BLOG TOUR - My Child is Missing

 

DESCRIPTION:

The little girl’s bright blue eyes are wide with fear, her hair tousled, her tears making tracks in the dirt smudged across her cheek. Curled tight in a tiny ball, it’s as if she wants to hide away forever. “He took her!” she cries. “He took my sister!”

When a desperate mother calls Denton police department to report her children missing, Detective Josie Quinn races to investigate. Sixteen-year-old Kayleigh and her little sister Savannah went for a walk in the woods but never came home. They are good girls and know not to go far, say their frantic parents. Kayleigh always looks after Savannah and brings her home safely. Until now…

Even as she vows to bring the sisters home safely, Josie’s blood runs cold: because they are not the only missing children. Rumors are spreading about the legend of “The Woodsman”: when pairs of children go into the woods, The Woodsman takes one of them and only one comes out alive. With local teenagers daring each other to walk into the woods at night in pairs, Josie knows that nobody is safe from the hysteria sweeping Denton. Little Savannah Patchett is soon mercifully found alive, alone and terrified, but she tells Josie “The Woodsman has taken my sister”.

All Josie’s leads seem to reach dead ends: her team traces Kayleigh’s scent to a dank, dark cabin in the woods, but the owner has an alibi and there is no evidence that Kayleigh has been inside. When Josie persuades Kayleigh’s classmates to talk, she learns that Kayleigh herself had a secret boyfriend whose identity is a mystery. Josie is desperate to track him down and to work out if he could hold the key to solving the case.

Then Josie’s worst fears come true: another pair goes missing and one of them is found dead soon after. Another teenage girl, lying straight and still, a halo of blood surrounding her beautiful blonde hair.

Josie knows that the legend of The Woodsman is nothing more than a story, but the truth is far more horrifying… With Kayleigh still out there somewhere and the TV news filled with stories of a serial killer at large, how far will Josie have to go to find the killer before more innocent lives are lost?

BUY LINKS:

Amazon:  https://geni.us/B0C7WN474Csocial

Apple: https://ow.ly/295Q50OOVk6

Kobo: https://ow.ly/ZB6x50OOVip

Google: https://ow.ly/IsBR50OOVlw

MY THOUGHTS:

Title:   My Child Is Missing

Author:  Lisa Regan

Series:   Detective Josie Quinn #18
Publisher:   Bookouture 

Genre:   Mystery & Thrillers

Format:  Kindle ARC 

No. of Pages:  385

Date of Publication:   September  8, 2023

My Rating:   5 Stars

Sixteen-year-old Kayleigh Patchett is missing. Rumors abound that she was taken by “The Woodsman”. Detective Josie Quinn, husband Lieutenant Noah Fraley and the rest of their team are in a race against time with hopes of finding her alive. Kayleigh disappeared after going on a walk with her younger sister, Savannah, and after finding Savannah safe and unharmed, all she could say is “He took her. He took my sister.”

When a K-9 officer leads the team to a cabin in the woods, they find the trail for Kayleigh suddenly reaches a dead end. While Josie is determined to follow lead after lead, the tension she feels is palpable. While the reader is drawn into the story with regard to the investigation, there are also snippets from the killer’s point of view, giving this already thrilling book even more impetus.

Josie doesn’t want to believe in the story of a creepy “Woodsman”, but since things are so unclear and so wrought with danger and tension, she is forced to consider the possibility. Meanwhile, aspects of Josie’s personal life add an additional layer to this already well-written and intriguing story. 

Eighteen books in! Yes, eighteen, and this series is still running at full throttle. I cannot wait for the next installment. 

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lisa Regan is the USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Detective Josie Quinn series. Lisa is a member of Sisters In Crime, International Thriller Writers, and Mystery Writers of America. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in English and Master of Education Degree from Bloomsburg University. She lives near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the U.S. with her husband, daughter, and Boston Terrier named Mr. Phillip. Find out more at her website: www.lisaregan.com

 

Author Social Media Links:

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/Lisa-Regan-189735444395923/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/Lisalregan

WEBSITE: www.lisaregan.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6443334.Lisa_Regan

Bookouture Email Sign Up: https://www.bookouture.com/lisa-regan 

BLOG TOUR - An Orphan’s Wish

DESCRIPTION:

England, 1953. An emotional and heartbreaking story about children tragically orphaned by the war, and the woman who is determined to save them, whatever it takes.

When Clara Newton became House Mother of Shilling Grange Orphanage, it was only supposed to be temporary, a job to help piece her life back together again after the war had torn it apart. But five years on, Shilling Grange is more than just a job, it’s her calling. The orphans have given her a reason to live again, as has her handsome war hero neighbour Ivor, who is now her dashing fiancé.

As Clara starts to plan her perfect wedding, she is shocked to discover that the village expects her to leave Shilling Grange once she is married. They can’t imagine how she could possibly be a good housewife while working full time at the orphanage. But Clara is horrified at the idea of deserting her orphans who have no one else in the world.

Clara starts to consider who could possibly replace her if she left. Who would take care of precious Peg who has never spoken a word or known love from anyone but Clara? And who would protect timid Jonathan from his life-changing secret that only Clara knows?

But when a storm causes a catastrophic flood that risks the life of Ivor and the children, Clara is suddenly on the brink of losing everything once more. In this final heart-wrenching book in the series, will Clara and Ivor finally make it down the aisle? And will Clara find the strength to save the orphanage and stop it from falling into the wrong hands?

An utterly tear-jerking and unforgettable historical novel, set in the aftermath of World War Two. Perfect for fans of Before We Were Yours, Diney Costeloe and The Orphan Sisters.

 

Buy Link: https://geni.us/B0BX6THMB7social

MY THOUGHTS:

 

Title:   An Orphan’s Wish

Author:  Lizzie Page

Series:  Shilling Grange Children's Home #5
Publisher:  Bookouture 

Genre:   Historical Fiction 

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:     428

Date of Publication:   September 6, 2023

My Rating:   5 Stars

In another stellar addition to the Shilling Grange Children's Home series, House Mother Clara Newton has spent the last several years caring for the children orphaned by the war who have come under her care. Now soon to marry her neighbor Ivor, Clara's life has come full circle.

However, Clara runs into difficulties. For one thing, her superiors are determined that she will be leaving Shilling Grange once she marries, but this is not something that Clara wants. Furthermore, will the wedding even take place once a storm and the resulting flood just might take lives, including that of her precious Ivor?

Desperation faces Clara at every turn. However, what is abundantly clear about her is that she loves deeply. Every child that crosses her path is dear to her and no matter what she is determined to keep the orphanage running, all while being very concerned for Ivor's safety.

What a lovely story. Like all the previous books in this series, this one definitely tugged at my heartstrings. Clara is a wonderfully strong woman and I have enjoyed reading about her and the children in this series. This book brings about a perfect conclusion to a series that will always hold a special place in my heart.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lizzie Page is the pseudonym of Sam Lierens, a mum of three, who (for some reason) got a puppy this year. Sam has lived and worked in Paris, Tokyo and London and loves combining her love of history with fiction.

Social Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lizzie.page.75

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lizziepagewrite

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17677783.Lizzie_Page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizziepagewriter/

BLOG TOUR - A Body in the Cornish Village

   

DESCRIPTION:

Cornish cream teas in the sun, dog walks on the beach and… a murder investigation? Can Kate Palmer – part-time nurse and cake-loving sleuth – solve her most baffling case yet?

Kate Palmer is delighted when she learns that her home, the beautiful seaside village of Tinworthy, is the setting for a new TV show. She’s even more excited when she, her handsome husband Woody and her drama queen sister Angie are all invited to be extras. But when the cameras start rolling, the trio are in for a nasty surprise when the film’s writer and producer, Crispin Wyngarde, drops dead…

Before long, rumours start flying and Angie is in the spotlight for murder. Kate knows her sister had a brief, stormy fling with Crispin during her younger days as an actress, but surely Angie couldn’t have hated him that much, could she?

Kate is certain of her sister’s innocence, and is determined to prove it. But who would want to kill Crispin and set the stage for Angie to take the fall? Could it be Fergal, Angie’s jealous boyfriend? Sonja, the eccentric director, who had a love-hate relationship with Crispin? Or gorgeous Guy, the hairdresser who’s held a grudge against the problematic producer for years?

Armed with a list of possible culprits, Kate sets out to interview everyone she can. Over cups of tea, secrets start to spill out about overheard conversations and mysterious money transfers. But just as Kate thinks she’s finally on the right track, her main suspect is found dead after a party in the village. To make matters worse, he’s one of Angie’s old flames too…

Kate needs to solve the crime – and quick – to save her feisty sister. Can she untangle the clues and get to the truth, before it’s curtains down for Angie?

If you love murder mysteries with a brilliant cast of characters, twisty plots and plenty of tea and cake, A Body in a Cornish Village will have you hooked until the very last page! Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin and Joy Ellis.

BUY LINK:

https://geni.us/B0C4YC16N7social

You can sign up for all the best Bookouture deals you'll love at: http://ow.ly/Fkiz30lnzdo

Title:   A Body in the Cornish Village 

Author:  Dee MacDonald

Series:  Kate Palmer #7
Publisher:  Bookouture 

Genre:   Cozy Mystery 

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:  287

Date of Publication:   August 17, 2023

My Rating:   4 Stars 

MY THOUGHTS:

Acting in a film, with quite a small role, pales in comparison to Kate Palmer's successful endeavor as an amateur sleuth. Nonetheless, with a television show being filmed in Kate’s lovely town of Tinworthy, Kate, husband Woody and her sister Angie, are among those chosen to be extras. When the writer and producer of the show is killed, there is evidence that points to Angie as the chief suspect. 

Kate is not only determined to prove Angie’s innocence, she is planning to discover the identity of the killer. If there is a chance that Angie has been framed then Kate certainly has her work cut out for her. 

This enjoyable read is a very nice addition in the delightful cozy mystery series by Dee MacDonald. I love all the characters and the dynamic they share. Each book in this series has been a joy to read. 

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Aged 18, Dee arrived in London from Scotland and typed her way round the West End for a couple of years before joining BOAC (forerunner of British Airways) in Passenger Services for 2 years and then as a stewardess for 8 years.

She has worked in Market Research, Sales and at the Thames TV Studios when they had the franchise.

Dee has since relocated to Cornwall, where she spent 10 years running B&Bs, and only began writing when she was over 70!

Married twice, she has one son and two grandsons.

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDeeMacDonald
https://twitter.com/dmacdonaldauth

Sign up to be the first to hear about new releases from Dee MacDonald here: https://www.bookouture.com/dee-macdonald

BLOG TOUR - The Child Who Lived

    

DESCRIPTION:

stria, 1942: In Mauthausen concentration camp, two prisoners dare to fall in love. When a baby is born – a miracle baby born behind the gates of hell – they vow to escape. Inspired by true events, this powerful World War Two novel tells the incredible and inspirational tale of two ordinary people who risk everything to achieve the impossible.

 

As Lore is pushed through the towering gates of Mauthausen concentration camp, she holds little hope of ever leaving, knowing that usually death is the only way out.

 

But soon, when Lore meets fellow prisoner Wolf, she commits the ultimate act of resistance against the brutal SS by falling desperately in love, finding solace and hope in this hell on earth. And when Lore falls pregnant, they know they have to fight to not only survive, but escape.

 

Together they must achieve the impossible: bringing new life into a death camp, and risking their own to ensure their child who wasn’t meant to survive, will become the child who lived…

 

Fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz and The Choice will be incredibly gripped by this tearjerking page-turner. Based on true events, this unforgettable World War Two novel shows that even in darkness, love can sometimes find a way.

BUY LINK:

https://geni.us/B0C5DPXL9Qsocial

MY THOUGHTS:

 

Title:   The Child Who Lived

Author:  Ellie Midwood

Publisher:  Bookouture 

Genre:   Historical Fiction 

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:  282

Date of Publication: August 15, 2023

My Rating:   5 Stars

There are so many takes when it comes to reading historical fiction. In this WWII story, a group of women prisoners in Mauthausen concentration camp had very specific duties. One of the prisoners, Lore, falls in love with another prisoner named Wolf and she becomes pregnant. Having a child in these conditions would be rather tragic indeed. 

Lore’s fellow women prisoners help her while she is carrying the baby, all while Wolf strives to find escape for them in order to give them all a fighting chance. Considering that the camp they are in is clearly a death camp, time is truly of the essence if any of them are going to survive. 

What an amazing story of survival. I could’t imagine having a baby under those circumstances, especially when food was hard to come by, as well as the brutally harsh treatment they all had to endure. But this latest book by Ellie Midwood was a powerful story of survival, hope and love. It was also a story of friendship when considering the other prisoners alongside Lore. Notably, this story was inspired from true events, and that made it all that more impactful. 

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ellie Midwood is a USA Today bestselling and award-winning historical fiction author, whose works have been translated into 14 languages. She owes her interest in the history of the Second World War to her grandfather, Junior Sergeant in the 2nd Guards Tank Army of the First Belorussian Front, who began telling her about his experiences on the frontline when she was a young girl. Growing up, her interest in history only deepened and transformed from reading about the war to writing about it. After obtaining her BA in Linguistics, Ellie decided to make writing her full-time career and began working on her first full-length historical novel, "The Girl from Berlin." Ellie is continuously enriching her library with new research material and feeds her passion for WWII and Holocaust history by collecting rare memorabilia and documents.

In her free time, Ellie is a health-obsessed yoga enthusiast, neat freak, adventurer, Nazi Germany history expert, polyglot, philosopher, a proud Jew, and a doggie mama. Ellie lives in New York with her fiancé and their two dogs.

Author social media  

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/EllieMidwood?_rdr

Instagram: @elliemidwood

Website: http://elliemidwood.com/

BLOG TOUR - Murder at the Village Fair

  

DESCRIPTION:  

Kitty Underhay is riding a carousel… with death.

Summer 1935. Enjoying a belated honeymoon visiting her new husband Matt’s family in the rolling Yorkshire hills, Kitty strolls through a village fair. But when Kitty persuades Matt to visit the fortune teller’s tent, the lovebirds are shocked to find the body of Madame Zaza slumped over her crystal ball, pearl necklace askew and a half-drunk cup of tea at her elbow.

After predicting so many of the villagers’ misfortunes, how did she not foresee her own murder? From a pompous old colonel to a reticent reverend and a dodgy village doctor, Kitty soon feels like half the village had a motive for murder. But with more suspects than tarot cards, she and Matt are no closer to finding the culprit.

Madame Zaza had been a part of the community’s life for decades and discovering a photograph album of the villagers through the years gives Kitty and Matt the breakthrough they’ve been searching for. Kitty is soon hot on the killer’s trail when her sleuthing puts her in terrible danger. Will her lucky stars align, or is her life line about to run out?

An utterly sensational and addictive Golden Age murder mystery. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, T.E. Kinsey and Lee Strauss.

Buy Link:
https://geni.us/B0C3M9B31Rsocial

You can sign up for all the best Bookouture deals you'll love at: http://ow.ly/Fkiz30lnzdo

MY THOUGHTS:

 

Title:   Murder at the Village Fair

Author:  Helena Dixon

Series:  Miss Underhay #13
Publisher:  Bookouture 

Genre:   Cozy Mystery

Format:  Kindle ARC 

No. of Pages:   256

Date of Publication:   May 2, 2023

My Rating:   4 Stars 

Away with her new husband, Matt, Kitty Underhay happens upon yet another body. This was to be a nice getaway for them, as they are actually honeymooning and visiting his family. Although she would rather leave the police to it, Kitty can’t leave things as they are, and wait for the them to discover who the murderer was. As an accomplished amateur sleuth, she does what she can to identify the cause of the woman’s murder, and who the responsible party is.

Kitty is a delightful character and I am so glad she has married Matt. As the setting is in the 1930s, the time period is enjoyable as well. This cozy mystery series has been enjoyable from the start and I love how Kitty proves so adept at solving murders. 

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Helena Dixon splits her time between the Black Country and Devon. Married to the same man for over thirty five years she has three daughters, a cactus called Spike, and a crazy cockapoo. She is allergic to adhesives, apples, tinsel and housework. Her addictions of choice are coffee and reality TV. She was winner of The Romance Prize in 2007 and Love Story of the Year 2010 as Nell Dixon. She now writes historical 1930's set cozy crime. Nell enjoys hearing from readers and you can read her news and contact her via her website at http://www.nelldixon.com

Social Media 

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/NellDixon

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/helenadixonuk

Bookouture Email Sign Up: https://www.bookouture.com/helena-dixon

BLOG TOUR - The Berlin Wife’s Choice

  

DESCRIPTION:

“I love you more than life itself. But you’re not safe. If you weren’t married to me, you wouldn’t suffer like this, terrorized by the yellow star on my chest. I could never live with myself if something happened to you—because of me.”

Berlin, 1939. Edith Falkenstein once lived a fairytale life. Falling in love with Julius introduced her to a world she had only dreamed of. She wore the finest silk dresses to host parties in their historic mansion home.

But those days are a distant memory. Under Nazi rule, her Jewish husband Julius has been stripped of everything. Now the couple share a cramped apartment with other destitute families, and the priceless jewels that once adorned Edith’s neck have been sold to buy food on the black market.

Julius was lucky to escape being imprisoned once, and Edith knows he won’t be so fortunate a second time. The echo of boots marching across the city is a constant reminder of the danger they face. She begs Julius to flee the country, while they still can.

But as war rages across Europe, the journey will be fraught with peril. All Julius has ever wanted is to keep Edith safe. He knows there is only one way to truly protect the woman who stole his heart all those years ago—even if it means breaking hers.

Time is running out and Edith must decide: let Julius go or follow her heart and her husband into the danger that lies ahead…

An absolutely gripping, heartrending story of the lengths we go to for love, that fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, The Nightingale and My Name is Eva will adore.

BUY LINK:

Amazon: https://geni.us/B0C2RKCQNLsocial

You can sign up for all the best Bookouture deals you'll love at: http://ow.ly/Fkiz30lnzdo

MY THOUGHTS:

 

Title:   The Berlin Wife’s Choice

Author:  Marion Kummerow

Publisher:  Bookouture

Series:  German Wives #2

Genre:   Historical Fiction 

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   240

Date of Publication:  August 9, 2023

My Rating:   5 Stars 

In this highly emotive read, principal characters Edith and Helga are living the day in and day out horrors of the Nazi regime. They are among those singled out, forced to sell or even give over their businesses, non-Jewish wives pressured to divorce their Jewish husbands, being forced to wear a compulsory yellow star to identify them as Jews, and so much more, was poured onto those who led happy and productive lives, until they sadly did not.

Although only 240 pages, this book felt long. No, not due to the writing, which was absolutely excellent, just the pure horror that so many who were singled out by the regime, and what they had to experience. I was filled with true sadness while reading this book. Although not an easy read, I think it is well worth reading, as well as the first book in this series, The First Spark of Fire.

Personal note:  Although I am a POC, my great-grandather was Syrian, and although he came over to the US in 1914, I couldn’t help but imagine what some of my other relatives who remained in Syria experienced. Books like this bring the history of millions alive and I don't think their suffering should ever be forgotten. 

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Marion Kummerow was born and raised in Germany, before she set out to "discover the world" and lived in various countries. In 1999 she returned to Germany and settled down in Munich where she's now living with her family.

Inspired by the true story about her grandparents, who belonged to the German resistance and fought against the Nazi regime, she started writing historical fiction, set during World War II. Her books are filled with raw emotions, fierce loyalty and resilience. She loves to put her characters through the mangle, making them reach deep within to find the strength to face moral dilemma, take difficult decisions or fight for what is right. And she never forgets to include humor and undying love in her books, because ultimately love is what makes the world go round.

https://kummerow.info/
https://www.facebook.com/AutorinKummerow/
https://www.instagram.com/marionkummerow/
https://twitter.com/MarionKummerow

Sign up to be the first to hear about new releases from Marion Kummerow here: https://www.bookouture.com/marion-kummerow