BLOG TOUR: The Ice Angels - Caroline Mitchell

Ten years ago, in the depths of the Finnish winter, Detective Elea Baker’s daughter was taken—and never found.

Now, in the quiet streets of Lincoln, girls are disappearing again. When one is found on the cathedral steps, clutching a chilling clue linked to the decade-old abduction, there’s only one person who can solve the case: Elea.

Dragged back into her nightmare, she’s determined to bring her daughter home this time—no matter the cost.

But is she chasing a ghost, or on the verge of uncovering a truth that will shatter everything?

 

What did I think?

I always set aside some dedicated reading time when it comes to Caroline Mitchell's books as they are impossible to put down and The Ice Angels is no exception.  The cover must be coated in virtual super glue as this fantastic book wasn't leaving my hands until I'd read every word.

It's the first book in the Detective Elea Baker series and what an absolute belter it is.  It has a dual timeline and a dual setting following Elea's daughter Liisa's abduction 10 years ago in Finland and the current police investigation into a spate of similar abductions in Lincoln, UK. 

Elea is linked in many ways to both cases, not just through her daughter's abduction but also through her estranged husband Richard Swann who is investigating the disappearances in Lincoln and invites Elea to consult on the case.  Oooh I loved the tangled, messy history between this pair that added an extra layer of intrigue to the already gripping storyline.

Caroline Mitchell's history in CID makes the storyline authentic and realistic and her talent as an author creates a razor-sharp and blisteringly fast-paced plot filled with drama, tension and suspense.  I am so excited to read more in this series and will definitely keep my eyes open for more. 

Unpredictable, incredibly gripping and completely unmissable, The Ice Angels is an exceptional police procedural and a outstanding start to an exciting new series.  An easy five stars and a very highly recommended read.

I received a gifted paperback to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

About the author:

Caroline Mitchell is a New York Times, USA Today, Washington Post and international #No. 1 bestselling author who has sold over 2 million books . She originates from Ireland and now lives in a woodland village outside the city of Lincoln. A former police detective, she has worked in CID and specialised in roles dealing with vulnerable victims, high-risk victims of domestic abuse, and serious sexual offences. She now writes full time.

Her books have won first place as ‘Best Psychological Thriller’ in the US Reader’s’ Favourite Award Contest, been shortlisted for the International Thriller Writer Awards in New York and been shortlisted for ‘Best Procedural’ in the Killer Nashville awards and the Audie awards. Her crime thriller, Truth And Lies is a No.1 New York Times bestseller and has been optioned for TV.

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BLOG TOUR: A Brotherly Devotion - Jill Bray

York: July 1224

On a hot July night, Brother Clement is savagely murdered when returning from administering to Lady Maud de Mowbray.

Simon de Hale, Sheriff of Yorkshire, is in his office when Abbot Robert visits to inform him of the murder, and request that he take responsibility for investigating the killing.

Simon is unsure whether the murder is a crime against the Abbey, or if it is a more personal matter against the monk.

Commencing their investigation, Simon and his deputy, Adam, ride out to see Lady Maud de Mowbray at Overton - the last person to see Brother Clement alive. When they encounter her son, Roger de Mowbray, they both take an instant dislike to him.

Lady Mowbray reveals to Simon that she intends to leave her money to the Abbey, and Simon can see this being a motive for the monk’s murder, if her son was aware of this.

The investigation gathers pace and a murder weapon is found.

A banquet is held at the castle to honour the Royal Justice - during which, one of the guests is exposed as the murderer and apprehended. But that will not be the end of the story for Simon and his family.

 

What did I think?

I really enjoyed my visit to 13th century York in Jill Bray's debut novel, A Brotherly Devotion.  With a dual storyline of a murdered monk and an arranged marriage, it's intricately plotted and incredibly gripping.  I couldn't read fast enough to both discover 'whodunnit' and how the story would end.

Simon de Hale is the Sheriff of Yorkshire and he is arranging the marriage of his youngest daughter Katherine whilst investigating the murder of Brother Clement.  You'd think the murder investigation would be the most challenging but Katherine is a strong-minded young lady and she wants to marry for love, in fact she has found just the man and it's not the man her father has chosen.  

I loved Katherine from the start but really couldn't see a way out of her arranged marriage as the King's permission had already been granted.  What a quandary for Simon, especially when he is determined to bring the monk's killer to justice.  With a bucketful of red herrings strategically placed in the prose, I didn't guess who it was until very late on and the way that the killer is revealed is very reminiscent of Agatha Christie.

Atmospheric, authentic and riveting, A Brotherly Devotion is a fabulous debut novel and a must-read for fans of historical fiction.

I received a gifted paperback to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

Amazon UK

Amazon US

About the author:

Jill lives on the Island of Guernsey now, but is originally from Yorkshire. She has a love of early medieval history which led her to study the subject at Huddersfield College in the 1980's. Working in Leeds at the time, meant that she had access to the Yorkshire Archaeological Society on their late night opening and following research, she wondered what the lives of the people she read about were actually like. This started a love of writing historical fiction, but her initial stories were never sent to a publisher. Life and work then intervened and writing was put to one side. It was only following a workshop held by the Guernsey Literary Festival in 2024 on writing historical fiction, that her love of writing was reignited. Her first novel 'A Brotherly Devotion' was published in July 2025.

Social Media Links:

Facebook: Jill Bray – Author 

Twitter/X:  @JillBray67

Website: https://www.jillbray.co.uk

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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:

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Waterstones

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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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The Water That May Come - Amy Lilwall

As rising seas threaten to engulf Britain, four lives are on the brink: Pinko, a privileged heir clinging to decadence; Jane, a working-class veterinary nurse racing to reunite her family; her pregnant teenage daughter Ashleigh, grappling with impending motherhood; and humble young artist Gavin. With sanctuary beckoning across the Channel, each faces impossible choices. Who will they save? What will they sacrifice?

A lyrical, thought-provoking novel which blurs borders and challenges notions of identity and belonging. In a future where we all may become refugees, it asks: how far would you go to stay afloat? 

What did I think?

I. Am. Broken.  What an outstanding novel!  I didn't expect The Water That May Come to break my heart as much as it did but it really affected me and I have to admit that I may have shed a tear or two.

The timeline in the book ebbs and flows like the tide as the past is gradually revealed.  It is so incredibly thought-provoking and really made me think about the consequences of your actions, however small, causing ripples across time.  It's very much a sliding doors moment where things could have been completely different if only...

It is so beautifully written by Amy Lilwall with tension and suspense of the possible flood weaving through the prose as people try to flee to safety.  The four main characters all have contrasting circumstances and views but they are linked together by fate.  It made me wonder what I would do in the same situation and also made me consider refugees of today who leave their homeland in search of a better and safer life.

I went into The Water That May Come expecting a speculative, dystopian cli-fi thriller but it is so much more than that.  My heart was pounding so much it's no wonder that it eventually broke and I was absolutely devastated at a particularly poignant moment.  I'm feeling upset just thinking about it now; thar's how much the beautiful, evocative writing affected me.

Unputdownable and unforgettable, The Water That May Come is one of the most addictive books I've read this year.  A very highly recommended and unmissable read.  An easy five stars!

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

My rating:

Buy it from:

Fly on the Wall Press (use code BOOKMAGNET10 for 10% off)

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Amazon

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:

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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:

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BLOG TOUR: Christmas at Hollybush Farm - Jo Thomas

Jemima Jones is driving home to her family's magical hill-top farm for Christmas…

And on arrival, she soon learns that her dad has been keeping a secret – all is not as it seems, and Hollybush Farm is struggling to make ends meet! Worried about losing the childhood home she loves, Jemima must pull on her winter wellies and get stuck in.

Amid the chaos of chasing after escaping sheep and organising the Christmas tractor run, Jemima begins documenting her slice of farming life on social media. As she builds a supportive online following, she also forms an offline connection in the shape of charming, retired rugby player Llew, her very own Santa's helper.

With a sprinkle of festive cheer and a dash of goodwill, might the community pull together to help save the farm in time for Christmas?

 

What did I think?

It's been a while since I last read a Jo Thomas book so I was delighted to remedy that by reading her latest novel, Christmas at Hollybush Farm.  As well as being full of charm and community spirit, it highlights the real plight faced by modern-day farmers and really made me see the sale of farm land in a different light.

Jem has stood by her dad through thick and thin and that's not about to change any time soon.  When she returns to her childhood home of Hollybush Farm with her partner Matthew it's both to celebrate Christmas and a potential engagement.  I adored Jem from the start and took an instant dislike to Matthew as he seems to want to control everything in his life, including Jem.  Good luck with that, mate!  Jem is no pushover!

When it becomes clear that Jem has to stay longer than planned, Matthew can't get out of there quick enough.  I thought this would mean that my negativity and dislike towards some of the characters was over but there's more to come.  I'm getting angry just thinking about the annoying dog woman who thinks that because she has a dog she can walk it wherever she likes, including the sheep pens on private property.  I was (and still am) FUMING!  I have the same issue at home with people walking their dogs on my front lawn and using my planter as a toilet but I'm the person in the wrong for banging on the window! 

I applaud Jo Thomas for highlighting a very real issue that all farmers face as supermarkets want their products cheaper and they struggle to make ends meet.  I have noticed the loss of so much farm land in my own area over the last couple of years and there's plans for more to be turned into housing and even a solar farm.  It's not that the farmers are making money from selling their land, it's either sell some of their land or lose their whole farm.  It's so very sad and so very real.

The way the whole community comes together to save not just the farm but the village cafe will melt even the hardest of hearts.  This fabulous novel is so much more than a festive, heartwarming read though; it's relevant, thought-provoking and unforgettable.  Very highly recommended.

I received a gifted paperback to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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BLOG TOUR: The Self-Made Saint - Alexandra Addams

Judith Drainger has always played life by her own rules. But these days life seems to be playing her right back.

Divorced, orphaned and forcibly retired, 59-year-old Judith is determined to seize the opportunity to leave her broken home in London and move across the world to Australia. Here she reunites with her estranged adult daughter Cassandra - only to land smack bang in the emotional quagmire of her daughter's anger and abandonment issues. To make matters worse, Judith can see her new granddaughter Emily has a serious health issue, but her offers of help are ignored and rejected.

When an accident knocks her off her feet, Judith is swamped by the kindly care of her nosy new neighbors. Yet, when given a chance to become a part of their community, Judith shocks even herself by making a series of unforgivable blunders. Realizing if she's to have any hope of reuniting her family, this well-meaning but stubborn curmudgeon must learn the power of saying 'sorry' - and what it actually means to be a good person.

A tender and uplifting novel championing the complex realities of family, solidarity and friendship. 

What did I think?

I really enjoyed this fabulous debut novel from Alexandra Addams that has family, in its different guises, at its heart.

59 year old divorcée Judith Drainger has moved halfway around the world to be near her daughter Cassandra.  Cassandra now has a baby with 'That Andrew' but for the life of her, Judith can't remember her granddaughter's name.  So Judith isn't the type of person you immediately warm to but she definitely grew on me.

Judith may have moved from London to Australia but she can't escape her mother's vicious tongue, even though Marigold has passed away.  This constant sniping (in Judith's head) from her mother is what made me warm to Judith as it helps to explain why she is the way she is.  I thought Cassandra could have been a bit more welcoming but she has does have her hands full with baby Emily.

My favourite character was Judith's neighbour Martha, who you immediately think is incredibly nosy but she has a heart of gold.  I really enjoyed reading Martha's story and I loved the whole community spirit of Martha's circle of friends who welcome Judith with open arms.

With a focus on family, The Self-Made Saint is a very heartwarming and entertaining novel that I would highly recommend.

I received a gifted paperback to read and review and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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BLOG TOUR: Never Tear Us Apart - Rowan Coleman

A spellbinding tale of love, strength and sacrifice from the Sunday Times bestselling author. Based on the gorgeous island of Malta in WWII, this is a story about the power of fate, and how sometimes, in order to find yourself - and to find love - you must first lose everything else. . .

Fate has brought them together. Will time tear them apart?

2025

Named after a star, war correspondent Maia knows how to find the brightest stories - the tales of survival and strength - hidden amongst the dark realities of combat.

Now, travelling to Malta to visit her estranged father, with one more chance to build a relationship with her last remaining relative, she's here to find her own story: never having found somewhere - or someone - she can call home, she's desperate for answers that might show her where she truly belongs.

But when she arrives on the beautiful mediterranean island, she realises her long-lost family is full of more secrets than she could possibly have imagined. . .

1942

Maia wakes up to find herself on an island under siege, a city in ruins - and knows she must have been sent here for a reason.

Who has she been sent to save? Or is it Maia herself that needs saving? And just when she's finally found what she's been seeking . . . will time separate them forever?

Perfect for fans of Lucinda Riley, Santa Montefiore and Dinah Jefferies.

 

What did I think?

Oh my goodness, Rowan Coleman!  Never Tear Us Apart is an absolutely stunning novel that made my heart ache with love for the characters.  This is a dual timeline like no other and I adored it.

It's so beautifully written with the island of Malta being brought to life both in the present day and in the midst of World War II.  Maia has a foot in both timelines after she has a car accident in 2025 and wakes up in 1942.  It's historical fiction with a hint of fantasy seamlessly woven into the prose so any realists shouldn't be put off by the time travel storyline.

I'm not going to go into the plot for fear of inadvertently giving away any spoilers but it is extremely good.  I tried not to ask myself too many questions whilst I was reading so I could just sit back and enjoy the amazing literary ride.   I'm going to give Rowan Coleman a virtual chef's kiss for this exquisite book. 

Imaginative, emotional and breathtaking, Never Tear Us Apart is an unforgettable and highly original novel that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend.  This is one of those books where five stars just doesn't seem enough.  I wanted to read it again the moment I finished it.  Don't miss it!  

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

My rating:

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BLOG TOUR: The Messenger (The Jennifer Hattley Mysteries) - Claire Bamford

How do you bring a murderer to justice when the only eyewitness is a ghost?

Jennifer has returned home after a relatively amicable divorce to discover her family’s big secret — the maternal line has the ability to talk to ghosts. Before Jen has time to digest this revelation, tragedy strikes, leaving both her and her mum Jacqui to navigate their gifts in ways they could never have imagined.

When a new ‘visitor’ is a missing woman from thirty years ago, Jen is determined to help her; but what will her choices cost, and can she keep her family’s past from coming back to haunt her?

Although loss is inevitable and not everything in life, or death, can — or, perhaps, should — be explained, the strength of a mother’s love and the power of trust can pull us through any hardship. Almost.

 

What did I think?

What an outstanding debut novel!  Claire Bamford is going straight on my authors to watch list after reading her fantastic debut, The Messenger.

It's a refreshing take on a mystery when Jennifer Hattley, a woman who has just found out that she can talk to ghosts, helps the police to solve a 30 year old cold case.  Naturally, the police are sceptical when Jen calls with information about a missing person but they can't turn a blind eye to the evidence that is presented to them.

I was immediately drawn into the story by the intriguing prologue set in 1972 where the family gift is passed down through the generations.  It's incredibly poignant and surprisingly heartwarming when Jen learns that it is now her turn to wield the family gift.  Written with a mixture of humour and pathos, the first ghosts she encounters set me off an emotional rollercoaster as I laughed and cried when they revealed their messages.

This isn't just a ghost story though, it's a cracking mystery and an incredibly emotional one as Jen does everything she can to reveal the final resting place of Helen Swift's body.  I loved Jen's dogged determination to not just get the police to believe her but to also reassure Helen's ghost that she was safe.

Intriguing, moving and highly original, The Messenger is a fantastic supernatural mystery that evoked many emotions in me.  I am delighted that this is not the last we will hear of Jen and I can't wait to read more of The Jennifer Hattley Mysteries series.  A magnificent debut and a very highly recommended read.

I received a gifted copy to read and review for the Instagram tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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