Book Synopsis:

Ethan Scofield returns to the place of his birth to bury his father. Hidden in one of the upstairs rooms of the old man’s house he finds a strange manuscript, a collection of stories that seems to cover the whole of his father’s turbulent life.

As his own life starts to unravel, Ethan works his way through the manuscript, trying to find answers to the mysteries that have plagued him since he was a child. What happened to his little brother? Why was his mother taken from him?

And why, in the end, when there was no one else left, did his own father push him away?

Swinging from the coral cays of the Caribbean to the dangerous deserts of Yemen and the wild rivers of Africa, Turbulent Wake is a bewitching, powerful and deeply moving story of love and loss … of the indelible damage we do to those closest to us and, ultimately, of the power of redemption in a time of change.

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

My Review:

Wow what an amazing change in pace for this talented author! The blurb says that it is a major change in direction but I didn’t think it would be such a dramatic or well worked one! Turbulent Wake is a beautifully written and atmospheric read that will stay with me for a long time. From the author’s blurb I think this was a personal book for him and I think this shows in the passion with which this book is written.

The story alternates between past and present revealing a complicated and emotional father-son relationship that Ethan had with his father, Warren. In the past chapters we learn more about Warren’s life and the experiences that shaped him. I liked the way that the author slowly allows the reader to get to know him and to form their own opinions about him. I especially liked the parts where Warren’s version of events contrast sharply with Ethan’s own memories of how they happened. I thought this was truly thought provoking and confirmed my belief that all parents are just human. Warren has definitely had some amazing experiences and it was great to see Ethan slowly gain understand and acceptance as to who his father was.

This book starts off slow but soon gathers pace as we start to learn more about the characters and about Warren’s experiences. The author’s vivid descriptions are wonderful and I felt like I had a fly on the wall view of everything that was happening. He writes with great passion and is able to convey the emotions his characters may be feeling beautifully so that they are almost palpable. His ability to switch from describing a love scene to a war scene showed great skill particularly as he managed to make both very realistic.

Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Orenda books for my copy of this book. If you like emotional, atmospheric books that manages to cover lots of different genres then you’ll love this book!

About The Author:

Canadian by birth, Paul has spent 25 years working all over the world as an engineer, hydrologist and environmental scientist. He has rough-necked on oil rigs in Texas, explored for gold in the Arctic, and rehabilitated village water wells in the wilds of Africa. He survived a bomb blast in a café in Sana’a in 1993 and was one of the last westerners out of Yemen before the outbreak of the 1994 civil war. The Abrupt Physics of Dying, his first novel, received great critical acclaim, and was short-listed for the CWA Creasy New Blood Dagger award. The Evolution of Fear, his second novel, will be released early this year. Paul is a university professor and Director of Australia’s national water, land and ecosystems research program. He is a pilot, a sailor, a keen outdoorsman, and conservation volunteer. Paul lives in Western Australia.

Book Synopsis:

Autumn 1920. When Bernard Cavalier, a flamboyant London artist, marries Evie Brunton, a beautiful Devon post lady, everyone expects a happy ending. But Evie misses cycling down country lanes, delivering the mail, and is finding it hard to adapt to her new life among Mayfair’s high society. Meanwhile Bernard, now a well-known artist, is struggling to give up his bachelor ways.
The Wrong Direction is as light and witty as The Wrong Envelope, with racy characters and a fast-paced plot. Wild parties, flirtatious models, jealous friends – Bernard and Evie must negotiate many twists and turns if they are to hold on to each other…

The Wrong Envelope is available in ebook and paperback now. You can see a copy of both using the link below.

My Review:

I was a big fan of this author’s first book so I was incredibly excited to be invited onto the blog tour for the sequel. It was so nice to catch up with the fabulous Bernard and Evie again and to to see what happens next for them.

The story starts where The Wrong Envelope left of and we catch up with the couple as they are newly married but struggling with married life. I liked how realistic this bit was as I think it would have been easy for the author to write a happy ever after, sugar coated ending. Instead the characters struggle to fit into their new roles, lives and how to live together which is true with real life.

Once again my favourite character out of the two of them was Bernard who it’s hard not to love. I think I felt a lot of sympathy for him as he is accident probe like me and very good at putting his foot in it without meaning to, which I’m also good at. However he has a heart of gold and doesn’t mean any harm which made him easy to like.

The author’s easy style just drew me back into the story and the characters lives like I hadn’t left it. I felt at times like I was watching an old black and white movie as the story had a nostalgic feel to it. The 20s has always been one of my for favourite eras so I enjoyed the descriptions of life back then. I found myself fully absorbed in the book and want to keep reading to find out what happens to the couple. I really hope this isn’t the last we’ll see if Evie and Bernard.

Huge thanks to Kelly from Love Books Group for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book.

About The Author:

Liz is a writer and an art photographer. She lives in the Highlands of Scotland beside the sea. Her love of images influences her writing. 

Her debut novel, ‘The Wrong Envelope’, is a romantic comedy, set in Devon, England, in 1920. It tells the story of Bernard, an impulsive artist and Evie, his determined post lady. Light and witty and full of twists and turns, ‘The Wrong Envelope’ captures the spirit of another age – when letters could change lives.

The sequel, ‘The Wrong Direction’, follows Evie and Bernard to London, and charts their further adventures in Mayfair’s high society. Wild parties, flirtatious models, jealous friends – Bernard and Evie must negotiate many twists and turns if they are to hold on to each other.

For more information visit: liztreacher.com
Follow on Twitter: @liztreacher
Facebook: @LizTreacherAuthor
Instagram: @liztreacher

Book Synopsis:

The gripping new novel by Sunday Times Number One bestseller Victoria Hislop is set against the backdrop of the German occupation of Greece, the subsequent civil war and a military dictatorship, all of which left deep scars.

Athens 1941. After decades of political uncertainty, Greece is polarised between Right- and Left-wing views when the Germans invade. 
Fifteen-year-old Themis comes from a family divided by these political differences. The Nazi occupation deepens the fault-lines between those she loves just as it reduces Greece to destitution. She watches friends die in the ensuing famine and is moved to commit acts of resistance.

In the civil war that follows the end of the occupation, Themis joins the Communist army, where she experiences the extremes of love and hatred and the paradoxes presented by a war in which Greek fights Greek.

Eventually imprisoned on the infamous islands of exile, Makronisos and then Trikeri, Themis encounters another prisoner whose life will entwine with her own in ways neither can foresee. And finds she must weigh her principles against her desire to escape and live.

As she looks back on her life, Themis realises how tightly the personal and political can become entangled. While some wounds heal, others deepen.

This powerful new novel from Number One bestseller Victoria Hislop sheds light on the complexity and trauma of Greece’s past and weaves it into the epic tale of an ordinary woman compelled to live an extraordinary life.

Those Who Are Loved is published today in ebook and hardback. You can purchase your copy using the link below.

My Review:

Those Who Are Loved is the latest book from the wonderful Victoria Hislop who is one of my all time favourite authors as I credit her book The Island as the book that got me out of a huge reading slump. Once again the author has written a fantastically gripping but highly emotional historical novel which will stay with me for a long time.

The occupation of Greece during WW2 is not a subject I knew anything about before reading this book so I found all the details about this utterly fascinating. The author has clearly done her research and manages to bring this period to life with the vivid descriptions of what life was like under the occupation. The fear and oppression that became the norm is almost palpable and I found myself on edge through parts of the book. It was great to read about the bravery of ordinary citizens whose exploits to fight the regime where very admirable. I’m not sure I would have the courage they did in the same situation.

The story follows Themis in two time periods, one as a fifteen year old during the war and the other as an old lady in 2016. Themis is a character that I loved instantly and someone I think I’d love to have as a grannie. She’s obviously seen and done a lot during her time but is aware that not everyone will think favourably about her actions. We learn about Greece’s history through her which makes what happens seem more personal and more horrific as it feels like it is happening to someone you know.

The story goes along at a good pace and I was soon absorbed into the story with the vivid descriptions of Greek culture and the beautiful sounding scenery. I was so fascinated by the story that wanted to keep reading to find out what would happen even though I wasn’t sure I would like it. It being war time there are some very harrowing and emotional parts to this book which had me in tears at times. My heart broke for Themis and all she goes through but it was more upsetting to realise that the events could actually have happened.

Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Caitlin from Headline for my copy of this book.

About The Author:

Inspired by a visit to Spinalonga, the abandoned Greek leprosy colony, Victoria Hislop wrote The Island in 2005. It became an international bestseller and a 26-part Greek TV series. She was named Newcomer of the Year at the British Book Awards and is now an ambassador for Lepra. The Island has sold over 1.2million copies in the UK and more than 5 million worldwide. 

Her affection for the Mediterranean then took her to Spain, which inspired her second bestseller The Return, and she returned to Greece to tell the turbulent tale of Thessaloniki in The Thread, shortlisted for a British Book Award and confirming her reputation as an inspirational storyteller. It was followed by her much-admired Greece-set short story collection, The Last Dance and Other Stories. The Sunrise, a Sunday Times Number One bestseller about the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, was published to widespread acclaim in 2014. Victoria’s most recent book, Cartes Postales from Greece was a Sunday Times Number One bestseller and one of the Top Ten biggest selling paperbacks of 2017. Her novels have sold 10 million copies worldwide.

Good morning everyone I’m on the blog tour for Children In Chains by Lorraine Mace today and I have a great Q and A with the author to share with you.

Children In Chains is available in ebook and paperback now. The ebook is currently only 99p. You can purchase a copy of both using the link below.

Before I share my Q and A with you here is a little bit about the book.

Q And A:

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I am a fit and active mother and grandmother who runs 5km five times a week. My working life is entirely writing related – I am a creative writing tutor, editor and columnist. I live in a small Spanish village just a few kilometres inland and speak very bad Spanish.

What do you do when you are not writing?

Spend time with my family, walk, read – all the usual stuff.

Do you have a day job as well?

My day job involves lots of writing related activities which I carry out during normal office hours. Like most writers, I have to fit in my novel writing as and when I can.

When did you first start writing and when did you finish your first book?

I started writing short stories twenty years ago and finished my first novel in 2012. That was a book for children aged 8 – 12, which is a far cry from my crime series. I still like to write for children in between times, but my first love now is writing the D.I. Sterling series.

How did you choose the genre you write in?

I have always been an avid crime reader, so it was a natural progression to write in the genre.

Where do you get your ideas?

I think I just have a naturally sick mind. I always have evil crimes and perpetrators in my head that need an outlet.

Do you ever experience writer’s block?

Not as such, but when I’ve had a day dealing with the work of other writers it’s sometimes hard to switch off and get into my own characters’ heads.

Do you work with an outline, or just write?

I work to a mixture of both. I have a vague outline of how the book will go – I know who the criminal is and the crime. I know the general set up and how the solution will arrive, but when I’m writing other characters always turn up to change things. I am very flexible and would hate to have to stick to a rigid format.

Can you tell us about your challenges in getting your first book published?

My first book, as mentioned above, was the children’s novel. I was lucky enough to attract the representation of one of the UK’s top children’s agents. She fell in love with Vlad the Inhaler and did all she could to find a publisher. Sadly, no one felt the same degree of love for the book that she did. After a year and half we parted company and I recently self-published Vlad rather than let him languish unloved on my hard drive – he now languishes unloved on Amazon instead.

Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?

My crime novels are a mix of real life experiences and my extremely overactive imagination. I’ve been fortunate enough to live in several different countries and met some interesting (in the bad sense of the word) people from whom I’ve taken certain traits and created characters based on their worst aspects.

What was your hardest scene to write?

Those scenes where Pete (the evil pop star abuser) is anticipating the fun he’s going to have with children.

How did you come up with the title?

I felt that Children in Chains fitted the book’s content. The children are not actually in physical chains, but they might just as well be because they have no hope of breaking free.

What project are you working on now?

I’m in the final edits of book five in the series and about to start on book six.

What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?

The toughest criticism came when I was first starting out and a writing tutor told me my ideas were tired and clichéd. She was right and I have since tried to make sure that whatever I write is fresh and original.

The best compliment is being told by readers that they are eagerly waiting for the next in the series.

Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers and fans?

Thank you for buying and reading my books. If you would like to know about future releases and giveaways, please visit my website and join the mailing list.

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my questions. I wish you the best of luck with your book!

About The Author:

When not working on her D.I. STERLING crime novels, Lorraine Mace is engaged in many writing-related activities. She is a columnist for both Writing Magazine and Writers’ Forum and is head judge for Writers’ Forum monthly fiction competitions. A tutor for Writers Bureau, she also runs her own private critique and author mentoring service. 

She is co-author, with Maureen Vincent-Northam, of THE WRITER’S ABC CHECKLIST (Accent Press). Other books include children’s novel VLAD THE INHALER – HERO IN THE MAKING, and NOTES FROM THE MARGIN, a compilation of her Writing Magazine humour column.

Website: http://www.lorrainemace.com
Blog: http://thewritersabcchecklist.blogspot.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lomace
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lorraine.mace.52

Book Synopsis:

Roxy’s marriage has always been rock solid.

After twenty years, and with two carefree kids, she and Dave are still the perfect couple.

Until the day she comes home unexpectedly, and finds Dave in bed with their attractive, single neighbour.

Suddenly Roxy isn’t sure about anything – her past, the business she’s taken over from her dad, or what her family’s future might be. She’s spent so long caring about everyone else that she’s forgotten what she actually wants. But something has changed. And Roxy has a decision to make.

Whether it’s with Dave, or without him, it’s time for Roxy to start living for herself…

Her Husband’s Mistake is published in ebook and hardback on the 30th May 2019. You can pre-order your copy of both using the link below.

My Review:

I’m a huge fan of this author so I was hugely excited to be invited onto the blog tour for her latest book, Her Husband’s Mistake. The thing I always love about Sheila’s books is how absorbing they are but also how easy to read. For this reason they are normally my go to holiday read as they are perfect for relaxing with.

I liked the main character Roxy, although it did initially take me a while to warm to her. She seemed a very realistic character and I liked the way her indecision was described in the book and how the reader had access to all her reasoning about what she should do. She’s was definitely a fighter and didn’t immediate go running back to her husband which showed a strength that I thought very admirable. I enjoyed watching her develop throughout the book and come into her own. Her husband on the other hand had me seething regularly. He was an arrogant, sexist pig that I wished I could go into the book and give him a piece of my mind. The way he acts, despite being plainly in the wrong, made my blood boil and I hated how he twisted everything and tried to make Sheila doubt herself. He made me keep reading as I wanted to see what would happen in the end and hopefully see him get his just deserts!

As with most of Sheila’s books there is a serious theme running through the story and this time it is about the changing roles and attitudes towards women. This is starkly shown through the opportunity Roxy has to find out who she can be outside the family and her husband’s, mistaken belief that she should do what he says. I found it very interesting to watch the story play out because of this and found myself very grateful that such attitudes are slowly changing.

This was an absorbing read that I found I could sink into at the end of a long day. There was plenty of stuff happening to keep my interest and I enjoyed watching everything unfold. The author manages to fit in some fantastic descriptions of Dublin which has always been one of my favourite cities. It has definitely made me more determined to visit again.

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

About The Author:

Sheila O’Flanagan is the author of many bestselling novels including The Hideaway, What Happened That Night, The Missing Wife, My Mother’s Secret, If You Were Me, and All For You (winner of the Irish Independent Popular Fiction Book of the Year Award). She lives in Dublin with her husband.

http://www.sheilaoflanagan.com
Twitter @sheilaoflanagan 
Facebook.com/sheilabooks

Book Synopsis:

Open your heart to the most life-affirming and uplifting novel of the year…

Thelma and Louis, it’s always just been the two of them, Thelma and her beloved son, Louis.

But when Louis is involved in an accident, their lives are turned upside down, as Louis falls into a coma. Feeling lost without him by her side, Thelma finds Louis’ book of wonders – a bucket list of all the things he wants to accomplish in his life. She suddenly sees a way to feel close to him: she will fulfil Louis’ dreams, living them out for him, in the hope that it will inspire him to survive.

Thelma is about to set off on the adventure of a lifetime… and in a way, so is Louis…

The Book of Wonders is a heart-warming and charming story about finding the joy in every moment of life and making each and every day count. Perfect for fans of The Keeper of Lost Things and A Man Called Ove.

The Book Of Wonders is published in ebook and paperback on the 30th May 2019. You can pre-order a copy of both using the link below.

My Review:

The Book Of Wonders is a delightful, fun and heart warming read that was perfect for curling up with on the bank holiday. It’s flowing style and funny action made it an easy read which I finished over two days, no mean feat with three kids.

The book follows Thelma as she tries to cope with her son being in a coma and the guilt she feels for not being there more from him. After finding his Book Of Wonders she decides to start living and experience new things by following her son’s wish list. This leads to some heart warming and utterly hilarious situations that made me laugh out loud at times. I loved the descriptions of the places that they visited, especially Tokyo and Budapest. I’d love to go visit them myself at some point and maybe experience some of the things they did as if all sounded wonderful!

Thelma was an interesting character who took me a little while to warm to as I didn’t like her much at the beginning of the book. However her open and honest narrative of everything she’s going through and the way she beats herself up over what had happened made me sympathise with her. It was great to follow her on her adventures and watch her develop into the wonderful lady she becomes.

The narrative was quite fast paced and there was always something happening to keep me absorbed in the story. Some of the situations Thelma finds herself in are perhaps a little unrealistic but for me that was part of the fun of this book and added to my enjoyment of the story. The ending was wonderful and I found myself tearing up at how far everyone has come. I’m trying not to give too much a way but I hope that there are places like where they end up as I think they are really needed.

Huge thanks to Milly Reid for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Quercus for my copy of this book via Netgalley.

About The Author:

Julien Sandrel was born in 1980 in the south of France, is married and has two children. The Book of Wonders is his first novel, and was first published in France by Calmann-Lévy in March 2018. Rights to the novel have sold in twenty-three territories.

Book Synopsis:

“A racing climax and a fully satisfying ending” – Kate Quinn
1960s Roma Nova. Retrained as an undercover agent, ex-Praetorian officer Aurelia Mitela is sent to Berlin to investigate silver smuggling, but barely escapes a near-lethal trap. Her lifelong nemesis, Caius Tellus, is determined to eliminate her. When Aurelia is closing in on him, he strikes at her most vulnerable point – her young daughter.

A former military commander, Aurelia is one of Roma Nova’s strong women, but she doubts in her heart and mind that she can overcome her implacable enemy. And what part does the mysterious and attractive Miklós play – a smuggler who knows too much? 

If you enjoy reading mystery books for women with plenty of twists and a female protagonist driving the action, this is for you!

Fourth in the Roma Nova thriller series, where Roman fiction is brought into the 20th century through an alternative history lens and first of the AURELIA trilogy. INSURRECTIO and RETALIO complete the trilogy.

Aurelia is available in ebook and paperback now. The ebook is currently only 99p. You can purchase your copy of both using the link below.

My Review:

I’m a huge fan of Roman history so am absolutely delighted to find another thrilling historical series.

The author has obviously done her research as the Roman era is brilliantly brought to life. The descriptions are very vivid and I enjoyed reading about all the little details the author has included. It’s a brutal time and the author doesn’t sugar coat how things were which made for thrilling reading. I truly felt like I was actually there watching everything unfold.

Aurelia is a wonderful main character and just the type I love to read about. She’s incredibly brave and fiesty not letting anything stand in her way which I so admired her for. I loved that she had an unusual job for a women as she was a soldier and that she was more than able to stand her ground over men. I didn’t actually know that women were allowed in the Roman army so found all the details relating to that utterly fascinating. I especially liked the details about some of the training and battles Aurelia experiences which which were very thrilling. Caius was a character that I loved to hate and who really needed to just take the hint and give up! He’s just the type of slimy character that I hate who uses his brute strength and good looks to get his own way. He obviously had a huge ego and his constant attempts to get to Aurelia by any means possible had me seething. I found myself hugely frustrated with him and wanted to keep reading to find out what happens to him.

The book has a great pace with lots of action to keep the reader entertained. I enjoyed watching the story develop and learning more about the characters. This is the first book by this author I have read and I’m excited to read more from her in the future.

Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book. If you like gripping historical fiction then you need to read this book!

About The Author:

Alison Morton writes the Roma Nova thriller series featuring modern Praetorian heroines. This springs from a deep love of Roman history, six years’ military service and a life of reading crime, adventure and thriller fiction. 

All six full-length novels have received the BRAG Medallion. SUCCESSIO, AURELIA and INSURRECTIO were selected as Historical Novel Society’s Indie Editor’s Choices. AURELIA was a finalist in the 2016 HNS Indie Award. SUCCESSIO featured as Editor’s Choice in The Bookseller. 

A ‘Roman nut’ since age 11, Alison has misspent decades clambering over Roman sites throughout Europe. She holds an MA History, blogs about Romans, social media and writing. Oh, and she gives talks.

She continues writing, cultivates a Roman herb garden and drinks wine in France with her husband. To get the latest news, subscribe to her free newsletter (https://alison-morton.com/newsletter/) and receive the series starter INCEPTIO ebook as a thank you gift.

Book Synopsis:

It is 1976 and Mikey, eight-years-old and street-wise beyond his years, is looking forward to a summer of freedom, roaming the creeks and the mud-flats of Canvey Island. But violent emotions are rumbling beneath the surface, about to destroy all that he thought he knew. 

When Mikey’s neighbours, the Freemans, win a great deal of money, the old couple become the targets of a criminal act that leaves Peggy Freeman dead and her husband, Bert thirsting for revenge. Believing that young Mikey’s family is responsible, Bert devises a highly unusual but devastatingly effective form of reprisal. But where does the guilt really lie, and will there be punishment or redemption? 

Told from Mikey’s viewpoint with light touches of humour, A Patient Man is a gripping crime novel peopled with believable characters who are drawn inexorably in to a story that explores the effects of greed, money and the human need for retribution.

A Patient Man is available in ebook and paperback now. You can purchase your copy using the link below.

My Review:

A Patient Man is an absolutely wonderful, compelling read that had me completely captivated. It’s primarily a crime read but manages to have elements of a psychological thriller and a coming of age story.

Firstly the main character, Mikey is such an amazing character that is easy to fall in love with. He’s such a little dude and his experiences of exploring the mudflats near his home reminded me of my childhood where I spent most of my time exploring the woods near our home. All the characters are really well drawn and seem realistic. I felt like I knew them personally and that I was actually there watching everything unfold at times.

The author does a great job in evoking the 70s with some beautifully vivid descriptions that really made if come to life in my mind. She also perfectly captures what life in a small town is like with reputations being difficult to get rid of. I so enjoyed reading about Mikey’s childhood and found that I really didn’t want the book to end.

The plot is well developed and there were plenty of surprises that kept me intrigued. There is a great mix of amusing descriptions and thought provoking scenes that combines to make for a truly brilliant read. This is definitely a book that will stay with me for a very long time!

Huge thanks to Anne Cater for my copy of this book and to Matador for my copy of this book.

About The Author:

S. Lynn Scott is the author of Elizabeth, William… and Me, described by reviewers as `hugely entertaining’ (Books Monthly). A Patient Man is her second novel and she is now working on her third, a modern-day fantasy. She has been involved in theatre all her life and lives in Leicestershire.

Book Synopsis:

A dark, shocking and relentlessly gripping thriller that will keep you up all night, for fans of M.J. Arlidge and Peter James. 

‘Sara! Remember! Victoria and Albert. All I can say. They’re here. They’re-‘ 

These are the last words Sara Prior will ever hear from her husband. 

As DS Nathan Cody struggles to make sense of the enigmatic message and solve the brutal murder, it soon becomes clear that Sara is no ordinary bereaved wife. Taking the investigation into her own hands, Sara is drawn into a world of violence that will lead her in a direction she would never have suspected. 

For Cody, meanwhile, things are about to get personal in the darkest and most twisted ways imaginable . . .

Your Deepest Fear is available in ebook and hardback now. You can purchase your copy using the link below.

My Review:

Your Deepest Fear is a tense, nail bitting thriller that I couldn’t put down. It’s one of those books that is easy to get absorbed into as you’d sit down promising yourself you’d just read a few chapters and before you know it’s past midnight!

The story is told from both Sarah’s and Coby’s point of view which makes for very interesting reading as it lets the reader find out more about them. Through this we learn some of the things that Coby is dealing with in his personal life which helped me warm to him as I felt very sympathetic about all he was going through. I enjoyed watching the two story lines joined together and thought the build up to the reveal was fantastically done as it kept me firmly gripped.

There were some fabulous characters in this book who I thoroughly enjoyed reading about. Sarah is a fantastic kick ass heroine and I loved reading her story as she tries to solve the investigation herself. She’s a very fiesty lady and it was great to read about how she handled difficult, dangerous situations. The baddie Waldo was a very frightening, scary character who had me on edge through the book with the mind games that he plays. He helped add a lot of the tension as you weren’t sure what he’d do next.

Although this could be read as a standalone, as I have, it’s probably best to read the books in order so you have a better understanding of the background to the characters. I will definitely be going back to read the other books in the series.

Huge thanks to Tracy Fenton for my copy of this book and to Bonnier for my copy of this book via Netgalley.

About The Author:

David Jackson is the bestselling author of Cry Baby. His debut novel, Pariah, was Highly Commended in the Crime Writers’ Association Debut Dagger Awards. He lives on the Wirral peninsula with his wife and two daughters. Follow David @Author_Dave.

Book Synopsis:

When Hannah and Ben meet at a friend’s party, he knows she’s The One. But Hannah’s in an intense relationship with Mark and planning to return to her native Sweden to embark on a teaching career.

Desperate to make Ben fall in love with her, rich spoilt heiress Vanessa sets in motion a devious string of events that ultimately changes the course of four people’s lives indefinitely.

Hannah is the love of Ben’s life, yet Vanessa will stop at nothing to claim the man she is convinced is her destiny.

Because of You is a dark, morally complex and cross-generational story of enduring love, fate and destiny.

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

My Review:

Because Of You is a trilling, engaging and realistic love story that was hard to put down.

The thing that most stands out about this book is how realistic it seems. Life for Hannah isn’t all sugary sweet, there are lots of highs and lows, twists and turns like in real life which makes for very interesting reading. All the events in the book make the reader very sympathetic to the characters and I found myself falling in love with Hannah with all the things she goes through.

The story follows Hannah through the years starting at the age of eighteen when she’s leaving home. The reader experiences everything alongside Hannah which makes for very emotional reading at times. The author covers some quite hard subjects which often made me cry. Having had personal experience with one of the things that happens I found it quite hard reading at times and had to skip a few pages as I found it too hard to read.

The author has created some fabulous characters that are mixed into the story really well, coming in and out of the story at various points in her life. There are some characters I loved reading about but other nasty characters who I really hated. It was very interesting to watch them all interact together and I enjoyed reading about them.

Overall this was a gripping, intriguing read which covers some thought provoking topics. It’s the first book I’ve read from this author and I’d definitely like to read more from her in the future.

Huge thanks to the lovely Sarah from Books On The Bright side publicity for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book.

About The Author:

Hélene Fermont writes character-driven psychological crime fiction with a Scandi Noir flavour. 

Known for her explosive, pacy narrative and storylines, she has published three novels – Because of You, We Never Said Goodbye and His Guilty Secret – and two short story collections – The Love of Her Life and Who’s Sorry Now? Her fourth novel is due for release in the summer of 2019. 

After 20 years in London, Hélene recently returned to her native Sweden where she finds the unspoiled scenery and tranquillity a therapeutic boost for creativity. 

Enjoying a successful career as a Psychologist, when she’s not working her ‘day job’, Hélene spends her time writing, with friends and family, or playing with her beloved cat, Teddy.