BLOG TOUR: Three's a Crowd - S. R. Booker

Out-of-work actor Harriet is recuperating from a crash-and-burn affair with Damian – aka ‘Cockweasel’ – and making ends meet as a barista when she meets two rather lovely men. Tom is a regular at the café, and seems like such a nice guy. Smooth-talking DJ Richard is older, but in great shape – a real silver fox.

 

Deciding to take a chance on both of them, Harriet doesn’t realise at first that she is actually dating father and son. Tom and Richard aren’t on speaking terms, and don’t share a last name – so how was she to know? By the time everyone finds out, both Tom and Richard are truly madly deeply in love with Harriet, and she’s faced with an impossible choice.

 

But as the battle for her affections intensifies, ‘Cockweasel’ makes an unexpected reappearance and begs her to give him another chance…

 

What did I think?

I absolutely loved this book.  Thank you Simon Booker for making me laugh and smile so much.  Three's a Crowd is just the tonic I needed to escape the madness of real life.

Harriet is a barista who wants to be an actor, but her dream of moving to Tinseltown seems to get more distant with every coffee she makes.  Tom is just Extra Cinnamon Guy' to Harriet until he finally works up the courage to ask her out.  When Harriet enters a radio competition to be the Voice of London, she meets DJ Richard who takes an instant shine to her.  Richard has good taste, his son Tom likes Harriet too...what are the chances it's the same Tom?

Told from three perspectives of Harriet, Tom and Richard, with an odd grandad George chapter thrown in for good measure, this isn't an ordinary story of girl meets boy - it's so multifaceted the book virtually sparkles.  The writing depicting the different voices of the characters is absolutely fantastic, especially Harriet's nagging doubts that seem to be constantly shouting in her ear.  I loved Gorgeous George (Richard's dad), he's such a smooth talker and rich lady magnet but his charms won't work on his son, who doesn't speak to him.

The fractured relationships between Tom and Richard and Richard and George adds an element of mystery and intrigue that shocked my jaw in to dropping to the floor when it all became clear.  I was really amused by Tom and Richard both trying to outdo each other to win Harriet's affections, they didn't know that Harriet was still hung up on her ex and she would drop everything (and I mean everything) if he ever came back into her life.

Three's a Crowd is like Cinderella mixed with a Carry On caper; it's fun, fresh and hilarious.  It's a fabulous romcom that often had me laughing out loud but also experiencing the various emotions of the characters as I loved all of them.  Highly recommended - it's one of the most entertaining books I've read this year.

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

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BLOG TOUR: Hear Me Cry - E F Wharton

A nun hiding a chilling secret. A literary agent, Katie Kovacs is ghost-writing her mysterious memoir, and delves into her grisly past. What secrets will be revealed?

Heather Parnell runs away from a commune in the 1970s and in a disastrous catalogue of events, is involved in the death of three elderly people. She becomes the focus of a media storm, who name her, The Commune Murderer.

Katie has her own demons. Haunted by an abduction she witnessed as a child, Katie believes she is being stalked. Her six-year-old son went missing years before, and Katie was convinced her husband was responsible. 

Will she ever find out what really happened to Oliver? 

Will she finally unearth the truth about Britain’s most notorious female killer?

SHE INVITED HER INTO HER HEAD, NOW SHE CAN’T GET HER OUT. 

 

What did I think?

I love Eileen Wharton's writing so I was eager to read her new psychological thriller, Hear Me Cry, and wow I was not disappointed.  This is a psychological thriller with a capital P that really kept me on my toes and I had several gasps out loud and many jaw-dropping moments.

I loved both Katie's and Heather's stories - there is so much to discover about each character that I simply couldn't read fast enough.  Heather is a killer who has always claimed she's innocent and the 'did she/didn't she' question was constantly see-sawing back and forth in my mind as Heather's story was revealed.  Katie is writing Heather's story but Katie could write a book about her own life with a missing son and a husband who could be a gaslighting champion.

Flicking between Heather's story and Katie's story, Hear Me Cry is a real page-turner.  I really can't write more about it as I might inadvertently release a spoiler and spoil the book for other readers.  In this case, a shorter review equals a fantastic book.

Hear Me Cry is an absolutely cracking novel that's an easy five star read.  Conflicting stories make it completely unpredictable and you can't tell what's real and what isn't - I loved it and most definitely recommend it.

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

My rating:

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About the author:

Eileen Wharton is an Oscar winning actress, Olympic gymnast, and Influencer. She also tells lies for a living. Her first novel was published in 2011 to worldwide critical acclaim. And she’s won awards for exaggeration. It did top the Amazon humour chart so she’s officially a best-selling author. She currently has five ‘lively’ offspring ranging from thirty-three to fourteen years of age, and has no plans to procreate further, much to the relief of the local schools and police force. She lives on a council estate in County Durham. She has never eaten kangaroo testicles, is allergic to cats and has a phobia of tinned tuna. She’s retired from arguing with people on the internet.

Follow her at:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/WhartonEileen

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/eileen.whartonwriter

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

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Nothing But The Truth (Charles Holborne Legal Thrillers Book 8) - Simon Michael

The past has finally caught up with Charles…

London, 1967

The psychopathic Kray twins rule London’s underworld, aided by their government connections, corrupt police and extreme violence.

Finally, Detective Superintendent “Nipper” Read’s taskforce has a chance to take them down.

The catch: Read needs barrister Charles Holborne to testify against them, while the Krays have evidence against him which would end his career and send him to prison.

Caught in the middle, and with his pregnant partner’s life and his career at stake, this time Charles has no choices left.

Can Charles put his past behind him once and for all? Will the Krays twins’ criminal hold over London finally be put to an end?

Or will everything come crashing down for Charles Holborne…?

NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH is the eighth crime novel in an exciting historical series, the Charles Holborne Legal Thrillers — gritty, hard-boiled mysteries set in 1960s London.

 

What did I think?

WOW!  I have loved every single book in Simon Michael's Charles Holborne series and if the previous seven books are the icing on the cake then Nothing But The Truth is the cherry on the top.  It is OUTSTANDING!  I don't think I've ever read a more perfect book; I was shocked, surprised, angered, amazed and I even cried.

Although it's the eighth book in the series, you can read it as a standalone as the essence of Charles' character is evident on every page, however, it is simply breathtaking for readers already invested in the series.  Charles has a long history with the Kray twins and their reign of terror could finally be coming to an end as the police are closing in.  Charles needs to be one step ahead of the twins if he's ever going to free himself from their grasp.  Can he do it?  You'll need to read the book to find out!

Weaving fact with fiction, Simon Michael has created a believable and atmospheric legal thriller that entertains from start to finish.  The court case scenes are always brilliant in these novels but oh my word, this one is stunning; I was on the edge of my seat and completely gripped as Charles wielded and deflected every single virtual punch.   

I have loved reading about the developments in Charles' personal life and he's a character I have come to know and love over the years.  He's more settled than he's ever been now that his relationship with Sally is standing on firmer ground but his mother's feelings towards him don't seem to be improving, even though her health is declining.  I love that Charles never gives up on her though - there really is nothing sharper than a mother's tongue and Millie's is particularly sharp.

Nothing But The Truth is a masterclass in crime writing; the characters are vivid and well-developed, the 1960s era is beautifully portrayed and the plot is sublime.  Whether it's the last we read of Charles Holborne or not, Nothing But The Truth is simply perfect in every way.  

I first used the word 'unputdownable' back in 2016 in my review of The Brief, the first book in the Charles Holborne series, and the eighth novel definitely deserves a similar accolade.   Nothing But The Truth is unputdownable, unforgettable and unmissable - words than can be applied to the whole series, in fact.  Very highly recommended.

I received a digital ARC from the author and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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BLOG TOUR: The Devil's Bridge Affair - Rob Gittins

Lightning splits the sky, night somersaulting into day

And in that moment, a life is lost…

The name of the Devil’s Bridge derives from a local legend, telling the story behind a bridge that was built centuries before for the town, built by the devil himself. But there was a price. The devil vowed to return at different times and in different guises with dark consequences for those who live in the bridge’s shadow.

Most in the town believe it to be just a colourful local story; a flight of fancy. Dark deeds can happen anywhere – and there’s no such thing as the devil.

Then a massive scandal, involving a schoolboy and his English teacher, hits the community, and even the most die-hard of sceptics begin to wonder if a devil-like figure is walking in their midst.

 

What did I think?

I was completely blown away by this outstanding novel from Rob Gittins; it's absolutely brilliant.  It's a thriller with a tiny element of the supernatural about it; it's really left up to the reader's imagination whether you think there's something otherworldly about it or not.

'I couldn't put it down' is a phrase I often use when reviewing books but it has never fitted a book more than The Devil's Bridge Affair.  I read it in two sittings and the world could have ended on my second sitting and I wouldn't have noticed.  I couldn't move my eyes fast enough to reach the jawdropping conclusion; the light was fading so I was holding the book up to the window rather than stopping to close the blinds and put the light on - I didn't have time for that!

I loved the story about the legend of Devil's Bridge - it would make small children have nightmares but naturally becomes a favourite hangout place for teens.  It's a focal point of the town that is about to be rocked by scandal as a teenage boy makes allegations about his teacher.  In a case of he said/she said, who is telling the truth?  The respected wife, mother and teacher or the hormone-addled teenager?

Absolutely fantastic and completely original, Rob Gittins has written an absolute blockbuster of a novel in The Devil's Bridge Affair.  It's one of the best books I've read this year and I don't just recommend it, I urge you to read it.  A well-deserved five stars and more!

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

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BLOG TOUR: Winter People - Gráinne Murphy

The wild Atlantic coast of Ireland.

Three strangers.

One question: who are we without the people who love us?

Sis Cotter has lived her whole life in a small house by her beloved beach. Here, she grew up, reared her family, and buried her husband. Now her children are far away and, in three days, her house will be taken from her.

Next door, Lydia has withdrawn from her husband, her friends, her life. She watches the sea as her own private penance for a wrong she can never put right.

Peter’s best friend is dying, and his long-time foster mother is slowly forgetting who he is. Adrift without his two anchors, and struggling with the ethics of displacing people for a living, he looks for something to remind him of who he is and who he wants to be.

Winter People is a story of forgiveness, resilience, and the power of the sea to unlock what we are most afraid to say.

 

What did I think?

Winter People is a literary feast for the eyes; it's so beautifully written with calm, gentle and soothing prose that reminded me of small waves lapping the shore.  The cover itself perfectly encapsulates the keen sense of place that is evident throughout the novel and I could look at this gorgeous artwork for hours.

There are three characters: Sis, Lydia and Peter, and three parts to the book: Storm, Sea and Sky.  I loved the layout of the three parts that brought the coastal atmosphere to the front of my mind and the long chapters that allowed me to really get to know the characters.  Each character has their own demon to face and Gráinne Murphy explores this sensitively and exquisitely.

This novel may be described as a slow burn but that's the best way to fully appreciate the sublime writing.  The cover of the novel mentions three days, three strangers, one question but I have to say that I wouldn't have been able to tell you what the question was if it wasn't in the blurb.  I think perhaps it's there if you look for it but I was carried away with the rhythm of the prose and simply enjoyed the beautiful writing.

Beautifully written, Winter People is a wonderful literary novel that should be savoured rather than devoured.  Gráinne Murphy is an author to watch and Winter People has the feel of a classic novel that will be enjoyed for generations.

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: Yellow is for Sunflowers - Kathryn Freeman

Dean Baxter was everything a sensible thirty-two-year-old teacher should avoid. Five years younger, cocky, with a playboy reputation. Oh and guardian to Tom, one of her most promising students. But Lia was a rebel at heart.

Lia Stapleton was everything that was out of reach for an uneducated garage mechanic who’d made too many mistakes. Cambridge-educated, gorgeous and from a well-heeled background, she was his brother’s teacher. But Dean couldn’t resist her.

As Dean and Lia’s tentative relationship begins, can it survive Tom’s disapproval, her parents’ interference. And the dangerous return of his past.

What did I think?

Kathryn Freeman is one of my favourite authors; her books never fail to leave me with a smile on my face and Yellow is for Sunflowers is no exception.  Just like a sunflower, this book is all bright and sunny on the outside but it has a darkness at its core with a surprising page-turning thriller element added to the heart-stopping romance story.

I love the main character of Lia; she is a teacher who really cares about her students, encouraging and guiding them to get the best out of them.  Lia clearly loves her job but she disappointed her family when she didn't follow in their footsteps and practise law.  Just as well Lia has a twin sister who did exactly what was expected of her so her parents could feel proud.  I loved the relationship between Lia and Grace with all the resentment and envy that has built up over the years, it virtually fizzes off the page.

From fizzle to sizzle - I almost burnt my fingers on my kindle when mechanic Dean Baxter entered the scene.  Dean is Lia's love interest but he's younger than her, has the reputation of a gigolo, has a dark and dangerous past that is coming back to haunt him and he's the guardian of one her students.  All good reasons not to date him, but Lia is drawn to Dean like a moth to a flame - let's just hope she doesn't get burnt.

I absolutely raced through this fabulous book; I couldn't wait to see how Lia and Dean's relationship would unfold and whether it would survive both Lia's family's disapproval and Dean's past mistake.  I loved the dark and dangerous storyline - it added a whole new dimension to an already riveting story.

Yellow is for Sunflowers is thrilling, exciting, page-turning and simply fabulous.  I loved it and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.

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

My rating:

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About the author:

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to write a book. It may have had something to do with my obsession with reading romance. Real life interfered and I headed off in a different direction – into the world of science, becoming a pharmacist before joining the pharmaceutical industry. I did end up writing, but it was about disease and medicines. Decades later, I’m finally doing what I always wanted to do. 

With a husband who asks every Valentine's Day whether he has to buy a card (yes, he does), all the romance in my life is in my head. Then again, his unstinting support of my career change proves love isn't always about hearts and flowers - and heroes come in many disguises.

Social Media Links – 

Website:  http://kathrynfreeman.co.uk

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

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/KathrynFreeman1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathryn.freeman_author/ 

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BLOG TOUR: The Butcher and the Wren - Alaina Urquhart

WREN WAS NEVER AFRAID OF THE DARK. UNTIL SHE LEARNED THAT SOME MONSTERS ARE REAL . . .

In deep Louisiana, a serial killer with a taste for medical experimentation is completing his most ambitious project yet. The media call him 'The Butcher' - and, so far, he's proved impossible to catch.

With her encyclopaedic knowledge of humanity's darkest minds, and years of experience examining their victims, forensic pathologist Dr Wren Muller is the best there is. The longer the Butcher's killing spree continues, the more determined she is to bring him to justice.

And yet, he continues to elude her.

As body after body piles up on Wren's examination table, her obsession grows. Pressure to put an end to the slaughter mounts. And her enemy becomes more brazen.

How far is Wren willing to go to draw the Butcher into the light . . .?

 

What did I think?

I really enjoyed The Butcher and the Wren and I read it in two sittings, although it is only 242 pages long.  I love the book title with 'The Butcher' being a serial killer and 'The Wren' being Dr Wren Muller, a forensic pathologist who is determined to end The Butcher's reign of terror.

The story is very fast-paced and incredibly intriguing, which kept me turning pages as fast as I possibly could.  There are plenty of shocks and surprises in store for the reader and several twists that I didn't see coming.  The writing is excellent and I found it really easy to visualise the often grisly scenes thanks to the fantastic descriptions.

Wren is a brilliant character and i hope there is more to come for her, especially as the ending gave the impression that there is unfinished business.  I definitely want to read more of Alaina Urquhart's writing anyway, whether Wren is included or not.

Chilling, gruesome and tense, The Butcher and the Wren is very well written and incredibly difficult to put down.  You can judge this book by the cover as the inside is as dark as the outside.  A very enjoyable read and well worth picking up if you're a fan of dark crime thrillers.

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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