#Blogtour The Half King by Melissa Landers

It's a pleasure to take part in the Blogtour The Half King by Melissa Landers.

About the Author

Melissa Landers is a former teacher who left the classroom to pursue other worlds. A proud sci-fi geek, she isn't afraid to wear her Princess Leia costume in public — just ask her embarrassed kids.

She lives in Cincinnati Ohio, where she writes romantic fantasy and science fiction adventures for the young at heart. Follow @Melissa_Landers on X

About the book

In a world where birth order determines your fate, what if everything you believed about yourself was a lie?

Like all second-born daughters of the realm, Cerise Solon has never ventured beyond the temple grounds where she lives in service to the goddess. But unlike her peers, Cerise is a complete failure as an oracle. Her inability to foretell a single tragedy has brought shame upon her family, something she sees reflected in their eyes during their rare visits. Everything changes when the head seer offers Cerise an opportunity to serve the Half King—a young man who rules by day and turns to shadow at sunset.

As a firstborn son, the king bears his bloodline’s curse, destined to vanish completely upon his twenty-first birthday. While searching for a way to restore him, Cerise finds a kindred spirit in the mysterious young ruler, and with his help discovers a startling revelation about herself that unlocks a powerful set of gifts. But the truth comes with a price. For she is no oracle, but instead the product of a union so forbidden its discovery would sentence her to death.

Despite her tainted origins, Cerise might be the key to restoring order to the land and saving the man she’s quickly growing to love...if she can outlive those sworn to destroy her.

Review

This one had me hooked pretty fast, I am sucker for a bit of magic and extensive world-building. I can live without the obnoxious love interest and inevitable breathlessness, and must have romantasy element of a lot of the popular books in said genre at the moment, but a gritty little power and magic plot is always a pull.

It definitely has more of a pull towards the YA end, rather than adult, although how one accidentally discovers ones magic leans perhaps a little more towards the latter. The children of nobility forced to carry the punishment of past generations. The Great Betrayal has laid the paths for the destruction of some born first to families, the isolation of others, and often a great burden to the majority of them.

The second-born appear to have it a little easier, case in point is Cerise Solon. Although one could argue that the fact the ability of Seer she is supposed to possess has in fact never manifested in any way shape or form. Pretty much useless, and yet suddenly she is ordered to serve the Half-King. Once there the young man with one foot in the world of shadows and the other foot in a world spent fighting the impulse to be self-destructive, well he becomes a pivotal part of her story. A story full of secrets and unknown power.

It's an interesting and entertaining read, one that delivers a solid beginning for a series that promises to draw readers in.

Buy The Half King at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher: Bantam; pub date 21st November 2024 | Hardback | £16.99. Buy at Amazon com.

#Blogtour The Night in Question by Susan Fletcher

It's a pleasure to take part in the Blogtour The Night in Question by Susan Fletcher.

*From the literary award winning, bestselling and critically acclaimed novelist Susan Fletcher comes a novel about the richness and adventures of one woman’s life – a joyful, brave, unconventional life, brimming with love and loss in all its forms.* 

About the Author

Susan Fletcher was born in Birmingham and studied English Literature at the University of York. 

Whilst taking the MA in Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia, she began her first novel, Eve Green, which won the Whitbread First Novel Award (2004) and Betty Trask Prize (2005). Since then, Susan has written seven novels - whilst also supplementing her writing through various roles, including as a barperson, a cheesemonger and a warden for an archaeological excavation site near Hadrian's Wall. Most recently, she has been a Royal Literary Fund Fellow at the University of Worcester. She lives in Warwickshire. Follow @sfletcherauthor on X

About the book

#“Florrie knows that love, the proper, deep, extraordinary kind – is not about you. Real love is about them, always – about the person who you love above all others, whose happiness you long for above all other things.  With love, you want the best for them.  You want their contentment, their safety.  You want them to laugh freely, to dance, to live a long, healthy life of joy and gratitude – even if this happens away from you, even if your beloved never knows your name.  For that person you’d deny yourself a thousand things in your own life if it meant they had just one of them – just one.  

For one has, with love, the curious notion that you can pass on your own allowance of happiness to them, in some fashion, as if bequeathing pennies that you’d rather they spent, not you.”  - Joy? Here. Have all of mine. 

Review

I think this author has a particular strength when it comes to creating characters the reader becomes invested in. Deeper emotional connections, perhaps because the characters resonate with a specific part of our experiences or our frame of references.

This time the characters and story is woven together with a potential mystery at the core. It allows for a greater exploration of love, life, both lived and lost. In a sense the inner core, when you move through the forest of suspicion and questions, is about the beginning and the end - a path well travelled.

I loved the way this story became an multi genre experience with a literary vibe. The descriptive prose evokes poetic imagery, which is then drawn in a direct contrast to the ageing in Florrie. Knowing that her vivacious and colourful journey is slowing down and declining. Her health and changes that come with aging have become a burden that attracts vicious tongues, and yet despite all that she lives in a world that sees the beauty and joy in the fleeting moments.

I enjoyed the read - will we hear more from Florrie? Or is the path to the end exactly what the readers want for her. It's a story that travels smoothly from present to past and back again, and sometimes part of that past clings tightly to the travelling ever evolving memory.

Buy The Night in Question at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher: Bantam; pub date 18th April 2024 | Hardback | £14.99. Buy at Amazon com.

#Blogtour The Other Tenant by Lesley Kara

It's my turn on the Blogtour The Other Tenant by Lesley Kara, published by Bantam Press - 25th April 2024.

'From the Sunday Times bestselling author comes a gripping new thriller that asks how well you really know the people you share a home with... After all, living with strangers can be murder...'

About the Author

Lesley Kara is the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Rumour, Who Did You Tell?, The Dare and The Apartment Upstairs. The Rumour was the highest selling crime fiction debut of 2019 in the UK, and a Kindle No.1 bestseller. Lesley is an alumna of the Faber Academy 'Writing a Novel' course. She lives in Kent.

You can follow Lesley on Twitter @LesleyKara or visit her website at lesleykara.com

About the book

The Queen of the killer twist is back in this gripping closed-circle thriller about an unusual home full of strangers, with a murderer in their midst… 

Marlow has always lived in unusual places. But when she accepts a position as a live-in property guardian, she finds herself moving somewhere she swore she’d never return to. Right from the start, she knows it’s a terrible mistake. The elegant Victorian school is due to be turned into luxury apartments, but its eerie, empty corridors are full of Marlow’s worst memories.

And now something sinister is happening on the site. One of the other tenants has disappeared without warning, and Marlow suspects that the nine other guardians know far more than they’re letting on. She’s determined to find out what happened to the missing woman – but which of these strangers can she trust? And can she uncover the truth before her own past catches up with her?

Review

From a plot scenario perspective I was in two minds about the concept of being a property guardian - by the way is this a thing? The idea of living in extraordinary spaces, unusual or perhaps those reserved for the more privileged, it's intriguing. A little bit like treasure hunting, urban exploring and the appreciation of spaces.

The flip-side includes the trauma inducing deserted places, the shabby and spooky ones, but the dealbreaker for me would probably be the having to share living space with complete strangers on the spur of a moment. Frequently changing people and no control over how many or how often it may happen. Unless we are talking desperate measures, the apocalypse or a zombie invasion, I'm not sure I would ever agree to the above.

I think it's the combination of enticing and trust your gut instinct that makes the concept such a great idea, because the reader kind of knows it has the potential to go really wrong for someone - is that someone Marlow?

Marlow finds herself right back at the core of her inner trauma when her role as property guardian takes her right back to her previous life, this time with a bunch of strangers who seem curiously disinterested in the disappearance of the person she is replacing.

It's very much an atmosphere and space/place driven story, the author uses the evoked visuals to create a constant current of danger, fear and suspicion. It's a great read.

Buy The Other Tenant at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher: Bantam Press; pub date 25th April 2024 | Hardback | £14.99. Buy at Amazon com.

#Blogtour Clickbait by L. C. North

It's a pleasure to take part on the Blogtour Clickbait by L. C. North.

About the Author

L.C. North studied psychology at university before pursuing a career in Public Relations. Her book club thrillers - The Ugly Truth and Clickbait - combine her love of psychology and her fascination with the celebrities in the public eye. When she's not writing, she co-hosts the crime thriller podcast, In Suspense. She lives on the Suffolk borders with her family.

L.C. North is the pen name of Lauren North. Readers can follow @Lauren_C_North on X and Facebook @LaurenNorthAuthor.

About the book

'We're not famous anymore. We're notorious.' - For over a decade, the Lancasters were celebrity royalty, with millions tuning in every week to watch their reality show, Living with the Lancasters.

But then an old video emerges of one of their legendary parties. Suddenly, they're in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons: witnesses swore they'd seen missing teenager Bradley Wilcox leaving the Lancaster family home on the night of the party, but the video tells a different story.

Now true crime investigator and YouTuber Tom Isaac is on the case. He's determined to find out what really happened to Bradley - he just needs to read between the Lancasters' lies . . .

Because when the cameras are always rolling, it won't be long until someone cracks.

Review

The Lancasters are notorious or rather they have created a version of themselves that has become so, which people want to see and buy into. When things go a little quieter a convenient scandal, mystery or controversial topic catapults them back into the limelight. True crime investigator Tom aka a Tubie detective decides he is going to bring the truth to the people, well what functions as the truth nowadays, which is at the core of this story.

With a storytelling style that has a Hallett and Wesolowski vibe to it - modern communication, social media and the new version of fame meets infamy, makes this crime thriller not only a must read, but also a read that is a sign of the times.

Tapping into the melding of black and white into a vast variety of what right or wrong may or may not be. Guilt becomes obsolete when the court of mass opinion matters more. Equally the mass opinion is merely about popularity, clicks, likes and how much money you can earn at the end of the day. 

North definitely hits the right notes and captures the nature of the beast. There is definitely a correlation between creating false narratives and drama to gain traction on social media and in the news, then to rinse and repeat ad infinitum - controversy and scandal sells. News as we know it no longer exists, facts have become secondary to the opinions of everyone, including so-called journalists.

Buy Clickbait at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher: Bantam, pub date 11th April 2024 - Hardback | £14.99. Buy at Amazon com.

#Blogtour The Spy Coast by Tess Gerritsen

It's a pleasure to take part in the Blogtour The Spy Coast by Tess Gerritsen. The first in a new series called the Martini Club and it's one you don't want to miss.

About the Author

International bestselling author Tess Gerritsen began to write fiction whilst on maternity leave as a physician. She published her first novel in 1987 and has since sold over forty million copies of her books in forty countries.

Her series featuring homicide detective Jane Rizzoli and medical examiner Maura Isles inspired the television series Rizzoli and Isles, starring Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander.

Now retired from medicine, she lives in Maine and writes full time. Follow @tessgerritsen on X

About the book

Maggie Bird is many things. A chicken farmer. A good neighbour. A seemingly average retiree living in the seaside town of Purity. She's also a darned good rifle shot. And she never talks about her past.

But when an unidentified body is left on Maggie's driveway, she knows it's a calling card from old times. It's been fifteen years since the failed mission that ended her career as a spy, and cost her far more than her job.

Step forward the 'Martini Club' - Maggie's silver-haired book group (to anyone who asks), and a cohort of former spies behind closed doors. With the help of her old friends - and always one step ahead of the persistent local cop - Maggie might still be able to save the life she's built.

The Spy Coast is the first novel in the Martini Club series.

Review

Maggie Bird, a bit of recluse, who keeps herself to herself except for her nearest neighbours and the book club. The book club of ex-spies, well some of them are. When the past comes knocking Maggie has to make a choice, should she run or fight for the life she has spent a long time cultivating.

You may know Gerritsen from her very popular Rizzoli and Isles series - this is a new series, the first book of the Martini Club.

I have to say that although you can clearly detect the style of voice the author is known, which is always a great combination of humour, snark, mystery and crime, there is an element to this I found quite intriguing. It has a Herron kind of self deprecating view on the world of spydom with a laissez-faire attitude towards necessary violence in juggling the inadequacies of our world-view on justice.

It's dry, witty and hard as an egg boiled beyond life expectancy, and it is equally warm with intricately woven relationships between the most unexpected of characters. I enjoyed it - hope it gets picked up for small screen, because it would be such fun, in a spy kills spy with a complete lack of remorse kind of way. Looking forward to the next in the series.

Buy The Spy Coast at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher: Bantam Press / Transworld Books, pub date 18 January 2024. Buy at Amazon com. Via Bookshop org.

#Blogtour Murder at Holly House by Denzil Meyrick

It's a pleasure to take part in the Blogtour Murder at Holly House by Denzil Meyrick.

About the Author

Denzil Meyrick is from Campbeltown on the Kintyre Peninsula in Argyll. After studying politics, he enjoyed a varied career as a police officer, distillery manager, and director of several companies. He is the No.1 bestselling author of the DCI Daley series and is now an executive producer of a major TV adaptation of his books.

Denzil lives on Loch Lomondside in Scotland with his wife Fiona and cats. You can find @Lochlomonden on X (the artist formerly known as Twitter), on Facebook @DenzilMeyrickAuthor, or on his website: denzilmeyrick.com

About the book

A village of secrets - It's December 1952, and a dead stranger has been found lodged up the chimney of Holly House in the remote town of Elderby. Is he a simple thief, or a would-be killer? Either way, he wasn't on anyone's Christmas wish list.

A mystery that can't be solved - Inspector Frank Grasby is ordered to investigate. The victim of some unfortunate misunderstandings, he hopes this case will help clear his name. But as is often the way for Grasby, things most certainly don't go according to plan.

A Christmas to remember - Soon blizzards hit the North York Moors, cutting off the village from help, and the local doctor's husband is found murdered. Grasby begins to realise that everyone in Elderby is hiding something - and if he can't uncover the truth soon, the whole country will pay a dreadful price...

Review

Do things just happen to Inspector Frank Grasby or is it merely a case of a sequence of unfortunate events always seem to unfold whilst he is in the vicinity? His superiors only care about the chaos he leaves in his wake and not the results, hence being sent to the middle of nowhere (North Yorkshire Moors) where he can lay low for a while. Not his choice, but as he says himself it's still preferrable to some other notorious areas he could end up in.

Where Frank walks mysteries and crimes follow quickly behind, although at times I wasn't entirely sure whether he was the source of most of the disruption. That is absolutely the charm of this story by the way, the strength of the main character. His innate ability to believe in his own self is what makes the reader believe the same, despite all the evidence to the contrary.

Perhaps that is why he uncovers bit by bit what others have tried to hide crime after lie after betrayal - we all know the truth always outs, well it sounds a lot more poetic than the actual reality of the sleuthing that takes place, but hey-ho we are here for the Grasby dynamic of crime solving.

On a sidenote, can I just say the epilogue is absolutely spot on in relation to the first paragraph, I often wonder what those who fought so very hard during the Cold War would think about the situation we are in now. I'd also love to see a Grasby post-war crime series, just saying.

Buy Murder at Holly House at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. ~Publisher: Bantam, pub date 9th November 2023 | Hardback | £16.99. Buy at Amazon com.

#Blogtour The Ugly Truth by L.C. North

 

It's a pleasure to take part in Blogtour The Ugly Truth by L.C. North.

About the Author

L.C. North studied psychology at university before pursuing a career in Public Relations. Her first book club thriller - The Ugly Truth - combines her love of psychology and her fascination with the celebrities in the public eye. L.C. North is currently working on her second novel, and when she's not writing, she co-hosts the crime thriller podcast, In Suspense. L.C. North lives on the Suffolk borders with her family. L.C. North is the pen name of Lauren North. 

Readers can follow her on Twitter @Lauren_C_North and @lauren_c_north on Instagram

About the book

Everyone’s telling a different story. Who do you believe? Melanie Lange has disappeared. Her father, Sir Peter Lange, says she is a danger to herself and has been admitted to a private mental health clinic.

Her ex-husband, Finn, and best friend, Nell, say she has been kidnapped. The media will say whichever gets them the most views. But whose side are you on? #SaveMelanie #HelpPeter

'Told exclusively through interviews, transcripts and diary entries, The Ugly Truth is a gripping, original and smart thriller. It explores the influence of the press and social media on public opinion and in private lives; from conservatorship to the lack of mental health support for reality TV stars, the news cycle is full of stories about the often tragic consequences of media attention. L.C. North cleverly weaves these themes into a tense and compulsive thriller, perfect for book clubs. This thought-provoking and conversation-starting novel reminds us of the people behind the headlines, and how difficult it can be to separate fact from fiction.'

Review

I think this dark psychological domestic thriller echoes a manifestation of the negative attributes of social media, the media overall, and how we all have front seats to the actions and emotions of our fellow humans on a daily basis. Whilst the above comes with plenty of positives, such as information sharing at high-speed, which is especially important in countries and situations that would and are usually shrouded in a cloud of information suppression, connecting all of us via threads of virtual communication can often come at a costly price.

The question is whether the positive outweighs the negative. Keeping in mind that media is now opinion sharing and no longer fact based reporting, which brings disinformation, misinformation, propaganda, and both troll and bot farm driven information. It's also important to remember that our media companies are run by wealthy private individuals and big companies who drive their own political, social and personal agendas via these forums.

The above, and indeed the ability to influence a worldwide audience, is at the core of the story. It doesn't matter what the truth is - only how many people you can convince that your narrative is the truth.

This is actually more than just a psychological thriller, it's also simultaneously a poignant reminder of the way society is wrapped up in technology and the trickle down changes in the younger generations we are seeing. Opinion is fact, rumours are facts, truth is a blurred narrative with a lack of boundaries. Imagine being a victim or someone falsely accused in that ever expanding vacuum of opinions and reactions. Real life consequences and real time damage. Imagine, if you will, the power this allows the liar to wield.

Kudos to the author for the ending that leaves us with more questions than answers. Is that in itself a product of the above. That no matter what kind of factual proof a person convinced by a hydra of mixed messages receives they will stand on their hill and defend it blindly, despite the damage they leave in their wake. It's a great read. I wonder - are you team Melanie or team Peter?

Buy The Ugly Truth at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher: Bantam Press; pub date 16th March 2023 Hardback | £14.99. Buy at Amazon com.

#Blogtour The Simple Truth by James Buckler

 It's my turn on the Blogtour The Simple Truth by James Buckler.

About the Author

James Buckler lives in London. He has worked in film and TV for many years, most notably for MTV and BBC Films. His first thriller, Last Stop Tokyo, published to critical acclaim. The Simple Truth is his second novel. Follow @jamesbuckwriter on Twitter

About the book

A young woman is dead. A very wealthy client needs a favour. You're newly qualified as a lawyer and this could be your big break, so you jump at the chance.

The case is about to be closed. All you have to do is talk to a family, ask them to sign some papers. How difficult could it be? Their daughter was found dead at a beauty spot on the outskirts of London in what you're told was a tragic suicide. 

Only you can uncover what really happened. But the truth is never that simple. And this case could cost you your life...

Review

What's the difference between the crime organisations that deal with the street and the corporate world that cross the occasional boundary? None at all really other than the fact corporate believe they have the moral high ground, due to their education and the nepotism that gives them a helping hand on their paths. Criminal is criminal, right?

When Lewis is picked for distasteful job of getting an NDA signed, by the boss of his form of all people. He thinks it's a foot in the door to the top, he also presumes it's because the top tier can see the potential in him. It takes him a while to figure out he is the low-class patsy that belongs neither here nor there, because one set of people won't accept him because he works for the enemy and the enemy think he will never be good enough to be considered an equal.

Lewis is the perfect man in the middle, and the kind of character that readers feel sympathy for, as he stumbles right into a wasps nest with the best of intentions. Well, perhaps his ambition allows him to ignore the obvious.

It's a legal thriller, which has the potential to be a series, as Lewis grows and becomes more secure in his self, his nose for crime, and his inadvertent interest in the truth.

Buy The Simple Truth at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher: Bantam Press, pub date 5th January 2023 / Hardback / £14.99. Buy at Amazon com.

#BlogTour Not a Happy Family by Shari Lapena

 It's a pleasure to take part in the BlogTour Not a Happy Family by Shari Lapena. 

'The new unputdownable thriller from the 'queen of the one-sit read' and multi-million-copy bestselling author of The Couple Next Door. Her most original and twisty book to date. When an elderly couple are found murdered, could their children be responsible?'

About the Author

Shari Lapena worked as a lawyer and as an English teacher before writing fiction. Her debut thriller, The Couple Next Door, was a global bestseller, the bestselling fiction title in the UK in 2017 and has been optioned for television. Her thrillers A Stranger in the House, An Unwanted Guest, Someone We Know and The End of Her were all Sunday Times and New York Times bestsellers. Follow @sharilapena on Twitter, Visit sharilapena.com

About the book

In this family, everyone is keeping secrets - even the dead. In the quiet, wealthy enclave of Brecken Hill, an older couple is brutally murdered hours after a tense Easter dinner with their three adult children. Who, of course, are devastated.

Or are they? They each stand to inherit millions. They were never a happy family, thanks to their vindictive father and neglectful mother, but perhaps one of them is more disturbed than anyone knew. Did someone snap after that dreadful evening? Or did another person appear later that night with the worst of intentions? That must be what happened. After all, if one of the family were capable of something as gruesome as this, you'd know. Wouldn't you?

Review

When a wealthy couple is viciously murdered their immediate family members fall under suspicion, especially the adult children they had dinner with a few hours before their death. Far from being an example of close loving relationships, the family is a snake pit of envy, desperation and a lack of genuine positive interaction.

The general vibe, both dysfunctional and malevolent, reminded me a lot of what family can disintegrate into. It's this realistic imagery of often contentious relationships between siblings and parents that gives this read an extra bit of spice, and the ending is exactly right and on par with the malicious intent that runs through the story.

Lapena always gives readers an uncomfortable window seat into human nature. It's not always pleasant or morally correct, but it is an honest representation of what we are capable of and the way some of us conduct ourselves. When you combine that thought with the general idea of family the majority tends to have, then it's will be no wonder if this raises some eyebrows.

It's a delightfully dark and menacing domestic thriller, and the author gives the story the ending this family absolutely deserves.

Buy Not a Happy Family at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher ‏ : ‎ Transworld Digital pub date 27 July 2021 - Bantam Press; pub date 5th August 2021 / Hardback / £14.99. Buy at Amazon com.

#BlogTour Camelot by Giles Kristian

Today I am really excited to take part in the BlogTour bring you the second book in The Arthurian Tales series, Camelot by Giles Kristian.

'Following his acclaimed Sunday Times bestseller, Lancelot, Giles Kristian’s new novel returns us to the realms of Arthurian legend . . .' Oh yes indeed!

About the Author
Family history (he is half Norwegian) and a passion for the fiction of Bernard Cornwell inspired Giles Kristian to write. Set in the Viking world, his bestselling Raven and The Rise of Sigurd trilogies have been acclaimed by his peers, reviewers and readers alike. In The Bleeding Land and Brothers’ Fury, he tells the story of a family torn apart by the English Civil War. He also co-wrote Wilbur Smith’s No.1 bestseller, Golden Lion.

In his most recent novel, the Sunday Times bestseller Lancelot, Giles plunged into the rich waters of the Arthurian legend. For his next book, he continues his epic reimagining of our greatest island ‘history’. Giles Kristian lives in Leicestershire.

Follow @GilesKristian on Twitter, on Facebook, on Instagram, on Goodreads,Visit gileskristian.com, Buy Camelot

About the book
Britain is a land riven by anarchy, slaughter, famine, filth and darkness. Its armies are destroyed, its heroes dead, or missing. Arthur and Lancelot fell in the last great battle and Merlin has not been seen these past ten years. Now, the Saxons are gathering again, their warbands stalk the land, their king seeks dominion.

As for the lords and kings of Britain, they look only to their own survival and will not unite as they once did under Arthur and his legendary sword Excalibur. But in an isolated monastery in the marshes of Avalon, a novice of the order is preparing to take his vows when the life he has known is suddenly turned upside down in a welter of blood.

Two strangers - the wild-spirited, Saxon-killing Iselle and the ageing warrior Gawain - will pluck the young man from the wreckage of his simple existence. Together, they will seek the last druid and the cauldron of a god. And the young man must come to terms with his legacy and fate as the son of the most celebrated yet most infamous of Arthur’s warriors: Lancelot.

For this is the story of Galahad, Lancelot’s son – the reluctant warrior who dared to keep the dream
of Camelot alive . . .

Review
I will have to try and be careful with this one there are just too many juicy plot secrets that would spoil the read for others. Let me try and declare how much I love this book without telling you exactly why.

Let me start by saying that the first in The Arthurian Tales series, Lancelot, is a hard act to follow - even for the author who wrote it. If you haven't read it yet then please do, you are missing out on a superb read. Camelot is a continuation of the tale of Lancelot, Arthur and Guinevere or rather of the people left behind after the last great battle saw the demise of the destructive trio.

In an isolated monastery in the middle of the mysterious marshes of Avalon lives a young man who lives in the shadow of his father's past. He is reluctant to part from his path towards the life of a monk until an old warrior, and the young woman who saves his life, convince him that perhaps his path is something completely different.

Together with the remnants of Arthur's loyal comrades they set out on an impossible quest, to restore the power and balance to their country, and their friend. Vague enough for you? Good, because I wouldn't want you to miss out on the surprises packed into this brilliant story.

Kristian writes about the world of King Arthur as if he were a constant companion in their trials and tribulations, that's how vivid and realistic his storytelling is. He understands how folklore, myth and history need to become one and the same to fuel the depth of the characters and story.

Both Lancelot and Camelot are an homage to ancient legends whispered and carried along the centuries. Tales of loyalty, courage and magic all fiercely ingrained in the spirit of the isles. Kristian is a pleasure to read - his stories are such a completely immersive experience.

Buy Camelot at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher: Bantam Press - Transworld Digital; pub date 14th May 2020 | Hardback | £12.99. Buy at Amazon com.

Read my review of Lancelot by Giles Kristian.

#BlogTour Keep You Close by Karen Cleveland

Today it's the last stop on the BlogTour Keep You Close by Karen Cleveland. This is a riveting psychological thriller with an espionage vibe.

About the Author
Karen Cleveland spent eight years as a CIA analyst, focusing on counter-terrorism  and working briefly on rotation to the FBI. She has master's degrees from Trinity College Dublin and Harvard University. She lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and two young sons.

Follow @KarenCleve on Twitter, on Amazon, on Goodreads, Visit karen-cleveland.com
Buy Keep You Close

About the book
A strange sensation runs through me, a feeling that I don't know this person in front of me, even though he matters more to me than anyone ever has, than anyone ever will.
You go into your son's bedroom. It's the usual mess. You tidy up some dirty plates, pick up some clothes, open the wardrobe to put them away.
And that's when you find it. Something so shocking it doesn't seem real.
And you realize a horrifying truth...
Your own son might be dangerous…

Review

Steph has a successful career and is a workaholic, much to the dismay of her son and her mother. The only thing marring her life is the dark secret she has kept hidden for nearly two decades. She is completely thrown for a loop when a colleague drops by wanting to speak to her son about his online contacts and possible worrying behaviour.

Her initial reaction is shock, anger and disbelief, but then she knows something her colleague is unaware of. Something that implies his accusations could be true.

Lots of nice little misdirections and red herrings going on. Readers are definitely kept on their feet. Cleveland uses body language to insinuate deeper, darker and more insidious secrets than what Steph can see on the surface.

If you leave the plot aside for a moment I think the relationship and interactions between Steph and Zachary are indicative of something more dangerous in our society. A certain unknown variable that is hard to put a finger on, when our children move away from us so much that we can lose them completely. When they fall into the trap of radicalisation, because they are vulnerable and at an age where everything can seem enticing.

It's easy to see why Steph is torn between believing her son is innocent and fearing he may be a complete stranger capable of the worst crimes she can imagine.

This is a riveting psychological thriller with an espionage vibe. It's an enthralling read about love, the bond between mother and child, trust and most of all it's about instinct. Is instinct enough to deter a crime or risk an entire career. Is a gut instinct enough to go on when it comes to someone you love endangering others? If push came to shove would you choose blood or the safety of others?

Buy Keep You Close at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher: Bantam Press;pub date 27 Jun. 2019. Buy at Amazon com.

#BlogTour Ellie and the Harp Maker by Hazel Prior

Today it's a pleasure to take part in the BlogTour Ellie and the Harp Maker. It's contemporary fiction, a story about breaking free from the chains of our existence and societal rules.

About the Author
Hazel Prior lives on Exmoor with her husband and a huge ginger cat. As well as writing, she works as a harpist.
You can find and follow Hazel at @HaveAHarp on Twitter, Visit hazeltheharpist.co.uk
Buy Ellie and the Harp Maker

About the book
Meet Ellie. She’s perfectly happy with her home and her husband and her quiet life. Happy enough,
anyway. Which is why she’s so surprised to find herself drawn to an extrordinary stranger who
gives her a gift - and a fresh perspective.

Dan. He thinks all he needs to be happy is the time and space to carry on making harps.
Sometimes people buy them, too. But the last thing he expects is for Ellie to walk into his life, a
whirlwind with cherry-coloured socks, bringing a string of surprises into his ordered existence.

As Ellie and Dan get to know one another, they begin to see the world - and themselves - in an
entirely new way...

Review
What comes to mind when you read this is the simplicity of the interactions, the words, the dialogue and structure of the story.

Whilst it is never referred to in the sense of a diagnosis, it's clear that Dan doesn't fit into certain typical stereotypes. He has his own way of living. A perspective through his own lenses, which doesn't necessarily fit with the general overall perspective the majority of the world has.

The author doesn't give it or Dan a label, which I found quite refreshing, because that way every reader experiences him in a different way and through their own frame of reference. His vision of the world and of beauty is envisioned through the works of art, his harps. He doesn't make them to make money, he creates them because he has a calling. That's the only way to explain it. His harps have individual identities, each one forged by hand.

When Ellie stumbles upon Dan and his harps she has no idea how it will change her life. It helps her to open up the door to her own wants, needs and dreams. A life controlled, determined and undermined first by her parents and then by her husband. A possessive and abusive husband who doesn't want her to discover the magic of harps.

On a side-note: Anyone who calls any person, especially a woman Honey-pun deserves to be tarred, feathered, maimed and quartered. I am fairly certain that would drive me to commit the most heinous of crimes. Why did you kill your husband? He called me Honey-pun one too many times.

I couldn't decide whether I liked the oversimplified writing, however when taking the entirety of the story into consideration it helped to portray and tell the story in a way it needed to be told.

It's contemporary fiction, a story about breaking free from the chains of our existence and societal rules. It's also a story about self-discovery and lifting the veil of oppression.

Buy Ellie and the Harp Maker at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.Publisher: Bantam Press; pub date 2 May 2019. Buy at Amazon com.

#BlogTour The Rumour by Lesley Kara

Today it is my turn on the BlogTour The Rumour by Lesley Kara. Kara gives the reader a run for their money with this exceptionally well-plotted read.

About the Author
Lesley Kara is an alumna of the Faber Academy ‘Writing a Novel’ course. She completed an English
degree and PGCE at Greenwich University, having previously worked as a nurse and a secretary,
and then became a lecturer and manager in Further Education. Lesley has relocated to a small town
on the North Essex coast, where she is currently working on her second novel.

Follow @LesleyKara @TransworldBooks on Twitter, on Instagram on Facebook
Visit lesleykara.com
Buy The Rumour

About the book
One casual remark. One whispered confidence.
That’s all it takes to set the wheels in motion and change the course of a life.
Imagine innocently passing on a rumour you’ve heard, a snippet of information, a story someone told you one morning … You don’t realise that this particular rumour isn’t just idle gossip – it is something far more dangerous. And once it’s out there, there’s no getting it back. You’re about to regret the day you ever said a word...

This is what happens to Joanna, single mother, part time estate agent when she hears a rumour that a
notorious child killer is living in a safe house in her home town. Sally McGowan was just ten years old when she stabbed little Robbie Harris to death 47 years ago. No photos of her exist since her release from prison as a young woman. Joanna passes this rumour on without realising the repercussions.

The Rumour shows how easily secrets and lies and whispers can poison a small community. Tongues wag in the street, at the school gates, in book clubs, at children’s birthday parties – and whilst some people realise it needs to be stopped, others are fanning the flames... everyone you meet sparks suspicion. This is not a ‘whodunnit’, more of a which of your neighbours is it?

Review
Joanna inadvertently becomes one of the first of a long domino wall when she repeats a rumour in an attempt to fit in with her peers and neighbours. She has no idea what ramifications her loose mouth will have, especially when it comes to her own safety and that of her child.

In a small village or town everyone knows everyone else's business and rumours can take on a life of their own. When Joanne overhears someone mentioning the fact that the notorious Sally McGowan, a ten-year-old who killed a child nearly 50 years ago, may be living in their town, she doesn't think twice about using the juicy gossip to ingratiate herself with her new acquaintances.

Looking at a horrific crime from the outside is easy, especially when it comes to making snap judgements and having an opinion. The media tends to gaslight and sensationalize in an attempt to get more readers. A few months ago I moved from the outside looking in to being in the midst of one of these situations, and now I see things a lot differently.

One of the points Kara is trying to make is that although in a small minority of cases a child who kills is also a psychopath, sociopath or too damaged by abuse or trauma to be helped, the majority can be rehabilitated.

What happens when the killers try to live a normal life after being released, when they are hunted by the media and overzealous vigilantes. Don't they have the right to try and live their lives after fulfilling their debt to society via the prison system? Does it depend on the crime, the intent during the crime or the age of the victim?

The other side of the coin is the way the victim's family feels about the crime. It isn't unusual to want revenge and be filled with a longing for vengeance. The fact that their child can never grow up, have children or build a life is seen in direct comparison to the perpetrator who will one day walk the streets again, and able to do all the aforementioned. Even a life sentence doesn't mean life. When a child kills they are kept in secure environments for under-aged criminals, and then usually released at the age of 21.

I really enjoyed this book, perhaps more so because it shines a light on so many underlying issues surrounding children who kill, the way the media influences our society and the danger of Chinese whispers. By putting all of these together with a captivating plot and intriguing characters the author creates the right recipe for a perfect story. Everyone is nearly always the right fit when it comes to being the suspect, and Kara gives the reader a run for their money with this exceptionally well-plotted read.

Buy The Rumour on Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.
Buy The Rumour at Amazon Com