BLOG TOUR: Festival Days (The Clapham Trilogy book 3) - Julie Anderson

May 1951

Celebration is in the air with the Festival of Britain and for the first time in years the mood is one of hope rather than hurt.

For Detective Constable Faye Smith, London is not as safe as it seems. The criminal underworld is gaining strength, enjoying a lively existence below the surface. Then two bodies are found in the war-time shelters, a man and a woman. Who are they?

What’s their story? Why were they murdered and how did they end up in the shelters?

Meanwhile, Ellie Peveril is busy with a celebration of a different kind. Ellie does all she can to support her friend but has her own worries, with ex-fiancé Patrick Havistock looming in the shadows. Faye, keen to unravel the mystery of the double murder, finds herself tangled up in crimes that stretch far beyond a simple killing.

Faye and Ellie must face their toughest case yet as their lives change, irrevocably, for the future.

What did I think?

Festival Days is the third and final book in The Clapham Trilogy and it's a real firecracker.  I only joined the series at book two so I enjoyed catching up with DC Faye Smith again but you can definitely read it as a standalone and still enjoy it.

Set in 1951, Faye is a woman in a man's world and it's unheard of to have a woman on the force in the 1950s but her colleagues are more accepting of her now.  Faye's latest case that this book centres around is quite tricky as it looks like a gangland execution so she needs all the help she can get.  

Faye's friend Ellie should be looking forward to her wedding day but she is convinced her ex-fiancé will turn up to ruin her day.  Even with all her own worries, she finds a way to help Faye but it puts her in grave danger.  What a wonderful friendship they have!  It makes me quite sad that this is a trilogy and not a long-running series as I could read more about these amazing characters.

Incredibly atmospheric, gripping and tense, Festival Days is a fantastic conclusion to an outstanding trilogy.  Whilst I'm sad it has come to an end, it does give me the opportunity to read book one for the first time and experience the trilogy in its entirety.  This is a highly recommended read that is sure to pick up new fans to the series.

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:

Hobeck Books

Amazon

Follow the tour:

Lochbound - Rebecca Templeton

There is no happily-ever-after . . .

Kilmara, Scotland. 1725. For fifty years, Iris has accepted the curse that blighted her life. By night, she is a heartbroken woman, destined to walk the misty shores of Kilmara without growing older. By day, she is Moireach, a terrifying monster imprisoned in the murky depths of Loch Moine.

When bodies begin appearing on the shore, the villagers are convinced Moireach is responsible. So a hunter - the rugged, ruthless Henry Carver - is summoned to slay the monster of the loch.

Iris must break her curse before she is killed for crimes she cannot believe she has committed. But as Kilmara's hunt for the monster becomes ever more fevered, she and Henry are drawn together in a dangerous game of impossible attraction.

And when a figure from Iris's past suddenly reappears, she must choose what - or who - she is willing to sacrifice to win her freedom.

. . . when you are the monster.

A glitteringly dark reimagining of The Little Mermaid set in eighteenth-century Scotland, this enchanting and gothic historical fantasy is perfect for fans of Rosie Andrews's The Leviathan, Georgia Leighton's Spellbound and anyone who loved Outlander. 

What did I think?

Oh my goodness, I adored this beautiful book; it is as stunning inside as out.  Lochbound is Rebecca Templeton's debut novel and it is exceptional.  It is a retelling of The Little Mermaid but it also reminded me of Beauty and the Beast.  

Iris has been cursed to spend her days as Moireach the monster in the loch but by night she becomes Iris again.  The curse can only be broken by true love's kiss but the boy Iris loves disappeared when she became a monster and she is still searching for him.  With mutilated bodies turning up by the loch, time is running out for Iris as the laird has tasked a hunter to find the monster before any more villagers are killed.  

The enchanting story is told from various points of view: Iris, her old friend Duncan, Henry the hunter and Moireach.  It is deliciously dark and, with witches, curses and monsters, it is one of the best adult fairy tales I have ever read.  The writing is so beautiful and spellbinding that I had to double check that Lochbound is Rebecca Templeton's debut - it really is!  Put this exciting new author on your watchlist, readers!

Haunting, mesmerising and atmospheric, Lochbound is a breathtaking debut novel that captivated, entertained and delighted me from the first page to the last.  I couldn't put it down and I will definitely be reading it again.  I would give it more than five stars if I could; it's absolutely exquisite and I can't recommend it highly enough.

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

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

BLOG TOUR: Under Vixens Mere - Kit Fielding

After Harry Jones takes his life in the chilling waters of Vixens Mere, not one body is recovered, but two.

Vixens Mere marina hosts a ragtag houseboat community whose lives are as tangled as their mooring ropes, each trying to escape something.

A marriage damaged by PTSD, a guilty lover, aging hippies with a secret sadness, a newcomer escaping a toxic relationship, and a kindhearted misfit whose loyalty is tested to the limit.

Under Vixens Mere tells the story of these boondock boat dwellers as they unify against investigators, vindictive exes, and anyone else who messes with them.

Step aboard and lose yourself in the complex ties of this small community.

 

What did I think?

Under Vixens Mere is a real hidden gem of a novel as I almost didn't pick it up but I'm so glad that I did.  It is filled with drama and secrets as the reader peeks through the curtains of each houseboat in Vixens Mere marina.  There's a fabulous hand-drawn map in the front of the book too - yay!

The haunting prologue hit me like a sucker punch as Harry Jones steps foot in Vixens Mere to end his life.  Harry's story continues throughout the book and it is so incredibly poignant that it brings tears to my eyes just thinking of it now.  The police are puzzled when they recover Harry's body and find another body beneath him.  What a fabulous mystery!

I loved how each chapter starts with the name of the boat and the characters in the scene.  The houseboat community is very close-knit and they will do anything for each other.  This story sets out exactly what they will do for their friends and it's not just about hiding the bodies.

I was completely riveted from start to finish and once I picked up Under Vixens Mere I couldn't put it down, reading it in two sittings.  I adored the marina setting and the eclectic characters who I really came to care about.

Entertaining, compelling and poignant, Under Vixens Mere is a fabulous book that shocked, surprised and delighted me.  I loved it and think it's well worth a read.

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

My rating:

Buy it from:

Waterstones

Amazon

About the author:

Kit Fielding plans and writes his novels in a motorhome at various locations around the country. 

The feeling of impermanence is natural to him due to his mother’s traveller roots and a childhood succession of tied-cottages accommodation in different parts of England. 

Kit Fielding says that there was always a curiosity about what was waiting, or was lurking, just around the corner. This legacy has stayed with him to the present day and it feeds into his work.

Social Media Links:

Insta: @inkspotpub 

FB: Inkspotpublishing

Giveaway

Giveaway to Win 3 x Stacks of 5 Inkspot Publishing books (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 3 x Stacks of 5 Inkspot Publishing books (UK Only)

Follow the tour:

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

Follow the tour:

BLOG TOUR: Family Traits - Sarah Jones

Two families destroyed by the disappearance of a daughter and the suicide of a son.

Seventeen years ago, the Webster family found themselves in a nightmare when Chris Webster’s protégé, Sam Chappel, disappeared after the school summer ball. Just two weeks later, Chris’s son Jez committed suicide at the family holiday home. 

Now Chris Webster is dead, and vicious rumours are starting to circulate about his involvement in Sam’s disappearance.

Nat Morton, journalist with the local paper, has decided that Sam’s story is just what she needs to revive her ailing career. It just means ignoring any loyalty she may feel towards the Websters, who treated her as part of the family when she was growing up.

After the death of her father, Caro Webster is spending the summer at the ‘Beach Hut’, which has been left empty since the suicide of her brother there. She is distraught at the allegations against her beloved father - but far from laying the past to rest, she is discovering disturbing parts of a puzzle that she doesn’t want to piece together.

When Sam Chappell is finally found, the discovery changes everything they thought they knew. And someone is determined that the secrets of the past should stay buried.

 

What did I think?

WOW!  I could not put this book down.  I usually write notes as I'm reading but my notebook remained resolutely blank as I didn't want to tear my eyes away from the pages of this gripping book for a single second.

It's a lot darker than it looks from the cover and it is filled with secrets (my favourite type of book).  There's the mystery of a missing teenage girl, the suicide of a teenage boy, the parentage of Caro's son and a whole web of secrets and lies to uncover.  I'm going to keep my review brief so as not to inadvertently release any spoilers but suffice to say I was shocked, surprised and horrified.  Bravo, Sarah Jones!

I loved the friendship dynamic between Caro and Nat; Caro is so self-centred and I really didn't like her at all whereas Nat is thoughtful and friendly but she's a journalist so she's always on the lookout for a big scoop.  There's such a lot going on with the various threads of the storyline that I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.

Beautifully written and perfectly plotted, Family Traits is a compelling, intriguing and poignant psychological thriller.  With a book of this calibre, Sarah Jones is an author to watch and I can't wait to see what she writes next.  In the meantime, I'm adding her debut A False Reflection to my TBR.  A very highly recommended read and an easy five stars.

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

My rating:

Buy it from:

Amazon

Follow the tour:

BLOG TOUR: House Party - Chloe Ford

A slow-burn romance fifteen years in the making...

Hattie has spent half her life secretly crushing on Freddie - her best friend Sam's irresistibly gorgeous older brother. But Freddie? He's barely spared a glance for Hattie, the girl Sam befriended one fateful New Years' Eve when they discovered they were birthday twins.

Fast-forward to now: Hattie finds herself single for the first time in years - just before the holidays. Enter Sam, who, in classic best-friend fashion, whisks her away to a remote cabin in the Forest of Dean to cheer her up. Snowy woodland views? Check. A crackling fire and a steamy hot tub? Check. Zero cell service, ravenous wild boars, and an incoming snowstorm of apocalyptic proportions? Also check.

And to make matters even more intense, Freddie joins them, unexpectedly. Still infuriatingly gorgeous, and still ridiculously off-limits. Except this time, he's actually noticing Hattie. But then again, maybe he's been noticing her all along.

Fifteen years of longing. One night to change everything. This New Year's Eve, they're playing with fire.

 

What did I think?

The romance may be slow-burn in House Party but it's a binge-worthy book that is impossible to put down.  If you loved Friends (and who didn't?) then you will love House Party as the flashback chapters entitled 'The one where...' reminded me of my favourite TV show.  It also reminded me of the feelings I had after watching Four Weddings and a Funeral, leaving me with a warm glow and a smile on my face.

Hattie and her best friend Sam sort of share a birthday; Sam is 31st December and Hattie is 1st January so they have a triple celebration when they bring in each New Year.  Hattie met Sam on his 14th birthday and they have been inseparable ever since.  Sam sets a condition of their friendship: his older brother Freddie is off limits.  That's fine when Hattie is 13 years old and not that interested in boys but the heart wants what the heart wants and she can't escape Freddie's orbit.

Sam, Hattie and their friends book a lodge in the countryside to celebrate their 29th birthdays and Freddie invites himself along.  When the snow starts to fall the temperature starts to rise and the sexual tension between Freddie and Hattie is so sizzling I'm surprised they didn't turn the snow into a raging flood.

Incredibly romantic and completely addictive, I absolutely loved House Party.  It's a fabulous slow-burn romance that is sure to warm your heart on a cold night.  You'll not need to curl up under a blanket with this book as it will get your pulse racing and your temperature rising on its own merit.  Very highly recommended.

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

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

Follow the tour:

BLOG TOUR: Let the Bells Ring Out - Milly Johnson

Seven people, four days and a snowy Christmas on board a luxury sleeper train. This festive season getting away from it all takes on a new meaning…

The Yorkshire Belle is a glamorous steam train all decked out for an escapist festive getaway. It is not supposed to be where a group of people, all trying to get to their destinations for the holidays, will spend their Christmas. 

Seven people, each with their own hopes and dreams, secrets and sorrows, board the train as strangers, but as the snow keeps falling and they realise they are going nowhere fast, they are forced to slow down and embrace the present.

This Christmas on board the Yorkshire Belle, will the friendships they make change their lives forever?

 

What did I think?

I need to apologise to Milly Johnson as I simply cannot write a review that will do justice to this fabulous book, but I'll give it a try.  Also, I need to say sorry (not sorry) to my other Milly Johnson books as Let the Bells Ring Out is my new favourite.

Milly Johnson is one of my favourite authors and her new book is always guaranteed to be a five star read before I've even read the first word.  This might sound blasé but believe me she earns every single star and MORE!

If you could imagine your favourite Christmas movie, your favourite festive read and your favourite Yuletide treat all wrapped up in beautiful paper with a huge bow and lots of love from Milly Johnson then you are close to the feeling I got when I read Let the Bells Ring Out.  I'm getting goose bumps just thinking about it now.

Beautifully written, heartwarming and fabulously festive, Let the Bells Ring Out is a truly wonderful novel that is filled with Christmas spirit and bursting with the magic of Christmas.  I intend to read it again over the upcoming festive season and for many years to come.   Five stars just aren't enough for this magnificent book - a very highly recommended read.

I received a beautiful signed hardback 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

Follow the tour:

BLOG TOUR: Identity Crisis - Nicola Gill

Be yourself, people say. But the last person Clare Palmer wants to be is herself – she’s lost everything she once had and now can barely get through a bus ride without wanting to thump someone. (People who don’t wear headphones, sniffers, fried chicken guzzlers.)

So when she discovers her resemblance to beloved reality TV presenter Jenna Cox, Clare jumps at the chance to become a lookalike, earn some cash and get her life back together.

But it’s all too easy to cross the line between celebrity lookalike and pretending to be the real Jenna – and becoming someone else is about to take Clare’s life down a track that’s even rockier than the one she’s on…

 

What did I think?

Identity Crisis is Nicola Gill's fifth novel but it is the first of her books that I have read and I absolutely loved it.

Clare Palmer was once a successful author with a loving husband; now she has writer's block and her husband is shacked up with someone else.  When Clare is mistaken for celebrity Jenna Cox one day, she applies and is accepted to become a lookalike.  Whilst it's a good way to earn some money when her editor is waiting for Clare's next book, being Jenna Cox takes up more of Clare's life than being Clare Palmer.

With such a heartbreaking backstory, it's easy to see how Clare has lost sight of who she is so it's no wonder that she steps into Jenna's shoes so easily.  It just gets Clare into a bit of a tangle when she starts to care about the people who think she is actually Jenna.  There's a lot of humour but also a poignant moral dilemma as the story progresses and I had no idea whether or not it would all turn out right in the end.  No spoilers here - you will need to read it yourself to find out!

Incredibly entertaining, laugh-out-loud hilarious and surprisingly emotional, Identity Crisis is a fun, heartfelt and uplifting novel that I absolutely raced through.  I will definitely be looking out for more Nicola Gill books as Identity Crisis is a superb five star read. 

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

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

Follow the tour:

BLOG TOUR: Bea’s Book Wagon - Julie Haworth

Set in the fictional Sussex village of Blossom Heath, and featuring characters you will know and love from Julie Haworth’s RNA Katie Fforde Debut of the Year Always By Your Side and follow up New Beginnings at The Cosy Cat Café, Bea’s Book Wagon is a cosy, uplifting and comforting romance that tells the story of two love-interest heroes vying for Bea’s heart – her artisan-cheesemaking childhood sweetheart and a knock-you-off-your-feet property developer. 

After impulsively jacking in her dead-end temp job and investing her life savings in a ramshackle old horsebox, Bea sets about turning her dream of running a bookshop into a reality, and opens Bea’s Book Wagon. But it’s not all smooth sailing, and as Bea struggles with the challenges of running her own small business, she can only hope that her love of literature and the power of reading can help transform the lives of her friends, her community and herself in the process.

 

What did I think?

Bea's Book Wagon is my third virtual visit to Blossom Heath and I absolutely loved it.  You don't need to have read Julie Haworth's previous novels to enjoy this one but you will definitely want to read them if this is your first visit to Blossom Heath.

It was lovely to catch up with some familiar faces but this is very much Bea's story.  Bea loves books so I had an immediate affinity with her.  Once the panic subsides after resigning from her job she decides to do something she really loves: sell books and share her love of reading.  An old horsebox may not sound like the ideal bookstore but with a little help from her friends Bea transforms it into something special.

I adored Bea from the very start and she has the most amazing ability to be able to match a person to a book so she's the perfect bookseller.  As well as starting her business, Bea meets Lochlan in a very swoony Mr Darcy moment that had me reaching for my virtual fan, but it was farmer Nathan who I was hoping would win Bea's heart.  You will need to read the book to find out how it all ends though!

Cosier than your favourite pair of slippers, Bea's Book Wagon is a delightful, heartwarming and captivating book.  One not to be missed for book lovers!

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

Follow the tour:

BLOG TOUR: Atticus Arnott's Great Adventure - Caroline James

When seventy-year-old Atticus Arnott trades the rainy hills of Cumbria for the golden coast of Spain in his beloved vintage campervan, his quiet village is left reeling from the shock. With only his faithful collie, Ness, for company, Atticus sets off in search of sunshine, serenity, and perhaps a glass or two of sangria. But his solo adventure quickly turns into something far more unexpected...

Back in Ireland, Atticus’s daughter Mary is facing a crisis of her own. As her picture-perfect life starts to crumble, she must find the courage to put herself first for once and rediscover the dreams she set aside long ago.

As father and daughter navigate new paths, they learn that starting over isn’t about running from the past—but embracing the unknown with open arms…

Full of laughter, love and second chances, Atticus Arnott’s Great Adventure is a feel-good escape that proves it’s never too late for a new beginning—no matter where life might take you.

 

What did I think?

I can't believe Atticus Arnott's Great Adventure is the first Caroline James book I have read but it's definitely not my last as I absolutely loved  it.  I adored Atticus and he has made a little permanent place in my heart to ensure that I never forget him and I won't let the old (wo)man in.

Atticus lost his wife Clara five years ago but time has not healed his heart.  Atticus' son Mungo has taken over the running of the farm, leaving Atticus to while away his days with his faithful dog Ness and his friend Arthur.  Until Mungo's twin sister Mary arrives at the farm with a cunning plan to breathe life back into Atticus via his old campervan.

It's so refreshing to have an older protagonist and, despite what his son might think, there's plenty of life left in 70 year old Atticus Arnott.  I loved reading about his adventure to Spain and his unintentional rise as a social media influencer.  Although I can understand Mungo's reservations about his dad making a solo journey, you would never leave the house if you dwelled on all the things that might happen.

Although Atticus is the main character, I really enjoyed his daughter Mary's story.  Mary is having a difficult time at home as she struggles to cope with her four children while her husband is busy working.  As events unfold, Mary has to stay strong and work out what is most important to her.

This is such a lovely book that I couldn't put it down and read it almost in one sitting.  I was completely swept away with Atticus' Spanish adventure and I loved every second of it.  It has a surprising festive feel towards the end and I may have shed a happy tear or two as my emotions got the better of me.  A very highly recommended read and an easy five stars.

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

Follow the tour:

BLOG TOUR: The Transcendent Tide (The Enceladons Trilogy) - Doug Johnstone

It’s been eighteen months since the Enceladons escaped the clutches of an American military determined to exterminate the peaceful alien creatures.

Lennox and Vonnie have been lying low in the Scottish Highlands, Ava has been caring for her young daughter Chloe, and Heather is adjusting to her new life with Sandy and the other Enceladons in the Arctic Ocean, off the coast of Greenland. But fate is about to bring them together again for one last battle.

When Lennox and Vonnie are visited by Karl Jensen, a Norwegian billionaire intent on making contact with the Encedalons again, they are wary of subjecting the aliens to further dangers. But when word arrives that Ava’s daughter has suffered an attack and might die without urgent help, they reluctantly make the trip to Greenland, where they enlist the vital help of local woman Niviaq.

It's not long before they’re drawn into a complex web of lies, deceit and death. What is Karl’s company really up to? Why are sea creatures attacking boats? Why is Sandy acting so strangely, and why are polar bears getting involved?

Profound, ambitious and moving, The Transcendent Tide is the epic conclusion to the Encedalons Trilogy, and a final showdown between the best and worst of humanity, the animal kingdom and the Encedalons. The future of life on earth will be changed forever, but not everyone will survive to see it...

 

What did I think?

Oh my goodness, I really didn't want this fantastic book to end so I was torn between gobbling up every word as if I hadn't read for months and savouring every single word so I could make it last longer.  The Transcendent Tide is the perfect ending to an epic and unforgettable trilogy.

You do need to read the books in order to get the most out of the incredibly powerful storyline and to fully understand the characters, which is why I felt so many different emotions whilst reading.  I was shocked, angered and upset as I lived and breathed every moment of this magnificent journey with Sandy, the Enceladons and their friends.

The writing is flawless and the plotting sublime as Doug Johnstone takes the reader on a memorable journey through the Arctic.  I felt like I needed my thermals on as I kept getting goosebumps as the vivid scenes were described.

Haunting, poignant and powerful, The Transcendent Tide is a highly original book and an outstanding finale to an epic trilogy.  It has a tentacle in so many genres that it will appeal to all readers and leave a lasting impression.  I can award nothing less than five stars for this amazing novel.

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

My rating:

Buy it from:

Orenda Books

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

About the author:

Doug Johnstone is the author of 18 previous novels, most recently Living Is a Problem (2024) and The Collapsing Wave (2024). The Big Chill (2020) was longlisted for Theakston Crime Novel of the Year, and Black Hearts was shortlisted for the same award. Three of his books, A Dark Matter (2020), Breakers (2019) and The Jump (2015), have been shortlisted for the McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Novel of the Year.  

He’s taught creative writing and been writer in residence at various institutions over the last decade, and has been an arts journalist for over twenty years. Doug is a songwriter and musician with six albums and three EPs released, and he plays drums for the Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers. He’s also co-founder of the Scotland Writers Football Club, and has a PhD in nuclear physics. He lives in Edinburgh. 

Follow the tour:

BLOG TOUR: The Forest Hideaway - Sharon Gosling

Saskia is building a home for herself out of the ruins of an old castle. Surrounded by forest, hidden away from everyone and everything, the place is special - it’s the only connection she has left to her father and it’s a hard-won chance to escape from her difficult past and create a new future. She’s spent her whole life trying to find a way to make this project work and finding someone to help her realise her dream has been almost impossible.

 

When local builder Owen finally signs up to manage the construction, things get off to a very bad start. But forced to find a way to work together, both realise that first impressions aren’t always the right ones, and when Owen discovers the forest is hiding a secret that could bring work to a halt, he realises he’s much more invested in the project – and Saskia – than he thought . . .

 

What did I think?

The Forest Hideaway by Sharon Gosling is as beautiful inside as out and I absolutely adored it.  It's the perfect autumnal read to leave readers with a lovely warm glow.

Saskia is an architect who is determined to do the impossible: convert a castle ruin, complete with an oak tree growing in the middle of it, into her home.  The local historical society are determined to stop her as they are convinced she is set on destroying the castle and the tree.  They couldn't be more wrong.

The preservation of the castle and the tree really is lovely to see and it made me think of a local beautiful tree that was cruelly chopped down in its prime.  I was surprised and delighted that it does actually get a mention in the book and I was moved to tears by the way that Sharon Gosling refers to it.  It was never 'just a tree' to anyone who loved it.

I loved the characters that are so wonderfully drawn they virtually leap from the pages.  Saskia has a very large heart and her builder Owen starts to see the real Saskia as they work together and get to know each other.  It is so heartwarming to read about Saskia's compassion and kindness, especially when she has faced challenges in her past.  Will she get her happy ever after?

Incredibly heartwarming and wonderfully uplifting, The Forest Hideaway is a beautiful novel that I wholeheartedly recommend.  I loved it so much that I plan to read it again and it's going straight onto my favourites shelf so I can escape to the forest this autumn.

I received an ARC 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

Follow the tour: