You Belong To Me by Mark Tilbury **BlogBlitz** #BookReview @#MTilburyAuthor @Bloodhoundbook

Today I’m thrilled to be on the blog tour for You Belong To Me by Mark Tilbury. If you are one of those readers who enjoy a hard-hitting  crime thriller, that’s dark and disturbing, then I may just have the book for you. Read on for my review, but first the book description……   

Can two wrongs ever make a right?

The police never found fifteen-year-old Ellie Hutton. She vanished ten years ago after walking home from school along a disused railway track. But Danny Sheppard knows exactly what happened to her. She is dead and buried in a field near Lassiter’s Brook. 

Now Cassie Rafferty has gone missing. Same age. Similar circumstances. And Danny also knows what has happened to her. Can Danny fight his demons and tell the truth this time? Or will history repeat itself and leave another innocent girl dead?    

There are authors whose books I read I consider to have a vivid imagination, and then there’s Mark Tilbury! An author who I consider to have a very twisted imagination, and I mean that as a compliment. The author has a knack of creating characters and plots that highlight the worse traits of human nature, that push the boundaries, but hell they make for a spine chilling read and You Belong To Me was no exception. Admittedly, it doesn’t have the supernatural element normally found in his books, but it has another of his trademarks an antagonist whose a vicious bully and a cruel excuse for a human being. The author explores the dark recesses of his character’s mind, and this is where the author comes into his own. This is an antagonist with the most twisted mind, it’s the characters the author creates which makes his books all the more creepy and disconcerting to read.

You Belong To Me opens with the disappearance of fifteen-year-Of Cassie Rafferty, her disappearance is similar to that of Ellie Hutton who vanished ten years earlier, and who was never found. At the same time of Cassie’s disappearance Danny Sheppard, gets in touch with three of his childhood school friends. Four very troubled men are forced to unite, it soon becomes clear that each of the men has endured difficult times in their childhood, trying to escape the past through a fog of drugs, alcohol and medication, but why the reunion? What secrets are the four men hiding? These were the questions I kept asking myself.

I thought the author did a fabulous job in creating four characters who were very troubled, the boys now grown men have very carried their guilt from the past with them into adulthood, leading to some very destructive behaviour, drugs and alcohol, and difficulties forming relationships. The author doesn’t shy away from describing their destructive behaviour, but in doing so you couldnt help feeling some sympathy for these four flawed men. Although some readers may question the credibility of their decisions, I’m very much of the thinking “it’s a fictional book” so  I’m happy to stretch the realms of my own imagination.

As the author deftly reveals the disturbing secrets that changed the life’s of four school boys forever I felt many a chill run down by spine, as the tale grew more alarming and far more ominous.  Despite this being a disturbing read which touches on addiction, bullying and depression Tilbury manages to inject some dark humour into the story which balances the plot perfectly. Not only did the ending seem very fitting, but it took me by surprise which always heightens my enjoyment of a read.  Highly recommended to those who enjoy an addictive, violent, and intense as hell read.

• Paperback: 306 pages
• Publisher: Bloodhound Books (4 Feb. 2019)

Buying link:  Amazon UK 🇬🇧

About the Author:

Mark lives in a small village in the lovely county of Cumbria, although his books are set in Oxfordshire where he was born and raised.

After serving in the Royal Navy and raising his two daughters after being widowed, Mark finally took the plunge and self-published two books on Amazon, The Revelation Room and The Eyes of the Accused.

He’s always had a keen interest in writing, and is extremely proud to have had six novels published by Bloodhound Books, including his most recent release, You Belong To Me.

When he’s not writing, Mark can be found trying and failing to master blues guitar, and taking walks around the beautiful county of Cumbria.

Social Media Links:

Author website: http://www.marktilbury.com

Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mark-Tilbury/e/B00X7R10I4/

Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/marktilburyauthor/

Twitter handle: https://twitter.com/MTilburyAuthor @MTilburyAuthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marktilburyauthor/ @marktilburyauthor

Don’t forget to check out my fellow bloggers reviews

My thanks to the author, Emma Welton and bloghound books for my ARC in exchange for an unbiased review. 

The Liar’s Wife by Samantha Hayes @samhayes @Bookouture #BlogBlitz #MustRead

Today I’m thrilled to be on the #BlogBlitz for The Liar’s Wife by Samantha Hayes. I have to say “blog blitz or no blog blitz”  I would still be raving about this book I absolutely loved this twisted tale. You can read on for my thoughts but first the book description……..

Loving husband? Or total stranger?

When Ella wakes up in a hospital following a hit-and-run incident, she is scared and confused. Close to tears, her eyes fall on a get-well-soon card on the window sill and the nurse reassures her that her loving husband will be back soon…

But Ella has never been married.

In fact, she has lived alone her whole adult life; working hard, rarely socialising, quietly harbouring a terrible secret from her past.

Fear sweeps through Ella when she instantly recognises the man who enters the ward. He is not her husband, but she knows that she must do as he says and play the part of dutiful wife. What choice does she have? He was there the night of the fire, he knows her secret too…

Oh my freaking god! What a fabulous and compelling  read The Liar’s Wife by Samantha Hayes turned out to be.  I must be honest when I read the book description I wasn’t convinced it would be an original read, as I’ve read numerous psychological thrillers where the protagonist wakes up from a coma with no memory,  but what makes this one so different is in the telling of a very twisted and disturbing tale. I must mention the author has surpassed herself and this is definitely the best book I’ve read by the author YET! As to Hayes imagination it’s twisted and very, very devious, but I absolutely loved this shocker of a book.  

When Ella wakes up in hospital following a hit-and-run incident, her loving and caring husband Jacob is there, eager for her to get well and move into their new home, there’s only one problem Ella has no recollection of marrying Jacob! Who is the man who claims to be married to Ella? And what hold does he have over Ella?  You immediately sense the tension between the the couple, there’s something off about their relationship that raises alarm bells, and I couldn’t wait to read on and find out what secrets this strange couple were hiding.  

Ella is a character I found mystifying,  a woman whose mantra is “home,work, sleep” keeps work colleagues at a arms length and appears to have no friends or family,  but Hayes deftly pulls back the layers of this complex character and you realise there maybe a very good reason for her odd behaviour. There are sporadic chapters that delve into Ella’s past and these were the ones I found the most disturbing, Hayes manages to inject a sense of foreboding into each chapter which made this read all the more compelling. As for Jacob, oh how I loathed him, this is a man with not one redeeming feature, he’s cruel, manipulative, he literally made my skin crawl, as for his backstory it’s a shocker and one that left me stunned, as to the why, well you are just going to have to read the book and find out for yourself.

If I had one small niggle it would be the fact that I thought Ella could have done more to save herself from a very dangerous situation  (vague I know but I would hate to give away spoilers) although the author does give a plausible reason for her behaviour so I was happy to push the boundaries of my own imagination. The Liar’s Wife has to be one of the most exciting psychological thrillers I’ve read this year, it incorporates all the elements I love in a read, mystery, suspense horror, and drama. Would I recommend this book? Definitely even if it means you have to beg, steal or borrow it (on second thoughts just buy it you won’t disappointed I promise).

This is going to come as no surprise but I’m giving  The Liar’s Wife the very prestigious Gold Star Award Rating. It’s given to a book I feel is particularly outstanding, a book that covers every aspect of what I look for in a read, an original  plot, great characters and a storyline that draws me in from the first page and kept me in its grips until I reached the very last page.

• Print Length: 361 pages
• Publisher: Bookouture (22 Nov. 2018)

Buying links:   Amazon UK 🇬🇧         Amazon US🇺🇸

Samantha Hayes grew up in Warwickshire, left school at sixteen, avoided university and took jobs ranging from private detective to barmaid to fruit picker and factory worker. She lived on a kibbutz, and spent time living in Australia and the USA, before finally becoming a crime-writer.

Her writing career began when she won a short story competition in 2003 and her ninth novel, THE REUNION, was published February 2018.  Her novels are family-based psychological thrillers, with the emphasis being on ‘real life fiction’. She focuses on current issues and sets out to make her readers ask, ‘What if this happened to me or my family?’ 

GOOD HOUSEKEEPING says “We’re big fans of Samantha Hayes. Her believable psychological thrillers are completely gripping…”

To find out more, visit her website www.samanthahayes.co.uk

Or connect with Samantha on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SamanthaHayesAuthor

And she’s on Twitter @samhayes

Follow the blog tour……….

#BlogBlitz One Dark Night by Tom Bale @t0mbale @Bookouture #BookReview

Today I’m thrilled to be one of the bloggers taking part in the #BlogBlitz for Tom Bale’s new thriller One Dark Night, but before I share my review here’s the book description…..

He see his wife’s eyes watching him in the rear-view mirror, the kids up on their knees to get a better look. That’s when he hears the scream…

You’re driving home from a family outing one afternoon, when a speeding car cuts you up, nearly causing you to crash. Like anyone would, you pull over to confront the driver.

But a glance into the backseat of the speeding car reveals a woman fighting to escape. She is terrified and she’s screaming for your help: these men have murdered her husband…

Welcome back Tom Bale, oh how I’ve missed you, just in case you haven’t already guessed I love this author’s books and his style of writing. One Dark Night the latest offering from the author is the definition of a “thriller” it’s fast paced, a plot fuelled by tension, with plenty of action. Adam, Katy and their children, Freya and Dylan have spent and enjoyable and perfectly normal day out, but on the journey home they are involved in a car accident which sparks a train of events that place the family’s life’s in jeopardy.

The authors trade mark of putting ordinary folk into extraordinary situations, works really well, as you can’t help thinking “what would I do in a similar situation?” Some readers may consider the plot to be far fetched, but at the end of the day it is a work of fiction and personally I was happy to buckle up and enjoy a very bumpy ride. You can’t help feeling  some sympathy for the families terrifying ordeal but there was a small part of me that struggled to connect with any of the characters, and I’m not really sure why, although I did think some of Adam’s and Katy’s decisions were reckless to say the least, 

The pace slows about mid way but this time is used to explore the motivation behind the situation the family find themselves in, I know this sounds very vague but I really don’t want to enter spoiler territory. There are some unsavoury characters in this thriller that certainly don’t get the reader’s sympathy, but they do add a dark and dangerous tone to the overall plot. Tom Bale manages to throw in a few surprises along the way which leads to a constant niggling feeing of unease.  One Dark Night is a tale with a dark heart, with plenty of suspense and mystery and heart stopping moments, theres plenty to keep thriller lovers reading into the small hours. In my humble opinion this thriller is a very worthy addition to the author’s ever growing list of books.   

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://geni.us/ODNCover

iBookstore: https://tinyurl.com/y8lt6a89

Kobo: https://tinyurl.com/y82k6jnt

Googleplay: https://tinyurl.com/yautyxz3

 

Tom Bale is the author of nine books, including the bestsellers SEE HOW THEY RUN and ALL FALL DOWN. His latest book, ONE DARK NIGHT, is due out in October 2018.

Follow the blog tour……

#BlogBlitz #Malignant by Anita Waller #GuestPost @anitamayw @Bloodhoundbook @damppebbles

Today I’m thrilled to be one of the bloggers taking part in the Malignant by Anita Waller blog blitz. Unfortunately due to a out of control TBR pile I haven’t had the opportunity to read this one, but I must say the book description sounds very intriguing. The author has kindly written a guest post especially for the book review café and I must admit it did make me laugh

Technologically challenged

By Anita Waller

I have an office out in the garden, built by my husband out of ‘stuff’ he can’t bear to throw away. It’s wonderful, and I keep all my paperwork, old notebooks, new copies of my books, and all my patchwork books out there. We have a tiny little wall heater in it that is left permanently on, and if I ever actually do any work in it, I have an oil filled radiator.

But my real writing space is in my kitchen. I have a computer desk with a desk top computer on it. This is because I can’t work on a laptop. I can’t type without looking at the keyboard, and the keyboard isn’t anywhere near me on a laptop. I have a brand new one, and I’ve never used it.

I can kind of use my iPad for typing, because all my work, magically, is saved to something called One Drive. It means I can sit in the dentists waiting for Dave for an hour and a half, and write 1500 words. They then appear by magic on my desk top when I next crank it up. I don’t know how, but I am very grateful.

Just to further impress you, I not only have my very pretty white monitor on my desk, served by my very pretty white keyboard and mouse, I also have a second monitor. Apparently, according to my tech-savvy grandson, I need two. I can be working on my novel on the pretty white one, and surfing the net doing research on the pretty blue one. I knew you’d be impressed. I just seem to spend most of the time getting the cursor on to the right screen at the right time. With the advent of the second monitor, the cursor developed a mind of its own. 

My desk does distract me a little, though. It has a hutch on it, and on the long top shelf are books. I have a small expanding book glider I bought from Sheffield’s antique quarter, and that holds the signed copies of books I possess, but, my word, they aren’t half a distraction. I have twelve at the moment, but that will increase. I also have a massive dictionary which I rarely use, and a massive Dictionary of Quotations which I use a lot, just because I like quotations. I would just like to repeat that these are books, I do not need to switch them on, just take them down and stroke them, before opening them. 

I also have on this shelf one copy of each of my own books, because I’m damned proud of them. Forensics for Dummies and The Real CSI handbook also live there – I enjoy using them. There is, in addition, a copy of New Hart’s Rules, my go-to grammar reference. I think I’ve used it twice, but it’s there if needed.

Now back to technology, because standing in front of the books is Alexa, my lovely Echo Dot. She plays Barry Manilow to me on demand; sometimes Take That, sometimes Rod Stewart and sometimes, when I don’t want words, she finds a classical piano radio station. She is a wonderful lady, who wishes me sweet dreams every night when I say good night to her. 

Sitting on the right-hand side of this top shelf is the thing that causes all these technical things to happen, my Sky router. I think that’s what it is, anyway. I know if it stops working it causes mayhem.

I’m fine with it while it sits there behaving itself, but once it stops, I have to start screaming down the phone to Sky, who are rubbish, that I NEEEEED my internet, can’t live without it, and how quickly can they repair it? The answer is nine days.

It wasn’t the answer I expected or wanted, but, you see, it’s okay because they just forgot to notify the engineer that the work needed doing. By the time they did notify him, we had been without internet for nine days. This is a disaster for somebody as technologically challenged as me; my head doesn’t cope with alternatives. Having to use a phone for something that I would normally do on the desktop is traumatising in the extreme.

I did, however, get a £70 reduction on my sky payment for that month. If it didn’t take twenty-five minutes to get through to speak to a person at Sky, I might have rung them and said thank you.

When Malignant came back from my lovely editor, Morgen Bailey, she sent me nine pages of notes. This was in addition to the odd comments she made in the margins of my manuscript. She also sent me a sheet, I’m presuming created on Excel, which was alphabetised, and contained the first names of every character in my book, what chapter they first appeared in, and notes on whether I should change any names or not.

I thought it was brilliant. I now do this myself, because I very cleverly wiped all the names off the document that belonged to Malignant, leaving me with Morgen’s blank excel spreadsheet thing, and I started to fill in the names for Murder Unsolved, my new work in progress. Awesome job.

In the nine pages of notes she mentioned that I hadn’t done any chapter breaks, so she had done them for me. I had never heard the term chapter break; initially it didn’t worry me, but I’m not the sort of gal who can ignore it and let someone else do it for me, I have to learn how to do it – or, more to the point, what it is.

Well, I searched everywhere on my little bar at the top of the screen, and I couldn’t find anywhere where it told me how to do a chapter break. And then suddenly, there it was, under the little bit called Layout. I felt quite proud that it had only taken me three hours to track down this elusive aid. 

Of course, I do have a technical guru in the form of a seventeen-year-old grandson. Luckily, Dom lives about ten seconds away, so when things really do get fraught, he’s very quickly on the scene, to laugh at me. 

But I bet he doesn’t know how to do a chapter break.

Book description

 

What if someone set you limits?

Claudia and Heather have been friends and neighbours for many years and both women decide it is the right time for them to leave their husbands. Together they get a flat but their peace is short lived when Claudia is diagnosed with a terminal illness.

Being a good friend, Heather takes on caring for Claudia but a lethal meeting with James, Claudia’s ex-husband, results in someone dying.

As life for Claudia and Heather begins to unravel, the answer to their problems becomes clear… it’s murder

Anita Waller was born in Sheffield, South Yorkshire in 1946. She married Dave in 1967 and they have three adult children.

She began writing when she was around 8 years of age, writing ‘compositions’ at junior school that became books with chapters.

In 1995 she sent Beautiful to a publisher and as they reached the contract stage the publisher went into liquidation. As a result, the book was consigned to the attic in dejected disgust but in 2013 it was dragged out again for an enforced complete re-type. The original was written on an Amstrad 8256 and the only thing that remained was one hard copy.

Anita is not a typist and it was painfully reworked over two years, submitted to Bloodhound Books who, within three days of reading it, offered her a contract. 31 August 2015 saw its release into the wide world.

Following the outstanding success of Beautiful, she began a sequel on 27 December 2015, finishing it on 19 March 2016. The new novel, Angel, was launched on 7 May 2016.

34 Days followed, with its launch in October 2016. This was a huge success, particularly in the United States. While this, her third book in the psychological thriller genre, was flying out in all directions, she began work on her fourth book.

WintersCroft was a change in genre. It is a supernatural tale, set in Castleton, Derbyshire, and its release date was February 2017.

While she was writing Winterscroft, it became very clear from reading reviews that a sequel to 34 days was needed, and she began work on that. Bloodhound Books launched Strategy, on 10 August 2017.

Her next book, launched February 2018 and entitled Captor, is a psychological thriller, set exclusively in Sheffield. It was an instant success, both in the UK and the US.

The along came Game Players… once more set in Sheffield, the story involves a group of six children who have each other’s backs to a remarkable extent. The darker, criminal side of Sheffield is explored, with the book launching 18 May 2018.

Malignant arrives in the world on 10 October 2018, her eighth book in three years.

In her life away from the computer in the corner of her kitchen, she is a Sheffield Wednesday supporter with blue blood in her veins! The club was particularly helpful during the writing of 34 Days, as a couple of matches feature in the novel, along with Ross Wallace. Information was needed, and they provided it.

Her genre is murder – necessary murder.

Links:

Email: anitamayw@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.anitamayw.wixsite.com/anitawaller
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/anitawaller2015/
Amazon page: www.amazon.co.uk/Anita-Waller/e/B014RQFCRS/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/anitamayw @anitamayw

 Books: 

Beautiful, 2015
Angel, 2016
34 Days, 2016
Winterscroft, 2017
Strategy, 2017
Captor, 2018
Game Players, May 2018
Malignant, October 2018
Current work in progress, Murder Unsolved, launches December 2018

My thanks to the Anita Waller for taking time out of her busy schedule to write a guest post for the book review café.

Follow the blog tour for reviews, guest posts and more……

**Blog blitz** Portraits Of The Dead by John Nicholl @nicholl06 @BloodhoundBook

As part of the Blog Blitz for Portraits Of The Dead by John Nicholl I’m thrilled to be sharing my review, but before I do here’s the book description…..

 

Emma didn’t know how long he hid, silent and unmoving, in the large Victorian wardrobe to the side of her single bed. She didn’t know how long he peered out, salivating and drooling, between the two heavy dark oak doors, and watched, mesmerised, as she slowly drifted into fitful sleep. She didn’t know what time he pushed the doors open and crept towards her in the drab grey darkness of the night.

Detective Inspector Gravel finds himself floundering when a local nineteen-year-old university student is abducted and imprisoned by a sadistic serial killer, who has already tortured and killed five young women.

How far would you go to save your life?

Portraits Of The Dead completely freaked me out and that was just from looking at the  fantastic and very creepy cover! It’s the clown that did it, they absolutely terrify me! There is no doubt about it author John Nicholl certainly knows how to write a darkly disturbing and hair-raising tale, in my opinion this is the authors best book yet. The author pulls the reader in with a shocking and sinister opening chapter, it was so intense I just knew I was in for a hell of a read.

A young student is abducted and imprisoned by a sadistic serial killer, and my god he’s one deviant and twisted individual, devoid of empathy, incapable of sympathy or understanding he torments his victims in the cruellest possible ways. The author portrays the serial killer so well I felt I was looking into the darkest corners of the human mind. There is another shocking character who is just as evil and twisted, and shocked me to the core with their antics, but if you want to know more about them you will have to read the book (no spoilers here). The characters are well developed, and although not necessarily likeable they added depth to a very intriguing read.

Not only do we get to know the serial killer during Portraits Of The Dead, we also get to learn about the victim and her time as a captive, although the way she was treated at times made for an uncomfortable read, it wasn’t particularly graphic but chilling never the less. As the investigation intensifies and police appeals are made, we do get to see glimpses of the police side of the investigation, again there were some great characters who appeared very credible in their investigation to find Emma and bring a killer to justice.

Despite working out who the killer was half way through the book, this in no way spoilt the novel for me, in fact it heightened the tension as you weren’t entirely sure what the killer would do next. The plot moves along at a steady pace with some shocks along the way, some of which I never saw coming, so this certainly added to my enjoyment of Portraits Of The Dead Just as you thought the author could not possibly have any more shocks in store for the reader, he hits you with the biggest one of all! By the time I reached the end of the novel I was well and truly struck dumb, the author managed to tie up the plot in a very original way, which I loved (sorry that’s all you’re getting, no spoilers remember!)

I’m afraid there is no way to avoid the cliché: I could not put this novel down! Disturbing and compelling, an edge-of-the-seat story. I would certainly recommend this book to crime lovers and anyone else who is looking for a gripping and darkly disturbing read.

• Print Length: 273 pages
• Publisher: Bloodhound Books (16 July 2018)

Buying links:    Amazon UK 🇬🇧

About the author

John Nicholl, an ex-police officer, child protection social worker and lecturer, has written six darkly psychological suspense thrillers, each of which has been an Amazon # 1 bestseller. John is happily married, lives in rural west Wales, and has three adult children and one grandchild, with a second expected in August 2018. He began writing after leaving his job heading up child protection services for Carmarthenshire.

John is represented by Toby Mundy – Literary agent at TMA.

You can find out more about John and his books at: http://www.johnnicholl.com

Links:

Facebook

 

https://www.facebook.com/john. nicholl.988

 

Goodreads

 

https://www.goodreads.com/auth or/show/13795294.John_Nicholl

 

Twitter

 

https://twitter.com/nicholl06

 

Agent

 

http://tma-agency.com

 

#BlogBlitz When Evil Calls Your Name by John Nicholl @nicholl06 @BloodhoundBook

 

Today I’m thrilled to be one of the stops on the #BlogBlitz tour for When Evil Calls Your Name by John Nicholl. Published by the awesome Bloodhound Books this is one series you don’t want to miss, especially if like me you enjoy a darker more sinister psychological  thriller.

Book description

Even the darkest secrets can’t stay hidden forever…

When twenty-nine-year-old Cynthia Galbraith struggles to come to terms with her traumatic past and the realities of prison life, a prison counsellor persuades her to write a diary exploring the events that led to a life sentence for murder.

Although unconvinced at first, Cynthia finally decides she has all the time in the world and very little, if anything, to lose. As she begins writing she holds back nothing: sharing the thoughts she hadn’t dare vocalise, the things that keep her awake at night and haunt her waking hours.

Will the truth finally be revealed?

 White Is The Coldest Colour by John Nicholl introduced the reader to Dr David Galbraith, a highly trusted and respected child psychiatrist, but in reality Galbraith was a sadistic predatory paedophile. We were also introduced to Galbraith’s wife Cynthia. When Evil Calls Your Name is very much about Cynthia who is now serving a prison sentence and struggling to come to terms with her traumatic past and the realities of prison life. I should mention I really don’t think you will be able to appreciate the full impact of Cynthia’s story without reading would White Is The Coldest Colour first. 

This is a book that is very much character driven, the author certainly gets inside the head of Cynthia and he doesn’t skimp on the gritty or troubling details of her life. When Evil Calls Your Name answers many of the questions I had about Cynthia. In the previous book I wanted to shake her and tell her “to get a grip”, she appeared weak and in awe of her psychopath husband, but after reading her story it all makes sense.

Through Cynthia’s writing we learn so much more about her, how she went from a confident carefree student to a shadow of herself. Galbraith is a master in manipulation,  and John Nicholl explores his behaviour with a chilling sense of realism.  By the the end of the book my views on Cynthia had completely changed, I could empathise with her and appreciate what she went through. When Evil Calls your name is a disturbing read,  as you can’t help  but imagine the awful things Cynthia had to put up with living with such an evil and controlling husband. You feel her anxiety, despair and fear.

John  Nicholls has once again written an intense and dark read, that kept me reading late into the night, (hence the dark circles under my eyes!). A solid conclusion to the Galbraith series and although not fast paced, it’s an intriguing read that explores abusive relationships with an incredible insight into a difficult and disturbing subject.

About the author

John Nicholl, an ex-police officer, child protection social worker and lecturer, writes popular dark psychological suspense thrillers, each of which has been an Amazon international bestseller, reaching # 1 in multiple categories in the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Australia, Canada and the USA. John is happily married, lives in rural west Wales, and has three adult children and one grandchild. He began writing after leaving his job heading up child protection services for Carmarthenshire. A Cold Cold Heart, John’s sixth book, is published by Bloodhound Books in January 2018. John is represented by Toby Mundy – Literary agent at TMA.

Links:

Author website

http://www.johnnicholl.com

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/john. nicholl.988

Goodreads

Twitter: @nicholl06

Agent

http://tma-agency.com

Thanks go to Bloodhound Books, John Nicholl and Sarah Hardy for an advanced readers copy of When Evil Calls Your Name to read in exchange for an honest review

 

#BlogBlitz The Babysitter by Sheryl Browne #Bookreview @SherylBrowne @Bookouture

Today I’m thrilled to be one of the stops on the #BookBlitz tour for The BabySitter by Sheryl Browne, published by Bookouture on the 8th March so you can get a copy of this highly compelling psychological thriller today. Before I share my review here’s the book description to whet your appetite……..

Book description

You trust her with your family. Would you trust her with your life?

Mark and Melissa Cain are thrilled to have found Jade, a babysitter who is brilliant with their young children. Having seen her own house burn to the ground, Jade needs them as much as they need her. Moving Jade into the family home can only be a good thing, can’t it?

As Mark works long hours as a police officer and Melissa struggles with running a business, the family become ever more reliant on their babysitter, who is only too happy to help. And as Melissa begins to slip into depression, it’s Jade who is left picking up the pieces.

But Mark soon notices things aren’t quite as they seem. Things at home feel wrong, and as Mark begins to investigate their seemingly perfect sitter, what he discovers shocks him to his core. He’s met Jade before. And now he suspects he might know what she wants …

Mark is in a race against time to protect his family. But what will he find as he goes back to his family home?

The Babysitter seems such an innocent title for a book but don’t be fooled, this is definitely not a “Mary Poppins a spoonful of sugar type read” but never the less what a highly compelling read this turned out to be. A word of warning If you were thinking of hiring a babysitter anytime soon you may want to think again after reading The Babysitter or at least make sure they come with impeccable credentials as long as your arm! Jade miraculously arrives into the life’s of Melissa and her husband Mark, they decide to welcome Jade into their home and give her a live in babysitter job to their two children. As Jade quickly ingratiates herself into their lives, the family begin to fall apart in the most spectacular fashion.

The Babysitter does touch on some subjects that some might find difficult to deal with loss and mental health issues around bereavement in particularly, although it never feels gratuitous, and in fact is pivotal to the plot. I do so love a character for one reason or another who can evoke strong emotions in me, and Jade certainly managed that! Highly unlikeable I find myself inwardly screaming at Mark and Melissa to “get her out” of their home and their life’s . A master manipulator with a face of an angel you just know Jade is going to cause havoc and heartbreak for the Cain family. Although you don’t have to be a genius to work out who Jade is pretty much from the off the “how and the why” Behind her motives are slowly revealed to the reader, as the tension mounts and Jades manipulative behaviour escalates the sense of foreboding sent shivers down my spine. I did have one small niggle considering Mark was a policeman I would have thought he would have done some background checks on Jade, but I’m splitting hairs here! and this is a fictional read after all.

Although The Babysitter isn’t highly original plot wise Sheryl Browne has made the story her own with her own unique style of writing. It was interesting to see how a perfectly normal family could be torn apart by one persons manipulative behaviour, and even more scary is the fact it felt perfectly credible. As the reader is privy to Jade’s manipulation and the effects it has on the poor suffering Cain family, you can only watch in horror from the sidelines as the relationship between Mark and Melissa fractures in the most horrifying fashion. Sheryl Browne has written a tense psychological thriller with a chilling antagonist taking central stage, The Babysitter turned out to be a highly addictive read and one I would highly recommend.

Book links:        Amazon UK 🇬🇧        Amazon US 🇺🇸

Print Length: 384 pages

Publisher: Bookouture (8 Mar. 2018)

About the author

Sheryl Browne brings you powerful psychological thriller and contemporary fiction. SheryI’s latest psychological thriller THE BABYSITTER – the first of a three-book deal – comes to you from fabulous BOOKOUTURE. A member of the Crime Writers’ Association and the Romantic Novelists’ Association, and previously writing for award winning Choc Lit, Sheryl has several books published and two short stories in Birmingham City University anthologies, where she completed her MA in Creative Writing.

So why does Sheryl write in two genres? Quoting E. L. Doctorow, Sheryl says: “Writing a novel is like driving a car at night. You can only see as far as your headlights…” This she thinks sums up a writer’s journey, you never quite know where you are going until you get there. You might start with an outline, but a strong character will always divert from the plot. If Sheryl’s not sure where a character is going, she simply has to trust him to show her the way. Plus, according to one reviewer, she also has a scary insight into the mind of a psychopath.

Please do find out more about Sheryl at www.sherylbrowne.com

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#BlogBlitz White Is The Coldest Colour by John Nicholl @nicholl06 @Bloodhoundbook

Today I’m thrilled to be one of the bloggers taking part in the #BlogBlitz for White Is The Coldest Colour by John Nicholl which is being published by the Awesome Bloodhound Books. I’ve followed this authors career from the beginning and I’m a huge fan of his writing, when ever I think of this authors books “dark and disturbing”  spring to mind, but they are soooo good anyway enough of my ramblings.

I first published my review way back in 2016, along with an interview with the author which you can read here **Author Interview** White Is The Coldest Colour By John Nicholl but today I’m sharing my updated review

Book description

Be careful who you trust…

The Mailer family is oblivious to the terrible danger that enters their lives when seven-year-old Anthony is referred to the child guidance service by the family GP, following the breakdown of his parents’ marriage. 

Fifty-eight-year-old Dr David Galbraith, a sadistic, predatory paedophile, employed as a consultant child psychiatrist, has already murdered one child in the soundproofed cellar below the South Wales Georgian town-house he shares with his wife and two young daughters.

When Anthony becomes Galbraith’s latest obsession he will stop at nothing to make his grotesque fantasies reality.

But can Anthony be saved before it’s too late? 

The book includes content that some readers may find disturbing from the start.

It is dedicated to survivors everywhere.

White Is The Coldest Colour was the first novel that I read by John Nicholl, and it’s one that still gives me nightmares eighteen months later! From the first page Of White Is The Coldest Colour I was well and truly hooked.  **A word of warning** Some readers may be put off by the subject matter of this book, the first couple of pages were very graphic and stomach churning, but don’t let that put you off as after that it only contains minor elements that I would consider to be graphic. Yes the plot is disturbing, but any book that is based on a predatory Paedophile is not going to be a comfortable or an easy read by any means.

This book takes you deep into the disturbing mind of Dr David Galbraith, to the world he presents himself as a highly trusted and respected child psychiatrist, happily married with two daughters, but the reality is Galbraith is a sadistic predatory paedophile. Galbraith uses his position of power to groom and abuse young boys, and when seven year old Anthony is referred to the child guidance service, following the break down of his parents marriage. Anthony soon becomes Galbraith’s latest obsession, and unfortunately for Anthony he will stop at nothing to make his fantasies reality.

John Nicholls has managed to create the most despicable fictional characters I have ever read about. Galbraith abandons any semblance of conscience and fully embraces his true nature, he’s cunning, depraved and carries out the most heinous crimes without remorse.
Unfortunately he is a very realistic character, you hear of such people every day of the week. People who are highly respected individuals of impeccable status, who plant themselves in the community, who have later turned out to be predatory paedophiles, and used their position of trust to groom and abuse vulnerable children.

White Is The Coldest Colour is well written, the plot flows with ease, and as you reach the end of a chapter the tension continues to mount. It is clear the author’s experiences as a police officer and child protection social worker have been used to construct a very powerful and intense tale. White Is the Coldest Colour is a thought-provoking, dark and very disturbing psychological thriller, and although at times it made for a very uncomfortable read I just had to keep reading! hoping and praying that the villain of the piece David Galbraith would get caught and justice would be served for his young victims. I would go as far to say it has to be one of the best psychological thrillers I have read in a long time. This book kept me gripped until the very last nail biting page, and I will certainly be reading When Evil Calls Your Name the second book in the series.

About the author

John Nicholl, an ex-police officer, child protection social worker and lecturer, has written six darkly psychological suspense thrillers, each of which has been an Amazon bestseller. He reached # 10 of all books on Amazon in Australia and has been given four Amazon All-Star awards for being one of the most read authors in the UK and USA. John’s latest book, A Cold Cold Heart, was published by Bloodhound Books in January 2018.

John is always happy to hear from readers, bloggers or the media, and can be contacted via his author website at: http://www.johnnicholl.com.

Other links to the author:  Facebook     Goodreads.              Agent    Twitter @ nicholl06

 

 

#BlogBlitz The Broken by Casey Kelleher #BookReview @caseykelleher @Bookouture

Woohoo today I’m thrilled to be part of the #BlogBlitz for The Broken by the very awesome Casey Kelleher, which means I can finally share my review for this fabulous book. The Broken is published by Bookouture and the best news of all? You can get your copy today, it’s  just one “click” away. If like me you are a fan of an authentic, gritty crime series then look no further this ones definitely for you. Anyway enough of my ramblings first the book description………

Book description

They took her dad, but she won’t let them take her.

Nancy Byrne was the apple of her daddy’s eye. He might have been one of the most-feared gangsters in London, yet Jimmy Byrne idolised his little Nancy. But now Jimmy is dead, gunned down in cold blood – and Nancy vows to avenge his death.

She’s only twenty years old, but as the new head of the ruthless Byrne gang, running a lucrative world of drugs, sex and violence, she’s in over her head. Keeping her family together all while Joanie, her beloved grandma, falls apart, and her brother Daniel goes off the rails forces Nancy to grow up – fast.

But while Nancy takes the men on at their own game, there’s a greater danger hiding on the dark streets. Jimmy’s killer is on her trail – and will stop at nothing to shut her up.

Blood might be thicker than water, but soon, Nancy realises she can’t trust anyone. Not even her own family.

Especially her own family.

 

Ever since I read The Betrayed  I’ve been hoping and praying Casey Kelleher would write a follow up and lo and behold my book prayers were answered with The Broken, the second instalment in an explosive and gritty series. This book takes the reader into the dark belly of the criminal underworld where violence is par for the course and revenge is deadly. It’s a world I want no part of but my oh my I do love reading about it! The Broken is brutal and “heart thumping” thrilling, it’s one of those books you will be hard pressed NOT to read in one sitting. I would highly recommend you read The Betrayed first if you haven’t already, as the two books go hand in hand.

The most-feared gangsters in London, Jimmy Byrne is dead and Nancy his beloved daughter finds herself head of the ruthless Byrne gang, running a lucrative business involving drugs, sex and violence. If that isn’t enough to cope with, her fathers killer has never been caught and it looks like Nancy could be their next victim. Oh boy what a dysfunctional family the Byrne’s turned out to be, this is a family with HUGE issues, jealousy, deadly secrets and vengeance all have a part to play, but my god it certainly made for a gripping read. Casey Kelleher has a knack of creating vibrate character that come the end of The Broken you feel like you know them intimately. Some characters you will love and others you can’t help but loathe, as the reader I found myself hoping that certain characters got their comeuppance, which certainly added an overwhelming sense of tension to the plot.

From the opening chapter the reader is hurled into the sordid and brutal criminal world, as you can imagine there is plenty of violence and choice language but personally I felt it made for a more realistic read. Fast paced and jam packed with drama there is no let up in pace, my definition of the “perfect” crime thriller.  If I have one small gripe it’s that Casey Kelleher is compared to authors such as Martina Cole in my opinion I think this author has made this genre her own, with vibrant characters and gritty plot’s and her own unique style of writing, I personally believe Casey Kelleher is an extremely talented author in her own right. Highly, highly recommended. I’m thrilled to see there is going to be a third book in the series and personally I can’t wait.

Buying links:    Amazon UK 🇬🇧                         Amazon US 🇺🇸

Print Length: 336 pages
Publisher: Bookouture (22 Feb. 2018)

About the author

Born in Cuckfield, West Sussex, Casey Kelleher grew up as an avid reader and a huge fan of author Martina Cole. 

Whilst working as a beauty therapist and bringing up her three children together with her husband, Casey penned her debut novel Rotten to the Core. Its success meant that she could give up her day job and concentrate on writing full time. 

She has since published Rise and Fall, Heartless, Bad Blood, The Taken, The Promise, The Betrayed and her latest release The Broken is due for publication on the 22nd February 2018.
For all news and updates:

www.caseykelleher.co.uk

www.facebook.com/officialcaseykelleher

http://caseykelleher.wordpress.com



Twitter: @caseykelleher

My thanks to Kim Nash and Noelle Holten for my ARC of The Broken in exchange for an honest review.

There are some awesome bloggers taking part in the #Blogblitz for The Broken so don’t forget to check out their fabulous reviews.

 

 

#Blogblitz Dying Day by Stephen Edger #Review @StephenEdger @Bookouture

Today I’m thrilled to be one of the stops on the Dying Day by the awesome and very talented Stephen Edger #Blogbitz tour. Dying Day is published by one of my very favourite publishers on the planet Bookouture. You don’t even have to wait to buy yourself a copy of this gripping crime thriller as it was published yesterday, so you can hop over to Amazon and “click” the buy now button, before you do you might just want to read my review or maybe not!

Book description

Some mistakes you live with. Others you die for…

When the body of a young woman is found in the boot of an abandoned car near the Southampton Docks, Detective Kate Matthews is ordered to stay well away from the scene.

Exactly a year ago, Amy, a junior detective on Kate’s team, was murdered when she was sent undercover to catch a serial killer targeting young girls. Kate never forgave herself for letting the killer slip through her fingers and her team are worried this coincidence might push her over the edge…

When another girl’s body is uncovered days later with similar bruising around the neck, Kate launches an investigation of her own, determined to connect new evidence to the old to catch this monster before more innocent lives are taken…

Mysterious sympathy cards sent to the victims’ families finally lead Kate to the twisted individual from her past. But if she’s found the killer, why does the body count keep rising?

An absolutely heart-stopping crime thriller that will have you sleeping with the lights on. Perfect for fans of Robert Dugoni, James Patterson and M.J. Arlidge.

My review

Flipping heck I just loved Dying Day it’s much darker and than the first book in the series, and do you know what? that’s just the way I like a crime thriller to be, make of that what you will! Dying Day is the second book in the Detective Kate Matthews series, personally I think this book could be read as a standalone, but if like me you prefer starting a series at the beginning it’s definitely worth reading Dead To Me  first. Stephen Edger draws the reader in with a prologue that leaves you desperate to learn more and keeps you in his clutches until you reach the “OMG I never saw that coming” conclusion.

Dying Day has an extremely spine tingling premise, Young women brutally murdered and left naked, exposed, in public places. As the body count rises Detective Kate Matthews is determined to connect the killer to past crimes which resulted in Amy a young Detective being killed whilst under cover hunting down the killer. If I’m honest, I disliked Kate’s character in Dead To Me but I was surprised to find she’s actually growing on me. Burdened by guilt over the death of Amy, she is determined to seek justice for her by hook or by crook. Her feelings of guilt give her a sense of vulnerability that was lacking in the previous book.

I love the way the author has written this book alternating chapters that move between the current investigation and the POV of Amy before her death, the two threads work well and there’s a constant sense of unease reading about Amy, and the chapters around the police investigation add a sense of urgency to the plot. Perfectly paced, the author misdirects the reader at every opportunity which I just love in a crime thriller. I don’t know about you, but I’m left feeling slightly miffed when I guess the killer early in a book! Crime series are two a penny so for me to continue to invest in a series, each book has to be better than the last, and I’m thrilled to report Dying Day is a worthy addition to this series and I’m excited to see where the author goes from here.

Print Length: 326 pages

Publisher: Bookouture (17 Nov. 2017)

Buying links: Amazon UK 🇬🇧Amazon US 🇺🇸

About the author

Stephen Edger is a British crime writer, who has been writing since 2010. In that time he has written and published eleven novels, and five short stories. He writes mysteries and thrillers focused on crime.

Stephen was born in the north-east of England, grew up in London, but has lived in Southampton since attending university in the year 2000. Stephen works in the financial industry, and uses his insider knowledge to create the plots of his books. He also has a law degree, which gives him a good understanding of the inner workings of the UK justice system.

Stephen is married, and has two children, and two dogs. He is passionate about reading and writing, and cites Simon Kernick and John Grisham as major influences on his writing style.

Author links:   FacebookTwitterWebsite

Print Length: 326 pages

Publisher: Bookouture (17 Nov. 2017)