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Best Mistake Ever by Christy McKellen

  This is a new to me author but I am delighted to feature on the celebrations for the latest novel by Christy McKellen , Best Mistake Ever . It was published by Boldwood on 16th January. Some mistakes are worth making Beatrice Donovan would do anything for her identical twin sister. Including stepping into her hotel management job temporarily and pretending to be her - she’s desperate. What could go wrong? A lot apparently! Because her sister Delilah has hugely understated her role – the hotel is at risk of closure and she’s promised she can turn it around. Now Bea has to find a way to fly under the radar, get the job done before anyone notices their switch up. Sounds easy, all Bea has to do is avoid her temporary new boss Jonah. However, that’s a lot harder than she thought. Not only does he have impossibly high standards, he’s also out of this world gorgeous, an ex-rockstar with a chip on his shoulder and he's watching her like a hawk! So Bea uses her charm to keep him fo...
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Paris in the Dark by Robert Olen Butler ** Blog Tour Review & Giveaway**

Today I am delighted to feature Pulitzer Prize winning author, Robert Olen Butler, on the blog to celebrate his latest historical crime thriller: Paris in the Dark, which is part of his Christopher Marlowe Cobb series. There is also a great Giveaway- the chance to win a paperback copy of the book- UK only. Details on how to enter are at the foot of this post.

AUTUMN 1915. The First World War is raging across Europe. Woodrow Wilson has kept Americans out of the trenches, although that hasn’t stopped young men and women from crossing the Atlantic to volunteer at the front. Christopher Marlowe ‘Kit’ Cobb, a Chicago reporter and undercover agent for the US government is in Paris when he meets an enigmatic nurse called Louise. Officially in the city for a story about American ambulance drivers, Cobb is grateful for the opportunity to get to know her but soon his intelligence handler, James Polk Trask, extends his mission. Parisians are meeting ‘death by dynamite’ in a new campaign of bombings, and the German-speaking Kit seems just the man to discover who is behind this – possibly a German operative who has infiltrated with the waves of refugees? And so begins a pursuit that will test Kit Cobb, in all his roles, to the very limits of his principles, wits and talents for survival.


Fleetly plotted and engaging with political and cultural issues that resonate deeply today, Paris in the Dark is the finest novel yet in this riveting series.

‘A genuine and exhilarating success’ TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT 

‘A historical thriller  of admirable depth  and intelligence’ BBC HISTORY MAGAZINE

                                                                                     My Thoughts

Set in Paris in 1915, during wartime, this cleverly layered story follows an American who is working for the secret service whilst posing with the cover story of reporting on ambulance forays to the front. It captures the guarded nature of his life as he presents two different identities to those he meets. The book is tightly plotted and moves on apace, taking the reader along with ease. I found the ending quite thrilling and completely satisfactory.

    Alongside Kit's espionage work as he infiltrates German exiles in Paris, he strikes up a relationship with a young and slightly enigmatic nurse, Louise. Through this you glimpse his vulnerable side as opposed to the quick thinking and astute undercover agent he often appears to the reader. As bombs are exploded throughout Paris, you see his increasingly desperate rush to find the culprit. I also enjoyed the references to the political sensibilities of the time, especially towards America. This is a beautifully written novel which captures the time it is set in and which presents some finely drawn and layered characters.

In short: A literary historical thriller which is a cut above the rest.

                                                                              About the Author


ROBERT OLEN BUTLER is one of America’s most highly regarded writers, having published 17 novels, 6 short story collections, and a book on the creative process. Among his numerous awards is the Pulitzer Prize which he won for A Good Scent for a Strange Mountain. Four of his novels are historical espionage thrillers in the Christopher Marlowe Cobb series, a character far closer to Robert than any other he has written. Like ‘Kit’ Cobb, Robert also went to war, was part of the military intelligence and a reporter and editor at an investigative business newspaper. Robert is also a widely admired and sought after university teacher of creative writing and counts among his former students another Pulitzer Prize winner

You can follow Robert here: Website   |  Twitter

Book links: Amazon UK   |  Amazon US  

Thanks to Robert Olen Butler, No Exit Press and Anne Cater of Random Things Tours for a copy of the book and a place on the tour. 

Check out these other great bloggers!



                                                                      Giveaway (UK only)




 
To win a paperback copy of Paris in the Dark, just Follow and Retweet the pinned Tweet at @bookslifethings. Closing Date is 5th November 2018 and there is one winner. Good luck!






  


 


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