#Blogtour The Blue Hour by Paula Hawkins

It's a pleasure to take part in the Blogtour The Blue Hour by Paula Hawkins.

About the Author

Paula Hawkins worked as a journalist for fifteen years before writing her first novel. Born and brought up in Zimbabwe, she moved to London in 1989. Her first thriller, The Girl on the Train, has sold more than 23 million copies worldwide. Published in over fifty languages, it has been a No.1 bestseller around the world and was a box-office-hit film starring Emily Blunt. Paula’s thrillers Into the Water and A Slow Fire Burning were also instant No.1 bestsellers.

About the book

When a small bone at the centre of a famous sculpture is revealed to be human, three people become intimately connected by the secrets and lies that put it there.

Set on a Scottish tidal island connected to the mainland for just a few hours each day, and home to only one inhabitant, The Blue Hour asks questions of ambition, power, art and perception.

Paula Hawkin’s singular fourth thriller cements her place among the very best of our most nuanced, powerful and stylish storytellers.

Review

Was it just me? The last page - especially the last small paragraph - reads like an epitaph. It resonates hard, perhaps more so after such an introspective and often menacing read.

If this gets made into a visual experience I hope they get the scenery right. In the story the island - let's just call it that - it becomes a  character in its own right. The place that offers isolation, solitude, safety, threat and danger - all in equal measure. A metaphor for self, for the engagement with relationships, and for life.

It's a bit of a broken web story, and at the end I'm not sure the web is restored in its entirety, but I think that might just be the point. Life doesn't always give us a resolution to the threads we encounter. We make choices, judgements, decisions that alter the paths we take.

Thrown into the mixture of this psychological thriller, is the way art is perceived and created. The relationship between integrity, ethics, morals and creativity. Becker is a prime example of integrity of artwork over possible crime, obsession melds with professional interest.

As the layers are unpacked from a variety of directions the reader is taken on a journey of fear vs inspiration, menace vs a search for peace. Hawkins always delivers a fascinating read.

Buy The Blue Hour at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher Doubleday, pub date 10th October 2024 | Hardback | £22.00. Buy at Amazon com.

#Blogtour The Witch's Daughter by Imogen Edwards-Jones

It's a pleasure to take part in the Blogtour The Witch's Daughter by Imogen Edwards-Jones.

About the Author

Imogen Edwards-Jones studied Russian at Bristol University. Her first book, The Taming of Eagles, was about the first 100 days of the collapse of communism. A writer and journalist, she has travelled extensively within the old Soviet Union, studying in Kyiv.

She is the author of twenty books including the best-selling Babylon series. Married with two children, Imogen lives in London. She is also a member of the London College of Psychic Studies and an honorary Cossack. Her latest novel, The Witch's Daughter, is the sequel to The Witches of St Petersburg. Visit @iedwardsjones on Instagram

About the book

A city burning. A revolution raging. A woman on the run. - Nadezhda has never wanted to be a witch. But the occult is in her blood. Her mother, Militza, conjured Rasputin and introduced him into the Romanov court, releasing the devil himself. Now he is dead, but Militza still dreams of him – stalking her sleep and haunting her waking hours.

As Petrograd burns and the Russian Empire crumbles, Nadezhda escapes through the capital, concealing a book of generational magic. But as danger grows closer, she may be forced to embrace her heritage to save what she loves most...

Based on a true story, The Witch’s Daughter is an epic tale of women rising from the ashes of an empire, perfect for fans of Elodie Harper's The Wolf Den and Madeline Miller’s Circe.

Review

Aside from the superstitious and magical realism aspect of this historical fiction, it was interesting to read a slightly different perspective on that particular era. The Russian Revolution often tends to play second best to the tragedy of the Imperial family and the vast universe of conspiracy theories connected to said tragedy.

Always with the executions as the starting point, despite the fact it was the culmination of frustration and signal for change. Also focusing on the impact Rasputin had on the Tsar, his wife and their children. The kind of influence one could call cultish, grooming and an almost desperate infatuation with hope and the promise of a miracle cure. In this light we see the influential privilege heading an avenue of historical destruction, which leads to the dismantling of Imperial Russia.

Adding the aspect of witchcraft - this is the second book in the Russian Witches series - gives the read an ominous feeling, as if there is always something lurking in the background. When you call on the dark sometimes it answers tenfold, which is something Militza realises and Nadezhda discovers.

It's a read packed full of history, and yet simultaneously it winds an element of energy and ancestral power through it. From mother to daughter - to sisterhood. 

Buy The Witch's Daughter at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher: Aria; Paperback pub date 10th October 2024. Buy at Amazon com.

#Blogtour Dissonance of Bird Song by Alexandra Beaumont

It's my turn on the Blogtour Dissonance of Bird Song by Alexandra Beaumont.

About the Author

Alexandra Beaumont is a British fantasy novelist with a passion for folklore, playing musical instruments and exploring the wilds of the UK. She has a degree in English Literature and Creative Writing, specialising in gothic literature, and her lyrical books weave together myth, magic and intrigue. Connect with Alexandra Beaumont via @ABeaumontWriter on X, @ABeaumontWriter on Instagram, ABeaumontWrites on Facebook or visit abeaumont75.wixsite.com/home

About the book

In the storm-riven wilds of ancient Cornwall the sea's whisper will charm us all.

Dissonance of Bird Song is the folkloric-fantasy tale of Eseld, a song-weaver fleeing her home to cure the sacred birds of her people and save her sister. Locked between the lies of land-dwellers and the snare of an ancient sea queen, Eseld must fight to find her own path. 

Amidst a storm of betrayal and heartbreak, what will Eseld sacrifice to save the ones she loves?

Review

Beaumont is an author to watch. The way myth, folklore, culture and landscape are woven together with a tightly knitted blanket of prose. The creativity of ideas and bold use of said ideas in the midst of an ever evolving narrative and strong characters, makes it a treat to emerge yourself into as a reader.

Eseld holds power - wielded at times, but always with a lack of knowledge of presence. As we begin the story there is merely the picture of young innocent person with a strong will to survive and save her friends, loved ones and the people who are equally reliant on the healthy birds. Birds that are life, are the essence of life for a whole community. Without them they are doomed to die, go mad or be delegated to forced labour.

Eseld is determined to find out why the birds are going missing, and the remaining ones are becoming so ill they are unable to sustain the people they are connected to. Now that in itself sounds like a fascinating plot, but it's actually just the tip of the iceberg.

I was particularly fascinated by the myst, the birds and the way the two determine the survival of Eseld and her people. The concept leans into magical realism, mists of folklore with a cemented core in fantasy. I wonder if the world will be revisited at some point?

I highly recommend this read.

Buy Dissonance of Bird Song at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Buy at Amazon com. Buy via Brigids Gate Press.

#Blogtour The Stranger's Door To Talliston by John Tarrow

It's a pleasure to revisit the world of Talliston and take part in the Blogtour The Stranger's Door to Talliston by John Tarrow.

The Stranger's Door To Talliston is a YA fantasy adventure set in Britain's most extraordinary home: Talliston House & Gardens. It is both sequel & prequel to The Stranger’s Guide To Talliston (2019) & Letters From The Labyrinth (2020) books.

About the Author

John Tarrow is a storyteller, poet, shaman, award-winning author and creator of Britain’s most extraordinary home; Talliston House & Gardens. The Stranger's Door To Talliston Buy: mybook.to/TheStrangersDoor More info: John Tarrow - linktr.ee/JohnTarrow

About the book

It is Twelfth Night 1590 and thirteen-year-old Bríane races to save her grandmother from execution for crimes of witchcraft. Only one thing can prove her innocence; a magical grimoire owned by the town’s dark and sinister lord. In the attempt the girl loses the precious book at a crossroad of all worlds called The Forest of Doors. Can she locate the spell book in time to save Old Mother Moore from her terrible fate? Or will she fall victim to the wood’s dark and dangerous puzzle of doors and rooms?

Both sequel and prequel to The Stranger’s Guide To Talliston, this new story revisits many of the original thirteen locations but in entirely different moments – plus adds two dozen new rooms in its extraordinary expanded universe. Starting in Elizabethan Essex, The Stranger’s Door To Talliston goes deeper into the mysteries, adventures and heroes battling to save the last magical places on Earth.

The house - The novel is inspired by and set inside a unique and amazing house and gardens. Talliston was a 25-year project that took the UK’s most ordinary house and transformed it, room by room, by ordinary people on an ordinary budget, into Britain’s Most Extraordinary Home. 

Starting as a three-bedroomed, semi-detached, ex-council house in Essex, today not a single square centimetre of the original house remains. In its place is an extraordinary labyrinth of locations, each set in different times and places.

Review

At a time when the oppression and subjugation of girls and women are at the forefront of the majority of political, religious and social agendas, witchcraft seems like the obvious place to go. At the heart of this tale is Briane trying desperately to save her grandmother from the accusation of witchcraft and planned execution because of said accusation.

Being bold enough to steal the solution means she is in the crosshairs of accusations and threats levelled against her, and when she loses the grimoire that holds the solution to her problems, there begins  a journey of confusion and desperation.

I'm going to go back to something I said about the Stranger's Guide to Talliston - It's an intricate, fascinating and ambitious YA fantasy. I can understand wanting everything in one story or book, however the sheer magnitude of ideas and worlds probably needed more depth and page space. A series of books perhaps or this one and then a series of books with a focus on a different area each time. - And although this one has more of main character at the core with the worlds revolving around her as she is hurtled to and fro - the point remains the same.

It offers such a wide range of context, concepts, worlds and forever intertwining thoughts and ideas, that it sometimes feels like riding a complex rollercoaster with spontaneous destination stops - and yet they are all connected. It's a book and series I would recommend to older teens, advanced fantasy buffs, then again it is also the kind of book that has the ability to create a lover of complex plots. 

I'm intrigued to see where Tarrow will take the Chronicles next and remain intrigued by Talliston - the amazing house a visual concept and inspiration to art and soul.

Buy The Stranger's Door To Talliston at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher: Troubador Publishing Ltd; pub date 25 Sept. 2024. Buy at Amazon com.

#Blogtour Reawakening by Alethea Lyons

It's my turn on the Blogtour Reawakening by Alethea Lyons, a collection of short stories in The Seer of York universe.

About the Author

Alethea (she/ze) writes various forms of SFF, with a particular love for science-fantasy, dark fantasy, dystopias, and folklore. Many of her works take place at the intersection between technology and magic. She enjoys writing stories with subtle political and philosophical messages, but primarily wants her stories to be great tales with characters readers will love. She also has soft spots for found family, hopeless romances, and non-human characters. Her short stories can be found in a variety of publications and links for these are on her website.

Alethea lives in Manchester, UK with her husband, little Sprite, a cacophony of stringed instruments, and more tea than she can drink in a lifetime.

Bonus content for The Hiding & other works can be found on her website: alethealyons.wixsite.com/stories/seerofyork, Social media: linktr.ee/alethearlyons

About the book

After centuries of suppression, the magic of England is Reawakening...

Return to the world of The Seer of York with this collection of new tales set in the aftermath of The Hiding.

Harper, Grace, Saqib, Heresy, and AJ bond as a team and as a family to save innocents, supernatural and human, despite hunters pursuing them.

Introducing Zero, a starlight cat with a bleak and painful past.

Demonic-possession, Faery circles, Pūcas, And more…

Review

Although the beginning and intro sets up the world of The Seer of York universe, the intro and stories have a different feeling. Whereas the intro to the supernatural, dark and demonic element of York has a more ancient almost medieval feel to it, the stories have a present day vibe. In a way it sets the two worlds apart, despite their commonalities.

It's a short collection, novella length. Each of the stories opens the door to both a new adventure and front seat to the machinations of the power that is hidden in plain sight and the merry band of monster hunters who are intent on keeping them at bay.

Might be an interesting idea for a small screen series, nobody has quite managed to fill the Buffy sphere since that waved goodbye, but perhaps that isn't doing the individual stories real justice. They vary in depth, in walks through folklore, myths and legends. Ghoulish, grim, disturbing and balancing the scales are the monster hunters.

I like to see some of the shorts developed with more depth - possible ideas for the next book in the series perhaps, although I'm sure there are plenty more where these came from. It's definitely world-building with a lot of potential - looking forward to seeing where the author takes it.

Buy Reawakening at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher ‏: ‎Brigids Gate Press, pub date 24 Sept. 2024. Buy at Amazon com. Buy via BrigidsGatePress.

#Blogtour Lace by Catrin Kean

It's an absolute pleasure to take part in the Blogtour Lace by Catrin Kean.

Honno, Welsh Women’s Press presents Lace, the “enthralling” sequel to the prize-winning Salt. 

'Landing on shelves on the 18th July 2024, Honno, Welsh Women’s Press will be publishing Lace by Catrin Kean. An emotional and intricate follow-up to her award winning novel, Lace introduces us to a new generation and a dark history stirred by a birth in the family.'

About the Author

Catrin Kean was awarded a place on the Hay Festival Writers At Work scheme for emerging writers from 2016 – 18. Her short stories have been published in Riptide Journal, Bridge House Anthologies, The Ghastling, and Syncopation Journal. Her debut novel 'Salt' won the 2021 Rhys Davies Fiction award,  the Wales Arts Review People’s Choice Award, and the overall Wales Book of the Year Award. Lace is her second novel. She lives in the Garw Valley with her partner and three ridgeback dogs. Follow @kean_catrin on X

About the book

The sequel to the prizewinning novel Salt - Weaving between Cardiff in the mid-1920’s and a Wicklow convent in the early 1900’s, Kean recount’s Mary’s story, a tale inspired by her grandmother.

In the early 1900s in Wicklow, Ireland, the lives of six year old Mary and her siblings are torn apart when their father dies leaving the family penniless. Mary's mother is forced to travel to Dublin to find work. She places her children in an orphanage for a short stay, which turns into years. 

Many years later Mary settles in Cardiff with her Welsh/Bajan husband Louis, and is thrilled at the arrival of their first child, Teresa. But the birth of the baby dredges up long hidden memories that Mary must confront before she can bond with her daughter. 

Review

I'm going to have to read Salt now, not because this is a sequel - it's actually more of a giving readers a more complete picture of the story - but rather because Kean is such an incredible writer. Much like Claire Keegan, there is core talent of encapsulating either a moment or a lifetime of emotions in a short read. Not something every writer can pull off. 

Even without the racial element, the racism, fearmongering and hatred, the story is at the core is one of family. The deconstruction and restructuring of family units, which are constantly interchangeable and a moving living breathing entity. Trauma, grief, love and both new and old dynamics.

In Mary's case the birth of her daughter awakens deeply buried childhood trauma. The kind of traumatic losses, experiences and memories that cause a disconnect and lack of bonding between mother and child. This is an exploration of how the past impacts the present and the future. It determines whether one foot can be placed before the other.

I think it's easy to forget that ancestors, and indeed parents or grandparents, have lived entire lives before we enter the picture. What we as their children or grandchildren experience of them is often the version haunted by or the product of a sum of their prior relationships and experiences.

I hope to see this author receive the recognition they deserve and heading prize lists in the future. Excellent read.

Buy Lace at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Buy at Amazon com. Buy via Honno.

#Blogtour Deadly Choice by S. Lee Manning

It's a pleasure to take part in the Blogtour Deadly Choices by S. Lee Manning.

About the Author

An award-winning writer, S. Lee Manning is the author of international thrillers, Trojan Horse, Nerve Attack, and Bloody Soil. In 2023, Bloody Soil won the award for Best Genre Fiction Novel from Independent Publishers of New England. She spent two years as managing editor of Law Enforcement Communications before embarking on a subsequent career as an attorney that spanned from a first-tier New York law firm, to working for the State of New Jersey, to solo practice until retiring from law to write full-time. 

Manning and her husband J. B. Manning—the award-winning author of Richter the Mighty—do talks, presentations, and YouTube videos as A Killing Couple and live in Vermont with their very vocal cats, Xiao and Dmitri. S. Lee Manning is currently working on her next Kolya Petrov thriller. For the latest updates on her novels, follow @SLeeManning1952  on X or visit sleemanning.com. 

About the book

After her daughter bleeds out from a miscarriage in Texas, Patricia Scott kills the doctor who had failed to perform a medically necessary abortion. She then sets her sights on the attorney who’d advised against the abortion out of personal ambition, taking a job as a housekeeper as the first step of her plot.

Hired by the doctor’s widow after police labelled her husband’s death a suicide, Lizzie Vaughn, an investigator with her own dark past, begins the hunt for the killer. But Lizzie’s hunt is side-lined when she is also hired to find a young woman with a heart condition who was kidnapped to prevent her from ending the pregnancy that threatens her life. Patricia not only unexpectedly finds herself bonding with the children of the woman she plans to kill, she also learns that a young woman could die unless someone intervenes. Can Lizzie and Patricia set aside their individual quests to prevent a second tragedy

Review

The core of the story is a hot topic, a controversial one and one that causes great division. In a way the crime element shines a light on the lilt towards a dystopian and backward journey certain countries are currently on in regard to women and the healthcare they need and are entitled to.

The slide back into medieval patriarchal control of girls and women, which follows on with the consequence of a Gileadesque state of affairs. Women, girls will die at the hands of the ignorant, suffer at the hands of laws made based on falsities and misinformation. False and hypocritical people imposing their idea of righteousness on others. 

It is a travesty that the story, and indeed the author, takes inspiration from actual reality. In the 21st century no woman or girl should be made secondary - their life and their choice.

It's understandable the path Patricia takes. Why shouldn't the cruel, inhumane and upholders of intentionally harmful laws and consequences be punished for killing and causing the deaths of the innocents. Equally the storylines allow a glimpse at where logic goes to die and hypocrisy reigns supreme.

I really enjoyed the fact the author doesn't shy away from the reality, which we all need to fight to ensure future generations of women and girls are not burdened by the hypocrisy of the patriarchy.

Buy Deadly Choice at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Buy at Amazon com. Buy via Encircle Pub.