That's a Wrap!
Winter has crept into South Africa and in the last few weeks, the air has had a horrible little bite to it. I admit I am a big baby, but I felt a lot better when some visitors from France complained about the cold as well. We have had some unusual winter rain which just added to my misery. The good news is that I have been able to disappear to bed early with a book more often – and no one complained about it.
This month most of my reading has been for blog tours while my personal TBR has been growing, therefore I am toning down the blog tours during July to try and make a dent in my own TBR. Alicia has been busy with her mid-year exams, so she has not had time for reviews. The good news is she is finished and promises to share a lot of reviews in the coming month. We have also decided to do our first buddy reads – so you can look forward to at least two of those during July.
Okay, before I allow myself to get carried away, here is an update of what I reviewed during June – just in case you missed any of them.
07 June – The Mirror Man by Lars Kepler
This was an intriguing read. While I was new to this series, I found myself quickly hooked and enjoying the characters. This book is well worth checking out, the story is dark and twisty and guaranteed to keep you flipping pages.
08 June – Not Your Mary Sue by Rebecca Frost
My second blog tour for the month, and what a read. The name says it all. A young woman who has spent her life doing what is expected of her finally comes into her own. She decides to live her own life and distance herself from her family. Only to have a serial killer appear in her life with some hair-raising consequences. This is a brilliant read.
09 June – Do No Harm – by Jack Jordan
This book delves into the oath doctor take to Do No Harm and asks what would make a doctor break that oath. It is an all-night read that leaves you amazed by the author’s creativity. I am glad that I do not have any surgery scheduled. After reading this one, I will be forced to dig into my surgeon’s personal life before agreeing to go under the knife. This book releases in SA during July, so be sure to add this one to your TBR. It will not leave you disappointed.
13 June – One of The Girls by Lucy Clarke
This is a brilliant holiday read – or maybe a staycation read. As you open this book you are transported to a Greek Island with the most remarkable scenery. The author indulges all your senses as you read this one – you are left seeing, smelling and tasting everything she vividly describes. As a bonus, you spend your time with six girlfriends who have more secrets than you could imagine and as they are revealed the story makes one twist after the other. This is a must-read book. Also releasing in SA during July, and a perfect way to escape our winter blues.
14 June – Angel Town by Fiona Cane
We have all heard about religious cults and how they manage to entrap people with false promises of a better life. Angle Town gives you a front-row seat view of life within one of these cult communities and how easily one man can pull the wool over people’s eyes. This is a disturbing story that will leave you amazed. I loved this book.
15 June – Local Gone Missing by Fiona Barton
Fiona Barton is another new-to-me author. I found myself quickly engrossed in this gripping tale about a small community where no one is who they appear to be. The author created a complex group of characters and managed to keep delivering surprise after surprise with this story. I look forward to reading more of her work.
20 June – The Silent Brother by Simon van der Velde
After reading and reviewing Backstories by Simon van der Velde last year, I jumped at the chance to read his new book – The Silent Brother. This book was very different from the previous one. This is an emotional story that takes you to the streets of Newcastle, and into the life of a boy growing up in an abusive home. The emotion in this book is raw and will leave you experiencing a rollercoaster ride of emotions. This is a brilliantly written book.
22 June – Searching for a Stranger and Finding Myself by Wendy L. Scott-Hawkins
Non-fiction is not something I spend a lot of time on. The author reached out and asked if I would consider reviewing her book and I am extremely glad that I made time for this story. It is an amazing story of one woman’s search for her half-sibling that shows strength, courage and determination. At times it was hard to believe that this was not fiction. The book leaves you with a message that anything is possible.
30 June – The Gone and The Forgotten by Claire Whitfield
This is a dark tale that is full of scary twists. I found this book to be a slow read, taking my time turning the pages as the horrible events unfolded. There are times when I simply had to pull myself away from this story. At the same time, I had to know how it would end. This book is guaranteed to crawl in under your skin and keep you going back for more.
BOOK OF THE MONTH!
Selecting a book of the month never comes easily, but this month I am selecting One of The Girls by Lucy Clarke. I loved how this book managed to engage all my senses and left me researching the costs of a holiday in Greece. The book might be based on a fictitious island, but it is rich in Greek scenery, food, drink and vegetation. I cannot wait to visit – if only my bank balance agreed.
Well, that’s a wrap! During July Alicia and I are planning to buddy read Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens and Away with the Penguins by Hazel Prior, keep an eye out for our reviews. I look forward to hearing which of this month’s reviews you have added to your TBR, so drop me a line or leave a comment below. Until next time…. Happy Reading!
A great months reading!