Good morning everyone I’m on the blog tour for It’s No Secret by Danielle Downey today and have a fun guest post to share with you all.

Before I share my guest post with you here is a bit about the book.

Book Synopsis:

Danielle knew early on that she was not like most children at her school.
With a chaotic home life riddled with violence, neglect, abuse and poverty she learned early on how to survive and adapt.

Every challenge taught her a valuable lesson about resilience and self-motivation allowing her to develop an unshakable positive mindset, along with a sense of humour.

This book takes the reader on a journey detailing the life-changing events which tested Danielle’s resilience and willpower. She bravely shares the difficult choices she was forced to make in order to safeguard her precious family as long-forgotten secrets are revealed.

This uplifting, shocking and empowering book chronicles Danielle’s story and her determination to never let her past define her future.

It promises to inspire the reader that change and choice are absolutely possible and that nothing is ever insurmountable.

It’s No Secret is available in ebook and paperback now. You can purchase your copy of both using the link below.

Guest Post:

10 things you don’t know about me….

1. I own a metal detector
2. My favourite programme is digging for Britain.
3. I sing ALOT.
4. I can say the longest railway station name correctly- ‘llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch’
5. I speak fluent Guinea pig when alone
6. I am an avid Plastic Warrior on our local beach
7. My favourite supper is smash potato, baked beans and fish fingers!!
8. Whilst not built for running, I run so that I can eat more cake!!
9. I am a ginger wannabe
10. I always wanted to perform on the West End in Musicals. Instead I became a midwife!!

About The Author:

Danielle lives in Devon with her children and husband. Her own experiences in overcoming adversity allow her to be a positive role model, inspiring others that thriving after surviving is truly possible.

Follow Danielle aka @crazykids48 on Twitter, Visit danielledowney.co.uk

Good morning everyone I’m pleased to be kicking off the blog tour for The Belle Hotel by Craig Melvin today!

The Belle Hotel will be published in ebook and paperback on the 21st February 2019 but you can pre-order your copy using the link below.

Book Synopsis:

13 October 2008. Welcome to the worst day of Chef Charlie Sheridan’s life, the day he’s about to lose his two great loves: his childhood sweetheart, Lulu, and the legendary Brighton hotel his grandfather, Franco Sheridan, opened in 1973.

This is the story of the Belle Hotel, one that spans the course of four decades – from the training of a young chef in the 1970s and 80s, through the hedonistic 90s, up to the credit crunch of the noughties – and leads us right back to Charlie’s present-day suffering.

In this bittersweet and salty tale, our two Michelin star-crossed lovers navigate their seaside hangout for actors, artists and rock stars; the lure of the great restaurants of London; and the devastating effects of three generations of family secrets.

My Review:

The Belle Hotel is a unique and funny book that was an entertaining read.

The story follows the lives of Franco and Charlie as they try to manage The Belle Hotel throughout the years. This hotel definitely has a colourful history and the reader has a fly on the wall view of all the highs and lows that it goes through. I liked the funny chapter headings that seemed to sum up in just one sentence what each decade was about and never failed to make me smile. I’ve heard a lot from my parents about how kippers were very fashionable in the 70s so found it quite amusing to read about The Kippers Wars!

The two owners of the hotel were very interesting and I found I kept changing my opinion about them throughout the book. On one hand I felt sorry for them as they both seemed to work quite hard for little reward and never seemed to be able to just relax and enjoy the experience. However on the other they made me groan out loud over some of the decisions they make which even I realised were daft ones! Lulu was another intriguing character who whilst obviously exasperated by Charlie and his antics obviously still wants to help him which I thought showed a lot about who she was as a person.

I found this story quite compelling and surprisingly gripping in places as there always seemed to be something going on at the hotel or with its owners. The story is broken up by recipes and letters which added to the story and made it seem quite realistic. The author is actually in the hotel industry so I did wonder at times if any if the book was based on real life experiences, though for his sake I hope they didn’t happen directly to him.

This is the author’s first book and I’d definitely like to read more from him in the future as I think he gives an insightful look into the hotel industry.

Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Unbound publishers for my copy of this book which I received in exchange for an honest review.

About The Author:

Craig Melvin holds an MA in Creative Writing from Sussex University and works as restaurant consultant in
London and Brighton. He was mentored by Albert Roux at catering college and has worked in the restaurant and hotel business ever since. He also runs http://www.lunarlemonproductions.com with his wife Mel. The Belle Hotel is his first book.

Book Synopsis:

An essential lifestyle guide to reducing headaches and other symptoms related to migraine, vertigo, and Meniere’s disease. Its “slow-approach” plan and more than 75 trigger-free recipes set readers up for success—even when they’re in pain.

In The Migraine Relief Plan, certified health and wellness coach Stephanie Weaver outlines a new, step-by-step lifestyle approach to reducing migraine frequency and severity.

Using the latest research, her own migraine diagnosis, and extensive testing, Weaver has designed an accessible plan to help those living with migraine, headaches, or Meniere’s disease. Over the course of eight weeks, the plan gradually transitions readers into a healthier lifestyle, including key behaviors such as regular sleep, trigger-free eating, gentle exercise, and relaxation techniques. The book also collects resources—shopping lists, meal plans, symptom tracking charts, and kitchen-tested recipes for breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner—to provide readers with the tools they need to be successful.

The Migraine Relief Plan encourages readers to eat within the guidelines while still helping them follow personal dietary choices, like vegan or Paleo, and navigate challenges, such as parties, work, and travel. A must-have resource for anyone who lives with head pain, this book will inspire you to rethink your attitude toward health and wellness.

The Migraine Relief Plan is available in ebook and paperback now. You can purchase your copy using the link below.

My Review:

I’ve suffered from headaches most of my life and, though apparently they aren’t bad enough to be called migraines, I’ve often been told that diet can help ease them. I was therefore quite intrigued to read this book.

Firstly this book is very easy to read and the advice is easy to follow. The author includes a comprehensive list of foods that should be avoided which was very interesting as I’d only ever been told about three (cheese, chocolate and citrus fruits) before.

With three children I find it quite hard to find time to cook so although I haven’t tried any of the recipes included in the book they all sound quite yummy! They seemed to need a bit if preparation so I think they would require a bit of time to create.

I read an ebook copy of this book and whilst I found it fine to read I think this is the type of book which would be better as a paperback copy as I think it would be easier to find sections quicker.

Huge thanks to Rachel from Rachel’s Random resources for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book which I received in exchange for an honest review.

About The Author:

Stephanie Weaver, M.P.H. is an author, blogger, and certified wellness and health coach. She has a Master of Public Health in Nutrition Education from the University of Illinois. Her recipes have been featured in Cosmopolitan, Bon Appétit, Cooking Light, Parade, and more. She lives in San Diego.

Book Synopsis:

1686, Iceland.

An isolated, windswept landscape.

Rósa is newly betrothed to Jón.

The villagers look on them with suspicion – they don’t trust outsiders.

They whisper dark threats.

There is an evil here, Rósa can feel it.

Alone and far from home, Rósa sees the darkness coming.

She fears she will be its next victim . . . 

The Glass Woman is available in ebook and hardback now. You can purchase a copy of both using the link below.

My Review:

The Glass Woman is an extraordinary novel that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. It manages to be atmospheric, gripping and very dark which makes it the perfect book to snuggle up with on cold nights.

Firstly the Icelandic settings is superbly described so that the reader can picture the scenes vividly. The dark, volatile landscape almost becomes another character as it sits brooding in the background and seems to reflect Rósa’s mood as the book progresses which I thought was very clever. I also loved learning more about Icelandic culture and a bit about their myths or legends which they used to believe in. I’d not read much about rumes so I found that bit particularly interesting.

Rósa was a very interesting character but one that took me a little while warm to. She seemed quite full of herself at the beginning and I didn’t like how she threw everything away even if it was meant to be for selfless reasons. However she soon grew on me and I found I admired her bravery and determination.

This book was surprisingly gripping and there was always an underlying feeling that something was going to happen which helped add to a lot of the tension in the book. I found myself gripped pretty much from the start as I wanted to find out how the story would develop. As I grew to like Rósa my concern for her welfare increased and I wanted to keep reading to make sure she was ok.

I absolutely loved the ending and thought it was the perfect way to end the book. I was so pleased this is worked out how they did though wish it had maybe continued a little further as I would love to have read more.

This is unbelievably the author’s debut novel and I’m very excited to read more from her. This is definitely a book I’ll be thinking about for a while.

Huge thanks to Jenny Platt from Michael St Joseph for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book which I received in exchange for an honest review.

About The Author:

Caroline Lea grew up in Jersey and gained a First in English Literature and Creative Writing from the University of Warwick, where she now teaches on the Creative Writing degree. Her fiction and poetry have been shortlisted for the Bridport Prize, the Fish Short Story Competition and various flash fiction prizes. She currently lives in Warwick with her two young children and is writing her next novel.

Book Synopsis:

BREAKING: Nuclear weapon detonates over Washington

Historian Jon Keller is on a trip to Switzerland when the world ends. As the lights go out on civilisation, he wishes he had a way of knowing whether his wife, Nadia, and their two daughters are still alive. More than anything, Jon wishes he hadn’t ignored Nadia’s last message.

Twenty people remain in Jon’s hotel. Far from the nearest city and walled in by towering trees, they wait, they survive.

Then one day, the body of a young girl is found. It’s clear she has been murdered. Which means that someone in the hotel is a killer.

As paranoia descends, Jon decides to investigate. But how far is he willing to go in pursuit of justice? And what kind of justice can he hope for, when society as he knows it no longer exists?

My Review:

The thing I most enjoy about dystopian fiction is the chance to explore the author’s great imagination through the world they have created . The Last was a very well imagined and frightening story made all the more so by how realistic it seemed. The nuclear weapon is detonated because a politician makes a mistake, which is seeming increasingly likely in today’s political climate. I found myself instantly drawn into this world, trying to work out how I’d fit into it which is always a sign that I’m enjoying a book.

The characters or residents of the hotel are all very varied and well developed. It was fascinating to read about how much they change over the course of the book. The fear and uncertainty that the characters feel are almost palpable at times and I found myself feeling very sorry for them.

This is quite a character driven novel though it is still quite gripping as the more I got to know the characters, the more involved in their story I became. I wanted to keep reading to find out not only who the murder was but also what would happen to everyone.

The murder mystery side of the story was very intriguing and I enjoyed watching it develop. The evidence is tantalisingly revealed and I found myself changing my mind frequently as to who the murder could be.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I’ll definitely be going back to read her previous novels soon. The Last manages to be both a dystopian and a murder mystery which I felt was an interesting mix that worked very well!

Huge thanks to Emily Burns from BrandHive for inviting me onto the tour and to Viking for my copy of this book which I received in exchange for an honest review.

About The Author:

Hanna Jameson’s fourth novel, part murder mystery and part post-apocalyptic thriller – THE LAST – is out early 2019, with Viking UK and Simon & Schuster – Atria Books US. The Last is the story of an American academic searching for the truth about a girl who has been murdered in his Swiss hotel in the aftermath of a nuclear war that has destroyed most of the Western world.

Jameson had written the first draft of her debut, award-nominated novel – SOMETHING YOU ARE – at just seventeen. Something You Are and two further novels in the series – GIRL SEVEN and ROAD KILL – are available now in the UK, Germany, Japan, and the Netherlands.

She lives in London currently, and is working on screenwriting projects. She likes whiskey, history, and emotionally taxing TV shows.

Book Synopsis:

Spring 2000. Paul Geddes visits Venice to research the fin-de-siècle opera singer, Esme Maguire, seeking out a cache of papers held by Eva Forrest, the widow of a collector. What he reads begins in the 1680s, moving through the city s later history of Enlightenment and Revolution, describing a life stretched beyond human possibilities.

She travels across Europe to sing in Regency London and Edinburgh, then Belle Epoque Paris, always returning to Venice, its shadows and its luminosity, its changes and its permanence.

What would it be like to live for nearly 300 years, as an exceptional being who must renew herself time after time, as those she has loved age and die? Could this story be grounded in reality or be merely the product of an ageing woman s delusion, as Paul suspects.

Warily, Eva and Paul fall in love, their tentative emotions bringing them closer until, on a trip to the Dolomites, Eva s past catches up with her.

The Hourglass is available in ebook and paperback now. You can purchase a copy of both using the link below.

My Review:

The Hourglass is an original and intriguing book which tells the story of one women’s life and loves over three centuries.

I’ve got a bit of a soft spot for Italy and in particularly Venice so the setting of the story was perfect for me. The descriptions were wonderfully vivid and I felt completely absorbed into the Italian culture which the author cleverly includes into the story. It was interesting to see how the city changed and evolved over the years.

The love stories were beautifully written and I enjoyed watching them develop. They were an interesting mixed bag of emotions with some being quite poignant to read about.

It did take me a little while to get into the book and the writing style which reads quite like a classic book at times. However once I’d got into the book I found it to be a very absorbing and gripping read which was very enjoyable.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I’d be interested to see what she comes up with next.

Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Unbound publishers for my copy of this book.

About The Author:

Liz Heron grew up in Scotland and studied at Glasgow University. After spells in Paris, Madrid and Venice, she embarked on freelance writing life in London, contributing arts and literary journalism to a range of publications, as well as editing for book publishers and magazines. Her books include Truth, Dare or Promise, a compilation of essays on childhood, and Streets of Desire, an anthology of women’s 20th-century writing on the world’s great cities. Her work has appeared in various anthologies and her short-story collection, A Red River, was published in 1996. Since then she’s spent three more years in Venice and done a lot of translation: from literary novels to opera libretti for CDs. She writes a blog, mainly on film, as well as art, books and politics.

http://www.lizheron.wordpress.com

Book Synopsis:

One woman’s journey to find herself and help secure the vote. Perfect for the fans of the TV series Mr Selfridge and The Paradise.

1911 Bath. Banished from her ancestral home, passionate suffrage campaigner Esther Stanbury works as a window dresser in Pennington’s Department Store. She has hopes and dreams for women’s progression and will do anything to help secure the vote. 
Owner of the prestigious Phoenix Hotel, Lawrence Culford has what most would view as a successful life. But Lawrence is harbouring shame, resentment and an anger that threatens his future happiness.

When Esther and Lawrence meet, their mutual understanding of life’s challenges unites them and they are drawn to the possibility of a life of love that neither thought existed. 
With the Coronation of King-Emperor George V looming, the atmosphere in Bath is building to fever pitch, as is the suffragists’ determination to secure the vote.

Will Esther’s rebellious nature lead her to ruin or can they overcome their pasts and look to build a future together?

A Rebel At Pennington’s is available in ebook and paperback now, you can purchase a copy of both using the link below.

My Review:

I love historical fiction that’s set in an old fashioned department store! There’s something about the descriptions of the staff and the different things on sale that sends a shiver of delicious anticipation down my back as I know I’m in for a good read.

A Rebel At Pennington’s was no exception as I soon fell in love with the shop and the fabulous staff. They all seemed a lovely, varied bunch of people who seemed to have a great relationship with each other. The descriptions of the many departments and the everyday interactions with staff and customers was great to read about and I soon felt fully absorbed in the story.

Esther was an interesting character who took a little while for me to warm to. On one hand I loved her determination and outspokenness regarding the suffragette movement but in the other she annoyed me as it seemed like that was all she cared about! I wanted to reach into the book and give her a shake as I felt she was missing out on so much right under her nose! This was especially true in her budding relationship with Lawrence which was brilliantly and tantalisingly played out. I so wanted Esther to have a happy ending that I felt she deserved but felt she was being too difficult regarding her views which was very frustrating.

The author has clearly done her research and the historical details were fascinating to read about. I love books that describe the suffragette movement so loved reading about all the details and events included in this novel. I felt swept along with the movement and wished I could have been there to help Esther and her friends out.

This is the second book in the series and while it can be read as a standalone it’s probably best to read the books in order as you get to know the characters and shop more. I so hope there is more to come in this wonderful series!

Huge thanks to Rachel from Rachel’s Random resources for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book which I received in exchange for an honest review. If you like fantastically researched, absorbing historical fiction then you need to read this book!

About The Author:

Rachel lives with her husband and two teenage daughters in a small town near Bath in the UK. Her first novel was published in 2007. Since then, she’s had several books published with small presses and since 2012 has written mainstream romance and romantic suspense for Harlequin Superromance (Templeton Cove Stories) and Victorian romance for eKensington/Lyrical Press.

In January 2018, she signed a four-book deal with Aria Fiction for a brand new Edwardian series set in beautiful Bath. The first book, The Mistress of Pennington’s was released in July 2018 with book 2, A Rebel At Pennington’s, following in February 2019.

Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and Romance Writers of America. When she isn’t writing, you’ll find Rachel with her head in a book or walking the beautiful English countryside with her family. Her dream place to live is Bourton-on-the-Water in South West England. And in the evening? Well, a well-deserved glass of wine is never, ever refused…

Book Synopsis:

Chastity Riley and her new sidekick Ivo investigate the case of newspaper executives who have been caged and tortured outside their offices … on a trail that leads them to the hothouse world of boarding schools and some harrowing secrets…

You loved Dark … now meet Chastity Riley

On a warm September morning, an unconscious man is found in a cage at the entrance to the offices of one of Germany’s biggest magazines. He’s soon identified as a manager of the company, and he’s been tortured. Three days later, another manager appears in a similar way.

Chastity Riley and her new colleague Ivo Stepanovic are tasked with uncovering the truth behind the attacks, an investigation that goes far beyond the revenge they first suspect … to the dubious past shared by both victims. Travelling to the south of Germany, they step into the hothouse world of boarding schools, where secrets are currency, and monsters are bred … monsters who will stop at nothing to protect themselves.

A smart, dark, probing thriller, full of all the hard-boiled poetry and acerbic wit of the very best noir, Beton Rouge is both a classic whodunit and a scintillating expose of society, by one of the most exciting names in crime fiction.

Beton Rouge is available in ebook and paperback now. You can purchase your copy of both using the link below.

My Review:

I was a huge fan of Blue Night, the author’s first novel so couldn’t wait to read more from this series. Beton Rouge doesn’t disappoint as it is a fast paced, gripping novel with a fantastic female lead!

The reader is drawn in straight away with the mention of two intriguing, if in one case, slightly bizarre cases involving the tourture and humiliation of two men. The story follows Chastity as she and her team try to discover what the men had done to deserve such treatment. As she investigates we find out more about the victims including how unliked they were and the reasons behind them which made me very unsympathetic towards their plight.

The thing that made this book for me is the brilliant Chastity who is a very likeable character. On one hand she’s a hard, very capable detective who is able to handle herself in some difficult situations. However she has a very caring side, especially towards her friends and wears her heart on her sleeve which was lovely to see. She’s a very real character and it was this, alongside her liking to smoke and drink that made me warm to her. I thought she seemed a very cool character!

This is a fairly short book but the author manages to pack a lot of action into the pages. The chapters are also fairly short which makes for a fast, gripping read and the action never really let’s up which makes the book very gripping. The ending seemed to come much too soon and I’m looking forward to the next book in the series, especially as I’d love to read more about Chastity.

Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Orenda Books for my copy of this book which I received in exchange for an honest review.

About The Author:

Simone Buchholz was born in Hanau in 1972. At university, she studied Philosophy and Literature, worked as a waitress and a columnist, and trained to be a journalist at the prestigious Henri-Nannen-School in Hamburg. In 2016, Simone Buchholz was awarded the Crime Cologne Award as well as the second Place of the German Crime Fiction Prize for Blue Night, which was number one on the KrimiZEIT Best of Crime List for months. She lives in Sankt Pauli, in the heart of Hamburg, with her husband and son.
Follow Simone on Twitter @ohneKlippo and visit her website: simonebuchholz.com

Book Synopsis:

ALICIA
Alicia Berenson writes a diary as a release, an outlet – and to prove to her beloved husband that everything is fine. She can’t bear the thought of worrying Gabriel, or causing him pain.

Until, late one evening, Alicia shoots Gabriel five times and then never speaks another word.

THEO
Forensic psychotherapist Theo Faber is convinced he can successfully treat Alicia, where all others have failed. Obsessed with investigating her crime, his discoveries suggest Alicia’s silence goes far deeper than he first thought.

And if she speaks, would he want to hear the truth?

THE SILENT PATIENT is the gripping must-read debut thriller of 2019 – perfect for fans of THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW by A.J. Finn and THE GIRL BEFORE by JP Delaney.

The Silent Patient is available in all formats now. You can purchase your copy using the link below.

My Review:

I’m always a little nervous when I read a book that’s had so much hype about it as I wonder if I’m going to be the exception to the rule. However I’m pleased to report that The Silent Patient is every bit as brilliant as reported.

The Silent Patient is an incredibly clever, unsettling and gripping thriller that was a very addictive read. It does start off a bit slowly but soon the story becomes very interesting as we find out more about the characters. This gradually increases as the book goes on and helps make the book almost impossible to put down as little snippets about them are discovered.

The story is told mainly from the point of view of Forensic psychotherapist Theo who has been interested by Alicia’s story from the moment he heard about it. He even changes his job to work at the facility where she is being treated and manages to quickly make her his patient. Through flashbacks we learn more about his life both past and present and how it could still be effecting him today. Theo’s story is broken at intervals by extracts from Alicia’s diary detailing what she was doing and thinking in the days leading up to the murder. These two combined helps make for very interesting reading and helps to gradually increase the tension as we discover more unsettling parts of the whole story.

The author’s background of psychotherapy is evident throughout the book and Theo’s narration often includes information about the theory behind what he is doing. I found this fascinating and thought that it really added to the story as it helps give the reader more details about what is happening. This is never over explained and I liked that the author doesn’t doubt the readers intelligence by doing so.

This is the author’s debut novel and I’m very excited to read more from him. If you like gripping, unsettling reads then you’ll love this book.

Huge thanks to Tracy Fenton for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Poppy from Orion for my copy of this book which I received in exchange for an honest review.

About The Author:

Alex Michaelides was born in Cyprus in 1977. He wrote the film The Devil You Know starring Rosamund Pike, and co-wrote The Brits are Coming. The Silent Patient is first novel, and was inspired by a post graduate course in psychotherapy, and working part-time at a secure psychiatric unit.