Thanks to lovereading.

Dark Pines

by

Will Dean

An isolated Swedish town. A deaf reporter terrified of nature. A dense spruce forest overdue for harvest. A pair of eyeless hunters found murdered in the woods.

It’s week one of the Swedish elk hunt and the sound of gunfire is everywhere. When Tuva Moodyson investigates the story that could make her career she stumbles on a web of secrets that knit Gavrik town together. Are the latest murders connected to the Medusa killings twenty years ago? Is someone following her? Why take the eyes? Tuva must face her demons and venture deep into the woods to stop the killer and write the story. And then get the hell out of Gavrik.

My Thoughts:

This is the first in a new series. Tuva Moodyson is a deaf reporter working for her local newspaper. She finds herself invoved in a series of murders that have similarities to murders commited in the in last decade of the 20th century. She finds her during her investigation that everyone and no one are suspects. A read that is sometimes hard to get into. But when it does it grips you and wont let go. A dark, claustrophobic and edgy read. The descriptions of the characters, scenery all add to the brooding presence of the tale . The tension is unrelenting and I’m eagerly waiting on the next in the series. I think if you like your crime dark and edgy then grab a copy.The Author: Will Dean   Will Dean grew up in the East Midlands, living in nine different villages before the age of eighteen. After studying law at the LSE, and working many varied jobs in London, he settled in rural Sweden with his wife. He built a wooden house in a boggy forest clearing and it’s from this base that he compulsively reads and writes.

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Thanks to Sapere books for the ARC.

The Gaslight Stalker (The Esther & Jack Enright Mysteries #1)

by

David Field

Looking for your new favourite historical mystery series? Perfect for fans of Sherlock Holmes, Rory Clements and Antonia Hodgson…

Jack the Ripper is stalking the streets of London. Can anyone stop the serial killer before more women are murdered? 

London, 1888

Whitechapel is full of the noise of August Bank Holiday celebrations. Everyone is in high spirits until a woman – Martha Turner – is discovered brutally murdered.

Her friend, Esther, a lowly seamstress turned female sleuth, is determined to find the killer.

A young police officer, Jack Enright, takes the lead on the case, and he and Esther soon embark on a professional – and personal – relationship.

When another murder is committed and whispers of a slasher calling himself Jack the Ripper start flowing through the London streets, the search becomes even more desperate.

The police are on the wrong track and the young couple take matters into their own hands, and soon find themselves navigating through London’s dark underbelly.

Can they find the murderer before he kills again? Will anyone listen to their suspicions?

Or will this dark presence continue to haunt Whitechapel…? 

THE GASLIGHT STALKER is the first crime thriller in an exciting new historical series, the Esther and Jack Enright Mysteries, a traditional British detective series set in Victorian London and packed full of suspense.

ESTHER & JACK ENRIGHT MYSTERY SERIES
BOOK ONE: The Gaslight Stalker 

My Thoughts:

I received this ARC from Sapere books for an honest review. This was a different read for me. I like crime but don’t read much historical fiction. This book had a bit of everything, crime fiction, historical fiction and loosely true crime. Set in Victorian London in the late 1800’s. The true crime is the Jack The Ripper Case. The fiction is obviously the investigation of this case. It is a tale of two stories. The investigation of the case and the story of the relationship between Jack and Esther. Jack is a young police constable and Esther a Jewish orphan. It is a tale of early police investigation and the relationship between Jack and Esther faces racial prejudice. Also the bias against her as a woman. The writing is of a high quality and this author has set his bar high and he will need to be at the top of his form in future books. It gives the reader a good grounding of the social history of the Victorian age. Warts and all. It shows how the poor lived and the rich and powerful take advantage of them. I believe this is the first in a series and I look forward to reading more of this series as and when they appear. Well done David and thanks for the story and I look forward to more from you. More about the author Biography David was born in post-war Nottingham, and educated at Nottingham High School. After obtaining a Law degree he became a career-long criminal law practitioner and academic, emigrating in 1989 to Australia, where he still lives. Combining his two great loves of History and the English language he began writing historical novels as an escape from the realities of life in the criminal law, but did not begin to publish them until close to full time retirement, when digital publishing offered a viable alternative to literary agencies, print publishers and rejection slips. Now blessed with all the time in the world, his former hobby has become a full time occupation as he enjoys life in rural New South Wales with his wife, sons and grandchildren to keep him firmly grounded in the reality of the contemporary world.    Get a copy at Amazon and all good book stores

Thanks to kate@authoright.com for inviting me on this blog tour.

 Read over 3 days.

Small Change

by

Keddie Hughes

An unsolved murder, a marriage at breaking point and a football club in crisis collide into one woman’s life in this dramatic new novel, set against political upheaval in Glasgow in 2011.

Forty-two-year-old Izzy Campbell wants more from life than a husband who is a fanatical Glasgow Rangers football supporter and a borderline alcoholic. She has always put her family’s needs first, but with her son turning eighteen she decides it’s time things change. Izzy volunteers at the Citizen’s Advice Bureau and enrols for a part-time degree in Social Sciences, and when she encounters a charismatic journalist, Sean Docherty who is investigating alleged financial mismanagement at Rangers, she finds herself offering to help. Before she knows it, she is drawn into the excitement of political activism and the arms of an attractive man. Her loyalties are further tested when she discovers her husband’s part in the murder of a young fan from Rangers’ arch enemy – Celtic. The choices Izzy makes will determine the future of her life.

An engaging and heartfelt story of one woman’s personal transformation.

My thoughts:

A great read. Well written, with well drawn characters; all who have an important part too play in the narrative. This is a read that blends fact and fiction. Recent social and sporting history in the west of Scotland, where a major football institution is about to go into liquidation. Fiction tells of the estrangement of a family. Between husband and wife, father and son. Where sectarianism blights the social scene. Izzy Campbell finds herself trapped in a marriage that is fast reaching it’s sell by date. Her husband is a fanatical Glasgow Rangers supporter and fast approaching alcoholism .. With her son approaching adulthood, Izzy volunteers for the Citizen’s Advice Bureau and enrol in a Social Sciences course. And with her friend Bridget becoming involved in politics and standing for the SNP, Izzy starts to see the bigger picture. The writing is of a superb quality and the characters are well drawn. Izzy’s torment is plain to see; loyalty to her husband Jim and her marriage, which gives her son stability. Or does it? Jim and alcohol are continuing to rampage through his and other’s lives. Driving a wedge between him and all who have his best interests at heart. I like how the story is told between various viewpoints and exploits what they have in common and what divides them. Another tool the author uses to great effect is the conversations at the end of each chapter. This points out the hopelessness, despair and ultimately the ability to face up to change. Though the names have been changed to protect the innocent/ guilty, anyone who knows about the demise of a Glasgow football club can read between the lines. Well done Keddie. I enjoyed this book and it’s four well deserved 4 stars from me .      The Author:   Title:  Small Change Author: Keddie Hughes About the author: Born and raised in Glasgow Keddie Hughes has worked for over thirty years in executive coaching, leadership development, organisation consulting and change management in global organisations such as Vodafone, Ericsson, BP, Mars and British Airways. In 2012 she completed the Faber Academy writing course and later enjoyed writing for eighteen months under the mentorship of poet and author Jill Dawson. Today Keddie lives in Buckinghamshire where she dedicates as much time as she can to writing. Her first novel, An Obstinate Vanity was published in 2016 (CreateSpace). Small Change by Keddie Hughes (published by Spiffing Covers  10th May in paperback and ebook ) is available to purchase from online retailers including Amazon and to order from all good bookstores.

The Fear by C.L. Taylor.

 Read over three days:

‘Grabs you by the metaphorical throat right from the start and doesn’t let up until the end.’ Heat
Lou Smith is used to being headline news as, aged seventeen, she ran away with her 37-year-old teacher, Mike, during a short-lived affair.Now 32, Lou’s life is in tatters – and she resolves to return home to confront Mike for the damage he has caused. But she soon finds that Mike is unchanged, and is now grooming a young 15-year-old girl called Chloe.

Determined to make sure that history doesn’t repeat itself, Lou decides to take matters into her own hands. But Mike is a predator of the worst kind, and as she tries to bring him to justice, it’s clear that Lou could once again become his prey…

The million copy Sunday Times bestseller returns with a taut, compelling psychological thriller that will have you glued to the edge of your seat.

My thoughts:

A book that leaves you raw, stunned and wondering why people can be so naive, Told from various characters viewpoints, it is a twisted complicated plot that has you turning the pages furiously, wondering what is going to happen next; And when you find out it leaves you opened mouthed in astonishment! The three main characters are all female. Wendy a fifty plus woman: Lou a woman of some thirty years: And Chloe a young teenage girl. All they have in common is Mike. If you want to know anymore about the plot you will need to read the book. I want to concentrate on Cally’s writing. Top notch and drawing you in. As the characters appear and disappear Carry adds another layer to the novel and their own existence. Her characters are all well rounded and you invest in them totally. A final word about the plot and I paraphase William Shakespear ” What a tangled web we weave when we first practice to deceive. Well done Cally  C.L. Taylor   C.L. Taylor is the Sunday Times bestselling author of five gripping, stand-alone psychological thrillers: THE ACCIDENT, THE LIE, THE MISSING, THE ESCAPE and THE FEAR. Her books have sold in excess of a million copies, been number one on Amazon Kindle, Kobo, iBooks and Google Play and have been translated into over 20 languages. THE ESCAPE won the Dead Good Books ‘Hidden Depths’ award for the Most Unreliable Narrator and THE LIE has been optioned for TV by The Forge who produced National Treasure featuring Robbie Coltrane. Cally Taylor was born in Worcester and spent her early years living in various army camps in the UK and Germany. She studied Psychology at the University of Northumbria and went on forge a career in instructional design and e-Learning before leaving to write full time in 2014. She started writing short stories in 2005 and was published widely in literary and women’s magazines. She also won several short story competitions. In 2009 and 2011 her romantic comedy novels (as Cally Taylor) were published by Orion and translated into fourteen languages. HEAVEN CAN WAIT was a bestseller in Hungary and China and HOME FOR CHRISTMAS was made into a feature film by JumpStart Productions. Whilst on maternity leave with her son Cally had an idea for a psychological thriller and turned to crime. She has also written a Young Adult thriller, THE TREATMENT, which was published by HarperCollins HQ. C.L. Taylor lives in Bristol with her partner and young son. Sign up to join the CL Taylor Book Club for access to news, updates and information that isn’t available on the web, as well as exclusive newsletter-only competitions and giveaways and the books that CL Taylor thinks will be the next big thing. You will also receive THE LODGER for free when you sign up: http://www.callytaylor.co.uk/cltaylorbookclub.html http://www.cltaylorauthor.com http://www.twitter.com/callytaylor http://www.Instagram.com/cltaylorauthor http://www.facebook.com/callytaylorauthor

The Picture by Roger Bray . Blog Tour.Thanks to Rachel of Rachels’s RandomResources for the invite.

The Picture

A warehouse in Japan used as an emergency shelter in the aftermath of the 2011 Tsunami. A distraught, young Japanese woman in dishevelled clothes sits on a box, holding her infant daughter. Ben, a US rescue volunteer, kneels in front of her offering comfort. They hug, the baby between them. The moment turns into an hour as the woman sobs into his shoulder; mourning the loss of her husband, her home, the life she knew. A picture is taken, capturing the moment. It becomes a symbol; of help freely given and of the hope of the survivors. The faces in the picture cannot be recognised, and that is how Ben likes it. No celebrity, thanks not required.

But others believe that being identified as the person in the picture is their path to fame and fortune. Ben stands, unknowingly, in their way, but nothing a contract killing cannot fix.

My thoughts:

A picture that’s all it is. A moment of sanity in an insane world. Frozen in time it shows a relief worker comforting a distraught mother who has lost everything in a Japanese earthquake. The picture is taken by a photographer covering the quake.

Neither Ben nor the young woman notice the photo being taken. One has lost everything and the other is busy doing what he does best, bringing comfort.

The picture goes viral, through social media and news outlets. But who owns the rights.

Ben hasn’t come forward to say it’s him. But someone has. What would you do in his position.

This book is a well written and thought provoking tale. The writing and story are of such a high standard that it draws the reader in and wont let them go. Book clubs will enjoy this book. It has plenty of scope for discussions.

This book takes you on a journey and what a journey. It shows the good and bad in the human beast. I would recommend this read to everyone.

As the blurb says: When greed turns deadly.

My first read by Roger but hopefully not my last.

The author:

Roger Bray

Author Bio – I have always loved writing; putting words onto a page and bringing characters to life. I can almost feel myself becoming immersed into their lives, living with their fears and triumphs. Thus, my writing process becomes an endless series of questions. What would she or he do, how would they react, is this in keeping with their character? Strange as it sounds, I don’t like leaving characters in cliffhanging situations without giving them an ending, whichever way it develops.
My life to date is what compels me to seek a just outcome, the good will overcome and the bad will be punished. More though, I tend to see my characters as everyday people in extraordinary circumstances, but in which we may all find our selves if the planets align wrongly or for whatever reason you might consider.

Of course, most novels are autobiographical in some way. You must draw on your own experiences of life and from events you have experienced to get the inspiration. My life has been an endless adventure. Serving in the Navy, fighting in wars, serving as a Police officer and the experiences each one of those have brought have all drawn me to this point, but it was a downside to my police service that was the catalyst for my writing.

Medically retired after being seriously injured while protecting a woman in a domestic violence situation I then experienced the other side of life. Depression and rejection. Giving truth to the oft said saying that when one door closes another opens I pulled myself up and enrolled in college gaining bachelor and master degrees, for my own development rather than any professional need. The process of learning, of getting words down onto the page again relit my passion for writing in a way that I hadn’t felt since high school.

So here we are, two books published and another on track.

Where it will take me I have no idea but I am going to enjoy getting there and if my writing can bring some small pleasure into people’s lives along the way, then I consider that I will have succeeded in life.

Books by Roger:

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Buy on Amazon:

The Underground Railroad

by

Colson Whitehead

From prize-winning, bestselling author Colson Whitehead, a magnificent tour de force chronicling a young slave’s adventures as she makes a desperate bid for freedom in the antebellum South
Cora is a slave on a cotton plantation in Georgia. Life is hell for all the slaves, but especially bad for Cora; an outcast even among her fellow Africans, she is coming into womanhood where even greater pain awaits. When Caesar, a recent arrival from Virginia, tells her about the Underground Railroad, they decide to take a terrifying risk and escape. Matters do not go as planned Cora kills a young white boy who tries to capture her. Though they manage to find a station and head north, they are being hunted.
In Whitehead s ingenious conception, the Underground Railroad is no mere metaphor engineers and conductors operate a secret network of tracks and tunnels beneath the Southern soil. Cora and Caesar s first stop is South Carolina, in a city that initially seems like a haven. But the city s placid surface masks an insidious scheme designed for its black denizens. And even worse: Ridgeway, the relentless slave catcher, is close on their heels. Forced to flee again, Cora embarks on a harrowing flight, state by state, seeking true freedom.

My thoughts:

 A brilliant read. Well written, dragging  the reader along and investing in the characters.

All the characters are well written and take their place in the narrative, where there’s not a wasted word.

This was hard subject to write about. Slavery. We all have our own thoughts and prejudices which can colour  and misinform our reading.

This must be even harder for an author to write and put aside his own bias. This Colson does admirably.

This is the story of an Underground Railroad which slaves use to escape their enslavement.

This is also the story of Cora who uses this to escape to the North and freedom. But all is not as straight forward as it seems.

She not only has to fear the rich plantation owner, who regards her as property, but the poor white who thinks they are superior to her because of their white skin.

A well written and well rounded book. Full of light and shade, wrong and right.

I would urge all to read this book and have no hesitation in giving it 5 stars.

The author:  Colson Whitehead.

 

VIDEOS

 

Colson Whitehead.

Born in New York City, New York, The United States

Website

http://www.colsonwhitehead.com/

 

Twitter

colsonwhitehead

 

Genre

Literature & Fiction, Nonfiction

 

I’m the author of the novels Zone One; Sag Harbor; The Intuitionist, a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway award; John Henry Days, which won the Young Lions Fiction Award, the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award, and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize; and Apex Hides the Hurt, winner of the PEN Oakland Award. I’ve also written a book of essays about my home town, The Colossus of New York, and a non-fiction account of the 2011 World Series of Poker called The Noble Hustle. A recipient of a Whiting Writers’ Award, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and a MacArthur Fellowship, I live in New York City.

My latest book, The Underground Railroad, is an Oprah’s Book Club pick.

The One

 Read over 5 days.

by

John Marrs

How far would you go to find The One?

A simple DNA test is all it takes. Just a quick mouth swab and soon you’ll be matched with your perfect partner—the one you’re genetically made for.

That’s the promise made by Match Your DNA. A decade ago, the company announced that they had found the gene that pairs each of us with our soul mate. Since then, millions of people around the world have been matched. But the discovery has its downsides: test results have led to the breakup of countless relationships and upended the traditional ideas of dating, romance and love.

Now five very different people have received the notification that they’ve been “Matched.” They’re each about to meet their one true love. But “happily ever after” isn’t guaranteed for everyone. Because even soul mates have secrets. And some are more shocking than others…

A word-of-mouth hit in the United Kingdom, The One is a fascinating novel that shows how even the simplest discoveries can have complicated consequences.

My Thoughts:

This was a great read. Everyone wishes for the perfect match. But if we got it would we be sure or satisfied? Told from various viewpoints this is the story of a dating site that matches people together, not with  their likes and hobbies etc. But by their DNA, This will create the perfect match and in the long run lead to the perfect world. Or will it? Be careful what you wish for because nothing is what it seems. And certainly not perfect. What starts if as boy meets girl etc. and all will be fine. Nope! This story told from various viewpoints and short crisp chapters draws you in and makes your jaws drop with OMG moments. This book will draw you in and make you want to keep reading. I urge you to read this book. You will enjoy in and I will give it five well deserved stars. This is my own review and opinions are my own.Buy a copy: Amazon UK.The Author: John Marrs   Born in Northamptonshire, The United Kingdom Website https://www.johnmarrsauthor.co.uk/   Twitter johnmarrs1   John Marrs is the author of The One, The Good Samaritan, When You Disappeared, and Welcome to Wherever You Are. A freelance journalist based in London, England, he has spent the past twenty years interviewing celebrities from the world of television, film and music for national newspapers and magazines. He has written for publications including the Guardian’s Guide and Guardian Online, Total Film, Huffington Post, Empire, Q, GT, the Independent, S Magazine and Company