Sarah Hardy

Christmas At Emmerdale by Pamela Bell @TrapezeBooks

December 6, 2018November 26, 2018 Sarah Hardy

51N4XPJ2zjL._SY346_

Book Description:

A wonderful Christmas gift for fans of ITV’s Emmerdale and readers who love heartwarming and heartbreaking stories set in wartime.

August 1914, and a terrible war begins, one that will affect the lives of everyone in the village of Beckindale. For Maggie Sugden, left to run Emmerdale Farm on her own while her husband, Joe, is at the front, it will bring grief and loss but also independence and the chance to find a place to belong – and perhaps even to love again.

Christmas At Emmerdale is the first in a sweeping new saga series, exploring the lives of Emmerdale’s much-loved families during the run up to the Great War.

My Thoughts:

I have to admit to being a bit of a soap addict with Emmerdale, East Enders and Coronation Street being my firm favourites. When I saw that there was a book coming out set in and near Emmerdale Farm, well I couldn’t resist.

The story is mainly set in 1914 with the start of the world war. Even living in the country, you could still feel the fear and despair of what was happening. Maggie I took to instantly. She is a strong, proud woman who does what she needs to. She certainly doesn’t win many friends with her outlook but I liked that she remains true to herself.

Rose is another great character. She doesn’t seem to have much luck in her love life but she is a young lady with a good heart and head. I could feel her frustrations as she wants to get involved in the war effort of which her father especially, is totally against.

The story is one of community. We get to see the good and not so good side of a small village where your business is everyone’s business. Through Maggie we see the struggles of running a farm and living in a marriage of convenience. There are certainly a lot of highs and lows a long the way.

Christmas At Emmerdale is the perfect read for fans of the television series as well as readers who enjoy the likes of Pam Howes and Sandy Taylor. It is a captivating read that I was truly sad to get to the end of. I am of course delighted to see that this is the first book in a new saga with the second book being out next year. An emotional roller coaster of a read and one I really enjoyed.

My thanks to NetGalley and Trapeze for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.

Christmas At Emmerdale is available to purchase from Amazon. (Please note that link used is an affiliate link).

Prey by Roy Chester @JoffeBooks

December 5, 2018November 22, 2018 Sarah Hardy

51et8qoSYTL._SY346_

Book Description:

A GRIPPING THRILLER WITH AN EDGE-OF-YOUR-SEAT ENDING

Time to say your prayers . . . a psycho serial killer with a grudge is on the loose and now even criminal profiler Dr Hannah Nightingale is being hunted down.

A rabbi is found murdered. Someone has carved a religious symbol into his flesh and driven a lance through his heart. The way the killing is staged leaves criminal profiler Dr Hannah Nightingale certain that a fanatic is on the loose. More religious leaders are coming to Garton for a high-profile conference, so Nightingale and Detective David Mallory and DCI Gary Falcon face a nightmare situation. One by one, the devout will die in bizarre and disturbing ways. Is the killer on a mission to attack all faiths and to promote dark and devilish forces?

Can criminal profiler Dr Hannah Nightingale stop an evil serial killer who is brutally slaying religious leaders? What happens when the killer comes after her?

Three people come under suspicion: a vicar who is in crisis; a student who has suffered a miserable childhood at the hands of his fanatical father; and an embittered young actress. And is the killer part of a shadowy sect pursuing an object they believe is of immense power? You will enjoy weighing the evidence and seeing if you can beat the detectives to the solution of this complex case.

Criminal profiler Hannah Nightingale must race against time to uncover the real killer, and she will face danger that puts her own life at risk in a heart-stopping ending.

My Thoughts:

Prey is the third book in the Dr Hannah Nightingale series and another edge of your seat read.

I have to admit I have a bit of a fascination when it comes to anything religious. It usually makes for some really intriguing reading. The case that Hannah and Mallory find themselves working on is certainly anything but straight forward. I enjoyed reading and learning as the lead characters have to investigate different parts to do with religious symbols and artefacts

There are definitely some twists and turns as like the police, we lean towards different suspects. When all becomes clear just who is behind it all, well you could have knocked me over with a feather. It then becomes a race against time to stop them and oh boy that ending! Will definitely keep you on your toes.

Prey is another nail biting, page turner of a read. The build up towards the end was almost electrifying and it’s left me desperate to see what happens next after getting a bit of a taster at the end of what happens in the next book. A solid and dependable crime series.

Prey is available to purchase from Amazon. (Please note that link used is an affiliate link).

From The Dark by KA Richardson @Bloodhoundbook @KerryAnn77

December 4, 2018December 3, 2018 Sarah Hardy

41SJKjOhSkL

Book Description:

Antonia Baillie is a true Romani gypsy – she has the gift of foresight and uses this to help people.

When the ghosts of the past come calling, can she put her own fears aside and work with the police to help find out who is torturing and killing young men?

Detective Sergeant Mark McKay has never had a need to solve a case using a psychic. He doesn’t believe in it – pure and simple. But when Antonia tells him the name of a young man and gives him details specific to the case, he can’t help but change his view. Especially when a body matching what she described is found in the vaults deep under the city.

Mark and Antonia race against a spree of monstrous crimes, long-standing grudges and the perils of the darkness in the vaults beneath Edinburgh to try and find a sadistic killer before time runs out.

Can they stop him before he strikes again?

Will they discover who is responsible?

And can they do it without becoming victims themselves?

My Thoughts:

From The Dark is the fifth book in the Forensic Files series, fear not if you haven’t read any of the others as this does read as a stand alone.

The setting couldn’t be anymore perfect for this story line. I love Edinburgh and used to go often as a child shopping and sight seeing. In fact I actually went a few years back with a friend for my birthday and we did the ghost tours which takes you underneath this beautiful city, showing you a very dark side. You don’t need to have been though to really get a sense of what it is like in the vaults as the author describes it perfectly.

I loved Toni (Antonio). From a Romany background, Toni faces enough prejudices, she also has a psychic ability of which obviously plenty of people have opinions on that matter also. You can feel a connection between her and Mark right from the start which makes this book in parts, even more nail biting.

The author has excelled herself with how dark and disturbing a read this is. It was really quite chilling and I wanted the culprit brought to justice just as much as the police did. Some parts gave me goosebumps and sent shivers down my spine which surely has to be a sign of a great writer.

From The Dark is an edge of your sit read that will send your heart racing. I could really feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins as Mark and the team get closer to catching the killer. We also have Toni’s background coming back to haunt her which adds to the build up of tension. A truly gripping read that will chill you to the core.

From The Dark is available to purchase from Amazon. (Please note that link used is an affiliate link).

Christmas At Black Cherry Retreat by Angela Britnell @rararesources @ChocLituk @AngelaBritnell

December 3, 2018November 25, 2018 Sarah Hardy

Book Description:

A festive feel-good holiday read, perfect for fans of Kathryn Freeman, Lilly Bartlett, Tilly Tennant and Eve Devon.

What if you had nowhere to call home for Christmas?
When Fee Winter books a winter break at the remote Black Cherry Retreat in the small town of Pine Ridge, Tennessee, it’s with the idea that the peace and quiet will help her recuperate from her hectic life as a photographer.

But what she didn’t bank on was meeting Tom Chambers and his huge, interfering yet lovable family. With them, could Fee finally experience the warmth and support that’s been missing from her own life – and maybe even find a place to call home in time for Christmas?

My Thoughts:

I have to give the author credit as the story is mainly set in Tennesse and when it’s a British writer, sometimes the authenticity of the setting doesn’t always feel right and it can feel like the author is trying to hard. With this novel though, for me, it felt right.

You have got to love secluded settings. The place where Fee decides to get away from it all for a while was so picturesque and not far from a small idyllic town. I enjoyed getting to know the area and the people better.

Right from the start you can sense a chemistry between Fee and Tom. As with all romance stories, nothing is straight forward and the pair come with a fair amount of baggage between them. Tom has a vast network of family, all of who I loved. They are the type of people who are welcoming and you feel right at home straight away.

I have to admit to start with, the story did feel at times like it was heading more towards the crime genre, which did throw me. Don’t get me wrong I love crime but I wasn’t expecting the story to take certain turns that it did. These parts were also slightly quite brief and I would have loved for the author to delve more into it but then it would probably have got in the way of the romance.

Christmas at Black Cherry Retreat is an easy and engaging read. I liked Fee and Tom though have to admit to maybe falling in love with Tom’s family that little bit more than them. The family side of things really adds to the heart warming feel that I would expect from this sort of genre and whilst not overly Christmassy, it’s still a good book to snuggle up under a blanket with and enjoy.

My thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.

Christmas at Black Cherry Retreat is available to purchase from Amazon. (Please note that link used is an affiliate link).

Author Bio –

Angela grew up in Cornwall, England and returns frequently from her new home in Nashville, Tennessee. A lifelong love of reading turned into a passion for writing contemporary romance and her novels are usually set in the many places she’s visited or lived on her extensive travels. After more than three decades of marriage to her American husband she’s a huge fan of transatlantic romance and always makes sure her characters get their own happy-ever-after. Over the last twelve years she’s been multi-published and sold over 25 novels. She also writes short stories for women’s magazines. She is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, the Romance Writers of America and the Music City Romance Writers.

Social Media Links –

www.facebook.com/angelabritnell

www.twitter.com/angelabritnell

www.angelabritnellromance.com

https://www.instagram.com/angelagolleybritnell/

Bells And Bows On Mistletoe Row by Emily Harvale @rararesources @emilyharvale

December 2, 2018November 21, 2018 Sarah Hardy

Book Description:

It’ll take a miracle to make Juliet’s Christmas merry, but Mistletoe Row is the place to be when you need some Christmas magic.

The last person Juliet Bell expects to see when she returns home for Christmas is Harrison Bow. Especially with the most beautiful woman in the world by his side. Twenty years ago, Juliet and Harrison had the shortest romance in history, consisting of one date – and one blazing row. But Juliet will never admit when she’s wrong, and Harrison doesn’t forgive easily, so they haven’t seen, or spoken to one another since.

Harrison Bow vowed he’d never visit his grandfather at The Grange, again, or drive along Mistletoe Row, the scene of one of the unhappiest times of his life. He hasn’t been back for twenty years and he’s only here now because his brother pleaded with him to come. At least with his executive assistant joining him, he’ll be able to do some work.

But Juliet’s sister, Zoe and Harrison’s brother, Luke have some surprises in store for their elder siblings, and so it seems does Fate. After Harrison risks his life to save Juliet, the least she can do is be nice. The problem is, Harrison is hotter than the log fire in The Mistletoe pub, and when she’s surrounded by twinkling lights and softly falling snow, it doesn’t take long for her to realise she’s in love with the man she thought she hated. Even if he doesn’t appear to be in love with her.

My Thoughts:

I absolutely loved the authors books in the Lily Pond Lane series so was very eager to read her new stand alone novel set at one of the most magical times of the year.

The setting as I have come to expect from the author, plays a big part in making this story. Not just the village itself, but The Grange also, which is the big house which Harrison Bow’s family have owned for the last twenty years. The descriptions of the rooms and the lake were just enough to get my mind working overtime with fabulous images popping up in my head throughout the novel.

Juliet and Harrison I really liked. Though sometimes I wanted to give them a big shake for them not being able to see clearly what was right under their nose. It was frustrating at times sitting on the sidelines waiting for things to happen. When they do though, oh my goodness, it felt like all my Christmas’s had come at once.

Bells And Bows On Mistletoe Row is a fun, festive and fabulous read. It will get you feeling all Christmasy and I was fit to burst by the end with how happy I felt. It really does leave you with a lovely warm glow and a massive grin on your face. Loved it, loved it, loved it!

My thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.

Bells And Bows On Mistletoe Row is available to purchase from Amazon. (Please note that link used is an affiliate link).

Author Bio –

Having lived and worked in London for several years, Emily returned to her home town of Hastings where she now spends her days writing… and chatting on social media. Emily is a Member of the SoA, a PAN member of the RWA and a Pro Member of ALLi. She’s an Amazon bestseller and a Kindle All Star. Emily loves writing and her stories are sure to bring a smile to your face and a warmth to your heart.

Emily says, “I write about friendship, family and falling in love. I believe in happing endings.” When she isn’t writing, she can be found enjoying the stunning East Sussex coast and countryside, or in a wine bar with friends, discussing life, love and the latest TV shows. Chocolate cake is often eaten. She dislikes housework almost as much as she dislikes anchovies – and will do anything to avoid both.

Social Media Links – https://www.facebook.com/emilyharvalewriter

https://www.twitter.com/emilyharvale

https://www.instagram.com/emilyharvale

The Silent Dead by Graham Smith @bookouture @GrahamSmith1972

December 1, 2018November 21, 2018 Sarah Hardy

Book Description:

He’d found an angel for his collection. But one angel at a time was never enough…

Detective Beth Young has just joined the Cumbrian major crimes team when a body is found posed in a ritualistic manner – arms spread and graceful wings attached – at a crumbling castle in the hills of the Lake District.

The entire police force are on red alert. But Beth begins to feel she’s the only one who can follow the disturbing clues left by the twisted killer. Because she doesn’t think like everyone else. To Beth, crimes are puzzles she can solve. Even if real life is a little harder.

As more bodies are discovered in derelict stately homes across the Lake District, she knows she’s in a race against time.

But the killer is looking for another victim to add to his collection… Will Beth be able to save her? Or will he get there first?

A tenacious young detective with scars both physical and emotional, Beth Young will stop at nothing in her fight for justice for the innocent. The Silent Dead is the first book in the series. Set in the Lake District, it is perfect for fans of Joy Ellis, LJ Ross, and Peter James.

My Thoughts:

The Silent Dead is the first book in the Detective Beth Young series. The author isn’t new to writing books in a crime series already having two other great ones under his belt. This is his first one though with a leading female protagonist and as with all of the authors books, it has been done with care and great skill.

Beth is the rookie of the crime team but apart from a few teething problems at the start, she certainly earns her place to be part of it. She has her own demons to battle but is made of stern stuff and I enjoyed seeing how the rest of the team start to appreciate having her around.

The murders are extremely twisted and have to say I was absolutely gripped as we see the killer choosing their victims. It sure does get the adrenaline pumping making me want to scream and shout to the characters to tell them to watch out.

The Silent Dead is a sophisticated and gripping read that will send your heart racing. This is an author who knows exactly what a crime fan expects from a book and he delivers every time. A thrilling and twisted read and no better way to kick off a brand new crime series.

My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.

The Silent Dead is available to purchase from Amazon. (Please note that link used is an affiliate link).

Author Bio:

Graham Smith is the bestselling author of four explosive crime thrillers in the Jake Boulder series, Watching the Bodies, The Kindred Killers, Past Echoes and Die Cold. Watching the Bodies spent over two weeks at number one in the Amazon UK chart and Amazon CA charts. Graham is also the author of the popular DI Harry Evans series and has collections of short stories and novellas. His latest novel – The Silent Dead is published by Bookouture and set in Cumbria / the Lake District, featuring DC Beth Young.

He is the proud father of a young son. As a time served joiner he has built bridges, houses, dug drains and slated roofs to make ends meet. Since 2000 he has been manager of a busy hotel and wedding venue near Gretna Green, Scotland.

An avid fan of crime fiction since being given one of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five books at the age of eight, he has also been a regular reviewer for the well-respected review site Crimesquad.com since 2010.

When not working, his time is spent reading, writing and playing games with his son. He enjoys socialising and spending time with friends and family.

Author Social Media Links:

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/grahamnsmithauthor/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/GrahamSmith1972

WEBSITE: https://grahamsmithauthor.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5446655.Graham_Smith?from_search=true

Dead Memories by Angela Marsons @bookouture @WriteAngie #KimStone #Dead Memories #CoverReveal

November 30, 2018November 29, 2018 Sarah Hardy

Have I got the mother of all cover reveals for you today! Soooooooooo excited to be able to share with you all the fabulous cover for no other than Angela Marsons!!! I know exciting right?

Before the all important reveal though, here’s more about what we cab look forward to in the 10th book in the series.

DEAD MEMORIES by Angela Marsons (Detective Kim Stone Crime Thriller Book 10)

Amazon Pre-order: http://geni.us/B07KYS8SPFCover

She ruined their lives. Now they’re going to destroy hers.

‘Someone is recreating every traumatic point in your life. They are doing this to make you suffer, to make you hurt and the only possible end game can be death. Your death.’

On the fourth floor of Chaucer House, two teenagers are found chained to a radiator. The boy is dead but the girl is alive. For Detective Kim Stone every detail of the scene mirrors her own terrifying experience with her brother Mikey, when they lived in the same tower block thirty years ago.

When the bodies of a middle-aged couple are discovered in a burnt-out car, Kim can’t ignore the chilling similarity to the death of Erica and Keith – the only loving parents Kim had ever known.

Faced with a killer who is recreating traumatic events from her past, Kim must face the brutal truth that someone wants to hurt her in the worst way possible. Desperate to stay on the case, she is forced to work with profiler Alison Lowe who has been called in to observe and monitor Kim’s behaviour.

Kim has spent years catching dangerous criminals and protecting the innocent. But with a killer firmly fixed on destroying Kim, can she solve this complex case and save her own life or will she become the final victim?

The heart-stopping and totally addictive new crime thriller from multi-million copy number one bestseller Angela Marsons will have you completely hooked.

Sounds great doesn’t it? Don’t worry I won’t keep you waiting any longer. Here it is, the fabulous cover for Dead Memories. Love it!