Book Synopsis:

When the mother of a missing two-year-old girl is seriously injured in a suspected terrorist attack in Oslo, crime-fighting duo Blix and Ramm join forces to investigate the case, and things aren’t adding up … The second instalment in an addictive, atmospheric, award-winning series.

‘An exercise in literary tag-teaming from two of Norway’s biggest crime writers with a bold new take … a series with potential’ Sunday Times 

‘Grim, gory and filled with plenty of dark twists … There’s definitely a Scandinavian chill in the air with this fascinating read’ Sun

‘Alongside Jo Nesbo’s Knife, Smoke Screen is this summer’s most anticipated read, and it doesn’t disappoint’ Tvedestrandsposten, Norway

__________________

Oslo, New Year’s Eve. The annual firework celebration is rocked by an explosion, and the city is put on terrorist alert. 

Police officer Alexander Blix and blogger Emma Ramm are on the scene, and when a severely injured survivor is pulled from the icy harbour, she is identified as the mother of two-year-old Patricia Smeplass, who was kidnapped on her way home from kindergarten ten years earlier … and never found.

Blix and Ramm join forces to investigate the unsolved case, as public interest heightens, the terror threat is raised, and it becomes clear that Patricia’s disappearance is not all that it seems…

Smoke Screen is out in ebook and paperback now. You can purchase your copy using the link below or through your local indie bookstore.

My Review:

Smoke Screen is a thrilling read which is shocking at times and quite emotional in places. I’m a huge fan of this series so I was very excited to read this book.

It was great to be back with the dynamic duo of Blix and Ramm again especially as they have to be one of my favourite literary detective teams! Once again the authors grabbed my attention from the start and I soon found myself thrown into the story. I quickly found myself unable to put the book down which was just what I needed after a stressful day homeschooling.

As expected the plot was very intriguing and twisty which I always throughly enjoy. There were lots of different threads to try and untangle at once so I honestly couldn’t tell which way the story was going at some points! The authors have a great way of describing the events in the book so I felt like I was there watching everything unfold right in front of me. This often made what was happening more hard hitting and I found myself getting quite involved in everything that was going on.

As mentioned previously I love following Blix and Ramm on their investigation but it was nice to see Kovic getting more of a mention in this book too. I really liked getting to know her more and finding out more about her. She has obviously been affected by previous cases but it was to see her come into her own in this book.

Overall I though this was a fantastic, absorbing read which I thoroughly enjoyed. The excitement and tension in the book is there from the start which makes it a very fast read. As the book continues the excitement slowly increases until it becomes almost unbearable. I found myself staying up too late at night trying to finish a chapter and at one point had to go downstairs again to continue as I was keeping my husband awake. The ending was brilliant and very satisfying. I can’t wait to read more from this series in the future.

Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Orenda for my copy of this book. If you are looking for a thrilling new crime series, I thoroughly recommend this one!

About The Author:

Jørn Lier Horst and Thomas Enger are the internationally bestselling Norwegian authors of the William Wisting and Henning Juul series respectively. Jørn Lier Horst first rose to literary fame with his No. 1 internationally bestselling William Wisting series. A former investigator in the Norwegian police, Horst imbues all his works with an unparalleled realism and suspense. Thomas Enger is the journalist-turned-author behind the internationally acclaimed and bestselling Henning Juul series. Enger’s trademark has become a darkly gritty voice paired with key social messages and tight plotting. Besides writing fiction for both adults and young adults, Enger also works as a music composer. Death Deserved was Jørn Lier Horst & Thomas Enger’s first co-written thriller. They are currently working on the third book in the Blix & Ramm series.

Book Synopsis:

Falling in love makes you foolhardy…

Hal Dillon is back at home with Jo and the family, resolved to put his poignant romance with Angela Swayne on the island of Crete firmly behind him. Until a magazine article brings her right back to the forefront of his mind…

Jo sees everyone in the family off on their travels. Alone, her dormant wanderlust bursts into life and on impulse she sets out to drive up the Great North Road. And on the wild and dramatic Northumberland coast, someone is waiting for her.

Meanwhile, Angela is distracted from her heartache by the arrival of a stranger with a surprising proposition. Barely pausing to think whether or not it’s wise, she finds herself on a ferry to Brittany and discovers life is about to take a totally unexpected turn… both for her and the man she is with.

A Slight Folly is now available in ebook and paperback. You can purchase your copy using the link below or through your local indie bookstore.

Early Reviews:

‘Elizabeth Harris writes with sensitivity and skill’ – Barbara Erksine, bestselling author of Lady of Hay

‘Enigmatic… the author really captures the imagination’ – Sunday Independent

Ooh this book sound very intriguing, I can’t wait to read it! Congratulations to the author on its publication !

About The Author:

Elizabeth Harris was born in Cambridge and brought up in Kent, where she now lives. After graduation she did a variety of jobs including driving a van, being a lifeguard and working in the Civil Service. She lived in Hong Kong for three years and travelled extensively in Europe and America, and lived for some years in the Far East. Elizabeth Harris was one of the finalists of the 1989 Ian St James Awards.

Book Synopsis:

I watched in awe as Miz Rosa stopped those men on the bus with her clear, calm “no” and I thought about that word. What if I said no? What if I refused to follow the path these White folks wanted for us? What if I kept this precious baby?

Montgomery, Alabama, 1955
On a cold December evening, Mattie Banks packs a suitcase and leaves her family home. Sixteen years old and pregnant, she has already made the mistake that will ruin her life and disgrace her widowed mother. Boarding the 2857 bus, she sits with her case on her lap, hoping that the driver will take her away from disaster. Instead, Mattie witnesses an act of bravery by a woman named Rosa Parks that changes everything. But as Mattie strives to turn her life around, the dangers that first led her to run are never far away. Forging a new life in a harsh world at constant risk of exposure, Mattie will need to fight to keep her baby safe.

Atlanta, Georgia, present day
Ashlee Turner is going home. Her relationship in ruins, her career held back by prejudice, she is returning to the family who have always been her rock. But Ashlee’s home is not the safe haven she remembers. Her beloved grandmother is dying and is determined to share her story before she leaves…

When Ashlee finds a stack of yellowing letters hidden in her nana’s closet, she can’t help the curiosity that compels her to read, and she uncovers an old secret that could wreak havoc on her already grieving family. As she tries to make sense of what she has learned, Ashlee faces a devastating choice: to protect her loved ones from the revelations, or honor her grandmother’s wishes and follow the path to the truth, no matter where it may lead.

For readers of The Help, Orphan Train and Before We Were Yours comes a beautiful and heartbreaking novel about redemption, family secrets and the spirit of survival found at the hardest time.

The Girl At The Back Of The Bus is available in ebook and paperback now. You can purchase your copy using the link below.

My Review:

This was an emotional and absorbing story that will be staying with me for long time.

Firstly I must confess to not having known much about the events in this book I think I knew that someone had stood up against the injustices of segregation but I don’t think I knew who or what happened. I therefore really enjoyed reading more about the social injustice of the time and the fight for equality. I found it very interesting to see how black people were treated, I had no idea that the racism and inequality was such an everyday thing so it was fascinating to learn about it. Some of the scenes described made my blood boil and I found my self very glad that things aren’t like that now.

The characters in the book were all strong, women which I loved reading about. My favourite was definitely Mattie and I really enjoyed reading her story. I loved her drive and determination to make things better which I really admired her for. It was interesting to read about her experiences and see how they influenced her family, particularly Ashlee. Her story was the most interesting for me and I found myself rushing through the other parts to get back to hers. I would have loved to have her courage to try and make a difference.

This was a fast paced absorbing read which I thoroughly enjoyed and found hard to put down. I loved how the secrets where slowly revealed and how the two stories intertwined. I found myself completely involved in the story and on the side of the characters. I found myself very sad to finish the story and leave the fantastic characters behind.

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

About The Author:

Suzette D. Harrison, a native Californian and the middle of three daughters, grew up in a home where reading was required, not requested. Her literary “career” began in junior high school with the publishing of her poetry. While Mrs. Harrison pays homage to Alex Haley, Gloria Naylor, Alice Walker, Langston Hughes, and Toni Morrison as legends who inspired her creativity, it was Dr. Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings that unleashed her writing. The award-winning author of Taffy is a wife and mother who holds a culinary degree in Pastry & Baking. Mrs. Harrison is currently cooking up her next novel…in between batches of cupcakes.

Good morning everyone and welcome back to Music Monday. We took a bit of a break in January as we tried to figure out the stresses of home schooling but we are back now and today I’m featuring the wonderful Michael Barnum and his lates EP Breaking Habits.

Michael is an singer songwriter from Southern California who also streams on twitch. He’s always on in the morning for me and I’m a big fan of his wholesome, relaxing streams that always manage to put a smile on my face. He’s incredibly caring and always remembers what his community have been up to and helps those who need cheering up. He always greets me with a rendition of Joanna from Sweeny Todd which always cheers me up. There is an extra counter on his stream for the times when he’s put himself out and done stuff to make others feel better or make them laugh which just shows how lovely he is.

Michael streams on twitch three times a week and you can watch his streams on the link below. Twitch is free to watch and if you are an Amazon Prime then you get a free subscription to any channel on twitch.

https://www.twitch.tv/barnumichael

Music:

Michael has some really amazing original music which is available to listen to on all major streaming platforms as listed below. His favourite of mine though is his fantastic Money Song which I frequently request on his stream, along with his amazing rendition of Nothing by Bruno Major (sorry Michael). The Money Song was also the first song that he made a video for which is another reason to love it!

Michael recently gave up his job to follow his heart and focus on music and this is shown in this fun video!

How To Listen:

Michael’s music is available to listen to on all the major music platforms. Including:

Spotify:

Apple Music:

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/michael-barnum/1150085789

You Tube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvNTng3I_z6SNnbGkzKxGWg

Tik Tok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@michaelbsingsalot?

Music Monday Playlist:

You can now listen to Michael and all the other previous Music Monday artists on a special Spotify playlist! If you enjoy listening why not give it a like or a follow!

Book Synopsis:

As Spitfires roar overhead and a dark figure stalks the village of Woodville, a young woman will discover her destiny . . .

Faye Bright always felt a little bit different. And today she’s found out why. She’s just stumbled across her late mother’s diary which includes not only a spiffing recipe for jam roly-poly, but spells, incantations, runes and recitations . . . a witch’s notebook.

And Faye has inherited her mother’s abilities. 

Just in time, too. The Crow Folk are coming. Led by the charismatic Pumpkinhead, their strange magic threatens Faye and the villagers. Armed with little more than her mum’s words, her trusty bicycle, the grudging help of two bickering old ladies, and some aggressive church bellringing, Faye will find herself on the front lines of a war nobody expected.

For fans of Lev Grossman and Terry Pratchett comes this delightful novel of war, mystery and a little bit of magic . . .

The Crow Folk is available in ebook and paperback now. You can purchase your copy from the link below or through your local indie bookstore.

My Review:

The Crow Folk was a very absorbing, intriguing and original book that I thoroughly enjoyed. It helped take me away from reality for a little bit which I really needed.

This book appealed to me from the off with its intriguing combination of historical fiction and magic which was brilliantly done. Events from WW2 are seamlessly combined with magical events in a really realistic way which made me think it could actually have happened. I found it fascinating to see these two worlds come together and I soon found myself absorbed into the wonderful world the author had created.

I loved the main character Faye who was an easy character to get behind. I really liked that she was different from other girls her age and that she aspired to more that just getting married. She’s a strong lady who isn’t afraid to say what she thinks even when it could get her into trouble. It was fascinating to learn more about magic alongside her and I found myself cheering her on, hoping she’d succeed.

The Crow Folk were interesting villains who were actually quite terrifying in their own way. I certainly would not like to meet them in the dark and would probably run away screaming at the sight of them. I thought it was very clever of the author to create such a scary, every day villain as it helped increase the tension in the book for me as I kept reading. I will definitely be avoiding scarecrows in future!

Overall I absolutely loved this book, which I will be recommending to all fans of both historical fiction and magic. The storyline was quite fast paced and there always seemed to be something happening to keep me reading. I have been in a bit of a reading slump recently and this was one of the books that helped pull me out of it as I couldn’t wait to escape back to Woodville to find out what was going to happen next. The cover hints that this is the start of a new series and I am very excited to read more!

Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Simon and Schuster for my copy of this book. If you are a fan of historical fiction or magic then you must read this book!

About The Author:

Mark Stay got a part-time Christmas job at Waterstone’s in the nineties (back when it still had an apostrophe) and somehow ended up working in publishing for over 25 years. He would write in his spare time and (he can admit this now) on company time, and sometimes those writings would get turned into books and films. 
Mark is also co-presenter of the Bestseller Experiment podcast, which has inspired writers all over the world to finish and publish their books. Born in London, he lives in Kent with Youtube gardener Claire Burgess and a declining assortment of retired chickens.
Come and say hello at markstaywrites.com

Book Synopsis:

What secrets are hidden within the walls of a desolate farmhouse in a forgotten corner of Lapland?

Early spring has its icy grip on Ödesmark, a small village in northernmost Sweden, abandoned by many of its inhabitants. But Liv Björnlund never left. She lives in a derelict house together with her teenage son, Simon, and her ageing father, Vidar. They make for a peculiar family, and Liv knows that they are cause for gossip among their few remaining neighbours.

Just why has Liv stayed by her domineering father’s side all these years? And is it true that Vidar is sitting on a small fortune? His questionable business decisions have made him many enemies over the years, and in Ödesmark everyone knows everyone, and no one ever forgets.

Now someone wants back what is rightfully theirs. And they will stop at nothing to get it, no matter who stands in their way…

The Last Snow is available in ebook and hardback now. You can purchase your copy using the link below or through your local indie bookstore.

My Review:

I’m a huge fan of this author so I was extremely excited to be invited onto the blog tour for The Last Snow her latest, amazing book. Once again the author has written a dark, intense and very atmospheric read which was very hard to put down. It’s going to be hard to review this book as I don’t want to give anything away.

Firstly this book isn’t just a murder mystery, it is actually so much more and there are some interesting topics discussed within it’s pages. I liked how the author manages to combine all of these without ruining any of the original story and all the different storylines ran smoothly alongside each other.

The author does a great job of describing the snowy, bleak landscape in the book so that I felt really able to imagine it in my mind. I felt that it helped add to all the action and drama that takes place throughout the book. It somehow made the actions of the characters more shocking which I thought was very clever.

This is a bit of a slow burn but it soon become very gripping as the story goes on. There is a bit of an underlying threat of violence and menace which made for very intriguing reading. I found that I couldn’t put the book down the further I got into it as I was desperate to see how everything ending. The ending was shocking and surprised me which I always love.

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

About The Author:

Stina Jackson (b. 1983) hails from the northern town of Skellefteå in Sweden. Just over a decade ago she relocated to Denver, Colorado, where she penned her debut novel, the acclaimed The Silver Road. A runaway bestseller, the novel established Jackson as a rising new star within Nordic suspense.

Book Synopsis:

Blake’s dead. His wife killed him. 
The question is: which one?

‘Utterly compelling’ MARIAN KEYES
‘Intense, gripping, superb’ WILL DEAN
‘Brilliantly twisty’ ELLY GRIFFITHS
‘Absolutely thrilling’ ALEX MICHAELIDES

*****

The only thing the three women had in common was their husband.
And, as of this morning, that they’re each accused of his murder.

Blake Nelson moved into a hidden stretch of land – a raw paradise in the wilds of Utah – where he lived with his three wives:

Rachel, the chief wife, obedient and doting to a fault.
Tina, the other wife, who is everything Rachel isn’t.
And Emily, the youngest wife, who knows little else.

When their husband is found dead under the desert sun, the questions pile up.
But none of the widows know who would want to kill a good man like Blake.

Or, at least, that’s what they’ll tell the police…

Black Widows is available in ebook and hardback now. You can preorder your copy using the link below or through your local indie bookstore.

My Review:

Black Widow was a very absorbing, dark read which I really enjoyed.

Firstly I loved the three main characters in this book and how different they were to each other. The author has done a great job in making them seem very realistic so that the reader is instantly sympathetic towards them. They are each very unique characters who have their own opinions and ideas which I thought was very clever. The story is told from each of their point of views alternatively and I enjoyed getting to know them, especially their past which helped me understand more about them.

I’ve got a bit of a fascination with cults so I found it very intriguing to learn more about the Mormon church and what life is like in a polygamist marriage. I like the way the author manages to portray both sides in the story so that we understand both the morman’s side and what life in the Morman church looked like for the out side. Whilst the descriptions of the woman’s life did make me feel sympathetic towards the women I also felt a little bit frustrated with them as I felt they could have done more to help themselves.

Overall I really enjoyed this fast paced, absorbing book. The chapters are short and action packed making it a very easy book to read. I kept promising myself I would just read one more chapter and looked up to find two hours had gone by. There were lots of twist and turns which kept me guessing until the end as it seemed all three women had great reasons for wanting Blake Dead. This is the first book I have read by this author and I’ll look forward to reading more from her in the future.

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

About The Author:

Cate Quinn is a travel and lifestyle journalist for The Times, the Guardian and the Mirror, alongside many magazines. Prior to this, Quinn’s background in historic research won prestigious postgraduate funding from the British Art Council. Quinn pooled these resources, combining historical research with first-hand experiences in far-flung places to create critically acclaimed and bestselling historical fiction.

Book Synopsis:

This is a story about taking a leap of faith
And believing the unbelievable
 
They say those we love never truly leave us, and I’ve found that to be true. But not in the way you might expect. In fact, none of this is what you’d expect.
 
I’ve been visiting my mother who died when I was eight.
And I’m talking about flesh and blood, tea-and-biscuits-on-the-table visiting here.
 
Right now, you probably think I’m going mad. 
Let me explain…
 
Although Faye is happy with her life, the loss of her mother as a child weighs on her mind even more now that she is a mother herself. So she is amazed when, in an extraordinary turn of events, she finds herself back in her childhood home in the 1970s. Faced with the chance to finally seek answers to her questions – but away from her own family – how much is she willing to give up for another moment with her mother?
 
Space Hopper is an original and poignant story about mothers, memories and moments that shape life.

Space Hopper is available in hardback and ebook now. You can purchase your copy by using the link below or through your local indie bookstore.

My Review:

Space Hopper was an incredibly moving, poignant and original story that will stay with me for a long time.

Firstly I absolutely loved the magical aspect of the story and I really enjoyed learning more about it throughout the book. As someone who’s sadly lost a few close relatives the idea that I could somehow contact them and spend some time with them is very appealing. It was therefore lovely to be able to experience this through Faye and see how the experience helps her. I liked the way the magical side of the story was present throughout the story as to often in similar books it is only there for a small part of it.

The main character Faye is a interesting main character and I felt instantly connected to her in the way she felt about being a mum. For me there is no greater fear than leaving my young children behind so I felt a lot of sympathy to how Faye was feeling about the loss of her mother. Louis, Faye’s best friend, is an absolute delight and managed to bring a lot of humour into the story. He is partially sighted and I liked this link with the author’s real life job of working with the RNIB. It was interesting to learn more about how it affects him and his perpective on what people with sight can see.

The author manages to weave some quite serious topics into the book whilst maintaining the uplifting and charming side of the story which I thought was very clever. The idea of faith, God, love and grief are all discussed within the story which was fascinating to follow. I think this would make it a very good book club read as I feel there would be lots to discuss.

Overall I really enjoyed this uplifting and quirky read which is hard to believe is the author’s debt. The plot is well developed and I was quickly absorbed into the story. I felt very sad when the book ended as I had to say goodbye to all the lovely characters and the lovely, magical world the author has created.

Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Simon and Schuster for my copy of this book via Netgalley. If you are looking for an original, charming read to escape reality for a little bit I highly recommend this book!

About The Author:

Helen Fisher spent her early life in America, but grew up mainly in Suffolk where she now lives with her two children. She studied Psychology at Westminster University and Ergonomics at UCL and worked as a senior evaluator in research at the RNIB. She is now a full-time author.Space Hopper is her first novel. She is currently working on her second novel.

Book Synopsis:

CAN YOU FALL IN LOVE WITH SOMEONE YOU’VE NEVER SEEN?

Alice and Alfie are strangers. But they sleep next to each other every night.

Alfie Mack has been in hospital for months recovering from an accident. A new face on the ward is about as exciting as life gets for him right now, so when someone moves into the bed next to him he’s eager to make friends. But it quickly becomes clear that seeing his neighbour’s face won’t happen any time soon.

Alice Gunnersley has been badly burned and can’t even look at herself yet, let alone allow anyone else to see her. She keeps the curtain around her bed firmly closed, but it doesn’t stop Alfie trying to get to know her. And gradually, as he slowly brings Alice out of her shell, might there even be potential for more?

Before I Saw You is available in ebook and hardback now . You can purchase your copy using the link below or through your local indie bookstore.

My Review:

Before I Saw You is a heartwarming, fun book which is surprisingly emotional in places.

I absolutely loved Alfie, one of the main characters who was a very funny, positive person who it was easy to warm to. His easy conversations and banter with the other patients was great to read about and had me chuckling out loud on a few occasions. I had to admire him his determination to try and get Alice to talk to him when many would have probably given up.

The story alternates between Alfie and Alice which lets the reader get to know more about them. Through this we learn more about their past and what brought them to the rehabilitation ward. I found it very insightful to be able to learn more about the character’s emotion state throughout the book and it was quite emotional at times to see how the two of them have struggled with what has happened. I liked the way that the author doesn’t sugar coat this, when I think it would have been easy to do, but instead has made it quite realistic with how the two characters have to learn to live with the realities of their new lives.

The book is quite a page turner and I found it difficult to put down at times as I was enjoying the interaction between the characters. The plot is a bit predictable at times but I actually liked this as I felt I could relax into the story and just enjoy watching it develop. The ending was very interesting and I liked that the author doesn’t tie everything neatly into a bow but instead leaves it open ended so the reader can imagine what happened for themselves.

This is the first book that I have read by this author and I’d definitely be interested in reading more from her in the future – especially if it was a sequel to this lovely book!

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

About The Author:

Emily Houghton was a digital specialist, but is now a full-time creative writer. She originally comes from Essex but now lives in London. Emily is a trained yoga and spin teacher, completely obsessed with dogs and has dreamt of being an author ever since she could hold a pen.