Facing The Enemy by DiAnn Mills~Blog Tour

Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers

Publication Date: 5th September 2023

Genre:Crime/Thriller

Summary:

For the past five years, FBI Special Agent Risa Jacobs has worked in the violent crimes against children division of the Houston FBI. She’s never had reason to believe there’s a target on her back . . . until now.

When the long-awaited reunion between Risa and her brother, Trenton, ends in tragedy, Risa is riddled with guilt, unable to cope with the responsibility she feels over his death. On leave from the FBI, Risa returns to her former career as an English teacher at a local college, only to see her past and present collide when one of her students, Carson Mercury, turns in an assignment that reads like an eyewitness account of her brother’s murder, with details never revealed publicly.

Alarmed by Carson’s inside knowledge of Trenton’s death, Risa reaches out to her former partner at the FBI. Special Agent Gage Patterson has been working a string of baby kidnappings, but he agrees to help look into Carson’s background. Risa and Gage soon discover their cases might be connected as a string of high-value thefts have occurred at properties where security systems were installed by Carson’s stepfather and children have gone missing. There’s a far more sinister plot at play than they ever imagined, and innocent lives are in danger.

Review:

 Firstly thank you to Partners In Crime, Tyndale House Publishers and DiAnn Mills for having me on this tour and sending me the book.
I have to start by admitting that I've not quite finished the book so my review will be on what I've read so far and I will come back and edit the review when I've finished the book.
From reading the blurb I didn't realise that the book was classed as Christian crime fiction so the heavy amount of Christian religion in it from the first few pages took me by surprise and if I'm honest put me off the book a little and is why I'm still not finished reading it.
The story confuses me at times and I think it's because this feels like two separate books a romance and a crime, almost as if the author wasn't sure which she wanted to write and I'm not sure if they have been woven together as well as they could have been.
That being said I do like the crime element and the adoption/kidnapping crime ring and how Gage and Jack are trying to bring it down and aside from the religious elements I do like the writing style.
I feel like we haven't got to know Risa or Gage well enough, that this possibly feels like the midway book in a detective series rather than a stand-alone novel.
As I said I've not finished the book yet so my opinions may change but currently despite liking the writing style due to the religious elements being so heavy-handed I don't think I would pick up another book by this author.

Krystina xx

The Trail by M.A Hunter~Blog Tour

 Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 8th September 2023

Genre:Crime

Summary:

Sometimes it's best to let the past stay buried...

Thirty years ago, Jess's mother, Nora, disappeared while on a charity hike in the US. The devastating loss has afflicted Jess well into her adult life and even inspired her decision to become an investigative journalist.

So when Jess receives an anonymous tip telling her that remains have been recovered in the spot her mother disappeared, she wastes no time in jumping on a plane.

They say the Appalachian Mountains have secrets, but as she begins to ask around, she learns that the locals do too. But no matter how much they lie, she is determined to find the truth - even if it will irrevocably change her future.

Someone wants to keep the past buried. And they will stop at nothing to keep Jess as quiet as the tranquil mountain trail itself...

Review:
Firstly thank you to Racehls Random Resources, Boldwood Books and M.A Hunter for having me on this tour and for sending me the book.
Now as this is a crime book I'm going to give as little away as possible in this review, you know I like to try not to spoil it so you all go buy and read the book!
This was such an easy-to-read book, I read it in a day because it kept me hooked I really wanted to know what happened to Nora and I had various ideas of what it could have been, but what did happen was not on my list.
 I enjoyed the alternating chapters but I have to say I enjoyed the Nora chapters far more than the Jess ones, I'm not sure I could say why but I think it's because I found Jess a tad annoying at times. Jess came across as very selfish and quite irresponsible from the off and whilst I can definitely understand her need to find out what happened to her mum her attitude left a lot to be desired.
Every Nora entry made me feel like the AT trail was getting creepier and I actually worried for her I knew she had gone missing from the off so it felt odd to worry. But I think that's just the mark of good writing.
I so enjoyed reading this but I didn't like the ending, it felt too neat and I don't know I think expected more drama to the ending.
I do know I'll be picking up more books by M.A. Hunter though, I very much enjoyed the writing style and it kept me reading even though I didn't like the MC most of the time.

Krystina xx

Two to Tango by Laura Carter~Blog Tour

 Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 11th September 2023

Genre: Romantic Fiction

Summary:

The secret to Brooks’s success as a Manhattan gym owner? Being motivated to disprove everyone who ever doubted him. So he’s not about to let a perky newcomer like Izzy tarnish his reputation. Even if watching her lead a salsa class on his premises gets his own heartbeat raised…

His beautiful British rival

Every time influencer Izzy slams Brooks in her fitness blog, her book sales soar. But when their escalating media feud forces them to be up-close-and-personal for two weeks, she realizes there’s much more to Brooks than that lean and muscled body.

And a competition that’s got their hearts racing…

Soon Izzy and Brooks are finding all kinds of creative ways to work up a sweat. A passionate workout is easy, but can their rivalry give way to a lasting partnership?

Review:
Firstly thank you to Rachels Random Resources, Boldwood Books and Laura Carter for having me on this tour and sending me the book.
I do love a good romance and the enemies-to-lovers troupe is always a fun one to get stuck into. I laughed out loud so many times reading this one, their banter was brilliant. Both Izzy and Brooks had points where they weren't very likeable but a lot of that was perception and often once we'd seen both perspectives we suddenly realised that they weren't so bad. I got so into reading it that I actually finished it in an evening, it was such an easy read that I flew through it enjoying every page. I enjoyed it so much that I've gone back and got book one and I really regret not signing up for the tour of book three! But I  guess ill just have to buy it when it comes out.
The group of friends Brooks has and then Izzy gains were brilliant, I loved the banter and ribbings that Brooks often got and how welcoming of Izzy they were. I really hope we get to see more of them in future books.
I did spend a lot of time telling Izzy off about her healthy weight loss ideas, I'm most definitely on Brooks' side with that one!
As I said I loved reading this book and gaining a new series to read and I will definitely be recommending it to anyone thats a romance fan.

Krystina xx

A Marriage to Murder For by E.V. Hunter~Blog Tour

 Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 7th September 2023

Genre: Crime

Summary:

The high society wedding…

Social media influencer Crystabel Hughes is determined her wedding to Giles Preston Smythe will be the talk of the town. No matter the cost or the upset, nothing will stop this wedding!

A cheating groom…

But for Alexi Ellis and the rest of the staff at Hopgood Hall, Crystabel’s demands are becoming increasingly extreme. And when Alexi spots the groom getting up close and personal with one of the bridesmaids, she fears trouble is only a bouquet toss away.

A killer bride caught red-handed?

And Alexi’s fears are confirmed when the groom is found dead on the night before the wedding, stabbed through the heart - the person holding the dagger. his beloved bride-to be Crystabel.

Hopgood Hall doesn’t need any more bad press, but the race is on to find the killer and close the case before Crystable live streams her dilemma.

Can Alexi, Jack and Cosmo find out why Giles was killed? And, more importantly, can they stop the killer before they strike again?

Review:
Firstly thank you to Rachels Random Resources, Boldwood Books and EV Hunter for having me on this tour and sending me the book.
I was completely hooked on this book before I had even got to the end of chapter one, I did not want to put it down(thankfully I had the day to read it uninterrupted) and I enjoyed reading every page.
It was really well written, I instantly connected with and loved Alexi, her relationship with Jack was lovely, I enjoyed reading from both perspectives. And they worked well together as a crime-solving team, they each had their strengths and both had opportunities to use them, and the fact that the local police seemed quite fine with them helping was amusing to read and see play out.
Shockingly I had no idea who the killer was! Normally I have some kind of inkling of who it might be but id dismissed the killer early on in favour of someone else stupidly, though I blame the good writing and not my being oblivious to the signs.
I had no idea it was part of a series when I started reading it, but that didn't stop me from enjoying it anything that I might have needed to know from the previous books was slipped into this one so you definitely don't need to read them in order. But I do plan on going back and reading the other two whilst I eagerly await more in this series.

Krystina xx

Murder on the Farm by Kate Wells~Blog Tour

 Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 4th September 2023

Genre: Crime/Thriller

Summary:

Lambing season always brings the unexpected… But no one expected murder

Jude Gray never thought she’d find herself widowed and running a working farm full-time, but here she is, living in the small Malvern village her husband Adam spent most of his life in.

After a particularly gruelling lambing season, she is looking forward to some time off, but there’s no rest for the wicked, especially when she finds the body of one of Adam’s oldest friends on her farm.

Unimpressed with the local constabulary's efforts, Jude starts an investigation of her own. But as the body count rises, danger creeps ever closer to Malvern Farm.

A killer is on the prowl. And all that stands in their way is one woman – and her dog.

Review:
Firstly thank you to Rachels Random Resources, Boldwood Books and Kate Wells for having me on this tour and sending the book to me.
It was a very slow start to this book I actually read a few chapters and put it down again for a few days because it was such a slow start I didn't have that want to keep reading that I usually have with crime/thriller books.
It was a well-written book but I felt it lay a little flat, I kept reading but I had no want or need to know what was going to happen. Even in the bits where Jude was in jeopardy, I didn't feel worried if she would be fine, I had no sense of concern for her.
I did enjoy the puzzles throughout the story and the subplot of the stolen goods, I liked following that throughout the book. And I did like that the ending tied everything up nicely, we got everything explained and any loose threads were woven back in it felt like a good ending to what had happened.

Krystina xx

No More Faking It by Magda Kay~Blog Tour

 

Publisher: Independently published

Publication Date: 25th April 2023

Genre: Health and Wellbeing

Summary:

No More Faking It: A Woman's Guide to Getting the Love, Pleasure, and Fulfillment She Deeply Desires

Are you tired of pretending everything is okay in your relationships? Do you find yourself putting others' needs before your own and feeling unfulfilled? Do you feel stuck in the same dynamic where your needs always come last? No More Faking It is your ultimate guide to breaking free from this cycle and embracing the love, pleasure, and fulfillment you deserve.

Written specifically for women seeking dating advice and relationship advice, this powerful guide teaches you how to live your most authentic life, honor your needs, and reclaim your power. Intimacy coach and founder of the School of Intimacy, Magda Kay, shares her revolutionary "F" power method to help every woman stop settling – because you deserve to get everything you desire in your relationships, in the bedroom, and in life.

Inside No More Faking It, you'll discover:

• Practical advice for choosing the right partner and building healthy, loving relationships
• Inspiring stories that demonstrate the power of authenticity and self-love
• Guided exercises to help you honor your truth, needs, and boundaries
• Strategies for making sure your needs are met and living a truly fulfilling life
• Empowering insights to break free from the cycle of bad relationships

With No More Faking It, you'll learn how to prioritize yourself and your own needs, ensuring that you never again settle for less than you deserve. Say goodbye to picking the wrong partners or giving bad partners too many chances – it's time to take control of your love life and embrace the power of authenticity!

Whether you're single, dating, or in a committed relationship, this insightful book is a must-read for every woman who wants to experience the love, pleasure, and fulfillment she deeply desires. Don't wait any longer to transform your relationships and start living your best life 

Review:
Firstly thank you to Love Books Tours, and Magda Kay for having me on this tour and sending me the book.

I wanted to read this book because of one specific line in the blurb "Do you find yourself putting others' needs before your own..." because, as I'm sure other mums will attest, when you become a mum you do then tend to put yourself to the back of the queue when it comes to importance. And you have a habit of using up all your spoons making sure others get when they need and then not having enough for your own self-care. So I thought this might be a good book to help me refocus and reorganise my internal importance list.

It is an interesting method and not one I've heard of before, and think it sounds like a good way to reconnect with yourself. We all have points in our lives where we feel disconnected from ourselves and working through each of the four Powers I think would definitely help with that. It's written in a very easy-to-read and digest style, Magda wanted it in an informal chatting-with-your-friends style and she has achieved that, it reads as such.
The quiz in the middle of the book was fun, but I didn't feel it pinpointed anything for me Personally I'm not sure the book is for me. Whilst it was interesting and written in an easy-to-digest way, I really struggled to connect with it, i read it from cover to cover but I'm not sure I would go back and do any of the meditations again.

Krystina xx

Blood Sisters by Rebecca Frost~Blog Tour

Publisher: Aesthetic Press

Publication Date: 22nd August 2023

Genre:  Thriller

Summary:

For almost a decade now, Brent Wright has been in prison for the killing of seven women - unless the surviving twin sister of one of his victims is right and Brent didn't kill anyone at all.

If the theory is true, a presumed survivor of his is more dangerous than anyone could have imagined. No one will be entirely satisfied or safe until they find out for certain.

Review:

 Firstly thank you to ZooLoos Book Tours, Aesthetic Press and Rebecca Frost for having me on this tour and sending me the book.
I've thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, I love a good thriller and this is definitely a good thriller!
As always I'll do my best to avoid spoilers so you have a reason to pick it up and read it.
I love the dynamic between Nessa and Josh and how you gradually learn about their relationship in a sort of drip-feed manner, getting bits of backstory filled in at just the right moment. It was nice to have bits from Josh's point of view at critical moments but there was no obvious subtitle or heading to let you know you'd changed the narrator it was just an easy flow from one to the other. I enjoyed the writing style a heck of a lot, Normally I don't like the switch without it being clearly mentioned but it just seemed to work so well.
It kept me on my toes, I kept getting left turns I wasn't expecting which made me so engrossed with the book that I didn't want to put it down. If it hadn't been for the school holidays I suspect this one have been a read-it-in-one-sitting kind of book.
The ending had everything tied up, which was really nice and I enjoyed the sort of sum-up created into one conversation between two characters, I also enjoyed their development together and how their relationship altered over the course of the book.
This was a really well-thought-out and written book and I definitely plan to read more by Rebecca Frost in the future.

Hopefully, I've said enough to make you want to pick this one up without giving anything away.

Krystina xx