BLOG TOUR ~ The Memory Wood by Sam Lloyd

Hi Everyone,

Today is my stop on the final day for the Blog Tour for The Memory Wood by Sam Lloyd where I have a review from his latest novel. I was thrilled to be asked by Anne Cater from Random Things Tours who organised this tour in conjunction with Thomas Hill and Transworld Books to take part along with some other fab book bloggers. You can find out who else has taken part in this fabulous Blog Tour at the end of this review so without further ado, here it is:

Meet Elissa, a twelve year old girl who loves chess and we meet her on the morning of her going to a chess tournament event with ith her Mum. They stop for breakfast on the way and then when they get to the tournament Elissa remembers there's something she left in the car, she asks her Mum for the keys, her Mum wants to go out with her but she says she'll be fine, she goes out but she's abducted never to return......

As her abductor’s behaviour grows more erratic, Elissa realises that outwitting strange, lonely Elijah is her only hope of survival. Their cat-and-mouse game of deception and betrayal will determine both their fates, and whether either of them will ever leave the Memory Wood.....

Well, what a read this was, I absolutely LOVED it. It was dark, creepy, twisted and full of action. I even felt it had a slight touch of the Saw movies to it in a way. The sociopath/kidnapper character was absolutely brilliant, very well written and cleverly constructed. They were everything you'd expect with a sociopath - cold, calculating, manipulating and has no regard for anyone's feelings or who they hurt on their path of destruction. At times, I could feel I was right there with the two little Elissa. I loved the character Elissa, she was so clever, smart and a real kick-ass little kid. I did love the character Elijah but as the story unfolded I grew to actually detest him and I loved how Sam was able to write such a character. I don't want to say any more incase I ruin it for anyone but all I'll say is get this to read, you won't regret it.

The Memory Wood is Sam's debut novel which is available in all good bookshops, libraries, on audio and on Kindle where it is currently £0.99 at the time of the publication of this review but be quick as it's  only for a limited time so grab it while you can but I can't wait to see what he produces next (no pressure, Sam).

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

BLOG TOUR ~ The Liar's Daughter by Claire Allan

Hi Everyone,

Today is my stop on the Blog Tour for The Liar's Girl by Claire Allan where I've a review from her latest novel. I was thrilled to be asked by Sanjana Cunniah from Avon Books to take part along with some other fab book bloggers. You can find out who else has taken part in this fabulous Blog Tour at the end of the review so without further ado, here it is:

Meet Joe McKee, a man who left his wife and young daughter when his marraige broke up, moved in with another woman named Natalie and her daughter Heidi but when Natalie tragically dies not long after he moved in, he made a promise to stay in the house and look after Heidi and bring her up as his own, he is seen as a pillar of the community, a great fella altogether with everything he's done.

However, a few years later Joe has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and he is brought home to Heidi's house where she has to look after him in his remaining time. His daughter Ciara is contacted and she doesn't care or want to know anything about him seen as he walked out on her and her Mum all those years ago but when she has a chat with her partner she decides to go and see him.

Joe dies and arrangements are made for the traditional Irish wake, friends and family are left reeling at how cancer could have taken this much-loved man so soon. As the mourners gather, the police do too, with doubt being cast over whether Joe’s death was due to natural causes. Because the lies that Joe told won’t be taken to the grave after all – and the truth gives his daughters the best possible motive for killing him…

Well, I absolutely LOVED this. It was fantastic, I was gripped from the first few pages, that prologue had me hook, line and sinker and I couldn't read the book fast enough to find out how it all panned out. It was cleverly researched and constructed. Told over a dual time span, then and now, it is told from two main characters perspectives, Ciara and Heidi with a few of the other characters thrown into the mix. This story had it all from family, betrayal, secrets, lies, protectiveness to more sensitive and hard-hitting issues which were handled quite sensitively and I found I had a little tear in my eye at the end.

Claire Allan is well known for writing women's fiction for a long time but with no respect to her novels, she has definitely found her calling as a Crime/Thriller writer. She just keeps getting better with each novel she turns out and I'm struggling to say which is her best as they're all brilliant page turners. I can't wait to read her next thriller (no pressure, Claire). This is a definite must read especially if you're heading away for a few days just make sure you throw this in your case, especially if you're going to the beach.

The Liar's Daughter is Claire's fourth thriller novel which is available in all good bookshops, libraries, on audio and on Kindle where it is currently £0.99 at the time of the publication of this review but be quick as it's  only for a limited time so grab it while you  can as you definitely won't be disappointed.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!