Month February 2018

#BlogTour : A Perfect Marriage by Alison Booth @booth_alison @LoveBooksGroup #BookReview

yvonnembee 4 Comments

A PERFECT MARRIAGEI am delighted to be sharing my thoughts today on “A Perfect Marriage” by Alison Booth.  Published by RedDoor Publishing and available in paperback and eBook formats from 22nd March. My thanks to Kelly at Love Books Group for my spot on the tour.

Synopsis:

Powerful storytelling with a deliciously dark centre…
Sally Lachlan has a secret that has haunted her for a decade, although perhaps it is time to let it go. A chance meeting with the charismatic geneticist, Anthony Blake, reawakens her desire for love and at the same time, her daughter, Charlie, shows signs of wishing to know more about her father. Both the past and the future are places Sally prefers not to think about.
But if she wants to move towards a new love, she will first have to come to terms with her long-ago marriage.
Only then will she be able to be honest with Charlie. And herself.

My Thoughts:

Sally has never really dealt with her feelings of past events properly.  She finds herself in a position where she needs to tell her daughter, Charlie some truths, but Sally herself needs to deal with these herself first.  She is reluctant as she wants to keep Charlie safe and protect her and as the story unfolds we find out the reasons why.

This is set out as a time slip story.  The “now” keeps the reader moving forward in the present.  The “then” gradually moves backwards through events in Sally’s life.  So essentially starting at the end and finishing at the beginning. This is a book where I kind of expected certain things to happen and was proven to be wrong, I love it when an author surprises you and takes you down a slightly unexpected route.

Sally is a well educated woman, a perfectionist in her work and this transcends into the character the Alison has built for Sally, she has played on this “perfect” idea and developed it so that it makes a very logical and natural part of Sally’s character.  It worked very well for me as it added an emphasis and a believable aspect for the reasons behind why Sally has acted as she did.

This story moves quickly through alternating chapters and show lives, memories and importantly reasons why things have happened.  I know I am being very vague on the describing the plot too much, but I do not want to give anything away to those who have not yet had the opportunity to read this book.  The cast is not large, and it doesn’t need be, it fits in with Sally’s personal story, she is not trusting of people so there are not a lot of people in her life, just immediate family and a very good and loyal friend, there are also work colleagues that do pop in and out but that is all.  This limited cast worked very well within the context of the story.

This is a book I would definitely recommend to readers who like to read women’s fiction and general fiction.  There is a psychological aspect as the author described the dynamics within this family.

About the Author:

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Alison Booth was born in born in Melbourne, brought up in Sydney and worked for many years in the UK. She is author of The Jingera Trilogy the first of which, Stillwater Creek, was Highly Commended in the 2011 ACT Book of the Year Award, and was also published in French (two editions) and in Reader’s Digest Select Editions in Asia and in Europe. Her subsequent novels were The Indigo Sky and A Distant Land.

Follow Alison on Twitter ~ Website

Many thanks for reading my post, if you liked it please give a share.  Or go and get yourself a copy of this book 🙂 xx

#BookTour : A Spell in the Country by @HeideGoody & @IainMGrant with @rararesources

yvonnembee

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I am delighted to be part of the blog tour for “A Spell In The Country” by Heide Goody & Iain Grant.  Published by Pigeon Press and available in paperback and eBook format.  My thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for my spot on the tour.

Synopsis:

“Dee is a Good Witch but she wonders if she could be a better witch.

She wonders if there’s more to life than Disney movie marathons, eating a whole box of chocolates for dinner and brewing up potions in her bathtub. So when she’s offered a chance to go on a personal development course in the English countryside, she packs her bags, says goodbye to the Shelter for Unloved Animals charity shop and sets a course for self-improvement.

Caroline isn’t just a Good Witch, she’s a fricking awesome witch.

She likes to find the easy path through life: what her good looks can’t get for her, a few magic charms can. But she’s bored of being a waitress and needs something different in her life. So when a one night stand offers her a place on an all-expenses-paid residential course in a big old country house, she figures she’s got nothing to lose.

Jenny is a Wicked Witch. She just wishes she wasn’t.

On her fifteenth birthday, she got her first wart, her own imp and a Celine Dion CD. She still has the imp. She also has a barely controllable urge to eat human children which is socially awkward to say the least and not made any easier when a teenager on the run turns to her for help. With gangsters and bent cops on their trail, Jenny needs to find a place outside the city where they can lay low for a while.

For very different reasons, three very different witches end up on the same training course and land in a whole lot of trouble when they discover that there’s a reason why their free country break sounds too good to be true. Foul-mouthed imps, wererats, naked gardeners, tree monsters, ghosts and stampeding donkeys abound in a tale about discovering your inner witch.”

My Thoughts:

Three seemingly unconnected witches are approached by a rather bizarrely dressed flaming hat wearing man called Madison.  He offer them a free 3 week retreat after they had completed a survey.  There they meet other witches, only they do not mention they are witches initially.  They discover they are the first for a course on trying to make them all more modern and progressive.  So, with a free course, a huge house, witches, spells you know something is going to go awry!

This is a great read with good mystery and mayhem added into the boiling pot (or should I say cauldron).  The mystery and mayhem pretty much start from the outset as we are introduced to the women, it has a humorous feel to it at times but with an underlying feeling of something not being right.  I am a great believer of “you don’t get anything for free” or “you don’t get ‘owt for n’owt”, this is the case with the witches.  But even though there are things going on, they do build a bond and form friendships and I think they definitely benefited in a round about way from the course.

There are several characters that are both human and definitely non human, I have to admitting to liking a certain little chap called Jizzmus the best.  He is rude, crude says the most inappropriate things and just really appealed to my sense of humour with his antics. There is a plot that gradually unfolds in this story that I am not going to delve into as I don’t want to spoil it for others, but it has darker and wicked elements.  This is a really well paced book with quick chapters.  I did however find myself backtracking a couple of times as I lost track of which character I was following, but I think this is more a kindle thing as I didn’t always notice the line breaks as the characters were alternated.

A great cosy paranormal mystery read that I really enjoyed.  Some really imaginative and well described characters, good plot and well paced.  This is a book I would definitely recommend.

About the Authors:

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Heide Goody is the stupid one in the writing partnership and Iain Grant is the sensible one. Together, they are the authors of seven novels, two short story collections and a novella.

The ‘Clovenhoof’ series (in which Satan loses his job and has to move to Birmingham) has recently been optioned by a Hollywood production company. Their latest novel, Oddjobs 2: this time it’s personnel, was published in August 2017.  Heide and Iain are both married, but not to each other.

Follow Heide and Iain on ~ Facebook ~ Website ~ Twitter HeideGoody and IainMGrant

International Witch Pampering Pack Giveaway

 

The package, worth over £100 contains…

  • A lacy gothic bracelet
  • A witch’s hat fascinator
  • A pair of green and black stripy tights
  • A Yankee candle in “Forbidden Apple”
  • A set of wand-shaped makeup brushes
  • A gothic notebook (for spells!)
  • A bookmark featuring a squashed witch (with just the legs sticking out!)
  • A gemstone ring
  • A gorgeous coffin-shaped vegan eyeshadow palette from Lunatick Cosmetic labs (with a bat-shaped mirror!)  

CLICK HERE TO ENTER ( Good Luck 🙂 xx )

**Check out the thoughts of other Bloggers on the tour**

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Many thanks for reading my post, if you liked it please give it a share.  Or go and get a copy of this book 🙂 xx

#BlogTour : #HemlockJones & The Angel of Death by Justin Carroll @WriterJustinC @annecater #BookReview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

Hemlock Jones Cover

I am absolutely over the moon to have had the opportunity to read “hemlock Jones & The Angel Of Death” by Justin Carroll.  My thanks to Justin and Anne at Random Things Tours for a copy of the book and also a spot on the tour. Get your own copy from Amazon UK

Synopsis:

Ten doors down from the home of a world famous ‘consulting detective’ lives twelve-year-old Hemlock Jones, and her recently arrived housemate and unwitting companion, Edward Whitlow. Hired to ‘demystify’ the mystery of a man’s murder by a terrifying angelic spectre, Hemlock and Edward’s investigations will lead them all over Victorian London, uncovering bizarre and deadly foes, figures from Hemlock’s hidden past, and a plot to take over the city… Hemlock Jones & The Angel of Death is the first of the Hemlock Jones Chronicles, a series of detective adventures for children and adults, set in Victorian London.

My Thoughts:

Hemlock Jones lives at 211B Baker Street with landlady Mrs. Figgins.  Hemlock is a “demystifier“, she takes the mystery out of a problem and works to solve it.  Edward Whitlow discovers Hemlock’s demystifying talents when he comes to lodge at the same house. When Hemlock takes on a case Edward becomes her unwitting side kick.

This is an absolutely brilliant read.  References are made to the other more well-known “Consulting Detective” and the Doctor just down the road, (I dare not mention their names as it would result in a rather serious scowl or a telling off from Hemlock). In a similar style to the previously mentioned but with twists and turns, Hemlock and Whitlow (12 years old), are determined in their own crime busting escapades.  The fearless Hemlock is undeterred in her quest, with the somewhat quite sweet and willing  Whitlow, they manage to get involved in a rather intriguing investigation.  It is exciting and fast paced,  with steam punk elements in a Victorian London setting, what is there not to love.  It has all the essential ingredients, good goodies, good baddies, deductions, suspense and it is all wrapped around a wonderful story line with characters that are engaging and fun. It had me hooked right from the out set and kept me hooked till the end.

Now I know this is aimed at children from around 8 years and up, and they will love it, but you know what, never mind the children, this grown up loved it loads 🙂  This is a book I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND to younger readers and for big kids (adults) too.  A fun-filled Victorian action adventure packed, steam punk, sleuthing, deductive, murder and mystery.  I really am looking forward to reading more in what I think will be a really exciting series and I am really impatient now for the next instalment.

About the Author:

Justin Carroll

  Ever since he stopped wanting to be a dinosaur, Justin Carroll wanted to be a writer. He graduated with a degree in English Literature and Language from King’s College, London in 2004 and now, in between writing and moonlighting in marketing for a multinational financial services company, he fritters away his time on all manner of geeky things. Shortlisted for several international short story competitions, Justin was a finalist in the 2010 British Fantasy Awards.  Follow Justin on his Website or on Twitter.

See the thoughts of other book bloggers on the tour

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Many thanks for reading my post, if you liked it please give a share or two.  Or go and grab yourself a copy of this wonderful book, I am positive that you will not be disappointed 🙂 xx

#AudioBook : Six Stories by Matt Wesolowski @ConcreteKraken #Review

yvonnembee 6 Comments

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I have a first for me today on my blog, an audio book! “Six Stories” by Matt Wesolowski published by Audible Studios, this is also available in paperback and eBook format by Orenda Books. Take your pick of format and BUY HERE

Synopsis:

It’s 1997. Scarclaw Fell. The body of teenager Tom Jeffries is found at an outward bound centre. Verdict? Misadventure. But not everyone is convinced. And the truth of what happened in the beautiful but eerie fell is locked in the memories of the tight-knit group of friends who took that fateful trip and the flimsy testimony of those living nearby.

It’s 2017. Enter elusive investigative journalist Scott King, whose podcast examinations of complicated cases have rivalled the success of Serial, with his concealed identity making him a cult Internet figure.

Featuring a full cast narration using 17 different voices!

My Thoughts:

I have never really properly sat down to listen to an audio book before, they have been background noise like a radio would be, so when I spotted Amazon running a free trial I decided it was about time I gave them a go.  Where to start and what to pick was a problem, you have 1 free purchase of any book and there are millions, literally millions to chose from.  So my choice was based on just browsing until something cropped up.  This is when I saw “Six Stories” I have this one on my wish list, it is there because of the  book reviews I had seen from fellow Bloggers and also on the Blog Tour for Orenda Books organised by Anne Cater.  It seemed like a good choice as I had not read it, wanted read it but finding the time to fit it in was a problem.  I agree not the most scientific choice, but it worked for me.  What I had not realised, or more like had forgotten about was that this book was set out as a podcast and it soon became apparent, either by pure luck or fate this book was already a good choice given its written style.  I listened to this as I was digging my garden, you may think this odd, but NO DISTRACTIONS! so it worked for me 🙂

So enough waffling, onto my thoughts.  This is story is set out as a series of podcasts by  6 different people as they recount their version of events from 1995/6 when a Tom Jeffries body is found. The podcast is produced 10 years later and is the work of Scott King and he has interviewed those who knew Tom.

OH WOW!!!! What a story, twists, darkness, atmospheric details, suspense, drama it has the lot and a hell of a lot more.  As I listened to this story there were times when I forgot I was listening to a book or a work of fiction.  You get a real sense of the characters and also the environment of Scarclaw Fell. The characters conveyed many emotions as they told their tale, some with hesitation and nerves, a sign of embarrassment or guilt maybe.  The interviewees have a reluctance about them that adds to the air of mystery, also adds to the feeling of them having more involvement than they want to admit.  I really liked the way Matt used Scott’s character by adding little asides about the little nuances he picks up from the characters as they tell their tales.  He relates a reluctance a hesitation or little visual quirks he notices in the characters, whether they are coincidental to the story they tell or just something he notices.  Again another great way to build up suspicion and suspense.

The description of the Fell were very well described, an area containing geological, historical and industrial descriptions.  A place of danger from abandoned mine shafts and marshes, with the inevitable folklore tales of a mysterious, legendary character that will trap the unwary.  There is a presence of bullying in this story, it is not nice listening to someone tell of how it had affected them it is an essential element that has been very well portrayed and Matt has not held back on this issue but has also not over dramatised it.

So as a bit of a summary, this is a real gritty, atmospheric and superb listen.  I think this is one I will definitely read as a book even though I have listened to the audio.  I did get a real sense of suspense, drama and there is a little bit of a horror element to it.  It has a feel of something very different, new and exciting about it.  On the audio side of it, the voices of the characters were good, I did find a couple of voices that I was not that keen on but it didn’t take away any of the enjoyment.  It helped that with remembering the characters, but not as much as I would remember them in a book.  I think this is a skill that can be developed over time.

This is a story I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND who want a something that is full of mystery, tales, folklore, that is atmospheric, gritty and dark.  It will keep you on the edge of your seat as the tale is told, and what a tale it was.  I absolutely loved this one.

 

About the Author:

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Matt Wesolowski is an author from Newcastle-Upon-Tyne in the UK. He is an English tutor and leads Cuckoo Young Writers creative writing workshops for young people in association with New Writing North.

Wesolowski started his writing career in horror and his short horror fiction has been published in numerous magazines and US anthologies.

Wesolowski was a winner of the Pitch Perfect competition at ‘Bloody Scotland’; Crime Writing Festival 2015, his subsequent debut crime novel ‘Six Stories’ was published by Orenda Books in the spring of 2017

Follow Matt on Twitter 

About the Audio Book:

  • Listening Length: 8 hours and 11 minutes
  • Program Type: Audiobook
  • Version: Unabridged
  • Publisher: Audible Studios
  • Audible.co.uk Release Date: 15 Mar. 2017
  • Language: English

Many thanks for reading my post, if you liked it please give it a share. 

#BookReview : The Old Man and The Sand Eel by Will Millard @MillardWill @PenguinUKBooks @NetGalley

yvonnembee 7 Comments

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I am delighted to be sharing a book that is a little bit different to my usual reads.  “The Old Man and The Sand Eel” by Will Millard is available for purchase from 1st March 2018 in various formats.  Published by Penguin UK.

Synopsis:

Growing up on the Cambridgeshire Fens, Will Millard never felt more at home than when he was out with his granddad on the riverbank, whiling away the day catching fish. As he grew older his competitive urge to catch more and bigger fish led him away from that natural connection between him, his grandfather and the rivers of his home. That is, until the fateful day he let a record-breaking sand eel slip through his fingers and he knew that he had lost the magic of those days down by the river, and that something had to change.

The Old Man and the Sand Eel is at its heart the story of three generations of men trying to figure out what it is to be a man, a father and a fisherman. It plots Will’s scaly stepping stones back to his childhood innocence, when anything was possible and the wild was everywhere.

My Thoughts:

The cover of this book caught my eye, then the synopsis did it’s job. I decided this was a title I definitely wanted to read. I know a little of the Fens and with the odd fishing trip with my dad, made me think this is a book that I would enjoy.

Will’s Granddad taught him a huge amount about fishing on the Fens then as he got older it was his Dad that gave him a chance to learn new skills.  This is not just a book about fishing, though it does feature heavily.  It is a book that looks at the wildlife, flora and fauna around the different watery habitats around the UK.  Over the years Will has used different rigs, baits and lures from the old traditional to the modern all singing dancing set ups.  He also discusses how fishing has changed over the years, along with the expectations of what is required.  From the ditches, drains, hidden ponds and wild runs to the commercial fisheries.  The way people have moved from the may catch a fish to the almost guaranteed catch one.  The commercial fisheries have their place, they are well stocked and well cared for, the fish are bigger well fed and produce the biggest fish for those who like to chase the record breakers.

But this book also takes a more personal look at his life growing up, it is full of amusing at times anecdotes, the old tales, traditions and also fishing folklore that has been handed down.  Sometimes it is not just about the biggest or largest catch, it is more about relaxing,  to stop stressing about things and just enjoy your fishing.

It has important and fascinating facts surrounding the environment, wildlife and nature, sometimes these work well side by side, but other times they can have been to the detriment of other species.  Things over the years have changed and now people are more aware of endangered species measures are being put in place.  We need to protect our natural environment and also to help put right what has been done in the past.

This is a lovely book that is full of wonderfully told memories and stories from Will’s perspective.  It ambled along beautifully, and had me laughing at times with some of his childhood antics, but it also carries some important messages and fascinating facts.  This is a book I would definitely recommend to readers of memoirs, fishing, nature and environment.

I would like to thank NetGalley and the publishers for my eARC of this book.  My thoughts are my own and are unbiased.

About the Author:

me2.jpg  Will Millard is a writer, BBC presenter, public speaker, and expedition leader.

Born and brought up in the Fens, he presents remote Anthropology and Adventure series for BBC Two, and series on Rivers, Urban Exploration, and History for BBC Wales. In 2016 he won the BAFTA Cymru Award for Best Presenter and his series have received nominations for Best Series and Best Presenter in the Grierson, Broadcast, Bannf, Kendal, and the Televisual Bulldog Awards. Please visit the ‘Documentaries’ tab for more.

His first book The Old Man and the Sand Eel for Penguin (Viking) follows his wild journey across Britain in pursuit of a fishing record and will be out on March 1st 2018 (but is available for preorder now through Amazon), and his next BBC Two series, charting a year in the life of the extraordinary Korawai tribe in West Papua, will be on your screens this Easter.

Follow Will on Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~ Website

Many thanks for reading my post, if you liked it give a share or two.  Better still grab yourself a copy of this book 🙂 xx

#GuestPost : Nature of the Witch by Helen.T.Norwood @ThinkFitFoodFam @rararesources #Giveaway

yvonnembee 1 Comment

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I am delighted to be sharing a guest post today from Helen T Norwood, author of Nature of The Witch.  I am gutted that I didn’t have enough time to read this for the blog tour, especially as it is set in my neck of the woods, Cornwall. My thanks to Rachel Gilbey at Rachel’s Random Resources for a spot on this tour.

Synopsis:

Many years ago, magic prevailed in Britain. It was a time when chosen women followed a path forged by Mother Nature herself; a time of witchcraft, of the brotherhood of the Gwithiaz and of the terrifying Creatures.

This has all passed from memory a long time ago. But now, magic has returned. Kiera is the first witch the world has seen in centuries, while Jack must learn the ways of the Gwithiaz. They must not only master their crafts, but also overcome their differences and work together if they are to survive the dark enemy that lurks in the shadows.

In the rugged Cornish landscape where it first began, the two face the dreaded Kasadow: an ancient evil that has awakened and is ready to destroy them, and their magic, once and for all.

Purchase Link: Amazon UK

Guest Post by Helen T. Norwood.

5 Things I Discovered when I Joined my Local Book-Club 

It was 2016 and I’d been thinking about joining a book-club for a while.  However, there were different reasons as to why I hadn’t looked into it seriously.  The main reason being that I just didn’t feel I had the time to commit to reading.

I love reading and I always have.  At that time though, amongst working, having my first child and trying to write my first novel, my ‘to be read’ pile was steadily growing sky high.

Then I saw that a local book-club was looking for new members and I decided to join.  At the time I had just given birth to my second child.  I wasn’t sure how I was going to read regularly with two children, when I’d struggled to find the time with just one!  But I turned up with my newborn baby in tow and here are 5 things I discovered.

1) I do have the time

The club isn’t so intimidating that if I turned up one month without finishing the book I’d find myself ex-communicated.  The whole point of the group is that it’s a friendly and sociable experience where we can chat about a topic we all love- books!

However, my worry that I’d be searching for excuses each month for never finishing the books was unfounded.  Sometimes now I can read a couple of books or more a month.  Where have I found all those extra moments?  They were there all along, I just hadn’t spotted them before.  I read on my lunch break or briefly before I turn the lights out.  Book-club encouraged me to be more organised and make time for books (and I managed to write my novel too; hence the blog tour!).

2) At any stage of life it’s good to make new friends

There are a variety of ages, backgrounds, interests etc. but we all have one thing in common- we enjoy reading.  I think at any point in our lives it has a positive impact to keep meeting new people and enlarging our circle of friends.  At that time of my life, in-between the feeds, the nappies and sleepless nights, it was great to get out the house and talk to other adults about a topic other than babies.

3) It’s fun to leave my comfort zone sometimes

It’s not just the fact that I have made time for reading, it’s also that I am reading books I would never have picked for myself.  I often have a favourite author or genre or a certain type of book that I’m drawn to when choosing what to read.  The wonderful thing about joining a book-club is that I can try books that would never have caught my attention otherwise.  It’s a pleasant surprise to discover and fall in love with new authors, to learn things I never knew before or to realise that a genre I had previously dismissed is enjoyable.  That is certainly one of the best things about book-club; it widens my reading horizons and there are always new books to discover, and maybe I won’t like all of them, but I’m always glad I’ve read something new.

4) It adds to stories when I can look at it from different perspectives

I always feel slightly shocked when I arrive at book-club having absolutely loved a book, only to find the person next to me absolutely hated it.  Sometimes they pick up on things that I hadn’t noticed.  Sometimes I disagree with what they are saying or sometimes I see where they’re coming from, even if I don’t feel the same.  No matter what their opinion is, it’s always interesting to hear it and it allows me to look at the book again through a different pair of eyes.

5) Makes me think deeper about a story

When I have to verbalise my feelings about a book, it makes me look more deeply at it once I’ve finished reading.  I love a story that plays on my mind afterwards.  A good story doesn’t end straight away on the last page; it lingers and plays over again after I’ve closed the book.  However, when I know I will be discussing a book with others I want to be clear in my mind the views I want to share.  Therefore, it makes me look even more closely at what I liked and disliked, how the book made me feel; did I like any of the characters?  How did I feel about the ending?

So, if you’ve been debating whether to join a book-club, but haven’t gotten round to it yet, my advice is to give it a go.  Thanks so much to Yvonne for letting me stop off here on my blog tour.

About the Author:

Nature of the Witch - Author Pic  Helen lives in the UK with her husband, two children and one diva-like cat called Tiger. Helen, like many others, was captivated in her childhood by books from the likes of Roald Dahl and Enid Blyton and any books which took her to new worlds and showed her places of magic and mystery. She has enjoyed writing and creating her own magical worlds from a young age. She is currently writing the second book in the ‘Nature of the Witch’ trilogy which will be out soon.

Follow on: Twitter ~  Goodreads

See what other bloggers think.

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Giveaway opportunity for a copy of this book CLICK HERE 🙂

Many thanks for reading my post, please give a share if you liked it.  Or go and get yourself a copy of this book and let me know what you think 🙂 xx

#BookReview : Runaway Bride Mary Jayne Baker @MaryJayneBaker @HarperImpulse @NetGalley

yvonnembee 4 Comments

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I am delighted to be bringing you my thoughts on “Runaway Bride” by Mary Jayne Baker.  Published on 16th February by Harper Impulse, this is available in eBook format from Amazon UK. BUY HERE. My thanks to Harper Impulse and NetGalley for my copy of this book.

Synopsis:

A heart-warming novel about love and new beginnings, this is the perfect book for spring!

Here comes the bride… but how long can she hide?

When Kitty Clayton flees her wedding with no money, no bank card and no phone, her life seems worryingly futureless. All she knows is, she’d rather sleep on the streets than go back home to cheating Ethan.

After picking her up hitch-hiking, widowed children’s author Jack Duffy takes Kitty under his wing, looking out for her until she gets back on her feet. And it’s not long before the two grow close…

But with Jack struggling to recover from the guilt he feels over his wife’s death and Kitty refusing to face up to the problems she’s running away from at home, will the two ever manage to share a happily ever after?

My Thoughts:

I tend to read a lot of crime, mystery and darker stories, but every now and again I love to read a good feel good, lighter and much more heart warming story.  The Runaway Bride is one of those stories.  It was the perfect book for relaxing with as I followed the story of Kittie, married only 3 hours, running away from her own wedding reception.  Bedraggled, broke, distraught and sat on the side of the road is where Jack finds her.  A kind-hearted soul who cannot leave her there.  As the story begins to unfold the story of Kittie’s wedding and life is revealed as well as the tragedy that befell Jack.

I really enjoyed this story, it is an enveloping read that leaves you feeling all warm and aaahhhhh! It has some really good back stories that explore the lives of our two main characters, this is gradually teased out as the characters find a way to tell each other their tale.  They have both suffered in one form or another and it is their sharing of their lives that help them move forward.  There are some surprising and unexpected turns that I didn’t expect or even see coming, they have darker underlying issues that made this intriguing.

This is my first time reading one Mary’s books and I can honestly say it will not be my last.  A well paced, well written book with surprises and twists that kept me engaged from start to finish.

This is the perfect book to read for a lazy afternoon and one that I would happily recommend to readers who are after a good chick lit fiction book that will engross them.

About the Author:

Mary Jayne Baker grew up in rural West Yorkshire, right in the heart of Brontë country… and she’s still there. After graduating from Durham University with a degree in English Literature in 2003, she dallied with living in cities including London, but eventually came back to her beloved Dales with her own romantic hero in tow.

She lives with him in a little house with four little cats and a little rabbit, writing stories about girls with flaws and the men who love them. You can usually find her there with either a pen, some knitting needles or a glass of wine in hand. She goes to work every day as a graphic designer for a magazine publisher, but secretly dreams of being a lighthouse keeper.

Follow Mary on ~ Twitter ~ Website ~ Facebook

Many thanks for reading my post, if you liked it please give it a share.  Or go and get yourself a copy of this wonderful book 🙂 xx

#BlogTour : Dangerous Score by Michael Bearcroft @mikebearcroft1 @rararesources #giveaway #international

yvonnembee

Dangerous Score - book cover 19.11.17

Today I am sharing my thoughts with you all for “Dangerous Score” by Mike Bearcroft.  My thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for my spot and also the Michael for my copy of the book.  It is available to purchase from Amazon UK in paperback, hardback and also eBook formats.

Synopsis:

Football hero Jason Clooney is riding high….until a date with a beautiful woman lands him in trouble with the media, and into battle with the criminal underworld.

Now against a backdrop of an uncertain professional future, Jason has to confront disturbing revelations surrounding his new girlfriend’s family. From football action on the pitch to behind the scenes plotting. To battles with a criminal gang and constant media attention, all adding to the toughest challenges he has ever faced in life, love, as a player and as a man.

My Thoughts:

Jason is the Kettering football clubs winning goal scorer, his goal causes much interest and excitement as it will lead the club onto bigger and better things.  At the after game celebrations Jason meets Jess, they arrange another date but she never shows up.  When he mentions her to other players all hell breaks loose and he finds he has crossed Martin, a criminal with illegal underworld dealings. But things are going to change for Jason as the club has a future many could only dream about.

This story has a mix of criminal elements, uncertain futures and football that Michael has wrapped together to create an interesting read.  He has used his love of football and his background to create a story of second chances and mixed fortunes.  The criminal suspense part of the story is mainly at the first third of the book but does have an underlying presence through the rest of the story.  There are some surprising twists and  I would have liked the criminal part of the story to have been expanded on a little more.  I found that the story of  Jason’s life was to then take more of a front seat.  His personal life and his work for the club play a large part in the story, leading the reader on a more sport based read.  It is here where Michael’s experience and knowledge come out as the ins and outs of boardroom deals, players, sponsors and media is explored, this in itself was insightful, with many references.  There are a mixed cast of characters that cover a range of those you will love, like, and then there are the real nasty one and the roguish that fit the role they have been allocated.

This is an interesting read that I think will really appeal to sport fiction readers. Football based fiction is not my usual sort of read, but I found this enjoyable, interesting and engaging.

About the Author:

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Ex Sheffield United Junior, former Chairman Corby Town FC  Actor and stage director, former British Red Cross Regional Director.

Follow Michael on his  Website – Facebook – Twitter

 

Giveaway for a chance to win one of 3 signed copies of Dangerous Score (Open Internationally) CLICK HERE Good Luck 🙂 xx

See what other reades think of this book by following the tour.

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Many thanks for reading my post, if you liked it please give a share 🙂 xx 

#BlogBlitz : The Scent of Guilt by Tony J Forder @TonyJForder @Bloodhoundbook @sarahhardy681 #PublicationDay #BookReview

yvonnembee 1 Comment

SCENT OF GUILT 1.2

I am delighted to be sharing my thoughts for the 2nd in the “D.S Bliss” series.  “The Scent of Guilt” by Tony J Forder is published by Bloodhound Books and available to purchase from today in eBook format from Amazon UK.  My thoughts on the 1st in the series “Bad To The Bone” HERE. My thanks to Tony and Sarah Hardy, for my copy of the book and my spot on the tour.

Synopsis:

Looking for an unmissable crime thriller?

Twelve years after he left Peterborough under a cloud, DI Bliss returns to the city and the major crimes team. Having spent years policing organised crime, Bliss is plunged straight into the heart of a serial murder investigation. 

Meanwhile, Penny Chandler has been promoted to DS and has been working in

London on the Met’s sexual crimes team. But when two rapes are reported on her old patch in Peterborough, Chandler volunteers to interview the victims. 

Chandler joins the hunt for the attacker and soon notices a possible link between the rapes and Bliss’s murder investigation.  Could the same man be responsible?

Just as both cases seem to stall, a call comes in from an ex-policeman who knows of unsolved cases in the USA with a similar MO. Bliss finds himself travelling to California to hunt for a killer whose reach may have stretched further than anyone could possibly imagine.

But in order to catch the murderer, Bliss must discover the killer’s motive. A motive which should have remained buried in the past… 

Also available in the DI Bliss Series: Bad to the Bone

Tony J. Forder is the acclaimed author of Degrees of Darkness and Scream Blue Murder. The stunning DI Bliss series are fast-paced police thrillers which will appeal to fans of authors like Michael Connely, Joy Ellis, Faith Martin, Robert Bryndza and Angela Marsons. 

My Thoughts:

The 2nd in the D.S Bliss series sees the story 12 years on from the first book Bad To The Bone.  D.S Jimmy Bliss makes a return to his old stomping ground and his old job.  With the investigation of a strange and brutal murder, Bliss and his team investigate.  D.C Penny Chandler makes a return to Peterborough.   The case she is working on, while  on secondment in London may have a link to her old mentors case.

This can be read as a stand alone, but it definitely helps if you have read the first to get a feel for the history and backstories.  I read this book straight off the back of Bad To The Bone so it was still fresh in my head.  There is a time difference of 12 years between the two stories, my reading difference was 12 hours so it did take me a while to get into this one. Once I got my head around this time difference I was off and running.

There are a few old faces, but also some new ones as you would expect.  This has a different feel, it is more darker, sinister and more intricate.  It has several plots running through it that twists together that has the investigators trying to work out the why’s and the who’s.  I do admit to having an inkling as to who the “who” was, but never completely convinced I was right.  The story had some surprising twists and went down routes I didn’t expect therefore keeping my interest right the way through. I liked the dynamic of Bliss and Chandler in the first book, and was pleased to see a return of that in this one. Bliss is investigating a much darker feeling story than the last one, and with Chandler being on secondment to a sex crimes department, you know this is going to be more sinister.  So be warned!

This is a book I would definitely recommend to readers who like police procedural crime, murder, mystery and thriller books.  Dark, brutal and sinister that will have you avidly turning the pages.

About the Author:

22365495_499399223774817_4544080396425244912_nTony J Forder is the author of the critically acclaimed crime thriller Bad to the Bone, the first in a series featuring DI Jimmy Bliss and DC Penny Chandler. The sequel, The Scent of Guilt, is available from 17 February 2018. A third book in the series is currently in progress.

Tony’s dark, psychological crime thriller, Degrees of Darkness, featuring ex-detective Frank Rogers, was also published by Bloodhound Books. This was intended to be a stand-alone novel, but Tony is now considering the possibility of a follow-up.

One book that will definitely see a sequel is Scream Blue Murder. This was published in November 2017, and received praise from many, including fellow authors Mason Cross and Matt Hilton.

Follow Tony on ~ Twitter ~ Website

See what other readers think of this book by following the Blog Tour

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Many thanks for reading my post, if you liked it please give a share.  Or go and get a copy of this book and see what you think 🙂 xx

#BookReview : Bad To The Bone by Tony J Forder @TonyJForder @Bloodhoundbook

yvonnembee 3 Comments

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I am bringing you the first in the “DI Bliss” series,”Bad to The Bone” by Tony J Forder.  This is available in paperback and eBook format, published by Bloodhound Books April 2017.  BUYING LINK

Synopsis:

Looking for an unmissable crime thriller?

A skeletal body is unearthed in a wooded area of Peterborough, Cambridgeshire. DI James Bliss, together with DC Penny Chandler, investigate the case and discover that the young, female victim had been relocated from its original burial site.

A witness is convinced that a young female was struck by a vehicle back in the summer of 1990, and that police attended the scene. However, no record exists of either the accident or the reported victim. As the case develops, two retired police officers are murdered. The two are linked with others who were on duty at the time a road accident was reported.

As Bliss and Chandler delve deeper into the investigation, they start to question whether senior officers may have been involved in the murder of the young women who was buried in the woods.

As each link in the chain is put under duress, so is Bliss who clashes with superiors and the media.

When his team receives targeted warnings, Bliss will need to decide whether to drop the case or to pursue those responsible.

Will Bliss walk away in order to keep his career intact or will he fight no matter what the cost? 

And is it possible the killer is much closer than they imagined?

My Thoughts:

This is set in and around Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK.  DI Bliss and DC Chandler are called to investigate a jumble of bones that have been unearthed.  A local bone expert is called to give initial thoughts and they discover that this is not the first time that these remains have been buried.

I have read a couple of Tony’s books and one thing I find is the addition of important extra observational details, these add a good amount of believable and realistic feel to the story. The characters of Bliss and Chandler are really likeable, they both have great backstories, though not your usual stereotypical ones.  Tony has given them a great working dynamic with a mentor and student aspect to them, also giving them their own support system for each other.  The fast pace of the plot starts off quite simply, but by the end you realise that this is not a simple story.  It is complex with twists, turns, red herrings and scenarios I really didn’t expect to come across.  I love it when this happens! Given the complexity of the story, Tony keeps it all under control and kept my attention from the very first page to the very last one. There are several other characters in the story, some of these are more like extras. They have their roles to play but he does not go into too much extra detail with them, this meant it was easier to follow as I didn’t get to caught up with the minor players.

A great read that I found more enjoyable as I lived in Peterborough about 20 years ago, this is where the research and extra details become such an important part of any book, for me it reminded me of the area I knew.  I also liked the way Tony has given Bliss a love of music, various song titles crop up through this book, I am assuming that some aspects of the author have made an appearance here. I also now have George Thorogood’s song stuck in my head with the title of this book 🎶 😁

A book I definitely recommend to readers of police procedural crime, thriller, murder and mystery.  I am looking forward to The Scent of Guilt, Book 2 in the series very soon.

About the Author:

Bloodhound-Author-Meet-89Tony J Forder is the author of the critically acclaimed crime thriller Bad to the Bone, the first in a series featuring DI Jimmy Bliss and DC Penny Chandler. The second book in the series will be released in 2018, with a third currently in progress.

On 19 September 2017, Tony’s dark, psychological crime thriller, Degrees of Darkness, featuring ex-detective Frank Rogers, was also published by Bloodhound Books. This was intended to be a stand-alone novel, but Tony is now considering the possibility of a follow-up.

On 8 November, Bloodhound Books will publish Tony’s new fast-paced action thriller, Scream Blue Murder. This is the first novel in an intended series, and has received praise from both Mason Cross and Matt Hilton.

Some years ago, Tony won a short story competition judged by an editor from Pan Books. The story, Gino’s Bar and Grille, went on to be published in Dark Voices 2, part of the celebrated Pan Book of Horror series. Three further short story sales followed: Book End, published in Dark Voices 4, Character Role, in FEAR magazine, and finally A Grim Story, which featured in A Rattler’s Tale. It was the start of Tony’s publishing journey.

Tony is signed to Bloodhound Books for a minimum of four books, but believes there is much more to come.

Follow the author on Facebook  |  Twitter

Many thanks for reading my post, please give a share if you liked it.  Or go and get yourself a copy of this first in a series of books 🙂 xx