tears. There was so much emotion flowing through the pages that it just got to me.

More than that, however, was the empathy that I felt for Arden.

I don’t want to give the whole thing away because it unfolds beautifully, and readers should experience it on their own. But her realization that her best years might be behind her, and subsequent understanding that she might have the possibility of a better future was heartfelt, realistic, and infinitely relatable. ‘Nuff said on that before I start crying again.

I loved the unique perspective of this story – a history told through movies that were significant to the relationship. The quotes that Arden and Mac remember prove that memories stay with us even as our lives change. It is no surprise that movies guide Arden’s life, given her mother’s propensity for fantasy and image.

I could go on and on about all of the things I liked about this book, but I am honestly having a hard time finding the words because it was just so epically beautiful in every way.

Do yourself a favor and pick this one up right away.

About Fiona Collins

Fiona Collins grew up in an Essex village, and after stints in Hong Kong and London, returned to the Essex countryside where she lives with her husband and three children. She has a degree in Film and Literature and has had many former careers including TV presenting in Hong Kong, traffic and weather presenter for BBC local radio and film/TV extra. You can find her on Twitter @FionaJaneBooks.

Posted on

Blog Tour w/ Review: The Good Mother by Cathryn Grant

I always like a good plot that sneaks up on me, and The Good Mother fits the bill perfectly. What seemed like a study of suburban women and the packs that they form descended into a taut domestic thriller that explores the long-lasting effects of trauma.

I thought that the author did an excellent job of using the three women (Amy, Rachel, and Charlotte) to progress the character study. Amy, as the go-getter/Alpha, was the “Type A” mom that is familiar to many. Rachel, her supposed best friend, wanted to appease and be included. And Charlotte was the “New Mom in Town” who didn’t fit the suburban mom role.

I could find myself (at least a little bit) in each of these women, and I think that is why I enjoyed the book so much. My “allegiance” to the individuals ebbed and flowed with the story, which kept it interesting. I have been the new mom in town (although not a brazen or “artsy” as Charlotte), so I could relate to what she felt as she tried to fit in.

I least identified with Amy. I understood her desire to be the perfect mom (what mom doesn’t?) and connected with her drive to make sure that her family had everything they needed. However, her desire was more of an obsession, which was ultimately guided by childhood trauma. Her progression was the most interesting but the least relatable to me.

Rachel was the character I truly understood. She wanted to belong to the group and went along with everything, even when she thought it was wrong or didn’t want to take part. One incident with Amy stands out, as Rachel participated even as she knew she shouldn’t. I saw it as a turning point for her, as she realized that things were changing quickly and out of her control.

After all of the events of the book, I could also relate to Rachel’s feeling of wanting everything to be the way it was before. Whenever there is a monumental change, there is almost always the desire to return to what was normal (even if it actually wasn’t). That came across loud and clear to me.

I did especially like the way Amy and Charlotte’s plot lines interwove and eventually collided. I thought it was smart of the author to build the suspense – I honestly was not sure which way that was all going to go, but it was extremely satisfying.

Each mother in this story thought that they were doing what they could to be a good mother, and it was fascinating to see each of the approaches. It was also interesting to see the pitfalls and failures of each woman and where their choices could have been better. I could argue that this could be used as a cautionary tale as well as an entertaining novel.

This book started a little slow, but the tension built fast, and the author kept the pace moving. I would definitely recommend this book.

About Cathryn Grant

Cathryn is the author of the Alexandra Mallory Psychological Suspense series, Psychological Thrillers, Suburban Noir novels, The Haunted Ship Trilogy, and the Madison Keith Ghost Story series. THE GOOD MOTHER will be her second novel published with Inkubator Books.

Cathryn’s fiction has appeared in Alfred Hitchcock and Ellery Queen Mystery Magazines, The Shroud Quarterly Journal, and The Best of Every Day Fiction. 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. 

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


Posted on

Blog Tour w/ Review: Husband Material

Quite frankly, this book went in a completely different direction than I thought it was going to go when I started. And I’m totally okay with that because it ended up being a lot deeper and more thought-provoking than I expected.

At first, I didn’t think I was going to be able to relate to Charlotte. Her job was something that I have no passion for nor can I relate to it (tracking social media influencers makes me roll my eyes). But Charlotte’s personality ultimately won me over. Actually, she had me when she shut down Chad in the first chapter.

I liked how her story was revealed slowly. It added a bit of mystery to the plot, especially just past the halfway point. The author did a terrific job of allowing the reader to feel what Charlotte was experiencing right along with her. I love it when an author can make an unrelatable (to me) character sympathetic at the same time. That’s a trait that is often missing.

The situations that Charlotte found herself in, both overall (with her “package”) and the immediate scenarios, were realistic, and I could see them occurring in real life. The balancing act Charlotte was forced into also felt natural.

I think what I liked the most, however, was the relationship between Charlotte and Brian. Their history was a barrier at first, even as it became apparent that there was more going on (and probably had been going on for a while). I especially liked that it was not perfect.

So often in a romance novel, everything falls neatly into place. Even if there are troubles (and there always are), they are packaged up by the end with a HEA. I don’t feel that this is the case here, and that’s what sets this book apart.

Their relationship is messy, imperfect and comes with A LOT of baggage. Even as the reader can see the chemistry, the issues are still apparent. Even by the end, there is not a typical hearts and flowers/rest of our lives resolution. The reader knows they are on the right track, but there is still growth that needs to occur.

And ultimately, this story is about Charlotte’s growth. Her identity as a widow, how she interacts with the people around her, her perspective on her job…all of these change throughout her story.  

Even though I’ve never had an urn of ashes show up at my front door, her discovery and the challenges she faces were ones that I could relate to. Her journey was uplifting and interesting and a great way to kick off a new year.

Buy Links

Author Bio

EMILY BELDEN is a journalist, social media marketer, and storyteller. She is the author of the novel Hot Mess and Eightysixed: A Memoir about Unforgettable Men, Mistakes, and Meals. She lives in Chicago. Visit her website at www.emilybelden.com or follow her on Twitter and Instagram, @emilybelden.

Author website: http://www.emilybelden.com/
Twitter: @emilybelden
Instagram: @emilybelden
Facebook: @emilybeldenauthor


close

Enjoy this blog? Please spread the word :)