Peas on Earth by Huw Lewis Jones & Ben Sanders~Blog Tour

 Publisher: Thames and Hudson Ltd

Publication Date: 19th October 2023

Genre: Children's 

Summary:

The latest addition to the laugh-out-loud series of picture books by award-winning author Huw Lewis Jones and illustrator Ben Sanders, in which the naughty antics of a truly terrible piece of fruit, Bad Apple, prove deliciously entertaining.

In this festive edition, Bad Apple faces his greatest challenge yet: it’s Christmas day and everyone is just so ... jolly. Granny Smith’s carol singing and Pineapple’s incessant dancing are grating to say the least, but it’s the cheery arrival of Pea and his extended family that pushes Bad Apple over the edge. It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas ... but how long can the Peas last?

Review:
Firstly thank you to Random Things Book Tours, Thames and Hudson, Huw Lewis Jones and Ben Saunders for having me on this tour and sending me a copy of the book.
I loved having a festive book I could share with my small one, and they loved it too. I think we've read this book at least half a dozen times since it arrived, occasionally that's been reading it a few times in a row ( its a bedtime favourite atm) because they've really loved Bad Apple.
I loved reading it to them, its full of beautiful illustrations of all sorts of food getting in the festive mood (apart from Bad Apple)  and I loved how the different foods were made to look festive, the story was sweet and had a good moral to it. My small one loved that the book asked you questions (do you love Christmas?) which were answered very loudly and happily and they loved how grumpy Bad Apple was (apparently its as grumpy as daddy sometimes which made me laugh) and they really enjoyed pointing out all the different characters we mentioned as we went along.
Its a winner of a book in this house and i can see it being reread a lot, especially at Christmas. My small one loved it so much that they asked me to see if the library had the rest of the series ( it did so we ordered them) because they just want to read them all.

Krystina xx

The Juggler's Box by Clio Gray~Blog Tour

 

Publisher: Clio Gray

Publication Date: 1st December 2023

Genre: Historical Fiction

Summary:

A body is found in a Salt Hedge with a crate of purloined books. Ruan Peat is on the case.

Hela believes she has the means to achieve Hungarian Independence, if only she can get her hands on it. No one will be allowed to stand in her way.

Greta Finnerty is smuggling a dead English officer through French lines, with urgent news for the Dutch Authorities.

Three strands pulling deftly drawn characters together from remote Norwegian mountains, ancient Russian battles, Irish and French Uprisings, until all three strands become one in the exciting historical adventure that is The Juggler's Box.

Review:
Firstly thank you to Literally PR and Clio Gray for having me on this tour and sending me the book.
I knew this was the second in a series but it said it could be read as a stand-alone and that's definitely true, though having read this one I do want to go back and read book one in the series just to find out more about Ruan. I have to admit it took me a while to get into this book, you meet a lot of characters within the first three chapters and it's quite a lot of information to get at once so I found it difficult to keep up because we do switch between the threads of the story very quickly. Once id got to know the characters a bit I found it so much easier to do the jumping between threads and I found myself reading through the book much quicker. It helped that the story really grabbed me, it's set in a place and period that I don't know a lot about so I found it so interesting learning bits or putting things into context with what I did know as we went.
I've really enjoyed Clio Grays's writing style, it flows so that you just get pulled along with the story without any thought of what you need to be getting on with or what time it is, I could happily have read this into the small hours without even noticing had I not had my husband pointing out the time to me. 
I am really glad that Clio Gray has a big list of other books she has written because it means I have plenty to read while I wait for more in the Bookfinders series (hopefully).

Krystina xx

Murder by Christmas by Lesley Cookman~Blog Tour

 Publisher:  Headline Accent

Publication Date: 7th December 2023

Genre: Murder Mystery

Summary:

The twisting twenty-fifth instalment of Lesley Cookman's much-loved Libby Sarjeant series

Libby Sarjeant is deep into rehearsals for the annual pantomime when a body is found in a doorway two weeks before Christmas - and Libby and her friend Fran are called into action once again, when their investigation leads them to a local brewery and the sale of many of its pubs.

With the help of a team of local publicans, can Libby and Fran unravel the case before it's too late?

Review:
Firstly thank you to Rachel Random Resources, Headline Accent and Lesley Cookman for having me on this tour and sending me the book.
I didn't realise this was part of a series when I picked it up (I really should look into that when I say yes to these fab-sounding books) but this is very much a series that can be read as stand-alone so I had none of the issues of not knowing what happened in the last book but I do get the joy of having another 24 of Libby's escapades to read about.
Wow is this a fast-paced book! A lot happened very quickly, I'm used to crime/thriller novels that are really paced out you get scraps of information drip-fed to you over a longer period but this was like you hit the ground running and never stopped. I was so glad we had a list of characters and how they were linked in the front of the book, it was helpful because we met everyone in quick succession and occasionally I lost who people were, to begin with, but I quickly was able to keep up to speed.
I found it such an easy book to read, because of its pace I got drawn in very quickly and found myself caught up in what Libby and Fran were up to, and boy do they work fast! They had leads and information for the police within minutes of taking the case on!
It's been a really enjoyable well-written book to have been able to get stuck into, I definitely will go back for more!

Krystina xx

A Winter Wonderland by Rosie Green~Blog Tour

 Publisher: Self-Published

Publication Date: 28th November 2023

Genre: Romantic fiction

Summary:

The festive season is fast approaching and the Little Duck Pond Café menu has been given a mouth-watering sprinkling of December magic. Jaz is hoping for the perfect festive season with little daughter Emma. But her feelings for next-door neighbour, Milo, are getting in the way. With his old love back on the scene, is she really prepared to risk her heart and make it the best Christmas ever?

Review:
Firstly thank you to Rachel's Random Resources and Rosie Green for having me on the tour and sending me the book.
I have to say I enjoyed this visit to The Little Duck Pond Cafe far more than the last one I read, and I think that's down to having read the other book and now knowing who everyone is and how they connect. Plus we had a single Point of View in this book which I preferred, i like just hearing from Jaz and getting updates on situations in the last book from her point of view. Shes a really relatable character, we've all had our hearts broken and had new relationships coloured by past hurts so what she's going through during the book is definitely something we all understand. Aside from Aurora's ex, I don't think there's a character I dislike in the book, we have a cast of likeable people with faults that make them human.
I loved seeing Milo and Jaz's relationship evolve through the book and it was also nice to see Jaz and Harry's relationship change into friendship, It is rare to stay friends with an ex but it is important to at least try and be civil when you co-parent, so the friendship was so nice to see.
I liked the cover of the book, it had a very festive feel to it and the book was nicely written and flowed really well. I enjoyed reading it, and it was a quick one to read.

Krystina xx

Survivor's Guilt by Robyn Gigl~Blog Tour

 Publisher: Verve Books

Publication Date: 7 Dec. 2023

Genre: Legal Thriller

Summary:

The death of millionaire businessman Charles Parsons seems like a straightforward suicide. There's no sign of forced entry or struggle in his lavish New Jersey mansion - just a single gunshot wound from his own weapon.

But days later, a different story emerges. Computer techs pick up a voice recording that incriminates Parsons' adoptive daughter, Ann, who duly confesses and pleads guilty.

After the case is brought to her attention by an unlikely source, Erin McCabe and her law partner, Duane Swisher, soon realise that pieces of Ann's story don't fit together. Ann clearly knows more than she\'s willing to share, even if it means a life sentence. Who is she protecting, and why?

As their investigation deepens, Erin and Swish find themselves caught in a web of human exploitation, unchecked greed, and murder - before learning the horrifying truth...

Review:
Firstly thank you to Verve Books and Robyn Gigl for having me on this tour and sending me the book.
I didn't realise that this was part of a series when I picked it up but I didn't feel like that made a difference. I feel like I got all the background information that I needed to know/was relevant from the first book fed to me when it became relevant to this story. I felt drawn in from the first couple of chapters, wanting to unravel the threads that Erin was pulling at with her, it made it hard to put the book down! 
It was interesting to have the chapters on Erin's personal life too, to see her struggles with how her being transgender affected her family and romantic relationships it was good to see that expressed so well in the book and I loved that she had people who accepted and loved her for who she was and ignored the label others would put on her.
It's a really well-written thriller, I enjoyed seeing how Erin and Duane worked through the case and how they each have their sort of specialities. The story is well crafted and you can tell that Robyn Gigl knows her stuff when it comes to this subject so I definitely would have no problems picking up another book of hers when I'm in the mood for a legal thriller.

Krystina xx

The Immortal Detective by D.B Woodling ~Blog Tour

 Publisher: CamCat Publishing

Publication Date: 21st March 2023

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Summary:

Sometimes being immortal makes you wish you were dead.

Celeste Crenshaw has survived her parents' grisly murders, grueling and gender-biased police training, a battle with rogue vampires, and even her own death. While immortality might seem a dream come true, can she accept the strings attached?

Celeste spends the start of her immortal life being mentored by the Elders of the Hollow Earth. They release her once they feel certain Celeste has honed her supernatural powers. But little do they know, Celeste isn't wholly committed to granting eternal life to those deserving. Upon a return home to her immortal lover, and the Kansas City Detective Squad, she battles mortal foes, not so unlike the demonic undead. And when a fellow detective falls victim to a murderous gang member, Celeste faces a gut-wrenching decision and the possible wrath of the Elders.

Review:
Firstly thank you to Partners in Crime Tours, CamCat Publishing and D.B Woodling for having me on this tour and sending me the book.
The cover drew me to the book originally, the blurb then kept me there and the brilliant storyline and writing made sure I couldn't put it down. I did feel that the beginning was quite abrupt but I think that's because I hadn't read The Immortal Twin (something I will be rectifying) first which, from what I understand, ends where this book picks up. But I didn't feel that was a problem in the long run, I got plenty of background information about all the brilliant characters which filled in any blanks I might have had from not reading the other book. I did have to suspend the history nerd in me when reading about the Elders to begin with but by the end of the book I loved their characters and the way they wove in and out of the story.
I really enjoyed Celeste learning how to use her supernatural powers and how she didn't always manage it, I especially loved reading about it from the different Elder's points of view it made me laugh a few times the way they saw her.
I've loved reading this book as you can probably tell, and I can't wait to read The Immortal Twin but I'm really really hoping we get more of The Immortal Detective series soon, especially with how it ended! Fingers crossed I get to read more in the new year!

Krystina xx

The Vintage Village Bake Off by Judy Leigh~Blog Tour

 Publisher:  Boldwood Books Ltd

Publication Date: 4th December 2023

Genre:Fiction

Summary:

Now in his seventies, Robert Parkin is stunned to find himself the unlikely sex symbol of the village gardening club.

Living in happy solitude with his cat Isaac Mewton in the Devon village of Millbrook, entertained by his mischievous chickens and goats, Robert has never figured out the rules of romance. But as the local ladies vie for his company, it soon becomes clear that Robert's Victoria Sponge cake is the lure, and as his baking prowess grows, so does his confidence.

Cheesecakes, meringues, puddings, Robert can do it all, but his real masterpieces are his scones - ginger, rosemary, coconut, fruit, his recipes are inspired and soon come to the attention of the local media. Which county does the best cream tea - Devon or Cornwall? It's time for an age-old debate to be settled with a competition.

Robert's sisters Bunty and Hattie are both at crossroads in their lives, so news of their brother's baking competition is the perfect excuse to bring them to Millbrook. And as the siblings relish each other's company, and Robert relishes being at the heart of his community, a summer of scones may just light the way to long-lasting happiness for them all.

Review:
Firstly thank you to Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books and Judy Leigh for having me on this tour and sending me the book.
I'll be honest I've struggled with this book. I was really looking forward to it because I've loved all of the books that Judy Leigh writes under Elena Collins but I've never read any of her other books like this one so I jumped at the chance to be on this tour and read one of these other books confident that id love it. But I've honestly spent the 23% of the book I've read desperately trying to get into it. I think it's a slow-builder story and I'm not a fan of those I often find they take too long for anything to happen and I get bored.
I loved the cover artwork, I think it's cute and fits well with the blurb and what I've read of the book. The writing style is really nice to read and it's not a difficult style to get on with, I do enjoy the way it's written. I just don't think this book is for me, but I will try another of Judy's books because I do enjoy her writing style.

Krystina xx

One Week With You by J R Jenner~Blog Tour

 Publisher: JR Jenner 

Publication Date: 4th November 2022

Genre: Christmas Romance

Summary:

All she wants for Christmas is peace and quiet.

All he wants for Christmas is… her.

Losing her job and boyfriend weeks before Christmas leaves Talia feeling more bah humbug than filled with festive spirit. The last thing she needs is Christmas with her chaotic family and Rafe Scott, her brother’s grumpy best friend and long-term star of her hottest fantasies.

Her heart’s deepest desire if she’s honest with herself.

But when Rafe comes along with an offer she can’t refuse—use of his family’s cottage in Scotland in exchange for a date to his company’s holiday party—Talia gratefully accepts. A quiet, wintry escape sounds like heaven and a few hours in Rafe’s company couldn’t hurt.

Until it does.

Fleeing to her Scottish Highland retreat, Talia’s longed-for peace doesn’t last long when a bitter storm brings snow and the one man she desperately wants but cannot have. Now snowed in together for the holiday season, will their simmering attraction keep them warm or will they both get burned?

Review:
Firstly thank you to Rachels Random Resources and J R Jenner for having me on this tour and sending me the book.
I love a festive romance and if it's got spice, even better! I really enjoyed reading this, and it was a really quick read so I managed to finish it in a couple of hours. I love the best friend's sister troupe, I always find it has so many opportunities for misunderstanding which leads to heated arguments and brilliant making-up afterwards. Which is pretty much what led to the fab spice in this book, though we had plenty of spice throughout.
I loved the chapters with Talia's family, they just made me smile because it's such a lovely family dynamic and you can see why she wanted to be away for Christmas to be maudlin by herself. 
I really enjoyed watching Rafe and Talia's relationship shift from friendship with a massive crush on either side to a full-blown relationship, with its trip-ups over how the other felt. Rafe's support over Talia's work situations and his giving her the belief in herself for the next job steps was just what you want in MMC in a romance, and it just makes you kinda fall in love with him a little.
And I really enjoyed the extra epilogue that I got by joining JR Jenner's mailing list, I know it's not part of the main book but it was so sweet, so if you read the main book you definitely want to get your hands on that too. And I will be grabbing the next in the series too, I'm hoping it's one of Talia's brothers we get to read about (I haven't checked yet)

Krystina xx

How Not To Murder Your Ex by Katie Marsh~Blog Tour

 

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 1st December 2023

Genre:Crime Fiction

Summary:

It is 5:30 am on Clio's forty-fifth birthday and her hated ex is lying dead on her doorstep. Even worse, this is no accident. Someone’s killed him...

When single mum Clio’s ex Gary turns up dead on the doorstep of her caravan – the one she’s been forced to live in ever since he stole every penny she had – there’s only one suspect. Her.

What’s more, she doesn’t remember much about the night he was killed – not just because of the forgetfulness that’s been plaguing her along with the hot flushes – but because she definitely had one too many cocktails with her two best friends Amber and Jeanie.

Clio does remember them talking about how much they all hated him though. And, in the frame for murder, she has to ask herself – if she didn’t kill Gary, who did? One of his many enemies? Or someone a little closer to home? And can she and her friends find the real killer before it’s too late?

Review:
Firstly thank you to Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books and Katie Marsh for having me on this tour and for sending me the book.
I loved the idea of this book from the moment I read the blurb, it just sounded like it was going to be a fun read I could get lost in. I wasn't wrong its a very fun read that I've spent the majority of today reading, so much so that I lost track of time and almost forgot that I needed to write this review! It's a brilliantly written book and I loved that we had alternating chapters from a variety of characters, it was really good to get the different points of view.
I hated Gary from the first moment he stepped onto the page, I really think he got what he deserved, it couldn't have happened to a worse guy. And with each of his chapters I read the more I wish he'd had a more horrible ending, I know that sounds bad but he really was a toad of a man.
I adored the friendship of Clio, Amber and Jeanie they are exactly the kind of friends we all want to have, the kind that will help you get rid of a body if you need them too! The fact that they instantly don't question that Clio couldn't have done it and they need to find the real murderer is just brilliant, I loved them for it.
This review might just end up with a list of what I loved about this book if I'm not careful so let's just sum it up as this is a fantastic book, I'm so bloody glad it's part of a series and I can't wait for book two next year. Also, the cover is just so fun and bold, i love the block colour approach to book covers and I'm glad book two has a similar cover because they will look stunning on my bookcase.

Krystina xx

Spread: Tales of Deadly Flora Edited by R.A.Clarke ~Blog Tour

 Publisher: Page Turn Press

Publication Date: 1st December 2023

Genre: Fiction

Summary:

GREEN THUMBS BEWARE

Plants are beautiful, peaceful, abundant, and life-sustaining...

Plants are beautiful, peaceful, abundant, and life-sustaining. But what if something sinister took root in the soil, awakening to unleash slashing thorns, squeezing vines, or haunting greenery that lured you in? Perhaps blooms on distant planets could claim your heart, hitch a ride to Earth on a meteor, or simply poison you with their essence. Imagine a world where scientists produced our own demise in a lab, set spores free to infect, even bred ferns to be our friends only to witness the privilege perverted. When faced with botanical terror, will humanity fight to survive, or will they curl and wither like leaves in the fall?

Read ten speculative tales ripe with dangerous flora to find out.

Review:
Firstly thank you to Rachel's Random Resources and Page Turn Press for having me on this tour and sending me the book.
I've really enjoyed flipping through this collection, I did as was suggested by Hollie Rae Garcia and started with Black Thumbs and it was fantastic. Suitably creepy, brilliantly written and had me looking at my pitcher plant oddly for the rest of the day! Seedling was another one that I really enjoyed, the weirdly clever idea for adding plant DNA into humans sounds way too much like something a scientist somewhere might be working on, and again it was brilliantly written.
Id never heard of any of the authors featured in this anthology until I started making my way through the stories but I've definitely added some more to my want-to-read list of authors because each of these stories is so cleverly written that I really want to know what they do with a bigger word count!
I have to say the only thing about the book I'm not keen on is the front cover! Whilst I think it probably fits the anthology well I just don't really like it, it is just a matter of personal taste  I think here.
I haven't read all of the stories yet, i keep picking out one or two whose titles take my fancy when I want a reading break from my Christmassy books but I think that's the joy of having a collection of shorts you can dip in and out to break up a block of books.

Krystina xx