Posted on by Chat About Books

** #Free on #Amazon #Kindle for a limited time ** The Safe Bet by Elliott Fassbinder #BookPromotion @BoBookPublicity

The Safe Bet

by Elliott Fassbinder

Fiona Alderton is fast approaching her fortieth birthday. Her life is chugging along a track she carefully laid twenty years ago. Successful husband, beautiful Highgate home, vast walk-in-wardrobe, and two delightful sons. But the sky is not all brilliant azure, there are clouds: a diminishing sex life, a teaching job she loathes, and an increasing dependence on alcohol. Still, her decision, twenty years earlier, to cut adrift a life of libertine excess to hitch herself to sensitive, geeky David Alderton, her Safe Bet, looks like the right one.

Until, two days before her birthday, Fiona and David are rushing around preparing for the school run, and their mobiles get muddled. Fiona sees a text meant for her husband, and her Safe Bet suddenly resembles a ruinous roll of the dice. How will she react?

Get your copy now!

5 out of 5 stars

“This is Elliott’s second book and it’s a real page turner! Enjoy, and I hope he has plans for another soon.” – Amazon reviewer

5 out of 5 stars

“Well-written, witty, narrative that will stay with you long after you have turned the last page!

Elliott Fassbinder’s depth of observation, compassion and character development added immensely to a refreshing way to tell the story of marriage, regret, apathy, and the struggle of the human condition, which all make this a very well-written, poetically witty, relatable narrative that will stay with you long after you have turned the last page.

Is there really such a thing as a Safe Bet?” – Amazon reviewer

Posted on by Chat About Books · 1 Comment

The Rabbit Girls by Anna Ellory 

The Rabbit Girls

by Anna Ellory 

The Rabbit Girls has been waiting patiently in my kindle library for some time and it’s quite a coincidence that I came to read it at the same time as listening to The Tattooist of Auschwitz on Audible.

The Rabbit Girls is set in Berlin, in 1989, as the wall came down. The story centres around Miriam who is a troubled character. I really felt for her. She is dealing with an abusive husband at the same time as caring for her dying father. As if that isn’t enough to deal with, she discovers an Auschwitz tattoo on her father, under the strap of his watch, that he’d always kept hidden. This leaves her with so many questions about her father’s life. When he starts to call out another woman’s name, Frieda, (not her mother’s name) she becomes determined to find out who this woman is. When she finds letters written by Frieda, she begins to piece things together revealing secrets of her father’s past. All she wants is to find out what happened to Frieda in the hope of helping her father pass in peace. What she discovers is unbelievably shocking and heart-breaking.

This book is so beautifully written. It’s full of intrigue and is incredibly heart-wrenching. Such a captivating read. I highly recommend it to all.

** According to Amazon I purchased this book on the 1st of August 2019. My ‘spin-the-wheel’ app chose it at random on the 25th of February 2024 **

Posted on by Chat About Books · 6 Comments

#FlashbackFriday March 2024

Hi, and welcome to my Flashback Friday feature!

On the first Friday of each month, I like to look back at the books I was reading the previous year during the same month.

Please do join in if you have the time, I’d love to see your posts 🙂

A big thank you to those who already join in regularly! xx

Here are my reviews from March 2023 + a link to previous March FBFs….

Camp Death (Eerie Things Book 1) by Jim Ody @Jim_Ody_Author

Billionaire’s Island Temptation (Billionaires for the Rose Sisters, Book 1) by Rachael Stewart @rach_b52
#FlashbackFriday March 2023

happy reading!

Posted on by Chat About Books · 1 Comment

How to Solve a Murder: True Stories from a Life in Forensic Medicine by Derek and Pauline Tremain #NetGalley

How to Solve a Murder: True Stories from a Life in Forensic Medicine.

by Derek Tremain 

How To Solve a Murder is an easy to read (for the most part), fascinating insight into the lives of forensic scientists as told by now husband and wife team, Derek, and Pauline Tremain. Both experts in their field they each tell stories from when their careers began and how they developed over the years. With often gruesome detail we learn about certain specimens they have collected and stored over the years. They share the techniques they have used as well as those they have developed themselves, making it easier for police to convict the guilty of their heinous crimes.

We also learn a little about them both personally and how their relationship developed from purely professional to eventual marriage.

There is no doubt they have had and continue to have a successful career, one they both seem to thrive on and excel in.

My only criticism would be that throughout the whole book it was difficult to distinguish which one of them was ‘talking’ at any one time, unless they mentioned the other at some point. This did make it confusing at times.

Still, an interesting read for anyone even remotely interested in forensic science.

** Many thanks to the author and publisher for my review copy via NetGalley **

FRACTURED SKULLS. GAS MASKS. BRAIN BUCKETS. VATS OF ACID. PICKLED BODY PARTS.

Not the usual tools of trade, but for Chief Forensic Medical Scientist Derek and Forensic Secretary Pauline they were just part of a normal day in the office inside the world-famous Department of Forensic Medicine at Guy’s Hospital in London.

Derek has played a pivotal role in investigating some of the UK’s most high-profile mass disasters and murder cases. Derek’s innovative work on murder cases, in particular, has seen him credited as a pioneer of forensic medical science, after developing ground-breaking techniques that make it easier to secure a conviction and also identify a serial killer.

Posted on by Chat About Books · 2 Comments

We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker @WhittyAuthor

We Begin at the End

by Chris Whitaker

We Begin at the End grabbed my attention from the very beginning. I wish I could have read it cover to cover in one sitting. It’s one of those books I thought about often when I wasn’t reading it. It’s a heart-breaking story really. Duchess is a fascinating character. She has a foul mouth, is disrespectful of authority, and pretty much seems to hate the world and everyone in it, but she has dealt with a lot in her 13 years already so it’s kind of understandable and I couldn’t help but like her. She does her best to look after her younger brother Robin, as their mother has her struggles. She doesn’t always make the wisest decisions though and she very much ends up paying a high price for her mistakes. My heart truly went out to her towards to the end.

Local police officer, Walk, does his best to look out for the family. I really liked him. I liked his loyalty to Vincent even when the rest of the town was against him.

Vincent is an intriguing character. I didn’t know what to make of him at first. We don’t hear much from him really considering he is a central character, so it was hard to form an opinion of him.

I loved the children’s Granddad. I love how he seemed to just get Duchess and give her the space she needed despite her rudeness and apparent lack of appreciation considering she had never known the full story behind his relationship with their mother. I love how their relationship slowly developed and was devastated by what happened and what was to follow.

I had no idea which direction this story would go in, and I couldn’t wait to find out.

By the end I had experienced all the emotions.

It’s so brilliantly written. I highly recommend it to all.

We Begin at the End is the first book I’ve read by Chris Whitaker. I sincerely hope it won’t be my last. (I have added all his other titles to my wishlist.)

** According to Amazon I purchased this book on the 5th of November 2021 **

Thirty years ago, Vincent King became a killer.

Now, he’s been released from prison and is back in his hometown of Cape Haven, California. Not everyone is pleased to see him. Like Star Radley, his ex-girlfriend, and sister of the girl he killed.

Duchess Radley, Star’s thirteen-year-old daughter, is part-carer, part-protector to her younger brother, Robin – and to her deeply troubled mother. But in trying to protect Star, Duchess inadvertently sets off a chain of events that will have tragic consequences not only for her family, but also the whole town.

Murder, revenge, retribution.

How far can we run from the past, when the past seems doomed to repeat itself?

Happy reading!

Posted on by Chat About Books · 1 Comment

Storyhouse, Volume 1: A Blanket of Embers by Andy Kind @andykindcomedy

Storyhouse, Volume 1: A Blanket of Embers

by Andy Kind

24th January 2024

Storyhouse, Volume 1: A Blanket of Embers by Andy Kind is a brilliant collection of short stories! I enjoyed them all in one afternoon.

Each one is as unique, and entertaining, as the last.

Now, I’m never quite sure how to properly review a short story collection so, as I read each one, I made a note of my immediate thoughts.

Here are the ones that stood out the most for me….

Early Stages gave me goosebumps.

The Real Martha Morris is hilarious, at first, but has a shocking conclusion.

A Swift ‘Arf is very clever!

The Boy Who Could Be Anything had me laughing out loud although it probably shouldn’t have.

And I Still Do is thought provoking.

Footprints is another one that gave me goosebumps.

Strawberry Picking – Woah! This one gave me chills!!

I found Kuebiko quite poetic.

The Perplexity of the House on Malleus Road is so creepy!

On A Dream is yet another one that gave me goosebumps.

The Hardest Thing to See is another thought-provoking tale.

That Sunday I Went to Church is both hilarious and heart-warming.

Harry’s Pigeons melted my heart.

Aroma is particularly poignant. It costs nothing to be kind!

A Night in Hebden Bridge is both horrifying and hilarious.

The Sharpshooter is a powerful story to end on. Just wow!

Such clever writing! I can’t recommend this collection highly enough. I read it cover to cover in one sitting, but you could easily dip in and out as each one is short enough to be enjoyed on your tea/coffee break or whenever you fancy. I would happily buy this book for friends and family. I think it deserves to fly off the shelves!

I already own Andy Kind’s other books. I think I really need to bump them up my TBR list!

** Many thanks to Andy Kind for my ARC of this excellent short story collection. I’m honoured to have been the first person to have read it in full! **

Andy Kind presents a collection of short stories as a remedy for the time-strapped modern reader. Storyhouse Volume 1 offers a diverse array of tales through Dusk, into Night, and on to the Dawn – each representing different emotional landscapes. The tales are ‘pandemic babies,’ conceived through the intersection of lockdown monotony and persistent hopefulness.

A Blanket of Embers offers readers an escape into diverse minds and experiences, exploring the three R’s: redemption, resurrection, and reconciliation – while acknowledging the harsh realities of life where death, pride, and brokenness often prevail. The collection promises moments of pleasure, inviting readers to step into the world of compelling ‘What if?’ scenarios and poignant reflections on the human condition, while at times straying into the fantastical, the liminal, and the horrific.

In this, his first collection of short prose, Andy Kind displays both his depth of emotional nuance and his eye for the details hidden in the human psyche.

Happy reading!

Posted on by Chat About Books · 1 Comment

52 Weeks: An uplifting read about not letting cancer defeat you by Barry Lillie @BarryLillie1

52 Weeks: An uplifting read about not letting cancer defeat you.

by Barry Lillie

52 Weeks is a wonderful story. Having read 4 months: An introduction to 52 Weeks, which is hilarious, I was very much looking forward to catching up with the characters again.

It’s set in Stoke-on-Trent which I love. These people, as many often did at the time, met their spouses, and formed close friendships whilst working in the pot banks and these relationships have stood the test of time.

I loved Beryl immediately and my heart went out to her when she receives her terminal diagnosis. She is so determined not to let it dominate the rest of her life though. She will live each day, maintain as much normality as possible, and maybe try a few new things along the way. I love her acceptance of her son and her tolerance of her daughter who doesn’t cope very well with the news, understandably.

It seems so weird to say that a book about one lady’s battle with cancer is funny, but it really is. I read this at bedtime, and I had to stop myself from laughing out loud SO many times because my husband was already asleep next to me. Honestly, it’s just brilliant!

I LOVE Beryl’s husband, Len. He is hilarious! My favourite line of his being the one about him having no friends in Jamaica. LOL! I love that he tries to appreciate Beryl’s need to maintain a sense of normality, whilst also looking after her the best way he knows how.

I love Vera. She cracks me up!

I love that the group of friends are summoned when one of them has a new carpet or bathroom fitted. I can just imagine that’s how groups of friends used to be back in the day, in and out of each other’s houses all the time for cups of tea, and cake, and random chat. It’s a shame it’s not generally like that these days.

There are a few hospital scenes throughout the story where Beryl visits her consultant and there are references to her pain and other symptoms, but her illness is by no means the focus of this story.

Beryl is a special character who finds joy in everything, whether it be something she has never done before or just the small things that make her happy like coffee and cake with her friend of a morning whilst catching up on the gossip or sitting in front of the telly with her husband of an evening once she’s done the washing up after tea. Her love for her family and friends is palpable and her zest for life inspirational.

** Many thanks to Barry Lillie for my review copy **

52 Weeks: An uplifting story of survival.

When the twelve month life expectancy forecast comes as a bombshell, Beryl refuses to surrender to cancer’s ticking clock. She is determined to embrace each day and leave a record for those she’ll leave behind.

Supported by her family and best pal Vera, known for her eccentric approach to life, Beryl lives life to its fullest, finding humour in the mundane and happiness in the simplest of situations.

Everything, from a hen night to an out-of-date library ticket and a pregnant Bedlington terrier to being a life model, is a new adventure to be savoured. Yet it is befriending, Kate, who has the same prognosis, that becomes the most fulfilling.
52 Weeks is a heartwarming tale filled with moments of humour and flashes of heartache as Beryl discovers how love and friendship can make the act of living the most important part of every day.

Join Beryl’s journey today and be prepared to smile, laugh and perhaps even shed a tear.

Happy reading!

Posted on by Chat About Books · 1 Comment

Things I Wanted To Say by Monica Murphy 

Things I Wanted To Say

by Monica Murphy 

This book was gifted to me from a lovely Bookstagram friend for my Birthday last year. It’s nothing like my usual kind of read and if I’m honest I wasn’t sure I was going to like it at first.

The main characters are 17-year-old American students, Whit and Summer. Whit has been born into a wealthy family and is in line to inherit a fortune. He struts around like he owns the school, and pretty much does. He’s a handsome lad and everyone bows down to him, but he’s not a particularly nice boy. And he is a boy, but with the confidence of a much more experienced man. I didn’t like him at all to begin with. His behaviour towards Summer is shocking, although I could kind of understand his animosity towards her mother. The bullying at the beginning made for uncomfortable reading at times. It takes ‘treat them mean, keep them keen’ to a whole new level!

The chemistry between them is obvious from the start though. However, I have no idea why Summer puts up with the way Whit treats her. I know they say some girls love a bad boy, but oh my days! She’s got her own past she’s battling to recover from, but she’s a beautiful girl who deserves so much better. Does she want better though!?

Their relationship soon becomes one of obsession and they can’t get enough of each other. (This is a very explicit book so it might not be for you if you’re offended by that kind of content.) Summer isn’t good enough for Whit though, according to his family. She isn’t marriage material, and they have his future mapped out for him, so she can only ever be a temporary plaything as far as they’re concerned. Whit has other plans though….

He grew on me eventually 😉

I found myself completely invested in their story!

** Many thanks to @mama_bookworm_ for my paperback copy. Hope you enjoy it. I see I sent it to you for your Birthday too! **

Whit Lancaster is the cold, heartless and devastatingly handsome bad boy at Lancaster Prep.

Beautiful Summer Savage has no time for Whit. But his intense gaze traps her under a spell. Fills her with a longing she doesn’t understand.

When Whit gets into trouble one night, Summer invites him in. Tends to his wounds. Lets her guard down, just for a moment . . .

Which is when Whit takes off in the dead of night. Taking her journal with him.

Now he holds all her darkest secrets, threatening to expose her to the entire school. So Summer strikes a deal with Whit.

A deal that leaves her at his mercy behind closed doors . . .

But what if he’s at hers?

Happy reading!

Posted on by Chat About Books · 3 Comments

#FlashbackFriday February 2024

Hi, and welcome to my Flashback Friday feature!

On the first Friday of each month, I like to look back at the books I was reading the previous year during the same month.

Please do join in if you have the time, I’d love to see your posts 🙂

A big thank you to those who already join in regularly! xx

Here are my reviews from February 2023 + a link to previous February FBFs….

Burnt Norton by Caroline Sandon @CMontagueAuthor

The Catch by T.M. Logan @TMLoganAuthor

The Wilderness Retreat by Jennifer Moore @JennyWriteMoore

My morning with author, Caroline Montague #BurntNorton

Of Skinned Knees and Nettle Stings by Miss Leona Barker 

Moving On by Marcie Steele @marcie_steele
#FlashbackFriday February 2023

happy reading!

Posted on by Chat About Books · 4 Comments

Deadly Plot (A Bunch Courtney Investigation, Book 5) by Jan Edwards @Jancoledwards #PublicationDay #BookPromotion @BoBookPublicity

Bunch is back!!

Deadly Plot (A Bunch Courtney Investigation Book 5)

by Jan Edwards

When the body of Nario Costa is dug up in Wyncombe’s Victory Gardens, Bunch Courtney’s investigations unearth far more than an escaped POW!

What at first appears to be a cold case takes a darker turn as she uncovers links far beyond her Sussex home — and the body count begins to rise!

Book 5 of 5: A Bunch Courtney Investigation

OUT NOW!

About the author

Jan Edwards – author of the Bunch Courtney Investigations

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEuKYA53T7o&fbclid=IwAR334iyQEHPW322q-fG-ZWUnm0WXM3Yn4ed9xJlUEmxKL5fH97rZjZ5ZEis

Jan Edwards is a UK author with several novels and many short stories in horror, fantasy, mainstream and crime fiction, including Mammoth Book of Folk Horror as well as various volumes of the MX Books of New Sherlock Holmes Stories. Jan is an editor with the award-winning Alchemy Press (includes The Alchemy Press Books of Horror series. Jan was awarded the Arnold Bennett Book Prize for Winter Downs, the first in her ww2 crime series The Bunch Courtney Investigations.

To read more about Jan go to: https://janedwardsblog.wordpress.com/

Winner of the Arnold Bennett Book Prize; Karl Edward Wagner award; Winchester Slim Volume award (for Sussex Tales). Short listed for both the British Fantasy Award for Best Short Fiction and Best Collection.

Happy reading!