#BlogTour Broken by R. V. Biggs

It's my last turn on the BlogTour for the Sarah Macintyre series by R.V. Biggs, which started with The Song of the Robin followed by Reunion and now it's time for the third book in the series - Broken.

About the Author

R V Biggs lives in a small ex-mining village near Wolverhampton, England, with his wife Julie and Mags the black lab. He has four grown up children and eight grandchildren. Walking with the dog is a favourite pastime and much of the story line for his first novel was developed during these lengthy outings.

Robert worked for 35 years in telecommunications but changed career paths to a managerial supporting role within a local Mental Health National Health Service trust. It was during the period between these roles that the concept for his first novel was born.

Robert is a firm believer that destiny and co-incidence exist hand in hand and this conviction extends to his writing. He has a passion for holistic well-being and after first-hand experience of the potential healing powers of Reiki, a form of energy therapy, took a Reiki level 1 training course to heighten his spiritual awareness. 

Robert’s experiences in these areas helped conceive the ideas that led to Song of the Robin and its sequels Reunion and Broken, novels with central themes of fate, love, and the strength of family. His writing is not fantasy however but is set in modern times involving real people living real lives. Follow RVBiggs on Facebook, Visit rvbiggs.com

About the book

Scarred by a tragic past, eleven year old Jamie Walker chooses not to speak. Consumed with jealous rage, Jimmy Gillespie is driven to violence. And John Macintyre awakens from a vivid nightmare convinced he is going to kill.

Living high upon the Scottish hills, John and Sarah Macintyre enjoy a serene life until a televised news bulletin sends them on a desperate search for a missing child. After finding the child and returning him safely to his parents, the Macintyres are approached by the local press, attracting both unexpected and unwanted attention.

But the aftermath of the media coverage changes the course of their lives forever, and events are set in motion that are joyful, heart breaking – and terrifying.

Review

This third part of the Sarah Macintyre series brings the content of the previous two to a culmination. Everything has been driving towards this point and the story of Sarah and her family can finally really begin. 

Their journey together is one of connections, weaving unseen threads between each other. Each one of them experiencing energy and power in a different way, but ultimately always in a way that outsiders are unable to comprehend completely. Is it paranormal, another level of energy or shall we just simply leave at the inexplicable?

After certain events expose their special gifts to the world and also bring the family to the attention of someone with more nefarious intentions - the family faces more danger. Simultaneously they are asked to invite a broken soul into their home, in the hopes that they can help heal and keep him safe. The two events end in a violent collision.

This is shorter in length than the other two books and was much more concise in the approach in regards to the core premise. A much better read with clear vision, and of where the series could be taken if the author wants to.

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

#BlogTour Reunion by R.V. Biggs

It's my turn on the BlogTour Reunion by R.V. Biggs - the second book in the Sarah Macintyre series.

About the Author

R V Biggs lives in a small ex-mining village near Wolverhampton, England, with his wife Julie and Mags the black lab. He has four grown up children and eight grandchildren. Walking with the dog is a favourite pastime and much of the story line for his first novel was developed during these lengthy outings.

Robert worked for 35 years in telecommunications but changed career paths to a managerial supporting role within a local Mental Health National Health Service trust. It was during the period between these roles that the concept for his first novel was born.

Robert is a firm believer that destiny and co-incidence exist hand in hand and this conviction extends to his writing. He has a passion for holistic well-being and after first-hand experience of the potential healing powers of Reiki, a form of energy therapy, took a Reiki level 1 training course to heighten his spiritual awareness. 

Robert’s experiences in these areas helped conceive the ideas that led to Song of the Robin and its sequels Reunion and Broken, novels with central themes of fate, love, and the strength of family. His writing is not fantasy however but is set in modern times involving real people living real lives. Follow RVBiggs on Facebook, Visit rvbiggs.com

About the book

One random, violent act is enough to change Sarah Macintyre's life forever. Left unsettled, and yearning for a new beginning, Sarah is unsure of what to do with her life. But one day she discovers an anonymous letter hidden amidst a pile of unopened mail. The note, however, contains nothing more than a confusing riddle. Intrigued and excited, Sarah’s hunger for a new life compels her to search for the author to understand the puzzle and solve the mystery.

Embarking on a journey that will shape the rest of her life and that of her family, Sarah uncovers a past of which she had no knowledge, a present she must find a path through, and a future filled with intense grief and utmost joy.

Review

In this second book in the Sarah Macintyre series, Sarah is still coming to terms with the traumatic events that changed her life and the way she perceives life.

Since the event (sorry, I'm being purposely cagey for those haven't read the first book in the series), she often feels as if there is someone or something there. Feels touches, movements, pressure to parts of her body - a connection that wasn't there previously. A new world has opened up, but it has also brought unanswered questions and secrets with it.

I think the two stories, the past and present collide as opposed to sliding smoothly into the narrative. The spirituality, the essence of something inexplicable perhaps supernatural or the shadow of memories reverberating in the present. There is a lot going on - it could do with more direction.

At times it feels as if the need to weave the philosophy and beliefs of spirituality into the story with such a vehemence that it's to the detriment of the story itself. I think I was more invested in the short moments with Amber than the majority with Sarah.

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

#BlogTour Song of the Robin by R.V. Biggs

 It's my turn on the BlogTour for Sarah Macintyre series by R.V. Biggs, starting with The Song of the Robin followed by Reunion and Broken in a few days on this three book tour.

About the Author

R V Biggs lives in a small ex-mining village near Wolverhampton, England, with his wife Julie and Mags the black lab. He has four grown up children and eight grandchildren. Walking with the dog is a favourite pastime and much of the story line for his first novel was developed during these lengthy outings.

Robert worked for 35 years in telecommunications but changed career paths to a managerial supporting role within a local Mental Health National Health Service trust. It was during the period between these roles that the concept for his first novel was born.

Robert is a firm believer that destiny and co-incidence exist hand in hand and this conviction extends to his writing. He has a passion for holistic well-being and after first-hand experience of the potential healing powers of Reiki, a form of energy therapy, took a Reiki level 1 training course to heighten his spiritual awareness. Robert’s experiences in these areas helped conceive the ideas that led to Song of the Robin and its sequels Reunion and Broken, novels with central themes of fate, love, and the strength of family. His writing is not fantasy however but is set in modern times involving real people living real lives. Follow RVBiggs on Facebook, Visit rvbiggs.com

About the book

The whispered voices and unsettling dreams were puzzling enough, but when the visions began, disquiet crept into Sarah Richards heart.

Living a joyless and unfulfilled existence, Sarah’s life, however, is ordered and routine. But one autumn morning she sees a figure waving to her, the figure of a man more ghostly than real.

Several times he appears, but is the spectre harmless, or are his intentions malevolent? Disturbed and intrigued, Sarah endeavours to understand the mystery, to identify her unknown stalker.

But with each visitation, she becomes ever more bewildered, and as her ordered life begins to unravel, she questions the reality of all that she knows, and with mounting horror, even her own sanity.

Review

Sarah's life is existing and not living. Day in and day out the same routine, until one day something or someone inserts itself into her life and emotions. A presence that awakens certain emotions and reactions, and yet grows steadily more malevolent in nature.

I think it's quite important to skirt entirely around the revelation that gives readers a certain solution. At the same time doing so means taking everyone in a different direction. The story often clashes in that regard. On one side you have the truth and on the other side you have what the truth could possibly be.

It's a speculative read that wanders heavily into sight, sound, senses connected to the aspect of spirituality, and perhaps also the things we are unable to explain.

At times it is long-winded and could do with an edit, I think there is also this element of trying to outsmart the reader. The result is a a feeling of disconnect, confusion and a plot that needs to be tightened. Indeed there moments that don't seem to make a lot of sense, possibly because the author has written the trilogy and has written it knowing where it's going and what's coming - the downside is the reader doesn't have the same insight.

Buy Song of the Robin at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Pub date May 2 2017. Buy at Amazon com.