Encore Moo: A Lawnmowers, Inc. Novella - P.J Benney

Synopsis:

Sometimes Nicholas Wyndham is happy, but it depends which one of him you ask. There are dozens of versions of him, and they’re trying to make contact. The laws of physics are of no concern to a man who can send emails to a parallel universe. Naturally, some of the Nicholases, the clueless ones, are getting worried. Their post keeps going missing, and their kitchens are haunted, and their partners grow suspicious. In the wake of the Lawnmowers, Inc. scandal, Nicholas Wyndham is having a crisis, and Nicholas Wyndham is the only man that can help him – if he can reach himself in time.

Review:

This is such a fun Novella I actually cant contain my good emotions whilst reading it. There are dozens of Nicholas Wyndham, and its quite fascinating to watch them discover what's happening to them and try to figure out what to do about it. Its a quirky novella at that, I mean it's just brilliant to read because there are so many versions of Nicholas and some of him freak out some of them find it perfectly logical when it comes to explaining recent happenings in their lives. There's also Beth and Violet, each of them playing parts in many of Nicholas' lives (this is very absurd and slightly confusing to write) Depending on which one of him you ask but they're more loved by him than not so that's a positive for them. It's great to see that Present Violet is linked to Déjà Moo in the way that she would write vegan friendly recipes for Lawnmowers Inc, well that was before it went in flames anyway.

I don't think I can make this review as long as my others just down to the fact it's a novella and I refuse to ruin anything for you all because there's no fun in spoiling anything for anyone. Take my word for it, Encore moo is funny and exciting and although seemingly confusing to follow its easy peasy.

A plot that's so twisty turny and funny that part of me can't understand how P.J.Benney managed to stay on track whilst writing this and even bought up the question of did he get confused at all? We do get to see a few familiar faces come the ending of the novella and it was a nice way to end it.
Once finishing Déjà Moo I knew I had to read Encore Moo just to allow me to fill the hole left in my life now I had finished the first book. Once again P.J Benney did a great job mixing his humour into the writing creating something unique and quite beautiful. I loved how even though a Novella and nearly nothing to do with Déjá Moo how Benney managed to keep a link between both stories.

It's an easy 5/5 from me, I cant say a single bad thing about the Novella, its a perfect little read to fill a period of time with and tie you over until Bovine Intervention coming in 2018. Even though not a genre I have read lot of besides Déjà Moo. The door has definitely stayed opened and I'm looking forward to reading more of the genre and P.J Benney's work.


Links
Click here to see Déjá Moo: A Lawnmowers, Inc. Novel on Amazon
Click here to see Déjá Moo: A Lawnmowers, Inc. Novel on Goodreads

Click here to see Encore Moo: A Lawnmowers Inc. Novella on Amazon
Click here to see Encore Moo: A Lawnmowers Inc. Novella on Goodreads

Click here to see P.J Benney's Twitter
Click here to visit P.J Benney's Website

Ask No Questions (Detective Caelan Small #1) - Lisa Hartley Blog Tour

About the Book

Title: Ask No Questions

Author: Lisa Hartley

Release Date: 10th July 2017

Genre: Thriller

Format: Ebook

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35486880-ask-no-questions

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B072X2MY21

Summary:

Some secrets were meant to stay hidden… Trust no-one

After an operation goes badly wrong, undercover specialist Detective Caelan Small leaves the Metropolitan Police for good. Or so she thinks. Then the criminal responsible is seen back in the UK.

Soon Caelan is drawn back into a dangerous investigation. But when the main lead is suddenly murdered, all bets are off. Nothing is as it seems. Everyone is a suspect - even close colleagues.

Someone in the Met is involved and Caelan is being told to Ask No Questions.

This isn’t an option: Caelan needs answers… whatever the cost.

The nerve-shredding new crime thriller from bestseller Lisa Hartley starts a must-read new series. Perfect for fans of Angela Marsons and Robert Bryndza, it will keep you guessing until the very end.

Review:

So I got this book request whilst I was in the middle of only wanting to read thrillers/crime novels so I was beyond willing to want to read it, the synopsis pleased me and I just couldn't wait to read it. I'm not quite sure how long it took me to read, maybe 2 days? but all the way I was hooked just turning page after page after page needing to get answers and see this through until the end.

In this book we follow Detective Caelan Small, after an operation goes wrong, the backlash causes her to hand in her resignation before going on a holiday beginning her retirement. That is until she finds out the criminal from the operation that went wrong is back in England she cant seem to say no to joining the investigation once again. From the outset I loved Caelan, she;s a very straight forward and pretty much a character who I can relate to personally when it comes to her emotions and personality.

Richard Adamson, a fellow colleague of Small's is approached by Elizabeth Beckett who is an assistant commissioner for the specialist crime and operations and also part of the Mets senior management team. To him she is god and he cant even refuse to do as he's told even if it means convincing his former colleague to come out of retirement and join the Met once again. He's seen as the only one that knows her enough to be able to talk her around.

Deputy Assistant Commisioner Michael Nasenby, Commander Ian Penrith and Inspector Tim Achebe. When these 3 characters meet Small one for the first time it is clear that there are a vary of emotions towards her. Ian isn't her biggest fan and actually does as far as to rip chunks out of her verbally making no move to hide his feelings about her. Nasenby is sort of like a father figure to her, her previous boss and someone who trusts Small to do a good job. Tim meets her for the first time and is amazed by her skills of working under cover and her techniques of changing from one person to another and I'll admit I was just as amazed as he was. These 3 characters pop up consistently throughout the book and I found it quire easy to follow their encounters by the way they spoke to Caelan,

Every character needs a side kick and for our main character she chooses her own, determined not to work with Richard Adamson again or anyone else but Ewan Davies, ex army now working for the Met. Ewan and Caelan get on well for the most part, they are a great pair that I actually want more of.
One more character to remember is Chief Superintendent Adele Brady, with all of these characters to keep an eye on and think about its quite fun, hard to tell who's friend or foe if any of them are either at all. Each character plays their part, I found it incredibly hard to figure out how the plot was going to go, everything was well felt like it was all hush hush.

The whole book is gripping and full of twists you cant see coming, there are shocks and surprises in store for any reader who will turn the pages of this book. I'm definitely looking forward to hearing more from Lisa Hartley and seeing Caelan Small again in the near future. Hartley created a world and situations which feel completely real, action packed and breath taking. I had to pause a few time at each twist and just take a breath or two just to let myself process what I was reading. It's a truly amazing thriller and I hope that anyone who loves crime and thrillers will get a chance to read this book because its definitely worth it. I may even go as far as to pick up copies of Lisa's previous work just to experience greatness like this. I cant give this book any less than a 5/5 and I will be processing the ending for maybe months to come. A truly amazing piece of work.

Author Information:

Lisa Hartley lives with her partner, son, two dogs and several cats. She graduated with a BA (Hons) in English Studies, then had a variety of jobs but kept writing in her spare time. In addition to this new series with Canelo she is also working on the next DS Catherine Bishop novel.

Website: http://www.lisahartley.co.uk/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rainedonparade

Déjà Moo: A Lawnmowers, Inc. Novel - PJ Benney

Synopsis:

Lawnmowers, Inc. is London’s biggest (read: only) cattle-powered garden maintenance corporation. But after his Holstein mascot, Lily, goes missing, celebrity CEO Daniel teams up with reclusive witch Cynthia to uncover a conspiracy that threatens to destroy their futures and rewrite their pasts. With a detective hunting a werewolf in Camden Market, a coven of magi controlling London's biggest news channel, and a reporter desperate to expose a public scandal, it's only a matter of time before the city discovers both the fate of the bovine superstar, and the existence of magic itself...

Review:

Daniel Wesley never had his sights set on fame or riches but they had found him, he's now a CEO who has made an empire out of showing the world that the cows offer more than their milk and meat - that they're great lawnmowers. At The Grazing Day Fair in Hyde Park all is going good and well until Daniels speech comes along, he passes out on stage in front of everyone including reporters and awakes to find his mascot named Lily is missing.

There are a lot of great things to say about this book. First of all, the writing is hilarious. Good job I didn't count how many time I actually laughed or scoffed because that would be large number if I'm honest. I found the entire book to be well-written, both grammar and plot wise, everything was so meticulously planned out to be what it became its blew my mind. The story kept moving, the pace was spot on, and I was undoubtedly hooked from the start until the finish.

There are so many characters in this book that I just love, and you get to follow a good number of them throughout the story, we have a witch called Cynthia Pannettiére, her missing wizard boyfriend called Errol, a werewolf hunting ex detective Vincent Burgess, a wicked witch, an elderly couple of wise mages, a secret order of magical monks - and a fair few more fascinating characters. One I actually loved a lot is History. Yes History is a character, who comes across as just a sort of living being whom makes many appearances throughout the book and watches down on all things as they happen, happened, or will happen... you know because... time is relative...right?

I love how this book makes you really have to think!  And just when you think you’ve got things figured out, here comes a twist and you’ve got to keep reading to find out what happens next. I mean I think a lot of people would think this book hard to follow because of how its written but its really just an ordinary book that is as simple and easy to follow you just have to take everything in.

The end of the book, whilst it ties up the biggest issue at hand, it still leaves some things open to smoothly transition into a second book. I really cant say much as to what I expected going into this book but I can say is that it is extraordinary. I did have no expectations because I don't tend to read much of this genre so of course I didn't know what to expect but to have a character who is a cow, quite damn literally is one of the best things ever. The characters are so realistic and some quite quirky it just made them more relatable.

P.J Benney will surely go far with this book and all those that may come, his humour and writing are just something that when mixed together are so unique and quite beautiful if I may say so. Its an easy 5/5 from me, I cant say a single bad thing about the book except for the fact it had to come to an end, even though not a genre I read lot of, Déjá Moo has definitely opened that door for me and given me a little kick through it.

Déjá Moo is just the first, there is also Encore Moo a Novella and Bovine Intervention will be coming out in 2018.



Links
Click here to see Déjá Moo: A Lawnmowers, Inc. Novel on Amazon
Click here to see Déjá Moo: A Lawnmowers, Inc. Novel on Goodreads

Click here to see Encore Moo: A Lawnmowers Inc. Novella on Amazon
Click here to see Encore Moo: A Lawnmowers Inc. Novella on Goodreads

Click here to see P.J Benney's Twitter
Click here to visit P.J Benney's Website

The Good Dictator I: The Birth of an Empire - Gonçalo JN Dias

Ready for a totally new point of view?

What could the opinion about USA of one of the oldest countries in Europe be? There’s an object parked on the moon, but curiously, the unfolding of the story does not take place in New York, but rather, in Lisbon suburbs and in a small village between Portugal and Spain.

The main character, Gustavo, does not get along well with his parents-in-law, and his wife does not like Gustavo’s friends.

A genre-busting book that includes adventure, thriller, dystopia, utopia and an exciting love story.

Next weekend (18 and 19 of February) you can download the book for free directly from amazon.

It became the most downloaded book in Portuguese, last April, and it has now a good English translation (I would say, better than the original).
See some reviews on Amazon page or on the author’s official blog.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N0FTZ4O
https://twitter.com/GoncaloJNDias

Update!

Its that time again where I update all of you on the things going on both in my life and related to this blog.

Fist of all a week ago I hit 8000 page views and I couldn't be more thankful that what I am now, its been a fun journey so far and I really hope it will be in the future. I want to thank you all for visiting and reading the content on my blog.

Secondly, there is a current poll going on the blogs twitter where you get to vote for what content you want to see more of on the blog and It lasts a week so you have one week until your decisions take effect.

Thirdly, a while ago I uploaded a blog post about my new found pass time doing digital art. I now have a Facebook page dedicated to all of my art so far and If you'd like to keep up to date with all of my work click here and like the page and there you will see each time I post any new update on my work.

Finally some of you may not know but this blog also now has an Instagram page, it has been linked in a recent post for Top Ten Tuesday on this blog but if you want to see everything I do behind the scenes of this blog and all of the other wonderful stuff follow here

Unrelated to all of this, I injured my knee over a year ago and I ended up on crutches in a thigh to ankle knee support for a week and then had to do exercises which didn't help. Finally went to the doctors and he said there is nothing wrong with my knee. No swelling etc. even though there clearly is. I have to now call up Physical Therapy and learn exercises to strengthen the ligaments and tendons in the knee or something.