BLOG TOUR: The Secret Orchard - Sharon Gosling

Set in a small community on the Scottish coast, the new feel-good story about family, belonging and finding peace with the past from the author of The Lighthouse Bookshop and The Forgotten Garden.

 

Bette and Nina Crowdie have never been close – the ten-year age difference doesn’t help, and Bette’s rarely been home since she left for university at eighteen. When their father passes away and unexpectedly splits the family farm between them, Nina is furious and afraid. She’s been working at the farm for the past five years. It’s the only home her young son, Barnaby, has ever had, and she’s convinced that Bette will sell at the first chance she gets.

When they discover the huge debt their father has been hiding, Bette reluctantly agrees to help her sister. But that means they have to find a way to work together, and Bette must face up to the real reason she left all those years ago.

Could a long-forgotten diary and the discovery of a secret orchard on their land help save the farm – and the sisters’ relationship?

 

What did I think?

Oh this beautiful book has it all: romance, mystery, broken family relationships, a faithful hound and a young superhero, to name but a few.  I absolutely adored it and I wanted to read it again the moment I finished it to prolong my visit to the Crowdie farm.

Sisters Bette and Nina couldn't be more different; Bette is a successful solicitor in London and Nina is an emotionally and physically scarred single mother living and working at the family farm in Scotland.  When their father dies, both sisters expected Nina to inherit the farm but his final wish was to share it between them.  What they didn't expect to inherit was a mountain of debt.

It is completely heartbreaking to see how the two sisters are almost strangers to each other but now that they have a common goal to save the farm they gradually begin to build a relationship built on trust and love.  This is helped immensely by Nina's cute son Barnaby, aka superhero Best Barnaby Barnacle, and his dog Limpet.

There is a lot going on in the book and so many different strands of intrigue that kept me well and truly hooked.  That was even before the discovery of the mysterious secret orchard that was really the cherry (or the apple) on top.  

Heartwarming, compelling and uplifting, The Secret Orchard is beautifully written and evokes a wealth of emotions in the reader.  It's an easy five stars from me and I simply can't recommend it highly enough.

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

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BLOG TOUR: The Black Loch - Peter May

THE RETURN OF FIN MACLEOD, PETER MAY'S MUCH-LOVED HERO OF THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING LEWIS TRILOGY.

A MURDER

The body of eighteen-year-old TV personality Caitlin is found abandoned on a remote beach at the head of An Loch Dubh - the Black Loch - on the west coast of the Isle of Lewis. A swimmer and canoeist, it is inconceivable that she could have drowned.

A SECRET

Fin Macleod left the island ten years earlier to escape its memories. When he learns that his married son Fionnlagh had been having a clandestine affair with the dead girl and is suspected of her murder, he and Marsaili return to try and clear his name.

A RECKONING

But nothing is as it seems, and the truth of the murder lies in a past that Fin would rather forget, and a tragedy at the cages of a salmon farm on East Loch Roag, where the tense climax of the story finds its resolution.

The Black Loch takes us on a journey through family ties, hidden relationships and unforgiving landscapes, where suspense, violent revenge and revelation converge in the shadow of the Black Loch.

 

What did I think?

I love Peter May books but I haven't read the The Lewis Trilogy (yet) so I can say for definite that you can read The Black Loch as a standalone as I absolutely loved it.

Fin Macleod could never have imagined that he would return to the Isle of Lewis under such disturbing circumstances: his son is suspected of murdering a young girl with whom he was having an affair.  A tangled web of deceit and lies leads Fin to unofficially investigate who really murdered Caitlin and he uncovers a link to a long buried secret in his own past.

There's a lot going on in the book and it's clear that Fin has a lot of history on the island but I didn't feel that I was at a disadvantage at all, having not read The Lewis Trilogy.  It has certainly made me want to read the trilogy as soon as possible to revisit these wonderfully drawn characters and the stunning setting.   

What I love about Peter May's books, apart from the fantastic storylines of course, is the level of research and highlighting of unexpectedly thought-provoking subjects.  My heart was breaking as I read about the salmon farm because this part of the story isn't fiction.  I do like to eat salmon but it's certainly made me think more about where it's come from.

Hugely atmospheric, impeccably researched and flawlessly written, The Black Loch is an outstanding twisty mystery that captivated me from start to finish.  Unputdownable and unmissable - very highly recommended.

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

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Bright Midnights: A Dark Paranormal Love Story (The Limerent Series Book 2) - LS Delorme

Amelie has always been different.

Most high school students find life challenging, but 17-year old Amelie has a lot more to contend with than typical teenage angst. Ever since she turned 11, others have been irresistibly drawn to her—with tragic consequences. Her only escape is at night when she flies to different times and places through her “dreams”. Her life begins to change when, on one of her flights, she meets Clovis, an alluring and mysterious young man who hides a secret.

As Amelie finds herself increasingly drawn to him, she learns his story, how it intertwines with her own and finally discovers how to live her life in the real world. Until her own secrets are revealed to the wrong people and that world turns upside down.

Bright Midnights is the second in the Limerent Series and continues in the thought-provoking and beautiful style of the first as it considers different dimensions, different ways of looking at the world, and the transcendental power of love.

 

What did I think?

I discovered The Limerent Series at book 3, Fanning Fireflies, so I'm working backwards by returning to the series with book 2, Bright Midnights.  Each book can be read as a standalone as the main characters' stories are the focus of each book, with some cameo appearances from characters you might recognise if you've read any of the other books.

This is Amelie's story and she has a special gift that definitely feels like more of a curse as people become fixated and dangerously obsessed with her.  The story becomes quite dark as the reader is privy to certain thoughts and feelings that people have about Amelie and it often made my skin crawl.

Amelie can escape her real life through her dreams where she meets Clovis.  It's obvious from the start that Amelie and Clovis have a special connection but there are very good reasons why they can never be together.  The heart rules the head though, and there are some more necessary but slightly uncomfortable moments in store for the reader as inevitable events occur.

LS Delorme's writing is so dreamlike and ethereal, sweeping the reader away to alternative realities.  The plot is imaginative and original as it mixes real life with the paranormal and the characters are beautifully drawn and very memorable.  

Pure escapism with a dark undercurrent, Bright Midnights is a captivating romantasy that is entertaining and provocative.  I am looking forward to reading more books in this magical series.

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

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BLOG TOUR: Living is a Problem (The Skelfs Book 6) - Doug Johnstone

The Skelf women are back on an even keel after everything they’ve been through. But when a funeral they’re conducting is attacked by a drone, Jenny fears they’re in the middle of an Edinburgh gangland vendetta.

At the same time, Yana, a Ukrainian member of the refugee choir that plays with Dorothy’s band, has gone missing. Searching for her leads Dorothy into strange and ominous territory.

And Brodie, the newest member of the extended Skelf family, comes to Hannah with a case: Something or someone has been disturbing the grave of his stillborn son.

Everything is changing for the Skelfs... Dorothy’s boyfriend Thomas is suffering PTSD after previous violent trauma, Jenny and Archie are becoming close, and Hannah’s case leads her to consider the curious concept of panpsychism, which brings new danger, while ghosts from the family’s past return to threaten their very lives...

 

What did I think?

This wonderful series just keeps getting better and better, and I have to say it's been brilliant from the start.  Living is a Problem is book six in The Skelfs series and if you haven't discovered The Skelf women yet, you really need to pick up this book (and the previous ones).  

I have read every book in the series but I am still astonished at the twisted imagination of Doug Johnstone.  Some kind of drama often unfolds at one of the funerals the Skelfs are conducting so I shouldn't have been surprised when such an event occurs at the start of the book.  It's the actual details of the event that had me suppressing a snigger and applauding Doug Johnstone's ingenuity and amazing dark humour.

The Skelfs are both undertakers and private investigators, two businesses that work surprisingly well together.  The Skelf women are so strong and have developed so fully over the series that they are almost as familiar to me as my own family.  

I love the amount of new things I learn whilst reading a Doug Johnstone book, whilst being thoroughly entertained by the outstanding multi-stranded storyline.  There are elements of science, music and alternative funerals to inform and provoke the reader without being bamboozled.  Doug Johnstone reminds me of Mr Benn (a reference you'll get if you are of a certain age) as he is an outstanding author, a talented musician and he has a PhD in experimental nuclear physics.

Compelling, entertaining and incredibly original, Living is a Problem is another unputdownable and unmissable instalment in The Skelfs series.  Very highly recommended and an easy five stars from me.

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

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About the author:

Doug Johnstone is the author of seventeen novels, many of which have been bestsellers. 

The Space Between Us was chosen for BBC Two’s Between the Covers, while Black Hearts was shortlisted for and The Big Chill was longlisted for Theakston Crime Novel of the Year. Three of his books – A Dark Matter, Breakers and The Jump – have been shortlisted for the McIlvanney Prize. Doug has taught creative writing or been writer in residence at universities, schools, writing retreats, festivals, prisons and a funeral home.

He’s also been an arts journalist for 25 years. He is a songwriter and musician with six albums and three EPs released, and he plays drums for the Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers, a band of crime writers. He’s also co-founder of the Scotland Writers Football Club and lives in Edinburgh with his family.

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BLOG TOUR: Goddess with a Thousand Faces - Jasmine Elmer

 

Steeped in ancient magic, dark divinity and wild ways, Goddess with a Thousand Faces takes you on a historical journey like no other...

Blending mythological retellings with historical research, Goddess with a Thousand Faces traverses the world and transports through time to bring ten formidable and inspiring ancient goddesses to life. Meet Artemis, the Greek goddess of the wilderness, never without her bow and arrow; Sedna, Inuit goddess of the ocean, guarding the icy waters and all its creatures; Isis, Egyptian goddess of healing, who dwells by the River Nile, just to name a few...

Jasmine Elmer explores these goddesses of our past, uncovering their truths, their rebellion and their freedom. For too long, they have been written out of history; lost to the sands of time and stamped into silence. Goddess with a Thousand Faces restores these women to their glory.

Pour over this treasure trove of myths, legends and mighty goddesses. Hear the messages echoing through the ages and see yourself in the faces of these icons. For while their stories might be ancient, today they are more important - and more powerful - than ever.

A treasure trove of beautiful storytelling and ancient wisdom, perfect for fans of Love in Colour by Bolu Babalola and Storyland by Amy Jeffs.

What did I think?

I love historical myths and retellings so I was very eager to read Goddess with a Thousand Faces and I was completely blown away by this amazing book.  Jasmine Elmer has selected ten ancient goddesses from a vast range of cultures, some you will know and some you won't, and retold their stories.

The retellings are breathtaking and really bring each goddess to life.  Each retelling is followed by the history of the goddess, their country and their culture.  I learnt so much whilst reading this fabulous book and although I read it cover to cover, it's a book you can dip in and out of at your own pace.

I was astonished at the differences of the goddesses; they are all unique with their own individual characteristics.  I was shocked that I had only heard of three out of the ten goddesses and have to applaud Jasmine Elmer for telling their stories and reminding the world about these powerful goddesses.

Informative, empowering and contemplative, Goddess with a Thousand Faces is a powerful novel that encourages introspection and perhaps you will see glimpses of these mighty goddesses within yourself.

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

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BLOG TOUR: The Art of Belonging - Eleanor Ray

Sometimes you need to open your heart to find where you truly belong . . .

When unexpected circumstances bring Grace's estranged daughter, Amelia, and granddaughter, Charlotte, to live in her home, complicated feelings start to emerge, revealing a messy and emotional past which drove this family apart.

It will take a school mystery, an exquisite miniature railway and some brave decisions to help them each find not only themselves, but also each other - and to appreciate what it truly means to belong together.

This uplifting novel will warm your heart and touch your soul, and remind you of all the reasons humans can be downright wonderful.

 

What did I think?

Having loved Eleanor Ray's debut novel, Everything is Beautiful, I couldn't wait to read her next novel and I absolutely adored it.  The Art of Belonging is everything I hoped it would be and more: beautiful, uplifting and filled with love.

Eleanor Ray has created three amazingly strong female characters that I immediately fell in love with.  Grace is starting to feel her age but she can manage very well on her own, thank you very much.  Grace's daughter Amelia knew her life wasn't perfect but she didn't expect to be moving back in with mum at this stage of her life.  Amelia's daughter Charlotte is delighted to be spending more time with her grandmother, even if it means she doesn't get to see her dad very much.  This is the story of their lives and I absolutely loved it.

I adored every single character in this gorgeous novel; the three main characters drive the story forwards but they are supported by a colourful and unforgettable cast of characters.  The writing is flawless and perfectly paced to allow the reader to savour every delicious word.

The Art of Belonging is a stunning novel that made me experience so many different emotions whilst reading it but it left me feeling incredibly uplifted and joyful.  An easy five stars from me and one I can't recommend highly enough.

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

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BLOG TOUR: Nocturne with Gaslamps - Matthew Francis

A historical crime fiction novel set in Victorian London’s gaslit theatre scene, where ghosts lurk in the shadows and murder takes centre stage.

Gaslight. Ghosts. Murder.

Hastings Wimbury has always dreamt of playing Hamlet, but for now he works as a theatre gas-boy. Here, he tends to a gas chandelier so powerful it creates its own weather, and limelight machines that can throw a shadow onto a wall ten miles away.

When Hastings suddenly disappears, his fiancée Flora sets out to find him with the help of Cassie, her rival in love who is more preoccupied with the ghosts terrorising the streets of London. Soon total darkness is imposed upon the city, and they realise that something far more sinister is at hand…

Ladies aren’t supposed to solve mysteries, but this is a matter of life and death.

 

What did I think?

Nocturne with Gaslamps is a very atmospheric mystery set in Victorian London.  It's a step back in time to a dark and dangerous time when ghosts, thieves and murderers roamed the streets of London beneath the shadows of the gaslamps.

I really enjoyed the theatre setting, especially the behind the scenes special effects created by gas.  Being a gas-boy was clearly a very dangerous job but it's a job that aspiring actor Hastings Wimbury finds himself accepting in order to work in the theatre.  It is in the theatre where Hastings meets a mysterious count who promises him the lead in his production of Hamlet...but at what cost?

Cassie is intrigued by the new resident at Halcyon House where she is lodging as there's something Hastings Wimbury is hiding.  I loved Cassie's inquisitive nature and it stands her in good stead when Hastings goes missing and she investigates his disappearance along with his fiancée.

The author paints amazingly atmospheric scenes with his vivid words and the gripping mystery keeps the pages turning with a few shocks and surprises in store for the reader along the way.

Gripping, intriguing and incredibly atmospheric, Nocturne with Gaslamps is an excellent historical crime novel and the perfect read for a dark and chilly night.

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

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About the author:

Matthew Francis is Professor Emeritus in Creative Writing at Aberystwyth University. He read English at Magdalene College, Cambridge University. He writes novels, short stories, and poetry collections. He has won the TLS / Blackwell's Prize for Poetry and the Southern Arts Literature Prize, and been shortlisted twice for the Forward Prize, twice for the Welsh Book of the Year Award and once for the Ted Hughes Award. In 2004, he was chosen as one of the Next Generation Poets. He is a Fellow of the Welsh Academy. Matthew lives with this wife in Aberystwyth, Wales where he enjoys playing chess, cooking and playing the ukulele.

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