Today I’m reviewing The Last of the Bear Tribe by Joey Tawil.
This book came recommended by a colleague at work so I was eagar to take a look!
Here’s the blurb
Sam and Jemma stood facing the oncoming raiders with no weapons.
As the raider drew near, the air shimmers by Sam and Jemma’s right hands; an axe appeared in Sam’s hand, while a sword appeared in Jemma’s.
The raiders were dead in a few heartbeats and the weapons shimmered out of existence.
The bears were back.
Review
The Last of the Bear Tribe is a epic fantasy tale condensed to allow younger readers to enjoy and work their way into the genre without overloading them.
Sam awakes one day, his memory lost.. Left for dead on the battle field. As he makes his way in the world to try and find safety he runs into Jemma.
Jemma is on her own journey to find out more about herself.
While they have never met they both have the same goal.. Find the truth about themselves.. For this reason they stick together and try to put the pieces together.
Along the way we get introduced to new, fresh and interesting characters pivotal to the plot itself.
While on their journey they learn about a tribe who had almost been wiped out by their enemies.. Only a few survived but where are they? And what’s it got to do with them?
The tale unfolds at pace and we learn of treachery in the past that threatens their very future..Can they find out the truth and put an end to the deceit and get justice for the Bear tribe at the same time?
I’m a keen reader of young adult books, as a kid I was never much encouraged to read so I missed the stage in life of working my way up through young adult fiction to adult fiction, their can sometimes be a big jump for a young reader, so when you see a gem like The Last of the Bear Tribe I have to get a review out there to let people know just how good it really is! Even if I help sell 1 copy then I’ll class that as a success 🙂
The plot flowed well and was very enjoyable, I kind of didn’t want it to end as I was enjoying it that much.
Development worked well, it’s very fast paced but there’s still time to get to grips with the characters and motivations.
It’s that good I kind of wish it would be developed into an adult epic fantasy just to see what else could be injected into the tale as you can see so much potential within the plot.
My only real comment..and it’s not a negative.. but the synopsis doesn’t sell the book to me.. it teases but there’s so much more!
Today I’m going to be reviewing Blind Rage (Under the Breaking Sky #1) by Nick Clausen.
Here’s the blurb
It’s an ordinary Monday.
Until everything changes forever.
At 2:44 PM, a mysterious crack appears in the sky.
Anyone unfortunate enough to look up is immediately struck blind. What’s worse, their mind is wiped clean, replaced with a vicious urge to kill anyone within reach.
Mark is at work when it happens. Fighting not to fall asleep, the boring department meeting suddenly turns into a bloodbath when people are drawn to the windows to look up at the sky.
Down at the street, Gina just finished shopping and now finds herself thrown into a scene from a horror movie, as everyone around her begins beating each other to death.
Stopping at a red light, Tommy’s stepdad leans forward to gaze upwards. Without warning, Tommy is trapped inside the car with a mindless monster intent on killing him.
Now, these ordinary people must stand together in the fight for mankind, or die along with it. As the crack grows bigger, more and more people succumb to the rage. Societies collapse and the world is plunged into mayhem.
And there seems to be no cure. No safe haven. Not even an explanation.
Only blind rage.
Review
Oh wow.. this was just what I needed!
It’s a typical day but suddenly the world is turned upside down..a crack of some sort appears in the sky and it’s appearance brings about a change in those who look directly at it..
Those unfortunate turn blind and are full of rage.. the interesting part is not everyone is affected.. some are immune..
What I really enjoyed was the development of the blind, they aren’t simple savages.. they are smart and strong.. able to communicate and plan..how on earth can they be stopped.
I’m not going to spoil it for anyone but not only do we have the immune but there’s one individual who knows what’s coming.. he doesn’t have all the details but knows something is coming and when the worst happens he knows it’s time to pick his side..
I want to say it’s a typical zombie apocalypse.. but it’s not, it’s something completely different and fresh..while the blind act like zombies, they aren’t zombies.. they aren’t dead.. but can they be cured? Pfft I’m actually not sure how anyone will survive the onslaught.
The most interesting bit for me was the impulse people had to look at the crack when it appeared.. it’s like they can’t control themselves..
I liked the differing perspectives as multiple characters were introduced, there’s lots to take in but the pace is perfect. We then explore the issues the non-blind face in this new world they are forced to live in…no one knows how or when the crack will appear again.. but why would it only appear once? There’s lots of unknowns but some people act fast securing themselves as much as they can.. but can these doors hold?
The characters deal with difficult topics like dealing with loss but also about guilt.. to live they must fight..and sometimes it’s someone close to them that stands in the way of survival.
Overall a dark and intense tale, the plot was fresh and intriguing and put a spin on the typical tales.
Today is my turn on the blog tour for Thor’s Revenge by Donovan Cook.
Thor’s Revenge is Book 3 in the awesome Charlemagne’s Cross series.
Here’s the blurb
A kingdom without a crown.
A boy forsaken by his God.
A warrior bent on revenge.
After the bloody Battle of Jelling, Denmark’s throne lies empty and chaos reigns as Jarls jostle for power.
Sven survives the bloodshed only to return home to find Ribe sacked by those he trusted and Charles, a pawn in a much bigger political game, kidnapped.
Consumed by the loss of Charles, Sven is shocked by the arrival of the Abbess Hildegard, daughter of his nemesis King Louis of East Francia, who seeks the whereabouts of Charles, her son, and also the cross of Charlemagne.
But whilst others want revenge for the chaos Sven has caused, Denmark burns and Sven must stand in the shield wall one more time if he is to survive and rescue his grandson.
Outnumbered and outmaneuvered, Sven and Charles must put their fate in the hands of the gods if they ever want to see each other again.
Review
We are back with Charles and Sven the Boar..
Sven returns home after a fierce battle.. you’d think surviving a battle is something to celebrate but not this time… many many many men died and Denmark no longer has a King… this has left bands of disbanded and leaderless warriors ransacking Denmark…
And that’s only part of Sven’s trouble… he learned that his grandson Charles has been taken..Charles is Sven’s redemption in life so his loss breaks the man but at least this time he has people around him to try and knock some sense into him.
His anger soon returns when Abbess Hildegard arrives and pushes him a little too far… there’s a blast from the past that I’ll not spoil but by god I felt the fury pouring of Sven… Abbess Hildegard who we learn is Charles mother so we finally get to learn more about why Charles has been brought up to believe she was dead…I could only imagine how this felt for Charles as he learns the truth about himself.. who he really is.
I really enjoyed that we also learned more about the cross that Charles has been carrying ever since his father’s murder.. Charlemagne’s Cross… of which, if the stories are believed has the power to reunite Francia..
What really makes this instalment shine is the character development, not only do we meet and get to know new characters we see some established characters grow, Thora, Rollo and Sven all have a greater depth added to them while they deal with the aftermath of the battle and Charles kidnap.
Charles’ himself has some very big things to deal with.. being kidnapped… the deaths that have occurred to keep him safe.. it becomes his internal struggle and we see his faith in god shaken…
Plot wise… oh wow… it develops at a fast pace but nothing is really rushed or forced…but by god there’s a lot crammed in and credit to the author that it’s been done in such a well balanced way allowing the reader to keep up the events…and the ending!!! Oh my.. I need more!!
The Charlemagne’s Cross series has quick become a firm favourite!
5/5 stars.
To find out more head to Goodreads or why not buy a copy here?
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 the book too. At £2.99 It’s too good not too!
Why not follow the tour?
Author Bio –
Donovan Cook is the author of the well-received Ormstunga Saga series and the Charlemagne’s Cross series, both of which combine fast-paced narrative with meticulously researched history of the Viking world and are inspired by his interest in Norse Mythology. Donovan was born in South Africa but raised in England.
Today I’m taking part in the blog tour for EXSILIUM by Alison Morton!
Screenshot
Keep reading for a little Q&A too! Alison is a firm favourite on my blog so I quite enjoyed coming up with some questions to see what’s next 😊
Here’s the blurb
Exile – Living death to a Roman
AD 395. In a Christian Roman Empire, the penalty for holding true to the traditional gods is execution.
Maelia Mitela, her dead husband condemned as a pagan traitor, leaving her on the brink of ruin, grieves for her son lost to the Christians and is fearful of committing to another man.
Lucius Apulius, ex-military tribune, faithful to the old gods and fixed on his memories of his wife Julia’s homeland of Noricum, will risk everything to protect his children’s future.
Galla Apulia, loyal to her father and only too aware of not being the desired son, is desperate to escape Rome after the humiliation of betrayal by her feckless husband
For all of them, the only way to survive is exile.
Note: EXSILIUM is the sequel to JULIA PRIMA and the two books make up the Foundation strand in the Roma Nova series.
Review
I’m not sure how Alison Morton manages to, but once again the reader is given another powerful read that builds on the fabulous Roma Nova series.
What hit me straight away was the emotion..from the very first page we explore fate..destiny.. so beautifully written but so heart wrenching.
If you’ve read the rest of the series you’ll know about the strong characters and a very plot driven tale, what Exsilium offers the reader is a bit more history.. the beginnings of this fabulous place the author has envisaged, it builds on the humanity of the time and the characters.
The author tackles very real issues such as religious intolerance within the pollical landscape and while set in a different time period you can’t help but see similarities with the world we live in.. there’s a realness to the characters and their depth just pours off the page but in typical style for the author the overall message is positive.. we all deal with the bad side of the world but we need to keep striving for better.. it might not change our world as we know it but we can create positive changes for future generations…that’s what Roma Nova is for me.. a bastion shining in the dark.
I never like to spoil books but what I can say is Exsilium fits is superbly and builds on what is already a strong and established series. To manage to do this.. wow..Morton continues to do justice to the series and the dream of Roma Nova.
5/5 Stars
My thanks to Alison Morton for an ARC to aid my review, I bought a copy too as always 🙂
To find out more or to grab a copy use the links below! Remember keeping read.. 10 questions with Alison Morton is up next!!
Your newest book, EXSILIUM, is book 11 in your amazing Roma Nova series. Did you always envisage the series having such longevity or has the series just developed as time passed?
Good question! I only wanted to write a book. One book. This became INCEPTIO featuring heroine Carina. Then I realised I wanted to know what happened to my characters and so I wrote PERFIDITAS and SUCCESSIO.
Writing SUCCESSIO, which was definitely going to be the last book – it’s fun, but an exhausting business – I became intensely interested in Carina’s grandmother’s earlier life. What part had she played in the Great Rebellion? What was her relationship with the notorious usurper in Roma Nova’s past? So another book was needed – AURELIA. Of course, I had too much story, so two more books emerged full of the rebellion and resistance – INSURRECTIO and RETALIO. I was chuffed when Conn Iggulden endorsed the former and Doug Jackson and Matthew Harffy the latter.
After that, I couldn’t leave it alone and decided to have a crack at writing a novella so dropped CARINA into the first trilogy to recount an adventure between INCEPTIO and PERFIDITAS and NEXUS into the second trilogy between AURELIA and INSURRECTIO. No longer trilogies, I named the four 21st century thrillers as ‘The Carina strand’ and the second four which take place 1960s to 1980s ‘The Aurelia strand’, all with new covers. Talk about making trouble for myself!
The two historical fiction novels – JULIA PRIMA and EXSILIUM – are all the fault of my fans who wanted to know the full origin story of Roma Nova. But I loved writing them!
EXSILIUM starts with a very emotional charged few scenes, did you find this hard to write? I know I felt overwrought after reading those beautifully written words, but it sets the tone so well, strength flows through.
Yes, I felt completely wrung out when I’d finished writing those scenes. But those events are an intrinsic part of the Roma Nova backstory, even since INCEPTIO, so I had to gather up my grit as Carina would say, and write it.
Where do you see the series going now? Are you tempted to choose a different subject matter for your next book?
I don’t know! I do wonder if readers might want something different. I published a book of short stories a few years ago – the two historical novels are a development of one of them – and I might so the same based on some other unpublished stories. I solved the mystery of the disappearance of Carina’s mother in a short story at the back of the INCEPTIO anniversary hardback edition, so I won’t go there again. I may look at the part the Roma Novans played in the Battle of Vienna in 1683, but the research could be enormous. We’ll see!
Have you started on the next book yet? I feel like you clearly put a lot of yourself into your work so can imagine you must have some half-written plots waiting to be fleshed out?
I’ve written the first chapter of the next Mélisende contemporary thriller in the Doubles series as I haven’t finished with her yet. It’s also good to have a complete change of environment.
Like most writers, I use some of my experiences and knowledge from before writing novels and research what I don’t know. And yes, there are a lot of stories in my head especially from my time in the military, but a number of which I can’t tell anybody about…
Some genres can be quite saturated with male authors, did you ever consider writing under a pseudonym?
I did experiment with using initials for my first and middle names with the two Roma Nova boxsets, but it made absolutely no impact either way on sales. My readership is about 40% male and 60% female which I count as good, given that the average of book buyers is reckoned to be over 70% female.
The other problem is having to double up on PR and marketing, especially social media. Maintaining Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, Threads and BlueSky plus my monthly newsletter is enough for one me.
What do you feel makes a great story?
Good characters, undoubtedly. A strong plot is essential in any thriller, but the characters must drive the story. If the reader doesn’t root for the characters, cry with them and celebrate with them, even the most clever and twisty plot can fall short. Close behind is setting which includes time period as well as physical setting. What’s happening in that world, what’s the weather like? How do people prosper or even survive? Where does the main threat come from in that place and time?
What is your favourite part of being a writer?
When the characters try to take over the story. It’s uncanny. One other is when I hold a print copy, usually a paperback in my hands for the first time. And a third would be talking about the books or writing at an event. I love sharing the Roman and Roma Nova love!
What’s your favourite under-appreciated book?
What a difficult question! This might sound a strange answer, but Gibbon’s Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire is much quoted and the title has become a public saying, but how many people have actually read it? Academics, possibly serious fiction writers and really dedicated enthusiasts of the Roman Empire. Yet its impact is massive on how we see that civilisation.
What was the most recent book you’ve read yourself that you would recommend?
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus – clever, witty, trenchant. A milestone study through tragi-comedy of America in the 1950 with an acerbic, hugely engaging and sympathetic protagonist. I adored it.
As hard as this might be… how would you sum up the Roma Nova series for anyone who hasn’t yet delved into the world you’ve created.
Suppose, just suppose, history had gone down a slightly different path. What would a 21st century Europe look like if a tiny part of the Ancient Roman Empire had survived?
Roma Nova is that country and embodies a distinct but modern Roman lifestyle in a country led by women and where honour and courage count. Of course, there are traitors, conspirators and criminals – a truly Roman society!
The Roma Nova heroines serve as Praetorian officers, industry leaders, technologists, inventors and senators, with an imperatrix as their ruler.
But its heroines and heroes face conspiracy, revolution and heartache and must use their wits, courage and a sharp line in dialogue to defend their country against all comers. The latest adventure, EXSILIUM, plunges us back to the late 4th century, to the dawn of the foundation of Roma Nova.
Thank you Alison for taking the time to answer some questions for me 🙂
Bio
Alison Morton writes award-winning thrillers featuring tough but compassionate heroines. Her ten-book Roma Nova series is set in an imaginary European country where a remnant of the Roman Empire has survived into the 21st century and is ruled by women who face conspiracy, revolution and heartache but use a sharp line in dialogue. The latest, EXSILIUM, plunges us back to the late 4th century, to the very foundation of Roma Nova.
She blends her fascination for Ancient Rome with six years’ military service and a life of reading crime, historical and thriller fiction. On the way, she collected a BA in modern languages and an MA in history.
Alison now lives in Poitou in France, the home of Mélisende, the heroine of her two contemporary thrillers, Double Identity and Double Pursuit.
Today I’m reviewing Dark Revelations: Level 26: Book Three (Level 26 Thriller 3) by Anthony E. Zuiker
Here’s the blurb
Steve Dark has been tasked by the FBI with the ultimate search-and-destroy mission: to take down the world’s most dangerous serial killers. Now he faces the most intricate, intense, and explosive case of his career.
The killer calls himself Labyrinth. The riddles, puzzles, and wordplay with which he announces his new targets have caused a worldwide media sensation. The case has already claimed a number of high profile individuals as its victims – not to mention several government agencies, which have tried and failed to stop a growing global panic.
But what point is Labyrinth trying to make? Who will be his next victim? It’s up to Dark to assemble an elite team from the remains of the international crime-solving community, find Labyrinth wherever he may be, and put a stop to the mayhem, once and for all.
But the mystery of who, where and what Labyrinth is, is the biggest riddle of them all. And if Dark doesn’t solve it, he knows he’ll be the next victim . . .
Review
In Dark Revelations Steve Dark joins a new team, Global Alliance. They have the funds and the connections that will allow Steve to do what he does best.. and that’s stop the worst of the worst..
Steve’s newest target is Labyrinth.. but the hunt is going to take him on a collision course with his old team, Riggins and Constance. They don’t understand why he’s left them behind.. and I think Steve just doesn’t care at this stage.. he’s a one man band.. he doesn’t want a team.. something Global Alliance will find out shortly..the team doesn’t exactly gel.
Labyrinth was a very interesting villain.. he’s got secrets that he’s willing to spill..I was conflicted if I’m honest.. his actions are despicable but he’s trying to right the world.. and that’s something I can get onboard with.
It’s been a very interesting series, and this book read as a standalone is pretty decent but if you compare to the 1st instalment it’s lost a little shine.. the original team..the red tape.. the realism.. that’s what hooked me in. Don’t get me wrong the plot was still really engaging and the added cut scenes you can access online really give it an extra punch but I felt we lost a little of the Steve Dark I loved.
I wish we had more time to see the team connections within Global Alliance and really would have loved to see Riggins and Constance join forces with Steve’s new team properly..
Overall a very interesting series that I’m glad I took the time to read. Shame there isn’t more.
Today I’m reviewing Colony One: A Space Colonization Adventure (The Elderon Chronicles Book 1) by Tarah Benner.
I picked this one up for free on Amazon.. sucked in by one of the daily deal emails I receive. At least I can’t get in trouble from spending too much money on books this month eh? Ha
Here’s the blurb
Colony One is prepared for anything — except the saboteur who’s already on board. For Jonah Wyatt, the Space Force is his last shot at a military career. After years leading an elite task force, he was discharged from the army and stuck working one menial job after another. Now this disgraced combat specialist is headed to space. He’s tasked with training his own unit aboard Elderon: colony one. Nobody bothered to tell him it would be a squad of white-hat hackers and intel eggheads who are definitely not Space Force material. One recruit is Maggie Barnes — an undercover reporter who was brought on board as a member of the press corps. Her job is to create fluffy corporate propaganda that paints the colony as a futuristic utopia, but Maggie can’t follow the rules once she gets wind of a story. When Maggie gets a tip from an unknown source, she realizes Elderon is not at all what it seems. As she gets closer to unraveling the conspiracy, Sergeant Wyatt begins to suspect that there’s a spy on board. The saboteur has been with them all along, and he’s been building an army of his own.
Review
So Colony One follows two main characters, Jonah and Maggie.
Jonah is ex-military, he’s clearly got baggage from his time serving and is definitely not happy with his life at the moment so when offered the chance to join Space Force he jumps at it.. what’s he got to loose.
We also meet Maggie, a reporter who is slowly being side-lined by artificial intelligence.. no one needs real reporters or news any longer.. the only thing they want is trash.,, but Maggie is the real deal.. she’s worth more than this so when she is offered the chance to join an expedition to Elderon, a space colony it doesn’t take long for her to decide.
While on Elderon Maggie can’t but help let her reporter instincts kick in. Something isnt right.. there’s a lot of military personnel…Space Force…. why.. where’s the danger?
Soon she has her way in.. a fake identity.. Maggie ends up under the command of Jonah and tensions grow between them in more way than one… but who is helping her.. it’s not exactly easy to get the documentation in place that they have.. what’s their motivation?
While in training things heat up and I really loved how the author showed each recruits development.. or lack of ha. As time passes and it’s clear the recruits aren’t cut out for this we we learn of a new device that may lead to recruits learning the skills needed faster.. but is it too good to be true.. it’s kind of a freaky piece of technology…abruptly we are forced to forget about this bit of kit as a cyberattack hits.. the bots that people depend on have turned on humans.. but it is an isolated incident and how did the hackers get into such sophisticated systems.. something isnt right here.. but what.
What I enjoyed about the book was the nice mixture of plot and character development. I’ve seen some negative reviews simply because this book doesn’t have an ending.. it’s book 1 in a series and I’ll forgive some as the book as been out since 2018 but to me the book set things up perfectly for a series..that cliff hanger ended was the perfect setup and hooked me.. I’ve already bought the next book in the series to see what happens next.
The pace and development of the plot was good and there’s a clear direction but I would have just loved to have seen a few more scenes between Maggie and Jonah to really build on their development. Saying that I think the author did a great job of the inner monologue.. to help you understand where the characters were at emotionally and knowing there’s more for me to read leaves me in little doubt I’ll see the development I love between characters.
Flow wise this book was super-fast and fun, the style of writing makes it very easy to follow, mix in an intriguing plot and for me it’s a strong 4 star book.
While the whine of the air raid sirens might no longer be rousing him from bed every night, a two-decade-old unsolved murder case will ensure that Chief Inspector Mason of Erdington Police Station is about to suffer more sleepless nights.
Young Robert McFarlane’s body was found outside the local church hall on 30th September 1923. But, his cause of death was drowning, and he’d been missing for three days before his body was found. No one was ever arrested for the crime. No answers could ever be given to the grieving family. The unsolved case has haunted Mason ever since.
But, the chance discovery of another victim, with worrying parallels, sets Mason, and his constable, O’Rourke, on a journey that will take them back over twenty-five years, the chance to finally solve the case, while all around them the uncertainty of war continues, impossible to ignore.
Review
MJ Porter is a master of style and wit. Porter manages to perfectly add her edge to a wonderful historical mystery.
Set during the war the people are suffering..suffering shortages, suffering grief..suffering fear…but that’s not all.
A body is found with striking similarities to a case back in 1923. Is this a 2nd chance to catch the killer?
The Custard Corpses is a well crafted tale showing the constraints of the time and shows gritty determination law enforcement would have needed at the time to solve crimes with little evidence.
Chief Inspector Sam Mason is on the case and must painstakingly look to the past to find clues.
The characters feel real, the relationships natural and the flow prefect.
As the case develops the plot thickens and takes a disturbing direction.. could there be more victims?
I’m a big fan of police procedural stories but this has MJ Porter’s style infused, which just kicks it up a notch and makes it unlike anything I’ve ever read before.
I’d certainly describe the book as delicious.. You’ll get hooked into the dark world and you’ll devour this tale in no time!
Grab a cup of tea and get stuck into this 5* read!
Author Bio – I’m an author of historical fiction (Early English, Vikings and the British Isles as a whole before the Norman Conquest) and fantasy (Viking age/dragon-themed). I’ve recently written a relatively modern mystery novel set in 1943. I was born in the old Mercian kingdom at some point since 1066. Raised in the shadow of a strange little building, told from a very young age that it housed the bones of long-dead Kings of Mercia and that our garden was littered with old pieces of pottery from a long-ago battle, it’s little wonder that my curiosity in Early England ran riot. I can only blame my parents!
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Today I’m going to be reviewing The Bear of Britain, book 4 in the Warrior Druid of Britain series by Steven A McKay.
This review is well overdue so I hope it’s been worth the wait!
Here’s the blurb
AD 432. BRITAIN. The winter snows are melting at last, but spring will bring more than just rebirth this year. The Saxons are coming, and that means war. Bellicus, Duro and Cai have travelled south to join the warlord, Arthur, and his growing army of Britons. New friendships have been made and exciting adventures await the warrior-druid and his companions, but the threat of Hengist and his invaders casts a dark cloud over all. For years, the Saxons have been content to remain mostly confined to the eastern parts of the country, but now they are marching west, and Hengist has amassed the biggest army seen on these shores since the Romans left over twenty years ago. Arthur – dubbed the Bear of Britain by his advisor, Merlin – has never truly felt he’d earned such a grand title, but now he will have a chance to prove himself. The addition of a new, crack unit to his ranks will, he hopes, be enough to sweep the Saxon threat from Britain once and for all, and herald a generation of peace and prosperity for his people. But nothing in war is straightforward and even their own countrymen can turn violently against them at any moment, as Bellicus discovers to his cost…
Review
The Saxons are ready to attack.. War is coming to Britain.. the only thing standing in their way is Arthur, the Bear of Britain… well not just Arthur. He’s got help from the big warrior druid Bellicus!
A lot has happened to Bellicus and his faithful companion Duro but the upcoming war is going to push them to their limits.
As Arthur sets about raising an army to face the Saxons Bellicus manages to get himself into scrape that nearly costs him his life. I really enjoyed seeing Bellicus’s vulnerability as he recovers.
Vulnerability is probably the word I’d use to best describe the development in this instalment as the author manages to show the human toll paid during war. Duro is a fine example, there’s a sadness to him, still haunted by the past when his wife was brutally murdered… will this be his chance to heal those wounds?
Character development is key to a series.. you need to keep things fresh and boy does the author know how to keep the readers hooked. My favourite character had to be Sulinus. Arthur needs cavalry to win the war.. and Sulinus is the man to train them, he’s a former Roman solider and knows his stuff.. unluckily for him though Arthurs men are not trained to the same standard as the legions.. they aren’t soldiers so he’s got his work cut out for him. It’s Sulinus’s humour that really makes you love him.. you can’t help but smile.
For fans of history, you see the author take on some well know figures, we have Arthur, Merlin and Lancelot…how can you not get excited when you hear those names. Each of these characters felt perfect.. it’s hard to explain but you have expectations when you think of historical names but McKay knows just how to tackle big characters and do them justice!
I don’t want to spoil anything too much but I can’t write my review without talking about one scene.. Merlin and the Sword in the Stone…wow. I’m not going to say any more than that.. wow!
The Bear of Britain is a wonderfully written book. I’m kind of in awe of the author and how he manages to keep offering up gripping tales, weaving his skill and imagination throughout history. His tales are exhilarating, the characters believable and exciting and the action hard hitting.
I can’t give the book any less than a 5*…when’s the next book?? Ha. This series is a must!
Today is my turn on the blog tour for Double Identity by Alison Morton.
Let’s ger started!
Here is the blurb –
Genre – Thriller
Deeply in love, a chic Parisian lifestyle before her. Now she’s facing prison for murder.
It’s three days since Mel des Pittones threw in her job as an intelligence analyst with the French special forces to marry financial trader Gérard Rohlbert. But her dream turns to nightmare when she wakes to find him dead in bed beside her.
Her horror deepens when she’s accused of his murder. Met Police detective Jeff McCracken wants to pin Gérard’s death on her. Mel must track down the real killer, even if that means being forced to work with the obnoxious McCracken.
But as she unpicks her fiancé’s past, she discovers his shocking secret life. To get to the truth, she has to go undercover and finds almost everybody around her is hiding a second self.
Mel can trust nobody. Can she uncover the real killer before they stop her?
Review
Double Identify follows Mel in the aftermath of her fiancé’s death. What at first seems a tragedy suddenly becomes a nightmare as foul play is detected.
Mel is considered suspect number one so sets about discovering the truth and in turn clear her name.
It soon becomes very clear Mel had no part in this and subsequently her skills and expertise as former military are soon noted and she drafted in to put an end to this case once and for all but doing so puts her in serious danger.
In a shocking twist an emotional event nearly pushes Mel over the edge, and she has to use all her strength to keep it together.
Something I’ve always enjoyed about the authors work is the use of strong female leads and boy does Mel pack a punch! There’s more than one bruised male ego in this tale..
Characters wise I really enjoyed the ensemble, each played their part and were all very likable.. even the bad guys!
I bang on about flow a lot in my reviews and Alison Morton knows how I like my books. Clear easy flowing chapters enabled me to devour this one.
For me it just worked, just the right amount of twists to keep you engaged, just the right amount of characters to not overwhelm you and detailed enough to allow you to fall in love the characters and their development.
Another cracking read from Alison Morton!
Even though the author has moved away from her previous Roma Nova series with this one you have that same feel for the characters and I instantly felt at home.
My thanks go the author, publisher and Emma @ damppebbles blog tours for helping arrange the blog tour.
I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review but will certainly be adding this to my collection 🙂 .
About Alison Morton:
Alison Morton writes award-winning thrillers series featuring tough, but compassionate heroines. She blends her deep love of France with six years’ military service and a life of reading crime, historical, adventure and thriller fiction. On the way, she collected a BA in modern languages and an MA in history.
“Grips like a vice – a writer to watch out for” says crime thriller writer Adrian Magson about Roma Nova series starter INCEPTIO. All six full-length Roma Nova thrillers have won the BRAG Medallion, the prestigious award for indie fiction. SUCCESSIO, AURELIA and INSURRECTIO were selected as Historical Novel Society’s Indie Editor’s Choices. AURELIA was a finalist in the 2016 HNS Indie Award. The Bookseller selected SUCCESSIO as Editor’s Choice in its inaugural indie review.
Now Alison continues to write thrillers and drink wine in France with her husband.
Other works
The Carina strand INCEPTIO where New Yorker Karen Brown is thrown into a new life in mysterious Roma Nova and fights to stay alive with a killer hunting her CARINA, a novella, Carina’s first mission abroad. What could go wrong? PERFIDITAS, six years on, where betrayal and rebellion are in the air, threatening to topple Roma Nova and ruin Carina’s life. SUCCESSIO, where a mistake from the past threatens to destroy the next generation.
The Aurelia strand AURELIA, in late 1960s Roma Nova, Aurelia Mitela battles her life-long nemesis, silver smuggling and is forced to choose between her love, her child and her country NEXUS Mid 1970s, London, where a simple favour for a friend becomes a chilling pursuit across Europe INSURRECTIO, where Aurelia Mitela struggles against a manipulative tyrant grabbing power. But it may already be too late to save Roma Nova… RETALIO, a classic tale of resistance and retribution – the endgame between Aurelia and Caius
Extras ROMA NOVA EXTRA, a collection of short stories from AD 370 to the present
Contributions ‘A Roman Intervenes‘ in 1066 Turned Upside Down How Galla Mitela, Roma Novan imperial councillor, attempts to stop the Norman invasion of England. One of a series of possible alternative outcomes of 1066.
‘The Mystery of Victory’ in Rubicon (HWA/Sharpe Books) What did happen to the Altar of Victory in the dusk of the Roman Empire?
‘The Idealist’ in Betrayal (Historical Fictioneers, 2020)
Non Fiction Military or civilians? The curious anomaly of the German Women’s Auxiliary Services during the Second World War.
The 500 Word Writing Buddy: 35 Inner Secrets for the New Writer
Today I’m taking part in my first blog tour of the year! I’m going to be reviewing Family by Owen Mullen.
I’m a big fan of the author so jumped at the chance to get involved!
Here is the blurb –
Family – might be the death of you…
The Glass family business is crime, and they’re good at what they do. Vengeance took Luke Glass behind bars – but now he’s free and he’s never going back. Luke wants out of the gangster life – all he has to do is convince his family to let him go.
His brother holds the reins of the South London underworld in his brutal hands – nobody tells Danny Glass no and expects to live – not even DCI Oliver Stanford, bent copper and one of the Met’s rising stars. The way Danny sees it, his younger brother and sister Nina owe him everything. The price he demands is loyalty, and a war with their arch enemy gives him the leverage he needs to tie Luke to the family once more.
Luke can’t see a way out, until Danny commits a crime so terrible it can’t be forgiven. Love turns to hate when secrets are unearthed which pit brother against brother. Left with no choice but to choose a side, Nina holds the fate of the family in her hands.
In the Glass family, Owen Mullen has created a crime dynasty to rival the Richardsons and the Krays. Heart-pounding, jaw-dropping with non-stop action, Family is perfect for fans of Martina Cole, Kimberley Chambers and Mandasue Heller.
Review
Family is the tale of Danny, Luke and Nina Glass. As young children they were forced to fend for themselves and turned to the life of crime… Danny found he quite enjoyed the gangster life and has built up quite an empire with the support of his sister Nina.
Nina is less brash than her brother but is certainly a Glass through and through. She may look good but those teeth are sharp!
Luke on the other hand is a little different. He’s been in prison for the murder of Albert Anderson a rival who dared to go a step too far. He’s always followed his bothers lead but it’s time for that to change.
Each family member has their own agenda and their bond will be tested..it’s not a matter of will the bond break.. but when … and who will be standing at the end.
As Luke is finally released from prison after serving his time it’s a new life he’s after.. but Danny won’t let his brother go that easily and wants to bring him back into the fold.
Times a healer they say…but no one forgets..soon events force Luke back into a world he no longer wants to be part of. An adversary is out for payback.
Matters escalate quickly with a rival gang out for blood and Danny doesn’t give an inch. The hard-hitting plot just keeps serving as the brutality level is ramped up to the max when Danny plans to put an end to things… in the most gruesome and flashy way he can, even if this means harming innocent bystanders. It’s all one big show to Danny.
Luke’s whole world comes crashing down as events spiral, secrets are revealed and the bone chilling reality hits home.. but don’t forget.. Luke is a Glass! It won’t be over until there’s a bullet in his head.
Owen Mullen is quite the wordsmith, it’s brutal and vivid. Lets be fair we all know a gangsters favourite method of getting rid of someone involves a little bit of torture. These scenes weren’t overdone, they added to Danny’s character and his meltdown.. he’s a loose cannon from the start.
Luke’s character develops very well, but what makes it hit the high note is how the author manages to makes his feelings come alive.. you feel that adrenaline rush with Luke..every heart pounding moment you live it with him.
Overall a very enjoyable read. Yeh it’s gut wrenchingly horrid at times what these gangsters will do for power and control but damn it’s a compelling story and I just loved how everything tied together nicely at the end, all those bits of thread woven throughout the tale pulled tight to give the reader that wow moment they are looking for.
Being a fan I had high hopes for this book and Owen Mullen delivered! Mullen constantly delivers high-pressure, fresh and exhilarating tales.
The only downside to the book is that it had to end.. the good news is there’s already a new book planned for July!!
My thanks go to Owen, Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for having me on the tour. I already had the book ordered but couldn’t pass up the opportunity to join in on the tour 😊
Do follow the tour and check out the other amazing reviews!
Author Bio –
When he was ten years old, Owen Mullen won a primary schools short story competition and didn’t write another word for four decades. One morning he announced he was going to write a book. He did. Since then he has written seven. Owen was born in Coatbridge, a few miles from Glasgow, where the Charlie Cameron stories take place, and where he ran a successful design and marketing business. A late developer, he has a Masters degree from Strathclyde University which he got in his forties. In his earlier life he lived in London and worked as a musician and session singer. People tell him he enjoyed himself and he has no reason to doubt them. The journey from rocker to writer has been a fascinating experience and the similarities between the music and book industries, never cease to amaze him. His passions are travel, food and Arsenal Football Club. A gregarious recluse, he now splits his time between Scotland and the island of Crete, along with his wife, Christine.
David's Book Blurg 