Tag: Books On Tour

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Books On Tour (Review): Into the Darkest Day by Kate Hewitt

Epic in every sense of the word, this book is one of the finest examples of historical fiction I have read. There is so much that I liked about it that I don’t know if I can cover it all, but I’ll try.

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One thing I noticed right from the start was the attention to detail in both the contemporary and historical storylines. It is always easiest to picture something familiar, so getting an image of Abby’s apple orchard and the farmhouse was simple to imagine. The author was so descriptive with the WWII scenes that I could picture them almost as completely.

The author hits the other senses with her descriptions as well. From the pigeon coops to events during the war, I felt like I could smell and hear what the characters were; that’s how good they were. It must be said that with that depth of detail also comes the emotion that goes along with it, and I felt gut-punched by a few of them (no spoilers).

I liked how the story started out being about one thing but then took off a different direction. This felt realistic and added to the intrigue of the WWII portion of the plot. I did think that a few of the contemporary plot points were extraneous, but I understand how the conflicts were needed to give more depth to Abby and Simon. I think it was because the WWII sections were so compelling, I just wanted to get back to them.

I also liked how some of the questions propelling the plot were not answered until close to the end. That was effective because 1) it kept me reading to find out the resolution, and 2) the author was able to take the story in different directions to get to the final point (instead of just reaching it directly).

A word must be said about the history. I have often mentioned that I like historical fiction because I usually learn something new. This time I learned several things via Matthew’s experiences (again, no spoilers). His arc led me to a fascinating documentary, and also served as a reminder that even after D-Day, there was still a lot of war left to fight.

The author has spun a masterful story. If you are a fan of historical fiction, you definitely should have this on your TBR list.

Author Bio

Kate Hewitt is the author of many romance and women’s fiction novels. A former New Yorker and now an American ex-pat, she lives in a small town on the Welsh border with her husband, five children, and their overly affectionate Golden Retriever. Whatever the genre, she enjoys telling stories that tackle real issues and touch people’s lives. 

Website: https://www.kate-hewitt.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KateHewittAuthor/ 
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1269244.Kate_Hewitt
Twitter: https://twitter.com/katehewitt1  
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Books on Tour (Review): Her Last Mistake by Clara Kovach

Detective Gina Harte is back, and this time the investigation hits a little closer to home than she would like.

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One thing this author does well is setting incredibly detailed scenes. But Ms. Kovach goes a step beyond several other authors and sets active scenes. Not only are static details enumerated, but dynamic moments are as well (the flash of a camera at a crime scene, the sounds of the squad room, etc.). It gives a whole different dimension to reading.

I also like how the people involved in the investigation proceed, especially how they talk things out before an official statement is made, spitballing ideas or general thoughts on the case. This type of discussion is something that happens in real-life investigations, and the author captures it perfectly.  

As to the investigation itself, it’s more personal because aspects of it remind Gina of her own past trauma. These moments do serve to catalyze Gina and drive her to find the killer while adding depth to her character.  However, there were a few times I felt that Gina’s memories bogged the plot down. I wanted to get back to the action of the story.

The crime(s) are pretty gruesome, but not gory. The close proximity of the killer and victims proves that it mostly involves the power the killer feels, and that is detailed in sporadic chapters from the killer’s point of view.

As always, the author does a fantastic job of throwing red herrings and twists in that mimic a real investigation (thinking that it’s suspect A, but maybe it’s suspect B, what does suspect C have to do with it all, anyway?). And just when you think you have it all figured out, you don’t. This author is a master at partial guilt. And that’s all I am going to say about that.

Even though this is part of a series, the sixth to be exact, it can absolutely be read as a standalone. You will just have a better sense of Gina’s (and her team’s) backgrounds if you have read the others.

Author Bio:

Carla Kovach was born in Birmingham, UK and now resides in Redditch, Worcestershire. Author of supernatural drama ‘Flame,’ psychological thriller ‘To Let,’ crime thriller ‘Whispers Beneath the Pines,’ and holiday comedy, ‘Meet Me at Marmaris Castle.’ Carla also writes stage and screenplays, some of which have been produced in the Worcestershire area. Her feature film ‘Penny for the Guy’ is being made and is set for release in 2019.

Her latest book, Her Last Mistake is the sixth book in the DI Gina Harte crime series.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarlaKovachAuthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CKovachAuthor
Website: https://griffbuck.wordpress.com/
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Books On Tour (Review): One Mistake by Rona Halsall

Hands down, one of the most zonko crazy psych thrillers I have read in recent memory. And how fitting that a book about how far a woman will go to protect her family is posting on Mother’s Day!

Amazon: https://geni.us/B084HQ2672Social Apple: https://apple.co/39dTn5i
Kobo: http://bit.ly/39aVJlm Google: http://bit.ly/2unhD69

The set-up was a little bit slow at first, and I thought it was going to be more of an everyday type of story. I could not have been more wrong. In hindsight, I realized that the details at the beginning were vital to build a foundation for the rest of the wild events to rest upon.

Sara also seemed weak at first, but it became apparent that she had been emotionally beaten down by life – first while growing up and then by her marriage. I think many readers will relate to the feeling of doing everything they can for their families only to feel unappreciated. I loved her growth and may have actually pumped my fist with a “YES!” in her final conversation with Matt.

Once the action got going, it was difficult to know who to trust, which was all set up perfectly to keep the reader off-balance. Does James have ulterior motives? Is Hailey more involved than it appears? Can Fiona be too good to be true? Why is Matt such a jerk?

All of those questions (and then some) are answered, but not always in the way you might expect. By the end, I’m pretty sure that Sara was wishing that her initial suspicion about her husband had been correct. I’m not saying more than that.

I will say that this book had one of the strangest plot twists and went to a pretty dark place. Some might find it far-fetched, but I thought it addressed a wide-spread problem that is rarely mentioned. It also illuminated how the digital age has made it so much easier to ruin lives – with literally a click of a mouse.

So, in summary, it starts slow but then zooms off around corners and blind spots to take you on a wild ride. Hang on!

Author Bio:

Rona lives on the Isle of Man with her husband, two dogs and three guinea pigs. She has been a bookworm since she was a child and now she’s actually creating stories of her own, which still feels like a dream come true. 

She is an outdoorsy person and loves stomping up a mountain, walking the coastal paths and exploring the wonderful beaches on the Island while she’s plotting how to kill off her next victim. She also makes sure she deletes her Google history on a regular basis, because… well, you can’t be too careful when you spend your life researching new and ingenious ways for people to die.

She has three children and two step-children who are now grown up and leading varied and interesting lives, which provides plenty of ideas for new stories!

To find out more about Rona’s novels, go to www.facebook.com/RonaHalsallAuthor or follow @RonaHalsallAuth on Twitter.

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Books on Tour (Review): The Happy Couple by Samantha Hayes

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

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Apple Books: https://apple.co/2W6WjMa
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Jo was an interesting main character. She began as a very sad figure, trying to keep her life going even as she approached a year since her husband had disappeared. Through the first third of the book, I got the sense that Jo was pretty much just going through the motions (totally understandable given the circumstances).

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

And that’s where the fun really starts.

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

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

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

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

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

Website: www.samanthahayes.co.uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SamanthaHayesAuthor
Twitter: @samhayes
Instagram: samanthahayes.author
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Books On Tour (Review): The Sister-In-Law by Sue Watson

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

Until it isn’t.

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Google Play: https://bit.ly/2xJYVaF

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

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

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

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

I hope that all makes sense.

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

Author Bio

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

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

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

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

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Apple books: https://apple.co/3aIB08X
Kobo: https://bit.ly/2Scsg4j
Google Play: https://bit.ly/2Y7r5qM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Author Bio

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

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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.

Twitter: @SELynesAuthor
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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
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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.

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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.

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Books On Tour (Review): Find Her Alive by Lisa Regan

The author has created quite the world for Josie, and this eighth book in the series is more personal than many of the others. It’s still a page-turner from start to finish.

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Apple: https://apple.co/2NRArRC
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One thing I enjoy about Ms. Regan’s books is the research and detail that goes into her plots. I always learn something new, whether it is an investigative technique or something to do with forensic science. This time I learned an awful lot about bone growth and ornithology.

I also like how easy it is to read her books. Everything flows together seamlessly, from scene to scene and even between perspectives. The action primarily belongs to Josie, but there are some scenes from an alternate character (no spoilers) that give the reader background on motives for crimes. Those were very well-done. Even though I figured out part of the twist early on, I was satisfied to see how it all played out.

As I mentioned, this one is personal to Josie, because her twin sister Trinity figures heavily in the plot. This gives the reader more insight into Josie’s family situation and highlights just how far she has come, yet how far there still is to go in reconciling her past.

The author also does just enough to make the reader care about the characters. There is no angst or playing on feelings (and that could certainly be the case for Josie), nor are the characters remote or unlikeable. Josie (as the protagonist) is flawed and human. I also like how the villain(s) have their own backstory. They are rarely bad for the sake of being bad, but often have at least semi-legit reasons for their evilness. It just makes the story as a whole more interesting.

As with other books, this one can be read as a standalone, but as Josie’s story comes more to light, it will become more and more difficult to read them without knowing the backstory. Do yourself a favor, and if you haven’t already, grab this series from the beginning. You’ll be entertained and learn something new with each book.

Author Bio

Lisa Regan is a USA Today, Wall Street Journal bestselling author and Amazon bestselling crime novelist.  She has a bachelor’s degree in English and Master of Education Degree from Bloomsburg University.  She is a member of Sisters In Crime, Mystery Writers of America and International Thriller Writers. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and daughter. Find out more at her website: www.lisaregan.com

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/Lisa-Regan-189735444395923/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/Lisalregan
WEBSITE: www.lisaregan.com
GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6443334.Lisa_Regan
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