Today is my stop on the blog tour for In Bloom, the darkly comic crime sequel to Sweetpea, following girl-next-door serial killer Rhiannon as she’s now caught between the urge to kill and her unborn baby stopping her.

Title: In Bloom (Sweetpea #2)

Author: CJ Skuse

Published: August 9th 2018 by HQ Stories

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: If only they knew the real truth. It should be my face on those front pages. My headlines. I did those things, not him. I just want to stand on that doorstep and scream it: IT WAS ME. ME. ME. ME. ME!

Rhiannon Lewis has successfully fooled the world and framed her cheating fiancé Craig for the depraved and bloody killing spree she committed. She should be ecstatic that she’s free.

Except for one small problem. She’s pregnant with her ex-lover’s child. The ex-lover she only recently chopped up and buried in her in-laws' garden. And as much as Rhiannon wants to continue making her way through her kill lists, a small voice inside is trying to make her stop.

But can a killer’s urges ever really be curbed?

Review: last year I was completely shocked with Sweetpea, the brutally honest diary of Rhiannon, a serial killer that gets a thrill every time she harms and kills bad guys. It was something completely unique and darker than anything I have ever read. Now we have its sequel, In Bloom, so I was a bit worried at the beginning as this time around there was no surprise or shocking factor, we know already what Rhiannon is capable of. But somehow, she managed to surprise me once again.

Rhiannon as a mother to be is quite the character. She stills makes her (hilarious) kill lists every day and her need to kill hasn't disappeared at all but there is a small problem, her baby doesn't want her to kill. During the whole story you can feel her frustration and you really wonder if she will just explode one day and be done with everything. 

Another thing I really enjoyed in this story was Rhiannon's new friendship with Marnie. It's really interesting to read about her trying to be a "good" friend and how their friendship evolved. I think we got to see a new side of Rhiannon that made me even like her (sometimes). I also think the ending of this story was very good.

If you enjoyed Sweetpea, definitely pick up the sequel as you won't be disappointed with Rhiannon's new adventures. And if you haven't met her yet and you enjoy dark humor and are looking for something completely shocking and outrageous, definitely pick these two books. I would definitely recommend reading Sweetpea before reading In Bloom though, as you need to know these characters and what they did to really understand and enjoy In Bloom. 

Rating: 4 stars

I would like to thank the publisher for sending me a copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.

            

Fearless, uplifting and compelling, The Invisible Crowd is a powerful debut novel about loyalty, kindness – and the brief moments which define our lives. To celebrate its paperback publication, today is my stop in the Blog Tour and I am sharing my thoughts on this thought-provoking story:

Title: The Invisible Crowd

Author: Ellen Wiles

Published: July 26th 2018 by HQ Stories

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: 2nd March 1975

In Asmara, Eritrea, Yonas Kelati is born into a world of turmoil. At the same time, on the same day, Jude Munroe takes her first breath in London, England.

Thirty Years Later

Blacklisted in his war-ravaged country, Yonas has no option but to flee his home. After a terrible journey, he arrives on a bleak English coast.

By a twist of fate, Yonas’ asylum case lands on Jude’s desk. Opening the file, she finds a patchwork of witness statements from those who met Yonas along his journey: a lifetime the same length of hers, reduced to a few scraps of paper.

Soon, Jude will stand up in court and tell Yonas’ story. How she tells it will change his life forever.

Review: The Invisible Crowd is a very important and relevant story, especially with the current refugee crisis in Europe. It tells the story of Yonas, who arrives illegally at the UK after escaping prison in his country, Eritrea. He was imprisoned for trying to tell the world with articles about the reality in his country. We learn about his backstory and current situation both through his own narration but also through many different people who have interacted with him.

I found this structure very interesting and engaging. The people that Yonas has met are all from different backgrounds and have very different opinions, so it gives you quite a wide view on the whole process he goes through. Also, each chapter starts with a real headline related to refugees. Reading them, you realize how some media clearly wants to paint them as the bad guys. It's saddening how some people would believe them and assume the worse for every single person who needs to escape their own country for fear of dying and tries to find a better life in a completely new and foreign country. 

I really hope that reading Yonas' story will make many people think twice before assuming the worse. Every single person has a story and it's worth listening to it. 

I also found it very clever that Yonas and Jude, who is going to defend his case in court, were actually born the very same day. It really makes you think how different their lives have been. 

The Invisible Crowd is a very compelling story that focuses in the people behind the headlines. A very interesting novel that I am sure will touch many hearts.

Rating: 4 Stars

I would like to thank the publisher for sending me a copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.

I was completely blown away with Wendy Walker's debut, All Is Not Forgotten, a couple of years ago, so I was very curious to discover her new story, Emma in the Night. Here are my thoughts on it:

Title: Emma in the Night

Author: Wendy Walker

Published: February 8th 2018 by HQ Stories

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: Two sisters go missing. Only one returns.

Getting people to believe you is easy.

If you tell them what they want to hear.

When my sister and I disappeared three years ago, they found Emma’s car at the beach. Some people believed she had gone there to find a party or meet a friend who never showed. They believed that she’d gone for a swim. They believed that she’d drowned. Maybe by accident. Maybe a suicide.

Everyone believed Emma was dead.

As for me, well – now I’m back to tell our story.

You’ll have to see if you believe it.

Review: If I learned anything from Wendy Walker's debut novel, All Is Not Forgotten, it was not to trust the narrator, so when I first started reading about Emma's story, told by her younger sister Cass, I was doubting everything she was saying and trying to find holes in her narrative. 

I was not the only one doing that though. FBI Forensic Psychologist Dr Abigail Winter, who was assigned to the case when the sisters first disappeared, was also keeping a very close eye on Cass and her story. Some of the chapters were actually told from her point of view, so I found it really interesting to read how a professional psychologist was following the young girl's story. 

But this story was not only about Cass and Emma's disappearance. It delved into the girls' past and their family, especially into their mother. We soon discovered that she was not the loving mother she wanted people to believe but a narcissist. I found the information about this disorder really interesting, and the descriptions of how it affected the family dynamics were shockingly detailed. 

Although this story didn't hold my attention as mush as I would have liked, as I found the pace to be a bit too slow and not that surprising at times, it did deliver a very interesting and shocking story that made me want to continue reading until I unravelled it all. 

I would like to thank the publisher for sending me a copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.

BA Paris has quickly become quite a big name in the psychological thriller genre with her addictive and shocking stories and she is back with a brand new story, Bring Me Back.

Title: Bring Me Back

Author: BA Paris

Published: March 8th 2019 by HQ Stories

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: A young British couple are driving through France on holiday when they stop for gas. He runs in to pay, she stays in the car. When he returns her car door has been left open, but she's not inside. No one ever sees her again. 

Ten years later he's engaged to be married; he's happy, and his past is only a tiny part his life now. Until he comes home from work and finds his new wife-to-be is sitting on their sofa. She's turning something over in her fingers, holding it up to the light. Something that would have no worth to anyone else, something only he and she would know about because his wife is the sister of his missing first love.

As more and more questions are raised, their marriage becomes strained. Has his first love somehow come back to him after all this time? Or is the person who took her playing games with his mind?

Review: Bring Me Back is a dark and twisted story that kept surprising me until the last page. It tells the story of a couple about to be married; they have buried the past and live quite a happy life but the arrival of a Russian doll at their home changes everything and brings everything back. 

As you learn more about this couple and what brought them together, you soon realise something very dangerous is hanging over them and their happiness. There were several times when I thought I knew how the story was going to pan out but even when I was right, I was only right with some small details. This story was shocking in every way and BA Paris managed to create a mystery that kept slipping away. 

As you can imagine, I lost quite a few hours of sleep with my obsession of wanting to know the truth behind this story and I don't regret a single one. And even after finishing it, I found myself going back to the story, wondering and recalling little details. 

I can only praise Bring Me Back and I highly recommend it. 

Rating: 5 stars

I would like to thank the publisher for sending me a copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.

White Bodies is the debut novel of Jane Robins, a chilling psychological suspense story, think Strangers on a Train for the modern age, it explores the dark side of love and the unbreakable ties that bind two sisters together. 

Title: White Bodies

Author: Jane Robins

Published: December 28th 2017 by HQ Stories

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: Callie loves Tilda. She’s her sister, after all. And she’s beautiful and successful.

Tilda loves Felix. He’s her husband. Successful and charismatic, he is also controlling, suspicious and, possibly, dangerous. Still, Tilda loves Felix.

And Callie loves Tilda. Very, very much.

So she’s determined to save her. But the cost could destroy them all…

Sometimes we love too much.

Review: White Bodies is a dark and creepy psychological thriller that plays with your mind. You never know where the story is going to go and you soon start doubting everything and everyone. 

I've read quite a few psychological thrillers in the last months and I can tell you that White Bodies is quite different from what I expected. It made me cringe more than once but the web of lies and emotions that it created made me keep reading until I knew the truth behind the whole story.

The relationship between twin sisters Callie and Tilda is weird, actually, beyond weird. It seems to be based in jealously and obsession, which is never a good combination. But it is actually quite fascinating to read about. As characters, they are difficult to like but there's something in them that makes you want to discover all their secrets.

I would definitely recommend this book to lovers of the psychological thriller genre looking for something a bit darker and twisted. This is definitely a very unique and original story. 

I would like to thank the publisher for sending me a copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.

This year, for my Christmas feature, I've invited several authors and book bloggers for a fun Christmas Interview. My next guest is author Sarah Bennett:

Hi Sarah and welcome to Alba in Bookland. First of all, can you tell us a bit about yourself?

Hi! Firstly, let me thank you so much for inviting me to feature on your blog, I very much appreciate it. I’m a military spouse, writing full time from home. Home is wherever the RAF send us, currently Buckinghamshire, but we are hoping to find our forever home in 2018 so we have somewhere to finally put down some roots.

Your latest book, Christmas at Butterfly Cove, is your third book set in Butterfly Cove. Tell us a bit more about it.

The series focuses on three sisters. Each one is the main focus of a different book and Christmas at Butterfly Cove is about Nee, the youngest of the three. She’s an artist who’s hit rock bottom, both professionally and personally and the book follows her in the lead up to, and over the festive season as she tries to comes to terms with the chaos in her life.

Would you like to spend your own Christmas at Butterfly Cove?

Absolutely! I had so much fun creating the place, and it feels almost real to me now. My favourite thing about it is that each of the guest rooms are themed so you can stay in a cosy country cottage, the calming forest room, the bright sunny beach room or the opulent harem suite. I couldn’t just visit once though, I’d have to go back and try them all! The series revolves around family, and Mia, the eldest sister and owner of Butterfly House is a real nurturing spirit. I’d love to sit in front of the log fire with a cosy blanket on my knee and a plate of homemade mince pies. 

Actually, talking about where to spend Christmas. Would you rather spend it on a turquoise water beach with a cocktail in your hand or in the Polar circle surrounded by husky puppies? 

Both sound wonderful for different reasons. I think I’d go with the Polar adventure though as I absolutely love the snow and maybe I’d get lucky enough to see the Northern Lights.

Is there a movie or a book you always revisit during the holidays?

I’m a real sucker for a feelgood film, so I love the classics. Something that needs a hanky, but ends happily so things like It’s a Wonderful Life, or Little Women.

Do you cook during Christmas or let others cook for you? If you do, what's your star dish?

I’m more of the assistant cook than the main chef. Mum does all the hard stuff and I do the trimmings. My speciality (if you can call it that) is making tuna melts for Christmas Eve supper. It’s a quick and easy meal and not too heavy before the full blow-out of Christmas Day.

And finally, if you could spend Christmas with a fictional character, who would you pick?

Ooh, that’s a tough one. I’m not sure I’d enjoy the lack of modern conveniences, but I’d love to spend Christmas with Jo March and the other Little Women gathered in their cosy parlour and singing songs around the piano.

Thank you so much Sarah for stopping by and sharing some Christmas cheer with us! 

Sarah Bennett Author Bio

Sarah Bennett has been reading for as long as she can remember. Raised in a family of bookworms, her love affair with books of all genres has culminated in the ultimate Happy Ever After – getting to write her own stories to share with others.

Born and raised in a military family, she is happily married to her own Officer (who is sometimes even A Gentleman). Home is wherever he lays his hat, and life has taught them both that the best family is the one you create from friends as well as relatives.

When not reading or writing, Sarah is a devotee of afternoon naps and sailing the high seas, but only on vessels large enough to accommodate a casino and a choice of restaurants.

Sarah is the author of the Butterfly Cove trilogy, published by HQ Digital UK. You can also look forward to a new series coming in 2018, set in the beautiful seaside town of Lavender Bay.

Connect with Sarah:

Twitter: @Sarahlou_writes

Facebook: Sarah Benett Author 

About the Book:

Title: Christmas at Butterfly Cove

Author: Sarah Bennett

Published: October 6th 2017 by HQ Digital

Amazon | Amazon UK | Kobo | iBooks

Blurb: All she wants for Christmas…

When talented artist Nee Sutherland returns to Butterfly Cove for her sister’s wedding, it’s only a matter of time before she has to face her own bridegroom – Luke Spenser – the man she impulsively married, then left in the middle of the night.

Nee hasn’t picked up her paintbrushes in months, a part of her is broken. She knows Luke might never forgive her, leaving him was the biggest mistake of her life – but could coming home for Christmas be the best decision she’s ever made?

Maybe all she needs is a little Christmas miracle…

A delightfully feel-good festive romance, perfect for fans of Trisha Ashley, Rachael Lucas and Hilary Boyd.

This year, for my Christmas feature, I've invited several authors and book bloggers for a fun Christmas Interview. My next guest is author Rachel Burton:

Hi Rachel and welcome. Your debut, The Many Colours of Us, is about Julia Simmonds who embarks on a journey of self-discovery when she finds out who her father is. Tell us a bit more about her and what sparked this idea.

The idea actually came when I was re-reading Bleak House by Charles Dickens. I was playing with the thought of writing a modern day version of the book and, in particular, the story of Esther - an orphan who finds out her parents are alive after all and her mother is very wealthy (well sort of, being Dickens it's a lot more tragic than that!). I wondered how such a story would play out in modern day London and so the first threads of the Many Colours of Us were woven together! Throw in a gorgeous solicitor and some mysterious letters and.....

And what can we expect from you next?

My second book, The Things We Need to Say, is out with HQ Digital on 11 May 2018 and is up for preorder now. It's the story of a marriage and of life not working out the way you want, it's about grief and hope and love and happiness and I have my fingers firmly crossed that you will all like it! 

Now that Christmas is fast approaching, let's talk about Christmas settings. Would you rather spend it on a turquoise water beach with a cocktail in your hand or in the Polar circle surrounded by husky puppies? 

Absolutely on the beach. My mum's side of the family live in Australia and the best Christmases have been spent in the sun on the beach. I'm not a fan of winter at all! 

If you could sneak into a literary world during this holiday, where would you go?

I do love a Christmas book and if it's a Christmas book set somewhere warm all the better - this year I've really enjoyed Maxine Morrey's The Christmas Holiday (which takes place in India, Malaysia and Florida so mostly nice and warm) and Victoria Cooke's The Holiday Cruise, which has a brilliant Christmas scene in the Caribbean. Either of those suits me just fine! 

Would you like to write a festive story yourself?

It's not something I've thought about to be honest although now I'm definitely thinking about a Christmas Down Under book! 

And finally, what's the 2018 new release you are most looking forward to?

There's two that I can highly recommend so far and have been lucky enough to have already read. Firstly, if you want a thriller with a difference then The Chalk Man by CJ Tudor is out in January. If historical fiction is more in your line then Island in the East by Jenny Ashcroft is a truly beautiful read. It's not out until June but the ebook is available on Amazon now. 

Title: The Many Colours of Us

Author: Rachel Burton

Published: April 27th 2017 by HQ Stories

Amazon | Amazon UK

Today I'm bringing you a brand new bookish recipe, inspired by the lovely book Moonlight over Manhattan by Sarah Morgan. In this fun love story, we meet Harriet Knight, who apparently bakes the best chocolate chip cookies. Reading about her adventures, I couldn't stop thinking about her cookies, as everyone in the story loved them. So I decided to try my hand at baking my own cookies.

After a bit of research on the Internet, I found a very interesting article in Buzzfeed, in which they compare famous recipes so I picked the winning recipe and they were a roaring success. Best cookies I've ever backed! Thanks Harriet for the inspiration! 

Ingredients: 

- 2 1/3 cups plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda

-1 teaspoon kosher salt

- 5 ounces 55 percent chocolate, cut into chip-sized pieces (about 1 1/4 cups)

- 5 ounces 70 to 72 percent chocolate, cut into chip-sized pieces (about 1 1/4 cups)

- 1/2 pound (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

- 1 cup packed dark brown sugar, preferably molasses sugar

- 3/4 cup granulated sugar

- 2 large eggs

Directions:

1) Preheat the oven to 180°C. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

2) Sift the flour and baking soda into a medium bowl. Stir in the salt.

3) In the bowl, beat half the butter on medium speed until fairly smooth. Add both sugars and the remaining butter, and beat until well combined, then beat for a few minutes, until the mixture is light and creamy. 

4) Add the eggs one at a time, beating until the first one is incorporated before adding the next and scraping the bowl as necessary. Add the dry ingredients and mix on low speed to combine. Mix in the chocolate.

5) Shape dough into balls. Arrange cookies on the pans, leaving about two inches between them, because the dough will spread.

6) Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the tops are no longer shiny, switching the position and rotating pans halfway through baking.

7) Cool cookies on the pans on cooling racks for about two minutes to firm them up a bit, then transfer to the racks to cool completely. 

About the book: 

Moonlight over Manhattan is a very magical and wintery story and one I enjoyed immensely. Perfect to escape for a few hours and forget about everything else. Even better with a hot chocolate and something sweet to go with, like a chocolate chip cookie or two?

Title: Moonlinght over Manhattan (From Manhattan with Love #6)

Author: Sarah Morgan

Published: October 5th 2017 by HQ

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: She'll risk everything for her own Christmas miracle… 

Determined to conquer a lifetime of shyness, Harriet Knight challenges herself to do one thing a day in December that scares her, including celebrating Christmas without her family. But when dog walker Harriet meets her newest client, exuberant spaniel Madi, she adds an extra challenge to her list—dealing with Madi's temporary dog sitter, gruff doctor Ethan Black, and their very unexpected chemistry. 

Ethan thought he was used to chaos, until he met Madi—how can one tiny dog cause such mayhem? To Ethan, the solution is simple—he will pay Harriet to share his New York apartment and provide twenty-four-hour care. But there's nothing simple about how Harriet makes him feel. 

Ethan's kisses make Harriet shine brighter than the stars over moonlit Manhattan. But when his dog-sitting duties are over and Harriet returns to her own home, will she dare to take the biggest challenge of all—letting Ethan know he has her heart for life, not just for Christmas? 

Read my review here

Today's review is for Sweetpea by C.J. Skuse. I discovered this author with her YA novels, but this time, she brings us an adult crime story... and what a story! Read my thoughts on it:

Title: Sweetpea

Author: CJ Skuse

Published: November 2nd 2017 by HQ Stories

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: The last person who called me ‘Sweetpea’ ended up dead…

I haven’t killed anyone for three years and I thought that when it happened again I’d feel bad. Like an alcoholic taking a sip of whisky. But no. Nothing. I had a blissful night’s sleep. Didn’t wake up at all. And for once, no bad dream either. This morning I feel balanced. Almost sane, for once.

Rhiannon is your average girl next door, settled with her boyfriend and little dog…but she’s got a killer secret.

Although her childhood was haunted by a famous crime, Rhinannon’s life is normal now that her celebrity has dwindled. By day her job as an editorial assistant is demeaning and unsatisfying. By evening she dutifully listens to her friend’s plans for marriage and babies whilst secretly making a list.

A kill list.

From the man on the Lidl checkout who always mishandles her apples, to the driver who cuts her off on her way to work, to the people who have got it coming, Rhiannon’s ready to get her revenge.

Because the girl everyone overlooks might be able to get away with murder…

Review: Well, well, well... this was not what I was expecting! Don't get me wrong, Sweetpea is fantastic but it took me quite for surprise. After reading and loving the dark and atmospheric YA novel The Deviants last year, I was expecting a really tense read with secrets and lies aplenty. But instead we get this really REALLY dark story which turns out to be quite humorous and no lies at all, only the plain truth.

Basically Sweetpea is the diary of Rhiannon, a serial killer. And we get to know her with no filters. Everything that goes through her mind ends in the diary and as you can imagine, she has some really extremely dark thoughts. From the thrill she gets from killing, her interactions with her weird colleagues, her sexual activities and fantasies, to her love for her dog and Sylvanian Families, she talks about everything. 

She is definitely a character almost impossible to connect with, but somehow, you kind of like her. For example, in every entry, she lists people she would like to kill and some of those entries are just hilarious. Seriously, if I had one of those lists myself, I would agree with her more than once. 

It's also so refreshing to get this uncensored view of her life. It's quite shocking at the beginning, as there's blood, LOTS of it, and violence, and sex, and disturbing thoughts, and disturbing actions... but once you get into the story, it's highly entertaining. Definitely not recommended for the faint-hearted or for younger audiences though.

Although the book is quite long, at around 500 pages, things keep happening at quite a fast pace and there are several characters that play a big role in Rhianon's life, so you don't get bored. My only con would be probably the last part of the story, as it all got a bit too much for me. 

Definitely recommended for fans of dark humour or for readers looking for something different, out of the ordinary.

Rating: 4 stars

I would like to thank the publishers for sending me a copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.

Today's review is for Moonlight over Manhattan, the third book on Sarah Morgan's latest trilogy, set in New York. It can be easily read as a stand alone but I'd recommend reading the first two, to get to know the characters better and because they are fantastic stories too. Here are my thought on this one:

Title: Moonlinght over Manhattan (From Manhattan with Love #6)

Author: Sarah Morgan

Published: October 5th 2017 by HQ

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: She'll risk everything for her own Christmas miracle… 

Determined to conquer a lifetime of shyness, Harriet Knight challenges herself to do one thing a day in December that scares her, including celebrating Christmas without her family. But when dog walker Harriet meets her newest client, exuberant spaniel Madi, she adds an extra challenge to her list—dealing with Madi's temporary dog sitter, gruff doctor Ethan Black, and their very unexpected chemistry. 

Ethan thought he was used to chaos, until he met Madi—how can one tiny dog cause such mayhem? To Ethan, the solution is simple—he will pay Harriet to share his New York apartment and provide twenty-four-hour care. But there's nothing simple about how Harriet makes him feel. 

Ethan's kisses make Harriet shine brighter than the stars over moonlit Manhattan. But when his dog-sitting duties are over and Harriet returns to her own home, will she dare to take the biggest challenge of all—letting Ethan know he has her heart for life, not just for Christmas? 

Review: After reading the first two books in this trilogy, I already knew a bit about our main character here, Harriet Knight. She's quite a shy girl who doesn't like going out of her comfort zone. Up until now, her big brother and her twin sister have always protected and cocooned her, so she has never challenged herself. But with both her siblings happily living with their partners, it's time for Challenge Harriet.

Thanks to Challenge Harriet, the story starts in quite a hilarious way, with Harriet jumping from a toilet window to avoid an online dating disaster. This jumping though, leads her to sexy doctor Ethan. And this being a Sarah Morgan book, you can already guess that the sparks fly between these two. 

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, New York, Actually, but the second one, Holiday in the Hamptons, fell a bit short for me. I am happy to say though, that the magic Morgan touch is back in full force with this one. I loved both main characters and I really enjoyed catching up with some old ones. The story line was fresh, compelling and unpredictable enough to make me keep wondering what was going to happen next.

Harriet is a really nice and interesting character to get to know. At the beginning of the story we meet quite a shy and two-dimensional character but as the story progresses, we soon discover a very intelligent, lively and brave woman in her. You can really see how she evolves and the role Ethan plays in it. She certainly managed to surprise me several times and I had a great time following her, especially reading about her amazing culinary skills. Someone please give me chocolate chip cookies right now!

I also found the new characters, like Ethan's colleague, to be the perfect addition to this story. They added something quite special and balanced the main romantic storyline perfectly. 

Even if the book is set around Christmas, I wouldn't say it is a extremely festive read. It is, though, a very magical and wintery read and one I enjoyed immensely. Perfect to escape for a few hours and forget about everything else. Even better with a hot chocolate and something sweet to go with. 

Rating: 4.5 stars

I would like to thank the publisher for sending me a copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.

Today I am delighted to welcome author A.F. Brady to the blog for my stop on the blog tour for The Blind. This psychological thriller was published last week and today the author has stopped by for a Q&A:

Hello! A little bit about me: I’m a 35-year-old New Yorker, and I work as a psychotherapist in my own private practice. I have a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Brown University and two master’s degrees from Teachers College at Columbia University in psychological counseling. The Blind is my first novel, and I am hard at work on my second. I live in New York with my husband, our son and our dog.

The Blind is your debut novel and the first reviews are saying that it is not only a very compelling story but also very twisted and dark, where did your inspiration for it come from?

The inspiration behind The Blind came from my years working in various mental health facilities throughout New York. The financial collapse in 2008 was disastrous for mental health care, the facility I was working at was suffering from extreme setbacks. It felt very difficult to maintain high levels of mental well-being during such trying times, and I felt like we must be crazy to work there, and think we could make a difference without enough clinicians, without enough time, and without enough financial support. From these thoughts, a story about a psychologist suffering from her own mental dysfunction was born. It was important for me to show a wider audience that no one has it all together, and we are all some combination of well and unwell.

You are a Mental Health Counsellor, how has your own job and experience influenced the main character, psychiatrist Sam James?

Aside from my experiences serving as the original inspiration for the character of Sam James, my years of working with patients helped to lend authenticity and clinical insight to the book. Although none of the patients featured in The Blind are real, many of the issues they’re suffering with are based in real problems I encountered in my career, so these are the issues that Sam is seen working with in her career as well. 

What do you expect your readers to feel while reading The Blind?

I expect the readers will experience a host of emotions while reading. Fear, confusion, disappointment, sadness, excitement, satisfaction and joy. It’s a bit of a roller-coaster ride Sam is going on, and I hope the reader will jump in the seat next to her. I think people will be able to identify with her flaws and her struggles. 

Lately, I have the impression that psychological thrillers are everywhere. What do you think makes The Blind stand apart from the crowd?

They are everywhere, and I think it’s because readers really like them! The Blind is different because it’s written by a psychotherapist, and the book is informed so much by reality. 

Finally, can you tell us a bit on what we can expect from your next?

A small teaser into the next book: It’s another psychological suspense, and it follows a cutthroat Manhattan defense attorney named Peter Caine. He is in the middle of some huge transitions, and the reader will follow as he tries to make the change from a cold and uncaring brute, to a sympathetic family man. Only when he is accused of murder will we find out if people really do have the capacity to change their nature. 

About the book:

Title: The Blind

Author: A.F. Brady

Published: October 5th 2017 by HQ

Amazon | Amazon UK

C.L. Taylor, the the Top Ten Sunday Times bestselling author of psychological thriller The Escape, is releasing her first Young Adult story. Is The Treatment as good as her previous books? Here are my thoughts on it:

Title: The Treatment

Author: C.L. Taylor

Published: October 19th 2017 by HQ Young Adult

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: You have to help me. We’re not being reformed. We’re being brainwashed.

All sixteen year old Drew Finch wants is to be left alone. She's not interested in spending time with her mum and stepdad and when her disruptive fifteen year old brother Mason is expelled from school for the third time and sent to a residential reform academy she's almost relieved.

Everything changes when she's followed home from school by the mysterious Dr Cobey, who claims to have a message from Mason. There is something sinister about the ‘treatment’ he is undergoing. The school is changing people.

Determined to help her brother, Drew must infiltrate the Academy and unearth its deepest, darkest secrets.

Before it’s too late. 

Review: I am a big fan of C.L. Taylor's psychological thrillers. I have to admit though that when she said she was working on a YA book this time I got a bit worried. What if her clever and absorbing style didn't translate well to the new genre? But people, worry no more. The Treatment is an amazing YA novel. Actually it is an amazing novel. Full Stop. Perfect for both new and old fans of Taylor's.

The story is told from Drew's point of view, a sixteen-year-old girl. After a cry for help from her brother, who is in a reform academy for problematic teenagers, she decides to go to the academy herself, but what awaits there for her is like nothing she could have imagined. Teenagers are not being reformed at all... but brainwashed. From the moment she realizes what it going on, it's a race against time. She needs to do something, quick. 

The pace of the story is certainly fast, you don't even have time to breath while you follow Drew in this new dangerous environment. She is a clever girl though and soon comes up with different plans to escape. But, as you can imagine, they don't make it easy for her...

The Treatment is not only an action-filled thriller though, but also a really clever and thought-provoking read. C.L. Taylor presents us with a near future that could very much be real, which makes it even more terrifying. Think how "well" a brainwashed society would work... I am pretty sure this story will leave no one indifferent. 

Not only that, C.L. Taylor has quite a few surprises in store for us. I was definitely gripped with this story and I found Drew and the rest of characters really interesting and engaging. I was fascinated by all the thoughts Drew had during her stay in the academy.

I have read a lot of YA lately and The Treatment is definitely one my top reads. But I'm sure too that its gripping and twisted plot will also appeal the adult audience.

Rating: 5 stars

I would like to thank the publisher for sending me a copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.

A mother always knows best. Doesn’t she? With her latest novel, Keep You Safe, Melissa Hill explores a really controversial topic. After having her on the blog last week for a guest post, today I am sharing my thoughts on this addictive and thought-provoking novel:

Title: Keep You Safe

Author: Melissa Hill

Published: September 21st 2017 by HQ

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: For readers who love issue-driven fiction, Melissa Hill has written a breakout novel exploring the "to vaccinate or not" debate and the tragic consequences of one mother's decision on another.

Single mom Kate O'Donnell is living her worst nightmare. Her young daughter, Clara, who has a medical condition that doesn't allow her to be vaccinated, becomes critically ill when one of her classmates, Lauren-whose family chose not to vaccinate-contracts and spreads the virus. While Lauren has no trouble recovering from the disease, Clara's condition worsens. With time spent by her daughter's bedside, Kate loses her job and slides deeper into medical debt. But when another school parent points the blame at Lauren's mother, Lucy, and the media begins an attack, we see two very different views on parenting and how badly things can spin out of control when all either of these two women wanted was to keep their daughters safe.

Review: Keep You Safe certainly delivers what it promises, this a thought provoking and addictive story that will leave no one indifferent. The core of the novel is the "to vaccinate or not" debate but the story is so much more. I didn't expect to become so attached to these characters and their lives. Melissa Hill really gave us a unbiased and open window to this debate. We got to know two families, with really different views and methods but you were never sure who to side with.

Not only that, but the tension was constant during the whole book. I never knew where the story was going to head next and it never lost this personal touch that made you relate so well to what was going on. Plus, I do love a good courtroom battle and Melissa Hill made this part fit into the whole story seamlessly. 

Keep You Safe really is an eye opener, not only with the vaccinate issue, but with society nowadays: how the media builds this persona that we are supposed to hate or this other one that we should feel sorry for and how public opinion, especially with the anonymity that Internet offers, can completely destroy and viciously attack someone. Really, food for thought.

I had read a few books by this author before and I must admit, I really liked this new directions she is taking. This book had me glued to its pages for hours, managed to surprise me several times and made me care for its characters. 

Rating: 5 stars

I would like to thank the publishers for sending me a copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.

Today I am delighted to welcome Melissa Hill on the blog for the Blog Tour for her new novel, Keep You Safe, which was published yesterday. All yours, Melissa:

Expecting the Unexpected

by Melissa Hill

My husband realised that something was up when I’d gone off Mexican food. Rarely a week goes by when we don’t tuck into something spicy and for him this was a major red flag. 

Nah, I thought, quickly dismissing the thought. Surely if I was pregnant I would know? I hadn’t gained weight, been sick, hormonal or experienced any of the usual giveaways. To say nothing of missing a period. 

Had I? 

I’d just delivered a new novel to my publishers, and the lead-up to this time is always hugely frenetic with the weeks tending to run into each other. I couldn’t remember when (or if) I’d had my last period. 

So while I was still convinced that there was simply no way I could be pregnant and not know it, I bit the bullet and took a test - just in case. 

The result immediately came up positive; in fact, the little white stick practically exploded in my hand.

My GP suggested I book a dating scan since I couldn’t be sure of my dates, but given that I hadn’t experienced any symptoms I figured I really couldn’t be more than a few weeks along. 

Imagine my disbelief when during that first ultrasound - unlike the little seahorse I’d been expecting - a ginormous baby exploded onscreen, while the obstetrician cheerily informed me that I was in my twentieth week. 

Besides being in complete shock (and berating myself for being an utter disgrace to womanhood), I felt incredibly guilty and began worrying about those cocktails I’d had on a recent sun holiday, the precarious ducking through traffic during a weekend in New York, those hot-tub soaks on a spa break… not to mention all the so-called ‘danger’ foods I’d been polishing off in the meantime. 

But the doc was quick to reassure that baby seemed perfect and was doing fine. My recent aversion to all things chilli was the only hint of her existence and luckily for us, my other half paid attention – if it were up to me I may well have ended up in the labour ward before I figured it out.

But as it happened, there was another surprise in store. 

Almost two weeks before my due date, we booked a weekend away in a hotel to celebrate my birthday, and mark what could well be our last time away as a twosome. How right we were – on the first night of the stay our daughter decided to announce her premature arrival and I went into labour at the hotel.

Luckily, we made it back to the hospital in time for her to be born safely, but I guess the entire experience set the tone for my parenting philosophy from thereon: expect the unexpected…

Melissa Hill, 2017.

About the book:

Title: Keep You Safe

Author: Melissa Hill

Published: September 21st 2017 by HQ

Amazon | Amazon UK