BLOG TOUR: Cousin Ash (The Sandlin PI Series Book 2) - S.E. Shepherd

“Run for it!”

Those words were the highlight of a much-loved childhood game in the woods.

But were they also Ash’s last words?

A chance meeting with a school friend of Lottie’s brings Hannah a new case. She’s confident Sandlin Private Investigations can find out who’s responsible for the recent threats at Eliza’s house. But, as she and Lottie begin to unravel the facts of the present case, they also find themselves involved in a longstanding mystery.

Three cousins, once as close as siblings.

Ash, the black sheep

Grieving Ash loved her dad deeply, but swore no one else understood her. She’s been missing for twelve years, and is now presumed dead.

 

Eliza, the peacemaker

Eliza, rebuilding her life after heartbreak, inherits everything.

 

Scott the ‘baby’

Scott, broken and bitter, inherits nothing.

What made Auntie Miriam so angry that she left nothing in her will to Scott? And why did Scott and Eliza make a pact all those years ago never to admit the truth about the disappearance of their cousin Ash?

Ash may be presumed dead, but somehow, she’s still causing trouble.  Ultimately, the case can’t be solved without answering the question – what really happened the last time the three cousins were all together in Lullaby Woods?

 

What did I think?

Cousin Ash is the second book in the Sandlin PI series but oh my word, you can definitely read it as a standalone as it's absolutely brilliant and I loved every minute of it.  2022 is the year of Hobeck Books as they have published some corkers and Cousin Ash is no exception.

From looking at the cover, I thought this was going to be a fun, cosy mystery but it is a gripping double mystery with a dark and dangerous undertone.  Eliza inherited her Auntie Miriam's house when she passed away as Miriam's daughter Ash disappeared 12 years ago but Eliza is now being threatened, apparently by Ash.  What happened to Ash and who is threatening Eliza?

Eliza knows more about Ash's disappearance than she's letting on, but it's her cousin Scott who Miriam blamed for Ash going missing.  Oooh this was very intriguing and I couldn't read fast enough to find out what really happened that night in the woods.

Hannah Sandlin is a private investigator and, together with her friend Lottie, she intends to solve the mystery of Ash's disappearance and she seizes her chance when Eliza hires her to investigate the threats.  It is clear that the two cases are linked and Hannah is veering off into dangerous territory as someone wants Ash's disappearance to remain a mystery.

I loved Cousin Ash and couldn't put it down.  The writing is stunning, the characters virtually leap out of the page and the plotting is excellent.  It's one of those books that entertains from start to finish and as I turned the final page I actually said out loud: 'I really enjoyed that'.  

Cousin Ash is mysterious, intriguing, entertaining and addictive.  I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for more in the series.  Highly recommended.

I received an ARC to read and review for the blog tour; all opinions are my own.

My rating:

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Necropolis (The Necropolis Series Book 1) - Guy Portman

Danger and deceit come naturally to a sociopath.

Public sector worker Dyson Devereux has just discovered there is a large reward on offer for the capture of a genocidal fugitive. Dyson thinks he knows exactly where to find him. All the scheming sociopath needs now is a plan. It has to be good, otherwise he will be in big trouble.

But the obstacles to his mission are mounting. To compound matters, work colleagues are becoming ever more aggravating, and his girlfriend has gone off the rails.

Will Dyson get the reward he feels he so richly deserves, or is his destiny to be a life of toil in the Burials and Cemeteries department at Newton Council?

 

What did I think?

What a great start to a new series!  It feels wrong to say I loved sociopath Dyson Devereux but I really did love him.  His witty thoughts and observations had me laughing out loud and I often found myself agreeing with him.  Uh-oh!  Am I a sociopath?  No, I'm just not a great fan of people.

Dyson works for the local council in Burials and Cemeteries but behind his professional persona is a dark and dangerous killer.  Cross him and you'll find a part of you in his keepsake tin.  He reminisces about past kills, fantasises about new ones and the only personal pronoun in his dictionary is 'it".

Dyson's thoughts about his work colleagues are absolutely hilarious and one particular colleague has caught his eye.  Could a member of Dyson's team be a missing war criminal?  Dyson has a new target but it's one he must deliver alive in order to collect the huge reward.  

Aside from the escapade with the wanted fugitive, Dyson has a rather surprising personal life.  His girlfriend (I was surprised he had one) is mixed up with some shady characters and there's a pretty graphic drug-fuelled sex scene that some readers of a sensitive disposition may find uncomfortable to read.  

Hilarious, disturbing and completely entertaining, Necropolis is a highly original dark comedy.  It's like Dexter, The Office, American Psycho and The Benny Hill Show all rolled into one and I absolutely loved it.  My only disappointment was coming to the end of the book, and the ending is a little abrupt to ensure that everyone who reads Necropolis will be eager to read the next book, Sepultura. 

Many thanks to Guy Portman for sending me a digital ARC to read and review.  I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon

BLOG TOUR: Regency Faerie Tales series - Olivia Atwater

I am delighted to be taking part in the blog tour for the fantastic Regency Faerie Tales series by Olivia Atwater.  So, instead of a single book review this is a triple book review!

First up, it's Half a Soul.

It's difficult to find a husband in Regency England when you're a young lady with only half a soul.

Ever since she was cursed by a faerie, Theodora Ettings has had no sense of fear or embarrassment - a condition which makes her prone to accidental scandal. Dora hopes to be a quiet, sensible wallflower during the London Season - but when the strange, handsome and utterly uncouth Lord Sorcier discovers her condition, she is instead drawn into dangerous and peculiar faerie affairs.

If Dora's reputation can survive both her curse and her sudden connection with the least-liked man in all of high society, then she may yet reclaim her normal place in the world. . . but the longer Dora spends with Elias Wilder, the more she begins to suspect that one may indeed fall in love, even with only half a soul.

Bridgerton meets Howl's Moving Castle in this enchanting historical fantasy, where the only thing more meddlesome than faeries is a marriage-minded mother.

Pick up HALF A SOUL, and be stolen away into Olivia Atwater's charming, magical version of Regency England!

 

What did I think?

I've been reading more fantasy novels lately and with books of such high quality as Half a Soul, it's quickly becoming one of my favourite genres.  If you're looking for escapism, then look no further than the Regency Faerie Tales series.

A list of characters is included at the start of the book in the form of a 'Dramatis Personae' and I loved reading the short, entertaining biographies of each one.  You don't have to remember them of course, as each character is introduced within the novel, but it's handy to refer back to if you forget who a particular character is.

Dora is a wonderful main character; she only has half a soul so she doesn't experience emotions and her interactions with others are often funny and charming.  Dora is drawn into solving an intriguing mystery with Elias Wilder, the Lord Sorcier, and their story is entertaining and delightful.

Olivia Atwater's writing style is completely breathtaking; mixing historical fiction with fantasy is absolute genius.  Half a Soul is a novel that has everything; the scandal and competition of Bridgerton, an intriguing mystery to solve, a surprising and charming romance, and a colourful and magical Faerie realm.  

Half a Soul is an adult fairy tale written in the style of a classic Jane Austen novel and it's brilliant.  I enjoyed it so much that I plan to read it again and again.  It deserves a place on my bookshelf along with my many copies of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (my comfort book) as I found Half a Soul to be equally comforting, magical and entertaining.

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

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon

~~*~~

The second book (and my personal favourite) is Ten Thousand Stitches.

Faerie godfathers are supposed to help young ladies find love. Unfortunately, no one told Lord Blackthorn that.

Effie has most inconveniently fallen in love with the dashing Mr Benedict Ashbrooke. There's only one problem; Effie is a housemaid, and a housemaid cannot marry a gentleman. It seems that Effie is out of luck until she stumbles into the faerie realm of Lord Blackthorn, who is only too eager to help Effie win Mr Ashbrooke's heart. All he asks in return is that Effie sew ten thousand stitches onto his favourite jacket.

Effie has heard rumours about what happens to those who accept help from faeries, but life as a maid at Hartfield is so awful that she is willing to risk even her immortal soul for a chance at something better. Now, she has one hundred days - and ten thousand stitches - to make Mr Ashbrooke fall in love and propose. . . if Lord Blackthorn doesn't wreck things by accident, that is.

From the author of HALF A SOUL comes a whimsical faerie tale set in a magical version of Regency England, with an enchanting Cinderella twist.

 

What did I think?

I loved Half a Soul, the first book in the Regency Faerie Tales series, so I couldn't wait to read Ten Thousand Stitches.  Not only did I love Ten Thousand Stitches, I completed adored it. 

Olivia Atwater's characters are so vividly depicted that they almost pop out of the book the moment you turn the page.  The main character of housemaid Effie is no exception and I loved her dream of falling in love with Benedict, a gentleman who is out of her league.  All is not lost for Effie though, as she makes a bargain with Lord Blackthorn, a faerie, who will grant her wish in exchange for sewing ten thousand stitches on his jacket.

With hints of Cinderella (my favourite Disney film), the well-known fairy tale is turned on its head and makes you question why on earth you would want to marry someone who can't see the real you.  Love is more than skin deep and Effie discovers that her Prince Charming may not be who she thought it was after all.

I loved meeting colourful new characters in Ten Thousand Stitches, as well as encountering some old friends from Half a Soul.  You can definitely read Ten Thousand Stitches as a standalone and there's a 'Dramatis Personae' included at the beginning which lists all the characters.  As much as it's a handy reference guide to the characters it's also very entertaining to read their little biographies, so don't be tempted to skip past it.

Part adult fairy tale, part regency romance, completely brilliant, Ten Thousand Stitches is a delightful tale with a twist.  I loved it and already want to read it again.  An easy five stars. 

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

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon

~~*~~

And finally, the third book: Longshadow.

Proper Regency ladies are not supposed to become magicians - but Miss Abigail Wilder is far from proper.

The marriageable young ladies of London are dying mysteriously, and Abigail Wilder intends to discover why. Abigail's father, the Lord Sorcier of England, believes that a dark lord of faerie is involved - but while Abigail is willing to match her magic against Lord Longshadow, neither her father nor high society believe that she is capable of doing so.

Thankfully, Abigail is not the only one investigating the terrible events in London. Mercy, a street rat and self-taught magician, insists on joining Abigail to unravel the mystery. But while Mercy's own magic is strange and foreboding, she may well pose an even greater danger to Abigail's heart.

From the author of HALF A SOUL comes a queer faerie tale romance full of love and defiant hope. Pick up LONGSHADOW, and return once more to Olivia Atwater's charming, magical version of Regency England.

 

What did I think?

Longshadow is the third book in the wonderful Regency Faerie Tales series and I enjoyed it as much as the two previous novels, although this instalment is a little different as there is an LGBTQ+ element that transforms it into a queer faerie tale.

I love how the characters from the previous novels appear in Longshadow and I really did benefit from reading them one after the other as they were still fresh in my mind, although you could definitely read Longshadow (and the other novels) as a standalone.  A 'Dramatis Personae' is included at the start of the book to give a brief and entertaining bio of each character.

A spate of inexplicable deaths has an air of dark magic about them and Abigail, daughter of the Lord Sorcier, is determined to get to the bottom of it.  Her magic may not be enough to fight whatever is hunting young ladies but she joins forces with a mysterious stranger called Mercy and together their magic is a force to be reckoned with.

The magical element of the plot is stunning and the developing relationship between Abigail and Mercy is beautifully written.  Abigail's confusion over her feelings is portrayed sensitively, especially as she is living in an era when being attracted to the same sex would make ladies faint.

Olivia Atwater has stunningly mixed life in Regency England with the faerie realm and the glitz and glamour of society balls sprinkled with magic makes Longshadow hugely entertaining from start to finish.  This is an adult faerie tale for the 21st century and I highly recommend Longshadow and the whole Regency Faerie Tales series.

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

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon

Follow the tour:

BLOG TOUR: Longshadow (Regency Faerie Tales Book 3) - Olivia Atwater

Proper Regency ladies are not supposed to become magicians - but Miss Abigail Wilder is far from proper.

The marriageable young ladies of London are dying mysteriously, and Abigail Wilder intends to discover why. Abigail's father, the Lord Sorcier of England, believes that a dark lord of faerie is involved - but while Abigail is willing to match her magic against Lord Longshadow, neither her father nor high society believe that she is capable of doing so.

Thankfully, Abigail is not the only one investigating the terrible events in London. Mercy, a street rat and self-taught magician, insists on joining Abigail to unravel the mystery. But while Mercy's own magic is strange and foreboding, she may well pose an even greater danger to Abigail's heart.

From the author of HALF A SOUL comes a queer faerie tale romance full of love and defiant hope. Pick up LONGSHADOW, and return once more to Olivia Atwater's charming, magical version of Regency England.

 

What did I think?

Longshadow is the third book in the wonderful Regency Faerie Tales series and I enjoyed it as much as the two previous novels, although this instalment is a little different as there is an LGBTQ+ element that transforms it into a queer faerie tale.

I love how the characters from the previous novels appear in Longshadow and I really did benefit from reading them one after the other as they were still fresh in my mind, although you could definitely read Longshadow (and the other novels) as a standalone.  A 'Dramatis Personae' is included at the start of the book to give a brief and entertaining bio of each character.

A spate of inexplicable deaths has an air of dark magic about them and Abigail, daughter of the Lord Sorcier, is determined to get to the bottom of it.  Her magic may not be enough to fight whatever is hunting young ladies but she joins forces with a mysterious stranger called Mercy and together their magic is a force to be reckoned with.

The magical element of the plot is stunning and the developing relationship between Abigail and Mercy is beautifully written.  Abigail's confusion over her feelings is portrayed sensitively, especially as she is living in an era when being attracted to the same sex would make ladies faint.

Olivia Atwater has stunningly mixed life in Regency England with the faerie realm and the glitz and glamour of society balls sprinkled with magic makes Longshadow hugely entertaining from start to finish.  This is an adult faerie tale for the 21st century and I highly recommend Longshadow and the whole Regency Faerie Tales series.

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

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon

Follow the tour:

BLOG TOUR: Ten Thousand Stitches (Regency Faerie Tales Book 2) - Olivia Atwater

Faerie godfathers are supposed to help young ladies find love. Unfortunately, no one told Lord Blackthorn that.

Effie has most inconveniently fallen in love with the dashing Mr Benedict Ashbrooke. There's only one problem; Effie is a housemaid, and a housemaid cannot marry a gentleman. It seems that Effie is out of luck until she stumbles into the faerie realm of Lord Blackthorn, who is only too eager to help Effie win Mr Ashbrooke's heart. All he asks in return is that Effie sew ten thousand stitches onto his favourite jacket.

Effie has heard rumours about what happens to those who accept help from faeries, but life as a maid at Hartfield is so awful that she is willing to risk even her immortal soul for a chance at something better. Now, she has one hundred days - and ten thousand stitches - to make Mr Ashbrooke fall in love and propose. . . if Lord Blackthorn doesn't wreck things by accident, that is.

From the author of HALF A SOUL comes a whimsical faerie tale set in a magical version of Regency England, with an enchanting Cinderella twist.

 

What did I think?

I loved Half a Soul, the first book in the Regency Faerie Tales series, so I couldn't wait to read Ten Thousand Stitches.  Not only did I love Ten Thousand Stitches, I completed adored it. 

Olivia Atwater's characters are so vividly depicted that they almost pop out of the book the moment you turn the page.  The main character of housemaid Effie is no exception and I loved her dream of falling in love with Benedict, a gentleman who is out of her league.  All is not lost for Effie though, as she makes a bargain with Lord Blackthorn, a faerie, who will grant her wish in exchange for sewing ten thousand stitches on his jacket.

With hints of Cinderella (my favourite Disney film), the well-known fairy tale is turned on its head and makes you question why on earth you would want to marry someone who can't see the real you.  Love is more than skin deep and Effie discovers that her Prince Charming may not be who she thought it was after all.

I loved meeting colourful new characters in Ten Thousand Stitches, as well as encountering some old friends from Half a Soul.  You can definitely read Ten Thousand Stitches as a standalone and there's a 'Dramatis Personae' included at the beginning which lists all the characters.  As much as it's a handy reference guide to the characters it's also very entertaining to read their little biographies, so don't be tempted to skip past it.

Part adult fairy tale, part regency romance, completely brilliant, Ten Thousand Stitches is a delightful tale with a twist.  I loved it and already want to read it again.  An easy five stars. 

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

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon

Follow the tour:

BLOG TOUR: Half a Soul (Regency Faerie Tales Book 1) - Olivia Atwater

It's difficult to find a husband in Regency England when you're a young lady with only half a soul.

Ever since she was cursed by a faerie, Theodora Ettings has had no sense of fear or embarrassment - a condition which makes her prone to accidental scandal. Dora hopes to be a quiet, sensible wallflower during the London Season - but when the strange, handsome and utterly uncouth Lord Sorcier discovers her condition, she is instead drawn into dangerous and peculiar faerie affairs.

If Dora's reputation can survive both her curse and her sudden connection with the least-liked man in all of high society, then she may yet reclaim her normal place in the world. . . but the longer Dora spends with Elias Wilder, the more she begins to suspect that one may indeed fall in love, even with only half a soul.

Bridgerton meets Howl's Moving Castle in this enchanting historical fantasy, where the only thing more meddlesome than faeries is a marriage-minded mother.

Pick up HALF A SOUL, and be stolen away into Olivia Atwater's charming, magical version of Regency England!

 

What did I think?

I've been reading more fantasy novels lately and with books of such high quality as Half a Soul, it's quickly becoming one of my favourite genres.  If you're looking for escapism, then look no further than the Regency Faerie Tales series.

A list of characters is included at the start of the book in the form of a 'Dramatis Personae' and I loved reading the short, entertaining biographies of each one.  You don't have to remember them of course, as each character is introduced within the novel, but it's handy to refer back to if you forget who a particular character is.

Dora is a wonderful main character; she only has half a soul so she doesn't experience emotions and her interactions with others are often funny and charming.  Dora is drawn into solving an intriguing mystery with Elias Wilder, the Lord Sorcier, and their story is entertaining and delightful.

Olivia Atwater's writing style is completely breathtaking; mixing historical fiction with fantasy is absolute genius.  Half a Soul is a novel that has everything; the scandal and competition of Bridgerton, an intriguing mystery to solve, a surprising and charming romance, and a colourful and magical Faerie realm.  

Half a Soul is an adult fairy tale written in the style of a classic Jane Austen novel and it's brilliant.  I enjoyed it so much that I plan to read it again and again.  It deserves a place on my bookshelf along with my many copies of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (my comfort book) as I found Half a Soul to be equally comforting, magical and entertaining.

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

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon

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BLOG TOUR: Her Deadly Friend - Rae Sargeant

The Suspect

Bullied by Steph Lewis at school, then betrayed by her lover, Amy Ashby still seethes with fury. Despite the decades-old resentment, she’s on the hunt for a new man and a fresh start. This time for keeps.

The Stalker

When both women are stalked by a figure from their shared past, danger threatens.

The Detective

Now Detective Inspector, Steph follows a tip-off to her old rival. After quarrels exploded beyond the playground and changed lives forever, she vowed never to see Amy again. But that was then.

The Deaths

Murder rocks the city. First one, then another. The body count reaches five, and all Steph’s leads point to Amy. But is Steph obsessed with a schoolgirl vendetta or closing in on a deadly killer?

 

Book 1 of Gleveham Killers Suspense series 

What did I think?

Wow!  This book is absolutely fantastic!  Even better, it's the start of an exciting new series and I'm already chomping at the bit to visit the fictional town of Gleveham again.

The story begins with a bullying incident at school.  Steph and her friend appear to be bullying Amy, but you get the feeling that you're not quite seeing the whole picture...and indeed you're not.  Rae Sargeant cleverly puts an element of doubt in your mind, making you wonder what really happened and who is telling the truth.  Almost 30 years later Steph and Amy are about to cross paths again and sparks are sure to fly.

There is so much going on in this book; it has more hooks than a fisherman's tackle box and I was hooked from page one.  There's more to the bullying story from the past than meets the eye, both Steph and Amy are unknowingly being stalked and Steph is investigating a series of murders.  Murders that lead Steph to Amy's door and old wounds are reopened.  Is Steph targeting Amy once again?

I just couldn't read Her Deadly Friend fast enough.  I tore through it at a rate of knots and enjoyed every minute of it.  The writing is flawless and the plot is so twisty and original that I didn't see any of it coming.

Unpredictable and unputdownable, Her Deadly Friend is a fantastic police procedural and an outstanding start to an exciting new series.  Very highly recommended.

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 Amazon

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