Blog Tour - The Fear by C L Taylor

Today I am really pleased to welcome C L Taylor to my blog to celebrate the publication of her extremely fantastic new release, The Fear.

 
Sometimes your first love won't let you go... 

When Lou Wandsworth ran away to France with her teacher Mike Hughes, she thought e was the love of her life. But Mike wasn't what he seemed and he left her life in pieces.

Now 32, Lou discovers that he is involved with teenager Chloe Meadows. Determined to make sure history doesn't repeat itself, she returns home to confront him for the damage he's caused.

But Mike is a predator of the worst kind, and as Lou tries to bring him to justice, it's clear that she could once again become his prey...

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The million copy Sunday Times bestseller returns with a gripping psychological thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat.

C L Taylor is one of my top three favourite authors. When I pick up one of her novels I know I am about to start a really good read, where I, as the reader, will be taken on a great ride where there is will be high drama, suspense and twists and turns that will throw me off the scent so many times and, usually, an ending which packs a punch and also throws in a sneaky curve ball right at the end and this ending was just that! I love the covers of her books, the darkness draws me in and the simple covers conveys the message that you are in for a great read.

C L Taylor was born in Worcestershire, where I also live, and I really enjoyed that the book was set in an area that I knew. It was great to be able to picture where the action was taking place and to follow the action as it happened.

The subject matter of The Fear is uncomfortable as an older man befriends a young girl, drawing her into an illicit relationship. It is uncomfortable to read, however it is also addictive as C L Taylor tells the story. The story swaps between two time lines which I really enjoyed as the effects of such a relationship is shown in both the past and present - as the girl who was historically groomed can never truly forget what happened.

I don't really want to tell my blog readers more about the storyline as I want them to read it and watch it unfold before their eyes, all I will say is that make sure you set aside a weekend to enjoy this book as it is truly addictive!

The publishers, Avon Books, have given me an extract to share with my blog readers .......

She moves closer. She has never run off without paying a bill in her life and she’s not about to do so now.

    Lou doesn’t so much as glance round as Wendy silently slips behind her and rests a quivering hand on the top of the glass cake display. Up close, Wendy is able to measure herself against the other woman. Louise Wandsworth is tall, at least five inches taller than her, and her hips – swimming in a too large skirt – are narrower than Wendy’s waist. There is mud on the heels of Lou’s shoes and the ends of her hair are split and tangled. The compulsion to reach into her bag and pull out a comb is almost more than Wendy can bear. She never leaves the house without checking that her shoes are clean and her hair is neat.

    ‘Order to go, please,’ Lou says as the café owner, a smiley woman about Wendy’s age in a blue and white striped apron, gives her a nod. ‘Black coffee, chicken roll and a fruit salad pot.’

    ‘Not stopping today?’

    ‘No, I need to prepare for a client meeting at three. Well, it’s more of a pitch for new business.’

    ‘Sounds important.’

    ‘It is. The boss wants me to bring in more money.’

    ‘Well, fingers crossed it goes well.’

    Wendy stands very still, her eyes fixed to the floor as the café owner bustles about, putting the order together, and Lou stands silently beside her, waiting. After an interminable five or six minutes, she hears the clink of money changing hands, the dry rustle of a paper bag being handed over and a soft, breathy ‘thank you’.

    ‘Yes?’ the café owner says. ‘Hello, yes. How can I help you?’

    Wendy tears her eyes away from the thin figure sprinting across the road and fixes the other woman with a big smile. She’s just had the most wonderful idea.

Thank you to the publishers, Avon Books, and C L Taylor, for inviting me to take part in the blog tour for this excellent book.