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The Orphanage Girls Come Home by Mary Wood @Authormary @panmacmillan @RandomTTours #historicalfiction #romance #trilogy #bookreview

yvonnembee 32 Comments

I am delighted to sahre my review today for The Orphanage Girls Come Home by Mary Wood. It is the final part of the trilogy so a bittersweet moment. Each of the books has been fabulous and if you are a fan of historical romance, fiction and saga stories then this is an author you should look up.

My huge thanks to Anne at Random Things Tours for my spot on the Blog Tour and for arranging my paperback from the publisher Pan Macmillan.

London, 1910
When Amy is chosen to be a part of a programme to resettling displaced children in Canada, her life changes overnight. Her great sadness is having to say goodbye to Ruth and Ellen, the friends who became family to her during the dark days at the orphanage. As she steps on board the ship to Montreal, the promise of a new life lies ahead. But during the long crossing, Amy discovers a terrifying secret.

Canada, 1919
As the decades pass, Amy’s Canadian experience is far from the life she imagined. She always kept Ruth’s address to hand – longing to return to London and reunite with her dear friends. With the world at war, it seems an impossible dream . . .

Separated by oceans, will Amy the orphanage girl ever come home?

MY REVIEW

This is the third and final book in The Orphanage Girls series and I have loved reading every one. This final one brings the lives of three girls to a conclusion as the author gives us the chance to see what happened to Amy. She was shipped off to Canada, it is supposed to be a fresh start but finds that life there can be just as dangerous as the one in the orphanage. It is 1910 when she sets out and while she is out there she never forgets her friends or where she came from.

Her life is taken up as a helper for families, she is to work like a servant in the homes of people, not all are trustworthy or treat her as they should. She does get the chance to move families and she begins to realise that there can be a chance of a new life. As things begin to settle the first world war breaks out and things change, lives are lost and hardship follows.

It is 1919 when Amy gets the chance to return and waiting are her two friends, Ellen and Ruth. They have been through some tough times as Amy has, but they have all come through it and want to discover more of their pasts. Over the years the girls have met new people and formed new friendships, but they have never forgotten each other.

Once again the author has woven a story of heartbreak for her girls, she has taken them and given them hardships in their lives that would be similar to what people would have been going through at the time. Poverty, disease, illness and deprivation were rife. Soldiers coming back from war struggled to cope and how the poorest found desperate ways to make a meal or pay the bills.

The story is about Amy, but it is also about bringing the lives of the girls back together again. The author has taken Amy and shown a different aspect of what life could be like, for those who had the promise of a new start and life in a different country. But at the same time, she is able to bring things up to date with the lives of Ellen and Ruth.

Working the storylines of the girls, their families and friends over the course of three books has been such a wonderful journey. The author takes you back in time to an era that is very, very different from what we now live in. Giving each of her characters a personality that shows differing perspectives, hopes, dreams and upbringings is a way of giving the reader a good cross-section of society at the time.

Another wonderful story of family, friendship, love and hope. One for fans of drama and saga stories, historical fiction and romance and one I would definitely recommend.

About the author

London, 1910
When Amy is chosen to be a part of a programme to resettling displaced children in Canada, her life changes overnight. Her great sadness is having to say goodbye to Ruth and Ellen, the friends who became family to her during the dark days at the orphanage. As she steps on board the ship to Montreal, the promise of a new life lies ahead. But during the long crossing, Amy discovers a terrifying secret.

Canada, 1919
As the decades pass, Amy’s Canadian experience is far from the life she imagined. She always kept Ruth’s address to hand – longing to return to London and reunite with her dear friends. With the world at war, it seems an impossible dream . . .

Separated by oceans, will Amy the orphanage girl ever come home?

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I will be approving them throughout the day.

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The Medici Murders by David Hewson @david_hewson @RandomTTours @canongatebooks #histfic #murder #mystery #bookreview

yvonnembee 8 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today of The Medici Murders by David Hewson. This is the first book in the Venetian Mystery series and I am looking forward to reading more of this one. This was a great intro to this author as it is the first of his books I have read.

My huge thanks to Anne at Random Things Tours for my spot on the Blog Tour and for arranging my copy of this murder mystery from the publisher Canongate Books.

When a well-known British TV historian, Marmaduke Godolphin, is found murdered in the canals of Venice during carnival, stabbed by a stiletto blade, the Venetian police are eager to have the case solved and cleared up within a day – murder is bad for tourism!

The police recruit the help of retired archivist, Arnold Clover. Godolphin had hired his services on arriving in Venice to help sort through some historical papers of note. These dusty documents may contain previously unknown information about the assassination of the murderer, Lorenzino de’ Medici, 500 years previously.

How coincidental that Godolphin meets his death in the same place as the Medici murderer, Lorenzino, on a cold, dark, bloody night. Can Arnold use his powers of perception to establish a link and solve the murder of Godolphin?

MY REVIEW

This is a murder mystery that has the feel of a sleuthing-style whodunnit. A mix of a present-day murder that has been mixed with a historical fiction story, some of which is factual.

Duke Marmaduke is a historian who has become a TV celebrity, although his spotlight has waned over the years. Once he was in demand for his TV shows that made history more theatrical than necessarily true. He contacts others for help in discovering some documents that had been lost over time. One of these is Arnold, he has been a diligent archivist and has moved to Italy to retire. Arnold is a person who has always been in the background and the complete opposite of the loud and bullish Duke.

It is when those called, meet up that Duke reveals, well partly reveals his next project. He has been given documents that could shine a new light on an old murder. It is one that could have some interesting outcomes. When Duke is found dead in the canal, it shows similarities to the old murder, so who wants him dead? Arnold is asked to talk with a Captain who leads the investigation, it is this account that tells the story.

I liked this story and it is one that had me intrigued. I did find it a little slow at times but on the whole, it is an interesting story. It is one that had loads of twists and the author has set the stage with some very interesting characters. There are connections and these are told as there is a relevance to when the gathered group were at University. Duke was head of this group known as the Guilded Circle, Arnold was not part of this so it gives him an ideal perspective, an outsider that is looking in. I liked this a lot as it gave Arnold a spectator’s view as such and when he relates the information to the Captain he does so in a more neutral.

This is a mix of historical fact and the author does say at the end of the book that there is also his fictional slant on the mystery. It makes for an interesting and also quite addictive story. As I said I did find it slow, but as I got more used to the characters and their roles I found it gained pace.

This is one that fans of murder mystery genres would enjoy, it has a sleuthing vibe to it and while it does have a police presence it is not a police procedural. I must also mention the food that is consumed by the characters, there is quite a bit, but it does sound very mouthwatering and very Venetian.

A wonderfully twisted story that had me guessing and one I would happily recommend.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

David Hewson is a former journalist with The Times, Sunday Times and Independent. He is the author of more than twenty-five novels, including his Rome-based Nic Costa series which has been published in fifteen languages, and his Amsterdam-based series featuring detective Pieter Vos. He has also written three acclaimed adaptations of the Danish TV series, The Killing. He lives near Canterbury in Kent. @david_hewson | davidhewson.com

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Run to the Blue P N Johnson #PNJohnson @RandomTTours #crime #thriller #bookreview

yvonnembee 7 Comments

I am delighted to be opening the Blog Tour and to share my review today for Run to the Blue by P N Johnson. This is a fabulous story and one that mixes crime with a thriller and has a romance aspect to it.

My huge thanks to Anne at Random Things Tours for arranging my copy of the books and for my spot on the Blog Tour.

It was supposed to be the best day of her career, the day when she was the hero, the reporter whose story put a deadly gangster behind bars.
But as crime boss Ken Lean is sentenced, ace reporter Tess Anderson instead finds herself in the headlines: her husband is exposed as having an affair with a top government minister, and Tess herself faces death threats from the Lean crime family.
With her life collapsing around her, Tess runs to her friend’s villa on the Greek island of Paxos, but soon finds she’s been tracked down by killers and spies. Her only hope of escape is a mysterious, glamorous, and somehow familiar American yachtsman.
Can Tess stay alive long enough to see her pursuers behind bars?
Who can she trust as her enemies close in?
And what is the secret that her husband and his lover are so keen to ensure remains buried?
The latest novel from P N Johnson, the author of Killer in the Crowd, Run to the Blue is a fast-moving action thriller set in the world of television news in London, and in the beautiful Greek islands.

MY REVIEW

Oh what a fabulous book this was, I started it and read it in one sitting. The author had me completely hooked on his story of Tess Anderson.

Tess is a journalist and she is one that has been in some dangerous situations as she has reported on some tough people. The day she is waiting for the jury to return a verdict on crime boss Ken Lean, a story she helped to expose and was vital to getting the conviction of, she discovers that she is also in the headlines. Married to Sven, a TV marriage guidance councillor, the last thing she expected was to be in the headlines. Who would have thought that when the breaking news of a verdict would also be the same time as her husband was outed as having an affair?

While she is trying to get her head around her husband’s betrayal, she is also aware that her life is in danger. The repercussions of her story and the subsequent verdict and imprisonment of Lean become obvious as she is followed. Her life is at risk so she decides to go into hiding and a friend offers her a place in Greece to disappear to. One problem though, whoever is following her knows where she is again on her trial.

Enter the mystery yachtsman, he becomes someone who is going to help her, but she is wary and there is something about him that is familiar.

This is such a brilliantly paced story and one that mixes crime, thriller and romance altogether. The story that Tess broke is one that is tough but fitted so well within the character of Lean. The cheating husband is something that also works so well in this story. It also has its own repercussions and one that injects another level of danger.

While the author puts Tess in some unenviable positions, he does give her a lifeline. This allowed me to travel around some of the wonderful places, bays, coves and amazing food is part of the story. I really liked this reprieve from danger, although it always lurks there.

As the characters zip around the seas I soon found myself zipping through the book. It is the first time I have read anything by this author and it has been a wonderful introduction. Full of drama, tension and danger and balanced with friendship and romance. I added this one a lot and I would definitely recommend it.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

As a TV Newsreader, Reporter and Producer for both BBC East and ITV Anglia, Phil Johnson covered everything from tracking down criminals in Spain and going on high-octane police chases, to interviewing pop stars, politicians and celebrities.
Phil was also the face and voice of Crimestoppers in the eastern region for many years and created the successful TV series: “999 Frontline”.
Now living near Norwich, England, Phil loves music, travelling, walking, and sailing, and bringing exciting new characters with amazing stories to the page.

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ThePower of Trees: How Ancient Forests Can Save Us If We Let Them by Peter Wohleben @Peterwohlleben @RandomTTours @brownlee_donald @greystonebooks #nature #climate #science #bookreview

yvonnembee 8 Comments

I am delighted to share my review of The Power of Trees: How Ancient Forests Can Save Us If We Let Them by Peter Wohleben. This is a fabulous book and one that made so much sense to me. After reading this book I immediate went and bought he previous one.

My huge thanks to Anne at Random Things Tours for arranging my paperback copy of this book from the publisher Greystone Books.

In the follow up to his Sunday Times bestseller, The Hidden Life of Trees, Peter Wohlleben compares tree planting to battery farming.


‘In clear, vivid prose with impeccable reasoning, Peter Wohlleben makes a compelling case that almost everything we do in modern forestry management may be dead wrong. What should we do instead? Let the wisdom of the trees quell our human arrogance, heal the forest and restore our sweet, green world’


Sy Montgomery, author of How to be a Good Creature and The Soul of an Octopus
TREES CAN SURVIVE without humans, but we can’t live without trees. Even if human-caused climate change devastates our planet, trees will return—as they do, always and everywhere, even after ice ages, catastrophic fires, destructive storms, and deforestation. It would just be nice if we were around to see them flourish.

The Power of Trees is forester Peter Wohlleben’s follow-up to The Hidden Life of Trees, a Sunday Times bestseller that sold millions of copies worldwide. In his latest book, he is dismissive of token gestures in terms of tree planting. Just as he compared forest trees to ‘families’ and urban trees to ‘street urchins’ in his first book, in The Power of Trees he uses equally powerful metaphors to compare tree planting to battery farming (‘Switching to fast-growing species and breeding trees for desired traits brought results like those achieved by factory farming: individuals ready for harvest at a young age, all with a relatively uniform carcass weight.’). However, he also joyfully describes trees determination to survive, describing seedlings breaking through the earth where you least expect them, as ‘stalwart tree children’.

This latest work is as fascinating and eye-opening as it is trenchant in its critique: on the one hand, Wohlleben describes astonishing discoveries about how trees pass knowledge down to succeeding generations and their ability to survive climate change; on the other, he is unsparing in his criticism of those who wield economic and political power—who plant trees exclusively for the sake of logging and virtue signaling—even as they ruthlessly exploit nature. The Power of Trees is a love letter to the forest and a passionate argument for protecting nature’s boundless diversity, not only for the sake of trees, but also for us.

MY REVIEW

I am someone who loves being outside in my garden. It is a mix of fruit, veg and flowers and over the past 5 years, I have been planting trees to make my little plot as diverse as possible for the wildlife in my piece of Cornwall, UK. I have always been someone who likes the outside and living where I do I am close to nature as I live at the edge of a village. Surrounded by farmland, small areas of trees and also the coast. Reading The Power of Trees has opened up more ideas for me and there are little steps I can make in my own garden to do my part in helping the trees.

This is such a fantastic book to read, it is so informative. Yes, it is a bit science-based in places but not too much so. The author takes us through the evolution of trees, a slow natural process, and how this compares to how people try to manage a similar thing. Trees have adapted and changed over millions of years. There is fossilised evidence of plants and trees, so it does beg the question… how do we know more about the evolution of a species so different to ourselves. The fact that trees are the lungs of the earth makes it obvious that without them we would not survive.

The author tells how exasperated he gets when he comes across managed forests, these are planted for profit and are a single species. This means if there is a problem the whole forest can and does suffer. Rather than the diverse trees that have gradually made their homes and know how to work with the environment, managers believe they are better at doing it. they are not.

By removing the stalwarts of the older forest we are interfering and making the same mistakes over and over again. Scientists have been shouting for many years about how human progress is hindering the natural process. When you look at various documentaries, read articles online or just have a look with your own eyes, you can see that things are changing.

So why then do those in politics, who are backed by the money men prefer not to listen to what is backed up by years of research and study? It’s obvious, it’s all about the money, the profits and the financial gain.

As a gardener, I am aware of how carefully choosing the right plants to put in my garden. But it is becoming more difficult to work out what will do well in a particular growing season as the climate is so changeable. So how on earth can anyone work out what the climate will be like in 20 or 100 years times?

The author discusses many other things in this book and rather than paint a bleak picture he does offer hope. That we can change and see how beneficial the trees that have grown for hundreds of years actually know what they are doing, after all, they have been doing it for far longer. Trees are able to adapt to their surrounding, as is all plant life if it is in the right place at the right time.

The author has laid out this book in such a good way. He shows arguments from different groups, shows research and studies from people around the world and laid it down in the pages of his book. It makes sense, a couple of times I was a little lost in the science, but there really isn’t that much. It is such an informative read and one that as soon as I picked it up completely had me hooked. As soon as I finished this one I bought his previous book, The Hidden Life of Trees.

If you have any interest in nature and the environment, if you are a gardener, a person that likes being outside, or someone who likes to sit under a tree on a sunny day to have a coffee, then this is a book you might enjoy. I adored it and I have taken so much from it that I can actually use and therefore it makes it a very important book. An amazing book that I would absolutely recommend.

About the Author

PETER WOHLLEBEN is one of the world’s most notable foresters and a passionate advocate for tree conservation. Wohlleben lives in Germany, where he manages an ecologically conscious forest and runs an academy for education and advocacy. His books are bestsellers around the world. He speaks fluent English and will be In the UK 22-24 April 2023 to launch the book at the Cambridge Literary Festival and at The Linnean Society in London and available for further Interviews.

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Dark Mode by Ashley Kalagian Blunt @AKalagianBlunt @RandomTTours @ultimopress #thriller #suspense #psychologicalthriller #bookreview

yvonnembee 4 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for Dark Mode by Ashley Kalagian Blunt. This is indeed a dark story and one that had me hooked. The story explores the dark side of the internet and it is so addictive.

My huge thanks to Anne at Random Things Tours for my spot on the Blog Tour and for arranging my e-copy of this fabulous book from the publisher Ultimo Press.

Once you’re online, there’s nowhere to hide

Is it paranoia – or is someone watching?

For years, Reagan Carsen has kept her life offline. No socials. No internet presence. No photos. Safe.

Until the day she stumbles on a shocking murder in a Sydney laneway. The victim looks just like her.

Coincidence?

As more murders shake the city and she’s increasingly drawn out from hiding, Reagan is forced to confront her greatest fear.

She’s been found.

A riveting psychological thriller drawn from true events, Dark Mode delves into the terrifying reality of the dark web, and the price we pay for surrendering our privacy one click at a time.

MY REVIEW

The main character Reagan Carsen has good reason for keeping off the internet, not wanting to leave digital footprints in any way, shape or form. In this day and age, it is a hugely invasive part of our lives. We all use it, we are all reliant on it and it is becoming more and more difficult to avoid detection.

For Reagan though, as we discover, she has good reason for avoiding the web. She is running a business and the footfall is getting less and less as people are simply not aware that she is there. It takes her new boyfriend to help her set up online, he himself is not a fan but does have the internet for his own social media. She notices the benefits as her sales increase and her best friend Min is delighted that she has finally joined the technological age.

I did mention that Reagan has a past, it comes crashing at her feet when she discovers a body. There is something familiar about the body. It looks like her!

I have to say that this book was an amazing one, the author doesn’t hang around in getting the scenes laid out. From the opening pages, this is a fabulous well paced book. There is tension on every page as the author uses some wonderful atmospherics to show how on edge Reagan has become. Her story emerges in dribs and drabs and this suits her character a lot.

Having mentions of the dark web in the synopsis always tends me to stop and take notice. It is something I don’t know much about but it also terrifies me. I can imagine the fear that Reaan felt as she discovers what is starting to happen.

This is a book that made me feel on edge, it shows how a person’s ignorance of technology can be used against them in a startling and shocking way. This story has a strong psychological aspect to it and I have to say the author has done this so well.

There is a brilliant note from the author at the end about some of the books she has used for reference. One of these is on its way as I wrote this review!

If you are a fan of tense, stalker and psychological stories then this is one you really should pick up. It does have mentions of the dark but nothing that becomes over technical thank goodness. I adored this one a lot and I would definitely recommend it.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ashley Kalagian Blunt is the author of How to Be Australian and
My Name Is Revenge. Her writing appears in the Sydney Morning
Herald, Overland, Griffith Review, Sydney Review of Books,
Australian Book Review, Kill Your Darlings and more. Ashley teaches
creative writing and co-hosts James and Ashley Stay at Home, a
podcast about writing, creativity and health. Originally from Canada,
she has lived and worked in South Korea, Peru and Mexico.

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Go As A River by Shelley Read @RandomTTours @DoubledayUK #GoAsARiver #historicalfiction #bookreview

yvonnembee 6 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for Go As A River by Shelley Read. This is a stunning book and the story was such an amazing one to read.

My huge thanks to Anne at Random Things Tours for my spot on the blog Tour and for arranging my copy of the book.

In this soaring, compassionate novel, a breathtaking picture of our natural world – its trees and mountains and light – emerges. But more than this, it is the tale of female resilience and becoming that gives Go As A River its strength, its soul, and its possibility.


Nestled in the foothills of the Elk Mountains and surrounded by sprawling forests, wandering bears and porcupines, the Gunnison River rushes by the tiny town of Iola.


On a cool autumn morning, seventeen-year-old Torie Nash heads into her village pulling a rickety wagon filled with late-season peaches from her farm. As she nears an intersection, a mysterious young drifter with eyes dark and shiny as a raven’s wing, grimy thumbs and smudged cheeks, stops to ask her the way. She could have turned left or crossed over, but she did not. She stayed. ‘Go as a river,’ he whispers to her.


So begins a mesmerising story that unfolds over a lifetime, as Torie attempts to absorb and follow his words.
Gathering all the pieces of her small, extraordinary life, spinning through the eddies of desire, heartbreak and betrayal, embracing and challenged by the landscape she calls home, Torie arrives at a single rocky decision that changes her life forever.


“What I’ve learnt about becoming is that it takes a long time”

MY REVIEW

Oh my goodness, this is an absolutely heartbreaking yet gorgeously written story. This is a historical fiction story that does have some roots that are based around an actual event. The tale the author has brought is of a young woman who discovers life as she gets older and that things can have consequences.

Set in the 1950s through to the 70s the author tells of a small town, Iola in Colorado. Her family grow peach trees and the main voice of this story is that of Victoria Nash. Victoria has a younger brother and her father, after the death of her mother it has gradually fallen to her to take over the house chores.

It is a random meeting with a young man that alters her life in a way she could never have dreamed of. Realising she needed to get away she goes into the mountains, this is an area the author knows well and she describes the terrain and the conditions so well. I should also add other is also a good amount of detail regarding the peaches.

The town of Iola is destined to be lost under the waters when a new dam is to be built. Taking courage and initiative Victoria decides to make a huge move and make one of the biggest gambles of her life.

This is a book that enthralled me and captured my attention from the very first pages. A story of growing up in the US with references to the war in Vietnam kept me rooted in the time. The author brings the hardships and also the hard work required to live and work on a farm and also some of the politics of the time. Not too much, but enough that is relevant and to the point.

The story is one that is of life, love and loss. It is part and parcel of most people’s lives no matter what time they live or where they live. Bringing the humdrum and mundane world of Victoria, as she sees it, to life in such a way as to make such a compelling story was fabulous. The author really nailed this for me. Completely riveting.

There is much more to this story than the synopsis or this review lets on. The story does flow as a river with highs and lows, rapids and quiet pools but it is forever moving. I was so surprised when I read the synopsis after reading the book, this is a debut! Wow!

This is one for those who like their fiction to lean a little towards literary fiction but also have a feel of a classic. It is imaginative and thought-provoking but above all extremely readable and an addictive historical fiction story. I adored this book so much and I am excited to see where the author goes next. It is one I would definitely recommend.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Shelley Read is a fifth generation Coloradoan who lives with her family in the Elk Mountains of the Western Slope. She was a Senior Lecturer at Western Colorado University for nearly three decades, where she taught writing, literature, environmental studies, and Honours, and was a founder of the Environment & Sustainability major and a support program for first-generation and at-risk students. Shelley holds degrees in writing and literary studies from the University of Denver and Temple University’s Graduate Program in Creative Writing. She is a regular contributor to Crested Butte Magazine and Gunnison Valley Journal, and has written for the Denver Post and a variety of publications.
Go As A River, her first novel, is inspired by the landscape she comes from and will be published in over thirty territories.

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Forgotten Women by Zing Tsjeng @misszing @RandomTTours @Octopus_Books #nonfiction #womeninhistory #TheLeaders #history #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today of Forgotten Women by Zing Tsjeng. This is a brilliant non-fiction book that I adored.

My huge thanks to Anne at Random Things Tours for my spot on the Blog Tour and for arranging my gorgeous hardback copy of this book from Octopus Books.

Forgotten Women reaches around the world and its history to rediscover, retell and reinstate the lives of over 190 important and significant women. From Neolithic times to modernity, Zing Tsjeng has traced the women who have shaped their age and revolutionised society.


In this book lies the strength, lives and sacrifices of women who have refused to accept the hand they’ve been dealt and have changed the course of our futures accordingly.

MY REVIEW

This is a fabulous book that I have been reading over the past few weeks. The book focuses on women that have left their mark on history and have yet, to be forgotten over time. To be honest, there are a lot of people to who this has happened, but it is great to see a book that focuses on women. When history books mention great discoveries, inventions, observations, works of art, philosophy or any other sector, it does tend to focus on men. This does make sense as for so long in history women were seen as inferior, they were supposed to be humble and often not taught to the same educational level as their male counterparts. When you think of women who have made their mark and are mentioned or taught about in schools, there are very few compared to men.

This book is laid out in 7 chapters, the women mentioned have been categorised into these chapters-
Campaigners
Mavericks
Revolutionaries
Trailblazers
World Changers
Truth Tellers Visionaries.

The rogue in me automatically flicked through to the mavericks! Starting with Hatshepsut (c,1508-1485 bc) and finishing with Leticia Parente (1930-1991) takes you through centuries of history as well as around the world. Women from Egypt, Georgia, Mongolia, China, The US, India and many more countries are mentioned.

Each of the chapters is so interesting and whether you go through this book page by page or flick back and forth you will definitely find yourself becoming absorbed. I know I did! This is a book that is educational and enlightening. Great for fans of history in many subjects. Even though for many, many years women have worked and researched to enhance themselves, they were often seen as trouble makers, witches, bad mothers or wives or simply disillusioned, they still pursued their interests. Thank goodness they did as they have gradually paved the way for women today to have access to education and be able to choose and forge a career for themselves.

Some will see this as a book about feminism, but I see this as a book that shows how our world and opinions have changed. This is not the case in all countries around the world, but women have more support now to make that stand.

This is such an interesting book on an educational and historical basis. It is enlightening and I found so many people who I had never heard of before. This is very accessible and one that I have loved reading and will continue to pick up and re-read. I would definitely recommend this, it is excellent.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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A Psychic Subterfuge by J.P Alters @RandomTTours #horror #paranormal #psychologicalthriller #bookreview

yvonnembee 1 Comment

I am delighted to share my review today for A Psychic Subterfuge by J.P Alters. This is a fabulous book and I absolutely adored it.

My huge thanks to Anne at Random Things Tours for my copy of the book and my spot on the tour.

Everything has a plan…

Mary Obosa Jameson, a diagnosed schizophrenic, attempts to take her own life and is admitted to a state-of-the-art psychiatric hospital.


Mary hears voices and has friends that nobody else can see… but what she does not know, is that she is actually a powerful medium and that everything, has a plan.


Whilst admitted to the hospital, Mary makes friends who uncover a fiendish conspiracy. Mary’s life, and the lives of her friends are in great danger and only she can save them, but does she believe?


They are her friends. However, when you are diagnosed with schizophrenia, how do you know what is real, and what is not?


A Psychic Subterfuge is the first book in a series of paranormal thrillers featuring protagonist Mary Jameson, by debut author: JP Alters.

MY REVIEW

I was really intrigued when I read the synopsis for this book and it was one I decided I really fancied. I am so glad I gave this a chance because it was brilliant right the way through. From an addictive and emotional start going through some amazing scenes, events, mysteries, terrors and suspicions to an amazing ending. It has left me wanting to read more in this series as soon as possible.

Mary has non-treatable schizophrenia, she has just been admitted to a world-class treatment centre after trying to end her life. This is top of the art, full of luxurious surroundings and a small group of residents that are helped by staff and nurses. All under the watchful eye of Dr Adelia Sinclair, she has been working on alternative treatments and therapies that allow her patients to go on to live lives out in the community.

Mary is nervous when she arrives, it is so different to the usual mental health units she3 has been in, it is quiet, and clean and she has her own room with nice clothes. There is one thing that she is missing though, and that is the voices of those who have followed her around, some for years. Many think Mary is crazy, but she isn’t. She has a gift and hasn’t yet realised it.

This is such an amazing book to read, it was emotional but not necessarily in the way you would think. The story focuses on Mary, her life, how she came to be in this unit and the people she meets there. In some ways, the author plays on some of the stereotypes of how people with serious mental illnesses are perceived. This works very well with how previous treatments were used. The approach that Adelia takes with her patients in this book shows of progressive modern thinking. This is where again the stereotype comes in, conspiracy theorists. Again it is something that fits with stereotypes and perceptions along with muttering, mumbling, rocking and unacceptable behaviours.

This is a mix of several genres, for me, the mystery was the main one along with a good thriller vibe. I would say this has a strong paranormal element, but within the context of the story, it is one that works incredibly well. I know some people will look at the genres and turn away from this style, but for me, it is the mystery of what is happening and why that makes this book so very good. But then I do lie the odd paranormal read from time to time.

This book delves into some tough issues that people have gone through, they can be tough at times but they are part of the story and one or two are particularly heartbreaking. By the end of the book, I was caught up in emotions that I didn’t expect from this genre. An amazing feeling, with many positives and a definite interest in wanting to read more in this series. It is one I would definitely recommend and I look forward to reading what the author comes up with next.

I also have to mention how brilliant the title is for this book!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A debut, indie author, J.P. loves writing, and in December 2022, self-published the first in her series of paranormal thrillers: A Psychic Subterfuge.
J.P. Alters writes under a pen name. A people person, J.P. has enjoyed many jobs throughout the years, working in either social care or mental health. Currently, she has two jobs, sharing her time between being a mum to three children, her role as a mentor, and working for a homeless charity.
J.P. hopes to write books that are accessible and appealing to many. Most of all, she plans to continue to enjoy the writing ride, and hopes her readers will too!
Subscribe to http://www.jpaltersauthor.com to stay updated, and follow J.P. Alters author on Tik Tok, Facebook or Instagram.

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The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz @juliabartz @RandomThingsTours @OneworldNews @PointBlankCrime #crime #thriller #murder #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz. This is a wonderful book and it will make you think twice about going on a retreat!

My huge thanks to Anne at Random Things Tours for my spot on the Blog Tour and for arranging my copy of the book from Magpie Publishers.

There was no radio. No phone. No connection to the outside world. We were completely on our own.

Alex, a struggling young writer, is delighted to join four other hopefuls at a month-long writing retreat with Roza Vallo, the controversial high priestess of feminist horror.

At the remote Blackbriar estate, they discover they must complete an entire novel from scratch, and the best one will receive a seven-figure publishing deal. Alex’s longed-for dream now seems within reach.

But then the women begin to die. Trapped, terrified, yet still desperately writing, it’s clear there is more than a publishing deal at stake. Alex must confront her own demons – and finish her novel – to survive.

It seemed so perfect, but turned out to be every writer’s worst nightmare…

MY REVIEW

This is a very dark read. A writing retreat run by Roza, a renowned author sounds great and it is in her own mansion. The mansion is isolated and becomes more inaccessible as the winter weather develops. The mansion also has a story of its own!

There are five female budding authors at this retreat along with a small staff and of course the author. The idea is that this retreat will give these five women a chance to work on a story, get tips and advice as they go and hopefully come away with a publishing deal.

As I mentioned this is dark, and the history of the mansion gradually emerges in one of the stories. The main focus is on Alex, she knows one of the other women and they have a history that isn’t as friendly or as close as it was. The other women are all unknown, but five women don’t really pair off as there is always going to be an odd one out.

As the author brings her characters out and explains the reasons for the retreat and also shows Roza’s character to be more unexpected than you first realise.

This is a tense thriller that is also full of mystery and intrigue. With the story of the property, of Roza and the other women there is also another story that gradually emerges. It is a busy story but one that is at all times controlled, I do think the author has done a brilliant job with keeping all the threads clear, and each of the characters has their own part, although not always that obvious at the beginning.

I really enjoyed this one and at times it really had me on edge, this does have a twisted mystery element to it as well as being a thriller. A great read for me with this author and it is one I would happily recommend.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Julia Bartz is a Brooklyn-based writer and practicing therapist. Her sister, Andrea Bartz is a New York Times bestselling writer (most recently with We Were Never Here.) She is the author of the popular Psychology Today blog ‘My Pleasure: The New Science of Sex, Dating, and Self-Care’ and previously ran the Brooklyn literary blog BookStalker. Her fiction has been published in the South Dakota Review, FictionDaily and InDigest Magazine and has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. The Writing Retreat is Julia’s first novel.

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Red Light and Bell by Richard Cobourne @RichardCobourne @CameronTweets @RandomTTours #crime #thriller #

yvonnembee 4 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for Red Light and Bell by Richard Cobourne. This is the second in the trilogy and if you have not come across this one yet, you should look. Here is my review of the first book Band Wagon.

My huge thanks to Anne at Random Things Tours for organising my spot on the tour and for my copies of the first two amazing books.

ABOUT THE BOOK
Real people, real events, real organisations, and real places are frequently mentioned in this trilogy – there is no suggestion of any wrongdoing, they are there solely to add authenticity and context, nothing more. You may like to think that this is entirely a work of fiction – but that’s up to you…

Daisy DeVilliers, celebrity PR, and Danny Owen, former investigative journalist, sit hand-in-hand in the VIP seats enjoying the much-anticipated return of global pop-megastar Martha. Following the kidnapping and dramatic rescue of the star and her sister, neither thought this glamorous night would ever happen. The ecstatic audience are demanding encore-after-encore. Martha is back!

As the final notes die away, there is pandemonium ― the police sergeant seated next to Daisy is assassinated by a sniper. Daisy is covered in blood and gore. Martha is unwillingly bundled off the stage to safety. But why was the police sergeant killed? Mistaken identity or deliberate act? Who orchestrated the murder and why? Soon Daisy and Danny are forced out of their comfort zones from show business into a world of high-level corruption, international organised crime, attempted cover-ups, and governmental chest-stabbing ― all too believable with our current politicians and parties.

Featuring well-informed behind-the-scenes entertainment action ― who to trust in the duplicitous world where celebrity, the police, security services, and politics collide? This exciting page-turner takes you far and wide to Elstree Studios, the 02 Arena, the Houses of Parliament, inside the Security Services, and to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

MY REVIEW

Red Light and Bell is the second book in this trilogy, it does continue on from the first book Band Wagon. I suppose you could read this second book as a stand-alone, but I would definitely suggest reading these in order as they are both fabulous.

After Martha and her sister had been kidnapped and then released, and also after the potential people trafficking had been stopped Nowak believes he has nothing to worry about. He thinks the debt he owes has disappeared into the ether and he is free and clear to start making some money from the Movin’ Out Tour that Martha is due to perform.

That is until a police officer is shot during the opening tour!

Once again this author has absolutely delivered a fast-paced, entertaining and action-packed story. Martha is just getting back on her feet and looking forward to her new tour and this latest blow knocks her confidence. The PR machine in the form of Daisy works hard to find a balance between supporting Marths, the victim of the shooting and supporting others when needed. A good job then that her boyfriend Danny is there watching her back.

In the first book a scheme was hatched in the past Nowak, it showed how he had been able to get away with crimes and never be convicted. He is shady and dangerous as Danny knows only too well. This is where reading the first book definitely does help with the back story and the character dynamics.

Having corruption included in this story is such a great angle, and it is something that the author has worked on so well. Not only is it a story full of showbiz glitz and glamour, but it is also dirty and underhanded. It makes for riveting reading.

There are some subplots going on in this trilogy and this book helps to develop further. It is gradually building up the suspense and drama at a fast rate of knots. This book leaves the reader hanging on a precipice and wondering what is going to become of the characters. There is an ever-present danger that is lurking and I think it still has more to reveal. It has made me eager to get my hands on the final book.

This is great for people who like to mix the genres up. A sort of procedural as there is a police presence, the investigation side, the showbiz and then there is the corruption, conspiracy, lies and the overall thrill of reading this fast-paced book. A book and trilogy that I would definitely recommend reading.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Richard Cobourne writes with a production background in the broadcast, corporate, music and global events and communications industries. He has worked in the business-of-show all over the world for many years – and as a result has a deep understanding of the shenanigans of the industry. He began his career working for the BBC, initially in the sound department of radio, TV, and outside broadcasts. After fifteen years he left to co-found On Screen Productions Ltd, which he sold in 2015 to pursue a career as a freelance consultant creative producer, occasional voice artist, and to enable him to write full-time. He is a member of The Ivy Club, BAFTA and the National Liberal Club.

This is the second novel in the showbiz thriller trilogy. The third, maybe final (who knows?), is in progress.
Richard Cobourne lives with his wife on the Welsh side of the Wye Valley and in Fuerteventura.

The author can be contacted via http://www.Cobourne.com
PREVIOUSLY
FICTION

  • Bandwagon (the first Danny and Daisy showbiz thriller)
    NON-FICTION
  • The History of Castration
  • The History of Diabetes
  • The History of Contraception
  • The Cardio-Protective Effect of Wine

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