Review: Shadows by Thorne Moore

Shadows by Thorne Moore

Genre: domestic noir. Psychological Crime. Women’s lit. Paranormal.
Release Date: 14 June 2017
Publisher: Endeavour Press

Kate Lawrence can sense the shadow of violent death, past and present. In her struggle to cope with her unwelcome gift, she has frozen people out of her life. Her marriage is on the rocks, her career is in chaos and she urgently needs to get a grip.
So she decides to start again, by joining her effervescent cousin Sylvia and partner Michael in their mission to restore and revitalise Llys y Garn, an old mansion in the wilds of North Pembrokeshire.
It is certainly a new start, as she takes on Sylvia’s grandiose schemes, but it brings Kate to a place that is thick with the shadows of past deaths. The house and grounds are full of mysteries that only she can sense, but she is determined to face them down – so determined that she fails to notice that ancient energies are not the only shadows threatening the seemingly idyllic world of Llys y Garn.
The happy equilibrium is disrupted by the arrival of Sylvia’s sadistic and manipulative son, Christian - but just how dangerous is he?
Then, once more, Kate senses that a violent death has occurred…
Set in the majestic and magical Welsh countryside, Shadows is a haunting exploration of the dark side of people and landscape.

My Review

I visited Wales for the very first time a couple of years ago and totally fell in love with that beautiful part of the world. So to read such a gripping murder mystery tale set in the wilderness of that country was a real treat.
It took me a little while to really get into it, but when I did, I found it quite hard to put down, finally reading the majority of it in one afternoon.
It was Kate's unusual gift that enticed me to read Shadows in the first place though – the ability to sense death really peaked my interest, and it didn't disappoint. There were a few twists and turns in the book that didn't exactly take me by surprise (I'm usually quite good at identifying the guilty party lol), but they were very well done.
Beautifully written, Shadows is certainly a book I'd recommend. I also look forward to reading more by Thorne Moore in the future.

Excerpt
‘Is it haunted, Kate?’ Sylvia clapped her hands, like a child wanting ice-cream. ‘Oh please, please say there’s a ghost down here.’
‘There’s a ghost down here.’
‘No seriously, please tell me. You’d sense one, I know.’
What the hell. I closed my eyes solemnly. ‘I detect – a definite shiver of fear.’
‘Is that all? I was hoping for a white lady. If only we had battlements. I’m sure we’d have had a white lady, walking in the moonlight.’
‘Perhaps we can persuade one to move in.’
‘Yes!’ Sylvia gripped my arm. ‘A ghost hotel! We could get a licence to serve spirits!’
We were still laughing as we climbed back to the buttery. To finish, she led me on into the second small room, under the upper chamber.
As before, a low square room. One tiny window, two doors, stained walls, stone floor, just another empty room. ‘Not sure what to call this one,’ babbled my cousin. ‘Think of a good name. The armoury! I wonder if we could get a suit of armour.’ She was already opening the far door, into a panelled arch through deep masonry back into the Great Hall.
Just a doorway to Sylvia.
But not to me. Oh God, not to me.
‘Come on,’ she sang. ‘Where next?’
I watched her pass through, amazed that she could sense nothing. Rigid in my determination to conquer, I followed her, trying to block out the shadow, to refuse it entry into my brain.
I couldn’t. It overwhelmed my defences, enveloping me in a black cloud. Huge atavistic fear, searing thirst, gut-wrenching despair. I could feel the interweaving strands of emotion like filaments of rot, tightening around me, meshing in my lungs, my veins, my bones. How could Sylvia possibly not feel this?
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Thorne was born in Luton and graduated from Aberystwyth University (history) and from the Open University (Law). She set up a restaurant with her sister but now spends her time writing and making miniature furniture for collectors. She lives in Pembrokeshire, which forms a background for much of her writing, as does Luton. She writes psychological mysteries, or "domestic noir," and her first novel, A Time For Silence, was published by Honno in 2012. Her second Motherlove, was published in 2015 and her third, The Unravelling, came out in 2016. A collection of short stories, Moments of Consequence, came out the same year. She's a member of the Crime Writers Association.
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Review: M School by Kevin T. Johns

Welcome to Murder High
17-year-old Lilith Delaney has lived a quiet life despite a history of mental health troubles, but when she finds her best friend's mutilated corpse in a high school locker room her world is transformed forever.
Lilith discovers nothing around her is as it seems. A hidden war has been raging in the halls of her school between domestic terrorists and a mysterious agency willing to do anything to stop them.
In hopes of avenging her dead friend, Lilith joins M School, a secret underwater training facility dedicated to transforming teenagers into world-class assassins.
But the longer Lilith spends at M School, the more she begins to wonder if what she’s being taught will help her catch her friend's murderer, or just turn her into the very thing she set out to stop... a cold blooded killer.

If you dig The Hunger Games, Nikita, Divergent, Ender's Game, Battle Royale, or Buffy, this book is for you!

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My Review

OMG...I'm not quite sure where to start. I was given a copy of this book from the author, in exchange for an honest review. Well, M School is written incredibly well. Kevin T. Johns certainly has a talent for story-telling. I would love to read more from him in the future. However, I did find M School to be particularly violent – more than I expected. It took me by surprise, really as I don't usually go for violence, whether in books or television / movies. (The violence was the one thing I didn't like about Hunger Games.) But I persevered through my discomfort and surprisingly found that I enjoyed the story itself. But it was very disturbing, I can't deny that.

I would imagine M School would appeal to a great number of teenagers – both girls and boys that enjoy dystopian tales, but if you prefer stories with romance and humour, for example, this probably won't be for you lol.

Kevin T. Johns is an author, writing coach, ghostwriter, and podcaster. He grew up reading comic books, watching horror movies, and playing guitar in punk rock bands. He is the author of the young adult horror/sci-fi/fantasy novels, The Page Turners and The Page Turners: Economy of Fear, as well as several other books. He lives in Ottawa, Canada, with his wife and three daughters. On the rare occassion that he has the house to himself, he reads comic books, watches horror movies, and plays old punk rock songs on his guitar. Visit his website.

Review: No More Birthdays by Lissa Pelzer

No More Birthdays by Lissa Pelzer
Genre: Crime
Release Date: Aug 2015
Series: Carol Ann Baker #1

Runaway teenager, Lilly Lessard has some secrets. For a start, that’s not her real name and she wants to keep quiet about her real age too. Bumping into ex-hitman Bobby at a small town film festival isn’t the coincidence it seems either. She’s tracked him here. He owes her money and she’s desperate enough to come looking for it.
And she’s not the only one who has followed him here. Detective Davis is after him too. She’s been after him in Miami for years, but never quite managed to get a hold on him. Maybe this weekend she’ll get lucky.
But the closer Lilly gets to Bobby and his money, the closer Davis gets to them both. One by one, their secrets are coming out. And Lilly’s about to find out, the worst secrets are the ones you keep from yourself.
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Excerpt

‘There’s no money,’ Cassandra said dryly. ‘Don’t be a dumbass. Don’t get in that car. It’s not safe.’
Lilly watched the end of the girl’s cigarette burn as she took a hit. Cassandra had always liked the fact that Bobby was a dangerous man. But she hadn’t seen him that night when he got back in the room after killing The Judge. His face had blanched and his false teeth had hung half out of his mouth. Killing The Judge hadn’t been easy for Bobby, not like when he drove past that phone box down in Florida and shot three times into some guy’s back. Bobby had lost his appetite for murder. He wouldn’t try to kill her, not unless it was absolutely necessary.
‘I have to take the risk,’ Lilly said. ‘I’ve got nothing. I’ve got to try. And if Bobby doesn’t give me the money, I’m as good as dead anyway.’

My Review

As a book blogger, I occasionally agree to read and review books 'blind' - in other words, without learning a little more about the book beforehand. This was one of those cases. And I soon discovered that No More Birthdays was certainly not the kind of book I would ordinarily read. I like books to be a little uplifting, with some humour perhaps. This contained nothing like that, however. It is by and large a very dark and quite a disturbing read. To be honest I felt rather down after I finished it. But, having said all this, the quality of writing is excellent. Lissa Pelzer certainly has talent, and she has it in spades. If she ever writes anything that will leave me feeling happier and amused, then I would most definitely be interested in reading it. This series however, was just not my cup of tea. If you like dark and disturbing stories, then I would definitely recommend it.

About the author

Lissa Pelzer is a British crime writer living in Germany.
Her previous published work includes romance fiction under a pseudonym. No More Birthdays is her first work under her own name.
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The Tantalizing Tale of a Bitter Sweetheart by Jessica Ashley Dafoe

Successful, lucky in love, taking the world by storm?.....not quite. Portia Delaney is down on her luck, disgruntled in a dead end, mind- numbing career with little prospects and is not even close to finding a stimulating romance to take her mind off her lack-luster situation. Her defeatist attitude and unmistakable idiosyncrasies don’t help much either.
But with rock bottom comes a choice, lie down and enjoy the cold and barren ground beneath, or climb that ladder of success to the top. Portia finally sets out to do just that. With a fantastic group of friends and a bit of fateful circumstance on her side, she begins her trek up and out of the despair filled trenches. But Portia soon finds out that with success, often comes hardships and unwelcome competition.

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Author Interview
Do dreams ever inspire your writing? What did you last dream about?
I tend to use daily occurrences and past experiences in my own life and accounts from those around me to inspire my writing. I find the dreams I have, when related to my writing, are more a product of me focusing so much on the experiences I am preparing to write into my work. For instance, I wrote the physical characteristics and a fraction of the initial exchanges I experienced with a handsome friend of mine, into my novel. After putting so much thought into his gestures and expressions, I did have numerous dreams of him, all G rated, of course. My day dreams most definitely inspire my writing. My day dreaming is what brought Portia’s inner voice about. Portia is the heroine in my debut novel, The Tantalizing Tale of a Bitter Sweetheart. She’s set on transitioning into her desired career, as am I.

When did you first start writing? And when were you first published?
I’ve really been writing all my life purely for enjoyment but have always been very secretive with my work. There were times I wouldn’t even let my own family read my writing. My creative writing was put on the back burner throughout university as my efforts were expected to be put toward churning out essays based on other’s creative writing. Finally I graduated and began to write a blog, outlining interesting moments in my dating and student life. That morphed into short stories that I didn’t seek to publish. I did, however, publish numerous faith-based articles on Faith Writers. These small steps towards making writing a more permanent fixture all allowed me to gain more confidence in sharing my creativity. I finally decided I was going to do what I had always dreamed of doing, writing a novel. I finished it and published it all within the span of a year and am beyond happy that I did. My one and only published novel is The Tantalizing Tale of a Bitter Sweetheart. It was published in August of this year. I am currently working on the sequel and hope it will be ready for publication by next fall.

What is it about 'chick lit' that appeals to you the most? Do you read other genres?
Chick-lit is just so relate-able in almost all ways. Even if the situations are to the extreme, as a woman I can always identify with some facet of the female characters’ and their natures. For me, a great novel is made great by being true to human nature and experience. The twists and turns are all welcome, but if I don’t find myself connecting with the characters in some way, I lose interest.

Can you tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book is a humorous tale set in Toronto, Paris and New York. It focuses on Portia Delaney, a single 30 something woman, who is set on making her dream career as a fashion designer a reality. She faces numerous hilarious hiccups along the way while attempting to achieve this goal and there are love interests and relationships that develop. She is surrounded by a lively and vivacious group of girlfriends, some supportive, others take the form of obstacles and Portia is faced with some tough decisions. It is an entertaining, fun and lighthearted novel, meant to be one that will brighten someone’s day.

What inspired you to write it?
After living in Toronto, Canada’s largest city, for 7 years, I have been subject to the harshness and the sweetness that it doles out to the career-minded woman who is striving to make it. I initially began writing this project more as an autobiographical tale of my own experiences in the city. I began to write and my own voice became muddled with a fictional narrative. I realized that my style is most certainly catered to fiction, so ran with the narrative that was ruling my keyboard. Portia Delaney was born with the inspiration of my own experiences and also those recounted to me from my own close friends and acquaintances. There are definitely autobiographical elements to her personality. I can be a bit of a mess by times.

Have you ever spotted anyone reading your books anywhere?
Seeing as it has only been about a month since publication, the only people I’ve seen with hardcopies in hand are friends, acquaintances and family members. It is still an incredible feeling. The most surreal moment yet was when I saw my novel on the shelf at Book City Yonge & St. Clair, one of the best independent bookstores in the city of Toronto.

Who designs your covers?
I bought the rights to the cover art from an artist via stock photos. Then I indicated how I wanted it adapted and used on the cover to the design team at Friesenpress. They did an incredible job including all that I requested.

If your latest book was made into a film, who would you cast?
As Portia Delaney, the main character, I would cast Jennifer-Love Hewitt. Portia is beautiful but awkward in her social encounters with members of the opposite sex. Jennifer is stunning but plays the nervous and awkward moments well.
For Portia’s main romantic interest, Guillaume, I would cast my friend Jayson Woolley. He is an unbelievably handsome model and talented actor from New York, so the obvious choice for the smooth, Parisian. I’m not sure how his French accent is but it can be worked on.
As Nina, Portia’s energetic friend and side-kick, I would cast Reese Witherspoon. She’s cheerful and bubbly and perfect for the role.

What's your favourite Chick Lit book that made it to the big screen?
Definitely Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin. Both the book and the movie are near the top of my list for romantic comedies.

What were the last two books you read?
Where’d You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple and Revenge Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger. Both were excellent and had me turning the pages at a lightning fast speed.

Name one female author who you think deserves to be better known.
Lynda Renham. Her latest novel The Dog’s Bollocks is a gem.

Where do you write?
I need a constant buzz of activity when I write. Silence is death to my writing so I generally hit up various coffee shops in the city. I never go to the same one twice in a week as I like a change of scenery.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? And did you follow the dream?
I always wanted to be a writer, whether a journalist a novelist or a children’s book editor, I knew the written word was my calling. At one point I wanted to own a bookshop as well as be a librarian.

In the movie of your life, who would play you?
I’ve been told that I have a striking resemblance to Jennifer Connelly, but have also been informed that for mannerisms and appearance, Jennifer Esposito would be someone who could get the job done right. Apparently I need a spunky and sassy leading lady to play me and Esposito has what it takes.

Speed Round...
Top drink to make you tipsy? Cosmopolitan
Shopaholic or shopadon't? Shopaholic, unless I get to the point that I’ve got credit companies after me. It hasn’t happened yet though so I’m doing just fine.

Sky high heels or closer to the ground?
If I could handle them all day every day, I would totally choose sky high because they’re fierce, but alas practical me steps in to make the shoe wear decision and I generally go with kitten heels.
E.L. James or Jilly Cooper? Jilly Cooper.
Cry baby or tough cookie? Cry baby with a hard-coated exterior
Exotic beach or enchanted forest?
Exotic beach, preferably somewhere in Fiji.

Review
Can a book be too witty? Well, that's actually what I thought about The Tantalizing Tale of a Bitter Sweetheart. There was comedy from page one right up to the end. There were moments of pure hilarious entertainment which left me sitting on the edge of my seat.
I must admit that I found it a little difficult to really engage with the main character, Portia, because I couldn't understand the real her. Not that I didn't like her, I just felt like she was a little too predictable. Many of the things that happened to her were a little over the top and I found it a little hard to keep up at times.
If you like your chick lit absolute packed full of silliness (think Shopaholic meets Bridget Jones), then this book is for you. Me? I prefer it just a little more toned down.

Jessica Ashley Dafoe resides in Toronto where she is an educator by day and a literary enthusiast and writer by night. She attained her BA in English Literature at The University of Ottawa and her B Ed at Brock and Queen’s University.
When Jessica does not have her nose in a book or is not scribbling out her ideas for her newest tantalizing tales, she's most likely keeping busy trying out various exciting activities and delicious cuisine that the great city of Toronto has to offer or planning her next getaway to her immediate destination of choice. The travelling bug bites her often.
A romantic comedy addict to the core, she enjoys all things silly, frivolous and emotionally endearing which is the reason she writes stories that encompass all of these qualities.
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Review: Knight of Light by Deirdra Eden

In England, 1270 A.D., Auriella (pronounced yurr-ee-ella) flees her village after being accused of witchcraft. Pursued by nightmarish creatures, she struggles to accept the truth about her humanity. Filled with fairies, dwarves, pixies, dragons, demons, and monsters, Knight of Light is an enthralling tale that will capture the imaginations of readers young and old.

The Watchers Series has been described as Braveheart meets Supernatural. The mythology for the series is based on many theological texts from dozens of sects with correlating themes. Ancient writings include The Dead Sea Scrolls, The Traditional Apocrypha, The Pearl of Great Price, and The Kabbalah.
“The Watchers” are supernatural beings in human form whose duty it is to protect and guard mankind from the armies of darkness. Unfortunately, as the Book of Enoch mentions, some of these Watchers go bad. Although the mythology is based on these texts, Deirdra Eden’s The Watcher’s Series is written in a traditional fairytale style with a young girl’s discovery of incredible, but dangerous powers within herself, a cast of humorous side-kicks, a quest for greater self-discovery and purpose, and villains of epic proportions
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My Review
I was going to try and compare this book with other epic tales of discovery but really, it's quite unique, even though the subject is one written by many. Perhaps if  had to, I'd say it's like a young girl's Lord of the Rings.
It was very enjoyable with twists and turns that will undoubtedly leave you on the edge of your seat. As is often the case, I became very fond of Auriella's sidekicks. They added a fun, humorous element to the story that is full of evil (I wanted to throttle that horrible witch!), fighting, love, drama and much more. I enjoyed the fact that Deirdra Eden managed to combine Medieval England with fantasy, which is perhaps the main reason I wanted to read Knight of Light. I'd certainly like to read more and look forward to the next instalment in the series. All in all, a very enjoyable read.

About the Author

"My goal in writing is to saturate my books with intrigue, mystery, romance, and plot twists that will keep my readers in suspense. I want to see fingerprints on the front and back covers where readers have gripped the novel with white knuckles! Aside from writing, I enjoy jousting in arenas, planning invasions, horseback riding through open meadows, swimming in the ocean, hiking up mountains, camping in cool shady woods, climbing trees barefoot, and going on adventures."
-Deirdra Eden

Find Deirdra Eden and The Watchers Series online on Amazon, Deirdra's website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Wattpad, and Pinterest.

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The Ultimate Catch by Constance Phillips

Jolanda is willing to do whatever it takes, even face off against the Bering Sea, to raise the money for a balloon payment on her father’s house. She challenges Keller and wins a bet to get on the recently inherited crab fishing boat, forcing the young captain to buck tradition and superstition. Will his season be doomed or will he end up with the ultimate catch?

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Constance Phillips lives in Ohio with her husband, daughter, and four canine kids. Her son -- now on his own -- is planning a wedding, confirming that romance still lives and breathes.
When not writing stories of finding and rediscovering love, Constance and her husband spend the hours planning a cross-country motorcycle trip for the not-so-distant future…if they can find a sidecar big enough for the pups.
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Review: A Shade of Vampire

On the evening of Sofia Claremont's seventeenth birthday, she is sucked into a nightmare from which she cannot wake.
A quiet evening walk along a beach brings her face to face with a dangerous pale creature that craves much more than her blood.
She is kidnapped to an island where the sun is eternally forbidden to shine.
An island uncharted by any map and ruled by the most powerful vampire coven on the planet. She wakes here as a slave, a captive in chains.
Sofia's life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn when she is the one selected out of hundreds of girls to join the harem of Derek Novak, the dark royal Prince.
Despite his addiction to power and obsessive thirst for her blood, Sofia soon realizes that the safest place on the island is within his quarters, and she must do all within her power to win him over if she is to survive even one more night.
Will she succeed? ...or is she destined to the same fate that all other girls have met at the hands of the Novaks?

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A Shade of Vampire by Bella Forrest

I read about how these books in this series have been hopping off the virtual shelves so I figured I'd get the first one (it was free) and give it a go. Usually I love vampire books but I just found this one to be a little out there. The whole idea of all these vamps living on an island that was protected by a witch's spell was a bit weird and then their modern houses being built several hundred feet up trees was even weirder. Maybe I just like my vampires to live in the real world (yes, I actually said that lol). I also found it difficult to connect with 17 year old Sofia who seemed far older than her years, both in her actions and the way she spoke. But having said all that, the writing was very good and I was eager to find out what happened. It was very easy to read, and, being a short one, I finished it in only a few hours.

Review: Solitude of a Birdcage by Brielle Skye

Maxie Shannen and Savannah Trimmel are more than best friends. They're sisters, bound by a tragic past and an unbreakable bond. When Isaac, Savannah's boyfriend, falls victim to an act of violence that leaves him with no recollection of the prior eighteen months, both women tend to his recovery. For Savannah, it's simply an attempt to care for the man she loves.
For Maxie, it's a chance at redemption.
She tells Isaac nothing of the passionate secrets they'd been keeping from Savannah, nor of the unyielding feelings that nearly consumed them both.
But as the fragile wall obstructing Isaac's memory begins to crack, hidden truths slip through the fissures, and Maxie will once again be faced with an impossible choice-- her loyalty, or her heart.
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My Review

This was one of those books that I'd agreed to review, put on my kindle and then forgot what it was all about. So it took me by surprise how hooked I became! There were issues I didn't care for that made me want to throw my Kindle at the wall, for instance it seriously bugged me that Maxie and Isaac were carrying on behind her best friend's back in the first place and almost rubbing her nose in it. And the fact that Van was so totally clueless about everything that was happening. And then if Maxie was so totally in love with Isaac, why the heck wouldn't she tell him the truth after the accident? The characters could have been a little more well rounded to make me love them a little more, but I was hooked nonetheless.
All that aside, I think this is a particularly well written novel. Brielle Skye is a very talented author and I'd certainly be interested in reading more by her in the future.

Brielle Skye is from New York where writing, reading, beading, crocheting, and traveling keep her busy. She is the founder of the New York City Writers Network, an organization dedicated to uniting the very people who share her passion for words.

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Review: Tokyo Hearts: A Japanese Love Story by Renae Lucas-Hall

A fascinating exploration of life in modern-day Japan, Tokyo Hearts is a poignant love story that will catapult you directly onto the fashionable streets of this nation’s capital and into the hearts of Takashi and Haruka.
Takashi is a young and popular university student who has fallen in love with his stylish and sophisticated friend Haruka. She is sweet and kind and adores shopping for high-end Japanese and Western brands.
Every week, they meet up in the heart of Tokyo, enjoying each other’s company, and for Takashi, life is perfect. But the path to true love is never easy. When Takashi discovers that Haruka is seeing her wealthy ex-boyfriend from Kyoto, his life begins to turn upside down.
This coming of age story traces the lives of Takashi and Haruka and their friends as they deal with young love and the ups and downs of growing up in Tokyo – truly one of the most stylish, energetic and exhilarating cities in the world.

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Review

I love being introduced to new settings in books and this one was particularly wonderful. It is very clear that the author knows her stuff when it comes to all things Japanese - making me ache to actually go to that part of the world. To be honest, it had never really appealed to me before reading this book. Tokyo Hearts is absolutely charming and, with its innocence intact, I would highly recommend it to teens as well as adults. I loved the purity and charm of the characters and wonder if most Japanese are as polite and thoughtful to one another as Takashi and Haruka? In fact I would suggest that this book should be marketed to the NA fan - with its coming of age appeal, I think that all young and new adults would find it particularly engaging.
The first line pretty much sums up the style of the book - 'On the last tempestuous Thursday in July, Takashi discovered the difference between the type of girl that a boy could like and the type of woman that a man could love'. Sigh, isn't that just beautiful? It's kind of like those old folklore tales we were told as children, but for a slightly older audience and that's what I liked about this book.

About The Author:

Renae Lucas-Hall is an Australian born British novelist and writer. After graduating from university with a degree in Japanese Language and Culture, she lived in Tokyo for two years and taught English. Over the past twenty years, Renae has continued to visit Japan many times for work or as a tourist. She lives in Gloucestershire in the UK with her husband and their Siberian Husky.
For more information, visit http://www.cherryblossomstories.com/

Review: Escape for the Summer by Ruth Saberton

Can Andi Evans find the strength to start again?
Betrayed and broken-hearted, redundancy is one shock too many for Andi. Suddenly single and in debt, a working holiday in the Cornish seaside town of Rock appears the perfect solution. Determined never to trust again, will a chance meeting with a stranger change her mind?
Disillusioned with useless boyfriends, Angel is determined to find a man who will keep her in style. Heading to Rock, summer playground of the rich and the royals, seems an inspired move until a case of mistaken identity threatens a romance that has started to mean more than she expected...
Actress Gemma is no stranger to diets and disappointments. When the future of her career hangs in the balance, she prays moving to Rock solves her problems. With a new reality TV show being filmed in the idyllic seaside town, can she avoid pasties and ice creams for long enough to win a role?
Arriving in beautiful Cornwall, all three girls are hoping for a holiday season to remember. But will this be for the right reasons? Or, as emotions run higher than the tide, will the summer escape turn their lives upside down?
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Review

WOW - this book was simply brilliant. I couldn't put it down. The perfect holiday read, Escape for the Summer had me absolutely glued to my kindle. If you love the likes of Wendy Holden, Jilly Cooper and Sophie Kinsella, then this book is most definitely for you.

Andi's predicament at the start of the story left me reeling with distaste due to the horrendous way in which she was treated by her colleagues and so-called 'boyfriend' (what a total ass!). I was thrilled when she chose to head on out of London to the south west to get away from it all. Believe me, she needed it. I know I sound like I'm talking about a real person but the author had me gripped so much that I felt like Andi was a real friend. I loved her and was totally rooting for her from the very beginning. Angel, I admit to not liking quite so much. She was just so fake from the start. Naturally though, my mind was soon changed as I got through the book and I started to see the real 'her'. She became more like Andi's sister the more I read. As for Gemma, I loved her immediately - she was so down to earth, curvy like a real woman should be and the perfect friend for Angel and Andi.

I'll not say anything more because I don't want to give the game away. But all in all, this is a brilliant summer read. I highly recommend it and cannot wait for Ruth's next book to come out!

Review by Suzy Turner

Ruth Saberton is the Amazon top ten best-selling author of Weight Till Christmas, Rearranged, Katy Carter Wants a Hero, Ellie Andrews has Second Thoughts and Amber Scott is Starting Over. She also writes commercial women’s fiction under the pen names Jessica Fox, Lucy Hepburn and Georgie Carter. Ruth has been shortlisted for the RNA’s prestigious ‘Romantic Comedy of the Year’ award. Born and raised in the UK, Ruth is currently living in the Caribbean, on the beautiful island of Grand Cayman.
Ruth Saberton is represented by the Eve White Literary Agency (www.evewhite.co.uk).
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Review: Siren's Secret by Debbie Herbert

Siren's Secret by Debbie Herbert

I wanted to read this book as soon as I saw the cover. I mean, mermaids? What's not to like?! So I delved into it with an idea that it would be all sweetness and light – kind of like you imagine mermaid tales to be. WOW I couldn't have been wrong lol! But I wasn't disappointed. Not at all. It was a dark and mysterious murder mystery instead. One which had me sitting on the edge of my seat desperately wanting to know what was going to happen.

Set in the deep south (I just love settings like these at the moment – I'm a bit obsessed, in fact), Siren's Secret started off with a mermaid witnessing a body being dumped into the sea. A horrifying scene in which she sees the man responsible for the murder. The story basically follows her and the local police trying to solve the crime – but with all sorts of things getting in the way. There's also some deep romantic issues and family secrets throughout. Even though this wasn't what I was expecting, it was an excellent read and I look forward to reading more by Debbie Herbert.

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For more information about Debbie Herbert and her book, Siren's Secret, visit www.debbieherbert.com

Review: Limoncello Yellow by Traci Andrighetti

From debut author, Traci Andrighetti, comes a tale of murder, mayhem, and meddling Sicilian grandmas...
Francesca "Franki" Amato is a tough-talking rookie cop in Austin, Texas—until an unfortunate 911 call involving her boyfriend, Vince, and a German female wrestler convinces her once and for all that she just isn't cut out for a life on the police force. So Franki makes the snap decision to move to New Orleans to work at her friend Veronica's detective agency, Private Chicks, Inc. But Franki's hopes for a more stable life are soon dashed when Private Chicks is hired by the prime suspect in a murder case to find out what really happened to a beautiful young boutique manager who was found strangled to death with a cheap yellow scarf. When she's not investigating, Franki is hoping to seduce handsome bank executive Bradley Hartmann, but most of her time is spent dodging date offers from a string of "good Italian boys"—make that not-so-good aging Italian men—that her meddlesome Sicilian grandma has recruited as marriage candidates. As Mardi Gras approaches and the mystery of the murdered shop girl gets more complicated, Franki must decipher the odd ramblings of a Voodoo priestess to solve both the murder and the mystery of her own love life.

REVIEW
I devoured this novel in less than a day. I just couldn't put it down. Murder mysteries aren't my usual genre of choice but this one has a twist - it's hilarious, more chick lit than anything really. Sort of The Shopaholic series meets Castle. I thoroughly enjoyed it, particularly Franki's crazy Sicilian family (I mean, Nonna was just wonderful!) and Glenda... well, what can I say about her? She's probably the coolest, craziest, quirky character I've ever read about.
The author had me guessing almost all the way to the end (actually, I admit that I did figure out who the killer was before it was actually revealed!) and the way she tied things (no pun intended) in the finale was perfect.
If I had to say anything negative about the book, it would only be (and this is my former editor self coming out here) that the author has a tendency to over describe things. But I can look past that for a wonderfully-told story. I'm definitely a fan and I'd love to read anything else Traci Andrighetti writes in the future.
Review by Suzy Turner

Traci’s bio:
Traci Andrighetti is the author of the Franki Amato Mystery series. In her previous life, she was an award-winning literary translator and a Lecturer of Italian at the University of Texas at Austin, where she earned a PhD in Applied Linguistics. But then she got wise and ditched that academic stuff for a life of crime—writing, that is.
If she's not hard at work on her next novel, Traci is probably watching her favorite Italian soap opera, eating Tex Mex or sampling fruity cocktails, and maybe all at the same time. She lives in Austin with her husband, young son (who desperately wants to be in one of her books) and three treat-addicted dogs.
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A Cinderella Christmas by Holly Kingston

Lucy Tilley dreams of a career in show business. But this isn’t quite what she had in mind …
This year’s Cinderella pantomime is the hottest production in town. What’s more, Lucy is starring alongside Ryan Aspall: famous TV actor, sex symbol and potential love of her entire life. One teeny problem – Lucy is tripping the light fantastic as … the back end of the comedy cow. Surely nothing kills a flirty moment quite like wearing a massive set of udders?
At least she has the support of glamorous (if potentially flammable) Charmaine; a reality star diva of a Cinderella, who Lucy is completely fascinated by. But behind the fame and beauty, Charmaine is not all she seems.
With more drama off the stage than on it, and everyone wanting to be star of the show, will Lucy find the confidence to make it out of the cow suit and into the spotlight this Christmas?
A Cinderella Christmas by Holly Kingston - add it to your Goodreads lists! 

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You can also follow Holly on Twitter@HollyKWriter.

My Review

If you love chick lit as much as you love the classic Cinderella story, then you'll certainly enjoy A Cinderella Christmas by Holly Kingston. Although I was a little disappointed that there wasn't quite as much 'Christmas' in the tale (other than it was set around a Christmas season pantomime), I thoroughly enjoyed it nonetheless. I quite often found myself wanting to throw my Kindle across the room with frustration at the naive Lucy though. It drove me crazy how she couldn't accept how the evil Charmaine was using her! However, I loved the way the story wrapped up - exactly how I expected it to. All in all a very enjoyable read.

Review - The Heart Whisperer by Ella Griffin

Claire Dillon still lives in the shadow of the past. On her thirty-third birthday, she gives herself a present. One year to change her future.
This is the little taster that draws you in to a lovely novel published by Orion about a young woman called Claire Dillon who finds herself in a bit of a Bridget Jones style predicament but with darker plot twists.
The Heart Whisperer is the first book by Ella Griffin that I have read, although her first novel entitled Postcards from the Heart was published in 2011.
I try not to be swayed by other people's reviews, but I must say, the great feedback this book has received is well deserved.
The story revolves around the consequences of one tragic day, Claire's 6th birthday.
Claire's mother had everything to live for. A husband, two children, a successful medical practice. Then, at thirty-three, she died in an accident. And it was Claire's fault.
Years later, on her own 33rd birthday Claire wakes up to the fact her mother had so much success and so much to live for at her age, so she gives herself one last year to be more like her. Or what she thought she knew about her.
The similarities with Bridget Jones are only slight in this novel and mainly revolve around the fact Claire is looking to change her life for the better in one year. She starts the year in a stagnant career as a floundering actress, lacking a decent boyfriend and living in a bachelorette flat, which actually belongs to her oldest friend, ex-rock star Ray Devine who helps her fritter her life away with 'perfect days' and random silliness.
In the story, set in Dublin, Ireland, we meet some interesting and believable characters including Claire's estranged brother Nick who is back from America. We find him keeping his distance from his clingy sister and his pathetic father while he reinvents himself as a daytime TV relationship guru. But Dublin is full of memories and Nick quickly dreams of escape. While his American wife Kelly has dreams of her own that she isn't telling him about.
The story comes to a head when another accident throws the dysfunctional Dillon family together and the secrets they have kept from themselves and one another finally emerge.
Ella Griffin's writing is smart, funny and flows effortlessly through plot twists and turns that will make you both laugh and cry. It certainly had me giggling in places and shedding a few tears
As a writer, she manages to combine wit and raw emotion in a story that will keep you engaged from beginning to end.
Overall, it's a real page turner, a fun work of fiction that explores the impact of loss on a family and on an individual who many female readers will likely be able to relate to.
I'm certainly hooked and looking forward to the next instalment from this fresh new writer.
Reviewed by Eloise Walton

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Falling by Linn B. Halton

Falling: Angels Among Us book 1 – HarperImpulse paranormal romance novella by Linn B Halton

Ceri thinks she sees angels…everywhere. She struggles to keep separate what feels like two very different sides to her life. As a manager in an advertising company she’s been working with the gorgeous Alex for two years. The have a friendship based upon the image she portrays whilst she’s at work and it helps to keep her sane. One mad, crazy night spent sharing their secrets and a lot of wine result in them ending up in bed together and their relationship changes. When Alex explains that the reason he doesn’t date is because someone broke his heart, how can Ceri admit that she feels a deep connection to him?
Ceri knows she’s different. What she doesn’t fully appreciate is that her task in life is to correct a series of incidents that alter the course of many of the people's lives with whom she comes into contact. She’s simply putting right little errors that could ripple outwards and change the course of their destiny. However; when she finds herself getting pulled into things that happen around her, how can she prove that she really has made a difference? Is it all in her head?
She's alone for a reason; she's not meant to fall in love in her earthly life. Alex is supposed to cross paths with her and help Ceri during a phase where she begins to question the signs she’s being given. It's meant to be a turning point for them both—but in opposite directions. They are destined to travel very different paths…but Ceri doesn’t know that and neither does Alex…
“No one chooses to see angels, why would they?”

This is a romance story that explores the possibility of there being something more than just the ‘here and now’. If that were the case, how would it work? What keeps us on the path determined for us, when we have free will? How would the spirit world link with us as we go about our lives? Love is a powerful emotion, but can it change the course of someone’s destiny? Ceri is ‘Falling’...
Read chapter one http://linnbhalton.co.uk/falling/
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My Review
This really is a charming tale of one woman's 'battle' with something she doesn't feel able to talk about with others. It's her ability to see what she calls 'angels'. Fallen is just a short read, very easy to get into and I found myself eager to know what would happen next. However I didn't really develop a deep connection with the main character, perhaps because I had little time to do so? There were times when I was a little confused, Alex's explanation as to why they shouldn't be together, for example. But maybe that's just because I've got flu-brain at the moment!
The ending, somewhat of a cliffhanger, definitely left me wanting more so I can certainly say I enjoyed it. Perhaps my connection will happen when I read the next installment in the series? I hope so, because this is my kind of book, especially considering I've always been intrigued by psychics and mediums and so on. A really good read!

About the Author

Linn B Halton lives in the UK, in the small village of Arlingham. It sits a stone’s throw away from the banks of the River Severn; she resides there with her adorable husband and cat with attitude – Mr Tiggs!
Whilst Linn loves to write romantic novels, there is often a psychic ‘touch’ to her stories. Many of the paranormal events that feature in some of her books are real-life experiences.
Linn is the creator of, and magazine editor for, Loveahappyending Lifestyle magazine (LLm)
Visit Linn’s author page on the LLm Bookshelf
Linn is a member of the: Romantic Novelists’ Association page  and is signed by HarperImpulse and Sapphire Star Publishing.
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Giveaway
1 x £20/$30 Amazon Gift Card
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3 winners to choose from a selection of Linn B Halton’s Novel:
Never Alone
Touched by the Light
The Restaurant @ The Mill
Being a Sceptic is oh so Easy
The Quintessential Gemini 

Review: Rearranged by Ruth Saberton and Sofia Latif

Amazon Description: What does a young woman from Bradford do to avoid marrying someone in Pakistan she has never met? A wonderfully energetic and infectious romcom (romantic comedy) on the topical subject of arranged marriage.

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From the opening chapter:
My nickname is no coincidence. I was rebranded as Mills after my parents caught me devouring a Mills and Boon novel instead of the intellectual material they thought I was reading for my A-Levels.
I want what most girls want. I want to have my wedding cake and gobble it, too. I want the whole works – the dress, the confetti, the honeymoon and the outrageously attractive groom who’s crazy about me. I want a gorgeous husband that I’m in love with.
What’s wrong with that?
The problem is that I’m not in charge of the search for him.
Find my own husband? Are you kidding?
‘Love? No such thing! Love comes after marriage,’ say all my elders. Yak yak yak, until my ears are practically bleeding. Marriage, they say, is a tradition. Almost all the parents I know have taken their son’s or daughter’s marriage into their own hands, because that’s just what happened to them, and to their parents too. No one in our family has ever denied their parents’ wishes. Mummy-ji and Daddy-ji had an arranged marriage when they were really young. I think that mum was only about seventeen and dad couldn’t have been more than twenty, and of course it all worked out brilliantly, which is great news for them but more down to luck than judgment if you ask me. Not that you could ever convince them of that.
I don’t think I could take the emotional pressure if I don’t ‘see reason’ and agree to their choice. My parents are fantastic. Not fanatics, dictators or control freaks, and all they want for me is my happiness. They see themselves as wholly responsible for this, and if I go against their wishes they’ll be failures and bad parents in the eyes of our community....

My review

I started reading this book with absolutely no idea what it was about. Ever since I got my Kindle, this is how I tend to read. I download books (either those that are kindly donated by the author in lieu of an honest review or those that I've chosen to purchase myself) and then I forget what they're about because it was so long ago that I downloaded them in the first place. I'm sure I'm not alone in this but it usually ends up being a rather nice surprise. I can honestly say that this is what happened with Rearranged. 

It took a couple of chapters until I was really quite taken with it, but when that did happen, I found it such a delightful book to read!

I know absolutely nothing about Pakistani customs, and therefore found this to be quite a breath of fresh air. It was a delight to finally learn about what really happens in British / Pakistani households. Not only that, but it is written so beautifully with such effective comedic timing that I often found myself giggling out loud. I also found myself reaching for the tissues too.

I had a few issues not understanding many of the Pakistani words and could have done with a dictionary on hand but other than that, this is a wonderful read that I would recommend to everyone that loves a good chick lit story. A real feel good read!

Review by Suzy Turner

Review: Schrodinger's Cat by Eileen Schuh

Title: Schrodinger's Cat
Author: Eileen Schuh
Publisher: WolfSinger Publications
Publication date: 8/9/2011
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Synopsis
Chordelia, straddling two of the realities proposed in Everett’s Many Worlds Theory of Quantum Physics, has no idea how distorted the line is between choice and fate.
In one of her worlds, Chorie’s young daughter is dying—a drama that quickly contaminates her other, much rosier, reality. Before long, the emotional burden of dealing with two separate lives spawns heated legal battles, endangers her role as mother and wife, and causes people in both universes to judge her insane. As her lives begin to crumble, so does Chorie’s heart and mind.
When Dr. Penny, a man with disturbing, murky, hypnotic eyes offers to rid her of the life that’s causing so much pain, she must decide if she is willing to sacrifice the chance to be with her dying child for the chance to save her marriage and experience happiness.

Review
This ebook novella was given to me by the author in return for an honest review.
Having never read any of Eileen Schuh's books before, I had absolutely no clue what to expect with this novella but the moment I started reading, I found I couldn't stop. It's totally different from anything I have ever read but that didn't matter, I was hooked and, though I'm a very slow reader, I read it in no time at all.
I even cried (but then that's a given considering I'm a real cry baby). It tugged at my heart strings throughout the story, which was probably the weirdest story I've ever read (and I mean that in a good way). Chorie's alternate but very real realities intertwined in Schrodinger's Cat which, at times, had me a little confused as to what was going on. But then I do believe the author did that on purpose. All in all this was a truly beautifully written tale and one that has encouraged me to read other books by the same author.

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