A RIGHT COZY HISTORICAL CRIME

 

This is a cosy upon the couch kind of book. The authors have produced a wide selection of stories from monsters in Scotland to actual bodies at a High School play. You can dip in and out at your leisure, drink coffee and enjoy this anthology of murderous stories. There  is bound to be a story here to appeal to your tastes. This would be an excellent book to give or receive as a gift. 

I read it over a few days and can’t pick a favourite. My advice just read and enjoy.

THE RING

Forged over 2000 years ago, when Rome was still a republic, a simple gold Ring was inscribed with the name and symbol of Fortuna, capricious goddess of fate. From the seven hills of Ancient Rome, to the streets of modern day New York. The Ring passes from hand to hand, through the centuries, shaping destinies and unveiling secrets.

The book follows the ring through time and in different stories relates its fate and its impact on those who come into contact with it. With authors like Fiona Forsyth, Val Penny, Graham Brack, Robert Bordas and others, these are an excellent read

If you enjoy historical fiction this is the book for you.

There are ten exciting stories from bestselling authors. A must have addition to any library.

Published by the Reading Agency, a charity focused on encouragement and engagement for readers.  Please buy this book as the proceeds go to support the work of the charity.

https://readingagency.org.uk/

 Today I’m reviewing this fabulous little book of Christmas Crime. Ideal for someone you never know what to buy. This compilation of short stories will find a place with everyone . It’s a book to dip into or read on one sitting ideal for relaxing over the Christmas season.

Thirteen festive mysteries where the annual traditions of Christmas are mixed with murderous secrets. From the bustling streets of Lagos  which are filled with more than Festive shoppers,  to a Scottish castle hiding a creepy mystery, each of these stories is a masterpiece filled with the contrasts of Holiday warmth and tantalizing mysteries.

So it’s time for your favourite fluffy socks, a hot chocolate and cozied up on the sofa for an evening of detective binging to help our sleuths unravel the twists and turns of these holiday stories. If you are a lover of cozy mystery this is the book for you or, maybe a fiend too.

 

If you are looking for a gift for Christmas, perhaps a Secret Santa, this book is sure to impress.

A novel take on a local murder with a detective with “Gifts”. Set in Wales it gives a flavour of the local everyday Wales and has interesting characters especially the new boy detective who seems to be psychic, or maybe not quite. He does  have communications with a voice who seems to guide his impressions of others. His penchant for Tarot cards helped by his voice helps him to navigate his place as the new boy in a new job . Getting to know his colleagues and sidestep his reputation for oddness  which has followed him from Cardiff. This is a thoroughly good read, not to be put down lightly. 

Our detective Madoc Palmer has a new job, new colleagues and a brand new murder first day on the job.

The victim is found face down in a builders trench and while retrieving him another older body is found.

The bones have hair extensions and breast implants along with them and she is estimated to be young 16 to 25 years old .

The team have a difficult job with this and makes for a fast paced story with well drawn characters. Madoc.is  having a hard time keeping his voice out of his investigation and tries hard to keep his  psychic connection under wraps  Meanwhile his new boss is having a hard time not to be attracted to him .

This is a thrilling read lots of well plotted twists and turns the burgeoning relationship between DI Atkins and her new Sergeant Madoc Palmer, will no doubt develop further in another book. I look forward to reading that.

Behind the curtain By Anita D Hunt

Behind the curtain is an interesting debut novel dealing with domestic abuse.

A seeming successful an marries a woman who he considers from a lower social strata than himself.

The whirlwind romance becomes a nightmare as he turns into a controlling partner. With no access to money or friends , his grip on her mind and sense of self is soul destroying. 

For friends and family looking on the sense of helplessness they feel is heartbreaking. Her husband seems to be unassailable and her situation without a solution. After a violent attack she loses her baby and starts to write a diary. Her apparent suicide seems to rock her husband but after a year of mourning a new employee at his firm takes his attention and takes the place of his dead wife.

Trapped in the same nightmare as her predecessor she finds the diary and this opens an avenue for escape and an unexpected twist in the tale.

This book opens a door on the secret world of control present in many

relationships, and the helplessness many family and friends feel when they have a loved one trapped in such a situation.

We also get an insight to the controller and his/her reasons for their behaviour. 

This is a well written and thought provoking book. Well worth a read.

Taking the Plunge

 Today I’m taking part in the blog tour for Burrowed by Maressa  Mortimer. 

This us a young adult novel set on the beautiful island if Ximiu. 

The young heroine is Jasira, daughter of the Xibai, the female governing official of the Island. Along with her friend Ilori, who is the son of the Vice-Xibai, they start to uncover some sinister goings on.

Ximiu is “going green” - so that’s a good thing, right? Well perhaps not as first all the island cars disappear almost overnight.

There have been disappearances of young girls, one of Jasira’s friends had a younger sister disappear.

People start to move to the mainland and people move in who are keen on the idea of “ going green”.

The author uses great skill to build a creepy sense of something sinister beneath the surface of the beautiful island of Ximiu. The island is run by a matriarchal system of female officials. However there is a sense that the men are not too happy about this situation.

This novel is aimed at YA but can be enjoyed by anyone adults included. The story goes on to show the changes to be made by the ruling council and the unfortunate consequences. Babies are born stillborn. 

There are two Albinos on the Island, Axixa and Kamua, a brother and sister. 

Our two heroes believe them to be behind the strange disappearances; cars, electricity, bags of flour, young girls even ashphalt from the roads!

The two friends set out to save the Island, extremely well crafted by the author this part if the story is all consuming and very vivid.

An excellent read for YA or Adult please read and enjoy this book.

 

The Rebellion of 1745 has been characterised by historians as the story of the men who intrigued and fought. Flora McDonald has been cast as a classic heroine., the one woman who comes to mind when we think of the ‘45.

Maggie Craig has written a book to put this right. This  book has been deeply researched and beautifully written. 

The untold stories of the women who accompanied there men to the battles and waited for news, the women at Clifton Moor and Prestonpans, and ultimately Culloden. 

These women encouraged their men believed in the rightful Prince and bore the brunt of the bloodletting after Culloden. Maggie tells of the Ladies,the wives of wealthy men who raised the men to fight in support of the Bonnie Prince - sometimes against their husbands wishes. The great ladies who marched to raise the standard. There are also the stories of ordinary women, highland women, whose men went to fight. As in all wars , the women left behind or accompanying the Jacobite army.

A riveting book, once you start you won’t be able to put it down.

The Paradigm. Lorraine Smith

 This latest book by Jonathan Cahn takes us on a journey through time to discover ancient secrets which are relevant to us today. 

We are taken through biblical times to ancient Israel where the prophet Elijah battles King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. These events are linked  to our modern political stages particularly America. America was founded on biblical principles. As Ahab  and Jezebel promoted child sacrifice and rebellion against Gods laws, so are our societies today. Abortion, murder, and greed to name a few, run rampant in our cultures.  The election of Donald trump, Hillary Clinton, Barak Obama are all discussed and reveal the biblical template for our world

Elijah warned Ahab and Jezebel but they would not listen. The author shows how these events are pertinent to us today and gives dire warning for our world today. 

A Shetland Winter Mystery Lorraine Smith

The latest book in the Shetland sailing mysteries. Marsali Taylor  shows her love for the Island through her vivid descriptions and creative stories.

The main characters are a solo sailor called Cass Lynch and Inverness DCI Gavin McRae. In the story  they are the victims of “Trowies” who appear to be the Shetland Wee Folk. They are in the shadow of the Wind Farm development being built on the Island.  It has all nail biting pleasure of unexplained deaths, sabotage of the wind farm development and even mystical creatures.

We are never quite sure if these beings are real or not, until two brothers pull a stunt trying to stage a vanishing to make it look like Trowie mischief. 

Then there is the sabotage at the wind farm, Trowies or teenagers.?  The latter turn out to be the culprits for the Trowie sightings, However that leaves the murders….

The brothers are part of a family where the eldest’s mother lives not too far away and the younger lives back at the family home with his Mother the second wife. The unfolding of the hatred of the two women for each other is a background to the death of both sons. Unusual and full of twists and turns, this book is riveting. There are an abundance of sub plots and  unusual circumstances to keep you guessing.These are all set against the backdrop of the authors vivid descriptions of Shetland. there were times when I could smell the sea. 

An excellent Christmas stocking filler.

 

 

 

 

Snowflakes’s Big Adventure. Lorraine Smith

 This is the story of Snowflake who is getting ready to be part of his first snowfall. Like all of us he is uncertain and wonders what his future will be.

He makes his first fall with the help of Mama snowflake and other snowflake friends. Once down to earth he finds himself as part of a snow pile in a the garden of a young boy.

Snowflake is excited when the boy comes out to play in the snow, and, at last, he gets to know his purpose.

He is going to be part of the boy’s snowman. Snowflake is delighted he has found his place.

This book can help children understand that we all struggle to find our place in life. It is beautifully illustrated by Kathlyn Jones. This would be a wonderful addition to your child’s library and a joy to read aloud.

This delightful little book would be proud to be part of a child’s Christmas pile.

This made me smile and I enjoyed it thoroughly. (Can’t wait for the plush toy).

Make snowflake and the book happy. Buy this for your child this Christmas!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1735830003/

I Made it Out. Lorraine Smith

I Made It Out” details the raw, uncut, and honest life events of Avishai El.  She is 32 years old and decided to write this book to help other people who are going through situations that they feel as though they can’t get out of.  She affirms that you can get out of any situation and provides historical context in which she used her mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual capacities to face challenges head on.  In order to maintain peace, one has to go through things in life to get there.  She has gone through ups and downs.  All readers from all walks of life will be able to relate to her shared experiences.  On days where you feel low in life and on days where you feel high on life, opening this book and reading it will provide you with the tools you need to succeed no matter what.  Some of the imagery is explicit to paint a visual picture for the reader.

If she could get through it you can. You can make it out.

Be inspired by a remarkable young woman who shares her story. This is a book to enjoy because it piques our emotions and inspires us in our own situations.

Rise and Kill First. Lorraine Smith

This book is exactly what it says in the cover. This is an exciting read. Telling the story of the earliest intelligence agencies in Israel. Also the leaders who relied on them to fight those enemies on all sides.

These agencies evolved over the years undertake daring missions, mostly targeted assassinations of those groups wreaking terror in Israel and abroad.

Ronen Bergman is a correspondent for Israelis daily Yedoith Ahronoth and the New York Times. He weaves a momentous tale of Israel’s survival and the targeted assassinations which have been at the core of their defence policy since before the birth of the nation state.

Isreal’s unique position in the world, surrounded on all sides by hostile Arab nations means that they must use intelligence and hutzpah to survive.

This is the story of a unique people and nation. It is also the story of how they survive. Targeted assassinations take down those who hold power and direct terrorism, in an effort to weaken and disable the enemy. It also tells the story of the men and women who carry out these assassinations. This means that Israel has assassinated more people than any country in the western world.

Israel has often felt alone on the world stage. Surrounded on all sides, and at the mercy of  anti Semitic political policies, targeted assassination had become the lynchpin of its defence policies. And the reason for this go to method is explained by Bergman.

One incident which immediately comes to mind is the West German police handling of kidnapping of Israeli athletes in Munich in 1972.  When  Israel was refused permission to lead the rescue mission. The disastrous handling led to Jews dying on German soil. No one can miss the significance of this. This was when Golda Meir decided to expand the remit of targeted assassinations to the world and even friendly European countries. 

The use of drones to target and enable strikes has also been covered. Bergman has provided details of the first drone strike by Israel. In 1992 drones enabled the assassination of the Secretary General of Hezbollah.

This book is well worth reading and I enjoyed it. Please join me and read it too.

This is my review for the Book Blog Tour 28th June - 4th July.

 This the second book in a series The Chronicles of Elabi.

First of all I have to admit that I have not read the first book, “The Walled City” so I came  to this series without pre conceived expectations.

This is the story of Macia, a young girl living in a society where displays of emotion are frowned upon. The members of this society engage in behaviours which ridicule those of lower status and forbids the reading of certain materials. However Macia loves Elabi and tries hard to achiever her best in life. When a so called friend alerts her to a forbidden book, (The Bible), then she finds her priorities and beliefs deeply challenged.  

For Macia the decision to investigate this mysterious book leads her to question all she has known and brings her to  faith. It also has consequences for her family which turns their circumstances upside down. This turmoil challenges Macia to hold to her new found faith. There is something for all of us to take from her struggle to hold tight to faith, even in the darkest moments. This novel describes a journey to faith from a world  where individuals are tightly bound by conventions with no ability to share joys and sorrows. This world is bleak. It is a picture of many of us caught up in worldly conventions and laws which imprison our real selves and suck the joy from life.

Macia finds hope and joy, but it comes at a price. Her journey is one told through her thoughts and feelings. She can see the difference between Elabi and the life Beyond the Hills. There are lessons for each of us.

 I will definitely read the first book now. I hope you will join me in reading both.

Viking Ferry

If you enjoy all things Viking and thought you were an expert, then this the book for you. 

We follow the adventures of the heroine Marieke who is travelling back home to the Netherlands to spend time with her family.She falls asleep on the ferry and wakes up in a different world. Marieke is captured by Vikings, yes, Vikings! We follow her into captivity and her escape. 

Marieke takes us on a journey to forgiveness. A feel good story, perfect for reading on journeys. Just don’t fall asleep!

This book is a journey into Viking territory, well researched and an excellent read. I highly recommend this.

Leah

 

The story of  Leah and Rachel the wives of the biblical Jacob are easy to overlook. Rachel takes centre place because she is the one loved by her husband. 

This book takes up Leah’s story. It is a fascinating read .We see through the eyes of Leah. Anyone who has felt unwanted, unwelcome or out of place will resonate with this. It is a journey of hope, faith and  to find her own worth. The needless jealousy between the sisters is one we can all identify with, and the pain it causes. 

We will all recognise ourselves along with Leah on her journey to transforming faith. In a way, it is the journey we all take through life and hopefully into a brighter future. 

I recommend this thought provoking book. It is well written and brings an overlooked Bible story into the spotlight.Everyone had something to share, unique talents, and gifts and Themselves. Find yourself in Leah’s story.  You won’t regret it.

BOOK-BARREL

 Welcome to Book-Barrel. 

First post out of the barrel. So where to start? I love Kindle and my Kindle Fire is my best friend. 

My first Author has to be Amanda Prowse.

 I discovered this writer on Amazon when the Covid Pandemic sent us all home to work. Within a few weeks I had exhausted every physical book in the To Be Read pile and everything waiting on my Kindle.

I signed up for Kindle unlimited which is a subscription lending service. I liked the look of her books and jumped right in.

I have never looked back. her books never disappoint and are an excellent read.

When Keith loses his wife ,and is left alone with a teenage son. He realises just how fragile happiness is. The story of how he navigates his loss and 

comes to find happiness again is raw. . It is a story of  loss and new beginnings, and how to live through the emotional turmoil as a lone parent.

His wife, Kerry was his childhood sweetheart. Keith has to search for the answers in  his deepest grief. He can start again but how does he do that 

without alienating everyone, especially his son Olly.This is a story we can all relate too.

A story of second chances and transition healing.