Dead Ringer by Nicola Martin #blogtour

Today is my stop on the Dead Ringer blog tour and I am very excited to share this book with you.

Summary

Get ready to meet the other you.

Just upload your photo to get started. Using the latest facial recognition software, plus your votes, MeetYourDouble will find your doppelganger.

START NOW.

The idea is simple, vain, exciting. Tap the app, upload a picture, find your #deadringer – and if you like, set up a meeting in real life.

When Ella and Jem connect, the resemblance is uncanny, but their lives are polar opposites. One is stagnating in her Northern hometown, while the other, an aspiring actress living in a multimillion-pound mansion, is a Chelsea socialite who knows she’s skating on thin ice.

Other than their looks, their only similarity is the desire to escape. Is it possible to hide in your double’s skin? And at what cost? Dead Ringer is an all-too-believable, twisty, compelling story that will leave you reeling. 

My Review

Dead Ringer is a fast paced thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat. It starts off gently, Ella and Jem meeting for the first time after finding each other on the MeetYourDouble app. But just a few pages in and the reader realises that this isn't going to be a fun and funny story about two girls, who look alike, meeting and having a wonderful adventure together. This is a story that will grab you, pull you in and not let go until, emotionally and physically drained, you have finished the last page. 

I love how the story is told from both Ella's and Jem's point of view. These young women may look alike, but that's as far as their similarities go. They are very different characters, with different priorities and outlooks. They also have secrets. I really enjoyed how the story built and we got to know more about each of the characters. Jem and Ella's family and friends ( and enemies ) are beautifully written, each character strong enough to be the protagonist of their own book. 

Each and every time real life got in the way of my reading, I felt very frustrated. I just wanted to carry on reading and find out what the next word, the next paragraph, the next page would bring.

Dead Ringer is a tense, compelling, thrilling, and clever story that really makes the reader think. 


Thank you to Saraband Books for the gifted copy to review and Kelly at Ruth Killick Publicity for inviting me to be a part of the tour. 

goodreads

amazon

                         The King's Prerogative by Iain Colvin

Today is my stop on the blog tour for The King's Prerogative, a fascinating historical/crime novel.

Summary:

Scotland, 1983.

Craig Dunlop is bored. Bored of his job, his town, his life.

After a family bereavement, Craig inherits an old heirloom; a wallet given to his grandfather during the war by none other than the deputy leader of Nazi Germany, Rudolf Hess.

The wallet has hidden a secret for forty years, and when Craig stumbles upon it, a chain of events is set in motion that lead to him becoming a hunted man.

Finding himself in a race to unravel a mystery that could shake the very foundations of the British establishment, Craig must find answers before the police catch up with him, or worse still, he is made to disappear forever, along with the secret of The King’s Prerogative

My review:

I found this book to be a gripping, fast paced story. The prologue sets the scene, it's May 1941 when a plane crashes into the Scottish countryside; deputy leader of the Nazi party, Rudolph Hess, has arrived in Scotland... 

Jump to 1983, and our protagonist Craig Dunlop takes the reins, leading us on an intriguing chase through the streets of Stranraer, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Cambridge and Caithness. 

The historical facts in this book are fascinating, to say the least, and led me to research Rudolph Hess and the part he played during WWII. The story built around these facts, is a thrilling mystery, with a flawed, and sometimes infuriating lead character, who finds himself catapulted from his mundane life into a race against time (and bad guys) on a quest to find out the truth, before he is caught. 

It's this quest for the truth, this mission to find out what the letter he finds really means, that had me hooked from the beginning. Trying to guess if each character Craig meets on his journey, is friend or foe, had me holding my breath in anticipation. If you like historical fiction, crime novels or a thrilling read, then this book is for you. 

Thank you to Faye Rogers and the publishers for sending me a free copy of this book to review. 

Information about the Book
Title: The King’s Prerogative
Author: Iain Colvin
Release Date: 30th July 2019
Genre: Thriller
Page Count:
Publisher: Clink Street Publishing
goodreads
Waterstones
Amazon

                                   Vengeful by V.E.Schwab 

I love this book! Vengeful is dark and glorious! There is no way, that I am aware of, that I can review this book without waxing lyrical, so here goes! 

Book one, Vicious, is where we got to know Victor and Eli. We found out who they were, what they believed and what they thought themselves capable of achieving. It was brilliant and I couldn't put it down. 

Then the author gave us Vengeful and Oh My Stars! did she deliver! Vengeful is perfection. I love the timeline in the book and the powerful way that flashbacks are used. The writing is incredible, I felt like I was living this book as I was so immersed in the characters and the story. 

Before I go any further I would like to scream excitedly about the cover art. Julia Lloyd is the incredibly talented artist and just look at the beauty!

I love Victor Vale. There, I said it! He isn't one of the good guys, but... I am, without a shadow of a doubt, drawn to him. I adore his makeshift family - Sydney, Mitch and Dominic - and the dynamics of their relationships. Sydney is so incredibly endearing; she brings out my protective side and most outbursts of anger during both books were in regards to how and what she was forced to suffer. 

The what if's of EO's and the infinite possibilities their existence could mean is fascinating and makes me wonder... not enough to attempt to become one though, I am not brave enough! 

I hate the way Extraordinaries are treated by humans throughout this story, it is typical of our world. Undeniably, some EO's were dangerous lunatics and committing crimes, however, the instinct of mankind is that if we don't understand something, we fear it and try to destroy it and this angers me. Okay, okay, rant over! 

The powerful women in Vengeful are amazing. Marcella is intelligent and resourceful and has an inextinguishable desire for revenge and an immense thirst for power. And June is a shapeshifter drowning in secrets and pain. They are both dangerous and awesome! 

I know I have used the word love too many times, but it was inevitable as I really really love this book! 

V.E.Schwab is a genius. The worlds she creates are intricate, magical, dark and incredible. Her characters are complex, believable and unforgettable. If you haven't read Vicious or Vengeful, or indeed any of her other books, then please rectify the situation immediately.  

Thank you to Titan Books for sending me a free copy of this book ❤

Seven Places Without You by Juan Berrio

Seven Places Without You is a beautifully illustrated graphic novel. 

This is a story about a relationship that has broken down. Elena doesn't know what has happened or why, all she knows is that she is alone and heartbroken. There are seven chapters, each one sees Elena in different situations and we see how she deals with her anguish when with her friends and family. 

I love the illustrations and the muted colours used, they match the emotion and pace of the story. What surprised me was the depth of feeling portrayed in the images without dialogue. It's exquisitely done. 

My favourite moments are when Elena goes home and visits with her parents and her younger brother. The relationship between the siblings is sweet, and Elena's mum is very believable in her worrying and nagging!

I was a little disappointed with the last chapter, the story went in a direction that I wasn't expecting. However, that said, I very much enjoyed this book. I haven't read many graphic novels, Seven Places Without You has made me realise that this is a mistake, and I will definitely be reading more. An engaging and poignant short story. 

I received a copy of this ebook from #netgalley in return for an honest review. 

Title: Seven Places Without You
Author/Illustrator: Juan Berrio
Isbn: 9791032807460
Edition: ebook

Author's website

                  12 Days of Clink Street blog tour
                   Veronica's Bird by Veronica Bird 

Summary:
Veronica Bird was one of nine children living in a tiny house in Barnsley with a brutal coal miner for a father. Life was a despairing time in the 1950s, as Veronica sought desperately to keep away from his cruelty. Astonishingly, to her and her mother, she won a scholarship to Ackworth Boarding School where she began to shine above her class-mates. A champion in all sports, Veronica at last found some happiness until her brother-in-law came into her life. It was as if she had stepped from the frying pan into the re: he took over control of her life removing her from the school she adored, two terms before she was due to take her GCEs, so he could put her to work as a cheap option on his market stall. 

Abused for many years by these two men, Veronica eventually ran away and applied to the Prison Service, knowing it was the only safe place she could trust. This is the astonishing, and true story of Veronica Bird who rose to become a Governor of Armley prison. Given a ‘basket case’ in another prison, contrary to all expectations, she turned it around within a year, to become an example for others to match. During her life inside, her ‘bird’, she met many Home Secretaries, was honoured by the Queen and was asked to help improve conditions in Russian Prisons. A deeply poignant story of eventual triumph against a staggeringly high series of setbacks, her story is filled with humour and compassion for those inside.

My Review:
Veronica's Bird is a book of three parts. 

I might be better off in a children's home.
The first is an incredibly emotional journey through Veronica's childhood. The hunger, pain and abuse, the hope, hard work and glimpses of happiness, all told with brutal honesty. It will most definitely tug at your heartstrings. A young child needing more than anything an expression of love from her family, but more often than not, experiencing the harsh punishment meted out by her violent father. The unfairness that followed young Veronica throughout her childhood seems beyond belief but was unfortunately not uncommon during that time. 

Climbing
Part two follows Veronica after she has separated herself from her family. She wants more than anything to feel safe and find her place in the world. She  decides to become a Prison Officer, a strange decision some might think, but as time will tell, a very astute one! 

Here we have a wonderful history of the prison service, from her first days at Holloway as a new recruit in 1968 until her retirement, decades later, in 2002.
Veronica's is an insightful and honest look at the lives of both the inmates and staff in prisons all over Britain. As she climbed her way up from prison officer to Governor, Veronica made a huge difference in the lives of those around her. In her first interview to join the prison service she said, "I want to help other people in difficult situations."  and this was a mantra that she never forgot. It was the reason behind each of her decisions. 

All the stories she shares are told with humour and humanity. Each occurrence, whether an attempted escape, a prison riot, or a celebrity visit to a prison, are told in a way which makes you feel like you were there, you can feel the emotion, hear the sounds and ( unfortunately) smell the odours!

Why Do We Lock People Up?
Part three will make you think. It will make you question everything you think you know about prisons and the hows and whys. That is one of the brilliant things about this book, it's not just a story to read, a memoir that induces admiration for it's heroine ( it is that too! ) but it really, REALLY makes you think about whether prisons are really the right place for many of the inmates that are incarcerated today. 

Veronica's Bird is an amazing biography of an equally amazing woman. A fantastic read! 

Information about the Book
Title: Veronica’s Bird
Author: Veronica Bird
Release Date: 23rd January 2018
Genre: Non-Fiction
Page Count: 290
Publisher: Clink Street Publishing

Goodreads

Amazon

                A Gift from Woolworths by Elaine Everest #blogtour

I am delighted to be involved in the blog tour for A Gift from Woolworths. 

Summary
Will the war be over by Christmas?
As the war moves into 1945 the lives of the women of Woolworths continue. When store manager, Betty Billington, announces she is expecting Douglas’s baby her future life is about to change more than she expects.

Freda has fallen in love with the handsome Scottish engineer but will it end happily?

Maisie loves being a mother and also caring for her two nieces although she still has her own dreams. When her brother appears on the scene he brings unexpected danger to the family.

Meanwhile Sarah dreams of her husband’s return and a cottage with roses around the door but Woolworths beckons.

Will our girls sail into times of peace, or will they experience more heartache and sorrow? With a wedding on the horizon, surely only happiness lies ahead – or does it?

My review

This time last year I was reading Christmas at Woolworths and becoming acquainted with Freda, Betty, Maisie and Sarah. Opening up the pages of A Gift from Woolworths felt like catching up with old friends.

Despite the war, life goes on for the four friends and their families. More pain and sorrow has found its way into their lives as the war has claimed more souls, so the girls have learned just how important it is to appreciate every happy moment. 

Every step of their path seems to be fraught with danger, betrayal and devastation. However, once again, their friendship, strength and determination helps them to fight for their chance at happiness. Overcoming obstacles is hard, but with an army of friends and family by your side, it is no longer an unsurmountable feat. 

It is now 1945 and the end of the war is in sight, but will happiness inevitably follow? Join Betty, Freda, Sarah and Maisie as they continue on their adventure...

I love this series! Each book can be read as a stand alone, but once you've read one, you'll definitely want to read them all! All the characters are brilliantly written, even the ones you'll love to hate! Grab yourself a copy and enjoy! 

Thank you to the publisher for sending me a free copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Information about the book
Title: A Gift From Woolworths (Woolworths Girls #
Author: Elaine Everest
Release Date: 31st August 2018
Genre: Historical Saga
Publisher: Macmillan

goodreads

amazon

                           Outremer II by D. N. Carter #blogtour

Today I have author D.N.Carter visiting my blog and sharing a guest post with us. 

What are your favourite things about being an author?

There are several things I could say that are my favourite things about being an author that range from being able to lose myself in my work to hopefully inspiring people. I have been told that I am the type of person who naturally brings out the best in others. I hope that is the case. I would certainly hate to bring out the worst in people! But I suppose the most favourite aspect about being an author has to be that I get to spend hours researching and indulging my passion for all things ancient and mysterious. I love to read and most of my research is done that way and being a writer affords me the time to spend hours, days and even weeks if necessary, scrolling my way through books and documents. I spent days in libraries before the advent of the internet and the instant availability of books on line, and even rare manuscripts, thus reducing my research time whilst multiplying my knowledge base incrementally and exponentially upwards.

One favourite aspect about being a full time author is when I get my hands on items I am researching whether it is a very ancient document that must be handled with absolute care, white gloves on and all, when I get a real sense of its age, to wearing a heavy full face medieval helmet. Visiting living history events can prove great fun as well as help with my research such as wearing the full uniform of a Knight Templar, complete with shield and lance. Then wearing the lightweight leather outfits worn by the Ashashin’s/Assassins.
The biggest thrill though is being able to travel to do my research in person, on the ground, or as in several circumstances, underground. I get to use all the outdoor training I have gained over the years to abseil down those inaccessible places I would not have been able to reach, or where the public usually fear to go. From old wells and dungeons in ruined castles, to cliff faces in Saudi Arabia and even the deserts of Arizona simply to see in person ancient petroglyphs rendered by Hopi Indians hundreds of years go.

Recalling the many journeys and expeditions I have undertaken across the world helps me greatly as an author for when I write I have the ability to travel anywhere and be anyone I want to be. But the greatest joy is when my writing touches someone. When it makes them stop and think...when it has a positive impact and in some cases, as I am discovering, given the reader some answers and comfort...and hope. Giving hope to someone is a precious gift and one I am humbled to have been able to give on occasion.

As an author I get to spend far more time with my family and have the flexibility to choose the hours I work. Self discipline is perhaps the only difficult aspect about being an author. When the Sun is shining outside and I am stuck indoors, the temptation to put down my work is huge...but I love writing so much it is not too difficult to lose myself in my work once I start typing away or drawing another image for my books. I love being able to put into words emotions, descriptions of places I have been and information I find fascinating to share it with others. I write as if I am talking to someone sat opposite me. I have never been stuck for words...so far, nor suffered writers block. Perhaps I write too much, but I view that as not a bad thing. I always go back over what I have written to check for missing words, spellings and whether I have conveyed accurately, or believably enough, what I am trying to say. But even then I still manage to miss a word out or spell it wrong.

I have based Outremer very heavily upon real people and genuine historical records of the events during the 12th century, but by writing it as fiction based on fact, I was able to let my imagination run free...whilst hopefully still keeping it real. As fiction I was also able to indulge my own understanding of the period, but also incorporate so-called otherworldly facts that would have otherwise seemed utterly ridiculous, perhaps unbelievable and out of place in such a book. That is the sheer delight of being an author...that I can marry the two together. But also being able to make people cry and laugh through my words; that is a gift I do not take lightly but value greatly and never take for granted.

Information about the book
Title: Outremer II: Revelation Cometh
Author: D. N. Carter
Release Date: 4th September 2018
Genre: Historical
Publisher: Clink Street Publishing

goodreads

amazon

Summary: 
Christian-born Paul Plantavalu and his beloved Alisha al Komaty, a Muslim, share an unbreakable bond and a deep love for one another. Religion, war and politics oppose them at every turn. But most deadly of all is the resolve of an evil enemy determined to destroy their family lines forever.
Paul and Alisha’s journey takes a political turn; they must question everything and learn who to fear and who to trust as they continue their battle to safeguard the future of mankind. In accepting the burden of this grace responsibility, they must make peace with the difficult path they have chosen. Paul will struggle to unlearn everything he has been raised to accept as true; reality is much more mysterious and nuanced. It will fall to him to defend a much greater treasure than his own life - one which the Magi themselves understood - for the benefit of future generations. In doing so, Paul will help others to unshackle themselves from the grip of a self-styled secret elite with the power to manipulate religions, governments and monarchies, harnessing wealth and control for themselves at the expense of the populous. But to succeed in this challenge Paul must face his own desires and his worst fears, and if destiny dictates, he may be called to sacrifice his own family, including Alisha.
The second novel in author and adventurer D. N. Carter’s epic four-part series, Outremer II: Revelation Cometh draws upon forty years of intensive historical research by its Indiana Jones-style creator. As the reader is swept up by the romantic adventure of Paul and Alisha and their dazzling romp through the High Middle Ages in search of Templar truths and treasure, they are also challenged by the author to solve a coded puzzle hidden within the pages of the four Outremer novels, which will lead to a real-life bounty at the conclusion of the series!