The Perfect Husband

 

The Perfect Husband by Danielle Ramsay- psychological thriller

Sophie has just married Jay whom she has only known for 8 months. A whirlwind of a romance or perhaps a rebound from her previous fiancé Ben whom she had known for many years. Sophie and Jay are now at the hospital after Sophie fell and broke her wrist- something she is saying Jay did but he’s telling everyone that she fell after too much champagne. He’s changed- he’s taken her phone off her and has become an angry, controlling monster- something she’s not seen before. What’s made him change and is Sophie safe? In sickness and in health, till death do us part……..

I found myself very quickly invested in this- the reader is taken to the sudden insecurity and realisation of Sophie early on, but I got a feeling that there was so much more to come. It's a story of domestic abuse both physically and mentally.  I then found myself turning the pages long after lights out and even then my mind was working to try and work out if Sophie would be safe. A read that most certainly put me on the edge of my seat and even that slight feeling of nervousness- to me the skill of a brilliant author who knows just how to use those magical 26 letters. A cleverly written rollercoaster of a read

For more reviews please follow me on Twitter@nickisbookblog

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The Perfect Husband How do you know if you've married the wrong person? It was a whirlwind romance and we had the perfect relationship. He was my dream partner, loving, caring, attentive… until the day I married him and things became toxic. I spent my wedding night in A&E with an ‘unexplained’ broken wrist – but I knew what happened…. My romantic illusions shattered. My fear of the future heightened. The man I had fallen in love with wasn’t the man I married. And that was just the start of things to come. Quickly things escalated. He isolated me from family and friends, and with no one to turn to, he began to control every part of my life. I tried to escape, but he watched my every move. Until one day he went too far, and I found my strength to fight back. I no longer wanted to be a victim. I wanted to live. I wanted my life back. But at what cost? In sickness and in health and till death us do part… ** Perfect for the fans of Louise Candlish and Adele Parks** Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/PerfectHusbandsocial

Author Bio – Danielle Ramsay is a Scot living in a small seaside town in the North-East of England. Always a storyteller, it was only after completing a First Class (Hons) Degree in Media Production that she then went on to follow an academic career in literature. She was shortlisted for the CWA Debut Dagger in 2009 and 2010, and appointed a New Writing North Read Regional author in 2011. She is the author of five DI Jack Brady crime novels and The Last Cut, a dark thriller with DS Harri (Harriet) Jacobs. Danielle fills her days with horse-riding, running and murder by proxy.  She is also the proud Patron of the charity SomeOne Cares, which counsels survivors of domestic violence, rape and child abuse. Social Media Links – Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danielle.ramsay.author/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/danielleramsay2 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danielle.ramsay.author/?hl=en-gb

My Word Against His

 

My Word Against His By Lauren North- psychological thriller

Celia is in her car after receiving a call from someone she hasn't heard from in several years- someone who needs help. As she sits at some traffic lights she is car jacked and held at knifepoint. The man Sam, makes her drive to Leeds which is several hours away. Once there, the car crashes and Celia is injured. When the police arrive they find more than a man on the run. Years before hand Celia was working at a school and befriended one of the pupils Lucie, whom she felt needed some care and guidance. Lucie came to Celia’s house for dinner occasionally and babysat her son Henry. Celia always ushered her out of the house before her husband came home and there were clues in the house as to something not being quite right. The “ my word against his” is Sam’s version of events versus Celia’s. Who is telling the truth or can the liar get away with it?

OMG! This is one heck of a read. A slightly dark, sinister one at times where the reader is left to make their own judgement on things- such as the things in Celia’s house- a cleverly written ploy to add twists, skilfully done. I alternated from liking Celia and her looking after Lucie to feeling I had been deceived as to her real personality- or had I ? Again masterfully written. It's a read I wanted to race through, I couldn’t wait to find out what happened next. A magnificent read that kept me hooked and one I thoroughly enjoyed.

For more reviews please follow me on Twitter@nickisbookblog

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My Word Against His: A totally unputdownable psychological thriller packed with jaw-dropping twists  

My future hangs in the balance. They’re questioning both of us and every word I say matters. I need to be careful – it’s my word against his, and I can’t afford to lose…Thirteen years ago. Teenager Lucie babysits our little son Henry. She’s like the daughter I never had. And she believes we’re the perfect family – just me, my husband and Henry.But Lucie doesn’t really know what’s happening behind closed doors. Until one night, she sees something so awful she leaves. And my family is never the same again…

Now, Lucie has reached out, desperate for my help. It’s been thirteen years of silence, but I would recognise her voice anywhere. She’s back: and so are the secrets she took with her.

What did she see that night? And does she know my side of the story, or only his?

I hope she knows what she’s doing. Because there is no line I won’t cross to protect the ones I love – or the secrets I’ve worked so hard to hide…

An absolutely gripping psychological thriller where no one is who they seem, that will make your heart pound and your jaw drop! Perfect for fans of addictive page-turners like The Housemaid, The Family Across the Street and The Family Upstairs.

Buy link: https://geni.us/B0BWYVQYY8social

 

About the author:

Lauren writes psychological suspense novels that delve into the darker side of relationships and families. She has a lifelong passion for writing, reading, and all things books. Lauren’s love of psychological suspense has grown since childhood and her dark imagination of always wondering what’s the worst thing that could happen in every situation.

Lauren studied psychology before moving to London where she lived and worked for many years. She now lives with her family in the Suffolk countryside. Readers can follow Lauren on Twitter @Lauren_C_North, Instagram @Lauren_C_North and Facebook @LaurenNorthAuthor

 

 

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Website

https://www.lauren-north.com/

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Twitter URL

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Murder in the Scottish Hills

 

Murder in the Scottish Hills by Lydia Travers- Cozy Crime

Maud and Daisy after their resounding success at opening the detective agency now find themselves without a case to work on. It's the early 1900’s and ladies don’t yet have the vote so working ones let alone a detective agency is quite the thing of the time.  Maud at a dinner is approached to do a newspaper column and through this is approached by a maid who fears her employer is selling forged paintings. On the journey there by train Maud opens a carriage door and is horrified to find a dead man falling out on top of her. From what should be a quiet village suddenly has lots going on, not in a good way. And why is Lord Urquhart around yet again?

I love this series. It's a light-hearted fun read that kept me interested right the way through. I like Daisy and Maud and they come across well as very resourceful bearing in mind the limitations of women at the time eg. having to be seen to not only act “ properly” but dress correctly etc etc. It's an excellent plot that keeps the pages turning and there are wonderful descriptions of the dress and scenes without being too much to detract from the plot. Resourceful and smart, Maud and Daisy sort things out as only they can, to the wonder and delight of those around the crimes. A pleasure to read and I look forward to the next in the series.

For more reviews please follow me on Twitter@nickisbookblog

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When Maud McIntyre and her lady’s maid Daisy travel into the Scottish Highlands, the last thing they expect to find is a body on the train… Will these keen amateur sleuths stop a murderer in his tracks?

Edinburgh, 1911: When Maud McIntyre receives a letter from a maid called Rose, sharing her suspicions that something strange is happening in the house where she works, she and her assistant Daisy immediately travel to the Highlands to investigate.

But as they are changing trains, the body of a man falls from the carriage right in front of them, a bullet in his head. Maud and Daisy can’t believe it – they’ve waited ages for a new case, and now one has literally landed in front of them! And when the local police rule the death as a tragic accident, the pair have no choice but to investigate what they believe is a murder…

Arriving in the Scottish village, Maud and Daisy go undercover to begin their hunt for the murderer, while also investigating the strange behaviour of Rose’s employer, a local art dealer. As they begin to piece together the chain of events, Maud and Daisy wonder whether the cases might be linked. Is it possible the man on the train was killed to cover up something in the village? And, if so, who would do such a thing?

When a local artist is found murdered, Maud and Daisy become convinced the two cases are connected. Searching for the link between the deaths, will Maud and Daisy solve the case before another mysterious murder takes place?

A page-turning historical whodunnit, perfect for fans of the mysteries of Helena Dixon, Verity Bright, T.E. Kinsey and Catherine Coles.

Author Bio:

Lydia Travers was born in London.  She moved progressively north until settling with her husband in a village on the edge of the Scottish Highlands. She has raised children, bred dogs and kept chickens; and for as long as she can remember has written for pleasure. A former legal academic and practitioner with a PhD in criminology, she now runs self-catering holiday accommodation, sings in a local choir and is walked daily by the family dog.

Lydia also writes as Linda Tyler and her first novel under that name, Revenge of the Spanish Princess, won a 2018 Romance Writers of America competition for the beginning of an historical romance. Her second novel The Laird's Secret was Commended in the 2021 Scottish Association of Writers' Pitlochry Quaich competition for the beginning of a romantic novel. Mischief in Midlothian won the 2022 Scottish Association of Writers' Constable Silver Stag trophy. She has had a number of short stories published in magazines, journals and anthologies in the UK, the USA and Australia.

https://www.facebook.com/LindaTylerAuthorScotland

https://twitter.com/LindaTyler100

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Buy Link:

Amazon: https://geni.us/B0BWNHR79Nsocial

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Lost Victim

Lost Victim by Helen H Durrant- Crime

DCI Rachel King is back after an enforced break where she was effectively in witness protection. The case this time begins with an elderly lady found killed in a church and laid with a rose on her. Further investigation reveals that she may have known something or even someone from years back- a someone who died but whose legacy runs on. Rachel has her hands full with a young baby and a quickly found au-pair may not be quite the answer to Rachels prayers she first thought. Who on earth would want an innocent old lady dead and why the rose? (This is one of a series but happily stands alone)

I always find I slip easily into Helen’s books. There’s an ease of writing and a warmth of characters that takes the reader swiftly and effortlessly into the heart of the action without anything untoward (despite this being a crime novel). A cleverly thought out plot as ever and a fast paced police procedural that keeps the pages easily and ever turning- time just seems to disappear when I’m reading these. A wonderfully entertaining read I loved. 

For more reviews please follow me on Twitter@nickisbookblog

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LOST VICTIM (Detective Rachel King #6) by Helen H Durrant​  ‘An exciting read . . . If you like crime with something a bit different, you’ll love this!’ Carole MEET DETECTIVE RACHEL KING IN THIS BRILLIANT CRIME SERIES. A brand-new mystery from #1 bestselling author Helen H. Durrant that will have you gripped from start to pulsating finish. After three months off, a gruesome murder throws Detective Rachel King back into the thick of it. But can she cope? The pressures of the job and of being a single mum are taking their toll. It’s a horrifying sight. The body of an elderly woman is carefully posed on the altar. There’s gaffer tape over her mouth, her hands are crossed over her chest, tied together with white ribbon. A single white rose is placed between her fingers. The victim is quickly identified as Mary Dunn, whose turn it was to arrange the church flowers. Everyone loved Mary. The motive for her murder is a mystery. Then forensic evidence produces a shocking result: a link to the Slasher, a notorious serial killer who stalked the streets of Manchester fifteen years before. But the Slasher was murdered in prison — so how come his DNA is found on Mary’s clothing? Does Detective Rachel King have a serial killer on her patch? One who’s back from the dead . . . A MYSTERY FULL OF STUNNING TWISTS WHICH YOU WON'T WANT TO PUT DOWN. Perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, Rachel McLean, Kimberley Chambers, Damien Boyd, Rachel Abbott, Patricia Gibney, D.S. Butler or Mark Billingham. WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT HELEN H. DURRANT:  ‘Another first-class read from Helen H. Durrant.’ Iain  ‘This pulls at the heart strings . . . a satisfying and enjoyable read.’ Carol S.  ‘Wow . . . this will keep you on the edge of your seat. Brilliant story from this author.’ Booklover Bev  ‘Loved it. Read it in one sitting.’ Aileen G. THE DETECTIVE DCI Rachel King. Mother of two teenage daughters and a toddler son. Divorced from Alan. She lives in the Cheshire village of Poynton — about ten miles from central Manchester. She is good at her job, gets results but can occasionally make mistakes. One of them was getting involved with a budding villain in her teens. A decision which continues to haunt her.

HELEN H. DURRANT

OVER 1 MILLION BOOKS SOLD! Helen is one of the ‘baby boomer’ generation and began writing when she retired from her job at a local college. Born in Edinburgh to an English father and Scottish mother the family settled in a Pennine village between the counties of Lancashire and Yorkshire. It is an environment which has shaped her stories. Writing is a second career and, despite having a bus pass, keeps her busy, and tuned in. Helen’s children are all grown-up and she has five grandchildren. BOOKS BY HELEN H. DURRANT CALLADINE & BAYLISS SERIES: DEAD WRONG DEAD SILENT DEAD LIST DEAD LOST DEAD & BURIED DEAD NASTY DEAD JEALOUS DEAD BAD DEAD GUILTY DEAD WICKED DEAD SORRY DEAD REAL DI GRECO SERIES: DARK MURDER DARK HOUSES DARK TRADE DARK ANGEL DI MATHEW BRINDLE SERIES: HIS THIRD VICTIM THE OTHER VICTIM DCI RACHEL KING SERIES: NEXT VICTIM TWO VICTIMS WRONG VICTIM FORGOTTEN VICTIM LAST VICTIM DETECTIVES LENNOX & WILDE SERIES: THE GUILTY MAN THE FACELESS MAN THE WRONG WOMAN DETECTIVES LENNOX & WILDE BOOKS 1-2 DETECTIVE ALICE ROSSI MYSTERY SERIES: THE ASH LAKE MURDERS BOX SETS: DETECTIVES CALLADINE & BAYLISS BOOKS 1-3 THE DETECTIVE CALLADINE & BAYLISS MYSTERY SERIES BOOKS 1-9 BOX SET DETECTIVE STEPHEN GRECO BOOKS 1-3 THE COMPLETE DETECTIVE STEPHEN GRECO BOX SET THE DETECTIVE RACHEL KING BOOKS 1-3 DETECTIVE MATT BRINDLE DOUBLE-BOOK BOX SET JOFFE BOOKS MURDER MYSTERY & SUSPENSE SHORT STORY COLLECTION FOLLOW HELEN ON FACEBOOK TWITTER INSTAGRAM GOODREADS

The Norfolk Beach Murders

 

The Norfolk Beach Murders by Judi Daykin - Crime

A body has been found washed ashore. A little investigation has found that a man went overboard not too far away so the team are hoping this is case  solved, especially as it's almost Christmas. DS Sara Hirst and her colleagues are then alerted to another body found on a drifting boat- one which has bullet holes in it. Meanwhile a homeless woman Mu has been seeing men on the beach from her hiding place and in London a wealthy woman whose gains are not legal is organising her business which takes her to Norfolk. What is going on and is Mu safe?

This is a wonderful series (they do stand alone). Its great characterisation and I couldn't help but like Sara and her tenacity and determination whilst remaining calm and sensitive to the cause. Set on the Norfolk coast I could almost feel the breeze - and the sand that comes with it! It's a well thought out and fashioned plot with multiple threads. I especially took to Mu and her dog Roger, my heart was in my mouth at times, willing them on. Memorable characters indeed as is Sara. A very satisfying, well written book and I very much look forward to the next in the series.

For more reviews please follow me on Twitter@nickisbookblog

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THE NORFOLK BEACH MURDERS (DS Sara Hirst #5) DISCOVER ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING CRIME MYSTERIES YOU’LL READ THIS YEAR. JUDI DAYKIN WAS LONGLISTED FOR THE CWA JOHN CREASEY NEW BLOOD DAGGER 2021! Detective Sara Hirst has moved from London to the Serious Crimes Unit in beautiful Norfolk. SARA FACES HER TOUGHEST AND MOST BIZARRE CASE YET. It’s a stormy December morning when seal-watchers find the body on the beach. His clothes have been torn to shreds on the rocks. The bright-orange life jacket didn’t save him in the end. Detective Sara Hirst gets the call and heads to the scene at Winterton-on-Sea. The washed-up body turns out to be a merchant seaman. He was a deckhand who got swept overboard in a storm. It all seems like a tragic accident. Until another body is found on a pleasure boat drifting out at sea. There are bullet holes in the boat’s hull. This was definitely murder. And it looks like it’s linked to the first body. There are dark dealings going on in this quiet Norfolk coast, and Detective Sara Hirst must get to the bottom of things before anyone else turns up dead. This gripping, character-driven crime thriller is perfect for fans of Joy Ellis, J.M. Dalgliesh, Matt Brolly, Biba Pearce, Rachel McLean, Rachel Lynch and Angela Marsons. READERS CAN’T GET ENOUGH OF DS SARA HIRST:  ‘The very best of this series thus far.’ Ruth  ‘A great way of presenting a mystery story. Surprisingly good, extremely entertaining and with a great slant.’ Leyla  ‘Another really good book, so enjoyable! Highly recommended!’ Hannelore  ‘An excellent example of a police procedural. I read it in one sitting, the narrative flows smoothly and keeps you hooked to the end.’ Carol  ‘A mind-blowing fantastic gripping book right till the end. Loved it.’ Booklover Bev  ‘Daykin created an incredible intriguing page-turner with this book.’ Allie  ‘The tension builds right to the end . . . The final scenes were gripping.’ Janette THE DETECTIVE In her mid-thirties, DS Sara Hirst has left a successful career in London’s Metropolitan Police Force and taken a new post in Norfolk Police’s Serious Crimes Unit. Unfortunately, her welcome on the team is far from warm, and Sara will have to work hard to prove herself when the discovery of a body on her first morning leads to all kinds of difficulties. THE SETTING A patchwork of tiny rural villages, with quaint coastal seaside resorts and peppered by farms, on a bewildering network of small back lanes. There are no motorways here, and sometimes it feels like your nearest neighbour lives in Holland. Bounded on one side by the Norfolk Broads and the Wash on the other, its greatest feature is the boundless skies. The weather changes before your eyes. To many, it seems like a fairy tale, a cherished memory of childhood holidays. In reality, these are small hard-working communities, where people tend to mind their own business, and it’s easy to keep a dark secret. ALSO BY JUDI DAYKIN DS SARA HIRST SERIES Book 1: UNDER VIOLENT SKIES Book 2: INTO DEADLY STORMS Book 3: A BRUTAL SEASON Book 4: AN ARTFUL MURDER Book 5: THE NORFOLK BEACH MURDERS

JUDI DAYKIN Yorkshire born, Judi has lived, worked and made theatre in Norfolk for the last forty years. She completed her MA in Creative Writing (Crime Fiction) at the University of East Anglia (UEA), and her debut novel was shortlisted for the Little, Brown UEA writer's prize in 2019. 'I love the beautiful, vast skies and watery landscapes of Norfolk. Our home in a village on the north coast can feel wonderfully remote, even though the nearest town is only a few miles away. I can't imagine living anywhere better than this.' Judi is also a working actor, and has been known to twiddle the knobs on the sound desk for the variety shows at Cromer Pier. She runs her own theatre company, Broad Horizons, specialising in commissioning new plays recovering and retelling women's stories. BOOKS BY JUDI DAYKIN DETECTIVE SARA HIRST SERIES: UNDER VIOLENT SKIES INTO DEADLY STORMS A BRUTAL SEASON AN ARTFUL MURDER THE NORFOLK BEACH MURDERS NORTH NORFOLK MURDER MYSTERIES BOOKS 1–3 BOX SET FOLLOW JUDI ON AUTHOR WEBSITE FACEBOOK TWITTER

The Light We Carry

 

The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama- non fiction

Wow! I got to this book via seeing the televised interview with Michelle and Oprah Winfrey which I loved. It stopped me in my tracks several times- and I'm not a youngster.  Let me explain: Michelle writes about reflections on life and within that of the light we carry within ourselves which is more often than not hidden either due to our own insecurities or from being downtrodden by others. My huge lightbulb moment was “ not my poison”- when I realised that whilst someone had constantly tried to put me down- Michelle made me realise that in doing so they were showing up themselves. I'd never thought of it like this, never thinking there was another side to it- how others thought of the speaker. It's about life and making the most of things and helping others along the way- how a word of encouragement can mean the world.

It's a life affirming read which I'd recommend for anyone of any age. A realistic approach on life by someone who has been through the ups and downs and the major disruptions that life can bring us. There are numerous stories- my favourite being the playdate turning up at the white house- I won’t spoil it- which made me laugh out loud.

I have huge respect for Michelle and her outlook on life. A down to earth lady who despite having been  First lady very much has two feet firmly planted on terra firma. Someone whom when I'm asked for my theoretical ideal dinner guests would firmly be at the top. Stunning doesn’t cover this. I'm in awe. 10* if I could. One of my books of the year. 

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Jana's Brightly Coloured Socks

 

Jana’s Brightly Coloured Socks by Sally Fetouh . Illustrated by Alexis Schnitger. Childrens 4-8 years

What a joy of a book, what a treasure! This is written about a little girl who has Downs syndrome. As Alexis says in her dedication “ love doesn’t count chromosomes”. This really touched me and says so much. A story inspired by Down’s syndrome international’s #lotsofsocks campaign which teaches curiosity and acceptance and friendship in diversity and the value of inclusion for all. 

Jana wakes each day and plays, and today she heads to her sock drawer. She is now able to put them on by herself. She heads to school where her friends love her and she gives them her socks only to find one day they have given her a wonderful surprise. 

There are wonderful coloured drawings on each page with a line or two of the story which provides the adult reading it (or the child) to explore more about Jana’s life. There are lines to include acceptance and difference to encourage children to be all inclusive, we all have different skills and talents. There is a page where numbers can be talked about- pictures of reducing numbers of socks in the drawer and a story about a generous girl whom everyone loves who is just a little different- just like the socks. “ It's ok to be different because that’s what makes the world a fun, fantastic and brightly coloured place to be”.

A brilliant, treasure of a read for every child. 

Jana’s Brightly Coloured Socks

Cheerful text and whimsical illustrations bring alive this heart-warming story of kindness and inclusion featuring a character with Down syndrome.

When young Jana receives heaps of beautiful socks from her parents after learning how to put on socks all by herself, she can’t wait to show her friends at school. They are always kind and patient with Jana when they play together. Jana decides to share a pair of her new socks with each and every friend. This calls for a school sock parade! All of the children had so much fun showing off their colourful socks together that they gave a very special and huge gift for their kind and generous friend, Jana, a box of more socks!

Author Sally Fetouh was inspired to write this touching story by her own daughter who has Down syndrome, feeling it was important for her and other children like her to be able to see themselves in literature. Two years ago, after reading a different story about a girl with Down syndrome to her daughter’s preschool class, Sally says, “The children were so engaged in the story and asked questions. They were very accepting and loving of their friend—my daughter. I left with a heart overflowing with emotion and that inspired me to write my story.”

Purchase Links

www.sallyfetouh.com/books

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Janas-Brightly-Coloured-Socks-Fetouh/dp/0645421901/ 

Author Bio – 

Writing is very much a part of who author Sally Fetouh is as a human being. As a child, writing was a way for her to express herself and all of the stories and ideas she had in her head. Now, as an adult, she has been inspired to write a beautiful story of kindness and friendship, Jana’s Brightly Coloured Socks, a heart-warming picture book loosely based on her daughter who has Down syndrome.

It was important to Sally that her daughter and other children like her were able to see themselves represented in literature. The idea came to Sally when she visited her daughter’s preschool to read a story about a girl with Down syndrome. The loving, accepting, and inquisitive responses from her daughter’s classmates inspired her to write a story reflecting these caring friendships.

Sally believes a great book is one that has impactful characters and a story that provides a new experience or perspective to the reader that stays with them long after the book is closed. She hopes that her young readers with disabilities or those who are different in some way will be able to relate to the main character and see a little bit of themselves, while also aiming for other readers to gain insight into the world of Down syndrome and the importance and impact of kindness and friendship. 

When she isn’t writing thought-provoking children’s books, Sally works as a lawyer and a photographer. She enjoys being in nature, hiking, and horse riding. She lives with her family in Sydney, Australia. Jana’s Brightly Coloured Socks is her debut picture book.

Social Media Links – 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sallyfetouh/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089048475502

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/sallyfetouh 

Time to Die

 

Time to Die by Stephen Puleston- Crime

Set in the North Wales/Anglesey area this is a very interesting read amongst a rugged coastline. A body has been found looking like it has been thrown from the top of the cliffs. Further investigation leads the team to discover that he was a key witness to a burglary trial of two local well known misfits who have a reputation for violence and intimidation. Inspector Drake and team quickly discover more about the man and his wife- both appear to have other partners who may well have a motive. When another body is found the team may be led down a path that could well be the wrong one.

Although one of a series this does stand alone-this is my first book by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s an easy read to get into and stay with and is very well written. I liked Drake- he comes across as a well rounded, believable character and the short chapters kept the pace nicely. The plot is well crafted and the reader is thrown a few red herrings along the way which kept me very interested. A wonderful easy read I thoroughly enjoyed.

For more reviews please follow me on Twitter@nickisbookblog

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Time to Die (Inspector Drake Book 10) A dead body discovered on a popular beach. A local community traumatised. Everything points to two evil brothers. But can Detective Drake find the evidence? Welsh Inspector Ian Drake is called to the discovery of a body of a man on a popular beach. The dead man is due to give evidence in an important trial of two vicious criminals and suspicion immediately falls on both men. But Drake faces the challenges of unravelling the dead’s man family and discovers everything is not as it seems. As another witness in the important case is killed Drake’s superior office is convinced the known felons are to blame. And when a suspect linked to the dead man’s wife absconds Drake believes he has the culprit. But the discovery that witnesses exists changes everything. Can he find them before the killer? Time to Die is the tenth book in the dynamic Inspector Drake crime series. If you like police procedurals, clever mysteries, and gripping page-turners, then you’ll love Stephen Puleston’s unnerving whodunit.

STEPHEN PULESTON

Stephen Puleston was born in Holyhead/Caergybi, Ynys Môn, in Wales. After leaving university he trained and practised as a lawyer. He is now a full time author presently writing two crime series. Both are based in Wales, a country rich in history and spectacular scenery. The Inspector Ian Drake books involve a detective inspector based in North Wales, the area where he was born and raised, who faces his own demons while solving gruesome murders. The Inspector John Marco series follows the adventures of John Marco an inspector based in Cardiff, the capital of Wales. He’s from a Welsh-Italian family catching the killers at large in the bustling city of Cardiff. All the novels in the Inspector Drake and Marco series are available as audiobooks. All are narrated by experienced professional actors. Stephen lives with his family in Ynys Môn/Anglesey.

The Memory of You

The Memory of You by Samantha Tonge- Women's Fiction

 Alex was a top selling , highly successful author, “was” being the operative word. Her third book bombed and her agent has just let her know that the publishers won’t be asking for a new contract. Her mortgage is overdue, she and her husband split a while ago and life is generally pants. On the way back from the cancelled meeting with her agent she bumps into Hope. Hope has a quandary- she should be going travelling with her daughter but doesn't want to leave her job or the security as the job comes with living accommodation and the flights are booked for the very next day- and she hasn’t told her boss. What transpires is Alex taking over Hope’s job only Hope has been trying to tell her something and Alex either buts in or just doesn't listen. When she arrives at the café she is rather surprised at what she finds and gives a week tops as it's really not going to be her sort of thing at all, and somehow she will have to tell hope that her job and flat have gone to someone else. The manager Tom tries to persuade Alex in a very relaxed way and when she finds he has an unknown talent for writing things turn in a different direction.

I love Samantha’s books. There is so much more to them that “ just” a story. It's about life and taking chances. Of perhaps not being so quick to judge and to step into someone's shoes for a while to truly try and understand them. I got Alex- she had come from a busy banking environment to one when writing that she didn't have to interact with anyone if she didn't want to, and being at the café put her in the flight path of the world at large. It’s a hug in a book. A wonderful story of life and its ups and downs and sometimes how perhaps taking a step back can propel us more forward than we ever thought possible. A truly stunning read and deserved every one of the 5*in spades. Loved it doesn’t cover it. 

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The Memory of You A gorgeously uplifting story about memories, storytelling, love and friendship, about the journeys we take and the people we meet, what we remember and how there are some things we can never forget. Alex would like to believe she’s a woman who has it all. Or that’s what she tells everyone, including herself. But this is far from true. Actually she’s on the cusp of losing her home, her dream career as a writer is in tatters, her ex won’t speak to her, and her mother’s gone forever. But then a chance meeting with a stranger named Hope gives her the opportunity of a lifetime, when Hope jokes that perhaps Alex should take over her job in a cafe while she goes travelling. Just at that moment, it sounds like the answer to all her problems. So Alex persuades Hope to let her step into her shoes for a month. She brushes away Hope’s attempts to explain about the café, instead demanding to know more about the owner Tom. But she should have asked to know more. Because the ‘Wrong Order Café’ isn’t like anywhere she’s ever been before. And Alex’s life is about to change forever… Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/memoryofyousocial

Author Bio – Samantha Tonge is the bestselling and award-winning author of over 15 romantic fiction titles published by HQ, and most recently Aria. Her first book for Boldwood, Under One Roof, was published in February 2022 and her move to Boldwood marks a broadening of her writing into multi-generational woman’s fiction. She lives in Manchester with her family. Social Media Links – Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SamanthaTongeAuthor Twitter: https://twitter.com/SamTongeWriter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samanthatongeauthor/ Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/SamanthaTongeNews Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/samantha-tonge