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10 Questions With… Frank Ferrari!

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After reading With Time to Kill, (and loving it might I add!) I was very lucky to be given the chance to ask the author a few questions.

Firstly I’d like to thank Frank for taking the time to answer my questions, I still always get a buzz when an author agrees to one of these posts!

Without further ado I give you 10 questions with Frank Ferrari!

Q: What hit me first when reading With Time to Kill was how unique the story felt. Where did the inspiration for the series come from? You must like some science fiction yourself? My favourite even got a mention… I’m a massive Stargate fan. Did you find blending the genres together difficult or did it slot nicely?

Initially, With Time to Kill was supposed to be a short story about a guy who, after obtaining the ability to travel back in time, kills everybody who stood between him and his ambitions. He was going to be a corporate type (probably influenced by the environment I was working in back then!) and he was going to be very unlikeable. But I intended to make the story funny. I wanted it to be really dark humour, and the way the guy’s kills evolved was going to be ridiculous. For instance, I saw a scene in my mind in which his thirst for blood had reached such a high level that a person who jumped in front of him in the queue at Starbucks or Costa or something would become his victim.

As I say, it was supposed to be a short story – a little project to get me back into the swing of writing, having been away from it for a number of years.

Then, during a trip to the local supermarket with my wife, I spotted a guy perusing the flowers. A few days later, having forgotten to pick up something or other, my wife and I went back to that same supermarket, and there he was! The same guy checking out the flowers again. I don’t know who he was – have probably walked past him in the street several times since then – but what made me recognise him from one day to the other was his uniform: he was a local bus driver. In the car on the way home, I made a comment to my wife saying, ‘Imagine that guy has become obsessed with one of his passengers, and he’s trying to find the perfect bunch of flowers to leave at her doorstep…’

My wife literally shivered and said, ‘Ugh! That’s creepy!’

And that’s when I knew my story had to evolve. So, in essence, the inspiration was two ideas that came together to make something altogether different.

I really like science fiction – I was, once upon a time, a scientist myself! I lean more towards the works of Michael Crichton and Blake Crouch over the likes of Stargate and Babylon 5, however. In saying that, I thoroughly enjoyed Cixin Liu’s Remembrance of Earth’s Past trilogy (the first of which is The Three-Body Problem). I have never read such a vast, expansive story.

Blending the sci-fi element into what is essentially a Scottish crime tale just sort of happened! To begin with, I thought I was writing a science fiction story, but as I got to know the characters and I watched them develop, I knew the police had to get involved somehow. 

Q. What has surprised you the most since becoming a published author? I know there’s hurdles along the way but has anything good really stood out?

It’s a lot harder than I realised it would be! Like countless others, I read everything I could find about publishing a novel. Eventually, I settled on the self-publishing route for With Time to Kill and its successors. Legend has it, unless you’ve got 25k followers, or your name is James Patterson, traditional publishers will leave the bulk of promotion up to the author, all the while taking a healthy slice of the royalties. I figured – as many before me have – that if I’m going to have to promote my books myself, I might as well keep as much of the royalties as I possibly can. Flipping the switch from storyteller to marketer/salesperson is very difficult, though. Despite having a decade’s experience in pharmaceutical sales and marketing, I have not yet mastered this side of publishing.

Q. What motivates you to keep writing? I mean, what keeps it exciting? Do you lock yourself away for hours at a time? How do you avoid any writing slumps?

I write full time and have done so since day one. I was made redundant from my previous career and took the opportunity to explore my lifelong dream of writing. That first day in which I didn’t need to go to the office, or log onto the company Teams account, I sat behind my desk at home at 8:30am and I started writing. I wrote like it was a full-time 40+ hour job, and I’ve done so ever since. Keeping that routine has helped me avoid any slumps (so far!). In terms of what keeps it exciting, that part’s easy: I love writing, and the way I do it (see my answer below!) keeps me hooked.

Q. It must take a while to flesh out your ideas/timeline? I was really struck by how well you humanised the characters.. Did you do many rewrites? Do you outline the story in full or let the story lead you?

I’m glad the characters in With Time to Kill resonated with you. I firmly believe the best stories are the ones driven by how you feel about the characters. Plot is fine, but if you don’t feel something about the characters, it just isn’t the same.

My writing process blends the two approaches (outlining, and being led by the story). I often have certain points or places where the story must go, but how we get there, and what occurs along the way, is all organic. That’s what keeps it exciting for me – often it’s like I’m discovering the story as a reader would at the same time as I’m writing it.

When the day’s writing is done, I go over it in my head while out with the dog or making dinner, then at night I think about what’s going to happen next as I drift off to sleep. That helps me hit the pages running the following day. Once the first draft is complete, I let it sit for a while – a few weeks at least – and I go do something else. When I come back to it, I read through, then give it a comprehensive rewrite, fixing plot holes or inconsistencies, etc. When that’s done, I pass the draft to my wife, and we both read it through. She comes back to me with points and suggestions that invariably make the story better, and I implement those. After another read through, it’s ready for the professional eyes of my editor. After another few weeks, I incorporate his comments and suggestions, and then – after a final full read – it’s ready for wider consumption.

Q. I know I’m new to the series (I’ll make amends for that quickly!!) Do you think your writing evolved over the course of the series? Did you learn any lessons along the way?

My writing has definitely evolved. The editor I work with now was not the one who worked on With Time to Kill, but I’ve since gone back and incorporated his teachings into it. He taught me many things. For example, anyone reading the With Time to Kill books will see there’s some humour in them. Sometimes, in the early drafts, the jokes didn’t sit well amongst the darker goings-on around the characters. That’s one thing I’ve learned to manage. It’s perfectly okay to be funny, but there’s a time and a place! Upon reading The Last Trip for Good (the final instalment of the With Time to Kill trilogy) my editor said: ‘the writing has come on in leaps and bounds since the first manuscript I saw’, which showed me how far I had come.

Q. Were there any messages you were trying to get across to the reader through your words? It’s a fascinating idea to think about what we would do if we had the power to influence the past.. Did you expect it to be as thought-provoking as it is? 

As I started writing, I didn’t for one moment think I was going to come out with anything worthy of deep thought! I just wanted to write a story that, initially, was supposed to get me back into the groove. Later, it became an exercise in whether I could write a novel-length manuscript. As the story evolved, however, I found myself absorbed by the characters. What started as a pretty one-dimensional killer became a more complex, broken soul who, in order to realistically do the things he does, had to be the kind of person who could be nudged by outside influences. I became fascinated by Garry. He’s this morally blank canvas who, after a lifetime of loneliness, is suddenly caught between two opposing influences – one overwhelmingly ‘good’, and one very much not good! I suppose the question I wanted to answer was: what would drive somebody to kill in order to improve their life? With Time to Kill and its siblings is my answer!

Q. I can’t do one of these posts without asking you about how you feel about reviews? Do you take much notice? 

I’m supposed to say: ‘Nah, I don’t pay attention to reviews. Reading is incredibly subjective, and one person’s five stars is another’s zero stars…’ but I’m human! Of course I notice, especially in these early days. Pleasantly, most reviews for my books have been positive, which is a massive confidence boost. If I had to pick a favourite Amazon review for With Time to Kill, it would have to be one from a lady in the US, who expected something very different… She wrote: 

‘A psychological thriller that became part science fiction. I was so annoyed as I do not like sci-fi, I almost stopped reading. Glad I stuck with it. Turned into a fairly enjoyable read.’ And she gave it five stars! The fact that this avid psychological thriller reader was, in the end, convinced by a Scottish crime/sci-fi mash-up made me very happy indeed!

On top of that, seeing the feedback from people like yourself – and others with a similarly significant presence in the social book world – is very humbling. You, and others, have shown me that my books can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with those of more established writers, and that makes it all worthwhile.

Q. One of the things I find the hardest about loving books is there’s so much out there. How have you found promotion? Do you enjoy the whole social side?

Good promotion is the Holy Grail – everybody’s searching for it, but it’s the hardest thing to find. There’s also a danger with it: every writer gets bombarded with emails and messages from so-called ‘experts’ in book marketing, all promising to get your book ‘the attention it deserves’. For a price, of course. It’s all absolute nonsense, and any aspiring writer reading this should take heed: these people will take your money and give you nothing of value in return. The truth is: there is no magic bullet. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. We just need to stay resilient and keep trying.

I haven’t been great at the social media side of things. My time always seems to be taken up by writing the next book, editing the previous one, studying with the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP) as I’m currently doing, all while learning how to be a dad! I need to invest more time into social media and I have a list of videos/posts that I want to create (one video series is going to be defining some of the more Scottish terms in the With Time to Kill trilogy for non-Scottish readers).

In addition, blogs like this one, where indie authors are given a fair chance, are so valuable – on behalf of writers everywhere, thank you!

Q: Do you read a lot yourself? If so, what have you been reading or what genre do you go to?

I read every day, right before bed. Always have done. I like lots of different genres and, as is the case with music, I tend to fall in love with a writer/artist rather than any particular genre. For instance, my favourite author is Stephen King, although I wouldn’t class myself as a ‘horror’ fan. I recently read his Dark Tower series for the third time, and loved it just as much as the first. I also read ‘Salem’s Lot for the first time not long ago. It’s out-and-out horror but, man, some of the writing in that novel is just beautiful!

I also recently read John Grisham’s The Guardians, Karin Slaughter’s This is Why We Lied, and I’m currently reading The 6:20 Man by David Baldacci (the first of his works I’ve read).

Other writers I really like are John Marrs (anything by him is well worth a read), Blake Crouch (he’s got grounded sci-fi down to an art), JD Kirk (a fellow Scot and master of crime fiction), Andrew Mayne (his Theo Cray/Jessica Blackwood books are brilliant), and I’m a real sucker for the dystopian classics – Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World, Yevgeny Zamyatin’s We, and of course George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four.

Q. I really need to know… What’s next? What can we expect to see from you?

A few weeks ago, I finished the first draft of my next novel, which is unrelated to the With Time to Kill trilogy. It’s a tale of found family and rebellion set amidst a bleak, totalitarian dystopia. It came from an idea that has been knocking around in my head for over a decade, but always felt too big for me to tackle. The first draft needs a lot of work, but I’m pleased with the story and it’s going to spawn more books – probably a trilogy or quadrilogy, we’ll see. I’m letting it sit for now while I complete my accreditation with the CIEP, but I hope to have news about later in the year.

As regards the With Time to Kill trilogy, the covers are getting a bit of a facelift/revamp, bringing them more in keeping with the Scottish crime genre, so watch this space!

About the author.

Frank Ferrari is a Scottish writer of speculative fiction, where science fiction collides with suspense and intrigue, and memorable characters lead you through dark, thrilling atmospheres. He is the author of With Time to Kill and its sequel The Dying of the Light, as well as Water of Sorrow, co-written with his late father.

Educated in science, Frank was a bench chemist, then spent over a decade working in the commercial pharmaceutical industry before returning to the passion that had gripped him as a child: writing stories. After years of short fiction, he turned to novel-writing during a difficult period in his life, finding therapy and purpose in the process. Out of that challenge, With Time to Kill was born.

Frank writes because he loves to read, and he seeks to offer readers the same escape and immersion that books have always given him. Originally from Perthshire and now living in the Borders – settings that feature in some of his novels – he finds inspiration in the landscapes around him. When not writing, he can often be found walking the hills and forests with his dog, or enjoying time with his wife and young daughter.

Want to know more about Frank and his books? Why not visit https://frankferrari.com/

Singers of the Sword Song by Steven A. McKay – Review

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Today is release day for Singers of the Sword Song by Steven. A McKay. The first in a brand new series (The Sword Song Chronicles).

Let’s celebrate by giving it the David’s Book Blurg once over!

Here’s the blurb!

When a desperate young soldier is pushed to breaking point, a series of shocking events will be set in motion that could change the world forever.

For thirty years war has raged across West Valkyros yet still there is no end in sight to the decades of death and destruction. In the aftermath of yet another bloody battle Wulfnoth, forced to serve in the elite Galnir infantry regiment since he was a child, attacks his own sergeant and deserts. Fleeing to the north, the frightened youth is joined on his travels by an experienced forester, and a beautiful singer they meet in a tavern after a brawl. Together the companions journey through the villages, towns, and great cities of Nemea sharing adventures, their bonds of loyalty and love growing as Wulfnoth struggles to navigate life outside the army and find his place in a world of mythical monsters, murderous criminals, magical artefacts, and seemingly endless new experiences.

Unbeknown to the friends, however, two deadly hunters are tracking their every move, intent on bringing the deserter to justice for his crimes. Just as Wulfnoth is discovering that playing music can be as rewarding as wielding a sword in battle, a shocking revelation will give his life a new purpose and intertwine his fate with that of the very people who seek to kill him.

Singers of the Sword Song is the first ever fantasy novel by bestselling author Steven A. McKay and will surely be devoured by fans of David Gemmell, Joe Abercrombie, Raymond E. Feist, and Patrick Rothfuss.

Review

Singers of the Sword Song is book 1 in a brand new series from the author of The Druid and The Heathen Horde!

McKay is well known for his works of historical fiction but now he’s taking the plunge into the world of fantasy!

Wulfnoth, a downtrodden solider decides he’s had enough, attacks his own sergeant and is forced to flee. To be fair though I don’t blame him!

Soldiers are sent to hunt him down and while trying to evade their efforts we meet a forester, who prefers to be called Greybeard.

Together they flee, Wulfnoth must evade retribution and the forester knows war will claim his home sooner rather than later!

Greybeard has a plan of sorts but nothing ever goes smoothly.

Luckily for Wulfnoth he finds distraction in the form of a beautiful singer called Chrysanthe!

Now without spoilers, the character development is vast with lots to attract the reader. Each have hidden pasts just waiting to be explored, some are just trying to forget the past, others go much deeper, none more so than Wulfnoth. McKay himself, a troubadour as he weaves this mesmerizing tale.

The book moves at pace, in a world of mythical monsters, murderous criminals, magical artefacts and so much more. I can really see this hitting the spot well for epic fantasy fans!

We also get introduced to some further characters who play their own part to perfection, Ampelios, Priapo, Ardgal, Muirren and Timon to name a few who stand out… I don’t think I’m giving too much away to say that there’s some good guys, some bad, some live.. some die..Each help shape Wulfnoth one way or another and I loved this fascinating cast.

Plot wise I loved the development, perfectly paced to keep you engaged and reading. It has everything I need, detail, growing connections, hints to the future, hidden truths.. it just works.

Singers of the Sword Song is high stakes, in an immersive world we’ve only just scratched. There’s a serious edge, you can see the fight to come and the potential for long-running narratives, and epic struggles against evil..

What really shines is you can tell the author had fun with this one.. it just flowed and his experience of writing historical fiction, along with his jaunts into the mysterious and supernatural really comes through.. I’m sure for the author it felt like a massive jump in genre but for me it felt like home, exactly what I’ve come to expect and love.. almost like it was meant to be.

5* EPIC!

To find out more or to grab a copy head to Amazon or ask your local book store to secure you a copy!!

BLOG TOUR – Tribune and the Sword by Adam Lofthouse

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Today we kick off the blog tour for Tribune and the Sword by Adam Lofthouse!

I promised myself minimal blog tours this year but if you’ve seen my blog you’ll probably know Adam Lofthouse is a firm favourite here so how could I not jump at the opportunity to read his new book prior to release!!!!

Here’s the blurb.

August. 383 AD. Flavius Maximus has declared himself emperor and crossed into Gaul. The civil war with Gratian has been short, and the rightful ruler of the West lies in an early grave.

Now two men face off across an empire. Theodosius in the east, his armies large but reliant on mercenaries. Maximus in the west, his forces small, but battle hardened and loyal to a fault.

In the middle of the chaos, at the heart of a dying world, two old friends march at the heads of opposing forces. Tribune Sixtus Victorinus fights for the West. Not out of loyalty to Maximus, but to his two sons who are bound by oath to fight for the pretender.

And General Gaius Felicius for the East. Outcasted by Maximus, he will stop at nothing to see the usurper toppled. But if his old friend stands in his path, is the road to vengeance still one he will choose to tread?

War is coming, and both men must look inside themselves and decide what is greater: the cause they fight for, or the bonds of fellowship. 🔥⚔️

Review

Before we get into this, I’m going to keep this spoiler free.. It’s book 3 in the Shadow of Rome series so if you haven’t already do check out the other books. I will say I love the authors writing style though as you are given just the right amount of backstory, as and when needed, so you could jump in to book 3 if you really want, but to be completely honest this series is too good not to enjoy so go grab them all!!

Tribune and the Sword is set around the reign of Maximus, who usurped the throne and headed to Gaul.

Tribune Sixtus Victorinus fights for Maximus, not out of loyalty.. He has to.. Blood runs thicker than water.

Now if you know anything about the time you’ll know the race to the purple was fierce.. Why they craved this so much I don’t know as all it seems to lead to is death… 

Theodosius also considers himself Emperor, the difference being I don’t think he ever wanted it. He has a real likeability to him.

The issue is what he wants doesn’t really matter.. He knows what he must do.. Sooner or later these two men’s forces will collide.

Theo also has General Gaius Felicius on his side, who I love by the way, forced from Britannia by Maximus.

This battle is going to push all to their limits..

I’m not going to pretend I’m an expert on the period but having read a few books already I wondered how quickly  the Church would rear their heads.. It doesn’t take long.. So what we’ve got is a stressful job anyway to be Emperor, impending war,  but then add then add religion, which at the time played such a big part.. These men had zero chance of success whoever the victor was.

For me this book ticks a few boxes that others maybe don’t.. The detailed plot is so beautifully weaved, real history blended with the authors own thoughts on the period to make a riveting read..like you don’t question anything.. The flow is spot on and everything fits…it feels complete.

There’s also a lot of complexity in my opinion in this period of time, lots of different players involved. The author doesn’t dumb it down as such like you won’t understand it, rather makes it simple.. Gives you exactly what you need to understand the flow, the motives, but at the same time makes it exciting….sometimes you have to remember certain people/events are actually real.

The other thing Adam Lofthouse can do that others can’t is that you can tell from his writing he had fun, which just makes the whole story flow that much better…. Read the author’s notes and you’ll see he himself added a little something just for his own amusement but it’s that energy that makes a story stand out and makes a 4* read a 5* instead!

The kicker is simply that the author has a real talent of easing the reader in.. when you read as much as I do sometimes you just don’t feel like reading.. Tired.. Bored.. Life stresses etc.. Lofthouse seduces the reader making it impossible not to want to read more.. And you feel so much better for it! When life gets you down all you need is a bit of Adam Lofthouse ha!

The book ends well too.. Leaving the promise of good things to come. I for one cannot wait to see what comes next.

5* cracker!

My thanks go to the author, publisher and Rachel’s Random Resources for having me on the tour!

Tempted?

Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/TribuneandtheSword

Why not follow the tour?

Author Bio – 

Adam has for many years held a passion for the ancient world. As a teenager he picked up Gates of Rome by Conn Iggulden, and has been obsessed with all things Rome ever since. After ten years of immersing himself in stories of the Roman world, he decided to have a go at writing one for himself. He lives in Kent, UK.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: @AdamPLofthouse

Twitter: @AdamPLofthouse

Instagram: @adamplofthouse

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

Bookbub profile: @AdamPLofthouse

BLOG TOUR – Storm of Mercia by MJ Porter

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Today is my stop on the blog tour for Storm of Mercia by MJ Porter!

Here’s the blurb!

Wessex has never been Mercia’s ally, neither has it been her only enemy.

Wessex, AD836

The Viking raiders’ devastation has been halted once more by the shields of Mercia as opposed to Wessex. But their whereabouts are unknown.

King Wiglaf of Mercia is keen to ensure the Viking raiders are swept from his shared border with Wessex but these Viking ships are quick and difficult to track and Icel is once more deployed with Ealdorman Ælfstan warriors to do his King’s bidding. However, Icel’s quest is beset with many more obstacles and it’s not all about the seax and shield.

Worrying news from home overshadows Icel’s every deadly encounter. Will the storms of war keep him away or has he time to make one more desperate journey back to Tamworth?

With raging seas driving him ever further from Mercia’s shores, and the threat of a new conspiracy against the Mercian kingship will Icel overpower the sands of time, or will he be defeated by his deadliest nemesis yet?

Review

We are back with Icel for book 9 in the The Eagle of Mercia series! It feels crazy to see how far we’ve come but things aren’t over yet!

Icel is still reeling from previous battles and near death.. He’s got the wounds to show but do you think he’s got time to rest? Nah.

Merica and Wessex may not be friends but there’s one thing they probably both hate more.. The Vikings! It’s up to Icel and the other Shields of Mercia to ensure any Vikings are pushed from their shores..

The biggest issue is they don’t really know how many their are still, many have perished but some remain.. But where are they? Have they already boarded their ships? 

What always surprises me is how fast the action flows but at a natural, unforced pace.. There’s so much happens but nothing is rushed and you really get the time to feel the depth of the tale..this talent shines through almost immediately..

Icel and the other shields stumble upon the Vikings, they are outnumbered but innocent people are at risk of death/capture.. They have to act.

Heart and honour overpower common-sense and Icel lands in a little trouble! That’s to put it mildly.

Icel has no time to heal.. He’s willing to sacrifice everything for what’s right.

I always try not to give away spoilers but lets just say Icel’s skills as a sailor are called upon… yeah he isn’t one ha ha. 

I really loved how quickly the author managed to put real emotion into the tale, not only battles but pain for the innocent..those left behind.. Eadfrith..this young lad plays a big part in the build-up and emotion of the tale, it’s beautifully harrowing.

Depth and meaning is also added into the mix nicely, the other characters, especially Oswy and Cenred, their relationships with each other, their own fears projected, jokes and sly digs.. But also strong depictions of the area, the ships movements, shrubbery, animals and such..it effortlessly paints a picture.

Giving this is Icel’s 9th outing you can be forgiven for worrying if the series had the legs left in it.. Then again I never worried.. I know MJ Porter’s writing and talent for delivering a cracking series.. Nevertheless I’m always astounded how good the plot is.. Detailed and gripping from the first page to the last.

I think for me the biggest selling point is it ticks all the boxes for fans of the genre.. You prefer plot.. It’s got it.. You like historical details.. It’s got it.. You want pitch perfect character development.. You’ve got it..everything just blends to make the story feel real.. It’s really a series you get invested in and just gets better with each instalment.

5/5 Stars

My thanks go to the author, publisher and Rachel’s Random Resources for having me on the tour!

Why not follow the tour?

Tempted yet?

Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/StormofMercia

Author Bio – 

MJ Porter is the author of many historical novels set predominantly in Seventh to
Eleventh-Century England, and in Viking Age Denmark. Raised in the shadow of a
building that was believed to house the bones of long-dead Kings of Mercia, meant
that the author’s writing destiny was set.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: @MJPorterauthor

Twitter: @coloursofunison

Instagram: @m_j_porter

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

Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mj-porter

With Time to Kill by Frank Ferrari – REVIEW

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Today I’m reviewing With Time to Kill by Frank Ferrari.

Here’s the blurb

Everyone deserves a second chance, but how far would you go for one?

In the gritty streets of Edinburgh, one man is about to find out. Garry Plumb has always been invisible – a solitary data analyst haunted by a childhood of cruelty and a life defined by aching loneliness. But when a colleague’s sister is murdered, Garry’s world cracks open. A chance encounter with the enigmatic Billy Blunt introduces him to a secret that defies reality: a living device capable of sending its holder back in time, offering the chance to rewrite the past and reshape the present.

As Garry steps into his own history, he discovers the intoxicating power of righting old wrongs and erasing the scars of trauma. But with every change he makes, the line between justice and vengeance blurs.

Meanwhile, Detective Chief Inspector John Waters is closing in on a chilling pattern of murders, his investigation threatening to expose secrets that were never meant to be unearthed.

With Time to Kill: Book One is a gripping blend of psychological suspense and speculative fiction, exploring the price of redemption and the darkness that can grow in the shadows of regret. For fans of dark thrillers and mind-bending time travel, this is a story about the choices that define us, and the consequences we can never outrun.

Review

Billed as a blend of psychological thriller and Scottish crime noir you had me hooked already. Then add a splash of dark sci-fi.. Colour me intrigued! 

Garry hasn’t had the best of upbringings, no father and a mother who simply tolerated him (to a point).. He doesnt find making connections easy.. Introverted and closed..but he’s managed to find a way to survive..but not thrive.. He’s more or less invisible..

He dreams of being more.. Finding love..Finding friendship..Little does Garry know friendship is on its way to find him.

Garry is a creature of comfort and order so when he’s finally noticed by someone that person knows exactly how to contact him.. A little note left on his favourite seat.. An invite to meet..an action that will have lasting effects..

At the same time we start learning of some gruesome crimes being committed in the area.. Even one of Garry’s colleagues is affected.. The police we learn don’t have any clues but could it be a serial killer?

Now we meet Billy..Billy sees a little of himself in Garry and he wants nothing more than to mould Garry.. He’s got plans.. And secrets..

This is where the sci-fi edge comes in…Billy has a way to change the past. I won’t spoil the “how” but I felt it was a really clever way to give the sci-fi edge and the whole idea of how they can travel back  in time, the constraints around it.. Wow..

As Garry travels to the past to better his future he changes himself.. He’s more confident.. But there’s always factors in his life getting in the way of his true potential…or that’s at least what Billy is thinking as he leads Garry along.. Pushing him further and further down a dark trajectory.

All the while the police are struggling as more victims are found and there’s something linking them..

As the story hits its conclusion Billy’s true nature is revealed.. His whole plan rumbled.. But how can Garry sort this mess out.. And can he even forgive himself for the things he’s done.. Even if some of them seem fairly justified..time will tell.

I loved the plot, it pulled me in from the first page. Garry is likable and the author does a great job of making the reader feel empathy towards Garry as he goes down his dark journey.

The whole time travel edge really made you think.. What would you do for the greater good? And where do you draw the line?

With Time to Kill is a smart story, it gives so much more than the standard crime thriller and is the perfect read for fans of crime stories but especially those looking for something a little different.. It’s got a spark but It’s dark and gritty.. The whole mash of genre’s mixed to perfection.

I couldn’t be happier with my choice in book and knowing there’s a couple more stories in the series.. Yeah I’ll be getting on them soon for sure! That ending… It leaves possibilities open to Garry so I’m keen to see where the author takes him.

The easiest of 5* I’ll probably ever give.

To find out more head to Goodreads or Amazon!

Not Quite the Classics by Colin Mochrie – AUDIO REVIEW

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Today I’m reviewing Not Quite the Classics by Colin Mochrie.

Here’s the blurb

Where the art of improvisation meets the art of literature.

“Colin Mochrie is a comedic and creative force to be reckoned with. Therefore, this book is a literary force to be reckoned with. If you are too lazy for reckoning, just read this book and everything will work out nicely.” ―Brad Sherwood

“Colin Mochrie is devastatingly handsome, perilously smart, and smells like warm maple syrup. Step inside his hilarious and complex mind, and abandon all hope.” ―Aisha Tyler

Based on the improv game First Line, Last Line, Colin Mochrie of Whose Line is it Anyway? fame, puts a unique spin on works of classic literature. Taking the first line and last line from classic books and poems, Colin recasts these familiar stories in his own trademark offbeat style:

  • A verbose coyote becomes the star of A TALE OF TWO CRITTERS
  • Ishmael is a struggling actor hunting for a good hair day in MOBY
  • A rainy day at home becomes a zombie-killing adventure in THE CAT AND MY DAD
  • Mighty Casey strikes out again in CASEY AT THE BAR

These stories, and many more, prove that no literary masterpiece is too big, or too small, for the improvisational comedy treatment.

Review

So this is my second time listening to the audio version of Not Quite the Classics by Colin Mochrie.

Mochrie just so happens to be one of my favourite comedians out there, falling in love with his humour as a youngin watching late night tv, catching Whose Line Is It Anyway. Not to make anyone feel old but that was back in the day when we only had 4 tv channels to pick from ha ha.

I remember listening to Not Quite the Classics when it first came out but I thought it was high time I do the book justice, listen again, and get a review up.

Firstly why audio? Well that’s easy.. The pull for me was Mochrie himself, his tone is perfect for storytelling so it was a no brainer for me that audio was the way forward!

Not Quite the Classics is a collection of tales, reimaging’s of well known classics such as Frankenstein, A Study in Scarlet and Moby Dick to name but a few.

What really stands out is Mochrie’s talent, that signature humour being funnelled into storytelling. The style is sometimes light hearted and fun, other times darker but each unmistakably Mochrie’s wit and charm.

To highlight just a few standout tales, A Tale of Two Critters.. Wowza..you’ll never think of Wile E. Coyote the same as we explore obsession to the nth degree. 

Moby.. Oh I mean as a man the wrong side of 40 and showing it, this tale based around Moby Dick following a struggling actor dealing with baldness hit pretty hard, it’s so damn clever how he makes such a surreal tale that has depth and meaning.

Frankenstein.. Wow.. this twist! I don’t want to spoil it but what would we all do if we had the chance to keep someone alive? And would it really be a good thing? This for me was a standout as not only moving but a very smart plot that engages the reader.

Pace wise this book was perfect for me, some stories are longer than others but never drawn out. It was perfect for my daily commute to work and back!

Overall Mochrie’s imagination shines off the pages and being to hear each inflection as the author wanted was just perfect.

The easiest of 5*

To find out more head to Goodreads! while the audio version doesn’t seem to still be on audible the published book would still be worth buying in my opinion.

Wolf and the Crown: (Shadow of Rome Book 2)

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Today I’m reviewing Wolf and the Crown, book 2 in the Shadow of Rome series by Adam Lofthouse.

Here’s the blurb..

Wall of Hadrian. Britannia, 382 AD. War is creeping back into the land. As silent as snowfall, as inevitable as winter. They’ve had sixteen years of peace, but all things must end.

Tribune Sixtus Victorinus has grown old, complacent. Blind to the truth that stares him in the face, he contents himself with what he has. He runs errands for the Dux Britanniarum Flavius Maximus and watches with joy as his boys grow to become men.

It is his friend, Prefect Gaius Felicius, who first spots the signs. Once more, the Caledonian tribes are rearing their heads in the north, but the greatest danger does not lie with them.

For there is a new pretender to the throne of the West. Another man who seeks to drape himself in purple. Caught up in a scheme they cannot comprehend, Victorinus and Felicius must navigate their way through both a war in the depths of winter, and a treasonous plot that will shake the Roman Empire to its core.

A new age dawns on the men of Britannia. For Victorinus, he must fight for the right to see the sun rise over it. 

Review

As a fan of the author I’m of course going to tell you to read all his other books if you can, especially Eagle and the Flame, but truthfully the plot is so wonderfully written you don’t need to, all the detail is right there. If you haven’t read the 1st book I can guarantee after reading this you’ll want to that’s for sure!

I’m not going to say I’m an expert but I love this period of time.. Maximus, Theodosius and Gratian.. well known names, but what Lofthouse manages to bring to the genre is some fresh energy and oomph!

We follow Tribune Sixtus Victorinus and Felicius as they serve the empire to the best of their ability.. but little do they know what’s coming for them. They once saved the empire from the biggest threat possible… and they are going to have to do it again!

War is coming and there’s plenty of battles for the gore fans, and I really liked the details added to formations of the horse units for example to help the reader really understand their importance in battle, .. it’s like a chess game and a bad strategy can cause you a defeat.. but at the same time.. don’t take things for granted.. the enemy might just be playing games with you..

Both characters are thrown into the thick of danger at every turn of the page..it’s just a full on adrenaline rush of the tale.. each forced to fight to stay alive.. but who are the enemies really? If you know the period you’ll have a good idea, the political landscape at the time was complicated to say the least and the men of the time only wanted one thing… power!

If anything I feel Adam Lofthouse just keeps getting better and better with his plot and the subtle details that make the characters come alive. I particularly liked that the author showed how tough being in the army could be on the soldiers’ feet! I doubt many of us today could march like the roman legions!

What really shines through is the relationships between the men.. forged in the heat of battle…theirs friendship, family, love.. it’s so beautifully lovely and brutal at the same time..then throw in those twists! Christ.. my heart could barely take it! if the author makes me worry about Amor in the next book as much as in this one I think I’ll be writing a strongly worded letter for sure ha ha.

I’m going to be perfectly honest and say I reckon the author needs to give the character Drost his own series now! Oh how I loved that man and his humour! He’s got so much going for him and I really could see his own tale working.

The setup for the next book in the series couldn’t have been better.. what Lofthouse does is leaves you with the taste for more..that’s not any easy thing to do.. sometimes endings can leave things flat… oh hell no.. not this story…I really do need more.

Lofthouse is my pick for 2026 as one to watch!!

There’s only thing to say about this book.. SNAILS! Who knew.. well done to the author for another cracking read..5/5 Stars

To find out more head to Goodreads or click here to view online retailers 🙂

Morph: Demise of Knacc by Tim Ferguson

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Today I’m reviewing Morph: Demise of Knacc by Tim Ferguson!

Here’s the blurb

Dan Fletcher was never meant to exist. Now someone wants him dead.

Enhanced at birth without his knowledge, Dan is one of the MorphEns—a covert generation of genetically engineered humans, designed to be faster, stronger, and smarter than everyone else. He’s spent thirty years believing he’s normal. That illusion ends in a brutal ambush in the French Alps.

Hunted across Europe, Dan is forced on the run with his brother and sister as the Apfel—a ruthless organisation with unlimited reach—closes in. Assassins strike without warning. Safe houses burn. And the people chasing him know exactly what he is.

As MI6 fights to keep him alive, the CIA and FSB wage a silent war to seize control of the programme that created him. Trapped between rival agencies, betrayed at every turn, and pursued by enemies who never miss, Dan must rely on instinct, courage, and the few people he can still trust to survive.

No one can be trusted. Nowhere is safe.
And when evolution makes you a weapon, how do you outrun the people who built you?

Review

The book starts strong with an interesting premise.. the government is hiding a secret.. they have been testing on some of their own..it doesn’t actually have a negative effect on them.. The secret is they have enhanced their children at birth without their knowledge..

Think super humans.. the elite.. the fastest.. strongest.. smartest…

Great right? Wrong..

Someone is now targeting these individuals..and within the first few chapters we see how organised the operation is and a number of these promising kids are cut down in their prime.

But why? It’s all a bit vague.. those hunting them fast and clean.. little to decipher.. that’s what hooks you in..

We soon meet Dan Fletcher.. like the others already targeted he doesn’t know there’s anything different about him.. his life is shattered into a million pieces one day when he’s attacked on the French Alps.

His choices are few.. he doesn’t even know what’s happening so is the safest thing to do run?

You’d think.. but those after him have a lot of resources.. and quickly we see it’s just just his life in the balance..Oh did I forget to mention.. collateral damage is fine to these guys..as long as it’s clean with no witnesses a few extra bodies doesn’t matter.

When it’s clear to Dan his family can’t escape this either the tense nature of the story really kicks in..he doesn’t know who to trust but he has to trust someone.. how else can he get out of this mess?

What makes the story pop is while Dan is trying to figure things out so is the reader, who can be trusted.. is there anyone? Is Dan a threat or an asset? Could he be dangerous or are they overreacting.. it’s all a bit muddy.. but that puts you right there.. confused trying to unscramble the picture.. the motives.. imagine what Dan must be thinking..

The author teases..then the truth becomes more clear.. there’s more to it than simply killing all the MorphEns..evolution and fear…will Dan ever be able to truly escape? Fear is not something easily conquered so will these shadowy killers keep coming?

Overall it’s a cracking read with loads of development both plot and character. For me it was the fear I found most compelling.. fear of death.. fear of something different..fear of lack of control..something that can be mirrored in everyday life.

Morph: Demise of Knacc isn’t a slow burner by any means but it’s got a lot of characters and depth so take your time.. get fully into the world Tim Ferguson has imagined and I promise you’ll enjoy!

4/5 Stars

To find out more head to Goodreads or Amazon.

A Winter’s Tail by Frank Westworth

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Today I’m reviewing A Winter’s Tail from Frank Westworth, a Killing Sisters Story.

Here’s the burb

Chastity Weise once killed people for a living. Some of those kills were government sanctioned. Other men were murdered to balance the scales of justice. Sometimes, her kills were a last act of charity. Back then, Chastity seduced, corrupted and overwhelmed her targets.
These days, she’s trying to keep the body count under control and earn a semi-honest living in the personal security business. But while she watches from the shadows, a murderous mystery unfolds and a trap is sprung. The ghosts of her past might be Chastity’s only hope for survival…

A slow-burn blend of hardboiled banter and knife-edge jeopardy. Recommended for readers who enjoy books by Mick Herron, Sue Grafton and Janet Evanovich.

A Winter’s Tail is a self-contained novella which features characters from the Killing Sisters crime-thriller novels and the JJ Stoner short stories. It follows The Redemption Of Charm and picks up a couple of years after the events which took place in the Killing Sisters trilogy. With an agile imagination, A Winter’s Tail can be enjoyed as a stand-alone story without reading the other books. Live dangerously!

Review.

It feels like it’s been a while since we’ve had a new story from Frank Westworth but he’s back with a corker of a tale!

Chastity is trying to make a career out of her god given talents.. she kills people.. and she’s bloody good at it… Chastity likes to right wrongs.. punish those who think they are untouchable..

Now don’t get me wrong, Chastity loves a good kill but her talents are more than just that, she’s clever, can easily track people down, gain evidence and such… and it’s one one such job when things go a little sideways…

Someone is shot…and Chastity becomes suspect number one.. but she didn’t do it.. who saw her there? things just seem off.

The trouble is Chastity is a bit of a lost soul now without her sisters and the brooding talents of JJ Stoner to aid her.. she’s on her own….or is she??

There’s a wonderful blast from the past coming to bring their holy guidance to Chastity..this is just what she needed.. someone to help her see the wood for the trees, to see what stinks with this whole mission..

It’s a great reintroduction to Chastity and in the typical style of Frank Westworth it’s not about the word count..his writing is short, sharp, abrasive and cutting.. it gets to the blunt point just like the characters portrayed.

What I really love about these short stories from the author is the words the story doesn’t say, the reader given the chance to imagine, to remember, but with enough depth and development that allows the tale to flow solidly.

I’m always left wanting more. If you want to read this as a standalone I’d say it’s a 4* as you’ll not fully understand the characters, the dark humour.. which for me is a big thing with these stories..for fans of the series though it’s an easy 5* addition.

To find out more head to Goodreads or Amazon.

The Game by Danny Dagan

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Today I’m reviewing The Game by Dann Dagan, here’s the blurb

Five heirs. One island. A deadly game. A group of billionaires face the ultimate reckoning in this twisty psychological thriller.
When the adult children of five billionaires are abducted by a shadowy group, their parents face an unthinkable ultimatum: pay the highest price or lose their loved ones forever. But as fortunes crumble and alliances fracture, secrets rise to the surface.
On a remote island prison, the hostages are pushed to their limits while the manipulative mastermind pulls the strings. Time is running out, and the stakes are higher than anyone could have imagined.
How far would you go to save your child? What is the price you’d be willing to pay?

Review

This book was recommended to me by my daughter after she heard about it on a school trip to Holy Island.. she thought it looked like something I’d like and damn she was spot on!

When five adult children are abducted, their well off families gather expecting a ransom demand.. the thing is the demands aren’t exactly the typical request.. these kidnappers want to play a game.. it’s now a competition to see which parents will do the most for their child..

Alex Czerniak is hired with their team to help locate the children but things are much more complex all too soon as each parent is pitted against the others.. win the competition and you’ll she your child again..loose and they will be gone forever.

We switch between perspectives as we see events through the hostages eyes too, where they are treated well enough on a isolated island but it’s all a bit of a phycological mind bashing where we explore their lives, and how they got here.. the relationships they have with each other and with their parents..

This is where the super clever twists are thrown in… I’m not sure anyone is 100% the person they claim to be.. everyone seems to have a secret you just don’t know the motives behind hiding the truth.. some are more devious than others..

I felt the kidnappers were probably the best part of the story.. the physiological torture they put everyone under..forcing their hands.. forcing them to give up everything for them to give to those more deserving..its not just money either.. it forces them to bare all.. confront the truth they hide from.. to find out who they really are.

The pace is steady and while the book changes perspectives it’s written in a easy flowing style meaning you are never lost, or bored.. I felt the changing perspectives is what makes it even more gripping as it builds the suspense.

Very enjoyable, will definitely see what the author comes up with next.

4/5 stars

To find out more head to Goodreads or Amazon.