Good afternoon everyone I was lucky enough to get a copy of this fabulous sounding book through the post recently.

To Cage A God by Elizabeth May is the first in the Monstrous God’s duology. It’s inspired by Slavic fantasy and explores a fantastic world of Gods and magic which sounds right up my street.

Thanks so much to Blackcrow Pr and Daphne Press for my copy of this book.

Out 20th February 2024.

Book Synopsis:

Join the rebellion to burn down a cruel tyrant in this heartracing new fantasy duology, perfect for fans of Shadow and Bone and The Wolf and the Woodsman.

To cage a god is divine. To be divine is to rule. To rule is to destroy.

Using ancient secrets, Galina and Sera’s mother grafted gods into their bones. Bound to brutal deities and granted forbidden power no commoner has held in a millennia, the sisters have grown up to become living weapons. Raised to overthrow an empire―no matter the cost.With their mother gone and their country on the brink of war, it falls to the sisters to take the helm of the rebellion and end the cruel reign of a royal family possessed by destructive gods. Because when the ruling alurea invade, they conquer with fire and blood. And when they clash, common folk burn.

While Sera reunites with her estranged lover who now leads the rebellion, Galina infiltrates the palace. In this world of deception and danger, her only refuge is an isolated princess, whose whip-smart tongue and sharp gaze threaten to uncover Galina’s secret. Torn between desire and duty, Galina must make a choice: work together to expose the lies of the empire―or bring it all down.

About The Author:

Elizabeth May is the Sunday Times bestselling author of To Cage a God, the Seven Devils duology (co-written with Laura Lam), The Falconer series, and romance novels under the pseudonym Katrina Kendrick. She is Californian by birth and Scottish by choice, and holds a Ph.D. from the University of St Andrews. She currently resides on an 18th-century farm in the Scottish countryside with her husband, three cats, and a lively hive of honeybees that live inside the wall of her old farmhouse.

For more information, follow her on Instagram @_ElizabethMay or visit her website http://www.elizabethmaywrites.com

Good morning everyone today on Two For Tuesday I’m featuring the two books I’m currently reading.

The Turnglass is a book I’ve been very intrigued by since I received a copy through work. I’m currently half way through the first story and it’s getting very interesting. I’m reading Upon A Frosted Star with the lovely Sarah from A Cottage Full Of Books. I’m very excited to read it as I love magical retellings. I was a big fan of Midnight In Everwood and I’m enjoying this book so far too.

What are you currently reading?

The Turnglass by Gareth Rubin

Stuart Turton meets The Magpie Murders in this immersive and unique story for fans of clever crime fiction.

1880s England. On the bleak island of Ray, off the Essex coast, an idealistic young doctor, Simeon Lee, is called from London to treat his cousin, Parson Oliver Hawes, who is dying. Parson Hawes, who lives in the only house on the island – Turnglass House – believes he is being poisoned. And he points the finger at his sister-in-law, Florence. Florence was declared insane after killing Oliver’s brother in a jealous rage and is now kept in a glass-walled apartment in Oliver’s library. And the secret to how she came to be there is found in Oliver’s tête-bêche journal, where one side tells a very different story from the other.

1930s California. Celebrated author Oliver Tooke, the son of the state governor, is found dead in his writing hut off the coast of the family residence, Turnglass House. His friend Ken Kourian doesn’t believe that Oliver would take his own life. His investigations lead him to the mysterious kidnapping of Oliver’s brother when they were children, and the subsequent secret incarceration of his mother, Florence, in an asylum. But to discover the truth, Ken must decipher clues hidden in Oliver’s final book, a tête-bêche novel – which is about a young doctor called Simeon Lee . . . 

Upon A Frosted Star by M. A Kuzniar

When the snow falls, she will be free…

The invitations always arrive the same way – without warning, appearing around the city on the first snowfall of the year, simply inscribed with ‘Tonight.’

When struggling artist, Forster, finds an invitation, he’s bewitched by the magic of the evening, swept up in the glamour of this notorious annual party and intrigued as to who is behind them.

Determined to find out more about the mysterious host, Forster discovers an abandoned manor house silent with secrets and a cursed woman who is desparate to be free…

From the bestselling author of Midnight in Everwood, comes another spellbinding literary fairy tale that’s The Great Gatsby meets Swan Lake.

Good afternoon everyone I’m pleased to be featuring No Reserve by Felix Francis today.

I’ve read and enjoyed a few of Dick Francis’s books so I was very excited to be offered a copy of his son Felix’s new book. It sounds really good and I can’t wait to read it soon.

Coincidentally Rossiters in Cheltenham are hosting an event with Felix Francis on the 26th of October. Do visit the website or call into the shop to book tickets.

Huge thanks to Sophie from Ransom PR for my copy of this book.

Book Synopsis:

Theo Jennings is a young auctioneer at the Thoroughbred sales ring in Newmarket. The October yearling sales are where the big money exchanges hands in frenzied auctions: millions of Guineas paid for horses that are as yet unnamed, untested, and have never taken a step on the track. It’s the greatest gamble in all of horseracing, and one that can end in ruin.

Theo has just made the biggest sale of his life, when he overhears a secret conversation between the two bidders – can they really have colluded to fix the price of his big sale? When that same horse is found dead the next morning, he has no choice but to investigate, even against the wishes of his boss. But the more he uncovers, the less he can trust the people around him.

The higher the stakes, the greater the risk. And in the bloodstock game, the ultimate price can be murder . . .

About The Author:

FELIX FRANCIS is Dick Francis’s younger son. Born in 1953, Felix studied Physics and Electronics at London University and then embarked upon a 17-year career teaching Advanced Level physics at three schools, the last seven as head of the science department at Bloxham School in Oxfordshire. After leaving teaching, Felix then became a businessman, spending 13 years as deputy chairman of World Challenge Expeditions Ltd, before starting his third career as an author.

As a child, Felix remembers that conversations around the Francis breakfast table were somewhat unconventional. “The production of a Dick Francis novel has always been a mixture of inspiration, perspiration and teamwork. The first one was published when I was nine, and I grew up in a house where talk would be about the damage a bullet might do to a man’s guts rather than the more mundane topics of everyday life”.

Over the next 40 years, Felix assisted Dick with both the research and the writing of many of his novels. They shared a love of racing and often worked together on plot and character details at Dick’s home in the Cayman Islands. This partnership allowed Dick to draw upon Felix’s knowledge and experience as a physics teacher and marksman in Twice Shy, and as an outdoorsman in Longshot.

With the publication of Under Orders in 2006, Felix took over the writing of the ‘Dick Francis’ novels from his father. This was followed by Dead Heat in 2007, Silks in 2008, and Even Money in 2009. Crossfire was the book Felix was working on when Dick died in February 2010, marking the end of one chapter and the beginning of another in the Dick Francis brand. Since then there have been another twelve ‘Dick Francis’ novels, with Felix’s latest, No Reserve, published in September 2023.

Good morning everyone. I can’t believe it’s Monday again the weekend went way to fast.

I’ve got another match your bag bookstack for you today. All these books are tbr except Hello Beautiful which I started but had to stop for another book but I’m hoping to get back to it soon.

This is another bag my clever mother in law made me and it’s one of my favourites as I absolutely love the fabric. My kids call it my Mary Poppins bag as I can fit so much stuff in it!

Today’s an emotional day for me as my eldest son is off on his Year 6 trip for a whole week. I’m really going to miss him as we always hang out in the evening after the others have gone to bed so it will be weird without him though I know he’ll have a great time.

Have you got anything exciting happening this week?

Good morning everyone I hope you’re having a great weekend so far. These are some of the books I’ve added to my bookshelf this week.

❤️Lucy By The Sea by Elizabeth Stroud

🧡Love In Old Age by Hunter Davies

💛 Briefly, A Delicious Life by Nell Stevens

💚To Cage A God by Elizabeth May *

💙The White Lie by J.G Kelly *

🩵No Reserve by Felix Francis *

💜God And Monsters by Ana Sampson

🩷The Stargazers by Harriet Evans

The books with stars next to them are proof which were kindly sent to me the rest are from the returns pile at work.

I’ve always said I have an eclectic reading taste and I think this pile really shows that. I loved the look of all of these but I was especially excited to find a copy of God & Monsters as I love mythology so it instantly appealed. Love In Old Age is a memoir about living in the Isle Of Wight, a place I’ve always loved. Finally, Stargazers is a book I’ve been hearing lots about from my fellow book friends so I’m excited to read it soon.

Have you read any of these? What would you read first?

Good morning everyone. Today I thought I’d share six books that I’m hoping to read soon.

❤️The Playground by Michelle Frances
🧡 In The Weeds by B. K. Borison
💛In Bloom by Eve Verde
💚Bad Men by Julie Mae Cohen
💙 Nineteen Steps by Millie Bobby Brown
💜Shark Heart by Emily Habeck

I’ve been hearing lots of great things about all of these so I’m really hoping I can get to them soon. Shark Heart is a book club read so I’ll definitely have to read that one in the next few weeks.

Today my husband is taking two of the kids to activities and I’ll be trying to organise my eldest son for his year 6 trip next week. Then we’re going to my mum’s for food tonight which is always nice. I’m working tomorrow which I’m looking forward to.

What are your weekend plans?

Good afternoon everyone and happy Friday. I was lucky enough to be sent a copy of this fabulous sounding book this week. I always love books involving family feuds in isolated settings so this book really appeals to me.

Huge thanks to Bloodhound for sending me a copy of this book.

Book Synopsis:

In a remote house in rural Alaska, six potential heirs gather with the promise of inheriting a huge sum of money. But how far will they go to get their hands on a fortune?

It’s going to be a family reunion to die for…

Summoned by letter, Holly Shaw and five of her cousins—virtual strangers to each other—have gathered at a grand house in the rugged wilds of Alaska. Equally unfamiliar to Holly is her great-aunt Lydia, who has called the family together with the promise of a massive inheritance. Her condition: they must remain in the house, with Lydia and her butler and caregiver, until she passes. Anyone not in residence at that time is out of the will, and their share of the money will be split among the others.

That night, everyone settles in. But the following day, the murders begin . . .

From Mustang Award finalist and 2022 Derringer Award nominee Brandon Barrows, this is a twisting, atmospheric mystery and an utterly compelling tale of guilt, greed, and temptation.

About The Author:

Brandon Barrows is the author of several novels, most recently 3rd LAW: Mixed Magical Arts, a YA urban fantasy.

He has published over eighty stories, selected of which are collected in the books THE ALTAR IN THE HILLS and THE CASTLE-TOWN TRAGEDY.

He is an active member of Mystery Writers of America, Private Eye Writers of America, and International Thriller Writers.

He was a 2021 Mustang Award finalist and is a 2022 Derringer Award nominee.

On Twitter @brandonbarrows and online at http://www.brandonbarrowscomics.com

Good morning everyone I’ve seen this challenge going around Instagram and thought I’d join in.

The idea is to answer a few questions about your reading preferences, so please read on if you’d like to learn more!

Short or Long?

I do prefer short chapters to be honest, or at least obvious breaks in longer chapters. As a busy mum my reading time is often limited to short bursts so having small sections to read helps.

Names or Numbers

Names! I always find it more intriguing as it sometimes gives a hint about what might be about to happen.

Single of multiple pov?

I do enjoy multiple pov best as it’s always great to see other people points of view. My favourite is when one pov is historical and it involves a mystery that someone is trying to solve in the present.

Stopping in the middle or at the end of the chapter?

If I can I like to stop at the end of the chapter, but sometimes if I’m too tired or the chapter too long I will stop in the middle. I try to stop at an obvious break in the story though so it’s easier to get back into it when I restart.

Do you check chapter length before reading?

Yes! I have to know what page the chapter ends on. I’m not entirely sure why but it is something I’ve always done.

Bookmarks or Dogear?

I prefer bookmarks, I get a bit upset if pages get dogeared. My eldest does it all the time and it makes me twitch. My kids know I love bookmarks and often make them for me so I always have lots of options!

There you go – that’s a little bit about me. I’ve tagged a few people on Instagram who might like to join in but, as always, no pressure.

Book Synopsis:

Warning: supervillain in training. Risk of world domination.

Inheriting his late uncle’s business proves complicated. It’s also way more dangerous than Charlie could ever have imagined. Because his uncle had kept his supervillain status a secret – until now.

Divorced and emotionally dependent on his cat, Charlie wasn’t loving life. Although they weren’t close, news of his Uncle Jack’s death didn’t help. And that was before Jake’s rivals (seriously vengeful ones) ambushed his funeral. Now Charlie must decide if he should stay stuck in his rut, or step up to take on the business, the enemies, the minions, the hidden volcano lair . . .

Even harder to get used to are the sentient, language-using, computer-savvy cats – and the fact that in the organization’s hierarchy, they’re management. If Charlie does say yes, this lifeline could become a death wish. Because there’s much more to being an Evil Mastermind than he suspected. Yet could this also, finally, be his chance to shine?

My Review:

Starter Villain is a action packed, hilarious and gripping read that I raced through in a few days.

Firstly I absolutely loved the concept of this book. The idea that there’s really super villains with secret lairs and highly intelligent cats as sidekicks was absolutely brilliant. I loved watching this world unfold and learning more about it. The author does a great job of setting the scene in the book with his vivid descriptions making the book seem very real, as if it could all actually happen.

The characters in this book were brilliant creations who I absolutely loved following throughout the book. It was especially interesting to follow Charlie as he finds out about his uncle’s secret life and learns how to be a supervillain. I quickly grew fond of Charlie and felt almost protective of him as he tried to negotiate the tricky world he finds himself in. His partnership with Morrison was hilarious to follow and often made me laugh out loud as I read.

Overall, as you can probably tell, I absolutely loved this book and will be recommending it to everyone. It was unlike anything I’ve read before and I soon found the book hard to put down as I was so absorbed in the story. It reminded me a little of Kafta On The Shore (maybe because of the talking cats?) So if you liked that book I think you’ll love this one.

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

About The Author:

John Scalzi writes books, which, considering where you’re reading this, makes perfect sense. He’s best known for writing science fiction, including the New York Times bestseller “Redshirts,” which won the Hugo Award for Best Novel. He also writes non-fiction, on subjects ranging from personal finance to astronomy to film, was the Creative Consultant for the Stargate: Universe television series. He enjoys pie, as should all right thinking people. You can get to his blog by typing the word “Whatever” into Google. No, seriously, try it.

Good morning everyone. I received this beautiful looking book yesterday and thought I’d dust off my reel making skills to show it off. I got this with the last of the Waterstones vouchers I accumulated before starting work at Rossiters and had actually forgotten I’d ordered it before I got a notification that it was on its way.

I absolutely loved this author’s first book so I’m excited to read this one soon.

Is this book on your list?

Book Synopsis:

When the snow falls, she will be free…
The invitations always arrive the same way – without warning, appearing around the city on the first snowfall of the year, simply inscribed with ‘Tonight.’

When struggling artist, Forster, finds an invitation, he’s bewitched by the magic of the evening, swept up in the glamour of this notorious annual party and intrigued as to who is behind them.

Determined to find out more about the mysterious host, Forster discovers an abandoned manor house silent with secrets and a cursed woman who is desperate to be free…

From the bestselling author of Midnight in Everwood, comes another spellbinding literary fairy tale that’s The Great Gatsby meets Swan Lake.

About The Author:

Maria Kuzniar spent six years living in Spain, teaching English and travelling the world which inspired her children’s series The Ship of Shadows. Her adult debut novel Midnight in Everwood was inspired by her love of ballet and love of The Nutcracker. She lives in Nottingham with her husband, where she reads and writes as much as can and bookstagrams @cosyreads.