#BlogTour Paul McGraw: Kid to Killer by Paul Elliott

Today it is my turn on the BlogTour for Kid to Killer by Paul Elliott. It is the story of a boy with a strong sense of justice, which evolves into vigilantism. One could argue that one man's justice is another man's murder.

About the Author
Paul Elliott, born in Edinburgh in 1974 is the creator and writer of the book Paul McGraw: Kid To Killer which is available now on the kindle store

Having grown up in some of the roughest areas of Edinburgh and leaving Wester Hailes Education Centre after year one with no qualifications, he joined the army as a junior officer at 15 years old but very quickly realised it wasn't for him.
Paul then moved onto being a nightclub bouncer, debt collector, personal security provider and car dealer before trying his hand at writing a novel.

Twitter @EdinburghAuthor
Facebook: Paul Elliott/Author

Buy Paul McGraw: Kid to Killer

About the book
A fifteen year old boy sees it as his duty to rid Edinburgh of the scum that prey on the innocent people of the city. He finds that to punish the guilty he must first face fear,loss and betrayal.

He will soon discover things aren't always as they seem, and there are other people who have uses for a young killer as well as bigger forces at play.

Review
A fifteen year old kid, who believes he can solve the problems of the world or at least those of Edinburgh by taking out dangerous criminals one at a time. A belief born out of having to learn how to survive in a dog eat dog world, and a world full of bullies.

I am fairly certain that the idea of being a vigilante and dispersing of all the dangerous elements of society aka kill them, is one which passes through quite a few minds occasionally, then again that might just be me. The most obvious danger in that is who decides which criminal is on the hit-list, and how do you decide. I would think it would be an easy decision to kill rapists, serial killers, child molesters and mass killers, but who draws the line and where? Who decides which crime fits the ultimate definitive punishment?

The argument is similar to for and against the death penalty. What happens if you kill an innocent person, does an eye for an eye really equate to real justice? I won't weigh in with my personal opinion on vigilantism or the death penalty. Justice systems are flawed, which is how murderers end up on back on the street and killing again, and also how many innocent men and women spend decades behind bars.

In this scenario you also have to wonder who is being put on the hit-list by whom and why. Is there some ulterior motive behind specific names. More importantly what makes the self-appointed vigilante more able or knowledgeable to make those choices.

Elliott presents a premise quite a few readers will nod their heads at, but there will also be a lot of shaking of heads. In that sense it will create discussion and debate. It is the story of a boy with a strong sense of justice, which evolves into vigilantism. One could argue that one man's justice is another man's murder. It could do with a little polish and smoothing of the edges, but I expect that will come with a honing of skills. Kid to Killer is the first in the series, so it will be interesting to see where the author takes this vigilante.

Buy Paul McGraw: Kid to Killer at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.
Pub. date 2nd June 2018

#BlogTour The Cliff House by Amanda Jennings

It's an absolute delight to be taking part in the BlogTour for The Cliff House by Amanda Jennings. When grief turns into obsession, two families are in danger of being torn apart and destroyed. The premise seems so innocent you just might not see the wave of emotional destruction coming.

About the Author
Amanda Jennings lives in Oxfordshire with her husband, three daughters, and a menagerie of animals. She studied History of Art at Cambridge and before writing her first book, was a researcher at the BBC.

With a deep fascination on the far-reaching effects of trauma, her books focus on the different ways people find to cope with loss, as well as the moral struggles her protagonists face. Her favourite place to be is up a mountain or beside the Cornish sea.

Follow @MandaJJennings  @HQStories, Visit amandajennings.co.uk, Buy The Cliff House

About the book
From the bestselling author of In Her Wake, Amanda Jennings, comes a haunting tale of obsession, loss and longing, set against the brooding North Cornish coastline.
Cornwall, summer of 1986.
The Davenports, with their fast cars and glamorous clothes, living the dream in a breathtaking house
overlooking the sea. If only… thinks sixteen-year-old Tamsyn, her binoculars trained on the perfect family in their perfect home. If only her life was as perfect as theirs. If only Edie Davenport would be her friend. If only she lived at The Cliff House…

Review
The Cliff House is so many things, it isn't just a psychological thriller, it is a coming-of-age meets a family coping with grief and the hard realities of living below the breadline story. When you put all those components together and add a layer or difference of socioeconomic status between two friends, that's when you can see the cracks start to appear in the seemingly innocent story of a young lonely girl.

A girl almost consumed with grief after the death of her father, despite the fact it has already been many years since his death. Tamsyn focuses her obsession on any place she visited with her father and even on any object he may have touched at one point. When anyone invades those memories she becomes irrational and antagonistic.

One of the places she obsesses about is a house her father told her would one day be theirs. The Cliff House and its inhabitants are the objects of her daily routine. She watches, she imagines and she becomes part of the family, if only in her head.

One day her routine is disrupted and her fantasy threatened when the daughter of the house discovers Tamsyn trespassing. The ensuing relationship or what she perceives to be a relationship is the beginning of a downward spiral for everyone in both families. Her reaction when someone encroaches upon her territory is indicative of a dark side of her personality.

Jennings plays around with the alleged innocence of youth, the divide between rich and poor, and the invisibility each girl suffers from in their own family settings. Every family has problems regardless of their economic status.

Jennings underplays the importance of the obsession, so it becomes a subtle undertone in the background. It buzzes around like a persistent reminder, but not enough to think it might be an actual threat. It's a sublime well-plotted story.

Buy The Cliff House by Amanda Jennings at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.
Buy Hardback  Paperback release 6th September 2018 Publisher Harper Collins UK

#BlogTour The Old You by Louise Voss

I am delighted to take part in the BlogTour for The Old You by Louise Voss. It is a labyrinth of secrets, unforgivable betrayal and murderous intent. At times I think even the criminal isn't entirely sure who the real culprit is. Prepare to be surprised at the sheer audacity of the crimes.

About the Author
Over her eighteen-year writing career, Louise Voss has had eleven novels published – five solo and six co-written with Mark Edwards: a combination of psychological thrillers, police procedurals and
contemporary fiction – and sold over 350,000 books. Louise has an MA (Dist) in Creative Writing and also works as a literary consultant and mentor for writers at www.thewritingcoach.co.uk. She lives in South-West London and is a proud member of two female crimewriting collectives, The Slice Girls and Killer Women.
Follow @LouiseVoss1 @OrendaBooks
Visit vossandedwards.com

About the book
Nail-bitingly modern domestic noir. A tense, Hitchcockian psychological thriller Louise Voss returns with her darkest, most chilling, novel yet…

Lynn Naismith gave up the job she loved when she married Ed, the love of her life, but it was worth it for the happy years they enjoyed together. Now, ten years on, Ed has been diagnosed with early-onset dementia, and things start to happen; things more sinister than lost keys and missing words. As some memories are forgotten, others, long buried, begin to surface … and Lynn’s perfect world begins to crumble. But is it Ed’s mind playing tricks, or hers…?

Review
I figured the core of the plot out in the first few chapters, not because it's predictable more so based on the premise of just how insidious the author could possibly be. Let's just say, Voss doesn't disappoint.

Let me also start out by saying how annoyingly naive I found Lynn, especially considering her prior training and career. She is also a hypocrite of the highest order, and I would go so far as to place a fair piece of blame squarely on her shoulders. Towards the end there seems to be no difference between Ed and Lynn.

When her husband is diagnosed with an illness, which is already chipping away at his memories and his personality, Lynn is both devastated and worried for her future. Watching your loved one fade away into a jumble of paranoia, fear, anger and confusion is incredibly frightening. Add the fact that your husband was never cleared of allegedly making his first wife disappear, and then you have a whole other layer of despair and danger.

I enjoyed the way Voss took one of the most frightening illnesses a person and family can be confronted with and turned it into a crime, indeed can I call it the weapon of choice. According to predicted statistics dementia is possibly one of the most worrying pending health epidemics. It is nothing less than a stroke of genius to use it as a crime premise, and certainly even more so when none of the characters are entirely sure what they are confronted with.

Louise Voss clearly has the mind of a master criminal and plots accordingly, so readers are in for quite a ride with The Old You. It is a labyrinth of secrets, unforgivable betrayal and murderous intent. At times I think even the criminal isn't entirely sure who the real culprit is. Prepare to be surprised at the sheer audacity of the crimes.

Buy The Old You at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.
Publisher: Orenda Books Visit: orendabooks.co.uk
Paperback edition Kindle edition

#BlogTour Meeting Lydia by Linda MacDonald

Today it is my pleasure to take part in the BlogTour for Meeting Lydia by Linda MacDonald. Her books focus on relationships and the complexities of those relationships, as they change and evolve throughout time. The perception of each person is subjective and seen through their own frame of references, which is how MacDonald approaches each book.

About the Author
Linda MacDonald is the author of four novels: Meeting Lydia and the stand-alone sequels, A Meeting of a Different Kind, The Alone Alternative and The Man in the Needlecord Jacket. All Linda's books are contemporary adult fiction, multi-themed, but with a focus on relationship issues.

After studying psychology at Goldsmiths', Linda trained as a secondary science and biology teacher. She taught these subjects for several years before moving to a sixth-form college to teach psychology. The first two novels took ten years in writing and publishing, using snatched moments in the evenings, weekends and holidays. In 2012, she gave up teaching to focus fully on writing.

Linda was born and brought up in Cockermouth, Cumbria and now lives in Beckenham in Kent.

Follow @LindaMac1 @MatadorBooks #MeetingLydia

Buy Meeting Lydia

About the book
Meeting Lydia explores the very relevant topics of childhood bullying, midlife crises, the pros and cons of internet relationships, and how the psychological effects of these affect the main character and those around her. Readers will be gripped by the turbulent life of Marianne who navigates the onset of menopause, an empty nest, a suspected errant husband and a demanding new obsession that pulls her in deeper as the story unfolds. Those interested in the psychology of relationships will enjoy this novel, as well as those who delight in an enthralling story with relatable characters and the powerful question of what happens when the past catches up with the present. This second edition has reworked the early chapters of the first edition, making for a pacy and shorter version more in line with the audiobook.

Marianne comes home from work one day to find her husband talking to a glamorous woman in their kitchen. Old childhood insecurities resurface, stemming from a time back at school when she was bullied. Jealousy rears its head and her happy marriage begins to crumble. Desperate for a solution - and introduced by her daughter to social networking - she tries to track down her first schoolgirl crush, the enigmatic Edward Harvey. But Marianne is unprepared for the power of email relationships ...

Review
To be frank, I found Marianne completely unlikeable, especially in the first few chapters. There is incessant complaining and blaming of others. As the story unfolds her inner turmoil becomes a lot clearer, and the reasons why she seems at the very least like a petty jealous fishwife. Then some of the interactions with her husband make it easier to understand her.

He is insulting and crosses boundaries with other women he wouldn't allow his wife to cross. He makes her feel small, invalid and unloved. Simultaneously Marianne makes it hard to be liked. She finds it difficult to deal with natural hormonal changes. The sense of feeling bereft at no longer being able to conceive is replaced by confusion about uncontrollable physical symptoms she experiences. Instead of seeking help or talking with someone, she withdraws even further into the confines of her own fears and insecurities.

Meeting Lydia deals with historic bullying, the symptoms of early and peri-menopause, the way society treats women after they pass into the middle-age bracket, and ultimately the way our deepest desires and goals remain unfulfilled as life passes us by.

And this is the moment where, as a reader, especially as a woman, you have to take a step back and try to understand her thought processes. Why do women of a certain age become invisible to others? The loss of youth, the ageing process, and definitely when their roles as mothers have been fulfilled, they are no longer of any interest to potential love partners for instance. Unfortunately the younger generations of women are unable to see themselves fitting into the same category (ahh the innocence of youth), and more often than not they become the adversary instead of the supporter.

As for men, well they expect a woman to stay the same throughout the decades, despite letting themselves go. A hypocritical attitude, but quite common. There is also a lack of understanding for the changes women go through, although admittedly women don't understand them completely either.

Marianne seeks closure for events in the past and tries to come to terms with the new phases of her relationship and her age. She starts what could be perceived as an emotional online relationship, which helps her to work through all of the above. In a way it is a long one-sided therapy session, with the other person being completely unaware of the importance of the correspondence.

MacDonald always manages to hit on core emotional issues in her stories. They may be woven into the fabric of a fictional scenario, but it doesn't make them any less realistic for readers. The charm of her particular style of storytelling is the way she combines everyday emotions, problems and inner dialogues with relatable characters. Her main character represents the unhappy, confused, unloved and dissatisfied woman that lives in the majority of women, it just surfaces more often in some of us. In an way it is actually Marianne meeting Marianne or the woman she is, as she goes forward.

Buy Meeting Lydia at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.
Buy Paperback version
Read my review of The Man in the Needlecord Jacket by Linda MacDonald

#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

#BlogTour Fault Lines by Doug Johnstone

Today it is my pleasure to take part in the BlogTour for Fault Lines by Doug Johnstone. In this tale the earth beneath our feet plays a big part in the crime scenario. It is always in the background, whilst the story is happening, and perhaps it also influences the outcome of events, even if it is just via the visceral connection the main character has with her surroundings.

About the Author
Doug Johnstone is an author, journalist and musician based in Edinburgh. He’s had eight novels published, most recently Crash Land. His previous novel, The Jump, was a finalist for the McIlvanney Prize for Scottish CrimeNovel of the Year. Doug is also a Royal Literary Fund Consultant Fellow.

He’s worked as an RLF Fellow at Queen Margaret University, taught creative writing at Strathclyde University and been Writer in Residence at Strathclyde University and William Purves Funeral Directors. He mentors and assesses manuscripts for The Literary Consultancy and regularly tutors at Moniack Mhor writing retreat. Doug has released seven albums in various bands, reviews books for the Big Issue, is player-manager for Scotland Writers Football Club and has a PhD in nuclear physics.

Follow @doug_johnstone @OrendaBooks
Visit  dougjohnstone.com
Buy Fault Lines

About the book
In a reimagined contemporary Edinburgh, where a tectonic fault has opened up to produce a new
volcano in the Firth of Forth, and where tremors are an everyday occurrence, volcanologist Surtsey
makes a shocking discovery.

On a clandestine trip to new volcanic island The Inch, to meet Tom, her lover and her boss, she finds
his lifeless body, and makes the fatal decision to keep their affair, and her discovery, a secret.
Desperate to know how he died, but also terrified she’ll be exposed, Surtsey’s life quickly spirals into
a nightmare when someone makes contact – someone who claims to know what she’s done…

Review
Although this is a fictional scenario of an island in Scotland caused by a volcanic eruption, it is more a case of bringing the historical and geological context of Scotland and volcanoes back with a modern day scenario.

Surtsey finds herself drawn into the middle of a murder mystery when her lover is found dead on a remote island only certain people have access to. To be more specific it looks like she might have had something to do with it, and it doesn't help that her first instinct is to lie, hide the truth and get defensive. Not exactly the behaviour of an innocent woman.

Surtsey feels connected to the land, earth and country. At times she thinks the land she walks on is speaking to her, especially the tremors and the earthquakes. Perhaps in a way she even thinks it is warning her. Warning her about the web being drawn around her, a web of deceit and a web filled with corpses. Or is Surtsey playing a her own game of murder, betrayal and duplicity?

Johnstone writes a compelling crime with a fascinating connection between the main character and the living breathing being called earth. It's as if they are walking hand-in-hand and communicating with each other or is the earth merely showing us who the more powerful player is, in this game of survival.

The subtle underlying message is a warning, that if we continue to ignore the obvious repercussions of our greedy and ignorant behaviour, we may one day be consumed by the earth we are contaminating. In a way the author draws a parallel between the instinctual human behaviour patterns, especially in regards to violence and destruction, and the companies who put money before survival of humankind.

In this tale the earth beneath our feet plays a big part in the crime scenario. It is always in the background, whilst the story is happening, and perhaps it also influences the outcome of events, even if it is just via the visceral connection the main character has with her surroundings.

Fault Lines is an intriguing crime story, which is strengthened by the imagery and vivid descriptions. Johnstone makes you feel the earth move under your feet, convinces the reader that the tremors are reaching up and travelling through your body. You may never feel the same way about certain areas in Scotland again.

Buy Fault Lines at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.
Publisher Orenda Books orendabooks.co.uk
Paperback release 22 May 2018  Kindle release 28 Feb 2018

#BlogTour Ace of Shades by Amanda Foody

Today I am really pleased to take part in the BlogTour for Ace of Shades by Amanda Foody. It is an exceptional dystopian tale with elements of urban fantasy woven into the intricate world-building and fascinating plot. Definitely an author to watch out for!

About the Author
Amanda Foody has always considered imagination to be our best attempt at magic. After spending her childhood longing to attend Hogwarts, she now loves to write about immersive settings and characters grappling with insurmountable destinies. She holds a Masters in Accountancy from Villanova University, and a Bachelors of Arts in English Literature from the College of William and Mary. Currently, she works as a tax accountant in Philadelphia, PA, surrounded by her many siblings and many books.

Daughter of the Burning City was her first novel. Her second, Ace Of Shades was released in April 2018.

Follow @AmandaFoody @HQStories @HQYoungAdult
Visit amandafoody.com
Buy Ace of Shades

About the book
Welcome to the City of Sin, where casino families reign, gangs infest the streets…and secrets hide in every shadow.

Enne Salta was raised as a proper young lady, and no lady would willingly visit New Reynes, the so-called City of Sin. But when her mother goes missing, Enne must leave her finishing school—and her reputation—behind to follow her mother’s trail to the city where no one survives uncorrupted.

Frightened and alone, her only lead is a name: Levi Glaisyer. Unfortunately, Levi is not the gentleman she expected—he’s a street lord and a con man. Levi is also only one payment away from cleaning up a rapidly unraveling investment scam, so he doesn't have time to investigate a woman leading a dangerous double life. Enne's offer of compensation, however, could be the solution to all his problems.

Their search for clues leads them through glamorous casinos, illicit cabarets and into the clutches of a ruthless mafia donna. As Enne unearths an impossible secret about her past, Levi's enemies catch up to them, ensnaring him in a vicious execution game where the players always lose. To save him, Enne will need to surrender herself to the city…

Review
Enne is thrown into the deep end of the big city dirty world of New Reynes when she sets out to search for her mother. Her search leads her to some surprising secrets about her own identity. All those years of being mediocre and sub-par at her inherited talents makes sense, because she isn't who she thinks she is or who her 'mother' told her she was.

Unfortunately her real identity not only makes her one of the most hated people in the city, it also makes her one of the most wanted. This would be enough trouble for any innocent in a cruel, harsh and ruthless environment, and should put her in a permanent state of fear, but something strange is happening to Enne. She feels herself rising to each challenge.

Instead of fear she feels a natural instinct to survive, instead of backing down she defends herself and attacks. Her natural born instinct and talents are slowly but surely taking over, which also means other people will start to realise the truth too.

This reminded me a wee bit of The Lies of Locke Lamora, in a big city gang sense, but with a focus on elemental magic and talents. The characters are strong, memorable and the plot is provocative and innovative. I really enjoyed it.

Foody combines a dystopian world with an element of urban fantasy, and she does it exceptionally well. I am also glad the author didn't feel the need to meld fantasy and dystopia with the en vogue teeny romance aspect we often see in the YA sub-genre. It is usually detrimental to an intricate fantasy with complex world-building. So kudos to Amanda Foody for steering clear of that particular overused storyline.

Amanda Foody is definitely an author to watch, an emerging talent on the YA scene and building quite a fan-base as we speak. I was intrigued by the reading of the blood in regards to genetically inherited talents, and the association of talents through both maternal and paternal name-giving. I am looking forward to King of Fools (Shadow Games #2). This series has a lot of potential.

Buy Ace of Shades (The Shadow Game #1) at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.