It’s okay to be a little but bummed this weekend, isn’t it? For one thing, as I write the first draft of this posts, the weather outside is atrocious. Even Gene Kelly would be turning his nose up at heading out. THe other reason for my sadness is that, in any other year, this would be the weekend I was in Rothesay attending Bute Noir. We decided to not go this year, largely because work is exhausting right now and I just needed a few days of do nothing recharge at home, but still. Sad times, right? I could have used my time wisely – rearranged some bookshelves (still might), but mostly I have been walking, shopping for cat treats and avoiding doing anything. In other news – I am a Great Aunt again as my eldest Nephew and his wife welcomed their second child to the family this week. Little James is a boster and I can already tell his big sister, Jess, is going to be a brilliant little protector of him too. Not such a bad week after all then.
My final holiday snaps – the Sunset Cruise around the Farne Islands with Serenity cruises.
More Sunset cruise and new memorial from our local Town Park (plus featured goose – he had a limp and I promised him a spot on the blog in exchange for a photo …)
It’s been a funny old week book wise. Up to mid week I’d only received one package and had bought very little. Just goes to show that I should not take time off where I have no plans because that didn’t last. In fairness, if I’d been in Bute, I’d have only bought books so situation normal really.
Book post wise I received four lovely packages this week. First up was To Die For by Lisa Gray courtesy of Riot Communications and Thomas & Mercer (out now). I also received Marvellous Vehicles by James May, part of the Little Experts series, courtesy of FMcM Associates and Red Shed; and Past Lying by Val McDermid, the brand new Karen Pirie novel out in October, from the lovely Laura Sherlock and Sphere.
To Die For; Marvellous Vehicles & Past Lying
As if that wasn’t enough, a couple of weeks ago I won a competition with Baskerville and my prize arrived today. A lovely package of books, both upcoming and recent releases and it has made me very happy on this dull, grey, day. Hazardous Spirits by Ankara Salam; Under The Bridge by Rebecca Godfrey; The Secret Hours by Mick Herron and The Burning Time by Peter
My Baskerville Prize Win; Under The Bridge; Hazardous Spirits; The Burning Time; The Secret Hours
I had a bust week on Netgalley too. Early access to three fabulous books which I am excited to read (so excited I’ve finished one of them already). Tell Me Your Secrets by Mel McGrath (28 September); The Christmas Appeal by Janice Hallett (26th October) and A Winter Wedding At Starcross Manor by Christie Barlow (29th September). Happy bunny here.
Tell Me your Secrets; The Christmas Appeal; A Winter Wedding At Starcross Manor
Placed a few orders in the week too. Bought the e-books of Beyond The Tape by Dr Marie Cassidy; Stalker by Lars Kepler; The Misper by Kate London; and Blood On The Shore by Simon McCleave. Also bought a couple of physical books becUse I was in a shop, they had books. It seemed rude not to. The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods and The Summer Girl By Jenny Blackhurst.
Beyond The Tape; Stalker; The Misper Blood On The Shore; The Lost Bookshop; The Summer Girl
I think (?) that is my lot for the week, but that is definitely plenty. As it stands I am contemplating a couple of audio books but have not yet decided so, if I buy them, I’ll tell you about them next week.
Books I have read
The Devil Stone by Car o Ramsay
In the small Highland village of Cronchie, a wealthy family are found brutally murdered in a satanic ritual and their heirloom, ‘the devil stone’, is the only thing stolen. The key suspects are known satanists – case closed? But when the investigating officer disappears after leaving the crime scene, DCI Christine Caplan is pulled in to investigate from Glasgow in a case that could restore her reputation.
Caplan knows she is being punished for a minor misdemeanour when she is seconded to the Highlands, but ever the professional, she’s confident she can quickly solve the murders, and return home to her fractious family. But experience soon tells her that this is no open and shut case.
A Winter Wedding at Starcross Manor by Christie Barlow (29 Sept)
Love Heart Lane – where friends are there for you no matter what.
Fashion designer Libby Carter has always loved weddings, so when her brother finds himself in a bind and asks her to step in and plan the perfect winter wonderland wedding for guests at his hotel, Starcross Manor, she happily takes on the challenge. But this is no ordinary Christmas wedding and when everything starts to go awry Libby asks gorgeous videographer Guy Hart for help.
This isn’t single dad Guy’s usual gig – and he is not a fan of weddings – but saying no to vivacious Libby isn’t an option … especially when saying yes leads to one very unforgettable kiss under the mistletoe!
Trust In Me by Luca Veste (14 Sept)
THE THERAPIST Sara seems to have it all – a thriving practice as a trauma counsellor, a comfortable home, a loving husband and two children. A world away from her troubled past. She’s the only one who knows that her entire life is built on a lie. THE PATIENT Until a new patient confesses to a crime that hits too close to home. Sara is thrown into a quest to hide the truth: from her family, her co-workers, and most importantly, the police. THE CONFESSION How can this person know about Sara’s past? And how can Sara silence her before it’s too late? One thing is certain: she will do anything to keep her family safe.
Geneva by Richard Armitage (12 Oct)
Nobel Prize-winning scientist Sarah Collier has started to show the same tell-tale signs of Alzheimer’s disease as her father: memory loss, even blackouts. So she is reluctant to accept the invitation to be the guest of honour at a prestigious biotech conference – until her husband Daniel, a neuroscientist, persuades her that the publicity storm will be worth it. The technology being unveiled at this conference could revolutionise medicine forever. More than that, it could save Sarah’s life. In Geneva, the couple are feted as stars – at least, Sarah is. But behind the five-star luxury, investors are circling, controversial blogger Terri Landau is all over the story, and Sarah’s symptoms are getting worse. As events begin to spiral out of control, Sarah can’t be sure who to trust – including herself.
To Die For by Lisa Gray
From bestselling author Lisa Gray comes a thrilling tale of a cutthroat contest for the ultimate house-selling commission… one million dollars.
In the elite world of luxury real estate, it is often kill or be killed, something agent Andi Hart knows all too well—and after recent events, she’s ready to set her own rules. So when her boss challenges the team to find a buyer for a glitzy Malibu beach house, with a prize commission of a cool $1 million, she knows it’s her ticket to a new life.
But she’s not the only one who not only wants but needs the money. Each of her four colleagues has secrets they’re eager to hide—secrets $1 million would go a long way in concealing. And soon, it becomes clear all five would do just about anything to get their hands on it…
When a dead body is found at the open house, the dream home becomes a nightmarish crime scene. Has the contest reached a deadly new level, or is there something more sinister at work?
Not a bad week. Could be better seeing as I had so much time off but, after the last few weeks, could also be a lot worse! Busy enough week on the blog – recap below:
#Review – The Unforgiven Dead – Fulton Ross #Review – Zero Days – Ruth Ware #Review – Just Another Missing Person – Gillian McAllister #Review – Murder At The Inn – Katie Gayle #Review – Don’t Look Away – Rachel Abbott
The week ahead is full of book love (as always). Just the one tour, Death Of A Lesser God by Vaseem Khan, and Mandie is doing a lot of the heavy lifting review wise, but doesn’t mean I’m not busy. Blog tracker is booked out until mid February now …
Death Of A Lesser God
I am off to read some more books and, yes, just might do a little bit of sorting out too. Need to be more proactive with my Instaspam account so might try out a few random book stacks. Probably won’t, but I’ll definitely think about it …
Have a lovely week all. See you next time.
Jen x
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