Lover Reborn by J R Ward

Lover Reborn by J.R. Ward
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 4 days

Pages - 572

Publisher - Piatkus

Source - Bought

Blurb from Goodreads

Ever since the death of his shellan, Tohrment has been unrecognizable from the vampire leader he once was. Physically emaciated and heartbroken beyond despair, he has been brought back to the Brotherhood by a self-serving fallen angel. Now, fighting once again with ruthless vengeance, he is unprepared to face a new kind of tragedy.

When Tohr begins to see his beloved in his dreams—trapped in a cold, isolated netherworld far from the peace and tranquillity of the Fade—he turns to the angel in hopes of saving the one he has lost. But because Lassiter tells him he must learn to love another to free his former mate, Tohr knows they are all doomed....

Except then a female with a shadowed history begins to get through to him. Against the backdrop of the raging war with the lessers, and with a new clan of vampires vying for the Blind King’s throne, Tohr struggles between the buried past and a very hot, passion-filled future…but can his heart let go and set all of them free?



My Review

Guys this is book 10 in the series and whilst I often say you can pick up and read as a standalone I would suggest having read the previous books in this case. The characters have so much back story that whilst some if referred to you will have lost so so much. Lassiter the angel is still hanging around after bringing Tohr back to the brothers. Tohr may be "living" a bit more but he still has a long way to go. We find that Lassiter isn't quite done with Tohr yet and Tohr coming to terms with his grief and moving on affects more than just Tohr. Xhex's mum, Noone is in this book and strikes an unlikely friendship with Tohr which will have bigger impact than either could have forseen.

There is so so much packed into this one, the usurper ?gang - not really sure what to call them, warriors? are getting ready to make their move against the Blackdagger boys. We see more development with John & Xhex, Quinn, Layla, Blay feature and flesh out a bit more in this one (I feel we may see a book on them soon).

If you are no stranger to Ward then you know the books feature violence, fighting (although the Lessers aren't in this one too much) and sex, body fluids and graphicness galore so not for the faint hearted! If you are invested in the series and characters I think you will enjoy this one and look forward to seeing were the story develops next. 3.5/5 for me this time, I have about another 6 of these waiting to be read. Erotica meets warriors, relationships, family, love, friendship, personal growth, same sex attraction, the list goes on. Tis a meaty read that has pretty much a bit of everything in it!

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The Woods by Harlan Coben

The Woods by Harlan Coben
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - In and out over 6 days

Pages - 404

Publisher - Dutton

Source - Bought

Blurb from Goodreads

Twenty years ago at summer camp, Paul Copeland's sister died in the woods, the alleged victim of a serial killer. Her body was never found. Now, Paul is the prosecutor for Essex County, New Jersey, immersed in one of the biggest cases of his career-a case that will change everything he believes about the past...and the truth.



My Review

Paul is a big prosecutor with huge career plans, he is a good guy and likes to go to town for the wronged, no matter who it may upset. This time he is prosecuting a case, rich/popular/ upper class boys accused of raping a girl from a lower class, no money and a background the defense would rip to shreds. It is all kicking off, add to that we have a development in the case of Paul's missing sister, missing years ago - on his watch - kids were killed and his sister and partner disappeared, only blood left behind. Now Paul has to battle against the rich, folk pulling strings and potential secrets from his past.

There is a lot of skulduggery, shady characters, bad sides of people, greed, lies but there is also good, humour and it is very pacey. Short chapters which I love and we get to reopen and look at what actually happened all those years ago when Paul was a teenager and tragedy struck.

The court case scenes are really interesting and shocking, some of the behaviour and things said, with the context of the case, ooft. Everyone has a past, a history and sometimes secrets are better off staying in the past. I have read Coben before and I will read again, I like his writing and as this is a standalone (to my knowledge) it is a perfect place to start, 4/5.

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Dead Perfect by Noelle Holten Blog Tour

Today is my turn on the blog tour for "Dead Perfect" by author Noelle Holten.

Book Description:

A murdered woman… When the body of a young woman is found in a local park, DC Maggie Jamieson knows she’s dealing with no ordinary killer. The murder victim has been disfigured; her outfit changed to resemble someone else. Someone Maggie knows all too well…her close friend Dr Kate Moloney. A determined detective… Maggie is determined to keep her friend safe, but with Kate already struggling with a threatening stalker, Maggie now fears Kate’s life is in real danger. Who else would want to harm Kate and why else would the killer be turning his victims into exact replicas – his living dolls? Can Maggie find the depraved killer? Or will Kate become his next living doll?

Author Bio:

Noelle Holten is an award-winning blogger at www.crimebookjunkie.co.uk. She is the PR & Social Media Manager for Bookouture, a leading digital publisher in the UK, and worked as a Senior Probation Officer for eighteen years, covering a variety of risk cases as well as working in a multi agency setting. She has three Hons BA’s – Philosophy, Sociology (Crime & Deviance) and Community Justice – and a Masters in Criminology. Noelle’s hobbies include reading, attending as many book festivals as she can afford and sharing the booklove via her blog.

Dead Inside – her debut novel with One More Chapter/Harper Collins UK is an international kindle bestseller and the start of a new series featuring DC Maggie Jamieson.

Out to buy NOW in treebook and ebook, click HERE for AMAZON UK

Connect with Noelle on Social Media here:

Subscribe to Newsletter: http://ow.ly/cgww50BkBtt

Twitter: (@nholten40) https://twitter.com/nholten40

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

Blog FB page: https://www.crimebookjunkie.co.uk

Instagram: @author_noelleholten

Website: https://www.crimebookjunkie.co.uk

Bookbub Author page : https://bit.ly/2LkT4LB

For my stop today I have my review, non spoiler as always

Dead Perfect by Noelle Holten
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - in and out over 4 days

Pages - 448

Publisher - One More Chapter

Source - Review copy

Blurb from Goodreads

A murdered woman…

When the body of a young woman is found in a local park, DC Maggie Jamieson knows she’s dealing with no ordinary killer. The murder victim has been disfigured; her outfit changed to resemble someone else. Someone Maggie knows all too well…her close friend Dr Kate Moloney.

A determined detective…

Maggie is determined to keep her friend safe, but with Kate already struggling with a threatening stalker, Maggie now fears Kate’s life is in real danger. Who else would want to harm Kate and why else would the killer be turning his victims into exact replicas – his living dolls?

Can Maggie find the depraved killer? Or will Kate become his next living doll?


My Review

A female body is found in the park, DC Maggie Jamieson is notified and not the only one concerned that this could be their colleague Kate. The blurb lets you know beforehand it isn't but this is only the start and someone has been murdered and dressed to look like Kate, coincidence? no ma'am!

We hear from the killer and get a glimpse into their thoughts/routine. We flip to the investigation and there is a huge focus around the team from a personal point of view. Kate and Maggie's friendship, Maggie's own emotional issues and inner turmoil. The team dynamics, Kate trying to protect Maggie, Maggie trying to protect Kate. I got a bit frustrated by Kate at times with her behaviour, we all have that one pal who is crap with their phone...... Imagine that but with the rage/emotional upheaval trying to juggle work, family/friendship and catch a killer, ooft.

The killer is pretty horrific, what he does to his victims to achieve the living doll gave me the boke! The book pulls you in pretty quick, the opening chapter - if you know what he is using or Google it that is you drawn in and shook. Holten has created characters you invest in and this book, as well as giving you the whole murder/investigation, we get a human feel and more in depth look as some of our fave characters. If you haven't read the previous books (two) you could start here but I would advise going back first as you will be losing a lot of backstory although the book does give some back nods. 4/5 for me this time, so so looking forward to the next in the series, get penning good woman!

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Mistletoe & Mystery by Daisy James

Mistletoe & Mystery by Daisy James
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages - 173

Publisher -

Source - Bought

Blurb from Goodreads

Welcome to the Cotswolds Festive Feast cookery course...
Fresh off the successful opening of the Paradise Cookery School in St Lucia, Millie Harper is headed to the Cotswolds for Christmas!

Co-presenting Claudia Croft’s famous Festive Feast cookery course at Stonelea Manor is a dream come true for Millie…as is reuniting with gorgeous estate manager Zach Barker.

But arriving in a winter wonderland Millie learns the manor is under a mysterious threat. It’ll take a holiday miracle, but Millie is determined to save the school and get Zach under the mistletoe to finally finish what they started in the Caribbean!

Cosy up with this fun, festive visit to the Cotswolds premier cookery school! Perfect for fans of Jenny Oliver and Sarah Morgan

If you loved Mistletoe & Mystery, why not read the first two stories in The Paradise Cookery School series? Sunshine & Secrets and Confetti & Confusion s are both available now!


The Paradise Cookery School Sunshine & Secrets Confetti & Confusion Mistletoe & Mystery



My Review

I hadn't realised this was part of a series so don't get a twitchy eye but I have started with book 3, doh! Obviously you get nods to previous happenings in the other books so spoiler alert but you can always go and start with book 1. I wanted a festive read anyway and you absolutely can read this as a standalone.

Millie has been through the mill personally, now she has a career opportunity that she cannot pass us. As a very talented chef the opportunity to work with one of the best, established and with their own tv show Millie heads off and grabs the opportunity with both hands. It also brings her back to Zach Barker, handsome, fabulous, certainly a spark there however having being burnt before and his past relationship things never seemed to kick off. Could this be their time?

This is a perfect choice for just now, festive, seasonal and just mostly really nice characters, a feel good read. I liked it so much I am going to buy book one and two of the series and will be looking for more by this author, 4/5 for me this time.

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The Christmas Killer by Alex Pine

The Christmas Killer by Alex Pine
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages - 400

Publisher - Avon

Source - Bought

Blurb from Goodreads

As the snow begins to fall, the body count begins to climb…

DI James Walker is ready for a quiet family Christmas in the sleepy village of Kirkby Abbey.

But when he opens an early Christmas present left on his doorstep, he soon realises it is no gift. Inside is a gruesome surprise, and a promise – twelve days, twelve murders. Not long after, the first body is found, half frozen in the snow.

As the blizzards descend, panic spreads through the remote Cumbrian village – there’s a killer amongst them, and with eleven more victims to go, anyone could be next….

Can James stop the killer before they strike again?

The first in a new series, Alex Pine has written a dark, atmospheric crime novel, set in a snowed-in Cumbrian village, for fans of Val McDermid, Ross Greenwood and LJ Ross.



My Review

A wee village, a killer on a mission and a whole load of snow to add to the mix, this town and villagers have no idea what has hit them. DI James Walker and his wife moved to the village to escape backlash from a previous case, a village where nothing much happens. That is until someone local is brutally murdered. Walker was warned, there was a "gift" with a Christmas card foretelling of this and promising other deaths. As with any small town there are secrets, grudges and many suspects. With a blizzard on route and a killer on the loose can Walker and his new team work together and find who the culprit is before they strike again?

Oh I forgot to say the town they move to Walker's wife grew up in so there is all kinds of issues to delve into. His wife had me flip flopping on her at times, she really annoyed me and was a bit....I don't think emotional is the exact word I am looking for but it fits, whiney/emotional. She has a back story and as the story evolves we learn more about her, her past and some of th efolk in the town.

12 days til Christmas, 12 murders promised. It has a good pace, small town gossip and shade, murder in between. This is the first in a new series and it is a good foundation book with more promised, I look forward to seeing where it goes, 3/5 for me.

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He Started It by Samantha Downing

He Started It by Samantha Downing
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 2 days

Pages - 384

Publisher - Michael Joseph

Source - Netgalley

Blurb from Goodreads

Beth, Portia, and Eddie Morgan haven't all been together in years. And for very good reasons—we'll get to those later. But when their wealthy grandfather dies and leaves a cryptic final message in his wake, the siblings and their respective partners must come together for a cross-country road trip to fulfill his final wish and—more importantly—secure their inheritance.

But time with your family can be tough. It is for everyone.

It's even harder when you're all keeping secrets and trying to forget a memory—a missing person, an act of revenge, the man in the black truck who won't stop following your car—and especially when at least one of you is a killer and there's a body in the trunk. Just to name a few reasons.

But money is a powerful motivator. It is for everyone.



My Review

Guys this is a very strange and twisted book, we have a family on a road trip, siblings and partners all bound together by an old man's will and estate. The book splits between the current road trip and one years back when the kids were younger and with their grandpa. A dysfunctional family that gets more bizarre the more the book plays out.

It is a slow burner, the author drip feeds tidbits, shocks, reveals along the way. The grandfather has died and left a substantial inheritance but it comes with strings hence the road trip. Shady, selfish, internal issues, sibling rivalry and that is just the starter!

Everyone has secrets and these characters, guuuuuuuurl! The setting, because it is a road trip you get taken across America, I didn't know the states had mottos - I love learning stuff in books like this. Tres cute and really good considering we are all pretty much stuck on lockdown and no holidays. The ending, I think is a marmite - you either love it or you won't, I still don't know what to think of it, 3/5 for me this time. I think this was my first reading this author, I would read her again.

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Can You Hear Me? by Jake Jones

Can You Hear Me? by Jake Jones
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages - 304

Publisher - Quercus

Source - Review copy

Blurb from Goodreads

A memoir of the chaos, intensity and occasional beauty of life as a paramedic.

A young man has stopped breathing in a supermarket toilet. A pedestrian with a nasty head injury won't let the crew near him on a busy road. A newborn baby is worryingly silent. An addict urinates on the ambulance floor when denied a fix. This is the life of an ambulance paramedic.

Jake Jones has worked in the UK ambulance service for ten years: every day, he sees a dozen of the scenes we hope to see only once in a lifetime. Can You Hear Me? - the first thing he says when he arrives on the scene - is a memoir of the chaos, intensity and occasional beauty of life on the front-lines of medicine in the UK.

As well as a look into dozens of extraordinary scenes - the hoarder who won't move his collection to let his ailing father leave the house, the blood-soaked man who tries to escape from the ambulance, the life saved by a lucky crew who had been called to see someone else entirely - Can You Hear Me? is an honest examination of the strains and challenges of one of the most demanding and important jobs anyone can do.



My Review

I feel I should open with a huge THANK YOU to everyone who puts on the paramedic uniform. The book gives us a brief glimpse into the working life of the heros in green. Jones takes us through some of the things he has seen in his career over a decade, the characters he has met along the way and his relationship with his co workers.

I think every person in the UK should be reading this book, the abuse of this amazing service is utterly appalling. From Physical abuse, verbal abuse to the misuse of the system, the manipulation - some folk will be utterly horrified at the behaviour of some of our fellow humans. It also highlights the amazing work and some of the horrors these guys see day in and day out.

Not that long ago we saw bampots leaving notes on ambulances because their driveway or car was being blocked. Reading this book may make them rethink their behaviour and appreciate the (often) life saving work/treatment they are doing. But for the grace of God go I, any moment it could be us in need, our heart stopped beating or that of someone we love *touch wood* these heros need/deserve much more appreciation - actually even just respect (how bad is it this needs to be said!). Ha sorry I have went off on a rant whoops.

The book covers some heart stopping (literally) moments, some touching, some ridiculous and some that will stay with the reader long after the last page. I think stories like these are so important, especially now, people can be so self involved. This reminds us how precious life can be, how things can change on a dime and you never know what is around the corner, be kind and look after yourself, we cannot pour from an empty cup, 4/5 for me. I have bought quite a few true life healthcare type stories, hopefully get to them sooner rather than later.

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The River Murders by James Patterson and James O Born

The River Murders by James Patterson
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 2 days

Pages - 448

Publisher - Grand Central Publishing

Source - bought

Blurb from Goodreads

Sometimes figuring out the truth means going to the point of no return. For Mitchum, returning isn't something he concerns himself with.

HIDDEN: After being rejected from the Navy SEALs, Mitchum becomes his small town's unofficial private eye. But his investigation skills are put to the test when he must find his missing teenage cousin--and uncovers a government conspiracy in the process.

MALICIOUS: Mitchum is back. His brother's been charged with murder. Nathaniel swears he didn't kill anyone, but word on the street is that he was involved with the victim's wife. Now, Navy SEAL dropout Mitchum will break every rule to expose the truth--even if it destroys the people he loves.




My Review

This is a 3 in 1 - 3 individual stories with the same main character and some of the others pop up that had been in the first story. Mitchum is a drop out from the Navy SEALs - he didn't get past the final stages. Now he does PI jobs locally and has a paper round, he finds himself caught up in mutliple dramas, involving family and sets out to make things right.

Story 1 - Hidden - Mitchum's niece goes missing, he has to team up with people he would rather not and finds himself in a whole host of trouble.

Story 2 - Malicious - Mitchum's Brother is a suspect in a murder and Mitchum needs to move quickly to investigate but someone may not want Mitchum digging.

Story 3 - Malevolent - Someone is attacking those close to Mitchum, he needs to dig into his background and see who would have it in for him family before they strike again.

I went back and forth on this between 2.5 and 3 stars. Some bits I did like but other bits I couldn't get past. Like he is highly trained, a local PI but also does a paper round. In highly dangerous situations something has to happen or be witnessed before he "remembers" he has a gun on his waist. There was loads of things that stuck for me and drew me out of the story. I would never had put this down as a Patterson book, I don't recognise him anywhere in it apart from the small chapters. I think some folk will really enjoy it, I just couldn't get past the bits that annoyed me. It has a decent pace and there is always something happening to keep you interested.

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December Giveaway

Competition time YAAAAAAAAAY

I love December - I know it can be a hard time of the year for people for a multitude of reasons. It certainly reminds me of those I have lost and who loved this time of year. I embrace December, Christmas and a love of all things TACKY.

It looks like Christmas has vomitted in my house when I get started. I dress in Christmas clothes, I tacky up the house and we have always stuck to the 12 days before 12 days after for decorations up, I may change that this year.

Even Luna is getting a taste of Christmas dress, as allows. She will not tolerate hats or anything but she does seem fine with a bow (long as the bell is removed) and isn't she just a doll.

Anyway back to the competition, up for grabs is X1 gimble book accessory (as pictured) - they keep your book open - I use mine when eating but folk use them out and about. The winner can pick if they want the pink one or the blue one.

We will open this up worldwide, good luck if entering xxx

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Every Three Hours by Chris Mooney

Every Three Hours by Chris Mooney
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 2 days

Pages - 400

Publisher - Penguin

Source - Bought

Blub from Goodreads

The new pulse-pounding latest instalment in the outstanding Darby McCormick series.

'One of the best thriller writers working today'
Lee Child

WHO LIVES AND WHO DIES? ONLY TIME WILL TELL...

Forensic investigator Darby McCormick queues to enter Boston Police Headquarters on a freezing winter morning. Lured back to her hometown to help solve a cold case, Darby won't get far inside the station - and this will be no ordinary homecoming...

Because someone suddenly takes a woman hostage and a stand-off ensues. The man has explosives strapped to himself and other bombs hidden around the city, rigged to explode - every three hours - until he gets what he wants.

Working desperately against the clock, Darby realizes she is trapped between a kidnapper who would kill to expose the truth and people who would let others die to hide their lies...



My Review


The book kicks off pretty quick, Darby is back and headed into the Boston police department (headquarters) to help with an old case. She ends up in the middle of a hostage situation, threats of a bomb going off around the city, every three hours if the demands are not met. Darby gets backs up almost immediately but seems to have the ear of the hostage taker and is determined not to lose any more lives. The bad guy wants the previous mayor to come to the station with a tv crew and until he does the clock is counting.

Darby is a great character, I am a huge fan. she doesn't let past grudges go, she is loyal to those close to her and she always tries to do what she thinks is right. Some shady shady behaviour comes to light, secrets, dodgy past darkness and Darby is the the thick of everything.

These books are always pacey, shocks, surprises and when you think you got something down the author pulls the rug out from under you. I love to be kept on my toes and Mooney does that, again! 4 stars for me this time, I already have the others on the mountain just waiting to be plucked. Also, short chapters guys so if you are struggling a bit with reading just now, Mooney is perfect to pick up!

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