Tag Archives: thriller

Jera’s Jamboree : Boy Nobody ~ Sneak peak ~ Chapter One

You may remember how excited I was to receive my Boy Nobody proof package from Orchard Books.

(to refresh your memories, you can find the post here)

boynobodyPaperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Orchard (23 May 2013)
ISBN-10: 1408327600
ISBN-13: 978-1408327609

Boy Nobody is the perennial new kid in school, the one few notice and nobody thinks much about. He shows up in a new high school, in a new town, under a new name, makes few friends and doesn’t stay long. Just long enough for someone in his new friend’s family to die — of “natural causes.” Mission accomplished, Boy Nobody disappears, and moves on to the next target.

When his own parents died of not-so-natural causes at the age of eleven, Boy Nobody found himself under the control of The Program, a shadowy government organization that uses brainwashed kids as counter-espionage operatives. But somewhere, deep inside Boy Nobody, is somebody: the boy he once was, the boy who wants normal things (like a real home, his parents back), a boy who wants out. And he just might want those things badly enough to sabotage The Program’s next mission.

Now I’m excited to be able to share with you the first chapter extract!

I PICK UP A BASEBALL BAT.
It’s a thirty-two-ounce Rawlings composite. I feel the weight in my hands. The balance is slightly off from a dent on the tip. I grasp the bat on either end and stretch out in the parking lot after the game. Natick vs. Wellesley. My Natick teammates are all around me, high school jocks doing what they do after a win. Celebrating. Big-time. I celebrate, just like them. This is what I think to myself: I am one of you. I am young. I am a winner. I smile and stretch. After a moment, I shift my weight onto my back leg and I swing hard. Jack Wu comes up behind me at the same time. The bat misses his head by an inch. A big man in a black suit tenses nearby. Tenses but doesn’t interfere. This is Jack’s bodyguard and driver, a shadow behind Jack whenever he goes out. Jack’s dad is rich. Rich and nervous. Jack hates the bodyguard. He’s told me a dozen times. Jack and I are friends, so he tells me these things.
“Watch it with the bat, dude,” Jack says, and he punches me on the shoulder. A playful punch. The Suit steps forward, and Jack spins around, anticipating him. “Down, Rover,” he says, like he’s talking to a pit bull. The Suit grins like he’s in on the joke, but I wonder if he
wouldn’t slap the hell out of Jack if he had the chance. Instead he leans back against the sleek black Mercedes and waits. “You killed it out there,” Jack says. He head-gestures toward the field. “I do my best,” I say. “Your best kicks ass and takes names,” Jack says, and he
punches my shoulder again. This time the big man doesn’t move. But the other players are looking at us. Two punches on the arm. A way of asserting dominance. Dominance is a threat. It must be dealt with. I run a checklist in my mind: I can let him punch me. Choose a lower status. I can retaliate in equal measure, with equal force. I can escalate. Assert my dominance. Which should I choose? Jack is supposed to be my friend. A teenage friend would punch a buddy the way he punched me. When in doubt, emulate. That’s what I’ve been taught. So it’s option two. I give Jack a light punch on the shoulder. “Ow!” he cries in mock pain. “Take it easy on me.” This entire transaction takes no more than two seconds: I swing the bat. Jack punches. I punch back. We both laugh as the Suit looks on. This is what you’d see if you were watching us now. Two jocks, buddies, teasing one another. “You want to come back to the bank vault?” Jack says. The bank vault. That’s what Jack calls his house. “For a little bit,” I say. Jack steps toward the car. The Suit reacts quickly, opening the back door for him. “My friend is coming with,” Jack says to him. “Yes, sir,” he says, and he gestures for me to get into the car.

THE LEATHER IS SOFT IN THE MERCEDES.
It’s the kind of leather seat that pulls you in, begs you to relax against it. A seat that says, You are being taken care of. You are being driven where you need to go. I imagine having a father who can afford things like this. Expensive cars. Expensive bodyguards. Not just afford them, but a father who wants his son to have them. Wants him to be taken care of. But this is not something I should be thinking about now. Not when there’s work to do. I glance at Jack. He’s leaning back with his eyes closed. “I was thinking,” he says. “That’s unusual for you,” I say. “Asshole,” he says. He smiles, his eyes still closed. “I was thinking about you and me.” “Stop right there,” I say. “You’re making me nervous.” “Can I be serious for a minute?” Jack says. “You want to get all heavy for sixty seconds, I’m not
going to stop you.” “I was thinking that you’re a real friend.” “You’ve got tons of friends,” I say. “Not guys I invite over to the house. Not guys I trust.” “You trust me?” “For real,” Jack says. The Suit in the front seat coughs. A warning to Jack? A reminder that he’s still here? Or nothing at all. A tickle in the throat. “If you trust me, can I borrow a hundred bucks?” I say. “I don’t trust you that much,” Jack says. He laughs. He punches my arm. I let him do it.

THE SUIT TYPES A CODE INTO THE SECURITY GATE.
The large metal gate slides open to reveal a long driveway, a guard hut set twenty feet in. We pull up to the hut and the Suit nods to a guard. He lifts two fingers. Two people coming in, Jack and me. The guard marks it down on a clipboard. He’s seen me before and
it’s not a big deal. We continue around a hairpin turn and the house comes into view. Big but not lavish. The Suit stops to let us out.
Jack types a code to gain access to the house. The front door beeps to announce our entry. Front door open, it says. It beeps again when the door is closed. Front door closed, the electronic voice says. Jack’s dad wanders by with a beer in his hand. Chen Wu is his name. His friends call him John. He’s the CEO of a hightech firm along Route 128. Lots of government contracts. Does he need all this security? I know he likes it. It makes you feel important to have a lot of people with guns around you. It makes you feel safe, and more importantly for him, it makes his wife feel safe. That keeps her from giving him a hard time. It’s not just Mr. Wu. All the CEOs are edgy right now. There was some violence a year ago. An important kid got shot during an attempted kidnapping while on spring break in Mexico. The Fortune 500 went security crazy. Now rich kids like Jack need a commando team to take a dump. “Nice to see you, boys,” Jack’s dad says. “What’s up, Dad?” Jack says. “Gotta take a squirt. Pardon my French.” He turns to leave. “Hey, I can’t stay too long,” I say. “You gotta go?” Jack says, disappointed. “Gotta call my mom,” I say. “I guess it’s morning wherever she is.” “Crap in a bag,” Jack says. He shoots up the stairs. “You have time for a cold one?” Jack’s dad says. “Beer or soda?” “How old are you?” he says. “Sixteen.”
“Soda for you. But it was a nice try.” I shrug like I’m bummed out, and I follow him through the den. “How was the game?” Jack’s dad says. “Amazing,” I say. “You should come sometime.” “High-school ball is not really my thing,” he says. But it’s his son’s thing, so what does it matter? I see this a lot with the Fortune 500. Mr. Wu is always working. Except Friday nights. His only downtime, and he doesn’t want to spend it with his family. He relaxes for the evening, then works again all weekend. So be it. It’s Friday night and he’s here. So am I. That’s the important thing. We head into the kitchen, and the conversation drifts to the Red Sox. We’re in Boston, so we have to talk Sox. I notice an expensive knife block on the counter with one of the knives missing from its slot. A wide slot. This is a knife big enough to be used as a weapon. I scan the room. The sink. The knife is sitting on a cutting board next to the sink, ten feet away from us. A safe distance away. I relax and exhale. I sit at the table, and I reach into my backpack and take out a ballpoint pen.  Jack’s dad looks at me from the refrigerator, a question on his face. “You taking notes?” “When you talk baseball, I listen,” I say. Jack’s dad smiles. I smile. When in doubt, emulate. I turn the cap and double click, exposing the point. Jack’s dad reaches forward to hand me the cold soda. I push the end of the pen into the meat of his forearm. The action depresses a miniature plunger. His eyes widen as the drug hits him. His mouth puckers, forming the familiar Wh— Maybe it’s why he’s trying to say. Maybe it’s what, as in What are you doing? But the drug is fast acting. Its actual speed depends on age and conditioning, which is bad news for Jack’s dad. He’s out of shape. So it is fast. Faster even than a word can form. Jack’s dad stumbles, and I catch him, place him on the floor by the kitchen table. I don’t let him fall because I don’t want Jack running downstairs to see what caused the noise. I don’t want anyone else rushing in. Not yet. I need fifteen seconds. Six seconds to lay him down, arranging the body, limbs splayed as if from a fall. I use an elbow to knock over the can of beer next to him. The foam hisses. Five seconds to put away my pen and notebook, zip the backpack where it hangs from the back of a chair.
Four more seconds to play out the chain, let the chemical reaction in Mr. Wu’s body take him beyond the point of resuscitation. Fifteen seconds. Done. I look at the body. The man that was Jack Wu is gone. A husband is gone. A father is gone. “I trust you,” Jack said. That was your mistake, I think. Twenty seconds have passed. The outside edge of my operational window. “Oh my god!” I say. “Help!” I fling open the front door. “Someone!” I shout. Jack comes running down the stairs, and his face turns white with shock. A sound comes out of him, something between a moan and a scream. The security people rush in. One look at the body and the first guy knows. It’s all a show after that. I stand to the side and watch it happen. Resuscitation attempts, the ambulance, all of it. I push forward like I want to be in the middle of the action, be near my friend Jack. The Suit from the baseball game stops me. He puts an arm on my shoulder, gently, like he’s my father or something. I want to shrug it off, but I don’t. “Maybe it would be better if you stepped away,” he says.
“What about Jack—?” “It’s a family matter,” he says. I relax my shoulders beneath his arm. “I need my backpack,” I say. He steps into the fray, grabs my backpack, hands it to me, and guides me out the door. I glance back. My last image is of Jack on the sofa, his back
hunched, his head almost to his knees. A profile of grief. All because of me.

Wow, I think Boy Nobody definitely needs to sabotage The Program!

Do you want to read on?  

Jera’s Jamboree : A fabulous package from @orchardbooks

Yesterday I arrived home from work to find an unusual package on the sideboard.

I thought it might possibly be a book … well, it was addressed to my blog and me!

When I shook it though, it rattled (which of course got me guessing).

The contents of the box are so fabulous I just had to do a blog post :)

I unwrapped the parcel to find this intriguing box

I unwrapped the parcel to find this intriguing box

 

Oooh, just look at the contents!

Oooh, just look at the contents!

 

IMAG0249

All of my favourite things! Book, PEN, NOTEPAD and …

IMAG0248_1

How fabulous is this? I love it :)

Now I am ready for my mission … to rescue Boy Nobody from

The Program

boynobodyBoy Nobody is the perennial new kid in school, the one few notice and nobody thinks much about. He shows up in a new high school, in a new town, under a new name, makes few friends and doesn’t stay long. Just long enough for someone in his new friend’s family to die — of “natural causes.” Mission accomplished, Boy Nobody disappears, and moves on to the next target.

When his own parents died of not-so-natural causes at the age of eleven, Boy Nobody found himself under the control of The Program, a shadowy government organization that uses brainwashed kids as counter-espionage operatives. But somewhere, deep inside Boy Nobody, is somebody: the boy he once was, the boy who wants normal things (like a real home, his parents back), a boy who wants out. And he just might want those things badly enough to sabotage The Program’s next mission.

Kindle Format 6 June 2013

Hardback Format 11 June 2013

Jason Bourne meets James Bond for teens!

A fast paced, page-turning, action-packed thriller, Boy Nobody will publish simultaneously with the US this summer.  There is a strong film interest from Sony Pictures who see a Boy Nobody adaptation as a potential franchise for Will Smith’s son, Jaden,

A HUGE thank you to Orchard Books for such a wonderful surprise!

Jera’s Jamboree review: Betrayal by Gregg Olsen

Betrayal (Empty Coffin Novel) by Gregg Olsen

Paperback: 352 pages

Publisher: Splinter (22 Aug 2012)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1454903503

ISBN-13: 978-1454903505

In this action-packed thriller sequel to Envy, foreign exchange student Olivia Grant is stabbed to death after a party and the prime suspect is her best friend. As twins Hayley and Taylor Ryan get pulled into aftermath of the crime, they realise nothing is what it seems. Could it be betrayal of the ultimate kind?

Betrayal features real-life crime-solving techniques, heart-stopping suspense, plenty of red herrings and hard-hitting ethical questions. As the crime unravels, so does the twins’ past, as they must face off against a family member who may unexpectedly have carried out the worst betrayal of all.

Betrayal begins with 16 year old Olivia travelling, in late summer, to Port Gamble, Washington.  She’s been expecting an idealised version of America … the reality is disappointing!

At the Halloween party held at best friend Brianna’s house, Olivia tries the home brew and feeling unwell takes herself off to bed.  She wakes briefly to defend herself but …

Straight away we’re into the action – not only with the murder but also in the early hours of the morning, we find out that there is far more to twins Hayley and Taylor than shows on the surface.  Intriguing!

There is no prelude or background to Olivia’s murder and so I was alert trying to pick up clues as I read.  The author cleverly drops hints about motive (Oliva’s YouTube videos come to mind and a photograph)  … at a couple of points I was so sure I knew who the perpetrator was but no, I was wrong.

As we follow the investigation into Olivia’s death, we get to know the key characters including their flaws.  The reader becomes a part of this community, not only at home but also at Kingston High.  I was fascinated with these affluent people and their history with each other.

After a second murder, the plot focuses on the twins.  This is just as tense and intriguing as everything that has happened so far.  There are a couple of edge-of-the-seat scenes, which got my heart racing.  Eventually their mother tells them the truth … or does she! After I had finished reading there was something nudging me, and I realised that although a truth was told, there is something else we didn’t get the answer to.  Maybe it will be left this way or maybe it is something the author has brought in as a thread for the next novel in the series.

I enjoyed Olsen’s writing style.  The pace of the plot was perfect, keeping me engaged and leading me on.  There are characters with their own agendas, which adds to the suspense.  The author uses modern language and social media pitched at the right level for the targeted audience (although I would also recommend for adults too!)  Texting, tweeting, Facebook and YouTube are all a part of the story.  The media are also involved and their ‘interference’ is a reflection of the part they play in real life.

Betrayal is more than a window into the baser nature of humans, there is also a paranormal element … this is a thriller with a difference!

Having received Betrayal unsolicited in the post, at the time it was just a book that went on the reading schedule.   I had no idea the affect it would have on me (don’t you just love that!)  I absolutely loved this story.  I found it hard to put down and read it in 24 hours … and I’m still thinking about it now.  No surprises at my rating …

Buy it but be loathe to share your copy … it’s a keeper!

Betrayal is a work of fiction but elements are based on the real life case involving Amanda Knox.  There is a discussion guide and resources about the case on www.emptycoffinseries.com

Although Gregg Olsen has written fiction and non-fiction books, the Empty Coffin Series is his YA debut. Betrayal is the second in the series but this obviously didn’t affect my enjoyment!  The first, Envy, has gone straight onto my wishlist!
Gregg Olsen on Amazon

I would like to thank Andrea Reece for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

You can find out more about Gregg Olsen on his website, including a link to his Twitter account.

Jera’s Jamboree review: Held Up by Christopher Radmann

Held Up by Christopher Radmann

Publisher: Headline Review (19 July 2012)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0755389204

ISBN-13: 978-0755389209

How far do you go to rescue your child?

Paul van Niekirk, a successful white South African is held up at gun-point when driving his new BMW. He’s dragged out and his abductor drives off in his car. It’s an everyday car jacking. Except his nine-month old daughter is in the back seat.

As a pacifist, Paul is reluctant to carry a gun, but he descends into the heart of darkness of his country determined to find his child. He uncovers a criminal gang involved in people trafficking and discovers in himself a capacity for violence.

When the trail goes cold, he is on the verge of losing everything but finds redemption in the most unlikely circumstances. Moving from the enclaves of Johannesburg’s northern suburbs to the throbbing heart of Soweto’s informal settlements, Paul is forced to confront the changing political and social landscape of the new South Africa, questioning his own values as his perfect life crumbles around him.

Held Up begins one second after the hijack.  The reader is introduced to how life is -  violence and mistrust are common experiences.  One minute after the hijack, Paul is reflecting on how difficult Chantal’s conception was and how he felt at her birth.  One hour afterwards he tells his wife, Claire (having waited for the police and then related everything at the station).  From this moment on, the reader is caught up in the pain and grief of Paul’s journey – the changes experienced as a direct result as well as trying to find a place to belong … until a resolution, eleven years later.

You do need full concentration and a good level of vocabulary.  At times, I did find the words getting in the way of the flow of my reading.  I did enjoy the way the author varied the sentence structure.

The story itself is very powerful and allows the reader a glimpse into another culture.  The emotional aspect is portrayed really well.  The reader finds themselves caught up in the deep and dark abyss and learning how to live with a wound that is so raw. We do find out the reason why it was not just Paul’s white 318i BMW that was the attraction.  Myths are still prevalent in parts of the world.

As an aside, I’ve worked with a child at school who lived in South Africa. His family chose to move to the UK. His stories of armed guards at the locked gate of his home and the shootings were brought to life for me by the descriptions in Held Up.

Held Up is not a light read.  It’s not one of those books you can take off your shelf at random.  Personally I think you need to be in the right frame of mind to be able to do the story justice.

*Note:  There is swearing which some readers may find offensive*

Buy it and spread the word

I highly recommend you listen to Christopher Radmann talking about Held Up:

I read Held Up as part of the Real Readers programme (link on side bar).

Held Up is available to purchase:

Amazon Kindle format £6.99

Amazon Hardcover format £7.40 

The Book Depository paperback format £9.79

Headline Paperback format £12.99/E-book format £13.00 

And most good book stores

About the Author

Christopher Radmann is from South Africa, but has lived in the UK for the last twelve years.  He is currently Head of Sixth Form and Head of English at a school in Hampshire, where he lives with his wife and two children.  Based loosely on personal experience and that of his friends and family, Held Up is his first novel.

You can tweet with the author and find him on Facebook.

Jera’s Jamboree review: 666 Park Avenue by Gabriella Pierce

666 Park Avenue (666 Park Avenue 1) by Gabriella Pierce

Paperback: 336 pages

Publisher: Canvas (2 Aug 2012)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1780336977

ISBN-13: 978-1780336978

 

 

What if your mother-in-law turned out to be an evil, cold-blooded witch . . . literally?

Ever since fabulously wealthy Malcolm Doran walked into her life and swept her off her feet, fledgling architect Jane Boyle has been living a fairy tale. When he proposes with a stunning diamond to seal the deal, Jane can’t believe her incredible luck and decides to leave her Paris-based job to make a new start with Malcolm in New York.

But when Malcolm introduces Jane to the esteemed Doran clan, one of Manhattan’s most feared and revered families, Jane’s fairy tale takes a darker turn. Soon everything she thought she knew about the world—and herself—is upended. Now Jane must struggle with newfound magical abilities and the threat of those who will stop at nothing to get them.

We’re introduced to Jane Boyle in an haute couture boutique.  She’s been searching all week for the perfect dress to wear for a restaurant date with Malcolm.  He’s been away on business.  They’ve been together for a month having met at an antique auction.  Jane’s enlisted the help of colleague and friend Elodie Dessaix.  Jane is despairing after trying on everything from the sales rack when the sales assistant finally ends her telephone conversation and tells Jane that Malcolm has left a message that she is to buy anything she wants and for the cost to be put on his account.  The cash register starts opening and closing on its own … and so we have our first introduction to not only the differences in their lifestyles but also the energy of Jane’s magic.

After the proposal at the restaurant, Jane decides she wants to visit her gran (who she hasn’t seen for six years) before crossing the ocean to New York.  Finding things not as she expects, it is here that Jane finds a gift left by her grandmother and a letter of explanation.

From the moment they enter 666 Park Avenue, there is an intimation that not is all as it seems on the surface for this high profile American family.  As the time builds towards their wedding day so does the crises.  It’s at a party arranged by Jane through her job that she realises just what she’s up against.  With the help of friends, she learns more about magic and how to harness and use her energy.

If you read my reviews you will know how much I enjoy seeing a lead female character grow and we certainly do with Jane.  From a naïve woman whose childhood was spent on an isolated farm we see her grow into her power and assertiveness.  On the other hand though, we see Malcolm fall rather heavily from his pedestal!  A strong and charismatic man to begin with … I despised his weakness although I understood his motivation.  Lynne (Malcolm’s mother) is the matriarch who controls everyone and keeps them on a tight leash.  It will be very interesting to see the contretemps between Jane and Lynne escalate in the trilogy as Lynne tries to get the one thing she desires above everything else.

Weaving through the high society and the magic is a love triangle.  I admired Jane’s loyalty  – although I hope we see more of Harris!

The magic is really well written.  The description of the energy and Jane learning to harness it is brilliantly portrayed.  The first thing Jane sees in 666 Park Avenue is the family tree carved in the marbled wall with the line of descent through the female line.  I loved this.

With brilliant characterisations, suspense, death, secrets, magic and love, there is plenty to hold the readers interest.  It would be hard to pigeonhole 666 Park Avenue into a particular genre!  Definitely one for your reading list.

 

Buy it and spread the word

666 Park Avenue can be purchased from the following:

Amazon Kindle format £4.05 

Amazon Parperback £4.26

The Book Depository Paperback £5.24

and all good retailers

The second book in the trilogy The Dark Glamour is due for publication Amazon Kindle format 6th September (£4.80) and Amazon paperback (£5.59)  18th October 2012.

I would like to thank Canvas Books for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

666 Park Avenue has been made into an American TV series for ABC.

You can find out more about Gabriella Pierce on her Canvas author page.

Jera’s Jamboree: Review Safe House by Chris Ewan

Safe House by Chris Ewan

Hardcover: 448 pages

Publisher: Faber and Faber  (2 Aug 2012)

ISBN-10: 0571290639

ISBN-13: 978-0571290635

When Rob Hale wakes up in hospital after a motorcycle crash he is told that Lena, the woman he claims was travelling with him, doesn’t exist. The woman he describes bears a striking resemblance to his recently deceased sister, Laura, but has he really only imagined her?

Rob sets out to find the answers to who Lena is and where she has gone. He is aided by Rebecca Lewis, a London-based PI, who has come to the Isle of Man at the behest of his parents to investigate his sister’s suicide. But who is Rebecca really and how did she know his sister?

Together Rob and Rebecca follow the clues to discover who took Lena. In doing so they discover that even on an island where most people know each other, everyone hides a secret, and that sometimes your best option isn’t to hide but to stay and fight.

Before Part One begins we read a brief reflective account of the motorbike crash.  In Part One Rob has regained consciousness in hospital.  We learn the doctors attribute Lena to Rob’s head trauma, which can cause cognitive disruption.  Rob’s background is shared and we read how he met Lena.  He’s released from hospital really quickly considering his injuries … this was my first hook…  something wasn’t quite right about his release.  Once out of hospital he meets PI Rebecca.  This was another thing that intrigued me.  Why did Rob’s sister Laura give Rebecca’s details to her parents?  What was the link?  Rob and Rebecca go to the isolated cottage on the plantation where Rob first met Lena and their investigations reveal some interesting things.

Part Two takes us deeper into the intrigue and we meet new characters.  Instead of giving answers it only raises more questions!  The rest of the story is told alternating with Rob and Rebecca hunting down answers and another set of characters on a journey that does include some harrowing scenes when these characters meet.

The setting of Safe House is perfect.  Both on land (the Isle of Man) and sea there is isolation.  The suspense is quite dramatic in places and with the build up of clues I found myself continually trying to work out how everyone fitted in and why.  All the characters have secrets that unravel, including Rob’s parents.

Safe House is a thriller that will pull you in and engage your inference skills.  It’s a ‘dark’ read that exposes the abuse of power and the devastating effects that obsession can have on a life.

Buy it and spread the word

NOTE:  There is information about the Isle of Man and the TT race before the story begins so the reader is able to put the story into context.

I would like to thank the publishers for accepting my request on Netgalley to review in advance of publication.

You can find out more about the author by visiting his website.  On the website you will find links for following Chris Ewan on Twitter and Facebook.

Safe House on Amazon:

Kindle format £4.28

Hardback £7.94

Paperback £11.69

Safe House on The Book Despository:

Hardback £11.24

Safe House on Faber & Faber:

Hardback £14.99

Jera’s Jamboree review: I’ll Be There by Holly Goldberg Sloan

I’ll Be There by Holly Goldberg Sloan

Paperback: 224 pages

Publisher: Piccadilly (5 April 2012)

Language English

ISBN-10: 1848122675

ISBN-13: 978-1848122673

Raised by an unstable father who keeps the family constantly on the move, Sam Border hasn’t been in a classroom since the second grade. He’s always been the rock for his younger brother Riddle, who stopped speaking long ago and instead makes sense of the world through his strange and intricate drawings. It’s said that the two boys speak with one voice-and that voice is Sam’s.

Then, Sam meets Emily Bell, and everything changes. The two share an immediate and intense attraction, and soon Sam and Riddle find themselves welcomed into the Bell’s home. Faced with normalcy for the first time, they know it’s too good to last.

Told from multiple perspectives, Holly Goldberg Sloan’s debut novel offers readers fresh voices and a gripping story, with vivid glimpses into the lives of many unique characters. Beautifully written and emotionally profound, I’ll Be There is a story about connections both big and small, and deftly explores the many ways that our lives are woven together.

The story begins with Sam … we find out all the things we need to know to understand him and his passion/outlet for music and therefore the reasons why church plays an important part in his existence.  Whilst Emily is sharing her feelings about singing in church the reader gets to know Emily and her middle class family.  The importance of the title is introduced straight away – it is the song Emily sings in church whilst transfixed on Sam.  Unbeknown to Emily it is a song that Sam’s mother used to sing to him.  The song is important at key points …

Sam comes into Emily’s life and changes her forever.  She looks at everything around her with a different perspective and matures in the blink of an eye.  Sam is so innocent and wears no mask because he hasn’t had to interact with society on a daily basis.  Ironically, the rules we have been taught are to distrust someone like Sam when all along, the upper class Bobby Ellis is the one who is ‘acting’ in public while hiding a totally different persona underneath.  Take note! Perhaps it was unkind of me but the disasters that befell Bobby on the day of the prom had me laughing … that’s what you call karma  :)

The romance between Emily and Sam is magical.  They have a powerful connection.  At one point, Sam is waiting for Emily to finish soccer practice and when she realises he is there, they kiss through the chainlink fence.  A powerful symbol at that point in their journey.

I really liked the alternating narratives (written in the third person).  I must admit that at first, while the foundation is created, the story was ‘ok’ for me.  I could pick the book up and put it down.  From the time the crisis happens though, I was hooked.  The suspense grabbed me.  I couldn’t put it down.  Spending time with Sam and his brother Riddle when they’re together and then when they’re apart while also spending time with Emily and Bobby Ellis … and Sam’s father Clarence.  You just have to turn those pages to see what each of the characters are up to and I was intrigued to find out how, or if, it would all weave back together again.

The background that Sam and Riddle have gives them the skills they need to survive after the crisis point.  The exciting thing about the resolution is that you think it’s going to happen … but it doesn’t.  There’s more to come.  I loved the whole scene with Riddle and the orange tent, from his comparison to The Three Bears and the way he felt to the laughter I couldn’t stop when he was found.

All the characters are brilliant but my favourite just has to be Riddle.  So very interesting.  Suffering from asthma, allergies and on the autistic spectrum, it’s clear why he finds a place in Debbie Bell’s heart.  I was so caught up in the story that at one point, when Riddle screamed I did too!

I identified with Emily having thought deeply about things for as long as I can remember and seeing patterns within patterns.  Should I admit to feeling like Emily about pictures?  Probably not … I thought I was the only one who felt like that though obviously not as the author has created it as part of Emily’s personality!

I can’t end my review without mentioning synchronicity.  I love the way that characters and their reasons for being a part of the story are woven in, as well as the ‘bigger’ picture.

I’ll Be There is a debut novel that’s multi-layered. Targeted at the Young Adult audience, many adults will also identify with the emotions and survival of finding a place to belong.  A word of warning, have your tissues ready at the ending!

‘Everyone whose path you cross in life has the power to change you’ 

Buy it and spread the word

I would like to thank Piccadilly Press for offering I’ll Be There on Twitter for review in exchange for an honest opinion.

You can find out more about debut author Holly Goldberg Sloan on her website.  You can follow her on Twitter and Holly has an author Facebook page.

I’ll Be There is available from:

Amazon Kindle £3.71

Amazon Paperback £3.91

The Book Depository Paperback £5.05

And all major bookstores

Jera’s Jamboree reviews: The Memory of Blood (Bryant & May mystery) Christopher Fowler

Bryant & May and the Memory of Blood (Bryant & May 9) by Christopher Fowler

Paperback: 352 pages

Publisher: Bantam (29 Mar 2012)

Language English

ISBN-10: 0857500945

ISBN-13: 978-0857500946

The defenestration of a ruthless theatre impresario’s young son was definitely not the best way to end the play’s first night party. And the crime scene itself was most unusual: a locked bedroom, with no sign of forced entry, no prints or traces of blood, just a sinister, life-size puppet of Mr Punch lying on the floor…

 

Everyone at the party – from the dodgy producer and rakish male lead to the dour set designer and the assistant stage manager (the wild daughter of a prominent civil servant) – is a suspect.

 

It’s a perfect case for Bryant and May and the Peculiar Crimes Unit but the Home Office, wary of the PCU’s eccentric methods and intensely aware of the potential political embarrassment, wants them off the investigation.

 

The elderly detectives are not so easily deterred, however. Delving into the history of London theatre and the gruesome origins of ‘Punch and Judy’, they uncover a maniacal killer is at work – one who must be caught before it’s curtains for everyone!

I’ve read previously #7 in this series (Bryant & May on the Loose) in the days before blogging and I chose #5 (The Water Room) for my choice in The Transworld Book Group Reading Challenge (you can read my review for #5 here).  When I saw #9 The Memory of Blood on Netgalley, having enjoyed the other two stories so much, I requested approval.

At the beginning of the uncorrected proof copy is a breakdown of the purpose of the Peculiar Crimes Unit (PCU) and the characters.  It was great to see the same characters … I knew I was going to enjoy this one too so settled down to read on Adobe Digital Edtions.

We start the story at the end … yes, that’s right, at the end.  We’re at a party in a Chamber of Horrors.  All the guests are locked in and the PCU has until midnight to arrest the murderer.  One of the guests is the murderer …

The PCU has a fresh start in this book – as far as the premises are concerned.  They are now housed in a building that several occult societies have used in the past and there are some interesting finds in the attic.  The building is said to be built over a convergence of leylines.  Straight away we have the esoteric connection that I’ve loved in the previous books.  Although re-housed, the PCU still gets into a tangle with those in high places in Government who want the unit to be closed down!

There is still the banter between the team and Arthur Bryant is still his eccentric self, thinking out of the box to get results.  I think the following excerpt will show the respect he feels about the niceties of society:

‘Well, you’re not getting results using traditional investigative methods, are you?’ Bryant took out his gobstopper to see if it had changed colour, then reinserted it into his mouth.  (Bear in mind Arthur is an elderly gentleman!)

As always there are some unusual and interesting facts in the story.  This time based on Punch & Judy and the psychology of that story.  Despite my dislike of puppets coming to life, I found this fascinating.  I don’t think I would be able to watch this at the cinema though!

Alongside the investigation into the murders runs another plotline.  Arthur Bryant has been writing his biography with the help of Anna.  There is a tragedy involved which is left open for conclusion in the next book.  I think this will be quite a journey!

It’s so easy to become involved in the story.  Apart from all the interesting facts, the tension is building all the time with layers of tragedy.  I’ve not been able to guess the murderer in the previous books and this time was no different.

The Memory of Blood is another exciting page-turning, tension-filled story.  If you’re not already a fan but enjoy finding out unusual facts and love a murder/mystery then I recommend you buy yourself a copy.  You won’t be disappointed!

Buy it and spread the word

I would like to thank the publishers, Random House Publishing Group for approving my request on Netgalley.

Christopher Fowler books on Amazon

The ‘Wispa It …’ Blog Tour for Never Coming Home by Evonne Wareham

I am honoured to be the first blog tour stop for Evonne Wareham’s debut novel, Never Coming Home.  Evonne is sharing with Jera’s Jamboree readers a taster from the first chapter, her journey from being a finalist in an American competition to being published with Choc Lit, plus a giveaway.  So without further ado, I’m handing you over to Evonne.

‘Wispa It…’ Snippet No. 1 … Shhhhh

‘You know, Dev, you don’t have to do this.’ Bobby Hoag

leaned on the doorjamb of his partner’s office. Devlin was

tossing files into drawers and packing his laptop into its

travel case. ‘Have you thought about it?’ Bobby persisted.

Behind him the reception area was deserted, the lights dim.

An open window wafted the smoke from Bobby’s cigarette

into the rainy Chicago night. ‘It’s been more than six months.

By now these people will have settled, put it behind them.

And you’re going to rake it all up again?’

That got Devlin’s attention. He looked up, scowling.

‘Would you ever put something like that behind you?’

‘Well – no,’ Bobby admitted. ‘But even so – if no one has

got in touch, in all this time –’

‘I’ve thought about this, Bobby.’ Devlin zipped the slim

travel case and propped himself against the desk, folding

his arms. ‘Christ, it’s not something I want to do. Maybe I

won’t, when it comes down to it. This trip is about work,

first and foremost. It just happens to be London, and the

woman is in London.’

That’s just a taster from the first chapter of Never Coming Home. There will be more as the ‘Wispa It …’ blog tour travels on.

 

Hello. It’s good to be here, kicking off the ‘Wispa it …’ Blog tour on Jera’s Jamboree. As well as being the ‘Wispa it …’ tour (Wispa – like the Chocolate bar), featuring snippets of Never Coming Home, I’m also taking a look at how I came to be here, starting with the journey that Never Coming Home made from the final of an American reality writing contest to publication by Choc-lit.

To begin at the beginning – American Title was a big reality contest that was run in the United States by Romantic Times magazine and Dorchester publishing — extracts from the books that made the final were printed in the magazine over a period of months, and finalists were gradually eliminated by public vote — and no, I didn’t win, but the contest did shape what came after.

I came across the magazine by accident, in a London bookshop, saw the competition and decided to try my luck.  That contest was American Title IV and the requirement was for a book with a paranormal element.  This is where serendipity came in, as I had large chunks of a paranormal book already written — not vampires or ghosts, but two troubled humans with the ability to read minds.  Although I’d loved writing it, I’d put the manuscript  aside, because people in the industry had told me that there was no market in the UK for that kind of book.  I dusted it down, polished the first three chapters and synopsis and off it went — and three months later, it was in the final.

I’ll leave it to you to imagine the day when the letter arrived, asking for the whole manuscript.

That book was Out of Sight, Out of Mind, and I’m pleased to say that Choc-lit will be publishing that one in 2013.  Getting into the contest really opened my eyes to the American romance scene.  I began to read the American authors who were coming across the Atlantic — Nora Roberts, Karen Rose, Lisa Gardener — and I loved them.  I started to think about writing in that style, but with a European setting.  I’d already realised that whatever I wrote always had a crime as part of the plot. Even my regional family saga, set in World War II, had a serial killer in it. But I didn’t want to write police procedurals or spy stories, I wanted that mix of thrills, glamour and romance.  The category that is known in the States as romantic suspense suited me perfectly.  I began to write Never Coming Home to keep me sane while the roller coaster of American Title IV was going on.  It was nearly finished when the fifth and last American Title contest was announced.  Friends encouraged me to enter again, and I got into the final again.  And again I didn’t win the prize of a publishing contract.  So — it was a matter of sending both books out myself, to see if they could attract an agent or a publisher.

As a result of that exercise I got some amazing feedback, but the bottom line was always, ‘I loved this, BUT …’

When I analysed those ‘BUTS’ it became clear that the people I’d sent it to found it strange that the hero had equal weight to the heroine in both books and that there was some difficulty in categorising them because of the mix of thriller and romance.  I’d reached the conclusion that, despite their success, these were two more manuscripts destined for the bottom drawer of the filing cabinet, when someone suggested Choc-lit.  Now Choc-lit really like heroes, so I could tick that box, and they also have a powerful secret weapon – a readers’ tasting panel who play a significant role in choosing the books to be published.  I knew that ‘ordinary readers’ who had sampled the books had enjoyed them, so I thought I’d be in with a chance.  And I was.  The Choc-lit panel are wonderful women and, of course, I think they have the best taste in the world.

Never Coming Home is Choc-lit’s first thriller, so it’s a bit different from other books in the line.  I always emphasize that I am definitely in the dark end of the selection box — the book has gruesome scenes, ten dead bodies and a love story that doesn’t run smoothly.  It may not be everyone’s taste – I’d hate to accidentally give anyone nightmares — but if you like reading American style romantic suspense and enjoy your romance slightly splashed with gore, then you might like to give it a try.

Thank you for sharing with us Evonne.  I hope your journey to publication inspires other writers and I’m sure my readers will join in with wishing you success with Never Coming Home and Out of Sight, Out of Mind.

Evonne was born in South Wales and spent her childhood there. After university she migrated to London, where she worked in local government, scribbled novels in her spare time and went to the theatre a lot. Now she’s back in Wales, writing and studying history and living by the sea. Her membership of the Romantic Novelists’ Association lets her enjoy the company of other authors and gives her an excuse to sneak back to London from time to time for essential stuff, like attending parties. She still loves the theatre, likes staying in hotels and enjoys walking on the beach, where she daydreams about her characters. She hopes that all those things come through in her books – drama, glamorous locations, engaging heroines and dangerous heroes.
Evonne’s novel Never Coming Home will be published March 2012 shortly followed by her paranormal thriller Out of Sight Out of Mind.

For more information visit www.evonnewareham.com and Evonne’s blog at www.evonneonwednesday.blogspot.com.  You can also tweet with her.

To enter the giveaway of Never Coming Home and a Wispa chocolate bar, Evonne would like to know what would you choose as a chocolate filling to represent a romantic thriller?  Leave your comment below and Evonne will pick a winner.  Closing date is Friday 10th February 2012 at noon.  This is an International giveaway.

Good luck!

Shaz

 

Please feel welcome to visit every tour stop! 

 

WISPA IT… BLOG TOUR
EVONNE WAREHAM – NEVER COMING HOME
DATE CONTACT WEBSITE
Friday 3rd February Sharon Goodwin Jera’s Jamboree
Tuesday 7th February Kath Eastman The Nutpress
Friday 10th February Sue Fortin Love Reading Love Books
Tuesday 14th February Catherine Miller Katy Little Lady
Friday 17th February Debs Carr Debs Daydreams
Tuesday 21st February Sarah Broadhurst Sarah’s Book Reviews
Thursday 23rd February Debs Carr Novelicious
Friday 24th February Elle Symonds Trashionista
Tuesday 28th February Tara Chevrestt Book Babe
Friday 2nd March Lou Graham Lou Graham’s Blog
Wednesday 7th March Author’s Blog Choc Lit website

 

Covenant by Dean Crawford

  • Paperback: 672 pages
  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd (10 Nov 2011)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0857204696
  • ISBN-13: 978-0857204691
  • Synopsis from Amazon: 
  • Humanityhas always believed it is the only intelligent species of life in the universe.But while excavating in Israel, an archaeologist unearths a tomb that hasremained hidden for 7,000 years. Inside lies a secret of such magnitude that thestory of mankind is instantly rewritten – and its future thrown into terribledanger. Only one man can piece history back together again. Only one man willrisk everything to prevent a catastrophe that could tear the world apart. Thatman is Ethan Warner.


    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


    Covenant iscrafted by debut author Dean Crawford.

    From the verybeginning of Covenant, the reader is drawn into the story through intrigue andaction. 

    Americanarchaeologist, Doctor Lucy Morgan disappears and in steps maverick EthanWarner, who has the skill of finding lost people.  His mantra starts with ‘If you’ve got nothing, then nothingmatters.’

    Reluctant towork discreetly for the Defence Agency, the leverage of a promise to find outwhat happened to Ethan’s fiancée Joanna (who went missing in Gaza three yearsago) is used if he will help find the missing archaeologist.  He is presented with a photograph of Joannain a hostage situation earlier that year.

    After a briefingsession of what is known about Lucy Morgan’s disappearance, Ethan’s mantrachanges to ‘If you’ve got nothing, you’ve everything to gain.’

    A couple ofunrelated incidences follow … which only hooks the reader in.  You want to know where they fit into thestory, what part do they have to play.

    What follows isa blending and merging of the threads as the reader becomes a part of thisthrilling journey into science/mythology, politics/conflict andreligion/belief.

    The charactersbecame real for me – we find out what Ethan looks like through his own scrutinyof his reflection in a car’s wing mirror while being a passenger – I thoughtthis was a different and much more interesting way to get to know what he lookslike!  How the characters relate to eachother and their own pasts make them believable and you find yourself eitherhoping everything works out for them or they get what they deserve…

    For me, Covenantwas a real page turner.  I was hooked infrom the beginning and didn’t lose my absorption until the last full stop.  The writing flows with tension that altersyour breathing and gets your own adrenalin pumping!

    The book ends asEthan is given a new brief in New Mexico and we find out that the next novel tobe released in May 2012 is called ‘Elixir.’  I would definitely read more from this author.

    I think Covenantwill be a popular book choice in its genre of adventure-thrillerfiction.  I would also recommend for anyone who is interested in science and mythology.  Author Dean Crawford says on his website ‘Allof my novels contain a core of real science around which the stories areconstructed.’


    I also think that Covenant would translate really well to the silver screen.  Is that a prediction? 

    I am givingCovenant the following rating:



    I would like tothank Simon & Schuster for providing me with a copy to review.

    You can find outmore about Dean Crawford and his writing journey on his blog and on his website.  The author also tweets.

http://rcm-uk.amazon.co.uk/e/cm?t=jersjam-21&o=2&p=8&l=as1&asins=0857204696&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr