BLOG TOUR - Her Deadly Promise

DESCRIPTION:

Four-year-old Kayden has been sitting alone on the little patch of tired grass outside his house for hours. His cheeks are wet with tears as he waits for his mother’s warm embrace. But she’ll never arrive to pick up her darling boy. She’ll never be seen again…

Church Road is a quiet corner of suburbia where happy families play in the local park and neighbours smile as they pass in the street. But behind the bright red door of number 8 lies the body of Billie Reeves, a young mum who just took her last breath.

Serena is Billie’s sister. When she found out her boyfriend had been obsessively calling Billie, she’d all but cut her from her life. But not before vowing she would make Billie pay for ruining her relationship…

Shaun is Billie’s ex-boyfriend. He left her the moment she fell pregnant. When he turned up at Billie’s door, demanding to see Kayden, she refused to take the risk of him hurting her precious son. He’ll do whatever it takes to get his little boy back…

Nadia is Billie’s best friend. Their kids attended the same school and Billie often opened up to Nadia about her struggles as a single mother. She knows Billie’s deepest, darkest secret. She promised never to tell, but that was before the argument…

When police investigate the quiet little street, they discover everyone was whispering about Billie’s late-night callers. What was going on behind the closed door of Billie’s small home? And if someone was prepared to kill her, what do they know, and who will be next?

Fans of Angela Marsons, Cara Hunter and Clare Mackintosh, will love Her Deadly Promise – a completely gripping crime thriller that will have you hooked from the very first page!

Buy Links: 

Amazon: https://geni.us/B0BJPR6S44social

Apple: http://ow.ly/yYVU50LgczU

Kobo: http://ow.ly/9zW650LfBxh

Google: http://ow.ly/5v0e50Lgeav

MY THOUGHTS:

 

Title:   Her Deadly Promise

Author:  Carla Kovach 

Publisher:  Bookouture 

Genre:   Psychological Thriller

Format:  Kindle ARC 

No. of Pages:   374

Date of Publication:  December 2,  2022

My Rating:   5 Stars

Four-year-old Kayden has just lost his mother. DI Gina Harte is on the case and is determined to discover the murderer of the victim, whose name was Billie. This case is particularly difficult for Gina, as Billie was leading a double life - a caring, responsible mother to her young son, and a life that revolved around sex. The more Gina learns about Billie, she finds that Billie may have had more than one enemy, and the list of suspects continues to grow. 

Another reason this case is difficult for Gina is that she has a young boy in her life and that makes her strongly feel that she has to find justice for young Kayden. While it is difficult to interview a child, asking the right questions begins to make sense of why Billie might have been killed. However, the question is, will she be the only victim or will someone else soon be killed? If so, what would be the connection between the victims? 

I have been reading this stellar series since book three and I have become very drawn to Gina‘s character. She had a difficult past herself, and sometimes that comes through while she is working on her different cases. What I love about this latest book is how tense it is. How well written it is. How compelling it is. I love it when a series never loses its steam this far along. 

This is the type of police procedural that will keep you on your toes. It certainly kept me invested from beginning to end in one sitting because of how addictive it was when you consider how talented the author, Carla Kovach, is. She has done a great job with this latest book in this incredible series and I am truly looking forward to reading the next book.  

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

Please enjoy my YouTube video review - 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Carla Kovach is a USA Today bestselling author from the UK and is published by Bookouture, Sphere and Boekerij. Her DI Gina Harte series has been translated into Dutch.

As well as novels, she has also written stage and screenplays.

Social Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarlaKovachAuthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ckovachauthor?lang=en
Website: https://griffbuck.wordpress.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carla_kovach/
Bookouture Email Sign Up: https://www.bookouture.com/carla-kovach

BLOG TOUR - We Fly Beneath the Stars

DESCRIPTION:

1942, Europe: Based on the true story of a female-only bomber battalion, this is a totally heartbreaking and unforgettable story about sacrifice, sisterhood and a love that transcends war.

When the love of Tasha’s life, Luca, joins the air force to fight against the evil Nazi invaders, she knows she has to follow her heart—and him—into battle. Headstrong, impulsive and a daredevil, she’s the perfect recruit.

Tasha’s sensible older sister Nadia plans only to stop Tasha’s madness and bring her home. But a chance encounter puts her in a plane, soaring above the clouds, and she also finds her calling.

Underestimated by their superiors, Nadia and her sister find themselves in airplanes barely fit to fly, being sent on perilous missions with little hope of return. But before long their battalion is being nicknamed ‘the Night Witches’ by the Nazis, their ownership of the skies second to none.

But danger is up in the storm clouds with them, and when both sisters are shot down behind Nazi enemy lines, and taken to a brutal prison camp, they expect to never see their beloved homeland again.

Until Tasha’s eyes meet across the wire fence with someone she never expected to see again: the love of her life, Luca.

But with love comes peril… Will one sister have to sacrifice everything to save the other?

Absolutely unputdownable historical fiction, perfect for fans of All the Light We Cannot See, The Ragged Edge of Night, and The Tattooist of Auschwitz.

BUY LINK:

Amazon:  https://geni.us/B0BCWY3ZLWsocial

 

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

 

MY THOUGHTS:

Title:   We Fly Beneath the Stars

Author: Suzanne Kelman

Publisher:  Bookouture 

Genre:   Historical Fiction 

Format:  Kindle ARC 

No. of Pages:   392

Date of Publication:   November 30, 2022

My Rating:   5 Stars

Tasha may not have been ready to marry her beloved Luca, but she is heartbroken when he joins the Air Force at what is a very difficult time in history during World War II. Determined to remain close to him, Tasha also joins the efforts, and soon becomes a part of a female only bomber battalion, which is the first of its kind. 

One of the people that Tasha leaves behind is her older sister Nadia. Nadia‘s recent marriage and home life are anything but happy, and now she is on the war front as well. While it may not have been Nadia’s idea to be flying these dangerous planes, joining the battalion is the only way that she knows to protect her sister Tasha. Although the rivalry between the two sisters was sometimes a barrier, one thing was made clear, and that was their love for each other.

Despite excellent flying skills and sharp instincts, before Tasha gets the opportunity to prove herself capable enough to fight alongside Luca, both she and Nadia are captured and spend time in a terrible prison camp. Readers are introduced to the Russian Night Witches, an actual Russian fighter pilot force during World War II in this latest compelling read by Suzanne Kelman. The experiences were harrowing, the emotion was raw and intense, the bravery was stellar, and the writing of this book was exceptional.

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

Please also enjoy my YouTube video review - 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Suzanne Kelman is a 2015 Academy of Motion Pictures Nicholl Finalist, Multi-Award-Winning Screenwriter and a Film Producer. As well as working in film she is also an International Amazon Bestselling Fiction Author of the Southlea Bay Series – The Rejected Writers’ Book Club, Rejected Writers Take the Stage and The Rejected Writers’ Christmas Wedding. Born in the United Kingdom, she now resides in Washington State.

https://www.suzannekelmanauthor.com/

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https://www.instagram.com/suzkelman/

https://twitter.com/suzkelman

BLOG TOUR - The Sisters of Sea View

 

DESCRIPTION:

Some guests have come for a holiday, others for hidden reasons of their own . . .

When their father's death leaves them impoverished, Sarah Summers and her genteel sisters fear they will be forced to sell the house and separate to earn livelihoods as governesses or companions. Determined to stay together, Sarah convinces them to open their seaside home to guests to make ends meet and provide for their ailing mother. Instead of the elderly invalids they expect to receive, however, they find themselves hosting eligible gentlemen. Sarah is soon torn between a growing attraction to a mysterious Scottish widower and duty to her family.

Viola Summers wears a veil to cover her scar. When forced to choose between helping in her family's new guest house and earning money to hire a maid to do her share, she chooses the latter. She reluctantly agrees to read to some of Sidmouth's many invalids, preferring the company of a few elders with failing eyesight to the fashionable guests staying in their home. But when her first client turns out to be a wounded officer in his thirties, Viola soon wishes she had chosen differently. Her new situation exposes her scars--both visible and those hidden deep within--and her cloistered heart will never be the same.

Join the Summers sisters on the Devonshire coast, where they discover the power of friendship, loyalty, love, and new beginnings.

 
VIDEO INTRODUCTION TO THE SISTERS OF SEA VIEW BY JULIE KLASSEN

https://youtu.be/EZDjSuBtFEU

 

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR JULIE KLASSEN

https://austenprose.com/2022/11/09/an-exclusive-interview-with-julie-klassen-author-of-the-sisters-of-sea-view/

 

ADVANCE PRAISE

• “Jane Austen fans will delight in this nimble series launch…Klassen excels at weaving her various story lines, each emphasizing the colorful qualities of her characters and allowing them the space to shine. Readers will be eager for the next installment.” —Publisher’s Weekly (starred review)

 

PRAISE FOR THE NOVELS OF JULIE KLASSEN 

• “Julie Klassen delights with a winsome love story…” —Publisher’s Weekly, on A Castaway in Cornwall

• “I couldn’t put it down! It you are a historical fiction fan you need this one on your radar! It was a spooky delight full of heart. ”—Anne Mendez, The Lit Bitch, on Shadows of Swanford Abbey

• “…a wonderfully engaging novel full of intriguing characters and storylines. I highly recommend it and can’t wait for more in the series.” —Laura Gerold, Laura’s Reviews, on The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill

 

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY | BOOKSHOP | GOODREADS

MY THOUGHTS:

 

Title:   The Sisters of Sea View

Author:   Julie Klassen

Series:   On Devonshire Shores #1
Publisher:   Bethany House Publishers

Genre:   Christian  Fiction 

Format:  Kindle ARC 

No. of Pages:   448

Date of Publication:   December 6, 2022

My Rating:    5 Stars 

The Summers sisters make the difficult decision to open their home for paying guests due to financial difficulties since the lost of their father. Besides their financial woes, their mother is suffering from ill health. Three of the sisters are fully on board, and they are Sarah, Emily and Georgiana. Their fourth sister, Viola, is not happy about this decision, so she strives to find her own way. Thus, she takes on the job of reading to different individuals. 

Any time Viola left the house, or even at home once their new boarding house was set in place, she always wore a veil. The reason for this was that Viola was born with a cleft lip and even after surgeries to correct the condition, she was not comfortable with the scarring she has. One of the people that Viola begins to read for is another scarred individual. He is Major Jack Hutton and he is currently recovering from injuries he received in the war. As his vision has been compromised, Viola has been hired to read to him. Although Viola is now not the only one with scars in her new situation as Jack’s scars are visible as well, she continues to wear her veil.

Each of the Summers sisters have their own story. I loved getting to know each of them in this first book in a new series. While four of them always are together, there is a fifth sister, and she is estranged from the family. I look forward to future books in the series where we can learn more about these sisters and how they work together to give their lives true meaning.

I connected with this story because I also come from a family with five girls and the dynamic between the sisters was realistically portrayed in this book by Julie Klassen. One final note. During the time this book was set in, which was the early 1800s, things that we know about now were not understood back then, and that included Viola being born with a cleft lip and the superstitions that surrounded that condition. But then there was also their mother, as she suffered from what we know as depression and possibly more, but back then it was simply called something along the lines of melancholy. It was wonderful to see both of these issues dealt with in a very respectful manner. Not only do I highly recommend this book, but I am eager to read successive books in this series. 

Many thanks to Bethany House Publishers, Austenprose PR and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Please enjoy my YouTube video review - 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Julie Klassen loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. Her books have sold over a million copies, and she is a three-time recipient of the Christy Award for Historical Romance. The Secret of Pembrooke Park was honored with the Minnesota Book Award for Genre Fiction. Julie has also won the Midwest Book Award and Christian Retailing’s BEST Award and has been a finalist in the RITA and Carol Awards. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. She and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota.

 

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BLOG TOUR - Murder at St. Saviour’s

DESCRIPTION:

Bookshop owner and amateur detective Flora Steele teams up with handsome crime writer Jack Carrington to unravel a curious murder in the village of Abbeymead!

Sussex, 1956: When Flora and her partner-in-crime-solving, Jack, arrive at the charming church of St Saviour’s the last thing they’re expecting to find is the curate, Lyle Beaumont, lifeless on the flagstone floor beneath the belltower, with a mysterious note in his hand.

Flora is dismayed to find the poor curate dead. But she can’t help being intrigued by the eclectic mix of bell ringers present at the old church – Mr Preece, the local butcher, Dilys Fuller, the busybody postmistress, and Stephen Henshall, a newcomer to the close-knit community. Any one of them could be the culprit – and Flora needs to act fast before someone gets away with murder…

When Flora and Jack begin their sleuthing, they quickly realise all is not what it seems with the victim, and the certainty of the dead man’s identity becomes the first twist in the investigation.

Just as they’re getting closer to the answer, the death of one of the suspects changes everything. As a series of unexplained accidents unfolds across the village, it seems no-one who was present at the church on the night of the curate’s demise is safe.

Has the bell tolled on Flora and Jack’s detective days? And will they work out the truth in time to save themselves?

A completely addictive cozy crime novel set in the fictional Sussex village of Abbeymead. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin and Joy Ellis!

BUY LINK:

Amazon:  https://geni.us/B0B5YPLCJBsocial

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

MY THOUGHTS:

 

Title:   Murder at St. Saviour’s 

Author:  Merryn Allingham 

Series:  Flora Steele Mystery Book 5
Publisher:  Bookouture 

Genre:   Mystery & Thrillers

Format:  Kindle ARC 

No. of Pages:   254 

Date of Publication:   November 21, 2022

My Rating:   4 Stars 

Bookshop owner Flora Steele hardly has time to define her relationship with crime writer Jack Carrington. The pair have solved several murders, and the more time they spend together, the more they are drawn to one another. 

When Flora and Jack were going to visit a church, they were shocked to discover that the new curate was dead, and he had a note in his hand. It seemed as if he was there to meet someone in the bell tower. With quite quite a few people there on the scene, it’s a question to Flora as to which one of them killed the curate. So Flora does what she does best - she starts talking to everyone that could have been present.  she quickly finds out that they all had issues, and they all actually had a good reason for wanting the curate dead. Grudges, disagreements, money issues, and other things that make discovering who had a motive to kill the curate very unclear. And then as Flora gets even deeper into the situation, she finds out the curate isn’t who everyone thought he was in the first place. Flora wants to know what is going on, why he was killed and who did it.

When the inspector approaches the scene, he actually encourages Jack and Flora to see whatever they can find out about the murder. Quite naturally, the closer they get to the right answers, the closer they find themselves to danger. Meanwhile, the question about their relationship and their future starts to become clearer. 

This is an enjoyable series, and this latest installment was a joy to read. I love the timeframe, which is mid 1950s in Sussex, and the setting seems quite lovely. And then when you factor in the relationship growing between Flora and Jack, it makes this book and series even that much better. With just the right level of intrigue, Murder at St. Saviour’s was a very entertaining read. If you love Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple, then this book would be a perfect fit for you.  

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

Please enjoy my YouTube video review - 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Merryn taught university literature for many years, and it took a while to pluck up the courage to begin writing herself. Bringing the past to life is a passion and her historical fiction includes Regency romances, wartime sagas and timeslip novels, all of which have a mystery at their heart. As the books have grown darker, it was only a matter of time before she plunged into crime with a cosy crime series set in rural Sussex against the fascinating backdrop of the 1950s.

Merryn lives in a beautiful old town in Sussex with her husband and one last cat, Bluebell. When she’s not writing, she tries to keep fit with adult ballet classes and plenty of walking.

https://merrynallingham.com/

https://www.facebook.com/MerrynWrites

https://twitter.com/merrynwrites

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BLOG TOUR - Murder in an Irish Castle

DESCRIPTION:

Irish whiskey, rolling green hills, a traditional Christmas feast and… a murder? Lady Swift will need the luck of the Irish to survive this holiday season!

Christmas, 1923. Lady Eleanor Swift has received a rather unexpected invitation to the village Christmas party in the tiny, rural hamlet of Derrydee in the west of Ireland. Eleanor is thrilled about exploring her ancestral roots at her late uncle’s estate and spending the festive season in a castle. Packing Gladstone the bulldog’s coziest Christmas jumper, they set off to the Emerald Isle with her butler Clifford in tow.

Arriving late at night, Eleanor and Clifford are shocked when they find a body sprawled in the snow on the winding country lane outside the estate. The local constable is immediately suspicious and all but accuses the pair of murder. This isn’t the warm Irish welcome Eleanor imagined!

Clifford is certain he recognises the poor fellow from the funeral of Eleanor’s uncle – but what was their connection? Undeterred by the villagers’ lack of gossip on the matter, Eleanor is determined to get justice for the victim. The man’s pockets are suspiciously empty of personal effects, but closer inspection reveals an old key hidden in the heel of his boot. Could this unlock more than one mystery for Eleanor?

But when a fire breaks out at the castle on Christmas Eve, an even bigger question looms: is someone out to ensure the family line dies with Lady Swift? And will Eleanor’s first Irish Christmas be her last?

An utterly addictive festive whodunnit set in Ireland, brimming with mystery, intrigue and wit. Sure to delight fans of T E Kinsey, Agatha Christie and Rhys Bowen.

BUY LINK:

Amazon:  https://geni.us/B0BB76VJDHsocial

 

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

MY THOUGHTS:

 

Title:   Murder in an Irish Castle

Author:  Verity Bright

Series:  Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery #12
Publisher:  Bookouture   

Genre:   Cozy Mystery

Format:  Kindle ARC 

No. of Pages:   320

Date of Publication:   November 28, 2022

My Rating:   4 Stars 

A relaxing getaway for Lady Eleanor Swift, accompanied by her butler Clifford, and her dog Gladstone, proves anything but. Instead, on the drive to Ellie’s inherited estate in Ireland, Clifford nearly runs over a man, a man who looks as if he is at the brink of death. After perusing a map, Clifford finds a nearby abbey where they take the gentleman for care until a doctor can be called.

They are not welcomed with open arms, not just by the nuns at the abbey, but also the villagers are quite unfriendly as well. Ellie has been looking forward to spending the Christmas holiday in Ireland as she hopes that this will give her more clues about her past. Before she can even relax in her new setting, they learn that the man they aided has died. As Ellie has never been one to take things at face value, she is determined to discover who the man was and how and why he was killed. Even more so, she plans on finding the killer. Quite naturally, this will soon place her in danger.

It’s hard to believe that this is the 12th book in what is a delightful cozy mystery series by Verity Bright. Each and every story has been enjoyable and this installment is equally impressive. I love the banter between Ellie and Clifford, and I especially love how Clifford is equally proper and intuitive. This engaging read had a few surprises and it was enjoyable watching Ellie and Clifford as they solve yet another murder. 

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

Please enjoy my YouTube video review - 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Verity Bright is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing partnership that has spanned a quarter of a century. Starting out writing high-end travel articles and books, they published everything from self-improvement to humour, before embarking on their first historical mystery. They are the authors of the fabulous Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery series, set in the 1920s.

https://twitter.com/BrightVerity

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