I admit to being a little nervous before beginning this book as I had LOVED Kerry Wilkinson’s previous book (A Face in the Crowd) soooooo much that I had set my expectations too high. My fears were completely unfounded I realised by the end of the first chapter!

Morgan receives an award for personal trainer of the year but when she sees the photos of the event she spots her ex husband David. The only problem is that he disappeared two years ago. To be specific: she killed him!

She rushes home and goes to sleep but when she wakes she discovers her car has been stolen and some of her possessions are missing. She calls the police to report the theft but they turn up at her door to question her after a hit and run involving her vehicle.

Morgan’s best friend Jane also thinks she has spotted David whilst her mother claims he has visited. Could they be mistaken or did he survive?

Close To You had me intrigued from the start (what trauma had Morgan been through that is alluded to at the awards ceremony?) and then fully hooked from the end of the first chapter when Morgan reveals she killed her husband.

The narrative of the plot is divided between the ‘now’ and the ‘why’, the latter being the past in chronological order cataloguing Morgan and David’s relationship. Whilst I would be reluctant to claim anyone deserved to die, David’s behaviour and the constant lies made me want to tell Morgan to get away from him as soon as possible!

Morgan’s life has great sadness as her mother seems never to have kind to her but this has been exacerbated by diminished mental function. David plays on this to inveigle himself into his mother in law’s affections whilst further undermining Morgan’s self-confidence.

The tension is cleverly built up over the course of the book, and our sympathies are definitely skewed towards Morgan despite her sel-confessed action against David. The ending made me go ‘oooooooh’ and seemed a fitting conclusion to another excellent book from Kerry Wilkinson.

Book Description:

I pinch the screen to zoom until I’m staring at the face of a ghost. A man with very short hair, staring directly at the camera with piercing brown eyes. 

He is as he was when I last saw him: wrinkles around the corners of the eyes and a knowing smirk. That’s the expression I see when I can’t sleep.

My body tenses. It can’t be him. It’s not my ex-husband. It’s not David.

I know that better than anyone because he didn’t walk out on me.

He didn’t disappear two years ago and he’s not a missing person.

I know that for a fact because I’m the one who killed him.

A brilliantly twisty thriller which will have fans of The Girl on the Train and Gone Girl absolutely gripped.

Author Bio:

Kerry Wilkinson has had No.1 crime bestsellers in the UK, Australia, Canada, South Africa and Singapore. He has also written two top-20 thrillers in the United States. His book, Ten Birthdays, won the RNA award for Young Adult Novel of the Year in 2018.

As well as his million-selling Jessica Daniel series, Kerry has written the Silver Blackthorn trilogy – a fantasy-adventure serial for young adults – a second crime series featuring private investigator Andrew Hunter, plus numerous standalone novels. He has been published around the world in more than a dozen languages.

Originally from the county of Somerset, Kerry has spent far too long living in the north of England, picking up words like ‘barm’ and ‘ginnel’.

When he’s short of ideas, he rides his bike or bakes cakes. When he’s not, he writes it all down.

Social Media Links:

https://kerrywilkinson.com/

@kerrywk

https://www.facebook.com/KerryWilkinsonBooks/

Scarlett Bailey arrives in Silver Falls with her dad Blue, ready to spend the festive season with her family at her grandmother’s inn White Oaks. The family have decided to close Gran’s inn as she is struggling financially and practically since the death of her beloved husband: the only problem is they haven’t told Gran yet…

Scarlett sees an opportunity to save the inn with a takeover from Charles Bryant but he is difficult to get on with and very secretive. Is she only interested in him because he could save Gran’s hotel or are emotions involved? She remembers him from her teen days but her faith in him is shaken when Gran refuses to trust him and a stranger turns up looking for him…

Christmas at Silver Falls is a sweet festive book about finding redemption and love. Family politics can be difficult to negotiate at the best of times but when loss and grief are involved. Scarlett and Charles have both got secrets to hide and they need to develop trust in each other before they can reveal their situations.

The importance of family is a key theme throughout the book. Scarlett and Charles both lost their mothers at a young age but whilst she grew closer to her father and other relatives, he became estranged. The hotel that Scarlett wants to save has plenty of happy family memories but change is inevitable in the same way that new generations of family arrive while older ones diminish.

Author Jenny Hale has made her main characters likeable and the dilemmas they face are believable. The Christmas setting makes it a feelgood book that will warm your heart as the weather turns colder.

Media Kit:

Title: Christmas at Silver Falls

Publication Day – 15/10/19   

Author:  Jenny Hale

BUY LINKS

Amazon: https://geni.us/B07X6N411MSocial

Apple Books: https://apple.co/2lUs8t8

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2ltQ71Y

Googleplay: http://bit.ly/2jS8KMy

Description:

A beautiful festive romance, all about the joy of Christmas with family, second chances, and finding love under the falling snow. This enchanting and uplifting read will have you both laughing and crying while it warms your heart.

White Oaks Inn has always been at the heart of Christmas celebrations for Scarlett Bailey and her family. Her adored gran has owned the rambling, old-fashioned hotel, filled with the scent of cinnamon and chocolate, since Scarlett was a little girl. But now her gran’s home is under threat. And it looks like it could be the Baileys’ last Christmas together there…

Over the holiday season, amidst much-loved festive traditions of baking cookies and decorating the tree, Scarlett throws herself into saving the hotel. When she hears that Charlie Bryant, a handsome, successful property developer, is spending December in Silver Falls, Scarlett is hopeful he might be the answer to their problems.

When they meet, sparks fly between impulsive Scarlett and business-like Charlie – as they both have very different ideas for the future of White Oaks. Scarlett is determined to show him how much White Oaks Inn means to her family and the guests who return there every year and, as they spend more time together, she begins to realize there is more to Charlie than his serious appearance…

But Charlie is struggling with a secret from his own past. Will he be able to face it, or will it stop him from truly opening up and getting close to anyone? And can Scarlett share the true meaning of Christmas with him and save her gran’s beloved hotel along the way?

Embrace the wonder of Christmas in this gorgeous novel about living for the moment and finding love when you least expect it. Christmas at Silver Falls is the perfect festive indulgence for fans of Debbie Macomber, Susan Mallery and Sheila Roberts.

Author Bio:

When I graduated college, one of my friends said, “Look out for this one; she’s going to be an author one day.” Despite being an avid reader and a natural storyteller, it wasn’t until that very moment that the idea of writing novels occurred to me.

Sometimes our friends can see the things that we can’t.

While I didn’t start straight away, that comment sowed a seed and several years, two children, and hundreds of thousands of words later, I completed a novel that I felt was worthy of publication. The result was Coming Home for Christmas, a heart-warming story about the magic of love at Christmas, and 2017 TV movie on The Hallmark Channel.

The rest is history.

When I’m not writing, I’m a mother of two boys and a wife to a very supportive husband.

Author Social Media Links:

Website: https://www.itsjennyhale.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennyhaleauthor/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/jhaleauthor

I absolutely loved this book, even though I wasn’t sure what to expect (habit of mine never to read the blurb!)

Hope is set just a few years in the future which is terrifying as the events centre around current social media trends so are realistic.

The main character is Lita, a blogger, who is becoming increasingly concerned abut the political and capitalist changes to control the population’s health, wealth and even birth rate.

The spread of robotics has caused a decrease in employment so there is huge compeition for jobs. Meanwhile the state has made it increasingly difficult to obtain benefits so people are forced to go to Hope Villages around the country. These are reminiscent of the Victorian workhouses and are very tricky to leave.

However, Lita and her friends suspect that there may be something more sinister underpinning the Hope Village ethos. Their challenge to the status quo results in them becoming homeless and there is only one place they can go…

I loved Terry Tyler’s style of writing and her use of the first person so that Lita’s character is fully developed and we can identify with her and the problems she faces. In my opinion, Hope is reminiscent of some of Ben Elton’s finest books and has an ironic and cynical edge throughout the narrative.

Being a blogger myself, I enjoyed Lita’s honesty and integrity in the face of the relentless corporate promotion that saturates social media.

There are moments of hope during the book as Lita and her friends are helped by others and their friendship endures the troubles they face together: the best of humanity fighting against the worst power and greed.

Overall, Hope is a compelling and gripping read. Fab-u-lous!

Hope

Publication Date: May 24, 2019

Genre: Dystopian/ Psychological Thriller

Terry Tyler’s nineteenth published work is a psychological thriller set in a dystopian near future – the UK, Year 2028.

Blogger Lita Stone and journalist Nick Freer live and work online, seeing life through soundbites, news TV and social media. Keeping the outside world at bay in their cozy flat, they observe the ruthless activities of the new PM and his celebrity fitness guru wife, Mona (hashtag MoMo), with the mild outrage that can be quelled simply by writing another blog post.

Meanwhile, in the outside world, multinational conglomerate Nutricorp is busy buying up supermarket chains, controlling the media, and financing the new compounds for the homeless: the Hope Villages.

Lita and Nick suspect little of the danger that awaits the unfortunate, until the outside world catches up with them – and Lita is forced to discover a strength she never knew she possessed.

Add to Goodreads

Excerpt

We don’t notice our world changing around us, because those little shifts take place so gradually. Attitudes are altered one decision, one blind eye turned, one ‘I accept’ at a time, until a situation that would have seemed unthinkable ten, twenty, thirty years ago, becomes the norm.

I’ve been pondering this a lot over the past few days, since I walked past the usual mile-long queue outside our local food bank, and thought, hang on a minute. When did this happen?

When I was a kid, I knew food banks existed but had never seen one. The UK’s first opened in 2004; I googled it so you don’t have to. Now they’re in every town, as normal a feature of our urban landscape as Nu-Mart and BettaBargains, but still they’re not government funded. They rely on charities, and people like me who dump a packet of Nu-Mart Pasta ‘n’ Sauce in the donations basket when we do our weekly shop.

One ponder led to another, and ‘why so many food banks?’ got me thinking about Hope Villages.

Since the first one, four years ago, they’ve popped up all over the country.

Sounds cosy, doesn’t it? Hope Village. Rosy-cheeked kiddies and lovingly tended gardens. A smiling vicar walking his dog, and pots of jam with gingham covers over the lids.

The reality is somewhat less appealing. The ‘Villages’ are estates of warehouse-like structures to house the homeless, with nary a jar of apple and blackberry preserves in sight.

Not so long ago, the less fortunate of our nation―of which there are said to be over two million―were part of the scenery in any town. You’d see them slumped in shop doorways, sitting blank-eyed on park benches, begging outside supermarkets and cafés.

Queueing outside the shelters.

There are two shelters near us: Horizon, and a Roof. Roof Charity has opened many, all over the country, in the past decade. I walk past and try not to stare at the bewildered faces of those who have only recently fallen this far and are trying their best to cling to ‘normality’, alongside the long-termers, their dead eyes staring at the ground.

Over the last four years, however, most of the homeless have been tidied away into Hope Villages.

Now Available!

Amazon | Amazon UK | Book Goodies

About the Author

Terry Tyler is the author of nineteen books available from Amazon, the latest being ‘Hope’, a dystopian, psychological drama set in the UK, a decade into the future. She is currently at work on ‘Blackthorn’, a post-apocalyptic stand-alone story set in her fictional city of the same name. Proud to be independently published, Terry is an avid reader and book reviewer, and a member of Rosie Amber’s Book Review Team.

Terry is a Walking Dead addict, and has a great interest in history (particularly 14th-17th century), and sociological/cultural/anthropological stuff, generally. She loves South Park, Netflix, autumn and winter, and going for long walks in quiet places where there are lots of trees. She lives in the north east of England with her husband.

Terry Tyler | Twitter | Goodreads | BookBub| Amazon

For your chance to win one of 4 digital copies of Hope in the format of your choice, click HERE!

Blog Tour Schedule

October 14^th

Reads & Reels (Review) http://readsandreels.com

Just 4 My Books (Review) http://www.just4mybooks.wordpress.com

Lisette Brody (Guest Post) http://lisettebrodey.com/

Reviews and Promos by Nyx (Spotlight) https://nyxblogs.wordpress.com/

October 15^th

Lunarian Press (Spotlight) https://www.lunarianpress.com/

Jessica Belmont (Review) https://jessicabelmont.wordpress.com/

Tommye Turner Talks (Review) http://tommyeturnertalks.com

October 16^th

B is for Book Review (Interview) https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com

The Magic of Wor(l)ds (Review) http://themagicofworlds.wordpress.com

Books Teacup and Review (Spotlight) https://booksteacupnreviews.wordpress.com/

October 17^th

LoopyLouLaura (Review) https://www.loopyloulaura.com/

Tranquil Dreams (Review) https://klling.wordpress.com/

Didi Oviatt (Spotlight) https://didioviatt.wordpress.com

October 18^th

I’m All About Books (Review) https://imallaboubtbooks.com

The Faerie Review (Review) http://www.thefaeriereview.com

Crossroads Reviews (Spotlight) http://www.crossroadreviews.com

Blog Tour Organized By:

R&R Book Tours

Daisy lives a simple life despite working in an extravagant jewellery shop. She loves the heartwarming love stories that customers bring to her and in return encourages them to buy with their heart rather than to make a profit.

Eccentric owner, Bea announces her retirement and sets her 3 sons the challenge of finding Daisy the perfect piece of jewellery and the winner will inherit the shop. All of the brothers are horrified, as is poor Daisy!

She spends time with each of the brother as they attempt to find out more about her in order to discover her preferences. She also makes discoveries about the brothers and herself in the process.

Daisy reveals an artistic side and develops her passion for designing her own jewellery with a personal touch which is a far cry from the ostentatious gems available at the shop she works in.

In the midst of this is a fledgling romance…

The Little Shop on Silver Linings Street is a beautiful feel-good Christmas book. There is an appropriate festive message about appreciating the value of things and not being materialistic, about the thought behind a gift not the price tag.

I was expecting events to turn out the way they did but the journey to the ending was beautifully written and emotional. Daisy’s past is hinted at throughout the book but when she reveals the truth I’m sure it will bring a lump to your throat :'( We also get reunited with Grace and Amos, Flora and Ned from the previous books in the series which is a nice touch.

For another Christmassy book from Emma Davies, have a look at Christmas at the Little Cottage on the Hill, or if you want to know about the history of peripheral characters read The House at Hope Corner and The Beekeeper’s Cottage

Title:  The Little Shop on Silver Linings Street

Publication Day: 16/10/2019

Author:   Emma Davies

Buy  Links:      

Amazon: https://geni.us/B07XF8FB4SSocial

Apple Books: https://apple.co/2k6uNPW

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2ktDWlF

Googleplay: http://bit.ly/2pVdp36

Description:

Daisy Turner has worked at Buchanan’s Family Jewellers since the day she finally escaped her troubled home. With a unique talent for matching the perfect piece of jewellery to any romantic milestone, she painstakingly polishes each stunning creation every morning and safely locks them away each night, longing for the day she’ll have a love story to call her own…

But everything changes one day in December when the owner announces she is retiring. She will leave the shop to whichever of her three sons creates the perfect piece of Christmas jewellery for Daisy.

In danger of losing the job that once saved her, Daisy is catapulted out of her comfort zone as each of the brothers sweeps her off her feet to find out what her heart truly desires. Between ice-skating, starlight shopping and cosy candle-lit dinners, it’s only handsome and guarded youngest brother Kit who really seems to be listening. Because Daisy has a secret. Every night, when the shop closes, she lays out her tools in neat rows and creates sparkling designs of her own…

As Christmas Day approaches, Daisy’s growing feelings for Kit fill her with a con

fidence she never knew she had. But as the brothers present their elaborate gemstone masterpieces, she’s in for the shock of her life… Was Kit using her to get ahead in the competition all along? Or has he truly worked out the one thing she has always longed for?

They say all good things come in small packages, but the best things don’t need wrapping at all…

Snuggle up with this absolutely heart-warming Christmas read and find a warm spot by the fire. An unputdownable festive treat for lovers of Jenny Colgan, Lucy Diamond and Debbie Johnson.

Author Bio:

After a varied career, Emma Davies once worked for a design studio where she was asked to provide a fun and humorous (and not necessarily true) anecdote for their website. She wrote the following: ‘I am a bestselling novelist currently masquerading as a thirty something mother of three.’ Well the job in the design studio didn’t work out but she’s now a forty something mother of three and is happy to report the rest of her dream came true.

After many years as a finance manager she now writes full time and is far happier playing with words than numbers. She lives with her husband, three children, and two guinea pigs in rural Shropshire where she writes in all the gaps in between real life. It’s a county she adores, her love of its beautiful people and landscapes providing endless inspiration for her books, and in fact the only thing that would make Shropshire more idyllic is if it were by the sea.

Author Social Media Links:

Pop over to her website www.emmadaviesauthor.com where, amongst other things, you can read about her passion for Pringles and singing loudly in the car. You can also wave to her on twitter @EmDaviesAuthor / https://twitter.com/EmDaviesAuthor or find her on Facebook (a little too often than is good for her): https://www.facebook.com/emmadaviesauthor/