Starfish by Lisa Becker

I have previously enjoyed a couple of titles by Lisa Becker, so I was very pleased to be offered a free e-copy of her latest book Starfish to review. To find out more about the author you may visit her website.

Here is the book blurb.

Ambitious graduate Marin Collins accepts a four-month internship at a prestigious public relations firm to work on a tech account, but her plans are derailed when she’s assigned to go on the road with touring rock band Kings Quarters, hailed by Rolling Stone as the next big thing. Enter Brad Osterhauser, the reluctant rock star who would rather be coding computer games than penning Grammy-nominated songs. Traveling by bus, city to city with a group of practical joking bandmates and a greedy manager, Marin and Brad forge a friendship and forbidden romance over a shared love of Seinfeld episodes, stolen moments and Red Vines. But when Marin’s accused of betraying her company and the band, will Brad come to her defense or believe she was disloyal to him for the sake of her career? Told in alternating perspectives of Marin and Brad, Starfish is a contemporary romance of unexpected love, the redemptive power of music and hogging the bed.

The story begins with Marin starting her internship with Sasha V PR. She is hoping for a placement at a tech company, so is initially unhappy to be assigned to go on a 4 month tour with rock band Kings Quarters to cover their PR. She misses her best friend and room-mate Grace.

But she soon makes a new friend with Brad, one of the five guys in the band. He has thought her hot, since first seeing her at the job interview. Marin feels the same, but makes it very clear to Brad, that relationships are off the table with those she works for, based on bitter memories of her mum leaving her and her dad when she was 9 years old for a new relationship with her boss. Her career is very important to her.

They settle for a platonic relationship, sharing their secrets, but can Brad convince Marin to move it to another level. And what happens when Marin is falsely accused of betraying the band and falling foul of her job contract?

The chapters are told from alternating viewpoints from Marin and Brad. A great story that I really enjoyed, with a tear in my eye occasionally.

Starfish is available on Amazon, currently priced at £3.83 in Kindle format. A truly delightful romantic comedy.

And you may like to see my reviews of two other titles by Lisa that I also loved.
Links
Clutch

Take a look at the book trailer to whet your appetite.

---

About the author

Lisa Becker is a romance writer who spends her time like she spends her money – on books and margaritas. As Lisa’s grandmother used to say, “For every chair, there’s a tush.” Lisa is now happily married to a wonderful man she met online and lives in Manhattan Beach, California with him and their two daughters. So, if it happened for her, there’s hope for anyone! You can share your love stories with her at www.lisawbecker.com.

---

And you can find Lisa Becker on social media as follows:-
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Visit Yet Another Blogging Mummy on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Disclosure.  This post is a review of an e-book I was sent for free.  All opinions are my own.

Advertisements

The Side Job by Don Lubov

I have received a free e-copy of the book The Side Job by Don Lubov to review. To find out more about the author you may visit his website.

Here is the book blurb.

This is the story of Maggie Gomez — an unwed, unskilled mother of a sickly daughter. She lives a hardscrabble life on the underside of Las Vegas. As her daughter’s health deteriorates, Maggie’s need for money for an operation skyrockets. Maggie was vulnerable and defeated early in life. Her long-suppressed strength blossoms and Maggie becomes “La Femme Nikita”. As Maggie gets more involved with her loan shark boss and his crew, her world begins to spiral out of control. Her simultaneous involvement with a gangster and the detective investigating him turns her life into a soap opera of emotions. She must figure out how to escape her underworld life, protect her daughter, and live happily ever after.

This book is set in Las Vegas. It starts with Maggie and Ben going to their high school prom together. But Maggie gets pregnant whilst Ben hightails it out of town. With baby April, she struggles to make ends meet on a succession of minimum wage jobs. Nothing seems to go right in her life and she needs over $12,000 in order for April to have an operation for her worsening asthma.

In desperation she takes on a side job as a hit-woman to earn $15,000 for killing someone. Easy money. More hit jobs follow. But as life starts to improves for her and April, things get more complicated.

The plot line of this book was great, but sadly the way it was written, just didn’t flesh out the characters and left me feeling let down.

The Side Job by Don Lubov is available on Amazon, currently priced at 99p in Kindle format and is also available in paperback. An ok short read.

Visit Yet Another Blogging Mummy on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Disclosure.  This post is a review of an e-book I was sent for free.  All opinions are my own.

Never Trust an Errant Earl by Tammy Andresen

I have received a free e-copy of the book Never Trust an Errant Earl by Tammy Andresen to review.

Here is the book blurb.

A surly rake and a desperate lady…

Lady Cristina Ducat might not be as clever as her sisters, but she knows when action is required. Her mother seems set on arranging an unwanted marriage for Cristina, but Cristina has plans of her own. She’s got the perfect man all picked out. The problem? The Earl of Clearwood, Sirius Renwall, keeps getting in her way. Not only is Si annoying beyond measure with his dark and brooding demeanor, but he makes her heart beat in the most curious and exhilarating way.

Lady Cristina is a spoiled brat. Si wants nothing to do with her, or with the bet he made weeks ago that requires him to collect a kiss from her. So what if she’s stunningly beautiful? Who cares that she’s in trouble? Except…Si does care. For the more he gets to know her, the more he realizes that her brash façade hides a heart that loves fiercely. The question then becomes, is her love strong enough to fight back the demons that have plagued him since the last time he gave away his heart? Or is he destined to have his heart for the second and final time?

Never Trust an Errant Earl is book 3 in the How to Reform a Rake series featuring the Ducat sisters, but works fine as a stand-alone read too.

However I do recommend that you read the introductory “How to Reform a Rake” novella first, especially as it is available for free. It helps put later stories into context.

The book starts with Si, Earl of Clearwood attempting to withdraw from a bet to kiss Lady Cristina Ducat whom he views as a spoilt princess when she interrupts her own sister’s wedding, having run away from home. Cristina is in love with Lord Hubert Jameson but her mother is trying to arrange a marriage for her with another man. Her sisters escort her back home before their mother realises her absence. Meanwhile Cristina arranges invitations to a social event, so they can meet Hubert. Si gets roped into attending too.

Cristina is not at all happy to see Si in the carriage, but as the evening progresses their views of each other start to improve. Where is this all heading? And who will Cristina marry?

Never Trust an Errant Earl is available on Amazon, currently priced at £2.31 in Kindle format. Another nice short romantic read, which although part of a series, works fine as a stand-alone read too.

Here are the links to my reviews of the prequel and books 1 and 2 in this series.
How to Reform a Rake
Don’t Tell a Duke You Love Him
Meddle in a Marquess’s Affairs

---

About the author

USA Today Bestselling Author, Tammy Andresen lives with her husband and three children just outside of Boston, Massachusetts. She grew up on the Seacoast of Maine, where she spent countless days dreaming up stories in blueberry fields and among the scrub pines that line the coast. Her mother loved to spin a yarn and Tammy filled many hours listening to her mother retell the classics. It was inevitable that at the age of 18, she headed off to Simmons College, where she studied English literature and education. She never left Massachusetts but some of her heart still resides in Maine and her family visits often.

Visit Yet Another Blogging Mummy on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Disclosure.  This post is a review of an e-book I was sent for free.  All opinions are my own.

Shades of Justice by Carolyn Arnold

I have received a free e-copy of the book Shades of Justice by bestselling author Carolyn Arnold to review. I’ve now read several of Carolyn’s books, so I was very much looking forward to reading this one, particularly as it stars Detective Madison Knight again, just like in Power Struggle. To find out more about the author you may visit her website.

Here is the book blurb.

The line between good and evil isn’t always clear…

Detective Madison Knight has risked her badge—and her life—in the pursuit of justice before, and she just might need to do so again. Two victims are found murdered and naked in the home of Steven Malone, who is the largest contributor to the Stiles PD. One victim is his wife. The other victim is a John Doe. This high-profile double homicide immediately pits Madison against her sergeant, who seems more intent on protecting the Malones’ reputation and retaining a benefactor than catching a killer.

Madison will need to pull on her tenacity and courage if she’s going to follow the evidence without prejudice. In the process, it becomes clear that finding justice isn’t always black and white, and often the shades in between tell the fullest story—and it’s not something she will forget anytime soon.

Shades of Justice is a murder mystery with twists and turns that will have readers flipping the pages until the wee hours of the morning. The ninth installment in an international bestselling series, it doesn’t matter if this is the first book you’re reading in the Detective Madison Knight series or not; all the books stand alone!

Buy this book now and join the investigation! Uncover clues, follow leads, and catch a killer like hundreds of thousands of readers in this series have done before you. Perfect for fans of James Patterson, Michael Connelly, and JD Robb.

This is book 9 in the series featuring Detective Madison Knight, but I found it worked very well as a stand-alone read.

The book begins with Madison secretly getting a journalist on board to help expose corrupt cops within Stiles police. The same day, she and her partner Terry get assigned to investigate a double homicide. One victim is an unidentified John Doe but the other is wealthy Lorene Malone, wife of Steven Malone, highly respected members of the local community. They were shot and found naked in the Malone’s swimming pool. Who is John Doe? Is it an affair or something more mysterious, as we get introduced to suspects and motives?

Meanwhile Madison gets thwarted at every turn by her immediate boss Sergeant Winston, who wants to keep Mr Malone sweet, a large benefactor of Stiles police.

And can they get the case wrapped up before head of forensics Cynthia gets married in a few days time? Madison, as Maid of Honour is due for a dress fitting tonight but looks like that will have to be postponed.

Plus there is another mini-story incorporated. About a quarter of the way through the book, Madison witnesses a road accident. A pedestrian on her cell phone is crossing when she is hit by a car. Who had the green light? Turns out the driver is Madison’s brother-in-law Jim and he is about to be investigated by officer Phelps, one of the cops that Madison believes to be corrupt.

Plenty more to follow in this great story, as the strands get woven together.

Shades of Justice is available on Amazon, currently priced at £12.99 in paperback or £5.55 in Kindle format. Another gripping story as per usual from best-selling author Carolyn Arnold. I certainly would like to go back and read some of the earlier titles featuring Detective Madison Knight.

Here are the links to my reviews of other books by Carolyn Arnold.
Remnants
Power Struggle
The Secret of the Lost Pharaoh
On the Count of Three

Visit Yet Another Blogging Mummy on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Disclosure.  This post is a review of an e-book I was sent for free.  All opinions are my own.

Super Nutrition by Terry McIlroy plus giveaway

I have received a free e-copy of the cookery book Super Nutrition by Terry McIlroy to review.

Here is the book blurb.

We have all uttered these phrases at one time or another:

“Your health is your wealth.”

“You are what you eat.”

Deep down, we all know, that what we choose to eat and drink has a massive impact on our health.

Confused about your nutritional needs? Not anymore! With a clear focus on sourcing the right ingredients, including condiments, herbs, spices & organic produce, we can all take advantage of, and unlock thepowerful nutrients within them, to try and ensure that we are not insufficient or deficient in any given vitamin, mineral, macro or micro-nutrient, whilst tryingto reduce our toxic load, thus easing the burden on our body’s natural ability to detoxify itself and restore homeostasis/balance. This book gives you the tools and knowledge to structure your diet and help you strive towards optimal health, with totally unique, delicious, health giving recipes, so you can enjoy the ride.

Start your new journey to health and happiness here NOW! Grab a copy of Super Nutrition today and take control of your health once and for all, shed those unwanted pounds, balance your blood sugars and heal your gut with nutritional therapy

Terry McIlroy has taken well-known, popular dishes and transformed them into nutrient dense powerhouse meals, just by making a few ingredient swaps with modern twists, such as his New Dehli Fritatta, Carrot Cake Smoothie, Mixed Mushroom, Almond & Tarragon Soup, Curried Quinoa Taboulleh Salad, Proper Spelt Bread, Southern Fried Chicken, Millionaires Shortbread and of course Fish ‘n’ Chips.

I’ve always loved recipe books, but I found that this book is much more than just recipes. In the introduction, we find out how some simple dietary changes cleared up life-long mouth ulcers and acne for the author, who was already a qualified chef, inspiring him to next enrol on a nutrition diploma. He has created nutritionally balanced recipes which can benefit everyone.

The author shares his top 10 health tips. Some great advice here. I’m certainly going to focus on choosing organic where possible.

There are sections on Epsom salts, pink Himalayan salt, apple cider vinegar and raw honey plus we are reminded of the importance of planning and preparation, before we reach the recipes. However I have to say although raw honey sounded excellent, I am none the wiser as to what is raw honey and what is not raw honey. I’m guessing that the honey I usually buy from the supermarket falls into the latter category. It does say that raw honey is not suitable for children, but again doesn’t say why.

The book also includes an extensive list of cooking equipment, although I have to say even with a large kitchen, I think I would struggle to find room for 6 different types of juicers / mixers!

A great selection of recipes for juices, breakfast, smoothies, salads, soups, breads, lunches, snacks and dinners along with a rainbow of photographs that certainly got my taste buds watering.

However I was a bit mystified by the weekly meal planner proformas at the back of the book as to why there were two as they were both blank. One entitled example weekly meal planner and one entitled my weekly meal planner. Was the example planner supposed to have been filled out. Would be good if it was, as that would be extra helpful.

Super Nutrition is newly published on Amazon today, currently priced at £17.99 in paperback or £5.99 in Kindle format. A great cookery book which is so much more than just recipes.

---

Of course I had to test out one of the recipes. I decided that I would try my hand at making some tortilla wraps, a staple in our household but something I’ve never made myself before. Here is a copy of the page from the book. Click on the image to enlarge.

I had been meaning to buy some spelt flour for ages to try out, so I added that to my shopping list. And pink Himalayan salt is another new ingredient for me. The book lists plenty of health benefits of pink Himalayan salt, recommending that you switch plus I learnt that regular table salt is heavily processed.

Wow I never realised that wraps could be quite so simple to make. Okay mine don’t look very professional as they are not pristine circles. But I frequently buy wraps and lately I have been feeling guilty as I haven’t been able to find wraps without plastic packaging. Although unfortunately the recipe does say to wrap the dough in cling film. A single-use product that I’m trying to avoid. Shame to see single-use products mentioned in a new book.

---

About the author

Terry McIlroy is a Professional Chef with over 27 years experience within the culinary industry. He is also a Nutritionist/Nutritional Therapist, specializing in the field of Naturopathic Nutrition. He has inspired many with his passion, knowledge, creativity and flair in the kitchen, As an Executive Head Chef, whilst running several businesses. During his clinical experience he transformed the lives of all of his clients, giving them Nutritional, Supplemental and Lifestyle protocols to follow, all of whom reported dramatic improvements in their health and wellbeing, after implementing his bespoke diet plans, and lifestyle changes.

Terry has combined his Culinary and Nutritional Expertise to produce his inaugural Book ‘Super Nutrition’ which is set to inspire and transform the lives of millions. He offers, (never before seen in one piece of work) unique Health & Wellbeing Advice, Tips and Recipes, Arming the reader with the tools to take control of their health, and live a vibrant, happy life.

---

Plus I’m hosting a rafflecopter competition to giveaway a paperback copy of the book to one lucky winner. Think of the tempting dishes you’ll be able to try making.

a Rafflecopter giveaway – Please click on the link to enter.

And you may see my other giveaways here.

I’m participating in the blogtour. Do take time to browse round some of the other posts to see what they thought of this book too.

I’d love to hear what healthy recipes you enjoy?

Visit Yet Another Blogging Mummy on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Disclosure.  This post is a review of an e-book I was sent for free.  All opinions are my own.

Meddle in a Marquess’s Affairs by Tammy Andresen

I have received a free e-copy of the book Meddle in a Marquess’s Affairs by Tammy Andresen to review.

Here is the book blurb.

Rakes make the worst husbands…

Not that Rex Baluster, the Marquess of Highwater would want her anyway. But when he arrived at Lady Camille Ducat’s door shot and near death, she didn’t hesitate to help him. She had no reputation to preserve after all. She’d given that up when she ended her engagement to another rake. And though her heart beat wildly every time she looked at Rex, she knew that to involve herself with such a man would only lead to heartache.

When the Duke of Longley asked him to help right a wrong, Rex agreed without question. He wasn’t like most lords, having grown up as a street urchin in London’s notorious Docklands. He talked best with his fists. Nor was he afraid when he was wounded. Somehow, Rex had always assumed his end would be as violent as his beginning. What he didn’t expect was for a beautiful angel with the gentlest touch he’s ever known to nurse him back to health. If only he were the type of man who could be a good husband to Lady Camille.

The more time Rex spends with Camille, however, the harder it is to deny his feelings. Can they put their pasts aside? Rakes, after all, make the BEST husbands.

Meddle in a Marquess’s Affairs is book 2 in the How to Reform a Rake series featuring the Ducat sisters, but works fine as a stand-alone read too.

However I do recommend that you read the introductory “How to Reform a Rake” novella first, especially as it is available for free. It helps put later stories into context.

The story starts with Rex, Marquess of Highwater getting shot in the stomach by Lord Michael Ralston, Lady Camille Ducat’s ex-fiancé. Camille, with her reputation already in tatters since the end of her engagement, insists on nursing Rex back to health herself, against all advice. However Rex is still a rake, even if seriously injured. Where will this all head?

Meddle in a Marquess’s Affairs is available on Amazon, currently priced at £2.28 in Kindle format. Once again, Tammy delivers another nice short romantic story.

Here are the links to my reviews of the prequel and book 1 in this series.
How to Reform a Rake
Don’t Tell a Duke You Love Him

---

About the author

USA Today Bestselling Author, Tammy Andresen lives with her husband and three children just outside of Boston, Massachusetts. She grew up on the Seacoast of Maine, where she spent countless days dreaming up stories in blueberry fields and among the scrub pines that line the coast. Her mother loved to spin a yarn and Tammy filled many hours listening to her mother retell the classics. It was inevitable that at the age of 18, she headed off to Simmons College, where she studied English literature and education. She never left Massachusetts but some of her heart still resides in Maine and her family visits often.

Visit Yet Another Blogging Mummy on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Disclosure.  This post is a review of an e-book I was sent for free.  All opinions are my own.

Vaccine Science Revisited by James and Lance Morcan

I have received a free e-copy of the book Vaccine Science Revisited: Are Childhood Immunisations As Safe As Claimed? by James & Lance Morcan to review. You may find out more about the authors on their website.

Here is the book blurb.

An unbiased, neutral, fact-based investigation that simply allows the science to do the talking on childhood vaccinations. Written by father and son investigative journalism/research team Lance & James Morcan, with a foreword by medical laboratory scientist Elísabet Norris, VACCINE SCIENCE REVISITED is possibly the most well-referenced work yet to explore this contentious healthcare subject.

This exhaustively-researched book avoids all rumor, conjecture and anecdotal evidence, and steadfastly focuses on what the latest medical studies actually reveal about vaccines listed on the immunization schedule. One by one the ingredients of the vaccines being manufactured today are put under the microscope by comparing peer-reviewed, published studies.

By collaborating with a professional medical advisory team and utilizing investigative journalism methods, the Morcans have painstakingly sifted through the world’s best scientific research papers. They analyze the most reliable and untainted studies in order to uncover true and accurate data on vaccine safety.

No matter your level of education or experience – whether you are a doctor, layman, scientist, nurse, med student or new parent – be prepared to be surprised by many of the medical research findings in VACCINE SCIENCE REVISITED: Are Childhood Immunizations As Safe As Claimed?

I was surprised to receive this book, as I hadn’t requested it. However I set to reading it with high expectations as I had previously really enjoyed Silent Fear, a fictional thriller by father and son duo, Lance and James Morcan.

I’ve always been aware that childhood vaccination is a contentious topic, particularly with regards to the MMR vaccine. Every so often it hits the news headlines with possible links to autism and other health issues. We decided to vaccinate both our sons as per UK guidelines. I think I thought at that time, they would then be immune to these illnesses forever, having had mumps three times myself as a child. Of course I subsequently found out this was not the case for son1, so we repeated all his vaccinations back to those from babyhood, starting about 6 months after he finished chemotherapy.

Chicken pox is one illness that is not routinely vaccinated against here in the UK and son1 caught this when he was age 3. Luckily his immunity prevailed every time there was an outbreak at school whilst he was on chemotherapy. But it meant yet another needle to check his immunity, every time he was exposed. When I found out that chicken pox is routinely vaccinated against in some other countries, it did cause me to question why not in the UK, each time he had to undergo this test.

So with all my personal experiences, I thought that this would prove to be a very interesting topic to gain some insight from this book. However the book is divided into parts with what I was hoping to read about towards the second half of the book. The start of the book after an interesting forward seemed to focus on smallpox in the 1700s and Dr Jenner whom I remember learning about at school. I was just about coping with this section but when the book moved on to focus on cells, I began to switch off. It was getting too technical and not holding my interest. I was not even 15% through the book yet.

Unfortunately there were no hyperlinks for the chapters, so I couldn’t attempt to fast forward to see if part 2 would prove more interesting. In the end, I’m sorry to say I just gave up on this book. A shame as I could tell that the authors had invested a huge amount of research into this topic. I’m sure it is probably a must-read for those in the medical profession.

Vaccine Science Revisited is available on Amazon, currently priced at £1.99 in  in Kindle format. Unfortunately too complicated for me.

Update – The e-version of the book I received was a PDF copy. I have since been assured that the kindle version contains chapter hyperlinks in the index.

Visit Yet Another Blogging Mummy on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Disclosure.  This post is a review of an e-book I was sent for free.  All opinions are my own.

Kilted Sin by Tammy Andresen

I have received a free e-copy of the book Kilted Sin by Tammy Andresen to review.

Here is the book blurb.

All’s fair in love and war. Now they just have to decide which this is…

Laird William Sinclair is a good man. Like all his brothers he helps those around him, takes care of the less fortunate. So why does Gemma McClaren think she can take advantage of his kind nature and just ride off? He’s good but he isn’t a saint. And he’s certainly not above teaching that tricky little imp a lesson she’ll never forget.

Gemma McLaren has learned the hard way that men are scum. She won’t ever fall prey to one again. Yet, even she feels a little guilty when she steals a handsome laird’s money and horse. He hadn’t actually done a thing to harm her…yet. Her guilt quickly evaporates when he tracks her down with two small children in tow and demands she repay him by becoming nanny to the children. If she doesn’t, he’ll report her to the authorities.

What choice does she have? Except Gemma hasn’t the first clue how to care for children or handle a very large and angry laird. And honestly, she didn’t’ come to the Highlands to play with wee bairns no matter how cute. Nor does she want to notice how her heartbeat quickens every time Will steps into the room. She’s got a debt to settle and a life to reclaim.

Kilted Sin is the third story in the Brethren of Stone series which I have been reading. It is set in the Scottish highlands in the late 1700’s. And I have to say, this is the first one which I feel Tammy can actually justify her usual style of cover design showing Laird William’s bare torso.

This is because it starts with Will stripping off, about to take a swim in the loch when a strange female turns up cheekily calling out “I didn’t expect to see the moon so early in the day”. He manages to grab his shirt as she approaches nearer. She is very saucy, mesmerising him with her words and touch, before she pushes him backwards into the loch. By the time he has the water out of his eyes, he sees her riding away on his horse, holding onto his trousers, which contained all the money he had left. Personally I was surprised it was trousers, not a kilt. All that remains for modesty to walk home, is a sopping wet shirt and his boots.

So that was our introduction to Gemma McLaren, a widow who has come to Aberdeen from Kirkaldy in order to claim her inheritance from her late husband Sean who had abandoned her 3 years ago.

Meanwhile Will arrives home to find 2 very young orphans, Fiona and Ewan have been dropped at his door. They don’t want him to send them back to the orphanage. What a day!

So how will things turn out, when Will next encounters thief Gemma? What will happen to Fiona and Ewan? And what is Gemma’s inheritance?

Kilted Sin is available on Amazon, currently priced at £2.31 in Kindle format. Yet another nice short romantic story from Tammy.

Here are the links to my reviews of the prequel and books 1 and 2 in this series.
The Duke’s Scottish Lass
Scottish Devil
Wicked Laird

---

About the author

USA Today Bestselling Author, Tammy Andresen lives with her husband and three children just outside of Boston, Massachusetts. She grew up on the Seacoast of Maine, where she spent countless days dreaming up stories in blueberry fields and among the scrub pines that line the coast. Her mother loved to spin a yarn and Tammy filled many hours listening to her mother retell the classics. It was inevitable that at the age of 18, she headed off to Simmons College, where she studied English literature and education. She never left Massachusetts but some of her heart still resides in Maine and her family visits often.

Visit Yet Another Blogging Mummy on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Disclosure.  This post is a review of an e-book I was sent for free.  All opinions are my own.

The Soul behind the Mask by Gail Wilson

I have received a free e-copy of the book The Soul behind the Mask by Gail Wilson. To find out more about the author you may visit her facebook page.

Here is the book blurb.

On a cold December night, Kate returns to Edinburgh seeking refuge after a disastrous trip to Egypt, where troubling events destroyed her relationship with archaeologist David Young.

Kate and David shared a tragic past life. In the Victorian era, they were cursed by an Egyptian witch whose malevolence continues to cause conflict.

Determined to start afresh, Kate begins a new job as an events coordinator for the National Museum of Scotland. She excels in her new role but soon becomes the victim of malicious gossip.

Kate’s attempts to bury the past fail when David forces his way back into her life. They marry in haste but struggle to overcome the obstacles in their path. Their relationship is plagued by mistrust, resentment, and secrets. Harangued by the living, and haunted by the dead, Kate and David can find no peace.

Certain that his marriage is doomed, David returns to Egypt. In the inhospitable wilderness that was once Pharaoh Akhenaten’s metropolis, he must face the past, as well as the danger that prowls a land in political turmoil.

Can Kate and David learn from their mistakes? Will tragedy unite them, or tear them apart?

This is the third book in a trilogy and although I loved it, I did struggle with some references to what must have happened in the earlier two book, which I haven’t read, including the initial scene of a road accident in Cairo. So I would recommend that it is probably best to read them all in order, rather than to attempt this as a stand-alone read.

After opening with the road accident, the story begins with an unaware Kate fleeing back home to Edinburgh from Egypt, as she considers her relationship with archaeologist David Young to have failed. We discover that they had also known each other in a past life when they formerly met back in 1891 in Egypt too.

Kate was formerly Katherine Ford, her own great great aunt, who was married to Edwin Ford. Edwin has been haunting Kate’s dreams and she has now met a modern-day equivalent in Ethan Forbes, who just so happens to be David’s friend. Talk about a tangled triangle!

Meanwhile Kate tries to start afresh, by swapping roles at the National Museum of Scotland where she works. A mixture of new faces and old, some friendly and others hurtful. And then David returns to Scotland followed by Ethan.

Loads more to come in the story including an unexpected twist at the end. But very confusing when I hadn’t read the earlier books. Great from the point of view of encompassing Egyptology and genealogy.

The Soul behind the Mask is available on Amazon, currently priced at £10.99 in paperback and is also available in Kindle format. A great romantic story with plenty of mystery thrown into the mix, but I do recommend you don’t start with this book 3.

Visit Yet Another Blogging Mummy on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Disclosure.  This post is a review of an e-book I was sent for free.  All opinions are my own.

Justice Gone by Nick Lombardi Jr.

I have received a free e-copy of the book Justice Gone by Nick Lombardi Jr to review.

Here is the book blurb.

When a homeless war veteran is beaten to death by the police, stormy protests ensue, engulfing a small New Jersey town. Soon after, three cops are gunned down. A multi-state manhunt is underway for a cop killer on the loose. And Dr. Tessa Thorpe, a veteran’s counselor, is caught up in the chase. Donald Darfield, an African-American Iraqi war vet, war-time buddy of the beaten man, and one of Tessa’s patients, is holed up in a mountain cabin. Tessa, acting on instinct, sets off to find him, but the swarm of law enforcement officers get there first, leading to Darfield’s dramatic capture. Now, the only people separating him from the lethal needle of state justice are Tessa and ageing blind lawyer, Nathaniel Bodine. Can they untangle the web tightening around Darfield in time, when the press and the justice system are baying for revenge? Justice Gone is the first in a series of psychological thrillers involving Dr Tessa Thorpe, wrapped in the divisive issues of modern American society including police brutality and disenfranchised returning war veterans. N Lombardi Jr. is the author of compelling and heartfelt novel The Plain of Jars.

This book is dedicated to Kelly Thomas who was beaten to death by police in California. This event inspired Nick to write this novel which is set in 2006/7.

The story starts in Bruntsfield, New Jersey where a bar-owner doesn’t like the fact that there is a homeless man outside. In order to get him moved on, he gets his bartender to call the police and falsely suggest he is trying to break into cars. The homeless guy is Jay Felson, a decorated veteran of the war with Iraq. Two cops arrive and start giving Jay a hard time. They call for back up and ultimately, there are 6 cops who beat Jay to death.

Previously Jay had been attending a veterans trauma clinic in Manhattan for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) along with his best buddy Donald Darfield. Their counsellor there is Dr Tessa Thorpe, supported by Casey Hull. Tessa and team are utterly horrified when they see the pictures on TV. But then Tessa realises Donald has gone missing. And Tessa goes to see Jay’s father, Colonel Marshal Felson, to discuss how they will get justice for Jay.

Meanwhile Bruntsfield council are holding an emergency meeting and decide the best course of action is grand jury, no indictment rather than a long drawn out trial, as they believe the public will get tired and dust will settle. I had to look up the word indictment, and discovered no indictment means no formal charge. But wrong decision, the public outcry continues to grow, especially after footage of a protest after Jay’s funeral and of the huge bloodstain surrounded by flowers. Ex-chief of police, John Garson comes to see Tessa.

Things get even worse after a video of the beating goes viral, so a public forum is scheduled for three days later. But before we reach that point, three of the cops are gunned down. Who has taken matters into their own hands? Prime suspects are the missing Donald Darfield and Jay’s father, Marshal Felson.

Darfield is tracked down and arrested. Is he innocent or guilty?

Justice Gone by Nick Lombardi Jr. is available on Amazon, currently priced at £12.99 in paperback and is also available in Kindle format. An interesting read with a twist at the end, although somewhat confusing.

---

About the author

Author Nick Lombardi Jr. has spent over half his life in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, and he speaks five languages. An event in California in 2011 in which a homeless man was beaten to death lead Nick to write his newest novel, Justice Gone. Nick now lives in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Visit Yet Another Blogging Mummy on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Disclosure.  This post is a review of an e-book I was sent for free.  All opinions are my own.