Release date - 31st March 2017
Book length - 458 pages Publisher - Edurus Books Book Depository - www.bookdepository.com Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk Amazon US - www.amazon.com ABOUT THE BOOK THE HARD-EDGED DEBUT THRILLER SET IN THE HEART OF WEST LONDON'S ASIAN COMMUNITY A SIKH GIRL ON THE RUN. A MUSLIM EX-CON WHO HAS TO FIND HER. A WHOLE HEAP OF TROUBLE. Southall, West London. Recently released from prison, Zaq Khan is lucky to land a dead-end job at a builders' yard. All he wants to do is keep his head down and put his past behind him. But when he has to search for his boss's runaway daughter it quickly becomes apparent he's not simply dealing with family arguments and arranged marriages as he finds himself caught up in a deadly web of deception, murder and revenge. With time running out and pressure mounting, can he find the missing girl before it's too late? And if he does, can he keep her - and himself - alive long enough to deal with the people who want them both dead? MY REVIEW WESTERN FRINGES by Amer Anwar is the winner of the CWA Debut Dagger award and after finishing this rollercoaster ride of a novel, I completely understand why. Fast-paced, dangerous, and with plenty of substance, WESTERN FRINGES is a fabulous read. When Zaq Khan is released from prison he is thrown unceremoniously back into his old life and community of Southall, also known as Little India. But in an area where everyone knows everything about everybody, Zaq is struggling to find employment even though he is an intelligent man with the education to back it up. When Zaq finally gets a job working for Mr. Brars, he is given the task of finding Mr. Brar's daughter Rita, who is missing, but as Zaq delves deeper into his search, secrets and lies start to come to light which will lead him into very dangerous territory. Very well-written with an energetic atmosphere, there are so many twists and unpredictable turns in WESTERN FRINGES that it will surprise readers at numerous points. The characters are well-detailed and there is plenty of tough and gritty scenes throughout to satisfy the most particular readers of this genre. WESTERN FRINGES by Amer Anwar is a compelling thriller that really captured my imagination and held it to the very end, and I highly recommend it. Author Bio: Amer Anwar grew up in West London. After leaving college he had a variety of jobs, including; warehouse assistant, comic book lettering artist, a driver for emergency doctors and chalet rep in the French Alps. He eventually landed a job as a creative artworker/graphic designer and spent a decade and a half producing artwork, mainly for the home entertainment industry. He holds an MA in Creative Writing from Birkbeck, University of London and is a winner of the Crime Writers’ Association Debut Dagger Award. Western Fringes is his first novel. For more information: Website - www.ameranwar.com Twitter - twitter.com/ameranwar Facebook - www.facebook.com/ameranwar.author/ *I want to thank Amer Anwar for providing me with a copy of this book for review.
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Release date - 13th June 2017
Book length - 356 pages Publisher - titanbooks.com Book Depository - www.bookdepository.com Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk Amazon US - www.amazon.com ABOUT THE BOOK When the Gunn brothers Danny and Clay answer a call to help old friends, they are plunged into a volatile and potentially deadly situation. Larry and Pamela Duke own one of the most popular nightclubs in the Spanish resort town of Ultima, but a local gang known as the Locos are determined to take it for themselves. Danny and Clay are hired to protect the club, but soon new adversaries enter the game. Against such odds there are only two choices: fight or die.. Author Bio: James Hilton has written several short stories that have appeared in anthologies both in print and as e-books. A lifelong martial artist, James has studied various arts and is currently ranked as a 4th Dan Blackbelt in Jujitsu and Kempo Karate. He is a frequent visitor to the USA, being particularly fond of all things Floridian and Caribbean. James lives with his wife, Wendy, in the beautiful but rugged north of England. Search and Destroy is his first novel. For more information: Twitter - twitter.com/AuthorJHilton Facebook - www.facebook.com/jim.hilton.3388/ I am delighted to be involved in this blog tour where I have a fascinating guest post from James Hilton about his writing process. I want to thank the author James, and Phillipa at Titan Books, for the opportunity to take part in this book tour. Now over to the author.... GUEST POST My Writing Process I guess every writer both amateur and professional follows their own path. Some just set off writing and see where the story takes them, others are meticulous in their outline (some nearly as detailed as the finished novels). There is no right or wrong way, only what works best for you. I like to sketch out an outline in the barest of detail, kind of like a film storyboard but much less exact. Each ‘block’ lists the major event or scene in the chapter. This helps me navigate through the riptides and marshes as I get down to the physical task of writing. The overall theme and inspiration of the book differs each time. My first Gunn Brothers novel Search and Destroy was written with the theme ‘how far would blue collar tough guys go to stay alive?’ Once the general theme is in my mind then comes the details. I sketch out the storyboard, usually about two sides of A4. When I’m happy that I’ve got a definite direction, then begins the writing. I keep all of my notes and storyboards after the novel is finished and compare them with the finished draft. Sometimes they are almost the same in detail and direction but sometimes during the writing process the story changes. A good example is in the storyboard my first novel, the character Tansen Tibrikot was to have a fleeting mention, just a convenient guy to help the story along. Yet sometimes, as other writers will tell you, your character can grow legs. This was definitely the case with Tansen. Suddenly his back story grew, as did his quirky penchant for old west memorabilia. The drama just seemed want to follow him onto the page. Who was I to stand in his way? Any ideas or scenes that I discarded (or were exorcised via Holy Water by my wonderful editor) are filed away for future consideration. I think of them as deleted scenes, again much as in a movie production. Sometimes these are best left on the metaphorical cutting room floor and other times they get filed away for possible future use. When I finally get down to the day to day business of putting words on a page, I often do so while listening to music (via headphones so as not to disturb the neighbourhood). I am a big fan of movie scores and as these often last up to two hours they fit my writing sessions well. I have unbridled respect for composers and musicians. The skill and effort that must go into composing a film score is, to me, nothing short of miraculous. The music of Basil Poledouris, Hans Zimmer, Bryan Tyler, John Williams and Ennio Morricone is timeless. Occasionally I will switch it up and play some frenetic tunes, thrash metal, techno rave and the likes. Like my characters on the page, I am a man of contrasts. When I have finished the first draft, I step away from the book for a week or so then read it through and make notes of any glaring errors or inconsistencies (they pop up in the unlikeliest of places). Then begins the hard work; getting it ready to submit to your editor. Then like the Greek king Sysyphus who rolled the stone uphill for eternity, we get to do it over again, albeit with a nervous smile. Release date - 1st June 2017
Book length - 272 pages Publisher - ariafiction.com Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk Amazon US - www.amazon.com ABOUT THE BOOK A breathtaking, heart-pounding, dark debut, sure to delight fans of The Girl on the Train and Before I Go To Sleep. 'Why won't Mummy wake up?' When Anna, a much-loved teacher and mother of two, is left savagely beaten and in a coma, a police investigation is launched. News of the attack sends shock waves through her family and their small Swedish community. Anna seems to have had no enemies, so who wanted her dead? As loved-ones wait anxiously by her bedside, her husband Erik is determined to get to the bottom of the attack, and soon begins uncovering his wife's secret life, and a small town riven with desire, betrayal and jealousy. As the list of suspects grows longer, it soon becomes clear that only one person can reveal the truth, and she's lying silent in a hospital bed... MY REVIEW WHEN I WAKE UP by Jessica Jarlvi sounded like a fascinating psychological thriller and I hoped that it would be worth a read but nothing prepared me for this shocking story that was completely unexpected, clever, and sharp. When Anna is savagely beaten and left in a coma, this small community in Sweden is shocked that something like this could happen to such a lovely woman. A brilliant teacher, Anna takes her job seriously and really wants to make a difference in her student's lives and in her personal life she is married to Erik and a dedicated mother to her two adorable little boys. But as her husband and the police begin their investigation, confusing secrets begin to turn up and as the list of suspects starts to grow, will Anna wake up in time to name her attacker? WHEN I WAKE UP by Jessica Jarlvi is told from different points of view and at different times ranging from a few months before the attack to after it has happened, and this really worked in holding my attention. There are plenty of characters, most of which are unlikeable and highly suspicious, which had me questioning the attacker's identity numerous times. There are a lot of sexual scenes throughout this book which may seem unusual for this genre but like everything this author writes, there are reasons for this too. WHEN I WAKE UP by Jessica Jarlvi is absorbing, dark, and refreshingly different and I highly recommend it. Author Bio: Born in Sweden, Jessica moved to London at the age of 18 to obtain a BSc Hons degree in Publishing and Business. She worked in publishing in the UK for a number of years before heading to Chicago where she edited a magazine for expats. Back in Sweden, she completed a Masters in Creative Writing. Since 2010, Jessica has taught journalism and media at a local university, and has spent the last five years as the marketing and PR manager for a British firm. Last year, she was one of the winners in the Montegrappa Prize for First Fiction at the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature. Jessica is married with three spirited children, and although she's known for her positivity, her writing tends to be rather dark! For more information: Website - www.jessicajarlvi.com Twitter - twitter.com/JessicaJarlvi Facebook - www.facebook.com/JessicaJarlvi/ *I want to thank Yasemin at Aria Fiction for the opportunity to review this book. Release date - 27th June 2017
Book length - 384 pages Publisher - www.harlequin.com Book Depository - www.bookdepository.com Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk Amazon US - www.amazon.com ABOUT THE BOOK In the town of Haven Point, love can be just a wish—and one magical kiss—away… Computer-tech millionaire Bowie Callahan is about the last person that schoolteacher Katrina Bailey wants to work for. As far as she can see, he's arrogant, entitled and not up to the task of caring for his young half brother, Milo. But Kat is, especially if it brings her closer to her goal of adopting an orphaned little girl. And as her kindness and patience work wonders with Milo, she realizes there's more to sexy, wary Bo than she'd ever realized. Bo never imagined he'd be tasked with caring for a sibling he didn't know existed. Then again, he never pictured himself impulsively kissing vibrant, compassionate Katrina in the moonlight. Now he's ready to make her dream of family come true…and hoping there's room in it for him, too… MY REVIEW SERENITY HARBOR by RaeAnne Thayne is the sixth book in the Haven Point Series but can easily be read as a standalone novel. Katrina Bailey has returned home to Haven Point for one month only for her sister's wedding. Having learned the hard way that romance is not all it is cracked up to be, Katrina knows that her hometown and the memories here are no longer what matters to her and that her future lies down a different path. But when she spots a little boy who needs her, he will change everything for Katrina... Bowie Callahan had settled into his new job and his new life in Haven Point but he gets the shock of his life when he discovers he has a little brother who desperately needs him. Determined that Milo, who has autism, will have a better childhood than he had, Bowie wants to raise him but he knows he needs help. When Katrina comes to his rescue in the supermarket, Bowie knows she is the answer to his prayers. But as Bowie and Katrina spend more time together they both realise that they could become so much more than friends if they can both let go of their damaged pasts and embrace a new life together. SERENITY HARBOR by RaeAnne Thayne is a lovely, charming story that will melt your heart and make you beam from ear to ear. Haven Point is a beautiful and interesting community and I love all the different interactions and gossip that flies through the grapevine, and you really feel like you are a part of this town as the story progresses. The characters are well-developed and likeable and the story never lagged for me. SERENITY HARBOR by Rae Anne Thayne is a story of family, love, and overcoming the past, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Author Bio: I'm not one of those people who knew from birth she was destined to become a writer. I always loved to read and throughout my childhood I could usually be found with a book in my hands. To the disgust of my friends, I even enjoyed creative writing assignments that made them all groan. But I had other dreams besides writing. I wanted to be an actress or a teacher or a lawyer. Life took a different turn for me, though, when my mother made me take a journalism elective in high school (thanks, Mom!). I knew the first day that this was where I belonged. After I graduated from college in journalism, I took a job at the local daily newspaper and I reveled in the challenge and the diversity of it. One day I could be interviewing the latest country music star, the next day I was writing about local motorcycle gangs or interviewing an award-winning scientist. Through it all -- through the natural progression of my career from reporter to editor -- I wrote stories in my head. Not just any stories, either, but romances, the kind of books I have devoured since junior high school, with tales about real people going through the trials and tribulations of life until they find deep and lasting love. I had no idea how to put these people on paper, but knew I had to try -- their stories were too compelling for me to ignore. I sold my first book in 1995 and now, more than 30 books later, I've come to love everything about writing, from the click of the computer keys under my fingers to the "that's-it!" feeling I get when a story is flowing. I write full-time now (well, as full-time as I can manage juggling my kids!) amid the raw beauty of the northern Utah mountains. Even though I might not have dreamed of being a writer when I was younger, now I simply can't imagine my life any other way. For more information: Website - www.raeannethayne.com Twitter - twitter.com/raeannethayne Facebook - www.facebook.com/AuthorRaeAnneThayne/ *I want to thank Katie from Little Bird Publicity and the author, RaeAnne Thayne, for the opportunity to review this book and take part in this blog tour. Release date - 15th June 2017
Book length - 416 pages Publisher - www.harpercollins.co.uk Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk Amazon US - www.amazon.com ABOUT THE BOOK The perfect summer escape…? Professional dog-walker Felicity Knight loves everything about New York…until her ex-husband starts working at her local vet clinic. She hasn’t seen Seth Carlyle in ten years, but one glimpse of him – too gorgeous, and still too good for her – and Fliss’s heart hurts like their whirlwind marriage ended yesterday. So when her grandmother in The Hamptons needs help for the summer, it seems the perfect way to escape her past… Their relationship might only have lasted a few scorching months, but vet Seth knows Fliss – if she’s run away to The Hamptons, it’s because she still feels their connection and it terrifies her. He let her go once before, when he didn’t know any better, but not this summer! With the help of his adorable dog Lulu, and a sprinkling of beachside magic, Seth is determined to make Fliss see that he’s never stopped loving her… MY REVIEW Sarah Morgan has done it again with this fantastic story of love, friendship, strength and ridiculously gorgeous pets in HOLIDAY IN THE HAMPTONS. Felicity Knight loves New York and her dog-walking business which she runs with her sister but when her ex-husband Seth appears, Felicity wants to run away and hide. Heading to the Hamptons to look after her grandmother, Felicity knows she is better off away from Seth. After all, it was over ten years ago since they were together and he is too good for her now, just like he was when they were younger. Struggling with so many emotions from the past, all Felicity wants is her animals but sometimes love has a way of finding you when you need it the most. Seth Carlyle lost Felicity once when they were too young to realise what they had really lost, and he is determined to never make that mistake again. But can Seth prove to Felicity that taking a chance at love is worth the risk? HOLIDAY IN THE HAMPTONS by Sarah Morgan is the 5th book in the From Manhattan With Love Series but can easily be read as a standalone novel. I really love the characters and their pets in this story, and Felicity was very well-developed as we began to learn about her childhood which has influenced her life in so many ways. She is fiercely protective but in keeping everyone at a safe difference, she is only hurting herself and those that love her. With a beautiful setting and plenty of action to hold your attention, HOLIDAY IN THE HAMPTONS by Sarah Morgan is a wonderful feel-good read that is sure to brighten up your day. Author Bio: USA Today bestselling author Sarah Morgan writes commercial women's fiction and her trademark humour and warmth have gained her fans across the globe. Described as 'a magician with words' by RT Book Reviews, she has been nominated four years in succession for the prestigious RITA© Award from the Romance Writers of America and won the award twice; in 2012 for her book 'Doukakis's Apprentice' and 2013 for 'A Night of No Return'. She also won the RT Reviewers' Choice Award in 2012 and has made numerous appearances in their 'Top Pick' slot. Sarah lives near London with her husband and children, and when she isn't reading or writing she loves being outdoors. For more information: Website - sarahmorgan.com Twitter - twitter.com/SarahMorgan_ Facebook - www.facebook.com/AuthorSarahMorgan Instagram - www.instagram.com/sarahmorganwrites/ *I voluntarily reviewed this book from Netgalley,com Book length - 310 pages
Publisher - poolbeg.com Book Depository - www.bookdepository.com Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk Amazon US - www.amazon.com ABOUT THE BOOK Ring-a-ring o’ rosie . . . ... Someone wants to play. ... Who's not playing the game? ... Now Someone must pay. Jen Harper likes to play it safe. She is settling into life on the outskirts of a sleepy fishing village with her little boy, Danny. Life by the sea – just how she wanted it. When she meets Andy, she feels the time has come to put her baggage and the scars of the past behind her. Then she is introduced to Scott, Andy’s best friend, and is stung by his obvious disdain for her. Why is Scott so protective of his best friend? What is the dark secret that threatens all of them? In her attempt to find answers, Jen must confront her demons and push her relationships to their limits. By digging up the past, she puts Danny and herself in danger. Will she succeed in uncovering the truth before they all fall down? Raw and energetic, They All Fall Down is a fast-paced and addictive novel exploring the depths of flawed human nature, the thin line between love and obsession and the destructive nature of addiction. MY REVIEW OH. MY. GOD. I know I am a little late to the party when it comes to this novel, and I have read so many amazing things about this book but nothing prepared me for this rip-roaring read that will send chills racing over your skin and have you double-checking your locks before you go to sleep. Jen Harper carries her scars close to her heart and will do whatever she must to ensure the safety of those she loves. A loving mother, Jen doesn't have the time or the inclination for romance, but after her Aunt passes away and she finds herself living in her house that comes with a sexy flatmate, Jen knows that Andy is the one man who could persuade her to take that leap of faith with her heart. But as their friendship deepens, secrets from the past begin to surface, and Jen must fight to protect her son from a danger that you could never imagine. THEY ALL FALL DOWN by Cat Hogan puts the psychological into psychological thriller and I devoured this book in one sitting. I loved the community vibe that existed throughout and the real friendship that existed between Jen, Sal, and Tessa, and as the drama unfolded and their relationships began to change, it really heightened the uneasiness and tension that permeates throughout this gripping tale. The characters are rich in detail and the narrative is perfectly paced so that the reader becomes deeply involved in what is happening and never gets bored. THEY ALL FALL DOWN by Cat Hogan left me with goosebumps and I cannot wait to read more from this superb author. Author Bio: Cat Hogan was born into a home of bookworms and within spitting distance of the sea. Her father, Pat, a lightship man, instilled in her a love of the sea and the stars. Her mother, Mag, taught her how to read before she could walk. Writing, storytelling and a wild imagination is part of her DNA. The beautiful County Wexford, Ireland is home to Cat, her musician partner Dave, two beautiful sons Joey and Arthur, and her tomcat Jim Hawkins. There they live a life of storytelling, song and adventure. The other love of Cat’s life is food. A self-professed foodie, there is nothing she loves more than feeding a houseful of friends round her kitchen table. When she is not conjuring up imaginary friends, she can be found supporting local musicians and writers of which there is an abundance in her home town. One of her first endorsements for her novel is also her favourite and comes from fellow Wexfordian of Artemis Fowl fame. For more information: Twitter - twitter.com/kittycathogan Facebook - www.facebook.com/catherinahoganwordsmith/ *I want to thank Poolbeg Press for providing me with this copy for review. Released: June 16, 2017 Publisher: Harper Collins ABOUT THE BOOK What happens in Vegas…When Georgie discovers that her fiancé has been cheating on her, only a few days before her cousin’s wedding, her whole world explodes. Facing a romantic trip to Vegas alone, she decides to go out and have some fun… …but Georgie never expected to wake up wed! And even worse, she can’t remember who to. So when gorgeous Jack reveals himself as her husband, she can’t believe her luck – he’ll act as the perfect wedding date! Even if it is their very accidental honeymoon, surely the newlyweds can keep their emotions in check for just a few days more? Don’t miss the laugh-out-loud romantic comedy from Portia MacIntosh, author of It’s Not You, It’s Them. Perfect for fans of Rosie Blake, Sophie Kinsella and Lindsey Kelk. Buy Links: Amazon | Amazon UK | B&N | Google Play | Goodreads Author Info: Portia MacIntosh has been 'making stuff up' for as long as she can remember - or so she says. Whether it was blaming her siblings for that broken vase when she was growing up, blagging her way backstage during her rock chick phase or, most recently, whatever justification she can fabricate to explain away those lunchtime cocktails, Portia just loves telling tales. After years working as a music journalist, Portia decided it was time to use her powers for good and started writing novels. Taking inspiration from her experiences on tour with bands, the real struggle of dating in your twenties and just trying to survive as an adult human female generally, Portia writes about what it's really like for women who don't find this life stuff as easy as it seems. For more information: Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads I AM VERY LUCKY TO HAVE A DELIGHTFUL EXCERPT FOR YOU ALL TO ENJOY - HAPPY READING!! EXCERPT
‘What have you got in here, a body?’ the hotel porter asks as he places my suitcase on the floor. ‘Ha, ha, ha,’ I laugh politely, but the worried look on his face suggests he would actually like an explanation. ‘I did a bit of last-minute holiday shopping on my way here,’ I tell him. Well, what I actually did was buy myself the best part of a whole new wardrobe. In an inexplicable moment of madness I bought everything I could get my hands on that was distinctly ‘not me’. I left home for my trip without the suitcase I’d already packed with my usual, demure, conservative clothing. Instead, I bought a new one and overstuffed it with short, low, brightly coloured, cheaply made alternatives. ‘Good for you,’ he replies. ‘I thought maybe your fiancé was in there.’ ‘Ha, ha, ha,’ I laugh again, this time a little more genuinely as I fantasise about John being stuffed in a suitcase. ‘So, let me show you around the room.’ I glance around my corner suite at the Black Diamond Hotel. It’s still daylight, but even so, the view is amazing. The first thing I do is head towards the window to take it all in. ‘First time in Vegas?’ the porter asks. I nod my head. ‘I figured so when I heard your accent. Well, you’re in for a treat when it gets dark. This is one of our best rooms for admiring the view. This over here is your bathroom.’ The porter gestures towards a door. I pop my head inside. Both the floor and wall tiles are black, flecked with colourful sparkles that twinkle the second he flicks the light on. There’s a huge rainfall shower and an even bigger bath. Even the toilet is fancy with its silver mosaic finish, resembling a disco ball. ‘It’s very nice,’ I tell him. ‘And back in the bedroom, the mini bar and safe are down here.’ He gestures to a cupboard. ‘And the TV is inside this cabinet.’ ‘Awesome,’ I reply, struggling to hide my indifference. ‘And here is your bed, obviously. It’s a super king, with Egyptian cotton sheets. The rose petals were a request by your fiancé – you’re a very lucky lady.’ I smile as I reach for my purse to tip the porter. ‘Thank you for all your help,’ I tell him, handing him some money. The porter takes it and thanks me, but he doesn’t leave the room. Instead, he hovers in the doorway. ‘Is everything OK with your room, Miss… er…?’ he asks. ‘Georgie,’ I reply. ‘And it’s great. Thank you.’ Still, the porter lingers. ‘It’s just… you don’t seem very happy with it,’ he persists. ‘Honestly, the room is perfect.’ He furrows his brow, unconvinced. ‘Well, OK then.’ ‘OK then,’ I echo. I force a smile, holding it only as long as it takes the porter to close the door behind him. Finally alone, I crouch down on the floor next to the inviting-looking bed and start picking up the pink and red rose petals that have been scattered around the room. I place the ones from the floor on top of the bed before scooping them all up together. I glance around for a wastepaper bin, but it turns out that’s the only thing this room doesn’t seem to have. There isn’t a bin in the fancy bathroom either. I just need these rose petals out of here. The sparkly toilet literally catches my eye, so I dump the petals inside and flush. I’m walking out of the bathroom when the sound of the toilet spluttering catches my ear. I glance back at it and realise I’ve blocked it, the water having risen all the way to the top. Brilliant, wonderful, marvellous. Just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse. I massage my temples for a moment, wracking my brains for a solution. I am a strong, independent woman who doesn’t need a man. Glancing into the toilet, full to the seat with water, completely out of my depth, I realise I might not need a man, but I definitely need a plumber, and it could well be a bloke. First, though, I need a drink. Seeing as I’ll be spending the entire evening in here alone, I may as well pillage the mini bar. I grab all of the tiny bottles of booze and line them up on the desk in front of me. I tap a finger on the bottles one at a time, trying to figure out which one to have first. I land on a miniature bottle of gin, remove the lid and toss the contents down the hatch. ‘Argh!’ I say out loud. I’m not usually one for drinking spirits neat. I cast an eye over the snacks in the mini bar, umming and aahing over whether to eat the honey-roasted nuts, the vegetables chips or one of the many bars of chocolate. I shrug my shoulders, grab them all and dump them down on the bed, but as I go back for the tiny bottles of booze, I notice something else in the mini bar. I take the can from the inside door and examine it. It’s some energy drink-looking thing called Ecstasy. I hate energy drinks, so I quickly return it, except, as I place it back down, I hear the contents rattle. What could it be? Not drugs, surely. This is a beautiful hotel, and they couldn’t guarantee their guests would keep quiet about such a thing. I cock my head with curiosity, taking the can back out. It’s black, with fancy red writing on it, and not a whole lot of other information. Curiouser and curiouser, I pop the top off and peep into the rabbit hole. Unable to make anything out, I pour the contents into my hand, only to cause them to spill out all over the desk. It all happens so quickly, but as the silver bullet inside bounces on the desk a couple of times, it activates the power and causes it to vibrate. The bullet pauses on the edge of the desk, but only for a second before the powerful vibrations send it flying off behind the furniture. As I take stock of the other items – a condom, a small tube of lubricant and a blindfold – I realise this is some sort of sex kit, and that the vibrator that came with it (no pun intended) is currently lodged behind this big, heavy desk, vibrating loudly against the wood. I move quickly, but it’s no use. I can’t reach it. Damn this stupid bodycon dress I bought today, that I can’t bloody move in. Thinking fast, I slip the dress off, allowing me my usual full range of body movements, and lean over the desk, reaching behind it to try and grab the offending vibrator. There’s a knock on the door. ‘Just a sec,’ I call back. I can feel the vibrator with the tips of my fingers, but I just can’t get a hold of it. Just one big stretch and… oh God, my hand is stuck. My bangle is caught on the back of the desk. When I took off my clothes to try and reach, I never even thought about my tacky new accessories. Whoever is at my door knocks again. ‘Coming,’ I snap loudly, in case they didn’t hear me the first time. If I can just wiggle my hand free and turn this thing off… ‘Hello? Miss… Georgie?’ I hear the porter call as he opens the room door. ‘Oh my God, what are you doing in here?’ I call back. ‘You said “come in”,’ he replies. ‘I…’ He falls silent the second he lays eyes on me. ‘I said “coming”,’ I say softly, attempting to bury my probably very red face in the desk. ‘What’s… er…’ The porter is clearly lost for words. ‘I’m stuck,’ I tell him simply. He rushes over and pulls the desk out from in front of the wall. I free my hand before snatching the vibrator, turning it off and quickly grabbing the bed sheets to save me any further embarrassment – as though that might be possible. ‘“Come in”, “coming” – I guess it’s the accent,’ he says awkwardly. He glances around the room, taking stock of all the alcohol, junk food and sex aids scattered around. Having just seen me bent over the desk in my underwear, trying to retrieve a loudly buzzing vibrator, I can only imagine what he’s thinking. ‘Erm, anyway, I have some good news. I know you said everything with the room was fine. Anyway, I don’t know if that’s good old English manners or what, but I told the manager something wasn’t right and he asked me to give you this voucher for a fully comped three-course meal in our restaurant tonight, for you and your fiancé – and a bottle of champagne for now.’ He smiles widely and theatrically. ‘Thank you so much,’ I reply, touched by his gesture. I tighten the bed sheets around my body – lest he see me in my underwear again – before taking the vouchers in one hand and the champagne in the other. I place them down on the desk before wrapping my arms around my body self-consciously. ‘And here are some chips – on the house. We wish you and your fiancé the best of luck in our casino.’ I take the chips from him. As I glance down at the numbers, I realise I’m holding $1,000 worth of chips. ‘Thank you.’ ‘Are you having your champagne now, or are you waiting until your fiancé gets here?’ he asks. ‘Oh, now,’ I reply, a little quicker and more keenly than I probably should have. ‘Would you like me to pour it for you?’ he asks, although I can tell he wants to get out of this room just as much as I want him to. ‘It’s fine, thank you. I can handle things from here,’ I reply. ‘I’m sure you can,’ he replies – probably sarcastically. ‘Well, I promise not to bother you again in another ten minutes.’ Bloody hell, is that all it was?! ‘Is there anything else I can help you with?’ ‘No, thank you,’ I reply. ‘Actually, yes, wait…’ I call after him. ‘I blocked my toilet.’ *I WANT TO THANK HELENA FROM LRR PROMOTIONS AND THE AUTHOR, PORTIA MACINTOSH, FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE PART IN THIS EXCITING BLOG TOUR. Release date - 15th June 2017
Book length - 432 pages Publisher - www.harpercollins.co.uk Book Depository - www.bookdepository.com Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk Amazon US - www.amazon.com ABOUT THE BOOK Take the warmth and wit of Maeve Binchy and the secrets and twists of a Liane Moriarty and you get the utterly original and compelling voice of Carmel Harrington, a voice that has captured the hearts of readers around the world. Set on a beautiful leafy street in Dublin, the novel explores the unlikely friendship between two neighbours. Beautiful, serene Stella, who appears to have it all, and gruff, bad-tempered Rea, who seems to have lost it all…including her marbles if you believe the neighbourhood gossip. But appearances can be deceiving and both women discover that behind closed doors everyone has a secret they are desperate to keep… MY REVIEW Have you ever read a book that was so fiercely superb that you could not forget about it? A book that broke your heart but made you believe in hope and happiness at the same time? Well, THE WOMAN AT 72 DERRY LANE by Carmel Harrington did all of the above and more, and is such a stunning display of beautiful writing that I pity the next book I pick up for how will it possibly compare? In Derry Lane, two women are living broken lives as they struggle with something so overwhelming that has destroyed their spirit and made them question life. Being side by side as neighbours, they bear it all in silence and solitude, but when an offer of friendship comes at a crucial moment, it could be the beginning of a new future for them both, if they can trust themselves to take that chance. The characters in this story are everything you could wish for and as I slowly got to know them both, their strength and spirit engulfed me. Now Carmel is known for getting her stories at that perfect level where every reader ends up in tears - look up #UglyCry on Twitter and you will see what I mean! - and this novel is no different as I shed a bucketload of tears throughout. But I also smiled at many of those little moments of friendship that blossomed between Charlie, Rea, and Stella. THE WOMAN AT 72 DERRY LANE deals with many sensitive and tragic topics among its pages, but it is handled in such a delicate and thoughtful way by Carmel Harrington, which makes it even more emotional. THE WOMAN AT 72 DERRY LANE by Carmel Harrington is such an important story of love, family, strength, and bravery, and I literally did not put this book down until I had it finished. I know I will find myself thinking about Stella and Rea and those they love, as Carmel has created characters that do not disappear from memory when you close the page, but rather they take up a place in your heart and mind where they will probably stay forever - and to me that is what a powerful novel is all about. Author Bio: Irish Times Bestseller Carmel Harrington is from Co. Wexford, Ireland, where she lives with her husband Roger and two children, Amelia and Nate. Carmel writes with incredible compassion and warmth about characters so authentic, they could be sitting right beside you. Her page-turning family centric novels are translated into eight different languages, all regular chart toppers. The Woman at 72 Derry Lane will be published 15th June 2017, followed by Cold Feet - The Lost Years, on 7th September 2017. This original novel is written in collaboration with Mike Bullen, the creator of the popular ITV show. Carmel is a regular on Irish TV as a panelist on TV3’s Elaine Show. In addition she is Chair of Wexford Literary Festival, of which she co-founded. Her other bestsellers include The Things I Should Have Told You, which was short listed for a BGE Irish Book Award in 2016, Every Time A Bell Rings, The Life You Left and Romantic eBook of Year 2013 & Kindle Book of the Year 2013 winner Beyond Grace’s Rainbow. For more information: Website - carmelharrington.com Twitter - twitter.com/happymrsh Facebook - www.facebook.com/happymrsh *I want to thank Mary at Harper Collins Ireland and Carmel Harrington for the opportunity to review this compelling novel. |
WelcomeHi fellow bookworms. My name is Linda and I'm a reviewer & blogger, wife & mother who loves all things books! Currently ReadingUPCOMING BLOG TOURS
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