Hi, and welcome to my Flashback Friday feature 🙂

On the first Friday of each month I like to have a little look back at the books I was reading during the same month in previous years, since starting my blog.

Please do join in if you have the time.

Here are my reviews from January 2021 + a link to previous January FBFs…..

#FlashbackFriday January 2021

ICYMI

#MyYearInBooks #2020 #BookReviews

Martha Engber recommends Bowen’s Book Publicity. 30 November 2021  ·  I give Kerry Parsons a 5-star rating for all of the following reasons: — She answered my query quickly and enthusiastically regarding my social media promotion needs for my book “Winter Light,” 2021 IPPY Gold Medal Winner of Young Adult Fiction (https://tinyurl.com/2h33mdd9) — She charged reasonable rates for basic services […]

Author recommendation — Bowen’s Book Publicity

The Stars Will Shine Again: Helping Our Heroes One Page at A Time

Edited by Emma Mitchell

The Stars Will Shine Again is an excellent collection of short stories written by extremely talented authors. Each story is unique. Some are very emotional. Some are full of surprises. All are very cleverly written.

I was especially impressed by those written by my book blogger friends. What an amazing achievement!

This book would be perfect for reading in one sitting or for dipping in and out of, maybe treating yourself to one story each day. I read three or four stories each night and loved them all. I can’t imagine anyone not enjoying this book, there is something for everyone and the best part is that all profits go to Help for Heroes. As a Veterans wife this is a charity very close to my heart.

I am also thrilled to have discovered some new-to-me authors. Their other books are going straight on my TBR list!

This book would make the perfect gift to yourself or for any booklover in your life, at any time of the year. I have no doubt I will be purchasing physical copies to send as gifts.

Well done to all who contributed their talents to this wonderful collection and especially to Emma Mitchell for bringing it all together. You should all be so proud.

Many thanks to Emma Mitchell for my digital review copy. I did also purchase a kindle copy.

available now!

happy reading!

Hi, and welcome to my overview post of all the wonderful books I have had the pleasure of reading, and reviewing, in 2021. I highly recommend them all!

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2021/01/01/myyearinbooks-2020-bookreviews/

Hope’s Game

by Mick Williams 

WOW! Mick Williams never ceases to amaze me! I love his books. Each one is as unique as they come. I honestly don’t know how he does it. He literally has a book to suit every reading taste.

Hope’s Game is quite different to anything I have read before. I absolutely loved it!

I liked Charlie from the get-go. My heart broke for him when I learned of the loss of his daughter. I can’t imagine anything worse. The not knowing would cripple me. It’s no wonder he is unable to find joy in anything since her disappearance. How do you even begin to move on from something like that? Would you even want to? I’d never rest either. It’s no surprise it led to the breakdown of his marriage. I imagine that is quite common in these circumstances. He seems to have disconnected from the world, his family, and anything that isn’t alcohol.

In an attempt to get him out of his grotty flat Charlie’s best friend, Nick, offers him an opportunity which, given his circumstances, is far too good to turn down. £10,000 (for one day of his time!) to participate in a research project he is working on. An AI program called Project Mindspace. Of course, Charlie accepts. He has nothing to lose right!?

He has no idea how much his life is about to change forever.

Charlie’s visits to ‘Under’ both fascinated and terrified me. It isn’t something I would willingly participate in any time soon. I can see how Charlie finds it an appealing method of escapism though.

As the story progressed, I became more and more uneasy. I became increasingly concerned about Charlie and his state of mind. I was right to be concerned!

Such clever writing.

I can’t wait for the follow up!

Treat yourself….

ICYMI

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2018/12/14/a-reason-to-grieve-by-mick-williams-bookreview/

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2020/04/24/a-guy-walks-into-a-bar-by-mick-williams-mickwilliamsau2-hydrapress-bookreview/

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2021/03/12/final-clearance-by-mick-williams-mickwilliamsau2-bookreview/

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2021/03/15/authorinterview-with-mick-williams-mickwilliamsau2/

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2021/12/02/a-reason-to-breathe-by-mick-williams-mickwilliamsau2-bookreview/

happy reading! 🙂

Critical Strike (Thrillerverse Events Book 1)

by James P. Sumner  

Wow, what a read this is!

If you love action, you will love this book. Fast-paced is an understatement.

James P Sumner’s books read like you’re watching a movie. I know that is his intention and he has absolutely nailed it! This book would be awesome on the big screen! There is so much going on, I was exhausted just reading it. How some of the characters do what they do I don’t know. It’s a good job they do, do what they do though otherwise the world they find themselves in would be left in a right sorry state. We all need a hero in our lives and there is more than one in this story.

Just brilliant!

Action packed and full of suspense. Plenty of shocks and surprises. I absolutely loved it!

An easy five stars for me.

Many thanks to James P. Sumner for my review copy.

Treat yourself….

Merry Christmas & happy reading! 🙂

Dead Mercy (Maggie Jamieson thriller, Book 5)

by Noelle Holten

Dead Mercy is another excellent edition to the Maggie Jamieson series. I’m so glad I had this to read straight after finishing book 4!

I have thoroughly enjoyed every book in this series, and this has been no exception. I think each book gets better as the series progresses if that’s at all possible. I find myself quite invested in the main characters throughout a series I love, and Maggie Jamieson is one of my favourites.

This isn’t the easiest of reads due to the subject matter. There are some horrific scenes which must be horrendous for police officers to be faced with. There is also a much deeper, heart-wrenching story behind these seemingly random murders. A story which sadly highlights incidents which have occurred far too often in the real world. The psychology aspects of this story, and others like it, fascinate me.

I know I’m being vague. I could happily chat away about this book for ages, but I don’t want to spoil it for anyone. I can’t recommend this book highly enough though. It ticks all the boxes for me from a crime/police procedural perspective. It is a chilling and emotional read. Relevant and thought-provoking.

buy it now

ICYMI

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2019/08/23/deadinside-by-noelle-holten-nholten40-blogtour-bookreview-killerreads-botbspublicity/

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2020/10/16/dead-wrong-by-noelle-holten-nholten40-0nemorechapter_-bookreview/

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2020/10/26/dead-perfect-maggie-jamieson-thriller-book-3-by-noelle-holten-nholten40-0nemorechapter_-bookreview/

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2021/11/19/dead-secret-maggie-jamieson-thriller-book-4-by-noelle-holten-nholten40-bookreview/

happy reading!

Hi, and welcome to my Flashback Friday feature 🙂

On the first Friday of each month I like to have a little look back at the books I was reading during the same month in previous years, since starting my blog.

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

Here are my reviews from December 2020, plus a link to previous December FBFs….

#FlashbackFriday December 2020 #BookReviews

Have you read any of the above?

A Reason to Breathe

(The ‘Reason’ Collection Book 2)

By Mick Williams

Is it okay to grow old disgracefully?

I absolutely loved A Reason to Grieve by Mick Williams, so I was very exited to read A Reason to Breathe and re-visit some of the lovely characters. Mick Williams has such a way of creating characters you will fall in love with.

In this sequel we find Henry has compiled a bucket list. A bucket list he needs his friends to help with. Each one of them must choose one activity to achieve with Henry. They vary from skydiving to stargazing! (I know which I would prefer! Lol!)

I love the relationships these characters share, and the banter between them is hilarious at times. The focus is on Henry achieving his bucket list, but each of the other characters has their own story to tell. Their own worries and issues to deal with. All of them are relatable in one way or another and all add such a depth to the book making it a well-rounded story of love, friendship, and of making each day count.

My favourite character is Steve. I love him! He is hilarious and made me laugh out loud on more than one occasion. He so deserves to be happy.

Mick Williams’ personality shines through his lovable, believable characters. I have loved every book he has written. All of them are so different but equally brilliant.

He has nailed it again!

An easy five stars for me. In case I haven’t made it clear enough. I LOVED it!

buy now

ICYMI

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2018/12/14/a-reason-to-grieve-by-mick-williams-bookreview/

happy reading!