#BlogBlitz Fabergé by Jo Fenton

It's a pleasure to take part in the BlogBlitz for Fabergé by Jo Fenton.

About the Author

Jo Fenton grew up in Hertfordshire, UK. She devoured books from an early age, particularly enjoying adventure books, school stories and fantasy. She wanted to be a scientist from aged six after being given a wonderful book titled “Science Can Be Fun”. At eleven, she discovered Agatha Christie and Georgette Heyer, and now has an eclectic and much loved book collection cluttering her home office.

Jo combines an exciting career in Clinical Research with an equally exciting but very different career as a writer of psychological thrillers.

When not working, she runs (very slowly), and chats to lots of people. She lives in Manchester with her husband, youngest son, a Golden Retriever/Husky cross and a tankful of tropical fish. She is an active and enthusiastic member of two writing groups and a reading group. Follow Fenton on @jl_fenton on Twitter, Visit jofenton137.com

About the book 

Heist. Abduction. Blackmail. - Manchester detective Becky White and her friends at the White Knight Detective Agency take on a case involving the theft of a multi-million-pound Fabergé egg. 

Events quickly escalate, and they find themselves dealing with unscrupulous villains who will stop at nothing – not even at kidnapping or murder – to achieve their goals. Can Becky solve the mystery before her hidden enemies catch up with her?

Review

This is the third book in the Becky White series, and with this particular set of characters I think there will be plenty more. It can be read as a standalone, although I would suggest reading the previous books to get the gist of the characters and how they have reached this point.

It's a fast-paced crime read. The author has used multiple storylines to engage and deliver. The egg becomes the distraction, as the rest is of the story is woven around it. Multiple threads with an eye on a variety of people.

The book starts with the theft of an object that is kept under lock and key - a myth of an object, which makes it all the more valuable. The kind of object that is irreplaceable, kept hidden from the world to be revealed by the actions of a clever thief. There is so much action surrounding the egg that one could start to wonder whether it is all a rather well organised ploy to distract from other events and people.

On a side-note: I would probably consider becoming a tealeaf if a genuine Fabergé egg was involved, they are a thing of beauty indeed.

It's a crime read with a hint of global criminal combined with the cosy vibe of the close-knit characters and their relationships. The amusing, the pleasant and the ruthlessness of greed, vengeance and crime mixed in for good measure. It will be interesting to see where the series goes next.

Buy Fabergé at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher ‏: ‎Darkstroke books pub date 6 Mar. 2023. Buy at Amazon com.

Enter the Giveaway to Win a Faberge mouse mat and notebook (Open to UK Only)

a Rafflecopter giveaway *Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box above.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.*

#BlogBlitz For Richer, For Deader by Helen Golden

 Today it's a pleasure to take part in the Blog Blitz For Richer, For Deader by Helen Golden.

About the Author

Hello. I’m Helen Golden. I write British contemporary cozy whodunnits with a hint of humour. I live in small village in Lincolnshire in the UK with my husband, my step-daughter, her two cats, our two dogs, sometimes my step-son, and our tortoise.

I used to work in senior management, but after my recent job came to a natural end I had the opportunity to follow my dreams and start writing. It's very early in my life as an author, but so far I'm loving it.

It’s crazy busy at our house, so when I’m writing I retreat to our caravan (an impulsive lockdown purchase) which is mostly parked on our drive. When I really need total peace and quiet, I take it to a lovely site about 15 minutes away and hide there until my family runs out of food or clean clothes. 

Follow Helen on Insta: @helengolden_author Facebook: helengoldenauthor and TikTok: @helengoldenauthor 

About the book

Is the Wedding Between Sir Hewitt Willoughby-Franklin’s Step-daughter and Billionaire’s Son Off?

Rumours are that the recent death of Kelley Lindsell (29), the personal chef of tycoon Rudy (68) and Sheri Trotman (65) at Sir Hewitt’s Fawstead Manor country estate in Fenshire, has spooked Sybil Bransgrove (36) so badly she’s considering cancelling her nuptials. 

Meanwhile the bride and her mother, Lady Grace (61), are being supported by family friend Lady Beatrice (36), the Countess of Rossex, who, alongside her business partner Perry Juke, is currently managing the project to refurbish the Manor House and Lodge on the estate. 

Not again! Now that Lady Grace has asked Lady Beatrice to liaise with the police during the investigation into Kelley’s death, she’ll have to cooperate with boorish Detective Chief Inspector Richard Fitzwilliam whether she likes it or not. Her only relief will be solving the murder with the help of her friends Perry and Simon and her dog Daisy to get rid of him faster.  But with so many wedding party guests staying on-site, any one of them could be the killer. Can they find out who it is before Sybil calls off the wedding…

Review

This is the second book in the Right Royal Investigation series - a cosy mystery. If you like your mysteries and crime with a bit of humour, a bit of a love-hate possible romance, and strong memorable characters, then this will be right up your alley.

Lady Beatrice and Richard Fitzwilliam have crossed paths before - in fact Fitzwilliam is starting to worry that Beatrice is a magnet for trouble and dead bodies. No matter where she goes mystery and mayhem ensues. The two of them have a relationship based on a flicker of attraction and a mutual desire to find the culprit, although one could argue that Fitzwilliam doesn't really have a choice in the matter.

What begins as subtle, and yet violent threats, finally escalates into something much more dangerous. The threats that are dismissed as a mere distraction to the upcoming events become a lethal reality.

Comfortable reads don't really get the attention they deserve, regardless of the genre. Enjoying a trail of clues and a bevy of quirky characters is a great way to spend the time. Imagine Midsomer meets Lynley and add a flair of Tommy and Tuppence on top of that. Wonder what they will get up to next and whether Beatrice will once again stumble upon another mystery or worse.

Buy For Richer, For Deader: A Right Royal Cozy Investigation at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher: ‎Drew Bradley Press, pub date November 16, 2022. Buy at Amazon com.

#BlogBlitz A Nun for the Viking Warrior by Lucy Morris

 It's my turn on the BlogBlitz A Nun for the Viking Warrior by Lucy Morris.

About the Author

As a little girl, Lucy Morris was obsessed with myths and legends. She regularly escaped into the adventures of her imagination, with characters who were strong and fierce. Now fully grown she finds she can't forget the stories plaguing her mind and has to write them down. A book by Lucy Morris will sweep you away on a historical adventure filled with vivid characters haunted by their pasts. Her books will have you flying through her pages, desperate to reach her characters passionately romantic happily ever after. 

She lives in Essex, UK, with her husband, two young children, and two cats. She has a massively sweet tooth and loves gin, bubbly and Irn-Bru. A member of the UK Romantic Novelists' Association, she was delighted in 2020 to accept a two-book deal with Harlequin after submitting her story to the Warriors Wanted submission blitz for Viking, Medieval, and Highlander romances. Writing for Harlequin Historical is a dream come true for her and she hopes you enjoy her books! Follow @LMorris_Author on Twitter, @lucymorris.author on Instagram, on Facebook, Visit lucymorrisromance.com

About the book

Forced to wed the warrior - Falling for the man… Noblewoman Amée Évreaux had pledged her life to God, until her father promised her in marriage to thundering Norseman, Jorund Jötunnson. After escaping her overbearing father, Amée vows never to fall under another man’s thumb, but her resistance to being Jorund’s wife turns to desire as she gets to know her intriguing new husband. For beneath his fierce exterior she’s glimpsed an unexpectedly pure heart. If only she can penetrate the fortress that surrounds it…

Review

Amée is in preparation to give herself entirely to God, just a few more steps and she will be become one of his many brides. Her plans are thrown into disarray when a brutal Viking and his merry band of warriors literally knock down doors to get to her - the bride to be of said Viking.

Her father has decided to use her as a political and economic pawn, under certain restrictions of course, but very much as a bargaining chip. She is horrified by the news and simultaneously excited by this stranger who has burst into her life.

This is Highland romance without the Scotsman more or less. The innocent maiden is consumed with desire whilst simultaneously being scared out of her wits by the rugged eye-candy aka Viking warrior - standard plot, although Morris does go the extra mile to give her characters some depth. Naturally the story doesn't disappoint when it comes to the excruciating pulsating attraction, which culminates in smouldering 'it takes two to tango' scenes. 

If you're looking for a heartbreak, desire and passionate encounters, then this will be right up your street. 

Buy A Nun for the Viking Warrior at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher ‏ : ‎ Mills & Boon Historical; pub date 1 Oct. 2021. Buy at Amazon com.

#BlogBlitz A Cornish Summer at Pear Tree Farm by Angela Britnell

 It's my turn on the BlogBlitz A Cornish Summer at Pear Tree Farm by Angela Britnell.

About the Author

Angela grew up in Cornwall, England and returns frequently from her new home in Nashville, Tennessee to visit family and friends, drink tea and eat far too many Cornish pasties! 

A lifelong love of reading turned into a passion for writing contemporary romance and her novels are usually set in the many places she's visited or lived on her extensive travels. Thanks to over three decades of marriage to her wonderful American husband she's a huge fan of transatlantic romance and always makes sure her characters get their own happy-ever-after.

She is a member of the Romantic Novelists' Association. Her first novel ‘Truth and Consequence’ was published in 2006 and she’s now had over 30 novels published internationally and several short stories in women’s magazines.

If you'd like to find out more of what Angela gets up to (Advance warning: this may include references to wine, dark chocolate, Poldark and the hunky Aidan Turner) check out angelabritnellromance.com or follow her on facebook.com/angelabritnell, @angelabritnell on Twitter and on Instagram 

About the book

Cornish charm and a Tennessee twist – the perfect pair? Nessa Vivian is determined to keep her parents’ business afloat, but Pear Tree Farm near the backwater Cornish village of Polgarth didn’t do well as farm, and it’s not faring much better as a camp site. Maybe it’s due to Nessa’s habit of taking in troubled runaways, like ex-soldier Crispin, for next to nothing. Or perhaps her highly-strung sister Lowena is right – caravans named after Beatles’ songs and homegrown pears are not enough to turn the farm into a tourist haven.

Then another troubled runaway turns up, posing the greatest threat yet. Ex-musician Ward Spencer from Tennessee is certainly intriguing, but could his plans to put nearby Tregereth House on the map mean Pear Tree Farm is finished – or does his arrival signal a second lease of life, and not just for Nessa’s business?

Review

Pear Tree Farm is a haven - it's supposed to be a profitable business, but it's really become a place come to hide away from the world and their problems. Nessa needs it to be profitable enough to pay the bills, and yet she understands the need for a hiding place and has a lot of empathy for her strays.

The last thing she needs is to take in another one, according to her sister, especially one who has his own agenda. Ward has plans that could not only interfere with Nessa's life, his plans could potentially destroy her dreams.

Britnell writes a story with flawed characters, but they are also the kind of characters you might meet and could relate to. Nessa and her misfits are like many other caravan or camping parks. Characters full of quirks, and you're never quite sure whether or not you feel sympathy for them or want to thrown them into a quarry. It's a lovely feel good read.

Buy A Cornish Summer at Pear Tree Farm at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher ‏: ‎Choc Lit pub date 3 Aug. 2021. Buy at Amazon com.

#BlogBlitz The Ticklemore Treasure Trove by Liz Davies

It's my turn on the Blogtour The Ticklemore Treasure Cove by Liz Davies.

About the Author

Liz Davies writes feel-good, light-hearted stories with a hefty dose of romance, a smattering of humour, and a great deal of love.

She’s married to her best friend, has one grown-up daughter, and when she isn’t scribbling away in the notepad she carries with her everywhere (just in case inspiration strikes), you’ll find her searching for that perfect pair of shoes. She loves to cook but isn’t very good at it, and loves to eat - she’s much better at that! Liz also enjoys walking (preferably on the flat), cycling (also on the flat), and lots of sitting around in the garden on warm, sunny days.

She currently lives with her family in Wales, but would ideally love to buy a camper can and travel the world in it. Follow @lizdaviesauthor on Twitter, on Facebook

About the book

Nell Chapman has always assumed that one (or the other) of her twin sons would help run her antique shop once they finished university. The boys, however, have other plans, when they announce they're going backpacking for a year, leaving Nell feeling bereft and lonely.

Not only that, but with their father (her lying, cheating ex-husband) back on the scene and demanding half of the business, there might not be anything left for her boys to help manage when they return.

However, she hasn’t counted on the unexpected support of local landscape artist, Silas Long. And neither has she considered the possibility she might fall in love again – especially since Silas is so distant and moody, and has his own cross to bear.

Should Nell take a chance and risk her heart, or should she leave well alone?  And why has Silas painted her portrait if he doesn’t feel anything for her?

Review

I'm just going to start this review by saying what an utter piece of garbage Riley is. I'd like to say his character portrays a fictional character that doesn't often occur in real life, unfortunately this isn't the case. He is the epitome of the ex who wants to remain in complete control no longer how long you've been separated or divorced.

I really wanted to jump into the book and smack him right in the kisser. How dare he be a complete duplicitous ex and come back to take what is rightfully hers after taking everything from her in the first place. I commend Nell for creating an environment that gave her children the feeling they were both being heard and the ability to have a relationship with both parents, despite what a complete rat he is.

Nell has to navigate the ex, the fact he wants her store of treasures and a possible new friendship and love interest - what's not to like?

It's a lovely little escapism read, a domestic cosy read set in quaint Ticklemore. A story of second chances and new beginnings. About being able to leave the past behind, which doesn't mean forgetting, but it does mean forgiving oneself for choices and mistakes made.

Being able to move on after your life has disintegrated isn't easy, but Davies shows us how you can do that and create a little bit of a kerfuffle, and a good read too.

Buy The Ticklemore Treasure Trove at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher : Lilac Tree Books pub date 1 Jun. 2021. Buy at Amazon com.

#BlogBlitz Retribution by Christina O'Reilly

It's my turn on the BlogBlitz Retribution by Christina O'Reilly.

About the Author

Christina is a writer and professional proofreader living in the Waikato region of New Zealand. Four of her short stories have been published, one in a magazine and the others in anthologies produced by Page and Blackmore, Rangitawa Publishing and most recently in Fresh Ink: Voices from Aotearoa, produced by Cloud Ink Press. 

As well as being a finalist in the 2020 Ngaio Marsh Awards, Christina’s first crime novel Into the Void was longlisted for the 2019 Michael Gifkins Memorial Prize for an unpublished novel. Follow Christina on Facebook

About the book

A young woman has been murdered on Ripton Beach. DSS ‘Archie’ Baldrick and DC Ben Travers eventually identify the body as that of Lucy Martin, who has been renting a bach in the area. Her husband, Oliver, seems to know very little about his wife or her background. 

What was Lucy hiding? Why has she no family or friends? As the number of suspects mounts up, Archie begins to conclude that the real answer lies in Lucy’s dark and mysterious past, and that the murderer may be just a little too close for comfort …

Review

When DSS Archie Baldrick is called to the case of the death of a young woman, he as no idea how difficult it will be to find out what happened to her and who she really is. Archie is difficult character though. He is what I would call, and yes it absolutely is a cop out at times, very much a man of the era he was brought up in. Some of the things he says are said with the best intention, but are politically incorrect.

His reaction to the possibility of same gender sex and throwing it out there that it may not be natural for instance. The majority of us would be repulsed at the thought of someone breaching our inner sanctum, but whether a same sex or opposite gender couple has done so is irrelevant.

Then the whole ponytail victim blaming. Yes women do certain things to keep themselves safe, and there never seems be a shortage of people telling women/girls how to look and what to wear, so as not to attract the wrong kind of attention. We shouldn't have to or be trained to be less of a temptation to rapists, deviants and killers.

Blaming the abuse victim for a perpetrators further crimes, due to the victim not reporting it to the police. Views like that are probably why he struggles in his role as a father to two young women. His genuine concern masks how outdated his views are.

It's a crime story that grows on you and gets more intricate as the tale goes on. A simple possible accidental death evolves into murder and then into a story of deception, redemption and ultimately retribution. The question is whether it really is retribution.

Buy Retribution at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Buy at Amazon com.

#BlogBlitz Raven Fire by Emma Miles

 

It's my turn on the BlogBlitz Raven Fire by Emma Miles.

About the Author

'I often get asked when I knew I was a writer; the answer is always. A writer is what I am, it’s in my soul. There have been times in my life when I couldn’t write, and times when my writing has been the only thing that kept me going. I think I always longed for something deeper from life, something more meaningful, and I found it in my imagination and in the music of words.

It was poetry which first caught my attention, and whilst my younger cousins called for ghost stories it was animals I first wrote of. I think I gravitated toward fantasy because of the freedom it gives, I could create my own worlds and decide my own rules. My Wind’s Children trilogy was born from an image that came to me whilst daydreaming, of a young man sitting alone below a bridge. I didn’t know who he was; it turns out neither did he, but we found out together.

I’m now working on my eleventh book and love writing more than ever, it’s an addiction, an obsession, but one I now share with my wonderful writing family. My beta readers, my editor, and you, my readers, having you with me on my journey means the world to me.

I write as much as I can around work, but I also try to squeeze in a ridiculous amount of hobbies! I’m a wildlife photographer and do a little archery. I paint, sculpt with clay, withies and driftwood, preferring to be outdoors if I can. I still have a love for the theatre, having started out in life studying backstage crafts, and a great love for language. I speak a little French, Romanian and Italian, ma non molto bene!

Thanks for reading this. If you read any of my books and love them, please come say hello and tell me, you’d be surprised at how much that means to an author. Take care of yourself. Em x'

Follow @EmmaMilesShadow on Twitter, on Facebook EmmaMilesShadow,

About the book

Is prophecy real; can Arridia and Joss defeat a god?

Evil never sleeps, and neither can the fire spirits who have guarded Kesta and her family so faithfully for more than fourteen years. United in a desire for peace, the four lands beneath the sky have enjoyed relative stability, but under the surface stirs unrest. Greed, ambition, disquiet, rebellion; and the ever-present threat of Geladan’s crazed god discovering she has been fooled.

Quiet Arridia is a Raven Scout, dedicated to the principles and hopes of her parents. When an opportunity presents itself to come home, she grasps it, longing to settle and find the love she has patiently waited for.

 Fun-loving Joss is drawn to the court of Elden with all its colour, noise, and intrigue; but has he taken on more than a young man can survive? Raven Fire is the final part of the breath-taking Fire-Walker saga. If you could, would you dare to change the world?

Review

This is the fourth book in the Fire Walker series and also the final one. I do think it would be a good idea to read the first books in the series to get a better overall view and feel for the characters and story. It can however be read as a standalone novel.

Raven Fire is for the majority split between The Fulmer Islands and Elden. In Elden the children of King Bracticus are struggling with the demands of a father who has certain expectations and thinks those should go before their own wishes and desires. And the Fulmer Islands are gripped by insidious dark witchcraft.

It's the kind of story and ending that deserves a no hint review, especially for readers who have read the entire series. Miles certainly does it justice by bringing all the threads together - even if those threads have been woven through the entire series.

There are a lot of characters, almost too many to follow any one character well or give them more depth. Given the fact the reader is already immersing themselves into a complex fantasy world it makes it harder to get into said tale and what an ambitious and intricate story it is. I liked the fact it has a family saga vibe, giving it a generational fantasy feel. 

I also think there are opportunities for offshoots of this premise. Enough characters to create a story or series that evolves from this one.

Buy Raven Fire at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Buy at Amazon com.

#BlogBlitz Audiobook - Beyond the Moon by Catherine Taylor

 It's my turn on the Blog Blitz Beyond the Moon by Catherine Taylor.

About the Author

Catherine Taylor was born and grew up on the island of Guernsey in the British Channel Islands. She is a former journalist, most recently for Dow Jones News and The Wall Street Journal in London. Beyond The Moon is her first novel. She lives in Ealing, London with her husband and two children.

Narrator Bio - Liz May Brice is an English actress. She is known for roles such as the convicted murderer Pat Kerrigan on ITV1's Bad Girls, and Agent Johnson in Torchwood: Children of Earth.

Follow @CathTaylorNovel on Twitter, on Facebook, on Instagram,

About the book

A strange twist of fate connects a British soldier fighting in the First World War in 1916 with a young woman living in modern-day England a century later, in this haunting literary time travel novel.

In 1916 1st Lieutenant Robert Lovett is a patient at Coldbrook Hall military hospital in Sussex, England. A gifted artist, he’s been wounded fighting in the Great War. Shell shocked and suffering from hysterical blindness he can no longer see his own face, let alone paint, and life seems increasingly hopeless.

A century later in 2017, medical student Louisa Casson has just lost her beloved grandmother – her only family. Heartbroken, she drowns her sorrows in alcohol on the South Downs cliffs – only to fall accidentally part-way down. Doctors fear she may have attempted suicide, and Louisa finds herself involuntarily admitted to Coldbrook Hall – now a psychiatric hospital, an unfriendly and chaotic place.

Then one day, while secretly exploring the old Victorian hospital’s ruined, abandoned wing, Louisa hears a voice calling for help, and stumbles across a dark, old-fashioned hospital room. Inside, lying on the floor, is a mysterious, sightless young man, who tells her he was hurt at the Battle of the Somme, a WW1 battle a century ago. And that his name is Lieutenant Robert Lovett…

Review

The story has a similar nostalgic feel as Somewhere in Time, but with an added twist due to the trauma and mental health issues of the main characters. What connects the two of them is grief and perhaps having difficulty finding someone who understands what they are going through, whether that is in the modern times with Louisa or with Robert during the Great War.

Robert is suffering from what we now know is shell shock, which at the time was a greatly misunderstood and misdiagnosed medical condition. He is distressed by his physical condition and feels immense guilt due to his inability to help his colleagues.

Given the nature and way the two characters meet each other and subsequently have a relationship I would say this expands beyond the genre of historical fiction and into speculative fiction. Of course speculative means you can move the goal posts, create scenarios that defy prior knowledge, logic and definitely the laws of science.

This is a review for the audiobook, however I have also read the ebook - sometimes I find it helpful to experience the writing and the audio version of a book - and I think the narrator does a great job of presenting this story. She really hits the tone when it comes to the taught emotional atmosphere between the two characters.

Buy Beyond the Moon at Audible Uk, Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Buy at Amazon com. Buy at Authors Direct. Only in the US - Buy at Chirpbooks (Chirp is running a special $3.99 deal only available in the US and Canada for a limited time)

Listening Length - 13 hours and 18 minutes, Author - Catherine Taylor, Narrator - Liz May Brice, Audible.co.uk Release Date - 18 February 2021, Publisher - Catherine Taylor, Program Type - Audiobook, Version - Unabridged, Language - English.

Giveaway to Win 5 x Beyond the Moon Audiobook (Open Internationally*) *Audiobook to be distributed via Authors-Direct. Please check the Authors Direct website to check whether it operates where you are. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway *Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

#BlogBlitz Glasshouse by Morwenna Blackwood

 It's my turn on the BlogTour Glasshouse by Morwenna Blackwood.

About the Author

When Morwenna Blackwood was six years old, she got told off for filling a school exercise book with an endless story when she should have been listening to the teacher/eating her tea/colouring with her friends. The story was about a frog. It never did end; and Morwenna never looked back.

Born and raised in Devon, Morwenna suffered from severe OCD and depression, and spent her childhood and teens in libraries. She travelled about for a decade before returning to Devon. She now has an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Exeter, and lives with her husband, son and three cats in a cottage that Bilbo Baggins would be proud of. Her debut psychological thriller, The (D)Evolution of Us, is published by #darkstroke, and has become an Amazon best-seller. When she is not writing, Morwenna works for an animal rescue charity, or can be found down by the sea. - She often thinks about that frog. 

Follow @MorwennaBlackw1 on Twitter, on Instagram, on Facebook, Visit morwennablackwoodauthor.com

About the book

‘Now if I carry out this oath, and break it not, may I gain for ever reputation among all men for my life and for my art; but if I break it and forswear myself, may the opposite befall me.’

~ from the Hippocratic Oath (translated by WHS Jones)

Psychiatrists, Drs Whittle and Grosvenor, have dedicated their lives to helping their patients, but their approach, and the complications it reveals, lead them into relationships that harm not only themselves. 

As their lives entangle, both men find that doing no harm is not as cut-and-dried as they perceived. Can the patients in their care really trust them? Or are more sinister motives at work?

Delve into the dark world of psychiatric institutions where doctors and residents play a dangerous game where no one is infallible!

Review

Throughout the story you can almost hear the primordial scream Lizzie is emitting at a level that is silent to everyone around her. Only her desperate actions are the kind of indicator everyone can understand and react to. The question is how society reacts to her despair, her mental health issues and if indeed they are doing everything they can and are capable of. Is that enough for her and others in similar situations?

What becomes evident quite quickly is how the mental health facilities become a repetitive merry-go-round for their frequent flyers. Is that a sign of a needs not being met consistently or is that just the nature of mental health issues and addiction - ups and downs. Erazmus is a perfect example of the madmen running the asylum - destruction guaranteed.

I think this is a bit like candid camera and open door policy on mental health and addiction facilities. How the system is failing so many and is indeed inadequate to the needs of many. The author draws attention to biggest loophole in the system, which is the human element. The therapy is only as good as the person administering it to the person in need, and in this case it isn't very good. The title of the book couldn't be a more accurate description of the story.

It's a read that doesn't pull any punches - fiction that veers into the dark truth of the matter.

Buy Glasshouse at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher : darkstroke books pub date 26 Mar. 2021. Buy at Amazon com. 

#BlogBlitz Second Chance at First Love by Zoe Allison

 It's my turn on the BlogTour Second Chance at First Love by Zoe Allison.

About the Author

Zoe lives in Scotland with her husband and two children. A medic by day, she started writing in her spare time as a means to counter burn out and found that this was a balm for the soul.

She is a fan of the romantic genre and its ‘happy ever after’ ethos. A sharp contrast to what she can, at times, see in her day job. Zoe is keen for the female lead in romantic fiction to disabuse stereotypes and walk on an equal footing with her male counterparts. She prefers male leads who do not display signs of toxic masculinity and believes that positive masculinity is much more attractive to women and healthier for men. 

Follow @zoeallisonauth1 on Twitter, zoe.allison.9279 on Facebook, on Instagram,

About the book

Eva Mathers is a successful woman, except for when it comes to matters of the heart. When she returns home to Yorkshire as a pending divorcee, she realises her childhood friend and first love Damon Evans is also newly single. It’s a pity he’s never noticed her romantically and had no idea that she was in love with him at school. But at least they can support each other as friends again.

Damon is attempting to adjust to life sharing the kids with his ex. His reconnection with Eva is strong, but she was always too good for him and made her indifference clear after they drifted apart during their younger years. In any case, she still seems to be hung up on her charismatic ex-husband. Eva is hiding things from Damon, secrets from her past. He wants to be there for her, so why can’t she let him in?

Eva is dealing with trauma, but she won’t confide in her loved ones. Can Damon help her break down her walls before it’s too late and they miss their second chance at first love?

Review

After a difficult personal time Eva returns home to family, memories and even someone she considers to be an unrequited crush from her past. Damon on the other hand is getting used to being a divorced father of two and is glad to see his friend return. They reconnect where they left off, which is actually a lot harder than it seems.

Eva has her own baggage. The kind of secrets she feels will make people perceive her differently. Guilt and shame make her unwilling to delve into it too deeply, but eventually she will have to confront her past completely.

It's never too late to start over or rediscover yourself and love. I think that's at the core of this story, and meddling well meaning families of course. It's also about the rose tinted throes of passion being important, but not as much as a solid friendship to build a relationship on.

The author gives us a positive male character to work with, which is a pleasant surprise, because stereotypes seem to be the norm when it comes to books about relationships and love. It's a nice change to see the other side of men, which absolutely does exist. Men who are there for their children and have healthy relationships with their exes. It was definitely a pleasant surprise.

Buy Second Chance at First Love at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Buy at Amazon com.

#BlogBlitz Corfu Capers by Joy Skye

 It's my turn on the BlogTour Corfu Capers by Joy Skye.

About the Author

Joy lives on the seductive island of Corfu with her four dogs and an embarrassing number of cats. 

Her many years working in the tourist industry on this sunny isle and her love of all things literary inspired her first novel Corfu Capers which recently hit the #1 spot in Parenting and Family humour much to her delight.

She loves to cook, dance and drink wine, usually at the same time, and is currently working on book number two, due to be released later this year. 

She also loves to travel, absolutely anywhere, and is looking forward to jumping on a plane!

Follow @JoySkye4 on Twitter, on Amazon, on Instagram,

About the book

Five people, three secrets, one planned proposal. What could possibly go wrong? A holiday in a luxury villa on Corfu sounds like the answer to all their prayers but it will change their lives forever. A week in paradise might not be long enough…

Review

There's nothing like a holiday to bring out the best and the absolute worst in people, especially when they find themselves in beautiful and inspiring surroundings. Perhaps even more so when great plans are afoot, but unbeknownst to the planners not everyone is on board with said plans. 

It's worth it just to dig a little deeper when it comes to Kate and the way she smothers - mothers - Scott. She is a woman laden with the baggage of her marriage, and the way she was betrayed and abandoned. She is so subconsciously afraid of being left that she tethers her son to her side like a ball and chain, which is detrimental to any romantic relationship he would like to embark on.

It's essentially a comedy of errors - the perfectly planned holiday is waylaid and disrupted by miscommunications and general confusion, which are all the more hilarious given how much time goes into the planning. In fact the email communication between Peter and Kate is truly something to behold - to think some of us just book and arrive.

Although this is absolutely an escapism read I have to give the author kudos for letting the more serious elements of the story, and thereby making a clear stand about love and who you love, slide in there without much ado. As it should be.

Buy Corfu Capers at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Buy at Amazon com.

#BlogBlitz A Prescription for Madness by Linda Fawke

 

It's the Blog Blitz for A Prescription for Madness by Linda Fawke

About the Author

Linda Fawke is an arts person who studied science but always wanted to write. Now retired, she indulges this passion, writing fiction and non-fiction, even occasional poetry, preferably late at night. She has now written two novels, 'A Taste of his own Medicine' and its sequel, 'A Prescription for Madness' using her background in pharmacy as the setting of both. These are easy books to read, suitable for Book Club discussions. ' A Prescription for Madness' is more serious than the first book, dealing with such issues as pregnancy in later life and Down's Syndrome.

She has been a winner of the Daily Telegraph 'Just Back' travel-writing competition and has published in various magazines including 'Mslexia', 'Litro' online, 'Scribble', 'The Oldie', 'Berkshire Life' and 'Living France'. She was a finalist in the 'Hysteria' short story competition.

Linda blogs at www.linimeant.wordpress.com where her 'Random Writings' include a range of topics from travel to 'Things that pop into my head'.

Follow @LindaFawke on Twitter, on Facebook, on Amazon, Buy A Prescription for Madness 

About the book

When successful business-owner Kate Shaw realises she is pregnant, after a fling with a previous lover, she has life-changing decisions to make. She needs to be in control of her life. Pregnancy in her fifties was never part of the plan. It becomes her secret.

The risks of having a baby at her age are clear but she struggles with the idea of an abortion. No-one understands her increasingly erratic behaviour as the preoccupation takes over her life.

Her marriage is precarious; the relationship with her former lover uncertain. Is this the way to madness?

Review

Kate Shaw finds herself in a bit of a pickle. A bout of illness turns out to be an unexpected pregnancy. The problem is that the baby-daddy could be someone other than her partner. A husband who seems to be very distracted lately, perhaps he has secrets of his own.

Kate finds it increasingly difficult to hide both her situation and resign herself to the truth of it. It starts to rattle her so much that she thinks she is going slightly mad. Such a life-changing decision is enough to throw anyone into a state of chaos and confusion. Keep the baby - get an abortion? What should she do?

Overall it could do with a little more depth,  especially when it comes to the topics at hand. The stories of women at a certain age tend to sink into obscurity and certainly when it comes to women who get pregnant when they are middle-aged. It comes with it's own set of physical and psychological issues, which are completely different to a woman in her younger years.

This is very much a story about a woman discovering what she wants from life, and finally understanding that she doesn't want to be complacent and settle for what society expects her to settle for. It's okay to want more, to want a fulfilled relationship and life. Five decades doesn't mean it's time for the scrapheap or that you come with your own invisibility cloak as an older woman. You are still lovable, sexually attractive and visible to society in general - even if the majority of people treat you like your time is up.

Buy A Prescription for Madness at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Buy at Amazon com. 

#BlogBlitz Trust Me by Candace Hutton

Today it's the Blog Blitz for Trust Me: A Manhattan Marriage Novella by Candace Hutton.

About the Author

Candace Hutton was born and raised on books. She spent a great deal of her teenage years in libraries and bookstores and still tries to sneak off to them as often as possible. Some of her other favorite things are coffee, puppies, and the smell of rain. You can connect with her on Twitter @authorcandace

About the book

Brooke Anderson never pictured herself as a divorcee at twenty-eight. But when she mentions getting a post-nup to her husband Garrett after one deliciously sex-filled year, he promptly serves her with divorce papers. Admittedly, she could’ve told him about how her father left her and her mother homeless when she was young, and how she’s never been wired to trust anyone. Especially those closest to her. Now, all she wants to do is avoid anywhere he might be so she won’t have to face him again.

 But she’s not the only one who can’t seem to trust.

 Garrett Call grew up with parents who married for money and wants no part of a life that puts material possessions above love. He reinvented himself in college, complete with a new last name so he couldn’t be tied to his family’s lucrative business. He never even told Brooke the truth. Admittedly, he could’ve handled the issue of a post-nup better with his ex-wife. Maybe he didn’t count on how much he was going to miss having her in his life. 

 When their best friends’ wedding forces the exes to see each other again, a dangerous man from Garrett’s world threatens Brooke’s life. And they realize the only way to save themselves is to finally learn to trust each other.

Review

Brooke, and let's just be clear on one thing before we get started - she is often a maths problem short of any logic when it comes to her love life, has huge trust issues. Abandoned by her parent as a child and forced to watch her mother struggle to survive with her in tow, it's fair to say she has some mega baggage.

Her whirlwind marriage seemed to be going so well, especially in the bedroom department, until she started letting doubts creep in. What if Garrett leaves, what if she is left pregnant and alone, what if she ends up like her mother?

Doubts become certainty and she pushes him away after he refuses to get a post-nup, which means divorce asap. The only problem is she finds it difficult to forget about him and the attraction she feels for him. Every time she sees him she gets hot under the collar and the words one last time become an often used phrase.

This is a novella length read. A read that may get pulses beating and encourage the steamy side of word consumption. It's a complicated romance a la Mills/Boon Dare. 

Buy Trust Me at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Buy at Amazon com. 

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#BlogBlitz Stolen Kiss with her Billionaire Boss by Susan Meier

Today it's my turn on the BlogTour Stolen Kiss with her Billionaire Boss by Susan Meier.

About the Author

Susan Meier is a lover of a great story and a fabulous turn of phrase. What better home for her than Mills and Boon where stories touch the heart? She found her bliss when Harlequin published her first book and hasn’t looked back. A mom of three and wife to the best guy on the planet, she loves reading almost as much as writing, and thanks the heavens for the internet and YouTube which have made research so much fun.

Follow @susanmeier1on Twitter, on Facebook, on Amazon, on Goodreads, Visit susanmeier.com, Buy Stolen Kiss with her Billionaire Boss

About the book

Christmas has arrived… And she’s spending it with her boss! New Yorker Erin is intrigued when Hugo Harrington asks for her help on a hotel renovation in London, just weeks before Christmas! But Erin soon discovers how personal this project is to her brooding boss. Watching him wrestle with the memories of his past uncovers a side to Hugo she’s never seen. And then a stolen snowbound kiss changes everything…

Review

This is the third book in the Christmas at the Harrington Park Hotel series. All three books can be read as standalone novels, however they are interlinked via characters who appear in all the books. What's slightly different about the series is the fact each one is written by a different author. I would recommend reading the first two because it gives a better idea and backstory to the relationship between siblings.

This one features the eldest brother, Hugo. The broody, serious man who has a bit of a negative reputation when it comes to his siblings and similarly he felt just as slighted for his own reasons. Now he is determined to prove something to himself and his family, and for that he really needs Erin.

Erin however has different priorities, so when Hugo suggests a job overseas for big money and she says no - well he has a hard time accepting it and sets out to find out why she would even think of saying no to him. That's the beginning of a connection, which hinges on the insecurities and lack of trust of one, and the often thoughtless audacity of the other.

I was intrigued by the different author for each book in the series approach. It sort of guarantees a completely different feel for each book, despite it being the same genre and similar subject matter. It's also an excellent way of introducing readers to more than one author, because series often tend to be a one author for all the books kind of thing.

It's a romantic endeavour, an escapist read, which captures some serious moments when it comes to putting family before work and mending broken bridges from the past.

Buy Stolen Kiss with her Billionaire Boss at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher: Mills & Boon True Love pub date 12 Nov. 2020. Buy at Amazon com. At Hive. At Bookshop.org. At Barnes & Noble.

#BlogBlitz A Wing and a Prayer by M. W. Arnold

 

Today it's a pleasure to take part in the Blog Blitz A Wing and a Prayer by M.W. Arnold.

About the Author

Mick is a hopeless romantic who was born in England and spent fifteen years roaming around the world in the pay of HM Queen Elisabeth II in the Royal Air Force before putting down roots and realizing how much he missed the travel. This he’s replaced somewhat with his writing, including reviewing books and supporting fellow saga and romance authors in promoting their novels. 

He’s the proud keeper of two Romanian cats, is mad on the music of Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys, and enjoys the theatre and loving his Manchester-United-supporting wife. 

Finally, Mick is a full member of the Romantic Novelists Association. A Wing and a Prayer will be his second published novel, and he is very proud to be welcomed into The Rose Garden.

Follow  @Mick859 on Twitter, on Instagram, on Facebook, on Goodreads, on Amazon, Buy A Wing and a Prayer 

About the book

When Betty Palmer's sister dies under suspicious circumstances whilst landing her Tiger Moth, Betty and three other women pilots of the Air Transport Auxiliary in WWII England unite to discover who killed her and why.

Estranged from her family, Penny Blake wants simply to belong. American Doris Winter, running from a personal tragedy, yearns for a new start. Naturally shy Mary Whitworth-Baines struggles to fit in. Together though, they are a force to be reckoned with as they face the mystery that confronts them.

Against the backdrop of war, when ties of friendship are exceptionally strong, they strive to unravel the puzzle's complex threads, risking their lives as they seek justice for Betty's sister.

Review

When Betty Palmer's sister dies, she just has this feeling that something isn't quite right. Penny, Doris and Mary all unite and become drawn into the dangerous mystery, whilst dealing with their own trials and tribulations.

I think the roles of women in past wars tend to be overlooked, especially if it was in more of a voluntary capacity, although plenty of roles became mandatory for single women of a certain age bracket. To a certain degree it's because it is spoken about less, the women and their contributions tend to be considered as less grand of a sacrifice or gesture, whereas a man in any contributory role tends to be put on a pedestal. 

That doesn't mean their sacrifice is diminished in any way - it's just pointing out a fact of life. The women of the Air Transport Auxillary played a big role in the war, perhaps more so because they filled gaps caused by the deployment of so many able bodied men, who would have been in the role had they not been needed elsewhere.

Arnold manages to balance to importance of the historical facts with the feeling of sisterhood, support and friendship. It then isn't just a mystery or women's fiction, it becomes war fiction in its own right, but with a sleuthing feel to it. Also perhaps a smidgen of a Carry On humour vibe to ease the more serious aspects of the story.

Given the way it finishes I think there may be more to come from the mixed bag of women introduced in this book. Their individual stories may have only just begun.

Buy A Wing and a Prayer at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Buy at Amazon com. Buy at Hive. Buy at Bookshop.org. Buy at Barnes & Noble. iBooks. Amazon Au.