Tag: Blog Tour

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The Lily Garden (Josselsohn)-BoT-Fiction-Available Now

I’ve become a big fan of this author. Her stories have always had a calming effect on me.

I think it’s because the stories are simple and don’t take a lot of brainpower. There’s no criminal to catch, no psychological twist to figure out, no historical lesson to learn – just nice, easy plots that allow me to ride along with the characters’ experiences and enjoy them.

(That’s not to say that the other types of stories aren’t good as well, because I love those books. But everything in its own time and sometimes a break with something different is a good thing.)

In this case, we get the story of Caroline, and how she returns to a small town to help save a garden that was started by her mother many years prior.

I enjoyed the setup of this plotline. I think it was highly relatable in many ways. Caroline isn’t sure about her corporate job and often wonders if she holds the position because of her family connections.

It’s obvious that her heart is in another place, even as she doesn’t realize it herself. It takes a message from an old friend to make her realize where her priorities should be. It’s also a good lesson for her daughter, Lee, who is being groomed to be the heir apparent to the corporation.

Amazon link: https://bit.ly/39PgndH

Back in Lake Summers, Caroline finds herself again and also uncovers a family secret. It’s a good story, told in an approachable and interesting way. And, as with other books set in small towns, there is a literal townful of local characters.

I will say that in some ways, I actually liked the secondary characters better than Caroline. It’s not that she was unlikeable, but people like Maxine and Gull seemed to be much more fleshed out. Maybe because they were in their element in town already? I’m not sure.

I also liked Aaron. I definitely would have loved to read his papers, because they sounded interesting. I’m not sure that I bought the relationship between Caroline and Aaron, though. It didn’t seem very full or complete.

And the secret (as mentioned in the blurb) is revealed very late in the book – almost as if it was an afterthought. This was a shame because the build-up was pretty well-done, and I expected it to take a bigger part of the story.

As it was, the last part seemed rushed. After an easy-going story that moved along, sort of like a stream trickling through, the revelation and wrap-up felt like it had hit rapids. It was bumpier and fast-moving – and didn’t feel as natural as the rest of the story.

But in spite of that, I very much enjoyed this book and would recommend it for a simple, relaxing beach read.

Instagram: @Barbara_Josselsohn_Author
Twitter: @BarbaraJoss

Author bio:

Barbara Josselsohn is an award-winning writer who loves crafting stories about strong protagonists facing a fork in the road. Her novels include The Bluebell Girls, The Lilac House, The Last Dreamer, and her newest release, The Lily Garden. She has published hundreds of articles about family, home and relationships in national and regional publications, and also teaches novel writing at the Writing Institute at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York.  She lives just north of New York City and enjoys escaping to the beach or the mountains whenever she can. Other than writing, her biggest passion is her family: her husband, her three kids, and her indefatigable shih-poo! 

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How Much Wine Will Fix My Broken Heart? (Bailey)-BoT-

I have loved each book in this series a little bit more than the last one, but I will admit to looking forward to the stories about Grace (and Lucy) the most.

From the moment that it was introduced that Grace had adopted two little girls from Vietnam, I knew that no matter what else her story contained, that I would be able to relate to her. And this review is going to be very personal for a particular reason.

Disclosure time:

My husband and I adopted our son from Ethiopia. He had just turned four when we brought him home. (Our son, not my husband 😊)

We had to go through adoptive parent training, which was different from Grace’s experience. But we learned a lot, including what it meant to be a “conspicuous family.” And yes, it is exactly what it sounds like – when the child does not match the ethnicity of the parents.

We have been fortunate enough to have lived in places where people accept us and where we rarely get a second look. In fact, we often keep a low profile at soccer matches because we think it’s funny to hear what other people say about our son when they think nobody is around to hear it.

Side note – it’s usually about how good he is (which is very cool). There was one time a coach walked right by us to ask our son where his parents were. The look on the coach’s face was priceless.

But I digress.

Anyway, I knew that Grace’s conspicuous family would feel familiar, and boy did it. We have had the “real family/real parents” comment thrown at us, as well as the “all countries of a region are the same” sentiment that Carrie exhibits when discussing the PTA fundraiser.

And, like Grace, I firmly put the mom in place with a few comments – when what I really wanted to do was punch her in the face. I imagine Grace to be the same way. I don’t have any sisters to help me out though.

But that’s why I was looking forward to her. Even that tenuous connection made me feel like I understood her better than the others. For that reason, I think I was able to also fit other aspects of her story into my own.

Example: my husband is still alive (thank goodness!) but as I read this book, he was in Spain with our son (soccer tournament – go figure). So, in a strange way, I could kind of understand Grace’s feeling of loss.

Tom sounds like he would have been a lot like my husband. A prankster, looking for the fun aspect of things, teasing and trying to make jokes when things got too serious. That all sounded familiar as well.

But mostly it was about the kids. That connected me to her character in a way I don’t think has ever happened before. Just about every thought Grace had about Maya and Cleo and her mothering them could have been picked from my brain.

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Now, as to the book itself, it’s another great entry in the saga of the Callaghan sisters. They all make appearances and at this point, it’s like visiting with family you haven’t seen in a while.

I thoroughly enjoy how the author allows the sisters to continue their stories in natural time throughout the other’s stories. It adds realism and keeps the interest in the family. I mean, it’s really difficult to not like all of them, even as they are each very different.

The quick wit and sharp writing that I’ve come to expect from this author is here in abundance. Grace’s inner thoughts are especially funny, and I found myself laughing out loud several times.

What I liked most about this book, however, is that the author treated death and the toll it takes on those left behind with respect, but also with humor. Grief can take many forms, and everyone deals with it differently.

Whether it is reading a (questionably inappropriate) poem at a memorial or helping an old friend through an (oddly appropriate) interview at a school, Tom’s friends were reflective of the person he was. I loved getting to know him that way.

I also loved that Grace and Tom weren’t perfect. They weren’t a star-crossed, tragic, “meant to be” people. They just…were.

And I think the author showed great courage in how she chose to complete the story. In a sense, Grace’s trajectory was quite different from that of the sisters in previous books.

As Grace was using everything she had learned from people to move forward with her life, the hint of her future was very welcome at the end. I really hope we get a bit more of her in Lucy’s story.

Speaking of, after a drunken encounter on a historic ship (and an ensuing conversation with a child about mermaid features) I really cannot wait for her story!

Here’s where you can read my reviews of the other sisters’ stories: Meg, Emma, and Beth.

Twitter: mrsbaileywrites
Instagram: kristenbaileywrites
Facebook: kristenbaileywrites.

Author Bio:

Mother-of-four, gin-drinker, binge-watcher, receipt hoarder, enthusiastic but terrible cook. Kristen also writes. She has had short fiction published in several publications including Mslexia & Riptide. Her first two novels, Souper Mum and Second Helpings were published in 2016. In 2019, she was long listed in the Comedy Women in Print Prize and has since joined the Bookouture family. She writes women’s fiction and she hopes her novels have fresh and funny things to say about modern life, love and family.

You can find out more about her at her website: www.kristenbaileywrites.com.

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His Other Woman (Voss)-BoT-Women’s Fiction-Available Now

I was left with extremely mixed feelings about this book.

I thoroughly enjoyed the first two-thirds of it.

The author took a unique premise and ran with it. The concept of a loved one going missing while on a trip and the worry that ensues is something that just about everyone can relate to.

I liked how the author balanced between Alanda trying to get through life wondering what was happening with Liam trying to understand his new life.

As always, I don’t want to say too much to give away plot points, so it’s going to get a little bit cagey from here on.

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I did not care for Katya. I felt sorry for her situation with her Uncle Otto, and there were some truly heartfelt moments as she dealt with all of that. Those were very well written and poignant.

However, once things changed within her…situation…I think she showed just how young and selfish she was. I did not like her choices. I thought that they erased everything that I originally felt about her, as her character was on display, and it wasn’t pretty.

In a way, the same could be said for Alanda. I saw what her “twist” was going to be a mile off, so that was not a surprise to me in any way. It seemed contrived, but in an odd way, it also seemed natural, because it would stand to reason somebody could get carried away with the slightest hint of attention and affection.

The last third of the book seemed like the author didn’t exactly know which way to go, so a lot was thrown out there. I suppose it was supposed to show that even what might seem clear cut isn’t necessarily so.

Once again, Katya is done no favors and ended up being unlikeable overall in my eyes. I was glad to be rid of her.

The book does a decent job of answering the question of whether or not people deserve second (or third) chances. And if they do – are those chances worth it?

Sometimes people do need to experience heartbreak and hardship in order to realize what matters the most. That came across loud and clear.

I did like how the author didn’t necessarily wrap everything up in a neat little bow. Life isn’t like that. There was a hint of a promise of something regrowing, but it wasn’t all sunshine and unicorns.

So, to sum up: the first two-thirds were great, and the last third was questionable. But overall, it was a stark look at the futures we make for ourselves and there was a healthy dose of realism throughout.

Facebook:  louisevossauthor
Twitter: @LouiseVoss1
Instagram: louisevoss

Author Bio:
Over her twenty-year writing career, Louise Voss has published books via pretty much every publishing model there is, from deals with major traditional publishing houses (Transworld and HarperCollins), to digital (Thomas & Mercer and Bookouture) and self-publishing. In 2011, she and co-author Mark Edwards were the first UK indie-published authors to hit the No.1 spot on Amazon UK. Louise has written thirteen novels in total, seven solo and six co-written, across psychological thrillers, police procedurals, and contemporary fiction. 

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The Evidence (Slater)-BoT-Psychological Thriller-Available Now

What a roller coaster of a read this one was!

From the opening podcast transcript to the closing thoughts on the bonds between a mother and her child, the author did a fantastic job of keeping the tension ratcheted through a compelling narrative.

At first, I didn’t know what to make of Esme. She seemed high-strung and very much like a helicopter parent. Some of her early reactions to co-workers and her son made me question her stability.

However, I could also see how her demeanor was vital to the other characters’ motivations.

That sentence makes sense in the context of the book.

I never really got a bead on Michelle at all. There were only a handful of scenes with her “in person” before other events occurred. After that, everything came from Esme’s point of view. This made it a little difficult to understand why Michelle did what she did.

Yep, speaking in riddles to avoid spoilers. That’s what you’ll get here.

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I did like how Justine’s actions were questionable. Was she looking to sabotage Esme because of Esme’s control of pretty much everything? Or was she actually trying to help Esme? Justine’s role in everything was explained quite satisfactorily.

Owen was a real piece of work – but once I “met” his mom, Brooke, I realized that there was no other way that he could have been. I did not see that whole plot thread coming at all, and that was a real jaw-dropper!

I did guess something about Simone early on, but as I mentioned, the author did a fantastic job of throwing just enough red herrings and twists in that I wasn’t sure if I was right or not until close to the end.

What I think I enjoyed most about the book was how Esme’s podcasts of interviews with Simone actually mirrored what Esme was experiencing in real life – and Esme only caught glimpses of it herself.

It’s difficult to see situations for what they really are when you’re smack dab in the middle of them. It sometimes takes outside perspective to shine a light on things.

I just now realized that Esme’s gut was telling her that all along. Wow…didn’t put that together while I was reading. Nicely done on that!

I also just realized that there more parallels between Esme/Zach, Brooke/Owen, and Simone/Andrew than I originally thought.

The power of a good book is that it plants enough seeds that you keep thinking and discovering aspects long after you have finished reading it.

I can’t say much more about this book without going into plot details, and I don’t want to do that, because it’s definitely one that you want to experience on your own, without spoilers.

If you are looking for a taut thriller that will keep you guessing, with some excellent observations on the lengths that mothers will go to in order to protect their sons, this should definitely be at the top of your list.  

Facebook: KimLSlaterAuthor
Twitter: @KimLSlater

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.

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Ten Days (Sherratt)-BoT-Psych Thriller-Available Now

What makes a person a psychopath? Can childhood trauma permanently warp a person’s perceptions? What constitutes revenge…and is it ever enough?

All of these questions came to mind, and most were answered, in this page turning thriller. It’s one that you truly have to experience to appreciate the thought that went into crafting this story.

So, as I hate spoilers, this review is going to seem a little cagey as I dance around specifics to get my own points across.

The method of storytelling was very effective. There was a lot of time jumping and several different characters’ points of view. Some were only one chapter long, but they were vital in the course of the story.

If you read the headings at the beginning of each chapter, you won’t be lost. They are a virtual map of where you should be in the story.

I really liked the characters, both Alex and Eva. I know that sounds odd, as one of them is a super-villain, but that’s part of what made this book so good.

Two people, who each experienced a horrific event as a child, who each took a different path to adulthood. The stark differences were clarified repeatedly without the author hitting you over the head.

The psychopathy of making victims feel how the villain felt was one of the most interesting aspects of the story and really made the book unique.

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The claustrophobia felt by one of the characters was palpable for the reader. I could feel the closed in space, the darkness, the feeling of helplessness. Very atmospheric and another aspect that was very well-done.

There were several “whoa!” moments that I didn’t see coming. In fact, after the prologue, I had an idea in my head, but then the author went in a different direction, and I totally followed along. Turns out my initial reaction was correct. Kudos for that red herring, as it lasted for at least a third of the book!

I did think there were a few things left a bit unfinished. Milly seemed to be extraneous, for the most part. I mean, I get why she was included, but I couldn’t quite grasp what Alex wanted from her, unless it was normalcy.

I guess maybe that’s it.

In the course of relating backstory, the author also gives a voice to other invisible victims – children who suffer from horrific abuse and then get lost in the care system. Even though the story takes place in the UK, the same could be said for the US as well.

It is easy to see how a person, desperate for a normal life and people to love, could become warped and misinterpret any perceived slight as a great wrong.

This is a thriller that was well-written with sympathetic characters (even the psychopath). It kept me guessing, had many surprises, and is an excellent page-turner, perfect for a thrilling summer read.

Instagram: mel_sherratt/
Facebook:  MelSherrattauthor
Twitter:  @writermels

Author Bio:My novels take you to the heart of the crime. I write police procedurals, psychological suspense and crime dramas – fiction with a punch. Shortlisted for the prestigious CWA (Crime Writer’s Association) Dagger in Library Award, my inspiration comes from authors such as Martina Cole, Lisa Jewell, Mandasue Heller and Clare Mackintosh.

To date, I’ve sold 1.7 million books. All sixteen of my crime novels have been bestsellers, each one climbing into the Kindle UK top 10 and I’ve had several number ones. I’ve also had numerous Kindle All-star awards, for best read author and best titles.

I live in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, with my husband and terrier, Dexter (named after the TV serial killer) and make liberal use of my hometown as a backdrop for some of my books. You can find out more at my website www.melsherratt.co.uk 

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A Cut for a Cut (Wyer)-Blog Tour-Crime Thriller-Available Now

Just when I think Natalie Ward is my favorite investigator, along comes Detective Kate Young. I thought the introduction of this character in a new series was excellent and was excited to read the second installment.

I expected to be wowed, and boy, was I! No sophomore slump for Kate.

One of the things that I love most about this author’s books is the way the author creates characters who are real. They’re never caricatures or composites or seem fake in any way.

Honestly, when I read her books, I feel like she must have just followed a person around and simply wrote what they did throughout the day. That’s how realistic her characters are.

I also like how they’re intelligent women. They’re not ball-breaking feminists who think they have to be like a man to be respected – they get there on their own merits. But, at the same time, they’re vulnerable and subject to the emotions that go along with being female.

I know that might seem like an odd thing to say, but with gender such a subject of discussion, I think it’s important to recognize that women are unique and what some people may see as weakness may actually be a woman’s strengths.

For example, in this book, Kate is still getting advice from her husband Chris – you’ll know why this is important if you read the first one.

And if you haven’t read the first one, stop reading this right now and go read An Eye for an Eye; it will also give you a better idea of why these books are amazing.

Then read this one. Then you can come back to the review.  

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3pCnXyX
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2TXmOGn

Anyway, back to Kate. Some would see her need to still talk to him as that she is losing a grip on reality, but I think it actually shows the importance of bonds between people and how they can remain strong, even when people are apart. (No spoilers).

The author weaves an intricate story, continuing with the investigation started by Chris that Kate has now picked up. The ins and outs of this plot line are multiple and masterfully related in the context of the immediate investigation.

This one has a personal angle for Kate as well. I’m not going to say much more on it, but in the course of investigating both threads, Kate realizes that the web being woven by certain characters is much bigger than she imagined.

She also realizes that the number of people she can trust is dwindling, which makes for some very tense moments.

As I have mentioned in the past, crime thrillers are difficult to review because I hate to give away any plot points that could ruin the investigation for other readers. At the same time, I want to convey how good a book is and why someone should read it. Quite a tightrope to walk.

I hope that I have done enough to convince you to read both books featuring Detective Kate Young. It’s early in the series and there is still time to get in on the bottom floor. Now is a good time before the through plot gets more complicated, which I’m sure will happen.

Reading this series is like watching a movie, and a great way to spend a few hours of your summer. You won’t want to put it down.

About Carol Wyer:

USA Today bestselling author and winner of The People’s Book Prize Award, Carol Wyer writes feel-good comedies and gripping crime fiction. 

A move from humour to the ‘dark side’ in 2017, saw the introduction of popular DI Robyn Carter in LITTLE GIRL LOST and demonstrated that stand-up comedian Carol had found her true niche.

To date, her crime novels have sold over 750,000 copies and been translated for various overseas markets.

Carol has been interviewed on numerous radio shows discussing ”Irritable Male Syndrome’ and ‘Ageing Disgracefully’ and on BBC Breakfast television. She has had articles published in national magazines ‘Woman’s Weekly’, featured in ‘Take A Break’, ‘Choice’, ‘Yours’ and ‘Woman’s Own’ magazines and the Huffington Post.

She currently lives on a windy hill in rural Staffordshire with her husband Mr Grumpy… who is very, very grumpy.

When she is not plotting devious murders, she can be found performing her comedy routine, Smile While You Still Have Teeth.

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The Shut-Away Sisters (Goldring)-BoT-Historical Fiction-Available Now

I am a huge fan of this author. I’ve read all of her books (links to those reviews at the bottom), which have all featured WWII. I was very excited to see that she went further back to WWI for this story.

As with several Historical Fiction novels, there are two storylines, one historical and one contemporary. And, as usual, there is the draw of trying to figure out how the two are connected. In this instance, the connection is pretty clear.

From the blurb and other reviews that recount the plot, the reader knows that Kate (contemporary, 1999) has had a personal crisis and is asked by her father to help clean out his Aunt Florrie’s house, and she is the voice of the historical storyline.

The way Florrie’s storyline is told is clever. It took me a bit to make the connection to an early chapter, but once I did, the story flowed. The method allowed for Florrie’s voice to be clear and her attitudes to color the retelling of her story (which makes sense).

Now that we have the basics out of the way, I want to talk about specific things that jumped out at me.

I found the parallels between Florrie and Kate to be intriguing. As Kate struggles with the stresses of work and rebuilding her personal life, so does Florrie struggle with the events of her time. It’s not a spoiler to say that because of the timeframe, Florrie has to deal with WWI, the Spanish Flu epidemic of 1918, and post-war troubles.

There is a commonality in the way that each woman handles their particular issues. I liked this, because family has always told Kate that she looks like Edith, but it is clear that her mettle is solely Florrie.

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I thought that the historical timeline was much more fleshed out than the contemporary one. In spite of all of the tribulations, there was a lyrical sense to Florrie’s account of history, and those chapters lulled me right into her world.

In other words, there is sometimes a jolt between contemporary and historical timelines in books of this genre. That wasn’t the case for me here. Each time we went back to Florrie, it was literally like stepping back easily into time.

The author did a phenomenal job of recounting the little things of the period. Yes, WWII and the 1918 Spanish Flu were horrific, but so where the countless repercussions that each of them caused.

Men who didn’t want to fight in the first place and then who weren’t released from service post-war, families that were dealing with the double hit of war and illness…not to mention the longer-lasting after-effects of war, including mustard gas.

But where the author really excelled was the slow mental decline of a person who could not face reality. I don’t want to say too much and give away an excellent part of the story. But the way the sisters are written showed two very different approaches to dealing with adversity.

Kate’s storyline seemed almost inconsequential at times, and I think that might have been on purpose. While living in Florrie’s house, she gets to know the people of the neighborhood and realizes how trivial and superficial her knowledge of people can be.

Indeed, it’s a realization that should wake us all up – previous generations have faced much more challenging times and come through them. Although, given the events of the past in this book, not everybody came through them intact and better off.

I know I’m kind of rambling but points just keep popping into my head that I think are important. For example, around WWI, it was important for young women to find a beau and get married young.

But what happens to a woman when her chosen suitor goes off to war? And what happens when that war almost decimates a large portion of the male population? What is a woman supposed to do then? Again, Florrie and Edith have two very different approaches.

I did think that the end of both storylines seemed rather abrupt. The event that essentially ends Florrie’s part (and finally ties the two time periods together) served its purpose in that there was a sense of resigned fatefulness for her – there was nothing more that could be said or done…so there wasn’t. It became what it ended up being.

I promise that all makes sense in the book.

For Kate, it also seemed a tad hasty. I would have liked to see a comeuppance of her sisters-in-law, for example. As it was, they (and her brothers) just sort of faded away. The same could be said with Florrie’s brother. Although, the reader does have to make some connections to realize his importance in the story even though it isn’t specifically spelled out.

This is probably the longest review I have written. I have so much more to say about this book, because each time I think about it, I find some other parallel, or something else that struck me.

I guess that’s the sign of a really good book – it continues to make you think long after the last page has been read. This definitely qualifies.

My reviews of other books by this author: My Name is Eva, Burning Island, The Girl Without A Name

Facebook: suzannegoldringauthor
Twitter: @suzannegoldring

Author Bio:
Following an eventful career as a public relations consultant, specialising in business and travel, Suzanne Goldring turned to writing the kind of novels she likes to read, about the extraordinary lives of ordinary people. Whether she is working in her thatched cottage in Hampshire or her seaside home in North Cornwall, Suzanne finds inspiration in the secrets hidden by everyday life.

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Lady Sunshine-Blog Tour (Review)-Women’s Fiction-Available Now

Part historical fiction, part coming-of age, part family mystery, this book had a lot going on. Most of it was successful, making it a great beach read.

Told in dual timelines, the narrative belongs to Jackie in both 1979 (as a teenager) and 1999 (as the inheritor of her uncle’s old estate, The Sandcastle. It was effective to have a singular character be the focal point because the memories and impact of events were consistent.

I guess in a way it could be considered a dual historical timeline, since the contemporary line is set 22 years ago.

Anyway, the Jackie of now has a lot of unfinished business from her time at The Sandcastle. That’s where the family mystery comes in.

I thought the author did a fantastic job of recreating a summer full of idyllic memories. As the flashbacks occurred, it was easy to relate to Jackie. We all have those fond memories of a summer where the littlest things seemed important while nothing was really important at all.

She also captured the 70s vibe so well that I felt like I could see the tie dye and smell the patchouli and neroli oils mixed in with the seaside air. Those parts of the book really took flight for me.

Buy Links can be found underneath Author Info

I thought the parallels between the summer Jackie remembers (when everything changed) and what occurs in 1999 were interesting. It made me wonder if the present was influencing Jackie’s memories of the past.

Turns out I was sort of right.

There weren’t a whole lot of big moments in this book, more like important or pivotal moments that you don’t realize the importance of until you read Jackie’s reactions. I know that sounds convoluted, but I don’t know how else to describe it.

The writing just lulled me into the swing of the story, sort of hazy and blurry, just like memories often are. The parts capturing the 70s music scene were reminiscent of some rockumentaries I have seen, especially the one of the group Chicago. The author did some great research here.

It wasn’t a bad way to spend a few lazy summer afternoons.

Headshots by Sash Photography http://sashphotography.com

About the Author:AMY MASON DOAN is the author of The Summer List and Summer Hours. She earned a BA in English from UC Berkeley and an MA in journalism from Stanford University, and has written for The Oregonian, San Francisco Chronicle, and Forbes, among other publications. She grew up in Danville, California, and now lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband and daughter.

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The Girl Who Couldn’t Leave (Miller)-BoT-Women’s Fiction-Available Now

I’m of mixed feelings about this book.

On the one hand it was a pleasant story about overcoming fears, finding friendships, and learning to trust people. I really enjoyed these aspects of the story and thought they were very well done. Let’s talk about those first.

Fiona is a recluse who never leaves the house and does not interact with anyone. If she were an older lady, chances are that nobody would blink an eye at the behavior. But Fiona is quite young to be this isolated. Something happened that caused her to be so.

The reader doesn’t find out what exactly that is until very late in the book. More on that in a minute.

Fiona has given nicknames to her neighbors (as she has never met any of them). Long story short, a single mum needs an emergency babysitter for her two-year-old and Fiona reluctantly agrees.

Fiona’s growth as she realizes she starts to look forward to the toddler’s visits was nice. It was a good icebreaker for Fiona to realize the importance of human interactions.

From this starting point, Fiona expands her horizons. Her journey is interesting and there are some legitimate uplifting and heartwarming moments along the way.

I particularly liked Fiona’s interactions with another neighbor because they illustrated that all people have problems to deal with and it’s how the individual chooses to address their issues that defines their self-worth.

And sometimes that self-worth can only expand if we help others who need it most. (At least that’s what I got out of it).

Amazon: https://bit.ly/3gHr3gS
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While I thought that the themes and messages of the story were highly worthwhile, I am not sure that all of the mechanisms used to convey those messages worked.

One particular subplot about a neighbor’s personal escapades (that everyone could hear) was amusing but didn’t serve much purpose (other than to drive home that everyone has issues).

Likewise, the events that propel Bethany to rely on Fiona seemed contrived, as did the relationship that developed. I don’t mean that in an entirely negative way, it just felt heavy-handed while other parts remained lighter.

And the events that propelled Fiona into seclusion? I expected something much bigger and sinister. While I think that the idea of the event was a good one, the actual retelling of the details made it seem like Fiona was weak and just couldn’t deal. That could have used some tweaking for it to be more suspenseful and threatening.

In all, it just seemed like the author was trying to do too much, especially at the end where the pandemic is mentioned. In fact, the entire last chapter served as a wrap-up that I could have done without. It actually felt quite preachy and took me away from the gentleness of the book.

Which is a shame, because I think there were some good messages to be found. It was quite obvious that the pandemic had an influence on the plot. I just didn’t like that the author didn’t seem to trust their own intuition and felt the need to add unhelpful details into the story to slam points across.

Other readers may have a completely different experience, and I would certainly recommend they give it a try.

Instagram: katylittlelady/
Twitter: @katylittlelady

Author Bio:

When Catherine Miller became a mum to twins, she decided her hands weren’t full enough so wrote a novel with every spare moment she managed to find. By the time the twins were two, Catherine had a two-book deal with Carina UK. Her debut novel, Waiting For You, came out in March 2016.

Catherine was a NHS physiotherapist, but for health reasons she retired early from this career. As she loved her physiotherapy job, she decided if she couldn’t do that she would pursue her writing dream. It took a few years and a couple of babies, but in 2015 she won the Katie Fforde bursary, was a finalist in the London Book Fair Write Stuff Competition and highly commended in Woman magazine’s writing competition. Since then she’s had four novels published.

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A Mother’s Lie (Mercer)-BoT-Women’s Fiction-Available Now

(Formerly titled Safe From Harm)

I am finding it hard to define this book.

It’s classified as Women’s Fiction and has the ubiquitous “emotional page-turner” tag line. There was certainly a lot of emotion in it.

But there were also family secrets and a hint of mystery as well. I guess you could say that it’s a well-rounded book.

As I mentioned in a recent review of another book, there have been a lot of female characters who run away from their problems to live in a small cottage on the coast. Ali is no exception. More on her in a minute.

I found myself thinking about how healing the sea can actually be for some people. Is it the waves and tides going in and out that allow people to imagine their problems being swept out with them? Is it the isolation that allows for introspection and the ability to take a deeper look at an issue?

Is it just those negative ions that make our brains happier?

I don’t know, but it’s a popular location.

In Ali’s case, we know that she is pregnant, and her husband has said some things that have caused her to escape to her grandmother’s cottage on the coast. There she meets neighbors Meg and Michael (and baby Jem) who seem like the perfect family.

Emphasis on seem.

In fact, nothing is as it seems in this book. Ali has secrets that she doesn’t share with Meg, even as their friendship grows. Meg keeps secrets from Ali – it’s quite apparent that there are some hidden issues, the extent of which only fully come to light late in the story.

As Ali comes to grips with her pregnancy (also late revelations about this), she does a lot of thinking. And I mean a lot.

Amazon: https://geni.us/B093QCQ75Gcover
Apple: http://ow.ly/TE5n50EABLj 
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Audible: UK: zpr.io/R2Ak9
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I hate to admit it, but I was gripped by her musings. I was fascinated with how she pieced things together in her mind to justify her actions, and how her perception was clouded by what she actually wanted to be true.

Interspersed here and there are flashback chapters with Ali’s grandmother, Violet. I found the parallels between her and Ali to be interesting as well. Violet’s self-imposed exile made sense in the larger context.

Her interactions with Meg also showed that you never know when someone is going to touch a chord in you, allowing you to forgive yourself and move forward. I liked that message. A lot.

The aforementioned late revelations didn’t all work for me, especially in relation to Meg and Michael. They felt too convenient. A blast from Ali’s past also seemed manipulative and didn’t seem to fit the story. Maybe I just missed the point of that one.

What I really liked, however, was how Ali came to her conclusions about her husband’s attitude and realized what was really important. Sometimes it’s hardest to forgive, but only after we put ourselves in someone else’s shoes can we truly understand their point of view.

Because of the way Jon is written, I spent most of the book not understanding him and thinking he was a cad. It was amazing how the author got me to switch that opinion with a few simple words. Well done on that.

This is certainly an emotional book, and there may be some issues that other readers find difficult to manage. Not having any relatable experiences, I was able to read it and really take in the characters. I definitely recommend this book.

Facebook: leahmercerauthor/
Twitter: @LeahMercerBooks
Instagram: leahmercerauthor
Website: www.leahmercer.com

Author Bio: Leah Mercer was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on the east coast of Canada. Her first ambition was to be a journalist, but after completing a master’s in journalism, she soon realised she preferred anything other than reporting the news. After trying her hand at public relations, teaching and recruitment in various countries around the world, she finally settled in London and returned to writing… fiction, this time. Her first two novels, Who We Were Before and The Man I Thought You Were, were shortlisted at the UK’s Romantic Novelists’ Association Awards. Leah loves books, running and visiting historic houses with her husband and their son.

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