Category: Book reviews

Blog Tour: Winterscroft by Anita Waller @anitamayw @Bloodhoundbook

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Release date: February 24, 2017

Publisher: Bloodhound Books

Genre: Supernatural Thriller

Blurb: 

When the beautiful Lavender is killed in a tragic car accident her family and fiancee Matt are left devastated. As the year’s pass and wounds begin to heal Matt, who has remained close to Lavenders family, meets Beth and falls in love again. When the happy couple announce their engagement it sparks a series of bizarre and disturbing events. Then when Matt and Beth make plans to wed at Lavenders family home, Winterscroft, the frightening truth becomes apparent. Lavender is back. And she is not happy. From the bestselling author of 34 Days comes a tale of love, death and revenge.
Review: 

Happy publication day to Anita Waller,  I’m thrilled to be kicking off the blog tour for Winterscroft! 

One of my reading goals for 2017 was to branch outside of my go to genres and try something new, so when the lovely Helen Claire from Bloodhound Books was looking for people to review Waller’s latest book and I saw it had supernatural elements, I was convinced. I’m so glad that I’ve been experimenting, I loved this book! 

When Winterscroft begins, it’s 1991 and a young woman named Lavender is killed in a car accident with her grandparents. Her family is devastated, she left behind two sisters, Violet and Rose and her parents Alan and Flora. Then we switch to six years later and though they still desperately miss Lavender, they have all moved on with their lives. She was engaged to a wonderful man named Matt and he’s stayed close with the family. He’s found love again with Beth and is getting married. From the moment he tells the family of his plans, there is an ominous undertone to the story, it seems Lavender is back…

This book scared the daylights out of me and I mean that in the best way possible. I’ve never had any type of supernatural encounters myself, but I know people who have and it sounds frightening, especially when the presence is angry. There was a lot of subtlety here, little things would happen and I wouldn’t pay it much attention, then later it would all click into place. It was very easy for me to get completely wrapped up into the lives of this family, they were good, solid people with plenty of faith in God. I felt awful for them as strange and scary things kept happening to them and at various points, they were in real danger. Shivers. 

This was a really quick read for me, once I started I had a hard time putting it down as I wanted to know how they would all fare. Getting rid of an extremely angry dead woman is no easy feat and I was shocked by the way it all ended. Waller has a very fluid writing style that really captured and held my attention throughout and the atmosphere she created within the walls of Winterscroft (the family home) was chilly, tense and enough to give me goosebumps and set my heart to pounding. If you like supernatural or paranormal novels, Winterscroft will be right up your alley. 

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to Bloodhound Books for my review copy. 

About the Author: 



Anita Waller


Anita was born in Sheffield, South Yorkshire and has lived all her life there. She has three adult children and seven grandchildren ranging in age from 9 months to 21 years. Anita and Dave have been married almost 49 years!


She wrote Beautiful in 1985 and had it accepted for publication. They were the contract stage when the publishing house went into liquidation.


Like many another book it ended up in the loft until two years ago when she resurrected it, retyped all 100,000 words (it was orginally written on an Amstrad 8256 and all she had was a hard copy!) and sent it off to Bloodhound Books.


She is now retired from my life of being a Patchwork Tutor and HGV driver’s wife and concentrates on patchwork for the pleasure of it and writing. She started writing at around the age of 8 – she clearly remembers writing ‘novels’ at that age which were actually short stories split into chapters!


Anita’s genre is murder – but murder with a good reason behind it!

Website

Blog Tour: The Promise by Casey Kelleher @CaseyKelleher @bookouture

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Release date: February 17, 2017

Publisher: Bookouture 

Genre: Thriller

Blurb: 

Family ties can be deadly…


THE PROMISE


Two sisters. One murder. And an unbreakable bond.


Growing up in squalor with their drug-addicted prostitute mother, sisters Georgie and Marnie Parker have had to endure the very darkest side of life. 


When their mother is sentenced for brutally murdering a client, Georgie and Marnie’s already precarious lives are blown apart and they now share a terrible secret. Sent to a children’s home, the sisters hope this might finally be their safe haven after years of neglect. But they soon discover they’re in real danger.


Desperate to find a place of safety, Georgie and Marnie run for their lives, but end up in the hands of Delray Anderton. A violent London gangster and notorious pimp, Delray has big plans for beautiful teenager Georgie, seeing her as a chance to make some serious money.


Fiercely protective of each other, Georgie and Marnie must escape the clutches of a man who will do anything to keep the sisters for himself. And, they must keep the promise they made to each other – no one can ever know the truth. 


A gritty, shocking and gripping thriller that will engross fans of Kimberly Chambers, Martina Cole and Jessie Keane.

Review:

I’m delighted to welcome you to my stop on the blog tour for The Promise. Today is the last day and I’m sharing it with the lovely Chelle’s Book Reviews, do check out the previous stops on the tour. 


Kelleher has managed to write yet another electrifying, dark and twisted book. I’m beginning to appreciate a good thriller more and more lately, not just a thriller with a huge mystery. Though this earns a firm spot in the thriller category, there were some surprising elements that I wasn’t expecting, making for a riveting read. 

This one was heartbreaking on so many levels. Georgie and Marnie have had such a sad and tough life. Their mother Josie is a prostitute and a drug addict who can’t seem to get it together and be the mother that her children deserve. The poor little things have witnessed some horrifying stuff that no one, much less a child should ever see. This is an extremely dark and gritty read, there are several instances of abuse and at times it was very hard to read. But what kept me going was my concern for these sweet girls, I so badly wanted them to be well taken care of. 

There are a wide variety of characters in this book and many of them are downright awful, but along the way I may have changed my mind about a few. Josie was a hard woman to like, she cares more about herself and what she wants than what her children want or need. From the start I hated her, but as I began to learn more about her history and what drove her to make the decisions she made, I understood why she was this way. Her life hasn’t been easy and there were times when she really did think that she was doing right by her girls even if she really wasn’t. 

This was a harsh and difficult read, but in the end still a very enjoyable one for me. There was loads of action and the pacing was lightning fast and utterly absorbing. I compared her last book, The Taken to an action movie and this had the same gripping qualities. If you’re not adverse to reading about the sad reality of abuse and neglect, give this a try. 

Overall rating: 4.5/5

Thanks to Bookouture for my review copy. 

About the Author: 


Born in Cuckfield, West Sussex, Casey Kelleher grew up as an avid reader and a huge fan of author Martina Cole. 


 Whilst working as a beauty therapist and bringing up her three children together with her husband, Casey penned her debut novel Rotten to the Core. Its success meant that she could give up her day job and concentrate on writing full time. 


 She has since published Rise and Fall, Heartless, Bad Blood, The Taken and her latest release, The Promise. 

Website

Review: On Second Thought by Kristan Higgins @Kristan_Higgins

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Release date: January 31, 2017

Publisher: HQN Books

Genre: Women’s Fiction, Contemporary Romance

Blurb: 

Ainsley O’Leary is so ready to get married—she’s even found the engagement ring her boyfriend has stashed away. What she doesn’t anticipate is being blindsided by a breakup he chronicles in a blog…which (of course) goes viral. Devastated and humiliated, Ainsley turns to her older half sister, Kate, who’s struggling with a sudden loss of her own.


Kate’s always been the poised, self-assured sister, but becoming a newlywed—and a widow—in the space of four months overwhelms her. Though the sisters were never close, she starts to confide in Ainsley, especially when she learns her late husband was keeping a secret from her.


Despite the murky blended-family dynamic that’s always separated them, Ainsley’s and Kate’s heartaches bind their summer together when they come to terms with the inevitable imperfection of relationships and family—and the possibility of one day finding love again.


Review: 

Every time Higgins releases a new book and I finish reading it I think, this is her best one yet, it’s my favorite, she’s topped herself again. She’s that’s good you guys, her work gets stronger and she was already extremely talented to begin with. I don’t even have to read the blurb for her novels, I’m reading it no matter what, but when I did read the blurb for this one I was thrilled. Her last book, If You Only Knew was also about sisters and she has such a gift for writing about these complicated relationships with humor and insight. 

This flips back and forth from both Ainsley and Kate’s point of view, which I love, multiple narrators are my thing and Higgins does this flawlessly. Ainsley is the younger sister and she’s been dating the same guy for eleven years. She knows they’ll get married one day, but life keeps getting in the way. When she gets dumped instead of proposed to she’s shocked and humiliated. Did I mention that he chronicles this in his blog and it goes viral? Yikes. Kate is the older sister and after decades of being single she’s finally found love and married Nathan. Bliss is short though when he dies in a freak accident and she’s devastated and broken. Ainsley and Kate have never been close, but can they lean on each other when they both need it the most? 

What makes Higgins book standout to me is the amazing characters she creates. I completely related and felt a deep connection to both Ainsley and Kate and by the end I felt like they were both friends of mine. Their journeys are messy, heartbreaking, raw, honest and so very real. Besides the sisters, this book is chock full of fantastic secondary characters that you’ll both love and hate. From Eric the pompous ass who dumped Ainsley, to Daniel the Hot Firefighter and Jonathan, Ainsley’s  robotic like alien boss, to my favorite, Gram Gram. She is so sassy, she’s shamelessly looking for love and not too proud to use Tinder, she cracked me up! Leo and Jenny from If You Only Knew also make several appearances and I adored checking in with them. 

Reading a Higgins book is like eating my ultimate comfort food for me, they just always make me feel warm and cozy by the end. Her books are full of so much heart, you can’t help but feel as if you’re experiencing what the characters are right along with them. If you haven’t read any of her books yet, I urge you to give them a shot. You can pick up any of them, but as I said earlier, I feel like they get better with each one, so start with If You Only Knew then try this one. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed, in fact I think you’ll discover your new favorite author. 

Overall rating: 5/5

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

About the Author: 


Kristan Higgins is the New York Times, USA TODAY, Wall Street Journal and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of 16 novels, which have been translated into more than twenty languages. Her books have received dozens of awards and accolades, including starred reviews from Kirkus, The New York Journal of Books, Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and Booklist. She is a five-time nominee for The Kirkus Prize for Best Work of Fiction, and her books regularly appear on the lists for best novels of the year of many prestigious journals and review sites.

 

Kristan lives in Connecticut with her heroic firefighter husband, their freakishly beautiful, entertaining and sarcastic children, two overly frisky rescue dogs and an occasionally friendly cat.


Blog Tour: The Abattoir of Dreams by @MTilburyAuthor @Bloodhoundbook

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Goodreads|

Release date: February 28, 2017

Publisher: Bloodhound Books 

Blurb: 

The past is never far away. 


Michael Tate has not had an easy life. With his father in prison, and his mother dead, Michael was sent to Woodside Children’s Home. 


Now an adult, Michael wakes up from a coma in hospital suffering from amnesia and paralysis. 

Confused and terrified, he is charged with the fatal stabbing of his girlfriend, Becky. He also learns he attempted to end his own life.


Detective Inspector John Carver is determined that Michael is sent to prison.


With no way of defending himself, Michael isleft in his hospital bed awaiting transfer to remand.


But then strange things begin to happen and hischildhood comes back to haunt him. 


Can Michael ever escape the past?


Will he ever discover the truth about Becky’s murder?


And why is DI Carver so eager to make him suffer? 


The Abattoir of Dreams is a bitter sweet story of murder, innocence and abuse.

Review: 

I’m am beyond excited to welcome you to my stop on the Abattoir of Dreams blog tour! This book was so fantastic and it’s earned itself a spot on my top reads of 2017 list, I was blown away by everything about this one. 


Tilbury is a new author to me and while the blurb sure grabbed my attention, I had no idea what kind of treat I was in for. For the first time I didn’t even post what genre this book fits into, it’s far to special to be slotted into place. Sometimes a book will be labeled as one thing on Goodreads but after reading it I may add in another that I think it’ll fit under, but this time? This book cannot be properly filed into one, two or even three appropriate categories. It honestly has something for everyone, there’s suspense, a bit of horror, romance, supernatural elements and enough thrills to keep your heart racing. 

It opens with Michael waking up in a hospital with no memory and he only knows a few things for sure; that he is paralyzed and what he is told, and what is revealed is enough to make the hair on the back of your neck stand up. Supposedly he brutally murdered his girlfriend and then jumped off of a building, but he doesn’t even remember Becky, much less killing her. Then strange things begin to happen to him at night, is he dreaming, maybe a side effect of the pain medication he’s taking? It’s all very eerie and unsettling but beyond fascinating. I couldn’t wait to find out what had really happened and the way it was revealed to the reader and Michael was sharply clever. 

The subject matter here is very dark and disturbing, it’s truly not for the faint of heart. There is abuse of every kind imaginable, it’s graphic and horrifying, but if you can stomach that, this is a must read. It evoked a wide range of emotions within me from shock, horror, sadness and tears all the way to laughter and warm moments, it was a hell of a ride. The characterization was excellent and even though I didn’t discuss all of the characters in detail, that doesn’t mean that this isn’t chock full of them, rather that I want you to discover them for yourself. The good ones will squeeze your heart and have you rooting them on, and the villains will make your skin crawl and want to vomit. (I mean that as a compliment, Tilbury has created some bad guys that may be the most despicable characters I’ve come across in years) This was a gritty and twisted read with so much heart and now if you’ll excuse me I’ll be on Amazon buying Tilbury’s other books. 

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to Bloodhound Books for my review copy. 

About the Author: 


Mark lives in a small village in the lovely county of Cumbria,although his books are set in Oxfordshire where he was born and raised.


After serving in the Royal Navy and raising his two daughters after being widowed, Mark finally took the plunge and self-published two books on Amazon, The Revelation Room and The Eyes of the Accused. 


When he’s not writing, Mark can be found trying and failing to master blues guitar,and taking walks around the beautiful county of Cumbria.

Website

Review: I See You by Clare Mackintosh @claremackint0sh @BerkleyPub

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Release date: February 21, 2017

Publisher: Berkley Publishing 

Genre: Psychological Thriller 

Blurb: 

Every morning and evening, Zoe Walker takes the same route to the train station, waits at a certain place on the platform, finds her favorite spot in the car, never suspecting that someone is watching her… 

It all starts with a classified ad. During her commute home one night, while glancing through her local paper, Zoe sees her own face staring back at her; a grainy photo along with a phone number and a listing for a website called FindTheOne.com. 

Other women begin appearing in the same ad, a different one every day, and Zoe realizes they’ve become the victims of increasingly violent crimes–including murder. With the help of a determined cop, she uncovers the ad’s twisted purpose…A discovery that turns her paranoia into full-blown panic. Zoe is sure that someone close to her has set her up as the next target. 

And now that man on the train–the one smiling at Zoe from across the car–could be more than just a friendly stranger. He could be someone who has deliberately chosen her and is ready to make his next move… 

Review: 

Mackintosh’ debut, I Let You Go was one of my favorite reads of 2016 so naturally I was so excited to read I See You but I was also slightly apprehensive. The overall plot, superb writing style and massive twist in ILYG was so stunning that I wondered if her sophomore novel would be as strong. I shouldn’t have worried one bit as ISY was brilliant and though it was different, it was just as engaging and addictive. 

Zoe is just an average woman living her life and I appreciated that she’s a middle aged woman and someone any of us could know or actually be. That’s what made this book so chilling, you can really envision this situation playing out in real life. When she first sees her picture in an ad in the paper she’s confused, but not overly concerned. As she begins to put the puzzle pieces together though she becomes paranoid and very worried. I can’t say I blame her, I would be too! We’ve all experienced the feeling of being watched before, but imagining how that would feel when you’re certain the person watching you has sinister motivations is so unnerving. When you add in that this is all happening during her generally uneventful daily commute, you have a claustrophobic environment that adds so much to the intensity. Zoe is surrounded by so many people, but that doesn’t make her safe, in fact many crimes are committed everyday without anyone even noticing, creepy stuff! 

Kelly is the police officer that helps Zoe and I warmed to her character just as much as I did to Zoe. She’s tenacious, determined and a total rule breaker, especially when she feels she’s doing the right thing. This is heavy on the police procedures, but it’s not dry or boring as Mackintosh’s knowledge of such things is apparent and interesting. (She’s a former officer herself) Besides being told from the two women’s point of view, there are terrifying passages from the person behind the website that add something very ominous to an already dark plot. 

I’ll stop with the plot details there, but if you’re already a fan of Mackintosh you’ll like this. As I said earlier, this is different but still very solid, edgy and dark AND she’s an extremely talented writer and storyteller. She crafts very well developed characters that are also wholly relatable making for a very gripping read. I was never able to pinpoint who the baddie was though at some point I was convinced every character was involved, and the ending was fantastic, throwing a sucker punch of a twist in the final page. 

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to Berkley Pub and Abby at Crime by the Book for my review copy. 

Review: Parker by Jillian Quinn @jquinnbooks

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Release date: February 15, 2017

Publisher: Penn Publishing 

Genre: Sports Romance 

Blurb: 


Former collegiate athlete and successful sports agent, Charlotte “Coach” Coachman, is a straight shooter who has a very strict policy—no dating clients. The loves of her life are coaching little league basketball and managing the careers of her players, leaving no room for men. 


Coach hasn’t met an athlete she couldn’t handle and a deal she couldn’t close—until she meets Alex Parker—the NHL’s most notorious bad boy both on and off the ice. 


Alex is the best defenseman in the league, breaking records along with hearts. He’s made a name for himself as a womanizer, and after a scandal involving the owner’s granddaughter, Alex is traded to Philadelphia. Still reeling from the loss of his father, Alex is on a downward spiral, drowning himself in booze and women, until Coach takes him under her wing. 


She might be attracted to the sexy hockey star, and certainly not immune to his charms, but Coach can see that Alex needs her help, and coaching players is what she does best. Now that the lines are blurred and the passion between them is too strong to deny, Coach has to decide if Alex is worth making an exception to her rules.

Review: 

So, confession time for me. I’ve never read a sports themed romance in my life. (Sorry Jill!) But when my friend and fellow blogger Jillian Quinn told me she was releasing the first book in yet another new series for her, I couldn’t resist. I loved her debut, Corrupt Me and couldn’t wait to read another one of her hot and sexy romances! This one had a similar style to it, her writing really has a groove and flow to it that appeals to me and for a girl who doesn’t watch sports much less read about them, I was surprisingly interested in that aspect. 

When I read a romance, more than with any other genre, I want characters that speak to me on some level. In a thriller I can hate most or even all of the main players and still enjoy a book. But in a romance? I want a connection and I easily felt one with both Parker and Charlie. He’s a typical bad boy, but man does he have some serious charm. Did you guys see that cover?! I may have kept flipping back and forth just to get another glimpse of those abs. Besides having a pretty face I really liked that underneath his macho exterior he was a bit of a softie. His way with kids, especially fans was totally swoon worthy. Charlie was just an awesome character. She’s a bad ass sports agent who takes no prisoners, but she has her own issues and though she doesn’t show her softer side to just anyone, she’s got a vulnerability that made me feel for her. 

I’m a sucker for a storyline with people who shouldn’t or can’t be together and Quinn played this one perfectly. Charlie takes her job very seriously and her boss and father figure has a strict no dating policy between clients and agents, so no matter how badly she wants Parker, she can’t go there. The chemistry between these two was HOT and the sexual tension was heavy. Parker is so cocky and Charlie is so flirty with him, it was both adorable and sexy. With all that being said, there’s much more to this book than just sex scenes, the characters are well developed and I really felt like I knew AND liked them both by the end. This was such a fun read, I devoured it in a couple of hours and I absolutely cannot wait to read the next book in this series. 

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the author for my review copy. 

Review: Blink by K. L. Slater @KimLSlater @bookouture

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Release date: February 16, 2017

Publisher: Bookouture 

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Blurb: 

What if the person you love most in the world was in terrible danger … because of you?


Three years ago, Toni’s five-year-old daughter Evie disappeared after leaving school. The police have never been able to find her. There were no witnesses, no CCTV, no trace. 


But Toni believes her daughter is alive. And as she begins to silently piece together her memories, the full story of the past begins to reveal itself, and a devastating truth.


Toni’s mind is trapped in a world of silence, her only chance to save herself is to manage the impossible. She must find a way to make herself heard. She must find her daughter. 


A compelling, gripping thriller with a breathtaking twist that will keep you awake until the early hours. Perfect for fans of The Girl on the Train, Behind Closed Doors and The Sister.


Review: 

I’m starting to think Slater’s books need to come with a warning label: Do not start reading this unless you’re prepared to sacrifice sleep and be so consumed that nothing will take your attention from it until you’ve turned the last page. I read this on Valentine’s Day and my poor husband fell asleep while waiting for me to finish reading 😂 whoops! 

I loved Slater’s debut, Safe With Me and I can safely say that I loved Blink even more! I also did a buddy read for the first time with Annie at The Misstery and Danielle at The Blonde Likes Books and it was SO fun. Even though we all finished at different times it was really great to be able to discuss theories and opinions with these two fabulous ladies, can’t wait to do this again! 

This is told partly in flashbacks from three years ago and partly in the present day and from multiple points of view, and this structure is flawlessly executed by the author. There’s a woman in a coma in the present day portions and she’s suffered a stroke and is now a victim of locked in syndrome where her body is physically unable to move, yet her mind works just fine. She can hear the doctors talking about the possibility of ending her life, yet she can’t let them know that she’s still very much aware. Can you even imagine?! Shudders. Toni is a single mom to Evie and narrates the flashbacks. Her husband Andrew died and she’s just trying to survive, even though she’s having a really hard time. There are several other perspectives but you’ll have to read those for yourself, you guys know I don’t do spoilers. 

This is relentlessly paced, there was no way that I was able to put this down until I figured out exactly what was really going on. Having read so many thrillers I was distrustful and suspicious of everyone, but every single character was so very twisted and untrustworthy that it was impossible to decipher who was really up to no good here. I was mislead so many times my head was spinning and by the time the big twist was revealed I was gobsmacked, what a truly killer turn things took. This was a cleverly crafted psychological thriller and I cannot wait to see what Slater comes up with next! She just signed a new four book deal with Bookouture and I couldn’t be more excited for her. 

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to Bookouture for my review copy. 

Blog Tour: Robbing the Dead by Tana Collins @Bloodhoundbook

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Release date: February 14, 2017

Publisher: Bloodhound Books 

Genre: Crime Fiction, Mystery/Thriller

Blurb: 

In a small Scottish university town, what links a spate of horrible murders, a targeted bomb explosion and a lecturer’s disappearance? Is a terror group involved? If so, who is pulling the strings? And what does something that happened over forty years ago have to do with it? 


Having recently returned to Castletown in the hope of winning back his estranged wife, DCI Jim Carruthers finds himself up to his eyes in the investigation.


Struggling with a very different personal problem, DS Andrea Fetcher assists Jim in the hunt for the murderous perpetrators. To prevent further violence they must find the answers quickly. But will Jim’s old adversary, terror expert McGhee, be a help or a hindrance?


The first in a new series featuring DCI Jim Carruthers. 

Review: 

Happy Wednesday everyone, made it to hump day! I’m so pleased to welcome you to my stop on the Robbing the Dead blog tour.


There are two cases running simultaneously here; first a young man is found beaten to death, then there is a car bombing at a local university. I always love when a book has so much going on, it really captures my interest and maintains it throughout. Though Jim and Andie struggle to tie the cases together initially, it’s soon apparent that there are connections, though they’re tenuous at best. They definitely have a large amount to deal with as the bombing may be linked to a terrorist group and there may even be links to a historical case. As if that isn’t enough to keep them occupied, there are members of the team who are being sloppy and making some pretty heavy mistakes. 

I love sinking my teeth into a new series and I’m especially happy if the protagonist is one that I take to straightaway. Both Jim and Andie were easy for me to warm to and I really liked the way they worked together, they had a burgeoning partnership that I’m eager to see more of. They both also had interesting personal backgrounds that humanized them and made me think there will be tons to explore as the series continues. I’m already a fan of this series and as Collins as a debut writer and am anxious for the next book to be released. I think this will appeal to crime fiction fans in general, but with political undertones I also think straight up thriller fans will also be intrigued by this one as it maintained a steady pace and had some great action scenes. 

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to Bloodhound Books for my review copy. 

About the Author: 


Tana Collins is a Yorkshire born crime writer who was brought up in rural East Sussex.


She did a Social Science Degree at the Polytechnic of North London in the mid 80s where she wrote her final year dissertation on the right to free speech before studying for an MA in Philosophy at the University of Western Ontario and an MPhil at St Andrews.


It was Peter Robinson’s DCI Banks series that got her obsessively reading crime fiction and seeing an exhibition on the life of Ian Fleming that strangely motivated her to start writing all things crime. A few days later she woke up in the middle of the night with a title, within a couple of hours she had an opening scene, by breakfast a setting and by lunch time a lead detective. ‘Robbing The Dead’ was born and ten arduous years later finally completed. ‘Care to Die’ was written as the follow up and ‘Mark of the Devil’ as the third in the Inspector Carruthers series.


For the last 20 years Tana has been living in Scotland working as a Massage Therapist and more recently as a Stress Management Consultant. Her novels are all set in the East Neuk of Fife which is an area of Scotland close to her heart.

Blog Tour: Sealskin by Su Bristow @SuBristow @OrendaBooks

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Release date: May 1, 2017

Publisher: Orenda Books

Genre: Folklore

Blurb:

Donald is a young fisherman, eking out a lonely living on the west coast of Scotland. One night he witnesses something miraculous, and makes a terrible mistake. His action changes lives—not only his own, but those of his family and the entire tightly knit community in which they live. Can he ever atone for the wrong he has done, and can love grow when its foundation is violence? Based on the legend of the selkies—seals who can transform into people—evokes the harsh beauty of the landscape, the resilience of its people, both human and animal, and the triumph of hope over fear and prejudice. With exquisite grace, Su Bristow transports us to a different world, subtly and beautifully exploring what it means to be an outsider, and our innate capacity for forgiveness and acceptance. Rich with myth and magic, Sealskin is, nonetheless, a very human story, as relevant to our world as to the timeless place in which it is set. 

Review: 

Happy Valentines Day and welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Sealskin! This was a truly gorgeous story, and while it was not normally the type of book I would be drawn to, I’m so delighted that Karen at Orenda Books put this on my radar.


It seems like anytime I begin a review of an Orenda book I say that it will be difficult for me to review because I’ve never read anything like it before and this is no exception. What a spectacular read this was, I have honestly never encountered a book quite like it and am just blown away by the gentle beauty of the story.

I had never heard of the legend of the Selkie before but as soon as I began reading, I was immediately entranced by the descriptions of these stunning creatures. Donald is a young man that lives on the coast of Scotland and he leads an isolated and lonely life with his mother, Bridie. He’s always been an outsider in his tight knit community and has never felt like he’s truly belonged. After a fateful night where he makes a foolish and risky decision, he learns some hard lessons, but he also may find his place in the world at the same time and discover the power of forgiveness, acceptance and pure love.

I’m hesitant to discuss much more of the plot, this is one of those very special books that needs to be read with an open mind and no prior knowledge of what’s to come. Bristow is an incredibly talented writer, she had me under her spell from page one and my interest never wavered until I turned the final page. There are some deep messages here, many of which are very timely even though it evokes a time period of long ago. The power of forgiveness and the healing it provides is one of the most prevalent themes and it also explores prejudices, love and family bonds. The characterization is superb, Donald evolves in such a profound manner by the time the story ends, and Mairhi is such a moving character, especially since she never utters a single word. Set in the rugged and unforgiving coast of Scotland, the awe inspiring beauty and harsh atmosphere heightens the intensity of the plot and provides an unforgettable landscape that will take your breath away. I can’t say enough about how profoundly this book effected me and Bristow has told a sensational story that will stay with me forever.

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the lovely Karen at Orenda Books for my review copy.

About the Author: 


Su Bristow is a consultant medical herbalist by day. She’s the author of two books on herbal medicine: The Herbal Medicine Chest and The Herb Handbook; and two on relationship skills: The Courage to Love and Falling in Love, Staying in Love, co-written with psychotherapist, Malcolm Stern. Her published fiction includes ‘Troll Steps’ (in the anthology, Barcelona to Bihar), and ‘Changes’ which came second in the 2010 CreativeWritingMatters flash fiction competition. Her forthcoming novel, Sealskin, is set in the Hebrides, and it’s a reworking of the Scottish legend of the selkies, or seals who can turn into people. It won the Exeter Novel Prize 2013. Her writing has been described as ‘magical realism; Angela Carter meets Eowyn Ivey’.



Review: My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella 

4 Comments


Goodreads|Amazon|Author Website
Release date: February 7, 2017

Publisher: The Dial Press

Genre: Chick Lit 

Blurb: 

Part love story, part workplace dramedy, part witty critique of the false judgments we make in a social-media-obsessed world, this is New York Times bestselling author Sophie Kinsella’s most timely and sharply observed novel yet.


Everywhere Katie Brenner looks, someone else is living the life she longs for, particularly her boss, Demeter Farlowe. Demeter is brilliant and creative, lives with her perfect family in a posh townhouse, and wears the coolest clothes. Katie’s life, meanwhile, is a daily struggle—from her dismal rental to her oddball flatmates to the tense office politics she’s trying to negotiate. The final, demeaning straw comes when Demeter makes Katie dye her roots in the office. No wonder Katie takes refuge in not-quite-true Instagram posts, especially as she’s desperate to make her dad proud.


Then, just as she’s finding her feet—not to mention a possible new romance—the worst happens. Demeter fires Katie. Shattered but determined to stay positive, Katie retreats to her family’s farm in Somerset to help them set up a vacation business. London has never seemed so far away—until Demeter unexpectedly turns up as a guest. Secrets are spilled and relationships rejiggered, and as the stakes for Katie’s future get higher, she must question her own assumptions about what makes for a truly meaningful life.


Sophie Kinsella is celebrated for her vibrant, relatable characters and her great storytelling gifts. Now she returns with all of the wit, warmth, and wisdom that are the hallmarks of her bestsellers to spin this fresh, modern story about presenting the perfect life when the reality is far from the image. 

Review: 

I’ve been a huge Sophie Kinsella fan since her Shopaholic series and Becky Bloomwood is one of my favorite chick lit characters of all time, so naturally I’m always excited when she releases a new book. Though this wasn’t her best book, I still enjoyed it as it provided a much needed escape from reality. 

Katie is a fairly typical character that I’ve come to expect in a Kinsella book, she’s an average woman with plenty of quirks who manages to get herself into awkward situations that are always good for a laugh. She’s got a charm about her that makes her endearing even when she’s behaving inappropriately. She’s trying to live the life she’s always dreamed of but it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. Her boss Demeter is a nightmare, think shades of the Devil Wears Prada and her flat in London is nowhere near as glam as she had hoped it would be. 

I admire Kinsella’s characterization, I can usually connect with her protagonists and Katie was no exception. This was a bit formulaic and predictable as far as plot, but that didn’t keep me from being pretty engaged in Katie’s life. It was a light read and sometimes I need a break from all the thinking that comes from reading so many thrillers. The constant guessing and trying to work out the plot twists can be really fun but also tiring, so it was nice to be able to just lose myself in a book and relax. 

Overall rating: 3.5/5

Thanks to The Dial Press for my review copy.