BLOG TOUR: Kittiwake Stormhaven and the Pirate's Portolano - Victoria Williamson

A daring mission, a sister turned pirate and a sea full of secrets…

In a world of water where land is a legend, 11-year-old Kittiwake Stormhaven dreams of adventure aboard the Amazon Princess. When a vital mission takes the ship into dangerous waters, Kittiwake discovers shocking news - her long-lost sister, Petrel, is now a feared pirate queen.

Kittiwake must outsmart pirates, outmanoeuvre storms and face ghostly captains to save her ship, her mischievous monkey Caboodle and her friends. But in a high-stakes showdown, family loyalty collides with survival, and Kittiwake learns the ocean hides more secrets than she ever imagined.

Kittiwake Stormhaven is a fast-paced, sea-swept adventure filled with daring rescues, thrilling discoveries and the magic of friendship.

 

What did I think?

Kittiwake Stormhaven and the Pirate’s Portolano may be aimed at ages 8 to 12 but I'm in my fifties and I loved it.  It is beautifully written by Victoria Williamson and accompanied by exquisite illustrations by James Brown.

I loved the all of the wonderfully drawn characters that were brought to life through the very descriptive and entertaining writing.  Kittiwake, her monkey Caboodle (Boo) and her very funny friend Scallion (Scally) who hilariously gets his words wrong were my favourites but I also loved her pirate sister Petrel and Madame Wurzelwick the cook.  With Kittiwake's sister and mother both being captains of their own ships, it's a very refreshing change to have females in a traditionally male-dominated role. 

Scally gives Kittiwake a pirate's portolano for her birthday which holds all the secrets to life as a pirate.  There are excerpts from the portolano throughout the book that makes the reader feel part of the story as well as being incredibly entertaining and imaginative.  When a sea-wide shortage of fuel leads the Amazon Princess into dangerous territory, the pirate's portolano comes in very useful in the race to locate more Marinium.

Very fast-paced and impossible to put down, Kittiwake Stormhaven and the Pirate’s Portolano is a swashbuckling adventure on the high seas filled with danger and skulduggery.  I enjoyed it so much that I plan to read it again and would highly recommend it to readers from 8 to 80.

I received a gifted paperback for The Write Reads blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

About the author:

Victoria Williamson is an award-winning author from Glasgow, Scotland, who loved reading books and writing adventure stories from an early age. After studying Physics at the University of Glasgow, she set out on her own real-life adventures, which included teaching maths and science in Cameroon, training teachers in Malawi, teaching English in China and working with children with additional support needs in the UK.

Her previous novels include The Fox Girl and the White Gazelle, The Boy with the Butterfly Mind, Hag Storm, War of the Wind, The Pawnshop of Stolen Dreams, Norah’s Ark, The Whistlers in the Dark, Feast of Ashes, and Skyfleet: March of the Mutabugs. Her books have won the RED Book Award 2024, YA-aldi Glasgow Secondary School Libraries Book Award 2023 and the Bolton Children’s Fiction Award 2020/2021, and have been short-listed and long-listed for numerous other awards. War of the Wind and Norah’s Ark were also both nominated for the 2024 Yoto Carnegie Medals.

Victoria writes and edits Key Stage 2 books for the education company Twinkl. She spends the rest of her time writing novels and visiting schools, libraries and literary festivals to give author talks and run creative writing workshops. Her latest novel, Kittiwake Stormhaven and the Pirate’s Portolano, channels her love of pirates and swashbuckling adventure to create a steampunk world set on the seven seas, and is illustrated by the very talented James Brown.

You can find out more about Victoria’s books, school visits and free resources for schools on her website: www.strangelymagical.com

Follow Victoria Williamson on:

X: @strangelymagic

Instagram: @strangelymagicalbooks

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BLOG TOUR: The Orchid Hunter's Daughter (The Scottish Library Series Book 1) - Jane Anderson

Friendship, love and dangerous orchids

Innerpeffray. Scottish Library Series Book One

Beauty and danger entwine like the most exquisite hothouse bloom.

In 1867 Scotland, sixteen-year-old Iris Finlay's world shatters when her grief-stricken father abandons his ministry and departs for Ecuador on a plant-hunting expedition. Sent to live with her aunt at Drummond Castle, Iris finds solace in Innerpeffray Library and an unexpected friendship with talented artist Annie Cooper. She hatches a plan for independence through their joint botany publication. When the charming Spanish botanist Rafael de Rias enters their lives before mysteriously joining her father abroad, both girls are enthralled, then dashed. Iris is inspired and also faces disgrace working as rebellious Princess Louise’s chaperone in Balmoral. But after receiving devastating news, Iris uncovers the secret tale of a rare black orchid. Enlisting help from Annie's brother Struan, can she piece together a botanical mystery?

 

What did I think?

The Orchid Hunter's Daughter is stunning both inside and out.  Just look at the beautiful cover that hints of the intricate, powerful and beautiful story held within the pages of this outstanding book.  It's the first book in an exciting new series and I can't wait to read more.

Historical fiction is one of my favourite genres but I don't think I have read anything set in the unusual world of horticulture.  Jane Anderson's writing is very vivid and descriptive as she brings the exquisite blooms to life through Iris Finlay's words and Annie Cooper's drawings.  

Iris is only 16 years old when her father travels to South America in search of rare plants for his new employer.  Left in the care of her Aunt Leonora, Iris befriends orphan Annie Cooper through their shared love of books at Innerpeffray Library.  To my shame, I had never heard of Innerpeffray Library (the first lending library in Scotland) so I loved finding out more, both in the book and through additional research afterwards.

Annie's twin Struan is very protective of her and has been all his life so I loved the way he looked out for her.  Struan is left to pick up the pieces when a smarmy Spaniard arrives and sets the girls' hearts a-flutter before leaving them to join Iris' father's expedition.  Oh I really didn't like Rafael at all but it's no surprise that Iris and Annie had their heads turned by him.  He knew exactly what he was doing and his actions only get worse.  

I loved the appearance of the royal family when Queen Victoria visits Scotland and Iris enters the household as chaperone to Princess Louise.  I don't know much about Princess Louise but she certainly seems to be a very colourful character and an early feminist.  I also enjoyed reading about Sophia Jex-Blake as I had never heard of her but she did so much in the fight for women's rights.

What an absolute gem of a book!  I could write so much more about it as I loved it, both the fantastic storyline and the real characters and places that led me to find out more about them.  The Orchid Hunter's Daughter is an unforgettable book and completely unmissable for historical fiction and feminist fiction fans.  An easy five stars and a highly recommended read. 

I received a gifted paperback for the Love Books Tours virtual book tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

Amazon

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BLOG TOUR: Hamilton's Deepcatch (The Catch Series Book 3) - Douglas Roberts

A raging Atlantic storm batters a deep-sea oil rig – the perfect place to murder enemies, smuggle contraband, and bribe officials without leaving a trace. Beneath the surface lies a network of corruption as vast and dark as the ocean itself.

At the heart of this nefarious conglomerate are two piratical masterminds, operating with near impunity. Their ambitions know no limits: sinking ships, destroying oil rigs, and eliminating anyone who threatens their pursuit of unimaginable wealth. But this time, their greed and violence have triggered a deadly investigation.

As Detective Inspector Patricia Eyethorne OBE and her partner Justin hunt for the truth, their investigation explodes into a life-or-death chase across violent seas. With corrupt politicians like Maurice ‘Bloody’ Hamilton MP entwined in the conspiracy, the question remains – will justice finally catch up with them, or will these masterminds escape into the shadows once more?

 

What did I think?

Hamilton's Deepcatch is book three in The Catch Series and, whilst you could read it as a standalone as the main story is self-contained, it is much better when you've read the earlier two books, simply because you know more of the background of the characters. 

If there's anything dodgy going on, you can bet your bottom dollar that Maurice ‘Bloody’ Hamilton MP will be up to his neck in it.  The plot is very clever and intriguing so the security services have called on DI Patricia Eyethorne OBE to help them uncover the conspiracy.  It's a very dangerous mission as people have already been killed in their search for the truth.

I love the character of Patricia; it's so good to have a strong female protagonist who is more than a match for any man.  Maurice Hamilton knows that only too well and he is as obnoxious as ever in this instalment but his past deeds are about to catch up with him.  It was great to see some familiar faces, to the reader at least, and I couldn't read fast enough to see if Hamilton would finally get his comeuppance.

Hamilton's Deepcatch is a fast-paced, gripping and intriguing novel that is filled with adventure and danger.  The whole series is well worth a read and I think it would be brilliant if it was made into a TV series.

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

My rating:

Buy it from:

Waterstones

Amazon

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COVER REVEAL: The Entrepreneur's Almanack - Robin Bennett

I'm delighted to be taking part in the Rachel's Random Resources cover reveal for The Entrepreneur's Almanack by Robin Bennett.  Scroll down to have a look at the cover and to find out more about the book.

Here's a little bit about the book:

A new kind of yearbook has arrived for founders, dreamers, and doers. The Entrepreneur’s Almanack is a funny and deeply personal chronicle of what it feels like to start a business from scratch. This third in a series of short yearbooks celebrates the underrated art of entrepreneurship and a key aspect of the same: namely, success in business has more to do with intangibles than we care to admit. 

The guesswork and the gut, divine providence, even dumb luck are all players and should be welcomed round the table, not ignored at the fringes.

The Entrepreneur’s Almanack is the cosmic crutch you never knew you needed in business, but shouldn’t be without.

Purchase links:

Amazon UK

Amazon US

About the author:

When Robin Bennett grew up he thought he wanted to be a cavalry officer until everyone else realised that putting him in charge of a tank was a very bad idea. He then became an assistant gravedigger in London. After that he had a career frantically starting businesses (everything from dog-sitting to cigars, tuition to translation)... until finally settling down to write improbable stories to keep his children from killing each other on long car journeys.

Social Media Links – 

https://www.facebook.com/robin.bennett.526

https://www.instagram.com/robinbennettauthor/

https://x.com/writer_robin

tiktok.com/@robinbennettauthor

BLOG TOUR: Mimeograph - Eira A. Ekre

What if the future isn’t malfunctioning... it’s unfolding exactly as predicted?

Talia spends her days untangling the strange objects produced by Mimeographs, machines that seem to know more about their owners than they should. But when one of them prints an anomaly that can’t be explained, her entire world begins to collapse. Faced with the incomprehensible, Talia must confront the possibility that the Mimes aren’t malfunctioning at all. They’re evolving.

Mimeograph is a haunting tale of unravelling, desire colliding with dread, and a future that may already be written.

 

What did I think?

I really enjoyed reading Mimeograph and I was surprised to learn that the author is Swedish as her English is word perfect.  It's a short novella at 61 pages long, which makes it perfect for reading in one sitting and also great for reading again to re-experience this unusual story.

Just re-reading the first line gives me goosebumps and sets the scene for the story that is about to unfold.  I'm not going to share the line or the plot in my review as it will spoil it for others but it's certainly a highly original idea that will provoke lively debate.  I think it would be a wonderful book for book clubs to discuss.

Mind-bending and thought-provoking, Mimeograph is an unforgettable book that stays with you long after turning the final page.  The L'il Factory hardback is a stunning edition that is as mesmerising inside as out.  A very highly recommended read.

I received a gifted hardback from Literally PR for the Online Book Review Tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

Amazon

About the author:

Eira A. Ekre is a Swedish writer and narrative designer who has worked in the game and tech industry since the early 2010s. She runs the studio Might & Delight, whose cozy adventure Twinkleby launches in September 2025. Her award-winning YA audio drama Klara, färdiga..., created with the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency, was named “Podcast of the Year” and distributed to teens across Sweden.

Ekre’s work blends the fantastical with the everyday to explore identity, art and technology. She writes in both English and Swedish and teaches narrative design nationwide.

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BLOG TOUR: Sitting Tenant - Rosie Radcliffe

After a breakdown and the loss of her job, Mattie moves into a house inherited from an aunt she never knew existed, hoping to find peace and stability. But the house holds more than she expected — it has a sitting tenant, and secrets that refuse to stay buried.

As Mattie unravels the tangled threads of her family’s past, she discovers the shocking truth about her mother, her birth, and the sister no one ever spoke about. Just as she begins to settle in, an unknown enemy launches a sinister campaign to drive her out of the home she’s grown to love.

With her past and present about to collide, can Mattie find the strength to rebuild her life.

 

What did I think?

Wow!  Sitting Tenant is a cracking novel that left me completely gobsmacked with a little tear in my eye.  I absolutely loved it and I was hooked from start to finish.  This is Rosie Radcliffe's second novel and I really must look up her debut, Frankie and Dot, on the strength of this fantastic book.

I loved the mental health medical report at the start when Mattie is discharged from hospital, which adds authenticity and the suspicion that we have a very unreliable narrator.  Mattie didn't know her mother had a sister, so when she inherits her aunt's house it's a chance for a fresh start in a new area.  Things are looking up for Mattie until she hears a new voice in her head...

Poor Mattie, she doesn't just have a new voice to contend with; she is also the victim of harassment; I suspected a number of people and didn't know who she could trust.  The suspense and intrigue ramps up when the voice in her head seems to know things that Mattie couldn't possibly know, throwing into doubt whether she ever had a mental health issue at all.

Oh my goodness, what a book!  I read it in two sittings as I couldn't put it down and would have read it in one sitting if I hadn't needed to go to sleep!  I love a good family mystery and there are lots of secrets to discover in this fantastic novel.  The writing is wonderful and Rosie Radcliffe very cleverly kept enticing me to read just one more chapter.

Gripping, thrilling and intriguing, Sitting Tenant surprised and delighted me throughout.  An easy five stars and a very highly recommended read.

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

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

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BLOG TOUR: The Sound of Violet - Allen Wolf

He longs for love; she fears it.

Shawn dreams of finding a lifelong relationship, but only finds frustration-until he meets Violet, a beautiful, mysterious woman who sees past his autism to the man within. From the moment their eyes first lock, something sparks.

But behind Violet's quiet smile lies a world of pain. Trapped in a life of exploitation, she's learned that closeness brings danger. Yet, something about Shawn feels different. Safe. Real. Worth risking everything.

As their bond deepens, they must defy impossible odds and find the courage to fight for each other, no matter the cost. Because only love has the power to heal their deepest wounds and break them free from their past.

This inspirational contemporary romance-now a motion picture-returns as a newly revised 10th Anniversary Edition, with expanded storytelling and greater emotional depth.

 

What did I think?

Oh my goodness, Allen Wolf put my heart through the emotional wringer in this stunning novel.  I am not surprised that The Sound of Violet has been made into a movie as it is an unusual romance with such believable and well-drawn characters.

Shawn works for a dating app but his autism has prevented him from writing his own love story.  That is until he meets Violet; but Violet isn't who Shawn thinks she is.  Both characters' stories are heartbreaking but Shawn at least has his grandmother and brother to support him.  I absolutely loved Shawn's belief that he would find his other half and his unrelenting search for her, despite it being so far out of his comfort zone.

I couldn't put this book down once I picked it up.  It's just as well it has been made into a movie rather than a series as it would be very bingeworthy.  It is beautifully written with humour, heart and soul and it is filled with drama, family and romance.  It's simply wonderful from start to finish, despite the often dark and disturbing elements to the plot.

Heartwarming, uplifting and unforgettable, The Sound of Violet is a sparkling gem of a novel that I almost didn't read and what a tragedy that would have been as it turned out to be one of my favourite books of the year.  An unmissable book that is an incredibly highly recommended read.  I loved it and plan to read it again before I see the movie.

I received a gifted hardback for the Love Books Tours virtual book tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

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