Our American Friend

Our American Friend

By Anna Pitoniak

Genre:-Crime Fiction

Pages:-320

Publisher:-No Exit Press

Blurb:-'Emily in Paris meets Scandal' (New York Times) in this propulsive Cold War-era political thriller as one intrepid journalist writes the official biography of the mysterious First Lady-uncovering secrets that could destroy them both...

 For fans of The Secrets We Kept by Lara Prescott (10K sold), American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeild (200K sold) and Tangerine by Christine Mangan (80K sold), as well as BookTok sensation Tayor Jenkins Reid's The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo (213K sold)

 Spanning from the 1970s to the present day, traveling from Moscow and Paris to Washington and New York, Our American Friend is both a devasting love story and a timely page-turner exploring power, politics and complicity.

 Anna Pitoniak is the author of The Futures and Necessary People, which was selected as a Book of the Week by People, a Book of the Month by Cosmopolitan, Town & Country, Refinery29, Bustle & Crime Reads and a Best Book of 2019 by Marie Claire.

Published in US by Simon & Schuster (HB Feb 2022, TPB Feb 2023) to extensive review coverage and critical acclaim. UK audio edition by W F Howes and US audio by S&S Audio.

 A mysterious First Lady. The intrepid journalist writing her biography. And the secret that could destroy them both. Tired of covering the grating dysfunction of Washington and the increasingly outageous antics of President Henry Caine, White House correspondent Sofie Morse quits her job and plans to leave politics behind.

 But when she gets a call from the office of First Lady Lara Caine, inviting her to come in for a private meeting with Lara, Sofie's curiosity is piqued. Sofie, like the rest of the world, knows little about Lara-only that she was born in Soviet Russia, raised in Paris, and worked as a model before moving to America and marrying the notoriously brash future president.

 When Lara asks Sofie to write her offical biography, and to finally fill in the gaps of her history, Sofie's curiosity gets the better of her, She begins to spend more and more time in the White House, slowly developing a bond with Lara. As Lara's story unfolds, Sofie can't help but wonder why Lara is rehashing such sensitive information. Why tell Sofie? And why now? Suddenly Sofie is in the middle of a game of cat and mouse that could have explosive ramifications.

Thank you #Ad #Gifted

Instagram:-@annapitoniak @bedfordsq.publishers @randomthingstours @paulalearmouth #ouramericanfriend

Twitter:-@annapitoniak @bedsqpublishers @RandomTTours @mamof9 #ouramericanfriend

My Review:-Sofie Morse tells us the story, that take's us on a journey through 70s up to the present day, (3 timelines). Sofie has had enough of the behaviour of the racist President Henry Caine, she packs her bags, but First Lady Lara Caine asks her to come and see her, which makes Sofie wonder why, she has to find out. Lara wants Sofie to write her biography, Sofie wants to know more about Lara and agrees. Sofie wants to know who is the real Lara, Sofie wants to know about Lara's past in Russia and Paris. Sofie feels there is a bond building between them, or is there? We learn about Lara being the daughter of a Soviet official, a KGB member. Moving to Paris for her father's next mission. Sofie feels Lara is keeping something from her but she doesn't know what. I don't want to say anymore as you need to read it yourself, so I'm leaving it here. I must say I found parts of the story you could relate to what is going on in the world now. We have both Politics and Russian history in this book. This is my first book by Anna Pitoniak but I'll looking at more

Good Girls Die Last

Good Girls Die Last

By Natali Simmonds

Genre:-Psychological Thriller

Pages:-384

Publisher:-Headline

Blurb:-A tense, furious and gripping thriller that asks does silence keep women safe-or protect those harming them? The perfect read for fans of MY DARK VANESSA and IMAY DESTROY YOU.

 Today, nothing is going right for Em. And it's about to get much worse. Heartbroken by a recent spilt, with her 30th birthday looming, she loses her job and her home in the same morning because of two swaggering, dishonest men-the boss who sexually harassed her and the flatmate sleeping with her behind his fiancee's back. But all Em can think about is catching a flight to attend her sister's wedding and see her dying mother.

 With a record-breaking heatwave, and a serial killer making the streets unsafe, London is completely gridlocked. Em's life has always been full of men getting their own way, and today the scorched city teems with them standing between her and home. As Em's troubled past returns to haunt her, she refuses to let them win. Her defiance leads to shocking consequences that soon spiral wildly out of control.

 In a world where men don't listen, and girls have no voice, one woman can change everything.

Today, no one will be staying silent

Thank you #Ad #Gifted

Instagram:-@randomthingstours @paulalearmouth #Bookstagram

Twitter:-@headlinepg @NJSimmondsbooks @RandomTTours @mamof9 #

My Review:-We follower Em during one of the hottest days in London, the temperature reaches highs of 41℃, and that's only the start of Em's next 24 hours. Em's day starts when she wakes up in her landlord, matt's bed. She's loses her Job that her family think is fulltime. It's her sister's wedding in Spain and this might be the last time she sees her mother who is dying. The trains aren't working because of the heat, and getting any other transport is impossible, so she needs to make her own way, and the means walking to the airport. There's one big problem with walking, there's a serial killing that's stalking the streets looking for young women. Em comes across both good and bad on her journey to the airport. Will Em make it to the airport in time for her flight?  This is an intense story but I felt it had to be wrote that way for you to understand, how your life can go turn in the blink of an eye.

Unbound

Unbound (Songs of Chaos Book 2)

By Michael R. Miller

Genre:-Epic Fantasy

Pages:-686

Publisher:-Monolith Books

Blurb:-Sometimes the world needs a little chaos.

Holt and Ash saved the kingdom of Feorlen against all odds. Now they are outcasts, alone on an impossible quest to unite the Elder Dragons. But they are children playing in a game of Dragon Lords. Trapped between the riders, servants of Sovereign, and the scourge, even their luck cannot last forever. Their only hope is to advance their bond by any means necessary.

 In Feorlen, Talia faces a world unaccepting of a rider queen. Her councilors will not heed her warnings of Sovereign. Foreign powers threaten war and bloodshed. Pleas sent to rider headquarters fall on deaf ears.

 All the while, Sovereign regathers his strength in an ancient fortress. Enthralled cultists swell his ranks. Disillusioned riders flock to his cause.

 And his willing servant Osric Agravain scours the land for dragon eggs. There are new types of magic to be discovered, and Sovereign intends to control them all.

 Only the mysterious half-dragon Rake has a plan to stop Sovereign. To pull it off, he's going to need a team.

Unbound continues this bestselling dragon rider epic fantasy combining the best of Eragon and Pern with the hard magic of Brandon Sanderson and Will Wight.

Thank you #Ad #Gifted

Instagram:-@lovebookstours @paulalearmouth #LBTCrew #Bookstagram

Twitter:-@MMDragons_Blade @KellyALacey @lovebookstours @mamof9 #LBTCrew #BookTwitter

My Review:- This is Book Two in "Songs of Chaos" and I had the pleasure of reviewing Book One "Ascendant-A Dragon Rider Fantasy'. I read this book over a couple of days, as it was one of the longer books I've read. Unbound continues the story that started in Ascendant. We meet some new characters, as well as seeing how other characters have grown. Holt and Ash's bond has grew and is stronger, which was nice to see, these two are my favourite characters. I liked how we heard more from Talia on the political side in this book. There is so much happening that I don't want to spoil it for you, all I will say is I can't wait for the next book. Michael Miller is a great author and knows how to pull you into a story and leaves you wanting more.

Green Ray

Green Ray

By OC Heaton

Genre:-Sci-Fi

Publisher:-Rookwood Publishing

Blurb:-No good dead goes unpunished...

 Six years after the near-catastrophic hijacking of LEAP, Uma Jakosdottir is determined to find a safer path to enviromental salvation. So with her father's invention back under wraps, Uma turns her attention to the $85 billion-dollar Green Ray fund with the intention of renewing the planet-minus any teleportation.

 But when the capabilities of LEAP are discovered by the U.S. government, it sets its sights on using the device to protect the country against economic collapse. When the White House proposes a new set of rules for LEAP-ones people-Uma's objections are steamrolled by powerful forces.

 Then the President's life is endangered, and the rules of the game suddenly shift again-leaving Uma in ethical turmoil as she races to stop the full power of LEAP from being unleashed on an unsuspecting world...

Thank you #Ad #Gifted

Instagram:-@OCHeaton @lovebookstours @paulalearmouth #LBTCrew #Bookstagram

Twitter:-@OCHeaton @KellyALacey @lovebookstours @mamof9 #LBTCrew #BookTwitter

My Review:-I had the pleasure of reading and reviewing Book One 'LEAP' in 'The Race Is On Series.'

 Ghawar Oil Field, Saudi Arabia, 2nd November 2009, 21:05hours and there is a big explosions that are raging across the refinery, and that's only on the first place. Ali only intended a small explosion. Uma is in LA, but she feels she's being watched. Who are the men in black with dark glasses? Are they watching her? The action keeps coming throughout the book, the explosion just outside the White House, Uma being drugged and what does Forsyth want from Uma. I'm not telling you anything else, you need to buy the book to find out if Uma can save everything. This book will have on your toes all the way through and there's a few twists you won't expected.

Locks

Locks

By Ashleigh Nugent

Genre:-Contemporary Literary Fiction/Humour

Pages:-352

Blurb:-'1993 was the year that Stephen Lawrence got murdered by racists, and I became an angry Black lad with a "chip on his shoulder"

 Aeon, a mixed-up and mixed-race teenager from a leafy Liverpool suburb, is desperate to understand the Black identity thrust upon him. He grows dreadlocks and immerses himself in 'gangsta' rap. But Aeon's journey of self-discovery is hampered by the fact that the only Black people in his life are his dad and his cousin, Increase.

 Aeon's ambition to find his place in the world take him to Jamaica. Here, Aeon soon finds that smoking loads of weeds, growing messy locks and wearing massive red boots don't necessarily help him to fit in. Within days of his arrival he is mugged, arrested and banged up in a Jamaican detention centre. Seen as the 'White boy'-he finds that his journey of self-discovery has only just begun-and he's going to have to fight for the respect and recognition he deserves...

 A coming-of-age comedy of errors, Locks is an electric debut novel about growing up, wising up, and finding your place in a world of opposites.

Thank you #Ad #Gifted

Instagram:-@panmacmillan @locksbook @randomthingstours @paulalearmouth #Locks

Twitter:-@NugentAshleigh @panmacmillan @RandomTTours @mamof9

My Review:-Wow what a book. Aeon needs to find himself, growing up mixed race wasn't easy, especially for a 17-year-old. He needs to know who he is, so Increase, his cousin and himself jump on a plane and land in Jamaica, thinking he would get all the answer he needs, how wrong he was. He had to overcome my challenges both good and bad before he could understand just who he was. This story has everything you want from a book and more, real life, honesty, racism, humour, it's moving and powerful. This book is definitely in my top five books of this year.

Rum Affair

Rum Affair

By Dorothy Dunnett

Genre:-Classic Crime/Women Sleuths/Humour

Pages:-272

Publisher:-Farrago

Blurb:-The second in a series of witty, erudite suspense mysteries, by the celebrated classic author-with an independent, smart heroine and an ending sure to surprise!

 Tina Rossi, the world's leading coloratura soprano has travelled to Edinburgh, ostensibly to sing in the Festival, but in reality to meet her lover, top scientist Kenneth Holmes. But instead of finding Kenneth at their rendezvous, she discovers an unknown corpse.

 Enter Johnson Johnson, a famous but enigmatic portrait painter, whose yacht Dolly is about to sail in a race to the Hebrides where Holmes was conducting his top-secret research. Soon Tina and Johnson are sailing the high seas together to investigate his disappearance, but as the Dolly nears Rum, the race becomes one for life rather than prize money...

Reviews:- 'The Dolly novels are...delicious, funny, ingenious, glamorous, clever. 'Listener

'Dunnett tempts her fans with buried clues and red herrings that keep them reading and reading the books.' New York Times

'(Dunnett's) women are among her strongest characters.' Guardian

Thank you #Ad #Gifting

Instagram:-@randomthingstours @paulalearmouth #RumAffair

Twitter:-@RandomTTours @mamof9

My Review:-Rum Affair is 'Dolly Book 2.' I have reviewed other books by Dorothy Dunnett, so was only to happy to review this one and I wasn't disappointed. Singer Tina Rossi had arrived for her two concerts in Edinburgh under the name Mrs Twiss, Michael her manager's idea. The concert went well and after receiving a letter to met Kenneth Holmes who she met last year in Nevada. Not everything is going right after Tina arrived at the flat, she finds a body but no Kenneth. (If you have read book one 'Tropical Issues' you will know Johnson and Johnson, if not you soon will.) Johnson arrives with the police looking for someone. After the police go Johnson agrees to help Tina. Tina agrees to go with Johnson on a yacht race on his yacht Dolly. Tina hopes she will get to see Kenneth when they arrive on the island of Rum. But it's not just as simple as visiting a few harbours on the way, as you will find out. There are plenty of little twists all through the story which i liked as you never know what's next. Will Kenneth be there when Tina gets to Rum?

Passionate Encounters

Passionate Encounter

By Kris Kassady

Genre:-Steamy Romance

Blurb:-Passionate Encounters is a collection of Kris Kassady's six best-selling steamy romance novellas that are sure to leave you breathless.

 From Mia's temptation to date a male escort in The Gigolo, to the fiery desire between Robyn and Dirk in Robyn's Nest, and the unexpected romance between Trudy and Luke in Seven Gables, these stories are full of passion, heat, and guaranteed happily-ever-afters.

 In Gemma,Dash is determined to prove to Gemma that he's not like the other men in her life, while in The Bookie, Nikki is drawn to the mysterious Vinny, a professional gambler who has more than escort action on his mind. Finally, The Pilgrimage follows the journey of Ethan and Ellie as they walk the El Camino de Santiago in Spain and try to overcome their pasts to find a second chance at love.

With charming characters, sizzling chemistry, and engaging storyline, Passionate Encounters is the prefect collection for readers who love steamy contemporary romance. These novellas are perfect for a one-sitting read on your favorite couch.

 Readers have raved about these six novellas, praising the complexity and depth of the heartwarming second-chance romance these captivating stories for yourself.

Included in Passionate Encounters:

The Gigolo is one of Kris Kassady's most popular and well-loved stories. Mia really likes what she sees when Dark, a male escort, is the nude model for her mid-term drawing exam. But Mia would never date a gigolo. Or would she?

Robyn's Nest is Robyn's topless barista stand that the sheriff is trying to shut down. Dirk is the hunky lawyer trying to save Robyn and her business. But will the flames from their smoking hot desire get in the way?

Seven Gables is Trudy's bed and breakfast. Luke, a drifter just out of prison, offers handyman services. Well, shoot, Trudy has served time too, and she's hot for Luke's services. Luke has a score to settle with his partners-in-crime. Does Trudy have special skills for helping Luke out of his bind?

Gemma never had a decent break in life. Dash has lived a life of privilege. Can Gemma trust Dash to be different than all the other men in her life. Can Dash handle Gemma's dark history? Will Dash be another speed bump in Gemma's life, or the break she finally deserves?

In The Bookie, Nikki agrees to an escort date with Vinny as a favor for a friend. Vinny is a professional gambler who has a mysterious day planned. The super-sexy Vinny is pushing all Nikki's buttons, and she's hot to trot, but is sex even part of Vinny's elusive plan? Or is Vinny-the-gambler rolling the dice for more than some high-end escort action?

InThe Pilgrimage, Ethan and Ellie meet walking the 500 mile El Camino de Santiago in Spain. Ethan has a shocking past and is trying to start a new life, and Ellie has struggles of her own. Is this the second love both are searching for, or are their pasts too much for the other to take on?

Thank you #Ad #Gifted

Instagram:-@kriskassady_author @lovebookstours @paulalearmouth #LBTCrew #Bookstagram

Twitter:-@KellyALacey @lovebookstours @mamof9 #LBTCrew #Booktwitter

My Review:-This is 6 novellas that have been put together. There's something for everyone in this book with a lot of steamy encounters. We have couples in each story. Robyn and Dirk I liked, but Mia and Dack's story was the one I loved the most. Mia and Dack met because Mia had sketched him as he was the model they had to draw. After meeting up and wanting to know more about him, Mia agreed to go on a hike and a picnic with him. Will she find out more? The Pilgrimage was interesting, and I liked that the characters were older. I don't do spoilers, so you need to buy to find out more.

This is a book that you can dip in and out of with it have 6 different stories, which I like when you don't have as much time to read a full book. Anyone that likes a bit of heat in a story, this is for you.