Book Synopsis:

Is the Diamond reign over?

Head of the Diamond family, Patsy is determined to make a success of husband Nick’s gangland empire – whatever the cost. Nick was ruthless and cold-blooded, but he built a legacy that Patsy wants to protect.

So when a mysterious woman from Nick’s past turns up claiming to be Patsy’s new business partner, she senses trouble. Karen Duret demands Patsy’s help, but it comes with a catch. If Patsy refuses, Karen threatens to expose the Diamond family’s darkest secrets…

Patsy needs the help of her trusted allies more than ever, but when a rival gang start a turf war, the stakes suddenly become deadly.

Torn between loyalties, Patsy knows that blood will be spilled. And as battle commences, the question on everyone’s lips is – who will be crowned the queen of diamonds?

My Review:

The Queen Of Diamonds was another gripping read from one of my favourite authors of this genre. Gangland books are fast becoming my guilty pleasure and are often the genre I fall back on when I’m in a reading slump as I know they’ll be a gripping, easy read.

I was immediately drawn into the story and into the lives of the characters. It’s a period of change for the diamond family with lots of new drama and rivals on the scene. As always there were some characters I loved like the lovely Freddie but others I loved to hate and wouldn’t have minded if they met a sticky end. Patsy was an interesting main character on one hand she was a very hard women when it came to the gang but on the other she definitely had vulnerabilities, particularly in the fact I didn’t feel she had any real allies. She also seemed very spontaneous at times, jumping into situations without thinking them through which didn’t always lead to the best results.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more in this series. The tension in the book never really lets up which makes the book very hard to put down and ensured I lost lots of sleep as I was desperate to find out what happened next. There are multiple story lines running through the book which I enjoyed following and seeing how they all came together at the end was very interesting.

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:

Gillian Godden is a brilliantly reviewed writer of gangland fiction as well as a full-time NHS Key Worker in Hull. She lived in London for over thirty years, where she sets her thrillers, and during this time worked in various stripper pubs and venues which have inspired her stories.

Good morning everyone I have a book Spotlight for you today for a book I’m really looking forward to.

Juno Loves Legs sounds just my type of book! It’s the story of two misfits bound together by hard Dublin childhoods which develops into a beautiful, one-in-a-lifetime friendship.

“An unforgettable portrait of two young misfits bound together by hard Dublin childhoods. It’s a ode to love, to salvation of friendship, and to the families we build when our own families fail us. The characters are so real, so desperate to be loved that the reader will want to reach through the pages and hold them”.

Out 09th March 2023.

Book Synopsis:

Juno loves Legs. She’s loved him since their first encounter at school in Dublin, the time she fought the playground bullies for him. Her bright spirit makes his courage flare; his tenderness makes her safe. Together, they feel invincible, even if the world has other ideas. This is their story.

About The Author:

Karl Geary was born in Dublin. His widely acclaimed debut Montpelier Parade was shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award and for Newcomer of the Year at the Irish Book Awards. Karl lives in Glasgow with his wife and daughter.

Book Synopsis:

A sparkling new historical novel set in the 1920s, inspired by the notorious all-female crime syndicate known as the Forty Thieves who operated out of the slums of south London.

Ruby Mills is ruthlessly ambitious, strikingly beautiful – and one of the Forty Thieves’ most talented members.

Harriet Littlemore writes the women’s section in a local newspaper. She’s from a ‘good’ London family and engaged to an up-and-coming Member of Parliament – but she wants a successful career of her own.

After witnessing Ruby fleeing the scene of a robbery, Harriet develops a fascination with the elusive young thief that extends beyond journalistic interest. As their personal aspirations bring them into closer contact than society’s rules usually allow, Ruby and Harriet’s stories become increasingly intertwined.

Their magnetic dynamic, fraught with envy and desire, tells a compulsive, cinematic story about class, morality and the cost of being an independent woman in 1920s London.

My Review:

I was a huge fan of this author’s Lizzie Hardwicke series so I was very excited to read this book, especially as I’d heard lots of great things from my fellow blogger’s.

Firstly I loved the setting of this book which takes us into the slightly seedier, grimey side of the 1920’s then the carefree one we normally read about. This book describes a London still feeling the effects of the war and people struggling to make ends meet. I found it fascinating to walk throughout the slums and experience everything alongside the characters.

The author has clearly done her research and I loved all the historical details she included. I loved learning more about the Forties gang in particular as I hadn’t heard anything about them before so it was interesting following them as they went on raids. The differences between the classes were quite stark at times, as emphasised by the different lives Ruby and Harriet led. It was quite emotional to read about one group struggling while the other drank champagne near by. The treatment of women at the time made my blood boil and made me feel sorry for Harriet as she tries to do her own thing only to be thwarted by her parents.

The story is fairly fast paced and I quickly became absorbed into the story and the lives of the two very different characters. There always seemed to be something happening to keep me reading and even in quieter moments I was so absorbed in the story that I found the book hard to put down. I felt very sad when the book ended and I had to leave behind Ruby and the Forties. I’d really love there to be a sequel as I’d love to read more about them. If you’re a fan of historical fiction you need to read this book!

About The Author:

Georgina Clarke has always been passionate about stories and history. The Lizzie Hardwicke novels give her the opportunity to bring to life her love of the eighteenth century and her determination that a strong, intelligent and unconventional woman should get to solve the crimes – rather than be cast in the role of the side-kick.

Georgina was born in Wolverhampton, has degrees from Oxford, Cambridge and London, but now lives in Worcester with her husband and son and two lively cats.

Her first two novels, Death and the Harlot and The Corpse Played Dead, are published by Canelo. She is currently cooking up plots for the next novels in the series.

She is represented by Laura Macdougall, at United Agents.

If you would like to visit her website, you can find her at:

http://www.georginaclarkeauthor.com

She is also to be found tweeting (probably far too often than is good for her) at:

@clarkegeorgina1

Good morning everyone and happy Monday! I’m participating in the 12 Challenge from Instagram where I read 12 books recommended by friends next year. I’m really excited about this as, like most bookworms, I love discovering new books and authors.

Below are some of the books already on my list but I need 8 more! I read most genres the only thing I don’t tend to read is books where children get hurt as having three kids myself I find it too hard to read.

Do you have any recommendations I can add to my list?

Good morning everyone I hope you’re staying warm in this cold weather. Here are 5 books that I think are perfect for reading this winter!

⭐ Snowed In For Christmas by Sarah Morgan
⭐ Outside by Ragnar Jónasson
⭐The Cornish Cream Tea Bookshop by Cressida McLaughlin
⭐aThe Winter Garden by Alexander Bell
⭐A Christmas Celebration by Heidi Swain

I’m really excited to read these as I’ve heard great things about Snowed In For Christmas and The Winter Garden which both sound like magical reads. I’m a huge fan of Jónasson’s books as I love books set in cold countries and Heidi and Cressida’s books are always amazing!

What’s your favourite winter read? Have you read any of these?

I’m trying to be so good this month and not buy any books for myself but I couldn’t resist these three fabulous sounding books!

⭐The Christmas Murder Game by Alexander Benedict
⭐They Both Die At The End by Adam Silvera
⭐The Secrets Of Rochester Place by Iris Costello

I’ve been following the read along to the sequel of The Christmas Murder Game and was so intrigued I had to get a copy as I like reading series in order. They Both Die At The End is a book I’ve been hearing lots about and when I went to buy it for a Christmas present they were on a 2 for £7 deal so naturally had to get a copy for me too 🤣. The Secrets Of Rochester Place is another book I’ve seen my blogger friends enjoy and the cover is so pretty I can’t wait to read this soon!

What books have you bought recently? Have you read any of these?

Good morning everyone I’m very excited to reveal the cover of the wonderful sounding The Witching Tide by Margaret Meyer. I love historical fiction, especially if they are about witches or have a supernatural element to them. I can’t wait to read it soon.

You can find out more about the book below or you can pre-order it using the links!

Book Synopsis:

THERE IS POWER IN SILENCE

East Anglia, 1645. Martha Hallybread, a midwife, healer and servant, has lived peacefully for more than four decades in her beloved Cleftwater. Everyone in the village knows Martha, but no one has ever heard her speak.

One bright morning, Martha becomes a silent witness to a witch hunt, led by sinister new arrival Silas Makepeace. As a trusted member of the community, she is enlisted to search the bodies of the accused women for evidence. But whilst she wants to help her friends, she also harbours a dark secret that could cost her own freedom.

In desperation, Martha revives a wax witching doll that she inherited from her mother, in the hope that it will bring protection. But the doll’s true powers are unknowable, the tide is turning, and time is running out . . .

A spellbinding and intoxicating novel inspired by true events, The Witching Tide is a magnificent debut from a writer to watch.

Out 6th July 2023, pre-order your copy using the links below!

About The Author:

Margaret Meyer was born in Canada, grew up in New Zealand and now lives in Norwich, England. She worked in publishing and literature promotion before retraining in a second career as a mental health therapist. In 2020 she completed an MA in Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia. The Witching Tide is her first novel.

Book Synopsis:

The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake is the runaway TikTok sensation – the must-read fantasy novel of the year. If you loved Ninth House and A Deadly Education, you’ll love this. The book includes gorgeous new illustrations.

Secrets. Betrayal. Seduction.
Welcome to the Alexandrian Society.

When the world’s best magicians are offered an extraordinary opportunity, saying yes is easy. Each could join the secretive Alexandrian Society, whose custodians guard lost knowledge from ancient civilizations. Their members enjoy a lifetime of power and prestige. Yet each decade, only six practitioners are invited – to fill five places.

Contenders Libby Rhodes and Nico de Varona are inseparable enemies, cosmologists who can control matter with their minds. Parisa Kamali is a telepath, who sees the mind’s deepest secrets. Reina Mori is a naturalist who can perceive and understand the flow of life itself. And Callum Nova is an empath, who can manipulate the desires of others. Finally there’s Tristan Caine, whose powers mystify even himself.

Following recruitment by the mysterious Atlas Blakely, they travel to the Society’s London headquarters. Here, each must study and innovate within esoteric subject areas. And if they can prove themselves, over the course of a year, they’ll survive. Most of them.

The story continues in The Atlas Paradox, the heart-stopping sequel.

My Review:

I’d heard lots of great things about this book so was very intrigued about it and knew I had to read it soon. As a huge Harry Potter fan I love anything to do with magic so this book instantly appealed.

The book does start off a little slowly as the author sets the scene but I soon found myself drawn into the fascinating world of the society and the intriguing situation the character’s find themselves in. The different magic or abilities of the characters was very different and I enjoyed learning more about them.

I loved all the characters and it was good getting to know more about them as the book continued. They all have very different reasons for wanting to be involved in the society, which were interesting to find out more about and made me keep changing my opinion of them. My favourite character was Libby or Rhodes as she’s often called by the others. I felt sorry for her as she seemed to be underestimated or talked down to by the others and it seemed that she was always having to prove herself.

Overall I loved this book and enjoyed spending time in the fantastic world the author has created. I thought the plot was well paced and there always seemed to be something happening to keep me glued to the page. There are lots of twists and surprise reveals throughout the book which, along with the unusual magic, made it impossible to guess which way the story was going.

I’ve already bought the sequel and look forward to reading it very soon! Highly recommended by me.

About The Author:

Olivie Blake is the pseudonym of Alexene Farol Follmuth, a lover and writer of stories, many of which involve the fantastic, the paranormal, or the supernatural, but not always. More often, her works revolve around what it means to be human (or not), and the endlessly interesting complexities of life and love.​Olivie has penned several indie SFF projects, including the webtoon Clara and the Devil with illustrator Little Chmura and the viral Atlas series. As Follmuth, her young adult rom-com My Mechanical Romance releases May 2022.Olivie lives in Los Angeles with her husband and baby, where she is generally tolerated by her rescue pit bull. More on Olivie can be found at http://www.olivieblake.com.

Book Synopsis:

Before Baker Street, there was Montague.

Before partnership with a former army doctor recently returned from Afghanistan, Sherlock Holmes had but the quiet company of his own great intellect. Solitary he might be but, living as he did for the thrill of the chase, it was enough.

For a little while, at the least, it was enough. 

That is, until a client arrives at his door with a desperate plea and an invitation into a world of societal scandal and stage door dandies. Thrust deep in an all-consuming role and charged with the safe-keeping of another, Holmes must own to his limits or risk danger to others besides himself in this the case of the aluminium crutch. 

My Review:

Sherlock Holmes is an intriguing, clever read that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Firstly I’m a huge fan of anything Sherlock Holmes related so I jumped at the chance to read this book. The author is clearly a Sherlock fan and I loved how vividly she describes the time period and his little personality quirks that we all know and love. The usual cleverness and showing off is there as you’d expect but I did miss Watson who I feel always manages to take the edge off Sherlock’s awkwardness.

The plot starts off a little slow as the author sets the scene but soon becomes very intriguing indeed. I loved following Sherlock as he tried to solve the case, trying to work out the clues alongside him. There were many twists and red herrings that kept me guessing y I enjoyed watching everything unravel as the story went on. My only small complaint is I wish it could have been longer as I loved being part of Sherlock’s world.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I’d definitely be interested in reading more in future.

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:

M. K. Wiseman has degrees in animation/video and library science – both from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Today, her office is a clutter of storyboards and half-catalogued collections of too, too many books. (But, really, is there such a thing as too many books?) When she’s not mucking about with stories, she’s off playing brač or lying in a hammock in the backyard of her Wisconsin home that she shares with her endlessly patient husband.

Good morning everyone! Today I’ve got a book Spotlight for The Book Of Eve by Meg Clothier. I’m hugely excited for this book and must admit to squealing when I received it. It sounds fantastic and that cover is simply gorgeous. I can’t wait to read this soon!

Thanks so much to the lovely Rosie from Headline for my copy of this book!

Have you got this book on your radar?

Out 2nd March 2023!

Book Synopsis:

In the name of the Father, not a word of this. Her letters are forbidden.

Beatrice is the convent’s librarian. For years, she has shunned the company of her sisters, finding solace only with her manuscripts.

Then, one carnival night, two women, bleeding and stricken, are abandoned outside the convent’s walls. Moments from death, one of them presses something into Beatrice’s hands: a bewitching book whose pages have a dangerous life of their own.

But men of the faith want the book destroyed, and a zealous preacher has tracked it to her door. Her sisters’ lives – or her obsession. Beatrice must decide.

The book’s voice is growing stronger.
An ancient power uncoils.
Will she dare to listen?

About The Author:

Meg Clothier studied Classics at Cambridge, sailed from England to Alaska and worked as a journalist in London and Moscow. She has published two historical novels, The Girl King (about Tamar, the Elizabeth I of the Caucasus) and The Empress (about a French princess caught up in the Fourth Crusade), and is currently writing a miscellany about the Great British seaside for Profile Books with her brother, Chris. She lives on the sunny side of the Quantock Hills with her husband, two children and an improbable amount of vegetables.