Broken Madonna by Anna Lucia BLOG TOUR #BrokenMadonna @AHaywardWriter @RandomTTours #BookExtract

 

Italy 1949

At an orphanage in the poverty-stricken Apennine Mountains, 15-year-old Adelina has only one younger friend - enigmatic, fragile Elisabetta.

When Elisabetta claims to see the Madonna by the river, Adelina has doubts. But after Elisabetta appears to heal Giulio, an injured and traumatised young soldier, crowds flock to witness the mystery of Elisabetta’s miracles.

Adelina can no longer contain her misgivings and seeks out scheming priest, Padre Bosco. As the secrets of the past begin to unravel, Adelina, Elisabetta and Giulio each have to confront who or what to believe.

Soon they face a terrible reckoning which will cause deep ripples in all their lives, reaching across the years to 1990s England.

Broken Madonna by Anna Lucia was published on 16 November 2024 by Fluency Publishing. As part of this #RandomThingsTours Blog Tour today, I am delighted to share an extract from the book with you. 

Extract from Broken Madonna by Anna Lucia

Prologue 22 June 1938

River Mollarino, Apennine Mountains, Italy

Forgive me, piccina mia, little one.

Icy water rises up and grabs at the woman’s stretched, empty belly. In the makeshift sling her newborn baby wails, strong fists and feet against her mother’s swollen breasts. The baby opens her pale blue eyes, eyes that belong to a much older soul, and looks up.

The woman presses her pockets, feeling the weight of the pebbles, and she lifts her hand towards her child’s face. Her fingertips hesitate on the baby’s soft skin, the dimple on her right cheek.

She can’t do it.

Her hands plunge back into the water, and she tears at her pockets. The stones are too heavy.

The river pounds downstream, glistening in the moonlight, and swallows the wretched cries from the baby’s tiny body.

As the woman tries to edge backwards, her feet struggle on the slippery riverbed.

‘Almost safe, tesoro,’ she lies, as the baby lets out a terrified cry. 

A wave hits the woman’s side.

All at once, they’re sucked down, deep into the water.

No, no, per l’amore di Dio, no.

The sling is unravelling.

The woman kicks with all her strength, but the water pulls her this way and that. Her back strikes a boulder, hard. Suddenly her head breaks the surface of the water. She’s gasping for breath, the sling clutched tight in her hand, but there is no weight to it.

‘Elisabetta!’

Her scream echoes across the valley. The water is dragging her back into its cold embrace as she hears a voice.

A young man, crying out, thrashing in the water nearby. Just before she disappears, she sees her child in his arms.

Born in England to older Italian immigrant parents, Anna Lucia spent long, hot summers in the Apennine mountain village they had left behind to escape poverty and lack of opportunity. In the local dialect, she listened to the stories of elderly relatives about a time, place and way of life that was far, far removed from 1970s and 1980s suburbia.

Those voices, particularly of strong women who led tough lives, never went away, neither did the echoes of Catholicism.

Anna has been awarded support for her writing from Arts Council England, and also writes short stories, flash fiction and poetry. She is Chair of Trustees of literature development agency, New Writing South.

When not writing, Anna is likely to be found gardening, walking in nature or dancing the Charleston. She has broad interests in spirituality and dream analysis and reads tarot and astrology charts. She lives in Brighton, England.

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The Killing Sense by Sam Blake #TheKillingSense @samblakebooks @CorvusBooks #BookReview

 

Danger is closer than you think...

Single Mum Kate Wilde has escaped an abusive marriage and hasn't had a holiday in years, so when she wins a five-day trip to Paris to learn about perfume - in a competition she can't remember entering - it's a dream come true. Or is it?

Almost as soon as she arrives, Kate's ex texts with evidence that he's in Paris too. Kate can feel she's being watched, and she's sure someone has been in her apartment. Then she discovers that there's a killer in the city focusing on red headed women like her. And his kill count is rising.

Who should she fear the most?

All Kate's senses are on alert. But can her instincts keep her safe?

The Killing Sense by Sam Blake is published on 2 January 2025 by Corvus. My thanks to the publisher who sent my copy for review. 

I have spent a wet and windy weekend curled up on the settee with The Killing Sense, it has been a perfect couple of days to explore this twisty tale of mystery suspense in the wonderful setting of modern-day Paris. It is not a short novel, but the writing grips so well that I found myself flying through the pages, desperate to find out just what was in store for the characters next. 

Kate Wilde is a single parent, her marriage was filled with violence and threats. She has a restraining order out against her ex-husband Erik and she and her small daughter Hanna are making a new life together, with the help of Kate's loyal sister Orna. 

Kate is on her way to Paris. It's the first time that she's left Hanna in the care of Orna, and whilst she is excited to have won a Facebook competition that involves a whole week in Paris, along with a course in perfume-making, she is still deeply worried about her daughter. Especially as Erik continues to send threatening texts, he wants to see his daughter. 

Meanwhile, the reader is privy to information that very few people are aware of. Workers in the sewers below the streets of Paris have discovered a severed head. The head of a woman with red hair. 

It is that titan hair that sets the scene for the entire novel. Readers are not aware of why red-heads will be targeted until the very end reveal, but it's terrifying. Kate has red hair. 

Blake introduces a vast and colourful cast of characters to her readers. Kate's apartment for the week is situated in a beautiful old building and the woman in charge of the residence is elegant and self assured. Around the corner is a cafe. Agathe works in the cafe when she's not studying, and she and Kate soon hit it off. However, Agathe's flat mate Sandrine has recently disappeared. Sandrine also had red hair.

Whilst travelling to Paris, Kate was seated opposite a man named Daniel. Daniel is British, ex-military and very friendly. He's on a mission to track down an antique perfume bottle on behalf of his elderly aunt. Kate and Daniel meet again whilst in Paris and their relationship develops, he feels protective of her, she's unsure, but Daniel seems like a good, kind man. Someone she can rely on, especially as she suspects that someone, maybe Erik has been entering her apartment when she's not there. Things have moved, bottles of expensive perfumes and lotions have been left there, someone has cleaned her hair brush. Kate is very uneasy, but feels unable to do anything about it. 

This is a very cleverly plotted novel, with characters who at first, seem totally disconnected to one another, but as the story emerges, the reader begins to make the links, it is subtle and expertly executed. 

I was on the edge of my seat, especially towards the end of the story as everything begins to tie together and we realise just how much danger Kate is in. I was totally thrown by events that are revealed, it almost creeps up on the reader, taking them by surprise. 

Perfectly created characters in a setting that will entrance the reader, this is a gripping and tension filled novel that will chill readers to the bone. Highly recommended. 

Sam Blake has been writing fiction since her husband set sail across the Atlantic for eight weeks and she had an idea for a book.

She has had a string of No. 1 bestsellers, including Keep Your Eyes on Me and Remember My Name, and has been shortlisted for Irish Crime Novel of the Year three times.

Sam is the Chair of the Society of Authors and has served on the board of the Crime Writer's Association, as well as being the founder of Europe's biggest online writer's magazine, Writing.ie.

Originally from St. Albans in Hertfordshire, Sam now lives at the foot of the Wicklow Mountains, near Dublin in Ireland.

Follow her on social @samblakebooks. Visit www.samblakebooks.com for news and events and get a bonus free thriller when you subscribe to her newsletter.

Spoilt Creatures by Amy Twigg #SpoiltCreatures @aetwigg @TinderPress #BookReview

 

They thought they knew everything about us. The kind of women we were.

It was a place for women. A remote farm tucked away in the Kent Downs. A safe space.

When Iris - newly single and living at home with her mother - meets the mysterious and beguiling Hazel, who lives in a women's commune, she finds herself drawn into the possibility of a new start away from the world of men who have only let her down. Here, at Breach House, the women can be loud and dirty, live and eat abundantly, all while under the leadership of their gargantuan matriarch, Blythe.

But even among the women, there are power struggles, cruelty and transgressions that threaten their precarious way of life. When a group of men arrives on the farm, the commune's existence is thrown into question, hurtling Iris and the other women towards an act of devastating violence.

Fierce and unapologetic, Spoilt Creatures is an intoxicating debut about transgression, sisterhood and the seductive nature of obsession. It pulls back the skin of patriarchal violence and examines the female rage that lurks beneath.

Spoilt Creatures by Amy Twigg was published in hardback on 6 June 2024 by Tinder Press. The paperback edition will be published on 27 March 2025. My thanks to the publisher who sent my copy for review. 

I first came across Amy Twigg many years ago via her book review blog. I always admired her carefully thought out and extremely well written reviews and it is no surprise to me that she has gone on to write this perfectly crafted novel. Not only that, but she was voted one of the ten best debut novelists of 2024 by The Observer. 

Spoilt Creatures is everything that I want and need from a novel. I am a huge fan of stories that are based around communes/cults and Breach House is the perfect example of how a group of people can be brought together, for varying reasons, and fall under the spell of someone who is far more powerful than them, 

Told in the first person by Iris, the newest inhabitant of Breach House, the narrative has an almost dream like quality to it at times. Iris has always been something of an ordinary woman, haunted by the death of her father when she was a teen, and continuing a strained relationship with her mother. Iris and her live in boyfriend Nathan have recently parted, and she finds herself back in her childhood bedroom, living with her mother, surrounded by things that are too familiar, working in yet another short term job.

When Iris meets Hazel for the first time, she is is intrigued and more than a little bit smitten. This woman who eats artichokes straight from the jar taken directly from the shop shelf. This woman who feels mysterious and who is both welcoming, yet cold and distant at the same time. Iris has seen Hazel before though, in the woods a few days ago, she watched as Hazel picked wild mushrooms. Something about her making her stare for too long. 

Hazel lives at Breach House. A farmhouse outside of the village, occupied by women only and overseen by matriarch Blythe. Iris is increasingly intrigued by the house and telephones constantly in the hope that she can join them. Eventually, she is allowed to visit, and she stays. Breach House is different to anywhere that Iris has ever been before, the occupants are an eclectic mix of young and older women. Some live and sleep there, some of them arrive during day time only and then return to their families. All of them are running, or hiding from something.

Blythe is a large woman. Strong, rugged, takes no prisoners, runs a tight house and is respected by all of the other women. However, she does need to keep a close eye on them, and if her glance strays, then some of the women begin to act like children would. Pushing the boundaries, taking risks. 

It is one of these events that is the downfall of Breach House and all of those who live there. The women's inability to stick to the rules leads to paranoia and distrust, and eventually to tragedy and to horrific violence. 

Twigg's writing is luscious. Her description of Breach House, both inside and the surrounding area is just delicious. The shimmering, blistering heat as the sun beats down on the women and the plants, followed by the torrential rainfall. This adds such depth to what is already a simmering hot pot of angst and anger. 

There are some characters who really stand out, those who take the lead roles and these are beautifully created. Terribly flawed, yet with their own vulnerabilities, there's a passionate anger that flows through them all, moving the story on and creating a feeling of doubt within the reader at times. 

A novel filled with female anger, full of often misguided friendships and the alienation of a group of people who don't fit the norm. An excellent read. Highly recommended by me. 

Amy Twigg was born in Kent, and is currently based in Surrey. 

Her novel Spoilt Creatures won the BPA Pitch Prize and was longlisted for the Mslexia Novel Competition. 

In 2024, she was selected as one of the Observer's Best New Novelists.

Spoilt Creatures is her first novel.

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Love Me Til Wednesday by Suzanne Lissaman BLOG TOUR #LoveMeTilWednesday @slissamanauthor @RandomTTours #Prize #Giveaway #Competition #Win

 

54-year-old Lisa's former singing career is getting a surprise reboot, but will her relationship with her now famous ex get a reboot too?

With Lisa's daughter getting ready to head off to uni, her ex-husband demands his share of the family home. It's the catalyst she needs to prompt her to escape her mundane job and embark on an entertaining journey back into the limelight, discovering some jaw-dropping secrets.

Follow Lisa as she navigates the chaos of midlife, friendship, and unexpected romance in this charming romantic comedy.

Love Me Till Wednesday is a second chance, closed-door romance set in London in the 1990s and the present day. It's the first in a new series from the author of Be More Octopus.

Love Me Til Wednesday by Suzanne Lissaman was published on 31 October 2024 by Octosulis Publishing. As part of this #RandomThingsTours Blog Tour I am delighted to have one copy to give away.

Entry is simple; just fill out the competition widget in this blog post. UK entries only please

GOOD LUCK! 

One copy of Love Me Til Wednesday by Suzanne Lissaman

Suzanne Lissaman is an award-winning romantic comedy writer based in the UK. 

She's also an artist and photographer. 

She lives in the West Midlands with her husband, children, and a demanding but adorable cat. 

Her debut novel, Be More Octopus, won the Romantic Novelists' Association Debut Romantic Novel Award 2024.

Be one of the first people to hear about Suzanne's latest books and freebies by signing up for Suzanne's book club on her website. 

There might be the occasional cat picture too.

www.suzannelissaman.com

City of Destruction by Vaseem Khan #CityOfDestruction @VaseemKhanUK @HodderBooks #MalabarHouseSeries #BookReview

 

Bombay, 1951. A political rally ends in tragedy when India's first female police detective, Persis Wadia, kills a lone gunman as he attempts to assassinate the divisive new defence minister, a man calling for war with India's new post-Independence neighbours.

With the Malabar House team tasked to hunt down the assassin's co-conspirators - aided by agents from Britain's MI6 security service - Persis is quickly relegated to the sidelines. But then she is given a second case, the burned body of an unidentified white man found on a Bombay beach. As she pursues both investigations - with and without official sanction - she soon finds herself headed to the country's capital, New Delhi, a city where ancient and modern India openly clash.

Meanwhile, Persis's colleague, Scotland Yard criminalist Archie Blackfinch, lies in a hospital fighting for his life as all around him the country tears itself apart in the prelude to war...

City of Destruction by Vaseem Khan is published in hardback on 28 November 2024 by Hodder. My thanks to the publisher who sent my copy for review. 

It's hard to find a better historical crime fiction series than the Malabar House series from Vaseem Khan. These books are a heady mix of historical fact, mystery stories and the progression of our lead characters; Persis Wadia and Archie Blackfinch. You will be hard pressed to find a more diverse and unlikely crime fighting duo than these two. Persis; the first female detective in India, with a rich cultural background, having seen the rise of India and neighbouring Pakistan, and also the terror and destruction caused by recent events.  Archie Blackfinch, the staid British detective, based in the heat of India, but still dresses like the formal Englishman that he is. 

In City of Destruction Persis is without her trusty sidekick for most of the story. The novel begins with an attempted assassination. A gunman attempts to shoot the country's defence minister, a man who is dividing the nation with his calls for war. Persis blocks the assassination, but the young gunman is killed. Whilst it is clear that she was only doing her job, she struggles with his death, especially as he spoke to her with his dying breath and thrust something into her hand that is very mysterious. 

And so, Persis, in her usual headstrong way takes on this case, even though she's informed by her superiors that she shouldn't.  Members of the British MI6 service have been drafted in and it's clear that Persis is not wanted on the scene. This does not stop her and she finds herself becoming more and more involved; determined to find out more about the lone gunman and who was controlling him.

Meanwhile, a white man's body is found on the rocks by the sea. Burnt beyond recognition, but killed from a blow to the head. Persis is given this case, and whilst she'd rather be involved in the political drama, it's not long before this case also consumes her. 

This is a complex and multi woven story, with some incredibly well created characters. It is filled with Khan's humour, some of his descriptions, especially of people made me laugh out loud on more than one occasion. Despite Persis' many flaws, one cannot help but really like her, her determination to get to the bottom of things, to find justice, to face danger and to keep going is so admirable. 

I do like to see the other side of her though. The times when she is at home with her father Sam, in their bookshop. Her memories of her late mother, and of course, her constant musings about Archie, and especially when she discovers that he may not have been entirely truthful with her in the past. 

The writing is charming, fascinating, educating. The plot line is skilful and gripping and the characters are a joy. The sense of place is so colourful, you can almost smell the streets of Bombay. Highly recommended. 

Vaseem Khan is the author of two award-winning crime series set in India, the Baby
Ganesh Agency series set in modern Mumbai, and the Malabar House historical crime novels set in 1950s Bombay. His first book, The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra, was selected by the Sunday Times as one of the 40 best crime novels published 2015-2020, and is translated into 16 languages. The second in the series won the Shamus Award in the US. In 2018, he was awarded the Eastern Eye Arts, Culture and Theatre Award for Literature. Vaseem was born in England, but spent a decade working in India. In 2021, Midnight at Malabar House won the Crime Writers Association Historical Dagger, the world’s premier award for historical crime fiction. His latest book is The Lost Man of Bombay.

For more information about the world of his books please visit vaseemkhan.com where you can also keep abreast of Vaseem’s latest goings-on, competitions, events, and extracts from upcoming books via his newsletter.

Website: http://vaseemkhan.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/VaseemKhanUK

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

Murder at the Christmas Emporium by Andreina Cordani #MurderAtTheChristmasEmporium @AndreinaCordani @ZaffreBooks #BookReview

 

Christmas shopping can be murder.

It's Christmas Eve at the Emporium, a bespoke gift shop hidden in the depths of London's winding streets, where a select few shoppers are browsing its handcrafted delights.

But when they go to leave, they find the doors are locked and it isn't long before they realise this is no innocent mix-up. The shoppers have been trapped here by someone who knows their darkest secrets, who will stop at nothing until they have all been unwrapped - and there is a gruesome gift waiting in Santa's grotto . . .

For those that survive the night, it will be a Christmas to remember.

Murder At The Christmas Emporium by Andreina Cordani was published in hardback by Zaffre on 24 October 2024. My thanks to the publisher who sent my copy for review. 

Well, this one took me completely by surprise. I'm not sure why, but I was expecting a 'cosy crime's sort of mystery.  I think it may be the title; the word Emporium conjures up a sweet, cosy place. Somewhere to browse happily. Yes, there's murder in the title, but I wasn't expecting quite so many, or for it to be quite so dark. I loved it. I was totally engrossed by the setting, the cast of eclectic and cleverly created characters and the plot that weaves and twists so well. 

If you love the original Willie Wonka / Charlie and the Chocolate Factory story, and not the wiped-clean film version from the 1930s, then you will adore this. There's a definite feeling of Roald Dahl's original book, with hints of Willie Wonka played by Johnny Depp. 

The Emporium is a shop nestled in a dark alley in London. It's a famous place, having been around for many years. Recently a Montague, younger member of Verity family who have owned the site for years has re-opened the store.  Christmas Eve is a special night. A group of invited guests are VIP shoppers, with gold tickets, treated to a warming hot chocolate before they enter the store and given the run of the shop to find their perfect Christmas presents. 

The story starts way back in the Christmas Past when a young girl named Peggy is taken to the Emporium by her parents. Peggy's visit has its mishaps, and life for this youngster doesn't go well. 

We are then brought bang up to date by main narrator Merry. Merry wasn't really invited to the special night, but pinched the ticket sent to her boss and is determined to buy the perfect gift for Ross; the guy that she is in love with but who keeps swatting away her affections. 

The setting of this novel is exquisitely done. The author has created an Emporium that everyone would want to visit. Filled with hand crafted toys, bespoke perfumes and beautiful food, the imagery jumps from the page and the reader is transported into the shop. With gaslighting and secret tunnels, with floors of delectable delights, it's a wondrous place.

However, this is a murder mystery and the story soon turns to darkness. With some awful deaths along the way. The gold ticket holders begin to realise that this is far more than an ordinary shopping evening. There is more to the shop than they thought, and each of them have a link to Montague Verity - which is not a good thing. 

This is a wonderful read. Written with flair and imagination, with a setting that enchants and characters who are certainly more than they appear at first sight. Full of suspense and tension, it kept me reading until late into the night. Recommended. 

Before writing her first novel, Andreina Cordani was a senior editor and writer for women's magazines including Good Housekeeping and Cosmopolitan.

She is the author of two dark thrillers for young adults as well as two Christmas murder mysteries for adults. 

Andreina lives on the Dorset coast with her family where she reads voraciously, occasionally makes TikTok videos and swims in the sea. 

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Last Christmas by Clare Swatman #LastChristmas @clareswatman @BoldwoodBooks #BookReview

 

Last Christmas I gave you my heart...

Looking up at the departures board in Heathrow airport, her flight to New York boarding soon, Bea Preston knows that getting on that plane changes everything. Her life in London has grown stale, her relationship with boyfriend Dom has run its course, and New York has always been her dream. But it’s a risk – she’ll miss her parents, her friends, her job.

What if Bea could live both lives? In one she goes back home for Christmas, and in another she heads to the Big Apple. Would her fate remain the same, or can one decision really change everything? And will Bea get one happy ending - or two...

In a grand sliding-doors love story that spans oceans, years and lives, Clare Swatman’s unforgettable tale of fate and friendship is perfect for all fans of Jojo Moyes, Beth Moran and Ruth Jones.

Last Christmas by Clare Swatman was published by Boldwood Books on 27 August 2024. My thanks to the author who sent my copy for review. 

I have read and loved almost all of Clare Swatman's previous novels. She has become a go-to author for me and her novels have accompanied me on many holidays. I've had my copy of Last Christmas on the shelf since the summer, but have only just read it. I'm not a huge fan of the traditional Christmas book, I love a bit of Christmas themed crime, but Christmas is not my favourite time of year.  I would usually have taken this book away with me to either Cyprus or Portugal earlier this year, but just couldn't bring myself to read a book plastered with a Christmas scene whilst laying in the sunshine. 

Saying that, this really isn't a 'Christmas book'. It is set around the dates in December, but it is not themed around the festivities. I do wonder if the title may be a little off putting to some people, this would be a great beach read, but I'm not sure that people who choose it from the book shop when buying their holiday books. Maybe a change of title?  Lots could work. I don't know though, I'm not a publisher, or a marketer, and I am sure that these things have been considered. 

Last Christmas feels a little different to Swatman's other novels. It has been compared to the film 'Sliding Doors' (I've not seen the film, but know the plot). It's far more than a traditional romance, it's structured very cleverly, it's intriguing and springs surprises along the way. 

We meet main character Bea in the prologue, at Heathrow Airport on 22 December 2022. Bea has a ticket to fly to New York. It's clear that she loves the thought of the city, having seen so many on-screen images over the years. However, it is also clear that Bea is a little unsure about her journey. She receives messages on her phone from her boyfriend Dom. She is then knocked over by another passenger, her belongings scattered all over the floor. This is when the story turns into 'Stay' or 'Go'.

Bea is a character who can be difficult to like. It's pretty obvious that she's had to deal with some emotional times in her life in London, but she doesn't make life easy for herself at all. She makes some odd decisions at times, appearing a little selfish and unsympathetic. 

So, in a nutshell, and that is incredibly hard to do without giving too much away. The reader joins Bea over many years, all during the same time of year and with different outcomes according to what choice she made. We are introduced to both of Bea's love interests, great guys but treated quite badly at times by Bea whose inability to make a firm decision becomes a theme throughout the book.

Excellent writing from Clare Swatman as always, with a plot that needs some good concentration but has been expertly paced. It's very intricate and a lot of work has gone into this one to ensure that it flows well. 

Clare Swatman is the author of three women’s fiction novels, published by Macmillan, which have been translated into over 20 languages. 

She has been a journalist for over twenty years, writing for Bella and Woman & Home amongst many other magazines. 

She lives in Hertfordshire

www.clareswatmanauthor.com

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