Rhythm of Deceit (The NightHawk Series Book 2) by Rachael Richey book review

Rhythm of Deceit by Rachael Richey, publisher The Wild Rose Press, Inc, is available NOW in ebook and paperback format.

To buy link:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rhythm-Deceit-NightHawk-Book-2-ebook/dp/B010CE70CE/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1451404598&sr=1-1

Product Details (as per amazon page)

Two years after finally being reunited, Abigail Thomson and Gideon Hawk are happily married and living in Cornwall with their children.

While Gideon is busy focusing his energies on his musical career, Abi makes an unexpected discovery of old diaries dating from 1950. As she and her daughter read through them, the reasons behind Abi’s mother’s destructive actions become much clearer, and they discover a shocking sixty-year-old deception.

Meanwhile, Simon Dean, the vengeful ex-drummer of Gideon’s band NightHawk, is about to make life very difficult for them all—again—and he is prepared to go to desperate lengths to achieve his goals.

I’d like to thank the author, Rachael Richey, for an arc in return for an honest review.

After reading book 1 of the series, Storm Rising, see my review here I was eagerly awaiting to dive into the pages of book 2, Rhythm of Deceit.

It’s been two years since Abi and Gideon have been reunited after ten years apart.  They are now happily married living in Cornwall with their children.  Natasha, their daughter, is still confused as to why she was sent away to live in a children’s home by her grandparents.  Without her parents permission Natasha sets out to discover more about her past.  Abi and Natasha are given a suitcase which once belonged to Abi’s mother.  Without revealing too much of the storyline what follows next is a journey Abi and Natasha take discovering the contents of the suitcase and the details of Abi’s mothers past.

The story also picks up were it left in book 1 regarding Simon Dean, the ex-drummer of the band who has a hateful campaign against Abi.  Simon tried his best to keep the young lovers apart and succeeded for 10 years but now the couple are reunited Simon is constantly reminded of their happiness and is hostility towards Abi is growing.  Simon becomes very unhinged and his revenge take a dramatic turn.

Another great instalment in the NightHawk series.  I was completely hooked with book 2 especially with the revealing history of Abi’s mother. It was very enlightening, sad and traumatic and also demonstrated how life and relationships were different back in the 1950s.  Simon’s storyline was quite dramatic and I was gripped with the intensity of the twists and turns.  I am also left with anticipation how the story will develop in book 3, Cobwebs in the Dark (fab title), which is due for publication in February 2016.  An intense, emotional 5/5* read.

To find out more about Rachael Richey and her books please visit the following links:

http://rachaelricheybooks.weebly.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rachael-Richey-Books/567963536590152?fref=ts

https://twitter.com/RachaelRBooks

 

 

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Storm Rising (The NightHawk series) by Rachael Richey book review

Storm Rising (The NightHawk series) by Rachael Richey, publisher The Wild Rose Press, Inc is available NOW in ebook and paperback format.

To buy link:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Storm-Rising-NightHawk-Rachael-Richey-ebook/dp/B00T1OK4ES/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1451235046&sr=1-1

Product Details (as per amazon page)

Frontman of the grunge rock band NightHawk, Gideon Hawk has had enough of the rock star life. He is jaded, disillusioned, and haunted by the memory of an unresolved heartbreak. On a whim, he leaves the band in New York and heads to England in search of answers.

After attending the funeral of her estranged mother, Abigail Thomson makes a shocking discovery in her parents’ attic. The still-raw memories that surface, along with even more startling discoveries, force Abi to face a devastating truth that leads to a series of life-changing events. She and Gideon must race against time to reclaim the life stolen from them a decade before.

I’d like to thank the author, Rachael Richey, for an arc in return for an honest review.

This is the first book I’ve read by Rachael and I love discovering new authors and new publishers.  Its really good to open your eyes and your mind to new talent.

This was such an addictive read.  A YA inspired story, the first in The NightHawk series, it was full of angst, hurt, deceit, betrayal, emotion, love and heartbreak.  It had so many twists and turns and I can’t wait to dive into the next instalment.

We open the story with 26 year old Abi attending her mother’s funeral.  Abi hasn’t seen her parents for over 8 years and is very resentful of them, particularly how she was treated by them during a traumatic event in her past.  However, Abi’s father needs her at this low time and asks for her help to sort out her mother’s belongings.  Abi makes a startling discovery in the loft which opens her eyes to the full deceit her mother in particular had shown to her daughter.  This discovering brings back many memories from Abi’s past some wonderful and some very painful.

We flit back in time to Abi as a 15 year old, excited with her friends getting ready to go to a party at her school were a band, NightHawk, comprising of three local lads, are performing.  When Abi’s eyes meet with Gideon the singer and bass player an instant connection is made.  However, Abi realises going on a date with a 19 year old could prove tricky with her over protective mother.  With the help of Abi’s friend Abi and Gideon manage to begin dating and their friendship soon turns into a beautiful young love.  NightHawk are soon discovered by publishers and a recording deal followed by a tour in the States brings a separation to the young couple.  Both Abi and Gideon agree to keep in touch and they do write to each other.  However, these letters never met their intended recipients.

It’s been 10 years since Abi and Gideon parted, Abi felt like she’d been abandoned at a time she needed Gideon the most and Gideon just presumed Abi didn’t care anymore.

Gideon’s band, NightHawk, had done extremely well since the 10 years he’d left England.  Yet fame and endless tours were getting too much for Gideon and just recently his days and nights had been disturbed with dreams of Abi.  Gideon decides on a whim to quite the band and flee the country.

What follows is an emotional journey of Abi and Gideon discovering the full extent to what happened in their past and how certain people’s actions were keeping the young lovers apart.  A wonderful, emotive start to The NightHawk series, 4.5/5* read.  I’m excited to find out what happens next for Abi and Gideon in the next episode in the series … Rhythm of Deceit.

To find out more about Rachael Richey and her books please visit the following links:

http://rachaelricheybooks.weebly.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rachael-Richey-Books/567963536590152?fref=ts

https://twitter.com/RachaelRBooks

 

Love from Paris by Alexandra Potter book review

Love from Paris by Alexandra Potter, publisher Hodder & Stoughton, is available NOW in ebook and paperback format.

To buy link:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Love-Paris-Alexandra-Potter/dp/1444712179/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1450986916&sr=1-1

Product Details (as per amazon page)

How far would you go for love?
When new boyfriend Jack stands her up at the airport, Ruby Miller dries her tears, jumps on the Eurostar and heads to Paris. She thinks she’s going there to visit an old friend and have a total break from romance. But the City of Love has other ideas.
A locked apartment where time has stood still, a bundle of long-lost love letters and a flirtatious French lawyer sweep Ruby into a mystery that spans over seventy years. Who is the author of the letters? Why did the owner of the apartment close up the shutters and flee Paris before the war, never to return? And what secret was she hiding?
As the mystery deepens, Ruby turns love detective but it’s not long before the ghosts of the past throw her own love affair into jeopardy.

I loved this beautiful, emotive, heart felt, romantic story spanning through the decades.  This is the first book I’ve read by Alexandra Potter and she has swiftly become one of my favourites.  (Need to catch up with her back catalogue).

I instantly fell in love with the cover of the paperback.  I do love books with illustrated artwork and with the added embossed words and sparkle I was drawn to the book and wanted to dive into the pages and get lost in the words.

Ruby Miller is an author and is so excited about her upcoming birthday when her American boyfriend is due to fly in and spend some quality time with her.  Ruby and Jack haven’t seen each other for a good while and are feeling the strain of a long distance relationship.  However, Ruby is left devastated when Jack cancels plans to visit her at the last minute.  Ruby then decides to accept an invitation to visit her good friend, Harriet, in Paris and hops on the next Eurostar.  She is hoping that this visit to her friend will help her forget about her planned romantic weekend with Jack but visiting the city of love is proving difficult to ignore romance and all things love.

Harriet works for a big auction house and has just been given an exciting and very intriguing new acquisition with the firm.  She is to assist with the estate of a recently deceased old lady who kept an apartment in the centre of Paris.  From what is known of this lady she kept this apartment locked for many decades and hadn’t returned to Paris following her flee from the city during the start of WWII.  As an author Ruby is fascinated with this apartment and would love to know the story behind it.  Ruby goes along with Harriet to view the apartment ready for cataloguing the estate for the auction house.  When the rusty locks from the apartment are released and the door creaks open it’s like entering a different world.  The rooms and furnishings are exquisite and it appears that the late owner of the apartment left in a hurry as a table is still set out for visitors.  How the author, Alexandra, described this first viewing of this almost forgotten apartment sounded magical especially with the dust motes sparkling in the sunlight creeping through the curtains.

Ruby stumbles upon a bundle of letters and the mystery surrounding the apartment is too much for Ruby’s inquisitive mind and she borrows the letters to try and unravel the secrets from the apartment and the past.

This was such a gorgeous, fun, romantic story set in two different time frames.  It was also quite tragic for the love and life that could never be fulfilled due to unfortunate circumstances and barriers back in the 1940s.  Alexandra’s description of Paris and the south of France was so detailed I felt I could envisage sitting in a little chic café watching the world go by.  A truly, beautiful, love story that spanned decades 5*.

To find out more about Alexandra Potter and her books please visit the following links:

http://www.alexandrapotter.com/

https://www.facebook.com/Alexandra.Potter.Author

https://twitter.com/alexpotterbooks

 

Reign of Iron by Angus Watson book review

Reign of Iron by Angus Watson, publisher Orbit an imprint of Little, Brown book group, is available NOW in ebook, paperback and audio download format.

To buy link:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Reign-Iron-Age-Trilogy/dp/0356502600/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1450863798&sr=1-1

Product Details (as per amazon page)

THE ACTION-PACKED FINAL VOLUME IN THE EPIC TRILOGY THAT FANTASY FANS EVERYWHERE ARE TALKING ABOUT

‘Unflinchingly bloodthirsty and outrageously entertaining’ Christopher Brookmyre

‘It simply grabbed me by the throat and wouldn’t let go’ Bibliosanctum

‘Gore soaked and profanity laden – full of visceral combat and earthy humor’ Publishers Weekly

‘Would I read the next one? Yes, absolutely. Bring me my hammer, bring my beer, bring it on!’ SF Crowsnest

‘Fun and addictive’ Fantasy Faction

Invaders have massacred and pillaged their way through neighbouring kingdoms and loom on the far side of the sea, ready to descend upon the fortress of Maidun – with them are an unstoppable legion of men twisted by dark magic. Somehow Queen Lowa’s army must repel the invasion, although their best general is dead and their young druid powerless. She faces impossible odds, but when the alternative is death or slavery, a warrior queen will do whatever it takes to save her people.

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, hatred, revenge and retribution.  All the favourite characters are back in the final book of the trilogy.  Lowe the Warrior Queen of Maidun hoped to live a quiet existence after the loss of Dug, but finds that this is impossible with the Roman Army and Caesar wanting to conquer Britain. Spring is devastated at the loss of Dug and blames everyone, pushing people that love her away.  Within a few short chapters Lowe has her hands full and must send her closest friends into danger to help with gaining information to defeat Caesar. Will this be a successful plan that pays off or a disaster, costing her friends lives?

The first two books in the trilogy were a great read and this one follows on in the same way.  I loved the characters Lowe and Spring and how their story continues, 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! Even though she has suffered the loss of the man she loved, she needs to focus on the job in hand.

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. Felix has a great power and is determined to use it for his own agenda. You can’t help but despise him because of his lack of honour and the lack of feelings for others.

I loved reading Reign of Iron, part three of the trilogy; it had me hooked yet again, from the first battle to the heartrending conclusion!  I was shocked with the turn of events and what an ending, more twists and turns, heartache and joy than Eastenders!

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 visit the following links:

http://www.guswatson.com/

https://twitter.com/guswatson

Winter Wishes: Polwenna Bay 3 by Ruth Saberton book review

Winter Wishes by Ruth Saberton, publisher Notting Hill Press is available in ebook format from 15th December 2015.

To buy link:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Winter-Wishes-Polwenna-Bay-3-ebook/dp/B017E2DR4M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1450021500&sr=8-1&keywords=winter+wishes+ruth+saberton

Product Details (as per amazon page)

Is it really better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all?

Tara Tremaine is a woman with a mission – to pick up the pieces of a life she turned her back on and win back her estranged husband, Danny. Nothing will stand in Tara’s way, least of all the dangerous secret that drove them apart or Danny’s growing feelings for another woman…

Since arriving in Polwenna Bay hardworking vicar Jules Mathieson has put duty above her own heart. Jules adores her new life by the sea and secretly loves troubled war veteran, Danny Tremaine. When Tara returns Jules knows stepping away from him is the right thing to do, no matter how much it hurts.

Danny Tremaine’s world has been shattered. With life-changing injuries, a broken marriage and his glittering military career abruptly over, he returns to the family home to a rebuild his broken body and heart. Danny knows his friendship with Jules could blossom into more but allowing this to happen will come at a very high price – one that could cost him everything.

With Christmas fast approaching Jules, Danny and Tara are not the only people in the village with secrets and long cherished dreams. Maybe with a little seasonal magic, some winter wishes really will come true?

I’d like to thank Ruth for sending me an arc in return for an honest review.

This is the third instalment in the Polwenna Bay series. We were first introduced to the wonderful village of Polwenna Bay and its residents back in May this year. From the first few pages of the first book I fell in love with the idyllic location of this picturesque, homely quayside village in Cornwall. The Tremaine family consisting of Alice the wonderful, wise, caring grandma to Jimmy the father, who has been a little lost but is having fun finding himself again much to the dismay of his children Jake, Danny, Mo, Symon, Zak, Nick and Issie play a huge part in the village and in Ruth’s stories. I soon found myself falling in love with the characters and learning about their individual personalities. Ruth writes in such a way that you begin to treat the written characters as friends and after reading each instalment in the Polwenna Bay series you are eagerly looking forward to the next story … which is how I have been since reading book 2.

I have to admit Danny is one of my favourites in the Tremaine family, he has suffered greatly in the past and a tragic event during a tour of duty during his army career has left his life in pieces but slowly with the help of Jules, the new reverend of the village church, his life is being put back together.

This new story focuses mainly on Danny. With the unexpected arrival of his estranged wife and son during one cold night in late October Danny is left very confused and angry as he felt his life was beginning to look happy and settled. Danny’s estranged wife, Tara, is hoping for a second chance with Danny. However, secrets from Danny and Tara’s past are difficult to forget. Prior to Tara’s return to the village Danny and Jules had become very close and more than platonic feelings for each other were felt. Jules was fighting with her strong feelings for Danny and was struggling with her faith.

Another new arrival in the village, Ivy, an old woman with no history or family in the area. Ivy was a cantankerous old lady and was very set in her ways. Ivy spent a lot of time upsetting people but there was more to Ivy’s story behind her grouchy exterior.

We are also introduced to a further interloper, Caspar Owen, an eccentric author who has moved into a cottage in the village to try and find his writing muse.

This story was everything I have come to expect from Ruth. It was filled with characters to fall in love with, an idyllic location, a wonderful, romantic storyline which at times felt quite magical. I always enjoy a story set around Christmas time as it tends to hold a little more magic than any other time of year, as Christmas is a time when we can hope our wishes come true. A beautiful, heartfelt and heartwarming 5/5* read.

Bring on the next instalment in Polwenna Bay …

You can find my reviews for Polwenna Bay 1: Runaway Summer here

My review for Polwenna Bay 2: A Time for Living here

To find out more about Ruth Saberton and her books please visit the following links:

http://www.ruthsaberton.co.uk/

http://www.twitter.com/RuthSaberton

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ruth-Saberton-Author/117666788262892

Misconduct by Penelope Douglas book review

 

Misconduct by Penelope Douglas, publisher Piatkus is available NOW in ebook and paperback format.

To buy link:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Misconduct-Penelope-Douglas-ebook/dp/B01063XPUM/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1449565762&sr=8-1

Product Details (as per amazon page)

Former tennis player Easton Bradbury is trying to be the best teacher she can be, trying to reach her bored students, trying to forget her past. What brought her to this stage in her life isn’t important. She can’t let it be. But now one parent-teacher meeting may be her undoing . . .

Meeting Tyler Marek for the first time makes it easy for Easton to see why his son is having trouble in school. The man knows how to manage businesses and wealth but not a living, breathing teenage boy. Or a young teacher, for that matter, though he tries to. And yet…there is something about him that draws Easton in-a hint of vulnerability, a flash of attraction, a spark that might burn.

Wanting him is taboo. Needing him is undeniable. And his long-awaited touch will weaken Easton’s resolve – and reveal what should stay hidden . . .

I’d like to thank the publishers for an arc in return for an honest review.

I loved this seductive, sexy, gripping story.  It left my heart thudding with the intense chemistry between the main characters and also the drama held within the storyline.

Easton was in her first year of teaching at high school.  Her teaching techniques were fresh and interesting which caught the students’ imagination.  Easton’s teaching techniques however, came under scrutiny especially with one particular parent, Tyler Marek.  Tyler was a self-made millionaire but had been an absent parent to his son up until recently.  Easton and Tyler had briefly met months ago at a Masquerade Ball.  Since then Tyler has been unable to get Easton out of his mind.  When both Easton and Tyler discover that they have feelings burning up inside for each other they are afraid to ‘let the flame burn’ due to Easton being Tyler’s sons teacher.  Easton is also trying to move on with her life after a terrifying and tragic ordeal in her past.  Can she let the demons from her past go?  Tyler’s life starts spinning out of control and he has to decide what is most important.

This was a brilliant, sexy page turner of a book with a twist in the tale that left me stunned.  I couldn’t get enough of Easton and Tyler.  A stunning 5/5* read.

To find out more about Penelope Douglas and her books please visit the following links:

https://www.facebook.com/PenelopeDouglasAuthor

http://www.penelopedouglasauthor.com/

Diary of a Stressed Out Mother by Nicola Kelsall book review

Diary of a Stressed Out Mother is a self-published ebook by Nicola Kelsall.  It is available NOW free on the kindle unlimited scheme and to buy on kindle.

To buy link:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Diary-Stressed-Out-Mother-Bedlam-ebook/dp/B00V2LAQ3W/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1449259585&sr=1-1&keywords=diary+of+a+stressed+out+mother

Product Details (as per amazon page)

Dora Loveday is a beleaguered mother of four kids, two unruly dogs, a psychotic cat and wife to an exasperated and long-suffering husband. Clinging doggedly on to her sanity in the face of unrelenting adversity, she records the chaos and madness of her family life in this laugh-out-loud comic romp of a diary.

I’d like to thank the author, Nicola Kelsall, for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

As soon as I read the synopsis of this novel I knew I’d appreciate this story.  As a mother myself I can totally understand and imagine the ups and downs of life with a husband, four children, two dogs and a cat, not forgetting the eco loving in laws!  This was such a romp of a read.  It was set out like a diary and Dora, the harassed mother, guided you through each day of her life.  Each day was filled with adventure, mishaps, catastrophes.  Nicola, the author, has such a great imagination and her humour is just brilliant.  I was laughing out loud during all Dora’s crazy days.  The book flowed really well and to be honest I was sad when it ended however, I’m thrilled to learn that Nicola is writing a sequel and I’m looking forward to more from Dora and the gang.

A great, fun filled story full of hilarious mishaps and adventures that will have you laughing through the pages.  5/5*

I’d like to share with you one of the many great moments from this novel:

“Andrew and I are feeling a little disappointed with Luke after attending his parent’s evening last night.  The sardine incident has of course put a dampener on things a bit and his teachers are right to be critical of his general behaviour, but we didn’t quite expect there to be such a litany of mishaps and tomfoolery.  We were put out to hear from his Geography teacher that Luke’s answers to questions in a recent test include one on Iceland where he said it was a frozen food emporium next to Boots.  He described The African Congo as a funny dance, said the Grand Canyon was a weapon of mass destruction,  that the Northern Lights is a night club in Newcastle and that The Yangtze is a Chinese take-away in town.”

About Nicola Kelsall (from amazon page)

I have loved being an artist and writer from childhood, although the demands of real life have often got in the way. But despite having to do many different jobs to survive, I have continued to paint and to write all my life. I’ve done all sorts; from being a Chambermaid, Barmaid, Driver, Shop Girl, Secretary, Dresser for the Royal Scottish Ballet, Printer, PA, Designer, Illustrator, Singer in a Medieval Banquet, Events Organiser, Teacher, PTA Queen, and most importantly – Mother to three kids and a long-suffering husband. When times have been difficult, we’ve always retained our sense of humour as a family and tried to see the funny side of things.

I used to worry that some of the dead-end jobs I did represented huge amounts of wasted time and often felt trapped and frustrated. Now of course, I am grateful for this vast array of experience and all the interesting characters I’ve met along the way. Family life has given me another very different set of experiences, and luckily inspired this, the first book in the series ‘Diary of a Stresed Out Mother’. I’ve enjoyed every minute of writing this book and I hope my readers love it too! Watch out for the sequel!

To find out even more about Nicola Kelsall please visit the following links:

https://www.facebook.com/stressedoutmother

https://twitter.com/StressOutMother