Bookouture Archives

April 23, 2020April 22, 2020

Books On Tour (Review): Can You See Her by S.E. Lynes

What began as a poignant story seemingly about a middle-aged woman who felt invisible to everyone quickly evolved into something darker and more insidious that had me turning pages to finish this in one sitting. It was just that good.

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Apple Books: https://apple.co/3ekatSt
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3bbimaN
Google Play: https://bit.ly/2REIza5

Full disclosure, this review may seem like I am talking in riddles, but for this book, I really do NOT want to give anything away. There are so many little bits that could ruin it. So I am going to be as vague as possible while still trying to illustrate how excellent the book was.

I will admit that the first few chapters took some getting used to, as the stream of consciousness that was Rachel’s retelling of events was hard to follow at times. However, once I got to “know” her, it became easier.

The story is told primarily from Rachel’s point of view as she speaks with…someone. These chapters alternate with transcripts of police interviews of other characters. The timeframe is unclear, but it all appears to be part of an investigation. Of what, I cannot tell you.

Rachel is an infinitely relatable character. Even as her real story remains unclear through most of the book, every middle-aged woman can relate to the feeling of being invisible to those closest to her. That likability made it challenging for me to get a grip on her actual personality. It seemed like I was off-balance, changing my theories every other chapter.

The author also offers a searing analysis of the place that hate and revenge have taken in our society. The line between the two is blurred, and the ease at which people can slip between them is eye-opening.

As I mentioned above, this book was an absolute page-turner, with twists and revelations right up to the very last page. By far, one of the best psychological thrillers (in the truest definition of the genre) that I have ever read.

Author Bio
After graduating from Leeds University, S E Lynes lived in London before moving to Aberdeen where she worked as a BBC Producer. In 2002, she moved to Rome with her husband and two young children. In 2007, after the birth of her third child, she returned to the UK and gained an MA in Creative Writing from Kingston University. Currently, she writes novels and teaches Creative Writing at Richmond Adult Community College.

April 23, 2020April 21, 2020

Books on Tour (Review): The Island Girls by Noelle Harrison

Even after reading the blurb, I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book. What I got was an in-depth exploration of family loyalty, sisterly bonds, and the different ways responsibility manifests itself. This book drew me in and kept me turning pages late into the night to find out how everything worked out.

I loved the through-line of sisterhood. Not only do we see the bonds between Katie and Susannah, Emer and Orla, and even Rebecca and Lynsey to an extent. I thought the author did an excellent job drawing parallels that were subtle but packed an emotional punch.

The story unfolds in alternating chapters between Emer’s life in 2011 and Susannah’s in the late 50s/early 60s, and the transitions were seamless. The story is such that there is no jolt between the time changes.

I thought that Emer was an interesting character. She was obviously seeking redemption for what she saw as a slight to her own sister, but she learned through Susannah’s history that there could be so much worse out there. I don’t know that she had that big revelation, but she definitely learned that lesson. And I thought that the moment when it all crystalized (when Susannah went looking for her) was poignant and powerful.

I did feel, however, that the romance between Emer and Lars was sometimes weak; it could have used a little bit more depth, as it was the only part (to me) that felt a little contrived. I think that is primarily because everything else that we learn, through letters and recollections, is so real.

I don’t mind saying that by the end of the book, I was in tears. The bravery that comes from getting through a loved one’s death is one thing. Sacrificing one’s entire life because of guilt (or a sense of duty or a sense of shame) is an entirely different animal. It is ultimately up to the reader to decide which one Susannah operates under as she makes her choices.

Overall, I think the author managed to capture the mentalities of both small town “Island” inhabitants and those who wish to overcome that mentality (personified by Katie and Susannah’s opposing views on the matter). Ultimately, the realization that each of them comes to is that what is “right” doesn’t necessarily mean that it is right forever. And there are always options, even when it seems as if there aren’t.

It is a novel full of impactful insight that I will be thinking about for a long time.

Author Bio

Noelle Harrison is the Irish author of nine novels and five plays and has been translated into over 13 different languages. Her short stories have been published in Lines of Vision, Irish Writing on Irish Art, & Gutter Magazine of New Scottish Writing. In 2016, Noelle co-founded Aurora Writers’ Retreats building on 20 years’ experience of teaching creative writing in Ireland, Scotland, Norway and England.

Amazon: https://bit.ly/2VAKYDH
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2KbNElX
Kobo: https://bit.ly/34LhOFW
Google Play: https://bit.ly/3ctnpmW

April 19, 2020April 18, 2020

Books On Tour (Review): In Darkness Look For Stars by Clara Benson

It’s been a while since I read a historical fiction novel, so I was pleased to see that this one was next up on my list. There was a lot to like about it, and I very much enjoyed it from start to finish.

Amazon: https://bit.ly/3cfvKe3
Apple Books: https://apple.co/3bckT4k
Kobo: https://bit.ly/34COWQ8
Google Play: https://bit.ly/3aa9b9g

Very often, a book has a contemporary plot-line that then dovetails with the historical one in some fashion. One thing I liked about this story is that the “contemporary” line is only 7-8 years after the initial action, which works for two reasons. One is that the characters are primarily involved in both storylines (so obviously the times need to be close).

It also allows for the characters to be still carrying the weight of the war on their shoulders. There hasn’t been time to recover fully from the war itself, not to mention the aftermath. This closeness of storylines makes the switching back and forth more seamless than some others that have a more distant time difference.

I thought the characters were also well-crafted. Each one of them was flawed and trying to find their way in their new situations. Ambition, guilt, betrayal, family loyalty, and even love play significant parts in each of the character’s journeys. Harriet was the anchor for all of it, even as she struggled to find her footing in her new life.

Sebastien was the only character I had a difficult time pinning down. On the one hand, he was a temperamental teenager who had experienced significant personal tragedies. On the other, it seemed as if there was something off with him even as a young child. There is an allusion to a schoolmaster and his pupils that is briefly mentioned and then never addressed again. It makes me wonder if that was to be a reason for Sebastien’s temperament.

I did like Cecilia’s journey. She was the embodiment of how guilt could destroy a person from the inside. Even though she made her choices and had to live with them, I found her story to be satisfying and was glad the author gave her the arc that she did. I especially liked the connections of music as colors; that is something that has always fascinated me, and I was interested in Cecilia and Emil’s descriptions.

Ultimately, this is an epic story spanning roughly a decade that showcases how ambition and desire can drive people to fatal decisions, and how families don’t always do best by each other. It was a great read, and I would highly recommend it.

Find her at clarabenson.com
Facebook at ClaraBensonBooks
Twitter: @ClaraBooks

AUTHOR BIO

Clara Benson is the author of traditional English whodunits and other historical fiction. Over the years she’s lived in London, Milan and Florence, and can still speak a bit of Italian if pressed. Now she lives with her family in the north of England, where she spends her days writing and trying to ignore an ever-lengthening to-do list.

April 16, 2020April 15, 2020

Cover Reveal: Somebody’s Daughter by Carol Wyer

OMG, OMG, OMG…..I am SOOOOOO hooked on this series. Check out this cover!

Stunning, right? Now look at the description:

Somebody’s Daughter: A gripping crime thriller packed with mystery and suspense (Detective Natalie Ward Book 7)

One by one the girls disappeared…

When the frail body of a teenage girl is discovered strangled in a parking lot, shards of ice form in Detective Natalie Ward’s veins. As Natalie looks at the freckles scattered on her cheeks and the pale pink lips tinged with blue, she remembers that this innocent girl is somebody’s daughter…

The girl is identified as missing teenager Amelia Saunders, who has run away from home and her controlling father. Natalie’s heart sinks further when it becomes clear that Amelia has been working on the streets, manipulated by her violent new boyfriend Tommy.

A day later, another vulnerable girl is found strangled on a park bench. Like Amelia, Katie Bray was a runaway with connections to Tommy, and Natalie is determined to find him and track down the monster attacking these scared and lonely girls.

But when a wealthy young woman is found murdered the next morning, the word ‘guilty’ scrawled on her forehead, Natalie realises that the case is more complex than she first thought. Determined to establish a connection between her three victims, Natalie wastes no time in chasing down the evidence, tracing everyone who crossed their paths. Then, a key suspect’s body turns up in the canal, a mole in Natalie’s department leaks vital information and everything seems to be against her. Can Natalie stop this clever and manipulative killer before they strike again?

An unputdownable crime thriller from an Amazon bestselling author that will have you sleeping with the light on. This gripping rollercoaster ride is perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, Rachel Abbott and Rachel Caine. Prepare to be totally hooked!

THAT’S ME! I’M HOOKED!!!

Here is your Pre-order link: AMZ: https://geni.us/B08737LQR5Cover

April 14, 2020April 14, 2020

Books On Tour (Review): Fearless Girl by Emma Tallon

I absolutely devoured this book but will admit that I felt like I was coming in halfway through the story. Turns out, that feeling was not unfounded.

Memo to me: check before starting a series in the middle.

**Buy Link:** https://geni.us/B083WCYPWLSocial

First, the good parts (and there were a lot of them). I loved the grittiness of the world that the author created. The atmosphere was apparent from the very beginning, and the characters matched the world in which they lived. The author has established a fully-realized setting where everything and everyone fits in their place.

From the central players down to the minions of the “family,” the characters were realistic. I got an excellent sense of Anna’s sorrow and determination, of Freddie’s tension, even of Ethan’s uncertainty as he seems to understand more than adults give him credit for noticing.

The plot itself is good for this installment, and this is totally my fault, but it is also where I bogged down a little bit. It is gripping (two brothers get out of prison and return to their “family business”). But not having read the first books, I was missing all of the set up that really would have brought everything together.

It’s a strange thing because I “got it.” I mean, I understood the characters’ motivations, and I wasn’t lost in the plot at all – the story for this book is clear. But without the backstory, it was simply a story instead of the continuation of an epic family story. I found myself debating whether or not I should stop reading and go back to start at the beginning of the series, which pulled me out of the story. I hope that makes sense.

I think it’s a testament to the author to be able to create this kind of conundrum.

It’s aI want to be clear that this is totally on me – as mentioned, the author has created a gritty and hard-hitting world filled with unique characters, and this was a great read. I would definitely recommend picking it up – but learn from my mistake, and 100% read the others in the series first. You will enjoy it so much more.

P.S. It can be read as a stand-alone (I did it) but would be much more enjoyable with the other stories under your belt first.

Author Bio:

Emma Tallon is a British, gritty crime writer, adventurer, Londoner and mother to a young son. Starting her career a few years ago as a ghostwriter, Emma crafted some of the most adventurous, edgy and heart-wrenching stories you can find on the shelves today.

In March 2017 Emma stepped out of the literary shadows and self-published her first book, Life Game. The book was an instant success, the results far exceeding anything she had expected. As news of Life Games popularity spread, she joined forces with W.F.Howes and the audiobook was launched in October 2017.

In December 2017, Emma signed a book deal with publishers Bookouture. This included Life Game which was changed, re-edited and re-released as Runaway Girl.

Drawing inspiration for her books from a mixture of her own observations and an active imagination, the characters Emma paints are colourful and larger than life. Her story lines are an interesting recipe of deep emotion and violent grit, that keep her readers engrossed.

With more books in the works for this series already, Emma has many more stories planned out for the future.

For more information on Emma or to join her mailing list, please go to: www.emmatallon.com or alternatively, follow her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/emmatallonofficial or on Twitter: @EmmaEsj

April 12, 2020April 12, 2020

Books On Tour (Review): Daughters of Wild Rose Bay by Susanne O’Leary

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book, but I can safely say that it wasn’t a purple-haired Irish mother on a raw food diet who is into yoga and meditating. And that’s just one reason I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Amazon: https://geni.us/B082FGJ97WSocial
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2E0WUWP
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2YxxZDQ
Googleplay: http://bit.ly/38hq9Tg

It is filled with quirky characters, some of whom may be familiar to readers of this series (it’s the fourth out of five books). As I am new to the series, I found joy in each new introduction from Sally to Mad Brendan and all of the other inhabitants of Sandy Cove. And yes, Aiden is an absolutely swoon-worthy Irish suitor. 🙂

I thought that the author painted a lovely picture of an Irish seaside town. Her writing is almost lyrical at times, effortless to read, and it drew me in, nearly lulling me the way lapping waves on a beach would. I know that might sound a little corny, but I had that same feeling of contentment as I read.

I also like Jasmine as the “heroine.” I thought her background was unique, and I enjoyed her journey. I also appreciated how the author didn’t hit the reader with a great big sob story from the start. That sometimes seems manipulative, like we’re being forced to feel pity for the character.

But Ms. O’Leary allows us to get to know Jasmine gradually so that when her reasons for leaving France are revealed, we have a greater understanding of her and, therefore, my reactions and feelings towards Jasmine were more real and heartfelt.

As I mentioned, this is the fourth book in the Sandy Cove series. If Daughters of Wild Rose Bay is any indication, I will absolutely be going back and grabbing the first four to catch up while I wait for the fifth one. This is a place I will be happy to revisit.

Author Bio

Susanne O’Leary is the bestselling author of more than twenty novels, mainly in the romantic fiction genre. She has also written three crime novels and two in the historical fiction genre. She has been the wife of a diplomat (still is), a fitness teacher and a translator. She now writes full-time from either of two locations, a ramshackle house in County Tipperary, Ireland or a little cottage overlooking the Atlantic in Dingle, County Kerry. When she is not scaling the mountains of said counties, or keeping fit in the local gym, she keeps writing, producing a book every six months.

Visit Susanne at her website, http://www.susanne-oleary.co.uk or her blog, http://bit.ly/11F4e4S
Find her on Facebook, http://on.fb.me/1A2NAbr and on Twitter, http://bit.ly/1rH67dK

April 12, 2020April 12, 2020

Books On Tour (Review): Buried Deep by Susan Wilkins

I always look at the first book in a new series like the pilot of a television show. The author has to introduce all of the characters, give them at least a little bit of backstory, and write a plot that grabs the reader and hooks them for however long the series lasts. I would think that would be a challenging task. Fortunately, the new Detective Megan Thomas series mostly delivers.

Amazon: https://geni.us/B083JLJ8WTSocial
Apple: https://apple.co/2QAaFTL
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2QRPL1m
Google: http://bit.ly/2R0Dibs

I liked Megan. She suffers from almost crippling self-doubt due to past trauma (more on that later). As a result, she has to find her footing personally and in her new assignment. She’s feisty and tenacious, which sometimes leads to conflict with her superiors. Although, it was difficult to determine if that was due to Megan’s personality or for some other reason.

The members of her unit are unique individuals, and I could see the beginnings of a good working relationship between all of them. I did think a couple of them got short shrift; one did not have much to do, and another made some pivotal discoveries but then seemed to get sidelined a bit. Regardless of that, the chemistry is there to build upon in later books.

The plot is twisty, with two different cases running concurrently. The reader is led through both, wondering if they ever converge (I’m not tellin’). But both are fully realized, and the investigations are well-described and thorough.

The only thing that felt stilted was Megan’s past trauma. It seemed to exist in a vacuum, and its sole purpose was to give her a reason to be broken. There was no other tie to anything, which made it seem contrived. I would have liked to have seen it play more of a part, or come full circle somehow.

But that’s trivial. I liked the author’s writing style, and the plot did have me guessing more than a few times. I will undoubtedly be looking to read more of Detective Megan Thomas’s investigations.

Author Bio:

Susan Wilkins also writes as S.J. Wilkins. Susan worked for years in television drama, wrote for shows including Casualty, Heartbeat, Coronation Street and Eastenders and created the London-based detective drama South of the Border.

Her gritty, Essex-based gangster trilogy – THE INFORMANT, THE MOURNER and THE KILLER – has been compared to Martina Cole and Kimberley Chambers and described as “blazingly brilliant” (Sunday Mirror). IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ME, her fourth book, is a twisty psychological thriller, featuring police detective Jo Boden, an ambitious cop still grieving for a murdered sister.

For 2020 a completely gripping new series from Susan introduces the tough and determined Detective Megan Thomas. For fans of Ann Cleeves, LJ Ross and Mari Hannah, this will keep you hooked from the first page to the last. Writing as S.J. Wilkins, A KILLER’S HEART – a tense and timely political thriller, is now available on Kindle.

**Website:** https://susanwilkins.co.uk
**Facebook:** https://www.facebook.com/susanwilkinsauthor/
**Twitter:** https://twitter.com/SusanWilkins32

April 9, 2020April 9, 2020

Books On Tour (Review): My Husband’s Lie by Emma Davies

A good set up is key to a good story. If the opening doesn’t grab me, it can sometimes be a slog to get through to anything exciting. Fortunately, the author of this book sets up what’s yet to come with two straightforward statements from the main characters. From there, it was a page-turning read to find out what was behind it all.

One thing I appreciated about this book was the story unfolded. Often-times, there seems to be a rush to “get to the good stuff,” which can sometimes feel manipulative. That is not the case here. Ms. Davies does a terrific job of lulling the reader into a sort of peacefulness, as we follow Thea and Drew through their move to Thea’s childhood home.

I got into the renovations of the studio and was excited that the two characters were excited. The author made me feel that much for them that early in the book. But even as everything seems to be coming together for them, there is an ominous feeling that builds right along with Thea’s odd experiences in the village.

This is another thing that I enjoyed; everything is just smooth. It’s hard to explain without giving anything away, but there was a thin line between the bad stuff that started occurring and the struggle Thea had as she tried to reconcile her memories with current events. Everything melded together into one coherent story, and neither thread got lost at the expense of the other. I thought Thea was a solid character, and I especially liked how she took control and helped her story came full-circle.

One of the things I appreciated most, and I suppose this could be considered a mini-spoiler, was that the family unit was not decimated as so often happens in this genre. I thought the author made the point about support and love at any cost crystal clear through both Drew’s and Thea’s actions.

I read this in essentially one sitting, as I was fascinated with how Ms. Davies crafted her story. It kept me interested and even got me teary as resolutions started to occur. This is one you should pick up right away.

Author Bio:

After a varied career, Emma Davies once worked for a design studio where she was asked to provide a fun and humorous (and not necessarily true) anecdote for their website. She wrote the following: ‘I am a bestselling novelist currently masquerading as a thirty something mother of three.’ Well the job in the design studio didn’t work out but she’s now a forty something mother of three and is happy to report the rest of her dream came true.

After many years as a finance manager she now writes full time and is far happier playing with words than numbers. She lives with her husband, three children, and two guinea pigs in rural Shropshire where she writes in all the gaps in between real life. It’s a county she adores, her love of its beautiful people and landscapes providing endless inspiration for her books, and in fact the only thing that would make Shropshire more idyllic is if it were by the sea.

Pop over to her website www.emmadaviesauthor.com where, amongst other things, you can read about her passion for Pringles and singing loudly in the car. You can also wave to her on twitter @EmDaviesAuthor / https://twitter.com/EmDaviesAuthor or find her on Facebook (a little too often than is good for her): https://www.facebook.com/emmadaviesauthor/

April 9, 2020April 5, 2020

Books On Tour (Review): One Of Us is Lying by Shalini Boland

I have read quite a few books by this author, and I think she gets better each time. This one is the best yet.

Amazon: https://bit.ly/3axjJjy
Apple Books: https://apple.co/3asr2Jm
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3dJ64Iu
Google Play: https://bit.ly/2JrGycx

I like a book that starts with a flashback and then moves to the present time, leaving the reader wondering how the first event fits in. The author does a fantastic job with that, as my thoughts on the relationship changed more than a few times.

I thought the characters were interesting, if not a little bit unfinished. All three of the main women were unique individuals, but I didn’t feel like I had a full understanding of them. There was enough information for the plot to move forward, but it wasn’t as in-depth as it might have been.

For example, there were hints about Fiona’s relationship with Nathan, but it wasn’t until the end that we find out the true nature of it, and even then, it’s more of a passing statement. I suppose I’m being a little nitpicky because the plot itself drew me in and kept me turning pages to finish this in one sitting.

I liked how the author shifted between the three women’s perspectives seamlessly. I never felt jolted by the switching point of view; each woman’s story dovetailed nicely into the others. The author also did a great job illustrating how easy it is to get carried away with one’s problems and be oblivious to issues others might be having.

(As always, I know that’s cagey, but you know how I am about giving away plot points).

I did figure out most of the overall mystery around three-quarters of the way through, but that’s not because the author made it obvious. More, I think because I have learned a lot about putting clues together through family work. The perpetrator was quite devious, however, and I liked the attention that was given to detailing the steps they took.

It was a really good, page-turning read, and I would definitely recommend it.

Author Bio

Shalini lives in Dorset, England with her husband, two children, and Jess their cheeky terrier cross. Before kids, she was signed to Universal Music Publishing as a singer-songwriter, but now she spends her days writing suspense thrillers (in between school runs and hanging out endless baskets of laundry).

**Twitter:** https://twitter.com/ShaliniBoland

April 3, 2020April 1, 2020

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

I have a confession to make.

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

Spoiler alert: I shouldn’t have worried.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Author Bio

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

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