BLOG TOUR: One by One - Sam Frances

Ten years since she was pushed. Now someone is back for the rest... 

With tensions between the police and public at an all-time high, a music festival during a heatwave is the last thing DS Alice Washington needs. When she learns that the headline act is infamous rock band The Dolls, appearing for the first time since the lead singer Ris was pushed to her death. 

It was an open-and-shut case: Ris's best friend was witnessed committing the crime by hundreds of people. But when The Dolls start receiving death threats, Alice is forced to reexamine the events leading up to Ris's murder. Was it really just teenage jealousy, or is there something more sinister beneath the surface? 

As the threats escalate, Alice must race to uncover the truth before someone else gets hurt. Because while Ris's killer has been behind bars for ten years, it's clear someone is still out for blood. 

 

What did I think?

One by One is the second book in the DS Alice Washington series but it can definitely be read as a standalone as it was my introduction to the series and I loved it.  Sam Frances is from my local area and there's a good helping of Geordie humour (as well as a Geordie character) throughout the book.  

I knew I was going to love this book before I even finished the first sentence of chapter one and I wasn't wrong.  Sam Frances' writing is so witty and insightful that I frequently laughed out loud and often said: "that's so true".  There's a scene with a banana (it's not what you think) that made me almost choke I was laughing so much.  I was delighted to spot a most excellent Bill & Ted reference too and I want to read it again to see what else I might have missed.  It's unusual to have so much humour in a crime novel and it really makes this book stand out in such a popular genre.

The crime part of the plot is riveting as the mystery is twofold: what really happened to the lead singer of rock band The Dolls 10 years ago and who is after the rest of the band at their reunion gig.  Needless to say, I didn't guess either answer correctly and it's one occasion where I'm more than happy to be wrong.

Gripping, unpredictable and wonderfully witty, One by One is an absolute belter of a crime novel.  I will definitely be ordering the first book in the series and I've already got my hands out like Oliver Twist pleading for more.  Unmissable and unputdownable; an easy five stars that just doesn't seem quite enough when a book is as exceptional as this.

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

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

About the author:

Sam Frances is a British crime thriller author from Tyne and Wear. She writes stories that combine her love of sardonic characters with her background in policing and lives in London with her partner and their wolf pack of pets. 

When not writing (or daydreaming about writing or listening to writing podcasts), she can usually be found no more than 9-10 metres from a block of cheese, either in deep conversation with one of her cats, or playing a musical instrument poorly. 

Find Sam on IG: @samfranwriter | X: @SamFranWriter 

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The Death of Me - Michelle Davies

 

Is one of music's greatest mysteries about to be solved?

'He was a massive star until he did a headline grabbing retreat from the spotlight - but his disappearing act was FAKED. Fans won't be happy when they find out - his reputation was dead in the water.'

When Isaac Naylor committed suicide after a teenage fan was found dead in his hotel room, the world thought it had lost one of the greatest rock stars of a generation. Naylor, lead singer of The Ospreys, had been arrested for causing the girl's death and was on police bail when he drowned himself in the sea off the Devon coast.

Now, eight years on, music journalist Natalie Glass stumbles across a blind item on a US gossip website that suggests Naylor's death wasn't quite what it seemed - and he might in fact still be alive.

But as she delves deeper into what happened, Natalie finds she has a stark choice: give up trying to find out what happened to Naylor or risk her own obituary ending up in print.

What did I think?

Oh I really enjoyed The Death of Me and literally couldn't put it down - I read it over a 24 hour period and would have read it in one sitting if I didn't have to eat or sleep!  I have never read any of Michelle Davies' books before but after reading this one, I want to read them all.  

Rock band The Ospreys are at the height of their fame when lead singer Isaac Naylor is accused of murder.  Isaac Naylor is never convicted as he committed suicide by drowning in the sea off the coast of Devon.  His body was never found which led his fans to speculate (and hope) that he was still alive...living with Elvis no doubt.  

Natalie is a music journalist and when she discovers an article online that claims Isaac Naylor is very much alive and earning a living as a mystery songwriter, she sniffs a huge story.  The article disappears quickly but Natalie has already got the bit between her teeth, however, there's more to Isaac Naylor's story than Natalie expected and she soon finds herself in danger.  Who wants to silence her and why?

I squealed with delight when my little hometown of Jarrow not only got a mention in the book but featured quite prominently as it was where Isaac Naylor grew up.  I even knew the street he grew up in (yes, I know he's not real) but I always get a kick out of seeing places I know in a book, especially when it comes as such a surprise as this one did.

The breathtaking prologue completely hooked me and made me put on my virtual running shoes to read the book as quickly as I could.  Interspersed between the gripping prose are various news articles that really brought the story to life.  I loved this element and marvelled at the talent of Michelle Davies to write in such a vast number of varied voices.  

Filled with mystery, intrigue and danger, The Death of Me is so fast-paced, gripping and addictive that I couldn't put it down.  An easy five stars, it's absolutely brilliant from start to finish and I'll definitely be picking up more of Michelle Davies' books.

I received a digital ARC via NetGalley and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

Amazon

UK.Bookshop.org

BLOG TOUR: Roses for the Dead (DI Erika Piper Book 3) - Chris McDonald

 

2013

Rockstar Johnny Mayhem sits on his bed, holding a bloody baseball bat. On the floor, clutching a lavender rose in her fist, is his wife, Amanda, who he has just beaten to death. Erika Piper knows this because she is one of the first on the scene. Mayhem is arrested and led away, screaming that they’ve got the wrong man. But the evidence is irrefutable and when Mayhem is sentenced to life in prison, no one is surprised.

Now

Thanks to new evidence, Johnny Mayhem is a now free man. During a television interview, he issues a thinly veiled threat to those involved in the original case before seemingly disappearing off the face of the Earth. When the body of Mayhem’s dealer is found, Erika Piper is pulled from the safety of her desk job and thrown into the hunt for the Rockstar. Can she find Mayhem before he can enact his revenge on everyone involved, including Erika? Or, has he been telling the truth all along? Did the police really get the wrong man?

What did I think?

When I read Whispers for the Dark I feared it was the end of the DI Erika Piper series as it rounded itself off so nicely but fear not, for there is one further instalment.  Roses for the Dead is book 3 (and sadly the final book) in what has been an AMAZING series. The whole DI Erika Piper series is absolutely brilliant and Roses for the Dead is definitely the cherry on top.  I really couldn't put it down, reading way past my bedtime as I raced through this fantastic book.

Everything is going well for Erika in her personal life but her career has taken a nosedive when she agrees to take a step back from the action and finds herself sitting behind a desk and bored out of her mind.  Erika grabs the opportunity to return to her old job when new evidence comes to light that releases a convicted murderer from jail.  Now that Johnny Mayhem (what a brilliant name) is free, he wants revenge for the lost seven years of his life and with Erika being instrumental in his downfall, she needs to find him before she becomes next on his list.

I think Chris McDonald has written the perfect crime novel in Roses for the Dead; everything about it is brilliant from the outstanding plot to the sublime writing, not forgetting the creation of three-dimensional characters who virtually leap out from the page.  I was initially sad to read that this is the final adventure for DI Erika Piper but in the vein of classic British TV shows, it's those with the fewer episodes that become classics.  This is definitely a series I will reread over and over again, which already makes it a classic in my book.

Gripping, so very addictive and completely unputdownable, Roses for the Dead is simply awesome.  Chris McDonald's writing was brilliant to start with but it's getting better and better and Roses for the Dead earns him nothing less than a well-deserved five shiny golden stars from me.

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

My rating:

Buy it from:

The Red Dog Shop

Amazon

About the author:

Originally hailing from the north coast of Northern Ireland and now residing in South Manchester, Chris McDonald has always been a reader. At primary school, The Hardy Boys inspired his love of adventure before his reading world was opened up by Chuck Palahniuk and the gritty world of crime. A Wash of Black is his first attempt at writing a book. He came up with the initial idea whilst feeding his baby in the middle of the night, which may not be the best thing to admit, considering the content. He is a fan of 5-a-side football, heavy metal and dogs. Whispers in the Dark is the second installment in the DI Erika Piper series, and Chris is currently working on his latest series, The Stonebridge Mysteries, to be published by Red Dog Press in 2021.

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BLOG TOUR: Let in the Light - Gerard Nugent

 

Let in the Light is the uplifting must-read for fans of Mike Gayle, Nick Hornby and Keith Stuart.

Songwriter, Richie Carlisle never wanted to be famous.

After stumbling into the limelight five years ago, he soon found himself crashing back out of it. Now, he spends his days working in a small music shop in Edinburgh, attempting to live a quiet life as a part-time dad.

But his 15 minutes of fame have taken its toll. His inspiration for songwriting, music and life in general seems to have all but disappeared.

When Richie is given a flyer advertising the first meeting of the Hope Street Songwriters’ Circle, it’s a chance to step back into the world. But after years of hiding away, letting in the light won’t be easy.

What did I think?

The rays of sun on the cover are very apt for Let in the Light; this book is so uplifting that I was positively beaming like a little sunbeam at the end of it.  Set in the turbulent world of the music industry where you only get one chance, this is what happens when you blow that chance.

Richie Carlisle enjoys playing in the Friday Night Jukey (an open mic where the audience gets to choose the songs) at his local pub in Edinburgh.  Just as he finds the love of his life, he is picked up by a music producer and whisked off to London to form a band with the enigmatic Karl King.  Richie and Karl clash from the start and there's an intriguing hint of some previous history between the pair which will all be revealed later.

It all goes terribly wrong when the band plays their first public gig and Richie finds himself hurtling back to Edinburgh, wanting to put this whole nightmare behind him but finding it has scarred him forever.  Fast forward six years or so and although his relationship with Pen didn't work out, they now have a beautiful 5 year old son called Finn.  Although he works in a music shop, Richie has lost his love of music and songwriting but fate has plans to get him back on track.

What a wonderful story!  I loved the glimpse into the music industry when a new band is formed and egos need to be stroked.  My heart went out to Richie when events beyond his control led to his relationship with Pen breaking up and as Finn is his whole world I couldn't imagine Richie coping well without him.  The community of Hope Street plays a huge part in the book and I found it easy to conjure an image in my head of this fabulous little street.

Incredibly uplifting and beautifully written, Let in the Light is a wonderful debut from Gerard Nugent that left me with a huge smile on my face.  It's so easy to get bogged down in the darkness without realising it and this book left me with the inspirational message to always let in the light.

Many thanks to Gerard Nugent for sending me a digital ARC to read and review for the blog tour; this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon

About the author:

Gerard Nugent is a writer living in Yorkshire. 'Let in the Light' is his debut novel, although he has been writing songs for years. Gerard was born and raised in Edinburgh, Scotland. He moved to England in his 20s and worked in various northern towns before settling in beautiful Yorkshire with his family and two guinea pigs. In 2019, he attended a writing class to help him generate ideas for further songwriting, but, instead, started writing a novel.

Profits from the book will be going to Health in Mind - an Edinburgh based charity that creates awareness of mental health and wellbeing within communities. https://www.health-in-mind.org.uk/

eBook edition published through Stormlight Press available on Amazon from 22.1.21. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Let-Light-Gerard-Nugent-ebook/dp/B08SLFM6TR

The trailer for the eBook can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/1ZamYI_oh4g

Gerard’s website is www.gerardnugent.co.uk He can also be found across social media:

Facebook: @gerardnugentwriter / Twitter: @letinthelight20 / Instagram: @gerardnugentwriter

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The Cocktail Bar - Isabella May

Rock star, River Jackson, is back in his hometown of Glastonbury to open a cocktail bar… and the locals aren’t impressed.

Seductive Georgina is proving too hot to handle; band mate, Angelic Alice, is messing with his heart and his head; his mum is a hippie-dippy liability; his school friends have resorted to violence – oh, and his band manager, Lennie, AND the media are on his trail.

But River is armed with a magical Mexican elixir which will change the lives of the Three Chosen Ones. Once the Mexican wave of joy takes a hold of the town, he’s glad he didn’t lose his proverbial bottle.

Pity he hasn’t taken better care of the real one…

What did I think?

I don't often refer to the cover of a book but just take another look at this one - now that's what I call delicious!  The cocktails inside are as mouthwatering as the cover but they have an added sprinkling of magical fairy dust thanks to a secret cocktail ingredient: the Mexican elixir.

River Jackson is one messed up guy.  He's left his band and returned home to Glastonbury to open a bar where he wasn't exactly welcomed with open arms.  Some of his old schoolfriends let him know that he is not welcome back by smashing up his new trendy cocktail bar.  As if his life couldn't get any more complicated, he is then seduced by Georgina who is the sister of Blake, the bar-smashing ringleader.  I was so exasperated with him, saying 'River, River, River think with your head for a change...' but Georgina puts on a good show until she turns into psycho-b*tch and River only has himself to blame.

When Alice also leaves the band and returns to Glastonbury, the real sparks fly as you can tell that she is meant to be with River.  Georgina isn't rolling over without a fight though and she starts to sharpen her claws as Alice threatens to ruin her masterplan.  There was so much going on with the complicated relationships that I often forgot about magical elixir storyline.

Alcohol is often referred to as magic potion, but in The Cocktail Bar River really does have a magical ingredient.  On a trip to Tequila he meets the mysterious Mercedes who gives him a bottle of her magical elixir to be given to three chosen people who will identify themselves to River.  I loved seeing who was going to choose the magical cocktail and what would happen to them when they did.  It just shows that if you believe in magic, anything can happen.

The Cocktail Bar is a mouthwateringly delicious book filled with drama and a sprinkling of magic.

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

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon

BLOG TOUR: Only One Woman - Christina Jones & Jane Risdon

Two women, one love story. June 1968. Renza falls head over heels for heartthrob guitarist Scott. But after a romantic summer together they are torn apart when Renza’s family moves away. December 1968. On the night she believes to be her last, Stella meets Scott at a local dance. He’s the most beautiful boy she’s ever seen and if this one night is all they have, she’ll take it. As the final colourful year of the sixties dawns, the question is: can there be only one woman for Scott?

What did I think?

Well, before reading Only One Woman I thought almost 500 pages for chicklit was FAR too long, but in this case it was definitely not long enough!  Oh, how I wanted to continue the story of Renza, Stella and Scott, even though I had already read 500 pages of their story;  I was left begging and thirsty for more!

I admit to feeling a little bit daunted that this book was so huge on my kindle, but once I started it I really didn't want it to end.  The story of Renza falling in love with guitarist, Scott, was so sweet and heartrending that I fell in love with the couple myself.  So when Renza moved to Germany and Stella came on the scene to threaten the perfect life we had built for Renza and Scott, I felt my heckles rise and I SO wanted to hate her, but I didn't.  I felt like Scott; how could I love two women when only one can ever win?

This was SO very cleverly written in the form of diary entries.  We are introduced to teenager, Renza, falling in love for the first time with band-member Scott.  She is so sweet and innocent, but when she moves to Germany it isn't long before Scott's roving eye finds another target.  Don't get me wrong, Scott isn't looking to replace Renza but there's something so very special about Stella, which is why I couldn't hate her!  I really defy anyone to pin their colours to any one mast - Renza and Stella are both so very special and, through the marvellous writing of Christina Jones and Jane Risdon, we get to know them as if they are part of ourselves.

I absolutely adore the sixties vibe that was so cleverly woven throughout this book.  I found myself humming the tunes that were mentioned and felt as if I had been transported to the colourful sixties era.  The insecurities of new love were laid out in full view via diary entries from Renza and Stella, and I felt as if I was there reading the pages over their shoulder.  Oh, how I longed for one or the other to conquer Scott's heart but, at the same time, I didn't want the other to lose.  I don't think I can ever successfully describe the conflict going on in my head as I raced through this epic swinging sixties novel.  When there are two people you love and one of them has to lose, how on earth can you choose?

What a glorious technicolour ride this was: Only One Woman manages to make the reader fall in love with two women and I really felt as if I should be able to choose between them, but I simply couldn't!  I honestly believe that every reader will want both women to get their man, so to which mast will you pin your colours?  Renza or Stella?  YOU DECIDE!

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

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon


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The Girl in the Painting (NightHawk book 4) - Rachael Richey

While her husband Gideon is recording a new album with his band NightHawk, Abi Hawk is busy getting her own career as a portrait painter back on track.

Following the death of her father, which coincides with the opening night of her first exhibition in London, Abi and her daughter come across an old painting in his attic that sets them on a journey of discovery to Paris. They uncover an astonishing and unexpected love story, one that has repercussions to the present day.

Meanwhile Gideon, in America to promote the new album, ignores Abi’s warnings and manages to put himself in a vulnerable situation that threatens to rock the stability of their marriage. Separated from Abi by nearly five thousand miles, and unable to speak to her, will he be able to resolve the situation before any real damage is done?

What did I think?

I cannot begin to express how much I love the NightHawk series; it is pure escapism and I have loved every single instalment that Rachael Richey has written.  You could, I suppose, read The Girl in the Painting as a stand-a-lone but to get the most out of the series you really should read them in order: Storm Rising, Rhythm of Deceit and Cobwebs in the Dark.  They all got 5 star reviews from me, and many other readers, so take my advice and read them all.  I really couldn't choose a favourite - they each have different qualities and each one is as captivating as the next.

This instalment is the story of Abi's grandmother, Janet.  Abi never knew her grandmother as she died before she was born, but when Abi and Tasha uncover a very personal painting of a mysterious redhead in Abi's Dad's loft they are determined to find out more.  As their search for Janet's story leads them to Paris, where Abi is exhibiting her own paintings, they find a lot more than they bargained for.  As we're swept away to glamorous Paris at the end of the 1920's, I was as eager as Tasha to discover Janet's story.

While Abi and Tasha are uncovering their own family history, Gideon is across the Atlantic in America promoting his new album.  He is planning to stay with his old friends, Kurt and Sonia, a fact that Abi is not best pleased about.  Abi tells Gideon that Sonia is attracted to him, but he doesn't listen and gets himself in a sticky situation.  When Sonia won't take no for an answer, she follows him to Seattle and the press wonder who the mystery woman is and what she means to Gideon.  With Abi in Paris, the time difference means that Gideon can't get in touch with her to explain about Sonia - will Abi believe him or is there no smoke without fire?

The Girl in the Painting is a truly magnificent book; it's such a captivating story that effortlessly spans the decades as it transports the reader to another time and place.  Rachael Richey is quite the expert at keeping us in suspense with her expressive writing style, resulting in a breathtakingly beautiful story that is slowly revealed like the unfurling petals of the most precious rose.  I didn't think you could get more heart-warming or romantic than Abi and Gideon's story - but I was wrong!  Rachael Richey continues to amaze with her superb NightHawk series.

I received this e-book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon

Cobwebs in the Dark (Nighthawk book 3) - Rachael Richey

With NightHawk newly reformed and preparing for a world tour, Abi Hawk finds herself unaccountably insecure about the attention her husband Gideon, the band's frontman, will receive from groupies. In New Zealand for the first leg of the tour and a visit with Gideon's sister, they are faced with a new problem. An outrageous claim pushes Abi's insecurities to new heights, and it takes all their resolve to stick together and sort it out.

Meanwhile their daughter Natasha goes on an adventure of her own, one that places her in danger from an old adversary, forcing Abi and Gideon to summon all their combined strengths to rescue her.

What did I think?

I emitted a little squeal of excitement when I received an email from Rachael Richey, offering me a review copy of the next instalment in the Nighthawk series.  Having read Storm Rising and Rhythm of Deceit, I have been secretly looking forward to this next instalment.  Although you could read Cobwebs in the Dark as a stand-a-lone, you should really read the two prior novels to fully understand the history of Abi and Gideon, and also because they are brilliant entertaining books that you should not miss.

Rachael’s writing style flows so easily that she effortlessly moves from past to present, revealing just enough information each time and leaving the reader clamouring for more.  This ensures that the reader voraciously devours every page and constantly reads ‘just one more chapter’.

The Hawks are written with so much warmth that I felt as if I was a part of their family.  What I found so brilliant about this book was the almost ‘Back to the Future’ feel of it – all of the nearly moments when Abi and Gideon might have run into each other in the past.  I felt like Marty McFly spying on his parents where a tiny alteration to any moment in the past could have changed the course of their history.  It was quite sad how close they came to meeting again but who knows, perhaps they wouldn’t still be together if they had met back then.

It was interesting to learn more about Natasha’s history in this book along with another appearance of Psycho Simon - I couldn't read quick enough to find out what he would come up with next.

This was another treat from Rachael Richey - I feel like I'm part of the Hawk family myself.  I always feel a little sad when I finish one of the Nighthawk books but Rachael leaves a little treat in the last few pages - a tantalising snippet of the next book, so I know I'm going to be reading more soon!

I received this e-book from the author, in exchange for an honest review.

My rating:

Published 17th Feb - preorder from Amazon

Rhythm of Deceit (Nighthawk book 2) - Rachael Richey

Two years after finally being reunited, Abigail Thomson and Gideon Hawk are happily married and living in Cornwall with their children. While Gideon is busy focusing his energies on his musical career, Abi makes an unexpected discovery of old diaries dating from 1950. As she and her daughter read through them, the reasons behind Abi’s mother’s destructive actions become much clearer, and they discover a shocking sixty-year-old deception. Meanwhile, Simon Dean, the vengeful ex-drummer of Gideon’s band NightHawk, is about to make life very difficult for them all—again—and he is prepared to go to desperate lengths to achieve his goals.

What did I think?

Having thoroughly enjoyed Storm Rising, the first book in the Nighthawk series, I didn't waste much time moving on to the second book, Rhythm of Deceit.  Wow, was I not disappointed.  A fellow blogger told me that she thought this was better than the first book and I thought, 'surely not' but I have to say that, taking nothing away from the fantastic Storm Rising, I have to agree with her.  I thought Storm Rising was amazing but both books together make this an outstanding series. 

Rhythm of Deceit picks up a few years after Storm Rising, with Abi and Gideon happily married and with a new addition to their family - their little boy, Ollie.  Gideon is just embarking on his solo career in London whilst Abi and Natasha remain at home with Ollie.  During a visit with Abi's dad, he hands over an old suitcase belonging to Abi's mother and I think I was as excited as Natasha as my goosebumps appeared in anticipation of a family mystery to uncover.  Abi's mother's story is told through old diaries belonging to her and her sister, making it so poignant and heart-breaking.  I found myself trying to read quicker through Abi's chapters just so I could find out what happened to Joan and Pauline, but nothing could have prepared me for the ending to their story.  It's simply brilliant and I'm not going to reveal any spoilers, but you really must read it for yourself.

In between chapters uncovering Joan and Pauline's story in the 1950's, are chapters from the present day, with Gideon's ex-bandmate, Simon, trying his very best to break up Abi and Gideon.  Simon is such a repugnant, shady character - he is certainly the character I loved to hate.  He's completely dastardly but so deluded, making him increasingly dangerous.  As the ending of the book approached, my heart was racing as Simon's net closed in - and I braced myself for an explosive ending, as I wondered if it would all end in tears.

With such likeable and colourful characters, Rachael Richey has created a series that is an absolute winner.  I'm really looking forward to Book 3, Cobwebs in the Dark, to see what is next in store for Abi and Gideon.  Through Rachael's wonderfully eloquent and emotional writing, I've definitely become a big fan of Nighthawk!

It's not simply chick lit - with so many twists, excitement and danger it's pure rock-chick lit.  

I received this e-book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon

Storm Rising - Rachael Richey

Frontman of the grunge rock band NightHawk, Gideon Hawk has had enough of the rock star life. He is jaded, disillusioned, and haunted by the memory of an unresolved heartbreak. On a whim, he leaves the band in New York and heads to England in search of answers. After attending the funeral of her estranged mother, Abigail Thomson makes a shocking discovery in her parents’ attic. The still-raw memories that surface, along with even more startling discoveries, force Abi to face a devastating truth that leads to a series of life-changing events. She and Gideon must race against time to reclaim the life stolen from them a decade before.

What did I think?

I didn't really know what to expect when I picked up this book, I certainly didn't expect to have it glued to my hand until I finished it.  It is such an amazing book that completely hooked me from start to finish, leaving me eager to pick up the next book in The NightHawk Series.

The book starts with Abi's mother's funeral and it's clear that there is no love lost between Abi and her parents.  'What on earth could have happened?', I thought - as I was snagged on the first hook.  By the end of Chapter 3, after being introduced to Gideon Hawk and Abi makes a discovery in her parents' attic, I was firmly caught in the net of Storm Rising.

The book flips back and forth between Abi's past and present, making sure that no stone lies unturned as Abi's story is fully revealed. As this is a book that I would highly recommend reading, I can't write any more about the story without spoiling it for others.  There are some terribly heart-rending moments which brought many a tear to my eye (happy or sad tears, I'm not saying), showing how emotionally involved I was in the story.  I loved Abi, Gideon and Judy - despite fame and the passage of time, they still feel the same about each other as they always did.

This book has everything a girl could want - first love and teenage heartbreak; family secrets and backstabbing friends; old relationships and new beginnings.  Rachael Richey has written a very poignant story touching on some very difficult subjects.  It is written in such a way that a surprise or a shock could turn up on any page when it is least expected.  This is an exceptional debut novel and I'm really looking forward to reading book 2, Rhythm of Deceit.

I received this e-book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon