No One Will Hear by Joel Hames

It's my stop today on the blog tour for this fab book. My thanks to Joel and Tracy Fenton for inviting me to take part.

The Blurb:

Four murders
Four messages
One chance to catch a killer.

Renowned human rights lawyer Elizabeth Maurier lies dead, her body mutilated, her killer unknown. For DI Olivia Martins and her team, it’s a mystery. For the victim’s daughter Lizzy, a poet and academic with a shaky grasp on reality, it’s a tragedy. But for Sam Williams, the man Elizabeth fired a decade ago and hasn’t spoken to since, it’s a whole new world of pain.

Elizabeth’s death has stirred a sleeping past back to life. Former clients are darkening Sam’s door, old enemies returning, ancient cases reopening. It doesn't help that DI Martins is on his case, the press are dogging his every step, and his girlfriend’s behaviour is increasingly erratic.

But Elizabeth’s murder is just the start. As Sam reluctantly digs his way back into the past, more truths will crumble into lies.

More certainties will shade to doubt.

And more innocent people will die.

My Review:

This is the second book in the Sam Williams series, and begins almost straight after the end of the first book, Dead North (read my review here), but also works well as a standalone. So it would maybe be a good idea to read Dead North first, but if you haven't, don't be put off reading this one - you'll be fine.

In Dead North, I fell a little bit in love with Sam Williams, and I 'm happy to say that continued into this book. He's still down on his luck with just one client, things aren't great at home, and he's just discovered he has to help compile a memoir of a deceased employer he hadn't seen for 10 years. But there's something about Sam and I admire his doggedness and determination to get to the bottom of things. But in this case, will it come at a cost?

I was sorry not to see more Roarke in this story but very clearly he had his own thing going on, and I'm sure we'll hear more from Roarke in the future. In this book, Sam gets to spar with David Brooks-Powell, a man with whom he has a chequered past, and it was really interesting to see their relationship build throughout the book. I found myself quite cross and irritated with Claire in the early part of the book, but then, oh gosh, I felt really guilty about my negative thoughts. But I liked her having a bigger part in the story.

This tale starts as a bit of a slow burner, but the pace quickens as the story progresses. You need to stay focused, as there is a reasonable size cast of characters, but they all contribute to the story. All them are beautifully drawn and described, but the standouts for me, other than Sam, are Trawden because he's so complex, and Vicky Coleman, because she's feisty and brave, and not afraid to do the right thing. But DI Martins? She's got some issues, I think!

This is a fabulous story, beginning with a  murder, but taking in so much more. It's hard to say too much more without giving away spoilers. But I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who likes an intelligent thriller with a great plot.

You can buy No One Will Hear on Amazon UK and US.

The Author:

Joel Hames lives in rural Lancashire, England, with his wife and two daughters, where he works hard at looking serious and pretending to be a proper novelist.

After a varied career in London which involved City law firms, a picture frame warehouse, an investment bank and a number of market stalls (he has been known to cry out "Belgian chocolates going cheap over 'ere" in his sleep), Joel relocated from the Big Smoke to be his own boss. As a result, he now writes what he wants, when he wants to (which by coincidence is when the rest of the family choose to let him).

Joel's first novel, Bankers Town, was published in 2014, and The Art of Staying Dead followed in 2015. The novellas Brexecution (written and published in the space of ten days following the UK's Brexit referendum, with half of the profits going to charity) and Victims were published in 2016 and 2017 respectively. Dead North, the first book in the Sam Williams series, was published in March of this year.

Joel's website can be found here, where you can find out more about the writer and the books, and sign up to his email newsletter. If you want to know what Joel has planned for the future, what he thinks right now, or just stalk him a little, you can find him on Facebook or Twitter

Russian Roulette by Keith Nixon

Another cracker from Keith Nixon today. Thanks to him and the TBC Reviewers Request Group for the opportunity to read this book.

The Blurb:

Meet Konstantin Boryakov, the enigmatic ex-KGB agent and tramp with a dark history and darker future. Trouble has a habit of seeking out Konstantin, whether he wants it or not. Starting with small time drug dealer Dave the Rave from the moment he arrives in the seedy seaside town of Margate where he’s supposed to hide, to Nikos the loan shark and Fat Gary, all round idiot. Then there’s the so-called good guys, the councillors and lawyers who are worse than the criminals. But Konstantin isn’t alone, despite his wishes. Fidelity Brown, aka Plastic Fantastic, dildo wielding dominatrix who has her own mélange of secrets and lies, and nightclub owner Ken who’s connected to all the wrong people, help the Russian with the heap of problems delivered to his doorstep. Cue deception, murder, mayhem as Konstantin settles into his new life. Margate will never be the same again.

My Review:

This is the fifth of Keith's books I've read, and I think it's my favourite yet. A standalone collection of stories all featuring enigmatic Russian, Konstantin, and a support cast of colourful characters.

I adored Konstantin, although I'm not sure I was supposed to! He was so brilliantly described, I have a very clear picture of him in my mind. And I 'm a complete sucker for a man who speaks in accented broken English.

There is a huge range of lesser characters featured throughout the book, but my favourite of them was definitely Fidelity - great name, feisty and ballsy, but with a sad story. I loved the moments when they were together - their love hate relationship. I was also intrigued by the mysterious Mr Lamb.

The chapter headings are genius. Such gems as 'Super Tramp' (you need to be a certain age), 'Morning Glory', 'Glory, Glory Man United ', 'Strap It On', 'Out on a Lamb' a And my absolute favourite 'And Bob Wanted to Puke'. There are so many more, but I don't want to spoil your fun.

This is a brilliant, fun book. Violent, yes. Dark, yes. But it has black humour running all the way through it. And it made me want to visit Margate. I loved it and was delighted to see there are other books featuring Konstantin and look forward to reading more of his adventures.

You can buy Russian Roulette on Amazon UK and US.

You can find my reviews of some of Keith's other books using the links below:
The Corpse Role
Dig Two Graves
Burn The Evidence
Beg For Mercy

The Author:

Keith Nixon has been writing since he was a child. In fact his wife and friends say he's never really grown up. He is currently gainfully employed in a senior sales role meaning he gets to use his one skill, talking too much. He also drinks beer and is a coffee snob.

Keith writes crime and historical fiction novels. His crime books are published by indie house Caffeine Nights and historical novels by Gladius Press. Keith also reviews for Crime Fiction Lover and Big Al's Books & Pals.

You can find out more on his website.

Kin by Snorri Kristjansson

As many of you know, I was a reader for the McIlvanney Prize for this year's Bloody Scotland. The longlist has now been drawn up, and can be found here. The winner will be announced at Bloody Scotland's Gala Event in Stirling on 21st September.

There were a huge amount of books out forward this year, and I was very fortunate to read a handful. So I thought I'd share my thoughts on a few of them, and here's the first.

The Blurb:

Everyone loves a family reunion.

He can deny it all he likes, but everyone knows Viking warlord Unnthor Reginsson brought home a great chest of gold when he retired from the longboats and settled down with Hildigunnur in a remote valley. Now, in the summer of 970, adopted daughter Helga is awaiting the arrival of her unknown siblings: dark, dangerous Karl, lithe, clever Jorunn, gentle Aslak, henpecked by his shrewish wife, and the giant Bjorn, made bitter by Volund, his idiot son.

And they're coming with darkness in their hearts.

The siblings gather, bad blood simmers and old feuds resurface as Unnthor's heirs make their moves on the old man's treasure - until one morning Helga is awakened by screams. Blood has been shed: kin has been slain.

No one confesses, but all the clues point to one person - who cannot possibly be the murderer, at least in Helga's eyes. But if she's going to save the innocent from the axe and prevent more bloodshed, she's got to solve the mystery - fast . . .

Lies. Manipulation. Murder. There's nothing quite like family.

My Review:

To my shame, I haven't read much Scandinavian crime. And I very rarely read books that aren't set in the present, or fairly decent past. So this book, which features a Viking family in the year 970, was going to be an interesting read for me, but, to be honest, I wasn't expecting too much.

Well how wrong  I was! I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it..

The scene setting is brilliant. I could imagine the homestead in front of me, and see myself sitting in the kitchen. It was very evocative. All the characters are richly described - strengths and weaknesses. I loved the main character, young Helga, already growing into a confident young woman, and her adoptive parents, Unnthor Reginsson and Hildigunnur Heidreksdottir, a truly formidable pair. But also the children of Unnthor and Hildigunnur, their spouses and the grandchildren, as they gather together for the first time in years, are exquisitely drawn, the four adult children particularly.

The story moves at a slower pace than I'm used to, and we're a fair way through the book before the first crime is committed. But as soon as the family start to gather, the tension begins, and keeps rising. There is a real sense of claustrophobia around the story, and the air is thick with a growing menace.

We see the relationships and interactions between different family members through Helga's eyes as she watched the siblings she has never met before, and realised things their parents don't. All these meetings and conversations are beautifully written and I particularly enjoyed the strong women who form the heart of this story. And it was great to hear some Viking tales.

This is the story of a family falling apart from within and ending up battered and bruised. But absolutely, definitely not beaten. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more by this author.

You can buy Kin on Amazon UK and US

The Author:

Snorri Kristjansson was born in Reykjavik in 1974. He has since lived in Norway, where he found a passionate aversion to skiing, London and now Edinburgh with his wife, where he dabbles in classical acting and stand-up comedy while teaching English.

His fantasy series, The Valhalla Saga, and his crime series, Kin and Council, are published by Jo Fletcher Books. Kin is the first in the Helga Finnsdottir series. They all have Vikings in, so expect moderate cursing and beards.

Crossing the Line by Nikki Rose

It's my pleasure to be opening the tour for this book - Nikki's debut romantic suspense novel.

The Blurb:

He’s a killer able to reach even the most untouchable marks and she’s his new obsession. Watching from his balcony, Hunter can’t fight the force pulling him toward the girl who just moved in across the street. The sexy little brunette bouncing around her apartment unpacking boxes has him searching for a way to get closer. He never expected to be watching from the shadows as the police take her away. If he wants a chance with her, he has no choice but to follow.

All Addy wanted was a new beginning and a chance at a normal life after leaving her cheating ex. She never expected her new start to include witnessing a brutal crime and being forced to relocate while the police searched for the killer. Finding herself waiting tables alone in a new town isn’t exactly the start she was hoping for until the handsome stranger at table four turns her world upside down.

Crossing the Line contains violent scenes and sexual situations. Mature readers only. Adults 18+.

My Review:

I was intrigued to read this book, which is described as a romantic suspense novel, as it's not something I would normally read. Suspense yes, romance no. So, it was going to be a different experience for me.

I liked Addy immediately. She's starting a new life after leaving a cheating ex, settling in, making new friends and has a new job to start. But then it goes horribly wrong when she is the only witness to an awful crime. For her safety, she is moved to a small town under a new name. and takes a job in a local cafe. She's certainly not looking for a new relationship, but then she meets a visitor to the town.

Hunter is initially very mysterious, and I thought I knew where his character was going,  but I was wrong. And glad to be so.  I was conflicted about him, and sometimes angry with him, as I struggled to understand his motivation but it did become clear.  Both characters are well rounded and their actions are described beautifully. There were a couple of moments when my heart broke for Addy, and I was right there with her as she tried to make sense of what was happening and how she was feeling.  I liked the more minor characters too, particularly Chris.

The chemistry between the couple is intense and immediate. It is perhaps a little unrealistic (or maybe it's just that I've never been that lucky!) but it is written in a way that makes it believable. The sex scenes are beautifully written without being crass, and I loved the tentative emotional connection that starts to build between them, and was glad to see that it didn't always run smoothly.

There is plenty of action - of all sorts - throughout the book, and, for me at least, the ending was perfect. I look forward to reading more by this author in the future.

Crossing the Line will be released tomorrow and is available from Amazon UK and US.

The Author:

For as long as she can remember, Nikki Rose has enjoyed writing stories. For years, writing was just a hobby for this South Carolina native. It was a way to let out all the stories floating around in her head. After one of those stories took on a mind of its own, outgrowing even the parameters of a single book, Rose knew she had to pursue her dream.

Married to her high school sweetheart and best friend, Rose feels she is truly living out a romance story of her very own. As a stay at home mom of two, she is blessed with the time needed to work on her writing career full-time while her kids are at school or in the wee hours while normal people sleep.

She considers herself a music obsessed chocoholic and hopeless romantic who enjoys weaving romance stories with a healthy dose of mystery and suspense.

You can find out more about Nikki by visiting her website or Amazon author page. You can also follow her on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Snowflake by Heide Goody and Iain Grant.

I am absolutely delighted to be taking part in this blog tour. Thank you to Heide Goody, Iain Grant and Tracy Fenton for making that happen.

The Blurb:

Lori Belkin has been dumped. By her parents.

They moved out while she was away on holiday, and now, at the tender age of twenty-five, she’s been cruelly forced to stand on her own two feet.

While she’s getting to grips with basic adulting, Lori magically brings to life the super-sexy man she created from celebrity photos as a teenager.

Lori learns very quickly that having your ideal man is not as satisfying as it ought to be and that being an adult is far harder than it looks.

Snowflake is a story about prehistoric pets, delinquent donkeys and becoming the person you want to be, not the person everyone else expects you to be.

My Review:

Twenty-five year old Lori has had a pretty easy life - until now. She comes back from holiday to find the locks changed on her family home, and her parents gone, just leaving her a note that they've decided she needs to grow up. Her adventures, or maybe that should be misadventures, start there.

I don't think I've ever come across anyone as completely and utterly clueless as Lori. About everything. She has to learn how to look after herself, feed herself, wash clothes and find a job. Much of this she tries to do with the help of an electronic Alexa type device, and her best friend Cookie, who has a job and everything! The trouble with Cookie is that much of the time she is talking, it seems like she is quoting from fortune cookies!

But, of course, it's not as simple as just finding her feet. Because there is magic involved. And animals. And prehistoric insects. An ideal man, who may not be so ideal after all. A second man, who might be more ideal, but who thinks Lori is completely bonkers and a walking disaster. Oh, and the police, of course. And condoms.

Snowflake is essentially a coming of age story. And it's hysterical. I giggled all the way through. Initially, I worried that Lori would annoy me with her ineptitude. But she was kind of cute with it all, but naive, like a child. She tries really hard and always does her best - things just don't always turn out the right way. She has several run ins with the police and for me these were some of the funniest scenes in the book, as each time she tries to explain a scenario more bizarre than the last.

I don't think I have ever read a book quite like this before. I faced through it, keen to see what happened, laughing as I went. I found myself cheering (silently, otherwise that would be weird) Lori on, wanting things to work out, as she starts to find her feet in the world. It's a glorious riot of a book - full of fun, excitement and heart. Lori is delightful and beautifully described, as are all the characters. The pacing is brilliant and the conclusion is perfect. A truly satisfying read.

This is the first book by these authors that I've read, although I have one or two in my insanely large TBR pile. But based on my enjoyment of Snowflake, they will be making their way towards the top of the pile.

I'm always intrigued by how pairs of authors work together - who writes what, that kind of thing. I have no idea how Heide and Iain work, but seamlessly would appear to be the answer. They are obviously completely in tune with each other.

This was a delightful read and a welcome change from the darker stuff I normally read. Recommended for anyone who enjoys a fine romp of a story with a good laugh along the way.

Snowflake is available for pre-order on Amazon UK and US. It will be released on 20th July.

The Authors:

Heide inflicts unsuitable content upon the world by whatever devious means she can find. She is, with Iain Grant, co-author of the Clovenhoof series, the Satan-in-suburbia comic novel and several other books set in the same world.

Heide lives in North Warwickshire, England with her husband and children.

Iain Grant is an author of short stories and novels, ranging from contemporary literature to fantasy and horror. His short stories have appeared in numerous magazines and anthologies.

He is perhaps best known for the Clovenhoof comic novels co-written with Heide Goody.

Iain’s solo work includes children’s books, thrillers and a steampunk omnibus, “The Gears of Madness”.

You can find out more about Heide and Iain by visiting their  website.

Bitter Moon by Alexandra Sokoloff

Oh gosh, I love this series! As promised on Wednesday, here are the details for Bitter Moon, the fourth in the Huntress/FBI series by Alexandra Sokoloff. Now, I have a wee confession to make - I haven't yet read book 5 (hangs head in shame). But I will as soon as I can and get back to you. In the meantime, enjoy my review of this book.

The Blurb:

FBI agent Matthew Roarke has been on leave, and in seclusion, since the capture of mass killer Cara Lindstrom—the victim turned avenger who preys on predators. Torn between devotion to the law and a powerful attraction to Cara and her lethal brand of justice, Roarke has retreated from both to search his soul. But Cara’s escape from custody and a police detective’s cryptic challenge soon draw him out of exile—into the California desert and deep into Cara’s past—to probe an unsolved murder that could be the key to her long and deadly career.

Following young Cara’s trail, Roarke uncovers a horrifying attack on a schoolgirl, the shocking suicide of another, and a human monster stalking Cara’s old high school. Separated by sixteen years, crossing paths in the present and past, Roarke and fourteen-year-old Cara must race to find and stop the sadistic sexual predator before more young women are brutalised.

My Review:

I was curious where this book would take us, as at the end of Cold Moon, Roarke had taken a voluntary leave of absence from the Bureau, and is ignoring calls from his team.

But Cara's pull is too strong, and prompted by an aggressive message left by a detective from the Palm Desert Sheriff's department Roarke is soon carrying out his own investigation into two sixteen year old cases, which he is convinced are linked to Cara in some way.

This book was different from the previous three in that the action alternates between Roarke in the present and Cara in the past. Cara's chapters are set when she was 14, and Roarke's are set in the present day as he looks into those events of 16 years previously. There is obviously no actual interaction between Roarke and Cara, and Roarke only has limited contact by phone with his team.

I enjoyed finding out more about Cara's early days, and the events that helped shape her. And I thought it was clever, and effective, to have essentially two investigations taking place 16 years apart. It worked really well. And as with every book in this series so far, the scenery is beautifully described - I could picture myself there.

I can't wait to read book 5! I would recommend this series to everyone, but would suggest you start at book one. You won't regret it!

You can buy Bitter Moon from Amazon UK and US.

You can read my reviews of the previous books in the series here: Huntress Moon, Blood Moon and Cold Moon.

The Author:

Alexandra Sokoloff has received the Thriller Award and been nominated for the Bram Stoker Award, the Anthony Award, and the Black Quill Award for her supernatural thrillers The Harrowing, The Price, The Unseen, Book of Shadows, The Shifters, Keeper of the Shadows, and The Space Between. Her Huntress/FBI series—featuring the books Huntress Moon, Blood Moon, and Cold Moon—has been nominated for a Thriller Award. The New York Times Book Review has called her a “daughter of Mary Shelley” and referred to her books as “some of the most original and freshly unnerving work in the genre.” As a screenwriter, she has sold original horror and thriller scripts and adapted novels for numerous Hollywood studios. She is also the author of two nonfiction workbooks based on her internationally acclaimed workshops and blog: Screenwriting Tricks for Authors and Writing Love.

You can find out more about Alex and her books on her website.

Blind Justice by Alex Tresillian @Alex_Tresillian @UrbaneBooks @LoveBookGroup #blogtour

The Blurb:

THE NEW NIALL BURNET THRILLER!

Superstar Paralympian Fiona Mackintosh Green retires from the track to set up Forward Roll, a charity helping disabled people achieve self-respect through sport. But is she all she seems? How is her charity spending its money?

Niall Burnet, visually impaired journalist, is sent in undercover to find out. What he discovers is a trail of illegal performance-enhancing drugs that leads from the charity to its major backer, global pharmaceutical giant Prince Rajkumar.

All too soon, Niall finds himself surrounded by key players who will stop at nothing to protect their interests. When a former athlete is found dead, he knows that one wrong move could be his last...

Book Info:

Publication Day: 5th July 2018
Publisher: Urbane Publications ISBN: 978-1911331117 Pages: 336
Category: Fiction,
Genre: Conspiracy Thriller | Political Thriller | Action Thriller

My Review:

After previously exposing wrongdoing in the charity sector, visually impaired Niall Burnet is asked to go undercover into the charity Forward Roll to try to expose financial irregularities. As his journalistic career has stagnated, he accepts and takes a marketing job within the organisation. He begins his investigation and soon finds it going off in an unexpected direction. Also unexpected is the new found loyalty he feels for the company which employs him.

This is Alex's second book featuring Niall Burnet. I haven't read the first one, Eyes of the Blind (although I will now be seeking it out) but I didn't feel at all disadvantaged by this. Any necessary back story was covered and it worked perfectly as a standalone.

I've not seen many crime novels featuring disabled characters, so this  makes a refreshing change. And I was particularly attracted to this book because the protagonist is blind, and I have had visually impaired friends in the past. In fact, my first serious boyfriend was blind. From my limited experience with this community, these elements in the book are realistic.

It was also a different kind of crime book for me, as I haven't read many books looking at corruption in a business environment, so I very much welcomed the opportunity to read this.

I was concerned it would feel slow and without tension, but I needn't have worried at all. It keeps up a good pace throughout, and kept me wanting to turn the page to find out more. It's quite long, and fairly complex, with a reasonably large cast of characters, but this kept my interest. It's an intelligently written novel, and very current.

I really liked Niall. When we first meet him he's a bit lost and feeling sorry for himself but this assignment gives him purpose and drive. And he also comes to enjoy his job in the charity. What was particularly interesting for me was the different relationships he builds with others working for the organisation, particularly it's founder and director, Fiona Mackintosh Green. Their growing closeness casts shade on his investigation.

But for me, the stand out character is Niall's girlfriend, Miranda. She had been blind, but had received the world's first eye transplant a year earlier and can now see. But the sighted world overwhelms her. Her vulnerability and despair at not knowing her place in the world is shown beautifully. Her  relationship with Niall is altered by events in the book, and there is a point of realisation for both of them. But she proves to be helpful to Niall's investigation, especially with the help of her new friend Zoltan.

Niall, Miranda, Zoltan, Fiona and Nate (Fiona's husband) are all brilliantly described - I could imagine them as real people. But the minor characters are also roundly drawn.

So yes, this is a story about crime, corruption and conspiracy. But it's also about relationships, loyalty, trust and hope, and I really enjoyed it. Thoroughly engaging.

My thanks to Alex Tresillian, Urbane Publications and Kelly at Love Books Group for the opportunity to read this book as part of the blog tour.

You can purchase Blind Justice at Amazon UK and US, Foyles and Waterstones.

The Author:

Alex grew up in rural England with a dream to write for a living which never quite came true. He has enjoyed incarnations as a theatre publicity officer, restaurant manager, teacher, teacher trainer, and curriculum developer. Along the way Alex wrote five plays that were performed by students including one, Never Mind the Rain Forests, that was enthusiastically reviewed (3 stars) at the Edinburgh Fringe. Another, Gavin's Kingdom, received a professional workshop production at the Birmingham Rep. Plays Into Shakespeare, a book for English and Drama teachers that introduced students to the characters in Shakespeare's plays through short modern-English 'additional' scenes, was published by First and Best in Education in 2007.

Alex moved to Abu Dhabi in 2008 with a Lebanese international education company that had a contract to train English teachers and develop curriculum materials. Latterly moved to their Academic Development office in Beirut and wrote two series of books for students from ages eight to sixteen - one on grammar and one on the art of writing. He is now living with his wife of many years in Worcestershire, his children pursuing careers in education, fashion, charity fundraising and web development in places as disparate as Beijing, London and Chesterfield. Alex also enjoys writing stories for his young grandchildren.

You can  visit Alex's website here, or follow him on Twitter.

Cold Moon by Alexandra Sokoloff

As you know, I've been sharing some of my fave reads from last year. Today, I'm continuing with the Huntress/FBI series by Alexandra Sokoloff. I have a lot of love for this series, and can't recommend it enough.  Here is my review of the third book in the collection. Book four will follow on Friday.

The Blurb:

The hunt for mass murderer Cara Lindstrom is over. FBI Special Agent Matthew Roarke has been working for this moment: the capture of a killer who savagely hunts the worst of humanity. But Roarke remains traumatized by his own near-death at the hands of the serial killer who slaughtered Cara’s family…and haunted by the enigmatic woman who saved his life.

Then the sixteen-year-old prostitute who witnessed Cara’s most recent murder goes missing, and suddenly pimps are turning up dead on the streets of San Francisco, killed with an MO eerily similar to Cara’s handiwork.

Is a new killer on the loose with a mission even more deadly than hers? In the pulse-pounding third Huntress/FBI Thrillers book, Roarke will have to go on the hunt…and every woman he meets, even those closest to him, may prove deadly.

My Review:

I am loving this series! We start this book with Cara behind bars, but soon there are killings committed the same way as Cara kills. And when she is released, Roarke doesn't know whether it is her that is killing, or one of several other women. The connection between Roarke and Cara grows deeper - he is pretty much obsessed with her - and it makes him doubt his thinking and his police work. He is so conflicted, as am I as a reader. Obviously, Cara is a killer, but when you see who she kills, it's hard to feel any sympathy for the victims. All of them are abusers of women - traffickers, pimps, johns - the author is making a powerful statement here - highlighting the abuse of women. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!

You can buy Cold Moon on Amazon UK and US.

You can read my reviews of the previous books in the series here: Huntress Moon and Blood Moon.

The Author:

Alexandra Sokoloff has received the Thriller Award and been nominated for the Bram Stoker Award, the Anthony Award, and the Black Quill Award for her supernatural thrillers The Harrowing, The Price, The Unseen, Book of Shadows, The Shifters, Keeper of the Shadows, and The Space Between. Her Huntress/FBI series—featuring the books Huntress Moon, Blood Moon, and Cold Moon—has been nominated for a Thriller Award. The New York Times Book Review has called her a “daughter of Mary Shelley” and referred to her books as “some of the most original and freshly unnerving work in the genre.” As a screenwriter, she has sold original horror and thriller scripts and adapted novels for numerous Hollywood studios. She is also the author of two nonfiction workbooks based on her internationally acclaimed workshops and blog: Screenwriting Tricks for Authors and Writing Love.

You can find out more about Alex and her books on her website.

A Blog Tour? What's that?

I know I 've been a little erratic with sharing my news and reviews recently, as discussed in my last post, but all that's about to change. Because as well as my regular reading and reviewing, I am scheduled to take part in several blog tours in the coming months, starting with two next week.

I know that some of you, my lovely readers, might be wondering what a blog tour actually is. For it mean that my little blog and I are packing our bags and going on holiday? No, sadly not (well we are soon, but it has nothing to do with this)!

A blog tour is when a book, often around the time it is published, is featured on a number of blogs over a set period of time. Tours can last anywhere from a week to a month, with one or more blogger taking a turn each day. A tour of just a few days, tends to be known as a blog blitz. On their allocated date the blogger will feature the book details on their blog, together with a review, or alternative content such as a Q and A, extract or guest post. They will share their blog post across social media, and also share posts by others on the tour.

I have perhaps made it sound a little clinical, but it really isn't at all. Blog tours are fabulous to take part in, and they are all about promoting authors and sharing the book love.

My first tour stops are for three brilliant, but very different, books: thriller Blind Justice by Alex Tresillian on 12th July, comedy Snowflake by Heide Goody and Iain Grant on 14th July and romantic suspense novel Crossing the Line by Nikki Rose on 16th July.

I'm really looking forward to sharing my thoughts on these  books, so do check back for my reviews. Of course, you can sign up to follow the blog  And be sure to look at the sites of the awesome bloggers sharing the tours with me. The

See you soon! x

Beg For Mercy by Keith Nixon

Hello lovelies!

I'm so sorry I've not been around much lately. It's been a combination of having a lot of work on, tech problems and, you know, life. Adulting. Ugh. And it's been so hot! Yes, even up here, north of the border!

Anyway, I'm back now. And having enjoyed previous books by Keith Nixon, I was delighted for the opportunity to read the latest Solomon Gray novel. Big thanks to Keith and The TBC Reviewers Request Group.

The Blurb:

Two men fight to prove their innocence. One a cop, the other a convicted murderer. One of them is lying.

Fifteen years ago Duncan Usher was sent to prison for killing his wife, Valerie. Young Detective Solomon Gray was first at the scene. His biggest case yet.

But Duncan Usher didn't kill Valerie. While someone was strangling Val, Usher had another man's blood on his hands. Usher took the fall for Val's death, but now he's out. Released on a technicality. He's held a grudge all this time, and he won't stop until he gets revenge on the dirty cop who framed him. Usher sets his sights on DS Solomon Gray.

And he has no qualms about using Gray's son, Tom, as a pawn to get what he wants.

Beg for Mercy is the third book in a series featuring Detective Sergeant Solomon Gray. The crime series is perfect for fans of Ian Rankin, Stuart MacBride, and Peter James.

My Review:

This the third book in a series about Solomon Gray. Although I have read the first two books (check out my reviews of Dig Two Graves and Burn the Evidence, this also works just fine as a standalone. In my opinion this is the strongest so far, and I loved the other two!

The story is set in dual timelines - fifteen years ago when Duncan Usher was accused of this wife's murder, and present day, where he has been released from prison. I really enjoyed this approach - seeing the story develop like this.  It was great to learn about the younger Sol, when his family was complete, he was an enthusiastic young cop and in awe of his mentor Jeff Carslake. And then to see him now, a pretty haunted man, certainly more jaded and who perhaps now thinks differently about Carslake.

Duncan Usher has always protested his innocence, so Sol sets out to re investigate the case. But Usher is convinced that he was set up by a corrupt cop and sets after our hero. But there were also two other officers involved in the case 15 years ago...

As Sol begins to investigate, the case gets murkier and murkier. Is there really something going on within the police? Can Gray solve the mystery in time? I can't answer these questions for you without giving away spoilers, so I suggest you read the book instead!

I really enjoyed this book. It cracks along at a great pace, and having the two timelines adds to the interest and tension. Of course, missing son Tom is never far from Sol's mind and the book ends on a cliff hanger - there had better be another instalment! Would happily recommend.

You can buy Beg For Mercy from Amazon UK and US.

The Author:

Keith Nixon has been writing since he was a child. In fact his wife and friends say he's never really grown up. He is currently gainfully employed in a senior sales role meaning he gets to use his one skill, talking too much. He also drinks beer and is a coffee snob.

Keith writes crime and historical fiction novels. His crime books are published by indie house Caffeine Nights and historical novels by Gladius Press. Keith also reviews for Crime Fiction Lover and Big Al's Books & Pals.

You can find out more on Keith's website.