Book Synopsis:

Married couple Jack and Ali Gardiner move to a self-sufficient commune in the English Fens, desperate for fresh start. The local village is known for the witches who once resided there and Rosalind House, where the commune has been established, is a former psychiatric home, with a disturbing history.
When Jack and Ali arrive, a chain of unexpected and unexplained events is set off, and it becomes clear that they are not all that they seem. As the residents become twitchy, and the villagers suspicious, events from the past come back to haunt them, and someone is seeking retribution…
At once an unnerving locked-room mystery, a chilling thriller and a dark and superbly wrought ghost story, The Lingering is an exceptionally plotted, terrifying and tantalisingly twisted novel by one of the most exciting authors in the genre.

The Lingering is available in ebook and paperback now, you can purchase a copy of both here.

My Review:

The Lingering is a fantastically creepy, gripping read that I thoroughly enjoyed.  It’s a fabulous read to cuddle up with and enjoy as the nights draw in, though maybe not on your own!

The story gripped me from the start with its intriguing opening and things never really let up from there with lots of creepy going on that definitely kept my interest.  The disturbing history of the house with its links to the  asylum had my interest piqued from the start as I’ve always been fascinated by the asylums of old.  That along with the weird communal living arrangement Abi & Jack find themselves in ensured that I couldn’t put this book down as I had to know what was going to happen next.

I have to admit I did find some of the bits in this book terrifying! I think it’s the way the author casually describes the events and the sometimes everyday situations that the strange events occur that most affected me as they seemed so real! I was torn between wanting to carry on reading to find out what happens and stopping as I wasn’t sure I wanted to know.

This is the first book by this author I have read and I can’t wait to read more from her.  If you like creepy, thrilling reads that you can’t put down you’ll love this book.

Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Karen at Orenda Publishers for my copy of this book.

About The Author:

Book Synopsis:

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – and the East End Angels are working hard to keep Londoners safe.

Frankie is trying hard to keep everything together. She can count on the support of the East End Angels, even in the face of family trouble.

Winnie‘s beloved husband, Mac, is putting himself at risk every day in the bomb disposal unit and she’s finding it hard while he’s away.

Bella is growing in confidence and happiness. Her friendship with Winnie’s brother, James, is getting closer all the time.

Christmas on the Home Front is a hard time with loved ones far away – but the women of the Auxiliary Ambulance service are making do and mending.

A gorgeously uplifting saga for fans of Ellie Dean and Donna Douglas

Christmas With The East End Angels is available now in ebook and paperback, purchase your copy here.

My Review:

As I might have mentioned once or twice I really enjoy a wartime saga. I’m not sure if it’s the descriptions of the bravery shown by others or just nostalgia for a very different way of life but I always find them hugely enjoyable and addictive.

This was a slightly different read for me as unusually it didn’t focus on the blitz and the problems it caused.  Instead it focuses on the middle of the war and the relentless grind of war and how everyone is getting on with life, trying to make the best of things.  I enjoyed learning more about everyday life in London from the fear for loved ones away fighting to the constraint of rationing and finding new love this was a fantastic read!

The work that the girls do for the ambulance service was also very interesting, especially as the threat of constantly bombing had stopped.  It was nice to see how they got involved in their communities helping when they could.  The relationship between the girls was really heartwarming to read about and I found myself very glad that they had each other.

This is actually the third book in the series which I hadn’t realised but it works fine as a standalone as anything you need to know is explained.  I’m excited to go back and read the rest in the series.

Huge thanks to Rachel from Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me onto the blog tour and to the Publishers for my copy of this book via Netgalley.

About The Author:

Good evening everyone I’m on the blog tour for Living Like A Vampire by Jacky Dahlhaus today and I have a great extract to share with you.

Living Like A Vampire is available now in ebook and paperback.  The ebook is currently only 99 p but you can purchase a copy of both here.

Before I share my extract with you here is a little bit about the book.

Book Synopsis:

It’s hard to stay alive in a world full of blood-suckers

Kate is trying very hard to stay alive in a world thrown into chaos. Charlie is trying very hard in the background to get Kate to notice him. When Caleb comes to the scene, things change, but is it for the better?

Kate had just begun her new job as a high school science teacher and was looking forward to living a suburban dream life. All her hopes and dreams turn into smoke as a virus turns people into vampires who roam the world in packs, killing everybody they can get their hands on. Together with her friends, she hides at a campground. They think they are safe there. They are wrong.

When Kate has to flee again, she gets separated from her friends, accidentally bumps into a handsome sucker called Caleb, who then mysteriously disappears, and now has to pretend to be a sucker to stay alive. Having met Caleb, surviving is no longer the only thing on Kate’s mind.

Will Kate stay alive and human while pursuing this mysterious stranger?

Pick up this action-packed, fast-paced, suspenseful novel and explore the depths of Kate’s emotions as she struggles to make sense of it all.

Extract:

Excerpt 2 from Living Like A Vampire

After a chase, Kate has been caught and cornered by Caleb, a handsome sucker, and he is about to bite her and infect her with the virus.

There was no connection between what was going on in my head and what came out of my mouth.
“Will it hurt?” I asked, surprising myself again.
He moved his mouth closer to my neck, nuzzling my skin. He then pulled down the zipper of my jacket and pulled the collar away to expose more flesh.
“Only a little, at first,” he said.
I was feeling anxious now, excited by his warm closeness and fearful of what was about to happen. Unable to resist, I moved my head away from him, to give him better access to my jugular vein. He moved my hair back with his hand, his fingertips lightly stroking my neck. My eyes closed as a shiver of ecstasy went through my body. His touch gave me goosebumps. When his lips touched my neck, my heart began pounding like a maniac. His lips parted, and I could feel his fangs on my skin. I could barely suppress a groan, this was so intense. Deep underneath his fangs, my carotid artery beat like a drum. Boom boom, boom boom. I wanted this moment to last forever. As he widened his jaws, he gently increased the pressure with his wet fangs. My whole body stiffened from the pain when they pierced my skin.
“Caleb,” Sasha said from not too far away.
Go away, woman!

About The Author:

Jacky Dahlhaus lived in many countries, has worked many jobs, and tried many hobbies before she realized writing gave her such pleasure.  She now loves to write paranormal fantasy stories full-time while delving into the human psyche with all its faults and mysteries.

Next to writing novels, Jacky helps indie authors by promoting them on her blog, writes an online newsletter/magazine, runs a writing club for adults and for children at the local library, and is a writer/director/producer for Aberdeenshire Film Productions.

When not busy with the above (which is rare nowadays), Jacky works on renovating her Scottish Victorian home, watches movies with her family, and tries to stop her two Jack Russells from barking for no good reason.

Jacky has written three novels, all books of the Suckers trilogy which is set in Maine, US, a novelette (the Prequel of the Suckers trilogy), and Short Shockers, a bundle of short stories. She is currently working on the first book of her next trilogy, this time set in Alaska.

You can connect with me via:

Email:

jackydahlhaus@gmail.com

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/JackyDahlhaus

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/jackydahlhaus/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/Jacky-Dahlhaus-Author-166614624053352/

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14924554.Jacky_Dahlhaus

My Website:

https://jackydahlhaus.com

Book Synopsis:

Florence Lovelady’s career was made when she convicted coffin-maker Larry Glassbrook of a series of child murders 30 years ago. Like something from our worst nightmares the victims were buried…ALIVE.

Larry confessed to the crimes; it was an open and shut case. But now he’s dead, and events from the past start to repeat themselves.

Did she get it wrong all those years ago?

Or is there something much darker at play?

The Craftsman is available now in all formats now.  The ebook is currently only 99p.  You can purchase your copy here.

My Review:

Sharon Bolton never fails to deliver a superb story and The Craftsman is no exception.  The thing I most love about her books is her ability to create an atmosphere that really draws a reader in.  I loved the creepy, chilling atmosphere she has created in The Craftsman which gripped me from the start and made the book impossible to put down.  I think the eerie atmosphere is further enhanced by the town’s history of Witchcraft.  This helped add an unusual edge to the book  and made the reader wonder if that was the reason behind the strange events.

The story is told in two parts.  One follows Florence whilst she is investigating the original case in the 1960s while the other is set in 1999 when following Larry’s funeral strange things begin happening in the area. Unusually I enjoyed reading both parts of the story as I felt they were both well done and complimented each other perfectly.  The two stories both hold a lot of suspense and clues about what is happening that weave together nicely to a brilliant twist that I honestly didn’t see coming.  I really enjoyed reading this story and seeing the two parts come together.  It kept me guessing throughout and I felt the pace of the story never let up which made for a fantastic read!

As mentioned above the atmosphere is incredibly tense and the reader gets so absorbed in the story that outside noises can cause you to jump at times.  I jumped out of my skin when my husband tapped me know the shoulder whilst reading this as I hadn’t heard him come in.

I’ve read most of Sharon’s books and I’m pleased to say that I think they keep getting better and better.  If you haven’t read any of her books yet this is a great one to start with.

Huge thanks to Orion for my copy of this book and to Tracy for inviting me onto the blog tour.  If you like creepy thrillers that are fast paced and hard to put down you’ll love this book.

About The Author:

Sharon Bolton (previously S. J. Bolton) is the critically acclaimed author of some of the most bone-chilling crime books ever written. She has been shortlisted for the CWA Gold Dagger for Crime Novel of the Year and the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year. In 2014 she won the CWA Dagger in the Library for her whole body of work.

Sharon lives near Oxford with her husband and son.

Book Synopsis:

After calling off her engagement, Hayley, the Wynthorpe Hall housekeeper, wants nothing more than to return to her no-strings fun-loving self, avoiding any chance of future heartbreak. Little does she know, Wynbridge’s latest arrival is about to throw her plan entirely off course . . .

Moving into Wynthorpe Hall to escape the town’s gossip, Hayley finds herself immersed in the eccentric Connelly family’s festive activities as they plan to host their first ever Winter Wonderland. But Hayley isn’t the only new resident at the hall. Gabe, a friend of the Connelly’s son Jamie, has also taken up residence, moving into Gatekeeper’s Cottage, and he quickly makes an impression on Wynbridge’s reformed good-girl.

As preparations commence for the biggest event of the season, the pair find themselves drawn ever closer to one another, but unbeknownst to Hayley, Gabe, too, has a reason for turning his back on love, one that seems intent on keeping them apart.

Under the starry winter skies, will Gabe convince Hayley to open her heart again once more? And in doing so, will he convince himself?

Snowflakes & Cinnamon Swirls is out TODAY in paperback and ebook.  You can purchase your copy of each here.

My Review:

I’m such a huge fan of Heidi’s books so I was very excited to be invited onto the blog tour for her latest book.  Snowflakes and Cinnamon Swirls At The Winter Wonderland is the perfect Christmas book to snuggle up and get lost in this winter.

Firstly I loved the wonderful descriptions of Wynthorpe Hall and wish I could go visit there over the Festive Season too.  The beautiful sounding decorations and all the festive activities on offer makes it a lovely place to be.  It was great to read about how the family takes Hayley under their wing and help her to mend her broken heart.

The growing relationship between Hayley and Gabe is the kind of relationship I think most women would like! I enjoyed watching it progress and the two of them become closer.  I really wanted them to have a happy ending as I felt they both deserved it and were great for each other.

I have read most of Heidi’s books and I love them for the warm, pure escapism they offer.  I always feel fully immersed in the book when reading it and almost disappointed when I stop reading and discover I’m not in the wonderful world she has created.  If you haven’t read one of her books yet then grab a blanket and a hot chocolate and cuddle up with one this winter!

Huge thanks to Harriet from Simon & Schuster for my copy of this book and for inviting me onto the blog tour!

About The Author: