Tag: Now Available

Posted on

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?

Amazon: https://bit.ly/2W75hcd
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2W6WjMa
Kobo: https://bit.ly/2UtEHJi
Google Play: https://bit.ly/2UFj7lc

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
Posted on

Blog Tour (Review): The Secrets of Love Story Bridge by Phaedra Patrick

After quite a few psych thrillers, I was in the mood for a change of pace, and this book fit the bill nicely. It took a little while to get into, but once I did, I couldn’t put it down.

Buy Links:  Harlequin  Barnes & Noble Amazon Books-A-Million Powell’s

I had a difficult time understanding Mitchell at first, as he was a little bit of an enigma. I couldn’t get a grasp on his character, because at times he seemed old and doddery, but I knew from the description (and his daughter) that he wasn’t as old as he came across. As his backstory became clear, so did his character. I loved the symbolism of how he enjoyed his job cutting locks (and how that related to his own broken heart).

I enjoyed the way the plot unfolded. A few different things were going on, but they all sort of related to each other, or at least influenced other events. It was an effective way to illustrate how easy it is to touch others’ lives and how one small event can set off a ripple effect for many people.

Back to Mitchell for a minute – I was satisfied to see his character grow throughout the story as he learned the importance of personal connections. It would have been easy to keep him uptight, but showing him reawaken was heartfelt and moving.

I also liked the secondary characters and how Yvette’s part of the action wove them all into the story. I was drawn in by Mitchell’s heroics, captivated by the letters he received, and eager to unravel the mystery that connected it all.

Do yourself a favor, take some time, and read this uplifting book about second chances.

Phaedra Patrick is the author of The Library of Lost and Found, Rise and Shine, Benedict Stone and The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper, which has been published in over twenty countries around the world. She studied art and marketing, and has worked as a stained-glass artist, film festival organizer and communications manager. An award-winning short story writer, she now writes full-time. She lives in Saddleworth, UK, with her husband and son.

Social Links:

Posted on

Blog Tour (Review): The Wave by Virginia Moffat

I don’t think I have ever read a book that felt so claustrophobic, which is ironic because a beach is one of the most open places imaginable. The ominous, titular wave is what causes the tense foreboding feeling, and it is the perfect counterpoint to the characters’ journeys.

The story unfolds through the points of view of seven characters, as well as comments from social media and Facebook posts. The rhythm set by this constant rotation invoked waves to me. After the first iteration, I knew how the rise and fall of the action would proceed. It was a great technique that helped create the mood of the story.

I liked how the author related the same events in each wave (section) of the story, but from each person’s point of view. It gave the reader more depth of character and a better understanding of the overall picture. I also think that the looming disaster was a compelling catalyst for the characters to make amends, however they could. Each of them had their secrets or struggles that they felt needed to be resolved, and following each through the other characters’ actions was fascinating.

I did think that a few of the moments seemed forced and overdone, but then again, these people were on a beach, basically having made their decisions to die on their terms. So, maybe they were entitled to over-react and have a few dramatic moments. With that said, I am not sure that I really connected to any of them.

I thought Poppy’s backstory was the most interesting. However, it felt incomplete as most of it was in a thought-dump towards the end. I suppose I related to Margaret most, only because of her age. And I would have actually liked to have more of Shelley’s journey because I think she had the farthest to travel (but I’m glad she got there).

It is worth noting that I also was unsure if the wave was going to hit at the end. There were a few times where I felt that these people were having their last confessionals and making decisions and that the wave wasn’t going to hit, leaving them to face the decisions of the night.

I’m not going to tell you if I was right about that or not.

Ultimately a thought-provoking look at what’s important in the face of impending doom, I rode this wave to the end and would highly recommend it.

About Virginia Moffatt

Virginia Moffatt was born in London, one of eight children, several of whom are writers. ‘The Wave’ is her second novel. Her previous publications are ‘Echo Hall’ (Unbound) and ‘Rapture and what comes after’ (Flash fiction collection published by Gumbo Press). She also writes non-fiction. Virginia is married to Chris Cole, Director of Drone Wars UK. They have two daughters at University and a son still living with them in Oxford.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/aroomofmyown1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/virginiamoffattauthor/
Website: https://virginiamoffattwriter.wordpress.com/
Posted on

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.

Amazon: https://bit.ly/2S282dq
Apple Books: https://apple.co/354bWrv
Kobo: https://bit.ly/2KwUAKw
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
Posted on

Blog Tour (Review): The Closer You Get by Mary Torjusssen

I’m back on a psych thriller kick. I just came off of a fantastic roller coaster of a read, so I was a little leery about jumping into another one. Fortunately, this one completely surprised me as well. (Two for two ain’t bad!)

Complete honesty here: The first few chapters had me worried. Ruby took action for a few good reasons (or so she thought), but it seemed like it all dragged on. I thought that the book was going to be more of that, and it was frankly getting a little tiresome.

But about a third of the way through, it zigged when I thought it was going to zag, and we were off to the races.

The chapters then move seamlessly back and forth between Ruby and Emma, and the depths of sinister motives are slowly revealed. There is A LOT more going on than what is on the surface. It is only at the very end that the reader gets a chance to reflect on events and put all of the pieces together.

I thought Emma and Ruby were interesting counterparts. Both appeared to be strong at some points and weak at others, but their strengths came out at different times. I also thought that both women showed tremendous growth, both internal and in terms of each other. Emma’s realizations were especially truthful, as she was brutally honest with herself (sometimes lacking in characters). She realized that nobody was blameless in the whole situation.

(I know that sounds a little convoluted, but I don’t want to give away any plot points).

I also think that Tom was one of the best-written characters I have “met.” He is complex and unpredictable. I was always off-balance with him, so the characters’ interactions felt especially “lifelike.” He was one twisted bastard. You should definitely give this one a try. Stick with it through the set up because it takes off and keeps you guessing to the very end.

About Mary Torjussen

Mary Torjussen has an MA in Creative Writing from Liverpool John Moores University and worked for several years as a teacher. She is the author of two novels, Gone Without a Trace and The Girl I Used to Be, and her new novel will be published in 2020. She writes dark, gripping thrillers and her debut novel, published in several international territories, has been optioned for television by Ecosse Productions.

Posted on

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.

Amazon: https://bit.ly/3ci3DLg
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
Posted on

Blog Tour (Review): Sunrise on Half Moon Bay by Robyn Carr

I was excited to read this book because I grew up near Half Moon Bay, and it’s still one of my favorite areas to visit. I hoped that the author would be able to capture the quirkiness and beauty of the town. I’d say that it ended up being a mixed bag.

I thought the plot had promise. Two sisters who were far apart in age and life experiences are forced to rely on each other to rebuild their lives. Each sister had distinct personalities and their way of looking at things. I liked the interplay between the two as they got to know each other and learned from each other. I also thought the twist on Scott’s situation was bold. It’s something that occurs but isn’t often talked about, so kudos on addressing it.

I also got glimpses of the town, and I could picture the neighborhoods and areas (which was cool), but I think there were missed opportunities. How can there be a book set in Half Moon Bay that doesn’t mention the Pumpkin Festival? Or any one of the historic restaurants? And the author does not do justice to the drive between Half Moon Bay and San Jose. (That’s probably just a personal nitpick since I am so familiar with the area).

I also thought that the second part of the book was better than the first half. It felt like the author was trying to throw in too much at the beginning. There was just one thing piling on top of another. I understand that the author needed to set the stage, but honestly, it was just too much. More straightforward would have been better and would have gotten to the heart of the plot faster.

Overall, I think it was a good book, but there were a few missteps. I am new to this author and will certainly give her another chance, but I hope it is more direct to the point without extra angst to play on emotions.

Author Bio

Robyn Carr is an award-winning, #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than sixty novels, including highly praised women’s fiction such as Four Friends and The View From Alameda Island and the critically acclaimed Virgin River, Thunder Point and Sullivan’s Crossing series. Virgin River is now a Netflix Original series. Robyn lives in Las Vegas, Nevada. Visit her website at www.RobynCarr.com.

Posted on

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.

Posted on

Blog Tour (Review): Truths I Never Told You by Kelly Rimmer

I’m not going to beat around the bush. This was one of the most challenging books I have ever read. Oddly enough, that’s because it was so poignant and so relevant that I felt almost every page as if I was experiencing it myself.

I think part of that is because my father experienced a slow decline in cognitive awareness that ended with a complete inability to communicate. Those sections with Beth’s father were extremely emotional for me. They were well-written and accurate to what I (and I’m sure many others) have experienced.

I also found similarities between the four siblings and my mother’s side of the family. They, too, had similar conversations about what to do with my grandmother’s house after she passed away. Like Beth, the baby of the family (ironically, named Ruthe) was left with the brunt of the family history because the other’s had gotten “out.”

I know that this “review” hasn’t been much about the book itself.  But for me, it is because there were so many parallels. I think that authors ultimately hope to reach readers with stories that can touch them and make them feel, and this author absolutely succeeded in that regard.

Simply put, this book was extremely well-written with realistic characters in recognizable situations. It is heartfelt, emotional, and packs a wallop (have tissues handy). It’s also one of the best books I have read this year.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Kelly Rimmer is the worldwide and USA TODAY bestselling author of Before I Let You Go, Me Without You, and The Secret Daughter. She lives in rural Australia with her husband, two children and fantastically naughty dogs, Sully and Basil. Her novels have been translated into more than twenty languages. Please visit her at www.Kelly.Rimmer.com

SOCIAL LINKS

  • Facebook: @Kellymrimmer
  • Twitter: @KelRimmerWrites
  • Instagram: @kelrimmerwrites

Posted on

Blog Tour (Review): The Invitation by Rachel Abbott

Wow. Just…wow.

This is one of the most tightly crafted plots I have ever read. It read like a mash-up of Ten Little Indians and The Mousetrap, and just about everything about this story brought to mind the great Agatha Christie.

I liked how the characters’ relationships were clear but, at the same time, not entirely truthful. Every single one of the childhood/teenage friends was hiding something from the others, and it took the tragedy at the center of the book for everything to come out into the open. The addition of Jemma, Chandra, and Nina, relative newcomers to the group, add an insightful perspective.

The setting is also a big part of why the story works. I mean, where else could a mystery take place but in an imposing mansion on the cliffs by the ocean. It is a favorite location of many mystery writers because of the versatility it offers. But nothing in this book seems like a retread, or “same ol’ setting.” The claustrophobia experienced by some of the characters is palpable and pours off the pages.

I pride myself on often being able to solve mysteries and figure out clues ahead of an investigation in a book. My notes in books are filled with my thoughts and ideas, and I enjoy seeing if I was right. I am thrilled to say that I had virtually no notes until about ¾ of the way through; that’s how off-balance the author kept me.

The way the information was revealed was also smart. Sometimes it was through the police investigation, sometimes through conversations between characters, often from Jemma’s point of view as an outsider. These change-ups allowed readers to be privy to information only when the author was ready for them to be – another way to keep them guessing. Loved it!

I did have a few fleeting thoughts that turned out to be accurate, but it took me most of the book (89%) to figure it all out. At that point, I kind of felt like some of the air went out of the investigation. It seemed as if there were maybe a few loose ends (as in “we’ll never know for sure”), but I think that it ultimately works because so much of the plot is nebulous that some questions being left unanswered fits the story.

This was a page-turner in the most accurate definition of the term, and it is absolutely one that you should grab right away. It will definitely take your mind off of real-life for a while.

About Rachel Abbott

Rachel Abbott’s debut thriller, Only the Innocent, was an international bestseller, reaching the number one position in the Amazon charts both in the UK and US. This was followed by the number one bestselling novels The Back Road, Sleep Tight and Stranger Child,Nowhere Child (a short novel based on the characters from Stranger Child), Kill Me Again, and her latest thriller, launched in 2017 – The Sixth Window.

Rachel’s novels have now been translated into over 20 languages.

In 2015 Amazon celebrated the first five years of the Kindle in the UK, and announced that Rachel was the number one bestselling independent author over the five-year period. She was also placed fourteenth in the chart of all authors. Stranger Child was the most borrowed novel for the Kindle in the first half of 2015.

Rachel now lives in Alderney – a beautiful island off the coast of France – and spends a few months of each year in the Le Marche regions of Italy, where she devotes her time to her love of writing fiction. For more information, see Rachel’s website, or follow her on Twitter.

close

Enjoy this blog? Please spread the word :)