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The Eagle and the Wolf by Gordon Doherty (Age of Attila Book 1) – Review

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Today I’m reviewing The Eagle and the Wolf by Gordon Doherty

Here’s the blurb

Flavius Aetius, a noble Roman son, is an outsider in a savage land. He has been banished, given as hostage to the barbaric Huns and sent to the edge of the world.

What the Huns do not know, however, is that his father and mother have been murdered in a coup. He is an orphan, with no value at all. His life hangs on a lie.

In this new harsh world, he manages to find one grudging ally, a young boy named Attila.

A brotherhood is formed. One that, the shamans foretell, will shatter the world.

Review

When I heard Gordon Doherty had a new book out, with Attila the Hun it was a no brainer.. I had to grab a copy.

I’ll admit my knowledge of Attila is lacking, there wasn’t any lessons at school and I wasn’t a big reader as I kid but what I did know is he was the most well known Hun but also how the warriors were renowned for their ferocity and skill.

I’m always keen to learn more, but what I love about the historical fiction genre, and Gordon’s work in particular, is that he breathes life into history. He shows how fascinating the past can be while making these historical figures feel real. He makes you care about what happened to them rather than simply reading facts. It’s a real talent to bring such historical figures to life.

The book starts strongly as we see the beginnings of Attila, a weak, blue-lipped baby saved by his gods, his fate already sealed: to be the one who unites the Huns, the ruler of all.

We then meet Flavius, a young Roman whose life is uprooted during Roman power struggles. He’s forced into a wagon, his family dead or lost in the chaos of battle, without knowing why or what fate has in store for him.

He’s been betrayed, and so has his family. Those opening scenes really set the tone as we see the lengths some people will go to for position and fortune.

Flavius keeps hope alive, but the further away he gets, the more he understands that his fate is seemingly sealed. Still, he refuses to give up.

He’s been taken by the Huns as a means of security. Rome needs the Huns and their warriors. The problem is that the Huns don’t know how little Flavius actually means to Rome, and he must keep this secret or his life could be forfeit before he finds a way home.

There’s a major language barrier between him and the Huns, and I loved how the author worked around this, with a few central characters bridging the gap between them. None more so than Munzuk. At first, Flavius sees only savagery in the Huns, but Munzuk enables him to see the people they truly are.

Flavius must now find a way to survive among the Huns. With the help of Munzuk and Attila, he thrives, and there’s also a growing love interest which plays a pivotal role in the story and in the development of both Flavius and Attila.

There are internal battles within the Hun community too, and it was fascinating to see both the differences and similarities between them and their Roman counterparts. Both Flavius and Attila play their part and earn the respect of their peers.

The time comes when Rome sees fit to visit the Huns, and this time it’s Attila who is uprooted and taken to Rome to play his own part in the political games.

The time apart sees both men grow, and you can sense the danger that’s coming. The visions Munzuk had begin to come to pass as the men reunite, but there’s a growing sense of unease. They are still brothers, bonded through shared experiences, but the differences between them continue to grow. A figure from Flavius’s past only adds to the tension.

The climax of the book doesn’t disappoint. Battles and gore, love and loss, and the threat of even more pain and destruction to come.

For me, the flow worked so well as both men grow and develop their own sense of purpose. I loved how this was perfectly balanced with historical detail: how the Huns were at one with their horses, why Rome needed their help, and the political climate of the time, the games played that allowed some men to get away with actions that should have seen them trodden underfoot.

Two characters stood out to me Bonifacius and Ruga.. for very different reasons.. one I hated with a passion and one I grew to love.. Read the book and tell me if you felt the same.

What I always really look forward to are the author’s historical notes. Not only do they provide extra insight, but they also showcase the level of detail and research the author puts into his work, ensuring historical accuracy where possible while explaining where he has taken creative licence.

The best news is knowing that Book 2, Shield of Rome, is due out next August. I can’t wait.

A cracking 5-star read from one of, if not the, best historical fiction authors writing today. The plot is so wonderful weaved, and the characters so perfectly written, invested from the first page to the last!

To find out more head to Goodreads or Amazon, and do ask your local bookshop to get a copy in for you if they haven’t already 🙂

Stamford Bridge 1066: A Viking Anthology – Review

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Today I’m reviewing Stamford Bridge 1066: A Viking Anthology!

Here’s the blurb

Thirteen writers. One battle. The same afternoon, told from both sides of the bridge.

Giles Kristian · Matthew Harffy · Angus Donald · Tim Hodkinson · Peter Gibbons · MJ Porter · Justin Hill · Theodore Brun · Eric Schumacher · Will Dowling · M. Thomas Kingsley · Mark Oxbrow · Åsli & Bakkejord

On 25 September 1066, a Norwegian army lay resting on both banks of the Derwent, seven miles from York. They had beaten one English army five days earlier and taken the city’s surrender, and the fighting was done. Most of them had left their mail at the ships.

They were not expecting Harold Godwinson.

The battle that followed ended the Viking age in England. Three weeks later it helped decide a second one, on a hill near Hastings, that everyone remembers instead.

A king who has spent his life outrunning the end of an age. A skald asked to praise a man he no longer believes in. A priest tends the wounded on the eve of a battle nobody knows is coming. A lone axeman on the bridge, and the Englishman in the water beneath him. Afterwards, a farmer walks the field looking for his son, and twenty years later an old earl sits in a Norman prison, still deciding what to tell his gaoler.

The man who holds the bridge in one story is watched from the water in another. Thirteen stories, one day.

Over 100,000 words of Viking historical fiction, published on the 960th anniversary of the battle

Review

1066 is a period well known in history, with numerous tales surrounding those fateful days. So, what makes this anthology so good?

First, the mix of authors is, quite frankly, amazing. Many are well known to me and my blog, while those new to me offer glimpses into their writing, teasing me and ensuring my TBR list will continue to grow.

Each story is well formed around a specific event, and the flow between the stories is smooth. There are some overlaps, but the transition is effortless. What really makes it work, though, is the range of viewpoints portrayed.

What each author did so fantastically was bring these individuals to life: the men, the smells, the fear, the rush of adrenaline they felt and the extraordinary feats those in battle put themselves through. They just felt so real!

The whole anthology, for me, was one big ballad, with each author becoming a scop, regaling us with tales and earning our respect through their ability to keep readers utterly mesmerised. They ignite the flames of passion for history, not only for those who already love it but also for those new to the genre, adding the passion that I feel is sometimes missing when learning history at school.

What really shines is the narrative. The story unfolds from multiple perspectives and, for me, feels rather unique.

The pace and flow are sublime. It’s enthralling, and you can just tell how much effort has gone into making the transitions between stories so smooth. The excitement builds with the action, but the authors manage to infuse emotion throughout, meaning that, for me, this has been the best 1066-based story I’ve read to date.

I have to give a special mention to Justin Hill, The Bridge Keeper! No spoilers from me but the power oozed from the pages.

An earth-shattering 5/5 stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

To find out more head to Goodreads, ask you local bookseller or grab a copy from Amazon!

The Dying of the Light: With Time to Kill Book Two by Frank Ferrari – Review

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Today I’m reviewing The Dying of the Light: With Time to Kill Book Two by Frank Ferrari!

Here’s the blurb

“Jamie McKinnon’s mum vanished on a Wednesday afternoon.”

How can you save somebody else if you can’t save yourself?

When widow and young mother Stephanie McKinnon’s disappearance in the Scottish Borders is escalated to the Major Investigations Team, it couldn’t have come at a worse time for DCI John Waters. Pulled into a complex case while dealing with his own torment, his inner demons threaten to consume him.

Garry Plumb, meanwhile, is building a life he never thought possible – a thriving company, a fiancée he adores, and a future that almost lets him forget what he is. But the beast inside hasn’t gone anywhere. It’s just waiting for a reason to come out – and it finds several.

Garry tells himself that each kill is righteous, but there’s no escaping that the voice talking him into it doesn’t sound like his own conscience. This voice is familiar, and monstrous.

Waters’ desperation to reunite the missing mother with her little boy grows and, knowing things nobody else does, he turns to Garry. The only question he needs to answer is: can Garry’s past save their future, or has he become the very thing he once destroyed?

Review

We are back with Garry Plumb. When we last saw Garry, he had just rid himself of Billy Blunt — who turned out to be the most vile, despicable person ever.

The only good thing about Billy is that he taught Garry how to travel back in time via a carrier, an organic mass. He can’t just travel to any time, though — that would be far too easy — but I love how the author has crafted the mechanics around it all. It’s fascinating.

The scene is set: a young woman has gone missing, and a young boy is left wondering where his mam could be. In walks DCI John Waters, who we’ve met before. From the off, I was hooked. Is Garry connected? Will he be? How? Why? So many questions start to form immediately.

Garry has put right the wrongs of his past, and he’s now a happy man with everything he could want — but that peace is about to be shattered.

Here’s where the story becomes quite clever. There are multiple threads running at once, all of which connect beautifully in the end. We quickly learn Garry’s fiancée is struggling, Garry himself has a small problem at work, and the DCI has his own demons — and that’s without the missing woman on top of it all.

Their lives intertwine, never overshadowing one another or feeling out of place, but instead keeping you effortlessly on tenterhooks.

When we reach the hard‑hitting and gruesome disappearance, we see DCI Waters shattered and lost… and that’s when things click. I won’t spoil it, but there is a way for Garry to help — to help everyone — but in order to fix things, the beast inside him needs to resurface.

I never truly think Garry is evil; rather, he’s a man forced to confront a situation no one else ever could. What would we do if we had the chance to remove obstacles in our past? Remove those who hurt us — or those who will hurt us and others? It’s a morally grey area, and Garry continues to battle with it. But his secret might be the key to saving a woman’s life — and helping DCI Waters too.

Plot‑wise, it’s spot on. There are multiple directions for the story to travel, and the pace flows superbly. You can really tell the author has planned it all — the detail is astounding.

Development‑wise, Garry grows, and so do other characters like DCI Waters. It was great to see them battle their biggest foes: themselves. I also loved how the author humanised the police, showing the connections the team investigating the disappearance have with each other — the friendship, the respect.

Oh, and it would be remiss of me not to mention that ending. The twists. Oh my bloody god, that was good. I do wonder if it was the author’s plan all along or if it came to fruition naturally as the story flowed. Either way, it was shockingly good.

5/5 Stars

To find out more why not head to the authors website, Goodreads or ask any good bookshop to get you a copy!

1914: British Ace, Book 1 by Griff Hosker – Audiobook Review

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Today I’m reviewing the audiobook version of 1914 by Griff Hosker, narrated by Malk Williams 

Here’s the blurb

In the air, we find freedom. In the summer of 1914, the world stands on the brink of chaos, and for young William Harsker, life is about to change forever. Drawn to the pride of the cavalry and the allure of glory, William trades the freshness of English fields for the muddy trenches of Flanders. But nothing can prepare him for the brutal reality of cavalry charges against merciless machine guns, where valour and death dance intimately on the battlefield.

As the war escalates, William’s fierce spirit leads him to the Royal Flying Corps, a daring shift that takes him to the skies above the carnage. In the cockpit, he transforms from an observer and gunner to a pilot, discovering an unyielding passion for aerial combat that tests his bravery in ways he never imagined. Through breathtaking dogfights and narrow escapes, William grapples with the contrast of his once-simple life back home and the dark, consuming world of war that has engulfed him.

1914 is a poignant exploration of courage, brotherhood, and the indomitable human spirit. As William faces the stark realities of loyalty, sacrifice and the abrupt loss of innocence, listeners will be drawn into a whirlwind of emotions that resonate long after the final tick. Join William on his journey; feel the thrill of flight, the weight of dread, and the bittersweet nature of heroism as the world he once knew fades into the shadows of history.

The gripping first instalment of Griff Hosker’s acclaimed seven-part British Ace series. A must-listen for fans of Ben Kane, Bernard Cornwell, Simon Scarrow and Anthony Riches. Prepare for battle – this is just the beginning.

Review

We meet Bill Harsker in the run up to World War I. We learn about his family, the estate they live on and the worry they start to feel as rumbles of war reach them.

It’s a stressful time for all and the tranquillity of their lives are shattered.

Bill heads to war along with many other brave souls, some never to return.

He has to learn fast, build relationships and find his place in the unit… but is he ready for the brutality of the cavalry unit? How can a horse compete against a machine gun?

The action is bloody, brutal and heart pounding. I’m big enough to admit a couple deaths hit hard and had me shed a tear..The saddest thing is how quickly the story moves on, mirroring life, we don’t get given time to grieve… and just when you think things are calming down.. bang.. more death and destruction..

As the war escalates its inevitable that Bill can’t come out the other end unscathed.. the respite allows him to travel home where we again see the stresses of those left behind.. those who’ve lost loved ones, those who wish to fight but can’t, and those just living day to day in the hope the war will end.

The break allows Bill to refocus.. he loves the cavalry but when the opportunity arises to join the Royal Flying Corps it’s a chance he can’t turn down.

The action again moves quick as Bill shows how natural it is for him to fly, but to also lead.

I particularly enjoyed seeing Bill need to deal with clashing personalities and goals.. no one needs a glory hunter in the air if it means others getting hurt.

Plot wise I loved it. It moves super quick but for me felt natural..just like Bill would have been, we are in the dark about the war, only the powers that be know their plans and that just plays into the pace perfectly as the objectives change and things heat up.

Character wise the development was spot on. I felt connections with some, others leave us too soon but that plays into the scenario.. not every one can make it out alive but even those deaths play a part to develop that characters meaning and enhance Bill’s journey.

I noted from the synopsis the word “bittersweet” is used and I couldn’t agree more. There’s a lot to Bill that makes you smile, the playful moments when he notices he’s forgot to write home when he made a promise to do so for example..and then the sadness hits as to how his family must be worrying.. but then hits harder when you know some families would be waiting for letters that will never be written.

I wish we had more time but war waits for no man.

A great intro to a series and I must admit the narration by Malk Williams was beautiful, The tone and pace blended perfect with the urgency of war.

The book is a perfect depiction of sorrow and hope.. and with more books in the series to crack on with I’m a happy man!

5/5 stars

To find out more head to Goodreads or head to the authors website, word of warning.. Griff seems to be prolific so best warn your bank now ha.

Soldier’s Stand (Rifleman Book 2) by Griff Hosker – Review

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Today I’m reviewing Soldier’s Stand (Rifleman Book 2) by Griff Hosker!

Here’s the blurb

Defeat is a moment; victory is a legacy.

In the blistering heat of the North African desert, the air crackles with tension as the unrelenting Desert Fox, Erwin Rommel, closes in on the beleaguered forces of the Allied troops.

Private John ‘Hawkeye’ Sharratt, a battle-sharpened soldier weathered by loss but fuelled by an indomitable spirit, finds himself once again hunkered down with his brothers in arms. After a series of defeats, the veterans of Libya who learned to fight through hardship must now endure a desperate retreat across the unyielding sands. As the shadows of fallen comrades haunt their every step, they grapple with the weight of loss and the flickering flame of hope.

Just when the situation seems hopeless, a new commander arrives – General Montgomery is a man whose reputation for bold strategy ignites a newfound sense of purpose in the weary hearts of Sharratt’s unit. The order is clear: stand and hold the line at El Alamein. As the rumble of panzers grows closer, it becomes clear that survival is not simply a matter of soldiering on; it is an act of relentless bravery in the face of overwhelming odds. With past sacrifices bearing down upon them, the men of the Eighth Army must decide whether they will falter or fight for their futures.

Soldier’s Stand is not just a story of war; it is an exploration of camaraderie, resilience, and the human spirit’s capacity to rise above adversity. As readers follow Hawkeye and his fellow soldiers through the trials of battle, they will be drawn into a gripping narrative that encapsulates the raw emotions of fear, courage, and the unwavering hope that binds us, even in our darkest hours.

Review

Soldier’s Stand picks up where Conscript’s Call, Book1 leaves off. Private John ‘Hawkeye’ Sharratt is no longer a raw recruit.. his mind and body now show the scars of war.

The war isn’t over yet and Sharratt must channel his personal pain into unmoveable determination to make sure others have a chance to survive.

Hosker weaves a wonderful plot around the brutality of war, you almost forget the reality, that many have lost their lives in history to give others a chance..

When reality does hit, it packs a punch.. it’s brutal.. men cut down and basically forgotten.. it’s sobering at times.. a man killed, no time to recover them, sometimes not even enough time to grab their dog tags.. then fresh recruits arrive to fill the holes left and it all starts again.. the almost never-ending back and forth of death…the feeling those lost were simply a number when nothing could be further from the truth!

I really liked the portrayal of weapons, ammo etc, How the men had to conserve there supplies, some weapons failed, tanks are great but can be taken out with one hit to their tracks, the reality of the trenches showing their importance but also how little protection they really had.

I think the most poignant thing for me was learning about the mine fields, and how dangerous a task was to clear them.. how time consuming a task and how many men could be lost to gain very little.

Saying I loved the story feels a little wrong..it’s horrendous what happens but at the same time you feel pride too..it swells as Sharratt and his brothers in arms continue to move forward, never giving up…knowing that real people did exactly this, their heroic actions buried in time.

I’m not going to pretend I know what the reality of war is like but the pace and plot made me reflect a lot on how lucky I am.

The plot is very clever too… yes it’s very moving at times but there’s also a lot of excitement.. the near misses, the guile of the men when it looks like there’s no way out.. it’s the perfect mix of hard hitting reality and excitement.

The biggest surprise for me was how the author managed to add character development in such a fast paced plot driven tale. There’s real depth added to Sharratt as we see him become a leader, those last couple of chapters will stay with me that’s for sure.

I’m not going to spoil anything but Bowler..brilliant.. those who read the book will understand.. what a great pivotal addition to the story..

5/5 stars!

To find out more head to Goodreads or Amazon, Or ask your local bookseller to get a copy in for you 🙂

10 Questions With… Frank Ferrari!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About the author.

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

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

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

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

Not Quite the Classics by Colin Mochrie – AUDIO REVIEW

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

Here’s the blurb

Where the art of improvisation meets the art of literature.

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

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

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

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

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

Review

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The easiest of 5*

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

The Game by Danny Dagan

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

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

Review

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

4/5 stars

To find out more head to Goodreads or Amazon.

Everyone in the Group Chat Dies – L.M. Chilton – Review

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Today I’m reviewing Everyone in the Group Chat Dies by L.M. Chilton

Here’s the blurb

Kirby Cornell needs a break from everything:
– Her crumbling flat in the sleepy town of Crowhurst (famous for its award-winning sausage rolls and a second-rate serial killer from the 90s).
– Her dead-end job.
– Her sleazy landlord.
– Her slobbish housemates.
– And, most of all, the terrible thing they did.

Luckily, that hasn’t caught up with her just yet. Until a new message on their old group chat pops up:

Everyone in the group chat will die.

It’s the first text her ex-flatmate and social-media sleuth Esme has sent for ages, but that’s not the really weird thing.

The really weird thing is, Esme died twelve months ago…

Review

After reading the authors previous novel, Don’t Swipe Right and loving it I just couldn’t wait to get stuck into this one!

Kirby Cornell and her friends live in a little town called Crowhurst, they share a flat, their lives, and a group chat.

The only thing exciting about Crowhusrt is that it’s famous for being the home of a serial killer!

One day there’s a knock at the door.. one of their roommates has given his key to a girl named Esme.. She’s there looking for a story.. she’s one of these internet sleuths.. and she thinks there’s more to the Crowhurst killer than first thought..

Esme is like a breath of fresh air for Kirby… Kirby is stuck in a rut and meeting Esme, and what happens next to Esme lights a fire under her..

We jump around the timeline from then, to present time.. a strange message is received the group chat that makes Kirby’s blood go cold.. it’s a message from Esme.. but Esme’s dead right?

Kirby heads back to Crowhurst to find out who is sending these messages.. one of the other flatmates must know something..

There’s hidden secrets.. truths that none of the flatmates want getting out but the reader is kept guessing while Kirby tries to figures things out.

I won’t spoil the twists but there’s a few.. they are clever.. and the truth about the Crowhurst killer, now that was smart from the author.. kept me intrigued right up till the last page!

The story is very clever in that it explores something that is much more common nowadays.. internet sleuths.. the decline in the standard news outlets in favour of social networks and how we get our information these days.. it makes you think about how we digest news and how easy it can be to be manipulated.

There’s not much time to develop the characters… read the book you’ll soon see why ha but the information given is spot on.. little titbits thrown in there to make the story pop and to tie things together.

The plot is where this one shines. It moves at a decent pace and keeps you on edge not knowing what will happen next, or truly who is behind everything.

Flow wise the story was perfect for my kind of reading. It’s effortless to devour this one but has natural points where you can put it down (when you have to, not because you want to ha) and come back later… but that’s the thing.. this one kept me coming back for more,

Overall a smart offering from the author and I’m so glad to see a new book is planned for next year. So far the author has shown me they can write clever stories of a serious nature but in a fun and gripping way.

Easy 5* nothing I’d change with this one… just a bloody good read!

To find out more head to Goodreads or Amazon… let me know what you think of the book!

Swords in the Snow by Matthew Harffy & Steven A. McKay – Review

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Today I’m reviewing Swords in the Snow: (The Forest Lord) by Matthew Harffy & Steven A. McKay.

Here’s the blurb

A stolen relic. A dying child. A desperate chase.

December, c. AD 1330.

When thieves snatch a priceless holy relic from a Pontefract church, Friar Tuck and the bailiff, John Little, set out through snowbound Yorkshire to recover it. The relic is the only hope for a gravely ill girl—but the hunt soon turns bloody.

From frozen dales to the mud-slick streets of York, John and Tuck pursue ruthless crime lord William Wake and his brutal enforcers: the battle-hardened Henry Tanner and the murderous giant Grimbald de Pendok.

When they finally face each other with swords in the snow, will Little John and Friar Tuck find they have met their match at last, or will there be a Christmas miracle?

Review

The book starts strong with a brutal attack on a priest and the church robbed!

It just so happens that John and Tuck are in the area and with their sense of justice they can’t just stand by and let those involved get away unpunished.

While a gritty start I loved that the humour I love in this series wasn’t far away.. John had me smiling ear to ear with his comment “Oh, not this again” ha.. it’s not uncommon for these two to be involved in some antics running around the countryside so I really enjoyed the characters acknowledging their own bad luck… or is it just their calling in life?

The men they are hunting stole a priceless item.. a one that has the power to heal.. faith plays a very big part in the lives of the villagers and others further afield so it’s vital the relic is brought back to where it belongs.

The need to help people is really what spurs the men on to find the relic..

The story feels very familiar.. I’m at home with Steven’s writing.. but there’s a interesting twist added with Matthew Harffy being involved.. I feel the authors have similar styles but Harffy is a bit grittier..raw in detail.. mix that with McKay’s storytelling and character development and you’ve got a winner.

What I really enjoyed is that I couldn’t tell who wrote what really.. seamless.. the only thing I could put my finger on was it felt darker.. more life or death on edge of the seat… and knowing what Harffy is like with his characters it kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what might befall Tuck and John along the way. It’s tense in it’s build up and you really do wonder if Tuck and John can come out of this one on top.

I’m not going to spoil the plot but what I love about the novellas McKay has written over the recent years is there’s a common theme.. an undercurrent of mystery and miracles.. with the reader left to make the final choice.. divine intervention.. or just lucky.. who knows.. but it’s this what makes the stories so fun to read.. you never know what direction the tale will take.

One thing that worked super well was the characters themselves… John and Tuck are well developed already but I loved Grimbald de Pendok the most probably.. he’s there for one job really and does it well.. I wouldn’t want to meet him on a dark night that’s for sure.

In typical style our hero’s get themselves into some scrapes and you get to see the comradery they have with each other.. they would die for each other but they also annoy the hell out of each other ha..like an old married couple.

Henry Tanner was a fun character too and after reading the authors note I wasn’t surprised to know Harffy’s role in Henry’s development.. I wish I could have more on Tanner.. he’s got darkness within him but he’s very bloody likeable! I really loved this book wasn’t all about Tuck and John.. these new characters share the limelight superbly.

For those familiar with the series you’ll not be disappointed.. it’s basically a Christmas tradition now to have a book from McKay, low light, beer in hand.. an adventure you’ll not forget… and Harffy has now joined the fray just adds an extra punch to the tale!

Did I enjoy the authors working together? Definitely.. would I buy more books if they come out with it? most certainly.. I’m not certain anything would ever be planned but could totally see them writing something new, fresh, unfamiliar.. oh that would be something!!

5/5 Stars!

To find out more head to Goodreads or Amazon