#Blogtour Don't Let Her Go by Willow Rose

It's my turn on the Blogtour Don't Let Her Go by Willow Rose - book 1 in the Detective Billie Ann Wilde series.

About the Author

Willow Rose is a multi-million-copy bestselling author of more than 90 novels. Several of her books have reached the top 10 of all books in the Amazon store in the US, UK, and Canada. She has sold more than seven million books, which have been translated into many languages. Willow's books are fast-paced, nail-biting page-turners with twists you won't see coming; that's why her fans call her "The Queen of Plot Twists". Willow lives on Florida’s Space Coast. When she is not writing or reading, you will find her surfing and watching the dolphins play in the waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Follow @madamwillowrose on X

About the book

A missing five-year-old girl is the key to unlocking a detective’s terrifying past…

When Detective Billie Ann Wilde receives a desperate call that five-year-old Emma Wilson is missing, she rushes to the family home. But inside the picture-perfect house surrounded by Florida marshlands, she finds no children’s clothes or toys, no photos of the innocent child Emma’s mother Marissa describes. Billie suspects Marissa Wilson is hiding from someone.

It’s a race against the clock to find Emma. But Marissa refuses to tell Billie anything about her past, and before long, she also disappears…

And then Billie realizes who Marissa is. She’s the ten-year-old girl Billie failed to find in her first ever case fourteen years ago. The leads went cold because Billie made a fatal mistake.

As more bodies turn up in the same marshlands, Billie must revisit her past and face up to her demons to find Marissa and her child. But she is unknowingly putting herself in the path of a terrifying serial killer…

An explosive new crime series from multi-million-copy bestseller Willow Rose. Fans of Lisa Regan, Robert Dugoni and Kendra Elliot will be on the edge of their seats, unable to put this book down!

Review

Detective Billie Ann Wilde is on the cusp of change and is boldly taking a step forward to acknowledge her true self, simultaneously she is thrown into the chaos of a missing child who possibly didn't exist in the first place and the murder of a young girl. With a battle at home and people questioning her professional accuracy and suspicions about the current cases - it's both frustrating and a wild crime ride.

It could be a little smoother, but that might just be a choice of storytelling or author style. Overall it is the kind of story that has important nuances when it comes to safeguarding, abuse, exploitation, trusting your gut and never forgetting about the victims swallowed up into the darkness of the system and crime.

I have a side-note about the way the reactions and perceptions of one of the victims though, just because it rankled me a wee bit while I was reading. It's the way the reactions are written in a way that could be interpreted as mutual arousal. Grooming, especially long-term targeted grooming, often creates a sense of guilt because attraction and consent are falsely loaded onto the victim, ergo no blame lies with the groomer. A vulnerable neglected child is vulnerable to any person who gifts them any type of affection.

I enjoyed the personal aspect of the Billie Ann's character, it sheds a light on the devastating and often hypocritical reactions to her discovery of self. Suddenly her sexual orientation is equated with being a bad mother, an awful human being and oh gosh get ready to burn in the pits of hell. Strange how a hurt ego can manifest into something so destructive - I'm sure that saga will continue in the next book. Looking forward to it.

Buy Don't Let Her Go at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher ‏: ‎Bookouture pub date 2 Feb. 2024. Buy at Amazon com.

#Blogtour My Husband's Lies by Liz Lawler

It's a pleasure to take part in the Blogtour My Husband's Lies by Liz Lawler.

About the Author

Liz Lawler grew up sharing pants, socks, occasionally a toothbrush, sleeping four to a bed. Born in Chatham and partly raised in Dublin, she is one of fourteen children. She spent over twenty years as a nurse and has since fitted in working as a flight attendant, a general manager of a five star hotel, and is now working with trains. She became an author in 2017 when her debut novel Don’t Wake Up was published by Twenty7. Follow @authorlizlawler on X, Sign up to Liz Lawler's mailing list

About the book

The police are coming, they’re going to arrest me.’ My blood runs cold at his words. My husband is accused of murder. He swears he is innocent – so why won’t he tell me where he really was that night?

I feel so lucky to have my handsome husband Mark and our blue-eyed little boy. Everyone says we’re the perfect family. I used to believe them.

But everything changes when Mark comes home from a work trip with dark circles under his eyes. That night I jump at a hammering at the door. The police want to question him about the murder of a beautiful, blonde young woman. Mark swears he had nothing to do with it, that she was a colleague, nothing more.

Mark is a respected airline pilot, and the model husband and father. It seems impossible that he would be involved in something like this. But he won’t say a word about where he really was. I believe that he’s not a killer – but I know he’s hiding something. It wouldn’t be the first time.

Then my husband is attacked. I sit by his hospital bed praying for him to wake up, tears streaming down my face. The police say it’s an accident. But what if someone has done this to him?

I go rigid with fear when I see someone hidden in the garden, watching the house. Are they coming to hurt us too? I’ll do anything to protect my precious little boy – and I have to start by uncovering my husband’s lies...

An unbelievably tense and twisty psychological thriller that will leave you breathless for more! Perfect for fans of Kathryn Croft, T.M. Logan and Ruth Heald.

Review

I wonder if anyone else got ever so slightly frustrated by the almost self-flagellation Kate tends to put upon herself, whilst excusing the actions of others. Her fault that her husband may or may not have strayed, her fault for putting the temptation of another woman in his path - come on lady!

The author captures this specific element of self-blame that women tend to inflict upon themselves, especially in domestic situations and relationships. Always looking for the possible mistake they might have made that contributed to whatever went wrong. This headspace probably explains the way Kate automatically goes into protective mode instead of seeing a very large question mark when it comes to the possible crime her husband is suspected of - is he really capable of killing someone?

Eventually Kate realises she has to start to unravel the layers of deceit wrapped around her life to keep her child safe, even if it means losing friends and loved ones on the way.

It's a fast-paced domestic thriller, one of those stories where you start out certain of who did what to whom and why, but in the end the web is tightly woven and full of secrets hiding in plain sight.

Buy My Husband's Lies at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher ‏: Bookouture, pub date 20 Nov. 2023. Buy at Amazon com.

#BlogTour America's Promise by Celeste De Blasis

 It's a pleasure to take part in the BlogTour America's Promise by Celeste De Blasis.

About the Author

Millions of readers have fallen under the spell of the lush, enthralling and bestselling novels by Celeste De Blasis. Tales of adventure and romance set against the sweep of history—all are storytelling at its finest. After graduating from Pomona College, Celeste devoted her life to impeccable research and spellbinding writing.  A native Californian, Celeste grew up on the historic Kemper Campbell Ranch in the Mojave Desert, where she lived until her death in 2001.

About the book

A gripping, heart-wrenching story of love and betrayal across the boundary of the American Revolutionary War. The next captivating story for readers who loved My Dear Hamilton, Flight of the Sparrow and Outlander.

1780. Addie looks around at the soldiers celebrating their latest victory. American independence is within reach, but her heart feels heavy with grief. With her husband gone, she must leave the army camp, and the people she has come to love, and choose a respectable path to guard the secret she now carries alone.

Seeking shelter with her aunts in Virginia, Addie tries to mold herself back into the proper and dutiful woman she was before the war, and before the love of a fierce, dark-eyed warrior, changed her forever. But when a band of rogue British soldiers arrives on the farm, will the strength she has gained from travelling with the Revolutionary army be enough to save her loved ones?

Fighting turmoil in Virginia, Addie faces an even worse trial when terrible news arrives from the front: should she stay silent and keep her family safe, or divulge her secret and save an innocent man’s life? -The heartbreaking conclusion to the epic, emotional trilogy.

Review

This is the third book in the America's Daughter series and the final book in the trilogy. It's definitely a story worth reading from the beginning, although each could be read as a standalone, but it's a matter of following Addie on her journey.

In the last book Addie found herself in a precarious social position. Sleeping with the enemy has its consequences, which are quite difficult to explain away or hide, so Addie has to find a way to move forward under these new conditions.

She returns to the folds of her extended family in the hopes they will put family before the complicated political and moral conundrum she has brought with her. Then on top of that the war starts to move too close for comfort, which wasn't an issue when she was part of the active participation, but now she has something to protect and keep safe.

Although De Blasis isn't here to read it I think it's important to acknowledge that there is a clear difference as her work evolves and she becomes more skilled at storytelling. It's historical fiction set during a period of great upheaval and change for America - it is also setting the stage for further conflicts and more changes of historical importance.

Her forte is definitely family sagas and characters woven into the fabric of history - faction meets dynamic storylines.

Buy America's Promise at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher ‏: ‎ Bookouture pub date 8 July 2021. Buy at Amazon com.

#BlogTour America's Wife by Celeste de Blasis

 It's my turn on the BlogTour America's Wife by Celeste de Blasis.

About the Author

Millions of readers have fallen under the spell of the lush, enthralling and bestselling novels by Celeste De Blasis. Tales of adventure and romance set against the sweep of history—all are storytelling at its finest. After graduating from Pomona College, Celeste devoted her life to impeccable research and spellbinding writing.  A native Californian, Celeste grew up on the historic Kemper Campbell Ranch in the Mojave Desert, where she lived until her death in 2001.

About the book

1776. Addie’s world has changed beyond recognition. From her privileged position amongst Boston’s elite, she has embraced a dangerous new life with the American Revolutionary Army. While childhood sweetheart Silas risks all on the front lines, Addie waits anxiously for news. And when Silas does not return from the Battle of Monmouth, her worst fears come true.

Without thinking, Addie takes a horse and scours the now-calm battlefield for Silas, until word arrives that he has been captured by the British. And worse, by the troop of Scottish Highlanders led by the brooding general John Traverne. Addie hasn’t seen the powerfully built Loyalist soldier since she chose the Revolutionary cause over her own heart, and hearing his name sends butterflies to her stomach, even as she is filled with worry for Silas.

Disregarding her own safety, Addie leaves Washington’s camp and travels deep into enemy territory, determined to bring Silas home. But when she comes face to face with John Traverne once more, the feelings she has tried so hard to bury resurface and she must choose between the man she has pledged her life to, and the man whose dark eyes haunt her dreams. When Addie finally returns to her own camp, she carries a secret that could cost her everything she has fought for…

The second part of the spellbinding, emotional trilogy about enduring love and heartbreaking secrets amidst the birth of America. Readers who adored My Dear Hamilton and Flight of the Sparrow will love America’s Wife.

Review

This is the second book in the America's Daughter trilogy and although it can be read as a standalone novel I would recommend reading the other books - if only to enjoy the rest of Addie's story. 

Addie's family has been ripped apart by the American revolution. Being at opposite sides of the spectrum politically, which includes aligning loyalty with different countries, can drive wedges between the tightest of friends and family. 

Addie believes in her country freeing themselves from the bonds of the British Crown and supports both her husband and brothers completely. She tries to ignore the thoughts of Traverne that creep into her head and heart now and again. She loves Silas, but it's hard to forget the fact she has the kind of connection to Traverne that is hard to ignore. Unfortunately or fortunately, depending on who you are rooting for, fate intervenes in a terrible way.

It's a captivating family saga and historical romance fiction. A trilogy that is built upon identity building changes in history, which means the characters have a fascinating backdrop to interact with. De Blasis has clearly given us stories that will resonate with readers regardless of what era we are in - timeless as they say. 

Buy America's Wife at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher : Bookouture pub date 26 May 2021. Buy at Amazon com.

#BlogTour The Secretary by Catherine Hokin

It's a pleasure to take part in the BlogTour The Secretary by Catherine Hoskin.

About the Author

Catherine Hokin is the author of two World War Two inspired novels set in Berlin, her favourite city. Following a History degree at Manchester University she worked in teaching, marketing and politics, while waiting for a chance to do what she really wanted which was to write full time. Her short stories have been published by iScot, Writers Forum and Myslexia magazines and she was the winner of the 2019 Fiction 500 Short Story Competition. She is a lover of strong female leads and a quest.

Catherine now lives in Glasgow with her American husband. She has two grown-up children – one of whom lives, very conveniently, in Berlin – and a life long addiction to very loud music. Follow @cathokin, on Facebook, Visit catherinehokin.com

About the book

The Tower House. Down a secluded path, hidden by overgrown vines, the crumbling villa echoes with memories. Of the family who laughed and sang there, until the Nazis tore them from their home. And of the next woman to walk its empty rooms, whose courage in the face of evil could alter the course of history…

Germany 1940. As secretary to the leader of the SS, Magda spends her days sending party invitations to high-ranking Nazis, and her evenings distributing pamphlets for the resistance. But Magda is leading a dangerous double life, smuggling secrets out of the office. It’s a deadly game, and eventual exposure is a certainty, but Magda is driven by a need to keep the man she secretly loves safe as he fights against the Nazis…

Forty years later. Nina’s heart pounds as she steps into an uncertain future carrying a forged passport, a few bank notes, and a scribbled address for The Tower House taken from an intricate drawing she found hidden in her grandmother’s wardrobe. Separated from her family and betrayed by her country, Nina’s last hope is to trace her family’s history in the ruins of the past her grandmother ran from. But, when she finally finds the abandoned house, she opens the door to a forgotten story, and to secrets which will change everything: past, present, and future…

A poignant and gripping novel about bravery, loss and redemption during the Second World War. An unputdownable read for fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, We Were the Lucky Ones and The Alice Network.

Review

Although it's fiction based on factual historical events on a larger scale, it's a story that is relevant now and serves as a reminder. The author gives readers a great read, but also gives them food for thought.

Set over a dual timeline, the story of Magda in 1940 and her granddaughter forty years later, we get an impression of a country under the thumb of two oppressive rules. First the Nazi's then navigating the dangers and difficulties of East Germany. Magda has to make a choice between comfortable safety and her soul, whereas Nina tries to escape the open prison East Germany has been turned into. Her pursuit of the truth in an attempt to connect with Magda's past reveals far more than she ever expected.

'They carry no guilt or responsibility for any of it.' For many men, women and children the Nazi regime is a way of life that was imprinted on certain generations, and even in the face of irrefutable evidence there is still this stoic usually silent affirmation of the aforementioned lack of responsibility in regards to the atrocities committed in the name of creating a superior race and country. 

Indeed if you still believe the indoctrination of the Jew at the core of all things wrong in the world, and that the Nazi regime acted in the best interest of country and people, then of course there will always be a lack of remorse. It's probably one of the longest running conspiracy theories, it is certainly one that has caused a plethora of victims.

Even now when we see history repeating itself, even after decades of Never Again, We Remember, it is blatantly clear that nobody has learnt any lessons. Well, I say nobody, but this time there are many voices and people willing to stand up and fight against this new tidal wave of anti-Semitism. New would also perhaps be the wrong word, because the hatred  and paranoia towards the Jewish community runs deep and is systemic - it's not new it's just getting louder, more volatile and becoming the norm again.

It's captivating historical fiction, a story of secrets buried deep in the past, and a family connection that has the kind of bond that grows stronger the more the past comes calling.

Buy The Secretary at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher : Bookouture pub date 24 May 2021. Buy at Amazon com. At Apple. Kobo. Google.

#BlogTour This Other Island by Steffanie Edward

It's truly a pleasure to take part in the Blogtour This Other Island by Steffanie Edward. 

About the Author

Steffanie Edward was born in St Lucia, brought up in London and now straddles between the two.

Anancy, Crick-crick and other Caribbean folk stories have been a part of her life since childhood. In her late teens she enjoyed reading Susan Howatch and books on slavery. Her absolute favourite reads have been Wild Seed by Octavia E Bulter, and Woman At Point Zero by Naawal El Saadawi.

Her writing career started with short stories, five of which have been published. Her first attempt at writing a novel was over twenty years ago, whilst living and working in Abu Dhabi. That novel, Yvette, didn’t make it into print, but the main protagonist, Yvette, has muscled her way into Steffanie’s debut novel, This Other Island. Follow @EdwardsaEdward on Twitter, Visit saedward.com

About the book

Things between me and Papa are so different to what me and Mum have. It’s been that way since the first day. An invisible bond. Papa was the one who never stopped encouraging me to strive for my goals. ‘Take every opportunity dis country give you, ich mwen,’ he’d always said…

When Yvette receives a call to say her estranged father Joe has been attacked in a seemingly random act of violence, she rushes to his side. She’d stayed with her mother after her parents separated, but never forgot her father’s kind and caring ways. Memories of his wide smile and loving embraces – so different to her mother Doli – have always sustained her.

But when she arrives, ready to make peace and help him in any way she can, she finds a man different to the larger-than-life father she remembers. Joe is fighting for his life, but is also haunted by memories of his past. He begs Yvette to help him find out the truth…

About the journey that brought him and a beautiful young woman called Doli together, as they both travelled – as part of the Windrush Generation, to start new lives in Britain. About the lives they left behind in St Lucia. And about a dark secret – one that he has carried with him since stepping off the ship that wet and chilly August day. That threatened his and Doli’s marriage from the very beginning…

Only Yvette can find out what really happened on that crossing. Because, for forty years, Joe has believed that he killed a man. A man who had had feelings for Doli too. And who – as Joe knows – might hold the key to Yvette’s own story…

What follows is a heart-stopping debut novel about family, identity, secrets, lies, and the journeys that define us. It will grip you, challenge you, and ultimately break you into a thousand pieces. Perfect for fans of Small Island and Girl, Woman, Other.

Review

Told by mother and daughter it's a story of family, complicated relationships and of betrayal. Also one of new beginnings and pining for lives left behind.

The reader gets a hint of what is really at the core of this story towards the very beginning when the return of Yvette to her family goes hand in hand with a change in name. It solidifies the before and after aspect of her life or perhaps the duality of it. The duality that exists within the majority of those who leave their homes and country to seek a better way of life elsewhere. Forever linked to the past and eager not to let that aspect of themselves, their culture and identity be swallowed up by the new life and culture, perhaps even more so when the new life means acclimatising to a predominantly white culture and society.

I can imagine there is always this feeling of both nostalgia and acknowledgement that no matter how immersed in the new country and society, it isn't home and the new neighbours never let you forget it. Nothing makes this point with more noise than the way the Windrush generation have been treated by the British government.

Which brings us to the duality of identity when it comes to race and skin colour, because the tiers created by colonialism and white supremacy are ingrained in the very fabric of society. 

It's in this backdrop that the story of identity, connection and family is set. It very much mirrors whether we are driven, formed and ultimately take our place amongst others based on the strength of nature or nurture.

This is a debut novel novel - it's evident that Edward has opened the door here and there an inch, which has culminated in a complex and yet realistic image of dysfunctional family reality. I say open the floodgates and let's hear what really wants to come alive and be seen in the open. I'll be looking forward to see where she takes us next.

Buy This Other Island at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher : Bookouture pub date 21 May 2021. Buy at Amazon com.

#BlogTour America's Daughter by Celeste De Blasis

It's my turn on the BlogTour America's Daughter by Celeste De Blasis.

About the Author

Millions of readers have fallen under the spell of the lush, enthralling and bestselling novels by Celeste De Blasis. Tales of adventure and romance set against the sweep of history—all are storytelling at its finest. After graduating from Pomona College, Celeste devoted her life to impeccable research and spellbinding writing.  A native Californian, Celeste grew up on the historic Kemper Campbell Ranch in the Mojave Desert, where she lived until her death in 2001. 

About the book

With Washington’s army, she joined America’s fight for independence…

1773. The night that Addie Valencourt sneaks out to witness the Boston Tea Party, she knows that her world is about to change forever. Soon, the love and security of her tight-knit family is torn apart by the fight for American independence.

When the British lay siege to Boston, Addie’s English-born father welcomes them into his home, while her childhood sweetheart Silas leaves to join General Washington. Addie is determined to follow him when she meets Scottish Highlander John Traverne. The frowning, dark-haired soldier is unlike anyone she has ever known, and he interests her more than he should. But any future with a man on the opposite side of this fight is impossible…

As the bitter war continues, Addie’s life becomes increasingly bound with the fate of America. When Silas is captured by the British, she risks all to search for him, but venturing into enemy territory brings her face to face with her Highlander again. Now Addie must make an impossible choice between what her heart is telling her, and protecting the secrets—and even the very lives—of the Patriots on the dangerous front line…

Review

This is the first book in the America's Daughter trilogy. It begins with a feeling of the volatility and frustration of that time period as our characters are placed in the middle of the events of The Boston Tea Party. The unrest in Addie's country culminates in a war to gain independence. A war that will change the face and future of America forever.

I really liked the way the author showed the divide in the family as if they were the two countries. The father, the patriarch is very much a loyalist to crown and old country, however his children are products of the country they were raised in. You can imagine the division - much like a North and South situation. The kind of division that breaks families apart forever.

If Celeste only knew this series would be published at a time during the 21st century when both political and mercantile protests would be mirrored to some extent again. Also at a time when a sense of country and identity is being questioned and also old toxic systems are being rebelled against. Setting a family saga during this period of unrest gives this historical read a multi-genre feel.

It may give readers a nostalgic vibe it's because this is very much a historical family saga of a few decades ago, but that doesn't take away from the fact it is both very much a de Blasis story and a good read.

Buy America's Daughter at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher : Bookouture pub date 27 April 2021. Buy at Amazon com. At Apple. Google.

#BlogTour Beyond This Broken Sky by Siobhan Curham

It's my turn on the BlogTour Beyond This Broken Sky by Siobhan Curham.

About the Author

Siobhan Curham is an award-winning author, ghost writer, editor and writing coach. She has also written for many newspapers, magazines and websites, including The Guardian, Breathe magazine, Cosmopolitan, Writers’ Forum, DatingAdvice.com, and Spirit & Destiny. 

Siobhan has been a guest on various radio and TV shows, including Woman’s Hour, BBC News, GMTV and BBC Breakfast. And she has spoken at businesses, schools, universities and literary festivals around the world, including the BBC, Hay Festival, Cheltenham Festival, Bath Festival, Ilkley Festival, London Book Fair and Sharjah Reading Festival.

Follow @siobhancurham on Twitter, on Instagram, on Facebook, Visit siobhancurham.com

About the book

1940, London: An unforgettable novel about the strength of the human spirit in the face of war and the remarkable women who put themselves in danger on the front lines during the Battle of Britain.

As a volunteer for the ambulance service, Ruby has the dangerous task of driving along pitch-dark roads during the blackout. With each survivor she pulls from the rubble, she is helping to fight back against the enemy bombers, who leave nothing but destruction in their wake.

Assigned to her crew is Joseph, who is unable to fight but will stop at nothing to save innocent lives. Because he is not in uniform, people treat him with suspicion and Ruby becomes determined to protect this brave, compassionate man who has rescued so many, and captured her heart. Even if it means making an unthinkable choice between saving her own life and risking everything for his…

2019: Recently divorced Edi feels lost and alone when she moves to London to start a new life. Until she makes a discovery, hidden beneath a loose floorboard in her attic, that reveals a secret about the people who lived there in the 1940s. As she gradually uncovers a wartime love story full of danger and betrayal, Edi becomes inspired by the heroism of one incredible woman and the legacy that can be left behind by a single act of courage…

A sweeping tale of bravery and self-sacrifice that shows that even in the midst of war, hope and love can bloom. Perfect for fans of The Alice Network, The Secret Messenger and The Lost Girls of Paris.

Review 

Although Edi is supposed to be the other main character in this dual timeline story, she actually becomes more of a narrator to the story of Ruby and her experiences during the war. Her own life has become a bit like a ship floating without an anchor, so it's no surprise that she slips quite easily into the mysteries of the past.

Her new flat opens the door to the story of privileged Ruby during World War 2, as she navigates the destruction and fear of London being the main bombing target of the Germans. At first she acts as if the war is more of an inconvenience to her lifestyle, but eventually it dawns on her that she is at a crossroads in her life and needs to do her part.

No matter what kind of national or international crisis is afoot it doesn't make the problems you had before disappear and it probably just enhances them. In wartime you have to make a choice between your morals, ethics and quite frankly survival. Which of those things is more important?

It's a compelling venture into historical war fiction. I actually liked the way this author drew the threads between past and present. It was done in a way that made it a story any person could have experienced, and I am sure quite a few of our descendants have stories they have kept locked away tightly for decades. It gave the entire story more of a realistic feel, which is something very specific to historical fiction anchored in traumatic historical facts.

Buy Beyond This Broken Sky at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher : Bookouture pub date 20 April 2021. Buy at Amazon com. At Hive. Apple. Kobo. Google.

#BlogTour The Tuscan House by Angela Petch

It's a pleasure to take part in the BlogTour The Tuscan House by Angela Petch.

About the Author

'I’m an award winning writer of fiction – and the occasional poem. Every summer I move to Tuscany for six months where my husband and I own a renovated watermill which we let out. When not exploring our unspoilt corner of the Apennines, I disappear to my writing desk at the top of our converted stable.

In my Italian handbag or hiking rucksack I always make sure to store notebook and pen to jot down ideas. The winter months are spent in Sussex where most of our family live. When I’m not helping out with grandchildren, I catch up with writer friends.'

Follow @Angela_Petch on Twitter, On Facebook, Visit angelapetchsblogsite.wordpress.com

About the book

Corbello, Italy, 1947. A woman and a little boy stagger into the ruins of an old house deep in the forest, wild roses overwhelming the crumbling terracotta walls. Since the war, nowhere has been safe. But they both freeze in shock when a voice calls out from the shadows…

For young mother Fosca Sentino, accepting refuge from reluctant British war hero Richard – in Tuscany to escape his tragic past – is the only way to keep her little family safe. She once risked everything to spy on Nazi commanders and pass secret information to the resistenza. But after a heartbreaking betrayal, Fosca’s best friend Simonetta disappeared without trace. The whole community was torn apart, and now Fosca and her son are outcasts.

Wary of this handsome stranger at first, Fosca slowly starts to feel safe as she watches him play with her son in the overgrown orchard. But her fragile peace is shattered the moment a silver brooch is found in the garden, and she recognises it as Simonetta’s…

Fosca has always suspected that another member of the resistenza betrayed her. With Richard by her side, she must find out if Simonetta is still alive, and clear her own name. But how did the brooch end up at the house? And with a traitor hiding in the village, willing to do anything to keep this secret buried, has Fosca put herself and her young son in terrible danger?

Review

This is told from multiple perspectives and with an interesting dual timeline - interesting because we don't wander that far into the past. Fosca returns to a place that haunts her, only to find both living ghosts and dead ones awaiting her arrival.

Part of the charm of a book by this particular author is the way she is able to convey the awe-inspiring beauty of the surroundings, which is often tinged with nostalgia. Personally I liked the contrast drawn between the landscape, the architecture, the people and the turbulent traumatic and destructive power of war. Two worlds collide. That contrast is mirrored again with resistance fighters, the collaborators, the silent observers and the enemy of course.

In the same way Richard's renovation or restoration project becomes part of his recovery process. A way of weighing actions, guilt and conscience with his choices and actions. Fixing himself, by restoring the factory - putting the pieces back together bit by bit. Or Fosca trying to work through her own trauma by solving the mystery of what happened to her friend. These are elements that give the read a certain type of depth. 

The reflection and restoration are at the core of this historical fiction set during the Second World war and in the years after. The devastation and destruction of war, and the aftermath of all the traumatic events. Life must go on and more importantly you either choose to confront the past or tuck it away like a dirty secret.

It's a bit of a slow burner, but worth it. The author gives voice to the different experiences of war by giving each character a common denominator and yet ultimately always a completely individual story. 

Buy The Tuscan House at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher: Bookouture pub date 7 April 2021. Buy at Amazon com. At Hive.

#BlogTour A Wild Legacy by Celeste De Blasis

It's my turn on the BlogTour A Wild Legacy by Celeste De Blasis, the third book in the Wild Swan trilogy.

About the Author

Millions of readers have fallen under the spell of the lush, enthralling and bestselling novels by Celeste De Blasis. Tales of adventure and romance set against the sweep of history—all are storytelling at its finest. After graduating from Pomona College, Celeste devoted her life to impeccable research and spellbinding writing.  A native Californian, Celeste grew up on the historic Kemper Campbell Ranch in the Mojave Desert, where she lived until her death in 2001. 

About the book

Lexy Culhane follows in stunned silence as her father bundles her younger brothers onto the train in a midnight flight away from the only life they have ever known. It seems impossible to her that her gentle, loving mother could have shot a man.

Despite the shock, Lexy soon grows to love her new home at Wild Swan, the grand horse farm in Maryland run by her formidable grandmother, Alexandria Falconer. It is from Alex that Lexy has inherited her fiery and rebellious spirit, and which eventually leads her headlong into a career as a crusading reporter during the final days of the frontier wars.

When Lexy meets enigmatic fellow reporter Hawk MacKenna, she feels she has finally found her soulmate. But Hawk’s life is shadowed by a mistake from his youth, and still haunted by her mother’s actions, Lexy struggles to trust him. When her relentless curiosity about his hidden past comes between them, Hawk leaves for the battlefields in the West and Lexy accepts an invitation from distant relations in England. But when she is offered a chance to stay, she faces a test—can she choose between building a new life in this foreign land, or returning to face the pain, and the love, that she left behind?

A stunning, dramatic and heartfelt story by beloved storyteller Celeste De Blasis, set against the backdrop of the most turbulent age of American history. Perfect for readers who love Poldark, Outlander and Daphne du Maurier.

A Wild Legacy was originally published as A Season of Swans.

Review

This is the third book in the Wild Swan trilogy, which used to be called A Season of Swans.  All of the books can be read as standalone novels, however because it is a family saga readers might be interested in reading about the origin story of the family and how they overcome the obstacles in their way.

This part of the trilogy focuses on the granddaughter of the admirable and strong Alexandria Falconer. Lexy is still struggling to understand the actions of her mother, which changed her childhood and her destiny in a way. Personally I thought there should have been more appreciation for the possibilities she was allowed to experience and profit from, instead of wallowing too much in the choices of others she can't control. The question is whether she can overcome her emotional turmoil and grasp some happiness.

Reading a De Blasis is like a blast from the past, because this genre has sort of sunken into shadows. Family sagas were very much one of the main viewing pleasures in the 80s and 90s. Think mini TV series - overly dramatic scenes set in beautiful surroundings with tune stopping dialogue. A very specific type of escapism that lost its appeal somewhere along the decades as readers became eager to have a more serious, relatable and down to earth experience.

Now the genre has been swallowed up and split into multiple sub-genres, which appeal to a variety of demographics. Chick Lit, pure romance, romcom, erotic and so on. The bonkbusters, bodice-rippers and family sagas took a backseat to a more diverse approach to the topic of family, love and relationships. I think there is a resurgence, which suggests that Blasis might get a second wave of appreciation for her work, even if she isn't here to appreciate it herself.

Buy A Wild Legacy at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher : Bookouture pub date 8 Dec. 2020. Buy at Amazon com. Hive. Waterstones. Buy on Apple, Kobo, Google.

#BlogTour The German Girl by Lily Graham

It's a pleasure to take part in the BlogTour The German Girl by Lily Graham.

About the Author

Lily has been telling stories since she was a child, starting with her imaginary rabbit, Stephanus, and their adventures in the enchanted peach tree in her garden, which she envisioned as a magical portal to Enid Blyton’s Faraway Tree. She’s never really got out of the habit of making things up, and still thinks of Stephanus rather fondly.

She lives with her husband and her English bulldog, Fudge, and brings her love for the sea and country-living to her fiction.

Follow @lilygrahambooks on Twitter, on Amazon, on Goodreads, Visit lilygraham.net, on Facebook, Buy The German Girl

About the book

'Our parents were taken. And if we go home, the Nazis will take us too…’

Hamburg 1938. Fifteen-year-old Asta is hurrying home from school with her twin brother Jürgen. The mood in the city is tense – synagogues have been smashed with sledgehammers, and Asta is too frightened to laugh as she used to.

But when she and Jürgen are stopped in the street by a friend, her world implodes further. Her Jewish parents have been dragged into the streets by German soldiers and if she and Jürgen return to their house, they will be taken too.

Heartbroken at the loss of her parents, Asta knows they must flee. With her beloved brother, she must make the perilous journey across Germany and into Denmark to reach their only surviving relative, her aunt Trine, a woman they barely know.

Jammed into a truck with other refugees, Asta prays for a miracle to save herself and Jürgen. Crossing the border is a crime punishable by death, and what she and Jürgen must embark on a dangerous crossing on foot, through the snowy forest dividing Germany and Denmark. And when barking dogs and armed soldiers find Jürgen and Asta escapes, she must hold on to hope no matter what. One day she will find her twin, the other half of herself. Whatever the price she has to pay…

Review

Ingrid has taken on the difficult care of her dementia ridden grandfather. He lives in isolation and dislikes the interference of others, which makes it hard for his loved ones to take care of him. He slips into the past more often now and whilst doing so he reveals memories his granddaughter is unaware of. A life he has kept hidden, heartbreak and pain that have made him seem irrational at times.

Jürgen and Asta live in Hamburg and are beginning to see the rumbles of hatred, racism and the forebodings of the worst time in history to come. Their parents however are like many others in a sense that they think everything will blow over and there will always be time to up and leave at a later date. Unfortunately waiting becomes a death sentence for many. 

Although the outcome may seem clear from the beginning of the story, Graham does a good job of giving readers something more than the presumption of what is to come. I think it's fair to say that the true reach of the Nazi regime before and during World War 2 is often forgotten and underestimated. Just how many countries they managed to invade and control, and how invasive their tentacles of evil were.

The story of Jürgen and Asta gives a voice to those forgotten invasions and the horror that people lived through, but many millions more died because of. It speaks to the trauma, the sacrifices and the incredulity of those involved at the destruction and malice behind the power of the Nazi regime.

It's a powerful piece of historical fiction. It represents the unspoken stories of many.

Buy The German Girl at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher: Bookouture pub date 12 Jan. 2021. Buy at Amazon com. Hive. 

#BlogTour Aunt Ivy's Cottage by Kristin Harper

Today it's my turn on the BlogTour Aunt Ivy's Cottage by Kristin Harper.

About the Author

Ever since she was a young girl, there were few things Kristin Harper liked more than creative writing and spending time on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, with her family. Eventually (after a succession of jobs that bored her to tears), she found a way to combine those two passions by becoming a women’s fiction author whose stories occur in oceanside settings. While Kristin doesn’t live on the Cape year-round, she escapes to the beach whenever she can.

Follow @KHarperAuthor on Twitter, on Amazon, on Goodreads,Visit kristinharperauthor.com, Buy Aunt Ivy's Cottage

About the book

Clearing out the attic, Zoey opens the carved trunk and smiles as she picks up the small, leather-bound diary hiding inside. Curious, she leafs through the pages, and realises this will change everything…

All Zoey’s happiest childhood memories are of her great-aunt Ivy’s rickety cottage on Dune Island, snuggling up with hot chocolate and hearing Ivy’s stories about being married to a sea captain. Now, heartbroken from a breakup, Zoey escapes back to the island, but is shocked to find her elderly aunt’s spark fading. Worse, her cousin—next in line to inherit the house—is pushing Ivy to move into a nursing home.

With the family clashing over what’s best for Ivy, Zoey is surprised when Nick, a local carpenter and Ivy’s neighbor, takes her side. As Zoey finds comfort in his sea-blue eyes and warm laugh, the two grow close. Together, they make a discovery in the attic that links the family to the mysterious and reclusive local lighthouse keeper…

Now Zoey has a heartbreaking choice to make. Nick’s urging her to share the discovery, which could keep Ivy in the house she’s loved her whole life… but when Zoey learns that Nick and her cousin go way back, she questions if the man she‘s starting to have feelings for really has Ivy’s best interests at heart. Will dredging up this old secret destroy the peace and happiness of Ivy’s final years—and tear this family apart for good?

Review

On the surface this is a story about a family squabbling over a possible inheritance. Is it a tale of greed or one of family and identity? Zoey is determined to protect her Aunt Ivy from those who seek to use her age and vulnerability, even if it is the people closest to her. 

Zoey seems hypersensitive to Nick at times. Her reactions a tad overzealous and based on snap judgements, even if they are driven by the disappointments of past decisions and relationships. It's hard for her to see the man without the implications of her experiences.

Set in the landscape of Dune Island and a particularly enchanting house, this is a fictional read that delves into the reality of families having to accept that life eventually comes to an end, and loved ones become fragile and vulnerable. Vulnerable and open to manipulation and deception.

Harper gives readers a tale of nostalgia, secrets and misconceptions. Proof that how we only know what people want us to know is what ultimately determines how we experience them. The fact they have a lifetime of decisions and experiences all tucked away in memories, and behind lock and key, is something we just simply forget. That is captured accurately in this story.

Buy Aunt Ivy's Cottage at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher: Bookouture; pub date 7 Dec. 2020. Buy at Amazon com. At Hive. At Waterstones. Kobo. Google. Apple.

#BlogTour A Wild Heart by Celeste De Blasis

It's a pleasure to be taking part in the BlogTour A Wild Heart by Celeste De Blasis. A Wild Heart was originally published as Swan’s Chance.  

About the Author

Millions of readers have fallen under the spell of the lush, enthralling and bestselling novels by Celeste De Blasis. Tales of adventure and romance set against the sweep of history—all are storytelling at its finest. After graduating from Pomona College, Celeste devoted her life to impeccable research and spellbinding writing.  A native Californian, Celeste grew up on the historic Kemper Campbell Ranch in the Mojave Desert, where she lived until her death in 2001. 

Follow Celeste De Blasis on Goodreads, Buy A Wild Heart

About the book

Alexandria Falconer gazes around the honeyed land of Wild Swan, the extraordinary horse farm she built up from nothing in the border state of Maryland. It has been Alex’s sanctuary through years of turmoil, and she has come of age in this land of opportunity. But the storm clouds of civil war are gathering, and Alex knows she has a choice to make to protect her family and maintain the precarious peace at Wild Swan.

When Alex’s son dies tragically, she is shattered. It is only through caring for her adopted daughter, two-year-old Gincie, that Alex starts to overcome her grief and find comfort with her beloved husband Rane once more. But when Rane is called away to aid the Union war effort, she is left bereft.

Alex’s heart is with Rane, but at home she has the sole responsibility of shielding Gincie and the rest of her family from the danger creeping ever closer to their door. When a charming soldier arrives at Wild Swan, Alex reluctantly gives him shelter, but the two form a bond and when news arrives of Gettysburg, she is torn with worry for men on both sides of the battlefield. With Gincie by her side, she undertakes a dangerous journey to fight for her family, her principles, and the man who holds her heart…

Review

This is the second book in the Wild Swan trilogy, and although it can be read as a standalone novel I would certainly suggest reading the first book A Wild Hope, too. It gives the reader a complete picture of the trials and tribulations Alex has to overcome and because it is a family saga it also gives a gist of the entire story as we follow the family through different generations.

In this book the world Alex inhibits is changed forever when the family experiences tragedy and betrayal on a certain level. Comprehending that she is unable to keep everyone she loves safe is perhaps one of the reasons she finds comfort in those who share her passion for the four-legged gracious animals she loves.

Set within the traumatic and turbulent times of the American Civil War in a country torn apart by differences that would divide families and a whole country, we meet Alexandria Thaine now Alexandria Carrington Falconer as she does everything to ensure her family isn't destroyed during destructive times.

Blasis combines the vibe of a bodice ripper with the important social and political issues of the era it takes place in and melds it with an intense family saga. She doesn't shy away from the uncomfortable reality of those times, although they are presented in a manner befitting the charm of the genre. Slavery, women's rights, the fate of immigrants and of course a war that was to change the landscape of a country and influence its people for many decades to come.

The breeding of thoroughbreds is linked intrinsically to the main character and mirrors the love, passion and idea she has of belonging and family. The horses are part of her legacy and very much a link to her past, present and future.

The result is a nostalgic read not because it is historical fiction, but because the genre is approached differently now in the 21st century. This has the feel of a certain style and voice that was popular a few decades ago when it was written, and indeed many a mini-series was made from books like this - not sure how many people remember North and South by John Jakes for instance. A specific type of romantic escapism that readers were eager to consume, perhaps just the right read to distract people from the worries we have in this era.

Buy A Wild Heart at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher: Bookouture pub date 8 Dec. 2020. Buy at Amazon com. At Hive. At Apple. At Kobo. At Google.

#BlogTour #Audiobook Little Whispers by K.L. Slater

Today it's my turn on the Blogtour Little Whispers by K.L. Slater.

Released in audio on 21st May 2020, Little Whispers will be narrated by prolific audio narrator, Lucy Price-Lewis, who has narrated ten of Slater’s previous novels on Audible, in addition to voicing over 100 audiobooks, including thrillers by Lynda La Plante, Leigh Russell and Malorie Blackman. Little Whispers is published in print on the same date by Bookouture, and the audiobook is available to order on Audible here: Little Whispers at Audible Uk

Little Whispers follows the release of Slater’s audio-first novel, The Apartment, on Audible in 2019.

About the Author
For many years, Kim sent her work out to literary agents and collected an impressive stack of rejection slips. At the age of 40 she went back to Nottingham Trent University and now has an MA in Creative Writing.

Before graduating in 2012, she gained literary agent representation and a book deal. As Kim says, ‘it was a fairytale … at the end of a very long road!’ Kim is a full-time writer and lives in Nottinghamshire with her husband.

Follow @KimLSlater on Twitter, on Goodreads,  Visit klslaterauthor.com, Buy Little Whispers

About the book
When Janey Markham moves to the smartest address in a suburban town, full of gossipy local mothers, she’s delighted when she meets Tanya, the kind of woman Janey has always looked up to. As Janey and Tanya grow closer, Janey feels she can finally leave her troubled past behind. But then everything changes…

In a weak moment over a bottle of wine, Janey finds herself telling Tanya her most shocking secret. And when Janey witnesses something that makes her suspect Tanya’s daughter, Angel, of being involved in a murder, Tanya threatens to make sure that her Janey’s dark secret gets out. Janey faces an impossible choice. Stay quiet about what she saw. Or speak up, and destroy the family she has worked so hard to protect…

Review
Janey is two sheets to the wind when she tells Tanya her secret. She doesn't expect to end up in a situation where she uses it as an effective way to silence her. She might have been more careful, but hey the booze and the fact she feels vulnerable and in over her head in her new neighbourhood. She feels like the poor relative in a community full of rich people.

It's a nice little moral dilemma. You tell someone your darkest secret in a vulnerable moment, perhaps in an attempt to bond with that person. Then you see the daughter of your friend potentially take part in a crime, but can't say anything, because your secret has made you a target for blackmail. What do you do? Risk your secret coming out or keep stumm about the potential criminal? What say you?

It's a domestic thriller with an intriguing premise. Questioning the loyalty of people in general and whether you ever really should trust anyone with your most treasured secrets. There will always be a possibility that someone will reveal it. As sad as it is I always tell my kids to only ever tell people things they would be happy to hear about themselves through the grapevine of the gossip mill, because people who keep secrets forever is a bit like finding a unicorn. Someone always tells and deathbed confessions are very popular.

Slater takes a common scenario of anxiety and trying to fit in, and turns it into the kind of read you can both relate to and find yourself shaking your head at whilst reading.

Buy Little Whispers at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher: Bookouture; pub date 21 May 2020. Buy at Amazon com.

Listening Length - 9 hours and 18 minutes, Author - K. L. Slater, Narrator - Lucy Price-Lewis, Whispersync for Voice - Ready, Audible.co.uk Release Date - 21 May 2020, Publisher -Audible Studios, Program Type - Audiobook, Version - Unabridged, Language - English,