Unlocked: A Captivating Collection of Short Stories

 

Unlocked: A Captivating Collection of Short Stories 

From the D20 Authors

 By:- Philippa East, Debra Barnes, Tom Benjamin, Caroline Bishop, Emma Christie, Catherine Cooper, Polly Crosby, Victoria Dowd, Tim Ewins, Gillian Harvey, Nydia Hetherington, Anna Jefferson, Louise Mumford, Holly Race, Rosie Walker, Penny Batchlor

Blurb:- ALL PROFITS FROM UNLOCKED WILL BE DONATED TO THE TRUSSELL TRUST

From murder to magic, loss to love, Berlin to Bologna and everything in between, this brilliant anthology showcases 16 unique short stories from the D20 Authors, a best-selling group of writers whose debuts were published during the COVID 2022 lockdowns.

  Meet the cleaner who won't let anything stand between her and her job; the ocean diver with a mysterious mission; the pyromaniac driven by a painful compulsion; and the politician struggling to balance it all......

  Compiled by best-selling author Philippa East, and covering everything from crime to romance, mystery to uplift, this multi-genre collection has a story for everyone.

   Contributors to Unlocked have been longlisted, shortlisted and winners of a variety of awards, including The Waterstones Children's Book Prize, The Mcllvanney Prize for Best Scottish Crime Book, The Guardian's Not-The-Booker Prize, The People's Book Prize for Fiction, and the CWA New Dagger Award for best debut of the year.

   With this superb anthology, the D20 Authors are delighted to be raising funds for the Trussell Trust, a charity who supports a nationwide network of food banks, and together they provide emergency food and support to people facing hardship, and campaign to end the need for food banks in the UK.

Get to know some of the best fiction writers publishing today, support The Trussell Trust and treat yourself to some great entertainment by reading this exceptional collection.

Trussell Trust

https://www.trusselltrust.org/what-we-do/

Thank you @lovebookstours #Ad #Gifted #LoveBooksTours #LBTCrew #TheD20Authors

My Review:- During the first Covid lockdown a lot of people decided to write books and got them published This is a collection of short stories that some of the authors have wrote for a great book to help others during the hard times that we are having.  There is times when a full novel is not what you want, but you still want that feeling and enjoyment you get when reading longer stories and this is where this book fits in nicely.  Each story is well wrote and there is something for everyone to enjoy. I would recommend this book to everyone. Why not pop a few in you basket next time you're shopping, these would make a great present for family, friends and even secret Santa gift.

 Please remember that all the profits from this book are going to The Trussell Trust charity which help many people

 

Do Dogs Go To Heaven

Do Dogs Go To Heaven by Nev Green & Mark Stibbe

Genre:- Death & Bereavement, Animal & Pet Care, Dogs, Dogs and Dog Care, Dog - Keeping Mind/Body/Spirit, Spirituality, Religion & Spirituality.

Blurb:- In March 2022, Nev's border Collie, Sophie, died age 15. Mark, hearing the news, wrote to console his old friend. This kickstarted a long and heartfelt email conversation about where Sophie is now - a conversation that broadened and deepened into the larger question, Do Dogs Go To Heaven?

 Many of us want to know if we will see our beloved animals again in eternity. In this book, Mark and Nev address this issue as it relates to dogs. They do so not in the form of a philosophical debate, but by sharing powerful stories, spiritual, reflections, and memorable quotations.

 As you journey with  them through this book, you'll discover how the relationship between humans and dogs has a unique spiritual purpose. As the two friends put it "the love of a dog is inseparable from the love

of God".

 Thank you to @lovebookstours @nevgreen_ @markstibbeauthor for gifting this book. #Ad #Gifted #LoveBooksTours

 My review:- Many of us have pets and I think it is one question that is asked a lot, especially if you have children or if this is your only companion. It's not something we talk about or prepare for, so when it does happen it is very hard to come to terms with. Nev and Mark talk and answer the questions for us with emails they send to each other. Yes they do talk about God, but they also talk about everything from it's ok to cry about them dying, how much you miss them and also all the happy times you have had together. Reading these emails has made me talk more to my children and grandchildren about when our dogs go, that they will be going over the rainbow bridge (something I've always called it for them), that they will be waiting for us and that we must talk about all the happy times we have had together because sharing does make it a bit easier

21% Monster

 21% Monster by P.J. Canning

Genre:- Middle Grade Action Serial

Age:- 9-12 Years

Pages:- 304

Publisher:- Usborne Publishing Ltd

Blurb:- When Darren Devlin is arrested for destroying his school with his bare hands, it's not just the police who are after him. Enter Marek Masters, 14 years old, 19% alien, and the most intelligent, most wanted "almost human" alive, Marek is here to tell Darren the truth - he is 21% monster, and they need to take down the secret organisation that created them.

 Thank you @lovebookstours @pjcanningauthor for gifting a great book. #Ad #Gifted #LoveBooksTours

My Review:- I've enjoyed reading this book. The story starts with Darren Devlin at school, he is not like any of the boys, he's different and because of that he is always being bullied and called a 'freak'. His sister Daisy does her best to protect him but today she's not at school, she's at a dance competition with her parents. Darren would always hide away from the boys but today there's no where to hide that that becomes a problem which you'll find out.

 After getting sent to prison, he escapes with the help from Marek Masters. Marek explains to Darren why and how he is different because of project Helix. Marek and Darren have to get to London but first they must eat and recharge Marek's mobile phone up, all they need is 10% charge, With the help from powers Marek has they go to a local pub, and after five raw steak, eight pints of water, four straws, three spoons and an extra napkin, it's time to leave.  Darren and Marek must stay safe and stay hidden as much as possible while on the run which isn't going to be easy with Miss Inghart (Dr Wiseman) and Ducas after them and getting closer. 

Will they make it to London or will they get court?

Dandelion

 Dandelion by Harrison Murphy

Genre:- Thiller

Pages:- 266

Blurb:- An implant with the potential to cure mental health issues - but only for those who can afford it.

 The sequel to Harrison's Murphy acclaimed debut novel, Chrysalis.

  Violet is a severely anxious woman, traumatised by her past and unable to leave the confines of her own flat. Her only social interaction is with her postie, Chris.

  A potential solution appears as a revolutionary implant that can alter people's minds and cure the of mental illness becomes commercially available.  However, the exorbitant costs for the procedure are out of Violet's reach until a disgraced popstar launches a charitable venture aiming to give free implants to those in most need.

 Can Violet convince the foundation to erase her demons? Or will Chris turn out to be the help she needs to reclaim her life?

*contains some traumatic and disturbing scenes*

My Review:- This is book 2 and I haven't read book 1 Chrysails but the author has put details in the prologue. I found it hard to get into this book at the beginning. This is a story about Violet who's mental health controls her, just as it does with a lot of people. Violet will do anything to be free from the prison that her metal health has trapped her in and if this implant can do it she wants it. 

 Would you consider this implant if it could take you from your prison?

 

A Boy In The Storm

 A Boy in the Storm by Oliver Crane

Genre:- Action - Adventure - Contemporary

Publisher:- TBLOD

Blurb:- An abusive father hiding behind an affluent Edinburgh address.

 A mother haunted and manipulated by secrets from her past.

 A young man brought up never to speak about what he has witnessed,

.....and a storm on the mountain that changes everything.

  Damaged by childhood trauma and estranged from his mother, nineteen-year-old Nicholas leaves Edinburgh to live in the family's rundown chalet in the Highlands of Scotland.

  There he meets best friends, Tracy and Dani. Through a shared love of the outdoors he and Dani become close and plan a future together. However, a destructive encounter between Nicholas and his father shatters their dream.

  Reflecting upon the uncompromising brutality of his father, resentment builds, setting Nicholas on a collision course with his past.

 Thank you to @lovebookstours @olivercraneauthor

 My Review:- This story is about 3 young people, Nicholas, who's father is a bully and a mother who is afraid of him,  Dani, who lives with her father, and Tracy who lives with her mother.  The author tell's us how these 3 young people from different backgrounds become friends. Nicholas meets Dani first, and then Tracy meets Nicholas while at work and falls for him, only to find out her best friend Dani is going out on a date with him.

 Because of Nicholas's father, Nicholas leaves without explaining anything and leaving Dani heartbroken.

  After a few years living in France Nicholas returns back to Scotland and things a different. Dani gets lost on the mountains in the snow and Nicholas knows he has to find her.

 While Dani's relationship with her boyfriend doesn't work out and she returns back to Scotland. Tracy and Nicholas relationship get's stronger, but will it last?

 The end of the book has left me wanting to know what is going to happen next.

Dangerous Beauty

Dangerous Beauty by Melissa Koslin

Pages:- 352

Genre :- Thiller Fiction

Publisher :- Revell Books

Blurb :- Liliana Vela hates the term victim. She's not a victim, she's a fighter. Stubborn and strong with a quiet elegance, she's determined t take back her life after escaping the clutches of human traffickers in her poor Mexican village. But she can't stay safety over the border in America-unless the man who aided in her rescue is serious about his unconventional proposal to marry her.

 Meric Toledan was just stopping at a service station, he steps in to rescue Liliana from traffickers. if he can keep his secrets at bay, his wealth and position afford him many resources to help her. But the mysterious buyer who funded her capture will not sit idly by while his prize is stolen from him.

 Melissa Koslin throws you right into the action in the high-stakes thriller that poses the question:

What is the price of freedom?

My Review:- I have to say this is a book I finished in one day as I didn't want to put it down.

The story is based on Liliana, a girl that managed to escape from 3 men. who were paid by a trafficker and Meric a man that helps her.  There are few times through the story I thought I knew who had paid for Liliana but each time I was wrong.  Nothing is what it seems as you will find out when reading this book.

The Early Life of Becky Bexley The Child Genius

The Early Life of Becky Bexley The Child Genius by Diana Holbourn

Genre:- Children's comedy/magical/realism

Age:- 7-10 Years (roughly)

Blurb:- It can be frustrating being a chid genius. Grown-ups are always telling kids what to do and what to think - but it's harder with Becky Bexley! Unbelievable things happen in this funny story! She can talk from the moment she's born! Her mum thinks she's going crazy when she hears her! And Becky has sooo many questions - for the doctor, the priest and her poor mum! And she has one or two suggestions as well....but will they listen?

The Early Life of Becky Bexley the Child Genius is a fun and comical story about what it's like to be a kid in a grown-up world, and why children's voices should always be heard.

@lovebookstours

Buy Link

https://amzn.to/3hzkRM4

Am I Made of Stardust

 

Am I Made of Stardust by Dr Maggie.
Answers the Big Questions for Young Scientists by Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock and Chelen Ecija.
Genre:- Children’s Book (8-12).
Pages:- 128
Publisher:- Buster Books
Blurb:- How long would it take me to fly to a star?
What would happen if I fell inside a black hole?
Would I get a phone signal in space?
From whether there are rainbows on other planets to what dinner tastes like on the International Space Station, this is packed full of fabulous facts, mind blowing insights and engaging explanations from the renowned space scientist.
Written in Dr Maggie’s fun, accessible style, and featuring out-of-this-world illustrations throughout, it’s guaranteed to bring the wonders of space and science to life for young readers.
🪐☄️🛰Thank You to @lovebookstours @buster_books and Dr Maggie for gifting this book🔭🚀
My Review:-This is a hardback book that any child (or adult) would love to read.
The book starts with Dr Maggie explaining how the book works.
I sat with my Granddaughter Emily to review this book and we both were surprised at how much we loved it.
With more than 50 interesting questions ‘Does it rain diamonds in Jupiter?’ ‘Could I sing in Space?’ Each question is answered with both text and amazing illustrations.
This is a book that will be picked up again and again, especially for school projects and other work.
If you like to try doing things, this book has ‘Try This At Home’ activities as you move through the pages.
If you enjoy this book why not have a look at ‘Grand Tour of the Solar System’ by Dr Maggie 🛰☄️🪐

The Hammer

 The Hammer By R.J.Mitchell

Genre:- Crime Fiction

Pages:- 388

Publisher:- Matthew James Publishing

Blurb:- After escaping the clutches of a Glasgow drug lord nicknamed 'The Widowmaker', the newly promoted Detective Constable Thoroughgood heads for Manchester.  The northern powerhouse is home to two rival gangs: 'The Maine Men' and 'The Devils'.  When a drug deal goes wrong and Thoroughgood fails to stop it, a full-scale turf war is ready to take over Manchester - a city split into red and blue halves.

 Seconded into an undercover Greater Manchester Police unit under the command of the legendary DCI Matty Ferguson, Thoroughgood soon finds that the drugs war is not the only battle being fought in the city. 'The Hammer' takes Thoroughgood out of the character's typical Scottish stamping grounds with 1990's Manchester and a nightmare at the Theatre of Dreams forming the perfect backdrop for Mitchell's brand of gritty, high-octane crime writing. My star rate for this book is 4 stars

Book #6 in the DS Thoroughgood Series.

Thank You to Kelly @lovebookstours @mj.publishing @spitfire_07 #gifted #adprproduct for a copy of this book.

My Review:-  Even if you haven't read the other books in the series you will soon get the understanding of the story as it draws you in. There is so much going on that you'll not want to put this book down. DC Thoroughgood is undercover with Manchester Police so he can get to know the local rival drug gangs, but soon it becomes a turf war and it's not just with the gangs he's in the middle of it with. You won't be disappointed with the ending of this book, and it will leave you wanting more

A Quilt for Christmas

A Quilt for Christmas By Melody Carlson

Genre:- Contemporary Fiction/Christian Fiction/Romance/Cosy Christmas
Pages:-176
Publisher:-Revell
Blurb:- Christmas should be celebrated with the family. But for Vera Swanson, that’s not an option this year. Widowed and recently relocated, she is lonely in her condo-for-one-until little Fiona Albright knocks on her door needing help. With her mother seriously ill and her father out of town, Fiona enlists Vera’s help, and when she finds out her new neighbour is a quilter, she has a special request - a Christmas quilt for Mama.
Vera will have to get a ragtag group of women together in order to fulfill the request. Between free - spirited artist Tasha, chatty empty nester Beverly, retired therapist Eleanor, and herself, Vera has hopes that Christmas for the Albright family will be merry, after all - and she maybe find herself a new family of friends along the way.
Thank you to @lovebookstours and @revellbooks for my #gifted copy in return for my review.
🎄🎅My review:- Reading a Christmas story at this time of the year, I always hope for that warm feeling you get and after reading this book I had that feeling.
This is a story about how people can help others even when you don’t know them. The story starts with a lady (Vera) living alone in a place she knows nobody and a little girl (Fiona/Fifi). Fiona’s mother falls ill and she knocks on her neighbours door for help.
In a small town where friendships are made all because of a present that Fiona wants for her mother. You will meet 4 ladies that become good friends, but it isn’t that straight forward especially when it comes to Eleanor Rasmussen, until something Fiona says about the ‘bottom mole snowman’.
This story shows you that you never know what people have went through in the past and they might still be trying to get through it. Age just just a number, and Fiona shows that young and old can get on together

A Quilt For Christmas

 

New Book Review To Come

Vampires and Villains

 

Vampires and Villains by Elizabeth Pantley.

Magical Mystery Book Club Book 2.
Genre:-Mystery-Speculative.
Pages:- 210
Blurb:- This is no ordinary book club. Paige and her joyful Aunt Glo have learned that the home they inherited comes with a magical library.They put together a book club group of loveable kooks to explore the magic. They’ve recovered from their first book journey, and they all agree on their next book which takes place on a cruise ship bound for Hawaii. Problem is they were so excited about the cruising idea that they didn’t read the entire blurb on the back of the book. (‘It was entirely to long,” explains Zell).
Once on the ship they meet a charming and likeable man who blends seamlessly into their motley group. Too bad they don’t know why he’s so scarce during the day but shows up to join them every evening for dinner, drinks, and a show. When a dead body shows up on board, their new friend is labelled a suspect. Can they help him out by finding the real murderer? Or is he the real murderer? The book club will need to solve the case to get off the ship, out of the book, and back to their home.
🧛‍♀️My review:-🧛‍♂️ Vampires and Villains is the second book in the series. After reading the first book I was really excited for this and it did not disappoint me.
Million is the new addition to the magical mystery book club , at first I wasn’t sure about him but it doesn’t take long for him to become part of the group.
The adventure this time is a Hawaiian cruise, this wasn’t any old ship, it’s only once they set sail do the darker parts of the ship show itself. You have to wait till the end to see if they all get off the ship.
Can’t wait for book 3 to come out, it’ll be top of my list

King Worm Jack

 

King Worm Jack By Natalie Gordon.

Genre:- Children’s Fiction.

Age:- Middle Grade 9+.
Pages:- 102.
🪱🪱🪱*GIFTED BOOK REVIEW *🪱🪱🪱
Blurb:- Have you ever wondered why your teacher’s eyebrows look like caterpillars? Or whether your cat has superpowers? Or how worms manage without hands?
Meet Jack, an ordinary boy with an extraordinary cat, Max. And a best friend called Rodney, who’s a worm.
Join Jack as he sets off to cure his teacher of grumpiness, discovering along the way how to do somersaults and grow the perfect chocolate flavoured sprouts. And command an army of worms.
My Review:-
I wasn’t sure about this book ‘King Worm Jack’ at first, but the more I read it the funnier it got. Jack thinks everybody loves his brother Seb and his dog Scarlet more. Jack has a cat, but not just any cat, a special cat called Max. Jack’s adventures start when he meets a worm called Rodney. Jack and Rodney decide to help Jack’s teacher Mr Prickles and that’s were the fun begins. You’ll get to meet the Bogeymen, the Teardrop and many more. Oh, do you like Sprouts? Jack didn’t until Mr Prickles entered his sprouts into the County Show.
PLUS there are blanket spaces throughout the book for you to writing or drawing pictures that become part of this great story.
Thank you to @lovebookstours for allowing me to review a 5 STAR book

The Best Bear Tracker

 

The Best Bear Tracker. By John Condon. Genre: 5 Years. Blyth: The Best Bear Tracker in the world is on the lookout! But can she find a bear? How do you spot a bear? In The Best Bear Tracker the rules are quite clear, but maybe, just maybe, our heroine might not be as good at tracking as she thinks.

This hilarious picture book is full of quirky charm, little readers will love laughing at the main character, who is oblivious to the bears following her through the forest. But are they really what she is looking for?
REVIEW:
My 8 year old granddaughter and I decided to read this book for her bedtime story and it did not disappoint us. Each page of the story has been beautifully drawn with clues on every page. The little explorer begins her adventure with her Bear Tracker Kit on her back and off she goes in search of clues to find a bear.
There is so much to talk about from start to finish, you will want to read it more than once, as we have.
This is a great funny and cute book to read with the family of all ages ( even my 19 year old daughter loved it). Thank You to @lovebookstours for allowing us to review this book

The Magical Meteorite by Tony Flores

 

The Magical Meteorite by Tony Flores
Genre:- Children’s Fiction
Ages:- 3-9 years
Blurb:- Join These Super Cute Puppies……..
As They Begin Their Superhero Journey. Children will want to discover how two ordinary puppy become…..Superheroes!
When Zuni and Allie Puff find a mysterious meteorite in the park, they can’t wait to investigate. It turns out a surprise is waiting that will change their lives forever. Are they ready to become super puppies? Kids can follow Zuko and Allie Puff in this first book of origin trilogy and find out!
The adventure begins here and will continue for the remaining fourteen books in the series. Children will want to read each book to experience the next exciting adventure with these super puppies.
Thank you @lovebookstours for gifting me this ebook. #gifted
🐶🐾🐾This is the first book in a series about 2 super puppies Zuko and Allie Puff.
The book starts with “Meet the Puppies” telling you a bit about each puppy. While Zuko and Allie Puff are playing in the park, they see something in the air coming towards them and that is where the fun begins. Because of what they find they are transformed into Superheroes with amazing powers, but before they try any of these powers they decide to have a rest as they are tired. The illustrations in this book are cute, colourful and will keep children entertained. Keep an eyes open for 2 chihuahuas 🐶🐾🐾🐾🐾

The Further Exploits of the Pirate Queens

The Further Exploits of the Pirate Queens

By James Grant Goldin
Narrated by:- Gill Mills
Genre:- Historical Fiction with pirates!
Blurb:- Pirate Queen Anne Bonny has a secret-a baby daughter named Kate! The baby’s being raised by friends in Cuba, and Anne, worried that her reputation as the scarlet-haired scourge of the Caribbean would be undermined by motherhood has been hiding the truth from the crew of the Tigress, and even from the girl’s father, Calico Jack Rackam. But Kate’s first birthday is coming up, and Anne wants to be there. The problem is, there’s a war on, and Cuba’s behind enemy lines. So Anne turns for help to the only person she can truly trust - fellow freebooter Mary Read. Together, Anne and Mary will defy storms, sharks, shipwrecks and various murderous cutthroats to fulfill a promise. And along the way, they might just plunder Spain’s fabled Silver Fleet.

Thank you @lovebookstours for #gifted audiobook. AD-PR-PRODUCT

🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️My review- This is the first historical fiction audiobook I’ve listened to as I don’t normally use audiobooks. The narrator was clear and I loved how she went from one character to another will no problem, she pulled you into the story as it went along. I loved the close relationship Anne and Mary had together, they were very clever and new how to play people to get what they wanted. I especially love when Anne and Mary tried to make a fire, they were sweating so much it was putting the fire out, so in the end they used some of their own hair. The author made you feel as if you were part of the story, which is something I love. I will be watching for the next book coming out

Flicker Plays Hide-and-Surprise

 

Flicker Plays Hide-and-Surprise By Jodie Parachini
Genre:-Children’s Picture Book (3-7 years)
Pages:-32
Publisher:-Albert Whitman and Company
Blurb:- Welcome To The Grand Bug Hotel!
We are a happy, eco-friendly lodge and cater to all bugs. Flicker and her friends are playing hide and seek in the Grand Bug Hotel, and Flicker’s younger sibling-twins Zip and Flare want to join in on the fun. The game uses skills that the baby bugs aren’t used to including silence and patience, so Flicker creates a new game that everyone can play instead.

Thank you to @lovebookstours and @jodieparachini for gifting this to review.
🐛🪲Emily and I read Flicker Plays Hide-and-Surprise together for our bedtime story. I love how Flicker explained to the twins Zip and Flare how to play hide-and-seek showing them how to hide like her friends Wicket, Dazzle and Roly Poly. But when it came to Flicker and the twins to hide things didn’t go to plan and when the twins got upset Flicker made up a new game that they understood and everyone could play together. This book showed even though not everyone understands you can always make same changes so everyone can join in. Emily like the illustrations as she loved playing hide and seek with the bugs that were hiding in the pictures. A love book to read together or as a read along 🪲🐛