Currently Reading

Hello lovelies ! 

I am back as promised with a little bit about what I am currently reading . 

The first book is Names For The Sea by Sarah Moss , the book is about Sarah and her husband and child as they take on a very big adventure when they decide to move to Iceland for a year.  This book is non fiction and so far it’s a terrific story that is really daydream worthy if you like to fantasize about travel from the comfort of your armchair . I am about one third of the way through it ... you can expect a review of this soon . 

The next book I am loving is The Other Bennett Sister by Janice Hadlow . This is a retelling of Pride and Prejudice told through the eyes of Mary Bennet , the bookish sister who was overlooked in Jane Austen’s story . I am loving this ... seeing the plot through Mary’s eyes is eye opening , and the plot is very moreish , I can’t get enough of these characters and I am rooting for Mary in this book . I feel a bit sorry for her character but she has a spine of steel , I thinks she is going to be just fine . 

The Third book is an audible book by Sarah Blondin , the hard back is ordered but no sign of it yet being shipped . Sarah is beyond amazing at meditation . If you are curious about meditation or are a life long devotee of the practice then I highly recommend her meditations on the Insight Timer App , it’s free to download and listen and very enjoyable . Sarah also has a YouTube channel and website that is also worth checking out . On her website is all the links you need to find her . I am a third of the way through her book and it’s so enjoyable and relatable . Full of helpful insights and tips and meditations that can help center yourself during turmoil and when you feel a little unsteady in yourself . 

Well guys that’s all for now ... reviews and more book chats coming very soon ... xx

Here We Go !

Dear friends 

It feels strange to sit here and talk to you after so long . I think most of us will no doubt have had a trying time these past few months and although lockdown is easing somewhat , day to day life is far from being back to normal . It still feels like we were all dropped into the middle of a science fiction movie... player one , let’s begin ! 

Ok let’s begin with a bit about me ....I have had depression most of my life with anxiety and panic attacks thrown in for the craic , I jest but they are no laughing matter . Indeed right now I am at an all time low and they are at an all time high but as most of the people who follow my blog do not know me in real life I can say with a certain degree of comfort that I feel very unsettled , very lost and afraid . To look at me from the outside I could be smiling , but there is a lot of swan like motion under the surface . I have searched for ways and means to ease what’s going on in my head ... in there right now it is all barbed wire and sharp edges , there is no place to ease into and find rest , mornings are greeted with a panic alarm where I wake in full on panic attack mode ... not the best way to start any day and the after affects linger throughout them with muscle pain and a sore chest and the fear of the next one striking  . Trying to lie still after waking in this way is unbearable so I get up , no matter the time and try to function in some way to get through the worst of it when fear and adrenaline fill every cell in my body . 

I am writing this today as an attempt to apologize and explain my absence and to get back some semblance of normality in my life , also to let you know that there will be a minimum  of 1 post per week starting this coming week . Posts will be uploaded at the beginning of each week . It will be a mix of book and life blog posts  with the first one going up this coming Sunday / Monday . 

So lovelies I leave you now ... and hope to be back with you very soon ... mind yourselves xxxx 

Starting Over At Acorn Cottage by Kate Forster. Review & Blog Tour .

 

The small village of Merryknowe has a new resident in the form of a young woman called Clara , Clara is newly dumped and friendless and in dire need of a new start and a roof over head , here is where the handsome and lovely Henry and his daughter Pansy come into the equation in the form of a widowed handyman who is exceptionally good with his hands . Clara is hilarious , truly gifted in the sarcastic comment distribution and it makes this heartwarming tale very funny and touching  . Everyone needs a Clara as their friend and she is a good one , putting out the hand of friendship to those in need and supporting others who are a bit shaky starting out in the world . I can’t say enough good things about this book , as soon as I finished it I went and added every other book by the author to my TBR pile . This is my new favorite writer . Feel good heaven !!!! 

I received this book in exchange for a review . 

Kate Forster – Starting Over at Acorn Cottage

 

About the author

 

Kate Forster lives in Melbourne, Australia with her husband, two children and dogs and can be found nursing a laptop, surrounded by magazines and talking on the phone, usually all at once. She is an avid follower of fashion, fame and all things pop culture and is also an excellent dinner party guest who always brings gossip and champagne.

 

About the book

 

Buying a thatched cottage in the country may not be the usual cure for a broken heart. But after Clara Maxwell finds out her boyfriend and best friend have been sneaking around behind her back, packing her bags and leaving everything in London behind feels like it's the only way forward.

 

Clara knew Acorn Cottage would be a fixer-upper... Yet in person, the cottage is less charmingly ramshackle and more a real health and safety concern. When Henry Garnett, her (rather handsome) new contractor, turns up with his little daughter Pansy and a van shaped like a cottage in tow, she isn't sure whether to laugh or cry. What on earth has she gotten herself into?!

 

Still, there is something strangely lovable about the people in the little village of Merryknowe, from Rachel Brown, the quiet, lonely girl who bakes magical confections for the tearooms, to Tassie McIver, a little old lady with a lot of wisdom and a penchant for reading tea leaves. And Clara can't deny that Henry and Pansy are quickly worming their way into her heart...

 

With all the heartbreak of the year behind her, could Acorn Cottage be the fresh start Clara so desperately wants?

 

 

Buy links:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2IElqzy

iBooks: https://apple.co/3a5aUxS

Kobo: https://bit.ly/2FJCLFJ

Google Play: https://bit.ly/2FLp9d8

 

 

Follow Kate

 

Twitter: @kateforster

Facebook: @kateforsterwrites

 

Follow Aria

 

Website: www.ariafiction.com

Twitter: @aria_fiction

Facebook: @ariafiction

Instagram: @ariafiction

 

If you would like to follow along with the blog tour , below are the other participants joining in.

For Better , For Worse by Jane Isaac . Blog Tour / Review .

This story had the most delicious build up of tension that I have read in a long time . We the readers are drip fed little snippets and they build up to a very satisfactory back story linked to current crimes . From the opening chapter , the authors description of a mans evening  routine that quickly turns awry made me became instantly curious about this mans  life and eager to know more . This is a story covering many things like abuse , coverups , and payback , primarily told through the eyes of the detectives working the case and those they interviewed . I loved every page and just flew through it in an evening . Go add this to your TBR list immediately it’s full of twists and turns and sure to keep you up reading to the wee hours :0) 

For Better, For Worse, Jane Isaac

 

About the book

 

Stuart Ingram was once a respected local councillor...

 

The first time the police knocked on Gina's door, they arrested her husband.

The second time, they accused him of child abuse.

But he died a guilty man.

This time, the police are here for Gina – to tell her that her husband is dead. Murdered, just two weeks before his trial.

Gina always stood by her husband. Even when everyone else walked away. She believed the trial would clear his name. But now Stuart is dead.

And his wife is the suspect.

 

It's a race against time for DC Beth Chamberlain to uncover the truth – especially when a second man turns up dead.

Domestic noir meets police procedural in this pacy thriller from Jane Isaac, perfect for fans of Samantha Downing, Fiona Barton and K.L. Slater. Previously published as Presumed Guilty.

 

About the author

 

Jane Isaac is married to a serving detective and they live in rural Northamptonshire, UK with their daughter, and dog, Bollo. Jane loves to hear from readers and writers. You can reach her via her website at www.janeisaac.co.uk Sign up to her book club at http://eepurl.com/1a2uT for book recommendations and details of new releases, events and giveaways.

Follow Jane:

Facebook: @JaneIsaacAuthor

Twitter: @JaneIsaacAuthor

Website: www.janeisaac.co.uk

 

Pre-order links:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2GWY5IE

Kobo: https://bit.ly/2GSHMfT

iBooks: https://apple.co/2ucWb3Q

Google Play: https://bit.ly/382jhIP

 

 

 

Follow Aria

 

Website: www.ariafiction.com

Twitter: @aria_fiction

Facebook: @ariafiction

Instagram: @ariafiction

If you would like to follow along with the blog tour below are the other participants joining in. 

When The Time Comes by Adele O’Neill . Blog Tour / Review

This is book 3 in this series featuring DS Louise Kennedy . The story is set in Dublin and centers around the sudden and suspicious death of a woman who has a very serious illness . Could it be murder or was it suicide ?? The deceased had a horrible husband who she had been separated from for a while but now he is under the glare of Gardaí in the investigation . I really loved the idea behind this story , the more I read the better it got . The plot was interesting from the very first chapter , and as the story goes on it gives us part of the story from different peoples perspectives and another part in flashbacks to before the death of the victim , which I very much enjoyed  . There was a couple of people in this book who’s motives seemed shady to me so I was keen to keep reading to see was one of them the killer .... I could not have been more surprised by the ending of this story when everything is revealed and it was so worth waiting for  ! I think if you love a good detective story with a strong female detective then you will love this , seeing the human side of DS Kennedy and what she was personally going through during the case makes you love her even more . 

I received this book in exchange for a review from Netgalley .  

 About the author

 

Adele is a writer from Co. Wicklow who lives with her husband Alan and her two teenage daughters. Influenced by writers across all genres she has a particular fondness for fiction that is relatable and realistic. Her debut novel was awarded The Annie McHale Debut Novel Award for 2017 and is a character driven story of survival, dark family secrets and sibling loyalty, just like life. Her second novel Behind A Closed Dooris another emotionally harrowing tale of impossible choices, loyalty and friendship. Adele writes overlooking the Irish Sea, which she credits for the tumultuous dynamics in the relationships and lives of her unsuspecting characters in her third novel, When The Time Comes, another dark tale that tests the lengths we go to protect the ones we love.

 

Follow Adele:

 

Twitter: @adelesbooks

Facebook: @adeleoneillbooks

 

 

About the book

 

Her husband says it's suicide. The police say it's murder.

 

Liam Buckley was a married man with two teenage children when he moved out of the family home to start a new life with his lover. His wife Jennifer never forgave him, but now she needs him to come back: she's been diagnosed with a terminal illness, and the kids can't cope alone.

One day after Liam moves home, Jennifer is found dead. Liam thinks it's suicide. But the police, led by DS Louise Kennedy, are convinced it's murder.

Liam hires a retired detective to help prove his innocence, but it's no easy task. The children are distraught, and Jennifer's best friend, Sarah, is waging a campaign against Liam, determined to expose him for a liar and a cheat.

As secrets surface from the complex web of Buckley family life, DS Kennedy must decide. Did Jennifer Buckley end her own life, or did Liam take it from her? The answer, when it comes, will shock them all...

 

Buy links:

 

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2nNr5w4

iBooks: https://apple.co/2ozav3m

Kobo: https://bit.ly/2oz9MPG

Google Play: https://bit.ly/2mffAwP

 

 

Follow Aria

 

Website: www.ariafiction.com

Twitter: @aria_fiction

Facebook: @ariafiction

Instagram: @ariafiction

 

If you would like to follow along with the blog tour below are the other participants joining in.

The Last Drop Of Blood by Graham Masterton . Blog Tour / Review

The Last Drop Of Blood by Graham Masterton . Blog Tour / Review 

From the opening pages of this Co. Cork based detective story I knew I was going to love it and I was right . 

Let me start with the fact that it was so refreshing to see so much of the Irish slang and general way of speaking in a story , although I am around it all the time you sometimes forget how utterly unique and special it is , we sometimes take it for granted , it was a delight to come across in a book . The love for this book does not stop there as it carries over to the back and forth banter between characters too , they are witty and interesting , there is no denying they are all great even if a few of them are complete rascals . 

When the story began with a Judge getting blown up I knew I was in for a hell of a ride with this plot and it did not let me down . Apart from gang related crime there is also someone randomly pushing people in the River Lee too and the body count is mounting giving the detectives plenty to occupy their time ... 

This was such an enjoyable story and it was made all the more exciting when I found out this is book 11 in a series , I cannot wait to read the rest of the books in this series featuring main character Katie Maguire . Go read this now , it does not disappoint. 

I received this book in exchange for a review . 

Find out more about this terrific author below . 

The Last Drop of Blood– Graham Masterton

 

About the book

 

The final thriller in the million-copy-selling Katie Maguire series.

In the driver's seat of a Jaguar, on a country road, a good man burns.

Justice Garrett Quinn should have been at a sentencing. He was one of the good ones, fighting for order in a lawless world. In a burned-out car, on the outskirts of Cork, DS Katie Maguire finds what's left of him.

But this is only the beginning. The judge's death sparks a gang war fought with bullets and bombs, and civilians are caught in the crossfire. As the city spirals deeper into violence, Ireland's most fearless detective must find the courage to fight for her hometown one last time.

Katie Maguire is no stranger to sacrifice – but she has lost so much already. Facing new horrors each day, Katie must decide: can she do her duty when she has nothing left to give?

Praise for Graham Masterton:

'One of this country's most exciting crime novelists. If you have not read one, read them all now' Daily Mail.
'A tough and gritty thriller with an attractive principal character' Irish Independent.
'Graham Masterton is a natural storyteller' New York Journal of Books.
'Any fan of mysteries should grab this book' Irish Examiner.

 

 

About the author:

 

Graham Masterton trained as a newspaper reporter before beginning a career as an author. After twenty-five years writing horror and thrillers, Graham turned his talent to crime writing. The first book in the Katie Maguire series, White Bones, was published by Head of Zeus in 2012 and became a top-ten bestseller. The series was inspired by Graham’s five-year stay in County Cork.

 

Follow Graham:

Facebook: @GrahamMasterton

Twitter: @GrahamMasterton

Buy links:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2MljWwP

Kobo: https://bit.ly/32mnm7U

Google Play: https://bit.ly/2BcQl2h

iBooks: https://apple.co/30q4oNy

 

 

Follow Head of Zeus:

Website: www.headofzeus.com

Twitter: @HoZ_Books

Facebook: @headofzeus

Instagram: @headofzeus

If you would like to follow along with the blog tour , below are the other participants joining in. 

The Other You by J.S. Monroe . Review / Blog Tour

Wow this was good .... The story is about a woman called Kate who has a very special skill that enabled her to be able to recognize any face for all her life , it’s a skill that not many people have and was very useful to the police when she worked with them until she had an accident that caused damage to her brain . While recovering with her boyfriend things begin to seem off and that when the trouble begins .... I knew after a few pages in that I was not going to be able to put this book down so I didn’t and carried on reading until the early hours of the morning . The story is eerie and tense , it has lingered with me since I finished reading it as it is anybody’s worst nightmare. This story about a doppelgänger is an uneasy read in all the right ways , it’s just soooooo good , it keeps you guessing and you are never sure who you can really trust in the story . Go add this to your TBR immediately.

I received this book in exchange for a review .

The Other You, J.S. Monroe

About the book

 

Kate used to be good at recognising people. So good, she worked for the police, identifying criminals in crowds of thousands. But six months ago, a devastating car accident led to a brain injury. Now the woman who never forgot a face can barely recognise herself in the mirror.

At least she has Rob. Young, rich, handsome and successful, Rob runs a tech company on the idyllic Cornish coast. Kate met him just after her accident, and he nursed her back to health. When she's with him, in his luxury modernist house, the nightmares of the accident fade, and she feels safe and loved.

Until, one day, she looks at Rob anew. And knows, with absolute certainty, that the man before her has been replaced by an impostor.

Is Rob who he says he is? Or is it all in Kate's damaged mind?

 

 

About the Author

 

J.S. Monroe read English at Cambridge, worked as a foreign correspondent in Delhi, and was Weekend editor of the Daily Telegraphin London before becoming a full-time writer. Monroe is the author of six novels, including the international bestseller, Find Me.

 

 

Buy links:

 

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2B5lxA9

iBooks: https://apple.co/3286CkM

Kobo: https://bit.ly/35nDd8h

GooglePlay: https://bit.ly/2OAI0x7

 

Follow J.S. Monroe:

 

Twitter: @JSThrillers

Facebook: @JSMonroeFindMe

 

 

 

Follow Head of Zeus:

 

Twitter: @HoZ_Books

Facebook: @headofzeus

Instagram: @headofzeus

Website: www.headofzeus.com

If you would like to follow along with the blog tour below are the other participants joining in . 

The Other Woman by Jane Isaac . Review / Blog Tour .

The story begins with the sudden death of a man , this man appears to be an ordinary man living an ordinary life but we quickly learn that is far from the case . Cameron is a master of deception and his entire life is made up of lies , each one of them is  worse then the last . As the story really begins with his death , we as readers don’t see what he was like while alive but we do learn about what he got up to and see how far reaching his path of destruction could go and how many it could hurt in so many ways . I really enjoyed this story , seeing the story from the perspective of the people working the case is an interesting one , they are essentially putting together this puzzle  of this man and the pieces are getting juicer by the day . The plot was very interesting because we find out gradually so much of what he did and it made this very hard to put down . I think if you love a good detective story then pick this one up without a doubt . 

I received this book in exchange for a review . 

The Other Woman, Jane Isaac

 

About the book

 

The grieving widow. The other woman. Which one is which?

When Cameron Swift is shot and killed outside his family home, DC Beth Chamberlain is appointed Family Liaison Officer. Her role is to support the family – and investigate them.

Monika, Cameron's partner and mother of two sons, had to be prised off his lifeless body after she discovered him. She has no idea why anyone would target Cameron.

Beth can understand Monika's confusion. To everyone in their affluent community, Monika and her family seemed just like any other. But then Beth gets a call.

Sara is on holiday with her daughters when she sees the news. She calls the police in the UK, outraged that no one has contacted her to let her know or offer support. After all, she and Cameron had been together for the last seven years...

Until Cameron died, Monika and Sara had no idea each other existed.

As the case unfolds, Beth discovers that nothing is quite as it appears and everyone, it seems, has secrets. Especially the dead...

 

Previously published as After He's Gone.

 

About the author

 

Jane Isaac is married to a serving detective and they live in rural Northamptonshire, UK with their daughter, and dog, Bollo. Jane loves to hear from readers and writers. You can reach her via her website at www.janeisaac.co.uk Sign up to her book club at http://eepurl.com/1a2uT for book recommendations and details of new releases, events and giveaways.

Follow Jane:

Facebook: @JaneIsaacAuthor

Twitter: @JaneIsaacAuthor

Website: www.janeisaac.co.uk

 

Pre-order links:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2CL49S5

Kobo: https://bit.ly/2X9nI01

iBooks: https://apple.co/2X8OPIq

Google Play: https://bit.ly/32OP0Ks

 

 

Follow Aria

 

Website: www.ariafiction.com

Twitter: @aria_fiction

Facebook: @ariafiction

Instagram: @ariafiction

If you would like to follow along with the blog tour below are the other participants joining in.