The High Druid’s Blade by Terry Brooks book review

The High Druid’s Blade: The Defenders of Shannara by Terry Brooks is available to purchase now as paperback, hardcover and ebook.

To buy links:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/High-Druids-Blade-Defenders-Shannara/dp/035650218X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-1&qid=1430212343

Product Details (as per amazon page)

Legend has it that Paxon Leah is descended from the royals and warriors who once waged war with magical weapons. But those heroes are long gone now, and there is nothing enchanted about the antique sword that hangs above Paxon’s fireplace. Paxon leads a quiet life – until extraordinary circumstances overturn his simple world . . . and rewrite his destiny.

When his sister is abducted by a mysterious stranger, Paxon races to her rescue with the only weapon he can find. He is stunned to discover powerful magic unleashed within him – and within his ancestors’ ancient blade.

But his formidable new ability is dangerous in untrained hands. Paxon must master it quickly, as his near-fatal clash with a dark sorcerer won’t be his last. Leaving behind home and hearth, he journeys to the keep of the Druid order to learn the secrets of magic and earn the right to become their sworn protector . . .

I’d like to thank the publishers for an arc of this novel in return for an honest review.  I’d also like to thank Mr Kraftireader for his help with reading and reviewing this novel.

I must admit this is the first fantasy fiction book I’ve read in a long time but after reading the synopsis I was interested and I soon got into the storyline and enjoyed this new genre and new author for me.  Its good to open your eyes to new genres and especially new authors.

The book had heroes and villains, heroes such as Paxon Leah who came from an old line of forgotten Royals.  Villains such as Arcannen, an evil twisted person that would do anything to get what he wanted.

The story is about sacrifice and taking risks, giving your all to overcome the odds that are put in front of you. The storyline and characters were great and it took only a few chapters to get me hooked into wanting to read more. The favourite character for me was Paxon, not just because of his heroes status, but because his beliefs, honour, family loyalty and what he is willing to risk to uphold what he holds sacred.  I will honestly say that I would be happy to pick up more of Terry Brooks books off the shelf and read and review them.  I thoroughly recommend this author and this novel.

To find out more about Terry Brooks novels please visit the following links:

http://terrybrooks.net/

https://www.facebook.com/officialterrybrooks

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The Liar by Nora Roberts blogtour review

I am pleased to be involved in the blogtour for the UK publication of The Liar by Nora Roberts.  I’d like to thank the publishers for an arc of this novel in return for an honest review.  The Liar is out now in hardcover, ebook and audio download.

To buy links:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Liar-Nora-Roberts/dp/0349403759/ref=tmm_hrd_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1429611055&sr=1-1

Product Details (as per amazon page)

When her husband Richard dies in a freak accident, Shelby Pomeroy is devastated. But his death reveals a horrible truth – Richard was a liar and a cheat. Now Shelby is left with the consequences – huge, terrifying debts and mounting proof that her late husband betrayed her in every conceivable way.

Heart-broken but unbowed, Shelby is determined to fix her problems – if only for the sake of her gorgeous little daughter Callie. Returning home to Tennessee and the family she thought she’d lost for ever, she discovers a new sense of strength and freedom. And hope, too, in the handsome form of carpenter Griffin Lott – a straight-dealing man who couldn’t lie to her if he tried.

But not everyone is thrilled to see Shelby Pomeroy back in town. And when a shocking act of violence is traced back to Richard’s shady business, it becomes clear that she is not safe from him, even in death. With her life in danger, Shelby must face the lies of the past – or lose everything.

This is the first book by Nora Roberts that I’ve had the pleasure to read.  I know, where have I been, Nora Roberts is the bestselling author of over 200 books?!  How can an author pack so much in a book …  Nora Roberts knows how.

This book was exciting, dramatic, full of twists and turns.  It had romance and some wonderful heart warming moments.

I loved how the storyline showed how you can gain strength from adversity and learn to survive battles one step at a time.

Shelby’s life had certainly been turned upside down when she was flattered by a charming, wealthy man.  This charming man however, wasn’t what he portrayed to be.

After the untimely and shocking death of her husband Shelby returns to her hometown in Tennessee to rebuild her life and her relationship with her family and old friends, who she abandoned four years ago after being seduced by the charming Richard.

Shelby is shocked many times by what secrets are unearthed regarding Richard.  She becomes fearful for her daughter’s and her own life.  Can she escape the past for good?

In between all this drama a friendship from a handsome stranger blossoms for Shelby.  Can she learn to trust her feelings for Griff and let love in?

Absolutely, fabulous 5/5* read.

To find out more about Nora Roberts and her books please check out the following links:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nora-Roberts/e/B000APK6EU/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1

http://www.noraroberts.com/

https://www.facebook.com/noraroberts

Clash of Iron by Angus Watson blogtour review

I am pleased to be involved in the blogtour of Angus Watson’s second book in the Iron Age trilogy.  Clash of Irons is the second instalment and is available now in paperback, ebook and audio download.

To buy links:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Clash-Iron-The-Age-Trilogy/dp/0356502627/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1429609357&sr=8-1

Product Details (as per amazon page)

LEADERS ARE FORGED IN THE FIRES OF WAR

Iron Age warriors Dug and Lowa captured Maidun castle and freed its slaves. But now they have conquered it, they must defend it.

A Roman invasion is coming from Gaul, but rather than uniting to protect their home, the British tribes battle each other – and see Maidun as an easy target.

Meanwhile, Lowa’s spies infiltrate Gaul, discovering the Romans have recruited bloodthirsty British druids, and Maidunite Ragnall finds his loyalties torn when he meets Rome’s charismatic general, Julius Caesar.

War is coming. Who will pay its price?

I’d like to thank the publishers for an arc of this novel in return for an honest review.  Once again Mr Kraftireader has helped me with this review.

An epic tale of lost love, betrayal, hatred, revenge and retribution.  All the favourite characters are back in the second book of the trilogy.  Lowe now the Warrior Queen of Maidun hoped to live a quiet existence, but finds that this is impossible with the fractured tribes of Britain.  Dug and Spring are back, hoping to live life in the slow lane.  However, within the first few chapters the book sets out what is to come, with epic battles, individual heroism and bouts of total stupidity.

The first book Age of Iron was a great read and this one follows on in the same way.  I loved the characters Lowe, Dug and Spring and how their story continues on, from the first meeting to several years later.  Lowe is my favourite character, the Queen is intelligent, brave and can fire a bow better than Robin Hood!

The druid Felix is back and up to no good, he is my second favourite character.  The power he holds over others, his ruthless nature and his use of magic is spellbinding.  You can’t help but to despise him because of his lack of honour and feelings for others.

I loved reading Clash of Iron, part two of the trilogy, it had me hooked yet again, from the first battle to the heartrending end!  I was shocked with the turn of events and I am intrigued of the how the trilogy will manifest.

If you have enjoyed reading Simon Scarrow’s legion series you will appreciate and devour this new trilogy that Angus Watson has brought us.  Highly recommended 5/5* read.

To find out more about Angus Watson please check out the following links:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Angus-Watson/e/B00SH6TD34/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1

http://www.guswatson.com/

https://www.facebook.com/AgeOfIronTrilogy

https://twitter.com/GusWatson

Game of Scones by Samantha Tonge book review

Game of Scones by Samantha Tonge is out from today in ebook format, link below:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Game-Scones-deliciously-summery-read-ebook/dp/B00ULP98BQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1429523621&sr=1-1&keywords=game+of+scones

Product Details (as per amazon page)

Growing up, Pippa Pattinson’s summers were spent in the idyllic Greek island fishing village of Taxos. There she spent many long hazy days determinedly ignoring thoughts of the life her parents had mapped out for her (a dreary-but-secure accounting job and obligatory sensible husband!) Instead she daydreamed of running her own tea shop – serving the perfect scones – with mocha-eyed childhood friend Niklaus by her side…

Arriving back in Taxos for the first time in years, with suave boyfriend Henrik, Pippa barely recognises the tired little town – but is relieved to catch glimpses of the quaint, charming village she’s always loved. Together Niklaus and Pippa put together a proposal to save Taxos from tourist-tastic ruin, and at the heart of their plan is Pippa’s dream project: The Tastiest Little Tea Shop in Taxos. It’s time for Pippa to leave her London life behind and dust off her scone recipe that’s guaranteed to win over both locals and visitors. And amidst the rolling pins and raisins, it seems romance is blossoming where she’s least expecting it…

I’d like to thank the publishers and netgalley for an arc of this ebook.  Samantha Tonge is the bestselling author of over 80 short stories for mainstream magazines and her debut ebook Doubting Abbey was shortlisted for the 2014 Festival of Romantic Fiction best Ebook award.  Game of Scones is her fourth full length ebook novel.

First of all I was drawn to this novel by the lovely bright, cheerful summery cover.  The cover gives you hope of a lovely summery read and it wasn’t wrong …

Pippa had spent a lot of time in her childhood in the quaint Greek village of Taxos and had built up wonderful friendships with the villagers including a particular cheeky chap called Niko.  Pippa and Niko had spent a lot of time together in their teens dreaming of how they’d rescue wildlife and how Pippa would open up her own teashop.  However, Pippa’s parents had different ideas for her future and Pippa continued with her education in England and set up a metropolitan lifestyle in London working in finance and living with her executive boyfriend Henrik.  Pippa hasn’t been back to her beloved Taxos in 9 years however, a 3 week holiday has given her chance to go back and catch up with her friends.  Henrik decides to join Pippa on this holiday however, it doesn’t turn out to be the romantic 3 weeks she hoped.  A secret business meeting Henrik had previously arranged causes upset to her and the villagers.  Pippa also feels a different kind of spark when she catches up with Niko, the 14 year old she remembers back then has grown into a gorgeous, charming Greek god.  How will the villagers cope with the unexpected news from Henrik and how will Pippa manage with her confused heart regarding Henrik and Niko?

This was a gorgeous, summery, feel good romance that leaves you wanting to don your baking apron and make sones and visit a beautiful, idyllic Greek village called Taxos.  I adored this beautiful romcom with its added bonus of ‘magic fairy dust’.  ‘Magic fairy dust’ can give us the strength and encouragement to face situations head on together and achieve great things.

Samantha Tonge is holding a Game of Scones Launch party on facebook right now, so please pop along and celebrate with Samantha this gorgeous, summery read – https://www.facebook.com/events/1591501284420797/1604263739811218/

To contact with Samantha and find out more about her novels please check out the following links:

https://www.facebook.com/SamanthaTongeAuthor?fref=nf

http://samanthatonge.co.uk/

A Cornish Stranger by Liz Fenwick book review

A Cornish Stranger by Liz Fenwick is currently available as an ebook but is due to be published in paperback on the 23rd April 2015.

To pre-order this book please click the following link:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/A-Cornish-Stranger-Liz-Fenwick/dp/1409148246/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1428681469&sr=1-1

Liz Fenwick is the bestselling author of The Cornish House and A Cornish Affair.  A Cornish Stranger is her third novel based around one of her favourite places in the world, Cornwall.

Product Details (as per amazon page)

There’s an old Cornish saying: ‘Save a stranger from the sea, he’ll turn your enemy…’

When her reclusive grandmother becomes too frail to live alone, Gabriella Blythe moves into the remote waterside cabin on Frenchman’s Creek which has been her grandmother’s home for decades. Once a celebrated artist, Jaunty’s days are coming to a close but she is still haunted by events in her past, particularly the sinking of Lancasteria during the war.

Everything is fine until a handsome stranger arrives in a storm, seeking help. Fin has been left a family legacy: a delicate watercolour of a cabin above the creek which leads him to this beautiful stretch of Cornish water. As Fin begins to pick at the clues of the painting, he is drawn into the lives of Gabe and Jaunty, unraveling a remarkable story of identity and betrayal…

I’d like to thank the publishers and netgalley for an ecopy of the book in return for an honest review.

This is the first book by Liz Fenwick that I’ve had the privilege to read and Liz has now gone straight onto my favourite authors list.

This was a stunning book that I was totally absorbed in from the start.  It was like a story with two halves which by the end culminated into one story.  I loved the throwbacks to Jaunty’s past life.  Jaunty’s life was eventful to say the least.  It was exciting, feartful and tragic but it also had beautiful longing, loving moments. Gabe had a heartbreaking, tragic secret in her past which was controlling her life.  I’d like to share one of my favourite quotes from the novel …

A fantastic story filled with wartime saga, lost loves and secrets that could change what lies ahead.

Fabulous, absorbing 5/5* read.

To find out more about Liz Fenwick and her novels please visit the following:

http://lizfenwick.com/

https://www.facebook.com/liz.fenwick.author?fref=ts