Tag Blog Tour Review

The Second Marriage by Gill Paul @GillPaulAUTHOR @RandomTTours #RandomTTours @AvonBooksUK #histfic #bookreview

yvonnembee 6 Comments

I am absolutely delighted to finally share my review, and also help close the Blog Tour for The Second Marriage by Gill Paul, this is such a wonderful book and I cannot wait to show you what I thought. In fact, it’s one of those historical fiction that I say “just go and buy it – right now!”

My huge thanks to Anne at random Things Tours for my spot on the blog Tour and also for arranging my e-copy of this book.

This was published in the US under the title Jackie and Maria.

Synopsis…

JACKIE
When her first marriage ends in tragedy, Jackie Kennedy fears she’ll never love again. But all that changes when she encounters…

ARI
Successful and charming, Ari Onassis is a man who promises her the world. Yet soon after they marry, Jackie learns that his heart also belongs to another…

MARIA
A beautiful, famed singer, Maria Callas is in love with Jackie’s new husband – and she isn’t going to give up.

Little by little, Jackie and Maria’s lives begin to tangle in a dangerous web of secrets, scandal and lies. But with both women determined to make Ari theirs alone, the stakes are high. How far will they go for true love?

You can purchase your own copy at Amazon UK

My Review…

I absolutely adored this book, I mean the names Kennedy, Onassis and Callas just ooze rich, lavish, well-documented lifestyle with the possibility of something a little shady in the background. The book is historical fiction and this gives the author a chance to give a voice to the characters and also to add some creative embellishments. The author does discuss at the end of the book various ways she has adapted, changed dates or added extras and why. Also, there is a fabulous few pages that covers the actual facts around the main characters as well as a comprehensive list of resources.

OK! How to write e review about this book! I am aware of the names of the Kennedy’s, of Aristotle Onassis and also of Maria Callas but only basic facts so I approached this book as I would any other historical fiction. The story was one that alternated between Jackie Kennedy and Maria Callas, how they met Aristotle, their thoughts about him and also how he managed to become part of their lives.

The author includes the heart-breaking accounts of JFK assassination as well as his brother Bobby’s death. The effect it had on Jackie and what led her to become Jackie O. I don’t know how much is true, but as I mentioned earlier I am reading this purely as historical fiction don’t know all the facts. But how the author tackled the subject of Jackie, JFK and life were truly heart-breaking and it really made me feel for her.

Maria’s story is equally as heart-breaking. I knew she was an amazing opera singer and that she was a bit of a recluse and Diva, but I knew nothing of the other connections. This was a real eye-opener for me and she really did have a very rough ride in life.

This is a fabulous historical fiction by Gill Paul, she has woven a story of love, life, death, convenience, profit, betrayal, scandal and as whole lot more. I found the story of the two women t be fascinating and also very sad. It has been written so well and I was so absorbed in it that I read it over two days. It is a story that I cannot even come close to writing a review for that does this book justice.

If you like historical fiction that has factual or real life people and events in it then you should really pick this book up. I definitely recommend it.

About the Author…

Gill Paul is an author of historical fiction, specialising in relatively recent history.

Gill’s novels include Another Woman’s Husband, The Secret Wife, about the romance between cavalry officer Dmitri Malama and Grand Duchess Tatiana, the second daughter of Russia’s last tsar, who first met in 1914,  Women and Children First about a young steward who works on the Titanic and The Affair set in Rome in 1961–62 as Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton fell in love while making Cleopatra. No Place for a Lady is about two Victorian sisters who travel out to the Crimean War of 1854–56 and face challenges beyond anything they could have imagined.

Follow the Author – Twitter – Facebook – Website or Check out her Amazon Author Page HERE

Check out the other stops on the Blog Tour…

 

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

Christmas at Lock Keepers Cottage by Lucy Coleman @LucyColemanauth @BoldwoodBooks #boldwoodbloggers @rararesources #Festivefiction #bookreview

yvonnembee 1 Comment

I am delighted to share my review today for Christmas at Lock Keeper’s Cottage by Lucy Coleman. I am a fan of this author and I always enjoy her books and her latest one is no exception. My huge thanks as always to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for my spot on the Blog Tour and for my e-copy of the book.

So, what is this one all about…

Synopsis…

Join us for Christmas in the Cotswolds in this perfect festive escape, from the bestselling Lucy Coleman.

Imogen Tolliman never knew her mother. And when an accident robs Immi of her father too, she goes to live with her grandfather, Tollie, in his picturesque lock-keeper’s cottage by the Aysbury marina.

Tollie is the star of the Santa Ahoy Special each Christmas – a festive boat ride along the canal that enthralls both children and adults alike. And as Immi grows up, she starts to appreciate the magical community she is lucky enough to live in.

When Immi meets Gray Adams, she instantly realises he’s someone special. And as their relationship gets serious, they start to plan for the Christmas to beat all Christmases.

But as the day approaches, and the romantic snow showers turn into blizzards, their dream of a Christmas to remember, looks set to be one they’ll never forget – for all the wrong reasons. Can they salvage the festivities, or will old secrets that are finally uncovered turn Immi’s life upside down forever?

Let Lucy Coleman transport you away to a dreamy Cotswolds Christmas full of snowflakes and secrets, log fires, mistletoe, friends and much-loved traditions. Perfect for all fans of Trisha Ashley, Holly Martin and Sue Moorcroft.

Purchase Links – Kindle – Paperback – Audiobook. (These are Amazon affiliate links)

My Review…

I do love a Lucy Coleman book and her latest has a wonderful Cotswolds setting. Immi has not had the best of starts in life as her mum left when she was a baby. Later she lost her father and her Gran. She has been through a lot of grief and the local community have been there for her, given her a chance and she has grown to be a thoughtful and kind person with a big heart and time for people. 

Community is a large part of this story, how they come together and support each other. Whether it is in the form of winter cruises on the narrowboats for children eager to meet Santa or coming up with ideas to fundraise. 

Gray is Immi’s partner, and they see each other only at weekends. His mum has not been well and he has needed to help her come to terms with her illness and the anxiety it has left her with. This means that Immi and Gray only have short periods together and are always busy.

When I started this book I didn’t quite take to the characters, I mean I liked them but I couldn’t quite get the connections they felt a little disjointed. I suppose in some ways it is similar to the relationship between Immi and Gray, even though their love for each other is complete they are often apart more than together. Gradually though I got to see more of this couple and started to understand them more, and also other members of the community. What a community it is, talk about dealing with whatever is aimed at them!

When I had finished this book I found myself with a few loose threads that I am hoping will be picked up in another book. I just feel that there are more stories that this community and its characters have to share. Keeping my fingers crossed for this!

It is a story that is heartwarming and has a good few surprises, and one in particular that I did not see at all. A wonderfully warm, community-spirited story that I really did enjoy and would recommend to readers of contemporary fiction who like a story about love, life family and friendships… and that I dearly hope may be the start of a series!

About the Author…

Lucy Coleman is a #1 bestselling romance writer, whose recent novels include Snowflakes over Holly Cove. She also writes under the name Linn B. Halton. She won the 2013 UK Festival of Romance: Innovation in Romantic Fiction award and lives in the Welsh Valleys.

Social Media Links – Twitter – Facebook – Instagram – Website – Bookbub – Newsletter Sign-up

Check out the previous stops on the Blog Tour…

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

Strictly Come Dating by Kathryn Freeman @KathrynFreeman1 @rararesources #romcom #bookreview

yvonnembee 6 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for Strictly Come Dating by Kathryn Freeman. I have read quite a few of this authors books and I have always enjoyed them. Kathryn is an author who I will automatically read without even looking at the synopsis.

My huge thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for my spot on the Blog Tour and for arranging my e-copy of this fabulous book.

Synopsis…

Saturday nights are strictly for dancing… 

As the glitter ball shimmers and sequins flash, forty-year-old Maggie remembers the pull of the dancefloor.  But now, as a newly divorced mum of two, Maggie’s certain her dancing days are over.  Or are they…?

Encouraged by her friends, Maggie dusts off her silver stilettoes and enrols for dancing classes, all she needs now is the perfect partner.

Enter Seb.  Young, carefree and hot as hell, Seb is definitely a perfect 10!  Even though everything about him is outrageously inappropriate! But as Seb sweeps her across the dancefloor every week, Maggie begins to see a new side to him; kind, caring, funny, strong. 

And Maggie realises that he’s the only one she’d like to foxtrot with…perhaps even forever

Purchase Links from Amazon UK – US (the UK link is an affiliate link)

My Review…

This really did tick all the boxes for me. A gorgeous story of a single mum who has lost some of her confidence who has closed herself off to impulsive decisions and runs her life like she does her household, like a well planned military campaign.

Maggie and her daughters are a close family. Maggie is a busy working mum but Saturday night is when they meet up with friends and watch Strictly Come dancing. A routine that Maggie, the girls and the other friends take very seriously indeed. So when Seb arrives back home the ritual of the Saturday night takes on a slightly different dynamic.

Seb, by the way, has returned home because his dad isn’t well, he is the brother to Maggie’s friends. He is the opposite of the super organised Maggie. He is impulsive in the way he lives his life, a carefree man who is the stereotype of a surfer. But there is more to him than meets the eye.

I loved the way the author tackled the age difference in this story. Maggie is nearing 40 and Seb 11 years her junior. Maggie’s insecurities and reduced confidence made this an appropriate storyline. I mean why on earth would a gorgeous younger man be interested in a woman nearly 40, and that has children and who has no social life apart from meeting up with her friends for watching a dance show! Seb is such a carefree character who doesn’t have the ties of children, the responsibility of a demanding job and can come and go as he pleases. He has never had a relationship that has made him stop and think about his future.

The theme of the dancing show worked really well as the story gradually brings these two opposites together. There is more to both of them than first meets the eye. I did initially think Maggie was a little reserved but as I learnt more about her I could understand her reticence. As for Seb, while he appears to be a wandering free-spirit, again there is a lot more to him and given him a set of doubts.

Overall this is a wonderful read that is heartwarming and hopeful. It is a story that brings the troubles of being a single working mum taking a chance. It is about a man who is trying to work out what he wants in life. Characters brought together by a dancing show but not for the same reasons. A story of family, friendship, taking a chance on romance and one I would definitely recommend.

About the Author…

A former pharmacist, I’m now a medical writer who also writes romance. Some days a racing heart is a medical condition, others it’s the reaction to a hunky hero.

I’ve two sons and a husband who asks every Valentine’s Day whether he has to buy a card (yes, he does), so any romance is all in my head. Then again, his unstinting support of my career change proves love isn’t always about hearts and flowers – and heroes come in many disguises.

Social Media Links – Website – Twitter – Facebook

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Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

The Hitman and The Thief by Richard Dee @RichardDockett1 @rararesources #bookreview

yvonnembee 3 Comments

I am delighted to be one of the Book Bloggers openeing the Blog Tour and to share my review today for The Hitman and The Thief by Richard Dee. It has been quite a while since I read one of Richard’s books so I was looking forward to this one. My huge thanks to Rachel at Rachel Random Resources for my spot on the Blog Tour and for my e-copy of this book.

Synopsis…

Assassination can be a messy business, especially if you’re having a bad day.

Dan Jones is the ultimate problem solver, the hitman for crime boss Fliss Bauer.

Fliss has a rival, Kalindra Dallin. She runs a particularly unpleasant planet. Dan is told to arrange her demise. It’s just another job; until a random event means that it all goes horribly wrong.

To save his skin, Dan is forced to try again, only this time he has to work with a partner. He doesn’t want to but it’s the only chance he’s going to get; if he wants to put things right.

Can the hitman and the thief get the job done, more importantly, can they keep each other alive?

Beta Readers comments,

“Richard’s latest book, The Hitman and the Thief, takes the reader on a twisting journey through different worlds. The action moves swiftly, with unexpected twists and turns. As usual, Richard’s excellent technical knowledge conveys a gritty reality with ease. This is a fun read, hard to put down and I sure hope there is a sequel in the making.”

Purchase Link – HERE

My Review…

I really enjoyed this book, it is a mystery and crime read but with a sci-fi setting. The author wove a very addictive tale between Dan Jones a hitman and the thief… you will soon meet.

I really liked the feel of the storey with brief mentions of planets and their uses, it did give space and sci-fi feel but not full of convoluted jargon or tech-speak. This makes it a very accessible book for crime and mystery readers and especially those who prefer a cosy-mystery style read.

So, Dan, I do like this character who seems to have principles, well if an assassin can have principles. His latest job is to infiltrate another gang and kill their boss. It seems to be a simple plan, but, well, let’s just say that plans do not go according to plan!

There is a good amount of intrigue and it didn’t take me long to get into this book. It moves along at a reasonable pace and with a good amount of characters that are easy to remember I soon found myself turning the pages.

I really enjoyed this book, it was easy to follow and made for a relaxing read. A book that would fall in the genre of cosy mystery sci-fi – is there such a genre? AS I said earlier this is a book that is very accessible, yes it is sci-fi as such and this may put some readers off but it is also a very good mystery read that has an intriguing storyline and some interesting characters. I would definitely recommend it.

About the Author…

Richard Dee is from Brixham in Devon. Leaving school at 16 he briefly worked in a supermarket, then he went to sea and travelled the world in the Merchant Navy, qualifying as a Master Mariner in 1986. 

He has also worked as an Insurance Surveyor, Lockmaster, Harbourmaster and Ships Pilot, taking over 3,500 vessels up and down the Thames, passing through the estuary, the Thames Barrier and Tower Bridge.

Since the publication of his first Science Fiction novel, Freefall, in 2013, Richard has written another twelve novels, a textbook and a selection of short stories. He has been featured in several anthologies, including 1066 Turned Upside Down and Tales from Deepest Darkest Devon.

He writes Science Fiction and Steampunk adventures and also chronicles the exploits of reluctant amateur detective Andorra Pett.

Richard is married with three adult children and three grandchildren.

Social Media Links –

If you’d like to know more about my writing, my website is richarddeescifi.co.uk. Head over there to see what I get up to, click the FREE STUFF tab or the My Novels and Short Stories tab to get all the details about my work and pick up a free short story. Why not join my newsletter and get a free short story, unavailable anywhere else.

I’m on Facebook at RichardDeeAuthor and Twitter at Richard Dee Sci-Fi

My Amazon author page is here.

Check out the other stops on the Blog Tour…

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

A Reunion at Mulberry Lane by Rosie Clarke @AnneHerries @rararesources #histfic #bookreview

yvonnembee

I am delighted to share my review for A Reunion at Mulberry Lane by Rosie Clarke. Yes it has a Christmas cover, yes it is only September, but Christmas is not the only thing in this gorgeous book.

My huge thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for my spot on the Blog Tour and for arranging my e-copy of this fabulous book.

Synopsis…

A brand NEW festive read from Rosie Clarkes’ bestselling Mulberry Lane series.


1949

Peggy and Able Ronoscki’s seaside cafe in Devon is thriving and their twins Fay and Freddie are growing up fast.
To pursue her daughter’s destiny, Fay must train in London and Peggy is faced with a dilemma of moving the family back to London once more.

Meanwhile, Peggy’s elder daughter Janet has her own troubles. She fears her husband is having an affair and Is desperately unhappy.

Peggy is torn two ways and can only hope that a reunion with her friends at Christmas can help resolve her problems.

Purchase Link – https://amzn.to/2T4OS6m

My Review…

What an absolutely lovely book A Reunion at Mulberry Lane was to read. This is the 6th book in this series but the first one I have read. It does work very well as a stand-alone.

I met several characters who are family and friends of Peggy and Able. These two have left Mulberry Lane, also known as The Lanes, to run a cafe. They work hard but do miss their family and friends back home. It is set just after the end of WWII and the effects of the war are still being felt there are those who are suffering from we now know as PTSD and have a very hard time adapting. But on the whole, it is a time when people are gradually getting back to how things used to be, there are still some food shortages but the country is getting there.

The family and friends of Peggy are a wonderful group and there is an obvious bond between these characters that have been built up over the previous books in the series. The sense of belonging and having people to turn to for support and also the reactions when news is shared gives a wonderful feeling for the reader.

The storyline is a gentle one as such because it is one about the everyday lives of people who work hard and support each other. There is a wonderful feeling of belonging and being loved between the characters and this is what makes this book so special. There are some fabulous characters that I have met and I soon found myself getting to know them and remembering them.

Considering I have come to this series quite late on, I was surprised and also delighted at how quickly I found myself invested in this book. There are mentions of things that have happened in the past and the author gives just enough to make me aware but without giving too much away.

While this book works very well as a standalone I do wish I had begun this from the very beginning as I think the reading journey with the resident of The Lanes would be wonderful. I really enjoyed this book and I think readers of historical fiction and family sagas will absolutely adore this if you haven’t read any of the books I would say read from the beginning as I think this would be a wonderful series to settle down with. I Would definitely recommend A Reunion at Mulberry Lane.

About the Author…

Rosie Clarke is a #1 bestselling saga writer whose most recent books include The Mulberry Lane series.  She has written over 100 novels under different pseudonyms and is a RNA Award winner.  She lives in Cambridgeshire.

Social Media Links – Newsletter Sign Up – Website – bookbub – Twitter

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Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

Choices Shape, Losses Break by Nia Lucas @BooksNia @rararesources #bookreview

yvonnembee 3 Comments

I am absolutely delighted to share my review today for Choices Shape, Losses Break by Nia Lucas. I am so pleased that Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources sent me a message about this book as I had missed seeing the post for the Blog Tour about it. Having read Nia’s previous book Loved Punked I knew I would be in for a good read, I wasn’t disappointed.

Synopsis

Shunned and struggling at home and school, teenager Lorna Davies clatters into chaotic and charismatic Shay O’Driscoll and Leon Barrett at an illegal rave in 1995. As Lorna’s talent for dancing sees her unexpectedly employed in the strobe-lit heart of 90’s club culture, her world is turned on its head by her budding friendship with Shay and Leon. For the boys, their high-risk lives endanger all three of them in an association that blurs the lines between friendship and dependency.

As the risks escalate, Lorna’s best friend Hannah, her brother Dan, her bully-turned-protector Nico and her unexpected friend Rosa watch with concern as she is thrust ever closer to harm in an intoxicating new landscape. When life-threatening events risk separating them permanently, Lorna, Leon and Shay juggle love, loyalty, sacrifice and exploitation as their lives change beyond recognition. Will the losses they face break them all?

Purchase from –Amazon UK (this is an affiliate link) or Amazon US

My Review

Once again this author has written an absolutely amazing novel. I am still at a bit of a loss as I sit and try and put my thoughts into some sort of order. So before I really get into it I am going to try and categorise this book into what genre I would put it in and actually it falls into several. I was wondering if there was such a thing as urban contemporary fiction and when I had a sneaky peek over on Amazon I discovered there was! It is also a coming of age, older teen romance and also a damned fine read.

The story is that of Lorna Davies, she is bullied, she has chores at home that are never done right or to a good enough standard in her mother’s opinion, she doesn’t have the best reputation and even the teachers expect her to achieve nothing. She is one of those girls who wants to live in the shadows as much as she can trying not to be noticed. Some of the accusations are down to her actions but are not worthy of the taunting and bullying.

Things change when she goes along to a club and loses herself to the music and she is spotted and asked to join two other dancers to dance on the podium spots, this then leads to being paid to dance. Friends are made and things start to change in Lorna’s life.

The author has the ability to completely captivate me with this story. A girl who is bullied who then starts to find a freedom from the taunts, and jibes. There is a problem however, one is her age, she is not yet 16, and also her out dancing at raves and in nightclubs actually leads an even bigger rift between Lorna and her mum.

The author has woven a storey of family friends, expectations, sacrifice and love. There is quite a strong sexual thread through this story and there are times it does border on the explicit. Now, I am not one for this type of thing in my reading but the author has tackled this in such a varied way. I am not going to elaborate any more but just be aware.

The characters of Leon and Shay are brilliant, and there are times I really wanted to knock their heads together and as I understood their backstories more I realised that understood how they acted and reacted as they did. Lorna, well, initially it took me a while to warm to her but as the story progressed I found a character that had a hell of a lot more gumption to her than I originally thought. The three characters support each other in different ways. It has a whole range of emotions and the ending is just unbelievable.

This is a fabulously addictive read that I absolutely adored. It is a book that I would Absolutely Recommend.

About the Author

I am a UK-based author of Contemporary women’s fiction who is passionate about writing amazing, strong and relatable female characters who readers really invest in- I love to write stories about the best mate you wish you’d had! My Welsh heritage and my life as a practising Social Worker with teenagers and their families heavily influences my work as does my love of all things 90’s, especially Rave and Clubbing culture. My first novel, ‘Love Punked’ is rated 5* on Amazon and my second 5* rated Novel ‘Choices Shape, Losses Break’ is now available on Kindle and Kindle Unlimited!

Social Media Links – My Facebook Page is Nia Lucas Books where my latest news and updates are posted and readers can also follow me at @BooksNia on Twitter or @nialucasbooks on Instagram.

Check out the other stops on the Blog Tour…

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

Wife Support System by Kathleen Whyman @KathleenWhyman1 @rararesources #contemporaryfiction #bookreview

yvonnembee 5 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for Wife Support System by Kathleen Whyman. I really enjoyed this book and would like to thank Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for my spot on the Blog Tour and for arranging my e-copy of the book.

So, what is it all about…

We’ve got the balance all wrong. Instead of living with our partners, struggling to do everything by ourselves and only seeing each other now and then, we should do it the other way round. We should live together and see them now and then.

Erica knows her suggestion sounds extreme, but when her nanny leaves without notice, she’s extremely desperate. Polly and Louise aren’t convinced, but when circumstances force them to move into Polly’s enormous but run-down house, they have to admit life’s much easier when the childcare and work is shared.

At first, communal living seems like the answer to their prayers – childcare on tap, rotas for cleaning and someone always available to cook dinner (no more last-minute pizza delivery!). But over time, resentment starts to grow as they judge each other’s parenting styles and bicker over cleaning, cooking and whose turn it is to buy toilet rolls.

And as one woman has her head turned by a handsome colleague, one resorts to spying on her husband and another fights to keep a dark secret, they need each other more than ever. But can Polly, Louise and Erica keep their friendship and relationships strong? Or will their perfect mumtopia fall apart?

Essential reading for anyone fed up with never-ending housework/homeschooling/preparing healthy meals that their kids reject … Fans of Why Mummy Drinks, Has Anyone Seen My Sex Life? and Beth O’Leary won’t want to miss this one!

Purchase Links – Amazon UK (this is an affiliate link) Kobo – Apple

I really enjoyed this book and read it over a couple of days. It was one of those books that had a gentle pace and it gave me a chance to get to know the three main characters. They were Erica, Louise and Polly, each has children and are school mum friends.

When Erica suggests that their recent holiday together was great and wouldn’t it be good if they could do this again. Sharing the childcare, the housework and being there for each other sounds quite a good suggestion. While on paper things should be good in practice, well that is another matter altogether.

I just know that a group of women living together may sound great, but it can also be a recipe for disaster. Especially if one is always working, the other is having issues and the third seems to be the one picking up after everyone. This is definitely a read that shows the women interactions well and made for great reading.

The dynamics between the women are wonderful reading, I loved how the author tackled various aspects of parenthood from the “my child would never do that” to the “can you pick take so and so to school scenarios”. While each of the women has their own personal lives and problems, there is also the new challenge of working together and finding compromises, this does not work so well.

I found this an entertaining read and one that had me sniggering several times, it also had some heartbreaking revelations. Seeing the women in a setting that doesn’t allow them to put on their “school mum” face was interesting.

I liked this a lot and really warmed to some characters more than others, but also by the end had discovered more about each of the women. A great summer read and one that I would definitely recommend.

Kathleen is a writer for Writers’ Forum magazine, a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and her second book was recently longlisted for the Comedy Women in Print Unpublished Comedy Novel prize.

Follow Kathleen on Twitter

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Many thanks for reading my post, a like or a share would be amazing 🙂 xx

The Moscow Whisper by Michael Jenkins #TheMoscowWhisper @FailsafeQuery @damppebbles #damppebblesblogtours #thriller #bookreview

yvonnembee 9 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for The Moscow Whisper by Michael Jenkins. This is the 3rd book in this series and if you like spy and espionage books you are going to get on really well with this one. It is a cracking read. My thanks to Emma at damppebbles blog tours for my spot on the Blog Tour and for arranging my e-copy of this fabulous book.

Let me show you what it’s all about…

‘Sometimes you have to enter the death zone to save the innocent.’

A top-secret clique of former spies meet for dinner to hatch a plan to murder a competitor, not knowing that they are under surveillance from a covert arm of British Intelligence. Hours later, with bodies strewn across a terrace, a piece of secret intelligence reveals an international plot of colossal magnitude.

For disgraced agent Sean Richardson, this is the beginning of a deniable mission to infiltrate and disrupt a group of Russian mercenaries who are working clandestinely to take over a nation state.

Acting covertly as an illicit arms trafficker, Sean is dropped into a deadly cauldron of terrorism and high-tech weaponry that will take a nation down. As the bullets fly and the chaos rains in, can Sean take down the merchants of death…or has he finally met his match?

The third in a set of spy thrillers that have been expertly crafted with stunning plot lines, magnificent locations, and twists that leave you gasping for air. Perfect for fans of Frederick Forsyth, Robert Ludlum, Tom Clancy, and Scott Mariani. 

Purchase Links = Amazon UK (this is an affiliate link) Amazon US

This is the third book in the Sean Richardson series and, boy oh boy was it a cracking read. While the title gives the impression of it being set in Moscow, it is actually Russian mercenaries and arms dealers who provide the Moscow link.

This is an absolute cracker of a read and I have to say I feel for Sean as the author really does put him through his paces. Sean is an off the books operative for an exclusive group. Plausible deniability being something that is essential, but it doesn’t mean that Sean is working alone.

In this mission, he has help from old friends, but as this is the world of spies, double agents, rumours and lies, there is always a doubt as to who can be trusted. Money and power lead to corruption and this leads to sold secrets, backhanders and the like.

This is such a fast-paced book that is action-packed from start to finish. Sean is an excellent character and is teamed up once again with Jack, and an American agent Laura. I just can’t help but like Sean and I still do have my doubts about the other two, there is just something about those who make the decisions that leaves an uneasy feeling. Or maybe I am always backing the underdog, and this seems to be Sean’s default setting.

There are some other great characters in this story and I love some of their names, well nicknames. They add a good deal of variety and some have a very unique skill set to boot.

The details that the author brings to this story is so good, tactics and weaponry are just the tip of the ice-berg. When you read the authors bio you can see where his own knowledge adds a massive extra to the storytelling.

This is such an excellent read, fast, action-packed, intense thriller. For me, this book just has it all and I would highly recommend it.

I started climbing at 13, survived being lost in Snowdonia at 14, nearly drowned at 15, and then joined the Army at 16. Risk and adventure was built into my DNA and I feel very fortunate to have served the majority of my working career as an intelligence officer within Defence Intelligence, and as an explosive ordnance disposal officer and military surveyor within the Corps of Royal Engineers. 

I was privileged to serve for twenty-eight years in the British Army as a soldier and officer, rising through the ranks to complete my service as a major. I served across the globe on numerous military operations as well as extensive travel and adventure on many major mountaineering and exploration expeditions that I led or was involved in.

I was awarded the Geographic Medal by the Royal Geographical Society for mountain exploration in 2003 and served on the screening committee of the Mount Everest Foundation charity for many years. It was humbling after so many years of service when I was awarded the MBE for services to counter-terrorism in 2007.

Follow Michael on – Twitter – Facebook or visit his Website

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Midtown Huckster (Alex Cohen #3) by Leopold Borstinski @borstinski @damppebbles #damppebblesblogtours #histfic #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am absolutely delighted to share my review for Midtown Huckster by Leopold Borstinski. This series is just getting better and better with each book. My huge thanks to Emma at damppebbles Blog Tours for my spot on the Tour and for my e-copy of the book. Let me show you more about the book…

Can you keep your gelt and freedom when the cops have enough evidence to take you down?

1930s Jewish gangster, Alex Cohen runs Murder Inc for Lucky Luciano. After the death of Prohibition he must find a new way to make money, just as the cops are baying at his heels. When Luciano goes down for racketeering, Alex loses his protection and is arrested for tax evasion–he must decide between saving his skin and ratting out his friends.

If he chooses prison time then his gang will fall apart and he will end up with nothing. If he squeals then he will have to flee the city he loves and the family he once adored. What would you do in a world where nobody can be trusted and you have everything to lose?

The third book in the Alex Cohen series is an historical noir novel, which plunges you deep into the early days of narcotics trafficking and the Jewish New York mob. Leopold Borstinski’s piercing crime fiction delivers a fix to every reader like heroin from a needle.

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This is the third book in the Alex Cohen series and I having been enjoying it so much. This book follows on from the previous books and while you could read them as a stand-alone I would advise reading in order.

Set in 1930’s New York as prohibition is coming to an end and as President Hoover forms the Federal Bureau to investigate tax evasion and bringing the profiteers to justice.

As I mentioned, this story follows on from the previous books, these include Alex’s arrival in New York and his Jewish background. This book feels more involved as there is more secrecy as the investigators are getting closer to convicting the main bosses. Another thing that I noticed was slightly less Jewish terms, this kind of makes sense as Alex would have become more Americanised but, I also do miss them.

The book once again uses various points of history to keep the story in the right period, with mentions of Thomas Dewey who was a New York City prosecutor in the 1930’s and whose aim was to beat organised crime. I like these historical mentions as it makes for great additional reading outside of the story.

The journey Alex has made up to this point has been gradual, he is trusted and has respect but there are things afoot that are making him suspicious. Times are changing and not necessarily in Alex’s favour. As he has had his fingers in many pies and looks for more ways to earn a living, the more the investigators have to go on, and what they can’t find well…

Another excellent read in the series and I am so glad there are more planned book to follow, I am certainly interested in what happens next for Alex. This is an excellent series for Historical fiction readers and I would definitely recommend reading Midtown Huckster.

Leopold Borstinski is an independent author whose past careers have included financial journalism, business management of financial software companies, consulting and product sales and marketing, as well as teaching.

There is nothing he likes better so he does as much nothing as he possibly can. He has travelled extensively in Europe and the US and has visited Asia on several occasions. Leopold holds a Philosophy degree and tries not to drop it too often.

He lives near London and is married with one wife, one child and no pets.

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The Village Shop for Lonely Hearts by Alison Sherlock @AlisonSherlock @BoldwoodBooks @rararesources #romance #bookreview

yvonnembee 5 Comments

I am delighted to share my review for The Village Shop for Lonely Hearts by Alison Sherlock. This was such a wonderful book to read and my huge thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for my spot on the Blog Tour and for my e-copy of the book. Let me show you more about the book…

A feel-good story of new beginnings set in a gorgeous country village, perfect for fans of Katie Fforde and Milly Johnson.


After losing her job in New York, Amber Green isn’t looking forward to visiting her godmother in the sleepy village of Cranbridge. With its empty lanes and rundown shops, it’s hardly a place to mend her lonely heart.

But when Amber discovers that Cranbridge Stores, owned by her godmother Cathy and son Josh, is under threat of financial ruin, she realises that her skills as a window dresser might just be able to help save the struggling shop.

When disaster strikes, Amber and Josh must unite to save both the shop and the village from flooding.

Can Cranbridge Stores become the heart of the village once more?

Purchase Link – Amazon UK (this is an affiliate link)

This is one of those heartwarming books that leaves you with a nice cosy feeling, it is also the first book in the Riverside Lane series and has left me wanting to read more.

Amber Green is visiting her godmother who also happens to be her mums best friend. Amber has vague recollections about the village of Cranbrook, but on her arrival, she finds a village that is past its sell-by date, it looks run down, neglected and not welcoming. The local shop looks no better and is a shop with everything but nothing that anyone wants.

Be3ing given an unexpected chance to get stuck into helping bring some order to the overstocked shop means she will be working with Josh. He had put his life on hold to help look after his mum and Gran and is stuck in a rut. Working together the two find a happy working relationship.

I liked the way the author showed how it is not only in larger towns and cities that loneliness occurs, it also happens in smaller communities. What was once a thriving community has long since gone, but there is a need for somewhere central, could the shop be just the place.

This was such a heartwarming story and one that had me willing the locals on, and especially willing Amber and Josh to make the shop a hub. There are some wonderful characters and I am hoping that I will see some of them in future books.

This was a wonderful way to pass a Sunday afternoon as I found myself captured by the village and residents of Cranbrook. A lovely read and one that readers of contemporary fiction and romance will really enjoy and it is one I would definitely recommend.

Alison Sherlock is the author of the bestselling Willow Tree Hall books. Alison enjoyed reading and writing stories from an early age and gave up office life to follow her dream. Her new series for Boldwood is set in a fictional Cotswold Village and the first title will be published in July 2020.

Social Media Links – Twitter – Facebook – Bookbub

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