HOSTILE TAKEOVER - Sneak Peek!

SNEAK PEEK TIME!!! 

I seem to be dipping my toes into MM romances over the past few months, haven't I? And, because of this, I am thrilled to share you a sneak peek into the upcoming MM romance standalone novel from bestselling author, Lucy Lennox, Hostile Takeover. 

Hang on... maybe it'll be best if I just show you the blurb as, while I am planning to read this (for a possible/maybe blog tour), I am planning to stay firmly in the dark on this. I wanna go in as blind as possible.

So, this blurb is taken from the author's website and from Goodreads:

It was supposed to be a prank. A silly frat boy dare.

One hot moment in a hidden storage closet. One kiss. No consequences.

But if you get that close to a man with fire in his eyes, you’re gonna get burned, and I was no exception. One taste of Grey Blackwood ruined me for life.

The way Grey sees it, I was the one who did the ruining. I humiliated him. Wrecked his life. Destroyed his future.

Doesn’t matter that he’s clawed his way back and then some. Doesn’t matter that he’s already top of the Wall Street food chain. The man’s ruthless. Heartless. And he likes his revenge served cold.

Now he’s taking down the companies owned by every frat boy who did him wrong. And when he comes for my family’s company, the quiet life I’ve built for myself far away from Manhattan comes crumbling down, too.

But when Grey’s standing in our boardroom, threatening a hostile takeover and demanding I negotiate on behalf of my family, I don’t see an enemy. I see the chance I’ve been waiting for.

The chance for another night in his arms, and hopefully a whole lot more.

Let the negotiations begin.

This feels very enemies to lovers so I, of course, am here for that! Now, before I share the tease, I want to quickly thank you to Sarah from Social Butterfly PR for emailing me out of the blue one day and going "You seem like fun, wanna be involved in this?". And if you want more info on Hostile Takeover, you can find out more by visit Lucy Lennox's website at lucylennox.com or you can tweet her at @lucylennoxmm!

Now, ONTO THE TEASE!

Shocktember 2021 - The Three Dog Problem

Here we are, the last of Shocktember (and am posting this within an hour of me writing this review - it's been years since I did that!!!). I honestly thought I would have read/audiobook more crime/thrillers, truth be told. But new job and less time to read (because of real life) has made my reading/audiobooking take a hit. I'm still audiobooking a cosy crime that I wanted to review for this month but I still have a good 20% left to audio. So, that's for next month, which is breaking my plans for a Halloween-themed reading month (more on that in a later post or two!)

But here we are with The Three Dog Problem, the second book in the Her Majesty the Queen Investigate series. Now, I read the first, The Windsor Knot, late last year. I did do a Mini-Review for it as, at the time, I was on my annual Christmas Blog Holiday/Radio Silence (which I might be doing again in a few weeks, FYI) and I found it fun! So, when I saw that this was up on NetGalley for review, I jumped at the chance! 

Title And Author: The Three Dog Problem by SJ Bennett
Publisher: Zaffre
Bought, Borrowed or Gifted: eProof gifted by UK publisher in exchange for honest review/reaction. 

In the wake of the Brexit referendum that has divided a country and the US election between Hilary Clinton and Donald Trump, the Queen just wants some peace and quiet. But, it looks like she's not going to get it as, when on a Royal visit to a Navy exhibitition, she sees a painting of the Royal Yacht Britannia on display. Her painting. And she gave no permission for its display. In fact, she thought it was misplaced in the mid-1980s. 

As she begins to look into this, a body of a disliked housekeeper is found at the Palace's swimming pool, her ankle deeply cut, causing her to bleed to death. An accident, surely? But it's strange that her death happens as the Queen begins to look into the painting's disappearance and several of the female staff, including her trusted secretary, Rosie, receive nasty poison pen letters... 

Something is going on in Buckingham Palace, and Her Majesty is determined to get to the bottom of it.

Quick Reads 2022 Announcement

 THE READING AGENCY ANNOUNCES QUICK READS 2022 AUTHORS WRITING BITESIZE BOOKS FOR THE LIFE-CHANGING LITERACY PROGRAMME

• Authors revealed at Evening Standard Stories Festival featuring Mosse & Wheatle
• ‘Buy one gift one’ 10^th anniversary campaign sees 35,507 books donated to new readers
• Quick Reads 2022 titles set to form part of World Book Night booklist

 

Publishing on 14 April 2022 | www.readingagency.org.uk | #QuickReads | @readingagency

 

Friday, 24 September 2021: The Reading Agency has announced the eight best-selling authors writing Quick Reads for 2022, the life-changing programme tackling the UK’s adult literacy crisis by helping less confident readers get reading: MW Craven, Paula Hawkins, Ayisha Malik, Santa Montefiore, Kate Mosse, Graham Norton, Lemn Sissay and Alex Wheatle.

 

The line-up was revealed by Karen Napier, CEO of The Reading Agency, during Kate Mosse and Alex Wheatle’s event at the Evening Standard Stories Festival at Picturehouse Central on Friday evening, where the two renowned authors discussed the power of reading.

 

Publishing on 14 April 2022 in a showcase of the very best contemporary writing, the new raft of Quick Reads titles incudes: a chilling story of revenge by New York Times bestseller Paula Hawkins (Blind Spot, Penguin Random House, Transworld, Doubleday); an intriguing tale of romance and danger from treasured comedian and presenter Graham Norton (The Swimmer, Hodder, Coronet); a gruesome new case for MW Craven’s popular crime-cracking duo Poe and Bradshaw (The Cutting Season, Hachette, Constable); a specially abridged version of Lemn Sissay’s prize-winning memoir (My Name Is Why abridged, (Canongate); a catch up with Ayisha Malik’s 'Muslim Bridget Jones’ Sofia Khan (Sofia Khan: The Baby Blues, Headline, Review); a fable of family dynamics and deception courtesy of the much-loved Santa Montefiore (The Kiss, Simon & Schuster); an historical drama set against the backdrop of Tenerife’s volcanic landscape by the award-winning Kate Mosse (The Black Mountain, Macmillan, Mantle); and a high stakes return to the streets of Alex Wheatle’s North Crongton estate (Witness, Serpent’s Tail).

 

The Reading Agency have also revealed the impact of this year’s 15^th anniversary ‘buy one gift one’ campaign, with 35,507 copies of these transformative books being delivered into the hands of those who struggle with reading or have limited access to books this Autumn. Working with library authorities, prisons, adult learning organisations and community-based charities the books are being distributed through a range of gifting projects and targeted outreach work. This includes work with food banks, ESOL (English as a Second Language) classes, local refugee groups, Basic Skills learners, people in prison and those being supported by homeless shelters or supported living. Thanks to generous support from this year’s six publishers, for every book bought from publication in May through to 31 July 2021, another copy was donated to The Reading Agency.

 

Following the success of ‘buy one, gift one’ and as part of The Reading Agency’s strategy to reach even more emerging readers through a gifting component of Quick Reads activity, the eight titles announced today will also form part of the World Book Night 2022 Booklist. The full list of World Book Night 2022 titles will be revealed later this year. World Book Night is an annual national celebration of reading which takes place on 23 April.

 

Quick Reads plays a vital role in addressing the UK’s adult literacy crisis, engaging the one in three adults who do not regularly read for pleasure and the one in six adults who find reading difficult. Since launching in 2006, Quick Reads titles have been loaned out over 6 million times and over 5 million copies have been distributed with the generous support of publishers and donors.

 

The titles are available for just £1 at bookshops and are free to borrow from libraries. They are used across the country in colleges, prisons, trade unions, hospitals, and adult learning organisations.

 

Karen Napier, CEO, The Reading Agency, said: “Working closely with our wonderful publisher partners, the success of this year’s innovative 10^thanniversary ‘buy one, gift one’ campaign has enabled The Reading Agency to distribute thousands of free books into the hands of those that need them most, who struggle with reading, or have limited access to books.

 

We are incredibly excited to reveal the extraordinary list of authors working with Quick Reads to publish a bitesize book next year – and thank them for their support to this life-changing programme. We are thrilled that these titles will form part of our World Book Night 2022 booklist, allowing us to explore new ways of engaging a wider audience so that more and more readers will be able to discover the pleasure and benefits that come from reading.”

Shocktember 2021 - The Vanishing Stair

As you know from earlier this month, I finally - finally - started reading the Truly Devious series by Maureen Johnson. My write-up for Truly Devious is here and... well... I was very unsure this. I knew I was going to read the rest of the mystery - the Truly Devious mystery covers three books (Truly Devious, The Vanishing Stair and Hand on the Wall). I'm in two minds over read the fourth book in the series - Box in the Wood - as this is a standalone, companion mystery. So, we shall see... 

But Vanishing Stair... where to begin with that?

Title And Author: The Vanishing Stair by Maureen Johnson

Publisher: Harper360

Bought, Borrowed or Gifted: eBook bought while Audiobook’s borrowed from local library via BorrowBox app. 

After the events of Truly Devious, Stevie Bell is back in her hometown and she hates it. She wants to be back at Ellingham Academy. She wants to be back so she can solve the unsolved kidnapping and triple murder of Ellingham Academy (aka Truly Devious). But for her safety, her parents pulled her out. But when despicable, right wing politician (who her parents work for) Edward King offer her a chance to go back, Stevie jumps at it, even though it means making a deal with the devil. 

But she's back, with her friends, her teachers, the mystery and David... the guy who kissed her, the guy who lied to her, and... oh yeah... Edward King's son. 

But as she finds her feet at Ellingham, she begins to wonder over what happened to past few weeks and wonders... what if... and as she looks into the Ellingham case, she also wonders... what if Truly Devious had nothing to do with the kidnapping... 

It Came From The Monster Belt

I have an extract for you! And yes, I am breaking my Shocktember (again) to share an extract! 

Harris White is on a journey. A journey towards the mysterious Monster Belt. He thinks being there will be the key to solve a mystery that is so deeply rooted in his past. But for Dee Winters, she wants to get as far away from the Monster Belt as possible. So when their paths collide, will the two find the answers they re both so desperate to find... 

I don't want to reveal too much as I sense that going into this blind will be the best port of call. So, before I share this little tease, I want to thank Graeme from UClan for allowing me to show this extract off! 

If you are curious about The Monster Belt, pop over to uclanpublishing.com or visit Ruth Estevez's website, artgoesglobal.wordpress.com. Or, if you fancy saying hi to Ruth, send her a tweet at @RuthEstevez2.

Now, ONTO THE EXTRACT!

Shocktember 2021 - The Stalker

Another thriller I listened to at the end of July but pushed my write-up to now. I was actually in two minds of whether to write this and post in August (Summer of Love) or push till September (more thriller month) as, while a thriller, it does star a newly married couple. Hang on, let me get the info up and you’ll see what I mean...

Title And Author: The Stalker by Sarah Alderson

Publisher: Avon

Bought, Borrowed or Gifted: eProof gifted by UK publisher in exchange for honest review/reaction while Audiobook’s borrowed from local library via BorrowBox app. 

Laura and Liam are a newly married couple and, after pushing their honeymoon back several months after the sudden death of Laura’s mother, the couple go to a remote island off the coast of Scotland. Just the two of them. Pure bliss. Except they discover the tiny island has a tragic history. Maybe that’s why they get the feeling that they’re being watched? But it’s not until they wake up one morning to discover something scratched into one of the windows that they realise that their stalker wants to do them harm and won’t stop...

DESIBLITZ LITERATURE FESTIVAL 2021 ALERT

DESIBLITZ 

LITERATURE 

FESTIVAL 2021

 

THE UK’S LEADING SOUTH ASIAN LITERARY FESTIVAL

 

18^TH SEPTEMBER - 1^ST OCTOBER 2021

 

Tickets: https://www.desiblitz.com/arts/events/

The Killing Moon Will Come Too Soon

I know, I'm breaking my Shocktember rule again. And this is more Halloween, right? But I know some of you guys are already planning your Spooky TBRs and who am I but a simple book pusher, going "What about this creepy read?"

Because of that, I am thrilled to welcome Danny Weston back onto the blog. Oh yes, he's been here before, talking about his creepy Scarecrow and his Witching Stone. But today, Danny's here talking about A Hunter's Moon, a twisted tale that gives off Little Red Riding Hood meets M Night Shyamalan The Village...

There's something lurking deep in the Forest of Tay. A fearsome creature that, under the cover of darkness, emerges to feed on the local farmer's sheep. And, sometimes, the farmers themselves... 

Some whisper it's just a wolf. But other whispers that is the Cù Sìth, a creature summoned by the mysterious Walkers in the Woods. Fraser McCloud thinks it's just a wolf and insists that he must hunt and kill the beast. But his young apprentice, Callum, is hugely apprehensive over this development. But when he meets the innkeeper's daughter, Mhairi, who knows more about the Walker that she really should, Callum is more unnerved. The killings are getting bolder and soon, Callum realises that there is every reason to be afraid...

Now, you guys know I'm not much of a horror reader, but I do like a nice scare every now and again so when Graeme from UClan Publishing emailed and asked if I wanted to be involved, I jumped at it so thank you Graeme for asking me, and thank you Danny for finding time to write this guest post about writing books in historical settings. 

If you want to know more info about Hunter's Moon, you can check out UClan Publishing's website at uclanpublishing.com. And, before I hand you over to Danny and are in the mood for some music, I think this would be perfect! Happy reading/rocking!

eBook Review - Hijacked

BLOG TOUR REVIEW TIME!!! Yes, I know, September is my Crime/Thriller reading month, but I only decided this a few weeks ago and I agreed to be involved in this review blog tour a few months earlier. So, yes, I am screwing up my reading plans (like always), but this sounded like a fun read, and I am a sucker for fun reads! Hang on, let me get the basic details up and then we can dive in!!!

Title And Author: Hijacked by Lucy Lennox and May Archer
Publisher: Self-Published (?)
Bought, Borrowed or Gifted: eProof gifted by PR company, Social Butterfly PR,  in exchange for honest review/reaction. 

The first book in the Licking Thicket spin-off series - Licking Thicket: Horn of Glory  - we follow Dr Carter Rogers as he's about to leave the small towns of Licking Thicket and Great Nuthatch to provide medical care for those in need in Venezuela. But his grandfather decides that Carter needs a bodyguard and hires ex-marine William Riggs who, when they first meet, Cart can't help noticing how attractive Riggs is, nor how Riggs seems to hate him on sight. 

Riggs screwed up. The security firm he works for, Champion Security, lost a huge client who create the gaming sensation, Horn of Glory, and it's Riggs's fault. Now, the creator of the game, Buck Nutter has vanished and is planning to sell his "Magic Seed" (aka a backdoor code for the game) to highest bidder. Because of that, he's punished by being bodyguard to Dr Carter Rogers.

 
As the two spend time together, lines beginning to blur and when a monologuing, hypochondriac drug lord snatches them, things between them get a really blurred and complex.

Loki Book Tag

I did mention this post and I have tried to write this when this went live, but my answers were so long and complex that I went "Let me do something lighter", hence why I did the Moody Reader Book Tag instead. Plus, I kinda wanted to do this after I had watched Disney+ Loki. And, in typical me style, I haven't watched it. Hell, I haven't finished WandaVision as it's so wonderful, I can't. I just can't! So, here I am, diving into this, knowing nothing barring what I read on socials (so, in other words, mostly everything!)

This tag was made by Erik from Breakeven Books and all questions are inspired by the TV show, so brace yourselves!!!

Shocktember 2021 - Truly Devious

I knew when I decided to finally, finally, read/audiobook Truly Devious back in late July (I pushed to September due to me wanting August to be quite light and romantic reading...) that was I was going to do the series (this, originally, was meant to be a trilogy so on this front, I mean Truly Devious, The Vanishing Stair and The Hand on the Wall. I am intrigued over the newest, standalone instalment, The Box in the Woods, but in two minds if I should buy/read this. Let me do these three and then I’ll, then, decide...). Mainly because I own all three but, also, I knew that the main mystery of the series – the identity of Truly Devious and the unsolved kidnappings and possible triple murder that rocked Ellingham Academy in 1936 – was going to be an overarching theme for the trilogy.

Oh shoot, hang on. Let me get the basic info and and tell you about Truly Devious. Then we can dive into this!

Title And Author: Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson

Publisher: Harper360/Katherine Tegen Books

Bought, Borrowed or Gifted: eProof bought & Audiobook borrowed from local library via BorrowBox app.

Ellingham Academy is a famous private school in Vermont, where the best and brightest students attend, created by a tycoon who believed learning should be a game. But that's not why the school is famous. In 1936, the tycoon's wife, three year old daughter and one of the students vanished. The only clue was a poison pen letter-style riddle from someone calling themselves Truly Devious. It's one of the greatest unsolved mysteries in North America. Now, in the modern day, true crime aficionado Stevie Bell is about to attend the school and she wants to solve the crime. And Truly Devious doesn't like that...

Shocktember 2021

I don't seem to do TBR stacks well, I've noticed. If I make a list to read five books in a certain order, I will do well for the first two books, then I will do completely off my TBR list. But if I do a theme, I seem to be more likely to stick to it. 

Plus, I've been in a mood lately to read certain genres. Last month, I went very hard into romance, mainly MM, and while I have a few more to read this month (one is for a blog tour so might need to stop what I am doing to read that one!), I've had an itch to read another genre for September. A genre I enjoy reading in but I don't go in often. Yes, that genre of crime and thrillers. 

Yes, my Murder Month is back. But, I didn't want to call it that. I had a list of ideas but nothing fitted: Suspect September? Suspension September? Stabbing September? Cyandie September? But nothing fitted, so I did my normal thing and asked Twitter. And while a few of you guys had good ideas, I went for this interest because, you know, LIBRARIANS!!!

Shocktember

— Mrs Baird (@StNiniansLib) August 20, 2021

 

So, WELCOME TO SHOCKTEMBER! My reading month of crime and thriller books. Now, I have a few titles in mind that I would like to read. This goes over a mix of subgenre (well, that is the plan). However, I am not sure how many books I am going to be reading/audiobooking this month because... well... I changed jobs. 

Yes, I have a new job! I'm writing this after my first week at the new place (I should be settled by the time you all read this, in theory) so the amount I can read/audiobook has gone down due to drive to/from work, lunch breaks and me trying to find my feet. So, this might be a bit of quiet month but oh, I have reading plans! I have one or two titles I would like to try to read this month (remember, this isn't a strict TBR so might do one or two non-crime/thriller titles due to preorders/blog tour I agreed several months back!) but, will I get round to them... we shall see...

Oh, wanna see some titles I would like to try and get round to this month?