Monkspike by S. E. England

5*

Sarah England is quickly becoming one of my favourite Authors and this book proves once again, why.
Set in strange village called Monkspike in the Forest of Dean, the atmosphere to this story is immediately dark and eerie with an air of desperation and poverty.
Many poor folk and sick folk live here as Sylvia and her Husband Mark soon find out, but the longer they stay, Sylvia who is very spiritual begins to unravel a horror that is affecting Monkspike to its very core.
The characters of this novel were well thought out and I got a feel for them, though the only people I really warmed to were the daughters of Bel and Sylvia, I’m not sure why, I just didn’t find the others very endearing.
However the plot was fast paced and spooky with a solid storyline involving the supernatural and human behaviour at its worse, the ending was satisfying and I can’t wait to read more from this author.

Hoover H-Free 200 Pet

Trialling this new vacuum the Hoover H-Free 200 Pet.

3/5 stars, it’s lightweight, easy to handle and store and does a good job on both carpeted and hard floors.
The downsides are that the pet brush gets clogged very quickly within two uses for me which affects performance and also the battery life is quite short.
https://twitter.com/emzzzemma/status/1182592612638875648?s=21

Dying to Tell by Keri Beevis

5*

I really enjoyed this book, Keri Beevis as an Author just keeps getting better and better.
The book starts with a claustrophobic atmosphere and quickly sets the pace for a thrilling ride full of twists and turns.
I liked both Lila and Jack from the start even though they got off on the wrong foot to begin with, but their characters were well thought out and meaty, and I genuinely cared about what happened to them.
Some of the other people in the story were not so likeable but brilliantly described all the same, I really enjoyed the fast pace and interesting, tense storyline throughout.
Would definitely recommend

Their Last Breath by Sibel Hodge

4*

I was looking forward to this book as I’ve read Sibel Hodge’s other books and enjoyed them immensely.
This was no different.
A gritty storyline and Bleak atmosphere set the scene for the horrific deaths of six women, 2 detectives working in different departments soon realise their separate case could be connected and put their heads together to try and bring justice to the women that were lead to their new lives under false pretences.
Plenty of twists and turns kept me interested and the pace, although slow at first, quickly picked up. The only reason. I gave four stars was because at the beginning, all the character jumping back and forth, confused me until I got a feel for the individuals.
A good solid read, dealing with crime, corruption and human trafficking.

On a Quiet Street by J. L. Doucette

5*

What a well written and professionally carved out story.
Switching back and forth between first person Narrative in Dr Pepper Hunts case, to third person point of view with all the other characters, a really original way to write which kept me interested as I’ve not come across it many times before.
Easy to read and tense in places, this novel has a whole array of emotions

Opening on a quiet street in Rock Springs, Wyoming sets the scene for the tragic murder of Stacey Hart, a woman whose family suffer from events of the past and now of the present.
The descriptive way the author brought the various places alive, really brought them out in my imagination and I found the character of Beau Antelope to be smart, mysterious and strong, definitely my favourite and I’d love to find out more about his life.
The chemistry between Dr Pepper Hunt and Antelope was enjoyable too, it offered a bit of light relief from some of the books grittier plot lines involving child abuse and the anguish it can cause, which I have to add were dealt with realistically and sensitively.

The pace of the story was just right, never slow and I was hooked from the beginning. Did the builder do it? Or was it the Husband-to-be?
Dramatic twists and turns interwoven with a solid ‘whodunnit’ plot and interesting characters, made for great reading, the whole atmosphere of this book was fitting and matched the mood perfectly, I will definitely read more from this J. L. Doucette and hopefully other books starring Beau Antelope are to follow as I feel this has the potential for a great series.

Codename Villanelle by Luke Jennings

4*

She is the perfect assassin.

A Russian orphan, saved from the death penalty for the brutal revenge she took on her gangster father's killers.  Ruthlessly trained. Given a new life. New names, new faces - whichever fits.

Her paymasters call themselves The Twelve. But she knows nothing of them. Konstantin is the man who saved her and the one she answers to.  She is Villanelle. Without conscience. Without guilt.

Without weakness.  Eve Polastri is the woman who hunts her. MI5, until one error of judgment costs her everything.

Then stopping a ruthless assassin becomes more than her job. It becomes personal.

Having heard of the series but not seen it, I really wanted to read the book first and I’m glad I did. It’s a well written, high octane thriller that has great character descriptions and goes into the background of Villanelle which I found explained to some extent why she was the way she was. Villanelle was definitely the star of the novel. Eve needs a bit more time spent on her as she was a determined character but didn’t stand out quite as much. The setting of the story was always edge of your seat and the twists and turns plenty. I enjoyed it and will read the second book when I can.

The Girl in the Corner by Amanda Prowse

3*

Rae-Valentine and Howard were childhood sweethearts. They’ve shared twenty-five peaceful years since they were brought together by Dolly, Howard’s larger-than-life sister. But now, on the night of their wedding anniversary, Howard reveals a shocking betrayal that leaves Rae reeling.

Heartbroken, she takes Dolly on her would-be anniversary trip to Antigua and the two women drink and dance and talk like they haven’t in years. But in the break from real life, Rae realises her choices have always been made for her, and suddenly she’s questioning not only her fragile marriage but also her one-sided friendships. Is she really the pushover everyone else sees?

When Howard comes looking for reconciliation, Rae has a choice to make: keep the peace, as she always has, or put herself first for once and find out who she really is.

This has been my least favourite book of Amanda Prowse so far, as it took me a while to get into and I wasn’t quite making that connection with the characters.
That said it is a relatable and true to life, easy to read story,
The setting is carefree and summery and the characters are well written, they just didn’t click with me, I found Dolly overbearing and Rae too placid but I guess it takes all sorts, the descriptions were very good and it was an emotional ride.
Though not my cup of tea, I’m sure this novel is good for many, worth a read!

The Forbidden Place by Susanne Jansson

3*

In the remote Swedish wetlands lies Mossmarken: the village on the edge of the mire where, once upon a time, people came to leave offerings to the gods.

Biologist Nathalie came in order to study the peat bogs. But she has a secret: Mossmarken was once her home, a place where terrible things happened. She has returned at last, determined to confront her childhood trauma and find out the truth.

Soon after her arrival, she finds an unconscious man out on the marsh, his pockets filled with gold - just like the ancient human sacrifices. A grave is dug in the mire, which vanishes a day after. And as the police investigate, the bodies start to surface...

Is the mire calling out for sacrifices, as the superstitious locals claim? Or is it an all-too-human evil?

I loved the beautiful Swedish setting of this novel and it was all tinged with an eerie disquiet, very atmospheric.
I couldn’t quite immerse myself in the characters though which slowed the pace of the story down for me and stopped me enjoying it as much as I would have liked.
The writing was succinct and to the point, and I quite liked the ‘tell it like it is’ style.
I would say this book is well worth a read but it could’ve been so much more.

The Taking of Annie Thorne by C. J. Tudor

4*

One night, Annie went missing. Disappeared from her own bed. There were searches, appeals. Everyone thought the worst. And then, miraculously, after forty-eight hours, she came back. But she couldn't, or wouldn't, say what had happened to her.

Something happened to my sister. I can't explain what. I just know that when she came back, she wasn't the same. She wasn't my Annie.

I didn't want to admit, even to myself, that sometimes I was scared to death of my own little sister.

I really enjoyed this well written novel, part horror, part thriller and part suspense.
The ending was full of surprises and all ends were tied up satisfactorily.
The characters, especially Joe, were so well described that I felt I had grown up with these kids and I was desperate to find out just what had happened to poor Annie.
Fast paced and tense, this is a good read that will have you gripped.

Halfway by B. E. Jones

3*

I was halfway with this novel.
A good psychological thriller with plenty of twists and turns, set in a eerie, claustrophobic small town, a run down bar and a snowstorm.
The Characters were well described but I ever warmed to any of them, however as soon as you thought you knew one of them, something changed your perceptive, very clever.
Well written but with a slow pace that only just kept my interest, it could have been a little better, a little faster but all in all a solid read.

My Name is Anna by Lizzy Barber

3*

Two women – desperate to unlock the truth.
How far will they go to lay the past to rest?

ANNA has been taught that virtue is the path to God. But on her eighteenth birthday she defies her Mamma’s rules and visits Florida’s biggest theme park.

She has never been allowed to go – so why, when she arrives, does everything seem so familiar? And is there a connection to the mysterious letter she receives on the same day?

ROSIE has grown up in the shadow of the missing sister she barely remembers, her family fractured by years of searching without leads. Now, on the fifteenth anniversary of her sister’s disappearance, the media circus resumes in full flow, and Rosie vows to uncover the truth.

But will she find the answer before it tears her family apart....

Not a bad book by Lizzy Barber, well written and suspenseful but with a bit of a slow, plodding pace.
Skipping back and forth between Anna and Rosie was a good way to keep me interested, however I would’ve like to have seen More of Rosie’s life fleshed out as the concentration was mainly on Anna.
The plot was every parents worse nightmare and the emotional rollercoaster felt by each character was described well, the setting of a happy fun place in the Theme Park was eerily contrasted by the events that took place, however I felt that the story needed to kick up the pace a bit to fully keep my attention.
Worth a read though.

The Importance of Being Aisling by Emer McLysaght & Sarah Breen

4*

You can take the small-town girl out of the big city - but can you take the big city out of the girl?

Job. Flat. Boyfriend. Tick. Tick. Tick.

Aisling (seems) to be winning at life. But life has other ideas.

Fired. Homeless. Dumped. Tick. Tick. Tick.

When everything comes crashing down around her, moving back in with her mam seems like a disaster.

But might returning to her roots provide the answers Aisling's looking for?

This was a nice, feel good story that had some laughingly funny moments.
Aisling was a lot like most woman and I could really relate to her and her situation.
The Irish setting is quaint and really set the scene whilst Aisling’s friends and family were endearing and interesting as they went through their own upsets and life points.
The plot was easy to follow, the pace plodding along at a reasonable pace and the story on a whole was enjoyable.

Hidden Company by S. E. England

5*

This author has a way of setting a chilling scene like no other, Hidden Company is no exception.
I thoroughly enjoyed this atmospheric tale told in both past and present day, culminating in a tenuous link for all concerned.
It is the year 1893 and poor Flora, sent to an institution from Hell, tries her hardest to understand the reasons why she finds herself under the care of the hideous Doctor Fox-Whately, whilst in the present day, Isobel Lee ventures to the Welsh countryside to ‘find herself’ and hone her psychic skills, that she has spent so long running from.
The loneliness and beauty of the countryside casts an eerie shadow in your mind whilst the disturbing goings on in the terrifying asylum sparks outrage and pity of what these innocent people with various explainable afflictions in today’s world, were put through.
Hidden Company ticked all my boxes, with a great plot to boot, highly recommended.

Help!

https://www.gofundme.com/a2znpf-mollys-cremation

This is my Aunties dog, it would be very sad if she couldn’t bring Mollys ashes home when the time comes.

Any help will be appreciated.

Thank you.

Younger by Pamela Redmond Satran

3*

She's old enough to be his mother. But she's having too much fun to care...

Alice has always looked young for her age, even with her greying   hair and her housewife style. But now that her husband's gone and her daughter is grown, Alice is in desperate need of a new life. So she lets her best friend Maggie transform her into a woman who looks really young.

But the white lies escalate, and soon Alice finds herself with a gorgeous 20-something boyfriend and the dream job she'd briefly had before becoming a full-time mom. For the first time since she was actually twenty-nine, or possibly ever, Alice feels that life is ripe with possibility. But has Alice told one lie too many?

Well written with a good moral lesson rebelling against ageism in all shape and form, Alice wasn’t really my cup of tea, I found her a bit annoying and clingy but the workplace, homestead setting was interesting enough.
An easy to read, lighthearted chick lit novel, with a decent plot.

Haunted: Horror of Haverfordwest by G.L. Davies

4*

Blissful beginnings for a young couple turn into a nightmare after purchasing their dream home in Wales in 1989. Their love and their resolve are torn apart by an indescribable entity that pushes paranormal activity to the limit. Haunted: Horror of Haverfordwest is the prequel to the bestselling A Most Haunted House.

Dare you step inside...

Having not read A Most Haunted House, I wasn’t sure what to expect from this horror novel, I also didn’t realise it was non fiction.
I was surprisingly captivated by this story, enjoying the self conflicted way the author wrote, as though even now he was finding the horrors of this house to be natural rather than supernatural.
To me, everything rang true, it was unnerving in some places and opened my eyes to the possibility that there is more in this world than people choose to believe.
Interesting outlooks on the various natural explanations for the phenomena were refreshing but didn’t fit my idea of what was happening in the spooky dwelling, I will be reading the sequel to this story and find this subject enthralling.

Into The Sounds by Lee Murray

4*

On leave, and out of his head with boredom, NZDF Sergeant Taine McKenna joins biologist Jules Asher, on a Conservation Department deer culling expedition to New Zealand’s southernmost national park, where soaring peaks give way to valleys gouged from clay and rock, and icy rivers bleed into watery canyons too deep to fathom. Despite covering an area the size of the Serengeti, only eighteen people live in the isolated region, so it’s a surprise when the hunters stumble on the nation’s Tūrehu tribe, becoming some of only a handful to ever encounter the elusive ghost people. But a band of mercenaries saw them first, and, hell-bent on exploiting the tribes’ survivors, they’re prepared to kill anyone who gets in their way. As a soldier, McKenna is duty-bound to protect all New Zealanders, but after centuries of persecution will the Tūrehu allow him to help them? Besides, there is something else lurking in the sounds, and it has its own agenda. When the waters clear, will anyone be allowed to leave?

Although I was overjoyed to discover my favourite characters Taine McKenna, Reed and Trigger returning in this adventure I was a bit dubious about the content.
I shouldn’t have been, this story drew me in just as much as Into The Mist did.
Action, mysticism, folklore and myth abound, as Taine and Jules find themselves in another unbelievable expedition, leading to all out war with a sub of nasty smugglers, intent on kidnapping a new species to sell.
Trigger works on the sidelines, backing up Taine, even though he is no longer in the field.
Somehow Lee Murray makes the unbelievable, believable... More adventures please!