In this book that you hold, a true story unfolds,
Of a Christmas not too long ago.
Where I’m lead to believe, on a cold Christmas eve,
Three Siblings played out in the snow.

As all children do, when the snow bustles through,
They built an acquaintance to scale.
But not a snow man, as suggested by Dan,
They built a snow queen, Elaine Gale

And they started to tell, how she’d cast an old spell,
For every child to be cruel.
For if no names exist, on Santa’s nice list,
There would be no Christmas at all.

But little did they know, as they played in the snow,
Before the night was through.
That story they told, would find life in the cold.
And every word would come true.

My review…..

Well, I have been thoroughly entertained by this wonderfully clever rhyming Christmas story.

Daniel, Claire and Ben decide to build a Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. There’s nothing unusual about that, I hear you say, but this is no ordinary snowman. She is to be an evil snow queen called Elaine Gale, which I think is the most fabulous name by the way! Little did they know that the story they make up for her was to come true and they must race against time to save Christmas.

This book is so original and so beautifully written I can’t imagine anyone, young or old, not enjoying it. It made me smile, a lot!

(My friend read it whilst she was here on Monday night and loved it to. She’s 40 like me!)

The illustrations are just brilliant also. I will be looking after my 6 year old niece tomorrow and will read it to her. I know she will love it!

Why not treat the children in your life to this captivating book. It will make an excellent last minute gift. They will enjoy it this Christmastime or at any time of the year really.

Many thanks to Daniel Thompson for sending me my beautiful copy. I’ll happily recommend to anyone!

Purchase on Kindle or paperback here…..

Enjoy!

Thrilled to be joining in with BK Duncan’s Foul Trade blog tour today 🙂

Many thanks to Sarah Hardy, at Bloodhound Books, for the opportunity to take part.

My review…..

Foul Trade is a very well written mystery which kept me intrigued all the way through. Having read and enjoyed The Last Post, which is a short, but punchy, introduction to this series, I was looking forward to catching up with the feisty May Keaps again and I have thoroughly enjoyed doing so. She is a very straight talking character who I can’t help but like. She’s seen her fair share of trauma and she’s one tough cookie.

We meet May again in 1920. She is no longer an ambulance driver, but the Poplar Coroner’s Officer and a very efficient one at that. She is very used to sourcing information relevant to their inquests, but finds herself in significant danger whilst trying to get to the bottom of one particular death. She is sure there is more to it than first appears and she’s determined to prove it. She doesn’t have only herself to worry about though. She has her sister, Alice, to think of too since they only have each other now. Will her determination prove fatal?

May’s investigation makes for interesting reading set in a time without forensics and mobile communications etc. A simpler time maybe, but not necessarily safer.

A great read for mystery/historical crime fans and one I am more than happy to recommend.

Many thanks to the author and publisher for my ARC.

It is March 1920. May Keaps, the Poplar Coroner’s Officer, has never failed to provide a jury with sufficient evidence to arrive at a just verdict.

The poverty, drunken fights between visiting sailors, drug trafficking, and criminal gangs, haunting the shadows of the busiest docks in the world, mean that the Coroner sees more than its fair share of sudden and unnatural deaths.

May relishes the responsibility placed upon her but there are many who believe it’s an unsuitable job for a woman. Even May begins to wonder if that is the case when the discovery of a young man’s body, in a Limehouse alley, plunges her into an underworld of opium dens, gambling, turf wars, protection rackets and murder.

As her investigations draw her into danger, it becomes increasingly clear that whoever is responsible intends to avoid the hangman’s noose by arranging to have May laid out on one of her own mortuary slabs.

Author Bio…..

Today I have the pleasure of welcoming Patricia Asedegbega to Chat About Books 🙂

For those who don’t know already, could you tell us about yourself and your book(s) please?

I live in sunny Spain and have been writing for about six years now. I started with a collection of cat stories to raise funds for a shelter and then moved on to my first suspense novel. I write both in Spanish and English and have series in both languages. I am currently working on my 13th book.

Where did/do you get your ideas from?

I get my ideas from everyday occurrences. Sometimes I get a light bulb moment and I develop the plot from that single thought.

Are any of your characters based (however loosely) on anyone you know?

I write fiction so I create my characters and try to make them as real as possible (but they are still fictitious). Most of the mothers in my books are strong, opinionated hard working women…just like my mother.

How do you pick your characters names?

I don´t really have a system for that. I just try not to repeat them (especially as I’ve used all the ones I like).

Can you share your writing process with us, in a nutshell?

I start off with an idea; normally the main theme of the book and work towards developing a storyline that I hope will captivate my readers.

Who are your top 5 favourite authors?

Agatha Christie, Elizabeth George, Alexander McCall Smith, Marian Keys, Enid Blyton (the child in me still rereads Mallory Towers).

If you could meet any author, who would it be and what would you ask them?

Agatha Christie…I´d ask for another book.

Were you a big reader as a child?

I loved reading as a child; it was and still is one of the greatest pleasures in life.

When did you start to write?

In earnest…about six years ago.

If you could re-write the ending to any book what would it be and what would you change?

If I could re-write an ending it would be that of a non-fiction novel. I would love to give a few of them a happy ending.

Is there a book you wish you had written?

Not really, I actually enjoy writing mine with my particular style as I enjoy reading those of others.

If you could invite any fictional character for coffee who would it be and where would you take them?

Bertie Wooster…I would take him to Spanish Flamenco bar and dare him to get up and dance.

What are you working on right now?

I recently finished the sequel of “I stand corrected” and I´m working on part two of “…to the moon and back”.

Do you have a new release due?

I don´t have a date yet but I hope to have a few releases next year.

What do you generally do to celebrate on publication day?

I do try to treat myself to something. Although just knowing a new book is out there, makes me walk around all day with a smile on my face.

How can readers keep in touch with you?

I can be reached through my social media:

https://www.facebook.com/PatriciasUniverse/

https://pasedegbega.wordpress.com/

https://www.instagram.com/patriciaspen/

Is there anything else you would like us to know?

I am a proud cat lover and am owned by a very grumpy British Shorthair.

Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions, Patricia 🙂

You will find all of Patricia’s books HERE

Enjoy!

Many thanks to Rachel for the opportunity to join in and for arranging the following interview with Liam Hurley 🙂

For those who don’t know already, could you tell us about yourself and your book(s) please?

Hi all, my name is Liam and I am a writer from Manchester, UK. I like annoying people, buying new white t-shirts and drinking coffee by the gallon. I have just released my first novel You, Me and Us. My book tells the story of Jimmy Rowland and Erin Poppet, a whirlwind romance which sends Jimmy’s life into a downward trajectory, leaving him with nothing but a broken heart, a demon inside him and a useless vacuum. When he reaches rock bottom he decides to rebuild his life from scratch.

Where did/do you get your ideas from?

Life. Stories are all around us. If you look closely enough you’ll see mini stories playing out in front of your eyes every day. That woman running for the bus? Why is she running? Why does she need to catch that bus in particular? Just let your mind wander. You, Me and Us came from seeing a guy in Manchester City Centre marching down one of the main roads desperately searching for a cigarette. I just thought to myself, I wonder why he’s so stressed? Maybe he’s meeting his ex-girlfriend…

Are any of your characters based (however loosely) on anyone you know?

Jimmy’s two best-friends and bandmates Tom and Ryan are based on an amalgamation of four of my best mates. The pair of them take on traits which my real friends have. A slight lack of logic, getting themselves into ridiculous situations, constant mocking of each other and fervent unbreakable loyalty to one another.

How do you pick your characters names?

Jimmy Rowland and Erin Poppet just came to me as I was writing they didn’t require any thought at all, it just was their names. Like when a parent names a child and they say ‘he just was a Keith’. Some of the other names though either have hidden meanings (Jimmy’s father-figure is called Joe after the very first step-dad in western literature), whilst the rest I tend to have to think about. I’ll inevitably look to Facebook and find friends of friends with names that jump out to me.

Can you share your writing process with us, in a nutshell?

The first thing I need is the right environment. The essentials are for it to be quiet, coffee at hand and comfortable. Once I’ve got all of that whether it be in my own home or out in public, I just get on with it. You can sit and wait for inspiration all day long but it might never come, so I just get to typing. Once I’ve been writing for a solid ten to twenty minutes I just end up in a flow and three or four hours can go by in a blink.

Who are your top 5 favourite authors?

This changes pretty frequently based on what I’m reading but if I had to pick right now I’d go for David Nicholls, Danny Wallace, Nick Hornby, Stephen King and George RR Martin.

If you could meet any author, who would it be and what would you ask them?

Stephen King, and selfishly I’d ask him to look at my work and give me pointers.

Were you a big reader as a child?

From about the age of eight I was a big reader. Started with the usual stuff, Harry Potter etc. and then graduated onto more mature stuff. I once visited a book shop so much at the age of twelve that one of the members of staff gave me a massive bundle of pre-publications copies of books for free.

When did you start to write?

I’m not 100% sure but I’d say when I was about twelve or thirteen I started writing short scenes and stories for my own
amusement. Obviously, this was kept very secret.

If you could re-write the ending to any book what would it be and what would you change?

If I could re-write the end to any book it would be Mario Puzo’s The Godfather. I know, I know. It’s sacrilege to even suggest that story is anything but perfect. But for me, it’s not. I would’ve liked to see Michael walk away from the family at the end. I know the ending shows that he is corrupted by it all and brought to the fold as the new head-honcho. But by the end a lot of the main players have died, he gets his revenge, then I’d like to see him leave. Walk with Kay into the sunset.

Is there a book you wish you had written?

Mike Gayle’s The Stag and Hen Weekend. It’s a fantastic book with a real unique way of telling a story. For anyone who has not read it, the book is in two section one a stag party and the other a hen do. You can read either part first and the other second, it is entirely up to the reader. It has an ambiguous ending which some did not like but for me I always enjoy when the reader has to decide for themselves how certain aspects of a story play out. We shouldn’t be spoon-fed but challenged.

If you wrote an autobiography, what would your title be?

Remember Who You Are.

If you could invite any fictional character for coffee who would it be and where would you take them?

It would be Hank Moody from Californication. I’d take him to Second Cup in Manchester which is one of my writing havens and pick his brain about his writing process and the books he wrote. I love the show but wish we could find out more about the actual books he writes, what’s the story, how does it read etc.

What are you working on right now?

At the minute I am in marketing over-drive for You, Me and Us. So, my actual writing time has been a bit thin on the ground at the minute, but I have written a short scene for my next book. I am still in two minds about the overall story but it is revolving around two themes; male infertility and a school reunion.

Do you have a new release due?

Not right now, I am still in the very embryotic stages of writing.

What do you generally do to celebrate on publication day?

Well You Me and Us is my first release so I don’t have a tradition yet! More than likely go a for a meal with friends and have a few glasses of overpriced red wine.

How can readers keep in touch with you?

Through my website http://www.liamhurley.co.uk or on Twitter @LjHurleyWriter

Is there anything else you would like us to know?

If anyone else is reading this who is in two minds about writing a book or chasing any dream, then do it. Don’t pay attention to naysayers or negativity, get on with it. Work hard, and believe in yourself. Thank you for your time and letting me be a part of this blog!

Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions, Liam 🙂 

“F*** you for breaking my f***ing heart…”
This is the heart-breaking yet hilarious story of Jimmy Rowland and Erin Poppet.
Jimmy Rowland has the perfect life. He works in his favourite bar by day, and by night he lives his dream with his two best friends in his band.
Erin Poppet crashes into Jimmy’s life like a beautiful storm. He falls in love with her as quickly and as deeply as possible. The intensity of their relationship leaves Jimmy with a broken heart, a useless vacuum and a demon inside him.
Jimmy’s dream life quickly becomes a nightmare when he loses his dream job and destroys his musical career live on stage.
When he hits rock bottom, he decides he only has one choice, to rebuild his life from scratch. He has to get back the life he had before Erin.
This is her story.

This is his story.

This is their story.
Or as Jimmy would say… “… this is the story of You, Me and Us.”

Purchase from Amazon –

Author Bio –

My name is Liam; I am an author from Manchester, UK. I love three things in this world, writing, reading and the viral video of the Irish family trying to catch a bat. (My girlfriend, family, friends and cats may be unhappy with this). My hobbies include listening to podcasts, watching grown men fight and trying every possible type of ground coffee in the world.

Here are my Top Ten reasons to read my book or spend the night with me…

1. It won’t cost you much.

2. It will be over relatively quickly.

3. I will be very grateful.

4. You can tell other people about it if you enjoyed it.

5. If not, don’t bother.

6. It’s always fun to have something in your hands to flick through.

7. You can review it online.

8. It will leave a mark on you.

9. You won’t want to put it down.

10. It’ll make you laugh.

Social Media Links –

http://www.twitter.com/LjHurleyWriter
http://www.liamhurley.co.uk
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15316750.Liam_Hurley

Giveaway –

Win a signed copy of You, Me and Us (Open to UK only)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!

Happy Publication Day, Sun Chara! 🙂

Hi! Today I have the pleasure of bringing Recluse Millionaire, Reluctant Bride, by Sun Chara, to your attention 🙂

Many thanks to Rachel at Rach RandomResources @rararesources  for the opportunity to take part.

Is his reluctant bride a business risk or a personal necessity?
Stan Rogers, recluse millionaire, must negotiate a risky deal with Stella Ryan, the exotic beauty from his past, to gain custody of his son. But how can he close the deal with her, the one and only woman who flips his switches and pegs him as the enemy?
Martial artist Stella knows she should steer clear of Stan, the man who had shattered her heart and could still destroy her. Four years have passed since their hostile business deal, and now, the American financier is proposing holy matrimony…but she’s the reluctant bride wondering, what’s he up to?

Purchase Link

Author Bio –

Sun Chara, an Amazon top 100 bestseller, writes sexy, hip ‘n fun contemporary romance for Harper Impulse. JABBIC winner, Manhattan Millionaire’s Cinderella launched her writing career, spinning the ‘global millionaire’s series’. She makes her home in southern California, and has appeared on stage/film to rave reviews in How the Other Half Loves, General Hospital, and McGee and Me. With a Master’s Degree in Education, and membership in SAG/AFTRA and Romance Writers of America, she enjoys sipping designer Frappuccinos topped with whipped cream/sprinkles, and dancing on the beach…making everyday a celebration! Sun loves to hear from her readers at:

https://facebook.com/suncharaauthorpage

https://twitter.com/sunchara3

Some of you may remember that I reviewed a short story called The Caretaker, by Dan Klefstad, back in January – https://chataboutbooks.wordpress.com/?s=the+caretaker

The Interview is a very cleverly written follow up to The Caretaker.

Daniel has dedicated most of his life to his employer. 35 years of his life, in fact, and he’s now looking for someone to take over.

He has an interviewee who is initially intrigued, unsurprisingly, by the pay. He soon realizes there is good reason for the six figure pay packet though and he isn’t sure he’s up to it, but too late…. he knows too much already. It’s safer for him to stay.

This interviewee is quite a character. We don’t know his name and I’m not sure discretion is his strongest trait which could be very dangerous in this particular job. He has a million questions, but he has to be patient, as do we. Will he suit his new role?

Daniel is still an intriguing character and I like that we see a little more of the boss in this story, but only vaguely. I’m still left wondering.

Why not have a read for yourself. You’ll find the story at the following link…..

http://www.aphelion-webzine.com/shorts/2017/12/TheInterview.html

Many thanks to Dan Klefstad for sharing his story with me.

Dan Klefstad wrote the novel “Shepherd & the Professor” (http://amzn.to/2paodWm) and the short story “The Caretaker” (http://bit.ly/2rpQw68). He writes in DeKalb, Illinois, and Williams Bay, Wisconsin.

Welcome to my #FlashbackFriday feature 🙂

On the first Friday of each month I like to have a little look back at what I was reading during the same month in previous years.

Here’s what I was reading in December 2016 & 2015…..

2016…..

Lizzie’s Christmas Escape by Christie Barlow @ChristieJBarlow @bookouture #BookReview

#Witness by Caroline Mitchell @Caroline_writes #BlogTour #BookReview

The Gift by Louise Jensen @Fab_fiction @bookouture #BlogTour #BookReview

A Passion So Wild by Louise Rose-Innes @LouiseRoseInnes #BookReview

2015…..

The Darkest Secret by Alex Marwood

Did You Ever Have A Family by Bill Clegg

Kingston Court by Holly Kammier

That’s What Friends Are For by Mel Sherratt writing as Marcie Steele

Have you read any of the above?

Happy Publication Day, Anne John-Ligali 🙂

You are cordially invited to the party of the season where you’ll meet Constance and friends in action.

Constance Jeffries is excited when she gets the chance to meet up with virtual friends at a gettogether in a London hotel. She’s been tweeting and messaging her lovely friends for years and feels they must be just as excited to finally meet her in person too. Or so she hopes.

The Big Event is first part in a short story series about the importance of ‘real’ friendships and how it’s the little things that matter the most.

A Gorgeous Venue, A Room Full of Friends, What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

Trailer – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvCuVY2m538

Purchase from Amazon UK

About The Author

Anne John-Ligali is a writer and the founder of Books and Authors UK, a popular website featuring author interviews and book reviews. She loves all things books: reading, writing, going to book events, and meeting other book lovers. She has written a series of short stories and is currently writing her first novel.
When Anne is not writing, she is likely to be at soft play with her kids, taking long evening walks in Hyde Park, making green smoothies, window shopping, or having a pampering session at her local beauty salon (whenever she gets the chance). She can also be found watching box sets (albeit with a bit of shame at still having to catch up on Scandal, Grey’s, and Downton).
Originally from Peterborough, Anne now lives in London. After moving to London, she studied graphic design at the University of Arts and has held a number IT administration jobs in the city.
Anne continues writing and aspires to write more women’s fiction books, a non-fiction book and several children’s books.

Social Media Links –

AUTHOR BLOG: http://annejohnligali.com/
AUTHOR TWITTER: https://twitter.com/AnneJohnLigali
AUTHOR FB: https://www.facebook.com/annejohnligali/
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/booksnauthorsuk/
BLOGSITE: http://www.booksandauthors.co.uk
BLOG TWITTER: https://twitter.com/BooksNAuthorsUK
BLOG FB: https://www.facebook.com/Books-and-Authors-UK-674729805905507/
Giveaway

How fabulous is this giveaway!…..

Win Sparkly Afternoon Tea for Two at Vertigo 42 in central London and one e-copy of The Big Event.

To enter and for full terms and conditions, please follow the link for everything you need to know.
http://annejohnligali.com/651-2/

Good luck!

Many thanks to Rachel at Rach RandomResources @rararesources

for the opportunity to join in 🙂

My review…..

OH. MY. GOODNESS!!

I am so honoured to have been able to read an advance copy of The Liar’s Promise. A big thank you to the author and publisher for my ARC. I will be recommending this book to anyone and everyone.

To describe this book as disturbing would be a massive understatement! I absolutely LOVED it! Not quite sure what that says about me 😉 but I know there will be many, many, many people who will agree.

There are two storylines on the go in this book and the way they collide with each other is just genius storytelling.

Mel and Tony have a four year old daughter called Chloe who, following a visit to the theatre, starts to behave really strangely. I was instantly reminded of The Exorcist, which is the only horror film to have ever truly freaked me out. Honestly, it played on my mind for weeks and I can’t even watch spoofs of it, let alone the real thing again. I’m not sure how I haven’t had nightmares reading this book! Naturally Mel is terrified, but Tony is sceptical, initially. However, as the situation escalates there’s no denying this is more than a behavioural issue and some devastating truths are revealed.

Peter King is one of the most sadistic characters I have ever come across! Preying on vulnerable young girls and subjecting them to the most horrific, sick games, with the help of his lover, is nothing short of pure evil. He is a fascinating character though, but one I was praying would get the comeuppance he deserved.

I don’t want to say too much else, but the way the characters and their stories are intertwined is just brilliant. I was totally gripped.

My heart was beating so fast towards the end and I don’t think I really breathed through the last chapter! Another one of Mark Tilbury’s books that I’m not likely to forget in a hurry.

Absolutely outstanding writing!

I’m a huge fan of Mark Tilbury’s and I can’t wait to read whatever he writes next.

Book Description:

During a visit to a local theatre, four-year-old Chloe Hollis becomes hysterical. But her mother, Mel, doesn’t realise that this is just the beginning of the nightmare. In the coming weeks, Chloe talks of The Tall Man – Of death.

At her wits end, Mel confides in Charles Honeywell, the headmaster at the school where she works. But what Mel doesn’t know is that Charles is linked to what is happening to her daughter.

Will Mel learn the terrible truth? And can she overcome her own tragic past and save her daughter before it’s too late?

The Liar’s Promise is a story of past lives and future torment

Author Bio:

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.

He’s always had a keen interest in writing, and is extremely proud to have his fourth novel, The Liar’s Promise, along with The Abattoir of Dreams, published, and The Revelation Room and The Eyes of the Accused re-launched, by Bloodhound Books.

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.

Previous posts on Chat About Books featuring Mark Tilbury and his books…..

The Abattoir of Dreams by Mark Tilbury @MTilburyAuthor @Bloodhoundbook #BlogTour #BookReview #AuthorInterview

The Revelation Room #BlogTour #BookReview @MTilburyAuthor @Bloodhoundbook @sarahhardy681

The Eyes of the Accused #BlogTour @MTilburyAuthor @Bloodhoundbook #BookReview @sarahhardy681

Publisher: Penguin; 01 edition (12th January 2017)

My review…..

OH. MY. GOODNESS!!!

I finished this late last night as there was no way I could go to sleep until I had finished it. It took me quite a while to go to sleep after I had finished it!

I’m not really quite sure where to start with this review, but the word horrifying springs to mind.

15 year old Milly (AKA Annie) is living with a foster family having given evidence against her mother. She is preparing herself for the trial where her mother is facing a jury for murdering 9 children. 9 children! I can’t even begin to imagine. Not only that, but it is obvious very early on that Milly suffered physical abuse at the hands of her own mother. Thankfully there are no details as such, but the insinuations are enough to make your skin scrawl. Needless to say Milly isn’t your average teenage girl and she struggles to get on with Phoebe, her foster family’s daughter of the same age. As a result she endures bullying from Phoebe and her friends, on top of everything else.

I did really feel for Milly although she obviously has issues due to her upbringing. She seemed to crave a normal family, but didn’t really know how to fit in to one properly. It was hard to imagine how she would even begin move on from the horrendous things she had witnessed and been subjected to and I have no idea how I would deal with giving evidence in court against any family member, let alone my own mother, so her reaction to what she was facing is very plausible.

I knew the story wasn’t going to be as straight forward as Milly getting through the trial and moving on with her life, but nothing prepared me for the actual truths which are uncovered along the way! Absolutely shocking and quite disturbing, but totally gripping. I was completely captivated by Milly and her story. It’s a very tense read. I almost felt like there was a weight on my chest as I was reading and I think I held my breath through parts in anticipation of what might happen next. Amazing writing. I loved it! It’s one that I will think about and recommend for a long time to come.

Many thanks to the author and publisher for my Kindle copy via Netgalley.

For more information and to buy a copy…..

Enjoy!