Wednesday 31 October 2018



Do bugs Wear shoes and other Silly Questions- Addie Broussard and Anthony Puttee


This is a fun read to learn all about bugs. Clear easy to see pages for little eyes and fun filled facts making learning simple and enjoyable about a subject little ones enjoy and some squirm at! There are linked video clips for further information in certain areas- like bees go to school to learn how to play. Answer questions such as have bugs gone to space and could you eat a silkworm cookie? There is a free bug art activity pack to download. I could see this being a morning spent maybe with grandparents learning, bug hunting and watching as well as reading and the enjoyment being for both age groups. A different interactive read and learn.

A fun book of questions designed to thrill curious little ones. Learn what happens
when a bug goes to space, to school and to the gym. Find out how to become friends
with a bug and understand its feelings. Vote on the world's most beautiful bug.
Factual answers to all your silliest questions plus creative activities for ages 4-10.
 Don't miss out on the chance to bug out


About Addie Broussard & Anthony Puttee
Two Umbrellas is an educational publishing company that fuses education and storytelling.  We offer books and activities to help parents and educators empower tomorrow’s leaders.
Our founders, Anthony Puttee and Addie Broussard, love to travel.  Anthony’s favorite trip was to Antarctica and he has included some of his personal photos in this book.  Addie has traveled solo around the world. While in Portugal, she encountered a unique insect, which inspired a children’s book called The Beedog, which was published in 2018. The idea for Do Bugs Wear Shoes came from a playful team meeting on a rooftop in Mexico.

Sunday 28 October 2018



Shadow Crimes- Michael Hambling
A man is found dead by his wife. Although a bit of a shock she isn’t really that surprised
as he had been ill for quite a while. When she calls the police, one or two things arouse
their suspicions and it looks like murder. The victim was a prison officer. Another team
is investigating the smuggling of phone and drugs into local prisons, something which
is happening nationwide. When a member of their own team gets involved in the wrong
way things get rather serious.  Could the two cases be connected? DCI Sophie Allen is
on the case- a likeable character with a sense of humour. Set in Dorset this is number
seven in the series but will happily stand alone. If you like the books of Joy Ellis and
Faith Martin then this series could be for you. Characters you take to and a nice easy
read with nothing too much to give you nightmares or to put you off your dinner.
Teamwork and in this case two wonderful female leads.
A good solid plot line and some humour make this a very enjoyable read.
For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/

or follow me on Twitter @nickijmurphy1


DETECTIVE SOPHIE ALLEN IS BACK TO SOLVE HER TOUGHEST CASE

An undercover detective disappears.
A retired prison officer is murdered.
Drugs and contraband phones are out of control in the local prisons. How are they getting in?

Can Detective Sophie Allen discover the links between these crimes?

AND WILL SHE FIND THE MISSING DETECTIVE BEFORE TIME RUNS OUT? 

A shadowy group with more influence than anyone suspected will stop at nothing to protect themselves.

Discover the truth in this enthralling crime mystery.

If you like Angela Marsons, Rachel Abbott, Colin Dexter, Ruth Rendell, or Mark Billingham you will be gripped by this exciting new crime fiction writer.

SHADOW CRIMES is book seven of a new series of crime thrillers featuring Sophie Allen, head of the Violent Crime Unit in Dorset.

THE DETECTIVES
DCI Sophie Allen is Dorset’s acknowledged expert on murder and violent crime. She is 42 as the series starts, and lives with her husband and younger daughter in Wareham. Her elder daughter is studying in London. Sophie has a law degree and a master’s in criminal psychology. Her brilliant mind conceals some dark secrets from her past. 


DS Barry Marsh is based at Swanage police station. He's quiet, methodical and dedicated, the perfect foil for Sophie's hidden fragility.
 
THE SETTING
Dorset. A beautiful English county which includes a stunning section of the coastline, but whose beauty belies darkness beneath the surface.
 
DISCOVER YOUR NEXT FAVOURITE MYSTERY SERIES NOW
 
THE DCI SOPHIE ALLEN BOOKS
Book 1: DARK CRIMES
Book 2: DEADLY CRIMES
Book 3: SECRET CRIMES
Book 4: BURIED CRIMES
Book 5: TWISTED CRIMES
Book 6: EVIL CRIMES
Book 7: SHADOW CRIMES
 
AUTHOR BIO
Like many writers, I have been a keen reader all of my life. I remember one day as a nine year old in the summer holidays, when I visited the local library four times in one day because a child's ticket only allowed one book out at a time! I can even remember the plot of one book, a story about a boy taking up fly-fishing, read while sitting outside in a sunny back garden in Bristol.

I still live in the west-country, and set the location of my novels in this area. The early novels in the series are based in the Isle of Purbeck, one of the UK's most beautiful coastal regions. But the rest of the county of Dorset does get a look in, and there are scenes set in other locations in the central south of England.

I write because I constantly create scenes, people, imaginary conversations and unusual situations in my head. I have always done so, ever since I was a child. Using the richness of the English language to set down these creations in words is a great joy. Maybe by the time I've edited a passage for the umpteenth time it's beginning to lose some of its sparkle for me, but I do believe in reshaping and polishing until it's as good as I can make it. It then becomes something about which I can feel some justifiable pride.
Who are my own favourite writers? Hilary Mantel, of course. Not just the the recent Thomas Cromwell novels, but the brilliant and sly characterisation of Beyond Black. 

Doris Lessing has written some startlingly original stories over many years. I'm also a great fan of David Mitchell. He shows great creativity in all of his novels.
Philip Pullman has written many books of startling originality, full of imaginative ideas. Not just the Lara series, but the earlier Sally Lockhart novels. One of my sons bought me La Belle Sauvage (volume one of the Book of Dust trilogy) for Christmas. I loved it, so much so that I've already re-read it a month later, something very rare for me. Wonderful stuff.

Another author I've come to admire greatly is Charity Norman. She writes about families in crisis situations and how the problem is partly resolved. I came to her books with "The New Woman", a novel that probes the problems created by gender variance. Her other novels are equally good. Her writing style is outstanding.

In crime fiction I like Kate Atkinson's Jackson Brodie novels and the books of Mo Hayder. I also enjoy Colin Dexter's Morse and Ian Rankin's Rebus novels.
I cannot compete with these greats, so I aim for something different. I hope that I have succeeded to some extent.

Jill Burkinshaw

Books n All Book Promotions

jill@booksnall.blog

Blog:           https://booksnall.blog
Twitter:       @books_n_all

Friday 26 October 2018



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Peas, carrots and an Aston Martin- Hannah Lynn
Eric has recently lost his remaining parent, his father. There was little love lost between
them and Eric is already planning what he will do with his expected inheritance. His father
lived in a eight hundred thousand pound home and Eric, his wife and even his seven year
old daughter have made plans. On visiting the solicitor in order to sign the papers for
the inheritance, Eric is horrified to learn that not only has he only inherited his father’s
Aston Martin but that it come with the proviso that he has to look after his allotment.
The terms are that this means weekly visit otherwise ownership of the DB4 will be
rescinded. Hannah has done it again. A wonderful story with larger than life characters
that you take to, feel for and then find yourself smiling at several times along the way.
Poor Eric- you feel sorry for him but early on realise that he is missing something in his
life, spending most of his time running around after work at it’s beck and call trying to
climb his way up the ladder in order to make a better life for his family. A life that he is
not enjoying himself. A read with a smile, a read with a message.
A highly enjoyable read.
For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/

or follow me on Twitter @nickijmurphy1
Hannah Lynn Hannah Lynn is an award-winning, genre-defying novelist. Publishing her first book,
Amendments – a dark, dystopian speculative fiction novel, in 2015, she has since gone
on to write The Afterlife of Walter Augustus – a contemporary fiction novel with a
supernatural twist – which won the 2018 Kindle Storyteller Award and the delightfully
funny and poignant Peas and Carrots series. While she freely moves between genres, her novels are recognisable for their character
driven stories and wonderfully vivid description. She is currently working on a YA Vampire series and a reimaging of a classic Greek
myth. Born in 1984, Hannah grew up in the Cotswolds, UK. After graduating from university,
she spent ten years as a teacher of physics, first in the UK and then around Asia.
It was during this time, inspired by the imaginations of the young people she taught,
she began writing short stories for children, and later adult fiction
Now as a teacher, writer, wife and mother, she is currently living in the Austrian Alps. For up-to-date news and access to exclusive promotions follow her on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HannahLynnAuthor/ Twitter @HMLynnauthor Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13830772.Hannah_M_Lynn Bookbub - https://www.bookbub.com/profile/hannah-lynn Books Amazon.co.uk - Amendments Amazon.com - Amendments Amazon.co.uk – The Afterlife of Walter Augustus Amazon.com – The Afterlife of Walter Augustus Amazon.co.uk – Peas, Carrots and an Aston Martin Amazon.com – Peas, Carrots and an Aston Martin






Thursday 25 October 2018



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So Here it is- Dave Hill
Who doesn’t know Merry Xmas Everybody?(which even has its own Wiki entry!)
 A song from 1973 (was it really that many years ago?) which has become iconic
and transcended the generations. Dave Hill was and is a part of Slade who sang and
glammed through it all. This is his story. From a brummie boy to a well known face.
The one who was known for his silver suits and straight hair. From working at Tarmac
to giving it all up to do a months work abroad- which was unheard of at the time.
This is a real down to earth story of a working boy-made-good. Dave was and is a
hard working man and despite having the trappings of a good life, things haven’t
always been that way. When, as the general public, we see someone “famous” we
tend to think that the money flows easily in. As Dave explains time and again
fortune wasn’t easily had and came and went with records or the lack there of.
I think what struck me about this book was Dave’s reflection towards the end.
Quoting Wordsworth he pauses and says “ Being still enough in my own mind,
clear enough to see the sun sparkling on the water, that matters to me now.
You can have your mind so cluttered with thinks that you miss it” A man who
has realised what the precious things in life are and is fortunate enough to be
here to enjoy them when things could have been so different.
A very interesting, highly enjoyable read. Nice one Superyob!
For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/

or follow me on Twitter @nickijmurphy1


Wednesday 24 October 2018



Lost In The Lake- AJ Waines
Rosie has been in an accident where the three others in the vehicle are all now missing
presumed drowned. She goes to see Dr Samantha Willerby who is  a clinical psychologist
specialising in  Post Traumatic Stress disorder. This is the second in the series and happily
stands alone- but would be better understood in some ways if the first has also been read.
 Sam has her own issues as her sister is schizophrenic and although currently doing well
she feels responsible for her. Rosie thinks that there is more to the crash than it being
an accident and gets rather fixated on Sam who she wants as a friend as well as her
psychologist. Rosie is especially keen to get back her viola. It was nothing special so
why is she so attached to it? Sam has her demons to face as one of her last patients
committed suicide and she feels responsible.  Again AJ has the knack of being able
to draw you in early on which then for me meant the pages turned easily. I wanted
to know the whys and wherefores. Psychology having always been one of those
interesting subjects. I liked Sam and found Rosie rather disturbing- perhaps a dark
side that we hadn’t seen yet- I won’t give anything away other than to say what a
wonderful. clever, well researched read. Can’t wait for the next one
For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/

or follow me on Twitter @nickijmurphy1

Book Blurb:
She came at first for answers…now she’s back for you

Amateur viola player Rosie Chandler is the sole survivor of a crash which sends a group of musicians plunging into a lake. Convinced the accident was deliberate, but unable to recall what happened, she is determined to recover her lost memories and seeks out clinical psychologist, Dr Samantha Willerby. 

But Rosie is hiding something…

Sam is immediately drawn to the tragic Rosie and as she helps her piece the fragments together, the police find disturbing new evidence which raises further questions. Why is Rosie so desperate to recover her worthless viola?

When Rosie insists they return to the lake to relive the fatal incident, the truth about Rosie finally emerges. Now Sam is the one seriously out of her depth…

 
About the Author:
AJ Waines is a number one bestselling author, topping the entire UK and Australian Kindle Charts in two consecutive years, with Girl on a Train. Following fifteen years as a psychotherapist, the author has sold nearly half a million copies of her books, with publishing deals in UK, France, Germany, Norway, Hungary and Canada (audio books).

Her fourth psychological thriller, No Longer Safe, sold over 30,000 copies in the first month, in thirteen countries. AJ Waines has been featured in The Wall Street Journal and The Times and has been ranked a Top 10 UK author on Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing).

She lives in Hampshire, UK, with her husband. Find her books here and visit her website and blog, or join her on TwitterFacebook or on her Newsletter.


Social media links:
Find AJ Waines books at: http://viewauthor.at/AJWaines

Website               www.ajwaines.co.uk
Newsletter         http://eepurl.com/bamGuL
Blog:                      www.awaines.blogspot.co.uk
Facebook:           www.facebook.com/AJWaines 
Goodreads:        www.goodreads.com/AJWaines  
Instagram:           www.instagram.com/ajwaines

Monday 22 October 2018





Isolation Junction- Jennifer Gilmour 5*

I read this book out of curiosity. We all know abuse happens. We see it on TV,
maybe even the news and in various types of programmes. What we don’t get
told is that much of it happens behind closed doors and goes unreported either
through fear or ignorance. This is the story of Rose who finds her husband changes
once they are married and that he controls her every move. A brave book to write,
a delicate subject matter. What does matter is that we need to be more aware
of this and realise that even just one kind word could make the difference to
someone realising “it’s not them”. By this I mean that the victim very often
thinks they are to blame- “I pushed him to it “ etc. No! The victims have a
journey to make before they can understand that they are innocent, they
are normal and that it is the perpetrators who are in the wrong.
This is written from the heart, told with feeling. almost like a journal rather
than a story, flitting in time as the teller recalls different scenes.
A heartfelt read told as it is.

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

or follow me on Twitter @nickijmurphy1





Information about Isolation Junction:

First published in 2016, Jennifer has republished a second edition with the changes in Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

This is the republication of Isolation Junction and what a difference it is. A make over with a new book cover, new content, with Pict Publishing, third person only (as opposed to third and first in first edition) and the incidents in correlating order. 



Synopsis:

Rose is the mother of two young children, and finds herself living a robotic life with an abusive and controlling husband. While she struggles to maintain a calm front for the sake of her children, inside Rose is dying and trapped in ‘Isolation Junction’.

She runs an online business from home, because Darren won’t let her work outside the house. But through this, she meets other mums and finds courage to attend networking events, while Darren is at work, to promote her business.

It’s at one of these events that Rose meets Tim, a sympathetic, dark-haired stranger who unwittingly becomes an important part of her survival.

After years of emotional abuse, of doubting her future and losing all self-confidence, Rose takes a stand. Finding herself distraught, alone and helpless, Rose wonders how she’ll ever escape with her sanity and her children. With 100 reasons to leave and 1,000 reasons she can’t will she be able to do it? Will Tim help her? And will Rose find peace and the happiness she deserves? Can Rose break free from this spiralling life she so desperately wants to change?

Based on true events.

About the author:

Born in the North East, Jennifer is a young, married mum with three children.  In addition to being an author, she is an entrepreneur, running a family business from her home-base. Her blog posts have a large readership of other young mums in business.

From an early age, Jennifer has had a passion for writing and started gathering ideas and plot lines from her teenage years.  A passionate advocate for women in abusive relationships, she has drawn on her personal experiences to write this first novel. It details the journey of a young woman from the despair of an emotionally abusive and unhappy marriage to develop the confidence to challenge and change her life and to love again.  

Links:

Website; www.jennifergilmour.com 

Facebook; www.facebook.com/isolationjunctionbook  

Twitter; www.twitter.com/JenLGilmour  

Instagram; https://www.instagram.com/authorjennifergilmour/ 

Amazon Profile Link; http://author.to/JenniferGilmour 

Goodreads author profile; https://www.goodreads.com/JenniferGilmour  

Huffington post blogger profile; http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/author/jennifer-gilmour  

Giveaway – Win A copy of Isolation Junction- eBook
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The Note

The Note- Andrew Barrett- 5* A short story written in the first person by CSI Eddie Collins. Eddie is the sort of bloke who calls a s...