Blog Tour - The Secrets You Hide by Kate Helm

In her eyes, no-one is innocent... A knock-out read for fans of Clare Mackintosh, Anatomy of a Scandal and Apple Tree Yard. Georgia Sage has a gift: she can see evil in people. As a courtroom artist she uses her skills to help condemn those who commit terrible crimes. After all, her own brutal past means she knows innocence is even rarer than justice. But when she is drawn back into the trial that defined her career, a case of twisted family betrayal, she realises her own reckless pursuit of justice may have helped the guilty go free. As Georgia gets closer to the truth behind the Slater family, something happens that threatens not only her career - but even her own sanity. At first, she fears her guilt around the events of her terrible childhood is finally coming back to haunt her. The truth turns out to be even more terrifying . . . THE SECRETS YOU HIDE is an ambitious rocket of a novel. Every layer, every twist, every revelation makes you question the very characters you thought you could trust, and rethink a plot you thought you were beginning to unravel...

Publisher: Zaffre Publishing
ISBN: 9781785764745

Today I am very pleased to welcome Kate Helm to my blog to celebrate the e-book  publication of her new novel 'The Secrets You Hide'. I have read a number of Kate's previous books which have been published under her name, Kate Harrison, and it is fair to say that they all feature food and/or diet in a number of guises so I was really pleased that Kate decided to tell me about how she has stepped away from the food and turned to the dark side of murder!

The story behind The Secrets You Hide (or how a diet author ditched calories for killers)

I often have murderous thoughts when I’m at the gym.

Who doesn’t? We know exercise is good for us, but sometimes we’re just not in the mood, and the zig-zagging on the treadmill – my chosen instrument of torture – feels endless.

My tactic is to listen to podcasts and audiobooks: that way, I’m distracted from the repetitive movements by dramas or documentaries. I love thrillers, true crime podcasts and health shows – the latter for work reasons, as I’ve spent the last 6 years writing about health and intermittent fasting diet after sharing my story of weight loss in The 5:2 Diet Book.

But I never expected my podcast habit to give me the idea for writing my first thriller.

I was on my usual cross-trainer when my phone started playing the latest download of Criminal – an American show which gives quirky takes on all aspects of the justice system. This episode, Pen and Paper, dealt with the work of courtroom artists, who are employed to capture dramatic moments during criminal trials, because photography and filming is banned.

Courtrooms have always fascinated. When I was a junior reporter, I covered a huge range of cases, everything from celebrities accused of speeding, to husbands accused of murdering their wives.

I knew all about the drama – and the boredom too: court cases can be so drawn out. But I’d never thought of what it must be like to have to draw the defendants, to stare into their eyes and try to capture their likeness. 

But, as I plodded on with my workout, I began to wonder what might happen if someone with their own troubled past might take that job and try to skew their drawings to suggest guilt or innocence.

I also did Criminology as a mature student with the Open University, and remembered how early profilers had tried to make a link between someone’s facial appearance and their likely guilt – all disproved now, of course, but we all do still judge on appearances without thinking.

The character of Georgia – my damaged yet talented courtroom artist – began to form and I used my reporting experience to create the court cases she might cover. Her desperation to help tip the balance towards a guilty verdict had to have a dark cause – and her flawed judgement would have frightening consequences.

There’s another, even stranger element to the book that also came from a podcast I heard only a week later on that same cross-trainer – but you’ll have to read the book to find out what that is because it’s the key to one of the story’s mysteries.

Inspiration can come in many forms  - what we notice as individuals has so much to do with our own interests, experiences and preoccupations. This moment in the gym marked a thrilling new departure for me. 

I’ve even got a new name, Kate Helm –so people don’t buy the book expecting low-cal recipes…

And I have an extra reason to go to the gym these days, because I’m always hoping for another eureka moment – as well trying to undo the damage of the most sedentary job in the world.

Exercise can be murder in all the right ways.

The Secrets You Hide is published as an e-book on October 4 and paperback on February 7. Join Kate’s free book club for exclusive previews and competitions to win signed books by your favourite thriller authors, via Kate’s website www.kate-harrison.com or follow her on Twitter @katewritesbooks

I enjoyed reading 'The Secrets You Hide'. It is one of those books that draws the reader in and doesn't let go until the last word. It was a really interesting topic that I was very interested in and gave me food for thought. Earlier in the year I read Fiona Barton's 'The Widow' which was written from the point of view of a defendant's wife, a point of view that is rarely written from and this book is very similar, a book written from the point of view of the court artist - I found this to be really interesting, someone who has been in many courtrooms and seen hundreds of accused in the dock and given the responsibility of capturing the drama of the courtroom in one picture.

I really recommend this as a great and unique book for fans of crime fiction to pick up and enjoy.

Thank you to the publishers, Bonnier Zaffre and to Kate Helm for inviting me to take part in the blog return and send a copy of the book in return for an honest review.

Blog Blitz - The Little Christmas Teashop of Second Chances by Donna Ashcroft

Snow is beginning to fall around the cosy Castle Teashop, with its toasty log fire, scrumptious mince pies and delicious hot chocolates. Romance is in the air and Lily King is hoping some winter magic will help to make her dreams come true…

Twenty-five-year-old Lily King is wondering when her life is going to start. She adores working at the much-loved Castle Teashop, surrounded by familiar faces and delicious cakes. But she’s stuck in a rut. She’s just been dumped by her boyfriend and her dream job seems to be slipping through her fingers.

When her best friend Emily Campbell needs urgent help to organise her enchanting Christmas wedding, Lily realises it’s finally her moment to shine and reach for the opportunities she’s been wishing for. Can she pull off the biggest celebration Castle Cove has ever seen or will something - or someone - make things more complicated than she imagined?

Rebellious and handsome photographer Josh Havellin-Scott has always felt like an outsider, especially next to his perfect older brother, who is about to get married. At the last minute, Josh finds himself roped into plans for the Big Day, the very last thing he wants to do, until he is meets creative and quirky Lily King…

When Lily and Josh are thrown together, it’s clear they couldn’t be more different. But they begin to realise that opposites can attract – and sometimes when you’re not looking for love, it comes and finds you when you least expect it. With some festive magic, will they manage to work together and save the day?

And could they discover a winter romance of their very own along the way?

An utterly scrumptious festive romance about the importance of being true to yourself, following your dreams and opening your heart to second chances. Perfect for fans of Carole Matthews, Milly Johnson and Debbie Macomber.


I love this time of the year in the book publishing calendar. Schools have gone back to school and the Christmas titles start to appear ready for review. This was one of the first Christmas titles I have read this year and it was a great one to start with.

I had previously visited Castle Cove and its Castle Teashop back in May this year, when I read Donna's first book Summer at the Castle Cafe  and fell in love with Castle Cove. This time the book is set in the Teashop at the Castle and we are introduced to Lily, who is asked to plan the imminent wedding of her friend, who is stuck overseas, but is due to have the perfect Christmas wedding. In steps the groom's handsome brother, Josh, to help and the connection between the two of them, although frosty to start, soon heats up.

I really enjoyed this book.   It was great to return to Castle Cove. It sounds like a beautiful setting for a Christmas wedding and although this is a big storyline within the book, there is also other storylines within the book too. Lily wants to become a chef and although working in both the Café and also the Castle's restaurant she really wants to work in the kitchen alongside the chef and does her upmost to get a trial and a job. The storyline shows off Lily's dreams and her journey to achieve them, but also shows her vulnerable side as she deals with her insecurities following her mothers departure when she was just a young child. Coupled with this is Josh who has stepped away from what his family wanted him to do and train as doctor and he travels the world taking photographs which he displays and sells in galleries across the world, but his mother is not impressed and continues to try to persuade him to retrain. Josh tries to encourage Lily to conquer her fears and evolve.

It is a really great book and I urge my blog readers to pick up this book - it is set around Christmas but is definitely a Christmassy read. It can be read at any time and truly enjoyed. I really hope that Donna has more books planned that are set in Castle Cove as I would love to learn more about its' residents - especially Tom the postman!

Thank you to Donna and to Bookouture for inviting me to take part in the blog blitz in return for an honest review.

Blog Tour - Darling Blue by Tracy Rees

Blue lives a charmed life. From her family's townhouse in Richmond, she lives a life of luxury and couldn't want for anything - well, on the surface at least.

Then on the night of her twenty-first birthday her father makes a startling toast: he will give his daughter's hand to whichever man can capture her heart best in the form of a love letter. But Blue has other ideas and, unwilling to play at her father's bewildering games, she sets out on her own path to find her own destiny...

'Tracy Rees writes from the heart' Kathryn Hughes, author of The Letter. Perfect for fans of The Keeper of Lost Things and The Villa in Italy.

Publisher: Quercus Publishing
ISBN: 9781786486684

'Darling Blue' is a beautifully written book, which is slightly out of my usual style of books that I would pick up but I am so glad that it was recommended to me as I really enjoyed it.

It is set in the 1920's, an era that I have heard so much about and am interested in and this book was an eye opener as to the lifestyles and social beliefs of the era. 

The book centres around three characters: Ishbel (Blue),  her step mother Midge, her post natal depression and the loss of her child,  and Delphine, a waif who suffered from domestic violence at the hands of her husband and who, runs away and is taken in by Blue and her family. The story is about Blue's life and her relationship with Delphine, how her family take her in and look after her, opening her eyes to the world.

The book has some lovely scenes, emotive and set around family but there is also a great storyline about a young man's dilemma as he struggles with his sexuality. 

I found this a great book to read about the time and the social history and will be looking for more titles from this author to read in the future.

Thank you to the publishers, Quercus Books, for sending me the book to review in return for an honest review

Blog Tour - Love at the Northern Lights by Darcie Boleyn

‘Climbing out the window in her dress and tiara wasn’t exactly how Frankie imagined her wedding

day…’

Runaway bride Frankie Ashford hops a plane to Norway with one goal in mind - find her estranged mother and make peace with the past. But when a slip on the ice in Oslo lands her directly in Jonas Thorsen’s viking-strong arms, her single-minded focus drifts away in the winter winds.

When it comes to romance Jonas knows that anything he and Frankie share has an expiration date - the British heiress has a life to return to in London that’s a world away from his own. But family is everything to Jonas and, as the one man who can help Frankie find the answers she’s seeking, he’ll do whatever it takes to help her reunite with her mother.

Now, as Christmas draws closer and the northern lights work their magic Frankie and Jonas will have to make a choice...play it safe or risk heartbreak to take a chance on love.

Today I am pleased to welcome Darcie Boleyn to my blog as part of her blog tour to celebrate the publication of 'Love at the Northern Lights', her latest release, which is the perfect read to get into the winter reading, with part f the book set in the snowy scenery of Oslo, getting us readers ready for the gorgeous festive reads.

The book starts with a comedic scene as Frankie is taken on her hen night celebrations with friends. The police arrive but is all as it seems? Fast forward to Frankie's wedding day and there is a real experience of second thoughts as she shares a heart to heart with her father - will she go ahead with the weding?

The subsequent story is a really great read. I loved the whole story and I have found myself ready to start reading the long list of festive reads that publishers have started to release to book bloggers to review ahead of the festive period. It is one of those books that I can curl up with over a weekend and savour in its entirety. There is everything within it that I love in a good read: humour, family upset, a romance and link this with beautiful scenery and a strong male character in Jonas and I am very happy!

The publishers, Canelo, have shared with me the opening scene of the book to share with my blog readers, enjoy ……………………..

‘Oh my God, Frankie, we’re being arrested!’

‘What?’ Frances Ashford looked up from the flute of champagne she’d been nursing for the past hour, and peered through the dimly lit VIP section of the exclusive London club.

‘Get up! It’s the police.’

Jennifer Prescott, Frankie’s best friend, grabbed her hand and pulled her to her feet, causing her to spill the remains of the champagne down the front of her pink silk dress.

And sure enough, six burly police officers were heading their way.

‘But why would they arrest us?’ she asked Jen, looking first at the men in their black shirts and trousers with black baseball caps on their heads, then at the rest of her hen party.

‘Because we’ve been very naughty.’ Lorna Cartwright, another of Frankie’s bridesmaids, smoothed her sleek black hair then adjusted the low neckline of her barely there black dress. She giggled then held up her hands. ‘I’m here, officers. Please be gentle with me.’

‘This is a prank, right?’ Frankie nudged Jen as the men closed in on them.

‘Oh, Frankie, darling… just go with the flow. This is your hen night and it’s time to have some fun.’ Jen cocked a perfectly manicured blonde brow at her, then held up her hands in the same way as Lorna and the other three bridesmaids

Frankie scanned the club, wondering if she had time to make a run for it, but suddenly handcuffs were locked around her wrists. One of the officers gruffly informed her of her rights, then she was led down the stairs from the VIP area and across the dance floor, as her friends squealed and giggled around her.

Ten minutes later, Frankie found herself squashed onto a narrow bench, between two of the rather brawny police officers in the back of a transit van. Jen and Lorna were with her, but the others had been stuffed into a different van outside the club. It was clearly hen night high jinks, but even so, her pulse was racing and her mouth bone dry. She hadn’t wanted any of this, hadn’t even wanted a hen night, but Jen and the others had insisted. Frankie had agreed on the condition that it would be a quiet night of drinks at a club followed by a meal at The Ivy. However, it seemed that her friends had ignored her wishes and come up with something completely different.

The air in the van was stuffy and the heavy aroma of cheap aftershave hung around the hot, bulky bodies either side of her. Didn’t these men know that less was more when it came to cologne? How anyone could find this exciting, Frankie had no idea. The urge to stand up, kick open the back doors of the van and jump out was building, and she pressed her long French-manicured nails into her palms to try to stay calm. Surely this torture would soon be over?

She looked over at Jen who was smiling up at the officer at her side. He stared straight ahead, as if he’d been instructed to ignore the prisoners, but his lips twitched as Jen whispered something in his ear.

‘Jen?’ Frankie couldn’t bear it any longer.

‘What?’

‘How long will this last? It’s just…’ She glanced either side of her. ‘I need the loo.’ It was a lie, but if it meant this would end sooner, then she’d put on her best full bladder performance.

Jen rolled her eyes. ‘Why didn’t you go in the club?’

‘I wasn’t exactly given a chance, was I? It all happened a bit too quickly.’

‘Cross your legs, hun. We won’t be long, so try to relax and enjoy yourself.’ Jen flashed her a smile.

Each jig of the van as it drove through the London streets, made Frankie realize that her bladder was actually quite full now, and that she’d need a comfort break soon. Perhaps it was the shock – and horror – of being subjected to this. 

Perhaps it was the water she’d been discreetly drinking to avoid getting a headache from the bubbly.

A squeal of tyres brought the van to a sudden stop and the officers jumped up, but because Frankie had been so tightly squashed between them, she was thrust forwards. She raised her arms instinctively to cushion her fall, but the handcuffs kept her wrists together, so she was winded as she hit the carpeted floor. She lay still for a moment, her forehead resting against the itchy carpet that reeked of the adhesive that held it in place, trying to catch her breath as hell broke out around her.

‘What the f—! How is that acceptable?’ It was Jen. ‘Frankie? Are you OK, darling?’

Frankie nodded as best she could, then strong hands took hold of her arms and lifted her to her feet. She sagged, her stomach aching from her fall, as she tried to suck in breaths.

‘You absolute idiots! You’re meant to look after your clients, not beat them up. You wait until I post a review about your beastly company.’

‘Look, love, no harm meant. We weren’t to know she’d lose her balance.’ 

Frankie watched the officer at her side, whose squeaky voice seemed incongruous with his size, as he tried to reason with Jen. ‘We’ll do you a discount.’

Jen sniffed then flicked her long blonde hair over her shoulders. ‘You’d better and a jolly good one at that.’

The van doors swung open and the officers leapt out then helped the women down. Frankie had finally caught her breath but knew that her stomach would be tender for days, the same as when she caught a hockey stick to the gut at boarding school.

To her relief, they had stopped directly outside The Ivy Kensington.

‘Come on, Frankie, let’s get a drink.’

‘Was… that it then?’

‘What do you mean?’ Jen frowned.

‘Being arrested. You haven’t arranged for strippers or anything as well, have you?’

Jen sighed then hooked her arm through Frankie’s. ‘The night is young, darling. The night is soooo young.’

Frankie suppressed the urge to scream ……

Thank you to Canelo and Darcie Boleyn for inviting me to take part in the blog tour in return for an honest review. 

Blog Tour - Truth and Lies by Caroline Mitchell

Meet Amy Winter: Detective Inspector, daughter of a serial killer.

DI Amy Winter is hoping to follow in the footsteps of her highly respected police officer father. But when a letter arrives from the prison cell of Lillian Grimes, one half of a notorious husband-and-wife serial-killer team, it contains a revelation that will tear her life apart.

Responsible for a string of heinous killings decades ago, Lillian is pure evil. A psychopathic murderer. And Amy’s biological mother. Now, she is ready to reveal the location of three of her victims—but only if Amy plays along with her twisted game.

While her fellow detectives frantically search for a young girl taken from her mother’s doorstep, Amy must confront her own dark past. Haunted by blurred memories of a sister who sacrificed herself to save her, Amy faces a race against time to uncover the missing bodies.

But what if, from behind bars, Grimes has been pulling the strings even tighter than Amy thought? And can she overcome her demons to prevent another murder?

Truth and Lies introduces its readers to Detective Inspector Amy Winter, who as well as being a high ranking police DI, is also the daughter of a serial killer. What a fantastic character Amy is and I am already looking forward to reading more books in this series. Such a complex character, with an intriguing back story, that Caroline Mitchell has created and I am looking forward to seeing how she progresses.

Caroline Mitchell is herself an ex-police detective and I think that this adds to the authenticity of her novels. She creates great strong female lead characters and Amy Winter is one such character, however her victims and killers are also complex and unique and all add to the impact of her stories. Her books are ones which keep the reader guessing but also looking over their shoulder when out and about - I don't mean scared, just super sensitive about who and what is around them and this, in my view, are all points on my checklist for a top best seller book.

Thank you to the publishers, Thomas and Mercer and Midas PR for sending me a copy of the book and inviting me to take part on this blog tour in return for an honest review.

Blog Tour - Secrets at Meadowbrook Manor by Faith Bleasdale

Visit Meadowbrook this summer for sunshine, secrets and plenty of romance...

When Gemma Matthews is hired to transform Meadowbrook Manor into a boutique hotel, she can't believe her luck.

She packs her bags and moves to Meadowbrook to start her dream job, but her life is quickly turned upside down. From dealing with the petty squabbles of the dramatic Singer
siblings to cleaning up donkey poo, Gemma soon realises she has her work cut out for her. Neverthless, she's
determined to make the hotel a success, especially when she starts falling for the dangerously attractive Freddie Singer.

But Gemma has a secret she's desperate to protect, and she knows the truth could jeopardise everything... 

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
ISBN: 9780008306960

I really enjoyed my first visit to Meadowbrook Manor and have been eagerly awaiting my return. Secrets at Meadowbrook Manor is that return and it has been well worth the wait. From the very first page I was swept back into the idyllic setting of Meadowbrook Manor and surrounded by the fantastic cast who felt like friends.

I really like the Singer family, who own Meadowbrook Manor, and was pleased to see that Gemma's nan also made another appearance in the book and their story was heart-warming and sincere. 

Although this book is the second in the series, I truly believe that this book could be read as a standalone book and I hope that lots of my  blog readers enjoy the book as much as I did. I am already looking forward to my next visit to Meadowbrook Manor.

Thank you to Avon Books for sending me a copy of this book in return for an honest review.