Month: May 2017

Review: Into the Water by Paula Hawkins 

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Release date: May 2, 2017

Publisher: Riverhead Books

Genre: Mystery/Thriller 

Blurb: 

The author of the #1 New York Times bestseller and global phenomenon The Girl on the Train returns with Into the Water, her addictive new novel of psychological suspense. 


“Hawkins is at the forefront of a group of female authors – think Gillian Flynn and Megan Abbott – who have reinvigorated the literary suspense novel by tapping a rich vein of psychological menace and social unease… there’s a certain solace to a dark escape, in the promise of submerged truths coming to light.” –Vogue


A single mother turns up dead at the bottom of the river that runs through town. Earlier in the summer, a vulnerable teenage girl met the same fate. They are not the first women lost to these dark waters, but their deaths disturb the river and its history, dredging up secrets long submerged.


Left behind is a lonely fifteen-year-old girl. Parentless and friendless, she now finds herself in the care of her mother’s sister, a fearful stranger who has been dragged back to the place she deliberately ran from—a place to which she vowed she’d never return.


With the same propulsive writing and acute understanding of human instincts that captivated millions of readers around the world in her explosive debut thriller, The Girl on the Train, Paula Hawkins delivers an urgent, twisting, deeply satisfying read that hinges on the deceptiveness of emotion and memory, as well as the devastating ways that the past can reach a long arm into the present.


Beware a calm surface—you never know what lies beneath. 

Review: 

Along with most of the free world, Into the Water was very high on my list of most anticipated reads for 2017. I think it’s always difficult for an author that has had a successful first novel to release their second, imagine the pressure, the doubt, the insecurity. When you wrote one of the best selling books of all time and had tremendous global success, I would gather it’s even scarier, even more intimidating. I saw a tweet from Clare Mackintosh the other day and I couldn’t agree more. Here’s what she said:

#intothewater is out today. Intelligent and beautifully written. It’s not #thegirlonthetrain, and nor should it be. Don’t compare – enjoy.

I’m glad I saw that before I picked this up, she’s totally right and I did my best not to compare the two books. How can you even top TGOTT anyway? Simple answer? You can’t. Hawkins second book shows her writing style has gotten even more sharp and refined, she is a sure footed author and a talented one to boot, however this one never did grab me the way I expected it to.

This one is slow going and at the beginning is downright confusing. I think I counted twelve different perspectives, which the fact that I can’t remember an exact number pretty much speaks for itself. It’s told through flashbacks, parts from a manuscript written by Nel, and present day happenings. Each chapter shows a different narrator which never gave me the proper time to form a solid connection to any of them. There was so much going on, and I’m no slouch when it comes to reading books that follow this formula, but it was even a bit too much for me.

The middle is where I finally felt drawn in, I remember thinking, finally, this is what I’ve been waiting for! This is also where Hawkins shines, the various plot threads started to vaguely come together and there was a sinister feeling that I couldn’t shake, along with a hint of the supernatural that really worked for me. Unfortunately, as things neared the end she lost me again. The intensity did increase as did the chapters, and I was eager to see where things would head, but I kept feeling like something was missing. I wanted more suspense, tension, that addictive quality that makes a book a real page turner. 

My overall feeling when I was finished was that I was underwhelmed. Hawkins does have an uncanny ability to tie several plot threads together effortlessly and I’m immensely impressed by this ability. This wasn’t a bad book, it just wasn’t my favorite, I’m feeling pretty apathetic about it. I think people will be divided about it and I’m so curious to see what others think, if you’ve read it I would love to chat! Or when you do read it, come back and we can discuss. 

Overall rating: 3/5

Thanks to BookSparks for my review copy. 

#CoverReveal Secrets of the Dead by Carol Wyer @carolewyer @bookouture

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I’m SO excited to be sharing the cover for Secrets of the Dead which is the second book in the Robyn Carter series. Little Girl Lost is book one and I loved it. 

Blurb: 

Three murders. Three innocent victims. What secrets did they share with their killer?


A bottle of bubble bath and colourful, plastic boats were scattered in small puddles on the floor. In the bathtub lay Linda Upton, fully-clothed, her lips a shade of blue, and her bloodshot eyes wide open.


When a young mother is found drowned in the bath, clutching a receipt saying ‘all debts paid’, Detective Robyn Carter knows it’s just the beginning of a harrowing case. She recognises the signs of a serial killer, and when a second victim with a receipt is found, her worst fears are confirmed.


With the local press whipping the public into a frenzy, Robyn is under pressure to solve the crime yesterday. But her team can’t find a link between the two bodies, and the cracks are starting to show.


Just when her leads have dried up, Robyn discovers an unsettling clue she thinks could unlock the case. But as she chases across the plush carpets and manicured lawns of the wealthy elite, honing in on the killer’s shocking motive, one of her own is put in terrible danger. 


The press call him The Leopard for his stealth, speed and brutality. Can Robyn stop the most twisted killer of her career before it’s too late?


A heart-pounding, toe-curling, one-sitting serial killer thriller that will hook you from the first page till the last. 


Doesn’t that sound fantastic?! Check out this cover…

You can preorder here on Amazon US and Amazon UK.

Blog Tour: The Note by Andrew Barrett @AndrewBarrettUK

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Goodreads|

Release date: May 5, 2017

Publisher: The Ink Foundry

Genre: Crime Fiction 

Blurb: 

I’m Eddie Collins, a CSI.

Ever had that feeling of being watched but when you turn around no one’s there?

I have. 

It was raining, and I was working a murder scene around midnight when that prickle ran up my spine. If I’d listened to that feeling, if I’d thought back to my past, maybe I could have prevented the terror that was to come.

Back at the office, I found a death threat on my desk.

I had no idea who sent it or why they wanted to kill me.

But I was about to find out.

I’m so pleased to be a stop on the blog tour for The Note today! 


Review: 

This is the second book I’ve read by Andrew Barrett, I read Ledston Luck a few months ago and was really impressed. That was the fourth in a series featuring CSI Eddie Collins and I loved his character and the fact that the story was told from a fresh perspective. Andrew Barrett is a CAI himself so the authenticity is outstanding and you know you’re getting a true look at the life of a CSI. The Note is a short story featuring Eddie and it was fun to check in on him again, albeit briefly. 

Barrett sure knows how to set a creepy stage, it opens late one evening when Eddie is processing a crime scene and gets that uneasy feeling of being watched, unawares. Then, he finds a note that says he’ll be dead tonight. The atmosphere was really fantastic, late at night, alone in an office then at home, I was paranoid for Eddie’s safety just as much as he was! The chilling cover certainly matched what was inside and had the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end. 

As it’s such a short story I don’t want to say anything more about what happens, but Barrett manages to include a few shocking plot twists in a short amount of time. Even though Eddie is scared for most of the story his sarcasm and wit is still there, maybe even more so than usual. Defensive mechanism perhaps? I don’t know, but it always works for me! This is a perfect introduction to a great character, so if you haven’t read any of the books in this series, why not start here? 

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the author for my review copy. 

Blog Tour: Bad to the Bone by Tony Forder @tonyjforder @bloodhoundbook

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Release date: April 29, 2017

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Blurb: 

A skeletal body is unearthed in a wooded area of Peterborough, Cambridgeshire. DI James Bliss, together with DC Penny Chandler, investigate the case and discover that the young, female victim had been relocated from its original burial site.


A witness is convinced that a young female was struck by a vehicle back in the summer of 1990, and that police attended the scene. However, no record exists of either the accident or the reported victim. As the case develops, two retired police officers are murdered. The two are linked with others who were on duty at the time a road accident was reported. 


As Bliss and Chandler delve deeper into the investigation, they start to question whether senior officers may have been involved in the murder of the young women who was buried in the woods.


As each link in the chain is put under duress, so is Bliss who clashes with superiors and the media. 


When his team receives targeted warnings, Bliss will need to decide whether to drop the case or to pursue those responsible. Will Bliss walk away in order to keep his career intact or will he fight no matter what the cost? And is it possible the killer is much closer than they imagined? 

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Bad to the Bone. 


Review: 

I love police procedurals but there are times when they can get a bit dry and humorless, leaving me wanting more. Books like Bad to the Bone breathe new life into a sometimes stale genre and remind me why I’m such a fan of these types of novels. It was full of dark humor, well drawn characters and plenty of surprises to knock me off balance.

Bliss and Chandler are partners and they had such a warm, genuine relationship. Forder did an excellent job of developing their friendship and I liked that they had each other’s backs at any cost. Bliss’ backstory was especially well crafted and by the end I felt like I had a true sense of what type of person he is. 

The pacing was steady as they investigated a cold case after bones are found in a semi remote locale. When this old case starts to show links with current happenings, things get really tense and complicated. This was a character driven book with a very strong lead and a writing style that kept true to police procedures while adding some much needed humor to break things up. It’s an excellent beginning to a new series,  I could even see a prequel at some point as Bliss’ history was fascinating. 

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to Bloodhound Books for my review copy.

About the Author: 


On 1st February 2017, Tony signed to Bloodhound Books, who will publish his new edgy crime thriller Bad to the Bone this spring. It is the first in a series.


Later this year, Tony’s second novel for Bloodhound Books, Degrees of Darkness, featuring ex-detective Frank Rogers, will be published.


Tony has been writing stories since childhood, but it was only when he won a short story competition judged by an editor from Pan Books, that he realised he might actually be half decent at this writing business.


The story, Gino’s Bar and Grille, went on to be published in Dark Voices 2, part of the celebrated Pan Book of Horror series. Three further short story sales followed: Book End, published in Dark Voices 4, Character Role, in FEAR magazine, and finally A Grim Story, which featured in A Rattler’s Tale.


During a book singing for Dark Voices 2, Tony was seated next to author Brian Lumley. At one point, Tony revealed to Brian that he felt out of place alongside all the proper writers. Brian then told Tony something he has never forgotten: “The moment you sat down and pulled a story out of your imagination and put it to paper, you became a proper writer.”


Subsequently, Tony began to focus on novel writing. He admits that his initial attempts were exploratory and somewhat derivative, although there was some interest from an agent – who oddly enough turned out to be Brian Lumley’s wife, Dorothy.


Tony wrote Degrees of Darkness, which he was happy with. He wasn’t so happy with a follow-up, so that never saw the light of day. 


As a part-time writer with a full-time job, plus some ill-health, life got in the way and, although Tony continued writing, it took a back seat to making a living.


This year, however, Tony has been inspired by new ideas, and has been working hard on two new books, both of which should be completed in 2017. In the meantime, he hopes you enjoy Bad to the Bone, introducing DI James Bliss and DC Penny Chandler.

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Extract: Perfect Summer by Karen King @karen_king

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Goodreads|Amazon
Release date: May 10, 2017

Publisher: Accent Press

Genre: YA

Blurb: 

Set in a society obsessed with perfection, 15 year old Morgan is best friends with the seemingly perfect Summer. But when Morgan’s brother, Josh, who has Down’s syndrome, is kidnapped, they uncover a sinister plot and find themselves in terrible danger.

Can they find Josh before it’s too late? And is Summer’s life as perfect as it seems?

 

What people are saying about Perfect Summer

‘This book was amazing, as it was easy to relate to the characters, and it put a perfect twist on society’s obsession with perfection.’ Shehayamsani – Litpick reviewer.

 

 

‘King does an amazing job of writing about the discrimination children with disabilities face’ http://strollinginstoryland.blogspot.co.uk/

I was really taken away by this book – it is full of excitement, danger, shocks, gripping scenes and a thick plot. It is a truly brilliant story, with some fun – but SO realistic – characters. It makes the reader think – could the future turn out to be something like this?? Bookworm1, Amazon UK review

‘The story line was fascinating and kept my attention. Could also be a good book club discussion book.’ Donna – More Than A Review

I’m delighted to welcome you to my stop on the blog tour for Perfect Summer. 


Extract: 

Summer and I hurried upstairs while Josh was busy watching TV. Summer plonked herself down on my bed while I got my things ready.

“Want some music?” I asked, pressing the silver button on the comm-panel. The latest hit from Krescendo, our favourite band, blasted out and a hologram of them playing beamed onto the wall.

Then I pressed the green button, my wardrobe doors glided open, and a rail of clothes slid out. I glanced over at Summer, feeling awkward as always, that my room was so small and my wardrobe so sparse. Summer’s wardrobe was a huge walk-in affair full of designer clothes. Luckily, she was sprawled out watching Krescendo so I quickly grabbed the clothes I needed for the weekend and shoved them in my rucksack. Thank goodness I’d found an immaculate emerald green Maliko dress at the recycle store the other week. That would be perfect for Roxy’s. I knew Summer would let me borrow her clothes but felt better if I wore something of my own.

I took out the dress and zipped it into a freshpack to keep it crease-free. I glanced at the image screen on my bedroom wall and grimaced. My make-up needed renewing and some strands of my chestnut hair were escaping from the ponytail I’d swept it into. I swiftly fixed it and applied more make-up. I didn’t want to turn up at Summer’s looking a mess, Tamara and Leo expected everyone to always look their best.  

“Ready.” I pressed the buttons on the CP again to close my wardrobe doors, and switched off the music.

“Have a nice weekend,” Mum said as we popped in to say goodbye. She looked so pale, with dark circles under her eyes. I could tell the visit from the Ministry had upset her and hesitated for a moment, wondering if I should stay. But Dad was due home soon and I was so looking forward to the weekend. I loved going to Summer’s house and being spoilt for a bit. It was like living in another world. She was so lucky.

“Thanks, we will.” I leaned over and tousled Josh’s chestnut curls. “Bye, Josh.”

“Play, Maw,” he said, scrambling up.

“Maw going out now. I’ll play with you when I come back.” He puckered his face as if he was going to cry, but Mum took his hand. “Come on, Josh, let’s pick some tomatoes for tea.”  

Josh’s face lit up. He loved helping Mum in the garden. Everyone had a vegetable patch, compost and water butt by order of the Ministry as part of the Planet Protection Programme. I hated gardening but Josh loved helping Mum water the plants with the rainwater collected in the butt, and picking the vegetables. Summer’s parents had a gardener, of course.

Mum led Josh out into the garden while we went out the front door before Josh could realise I was leaving. I had no idea how much I was going to regret not playing with Josh one more time. Or not kissing him goodbye.

 About the Author: 


Karen King is the author of over 120 children’s books and has had two YA’s published, Perfect Summer and Sapphire Blue. Perfect Summer was runner up in the Red Telephone Books YA novel competition in 2011 and has just been republished by Accent Press.

Karen is also the author of two romance novels, and has been contracted for three chick lit novels by Accent Press. The first, I do?… or do I? was published in 2016 and the second, The Cornish Hotel by the Sea, is due out in the Summer. In addition, Karen has written several short stories for women’s magazine and worked for many years on children’s magazines such as Thomas the Tank Engine and Winnie the Pooh as well as the iconic Jackie magazine.

When she isn’t writing, Karen likes travelling, watching the ‘soaps’ and reading. Give her a good book and a box of chocolates and she thinks she’s in Heaven.

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Blog Tour: Dead Souls by Angela Marsons @WriteAngie @bookouture

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Goodreads|Amazon US|Amazon UK
Release date: April 28, 2017

Publisher: Bookouture 

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Blurb: 
The truth was dead and buried…until now. 

When a collection of human bones is unearthed during a routine archaeological dig, a Black Country field suddenly becomes a complex crime scene for Detective Kim Stone. 


As the bones are sorted, it becomes clear that the grave contains more than one victim. The bodies hint at unimaginable horror, bearing the markings of bullet holes and animal traps. 


Forced to work alongside Detective Travis, with whom she shares a troubled past, Kim begins to uncover a dark secretive relationship between the families who own the land in which the bodies were found. 


But while Kim is immersed in one of the most complicated investigations she’s ever led, her team are caught up in a spate of sickening hate crimes. Kim is close to revealing the truth behind the murders, yet soon finds one of her own is in jeopardy – and the clock is ticking. Can she solve the case and save them from grave danger – before it’s too late? 

I am absolutely THRILLED to be one of the stops on the blog tour for Dead Souls today! Angela Marsons is one of my favorite authors and her Kim Stone series is flawless. 


Review: 

I know that I’m a huge book pusher, but if you ever take one of my many recommendations seriously, please choose this one. Marsons Kim Stone series is amazing and it’s one where you really need to read all of the books in order to fully appreciate the talent of the author. This is book six, but fear not! These are such gripping reads that you will power through them in record time, go ahead, have a binge. I don’t think you will regret it for one second.

I think these books need to come with a prescription for Xanax, I swear every time I finish one my anxiety levels are through the roof! I do mean that as a compliment, any book that can get my heart racing is a winner in my book. This time around Kim is facing her biggest challenge yet, she’s separated from her team and is forced to work with her rival, Tom Travis. This is a struggle not only for her, but also for her team. Bryant and Dawson are now partnered up and Stacey is alone as usual, but something about not having Kim at the helm makes them all uneasy and shaken up. 

There are three different cases here, Kim is looking into bones that were unearthed during an archeological dig, Bryant and Dawson are looking into a string of hate crimes, and Stacey is going rogue looking into the suicide of a young man. With so much going on, one would think things would be confusing or disjointed, but that’s not the case here. Instead, the way the  narratives change almost every chapter really kept me on my toes and had the pages flying by.

I don’t want to delve too deep into the plot, but Marsons handled an extremely sensitive issue with grace and humility. Hate crimes are terribly prevalent at the moment and tackling such a timely issue was smart. It was certainly thought provoking for me, and while parts were difficult to read, it’s important that things like this aren’t ignored any longer. 

This is a first rate, brilliant series and no one does tension quite like Marsons. There are plenty of nail biting, heart stopping moments, but there are also so many deep, emotional moments as well. With every book you find out more about Kim, but you also find out more about the rest of the team, making the connection to them so deep and strong. Each book has a fresh, unique viewpoint and things never falter or feel stale. Bravo, Angela Marsons, bravo! 

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to Bookouture for my review copy. 

About the Author: 


Angela lives in the heart of the Black Country with her partner, bouncy puppy and potty mouthed parrot.
It has taken many novels to find that one character who just refused to go away. And so D.I. Kim Stone was born. The D.I. Kim Stone series has now sold over 2 million copies.

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Review: Any Day Now by Robyn Carr

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Release date: April 18, 2017

Publisher: MIRA Books

Genre: Contemporary Romance 

Blurb:

The highly anticipated sequel to #1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr’s What We Find transports readers back to Sullivan’s Crossing. The rustic campground at the crossroads of the Colorado and Continental Divide trails welcomes everyone—whether you’re looking for a relaxing weekend getaway or a whole new lease on life. It’s a wonderful place where good people face their challenges with humor, strength and love. 


For Sierra Jones, Sullivan’s Crossing is meant to be a brief stopover. She’s put her troubled past behind her but the path forward isn’t yet clear. A visit with her big brother Cal and his new bride, Maggie, seems to be the best option to help her get back on her feet. 


Not wanting to burden or depend on anyone, Sierra is surprised to find the Crossing offers so much more than a place to rest her head. Cal and Maggie welcome her into their busy lives and she quickly finds herself bonding with Sully, the quirky campground owner who is the father figure she’s always wanted. But when her past catches up with her, it’s a special man and an adorable puppy who give her the strength to face the truth and fight for a brighter future. In Sullivan’s Crossing Sierra learns to cherish the family you are given and the family you choose. 

Review: 

This is the second book in a series about the residents of Sullivan’s Crossing but I haven’t read the first, though it wasn’t an issue at all. Apparently the first book followed Cal as he meets and falls in love with Maggie, and the second follows Cal’s sister, Sierra as she moves to town after completing rehab for an alcohol addiction. She meets a local firefighter and sparks fly, but of course issues arise. This was the standard girl meets boy, both have baggage, they fall in love, something dramatic happens, they persevere, the end. BUT what makes this book standout in a sea of similar romance novels is the fact that the characterization is fantastic and the story is infused with plenty of heart, humor and even a little suspense. 

The town itself was an utterly charming place, the perfect quaint little setting for a romance novel. Sierra immediately strikes up an unlikely friendship with Sully, who is Maggie’s father and their relationship was beyond cute. All of the residents of Sullivan’s Crossing were endearing in their own way and I can easily imagine hearing more about them in future books. This was a totally lighthearted read, the secondary characters were almost as well drawn as the main ones, the writing had an easy, laid back charm, and the storyline was sweet without being cheesy. 

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to Claire at Little Bird Publicity for my review copy. 

#CoverReveal One to Watch by Rachel Amphlett @RachelAmphlett @emmamitchellfpr

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I’m so excited to be taking part in the cover reveal for One to Watch, which is book three in the Kay Hunter series by Rachel Amphlett! I’ll be on the blog tour next month, but if you missed my reviews of the first two books you can find them here; Scared to Death and Will to Live. 

Now onto the good stuff, here’s the blurb and cover for One to Watch. 

Blurb: 

Sophie Whittaker shared a terrifying secret. Hours later, she was dead.

 

Detective Kay Hunter and her colleagues are shocked by the vicious murder of a teenage girl at a private party in the Kentish countryside.

​

A tangled web of dark secrets is exposed as twisted motives point to a history of greed and corruption within the tight-knit community.

 

Confronted by a growing number of suspects and her own enemies who are waging a vendetta against her, Kay makes a shocking discovery that will make her question her trust in everyone she knows.

 

I LOVE this cover, it’s so striking! It’s due to be published on June 6, can’t wait! 

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #imwayr

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It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly post to share what you recently finished reading, what you’re currently reading, and what you plan on reading this week. It’s hosted by Kathryn at Bookdate.

What I Read Last Week: 


Dead Woman Walking was fantastic, I highly recommend it. 

Fear the Darkness is book two in a great series.

Ice Cold Alice was a chilling serial killer thriller. 

The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living was a cute book, the narrator was amazing.

A Twist of the Knife is the third in a series and I loved it!

The Puppet Master was a decent read, I had a few minor issues. 

If We Were Villians was a great literary thriller. 

The Girl on the Bus was a creepy read. 
Currently Reading: 


Up Next: 

Some of these are set in stone and others aren’t, we’ll see what I get to!


What’s your current read? 

Review: Crimes Against a Book Club by Kathy Cooperman @Kathy_Cooperman

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Goodreads|Amazon
Release date: May 1, 2017

Publisher: Lake Union 

Genre: Chick Lit

Blurb: 

Best friends Annie and Sarah need cash—fast. Sarah, a beautiful, successful lawyer, wants nothing more than to have a baby. But balancing IVF treatments with a grueling eighty-hour workweek is no walk in the park. Meanwhile, Annie, a Harvard-grad chemist recently transplanted to Southern California, is cutting coupons to afford her young autistic son’s expensive therapy.


Desperate, the two friends come up with a brilliant plan: they’ll combine Sarah’s looks and Annie’s brains to sell a “luxury” antiaging face cream to the wealthy, fading beauties in Annie’s La Jolla book club. The scheme seems innocent enough, until Annie decides to add a special—and oh-so-illegal—ingredient that could bring their whole operation crashing to the ground.


Hilarious, intelligent, and warm, Crimes Against a Book Club is a delightful look at the lengths women will go to fend for their families and for one another.

Review: 

This was such a wickedly fun read! Annie and Sarah are long time best friends who both find themselves under financial strain.  Sarah needs cash for her IVF treatments and Annie needs money to pay for her son’s therapy. When they hatch a scheme to sell a “luxury” face cream to Annie’s wealthy neighbors it seems like the easiest way to earn money EVER, but Annie’s special, secret ingredient may land them both in deep trouble. 

This was such a funny book, Cooperman infused so much sarcasm and wit into the pages that I laughed out loud way too many times to count. Besides the two main characters, the women being duped were all colorful, quirky additions to a fantastic cast. Most are members of a book club that Annie attempts to join, but she quickly realizes these women can be downright cruel, think Mean Girls for the over forty crowd. In between each chapter Cooperman inserted snippets of each characters thoughts on different books they’ve read in the past, a very clever and funny addition. 

This was a light, playful read, totally perfect to dive into this summer, I would recommend reading it poolside with a cocktail in hand. I was highly entertained and delighted by the antics of the upper class, high society women of La Jolla and touched by the depth of the relationship between Annie and Sarah. 

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to Lake Union for my review copy.