Knights,Necromancers and Murder by R. M. Schultz~Blog Tour

Publisher: Independently published

Publication Date: 12th March 2022

Genre: Fantasy/mystery/thriller

Summary:

Murders are occurring in a fantastical city by the sea.

For over a year these events have plagued Red Pike’s Landing. And no one has been able to find the killer who takes all the fingernails of their victims and tucks them into bed.

Witnesses are unreliable … but for good reason. Perhaps magic lies at the heart of these deeds and covers the Necromancer’s tracks.

Calec of the Woods is called upon for aid. And Serileen, Calec’s witch lover, must accompany him while harboring a dark secret of her own.

The closer Calec comes to the Necromancer, the faster he must solve this mystery or he and Serileen will become the Necromancer’s next victims.

Review:
Firstly thank you to Love Books Tours and R.M Schultz for having me on this tour and sending me a copy of the book.

So I dived into this as soon as I finished book one in the series, I couldn't wait to see where Calec went next and what kind of mystery he'd encounter. And I'm pleased to say I wasn't disappointed, we get to have the frankly brilliant team of Calec and Serileen working together to uncover the Necromancer in Red Pikes Landing and pull at some threads a little closer to home too. I found this book a lot quicker to read than the last one, it had a lot less world-building in it but also we were finding out about this new city at the same time as our two MC's so it wasn't filling in blanks just for us readers which I felt flowed really well and i enjoyed how it was done. I liked that we flipped to different characters' points of view occasionally, it was nice to get snippets from other, secondary characters and see their backstories filed out a little and how it played into our main path.
I really loved seeing how Calec and Serileen's relationship had developed in the time between this book and the previous one, you ended book one with a promise of there being more to them and I enjoyed seeing how that had fleshed out. I'm really looking forward to seeing how it grows over the next few books, as I'm assuming it will but you never know because I don't know how the timeline changes from this book to the next but I'm very much looking forward to finding that out.
Again I've really enjoyed R.M Schultz's writing style, it's very easy to step completely into the world he's created. It's a brilliant Mystery Thriller with that element of fantasy that I've just fallen in love with reading.

Krystina xx

 

Blood on the Broadcast by SDW Hamilton~Blog Tour

 Publisher: Shannon Hamilton

Publication Date: 2nd February 2024

Genre: Crime/Thriller

Summary:

A Locked Room. An Improbable Murder.

When Private Investigator Jacob Kincaid is approached by mystery podcaster Natalie Amato, he senses a case that matters may have finally fallen across his desk.

The former journalist hires Jacob to investigate the death of a colleague, convinced what was initially written off by police as an accident, was actually murder.

With an unlikely crime and a cult of Ireland’s elite watching from the shadows, Jacob must navigate an increasingly deadly case to get the answers he needs and where every new truth uncovered puts his life, and Natalie's, at risk.

Review:
Firstly thank you to Love Books Tours and SDW Hamilton for having me on this tour and sending me a copy of the book.
I do enjoy a good locked-room mystery and I've really enjoyed reading this one, I mean it's also driven me mad for the majority of the book too. From chapter 3 I was trying to figure out how they might have killed her in a locked room, I even sat discussing it over dinner with my husband and we had various theories, most of which Jacob also had so that meant I sat trying to think of some he hadn't for a bit. I'm not going to give away any spoilers and tell you anything about how they did it but it wasn't what I expected and it was kind of a mix of some of the different ideas my husband and I had.
I loved the writing style, it kept me hooked i never read just a few pages it was always quite a few chapters and I pretty much sped-read it in a day and a half. I liked how Natalie and Jacob worked together and the chemistry they have with one another and I'm so glad that we get to see more of them and that working relationship in the next few books, I definitely will be keeping an eye out for them!

Krystina xx

The Imposter Cure by Dr Jessamy Hibberd~Blog Tour

 

Publisher: Aster

Publication Date: 18th January 2024

Genre: Self-Help

Summary:

Imposter syndrome is a phenomenon in which people believe they are not worthy of success. They convince themselves that they have done well due to luck and are terrified their shortcomings will eventually be exposed, making it impossible to enjoy their accomplishments.

The Imposter Cure explores the psychological impact of imposter syndrome and exposes the secrets fears and insecurities felt by millions of men and women. Dr Jessamy Hibberd provides sound expert advice to help the reader better understand the problem and overcome it, so they think differently, gain self-belief and learn to see themselves as others do.

Filled with case studies to bring the concepts alive and packed with strategies to increase confidence, this book is a must-read for anyone who has struggled with their achievements.

Review:
Firstly thank you to Random Things Book Tours, Aster and Dr Jessamy Hibberd for having me on this tour and sending me a copy of the book.
So I'm still actually working my way through this book, i took on what Dr Hibberd said at the beginning and decided to give each exercise a try and it meant that I've worked my way through this book at a slower pace than I thought I would. I found that some of the exercises were more difficult than others, in that I found what I needed to do hard to do like, and this might sound daft, listing my achievements. I find it very difficult to say when I'm good at something and find it even harder to admit it on paper. I completed exercises like that over time, I had to write some down and then walk away and do something before coming back to add to the list which might not be the way you're meant to do it but it worked for me.
I found Dr Hibberd's writing style quite friendly, she gives you a lot of information but in a style that doesn't make it feel like an information overload. I really liked that she gives you some much information on imposter syndrome, like she said getting to know it helps combat it and I found that a really useful way to think about it.
So far this has been a really insightful book and I've enjoyed the pace I've taken it at, I'm defiantly going to finish it and quite possibly then read it again after a short break because I always think books like this do better after a second read through to help information and techniques go in.

Krystina xx

The Bookshop by the Loch by Julie Shackman~Blog Tour

Publisher: One More Chapter

Publication Date: 1st February 2024

Genre: Romance

Summary:

Lexie Dunbar is a book lover. And her favourite place in the world is her local bookstore, Book Ends. So when she hears that it’s going to be sold, Lexie decides she needs to do something to help.

Lexie’s plan to save the ailing shop is fully underway until gorgeous-but-grouchy artist Tobias Black arrives on the scene determined to turn the bookstore into an art gallery. Lexie is horrified, the last thing the quaint town of Bracken Way needs is a pretentious artist, even if he does seem to charm everyone but her.

Tensions continue to rise until Tobias discovers a shocking secret that shows they might have more in common than they realise. As sparks fly, can Lexie and Tobias work together, or will opposing ideas get in the way of them finding their very own happy ever after…

Review:
Firstly thank you to Rachels Random Resources, One More Chapter and Julie Shackman for having me on this tour and sending me a copy of the book.
I knew I needed to read this because I absolutely adored the last book by Julie Shackman that I read, so I know her writing style is fantastic and she's going to give me all the feels with whatever she writes. I wasn't wrong this book has made me laugh, smile, get annoyed and cry like my heart is breaking.

I really liked Lexie, she was a brilliant FMC you really feel for her predicament and get angry on her behalf at times, I have to say I loved how much she loves books. 
On the flip side when I first encountered Tobias I disliked him so much, he was so rude and irritatingly self-centred, but much like he did with Lizzie he grew on me and I did really love him to bits by the end. It was fun to watch them dancing around each other and getting mixed up about how they each felt until they finally worked out all the crossed wires.
I loved Celeste, she was the whole reason I cried at this book, her story pulled at all my heartstrings way more than anyone else's and I equally loved and hated her ending because it really made me cry, so much so that my child came over to hug me because apparently, books shouldn't make you sad.
I loved this book, I think I'm probably going to end up buying a physical copy for my shelf( and to reread)  because it's definitely a book I need to read again.

Krystina xx

A Soul for a Soul by Carol Wyer ~Blog Tour

 Publisher: Thomas & Mercer

Publication Date: 30th January 2024

Genre:Crime/Thriller

Summary:

The syndicate have taken everything from her. It’s time to take them down―or die trying.

DCI Kate Young never meant to shoot Superintendent John Dickson at the reservoir that night―even if, as a scheming corrupt cop and head of the shady syndicate, he probably had it coming. But now Kate has photographic evidence that someone else knows her terrible secret…

Tormented by guilt and the voices of the dead, Kate is desperate to unmask the rest of the corrupt officers before her own sins catch up with her. When DI Harriet Khatri, awaiting trial for the murder of Kate’s mentor, claims she was framed by Dickson’s syndicate, Kate reluctantly agrees to help in the hope of finding answers.

Meanwhile, DI Emma Donaldson finds herself on the hunt for a double murderer―a man who incapacitates his victims with a powerful narcotic called Devil’s Breath. Desperate to measure up to her role-model boss, Emma finds herself hurled into the deep end in more ways than one…

While Kate’s grip on reality wavers and the syndicate closes in, and with the mystery killer taking a special interest in Emma, could this be the case that defeats both detectives?

Review:
Firstly thank you to Zooloos Book Tours, Thomas & Mercer and Carol Wyer for having me on this tour and sending me a copy of the book.

So I didn't realise this was the fifth book in the Detective Kate Young series, I assumed it was the first book of the series and when I realised it wasn't I did worry I might not have the context required to hit the ground running with this book. But I didn't need to worry everything I needed to know about Kate and her situation was brilliantly explained without me feeling like I was getting a full-on "what happened last episode" kind of moment. Now I have to admit I haven't completely finished this book so I can't comment on the end, not that I'd add in any spoilers anyway, but I can see myself easily finishing it this evening because it's just so engaging I really want to know if DI Khatri has been framed and if Kate will bring down the syndicate it's just got me hooked from the first few chapters. I've really enjoyed getting the multiple views so far, While Kate is clearly our MC I really like reading Emma's chapters, she's just such a likeable person and you're really cheering her on to get the outcome she wants from the case.
I've found Carol Wyer's writing style so easy to get caught up in, it's so free-flowing and immersive that the only way I've been jolted out of reading is by a member of my household interrupting me, there's not been a moment where something happens that seems out of place and brings me out of the world she's created.
I really can't wait to read the rest of this series, I know I'll be heading backwards and to some degree, I'll know what's going to happen but the writing is so fantastic that I don't mind that one bit.

Krystina xx

Knights,Witches and Murder by R.M Schultz~Blog Tour

 Publisher: Independently published

Publication Date: 1st November 2021

Genre:Fantasy

Summary:

In a land where the wolf wind and mists roam like ghosts, the conflicted son of a witch was knighted by the king. Knighted to repay a debt to his father.

His name is Calec.

He alone holds knowledge from both the knighthood and the mysterious witches of the woods.

When the king's sheep are found lying in the snow, riddled with black rashes and hemorrhagic eyes, Calec is summoned to discover the reason for their deaths. Then, as human victims arise in the city, Calec uncovers an eerie string of clues. He seeks the aid and determination of pious Eristin—his betrothed and niece of the king—but to catch the murderer they must find answers, answers hidden beneath a web of secrets ensnaring the royal family, a witch, an innkeeper, a priest, and a former thief.

And Calec never suspected he'd have to choose between the only two things he's ever loved.

Review:
Firstly thank you to Love Books Tours and R.M Schultz for having me on this tour and sending me a copy of the book.
Now I've read a book by this author before so I knew going into this to expect some brilliant world-building and characters that were really interesting, and that's exactly what I got. This is the first book in what is currently a 9 book series so I expected to have a lot of explanation and filling in of gaps of information about where we were to take up the bulk of this book and don't get me wrong we do have a lot of that but the way we get given the backstory of our MC Calec is really well done. Instead of the usual, the MC is telling us, the reader, about his backstory and important information we need to know about family dynamics etc we get Calec answering questions from his betrothed and that gives us what we need to know, and I really liked that format it makes me feel like a fly on the wall rather than someone he's talking too. I've loved all the world-building and learning about the dynamics of the different groups of people in this world, It is all so brilliantly written that once I start reading I'm drawn in and I don't want to put the book down, I think the first time I picked it up I flew through the first 30 chapters without even realising that id read quite so much in one go, it really is such an easy to read fantasy book.
I've found Calec such an interesting character, his conflict with his witch side and his "Normal" side really intrigued me and his whole friction with his brother was something I immediately wanted to dive deeper into, I loved that we got pieces of his past given to us like crumbs of a trail to follow but equally I could have just sat and read about his past so easily.
I can't wait to read the rest of this series, I'm actually reviewing books 2 and 3 in February so I don't need to wait too long to read more but I will be finishing this series this year! Unless the author writes more books...

Krystina xx

Spell Bound by Gretchen Rue~Blog Tour

 

Publisher: Aria

Publication Date: 1st February 2024

Genre: Witchy Romance

Summary:

She's renovating the Victorian manor she inherited from her Aunt Eudora, running a tea shop (and secret magical apothecary), and learning to be a witch. But when she discovers a dead body at an estate sale, and suspicion falls on her, even Phoebe wonders if this is simply too much.

Forced to take action to clear her name, Phoebe enlists Rich Lofting, handsome private detective and childhood friend, to assist with her investigation, all while sorting out her unresolved feelings for him.

Is there something more sinister lurking in the shadows of this small tight-knit town? And does Phoebe really want to find out?

Review:
Firstly thank you to Rachels Random Resources, Aria and Gretchen Rue for having me on this tour and sending me a copy of the book.
So I got this book and it reminded me that I have another of Gretchen Rues sitting on my tbr! Luckily I didn't need to read that one before I could dive into this one. I've loved getting to know Phoebe and the collection of friends she's gained since moving to Raven Creek, it's lovely to see how the small town works, yes everyone knows your business but they're also there to help when things get tough. I say this every time there's a cat in a book I sit there and insist I'm not much of a cat person but I can't help but love Bob the cat, his antics have made me giggle out loud at times. He is just so full of personality that I think he might be my favourite character in the whole book!
It's a really fun book to read, i love how Phoebe goes all Miss Marple and tries to solve the murder with help from the ever-so-lovely Rich helping to keep her out of trouble which seemed to be quite a big job because it seems trouble likes Phoebe.
I've really enjoyed Gretchen Rue's writing style It has been, as I said, fun to read and so easy to read i think I read this in a day because it was just so easy to take in and keep reading. I'm heading back now to read her other book that's waving at me from my tbr!

Krystina xx