No Easy Answers by Robert Crouch @robertcrouchuk #review #blogtour #grippingread

NO EASY ANSWERS
Confronting the past can be deadly.

As Christmas approaches, murder is the last thing on Kent Fisher’s mind.

When contractors employed by local entrepreneur Stephen Fox discover the remains of a woman on the site of Kent’s original animal sanctuary, old family secrets come to light, threatening those closest to him.

Fox believes it’s his missing wife. Despite intense pressure and a lucrative fee, Kent still refuses to investigate, having promised not to take on more cases. But when the police launch a murder inquiry, can he keep his promise?

Or will he investigate?

If he does, he risks interfering with a criminal investigation and losing the woman he loves.

If he doesn’t, the wrong person could be accused of murder.

‘A fantastic series that just gets better and better.’

My review

I was very pleased to be invited to review the next exciting instalment of Kent Fisher Mystery #9. A series I am very fond of and very pleased to read, enjoy and encourage others to same adventure!

The last book was very exciting and there was a lot of unknown concerns and thrills about what could happen to Kent and his new bride Gemma, getting to know new and old secrets the pressure was on. I thought it would be hard to match the roller coaster journey that it had provided. However, I was very pleased to say the engaging and enthralling writing continued! I do feel that the stories are becoming more interesting and personally engaging, this may be because I have read through the journey of Kent with a huge fondness of his dog Columbo, or that the characters are developing as the stories flourish. Either way these stories are getting better and have that good mix of cosy crime and full blown police investigations with danger all the way, so it has the best bits of both.

With Gemma being found, there are strong emotions and it gives a good basis to this story, allowing the characters tension to continue. The story continues with Kent agreeing with Gemma to stop his investigative nature and concentrate on the Sanctuary he so surely loves. However, unfortunately the need and want to help others when an investigation comes to light is too much for Kent not to involve in, especially when it is so close to home and personal. The fight and flight emotions continue between Kent, Gemma and other characters. Kent has always had a good knack to get what he wants, even with the straight talking, taking no prisoners attitude. Kent has got a heart of gold but this is more clear with animals than humans.

As usual Kent seems to get involved where he shouldn’t, but if he didn’t it wouldn’t bring the chase to the heart of the story and give the reader a good in-depth view into how passionate he becomes. As usual you will find plenty of red herrings and clues, I have to be honest this one did keep more guessing slightly longer to work out who was the killer.

The name of the book is very apt but also the ending is engaging and made me giggle with a little bit of confidence that every book I have read from this series always ends with a nice little twist and a few questions to take onto the next journey. Which I most thoroughly cannot wait to read!

This series is a must, I’m an avid fan of Agatha Christie and other murder mystery books and TV series. My love for Columbo the dog also comes from the fact I love to watch Columbo, such a great choice of name for his dog!

Author Biography

Robert wanted to bring something fresh and original to the murder mystery novel.

He drew on his own extensive experience to create environmental health officer Kent Fisher, a different kind of sleuth to appeal to today’s readers. While neither a police officer nor a private detective, Kent has the enforcement skills, contacts and determination needed to tackle the most complex murders.

While Robert taps into his early experiences of injustice to explore the motivations that drive people to kill, he tempers this with irreverent humour and a hint of romance. A love of wildlife, nature and the environment help add a contemporary slant to the stories.

When not writing, Robert can be found walking among the gentle hills and the coast of the South Downs with his wife. Armed with a camera, or two, he likes to photograph the local wildlife and seek out settings for the next novel.

You can find out more about at his website, https://robertcrouch.co.uk, where you can also join his Readers Group for more news, insights and giveaways, including a free short story.

The Royal Station Master’s Daughters at War @ZaffreBooks, @elleeseymour #blogtour #reading #TheRoyalStationMastersDaughtersInLove

The third book in heartwarming The Royal Station Master’s Daughters series. For readers of Maisie Thomas and Daisy Styles.

‘A heartwarming historical novel’ Rosie Goodwin

‘A gripping historical saga’ Daisy Styles

Wolferton, Norfolk, 1919

The war is over, but the effects of it are ever-present in the village of Wolferton. At just two miles from Sandringham House, the private residence of British monarchs, the people of Wolferton have a special connection to the royals – particularly the family of the royal station master, Harry Saward. But their privileged position and access to the royal family do not lessen the devastating impact of war on the Saward girls. Maria’s fiancé, Eddie, is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, Ada’s husband, Alfie, has lost his job, and his purpose in life, Jessie is praying for the safe return of her beau, Jack, and Beatrice is hard at work as a nurse in the war hospital and is faced with a shocking revelation from her sweetheart.

With many men from the Sandringham Company still missing in Gallipoli, the village is also suffering. When Kitty Willow, the wife of one of the missing men, and her six young children lose their home on the royal estate, the Saward family rally around to help. As they are forced into the workhouse and Kitty is separated from her children, life looks bleak. But when a kind benefactor takes a shine to Kitty her fortunes may have turned around. Could this be the new start in life that she and her children so desperately need?
  

My review

With huge thanks to Zaffre Books for sending me the whole collection of the Royal Station Masters Daughters at War collection.

This is the last book of the collection, bringing romance and history together in this lovely and engaging read. I will admit to not reading the previous two books (but will read them at a later date), this didn’t hinder my enjoyment of the book and appreciating the story for what it provided.

Created around the Saward family during WW1 during times of hardship and sadness. The story itself from the Sandringham Estate is very engaging with characters you can believe and relate to. The story also covers other areas that come to life such as the military, the work of women at those times too, especially with Kitty who had to endure more than she deserved. Along with backgrounds and scenery described well, you feel as though you are there at that time. Extremely well researched.

This story will bring you to tears and give you that heartwarming feeling. It has lots going on, but each part of the story is clearly laid out and you don’t lose your way as you read on.

This is definitely a great read, and a must for saga genre addicts and a recommendation for others that would like to try this type of genre – you won’t be disappointed!

About the author: Ellee Seymour is a former journalist and PR professional living near Cambridge. The Royal Station Master’s Daughters was her debut saga novel. Ellee first heard about Harry Saward from his great grandson, Brian Heath, who was keen the royal station  master’s unique and untold story from a glorious bygone era should be written about.

Death at the Caravan Park by Susan Willis – A Clive Thompson investigates novel II #blogtour #review #cosycrime @rararesources @SusanWillis69

Clive Thompson heads for Whitley Bay caravan park to finish writing his novel. He’s never had a caravan holiday before and is warmly greeted by the manager, Liz Mathews, who lives on the park. She is single and cares for her ninety year old mother who has Alzheimer’s Disease. Clive meets the people in neighbouring caravans and has an amazing view from his veranda over the sea to St. Mary’s Lighthouse. However, Audrey goes missing during the night and Liz is beside herself with worry.  The police are out looking for her, but disillusioned by their efforts, Clive begins his own investigations.   

My review

With thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources for organising a paperback copy to review for this blog tour. I am already a cosy crime lover and enjoy the fun of the murder mystery and where it takes you. This one didn’t disappoint.

From the beginning the descriptions of the characters are relatable and the scenery is well described bringing the story to life.

I have been to Whitley Bay once and as the caravan park is described it feels as though I am there in person. Clive is a budding author that needs a break to complete his writing with freedom from any distractions, he choses a caravan park where he has never been before.

The experience of being at the caravan park brings immediate calm and intrigue with the local neighbours in the other caravans. Clive has his plans and what he wants to achieve while staying there, but things change when a body is found. Clive feels like he has his own investigative methods on how he feels he can help to find out who did it and why.

The people also living on the caravan site have their own secrets which brings intrigue and adventure to Clive’s own investigation. Clive is very persistent sometimes it feels like he’s pushing the boundaries.

This is a fabulous cosy crime story, engaging and a thoroughly good read!

Purchase Links – Death at the Caravan Park

Author Bio – 

Susan is a published author of eight novels and six novellas with short stories published in Women’s Weekly magazines. She is now retired from Food Technology and scribbles away in County Durham. Writing psychological suspense and cosy-crime novels with strong, lovable North East characters, is her passion. Last year, she brought us, Clive’s Christmas Crusades, set in York. Following the Harrogate Crime Writing Festival, Susan wrote six Curious Casefiles which is now published by Northodox Press. She has incorporated up-to-date issues: poor mental health in a kidnap scene, the perils of social media, and an intruder on Skype. 

Social Media Links –

You can find Susan’s books here: Amazon     

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Relentless Melt by Jeremy P Bushnell #blogtour #mystery @melvillehouse

The year is 1909, and Artie Quick—an ambitious, unorthodox and inquisitive young Bostonian—wants to learn about crime. 

By day she holds down a job as a salesgirl in  women’s accessories at legendary department store Filene’s; by night she disguises herself as a man to pursue studies in Criminal Investigation at the YMCA’s Evening Institute for Younger Men.

Eager to put theory into practice, Artie sets out in search of something to investigate. She’s joined by her pal Theodore, an upper-crust young bachelor whose interest in Boston’s occult counterculture has drawn him into the study of magic. Together, their journey into mystery begins on Boston Common—where the tramps and the groundskeepers swap rumours about unearthly screams and other unsettling anomalies—but soon Artie and Theodore uncover a series of violent abductions that take them on an adventure from the highest corridors of power to the depths of an abandoned mass transit tunnel, its excavation suspiciously never completed.

Will Theodore ever manage to pull off a successful spell? Is Artie just wearing that men’s suit for disguise, or is there something more to it?  And what chance do two mixed-up young people stand up against the greatest horror Boston has ever known, an ancient, deranged evil that feeds on society’s most vulnerable?

My review

With huge thanks to Melville House for providing a proof copy of this exciting book to read along with a fabulous little monster! With an intriguing intro to something that can provide mystery, magic, adventure and with some really engaging characters I was ready for this story.

Artie is our main character who knows how society expects her to be, but she wants more out of life, so she decides the only way to do this is to dress up and act like a male, borrowing a suit from a friend (which later becomes apparent that this is no normal suit!) and show her skills off with a natural flare as others see through her. From the beginning her character was engaging, being part of the investigative course disguised as a male, for it only to be clear that she has some special talents. Her normal job working in a department store is more of a people watching hobby!

The book progresses really quickly with screams from the local park, women being abducted by the ruthless! Theodore – her magical learning friend works well with Artie, they bounce off each other and are a perfect match for this engaging adventure. Allowing Artie’s skills to be fully encouraged, with the help of Theodore being male he can do some things Artie isn’t allowed to do, due to the society they live in.

Throughout the story we become engaged in the magical world where Theodore learns more about what he can achieve and how someone magical he knows goes missing – is this another female that has been abducted – the chase begins but is magic part of this and why?!

Throughout the story it is a true mix of the crime classics like Agatha Christie with a twist of Harry Potter and a touch of supernatural, the author is very good at getting the right mix to make this story work, three strong areas that seem to come together with ease.

This an amazing story, keeping you intrigued in 1909 not your normal magical murder mystery! Described as wild, weird and genre-bending – yes it is and a must read!

Author biography

Jeremy P. Bushnell  is the author of two earlier novels with Melville House: The Weirdness (2014) and The Insides (2016). He is also the co-founder of Nonmachinable, a distributor of optically interesting zines and artists’ books. He teaches writing at Northeastern University in Boston, and lives in Dedham, Massachusetts.

No Escape by Robert Crouch @robertcrouchuk #blogtour #review #cozycrime #mustreadseries

One reckless moment, so many lives

Gemma Dean goes missing one chilly October morning, leaving behind her phone. Texts hint at secrets far darker than Kent Fisher could ever imagine.

When a body is found in his burned out car over a hundred miles away, murder brings the past crashing into the present with the first in a chain of painful discoveries.

Struggling to make sense of a past that threatens to devastate his future, Kent faces his most personal and challenging investigation so far.

But how will he deal with the fallout from one reckless moment that cost so many lives?

My review

With huge thanks to Robert for inviting me to another adventure from Kent Mysteries. I have loved every story in this series, quick pacing, characters to love and hate and a huge mix of deep descriptions of the surroundings and emotions.

Once again I was thrown in to the storyline with a ‘bang’! Beautiful start to the story; Kent and Gemma have began their day with exciting plans, when Gemma realises she has forgotten something, she goes back and never returns ….! With dark secrets and the unknown, Kent begins another investigation adventure which keeps you gripped to every page!

As Kent investigates further the truth starts to come out, in his investigation the truth in this case is way more personal and makes Kent question more about what is needed – you get a full sense and understanding of how Kent feels and what keeps him going. Will he find Gemma, is she hurt, what is going on?!

This story produces edge of the seat reading and you have to read on to find out more, you may question some of Kent’s methods, but he surely gets to where he plans to go, even with risky consequences! How far will he go this time to delve into his past, that he wants to forget?

I must admit I have a huge fondness to Kent’s dog – Columbo (sadly the author’s Westie -Harvey; where Columbo’s inspiration came from, not long ago passed away) he brings such fondness and character to Kent’s investigations.

Once again these stories can be read as a stand alone, as the author cleverly adds previous details to the story, so you can follow easily – however I would definitely recommend you read the others first.

There are more questions once you have followed through with Kent’s adventure, which gives you that ‘need to know more’. I really love to find a great Author and look forward to their next masterpiece! Keep them coming!

To Love and Be Loved by Amanda Prowse @mrsamandaprowse @KellyALacey @lovebookstours @igbooktours #blogtour #review

Young and desperately in love, Merrin had the whole world ahead of her. But just as her new life was about to start, the ground beneath her feet was cruelly swept away. Devastated by the humiliation, she ran far away from the beloved fishing village she had always called home to lick her wounds and escape her gossiping friends and neighbours.

It hasn’t been easy, but six years later Merrin has forged a new life for herself far from the sea, burying the impulsive girl she once was. But when tragedy strikes, she has no choice but to return to the village she swore she’d never set foot in again.

Reluctantly back in the arms of her community, Merrin begins to realise what she’s been missing out on all these years. As she begins to remember the person she used to be, she is forced to make choices about her future, and to question the past. What does she want from her life? Who is important to her? Who is to blame for everything that went wrong? And can she forgive them, let old wounds heal and finally be her true self again?

With huge thanks to Kelly for arranging this blog tour and to Amanda Browse for providing a stunning signed copy to review, which I have very grateful for.

This book is set in the Cornish village of Port Charles, with the story jumping straight into the wedding of Merrin, things seem to start off on a blossoming future, describing beautifully the buzz and fun that happens while you are getting ready for your big day. However, things do not turn out as expected with the initial twist to this engaging story, being thrown completely off the initial thoughts. As things progress Merrin escapes the disaster and humiliation and attempts to rebuild her life in Thornbury in Bristol.

Time passes on as she grows and gains life experiences, only to have a family tragedy that rocks her, this then needs her to question her younger life and what she truly wants. As she returns home her next steps are ones to adore and treasure, as she tries to understand what is most wanted in her heart or mind.

I loved the family relationships and the banter between them, it brings the characters themselves and the story to life, and this is thread through the whole of the story.

With the descriptions of the perfect little Cornish village, the every producing gossiping locals – described perfectly, you can’t go wrong. Bringing this story to life with characters you not only understand but feel you might know them.

This is the type of book you could easily read again and again! Beautifully written a must buy!

Amazon link to purchase.

The Trust by M H Eccleston @MarkEccleston1 @AriesFiction #blogtour #cosycrime #TheTrust

Ever so wholesome.

Ever so deadly…

When a local man is found murdered in an English Trust stately home, the community is shaken to its core. None more so than newcomer Astrid Swift, who finds the body.

When she moved from London to the sleepy Dorset village and got a job at the house as an art restorer, she thought she was heading for a quieter life. Far from it. Because it turns out that rather than being the genteel organisation it seems on the surface, the Trust is a hotbed of politics and intrigue. As Astrid’s new friend Kath from the village says: ‘It’s like the mafia, but with scones.’ As the suspicious deaths mount up and the threat draws closer, Astrid must use every gadget in her restorer’s toolkit to solve the mystery, save her reputation – and maybe even her life. Thrilling, funny and unputdownable, The Trustis perfect for fans of Richard Osman, Robert Thorogood and Clare Chase.

My review

With many thanks to Andrew from Head of Zeus for providing a NetGalley digital copy to review.

I have always been a fan of cosy crime stories and this one did not let me down.

Astrid Kisner is a fascinating main character, she starts off with the most wonderful life, a job she loves as a conservator and a husband that she adores, along with the most upmarket apartment, that anyone could want. However, all of a sudden some news comes to light, that turns her world upside down! With the character that she is, I believe she dealt with it with the most determination and courage to just take it all on board so quickly. She is a snob and has the most hilarious way of expressing this, with her distaste for different things, that she soon realises that are not that bad after all.

As her new journey takes her onto a different adventure she starts a new job, while also attending to her Uncle Henry’s Will, but unfortunately it takes her to finding a dead body! From then on things take various avenues creating dangerous situations, her asking more questions about who she is and what she really wants.

Throughout the story there is so much depth to the characters and the surroundings, the sound of the boats and the beautiful arts, along with the eccentric characters that we can all relate to. One of my other favourite characters is Kath, she has such a simple look on life and nothing seems to bother her, this is someone that regardless of the unusual introduction, Astrid comes to appreciate her qualities.

The clues and adventure that Uncle Henry has left for Astrid, gives this story a bit of a twist, so not only just looking into a murder there are other clues and excitement involved.

The storyline is gripping and very enjoyable, this will be one to look out for in the future!

About the author

M.H. Eccleston has had a fairly meandering career – starting out as a radio presenter for the BBC, then staying at the Beeb as a journalist and producer for six years. After that, it’s a bit of a blur –he spent a couple of decades, at least, freelancing as a foreign correspondent, TV presenter, voice-over artist and film critic. For the last few years he’s been a full-time screenwriter and now novelist, with some wildlife gardening in the summer to keep himself sane and pay the bills.

Order here from Amazon

Follow M.H. Eccleston Twitter: @MarkEccleston1

Follow AriesTwitter: @AriesFiction

Facebook: Aries Fiction

Website: http://www.headofzeus.com

A Simple Wish by Rosie Goodwin @RosieGoodwin @zaffrebooks #ASimpleWish #blogtour #review

The perfect Christmas gift from Britain’s best-loved saga author.

1885.

Ruby Carter works hard in her parents’ bakery. Whilst life isn’t easy, she’s happy enough – her gentle mother protects young Ruby from her cruel father and loves her unconditionally. So, when her mother falls seriously ill, Ruby is heartbroken. Then, from her deathbed, her mother reveals that Ruby was adopted.

Stricken by grief and alone with the violent man she called her father, Ruby feels she has no choice but to flee. At just fifteen, homeless and alone she is relieved when a kindly stranger named Mrs Bamber takes pity on poor Ruby and welcomes her into her home.

But soon, Ruby learns Mrs Bamber is not as generous as she first seemed – she forces Ruby into a life of crime as a jewel thief in Birmingham’s jewellery quarter. With nothing to her name and nowhere to go Ruby has no choice but to go along with it, despite the guilt and shame she feels. But Ruby is determined that she will atone for what she’s done, and be reunited with her birth parents.

Ruby’s only wish is to find her family.

My review

With thanks to Eleanor at Zaffe Books for providing a beautiful hardback copy of, A Simple Wish.

This was one thoroughly enjoyable read, from the very start you are thrown into the vivid environment and lively, adaptable characters. The storyline keeps you gripped which I found unusual, as I’m so used to murder mystery stories providing this, however I felt it kept me wanting to know more, what was going to happen next, where was this story going to take me.

At every stage I really felt a connection with the characters especially Ruby, who is strong and determined. She is relentless to find the answers she seeks, regardless of how emotional and heartbreaking it was.

The surroundings are so clear, that you feel you are also one of the characters within the story.

From start to finish this story was a beautiful and emotional read, this would make an ideal Christmas read (any time of the year to be honest!).

Purchase it here at Amazon.

The Way of the Tortoise: Why You Have to Take the Slow Lane to Get Ahead by Matt Little @MattLittleSandC @OMaraBook @lovebooksgroup @lovebookstours #AD #Gifted

Drawing on more than a decade’s experience working with former tennis World Number One Sir Andy Murray, The Way of the Tortoise introduces you to the benefits of the slow lane and reveals why it’s the only true path to a high-performance mindset.

Taking inspiration from Aesop’s well-known fable of the Hare and the Tortoise, internationally renowned trainer Matt Little recognizes that there is no fast path to success. By focusing on immediate results, we can gloss over process in the race to get ahead, skipping over the lessons and experiences that we all need to build solid foundations for our future achievements. Matt shows that taking the slow lane can not only help you reach your goals more effectively, it can make your successes more sustainable by increasing your motivation, energy and resilience. Packed full of examples from the highly adaptable worlds of sport and business, as well as Matt’s own remarkable career, The Way of the Tortoise reveals, through practical exercises and techniques, the essential strategies we can all use to achieve extraordinary results.

My review

With thanks to Kelly at Love Books Group for my hardback copy to review.

This book as a whole provides you with the knowledge and understanding to build on your confidence, to use this to increase your resilience, to take on challenges and be confident in what you do, while doing it at a steady pace.

This book is written with the background history of where the knowledge has come from, this allowed me to appreciate where the help was developed and how it was used to become successful. I especially liked the evaluation stages – helping you see where you could improve.

I also enjoyed reading about the evidence of strategies and techniques to use, the way it is written would be suitable for anyone wanting to get something out of their lives and careers. The idea of the tortoise and the hare – the classic story, was a very good way to make this process easier to understand and relate to.

If you are looking for a self help book with sound support and easy to understand strategies this is one for you.

You can purchase it here from Amazon.

Author Bio
Matt Little has been working as a strength and conditioning coach in elite-level tennis for over fifteen years and has been an integral part of Sir Andy Murray’s team for twelve years, including during 2016 when Murray won Olympic gold, Wimbledon and became World Number One. He is an internationally recognized leader in his industry and in demand as a public speaker on a vast range of subjects, including youth development, and strength and conditioning. 

Jack in a Box by Angela C Nurse @_AngelaC1975 @lovebookstours

Who do you trust when everyone has a secret?

When single mother Rowan joins her Uncle Jack’s detective agency she doesn’t expect his murder to be her first case. To find out who is responsible for his death she will need to solve another mystery, the disappearance of Jack’s best friend 30 years earlier.

Someone doesn’t want Rowan digging up the past and they’re prepared to go to any lengths to keep their secrets hidden. Can she stand up to the danger, protect her daughter and bring a murderer to justice?

My review

With huge thanks to Love Books Tours for inviting me to join this blog tour and providing a paperback copy to review.

This story is gripping from the very beginning and keeps you enticed to find out more, as the story develops. The character I adored most was Rowan, she has been welcomed into her uncles home with her daughter, it had become her home and safe haven, however with things turning for the worst, her uncle is killed and she needs to use her detective skills to find out who and why.

The journey that she takes to find out more about her uncles background and past, has many dangerous turns, asking more questions and creating more mystery – which I thoroughly enjoyed!

Rowan has had her own family problems and it is clear to see why in the story. She needs to work out who she can trust to support her, to solve this mystery. Rowan’s dedication to her detective job and her sometimes ‘gun ho’ attitude gets the results she wants, regardless of the consequences.

The book as a whole with its believable characters and plot were a joy to devour. I appreciated the writers quality and depth in the storyline, so I definitely feel that I can see many more Rowan McFarlane mysteries being born.

This is definitely one to look out for.

Author Bio
Born in the Kingdom of Fife, Angela spent her teenage years in Penzance before returning to Scotland. She has had a varied career from Nursery Nurse to Bank Manager before becoming a full-time writer. Her Rowan McFarlane Mysteries are set in the fictional town of Cuddieford, which lies somewhere between Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy. Angela now lives with her husband in Fife, looking out on the River Forth where she can easily see her favourite bridge. When she is not writing she can be found walking the coast or touring the countryside in her campervan.