Book Review - The Midnight Village by Holly Martin

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Title: The Midnight Village

Author: Holly Martin

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Self Published

Publication Date: 10th October 2023

Rating: 5 Stars

A scoop of second chances and a dash of destiny are about to become the recipe for this year's most magical love story.

Star Brightheart bakes cakes that can help a person nail a job interview or mend a broken heart. But when a celebrity food critic nearly bites the dust after eating one of her cakes, she needs to disappear from her flashy public life in London. Fast.

She escapes to the one place where no one will find her; the secretive and exclusive village of Midnight.

But what she finds is a village full of witches, a thirty year old curse, a talking cat and a whole world of magic she never knew existed. Yet she feels like she belongs there, something Star has always struggled to feel anywhere else. And it’s not just because of the gorgeous young Mayor Wolf Oakwood who convinces her to stay, or the delightfully meddling resident witches that give her a welcome. There’s more that draws Star to Midnight. Something that goes beyond chance. It’s a discovery that will flip her world – and her heart – upside down once the truth comes to light.

Holly Martin, multi million bestselling author, whips up a romantic recipe of second chances at first love, soulmates fighting fate, and a delicious grumpy-sunshine pairing just in time for the festive season. Dig into this spellbinding romantic comedy perfect for fans of Erin Sterling, Travis Baldree, Sophie Kinsella and Cecelia Ahern

More please and don't make me wait... I need more! 

I'm head over heels in love with Holly Martin's Midnight Village and how she is portraying the witches that live there. 

I love the worldbuilding in this, where magic is used in everyday life. All in a protected village with a mayor called Wolf, who has a fabulous owl familiar. 

Star has just been accepted to live in this village but is absolutely shocked with what she sees. It turns out she is also a witch just one not aware yet of her own powers, even though it explains many things from her past. 

I loved Wolf trying to teach Star all about magic and how to use it, and it all just made perfect sense to me and the excuse Star gave her best friend as to why she can't visit the village is hilarious.. 

It's a story of learning where you belong in the world, as well as a magical romance. Some of the descriptions were just wow! 

And the shopping street in the village, just so inventive, I could see it so so clearly, and I wanted to visit for myself, to see enchanted things just flying past, and no need for cash, as it all works on a magic bracelet.  

That's just at the surface, there is so much to this story, including gaining acceptance as well as learning about Star's past.  And also whether there is powerful magic afoot or just plain old attraction between Star and Wolf and whether they are going to do anything about it.

Just wow, I need more Midnight, more of Viktor the talking cat, more witches, more magic, and just more.  Once again Holly Martin has written a truly magical book that I couldn't get enough of.

Thank you to the author for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - The Good Die Young by M. A. Comley

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Title: The Good Die Young

Author: M. A. Comley

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Jeamel Publishing Limited

Publication Date: 24th December 2023

Rating: 5 Stars

He swore by the mantra… live life as if every day is your last…

Tim Farrant had everything he could wish for, a wife and children he adores, a business that is going from strength to strength. Until his partner announces he’s sold his stake in the company.

That day Tim’s world implodes.

Years later, DI Sally Parker receives an anonymous tip-off that a body has been buried at an address in her area.

A devastating and complex case unfolds, one that has Sally scratching her head, until the penny finally drops and the hunt is on to find a killer, who has been living a lie for the past five years.

Devoured this awesome book in two sittings.  I couldn't get enough of it.  

What I especially found refreshing this time, was that although normally the focus of the book is on DI Sally Parker and DI Lorne Warner and their investigation, that was really only a tiny part of this one.  For what we had was the crime being played out in real time (well 5 years previous but real time),  from the point of view of Tim, who's world collapses all on the same day. 

He is  having to deal with his family being kidnapped, and his factory being closed down all on the same day, and with him making questionable judgement calls, hard to be sure where his priorities really lay, and there is something just so gripping reading it all play out. 

In the meantime Sally and Lorne receive an anonymous tip off that lead to a cold case requiring their expertise,. And I was impressed with the way they investigated, as I always am. 

Because of the balance of the book was predominately with Tim, it gave the whole book a bit of a different feel this time around, one that I certainly loved and definitely worked for me. 

I always find this Cold cases series incredibly interesting, and this was absolutely no exception. 

Another totally and utterly superb story from the always amazing M. A. Comley. 

Thank you to the author for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - Murder at the Matterhorn by T. A Williams

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Title: Murder at the Matterhorn

Author: T. A. Williams

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 24th November 2023

Rating: 5 Stars

An old friend in need…

Despite being retired from the police, Dan Armstrong is always on hand to help with solving a crime. So, when he’s contacted by an old colleague in need of help, Dan readily agrees. The only problem Dan can see is the location – an isolated mountain-top campsite of UFO enthusiasts.

An unexplained death...

But these are no ordinary star watchers, and when Dan arrives one member of the group is already dead. Some of the group suspect alien abduction, but Dan is sure the killer is much closer to home.

An out of this world case?

Dan doesn’t believe in aliens, but faced with a black hole of secrecy from the group of suspects, he and Oscar have their work cut out to catch the murderer…before they strike again.

It's another case for Dan and Oscar to solve!

A gripping new murder mystery series by bestselling author T.A. Williams, perfect for fans of Lee Strauss and Beth Byers.

Like Dan, I had to contain my scepticism for a fair amount of this book, as he helps the police investigate a murder at an encampment of UFO enthusiasts.  For those at the camp are utterly convinced that it was an accidental killing, caused by an alien rocket ship backfiring, and the dead person just being in the wrong place at the wrong time. 

Thankfully the evidence doesn't support that theory but instead leads us to meeting a whole group of rather interesting folk, of which I could of obvious looking suspects emerge fairly fast. 

Was nice seeing Dan and Oscar away from their beloved Tuscany and instead up in the mountains this time, with a new police team being helped too.  

And Oscar is as fabulous as always, able to put especially the ladies at ease, allowing Dan to try to get to know the truth. 

I am loving how every book so far in this series feels quite different and seeing Dan and Oscar being able to travel and be in new situations will help keep this fresh for books to come.  Of course the series regulars are present too, just  not front and centre. 

This is another fabulous addition to the series, and one I hope keeps going for a long while. 

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - Snow Days With You by Leonie Mack

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Title: Snow Days With You

Author: Leonie Mack

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 20th October 2023

Rating: 5 Stars

When Luna Rowntree gets an unexpected and life-changing legacy from a man she’s never met, she’s determined to find out why – even if it is Christmas Day and her family are expecting her.

So, with only her mother’s ashes for company – it’s a long story, but Luna knows her mother would have wanted to come on the adventure too – Luna sets off in her trusty Astra to the skiing resort in Chamonix, where her mysterious benefactor had lived.

But her little car isn’t designed for driving through snow-covered mountains, and when she runs out of fuel heart-breakingly close to Chamonix, Luna is relieved to be saved by her very own knight-in-shining armour. Well, knight in mountain rescue uniform anyway.

Yannick is charmed if baffled by Luna’s mission, and before he knows it, he has agreed to help. But Yannick has his own secrets calling him from the mountains, and his own reasons to run away. As he helps Luna understand her past he realises he has to face his as well if he’s ever going to risk opening his heart to love.

Curl up with Leonie Mack’s new winter romance. Perfect for fans of Mandy Baggot, Jo Thomas and Sarah Morgan.

Give me a minute for my heart rate to return to normal, for a fair bit of this book is filled with so much scary drama, that I was totally caught up and wouldn't have been able to put the book down for anything. 

After all this is a book featuring a mountain rescue team, in Chamonix, so some drama is potentially to be expected.

And boy does it deliver not only on that front, but also on an amazing setting, and with a story that has some many layers to uncover and discover. 

I feel as though there is a new element or depth to Leonie Mack's writing in this book, which has made it even more spectacular and gripping than her previous books (which I also loved). 

There is the mystery of just why Luna was left some money,  why it seems as though her mother had lived in Chamonix for a bit, despite never mentioning it to Luna, and then Yannick is also hiding things too and struggling to move on with his own life. 

Despite the mention of Christmas Day in the blurb, and the fact the book has been released in peak festive reading season - this isn't to my surprise in any way shape or form a Christmas book - it starts on Christmas day, but the story is set predominately in the first few months of the New Year, and is a winter romance, rather than a festive one.  Which took me by surprise. 

And wow mountain rescuers are hot! And learning about the dangers of the mountain was fascinating, as was seeing Luna's first attempts at skiing and climbing. 

I was hooked on everything to do with this book, and couldn't devour it fast enough.  It's wonderful and I absolutely adored Luna and Yannick and their story. 

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - The Island by Catherine Cooper

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Amazon UK

Title: The Island

Author: Catherine Cooper

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Harper Collins

Publication Date: 12th October 2023

Rating: 5 Stars

The perfect escape, or the perfect trap?

When a select group of influencers and journalists receive an exclusive invitation to a luxury resort in the Maldives, it seems like the ultimate press trip.

But when the island is cut off during a storm and people start dying, it looks like someone has murder in mind.

Are the guests really who they seem to be, or does each one of them have a secret to hide?

Something they would kill for?

Even despite of the dead bodies, I would love to visit The Maldives on the back of this book.  The island, and more specifically the the resort that this group of journalists are on a press trip for, sounds divine. 

Every need anticipated in advance, a range of amazing sounding activities and pure and utter indulgent luxury.  I mean I knew I was reading something that looked and sounded like a psychological thriller, but honestly the first half of the book which was admittedly dealing with most of the set up, felt like it would have been at home in any of the other books I tend to read. 

It travel fiction side of this was stunning. 

The story being told in between the main story, of a big incident many years before hand, was fascinating, and before long you have worked out how they are connected.  From that I kind of guessed who the killer might be - once things started going wrong, in one sense and a possible motive, but there was plenty that I hadn't figured out, and plenty of gaps in the jigsaw that the author did fill in as she was ready to. 

I loved all of the various view points, all clearly labelled, as they gave a great insight into some of the characters perspectives. 

Weirdly even at the height of the storm (that's mentioned in the blurb), I didn't feel overly tense, possibly due to the amazing location, but I was certainly intrigued and keen to read on and see what would happen next. 

I was addicted and I couldn't get enough of this story. It is another triumph from Catherine Cooper, who is fast becoming an auto read thriller author for me. 

Thank you Harper Collins and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - The Games People Play by M. A. Comley

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Title: The Games People Play

Author: M. A. Comley

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Jeamel Publishing Limited

Publication Date: 19th October 2023

Rating: 5 Stars

Two days ago, Adam Pearce mysteriously vanished without a trace. Shockingly, his lifeless body was later discovered suspended from a tree in a local beauty spot.

As DI Sara Ramsey investigates Adam’s life, a chilling twist unfolds when another body is recovered from the River Wye. Could there be a connection between these two perplexing crimes?

With the prime suspect within their grasp, Sara finds herself thrown into turmoil as the life of one of her own team members hangs in the balance.

Disturbingly, the body count continues to rise despite the suspect behind bars, awaiting trial. How is this possible?

Immersed in a complex case, Sara and her team find themselves pushed to their limits by a cunning killer, determined to outsmart them at every turn.

I ran out of words probably at least 10 books ago in this series, to describe just how much I love every single book of it, and I'm still out of words, at least original ones. 

But M. A. Comley has totally nailed another gripping story that I literally couldn't put down, especially after one incident that was rather worrying. 

And the crimes, so hard to work out what was going on, let alone a motive, other than the realisation that there are some very sick and twisted people out there,  and even more so in the minds of certain authors! 

Once again I'm in awe of DI Sara's team, and their abilities, and there are some new dynamics at play, which I'm keen to see more of. 

I couldn't get enough of this story, I was ignoring work in order to keep reading, as I had to know what would happen next. 

I'm also in awe of this author who has not only hooked me in for an amazing 21 books of this series so far, but also the whole of the 19 book Justice series and some of her other books.  That is a lot of very different stories and crimes to have read so far from the mind of one author, and I'm always keen to see what will be written next, as I'm a mahoosive fan. 

Thank you to the author for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily, 

Book Review - Match Me If You Can by Sandy Barker

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Title: Match Me If You Can

Author: Sandy Barker

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 28th September 2023

Rating: 4 Stars

Welcome to the Ever After Agency – a clandestine organisation offering bespoke solutions to romantic problems.

Whether you're looking for the love of your life, a fresh romantic start, or just want to keep up appearances, the agency can tailor a solution to meet your needs.

When Tristan Fellows walks into the agency, Poppy Dean knows she's in for a challenge. A typical bachelor, Tristan has no intention of falling in love, but in order to receive his 30-million-pound inheritance, he must find himself a wife before his 35th birthday.

This may be Poppy’s hardest case yet, but even the most arrogant of men can sometimes warm a woman’s heart…

I am loving this as a first book in a new series, set at the Ever After Agency - an ultra elite matchmaking services.  

I especially loved getting to know Poppy, and her newest client who has been given the case name of Mr Impossible.   For Tristan isn't looking for love, but rather just needs a wife within the next 30 days in order to pick up a massive inheritance. 

But he's not the easiest guy to get to know, and he isn't sure what he really wants in a wife who he will have to live with for 2 years, but Poppy, and mentor Ursula do have some choices for him. 

And what fun it was getting to see various of his options, as well as the banter between Poppy and Tristan.  Not to mention their dynamics with their own friends.  

As this is a Sandy Barker novel, I' was ecstatic to see not all the action took place in the UK and there was a trip to a destination that I loved getting a passing feel for, as Sandy is absolutely fabulous at travel fiction. 

I had a great time reading this, and can't wait to see what the next book in this series brings. 

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Book Review - Murder on the Dance Floor by Shirley Ballas and Sheila McClure

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Title: Murder on the Dance Floor

Author: Shirley Ballas and Sheila McClure

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source:Netgalley 

Publisher: HQ

Publication Date: 12th October 2023

Rating: 5 Stars

Behind the sequins and the sparkles, the competition is about to turn deadly . . .

When a promising young dancer collapses during the opening tango of a major competition, Lily Richmond, dance legend, teacher and one-time world champion, is convinced that murder is afoot.

There’s only one person who can help Lily solve the mystery: her former student, now turned private detective, Susie Cooper. But Susie vowed she’d never return to the ballroom . . .

As the competition gets fiercer and the bodies pile up, Susie will be forced to go undercover in Blackpool and come face to face with a man she thought she’d left behind. Can Lily and Susie unravel the rumours from the rumbas and expose the murderer’s identity before they strike again?

Sex, lies and ballroom dancing. Murder on the Dance Floor is a backstage pass to a world where the most ambitious will stop at nothing to win.

I loved this book so much and by the last quarter if I wasn't reading it, my mind was on trying to work out just who the killer was.  I was totally involved and absorbed in the lives of these characters and even more so in the world of Ballroom dancing. 

I was hooked on finding out just who would win, who would die, and just who had dun it! 

There is a cleverly crafted mystery at the heart of this book, and we are given red herrings all over the place.  Which lead to some surprising moments. 

I enjoyed getting to know Lily and her dancers, and also Jack and Susie. I was in awe of super woman Susie, who really is an impressive character. 

And all of the behind the scenes of a dancing scene that some people probably starts and ends with Strictly, but really has far more to it than just the TV programme that champions Latin and Ballroom.  I was hooked. 

The author has done a fantastic job, I thoroughly enjoyed their writing and have read books previously in their other pen names, so knew I was in fine hands. Added with what I have to assume are the celebrities insights into this world which she knows so well and this is a partnership that works really well. 

I look forward to seeing what will happen in the next book in the Sequin Mysteries series. 

Thank you to HQ and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - When We Were Friends by Samantha Tonge

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Title: When We Were Friends

Author: Samantha Tonge

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 4th October 2023

Rating: 5 Stars

Four friends, one big secret... and the journey of a lifetime.

It’s nineteen years since they stopped speaking to each other, but now Morgan needs to contact her three best friends from school: Paige, Emily and Tiff.

Her teenage son wants to meet his dad and Morgan can’t ignore his requests any longer. And Paige, Emily and Tiff all knew what actually happened back then. Even if that was what led to their friendship group falling apart, they’re the only people Morgan can think of who might be able help her find the man who disappeared without a trace before she could tell him she was pregnant.

Can Morgan persuade her old friends to go on a road trip to track him down? As adults – with marriages, children and a whole bucket-load of their own problems – will they be able to work together to solve the mystery? And if so – just when forgiveness for the past looks like it might be possible – how will they cope with the biggest shock of all?

A story about love, families and how the people who know you best are the ones you will always need in your life. Totally heartbreaking, brilliant, uplifting fiction for fans of Jill Mansell, Paige Toon and Sheila O’Flanagan.

Wow I couldn't get enough of this, from the incredibly intriguing opening chapter, to the fact that there seemed to be some many secrets to be revealed - including some that truly shocked me, this is one rather impressive book. 

I absolutely loved it.  

Morgan, Paige, Emily and Tiff were so close when they were at school, until Prom night when their friendship was ripped apart and they haven't spoken in years. But Morgan needs help tracking down her son Olly's father, and she knows the only people she trusts to help her are The Secret Gift Society. 

AFter all they have a track record of solving mysteries, even if they haven't spoken.  But whether they will agree to help, and whether they will reconnect and become close again, is hard to tell initially. 

It took me a while to get the other three ladies separate in my mind, partially because while Morgan had her own chapters, initially at least the other 3 were given chapters between them, changing focus part way through the chapter, so was easy to get a bit lost briefly. 

And wow besides what happened to split them up, there is so much more to be delved into.  I was enchanted, gripped and addicted.  There is so much going on, in this book and the whole time you are aware that there are almost certainly more revelations due, but I couldn't guess anything. 

And some of the background was shocking too, but also made you understand some of the characters that bit better. 

Another absolute gem of a book from Samantha Tonge, and long may it continue. 

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - Sinner by M A Comley

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Title: Sinner

Author: M A Comley

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Jeamel Publishing Limited

Publication Date: 18th September 2023

Rating: 5 Stars

When lies come back to haunt you there really is only one outcome… Justice.

DI Sally Parker is called to attend a crime scene at a construction site where a skeleton is discovered buried in concrete.

A perplexing investigation unfolds, Sally and her team need to sift through the sketchy evidence, not only to identify the victim but also to figure out the sinister motive behind their death.

Well this was a rather disturbing read, with some of the information uncovered about the potential victim, horrifying and hard to read. In fact I fear that depending on your own life experiences some people may struggle with some of the content in this. 

However as horrified as I was, I was also completely gripped, and as the investigation began, I had an inkling that if the victim was who we thought it was, that I was fairly sure I knew who had done it, although I was right, I have to say the dead body deserved to be dead. 

It's a tricky case as all of them for DI Sally Parker's team are, as it is clear it isn't a recent murder, and thus evidence is harder to come by, let alone an identification of the skeleton. 

What I really loved was seeing how Sally and Lorne's partnership is starting to form properly now, although it still feels weird to me that Lorne isn't in charge.  But with each book in this series, I'm getting more and more interested in all of the members of Sally's team. 

I really would love to know what goes through the mind of the author, when she comes up with these plots, as I'm fairly sure it would be rather disturbing especially when pulling together a picture of someone that needs to be despised and is despicable. 

Another truly fabulous addition to this rather addictive series. 

Thank you to the author for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.