Deadly Night by OMJ Ryan

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Totally gripping 

Detective Chief Inspector Jane Phillips has been assigned a weird murder case, the victim was shot in the eye and his tooth removed. It mirrors a past crime but is it linked and if it is, what’s the motive? 

I totally loved this book and it caught my attention right from the very start

Jane and her team work well together and form a unit that is stronger than anything, they have trust and loyalty which only develops throughout the story. I think that part of what drew me further into the book was that something happens that makes the reader more attached to Jane and seeing more of her personality come out, some good and some not so good. This sounds super vague and apologies for that, I’m trying to write without spoilers! 

I was hooked with this book, the oddity of the murders and the characters involved that I read it over 2 nights, and way past bedtime, because I didn’t want to put it down. The story drew me in, with so many twists and turns that at times it was hard to keep up, but as a reader, that was truly fabulous and had me guessing right up to the end

I would recommend this book to those who enjoy a story that will pull you in and won’t let go

AM 🐾 x

Murder By The Shore by Gretta Mulrooney

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Totally gripping 

A man and his granddaughter have been murdered just before the start of her 4th birthday party and it’s up to DI Siv Drummond and her team to solve the case 

This book is set from many different perspectives but the main characters and points of view are from Siv and her team and I really enjoyed being able to see the investigation from the different angles. I will admit that I do at times struggle with Siv, she lost her husband and moved to the south coast to work but she can be self centred and for lack of a better word, annoying. However she is also a brilliant detective and I have to respect her for that, she doesn’t settle and comes up with ideas that might seem crazy but she manages to solve some truly strange cases

This story had me hooked from the very beginning, what can be more dramatic than a murder just before a birthday party? And I couldn’t figure out who the killer might have been, it was a total shock at the end when I found out as it was someone I wasn’t expecting but I can’t carry on too much in case I accidentally give away spoilers so anyways, this book had me questioning what was happening, what secrets people were keeping and why

As the story developed it pulled me deeper and deeper until by the end I was unable to put it down and as such, this book is one that I really enjoyed reading and it’s a crime drama that I would recommend to people who love a story that will keep you questioning and that will keep you on the edge of your seat 

AM 🐾 x

His Country Cinderella by Karen Rose Smith

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 

Feels perfect

Following a tragic incident at one of his concerts, country music star Zane is in hiding in a mountain house in small town America. His aim for peace and minimal contact with the outside world is thrown up in the air when he meets Jeannette, his cleaning lady, and her adorable son Jonah 

Jeannette has had to work hard her whole life and since she has had Jonah she has made sure that her son has everything he needs, including her time. Her life is still very intwined with the parents of Jonah’s father who died before he was born and her relationship with them is a big part of the story but it shows how Jeannette develops and changes throughout. Zanes desire to hide away was suggested by his lawyer following the incident at the concert and he has his emotional walls firmly up until Jeannette and Jonah burst into his life. His struggles with his emotions and his relationship with music are all bought together and show how the two have such a big impact on him

This story has a lot of focus on the characters development and their surroundings, the peacefulness and the power of the outdoors to bring people together and I loved seeing how they challenge each other and even with Zanes fame, they still fight to see what is important to them

I think one of my favourite characters has to be Jonah, he has such a strong bond with his mum but he accepts Zane. He is independent but you can feel the love for him coming off the page and it’s Jonah who at times sets into motion the small things that start to have a big impact

It’s really hard for me to write this review and not give spoilers so I do apologise if I have accidentally put any in. The characters and their story really spoke to me and they felt so real which is probably why I ended up so entangled with them and so addicted to their story and their world 

I would recommend this book to those who enjoy a book that has a lot of character development and challenges the characters as well as the reader with stereotypes and will drag you in and keep you reading until the very end 

AM 🐾 x

The Railway Murders by J R Ellis

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A man has been shot dead in a vintage railway carriage and it’s up to DCI Jim Oldroyd to try and uncover the mystery behind it 

This book is set from various points of view, the main being the police but I enjoyed the variety of the other characters and seeing things from their perspective. The police team have worked together in the past and Jim has a habit of solving mysterious crimes that seem impossible which is mentioned and why he is bought onto the case. He is the main character and I enjoyed reading about his thoughts and processes but at the same time, the other members of the police team bought it all together and made it feel more rounded 

I loved the heritage railway setting and it showed an aspect that may not normally be thought of, how they run and the business behind the heritage front. The railway volunteers play a huge part in the story and seeing their passion for what they do made the railway come alive for me and reminded me of how much I enjoy travelling on heritage railways, especially steam trains! 

I enjoyed this book, it was a relatively quick read that had me hooked from the beginning. One of the reasons that I hesitated in giving it five stars was that randomly the characters would be referred to by their last names, even though most of the time they use first names, which made it confusing and more complicated than it needed to be. It didn’t spoil the book but it was something that I wasn’t a fan of and it would make more sense to me if the author kept the names consistent throughout

This book has a fabulous mix of intrigue, drama and personal relationships which came together to make a gripping read that I loved. I would recommend it to those who enjoy a detective story that is slightly out of the ordinary but which will catch your attention and have you hooked 

AM 🐾 x

Burial Grounds by Bill Kitson

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

An addictive crime thriller 

Bodies keep showing up in cemeteries and it’s up to DI Mike Nash and his team to unravel the mystery surrounding the deaths 

This book is set from multiple perspectives and I think for me that really worked. It allowed me to see more of the characters and their though processes and it drew me further into the story than I may otherwise have been. Obviously the main points of view are from the police team as we follow their investigation and this linked the various aspects of the story together 

I loved how this book has the team investigating multiple crimes, some linked and some not to the original murders. It gives the reader more of a chance to see how a real police team work, it’s not just one thing at a time and this really worked. As the story progressed, you would think you would get an answer to the murders but something else happens which throws a spanner in the works and this really worked for the characters and the story itself

Although I sort of had an idea who the murderer might be, I no idea how the crimes were committed and as each twist came about I started to doubt myself which I think held me captive with this book, the story and the characters 

I would recommend this book to those who enjoy a murder mystery with fabulous characters and unexpected twists and turns 

AM 🐾 x

Death At The Abbey by Jan Durham

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Totally gripping

Liz discovers a dead body near Whitby Abbey whilst walking her dog early one morning and ends up more involved in the police investigation than she may have planned

I liked Liz, she is an older character who shows that it’s still possible to have a proper life after retirement whilst also restoring 2 cottages. She gets pulled into the investigation and ends up uncovering certain clues in a Miss Marple type manner which help her to unravel the mystery which I thought was really well done and blended into the story so she felt like a real person to me 

I think a part of the reason this story worked so well for me was the supporting characters from Liz’s close circle of friends and some of the people in the town who made the book come alive

The main mystery runs throughout with other things coming together to challenge the characters and make them wonder if everything is connected and if it is then how and why

This book caught my attention from the beginning and I ended up reading it all in one go which was so not planned but which shows how the story pulled me in and had me gripped and determined to find out more, especially following each new twist and turn

I would recommend this book to those who enjoy a mystery novel that will pull you in and have you so entwined in the story that it’s possible to forget it’s fiction!

AM 🐾 x

It Started With A Vegas Wedding by Jessica Gilmore

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Fabulous!

On a work trip to Las Vegas Willow nearly gets hit by a car, her saviour is her bosses son Logan and after a whirlwind day together they decide to get married with the plan to get the wedding annulled very soon afterwards. However Logan gets in an accident and forgets that he is married until his father mentions him having to marry to continue the family line and that means he will need Willows help

Willow plans everything and has goals in her life that she wants and feels like she needs to achieve to prove to herself that she is successful and not the person she was as a child. Logan does a lot of more extreme sports, especially on the water but he also has a very strained relationship with his father who wants him to take over the family firm and his mother died young so he has a lot of emotional issues, some that may threaten his future with Willow

I loved Logan and Willows story, they both have their own personalities and their plans in life. It could be said that they are very different people and their relationship couldn’t work but the more the story progresses, the more it becomes clear that they both have a lot more in common than they, and the reader, initially realises

They are a couple who know what they want but the turbulence of everything that happens throughout the book keeps the reader hooked and I absolutely loved one of the chapters near the end, I can’t go into detail because of spoilers, but it made the story for me and showed what is important in life 

I would recommend this book to those who enjoy a book that grips you and will pull you in right from the very beginning and that will make you invested in Willow and Logan’s story right up until the last page

AM 🐾 x

The Lost Laird from Her Past by Jeanine Englert

A second chance…With her first love!

Lady Brenna Stewart is grateful to be saved from her burning carriage—only her rescuer is Laird Garrick MacLean, the man she once loved and lost! He seems determined to protect her from the unknown enemy pursuing her across the Scottish Highlands. But, bitterly hurt by his past betrayal, she needs answers. Why did he abandon her? And how can she keep her heart safe now, when the connection between them is as strong as ever…

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Totally gripping 

Garrick finds Brenna after a carriage accident and once they realise that someone is trying to kill her they make plans to get to her sisters house for safety but Garrick and Brenna were once close to being engaged and he disappeared without a trace… 

I loved Brenna, she is strong and determined, even though she doesn’t always feel that way, she is smart and was trying to take control of her life, even if things don’t always quite go to plan! Garrick left to go to rescue his sister but she is killed and he feels responsible so he kept away from his home and family, believing that he wasn’t worthy of them, and especially not worthy of Brenna. He is stubborn and resourceful, he is determined to keep Brenna safe but she makes him look inside himself and question his beliefs 

This book is full of danger and drama, set at a time when the English King was trying to take over the Scottish Highlands, Brenna and Garrick find themselves in the middle of a plot that could change their world but they must work together to find out what is going on and to keep Brenna safe, even if their feelings for each other aren’t quite as in the past as they had hoped 

I loved this book from the very first page, we were first introduced to Brenna and Garrick as part of her sister Moira’s story and I’m so glad that I was able to read their story, and become entwined in their lives. The danger at times felt so real that I had to remind myself that I was at home and safe, but that just shows how pulled in I was. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy a romance full of drama and danger that will catch your attention and at times leave you gasping for breath with characters who you will adore

AM 🐾 x 

Purchase Link – https://books2read.com/u/b6Mwnp

Author Bio 

Jeanine Englert’s love affair with mysteries and romance began with Nancy Drew, Murder She Wrote, and her Grandmother’s bookshelves full of romance novels. She is a VIVIAN® and Golden Heart® Finalist as well as a Silver Falchion, Maggie, and Daphne du Maurier Award Winner in historical romance and mystery. Her Scottish Highland historical and historical romantic suspense novels revolve around characters seeking self-acceptance and redemption. When she isn’t wrangling with her characters on the page, she can be found trying to convince her husband to watch her latest Masterpiece or BBC show obsession. She loves to talk about books, writing, her beloved rescue pups, as well as mysteries and romance with other readers. Visit her website at www.jeaninewrites.com.

Social Media Links –

FB: https://www.facebook.com/JeanineWrites

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeanineWrites

Website: https://www.jeaninewrites.com

Goodreads:  The Lost Laird from Her Past by Jeanine Englert (goodreads.com)

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jeanine-englert?list=about

Instagram: https://www.instragram.com/JeanineWrites

 

While Away the Hours in Scotland Giveaway! (Open to UK / US)

Whether it’s too cold, too hot, or too rainy where you are, you can while away the hours with the first two books in the Falling for a Stewart Series: Eloping with the Laird and The Lost Laird from Her Past! Your prize also includes two Scottish blessing bracelets, one for you and one for a friend, and some lovely book swag! Happy reading!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33c69494507/?

*Terms and Conditions –UK & US entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

A Defiant Maiden’s Knight by Melissa Oliver

A knight’s protection…That she doesn’t want…or need?

Joan Lovent may be losing her sight but she refuses to lose her independence too. So when Sir Warin de Talmont tells her it’s too perilous to be out alone in the city, she doesn’t pay him any heed. But with threats surrounding them, she begins to value his protection and helps with his dangerous work in return. If only the powerful connection between them wasn’t so impossible to ignore!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Totally brilliant and amazing

Warin is one of the Knights of Fortitude, tasked with protecting Henry III but his friend and fellow knight Thomas has also asked him to keep an eye on and protect his sister Joan whilst he is away from London 

I loved Joan as a character, she has an eye condition that is worsening and will one day make her blind but she is still determined to lead a relatively normal life and doesn’t let her condition stop her from doing anything she wants to. She is smart and protective of those she cares about and won’t let someone telling her that she can’t do something stop her which made me love her even more as a character. Warin doesn’t want to have to look after Joan and definitely doesn’t want her involved in the investigation of a plot against the King but she won’t take no for an answer and he soon learns just how valuable she can be. Warin is haunted by the death of his first wife but that doesn’t stop Joan getting under his skin and I loved seeing this big, strong, brave knight coming under her spell

Warin and Joan’s story caught me from the very first chapter and reminded me that anything can be possible, you may just have to do things for yourself or fight for what you believe in. They are both characters who are determined to get their own way but those sparks just made me love them more and I can’t wait for the next book in the series to find out more about the investigation Warin and his fellow knights are doing, the intrigue, drama and danger of it pulled me in and now has me wondering about what is happening and if the knights can stop the plot in time 

I would recommend this book to those who enjoy a story with characters who you will love right from the start, a mystery and a story of personal change and development that will have you hooked right from the start

AM 🐾 x

UK Harper Collins- https://bit.ly/3isA6ng

Harlequin US https://bit.ly/3Jwt397

Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09N1RD4D2/

Amazon US https://amzn.to/3udgZmC

Author Bio 

Melissa Oliver is from south-west London where she writes historical romance novels. She lives with her lovely husband and daughters, who share her passion for decrepit, old castles, palaces and all things historical.

Melissa is the WINNER of The Romantic Novelist Association’s Joan Hessayon Award for new writers 2020 for her debut, The Rebel Heiress and the Knight.

When she’s not writing she loves to travel for inspiration, paint, and visit museums & art galleries.

Social Media Links

Instagram @melissaoliverauthor

Twitter @melissaoauthor 

Facebook @melissaoliverauthor

www.melissaoliverauthor.com

The Earl She Should Never Desire by Lara Temple

This very handsome earl…Is the one man she cannot fall for…
War widow Lily Walsh has left her aristocratic family behind, but she can’t deny her younger sister’s request to come to London to meet her fiancé. Though not a love match, Lord Sherborne is kind, amusing and ideal for her sister on paper. But as Lily gets to know him, she’s finding him alarmingly attractive! And the forbidden look in the earl’s eye shows the feeling is mutual…

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Absolutely amazing!! 

Marcus is engaged to Anne but it’s an arranged marriage and not a love match. When Anne’s sister Lily comes to London to support her sister before her wedding, her and Marcus find themselves drawn together

I totally loved this book from the very first page, Marcus and Lily are so obviously drawn together and seeing them both deny their feelings but still being drawn together made me love them even more. They are both independent people who have strong personalities which made them feel so real to me and I could so easily see their story being played out in my head 

Lily and Marcus must be some of my favourite characters and their story had me hooked, their relationship shouldn’t happen but being together is stronger than anything else

My kindle copy of this book is full of highlights of passages that I totally adored and which love reading again, something that always seems to happen whenever I read any of Ms Temple’s books! This story caught my attention and drew me in so deeply that I really didn’t want to say goodbye to Lily and Marcus and to be honest, I kind of don’t have to as I know I will be rereading their story many times again

I would recommend this book to those who enjoy a forbidden romance with amazing characters who will stay with you long after the final page 

AM 🐾 x

Purchase Links

https://books2read.com/ThreeKisses

https://bit.ly/MarcusLily

Author Bio

Lara Temple writes strong and sensual Regency romances about complex individuals who give no quarter but do so with plenty of passion. She lives with her husband, two children, and one very fluffy dog and they are all very understanding about her taking over the kitchen table so she can look out over the garden as she writes and dreams up her Happy Ever Afters.

Author Links:

Facebook Author Page: www.facebook.com/LaraTempleAuthor

Facebook: www.facebook.com/LaraTemple1

Twitter: www.twitter.com/laratemple1

Amazon author page US: http://bit.ly/LaraTemple

Amazon author page UK: http://bit.ly/LaraTempleUK

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/LaraTemple

Website: www.laratemple.com

Giveaway to Win 3 x e-copies of The Earl She Should Never Desire by Lara Temple (Open INT)

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33c69494494/?

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.