Outside In: Nature Poems by Daniel Thompson @AuthorDThompson Julia Murray (Illustrator) @LollyPopPR

Outside In: Nature Poems

by Daniel Thompson (Author) Julia Murray (Illustrator)

Wow! Just, wow!

I think this might be Daniel Thompson’s most gorgeous book to date!

These poems are all about nature and they are just so brilliant.

I love being outside, especially when we get some sunshine. I love being by the sea, by a river, by a lake, surrounded by trees, walking through the countryside, sitting on a beach…. I love it all, but even just sitting in my back garden in the morning, or at dusk, listening to the bird’s tweeting away. There is something quite magical about that.

This book will help the youngsters in your life, and yourselves, to appreciate the wonderful world we live in and will certainly inspire you to spend more time outdoors enjoying it.

The hardcover edition of this book is stunning! My photos don’t do it justice. The illustrations throughout the book are just beautiful and compliment the poetry perfectly. I highly recommend you buy the hardcover edition to be able to enjoy it in all its glory. It’s one to re-read again and again.

** Many thanks to Lorraine Keating for sending me my review copy. It will stay in my permanent collection. **

Inspiring poems to connect with nature

This collection of 50 poems will spark a love of nature, bring calm and happiness and let the outside in.

Beautifully illustrated, it is filled with poems for children to read alone or enjoy with the whole family.

With poems about the seasons, senses, wildlife, weather and the joys of mud, it’s the perfect gift book for children to treasure.

From poet, Daniel Thompson, author of Being You: Poems of Positivity – 2023 City Kids Green Awards Winner and selected for the Reading Agency’s 2023 Summer reading challenge.

Treat yourself

Happy reading!

This Happened to Jessica: A psychological suspense mystery (Secrets of Redemption Book 2) by Michele PW (Pariza Wacek) @MichelePW

This Happened to Jessica: A psychological suspense mystery (Secrets of Redemption Book 2)

by Michele PW (Pariza Wacek)

 I purchased This Happened to Jessica as soon as I finished book one, It Began With A Lie, as I had to find out if Becca would remember what happened the night Jessica disappeared.

Becca is doing her best to move on from all that has happened since she moved back to Redemption. It isn’t easy though when she still doesn’t remember what happened to Jessica. When further trauma hits the town, some residents blame Becca and her ‘weird’ aunt and she starts to believe she might be better off moving back to New York after all. She is determined to unlock her memories though.

I raced through this book. I’m really enjoying this series. I feel totally invested in the characters and their stories. I have purchased book three and will be starting it tonight.

** I purchased the Kindle edition on 1^st April 2024 **

Happy reading!

The Crossing (Detective Louise Blackwell Book 1) by Matt Brolly @MattBrollyUK

The Crossing (Detective Louise Blackwell Book 1)

by Matt Brolly 

The Crossing is an excellent start to a new series.

Detective Louise Blackwell has recently been transferred and her first case is a brutal one. The first victim is an elderly lady who volunteers at the local church. What possible motive could there be for such an attack?

This killer isn’t done either and it soon becomes apparent that they might be seeking revenge. But, for what.

This is a fast-paced police procedural and I thoroughly enjoyed joining Blackwell and her team as they race against time to solve this case before anyone else dies.

I enjoyed the dynamic between the team and the back story behind Blackwell’s transfer. She does well to maintain professionalism considering.

The perpetrator is an interesting character. Not the type you imagine carrying out such horrendous crimes. As we get to know more about him though, things start to fall into place. He gave me a chill down my spine.

This book has everything you would expect from a good murder mystery. I look forward to catching up with Detective Louise Blackwell in book 2. It’s on my wishlist.

Happy reading!

It Began With a Lie (Secrets of Redemption Book 1) by Michele PW (Pariza Wacek) @MichelePW

It Began With a Lie (Secrets of Redemption Book 1)

by Michele PW (Pariza Wacek) 

It Began With A Lie had waited patiently in my kindle library for a while but I am so glad I finally got to reading it. I was completely gripped from the very beginning.

When we meet Becca, she is moving into her aunt’s old house (which she has inherited) in Redemption, Wisconsin, with her husband and sixteen-year-old stepdaughter, Chrissy. It’s a temporary move whilst her husband sorts out his business, then the plan is to sell the house and move back to New York to continue with the life they know and love.

Rarely in this life though do things go that smoothly to plan.

There is an underlying tension throughout this book from the very beginning and it made me feel uneasy as I read it. I found myself thinking about it during the day when I wasn’t reading it and couldn’t wait to see where the story might lead. Becca is a likeable character, but I did wonder why she put up with so much from her husband. He came across as controlling and undermining and I didn’t like him at all. His daughter wasn’t much better to start with. A typical teenage girl/stepmother relationship though it seemed. When she starts to sleepwalk though…. I found these scenes really creepy.

And what happened fifteen years previously that Becca has been unable to remember since?

This was such an intriguing story, full of tension and suspense. The characters are brilliantly written, and I love the supernatural aspects of the story. I’m not sure I’d be brave enough to stay in that house after the first unexplainable incident. Becca is a tough nut though. She must be with everything she goes through.

I enjoyed this book so much that I bought book two and started it straight away. I rarely do that.

** I purchased the Kindle edition of this book on 16th July 2019 **

Happy reading!

A Prayer For Junie (Island Secrets Series Book 2) by Fran Clark @FranClarkAuthor #PublicationDay #BookPromotion @BoBookPublicity

** PUBLICATION DAY! **

A Prayer For Junie (Island Secrets Series Book 2)

by Fran Clark

Newly married Junie has found love, but she has no idea who her husband really is. When her life is in danger, there is only one way this relationship can end.

Philomena has known Junie’s abusive husband, Gregory, since they were children and has grown to fear him. Set apart from the rest of the village community on a secluded plain, the women develop a strong bond. While Philomena plots to run away with her, Junie hopes the child she is carrying will change her husband’s violent behaviour.

When Philomena’s friendship is put to the test, she soon discovers how far she will go to protect her friend. Now a death on the plain and Junie’s disappearance has the whole village talking.

Can Philomena live with what she has done, and will she ever let go of Junie’s memory?

Buy this powerful novel of lies, love and compassion today and unravel the mystery.

** OUT NOW! **

https://mybook.to/APrayerForJunie

If you’re new to the series, you can catch up with Holding Paradise right now! It is on sale to UK readers only for a limited time. (Offer ends 15th April at 8.00am.) So why not take the chance to read Book 1 of The Island Secrets Series at less than half price!?

https://mybook.to/HoldingParadise

Happy reading!

#FlashbackFriday April 2024

Hi, and welcome to my Flashback Friday feature!

On the first Friday of each month, I like to look back at the books I was reading the previous year during the same month.

Please do join in if you have the time, I’d love to see your posts 🙂

A big thank you to those who already join in regularly! xx

Here are my reviews from April 2023 + a link to previous April FBFs….

The Attic at Wilton Place by CE Rose @CazEngland

Shadows Over the Spanish Sun by Caroline Montague @CMontagueAuthor

#FlashbackFriday April 2023

happy reading!

The Man Who Died Twice: (The Thursday Murder Club 2) by Richard Osman @richardosman

The Man Who Died Twice: (The Thursday Murder Club 2) 

by Richard Osman 

I absolutely loved this book!

I listened to book 1, The Thursday Murder Club, on Audible a few months ago and I really enjoyed it, but I think I enjoyed The Man Who Died Twice even more. It kept me guessing all the way through, providing more than one surprise along the way. It has the most wonderful cast of characters who you can’t help but love (for the most part). Joyce is my absolute favourite! I enjoyed her POV being told in the form of diary entries. I think this added something a little different and she amuses me, a lot! I love her.

This book ticks all the boxes for me as far as murder mysteries go. It has an intriguing plot, is full of suspense, and has awesome characters. There are sad times, but also plenty of humour. A highly entertaining read! I’m looking forward to book 3.

** Many thanks to my Bookstagram friends for the buddy read. I read the hardcover edition. **

Happy reading!

#CoverReveal The Disappearance Of Peter Markham by Donna Morfett @lilmissmorfett

OUT 23RD MAY 2024!

Good Girl, Bad Blood: A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder: Book 2 by Holly Jackson @HoJay92

Good Girl, Bad Blood: A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder: Book 2

by Holly Jackson 

26^th March 2024

I finished Good Girl, Bad Blood a little while ago now but this is the first chance I’ve had to write a review. I read this as a part of a buddy read with some of my Instagram friends. I was so looking forward to it as I loved A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, and I was not disappointed! I’m not sure if I loved it quite as much as AGGGTM, but it comes a very close second.

I love Pip and Ravi and I love how their relationship develops throughout this book.

I love how dedicated Pip is when it comes to helping her friends, even when it gets her in trouble with her parents. She’s such a brilliant character! In this book she is investigating a missing person rather than a murder, but her dedication to the case is equal to that of the first book.

As with book one, GGBB is full of twists and turns. It’s fast paced, suspenseful, and compelling. It has shocking moments, moving moments, and often funny moments. I highly recommend it to all! (But please read book one first if you haven’t already.)

I’m looking forward to reading book three, As Good As Dead.

Happy reading!

Mission Black by Mick Williams @mickwilliamsau2

Mission Black

by Mick Williams

OH. MY. GOODNESS!!

If you’re looking to get your teeth in to a new crime thriller series, full of action, and clever plot lines, then look no further!

Mission Black is the first in a new series by Mick Williams and it is quite simply awesome!

I love Fr. Black. He’s a fabulous character and one I can’t wait to catch up with again in book 2. He’s ex-military turned priest which I find an interesting change of career for a start. He’s a charismatic character and obviously still has a certain appeal with the ladies. Maybe more so because he’s off limits, but he sounds quite easy on the eye too.

This book has two kickass female characters, Lyndsey, and Emmy.

Lyndsey is also ex-military but now devotes her time to Fr. Black’s church as his treasurer, amongst other things. As a church treasurer myself I could relate to her from a church finance perspective but that’s pretty much where our similarities end. Lol! I certainly wouldn’t argue with her. I love the professional relationship and friendship that they obviously share.

Emmy is a truly inspiring character. When Fr. Black finds himself working alongside Emmy it’s easy to see how she might test his faith. He’s true to his vows, but they do grow to be quite fond of each other within a short timeframe. They are thrown into a volatile and dangerous situation together but make a great team. I’d want them on my team. The banter between them is hilarious at times too. I hope to see more of Emmy in book 2.

The humour throughout this book is typical of Mick Williams’ writing and I love it!

I’m so excited that this is the first of a brand-new series. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

(Review written 12^th July 2022)

Happy reading!