Book Synopsis:

From the #1 bestselling author of Fifty Years of Fear, SHADOWS OF REGRET is the unforgettable story of a woman’s struggle to rejoin society.

Katie committed a terrible crime. Sixteen years was the price she had to pay.

Once released from prison, she finds the world has changed. But Katie is a survivor.

Isolated and alone, she struggles to make sense of her new life. Starting again isn’t easy, especially after what she’s done.

Despite not feeling free or safe, Katie overcomes her fears and confronts the future. Although history won’t remain forgotten.

Gradually, memories of the past are revealed. When Katie finally exposes the awful truth and sees there are others who share the blame, she must choose her path.

Will she seek redemption, or will she take revenge?

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

My Review:

Shadows Of Regret is a gripping though harrowing read that will stay with me for a long time. It also is quite thought provoking as it explores a lot of interesting themes.

Even though she’s done a lot of bad things I felt a lot of sympathy for the main character Kate and found myself slowly warming to her throughout the book. She’s had a tough life with lots of people making things hard for her, particularly in Prison. Despite this she manages to show a lot of strength and cunning when it would have been easy for her to give up. I felt that I was behind her during her quest for revenge, wanting her to be successful and have a happy ending.

The book is quite fast paced and very gripping with the reader being almost afraid to look away for fear of missing something. Some of the scenes described are deeply uncomfortable and gave me a lump in my throat as I was reading about Kate’s past. As the story goes on we learn more about Kate’s past and her crime which I wasn’t expecting so found very interesting. There are lots of twists that I wasn’t expecting and kept me on my toes which is always a sign of great writing!

Huge thanks to Caroline Vincent for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book. If you like gripping, dark thrillers that makes you think then you’ll enjoy this book.

About The Author:

I was born in 1973 in Peterborough and lived there until I was 20, attending The King’s School in the city. I then began a rather nomadic existence, living and working all over the country and various parts of the world.

I found myself returning to Peterborough many times over the years, usually when things had gone wrong. It was on one of these occasions that I met my partner about 100 metres from my back door whilst walking a dog. Two children swiftly followed. I’m still a little stunned by the pace of it now.

Fifty Years of Fear book was started a long time ago but parenthood and then after working in sales management all my life, i randomly spent four years as a prison officer. Ironically it was the four a.m. feed which gave me the opportunity to finish the book as unable to get back to sleep I completed it in the early morning hours.

I’ve now written five further books. My second book, The Boy Inside, was picked up by a publisher, and Lazy Blood is also out. All my books are thought provoking, and told with a sense of humour. Reading the reviews has been great.

The first three books are stand alone, however, some of the characters cross over, and you can see how at times, their lives overlap.

Abel’s Revenge is something a bit different. It’s a modern day love story set against the backdrop of an escalating serial killer. There’s a whodunnit element to it, and some smiles along the way.

Shadows of Regret was inspired by my time on the women’s side of the jail in Peterborough, and analyses the close relationship between victim and villain. You won’t have read a book like it.

I hope you enjoy reading them.

Please feel free to get in touch.

https://www.facebook.com/RossGreenwoodAuthor/

Follow The Blog Tour:

The blog tour has now finished but do check out these fantastic bloggers reviews for their thoughts about this book.

Book Synopsis:

Never forget. Never forgive.

As a detective in the Metropolitan police, Zac is no stranger to murder cases, but this one is different. This is his daughter’s murder. 

Years after Amelia died, Zac is still trying to trace the police office involved in his daughter’s death.

And whilst Zac is prepared to break every rule to find the man responsible, his young and ambitious deputy, Kat, is working on a high profile case of her own. But she knows Zac is keeping secrets from his team so she’s following his every move.

When one of Zac’s informants is killed, he knows he’s close to catching his man, but before he can act, he receives a call about his son which blows his world apart… And this time, he knows he’ll stop at nothing to save his family.

Life Or Death is available in ebook and paperback now, you can purchase your copy of both using the link below.

My Review:

I’m a huge fan of this author and in my opinion he keeps getting better and better. Life Or Death was no exception as I couldn’t out this book down.

The subject of this book is one of my worse nightmares so I was instantly intrigued and on Zach’s side. His love for his family shines through and it soon becomes very clear that he’ll stop at nothing to save his family. Some of the scenes regarding this were very tense and my heart was in my mouth as I watched it all unfold. I felt so involved in the story that if I could have jumped into the book to help I would have done! I actually found myself dreaming about the events in the book and trying to work out a satisfactory ending, with me as the hero naturally, which is always a sign of a terrific read.

The book is very fast paced and there is always something happening that makes the book impossible to put down. I kept promising myself that I’d only read I’ve more chapter and looked up to find it was midnight. I was totally absorbed in the story and wanted to keep reading as I needed to find out what happens.

This is the third book in the series and while it is probably better to read the books in order you could read this as a standalone as everything you need to know is explained. I can’t wait for the next in the series to find out what happens next.

Huge thanks to Noelle from Bookouture for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Bookouture for my copy of this book via Netgalley. If you like fast paced, high action and absorbing thrillers then you’ll love this book!

About The Author:

As a psychologist who has worked in the NHS with both victims and perpetrators of crime, I write stories that explore why people commit serious offences and how their victims are affected. I try to bring these perspectives together with lots of rich, authentic detail about London and its many communities to let readers discover the city I love.

I always wrote – whether blogs, psychology articles or travel pieces – but it wasn’t until 2014 that I began writing fiction. I’d spent several years working as a diplomat in Iraq and Jerusalem before I decided to go back to university and retrain as a psychologist. I completed a doctorate in psychology at King’s College London in 2016. Now, when I’m not writing, I work on the Wellcome Trust’s African Mental Health Research Initiative (AMARI) at King’s College in south London, where I live.

Please check out my crime thrillers Bring Her Back and Last Witness (both out now), featuring south London detective Zac Boateng. My third novel, Life or Death, is out in January 2019.

Book Synopsis:

I remember my dreams but not where they start.
Further back, I recall some of yesterday and the day before that. Then everything goes into a haze.
Fragments of memories come looming back like red London buses in a pea-souper.
Time plays funny tricks these days.
I wait for the next memory. I wait and I wait.

At 117 years old, Billy Binns is the oldest man in Europe and he knows his time is almost up. But Billy has a final wish: he wants to remember what love feels like one last time. As he looks back at the relationships that have shaped his flawed life – and the events that shaped the century – he recalls a life full of hope, mistakes, heartbreak and, above all, love.

The Six Loves Of Billy Binns is available in ebook and hardback now. You can purchase your copy of both using the link below.

My Review:

The Six Loves Of Billy Binns is a wonderfully nostalgic and emotional read which I will be thinking about for a long time.

The story reads as a memoir into Billy’s life as he tries to remember his lost loves and leave his story for his son. As he was born in 1900 this gives the reader an intimate look into his life which covers most of the key events in the twentieth century. This makes for a fascinating read as there were some very interesting events or times that Billy is a part of. The love stories are quite emotional and poignant at times, especially the story of Evie which had me in tears. It was very sobering to see how easily love could be lost.

Billy’s past recollections are interspersed with his present life in a care home which is quite heart breaking to read about at times, especially as his memory is going which obviously affects his goal of writing his memories down. I found his observations of how his life had shrunk and changed very emotional, especially when he describes how people treat him now.

The story is very absorbing as there was always something happening that kept me interested in the story. I found it fascinating to read about events from Billy’s point of view which was often from a different angle then the one I knew. Some of the language is a bit rude at times, particularly at the beginning which might offend some people though it is in keeping with the time and the character.

This is the author’s debut novel and I will look forward to reading more from him in the future. I felt it was similar in style to Any Human Heart by William Boyd so if you loved that book then I’m confident you’ll like this one too

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

About The Author:

Richard Lumsden has worked as an actor, writer and composer in television, film and theatre for 30 years. As an actor his films include Downhill, Sightseers, Sense & Sensibility and The Darkest Hour, as well as numerous television shows and theatre productions. THE SIX LOVES OF BILLY BINNS is his first novel.

Book Synopsis:

Welcome to Love Heart Lane…

When Flick Simons returns to the small village of Heartcross she only expected to stay for a few days. The white-washed cottages of Love Heart Lane might be her home, but the place holds too many painful memories, and of one man in particular – Fergus Campbell.

When a winter storm sweeps in, the only bridge connecting the village to the main land is swept away! As the villagers pull together, Flick finds herself welcomed back by the friends she once left behind. And as the snow begins to melt, maybe there is a chance that Fergus’s heart will thaw too…

Love Heart Lane is available to buy in ebook now for £1.99 or the paperback is published on the 21 March 2019. You can purchase or pre-order your copy using the link below.

My Review:

I’ve heard lots of great things about this author so I jumped at the chance to read her latest book Love Heart Lane. I absolutely adored this fun warm hearted read which is the perfect book to curl up with this winter.

The descriptions of Heartscross village were wonderful and I found myself wishing I could live there. The residents seem a lovely bunch and so friendly and welcoming that it was a joy to read about their interactions with each other. That’s not to say it was all sweetness and light though as the author manages to interject lots of tension and mistrust into the story as well which made for very interesting reading.

The relationship between Flick and Fergus was fabulous to read about and I loved how real it seemed. The author takes the reader back to discover their history together and I felt that this meant I really got to know them both. I found myself invested in their relationship and I wanted it to succeed so they got the happy ending I felt they deserved.

This is the first book in a planned series and I’m very excited to read more, especially if they feature the same characters!

Huge thanks to Rachel from Rachel’s Random resources for my copy of this book and to Harper Impulse for my copy of this book via Netgalley.

About The Author:

Christie Barlow is the author of A Year in the Life of a Playground Mother, The Misadventures of a Playground Mother, Kitty’s Countryside Dream, Lizzie’s Christmas Escape, Evie’s Year of Taking Chances, The Cosy Canal Boat Dream, A Home at Honeysuckle Farm and Love Heart Lane. Her writing career came as somewhat a surprise when she decided to write a book to teach her children a valuable life lesson and show them that they are capable of achieving their dreams. The book she wrote to prove a point is now a #1 bestseller in the UK, USA & Australia. 

Christie is an ambassador for @ZuriProject raising money/awareness and engaging with impoverished people in Uganda through organisations to improve their well-being as well as Literary Editor for http://www.mamalifemagazine.co.uk bringing you all the latest news and reviews from the book world.

Book Synopsis:

The police belonged to another world – the world they saw on the television or in the papers. Not theirs.’

When two eighteen-year-old girls go missing on their gap year in Thailand, their families are thrust into the international spotlight: desperate, bereft and frantic with worry.

Journalist Kate Waters always does everything she can to be first to the story, first with the exclusive, first to discover the truth – and this time is no exception. But she can’t help but think of her own son, who she hasn’t seen in two years, since he left home to go travelling. This time it’s personal.

And as the case of the missing girls unfolds, they will all find that even this far away, danger can lie closer to home than you might think . . .

The Suspect us available now in all formats and you can purchase your copy using the link below.

My Review:

I’m a huge fan of Fiona Barton, having read her first two books, so I was very excited to be invited onto the blog tour for her new book The Suspect. I was definitely not disappointed as I thought The Suspect was another gritty, emotional read.

The story again features reporter Kate who is normally a very capable, together reporter. However her current investigation seems to be quite close to home and it was interesting to see a few cracks appearing in her normally calm manner. The reader gets to see her as more than just a reporter and I found myself warming to her even more as I discovered more about her family. The personal feel of the investigation also affects Kate’s long standing friendship with DI Sparkles as the stress of the investigation gets to them both. I felt very sorry for DI Sparkles throughout the book as I felt he had an awful lot on his plate and was trying his best.

The story is told from three points of view; Kate, DI Sparkles and the two missing girls. This really helped add to the tension in the book especially if the reader figures something out from one thread before it’s discovered in one if the other two. I felt this helped give the reader a more rounded view of the disappearance and I felt that I was a fly on the wall watching everything unfold. This also gives the reader a chance to get to know the characters and the world they inhabit better. The cut throat world of a reporter is vividly described and made for uncomfortable reading at times as some of the tactics used by reporters to get a story are revealed. I’d love to say I hope these aren’t used in real life but due to the author being an ex reporter I think they must be.

This was an incredibly gripping book which I tore through in a few days as I was very engrossed in the story and really wanted to see how it would work out. There are lots of twists and false leads that kept me on my toes and made the book incredible hard to put down. Just when I thought I’d figured everything out something would happen which had me questioning everything.

This is the third book in the series but it could easily be read as a standalone as anything you need to know is explained. I can’t wait to read more and hope this isn’t the last we hear from Kate and DI Sparkles.

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

About The Author:

Fiona Barton’s debut, The Widow, was a Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller and has been published in 36 countries and optioned for television. Her second novel, The Child, was a Sunday Times bestseller. Born in Cambridge, Fiona currently lives in Sussex and south-west France.

Previously, she was a senior writer at the Daily Mail, news editor at the Daily Telegraph, and chief reporter at the Mail on Sunday, where she won Reporter of the Year at the British Press Awards.

While working as a journalist, Fiona reported on many high-profile criminal cases and she developed a fascination with watching those involved, their body language and verbal tics. Fiona interviewed people at the heart of these crimes, from the guilty to their families, as well as those on the periphery, and found it was those just outside the spotlight who interested her most . . .

Book Synopsis:

Let the dead stay dead.

Clara Marsh is an undertaker. She spends her solitary life among the dead and bids them farewell with a bouquet from her own garden. But Clara’s carefully structured life shifts when she discovers a neglected little girl, Trecie, playing in the funeral parlour, desperate for a friend.

It changes even more when Detective Mike Sullivan starts questioning her again about a body she prepared three years ago, an unidentified girl found murdered in a nearby strip of woods. Unclaimed by family, the community christened her Precious Doe. When Clara and Mike learn that Trecie may be involved with the same people who killed Precious Doe, Clara must choose between her solitary but steadfast existence and the perils of binding one’s life to another.

Clara’s search for the girl pulls her into a spiralling series of events that threaten to endanger the few people Clara has grown to love – and finally brings her own tragic and long-buried past to the surface.

The Unforgotten is available now in ebook for the bargain price of 99p. You can purchase your copy using the link below.

My Review:

The Unforgotten is an unique and emotional crime story that i will definitely be thinking about for a while.

The setting of the book in an undertakers is an unusual one and it was fascinating to learn more about what they do. The preparation of a body for burial is not one I’ve thought much about before and I enjoyed learning more about the process that they go through. Some of these details are a bit graphic and stomach churning though so its probably best to avoid if you are squeamish!

I wasn’t sure about the main character Clara at first as she came across as being quite emotionless and standoffish, especially towards Trecie. As we discover more about her past though it becomes obvious that her experience have shaped how she acts now. I found myself warming to her as the book goes on, especially with her attempts to befriend the little girl which i though were quite heartwarming.

The book starts off slow but soon gathers pace with lots of twists and turns that keep the readers attention. I felt that the book focused more on the human element on the story rather than the investigation which made me feel more invested in the story as i got to know the characters very well. The story of the little girls is an emotional one and my heart broke for all that they had experienced. As a mother of three I can’t understand how anyone could do that to their children and I often found myself tearing up whilst reading.

I must admit that I did guess elements of where the story was going but this didn’t put me off as I was so enjoying the story that it was interesting to watch it all unravel. The final twist did take me by surprise though and I thought it was quite shocking which i always love when a book manages to take me by surprise.

The Unforgotten is a fantastic debut and I look forward to reading more from this author. If you like emotional, gripping crime fiction then you’ll love this book.

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

About The Author:

Amy MacKinnon, a former congressional aide, is a freelance writer whose commentaries have appeared in theSeattle Times, Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Patriot Ledger and on National Public Radio and This American Life. She lives in Marshfield, Massachusetts with her husband and thHuge thaneir three young children.

Book Synopsis:

Blood & Sugar is the thrilling debut historical crime novel from Laura Shepherd-Robinson.

June, 1781. An unidentified body hangs upon a hook at Deptford Dock – horribly tortured and branded with a slaver’s mark.

Some days later, Captain Harry Corsham – a war hero embarking upon a promising parliamentary career – is visited by the sister of an old friend. Her brother, passionate abolitionist Tad Archer, had been about to expose a secret that he believed could cause irreparable damage to the British slaving industry. He’d said people were trying to kill him, and now he is missing . . .

To discover what happened to Tad, Harry is forced to pick up the threads of his friend’s investigation, delving into the heart of the conspiracy Tad had unearthed. His investigation will threaten his political prospects, his family’s happiness, and force a reckoning with his past, risking the revelation of secrets that have the power to destroy him.

And that is only if he can survive the mortal dangers awaiting him in Deptford . . .

Blood & Sugar is available in all formats now. You can purchase your copy using the link below.

My Review:

Blood & Sugar is an absolutely stunning piece of historical fiction. I knew from the first few pages that I would enjoy this book and I was not disappointed.

The historical setting of 18th Century London and Deptford was brought vividly to life with the reader feeling they are actually there experiencing everything first hand alongside Captain Corsham. The dark period of the slave trade is obviously a very sad part of British history and the author doesn’t hold back any of the heart breaking details which made me cry at times. How anyone thought that it was ok to treat people like that is beyond me. The seedy underbelly of Deptford life was also brilliantly described and helps add to some of the tension in the book as the dark, narrow streets makes the reader wonder what they will encounter next. It is a world that I am grateful that I don’t inhabit!

I loved the main character Captain Corsham who comes across as a very considerate, loyal person who just wants justice for his friend and goes above and beyond to get it. He’s a very brave man as his investigation takes him to some very dodgy areas and it was touching to see how much he obvious cared for his friend that he’s willing to put himself in such danger. He is deeply affected by the horror of the slave trade that he undercovers and I thought it showed him to be a lovely guy that he wouldn’t even entertain the idea of getting involved himself.

This book is incredibly gripping and I was instantly absorbed into the story. There is always something happening or a discovery being made which makes the story hard to put down. The investigation into what happened to Tad soon gets very murky and incredibly intriguing. I didn’t have much of an idea about what was happening but loved going along for the ride and watching the story unfold. The story of the slaves was quite an emotional one and the descriptions of their horrific treatment made me anxious that the people involved would get their just deserts. I wanted to keep reading to see how everything would tie together.

This unbelievably is the author’s debut novel and I’m very excited to see what she comes up with next. If you like gripping, atmospheric historical fiction then you’ll love this book.

Huge thanks to Tracy Fenton and Rosie Wilson for my copy of this fabulous book!

About The Author:

Laura Shepherd-Robinson was born in Bristol in 1976. She has a BSc in Politics from the University of Bristol and an MSc in Political Theory from the London School of Economics. Laura worked in politics for nearly twenty years before re-entering normal life to complete an MA in Creative Writing at City University. She lives in London with her husband, Adrian.

Book Synopsis:

Bent Met police detective DI Frederick Street rules as the ‘Sheriff of Shoreditch’ who loves shaking down the street goons he arrests.

Elvis Street is the son who cannot stand his father for being the balls-out crook he caught in bed with his girl.

Elvis wants to take Frederick down and end him forever.

Neither father or son realises how much the other understands what controls them.

Neither father or son will ever back down.

Night Time Cool is the story of why?

Night Time Cool is available now in kindle and paperback. You can purchase a copy of either using the link below.

My Review:

Night Time Cool is an intriguing, unusual read that reminded me in part of the club’s I used to visit in my teenage years.

The setting of this book is vividly described so that the reader feels they are really there in the night club experiencing everything first hand. I felt that I could feel the throb of the crowd, the energy they would have given off and the beat of the loud music. There is quite a dark, seedy undertone to the book that revolves around this scene with a lot of the characters seeming to be involved in drug taking or prostitution. Most of the characters are hugely unlikeable but seemed quite realistic and in keeping with other similar stories I have read.

The plot is quite fast paced and fairly hectic with the characters bouncing continuously from one situation to the next which definetly kept me entertained. Some of the scenes were quite uncomfortable to read about but I was so absorbed with the story by that point I couldn’t look away even if I wanted to.

The style of the book is quite unusual and it took a little time for me to get used to. It reads a bit like a stream of consciousness and is littered with street lingo which was a tad confusing to begin with as I have no experience of it. However I soon got used to it and I felt it further helped add to the seedy, night time world the author has created.

Night Time Cool is the author’s debut novel and the first book in a planned trilogy. It will be very interesting to see where the author takes this story.

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

About The Author:

Jamie Paradise writes all his stuff in a darkened mansion filled with the cadavers of ancestors 

The Observer says of Night Time Cool: “Paradise conveys the sheer thrill of partying beautifully; he writes of a piece of music that: ‘It wailed, it reprised, it was a choral hymn a kaleidoscopic, sensate burst of everything right now…'”

Simon Mayo’s Books of the Year podcast: “Like John Niven, Jake Arnott – I really enjoyed it – very much worth your time.”

Mail on Sunday: “A punchy streetwise caper, packed with memorable characters.”

Book Synopsis:

The uplifting new novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author of THIS COULD CHANGE EVERYTHING. The perfect read for fans of Lucy Diamond and Katie Fforde.

Mimi isn’t looking for love when she spends a weekend in Goosebrook, the Cotswolds village her dad has moved to. And her first encounter with Cal, who lives there too, is nothing like a scene in a romantic movie – although she can’t help noticing how charismatic he is. But Cal’s in no position to be any more than a friend, and Mimi heads back to her busy London life.

When they meet again four years later, it’s still not to be. Cal is focusing on his family, and Mimi on her career. Then Cal dives into a potentially perfect new romance whilst Mimi’s busy fixing other people’s relationships.

It seems as if something, or someone else, always gets in their way. Will it ever be the right time for both of them?

Maybe This Time is published on the 24th January in ebook and hardback. You can pre-order your copy of either using the link below.

My Review:

Maybe This Time is another wonderful, heart warming gem from one of my favourite writers!

The setting of GooseBrook was fantastically described and I found myself wishing that I lived there myself. There were a great variety of characters and the village seemed so friendly that I could not help but be drawn into the story. My favourite characters were Mimi’s dad and boyfriend who were just wonderful and made me smile. I didn’t initially like the main character Mimi as she grated on me a bit with her ditsyness. However I soon found myself warming to her and I did enjoy reading about her story, wanting her to have the happy ending I felt she deserved.

For most of the book this is quite a light hearted read and a classic tale of boy meets girl which was interesting to read about. However there is a twist that gives the book a serious edge and which the author handles with great skill. Without trying to give to much away the author had clearly done her research on the subject and the scenario seemed very realistic.

I’ve read most of Jill’s book and I think she just keeps getting better and better. I’m so excited to read more from her in the future.

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

About The Author:

The queen of witty, heart-warming, feel-good love stories’ Red

Jill Mansell’s books are full of love, life and friendship and have been bringing joy to readers for twenty-five years. She started writing fiction while working in the NHS, after joining a local creative writing class. She has since written over twenty Sunday Times bestsellers, including THIS COULD CHANGE EVERYTHING, THE ONE YOU REALLY WANT and YOU AND ME, ALWAYS, and her books have sold over 11 million copies around the world. 

Jill’s hobbies include buying stationery, particularly magical new colours of ink for the fountain pen she uses to write all her books – Jill is one of the few authors who still write their books by hand. Jill also loves people-watching and finding new characters to put in her novels. So when you’re out, make sure to always be on your best behaviour. And beware of beady-eyed authors carrying notebooks . . .

Jill keeps in touch with her readers on Twitter – @JillMansell – and Facebook – /OfficialJillMansell.

Book Synopsis:

‘There he is,’ whispered Vixen.

‘It’s true then,’ said Buck Rabbit.

‘He’s just a small mole,’ said Doe Rabbit.

‘He’s not just a mole,’ said Vixen.

A great queen loses a ring. Hundreds of years later a ring slips onto the paw of a young mole. The mole grows to be a wise and trusted leader of Gilly Wood and all the animals that live there. But a great threat is coming. Can one small mole save a whole valley? Mole sets out to do just that with friends he makes along the way and the strange thing on his paw…

The Ring Of Gilly Wood is available now in ebook and paperback now. You can purchase your copy of either using the link below.

My Review:

The Ring Of Gilly Wood is an enchanting and magical read that manages to be both heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time.

The author does a great job of making her characters and setting come to life. I loved the descriptions of the forest and wished I could visit it to meet everyone. My son felt the same and keeps asking to visit the woods opposite us to see if they are there.

There are a lot of subtle messages included into the text regarding how people should treat their friends, nature and how it’s nice to be kind to each other. I felt this would make it a wonderful book to have in schools as it could help to lead to lots of discussions.

The story is surprisingly fast and I found that I was quickly involved in the story. There are a few scenes which are quite poignant and I think some young readers might struggle with. My son is six and got upset at some parts asking me to stop reading at one point as he didn’t like it. I’m not sure what age the story is aimed at but it’s probably meant to be for slightly older children then my son anyway.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and hope that it becomes a firm hit with children. One of the other reviews I’ve read has compared it to Watership Down which I think is accurate especially for the friendships that exist between the animals. It isn’t nearly as brutal though!

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I’ll definitely like to read more from her in the future, though I might wait a bit to share them with my son again!

Huge thanks to Rachel from Rachel’s Random resources for my copy of this book and for inviting me onto the blog tour.

About The Author:

Ruth was born on a hot August day on a farm in Sussex. Her English teacher once made her write a story about wasps after one landed on her during a lesson. She still hates wasps but she loves writing. Ruth now lives in Kent with her family and their strange dog.