Chat About Books

As I was away last weekend, staying with friends in Yeovil, this post is what I’ve added to my TBR list in the last two weeks.

From the author/publisher…..

 Out Of The Darkness

I received a paperback copy of this book, beautifully wrapped, from Katy Hogan herself. I’m very much looking forward to reading it.

Description:

DOES EVERYTHING IN LIFE HAPPEN PURELY BY CHANCE? OR ARE WE GUIDED TOWARDS PEOPLE WHO CAN HELP US IN OUR HOUR OF NEED? Following the sudden death of her beloved mother, Jessica Gibson’s world falls apart. But after meeting a man who seems heaven-sent, she starts to feel she has something to live for again, and soon discovers that their connection holds far more significance than she could ever have imagined. And when Jessica strikes an unlikely bond with Alexandra Green, the two new friends are taken on an emotional journey into the world of the supernatural, where psychic mediums pass on messages from beyond the grave. What — or who — is causing the strange goings-on in Alex’s home? What secret is she keeping from Jessica? And who is the young woman who so badly needs their help? In a series of surprising twists and turns, the pieces of the puzzle finally fall into place and a mystery is unwittingly solved — with life-changing consequences for all involved. ‘Out of the Darkness’ is an uplifting tale of friendship and redemption; of love and loss. And life…after death.

 The Resurrection of Frederic Debreu

I received a review copy of this yesterday from RedDoor Publishing. It is due for release on 5th May 2016.

Description:

Who wants a respectable retirement, anyway?

Not Ted Prescott, genial visitor to Mailliot le Bois, here on an impulsive mission to seek out his past whilst heroically diminishing the sleepy French town’s stocks of red wine.

But once the locals discover Ted’s authentic renditions of regional hero Frédéric Debreu’s songs, life is suddenly not so straightforward for the stage-shy Derbyshire guitar-maker.

Reluctantly persuaded that he might help put their town back on the map, Ted finds himself billed as humble French farm labourer Édouard Prescôte . Nonplussed as his self-conscious performances strike a chord, Ted finds himself drawn into a web of well-intentioned deceit that he finds increasingly hard to unravel.

Haunted by the loss of his missing brother, and with the hopes of an entire community riding on him, it soon becomes clear that there are other, more important things that he hasn’t mentioned to his loved ones…

With a dash of H.E. Bates and hearty glugs of Alexander McCall Smith, Alex Marsh’s clever and funny novel is both modern and timeless; unforgettable characters and humour laced with heartbreak make this a big, boozy hug for readers everywhere.

Purchased/Downloaded…..

 On the night of Alex Carmody’s sixteenth birthday, she and her best friend, Cass, are victims of a terrible car accident. Alex survives; Cass doesn’t. Consumed by grief, Alex starts cutting school and partying, growing increasingly detached. The future she’d planned with her friend is now meaningless to her.

Meg Carmody is heartbroken for her daughter, even as she’s desperate to get Alex’s life back on track. The Birches, a boarding school in New Hampshire, promises to do just that, yet Alex refuses to go. But when Meg finds a bag of pills hidden in the house, she makes a fateful call to a transporter whose company specializes in shuttling troubled teens to places like The Birches, under strict supervision. Meg knows Alex will feel betrayed—as will her estranged husband, who knows nothing of Meg’s plans for their daughter.

When the transport goes wrong—and Alex goes missing—Meg must face the consequences of her decision and her deception. But the hunt for Alex reveals that Meg is not the only one keeping secrets.

 A compelling and heart warming set of four short stories by Mary Grand, author of ‘Free to Be Tegan’, which has over 50 reviews at amazon.co.uk, averaging 4.7 stars.
The New Arrival
Rachel has moved to the Isle of Wight determined to become invisible. Hiding a shameful secret she cultivates a ‘cold polite smile as effective as an electric fence.’ However, unexpectedly, into her life comes a loving, crazy, individual: Lottie the cocker spaniel. Everything is about to change.
Catching the Light
Erin thinks she has found her fairytale prince. However, the honeymoon in a remote cottage in Wales shatters the dream. For the first time in her life Erin discovers the mystical world of fairies.
Belonging
Megan works in a Theatre for the Deaf. She is Deaf. Her language is British Sign Language. One evening she meets John, who is hearing, and two worlds collide. This is the story of the struggles, joys and tears of their remarkable relationship.
The Outing
This was to be the most important day of Kay’s life. However her mission to be free from years of guilt reveals so much more than she could possibly imagine.
Free to Be Tegan
Also included is an excerpt from the author’s full length novel ‘Free to Be Tegan’.
Tegan, aged twenty seven, is cast out of the cult, rejected by her family and the only life she has known. She is vulnerable and naïve but she also has courage and the will to survive. She travels to Wales, to previously unknown relations in the wild Cambrian Mountains.

 A girl’s body is found. Her eyes, ears, and mouth have been sewn shut
DCI Jack Callum leads the investigation into this gruesome crime which shatters the peace of a sleepy 1950s English town. Images of three monkeys are sent to the police to taunt them: see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.

Something very nasty is going on and more victims come to light. Who is doing this and why? DCI Callum looks like he’s closing in on the culprits, but then a team of detectives from London is brought in to take over the case.

In a breathtaking finale, Callum must race against time, and break his own rules, to save someone very close to him.

If you like Robert Galbraith, Rachel Abbott, Ruth Rendell, or Mark Billingham you will be gripped by this exciting new crime fiction writer. Full of wonderful period detail and twists and turns

NO EVIL is the first in a new series of crime thrillers set in the 1950s, featuring DCI Jack Callum. He’s an ordinary policeman in an ordinary English town. The crimes he investigates are far from ordinary. Jack Callum has a keen mind and is passionate about his job and family. He doesn’t believe in capital punishment but has caught a few villains whose lives have come to an end on the gallows.

COMING SOON: THE NEXT FAST-PACED MYSTERY IN THE BESTSELLING SERIES

 A FAST-PACED MURDER MYSTERY FULL OF TWISTS AND TURNS
A tortured body is found hanging from a tree
DCI Jack Callum leads the investigation into this puzzling crime. The clues lead him tantalisingly close to the answer but without cracking the case. Why was the man killed? What were his links to London gangland bosses?

When an unsolved murder is uncovered that seems to be connected, Jack must use his team to their full strength to separate the innocent from the guilty. Jack also faces a challenge he never expected as he is accused of an improper relationship with a colleague.

You’ll love the period detail and settings of this fast-paced mystery which reaches a sensational climax in the seedy streets of London.

If you like Robert Galbraith, Rachel Abbott, Ruth Rendell, or Mark Billingham you will be gripped by this exciting new crime fiction writer. Full of excitement and twists and turns

PRIME EVIL is the second in a new series of crime thrillers set in the 1950s, featuring DCI Jack Callum. He’s an ordinary policeman in an ordinary English town. The crimes he investigates are far from ordinary. Jack Callum has a keen mind and is passionate about his job and family. He doesn’t believe in capital punishment but has caught a few villains whose life has come to an end on the gallows.

 1888. Whitechapel. Think you know the story? You don’t know Jack…

James Maybrick had secured his legacy as the most infamous serial killer of all time…his diary would one day shock the world.

Thomas Quinn wants revenge…his actions will give birth to an organisation of unspeakable power.

Together, they unwittingly set in motion a plan that will one day lead to the serial killer, Obadiah Stark.

Stark became The Tally Man.

They were The Brethren.

Maybrick is known to history by another name…

His crimes – unforgivable. His death – inevitable. His suffering – just beginning.

Obadiah Stark aka The Tally Man, is executed at ADX Absolom, his death sentence watched by the world’s media, victim relatives and one investigative reporter, Joe O Connell. Penning an account of Stark’s personal history and subsequent crimes in the hope of determining what elements make the sociopathic mind tick, Joe discovers clues and inconsistencies which cause him to investigate Stark’s execution.

While this is happening in the real world, Obadiah Stark awakens to an afterlife where he has a wife and daughter bound to his childhood hometown. Following his natural predatory instinct, Obadiah proceeds to torment the town, committing multiple murders before being gunned down by the police. He awakens to find that everything has reset, with no one recalling his murderous spree a reality which offers no escape. As the scenes repeat, he is forced to submit to emotions he has never experienced before… and with it, a poisonous dose of morality.

‘They say when you meet somebody that looks just like you, you die.’

Darcy Godfrey lives a seemingly normal life as a librarian in Chicago. One day, she comes across a blog that is filled with accounts of her past. The blogger, known as ‘D’, seems to know everything about her life- even things that Darcy cannot remember.

Things begin to go wrong when the her nemesis is murdered, making her a suspect. Now, Darcy must find the person behind the blog before it’s too late.

Added to my Wish List…..

Today I am very happy to welcome Heidi Perks to my blog.

Having seen lots of fabulous reviews for Heidi’s debut novel, Beneath The Surface, I was more than happy to feature an interview with the lady herself when her publisher made contact with me via my Facebook page.

Needless to say, Beneath The Surface, is on my TBR list!

(Photo credit to Andy Rapkins)

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

I am a mum of two young children who used to work in marketing until four years ago. When I had my second child I decided to start writing seriously – something I have always loved doing but figured if I didn’t try it then I never would. Ever since I have been writing and ploughing any spare time into my first novel, Beneath The Surface. I love to read family mysteries and psychological dramas so it wasn’t a conscious decision for me to write this genre. I intended to write a book that makes the reader think – someone once said to me they like a book that shows the author has worked hard for the reader and I hope that comes across in Beneath The Surface.

Where did/do you get your ideas from?

Many of my ideas come from everyday situations and conversations around me. It can be any little nugget of an idea that I start playing with until it turns into something bigger. Often they won’t make it much further than just an idea but occasionally I see how it can be turned into a story. In the case of Beneath The Surface I was thinking about how I would react if my own mum did something completely out of character. When you trust someone implicitly how do you cope when they do something so awful and unexpected? This is how the idea of Abi’s story came about, and how she would come home to find her mother had vanished and taken the two younger girls with her.

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

No they’re not in this book! I will use people I know to think about how they might behave in a situation – for example when I wrote about 16 year old Hannah I had a 16 year old I know in mind, but that was as far as the similarities went!

How do you pick your character’s names?

This varies. Sometimes I use the first name that comes into my head – this was the case with Abigail, and as long as it feels right I will stick with it. Other times I check baby name lists for the year the characters were born to see what was popular around that time – I did this with Kathryn and Eleanor.

There’s a character called Morrie in the book and his name came from the book Tuesday’s with Morrie that I was staring at when trying to think of his name! So I don’t have one method for coming up with them, but I do always make sure the name suits them. I think this is crucial. I don’t like it when I read books and the name doesn’t feel right or I can’t pronounce it easily.

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

In a nutshell I come up with the broad idea for the story and how I think it might pan out. I then look at the characters, and then I quickly start writing. This is because I am impatient and cannot wait to get words on the page. I start Chapter One before I have fully thought out the story or what the characters are really like. This ultimately means many re-writes and possibly I do more than authors who plot more fully at the outset – but this is what works for me. I will end up plotting and getting into the heart of the characters but I don’t do this at the start, this will always come at various points throughout the writing.

Do you have a favourite author? 

No, not one. I have many I enjoy and admire but I love reading so many books that I couldn’t pick one out. As a child it was Enid Blyton who stirred my love of books though.

Were you a big reader as a child?

Yes totally. I loved it. I would immerse myself in the Famous Five and Secret Seven and even at a young age could appreciate how books can transport you into a completely different world.

When did you start to write?

Four years ago properly, and by this I mean focusing all my spare time on it. My youngest was a baby and I would write when I had the chance, when they were sleeping or later at nursery. I set myself word count deadlines at the beginning so I had a goal to work towards.

What are you working on right now?

I am now in the process of editing my next novel, which is more of a thriller and one that I hope to have completed soon. At the same time I am beginning to think up ideas for the third! I love every stage of the writing process so it’s always exciting whether you are coming up with the idea, writing it, editing or eventually marketing the book.

When can we look forward to a new release?

That’s a hard one to answer as I can’t guess the time it will take to get to publication but I have hopefully got it to the point where I am happy with it for now and will start sending it out to readers.

How can readers keep in touch with you?

In many ways – I am on twitter @heidiperks1 and also on Facebook under HeidiPerksAuthor. I have my own website – Heidiperksauthor.co.uk and readers can message me via that. I would love to hear from people who either have an interest in writing or want to share their views on the book, or of course about anything they want to chat about!

Many thanks to Heidi for joining me on my blog today and many thanks also to Red Door Publishing for contacting me.

Publisher: Red Door Publishing Ltd (24th March 2016)

Description:

‘An intriguing novel… with a dark mystery at its heart’  C L Taylor, author of The Accident

I don’t know where you are…

I don’t know what I’ve done…

Teenager Abigail Ryder is devastated when she gets home from school to find her family gone. Nothing makes sense. Things are missing from the house and her stepsisters’ room is completely empty. But the police think she’s trouble, and when grandmother Eleanor tells her to forget them all and move on, there’s no choice other than face the future – alone.

Fourteen years on, Abi and Adam are a happy couple on the verge of parenthood. But when the past comes back to haunt Abi, the only way forward is to go back and uncover the truth – and reveal the dreadful secrets a mother has been hiding all these years.

What readers are saying about Beneath The Surface:

‘This was absolutely brilliant’ Reader, Goodreads

‘…an interesting read, filled with a sleuth of complex characters and unexpected plot twists. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book, and was hooked from the first page’ Reader, Goodreads

‘Having just finished this book, all I can say is wow!’ Reader, Goodreads

‘Well fleshed out characters and a very satisfying ending’ Reader, Goodreads

You can order your copy of Beneath The Surface HERE

And why not visit Heidi’s Amazon author page HERE

Published 24th December 2013

5/5*

I have to start by saying that I generally don’t read fantasy/Sci-Fi novels, but having met Sharon Sant at an author/blogger meet up I, naturally, added all of her books to my TBR list!

I decided to start with Sky Song (The Sky Song Trilogy Book 1) and I have really enjoyed it. It’s pure escapism.

Jacob isn’t like other 15 year old boys, but he has no idea why. He has no idea of the danger he’s been in all his life and no idea of who he really is until he is faced with the truth and an uncertain future. He must fight to protect himself and those he loves, but will his plan work out?

This is a brilliant start to a Trilogy and I will be bumping Book 2 up my TBR list to find out where Jacob’s journey takes him.

Considering this is a book completely out of my comfort zone I found it very easy to read. There are some wonderful descriptions which really give you a feel for the characters and their emotions. Lovely writing!

I will be encouraging my teenagers to read this as I think they will really enjoy it too.

You can purchase your copy of Sky Song (The Sky Song Trilogy Book 1) HERE (It is currently free on Kindle as I publish this post, 5th April 2016.)

Description:

AN UNKNOWN PAST. UN UNWANTED DESTINY. A FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL.

A strange-eyed boy with no memory of his true identity or real parents, Jacob could have no idea of the mortal danger he has been in every day of his fifteen years. Now that danger has found him and suddenly he doesn’t know who he can trust and what is real anymore. All he knows is that his new identity is almost as terrifying as the peril unleashing it has brought. Caught in the universal power struggle of an ancient race of beings and a destiny demanded of him that he does not want, he must fight to protect his own life and everyone he holds dear. But when the time comes, will he be strong enough to make the sacrifices that saving them will demand?

Sky Song is the first book of the Sky Song trilogy

PRAISE FOR SKY SONG
‘…clear some space from my shelf of favourites; this book just made it.’ Anahera Reads.
‘Sky Song is a beautifully written novel…’ Parenting Without Tears.
‘I was completely hooked until the very end.’ Victoria Loves Books.

ALSO BY SHARON SANT
The Young Moon (book two of the Sky Song Trilogy)
Not of Our Sky (book three of the Sky Song Trilogy)
Runners
The Memory Game
Dead Girl Walking

About the author:

Sharon Sant was born in Dorset but now lives in Stoke-on-Trent. Aged eight she wrote a poem about ET, which received the ultimate praise of being pinned onto the classroom wall, and from that moment on she knew she’d never stop writing. She graduated from Staffordshire University in 2009 with a degree in English and creative writing. She currently works part time as a freelance editor and continues to write her own stories. An avid reader with eclectic tastes across many genres, when not busy trying in vain to be a domestic goddess, she can often be found lurking in local coffee shops with her head in a book. Sometimes she pretends to be clever but really loves nothing more than watching geeky TV and eating Pringles.

Young adult novels Sky Song, The Young Moon and Not of Our Sky (the Sky Song trilogy), The Memory Game and Runners were all released in 2013 to glowing reviews. Dead Girl Walking followed in 2015 and she has a new trilogy planned for 2016, the first book of which, Storm Child, is due for release in April.

Sharon also writes children’s fiction under the name of Summer Hopkiss.

To find out more you can follow her on twitter where she’s always happy to chat: @sharonsant or find her on facebook. You can also go to her website: http://www.sharonsant.com

You can visit Sharon’s Amazon author page HERE

My first ever blog tour and I’m so excited!

#shoelove

🙂

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (8th June 2013)

5/5*

As I write this we’re on a train heading back to London, Waterloo. We have spent the last few days in Yeovil (featured in The Bridport Dagger) visiting friends.

Alison is another lovely author local to me. She has very kindly agreed to be the guest speaker at our Women’s Fellowship meeting this month, which I am very much looking forward to. I’m hoping Alison will agree to sign my books for me 😉

The Bridport Dagger hooks you in gently as the first few chapters set the scene and introduce us to the characters. It seems unlikely that the characters are linked in any way so straight away I found myself intrigued as to where the story would lead.

DI Christopher Timothy and his wife Pippa, from Staffordshire, are expecting their first baby and decide to take a relaxing holiday in Dorset before the baby is born. They hire a cottage from Beatrice Roper and all is well until Beatrice’s twin brother, Benedick, is found murdered. On the same night, in Ellesmere Port, Harry Greatorex is found dead at his bungalow and foul play is suspected. DI Timothy soon finds himself involved in the investigation which is far from straight forward. How can these two murders be connected? The secrets that unfold as a result of this investigation are quite shocking. I thought I had it sussed a few times, but I was totally wrong! It all made sense in the end though.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this murder mystery. I love Alison Lingwood’s writing, I find it a very easy style to get on with. If you like a good crime thriller with interesting characters and a captivating story line then I’m sure you will enjoy this book. It is the second of Alison’s I have read, so I have met DI Timothy before, but you could easily enjoy this as a standalone. I would highly recommend Portal To Murder though, if you haven’t read it already.

You can purchase your copy of The Bridport Dagger HERE

Description:

This is the second novel to feature DI Christopher Timothy. On the night upon which Chris and his wife Pippa arrive in Dorset on holiday, two deaths occur in separate parts of the country. With the holiday interrupted, DI Timothy works alongside an unknown team to investigate the local death. He has to delve back over forty years, and expose a further tragedy, in order to make sense of the mysterious events.

About the Author

Alison Lingwood was born in Cheshire in 1952. She is an ex-lecturer and retired businesswoman who lives in Staffordshire with her husband.

Links to Alison’s other books:

Portal To Murder

This is a story of the use and misuse of the internet. Angela is a bored, middle-aged spinster approached on the internet by an ex schoolfriend Kevin. Concerned that her boring existence will not hold his interest, she weaves a fabric of lies, becoming more and more obsessed with her fantasy life. But Kevin too is not who he claims to be, and the relationship between the two of them leads to death and destruction.

My review:

Brilliant! Excellent story, characters and setting! Definitely my kind of read. A good example of how easily the internet can be misused, but also how helpful it can be to a police investigation. Angela is an odd character, but I didn’t see the ending coming!

A Wild Kind Of Justice (on my TBR list)

When a survey is ordered on a building site over a defunct coal mine in north Staffordshire, part of a human body is unearthed.
Christopher Timothy, now a Detective Chief Inspector, is put in charge of the investigation, until murder comes calling too close to home, when it stalks through his property and touches an old acquaintance.

Stains Of Suspicion (on my TBR list)

Ben Hanchurch gave the shroud a professional flick, to reveal the face. For a moment they thought Clive was overcome with emotion, but then he said decisively, ‘That’s not my sister.’
So who is the mystery woman in the morgue? How and why did she die? And what has happened to Clive Boulstridge’s sister?
DCI Christopher Timothy, back at work part-time after an attack left him unconscious for months, comes into conflict with his partner as he tries to make sense of these riddles, and his new place within the team.

Today I am thrilled to welcome Monica James to my blog.

Having recently read Dirty Dix (A Hard Love Romance Book 1) and Wicked Dix (A Hard Love Romance Book 2) I just had to ask if she would consider an interview. I was over the moon when she agreed!

For those who don’t know already, could you tell us about yourself and your books please?

Well, I’m a humbled girl from Australia, who is incredibly grateful to be doing an interview with someone halfway across the world. I’m a little wacky at times, and talk incessantly when nervous. I’m obsessed with lip gloss, cats, and chucks!

Life inspires me to write. I love being able to tell a story, and share my vision with anyone who reads my work.

I’m the author of the: I SURRENDER SERIES which was published in 2013. It is self published. I have also written the SOMETHING LIKE NORMAL SERIES, which is published by Limitless Publishing. And my latest series: A HARD LOVE ROMANCE series is published by BOOKOUTURE.

Foreign Right have also been acquired worldwide by:

Hebrew rights sold to: Kinneret Zmora

German rights sold to: Heyne, Random House

French rights sold to: Hugo & Cie

Portuguese rights sold to: Planeta

Where did/do you get your ideas from?

From living. I know it sounds ridiculous, but reading, watching, listening, and feeling are my biggest inspiration.

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

Not at all. But in saying that, I hate to admit it, but with every character I write, there is in fact a piece of me in them. It may be minuscule, but I must be able to relate to my characters to be able to articulate their voice. In no way am I saying that my characters are based on me—that would get boring fast!—but each character holds a small part of me in their DNA. So, for those of who have read DIRTY DIX, are you wondering which parts of me are ingrained into Dixon and Juliet? I can promise you, I am not a raging she-devil or a promiscuous manwh@re!

How do you pick your character’s names?

Easy—they’re names I would call my children (or pets!)

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

I don’t have a process per se, but I do like to write while listening to music, as music in most circumstances helps me get into a certain frame of mind and allows me to get lost in my writing.

I feel so blessed because 99% of the time I can write anytime, anyplace, anywhere.

Writing each book varies tremendously. Getting the story down usually only takes me a few weeks, but the reworking and overanalysing is my problem. Seriously, I am my own worst critic.

Do you have a favourite author?

This is such a hard question. It does vary, depending on what mood I’m in, but my go to authors are Anne Rice and William Shakespeare.

Were you a big reader as a child?

YES!! And I still am. I was, and I guess still am, addicted to Dr. Seuss.

When did you start to write?

When I was about 12— I entered a writing competition and won! The piece was on the first rock concert I ever attended.

What are you working on right now?

I actually am working on two different manuscripts at the moment. My agent has my new project, which I hope you’ll all love. And I might be working on a character you’ve all grown to love…watch this space!

When can we look forward to a new release?

I really hope mid/late year. I’m just about to hit the USA to celebrate the release of my new series, and will be in The UK in July! I will also fit in a tour of my stomping ground in August, and then back to Europe later in the year! What a mouthful!

How can readers keep in touch with you?

Author Links

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/authormonicajames

Twitter:https://twitter.com/monicajames81

Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/MonicaJames

Website:http://monicajamesbooks.blogspot.com.au/

Pinterest:http://www.pinterest.com/monicajames81/

Thanks so much for having me. It was fun xo

Thank you so much for joining me, Monica. I really hope Dr Dixon Mathews will be back sometime soon! It’s great to hear you’ll be visiting us in the UK soon also 🙂 I hope you’re having a fabulous time in America!

If you haven’t read them already, you really should add The Hard Love Romance series to your list. I can’t recommend them highly enough!

Dirty Dix

If you haven’t already and would like to, you can read my review HERE

Wicked Dix

My review for Wicked Dix can be found HERE

I will now be adding Monica’s entire back catalogue to my TBR list! You can also do the same by visiting her Amazon author page HERE

Many thanks again to Monica for joining me on my blog.

Purchased/downloaded….

 Flowers For The Dead

“A chillingly drawn serial killer. Will have you looking over your shoulder and under your bed… Original, gripping, with a deep psychological impact,” Sunday Mirror

“Enthralling, tense and moving,” Real People magazine

ADAM WILL DO ANYTHING TO MAKE YOU HAPPY. EVEN IF IT KILLS YOU.
Adam Bourne is a serial killer who thinks he is a saviour. When he murders young women and cuts off their lips, he believes he has done it to make them happy.
How did he become warped from the sensitive four-year-old who adored his gran and the fairy tales she read to him? What turned him into a monster who stalks his victims? And what is he trying to say with the bouquets he sends?
When he meets Laura Weir, Adam weaves a fairy tale romance around them. A tale she has no idea she is part of. As he hatches his twisted plan for their fairy tale ending, can anyone stop him before he creates the ultimate sacrifice to love?

 Sins Of The Father 

The past returns to haunt Nick Randall when a celebrity biographer claims to have evidence of his late father’s involvement in a terrible crime. If it comes out, the tabloids will have a field day: Eddie Randall was a popular comedy actor in the 1960s. Nick goes in search of the truth and unexpectedly finds it impacts on a major insurance scam he is investigating. Then his estranged wife is found dead – and Nick realises that an unknown enemy is stalking him…

The acclaimed first thriller from author David Harrison, aka TOM BALE, author of SEE HOW THEY RUN

 A Perception Of Sin 

A Perception of Sin begins in modern-day London
with a suicide bomb attack aboard an underground train.
During the subsequent forensic investigation,
DNA taken from one of the victims will reveal a terrible secret.

This book traverses the horrors of Bergen-Belsen,
suicide and violent death as it explores the idea that
a true sense of sin is intrinsic to a moral existence,
yet is often malleable and slippery to grasp.

 Coast To Coast 

Best friends Angela and Min are separated when Min’s family moves away to the other side of the country. Sending cheery letters to help them through, they write about all the changes the move has created.

How will Min settle into life in a new town without Angela on the doorstep? Can Angela motivate herself to follow her dreams without the promise of cake? Who is the mysterious Monty? Just what is scaly leg?

This is a funny look at a lasting friendship that withstands the ups and downs of life, chickens, dogs and less than perfect families, from one coast to another.

Added to my Wish List….

Have you read any of the above?

Happy Publication  Day to Monica James and Bookouture! 🙂

Publisher: Bookouture (24th March 2016)

5/5*

OH MY WORD!

Having finished Wicked Dix (A Hard Love Romance Book 2) this morning, two words spring to mind… emotionally exhausting (in a good way, of course!).

Having read Dirty Dix (A Hard love Romance Book 1) earlier this month (if you haven’t already and would like to, you can read my review HERE) I fell a little bit in love with Dr. Dixon Mathews and I couldn’t wait to read Book 2. As with Dirty Dix I was totally engrossed from the first page. I saw one reviewer describe it as captivating and it truly is. From the moment I woke up this morning I did absolutely nothing but sit in bed, with a coffee, reading this book. I just had to finish it! I am now suffering from a major book hangover!

I don’t want to say too much regarding the plot as I don’t want to spoil it for anyone, especially if you haven’t read Book 1 yet, as this picks up where that one finished. Needless to say I have loved it.

The relationship between Dixon and Madison reminds me of my own, in a way. I count my blessings daily. I’m lucky enough to have a husband I’m besotted with and who loves me the same way even after 16 years together (13 married). We haven’t had any of their drama though, thankfully! I totally believe there is one person for everyone, one person we could never live happily without. What is meant to be will be.

I think I actually forgot that these are fictional characters, as I was reading, as their emotions are so real. Of course, things are rarely straight forward where love is concerned, but I don’t think I’ve ever wanted two people to make things work more than these two. There were tears streaming down my face whilst reading this. I won’t tell you if they were tears of happiness or sadness, you’ll just have to read it for yourself, but it actually made my heart ache at times.

I also loved many of the other characters in this book, as with book 1. The friendship Dixon shares with Hunter and Finch is brilliant. Their banter still made me laugh out loud.

I also enjoyed Dixon’s relationship with his Father and with his work colleagues.

There are some pretty steamy scenes within this story, so if you like a bit of the raunchy stuff you won’t be disappointed, but this book is so much more than that. It is full of passion, love, friendship, family and heartache. I can’t recommend it highly enough (but read Book 1 first).

I am happy to say I am now a massive fan of Monica James’ 🙂

Many thanks to Bookouture and Monica James for my kindle copy via Netgalley.

You can buy your copy HERE 

Description:

I’ve always been a bad boy, with a very wicked reputation.

But then I met Madison – sweet, vulnerable, innocent Madison. She makes me feel as if there is hope for me. As if I could be a good man. I need her more than I need air to breathe.

There’s just one problem: Juliet. She’s a temptress who won’t take no for an answer. If I resist her, she’ll use our dirty secret to ruin everything with Madison. I don’t want to lose Madison, but can I really change?

This is my chance to prove that I can. But it’s going to be one hell of a ride. Are you ready?

Seriously sexy and totally addictive, Wicked Dix is the second in the Hard Love Romance series. Find out how it all began…Dirty Dix OUT NOW.

Read what everyone is saying about Wicked Dix:

‘Wow wow wow … even better than the first book … brilliantly done … I love this author, love this series and can’t wait to see what comes next.’ Fiona’s Book Reviews

‘Brilliant … a complete pageturner and had me gripped from start to finish and on the edge of my seat. Ultimately it was a gorgeous love story.’ Lozza’s Book Corner

‘A rollercoaster that will make you happy one minute, shatter your heart the next … I can not wait for more!’ Steph and Chris’s Book Review

‘How did Monica James manage to create a character that I absolutely loved, but also hated in equal measures? This book kept me up all night. Parts of it were painful to read. The urge to reach into the page and slap Dixon was strong. But through it all I knew Monica would not let me down. This is more than a rollercoaster of a book. It’s a standing in the open doors of an aeroplane waiting to jump kind of book. It’s a kick in the gut, cry your eyes out at times book.’ Emmbooks

‘I really loved both Dixon and Madison and was rooting for them … Fantastic series! It’s sexy, sweet, angsty, and funny … Awesome!’ Books Need TLC

‘I was captivated.’ Diva’s Book Blog

‘I love Dixon Matthews!! … I loved the ending and all those twists and turns … This is a great series for lovers of erotic romance and Monica James has created a brilliant “loveable rogue” character in Dixon Matthews. You know you ought to hate him … you just can’t help but cheer him on! … A highly recommended 5*.’ My Chestnut Reading Tree

‘A rollercoaster ride. I held my breath, my heart started beating in my ears, my neck got really really hot and I thought I would faint with anticipation!’ Sheila’s Book Corner

If you haven’t already, you really MUST read Dirty Dix first. You can buy your copy HERE

Publisher: Bookouture (8th April 2016)

5/5*

First of all, many thanks to Marcie 😉 Mel Sherratt and Bookouture for my ARC of The Second Chance Shoe Shop.

I make no secret of the fact that I am a massive fan of Mel’s / Marcie’s. I have genuinely loved everything she has written and I’m always very excited to read her new releases. I feel blessed to be able to read them prior to publication. I’ve been lucky enough to meet Mel a few times now and we chat fairly regularly via email, Facebook, Twitter etc. I like to think we are friends 🙂

If you still haven’t read any of Mel’s or Marcie’s books, you really should. You will love them!

Anyway, it took me all of my time not to start reading this immediately, but I was determined to save it for my weekend away in Northumberland and what a wonderful weekend it has been. Not only have I enjoyed the quality time with my husband and babies, but I have had the pleasure of getting to know Riley, Sadie, Esther, Dan, Cooper, Ash and the rest of the gang. What a lovely friendship they share. Riley, Sadie and Dan also work together at Chandler’s shoe shop. Having a job you love is a blessing and getting on well with those you work with is priceless. The shop isn’t doing so well though so, with Riley’s lead they embark on a social media campaign (even involving a flash mob dance) in an attempt to bring the customers in. Local journalist, Kim Nash 🙂 and photographer, Ethan, are on hand to help. All goes well initially, but nothing is ever that straight forward.

Riley hasn’t had much luck in love. After a long term relationship ended she thinks she might have finally met ‘the one’ in Nicholas, but he leaves her heart-broken too. When she meets Ethan and acknowledges there is a spark between them, she is reluctant to trust. Would he be worth the risk?

Sadie is grieving for her husband, Ross. He died a few months previously, of cancer. Her 6 year old daughter, Esther, helps to keep her going along with her job and her friends. She doesn’t know where she would be without them, but being a widow at 35 is not easy and worrying about the possibility of the shop closing doesn’t help. She’s happy to help with whatever it takes to keep it open. She can’t imagine working anywhere else.

Dan feels the same way. They are all so close and having to find another job would be hard. His love life isn’t great either and his friends mean the world to him. They need to keep the shop open!

I loved the banter between the group of friends. Their stories are very real and as with all friendships they have their ups and downs. All of the main characters are very likeable which helped to make this book a joy to read. I think I would get on with them in real life 🙂

Cooper’s friendship with Sadie is heart-warming. He is a lovely character.

It was funny, for me, reading about Paul and Christine (Sadie’s in-laws) as we have close friends (married) called Paul and Christine.

Dan made me laugh!

I even warmed to Suzanne in the end.

I was willing them all to succeed in keeping the shop open and for them to find the happiness they are craving.

All in all, this is a lovely story. I was hooked from the start and didn’t want to put it down, but as much as I wanted to keep reading, I didn’t want it to end either. Having said that, the ending is beautiful! It did make me cry.

I’m sure a lot of people will relate to these characters and their stories.

I recommend to everyone who loves a bit of romance, true friendship, a bit of a giggle and shoes!

#shoelove

Many thanks to Mel Sherratt (Marcie Steele) and Bookouture again for my ARC.

Proud as always to be part of Team Sherratt 🙂

You can pre-order your copy of The Second Chance Shoe Shop HERE

Description:

‘The Second Chance Shoe Shop is that rarest of treats, a story filled with warm and wonderful characters who feel like your best friends from the first page.’ Tilly Tennant

All Riley Flynn wants is to meet someone who makes her happy. But attracting the right kind of man is not easy, and with her heart still hurting from her last break-up, Riley believes she’ll never find love again.

A year ago, Sadie Stewart’s whole world was shattered when her husband, Ross, died. She has struggled to keep herself together for the sake of their young daughter, but with the anniversary of his death approaching, Sadie finds herself overwhelmed by grief.

Sadie and Riley work at Chandlers shoe shop, in the charming town of Hedworth. But when Chandlers is threatened with closure, the friends are confronted with the loss of not only their jobs, but also their support network – the glue that holds them together when they are close to breaking.

As they put together a plan to save their beloved shop, Sadie realises that she might just be learning to live again. Could it be that new beginnings are just round the corner? The campaign also finds Riley unexpectedly crossing paths with charming photographer, Ethan. Maybe her second chance at love is right under her feet …

A delightfully romantic tale of love, friendship and putting your best foot forward, for fans of Carole Matthews and Amanda Prowse.

Marcie Steele’s Amazon author page

About the author:

I’m Mel Sherratt but I also write under the name of Marcie Steele. I’m a romantic at heart and have always wanted to write about characters who were not necessarily involved in the darker side of life. Coffee, cakes and friends are three of my favourite things, hence Stirred with Love for my first book writing as Marcie Steele. My second, That’s What Friends are For, was published in December 2015 and my new book, The Second Chance Shoe Shop will be out on 8 April 2016.

As Mel, I write crime thrillers, psychological suspense and fiction with a punch – or grit-lit, as I call it. Shortlisted for the prestigious CWA (Crime Writer’s Association) Dagger in Library Award 2014, my inspiration comes from authors such as Mandasue Heller, Lynda la Plante, Mandasue Heller and Elizabeth Haynes. Since 2012, all eight of my crime novels have been bestsellers, each one climbing into the kindle UK top 20 and I’ve had several number ones.

I live in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, with my husband and terrier, Dexter. You can find out more at my website http://www.melsherratt.co.uk or I’m on Twitter at @writermels

Happy Publication Day to T A Williams!

Publisher: Carina; 1 edition (21st March 2016)

A sparkling romantic comedy guaranteed to beat the winter blues, What Happens in the Alps… is one story you don’t want miss in 2016!

Up in the magical, snow-kissed mountains…

Two years ago, Annie Brewer’s life was turned upside down when her adrenaline-junkie husband died in a tragic climbing accident. So she’s hoping that moving to the beautiful village of Santorso in the Italian Alps will finally put her life back on track!

…anything can happen!

She might be going into business with her oldest friend – notorious lady-charmer Matt Brown – but men are definitely out of the question for Annie! That is, until she bumps into tall, dark and delicious Alessandro Lago on the ski slopes…and spontaneously says ‘Yes’ to a date!

It must be the crisp, mountain air but suddenly, anything seems possible. The only trouble is, chivalrous Matt is looking more gorgeous than ever…

You can purchase your copy HERE 

If you haven’t already and would like to, you can read my review HERE

Praise for T. A. Williams

‘T. A. Williams has that gorgeous way of writing a feel good story and something which will easily make you smile…he’s absolutely backed up that men can write chick-lit.’ ─ Reviewed The Book (TOP 1000 Amazon Reviewer)

‘When Alice met Danny is maybe the first book in this genre I have read that is written by a man, and T. A. Williams has done a splendid job!’ ─ Rachale’s Reads

‘I have read others of the author’s books and have loved them equally. I wanted to jet off to join them and I bet you will too…Great characters, a fun and enjoyable read that will leave you with a big smile on your face.’ ─ Jilllovestoread

‘I had my doubts as to whether a ‘bloke’ would get it! To get beneath the skin of a woman and process how she’d feel in various scenario’s. Let’s just say I don’t have any longer – Trevor you nailed it.’ ─ Crooksonbooks

Biography