Ottercombe bay- Bella Osbourne- 3*

Daisy is in Ottercombe bay to attend the funeral of her great Uncle.
She finds out that he has left her something in his will, however there are
strings attached. Daisy is a wanderer and doesn’t like to be tied down
having been travelling on and off since university. Will the bequest change
her and make her put down roots for once? I was really enjoying this…
and then it stopped. Just like someone had ripped out half of the book.
I felt had! I would happily have given this four stars but reduced to
three due to this. For me it’s OK to lead into a sequel, but this wasn’t
that way in my eyes. It was just getting going nicely and stopped.
Disappointing.

For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/

or follow me on Twitter @nickijmurphy1

A Spell in the Country- Heide Goody + Iain Grant- 4*  

I loved this, such an entertaining read. Think witches at school and then a wonderful
finale. There are different sorts of witches as we all know. Dee is a good witch but
wants to be better. She works in a charity shop for an animal rescue centre as she
has a soft spot for even the “ugly” animals that no-one wants. Caroline in her own
words isn’t “just a witch” she is “ a frickin’ awesome witch”. Jenny however is a
bad witch who has her own invisible imp- Jizzimus who gets up to all sorts of
mischief- of course he does, he’s an imp! They have all met a Chugger who has
“sold” them three weeks on a free self development course. Too good to be true?
They have crossed paths briefly and now on the course realise they all have one
thing in common- witchcraft. This is one of those books that you can’t help but
smile at from the start. Antics as you would expect when a little magic is at hand,
but there is also another plot afoot. Very clever how a real name was woven into
this. Some “real” people entered to have their names in the book- how lucky
are they! To be a witch- wow! Dear Heide…. please please please?
What an honour. A book to enjoy, a book to make you smile. Witchcraft?
Think again with a Spell in the Country.

For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/ or follow
me on Twitter
@nickijmurphy1

Purchase Links

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B078NRFL93/

US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078NRFL93/

Author Bio –

Heide Goody is the stupid one in the writing partnership and Iain Grant is the sensible one. 

Together, they are the authors of seven novels, two short story collections and a novella.

The ‘Clovenhoof’ series (in which Satan loses his job and has to move to Birmingham)

 has recently been optioned by a Hollywood production company. Their latest novel, 

Oddjobs 2: this time it’s personnel, was published in August 2017.

Heide and Iain are both married, but not to each other.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Clovenhoof-Books-285544508177333/

Website: http://www.pigeonparkpress.com/

Twitter: @HeideGoody and @IainMGrant

Coming soon....... another 5* read from Ross Greenwood. I finished this last night and all I will say is wow.... I sat with my jaw on the floor......
Preorder here:

Amazon UK: http://bit.ly/AbelsRevenge-RossGreenwood-AmazonUK

Amazon US:  http://bit.ly/AbelsRevenge-RossGreenwood-AmazonUS

(out 31st March)

Murder in the Garden- Faith Martin- 4*

Another highly enjoyable read with DI Hillary Greene at the helm. At the end of the last

book Superintendent Mallow was shot on the steps of the police station after a sniper

had been caught a few weeks beforehand. This book starts with DI Hillary Greene’s

return to work. An elderly man has been found dead in his garden, having been hit

over the head with his garden spade. He had no enemies and his only adversary of

sorts was over how successful his plants and vegetables were. Meanwhile Mallow’s

widow and previous sargent to Hillary, Janine, is pregnant and not happy with how

the investigation into his death is progressing- or not. Now a DI she wants to step

in and get things moving. As ever Faith gives the reader wonderful characters and

a good solid story line- or two in this case. I enjoy following Hillary’s career and

the murders she solves. Remind me never to retire to Oxfordshire!

For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/

or follow me on Twitter @nickijmurphy1

The Last Laugh- Tracy Bloom-5*  

A stunning rad that you won’t forget. Jenny has a secret. A big one.

One that is going to affect her family in all sorts of ways and she doesn’t

know how to tell her husband let alone the kids. Her husband also has a

secret which Jenny finds out about unwittingly adding to her angst.

A book of ups and downs, highs and lows and one to make you think about

your own life and how you live it. This draws you in as you so feel for Jenny

and her predicaments and makes you really think “if it were me….. what

would I do”. Characters wonderfully portrayed that you can’t help but

admire them. A brilliantly written book written with sensitivity and

poignancy, with a look at life from a very different perspective.  If you t

hink you have problems- read this and it will put everything in perspective.

“Live life with hope”. Tracy you have a talent- I very much look forward

to your next book.
For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/
or follow me on Twitter

@nickijmurphy1

Cut the Threads- Robin Roughley  4*

Robin plunges the reader straight into the action, no holds barred in this story of a
rather gruesome murder. Who is the man and why has been so brutally attacked?
A world of extortion and a boss no one knows the name of. Kidnapped girls, a dodgy
solicitor and rackets left right and centre, Fortunately DS Marnie has a strong
stomach and nothing will put her off tracking down the perpetrators. Short snappy
chapters keep the pace moving and there is plenty going on right from the start.
Characters with depth that you take to -or not as the case maybe, but so well
written that you could see this as a TV drama. Robin has the knack of bringing a
story to life and characters you can believe in. This is a rather gory tale in parts
with twists along the way yet handled so well. Marnie has her own demons.
Will she ever put them to rest? Another wonderfully told story from the master
of crime stories, every one has a depth so lacking in many others.
I look forward to the next Robin Roughley instalment with baited breath.

For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/
or follow me on Twitter

@nickijmurphy1

Author Bio:

Robin Roughley hails from the town of Wigan in the North-West of England and is the author of the hugely popular DS Lasser crime series.

On March 9th 2017, Rob released the first book in the  DS Marnie Hammond series, Keep You Near, published by Bloodhound.  DS Marnie Hammond hails from Lancashire, in the fictional town of Kirkhead.  Like all good detectives, Marnie comes with her own unique set of crime-solving skills.

When not writing, which amounts to roughly two days a year, he can be found walking the canal towpaths of Wigan, sorting out plot lines and looking for ideas, with an assortment of dogs in tow.

So, next time you see a shaven-headed, middle-aged man wandering about, scratching his head, looking bewildered and taking random pictures it is Rob hoping for divine inspiration.

If you like your crime to be hard hitting and gritty with an assortment of characters that feel like friends then feel free to jump in at the deep end.

Links:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Robin-Roughley/e/B00CQ15GG4

Twitter https://twitter.com/RobRoughley

Facebook https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=facebook+robin+roughley&oq=facebook+robin+rou&aqs=chrome.0.0j69i57j0l4.11431j0j8&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

https://www.robinroughley.com/

A Country Escape- Katie Fforde 5*

I always look forward to a Katie Fforde book. Even before I have read the first page

there is the anticipation of that feel good factor along with a wonderful story line,

larger than life characters and a smile along the way. This one didn’t disappoint me

in any of those aspects. Fran lives in London working as a chef. She vaguely

remembers as a child going to a farm and seeing the cows. She gets a letter from a

solicitor saying that a distant relative has gone into a care home and that she is to

try and run the farm for a year and then might inherit it. How is a chef going to run

a farm when she hasn’t a clue where to start? And who is the neighbour that the

relative hates so much? Brilliantly written from the word go. Wonderful characters

that you take to (or not in one case!) and scenes that you can easily picture.

Whether you live in London or rurality, this book will bring a smile.

A thoroughly enjoyable read.

For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/

or follow me on Twitter @nickijmurphy1

--------

Hiding- Jenny Morton-Potts-4*  

Rebecca lives with her two siblings with her grandparents as their parents died in

a car accident. She does some research and can’t understand why her name is not

the same as theirs was. Keller makes his last journey to the prison where his father

has been incarcerated and then travels to England to find out more about a family

he has known about for a very long time. Two separate stories of two very different

lives. This is a well written novel that took me a while to get into but once I did I

really enjoyed it and wanted to know what the connection was. Jenny gives

excellent character portrayal especially to the main pair. Rebecca you take to easily,

Keller you have to wonder what his intentions are and are more and more

suspicious as the plot thickens. I couldn’t see where this was going- at all which to

me shows how well it has been planned and written. To me it was more of a crime
book (albeit with a psychological element) than a pure psychological thriller.
That said I still really enjoyed it. One of those books that is a different read from
the formatted norm. An unusual, thought provoking read.
For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/
or follow me on Twitter

@nickijmurphy1

Purchase from Amazon UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hiding-gripping-psychological-thriller-chilling-ebook/dp/B078XK95S1/

About the author

Jenny is a novelist, screenplay writer and playwright. After a series of 'proper jobs', she realised she was living someone else's life and escaped to Gascony to make gîtes. Knee deep in cement and pregnant, Jenny was happy. Then autism and a distracted spine surgeon wiped out the order. Returned to wonderful England, to write her socks off.
      Jenny would like to see the Northern Lights but worries that’s the best bit and should be saved till last. Very happily, and gratefully, settled with family.
      She tries not to take herself too seriously.

Social Media Links –

www.jennymortonpotts.com

https://twitter.com/jmortonpotts

www.facebook/jennymortonpotts

 

Giveaway – Win 3 x e-copies of Hiding by Jenny Morton Potts (Open Internationally)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Little Cottage on the Hill- Emma Davies-5*

A wonderfully uplifting enjoyable read to make you smile. Maddie arrives from
London to take up her new position as Development and Marketing manager for
a set of rural cottages and business area. Her designer clothes and London
presence of mind are far from the dilapidated, rundown buildings and mud strewn
area she arrives to. Add to that a boss who doesn’t want her ideas as he firmly has
his own and fireworks are likely to happen. Emma always delivers. Characters so well
described that you wish that you had them as neighbours or friends. A plot that
although you may think you know where it is going, you aren’t quite sure how
it will get there. An interesting story with wonderful descriptions to leave you
with a smile.

For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/
or follow me on Twitter @nickijmurphy1

Living in the past- Jane Lovering  5*

Think Time Team crossed with the Time Traveller’s Wife, a little romance and a

little humour. Oh and a bit of detective work thrown in the mix.  Don’t get me

wrong - this is wonderful mix of a book that works really well. Nothing if not

unique! Grace lost the love of her life two years ago. Her friend has asked her

on an archeological dig to try and get her back in the real world. Duncan

McDonald has a reputation for being grumpy to say the least, and Grace stands

up for herself, much to Duncan’s surprise and admiration. When one of the group

go missing, Duncan turns as white as the proverbial sheet when the police

arrive-apparently he was there when a similar thing happened years beforehand.

In 2000 BC a young boy is being treated by Hen, the healer of the tribe who with

her necklace and insights helps the tribe whilst loving her man and boy from a

distance. This is a brilliantly written book that kept me turning and I really took

to both Grace and Duncan. He turns from grouch to an understanding man who

has been through the mill and then some. Both realising that they are forever

looking over their shoulders. A wonderfully uplifting unusual read.

For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/
or follow me on Twitter @nickijmurphy1

Jane was born in Devon and now lives in Yorkshire. She has five children, four cats and two dogs of variable sanity. She works in a local supermarket and also teaches creative writing. Jane is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and has a first-class honours degree in creative writing.

Jane writes comedies which are often described as ‘quirky’. Her debut, Please don’t stop the music, won the 2012 Romantic Novel of the Year and the Romantic Comedy Novel of the Year Awards from the Romantic Novelists’ Association.

Jane’s novels include: Please don’t stop the music, Star Struck, Hubble Bubble, Vampire State of Mind, Falling Apart, How I Wonder What You Are, I Don’t Want to Talk About It, Can’t Buy Me Love and Little Teashop of Horrors and Living in the Past.

Briguella- Vicki Fitzgerald- 5*

This is a very different crime/psychological thriller. Written from two points of view

in the first person it gives wonderful descriptions from each side in mostly alternating

chapters. this to me gave it a very personal feel from each perspective and made

me want to know more. Kate is a reporter and has her own demons to deal with

having lost a baby to miscarriage and a relationship with her husband which has

drifted in the meantime. Like any other journalist,  she is keen to get a good story

that will put her on the front page. The other side of the story is from DCI Beckley.

Two women have been found murdered with the same MO. There are clues that

these may not be the first from this killer. Forensics find other details that link the

women, unique to these cases. A serial killer is on the loose and the hunt is on.

This is a well written book that keeps the pages turning as the plot thickens.

Things start to get personal for Kate and you feel for her vulnerability.

A brilliantly written book. If you like your crimes that little bit different this

one certainly has the edge. The perpetrator is not revealed until the last

few pages….. and I didn’t see it coming.  

For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/

or follow me on Twitter @nickijmurphy1

----------------

The Scent of Guilt- Tony J Forder- 5*

DI Bliss is back in town after a break of 12 years. He moved to another region after

losing his wife as part of a murder investigation he was leading. Three older ladies

have recently been murdered. Not the usual MO for a murderer. Bliss’s long time

friend and colleague DS Chandler is now in Sapphire- a department targeting rapists.

Young girls are being attacked in the city and they are no nearer getting the

perpetrator. Can Bliss return to his old stomping ground and sort things out? Tony

writes with a flair. A flair for getting you into the nitty gritty early on and although

an uncomfortable topic this is written in a comfortable way (does that make sense?)

that makes you want to keep turning the pages to find out what happens next.

Characters with real depth, having a little back story to them so make them “live”

on the pages rather than flat, one dimensional descriptions. The arguments/debates

between Bliss and DCI Edwards are very cleverly thought out and the philosophy

at the end are words to think about, and so very true. A truly brilliant read.

I look forward to more from DI Bliss and the very talented Tony Forder.

For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/

or follow me on Twitter @nickijmurphy1

Captor- Anita Waller- 5*

Anita has a talent, a wonderful talent with words. From the very first chapter you

are drawn in to the main character and although in a way little happens in that

chapter-it is a scene setting scenario- you know enough that you want to know

more. Liz has had an affair whilst her husband was away with work for a few

weeks. The result is Jake, her baby. She is only occasionally in touch with Phil as

she finished the affair as soon as her husband was back home. It now appears

that Phil has left his wife and neither of them have heard from him. When Jake,

her son by Phil is taken, this is only the start of her nightmares. Please don’t

see this as “just another snatched child” tale, it is so much, much more than

that. A tale of feelings and memories, of heartache and woe. I thought I knew

who Captor was…. and was right however this doesn't spoil the rest of the book

one bit. Anita has struck gold again in my eyes (I have never read anything than

excellent books from her). If you like a book to grip you, throw you around a

little and one where you “have” to keep turning the pages then this book

is for you.

For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/

or follow me on Twitter @nickijmurphy1