Tag: Books On Tour

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Books On Tour (Review): The Break Up by Tilly Tennant

Happy to be kicking off this blog tour. Sorry for the delay on the review. But here it is!

I actually like the original title for this book (A Cat Called Cupid) better because it highlights who the real star of this book is: Fluffy/Satchmo. As evidenced early on, there is nothing more comforting than a kitty purr. A cat’s nature is what makes this story work as a whole.

Amazon: https://geni.us/B08423K71C
Apple: https://apple.co/2G6oZxf
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2RAGGdF
Google: http://bit.ly/37gL9Zt

Oh, there are humans as well, and they are the main story. Lara has a typical rom-com shocker at the beginning, but the author doesn’t waste time with her moping around. In the second chapter, we are already a year later, and Lara has moved on – for the most part.  

She came across as extremely likable and realistic. While she starts a business that seems counter-intuitive (wedding planning), she seems to excel at it. But at the same time, she is not impervious to the feelings that come from her boyfriend/best friend issues. Her reactions were natural.

I had a harder time getting a handle on Theo….until his scene with Great Aunt Emma at Chloe’s wedding (and boy was Chloe a piece of work). That scene grabbed me in a way that few do. All at once, I had everything I needed to know about Theo. Nothing else that he said or did mattered. His treatment of Emma was it for me.

I liked the author’s style of writing. The history of locations and detailed descriptions gave the story depth and made it easier to picture the action. In fact, the best thing about a book like this was feeling like I was “reading a movie.” I especially like that in a rom-com over any other genre. This book definitely wins on that front.

But do yourself a favor and go pick up this new release today; it’s the perfect fix for any blues you may have.

Author Bio:

Tilly Tennant was born in Dorset, the oldest of four children, but now lives in Staffordshire with a family of her own. After years of dismal and disastrous jobs, including paper plate stacking, shop girl, newspaper promotions and waitressing (she never could carry a bowl of soup without spilling a bit), she decided to indulge her passion for the written word by embarking on a degree in English and creative writing. She wrote a novel in 2007 during her first summer break at university and has not stopped writing since. She also works as a freelance fiction editor, and considers herself very lucky that this enables her to read many wonderful books before the rest of the world gets them.

Hopelessly Devoted to Holden Finn was her debut novel; published in 2014 it was an Amazon bestseller in both the UK and Australia. In 2016 she signed to the hugely successful Bookouture and is currently working on her next Tilly Tennant novel. She also writes as Sharon Sant, where she explores the darker side of life, and Poppy Galbraith, where things get a little crazier.

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/TillyTennant/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/TillyTenWriter
WEBSITE: www.tillytennant.com
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Books On Tour (Review): The First Wife by Jill Childs

Not going to beat around the bush.

Hands down, this is one of the best psych thrillers I have read. It had everything a person could want in the genre, and I loved pretty much everything about it.

Amazon: http://bit.ly/33aNiF1
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2vVOe3C
Kobo: http://bit.ly/3cLZm3M
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2IEKy9e

The setting itself is gothic (an old mansion on the cliffs by the sea), which adds to the atmosphere of the opening chapters. That alone drew me in and kept me reading. But it really took off just under half-way through, and I was gobbling up pages to find out what happened next.

The plot is tight and well-written, with enough nuances and hints that I was kept slightly off-balance. I, like Sophie, could sense that something was off but without being able to put my finger on it.

I thought that the characters were realistic. I would only say that I didn’t get a strong feel for Dom, I think mainly because we get to know him mostly through flashbacks. I did think that Sophie’s initial timidity, while unsettling at first, was an excellent catalyst for later events. She needed to have certain personality traits for the rest of the plot to work.

There were twists galore in this book, and I’m not going to give any of them away. Suffice to say that just when you think you have it figured out, you probably don’t. And that goes all the way until the very last word.

If you’re going to be self-distancing, it’s the perfect time to pick up this book.

Author Bio

Jill always loved writing – real and imaginary – and spent thirty years travelling the world as a journalist, living overseas and reporting wherever the news took her. She’s now made her home in south-west London with her husband and twin girls who love stories as much as she does. Although she’s covered everything from earthquakes and floods, wars and riots, she’s decided some of the most extraordinary stories are right here at home – in the secrets and lies she imagines behind closed doors on ordinary streets just like yours.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/author_jill 
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17843718.Jill_Childs
Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jill-Childs/e/B07BL52SYB/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1
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Books On Tour (Review): Some Days Are Dark by Miranda Smith

I love a book that takes me in a couple of different directions so that I am unsure as to each character’s motivations and (in the case of this book) innocence. I wasn’t sure where this one was going, and as I got deeper into the story, I found myself feeling empathy for competing characters. That’s ultimately what made this a compelling read.

Amazon: http://bit.ly/2W2O1Gx
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2THU0za
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2TGlS6v
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2Q9xGwa

At first, I felt for Olivia because she obviously screwed up and lost her family. However, as more information came to light, I found myself feeling less sorry for her because she also made her choices.

I liked how the “mystery” unraveled throughout the book as well. What appeared to be a closed case at the beginning was blown wide open, and the “truth” (told in both current and “before” chapters)  slowly came to light.

There is also something else:

Mini-spoiler alert

I believe that the author did an admirable job tackling the hot topic of prescription addiction. I’m not going to say more than that, but the character who deals with it is very typical of numerous victims of the current opioid epidemic. It was brave of the author to make this character a focal point and even bolder to make them somewhat sympathetic.

Back to the end of the review

I very much enjoyed the trajectory of this story and appreciated the natural twists that the plot followed. I felt like I was watching one of those “true crime” shows; it all seemed that real. I would, without a doubt, recommend this book.

Author Bio

Miranda Smith writes psychological and domestic suspense. She is drawn to stories about ordinary people in extraordinary situations. Before completing her first novel, she worked as a newspaper staff writer and a secondary English teacher. She lives in East Tennessee with her husband and three young children.

Website: https://mirandasmithwriter.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MirandaSmithAuthor/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mirandasmithwriter/

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Books On Tour (Review): Knock Knock by Chris Merritt

For once, the tag line of “pulse-racing” and “heart-stopping” is 100% accurate. I could not put this book down. What a bang-up job for the first in a new series!

BUY LINK: 
https://geni.us/B0848XBLB3Social

As always, in an initial entry to a series, there is a lot to unpack. Right off the bat, we meet the main characters, Dan Lockhart and Lexi Green, whose jobs (DI and clinical psychologist, respectively) bring them together on both a personal and, later, professional level.

She is his therapist as he works his way through all sorts of issues, from PTSD (military service) to his missing wife (vanished, still missing). He brings her on to the case at hand to try to analyze the perpetrator to help them narrow down suspects. She jumps in and gets more than she bargained for (no spoilers).

I thought the introduction of the two was very smooth, as was the background for both of them, as well as for the rest of the Major Investigation Team (MIT). Sometimes introductions can weigh down the plot, as the author wants to build a solid foundation for the rest of the series. This author manages to build that foundation while keeping the plot skipping along at a rapid pace.

The crimes in this book are unique and chilling. There were just enough hints dropped that I found myself wildly guessing at “whodunit” early on, but kept changing my mind as I proceeded to read more. I appreciated how the author gave us a real insight into the killer’s motivations. There was almost as much background for the killer as there were for the lead investigators.

Very often, the perpetrator gets a perfunctory mention of past trauma or personal history that sets them on their murderous path. In this book, however, we get treated to a real deep dive into the world the killer inhabits. It makes the story so much more well-rounded.

The investigation unfolds in an entirely natural way, and I thought the author did an excellent job of illustrating how police “connect the dots,” as well as allowing the members of the MIT to disagree (which often happens in real life). The plotting was astute and well-written and did have me turning pages late into the night to get to the resolution. I was not disappointed!

Although this is the first in a new series, there is a brief mention of a character from another series by the same author (I guess to denote a tie-in?). It’s pretty inconsequential to the plot overall, but it does illustrate that the author is working within a known and detailed world, which makes it an overall more enjoyable read. I will absolutely be looking for the next books in this series!

Author Bio

Chris Merritt is a British author whose crime thrillers combine psychology, suspense, and characters you care about.

All his novels are set in London, where he lives. He began writing fiction in 2014, after previous careers as a diplomat, based in Iraq and Jerusalem, and later as a psychologist working with victims and perpetrators of crime. He specialised in treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which sparked his interest in telling stories about how people cope when faced with extreme adversity.

Now he spends most of his time writing novels and drinking coffee while *thinking* about writing novels. When he’s not writing, he loves climbing and playing basketball.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrCJMerritt
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17558172.Chris_Merritt
Website: www.cjmerritt.co.uk

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Books On Tour (Review): Her Broken Wings by D.K. Hood

I have made no secret of my hesitation for starting books mid-series. As this is book eight (!) in the Detectives Kane and Alton series, I was even more reticent than usual, but the premise intrigued me so I decided to give it a try.

I was very much NOT disappointed and was turning pages to finish in one sitting!

Amazon: https://geni.us/B082CYKG74Social
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2RALy4b
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2YmYjQZ
Googleplay: http://bit.ly/34W2d5W

The author did a fantastic job of weaving a narrative that included just enough information about past cases that I felt more of a desire to read past books out of interest rather than feeling like I was missing several references.

The plot itself was cracking good: Black Rock Falls, Montana is a hotbed for serial killers and other criminals. From the gritty prologue, moving into the gruesome first chapter and beyond, the author captures the reality of murder and mayhem.

At the same time, the jobs of law enforcement are also realistically portrayed. The key is that it is in a way that even a layperson can understand what is happening. There was just enough information to make it interesting and informative without being too technical to follow. The level of detail allowed the switch between police procedural and criminal motivation.

Speaking of, there were a few times that motivation seemed gimmicky, and I can’t speak to the authenticity or accuracy of the disorder mentioned. Still, it made for a unique twist and page-turning reading.

I am glad that I found this series, and I look forward to reading both past books in the series (to catch up) and future books yet to come.

Author Bio

I’ve always had a wicked sense of humour and was the kid who told the ghost stories around the campfire. I am lucky to have family all over the world and have spent many vacations in places from Paris France to Montana USA and Australia. I use the wonderful memories from these visits to enhance my stories.

My interest in the development of forensic science to solve crime goes back many years. I enjoy writing crime, mystery and thrillers. With many stories, waiting for me to write I’ll look forward to sharing many spine-tingling stories with you.

Website: www.dkhood.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dkhoodauthor/
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/DKHood_Author
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Books On Tour (Review): The Lilac House by Barbara Josselsohn

This book had me at “ballet,” but held me through exceptional writing and likable characters in thoroughly realistic situations. Equal parts emotional and inspirational, Barbara Josselsohn has written a charming, winning novel.

Amazon: http://bit.ly/2VX9fFG
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2PXkx9c
Apple Books: https://apple.co/3aQm35h
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2TQxeUA

I liked how each of the main characters had something in their past that was keeping them from future happiness. The author did a fantastic job of creating unique situations for each character. I especially appreciated how she wove them all together into a holistic message of hope and the importance of second chances and recognizing kindred spirits.

I related to both Hope and Anna, mostly through their dance backgrounds. Like Anna, I was on my way to being a professional until I, too, injured my ankle onstage. It took me a while to be able to dance again (both physically and emotionally), but the love and appreciation for the art never disappeared. I felt Anna’s pull to the studio as much as I felt my own pull back to the stage.

At the same time, I followed Hope’s trajectory. When I couldn’t dance professionally, I found a niche in local theaters, which led to choreography and directing jobs. I fell in love with the creation of dances from the artistic side, which gave my performance side a huge boost as well. Hope’s desire to be a mentor to the college students, even at the expense of them taking advantage of her, was (unfortunately) also familiar.

The author captured small-town politics and close-knit communities perfectly as well. Lake Summers came to life, as did its residents, and I found myself wanting to visit. I love it when an author creates an atmosphere so realistic that I can picture walking down the streets and patronizing the stores.

Honestly, there wasn’t anything I disliked about this book. Lyrical writing (that reminded me of ballet) and realistic emotions and motivations make this one of my favorites this year. Please don’t miss it!

Author Bio

Barbara Josselsohn is novelist and journalist. Her articles and essays appear in a range of publications including New York Magazine, American Baby, The New York Times, Parents Magazine, and Writers’ Digest. Online, you can see her work on WorkingMother.com, NextAvenue.org, and GrownandFlown.com. She teaches novel writing and creative writing at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, N.Y., and other venues. 

Website: http://www.barbarasolomonjosselsohn.com/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BarbaraSolomonJosselsohnAuthor
Twitter: @barbarajoss  
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Books On Tour (Review): My Perfect Wife by Clare Boyd

Let’s start simple: this was one of the biggest mindscrews I have ever read.

I have read domestic suspense with tight and twisty plots, but I can’t remember one where I was so off-balance.

Amazon: https://geni.us/B082Q5M324Social
Apple Books: https://apple.co/35uJtuw
Kobo: http://bit.ly/34w3XC0
Googleplay: http://bit.ly/34nOsM3

The author did a fantastic job of keeping me guessing the characters’ motives throughout the entire book. In some books, some revelations make things clear even as there are more twists to come. Not the case here; everything stayed murky, and the story was that much better for it.

I liked how the author dropped hints about past events, but always with something else still waiting in the wings.

(By the way, I know this is cryptic, but it’s challenging to write a review on a book like this without giving anything away – and this is one that you definitely need to experience for yourself).

I thought the characters were well-described, and most of them seemed realistic. I did think that the American couple (Bo and Walt) verged on caricatures, but perhaps that was purposeful. It didn’t detract from the story; it was just noticeable.

I also thought that Heather’s parents were a little under-developed. I didn’t feel like I got a good grasp on them (Salvation Army volunteers, gardeners, and…what else?) There were times that it seemed as if they were supposed to be Bible-thumpers, but others where they were “normalized.” I think that is why the revelations about them in the latter part of the book were a little harder to take.

The same goes for Heather’s relationship with Jason. It didn’t seem as solid of a plotline as other parts, and almost seemed more as just a convenience to get Heather away from the drama at Copper Lodge.

I did think that the heart of the plot, the relationship between Elizabeth and Lucas, was exceptionally well-done. I switched back and forth as to whose story I believed, and that is what ultimately drove the tension and all of the twists. Right up until the end, I still didn’t know who was in the right.

There were a few loose ends, or at least a couple of plot points that I think deserved better endings (Agata and Piotr are mostly left hanging, for example). But when I finished the book, I literally asked myself, “What the hell did I just read?” And I like that in a suspense/ thriller story.

If you pick this one up, be prepared to be UNprepared as you read. Sometimes things don’t have to make perfect sense; they just have to happen. That is certainly the case with this book.

Author Bio

Clare lives with her husband and their two daughters in Surrey, where her little green shed at the bottom of the garden provides a haven for her writing life. Before becoming a writer, she enjoyed a career in television, as a researcher in documentaries and then as a script editor in drama at the BBC and Channel Four, where her love of storytelling took hold.

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/clareboydclark
FACEBOOK: clare.boyd.14
TWITTER: @ClareBoydClark
INSTAGRAM: claresboyd
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Books On Tour (Review): The Magnolia Sisters by Alys Murray

I came into this book expecting it to be about sisters (not much of a reach, given the title). While there were moments of sisterhood, this ultimately was more of a romance with the focus on one sister in particular, and that wasn’t a bad thing.

Amazon: http://bit.ly/2TysXVF
Kobo: http://bit.ly/32HPD9U
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2TyZdb2
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2TtoXpf

There was still a lot of emphasis on family throughout the book. Both Luke and Harper always had their sisters’ best interests in mind, even as they ignored what was right in front of them. This made them realistic and not typical romance novel stereotypes. Their reactions were natural and entirely in tune with people just too stubborn to see outside of their bubbles.

That being said, the author did a nice job of building the tension between the two of them. I especially liked that Harper was a strong, dedicated woman without being a raging feminist. Her description of why she loved flowers, and what they meant to her, was heartfelt and stirring. And her devotion to the traditions of the farm and her family were well-described.

I did not care for her youngest sister May. I know that she was an important character and the catalyst for more than one plot point. However, I found her to be selfish and spoiled. Again, I know that this was vital to the story, but it wasn’t in any way endearing. Annie and Rose, however, were a hoot.

As to the setting, I loved it. I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. My parents and I used to take Sunday drives around the Bay, finding backroads and small towns. The descriptions of both the town and the people of Hillsboro reminded me of those towns. It was a sweet memory to revisit. And the flower farm was unique and intriguing.

All in all, it was a pleasant read with natural emotion and realistic characters…and a perfect rom-com ending (no spoiler, you know it’s coming). Take the emotional journey with Luke and Harper. You’ll enjoy it.

Author Bio

Alys Murray is an author who writes for the romantic in all of us. Though she graduated with a degree in Drama from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and a Master’s in Film Studies from King’s College London, her irrepressible love of romance led her to a career as an author, and she couldn’t be happier to write these stories! Currently splitting time between her home state of Louisiana and London, she enjoys kissing books, Star Wars, and creating original pie recipes for all of her books. Tobey Maguire is her Spider-Man. 

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Books On Tour – The Tuscan Girl by Angela Petch

I thought that this would be a run of the mill WWII historical fiction novel, but it turned out to be one of the more unique stories I have read lately. Told from multiple points of view, the author does a fine job of creating an entire picture of the characters’ lives.

Amazon: http://bit.ly/2SJ0Tzx
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2wsYa4x
Apple Books: https://apple.co/37IgSSW
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2P8YkVt

I can’t stress this part enough, because by having chapters that cover the same periods but from differing character’s experiences, the entire storyline is more holistic, which in turn makes it much more emotional. The reader gets to dig down into motivations and the effects of the war on personalities and general outlooks on life.

As in other books that cover the era, I thought that the parts set in WWII Tuscany were the most interesting, except for Massimo’s experiences in England. I have mentioned that I love learning something new from novels in this genre, and the Italian POWs in England certainly fit the bill. I especially liked Molly’s attitude about relationships. I thought that it echoed Florian’s in that they were both trying to find a little piece of sanity and normalcy in the craziness of war.

I liked Alba’s contemporary story, as well. Although I felt the catalyst for her returning to Italy was a tad much, I understand why the author chose to make it that emotional. I found her and Lucia to be very similar in many ways. I also liked that it was not a usual romantic, “everything will be okay in light of what she learned” story. The strength she found was admirable.

There were a few times that it seemed as if there was too much going on to keep straight. As a result, there were a few plot lines that felt more rushed than they should have been, with Quinto’s standing out the most. However, if one believes in karma and the universe’s tendency to achieve balance, he was vital to the overall arc of the other’s stories.

I’ll admit the end got me, and I read the last few chapters through tears. By that time, all of the plotlines and various stories converged, and there were satisfying conclusions. This not a story in a traditional linear sense, but the world created by the author is memorable and leaves an impact.

Author Bio

I’m an award winning writer of fiction – and the occasional poem. Every summer I move to Tuscany for six months where my husband and I own a renovated watermill which we let out. When not exploring our unspoilt corner of the Apennines, I disappear to my writing desk at the top of our converted stable. In my Italian handbag or hiking rucksack I always make sure to store notebook and pen to jot down ideas. The winter months are spent in Sussex where most of our family live. When I’m not helping out with grandchildren, I catch up with writer friends.  

https://angelapetchsblogsite.wordpress.com/
@Angela_Petch  

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Books On Tour (Review): When We Were Brave by Suzanne Kelman

I loved A View Across the Rooftops because it was my “gateway” historical novel that got me hooked on the genre. I was therefore very excited to see the second book of this type by Suzanne Kelman. I am extremely pleased to say that there is no sophomore slump here – it’s another winner! In fact, the author has outdone herself, as this is even better than her first one.

Writing a historical novel can be tricky because there is a delicate balance to uphold. It should be informative without being too much like a history lecture, but should also contain emotion and actions that are compatible with the era. Not to mention that history can sometimes be dry, and feelings and facts don’t always go together.

This author has succeeded again, as the characters are realistic and jump off the page. There are both historical and contemporary storylines and they mesh perfectly. Sophie (in the present) has suffered some terrible personal losses when a picture in an exhibition catches her eye, as the woman in the picture looks a lot like her mother. Intrigued and needing a project to focus on, she decides to find out more about the history of the woman in the snapshot.

Her investigation opens up the world of WWII France and England, and this is where the novel came alive. Vivienne (Vivi to her friends) is a member of the SOE, a British Spy Organization. She goes to France to help the Resistance fight the Nazi occupation. If that doesn’t intrigue you, I don’t know what else I can say because that had me hooked right in from the start.

What follows is Sophie tracking down Vivi’s story, and trying to determine how everything went wrong for Vivi, leading the family to never talk about her. I don’t want to say much more (loose lips and all), but Vivi is one of the most interesting characters I have ever read about, and I loved everything about her journey.

I have mentioned before that I love to learn something new from a historical novel, and this fits the bill perfectly as well. I knew about the French Resistance, but not about the Prosper Network in particular. The author did an excellent job researching and relaying the information in the course of the narrative without breaking the storyline.

Honestly, I can’t say enough good things about this book, but I don’t want to give it away. You really need to experience Vivi’s story and Sophie’s investigation on your own. Trust me on this one; if you like historical novels, you will not be disappointed with this one.

Author Bio

Suzanne Kelman is a 2015 Academy of Motion Pictures Nicholl Finalist, Multi-Award-Winning Screenwriter and a Film Producer. As well as working in film she is also an International Amazon Bestselling Fiction Author of the Southlea Bay Series – The Rejected Writers’ Book Club, Rejected Writers Take the Stage and The Rejected Writers’ Christmas Wedding. Born in the United Kingdom, she now resides in Washington State. 

Twitter: @suzkelman
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