One Long weekend by Shari Low

 

One Long weekend by Shari Low- Women's fiction

This is written from a multiple point of view each chapter being headed by the relevant character. The intro explains a real incident in Shari’s life which went on to inspire part of the book and how it's woven in soon emerges.  Val has lost her most treasured rings on a journey, the first since she lost her husband. Alice works double shifts and hates her husband since he did something terrible a few years ago that cost them everything- most of all her relationship with their son. Rory, the son, has also found himself in a sticky situation estranged from his wife whom he was really hoping to get back together with. Sophie has been proposed to but feels it’s not quite the right time in her life just yet. This tells of their stories over the days of one long weekend.

It is truly a delight and honour to read Shari’s books, there is just something very special about them. A few pages in and I'm already invested in the plot and the characters. Shari is one of those authors I don't have to read the blurb/promo about, I know I'm going to enjoy it whatever it's about and so far (please don’t change your magic formula!) I have been on an emotional rollercoaster each and every time, but left with a warm hearted feeling to restore my faith in human nature. I loved Val and her friends and so felt for Alice and Rory. I think there’s something in this that will resonate with most people one way or another. A truly stunning read I more than thoroughly enjoyed.

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One Long Weekend

When all seems lost, hope remains...

Val Murray has mislaid her most precious mementoes of the people she’s loved and lost. Can her family, the wonders of technology and a little divine intervention somehow mend her shattered heart?

Sophie Smith had to take a rain check on a marriage proposal. Will her bid to turn back the clock lead her to her greatest love or yet another heartbreak?

Alice McLenn stood by her husband, Larry when a scandal cost them everything. When he hits the headlines again, Alice has an opportunity to leave – but can she find the strength to finally walk away?

Rory Brookes was forced to turn his back on his parents to save his career and marriage. Now, he’s lost his job and wife on the same day. Is it too late to make amends with the one person who never let him down?

Three days. Four broken hearts. Just one weekend to make them whole again.

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/OneLongWeekendsocial

Author Bio –

In January 2021, Shari Low celebrated 20 years as a best selling novelist. In that time, she has published over 25 books, including A Life Without You, The Story Of Our Life, Temptation Street, My One Month Marriage, One Day In Summer and her non-fiction collection of parenthood memories, Because Mummy Said So.

In late 2020, her first novel, What If? (originally published in 2001) was updated and re-released and became a best seller. In January 2021, the sequel, What Now? was released and joined What If? on the best-seller charts.

In real life, once upon a time she met a guy, got engaged after a week, and twenty-something years later she lives near Glasgow with her husband and a labradoodle. Her two teenagers have now left home, so she spends an inordinate amount of time on video calls checking if they're eating well and keeping up to date with their laundry.

For all the latest news, visit Shari on Facebook, twitter, instagram or at www.sharilow.com

Social Media Links – Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sharilowbooks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sharilow

The Stolen Girls by Jez Pinfold

 The Stolen Girls by Jez Pinfold- Crime

A woman staggers into the police station covered in blood and all but collapses into the arms of DCI Pope. What on earth has happened to her? She isn't injured but is clearly suffering mental trauma and there is enough blood to suggest something sinister has happened. When Pope finds out this is one of three girls who disappeared several years ago and the body of only one was found a short while after, her old demons of not solving the case begin to return. What on earth has happened and can Pope lay her old ghosts to rest?

This is my first book by this author and most certainly won’t be my last, I really enjoyed it. The second in the series but happily stands alone (I hadn’t read the first one- but now might change that) It's an easy read with enough to keep the grey matter ticking over but nothing too taxing. I liked Pope and her tenacity and steely determination. The personal life factors give a nice backdrop to give characters depth and the real life touch. A thoroughly enjoyable read I would highly recommend. 

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The Loner By Stewart Giles

 

The Loner By Stewart Giles - Crime

Lockdown is imminent and DS Jason Smith has his hands full. One of his daughters is pregnant and he’s not that keen on the father, but it's getting better, and even less so on his family. Meanwhile someone is making the most of the last few days of freedom- by killing people. St Rita’s prayer seems to be on his mind along with stigmata and a perpetrator with Horner's syndrome. Why the religious angle and why murder so many?

I love Stewarts books as I know I will quickly get into the story and have a wonderfully entertaining read. It's one you can settle down with and despite the subject matter feel comfortable and at home with. Smith is one of those characters I can't help but love. He says what most of us would be thinking and generally calls a spade a shovel if you get my drift whilst being determined to serve justice for the victims and their families- something he is coming to terms with himself. A thrilling roller coaster of a read I really didnt want to end. A huge 5*

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THE LONER (Detective Jason Smith #27) by Stewart Giles

From bestselling author: Stewart Giles comes another brilliant addition to the Detective Jason Smith series.

Sometimes, it's the quiet ones you need to be careful of. Detective Jason Smith has always considered himself to be a bit of a loner. His colleagues would agree with him. But Smith has no idea that another solitary soul is about to give him the worst nightmares of his life. Another loner is killing people in York, and this one isn't about to stop until he's caught.He kills indiscriminately, and he's extremely good at it. It's going to take a loner to catch a loner, and Smith is the only man who can stop the worst serial killer York has ever seen.

What readers are

saying about THE LONER:

It's a bit gruesome in parts but completely gripping and unpredictable. I found the plot to be highly original and wonderfully thought out. Absolutely brilliant! - CAROL

I love Stewarts books as I know I will quickly get into the story and have a wonderfully entertaining read. It's one you can settle down with and despite the subject matter feel comfortable and at home with. A thrilling roller coaster of a read I really didnt want to end. A huge 5* - MISFITS FARM

Stewart Giles has a vivid imagination and the books he writes certainly keep me entertained. Highly recommended. – MAUREEN

Stewart Giles has done it again.  Another absolutely unique story which had me hooked from the first chapter. – AMAZON REVIEWER

Stewart Giles – Author Bio

After reading English at 3 Universities and graduating from none of them, I set off travelling around the world with my wife, Ann, finally settling in South Africa, where we still live. In 2014 Ann dropped a rather large speaker on my head and I came up with the idea for a detective series. DS Jason Smith was born. Smith, the first in the series was finished a few months later. 3 years and 8 DS Smith books later, Joffe Books wondered if I would be interested in working with them. As a self-published author, I agreed. However, we decided on a new series - the DC Harriet Taylor: Cornwall series. The Beekeeper was published and soon hit the number one spot in Australia. The second in the series, The Perfect Murder did just as well. I continued to self-publish the Smith series and Unworthy hit the shelves in 2018 with amazing results. I therefore made the decision to self-publish The Backpacker which is book 3 in the Detective Harriet Taylor series which was published in July 2018. After The Backpacker I had an idea for a totally new start to a series – a collaboration between the Smith and Harriet thrillers and The Enigma was born. It brought together the broody, enigmatic Jason Smith and the more level-headed Harriet Taylor. The Miranda trilogy is something totally different. A psychological thriller trilogy. It is a real departure from anything else I’ve written before. The Detective Jason Smith series continues to grow. I also have another series featuring an Irish detective who relocated to Guernsey, the Detective Liam O’Reilly series. There are also 3 stand alone novels. Website: www.stewartgiles.com Twitter: @stewartgiles Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stewart.giles.33

The Girls Next door by Anita Waller

 

The Girls Next Door by Anita Waller- psychological thriller

Four daughters were born in the same street within six months of each other. Now they are grown women, each with their own lives but very close to the “sisters” they grew up with. One has found out by accident that her husband, who had been sleeping in the spare room, was having an affair. When the girls get together they decide it's best not to confront him just yet but to put some plans in place. When there is a death and an end of life scenario, the girls' lives change in ways they never thought possible and their friendship supports each of them.

Wow! A book I raced through, it was such a compelling read. I liked the four women and their special friendship and that they supported each other, come what may. It's almost a family drama type read but with the clever hook early on the reader knows that there could just be that something else under the surface, very skilfully done. Anita is a master of plots and there's such an easy feel to this, albeit with the slow burn tension and that wanting to peek around the corner to see what's coming feeling which keeps the reader so effortlessly between the pages. I can't say how much I loved this (although I’ve tried!). It's brilliant, it's clever. It's another captivating, spellbinding read from the phenomenal talent that is Anita Waller. 

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The Girls Next Door 

They keep each other’s secrets. They hide each other’s lies. 

They were destined to be best friends. The four girls – all born that same hot summer. There was even a newspaper article after they were born. They said there must be something in the water on Larkspur Close. They predicted a safe and happy life for them all… 

More than thirty years later, it’s more than an unbreakable friendship – it’s more like a sisterhood. It’s the girls who Jess reaches out to because she’s worried about her grandparents who’ve raised her since her mother disappeared, who Erin tells about her new business idea, who Melissa calls to say she’s desperate to escape her toxic job. 

But then Chantelle messages saying she’s discovered her husband is having an affair. And everything changes. 

Because then her husband is found dead… And only a few people knew about his secret. 

Is it just a terrible accident? Or will someone stop at nothing to keep the girls of Larkspur Close safe and happy? 

Purchase Link -  https://mybook.to/girlsnextdoorsocial 

Author Bio –  

Anita Waller is the author of many bestselling psychological thrillers and the Kat and Mouse crime series. She lives in Sheffield, which continues to be the setting of many of her thrillers, and was first published by Bloodhound at the age of sixty-nine. Her first book for Boldwood was published in August 2022. 

Social Media Links –   

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anitawaller2015 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/anitamayw 

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/AnitaWallerNews  

Bookbub profile: Anita Waller Books - BookBub 

A Single Act of Kindness by Samantha Tonge

 

A Single Act of Kindness by Samantha Tonge- Women’s fiction

Oh wow! Another one of Samantha’s books that wraps itself around you like a hug. One of my books of the year.

 Tilda is single and likes her routine- very much so. She likes order and convention and doesn’t like to veer away from this. She has been single since she discovered her last boyfriend was more interested in meeting her brother than in her. Milo is homeless and through a chance encounter Tilda speaks to him. What transpires is different from anything either of them could have ever imagined.

Oh heavens! This gripped me and made me smile and made me sad and the whole gamut of emotions in between. Both Tilda and Milo have their backstories and I'm sure like me some will resonate with other readers. “ You didn't get the best from people by criticising, by instilling fear. The power of kindness was like a secret you didn’t get to know about until it touched you”. Wow! This resonated with me beyond words. 

 I found myself willing things to happen, I’d quickly grown to care for both characters. It's a very special read, one I treasured and didn't want it to end. I could easily see this as a film (my version would possibly have Tom Conti and Emma Thompson in their younger days in the lead roles). If you like a read to restore your faith in human nature or even yourself, this could be the very thing. Of fortitude and bravery, of kindness and life. Stunning, brilliant and lots of other superlatives and most of all, be kind.

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A Single Act of Kindness 

Meet Tilda Wright… 

Tilda has done everything she can to make her life neat, protected, tidy. No longer the girl who was scared of everything, whose family pushed her away, who hit rock bottom. Now she runs her life – as she does her successful business – with the utmost organization. As long as she keeps everyone at arm’s length, she will be fine. She will be safe. 

But then a chance encounter with a man who’s fallen on hard times changes everything. Milo needs a break, and self-contained Tilda surprises herself by deciding she should help him. Just for a while. A few days at the most. 

Maybe all he needs is someone to organize him, to help him clean up his act? She is sure she knows how to kick-start Milo into turning his life around. 

What Tilda doesn’t know is that – with this single act of kindness – it might actually be her own life that’s about to change forever… 

 Purchase Link https://mybook.to/ActKindnessSocial 

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: Samantha Tonge Books - BookBub