Tuesday 29 March 2022

New Publication Spotlight and Review: A Moment of Faith by Martin Svaneborg


A Moment of Faith by Martin Svaneborg

'Gripping Tale' - Books Charming Reviewer

Copenhagen, 1840 – Fighting to reconcile his obligations with a quest for romance, the eccentric philosopher, Søren Kierkegaard, rushes through the cobbled streets, thrusting himself into the arms of Regine and a disastrous engagement.

Copenhagen, 1855 – Withering away in a hospital bed, Bitter and alone, Kierkegaard conjures up a preposterous scheme. A vendetta against the Bishop of Copenhagen, and a mission to save the future of love.

Copenhagen, now – Introvert Christian Kardahl, meets devout and mysterious Emma for the first time. Two days later, Christian comes across an old letter aimed to destroy a famous, eccentric philosopher. When a sudden murder is added to the mystery, the past has caught up. Christian and Emma are drawn into an involuntary quest that will make them question their belief in history and, unless they can sort out the puzzle, their faith and love will be forever doomed.

'Brilliantly written, a bridge between the present and Kierkegaard past' - Book Reviewer


http://mybook.to/amomentoffaith



Philosophy and religion are not normally genres I read, however, this beautifully written, religious-themed thriller sent in Copenhagen is both insightful and fascinating.

When Christian Kardahl finds himself within a congregation of a church he didn't know existed, he is instantly attracted to a young woman. Only, she needs his help and he's more than willing to help as the pair join forces to seek out the truth, to save what is dear to her.

There's much at stake and as these two newly acquainted people work against the clock, documents from the past expose more than either of them could ever believe to be true. Told through a dual timeline and I like how the author captures the personalities of Christian and Emma and how they interacted within this fast-paced thriller. The present-day action blends effortlessly with the beautiful letters written by nineteenth-century Danish philosopher, Søren Kierkegaard to Regine Olsen. There's was a tortuous and doomed love affair as we, the reader ponder why he broke his engagement to the woman he loved. Back in the present, with Christian as the narrator, glimpses of insight between the modern-day protagonists suggest their mutual infatuation shows similarities.

As a reader, I've always enjoyed books that allow to me broaden my knowledge. Therefore, A Moment of Faith is a truly captivating narrative leaving me with a craving to read more about Kierkegaard and his work. The twists and turns of Christian and Emma's adventure kept my attention as I absorbed the historical details.

To sum up, those who enjoyed The Robert Langdon novels by Dan Brown should also enjoy this intriguing first instalment of The Christian Kardahl series too. As for me, I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

***arc generously received courtesy of Kingsley Publishers***


With a background in musical theatre as both an actor, singer, and dancer, Martin Svaneborg has spent his teenage and adult life as a storyteller. In 2018, driven mainly by his interest in the history of religion, Martin started studying theology at the University of Copenhagen while exploring other ways of telling stories as a theatre director, speech coach, and speaker, hence the transition to novel writing felt natural, and his debut novel is a fusion of his growing interest for the personal life of the philosophers he encountered during his studies and the desire to tell an adventurous love story. Also, he, like Kierkegaard, has a thing for nice, long sentences.

Instagram - @kingsleypublishers

Instagram - @martinsvaneborg_author

Twitter - @kingsleypublis1


Monday 28 March 2022

Birthday Book Blitz: The Chair Man by Alex Pearl

The Chair Man by Alex Pearl

Michael Hollinghurst is a successful corporate lawyer living a comfortable, suburban life in leafy North West London. But on 7 July 2005, his life is transformed when he steps on a London underground train targeted by Islamist suicide bombers. While most passengers in his carriage are killed, Michael survives the explosion but is confined to a wheelchair as a result.

Coming to terms with his predicament and controlling his own feelings of guilt as a survivor conspire to push him in a direction that is out of character and a tad reckless. In a quest to seek retribution, he resorts to embracing the internet and posing as a radical Islamist in order to snare potential perpetrators.

Much to his surprise, his shambolic scheme yields results and is brought to the attention of both GCHQ and a terrorist cell. But before long, dark forces begin to gather and close in on him. There is seemingly no way out for Michael Hollinghurst. He has become, quite literally, a sitting target.


https://www.amazon.co.uk/Chair-Man-Alex-Pearl-ebook/dp/B082T5P1Y2

https://www.amazon.com/Chair-Man-Alex-Pearl-ebook/dp/B082T5P1Y2

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-chair-man-alex-pearl/1136672496?ean=2940164005511

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1009862

https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-chair-man/id1503252665

Alex's first novel 'Sleeping with the Blackbirds', a darkly humorous urban fantasy, written for children and young adults, was initially published by PenPress in 2011. It has since become a Kindle bestseller in the US. In 2014, his fictionalised account of the first British serviceman to be executed for cowardice during the First World War was published by Mardibooks in its anthology, 'The Clock Struck War'. A selection of his blog posts is also available in paperback under the title 'Random Ramblings of a Short-sighted Blogger.' In 2019, his psychological thriller, 'The Chair Man' that is set in London in 2005 following the terrorist attack on its public transport system, was published as an ebook by Fizgig Press. The paperback followed in 2020.

Alex lives in NW London with his wife and terribly spoilt feline.

He is quite possibly the only human being on this planet to have been inadvertently locked in a record shop on Christmas Eve.

You can visit his website at http://booksbyalexpearl.weebly.com

https://linktr.ee/AlexPearl



Thursday 24 March 2022

New Publication Spotlight: Badlands by Gary Kruse


Badlands by Gary Kruse

Surf. Sand. Smugglers. Murder.

Willow has run as far as she can.

From her home.

From the friends she betrayed.

From the family who betrayed her.

From her own name.

But a cry for help will bring her back.

Back to face her family.

Back to face the sins of her past.

Back to face the darkness at the heart of Cornwall.

In the search for her sister, Willow will face deception and betrayal, before she’ll find love – and herself. But will she uncover how close the enemy is, or will she become another victim of the Badlands?


 http://mybook.to/badlandsdarkstroke

Gary Kruse is a multi-genre writer of flash fiction, short stories and novels. He lives with his family in Hornchurch on the Essex/London border.

He began writing as a teenager after seeing the Craft in the cinema and wondering what would happen if the coven of witches from the Craft came face to face with the Lost Boys (the vampires, not Peter Pan's crew!).

His work has appeared online and in print anthologies and his short story "Mirror Mirror" was shortlisted in the WriteHive 2021 Horror competition, and subsequently featured in the "Duplicitous" anthology.

His short story "Hope in the Dark" won first place in the November 2021 edition of the Writers' Forum Short Story competition.

His debut novel “Badlands” is published through Darkstroke on 21st January 2022.

www.twitter.com/@KruseGowerWrite

www.instagram.com/@gowerkrusewrites

www.facebook.com/gary.kruse.1029

https://garykruse.co.uk/


Wednesday 23 March 2022

A Spotlight on: Bad Penny by Michele Gorman


Bad Penny by Michele Gorman

Penny’s life is one big, fat secret… and everyone is about to find out.


Penny isn’t the girl she used to be, or the woman everyone thinks she is now. At 19, she bolted for London and never looked back. Nobody there knows who she was - not her care home colleagues, her boss, her clients or even her best friend and flat-mate. Auntie Mags is her only connection to her past, and she’s keeping schtum.

Oli can’t believe his luck. Not only is he about to fulfil his dream of really making a difference (assuming he wins his seat in the upcoming general election), now he’s met the perfect woman. Within a few dates he’s sure he wants to spend the rest of his life with Penny, and it’s all he can do not to shout it from the rooftops.

But Penny has hidden her secret by not shouting from any rooftops. In fact, the quieter, the better. So when Oli’s campaign swings into gear and the reporters start circling, it’s not only her future that’s about to come crashing down.

How can she find a happy ending with Oli when her past will definitely ruin his future, yet living with the lie will ruin their future together?

Then Penny’s past gets out of prison, and he’s about to turn up like a... bad penny.

Amazon UK               Amazon US


Michele writes comedies packed with lots of heart, best friends and girl power. She is both a Sunday Times and a USA Today bestselling author, raised in the US and living in London.

Michele also writes cozy comedies under the pen-name Lilly Bartlett. Lilly’s books are full of warmth, quirky characters and guaranteed happily-ever-afters.

https://twitter.com/MicheleGormanUK

https://www.facebook.com/MicheleGormanBooks

https://www.instagram.com/michelegormanuk/



Tuesday 22 March 2022

A Book Spotlight on: Inner Trek: A Reluctant Pilgrim in the Himalayas by Mohan Ranga Rao



Inner Trek: A Reluctant Pilgrim in the Himalayas by Mohan Ranga Rao

After being threatened by a Bangalore mob boss, retired Indian businessman in Mohan Ranga Rao makes a vow: if he somehow gets out of the situation, he will thank the gods by going on Kailash Mansarova, a holy mountain pilgrimage in Tibet. What starts out as merely a challenging high-altitude trek soon becomes a life-changing adventure. With a blend of humor, honesty and keen insight, Mohan journeys toward a deeper understanding of the world around him.

A memoir of a road less traveled and a true story of self-discovery at 18,000 feet.


https://www.amazon.com/Inner-Trek-Reluctant-Pilgrim-Himalayas/dp/1945736119

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Inner-Trek-Reluctant-Pilgrim-Himalayas/dp/1945736119


Mohan Ranga Rao is an accomplished businessman, an avid traveller and 

a generous philanthropist. He has visited over thirty different countries and is drawn 

to places of natural beauty and physically-challenging trails. Mohan lives in Mysore with his wife Mamatha. They have two adult children. He plays tennis daily, takes frequent hikes and reads anything from scotch labels to quantum physics to Vedanta.


https://innertrek.me/

https://www.instagram.com/innertrek_mohanrangarao/

https://www.facebook.com/myinnertrek/

Twitter: @mohanrangarao



Thursday 17 March 2022

New Publication Spotlight & Review: The Wedding Crasher by Abigail Mann



Poppy is packing her bags to spend two blissful weeks alone on an island. It’s time away from the ex-husband who hasn’t quite moved out yet, and reminders of the marriage they rushed into young, before she’ll kick back on a girls’ holiday with her oldest friend Lola.

But before Poppy can set foot on the ferry, Lola waylays her. She has her first high-profile wedding planner gig on the neighbouring island, and there’s a problem – the photographer has bailed.

Poppy agrees to help out for Lola’s sake. But soon the bride confides she has cold feet and asks Poppy’s help escaping the island, and then Poppy realises she recognises the groom. Embroiled in a high-society disaster waiting to happen, Poppy has to save the wedding… but should she?

The Wedding Crasher will have you in stitches from start to finish – don’t miss the new uplifting book from Abigail Mann! Perfect for fans of Marian Keyes, Sophie Ranald and Beth O’Leary.


AMAZON US          AMAZON UK

With her marriage in ruins, Poppy arranges a photography trip to escape the husband she still shares a house with him. It’s a solid idea but an example of when best-laid plans go belly up and as a consequence, Poppy’s adventure is chaotic with a serious undertone.

My thoughts on this book are mixed because I had expected a rom-com, but it turned out to be more about the journey of breaking up and self-discovery. Although it was a satisfying read, it did not fit the mould of a typical romance novel. The plot centres around the pain of facing the end of a relationship, reflections on a failed marriage, trials and tribulations of friendship, and the complexities of starting over.

The protagonist, Poppy, is a well-developed character who evolves throughout the story. Initially, she is a passive wife who tolerates a lot, but she gradually takes control of her life and realizes her self-worth. She transforms from being a pushover with her family and friends to standing up for herself and pursuing her dreams. Her character progression is commendable, and her commitment to self-improvement is inspiring. Similarly, Will, the son of a wealthy and overbearing businessman, is also a well-developed character who struggles to assert himself and acknowledge his emotions.

The flashbacks provide insights into Poppy's relationships with her soon-to-be ex-husband and Will. These flashbacks are intriguing as they show how these relationships began and evolved when they were younger. They also reveal how some characters grew and evolved, while others remained unchanged. Poppy's husband, Josh, is an example of a character who displayed toxicity and narcissism from the outset, whereas Will stands out as a contrast to Josh, especially in how they treat Poppy.

Although the book was a satisfying read, I feel that my expectations influenced my perception of the story. Had I not expected a rom-com, I would have enjoyed the book more. It is, in fact, a story of a woman coming to terms with her divorce and discovering her identity without her husband and marriage defining her. I believe that readers who enjoy women's fiction will appreciate this book.

***arc generously received courtesy of One More Chapter***










Wednesday 16 March 2022

Book Blog Tour Stop and Extract: Falling For The Competition By Jen Smith



There’s a whole set of pictures depicting this morning’s debacle.

1. Harry holding out his hand to me, beckoning me towards his horse

2. Me and Mum by the front door

3. Me with my arms crossed, glaring at him

4. Him galloping away

I WhatsApp Frankie. I am going to KILL you.

She’s already got over 100 likes and comments. I know, from Frankie’s experience, that it’s best not to look at them. I can already imagine it:

What kind of girl turns down a knight?

Is she stupid? He’s gorgeous.

Doesn’t she like horses, what is she, feral?

I throw my phone on the desk and run my hands across my hair in exasperation.

I take it you didn’t know she’d put that on Instagram?” Patrick says.

What do you think, Patrick?” I snap. “Of course I didn’t.” Because I cannot imagine anything worse than everyone seeing my business, hanging it out there for public consumption. And seriously? With what Frankie’s been through recently with Insta posts? Yeah, good one Frankie.

But its sooooo good. U telling Harry to get lost!!!! Fx

No Frankie, not cool. I’m still killing you.

Skirt looks nice though.” Patrick says, contemplating his phone. Can he not see how angry I am? How tightly wound I am? Does he really think that cranking my inner ballista even tighter is the best thing to do at this moment in time? Because I can guarantee that it isn’t. Not one little bit.

My jaw hurts from clenching so hard, and I swear that my finger nails are drawing blood as I dig them into my palms. But he’s sat there, stroking his phone through the Insta photos. I will kill him.

A noise escapes my throat, and it’s a growl. I growled at him. I’m a rabid dog, a cornered fox, a hippopotamus that has been disturbed (they’re very vicious) and I’m looking to kill the nearest living being.

Did you just growl at me?” Patrick says, and he’s amused. I’ll scratch his eyes out, I’ll rip his hair from his scalp, I’ll force his knees to bend the other way. “I could have sworn that I heard a growl, and I’m pretty certain it came from you.” He can’t keep the smile off his face.

Patrick.” I warn.

Quinn.” He says back.

Why do you do this? Why are you so annoying?” I’m a hissing venomous snake because Lisa is in her office and I don’t want her to hear me shouting at Patrick. I lean forward and I know the veins in my neck are sticking out, but I’m so angry I don’t care.

And he laughs. He can’t hold it in any more. He gives a tiny little laugh. It’s more like an extended hiccup that he attempts to cover with a cough. In other circumstances, I would have collected that laugh, dedicated a page to it in my Journal (maybe), had a section cleared for it in my satchel. But not today. Today, it makes me want to rip his throat out.

You know what, Patrick,” I spit. “I hate you. I do. I hate you. I hate you so much I could die from it.” In that moment I really, really could die from hatred and he’s poked the wasps nest, kicked the sleeping dog, cornered the pacifist and now I’m fighting back.

But he doesn’t recoil like I thought he would. He frowns at me, confused, instead. “Have you seen that film?”

Oh my god, Patrick, what are you talking about? What film?” I throw my hands in the air.

Gilda. That’s a line from Gilda.”

What is wrong with you? Why are you like this? This is just like when your stupid poem got picked for that stupid anthology.” It isn’t at all like that, but I’m annoyed now and everything is coming out. “You were insufferable then, and you’re insufferable now. You are the Piers Gaveston of Clariton. Nobody liked Piers Gaveston.”

Edward II liked Piers Gaveston.” Patrick is challenging me. Patrick. Challenging. Me.

Yeah, but he was literally the worst king and got kicked off the goddamn throne! Do you want to die how he allegedly did? I can arrange it.” His annoyingly perfect lips curl into a smirk and I could stab him, but he turns back to his computer and continues tapping at his keyboard.

I pretend to work until lunch, but I am trying desperately to remember that stupid film. Have I seen it? I must have watched it with Frankie. Come to think of it, she mentioned something like that a few weeks ago. Unless he’s lying to me, which he could be, but I don’t think he is. I can’t Google it on my computer because if he sees he will be unbearable, and he will know what I’m doing if I check my phone. So I sit and stew instead.

It’s going to be the best summer ever for ambitious, overachieving Quinn. A huge history buff, not only has she landed her dream job interning in the archives department of the local castle, but her best friend will be working there too.

However, Quinn isn’t the only one to be working in Archives this summer; Quinn’s academic rival, Patrick, is sharing her office in Muniments. They’re competing for the Letter of Recommendation (singular) from the research historian that Quinn needs to get her dream future placement.

Their emotionally-loaded and competitive rivalry turns into a reluctant friendship, as they spend every day working together in silence (and sharing the occasional Twix). Until the Re-Enactors arrive. Between Patrick and Harry – the Golden Knight of the jousting team – Quinn’s carefully planned summer is thrown into complete disarray. Meanwhile, her best friend’s relationship may look perfect on the outside, but Quinn is starting to realise that there’s more going on than there seems.

Although Quinn is determined and single minded about planning every detail of her sparkling future, she comes to discover that the best things in life are the spontaneous ones – and that some people are more important than any Letter of Recommendation (singular) could ever be.

Amazon UK                Amazon US 

Jen lives in the Midlands with her husband and two children. With a Masters Degree in Medieval History, Jen loves castles and King John a little too much. Strangely un-British, she does not like tea, oranges or marzipan, but adores French cheese, guava juice and Chinese food (not together).

When not writing, Jen can often be found pointing out historical inaccuracies in period dramas, being a Lady that Lunches with close friends and playing board games with her family. Note: her handbags are always heavy due to multiple books (just in case she needs them).

@jensmith950 Twitter