#Blogtour Someone You Know by Erin Kinsley

It's a pleasure to take part in the Blogtour Someone You Know by Erin Kinsley.

About the Author

Erin Kingsley is a pseudonym of Anne Zouroudi, author of an award-winning series of mysteries featuring enigmatic Greek detective Hermes Diaktoros. Someone You Know is her fourth novel under the Erin Kingsley name. She lives between East Anglia and the Greek Islands. Follow @KinsleyErin on X (the artist formerly known as Twitter)

About the book

When Dee Cutter discovers her daughter Natalie dying in the cellar of her remote Norfolk home, she never imagines anyone could have meant Natalie harm. But Natalie's death leads to the unravelling of the dark secrets she's been keeping, secrets which impact on everyone around her, especially those who loved her most.

Some people are born bad, and some grow rotten from the core. If Someone You Know is doing terrible things, how far should you go to try and stop them?

Review

This is one of those books that make it hard to discuss the content in the review, because it automatically leads to the solution. I'll tread carefully, however the core of the premise is too good not to discuss.

The question is whether the punishment fits the crime and if sometimes the wrong thing to do is exactly the right thing to do. Do certain circumstances warrant breaking all the rules? Is saving a loved one always enough of reason to excuse any action?

When Dee starts to wonder why her daughter Natalie hasn't been in touch and isn't responding to any contact, she goes looking for her. The last thing she thinks she will find is her daughter hurt and dying on the floor of her cellar.

In the search for an explanation Dee starts to see a picture emerge of  the daughter of a woman she hardly knew, who perhaps wasn't the wonderful mother everyone thought she was. 

It's a captivating premise, perhaps more so because the author takes the reader on a road of grey area, which wanders off into the dark side now and again. In the end the majority will probably understand that sometimes you have to take a stance, make a choice and protect the most vulnerable in that situation.

Buy Someone You Know at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher ‏: ‎Headline, pub date 1 Jun. 2023. Buy at Amazon com.

#BlogTour To Lahore, With Love by Hina Belitz

Today it's my turn on the BlogTour To Lahore, With Love by Hina Belitz. It's a fantastic read.

About the Author
Hina Belitz is an author and renowned equal rights lawyer. Born in Pakistan to an Indian father and a mother of Iranian, Afghan and Indian descent, Belitz was brought up in Hampshire – a place starkly different to her parent’s home city of Lahore, and where she was the only Asian person in her school.

Her debut novel, Set Me Free, was critically acclaimed and led to her being interviewed by Morgan Freeman and starring in a National Geographic documentary about love. Her writing has appeared in numerous publications including the Guardian and the BBC.

A lot of the narrative in To Lahore, With Love has its roots in Hina's own life experience, she can write pieces on: Normalising Asian stories, food and identity, diversity in literature, careers and women, surviving heartbreak, fertility and growing up in the English countryside, amongst other topics.

Follow @Hina_Belitz on Twitter, on Goodreads, Buy To Lahore with Love

About the book
Addy Mayford has always struggled with her identity. Brought up in a household of stories, food and faith by her Irish mother and Pakistani Nana, she feels constantly torn between the two sides of her upbringing. Since the death of her father, she's found contentment cooking delicious recipes from his home city of Lahore, despite the protestations of her mother that being a chef is no career for a young woman. It's only with the love of her gorgeous husband, Gabe, that she's truly found happiness.

When Addy stumbles across a secret that shatters her entire world, she desperately needs to escape and is drawn to the sights of Lahore and the family she's never known. Waiting for her there is Addy's final acceptance of who she is, and a long-buried family secret that will change her life for ever.

Review
I loved the emotion that emanated from this story. You can feel it in every word and especially in every recipe. Addy is a young woman who has her feet in two worlds at the same time. She balances the boundaries between the two, and often has to deal with the racism that comes with one part of her identity and heritage.

The concept of food or recipes dropped intermittently into a story isn't a new one per se, however the way this author does it makes it an integral part of the dialogue and tale. The food is the way Addy communicates with her internal and external worlds. Each problem or situation has a culinary explosion of the senses as a solution.

Each interaction with her Nana is embedded with the richness of prayer, faith and the magic of food. Something she falls back on when her marriage falls apart. Lost in depression and desperate for her old life she travels to the homeland of her father to gain some perspective.

It's a contemporary cultural read - a story about identity and family. It has an Eat, Love, Pray vibe but without the sanctimony of white privilege. Instead it's a culturally rich story about a woman who lives in two worlds with a part of her soul in each. When she steps from her everyday life into her Nana's world of Lahore everything she knows to be true is suddenly thrown into disarray.

Belitz infuses this story with such an incredibly strong feeling of love, not just a love of food, but with love in general. It truly is one of those reads you walk away from with something tucked away forever in the back of your mind. Belitz is an amazingly insightful writer, who has filled this book with a part of her own soul. It's a beautifully crafted cultural read about magic, food and family.

Buy To Lahore with Love at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher: Headline; pub date 19th March 2019 | Paperback | £8.99 - eBook out 19.03.2019. Buy at Amazon com.

#BlogTour It Started With a Secret by Jill Mansell

It's a pleasure to take part in the BlogTour It Started With a Secret by Jill Mansell.

About the Author
Jill Mansell is the author of over twenty Sunday Times bestsellers including The One You Really Want and Meet Me at Beachcomber Bay. Take a Chance on Me won the RNA’s Romantic Comedy Prize, and in 2015 the RNA presented Jill with an outstanding achievement award.

Jill’s personal favourite amongst her novels is Three Amazing Things About You, which is about cystic fibrosis and organ donation; to her great delight, many people have joined the organ donor register as a direct result of reading this novel.

Jill started writing fiction while working in the field of Clinical Neurophysiology in the NHS, but now writes full time. She lives in Bristol with her family.

Follow @JillMansell @headlinepg on Twitter, Follow on Goodreads, Follow OfficialJillMansell on Facebook, Visit jillmansell.co.uk, Buy It Started With a Secret

About the book
The trouble with secrets is that you can't guess what the consequences will be . . .

Lainey has just lost everything. Luckily one little fib (OK, quite a big fib) helps nail her dream job. Soon she's living in a stunning house by the sea, fending off obsessed fans for a retired - if far-from-retiring - actor and organising his charming but chaotic family. Yes, everyone thinks she's part of a couple and it's tricky keeping this secret. But at least she's not looking for love: with her disastrous relationship history, men are definitely off the agenda.

Except Seth, the actor's grandson, really is very attractive. There's growing chemistry and a definite connection between them. What would happen if he knew the truth?

But Lainey's not the only one with a secret - it seems everyone has them! And they're all about to start unravelling...

Review
Lainey finds herself out of a job and applies for a new one as one part of a happy couple. The only problem is she isn't part of a couple. So she needs a man who will pose as her happy ever after asap. Her friend is willing to do the honours, except his small catch is that he likes his romantic interests tall, dark and handsome.

They get the job based on a lie, which is a bed of quicksand waiting to suck them both under. Lainey feels comfortable with the eccentric family. The unpredictable grandfather, the sulky teens and the attractive and very suspicious step-son - they are all chaotic and yet simultaneously incredibly entertaining.

It's about forgetting the construct of family as we know it and as society has taught us. It isn't about being genetically related, it's about emotional bonds. Family is the people you let surround you, especially in times of joy or sorrow. It doesn't have to be mother, father and 2.5 children. It can be any combination you want, as long as it makes you feel safe.

I loved the way Mansell gave every character the same kind of reverence and attention, which doesn't always work by the way. No person is left behind and all the threads are tied up neatly by the last page.

Mansell delivers a lovely feel good read - a contemporary romance with family at the core. There is this general aura of warmth and love regardless of whether the characters are going through painful or emotional moments. It's Mansell moments of magic that makes the read.

Buy It Started With a Secret at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publishing in hardback by Headline Review on 23 January 2020 - priced £14.99. Buy at Amazon com.

Read my review of This Could Change Everything by Jill Mansell.

#BlogTour Doing Time by Jodi Taylor

Today it's the start of the BlogTour Doing Time by Jodi Taylor.

About the Author
Jodi Taylor is the internationally bestselling author of the Chronicles of St Mary's series, the story of a bunch of disaster-prone individuals who investigate major historical events in contemporary time. Do NOT call it time travel!

Born in Bristol and now living in Gloucester (facts both cities vigorously deny), she spent many years with her head somewhere else, much to the dismay of family, teachers and employers, before finally deciding to put all that daydreaming to good use and write a novel. Nearly twenty books later, she still has no idea what she wants to do when she grows up.

Follow @JodiTaylorBooks on Twitter, on Facebook, on Goodreads, on Amazon, Visit jodi-taylor.com, Buy Doing Time

About the book
Introducing The Time Police, the brand-new series by international bestselling author, Jodi Taylor - an irresistible spinoff from the much-loved Chronicles of St Mary’s series. Perfect reading for fans of Doctor Who, Ben Aaronovitch and Jasper Fforde.

A long time ago in the future, the secret of time travel became known to all. Everyone seized the opportunity - and the world nearly ended. There will always be idiots who want to change history. And so, the Time Police were formed. An all-powerful, international organisation tasked with keeping the timeline straight. At all costs. Their success is legendary, and the Time Wars are over. But now the Time Police must fight to save a very different future - their own.

This is the story of Jane, Luke and Matthew - arguably the worst recruits in Time Police history. Or, very possibly, three young people who might just change everything.

Review
For me this had a very specific brand of humour. The kind of dry humour that's in Hot Fuzz and The World's End (someone in my household has a thing for Simon Pegg comedies atm). It sometimes flies over the head, because it is subtle or people just don't get the snark.

The Time Police are sent back into time to keep timelines straight and to ensure that history isn't changed or thrown off-track. They are sent to stop time-criminals and to intervene before the worst case scenario happens.

The Time Police have a serious job to do, and yet our special team is newly qualified and perhaps more of a pain in the butt to the powers that be than said powers will admit. One gets the feeling they are not only expecting them to mess up, but are actually hoping they end up causing a catastrophe.
In particular Luke's father hopes he makes his mark and grows up a bit, and yet simultaneously he expects him to fail.

It's science-fiction, a futuristic time-challenging premise that can be read by both young and older readers. It's straightforward, filled with a slapstick and snarky kind of humour. It would have been interesting to wade into the dangers and perhaps even merits of playing with time. Saying that, I think Taylor likes to give readers a lighthearted, easy and amusing read, which is indeed the case.

Buy Doing Time at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Published in Hardback by Headline 17 October 2019 - Hardback - £18.99. Buy at Amazon com.

#BlogTour Playing with Death by Simon Scarrow and Lee Francis

Today it's my turn on the BlogTour Playing with Death written by Simon Scarrow and Lee Francis. It's my pleasure to bring this fantastic tour to a cracking end. The authors tackle quite a few questions of morality and humanity in this story about our society and the all-consuming technology our lives are now filled with.

About the Authors
A regular on the Sunday Times bestseller list with his historical novels, Simon Scarrow launches an exciting new strand to his writing with Playing with Death, written with Lee Francis: both an edge-of-your-seat thriller and a terrifying exploration of the dangers of the modern world.
Simon's Eagles of the Empire novels are legendary amongst readers of historical fiction, and all his novels, have been acclaimed by reviewers and readers alike. Prior to writing fiction Simon worked as a teacher and lecturer; he is now a full-time writer.
Follow @SimonScarrow @headlinepg on Twitter
Visit simonscarrow.co.uk
Buy Playing with Death

Lee Francis worked for several years in the world of film, TV and advertising as a script reader and assistant director. Playing with Death, written with his former lecturer Simon Scarrow, is his first novel.
Follow @_LeeFrancis @headlinepg on Twitter
Visit leefrancisauthor.com
Buy Playing with Death

About the book

FBI Special Agent Rose Blake has faced evil and survived.
Haunted by a failed undercover mission, Rose is finding it hard to shake the memories of her close encounter with a ruthless serial killer - one who is still free, and could strike again without warning.
The call to investigate a suspected arson attack that's left a man dead is a welcome distraction. It's not the kind of case usually assigned to the FBI, but nothing about this crime is usual. As Rose digs deeper, she finds herself confronting the sort of imagination her son might see in the fantasy worlds of his video games.
But when your opponent is a killer, nothing feels like a game. . .

Review
This book introduces the reader to a slightly different type of killer and crime-fighting duo. The main character finds herself targeted by the serial killer she inadvertently let escape, a kill and munch type of killer. After a period of respite he returns with new skills and a new platform he uses to prey on his unsuspecting victims.

In the middle of this book I found myself with a conundrum, specifically in relation to a conversation between Rose and Diva. I disagreed with Rose and agreed with Diva. First of all there is the question of whether it is morally correct to rape, torture, kill or treat virtual entities as inanimate objects, regardless of whether they are merely virtual concepts or AI's.

If a person, leaving gender aside for a moment, is willing to abuse or kill in a virtual or online setting are they just one step away from committing the same act in a real life setting? Once those boundaries have been crossed in a virtual world the thrill of doing it to an actual human is only a question of time. The other side of the argument is whether we are approaching an attitude of punishing the thought process, before the actual deed or crime has been perpetrated.

The authors tackle quite a few questions of morality and humanity in this story about our society and the all-consuming technology our lives are now filled with. Instead of communicating with each other we are immersed in the world inside our gadgets. For the majority of us the world wide web is a way to connect and learn, for a smaller yet growing number it is the door to the fulfilment of any and all of their desires. The deep or dark web caters to the more criminally inclined and the deviants.

On a side note the whole Koenig does his own refurbishing (you'll know what I mean when you read the book) was a wee bit implausible.

By the way don't miss the Afterword by Simon Scarrow, it is enlightening to say the least, especially the part about the Artificial Intelligence, the experiment and of course Autonomous Intelligence. I am looking forward to seeing where Francis and Scarrow take this peculiar crime-solving duo. Diva doesn't think the law applies to her and Rose doesn't mind bending it a little to solve a case. It's an innovative idea completely in keeping with advancements in technology and possible potential future threats to society and human life in general.

It's certainly a thought provoking read, perhaps because it sails quite close to the truth in regards to online addictions, obsessions and technology.

Buy Playing with Death at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.
Publisher: Headline Books
Pub. date: 26 July 2018

#BlogTour This Could Change Everything by Jill Mansell

Today it's the last day of the fantastic BlogTour for This Could Change Everything by Jill Mansell. This book is a chocolate button in a world full of carrot slices, a little bit of sugar in a bitter tasting environment. It reminds us of the fact we control our own destinies and that we should all make the time for small acts of kindness.

About the Author
Jill Mansell is the author of over twenty Sunday Times bestsellers including The One You Really Want, To The Moon and Back, You and Me, Always and Meet Me At Beachcomber Bay. Take a Chance On Me won the RNA's Romantic Comedy Prize, and in 2015 the RNA presented Jill with an outstanding achievement award.

Jill's personal favourite amongst her novels is Three Amazing Things About You, which is about cystic fibrosis and organ donation; to her great delight, many people have joined the organ donor register as a direct result of reading this novel.

Jill started writing fiction while working in the NHS, after she read a magazine article that inspired her to join a local creative writing class. Her first book was published in 1991 and she is now a full-time novelist. She is one of the few who still write their books by hand, like a leftover from the dark ages. She lives in Bristol with her family.

Follow @JillMansell @headlinepg on Twitter, Follow OfficialJillMansell on Facebook, Visit jillmansell.co.uk, Buy This Could Change Everything

About the book
On the one hand, if Essie hadn't written that letter - the one that only her best friend was meant to see - then she'd still be living like an actual proper grown-up, tucked up with Paul in his picture-perfect cottage, maybe even planning their wedding...
On the other hand (if her true feelings hadn't accidentally taken the internet by storm, that is) she wouldn't have moved into the attic flat on the square. She would never have met Conor. Or got to know Lucas...
And she wouldn't have found herself falling in love with someone she really, really shouldn't fall in love with...

Review
Have you ever watched hyperlink cinema, a film with multiple interrelated storylines? This Could Change Everything is exactly like that, a book where characters occupy independent stories, but are connected via common links or a character. The author weaves these stories, as if she is creating a perfect basket of emotional turmoil, kindness and love.

The star of this memorable set of characters is most definitely Zillah, and one of the most important themes of this book starts with her. It's the concept of paying it forward. Doing a good deed and not expecting anything in return for it, but instead expecting the benefactor of the deed to do something kind for someone else in return and so on.

Her need to help others is probably driven by a feeling of guilt she has about her own sometimes selfish choices in life. All of that seems unimportant in comparison to all the people she is helping in the here and now. Including a young woman called Essie, who doesn't recognise the abusive traits in her boyfriend, a young thief who needs a push in the right direction or a young man who can't see the forest for all the trees.

It's a read I know I will be recommending, especially to readers who seek a little respite from the stark reality of life, and who need to believe in love and the nicer side of humanity. Mansell knows how to present the messier side of relationships, which includes the mistakes and the wrong paths we take, but ultimately brings the threads together to create a smorgasbord of hope.

This book is a chocolate button in a world full of carrot slices, a little bit of sugar in a bitter tasting environment. It reminds us of the fact we control our own destinies and that we should all make the time for small acts of kindness.

Buy This Could Change Everything at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.
Publisher: Headline

#BlogTour Freefall by Adam Hamdy

Today it is my turn on the BlogTour for Freefall (John Wallace #2) by Adam Hamdy, it is the second book in the Pendulum Trilogy Series. Hamdy pulls no punches in this action packed story.

About the Author
Adam Hamdy is the author of the Pendulum trilogy, published by Headline in November 2016. New York Times bestselling author, James Patterson, said: “I read Pendulum in one gloriously suspenseful weekend. Definitely one of the best thrillers of the year.”

As a screenwriter, Adam has worked with studios and production companies on both sides of the Atlantic, and is currently developing original TV dramas with networks in the UK and US.

In addition to his film and television work, Adam is building a reputation as an author. After garnering critical acclaim, Adam’s self-published second novel, Out of Reach, was republished by Endeavour Press in 2015.

Prior to embarking on his writing career, Adam was a strategy consultant and advised global businesses in the medical systems, robotics, technology and financial services sectors.

Adam has a degree in Law from Oxford University and a degree in Philosophy from the University of London. Adam is a seasoned skier, rock climber, CPSA marksman, and is a member of the International Thriller Writers Organisation, the Society of Authors, the Crime Writers Association, and the Writers Guild of Great Britain.

Follow @adamhamdy @headlinepg 
Visit adamhamdy.com
Buy Freefall

About the book
Eight months after confronting Pendulum, John Wallace is losing himself in a dangerous warzone in a misguided attempt at penance for what he has done. But an assassination attempt makes Wallace realise that he has once again been targeted for death. This time, Wallace is prepared and, tracking down his would-be assassin, he discovers a link to his nemesis, Pendulum.

The link is the missing piece of a puzzle that has tormented FBI Agent Christine Ash ever since they confronted Pendulum, but with no Bureau support she has been unable to progress her case. Wallace's proof breaks it, but also exposes them both to terrible danger.

Confronted by a powerful, hidden enemy, Ash and Wallace must overcome impossible odds if they are to avert a dangerous challenge to the networked world that threatens to destroy our way of life.

Review
Freefall takes the reader from character to character, as they are all sucked into the web of the Pendulum, the supposedly dead violent killer. Well, technically he is dead, however somehow he or a psycho copying his style is back on the scene.

Nearly a year after the traumatic and violent events of Pendulum, John Wallace has withdrawn into the mountain regions of an extremely violent warzone. He is trying to deal with his guilt and find a way to make up for the mistakes he made. It doesn't take him very long to figure out that there are things you can't make right. His burden worsens tenfold when the people who have taken him in are attacked and killed for one reason only, the fact he is living among them.

Christine Ash ends up in a dangerous situation, which triggers flashbacks and possibly PTSD from her abusive childhood. Instead of breaking her spirit they break something else, a certain dark hidden aspect of her past and personality that will definitely have consequences for the next part in the trilogy.

Hamdy plays around with paranoia, betrayal and the concept of loyalty. He combines a fast-paced action thriller with aspects of police procedurals. I liked the idea of experiencing the stress, fear and physical limitations of the main characters, after the traumatic events of Pendulum, and how they react to a reawakening of those fears.

At times the story felt disjointed and a wee bit like a goth version of Deadpool had gained his own following of psychotic killers, who were subsequently popping up in their special killing attire all over the place. Too many cooks in the kitchen vying for attention perhaps?

Saying that, it is also like a non-stop brutal roller-coaster ride with the occasional emotional outburst or breakdown, and a multitude of deaths, which is exactly the kind of story many readers will enjoy. There is no time for dilly-dallying or bouts of conscience in the Pendulum series. I wonder just how much darker it's going to get and who is going to end up on the other side of the team, because after this book you just never know.

Buy Freefall at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.
Paperback pub. 17th May 2018
Publisher: Headline Books Visit headline.co.uk
Buy Pendulum (John Wallace #1) Book 1 in the Pendulum Trilogy