#Blogtour False Heart by Jane Whiteford

It's a plaeasure to atke part in the Blogtour False Heart by Jane Whiteford. Published by‏ The Book Guild Ltd, pub date‎ 28 July 2026. Blogtour courtesy of Zooloo's Book Tours.

About the Author

Jane Whiteford’s writing is inspired by the history and landscape of the northwest of England where she has lived for more than forty years. Her first novel, Till All the Seas, was shortlisted for The Lakeland Book of the Year 2023. False Heart was realeased on the 28th of July 2026.

About the book

1914. As war looms over Europe, the quiet village of Stainwick prepares for change. Acland’s Black Powder Works must expand to meet the demands of conflict, and young accountant David Ainsworth is sent to oversee the transformation. He meets Sarah Liddell, a widowed schoolteacher and mother, whose life is already shaped by loss. Before he is deployed to serve in the Army, David persuades Sarah to marry him, despite her reservations.

When David returns from the trenches four years later, mentally scarred by war, he and Sarah try to salvage their marriage. But when a lightning strike on the powder works triggers a series of explosions and her husband’s secrets are revealed, Sarah’s life is turned upside down.

False Heart is a story of love, deception, and the courage it takes to rebuild after everything has been torn apart.

Review

Sarah is perhaps more vulnerable as a widow with a child. The most obvious predators often hide the less obvious ones. One could argue that false pretenses are expanded upon and that vulnerability is used against her for others to be able to maintain a status quo and clever deception.

When you remove the surrounding trauma of loss, grief, pre-war, war and post-war, there is core issue of deception at the heart of the story. Is keeping your true self hidden at the expense of everyone around you worth it if you hurt those you allegedly care for in the process. I think the story answers that question, and it doesn't matter that the secret being hidden is one that could destroy the person keeping it in the first place. It suggests that the feelings and emotions of one person are more important than those of another.

It's historical fiction, which incorporates certain interesting elements of the historical setting. It also delivers a relatable scenario of grief, trust, love, deception, vulnerability and very much one of survival. When one door closes another one opens, as they say. However the lesson in life should be that we have the ability to create doors where we think there are none.

Buy False Heart at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher: The Book Guild, pub date 28th July 2026. Buy via at mybook.to/falseheart-zbt

#Blogtour One Little Mistake by Miranda Rijks

It's a pleasure to take part in the Blogtour One Little Mistake by Miranda Rijks. Published 9th November 2025 by Inkubator Books.

About the Author

Miranda Rijks is a writer of fast-paced, twisty psychological thrillers many of which have been Amazon bestsellers. She has an eclectic background ranging from law to running a garden centre. 

After surviving bone cancer, Miranda turned to writing and is now living the dream, writing suspense novels full time. 

She lives in West Sussex, England with her Dutch husband and two black Labradors and spends as much time as she can in the Swiss Alps. Follow @MirandaRijks on X, @mirandarijksauthor on Instagram, Visit mirandarijks.com

About the book

They were best friends forever. Then Kate made one little mistake…

Kate thought the spreadsheet was harmless—a private ranking of her four best friends detailing their various strengths and weaknesses. But when it leaks online and goes viral, her carefully curated life implodes.

Social invitations vanish, her business crumbles, even her marriage starts to fall apart. It’s as if the silken thread that has been holding everything together has been pulled and now it’s all unravelling.

And it gets worse. Someone on the list seems to be out for revenge, determined to destroy whatever is left of Kate’s perfect life. As anonymous threats multiply and her son falls mysteriously ill, Kate doesn’t know where to turn or who to trust.

Then, as the fallout from the list turns deadly, she finally understands that her one little mistake could cost her everything – including her life.

Review

Just me, am I the only person who found the entire plot swam in the morally grey waters of humanity? I found Kate terribly privileged, conceited, hypocritical and frankly nobody I would care to call friend.

It's a worrying Kodak snapshot of society with an emphasis on female friendship groups. The judgemental nature between both groups and individuals, the invasive and destructive weaponry of social media. Which invisible rule dictates that we must be part of a group of female friends, have best friends or be tied together for a lifetime? Deluding ourselves into thinking that a childhood companion will also be the right fit in adulthood or indeed that the rules of friendship should be applied with a rigor akin to legal instruction embedded in law.

When you pick it apart the story is a fascinating reflection of societal norms and expectations in friendships, but perhaps more importantly the often vicious and toxic relationships between women. In fact, aside from the biggest threat to women in general - we all know the answer to that - the second biggest threat to women are other women. Sad state of affairs.

The attempted destruction of Kate, her reputation and her life, is the beginning of this tense story. An unravelling of her relationships and close scrutiny of her friendship group - ending with unexpected volatility. It's an uncomfortable read at times and a good one. Oh, and if you take anything away from at all, it should be don't make spreadsheets like this - ever. Tut, tut, Kate.

Buy One Little Mistake at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher ‏: ‎Inkubator Books, pub date 9th November 2025. Buy at Amazon com. 

#Blogtour Storm Flower by Keegan and Tristen Kozinski

 It's a pleasure to take part in the Blogtour Storm Flower by Keegan and Tristen Kozinski. Published by Crazy House Publishing, pub date 5 September 2000. Tour courtesy of Zooloo's Book Blog Tours.

About the Author

Keegan and Tristen Kozinski, and their two sisters, were homeschooled. They were encouraged to try many things, but not television, online gaming, social media, and the other various technology devices. Their mother read aloud to all of them extensively and encouraged them to read, read, read, and then read some more.  They played family boardgames at least one day a week, (playing board games with the family is still one of their favorite things to do) occasionally went to the movies, spent hours at book stores just reading, they hiked, travelled, swam, tried a variety of sports even camping, but nobody really liked it.

Keegan spent hours building k-nex, but never got into legos. He has taken online drawing classes with Glenn Vilppu and CGMA academy.

Tristen is a very hands-off beekeeper. He began playing chess while living in Mexico, and for a number of years played weekly and attended local competitions, but has since switched to other interests. As with all good education, writing is essential. They were given their fair share of opportunities to write.

They decided to become writers after a homeschool writing assignment. That assignment eventually became their first book: THE DARKNESS THAT SLEPT.  We started it at the age of thirteen—it took years to finish. We have since published a few short stories, and two other novels: THE CITY OF LOCKED DOORS, and STORMFLOWER.

They live in northern Alabama and work a real job to pay the bills. When they’re not working or writing or drawing, they enjoy boardgames and online gaming, live theater, listening to soundtracks, walking to discuss ideas, and reading.       They are not particularly fond of social media.

Tristen writes reviews for books he reads/listens to and posts them on Adventuresome Book Reviews. Keegan has done all the cover art for their books. If you would like for them to review a book contact them. Follow @TristenKozinski Visit kozinskibooks.com

About the book

THEY call and some hear.

On the ocean world Charybdis, two orphans were searching. When the corportacracy found them, they said they had no memory of their family —they lied.

Jade and Ilin Dieza were taken, raised to kill the inter-dimensional monstrosities known as revenants. They excelled at it until quiet PLANS and madness tore open a gate between dimensions and unleashed a tide of revenants. Amidst the slaughter, Ilin was dragged through to the other side of existence. Jade followed.

She returned minutes later, years older, bent under the weight of her brother’s body. Now Jade lives as a recluse, haunted by secrets, grief, and guilt. Utterly exhausted, all she wants to do is rest.

Except, a revenant speaks to her, an unnatural plague is spreading, and a friend speaks of an alien compulsion he doesn’t understand. One he must never explore, lest all that lies hidden drags him below. Thus, the second PLAN has begun, and the madness that corrupted the first has worsened.

Review

I'd like to just start off by saying that a Revenant is one thing, but one with humanoid faces and limbs at the end of whatever they use to move around (often in multiples) is just a tad much - a literal nightmare. Something about the imagery makes the thought of them even worse, perhaps not as much as having a unexpected convo with one though. That's just a whole other level.

Jade barely swims above the surface of the grief she carries around with her. The flashbacks, the memories, the fear and the guilt. Now and again a sliver opens up and she is overwhelmed by what haunts her soul. On the flip side is the Jade who answers the call and fights the unpredictable, ruthless and always voracious revenants.

It's a cracking read. A smorgasbord of sci-fi meets speculative fiction brimming with the zesty rebellious vibe of Cyberpunk plus a dab of fantastical world-building. The kind of read that connects the moral fibre of humanity, threads empathy with the fraught emptiness of civilisation built on fear, control and violence.

The question is where does Jade go from here. The choices are limited and confine her ability to live a life less on the edge. The oppression makes her heart weep, but her soul burns with rage.

Buy StormFlower at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher ‏: ‎Crazy House Publishing, pub date 5 Sept. 2000. Buy at Amazon com.

#Blogtour The Flames of Justice by Janey Clarke

 It's a pleasure to take part in the Blogtour The Flames of Justice: The Devil's Mountain by Janey Clarke. Tour courtesy of Zooloos Book Blog Tours.

About the Author

Janey Clarke writes charming, witty, cosy mysteries. From septuagenarian shenanigans in Cornwall to the intrigue of Regency-era whodunits and now to her newest venture into the rugged drama of the Wild West. 

When not plotting her next twist or researching historical details, she can be found exploring the stunning Jurassic Coast in Dorset with her loyal spaniel by her side. With a passion for tea, old books, and well-timed humour, Janey Clarke creates stories she hopes will whisk readers away to delightful worlds where solving a mystery is always the order of the day. And always solved by a feisty heroine! Visit her at www.janeyclarke.com to learn more about her books. Follow @janeyclarke on X or visit janeyclarke.com

About the book

In the rugged heart of the Devil’s Mountains, danger lies in every shadow, and courage is tested at every turn. Josh and Amy find themselves thrust into a treacherous web of conspiracy and survival when a perilous rescue mission delivers cryptic papers into their hands. These documents expose a confederate plot led by the infamous Jesse James, marking them as targets of mysterious black-clad figures who demand their silence—or their lives.

Shadowhawk, a sinister and vengeful figure, terrorizes local homesteads, leaving cryptic biblical verses promising judgment in his wake. Meanwhile, a relentless stalker hunts Josh, and a devastating grasshopper swarm threatens their land and livelihood.

Amidst the chaos, their feelings for each other grow, but that vulnerability could be their greatest risk! With government intrigue, ruthless bandits, and ancient prophecies closing in, Josh and Amy must summon every ounce of strength and courage to navigate the mounting dangers. As the shadows of the past and present close in, they race against time to uncover the truth, secure the treasure, and carve out a future—before the untamed West claims them all.

Review

This is the third book in the The Devil’s Mountain Dames series. It can be read as a standalone, but for continuity it would be a good idea to read the first two books. The pre-existing storylines are easy to pick up, whilst new ones are evolving. 

In a town called Nowhere there seems to be a lot going on and it appears to attract a variety of people, including infamous gangs, people with secrets and the trail of Jesuit gold. A slow-burning potential relationship adds to the atmosphere of the series - we are all rooting for them!

One of those is the mystery of Josh, who has no clue what his story is, just that he appears to be the target of some interesting people, and when I say interesting I mean dangerous. What kind of secrets is Josh carrying around with him in that deep dark space called brain?

It fits nicely into the cosy Western genre. Keeping the read pleasurable whilst giving an idea of historical context and simultaneously creating a series full of memorable characters the reader is happy to follow.

Buy The Flames of Justice at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher ‏ : ‎ Blossom Spring Publishing, pub date: ‎16 April 2025. Buy at Amazon com.

#Blogtour Dissonance of Bird Song by Alexandra Beaumont

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

About the Author

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

About the book

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

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

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

Review

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

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

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

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

I highly recommend this read.

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

#Blogtour Atom Inc by O.C. Heaton

It's been a whirlwind of tours featuring LEAP, Green Ray of The Race is On trilogy. Today it's book three - Atom Inc by O.C. Heaton.

About the Author

'I write what I love to read - big issue thrillers that are super well researched inside a complex plot full of twists and turns.

The result of the above is The Race Is On Series, an idea I had on a trip to Iceland. The first in the series is called LEAP, which tells the tale of a device which has the power to halt global warming. The ensuing race to control the power of this machine will continue throughout the sequel to LEAP which I’m well on my way to completing. It's called Green Ray and will be published in May 2023.

Just like LEAP, the 2nd book weaves fact with fiction and encompasses events such as the 2009 global financial meltdown, Al Qaeda, a new US President and a cornered CIA; another delightful concoction around which I have constructed another tall, but hopefully credible, tale. Watch this space!'

I live in Leeds, UK with the love of my life and our two daughters. It rains a lot in Leeds but that works out well for me - loads of time for research and of course writing! Follow @OCHeaton on X, @ocheaton on Instagram, Visit Website : ocheaton.com

About the book

No one is above the Laws...

Seven years after its conception, LEAP is finally about to spell the end of global warming. For Uma and Ethan, this means personal and professional triumph – but quantum teleportation is an unwieldy beast, held back by those fighting to dominate the new world order.

As LEAP's roll out slows to a trickle, a greater threat emerges when a stealth attack on US troops leaves thousands dead. With the finger of suspicion pointing to a LEAP copycat, Ethan and Uma are forced to condone a breach of the Laws to reverse the massacre.

As LEAP’s new rival continues to show their hand, Ethan is dragged back into a nightmare he thought he had escaped. One that may finally claim his sanity, and that pushes Uma to the limits of hers, to defeat an evil that no longer plays by the rules.

Review

Is it just me or are the ethics getting more murky the further we get into the series, which of course is exactly what happens when an invention, a weapon or advancement opens up a world of opportunities. Somewhere along the path the excitement burns into greed, into hunger to explore elements that have been closed to mankind. The question is where does it stop, and indeed has Uma lost sight of what the research was born from and intended for?

As most inventions there will always be someone ready to use the blueprint and make a power play - with cold hard cash at the heart of it. What happens when you lose control completely, when LEAP becomes the outdated version and potential copies do real harm?

There is a little bit of a twist that might shake up how Uma moves forward, and it will certainly make for an interesting controversy if she does what I think she will do. Is there a personal line she will never cross or does the need to take one step further into research and the unknown always override every ethical barrier in the end?

I note there is also a prequel novella in the series, which captures the beginning of LEAP and the man who brought us the core concept in the first place. I wonder whether the above applies to Jakob also, despite the best intentions. Science, technology and advancement eh - not always the gift it appears to be. Why, well because humans will always be the unknown and unpredictable variable you can never quite calculate with complete accuracy.

Looking forward to reading more!

Buy Atom Inc at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher ‏: ‎Rookwood Publishing, pub date 29 Feb. 2024. Buy at Amazon com.