#Blogtour Traitor by Chris Ryan

It's my turn on the Blogtour Traitor by Chris Ryan. 'It's an epic, bullet-fast thriller from no.1 bestselling SAS hero, Chris Ryan.'

About the Author

Chris Ryan was born in Newcastle. In 1984 he joined 22 SAS. After completing the year-long Alpine Guides Course, he was the troop guide for B Squadron Mountain Troop. He completed three tours with the anti-terrorist team, serving as an assaulter, sniper and finally Sniper Team Commander.

Chris was part of the SAS eight-man team chosen for the famous Bravo Two Zero mission during the 1991 Gulf War. He was the only member of the unit to escape from Iraq, where three of his colleagues were killed and four captured, for which he was awarded the Military Medal. Chris wrote about his experiences in his book The One That Got Away, which became an immediate bestseller. Since then he has written over fifty books and presented a number of very successful TV programmes. Follow @ChrisRyanMM on X

About the book

A year after his older brother made the ultimate sacrifice, Sergeant Major Luke Carter, decorated hero of 22 SAS, is sent to Perth on a recruiting job. His orders: select two candidates from the SASR for a highly sensitive mission on foreign soil.

But when a sudden crisis threatens to derail the plan, Carter and his new colleagues find themselves forced into action on a high-stakes operation. One that has the potential to change the course of the war in Ukraine. So begins a deadly game of predator and prey, moving from the streets of Minsk to the cliffs above the Black Sea. And a final showdown with the biggest target of all...

Review

Carter has been tasked with recruiting members for a very small team for an as yet unknown secret assignment that has the potential to change the outcome of the war in Ukraine. Not everyone is a willing pick, and some of them have a dodgy past. 

I liked the fact the author set this in our most recent war skirmish of 2024 scenario. It gives the subject matter a validity that can't be denied or hidden under the veil of historical fiction. Ongoing as we speak, possible scenarios being executed.

One of the things I take away from this read is the feeling that in the end the person on the frontline is always expendable to those pulling the strings and calling the shots. There is a distinct lack of humanity in decision making, and it's important there is a recognition of a core fact - the correlation between war, losses and betrayal of soldier or operative on the ground - is always the upper echelon and the often inexperienced sat in positions of power.

It's a fast-paced brutally honest military story, it hits the core of feet on the ground, the impact of combat and the importance of trust in groups relying on each other to watch their backs. I note that special ops with a militia type task are often somewhere in between enemy and ally, and that fragile position can put an immeasurable strain on even the strongest of warriors.

The author delivers action, frank dialogue, a window into the impact of soldiering on the front, and an excellent read.

Buy Traitor at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher ‏: ‎Zaffre; pub date 23 May 2024. Buy at Amazon com.

#Blogtour Drowning by T.J. Newman

It was a pleasure, and a bit of a blast from the past, to take part in the Blogtour Drowning by TJ Newman. 

About the Author

T. J. Newman is a former bookseller and flight attendant whose first novel Falling became a publishing sensation and debuted at number two on the New York Times bestseller list. The book was named a best book of the year by USA TODAY and Esquire, among many others, and has been published in over thirty countries. The book will soon be a major motion picture from Universal Pictures. T. J. lives in Phoenix, Arizona. Drowning is her second novel. Follow @T_J_Newman on Twitter

About the book

Flight attendant turned New York Times bestselling author T. J. Newman returns for her second book, an edge-of-your-seat thriller about a commercial jetliner that crashes into the ocean, and sinks to the bottom with passengers trapped inside, and the extraordinary rescue operation to save them.

Six minutes after Flight 1421 takes off, it crashes into the ocean. The passengers who survive the crash think it's a miracle. They believe they're the lucky ones. Then the plane begins to sink to the ocean floor. The survivors are trapped inside. Against all odds, a massive rescue operation is launched to save them. There is not much time. There is even less air

Review

This reminded me of old school catastrophe movies - the original Poseidon and Airport '77. It had the same kind of desperado last chance rescue attempts and core stories about a small group of survivors, who have to fight for their lives despite all the odds being stacked up against them.

Will realises quite quickly when the flight he is travelling on with his young daughter turns into the kind of nightmare only few people survive. Within minutes a normal flight turns into an impossible fight for survival.

I'm guessing this also has a good chance of being optioned for the big screen. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The author has an excellent eye for detail, drama and what brings the audience to the table. The desperation, fear and return to base emotion is a key factor in the story.

What do you do in a situation where the most obvious escape route is deemed a bigger threat to your life than staying in a situation that almost certainly also means death. Do you listen to the one lone voice or to the one inside your head?

It's a great read. Fast paced, a constant high threat level mixed with real erratic emotional reactions of men, women and children in distress. It brings out the worst and the best in people.

Buy Drowning at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher: Simon and Schuster, pub date 8 June 2023 | Hardback | £14.99. Buy at Amazon com.

#BlogTour Highest Lives by Gordon Brown

Today it's a pleasure to take part and finish the BlogTour Highest Lives by Gordon Brown.

About the Author
Gordon Brown has seven crime and thriller books published to date, along with a number of short stories (including a story in an Anthony Winning anthology). His latest novel, Highest Lives,  is the fourth in the Craig McIntyre series. He also helped found Bloody Scotland, Scotland's International Crime Writing Festival (see www.bloodyscotland.com), is a DJ on local radio (www.pulseonair.co.uk) and runs a strategic planning consultancy.

Gordon lives in Scotland and is married with two children. In a former life he delivered pizzas in Toronto, sold non-alcoholic beer in the Middle East, launched a creativity training business, floated a high-tech company on the London Stock Exchange, compered the main stage at a two-day music festival and was once booed by 49,000 people while on the pitch at a major football Cup Final

Follow @GoJaBrown on Twitter, on Amazon, on Goodreads,Visit gordonjbrown.com, Buy Highest Lives

About the book
In cities across North America people are dying in seemingly impossible ways. Is history s most outrageous serial killer on the loose? When LAPD Detective Sarah Tracy is secretly instructed to recruit Craig McIntyre to help her investigate the deaths, she is unaware that his mere presence can transform peoples darkest thoughts into action.

As Sarah and Craig hunt the murky underbelly of LA for the malevolent figure responsible for the bizarre deaths, they stumble upon the most expensive narcotic ever to hit the streets - a substance that promises something so unbelievable that users are willing to risk death to experience it. With government black ops agency head Senator Tampoline always lurking in the shadows, Craig is used to being hunted. Now he is the hunter. And thousands could die if he fails to track down the killer.

Review
To begin with the story has an action and military read vibe, however the author takes that element further and introduces speculative, technological and also paranormal (the inexplicable) into the storyline. The result is a captivating read.

This is the fourth in the Craig McIntyre series, and if this is anything to go by the books can be read as standalone novels. The author gives enough back-info on the prior storylines without overshadowing this story.

Craig is recruited, albeit through a quite unusual approach, to help investigate a series of odd and almost impossible deaths. The police have a bizarre theory about one person being responsible for them. Craig is roped in because he is one of a few with certain talents that could aid the discovery of said criminal. Saying that, as he lacks proper control over said talents he is never quite sure what the result of his interference will be. He just knows that the results are usually not very pleasant.

It's an action packed thriller, a smorgasbord of speculative technology and paranormal elements. The interesting thing about this read is the way it caters to the readers who like a Jack Reacher type of character, although to be fair McIntyre is followed everywhere by a cloud of bad luck, and readers who enjoy that added bit of fiction that ventures beyond the norm.

I haven't read anything by Brown before, but I can say without a doubt that this won't be the last book of his that I read. The combination of an intriguing plot, excellent writing and storytelling make him a writer to watch out for. Although he has made his mark in the world of writing he certainly deserves more recognition for his body of work.

Buy Highest Lives (Craig McIntyre #4) at Amazon Uk. Publisher: Strident Publishing; 1st edition pub date 8 Oct. 2019. Buy at Amazon com.

Buy Darkest Thoughts (Craig McIntyre #1)
Buy Furthest Reaches (Craig McIntyre #2)
Buy Deepest Wounds (Craig McIntyre #3)

#BlogTour Last Orders by Bill Todd

Today it's my turn on the BlogTour Last Orders by Bill Todd. It's a murder mystery solved Danny Lancaster style.

About the Author
Bill is a journalist and travel writer who has visited more than 40 countries from the white wastes of Arctic Finland to the ancient deserts of Namibia. He loves a good wilderness. He received the Ed Lacy travel award in 2007.

Bill has written six crime thrillers featuring soldier-turned-investigator Danny Lancaster and was startled and delighted to be voted one of the 100 best crime authors in the WH Smith readers’ poll in 2015. He’s also written three short factual military histories. He lives to write although keyboard time has been cut lately with the arrival of grandson Theo.

Follow @williamjtodd  and @DannyLancaster3 on Twitter, on Goodreads, on Instagram, on Amazon, DannyLancasterInvestigates on Facebook, Visit billtodd.co.uk

About the book
Big Eddie Archer is throwing a celebrity party for the reopening of The Bellerophon public house. When singer Paul Toopen, star of TV reality show Dreamboat, goes missing there is only one man the pub’s guv’nor can call on. But Danny Lancaster is off his game after overdoing Eddie’s free hospitality at last night’s dress rehearsal. Fans besiege the pub and the media are everywhere. This could be a public relations disaster but Eddie reckons if Danny can crack the case before closing time it will make the new Bellerophon famous. Danny’s head is pounding but Eddie’s star guests might just be trapped in a pub with a killer. And the clock is ticking down to last orders. #TheBigBellBash

Review
This is a novella length story, but Todd manages to deliver an entertaining read worthy of a novel. I kinda liked this one a lot more than the full-length ones though, perhaps because the focus is on less rather than on more. It's just Danny and his devil-may-care attitude and a few side characters, which is all the story needs.

The story is really quite simple. A minor celebrity goes missing at an event, during the event actually, and Danny is called in to solve the mystery of the disappearing guest. The author takes that scenario and turns it into so much more.

There was this moment during the story - the most poignant one in my opinion. It's a comical one, and I admit to laughing out loud at that moment. Then bang the author flips the switch and takes the reader straight into a flashback. The reader is right there with Danny as he relives the trauma and the horror of the situation he finds himself in once again.

The juxtaposition of the comedic moment and traumatic flashback is a stroke of genius. It actually gives the reader similar visceral reactions as they are reading. Laughter melds into uncertainty, then shock and finally the realisation of what is happening. Kudos to Todd for that particular part of the story.

It's a murder mystery solved Danny Lancaster style, as only he can solve them. It's snarky, funny and a jolly good read.

Buy Last Orders:Trapped in a pub with a killer (Danny Lancaster) at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Published in paperback and ebook formats by DLE-Fiction on 1st August 2019. Buy at Amazon com.

Read my reviews of Rock Hard and Rough Diamond by Bill Todd.

Buy Rough Diamond, Death Squad, The Wreck of the Margherita (free download), Gargoyle Pixie Dog, Godlefe's Cuckoo all by Bill Todd.

It's Paperback Publication Day for Appetite for Risk by Jack Leavers

It's Launch weekend for Appetite for Risk by Jack Leavers! Today is Paperback Publication Day for this fast-paced riveting action thriller.

Follow @jackleavers on Twitter, on Goodreads, on Amazon, Visit jackleavers.com
Buy Appetite for Risk

About the book
A fast-paced action thriller inspired by real events in the aftermath of the Iraq War.

With Saddam Hussein deposed and an entire country in need of rebuilding, former Royal Marine John Pierce hears the siren call of adventure and opportunity. His fledgling UK business is struggling to support his young family and he has connections in the Iraqi capital - fate seems to point one way.

In early 2004, Pierce rolls the dice when he jumps into a taxi in Jordan and heads for the turmoil of postwar Baghdad to grab a share of the reconstruction gold rush. But when Iraq spirals into the hell of a full-blown insurgency, he must rely on his wits and his local friends if he's to evade the rampant bloodshed.

As the action rolls across the blood-stained Iraqi landscape and embraces London's seedy underbelly, Pierce tangles with the authorities at home and finds himself thrust into the heart of British and American covert operations against Al-Qaeda in Iraq.

Having set out with little more than ambitious goals and an appetite for risk, can a determined ex-bootneck survive the mounting chaos unscathed and succeed in hitting the jackpot?

Review
I think I was somewhere between fascinated and thrown off by the way John has whole conversations with himself inside his head during the majority of the story. It's written in a constantly flowing and updating journalistic report kind of way, and appears to be an ongoing thought process.

At first John appears to be a man with no threads or connections. The perfect person to move between all parties without inviting too much interest or attracting any for that matter. Not a spy, a silent asset or a company man. He is just someone who will use his expertise and excellent gut instinct to navigate dangerous situations for people who would rather remain hidden.

It's very much a Jack Reacher kind of read, but with a more grounded family guy, who unfortunately appears to have a voracious appetite for dangerous situations. He is always smack bang in the middle of the action.

What Leavers does spectacularly well is to capture the tension between foreigners and the native inhabitants of Iraq. He doesn't sugar-coat the volatility, the mistrust or the disdain towards foreign nationals. He straight up gives it to the reader in a brusque manner. Look, this is what happens when the dissidents capture you. Your life has no meaning to them other than honour for relieving the world of an infidel.

It's a fast-paced riveting action thriller. The main character has a certain charm, which is directly linked to his need for speed and adventure.

Buy Appetite for Risk at Amazon Uk - Paperback - Kindle or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher: Book Guild Publishing Ltd; Paperback pub date 28 July 2019. Buy at Amazon com - Paperback - Kindle, Buy at Barnes&Noble.

#BlogTour The Teeth of Giants by Gordon Wallis

Today it's my turn on the BlogTour The Teeth of Giants by Gordon Wallis. It's wildlife conservation fiction and an action thriller.

About the Author
Gordon Wallis is a 50 year old author based in Zimbabwe , Southern Africa. Born of British parents he has lived there all his life. A keen reader of thriller novels , particularly those set in Africa , he has travelled extensively in Africa , Europe , The Middle East and Asia. He runs a number of businesses in Zimbabwe and is single.

Follow @zimbabaloooba on Twitter, on Facebook, on Goodreads,
Buy The Teeth of Giants

About the book

In the brutal war on Elephant poaching in Africa one man takes a stand against a ruthless international ivory smuggling syndicate. A stand that almost costs him everything.

Jason Green never for one minute expected the appalling violence and horror he would endure when he returned to Africa to pay his respects to an old friend.

A profound sense of guilt and nostalgia prompts London based ex soldier Jason Green to return to Africa for the funeral of an old friend killed in suspicious circumstances in The Zambezi Valley. He is about to be sucked into the murky and brutal underworld of the illegal ivory trade. Grave injury and a burning desire for revenge thrust Green from the blistering heat of The Zambezi Valley to the tropical coast of Mozambique and beyond. Every tortured step of this journey is fraught with extreme danger and the ever present threat of death.

The Teeth Of Giants is the second novel by Gordon Wallis featuring his main character Jason Green. Readers of thrillers set in Africa will devour the frenetic pace and sheer brutality of this gritty crime thriller.

Review
It has the feel of Wilbur Smith action adventure to it. The storyline doesn't just give the reader the imagery of the surroundings and the people, the author also delves into the dangers of said surroundings. This applies to the wildlife and those intent on profiting from the wildlife.

The beginning of the book is especially well-written, and one wouldn't be remiss for thinking the story was going to be a military action read.

Poacher seems to be such a misnomer nowadays. It used to describe people poaching for food and to live, but today it is an industry. A criminal industry, but a very profitable industry no less, which is also an incredibly cruel one. Leaving young animals orphaned, slaughtering adult animals for their tusks, horns and so on. I think the worst part of this brutality is knowing that they are murdered to appease the egos of mankind or become an ingredient in a ridiculous potion. Potions that are known to be complete nonsense.

Nearly two decades into the 21st century and we have already reached the statistical reality of many animals becoming extinct or nearing extinction, which makes this story even more pertinent.
When
Jason Green hears about the death of his close friend and travels home for his funeral, he has no idea that it is the start of an all out war against ruthless criminals, who care zero for the living, regardless whether they are animal or human.

I think there was a slight continuity mistake in regards to how old Hannes and/or Jason were in the present, bearing in mind that the book starts with the two of them as, I assume, seasoned scouts in 1979. Just a small thing - it doesn't detract from the rest of the story.

It's wildlife conservation fiction and an action thriller. A fast-paced read about revenge and justice, one man and his journey to uphold the memory of his friend.

Buy The Teeth of Giants by Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Buy at Amazon com.

#BlogTour The Hunter by Andrew Reid

It's my turn on the BlogTour The Hunter by Andrew Reid. Reid keeps it popping and the reader on their toes with this gripping crime action novel. It's a read that captivates from start to finish and never fails to surprise.

About the Author
Born in Scotland, Andrew Reid worked as a research scientist for almost a decade, on projects including DNA synthesis, forensics, and drug development. His short fiction has featured in several anthologies published by fox spirit books and his fantasy novel serial on Wattpad amassed nearly 175,000 reads. The Hunter is his debut novel.

Follow @mygoditsraining  @headlinepg on Twitter,
Visit mygoditsraining.co.uk
Buy The Hunter

About the book
In the ring, Cameron King is known as The Hunter. A celebrated champion. A warrior.

But when her brother, science genius Nate, deliberately crashes the car they're in and vanishes without trace Cameron is left with a career in ruins, a reconstructed body and one burning question: why?

A troubled genius who vanishes in a mysterious car crash. A disillusioned cop sensing conspiracy in the corridors of power. A ruthless team of mercenaries operating in the shadows. A billion-dollar business that wants the world in its grip. One link connects them all. A champion fighter. Betrayed and searching for the truth. Cameron King is The Hunter.

Review
Let me just start by saying that this story is non-stop action from the beginning until the end. Reid has created a strong female lead, who is a force to be reckoned with and an adversary to be feared. Cameron thinks on her feet, fights with a cold brutality that often turns into a burning rage, and is obsessively driven by a need to know why her brother Nate betrayed her.

Simultaneously she struggles with the emotional turmoil of loving her brother and her gut instinct. At least part of her thinks she can trust him to act in her best interest. She believes all of that, despite the fact he is known for thinking only of himself, and of course he is the reason she can no longer enter the ring and continue her career as a celebrated fighter.

What makes this read so captivating to me are the fight scenes, specifically those with the main character. They are extremely well-researched, described and delivered. You can almost feel Cameron flexing her muscles, rolling her shoulders and accessing her opponent. My favourite element is the way she chooses to do the least expected move in the middle of a conflict. Instead of running in the opposite direction she will lunge headfirst into the onslaught.

Reid keeps it popping and the reader on their toes with this gripping crime action novel. Cameron King is the kind of female action protagonist the book world needs. We need more strong characters girls and women can identify with. It's okay to be emotional, approachable and independent, but it is equally okay to be a strong and physically capable woman too.

I really enjoyed meeting Cameron King and her accidental sidekick Ray. It's a read that captivates from start to finish and never fails to surprise. The only thing wrong with this incredibly good debut novel is the fact there isn't a second book I can read straight away, and that I now have this unnatural desire to kick the hell out of people and become a kickboxing cage fighter.

Buy The Hunter at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher: Headline; pub date 7 Feb. 2019

#BlogTour Sleeper: The Red Storm by J.D. Fennell

Today it is my pleasure to take part in the BlogTour Sleeper: The Red Storm by JD Fennell. The sequel to the successful dystopian action thriller Sleeper.
The Red Storm manages to crank up the action even higher, which I didn't think was possible after Sleeper, but Fennell brings even more to the table this time.

About the Author
J.D. was born in Belfast at the start if the Troubles, and began writing stories at a young age to help
understand the madness unfolding around him.
A lover of reading, he devoured a diverse range of books - his early influences include Fleming, Tolkien, Shakespeare and the Brontës. He left Belfast at the age of nineteen and worked as a chef, bartender, waiter and later began a career in writing for the software industry.
These days he divides his time between Brighton and London, where he lives with his partner and their two dogs.
J.D.’s debut, Sleeper, was published by The Dome Press in April 2017.

Follow @jd_fennell or @DomePress on Twitter or on facebook.com/JDFennellAuthor/
Visit sleeperbook.com

About the book
Will starling has been drafted into the SOE, joining forces with the French Resistance, but his  memory is fractured and only occasional flashbacks reveal fragments of his past. When his mission is compromised, Will suspects that he’s been betrayed. Back in London he hears that VIPER are developing a deadly weapon. As he and MI5 agent Anna Wilder set out to destroy it, their every move is anticipated by their enemies.
While Will fights to prevent genocide, his sister, Rose, has become the key to VIPER’s future plans and is drugged to dull her kinetic powers. But Rose faces danger from an unexpected enemy and her time is running out.

Q&A with JD Fennell

After the resounding success of Sleeper you are back with sequel, Sleeper – The Red Storm..

What was or is the inspiration for Sleeper?
I wanted to write the kind of books I love to read. The Sleeper series are fast-paced spy thrillers with mysticism, the supernatural and sophisticated period technology on the fringes of reality. I wanted to be in that world, so I created one.

I would put this series in a multitude of genres, which is probably what makes it a read both younger and older readers find intriguing. It has elements of historical, war dystopian, sci-fi, spy thriller and industrial revolution steampunk meets futuristic weaponry genres. It is suitable for younger, young adult and older adults. An any age read, so to speak.

Was is it your intention to meld all of these different elements together or was it more of a this is where the plot is leading me kind of thing?
Yes, it was. I wanted the characters to age as the story progresses. I did not want to remain in the same small timeframe. The first in the series, Sleeper, is a YA, which can be read by younger and older readers. In the sequel, The Red Storm, the characters are adults and well-established spies. Red Storm has an older voice and darker themes and as such has been marketed as an adult thriller.

Leading on from that was it also your intention to write a series that a person of any age can pick up and read, and parents would be happy to buy their book-hungry children?
Yes I suppose it was. The third in the series will take place some years after the close of Red Storm. It will also be a darker book. That said I do intend to return to Rose’s story and write a short ebook about her. All that said, I would caution parents about choosing Red Storm for their children because of the dark themes and adult content, which will increase in the third book. They may want to read it first before passing it on. I know some parents have done this already.

As a parent of both book hungry and reluctant readers I know I have found it difficult at times to find a way to encourage my youngest son to read. He needed to build his reading, writing and comprehension skills, and yet the majority of books didn’t stir his interest. I had to search for the more unusual books to get him to read. I think Sleeper and The Red Storm fit into the bracket of letting younger readers experience the action packed creativity of a writer who doesn’t just want to tell them how the ugly duckling became a beautiful swan.

Do you think the book industry invests enough in books for younger readers that cross boundaries of imagination, creativity and outlandish theories?
I don’t think I could comment on that because I don’t know enough about the children’s book market. However, I do know that middle-grade is a huge business and YA - in the UK - not so much. In the US, however, YA is massive.

I don’t want to give any of the many surprises, deaths and plot twists away, so I am going to try to keep the questions about the book as neutral as possible.

What made you pick this particular period in history?
I loved the idea of a spy story set during the war without the war being the main focus. Also, I love the clothes, the cars and the lack of internet, social media and celebrity culture. What’s not to love about that?

Will seems to accept and forget the deaths of his comrades and friends very quickly. Is this part of his training or because of the trauma he has been through?
Will spends his time on the run dodging bullets and fighting psychopaths and cold-blooded killers. His training has taught him resolve and his trauma has hardened it.

The concept for the actual Red Storm is akin to the biological weapons the world is threatened by in our era. Did you take inspiration for this from reality?
Very much so. The threat of these type of weapons exist today and was close to my mind when I wrote it. I suppose this gives the books a modern twist.

What is the difference between the Will of Sleeper #1 and the Will of Sleeper #2: The Red Storm?
The Will in book 1 is an amnesiac whose memory loss makes him question who he is. He believes himself to be an ordinary sixteen-year-old, however, deep inside him is a burning rage that he cannot explain. When he is in a life-threatening situation his first thought is to run. As the story progresses he learns more about his past and by the end of the book his rage has a focus.

The Will in Red Storm is the ‘Liberator’ and ‘Executioner’. (Readers of Sleeper will understand what this means). So, when it comes to VIPER he kills without remorse.

What’s next for Will and his band of merry people? (I have read the shocking ending of The Red Storm – there is no way you can just leave it there…).¸
I’d say expect the unexpected. That’s all I’m saying.

Thank you for answering all of my questions.
Thank you for hosting me.

Review
The Red Storm is the sequel to the successful dystopian action thriller Sleeper. There is definitely a notable change in Will in this book. He appears to be more ruthless and less inclined to dither in the pool of emotions. People fall to the side, die and disappear, and yet Will glosses over each event, because his eye is on his goals.

There is a new dangerous threat in this book. At first Will thinks his enemies are talking in some kind of strange code when they reference a storm coming, until he encounters the Red Storm in person, then he realises just how big the threat is.

Meanwhile as Will is set on his own course and targets, the reader finds out what is happening to his sister. The story of Rose is disturbing, especially when it comes to the procedures she has to go through. She is so important to the enemy camp that they are willing to go to any length to get what they want, regardless of her young age.

I am not going to go into any more details, so you can discover this highly explosive and fast-paced read for yourselves. It is a read I would recommend to readers who are looking for an author who is able to combine a multitude of genres and create a new exciting read.

The action is cranked up even higher in this book, which I didn't think was possible after Sleeper, but Fennell brings even more to the table this time. He also ends the book on one heck of a cliff hanger, which means we will probably...hopefully be reading more about Will in the future.

It's a complex dystopian action thriller with the vibe of a war and spy novel. It 's non-stop action from start to finish - it's one hell of a ride.

Buy Sleeper: The Red Storm at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.
Publisher: The Dome Press, pub. date 25 Oct. 2018

Read my review of Sleeper book #1 Buy Sleeper

Blog-Tour: Deadly Game by Matt Johnson

Today I am delighted to take part in the Blog-Tour for Deadly Game by Matt Johnson. Along with the About the author, About the book and my review, this blog post also features a fantastic guest post My First Crimefest by Matt Johnson.

About the Author
Matt Johnson served as a soldier and Metropolitan Police officer for 25 years. Blown off his feet at the London Baltic Exchange bombing in 1993, and one of the first police officers on the scene of the 1982 Regent’s Park bombing, Matt was also at the Libyan People’s Bureau shooting in 1984 where he escorted his mortally wounded friend and colleague, Yvonne Fletcher, to hospital. Hidden wounds took their toll. In 1999, Matt was discharged from the police with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. While undergoing treatment, he was encouraged by his counsellor to write about his career and his experience of murders, shootings and terrorism. One evening, Matt sat at his computer and started to weave these notes into a work of fiction that he described as having a tremendously cathartic effect on his own condition. His bestselling thriller, Wicked Game, which was shortlisted for the CWA John Creasey Dagger, was the result. Deadly Game once again draws on Matt’s experiences and drips with the same raw authenticity of its predecessor.

You can connect with @Matt_Johnson_UK or @Orendabooks on Twitter, Facebook or at mattjohnsonauthor.com
Buy Deadly Game here

About the book: Deadly Game
Reeling from the attempts on his life and that of his family, Police Inspector Robert Finlay returns to work to discover that any hope of a peaceful existence has been dashed. Assigned to investigate the Eastern European sex-slave industry just as a key witness is murdered, Finlay, along with his new partner Nina Brasov, finds himself facing a ruthless criminal gang, determined to keep control of the
traffic of people into the UK. On the home front, Finlay’s efforts to protect his wife and child may have been in vain, as an MI5 protection officer uncovers a covert secret service operation that threatens them all …
Aided by new allies, he must not only protect his family but save a colleague from an unseen enemy … and a shocking fate. Deadly Game is a stunning, terrifying and eye-opening thriller from one of the most exciting new names in crime fiction.

Guest Post

My first Crimefest – Matt Johnson

As 2016 dawned, I had never heard of Bristol Crimefest so when Orenda Books publisher, Karen Sullivan asked me to attend and take part in a couple of interview panels, I really had no idea what I was signing up for.

I arrived at the Bristol Marriott hotel, checked in to a very comfortable room and then went to register for the festival. I'm sure you can imagine my surprise when I asked festival organiser how many people we coming. The answer? Five hundred and fifty! I think he saw my shocked look as he then reassured me that there would be know more than a hundred and fifty at each panel!

First evening was spent with fellow Orenda Authors when our wonderful publisher, Karen Sullivan, took us all out for a nice Italian meal. I had the chance to meet and talk to Michael Grothaus, Michael Stanley, Yusuf Toropov, Kati Hiekkapelto and Paul Hardisty.

Returning to the hotel, I began to notice faces that I recognised. Mari Hannah spoke to me (absolutely charming) and Rod Reynolds (looks so young). Then I saw an 'old friend' Michelle Davies, who I met in Glasgow in March when we did our very first interviews together. A great catch up was had.

And then it was time for bed!

Day one dawned. Breakfast - full english, of course - as you should always go into battle on a full stomach, and then off to meet the team for the first panel. Pete Adams (hilarious), Daniel Pembrey (young, talented AND handsome) and the wonderful Lisa Cutts. Lisa is a serving detective and - not a lot of people know - her father was my first DI (detective inspector). Lisa and I had spent the previous evening in the bar talking JOB, as coppers often do!

Lisa and I met up with our 'moderator' Caro Ramsey. Caro is from Glasgow and turned out to have a very sharp sense of humour. With another natural comedian in Pete Adams, it didn't take long before they had our audience laughing. Lisa, Daniel and I simply followed where they led.

The hour passed very quickly, and then we headed off to sign a few books.

Then, a very strange thing happened. At 7pm I joined a large queue of people as we headed for the main hall. There were to be announcements, the Crime Writers Association were publishing the long-lists for the 2016 Dagger Awards. I was aware that my publisher had nominated Wicked Game but, well, let's get real, there are hundreds of entries and some very talented and experienced authors in the mix. As the announcements started, I found myself chatting to some folks so I wasn't paying as much attention to the stage as perhaps I should have been (guilty m'lord) but I then thought I heard my own name being announced. A few moments later my hand was being squeezed by more people than I could count.

Wicked Game had been long-listed, for the John Creasey New Blood Dagger, along with eight other entries. My publisher gave me a kiss, my phone started buzzing. I was stunned, and speechless. Especially when I realised the text on my phone was from Peter James – news had travelled fast.

That night, I celebrated with fish n chips and a cider, at the Catch22 resturant (very good, well recommended - try the grilled fish) opposite the hotel. I met Mick Heron (Spy novelist) and, as he was also listed for another Dagger, we quietly celebrated together.

Next day, I was on the red-eye panel, the one that starts at 9am, the morning after some people were in the bar until the wee small hours. To my surprise, we had a full house again. This time we were under the guidance of Laura Wilson. On the panel were Sara Ward, Yusuf Toropov, Anja de Jager and a certain Mr James Law, former submariner and the author of a best-selling book by the name of ‘Tenacity’.

JS Law starts the banter...

Put an ex-navy man and an ex-soldier together and the inevitable happened. First he took the rise out of the Army, then I remembered a navy joke, and soon the craic was well under way. What the people outside the room must have thought of the laughter, I don't know. What our fellow authors must have thought, I dread to think!

Soon came the time to head home. All too soon as I had made some great new mates and met some fascinating people. I was really quite amazed at how friendly and welcoming the crime-fiction community is.

And will I be there this year? Definitely. James and I might just start up a double act.

Review

One thing that is clearly evident is the amount of self and personal experience the author has woven into the story. Writing police and military procedurals means having to do a lot of research and readers can be very nit-picky about the details.

I think Johnson hits the nail on the head when it comes to the bureaucratic idiocy of police and security institutions. On top of that he has the backstabbing ruthlessness of security operatives down to a tee. As long as they achieve their end-goal they are willing to take down anyone. Luckily Finlay is used to watching his back, especially after the events of Wicked Game.

Human trafficking and sexual exploitation is a hot topic at the moment. Finally it seems to be getting the attention it deserves. People often think of it as a problem in third world countries and not as a first world problem. Unfortunately they are wrong it is very much prevalent in most countries. There is an endless supply of vulnerable young girls and women falling into the hands of well structured organizations. A lot of money to be made at the expense of innocent victims.

Finlay stumbles into the midst of one of these gangs, well let's just say he is pushed in the right direction for the wrong reasons. Under the misconception that he is on holiday to help deal with his PTSD, he is unaware of his status as an unwitting undercover operative. It's not until he makes a connection to a human trafficking ring that he comprehends he has in fact been used as a pawn by his MI5 liaison officer.

There is plenty more going on, however I will leave that to you to discover. It is a fast-paced story with strong characters and plenty to sink your teeth into. It is a blend of police procedure, action and thriller featuring important aspects of modern crime. Quite the read.

Buy Deadly Game at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.
Read End Game by Matt Johnson

P.S: The author provided all the links (links to Twitter accounts of people he has mentioned) in his guest post My First Crimefest. I just wanted to say kudos to him for doing that.

Predator by Wilbur Smith with Tom Cain

I have been reading Wilbur Smith since I was a very young girl. The Hector Cross series isn't one of my favourites. I am at heart a Courtney and Ballantyne gal, when it comes to the Wilbur Smith novels.

The Cross series is more of a modern action adventure thriller, as opposed to the beautiful landscapes and family drama laced with history and politics of some of his other books.

This certainly isn't the best example of Smith's work. I put that down to this particular series and not the collaboration with Cain. It is definitely worth reading some of his other work to get a better overall view of Wilbur Smith's writing style.

Predator is fast-paced, graphic and brutal. Personally I think Cross should have just fed Congo to the crocodiles to save himself and everyone else a lot of trouble.

In the end there isn't much difference between Cross and Congo. Both are willing to kill, torture and inflict great pain to achieve their end goal. The only apparent difference is one is a bad guy and the other a so-called good guy.

If you're looking for action packed scenes with a stereotypical hero and villain then this will be right up your alley.

Buy Predator at Amazon UK or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.