Before starting my blog, I spent a lot of time researching what other bloggers did. I noticed just about everyone posted a monthly “Wrap UP” article. I wanted to make mine a little different, so I decided to call mine “in a Nutshell”. Well, earlier this month I was browsing through Pinterest and noticed that another blogger liked my idea and started using the same phrase. Guess I did something right.
This month is the blogs six month anniversary, I cannot believe that I have been doing this full time for six months already. They say time flies when you are having fun. The last six months sure have been fun-filled for me. I have met so many amazing people. I have partnered with three blog tour organisers: Random Things Tours, Zooloo Blog Tours and Blackthorn Blog Tours – so you can expect to see a lot of great blog tour stop in the future. My highlight about blogging so far has been the authors who have reached out to show their appreciation. Nothing puts a smile on my face like an author taking the time to drop me a line.
Okay, now I am waffling, lets look at an update of the books we reviewed this month.
Backstories by Simon van der Velde
Be ready to have your hair blown back! This collection of short stories is guaranteed to keep you guessing. Each story has you eager to figure out who inspired it. This book is unique, clever and deeply thought-provoking. Some are easy to figure out, while some will have you heading to google to do some research.
Endings by Linda L Richards
What would drive you to kill someone for money? Endings explores that question. But more than that, the book looks at the various endings we face during life. The author digs deep into the emotions caused by the loss of family and brings us a character that reflects a little piece of all of us.
Quiet in Her Bones by Nalini Singh
The Quiet in Her Bones is a gripping thriller that follows a son’s search for the truth behind his mother’s disappearance. It explores the bond between a mother and a child, looking at both the good and the bad in that relationship.
This was my first encounter with Nalini Singh and I found her writing extremely entertaining. She manages to keep you wondering as you turn the pages, revealing a little bit of the plot as she goes and right at the end drops a surprise you simply didn’t see coming. I loved that her characters were not picture-perfect, she explores the good and the bad in everyone making them all extremely likeable.
Facets of Death by Michael Stanley
This crime thriller is set in Botswana and tells the story of a young man starting his career as a police detective, his desire to perform well and impress his bosses. He is faced with judgement from his new colleagues and when he can least afford it, he meets a woman that makes it difficult for him to think straight.
The Imposter by Anna Wharton
Picking up this book I thought I knew exactly where this story was going to go. However, the author created a story that left a huge surprise at the end. This book was not what it appears to be, and I loved the way the author managed to craft a tale that appeared to be going one way, and then dropping a huge surprise on you at the very end.
HIVE by Jeremiah Ukponrefe
A Young Adult Review by Alicia
A new world where there is an alien force, a full-blown apocalypse and people divided into factions, some friendly and some not so friendly.
This book was so much fun to read. I enjoyed all the action in this book. There is never a dull moment as there is constantly a new twist and turn on every page.
Bad Day in Minsk by Jonathan Pinnock
The story is told from Tom Winscombe point of view and looks at all the bad decision he makes trying to impress the woman he believes he cannot live without. Reading this book, I was reminded of Inspector Jacques Clouseau from the Pink Panther.
The Lynmouth Stories by L V Hay
These short stories can be read in one sitting, with only 35 pages, this is a quick read focused on women in trouble, women suffering and women taking control. All set in the village of Lynmouth.
I turned to google after reading this to see where Lynmouth is. My google search gave me amazing pictures of this picturesque little village in Devon, England, on the northern edge of Exmoor.
Tall Bones by Anna Bailey
Tall Bones digs deep into what happens to a family when religion is taken too far. The struggles children in such households’ face and the long-term consequences when abuse takes over. It looks at a town where the preacher rules the community and is quick to take matters into their own hands – when it suits them. This deeply moving tale will keep the book glued to your hands as you turn page after page.
Vanished by James Delargy
This book provides an exciting reading experience that leaves the reader transported to the Great Victoria Desert. The story draws you into the lives of the Kane family, their struggles in an abandoned town and their lack of trust in one another.
The Source by Sarah Sultoon
Book of the Month
This debut novel is about abuse, power and one woman’s desire to protect her little sister while finding the courage and strength to move on and build a life for herself.
Sarah Sultoon chose a harsh topic for her debut novel, looking at child abuse and the people behind grooming and tormenting these children. She managed to create a story that was a lot easier to read than I would have believed possible. Telling the story from two perspectives, Carly’s and Marie’s while shifting between 1996 and 2006 along the way. The Source was gripping and heart-breaking at the same time. Keeping you glued to the pages as your need to discover the truth almost overwhelms you.
Behind Closed Doors by Catherine Alliot
Behind Closed Doors is a little out of my comfort zone when it comes to reading, but I have to say a huge thank you to Penguin Random House South Africa for sending me a review copy of this book. While it is not my genre of choice, this was a wonderfully entertaining read and a book I will proudly display on my bookshelf. It has such a pretty cover – I just love the look of this book.
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May 2021 Blog Tours
05 May – The Crazy Season by Jim Ody
06 May – Wicker Village: Nightmares in Aston by Michael J Moore
09 May – Don’t Ask by Paul Carroll
12 May – Robert B Parker – Fool’s Paradise, Grudge Match and Someone to Watch Over Me
13 May – Hit & Run by Maria Frankland
14 May – Shooting Season by David Gatward
19 May – Nearest Thing to Crazy by Elizabeth Forbes
20 May – Comatose by Jane Badrock
24 May – Prodigal by Michael Waterhouse
25 May – Legal Crimes by Samiksha Bhattacharjee
30 May – Echoes of Home by M.L. Rayner
After doing this for six months, the blog now has a stable following and I have decided to offer limited advertising space to my loyal supporters. If you would like to advertise on the blog, drop me an email and I will send you some more information.
April has been an amazing reading month for me, filled with a host of new to me authors. I have enjoyed every minute that got to read and look forward to your comments on the books featured this month. Until next time….. Happy Reading!
