Wednesday 29 March 2023

Darren, Andrew and Mrs Hall

 



Darren, Andrew and Mrs Hall by R J Gould- humorous literary fiction/women’s fiction

Two very different couples have just moved into new properties on the same day. One Emma and Andrew into one that has retained its period features which they appreciate, the other property has been more modernised to most peoples horror. Andrew is just about to become a published poet and has received an advance making the move possible. The other couple Darren and Kelly have downsized to raise some much needed funds for Darrens business which is struggling, Kelly thinks because of his attitude. The women soon become close friends and begin to take breaks together. When Mrs Hall moves into the house in between them the new balance is thrown off kilter as things between the couple themselves have changed. Can both sets put things right?

A very different read for me and one where I found myself smiling. A story of life's ups and downs and how sometimes the genders differ, or not. Of realising that sometimes a problem is how we approach it and that the other person may be reacting more to us and our attitude than what they really feel themselves. A really enjoyable read that I very quickly took to and found myself wanting to read more. 

For more reviews please follow me on Twitter@nickisbookblog

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Darren, Andrew and Mrs Hall
A tale of two husbands, two wives, and the woman in between.
It is a June day and the rain is lashing down as Emma and Andrew move into the house of their dreams in an affluent London suburb. Two doors away, dejected Darren and Kelly are downsizing into their new home.
It doesn’t take long for the women to hit it off despite being opposites in many ways. Meanwhile Andrew, a teacher and poet, and Darren, an alarm systems installer, are at loggerheads from the word go. 
When Emma and Kelly decide to take breaks away together – to a spa, a countryside retreat, the Scottish Highlands – their men feel abandoned. Their animosity grows and the loyalty to their wives is tested when Mrs Hall moves in as their in-between neighbour. But who exactly is this woman and what game is she playing? 
The wives return from a stay in Scotland to discover that a lot has changed. Will their marriages be robust enough to survive?
Purchase Links
UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Darren-Andrew-Mrs-Hall-relationships-ebook/dp/B0BW9NDRYG 
US - https://www.amazon.com/Darren-Andrew-Mrs-Hall-relationships-ebook/dp/B0BW9NDRYG



Author Bio – 
R J Gould writes contemporary fiction about relationships using a mix of wry humour and pathos to describe the tragi-comic life journeys of his protagonists. Darren, Andrew and Mrs Hall is his eighth novel and follows The Engagement Party, Jack and Jill Went Downhill, Mid-life follies, The bench by Cromer beach, Nothing Man, Dream CafĂ© and Then and now. He has been published by Headline Accent and Lume Books and also self-publishes. Before becoming a full-time author he worked in the education and charity sectors. In addition to his addiction to telling stories, he has somewhat milder addictions to playing tennis, watching film noir cinema, completing Wordle and eating dried mango slices. He is a member of Cambridge Writers and the Romantic Novelists’ Association UK and lives in Cambridge, England.
Social Media Links – 
Website: http://www.rjgould.info
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RJGould_author
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RJGouldauthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rjgould_author
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6432126.R_J_Gould





























































































































































































Wednesday 22 March 2023

The Good Patient

 


The Good Patient by Alex Stone- Psychological Thriller 

Trigger warning: domestic abuse

Lauren is in hospital yet again. Her life seems to have been once incident or another leading to hospital visits first with her mother and then about her boyfriend Josh. This time Lauren was on a jet ski, a trip Josh usually took with her but she insists she was alone. Josh, however, is missing and the police want to know what is going on. Lauren has formed a friendship with one of the doctors treating her and he is doing his best to make her realise that all these hospital visits are not about her, they are about Josh and her now deceased mother.

Oh wow! I quickly thought of Munchausen's by proxy  (now known as FII) as the relationship between Lauren and her mother rang bells. The doctor, Abhilash, is convinced of Laurens innocence as he has seen what she has been through and has got to know her, seeing her as a survivor. Alternate chapters take us to then and now,  then being when Lauren was with Josh and Abhilash finding out more about her.

"Because I know what love isn't" How powerful, and something some of us don't realise when we are in the midst of things, only when we are able to step away. A story of realisation and becoming the person you can be- not what others need you to be.  A powerful, dramatic, thought provoking read. 

For more reviews please follow me on Twitter@nickisbookblog

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The Good Patient Appearances can be deceptive... I was taught that life is pain. That love is pain. It was unavoidable. Acceptable. I never had anything, or anyone I could count on. Not really. Not even myself. Until I met Dr Menon... To the outside world Lauren Taylor’s relationship with her boyfriend Josh is perfect. He is supportive and loving and has been there for Lauren during her darkest moments. But behind closed doors, secrets and lies can be hidden… And when Lauren wakes up in a hospital bed and is told Josh is missing, those secrets come bubbling up to the surface. Because the police think Lauren knows exactly what’s happened to Josh; that she could even be capable of his murder… The only person who believes in Lauren's innocence is Dr Menon, who has cared for Lauren as his patient for the last few weeks. He can't believe she's capable of murder. He knows just how good she really is. Isn’t she? Purchase Link - https://amzn.to/3GdGHNL



Author Bio – Alex Stone, originally an accountant from the West Midlands, is now a psychological suspense writer based in Dorset. This beautiful and dramatic coastline is the inspiration and setting for her novels. She was awarded the Katie Fforde Bursary in 2019 and her debut thriller The Perfect Daughter was published by Boldwood in October 2021. Social Media Links – Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AlexStoneWriter Twitter https://twitter.com/AlexStoneAuthor Instagram https://www.instagram.com/alexstoneauthor/ Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/AlexStoneNewsletter Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/alex-stone-69a67039-4aed-4e8c-9319-9e93eba46d5b





Sunday 19 March 2023

Duck for Cover & other Tales

 


Duck for Cover by Barbara Venkataraman- short stories

A wonderful book of short stories, each to enjoy over a coffee or two. The first one made me smile, a story of revenge- a dish best served cold. I don’t want to say too much so as not to spoil things. Each one of the fourteen stories may either leave you with a smile or perhaps pause a moment to think. I found myself smiling several times at the end of these. There’s life lessons and wistfulness maybe. My favourite was          “ Brave New World” - which may appeal to those of a certain age. Kudos for doing something that is a little bit different- tipping a hat at life perhaps. An absorbing, entertaining read that's easy to pick up and put down. Go get a coffee and enjoy!

For more reviews please follow me on Twitter@nickisbookblog

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Friday 17 March 2023

Murder at the Willows

 


Murder at the Willows by Jane Adams- Crime

An elderly woman has died in her garden, seemingly of natural causes however a couple of those close to her think there are a few odd things but nothing specific enough to ring alarm bells. When there is a burglary a short time later, this escalates things. Rina Martin is a retired actress and has a large house where she has several permanent guests. She is soon employed by the dead woman's grandson to investigate what exactly has happened, the main investigation being done by DI Mac and a wonderful DS Yolanda who came across reality well.  Who would want to kill a 93 year old lady and take all of her painting supplies? 

This is a wonderful, easy, leisurely read. There’s nothing to put you off your dinner and it's easy to pick up and put down again- if you can! A very cleverly thought out plot that has lots of twists to keep the grey matter active and the pages turning. There are lots of characters and a very interesting unusual plot line, skilfully written. I enjoyed this- a very different, compelling read.

For more reviews please follow me on Twitter@nickisbookblog

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MURDER AT THE WILLOWS by Jane Adams ​ If you love Miss Marple or Agatha Raisin, you’ll love Rina

____Meet Rina Martin, a retired actress with a taste for tea, gardening and crime solving.She played a TV sleuth for years, but now she has to do it for real. There’s something strange about the scene . . . Famous artist Jean appears to have passed peacefully in her sleep as she rested against a tree in the garden of her home, the Willows. Her legs are outstretched, hands tenderly clutching a small blue flower. But upon closer inspection, things don’t add up. Where is Jean’s trusty walking stick? Why did she choose to slumber on the ground when there is a comfortable lounge chair nearby? Where did that blue flower come from? . . . not from her garden, that’s for sure. The clues soon point to murder. Jean was beloved by the community, who would do such a thing? Her grandson is determined to uncover the truth and hires Rina to investigate. The trail leads Rina to a series of shocking secrets, stretching back over twenty years. And a murderer who has unfinished business . . . Can our favourite amateur sleuth catch this killer before it’s too late? If you love Agatha Christie, Jeanne M. Dams, Stella Cameron and Frances Evesham, prepare to be hooked by this page-turning whodunnit mystery. WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE RINA MARTIN MYSTERIES: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Cool little multi-layered mystery about a quaint seaside town. Intriguing.’ Mamatufy ‘Miss Marple fans will find a lot to like.’ Publishers Weekly ‘Rina’s kickoff emphasizes people and place, letting the reader in on secrets early and relying on psychological conflict to drive the appealing plot.’ Kirkus ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A new and better Miss Marple . . . she is intelligent, observant and a most welcome to the DI . . . you’ll fall in love with the characters. This reads like a good movie . . . I heartily give this a big thumbs-up.’ Vicki ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘This is my first book by this author and I will eagerly await more!’ Nancy ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Murder She Wrote is an apt comparison — Rina Martin is sharp and no- nonsense. She knows a bit about law, a bit about murder — and a lot about human nature.’ Carmen ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘If you like Agatha Christie and Patricia Wentworth, give these books a try.’ Pamela THE DETECTIVE Determined and compassionate, Rina Martin on a mission is an unstoppable force. When Rina retired from acting, she bought a B & B in Frantham on Sea. There, she has a quirky cast of full-time boarders and only wants a quiet life. Instead, events propel Rina into investigation mode, and she gets a taste for sleuthing. THE SETTING Tucked in a bay on the Jurassic coast, Frantham on Sea is a typical Victorian seaside town, with a picture-perfect promenade, B & Bs, and a grand hotel. At the promenade's end is the police station, where the officers’ days have always been uneventful — until Rina comes to town . . . ALSO BY JANE ADAMS RINA MARTIN MYSTERY SERIES Book 1: MURDER ON SEA Book 2: MURDER ON THE CLIFF Book 3: MURDER ON THE BOAT Book 4: MURDER ON THE BEACH Book 5: MURDER AT THE COUNTRY HOUSE Book 6: MURDER AT THE PUB Book 7: MURDER ON THE FARM Book 8: MURDER AT THE WILLOWS MERROW & CLARKE Book 1: SAFE DETECTIVE MIKE CROFT SERIES Book 1: THE GREENWAY Book 2: THE SECRETS Book 3: THEIR FINAL MOMENTS Book 4: THE LIAR DETECTIVE RAY FLOWERS SERIES Book 1: THE APOTHECARY’S DAUGHTER Book 2: THE UNWILLING SON Book 3: THE DROWNING MEN Book 4: THE SISTER’S TWIN DETECTIVE ROZLYN PRIEST Book 1: BURY ME DEEP STANDALONES THE OTHER WOMAN THE WOMAN IN THE PAINTING THEN SHE WAS DEAD

JANE ADAMS Jane Adams is the author of more than thirty published crime novels. The first, The Greenway, was nominated for both the Authors’ Club award and the CWA John Creasey for best debut novel.  Jane is constantly amazed at where life has taken her. Writing had never been on her ‘possible careers’ list, but she says once stories take root in your brain, they just have to be told – and she feels very fortunate that people want to read them. In addition to writing, Jane teaches creative writing, read and mentor for The Literary Consultancy, and is a Royal Literary Fund Fellow and FRSA. BOOKS BY JANE ADAMS DETECTIVE MIKE CROFT SERIES THE GREENWAY THE SECRETS THEIR FINAL MOMENTS THE LIAR DETECTIVE MIKE CROFT BOOKS 1–3 BOX SET THE COMPLETE DETECTIVE MIKE CROFT BOX SET MERROW & CLARKE SERIES SAFE KIDNAP DETECTIVE RAY FLOWERS SERIES THE APOTHECARY’S DAUGHTER THE UNWILLING SON THE DROWNING MEN THE SISTER’S TWIN THE DETECTIVE RAY FLOWERS BOX SET BOOKS 1–3 DETECTIVE ROZLYN PRIEST SERIES BURY ME DEEP RINA MARTIN MYSTERY SERIES MURDER ON SEA MURDER ON THE CLIFF MURDER ON THE BOAT MURDER ON THE BEACH MURDER AT THE COUNTRY HOUSE MURDER AT THE PUB MURDER ON THE FARM MURDER AT THE WILLOWS THE RINA MARTIN MURDER MYSTERY BOX SETS BOOKS 1-4 STANDALONE NOVELS THE OTHER WOMAN THE WOMAN IN THE PAINTING THEN SHE WAS DEAD FOLLOW JANE ON AUTHOR WEBSITE FACEBOOK TWITTER GOODREADS










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...