COVER REVEAL: Strangers by A.L. Parks

Strangers by A.L. Parks

Bereaved bride Abby Clark is tortured by visions of the fatal crash that took her fiancée on their wedding day.  She succumbs to a dark existence where loneliness, sadness and nightmares dwell; until handsome, brooding Bryce Holden walks through the door of her favorite coffee shop, wearing the same cloak of despair and grief.  Abby discovers in Bryce someone who understands love and loss, and soon their close friendship grows into a deep love.  But ghosts make strange bedfellows, and Abby is forced to battle the tormenting images that continue to haunt her, and confront the ethereal presence of a beloved wife to protect her future with Bryce.  

Good Choice Reading is currently organizing a blog tour for Strangers, and could use some more bloggers willing to review for the tour! The tour will run from September 6th - 19th. Time is running out, so if you're interested in participating, please sign up HERE, as soon as possible.

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BLOG TOUR REVIEW: 15 Minutes by Jill Cooper

Today I have a review for this great time travel novel, 15 Minutes. Check out all the details and how awesome is this cover... PLUS enter to win a copy of Jill Cooper's paranormal fantasy novel at the bottom.

Title: 15 Mintues
Series: N/A
Author: Jill Cooper
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: 15th June 2013
Genre: Young Adult Science Fiction Thriller
Format: eBook
Source: from Author for review during the tour - Thank you!

I have 15 minutes to save my mother’s life….

15 minutes is all the Rewind Agency gives you in the past, but for Lara Crane it’s enough time to race through the city, find her mother, and stop her from being killed in a mugging that happened over ten years ago.

But that’s not how it happened. The story she’s been told all her life is a lie and when Lara takes a bullet meant for her mother, her future changes forever.

The love of her life acts like a stranger. Her simple life is replaced with a giant house, glamorous clothes and a new boyfriend.

Except someone knows her secret. And he will try to stop her at every turn as she races against the clock to unravel a dangerous conspiracy.

15 Minutes is an edgy high octane YA thriller that can be described as Back to the Future meets Inception where the people Lara trusts change in an instant. She is in a timeline she doesn't understand, and is about to make one fatal mistake as she faces an enemy so familiar, he’s family.

Check out the book trailer HERE!

My Review

Well, this is definitely a mysterious, suspenseful thriller with full on action and adventure; and of course a little romance to boot. I haven’t read a time travel novel since Lauren Kate and it was certainly an interesting read. I really enjoyed the writing style of Ms Cooper and will certainly pick up another one of her books. All the characters are strong and complex.

Lara Crane is an ordinary teenager, although her Mother was shot and killed when she was younger, so therefore she lives with just her Dad, John. There is new technology available that allows users to travel back in time to visit past memories. For her birthday, her Dad got her some sessions to visit memories that included her Mum. That’s when an idea struck; she could go back in time to when her Mum was shot and save her, so they would have a happy family.

Lara has a boyfriend, Rick and he is adamant that her idea is horrible. Rule number one in the time travel agency, Rewind is that you cannot change the past, the consequences would be enormous. But Lara only wants to save her Mum so they would be a family again and her Dad would be happy too. The other rule in Rewind is that you only have 15 minutes in the past before being taken back to the present. You appear as a hologram and cannot touch or change anything.

Lara finds out she is different though, special, during her sessions she was able to touch, bump and speak to the people in her memories and that is when she makes her decision; she will save her Mother.

Determined to make her Father happy and herself, Lara changes the past!

Waking up from her trip, Lara discovers that her changing the past has certainly changed the present. Waking in her bed in a mansion of a house in an expensive neighbourhood, Lara is excited to see her Mother again. Being a school day though, her Mother has already gone to work; so off to school she heads.

School is different as well, apparently Rick isn’t in the picture and Donovan is her boyfriend, but Donovan was not even acknowledged before the change. Things only get stranger.

Lara starts receiving new memories from the present and during which bleeding noses and massive headaches arrive as well. Lara has heard of travel sickness and this is another reason why the past isn’t to be changed. But Lara wouldn’t take it back if only she can see her Mother again.

The mystery only thickens when she arrives home from school and finds out she has a Step-Dad, plus twin siblings. Where is her paternal Father?

Who are the men following Lara in black suits? Why is her Father in prison? Why is her Mother working at Rewind and experimenting on people illegally? Who will Lara choose, Rick or Donovan?

Lara wants to know why her Father is in prison, she is finding clues all around for her and the memories come in short bursts. She may need some more time jumping in order to save her family, herself and find the truth.

I was a little confused towards the end, I didn’t know if Lara was in reality or memories; but the twisty path that you take with Lara and the ending is well worth the journey to get there. I really enjoyed reading 15 Minutes and recommend this to time travel readers.

4 TIME TRAVELLING GREAT BOOKS

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About the Author

I could write this in the third person. I could tell you what I like, where I was born, and what my favorite things are.

But instead, I'll say I don't want to write like everyone else. I don't want to craft stories you've read a thousand times before. I want my novels to be a cinematic experience, blending themes, genres, and situations unlike any you've ever read.

I want to break the rules. I want you to break out in a cold sweat as you read my books out of fear, love, and excitement. I want my books to be an experience. When you finish, I want you to feel something. Good or bad. If you do, then I'll have succeeded. If not, I'll keep trying.

~ Website ~ Goodreads ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~

Giveaway

Open Internationally
One (1) eBook copy of The Dream Slayer by Jill Cooper
Ends midnight 25th July 2013


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Book Review: Security by Mandy Baggot - BLOG TOUR

I have my stop on this tour for Security by Mandy Baggot. A new adult romantic suspense with a lot of fun and action. Check it out AND a giveaway at the bottom!

Title: Security
Series: N/A
Author: Mandy Baggot
Publisher: Sapphire Star Publishing
Release Date: 4th April 2013
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Format: eBook
Source: Author via Reading Addiction Blog Tours for an honest review during the tour

Autumn Raine is a pop vocalist at the very top of her game. She’s a style icon, the paparazzi’s darling and everyone wants to be her friend. But when her safety is threatened, her whole life starts to unravel.

Eluding kidnap and trying to stay alive, can Autumn find the strength to be the person she longs to be? And can two people, poles apart, forge something strong enough to survive anything?

My Review

WHOLLY COW! I loved loved loved this book so much. This story reminded me a little of The Bodyguard with Whitney and Kevin, but man the intenseness and intrigue had me turning the pages as quickly as I could. I adored the writing style of Mandy Baggot and cannot wait to pick up another book by this awesome author. The growth of Autumn was fantastic, see her turn the corner and discover what she was meant to be.

Autumn Raine is a 26 year old singer that is extremely popular and extremely busy. After receiving a call from her Mother, Alison, Autumn has to meet her for drinks. This is the addition in Autumn’s schedule that changes the rest of her life forever.

Apparently Alison has been receiving death threats and threats that Autumn is going to be kidnapped. So Alison has hired extra personal security for Autumn and he is the roughest most unkempt man Autumn has ever laid her eyes on. Nathan Regan is the best of the best and available for this easy job (or so he thinks), but he never expected to find a charge so uncooperative as Autumn.

Autumn has had a life that she is used to, set in a particular routine and she has OCD. Always counting to 5, always sorting her food into portions and into 5s and a very nervous habit of opening and closing her purse when she’s stressed (always counting to 5). Now Nathan is in the picture and her schedule is non-existent. He has taken her away to hide from these threats and the kidnappers because they are very real.

Nathan isn’t sure if the threats are locally based within Autumn’s group or if it is the known terrorist group As-Wana. But he is determined to use all of his skills to keep Autumn safe until the threat is gone. Even if this means kidnapping her himself, hiding her away on a secluded island and making sure she has no contact with her world.

Autumn is beside herself, she is lost and out of control, something that she is not accustomed to and it feels horrible. But the more she gets to know Nathan, the more he lets her in, the more Autumn is determined to help find the threats and go back to her life once more. The feelings Autumn is starting to get for Nathan are becoming very real and very sharp.

Can Nathan keep Autumn from being kidnapped? Will they discover who the threats are really and stop them? Who is the betrayer? What about Autumn’s boyfriend, Juan? Will Autumn act on her feelings for Nathan?

This is one amazing book! I loved everything about it, all aspects were fantastic, the characters, poor Autumn with her insecurities about everything and poor Nathan, learn about his background and why he is a freelance bodyguard. This book has everything, action, intrigue, suspense, betrayal, loyalty, mystery, romance and heartache. The ending is superb and you I was left feeling extremely happy and satisfied, but I was crying with heartache beforehand. Highly recommend to all readers – AWESOME!

5 FANTASTIC BOOKS

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Guest Post

10 things you’d be surprised to know about Mandy Baggot

1. She has US size 6.5 feet (British size 4). 
2. She is an only child. 
3. She is allergic to prawns, Kiwi fruit and bananas. 
4. Her first car was an old soft-top Suzuki Jeep called Suzi. 
5. She has no gall bladder! 
6. At her first Romantic Novelists’ Association conference she challenged a team of male cyclists to play pool – and beat them. 
7. She loves to dress up – chicken outfit, cowgirl, cat suit... what’s next? 
8. She has an A-Level in English. 
9. She used to play desk tennis at her job at an accountancy firm. Two players, two rulers, a screwed up piece of paper – game on! 
10. She used to play the piano and the clarinet.

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About the Author

Mandy Baggot is a self-confessed Twitter addict who likes to sing on You Tube. She regularly guests on book blogs and is a featured author on the innovative website loveahappyending.com. She is also a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association.

Mandy lives near Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK with her husband and two daughters.

~ Website ~ Goodreads ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~

Giveaway

One (1) eBook of Security by Mandy Baggot
Open Internationally
Ends midnight 22nd April 2013

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Giveaway Tug of War by Ross Collier

Today I am lucky enough to have a giveaway of an awesome Australian historical thriller written by one of my favourite Australian Authors. Ross Collier has recently released Tug of War and is generously giving away a paperback to one lucky winner.

Author Bio:

Ross has been writing for a number of years but decided to publish his own books when a publisher accepted one and then decide it didn't fit their list after all. He was an early adopter of Internet publishing with Jacobyte Books. He writes thrillers because he has had a long love of the genre since reading his first Enid Blyton's 'Famous Five'. He believes thrillers offer the opportunity to write observations about society and human nature in a readable narrative. He lives on a small farm in central Victoria, Australia, is a partner in an accounting practice and is married with three children.

Tug of War is the third book in Ross' collection.

Summary: Captain John Garrett of the Australian Army has been ordered back to Melbourne from Townsville to investigate a suspected intelligence leak in Central Bureau.

Garrett and an American Captain, Al Tucker are placed into the unit ostensibly as intelligence officers with no one, including the current section leader Captain Anthony Myers, aware of their mission.

Tucker begins to work against Garrett who desperately tries to track down the spy operating in the city. In doing so he discovers the most closely guarded secret of the Pacific war. As he draws closer to the truth so begins a life and death battle for survival.

To read my review, please click here.

Sink or Swim summary:  Harry Gordon, sports hero and merchant banker, finds that despite his best efforts, a year after taking over the family steel business it is on the brink of collapse. Then he discovers that the seemingly random events leading to this point are not simply related to market forces. In a race against time that becomes a matter of life and death, Harry is forced to draw on all his skill and courage to avoid certain disaster.

To read my review, please click here.

The Fenians summary:  When a bomb explodes at the Australian Open tennis tournament, freelance photographer Jack Summers is caught up in the hunt for the bomber. One puzzle leads to another, until Jack stumbles across an assassination plot with its roots deep in history. In modern Australia, an ancient secret society is out to wreak havoc.

To read my review, please click here.





To purchase books written by Ross Collier, visit Amazon, Kobo Books or Smashwords and you can find Ross on Twitter, Goodreads and his website.

Giveaway ends Tuesday 30th October 2012 and is open internationally.

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eBook Review: Tug of War by Ross Collier

Captain John Garrett of the Australian Army has been ordered back to Melbourne from Townsville to investigate a suspected intelligence leak in Central Bureau.Garrett and an American Captain, Al Tucker are placed into the unit ostensibly as intelligence officers with no one, including the current section leader Captain Anthony Myers, aware of their mission.Tucker begins to work against Garrett who desperately tries to track down the spy operating in the city. In doing so he discovers the most closely guarded secret of the Pacific war. As he draws closer to the truth so begins a life and death battle for survival. ~ via Ross Collier's website

Title:  Tug of War
Author:  Ross Collier
Publisher:  CreateSpace
Released: 1st July 2012
Source:  Author for review, thank you.

I always love an Australian Author and their books situated within Australia. Ross' book is no exception and is fantastic. As with his previous books, Sink or Swim and The Fenians; they are all placed in Melbourne, Australia. A place that is dear to my heart.

Placed back in 1942, when WWII was in full swing, Captain John Garrett was transferred back to Melbourne to investigate an alleged leak within the intelligence bureau. It is believed that somebody is leaking information to the Japanese and people are dying.

At Central Bureau whilst getting his orders, Captain Garrett is introduced to an American Captain, Al Tucker who will be assisting him with the investigation. From the get go, Garrett is apprehensive about the Captain and he doesn’t trust him as far as he can throw him.

Going under cover, Garrett starts investigating and the information he discovers just doesn’t add up. The further he goes into the investigation, the more dangerous it becomes. Garrett doesn’t know who to trust or which side the spy is even coming from. Seeing his old flame again, Jennifer, brings all his feelings back for her. This only causes trouble for them both and puts Jennifer into grave danger.

After a man is shot for being the number one suspect, things start to go down hill for Garrett. The Central Bureau believes the man has been stopped, but Garrett isn’t so sure and is disobeying the Major General in order to get the leader of the spy ring.

This is an amazing journey following Garrett from pillar to post in order to discover who the top spy really is. Will Garrett be able to put a stop to the spy(s)? Will he discover what the secret codes and messages really mean? Will Jennifer and Garrett be able to be together? What will happen to the protocols when Garrett gets caught? Will Garrett get court martialled?

This book is so suspenseful that you have to keep reading until the end. The historical detailing is so amazing that you can picture the characters and their lives unfolding on the pages. This book has it all, a hint of romance, thrilling, suspense and most of all action. The twists and turns along the way keep the reader guessing and wondering who the actual culprit is. I recommend this to all historical fiction readers and Australian’s in general.

4 STARS

You can find all of Ross Collier's books on Amazon, Smashwords, Goodreads and Ross himself on Twitter and his website.

eBook Review: Ashlyn's Radio by Wilson Doherty

Goodreads Summary: When her mother is hospitalization for mental illness, Ashlyn Caverhill is crushed to be forced to go live with her grandmother in Prescott Junction, Maine. Nothing ever happens in this small, closed town. Nothing except for the ghost train that rolls through on the rusted lines on dark nights – the one the townsfolk pretend not to hear it as it comes to claim tortured souls.

Title:  Ashlyn's Radio
Author:  Wilson Doherty
Publisher: Norah Wilson and Heather Doherty
Release Date:  June 2011
Source:  Author's for review, thank you!


I am not usually into books about ghosts that are in the current, but this book was just fantastic. It was full of mystery, intense suspense and thrilling action. And romance of course.

Ashlyn Caverhill thought she was a typical 17 year old until her Mother became ill and was admitted into a psychiatric ward near her Grandmother. Ashlyn is now living with her Grandmother in a little town called Prescott Junction, or Podunk Junction as Ashlyn calls it.

There is a mystery in the town that nobody likes talking about. There is a ghost train that comes through the abandoned station at night. Nobody goes out at night, it's just not done. All the towns folk know about the mysterious train, but all they do is hide in their homes and ignore it. At night Ashlyn hears the train's whistle and music from the Radio. When she asks her Grandmother about it, she just tells Ashlyn to stay in her bed and do not go out at night.

Ashlyn starts school and almost immediately makes friends with Rachel, the witch, the local loco. Rachel is willing to tell Ashlyn about the ghost train and has told her she has seen it many times.

Ashlyn's Grandmother breeds show dogs and hired a boy to help maintain the kennels. Ashlyn looks out her bedroom window to see the boy playing with the dogs. Caden Williams is the most handsome boy she has ever laid her eyes on. She introduces herself and they soon become friends and even more than friends. Rachel, Caden and Ashlyn become good friends and Rachel offers to show them THE ghost train.

One Friday night Ashlyn sneaks out to visit the train with her friends. She is hoping it is all a hoax and tries to calm her nerves. But too soon they all hear the trains whistle coming down the tracks. Ashlyn and Caden cannot believe their eyes, it is a monster of a train, black and full of trapped souls. The conductor is part flesh and part bones, the most hideous creature Ashlyn has ever seen. Rachel is drawn to the train and Ashlyn and Caden are on a mission to not let Rachel get on board.

There is an old story about the Caverhill women, starting with Ashlyn's Great Grandmother. She is the one that bought the radio back when the war began. Ashlyn discovers her Grandmother in the basement with a shotgun one night and is appalled to see her Grandmother trying to blow up the radio. The radio is blown to pieces but it still broadcasts the song and news. Ashlyn is shocked and frightened, but she does hear some of the words in the news broadcast about the towns people.

Can Ashlyn stop her friend from boarding that train? Will Caden and Ashlyn's relationship last after the frightening events on that night with what they witnessed? Can Ashlyn find out the true story of the train, the radio and her father? Can the train ever be stopped and the souls set free?

This is a wonderfully frightening story. The song "She'll be coming 'round the mountain" has been stuck in my head ever since starting the book. I go to bed at night with it stuck there and thinking about this black ghost train full of souls. Norah Wilson and Heather Doherty have created a very imaginative tale that you can't put down. I was laughing at Rachel's quirkiness and Ashlyn's attempts to seduce Caden; crying with tears streaming down my cheeks with Ashlyn visiting her Mother and her Grandmother's fear. You can't help but be drawn into the mystery and the frightening story behind the ghost train. A must read!

5 FRIGHTENING STARS

You can find more books by Norah Wilson and Heather Doherty on Goodreads, Twitter, Amazon and their website.

ARC Book Review: Legacy of Blood by Alex Connor

Goodreads:  London, 1732. William Hogarth is called to a murder scene. A woman lies dead, her unborn child ripped from her body. It is a warning. Hogarth painted the future King leaving her bed. He must destroy the painting to survive. But her killers made one mistake. They left the Prince's son alive. Centuries later, one man holds proof of this line of succession and keeps a watchful eye on the Prince's heir. The legacy is a terrible burden, but also an incredible opportunity. During a flight in a private jet, when a fellow passenger speaks of having gained possession of proof of this, the Royal Family's darkest secret, everything changes. Within hours of the flight, three of the seven passengers have been silenced. Who killed them? Why? To keep the secret or expose it? Where is the proof? As the body count rises, Alex Connor ratchets up the tension is this page-turning thriller that brings history into the present with devastating consequences

Title: Legacy of Blood

Author: Alex Connor

Publisher: Quercus

Released: 19th January 2012 (although already out in Aus)

Source: Pan Macmillan Australia (Thank you)

Format: Paperback

This book is amazing to say the least.  I haven’t read a good murder mystery contemporary fiction novel for a while and this was awesome.  From the first chapter I was drawn into the mystery and history that is involved.

William Hogarth is an infamous artist who created a masterpiece that is shameful and dangerous.  A painting done in 1732, William paints the Prince of Wales with his mistress and she is with child.  William is warned!  He is then requested to visit a crime scene, which he finds this woman dead.  William now holds the most sacred secret that can cause the royal throne irrevocable trouble.  There is another heir to the throne that is the biggest national secret in history.

Going forward a few centuries, this secret is still being passed down generation to generation with proof.  In the art world, this painting has been stolen, unbeknownst to the secret holder.  On a private plane trip, the new owner of this dangerous painting has a panic attack and tells a fellow art dealer about his find.  Everybody aboard the plane overhears and they are all now in grave danger, they just don’t know it.  They think they are able to sell off this painting, which has been told as a myth, but now seems real to all.

Victor is an ex-con and has been hired to investigate the death of a passenger.  Along his journey, threats against his life are made and those of the other passengers.  Following a trail that seems to lead in circles, Victor discovers things about himself as well as the art world, that weren’t known before.  Who stole the painting and is now holding it?  Who is the descendant?  Who are the secret holders that have had the burden to carry this for centuries?

Along the journey, you follow Victor through all the twists and turns of the plot, with surprises along the way.  Seeing the gruesome details; the betrayals that cause this dangerous secret to become known to others.  I loved the book and the little history chapters added in from the artists’ point of view.  The story was easy to follow and addictive; creating suspense that makes the reader keep turning pages.  I highly recommend this to all murder mystery readers.

                                                        

4 STARS - GREAT READ

You can find Alexandra (Alex) Connor on Goodreads and Amazon.