#OceanOfMinutes @thea_lim @QuercusBooks

About An Ocean of Minutes

Polly and Frank are young and in love, a lifetime together before them. But one evening in 1980, as the Texas sun sets over their shoulders, the world is suddenly pulled apart by a deadly virus. Within months, Frank is dying. Polly can save him, but only if she agrees to a radical plan: to time travel to 1993 for a corporation who can fund his life-saving treatment. She can only go forward, she cannot go back. And she must leave everything she loves behind, including Frank.

All they have is the promise of a future together: they will find each other again in twelve years' time, in Galveston, Texas, where the sea begins.

But when something goes wrong and Polly arrives late, Frank is nowhere to be found. Completely alone, Polly must navigate a terrifying new world to find him, and to discover if their love has endured.

My review of An Ocean of Minutes

This novel both soothed and broke my heart. I eagerly turned the first page, and from the very first paragraph, I just knew that I was going to fall in love with this book. It's engaging, evocative and daring. It's a story for the soul.

This book can be viewed in so many different ways. It is a highly crafted work of dystopian fiction and the world building is quite simply astounding. I believed in this world. It is also a story about a time travelling young woman who goes into an unknown future to save the man she loves. It is also a story about self discovery and independence. Polly has to learn to rely on herself and her quick wit and intellect. Throughout the novel she begins to grow into her skin and to  learn who she truly is.

On a wider scale,  this novel is also hugely political. Polly has to time travel to save Frank. There is no other way. She is beholden to the corporation known as TimeRaiser. She is pretty much a hostage as she works and bides her time until she is free again. This has wider connotations for the world in which we live today; a world in which the rich  have  multiple life choices while living amongst the working classes who barely get by on zero contract hours and food banks. The world in which Polly lives is not too dissimilar to our world today.

For me though, this story was predominantly about love. It's a love story that showcases all of its complexeties. That newly found love when we are young and how it grows and transforms into something else. Something that we cannot envisage at the age of twenty, but only something we can live twenty years later. Polly and Frank start out as young lovers. I lived and breathed their first meeting, their dates, and watched their love blossom through the flashback chapters that were dotted throughout the book. These interspersed the main story of Polly, and her life, as she  was thrust into the unknown world of the future. Polly and Frank's love story is an unusual one, as they have a beginning but no middle.  There are  many lost years as they struggle to find one another again.

This story is a beautiful love story. And my breath caught in my throat as I read about these two young people who were so obviously very much in love.

The author takes all of these various strands and weaves a  story that I simply could not put down. I read each page slowly, not wanting this beautiful story to end. Because, it is a beautiful story. And I know it will stay with me for many years to come.

With thanks to Bookbridgr and Ana McLaughlin for the hardback copy, provided for review purposes.

An Ocean of Minutes was published by Quercus on 28 June.

#TheDarkWeb #ChristopherLowery @urbanebooks

About The Dark Web 

The latest thrilling instalment in the gripping African Diamonds trilogy!

The tentacles of the Dark Web are tightening their grip around the world. From Moscow to Shanghai, Washington, UK, the Middle East and Europe, nowhere is beyond their reach.

When a computer scientist dies mysteriously in Dubai, Jenny Bishop’s nephew, Leo Stewart, is hired to replace him. Leo’s life is soon in danger, but he is the only person who can find the key to prevent an impending global cyber-attack. With the help of Jenny and old and new friends, he must neutralise the threat before the world’s vital services are brought to a halt in a flagrant attempt to once again redraw the borders of Europe and Asia. Can the deadly conspiracy be exposed before the world is thrust into a new Cold War?

Christopher Lowery delivers a gripping final chapter in the bestselling African Diamonds trilogy, with a thriller that is powerfully resonant of today’s global dangers, hidden behind the ever-changing technological landscape.

My review of The Dark Web 

The Dark Web had been on my kindle for several months and I was so glad that I finally found the time to read this fast paced, techno thriller that is the final book in the African Diamonds trilogy. This book hooked me from the very beginning, with its dramatic opening  that plunged me into the corrupt and murky world of the dark web.

I will just mention that I read this book as a stand alone novel and, for me, it worked. I will though go back and read the previous two books in the series to find out Leo's back story, and to find out how the whole story began.

There are so many wonderful characters in this book and all bring their own unique flaws, drama and intrigue into the mixing pot that is quite frankly, a fantastic thriller. There were moments in this book that I quite literally found it hard to breathe, as I was reading so quickly in my eagerness to find out what would happen next.

Leo is a young and ambitious protagonist, who at the age of twenty-three is a leading expert in the field of computer science. He is transferred to Dubai after the mysterious death of a senior computer scientist and takes over his role. It is then that Leo finds himself at the centre of a major global cyber attack which he must stop. I loved this character, and had equal admiration for his aunt Jenny. Together with a wide supporting cast of characters, I read Leo's journey and the evolving story of secrets, conspiracy and lies.

This book is jam packed with non stop action that held my attention throughout.  The pace does not let up as we ping pong across the world from Russia to the UK and the States. Although I have very little understanding of technology and computers in general, (I switch on my tablet or laptop to access a word doc, stream music, or to browse the web), but that's where my knowledge  ends. Therefore, I was a little worried when I opened the book and came across the list of technical terms and abbreviations for computer 'speak' and tech, but there really was nothing to worry about. I soon became comfortable with this type of terminology and eased myself into the story.  So, you don't have to be computer literate to enjoy this thriller.

The Dark Web is a thoroughly enjoyable read. It has action, corrupt and intriguing characters, the good guys  all combined with a plot that has so many twists and turns that it gave me whiplash. I loved every minute of this book.

With thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy.

The Dark Web was published on 16 April by Urbane Publications.

#ThePerfectFriend @BCopperthwait @Bookouture

About The Perfect Friend 

She’ll do anything for you…

My name is Alex, and my world has been shattered.
My husband has left me.
My children won’t speak to me.
My friend Carrie is the only person I have.
She’s the only one I can trust to keep all my secrets.
She’d never do anything to let me down.
Would she?

My review of The Perfect Friend 

I have loved every single Barbara Copperthwaite book that I have read, and this book is no exception. The Perfect Friend is a slick, tense and menacing psychological thriller that is very much character driven, and I couldn't put it down.

The Perfect Friend is told from Alex's point of view, a woman who we first meet at a support group. She is a recovering anorexic, who lives alone. Her husband left her, and her children do not speak to her, but we don't know why. We are also told that she is a liar. From the very moment I was introduced to this character, I wanted to learn more about her. Why did she have no contact with her children? What happened to her marriage? I was instantly drawn to her, to her vulnerability and her need to be accepted. I wanted to understand her.

At the heart of this book is the friendship that Alex forms with Carrie, a younger woman who attends the same support group and who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. The friendship models very much that of a mother and daughter relationship, with Alex in the nurturing role. But why does she feel the need to nurture and befriend Carrie? Is the friendship one sided? and would Carrie hurt Alex? This relationship between these two women made for fantastic reading. Both have secrets and both are not what they seem. I was riveted to the page.

What Ms Copperthwaite does so well is to build growing uncertainty and bubbling unease within her books. There is a deep sense of maloevelance that I couldn't shake off. Something bad was going to happen. The tension kept on building and when the final reveal cane, it really did shock.

This is a clever and thought provoking read. Although a psychological thriller, it's a book that is deeply rooted in female friendships. It's about how women support each other and nurture each other. There are so many serious issues in this book that I can't go into without giving things away, but these issues are dealt with in a sensitive  and understanding way.

The Perfect Friend is a refreshing psychological thriller that is very much character driven. This novel works so well because I connected instantly to Alex. It took me a while to suss out if I liked her or not, but as the novel progressed, I realised that this fact was no longer of importance. I needed to know how her journey would end. I loved every single page.

With thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy.

The Perfect Friend is published on 5th July by Bookouture.

#TheSongsofUs @ItsEmmacooper @headlinepg

About The Songs of Us

Fans of Jojo Moyes, Cecilia Ahern and Marian Keyes will love The Songs of Us by Emma Cooper, a laugh-out-loud, funny and heartbreaking novel of love, loss and what it means to be a family.

If Melody hadn't run out of de-icer that day, she would never have slipped and banged her head. She wouldn't be left with a condition that makes her sing when she's nervous. And she definitely wouldn't have belted out the Arctic Monkeys' 'I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor' in assembly at her son's school.

If Dev hadn't taken the kids to the zoo that day, then the accident wouldn't have happened. He wouldn't have left Flynn and Rose without a dad. Or shattered the love of his life's heart.

But if they hadn't seen the missing person report that day, they might never have taken the trip to Cornwall. And, in the last place they expected, discovered what it really means to be 'Us'.

My review of The Songs of Us

What an absolute joy this book was to read. It was a family drama, mystery, love story and dark comedy all rolled into one delicious and quirky book. I couldn't help but fall in love with it. It's a truly unique read.

The Songs of Us rotates around the central character, Melody, who after suffering a head injury bursts into song when feeling anxious and under stress. This can be at the supermarket checkout or when sat in the Head Teacher's office. So, very funny, yet poignant at the same time. I loved Melody. I loved her for her honesty, her vitality and the fact that her children were simply her world.

Which brings me onto the likeable children in the book, Flynn and Rose. Very often when we read kids in books they can be oversentimilised, and appear as no child would in real life. But, these two were incredibly real characters to me.  They evoked beautifully the feelings of embarrassment and pure frustration when their mother spontaneously broke out into song. I could feel their frustrations, their love, pride and sheer embarasment. On the flip side we also learn of Melody's fierce need to protect her children when this happens. These scenes I found incredibly poignant and thought provoking, providing a clever mix between humour and pathos.

This novel does  deal with traumatic events, disability and prejudice, but, these themes are surrounded with just the right amount of humour, so that what we end up with is a book tackling serious themes but which is incredibly easy to relate to and ultimately enjoy.

The Songs of Us is very much about being in the wrong place at the  wrong time. It's a story about the role that fate plays in shaping all of our lives. To put it simply, this is a beautiful book. It made  me laugh and cry, all while reading the sane page. It's a bittersweet story of family life, and that a mother really will do everything she can to protect her family and to build a home. This book really is something very special.  It's a beautifully fragile and quirky read that I loved. And oh, the ending. Perfect, just perfect!

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advanced Reader Copy.

The Songs of Us is available now in ebook and will be published in paperback on 20th September by Headline Review.

#SongCastle @Lukeandhiswords @urbanebooks

About Song Castle

In a land rocked by conflict, one man desires to be remembered for something truly remarkable…

Wales, 1176: in a rain-drenched outpost of Christendom, the great lord of a newly built castle is throwing a party, the like of which has never been seen before. It will be a contest of song, of poetry and music, open to all comers. And now all are coming.

The festival is attracting a strange assortment of characters from across the known world. From the celebrated French troubadour suffering from writer’s block, to the Persian perfumer-poet claiming to have written the most beautiful words ever committed to parchment, all are descending on the castle of a man whose motives run far deeper than that of benevolent host.

Attempting to hold his own against such supreme talent is hopeful young songster Avery, a newcomer to the cutthroat world of bardism and susceptible to its intrigues. But the contest can only take place if the contestants survive the journey, which – on the perilous roads of Wales – is far from certain.

My review of Song Castle

I always like discovering new authors and strive to read new genres, historical fiction being one such genre. Therefore, I was very intrigued when I read the blurb for Song Castle, with its blend of 12th century Welsh history and the beginnings of the Welsh arts festival, that today we know as the Eisteddford.

Song Castle is a beautiful blend of  adventure story, comedy, historical fiction and poetry. Each character travels through the troublesome Welsh landscape and different settlements, so as to perform at the Eisteddford.

Set in Cardigan, Wales, the main protagonist, Lord Rhys is the owner of the newly built Cardigan Castle and wants to mark its creation, and his Kingdom, with a celebration of all that is art and music. What results is an entertaining read with  endearing characters that were certainly quite different. For  example we meet Avery who is a young man travelling from York who has a talent for singing and who is trying to find his true vocation. The journey features fellow travellers from across the country and  from various backgrounds, resulting in a story that is full of fun, singing and a general sense of 12th century debauchery.

Based on historical facts, the author has created a likeable and enjoyable read.  As a travel writer, he has obviously conducted vast amounts of research into this specific period in time, as we read a narrative that is powerful in its meticulous attention to detail,  bringing in real and influential people of that time, that is an absolute joy to read.

The prose in Song Castle flows beautifully with a backdrop of evocative imagery, I actually believed that I was in 12th century Wales, that I had been transported back in time and was part of this chaotic and musical world.

With thanks to Urbane Publications and NetGalley for the digital review copy.

Song Castle was published on April 12th by Urbane Publications.

#AfterHesGone @JaneIsaacAuthor

About After He's Gone

You think you know him. Until he’s dead. When Cameron Swift is gunned down outside his family home, DC Beth Chamberlain is appointed Family Liaison Officer: a dual role that requires her to support the family, and also investigate them. As the case unfolds and the body count climbs, Beth discovers that nothing is quite as it appears and everyone, it seems, has secrets. Even the dead…

My review of After He's Gone

You just know you're in for a treat when you pick up a Jane Isaac novel. I adored her Will Jackman detective series, and when I found out that she had written the first book in a new detective series featuring DC Beth Chamberlain, then I knew I just had to read it. And, oh my, it's a fantastic book featuring a female detective that grabs your attention and just won't let go.

From the very beginning I was sucked into this story. It begins with the murder of Cameron Swift outside his family home and, from that moment on, I just had to find out why he was killed and who killed him. This is when we meet Beth Chamberlain, who together with another police officer is appointed as the family's liaison officer. Although there to support the family under such tragic circumstances, she is also there to question the family, his wife, and to find out any secrets and motives for the murder.

From the moment I met Beth I liked her. Here is a young woman whose career is everything. But what I liked most about her was the fact that she was a character with so many layers. She has her professional side in which she strives for truth and justice, at any cost, but she is also a loving sister, devoted aunt, and a woman who is equally passionate about her  job and role in society. At times she is torn between her role as a DC in trying to track down a killer, and the aunt who wants to watch her niece in her swimming gala. The two worlds often clash, and for me this was both authentic and emotional reading.

After He's Gone is a compelling and emotive read. You can't help but be affected by what happens to the characters, and especially when reading about Beth. It's also a whopper of a murder mystery.  I really was kept in the dark as to who killed Cameron. I also changed my mind several times as the story progressed. It definitely kept me on my toes.

The heart of this story is embedded in family values, what it means to raise and be a family, and what it means to be a husband or wife. It also highlights the fact that we all have our secrets, but that some turn out to be deadly. This really is a hugely refreshing and enjoyable read and I can't wait to read the next instalment in the Beth Chamberlain series that's out later in the year.

With thanks to the author who kindly sent me a digital copy for review purposes.

After He's Gone is published on 18th June.

#LostLettersOfWilliamWoolf @wordsofhelen

About The Lost Letters of William Woolf 

Inside the Dead Letters Depot in East London, William Woolf is one of thirty letter detectives who spend their days solving mysteries: Missing postcodes, illegible handwriting, rain-smudged ink, lost address labels, torn packages, forgotten street names - they are all the culprits of missed birthdays, broken hearts, unheard confessions, pointless accusations, unpaid bills and unanswered prayers.

When William discovers letters addressed simplyto 'My Great Love' his work takes on new meaning. Written by a woman to a soulmate she hasn't met yet, the missives stir William in ways he didn't know were possible. Soon he begins to wonder: Could William be her great love?

William must follow the clues in Winter's letters to solve his most important mystery yet: the human heart.

My review of The Lost Letters of William Woolf 

I absolutely loved reading The Lost Latters of William Woolf. This book was an absolute treat to read and I found myself slowly devouring the pages as I didn't want the story to end. In a world that is increasingly fast paced, it was such a pleasure to sit back and read this tantalisingly slow tale of love and loss from decades ago.

The novel is set in the 1980s and I loved that it was set during this period in time, when pen and paper ruled. The pages echoed with a huge sense of nostalgia. The writing flowed beautifully and I found myself swept along in the story of William Woolf as he finds himself immersed in his work at the Lost Letters Depot, while trying to juggle his home life and to keep his wife happy.

William's life is working at the Lost Letters Depot. Not only does he take his job incredibly seriously, but he is empathetic towards the situations that he find himself in, in trying to bring people together through their lost letters, birthday cards and love letters. I thought that this was such a lovely concept, that he was able to find a home for all those letters that were lost. How many times have we sent a postcard, birthday card or letter and it has failed to reach the recipient. What would happen if the letter was a declaration of your love which was then lost? How would that change the path of your life?

The author takes this idea and then completely turns it on its head. William finds himself reading letters that have been written by Winter,  a young woman who is writing letters to her future lover. She writes with the hope that one day they will meet and that they will instantly know  that they were meant to 'be'. What I loved was that William questioned if the letters were directed at him, and if Winter was meant to be his soul mate. An idea that is reinforced and made more real because io his relationship with Claire, his wife.

This is such a beautiful novel, set in the time when paper ruled the world. It's a novel about love and longing and striving for that sense of belonging. It's a novel about nostalgia, the art of communication and that at the end of the day, we all want eternal happiness. Such a special and heartwarming read.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advanced Reader Copy.

The Lost Letters of William Woolf is published by Michael Joseph on 10th July.