Good morning everyone and happy Friday. I was lucky enough to receive these three fabulous looking books from the lovely Karen @orendabooks this week.

I absolutely love Orenda thrillers which are always unique, gripping reads so I can’t wait to read these soon. Out of these I’m probably going to read The Betrayal Of Thomas True as I’ve been wanting to read it for ages.

Huge thanks to Karen and Orenda Books for sending these to me!

Have you read many books from Orenda? What’s your favourite book?

Boys Who Hurt by Eva Björg Ægisdóttir

Fresh from maternity leave, Detective Elma finds herself confronted with a complex case, when a man is found murdered in a holiday cottage in the depths of the Icelandic countryside – the victim of a frenzied knife attack, with a shocking message scrawled on the wall above him.
 
At home with their baby daughter, Sævar is finding it hard to let go of work, until the chance discovery in a discarded box provides him with a distraction. Could the diary of a young boy, detailing the events of a long-ago summer have a bearing on Elma’s case?
 
Once again, the team at West Iceland CID have to contend with local secrets in the small town of Akranes, where someone has a vested interest in preventing the truth from coming to light. And Sævar has secrets of his own that threaten to destroy his and Elma’s newfound happiness.
 
Tense, twisty and shocking, Boys Who Hurt is the next, addictive instalment in the award-winning Forbidden Iceland series, as dark events from the past endanger everything…

Out 20th June 2024

Toxic by Helga Flatland

When Mathilde is forced to leave her teaching job in Oslo after her relationship with eighteen-year-old Jacob is exposed, she flees to the countryside for a more authentic life.

Her new home is a quiet cottage on the outskirts of a dairy farm run by Andres and Johs, whose hobbies include playing the fiddle and telling folktales – many of them about female rebellion and disobedience, and seeking justice, whatever it takes.

But beneath the surface of the apparently friendly and peaceful pastoral life of the farm, something darker and less harmonic starts to vibrate, and with Mathilde’s arrival, cracks start appearing … everywhere.

Out 23rd May 2024

The Betrayal Of Thomas True by A.J West

The only sin is betrayal…
 
It is the year 1715, and Thomas True has arrived on old London Bridge with a dangerous secret. One night, lost amongst the squalor of London’s hidden back streets, he finds himself drawn into the outrageous underworld of the molly houses. 
 
Meanwhile, carpenter Gabriel Griffin struggles to hide his double life as Lotty, the molly’s stoic guard. When a young man is found murdered, he realises there is a rat amongst them, betraying their secrets to a pair of murderous Justices.
 
Can Gabriel unmask the traitor before they hang? Can he save hapless Thomas from peril, and their own forbidden love?
 
Set amidst the buried streets of Georgian London, The Betrayal of Thomas True is a brutal and devastating thriller, where love must overcome evil, and the only true sin is betrayal… 

Out 4th July 2024
 

Book Synopsis:

Books can change lives, even in wartime. . .

When World War II breaks out, Carrie Anderson sets up a bookstall at her local train station in the hope of providing a sense of escapism for travellers, troops and evacuees.

Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit and armed with a colourful array of Penguin paperbacks, Carrie’s business soon booms. And when she gifts a book to a dashing officer, an act of kindness becomes the beginning of Carrie’s very own love story.

But as war rages on, and Mike is posted abroad, Carrie’s world is turned upside-down.

With the help of her station community, and the power of her paperbacks, can Carrie find the strength to battle through?

My Review:

I was a huge fan of this author’s previous books so you can imagine my excitement when I found out she had a new book coming out.

This book combined two of my favourite things in a book as it was set in World War 2 and the plot revolved around the main character starting a book shop. I really enjoyed following the characters and learning more about the ordinary people left behind during the war. It must have been so frustrating for women at the start of the war as there weren’t many opportunities for them to help the war effort. It was also quite poignant to see the twins mum struggling with another war after living through the first world war. It really brought home to me how close the two wars were and how difficult it must have been to see another generation affected.

The story mainly follows twins Carrie and Johnnie at the breakout of World war 2 and how different their lives are because of it. I loved following Carrie as she set up the Bookshop and seeing all the fabulous friends she makes through her work there. The author’s descriptions are wonderfully vivid and I often felt like I was actually there experiencing everything alongside the characters which I absolutely loved.

I thought the story had a good pace to it and there always seemed to be something happening to keep my interest. I did guess a few of the twists but I didn’t mind as I was just enjoying hanging out with the characters. The ending was interesting and I’m hoping is a sign that there’s another book coming in the series.

Huge thanks to Aoife from Cornerstone for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book. If you’re looking for a compelling, entertaining and heartwarming read I highly recommend this one.

About The Author:

After a career in radio and TV scriptwriting, Jo’s first six saga novels feature a family-owned department store in Britain in the Second World War. With husbands, boyfriends and brothers away, three shop girl friends and their families pull together to battle the bombs as well as their own poignant personal dramas. Jo drew on her family’s war experiences as well as memories of how shopping used to be. Staying with retail, The Little Penguin Bookshop is the first novel in a brand new series.

Twitter @joannatoye

https://www.facebook.com/joannatoyewriter

https://romanticnovelistsassociation.org/rna_author/joanna-toye

Good afternoon everyone I was lucky enough to receive a copy of this fantastic sounding book last week. A dystopian Bridgerton? I love the sound of this and can’t wait to read it soon!

Huge thanks to @scholastic_uk for sending a copy to the Rossiter Book Malvern store.

Out 4th July 2024.

Find out more about the book below!

Book Synopsis:

The world didn’t end all at once but drip by drip…
Manon Pawlak has just turned eighteen – a debutant at the start of The Virtue Season: a process which will result in a match with a suitable genetic mate.

Her best friend, Agatha, has been decommissioned. Her seizures mean that she has been branded with a scar on the crest of her cheek which will forever sit at the corner of her vision, colouring the world in shades of mauve.

This is the story of their ritual year. And the Council is watching…

About The Author:

L.M. Nathan grew up in the East Midlands, moving from there to Bristol where she studied English and Drama and then to Malta where she completed an MA in Literature. She also has an MA in Journalism which she studied for in Manchester.

She now lives in rural Lancashire, in the shadow of Pendle Hill, and teaches English.

Her first novel, The Virtue Season, was inspired by the wild landscape of home and completed when she was selected to be part of the Curtis Brown Creative novel course.

Good morning everyone and happy Tuesday.  Today on Two For Tuesday I’m featuring two books by one of my favourite thriller writers Helen Fields. 

I absolutely love Helen’s books which are always dark, gripping reads that stay with you.  I absolutely loved The Institution and rate it as one of my favourite thrillers ever so I’m very excited to read her latest book Profile K soon.

Huge thanks to @indie_thinking for sending me a copy of Profile K .

Profile K is published on the 25th April 2024.

Do you have a favourite thriller author?

Profile K

He’s going to kill you. He just doesn’t know it yet.

Midnight Jones is an analyst trained to understand the human mind. But everything changes when, in the course of her work, she discovers Profile K’s file – because K stands for killer, and she knows that someone more dangerous than she could have ever imagined walks among them.

Midnight knows what Profile K is capable of before he even commits his first crime. But as the news rolls with the brutal murder of a local woman, no one believes what she tells them: that he is capable of so much worse.

Profile K will kill again – and, terrifyingly, Midnight realises that the moment she found his file was the moment she became his next target. Because Profile K is coming for Midnight – and the only way to escape with her life is to find him before he finds her…

The million-copy bestseller is back with a dark, terrifying journey into the mind of a psychopath that will keep you riveted until the very last page.

The Institution

They’re locked up for your safety.

Now, you’re locked in with them.

How do you find a murderer in a prison full of killers?

On a locked ward in the world’s highest-security prison hospital, a scream shatters the night.

A nurse has been murdered and her daughter has been taken.

And with only five days to find the girl, the clock is ticking for Dr Connie Woolwine to find a killer hiding in plain sight…

Welcome to The Institution. The locked room thriller readers don’t want to leave.

About The Author:

A Sunday Times and million copy best-selling author, Helen is a former criminal and family law barrister. Every book in the Callanach series has claimed an Amazon #1 bestseller flag. ‘Perfect Kill’ was longlisted for the Crime Writers Association Ian Fleming Steel Dagger in 2020, and others have been longlisted for the McIlvanney Prize, Scottish crime novel of the year. Helen also writes as HS Chandler, and has released legal thriller ‘Degrees of Guilt’. In 2020 Perfect Remains was shortlisted for the Bronze Bat, Dutch debut crime novel of the year. In 2022, Helen was nominated for Best Crime Novel and Best Author in the Netherlands. Now translated into more than 20 languages, and also selling in the USA, Canada & Australasia, Helen’s books have won global recognition. She has written standalone novels, The Institution, The Last Girl To Die, These Lost & Broken Things and The Shadow Man. She regularly commutes between West Sussex, USA and Scotland. Helen can be found on X @Helen_Fields

Book Synopsis:

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Reese’s Book Club Pick The Other Woman comes The Trade Off, an electrifying new novel of suspense that begs the question: Would you tell a story, if you knew it was a lie? Or tell the truth and sleep at night?

For Stella, deputy editor of The Globe, the choice has always been clear. It doesn’t matter how low she has to stoop–getting the best story is what she’s built her reputation on.

For Jess, The Globe‘s rookie reporter, the story stops when the truth does. But she knows that the dirty tricks of the tabloids will be hard to overturn.

And when a celebrity is hounded by The Globe and pays the ultimate price, Jess wonders just how much Stella and the paper are responsible.

Determined to show the world what the tabloid is capable of, Jess will do whatever it takes to uncover the truth, but she needs to watch her back, because someone else is prepared to kill to bury it.

RISK or REWARD. JUSTICE or REVENGE. INNOCENCE or GUILT.

My Review:

The Trade Off is a tense, twisty read that I have continued to think about long after I’ve finished reading.

The book focuses on the methods used by the tabloids to get the next big story. This is obviously quite a timely topic which has been much reported recently so I enjoyed exploring it whilst reading. The story is told from the point of view of two characters- Stella a veteran reporter who is used to using every tactic possible to get a story and Jessie the new reporter who is shocked to learn some of the methods used to get a story. It was quite shocking to learn more about how the tabloids work and some of the frankly underhand tactics that are used. It was also quite emotional to realise the impact these stories can have on people when their secrets are revealed.

I thought this story was a bit of a slow burn but despite this I never felt bored or needed to put the book down as I enjoyed learning more about the characters and found is very interesting to follow them while they were doing their job. The story really picks up half way through with lots of twists that kept me guessing and a bit of back stabbing which was quite shocking. The ending surprised me which I always love and I was very satisfied with how it all played out.

Huge thanks to Chloe from Pan Macmillan for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book.

About The Author:

Sandie Jones has been a freelance journalist for over 20 years, interviewing celebrities such as Justin Timberlake, Isla Fisher, Simon Cowell and Naomie Harris.

Her debut novel, The Other Woman, is a psychological thriller about the destructive relationship between a woman and her partner’s mother.

If Sandie wasn’t an author she’d be an interior designer as she has an unhealthy obsession with wallpaper and cushions!

She lives in London, England, with her husband and three children.

Book Synopsis:

One war may be over, but their fight for survival continues…

For sisters Etta, Jessie and Celie Fry, the Great War and the hardships of the years that followed have taken a heavy toll.

Determined to leave her painful past behind her, Etta heads to the bright lights of Hollywood whilst Jessie, determined to train as a doctor and use her skills to help others, is hampered by the men who dominate her profession. On the vast, empty plains of the Canadian prairies, Celie and her small family stand on the brink of losing everything.

As whispers of a new war make their way to each sister, each must face the possibility of the unthinkable happening again…

My Review:

In The Shadow Of War is an immersive, fascinating, multi timeline read which I thoroughly enjoyed.

The story follows three sisters and takes place over three different countries which may sound confusing but is actually easy to follow when reading. I really loved following all of the sisters and learning more about their lives. Through them we experience life during the great depression as well as the golden era of Hollywood which I found really fascinating, especially when I found out that Cecilia’s storyline is based upon the actual experiences of the author’s family.

All of the sisters were fabulous creations and I liked how the author manages to make them so different from each other. Out of the sisters my favourite was definitely Jessie who I admired for training to be a doctor, in a period when it was an unusual profession for a woman, and for her determination to succeed. Etta annoyed me at times as she seemed such a selfish person at times though I did enjoy following her throughout Hollywood as I’ve always enjoyed films from that time.

I thought the book had a good pace to it and there always seemed to be something happening to keep me reading. The change in point of view really helped to propel the story along top as the snippets into the sister’s lives made me very intrigued to see what would happen next. The story ends on a bit of a cliff hanger , with a few unresolved threads, which makes me hopeful they’ll be another book in this fabulous series. This is actually the third book in the series but I think it could easily be read as a standalone as anything important is explained.

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:

Adrienne Chinn was born in Grand Falls, Newfoundland, grew up in Quebec, and eventually made her way to London, England after a career as a journalist. In England she worked as a TV and film researcher before embarking on a career as an interior designer, lecturer, and writer. When not up a ladder or at the computer writing, she often can be found rummaging through flea markets or haggling in the Marrakech souk. Her debut novel, The Lost Letter, was published in 2019. Her second novel, the international bestseller, The English Wife, was published in 2020. Her third novel, Love in a Time of War, the first in a series of four books in The Three Fry Sisters series, was published in 2022. The second book in the series, The Paris Sister, was published in 2023, and the third book, In the Shadow of War, was published in March 2024. She is currently working on a new historical timeslip novel to be published in 2025.

Good afternoon everyone I hope you’re having a good Sunday. I was lucky enough to receive this fantastic book post yesterday. This has been described as a dark academia thriller which sounds right up my street!

Huge thanks to Chloe Rose and Transworld for sending.

Out 2nd May 2024.

Find out more about the book below ⬇️

Book Synopsis:

“I’m not here for prestige. I’m here for revenge.”

Lou Manson is an outsider when she joins the final-year class at Highfield Manor, Dublin’s most exclusive private school. Beyond the granite pillars and the wrought-iron gates is a world of wealth, privilege and potential. But Highfield is also hiding a dark secret – and Lou is here to expose it.

When Lou befriends the beautiful and talented Shauna Power, her plans are thrown into turmoil. Speaking out against the school would mean betraying Shauna, and Lou soon discovers that the Highfield elite will go to any lengths to protect their own reputation…even when the consequences are fatal.

Thirty years later, Lou is called to testify in a new lawsuit against Highfield. But telling the truth means confronting her past – and there is one story she swore she’d never tell…

For fans of GIRL A, MY DARK VANESSA and ANATOMY OF A SCANDAL, When We Were Silent is a propulsive, bold exploration of power, corruption and retribution.

About The Author:

Fiona McPhillips is an award-winning Irish journalist, author, and screenwriter. She is an editor at The Forge literary magazine and her own work has appeared in The Manchester Review, Hobart and Barren Magazine, among others.

When We Were Silent, the runner-up for the 2021 Crime Writers’ Association Debut Dagger, is her debut novel and will be published in May 2024 by Transworld in the UK and Flatiron in the US. She is also the author of two nonfiction books – Make the Home you Love (O’Brien Press) and Trying To Conceive (Liberties Press).

Fiona lives in Dublin with her three kids, two cats, and a dog.

Book Synopsis:

Welcome to Dressmakers’ Alley, a twisted place filled with dark and deadly secrets

London’s East End 1923

In the heart of Dressmakers’ Alley Madame Pauline’s sweatshop is rumoured to be a particularly unpleasant place to work. Filled with seamstresses paid a pittance who turn a blind eye to what darker activities are hidden behind locked doors.

Young Winnie Brown is keen to prove her value to the Women Movements and secures a job as a seamstress to investigate the whispers of some unsavoury goings on. Her concerns are soon justified when she discovers that there are terrible things afoot, as she hears a desperate cry for help.

Meanwhile, happily married, Lady Diane Cooper is the darling of London’s high-society. Beautiful and talented, she seemingly has it all. But the strict constraints society assigns her leaves her frustrated, she craves more freedom. With the help of her devoted dresser Susie can she realise her dream?

What is the connection between Lady Diane’s world and the poor exploited young women of Dressmakers’ Alley?
Can the two worlds come together for the good of all?

Missing Mulberry Lane? Read Dressmakers’ Ally and you won’t be far away…

My Review:

I’m a huge fan of this author so I was incredibly excited to learn she had a new book out and even more so when I found out it was the start of a new series. Once again Rosie has written a gritty, absorbing saga that I thoroughly enjoyed.

One of the things I most love about this author’s books is her vivid descriptions which helps bring a period to life. I really felt like I was following the character’s around 1920’s London watching all the action unfold or following Winnie into this danger of the dressmakers which was quite a nerve wracking experience at times. I always love books where I learn something new and I enjoyed learning more about what life was like back then and more about the Woman’s Rights movement as well.

I thought all the characters were wonderful creations that I enjoyed learning more about throughout the book. I loved how courageous they all were putting themselves out for others in the hope of creating change. Winnie was my favourite character and I warmed to her quickly as she goes undercover in a dangerous environment. I’m not sure I’d have the nerve to go undercover like she did and my heart was in my mouth as I watched everything unfold.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read more in the series. I think I went through every emotion whilst reading and there always seemed to be something happening to ensure that I couldn’t put the book down. There was some cross overs with other series which made my fan girl heart very happy, including a little trip back to Harper’s which I loved. This book definitely shows a different, gritty side of London which while fun to explore made me very glad I didn’t live there.

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

About The Author:

Rosie Clarke is a #1 bestselling saga writer whose most recent books include The Mulberry Lane series. She has written over 100 novels under different pseudonyms and is a RNA Award winner. She lives in Cambridgeshire.

Good morning everyone and happy Friday. I got these cute looking chocolates for my birthday from one of my closest friends and thought they’d be good to use in a photo (once a book blogger hey)

🐞Close To Death by Anthony Horowitz
🐝 Butter by Asako Yuzuki
🐞How To Solve Your Own Murder by Kristin Perrin
🐝The Night In Question by Susan Fletcher

All of these are tbr but I’m planning on reading How To Solve Your Own Murder and The Night In Question next. The chocolates sadly didn’t last long after the photo as I shared them with the kids.

I’m off this morning and the kids want a quiet morning which I’m happy to oblige with. I’m then working this afternoon which is always fun especially as I’m working with someone today and then I’ve got my first Zumba session!

Do you go to any exercise classes?