It’s the weekend! A time to grab a book and read or in my current case, try to write. The witches and Rosa at the Enchanted Emporium were brimming with excitement at being on the blog tour for Milly Johnson’s Together Again and they agreed with me this hard hitting, emotional novel is one of her best. Based on ear splitting squeals heard when they opened the book post revealing this book, Whitby would need earplugs if she ever strolled down Black Cat Alley though Mrs Marley, the resident ghost would be rendered speechless for possibly the first time in life and death. She is a huge fan of the audiobooks, Willow leaves on for her while she’s working.
Scroll down to see what they had to say.
Are you a Milly Johnson fan? Which one’s your favourite? Let me know in the comments below.
Milly Johnson books are always popular in Rosa’s Box of Romance. As soon as one is returned another customer nabs it to read so you can imagine Rosa’s and the witches’ excitement of being invited to her blog tour for her newest novel, Together Again.
Scroll down to see whether it reached their high expectations
Book Review: Together Again by Milly Johnson
Together Again By Milly Johnson
Title: Together Again
Author: Milly Johnson
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Release date: 3rd March 2023
Blurb
Together again after years apart, can they find a new beginning? The brilliant novel full of laughter, love, tears and hope from the Sunday Times bestselling author Milly Johnson.
‘This masterpiece honestly describes the strength and acceptance required to be a family. 5 STARS’ Adele Parks, Book of the Month, Platinum magazine
Sisters Jolene, Marsha and Annis have convened at their beautiful family home, Fox House…
I’m excited to be on the blog tour for The Silence Project by Carole Hailey. This is a step away from my usual reads of romcoms, paranormal thrillers, family dramas and anything witchy but the striking cover, tagline and then blurb drew me in.
It promised to be impactful, and thought provoking. Scroll down to see if it delivered.
Book Review: The Silence Project by Carole Hailey
The Silence Project by Carole Hailey
Title: The Silence Project
Author: Carole Hailey
Publisher: Corvus
Genre: Dystopian, fiction
Release Date: 9th February 2023
Blurb
On Emilia Morris’s thirteenth birthday, her mother Rachel moves into a tent at the bottom of their garden. From that day on, she never says another word. Inspired by her vow of silence, other women join her and together they build the Community. Eight years later, Rachel and thousands of her followers around the world burn themselves to death.
In the aftermath of what comes to be known as the Event, the Community’s global influence quickly grows. As a result, the whole world has an opinion about Rachel – whether they see her as a callous monster or a heroic martyr – but Emilia has never voiced hers publicly. Until now.
When she publishes her own account of her mother’s life in a memoir called The Silence Project, Emilia also decides to reveal just how sinister the Community has become. In the process, she steps out of Rachel’s shadow once and for all, so that her own voice may finally be heard.
My Thoughts
It’s now over a week since I finished reading The Silence Project, yet my mind still keeps drifting back to it, unnerving me, especially while I read or listen to the news about the changes in protest laws and freedom of speech. The power of this book is how relatable it is making it easy to imagine something like this happening. This then leads to the uneasy realisation of how your own life would be affected if it did.
Told in Emelia’s voice with a smattering of related emails, articles and journal entries, it has two distinct parts: pre-event and post. I found myself more hooked in the run up to the event which highlighted the changing relationship between mother and daughter when Rachel made her decision and the impact this had on the family. Being a mum, I can’t imagine essentially abandoning my daughter for a cause, however important. Some scenes gave an emotional punch. The event itself was horrific and the consequences far reaching.
The post-event chapters were more dystopian and showed how a simple idea and phrase made with goodness in mind can snowball into something colossal and horrifying. The backdrop of hatred, extremism, climate change and political upheaval were too close to comfort at times but it made it more compelling. The ending tapped into my insecurities and added to my sleepless nights.
Powerful, and disturbing, this clever novel is ideal for book clubs, as there are many topical and moral issues to debate and consider. It delivered it’s promise and is perfect for fans of The Handmaid’s Tale.
Author Biography
Carole Hailey
Carole Hailey completed the six-month Guardian/UEA novel writing course taught by Bernardine Evaristo, who imbued Carole with such a love for writing fiction that she abandoned her career in law to undertake an MA in Creative Writing at Goldsmiths, followed by a PhD in Creative Writing at Swansea University. Carole was a London Library Emerging Writer 2020/21. The Silence Project is her first published novel and was shortlisted for the Bridport Prize Peggy Chapman-Andrews First Novel Award 2020 and highly commended by the judges. She lives in Wales with her husband and two rescue dogs.
Thank you Random Things Tours for the blog invite and advanced copy of this book to so I could give an honest and unbiased review.
Exciting book post has arrived this week including this particular book, Nude by Harriet Hitchen. With the tagline Every painting hides a secret. Every muse has a story. This is hers. I’m curious to know and thrilled to take part in its cover reveal.
Are you ready?
Scroll down to see this simple but stunning art work to lure you into the story.
I am not some fire-headed young muse from a bygone era … I am a modern woman, and I have my own life to lead
A nude painting of a reclining woman hangs in a public gallery. In Cheltenham, the woman who wears her face is working hard to get her life – and career – back on track.
When journalist and filmmaker Henry Wells starts asking difficult questions, everyone is afraid she is becoming his next big story.
But every artwork holds its secrets. And sometimes it is easier to live with the myth than it is to admit the truth …
A beautiful, surprising modern-day retelling of the life of Pre-Raphaelite artist Joanna Boyce
Are you intrigued as much as I am? Watch this space nearer publication date and I’ll update you on my thoughts once I’ve read it.
Happy Sunday! I hope you’re having a lovely weekend and able to curl up with a good book. I’m excited to be part of the tour for The Daughter-in-law by Fanny Blake. With secrets and potential family tensions, the blurb drew me in.
Scroll down to see if it met my expectations.
Book Review: The Daughter-in-law by Fanny Blake
The Daughter-in-law by Fanny Blake
Title: The Daughter-in-law
Author: Fanny Blake
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Release date: 16th February 2023
Genre: Women’s fiction
Blurb
‘A moving, relatable and heart-thumpingly good story about family secrets and the lengths we’ll go to protect our loved ones.’ CATHY BRAMLEY
When Hope’s only son Paul met and married Edie, Hope was delighted that he had found love and was settling down to make his own family. Hope has loved bringing up her own child, and is happy to step in and help out now and again – but is always worried about overstepping the line between grandmother and mother.
Edie was hoping that having children with Paul would fulfil her as much as her busy job as a barrister has. But the reality is far from her dream. And with her mother-in-law Hope constantly poking her nose in where it’s not wanted, she finds herself frustrated and alone.
Both women could be each other’s greatest ally, but both have secrets that could ruin their relationship. Secrets neither wants Paul to uncover…
My Thoughts
I was thrown into the tense family dynamics from the start, with a sunny Greek holiday that promised relaxation if only Hope and Edie got along. Told from both sides it was clear why each struggled to overcome the ever-increasing barriers in their relationship, but as much as I wanted to be neutral in my feelings, my sympathy kept being drawn to Hope. The love for her grandchildren and son, Paul, was clear and with a softer side, she was easy to connect to. While she had strong opinions, she was prepared to adjust to the needs of the relationship.
Edie was more complex and her viewpoint showed a different side to motherhood than the usual I’ve read recently. She wants it all, her career, control and the perfect family, but despite her ambition is trapped by the guilt that brings. With clashes of personality, generational differences of the approach of parenthood and opinions, I kept me turning the page even before secrets were revealed and their consequences caused an earthquake in the family. Thanks to all the characters having depth, I became entangled in their lives so felt their emotional rollercoaster.
This is an emotional story of unexpected revelations, ramifications of decisions made with good intentions and family bonds. This was the first Fanny Blake book I’ve read but won’t be the last because of realistic characters, ability to describe the heart of the matter and emotionally connect to the reader. WIth a healthy back catalogue, my TBR pile has increased.
Have you read any of her books? Let me know your recommendations below.
Author Biography
Fanny Blake
Fanny Blake was a publisher for many years, editing both fiction and non-fiction before becoming a freelance journalist and writer. She has written various non-fiction titles, acted as ghost writer for a number of celebrities, and is a former books editor of Woman & Home magazine. She has been a judge of a number of literary prizes, including the Costa First Novel award, the Desmond Elliott Award, the RNA Romantic Novel of the Year award and the British Book Awards. She is also the commissioning editor for Quick Reads and a book reviewer. She has written seven novels, including Our Summer Together and An Italian Summer.
Thank you Sara-Jade Virtue for the invite and advanced copy of this book to so I could give an honest and unbiased review.
I’m excited to share my review for The Lonely Lake Killings by Wes Markin as part of the blog tour. A new author for me, the Yorkshire location and blurb caught my attention.
Scroll down to read more.
Book Review: The Lonely Lake Killings by Wes Markin
A lonely recluse. A missing girl and a community in fear.
When the body of a young local girl is found next to an isolated lake, the main suspect is the old recluse who has lived next to the lake for many years – especially when the young girl’s purse is found on the old man’s doorstep.
But DCI Emma Gardner and her partner DI Paul Riddick aren’t so sure. Why would the old hermit leave such an obvious clue? And who would want to set the old man up?
As they dig deeper into the murder they discover a community in fear, determined to keep hold of long buried secrets. And Riddick is convinced that his own dark past is somehow linked to this crime, too.
Gardner fears that she may never get the answers she needs, until a break leads her down a path she’d rather not face. One that runs directly to her own front door…
My Thoughts
This is the second book in the Yorkshire Murder series but can easily be read as a standalone as I did because all you need to know about the detectives from the previous book are revealed while reading. I love crime thrillers, but there are only a handful that make me search for the back catalogue as soon as I finish reading or browse for the next one. This is one of those.
DCI Gardner and DI Riddick are a complex police duo with messed up personal lives which engaged my attention just as much as the crime they were solving. With a psychopathic brother, a traumatised niece and a fellow detective dealing with his own turmoil, Gardner’s life is on a knife edge personally and professionally.
While the murder promised to be simple, the twists and turns kept me on my toes and turning the page to until the unnerving truth was revealed. The novel is chocked full of action, traipsing into the underworld of Knaresborough and looking at how the stigma of being seen as different, and vulnerable can lead to suspicions correct or otherwise. All the characters have depth and backstories which played into the current investigation and beyond.
The investigative team were well formed, with a strong chemistry and camaraderie that gives a good foundation for the in future books and scope for more drama, betrayal and fissions. Set against the backdrop of the stunning locations in Yorkshire, I’m eager to read the next one and was thrilled that my local library had the previous one, The Viaduct Murders available for loan. It was just as thrilling as this The Lonely Lake Killings adding to my conviction that this series will soothe my crime drama addiction now Happy Valley is over.
Author Biography
Wes Markin
Wes Markin is the bestselling author of the DCI Yorke crime novels, set in Salisbury. His new series for Boldwood stars the pragmatic detective DCI Emma Gardner who will be tackling the criminals of North Yorkshire. Wes lives in Harrogate and the first book in the series The Yorkshire Murders will be published in November 2022.
Kate Kenzie Writes 