Book Review “Honeybee Cottage” by K. T. Dady

SYNOPSIS/BOOK BLURB

Honeybee Cottage

Welcome to Pepper Bay. A small close-knit community where you’ll find chocolate box cottages, quaint shops, drama, friendship, and love.

Snuggle down with this cosy, feel-good, comfort read that whisks you away to a beautiful bay on the Isle of Wight – Perfect for fans of Christie Barlow, Phillipa Ashley, and Holly Martin.

The Pepper Bay books are standalone stories that intertwine with recurring characters.

Honeybee Cottage – The last time Joey Walker watched Josh Reynolds leave Pepper Bay was three years ago. She decided there and then that the next time he visited she would never in a million years, even if her life depended on it, sleep with him ever again. She was done with secretly being in love with him. She couldn’t keep falling into his arms every time he was around. Josh was never going to see her as anything more than a holiday fling, or a sure thing. She had made her decision and had happily stuck to it, but only because he wasn’t around. She soon realises just how hard keeping him at arm’s length actually is when he unexpectedly turns up just before Christmas.

Josh had always loved Joey, but he knew she never took him seriously. She had no reason to. Growing up, he only went to his grandmother’s family home in Pepper Bay for the summer. As an adult, he knew that the world viewed him as a playboy heir to his grandfather’s millions. This year, he was determined to prove just how reliable he could be. He was back, and on a secret mission to get Joey to fall in love with him, because she was all he had ever wanted.

REVIEW ~ NIKI PRESTON ~ 4 STARS

This is my first foray into Honeybee Cottage and Pepper Bay and I really enjoyed it. An uplifting story of boy loves girl, girl loves boy but will they ever tell each other?

Joey and Josh both have internal monologues declaring their undying love for each other but what they say out loud to each other is very different. Several times I was exasperated with their ongoing, walking on egg shells and “lets just be friends” scenarios. There is a past history to Joey and Josh’s story in the previous books but I didn’t feel like I’d missed out as the story does allude to their past relationship and Josh’s gigolo lifestyle. I really felt for Joey as she clearly loves Josh and now she just doesn’t trust him not to love her and leave her as he always does. Josh though has changed to and is fighting his demons and wants to be with Joey so much, but he believes she only wants to be friends. And round and round they go. Sparks flying every time they meet then that inner voice saying, no you can’t trust this, walk away.

The setting is beautifully described and I felt as though I knew the exact places being discussed. Quaint tiny streets with equally quaint shops. The characters are also well crafted into believable people that you feel like friends who you just want to sit down and tell them to sort it out, admit they want to be together. I felt like they need that friendly intervention.

Honeybee Cottage a heart-warming tale, written in a gentle style that pulls no punches. It’s a romance and proud to be, as it should be. If you want a cosy read with believable characters that touches your heart and takes you on an emotional rollercoaster that is Joey and Josh’s relationship, then this book and this Author are absolutely for you.

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Purchase Links

UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Honeybee-Cottage-Escape-uplifting-romance-ebook/dp/B08ZNMXW75

US – https://www.amazon.com/Honeybee-Cottage-Escape-uplifting-romance-ebook/dp/B08ZNMXW75

Author Bio – Author, reader, mum, chocolate lover, and a huge fan of a HEA. I was born and raised in the East End of London, and I’ve been happily writing stories since I was a little girl. When I’m not writing, I’m baking cakes or pottering around in my little garden in Essex, trying not to kill the flowers. I’m the author of contemporary romance, middle-grade, and the thought-provoking thriller about mental illness, The Focus Program.

Social Media Links –

https://ktdady.com

With Thanks for the Advance copy for the #BLOGTOUR to ….

Rachel Gilby https://www.rachelsrandomresources.com/

K. T. Dady https://ktdady.com

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Book Review “Blood Ties” by Heather Atkinson

SYNOPSIS/BOOK BLURB

Blood Ties

The Queen of Glasgow, Toni McVay, is no ordinary crime boss.

For one thing, she likes to discipline disappointing employees by scooping out their eyeballs and keeping them as souvenirs. Jamie Gray and his gang the Blood Brothers are happy to do her dirty work in return for lessons in the ways of the local underworld, but are in no doubt that they need to keep Toni sweet to keep themselves safe.

Rival families The Gordons and The Thompsons are ready for a turf war, keen to take over the lucrative Gallowburn estate, and weaken Toni’s grip on the city. But can the old enemies really trust each other enough to join forces? And will their assumption that the Blood Brothers are the weak link in the McVay empire, prove to be their greatest mistake?

Meanwhile Jamie’s past refuses to stay hidden, and as his biggest secret looks set to be revealed with explosive consequences, Jamie faces the battle of his life. To keep his family safe, to keep his friends safe, to keep himself safe, and to keep the woman he loves alive.  

If you love Martina Cole, Kimberley Chambers, and Jessie Keane, you’ll love Heather Atkinson. Discover the bestselling gangland author Heather Atkinson and you’ll never look back… 

Purchase Link – https://amzn.to/3iFP7CA

REVIEW ~ NIKI PRESTON ~ 5 STARS

A Gangland thriller that does exactly what it says on the tin. Set on the mean streets of Glasgow, a book to rival Ian Rankin’s gangland books. This book certainly has a no holds barred plotline, with the feisty strong female leader of the Gang, Toni. She is a no nonsense woman who does not shy away from violence. The Blood Brothers who now work for her reminded me of The Krays. They gather in Jaime’s home and his mum is loved by the Brothers, while she adores them right back and of course always has a hearty meal on the table whenever they call. Very reminiscent of Ronnie and Reggie’s home set up.

Jamie is keeping a huge secret from his Brothers in the Gang. This secret could bring down the whole McVay gang and there is no way Toni is going to take it lightly if she ever finds out. There is an undercurrent of darkness but alongside this is a tenderness from Jamie that he only shows his Mum and one other, but this side of him means that there is trouble around every corner. He really has to keep his wits about him. Will he lose everything by letting his heart rule his head? That remains to be seen.

I found Heather’s writing style strong. You get a sense of the Glasgow streets and the constant trouble going on. She doesn’t mess about with unnecessary plot lines that lead no where and only serve to confuse. No this is a hard hitting, thrilling read with a great cast of characters. There is a level of humour amongst the danger that creates a more believable and human side to these dangerous people. Definitely worthy of 5 stars.

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Author Bio –

Heather Atkinson is the author of over fifty books – predominantly in the crime fiction genre. Although Lancashire born and bred she now lives with her family, including twin teenage daughters, on the beautiful west coast of Scotland.

Social Media Links –  

Website https://www.heatheratkinsonbooks.com/ 

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/booksofheatheratkinson/

Twitter https://twitter.com/HeatherAtkinso1

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

Newsletter Sign Up Link http://bit.ly/HeatherAtkinsonNewsletter

Bookbub profile https://www.bookbub.com/authors/heather-atkinson

With thanks for the Advance copy for the #BLOGTOUR to………

Rachel Gilby https://www.rachelsrandomresources.com/

Boldwood Books https://www.boldwoodbooks.com/

Heather Atkinson http://Website https://www.heatheratkinsonbooks.com/

Book Review “The Cold Killer” by Ross Greenwood

SYNOPSIS/BOOK BLURB

The Cold Killer

It’s hard to live when you think you deserve to die…

When a tired old inmate is found dead in his cell, the prison is obligated to investigate and so DI Barton attends. The men he interviews have been convicted of some of the worst things a human being can do, but it appears likely that the death was due to natural causes.

When the house of the dead man is burgled and that crime is followed by a suspicious fire, Barton desperately needs to speak to his widow, but she’s nowhere to be found.

In the space of twenty-four hours, everyone he wants to talk to has vanished. Then he receives some post which makes him believe he could be the next to disappear.

Barton’s investigation goes full circle, through a series of brutal murders, back to the prison, and all signs are pointing to the fact that he’s made a terrible mistake.

There’s a violent killer on the loose, who wants everyone to learn that some people deserve to die.

DI Barton is back as Ross Greenwood continues with his bestselling series, perfect for fans of Mark Billingham and Ian Rankin.

REVIEW ~ NIKI PRESTON ~ 5 STARS

I am going to start by declaring my absolute love for all books by Ross Greenwood. The first one I read was Survivor (First published as Fifty Years of Fear) and from that moment on I’ve been hocked. Ross’s writing style is perfect for this genre. Hard hitting, no nonsense writing that gets down to the bones of the plot without the flim flam that a lot of books contain. There are no unnecessary characters, plots or conversations within the story. It all matters, not a word is wasted. I live in the area that Ross writes about which really makes me feel part of the story. I know exactly the areas that he is talking about and I find myself agreeing with his descriptions, they are spot on.

This is the 4th in the DI Barton series and I love DI Barton, he is complex but not in the usual, drinking, rugged, disillusioned policeman in so many crime dramas. He is a family man and loves his wife and family. He worries about his elderly mother and hates having to be away from them at all sorts of ungodly hours. He is an ordinary man, a man you can believe in, honest, hardworking and caring. A relief from the usual fed up, sad, doesn’t care about anyone kind of cop.

Once again Ross has written the most compelling book. His knowledge of the prison service shines through. The violence can be brutal but it is never unnecessary violence. The perpetrator always has a reason for doing what they do. Not something we would agree with but you do get a sense of why these people are committing the crimes they do. In The Cold Killer we really get into the mindset of the killer. He justifies what he doing as an act of vengeance for past crimes, horrific crimes that need putting right and the only “right” in his mind is death.

A cracking crime thriller that will keep you riveted right to the last page. There is a level of realism in the investigation that makes DI Barton the most believable Police character I have ever read. A truly brilliant crime drama that I could read over and over. I highly recommend if you have never read Ross Greenwood, well what are you waiting for? Trust me you won’t be disappointed.

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Purchase Link – https://amzn.to/3BSESCh

Author Bio –  Ross Greenwood is the bestselling author of eight crime thrillers. Before becoming a full-time writer he was most recently a prison officer and so worked everyday with murderers, rapists and thieves for four years. He lives in Peterborough.

Social Media Links –

Facebook https://facebook.com/facebook.com/rossgreenwoodauthor

Twitter https://twitter.com/greenwoodross  

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rossg555/  

Newsletter Sign Up Link http://bit.ly/RossGreenwoodNewsletter 

Bookbub profile https://www.bookbub.com/authors/ross-greenwood

With Thanks for the Advance Copy for the #Blogtour to…

Ross Greenwood https://facebook.com/facebook.com/rossgreenwoodauthor

Rachel Gilby https://www.rachelsrandomresources.com/

Boldwood Books https://www.boldwoodbooks.com/

Book Review “The Murky World of Timothy Wall” by Ian McFadyen

SYNOPSIS/BOOK BLURB

The Murky World of Timothy Wall

When the body of Timothy Wall, a Private Detective, is found in his office, the querulous Inspector Carmichael discovers some surprising revelations and curious contradictions about the dead man. Loved by many and seemingly despised by others in equal measure, Timothy Wall’s whole world seems to be strewn with paradoxes.   

This fast-moving whodunnit, based in the North West of England, sees McFadyen’s detective team tackle one of their most taxing cases yet.

Who killed Timothy Wall? Will one of his numerous lovers or ex-partners provide the answer to the conundrum? And what about Tim’s involvement with the brothers Baybutt, the local bookmakers. Do they know more than they are telling?

As Carmichael and his team seek answers to these questions it becomes crystal clear that all was not quite how it seemed in the life of Timothy Wall. This, the nineth book in the Carmichael series, is full of twists, turns and red herrings that will keep the reader guessing right up to the bitter end.

REVIEW ~ NIKI PRESTON ~ 4 STARS

The Murky World of Timothy Wall in number 9 in the series but in all honestly is does work as a stand alone as well. Its an intriguing plotline that has a perfect flow, it holds your interest in a calm manner with plenty of twisting in the story. You’ll be lead a merry dance if you’re like me and try to solve the murders before the characters in the book. Well that’s not going to happen, I changed my mind so many times my head was spinning. I’m sure I deserve a seat on the Carmichael team. As a classic whodunit murder its a brilliant read that will keep you stuck on your seat for hours.

I got into the story and characters almost immediately. The descriptions of the characters, murder scene and underlying plotline are expertly done. If a book so chunky, 439 pages to be exact, can hold your attention from beginning to end then that’s a damn fine book in my humble opinion. The chapters are short which for me just keeps the pace flowing quickly, the story keeps moving apace and you just have to read “on more page, one more chapter” then hey presto its finished and you’re itching to get your hands on the next one. A brilliant plot, superbly written. The perfect book for anyone who loves a proper murder thriller with a excellent plotline. Loved it.

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Purchase Links

Book Guild – https://www.bookguild.co.uk/bookshop/book/302/The%20Murky%20Wall%20of%20Timothy%20Wall/

Bookshop.org – https://uk.bookshop.org/books/the-murky-world-of-timothy-wall/9781913913441

Waterstones – https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-murky-world-of-timothy-wall/ian-mcfadyen/9781913913441

Foyles – https://www.foyles.co.uk/witem/fiction-poetry/the-murky-world-of-timothy-wall,ian-mcfadyen-9781913913441

WHSmith – https://www.whsmith.co.uk/products/the-murky-world-of-timothy-wall/ian-mcfadyen/paperback/9781913913441.html

Amazon – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Murky-World-Timothy-Wall/dp/1913913449/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=The+Murky+World+of+Timothy+Wall&qid=1632920646&sr=8-1

Book Depository – https://www.bookdepository.com/The-Murky-World-of-Timothy-Wall-Ian-McFadyen/9781913913441

Author Bio –

AUTHOR — Author Ian McFadyen visits Ulverston Library to talk to local people about his books. Thursday 30th October 2014. HARRY ATKINSON REF:

Ian McFadyen grew up in Lancashire, the setting for the Carmichael series of detective novels. Having studied marketing at Huddersfield University he had a 30-year career in sales and marketing with leading global companies in the electronics industry before switching full-time to writing. He has published eight books in the Carmichael series so far, several of which are available in large print, two have been translated and published in Italian and two in Czech. He lives in Bishop’s Stortford, Herts.

Social Media Links –

FB : Facebook.com/ianmcfadyenauthor

Twitter : @ianMcFadyen1

With Thanks for the advance copy for the #Blogtour to …….

Rachel Gilby https://www.rachelsrandomresources.com/

Ian McFadyen http://Facebook.com/ianmcfadyenauthor

Troubador Publishing https://www.troubador.co.uk/ for the physical copy