Hello from holiday

we have took a wee bit of time out for a break away, work + everything else we need it.

It was a bit overcast but still warmer than Scotland which was - when we left, ooft winter is here for sure.

I haven't beought my laptop so will need to catch up with reviews and stuff when back. For now we are super chill, nice weather, sleep, books and even hoping for a a cocktail tomorrow, fingers crossed.

Here are some of the books I brought ♥️📚

And typical bookworm I brought not one, not two but THREE booklights with me. Two charge with the phone cable and one is usb so plugs into lappy and charges that way (o/h has his lappy so can charge on that if need be).

It is so nice just chill/poolside and we even made a wee bird pal ♥️ Anyway home soon, Pal watchingthe house and Luna is at the cat hotel. She is raging, look at this face, she wouldn't even look at me 🤣.

Hope you guys are having a great day, we have another giveaway on our Instagram. It is a bookmark, winner picks one, there are two available. one is The Shining (Stephen King inspired) and the other is the Mandolorian Grogu (baby yoda) holding a wand wearing a HP Gryffindor scarf.

Let Me Go by Chelsea Cain

Let Me Go by Chelsea Cain
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 2 days

Pages - 358

Publisher - Minotaur books

Source - Bought

Blurb from Goodreads

Detective Archie Sheridan is about to receive a birthday present from the last person he ever wants to see again: Gretchen Lowell.

The investigation into Jack Reynolds's drug enterprise is heating up and has Archie heading off to attend a masked Halloween party on Jack Reynolds's island, where Susan is a reluctant guest. But the next morning one of the guests is found murdered, and Archie quickly realizes that nothing is what it seems. Only one thing is clear: Gretchen is back, and she's been closer than anyone thinks. On Halloween Eve, with time running out, Archie will have to risk everything, and choose wisely whom to trust, if he and his loved ones are going to live through the night.

My Review

I really enjoy (if that is the right word) the Gretchen/Archie series but read them out of order so this was me going back the way. I think the thing with these books is the psychotic killer is a beautiful female but she is beyond dangerous, she can take out whole teams of trained killers. Her obsession with Archie is something else, gave me Hannibal/Clarise vibes to be fair.

Gretchen is on the loose, there is a killer out there and Archie knows Gretchen is stalking him. He has a "relationship not relationship" with his neighbour and he is just trying to get through yet another day without pills. Poor Archie is really put through it in this book, embarrassed, used, humiliated and always trying to do the right thing.

Mobsters, killers, threats, violence, abuse, sa, the books has just about a bit of everything. Gretchen is ruthless and brutal as usual and we see another glimpse of her madness/obsession levels with Archie, 4/5 for me. Absolutely not for the faint hearted though guys, graphic and brutal!

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November's Competition is now live

Apologies it is a bit late, I have been a bit under the weather, then away to horrorcon and ended up floored with a bad chest/viral. Only starting to feel a bit more human and getting back to the real world tomorrow!

So what is November's comp going to be? Well, we had so much feedback/chat with the Britney Spears book, that I have decided that that will be Novembers prize - please note the ring light IS NOT INCLUDED.

As pictured, x1 hardback of Britney's new book and you can't have a book without a bookmark so you have a choice of two, you can have either x1, leather style, love heart page corner. It is very pale pink, the piccy looks white(ish) but it is absolutely pale pink, as pictured.

Or the multicolour magnetic one, again as pictured. All of our competitions are as pictured. Let us know in the comments which bookmark you would choose if you won.

To enter, use the Rafflecopter below, please only complete the entries you have done as winning entries are checked. This will be open worldwide as it a thin book and the bookmark weighs very little. Postage is going up again and again but we try make giveaways worldwide as we are able. Good luck.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Night Chills by Dean Koontz

Night Chills by Dean Koontz
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - in and out over 3 days

Pages - 369

Publisher - Berkley books

Source - Bought

Blurb from Goodreads

The fever is spreading. Seizing the men and women of Black River. Plaguing them with night chills. Driving them to violent acts of rape and murder.

The fever is spreading. Designed by top scientists, and unleashed in a monstrous conspiracy - its deadly spell can unlock the most frightening potential of the human mind.

The fever is spreading. The nightmare is real. And death is the only cure.



My Review

Imagine tapping into a power where you have absolute control over other people, control to push people to do literally anything you wish. That is what we have here, mastering the formula to manipulate people in every way possible a trio decide to try it out in a small town. One of them then goes to see first hand just how much they can do/push/try/control and the results are shocking!

It took me a wee bit to settle into it but the book gives you the background on how they managed to accomplish the mind control and how to distribute and test out their new invention. Warning, as you would expect when people have complete control over other humans without fear or reprimand, repercussions or exposure things go to the darkest extremes.

It is an interesting idea and Koontz gives us a bit of, this is already in place look at x,y,z and it isn't a whole leap to thinking this could come to fruition which is terrifying. A small town, sexual deviancy, violence, abuse, murder, manipulation, SA, suicide, the book takes more than a few dark turns, 4/5 from us, approach with caution.

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The Haunting Season - short stories - multiple authors

The Haunting Season: Ghostly Tales for Long Winter Nights by Bridget Collins
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 2 days

Pages - 304

Publisher - Sphere

Source - Bought

Blurb from Goodreads

Winter, with its unsettling blend of the cosy and the sinister, has long been a popular time for gathering by the bright flame of a candle, or the warm crackling of a fire, and swapping stories of ghosts and strange happenings.

Now eight bestselling, award-winning authors - master storytellers of the sinister and the macabre - bring this time-honoured tradition to vivid life in a spellbinding collection of new and original haunted tales.

From a bustling Covent Garden Christmas market to the frosty moors of Yorkshire, from a country estate with a dreadful secret, to a London mansion where a beautiful girl lies frozen in death, these are stories to make your hair stand on end, send shivers down your spine and to serve as your indispensable companion to the long nights of winter.

So curl up, light a candle, and fall under the spell of The Haunting Season . . .



My Review

I am the first to admit I am not a fan of short stories but the names of the authors featuring in this one definitely drew me in. Some stories are creepy/eerie, some ghostly, a few with animal harm which is always a no for me and one or two left me wondering what I had just read.

Perfect for the spooky season or if you just want a bit of a chill/creep. A few of the authors are more skilled in creating the gothic, chilling vibes than others.

I can't say any one story stood out for me but absolutely some were more enjoyable (if that is the right word) than others. Macabre, spooky, weird and just a mix bag of the auld creepiness. 3/5 for me this time, maybe dipping in and out instead of trying to read them so close together may well have made it more palliative for me. Still plenty of folk loved/enjoyed these so absolutely check out the book and see how you get on.

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The Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - as able, in and out over a week

Pages - 528

Publisher -

Source - Bought

Blurb from Goodreads

Enter the brutal and elite world of a war college for dragon riders from USA Today bestselling author Rebecca Yarros

Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general—also known as her tough-as-talons mother—has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders.

But when you’re smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away...because dragons don’t bond to “fragile” humans. They incinerate them.

With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success. The rest would kill her just for being her mother’s daughter—like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant.

She’ll need every edge her wits can give her just to see the next sunrise.

Yet, with every day that passes, the war outside grows more deadly, the kingdom's protective wards are failing, and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret.

Friends, enemies, lovers. Everyone at Basgiath War College has an agenda—because once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die


My Review

I kept hearing about this one and one of my workies, Rachel, was like you HAVE to read this so I have someone to talk to it about, I mean how could I not, also huge FOMO. Violet Sorrengail is twenty, youngest of the family. Her sister and brother dragon riders and her mother hugely proud of their warrior abilities and paths chosen. Violet is more like her dad, not a fighter and destined for the Scribe Quadrant, those who document all the battles/history, lover of the written word not a warrior. However Violets mother is one of the highest ranked leader and Violet will enter/try for the Rider's Quadrant and or die trying, nothing less is unacceptable. Violet isn't one for rocking the boat and does what is expected of her, despite being ill prepared, despite huge numbers of cadets dying before getting past the first obstacle but this is her path and walk it she must! Oh and THERE ARE DRAGONS!

Guys for me, summing it up quickly I would say Harry Potter meets Game of thrones with echoes of The Hunger Games. There is also some spicey scenes in it which for me was a little cringe/funny but each to their own.

I was liking the book but it was the very last/end quarter that bounced it to a 5 star read for us. I LOVE that we have dragons but a dragon with sass and shade it absolutely outstanding/hilarious. There is so much going on in the books, family dramas, relationships, friendships, dodgy characters, death, murder & the whole when the riders bond with a dragon they develop abilities and all are very different.

It is a huge book but it has something for everyone, yeah it is fantasy but it has loads of stuff folk will find relatable/enjoyable am sure. 5/5 for us and we have the next one lined up which I suggest you do too because if you like this you will want to pick up the next one immediately. This is my first time reading this author, book two is lying in wait.

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The First 48 Hours by Simon Kernick

The First 48 Hours by Simon Kernick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - < 3 days (in and out)

Pages - 339

Publisher -

Source - Arc (out to buy today)

Blurb from Goodreads

THE FIRST 48 HOURS ARE CRITICAL...
AND THE CLOCK IS TICKING

A COP NEEDS TO CRACK A DEADLY CASE
He's a detective hunting cold-blooded killers, but does he know more than he admits?

A MOTHER HAS TO SAVE HER DAUGHTER
She's a lawyer who must defend a murderer - but how far will she go to protect her only child?

A COUPLE WILL COMMIT THE PERFECT CRIME
They have a foolproof plan but will they get away with the money...and their lives?

THREE STORIES. TWO DAYS. DOES ONE SECRET CONNECT THEM ALL?
THE FIRST 48 HOURS...MAY ALSO BE THEIR LAST.



My Review

A specialist kidnap group, deadly professional and so good they haven't hit the police radar, until now. It is simple, pay up, don't contact the cops and get your kid back & until now that is what has happened. The opening chapter pulls us into a kidnapping and a chance to see just how serious these kidnappers are.

So the book circulates between three main story lines, the cop investigating, the lawyer who represents all manners of bad guys, she is really good at what she does and her clients are some of the shadiest individuals. Lastly, the bad guys and we see how they operate, we meet some real sick individuals, twisted, depraved and controlling.

I think the thing with this one is we are introduced to the players real quick and yet Kernick manages to shock and pull out the rug from under you a few times. Fast paced and enough to keep you hooked and intrigued. I am not always a huge fan of multicharacter points of view because it can be distracting, disjointed and takes away from the story, not so in this one. You are with a character and glued to what is happening and happy to jump to the next and see what they are up to!

It has been a wee while since I read Kernick and this reminded me how much I do enjoy the twisted creepos world he creates and sucks you into, 4/5 for me this time. Today is publication day so grab your copy now.

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A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 5 days

Pages - 624

Publisher - Bloomsbury Publishing

Source - Gift

Blurb from Goodreads

The seductive and stunning #1 New York Times bestselling sequel to Sarah J. Maas's spellbinding A Court of Thorns and Roses .

Feyre has undergone more trials than one human woman can carry in her heart. Though she's now been granted the powers and lifespan of the High Fae, she is haunted by her time Under the Mountain and the terrible deeds she performed to save the lives of Tamlin and his people.

As her marriage to Tamlin approaches, Feyre's hollowness and nightmares consume her. She finds herself split into two different one who upholds her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court, and one who lives out her life in the Spring Court with Tamlin. While Feyre navigates a dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms. She might just be the key to stopping it, but only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future-and the future of a world in turmoil.

Bestselling author Sarah J. Maas's masterful storytelling brings this second book in her dazzling, sexy, action-packed series to new heights.



My Review

I read book one in the series and I know this is well loved by so many, I thought it was ok so went into book two with an open mind. I really really like this and think you do need to read book one to really have a feel for the characters and what their history is. Feyre is still recovering from her death experience and going from human to superior being. Her wedding to Tamlin is set and everything is going well, if only he would stop imprisoning her in their home for fear for her safety. Pesky Rhysand is still holding their bargain over her and Tamlin's head. Feyre hates him after everything she has heard and seen. As Feyre spends her time with Rhysand she finds out more than she bargained for and trying to use her time to hon the unexpected changes she experiences.

I don't know but for me this book had much more meat, moments of funny, shocking, jaw dropping, switch ups. Along with Feyre we are hating on Rhysand because of everything we learned in book one. I felt so bad for Tamlin and Feyre but with this book we get a fresh perspective as we navigate the Night Court that Feyre finds herself in. As more animosity builds between Tamlin and Rhysand, Feyre herself is conflicted with how things are turning out in the Spring Court and what her role seems to be there.

We find ourselves getting more of a picture of Rhysand, his people and both his and Tamlin's history. Feyre herself comes a bit more into herself, we knew from book one she wasn't ok with just being caged and pampered to, that wasn't her role when she was human and she finds it isn't a role she can fit into regardless of her status now. Feyre is independent, fierce, protective and likes to be active. She doesn't even have the bliss of painting to loose herself in now with all her trauma from everything she endured and survived in book one.

I thought book one was ok, book two is really good, I felt it had a lot more going, like book one we have threat to life, ultimatums, death etc but this book we get a lot more of who the characters are and I felt more about them. Threat of war is imminent, Tamlin won't believe it, Rhysand knows it is coming and we along with Feyre find out what we believe to be true and what side we stand on, 4.5/5 for me. I have book three waiting to be read, it won't be long before I pick that up!

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Good Friday by Lynda La Plante Book Tour

Good Friday by Lynda La Plante
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 3 days

Pages - 400

Publisher - Zaffre

Source - Review copy

Blurb from Goodreads

BEFORE PRIME SUSPECT THERE WAS TENNISON.

Every legend has a beginning . . .

During 1974 and 1975 the IRA subjected London to a terrifying bombing campaign. In one day alone, they planted seven bombs at locations across central London. Some were defused - some were not.

Jane Tennison is now a fully-fledged detective. On the way to court one morning, Jane passes through Covent Garden Underground station and is caught up in a bomb blast that leaves several people dead, and many horribly injured. Jane is a key witness, but is adamant that she can't identify the bomber. When a photograph appears in the newspapers, showing Jane assisting the injured at the scene, it puts her and her family at risk from IRA retaliation.

'Good Friday' is the eagerly awaited date of the annual formal CID dinner, due to take place at St Ermin's Hotel. Hundreds of detectives and their wives will be there. It's the perfect target. As Jane arrives for the evening, she realises that she recognises the parking attendant as the bomber from Covent Garden. Can she convince her senior officers in time, or will another bomb destroy London's entire detective force?


My Review

Book three of the Tennison series and we see Jane growing a wee bit more - professionally and personally. Getting her own place, moving into the CID and still having to deal with the all the male chauvinistic style attitudes. The timeline in 1974/75 the book is very much terrorist/bombs/IRA and as one of our mains get caught right in the heart of it at the start so it is very graphic, breath taking and heart stopping. La Plante is so good at creating the situations/atmospheres that even me, not a visual reader was absolutely enfolded in the scene/emotions/terror. and that is just the start!

I think what I like about these books is that you have the police side, investigation, crime, murder(s) whatever the book is taking you to. You also get the feel of the times, the vile attitudes/prejudices/stereotypes/racisms et al of that era but also down to tv shows & things that will take you back. The family dynamics, the personal side of Jane whilst striving to be the best she can be at the job despite so much stacked against her and relationships in her life.

Tennison can be so relatable because she isn't perfect but she is a good person, she makes mistakes but never from a bad place, she is good people and for me, characters like that are a breath of fresh air. The pace is bang on, hooked as usually quickly, blend of characters to like, dislike, hate and I can't wait to hit the next one, 4/5.

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