#BlogBlitz: When The Waters Recede by Graham Smith @GrahamSmith1972 @caffeinenights @rararesources #WhenTheWatersRecede

Published on the 31st May 2018 by Caffeine Nights Publishing. My thanks to the author and the publisher for the review copy and Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for inviting me to take part in the Blog Blitz. You can get your copy of the book here.

When a car is pulled from raging floodwaters with a dead man in the front and the decapitated body of an evil woman in the boot, Cumbria’s Major Crimes Team are handed the investigation.

The woman is soon recognised, but the man cannot be identified and this leads the team and their former leader, Harry Evans, into areas none of them want to visit.

Before they know it, they’re dealing with protection scams and looking for answers to questions they didn’t know needed to be asked

My Thoughts:

I am so happy to be able to be able to bring you a publication day review of When The Waters Recede. Anybody that reads the blog will know how much I love this series and it seems to me that each book keeps getting better and better. It feels like returning to old friends. 

Sometimes when I am following a series I find that they can become staid and possibly a bit repetitive but there is no such issue here. Every book is as exciting as the last and this time around I would say this is the best one. 

Harry Evans is back and is a complex character that we manage to find out more about in this story. I can't help but adore him. The other characters are all excellent and really make the team come alive. 

Graham Smith has written a story that hooks the reader right in at the beginning and doesn't let go until the thrilling final pages. The investigation into who a dead man is gives us the backdrop here, and the race for justice was exhilarating and breathtaking. I refuse to go into the plot anymore because it is just one you would have to read for yourself for the full experience. 

Graham Smith and his characters are always one step ahead, dropping clues here and there. Enough to pique the readers interest but never enough for them to solve the case. I was not able to unravel this one at all. Graham Smith is one hell of a talented writer. 

Intelligent crime fiction that just sucks the reader right in, takes them along for the ride and then spits them out at the end. Fully immersive crime fiction. Perfect just perfect, I loved it and can't wait for more. 

If I have tempted you at all the author is running a great competition which you can find out about at the bottom of this post. 

About the Author:

Graham Smith is a time served joiner who has built bridges, houses, dug drains and slated roofs to make ends meet. Since Christmas 2000, he has been manager of a busy hotel and wedding venue near Gretna Green, Scotland.

He is an internationally best-selling Kindle author and has four books featuring DI Harry Evans and the Cumbrian Major Crimes Team, and three novels, featuring Utah doorman, Jake Boulder.

An avid fan of crime fiction since being given one of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five books at the age of eight, he has also been a regular reviewer and interviewer for the well-respected website Crimesquad.com since 2009

Graham is the founder of Crime and Publishment, a weekend of crime-writing classes which includes the chance for attendees to pitch their novels to agents and publishers. Since the first weekend in 2013, eight attendees have gone on to sign publishing contracts.

Graham can be found at

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/grahamnsmithauthor

Twitter
https://twitter.com/GrahamSmith1972

Website

www.grahamsmithauthor.com

Giveaway

To celebrate the release of When the Waters Recede, Graham Smith is offering one lucky reader the chance to win all six books in the Harry Evans series.

To enter, simply sign up for his newsletter via the link provided before the 5th of June 2018 and you’ll be entered into not just this competition, but all competitions that he runs. Entrants from the whole world are welcome.
http://blogspot.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe

u=8bbfc9a3acb79a408253510a8&id=48d2dc65e5

That is one great prize to win!!! Do check out the other stops on the blog tour. 

#BlogTour: Amy Cole Has Lost Her Mind by Elizabeth McGivern @MayhemBeyond @rararesources

Published on 25th May 2018. My thanks to the author for the review copy and Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for inviting me on to the blog tour. 

Amy Cole is a stay-at-home mum and a woman on the edge.

After a very public breakdown and failed suicide attempt, Amy finds herself trying to make it through her everyday life as a high-functioning zombie.

Elle De Bruyn is a force of nature ready to shake Amy back to life whether she likes it or not.

After a fortuitous meeting, the two embark on a journey together which will change them both and help them find out exactly what they’re capable of when rock bottom is just the beginning.

Purchase from Amazon UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07B4FW7TZ/ref=la_B07B4HV9B6_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1519837964&sr=1-1

Purchase from Amazon.com - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B4FW7TZ/ref=la_B07B4HV9B6_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1519837964&sr=1-1

My Thoughts:

I was thrilled to be invited on to this blog tour as after taking part in the cover reveal I was desperately wanting to read this book and I can safely and assuredly say that I was not disappointed. 

Elizabeth McGivern is a gifted writer that has taken a serious subject matter and managed to mix it in with dashes of wonderful humour without detracting from the difficulties that the characters encounter. 

Amy Cole has been through through something traumatic. She is depressed and at a rock bottom, struggling to find her way back up. An encounter with Elle De Bruyn is a game changer. Elle is different from Amy in so many ways but still a friendship begins that could change both of their lives. Much hilarity ensues as the antics of the pair are laid out in all of their comedic glory for the reader. 

I loved the characters in this novel, complex and well rounded they were relatable and entertaining in equal measure. They could be ourselves or people that we know. 

Elizabeth McGivern has written a story with mass appeal that will strike a cord with women everywhere. Depression exists and should be talked about. This story is proof that we can still exist with these mental health issues and tackle life with humour and see the world with beauty and grace. 

An exceptionally accomplished read that tackles many issues of today including miscarriage, depression and suicide and one that brings a touch of comedy to brighten the days whilst never dimming the seriousness of the issues people go through. 

A wonderful read that I can't help but recommend.

About the Author:

Picture credited to Jess Lowe

Elizabeth McGivern is a former journalist turned hostage-in-her-own-home surrounded by three men and a horrible dog named Dougal. 

In an effort to keep her sanity she decided to write a parenting blog after the birth of her first son so she can pinpoint the exact moment she failed as a mother. 

In an unexpected turn of events, the blog helped her to find a voice and connect with parents in similar situations; namely those who were struggling with mental health issues and parenting. It was because of this encouragement – and wanting to avoid her children as much as possible – her debut novel, Amy Cole has lost her mind, was born. 

Elizabeth lives in Northern Ireland although wishes she could relocate to Iceland on a daily basis. To witness her regular failings as a parent you can find her on: 

www.mayhemandbeyond.com 

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/mayhemandbeyond

Twitter - https://twitter.com/MayhemBeyond

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mayhemandbeyond/

Please do have a look at some of the other stops along the tour.

#BlogTour: Kid To Killer by Paul Elliott @EdinburghAuthor #KidtoKiller #PaulMcGraw #RandomThingsTours

Published independently on 2nd June 2017. My thanks to the author for the review copy and Anne Cater of Random Things Tours for inviting me on to the blog tour. You can get your copy here.

A fifteen year old boy sees it as his duty to rid Edinburgh of the scum that prey on the innocent people of the city. He finds that to punish the guilty he must first face fear,loss and betrayal.

He will soon discover things aren't always as they seem, and there are other people who have uses for a young killer as well as bigger forces at play.

My Thoughts:

Kid To Killer is a little removed from what I normally read but I am really glad that I read it. It is a gritty, gripping piece of vigilante fiction that kept me turning the pages until its conclusion. 

As the first in a series it was interesting to be introduced to Paul McGraw. At fifteen years old and living in Edinburgh, going to school in a bit of a rough area. McGraw takes it upon himself to become a killer. I have given nothing away here as the title already gives us that piece of information. His goal is to rid the street of the 'scum' as he sees it. 

I found this novel page turning and highly readable. A big debate could exist around the aspect of Vigilantism and it is certainly something that didn't sit 100% comfortably with me. Kid To Killer would be a great read for book groups, its provocative nature could certainly get some good debates going. 

Whilst Paul McGraw is a Killer he also just wants to fit in and be liked. For this reason I found him a highly complex character and I actually didn't dislike him.

A well written multi layered story that I will certainly remember for a long while to come. 

About the Author:

Paul Elliott, born in Edinburgh in 1974 is the creator and writer of the book Paul McGraw: Kid To Killer which is available now on the kindle store

Having grown up in some of the roughest areas of Edinburgh and leaving Wester Hailes Education Centre after year one with no qualifications, he joined the army as a junior officer at 15 years old but very quickly realised it wasn't for him.
Paul then moved onto being a nightclub bouncer, debt collector, personal security provider and car dealer before trying his hand at writing a novel.

Twitter @EdinburghAuthor

Facebook: Paul Elliott/Author

Please have a look at the other stops on the blog tour.

#BlogTour: Ask Me To Dance by Sylvia Colley @SylviaColley @MuswellPress #AskMeToDance #RandomThingsTours

Published on 3rd May 2018 by Muswell Press. My thanks to the publisher for the review copy and Anne Cater of Random Things Tours for inviting me on to the blog tour. You can get your copy of the book here.

Rose Gregory has suffered a devastating blow, a double bereavement from which months later she is still reeling. Sanctuary and rest are prescribed by her doctor. But when she arrives at her refuge, a dank and decaying Monastery, she finds it is not the haven promised. Despite the veneer of calm contemplation, the Monastery turns out to be a hotbed of intrigue and disharmony. Rose witnesses bullying and cruelty and ultimately in defence of the vulnerable turns to violence herself. Sylvia Colley s extraordinary understanding of a woman s struggle to deal with grief, the denial, the anger, the loneliness, is described without sentimentality. A beautifully written and moving story.

My Thoughts:

Ask Me To Dance is the incredibly moving and engrossing first novel by author Sylvia Colley. A portrayal of grief, healing and faith. It is incredibly well written and atmospheric.

Rose Gregory is all consumed by grief, she doesn't even know herself anymore. She is barely able to function at all when at her Dr's request she goes to stay at a Monastery in the hopes of healing and being able to put herself back together with peace and quiet and a little faith. 

The Monastery is falling down, unkempt and the Brothers are soon to be moving on. All is not well, complacency is rife and they seem to view Rose as an added problem. It would seem the the Monastery is far from the tranquillity and getting away from it all that Rose had envisaged. 

The atmosphere and descriptive nature of this book is superb. The descriptions of the unravelling of Rose's emotions and the monastery make the story seem very real, and created a real sense of foreboding. I could sense the damp and decay of the surroundings and I could put myself in the shoes of Rose who seemed a little cold but in reality was so grief stricken she was numb. 

Sylvia Colley is a writer to be reckoned with, a force of nature with the pen. She has managed to write a story that is highly readable, that is relatable to all and is a perfectly pitched examination of love, grief, loss and religion. 

Well written, I recommend this. 

About the Author:

Sylvia Colley was born in Romsey, Hampshire. She became a teacher and spent many years as Head of English at the Purcell School in North London.
She has published a book of poetry, It’s Not What I Wanted Though, and a novel, Lights on Dark Water. Her work has been read on BBC Radio 4. She lives in Pinner, Middlesex.

You can find her on Twitter: @SylviaColley

Please do have a look at the other stops on the blog tour.