Hilly Barmby

Publication Date: 26/3/24

Publisher: Hobeck Books

SYNOPSIS

A glamorous French wedding 

Arriving at the station with her boyfriend Davey MacGregor and his twin sisters, Ailsa and Juliette, Hetty, a thriller book addict, picks up on family tension. But that’s natural before a big wedding, isn’t it? Hetty feels out of her depth. The family are wealthy and well-educated, whereas she is a council house girl. Davey’s cousin Isabelle is to marry Jean-Jacques, a French right-wing politician, in the family chateau.

A fairy-tale event

Ailsa is hesitant about coming back to France. Eight years ago, something happened that nearly destroyed the family. But that was dealt with, wasn’t it? Hetty has secrets of her own that she doesn’t want known. Ailsa is drawn back into the past. What, exactly, did happen? The expensive wedding is everything it should be, except when the groom is taken ill. The revellers carry on, but something is seriously wrong.

Then things start to unravel

The relationships between the family members fracture and secrets from the past start coming to the surface, with murderous results… Who is telling the truth? Who is out for revenge?

MY REVIEW

This is the second of Hilly’s books I have read so I knew I was in for a gripping thriller.

The story revolves around a huge family secret.

We experience a French wedding with all of its traditions and we get to know two branches of a family.

We know something happened 8 years ago to tear the family apart but no-one will talk about it much to the despair of thriller reader Hetty. Hetty is the girlfriend of one of the family and has joined them for the wedding. She feels like she does not fit in to this rich family because of her background. Hetty has her own sad story which is gradually revealed.

The story is told from both Hetty and Ailsa’s points of view so we see two different sides as events occur.

The story flashes back and forth from the present to 2016 and builds up to the reveal of this big secret which is truly devastating.

The pace of the story is spot on and kept me turning the pages, with the reveals coming at just the right time and you don’t have to wait until the last chapter!

A fabulous thriller and I look forward to Hilly’s next novel.

Thank you Rebecca at Hobeck books for having me along on the blog tour.

Stacey Murray

Publication Date: 19/3/24

Publisher: Hobeck

SYNOPSIS

Single-mum Roz compares herself to everyone else, from her sister to friends to people on social media, and feels she’s missing out. She wants what they’ve got — a husband, a father for her daughter, and respect.

When she meets Daniel, Roz thinks her dreams are possible, until he dies suddenly and tragically. Devastated by grief and loneliness, she rushes headlong into a relationship with Mark, a widower she meets in an online support group.

Yet as Mark’s behaviour becomes more controlling and manipulative, Roz realises he isn’t the man of her dreams. He is hiding a jaw-dropping secret that spells danger for Roz and her daughter…

MY REVIEW

The book has rather a sad beginning. Roz, a young single mum with a 10 year old daughter, is devastated to find her boyfriend of just over 3 months has died suddenly. She falls into a new relationship with Mark, a hospital anaesthetist who has lost his own wife and daughter in tragic circumstances.

I enjoyed getting to know Roz, trying to make the best of her life for herself and her daughter. I was wondering where the story was going to go and then the suspense began to build. I got a bit suspicious of this new almost perfect man. Was I right to be? Or is he really almost perfect? Does she see him as a long term relationship or is she just showing off the fact she has a new boyfriend who is a doctor. She doesn’t have much in her life to show off about. Low self esteem. A boring job. Some pretty shallow and judgemental friends and family. Her daughter also has fairly low self esteem and is starting to worry about being overweight.

I enjoyed the section set in Whitby which is one of my favourite places. I often go into that Co-op!

The author has hit the nail on the head with the characters and their mindset that everyone else is happier / richer etc because of their stories and their glowing Instagram posts. But no one knows what goes on in their actual lives.

A great read full of characters with strong personalities and a believable storyline.

Thanks to Rebecca at Hobeck books for my spot on the blog tour.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A native of Glasgow, Stacey Murray was an international commercial lawyer for many years – in the City of London and in Hong Kong. In 2005, she changed career to become an independent film producer. Her first film, A Boy Called Dad, was acquired by the BBC and nominated for the Michael Powell Award for Best British Film at the Edinburgh International Film Festival. She lives in hope – literally, in the village of Hope in the Derbyshire Peak District – with her husband and two rescue dogs. Twitter is her social media drug of choice: her handle is @TheStacemeister

Rosie Green

Publication Date: 16/2/24

SYNOPSIS

This is the first book in an exciting new trilogy (‘The Sunshine Sisters’, part of the Little Duck Pond Café series) about three sisters, who are all – in their different ways – searching for something missing in their lives. They haven’t been close since a shocking incident years ago sent them spinning off in different directions. Will the village of Sunnybrook work its magic and finally reunite the family?

In this first story, Rori has escaped a desperate situation by fleeing to the village. But can she really leave her past behind, or will it come back to haunt her, as she fears it will? Can she find the peace and happiness she craves in Sunnybrook?

Purchase Link – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C6B1Y1KW

MY REVIEW

I will never tire of reading this wonderful series.

I was delighted to get the chance to join the blog blitz for book one in the new trilogy of The Sunshine Sisters. I mean, even the titles of Rosie’s books bring a smile to my face and a warm and cosy feeling of anticipation as I know I’m in for a great read.

I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Aurora Sunshine, or Rori to her friends, with her sisters Skye and Blossom also having made appearances in her story.

Rosie manages to expertly weave a story of humour (that phone scene had me laughing out loud!), love, friendship, family and a large portion of tension into a cracking page turner. The characters jump off the pages. I already feel I know Skye and Blosson quite well, and can’t wait to read their stories.

Although Rori has just escaped from a bad relationship, concerned her ex will find her, she has a positive outlook on life and finds love again in the most unusual of places! I was rooting for life to turn out happily for her. And hoping her crazy ex wouldn’t track her down. What a twist at the end I didn’t see coming.

Well done Rosie. Another triumph!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rosie has been scribbling stories ever since she was little. Back then, they were rip-roaring adventure tales with a young heroine in perilous danger of falling off a cliff or being tied up by ‘the baddies’. Thankfully, Rosie has moved on somewhat, and now much prefers to write romantic comedies that melt your heart and make you smile, with really not much perilous danger involved at all – unless you count the heroine losing her heart in love.

Rosie’s Little Duck Pond Cafe series of novellas is centred around life in a village cafe and each book can be read as a stand-alone story. 

New for 2024: The Sunshine Sisters – an exciting new trilogy, part of the Little Duck Pond Café series. 

The Sunshine Sisters: Aurora – out now.

The Sunshine Sisters: Skye – out in April

The Sunshine Sisters: Blossom – out in June

Follow Rosie on Twitter – https://twitter.com/Rosie_Green88

George Clarke

Part of the ‘Little Experts’ series

Publisher: Red Shed

Publication Date: 1/2/24

SYNOPSIS

Get designing and building with architect and TV presenter GEORGE CLARKE. From marvellous materials to future tech – discover the stories behind our homes.

Our EXPERTS are famous for their incredible know-how and passion for their subjects, and now they have made it their mission to share that knowledge with you in LITTLE EXPERTS: the inspirational non-fiction series for six- to nine-year-olds.

This fantastic non-fiction journey has colourful, playful artwork throughout by Robert Sae-Heng.

Little Experts is an unmissable series that will empower and inspire a new generation of experts.

Also available in the LITTLE EXPERTS series:

• Superhero Animals by CHRIS PACKHAM CBE, one of the UK’s leading naturalists and an award-winning conservationist, who began his TV career presenting children’s series The Really Wild Show.
• How Families Are Made by DR AMIR KHAN, an award-winning full-time GP and resident doctor on Lorraine and Good Morning Britain.
• Why Money Matters by DEBORAH MEADEN, entrepreneur, Dragons’ Den investor and host of the BBC Radio 5 Live’s The Big Green Money Showpodcast.
• Amazing Bodies by DR RONX, award-winning trans non-binary emergency doctor and TV presenter.
• Marvellous Vehicles by JAMES MAY, a writer and broadcaster who is best known for co-presenting Top Gear and The Grand Tour.
• Running the Country by ALASTAIR CAMPBELL, a writer, podcaster and strategist who is best known for his work as former PM Tony Blair’s spokesman.
• How to Save a Life by DR RONX, award-winning trans non-binary emergency doctor and TV presenter.

MY REVIEW

Written in child friendly words and short paragraphs, with a few challenging words thrown in. Plenty of brightly coloured illustrations throughout the book.

Activities to make children think about different designs of homes. A ‘design your own home on a hillside’ activity and a ‘re-design a room in your home’ for those children who are really showing an interest.

Not only does it talk about architecture – George Clarke is an architect – it also explains all the other types of careers needed to build a house; from the groundworks to the windows to the plastering and painting.

It ends with a few pages talking about what the future may be for home building and future technology which is bound to be a great talking point for children who have the best ideas!

I was particularly interested to read about the Japanese wellness toilet. That would be life saving to have in every home.

This is a wonderful addition to the ‘Little Experts’ range of children’s books and I can highly recommend it.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

George Clarke is an architect, writer, lecturer and TV presenter, best known for his work, transforming houses in The Home Show, The Restoration Man and George Clarke’s, old house, new home.

He passionately believes that architecture, art and design should be accessible to everyone and has the power to transform and enrich lives.

Whether he is designing a new home, restoring or converting historic buildings, or transforming existing houses on television, he values the process that enables people to unlock the beauty of where they live. He enjoys showing how, by experimenting with our environment, we can improve the way we live and hopefully learn something new along the way.

Graham Bartlett

Published : 21/3/24

Publisher: Allison & Busby

SYNOPSIS

After losing her sister to an overdose, Chief Superintendent Jo Howe is desperate to tackle the world of drugs that consumes the shadowy backstreets of Brighton. Operation Eradicate is her response but not everyone sees it as a positive development.

For self-made millionaire Sir Ben Parsons it is a threat to his business – his colossal empire relies on addicts who survive on Respite Pharmaceuticals’ substitute drugs. With connections in the highest levels of government, media and organised crime, Parsons unleashes a brutal counterattack on Howe.

How will she survive being caught in the line of fire?

MY REVIEW

It doesn’t get more fast paced, edge of the seat, heart racing than this!

And the quality of the writing!

City on Fire is a dark, gritty, absorbing and scarily believable thriller which delves into the world of drugs, addicts and a big pharma company boss who needs addicts to keep him rich.

As an ex police officer, Graham has used his knowledge and experience to write a cracking novel.

Millionaire pharmaceutical company boss and narcissist Sir Ben Parsons is trying to stop police Chief Superintendent Jo Howe from getting heroin off the streets and helping addicts on the road to recovery – or it will have a knock on effect to his pharma business.

It’s all about the money for him.

It’s all about helping the addicts for her.

Will good win over evil?

Well Jo is a strong determined woman who certainly has her work cut out as her colleagues and her own family are targeted by Sir Ben who has the money, influence and the contacts everywhere to do his bidding. He has the power to bring the whole police force to a standstill. Terrified police are taking time off and support services are cancelled.

We do see a softer side to Sir Ben. He has his mother, who is in the late stages of dementia, living with him. He does not shy away from the gruelling task of caring for her with the utmost of respect and love.

I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. As an ex police officer, Graham has used his personal knowledge and experience to write a cracking and scarily believable novel. The characters feel real and Graham’s writing pulls you in from the first page and takes you on a high octane roller coaster ride full of shocks and surprises at just how low Sir Ben will go to stop Jo.

Being a police officer for 30 years, the authenticity of Graham’s writing and the small details bringing the story vividly to life is clear.

A must read!

Huge thanks to Allison & Busby for having me on the blog tour.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Graham is a best-selling author and crime and police procedural advisor to fiction and TV writers. 

He was a police officer for thirty years and mainly policed the city of Brighton and Hove, rising to become a Chief Superintendent and its police commander. He started writing when he left the police in 2013 and, almost by accident, became a police procedural and crime advisor, helping scores of authors and TV writers (including Peter James, Mark Billingham, Elly Griffiths, Anthony Horowitz, Ruth Ware, Claire McGowan and Dorothy Koomson) achieve authenticity in their drama. 

He runs online crime writing workshops and courses with the Professional Writing Academy and deliver inputs to Masters programmes at the University of Cambridge and the University of East Anglia as well as at the Crime Writing Certificate programme at West Dean College.

His Jo Howe crime series launched in 2022 with my debut novel, Bad for Good. Shortlisted for the Crimefest Debut of the Year award and winner of the Crime Fiction Lovers Editors’ Choice award

Stacey Halls

Publication date: 11/4/24

Publisher: Manilla Press

SYNOPSIS

London, 1847. In a quiet house in the countryside outside London, the finishing touches are being made to welcome a group of young women. The house and its location are top secret, its residents unknown to one another, but the girls have one thing in common: they are fallen. Offering refuge for prostitutes, petty thieves and the destitute, Urania Cottage is a second chance at life – but how badly do they want it?

Meanwhile, a few miles away in a Piccadilly mansion, millionairess Angela Burdett-Coutts, one of the benefactors of Urania Cottage, makes a discovery that leaves her cold. Her stalker of ten years has been released from prison, and she knows it’s only a matter of time before their nightmarish game resumes once more.

As the women’s worlds collide in ways they could never have expected, they will discover that freedom always comes at a price . . .

MY REVIEW

A marvellously compelling and immersive historical fiction novel I took my time reading in order to fully absorb the experience. I enjoyed every page and didn’t want it to end. I would love to read what happens next.

Rich with atmosphere and depiction of life in Dickens’ London (and he has a small part in the story) I felt I was living in Martha and Josephine’s world.

The attention to detail is extraordinarily, and we really get to know the main characters.

We have the polar opposite lives of the ‘fallen’ girls who have nothing, and are taken in to Urania Cottage, and then we have the luxurious life of Angela Coutts who is the benefactor. However there are unhappy elements in this story for both the rich and the poor.

The house is run by a strict Mrs Holdsworth. The girls have timetables and are taught how to run a house in preparation for being transported to Australia and new lives. They also have academic, music and needlework lessons. But some of the girls feel like they are in prison. So many rules. Work is hard and quite physical but the rewards are welcomed.

The close friendships which develop in the house are heartwarming.

Another must read novel from this super talented author. I very much look forward to her next.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stacey Halls was born in Lancashire and worked as a journalist before her debut The Familiars was published in 2019. The Familiars was the bestselling debut hardback novel of that year, won a Betty Trask Award and was shortlisted for the British Book Awards’ Debut Book of the Year. The Foundling, her second novel, was also a Sunday Times top ten bestseller. Mrs England is her third novel.

Ann-Marie & Justin Jones

Published 3/2/24

Available FREE on Apple and Google:

Apple: https://books.apple.com/gb/book/pretty-darn-fast/id6477725697 

Google:  https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=ToLzEAAAQBAJ 

SYNOPSIS

Book overview 

Do you want to be happier?

Do you want to get rid of anxiety, stress and worry as fast as possible?

Do you want the knowledge in a light way you can easily remember?

Then this book is for you!

We’ve found gold standard concepts from modern greats such as Paul McKenna, Eckhart Tolle, Phil Parker and many more.

We’ve taken relevant wisdom from sages around the world, past and present.

Then, we’ve made a book that’s:

– Pretty, with Lots of Pictures
– Full of Validated Techniques
– Fast

Imagine how this book will change your life.

There really are some great books on mental health out there. From The Analects (Confucius) to the very latest books published this year, the ways to a happy life are well documented. The problem is that some are long, some are hard to read and some take 30 pages to make a point that could be made in a few sentences. Very few are pretty to look at. That’s where this book comes in.

Consider this book like a ‘quick start’. It aims to get you as much knowledge as possible in as short a time as can be. We’ve crammed over 15,000 pages of reading and hundreds of hours of videos/ audio into one pretty book, that’s under 200 pages. If you want to read this book, then go on and learn more, great! If you just want to get back on the right track as soon as possible, this is one of the fastest ways to do that.

Topics covered in this book include:

• Behavioural patterns (good and bad)
• Psychological processes for change
• Known techniques for taking charge of your emotions
• Mindfulness
• Meditation
• Being at ease
• Rest
• Sleep
• Confidence
• Positivity
• And much more

We aimed to make the text just enough to make the point. There’s also some beautiful pictures to make it interesting to look at and help commit it to memory.

Everything you need to get started on your journey to happiness and inner peace.

This book has been reviewed for inclusivity. We have tried our best to make it usable and relevant to all readers.

MY REVIEW

Firstly I must say a huge thanks to the authors for sending me a review copy.

An excellent quick start guide to improving your mental health.

Just as the synopsis says, it is written in brief easy to read sections which get straight to the heart of how to achieve a happier and less anxious mindset. I have many psychology books for self help but they are so thick and daunting I just don’t have the will to read them. Thankfully the authors of this book have read plenty of such books, watched many videos and attended lots of learning sessions. In their words ‘We’ve taken the finest wisdom from the finest minds – from the oldest of sages to the very latest research ..’

It is an enjoyable read and there are some lovely full colour images along the way. I particularly loved a relaxing photograph of a lake and mountains with a bright blue sky.

There are plenty of ideas in here you can use to help yourself immediately. Breathing exercises in particular are very relaxing. The authors mention free apps which can help with breathing techniques, as well as apps for tai chi and more.

I read it in one sitting as I wanted to see exactly what it contained but I will be going back and reading it again as I gradually try to change my mindset. The key is sticking to it and reprogramming your brain to a ‘new normal’ which I’m sure can be achieved.

I would recommend getting the print copy of the book as you will want to flick back and forth, and enjoy the photographs.

Worry less and enjoy your life more. You only get one. Make the most of it.

Lesley McDowell

Publication Date: 29/2/25

Publisher: Wildfire

SYNOPSIS

1816. A massive volcanic eruption has caused the worst storms that Europe has seen in decades, yet Percy and Mary Shelley have chosen to visit the infamous Lord Byron at his villa on Lake Geneva. It wasn’t their idea: Mary’s eighteen year old step-sister, Claire Clairmont, insisted. 

But the reason for Claire’s visit is more pressing than a summer escape with the most famous writers in the world. She’s pregnant with Byron’s child – a child Byron doesn’t want, and scarcely believes is his own.

Claire has the world in her grasp. This trip should have given her everything she ever dreamed of. But within days, her life will be in ruins.

History has all but forgotten her story – but she will not be silenced.

MY REVIEW

The author delves into the life of Claire Claremont, the step sister of Mary Shelley.

She has certainly researched Claire’s life thoroughly and has filled in the gaps with a believable narrative; some of which may have happened.

What this book has excelled in is showing a strong, independent, passionate woman who had an extremely difficult life. Lonely. Used by men. Her baby taken from her. A strained relationship with Mary. Affairs. Moving around but struggling to find where she belongs.

The family and their acquaintances suffered countless difficulties and losses, including children, which was heartbreaking to read.

I enjoyed the book and it is a good 4 star read for me but to be completely honest I did find some of it difficult to follow. It probably didn’t help that I didn’t know anything about Claire, or much about Mary Shelley, but it has been so interesting finding out about their difficult and complicated lives.

Very well written as I expected from this author, having read her impressive bio.

Not a quick or easy read, but it gets under the skin. I would recommend it for historical fiction fans who enjoy a ‘warts and all’ read.

AUTHOR BIO

Lesley McDowell is the author of three novels, The Picnic (Black and White 2007), Unfashioned Creatures (Saraband 2013) and Clairmont (Wildfire 2024), as well as a work of non-fiction, Between the Sheets: The Literary Liaisons of Nine 20th Century Women Writers (Overlook Duckworth 2010). She works as an editorial consultant and was for many years a literary critic for The Independent, The Independent on Sunday, The Herald, The Scotsman, and The Times Literary Supplement. She has won three Creative Scotland awards, and has a PhD on the work of James Joyce. She lives in Glasgow, Scotland.

Boyd and Beth Morrison

Publication Day Promo Blitz

Publication date: 29/2/24

Publisher: Head of Zeus / Aries

SYNOPSIS

The thrilling new historical adventure from New York Times bestselling author Boyd Morrison and expert medievalist Beth Morrison. Fox and Willa find themselves on a dangerous quest for the treasure of the Templar Knights.
A Perilous Quest. A Deadly Legacy.
Italy, 1351. English companions, knight Gerard Fox and the resourceful Willa, have come through a death-defying journey across war-torn Europe. Now looking towards a future together, they must first find a way to reconcile with their difficult pasts.
In a small village between Florence and Siena, Fox and Willa are caught up in a deadly ambush. After rescuing Luciana, the target of the attack, they take refuge in her opulent villa and learn her heartbreaking story – a tale of loss, deception, and a burning desire for freedom. Soon, Fox and Willa are involved in a perilous quest to save Luciana’s family legacy. To do so, they will have to solve a mystery that points the way to the fabled lost treasure of the Knights Templar.

‘Complete with mysteries, secrets, and adventure, rich in detail, delivering exactly what a reader craves. This writing duo knows all the right chords to touch.’ Steve Berry, #1 New York Times bestselling author

‘A mesmerizing sequel to the hugely entertaining The Lawless Land…. There is action galore. What a ride!’ Elizabeth George, #1 New York Times bestselling author

‘Any lover of historical mysteries or great tales of adventure will find much delight in this
novel!’ James Rollins, #1 New York Times bestselling author

‘A triumphant follow-up to The Lawless Land, with a puzzle that will dazzle fans of The Da Vinci Code. There’s so much breathtaking excitement that the book should come with an oxygen tank.’ Lee Goldberg, #1 New York Times bestselling author

PURCHASE LINK

https://geni.us/TLTTPBRRR

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

BOYD MORRISON

Boyd Morrison is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of twelve thrillers, including six with Clive Cussler. His first novel, The Ark, was an Indie Next Notable pick and was translated into over a dozen languages. He has a PhD in industrial engineering from Virginia Tech.

Follow Boyd on:

X: @BoydMorrison

IG: @BoydMorrisonWriter

http://www.facebook.com/BoydMorrisonWriter

Website: https://boydmorrison.com/

BETH MORRISON

Beth Morrison is Senior Curator of Manuscripts at the J. Paul Getty Museum. She has curated major exhibitions including ‘Imagining the Past in France, 1250-1500’, and ‘Book of Beasts: The Bestiary in the Medieval World’. She has a PhD in the History of Art from Cornell University.

Follow Beth on:

X: @BethMorrisonPhd

IG: @BethMorrisonWriter

http://www.facebook.com/BethMorrisonWriter

L.D. Smithson

Published: 29/2/24

Publisher: Transworld Books

SYNOPSIS

Everything is a clue.
Bonnie arrives on a remote sea fort off the coast of England to take part in a mysterious reality TV show. Competing against seven strangers, she must solve a series of puzzles to win the prize money, but this is no game – and the consequences of failure are deadly.

No one leaves.
Under scrutiny from the watching public, the contestants quickly turn on one another. Who will sacrifice the most for wealth and fame? And why can’t Bonnie shake the creeping sense that they are not alone?

The only way out is to win.
When the first contestant is found dead, Bonnie begins to understand the dark truth at the heart of this twisted competition: there’s a killer inside the fort, and anyone could be next. If Bonnie wants to escape, she needs to win…

Are you ready to play?

MY REVIEW

Ooh that ending! It sent goosebumps up my spine.

I read a few years ago, how at least one of the old sea forts off the south coast had been converted into an hotel and I quite fancied staying in one. Well that has changed and I absolutely don’t want to now.

A sea fort combined with an escape room theme sounded just my cup of tea, and it really was.

8 contestants who have been chosen for a reality TV series are dropped by boat and have to solve their first clue as a team in order to get inside the sea fort. The puzzles continue but the game takes a deadly turn when threatening messages begin to appear.

An exceptionally good psychological thriller and it is clear the author has a background in psychology. There must have also been a great deal of escape rooms visited to get such an understanding of how the puzzles can be solved. I had absolutely no idea how to solve them so I do not intend to show myself up by visiting an escape room any time soon!

The tension and claustrophobic feel to the story was palpable.

An easy 5 stars for this must read thriller.

Thank you to the publisher for sending me an advance copy.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

L.D.Smithson is a psychologist from Yorkshire who has published a series of Crime Thriller Novels under a different name. THE ESCAPE ROOM is her debut stand alone novel.