BLOG TOUR: Acts of Kindness - Heather Barnett

 

Dream Job. Fresh Start. Big Mistake.

When Bella Black arrives in a sleepy Wiltshire village, it seems like the perfect place for a new start: a lovely home, exciting job and an attractive colleague or two to take her mind off her recent divorce.

When people start disappearing, she realises she holds the key to a mystery bigger than she could have ever imagined.

Who is really pulling the strings at the secretive OAK Institute? 

Can anyone be trusted?

Will Bella make the right choices before its too late? 

What did I think?

This is a highly intriguing and mysterious book and the blurb is clearly purposefully brief so as not to give anything away, which makes this such a difficult book to review.  So I think less is more in this instance to avoid inadvertently releasing any spoilers in my review.

Bella is headhunted at just the right time in her life and she is given a job offer that is too good to refuse.  So she packs up her belongings, says goodbye to London and sets up home in a picturesque Wiltshire village.  Heather Barnett's amazing sense of humour comes through loud and clear when Bella is welcomed by an unfortunately named neighbour bearing an unusual welcome gift.  It never got old as I sniggered and guffawed every time this colourful character appeared.

The plot is excellent with multiple layers of mystery and intrigue over an underlying thought-provoking premise.  There is so much secrecy that my mind was whirring at full speed as I tried to work out what was going on but, at risk of going dizzy, I found it was better to just sit back and enjoy the show.

Incredibly thought-provoking and hugely entertaining, Acts of Kindness is a brilliant debut from Heather Barnett.  Whatever your preferred genre, it really does have something for everyone; it's mysterious, funny and feel-good.

I received an ARC to read and review for the blog tour; this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

Amazon UK

Bookshop.org

Amazon US

About the author:

Heather Barnett gained a degree in English and French from the University of Leeds and has written ever since: from copywriting to stand-up comedy and sketches. She is now focusing on writing novels. Heather's influences span Jane Austen and Douglas Adams at one end of the alphabet through to PG Wodehouse at the other. 

Heather's debut novel, Acts of Kindness, is an uplifting, light-hearted mystery. It was inspired by witnessing commuters helping a woman who'd fallen down the stairs at Paddington station; intermingled with wondering what was behind some grand stone gateposts that she used to drive past in Wiltshire. 

Her second novel, Lord Seeks Wife, is a romantic comedy and will be published summer 2021.

Aside from writing, Heather's interests are classic literature, cats and comedy. 

Heather is head of marketing at an agency near Oxford and lives by the river Kennet in Berkshire.

For more information on Heather and her books, please visit her website: www.heatherbarnettauthor.com or join the discussion on Twitter @WritesHeather.

Social Media Links – 

Website: www.heatherbarnettauthor.com

Twitter: @WritesHeather

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

Serpentine Books:   www.serpentinebooks.com   Twitter: @SerpentineBooks

Follow the tour:

COVER REVEAL: Acts of Kindness - Heather Barnett

I'm delighted to be taking part in the Serpentine Books cover reveal for Heather Barnett's debut novel, Acts of Kindness.  It's due to be published on 11 March 2021 and I can't wait to read it.  Let's have a look at the cover!

Well purple is my favourite colour so I absolutely LOVE this cover.  The colours are beautiful and I'm very intrigued by that grand building the woman is walking towards.  You can read the synopsis of the book below, where you can also find out more about the author and most importantly, click on that preorder link.

Here's a little bit about the book:

Dream Job. Fresh Start. Big Mistake.

When Bella Black arrives in a sleepy Wiltshire village, it seems like the perfect place for a new start: a lovely home, exciting job and an attractive colleague or two to take her mind off her recent divorce.

When people start disappearing, she realises she holds the key to a mystery bigger than she could have ever imagined.

Who is really pulling the strings at the secretive OAK Institute? 

Can anyone be trusted?

Will Bella make the right choices before it's too late? 

About the author:

Heather Barnett gained a degree in English and French from the University of Leeds and has written ever since: from copywriting to stand-up comedy and sketches. She is now focusing on writing novels. Heather's influences span Jane Austen and Douglas Adams at one end of the alphabet through to PG Wodehouse at the other. 

Heather's debut novel, Acts of Kindness, is an uplifting, light-hearted mystery. It was inspired by witnessing commuters helping a woman who'd fallen down the stairs at Paddington station; intermingled with wondering what was behind some grand stone gateposts that she used to drive past in Wiltshire. 

Her second novel, Lord Seeks Wife, is a romantic comedy and will be published summer 2021.

Aside from writing, Heather's interests are classic literature, cats and comedy. 

Heather is head of marketing at an agency near Oxford and lives by the river Kennet in Berkshire.

For more information on Heather and her books, please visit her website: www.heatherbarnettauthor.com or join the discussion on Twitter @WritesHeather.

Preorder links:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon UK 

Amazon US

COVER REVEAL: Dishonoured - Jem Tugwell

Jem Tugwell is an awesome author who I might never have discovered if I hadn't started blogging about books.  That's one of my favourite things about blogging: discovering new authors and trying genres you wouldn't normally read.  Today I'm thrilled to be taking part in the cover reveal for Jem's first psychological thriller, Dishonoured, that will be published on 14th January 2021.  So let’s have a look at the amazing cover...

Oh this looks SO good!  I love the screaming man depicted on the businessman's suit and I think this is going to be a real brain bender.  You can read the synopsis of the book below, where you can also find out more about the author and click on your chosen preorder link.

Here's a little bit about the book:

WE’RE ALL ONE MISTAKE FROM RUIN…

Dan has worked hard for the perfect life.

He has a loving wife, beautiful kids, a fabulous home and is a successful businessman.

But one afternoon he steps onto a train with a stranger.

It was a simple mistake…

Four stops later, Dan is a criminal who has lost everything.

Someone hates him enough to destroy him.

Through a web of lies and deceit Dan battles to win his life back.

Dishonoured is a compelling psychological thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat and turning the pages.

A new take on the familiar psychological thriller with a male protagonist and a cast of characters that will keep the reader guessing right to the very end.

Perfect for readers of Lisa Jewell, Teresa Driscoll and Erin Kelly.

About the author:

Jem Tugwell was born in Berkshire and has a BSc in Computer Science, an MBA and a Crime Writing MA from City University.

In a past life, Jem had a successful career in IT and investment management.  Jem's loves are snowboarding, old cars and bikes.  He lives in Surrey with his wife and dog and has two children.

Jem has published two other novels with Serpentine Books.  Proximity and No Signal are the first two books in his 'iMe' series.  These are crime novels set in the near future, featuring DI Clive Lussac and his partner Zoe Jordan.  Dishonoured is his first psychological thriller.

Please visit Jem's website (www.jemtugwell.com) to read more.

Follow Jem on Twitter @JemTugwell

or Facebook JemTugwellAuthor

Preorder links:

Paperback: Waterstones

Ebook: Amazon UK or Amazon US 

Note for PRs:

DM @SerpentineBooks on Twitter or email info@serpentinebooks.com to request an ARC.