Thursday 31 October 2019

BLOG TOUR: Through the Wall - Caroline Corcoran


Lexie’s got the perfect life. And someone else wants it…

Lexie loves her home. She feels safe and secure in it – and loved, thanks to her boyfriend Tom.

But recently, something’s not been quite right. A book out of place. A wardrobe door left open. A set of keys going missing…

Tom thinks Lexie’s going mad – but then, he’s away more often than he’s at home nowadays, so he wouldn’t understand.

Because Lexie isn’t losing it. She knows there’s someone out there watching her. And, deep down, she knows there’s nothing she can do to make them stop…

A compelling, heart-racing thriller that will have you looking over your shoulder long after you turn the last page. The perfect read for fans of Louise Candlish and Adele Parks.


What did I think?

What a clever book Caroline Corcoran has written for her debut, it's a book I can't stop thinking about and quoting a particular part of it.  It really got under my skin and scared the hell out of me, to the point where I was simultaneously scared to read about certain events unfolding but also couldn't read fast enough to find out what happened.  All because of a character called Harriet, who gives her neighbours, Lexie and Tom, the impression she has the perfect life but she is actually stark raving bonkers.

Everyone who reads this book will hate Harriet; she's not just crazy, she's dangerously unhinged.  We know she has done something bad in her past after her break up with her boyfriend, Luke, but when she catches a glimpse of her neighbour, Tom, and thinks he is the spitting image of Luke she sets her sights on Lexie's boyfriend.  Just how far she is willing to go to get him shows how dangerous she really is.

It's really interesting that Harriet envies Lexie and Lexie envies Harriet, despite them having never met.  From glimpses they see and snippets they hear, they have scrambled together a frankenstein jigsaw of each other and come to the conclusion that the other has the perfect life.  It couldn't be further from the truth with Lexie struggling with infertility and Harriet being a total fruit and nut.  Having spent a little time in an apartment in London, Caroline Corcoran has really shown an element of the North South divide that I had completely forgotten about; in the North, your neighbours would have you in for a cuppa before you'd unpacked, but in the South you don't have a clue what your neighbours even look like.

Harriet sets off on a campaign to get inside Lexie's head and part of this involves online bullying.  It's good to remind us now and again that anyone can be absolutely anyone online and I found this scarily realistic.  Harriet takes her online bullying to another level though; not simply content with posting nasty comments on Lexie's appearance on social media she thrives on listening to the effects of these attacks through the wall.  That's not even close to the worst thing that Harriet does, but you'll just have to read the book to find out what else she gets up to.

I think Lexie's infertility issue was handled superbly and really helped the reader get inside the head of someone going through this.  Lexie's life revolved around having a baby, and Tom's life to a degree, but it was Lexie who had it on her mind every waking minute.  Their life became all about calendars, alarms and appointments and they lost so much time just being a couple so it's no wonder that suspicions started to appear when they were under so much emotional strain.

I mentioned earlier about a particular part I keep quoting and it's about how we perceive ourselves and other people.  Caroline Corcoran hit the nail on the head when she said we put a rose coloured tint on others but apply a horror filter to ourselves.  We humans do love a good bit of self-flagellation and I've always said that nobody can be as hard on me as I am on myself.

A brilliant, clever debut and a definite page turner, I really enjoyed Through the Wall; I think it's clever, scarily realistic and creepy as hell (not in a ghostly way, but in the way that you never know what mad hatter Harriet will do next).  Beware though, it'll definitely have you looking at your neighbours in a new light and wondering what madness lurks inside them.

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:


Buy it from Amazon



Follow the tour:

Wednesday 30 October 2019

BLOG TOUR: Christmas Secrets at Villa Limoncello (Tuscan Dreams Book 3) - Daisy James


I was delighted to be offered a spot on the Christmas Secrets at Villa Limoncello blog tour by Rachel's Random Resources as I love supporting local North East authors.  There are no local landmarks to look out for in Daisy's books as she whisks us away to foreign climes so read on to find out all about my virtual trip to Italy.


Escape to Villa Limoncello... where dreams come true in the most unexpected ways.

With Christmas around the corner, Izzie Jenkins is ready to kickstart the new ‘Snowflakes and Christmas Cakes’ course at Villa Limoncello with chef and business partner, Luca Castelotti.

However, secrets are stirring with their latest guests and when nasty accidents keep befalling the group it looks like Izzie will have to turn detective once more to protect the Villa’s fledgling reputation. On top of all this, Izzie’s been offered the job of a lifetime – back home in Cornwall. Will she be coming home for Christmas, or will Tuscany work its magic to keep her at Villa Limoncello with Luca?


What did I think?

Firstly I have to say that I haven't read the first two books in the Tuscan Dreams series, but now I definitely want to.  Having enjoyed it immensely, I can most definitely say that you can read Christmas Secrets at Villa Limoncello as a standalone as Daisy James covers enough of Izzie's back story in this instalment.  What it did for me though, is made me want to find out more about Izzie and Luca.  I usually don't like jumping in mid-series but I might not have found the Tuscan Dreams series otherwise; reading book 3 has definitely made me more intrigued to go back to the start of the story.

Daisy James has an uncanny knack of bringing her locations to life in her books with sights, sounds and smells.  There is plenty of opportunity to get the reader's senses buzzing with Izzie running a fabulously named 'Snowflakes and Christmas Cakes' course at Villa Limoncello.  I think I had a few smell and taste hallucinations while reading this book; I could certainly not get the smell of lemons and the taste of limoncello out of my mind, that's for sure.

Izzie's guests are a community choir from York who have come to Tuscany to rehearse for a singing competition.  With such a colourful array of guests, there are quite a few secrets and whispering in corners as passions run high and tempers fray.  Izzie tries to keep everyone's spirits up but she has enough to contend with as she tries to work out how villa owner, Luca, feels about her.  Izzie has been offered a job back home in Cornwall, which holds both happy and sad memories for her, but she really wants to stay in Italy.  If only she could pin Luca down and talk to him; it seems like they are passing like ships in the night but Izzie might be setting sail for the horizon if Luca doesn't open up to her.

I was a bit worried about reading a Christmas book in October but it's not overly festive at all, which is great!  With gorgeous blue skies and the glorious scent of lemons, it got me in the mood for limoncello rather than egg nog.  You always get a bit more than you bargained for in a Daisy James book as she does like to add a bit of mystery, intrigue and skullduggery to her romantic fiction.  You just never know what to expect and that's what makes the book such a good read.  

Christmas Secrets at Villa Limoncello was the perfect book to be reading as the temperature dropped in October; it warmed my heart, left me with a smile on my face and an unmistakable thirst for limoncello.  Speaking of which, I also have to say that Daisy James includes several recipes at the end of the book, including a recipe to make your own limoncello - I almost dropped my kindle in excitement!!  I have to try this although I'm sure I'll have difficulty leaving it for 30 days without having sneaky little tasters.

You don't need a passport to escape to Tuscany this winter, pick up a copy of Christmas Secrets at Villa Limoncello and let Daisy James transport you to Italy from the comfort of your favourite chair with her fabulous sparkly (and mouthwatering) new book.

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Purchase Links



About the author:

Daisy James is a Yorkshire girl transplanted to the north east of England. She loves writing stories with strong heroines and swift-flowing plotlines. When not scribbling away in her peppermint-and-green summerhouse (garden shed), she spends her time sifting flour and sprinkling sugar and edible glitter. She loves gossiping with friends over a glass of something pink and fizzy or indulging in a spot of afternoon tea - china plates and teacups are a must.

Daisy would love to hear from readers via her Facebook page or you can follow her on Twitter @daisyjamesbooks or on Instagram @daisyjamesstories.

Social Media Links
Twitter @daisyjamesbooks




Follow the tour:

Wednesday 23 October 2019

BLOG TOUR: Reach for a Star - Kathryn Freeman


It's a Rachel's Random Resources Blog Tour today so that means there's a fabulous giveaway!  After reading my review of Reach for a Star, you can enter to win a paperback copy of Oh Crumbs by Kathryn Freeman and this is a book I absolutely loved so do make sure you enter!  Good Luck!


What if your dreams were so close you could reach out and touch them? 

How could anyone resist Michael Tennant, with his hypnotic blue eyes and voice like molten chocolate? Jessie Simmons certainly can’t. But Jessie’s a single mum who can’t sing to save her life – there’s no way she’ll ever cross paths with the star tenor. 

At least that’s what she thinks until she’s unexpectedly invited to take part in a new reality TV show. The premise? Professional singers teach hopeless amateurs how to sing. The surprise? Jessie’s partner is none other than Michael Tennant!

As she becomes better acquainted with the man behind the voice, will Jessie find out the hard way that you should never meet your idols? Or will she get more than she bargained for?


What did I think?

My reading tastes have changed over the years and I rarely read romantic fiction or chick-lit these days, however, I always make an exception for certain authors and Kathryn Freeman is one of them.  It's nice to have a change of pace from psychological thrillers and bloodthirsty crime and with her comforting, heartwarming romantic fiction Kathryn Freeman certainly fits the bill.

In Reach for a Star, pharmacist and divorcee, Jessie, is secretly entered into a TV singing competition by her two sons; not because she is a good singer, but because she can't sing at all.  The TV show teams members of the public with professional singers from various music genres in an attempt to teach them to sing.  With only one week to do it, it seems like an impossible task so it's not the best but the most improved singer who will win.  Jessie can't believe her luck when she is partnered with her idol, Michael Tennant, but their meeting doesn't go as perfectly as she imagined as Michael is at his most snappy with trying to squeeze this reality show in right before an upcoming world tour.

As you would expect after spending a lot of time with somebody over an intense week, Michael's shell begins to crack and he starts to fall for Jessie.  Michael has had his heart broken once before and he's worried that Jessie is more in love with Michael Tennant the tenor than Michael the man.  With so many insecurities, misunderstandings and prior commitments getting in the way, not to mention a PA who has her own sights set on Michael, the pair have to survive being apart during Michael's world tour.  If it's meant to be, they'll find a way.

Kathryn Freeman writes a prescription for pure unadulterated escapism in Reach for a Star.  Side effects are a warm heart, damp eyes, inability to prevent your mouth from smiling and an overall feeling of happiness.  Seriously, I wish you could bottle this stuff!  For any girl who has ever fallen in love with her idol (and let's face it, who hasn't?), Reach for a Star brings that dream to life; this sparkling, utterly fabulous book will not just warm your heart, it will warm your soul.  

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:


Buy it from:
Amazon UK
Amazon US



About the author:

A former pharmacist, I’m now a medical writer who also writes romance. Some days a racing heart is a medical condition, others it’s the reaction to a hunky hero.

With two teenage boys and a husband who asks every Valentine’s Day whether he has to buy a card (yes, he does), any romance is all in my head. Then again, his unstinting support of my career change proves love isn't always about hearts and flowers - and heroes come in many disguises.

Social Media Links –




GIVEAWAY!!!

Giveaway to Win a PB copy of Oh Crumbs by Kathryn Freeman (Open INT)


*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Follow the tour:

Monday 21 October 2019

COVER REVEAL: When Stars Will Shine - compiled by Emma Mitchell


I have a very exciting cover reveal for you today and one that is very close to my heart.  With several family members currently and previously serving in the forces, I am a keen supporter of Help for Heroes, so it is my absolute pleasure to reveal the cover of When Stars Will Shine, an anthology of Christmas stories being published in December to raise funds for this amazing charity.

I was completely speechless when I saw the cover; I think it's absolutely perfect.  Scroll down to see it for yourself.


Here is the amazing cover, in Help for Heroes colours of course, along with the synopsis and pre-order link.  You don't want to miss this one so make sure you click now to ensure this arrives on your Kindle on 9th December 2019. 



Synopsis:

When Stars Will Shine is a collection of short stories from your favourite authors who have come together to deliver you a Christmas read with a twist.

With true war tales that will break your heart, gritty Christmas crimes that will shake you to your core, and heart warming tales of love lost and found, this anthology has something for everyone. And, with every penny made being sent to support our troops, you can rest assured that you’re helping our heroes, one page at a time.

From authors such as Louise Jensen, Graham Smith, Malcolm Hollingdrake, Lucy Cameron, Val Portelli, and Alex Kane, you are in for one heck of a ride!


A Note From Emma Mitchell:

As the blurb tells us, When Stars Will Shine is a multi-genre collection of Christmas themed short stories complied to raise money for our armed forces and every penny made from the sales of both the digital and paperback copies will be donated to the charity.

Working closely with Kate Noble at Noble Owl Proofreading and Amanda Ni Odhrain from Let’s Get Booked, I’ve been able to pick the best of the submissions to bring you a thrilling book which is perfect for dipping into at lunchtime or snuggling up with on a cold winter’s night. I have been completely blown away by the support we’ve received from the writing and blogging community, especially the authors who submitted stories and Shell Baker from Baker’s Not So Secret Blog, who has organised the cover reveal and blog tour.

When Stars Will Shine is available for pre-order now and will be published on 9 December 2019.

There isn’t anyone in the country who hasn’t benefited from the sacrifices our troops, past and present, have made for us and they all deserve our thanks.

It has been an honour to work on these stories and to create this anthology and I hope you enjoy reading the stories as much as I have.


Pre-order links:

Sunday 20 October 2019

BLOG TOUR: Effin' Birds: A Field Guide to Identification - Aaron Reynolds


Have you ever looked a bird dead in the eye and wondered what it was thinking?

With Effin Birds, the most eagerly anticipated new volume in the noble avocation of bird identification, you can venture into nature with confidence. This farcical field guide will help you identify over 200 birds, but more importantly, for the first time in history, it will also help you understand what these birds are thinking:

  • The vainglorious grebe is acutely aware of its own magnificence.
  • The hipster pelican thinks the world is a sh*tbarge.
  • The overbearing heron wishes you better luck next time, f*cknuts.
  • The counsellor swallow wants you to maybe try not being a d*ckhead.
Alongside beautiful, scientifically accurate illustrations and a whole lot of swearing is incisive commentary on modern life and the world we, as humans, must navigate. Or maybe it s just some pictures of effin birds, okay?


What did I think?

As soon as I saw the cover of Effin' Birds, I knew I had to read it and what a refreshing change of pace this was in my reading schedule. Described as 'pictures of birds with curse words', I sniggered and snorted my way through this book as it really appealed to my sense of humour.   I have to say, it really doesn't have a lot to do with birds so if you're an ornithologist, look away now.  


There are indeed lots of pictures of birds with curse words but there are also some funny descriptions of fictional bird breeds, describing their habitat and identifying characteristics.  I bet I wasn't the only reader trying to identify themselves or their colleagues in some of these hilarious sections.  If you're wondering, I'd be a Peevish Ringneck as I do like a good eye roll now and again.

Joking aside for just one moment, the illustrations are absolutely breathtaking and it makes the cursing even funnier as Aaron Reynolds imagines what the birds are thinking.  I mean have you ever wondered what a peacock was thinking as it strutted around shaking its feathers?  Well that mystery and more have now been solved.


Anyone who has a sense of humour will love this book; it's more of a snort your drink through your nose than a big belly laugh kind of book but it's highly entertaining.  If the first thing you did in French class was look up the rude words in the dictionary then you must buy this book.  I couldn't get enough of Effin' Birds and I'm delighted to see more illustrations on Twitter at @EffinBirds so make sure you follow Aaron Reynolds too!

Hilarious in its vulgarity, Effin' Birds reawakens your inner giggling schoolchild and puts a smile on your face.  It would make a fabulous gift for that impossible-to-buy-for person, as long as they have a good sense of humour.


I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:


Buy it from Amazon




About the author:

Aaron Reynolds is the writer of @EffinBirds and @swear_trek, and the curator of @BatLabels

He is also a software instructor, which is where most of his elfin' inspiration comes from.



















Follow the tour:

Friday 18 October 2019

BLOG TOUR: Too Early for Death - Simon Farrant


Death can take you to the most unexpected places.

Damien Lennon finds himself on a mysterious island… and dead.
He has more questions than answers. Why? Where? How? What next?
In a place where forests hide secrets and a leader rules with an iron fist, can Damien change his destiny?


'Too Early for Death' starts a journey through the Limbo Island trilogy, a series that unravels a story of life after death, hierarchy, tragedy, jealousy and eternal love. A heartbreaking yet heartwarming adventure awaits.


What did I think?

I was drawn to this book by the intriguing synopsis of life after death and the absolutely stunning cover.  The waterfall is completely mesmerising and fits nicely with the story as water is a key feature on Limbo Island.

Too Early for Death is the story of Damien Lennon who goes missing on a visit to a museum with his wife, Nancy, and 12 year old son, Marcus.  Unable to resist the temptation of a forbidden door, he finds himself on a mysterious island and his family are left behind to file a missing person report.  Nancy can't understand why Damien would leave them and she is unable to fully grieve his loss without a body to bury.  Nancy is drawn to Damien's friend, Niall, who might physically slip into Damien's place in the house but doesn't replace Damien in Nancy's heart.

The story flips back and forth between Damien's new life (or should that be death?) on the island and Nancy's struggle to live without Damien.  Time certainly passed more slowly on Limbo Island as Damien finds his way around with the help of a German man named Hector.  Damien and Hector have a hint of rebellion about them as they explore places outside their village and come across portals showing what is happening in the world they left behind.

Being set on a strange island, Too Early for Death does have a hint of the TV show 'Lost' about it, but don't worry it's much better than Lost.  Both Damien's and Nancy's stories held my interest and I really felt for Nancy who was never able to get over the loss of Damien, who was clearly the love of her life.  I really felt that Niall took advantage of Nancy's distress to get his feet under Damien's table and it was almost like he didn't necessarily want Nancy in particular, he just wanted what Damien had.

An imaginative and thought-provoking story, Too Early for Death is not only a good story in its own right, it's an intriguing start to the Limbo Island trilogy.  It does feel very much that we've only just scratched the surface of Simon Farrant's Limbo island and I'm intrigued to see where his imagination will take us next.

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:


Buy it from Amazon




About the author:
I am an emerging author, a submission to a short story anthology kicked it all off. 

Black Cat is my first short story, and the hero isn’t maybe who you would assume. 


Originally from Doncaster, South Yorkshire and now Corby in Northants. I’m in my forties, married with three children. We share our home with a Bengal cat and a Pink Tongued Skink.

I’ve been lucky enough to have had an interesting (well to me!) life. I have been a truck driver, university graduate and motorbike salesman amongst other things. 

My two novellas, Newdon Killers series, The Crucifix and Famously Ordinary are out now!  The third book, Death Dolls is coming soon estimated launch date 22 August.  Later this year a new series in a different genre Mystery / contemporary fantasy will be published.

I have a Facebook page, Simon Farrant Official, I'd be pleased to see you there.

Twitter @asfarrant

I also have a newsletter. Sign up to receive the latest news first :) 






Follow the tour:

Saturday 12 October 2019

BLOG TOUR: Nightmare Scenario - Hazel Clarke


Eighteen-year-old Gracie Thrace has a secret. 

Four months ago she started to hear voices that force her to carry out frightening scenarios. With her father abroad and her relationship with her high-powered mother strained, Gracie has no one to turn to for solace. 

When a new voice called Kai materialises, Gracie finds herself attached to his kindness. Kai offers the support Gracie craves, but how can she possibly let herself fall for someone who isn't real? 

Set in 2047 London, Nightmare Scenario is a complex and touching love story that explores the stigma around mental illness and offers a daunting prediction of the future where technology infiltrates every part of society.


What did I think?

Set in a future where I'll be 73 years old, if I'm still alive, Nightmare Scenario is something a little outside my comfort zone and I chose to read it to support Mental Health Awareness Week.  I have been flirting with the dystopian and fantasy genres recently and now having read Nightmare Scenario, I'm fully committed to exploring more from these genres as I absolutely loved it.  Yay!  More books to add to my TBR!

I loved the character of 18 year old Gracie Thrace, a young woman just starting university and living in a day and age where android housemaids are commonplace in many households.  Gracie doesn't have much of a family life; her father is very absent, as he fights terrorism abroad, and her mother is a prominent figure in the most successful company in the world, IrukaTech.  IrukaTech make and control the Hourglasses that are permanently installed on wrists of every citizen.  Hourglasses are multi-functional devices like a mobile phone; they are a flashlight, a phone and a tracking device.  Whereas we can choose who can track us on our mobile phones, the police and IrukaTech can track every single person in 2047 and that's not the only level of control they are applying.  

A mind altering drug called Hydrobliss is being tested and has secretly been given to four human test subjects.  The drug causes schizophrenia and voices in your head that create challenges called nightmare scenarios that must be completed every single night at sunset.  The Hydrobliss subjects are unaware that this is an IrukaTech experiment so you never know who might be watching and taking notes.

Gracie hears three voices in her head: Psyche, Eros and Terry (I'm not sure where Terry comes from but Psyche and Eros are from Greek mythology).  I love this homage to Greek mythology where Psyche had to complete challenges to win back her husband, Eros (aka Cupid in classical mythology).  The introduction of a fourth voice throws Gracie into turmoil as she falls in love with Kai, a voice who seems to be completely on her side unlike the mischievous and sadistic other three.  How can you have feelings for a voice in your head?  Hold that thought, as I have a feeling it will come back into play in the next instalment of the Scenario Series.

Wow!  Just WOW!  I abso-blooming-lutely loved this book!  Hazel Clarke takes the reader on quite a scary ride in her inventive, imaginative, thought provoking and scarily realistic debut.  A cross between The Hunger Games and 1984, Nightmare Scenario is set to be an absolute classic.  It is such a stunning, visionary book and I am totally gobsmacked that Hazel Clarke wrote this when she was 19 years old.  I'm a little torn between wanting to find out what happens next and leaving it at its pretty perfect ending, but who am I kidding?  I will definitely be first in the queue for Book 2.  A very highly recommended read, even if it's not a book you would usually pick up.

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:


Buy it from Amazon




Follow the tour:

Thursday 10 October 2019

BLOG TOUR: The Slaughter Man - Cassandra Parkin


When her identical twin Laurel dies, seventeen-year-old Willow’s life falls apart. With her parents’ marriage faltering, she finds escape at her uncle Joe’s cottage. But even as they begin to know each other, Willow is plagued with memories of her sister. Then, Lucas arrives in her life – troubled, angry and with a dangerous past. 

Joe’s cottage is idyllic, but the forest is filled with secrets. What is Joe hiding from her? What events have brought Lucas to her door? And who is the Slaughter Man who steals through Willow’s sleep? 

As the lines between dreams and reality become blurred, Willow’s torment deepens. It seems as if her only escape lies with the Slaughter Man. 


What did I think?

I don't even read the synopsis before selecting a Cassandra Parkin book as I know I'm in for a unique and evocative read.  With her emotive writing, Cassandra Parkin is able to make the most mundane things into something dark and menacing to highlight the feelings of her characters.  Just the name of this book itself, The Slaughter Man, gave me the creeps and I only meant to have a quick peek at the book but before I knew it, I was half way through!

I absolutely adore the cover of this book; it has a fairytale feel about it reminds me of the witch's cottage deep in the wood.  Most of us wouldn't venture somewhere so creepy but after her twin dies, Willow has nothing to be scared of as the worst thing has already happened to her.  Usually I would say that I couldn't begin to imagine Willow's pain at losing her twin but I could actually feel it when reading; Willow's pain was so palpable that it felt as if smoky tendrils of emotion-filled words were seeping out of the page and wrapping themselves around my heart.

Willow's pain is made worse by her inability to speak after her twin died; it's as if her words died with Laurel.  Willow's inability to voice her pain meant that it presented itself in other forms, some more dangerous than others as she struggled to release her feelings.  Where she once looked in a mirror and saw herself, now Willow only sees Laurel looking back at her and she experiences her loss over and over again until she can no longer bear to look at her own reflection.

It was really interesting to read how people experience grief differently.  I can understand her parents needing alone time, and their loss must have hit them every time they looked at Willow, but it felt as if they were hiding their own mirrors by sending Willow off to stay with her Uncle Joe, who she barely knew.  I judged a little too quickly I think, as staying with Joe and making a friend on the neighbouring farm helped Willow to heal in a way that she would never have managed at home surrounded by memories of Laurel.  I loved the character of Willow and felt totally invested in her progress as she navigates her way through the dark land of grief and despair.  As her subconscious mind takes her on a journey in search of Laurel, she is drawn to the mysterious 'Slaughter Man' and I felt like she was on a race against time to find herself before she flirted too much with danger.

The Slaughter Man is simply stunning.  It's a haunting, emotion-filled book that hooked me from the start; remember that quick peek I mentioned earlier that turned into half a book!  So beautifully written, it's an emotive story of a family in pain after a devastating loss and their journey to find each other again.  Highly recommended.

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:


Buy it from Amazon




About the author:

Cassandra Parkin grew up in Hull, and now lives in East Yorkshire. Her short story collection, New World Fairy Tales (Salt Publishing, 2011), won the 2011 Scott Prize for Short Stories. 

Website: cassandraparkin.wordpress.com 

Twitter: @cassandrajaneuk










Follow the tour: