The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak And Magic by Breanne Randall~Blog Tour

 Publisher:  Aria

Publication Date: 12th October 2023

Genre:Romance

Summary:

Revelare witches are cursed. As long as they use their magic, they are doomed to four heartbreaks.

So far, Sadie Revelare has experienced three - the devastating departure of her mother and the loss of her brother. And the most painful heartbreak of all: Jake McNealy, her first love. Ever since, Sadie has done everything she can to protect herself from more pain.

But now Sadie's beloved grandmother is sick. And without her, Sadie isn't sure she will have the strength to keep her family and her magic together.

As Sadie's carefully structured life begins to unravel, Jake returns to town after a decade away. And in the face of a final heartbreak that could tear Sadie apart, she must decide once and for all: is love more important than magic?

Review:
Firstly thank you to Rachels Random Resources, Aria and Breanne Randall for having me on this tour and sending me the book.
I've been looking forward to reading it because I've seen it all over Instagram and the author's description of Practical Magic meets Gilmore Girls drew me in because I love both of those so it sounded right up my street! But I have to admit I struggled and am still struggling to get into it. I am three chapters in and I plan to keep going because I really loved the sound of this book so I'm hoping as I get further in I'll start to connect to the characters a little more.
One thing I do love about it already is the recipes between chapters, I'm a baker so I love it when I get new recipes to try while reading and so do my family because they get to eat the results!
It is written well so I think the difficulty in connecting with it and getting into it is a me thing and I suspect its because the last book I read was also a witchy romance book.
But I am keeping going, and I'll come back with an update when I finish, which I intend to do!

Krystina xx

A Blend of Magic by Kate Kenzie~Blog Tour

 Publisher: Wytch's Yard

Publication Date: 20th October 2023

Genre: Romance

Summary:

A witch cannot exist on potions and tea alone.

Hiding in the shadows, staunch singleton Willow Anderson is content running her successful business, The Enchanted Emporium. With Christmas days away, she’s eager to exchange selling bespoke tea blends and spells for extended bubble baths and binge-watching festive movies snuggled next to her Maine Coon, Vincent.

Nate never usually runs away from his problems, but drunk and disorientated, he finds himself in a small fisherman’s cottage in the Yorkshire coastal town of Whitby. After discovering his girlfriend’s affair, he is in no rush to return to the City. His wish for time alone in a Christmas-free zone comes true until an uninvited feline guest arrives.

Neither Nate nor Willow want company, especially from each other, but they have little choice when concussion means they must spend at least twenty-four hours together. Sparks fly and not just the romantic kind. When darkness from Willow’s past returns and threatens to destroy all she has worked for, pursuing a love affair is the last thing she needs.

With meddling ghosts and a teenage apprentice with her own matchmaking agenda, love and change are in the air.

But can Willow face her fears, and the past, to capture the happiness she deserves?

Review:
Firstly thank you to Rachels Random Resources, Wytch's Yard and Kate Kenzie for having me on this tour and sending me the book.
I've been looking forward to this book all month! I adore Whitby, it's my family's go-to coastal town, so a book set there about a witch, is an instant win! And I wasn't wrong, I've loved reading this, every description of Whitby takes me right there, I can smell the sea air and feel the cobbles under my feet and it makes me wish I could visit Willows shop there.
Willow is a brilliant main character, I loved gradually learning about her, and the shop, as we went through the books. The shop itself has got to be one of the most interesting characters in the book (sorry Willow and Nate) i loved reading about the different ghosts haunting the shop and the original owner's room, it was one of my favourite parts of the book, giving me the ability to form images of them all in my mind.
Amber did irritate at times though, she acted very selfishly with regard to social media and wanting her dad and Willow to get together, I get she is a teenager but being at the age where she's going to University I'd have expected more maturity from her. And that just shows how well the character is written, i wanted to give a fictional teenager a good telling off.
I've really enjoyed reading this and I can't wait for another book from Kate Kenzie, or for my next visit to Whitby.

Krystina xx

The Perfect Christmas Village by Bella Osborne~Blog Tour

 

Publisher: Aria

Publication Date: 20th October 2023

Genre: Holiday Romance

Summary:

Tis the season.... for a Christmas cynic to have his frozen heart melted by festive magic.

When Christmas-hating Sam moves to Holly Cross, he thinks he's found the perfect home, until he discovers that, each year, Holly Cross transforms into the most Christmassy village in the whole country...

Blythe is just one sale away from being Real Estate Agent of the Month, so she twists the truth to sell a home to city boy Sam, who is looking for the perfect house in the perfect location. Little does he know he's just bought a cottage in the middle of the most Christmassy village in the country. And if there's one thing Sam loathes, it's Christmas.

Sam's arrival puts Holly Cross's chance to win the title of Britain's Most Perfect Christmas Village now in jeopardy, and the villagers are soon up in arms. Meanwhile, Sam is in his own personal hell surrounded by fairy lights and everyone is looking to Blythe to fix things.

But as the festive season looms, maybe there's more than just Christmas in Holly Cross for Sam to fall in love with...

Review:
Firstly thank you to Rachel's Random Resources, Aria and Bella Osbourne for having me on this tour and sending me the book.
I'm getting in my Christmas reading groove now! I loved this one. I know I say that about a lot of Christmas-themed books but what can I say I love Christmas!
And this is one of my favourite tropes to read enemies to lovers, though I don't think I'd go so far as to call them enemies. I think Sam and Blythe just got off on the wrong foot, which combined with a heck of a lot of misunderstandings is how they make their way through the book gradually getting to know each other better.
I really liked Blythe, and I felt for her every time she got insecure, and felt like she had to prove herself I really cheered for her when she finally stood up for herself with her dad, I had this huge grin on my face because I was so pleased for her! I actually really loved Sam, his grinchyness reminded me a little of my husband who is not as keen on Christmas as I am, but he's not Sam's level of Grinch lol But it did just endear him to me that little bit more.
Vicky and Owen's story just popping in every so often was really nice to read, and I liked how the question of Eden's parentage was resolved, it made me like Owen more because I did find him quite annoying at times.
In short, this is definitely one of those books that would make it into my Christmas reading stack every year, it's just a warm hug in a book!

Krystina xx

The Highland Lodge Getaway by Julie Shackman~Blog Tour

 

Publisher: One More Chapter

Publication Date: 26th October 2023

Genre:Romantic comedy

Summary:

Fall in love with the Christmas romance of the year, full of love and second chances!

Lottie Grant loves the festive season so much that she works at the incredibly successful Christmas shop, Christmas Crackers, in her pretty Scottish home town of Craig Brae. But when the shop is sold, her world is turned upside down, leaving her wondering what she will do next.

Just as she’s about to give up hope on finding a new dream job, an offer comes that she can’t refuse, managing a set of luxury wooden cabins… and opening just in time for Christmas!

As she gets to work decorating the cabins, and hanging lights on the fir trees, Lottie can’t believe her luck. That is until the arrival of Blake Dempster, a moody but handsome hiking expert, who threatens to bring down her festive joy. But never one to shy away from a challenge, Lottie is determined to change Blake’s mind about all things festive.

And as the snow falls and the fairy lights sparkle, will work-obsessed Lottie and frozen-hearted Blake make their Christmas wishes come true?

Review:
Firstly thank you to Rachels Random Resources, Once More Chapter and Julie Shackman for having me on this tour and for sending me the book.
I mean what more could you want as the nights get colder and we edge closer to Christmas than a cosy festive read. I loved Lottie Grant from the moment she stepped onto the page, her enthusiasm for Christmas and personality just made her so easy to like. I loved how her and mother's grief over her father was handled/written, it's clearly a big part of their story and was woven like a little undercurrent through the main story.
I do love an enemies-to-lovers troupe, and I like how Blake and Lottie's relationship/friendship changed gradually it wasn't a few chapters and suddenly they were in a relationship, it took time for them to even get along. I so felt for Lottie when she was there trying to protect her heart after her rubbish last boyfriend(I mean who hates Christmas!) and being so unsure about risking her heart again, I was there with her mum cheering her along to take the risk.
I have to say I wish we had a shop like Christmas Crackers near me, i love the idea of a Christmas shop all year round, though I suspect my bank balance wouldn't! And the descriptions of the cabins had me looking up cabin holidays and daydreaming of booking one, and wishing I could just go to Craig Brae.
It's been another fantastic addition to my early Christmas reading and I can definitely see myself rereading it again.

Krystina xx

Bone Rites by Natalie Bayley~Blog Tour

 

Publisher: Aurora Metro Books

Publication Date: 1st November 2023

Genre: Historical Fiction

Summary:

“I collected the first bone when I was twelve... Such a tiny little bone, more like a tooth. I only kept it to keep him safe.” Kathryn Darkling, imprisoned in Holloway, is facing death by hanging for her vengeance killing. Haunted by a spirit, she still hopes to perform the ancient black magic that will free her soul, or her struggle to punish the mighty will have been in vain. Will the love of her life come to her aid? Or can she find a way to escape her fate?

Review:
Firstly thank you to Love Books Tours, Aurora Metro Books and Natalie Bayley for having me on this tour and for sending me the book.
I was drawn in from the first line of this book "I collected the first bone when I was twelve" and I found myself unable to put it down because I just needed to know Kathryn's story. It's a brilliantly written book, you flip back and forth between Kathryn in Holloway retelling her story as a confession to a reverend and the events as she retells them. And I really enjoyed that format, I liked seeing how her thoughts had changed slightly between those two time periods.
The arguments with the spirit were very interesting, they started off seemingly nice for lack of a better word and escalated fairly quickly. And I so liked the way that relationship of sorts ended, very well done. I enjoyed every page of the books and I've not read one recently that had me so captivated from beginning to end. The characters are so solid in the way they were written that I could almost believe that this was based loosely on some sort of truth and the settings were so vivid at times. I'm really struggling here to tell you how much I loved this book without giving anything away! I seriously don't want to add any spoilers, just trust me that this is a brilliant book.
I definitely want to read more by this author.

Krystina xx

Taken to the Hills by S J Richards~Blog Tour

 Publisher: Apple Loft Press 

Publication Date: 12th September 2023

Genre:Crime/Thriller

Summary:

Abductions and murder are not what ex-DCI Luke Sackville expected when he left the police after tragedy struck his family.

Luke’s return to the workplace was meant to be a soft landing but when a woman vanishes after being accused of taking bribes, he is assigned a disparate team and tasked with tracking her down.

Their search becomes more urgent when her disappearance is linked to the death of a second woman. When a third goes missing the hunt becomes a race against time. Luke’s return to work presents him with the most challenging case of his career as the murder victims mount.

Murder and intrigue are peppered with humour in this fast-paced crime thriller set in and around the beautiful city of Bath in the southwest of England.

Review:
Firstly thank you to Love Books Tours, Apple Loft Press and S J Richards for having me on this tour and sending me the book.
Another debut thriller that made it onto my reading list for this year has blown me away! I was hooked on needing to know what was happening from the first page and didn't put the book down til id found out, which meant I read this in a day! Let's start off in true me style by talking about the cover, it gives the perfect slightly creepy thriller vibes and, having had a quick peak at books two and three they have the same brilliant look to them, I already know they are going to look fab on my shelf(but shhh I'm a book buy ban so tell no one lol)
Chapter 1 had me hooked but then didn't make sense til later in the book and I loved that suddenly it just clicked into place, and that happened at various different spots throughout the book. I took the red herrings offered and ran with them thinking that I knew who the killer was but I did not see the actual killer coming at all, and looking back we had hints but they were tiny little sprinkles of a hint and I took the red herring instead!
I absolutely loved Luke's team, like he said on paper they make no sense but they work so well together it's fantastic and I can't wait for more cases for them to work on, I think they will just gel even more as time goes on and we'll get some fantastic workplace banter coming into play.
I'm now eagerly awaiting books 2 and 3 to see if I'm right and how they handle whatever gets thrown at them.

Krystina xx

The Rituals by Rebecca Roberts~Blog Tour

 Publisher: Honno Welsh Women's Press

Publication Date: 28th September 2023

Genre: Literary Fiction 

Summary:

Gwawr, secular celebrant, single and in her thirties, knows all too well how life can change in an instant. Well practiced at keeping her composure, she keeps on smiling, even though her own life is falling apart behind the scenes. A victim of online sabotage, an unknown perpetrator is trying to destroy Gwawr and her business. Prone to unwise relationships, we follow her as she becomes hopelessly embroiled with an attractive client, thwarts the advances of another, and tries to survive as her business dries up and her money runs out. All while finding a way to acknowledge her own, very private, grief.

This is a tale of friendship, love, unbearable loss and how we overcome the dark depths to find the light again. We all carry secrets and sometimes only solidarity and the trust of another will unlock them.

A heartfelt novel exploring what it means to be human when we are at our most vulnerable.

Review:
Firstly thank you to Random Things Book Tours, Honno Welsh Women's Press and Rebecca Roberts for having me on this tour and sending me the book.
So I thought this would be an interesting book when I picked it up but would never have thought it would be quite as emotional as it turned out to be. And I don't mean as in the subject matter, because that was quite clear from the blurb as the main character is a Celebrant so it births deaths and weddings essentially and they always bring out strong emotions. What I mean is I didn't expect to become quite so emotional reading it as I did, there were points where I was in floods of tears and had to stop reading for a bit I was so overcome with emotion. You go through Gwawr's highs and lows and it's so beautifully written that it takes you through those emotions with her so strongly.
I read it over the space of two days and if I'm honest it only took that long because of the strong emotions it drew from me which caused me to have to take breaks and step away from the book for a few moments. I could happily devour this in one sitting and I'm so very glad that it was translated from Welsh into English, though I loved reading the bits of Welsh spattered throughout the book and attempting to say them out loud (by that I mean butchering the pronunciation because I definitely don't have a skill for it). I will definitely look for more by Rebecca Roberts in the future and books published by Honno Welsh Women's Press.

Krystina xx

Through Blood and Dragons by R.M. Schultz~readalong

 

Publisher:  Independently published 

Publication Date: 13th June 2023

Genre: Fantasy

Summary:

Steeped in blood. Ruled by those with dragons.

Cimeren is a world divided by a mysterious forest and the vast Lake on Fire. Suspicion brews on both sides, and the south has fallen into chaos as battles and quarrels rage between kingdoms.

In the border outpost of Nevergrace, Cyran Orendain is dealing with the loss of his brother and his lord as he strives to face the mounting challenges of a squire of the dragonguard.

But when Cyran’s guard-master is called to face the most powerful of the southern kings and bear witness to a secret stolen from the north, Cyran is dragged into a war that has been bubbling under the surface for centuries.

Dragons are not only weapons—they are engines of war. And even though Cyran is not trained in the ways of the dragonguard, he must adapt and learn to become one of them or his homeland and all of Cimeren will be destroyed.

But he was not born a champion.

He may break, and he will bleed.

Review:
Firstly thank you to Love Books Tours and RM Schultz for having me on this read-along and for sending me a copy of the book.
So I've been lucky this year this is my second well-written dragon fantasy that I've been lucky enough to read( and both of them were provided by Love Books Tours) They both have dragon riders as their main focus/character so it would have been easy to compare them and maybe end up liking one less but both authors have created amazing worlds.
I really enjoyed the cover artwork and my only issue with the inner artwork was that it was in black and white because I've seen the stunning colour versions on Amazon and I just wish we had had them in the book. I loved how many different voices we heard in the alternating chapters, especially as for some of them you're not quite sure how they fit into the "Main" storyline with Cyran. I so enjoyed that slowly unravelling and how vastly different their thoughts on what was happening were, especially between Cryan and his sister at the midpoint in the book(trying not to give anything away here).
I've loved learning about the different dragons, Cyran obviously gives us brilliant information about the ones he comes into regular contact with but it was nice to hear about others that he doesn't normally see when he encounters them.
As I said it's a really well-formed world that is well-written and I've enjoyed starting to learn about it, i expected ill learn even more when I delve into the other books in the series.

Krystina xx

Charlotte's Snowman by Lainey Dee~Blog Tour

 Publisher: KABooks

Publication Date: 23rd September 2021

Genre:Childrens Fiction

Summary:

Children love building snowmen. When they add a nose, eyes, and mouth to their snowman, they get a magical feeling that their snowman has his own personality.

And… sometimes snowmen do come alive!

Charlotte wakes up and sees that it’s snowing… it’s snowing and it’s snowing. She runs outside to build a snowman. She fixes a carrot for the snowman’s nose, a stick for his mouth, and two stones for his eyes.

But the snowman has many demands, so Charlotte has to part with her gloves, scarf and hat; so her snowman wouldn’t feel cold. But the sun comes up all of a sudden, and Charlotte cannot find her snowman anymore. She is sad. Then, she learns that her snowman hasn’t disappeared completely, but is hiding in the ground, waiting to emerge next winter.

Review:

Firstly thank you to Rachels Random Resources, KABooks and Lainey Dee for having me on this tour and sending me the book.
I've said it before but I'll say it again I do love when I can share the books I get to review with my little one, and my little one loves to build snowmen and is always upset when they go so this was a really useful one to have. Its written in a way that children can easily follow and think easily read when their just starting to read bigger books by themselves.
My little one spent time asking questions about the snowman and why they melted and about them coming back next year and even stated "When it snows I'll build one and then when they melt they can come back next time it snows!" which was really good because last year we had tears when the snowman family melted.
Its full of very sweet but simple illustrations and I quite liked them, their cute and i don't think I needed anything more to get the point of the story across. My little one defiantly enjoyed the illustrations, they liked the book so much I had to read it twice in one sitting!
Id defiantly say this is a really lovely little book to get for stockings or Christmas eve boxes this Christmas, I already know mine will be wanting it on the Christmas reading list.

Krystina xx

Dont Stop Believing by Freya Kennedy~Blog Tour

 

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 11th October 2023

Genre:Romantic Comedy

Summary:

It’s time to return to Ivy Lane, where hopes and dreams can become happy-ever-afters...

Erin Donohue would describe herself as happy. Well, maybe not exactly happy… but not unhappy either.

For the most part she loves her job as Head Chef at The Ivy Inn, working alongside bestfriend, Jo and making a home with boyfriend Aaron. Things are going just fine. Or so she thinks...

After a tough shift, Erin returns home to be greeted by silence. There is no trace of Aaron or his belongings. In that split second her whole life and world are turned upside down. It seems Aaron has exited the building and her life.

After a small pity party, Erin pulls herself together and starts to re-evaluate her life. Her friends seem to be chasing their dreams while she’s been left single and wondering what on earth her next move will be. But then fate throws her a sign.

Can she find the courage to build the life she always dreamed of but believed was out of her reach?

And can her bravery inspire other residents of Ivy Lane to take a chance on finding their own happy ending?

Review:
Firstly thank you to Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books and Freya Kennedy for having me on this tour and sending me the book.
Now I haven't quite finished this one but I'm loving every page so far. I got a little thrown by the first chapter ending and us going back six months but I soon caught back up again. Boy is Arron a selfish A****** I can't believe the way he treated Erin! But I do love her way of reacting to it and the fact that her friends are so supportive, it seems to be a theme in the books I'm reading at the moment brilliantly supportive friends. I've gotten angry on Erin's behalf multiple times so far because of Arron, I think he's definitely the worst bit of everyone's ex-boyfriends bundled together, brilliant character creation from the author there! But then again all the main cast of this book so far are really well formed, you can definitely read them and see people you know in them.
I'm so invested in what's happening to Erin and if she'll manage to get her dream sorted, that I keep breaking off from writing this to read a bit more.
I've really enjoyed the writing style, I haven't read anything by Freya Kennedy before but I can see myself picking some more of her books up in the future.

Krystina xx

Love Lindisfarne by Kimberley Adams~Blog Tour

 

Publisher: Shy Bairns Publishing

Publication Date: 1st August 2023

Genre: Holiday Romance

Summary:

LOVE LINDISFARNE…Take a Christmas trip to magical Northumberland and find love amongst the stars in this feel-good novel, which will transport you to iconic Holy Island where dreams really can come true!

Dumped at the office Christmas party, Ellie is about to vent her spleen on social media when a photo of a cute little dog advertising a charity catches her eye. Her world suddenly changes dramatically when she is offered a month’s stay in Northumberland to help look after rescue animals.

Ellie isn’t too sure where Northumberland is, but accepts, eager to start a new life away from London. Her destination is Lindisfarne, and her arrival on the small island in the North Sea is terrifying, fearing for her life on the causeway as the tide comes crashing in.

Ellie finds herself living in a hilltop castle, and far from the cats and dogs she expected she would be looking after, she is faced with all kinds of furry and feathery animals - and she doesn’t have a clue about any of them!

Welcomed to island life by the warm-hearted residents, she quickly embraces living in this special place, and from the moment she spots the mesmerising Zen with the gorgeous coffee bean eyes, her plans to stay single and mingle begin to fade fast.

Thanks to a severe storm, Lindisfarne is cut off from the mainland, and the islanders work together to salvage the planned Christmas events. Ellie is kept so busy that she hasn’t much time to think about her future when her time on the island ends.

Will the universe give Ellie its blessing? Will she find her happy ever after on the enchanting island of Lindisfarne? If it’s in the stars, then it’s in the stars…

Review:
Firstly thank you to Rachels Random Resources, Shy Bairns Publishing and Kimberley Adams for having me on this tour and sending me the book.
Standard me I have to start with the cover( to be fair I haven't been a book cover magpie for a while) and it's so damn cute! I love the little illustrations, they just make you smile.
Now I know it seems early to be reading a Christmas book, but it just sounded so good I couldn't help myself and sometimes we need a little bit of Christmas magic no matter the time of year. Oh, poor Ellie, I so wanted to give her a hug in those first few chapters, her ex was a complete A*******! And I don't know how she picked herself up so quickly to go to the fundraiser, I know I wouldn't if it had been me. But I loved how her friends rallied around and supported her through it all, everyone needs a group of friends like those! It was lovely to watch Ellie make her way through the heartache and out the other side of it, and who doesn't love Lindisfarne! It was nice to be able to read about somewhere I know too, While I love stepping into a world an author creates it's sometimes nice to read a place you recognise.
It definitely gives me all the cosy Christmas read vibes, which is exactly how I like my Christmas reads and i can see myself rereading this nearer to the festive season. I'm hoping we get some more books from Kimberley Adams soon!

Krystina xx 

Darkness Beckons Edited by Mark Morris~Blog Tour

 Publisher: Flame Tree Press

Publication Date: 10th October 2023

Genre:Horror

Summary:

Darkness Beckons is the fourth volume in the non-themed horror series of entirely original stories, showcasing the very best short fiction that the genre has to offer, and edited by Mark Morris. This new anthology contains 20 original horror stories, 16 of which have been commissioned from some of the top names in the genre, and 4 of which have been selected from the 100s of stories sent to Flame Tree during a 2-week open submissions window. A terrifying cocktail of the familiar and the new, the established and the emerging.

Previous titles in the series, all still in print are After Sundown, Beyond the Veil and Close to Midnight.

Contents List:

SAINT BARBARA by Nina Allan

HARE MOON by H.V. Patterson

UNDER COVER OF DARKNESS by Stephen Volk

DUSK by Angela Slatter

A FACE LEAVING NO TRACES by Brian Evenson

GOOD BONES by Sarah Read

FACTS CONCERNING THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE ORLOFF SIX by Alyssa C. Greene

HE WASN’T THERE AGAIN TODAY by Peter Atkins

DODGER by Carly Holmes

FROM THE MAN-SEAT by Reggie Oliver

THE SERVICE by Ally Wilkes

THE LATE MRS. APPLEGARTH by Mark Gatiss

THE FIG TREE by Lucie McKnight Hardy

IF YOUR SOUL WERE A PITCHFORK I’D DESPISE YOU by Eric LaRocca

HEEBIE JEEBIES by Amanda Cecelia Lang

KILLING BONES by Simon Clark

IL CREPUSCOLO by Helen Marshall

REMEMBER ME by Ronald Malfi

WITCH’S CLUTCH by Simon Strantzas

CAMP NEVER by J.S. Breukelaar

Review:
Firstly thank you to Random Things Book Tours, Flame Tree Press and Mark Morris for having me on this tour and sending me the book.

Now I don't read much in the way of horror and I've been trying to remedy that this year because I do love a classic horror film and I've been trying to find books that give off that feel. And I have to admit that what sold this anthology to me was it having a story written by Mark Gatiss in it, as after watching his A History of Horror series I know he's a lover of the kind of horror I enjoy so I had high hopes of getting that classic horror feel. I definitely got a very eerie feeling from his story, which was really impressive because it's probably one of the shorter stories in the book(it's just two pages long) but it left me with a little shiver down my spine.
I really enjoyed dipping in and out of this one, though I could see myself happily sitting down and reading it in one sitting because you get a variety of different types of horror and you switch between them throughout the book, it's been cleverly edited so you don't have two similar threads of horror one after the other.
It was nice to see that the vast majority of the stories were written by women, I know I haven't read much horror(yet) but when it comes to thinking of well-known horror writers you mostly think of male writers, but this has given me a list of people whose work I need to now check out. And I  think I'll be looking back at the other anthologies that Mark Morris has put together, it's been nice to try out different types of horror writing.

All in all a good book to delve into this spooky season.

Krystina xx

Daughter of the Fens by Elena Collins~Blog Tour

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 2nd October 2023

Genre: Historical Fiction

Summary:

AD 61

Brittania is in the hands of the Romans but when the conquering army betray the dead King Prasutagus by defiling his daughters, his Queen, Boudicca, is determined to regain her land.

Iceni slave Brea remembers little of the time before the Romans, and has grown used to their louche and indulgent customs. She diligently goes about her duties looking after the artless Aurelia, wife-to-be of the handsome war hero Marcellus, but her longing for freedom and her desire to find her lost father, are never far from her mind.

Present Day

When Hanna returns to Norfolk from years working abroad, the strange dreams of her adolescence return: indistinct figures in tunics, mighty soldiers in armour, gladiators, temples, an Iceni warrior woman leading her people. Gradually Hanna’s dreams begin to slip into the present as visions in the famous mists rolling across the fens, and as shocks of recognition when a new face moves to her childhood home.

As Hanna realises that she has a connection with a tragedy that occurred many years before, so Brea has to understand that her fate is bound up with her Roman master. And as the drumbeat of rebellion gets ever closer Brea must make the fatal choice between love and loyalty while Hanna has to find a way to make peace with the past.

Review:

 Firstly thank you to Rachels Random Resources, Elena Collins and Boldwood Books for having me on this tour and sending me the book.
So far I haven't met one of Elena's books that I haven't loved and this one was no different. I love how she flips from modern day back into the past so easily and there's no clunky feel to it.
I really enjoyed the small glimpses of Brea's life that we each time and that it gradually gives us this fuller picture of her and her life and how it changes.I loved stepping back to that time period, Roman britian is a rich time for Elena to have picked and I'm really pleased she picked the Iceni tribe, it's one of those names that instantly gives you an image in your head when you hear the name.
I could barely put the book down it just kept me hooked the whole time, Elena's brilliant descriptions made me feel like I was stepping into the story and time period, I pretty much read it in a day(housework can wait right?) and I think that's been the case for all of Elena's books I've read.
Hanna's story was interesting and enjoyed seeing how her life flowed and how being connected to Brea kind of helped her find her path in life, it was really good to see her find her passion at the end of the book.
I always knew that I'd love this book and Elena Collins is always an auto-buy author for me so I'm now eagerly looking forward to her next book and where in time it will take me!

Krystina xx

His Head on a Platter by Alan Gold~Blog Tour(Excerpt)

 Publisher: Romaunce Books

Publication Date: 22nd September 2023

Genre: Historical

Summary:

Baroque Rome 1611

In a city where women are seen not heard, Artemisia Gentileschi dreams of becoming a great artist.

She grows up in a family of painters – all men and she knows she is more talented than her brothers, but she cannot choose her own future because she’s a woman. She’s clever, ambitious, resilient, and driven and wants to experience the world, but she knows her place and she belongs to her father and her future husband.

She goes from lesson to lesson, honing her craft and paints in private but she’s only allowed to paint the women who inspire her. When her mother died her father became very strict and followed the pope’s edicts about modesty, limiting the subjects she could paint.

When one of her father’s collaborators enters her life, Tassi, he becomes her tutor, a handsome dashing figure, who represents everything that a life of freedom might offer. Until the unthinkable happens and her torture begins.

Review:
Firstly thank you to Love Books Tours, Romaunce Books and Alan Gold for having me on this tour and sending me the book.Unfortunately, my copy of the book is currently somewhere in the post(i think my postman likes to torture me) so i haven't got to read this fabulous-sounding book just yet. But it does mean that i get to give you a little sneak peak of the book instead before giving my review a little bit later on when I've read the book.
Ive adored every Alan Gold book I've read so far this year, I've been lucky enough to be on the tour for two others, and i cant see myself loving this one any less.

Excerpt

Anger does not even begin to define the feelings coursing through my veins, causing me to lose the composure that defines the lady I am, nor delineates a limitless woman such as me. I am a woman who has achieved great success in a profoundly troubled life. To read of my life and accomplishments will be like listening to a performance of the buffoons and charlatans of the Commedia dell’Arte. But now that I am writing the story of my life, I am reliving events long buried because of the pain they caused me. Pain so powerful, so tortured, that I pray no other woman ever experiences it.

As I come to write this, the story of my life, I am 48 years of age. A matron. But I am unlike other matrons of my age. I do not sit by a fire, my shoulders wrapped in blankets, legs swathed in rugs, comforted by children and grandchildren who attend to my every need. No, I am robust, vigorous and forceful. How could I not be, having lived through the events which formed my life?

How intriguing does that sound! Now I really can't wait to get stuck into this book, keep an eye out for my review!

Krystina xx

Just A Fika by Beck Erixson~Blog Tour

 

Publisher: Aegir Haven

Publication Date: 3rd October 2023

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Summary:

Family.

They're always meddling in your love life...

Even after they're dead.

Brooklynite-and genealogist-Ingrid Ekstrom accepts a surprise request from her typically estranged family: to become the live-in caretaker of their shared historic house in the sleepy Jersey Shore town of Aegir Haven. A fun-loving cousin is quick to introduce Ingrid to the local handyman and bluegrass musician. As he fixes up the place, Ingrid digs into the house's past and learns about the family she barely knows.

And then Mormor-her long-dead grandmother-shows up, acting as though not being in the spirit realm is perfectly normal.

Ingrid's always yearned for stronger family connections, and it's nice having Mormor around. Mormor tries to set her up with a young real estate attorney who's closer to her more thunderous, god-like personal standards than the musician with keen senses Ingrid is falling for. As lore and legends mingle with real life, she's torn. Mormor's fantastical family sagas can't actually be true, right?

Review:
Firstly thank you to Rachels Random Resources, Aegir Haven and Beck Erixson for having me on this tour and for sending me a copy of the book.
This book was just what I needed after a busy family-filled weekend. It picked me up and gave me a brilliant lift. I really loved the writing style and the pace, I think it's just what the story needed. Ingrid is a little standoffish and I guess some people might find her character hard to connect to but I really loved her from the off. I get her need to connect to family she knows little of and wanting to deep dive into that history and soak it all in. Having said that I think my favourite character might be Mormor... I just loved her attitude to the Medium, I've not laughed out loud like that for a while and it feels like she's making me laugh at almost every turn.
There are so many interesting characters in this book, and aside from one or two I've loved getting to know them all. I feel like we could have more books set in Aegir, and I'd love to read them if we did because I've enjoyed visiting this little coastal town.
If you love a little cosy romance with a few ghosts thrown in this will definitely be your cup of tea. And I recommend reading it with a spot of Fika too.

Krystina xx