The Sound of Sirens by Ewan Gault - [Review]

The Sound of Sirens by Ewan Gault 
[Review]

Print length: 286 pages
Publisher: Garrison (Leamington Books)

Publication date: 22 October 2021

My Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Synopsis

In a dead-beat coastal town in North East Scotland, seventeen-year-old Malky Campbell is desperate to help his pregnant and heroin addicted girlfriend. DI Stark, a middle-aged detective, alarmed by the rise of teenage and gang crime in Port Cawdor, uncovers the operations of a county line gang that are flooding the area with drugs and engaging in a vicious turf war with the local crime family. Malky has just started working on his family's trawler with his cousin Johnny, when their boat pulls up Johnny's brother in its nets. The rest of the crew, the tightly-knit community and the police start to suspect that the cousins are responsible for his death. With his brother dead, Johnny inherits the family trawler, which he had planned to use to smuggle drugs into the country for the county line gang, giving him enough money to start a new life. Ewan Gault's debut, The Sound of Sirens is a tough, modern crime novel, presenting the complexities of young life in a town at the end of the line.

Review

A harrowing concoction of crime, violence and heartbreak. A story that will leave a permanent imprint on your heart!

I was absorbed by the plot almost instantly, unlike many other books, Ewan doesn't mess around and the plot begins with Malky's uncle Joe's dead body being fished out of the water. From the moment that Joe's body was discovered, it was clear that something fishy (no pun intended) had happened and here the story begins to unwind. 

The main character is seventeen-year-old Malky Campbell who by all means, appears to have a better academic chance than his other family members and people believe that Malky stood a good chance of being something good but with the influence of his cousins that chance is greatly reduced. The fishing community is a tight-knit bunch who believe Malky is destined to be in charge of his family's trawler. Malky and his family live in Port Cawdor which was previously a successful fishing town but has now succumbed to the drug epidemic, where young people dream of leaving but always somehow end up mixed up within the drug scene. I adored Malky, you could see his kindness shining through and his internal struggles with doing right by his family whilst trying to save his pregnant and heavily addicted friend from the harsh conditions she is living in. As the story continues you can see that Malky is faced with going against his own moral compass to make a decision to help his friends which leaves Malky in a very precarious spot. The entire time I was reading this book I was on edge, wishing Malky to make the harsh but sensible choice but knowing heartbreakingly that he is just a teenage boy who is in love and love is a powerful drug in itself. 

I would argue that in Malky's case, love was his drug of choice and was the core reason why he makes some of the decisions he does, he's desperate to not only love and save his pregnant friend but to also be loved and I think that's what broke my heart the most. 

DI Stark is an experienced officer who is sickened by what Port Cawdor has turned into. He is a hardened police detective who has had to deal with the ongoing drug crisis his town is facing, He fears what this drug rampaged place will do to his daughter Zoe and after seeing the worst of the worst type of drug-related crimes, he really wants out, but first, he has to figure out what exactly is going on within the trawler community. DI Stark is an intelligent and driven character that needs to unearth whatever secrets Malky is holding and he won't stop until he has achieved it but he also had a lot of heart hidden under that grumpy exterior. 

This story whilst absolutely heart-breaking is an incredible read, you see humanity at its lowest, you experience what crippling addiction and poverty looks like, but the saddest thing of all is you see insurmountable amounts of hope that burns within the youth that have all the odds stacked up against them. This is the finest crime novel I have read in a long while, I absolutely recommend to anyone who loves a good authentic crime story to give this book a read, you won't regret it!

Many thanks to the publisher for sending me a copy of this book, I hope to see more of Ewan Gault's fantastic work in the future! 

Waterstones purchase link here

Foyles purchase link here

About The Author

Ewan Gault is an English teacher at a sixth form college in Tottenham. Originally from Scotland, he's lived and worked in Japan, Italy and for the last nine years in England. He loves running long distances and reading short stories: his favourite writers in this form are Denis Johnson, Alice Munro and Raymond Carver. 'The Sound of Sirens' is his first crime novel. The novel grew out of a short story that was published in New Writing Scotland a decade ago and which contained a group of characters whose stories demanded telling. Chapters in the novel have won Aberdeen Uni's Toulmin Prize and The Fish Knife/CWA prize.

Follow Ewan Gault on Twitter: @EwanGault

Exploring the love of reading

                                                                        

                    Many people from all over the world love to read, reading has been a known hobby for many centuries, although in the past it was mostly available to the educated and wealthy members of society but thankfully reading is getting more and more accessible through the help of local charities and libraries, so everyone no matter what their circumstances can fall in love with reading.  

I asked the book community on Twitter why they love to read and the most common factor was escapism. No one can deny that everyday life can be exhausting, and what is a more perfect way to escape your troubles than to dive into a world of your own choosing. Many people on Twitter agreed that reading was a perfect way to deal with stress as @JaneMakar said "It makes me forget the everyday stresses and takes me in to a world of my own choosing, whether it be romance, mystery, horror, I love the escape." whilst @NicholasDAngus said, "It's an escape, and it makes me happy. Simple as that.". There were many more comments supporting this and I must admit, it's partly the reason as to why I love to read too. There is no better escapism than being able to pick your own world, adventures and battles and everybody, especially now during this climate needs a way to escape, even if it's only for a little while.

Another user brought up a wonderfully valid point that I think many people who are disabled or have limited mobility can relate to,

@Adrian66228674

 explained "Being disabled with mobility issues, reading takes me to places I would never would go and allows me to experience things I never could in my own life. It opens vistas that would otherwise remain unknown.". I think this is a beautiful way of summing up why you love to read, it can allow you to experience things that are otherwise impossible to do so.

@OnTheTrail81 made a very important point on this topic by saying "I find that most writers in almost any genre are the ones who ask the really important questions of what we are and why we are. That's why I read. It helps me understand why I am the person I am. Obviously that deserves more detail than a tweet but it's the short of it.". This is a beautiful observation and it's very accurate, reading can help you understand so much about not just your own character but also others, it can take your current understanding and mould it to a much more sophisticating form.

As it is clear from the points made here, reading isn't just great for educational purposes but also extremely helpful in aiding your own mental wellbeing by finding a great medium to healthily release stress.

If you would like to see the full thread about the love of reading, please click here. Why not share some of your own reasons for loving reading in the comments below.

A massive thank you to all those who shared their love for reading and to all the authors for writing such beautiful words that we can escape too for moments of comfort.

Additional information

Credit for image 1: https://unsplash.com/photos/OJZB0VUQKKc?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditShareLink.

Credit for image 2: https://unsplash.com/photos/rjm78PEyYLc?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditShareLink

 In the Shadow of Time by Kevin Ansbro 
[Review]

Print length: 388 pages
Publisher: 2QT Limited (Publishing)
Publication date: 30th August 2021

Price: £10.99

My Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Synopsis

"I was in Mexico City for three months, and yet returned to England on the same day that I left..."

Through her time-travel research, physicist Dr Sofia Ustinova has attracted the interest of higher beings from a distant galaxy...

Luna, a porcelain-skinned teenager, lives alone in a Danish forest where she guards an astonishing secret...

Pablo, an optimistic shoeshine boy, struggles to earn a living on the sweltering streets of Mexico City...

Meanwhile, Hugo Wilde, a British secret agent, embarks on a mission to kill a Russian assassin, unaware that his life is about to change in ways he could never have imagined...

Review

This is the first novel that I have read written by Kevin Ansbro and I know it will definitely not be my last. I fear that I will not be able to write a decent review for this extraordinary story as my words alone cannot even begin to articulate the journey this story took me on. 

This book is so beautifully written, I could literally picture Silkeborg Forest in Denmark where you are first introduced to a fair skinned young lady who is not what she appears to be. It's 1970 and she has just become an orphan but thankfully the Gods were looking out for poor little Luna as she is taken in by a man that teaches her how to stay alive and to hide her true self. By 1986 Luna is a sixteen year old girl fending for herself in the forest whilst guarding her heavy secret. 

Throwing time forward to 2020 where physicist Dr Sofia Ustinova is eagerly awaiting her husband's departure, but instead comes face to face with a British MI6 agent who is there to deliver some sweet karma to Sofia's monstrous husband but to both of their surprise, the hardened MI6 agent falls head over heels with Sofia. This is just the beginning of an amazing journey that Kevin takes you on. 

Kevin does an absolutely stellar job in intricately weaving the different time frames and instead of it feeling jarring, it flows smoothly and pleasantly, taking you on a ride of your life. I was concerned at the beginning that following many characters may become confusing but the story was perfectly composed and each character felt like family.

The machine takes Sofia, Hugo and his friend Vincent back to the past. These odd individuals make a humorous bunch but also a heart-warming family which only becomes more unique with the addition of Pablo and Luna. This is a very brief overview of the wonderful story that doesn't even begin to scratch the surface in all reality, you just have to delve straight into it and experience it for yourself.

I cannot thank Kevin Ansbro enough for transporting me to this magical realm where wrongs are put to right, where love can be found even in the darkest of places and lastly for providing me with a positive story that warmed my heart and my soul. 

Amazon purchase link: In the Shadow of Time: Amazon.co.uk: Ansbro, Kevin: 9781914083228: Books

About The Author

I was born of Irish parents, and have also lived in Malaysia and Germany.
My formal education was at Hamond's Grammar School in Swaffham, and at the Norfolk College of Arts and Technology (Stephen Fry being a much more famous former student).
I write in the magical realism genre, meshing otherworldliness into the harshness of our real world. I also like to handcuff humour and tragedy to the same radiator.
Perhaps incongruously for an author, I have a background in karate and kickboxing and travel extensively - particularly in the Far East.
I'm married (to Julie) and currently live in Norwich, England.
Stuff about me: I'm a foodie and an avid reader who values good manners, love and friendship above all else. I am constantly putting my foot in it, am reputed to have a wicked sense of humour and love to laugh, but sometimes do that 'snorty pig' noise when I do.
I'm also easy-going and extremely friendly. Come on over and have a chat - I'll put the kettle on!

(Taken from Goodreads).

Follow Kevin Ansbro on Twitter here: @kevinansbro

Find more info about Kevin Ansbro here: Homepage - Kevin Ansbro

Ten Steps To Us by Attiya Khan - [Blog Tour]

Book Tour: Ten Steps To Us by Attiya Khan 

Synopsis

What if you meet the boy of your dreams but loving him is forbidden?

Aisha Rashid has always felt invisible, so no one is more surprised than her when Darren, the hot new boy in school, takes an interest. But Aisha is a devout Muslim and Darren is firmly off limits. Will she follow her heart even if it means losing her own identity? If only there was a way to keep the boy and her faith. Maybe there is... all it takes is ten steps.

Review

The perfect teen romance that covers religion, romance, and diversity!

I think this is an incredibly well written teen romance that really highlights important topics of religion, diversity, sexuality all whilst intertwined with teenage hormones. This book is very well written, I was engrossed from the beginning and loved finding out more about Aisha's culture and religion. The book really pinpoints how Aisha is bullied for following her religious customs and how people judge her as a terrorist solely based on that she is a Muslim. It is clear that these daily challenges she is faced with frustrates Aisha but she is proud of her religion and tries to stay ahead of the torment. It's also interesting to see how Aisha's parents also worry about Aisha's wellbeing and are concerned that by Aisha wearing the hijab that she is making herself more of a target and so despite what they believe, they try and convince Aisha to go without her hijab. The author Attiya also ensures to include how Aisha's parents views western teenage boys and how they are not a suitable boyfriend for Aisha, I really thought that Attiya did an excellent job highlighting these issues and I thoroughly enjoyed learning about it. 

Initially, Aisha is naïve and often looks to others for guidance, however as the story progresses, she really starts to crack through her shell and start to explore who she really is and what she wants. You can picture the inner turmoil as Aisha explores her sexuality whilst worrying about failing her religion, it really felt like Aisha was torn into two different worlds that were vastly different.  Aisha starts to question people's intentions more often instead of just going along with it and starts to set boundaries with those who betrayed her. By the end of the book Aisha was strong and independent but also wise enough to know that there may still be challenges ahead. 

I thought this book was perfect for a teenager and can hopefully enlighten many teenagers around the world about different cultures and respect. I would have loved to have read this as a teenager as I always put romance on the back burner as I tend to find them all too similar, this really brings romance and education about different cultures in one. 

Thank you to Literally PR for inviting me to take part in this tour!

About The Author

Attiya Khan is a British Indian and grew up in Kent. She is a GP by profession and has three teenage children. She also holds an MA in modern Literature (with merit) from Birkbeck University and was longlisted for Undiscovered Voices 2020. She has had a number of articles published in medical journals and General Practice newspapers.
Attiya works as a GP in East London and is involved in medical education and training junior doctors. Her hobbies involve reading, writing and she is part of the Muslim women's cycling groups Joyriders and Cycle sisters which help keep her fit and happy. Attiya identifies as a moderate Muslim and a feminist and is passionate about having the voices of BAME authors heard.

Essential Information

Title: Ten Steps To Us

Author: Attiya Khan

Genre: YA, Teen Romance, Coming Of Age, Fiction

Publisher: Hashtag Press

Publication Date: 9th September 2021

Availability: Paperback, eBook, International distribution

ISBN: (paperback) 978-1-913835-10-1 (ebook) 978-1-913835-11-8 

Page count: 256

Price: £8.99

Media requests & enquiries: 
info@literallypr.com,
www.literallypr.com

Last One At The Party by Bethany Clift - [Review]

 Last One At The Party by Bethany Clift
Review

Print length: 368 pages
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Publication date: 4th February 2021
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5 Stars)

Synopsis 

THE END OF EVERYTHING WAS HER BEGINNING

It's December 2023 and the world as we know it has ended.

The human race has been wiped out by a virus called 6DM ('Six Days Maximum' - the longest you've got before your body destroys itself).

But somehow, in London, one woman is still alive. A woman who has spent her whole life compromising what she wants, hiding how she feels and desperately trying to fit in. A woman who is entirely unprepared to face a future on her own.

Now, with only an abandoned golden retriever for company, she must travel through burning cities, avoiding rotting corpses and ravenous rats on a final journey to discover if she really is the last surviving person on earth.

And with no one else to live for, who will she become now that she's completely alone?

Review

My first impression of the book was wow, that is one beautiful cover and then I read the synopsis, it felt highly relatable considering our current climate and I just knew I would enjoy. What I didn't know was that this wouldn't be your typical book, I presumed it would be a woman who is all alone in the world, who finds out that she really isn't all that alone and finds the perfect man to fix it all for her, I was wrong and happily so! 

The book is written as diary from the main character's point of view, you never learn her name but somehow that really adds to the mysterious aura of the book. At the beginning of the book you become aware of the sickness that is rampaging the world but unlike the way the governments dealt with Covid-19, they were not going to mess this one up. Everything is shut down, sound familiar? Except this is worse, even the takeaways closed down! (Just Imagine). Britain completely halts any kind of transportation in or out of the country but despite all their efforts, the world knows that they are doomed. . 

When the main character finds out her husband is sick, she knows that ultimately he is going to die. She goes through all the motions of sadness, regrets and grief. It really felt that I was right there with them, I could picture James's attempts at being brave, I could picture a shell shocked woman who has just lost the person she loved, I could picture it all! 

One of the things I absolutely loved about this story was that you experienced a whole host of emotions, parts of the story were heart-wrenching whilst other parts made you feel all warm and gooey. Bethany adds just the right amount of comedy to the grisly darkness of the book that really adds an extra layer to the book. I will say, if you are already scared of seagulls, then beware because you are about to get a hefty dose of nightmare fuel. 

The main character really is a delight, I absolutely loved her because she felt so human, she wasn't perfect, she was undeniably imperfect which made her all the more likeable. You really see a drastic change in her character from the beginning to the end as she grows more as a person and begins to not just to survive but to actually live. The ending was just perfect, it really was the chef's kiss. 

A massive thank you to Bethany for writing this incredible story and I am excited to see what else you release in the future 💓

About The Author

Bethany Clift is a graduate of the Northern Film School, the producer of low-budget British horror film 'Heretic', and the Director of her own production company, Saber Productions. Last One At The Party is Bethany Clift's debut novel.

Read more here.

Bethany Clift's Twitter: @Beth_Clift

Stranded by Sarah Goodwin - [Review]

 Stranded by Sarah Goodwin
Review

Author: Sarah Goodwin
Publisher: Avon 
Pages (Kindle edition): 398 pages
Publication date: 16th September 2021
Amazon purchase link here

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5 Stars)

Near Death by Richard Wall - [Review]

 Near Death by Richard Wall
[Review]

Synopsis 

John Henry is a prison chaplain in Sing Sing prison, however, after working for many years giving the worst of the worst their last rites before they are sent to the electric chair, a heinous murder committed by Joseph Hickey makes him rethink his job role. John Henry decides he can no longer deal with hardened murderers and decides on a new life in the country, however, identical murders start to appear and all of the convicted men ask for John Henry by name to give them their last rites. Can John work out why the murders are identical and how to stop them or will they forever haunt his future?

My Review

What I loved

The characters - I absolutely loved John Henry from the start. I was expecting the chaplain to be overly kind to these criminals but he did his job professionally and took no nonsense. He felt very real to me as he wasn't an overly religious or exceptionally kind, he was realistic, he made mistakes and he was funny. It was clear that John had experienced some awful things in his many years, he was an orphan who experienced abuse, he was a war veteran and witnessed so much death which really affected him many years later, but yet, he was determined to be a good person.

Eugene who was John's closest friend was also an extremely likeable character, despite all his demons, I was constantly wishing for him to come out on top. Eugene was very clearly experiencing PTSD from being in the war and this played a massive factor in the story which I cannot really get into without giving away spoilers. 

Sally was another great character with a funny personality but was extraordinarily kind. I wish that she was in the story for a longer time but she plays a fundamental part of the story. 

The Plot - The actual plot was brilliant, it was dark and gory but kept you engrossed till the bitter end. Whilst reading, it felt as though I was really there and the ending was perfect. I enjoyed thinking about the logistics of how it would work in theory and it made the plot very believable.

What I didn't like

It's difficult to say because there really wasn't much not to like. The only thing that I wish we had more of was John's background and how he grew up in the Catholic orphanage, it felt like the background was a little brief and I would have been interested in knowing more.

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(5/5 stars)

Purchase Near Death here.

About The Author

Richard Wall is a British author who has published Near Death and other books such as Fat Man Blues. He is a freelance technical writer and Managing Director of Black Dog Technical Writing Ltd. Richard joined the Royal Navy and after twenty years in the submarine service, he now lives in rural England and writes novels. To find out more about Richard Wall, click here.

Follow Richard on Twitter for updates at: @writinblues