BLOG TOUR: Into The Wild Woods: Rookscroft - Book Three - Jayne Siroshton

Spring was in the air that morning, though it was still cold outside. I made a fire in the library, where I spent a happy afternoon with Quentin and Robin, musing about adventure. A writing slope on the mantle had caught Robin's eye, and when I took it down and opened it, we found - much to our delight - a drawing of an enchanting cottage, along with a key and a map marking its location in the Wild Woods.

Of course, Robin wanted to go at once. After some persuasion, Quentin agreed to join us, and so the next morning we set out - across the fields, down the lane, and into the forest. What began as a lighthearted outing, with the promise of a picnic and a cozy night's stay in the cottage, turned to horror the following morning: little Robin was nowhere to be found!

At first, we followed his tiny footprints, but they stopped abruptly at the bank of a swift-flowing stream. From there, we found no trace.

Desperate to find our friend, we journeyed deep into the dark, foreboding Wild Woods - from snowy mountain tops to the churning green sea. Along the way, we met many new companions who guided and helped us in our urgent quest. But were we too late? Would we ever see dear little Robin again? Or would our lives be changed forever?

 

What did I think?

Into The Wild Woods is the third book in the amazing Rookscroft series that continues the adventures of artist Jayne and her feathered friends.  Whilst you can read Into The Wild Woods as a standalone book, this is a series not to be missed and it's much better to read the books in order. 

Jayne, Quentin the golden pheasant and Robin the quail are about to set off into the wild woods armed with a drawing of a cottage, a map and a mysterious key.  The Wild Woods are filled with danger though so it doesn't turn out be quite the charming adventure that they expected as events take a much darker turn.

The book is beautifully illustrated to accompany the evocative prose and I was so worried about some of the characters.  It might be a bit too scary and traumatic for younger readers as I even held my breath on occasion.

Into The Wild Woods is a charming illustrated tale filled with danger and adventure.  This instalment of the Rookscroft series is more dark than magical but I thoroughly enjoyed it.  A very highly recommended read in a very highly recommended series.

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

My rating:

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BLOG TOUR: The Woman in the Woods - J.A. Baker

I am safe here, in my cottage in the woods where no one knows me or my real name. Here all is peaceful and calm and the real world can’t hurt me – because I know how cruel it can be.

But then I see here again and her pale, white face. Watching me. Taunting me. And then the notes appear.

I know who you really are… I know what you did…

My mind in whirl I don’t know what to do. Now the walls of my cottage feel like a prison. The peaceful woods around me feel like a maze that will trap me forever.

Who is this woman? And what does she want? And can she possibly know what happened during that boiling hot summer of 1976 when I made my terrible mistake. And if so, how?

So many questions paralysing me with fear. One thing I do know.

She must be stopped.

 

What did I think?

I love J.A. Baker books and her new novel, The Woman in the Woods does not disappoint.  Tense, suspenseful and gripping doesn't even begin to describe this fabulous psychological thriller as the main character must be one of the most unreliable narrators I have ever come across.

The main character is an author who lost her memory after a hit and run, which might be a blessing in disguise as she has a very dark secret in her past.  A secret that somebody knows and rather than simply threatening to reveal the secret, she wants retribution.  The simmering tension and increasing sense of unease feels like a cat playing with a mouse before it goes in for the kill.

As the past is gradually revealed, I felt sick to my stomach at the mindless crime committed.  It does give you food for thought as it's an often debated subject about whether children should be given a second chance after they have committed a crime.  They don't have the experience to understand the consequences of their actions but a crime is a crime.  Everyone deserves a second chance, or do they?

Dark, disturbing and incredibly tense, The Woman in the Woods really got under my skin and at several points really made my skin crawl.  It's another corker of a psychological thriller from J.A. Baker and a recommended read.

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

My rating:

Purchase link: https://mybook.to/WomanWoodsSocial

About the author:

J. A. Baker is a successful psychological thriller writer of numerous books, previously published by Bloodhound. Born and brought up in Middlesbrough, she still lives in the North East, which inspires the settings for her books. Her first title for Boldwood will be published in December 2022.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewriterjude 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thewriterjude 

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

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/JABakerNews 

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BLOG TOUR: Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six - Lisa Unger

Three couples rent a luxury cabin in the woods for a weekend getaway to die for in this atmospheric and gripping locked-room thriller by New York Times bestselling author Lisa Unger.

What could be more restful, more restorative, than a weekend getaway with family and friends? Especially in an isolated luxury cabin in the woods, complete with spectacular views, a hot tub and a personal chef. The reviews are stellar.

But a deadly storm is brewing. The owner seems just a little too present. The chef reveals that the beautiful house has a spine-tingling history. And the guests have their own complicated pasts, with secrets that run blood deep. The perfect weekend is about to turn into a nightmare.

 

What did I think?

You're always guaranteed a good read with a Lisa Unger book and Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six is no exception.  The ominous title alone is enough to send a little shiver down my spine but it ended up being the storyline that was more chilling than the location.

Hannah, her brother Mako and their friend Cricket, together with their partners, have planned a luxurious weekend getaway in the woods.  It wasn't so much the cabin as the owner that gave me the creeps, but that's not even the tip of the iceberg.  Every character has secrets and they're all about to be spilled, along with some blood.

Told from various perspectives, I wasn't sure who everyone was at first but it all becomes clear as the story progresses.  I really didn't like Mako from the start, just his name was enough to make my skin crawl, and my dislike of him grew with every single page.  There are so many people like him though, people who think they can do what they want and just throw money at every problem.  

I can't really say much about the storyline as it might spoil it for others but it's very intriguing and feels very realistic.  The writing is flawless, as you would expect from an international bestselling author, and although it wasn't perhaps as fast-paced as I expected, I really enjoyed it.

Suspenseful, chilling and atmospheric, Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six is set to be another bestseller for Lisa Unger.  I wouldn't be surprised to see this book made into a film or mini-series as it is filled with so much suspense and intrigue - it would certainly be added to my watchlist.

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

My rating:

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