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Alien Lord’s Captive (Warriors of the Lathar Book 1) by Mina Carter @minacarter

Alien Lord’s Captive (Warriors of the Lathar Book 1) 

by Mina Carter 

If you’re a regular reader of my blog you will know that this isn’t my usual kind of read, but according to Amazon I bought the kindle copy on the 15th of November 2021, so someone must have recommended it to me back then.

I have to say that I enjoyed it more than I expected. Alien romance wouldn’t be my go-to genre, but this is really well written, and I really enjoyed it once I got into it. This is a romance which begins with a forced proximity which made me feel a bit queasy at first. It soon becomes obvious though that Cat won’t need to be forced to do anything she doesn’t want to. She’s a strong character who quickly becomes enamoured with her alien captor. When I say alien, he isn’t much different to a human man, apart from a feline eye and he’s much bigger (in every sense of the word 😉). I enjoyed how their romance and love for one another blossoms. There is A LOT of heat between the two of them! If you like a bit of passion in your books and are looking for an escape from the real world, then maybe give this one a try.

I’m not sure I loved this enough to immediately read the following nineteen books in this twenty-book series, but I have added book two to my Wishlist! Thank you to whoever it was who brought this series to my attention.

She’s trained for everything up to and including alien invasion. One problem. No one told her aliens would be so damn sexy.

It’s simple. When her base is attacked by aliens, Cat has to fight. Whenever and however possible. But the alien leader, Tarrick, has her in his sights and she has one choice. Come to his bed or things go badly for her friends.

Determined to resist, it’s hard to remember what she’s fighting against when her alien captor is built like a god and his touch sets her body on fire. She only has to fool him for a while, just long enough to get the information they need to escape. Long enough to find out her sexy alien isn’t the monster she thought… But when the time comes, will she want to leave?

He needs a female, or they all die.

His species is dying. Not today, maybe not tomorrow, but with no females, their days are numbered. Finding a base full of females is a bounty Tarrick can’t ignore. Nor can he ignore the delicate little female who stirs his blood yet dares to defy him at every step. Then a dangerous rival challenges his claim on Terran space and all it’s females. He can’t afford to lose control, or his clan is doomed.

When his treasured female is taken, he’ll do anything to rescue her. Including starting an intergalactic war…

Treat yourself

Happy reading!

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The Torments (The Annie Jackson Mysteries Book 2) by Michael J. Malone @michaelJmalone1 @OrendaBooks

The Torments (The Annie Jackson Mysteries Book 2)

by Michael J. Malone 

After reading and thoroughly enjoying The Murmurs (Book one in the Annie Jackson series) I couldn’t resist purchasing book two and bumping it to the top of my TBR list!

Annie is a very likeable character. One with a family curse I don’t envy her for. I’m not surprised she wants to hide away in her remote cottage where she gets some peace from everything.

However, when her adoptive mother begs for her help as her nephew has gone missing, she feels obliged to do whatever she can do to help although her visions don’t really work that way. With the help of her brother, Lewis, she leaves her sanctuary, unaware of the danger she’s about to be confronted with.

This is another fast paced, suspenseful novel which I found to be more than a little creepy. Some of the characters are certainly more than a little creepy! Again, I was completely invested from the very beginning. It was extremely difficult to put down. I would have happily read it in one sitting if I could have. I’m looking forward to book three, The Howling, but that isn’t being released until September. If you haven’t already, I recommend you catch up with the series in the meantime like I have. You won’t regret it!

** I purchased a paperback copy of The Torments on the 18th of June 2025 **

Annie surged forward, but she was too slow, too late.

A hand came over and down, and she felt a sharp pain at the back of her neck.

Then all became smoke, and silence.

Hiding from the world in her little white cottage on the shores of a loch, Annie Jackson is fighting to come to terms with the world of the murmurs, a curse that has haunted female members of her family for centuries.

While she is within the ancient, heavy stone of the old dwelling, the voices merely buzz, but the moment she steps outside the door they clamour to torment her all over again, bringing with them shocking visions of imminent deaths.

Into this oasis comes her adoptive mother, Mandy McEvoy, begging for Annie’s help. Mandy’s nephew Damien has gone missing, after dropping off his four-year old son at his mother’s home.

Unable to refuse, but terrified to leave her sanctuary, Annie, with the help of her brother Lewis, is drawn in to a secretive, seductive world that will have her question everything she holds dear, while Lewis’ life may be changed forever…

The second book in the critically acclaimed Annie Jackson Mysteries series, The Torments is both a contemporary gothic thriller and a spellbinding mystery that deeps deep into a past that should, perhaps, remain undisturbed…

Treat yourself

I.C.Y.M.I

The Murmurs (The Annie Jackson Mysteries Book 1) by Michael J. Malone @michaelJmalone1 @OrendaBooks

Happy reading!

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Happier Days by Marcie Steele @marcie_steele @writermels

Happier Days

by Marcie Steele 

Well, if you’re looking for a beautifully written, feel-good story full of romance and gorgeous characters then look no further. Marcie Steele never fails to write characters who feel completely real. Characters who you find yourself rooting for 100%, praying for their happiness.

I knew I was going to love this book before I even started it, and I wasn’t wrong. There isn’t a single book written by Marcie/Mel that I haven’t adored.

I was completely captivated by Ava and Jack’s love story. They’ve both had their sad times, and grief never really leaves you, but in finding each other again they certainly can look forward to happier days!

Another gorgeous read! One I will happily recommend to anyone who will listen! 😊

** Many thanks to Marcie Steele for my kindle review copy. (Apologies for the delay in publishing my review.) Proud to be part of #TeamSherratt **

Some memories never fade – some hearts never stop hoping

When work as a photographer takes her back to a village she knows well, Ava isn’t expecting Jack to be as picture perfect as he is in her memories from all those years ago.

Set on the outskirts of Somerley, Sapphire Hotel is in need of a makeover. Its owners, Jack’s parents, are not keen on change after the death of his brother, but he encourages them to hire a PR company to boost trade. Whoever is sent to do the job will have their work cut out and, as project manager, will have to answer to him.

An untimely meeting has old friendships and emotions reawakened. Will Ava discover that true love isn’t a burden, but a wonderful thing? And will Jack find a way to let go of the past and risk his heart again?

Treat yourself….

Happy reading!

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The Man I Think I Know by Mike Gayle @mikegayle

The Man I Think I Know

by Mike Gayle

What a gorgeous story this is!

When we meet James, he is living with his parents who have been looking after him since his tragic “incident”. He is itching to get his independence back but his parents, and his sister, are naturally worried about him living on his own again.

When we meet Danny, he has no option but to take the first job he can find as he’s having his dole money stopped. He would never have expected to bump into an old school friend at such an establishment.

Two men living completely different lives, but with a similar past. The most unlikely of friends.

However, fate intervenes and what follows is such a beautifully written story of a friendship that blossoms through mutual respect and a mutual need for a new start in life.

I absolutely loved it! It’s heartfelt, emotional, funny, and inspiring. Sad at times but ultimately uplifting. I certainly had a smile on my face at the end.

This is my first ever Mike Gayle book, but it will not be my last. I have all his other books on my Amazon Wishlist now! 😊

Ever since The Incident, James DeWitt has stayed on the safe side.

He likes to know what happens next.

Danny Allen is not on the safe side. He is more past the point of no return.

The past is about to catch up with both of them in a way that which will change their lives forever, unexpectedly.

But redemption can come in the most unlikely ways.

Treat yourself….

Happy reading!

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Borderline by Graeme Cumming @GraemeCumming63 #BookPromotion @BoBookPublicity

When the system isn’t working, work outside the system.

A search for a missing man thrusts Rand Scott into the dark realms of homelessness, drug dealing and sex clubs.

Kirsty Moore wants to find her brother Johnny, a one-time rock star.

The police also want him – for murder.

And there are others looking who don’t play nicely.

A simple job turns deadly as Rand uncovers a world where money talks louder than the screams of innocent bystanders.

Borderline 

by Graeme Cumming 

OUT NOW!

https://mybook.to/7xBagB

Reviews

“Thirty years ago the dominant voice in PI fiction was Robert B. Parker. His ‘Spenser’ novels are probably the best thing since sliced Chandler. Ever since I first read a Spenser novel I’ve wondered about an English Spenser to no particular conclusion, but in Graeme Cumming’s ‘Rand’ Scott (yes, that really is his name) I think we have a contender. Rand is the Spenser mix of borderline criminal and white knight, the hard-case with a heart of gold. That said, Cumming doesn’t pretend to copy Parker’s style, his voice is his own, his dialogue crisp, his sense of place superb … and he doesn’t give a flying F about food (sorry, Robert B.) Borderline is the first book in what I hope becomes a regular series.” – John Lawton, best-selling author of the Inspector Troy and the Joe Wilderness series

“Gritty, sharp-witted, and packing a serious emotional punch! And Rand is a hero worth turning the pages for.” – Lauren North, Author of CLICKBAIT & I’M HER MOTHER

“What an incredible novel. Cumming’s strong and authentic writing explores the murkiest worlds of covert policing in the most gripping and compelling way. Exquisitely plotted and expertly told.” – Graham Bartlett, former detective and Sunday Times bestselling author

“Rand Scott is a character I invested in, he is a man who is pretty complex, with hidden depths for sure. He surprised me at times as the story unfolded. A cracker of a thriller that has the perfect ingredients for a great read!! Gritty, dark and twists that are perfectly placed.” – Beyond the Books, Book Blogger

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Unspeakable Things by Jess Lourey @JessLourey

Unspeakable Things

by Jess Lourey 

Unspeakable Things is a disturbing but engaging read. There’s a palpable tension throughout which made me feel very uneasy about the direction the story was going to take. I was gripped!

I worried about Cassie, her sister, and their mother, the whole way through. Her father is a very controlling and unpredictable character. He made my skin crawl, as did more than one of the other characters in this book. These are not nice people!

When local boys start going missing, I was dreading how things were going to go but I couldn’t stop reading. I needed to know.

I didn’t realise until now that this book is inspired by a true story. That makes it even more harrowing!

If you love a good psychological thriller than I’m sure you will love this one.

** According to Amazon I purchased the Kindle edition of Unspeakable Things on the 1st of December 2019 **

Inspired by a terrifying true story from the author’s hometown, a heart-pounding novel of suspense about a small Minnesota community where nothing is as quiet—or as safe—as it seems.

Cassie McDowell’s life in 1980s Minnesota seems perfectly wholesome. She lives on a farm, loves school, and has a crush on the nicest boy in class. Yes, there are her parents’ strange parties and their parade of deviant guests, but she’s grown accustomed to them.

All that changes when someone comes hunting in Lilydale.

One by one, local boys go missing. One by one, they return changed—violent, moody, and withdrawn. What happened to them becomes the stuff of shocking rumors. The accusations of who’s responsible grow just as wild, and dangerous town secrets start to surface. Then Cassie’s own sister undergoes the dark change. If she is to survive, Cassie must find her way in an adult world where every sin is justified, and only the truth is unforgivable.

Happy reading!

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The Salt Path by Raynor Winn 

The Salt Path

by Raynor Winn 

The Salt Path has been on my radar for ages, and I had to bump it to the top of my list in anticipation of seeing the film at the cinema. I’m so glad I finally got to read it! My Mum, and others at Book Club, have been going on about it since they read it years ago.

It absolutely deserves the recognition it has received. It’s such a fascinating, heart-wrenching, and inspiring story. I honestly can’t imagine how I would deal with the hand this couple were dealt. My heart went out to them, but I take my hat of to them at the same time.

It seems a bit harsh to say I thoroughly enjoyed their story. Probably better to say I am thoroughly inspired by their story. The pain, fatigue, hunger, and uncertainty they endure is just heart-breaking. Through it all though their love and devotion for each other shines through. Home really is where the heart is.

I did thoroughly enjoy some of the interesting people the meet along the way (especially turtle man. IYKYK!) and I was shocked by some of the negative attitudes they encounter. I was also surprised by how many people refer to them as old!! As a 47-year-old with a 50-year-old husband, I found this quite disconcerting. I’m sure we would be more then capable of walking the salt path. Not quite sure about the wild camping part or having no money for food, but I don’t think we’re ready for the scrap heap yet! Walking the salt path is now on my bucket list. Maybe if Steve retires at 55, we’ll give it a go, health permitting.

I have to say that as a Book Club we really enjoyed the film too. Six of us went together on Monday. Obviously, there is a lot of the book not included which many will no doubt say, but I always expect this otherwise these films would be about six hours long! I thought the film truly captured the essence of the story and I found it equally touching.

I’m looking forward to reading Raynor Winn’s other books, hopefully soon.

** I read the paperback edition of The Salt Path, borrowed from my Mum. Thanks Mum **

Just days after Raynor learns that Moth, her husband of 32 years, is terminally ill, their home is taken away and they lose their livelihood. With nothing left and little time, they make the brave and impulsive decision to walk the 630 miles of the sea-swept South West Coast Path, from Somerset to Dorset, via Devon and Cornwall.

Carrying only the essentials for survival on their backs, they live wild in the ancient, weathered landscape of cliffs, sea and sky. Yet through every step, every encounter and every test along the way, their walk becomes a remarkable journey.

The Salt Path is an honest and life-affirming true story of coming to terms with grief and the healing power of the natural world. Ultimately, it is a portrayal of home, and how it can be lost, rebuilt and rediscovered in the most unexpected ways.

Happy reading!

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Fragile by Sarah Hilary @sarah_hilary

Fragile

by Sarah Hilary

Not long after we meet Nell, she recognises there is a job opportunity at Starling Villas which might just be the first step in turning her life around. She convinces the man of the house, Robin, to take her on as his live in housekeeper. Being a runaway from her foster home this feels like a huge step up for her and she begins to settle. Although the house sounds really creepy to me so I’m not sure I’d want to live and work there. As Nell starts to make progress with the house Robin’s wife turns up throwing a cat among the pigeons (to put it mildly!).

Nell is a fascinating character. I couldn’t help but feel for her, especially as the story progresses. She’s done things she isn’t proud of, just to survive. Her relationship with Joe is a complicated one, especially given their shared secrets. A secret that underpins the whole story, maintaining the tension throughout. Their foster ‘mother’ is quite the piece of work!

This is quite an unsettling read. I felt on edge, wondering what might happen next and what truths might be revealed. To say I was intrigued would be an understatement. The creepy, tense, atmosphere created is quite addictive. An extremely clever psychological thriller.

Brilliant!

** My paperback copy of Fragile was a Wishlist gift from one of my very lovely Bookstagram friends **

Nell Ballard is a runaway. A former foster child with a dark secret she is desperately trying to keep, all Nell wants is to find a place she can belong.

So when a job comes up at Starling Villas, home to the enigmatic Robin Wilder, she seizes the opportunity with both hands.

But her new lodgings may not be the safe haven that she was hoping for. Her employer lives by a set of rigid rules and she soon sees he is hiding secrets of his own.

But is Nell’s arrival at the Villas really the coincidence it seems? After all, she knows more than most how fragile people can be – and how easily they can be to break . . .

Happy reading!

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Will Audible – Unabridged by Will Smith (Author, Narrator), Mark Manson (Author), Penguin Audio (Publisher)

Will 

Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Will Smith (Author, Narrator), Mark Manson (Author), Penguin Audio (Publisher)

Will has been waiting patiently in my Audible library since December 2021 (I listen to them in order of purchase) and this is a long one (over fifteen hours), so it’s taken me a while to get through. I have thoroughly enjoyed it though!

I love Will Smith. I LOVED The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, I love his music, and I love his films. I was interested to listen to “Will” and I wasn’t disappointed. This is a very frank and honest account of his life from childhood onwards. It’s quite the eye-opener at times!

Sometimes sad, touching, emotional, but more often than not hilarious. Highly entertaining!

I recommend to any fan.

Narrated by Will Smith.

One of the most dynamic and globally recognised entertainment forces of our time opens up fully about his life, in a brave and inspiring book that traces his learning curve to a place where outer success, inner happiness and human connection are aligned. Along the way, Will tells the story in full of one of the most amazing rides through the worlds of music and film that anyone has ever had.

Will Smith’s transformation from a fearful child in a tense West Philadelphia home to one of the biggest pop stars of his era and then one of the biggest movie stars in Hollywood history, with a string of box office successes that will likely never be broken, is an epic tale of inner transformation and outer triumph, and Will tells it astonishingly well. But it’s only half the story.

Will Smith thought, with good reason, that he had won at life: not only was his own success unparalleled, his whole family was at the pinnacle of the entertainment world. Only they didn’t see it that way: they felt more like star performers in his circus, a seven-days-a-week job they hadn’t signed up for. It turned out Will Smith’s education wasn’t nearly over.

This memoir is the product of a profound journey of self-knowledge, a reckoning with all that your will can get you and all that it can leave behind. Written with the help of Mark Manson, author of the multimillion-copy best seller The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, Will is the story of how one exceptional man mastered his own emotions, written in a way that can help everyone else do the same. Few of us will know the pressure of performing on the world’s biggest stages for the highest of stakes, but we can all understand that the fuel that works for one stage of our journey might have to be changed if we want to make it all the way home. The combination of genuine wisdom of universal value and a life story that is preposterously entertaining, even astonishing, puts Will the book, like its author, in a category by itself.

Happy reading/listening!

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Brides and Bouquets At Cedarwood Lodge by Rebecca Raisin

Brides and Bouquets At Cedarwood Lodge

by Rebecca Raisin

I started Brides and Bouquets immediately after finishing the first book in this series, Celebrations and Confetti, as I really love the characters and the feel-good story. This book is another lovely instalment. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The race is on for Clio to have Cedarwood Lodge ready in time for the massive Wedding Expo she has planned to help entice brides into holding a Christmas wedding at the lodge. Of course, this isn’t without its hiccups and at one point it seems like everything is against her. However, she enlists the help of the handsome project manager we met in book one and all is right with the world again.

Honestly, if I was looking for venues to get married, Cedarwood Lodge would be at the top of my list. I got married in April, but a Christmas wedding in such a beautiful setting sounds amazing! The whole set up sounds stunning! How could you not be swept away with the romance of it all!?

I thought it might be weird reading a Christmassy book in April/May, but it really wasn’t. I loved it! It’s beautifully written feel-good fiction at its finest.

I look forward to reading book three but due to other review commitments I haven’t been able to jump straight into it.

** I purchased the kindle edition of Brides and Bouquets on the 27th of April 2025 (Our wedding Anniversary!) after finishing book one **

Snow is falling at Cedarwood Lodge in the second part of the feel-good romance serial from best selling author, Rebecca Raisin!

Dreaming of a happily ever after at Cedarwood Lodge is Clio Winters’ current focus, especially with a winter wonderland wedding expo planned. But with brides coming from far and wide the heat is on for Clio to fulfil everyone’s dream of a Christmas wedding!

It seems like Clio’s new business might be off to a rocky start and surrounded by love struck brides she can’t help but hope for a little Christmas romance of her own…

Cedarwood Lodge is a delectable romance told in three parts – following Clio Winters journey back to her hometown of Evergreen. This is Part Two.

I.C.Y.M.I

Celebrations and Confetti At Cedarwood Lodge by Rebecca Raisin 

Happy reading!