Category Archives: Book Reviews

BLOG TOUR – Daisy Daydream Bus Rhymes and Jokes by Sue Wickstead – REVIEW

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Today we are kicking of the Blog Tour for Daisy Daydream Bus Rhymes and Jokes by Sue Wickstead!

Keeping reading for a chance to  win a signed copy of  the Double-Decker Playbus Colouring Book too!

Here’s the blurb.

Some well known nursery rhymes, rewritten, with a bus twist.

Come and sing along and share a bus joke too.

A special collection for Daisy Daydream.

(Who has her own story book)

Review

My two girls are now 8 year old and big fans of Sue Wickstead having read David’s Bin Day and David’s Bathtime Adventure.

Daisy Daydreams Bus Rhymes and Jokes is a fun collection of jokes and rhymes but the twist is they are all bus related..so those rhymes you’ve known since childhood have been tweaked in a fun way to fill this book full of fun.

I sat down with my two to discuss the book and from the off Georgia said if she saw this book on a book shelf she would buy it.. the colours, the playful fun looking bus, very eye catching.

When you open the book from the first page you easily get the feel for the book, jokes and rhymes neatly mixed but the pages never too cluttered.

Myself and girls particularly liked the jokes, each displayed in their own ticket!

You can tell a lot of thought has went into not only the rhymes and jokes but also the placement within the book, each page is packed with just the right amount of words for any young one to read without feeling too overwhelmed. As a parent I think this is quite nicely aimed for those young ones learning to read out loud, it’s easy to follow and broken up in small sections which is easier on the eye.

The girls also really enjoyed the authors own rhymes, not only do we get reimagined classics but we also get some brand new ones focused on the authors work which I feel just brings the series of books together nicely.

Credit where credit is due the author has put a lovely book together with the aid of Claire Shaw for the layout and Artful Doodlers for the illustrations..each part is done perfectly, so much so Georgia wants to get a copy to give to her school for other children to read.

Overall the kids really liked this fun little read, it’s quick and manages to keep a child’s attention. 4 – 8 year olds seems about the right age range for this book and if you’ve got a little one I reckon they will enjoy this one too!

It’s a 5* read from my two girls!

To find out more check out the links below!

https://suewickstead.co.uk/shop

www.suewickstead.co.uk

amazon.co.uk https://www.amazon.co.uk/Daisy-Daydream-Bus-Rhymes-Jokes/dp/0993073794/

Amazon .com https://www.amazon.com/Daisy-Daydream-Bus-Rhymes-Jokes/dp/0993073794/

Waterstones https://www.waterstones.com/book/daisy-daydream-bus-rhymes-and-jokes/sue-wickstead/9780993073793

Barnes and noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/daisy-daydream-bus-rhymes-and-jokes-sue-wickstead/1132338099?ean=9780993073793

Why not follow the tour?

Author Bio –

Sue Wickstead lives in West Sussex, UK and writes children’s picture story books.

Her stories relate to both her experiences as a teacher as well as her play-work adventures with a bus.

The Playbus was a real double-decker bus full of toys, arts and crafts, as well as a lot of fun to play on. Sue wrote a photographic social history book about the project which led to her story telling and her writing. All of Sue’s books do have a bus included in them somewhere. Daisy Daydream was the bus that Sue painted and the start of her Playbus and writing journey.

When not writing Sue builds models with Lego (especially for her grandson), she loves spending quality time with her young grandson and enjoys creating models to share with him on his visits.

Her grandson features in the book ‘Barty Barton; the bear that was loved too much’ which was published in 2020. He also helps his Nanny Sue to sing along with a few of the rhymes sue has written.

Many of Sue’s books have been entered and shortlisted in ‘The Wishing Shelf Book Awards’, the book ‘A Spooky Tale’ was a silver medal winner in 2019. The story was written with her class in school.

Social Media Links –

Web site : www.suewickstead.co.uk

Facebook

Twitter (or X as it’s known now)

Instagram – Jay Jay Bus Books

Instagram – Sue Wickstead

Giveaway to Win a signed copy of  the Double-Decker Playbus Colouring Book. (UK only)

*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33c69494563/?

BLOG TOUR – Brothers of the Sword by Peter Gibbons

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Today is my stop on the blog tour for Brothers of the Sword by Peter Gibbons!

Here’s the blurb

An epic battle where heroes fight and die to protect a Kingdom from Viking invasion…

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King Aethelred the Unready’s Kingdom of the English is threatened. Olaf Tryggvason and his fleet of Viking warships snap at the coastal edges like ravenous wolves, and Sweyn Forkbeard, King of the Danes, has landed in East Anglia with an army of battle-hardened warriors.

Ealdorman Byrhtnoth of Essex must stand against them faced with overwhelming odds, forging his legend in the blood of his deadly enemies.

By his side, his Thegn, Beornoth, a brutal warrior and savage Saxon fighter is torn between his need to protect his loved ones, and his duty to fight for his Lord.

As the Vikings raid and slaughter, Beornoth is forced to fight for the survival of his oath sworn brothers, his Lord, and the Kingdom itself when all roads lead to the fateful Battle of Maldon.

Can Beornoth protect his people and survive one of the most famous battles of the Viking Age?

A thrilling story, packed with war, vengeance and visceral combat.

Review

Brothers of the Sword is book 3 in the The Saxon Warrior Series by Peter Gibbons and picks up where the last book left us.. The Vikings are still on English soil… the last battle cost both sides heavily but the Viking’s won’t be deterred that easily.

A lot happened during the last battle and while Beornoth and his fellow warriors fought one threat another, Sweyn Forkbeard, took advantage and now holds a strategic piece of land.. but why have the locals not sent him packing? Were they overwhelmed? Or is something more devilish at play?

Beornoth is sent to learn his plans under a banner of truce, the idea being if he will leave peacefully all the better but you already know that won’t happen.

A few worrying issues appear quickly.. an old foe is brought before Beornoth which shows danger is mounting and an attack could come from more than one direction.. but also there’s a religious angle at play.. Forkbeard is a Christian and many English have had enough of the Church’s influence and the current King.. so are actually in two minds two welcome Forkbeard in the hope this will change things for the better but can a Viking ever be trusted? Would they ever really see the English as anything other than lambs to slaughter?

Beornoth and the other warriors prepare for the war that they know will come and have little time to be with their loved ones..but a worrying thought plays deeply.. the Viking’s are vicious warriors to a man.. the English however do not have the numbers to match.. The Fryd if called upon for numbers are everyday folk.. farmers.. not killers..If the Viking’s come as one there just isnt enough fighting men to stop them but that won’t stop Beornoth doing what he must.

Beornoth has some wonderful development throughout as he is still reeling from his personal terrors.. his two girls killed in a Viking raid and his wife left broken..but you see the ice thaw a little more each time they are with each other.. the pain will never go but can they grow close again?

What I really love is that Beornoth’s power comes from his pain.. the pure need for vengeance plain and simple.. he’s a good man at heart but he would be the first one to admit he just wants to kill these ba****ds to repay what they did to his, and many others families.

Brothers of the Sword is brutal and full of blood and gore but it offers so much more than that..it’s the characters.. the connections.. the men are brothers by blood oath and they will fight till the death to save their people and the place they call home.

Peter Gibbons clearly knows how to weave a tale perfectly with the right amount of balance of plot and character development, paced superbly leaving the reader with a beautifully murderously delicious tale packed fully of detail. Sometimes I can struggle with historical fiction when you can tell an author is purposefully putting detail in.. so much so it stands out as strange and sometimes distracts from the plot.. Gibbons has no such trouble.. its almost effortless how easily he weaves the different aspects together, nothing felt forced or over done.. just marvellous!

Oh and that cover… AMAZING!

Outstanding 5* read from an author I’m eager to see more from.. Clear knows what his readers want and knows how to take it to the next level.

My thanks go to the author, the publisher and Rachel’s Random Resources for having me on the blog tour! I received an ARC of the book as part of the tour but I had the book pre-ordered too!

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

Why not follow the tour?

Author Bio –

Peter Gibbons is a financial advisor and author of the highly acclaimed Viking Blood and Blade trilogy. He comes to Boldwood with his new Saxon Warrior series, set around the 900 AD Viking invasion during the reign of King Athelred the Unready. He originates from Liverpool and now lives with his family in County Kildare.

Social Media Links –  

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

Twitter https://twitter.com/AuthorGibbons

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

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

PUBLICATION DAY PUSH – Sherlock Holmes & the Silver Cord by M. K. Wiseman – REVIEW

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Today I’m joining the publication day push for Sherlock Holmes & the Silver Cord by M. K. Wiseman!

Here’s the blurb

“I speak of magic, Mr. Holmes.”

Mr. Percy Simmons, leader of London’s Theosophical Order of Odic Forces, is fully aware that his is not a case which Mr. Sherlock Holmes would ordinarily take up.

These are not ordinary times, however.

For something, some unquiet demon within Holmes stirs into discomfiting wakefulness under the occultist’s words. The unassuming Mr. Simmons has spoken of good and evil with the sort of certainty of soul that Sherlock yearns for. A certainty which has eluded Holmes for the three years in which the world thought him dead. While, for all intents, constructions, and purposes, he was dead.

But six months ago, Sherlock Holmes returned to Baker Street, declared himself alive to friend and foe alike, took up his old rooms, his profession, and his partnership with Dr. J. Watson—only to find himself haunted still by questions which had followed him out of the dreadful chasm of Reichenbach Falls:

Why? Why had he survived when his enemy had not? To what end? And had there ever, truly, been such a thing as justice? Such a thing as good or evil?

Review

Sherlock Holmes is a beloved character to me so was very intrigued by this plot. It must be a dauting time writing a story based on such a well know individual so excited and worried slightly was how I felt.. would the book do the character justice?

In the word.. YES!

The tale starts strong with Sherlock vs his old nemesis Moriarty..These events leave Sherlock at a bit of a loss and with some inner turmoil to process.

As with any good detective Sherlock finds it impossible to stay still and his mind yearns for a case..and it just so happens one has just rocked up at his door.

A case of blackmail.. but the blackmail is written in the hand of the person being blackmailed.. how is that even possible??

We next meet Mr Simmons who has another case.. some friends of his have recently died under strange circumstances and the belief is a magical enemy is at fault.

Sherlock is obviously sceptical with the idea of magic but it intrigues his mind.. more so when there’s a link to the blackmail case..

There’s plenty of twists and turns for any hardcore Sherlock fan but what the author really got spot on for me was the character himself, he’s always been kind of a broken man and this tale explores that as Sherlock tries to figure out good versus evil… and which side of the line does he really sit on…he’s at a loss without the person he deemed his equal.

I also really enjoyed the pace in the very typical still of Holmes.. it’s a slow burner as Sherlock puts the pieces together.. but you are never board.. never left wanting..it’s offered up like a delicious three course meal bit by bit, with the truth at the end coming like a big fat piece of cheesecake just when you need it!

I was left feeling very happy after this offering, felt I had reconnected with a character we’ve know for years, and it had everything I wanted for a Sherlock book and more!

I can’t give the book anything less than 5* but I wish I could give it more.. The plot was awesome but Sherlock himself stole the show.. the mannerisms.. his temperament…his thought processes.. just divine!!

Purchase Links

Amazon

kobo.com

Barnes and Noble

Author Bio –

M. K. Wiseman has degrees in Interarts & Technology and Library & Information Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her office, therefore, is a curious mix of storyboards and reference materials. Both help immensely in the writing of historical novels. She currently resides in Cedarburg, Wisconsin.

Social Media Links –

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

BLOG TOUR – Three Sisters by Owen Mullen

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Today is my turn on the blog tour for Three Sisters by Owen Mullen.

Followers of mine will know Owen is a firm favourite on David’s Book Blurg!

Here’s the blurb

One chance meeting. A night that changes everything.


The Kennedy sisters, Molly, Alex and Sam, have a Christmas tradition – a night out, just the three of them, sisters together.

Lewis Stone can’t face the work Christmas party, but as he’s one of the bosses, he has to put in an appearance.  He leaves as soon as he can politely get away, ready for the holidays to begin.

When Lewis Stone meets the Kennedy sisters, a train of events begins that engulfs them all.

One sister is left fighting for her life.

One sister is left fighting for her marriage.

And one sister is hellbent on revenge…

Review

Warning spoilers ahead!!

It’s a normal night out for three sisters, Molly, Alex and Sam until their happiness is shattered!

Their lives are about to collide with Lewis Stone.. wrong place wrong time.

Molly is struck by Lewis’s car, but was it an accident? It seems so but Sam won’t hear it. Something snaps inside her and her life will never be the same.. she’s hell bent on seeing Lewis pay.

Alex on the other hand is able to cope better but that’s only because she has her husbands shoulder to lean on.. but she has her own issues.. the marriage isn’t as happy as it seems.

Lewis is broken after the events of the crash which causes issues at work with his partner. As his world implodes he tries to hide from it by simply ignoring life.. but that’s not going to work for long.

I’ll try to keep the rest of the review spoiler free but lets just say it’s a cracking tale, there’s twists and turns and some secrets come out that really shock you.

The development of the plot and characters was spot on, nothing felt out of place and the pace perfectly matched. The changing perspectives really made the plot pop. Hooked is an understatement.

Mullen certainly knows his craft and effortlessly gives you intriguing characters and stories.. I never tire of his work.

I can’t really tell you how good this book is without giving more spoilers, but rest assured you won’t be disappointed!

A resounding 5* hit.. Mullen never puts a foot wrong!

To find out more head to Goodreads or Amazon! (Or any good local book retailor)

My thanks go to @rararesources for having me on the tour, as well as the author and publisher for supplying an ARC to aid my review. As usual though… I’ve bought a copy too.. I had it on pre-order and I think a paperback is needed for the collection too 🙂

Boldwood Books are killing it these days with some brilliant authors and stories. Do grab a bargain today!

Why not follow the tour?

Author Bio –

O J  Mullen is a highly regarded crime author who lives in Scotland. In his earlier life he lived in London and worked as a musician and session singer. His first gangland thriller for Boldwood, Family was published in January 2021.

Social Media Links

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

Twitter https://twitter.com/owenmullen6

Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/owenmullen6/

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

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig – Review

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Today I’m reviewing The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

Here’s the blurb

Nora’s life has been going from bad to worse. Then at the stroke of midnight on her last day on earth she finds herself transported to a library. There she is given the chance to undo her regrets and try out each of the other lives she might have lived. Which raises the ultimate question: with infinite choices, what is the best way to live?

Review

I don’t think I’ve read anything more beautifully poignant than The Midnight Library.

The tale follows Nora as her life hits rock bottom.. she’s lost her job and her cat… that’s everything she held close.. not to mention her relationships are at an all time low…. She feels like her life is a failure. Just as she’s about to spend her last moments on Earth she finds herself transported to The Midnight Library.

In this library you get the chance to live the versions of your life you may have lived if you made different decisions. Nora gets the chance to undo her list of regrets.. she gets another chance at a life of happiness.. the issue is Nora isnt too interested..she doesn’t want to live..she’s made her choice.

Now here’s where the book just knocks it out of the park.. Nora slowly learns that perhaps having regrets isnt needed.. life isnt prefect and in each version of her life Nora she struggles to find happiness. There’s an important message shining through.. maybe we all just need to try to see the good in our lives rather than live with regrets.

Maybe things happen for a reason, maybe those relationships were meant to break down.

As Nora returns to the library after each journey we slowly see her outlook change.. maybe her life isn’t that bad aftrall..she finds herself wanting to live.. but she’s running out of time.

The Midnight Library is my first foray into the authors work and I’ve heard many a good thing. Based on stellar recommendations I felt it was time to give the author a try and I’m so glad I did.  

Overall, a beautifully written thought-provoking tale that helps you consider a very difficult subject. Mental health is very prominent these days, and righty so, but it’s not easy to understand since we are all very different. I really enjoyed how the author tackled the subject and I dare you to read this and try and tell me you didn’t feel differently at the end.

Easy 5*

To find out more head to Goodreads or Amazon! Or any good local retailor 😊

In the Shadows of Castles by G K Holloway – REVIEW

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Today I’m reviewing In the Shadows of Castles by G K Holloway

Here’s the blurb

It’s the 1060s, and William of Normandy is establishing a new and brutal regime in England, but there are those who would defy him. As Norman soldiers spread like a plague across the land, resistance builds, but will it be enough to topple William and restore the rightful king to his throne? The English have the courage to fight, but the Normans, already victorious at Hastings, now build castles seeking to secure their tenuous foothold in these lands.

And what of the people caught up in these catastrophic events? Dispossessed but not defeated, their lives ripped apart, the English struggle for freedom from tyranny; amongst them, caught up in the turmoil, are a soldier, a thane and two sisters. As events unfold, their destinies become intertwined, bringing drastic changes that alter their lives forever.

Firmly embedded in the history of the Conquest, ‘In the Shadows of Castles’ is ultimately a story of love, hope and survival in a time of war.

Review

‘In the Shadows of Castles’ details events that occurred after 1066 and is a follow up to the wonderful ‘1066: What Fates Impose’ I highly recommend you pick this one up too as it’s one of the best I’ve read on the subject.

After any major battle you just know things won’t settle quickly and 1066 is a fine example of how war can lead to disarray, and rarely peace.

William may have claimed England but there are many English nobles who don’t like the idea of bending a knee to this man.

You’d be forgiven to think a new King might want to settle his new country a little after such a fierce battle.. yes you need to ensure the populace and the nobles recognise your right to rule but William enforces a brutal regime that the populace won’t stand for!

As you can imagine there’s a few skirmishes along the way as well as political moves from both sides and living through this uncertain period must have been very frightening indeed.

There’s a couple of things I really really really enjoyed, firstly the time period. I think lots has been written around the events of 1066, but not so much time is given to the succeeding years.

I also really enjoy the authors style of writing. I used to have a history teacher at school who really manged to make the past come alive and G K Holloway has the gift for this too. He manages to weave history with his own set of fictional characters to really make the events come to life. I think text books are great don’t get me wrong, but sometimes you need to make things more personable for events to really hit home hit.

There’s so much detail added for those you really enjoy that aspect too but it’s mixed perfectly with the plot, never forced, so the story flows well.

I can’t recommend G K Holloway any more highly. 5*

To find out more head to Goodreads or Amazon! Or any good local retailor 😊

BLOG TOUR – Kings of War by M. J. Porter.

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Today is my turn on the blog tour for Kings of War by M. J. Porter.

Here’s the blurb

Can the King of the Scots and the Dublin Norse triumph against a united England?

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King Athelstan of the English has been successful in uniting the many kingdoms of Britain against one enemy, the Viking raiders.

But men who are kings don’t wish to be ruled.

Constantin, King of the Scots, rebelled against the Imperium and was forcibly brought to bend the knee to Athelstan and England at Cirencester.

His son Ildulb seeks bloody vengeance from Athelstan following the battle at Cait and the death of his son.

Olaf Gothfrithson, king of the Dublin Norse, having asserted his power following his father’s death has his sights set on reclaiming Jorvik.

Can the united might of the Scots and the violence of the Dublin Norse, descendants of the infamous Viking raiders, bring King Athelstan and his vision of the united Saxon English to her knees?

An epic story of kingsmanship that will result in the pivotal, bloody Battle of Brunanburh, where only one side can be victorious.

Review

King Athelstan has united Britain but threats are close.. King Constantin of Scotland is not to be thought of as weak and while he puts on a good show in the background political rumblings mean peace surely won’t last… and a bloody war is just around the corner.

I really enjoyed this instalment as I loved the chapter style, each part of the story told from the perspectives of the main characters. This added a depth to the tale as you could see their gut reactions to events, it just made the characters feel real and you could see their own internal wars trying to maintain the power they have, not wanting to appear weak knowing to be King they need to show strength even if peace is the best option for all.

M.J. Porter is well known to me for bringing history to life and this is the perfect example of historical fiction done perfectly. Packed full of historical detail but with the added pinch of the authors style of development leads to a fast following, easy read. With the genre, names, places etc it’s often easy to get overwhelmed but M. J. Porter allows the time for the story to flow naturally, but at a good pace, introducing characters and their place within the story effortlessly.

When I read historical fictions books I’m mainly looking for the action.. the blood and gore and while King’s of War offers this if also gives me so much more, it’s the character development, their motivations, the fear not only of war but fear from your own people turning against you.. it just made what would have been a turbulent time feel more real.. so instead of just reading it.. I felt it.. my own blood racing as the pressure mounts… again it’s all about the build up baby and I loved it!

Being the 2nd book in a series I’d always suggest reading the 1st, just for added depth but King’s of War is perfect as a standalone just as much!

Another 5* corker from the prolific M. J. Porter!

My thanks go to @rararesources for having me on the tour, as well as the author and publisher for supplying an ARC to aid my review. As usual though… I’m buying the book too

To find out more head to Goodreads or Amazon.

Why not follow the tour?

Author Bio –

MJ Porter is the author of many historical novels set predominantly in Seventh to Eleventh-Century England, and in Viking Age Denmark. They were raised in the shadow of a building that they believed housed the bones of long-dead Kings of Mercia – so their writing destiny was set. The first novel in their new Anglo-Saxon series for Boldwood Son of Mercia was published in February 2022.

Social Media Links –  

Twitter https://twitter.com/coloursofunison

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

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

Para Bellum by Simon Turney – REVIEW

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Today I’m reviewing Para Bellum by Simon Turney!

Here’s the blurb

A powerful new novel set in the fourth-century Roman Empire by critically acciaimed historical novelist Simon Turney, Para Bellum will delight fans of Scarrow, Kane and Cornwell.

AD 381. Five years have gone by since a Roman governor ordered the deaths of a Gothic king and his attendants at a feast in their honour. This disastrous act led to warfare in the Roman Empire and the death of the Emperor Valens.

The Empire is now at peace, but the powerful brother of the murdered king has sworn revenge on the regicides, and will not rest until they are hunted down. For the eight legionaries who carried out the killings, the bloodshed is only just beginning.

Flavius Focalis is one of those legionaries. After narrowly surviving an attempt on his life, Focalis seeks to warn his former comrades, for he knows their enemy is implacable. So begins a deadly game of cat-and-mouse across the Empire, with far more than eight lives at stake. For war is coming – and the only question is: do they die now, or die later?

Review

Focalis awakes one night.. his solider senses tingling.. all is not right.

The past has come back to haunt him.. he knows why.. he’s been waiting for this day all his life… he would have accepted his fate, but not today, he has his son to think about.

It’s been many years since Focalis and his bunk mates acted on behalf of the empire but its time now to get everyone back together to come up with a plan.. there has to be a way out of this mess..the issue is it’s the Goths that are after them and they won’t give up easily.

We don’t learn quickly the events that have led to the Goth’s vengeance.. Focalis is struggling with his part in something.. but what? And what could they have done to earn the Goth’s attention? I loved the development.. perfectly paced with intrigue.

Innocents pay a heavy price along the way and we see a shift in Focalis.. vengeance is the word for this tale.. but who will have the last sword strike?

As Focalis and his son set out to round everyone up things quickly sour.. it’s clear quickly not everyone will make it out alive and the past has taken its toll on many.. but they aren’t done for yet!

What we end up with is a desperate fight of some of the legions finest.. against hundreds of Goths… the twist hit’s hard now and the truth of what happened years ago becomes clear.. is there anywhere safe for Focalis?

I’ve deliberately tried to keep the review spoiler free.. it’s too good to spoil.. but truth be told Simon Turney is a master at his craft. Historical fiction is his era but plots are his bread and butter. You can tell the effort put in to set the scene, tp pick the right moment in time but what Turney’s talent is, is to weave such a fascinating tale within that period setting, it’s the characters, the progression and depth, the energy.. the laughs… the torment..

Turney hints in the authors note around his own knowledge of the era, but that’s what makes him so good at writing.. so prolific..he knows how to expand on history.. there’s no point rehashing what’s been done..he gets the detail in but it’s all about the characters he creates.

What I really loved was the characters development, each man has their own talent and those scenes when they got to shine were brilliant..the enthusiasm bounced off the page!

Simon is a firm fav here on David’s Book Blurg.. and continues blow me away with his work. 5/5 stars.

To find out more head to Goodreads or Amazon! Or any good local retailor 😊

BLOG TOUR – Terminal Black by Colin Garrow

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Today is my stop on the blog tour for Terminal Black by Colin Garrow.

Here’s the blurb.

A stolen identity. A hitman. A bent cop.

Relic Black takes things that don’t belong to him—credit cards, golf clubs, toothbrushes. But when a hitman mistakes him for someone else, Relic lands himself in a difficult situation. With a dead man on his hands and a guilty conscience, he sets off to save the life of the man whose identity he has stolen. And that’s when the real trouble starts…

Review

Relic Black is a man who simply takes what he wants in life. He targets those he knows won’t miss the money too quickly and enjoys living on the edge.

Little does he know that the identity he’s currently using is going to lead him into a cr*p load of trouble with the Inverness crime scene.

Relic senses something is up, and his worst thoughts are confirmed with a knock on the door… no one knows where he is.. this can’t be good.

I won’t spoil the fun too much but I loved the build-up, a frantic fight with a body to dispose of.. only for another body to show up.. and a bloody marvellous twist or 2 thrown in too! Relic really has got himself in trouble but he hasn’t a clue why..

In a aim to get himself out of trouble he tries telling the truth..but will these men believe his tale..

I loved the plot, crocked cops, gangsters, assassins and dead bodies mixed with perfectly timed dark humour leads to a 5* raving thriller!

Mr Garrow has a way with words, and perfectly sets the tone, direction and style of the tale effortlessly.

The best news was learning there’s more to come from Relic and I’ll be purchasing the next two books shortly 😊

My thanks go to Colin Garrow and Rachel’s Random Resources for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I only accept ARCs to aid timely reviews but I’ve already grabbed myself a kindle copy.. at only £2.99 it’s a steal!

To find out more head to Goodreads or Amazon.

Why not follow the tour?

Author Bio –

Colin Garrow grew up in a former mining town in Northumberland. He has worked in a plethora of professions including: taxi driver, antiques dealer, drama facilitator, theatre director and fish processor, and has occasionally masqueraded as a pirate. All Colin’s books are available as eBooks and paperback.

His short stories have appeared in several literary mags, including: SN Review, Flash Fiction Magazine, Word Bohemia, Every Day Fiction, The Grind, A3 Review, 1,000 Words, Inkapture and Scribble Magazine. He currently lives in a humble cottage in North East Scotland where he writes novels, stories, poems and the occasional song.

He also makes rather nice cakes.

Social Media Links – ​Website/Blog

Amazon Author Page

Twitter

Smashwords

Facebook

The Watson Letters

The Housemaid by Freida McFadden – REVIEW

2 Replies

Next up on David’s Book Blurg I’m reviewing The Housemaid by Freida McFadden.

Here’s the blurb

“Welcome to the family,” Nina Winchester says as I shake her elegant, manicured hand. I smile politely, gazing around the marble hallway. Working here is my last chance to start fresh. I can pretend to be whoever I like. But I’ll soon learn that the Winchesters’ secrets are far more dangerous than my own…

Every day I clean the Winchesters’ beautiful house top to bottom. I collect their daughter from school. And I cook a delicious meal for the whole family before heading up to eat alone in my tiny room on the top floor.

I try to ignore how Nina makes a mess just to watch me clean it up. How she tells strange lies about her own daughter. And how her husband Andrew seems more broken every day. But as I look into Andrew’s handsome brown eyes, so full of pain, it’s hard not to imagine what it would be like to live Nina’s life. The walk-in closet, the fancy car, the perfect husband.

I only try on one of Nina’s pristine white dresses once. Just to see what it’s like. But she soon finds out… and by the time I realize my attic bedroom door only locks from the outside, it’s far too late.

But I reassure myself: the Winchesters don’t know who I really am.

They don’t know what I’m capable of…

Review

The Housemaid follows Millie, a down on her luck gal who is just trying to start her life again after some very painful events.

Millie applies to be a housemaid for the Winchesters, she has zero chance of getting the job if a background check is done…so it’s a surprise when she receives a phone call offering her the job!

The job just seems too good to be true.. a roof over her head, decent pay..and Nina Winchester seems lovely…but…something niggles, is it too good to be true?

When Millie starts there’s a shift to Nina straight away and you’d be forgiven for thinking she was a little crazy..and to top if off Millie sleeps in a attic room that’s more of a closest..Despite this Millie makes the most of things.. it’s still by far better than the alternative.

As the story progresses we learn the marriage between Nina and Andrew is far from perfect, there’s tension and a lot of history simmering..

Millie continues to try to get on with her job and ignore the erratic behaviour of Nina but in doing so she sees something in Andrew..she feels sorry for him, afterall Nina can’t be making him happy.. but she could..but she’s the maid and he’s married.

Things start to take a dark turn. I’m certainly not one for spoilers but it’s safe to say the twists come and while I had some inkling the events that played out were so much better and more terrifying than I could have imagined.

I’m late to the party I know but with all the sunshine we’ve been having I needed a new book to get stuck into. Psychological thrillers aren’t my usual go to genre but I fancied something different.. and I’m glad I pick this one up.

Might I add I bought this at The Works, a favourite haunt of mine for books, so firstly the main reason I picked this one up was the cover, then one simple line in the synopsis had me hooked.. “my bedroom door only locks from the outside”.

Overall I loved this one. The pace of the plot was great and the level of detail and development to the characters matched perfectly. Very easy flow to the tale and gripping is an understatement.

A thoroughly enjoyable and deviously designed story to keep the reader guessing what will happen next.

5/5 Stars!

To find out more head to Goodreads or Amazon.