– Werewolf shifters – Hidden identity – Forced proximity – Found family – Slow burn – Touch-and-d!e energy (both ways) – Pack politics
Forced into the home of an unyielding Alpha, a grieving girl bent on revenge ignites a slow-burn werewolf romance where loyalty is law—and legends burn.
Her brother is dead. Her freedom stolen. And her greatest danger may be the Alpha werewolf sworn to guard her.
Aloka Tutten never asked to live among the pack. To them, she’s just a human girl—too small, too fragile, an unwanted liability. Her unwilling protector, Stark Lamont, makes no effort to hide that he doesn’t want her in his territory.
But the walls between them aren’t as strong as they should be. His quiet strength pulls her closer. His touch lingers too long. And beneath the heat of his gaze, the truth inside her threatens to break free.
Aloka isn’t what they believe. And as war looms, her secret will rise—either to save them all…or set their world on fire, even if it burns her too.
The Vengeance Man is back from the dead. For one last mission.
Former intelligence operative Mike Farrah thought he was done with spies, assassins and secret wars. Then his old handler comes calling. A ruthless enemy cell is operating on British soil. The government needs bait.
Mike must become The Vengeance Man. A black-ops legend. A vanished assassin. A ghost everyone believes is buried.
Then Mike learns the truth about Dawn. The woman he loved didn’t die by accident. She was murdered. And the people who killed her are the same people now hunting him.
This isn’t just a mission. It’s revenge.
Because Mike Farrah has one chance to expose the killers.
One chance to avenge Dawn.
And one chance to survive being the most wanted ghost in Britain.
John MacRae is the cover name of a former senior Intelligence Officer with a Special Forces background. He has written extensively on intelligence and military history, and has worked for BBC television and other TV companies as an advisor on military and intelligence subjects. He saw active service in the Falkland Islands, Cyprus, Arabia, and Northern Ireland.
My thoughts: Told he just has to be the mysterious Fritz, the Vengeance Man, a voice on the end of the phone for the various government spooks involved in what becomes Operation Ajax, Mike Farrah agrees, although he still isn’t happy with the last job he did for the intelligence services, ending as it did with two dead women, and a plate in his head.
But of course, it doesn’t go to plan, and he’s up to his neck in rogue Israeli agents, dodgy documents, gun fights, questions about his finances, several guns that he has supposedly been officially given, suspected of killing a mugger, his flat being ransacked and other nonsense.
But he is sort of enjoying it, helped by his developing relationship with Anna, a woman who also knew Dawn, and wouldn’t mind getting some revenge on her killers too. Anna has her own money, her own flat and is far too savvy to fob off with his cover story, so she’s soon drawn into the plot.
There’s a lot of meetings both in Whitehall and various London pubs, dinners out and a dodgy but on paper stunningly clean Irish gangster/businessman who might have some work for Mike down the line. Seems like the Vengeance Man can retire but keep his hand in with the intelligence crowd, just in case.
At moments funny, then action packed, I really liked Mike and Anna, and was pleased nothing horrible happened to either of them. The whole case hinges on passing off some fake documents as the real thing and following the money to see who is so keen to get their hands on what they think is solid gold blackmail material.
It’s a clever premise and I think that Mike will continue to prove to be an asset as the series goes on, and possibly Anna as well, as she’s clever and well connected.
*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in the blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.
Discover the fascinating history of medicine from its primitive beginnings to the lifesaving technologies of today.
Award-winning author Dr Carol Cooper takes you on a journey through the 12 objects that have come to define medicine through the ages – from the barbaric and bizarre to the inventive and impressive, this captivating read is peppered with fascinating anecdotes.
In this unique history, you will discover how ill health has been with us for as long as humans have existed, as has the drive to treat and understand it. Over the course of centuries, the ways in which doctors have engaged with sickness has changed drastically, and so too have the tools at their disposal.
And as these tools have morphed and evolved, our knowledge of health and disease has expanded. Medical theories have slowly advanced, allowing people to live longer and healthier lives.
The 12 groundbreaking tools explored in this collection include:
THE TREPHINE THE BONE SAW THE MASK THE MICROSCOPE THE STETHOSCOPE THE ETHER INHALER THE HYPODERMIC SYRINGE THE OBSTETRIC FORCEPS THE X -RAY MACHINE THE ECT MACHINE THE HIP PROSTHESIS THE HEART-LUNG MACHINE
The history of these medical tools is truly astounding, revealing the true extent of human ingenuity, curiosity, and compassion. This is a book for anyone interested in medical history or looking for a fresh and dynamic take on their specialist subject. With herimmenseknowledge and engaging writing style, Dr Cooper delivers a history that is not for the faint of heart.
My thoughts: This was an absolutely fascinating read, complete with gross moments, funny ones and bizarre experiments (why were scientists so keen to experiment on themselves?) that covers the long expanse of medical history and the development of some of the most important medical devices.
When you’re sick you don’t really think about the ingenuity and endless work that went into designing and creating the tools doctors use to diagnose and treat you. When you’re lying in an MRI machine, all you’re thinking about is the noise, the claustrophobia and how hot you are (or is that just me?) You’re not thinking of the scientists, doctors and early patients who all contributed to that machine existing.
With a very readable style that neither talks down to the reader or requires you to stop and look up every other word, this is an engaging and interesting read, about things that we might take for granted these days (stethoscopes, hypodermic syringes, x-rays) but were brand new science at one point, created and refined by brilliant minds, sometimes accidentally, at other times with a definite need.
There were some things I’d read before, and some that were completely new to me, and Dr Cooper includes the women and people of colour who were often conveniently left out of the narrative when it came to naming devices or winning awards for their discoveries. She’s also pretty funny on the rivalries and sometimes gruesome history of medicine.
I think I might get a copy for my friend who’s a cardiologist, I think he’d really it.
*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in the blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.
The Skelf women have been keeping their heads down, running the family’s funeral directors and private-investigation businesses. But when a woman collapses at her husband’s funeral and is saved by Dorothy, she finds herself drawn into the murky world of ‘grief tech’ – a booming new industry that creates digital avatars of the dead.
Jenny’s latest case – a simple blackmail job for an old school friend – quickly spirals into chaos as the woman’s tangled love life pulls Jenny towards dangerous old habits.
Meanwhile, Hannah and her wife, Indy, are confronted by the unexpected arrival of Indy’s ex-boyfriend, claiming to be dying and eager for the Skelfs to arrange his funeral. But his arrival uncovers more ghosts from the past, and threatens to upend everything they’ve built.
As their cases collide and their personal lives spiral, the Skelfs face danger from all sides.
Doug Johnstone is the author of twenty novels, many of which have been bestsellers. The Space Between Us was chosen for BBC Two’s Between the Covers, while Black Hearts was shortlisted – and The Big Chill longlisted – for Theakston Crime Novel of the Year. Three of his books – A Dark Matter, Breakers and The Jump – have been shortlisted for the McIlvanney Prize.
Doug has taught creative writing or been writer in residence at universities, schools, writing retreats, festivals, prisons and a funeral home. He’s also been an arts journalist for 25 years.
He is a songwriter and musician with six albums and three EPs released, and he plays drums for the Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers, a band of crime writers. He’s also co-founder of the Scotland Writers Football Club and lives in Edinburgh with his family.
My thoughts: Skelfs, Skelfs, Skelfs!!! The Skelf family are back and I am delighted.
As always, Dorothy, Jenny and Hannah have their own cases, stemming in part from their roles as funeral directors, that impact on their own lives.
Dorothy revives a woman at her husband’s funeral, only to become embroiled in the family’s problems and an AI program that resurrects the dead, with troubling results.
Jenny is contacted by an old school friend, who needs her help with blackmail. But as Jenny gets involved, things take a nasty turn and end with a young man dead. Can Jenny work out who killed him and solve the blackmail too?
And we learn a lot more about Hannah’s wife Indy, as her ex, Yannis, appears at the Skelfs’ office, asking for them to arrange his funeral. He’s dying and wants to sort out a few things before he does. Unfortunately for Hannah and Indy he brings trouble with him.
As always, this is a fantastic read, written by an excellent writer. It might seem like the usual crime novel but there’s always something profound and thought provoking in every book. As the Skelfs blend crime solving and funerals, things surface that really make you pause and consider. Masterful. Delighted to have more Skelfs in my life.
*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.
We’re thrilled to be touring A Night of Falling Stars by Lucia Damisa this week! This is the book three in the Desert of Bleeding Sand series!
A Night of Falling Stars (A Desert of Bleeding Sand Series Book 3)
Release Date: July 8, 2026
Genre: Epic Romantasy/ Young Adult
Covert Artist: Olha Volkov
War descends upon Thalesai in a storm of falling stars and growing darkness.
I never sought command, yet I, Dathan, have been chosen to lead our soldiers against the relentless Wraith Kingdom. But before the first horn sounds, I am already fighting a battle of my own.
Zair—my brave, stubborn, beautiful Zair—has been attacked by our enemies. The thought of losing her shatters me more than any blade. I would burn kingdoms for her.
And rising from the shadows is the man who once threatened all I hold dear. Cloaked in a magical disguise only I can see through, he seeks my title, my past exposed, and my family’s ruin.
With danger hunting Zair and wraiths stalking my dragon, every step forward feels like a war in itself. With Aine, a conflicted wraith spy, at our side, Zair and I must lead our people into a battle that could save our realm… or cost us everything.
A city-wide conspiracy. A serial killer on the loose. A detective battling her own demons.
If pain is the price of strength, Grace is one of the strongest people you will ever meet. Five crime scenes connected by a visible pattern. A serial killer terrorizes the citizens of Jacksonville, and the entire police force is focused on cracking the case—but will they be able to stop the murderer before more bodies are found?
Three suspects who all tell a different story. Homicide detective Grace Hartwellʼs knack for reading people has never let her down—until now. Is the killer playing a clever game or is she losing touch with herself? One determined detective with a taste for justice.
Grace’s life is dedicated to her work. But she has a dark secret—a secret that could jeopardize not only her job but her life . . .
Wendy Church is a Seattle-based author known for fast-paced and sometimes humorous crime fiction novels.
Her latest, Five Things I See, is to-date her darkest, and most psychologically complex book that Kirkus referred to as “A textbook case of how to make a police procedural pulse with energy.ˮ
Wendyʼs debut, Murder on the Spanish Seas, was named a Booklist Top Ten Debut Mystery/Thriller novel of 2023, and introduces Jesse OʼHara, an introverted and often inebriated woman with a million dollar brain and a ten-cent personality who travels to interesting places and solves crimes, sometimes on purpose.
Knife Skills, the first in Wendyʼs Shadows of Chicago series, follows a talented chef who is forced to work for the FBI. Knife Skills received a starred review from Kirkus, “Audiences who wish the TV series The Bear could make room for Russian mobsters are in for a treat.”
Wendyʼs propulsive novels are informed by her international travel and many careers. Sheʼs been a bartender, tennis pro, management consultant, nonprofit CEO, PhD researcher, and dive bar cleaner. When sheʼs not writing, doing research, or reading, Wendy spends time with her partner as full time personal valets to a dog and two cats.
My thoughts: Grace is an excellent detective, but has a habit of going off on her own and not always communicating with her colleagues. She has a theory about the killer and is determined to follow it, despite being told by her boss to stop digging.
Instead she finds a friend, a man in hiding, a former detective in witness protection, and someone she can test her theories out on, especially as a new colleague on the team is annoying her.
But Grace has secrets, her childhood was brutal and it’s left its marks. Marks she isn’t always totally aware of. Things only her psychiatrist knows. If the sheriffs office found out, she’d lose her job, and she has a killer to catch.
I really liked Grace, she’s complicated and brilliant, a smart and savvy detective, who won’t let anyone stop her from solving her cases, she sees things others miss and puts things together. She doesn’t trust easily and has few friends, which is understandable when you know about her childhood and how much she’s suffered.
Her secrets and how hard she works to keep them could be her downfall, but could also help her in solving cases, depending on how she uses them. I look forward to her next case, I’m intrigued to see where this goes.
*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.
Welcome to the tour for Beach Club Bloodshed. Perfect for fans of summer reads and cozy mystery! Read now on Kindle Unlimited!
Beach Club Bloodshed (Barefoot Sleuth Cozy Mysteries Book 1)
Release Date: August 2025
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Tropical Setting
Slow Burn
Amateur Sleuth
Found Family
Murder
Summer Jenkins day just went from bad to a downright dumpster fire.
First, there’s the dead body covered in stab wounds. Then, she finds out her best friend Lani’s missing and considered a person of interest in the murder.
With Lani MIA, everyone is looking to Summer for answers, including one hot hunk of a detective, Cole Peterson.
Detective Hottie, uh, Peterson, is a complication Summer doesn’t need right now. He senses Summer’s hiding something behind those pretty blue eyes, but when she becomes a victim of a hit and run, all of his protective instincts emerge as Summer gets drawn farther into the web of intrigue.
As the accidents start to pile up, Summer takes matters into her own hands and lands herself in hot water with a Yakuza boss, a Russian oligarch, and Auntie Miriam.
She can’t decide who’s scarier…
With the stunning backdrop of the Big Island’s Kohala Coast and a cast of quirky characters, this story is anything but a typical murder mystery.
Beach Club Bloodshed will keep you on the edge of your seat as Summer and her friends race against time to solve the murder and clear their names.
Cover Artist: Edward Bettison Secret powers Secrets coming to light Self-discovery Forced proximity Assassins Time travel (Soft) enemies to lovers True slow burn Corrupt government Found family Powerless office assistant Olivia Ramirez’s only desire is to stay safe in her pod—sixteen floors above a world where superpowers run amok and neon ads flash over ruined cities. When soldiers surround her building, the last person she expects them to hunt is her—the ex-telekinetic who blew up her future eight years ago when she accidentally triggered a deadly riot and lost her power.
Olivia escapes with a ragtag crew of bounty hunters—including Kaz, the team’s resident hothead and irritable ex-assassin. Their first heated run-in unleashes something new in her: powers she can’t control when Kaz is present. With every new power released against Kaz, one terrifying possibility emerges: she may be someone’s secret weapon sent to terminate him. Olivia’s not some juiced-up assassin, though. She’s an assistant! Right?
The only person who can help Olivia gain control and unravel the mystery behind her powers is the one man who thinks she’s plotting to kill him. Trusting Kaz won’t be easy. Trusting herself again might be even harder.
Detective Elinor Saxby thinks she’s found her perfect rural retreat: a crooked little cottage amid the towering pines of the New Forest. But bad things still happen in beautiful places . . .
On a lonely stretch of shingle, where the Solent laps the forest’s edge, something terrible is about to wash ashore. The bloated body of a young man. Several days dead. A ragged wound gapes in his chest. Because this was no accident. He’s been shot at close range, then dumped.
City cop Elinor’s on the case — and utterly out of her depth. The frosty coastguard tells Elinor the victim is a stranger. From out of town. But Elinor would swear she knows more than she’s saying . . .
Before long, a second body is discovered deep in the forest. Same wound. Same cold-blooded MO. Same killer?
It’s up to Elinor to unravel the truth from the lies, before more victims die. But she’d better watch her back.Because here in the New Forest, secrets run deeper — and darker — than the murky waters of the Solent itself.
Trusting the wrong person might just cost Elinor everything . . .
Linda Mather is the author of the Jo and Macy Mystery series. The 6th book in this series is THE PERFECT HOUSE FOR MURDER, published in August 2023.
Her Jo and Macy Mystery books are Forecast Murder, A Sign for Murder, Murder as Predicted, The Hanged Man and A Future Murder, all published by Joffe Books and available on Amazon. They feature Jo Hughes and her private investigator boss David Macy. Jo is an astrologer, who also works as a PI and whose tenacious inquiries lead her to twisty resolutions.
The Jo and Macy Mysteries series is set in the West Midlands and Cotswolds. A sense of place is really important to Linda. She likes to research the places she writes about by visiting when she can to absorb the atmosphere, weaving the details into the stories.
The idea for her latest book came to her during lockdown during many canal walks. The cottages with their flower-filled window boxes and the idyllic pubs along the canal path are so pretty and perfect that it looks as if nothing bad could ever happen there. Linda saw this as a challenge.
Linda has recently landed a contract for 3 books in a police thriller series and is currently writing the first of these, which is set in the New Forest.
She also has plans for the next Jo & Macy Mystery.
My thoughts: Elinor is still trying to find her feet in this new role, her predecessor casts a long shadow and she feels her team don’t always listen, and neither do her superiors.
When a body washes ashore with a gunshot wound, and the coastguard volunteer claims not to recognise the victim, she’s suspicious. Then when another person is killed in the same manner, but this time on land, she and her team know something strange is going on.
I really like Nancy, the DC, she’s new to the role and still learning but has good instincts and a determination to get to the truth, although this does sometimes lead her to go off on her own and put herself at risk.
Elinor is a good detective, she’s got lots of experience and knowledge, but she doesn’t really understand the place or the people yet. The New Forest is very different from inner city Birmingham, and the people aren’t always keen on incomers.
This case follows the adage that murder is always about money or love, sometimes both. There’s plenty of twists and turns, unreliable witnesses and suspicious goings on. The team will have to separate truth from lies to solve it, and with suspects pointing fingers at each other, work out what really happened.
A really enjoyable second outing for this team of detectives and with more of their personal lives, they feel more rounded and interesting as characters. Very good.
*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.
We’re thrilled to announce the release of cozy mystery, Waimea Whitewash by Christine Wellert!
Waimea Whitewash (Barefoot Sleuth Cozy Mysteries Book 5)
Release Date: August 14, 2026
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Tropical Setting
Slow Burn
Amateur Sleuth
Found Family
Murder
A poisoned drink. A dead developer. And a suspect who swears she’s innocent.
Running a private investigation business isn’t quite as glamorous as Summer imagined. Even after solving a murder that stunned the community, TS Jenkins Investigations is struggling to keep the lights on.
Then Lani’s Aunt Esther is accused of murder.
The victim, a ruthless real estate developer proposing a project that would block access to sacred land, left behind a trail of angry lovers, bitter rivals, and broken promises.
Determined to clear Esther, the team dives deep into the victim’s past, only to find that nearly everyone had a reason to want the developer gone—and someone is willing to do whatever it takes to keep the truth buried.
ramblingmads 