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A Christmas Miracle in the Little Irish Village by Michelle Vernal #Review

  Michelle Vernal's A Christmas Miracle in the Little Irish Village was published on September 27th by Bookoutre . Ava Kelly loves returning to Emerald Bay for Christmas. Snowflakes fall on the green rolling hills and mulled wine fills The Shamrock Inn with the smell of winter spice. But this year, the Kelly family is hoping for a miracle… When twenty-four-year-old Ava Kelly and her adventurous twin Grace return home to The Shamrock Inn, their Ma’s favourite baubles bring back so many memories of Christmases past. They have always done everything together, even leaving their little Irish village for the excitement of London. But with the locket her handsome ex Shane gave her hanging just above her heart, Ava has just one wish this festive season… After a year stuck in a job she can’t stand and going on dreadful dates, Ava longs to be back with Shane. Curling up in front of the fire with him, the brooding fisherman everyone else sees melts away as his blue eyes meet hers.

Shame on You by Amy Heydenrych ** Blog Tour Review**

Shame on You by Amy Heydenrych will be published in eBook on the 14th December and in paperback in Summer 2018. 

Here's a little about the book:

 You think you know her . . .

Meet Holly. Social media sensation. The face of clean eating.
Everyone loves her. Everyone wants to be her.

Or do they?

When Holly is attacked by a man she's only just met, her life starts to spiral out of control. Was she targeted because of her online wellness empire, or is there a darker reason behind the attack? He seemed to know her - but she doesn't know him.

Or does she?

What if Holly isn't who she seems to be? What if Holly's living a lie?

Surely we all lie a bit online, don't we . . .?

This psychological thriller that will keep you guessing until the very last page!

My Thoughts

I found that this was one of those books that you read through your fingers. It is quite horrifying in parts and full of surprising twists and turns. It takes the notion of unreliable narrators to the next level and seems impossible to second guess, for me at least.  

    It has a very contemporary feel with the use of social media put centre stage and has some caustic observations not only about those who post on it but also those who follow. It is tightly plotted and alternates the perspectives of the two characters, Holly and Tyler. There is a slightly claustrophobic feel as Holly becomes more and more isolated and it is clear that they both have secrets hidden in their past. Taking nothing at face value is a major theme as images are manipulated and presented falsely and lies get out of hand. 

In short: an unsettling thriller about obsession and false appearances.

About the Author

 Amy is a writer and book blogger based in South Africa. She has been shortlisted twice for the acclaimed Miles Morland African Writing Scholarship. Her short stories and poems have published in multiple anthologies including Brittle Paper, The Kalahari Review and the Short Sharp Stories anthologies. When she is not writing her own fiction, she ghost-writes books and columns for global tech and financial companies. 

You can follow Amy here: Twitter  |  Website

Book Link: Amazon UK 

Thanks to Amy and Emily Burns of Bonnier Zaffre for a copy of the book and a place on the tour. 


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