Cover Reveal & Book Description for Beta's Bane by Liv James

Due for release on 11 June 2021, Beta's Bane by Liv James has just revealed its cover!  The description for the book is here and I will post my review on publication day.

When Wolf Shifters pass from this plane to the next, their souls make the journey along the Pathway, to reunite with their ancestors and hunt the eternal forests.

Without the Pathway, their souls can know no peace.

The Pathway must be protected; at all costs.

When Alpha Cameron Archer of the Ridgeway and Pathway Packs installed his new law, he had no idea of the repercussions it would bring for his twin brother and Beta, Brodie.

Brodie and Iris are destined by the Moon Goddess to be together. Torn apart by their Alpha, they find themselves fighting a sexual chemistry that threatens to consume them until one fateful night changes everything.

Once Brodie finally tastes his fated mate, can he be parted from her again, or will he challenge his brother? And the safety of the World.

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My Review for Into Thin Air by Phillip Jordan

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Thank you to the author, Phillip Jordan for the ARC of his new novella, 'Into Thin Air', a Detective Inspector Taylor thriller.

'Aido Quinn went for a run and didn't come back'. 'Into Thin Air' is part of the Belfast Crime Series and Detective Inspector Taylor and her team set out to uncover what or who is behind the disappearance of Adrian Quinn. On the surface, Adrian seemingly has a loving family and is the Company Director of a successful business, but all is not as it seems.

As the book progresses, Phillip Jordan introduces and describes the relevance of the characters to the reader. I had a soft spot for some, indifference for others and annoyance at many. There were many twists and turns throughout the story and there were times when I skipped down to the end of the page because I just needed to know what was coming! The outcome was a surprise and although I had an idea towards the end, there were still plenty of moments when anything could have happened.

Phillip Jordan is great at explaining Belfast police procedure which will be crucial for those reading outside the UK and I would recommend 'Into Thin Air' to anyone who likes a fast-paced crime thriller that will keep you guessing until the end.

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My Review for Off-Road with Clarkson, Hammond & May by Phillipa Sage

⭐⭐⭐⭐  Thank you to NetGalley and Ad Lib Publishers for the opportunity to review 'Off-Road with Clarkson, Hammond & May' before its publication date. 

Now I've always loved watching 'the boys' on TV. When I still lived at home, it became a Sunday night ritual to all sit down together to watch Top Gear, and this continued when I moved out. I thankfully found a husband who was also into the boys' antics, and we continued my tradition of Sunday night viewing, so when I was given this opportunity to read all about their escapades on tour, I jumped at the chance.

Phillipa Sage, the author, became a piece of the furniture when Clarkson, Hammond & May were on tour, I can't remember what her official title was but she held everything together, dealing with Jeremy's diva moments (and yes, there were many), whilst organising hotels, restaurants and seemingly every little thing related to the tours. Phillipa reflects on her memories of the years she was with the boys, entertaining us with her stories of what went on behind (and not behind) the scenes! She shares with us the list of things that HAD to be available to them all at every venue, as well as the list of necessities they required before they even got to where they were going. Who knew that a Range Rover was 'that' important!

I really enjoyed reading Off-Road with Clarkson, Hammond & May, and I would recommend this to anyone with an interest in Top Gear, the three 'boys' and some degree, cars in general. However, there isn't actually a lot of time dedicated to cars in this book, it's more about the people and how they all lived and worked together in 'the bubble' and for this reason, it offers a greater appeal to a wider audience.

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My Review for From Something Old by Nick Alexander

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the opportunity to review 'From Something Old by Nick Alexander as an Advance Reader Copy.

From Something Old is the first novel I have read by Nick Alexander, but it won't be the last. I loved it from beginning to end.

The lives of two couples, Ant and Heather and Joe and Amy, randomly begin to intertwine, with perhaps unforeseen consequences. Initially brought together by their children who are at the same school despite them barely knowing one another, they decide to holiday together in Spain, and there begins the sometimes distressing journey for them all.

The author creates his characters well, and I warmed to those who were endearing, whilst wanting to yell at the ones who were annoying and mean! Often in life, we are the way we are because of our parents and/or the way we have been brought up, and Nick Alexander explores this in detail with the characters he brings to life.

From Something Old is a lovely read, ideal if you have a few hours to spare and you can switch off, with your feet up and immerse yourself in the story.

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My Review for The Dover Cafe at War by Ginny Bell Read by Bea Holland

⭐⭐⭐⭐ I listened to The Dover Cafe at War by Ginny Bell as an Audiobook from Borrowbox and loved it.  I find that a wartime saga always makes for easy listening or easy reading, and this was no exception.  Bea Holland narrated it beautifully and I enjoyed how she brought the characters to life.  Despite the sometimes heartwrenching circumstances, a good book, set in wartime, always makes me feel warm inside.

The Dover Cafe is set at the heart of Dover's market square and is run by Nellie Castle with the help of Marianne, her eldest daughter.  As Britain is on the brink of World War II, Marianne's scandalous past begins to catch up with her, and now that her son is 10 years old, there are things she can't keep from him any longer.

Ginny Bell can draw the reader into the story and keep them there for the entirety.  Each character becomes a friend, and with each turn of the page, you're waiting to see what happens next.  Of course, there are some rogues, aren't there always in a good saga?  However, even they have their endearing qualities and helped to keep me gripped throughout.

I've just realised that The Dover Cafe at War is the first in a series so I am looking forward to discovering the next book soon, along with any more of Ginny Bell's books I can find.

I would recommend The Dover Cafe at War to anyone who enjoys a wartime saga, something with a bit of romance and just a lovely feel to it.

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My Review for Til Death We Do Part by Bruno Beaches

⭐⭐⭐⭐ I was kindly offered Til Death We Do Part as an Advance Reader Copy by the author, Bruno Beaches. Pablo Pinkerton has spent his career in the police force, carrying out a variety of different roles, but his life begins to unravel, as he has to deal with a complaint against him from a former 'client' at work, and there quickly follows the disintegration of a seemingly happy and successful marriage. The story takes place over a few years, and Pablo has a lot to deal with and many decisions to make during this time.

The author carried me through many different emotions throughout his story, there was sadness, anger, frustration (a lot of that), some tears and some laughter, but a lot of the time I was annoyed. I was annoyed at Pablo - often! How he tried to deal with his wife, his conflicts, his friends and his work situation. I wanted to pick him up, shake him by the shoulders and tell him to pull himself together!

I'm not sure I actually liked any of the characters, apart from perhaps Henry who was a good friend to Pablo during the turmoil he was going through. Deliah, Pablo's wife, initially appeared to be a simpering woman who just didn't stand up for herself. As the book developed, however, I think she developed as a person, knowing what was the right thing for her and not settling for less than she could get. Pablo, well Pablo just tried too hard but failed to realise that at any point during the story.

The only thing I disliked about the book was the ending and whilst I appreciate that there is a sequel, for me, it just ended too abruptly. However, this didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book and I look forward to reading Pablo's next instalment.

I would recommend Til Death We Do Part to anyone who enjoys a thriller, with perhaps a hint of mystery, and for someone who doesn't mind being left wondering...

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My Review for Worldlines by Adam Guest

⭐⭐⭐⭐   I reviewed Worldlines by Adam Guest for Online Book Club, and although I thoroughly enjoyed it, I often found myself trying to follow the ‘worlds’ too closely, trying to understand whether there really was the possibility of us occupying several dimensions at once, and this detracted from the flow of the novel.

Worldlines is a sci-fi/fantasy novel about a multiverse rather than a universe, where the protagonist, Gary, gradually realises, with the help of his university professor, that he might be actually existing in more than one world at any given moment. Events are happening around him that he has no memory of and which he cannot explain. With the help of his friends and family, he attempts to discover the scientific background behind what’s going on and whether it could be real.

Wordlines seems to have some sort of science behind them and whether this is based on evidence or just in the author’s imagination is unclear. Regardless of this, it is a well-thought-out and entertaining novel and kept me turning those pages.

It’s difficult to describe the characters due to the nature of the story. For instance, in one worldline, Gary has a girlfriend called Siobhan, however, in another worldline, Siobhan is his best friend, and he has a different girlfriend. I found that the majority of the characters were likeable and added substance to the story. The author’s descriptive writing enables the reader to form a bond with many of them.

The novel focuses a lot on lucid dreaming, and the author does a great job in explaining what this is, whilst still involving the reader in the story. Lucid dreaming enables you to essentially control your dreams, with them playing out the way you want them to. I’m pretty sure that many people who read this novel will have an interest in how they can control their dreams and will research further into this.

I enjoyed trying to work out how worldlines could work whilst I was reading this book and whether living in a multiverse could be a possibility. However, my mind is far from being a scientific one, so I think I just need to accept what I’m reading and enjoy the novel!

For me, the book ended too suddenly. There was no real finality to the last chapter, and I think the author could perhaps have added another chapter to close things down with the main character. In essence, I was left wondering, but perhaps this is the author’s intention and is writing a sequel.

The book would appeal to readers who are interested in sci-fi and fantasy and to those who are curious about the world we occupy. I would recommend Worldlines to Young Adults and upwards. There is no profanity or erotic content and therefore is suitable for all ages.

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