“Someone Who Isn’t Me” Review

Hello Friends!

Tonight I bring you a review of a sequel of a book I previous read and review (you can find the review HERE).

“Someone Who Isn’t Me“, written by Danuta Kot, is a Mystery novel, published on April 1st 2021 by Simon & Schuster UK.

I want to thank Zoé, at Zooloo’s Book Tours, and Danuta Kot for the eCopy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Synopsis

When everyone hides the truth, who do you turn to?

Becca’s had a hard time of it, but she has finally got her life together. She has a nice little flat, a steady job pulling pints, and she’s even seeing someone new: Andy, who keeps his private life to himself but is always good for a laugh. And then Andy vanishes. When his body turns up on isolated Sunk Island, Becca learns Andy wasn’t just another punter. He was a police officer, deep undercover, investigating a drugs ring that he believed operated out of Becca’s pub.

Staggered by the betrayal, Becca turns to the only person she thinks she can trust: her foster mum, Kay. But Kay has problems of her own. She’s just moved into a short-term let in the hopes of finding some peace and quiet. But peace and quiet are hard to come by on Sunk Island . . .

Before long, both women are drawn into a terrifying world of drugs, money and death.

The gripping new novel from Dagger-Award-winning author Danuta Kot, perfect for fans of Ann Cleeves, Tana French and Denise Mina – a story about the people we are… and the people we aren’t.

Purchase Links: Amazon

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About the Author

Danuta Kot (who also writes as Danuta Reah and as Carla Banks) grew up with stories. Her Irish mother and her Polish father kept their own cultures alive with traditional tales they shared with their children. For many years, she worked with young people in Yorkshire who were growing up in the aftermath of sudden industrial decline. She uses this background in her books to explore some of the issues that confront modern, urban society: poverty, alienation and social breakdown, using the contexts of the modern crime novel. She now works as a senior education consultant, work that involves travel to establish education and training in other parts of the world. She is a regular academic speaker at conferences and literary festivals and has appeared on radio and television.

Social Media Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter

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My Review

“Someone Who Isn’t Me” follows the characters we are introduced to in “Life Ruins”. We go back to a setting that felt real to me – a Portuguese woman that has only been to 4 countries outside her own (Spain, France, Germany and Switzerland) – as if I have been there and met the people an seen all the sights. And we are taken into a journey of mystery, drama, tension and uncovering the truth.

We follow Becca’s life again, and I loved that, but we also get to see the point of view of other characters, which made it possible for me to understand what was happening, coming up with theories (Who can resist doing that in a mystery/crime novel?), and understand the characters mind and their choices.

I’m not going to go into details because I’m always scared of revealing some important plot moments. Nevertheless, it was enjoyable, and it hit the right spots for me in terms of the story and with each page I was intrigued by the characters. Although I was on the fence about some of them, I still liked the way things went and the answers to my questions.

Overall, I was a good book filled with tension, danger, personal agendas, mysteries and character and relationship growth.

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Don’t forget to check out all the other bloggers that given their contribute in this Blog Tour, with their reviews.

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Don’t forget to comment, don’t be stranger. If you have any book recommendation you can leave a message using the form on my Contact Me page.

If you are an author or publisher and want me to do a review of a book please check out my Request Review page to learn more about the reviewing policies.

I always welcome new books to add to my list and I’m always excited to do reviews and read books. And I’m open to debate and exchange opinions, so let’s talk.

Also, if you would like to join me as a guest on my blog, check out the Guests Post page to know more and contact me so we can start planing your visit.

Love,

Jess

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“Life Ruins” Review

Hello Friends!

I love to get to know more authors in genres I’m still exploring, and mystery/crime is one of those genres. So I was very interested in this book.

I don’t know when it all started, but I remember being very young and watching crime shows with my parents. It’s a old memory, one that I thought it was fabricated, but that my mom has confirmed it’s true. She says I have always liked those kind of shows. Interesting enough, I never really read those kinds of books, but I have started reading them, since the past few years. You may be asking why I’m saying this, because of the genre of this novel.

“Life Ruins“, written by Danuta Kot, is a Mystery novel, published on July 25th 2019 by Simon & Schuster UK.

I want to thank Zoé, at Zooloo’s Book Tours, and Danuta Kot for the eCopy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Synopsis

In a small northern town, girls are disappearing.

You won’t see it in the papers and the police aren’t taking any notice, but the clues are there if you know where to look.

Becca sees that something is wrong, but she’s been labelled ‘difficult’ thanks to her troubled past. So when a girl is so savagely beaten she can’t be identified, and Becca claims she knows who she is, no one will believe her.

With the police refusing to listen, Becca digs for evidence that will prove what she is saying. But her search for justice will put herself and those closest to her in danger – and once she finds the truth, will anyone even listen?

Purchase Links: Amazon

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About the Author

Danuta Kot (who also writes as Danuta Reah and as Carla Banks) grew up with stories. Her Irish mother and her Polish father kept their own cultures alive with traditional tales they shared with their children. For many years, she worked with young people in Yorkshire who were growing up in the aftermath of sudden industrial decline. She uses this background in her books to explore some of the issues that confront modern, urban society: poverty, alienation and social breakdown, using the contexts of the modern crime novel. She now works as a senior education consultant, work that involves travel to establish education and training in other parts of the world. She is a regular academic speaker at conferences and literary festivals and has appeared on radio and television.

Social Media Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter

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My Review

“Life Ruins” caught my attention immediately. From the genre to the first sentence in the synopsis: “In a small northern town, girls are disappearing.” We follow Becca in a journey to uncover the truth about the crime. Becca, her personality, her thoughts, her past… The relationships that developed between her and those around her… The way she was treated… I really connected with her the most.

It was a fantastic start, meeting the characters and the entire scenery and the community portrayed in this story. It definitely gave a good context and setting. The characters and their interactions were great and I could understand them and even be very curious to learn more about them.

I won’t reveal much about plot or the particular aspects of the story and the mystery, I can say that it was interesting to uncover information after information. It felt simple, but at the same time it felt just what I needed to read in the novel. Maybe it was because of the characters and how the story, for me, was connected with the characters, which I find important.

Overall, it was a great start and thankfully I had the sequel to read as soon as I finished this novel.

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Don’t forget to check out all the other bloggers that given their contribute in this Blog Tour, with their reviews.

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Don’t forget to comment, don’t be stranger. If you have any book recommendation you can leave a message using the form on my Contact Me page.

If you are an author or publisher and want me to do a review of a book please check out my Request Review page to learn more about the reviewing policies.

I always welcome new books to add to my list and I’m always excited to do reviews and read books. And I’m open to debate and exchange opinions, so let’s talk.

Also, if you would like to join me as a guest on my blog, check out the Guests Post page to know more and contact me so we can start planing your visit.

Love,

Jess

“The Knight’s Maiden in Disguise” Review

Hello Friends!

And here I am with the second review of the night. Back to my beloved genre, historical romance.

“The Knight’s Maiden in Disguise“, written by Ella Matthews, is a Historical Romance, a medieval romance novel, the first Book in The King’s Knights series, published on 1st September 2021 by Mills & Boon.

I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, and Ella Matthews for the eCopy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Synopsis

Risking her life

To save a knight!

Disguising herself as her late twin brother keeps Avva Carpenter, and her family, safe. Until Sir William Devereux arrives in her town. As the castle’s stable master, Avva can’t avoid the knight—or the desire he instantly stirs in her. He’s everything she never knew a nobleman could be: honest, kind, brave. When danger surrounds them, the only way to help William is to reveal her true identity, but can she trust him enough?

Purchase Links – Amazon UK | Amazon US

Don’t forget to add the book to your list on Goodreads.

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About the Author

Ella Matthews lives and works in beautiful South Wales. When not thinking about handsome heroes she can be found walking along the coast with her husband and their two children (probably still thinking about heroes but at least pretending to be interested in everyone else).

Social Media Links – Twitter | Facebook | Website

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My Review

Ella Matthews’s books have slowly become some of my favorites in the genre. Medieval romance isn’t a subgenre I was very familiar with and by following Ella Matthew’s novels, I found out I quite like them.

In this novel we start a new series, the King’s Knights series, and we follow Avva Carpenter and Sir William Devereux in this romance that has love, family, disguises, danger and trust. I loved Avva’s determination, and I love William’s honesty and kindness. I also love how they interacted, and how their relationship grow.

I love historicals, not just for the way they transport us back to a time and place we can never truly visit, each via fiction, but also for the way it makes me connect with the characters. I could understand Avva’s motives and I think I would do the same things she did. And I could also fall in love with William if he was real and appeared in my life. Plus, who doesn’t love the drama, the romance and the escapism this kind of book give us?

Overall, I don’t want to spoil anything, but I loved it. It was just what I needed. I always need these kinds of stories. And Ella Matthews gives the reader a good start to a series, and I can’t wait to see how she’s going to take the series to the next book.

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Don’t forget to check out all the other bloggers that given their contribute in this Blog Tour, from reviews and very limited extracts and Q&As.

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Don’t forget to comment, don’t be stranger. If you have any book recommendation you can leave a message using the form on my Contact Me page.

If you are an author or publisher and want me to do a review of a book please check out my Request Review page to learn more about the reviewing policies.

I always welcome new books to add to my list and I’m always excited to do reviews and read books. And I’m open to debate and exchange opinions, so let’s talk.

Also, if you would like to join me as a guest on my blog, check out the Guests Post page to know more and contact me so we can start planing your visit.

Love,

Jess

Promo Post: “The Orchard Girls” by Nikola Scott (with review)

Hello Friends!

Today I have something special. back in July I reviewed a Historical novel that was beautiful, and today is the publication day. So I bring a promo post and I will share my review again.

“The Orchard Girls“, written by Nikola Scott, is a Dual Timeline Historical Fiction, published on September 2nd 2021, by Headline Review.

I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, and Nikola Scott for the eCopy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Synopsis

London, 2004. Frankie didn’t always have it easy. Growing up motherless, she was raised by her grandmother, who loved her – and betrayed her. For years, the rift between them seemed irreparable. But when their paths suddenly cross again, Frankie is shocked to realise that her grandmother is slowly losing control of her memory. There is a darkness in her past that won’t stay buried – secrets going back to wartime that may have a devastating effect on Frankie’s own life.

Somerset, 1940. When seventeen-year-old Violet’s life is ripped apart by the London Blitz, she runs away to join the Women’s Land Army, wanting nothing more than to leave her grief behind. But as well as the terror of enemy air raids, the land girls at Winterbourne Orchards face a powerful enemy closer to home. One terrible night, their courage will be put to the test – and the truth of what happened must be kept hidden, forever…

Purchase Links: Amazon

Author Content Warning: Assault and Dementia

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About the Author

Photo Credit
Shelley DeJager

Nikola Scott started out in book publishing and worked as a crime fiction editor in America and England for many years. Turning her back on blood-spattered paperback covers and dead bodies found in woods, she sat down at her kitchen table one day to start her first novel — and hasn’t stopped writing since. Obsessed with history and family stories (‘How exactly did you feel when your parents gave the house to your brother?’) she is well-known – and feared – for digging up dark secrets at dinner parties and turning them into novels. 

Her first two books, My Mother’s Shadow and Summer of Secrets, have both been international bestsellers and were translated widely around the world. Nikola lives in Frankfurt with her husband and two boys (and a kitchen table). 

Once a month, Nikola sends out a popular newsletter about writing, reading, book news, freebies and loads of therapeutic baking. Join in here if you’d love to be a part of it all: bit.ly/NikolaScottNews

Social Media Links: Website | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest

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My Review

Dual timeline stories always make me curious. They end up having the perfect mix of historical and contemporary elements, and I’m always interested in seeing how the author connected things.

This story is set during 2004 and 1940, following Frankie in the contemporary time and Violet during WWII. Both characters had amazing personalities and their stories were powerful in different ways. I also liked how it they connected.

I also loved the relationship between Frankie and her grandma, it wasn’t an easy one and it had several problems and learning about them, allowed me to understand not just Frankie’s past, but also the reasons for her actions. Not having a good relationship with a family member is not completely unexpected, actually for me, it made the story and their interactions much truthful and real.

From someone that has seen grandparents lose the control of their minds and memories, I could connect with Frankie. My grandparents also were a very important part of my childhood, although not for the same motives as with Frankie’s life. Using the loss of the control of her mind was quite a good way to connect the dual timeline, and also made the plot curious. I wanted to know more. I was interested in knowing the secrets and the past of the characters, what had happened during the war.

Overall, I love how the story was written. It wasn’t confusing and the connecting between the timelines made sense and I couldn’t stop reading. I was curious from page one, and I wanted to know all the secrets and motivations. It was an enjoyable story that left me emotional.

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Don’t forget to check out all the other bloggers that given their contribute in this Blog Tour, with their reviews or basic promo / spotlight posts​.

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Don’t forget to comment, don’t be stranger. If you have any book recommendation you can leave a message using the form on my Contact Me page.

If you are an author or publisher and want me to do a review of a book please check out my Request Review page to learn more about the reviewing policies.

I always welcome new books to add to my list and I’m always excited to do reviews and read books. And I’m open to debate and exchange opinions, so let’s talk.

Also, if you would like to join me as a guest on my blog, check out the Guests Post page to know more and contact me so we can start planing your visit.

Love,

Jess

“28 Days” Review

Hello Friends!

Today has been a crazy day since it was my aunt’s birthday, but I’m back and I bring you two reviews and another special post. To start, here is the first review of the night.

“28 Days“, written by Sue Parritt, is a Speculative fiction novel, published on 21th May 2021.

I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, Sue Parritt for the eCopy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Synopsis

Melbourne, February 2100. Emma Cartwright has 28 days left to find work, otherwise she must report to the Productive Citizens Bureau and accept any vacancy, regardless of location, pay or conditions.

Her situation becomes even more grave when the Employment Positions Portal is disabled and the government refuses to extend her unemployment period. At 70, Emma could opt for voluntary euthanasia, but she has her student son Jack to support.

After a chance meeting with the eccentric Cal Ritchie, founder of the clandestine group Citizens’ Voice and supporter of those fleeing repressive laws to live in bush camps, Emma is determined to escape her life of compliance.

When her son Jack is suddenly arrested, Emma finds herself running out of time and options, and has to take drastic measures. But can she save her son?

Purchase Links: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Amazon AU

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About the Author

Originally from England, and now living on the Mornington Peninsula, south-east of Melbourne, Sue worked in university libraries until taking early retirement in 2008 to concentrate on writing novels. Creative writing has been a passion since her teenage years, with short stories, poetry and articles published in magazines and anthologies in Australia, the US and the UK.  To date, Sue has written nine novels:

Sannah and the Pilgrim, first in a trilogy of a future dystopian Australia focusing on climate change and the harsh treatment of refugees from drowned Pacific islands. Odyssey Books, 2014. Commended in the FAW Christina Stead Award, 2014.

Pia and the Skyman. Along with Kaire, pilgrim and skyman, Sannah’s daughter, Pia continues her people’s fight for freedom. Odyssey Books, 2016. Commended in the FAW Christina Stead Award, 2016.

The Sky Lines Alliance: three groups join forces to overthrow the brutal Australian government. Odyssey Books, 2016.

Chrysalis, the story of a perceptive girl growing up in a Quaker family in Swinging Sixties’ Britain. Morning Star Press, 2017

Re-Navigation recounts a life turned upside down when Julia, aged 40, journeys from the sanctuary of middle-class Australian suburbia to undertake a retreat at a college located on an isolated Welsh island. Creativia Publishing, 2019.

Feed Thy Enemy, based on Sue’s father’s experiences, is an account of courage and compassion in the face of trauma as a British airman embarks on a plan that risks all to feed a starving, war-stricken Italian family. Creativia Publishing, 2019.

A Question of Country explores the migrant experience through the protagonist’s lifelong search for meaningful identity. Next Chapter, April 2020.

Sue’s current project, The Reluctant Doorkeeper Trilogy, set in Melbourne, 2100-2105, explores the problem of overpopulation and extended life expectancy in an increasingly climate-challenged world and the inhumane solutions adopted by a government determined to rid Australia of unproductive citizens.

Book 1, 28 Days, sees Emma, aged 70, emerge from a life of compliance to one of civil disobedience when the Employment Positions Portal is disabled during the final 28 days of her Government Allocated Unemployment Period.

Book 2, Next Step, follows Emma’s first year as a Trainee Doorkeeper, her role to assign appropriate positions to unemployed citizens, and her unofficial work for political change.

Book 3 will deal with a citizens’ revolution, as the population learn the truth about the role of Fully-Trained Doorkeepers.

Passionate about social justice, Sue’s goal as a fiction writer is to continue creating intrepid characters prepared to risk their lives to effect positive change in a troubled world. She intends to write for as long as possible, believing the extensive life experiences of older writers can be employed to engage readers of all ages.

Social Media Links: Website | Facebook

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My Review

There are a lot of genres I haven’t explore a lot, and Speculative fiction is one of them. Yet, I gave it a shot, with no expectation except to try something different. I can say it really was. It was a fascinating story and I was mind blown by the world building.

“28 Days” had an amazing feel to it that I almost wish it was also a movie, it would be great visual story. And as we follow Emma Cartwright we are taken into a journey that not only left us thinking about the world and our future, but also the meaning of life, our roles in society, and the cultural and political changes that could happen.

It is a dystopian, and I don’t have enough experience with it to comment on it. What I can say is that it was an enjoyable story, that grabbed my attention, made me connect with the characters despite the difference between our world and theirs, and it made my mind work with all the thought provoking themes, the tone in the writing, the scenery, the cultural and social aspects and the drama and darkness in the plot.

Overall, this was the beginning of a series and it was quite a good start. I had no real idea what the book would be about, or how it would impact the reading experience, and it was brilliant. I hope I can get to read the next books, because I’m very curious to see where the story is going and I want some answers about certain characters.

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Don’t forget to check out all the other bloggers that given their contribute in this Blog Tour, with their reviews and basic promo/spotlight posts.

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Don’t forget to comment, don’t be stranger. If you have any book recommendation you can leave a message using the form on my Contact Me page.

If you are an author or publisher and want me to do a review of a book please check out my Request Review page to learn more about the reviewing policies.

I always welcome new books to add to my list and I’m always excited to do reviews and read books. And I’m open to debate and exchange opinions, so let’s talk.

Also, if you would like to join me as a guest on my blog, check out the Guests Post page to know more and contact me so we can start planing your visit.

Love,

Jess

“The Secrets of Latimer House” Review

Hello Friends!

I have been away this past weekend, since I was at the book fair in Lisbon, but now I’m back home and I bring you a review of a book I read this month.

“The Secrets of Latimer House“, written by Jules Wake, is a WW2 historical fiction novel, published on 30th August 2021 by One More Chapter.

I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, Jules Wake and One More Chapter for the eCopy of this book, via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Synopsis

In the war against Hitler every secret counts…

Society heiress Evelyn Brooke-Edwards is a skilled interrogator – her beauty making her a non-threat in the eyes of the prisoners.

Farm girl Betty Connors may not be able to type as she claimed, but her crack analytical skills soon find her unearthing covert connections.

German ex-pat Judith Stern never expected to find herself listening in to German POW’s whispered conversations, but the Nazis took her father from her so she will do whatever it takes to help the Allies end this war.

Billeted together in the attic of Latimer House – a place where secrets abound – Evelyn, Betty and Judith soon form a bond of friendship that carries them through the war. Because nothing is stronger than women united.

Tucked away in the Buckinghamshire countryside, Latimer House, a grand country estate, stands proudly – a witness to some of greatest secrets of WW2.

Purchase Links: Amazon UK | Amazon US

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About the Author

Jules Wake announced at the age of ten that she planned to be a writer. Along the way she was diverted by the glamorous world of PR and worked on many luxury and not so luxury brands. This proved fabulous training for writing novels as it provided her with the opportunity to hone her creative writing skills.

She writes best-selling warm-hearted romantic contemporary fiction for One More Chapter as Jules Wake and was shortlisted for Romantic Novel of the Year 2020 with The Spark.

Under her pen name Julie Caplin, she also writes the warm and witty Romantic Escapes series. 

Between them, the two Js have written eighteen novels, The Secret of Latimer House being the latest.

Social Media Links: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

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My Review

There is something quite powerful about WWII stories. We all have heard survivors’ stories, we have seen historical fiction novels about the horrors that happened during that time, we have read the nonfiction stories and we may have wondered what we could have done with we had been there.

This is a fiction story, it focus on the secrets, on the uncovering the information that could help during the war. It’s about three women doing their role in a secret group, helping the Allies. It’s about them forming a friendship, it’s about their strength and about their lives.

We follow Evelyn Brooke-Edwards, a society heiress, Betty Connors, a farm girl, and Judith Stern, a German ex-pat. This may be a fictional story set in our world and our story, but that meant nothing. The characters were brilliant and I felt connected to them. I felt as if I was part of their lives. Each one of them was amazing, and unique. They had their past, their goals, their fears and their roles.

From start to finish I was mind blown. It was the kind of book I enjoy. It was powerful, it had a sense of community and friendship, it had secrets and the connection to the real History. It has inspiring and it made me want to go learn more about this particular side of the WWII history.

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Don’t forget to check out all the other bloggers that given their contribute in this Blog Tour, with their reviews and basic promo/spotlight posts.

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Don’t forget to comment, don’t be stranger. If you have any book recommendation you can leave a message using the form on my Contact Me page.

If you are an author or publisher and want me to do a review of a book please check out my Request Review page to learn more about the reviewing policies.

I always welcome new books to add to my list and I’m always excited to do reviews and read books. And I’m open to debate and exchange opinions, so let’s talk.

Also, if you would like to join me as a guest on my blog, check out the Guests Post page to know more and contact me so we can start planing your visit.

Love,

Jess

“A Midwinter Match” Review

Hello Friends!

I had a interesting day today, I have had a nap it was so warm and I was tired. But now I bring you a review of a novel that is bringing winter to the summertime.

“A Midwinter Match“, written by Jane Lovering, is a women’s fiction novel, published on 19th August 2021 by Boldwood Books.

I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, Jane Lovering and Boldwood Books for the eCopy of this book, via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Synopsis

Ruby Oldbridge needs to learn to take her own advice.

A brilliant counsellor at work in York, she is however floundering in her own life. Her romantic track record is woeful, her finances are in a pickle, and she’s back in a house-share after splitting up with her useless ex.

But one thing Ruby is brilliant at, is helping other people find a way through their problems, and she excels at the job she loves, doing just that.

Happy-go-lucky, Mr Positivity, Zac Drewe also loves his job – the trouble is, it’s the same as Ruby’s, and the management have decided to ‘rationalise’ their department. There’s only room for one of them.

As the snow and winter close in on York, Ruby and Zac have everything to lose, and Ruby starts to wonder if the happy face Zac shows the world, might be disguising a sadder secret.

Set against one another, they are unlikely friends. But perhaps, if they could take the time to understand each other, they might discover that rather than rivals, they could be the best thing that ever happened to one another…

Purchase Links: Amazon UK | Amazon US

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About the Author

Jane Lovering is the bestselling and award-winning romantic comedy writer who won the RNA Novel of the Year Award in 2012 with Please Don’t Stop the Music. She lives in Yorkshire and has a cat and a bonkers terrier, as well as five children who have now left home.  Her first title for Boldwood will be published in September 2020.

Social Media Links: Newsletter | Facebook | Bookbub | Twitter

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My Review

“A Widwinter Match” was a fantastic book that got me thinking and was kind of perfect to my summery adventures, since it has a winter setting but still a romance and friendship growth that got me all happy. It was a good balanced book for me, and what I needed to read.

We follow Ruby and Zac as they became rivals thanks to the merge of the companies they worked for. That enemies kind of element to the plot was interesting and it made me wonder what would really happen in the end with them.

The characters felt realistic and I had a connection to them. We are taken with them in this journey. We see the characters struggles, their wishes and needs, their thoughts, and of course their pasts. I loved to read about Ruby, I kind of felt like I was her friend and I wanted to help her out. And Zac was quite full of surprises for me. They both were imperfect characters, they had issues they had been dealing with and that was something that also connected with me.

Overall, I enjoyed it. Because of the context of their professions, I found that it was a thought provoking story. It allowed for some moments of reflection and with the added mental health theme, it felt real. I felt as I was part of the characters life, work and personal lives.

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Don’t forget to check out all the other bloggers that given their contribute in this Blog Tour, with their reviews.

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Don’t forget to comment, don’t be stranger. If you have any book recommendation you can leave a message using the form on my Contact Me page.

If you are an author or publisher and want me to do a review of a book please check out my Request Review page to learn more about the reviewing policies.

I always welcome new books to add to my list and I’m always excited to do reviews and read books. And I’m open to debate and exchange opinions, so let’s talk.

Also, if you would like to join me as a guest on my blog, check out the Guests Post page to know more and contact me so we can start planing your visit.

Love,

Jess

“The Mersey Angels” Review

Hello Friends!

I have been reading saga novels for God knows how long, maybe since last year, maybe since 2019, and the more I explore I am fascinated with the genre and the authors. Today I bring you a review of a saga novel.

“The Mersey Angels“, written by Sheila Riley, is a Saga novel, the second book in the Liverpool Saga series, published on 10th August 2021 by Boldwood Books.

I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, Sheila Riley and Boldwood Books for the eCopy of this book, via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Synopsis

1916 LIVERPOOL

Following the death of her father, Ruby Swift, and husband Archie finally move back into Ashland Hall.

As the Great War rages, fathers and sons take the King’s Shilling and head off to fight the unknown enemy, not knowing what horrors lie ahead.

With Ned Kincaid in the Navy, Archie signs up to the volunteer constabulary and nurses Anna Cassidy and Ellie Harrington enlist to do their bit for King and Country.

Soon the true casualties of war are being brought home in droves, Ruby converts Ashland Hall into an auxiliary hospital for wounded servicemen.

It’s not long before the true cost of war is brought closer to home and Anna and Ellie enlist in the British Military Nursing Corp and soon find themselves in the battlefields of France in search of the truth.

But they soon discover more than they bargained for…

Purchase Links: Amazon UK | Amazon US

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About the Author

Sheila Riley wrote four #1 bestselling novels under the pseudonym Annie Groves and is now writing a new saga trilogy for Boldwood under her own name. She has set it around the River Mersey and its docklands near to where she spent her early years. She still lives in Liverpool. Her new trilogy began with The Mersey Orphan in September 2019.

Social Media Links: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

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My Review

Saga books, at least those that I have read, have this sense of community and family. Maybe because of the circumstances following the characters, with the wars and the dangers. Nevertheless, it’s something I love. In this book we follow a group of characters during the WWI.

As Ruby turns Ashland Hall into a hospital and Anna and Ellie follow their path as nurses right to France, a lot can be said for these angels. The characters touched my heart, their kindness, their role in the story… I could feel compassion for them. I worry for them and for their loved ones. That’s the power of stories like this one, even if they are fiction, they feel real, because the events are realistic and the Great War really existed.

Like I previously said, this is about family, about the way we are connected, the way war affects people’s life. It’s also about secrets, and there are a lot of them when it comes to our society. It’s about hardship and love and finding your path and strength. In the end, it may feel like a rollercoaster of emotions, but it gives me hope.

Overall, it was an amazing book. And even though it’s part of a series, I felt it could be read as a standalone. Although, it was a nice continuation of book one and I loved to be back to this group of characters. Sheila Riley did a brilliant job with the characters and with transporting us to their sides in this setting and time period. If this genre and setting is one you enjoy reading about, do give it a change.

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Don’t forget to check out all the other bloggers that given their contribute in this Blog Tour, with their reviews.

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Don’t forget to comment, don’t be stranger. If you have any book recommendation you can leave a message using the form on my Contact Me page.

If you are an author or publisher and want me to do a review of a book please check out my Request Review page to learn more about the reviewing policies.

I always welcome new books to add to my list and I’m always excited to do reviews and read books. And I’m open to debate and exchange opinions, so let’s talk.

Also, if you would like to join me as a guest on my blog, check out the Guests Post page to know more and contact me so we can start planing your visit.

Love,

Jess

“Her Honourable Mercenary” Review

Hello Friends!

Here I am back to Historical Romances, with one of my favorite authors in the genre.

“Her Honourable Mercenary“, written by Nicole Locke, is a Historical Romance, part of the Lovers and Legends series published on August 2021 by Mills&Boon Historical.

I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, and Nicole Locke for the eCopy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Synopsis

An innocent maiden

And a legendary warrior

When captured and held prisoner in an enemy castle, Margery of Lyon is guarded by brooding mercenary Evrart, who’s been commanded to watch her—day and night. Margery’s determination to escape brings her closer to Evrart and the kind heart hidden beneath his granite-hard body. Now Margery is torn… Fleeing under the portcullis will mean leaving behind the man she’s falling for…

Purchase Links: Amazon UK | Amazon US

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About the Author

Nicole discovered her first romance novel in a closet, where her grandmother, the godmother in the romance black market, was Nicole is the author of Harlequin/Mills and Boon Lovers and Legends Historical series. If she isn’t working on the next book, she can be reached at NicoleLocke.com, Facebook, and Twitter!

Social Media Links: Website | Goodreads | Pinterest | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

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My Review

I have been reading Nicole Locke’s books for a while, and although I haven’t read the entire series, but I have read part of it. With each book, she takes us on amazing stories with characters that blow my mind. She is one of the authors that write my kind of comfort books.

In this book we follow Margery of Lyon and Evrart, two characters trapped in their current situation for different reasons. With compelling personalities and amazing background, these two well-developed main characters just got me to connect with them from moment I meat them. They weren’t perfect and that’s what I love, because no one really is and we can all relate in some sort of way.

In terms of plot, this is a Historical romance story. It has drama, love, obstacles, family, friends, manipulation, a historical setting… All of which grabbed my attention and got me excited for each chapter and ready to turn page after page, uncovering all the information hidden and falling in love with the characters.

Overall, it was yet another amazing book by Nicole Locke. Although it’s part of a series an it may have some connections between them, this book can definitely be read as a standalone.

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Don’t forget to check out all the other bloggers that given their contribute in this Blog Tour, with their reviews, guest posts, extracts and Q&As.

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Don’t forget to comment, don’t be stranger. If you have any book recommendation you can leave a message using the form on my Contact Me page.

If you are an author or publisher and want me to do a review of a book please check out my Request Review page to learn more about the reviewing policies.

I always welcome new books to add to my list and I’m always excited to do reviews and read books. And I’m open to debate and exchange opinions, so let’s talk.

Also, if you would like to join me as a guest on my blog, check out the Guests Post page to know more and contact me so we can start planing your visit.

Love,

Jess

“The First Cut” Review

Hello Friends!

Here I am with a review of a crime novel. This one is a book is the opening to a new series by an author I come to know via her previous books..

“The First Cut“, written by Val Penny, is a Crime (Police Procedural) novel, first book in the Jane Renwick Thriller Series, published on 8th August 2021 by Darkstroke.

I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, and Val Penny for the eCopy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Synopsis

It’s hard to escape a brutal past…

A vicious serial killer is on the loose. Victims include an academic and notable members of Edinburgh’s high society. 

When Detective Sergeant Jane Renwick learns through DNA that a member of her family could be the killer, she is banished to the sidelines of the case and forced to look on impotently as the hunt for the killer ramps up. 

Frustrated, she decides to conduct her own investigations. 

Has someone from her estranged birth family returned to haunt her? And where will the killer strike next? 

It’s a race against time…

This fast-paced, gripping police procedural is set in Edinburgh and Glasgow, Scotland. It is the first in the new series of Scottish thrillers by bestselling crime writer, Val Penny.

Purchase Links: Amazon

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About the Author

Val Penny is an American author living in SW Scotland. She has two adult daughters of whom she is justly proud and lives with her husband and two cats. She has a Law degree from Edinburgh University and her MSc from Napier University. She has had many jobs including hairdresser, waitress, lawyer, banker, azalea farmer and lecturer. However she has not yet achieved either of her childhood dreams of being a ballerina or owning a candy store. Until those dreams come true, she has turned her hand to writing poetry, short stories and novels. Her crime novels, ‘Hunter’s Chase’ Hunter’s Revenge and Hunter’s Force are set in Edinburgh, Scotland, published by Crooked Cat Books. The fourth book in the series, Hunter’s Blood, follows shortly.

Social Media Links: Website | Facebook | Facebook Group | Twitter

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My Review

Val Penny is an author I have come to know thank to her other crime novels. Yet this is a new series and this that comes a new side of Val Penny as a writer. Yes, there is still a lot of elements in her writing that are present her and I loved them all. There is also new possibilities and new characters that will allow me to see the author’s amazing abilities in this genre.

This book follows Jane, this is her series, and Jane isn’t like many other main female characters in crime novels. From her private life to her role as a detective. I love her and I know there is a lot more to uncover in upcoming novels.

Without revealing much of the plot and the mysteries in this story, for a first book in a series, it was what I expected and it was also more. It got me curious with the information being exposed, the way Jane acted and her thoughts, the crimes and the reasoning being it. It was an interesting start and it introduced various characters I want to know more about.

Overall, was not disappointed and I can’t for book two. If you are into crime novel, maybe you would like to check this story out. Or maybe this author.

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Don’t forget to check out all the other bloggers that given their contribute in this Blog Tour, with their reviews, basic spotlight/promo posts and very limited extracts, guest post and Q&A.

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Don’t forget to comment, don’t be stranger. If you have any book recommendation you can leave a message using the form on my Contact Me page.

If you are an author or publisher and want me to do a review of a book please check out my Request Review page to learn more about the reviewing policies.

I always welcome new books to add to my list and I’m always excited to do reviews and read books. And I’m open to debate and exchange opinions, so let’s talk.

Also, if you would like to join me as a guest on my blog, check out the Guests Post page to know more and contact me so we can start planing your visit.

Love,

Jess