The Cat and The Cultist: Midnight Snack - C.R Tyra

Synopsis:

Meet Mr. Salt, a worshipper of ancient monstrous deities predating time itself and his curious pet cat, Bastion, whose love for chocolate chip cookies surpasses all. Mr. Salt’s neighborhood is a dark and scary place, inhabited by vicious creatures of the night. With unknown dangers lurking inside and out, just how far will Bastion go for his chocolate chip delight?


Review:

we've all been there havent we? all tucked up in bed and the belly rumbles set in and youre sure theres a stash of your favourtie food downstairs ready to be devoured...or is it just me... but either way Bastion is relatable as can be for me. only in the sense he got the midnight munchies and wanted his favourite snack which hapens to be one of mine, chocolate chip cookies.

I cant say that the cat and the cultist is really a childrens book, mostly because well it isnt, its got cultist in the name and the illustrations are far from child friendly. The story is as calm as youd expect, just a lovey little kitty cat off on a joourney to eat his favourite snack and yet the illustrations really bring the rest of the title to life, depicting the life of Mr. Salt, revealing his secrets all that Bastion seems to either be fully accpeting of or oblivious to. Im going witht he second options mostly because of how easily he is scared of what hides in the dark.

The Cat and The Cultist is an easy and enjoyable read, smooth and quite impressive when it comes to the illustrations. its an easy 5/5 from me and I hope you all check oout C.R Tyra' past work and all that is yet to come.

BLOG TOUR: Bitter Edge by Rachel Lynch

Title: Bitter Edge

Author Name: Rachel Lynch

Previous Books (if applicable): Dark Game, Deep Fear and Dead End

Genre: Crime Fiction

Release Date: 25th February 2019

Book Blurb: 

DI Kelly Porter is back, but so is an old foe and this time he won’t back down...

When a teenage girl flings herself off a cliff in pursuit of a gruesome death, DI Kelly Porter is left asking why. Ruled a suicide, there’s no official reason for Kelly to chase answers, but as several of her team’s cases converge on the girl’s school, a new, darker story emerges. One which will bring Kelly face-to-face with an old foe determined to take back what is rightfully his – no matter the cost.

Mired in her pursuit of justice for the growing list of victims, Kelly finds security in Johnny, her family and the father she has only just discovered. But just as she draws close to unearthing the dark truth at the heart of her investigation, a single moment on a cold winter’s night shatters the notion that anything in Kelly’s world can ever truly be safe.

Don't miss this gripping crime thriller featuring a phenomenal detective. Perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, Patricia Gibney and Robert Bryndza.

Links to Book:

Amazon (UK)

Kobo (UK)

Google Books (UK)

Apple Books (UK)

Author Bio:

Rachel Lynch grew up in Cumbria and the lakes and fells are never far away from her. London pulled her away to teach History and marry an Army Officer, whom she followed around the globe for thirteen years. A change of career after children led to personal training and sports therapy, but writing was always the overwhelming force driving the future. The human capacity for compassion as well as its descent into the brutal and murky world of crime are fundamental to her work.

Extract:

He watches.

Swarms of hysterical children of all ages run wild, flailing their arms and screaming. They bump into others who are also here for only one thing. The thrill of losing control, the primitive addiction to fantasy, the terror and danger and the risk from extremity: all drive the crowds on.

The air is hot with anticipation and the heady aroma of burnt sugar. Night falls quickly, and soon the heaving mass of bodies is shrouded in darkness, but this only heightens the delight. Shrieks compete with ear-splitting thumps of bass, accompanied by the latest beats, pounding out of huge black speakers set up along the high street. The waft of greasy burger vans sits atop the hordes, and neon lights challenge spatial calculation.

The fun of the fair.

He puffs on a hand-rolled cigarette and cradles his pint of honey-coloured locally brewed beer, surveying the frivolity before him. Girls. Hundreds of them, from three to twenty-three in age, all just as beautiful to gaze upon. But he is fixated by one in particular, who has become separated from her mother. He calculates, in his vast experience, that she is around nine years of age, and, as is common now for the younger ones, she wears provocative clothing that invites attention, at the same time remaining blissfully unaware that it makes her look so enticing.

No one in the crowd knows him. His colleagues on the forty-foot trailers heaving the gigantic rides around the country only know his name. In three days, the fair will be gone, on to another town. Keswick is the next stop after this one.

He watches.

Author Photos:

Social Media Profiles

Twitter: @r_lynchcrime

BLOG BLITZ: A Testiment To Murder by Vivian Conroy

 

Title: A Testament to Murder

Author Name: Vivian Conroy

Genre: Cosy Crime

Release Date: 18th February 2019

Book Blurb:

Suspenseful from the first page to the last, A Testament to Murder is perfect for fans of And Then There Were None, Murder on the Orient Express, and Crooked House

A dying billionaire. Nine would-be heirs. But only one will take the prize...

At the lush Villa Calypso on the French Riviera, a dying billionaire launches a devious plan: at midnight each day he appoints a new heir to his vast fortune. If he dies within 24 hours, that person takes it all. If not, their chance is gone forever.

Yet these are no ordinary beneficiaries, these men who crossed him, women who deceived him, and distant relations intent on reclaiming the family fortune. All are determined to lend death a hand and outwit their rivals in pursuit of the prize.

As tensions mount with every passing second, retired Scotland Yard investigator Jasper must stay two steps ahead of every player if he hopes to prevent the billionaire’s devious game from becoming a testament to murder…

Chapter 9 Extract:

Hugh leaned his shoulder against the folly's white wood and sighed. Even that made his head ache. He needed another drink, but his hip flask was empty and he had forgotten to refill it before wandering out to avoid the scent of scrambled eggs and Cecily Jones' attempts to draw him out about getting his work into some gallery. She had no idea how hard the life of an artist was. People simply believed you could turn out masterpieces like clockwork, like a baker baked bread or a carpenter made cupboards. But there was no mould, no set design, nothing to recreate time and time again. Each creation was unique, the only one there'd ever be in the entire world. The idea was wondrous and intimidating at the same time.

When he picked up his pen or his chisel, his head was so full of all the expectations resting on him he could barely hold it without shaking. Not the expectations of a public, of buyers or patrons. No, the expectations of the works of art themselves. He was their creator; he had to give life to them. He had to make them into what they were supposed to be. And he always felt like he couldn't do them justice. Like they were more beautiful and grander than he could ever make them.

Hugh sighed sadly. He fingered his damp forehead, cringing as even that slight touch beat into his brain. His mouth was so dry he could hardly swallow. He'd better get back to the house for water or coffee. Or whiskey, which he felt he needed more. But his legs were too wobbly to move. He just stood there letting the structure hold him upright as tears of desolation and failure filled his eyes.

Links to Book:

Amazon (UK)

Kobo (UK)

Google Books (UK)

Apple Books (UK)

Author Bio:

Armed with cheese and chocolate, Vivian Conroy sits down to create the aspirational settings, characters with secrets up their sleeves, and clever plots which took several of her mysteries to #1 bestseller in multiple categories on Amazon US and Canada. Away from the keyboard, Vivian likes to hike (especially in the Swiss mountains), hunt for the perfect cheesecake and experience the joy in every-day life, be it a fiery sunset, a gorgeous full moon or that errant butterfly descending on the windowsill.

Social Media Profiles:

Twitter: @VivWrites

His Wife, Her Answer - Danielle Yosere

Synopsis:

Tyler needs a wife to fix his reputation. Lucy needs and answer to her problem. Are they one and the same? After a quick marriage agreements, they have a long journey ahead of them. Will they stay together? Or will things be more complicated that they expected? Come along for the ride! Find out what happens to Tyler and Lucy!

Review:

So Danielle and I actually met via instagram and that was when and how I learnt she was a published author. Me being me and having this blog I assured Danielle I would read and review her book for her once I purchased a copy. Wanting it as soon as possible I bought an Ebook copy and got right to it.

I had no idea what to expect from this book, well i mean i had a rough idea but nothing too exact. Pretty much right from the beginning I was imersed, as a reader you are thrown right into the thick of things, meetinb oth charracters and getting small hints of their deeper story but nothing too soon that would leave you knowing everything before it happened.

The book switches between two points of view, both being the mian characters, thankfully even though it is told through two points of views, there were no repeating of events, what you heard in one persons POV was pretty much non existent in the others. I fell for Lucy, she felt like a close friend of mine and Tylers felt the same and I just wanted to protect and love them both. The secondary characters int he story each add something lovely to the story, more depth and something i cant quite explain, but with both sets of characters the story moves smoothly along.

Danielle created and told events in such a way that make your emotions swirl throughout the book, there are unexpected twists and turns, laughs and moments of pure awghs. Something great about this book, one of the many, is that there is brief desciptions of both the characters and the settings which leaves room for the reader to fill in the gaps witht heir own mind which makes the experience different for each reader.

His Wife, Here Answer is an easy read, quick and sweet. I can not wait for what Danielle has in store for the rest of the series. a 4.5/5 from me, I just want more!

Kingdom Cold - Brittni Chenelle

Synopsis:

Attempted murder, that's how sixteen-year-old Princess Charlotte's engagement starts. It seems like the only thing she has in common with Prince Young of Vires is their mutual discontent.

When her kingdom's attacked, Charlotte's parents renegotiate her hand in marriage to a handsome stranger with a sinister plan. With the people Charlotte loves dying around her, and her kingdom's future at stake, the only person she can turn to is the prince she betrayed. But, should she save her kingdom or her heart? One must fall.

Review:

This book suprised me, I must admit that much at least. Part of me was expecting some cliche teenage romance story with a love hate start and all the usuals but I was knocked back when reading it as in fact it isnt that at all!

The story itself differs in perspectives, switching between several characters POV's at one point. Mainly it switches between Pricness Charlotte's and Prince Young's POV which you would expect as the story is primarily theirs. It follows the teenagers as they meet for the frist time since they were practically toddlers, this time it is for their wedding prepared by their families. Charlotte has no filter when it comes to Young, in the sense she has no issue in telling him how she really feels even if it may take a pinch of alcohol to losen her tongue.

Soon enought events happen which are written so perfectly, I was imersed and in love. We meet so many characters throughout the book all but one are really likeable for me just because I know what the other character is like. There is something truly compelling about each of the characters, all the way from our main characters Charlotte and Young all the way through to the secondary characters scattered throughout the book. Each characters plays their part and adds a certain note of realism to the story even though it doesnt follow the typical structure of a book. This element alone makes it my cup of tea and in the end i was bound to love the story anyway.  

Charlotte is young but she knows what she wants, she is protective and selfish and all of these things that are just natural to a girl in such circumstances but she if fierce and wonderful, I wish I knew her. Young is just a little older than Charlotte and hes brave and loyal, protective and kind, nothing like what people know him to be which is that he never smiles, like he's never happy but with Charlotte even though I'd hate to admit it if i were him, he is happy around her. Minseo is one of Young's older brother who accompanies him throughout the book is exactly like Young but theres something different to how he does it all that makes him nothing like his brother at all. 

The one thing I absolutely adore about this book is the journey and growth the characters show but that isn't the only best quality of Kingdom Cold and theres no chance of me choosing the best one. 

With each page you are subjected to the cruetly of being both a royal and human, Kingdom Cold is bound to build you up and break your heart and you wont even see it coming. Following the end of the book the only thing I could truly want, is one more very long moment within it,  it became somewhat of a natural feeling and a new home to me. Take me back. Brittni has crafted a wonderful story within 300 pages and I can not wait to see what else Brittni has in store for us. A definite 5/5 from me and a must read for any YA reader in need of another heart break. 

BLOG TOUR: The Lost Man - Jane Harper

Synopsis:

Two brothers meet at the border of their vast cattle properties under the unrelendting sun of the outback Queensland, in this stunning standalone novel from New York Times bestseller Jane Harper.

They are at the stockmans grave, a landmark so old, no can remember who is buried there. But today, the scant shadow it casts was the last hope for their middle brother, Cameron. The Bright family's quiet existence is thrown into grief and anguish. Something had been troubling Cameron. Did her lose hope and walk to his death? Becuase if he didnt, the isolation of the outback leaves few suspects.

Reivew:

I dont think its any news that I'm a huge fan of Jane Harper and her work, The Lost Man doesnt change that fact either. This is a stand alone compared to her other two books which are a part of a series. I first heard of this book way before it got its name, before it was even written, back when Jane was off on a journey to research which already had be hooked with her tales and photos of her journey.

Her fantastic atmospheric way of writing pulls you in to the setting, holding you there, making you feel the blaring heat of the outback heat, the isolation and her character driven plots are incredibly engaging. Jane is for sure one of the finest writers.  Although I fell in love with Janes books that are part of a series, hearing this was going to be a stand alone book gave me hope to see  what Jane could come up with and how it would effect its readers. 

The book follows Nathan, one of Camerons brothers and he searches for an answer, was Cameron murdered or was it suicide? Well throughout the book there is nothing that points to the deininte answer, not until the very end, nothing comes across as something that an ammetur couldnt do, it was al so realistic.

There is no chance for you to not be shocked by this book, its unepected twists will floor you. Although i have read psychological thrilllers that i have beena ble to solve and ride out the twisty plots, Harper managed to yet again create another book with an journey and ending i couldnt see coming. The Lost Man is a tale of family dynamics, all too familiar abuse and a minimal list of people for you to choose from to guess the final outcome before the reveal. It's nothing new for me to aboslutely suck at guessing before the reveal. 

Theres so many things to this book that make it amazing, at some point you suspect everyone, and the passing between past and present brings the reader to an emotional climax after a tense journey alongside Nathan and his family. Jane hasnt dissapointed in transporting me as a reader to places I could only dream of visiting. If you enjoy emotionally charged, character driven stories do yourself a favour and pick up a copy of The Lost Man. Its only the begining of February but this book will remain int he top 10 best books ir ead in 2019 without a doubt. It's a 5/5 from me.

Where The Crawdads Sing - Delia Owen

Synopsis:

A novel about an young woman determined to make her way in the wilds of North Carolina, and the two men that will break her isolation open.

For years, rumors of the "Marsh Girl" have haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet town on the North Carolina coast. She's barefoot and wild; unfit for polite society. So in late 1969, when handsome Chase Andrews is found dead, the locals immediately suspect Kya Clark.

But Kya is not what they say. Abandoned at age ten, she has survived on her own in the marsh that she calls home. A born naturalist with just one day of school, she takes life lessons from the land, learning from the false signals of fireflies the real way of this world. But while she could have lived in solitude forever, the time comes when she yearns to be touched and loved. Drawn to two young men from town, who are each intrigued by her wild beauty, Kya opens herself to a new and startling world--until the unthinkable happens.

Review:

First of all HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY to Delia Owen and The Crawdads Sing which is published today. Grace Vincent contacted me a while back and asked if I would like to read and review this book for its week or the day of its publication. I read the synopsis and instantly knew I had to read it, it pulled me in I simply couldn't wait to get my hands on it. 

I first picked the book up and was drawn into the story right away, I felt an emotional connections with Kya who is a abandoned child with very little. We watch the story unfold, the times switching from us watching Kya grow up to the current day investigating the death of Chase Andrews up until the two lines somehow meet. 

From a young age you can see Kya trying to grow up quicker than shes capable of just so she can survive. Kya’s siblings are older, and they flee, leaving her alone with her father. She learns to care for herself at a young age because she has to. Kya is uneducated by choice and circumstance, though the town attempted to get her to attend at first. Even without schooling, she is caring and smart, as she learns the ways of life through the marsh and all it has to teach her. I fell for her immediately, I just wanted to be there with her and protect and help her. Her character is so easily loveable and realistic in how she is portrayed in her situations. Tate is a heart warming character, he has known her all of her life but now that she is older she sees him in a different light and for the first time, she begins to feel real love. He takes the time and teaches her how to read which opens up the world to her. its such a beautifully portrayed relationship I often found myself in awe of them.

She loves the marsh and all that inhabit it. She collects many things and categorizes them. From the books Tate brings her she learns biology, math, how things grow and change and she is fascinated by the marsh.

After being disappointed in her relationship she had with Tate she finally decides that perhaps she could be more trusting and goes on to share things with Chase, a boy from town who tells her he loves her and talks about a future. But everyone always leaves Kya in the end. Kya has seen Chase around throughout her life and in my eyes he's a horrible kid from the start not only in his behaviour but then towards Kya. Time passes after betrayal happens and then Chase is found dead in the Marsh and all fingers of the locals except for Jumpin' and his wife, are pointed towards Kya the 'Marsh Girl'.

This book is heart breaking and yet has plenty of heart warming moments. There's betrayal and trust and so many opposites that make this book so great. Owen has written a truly amazing story that I'm sure will continue to be one of the best for a long time to come. I cant give the book anything less than a 5/5 for the creativity, emotions, imagery, every aspect of this book pulled me in and I didn't see the ending coming. Ill be sure to look out for Owen's future work and I hope some of you grab a copy for yourself to see what all of the fuss is about.