Book Synopsis:

Cliffehaven, 1945

The war in Europe is over, but for Peggy Reilly and the residents of Beach View Boarding House the effects of the conflict are still far-reaching.

Cockney evacuee, Ivy, and her sweetheart, Andy, are saving to get married and fulfil their dream of returning to the East End. But when tragedy strikes, Ivy is faced with a life-changing dilemma that only she can resolve.

Rita also faces an impossible choice when her sweetheart Peter proposes and asks her to live with him in Australia – just as her widowed father returns from the fighting in Europe.

Meanwhile Peggy must say goodbye to several of her evacuee chicks whilst she awaits the return of her family from Somerset and the news that her husband, Jim, can finally come home.

It’s a dream she’s held onto for six long years, but fate has one more twist in store.

With Hope And Love is published on the 22nd August 2019 in ebook and paperback. You can pre-order your copy using the link below.

My Review:

I’m a huge fan of Ellie Dean so you can imagine my excitement at being invited onto the blog tour for this, her latest book. This was another fantastic addition to the Cliffhaven series and was, once again, a compelling read.

I loved visiting The Beachview Boarding house and so enjoyed catching up with the residents again. The author has created some hugely likeable characters which are easy to get behind. My favourite was Peggy who is the life and sole of the boarding house. She is always hugely welcoming and always seems to be there for the other residents which was wonderful to read about. She has a lot of worry about in her life, especially regarding her husband Jim and I felt so sorry for her during the VE celebrations when she was trying to put on a brace face despite her anxiety over what has happened to him. I felt like I had to keep reading to find out what happens to her.

The author does a great job of setting the scene in this book so the reader feels like they are actually there experiencing everything alongside the characters. The author has clearly done her research and I really liked learning a bit more about the VE celebrations and life after the war which I hadn’t read much about before.

I though this was an absorbing, compelling book which I loved reading. There is lots of things happening and multiple storylines to keep the reader on their toes. I found I enjoyed following the characters journey throughout the book to see what became of them. I really hope this isn’t the last book in this fantastic series!

Huge thanks to Rachel from Arrow publishing for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book.

About The Author

Ellie Dean lives in a tiny hamlet set deep in the heart of the South Downs in Sussex, which has been her home for many years and where she raised her three children. She is the author of the The Cliffehaven Series. 

To find out more visit http://www.ellie-dean.co.uk

Book Synopsis:

Gun violence, climate change and unemployment have ravaged the United States beyond recognition.

Amidst the wreckage, an online retail giant named Cloud reigns supreme. Cloud brands itself not just as an online storefront, but as a global saviour. Yet, beneath the sunny exterior, lurks something far more sinister.

Paxton never thought he’d be working Security for the company that ruined his life, much less that he’d be moving into one of their sprawling live-work facilities. But compared to what’s left outside, perhaps Cloud isn’t so bad. Better still, through his work he meets Zinnia, who fills him with hope for their shared future.

Except that Zinnia is not what she seems. And Paxton, with his all-access security credentials, might just be her meal ticket.

As Paxton and Zinnia’s agendas place them on a collision course, they’re about to learn just how far the Cloud will go to make the world a better place. 

To beat the system, you have to be inside it.

The Warehouse is available in ebook and hardback now. You can purchase your copy using the link below.

My Review:

This was a thrilling, scary and realistic read which I thought was fascinating.

Firstly this book seems, in a strange way, quite a current one as there have been lots of stories about the work conditions in big factories so this book seemed frightening plausible. The author does a great job of building the world so that the reader feels they are actually there experiencing everything alongside the characters. I could well imagine what life was like working at The Cloud, so some of the events in the book were quite hard hitting. The descriptions were very vivid and this helps make the reader believe that such a world could exist.

The story is told from the point of view of Paxton and Zinnia, who are drawn together because of their shared mission or beliefs. I thought both characters were really well drawn, likeable characters who I enjoyed following throughout the book. I actually grew quite fond of them and wanted to keep reading to find out what happens to them.

I thought this was quite a fast paced, interesting reading which I thoroughly enjoyed reading. The first few parts of the book helps set the scene for what it’s like living and working within the cloud which I found fascinating. This was very well plotted book which always has something new to discover or happening to keep the reader interested. I couldn’t believe this was a debut novel and I’m very excited to read more from him in the future.

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

About The Author:

Rob Hart has been a political reporter, the communications director for a politician, a commissioner for the city of New York and is currently a publisher. The Warehouse is his first standalone novel and has been optioned for film by Ron Howard, director of Rush and Solo: A Star Wars Story. Rob lives in Staten Island, New York.

Book Synopsis:

Round and round she goes, blonde pigtails flying, her high-pitched giggle catching on the wind. But as the ride slows to a stop, her seat is suddenly empty. Little Lucy is gone…

When seven-year-old Lucy Ross is snatched from the carousel in Denton city park, Detective Josie Quinnjoins the frantic search. She’s the one who finds Lucy’s sparkly butterfly backpack abandoned by the ticket booth, a note with a devastating message stuffed inside: answer your phone, or your sweet little darling will die…

The next day, Lucy’s parents are filled with hope when they pick up a call which they think is from their babysitter – but instead it’s a chilling male voice on the line. Josie races to the babysitter’s small apartment only to find her lifeless body in a tangle of sheets on her bed.

Josie is faced with the most high-stakes case of her career as each new phone call from someone connected to the family ends with the shocking discovery of another body. This twisted killer wants revenge, and he won’t stop until the Ross family are in pieces…

Something is telling Josie that Lucy’s parents aren’t giving her the whole truth, but digging deeper into their lives will force her to confront a life-changing secret of her own. Does Josie have what it takes to crack this case? She has no choice if she’s going to bring Lucy home alive…

An absolutely unputdownable new crime thriller from an Amazon, USA Today and Wall Street Journalbestselling author. Readers who love Robert Dugoni, Angela Marsons and Rachel Caine will be hooked until the final, jaw-dropping page.

Her Silent Cry is available in ebook and paperback now. You can purchase your copy using the link below.

My Review:

Anyone who regularly reads my blog will know that I’m a huge fan of this fabulous series, so I was very excited to read the next installment. This book was another chilling, addictive read that was hard to put down.

As a mother one of my worse nightmares is one of my children going missing and I thought the author perfectly conveyed all the emotions I would feel in such a situation. The anguish the mother feels is almost palpable at times and my heart was in my mouth as I watched everything unfold. I really wanted to keep reading to check everything would be ok in the end.

Jodie was once again my favourite character and I found I enjoyed following her as she tries to find the missing child. She isn’t a normal detective and often does things slightly unusually which makes her an interesting character to read about. Her strength and the way she handles herself in tough situations ensured I was behind her completely.

This was a fast paced, gripping read which had a lovely flow to it, making it impossible to put down. There were lots of actions and twists to keep the reader interested which made the pages just fly by. The ending was superb and took me completely by surprise which is always a sign of a great read. I hope this isn’t the last book in the series as I would love to read more about Josie!

Huge thanks to Noelle from Bookouture for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book via Netgalley. If you are looking for a gripping crime series I highly recommend this one!

About The Author:

Lisa Regan is an Amazon bestselling crime novelist.  She has a Bachelor’s Degree in English and Master of Education Degree from Bloomsburg University.  She is a member of Sisters In Crime, Mystery Writers of America and International Thriller Writers. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and daughter. Find out more at her website:www.lisaregan.com

Book Synopsis:

Chilling thriller set on Gibraltar – at the heart of The Rock are secret tunnels, hard to navigate and even harder to escape. Sebastian is a civil engineering prodigy and his latest project is his most ambitious to date: to build a new city on the sheerest face of The Rock. His fiancee, Eva, a diver, is entranced by the penisula’s hidden depths and concerned that her lover doesn’t push himself beyond human limits in his desire to see his dream realised. Mimi, still in her teens, is desperate to spread her wings and chafing at the limits placed on her movements by her overprotective older brother. When Mimi gets into a relationship with a neighbour intent on fighting the new development, Sebastian’s precarious mental health spirals out of control putting them all in danger. When Mimi is lost amidst their twists and turns the race is on to find her before the water rises.

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

My Review:

This was a fantastic, twisty psychological thriller which helps provide a fascinating look into the human mind and their relationships.

The story follows couple Sebastian and Eva, a couple who live together and Mimi, Eva’s sister who lives in the flat below them. As the book continues we learn more about their relationship and that everything isn’t as happy as they first appear. There are a lot of fault lines in their relationship, particularly the couple, which made me wonder why they were even together. It was very interesting to watch the relationship unravel and see underneath the surface to find out what they are really like.

The descriptions of Gibraltar where very vivid and really helped me picture it in my mind. I’ve never been particularly interested in visiting Gibraltar but I’ve now added it to my wish list as it sounds like a beautiful country. The diving scenes were all wonderfully described and I loved how tranquil it seemed. I do wish the author has included a few more of these scenes as they helped make the book for me.

I thought this was a fast paced, gripping read with the multiple points of view helping to add to the tension in the book. The many twists kept me guessing and I really didn’t know where the story was going to go which I always enjoy. This is the first book by this author that I’ve read and I look forward to reading more from her in the future.

Huge thanks to Emma from Damp Pebbles tours for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book.

About The Author:

Kitty Sewell was born in Sweden but holds British and Canadian citizenships, though she now lives full time in Spain. After a varied career as Notary Public, psychotherapist, syndicated newspaper columnist and sculptor, a difficult personal experience spurred her to turn her story into a novel. 
ICE TRAP became an international bestseller and was shortlisted for CWA New Blood Dagger Award, the Hay Festival Wales Book of the Year, winner of “People’s Choice” BBC Radio Wales and International Book of The Month with Bertelsmann Book Clubs. 
BLOODPRINT followed with equal success. CLOUD FEVER is published with Amazon.
Kitty is also an award-winning sculptor, and runs the foundation Kitty Harri’s Sculpture Garden. See http://www.kittyharri.com

Book Synopsis:

I turn to where I left my baby in his pushchair and pull up short. With a racing heart, I look around wildly, fear gripping my stomach. I only looked away for a moment. The pushchair and my baby are gone. 

Kelly is taking her twin daughters to their first day of school, ushering them into the classroom, her heart breaking to think they might not need her any more, when she turns around and sees that her newborn baby is gone.

As a desperate search ensues, baby Noah is quickly found – parked in front of a different classroom. But when Kelly reaches forward to comfort him, she finds something tucked beside his blanket. A locket that belonged to her sister Freya. A locket Kelly hasn’t seen since the day Freya died.

And then Kelly’s perfectly-ordered life begins to unravel…

We Were Sisters is a heart-pounding suspense thriller that will grip you until the very last page. Fans of Behind Closed Doors, Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train won’t be able to stop reading this incredible book.

We Were Sisters is available in ebook and paperback now. You can purchase your copy using the link below.

My Review:

I always love it when I find a new author that I really enjoy, especially if I’ve come across them when they have a few books for me to catch up on! We Were Sisters is a creepy, tense and addictive thriller that I just couldn’t put down.

The story is told from Kelly’s point of view and is divided into two timelines of Now and Then which alternates every chapter. The ‘Now’ follows Kelly as a married mother of three and the ‘Then’ chapters tells the story of Kelly when she was younger and Freya, a foster child who comes to live with Kelly’s family.

Kelly is a very interesting, complex character and from the start the reader is very aware that there is something not quite right with Kelly. She’s extremely anxious and has to count things almost continuous to keep that under control. This anxiety is made worse by a fractious, unsettled new born who doesn’t sleep and Kelly’s insistence that she does everything herself. At the start it’s easy to dismiss this as post natal depression but as her past is slowly revealed it becomes very obvious that there is much more to it than that. My feelings towards her kept changing between sympathy at all she had experienced and frustration with her attitude. I felt there was lots more to her than she was letting on and I had to keep reading to find out what it was.

I read this book in a day, which is no easy feat for a mum of three kids, as I just couldn’t put it down. Jobs went undone, the kids were allowed far to much screen time as I just got lost in the story. I kept promising myself only one more chapter only for something big to happen which meant I had to keep reading to find out more. The tension in this book is almost unbearable at times as the reader is very aware that something bad happened all those years ago, weird things are happening now and that none of the characters are what they seem. The ending was very unexpected which took me by surprise as I thought I’d figured everything out.

Huge thanks to Noelle from Bookouture for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Bookouture for my copy of this book via Netgalley.

About The Author:

Wendy Clarke started her career writing short fiction and serials for national women’s magazines. After having over three hundred short stories published, she progressed to writing novels. With a degree in psychology, and intrigued with how the human mind can affect behaviour, it was inevitable that she would eventually want to explore her darker side.

What She Saw is her debut psychological thriller, published by Bookouture, with a second coming out in August 2019.

In her previous life, Wendy has published three collections of short stories and has been a short story judge for the Chiltern Writers Group, Nottingham Writers Group and The Society of Women Writers and journalists.

Wendy lives with her husband, cat and step-dog in Sussex and when not writing is usually dancing, singing or watching any programme that involves food!

Book Synopsis:

WHAT IF YOUR LIFE HAD AN ‘UNDO’ BUTTON?

Arlo Knott develops the mysterious ability to reverse his last action. It makes him able to experience anything, to charm any woman and impress any friend. His is a life free of mistakes, a life without regret.

But second chances aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. As wonderful as his new life is, a mistake in Arlo’s traumatic childhood still haunts him and the temptation to undo, undo and keep undoing could be too much to resist.

Mainstream crossover fiction for fans of Matt Haig, Gail Honeyman and Rowan Coleman, from the author of Everything About You.

The Undoing Of Arlo Knott is available in ebook and paperback now. You can purchase your copy using the link below.

My Review:

The Undoing Of Arlo Knott is a clever, thought provoking and intriguing book which was brilliantly written.

The concept of this book really appealed to me as who wouldn’t want an ‘undo’ button to put right all their mistakes? I thought the author handled this really cleverly and I enjoyed reading about the progression Arlo goes through as he learns more about his talent. His initial use was similar to what I’d probably do which actually made Arlo seem quite arrogant and therefore quite unlikeable which was an interesting realisation.

This is a difficult book to review without giving away spoilers but needless to say the pace of the book alongside the compelling storyline made this an addictive read It had hints of The Time Travellers Wife and the film Groundhog Day to it, which made it a bit repetitive at times but this is a relevant part of the story. It’s a book I’ll be encouraging friends to read as I’d love to discuss it with someone. For this reason I think it would make a great book club read as there would be lots to discuss.

Huge thanks to Tracy Fenton for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Orbit for my copy of this book.

About The Author:

Heather Child’s debut novel EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU was partly inspired by having worked in digital marketing, which brought her into close contact with the cutting-edge automation and personalisation technologies that herald the ‘big data’ age.

Her second book, THE UNDOING OF ARLO KNOTT, is about a man who has an ‘undo’ button for life. Arlo is able to avoid mistakes, to sidestep regret, but it may not give him the perfect life he expects. 

Heather Child is based in Bristol, UK. Alongside writing she has had an eclectic career in marketing and communications, working for various non-profit organisations.

She often takes part in panel discussions, workshops and other events at festivals and conventions. You can find out more about her work, and see discussion questions for book clubs, at http://www.heather-child.co.uk.

Find her on Twitter @Heatherika1

Book Synopsis:

Innocent?

When Carrie was accused of brutally murdering her husband’s lover, she denied it. She denied it when they arrested her, when they put her in front of a jury, and when they sent her to prison. 

Now she’s three years into a fifteen-year sentence, away from the daughter she loves and the life she had built. And she is still denying that she is to blame. 

Guilty?

Tess Gilroy has devoted her life to righting wrongs. Through her job for Innocence UK, a charity which takes on alleged miscarriages of justice, she works tirelessly to uncover the truth.

But when she is asked to take Carrie’s case, Tess realises that if she is to help this woman, she must risk uncovering the secrets she has struggled a lifetime to hide . . .

We’ve all done things we’re not proud of.

Clear My Name is available in ebook and hardback now. You can purchase your copy using the link below.

My Review:

I’m a huge fan of this author so you can imagine my delight to be invited onto the blog tour of her latest book, Clear My Name.

Once again the author has written a clever, twisty thriller that I really enjoyed. The story is told from the point of view of both Tess as she tries to investigate Carrie’s case and Carrie the alleged murder. This made for fascinating reading as the reader gets to see both sides of the story often finding out intriguing details before the characters do which was hugely enjoyable! My opinion on both characters kept changing as the story progresses and I must have had a dozen theories about what happened which were all proven wrong.

I thought this book was instantly gripping and I was soon absorbed into the story. The fast pace and short chapters made this book hard to put down as I wanted to find out more about this intriguing case. The slow drip feed of clues was brilliantly done and I found I really enjoyed trying to piece all the clues together alongside Tess.

The subtle mix of storylines involving not just the murder but also Tess’s past was cleverly done and added a lot of mystery into the story as you weren’t sure what it involved or what she was capable of. They all come together nicely in the end which was very satisfying. The tension in the book slowly increases so that the book becomes hard to put down with the final twist taking me completely by surprise which I always enjoy.

I can’t wait to read more from this author soon!

Huge thanks to Hayley from Transworld for my copy of this book and to Emma from Damp Pebbles Tours for inviting me onto the blog tour.

About The Author:

Paula Daly is the acclaimed author of six novels. She has been shortlisted for the CWA Gold Dagger Crime Novel of the Year award, and her books have been developed for the new ITV television series, DEEP WATER, starring Anna Friel. She was born in Lancashire and lives in the Lake District with her husband, three children, and whippet Skippy.

Book Synopsis:

There’s something I have to explain, my love,” he says, taking your hand in his. “That wasn’t a dream. It was an upload.”

Abbie wakes in a hospital bed with no memory of how she got there. The man by her side explains that he’s her husband. He’s a titan of the tech world, the founder of one of Silicon Valley’s most innovative startups. He tells Abbie she’s a gifted artist, a doting mother to their young son, and the perfect wife.

Five years ago, she suffered a terrible accident. Her return from the abyss is a miracle of science, a breakthrough in artificial intelligence that has taken him half a decade to achieve.

But as Abbie pieces together memories of her marriage, she begins questioning her husband’s motives – and his version of events. Can she trust him when he says he wants them to be together for ever? And what really happened to her, half a decade ago?

A gripping psychological thriller, perfect for fans of The Woman in the Window and The Wife Between Us.

The Perfect Wife is available in ebook and hardback now. You can purchase your copy using the link below.

My Review:

This was a clever, twisty and thought provoking book that I thoroughly enjoyed! Although I found The Girl Before difficult to read due to personal experience, I still found the idea behind it very interesting so I was very intrigued to read more from him.

Artificial Intelligence is a very current topic with examples of it being invented recently so I found it fascinating to read about the world the author has created in this book. What was especially interesting about the ‘cabot’ Tim invents is that it doesn’t seem like a robot that is normally depicted in science fiction films. Instead ‘Abbie’ seems like a real person who can think and act for herself. I found myself believing in her relationship with Tim and hoping that the story ends up well for them.

The plot is very clever with lots going on to keep the reader on their toes. I particularly liked the inclusion of Danny, Tim & Abbie’s son, who has degenerative autism which makes him become more and more withdrawn. I believe the author has an autistic son which has helped bring this character to life. He was a very endearing character that often made me smile.

This book gripped me from the start with the unusual plot and the fascinating world the author has created. The plot develops at a fast pace and there are lots of twists that kept me guessing as to how it would end which is always enjoyable. The ending took me completely by surprise and I loved watching everything unraveling. A brilliant ending to a completely original psychological thriller.

Huge thanks to Ella for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Quercus for my copy of this book.

About The Author:

JP Delaney is a pseudonym for a British writer of psychological suspense who has previously written best-selling fiction under other names. THE GIRL BEFORE was an instant New York Times and Sunday Times bestseller and was published in over 40 countries. The follow-up, BELIEVE ME, was also an international bestseller. THE PERFECT WIFE will be published summer 2019. For more information, go to http://www.jpdelaney.co.uk or follow @jpdelaneywriter on Facebook.

Book Synopsis:

Life is made up of countless moments. Moments that make us who we are. But what if they don’t unfold the way they’re supposed to…?

What if you get on the wrong bus, or don’t speak to the right person at a party, or stay in a job that isn’t for you? Will you miss your one chance at happiness? Or will happiness find you eventually, when the moment is right?

Meet Matthew and Myrtle. They have never really felt like they fitted – in life or with anyone else. But they are meant to be together – if only they can find each other.

A powerful and emotional story about missed chances, interwoven lives and the moments that define us.

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

My Review:

The Moments was an emotional, powerful and compelling story that will stay with me for a long time.

The story follows two families from the birth of their child through all the ups and downs life can throw at you. I think it’s fair to say that these families have their fair share of bad luck and it was quite heartbreaking at times to read about all that they go through. This was especially true when you realise all they have gone through by the time they reach their teenage years, as this is always an awkward and difficult time so I felt that the events had more of an impact on me.

The story is written in such a way that the reader feels like they are experiencing everything as the characters so feels everything they are feeling more acutely, like it’s happening to them. This along with the different writing style made me feel very involved in the story and my heart broke for Matthew and Myrtle as they grow up. I kept wishing I could reach into the book and give them both a huge hug.

I found this story to be a very absorbing, compelling one that I found hard to put down at times as I wanted to keep reading to find out what happens to the characters. Matthew and Myrtle’s story is told in alternative chapters which often finish on a dramatic moment meaning I was desperate to get back to their thread, only for the other story to also end dramatically so I had to keep reading! I loved watching the two characters grow and develop throughout the book with both feeling like old friends towards the end so I was sad to leave them. I will be recommending this book to everyone! If you loved Kristin Hannah’s, The Night Road, then I think you’ll like this one as I felt the styles were similar.

Huge thanks to Alianna from Orion for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Orion for my copy of this book via Netgalley.

About The Author:

Natalie Winter is from Hertfordshire and has worked as a content editor in various media industries for the last fourteen years. She has lived in Australia, New Zealand and Canada, among other places, and now currently resides in Bristol with her scruffy rescue dog.