BLOG TOUR AND BOOK REVIEW THE TEACHER BY KATERINA DIAMOND

You think you know who to trust? You think you know the difference between good and evil?

You’re wrong …

A LESSON YOU WILL NEVER FORGET

The body of the head teacher of an exclusive Devon school is found hanging from the rafters in the assembly hall.

Hours earlier he’d received a package, and only he could understand the silent message it conveyed. It meant the end.

As Exeter suffers a rising count of gruesome deaths, troubled DS Imogen Grey and DS Adrian Miles must solve the case and make their city safe again.

But as they’re drawn into a network of corruption, lies and exploitation, every step brings them closer to grim secrets hidden at the heart of their community.

And once they learn what’s motivating this killer, will they truly want to stop him?

 

Firstly a huge thanks to Avon Books for having me on this blog tour and a chance to review such a fantastic book .

Once I started I knew I to read until I had turned that last page .

This will reel you in and leave you shocked several times ,its gripping ,gory and chilling .

No one is who they seem and is there such a clear cut between good and bad ?

I felt quite bereft upon finishing this chilling twisted powerful book .

I’m really surprised this is her first novel as it excels itself and looks set to be top of the charts .

This a dark haunting thriller from a fresh voice and cant recommend it enough!

This will play on your mind ,especially as a parent and in todays society where we unfortunately do hear a lot of horrible events .

 

Be warned though you may have nightmares and as the book states NOT FOR THE FAINT HEARTED .

Do check out the other blogs that have been on this chilling blog tour and I look forward to reading more from this brilliant author.

 

 

 

BLOG TOUR THAT GIRL FROM NOWHERE Q&A WITH DOROTHY KOOMSON

I am absolutely thrilled to be on this blog tour after having the pleasure of reviewing this last year which you can read here .

I was also incredibly lucky to have been quoted in this book which as a huge fan of Dorothy was like Christmas had come early 🙂

So I had the  absolute pleasure of asking Dorothy some questions ,enjoy and do check out the other fantastic blogs on this tour and be sure to grab a copy of this beautiful book .

1. Where do you get your inspiration from?
I find ideas for my books all over the place – from eavesdropping on a juicy conversation in the supermarket to hearing a story on the news and wondering what it’s like to be on the other side of that news story and having to live it out. I often start with the smallest kernel of an idea and develop it from there.

2. Name 3 of your favourite authors.
My historic favourite authors are: Harper Lee, Jackie Collins and JG Ballard, but there are so many others who have influenced my writing and would come under the umbrella of being favourites.

3. If you could have written any book which would it be and why?
Possibly Running Wild by JG Ballard because of how clever it is, or maybe Hollywood Wives by Jackie Collins because you always get

the impression you had to have been right at the centre of that lifestyle to be able to write so authentically about it. Or even Waiting To Exhale by Terry McMillan because of the wonderful way she writes about friendship.

4. If you weren’t an author what would you like to be?
I was a journalist for many, many years – and still am in my heart – but I also wanted to be a librarian. My dad wanted me to become a politician but that never happened.

5. Describe the feeling of seeing your work on bookshelves.
It really is one of the best feelings in the world. I still get excited by it even now, all these books later and on publication day I always try to find my book in a bookshop to take my picture with it. (Sad but true.)

And non-book related….

6. Who is your TV/film crush?
That changes all the time! I used to watch so much television that I was literally falling in love every time I changed channels! I can be

rather fickle with my televisual and cinematic affections so I have to respectfully decline to answer that question.

7. Any guilty pleasures?
Watching television until the small hours, spending the day in bed finishing a good book, having the time to speak to someone on the phone for hours on end.

And finally

8. Can you tell us about your next book?
When I Was Invisible comes out in May 2016 and it is the story of how your life can quite quickly become very different to the one you thought you were going to live. After that, I am currently wrestling with 3 very different ideas and trying to decide which one I want to write.

Thanks Charlene for the questions and having me on your blog. Dorothy x

That Girl From Nowhere by Dorothy Koomson is published on 24th March by Arrow, price £7.99 in paperback. Share your favourite photo and its story to #ThatGirlMemories to win a Fujifilm Instax 8 camera.

BOOK REVIEW SUMMER NIGHTS AT THE MOONLIGHT HOTEL BY JANE COSTELLO

‘LEARN TO SALSA DANCE,’ the card in the shop window read. ‘Experience the red-hot vibes of Latin America right here in the Lake District. Beginners and singles welcome.’

Lauren Scott lives in ‘The most romantic place in Britain’, but her love life is about as successful as her mountain climbing skills. The man she’s obsessed over for two years has proposed to someone else – and her only solution is to save up for six months to go travelling, so she never has to set eyes on him again.

But when her friends sign her up for a dance class – in the same historic hotel where her beloved dad worked and her most precious childhood memories were formed – Lauren makes a horrifying discovery. It’s been sold to a faceless budget chain, which has depressing plans in store. Worse, the entrepreneur behind it all turns out to be among a group of guys her friend Cate roped in to join the very same salsa class they’ve signed up for….

Jane Costello’s funniest book yet – a story of love, friendship and some serious hip action . . . Get in the mood to mambo!

Firstly a big thanks to Books and the city for sending me a gorgeous review copy.I love janes books so I always know I’m in for a treat when she releases a new one.

This had it all and I really enjoyed it .

Funnily enough where this is set my son is visiting soon with his school .

I could relate to Lauren in regards to her love life and her mishaps and adventures are hilarious .

Jane writes the perfect book to escape to and in this book the location couldn’t be better.

Great characters who also have drama going on in their life especially one who is dealing with a subject I’m not sure ive actually seen covered in womens fiction before and it adds to the brilliance of the book .

A great book and was very lucky to have the oppournity to read months before its release .

Published 24th march

 

 

BOOK REVIEW THE NIGHT THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING BY LAURA TAIT AND JIMMY RICE

Rebecca is the only girl she knows who didn’t cry at the end of Titanic. Ben is the only man he knows who did. Rebecca’s untidy but Ben doesn’t mind picking up her pieces. Ben is laid back by Rebecca keeps him on his toes. They’re a perfect match.

Nothing can come between them. Or so they think.

When a throwaway comment reveals a secret from the past, their love story is rewritten.

Can they recover from the night that changed everything? And how do you forgive when you can’t forget?

The Night That Changed Everything is a funny, feel-good and bittersweet story, told in alternate chapters by Laura Tait and Jimmy Rice.

Firstly a huge thanks to Rebecca at corgi for sending me a gorgeous copy to review .

I absoulty adored their debut book so was very excited to start this.

The cover is stunning and again like their first book its set on my doorstep in south London .

The alternate chapters keeps the book fresh and modern and as a single woman I really enjoy reading from a mans  perspective .

This book will make you laugh out loud and gasp !

I could relate to Rebecca in many  ways ,there was one scene which literally described me so that was enlightening lol .

This is a fantastic book dealing with love ,friendship ,loss and secrets .

I didn’t see what was coming on more than one occasion so it constantly kept you on your toes .

It made me question myself in reading this ,what would I have done?

Cannot recommend enough and frankly they need more books out quickly!

Published 24th  March

 

 

 

 

 

BOOK REVIEW THE PERFECT GIFT BY EMMA HANNIGAN

When Roisin returned home from France to the seaside village of Ballyshore heartbroken, she threw herself into fulfilling her lifelong dream of running her own artisan café. Five years on, her love life is still on ice but Nourriture, her café and delicatessen, is thriving.

Then, on her thirtieth birthday, instead of the annual card from her birth mother, a woman she’s never met, Roisin receives a letter signed with love, which turns her world upside down.

While she absorbs the contents of the letter, her adoptive mum Keeley grows increasingly worried that its arrival will raise questions about the secret she’s been hiding from Roisin for years. A secret only one other person knows….

Firstly a big thanks to  Frances at Headline for sending me a beautiful review copy.

I couldn’t wait to start as I have absolutely adored Emmas previous books especially The secrets we share which was released last year .

Her writing beautifully captures the importance of family and love and creates characters which are easy to love and connect with.

This story was a emotive powerful one foe me as I’m adopted so could understand some of the feelings Roisin was having .

There are other storylines happening alongside Roisin’s which makes for excellent reading to escape to .

I adored Rob who was a gentleman and romantic but equally liv who is struggling in her own way and her character was raw and honest .Emma portrayed the truth that parenting can be hard despite how much we love our children .

Yet again another beautiful piece of fiction from this talented writer .

 

 

BOOK REVIEW YOU SENT ME A LETTER BY LUCY DAWSON

At 2 a.m. on the morning of her fortieth birthday, Sophie wakes to find an intruder in her bedroom. The stranger hands Sophie a letter and issues an threat: open the letter at her party that evening, in front of family and friends, at exactly 8 p.m., or those she loves will be in grave danger.

What can the letter possibly contain?

This will be no ordinary party; Sophie is not the only person keeping a secret about the evening ahead. When the clock strikes eight, the course of several people’s lives will be altered for ever

Firstly thanks to Corvus for this proof which I recieved from Real readers .Il be honest I don’t remember hearing about these so this was a great surprise .

I haven’t had much reading mojo lately as life has been hectic but this I can safely say had me hooked and I read it within a day .

It had me compelled and captivated straight away and it is very very clever .

A day later and I’m still thinking of the characters so that speaks volumes to me .

This is a great thriller and will have you feeling very tense and on the edge of your seat quite quick .

Secrets and lies are riddled in the pages but as they say the truth will out and in doing so ruin peoples lives .

There are twists and turns and you will think you know the answer then bang …maybe not ??

This has a dark feel to it and all the ingredients to a great psychological thriller and definitely one to look out for in 2016

I could not put it down and really got under my skin.

Published 3rdmarch2016

 

BOOK REVIEW IN HER WAKE BY AMANDA JENNINGS

A tragic family event reveals devastating news that rips apart Bella’s comfortable existence. Embarking on a personal journey to uncover the truth, she faces a series of traumatic discoveries that take her to the ruggedly beautiful Cornish coast, where hidden truths, past betrayals and a 25-year-old mystery threaten not just her identity, but her life.Chilling, complex and profoundly moving, In Her Wake is a gripping psychological thriller that questions the nature of family – and reminds us that sometimes the most shocking crimes are committed closest to home.

Firstly let me start by saying thanks to Karen at Orenda books for sending me a review copy ,however I had already ordered a special signed edition .Fear not the one you sent has gone to a good loving home.

Ever since  a fellow blogger introduced me to Amanda’s work I can’t get enough ,Judas scar is one of the best books I’ve EVER read .Therefore I was so excited for this book especially once started to see other bloggers and authors praising it .

As predicted I devoured it and days later its still there in my mind .

This will haunt you not only while reading but afterwards .The story is layered and very complex and one that I felt just kept unravelling .Amanda’s writing is magnificent and thrilling .This is a dark and chilling book …quote my son “that cover is scary …tell the author ” .

It makes you question everyone and everything  in this family and makes you see things are never quite what they seem .

There are moments that shocked me and I’ve read a fair few psychological thrillers especially based on family dramas and secrets.

This is an addictive book so only start if you know you dedicate a whole slot of reading to it .

This needs to be the must read of 2016!

I could relate to Bella in many ways ,not knowing who you are and where you come from plays a huge role in adult development and understanding ourselves.

Even right to the end there were shocking revelations .

Its a rollercoaster of an emotive book ,powerful ,haunting and very gripping .

Now whats in store for your next book ???