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Crow Moon by Suzie Aspley#Extract #Giveaway #AMarthaStrangewaysInvestigationBook1

  I am delighted to introduce the first in a new series by debut writer, Suzie Aspley . The atmospheric thriller, Crow Moon was published by Orenda on March 14th. Today I have an extract for you to read and the chance to win a print copy of Crow Moon . Details on how to enter are at the foot of this post. When the crow moon rises, the darkness is unleashed… Martha Strangeways is struggling to find purpose in her life, after giving up her career as an investigative reporter when her young twins died in a house fire. Overwhelmed by guilt and grief, her life changes when she stumbles across the body of a missing teenager – a tragedy that turns even more sinister when a poem about crows is discovered inked onto his back... When another teenager goes missing in the remote landscape, Martha is drawn into the investigation, teaming up with DI Derek Summers, as malevolent rumours begin to spread and paranoia grows. As darkness descends on the village of Strathbran, it soon becomes

The House That Alice Built by Chris Penhall #Review


I have great pleasure to welcome you to the celebrations for Chris Penhall's debut novel, The House That Alice Built. 
 
Home is where the heart is … 

Alice Dorothy Matthews is sensible. Whilst her best friend Kathy is living it up in Portugal and her insufferable ex Adam is travelling the world, Alice is working hard to pay for the beloved London house she has put her heart and soul into renovating. 

But then a postcard from Buenos Aires turns Alice’s life upside down. One very unsensible decision later and she is in Cascais, Portugal, and so begins her lesson in ‘going with the flow’; a lesson that sees her cat-sitting, paddle boarding, dancing on top of bars and rediscovering her artistic talents. 

But perhaps the most important part of the lesson for Alice is that you don’t always need a house to be at home.


My Thoughts

This was a breath of fresh air in the midst of Autumn. Transported to Portugal, there are some fine descriptions of the scenery and local life there. There are some vividly portrayed characters, especially Alice herself. It is easy to empathise with her as she tries to escape from her ex, Adam's, selfishness and control. Kathy, her friend, has her best interests at heart and at times feels like her guardian angel.

    As Alice slowly digs within herself and find reserves she did not know she had, it is great to see her creativity begin to blossom. I did find Adam to have a whiff of the pantomime villain about him. As Alice learns to stand on her own feet, she finds friendships to support her. This is just the novel to help you escape from the cares of everyday life. A debut novel, it is enjoyable and confident writing. 

In short: A slice of Portugal to banish the winter.

     
About the Author



Chris Penhall is a freelance writer and radio producer.

Her book, The House That Alice Built, won the Choc-Lit Search for a Star Competition 2019. 

Born in South Wales, she has also lived near London and in Portugal, which is where The House That Alice Built is set. It was whilst living in Cascais near Lisbon that she began to dabble in writing fiction, but it was many years later that she was confident enough to start writing her first novel, and many years after that she finally finished it! She is now working on her second. 

A lover of books, music and cats, she is also an enthusiastic salsa dancer, a keen cook, and loves to travel. She is never happier than when she is gazing at the sea. 

Chris has two grown up daughters and lives in the Essex countryside. 

Chris is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association.

You can follow Chris here:  Website  |  Twitter Facebook

Book links: Amazon UK  |  Ruby Fiction  |  Kobo
                 |  Barnes and Noble  |  Google

Thanks to Chris Penhall, Ruby Fiction and Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for a copy f the book and a place on the tour.

                                                   Catch up with the rest of the tour


 

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