BLOG TOUR: Christmas at the Home Farm Vets (Hartfell Village Book 2) - Suzanne Snow

Ten years ago, Erin had her heart broken by fellow vet student Oli. Now, she's his landlord.

All Erin wants is independence and security. All Oli does is travel the world after locuming at practices for a few months. So when he comes back into Erin's life, she knows it's temporary, no matter the lingering looks he gives her.

With Christmas approaching, the vet practice is busier than ever, and Erin is surprised at how well she and Oli work together to help the animals of Hartfell. From sharing meals in her cramped cottage to meandering the village fayre, the wall Erin has built around her heart begins to crumble.

But Oli's contract is coming to an end and he's shown no sign of wanting to stay. Has she set herself up for another heartbreak from the only man she's ever loved? Or will she realise that being independent sometimes means relying on others, and security comes with taking risks?

Be whisked away this Christmas to the Yorkshire Dales, for fans of Sue Moorcroft, Trisha Ashley and Heidi Swain.

 

What did I think?

Awwww this book is as beautiful inside as out.  Christmas at the Home Farm Vets is the second book in the Hartfell Village series but it can definitely be read as a standalone as I haven't read the first book but I absolutely loved this one.

Erin is a vet in Hartfell and she has volunteered to house a locum vet for a couple of weeks.  After a last minute change of personnel, the locum turns out to be Oli who was on Erin's course at Cambridge and ended up breaking her heart.  Erin can't back out now and it's all water under the bridge now...isn't it?

To say Erin and Oli have unfinished business is an understatement; the chemistry between them almost fizzes off the page and I had everything crossed that one of them would finally take a leap and declare their feelings.  WIth so many misunderstandings and crossed wires both in the past and present, it's no wonder that neither of them know how the other one feels.  The signs are all there and actions really do speak louder than words.

Captivating, romantic and uplifting, Christmas at the Home Farm Vets is the perfect book to warm your heart over the chilly festive period and I really can't recommend it highly enough.  An easy and well-deserved five stars!

I received a gifted paperback for the Love Books Tours Bookstagram Tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK,Bookshop.org

Amazon

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BLOG TOUR: No Oil Painting - Genevieve Marenghi

A respectable septuagenarian steals a valuable painting and later tries to return it, with a little help from her friends.

Bored National Trust volunteer, Maureen, steals an obscure still life as a giant up-yours to all those who’ve discounted her. The novice fine art thief is rumbled by some fellow room guides, but snitches get stitches, camaraderie wins out and instead of grassing her up, they decide to help.

Often written off as an insipid old fart, Maureen has a darker side, challenging ingrained ideas of how senior citizens should behave. Her new set of friends make her feel alive again. No longer quite so invisible, can this unlikely pensioner gang return the now infamous painting without being caught by the Feds?

I wrote this after hearing a radio interview in which an art detective revealed how a stolen Titian was dumped at a bus stop outside Richmond station. In a red, white and blue plastic bag! I just couldn’t shake such a compelling image. I volunteered at Ham House for many years, and my passion for this Jacobean gem, together with the volunteers’ indomitable spirit, gave birth to my unlikely anti-hero.

With over five million members, the National Trust is a huge British institution. Yet, next to nothing has been written about it in terms of contemporary fiction. Until now.

While No Oil Painting explores themes of insignificance and loneliness in older age, particularly for women, it is mainly intended to entertain and offer a small haven in dark, uncertain times.

What did I think?

No Oil Painting is a fun and heartfelt book that is very entertaining.  I loved the floor plans at the start of the book; it felt like I was actually visiting Ham House and it inspired me to look it up online to make it a more interactive reading experience.

I really liked Maureen and it's heartbreaking how invisible she is to others.  It's good to have an older protagonist for a change and I think Genevieve Marenghi has highlighted an important issue of feeling lonely and worthless as you get older; just because your hair goes grey, it doesn't mean you should fade out of existence.  I really empathised with Maureen, especially when she hears people talking about her as that is never a pleasant experience.

Maureen has a plan to alleviate her boredom as a National Trust volunteer; she will steal her favourite artwork while Ham House is being used as a film set.  When the theft gets discovered quicker than she expected, Maureen finds out that she isn't as invisible as she thought.

Atmospheric, entertaining and authentic, No Oil Painting is a really fun read that reminded me a little of a Carry-On caper mixed with the Scooby Gang but with real issues in a real setting.  Even the painting that Maureen steals is really hanging on the wall in Ham House.  I enjoyed this one and think it's well worth a read.

I received a gifted paperback for the Rachel's Random Resources blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Purchase links:

UK Kindle

UK Paperback

US Kindle

US Paperback

About the author:

With a BA in English and Philosophy, Genevieve worked for eleven years at the Weekend FT, where she helped create and launch How To Spend It magazine.

She volunteered for years as a National Trust guide at Ham House. This became the setting for her debut art heist novel, No Oil Painting, which was listed for the inaugural Women’s Prize Trust and Curtis Brown Discoveries, and was published by Burton Mayers Books on 10th October 2025.

Her writing uses dark humour to probe the difference between our perception of people and their true selves. The gulf between what is said and what is meant. She considers people watching an essential skill for any writer; overheard snippets of conversation or a bonkers exchange at a bus stop are like gold nuggets. She’s been known to follow people to catch the end of a juicy conversation or argument. Women aged over fifty are essentially invisible anyhow and she views this as a kind of superpower.

Unlike her protagonist Maureen, she hasn’t used this to commit art theft. Yet.

Social Media Links – 

Instagram

Threads

Giveaway

Giveaway to Win National Trust chocolate, and a Ham House towel and fridge magnet (Open to UK Only)

*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome.  Please enter using the Gleam box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Gleam 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.

Win National Trust chocolate, and a Ham House towel and fridge magnet (Open to UK Only)

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BLOG TOUR: The Return of Frankie Whittle - Caroline England

Once you enter, will they ever let you leave?

Frankie Whittle has it all: a career in the City, a gorgeous husband and a baby on the way. It's the perfect life, but it's built on sand. In one terrifying night, everything she has worked so hard for unravels.

She needs a fresh start. When she discovers the very place she was born has been converted into a beautiful gated community, it feels like serendipity. After all she's been through, has she found her dream home?

They say you should never go back, that the past is a foreign country, filled with devastating secrets. How far will those around her go to keep their secrets safe? 

What did I think?

The Return of Frankie Whittle is a dark, disturbing and creepy novel that kept me riveted to the page from start to finish.  I do love Caroline England books; if you expect the unexpected you will not be disappointed.

I wasn't that keen on Frankie Whittle at the very start of the book but I was really worried for her as the story progresses.  She returns to her northern home town in a vulnerable state and it puts a strain on her marriage with her husband remaining in London.  Frankie wants to put what happened behind her and put down roots in Manchester and the security of a gated community is just too difficult to resist.

The whole idea of a gated community gives me the creeps as it seems very cult-like and that's before I was introduced to the suspiciously perfect characters that Caroline England has created.  Everyone is just too happy and friendly as they draw Frankie into the fold and I couldn't help but wonder what their motives were and what they were inevitably hiding.  

I have never guessed the twists in a Caroline England book and I'm not about to start now as her imagination knows no bounds.  There are moments where I couldn't understand why Frankie did one thing or another but a lot of that is down to her own state of mind.  The tension is palpable and I could almost hear a soundtrack of ominous music in my head whilst I was reading.

Dark, tense and gripping, The Return of Frankie Whittle is another fabulous page turner from Caroline England.  With so many shocks and surprises in store for the reader, it's difficult to put down and impossible to predict.  A highly recommended read for thriller fans.

I received a gifted paperback to read and review for the Love Books Tours Bookstagram Tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

Waterstones

Amazon

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BLOG TOUR: Sassy Godmother’s Pearls of Wisdom: 50 inspiring ways to navigate your life - Susie Hall

Who needs an agony aunt when you can have a Sassy Godmother?

Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed?

Feel like your life could use a little more balance?

Sassy Godmother’s Pearls of Wisdom is a simple and powerful set of guidelines designed to help you step back from your busy life so you can restore some well needed balance and perspective. Whether at home, at work, in love and in life, Sassy’s stories, examples and timeless wisdom will give you an indispensable guide for building your confidence, increasing your happiness and creating equilibrium.

Sassy shares the ups and downs of her 30-year journey of personal, professional and spiritual growth. She has wisdom to reveal and is determined to pass on what she’s learned. By following these simple mantras and engaging in the exercises and tools you’ll begin a journey of self-discovery, reflection and personal growth from which you’ll never look back.

 

What did I think?

As someone who often feels overwhelmed, it feels like Sassy Godmother’s Pearls of Wisdom was written with me in mind and I have certainly got more than I expected out of it.

The chapters, or pearls, are concise and written in a lighthearted way that engages and entertains the reader as well as offering tips to help you improve your own life.  I found it very easy to read and I loved the way that Susie Hall adds a good dose of humour to her writing.  I felt more like I was interacting with the author rather than simply reading a self-help book.

I am a little disappointed that there is no contents page or index.  It's a book I would like to refer to again (and indeed it suggests doing so) but without a guide to which page the pearl is on, it's not that easy to find what you're looking for.

Inspiring, powerful and life-affirming, Sassy Godmother’s Pearls of Wisdom is a superb book to have on your bookshelf as you navigate your way through life.

 

I received a gifted paperback to read and review for the Literally PR Online Book Review Tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

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BLOG TOUR: A Christmas Caroline - K.L. Crear

Caroline’s got frugality down to a fine art. She can make a tin of soup stretch for days, considers “reduced to clear” her love language, and thinks Christmas is just a daft excuse for people to throw their money away on tinsel trimmed tat. 

 

But Christmas Eve night takes a turn when her best mate, Marlene, drops in for a chat. Lovely, right? Except Marlene’s been dead for seven years and she’s got a message for Caroline, she will be visited by three spirits and if she doesn’t pay attention, her future’s looking bleaker than the contents of her fridge freezer. 

 

Caroline’s convinced she’s having a hallucination. Ghosts? Surely not! But as the night goes on, she starts to wonder if she might just learn something worth more than her latest discount voucher. And for someone who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing, this might be the wake-up call she didn’t see coming. 

 

Move over Ebenezer! This modern, laugh-out-loud retelling of the Dickens classic has a new Scrooge in town. Perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella. 

What did I think?

A Christmas Caroline is a fun festive read and it's a fresh, modern twist on a Christmas Classic.  I really enjoyed it and at just 161 pages it's short enough to read again every festive season.

I thought I was frugal but Caroline makes me look frivolous!  Her penny pinching is hilarious and I laughed out loud so many times as I was reading.  On the flip side of the coin though, it made me think of people who really don't have two pennies to rub together and how difficult it must be to worry about where your next meal is coming from nevermind paying any bills.

I loved the retelling of A Christmas Carol and the quirky characters that K.L. Crear has imagined in place of Scrooge, Marley et al.  With the same thought-provoking messages running through the prose, it's a fun and faithful nod to the original book.

Hilarious, entertaining and evocative, I defy anyone not to laugh when reading A Christmas Caroline.  I like to read the Dickens' classic over the festive period but I'm going to add A Christmas Caroline to my festive repeat reading list.  It's a real Christmas Cracker and not to be missed.

I received a digital ARC to read and review for the blog blitz and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

Amazon UK

Amazon US

About the author:

Karen (K.L. Crear) is an author, over-sharer, and walking cautionary tale. Think: a sweary teenager trapped in the body of a menopausal woman who can’t sneeze without risking a wardrobe malfunction. You’re welcome.

Once upon a time, she worked in banking, the Civil Service, and property management, or as she likes to call it, The Beige Trilogy. She spent decades being respectable (ish), responsible (occasionally), and quietly losing the will to live. Then one day she found herself broke, baffled, and built entirely out of biscuit crumbs and unresolved trauma. So she did what any sensible woman would do, she wrote it all down and flogged it in paperback.

Karen has battled cancer twice, and her coping strategy was to laugh at wildly inappropriate moments and shout “F*ck off!” at inspirational quotes. Spoiler: it worked. Her sense of humour is deeply questionable, but it’s kept her just about sane through grief, illness, love, lies, and the time she gave herself food poisoning with a dodgy prawn ring from Iceland.

After years of procrastination (and one too many vinos), she finally swapped Pinot for a pen. She now writes jaw-dropping memoirs and hilarious women’s fiction about women who’ve had enough, snapped slightly, and are thriving in spite of it all, usually with a glass in hand, some top mates, and a solid alibi.

Her hobbies include eating anything wrapped in pastry, shouting at the Real Housewives (“She’s definitely had something done - she’s melting!”), and threatening to adopt an axolotl because they look so absurdly cheerful. She once turned down hugging a sloth in Mexico, it dangles upside down, pees on itself, and honestly felt like a warning from the future.

Karen lives in a sleepy Northern town with her long-suffering husband (he’s partially deaf, which helps) and their cat Pickle, who looks permanently disgusted with their life choices and the ongoing Dreamies rationing.

A portion of every book sale goes to Women’s Aid, Great Ormond Street, the Epilepsy Society, and Macmillan. because she knows what it’s like to need help. The world’s a shitshow, but we can all make a little difference in our own way.

Social Media Links

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

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

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@klcrear_author

Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/K-L-Crear/author/B0BTZ22HBD

Website: https://www.klcrear.com

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BLOGATHON: Night By Night - Jack Jordan

I'm taking part in the Compulsive Readers Jack Jordan Blogathon and I'm resharing my review of Night by Night from 2019. 

If you're reading this, I'm dead . . . A heart-stopping thriller from the master of the moral dilemma and Sunday Times bestselling author.

Rejected by her family and plagued by insomnia, Rose Shaw is unravelling day by day.

Her life is a blur of exhaustion, until one evening a man running through the streets collides with her before quickly vanishing, dropping a journal at her feet.

Inside are Finn Matthews' frantic, desperate words. He was convinced he was being hunted. Now he's missing, and nobody is looking for him.

Rose decides to dedicate her sleepless nights to obsessively search for answers about what happened to Finn. Why did he think someone wanted to kill him? And why, in the midst of a string of murders, won't the police investigate his disappearance?

The deeper Rose digs, the more determined she becomes to uncover the truth. But she has no idea what it will cost her…

What did I think (in 2019)?

I've read every book that Jack Jordan has published and the talent of this outstanding young author continues to amaze me.  You know you're guaranteed a good read when you pick up a Jack Jordan novel and wow does he pull out all of the stops in Night by Night, his fifth book.  I was almost hyperventilating in shock after a huge gasp out loud moment in the opening chapters, in a part named 'Before'; so be prepared and buckle up for this thrilling literary rollercoaster ride! 

You would have to be completely heartless not to feel for Rose Shaw; she has such an emotional and heartbreaking back story with so much tragedy in her life and the punches just keep on coming.  When Rose finds a journal in the street one night, she is determined to find out what happened to its owner, but someone is equally determined to stop her.  As she continues to dig into the disappearance of Finn Matthews, it feels like Rose is very much alone, losing friends and family at every turn and even the police don't believe her.

I loved Rose's dogged determination to get to the bottom of the disappearances of young men in her area over several years.  When Rose puts an advert in the newspaper, a string of families come forward who have lost loved ones; vulnerable young men who are just trying to live the life they have chosen.  Someone is preying on these men and the local police force, filled with bigots and homophobes, won't take their disappearances seriously.

It's scary to see how people's prejudices affect their work ethic; I know this is fiction but I bet it does happen in real life.  It shouldn't matter what age, sex or sexual preference a person has but oftentimes it's the only thing that some narrow minded people see.  It's very brave of Jack Jordan to put this subject out there and it pains me to think of the suffering that many people will have encountered over the years.  I was particularly moved by Jay's story and how he was crying for help inside but couldn't voice it to those who cared most about him.

Jack Jordan remains firmly one of my favourite authors and I'm always on tenterhooks when he releases a new book.  Night by Night is an outstanding psychological thriller that succeeded in shocking and gripping me but it was also very thought-provoking as it highlighted the emotional torture that people hide so very well.  Although it's a thriller not a self-help book, if it makes just one tortured soul ask for help as a result of reading it, then it's a job well done.

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

My rating:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon




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Scars of Silence - Johana Gustawsson, translated by David Warriner

When two teenagers are found brutally murdered on the island of Lidingö, dressed in white tunics and wearing crowns of candles, former French police officer Maïa Rehn joins local Commissioner Aleksander Storm to unravel a mystery with a shockingly dark heart. The highly anticipated sequel to the international bestselling gothic mystery, Yule Island.

___________

Twenty-three years ago, a young woman was murdered on the Swedish island of Lidingö.

The island has kept its silence.

Until now…

As autumn deepens into darkness in Lidingö, on the Stockholm archipelago, the island is plunged into chaos: in the space of a week, two teenaged boys are murdered. Their bodies are left deep in the forest, dressed in white tunics with crowns of candles on their heads, like offerings to Saint Lucia.

Maïa Rehn has fled Paris for Lidingö after a family tragedy. But when the murders shake the island community, the former police commissioner is drawn into the heart of the investigation, joining Commissioner Aleksander Storm to unravel a mystery as chilling as the Nordic winter.

As they dig deeper, it becomes clear that a wind of vengeance is blowing through the archipelago, unearthing secrets that are as scandalous as they are inhuman.

But what if the victims weren't who they seemed? What if those long silenced have finally found a way to strike back?

How far would they go to make their tormentors pay?

And you – how far would you go? 

What did I think?

Scars of Silence is the second book in the Lidingö Mysteries series, however, it can definitely be read as a standalone as I haven't read Yule Island but I was completely blown away by this breathtaking book.

What starts out as a murder mystery turns into something much darker and devastating.  I don't think I have made a note of so many quotes when reading a book.  Johana Gustawsson's eloquent words have been beautifully translated by David Warriner to stun and provoke the reader as the shocks and reveals just keep on coming.

I was completely mesmerised by the writing and hooked by the plot but I am pleased that I read Scars of Silence as part of a readalong as it gave me a chance to devour and digest the words I had read each day.  I even flicked back to revisit a few pages that were particularly affecting and memorable for me.  So, thank you to Orenda Books for inviting me to take part.

Both main characters have a lot going on in their personal life in addition to investigating a recent spate of murders that seem to be mirroring a convicted crime from the past.  My heart was breaking for Maïa as her tragic story was revealed and I didn't realise how much I had come to care about Aleksander until he experiences a devastating event in his own life.

Powerful, haunting and oh so very thought-provoking, Scars of Silence is an outstanding book that hooked me from the start and kept packing the punches in, leaving me completely devastated and stunned at the end.  I will definitely be adding Yule Island to my TBR and more than likely every other book that Johana Gustawsson has written.  

A very highly recommended read that is absolutely unmissable and completely unforgettable. 

I received a gifted paperback for the Orenda Books Readalong and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

Orenda Books

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

BLOG TOUR: The Clockmaker - Roxan Burley

When Elenora Grey inherits her late aunt’s flower shop in the sleepy Devon town of Totnes, she hopes for nothing more than a quiet fresh start. But Time & Thyme is no ordinary florist. Beneath the ticking clock of East Gate Arch, strange things begin to stir — flowers bloom out of season, a cash register writes its own orders, and upstairs, behind a locked door, is a man who shouldn’t exist.

He calls himself the clockmaker. Calm, unreadable, and impossibly out of time, he knows more about the shop — and Elenora’s past — than he ever admits. As Elenora rebuilds her life from the ashes of fear and regret, she’s drawn into a world where grief takes root and time itself can heal… or haunt.

Tender, atmospheric, and quietly magical, The Clockmaker is a story about second chances, the ghosts we carry, and the courage it takes to let time move forward again.

 

What did I think?

The Clockmaker is a wonderful novella that is quick and easy to read.  It may be a short book with just 57 pages but it is incredibly poignant and heartwarming.

It's such a lovely story of a niece inheriting her aunt's flower shop and Elenora feels as if her aunt is still there when strange things start to happen.  It's a bit like an Enid Blyton book for adults with a magical cash register and a mysterious tenant in an upstairs room.

I can't really say much more about the book without spoiling it for others but it is definitely well worth a read.  I loved it and would recommend it if you're looking for a quick and poignant read.

I received a digital ARC to read and review for the Love Books Tours Bookstagram Tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

Amazon

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BLOG TOUR: A Family Affair - Joy Wood

Odele Gardia . . . married to wealthy businessman Howard, is the hard-nosed matriarch of the family and will stop at nothing to achieve her goals. She’s ruthless in the boardroom and not afraid to lean on adversaries. 

Sebastian Gardia . . . Odele’s brother and business partner. His wife, Freya, reveals that she is pregnant with their first child.

Elliot . . . the prodigal son, is returning from America with his girlfriend, intending to propose to her.

Business is booming, her brother is going to become a father, and her son is coming home – it’s surely a time to celebrate. But Odele is hiding a huge secret and is constantly looking over her shoulder. If the secret came out, it would destroy the family.

Jimmy Alder . . . booted out of the police force, has been paid to spy on the family. The discovery he makes could have catastrophic consequences for them all.

A dysfunctional family, protectors of their power, wealth and each other, have no warning of the revelations about to erupt and the cost to their dynasty.

 

What did I think?

Oh my word, what an absolute belter of a book this is.  I couldn't put it down and loved every single minute of it.  The Gardia family make the Ewings look like a functional family and J.R. Ewing is a teddy bear compared to Odele Gardia.

Talk about a dysfunctional family - the Gardias are toxic.  Odele and Seb run a business together and whilst their business might be successful, their personal lives are about to implode.  I felt really sorry for their partners, especially Seb's wife Freya who should be on cloud nine after discovering that she is finally pregnant but her short-lived happiness is about to take a nosedive.

What a tangled web of secrets and lies Joy Wood has skilfully weaved for her readers.  There are so many secrets and reveals that I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to discover them all.  A few I suspected but I was shocked and surprised by a lot of them.

Filled with secrets and lies, A Family Affair is a gripping, compelling and unputdownable novel.  It's the first book that I have read by Joy Wood and I will definitely be adding more of her books to my TBR based on the strength of A Family Affair.  Very highly recommended.

I received a gifted paperback from the author to read and review for the Rachel's Random Resources blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

Amazon UK

Amazon US

About the author:

Joy Wood has worked as a nurse most of her adult life and turned to writing to ‘see if she could.’ Her earlier work was adult romance and intrigue, but more recently she has switched genres to crime with a romance element which has paid off. In May of 2025, Joy was the fortunate recipient of the RNA award in the crime fiction category for her book Whatever It Takes. Joy lives in the small but charming seaside town of Cleethorpes in North East Lincolnshire and her writing ideas come from watching the tide turn daily, of course with the obligatory ice-cream – someone has to support the local economy!

Social Media Links – 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/joywoodauthor

Website: www.joywoodauthor.wordpress.com

Email: joymarywood@yahoo.co.uk

X: @joywoodauthor

Instagram: @joywoodauthor

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BLOG TOUR: The Devil's Magus - Marius Creed

 

When Mark Benedict receives a cryptic warning that his brother James is in mortal danger, he and James’s estranged wife, Sam, are drawn into the hidden world of a secret society led by the charismatic and ruthless occultist, Sir Giles Worsley.

Worsley, a Magus, commands an order steeped in ritual magic and esoteric doctrines inspired by The Golden Dawn and Thelema. James, once his brightest protégé, has risen swiftly through the ranks – until he discovers the horrifying truth behind Worsley’s ambitions. Attempting to escape, he is killed in a demonic confrontation… but his astral form endures.

As forbidden rites threaten to unleash unspeakable forces, Mark and Sam – unknowingly aided by James – join a psychically gifted woman and a sceptical mercenary unprepared for the horrors that await them.

An electrifying blend of psychological thriller and supernatural horror, The Devil’s Magus is a gripping descent into arcane terror, where sacrifice and salvation walk hand in hand.

What did I think?

I really enjoyed reading The Devil's Magus; it's dark and disturbing and very entertaining.  Horror isn't a genre I would normally read but I'm so pleased that I picked up The Devil's Magus as the supernatural thriller element completely drew me in.

The two brothers who have supernatural powers reminded me a little of the TV show Supernatural and there's demons to be fought in this book too.  The characters (both human and demon) are depicted so vividly that they almost pop out of the page and I was frightened to look behind me when I was reading; not that I could tear my eyes away from the book to even glance elsewhere for a second.

The gripping plot is filled with peril and my heart rate rose as the danger levels increased.  There are some scary and gory scenes to both delight and repulse the reader so you need a strong constitution when you're reading this thrilling book.

Riveting, scary and very fast-paced, The Devil's Magus is a very impressive debut novel. Marius Creed's writing is very evocative and descriptive but you can't hide behind the sofa when you're reading a book, as much as I may have wanted to.

I received a gifted paperback for the Love Books Tours Instagram Tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

About the author:

Marius Creed spent much of his life interpreting unseen forces — as a science teacher, naval officer, training specialist, meteorologist, and oceanographer — before turning his gaze inward, toward the darker mysteries of the human mind and spirit. Having lived in Hong Kong and the United States, he has now retired to his native Cornwall, where the brooding moors, rugged coastlines, and enduring folklore provide endless inspiration. The Devil’s Magus is his debut novel — a beautifully written tale where forgotten rites, forbidden knowledge, and personal sacrifice collide. Rich with arcane detail and existential dread, it marks the culmination of a decades-long fascination with what lies beyond the veil — and those who dare to peer through it.

Website: www.mariuscreed.co.uk

Instagram: @mariuscreed

X: @CreedMariu97855

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BLOG TOUR: The Attraction Abacus - Evelyn G. Foster

The Attraction Abacus. A dating agency with a difference.

Everything about you summarised as a single score.

Age, looks, intelligence, wealth — the Abacus counts it all.

When doom-dreaming author, Evelyn Foster, accepts an Attraction Abacus flyer from Luke, her world changes overnight. Could Luke be the right guy for Evelyn, and can she help the Abacus become the next global dating agency sensation?

The Abacus owner has a little secret of his own that might disrupt Evelyn's plans.

For fans of the enemies-to-lovers trope, a new, feel-good romantic comedy where love must triumph over adversity and total incompetence.

What’s your number?

 

What did I think?

I rather enjoyed reading The Attraction Abacus, although it wasn't quite what I was expecting (I wanted to know more about the actual attraction abacus) as it's more of a fun and entertaining love story.  I really loved the style of writing; it has a bit of a Bridget Jones feel as the author talks to the reader throughout the book.

I liked Evelyn and think she is very brave to leave a secure, albeit hated, job to join a start-up business.  Sometimes you just have to take a leap and I applauded Evelyn for taking a chance on the Attraction Abacus after Luke hands her a flyer in the street.  

The Attraction Abacus agency is something different in the world of dating where it gives everyone a score.  It's quite thought-provoking as we are so much more than a number but it's also really difficult to meet your other half these days.  I personally don't like the idea of being graded but that's easy for me to say, sitting here secure and happy in my long-term relationship.

The attraction between Evelyn and Luke is clear to see from the start but Luke has a girlfriend and she isn't going to give him up without a fight.  Let the battle commence!  I enjoyed the game playing and one-upmanship - it's entertaining and funny and I bet Luke secretly loved two women fighting over him.

Fun, flirty and very entertaining, The Attraction Abacus is a very enjoyable rom-com and well worth a read.

I received a gifted paperback to read and review for the Love Books Tours Instagram Tour ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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