Blog Tour: Lost Souls by Jenny O'Brien

A MISSING GIRL. A RACE AGAINST TIME.

Ten-year-old Elodie Fry vanishes overnight, along with a rucksack filled with her meagre belongings. Acting DI Gaby Darin and her team are fighting the clock to reunite Elodie with her distraught mother – but was Elodie kidnapped or did she run?

Later that day, a local undertaker uncovers a nasty surprise: the remains of an unidentified second adult among a late pensioner’s ashes. Torn between the two investigations, Gaby decides the gruesome discovery at the crematorium must wait – the team are desperate to find Elodie before they lose her trail.

But as she follows the evidence, Gaby realises the two cases have a sinister connection… and there’s a killer on the loose.

Can Gaby find the missing girl alive… or is she already too late

Purchase Link - http://smarturl.it/Lost_Souls

Review

As detectives scramble to find missing ten-year-old Elodie Fry, a crematorium worker presents evidence of a second body found with another man's ashes. Acting DI Gaby Darin doesn't have the time to spare to look into it, nor into the sudden disappearance of a local pensioner, but has to spread her team even thinner to do so. On top of this, Gaby is trying to juggle a fledgling relationship and possibly apply to make her DI status permanent. With so many balls in the air, it seems inevitable that one's going to drop - and someone's going to get hurt.

A fast paced, tightly written mystery, this was my very first introduction to Gaby Darin and her bullpen of detectives, each with their own problems. Fourth in the series, this definitely made reference to (and possibly spoiled) previous books and key past events, so I perhaps wouldn't start here. It was a little difficult to work out what was backstory and what occurred in earlier books. Nonetheless, the multiple points of view helped provide insights into various characters, even if it was a little hard to keep them all straight at times. It's no coincidence that the titular Lost Souls are plural, as Elodie isn't the only one who needs help.

We spend the most time with Gaby, whose grim determination to get the job done is starting to falter against a backdrop of personal developments and an overwhelming caseload. I really liked Gaby and would like to see more of her, both what happened previously and where she goes from here. Rusty is really sweet (he seems like a great guy) and the tension in their relationship stems from his son, who is rather resentful of the new person in his father's life.

The twists and turns as the disparate pieces of the story draw together kept me guessing almost all the way through and it all fell into place with a satisfying click, even if the motive wasn't clear. As for the more personal side of the story? There's definitely going to be a change to the status quo and I'm curious as to how this shakes things up.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Rachel's Random Resources; all opinions are my own

Author Bio

Born in Dublin, Jenny O'Brien moved to Wales and then Guernsey, where she tries to find time to write in between working as a nurse and ferrying around 3 teenagers.

In her spare time she can be found frowning at her wonky cakes and even wonkier breads. You'll be pleased to note she won't be entering Bake-Off. She's also an all-year-round sea swimmer. Readers can find out more about Jenny and her books on her blog: (jennyobrienwriter.wordpress) and she can also be found on Twitter and Instagram as 'scribblerjb' and Facebook (Jenny O'Brien Guernsey Writer)

Fake by Kylie Scott

Fake, an all new sexy fake relationship standalone romance from New York Times bestselling author Kylie Scott is coming May 18th!

He walks the red carpet. She’s more familiar with vacuuming one.

When a scandal tarnishes the reputation of hot as hell A-lister, Patrick Walsh, he needs a reputation rescue, pronto.

Enter waitress Norah Peers–a nobody who’s average with a capital A. She’s available, dependable, and has sworn off men for the rest of her natural born life. In other words: the perfect match for a no-strings fake romance.

For the right amount of money, she can avoid waitressing and play the part of his dependable down-to-earth girlfriend. What she can’t avoid–dammit–is the growing steam between them.

But being hounded by the paparazzi and having her life dissected on social media is a panic attack in the making. And while Patrick might be a charming rogue on screen, in real life he’s a six-foot-two confusing, gorgeous, brooding grump, who keeps her at a distance . . . but also makes her feel like this bond between them might be more than just an act.

Being dumped on cue should be no big deal. Except being fake with Patrick is the realist relationship Norah has ever had. What’s a girl to do, but flip the script, and ask for a re-match made in Hollywood?

Reserve yours now!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2P2liAJ
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/Fake
Kobo: https://bit.ly/2QfG54j
Nook: https://bit.ly/32pTdWT
Apple Books: https://apple.co/3v5gzh8

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3egt0j3

Review

Fake relationships are my catnip and Fake is a stellar example of why.

Norah Peers is stunningly average. A waitress with a job or two on the side, there's nothing special about her, which makes her the perfect everywoman to rehabilitate Patrick Walsh's tarnished reputation with a fake relationship. He's grumpy and annoyingly hard to read, but he takes Norah seriously and makes her feel valued. Soon, she's wondering if they have enough to make this fake relationship real.

Patrick is swoonworthy and I love how he owns up to his mistakes, but the real hero of this book is Norah. She's down to earth to the point of being self-deprecating, but she knows her own value and when she sets her boundaries, she NAILS those suckers. Norah has a character arc all of her own outside of Patrick (an interesting sideline of 'what would you do if money wasn't an issue?') but of course the main course is the slow burn relationship that everyone else thinks is a whirlwind romance.

It was really interesting to see their relationship develop inside this little bubble against the chaos of media (social and mainstream) and everyone else's expectations. The meeting the family scenes were actually really sweet and helped to draw Norah and Patrick closer together.

Fake is fantastic and romantic and pure wish fulfillment with next to no angst. If you're like me and love a good fake relationship, it's a great one to pick up.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Social Butterfly PR; all opinions are my own

Blog Tour: Raven Fire by Emma Miles

Is prophecy real; can Arridia and Joss defeat a god? 

Evil never sleeps, and neither can the fire spirits who have guarded Kesta and her family so faithfully for more than fourteen years. United in a desire for peace, the four lands beneath the sky have enjoyed relative stability, but under the surface stirs unrest. Greed, ambition, disquiet, rebellion; and the ever-present threat of Geladan’s crazed god discovering she has been fooled.

Quiet Arridia is a Raven Scout, dedicated to the principles and hopes of her parents. When an opportunity presents itself to come home, she grasps it, longing to settle and find the love she has patiently waited for.

Fun-loving Joss is drawn to the court of Elden with all its colour, noise, and intrigue; but has he taken on more than a young man can survive?

Raven Fire is the final part of the breath-taking Fire-Walker saga.

If you could, would you dare to change the world?

Purchase Links
US - https://www.amazon.com/Raven-Fire-Fire-Walker-Book-4-ebook/dp/B091TYD38X/
UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Raven-Fire-Fire-Walker-Book-4-ebook/dp/B091TYD38X/

Review

Fourteen years after the treacherous delegation from Geladan failed to kill Kesta and Jorrun's children, the four lands are at peace, more or less. But there are rumours of forbidden witchcraft in rural Eldan, and Geladan's god hasn't forgotten the prophecy that could spell her end.

This is the fourth and final book in this series and while you could start here - thanks to the fourteen years timejump - I wouldn't recommend it. Events from all the previous books are referenced and those in Raven Storm are particularly pertinent.There are HEAPS of characters from all over the map and I appreciated the headings and clear demarcations each time we jump PoV.

I loved how the storylines entwined together. Previous PoV characters and some new ones get a chance to tell their story, no character arc is left behind. This is the final chapter in a sprawling epic, but at its heart it is about a family - Kesta and Jorrun, their children, and Kesta's parents. It's about the power of sacrifice and the triumph of love. I laughed, I cried, and by the time of the final battle, I couldn't put it down.

While the ending wraps up the series beautifully, it is clear that there are more stories to be told, more adventures to be had. I'm torn between wanting to read more and hoping that everyone gets a long time to rest and heal. An incredible and emotional end to a wonderful fantasy series.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via Rachel's Random Resources; all opinions are my own.

Author Bio
I often get asked when I knew I was a writer; the answer is always. A writer is what I am, it’s in my soul. There have been times in my life when I couldn’t write, and times when my writing has been the only thing that kept me going. I think I always longed for something deeper from life, something more meaningful, and I found it in my imagination and in the music of words.

It was poetry which first caught my attention, and whilst my younger cousins called for ghost stories it was animals I first wrote of. I think I gravitated toward fantasy because of the freedom it gives, I could create my own worlds and decide my own rules. My Wind’s Children trilogy was born from an image that came to me whilst daydreaming, of a young man sitting alone below a bridge. I didn’t know who he was; it turns out neither did he, but we found out together.

I’m now working on my eleventh book and love writing more than ever, it’s an addiction, an obsession, but one I now share with my wonderful writing family. My beta readers, my editor, and you, my readers, having you with me on my journey means the world to me.

I write as much as I can around work, but I also try to squeeze in a ridiculous amount of hobbies! I’m a wildlife photographer and do a little archery. I paint, sculpt with clay, withies and driftwood, preferring to be outdoors if I can. I still have a love for the theatre, having started out in life studying backstage crafts, and a great love for language. I speak a little French, Romanian and Italian, ma non molto bene!

Thanks for reading this. If you read any of my books and love them, please come say hello and tell me, you’d be surprised at how much that means to an author.

Take care of yourself.

Em x

Social Media Links
https://www.facebook.com/EmmaMilesShadow
https://mobile.twitter.com/EmmaMilesShadow

Blog Tour: Banana Devil Cake by Susan A King

 

With the murder of last year’s fête judge now but a hazy memory, the village of Elmesbury has retired to its former tranquil existence. That is, until a mysterious newcomer sets in motion a series of events that will see members of the W.I. crossing wooden spoons at dawn.

In the midst of preparing for her long-awaited engagement party, redoubtable village busybody Beattie Bramshaw not only finds herself embroiled in a one-woman campaign to save the elm tree from which the village gets its name, but having to contend with an outbreak of unrest within her beloved W.I. group. Rivalry to win favour with the judge of this year’s fête has fuelled dissent within the ranks and, when two members are found dead in mysterious circumstances, suspicions run rife.

Confident the devil is not only in the cake but in the detail, Beattie determines to uncover the clues that will ultimately lead to the killer’s conviction. But can she solve the mystery before another member of the W.I. is picked off?

Banana Devil Cake is a comedy crime caper in the spirit of Agatha Raisin and one that is guaranteed to lift your spirits. Prepare yourself for a tale of tea, cake and riotous goings-on from the author of Marrow Jam.

Purchase Links
UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08SWDG367
US - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08SWDG367

Review

Village shenanigans with a side of murder

Elderly but indomitable Beattie Bramshaw has a lot on her plate, in some cases literally. She's planning her engagement party, campaigning to save the village elm, and helping to organise the village fete with the fractious W.I. Just as one problem is put in its place, another rises to meet it - like the sudden death of not one, but two of her compatriots at the W.I. Suspicion falls on a celebrity psychic hiding out in the village after scandal, but Beattie can't seem to stop digging.

This is the second in a series, and fair warning - it totally spoils the ending of the first one in an extended series of court scenes. While this isn't usual for murder mysteries, it does signal this is a rather different sort of book - one without a dead body until 48% of the way through.

This may prove troublesome for those who want their murders front and centre, however for those who would rather take the scenic route, it's a fun slice of life with a cast of quirky villagers. Beattie may be bossy and stubborn, but you can't help but be charmed by her take-no-nonsense attitude to life (and death). I especially enjoyed her ruminations on the best way to spy on the neighbours. The women of the W.I. are headstrong and diverse, leading to heads butting all over the place.

I did guess the murderer quite quickly (which isn't usual for me) but it was nice to see all the pieces slot into place. I do feel like there were a few plot threads that weren't entirely wrapped up - was Leo trying to butter Beattie up? what was up with the quiche? and did anyone manage to bake a proper Banana Devil Cake?

Unanswered questions aside, this was a fun comedic caper through the cutthroat world of village baking with a side of murder. If that sounds like your cup of tea, you'll love this.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Rachel's Random Resources; all opinions are my own.

Author Bio

Susan A. King lives with her husband in a quiet suburb in Hampshire. Between them they have four grown-up sons.

The inspiration for her Beattie Bramshaw novels comes from her long experience and observation of competitors at the local Romsey Show, where she regularly aspires to win Best in Show with her floral arrangements.

Social Media Links
Twitter @SusanKing63
Insta @susan.king63

Butterflies and Hazel Eyes by Katie Mettner

Charity Puck has had it rough. Neglected and abandoned by her parents, she went to juvie for the three square meals and an education. Now a white-hat hacker, she travels the country picking up cyber-security jobs and crossing items off her bucket list. Gulliver Winsome has been dealt a bad hand of his own, starting with poverty, illness, and now someone is threatening his work of saving his beloved butterflies. He hires Charity to fix their ailing computer security, though when she rolls into Plentiful on the banks of Lake Superior, neither of them expect the connection that spring up between them. But Charity's life is on the road and when the threat moves from digital to physical, she must decide if Gulliver is reason enough to stay.

This book has great disabled rep. Both Charity and Gulliver are disabled, but neither of them lets it define themselves or their relationship. Instead, we get some beautiful conversations with real vulnerability and the intimacy of sharing a part of yourself that you don't often let others see. I also loved how this communication continued when the relationship turned physical.

I wasn't a fan of the sometimes purple prose, however. Lush descriptions of Lake Superior are poetic, but a similar level of description becomes overblown when describing people. Gulliver's titular 'hazel eyes' are also described as 'caramel orbs' and 'gingerbread', and I'm going to be honest, the mood is broken when Charity refers to her breasts as 'perky white globes'. Breast should not be globes, people. At best, they're hemispheres, but that reminds me of geography class and that's not sexy either.

I did enjoy how the romance has a backdrop of industrial espionage and the passion with which Gulliver talks about butterflies is infection, so there's a lot to like here, but some of the writing put me off so I'll give this four stars.

Butterflies and Hazel Eyes is available now (Paperback link)

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley; all opinions are my own