This page is dedicated to the work of authors and books that I love and want you to love also. They will mostly be from indie and small publishers as the larger, big five publishers have a lot more exposure than the littler ones are able to achieve.
If you love what I do here, please share as these authors are all awesome writers and need to get their names out there.
December 2025
Evolve by Hetty Waite – Book 2 of the Chromosome Trilogy
I was so pleased when Lynsey from Reading Between the Lines asked if I would join in with Hetty’s blog tour for the second book in her Chromosome Trilogy – Evolve. I absolutely loved book one (review further down the page) and have been waiting, very impatiently, for this next instalment.
BLURB
Having survived the attack led by her sister, Cara is ready to move on.
A new city means a fresh start and a chance for her and Brown to live together, as equals.
However, the perfect façade of the Amex community hides dark secrets.
With a nightly curfew and a mysterious scientist in charge, Cara is convinced all is not as it
seems.
As her doubts grow, so do the arguments with Brown. And with Myla still alive and
looking for revenge, it’s not only the danger from inside the city walls that threaten to
tear her world apart – forever.
Ultimately, she will need to make a choice: protect her family at all costs, or save
herself..
My Review
I was absolutely not disappointed with this sequel to Mutate. Hetty has picked up the story with Cara and her partner, Brown, now with baby Xyla and their small band of fellow explorers hunting for a safe place where they can be a family in the true sense of he word and without fear of further mutations or of recriminations from Cara’s sister, Myla.
Hetty moves seamlessly through the journey and the characters, building tension and intrigue with each chapter – this book is truly unputdownable. The initial thinking that Amex is going to be their safe haven soon shows the cracks where the reader, and Cara, begins to think things may not be quite so perfect as first impressions may indicate.
There is danger for the intrepid travellers and, through Hetty’s skilful writing and characterisation, we are also drawn into that journey and find ourselves holding our breath as we read what happens to them.
My only criticism is the twist at the end of the book – which was brilliant, well-thought out and perfectly paced – but I now have to wait, yet again, for the next instalment. I’m going to sulk until it comes out because I was that drawn into it.
As with all the best young adult fantasy books, I’m particularly reminded of Suzanne Collins and The Hunger Games, this extends far beyond the realms of being restricted to this target audience. For me, this is a must read for anyone who enjoys being transported into well-crafted worlds of frightening creatures, impending peril and a fight for survival against evil. Did I say I loved it? I did, and I am way above the Young Adult age group – no matter how much my mind may think otherwise…
Put it on your Christmas list – along with book number one, Mutate, if you haven’t read it already, and then let me tell you ‘I told you so...’ when you have finished them and are impatiently waiting for the final instalment…
I really hope that Hetty doesn’t keep me waiting too long…
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY
Hetty Waite lives in Derbyshire with her husband, daughter, and cavapoo.
A former teacher, she spent many years sharing her love of stories with teenagers in the classroom before turning her own ideas into fiction. It was during the pandemic, while on maternity leave, that she finally found the time to write her first novel.
After initially self-publishing, a chance meeting with a director from Spellbound Books Ltd at a writers’ school changed everything. Impressed by her debut, they offered Hetty a three-book deal for her Young Adult dystopian series, The Chromosome Trilogy. The first instalment, Mutate, was re-released in 2024, followed by Evolve in October 2025.
When she’s not writing, Hetty tutors English, marks exam papers, and enjoys life in Derbyshire with her family and their lively cavapoo.
LINKS TO BUY
KINDLE – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Evolve-Chromosome-Trilogy-Book-2-ebook/dp/B0FSD813JK
PAPERBACK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0FWB7XCZG
WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE – https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Hetty-Waite/author/B0BP7RSGRM
WEBSITE – https://hettywaite.co.uk
FACEBOOK – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086494572838
INSTAGRAM – https://www.instagram.com/hettywaite
X – @HettyWaite
November 2025
Re-Connections by Miriam Drori
Blurb
Why are we attracted to certain individuals and repelled by others? Why do we fall out of contact with former friends, or fall out with them altogether? Why do we crave friendship?
The answers to these questions are many and varied, and some of them reveal themselves in the stories of this collection. Not all these connections desire to lead to friendship; some are business-related. Yet, even those connections work better with friendly comments and gestures. What happens to people who struggle with such social norms? Are they destined to remain friendless?
Without realising it, Miriam Drori has been interested in this topic for many years. That’s evident in the fact that these tales were written throughout her writing career. Some of them are completely or partly autobiographical, while others are purely fictional. Which ones are which is a question she declines to answer.
My review
Miriam Drori’s ‘Re-connections’ is an anthology of short stories and flash fiction that she has written over several years.
Using the themes of human connection and communication, she explores what it is like for people from all walks of life to connect with others.
An accomplished writer of whom I have had the pleasure of reviewing before – Loyalty and the Learner – this is quite a change from her longer form novels. Yet, she still manages to capture the essence of human nature in all of her characters.
The stories vary in length so it is possible to dip in and out according to how much time you have available. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I just want to immerse myself in another person’s world and find out the beginning, middle and end in one sitting. This book is perfect for those times.
And, whilst reading it, I often found myself drawn into the next story…
… and the next…
About the author
Miriam Drori, author, editor and social anxiety warrior, worked as a computer programmer and a technical writer before turning her attention to full-time writing. Her novels and short stories cover several genres, including crime, romance and uplit. She has also written a non-fiction book about social anxiety. Her short stories have appeared in various anthologies and several now form a new collection, called Re-Connections.
Born and raised in London, Miriam now lives in Tel Aviv having
moved from Jerusalem, where the cosy crime mysteries are set. She has travelled
widely, putting her discoveries to good use as settings in her writing. Her
characters are not based on real people, but rather are formed from an amalgam
of the many and varied individuals who have embellished her life.
When not writing, Miriam
enjoys reading, hiking, biking, dancing and touring.
LINKS TO BUY
AMAZON LINK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FN7MJHRN
WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
Website/Blog – https://miriamdrori.com
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMiriamDrori
Youtube – https://www.youtube.com/@miriamdrori
Good Reads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/4829682.Miriam_Drori
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/miriam.drori/
Bookbub – https://www.bookbub.com/authors/miriam-drori
Wattpad – https://www.wattpad.com/user/MiriamDrori
Bluesky – https://bsky.app/profile/miriamdrori.bsky.social
Amazon Author Page – https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Miriam-Drori/author/B00L11J6D4
October 2025
I’ve been invited by Reading behind the lines to take part in a blog tour again and this time I’m delighted to have been able to review Val Penny’s new book, A Fighting Chance.
My Review
Following on from her successful Hunter detective series, Val has come through with another intriguing Scottish detective, Jane Renwick. A Fighting Chance is the second book of the series and draws out even more of the feisty and confident woman who is sent undercover to investigate a suspected drug cartel.
Jane’s personal and professional lives collide as we learn more about not only what makes her tick, but also what she is afraid of and what facets of her personality she tries to hide.
At times comical, at times brutal, Val takes us through an emotive and compelling story that keeps the pages turning long after I really should have turned out the light. The use of bringing different character perspectives into the story enable the reader to be able to see the story unfold from multiple directions – and not all of them from the side of the police. Val skilfully shows us the viewpoints of the cartel bosses and the inmates of the women’s prison without revealing too much at once and therefore building the tension throughout. This is continued until the ultimate reveal where Jane has to dig deep into herself in order to survive.
Well done Val on continuing to bring your characters to life in such a vivid and compelling way. I’m looking forward to book three – but I really need to remember to catch up on my sleep before I start reading it…
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY
Val Penny has an Llb degree from the University of Edinburgh and her MSc from Napier University. She has had many jobs including hairdresser, waitress, banker, azalea farmer and lecturer but has not yet achieved either of her childhood dreams of being a ballerina or owning a candy store.
Until those dreams come true, she has turned her hand to writing poetry, short stories, nonfiction books, and novels. Her novels are published by SpellBound Books Ltd.
Val is an American author living in SW Scotland. She has two adult daughters of whom she is justly proud and lives with her husband and their cat.
BLURB
In the second Jane Renwick Thriller by Val Penny, drug cartels collide as crime boss Connor O’Grady returns to Scotland to protect his turf from rival Peggy Cheney, newly released from prison.
DS Jane Renwick and DC Brian Harris are sent to Stirling, where Jane discovers two tragic deaths—a young man and a girl—raising suspicions of a single killer.
O’Grady denies involvement, but can a drug lord be trusted?
Set in Stirling and Gartcosh, this tense police procedural thrusts Jane into the heart of a deadly turf war.
LINKS TO BUY
PAPERBACK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fighting-Chance-Jane-Renwick-Book/dp/1917611161
EBOOK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fighting-Chance-Jane-Renwick-Book-ebook/dp/B0FHQ49SVJ
WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
Website – https://www.valpenny.com
Amazon Author Page – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Val-Penny/e/B07C4725TK
Author Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/valerie.penny.739
Author Twitter Page @valeriepenny
Author Instagram Page https://www.instagram.com/valerieepenny/
July 2025
I have been privy to another new book, this time from the pen of Marsali Taylor and another in her series of mysteries based in her beloved home town of Shetland. this was part of a blog tour for ‘An Imposter in Shetland’ hosted by Reading Between The Lines.
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY
Marsali Taylor grew up near Edinburgh, and came to Shetland as a newly-qualified teacher. She is currently a part-time teacher on Shetland’s scenic west side, living with her husband and two Shetland ponies. Marsali is a qualified STGA tourist-guide who is fascinated by history, and has published plays in Shetland’s distinctive dialect, as well as a history of women’s suffrage in Shetland. She’s also a keen sailor who enjoys exploring in her own 8m yacht, and an active member of her local drama group.
BLURB
When an internet lifestyle influencer arrives on Shetland to document her ‘perfect’ holiday, the locals are somewhat sceptical.
Joining a boat trip to the remote islands of St Kilda with sailing sleuth Cass Lynch and her partner DI Gavin Macrae, the young woman seems more concerned with her phone than the scenery.
But when it’s time to leave, there’s no sign of her. Despite mounting a desperate search, she’s seemingly vanished without trace – from a small island in the middle of the sea.
As a puzzling investigation gathers pace, there are more questions than answers – and uncovering the truth will reveal dark and long-hidden secrets…
My Review
This is the first time that I have encountered Marsali’s writing but it definitely won’t be the last.
From the very first page you can see that this is a well-researched novel based in a setting and with a theme that the author is obviously well-versed in and loves.
The writing is tight and I definitely learnt some sailing terminology and Scottish dialect. If I’m totally honest, there were a few places that threw me out of the dialogue as I tried to understand what was happening due to this, but Marsali has also helpfully provided assistance throughout the novel to help us non-Scots out. Therefore, I don’t really see this as a negative, I do love learning new things.
The story centres around Cass as she takes on a new role teaching a group of novices how to sail as they take a trip over to a remote island. All seems well until one of the members of the group mysteriously disappears and an undercurrent of mistrust and intrigue begin to surface as to the past and the present of this social media influencer – Tiede.
Marsali takes us on a trip into the underworld of the youth, drug and influencer scene as Cass risks everything to try and discover just what has happened to Tiede, becoming even more involved after a connected murder in her home town…
I did really enjoy this book, I think you will also. So while you read the rest of this review and take note of the links at the bottom and where to buy, I’m off to get myself some more of Marsali’s books…
HOW TO BUY
SOCIAL MEDIA LINK
Author Facebook Page –https://www.facebook.com/MarsaliTaylorAuthor/
WEBSITE LINKS
Website – https://www.marsalitaylor.co.uk
Amazon Author Page – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Marsali-Taylor/e/B0034PACI8/
January 2025
I’m delighted to be a part of the Reading Between the Lines blog tour for debut novelist Gemma Owen-Kendall’s Young adult novella, Red Daisy.
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY
Gemma is a writer from North East Lincolnshire, UK. Graduated at theUniversity of Lincoln in 2009, she studied a degree in Drama. However years later Gemma has discovered writing is her hobby and passion. She hopes to one day to be able to go back to University to study creative writing. As well as her own writing, Gemma is a huge supporter for writers within her local area.
BLURB
What if the girl who wore the red coat fell in love with the wolf?
Grace Kennedy was once a quiet teenage girl, growing up in a rural area with her parents. When Grace turns sixteen, she moves to a new town to live with her grandparents to study a diploma in Dance at the local college.
It’s there that Grace’s life changes when she meets the polite and charming Daniel and also encounters the dark and mysterious Ben.
But are both boys truly who they say they are …
Dealing with the sudden strange events happening to her and a complicated love triangle, Grace world implodes when she learns that werewolves and spellcasters do truly exist.
My Review
This is an imaginative modern retelling of the classic Red Riding Hood fairy tale and has all the characters that you would expect to be there. We have Grace as Red Riding Hood, we have a wolf…actually, we have two wolves! We have Grannny and we have a story set in modern times of a teenager moving to a new area and trying to fit in with those around her. In addition to this we are involved in her discovery that the world is not how she expected it to be and that there are other forces at bay, including within her.
Grace has to figure out which wolf is good and which is bad, she needs to discover how her changing body reacts to the supernatural forces around and within her and she needs to find out how to conquer the evil and avenge her ancestors.
Although this is a young adult novel, there are some areas that would make me hesitant to recommend this to a younger adult, there is some blood and gore as well as some sexual scenes that, in my view, are more appropriate to the older teenager. That said, it is a good read for those in that upper age category.
This is the first in the Spellcaster Trilogy and I’m looking forward to the second in the series to see what else Gemma’s fertile imagination has in store for her readers.
LINK TO BUY
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
www.facebook.com/innocenttimesauthor
www.instagram.com/gemma.authorpage
X – @gemmaowenkendall
December 2024
I’m delighted to be a part of the blog for A Right Cosy Christmas Crime. An anthology of short stories with a mystery at Christmas twist.
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY
Scott and Lawson Publishing, situated in the heart of Dundee, Scotland, is a beacon for literary enthusiasts. The company publishes captivating cosy mystery anthologies, transporting readers to quaint locales filled with intrigue and charm. In addition they specialise in non-fiction books tailored for writers seeking to hone their craft, the company offers invaluable insights and guidance fiction aficionados are also catered to with thrilling narratives that keep them on the edge of their seats. With a commitment to quality and a passion for storytelling, Scott and Lawson Publishing is a cornerstone of the Scottish literary landscape.
A Right Cozy Christmas Crime Features 13 Short Stories written by
Wendy H. Jones
| Linda Mather |
| Sue Cook |
| Melicity Pope |
| Marti M. Mcnair |
| Sheena MacLeod |
| Pauline Tait |
| Gulia Fancelli Clifford |
| Dianne Ascroft |
| Gillian Duff |
| Stella Oni |
| Alex Greyson |
| Sophy Smythe |
BLURB
Step into a world where twinkling lights and holiday cheer are accompanied by Christmas puddings and a dash of intrigue. A Right Cozy Christmas Crime brings together thirteen festive mysteries where annual traditions are intertwined with shadowy secrets. From a historic Scottish Castle hiding a chilling truth, to thebustling streets of Lagos filled with more than just Christmas shoppers, each tale sparkles with holiday warmth while unravelling a deliciously puzzling mystery. It’s time to put your feet up, sip hot cocoa and join our detectives as they ensure justice is served. Perfect for lovers of cozy mysteries with a holiday twist.
My Review
Sometimes, I don’t want to read a full novel, I want to get lost in a short story that entertains and delights for just a short period of time. A Right Cozy Christmas Crime has really filled that criteria and also succeeded in putting me into a lovely festive mood.
Each story is written by a credited and talented author in their own right and each story is as different and engaging as you could possibly think they could be. No matter whether you want to just dip in and out or devour the lot in one sitting, this anthology will be just the ticket you need to transport you away to different Countries and different crimes, all with a delightful twist and a trail of intrigue that will leave you with a thirst for more.
Just remember to make sure you leave enough time to read each story in full…you aren’t going to want to stop midway…
Oh, and make sure you read the last page… a lovely tasty surprise awaits…
LINKS TO BUY
WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
October 2024
I am delighted to be a part of the blog tour for Miriam Drori’s new book, Loyalty and the Learner, organised by Lynsey of Reading Between The Lines.
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY
Miriam Drori was born and brought up in London and now lives in Jerusalem.
With a degree in Maths and following careers in computer programming and technical writing, Miriam has been writing creatively since 2004. After some success with short stories, Miriam turned her hand to longer fictional works, publishing NEITHER HERE NOR THERE and THE WOMEN FRIENDS: SELINA, co-written with Emma Rose Millar.
Social anxiety features in Miriam’s latest publications. SOCIAL ANXIETY REVEALED is a non-fiction guide that explores this common but little-known disorder from multiple points of view. The book has been highly recommended by ‘sufferers’ as well as professionals in this field. CULTIVATING A FUJI is the story of a fictional character who battles against social anxiety before learning to make friends with it. STYLE AND THE SOLITARY, a crime novel, asks an important question: what happens when a suspect can’t stick up for himself?
When not writing, Miriam enjoys reading, hiking, dancing and touring.
BLURB
Once again, Asaf is suspected of murder, but he’s soon released when the victim’s wife, Lihi, is arrested. Nathalie, now engaged to Asaf, is certain of Lihi’s innocence, and is determined to find the real murderer.
As Nathalie, Asaf and friends stumble along the path to achieving their goal, with a little inspiration from Molière, Hillel and Adenauer, they discover new places in Jerusalem and also venture west and north. Despite experiencing fear, sadness and other painful emotions, they never lose their sense of humour – and find that sharing their worries helps them pull through.
While some questions are answered on the way, new ones take their place. But what about the original question: Who killed Ofir? And how much is Nathalie willing to put at risk in order to solve this mystery? Her relationship? Her life?
My review
Loyalty and the Learner is the second book in the Jerusalem Murder series. the said, I hadn’t read the first book and initially wondered if this would be a problem for me, but I needn’t have worried. The story flows seamlessly with just information from the first woven in so that the reader can understand what happened to the two main characters – Asaf and Nathalie – without getting bogged down in detail that would not be necessary for this storyline.
I enjoyed reading the book with its base in a new to me environment. There was detail of the culture and geography of Jerusalem that I have never come across before and the talk of the Shuks, the markets and the people were interesting and a pleasant change.
The characters pull you into the story, from the shocking prologue which keeps you guessing to the very end where this mystery person is revealed. It is worth the wait. I also found that the ongoing storylines between Nathalie and Asaf as their investigation threatens to break their relationship alongside the friendship with Nathalie’s two friends and partners in the investigation gathers pace, intriguing and encouraging me to keep turning the pages until I reached the satisfying denouement.
Well done for this great book Miriam, you have introduced me to a fabulous new cosy crime series and I’m off to look out for book 1…
LINKS TO BUY
https://mybook.to/LoyaltyandtheLearner
WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559937239829
https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/4829682.Miriam_Drori
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/miriam-drori
https://www.instagram.com/miriam.drori/
http://www.wattpad.com/user/MiriamDrori
https://www.youtube.com/@miriamdrori
September 2024
I’m so pleased to be taking part in the blog tour organised by Lynsey at Reading Between The Lines for Hetty and her debut novel.
Mutate by Hetty Waite
Book 1 in the Chromosome Trilogy
Published by Spellbound Books Ltd, August 2024
Hetty Waite lives in Derbyshire with her husband, daughter and cavapoo.
She is always looking to get lost in a good book and has spent years passing on her love of reading by teaching English to teenagers. Whilst no longer in the classroom, (and definitely not missing the marking), she is keen to continue helping young people engage with literature.
Nowadays, when not pandering to the whims of her demanding 4-year-old or tutoring GCSE students, she finds time to write YA fiction.
The Chromosome Trilogy Book 1: Mutate is her first novel.
BLURB
One change can be deadly
In the city of Galex, all that matters is your genetics. Living with a virus that only affects the Y chromosome, men – Ys – are at risk of death or mutation and considered too dangerous to live freely. Women – Xs- rule the city.
Cara must navigate a world where the one she loves is considered a deadly enemy. With her sister Myla in charge of Galex and driven by a hatred of Ys, Cara has a dangerous secret. If discovered, it will not only destroy her relationship with her sister but will threaten the life of the Y she loves.
Brown has spent his life enslaved, knowing he could mutate at any moment. After seeing his best friend killed, he volunteers for a deadly mission.
Review
Mutate is billed as a young adult dystopian novel but, just like The Hunger Games and Harry Potter, this is far too limiting a genre for this must-read book. I’ll be honest – general YA doesn’t normally fill my boots or appear amongst my toppling ‘to be read’ pile of books, but I was totally gripped by this story and the masterful crafting of the storyline throughout.
I won’t go through the information that is held in the blurb again, you’ve read that haven’t you? If not – go back, you missed a bit! A really intriguing bit!
I will however say that the themes of love, loyalty and survival feature highly throughout as Cara becomes torn between the forbidden man that she loves and the sister who has always protected her and who rules the city of Galex with little regard for the lives of the Y’s or for any suffering they may endure. The plot is well paced throughout and kept me turning the pages until way past my bedtime as I wanted to know what she and Brown were going to do, how were they going to be together in such an inhospitable world and how they were going to, ultimately, survive the web of lies and deceit that surrounded them.
Book 2 in the trilogy – Evolve – is out in summer 2025 – personally, I can’t wait to read it and think it’s really mean to make me wait that long…
LINKS TO BUY
WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
WEBSITE – https://hettywaite.co.uk
FACEBOOK – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086494572838
INSTAGRAM – https://www.instagram.com/hettywaite
X – @HettyWaite
The Coal Miner’s Son
By Patricia M Osborne
The Coal Miner’s son is the second book of the trilogy surrounding the Granville family.
In the first – The House of Grace – we met Grace Granville and learnt of her story from being the daughter of Lord Granville, to a coal miner’s wife and beyond. An extension of the traditional rags to riches tale with an independent and formidable, but also lovable and flawed heroine which draws you in and refuses to let you go until the very last word.
In the Coal Miner’s Son, the story cleverly transfers to Grace’s son George. The timeline overlaps the previous book as we learn of the life that Grace missed due to him being claimed by his grandfather and returned to Granville Hall without his mother or his sisters.
Patricia manages this transition in perspective seamlessly. At the end of book one we were left with the knowledge of Grace’s journey and of her dreams but, although George was always there in the background, we didn’t know the details. By returning to George in this second book and hearing his story in his own words, we grow, see and feel every step of the way as he finds his way through the strange new world in which he now resides. Moving through the 1960’s and 70’s, he gradually unravels the truth about how he was taken from his family and the coal mining village he loved, to his new life of opulence and splendour that is so unfamiliar and unnatural to him.
Patricia is currently writing the last book of the trilogy – The Granville Legacy – and I for one, cannot wait to see how Grace and George’s journey’s are brought together and the story reaches its ultimate conclusion.
The Coal Miner’s son can be found on Amazon here as well as on Patricia’s website – Patricia’s Pen here
Patricia has also recently published her first poetry collection – Taxus Baccata which can also be purchased from her website.
Rebecca’s Choice
by Heidi Gallagher
Rebecca’s Choice is Heidi’s debut novel. It is based in the late 1800’s and situated in a specific house in Wales that Heidi herself knew well during her own childhood.
This in-depth knowledge of her childhood playground shines through the multi-faceted layers of emotion, tragedy and hope that Rebecca experiences while she tells us her story.
Written in first person and with an authentic narrative voice, we are soon pulled into Rebecca’s life as she grows and matures over a span of seven years. It feels almost diary-esque in the intricate way in which it is written and staying within her point of view throughout. No head-hopping here thankfully.
The tale opens on Rebecca’s wedding night to the older Geoffrey De Roussier. Her first time living at Trederlerch (pronounced Tre-DEL-lerch) and Heidi succeeds in bringing out Rebecca’s naivety and nervousness about what the night may have in store for her.
We then continue to learn of her world through pregnancy and motherhood, grief and loss, circumstance and hope. We grow with her and, through the emotive storytelling and gradual revealing of the situations Rebecca experiences, are led to the ultimate choice that she must make.
Love or duty? Which would you choose? Would you agree with hers?
You’ll have to read it to find out.
I really enjoyed this excursion into Rebecca’s life. It is skilfully written and anyone who enjoys reading historical womens fiction would be mad to miss this book.
Available on Kindle unlimited or in paperback from Amazon here
Who’s Smiling Now? by Joy Wood.
Our protagonist is Laura Foley. Her character is well-rounded and expertly fleshed out. We learn not only what is going on around her, but also how she is feeling throughout the story. An angel she certainly is not. Her flaws are right up there with those characteristics that make her so intriguing and vulnerable.
Her main flaw we find out right at the beginning of the tale and that is of her five day holiday fling with the irresistible Mr Colin Laity.
The first few chapters show us this romance but, unlike Joy’s previous four novels, doesn’t take the explicit route. This could have been a risky departure for those who have read and loved her previous novels, but I feel that it works here for the sex to be happening off the page. Laura’s story is intense and forbidding, to use explicit imagery may have the effect of lessening the impact of the terrors that lie in wait while Cohan slowly reveals his intent for her.
Cohan Laity is a very successful author. He knows what he wants and he doesn’t stop at anything to get it. He is not concerned with how other people feel about his wishes or whether they agree with him. If they should cross him he does not stint in his retribution.
His portrayal as a narcissist is very realistic. To everyone he meets he is lovable, funny and perfect boyfriend material. As he weaves his way into the very heart of Laura’s family, his image is upheld and believed even through the most heartbreaking of circumstances. Only Laura sees who he really is and there appears to be little she can do to stop him.
‘Who’s Smiling Now?’ is a well crafted novel from an experienced pen. Joy has obviously spent time researching her characters with her own time and knowledge as a nurse adding extra layers and bringing added realism to Laura and her family’s experiences. The warmth of a family’s love for each other the perfect counter balance for the threat and horror of Cohan’s campaign.
This book is a must for anyone who enjoys reading psychological suspense novels.
Joy has written four previous novels- ‘For the Love of Emily’; ‘Chandjori House’; ‘Knight and Dey’ and ‘April Fool.’
‘Who’s Smiling Now?’ can be purchased direct from Amazon here
Piskie Dreams 