BLOG TOUR: Gin Palace - Tracy Whitwell

Ever since Tanz discovered she could speak with the dead, life has become a whole lot more interesting. But after putting herself in grave danger helping to solve a grisly murder, she’s now determined to ignore the voices and put all that nasty business behind her.

So when she’s offered another acting gig in her hometown of Newcastle, it feels like a perfect opportunity to spend some time with family and have a laugh with old friends.

But the dead won’t stay quiet for long. Soon Tanz is being drawn back into their world, and this time, the danger is much closer to home . . .

 

What did I think?

This book is absolutely fantastic!  I loved every second of it and I'm missing Tanz already so I will be reading it again as soon as I can.  Gin Palace is the second book in The Accidental Medium series and whilst it can be read as a standalone, it continues on beautifully from book one so it's best to read the books in order.

Gateshead actress Tanz is delighted to get a new acting job, not only will it solve her money worries but it means she can spend more time at home in her native north-east as filming is taking place in Newcastle.  Tanz has only recently found out that she's psychic so when she goes on a ghost walk around the city she gets more than she bargained for when she encounters some restless spirits.

I loved the Newcastle setting and the true stories, both historical and spiritual, that were sprinkled through the story.  I've heard a few ghost stories about the Newcastle keep so it was nice to be reminded of them and I've always found the Black Gate to be quite spooky, although I've never had any stones thrown at me when I've visited.

Gin Palace is spooky, funny and an absolute delight to read.  Tracy Whitwell perfectly encapsulates the north-east spirit (no pun intended) in this fabulous book.  Very highly recommended and without doubt a five star read.

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

My rating:

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About the author:

Tracy Whitwell was born, brought up and educated in the north-east of England. She wrote plays and short stories from an early age, then in the nineties moved to London where she became a busy actress on stage and screen.

After having her son, she wound down the acting to concentrate on writing full time. Many projects followed until she finally found the courage to write her first novel - The Accidental Medium, a work of fiction based on a whole heap of crazy truth and now a trilogy, with more to come.

Today, Tracy lives in north London with her son, surrounded by a never-ending supply or Aperol Spritzes and a coven of friends as spooky as she is.

Tracy is nothing like her lead character Tanz. (This is a lie.)

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The Accidental Medium - Tracy Whitwell

The Accidental Medium is the first book in a hilarious series from Tracy Whitwell featuring Tanz, the accidental medium who, with the help of the dead, is about to become an unwilling crime-solver.

Tanz is a wine-loving, straight-talking, once-successful TV actress from Gateshead, whose career has shrivelled like an antique walnut. She is still grieving for her friend Frank, who died in a car crash three years ago, and she has to find a normal job in London to fund her cocktail habit. When she starts work in a ‘new age’ shop, Tanz suddenly discovers that the voices she’s hearing in her head are real, not the first signs of madness, and that she can give people ‘messages’ from beyond the grave. Alarmed, she confronts her little mam and discovers she is from a long line of psychic mediums.

Despite an exciting new avenue of life opening up to Tanz, darkness isn’t far away and all too soon there’s murder in the air . . .

 

What did I think?

I was drawn to this book when I discovered that the author originated from my native north-east, and ok the large glass of red wine on the cover helped to pique my interest.  The Accidental Medium completely exceeded my expectations as it has a bit of everything in it - murder, crime, paranormal, friendships, family life and Geordies.

I knew I was going to love this book from the very first page when main character Tanz is on the phone to her best friend Milo and Milo says 'Gateshead needs you!'  Eeeeh, wor Gateshead's mentioned in a book!  Tanz is from Gateshead but she's an aspiring actress living in London...oh and she's also psychic but she doesn't know it yet.

Acting jobs, or lack thereof, don't pay the rent so Tanz gets a job in a new age shop and her life changes, whether it's for the better remains to be seen.  With the help of her new friend Sheila, Tanz finally realises that she's not going mad...she really can hear voices in her head.

I absolutely loved this book; it's funny, entertaining and something so completely different to what I'm used to reading.  Of course I loved it even more because of the Gateshead link but I would have still loved it if Tanz hadn't been a Geordie.  It's just so refreshing to read 'mam' in a book instead of 'mum' and I loved how Tanz heads for the comfort of home when things get too much for her.

I don't know how many times I laughed out loud (but it was a lot) and I loved Tracy Whitwell's humour.  I was delighted to see a reference to Chorlton and the Wheelies, one of my favourite TV shows as a child, and I snorted with laughter when Milo called Tanz Fenella...if you know, you know!

Entertaining, hilarious and spellbinding (witchy pun intended), The Accidental Medium is an absolutely cracking book that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend and I can't wait to read more of the series, so it's straight on to book 2 (Gin Palace) for me.

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Revenge: Meghan, Harry and the war between the Windsors - Tom Bower

The British Royal Family believed that the dizzy success of the Sussex wedding, watched and celebrated around the world, was the beginning of a new era for the Windsors. Yet, within one tumultuous year, the dream became a nightmare. In the aftermath of the infamous Megxit split and the Oprah Winfrey interview, the Royal Family's fate seems persistently threatened.

As Meghan and Harry's much-trailed Netflix documentary finally airs, the public remains puzzled. Meghan's success has alternatively won praise, bewildered and outraged. Confused by the Sussexes' slick publicity, few understand the real Meghan Markle. What lies ahead for Meghan? And what has happened to the family she married into? Can the Windsors restore their reputation?

With extensive research, expert sourcing and interviews from insiders who have never spoken before, Tom Bower, Britain's leading investigative biographer, unpicks the tangled web of courtroom drama, courtier politics and thwarted childhood dreams to uncover an astonishing story of love, betrayal, secrets and revenge.

 

What did I think?

I'm not particularly a fan of the monarchy but I would have had to have been living under a rock to have missed the war of the Windsors.  Whilst I didn't follow the Megxit split, I did feel sorry for the Queen losing her grandson. Unfortunately, family feuds do happen in real life and the Royal Family are clearly no exception.

I loved Suits so I knew who Meghan Markle was when she first appeared by Harry's side, but I would have classed her as the kind of 'celebrity' who would appear in I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here - someone who not many people would recognise.  That's all changed now and everyone knows who Meghan Markle is.  Finally, she can be the star of the show...erm, not exactly, she's still just a supporting cast member.

Revenge is very interesting reading and it seems to have been meticulously researched.  Reading the inconsistencies, contradictions and story changes is astonishing and I really can't argue with some of the facts that are laid out before me.  What I do argue with is the mindless hatred that seems to be directed at Meghan - nobody should have to experience that, whether they're in the public eye or not.

Whether you love them or hate them, there's no denying that the Royal Family didn't know what hit them when Meghan married Harry.  British history is well documented and this is one history that Meghan Markle cannot erase or rewrite.

I really enjoyed Revenge and would definitely recommend giving it a read.

My rating:

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BLOG TOUR: The Girls - Bella Osborne

In the 1970s, the girls were best friends sharing a house and good times: Zara, the famous diva actor; Val, the uptight solicitor; Jackie, the wild child and Pauline, the quirky introvert. Now they're in their twilight years, and Zara suggests that they live with her to support each other through old age. 

Initially, being housemates again is just as much fun as in their heyday. But then Zara reveals the real reason she asked them to move in with her, and suddenly things take a sinister turn. 

As the women confront their demons, they come under the spotlight of the press, the police and an angry parrot. With their lives spiralling out of control, can they save their friendships and each other?

 

What did I think?

The Girls, written by Bella Osborne and narrated by Julia Franklin, is a fabulous addition to the Isis Audio catalogue.  I was so deeply affected by the story of four old friends that I couldn't prevent tears rolling down my face at the end.  

It's such a refreshing change to have older characters, with this wonderful cast being in their 60s, 70s and 80s.  They have so much history, both together and individually, and I loved all of them, although I particularly wanted to reach out to introvert Pauline to give her a massive hug.  Jackie often made me laugh as she speaks before she thinks and Val is the sensible one who loves spreadsheets (like me).

Pauline, Val and Jackie all receive an invitation to their old friend Zara's surprise 80th birthday party.  Zara is a famous actress so the invitation is met with varied feelings: delight from Jackie so she can rub shoulders with the stars, indifference from Val as she is as cool as a cucumber, and horror from Pauline who doesn't feel like she fits in anywhere.  Also horror from Zara when she turns up as she doesn't want everyone to know her age!  The party, however, is set to change all of their lives.

The story is wonderful and it went in a direction that completely surprised me.  Listening to the characters interacting with each other is like putting on a comfy pair of old slippers as they all get on so well.  It's not all air kisses and compliments though as each character has some deep issues to work through, but a problem shared is a problem halved and there's nothing they won't do for each other...or is there?

The narration is stunning.  Julia Franklin brings each character to life with their own unique voice; I am so impressed as it sounds like each character is actually speaking and each voice is so consistent that I could recognise who was speaking.  Julia Franklin's talent is astonishing, although I have to say that her own voice is so soothing that I couldn't listen to the audiobook in bed as I kept dropping off to sleep before the chapter ended.

Bella Osborne is an author who is new to me but I'll definitely be looking out for more of her books.  There's an exquisite line in The Girls that describes the glinting light on the sea as being like paparazzi flashes and I just thought that was so beautiful and fitting for the story.

The Girls is poignant, heartwarming and surprisingly thought-provoking.  I'm going to miss the girls terribly, now that I have finished listening to the audiobook.

The Girls is narrated by Julia Franklin and is out on 1st May on Audible and other trade download platforms, on the digital library platform ulibrary, and on physical CD and MP3 both in libraries and from the website The Reading House: https://thereadinghouse.co.uk/

I chose to listen to an audiobook received from the publisher; this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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Always the Dead - Stephen J. Golds

 

Los Angeles, California. 1949.

Scott Kelly is a World War Two Marine veteran and mob hitman confined to a Tuberculosis sanatorium suffering from consumption, flashbacks and nightmares from his experiences of The Battle of Okinawa and a botched hit for Bugsy Siegel.

When his movie actress girlfriend disappears, he bribes his way out of the sanatorium to search for her.

What follows is a frantic search, a manic murder spree, stolen contraband, and a briefcase full of cash.

A story that stretches from the war torn beaches of Okinawa, all the way to the playground of the rich and famous, Palm Springs, California.

An exploration into the depths of L.A crime, PTSD and twisted love.

A semi-fictional novel based around the disappearance of Jean Spangler.

What did I think?

I discovered Stephen J. Golds books when I was drawn like a moth to the flame to the cover of his brilliant novel Say Goodbye When I'm Gone but I have to say that the postcard cover of Always the Dead is absolutely breathtaking.  Always the Dead has the same vintage thriller feel to it and although it is a little darker, I consider it to be his best book yet; I've honestly never read anything like it before.

I don't know how he does it, but reading Always the Dead is like watching an old black and white movie with a New York twanged narrator.  I was absolutely flabbergasted that such authentic vintage scenes could be conjured from such very well chosen words, which is solely due to the immense talent of Stephen J. Golds.

The main character of Scott Kelly is one that you simultaneously fear yet root for.  Scott is a war veteran, clearly suffering from PTSD, but it's his tuberculosis that sees him confined to a sanatorium.  With inner demons waging war inside his head, it's a wonder that Scott can function at all but it's thoughts of his girlfriend Jean that keep him going.  Jean isn't a traditional girlfriend and I found her to be something of an enigma, wondering if we ever see the real side of her.  When Jean disappears, Scott sets off to look for her, settling a few old scores along the way. but his physical and mental health deteriorate rapidly.

It wasn't until after I finished reading Always the Dead, that I found out that it was inspired by the true story of the disappearance of Jean Spangler.  Off to google I went and, as I often say, I love books that send me off researching fascinating stories or facts.  Jean being a real actress makes this book even more authentic and it would make an amazing movie, in black and white of course.

Brilliantly written with a vintage feel, Always the Dead is dark, gritty and compulsive reading.  Stephen J. Golds is a hugely talented author and definitely one to watch.  A well deserved five stars and highly recommended reading.

Many thanks to Stephen J. Golds for sending me an early copy to read; all opinions in this review are my own.

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BLOG TOUR: Faking Friends - Jane Fallon

Best friend, soulmate, confidante . . . backstabber.

Amy thought she knew everything there was to know about her best friend Melissa. Then again, Amy also thought she was on the verge of the wedding of her dreams to her long-distance fiancé.

Until she pays a surprise trip home to London. Jack is out, but it's clear another woman has been making herself at home in their flat.

There's something about her stuff that feels oddly familiar . . . and then it hits Amy. The Other Woman is Melissa.

Amy has lost her home, her fiancé and her best friend in one disastrous weekend - but instead of falling apart, she's determined to get her own back.

Piecing her life back together won't be half as fun as dismantling theirs, after all.

What did I think?

How is this my first Jane Fallon book?  I LOVED Faking Friends so much that I started and finished it within 24 hours.  It is rare that I find a book so riveting outside of the thriller genre but this book hooks you so quickly that you have to read it cover to cover to find out how it all plays out.

Amy is pursuing her dream to become an actress and she has a part in an American soap which sees her parted from her fiancé, Jack, who lives in their flat in London.  Amy gets quite a shock when she comes home for a surprise visit and finds another woman's things where hers should be.  This would be bad enough but the other woman is her best friend, Melissa.  With remarkable powers of restraint, Amy doesn't tell Jack and Melissa that she knows their secret but instead plots her revenge...I nearly dropped the book to clap and pump the air - GO AMY!

There is a reason that such proverbs are still being used today: hell hath no fury like a woman scorned and revenge is a dish best served cold.  Amy personifies those proverbs and kept me glued to the pages as her plans played out to perfection.  I was disappointed that my bullshit radar didn't raise the alarm when a new character was introduced, but I think I was so caught up in the excitement of Amy getting one up on Jack on Melissa.  Needless to say, I was metaphorically kicking myself but full marks to Jane Fallon for lulling me into a false sense of security.

I loved the flashbacks to the past as Amy and Melissa's relationship went under the microscope.  I know such toxic friendships exist and think it's amazing that you can't see what's happening until it's pointed out to you, or it's too late.  Which is why the strapline: keep your friends close and your best friend even closer is BRILLIANT!

Faking Friends is a superb book that had me gripped from start to finish.  I couldn't put the book down until I knew how this game of chess would end.  Your move, Melissa.

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

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