Book Synopsis:

ON AN ORDINARY WORKING DAY…

Leila Syed receives a call that cleaves her life in two. Her brother-in-law’s voice is filled with panic. His son’s nursery has called to ask where little Max is.

YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE…

Leila was supposed to drop Max off that morning. But she forgot.

Racing to the carpark, she grasps the horror of what she has done.

IS ABOUT TO COME TRUE…

What follows is an explosive, high-profile trial that will tear the family apart. But as the case progresses it becomes clear there’s more to this incident than meets the eye…

A gripping, brave and tense courtroom drama, Next of Kin will keep you on the edge of your seat until the final, heart-stopping page.

Next Of Kin is available in ebook and hardback now. You can purchase your copy using the links below.

My Review:

Next Of Kin was a gripping, emotional read that will stay with me for a long time.

I was soon drawn into the story and into the horrendous situation the characters find themselves in. It’s a situation that sadly is quite realistic as we’ve all read similar stories in the news. I liked the way the author approached the subject though as, although hard to read at times, I felt that it was sensitively described and the harder details weren’t overdone. My heart did break for the parents as I read and I found myself wondering how on earth I’d react in a similar situation.

The relationship between the characters was fascinated to explore throughout the book as what on the surface seems a very happy, together relationship is in fact a very complicated one full of jealousy and long held resentment. It was interesting to learn more about this and to dig into their past to further understand the their history. There are some very thought provoking subjects discussed in this book about the concept of motherhood, the competition between women and the need to tear each other down which would be perfect for book club discussions.

Overall I thought this was a very interesting read which I will be recommending to fans if the genre. It was fascinating to follow the case in court and to find out more about the lead up to the events. The tension soon increases to the point where it is almost impossible to put the book down and my heart was in my mouth as I watched the story unfold. I can’t wait to read more from her in the future!

Huge thanks to Sian from HQ stories for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book via netgalley.

About The Author:

Kia Abdullah is an author and travel writer from London. She has written for The New York Times, the Guardian and the Telegraph, and is the author of Truth Be Told and Take It Back, which was named one of the best thrillers of the year by the Guardian and the Telegraph.

Kia frequently contributes to the BBC, commenting on a variety of issues affecting the British Asian community, and is the founder of Asian Booklist, a site that helps readers discover new books by British Asian authors. Kia also runs Atlas & Boots, a travel blog read by 250,000 people a month. For more information about Kia and her writing, visit her website at kiaabdullah.com, or follow her at @KiaAbdullah on Instagram and Twitter.

Book Synopsis:

THE NEW NOVEL IN THE MILLION-COPY SELLING DETECTIVE GERALDINE STEEL SERIES

When a sex worker dies in suspicious circumstances in York, Detective Inspector Geraldine Steel struggles to remain focused on the murder investigation: she is distracted by her worries about her colleague and life partner, Ian Peterson, who has disappeared. As Geraldine becomes close to her new DS, Matthew, she is unaware that Ian is working undercover in London, trying to identify a criminal gang who have been targeting her.

As a second victim is discovered in York, and Ian’s life is threatened by a psychopath the tension mounts. If he fails in his mission, both he and Geraldine may die…

Deep Cover is available in ebook and paperback now. You can purchase your copy using the links below.

My Review:

Deep cover was a hugely enjoyable, gripping read that I thoroughly enjoyed and another great addition to this fabulous series.

Firstly it was great to be back with Geraldine, her team and it was really nice to see Ian again. The story is told from both Geraldine’s and Ian’s point of view in alternate chapters, which gives the reader two different stories to follow. Both plots were excellently developed and I enjoyed watching them both unfold. I liked how they were both connected but separate too as it was fun to try and predict how the two stories would join.

There has been a lot going on in Geraldine’s personal life through the series and it’s fair to say she has been through quite a lot. I always enjoyed strong women characters in a book and once again Geraldine’s determination was evident throughout the story. It was nice to see a slightly softer side to her as she seemed worried about everything she’d lost. Ian surprised me as I’d always thought him to be the gentle side of the partnership but he seemed quite tough in this book as he easily fit into the brutal drug world he’s asked to infiltrate.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and flew through it in a couple of days. There was lots of action, drama and tension that kept me reading as well as some great twists that I didn’t see coming. There were some interesting sub plots which I hope might be explored more in a future book as well as a new character who I hope we’ll see more of. I can’t wait to read the next installment now.

Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and to No Exit Press for my copy of this book. If you are a fan of crime fiction then you need to read this series!

About The Author:

Leigh Russell is the author of the internationally bestselling Geraldine Steel series: Cut Short, Road Closed, Dead End, Death Bed, Stop Dead, Fatal Act, Killer Plan, Murder Ring, Deadly Alibi, Class Murder, Death Rope, Rogue Killer, Deathly Affair, Deadly Revenge and the upcoming Evil Impulse. The series has sold over a million copies worldwide. Cut Short was shortlisted for the Crime Writers Association (CWA) John Creasey New Blood Dagger Award, and Leigh has been longlisted for the CWA Dagger in the Library Award. Her books have been #1 on Amazon Kindle and iTunes with Stop Dead and Murder Ring selected as finalists for The People’s Book Prize. Leigh is chair of the CWA’s Debut Dagger Award judging panel and is a Royal Literary Fellow. Leigh studied at the University of Kent, gaining a Masters degree in English and American Literature. She is married with two daughters and a granddaughter, and lives in London.

Book Synopsis:

Set in the Deep South pre Gone with the Wind and the Civil War, The Wedding Gift is a compelling and powerful story of slavery, abuse and passion.

‘I do not know precisely how old I was when I realized that I was a slave, but I think that I was six, the year I began helping with cooking, cleaning, and all that we had to do in the Allen household.’

When wealthy plantation owner Cornelius Allen marries off his daughter Clarissa, he presents her with a wedding gift: a young slave woman called Sarah.

The two girls have grown up together but their lives could not have been more different. Clarissa is white and is used to a life of privilege and ease. Sarah is black and is used to a life of slavery and hard work.

Forbidden by law to leave the plantation, Sarah longs to be free – in mind and in body.

But when she decides her future lies away from Clarissa, she sets in motion a series of events that will have devastating consequences for them both.

The Wedding Gift is available in all formats now. You can purchase your copy using the links below.

My Review:

The Wedding Gift is an emotional, absorbing story which will stay with me.

The story is told from two points of view of both slave and Slave owner which I thought was very interesting. It was fascinating to learn more about life on the plantation from the two sides and to see how different their lives were. My heart broke for the poor slaves and the hardships they had to endure. It was incredibly emotional to see how cruelly they were treated by the plantation overseers and owners. I found myself getting very angry on their behalf and wished I could somehow help them.

The characters were great creations who I enjoyed following throughout the book. I felt completely drawn into their lives and soon found that I really cared for them. The lovely camaraderie that existed between the slaves was wonderful to read about, especially how they all looked after each others children when they were targeted by the overseers or covered for each other when they were working. It really made me warm to them and I found I had to keep reading to find out what happens to them.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and will be recommending it to others. The story was well paced and the many different parts of the story kept me reading, often far too late into the night. The story is written as a slave from the time might have spoken which took a little bit of getting used to but I think actually helped set the scene for me. The twist near the end was very unexpected but hugely satisfying and I found myself quite sad to end.

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

About The Author:

MARLEN SUYAPA BODDEN is a lawyer at The Legal Aid Society in New York City, the nation’s oldest and largest law firm for the poor. She drew on her knowledge of modern and historical slavery, human trafficking, and human rights abuses to write The Wedding Gift, her first novel. Marlen is a graduate of New York University School of Law and Tufts University. In 2012, the University of Rhode Island awarded Marlen an honorary Doctor of Laws degree.

Book Synopsis:

Does your past define your future?

When her daughter was born with cystic fibrosis, Kate Micklethwaite vowed that Daisy would never be defined by the illness. Kate is determined that her perfect little girl will be known for her love of butterflies and croissants and nothing else. Kate does all she can to be the perfect mother – whatever that means – and yet, somehow, has started seeing herself the way others see her: single parent, source of small-town scandal, drop-out, former mistress. Half a family.

When Daisy starts school, Kate meets her new teacher, the kind and charming Mr Spencer Swanson. Now, with more time on her hands Kate can start thinking about her own future. With her Open University dissertation deadline looming, Kate needs to decide what she wants next. But as she and Spencer get to know each other, Kate notices that people are whispering behind her back once more . . .

Nobody’s Perfect is available in ebook and paperback now. You can purchase your copy using the links below.

My Review:

Nobody’s Perfect is a beautifully written, emotional and heartwarming read that was very thought provoking.

I was soon pulled into the story and into Kate’s life. I knew a little about Cystic Fibrosis before I started reading but I had no idea how much was involved in looking after someone with the condition. The delicate balancing act of getting the right amount of food and exercise a day must be mentally draining, especially when also trying to ensure infections don’t happen. I felt a lot of sympathy with Kate because of this as it must be so hard.

There were some interesting characters who I enjoyed following throughout the book. I found Kate quite a difficult character at first though she did grow on my as the book went on. Her hectic life caring for Daisy must be very hard but she seemed so black and white in her opinions sometimes which did grate on me a bit. I found myself wishing I could go into the story to talk to her and tell her not to be so prickly sometimes. Daisy was a lovely little girl who it was a joy to read about. I liked that she didn’t seem that affected by her condition and she often made me smile as I read.

Overall I really enjoyed this book which which will stay with me for a long time. There is a great pace to the book which made the book very readable with some very emotional moments that seemed so real I felt I was there experiencing everything alongside the characters. The romance between Kate and Spencer was lovely to see develop, especially as it helped changed Kate for the better I felt.

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

About The Author:

Stephanie Butland lives near the sea in the North East of England. She writes in a studio at the bottom of her garden. Researching her novels has turned her into an occasional performance poet and tango dancer.

Book Synopsis:

ANYONE CAN BE EXTRAORDINARY. BUT IT COMES AT A PRICE…

Neil Narayan’s parents moved to America for a better life, and his perfect older sister is now headed to an elite university. Neil is funny and smart, but he is not living up to his parents’ dream. While he tries to want their version of success, mostly, Neil just wants his neighbour across the street, Anita Dayal.

Once a lot like Neil, Anita is truly thriving academically, athletically and socially. Anita has a secret: she and her mother Anjali have been brewing an ancient alchemical potion from stolen gold that harnesses the ambition of the jewellery’s original owner. Anita just needs a little boost to get into Harvard. When Neil – who needs a whole lot more – stumbles onto their secret and joins in the plot, events spiral into a tragedy that rips their community apart.

Ten years later, Neil is an oft-stoned history grad student studying the California gold rush. Anita has given up her high-flying tech career and is working as an event planner, just for now. Anjali, the woman who gave them both so much, is in trouble, and only gold can save her. What choice do Anita and Neil have but to pull off one last heist?

Gold Diggers is a dazzling coming-of-age story that speaks to anyone who ever wondered quite how they belong, and who ever dreamed of being the very best they could be.

My Review:

Gold Diggers is a captivating coming of age story that I found very thought provoking.

Firstly I alway like books that merge genres and are slightly quirky so I found this book quite enjoyable. It was interesting to learn more about what it’s like to be an immigrant in America and to follow Neil as he tries to become more Americanised. As a parent myself I often find it very interesting to follow books like this and work through the problems with the characters. I like thinking about how I would have dealt with certain situations in comparison with how the characters in the book do.

The story is told in two parts one following Neil through highschool and one ten years later as a college student. I liked following the two time lines and seeing how the characters had changed over the years. The gold drink created by Anita brings a fun almost magical element to the story which was fun to follow and helped create some of the more humourous moments in the story. I did wonder if the gold drink was meant to be a symbol of Neil’s families hopes or his parents dreams for his future but I’m not sure if that’s just me trying to find deeper meaning in things.

Overall I thought this was a fun, fast paced read that manages to be fun one moment and thought provoking the next. I think it would make a great book club read as I think there would be lots to discuss.

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

About The Author:

A Paul and Daisy Soros fellow, Sanjena Sathian is a 2019 graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. She has worked as a reporter in Mumbai and San Francisco, with nonfiction bylines for The New Yorker, The New York Times, Food & Wine, The Boston Globe, The San Francisco Chronicle, and more. And her award-winning short fiction has been published in Boulevard, Joyland, Salt Hill, and The Master’s Review.

Book Synopsis:

Tell me the story of how you two met…

Laura has built a career out of interviewing people about their epic real life love stories.

When she picks up the wrong suitcase at the airport, Laura wonders if this could be the start of something that’s written in the stars.

From piano sheet-music to a battered copy of her favourite book, Laura finds in the bag evidence of everything she could hope for in a partner.

If Laura’s job has taught her anything it’s that when it comes to love, you can’t let opportunity pass you by. Now Laura is determined to track down the owner of the suitcase, and her own happy ending.

But what if fate has other ideas?

Just Haven’t Met You Yet is published in ebook on the 1st September 2021 and paperback on the 11th November 2021. You can pre-order your copy using the links below.

My Review:

Just Haven’t Met You Yet is an uplifting, fun book that had me laughing out loud and cringing in equal measure.

Firstly I absolutely loved the beautiful descriptions of Jersey which have made me want to visit the island. They were really vivid and really helped me picture the island in my mind. I loved all the different areas and delights the island had to offer, especially how the two sides of the island were so different from each other. There seemed to be a wonderful community there too which was great to experience alongside the characters. I often found myself wishing that I was there with them as part of their group.

Laura was an interesting main character who I enjoyed following throughout the book. I wasn’t completely sure I liked her to begin with as I found some of her romantic ideals a bit exasperating but she grew on me as the story continued. She’s a very realistic character and I found her slightly clumsy nature quite endearing. The author includes her inner thoughts into the story which often had me laughing out loud as I read and made me warm to her even more.

The story was very entertaining and I soon found myself drawn into the story. There were many different threads running through the book, including some I weren’t expecting which I found very enjoyable. I soon found myself unable to put the book down as I was really invested in Laura’s story and I has to keep reading to find out what happens. I did guess fairly early on what was going to happen but I enjoyed going along for the journey with her and watching everything unravel.

I highly recommend this book to everyone wanting a romantic, escapist read and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

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

About The Author:

Sophie Cousens worked in TV in London for over twelve years, producing The Graham Norton Show, Big Brother and Ant and Dec. She now lives in Jersey and balances her writing career with working for an arts charity and taking care of her two small children. This Time Next Year is her first novel.

Good morning everyone I’m on the blog tour for Lies Like Wildfire today and I’m delighted to be sharing Roberts review for this book.

Robert is my godson and a very enthusiastic reader. When I mentioned the book to him he was very excited and quickly volunteered to review it for me!

You can read Robert’s review a bit further down.

Book Synopsis:

The monsters have known each other their whole lives. This is their final summer before college – time to hang out, fall in love and dream about the future.

Until they accidentally start a forest fire which destroys their hometown and leaves death in its wake.

Desperate for the truth to remain hidden, the group make a pact of silence.

But the twisted secret begins to spin out of control and when one of the friends disappears they all become suspects.

We know how it starts but where does it end?

Secrets and lies are everywhere in this compulsive page-turner, perfect for fans of One of Us is Lying.

Lies Like Wildfire is published in ebook and hardback on the 7th September 2021. You can pre-order your copy using the links below.

Robert’s Review:

Lies Like Wildfire by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez is full of drama, fear and the constant tension throughout that makes it so hard to put down. It is an extremely well crafted book that hooks the reader in, refusing to let go of their mind even when they find the strength to fold the page and close it.

The book is set in a small rural town called Gap Mountain, California. The main characters are the ‘monsters’ – Hannah, Mo, Violet, Luke, and Drummer, – Hannah’s dad (the sheriff), Lulu Sandoval (Violet’s grandmother), and Justin.

The book begins with a group of friends, nicknamed the ‘monsters’, meeting up for their last summer together before they leave for college, and all they want is to be happy and have fun. They visit a wood on the edge of the impossibly deep and mysterious Gap Lake, wary of the fact that it is currently fire season. However, when Hannnah, the main character, grabs Luke’s arm in a moment of anger because he has brought a pipe into “a tinderbox called a forest”, their summer together implodes catastrophically.

As Hannah grabs his arm, the pipe falls from his hand, causing a small fire. The group of 5 desperately attempt to douse the flames, but it’s too late, the dry pine needles and strong winds have fuelled the fire into something out of control, raging. The friends flee the scene, and later agree a pact of silence, as they all have their own reasons for keeping their involvement a secret. Hannah will do anything to keep the truth from surfacing, pushing herself to the edge many times. The lies pile up and up, until a fragile tower is built, keeping the 5 just above the fiery tongues of the law. How long will it last?

Alvarez’s style of writing is fast-paced, unpredictable, and utterly gripping. The book is aimed at people who are around 13 years+. In my opinion, this book is absolutely amazing. I would place it in the top 5 of any book I have ever read, and therefore would recommend to anyone that you should read it as soon as you can.

About The Author:

Jennifer Lynn Alvarez is the author of two middle grade fantasy series, The Guardian Herd and Riders of the Realm, and she holds a degree in English from UC Berkeley. She lives in Sonoma County, California and consulted with the Sonoma County Fire District Deputy Chief and a detective at the San Francisco District Attorney’s office in relation to this novel. You can follow her on Instagram @jennifer_lynn_alvarez or Twitter @Jenniferdiaries. Visit her online at jenniferlynnalvarez.com

Book Synopsis:

Till death do us part . . .

Lucy has dreamt of her wedding day for as long as she can remember.

And now the day is almost here. Her nearest and dearest are gathered on an idyllic Greek island and she just knows it’s going to be perfect. It has to be.

But even the best-laid plans can go horribly wrong. Why are her parents behaving so strangely? Why won’t the rather odd lady from the airport stop hanging around? Who is the silent stranger her sister brought as a plus-1?

And then they find the body.

It’s going to be a day to remember.

The Wedding Party is available in ebook and paperback now. The ebook is currently the amazing price of 99p! You can purchase your copy using the links below.

My Review:

The Wedding Party was another fun, twisty and gripping read from this amazing author!

I soon found myself drawn into the story and the stressful world of wedding madness that surrounds Lucy’s wedding. From our first meeting with the characters the reader becomes aware that things aren’t quite as happy families as Lucy hopes. There are lots of secrets being hiden by the members of the wedding party and it was deliciously fun to see everything come out in the open.

The characters are all interesting creations that I enjoyed following throughout the book. None are particularly likeable which made the story easier to enjoy in my opinion as I felt I could just relax and observe. I thought it was very clever how the author slowly revealed different parts of the character’s personalities as the story went on, so what initially seem like very superficial personalities actually have a lot more depth to them.

Overall i really enjoyed this book which I managed to finish in a couple days. There’s a great pace to the book from the start which slowly increases as we get to know the characters and discover the secrets they’ve been hiding. There are a few twists along the way which kept me guessing and I found the book hard to put down as I wanted to know what would be revealed and when. The ending took me completely by surprise and had me turning back through the pages to reread parts of the story.

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

About The Author:

Tammy Cohen is the author of six psychological thrillers, the latest of which is Stop At Nothing. She is fascinated by the darker side of human psychology. Her books explore how ‘ordinary’ people react when pushed into a corner, the parts of ourselves we hide from the world – and from ourselves. Previously she also wrote three commercial women’s fiction novels as Tamar Cohen debuting with The Mistress’s Revenge which was translated all round the world. In addition, she has written three historical novels under the pseudonym of Rachel Rhys. The first, Dangerous Crossing, was a Richard & Judy book club pick in Autumn 2017. She is a member of the Killer Women crime writing collective and lives in North London with her partner and three (allegedly) grown up children and her highly neurotic rescue dog.

Visit http://www.tammycohen.co.uk to find out more, or find her on facebook or twitter as @MsTamarCohen or on Instagram as @tammycohenwriter.

Book Synopsis:

He’s missing, presumed dead. But she still can’t escape.

Charlotte and Sam were partners. In life, and in crime. They never stole from anyone who couldn’t afford it. Wealthy clients, luxury cruise ships. It was easy money, and harmless. At least, that’s what Charlotte told herself, until the world caved in on her.

But now, years after she tried to put that past life behind her, it comes rushing back when her estranged ex-husband Sam suddenly goes missing – and someone threatens to expose what they did.

Desperate to escape whoever is tormenting her, Charlotte takes a job as events planner for an engagement party onboard a superyacht in the Caribbean. For a while, her plan seems to have worked, nothing but open ocean and clear skies ahead. Until it becomes clear that she’s no longer a thousand miles away from harm.

Because whoever is behind it all is onboard too. And now there’s nowhere left to run.

The Ex-husband is published today in hardback and ebook now. You can purchase your copy using the links below.

My Review:

The Ex-husband is a fun, gripping and escapist read that would be perfect for taking on holiday this summer.

Firstly I loved the location of this book as I’ve always loved boat holidays and would love to go on a yacht one day as they sound amazing. The author’s vivid descriptions of the beautiful scenery and sunny locations had me imaging that I was actually there too which was hugely enjoyable.

The story is told in alternate chapters from the past, when Charlotte used to be a con artist with husband Sam, and the present when she is trying to start a new life as an events planner. The characters are great creations and are so well developed that it felt like any of them could behind things. The boat setting helps create a closed room scenario where you know the culprit must be on board and I found it great fun trying to unpick things to discover who it was.

I did guess the ending but this didn’t detract from my overall enjoyment of the book and I found I was very satisfied with the ending. There are perhaps hints of a sequel which I’m hoping will happen as I’d love to read more.

Huge thanks to Rosie from Wildfire for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book.

About The Author:

Karen Hamilton spent her childhood in Angola, Zimbabwe, Belgium and Italy and worked as a flight attendant for many years. Karen is a recent graduate of the Faber Academy and, having now put down roots in Hampshire to raise her young family with her husband, she satisfies her wanderlust by exploring the world through her writing. The Perfect Girlfriend is her first novel.

Book Synopsis:

Ten years of marriage.
Ten years of secrets.
An anniversary they’ll never forget.

Adam and Amelia are spending the weekend in the Scottish Highlands. The remote location is perfect for what they have planned.

But when their romantic trip takes a dark turn, they both start to wonder – can they trust the one they’re with?

Because every couple tells little white lies. Only for Adam and Amelia, the truth is far more dangerous.

Rock, Paper Scissors is published on the 19th August 2021 in ebook and paperback. You can pre-order your copy using the links below.

My Review:

Oh I did enjoy this creepy, gripping read that I read in two days as I really couldn’t put it down. It’s going to be a hard book to review as I really don’t want to give anything away.

The story follows Adam and Amelia (great couple names) as they are traveling to a romantic weekend away in the hope of saving their marriage. Things quickly become creepy when they arrive and not only does no one come to greet them but when they go exploring they discover the bedroom is exactly like their one at home. More creepy things happen as the story goes on and I soon found myself on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next

I thought none of the characters were particularly likeable which made this an easier book to read in my opinion as I wasn’t particularly routing for anyone. The story is told from both the couple’s point of view and interspersed with letters that Amelia has written every year of their marriage where she tells her true feelings. Adam was an interesting character as he suffers from a neurological condition called Prosopagnosic where he can’t recognise faces which must be very hard to deal with for both characters.

Overall i really enjoyed this book and will be definitely recommending it to others. The feeling of unease in the book gradually increases until I both wanted to keep reading to find out what happens but also wasn’t sure I wanted to find out. There were lots of twists that kept me guess and the big twist took me completely by surprise which I always enjoy.

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

About The Author:

Alice Feeney is a writer and journalist. She spent fifteen years at the BBC where she worked as a reporter, news editor, arts and entertainment producer and One O’clock news producer.

Alice has lived in London and Sydney and has now settled in the Surrey countryside, where she lives with her husband and dog.

Her debut novel, Sometimes I Lie, was a New York Times and international bestseller. The book has been sold in over twenty countries and is being made into a TV series by a major film studio, starring Sarah Michelle Gellar. Her third novel His and Hers is soon to be a major TV show with Jessica Chastain as executive producer.