Category Archives: Thriller

BLOG TOUR – I Will Find You by Jessica Huntley

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Today is my stop on the blog tour for I Will Find You by Jessica Huntley!

Here’s the blurb

Annalise saved them from certain death. But she does want something in return…

Bonnie and her husband Steffan are hiking in the beautiful Swiss Alps when they are caught in a freak snowstorm. Fearing they may not survive, the couple are overjoyed when they stumble across an isolated cabin occupied by a lone woman, Annalise.

But their joy soon turns to unease as they realise that Annalise may have a sinister agenda.

And she’s not the only one with something to hide. Trapped together in a nightmarish pressure cooker, the cracks in Bonnie’s marriage start to show as she discovers that Steffan has been leading a secret life.

All the while Annalise becomes more and more menacing. What does she want from them? And what is she willing to do to get it?

Bound ever tighter in a horrifying web, Bonnie is finally forced to confront one terrifying truth – someone is going to die on this mountain.

Review

This is my second foray into the authors works and I already knew I’d love this one.. I just didn’t know how much!

I Will Find You is told form the point of view of two characters, Bonnie and Annalise. What I immediately loved is the authors suspenseful style of storytelling.. the plot is never drawn out too much, rather twisted and engrossing as it plays out… it gives you instant tingles as you know something isn’t right.. but you don’t know what.

The majority of the story focuses around a trip to the Swiss Alps, as Bonnie and her husband Steffan set out on a trek that will push them both to the limits.

Things take a turn when a storm hits forcing them to seek refuge in a remote cabin where they meet Annalise.

The characters compete for the readers attention as the author moves the point of view from now, to explore the past and what brings them to this moment.. the great thing is neither overshadow the other… they both just demand that attention with their own tales.. you are sucked in.. so moving from one to the next while you enjoy the chapter you can’t wait to get back and see where the previous will take you.. but then you are sucked into to that perspective… ahhh you’re honestly just hooked easily making it an easy read too as it just flows effortlessly.

I’ll try to keep this spoiler free but there’s so many creepy vibes that come off multiple characters.. Bonnie has her own trauma but there’s more to her being in the alps than we know.. Steffan.. he’s a dark horse.. you always feel there’s something you don’t quite understand.. hidden just under the surface.. and Annalise.. how did she end up here and why…

The plot is captivating and deliberately full of suspense and I just bloody loved it.. I never felt I quite knew who was good or bad.. each have their own darkness and it was just simply enthralling.

The first 20% of the book is pure build-up which then dials up a notch when they arrive in the cabin..Bonnie feels the creepiness as soon as the door closes but is she going mad? is Annalise just a lonely old woman?

There’s a subtle message through the tale as it develops.. don’t judge a book by it’s cover.. either that or everyone has skeletons in the closet..

The author got the setting prefect to as it added a claustrophobic feel that ramps up the building tension.

There’s so much more to the story than the synopsis suggests.. trust me..it goes way further and those twists are perfectly timed and hit just the right notes.

Jessica Huntley is the queen of the suspenseful thriller for sure!

A heart pounding 5*

My thanks go to the author, publisher and Zoé @ Zooloo’s Book Tours for having me on the tour!

Who is Jessica Huntley?

Jessica Huntley is an author of dark and twisty psychological thrillers, which often focus on mental health topics and delve deep into the minds of her characters.

She has a varied career background, having joined the Army as an Intelligence Analyst, then left to become a Personal Trainer.

She is now living her life-long dream of writing from the comfort of her home, while looking after her young son and her disabled black Labrador. She enjoys keeping fit and drinking wine (not at the same time).

Where can you find them?

Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/jessica.reading.writing
Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/jessica_reading_writing
X (formerly Twitter)https://twitter.com/jess_read_write
Websitehttp://www.jessicahuntleyauthor.com

Book Links

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/236600768-i-will-find-you

Purchase Link: https://mybook.to/willfindyou-zbt

Why not follow the tour?

Blog Tour – One More to Die by Joy Ellis

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Today we kick off the blog tour for One More to Die by Joy Ellis!

Here’s the blub

Detective Kate Carter is called out to a fatal car accident on a remote fen lane.

At first glance it looks like a drunk driver simply lost control and crashed headlong into a ditch. But nothing about the scene adds up. The number plate is fake. The driver’s licence doesn’t belong to the dead man in the car. One tyre doesn’t match the other three. And what is a vinyl 1960s pop record doing in the glove box?

A neat puncture wound to the driver’s neck reveals this was no accident.

The following day, the body of a young woman is found in an old barn out on the fens. She’s been dead at least two years. Placed on the body is another vintage pop record.

And then the nightmare becomes personal. A mysterious package arrives at the station addressed to Kate: a 45-rpm record, and a chilling note scrawled in block capitals: ONE MORE TO GO.

It’s just the start. Sinister phone calls, creepy notes left on her car, unwanted gifts on her doorstep: Kate can no longer deny that she’s being pursued by an obsessive stalker . . .

Is she next in the killer’s sights?

Review

One More To Die follows Detective Kate Carter as her personal and work lives clash in spectacular fashion.

It all starts when Kate is called to a crime scene, a car accident.. but before she even sets off she finds a creepy note on her car.. being in a rush and not thinking much of it in the moment Kate heads off to the crime scene.

Things don’t add up at the scene of the accident and it becomes clear there’s more too it, who is the victim? why does the car have fake plates?.. and what’s the deal with the record found in the car.. bit of a strange find.

When another body turns up Kate is sent to do the groundwork before handing it over to another Detective… little does she know this case will soon be hers… another record has been found with the body.. what’s the connection with the first victim?

While the pressure mounts at work, stress is also building at home…after the initial note found on the car there’s also been a box of Kate’s favourite chocolates left and a very creepy phone call.. this is the last thing she and her family need…she could have a stalker! She needs to keep her family safe.. they could be watching.. waiting..

This is my first foray into the writing style of Joy Ellis and I must admit I loved it. The plot was intriguing, and progresses at a steady pace. I loved the clash of personal and work lives and the humanity added to the development of the characters given the situation they face.

I really enjoyed how the plot developed too, the people, the reasons behind the murders.. oo it gave tingles as you could see the pieces of the puzzle slotting together but at the same time the author kept little nuggets of info/twists for just the right moment to give the tale a real punch!

So can Kate find a way to deal with do situations? You’ll have to grab a copy of the book and find out! you won’t be disappointed.

Super fun and fast read. 5*

My thanks go to the author, publisher and Zoé @ Zooloo’s Book Tours for having me on the tour!

Who is Joy Ellis?

I was born in Kent but spent most of my working life in London and Surrey. I was an apprentice florist to Constance Spry Ltd, a prestigious Mayfair shop that throughout the Sixties and Seventies teemed with both royalty and ‘real’ celebrities. What an eye-opener for a working-class kid from the Garden of England! I swore then, probably whilst I was scrubbing the floor or making the tea, that I would have a shop of my own one day. It took until the early Eighties, but I did it. Sadly the recession wiped us out, and I embarked on a series of weird and wonderful jobs; the last one being a bookshop manager. Surrounded by books all day, getting to order whatever you liked, and being paid for it! Oh bliss!

And now I live in a village in the Lincolnshire Fens with my partner, Jacqueline, and three Springer spaniels and four little rescue, Breton spaniels. I had been writing mysteries for years but never had the time to take it seriously. Now I write full-time, and as my partner is a highly decorated retired police officer; my choice of genre is a no-brainer! I have an on-tap police and judicial consultant, who makes exceedingly good tea!

I have set my crime thrillers here in the misty fens because I sincerely love the remoteness and airy beauty of the marshlands. This area is steeped in superstitions and lends itself so well to murder!

I am lucky enough to be one of the amazing Joffe Books team of authors and am really enjoying being able to spend time doing what I love… writing!

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Where can you find them?

Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/Joyellisbooks
Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/joyellisbooks/

Books Links

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/217410403-one-more-to-die

Purchase Link: https://mybook.to/onemoretodie-zbt

Why not follow the tour?

BLOG TOUR – Dead Reckoning by Rob Sinclair!

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Today is my turn on the blog tour for Dead Reckoning by Rob Sinclair!

Here’s the blurb

The most dangerous people are those with nothing to lose. Who don’t care if they live or die.

Simon Peake does care… he just isn’t sure about what right now. The ex-soldier’s life is as close to rock bottom as it gets.

He needs a job and he needs a quiet life.

What he gets is a whole load of mess working for New York-based Irish mobster Harry Lafferty. A job that requires him to use his special skills on some very unsavory people. His relationship with Harry’s niece isn’t exactly conducive to a quiet existence either…

As Peake tries to walk the fine line between surviving in this new life, and atoning for his old one, he struggles on both counts. And when his past comes back to bite him, and those closest to him are threatened, the reckoning will be merciless for anyone who stands in his way.

Review

Dead Reckoning follows Simon Peak, ex-soldier, down and out.. Peak needs a job and fast.

Peak has been in prison but it’s time to turn his life around.. well as much as possible. His opportunities are limited so he ends up at the doorstep of Harry Lafferty and his crew.

The pressure is ramped up when Peaks landlord demands 3 months rent so when the crew need a driver Peak doesn’t say no.

Little does he know his fate is now sealed.

Peak gets slowly sucked into their world and almost immediately makes a decision that will come back to bite him.

It’s not all doom and gloom though.. Peak finds a connection with Harry’s niece..but can he balance work and the growing connection between them?

Added to that Peak has history.. and an anger inside that he must use every ounce of strength to keep buried.

The thing about history is it won’t stay buried forever.

Things soon start going wrong and people end up getting hurt.. but why? Can Peak put the pieces together?

What I really loved was the timeline as the author explores both past and present, allowing the reader to learn about who Peak really is.. what broke him. It’s dark, gripping and packed full of high octane wow moments.

I love the little details added to, to give real depth to the main characters, emotions.. a realness.

The authors real talent for writing shines through and if you are a fan like me you’ll love it. Rob Sinclair manages to keep offering new and fresh characters that you get invested in but with the same gripping edge and style of story we love. There’s twists and turns along the way that really pack a punch too.

5/5 Stars

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

Why not check out the rest of the stops on the tour?

Tempted yet?

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

Author Bio –

Rob Sinclair is the million copy bestseller of over twenty thrillers, including the James Ryker series. Rob previously studied Biochemistry at Nottingham University. He also worked for a global accounting firm for 13 years, specialising in global fraud investigations.

Social Media Links

Facebook: @robsinclairauthor

Twitter: @rsinclairauthor

Instagram: n/a

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

Bookbub profile:@RobSinclair

BLOG TOUR – The Bodies by Sam Lloyd

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Today we kick off the blog tour and celebrate the release of The Bodies by Sam Lloyd!!!

Here’s the blurb!

Blurb

How many times would you let your child get away with murder?

When you look down at your newborn baby, you realise they were right, those smug parents you’ve always rolled your eyes at: you’d do literally anything for your child. To make them happy, keep them safe.

So when Joseph Carver wakes one night to find his teenage son Max scrubbing the kitchen, hands wet with blood and panic flooding his voice as he promises it was an accident, he didn’t mean to do it, Joseph does the only thing he can. He helps Max bury the body.

Joseph thinks that’s the end of the nightmare. Until he finds Max with stricken eyes and bloody hands once again . . .

You’d do anything for your child – even cover up a murder.

But how many times?

Review

After reading the authors previous offering The Memory Wood I had high expectations, but also knew I wouldn’t be disappointed… just look at the synopsis!!

Joseph Carver is a broken man trying to keep things together..we soon learn Joseph and his partner were brought together through grief.. he’s failed protecting his family once.. he won’t let it happen again.

When his son Max arrives home one night covered in blood Joseph’s vow is put to the test. Max is going to medical school soon and he’s not a monster afterall.. he’s just lost.. Joseph needs to protect him.

It’s not an easy task, how does he get rid of a body? Where?

Joseph hides the body at his late mothers bungalow while he tries to figure things out but things go from bad to worse.. first he needs to act like everything is ok when it’s not.. and second things keep getting in the way.. how does he do things without leaving a trace? And has anyone already noticed something? Doesn’t help either that Max seems to be hiding things from him about the man he killed? Can he really trust Max and the story he’s been told?

I’m not going to give the plot away but one thing I loved when reading The Memory Wood was the twists and turns.. smart and exhilarating.. and I’m glad to see those twists were here in The Bodies too..there’s betrayal, blood and bodies at every turn.

The plot isn’t rushed either, although you feel the urgency pouring from Joseph who shows the lengths he will go to in order to keep Max safe…but there’s something he’s not seeing.

When someone close to the victim turns up the heat is really on… what do they know..what’s going to happen… eeek.

It’s a real page turner..it flows easy but really has some detail packed in too revealing the stress of the situation. Nothing is quite what it seems and its that feeling that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Super exciting 5* read!

My thanks go to the author, publisher and Zoé @ Zooloo’s Book Tours for having me on the tour!

Sam’s Bio

SAM LLOYD grew up in Hampshire, where he learned his love of storytelling. These days he lives in Surrey with his wife, three young sons and a dog that likes to howl. His first three thrillers, The Memory Wood, The Rising Tide and The People Watcher were published to great critical acclaim.

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Sam’s Social Media

Twitter: https://x.com/samlloydwrites

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Book Links

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/220246417-the-bodies

Purchase Link: https://mybook.to/thebodies-zbt

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BLOG TOUR – Metropolis by Colin Garrow

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Today is my stop on the blog tour for Metropolis by Colin Garrow!

Here’s the blurb.

Edinburgh, 1936. People are disappearing. The police are clueless. Can Finlay MacBeth track down the perpetrator before someone else goes missing?

Haunted by his recent past, Professor Finlay MacBeth returns to his home town to take up a new post at the university. Within hours, his reputation for solving the occasional murder prompts the police to ask for his help. Four men—seemingly unconnected—have vanished into thin air. MacBeth must find whatever it is that links the men before the kidnapper strikes again.

But the police aren’t the only ones interested in MacBeth’s activities, and the amateur sleuth soon discovers that finding the missing men is the least of his problems…

In this thriller series set in Edinburgh, Metropolis is book #1 in the Finlay MacBeth Thriller series.

Review

Professor Finlay MacBeth returns home to take up a teaching position at the local university. Two things become clear very quickly, First, MacBeth has previously helped the police with investigations so his reputation precedes him, and second, he’s not alone.. someone has followed him.. buy why? And for what reason.

MacBeth quickly gets drawn into a case, men are going missing but there’s no links and zero leads.. could these men have simply upped and left, or is there something more sinister afoot.. Well MacBeth will find out one way or another.

MacBeth does have that Sherlock Holmes feel about him but at the same time is certainly his own character, who has his own dark past that’s trying to catch up to him.

As MacBeth investigates his focus is distracted a lot by the man who followed him and he employees the services of a young lad to assist him with gathering information to help him. Little Johnnie was a really fun character, full of energy and just what the tale needed, he’s the perfect accompaniment to MacBeth.

The cases itself was really intriguing, the missing men, why them, where are they now, why they disappeared in the first place… all these questions get answered but it’s like a drug to the reader, being drip fed.. oh wow…not to spoil it but the motivations behind the disappearances… brilliant!

I really loved the dark tone of the story too..there’s moments you don’t see coming.

Now, MacBeth’s personal issues. As with any good character he’s flawed. His dark past is waiting to see the light of day but what Garrow did superbly was to blend both of these plots lines together, with neither overshadowing the other. It really gave some depth seeing the main character juggle things and try and move things along in the right direction without giving up his secrets.

I’m a big fan of the authors style of writing and always feel at home with their work… I know what to expect.. it’s going to be a good read no matter what.. but Garrow certainly knows how to keep upping his game, keeps the reader guessing, and continues to offer top quality, character driven plots

Sublime 5*

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

Tempeted?

Purchase Link – https://geni.us/ps3XiW

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.

He has published more than thirty books, and his short stories have appeared in several literary mags, most recently in Witcraft, and Flash Fiction North. Colin lives in a humble cottage in Northeast Scotland where he writes novels, stories, poems and the occasional song.

He also plays several musical instruments and makes rather nice vegan cakes.

Social Media Links –

Website: https://colingarrow.co.uk/

Twitter: https://x.com/colingarrow

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/colingarrowauthor.bsky.social

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

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/colin-garrow

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

Don’t Swipe Right by L.M. Chilton – Review

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Today I’m reviewing the debut novel from L.M. Chilton, Don’t Swipe Right.

Here’s the blurb.

DATING APPS ARE SO DEAD.

Gwen Turner, 29, entrepreneur and part-time barista.

Likes: true-crime podcasts, cheese-based snacks (the more unnaturally orange the better) and constantly refreshing her dating apps.

Dislikes: two-day hangovers, people who refer to themselves as entrepreneurs… and discovering her latest match is actually a serial killer (probably should have put that top of the list).

They say romance is dead, but if Gwen can’t catch the mystery killer who’s targeting every man she’s ever dated, it’s about to get a whole lot deadlier.

Review

Don’t Swipe Right follows Gwen and her disastrous dating resume as things turn deadly.

With her friend Sarah about to get married and with her own love life going down the drain she opens her dating app in the hope of distraction.

When a match appears Gwen thinks this might be time for a little fun. Her match isn’t so keen to play out, there’s been a murder recently and when he sends the link to Gwen that’s when things go crazy.. yeah Gwen had recently been on a date with the victim!!

Its a coincidence that Gwen can’t shake but when another body appears, another of Gwen’s recent dates, its getting a little suspicious.

Now the police are involved and while they don’t believe Gwen is a suspect as such they need to keep an eye on her.

More death follows but along the way Gwen still finds time to make new romantic connections, she explores her past and the dates she’s been on but also what happened to bring her to this point in time.. the reason she’s on the dating app in the first place.

Not everyone on Gwen’s list of dates has been targeted yet and I really loved that Gwen wants to put the pieces together herself.. she knows there must be a link.. but what can it be.. to see her go all vigilante to hopefully protect those left was pretty exciting.. and puts her at the mercy of the killer!

There’s twists and turns which were really fun and exciting.. giving you the “ooooooooo” moments. I really thought I’d nailed who the killer is, I had a list, some with clear motivations, some I just had a gut feeling about.. and it’s those twists that keep you guessing.

The final reveal was utterly exhilarating for me as the motivations became clear.. the end game.. wow.

It seems silly to say a book like this was “laugh our loud” but it really had it’s moments..Gwen has zero luck and she doesn’t help herself but even I couldn’t help laughing when after a date gone wrong, going home, she realises she’s still wearing her bowling shoes ha.

Lots of funny moments but overall a very serious and engaging plot.

Character wise I really loved Gwen and the more we learn, the more I felt I understood her and why things happened the way they did. The ensemble cast were really good too, I won’t spoil it but each have their part to play and give the energy that makes Gwen’s life shine.

It’s got to be a 5* from me!

To find out more head to Goodreads or Amazon.

Death Row (Alibis collection) by Freida McFadden – REVIEW

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Today I’m reviewing Death Row (Alibis collection) by Freida McFadden.

Here’s the blurb

With all hope of an appeal fading away, the fate of a condemned murderess takes a shocking turn in a breathtaking short story by the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Housemaid.

Talia Kemper is on death row for murdering her husband. She had an alibi and no known motive, yet Talia’s unwavering protestations of innocence have always been ignored. Then one day in the visiting area, she sees a recognizable stranger she’s certain is her husband. It turns out the man she’s been convicted of killing may not be dead after all. But as the days tick away toward Talia’s execution, what will it take for her to be believed?

Review.

Freida McFadden is a name many book readers will have heard of I’m sure. It feels like Freida has been rather prolific since I read “The Housemaid”. I’ll be honest I can’t keep pace ha ha so there’s a few on my TBR list but when I spotted Death Row it seemed exactly what I needed! A quick, exciting read. My concentration levels haven’t been the best of late so just needed a change in pace and something to hook me in.

Well Death Row certainly did that!

Talia is on death row for murder..Talia’s husband the victim. The issue is Talia says she’s innocent!

We learn about Talia’s life, or lack of, on death row and as Talia dreams the reader is transported into Talia’s past.. the run up to where we are now.

The more we find out the less things add up.

It looks like Talia wants to have the perfect life.. like we all do.. and for the most part she’s got it. That is until one day she notices what she’s missing. Her husband.. he’s working too hard.. late nights and not enough emotional connection between the two and this is where things spiral… alone with her thoughts Talia’s imagination runs wild.

Back in present day Talia tries to keep her mind busy but when her latest appeal is rejected she can’t help but loose focus..and that’s when she spots him.. a man who looks just like her husband, and he’s here visiting another inmate.. but it can’t be.. he’s dead.. isn’t he?

This is where the book heats up and no spoilers from me but it’s where I felt there’s little hints to direct the reader throughout that start to add up now, while I felt I knew what was coming.. you really never know when that oomph will be.. it’s the suspense..

When the twist hits its a clever and emotional scene wrapping the story up nicely.

Being billed as a short read at approx. 103 minutes there’s loads packed in. It’s the subtle details added in.. the noises..the smells for example, that really make it come alive and intrigue the reader.

It’s a really great story for fans of the author and the genre but more so this is ideal for newbies too.. plenty to get stuck into and shows you just what to expect from Freida McFadden!

Easy 5* read and what’s even better to know is this is the first in a series of short tales, with each instalment from a different author. Very interested in seeing how this. The rest are already up for pre-order too.

To find out more about Death Row head to Goodreads or Amazon.

BLOG TOUR – The Uninvited Guest by Ruby Speechley

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Today is my stop on the blog tour for The Uninvited Guest by Ruby Speechley!

Here’s the blurb.

One hen, one stag, one uninvited guest… who won’t make it to the wedding?

Megan Lewis is ready for her big day, but when an unexpected guest crashes her hen weekend, her perfectly curated world unravels.

Beth, claiming to be Jamie’s cousin, quickly charms the group. But when she gets close to bridesmaid Lauren, things take a dark turn, and a game of truth or dare exposes secrets from Megan’s past, shaking her world.

As the wedding nears, Megan realises Beth isn’t who she says she is — but she may be her only ally.

When you can’t trust anyone, not even your fiancé, who can you turn to?

An unputdownable novel full of suspense and secrets, perfect for fans of Shari Lapena, Alice Feeney and Lisa Jewell.

Review.

Megan is preparing to walk down the isle and it’s time for her to relax and have some fun with her friends. Will this be a relaxing hen weekend?? No chance.

From the outset somethings not right. I won’t spoil it but Megan seems to be on edge..thinking the worst.. but why?  Well that’s where the author has been very cunning.. there’s a big backstory and lots of moving parts in this engaging plot.

As the hen weekend kicks off it’s time for old friends to reconnect, but when Beth arrives things go from bad to worse..

The author leads you down the rabbit hole… you think you know who is out to get Megan but not the why.. but then there’s twists that make you doubt your initial thoughts.

As the story progresses we learn of hidden secrets that would rock the foundations of any marriage but who is really behind this? And why? What do they get out of this?

Plot wise it’s gripping and exciting and I loved how Megan developed with depth added along the way, it really helped strengthen the overall tale.

The list of characters isn’t too exhaustive meaning the author was able to focus and let the plot shine which paid off! The characters are well defined and develop nicely to aid the plot but little do you know at first where the plot will take you.. wow.. those last few chapters are immensely captivating!

I didn’t warm to Megan at first but as the plot thickens you understand her more and I can’t help but feel that’s exactly how the author wanted it. Megan has her flaws but ultimately isn’t a bad person.. she’s just made some bad choices.. she’s not the only one though!

This is my second foray into the authors work and I continue to be wowed! Excited to see what’s next.

The Uninvited Guest is a tale of hidden secrets and desire..wow!

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

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

Why not follow the tour?

Author Bio –

Ruby Speechley is a bestselling psychological thriller writer, whose titles include Someone Else’s Baby. Previously published by Hera, she has been a journalist and worked in PR and lives in Cheshire.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063999185095

Twitter: @rubyspeechley

Instagram: @rubyjtspeechley

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

BLOG TOUR – A Light of Little Radiance by Keith Anthony Baird and Beverley Lee

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Today is my stop on the blog tour for A Light of Little Radiance by Keith Anthony Baird and Beverley Lee.

Here’s the blurb

Selina Dragavei wanders the northern wastes in fear of persecution from the Holy Roman Church. In Europe’s Dark Age, witchfinders scour the lands and traveller folk such as she are put to flame and suffering. On the ruthless steppes, she evades them but something far sinister will lay claim to her soul.

Returning to the world of men, a dark, transformed Selina has a thirst for blood and only the drift down through the centuries will quench it. But she won’t make that journey alone, as she determines to bring others to her. As a troupe of entertainers, they attend pageants, festivals, and even royal galas, where a family bound to darkness feed on unsuspecting mortals. Such debauchery, however, does not go unnoticed. Famed witchfinder, Desider von Brandenburg, becomes obsessed with bringing this band of vampire-devils to a righteous cleansing, and so a deadly game of cat and mouse ensues.

Will the holy man bring God’s wrath down upon them, or will Selina and her nightwalkers battle the might of Heaven and emerge unscathed? Only instinct, cunning, and a little luck under the watch of a wolf moon will tell…

Review

Selina is alone, hunted and looking for safety but what she finds is much darker and will change her life forever. Selina stumbles upon a dark creature which transforms her into something new.. something stronger.. something thirsty for blood.

When Selina returns to the world she needs to find a way to survive and quickly decides it’s time to gather a family. Selina sets out to create her family of misfits, each chosen for s specific reason.

The family explore the world together, feed and thrive.. until it starts to unravel…

Now the hunter becomes the hunted as the family flee to safety… but is anywhere safe?

Those hot on their heels won’t be deterred even though the endeavour will be costly for both sides.

Vengeance soon becomes Selina’s only goal, but can she finish this once and for all before it’s too late for her.

Oh wow, what a super and thrilling read A Light of Little Radiance was!  The story is brought to life seamlessly by two authors. I had wondered how well would it work, would it flow ok… well let me tell you the flow was immensely prefect. Its very much a plot driven tale but the authors did a wonderful job of making the characters come to life amongst the chaos of Selina’s life.

Its dark, and felt guttural in tone which suited the plot perfectly, the darkness of the setting mirroring the darkness within the characters as they struggle to survive. It’s strange but even though Selina and her family are the ones killing you actually want them to survive.. Selina’s beat the odds before but can she do it again?

Oh the last few chapters.. wow.. I had no idea how I wanted the book to end but I really don’t think there could have been a darker, more thrilling ending..its enough to make you tingle with excitement.

Outstanding story perfectly executed. The story felt fresh and thrilling.. and I loved every second!

5/5 stars

My thanks go to the authors, publisher and Zoé @ Zooloo’s Book Tours for having me on the tour!

Why not follow the tour

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Book Links

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/217420969-a-light-of-little-radiance

Purchase Link: https://mybook.to/littleradiance-zbt

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Keith’s Bio

Keith Anthony Baird has written a number of works, all of which can be found using your browser – get busy!

He lives in Cumbria, in the United Kingdom, on the edge of the Lake District National Park.

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Keith’s Social Media

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kabauthor

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

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/kabauthor.bsky.social

Website: https://5f2dd297cf905.site123.me/

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Beverley’s Bio

Beverley Lee is a bestselling dark fiction author who lives close to the dreaming spires of Oxford, England. Her work specialises in atmospheric horror, creeping dread, and broken boys – sometimes altogether – but are always filled with heart and the tenuous threads of relationships pushed to the brink. All the Feels all the time. Vampires are her first love and occasionally they stop whispering long enough for her to write other books. When she’s not writing you’ll find her rambling through the countryside, dreaming about male vampires kissing, and exploring time-worn graveyards

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Beverley’s Social Media

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

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

Website: https://beverleylee.com/

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The Commuter by Emma Curtis – REVIEW

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Today I’m reviewing The Commuter by Emma Curtis.

Here’s the blurb

I used to dread rush hour. Now I live for it…

Rachel wakes from a coma to discover her controlling husband has been killed, and the police suspect her of involvement.

But all Rachel can recall from the last few weeks are tantalising flashes of a fellow commuter. A man whose name she doesn’t know.

A man who has disappeared without a trace.

Now Rachel is a wealthy widow and the vultures are circling, wanting her in prison for murder, or failing that … dead.

Can Rachel discover the truth in time to save herself?

Review

I attended a boo k talk last year and The Commuter was suggested as a book to pick up and an author to watch, so I immediately put it on my TBR.

Rachel awakes from a coma to find out her husband is dead.. but she has no memory of the events that led up to that faithful day. She’s lucky to be alive but this is just the start of a spiral of events for Rachel as she unravels to truth!

We quickly learn that some instinctively don’t trust Rachel.. although she couldn’t have been there at the time her husband died… there’s gaps in her story that even Rachel can’t fill..

Things go from bad to worse when her husbands will is read and it’s not what everyone is expecting… if anything it raises more questions and causes more tension.

We start to learn more about Rachel and the what happened in the run up as bits of memories come back.. like a puzzle for Rachel to put together.

The quickly see her husband wasn’t exactly an innocent…his daughter is not very likeable and there was someone else in Rachel’s life.. but who.. and what does it mean.. is there a connection?

What unfolds is a very clever and complex plot that ultimately led to an untimely death.

I really enjoyed the flow as the story moves from current day, back to the past as Rachel’s memory returns.

The flow allowed for development of the characters at a natural pace, nothing felt forced or out of place.. the development just matches the flow perfectly in pace and made it a super engrossing read,

Character wise.. and the twists.. wow.. I don’t say it often but I really didn’t know what would happen next and I was hooked. I don’t want to spoil it but Rachel is really put through it!

When to bed each night I was excited for my own commute the next day just so I could pick up the book again!

What made this book such a gripping thriller was the main characters amnesia, as it allowed the author to take the story so many directions… and those twists were gob smacking!

This was more first foray into the authors work but it won’t be my last!.

Well worth grabbing a copy… 5/5  stars

To find our more head to Goodreads or Amazon!