Sci-fi is not normally a genre that go to, but there is a few exceptions, and the Themis Files series is definitely one of them. The opportunity to review the second book, Waking Gods, was one I just could not turn down; I can let you know now that it was not a disappointment!! Continue reading “Waking Gods by Sylvain Neuvel”

“We held them off for a week up there back in 1944,” said the press attaché, pointing up to the Acropolis.

“The Germans?” said Sophie.

“No, dear lady,” said the attaché, a pop-eyed man with a military moustache, “the Greeks.”

Sophie glanced at Forrester, puzzled. “I thought the British were on the same side as the Greeks,” she said.

“We were on the same side as the Greeks, yes,” said the attaché. “But not the communists.”

They were inching their way along Aeolos Street, which runs west from Stadium Street to the foot of the Acropolis, and every few yards the car had to slow down to avoid old ladies spilling into the roadway offering hot chestnuts, green-dyed cakes, black market cigarettes, candles decorated with pictures of the Virgin Mary, transfers of the crucified Christ to stick on your arm, and fireworks with which to celebrate Holy Week, 1946. Forrester had flown to Athens because, to his amazement, the Empire Council for Archaeology had finally given him the funds for his expedition to Crete. But it turned out there were people in the Greek capital who wanted to see him before he set off for the island, and the press attaché from the British Embassy had been waiting for them at the airport in a Lagonda, which must have been in use before Archduke Ferdinand went to Sarajevo. Possibly when the Archduke went to Sarajevo.

“During the war, of course,” said Forrester, “the communists were some of the best fighters. And we were all on the same side.” Every other house, Forrester noted, now seemed to be daubed with red communist slogans.

“That was then,” said the attaché, whose name was Lancaster, “but ever since the Germans left, the Reds have been trying to take over. Came as close as dammit just after I arrived, too, in forty-four. Hence the fight outside the Parthenon.”

“Which I imagine would have been a very good defensive position,” said Forrester.

“That’s my point, old chap,” said Lancaster. “Made you realise why the Greeks put the Acropolis there in the first place. It looks magnificent – but it’s all about power.” 

I’m slowly falling in love with World War historical fiction novels; before recently they were something I find of avoided but I’m finding that I love European settings and strong female leads. Welcome to this stop of the blog tour, hopefully you’ve already been convinced that this novel is a MUST read, but just in case if not, I’ll put in my little say. Continue reading “Across Great Divides by Monique Roy”

I’m really excited to be writing this one, as its something completely different for me and this blog. I was never really sure what a favourites post was, and then I started reading them, and I thought it would be a great way to show a bit more of who I am other than all the books. So lets get into this, I’m just going to talk about some of the stuff I’ve been really loving over the past few months that aren’t books.. Continue reading “Jan,Feb&March Favourites…”

Darac was thankful for his mask as he entered the exam tent. ‘Professor Bianchi here, Lami?’

‘No, she isn’t.’ The lab assistant’s smile was a transparent attempt to appear upbeat. ‘She assigned the case to Dr Barrau.’

‘Right.’ It sounded more professional than ‘shit’.

‘Careful where you’re walking there, sir. We haven’t examined that yet.’

Darac looked down. At his feet was an empty champagne bottle, lying forlornly on its side like a spent firework. ‘Many at the party?’

‘There was only one glass. That’s about all we know at the moment.’

‘OK.’

‘It’s not a pretty sight, Captain.’

Continue reading “Fatal Music by Peter Morfoot an Excerpt”

I’ll be perfectly honest with you, I was very tempted to not bother doing a March update for a few reasons. Firstly, not overly much happened, secondly I’ve not been in a very good space mentally. Even now, I am slightly worried that this is going to turn into a bit of a repetitive moaning about all that is going on in my life currently, but I decided that I should still write it as it is an honest portrayal of schizophrenia and anxiety going through all that I am… Continue reading “March Life Update”

Well this month has really sucked reading wise for me. I read a book I had been really looking forward to for over a year, and it was just as fabulous as I was expecting- however that has then left me in a bit of a reading slump. Slowly I did get through some other books after that, but my whole reading speed slowed right down and I’m finding myself not wanting to read anything else. This is not helped by the fact I have a LOT going on in real life that is diverting my attention. But lets get into seeing what I did read, and what I am hoping and praying to read next month… Continue reading “March Reads and April TBR”

Welcome to the next stop on the Follow me Down blog tour, I hope you have been enjoying it so far and that’s its getting you excited to read this book. Follow me Down is easily one of the top thrillers of this year; and you now have, not one, but two chances to win  your own copy of this fabulous novel…. Continue reading “Follow me Down by Sherri Smith GIVEAWAY!!”

Hello and welcome to another blog tour; this time for an intense, twisting turning psychological thriller. This book is exactly the type of thriller that I love, fast paced, unexpected and messes with your mind to say the very least. I will say it now, this was fantastic and such a fast read; but lets get into this so I can tell you some more… Continue reading “Those who Lie by Diane Jeffrey”

The conclusion to the Eagles of Rome trilogy this could not of been a better wrap up to the three books; I’d go as far to say that this was the best of the three. A historical fiction novel based around real life events that occurred during the time of the Roman Empire, this novel (and series) completely transported me back in time with each book; all three are just completely fabulous.. Continue reading “Eagles in the Storm by Ben Kane”