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I post book reviews as often as possible but at least once a week every Wednesday! I hope they help you to find some new books that you'll love as much as I did!
The SynopsisYou can't choose your family. Or can you? Meet the Bensons. They're an ordinary couple. They wash their car, mow their lawn and pass the time of day with their neighbours. And they have a beautiful little girl called Daisy. There's just one problem. SHE'S NOT THEIRS. D. S. Nathan Cody is about to face his darkest and most terrifying case yet . . . My ReviewMy goodness, what a read this was! I'm struggling to find enough words to describe how much I enjoyed it! Don't Make a Sound is the third book in the DS Nathan Cody series and while I haven't read any of the others, that will be changing very soon. It works perfectly well as a standalone, but I wanted to know more about Cody's past, so if you want to dive into this series, I think it will be even more enjoyable to start from the first book. The plot is brilliantly written and really chilling. It was so tense I could hardly breathe and I think at some points, I may have actually stopped breathing! It had me completely hooked and I couldn't put it down, yet at the same time, I almost didn't want it to end, although I wasn't expecting the ending at all and my shock definitely took over the sadness that the book was finished! Don't Make a Sound was a combination of everything I love in this genre, not only was it addictive and gripping, it also had funny parts, with the banter between Nathan and his colleagues. David Jackson really is a master at what he does. Overall, I'm giving Don't Make a Sound 5 out of 5. It's chilling, addictive and brilliantly written. I can't wait to read more by David Jackson! The above are affiliate links. This book was provided for free in exchange for an honest review. About the AuthorDavid Jackson is the bestselling author of Cry Baby. His debut novel, Pariah, was Highly Commended in the Crime Writers' Association Debut Dagger Awards. He lives on the Wirral peninsula with his wife and two daughters. Follow David @Author_Dave.
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The SynopsisThe crew of the Daragan Rift is hunting for a lost artefact on a forgotten world. When a team of dangerous scientists arrives at the same co-ordinates, things turn nasty. Caught out, the crew of the Daragan Rift must play a game of lies, deception and deceit if they hope to survive. Tension begins rise, personalities clash and it's becoming ever clearer that there's a dark secret hiding beneath the Sea of Mammals... My ReviewIf you've read my blog before, you'll know that my usual genre is in the crime and psychological thriller area, but I often like to try new genres and after immensely enjoying a sci-fi book last year, I was really excited to try this novella by James Armer. At 127 pages, it made for quite a short read, but it was packed with action and perfectly paced, striking just the right balance between danger and excitement, and detailed and vivid descriptions. Intrigue was woven throughout the text and the suspense created by this kept me turning page after page. The crew of the Daragan Rift were well-developed for such a short read, Cora in particular was the one who caught my attention. She was a really interesting character and I found the subject of her rights thought-provoking. I enjoyed reading from her perspective and I'd love to see more of her. Obviously since I'm new to the genre, my views may differ from those of someone who reads it regularly, but personally, I really enjoyed this book and I'd highly recommend giving it a read. Overall, I'm giving Sea of Mammals 4.5 out of 5. It's action-packed, exciting and really gripping. I hope there's going to be a series of books featuring the Daragan Rift, as I'd definitely like to read more! The above is an affiliate link. This book was provided for free in exchange for an honest review. About the AuthorJames Armer is a UK Sci-Fi & Fantasy writer, author of the Daragan Rift Series.
James is a co-host on the Fantasy Book Club Podcast which has had such guests as Brandon Sanderson, Joe Abercrombie, Neal Asher & Peter F Hamilton. Today is my stop on the blog tour for Fault Lines by Doug Johnstone! Thanks so much to Anne for organising the tour. Don't forget to check out the rest of the stops too! The SynopsisIn a reimagined contemporary Edinburgh, in which a tectonic fault has opened up to produce a new volcano in the Firth of Forth, and where tremors are an everyday occurrence, volcanologist Surtsey makes a shocking discovery. On a clandestine trip to The Inch – the new volcanic island – to meet Tom, her lover and her boss, she finds his lifeless body, and makes the fatal decision to keep their affair, and her discovery of his corpse secret. Desperate to know how he died, but also terrified she’ll be exposed, Surtsey’s life quickly spirals into a nightmare when someone makes contact – someone who claims to know what she’s done… My ReviewAt just 215 pages, Fault Lines is a relatively short read but let me tell you, Johnstone well and truly makes the most of every single page. This is a different and imaginative read which whisks you off to a 'reimagined contemporary Edinburgh' with volcanoes and earthquakes aplenty. I loved this setting and it was made to feel really realistic because the author's knowledge of volcanoes and geology really came through. It's clear he's done his research. Surtsey was an interesting character to read and while not particularly likeable, she was complex and developed and she goes through so much, that it's impossible not to feel for her and get behind her. The plot is packed with tension and intrigue with vivid descriptions in all the right places and it raced along to a dramatic conclusion which was tense, dark and satisfying. Overall, I'm giving Fault Lines 4 out of 5. It's dark, imaginative and different. I'll certainly read more by Doug Johnstone. The above are affiliate links. This book was provided for free in exchange for an honest review. About the AuthorDoug Johnstone is an author, journalist and musician based in Edinburgh. He’s had eight novels published, most recently Crash Land. His previous novel, The Jump, was a finalist for the McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Novel of the Year. Several of his other novels have been award winners and bestsellers, and he’s had short stories published in numerous anthologies and literary magazines. His work has been praised by the likes of Ian Rankin, Val McDermid and Irvine Welsh. Several of his novels have been optioned for film and television. Doug is also a Royal Literary Fund Consultant Fellow. Doug has released seven albums in various bands, reviews books for Big Issue magazine, is player-manager for Scotland Writers Football Club and has a PhD in nuclear physics.
Today is my stop on the blog tour for Oh My God, What a Complete Aisling and I'm very excited to be taking part! Thanks so much to Jenny for organising the tour. Don't forget to check out the rest of the stops! The SynopsisEveryone knows an Aisling: Loves going Out Out, but secretly scared of liquid eyeliner. Happy to drink the bar dry, but will bring her own coaster if necessary. Would rather die than miss a cooked hotel breakfast, but can calculate the Points in a Snickers at fifty paces. Aisling's the girl with a heart of gold, but a boyfriend who still hasn't made a peep about their Big Day even after seven years. But then a disastrous romantic getaway shows Aisling that it's time to stop waiting around and leave John behind for the bright lights of Dublin. After she's wailed her way through Adele's Greatest Hits, that is. Between glamorous new flatmates, a scandal at work and finding herself in a weird love square, Aisling is ready to take on the big city. So long as she has her umbrella with her. My ReviewAisling has well and truly found a place in my heart. She's such a character, endearing and funny, the authors really bring her to life in the pages and you can't help but instantly love her. I'm not at all surprised at the success she's had in Ireland already. Aisling is joined by a whole range of other characters and each of their personalities and quirks really come through. They're all well-developed and all add something unique to the story. I loved the fact that everything about OMGWACA felt well and truly Irish, so much so that even though I can't do an Irish accent to save my life, I found myself reading in an Irish accent in my head! I thought the book was hilarious but I didn't realise quite how funny I found it until I noticed people looking at me in the cafe and realised I was chuckling aloud. Not only was it funny, it was also really, really touching at times and took me through a whole range of emotions. It reminded me a little bit of Bridget Jones but for me, it was even better. Overall, I'm giving Oh My God, What a Complete Aisling 5 out of 5 and adding it to my five-star favourites shelf! It's laugh out loud funny, highly entertaining and a read I would definitely recommend. I fell in love with this book and I can't wait to see it being made into a movie! The above are affiliate links. This book was provided free in exchange for an honest review. About the AuthorsEmer McLysaght and Sarah Breen conceived the character of Aisling in their sitting room in 2008, when they began to observe the many traits, characteristics and quirks of a very particular type of Irish girl; one they identified around them and one they identified with.
Oh My God, What a Complete Aisling was an instant sensation in their native Ireland and the Number One bestselling adult fiction title of 2017. Emer McLysaght is the former editor of The Daily Edgeand has worked extensively in journalism and radio. Sarah Breen is a journalist whose work has appeared in Stellar, Image, U, the Irish Independent and The Gloss. Today is my stop on the blog tour for Those Other Women by Nicola Moriarty! Thanks to Sam for organising the tour. Don't forget to take a look at the rest of the stops! The SynopsisIt was supposed to be harmless fun. Poppy created a Facebook group to vent just a little about smug mummies at work. After all, her best friend betrayed her in order to have a child - with Poppy's husband. She just never expected the group to take off the way it did. Or that the 'other women' are in turn heartily sick of being judged by non-mums and stay-at-home mums alike. And soon the rivalry spills into the real world . . . My ReviewI really loved The Fifth Letter so I was thrilled to be invited onto the blog tour for Nicola Moriarty's new book, Those Other Women. It had a lot to live up to (you can read my review of The Fifth Letter here) and while it was a slightly different type of story this time, it certainly fulfilled all my hopes! I loved the premise from the very first time I saw it and the plot turned out to be just as compelling and moreish as I'd expected. It felt modern and relevant with the social media aspect and I thought that the controversial nature of the topic was explored well. Moriarty took a look at something which isn't often considered and managed to really get across all of the different emotions. The characters aren't always likeable, but I think that's important in a book with such a topical nature like this, because it felt more realistic. I found myself quickly taking sides but the writing kept me on my toes and I switched several times. The story was perfectly balanced with both sad moments and brilliantly funny ones too and it was really entertaining and well-rounded. Overall, I'm giving Those Other Women 4.5 out of 5 stars. It's entertaining, relevant and really moreish! I can't wait for the next book by Nicola Moriarty! The above are affiliate links. This book was provided free in exchange for an honest review. About the AuthorNicola Moriarty is a novelist, copywriter and mum to two small (but remarkably strong-willed) daughters. In between various career changes, becoming a mum and studying at university, she began to write. Now, she can't seem to stop. The Fifth Letter was her UK debut novel.
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