Wee update

Apart from working, we had a few days away in Birmingham for...............................HORROR CON. This is our second time going to one, our first was in October in Liverpool. It was fantastic, lots of amazing fancy dress, horror authors, crime author Paul Harrison did two talks. One was on serial killers he had interviewed and the second was about chatting to Ronald Defeo and his stay in the Amityville horror which was spooky indeed. We could have listened to him talk for ages, he was funny, had great stories and was game for a laugh.








You can find more about Paul from his website, click here his books are available on Amazon and he is part of our Crime Book Club on Facebook, click here.


Speaking of the Crime Book Club, I finally got to meet the fabulous, funny and beautiful Shell Baker and blogger extraordinaire - check her blog HERE we co admin the Crime Book Club with Emma T and David McC. After a few years gabbing and keeping the club going we finally got to meet at the con and meet Paul Harrison. Such a lovely lady, check out her blog too guys, she does so much for our group authors, well known and indies.


We also got to the panel with five of the original cast from tv mini series movie, IT (the one with Time Curry). Listening to them was fabulous, their antics, their experiences, filming and how long it had been since they all met. What they thought of the remake, I could have listened to them all day.





I bought a few books too, The Bad Mother by Amanda Brooke, I got this from the Tesco next to our hotel. Peter Cushing's Monster Movies - the guy is a movie legend so any book with him associated was a must buy. Slow Chocolate Autopsy by Iain Sinclair & Dave McKean. The Malignant Dead by C L Raven & Afterwards Our Buildings Shape Us by Michael J Richards. Some of these authors I had never heard of but always willing to try someone new, support them and I got the latter two signed to do pre loved giveaways.


I also got this fantastic bookmark, as soon as I seen Bub on it I had to buy it, bargain, great detail and you never see anything with him on it.





We also bought some of these jar/bottle lights, the Ouija one and original Pennywise are the ones I bought, the others my friends bought. How beautiful!





I could post so many pictures guys, in total I took over 200. I have uploaded more to my Instagram if you want to see more and a wee video or two, you can find my Instagram HERE.

Broken River by J Robert Lennon

Broken River by J. Robert Lennon
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 5 days

Pages - 276

Publisher - Serpent's Tail

Source - from a friend

Blurb from Goodreads

A modest house in upstate New York. One in the morning. Three people—a couple and their child—hurry out the door, but it’s too late for them. As the virtuosic and terrifying opening scene of Broken River unfolds, a spectral presence seems to be watching with cold and mysterious interest. Soon the house lies abandoned, and years later a new family moves in.

Karl, Eleanor, and their daughter, Irina, arrive from New York City in the wake of Karl’s infidelity to start anew. Karl tries to stabilize his flailing art career. Eleanor, a successful commercial novelist, eagerly pivots in a new creative direction. Meanwhile, twelve-year-old Irina becomes obsessed with the brutal murders that occurred in the house years earlier. And, secretly, so does her mother. As the ensemble cast grows to include Louis, a hapless salesman in a carpet warehouse who is haunted by his past, and Sam, a young woman newly reunited with her jailbird brother, the seemingly unrelated crime that opened the story becomes ominously relevant.

Hovering over all this activity looms a gradually awakening narrative consciousness that watches these characters lie to themselves and each other, unleashing forces that none of them could have anticipated and that put them in mortal danger. Broken River is a cinematic, darkly comic, and sui generis psychological thriller that could only have been written by J. Robert Lennon.


My Review

One house, a murder leaving behind a child, an observant presense, a flip forward in time and a new family. That is the history and the new family know of what happened, the daughter is young and obsessed, the mother is trying to pen her novel and deal with health issues. The husband is selfish, self involved, stoned on recreational drugs and a bit of a Lothario!

The story flips about, we have the happenings of the killers, the insights of the family members and their own personal journeys, actions and the consequences of said actions. The observer is a different angle, a presence that grows in awareness as it experiences more of the human interactions and experiences. I think what the author was aiming for absolutely went over my head, I didn't get the angle or what they were going for.

It is such a busy book, family, relationships, infidelity, murder, violence, drugs, teenage problems and that is just some of what the book offers. I found my head spinning a wee bit to be honest, so much going on and not always clear the relevance of what was happening or what it had to do with the previous happening. However, I am very much in the minority, this book has been loved by many and I think, in this instance, it just didn't work for me. A lot of people like books that pluck the brain, keep you on your toes and guessing where the book is going, for me is was just packed a bit much. There is intrigue, mystery, a who done it type thread, personal dramas and of course the unusual presence of the "observer". Certainly not your run of the mill book and as I said many have loved it, it just didn't work for me, 2.5 out of 5 for me, check it out yourself and see how you find it.

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Born Bad by Marnie Riches

Born Bad by Marnie Riches
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages - 328

Publisher - Avon

Source - Book shop

Blurb from Goodreads


A powerful, darkly comic novel set in the criminal underworld of Manchester from bestselling author Marnie Riches.

The battle is on…

When gang leader Paddy O’Brien is stabbed in his brother’s famous nightclub, Manchester’s criminal underworld is shaken to the core. Tensions are running high, and as the body count begins to grow, the O’Brien family must face a tough decision – sell their side of the city to the infamous Boddlington gang or stick it out and risk losing their king.

But war comes easy to the bad boys, and they won’t go down without a fight. So begins a fierce battle for the South Side, with the leading Manchester gangsters taking the law into their own hands – but only the strongest will survive…



My Review

Paddy O'Brien has had enough, when an attack makes him question his position, maybe it is time to sell up and enjoy his later years. However it is hard to walk away from the life you know, harder still when folk are attacking your people. Insults must be addressed, attacks must be countered and family always come first.

This is my first book by Riches, sure I have bought a few but this is the first I have read. It shows the darker side of that lifestyle, infidelity, violence, spousal abuse, the criminal underbelly, killers for hire and that is just scratching the surface. It makes for difficult reading at times because it is very gritty and realistic in some of the scenes, little value for human life. The organised crime is set in Manchester and we are immersed in the dark dealings and lifestyles, how it is funded relatively quickly. If you are easily offended this book isn't for you, if you like your crime raw, dark and ruthless you will love this. 4/5 for me this time, whilst this is my first dance with Riches, it won't be my last.

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Psychosis by Roger Bray

Psychosis: When a Dream Turns Deadly by Roger Bray
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages - 326

Source - Review Copy

Blurb from Goodreads

On a cold, misty night in Eugene, Oregon Hazel Reed disappears from outside her ex-husband’s home. Hazel is stunningly beautiful, intelligent and unfaithful. When Hazel disappears, the police are convinced that her husband, Alex, has killed her.
Three years after his conviction for murder, Alex and his sister, Alice, are devastated when their last appeal is rejected by the courts. With nowhere left to turn, Alice must start to put her life back together.

Living in limbo herself, Alice has a chance encounter with Steve, an ex-solider turned PI who offers to look at the case files. Steve is convinced that the prosecution’s case is shaky at best, but can he find out the truth before it’s too late for Alex?


My Review

Alice Reed is exhausting every appeal she possibly can, her brother Alex is in jail accused of killing his wife Hazel. The case was flimsy at best, there is no body but something happened to Hazel and as far as the law is concerned Alex is their man. When Alice meets Steve they both go through everything available to them, can they find something that will help Alex. And most importantly, what did happen to Hazel and where is she or her body?

This is my first time reading this author, we start off with Alice and her struggle to keep going. Her belief in her brother, missing her sister in law, just keeping going at life. She is so absorbed with her brothers fate her own life takes a back seat. Until she meets Steve, she finally lets someone else in and opens up about her impossible task.

The book delves into the case, the actual evidence that was submitted, appeals and what she has done and tried so far. For me I would say the book splits into two, shortly after Steve comes on board the book takes a different turn. We still look into what happened to Hazel, the timeline jumps and we go back to Hazel with the before, run up to and what happened that night.

It flows really well despite going between characters and timeline, relatively gentle start and the book teases the information out as we delve in further. This was my first dance with this author, I would absolutely read him again, 4/5 for me this time.

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Lying in Wait by Liz Nugent

Lying in Wait by Liz Nugent
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - in and out over 2 days

Pages - 304

Publisher - Penguin Ireland

Source - Shop

Blurb from Goodreads

The last people who expect to be meeting with a drug-addicted prostitute are a respected judge and his reclusive wife. And they certainly don't plan to kill her and bury her in their exquisite suburban garden.

Yet Andrew and Lydia Fitzsimons find themselves in this unfortunate situation.

While Lydia does all she can to protect their innocent son Laurence and their social standing, her husband begins to falls apart.

But Laurence is not as naïve as Lydia thinks. And his obsession with the dead girl's family may be the undoing of his own


My Review

Part one, 1980, the murder and what follows in the period after. The opening line is one that ensnares the reader straight away, I think my response was ooft! The chapters jump between three characters, Lydia, wife of Andrew and mother to Laurence, Laurence the son of Lydia/Andrew and Karen, sister of the murdered girl. The book spans over thirty odd years, visiting the characters at different stages and how the death of one girl has impacted on them all.

Oh this is a great wee book, the characters for the most part aren't the most likeable but as we go on we learn a bit more about each and how their experiences have shaped them. The book teases out details and secrets as it goes along, keeping the reader hooked chapter after chapter. How far would you go for someone you love, what is unforgivable and how do you keep going when secrets won't stay hidden?

A dark psychological thriller introducing us to a mother whose whole focus is her son, a son who is very tied to his mother but wants his own independence and a sister desperate to find her missing sister. With a very chilling look at how things can quickly get out of hand, the book looks at relationships, family secrets and how they can change the course of many lives. I really liked the story overall the ending I wasn't a huge fan off but it is one of those that you know some folk will bloody love. I felt a bit cut short, I wanted more and they always say a good author leaves the audience wanting more. 4/5 for me this time, absolutely would read more by Nugent!

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Grimalkin Manor by S Roit

Grimalkin Manor by Sherry Roit
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - Over 8 days

Pages - 288

Publisher - Snow books

Source - Pound shop

Blurb from Goodreads

The case seems simple enough: prove to a wealthy client that his mansion is not haunted. Five American ghost hunters and one English psychic converge on the old house to complete the routine task. One night, like so many others they've spent, to put to rest the frightening rumors. Apart from the clashing of personalities, nothing will happen. Or so they assume. It would seem Grimalkin Manor has other ideas… and she knows their secrets.


My Review

Hired to stay over night in a haunted house and disprove the rumours or get conclusive proof of ghost a team of five ghost hunters and an psychic from England team up. The man who hired them is nowhere to be seen but they have their equipment and set out to do their task. Tensions are running high, the team have their own issues and things quickly start to get out of hand.

I found this story quite hard to get into, there always seemed to be something I was missing. Everyone has their own secrets, James (the English psychic) is a sensitive, can read people and places so it puts the rest of the team on edge. There is a lot of in house bickering and I felt it took an age before anything really kicked off in the house.

When it started to get into it, the scenes in the house did get a bit eerie and I liked the tension and spooky aspects. You are constantly left in a state, or I was, of perplexity, I genuinely wasn't sure what was happening a lot of the time. I had to put it down and read a book or two inbetween as I found it hard going. Not because it was badly written but I didn't like how the characters interact with each other, their lingo, cutting sentences off half way through. I felt I was left with a lot of questions and had to go back and re read a few bits just in case it was me missing something. The chapters themselves aren't too long which is great for putting it down and dipping in and out as required.

Dark, intrigue, mystery and certainly spooky in places, I am sure many will love this wee book, sadly it just wasn't for me, 2/5 for me this time.

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We Own The Sky by Luke Allnutt Blog Tour

Today is my turn on the blog tour for We Own The Sky by Luke Allnutt. Make sure you check out the other stops on the tour, each having different content.







We Own the Sky by Luke Allnutt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - really 1 day

Pages - 368

Publisher - Trapeze

Source - ARC

Blurb from Goodreads

A story about love, loss and finding hope-against all odds.

Rob Coates can't believe his luck. There is Anna, his incredible wife, and most precious of all, Jack, their son, who makes every day an extraordinary adventure. Rob feels like he's won the lottery of life. Or rather-he did. Until the day it all changes when Anna becomes convinced there is something wrong with Jack.

Now Rob sleepwalks through his days, unable to bridge the gulf that separates him from his wife, his son and the business of living. But he's determined to come to terms with what's happened-and find a way back to life, and forgiveness.

We Own the Sky will resonate with anyone who has ever suffered loss or experienced great love. Luke Allnutt shows that the journey from hope to despair and back is never as simple as we think, and that even the most thoroughly broken heart can learn to beat again.





My Review

Rob Crowe is going through his life in a haze of booze, regret and just trying to get through one day at a time. We meet him as he is about to enter a reflective phase and journey of self discovery, we head back to how he met his wife to be and their life together.

Oh you guys, folk said you need tissues for this one, aye ok I have a swinging brick so wasn't phased. Only two books really evoked tears from me in all my years of reading, ooft notable lump in my throat for this. Just reading the authors intro smacks you in the emotionals and then we head into the story. For the first wee bit we are getting current state of affairs then heading back to how they met and their relationship beginnings. I couldn't see where all the emotional warnings where coming from and I hadn't really read the blurb, silly Lainy!

This is a story of one guys journey with hope, despair, misery, self growth, love, honesty, emotion and healing. Some parts of the story will pull the rug right out from under you and I think depending on your life stories and experiences, different parts will affect you differently. I really liked the honesty of, the humanity captured with some of the characters brutal raw responses to the things that happen to him. I would also like to comment on the smaller details described in a very real way, the description of someones breath, out of context doesn't mean much. However when you read it within the chapter, especially if you have been in a similar situation, it brings a level of realism to a scene that if often brushed over or skipped completely. Maybe because of the authors own experiences can he create such a realistic environment however it is testament to the ability of his writing he can bring it alive on the pages.

Had time allowed, I would have read this in one sitting, approach with caution as this book will wipe out your day when you really get into it. It covers some topics that absolutely will be emotive and possibly triggers for some readers, it is hard to give fair warning without giving spoilers. What I will say is there are topics surrounding health, healthcare, family and marriage and it is a read that takes you on an emotional rollercoaster. 4/5 for me this time, I will be watching for more from this author, not sure this is one I would have picked up myself. I am so glad I was asked on the blog tour and absolutely recommend it to pretty much everyone, grab tissues, chocolates and a spare afternoon and you are set!

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Our Little Secret by Claudia Carroll

Our Little Secret by Claudia Carroll
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages - 416

Publisher - Avon

Source - Review copy

Blurb from Goodreads

A sparkling story about what happens when you let someone into your life… but they turn out to want more than you’d bargained for!

Sarah Dee has the perfect life. A high-flying job in a law firm, a beautiful daughter and a house to die for. So how does she find herself looking in through the kitchen window while another woman enjoys it all?
When Sarah takes pity on a struggling young graduate who can’t get a job, she thinks she’s doing the right thing. She’s being kind, generous and helpful to others, as she always is. But as Sarah allows the younger woman into her home, her law firm and even her family, is there more to this pretty youngster than meets the eye? And could this be a good deed that goes further than expected?
Claudia Carroll does it again with a sparkling new novel about what happens when your life becomes up for grabs…


My Review

Sarah is stressed out, working in a busy law firm, separated from her husband with a resentful teenage daughter. When she comes across Lauren in a beauty salon, Sarah see's herself in the young woman and does what she can to get her into the business. A strong friendship ensues and Lauren is perfect, hardworking, loyal, driven and Sarah can't believe her luck in finding someone so perfect. But is Lauren as good as she appears or is there more than meets the eye to miss Lauren?

I wasn't too sure what exactly to expect from this book, you know something isn't quite right but you can't put your finger on it. We are introduced into Sarah's life, job, demands, hassles, financial issues since the separation with her husband, making her very human and readers can relate.

There is a tense build up, suspense, each page dripping another wee bit of information. The chapters flip between viewpoints of Sarah, her daughter Darcy and her best friend Liz over a period of months just before meeting Lauren and their encounters and view points. It certainly engages the reader as you want to know just what exactly is going on, I thought it would go completely different. This was my first time reading this author, I would read her other books as I do enjoy her writing style even if I would have preferred a different outcome for the story. 3.5 stars for me this time, thanks to the publisher for introducing me to a new author.

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Lets talk Instagram

I love Instagram. Whether you love celebrities, nature, animals, animal videos, cooking you name it, Instagram has an account for it. I am taken with the book side of it. There are so many amazing bloggers, book accessories sellers, bookstagrammers, book art and when you find something you like there is often an account link to where you can buy stuff.



Mine concentrates on books sent to my by authors, publishers, books I have bought, Princess Trixie (my wee helper) who has been so popular and overtaking of my account I set her up her own, check it out here.







And who would have thought so many folk would enjoy my contributions of locations, daft food combos, wildlife, walkies and of course books books books and more books oh and bookmarks :D I love following similar accounts so let me know what yours is and posts in the comments.



I am celebrating hitting 1000 followers on Instagram with a small giveaway. Open to all, it is a wee coin purse, basic with a zip, pizza print and cheeky slogan as modelled in the photograph with Princess T.







If you don't already follow my Insta you can search @Always_reading or click HERE. a Rafflecopter giveaway

All For You by Sheila O'Flanagan

All for You by Sheila O'Flanagan
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1.5 days

Pages - 512

Publisher - Headline

Source - Gift from a friend

Blurb from Goodreads


As TV's favourite weather forecaster, Lainey is good at making predictions. But what she doesn't foresee is that her own life is about to hit a stormy patch. With a string of failed relationships behind her, surely history isn't about to repeat itself with her beloved Ken? To add fuel to the fire, her estranged mother announces that she's returning to Dublin. Deanna has always been dismissive of Lainey's choices - particularly in men. And Deanna's lectures are the last thing Lainey needs now.


Yet is there more to her mother than she knows? Uncovering some long-concealed family secrets, Lainey begins to reassess her life. Is the happy-ever-after she's always dreamed of really what she wants after all?



My Review

Meet Lainey, beautiful, successful, on tv doing the weather, educated in meteorology she is a really smart lady. Her mother is a feminist, famous and carving out her mark in the world and travelling all over to spread the good word, her and Lainey do not have the easiest of relationships. When it comes to Lainey's love life she has had two broken engagements and frets over her relationship with Ken and where is it going? All Lainey wants is to settle down with the man she loves, surely that isn't too much to ask?

Ok so lets start with what I did like, I love learning stuff in books, wee random snippets of info is always welcomed. Every chapter gives you a word relating to something to do with meteorology and what it means, first time I have had that in a book and I loved it. It isn't a subject I have given much thought to but to be honest, after reading the snippets I think I would pick up a book relating to it to learn a bit more. I liked her parents who although they didn't play a massive centre stage part but when they are in it they are lovely characters who helped shape Lainey.

What I couldn't get on with was Lainey's complete inability to see how fabulous she is on her own right. Every thought focuses on pleasing her other half or if something if blatantly the guys fault she blames herself. I think my problem is I have had personal dealings watching folk go through this type of behaviour and find it really upsetting and frustrating. You just want to reach into the book and wake her up! Reading it was very frustrating although it is testament to to the authors writing ability that she has captured it so well to evoke that response.

Her mother, Deanna, is frustrating for a very different reason, she goes the opposite way and is completely focused on the fight for feminism. Nothing gets in her way, I do mean nothing, and she has no qualms ramming it down folks throats. The two characters are worlds apart and I got annoyed in equal measures for very different attitudes and behaviours by the two. I did like when we flash back to Deanna's past and learn a bit more about her and why she became the way she did.

The writing itself is very easy to get on with, it was the characters traits and actions that I found really wearing. I am sure many people will get on well with this book however it just wasn't for me. This was my first time reading this author and whilst I didn't enjoy this book I would read her again as I think the presented issues was more my problem, 2.5 out of 5 for me.

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Blind Date with a Book Box

Oh lovies, it is back







If you remember, last year I think it was, I was looking for a book box. So many are subscriptions and pricey, this one was really cheap in comparison and no sign up. You got a blind date with a book, specified the genre you wanted and you got a few wee extras. I was delighted when I spotted it was back, limited time and Valentines themed. I am glad to see whilst Jojo has increased her price a little it is still by far one of the best bargain boxes you get.

So what do you get? Your blind date with your book, I think you can specify the genre just pop it in the message box. She is now on Ebay whereas before it has been Etsy. With Ebay both buyer and seller get protection if things go astray in the post.







It came in this great wee compact box, sorry the photo is a bit naff - I hadn't been to bed from my nightshift when the door went, I of course had to get tore in.







So, as well as your book, this box came with lovely wee extras - you can see my wee bookmark and charm in the picture, each box can vary depending on stock.







You take a chance with any of these blind dates with books, especially when you read the amount I do there is a good chance you can get a book you already have or have read. I could not be more pleased, I got a 1985 edition of Short stories of Sherlock Holmes. The books can be new or used, considering you only pay £12.90 which is including P&P (international rates will be more) I think it is fantastic value for money.











As you can see, my wee box had a tea bag, hot chocolate, love heart sweeties, a rose pin, a wee crystalised heart, two charms and a message in a bottle.















You can check out the Blind Date with a Book Box over on their Facebook page or head straight to their Ebay seller page whilst stock lasts. Already the ones with the message in a bottle have sold out, now there is a heart mug, I loved my wee box so much I have ordered another for myself and one as a gift for my friend.



I have been buying Book Boxes with my book jar challenge money and so many are really pricey for what little you get. This is by far one of my favs and the least costly. What you get is far more than a lot of the others, so much thought is put into them and the wee charms are lovely, fire a wee bit of ribbon on them and you have a great wee additional bookmark. I love to support small businesses where I can and when you find something that is really good, fantastic value for money it is a win win situation. If you buy one please tag me and let me know how you liked it and of course what book your date was. It is nice to hear how many folk are getting them because they have seen and loved mine!

The Birdwatcher by William Shaw

The Birdwatcher by William Shaw
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - As and when over 2 days

Pages - 336

Publisher - Mulholland books

Source - Review copy

Blurb from Goodreads


Police Sergeant William South has a good reason to shy away from murder investigations: he is a murderer himself.

**Longlisted for the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year
A methodical, diligent, and exceptionally bright detective, South is an avid birdwatcher and trusted figure in his small town on the rugged Kentish coast. He also lives with the deeply buried secret that, as a child in Northern Ireland, he may have killed a man. When a fellow birdwatcher is found murdered in his remote home, South's world flips.
The culprit seems to be a drifter from South's childhood; the victim was the only person connecting South to his early crime; and a troubled, vivacious new female sergeant has been relocated from London and assigned to work with South. As our hero investigates, he must work ever-harder to keep his own connections to the victim, and his past, a secret.
The Birdwatcher is British crime fiction at its finest; a stirring portrait of flawed, vulnerable investigators; a meticulously constructed mystery; and a primal story of fear, loyalty and vengeance.



My Review

William South is a police officer in a small town, when a fellow birdwatcher is found brutally murdered William is compelled to find out what happened. When a name from his child hood pops up as a suspect William finds himself revisiting his childhood and the secret he had long ago buried.

As well as the murder, South has a new partner Cupidi who has her hands full with her teenage daughter and her own past she would like to keep quiet. An unlikely friendship with Cupidi and her daughter, South finds himself no longer the lone ranger, even his bird watching time is shared. South wants the crime solved and can't take a step back or follow orders, who did this, why and are people who they say they are?

I really liked this, the murder kicks everything off and we follow the investigation, the relationships South has with the folk living in town and flashbacks to his time growing up in Ireland. I loved the bird watching parts, it isn't something I have ever done myself but this is the second book I have read with it in it, it works well.

If you have issues with swearing, be warned there is a fair amount of it in this book, the police banter and some of the characters are rough and ready so it is fitting with the story. There are brief flashes to the troubles in Ireland as South was brought up during that time and we have a wee glimpse into that time period. It is very well written, the characters come to life and draw the reader in pretty much from the beginning. This was my first dance with this author, it won't be my last, 4/5 for me this time.

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