Good morning everyone I’m on the blog tour for Chasing Ghosts by Madalyn Morgan today and as well as sharing my review I’ve also got details on how to win a copy of this book.

Chasing Ghosts is available now in paperback and ebook, with the ebook only 99p at the moment! Purchase your copy of both here.

Before I share my review and details of the giveaway with you, here is a little bit about the book.

Book Synopsis:

In 1949 after receiving treatment for shell shock in Canada, Claire’s husband disappears.
Has Mitch left her for the woman he talks about in his sleep? Or is he on the run from accusations of wartime treachery?

Claire goes to France in search of the truth, aided by old friends from the Resistance.

My Review:

Chasing Ghosts is a brilliant addition to the Dudley sister’s saga books.  I’ve read a lot of books set in World War Two but not many set just after so it was on to see how the world was still affected by all that had had.  The author has clearly done her research and there is lots of brilliant details about the period that really helps you to picture it in your mind.

Claire is a very strong, competent lady whose bravery in the war was very interesting to read about.  Her obvious concern and love for her husband is very touching to read about.  I enjoyed following her investigation into where her husband had gone and to finding out the truth behind the accusations against him.  This was particularly interesting as it takes the reader across Europe to learn more about the aftermath of the war there.

This isn’t a particularly fast paced book but that doesn’t matter as the reader is soon fully immersed in the story and the characters.  I enjoyed traveling alongside Claire whilst she discovers what has happened and there was lots of stuff happening that kept my interest until the end.

This is the first book by this author I have read and the first in the series.  While this could be read as a standalone I think it would be beneficial to read from the start as unlike a lot of other saga stories this doesn’t have a catch up chapter to let you know what the story is so far.

Huge thanks to Rachel from Rachel’s Random Resources for my copy of this book and for inviting me onto the blog tour.  If you like historical mysteries you’ll love this book.

About The Author:

Giveaway – Win signed copies of China Blue and Chasing Ghosts (UK Only)

*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then I reserve the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time I will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

Over The Rainbow Book Blog is not responsible for this giveaway. For any further details, please contact Rachel’s Random Resources.

Book Synopsis:

What if a death sentence meant you could get away with murder?

Claudia and Heather have been friends and neighbours for many years and both women decide it is the right time for them to leave their husbands. Together they get a flat but their peace is short-lived when Claudia is diagnosed with a terminal illness.

Being a good friend, Heather takes on caring for Claudia but a lethal meeting with James, Claudia’s ex-husband, results in someone dying.

As life for Claudia and Heather begins to unravel, the answer to their problems becomes clear… it’s murder.

Malignant is available in paperback and ebook now.  The ebook is currently only 99p.  You can purchase your copy of both here.

My Review:

I’m a huge fan of Anita Waller and I couldn’t wait to read her latest book Malignant.  I was not disappointed as Malignant is a fantastic book that manages to combine a crime story with a heartbreaking one amazingly well.

I absolutely loved the two main female characters Heather and Claudia.  They are such wonderful strong individuals that show a lot of strength and courage to do what they do and start again.  I warmed to them straight away and wanted things to go right for them, getting overly cross when they started to go wrong.  I wanted to keep reading to see if they’d get the happy ending I felt they deserved.

This is described as a psychological thriller and that side of the book is done extremely well too.  There are lots of twists and turns as well as moments that made me gasp out loud which did help make the book hard to put down.  However, in my opinion, this is eclipsed by the human aspect of the story and the heart breaking things that the characters face.

I’ve read most of Anita’s books but I think this one is my favourite so far as I felt so engaged with the characters.  I think it’s definitely a story that I’ll remember for a while.  If you like emotional psychological thrillers with some fabulous character yoully love this book.

Huge thanks to Sarah and Emma from Bloodhound books for inviting me onto the blog tour and sending me a copy of this book.

About The Author:

Book Synopsis:

Charley Willis was thirteen years old when her parents were killed in their family home and she was found hiding in a cupboard upstairs.

Fifteen years later, Charley is marrying Seth Chambers. It should be the happiest day of their lives, a chance for Charley to put her past behind her, but just hours after the ceremony, she is missing.

No one saw her leave. No one knows where she is.

One thing is for certain…Seth is about to discover he doesn’t really know the woman he just married. And his nightmare is only just beginning.

A totally gripping psychological thriller that will keep you reading until the very last jaw-dropping twist.

The Wife’s Secret is available in ebook and paperback now.  The ebook is currently only £1.99.  You can purchase your copy of both here.

My Review:

The Wife’s Secret is a very intriguing thriller which I really enjoyed reading.  The theme of a person having a secret past and going missing on their weddings day isn’t a new one but Kerry manages to breathe new life into it.

The story is told from two points of view.  One follows Seth as the new husband of the missing Charley as he tries to get to the bottom of her sudden disappearance.  The other flashes back to the past slowly revealing bits of Charley’s mysterious past.  Through a series of flashbacks we follow the murder investigation and lives of Charley’s and her sister from the view point of the people involved.

The characters in this book are just fantastic! They are really well developed with a great back story and personality that is described so well that you feel like you know them personally.  My favourite character was Martha as I really admired her strength and her willingness to stand up for her sister when necessary.

I did guess the big twist quite early on and who had murdered Charley’s parents but that didn’t stop me enjoying this book.  It was a really well told story that had lots of twists and turns which did make me doubt myself at times.  Ultimately even though I was right I did enjoy the journey the author weaves and it kept my attention until the end.

I’m a big fan of this author and have read most of his books . I look forward to reading more from him in the future.

Huge thanks to Noelle from Bookouture for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book via Netgalley.  If you like twisty, intriguing thrillers that makes you think you’ll enjoy this book.

About The Author:

Good morning everyone and happy weekend.  To celebrate Only Child by Rhiannon Navin bring published in paperback last week, I’m re-sharing my review of this fantastic book.  Its been months since I first read this book and I’m still thinking of it now.

You can buy you copy of this fantastic book here.

Book Synopsis:

We all went to school that Tuesday like normal. Not all of us came home.

When the unthinkable happens, six-year-old Zach is at school. Huddled in a cloakroom with his classmates and teacher, he is too young to understand that life will never be the same again.

Afterwards, the once close-knit community is left reeling. Zach’s dad retreats. His mum sets out to seek revenge. Zach, scared, lost and confused, disappears into his super-secret hideout to try to make sense of things. Nothing feels right – until he listens to his heart . . .

But can he remind the grown-ups how to love again?

Narrated by Zach, Only Child is full of heart; a real rollercoaster of a read that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page.

My Review:

German by birth, Rhiannon Navin now lives in New York. She is married, with three children and two cats. This is her first novel.

Book Synopsis:

London, 1926. Two baby girls are born just hours and miles apart. One you know as the Queen of England, but what of the other girl- the daughter of an undertaker named in her honour? Betsy Sunshine grows up surrounded by death in war-torn London, watching her community grieve for their loved ones whilst dealing with her own teenage troubles… namely her promiscuous sister Margie. As Betsy grows older we see the how the country changes through her eyes, and along the way we discover the birth of a secret that threatens to tear her family apart.

Sophie Duffy dazzles in her latest work of family/historical fiction. A tale which spans generations to explore the life and times of a family at the heart of their community, the story of a stoic young woman who shares a connection with her queenly counterpart in more ways than one…

Betsy and Lilibet is available now in ebook and paperback.  You can purchase your copy of both here.

My Review:

Betsy and Lilibet is a wonderful, charming and funny story that I absolutely adored!

The story follows Betsy throughout her whole life, from her birth through the war and all that followed in the twentieth century.  Interspersed with this is Betsy as a 90 year old, remembering her life from a nursing home and quotes from Queen Elizabeth II who despite only meeting her three times has a big influence on Betsy’s life.

It’s hard not to fall in love with Betsy and her wonderful descriptions of her life, particularly when she was a kid.  Her unique narrative and childlike view of things made me smile and laugh out loud at times.  She was such a relatable, real character and some of the incidents she mentions relating to her sister were things I remember arguing with my sister about.  She obviously had a huge chip on her shoulders regarding her sister, feeling she’s never as good as she is which tugged at my heart strings as, from my point of view, she was by far the nicer sister!

Betsy’s family is another fabulous creation from the author and some of my favourite scenes from the book were those involving her family.  They are obviously very close and share a wonderful warmth that was touching to read about.  The family run an undertakers which helped add a new element to the story and shapes Betsy, as her father always installs in her a quiet dignity when dealing with the dead that Betsy takes with her throughout her life.

There are quite a few surprising twists and turns that I wasn’t expecting in this story and definitely made the story more interesting.  The book reads a bit like an autobiography or diary rather than a piece of historical fiction which makes it very readable.  The reader becomes aware early on of a secret that Betsy has kept secret most of her life and still worries her in old age.  Throughout the book we learn more about this and it was great to read about Betsy working through her worries.

This is the first book by this author I have read and I will definitely be reading more from her in the future.  If you liked Any Human Heart by William Boyd then you’ll enjoy this book as I felt the styles were similar.

Huge thanks to Lucy from Legend Press for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book.  If you like historical fiction with heart then you’ll love this book.

About The Author:

Book Synopsis:

What if a death sentence meant you could get away with murder?

Claudia and Heather have been friends and neighbours for many years and both women decide it is the right time for them to leave their husbands. Together they get a flat but their peace is short-lived when Claudia is diagnosed with a terminal illness.

Being a good friend, Heather takes on caring for Claudia but a lethal meeting with James, Claudia’s ex-husband, results in someone dying.

As life for Claudia and Heather begins to unravel, the answer to their problems becomes clear… it’s murder.

Malignant is available in paperback and ebook now.  The ebook is currently only 99p.  You can purchase your copy of both here.

My Review:

I’m a huge fan of Anita Waller and I couldn’t wait to read her latest book Malignant.  I was not disappointed as Malignant is a fantastic book that manages to combine a crime story with a heartbreaking one amazingly well.

I absolutely loved the two main female characters Heather and Claudia.  They are such wonderful strong individuals that show a lot of strength and courage to do what they do and start again.  I warmed to them straight away and wanted things to go right for them, getting overly cross when they started to go wrong.  I wanted to keep reading to see if they’d get the happy ending I felt they deserved.

This is described as a psychological thriller and that side of the book is done extremely well too.  There are lots of twists and turns as well as moments that made me gasp out loud which did help make the book hard to put down.  However, in my opinion, this is eclipsed by the human aspect of the story and the heart breaking things that the characters face.

I’ve read most of Anita’s books but I think this one is my favourite so far as I felt so engaged with the characters.  I think it’s definitely a story that I’ll remember for a while.  If you like emotional psychological thrillers with some fabulous character yoully love this book.

Huge thanks to Sarah and Emma from Bloodhound books for inviting me onto the blog tour and sending me a copy of this book.

About The Author:

Book Synopsis:

Annie is the dream wife.

Mother to two-year-old Johnny and wife to David, she is everything her husband expects her to be – supportive, respectful and mild – but what he expects isn’t who she truly is.

Annie is a prisoner in her home.

Her finances, her routine, her social life are all controlled by him. It’s the love for her boy that she lives for, and at night she dreams of a world where she is free.

But Annie is going to fight back.

And you won’t believe how she is going to do it . . .

Perfect for fans of Cara Hunter, Laura Marshall, Elle Croft, BA Paris, JP Delaney Teresa Driscoll and Claire Allan. 

The Dream Wife is published today in ebook and paperback.  The ebook is currently only £1.99.  You can purchase your copy of both here.

My Review:

It’s rare that I’m speechless at the end of a book but this one just completely amazed me. What an ending! Wow I did not see that coming! It’s going to be hard to review this book without giving too much away but I really enjoyed this dark, tension filled and unsettling book.

From the start the reader is aware that something isn’t quite right in Annie’s life as they are introduced to her mad cleaning routines where everything has to be just right.  The things her husband expects her to do and how he expects her to behave is shocking to read about.  I soon felt very sorry for Annie and the situation she finds herself in.  The only bright light in Annie’s world is her son, Johnny and I loved reading about her interaction with him.  The little games that she plays with him were so sweet and it was great to read about the close relationship she has with him.  This part of the book reminded me a bit of ‘Room’ as the style and intense mother-son relationship were both similar.

Annie husband is possible the most loathesome character I’ve ever come across in a book.  His attitude and the way he treats Annie just made my blood boil especially what he says after she’s given birth! Even though I hated him I always think that characters that provoke such a strong reaction are great as they mean that they have been very well written.  I found myself hoping that Annie would get her revenge on him and that he would get what he deserved.

The book is very fast paced and gripped me from the start with the unusual situation that Annie finds herself in.  I was immediately on Annie’s side and wanted to keep reading to find out what would happen.  As an unexpected twist is promised in the blurb I had lots of ideas about what it might be, but was wrong (very wrong) as the ending completely surprised me.

This, unbelievably, is the author’s debut novel and I’m so so excited to read more from her.  This would make a fantastic book club book as I’m desperate to discuss it with someone else, so I’m sure it will create lots of lively discussions.

Huge thanks to Orion publishers for my copy of this book via Netgalley and to Tracy Fenton for inviting me onto the blog tour.  If you like dark, addictive thrillers that surprise you then you’ll love this book!

About The Author:

I started out studying Psychology at the University of Southampton, before spending many years working in HR. But I had always wanted to be a writer, and now work as a copywriter, proof reader and editor.

I am delighted to have the lovely Ed Wilsonat Johnson & Alcock as my agent. My debut novel, THE DREAM WIFE, is published by Orion, and out now in eBook and paperback on 4th October 2018. It will be followed by DOUBLE TAKE in autumn 2019.

I live in Hampshire with my son and husband. When I’m not writing I can be found pounding the streets in running shoes, or hiding behind a camera lens. I have too many book cases, too many books I haven’t read, and too much of an addiction to American tv.

Follow me on Twitter @paperclipgirl, Instagram @loudelangewriter or Facebook @loudelangewriter.

(Author’s bio taken from her website & picture from her Twitter account)

Book Synopsis:

The First Graphic Adaptation of the Multi-Million Bestseller

’12th June, 1942: I hope I will be able to confide everything to you, as I have never been able to confide in anyone, and I hope you will be a great source of comfort and support.’

In the summer of 1942, fleeing the horrors of the Nazi occupation, Anne Frank and her family were forced into hiding in the back of an Amsterdam warehouse.

Aged thirteen when she went into the secret annexe, Anne Frank kept a diary in which she confided her innermost thoughts and feelings, movingly revealing how the eight people living under these extraordinary conditions coped with the daily threat of discovery and death.

Adapted by Ari Folman, illustrated by David Polonsky, and authorized by the Anne Frank Foundation in Basel, this is the first graphic edition of the beloved diary of Anne Frank.

Anne Frank’s Diary: The Graphic Adaptation is available now in hardback and ebook.  You can purchase your copy by clicking ‘buy’ below.

My Review:

I have to admit that when I first received this book I was a little unsure whether the cartoon format would be able to do justice to such a well known and tragic story.  However my fears where unfounded as this is a great graphic adaption that will surely allow this story to reach a whole new younger audience.

The graphic nature of this book actually helps to bring the story to life and makes the story of what happened seem even more poignant as the victims have faces.  This was especially true of pictures showing the younger victims as it is impossible to ignore the fact that they were involved to.

The stark contrast between the unfolding tragedy of the holocaust and Anne’s teenage personality are also more obvious.  It was nice at times to see her childlike innocence shine through but then also very poignant as it illustrates how young she was when all this happenned.  This was made even more obvious by the illustrations as bright colours where used for these parts as well as in flash backs or day dreams of Anne.

I remember reading Anne Frank’s Diary when I was younger and finding it quite a hard read.  This graphic adaption will ensure that this important book, with its important message reaches the next generation to hopefully ensure that nothing similar happens in the future.  I think it will also help people understand better what discrimination means and the effect it can have.

Huge thanks to Ruth Killick and Viking Books for my copy of this book.  If you’d like to see a classic story come to life or a different way of introducing the holocaust to children then you’ll like this book.  I think this would be a great book to have in schools as it would help increase children’s understanding of a dark period of history.

About The Author:

David Polonsky is an award-winning illustrator and designer, who illustrated Waltz with Bashir.

Book Synopsis:

The new gorgeously sweeping historical novel from Sarah Maine, the acclaimed author of The House Between Tides and Beyond the Wild River. Perfect for fans of Kate Morton and Jenny Ashcroft.

On the rugged, sea-lashed coast of west Scotland lies Ullaness: home to the Scottish legend of Ulla, a Viking woman who washed up on Scottish shores centuries ago. The legend will bring the stories of three different women together…

In AD 800 there is Ulla, lost in a foreign country after her lover is brutally killed. Ellen, a servant-girl in the 1800s, catches the unwanted attentions of the master of the house’s lascivious son. And, in the present day, there is Libby – an archaeologist who is determined to uncover an age-old mystery.

When a body is excavated from Ullaness – the body of someone who was murdered long ago – the mystery deepens, and the fates of the three women become ever more tightly bound.

Women Of The Dunes is available in ebook and hardback now.  You can purchase your copy here.

My Review:

I’m such a huge fan of Sarah Maine’s so was very excited to read The Women Of The Dunes, her latest book.  Sarah always writes such amazing historical fiction and within a few pages I realised I was in for another treat.

The story is told from three timelines which may sound like it will be confusing but isn’t as the author cleverly manages to write with a different style and has created very different characters in each.  This makes it very easy to differentiate between the them.

All the stories are fascinating in their own way and I enjoyed reading all of them in turn though, unusually for me, I actually preferred the present timeline the most.  I think this was due to the potential relationship between the two main characters that I was willing to happen as I thought they’d be very sweet together and Declan’s wonderful house and family that you couldn’t help fall in love with.  I would have loved to stay in that interesting house, especially with their cook who seemed to make some lovely sounding food.

The descriptions of Ullaness where very vivid and I felt I could really imagine the Island.  The beautiful, ruggedness and history of the Island was beautifully described and I would love to visit there some day.  Though my Scottish mother in-law tells me it’s very windy and cold! The community that the author describes was a really close one who seemed to look out for each other.  It seemed like a wonderful place to live.

The mystery involving the murders and the truth behind the legend was very interesting and kept my attention throughout.  I was disappointed to find that the legend wasn’t a real one, as I love stuff like that but it was still a fascinating one to read about.

This is Sarah’s third book and I really look forward to reading more from her in the future.  If you enjoy fascinating, multiple time line mysteries then you’ll enjoy this book.

Huge thanks to Hodder publishers for my copy of this book via Netgalley.

About The Author:

Sarah Maine was born in England but grew up partly in Canada before returning to England for university. She studied archaeology and for many years worked in the profession but is now a freelance writer and researcher. Sarah’s debut novel The House Between Tides (previously Bhalla Strand 2014) was re-published by Hodder & Stoughton in 2018. Beyond the Wild River (2017) is her second novel and Women of the Dunes will be published in 2018.

Book Synopsis:

Harry Rechthart always knew how to laugh, but laughter can hide a lot of pain that’s drowned by the bottle and good times. He grew up the joker in the early 1900s in Cleveland, Ohio, but as he enters adulthood, conflict splits him. His once close relationship with his brother, Erik, breaks as they come into their own and Erik goes off to college. No longer under Erik’s shadow, Harry feels he might finally shine and make others see him as someone to be proud of. Harry finds an unlikely comrade who understands how he feels–his younger sister, Hannah. Once free of high school, Harry and Hannah double date sister and brother, Kat and Will Jones, attending wild, extravagant parties during the years of Prohibition. Harry thinks he’s won at life–he’s found love in Kat, in a good time, and in the bottle. But all the light goes out fast when Harry’s alcoholism leads to disastrous consequences for him and Kat.

Harry thinks the joke’s on him now that he’s sunk lower than ever. He’s in jail. He’s pushed away his family. He’s a broken man, but in the darkest depths of a prison cell, there is hope. Can Harry rebuild his life and learn that true laughter comes from knowing true joy, or will he bury himself once and for all in this laughing matter of pain?

A Laughing Matter Of Pain is available in ebook and paperback now.  You can purchase your copy here.

My Review:

Cynthia Hudson is an author I’ve heard lots about but have never had the chance to read before.  I’m so glad to have read The Laughing Matter Of Pain as I thought it a very interesting and thought provoking book.

The author really brings the 1920’s and the prohibition era to life with her fantastic descriptions of wild parties where lots of bath tub gin was drunk.  I’ve often thought I’d like to have been alive in this era so enjoyed experiencing it all alongside the characters.

Harry was a very intriguing and relatable character that you couldn’t help but like.  I felt very sorry for him living under the shadow of his brother and for all that befalls him.  He seems such a real character as he isn’t perfect and makes mistakes.  This means it was very easy to get behind him and hope that things go well for him.  His attempts to change were very sweet to read about and I admired his bravery to face up to his problems.

The book covers some serious subjects in alcoholism and whether you can tell when people are hiding a problem.  The author sensitively addresses this problem without over dramatising it and therefore makes it seem very real.  Facts are cleverly mixed into the story and I found it fascinating to learn more about the problem.

This is the author’s third book but the first I’ve read and I’ll definitely be interested in reading more from her in the future.  If you are a fan of well written, fascinating historical fiction then you’ll love this book.

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

About The Author:

Cynthia Hilston is a thirty-something-year-old stay at home mom of three young kids, happily married. Writing has always been like another child to her. After twenty years of waltzing in the world of fan fiction, she has stepped away to do her debut dance with original works of fiction. In her spare time – what spare time? – she devours books, watches Doctor Who and Game of Thrones, pets her orange kitty, looks at the stars, and dreams of what other stories she wishes to tell.