Today I’m reviewing The Wrong Woman by O. J. Mullen

Here’s the blurb

Everyone has secrets. Are yours worth dying for?

Julia Sutherland isn’t too sure about her new colleague. Ellis Kirkbride is friendly, charismatic and handsome, but there’s just something about him – a bit too slick, a bit too confident, and he stands a bit too close. Normally she’d share her concerns with her husband Rob, but he’s been distant lately and Julia has a secret he mustn’t find out.

Ellis Kirkbride thought he had found the right woman. She was everything he could want but she didn’t want him. And that was unacceptable…

In a tale of twisted love and chilling revenge, bestseller O.J. Mullen will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. Perfect for fans of K. L Slater, Claire Douglas and Sue Watson.

Review

This book keeps you on your toes from the first page to the last. Starting strong depicting a family falling apart.. it sets the tione perfectly and leaves the reader with questions instantly.. needing to know more.

We then meet Julia, she’s successful at the her job and has a loving husband.. but that’s it.. she doesn’t have the life she hoped, that they both hoped for, which has led to tension but overall she’s happy.. life could be worse.

Her husband Rob works too hard.. late nights.. sometimes they are like passing ships in the night.

In walks Ellis Kirkbride, he’s smart… but what’s his game? He’s got one hell of a backstory that he brings with him… but how much of the story he tells Julia is true?

I feel the author got the pace spot on, it’s deliberate, methodical and builds the tension.. by around 30% in I was wondering what could possibly happen next as you can see the pressure building, and there’s so many possibilities…but even more exciting is that more than one character has secrets to hide.

The Wrong Woman is most certainly one of the best psychological thrillers I’ve read but it’s more than that, there’s real emotion put into the character development, you can see them face their own battles with lust.. and loose..

The story is told from multiple points of view but as the story progresses you can see some characters are open and honest,while some even seem to lie to themselves to justify their actions. This style meant it was easy to read and sucked in as you didn’t get too bogged down in one character, everything is kept fresh and exciting but also treated the reader to development that was intense!

I can’t spoil it but from the synopsis you’d think you’ve a good idea of what is going to happen yes? Ellis sets his sights on Julia whose husband is a workaholic… prime target yeah? Oh how little you know… there’s so much packed into The Wrong Woman by Owen Mullen.

While the synopsis certainly hooks you in… it’s only part of the story… and that’s the point.. hook you in then Owen Mullen gives you a masterclass in potent psychological mind play!

5/5 Stars

My thanks go to Owen Mullen, Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I only accept ARCs to aid timely reviews but have already bought a copy officially too and for 99p for the kindle version it’s a steal!.. Big fan of the authors work here on David’s Book Blurg.

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

Why not follow the tour?

Author Bio –

Owen Mullen is a McIlvanney Crime Book Of The Year long-listed novelist. He is the novel of several crime, gangland and psychological thriller series.

Social Media Links

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

Twitter https://twitter.com/owenmullen6

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/owenmullen6/

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

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/owen-mullen

Today is my turn on the blog tour for Fark Frontier by Matthew Harffy.

Here’s the blurb

A thrilling historical western set in 1890s Oregon, from the author of the critically acclaimed Bernicia Chronicles. An English soldier turned policeman escapes to the American West for a new future, but life on the frontier proves far harder than he ever imagined…

A man can flee from everything but his own nature.

1890. Lieutenant Gabriel Stokes of the British Army left behind the horrors of war in Afghanistan for a role in the Metropolitan Police. Though he rose quickly through the ranks, the squalid violence of London’s East End proved just as dark and oppressive as the battlefield.

With his life falling apart, and longing for peace and meaning, Gabriel leaves the grime of London behind and heads for the wilderness and wide open spaces of the American West.

He soon realises that the wilds of Oregon are far from the idyll he has yearned for. The Blue Mountains may be beautiful, but with the frontier a complex patchwork of feuds and felonies, and ranchers as vicious as any back alley cut-throat in London, Gabriel finds himself unable to escape his past and the demons that drive him. Can he find a place for himself on the far edge of the New World?

Review

Dark Frontier is a change in setting/period for Matthew Harffy who has established himself as one of the best historical fiction writers out there.. so what’s the new offering about you may ask..Well the latest treat for us readers is a western adventure that packs a punch!

Word of warning.. I’ll try to keep this spoiler free but there’s only so much I can tell you so…..

Lieutenant Gabriel Stokes leaves England behind to escape his past.. he’s running away from his daemons, but you can only run so long before things will catch up with you.

Stokes heads to Oregon to meet his friend John who owns and runs Thornford Ranch. As soon as he steps off the train the action starts.. there’s a commotion and the first body hits the floor courtesy of Jed White.

Things spiral kind of fast for Stokes now as we learn about Jed, who was actually sent to collect Stokes.. but where is his friend John.. and why did Jed just shoot this young man?

Now I’ll try and remain spoiler free as much as I can but from the off Stokes is knocked for six and his whole purpose/lookout changes… I’m not sure he really knew what he was expecting at Thornford Ranch but what he’s thrown into is beyond anything he would have thought possible and he quickly finds himself sucked into a protective role.. he can’t just walk away..

We learn of a town under the thumb of very influential people, and eyes and ears are everywhere…this place is more dangerous than London even.. the law doesn’t really have any power here… it’s those with connections that hold the power.

To say it’s a typical western wouldn’t do the story justice but it does have some things you’d expect such as the gun fights which really added an edge of excitement. I particularly liked the detail added to explain the weapons, range, kick back and such..wow.

Some would say the author took a risk moving away from his well established work.. I say he’s killed it! What was clear from the off was the detail added not only to give you that true western feel but also the wider story of Stokes, London, his reasons for being in Oregon.. it adds more depth to the tale and for me would help the flow for someone who may not consider a western their genre, the detail just gave it that polished edge knowing how much time had gone into the background of the plot but perfectly added the gruffness I’d expect of a western tale!

Stokes is the main character and by far the most developed due to this but I can’t even start to explain how well developed his character is… he’s got his issues and he’s fighting them, you can tell he’s honourable.. but at the same time has weaknesses like we all do..

I particularly found him funny in those moments when a pretty face would turn his head only for him to overreach and old wounds opened so to speak.. these moments were lighthearted at times but at others pivotal showing what kind of man Stokes is and the length’s he will go to for what he believes is right.

Engrossing.. mesmerizing…. however you want to say it this book has the wow factor from the off, the plot sucks you in.

I don’t think I’ve seen such a well-developed ensemble cast either, even down to the shop keepers.. their mannerisms/style just melted through the pages and each added something to the flow and direction of the story.

If I had to pick a word that describes the feel of the book best it would be authentic.. it has everything I expect of a western.. but here’s the thing.. it goes beyond that, transcends what you expect and delivers even more of a punch.

Grab a beer, whiskey or even a sarsaparilla and enjoy!.

I really wish I could write some spoilers but that’s not me.. but trust me.. it’s git everything a reader could ask for!

A wonderous 5* read.

My thanks go to Andrew @ HeadofZeus for arranging the tour and for inviting me. I was grateful for the copy of the book to aid my timely review but I purchased a kindle copy too. Harffy gets no free rides with me… but continues to amaze me so it’s well worth grabbing a copy!

Need more convincing? Why not follow the tour?

Buy Link

Amazon: https://geni.us/DarkFrontierBlogTour

About the author

Matthew Harffy grew up in Northumberland where the rugged terrain, ruined castles and rocky coastline had a huge impact on him. He now lives in Wiltshire, England, with his wife and their two daughters. Matthew is the author of the critically acclaimed Bernicia Chronicles and A Time for Swords series, and he also presents the popular podcast, Rock, Paper, Swords!, with fellow author Steven A. McKay.

Matthew Harffy Social Handles

Twitter: @MatthewHarffy

Instagram: @beobrand

Website: matthewharffy.com

Aries/Head of Zeus Social Handles

Twitter: @AriesFiction

Facebook: Aries Fiction

Instagram: @headofzeus

TikTok: @headofzeus

Website: http://www.headofzeus.com

Today I’m reviewing Sword of the Saxons (Alfred the Great Book 2) by Steven A. McKay!

Here’s the blurb.

Betrayed by his kinsmen, his forces overrun by Danes, King Alfred of Wessex has retreated deep into the marshes of his homeland, lying in wait for his chance at redemption.

The scourge of the heathen horde that has ravaged the kingdom for decades is at its peak. Led by the fearsome Viking warlord Guthrum, the fate of the men, women, and children at their mercy appears all but sealed. But underestimate the great king at your peril…

Gathering allies and bannermen to his cause, and building a strategy that will hopefully ensure victory, Alfred sets out to undermine the strength of the complacent invaders, and establish Wessex as the greatest territory in the British Isles.

A final showdown awaits. Not only with Guthrum and his savage warriors, but with destiny. As the battle lines are drawn, the destiny of not just Wessex, but of every Anglo-Saxon in Britain, rests firmly on Alfred’s shoulders.

An utterly ferocious and gripping adventure, covering the fascinating middle years of Alfred the Great’s reign, one of Britain’s most influential monarchs.

Review

I feel like Alfred the Great is one of those people we’ve probably all heard of.. but know really little about and it was just waiting for the right person to ignite the passion in a story about the man and McKay certainly knows how to do that with a bang!

Firstly, don’t worry If you’ve not had chance to read the first book in the series.. while I’m of course going to tell you to grab a copy it’s most certainly not needed to understand the tale and characters as the author does a outstanding job of laying the foundations of the tale and building as he goes, everything fits perfect so just when you want a bit of background on a character and their motivations etc it’s there.. so beautifully woven it’s almost effortless to read.

Alfred has been defeated and betrayed but he’s not out of the fight yet.. it’s time for Alfred to shine. Where book 1 dealt with Alfred’s rise and fall from power book2 deals with the fall out, and most importantly his personal growth as he tries to maintain but also grow his support to take back the land from the Dane invaders!

What I really loved was while there’s more than enough action for the fans it’s tempered with a more personal side as we see him struggle with his own health, those of his friends, guilt at the cost of war and most importantly to him.. wishing to keep his family safe. It’s a perilous time but I loved the human touch given to Alfred with those special moments with his family. Those pages really made you understand that being King isn’t always a good thing.. sometimes it’s clear being born into royalty could have been seen as a curse.. power and fame yes.. but the pressure.. the utter fear of betrayal or worse death.. yeah no thanks.

Alfred soon sets about attacking the Danes in hit and run attacks.. bringing them down little by little. For him and his men this is quite fun actually and you can feel the excitement they feel enacting revenge on the invaders.

The Danes won’t sit by for too long though and it’s a race for Alfred to complete his new fortress before the Danes mount their attack.

I’ll try to write as spoiler free as I can but this Is where the tale really gets juicy.

As Alfred’s power grows and the Danes are chased from his land we see the compassion the King has, allowing conversion to Christianity rather than death. It’s a pivotal moment for Alfred and shows what kind of man he is.

The decision is costly.. it does work but at the same time Alfred is blind to those who may see his compassion as a weakness and use that against him.

When Danes return to Alfred’s lands they are in for a shock as the men of Wessex have been busy rebuilding and strengthening…not only on land but also the sea defences and I particularly loved the ship-based fighting scenes.

The Danes don’t really want to give up and as time goes on it’s clear Alfred needs to look closer to home for his enemies as betrayal seems to be a shadow that’s chasing him.. this Shadow comes out into the light towards the end of the book in some very hard hitting moments.. most certainly the wow factor chapter.

Alfred didn’t help himself though.. sometimes he made enemies without even meaning too but it’s the poison spoke from others that clearly seals the deal and sets the next instalment up to be the most exciting yet.

There’s also times where those who betrayed him need to be forgiven and brought back into the fold for the benefit of everyone and you can see how shrewd Alfred and his advisors would have need to be to manage this.

Development wise this plot had everything, we explore the connections Alfred has made, even down to the lowest man.. Alfred has earned their respect and he’s loyal to his men too, he hates to see them fall in battle but does everything within his power to see them safe and repaid in full for their support.

Alfred shines in this book in many ways, but none stand out more than his reforms, not only does he look to the security of the land but he looks at education too, so many dismiss the need but Alfred can see its importance to the future of his kingdom.

To say it’s a 5* read is an understatement so lets go ahead for a David’s Book Blurg first and say its a 5* PLUS read!..it just ticks so many boxes and is so beautifully executed.

The one only downside is only that I wish the publisher could offer hardbacks of the series.. if any series deserved to be in hardback its this one.

My thanks to the author for the ARC but readers of my blog will know the crack by now… the books been on pre-order and no free rides here 🙂

The book is out tomorrow so why not grab yourself a copy?

To find out more head to Goodreads or Amazon – Or get in touch with any good local bookstore 🙂

Today is my turn on the blog tour for Holliday by Matthew Di Paoli

Here’s the blurb

Holliday follows the infamous 1880s gambler, dentist, and gunslinger, Doc Holliday. From the outset, Doc has been diagnosed with tuberculosis and is told to head to drier climates and imbibe to prolong his life. He has also heard of a spring located somewhere along the frontier that could cure him—what he believes to be the mythical Fountain of Youth.

The novel portrays Holliday as a rock star, a living legend, increasingly hounded by paparazzi, enamored by death, cards, booze, and women. Doc is a mixture of Clint Eastwood and Jim Morrison, and though he is able to help his friend, Wyatt Earp, exact revenge, his condition worsens, traveling from Arizona to Denver, and finally dying in a sanatorium in Colorado with his boots off. A slow and unfitting end for such a bombastic outlaw.

Review

First off it’s confession time.. I’ve always had a soft spot for Doc Holliday. Ever since I was about 8 or 9 years old and caught the movie Tombstone..he’s such an amazing character but often overshadowed.

What I immediately liked about the book is it humanized Doc early on.. you learn about the consumption that ails him.. how he lost his mother to the very thing that is trying to take his life now..

We also get introduced to Doc’s vices too.. and it really brings life to the man and while yes he’s not a saint you can’t help but like him.

Holliday is on a mission.. he wants to enjoy the finer things in life but at the same time is searching for a cure… you can tell he’s torn.. I don’t think he ever really thought it existed but at the same time he keeps going.. keeps looking for hope.

I guess what I really wanted from this book was to know Doc’s story… there’s plenty of tales regarding his time with Wyatt Earp but he’s never the main focus and that always baffled me… he was always the most interesting one of the group.

Doc’s tale is pure raw energy and emotion.. everything is felt in the moment and the author does a wonderful job at making the scenes jump out of the page.. your not just reading a story…you really feel the guttural sense of urgency.. but at the same time see Doc’s clear talent at not letting his emotions show.

I wouldn’t say the book is for the faint hearted.. there’s real emotion and while Holliday is the main character it’s the supporting characters, his links to them and how they interact that really make things become real. Doc doesn’t let people get close to him often but you can see why certain people make it through his shield.

Overall this was a cracking , engaging and thought-provoking read.. it offered me so much more than I could have ever expected and it’s a beautifully woven, harrowing tale of such a fascinating man.

I have to give the book a 5* rating but that truthy doesn’t do the tale or the authors writing style justice.. the book just effortlessly flows and is beautiful in its sorrow.

This is the kind of book I like to see!!

My thanks go to the author and Melissa at Author Marketing Experts for the opportunity to be on the tour. This is one of those books I’ll be getting a physical copy of shortly too.. It deserves to be read more than once by everyone!

Author bio:

Matthew Di Paoli has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize three times including 2020. He has won the Wilbur & Niso Smith Adventure Writing Prize, the Prism Review, two Elizabeth’s, and Momaya Review Short Story Contests. Matthew earned his MFA in Fiction at Columbia University. He has been published in Boulevard, Fjords, Post Road, and Cleaver, among others. He is also the author of Killstanbul with El Balazo Press.

Website: https://www.matthewdipaoli.com/

Twitter: @MatthewDiPaoli

Instagram: @ruggedemu

Author Marketing Experts:

Twitter: @Bookgal

Instagram: @therealbookgal

Amazon: http://amzn.to/3U2kRVu

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/184163597-holliday