SPOTLIGHT SUNDAY - EMP CATASTROPHE TRILOGY BY GRACE HAMILTON

  

Title: Erupting Trouble
Series: EMP Catastrophe
Author: Grace Hamilton
Genre: Post-Apocalyptic, EMP
Publisher: Relay Publishing
Release Date: 14th April 2021

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A father with a heart problem and a son determined to get him home…

Matthew Riley wants to believe that people will come together in times of great struggle, but as panic and chaos set in after a massive EMP event, he has to face the fact that the only people he can trust are his family. His ailing father, David, an Army vet, has the skills the Riley family needs to survive in the dark new world, but with no medication for his heart condition on hand, keeping him alive may be an impossible task as they journey home from what was supposed to be a simple day trip.

She’ll keep her daughter safe and reunite her family…

Kathleen doesn’t share her husband’s optimistic view of humanity. When the power goes out during a visit to her brother in prison, she and her teenage daughter will need to find their way out and start the long journey back to Galena, IL, in the hope they can reunite with the rest of their family.

They’ll defend their home…

With the rest of the Riley family gone, it’s up to Ruth and her grandson, Patton, to keep their newly renovated hotel safe for the family they know is coming their way. But food is running low and some see an elderly woman and a pre-teen boy as easy pickings.

In a broken civilization the only way to survive is strength in numbers. One family is determined to work together in this new world, but will they be able to defend themselves against desperate survivors? 

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Title: Erupting Danger

Series: EMP Catastrophe

Author: Grace Hamilton

Genre: Post-Apocalyptic, EMP

Release Date: 12th May 2021

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The lights are out for good…

After an EMP knocked out power around the globe, Matthew Riley and his family are finding their way to survive while realization of their dangerous new reality sinks in. It was a struggle to reunite in the immediate aftermath, but the fallout from the dangerous journey may be even worse.

Other desperate souls are converging on any place that might offer hope, and the Rileys’ hotel in Galena, Illinois, is a prime target. With food running short and medicine almost out, the Rileys will need to find supplies. But they’re not the only ones looking.

While the family works together at the hotel, Matthew’s brother-in-law, Max, works to escape from prison to reunite with his family and the relative safety they offer. But dangerous enemies have their eyes on him and may put everyone at risk.

With resources running out, family is the only bond that can be counted on. But those bonds are strained and frayed as the tensions of the new world begin to pull them apart. How can one family survive when the world has turned upside down?

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Title: Erupting Chaos
Series: EMP Catastrophe
Author: Grace Hamilton
Publisher: Relay Publishing
Genre: Post Apocalyptic, Sci-Fi, EMP
Release Date: 9th June 2021

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A dire situation keeps getting worse…

When Matthew Riley’s father collapses with a possible heart attack, it drives home just how bad the situation in Galena, IL has become after an EMP knocked out the power around the world. David needs medication and the group needs a doctor if everyone is going to survive in the long term. But hostile forces have their eyes on the River Rock Hotel, and keeping the family safe may be impossible.

Things aren’t going back to normal…

Kathleen Riley knows it, even if her husband hasn’t admitted it yet. With new allies at their side, the Riley family has a chance to fortify their hotel and start rebuilding a life in the new world. But with Matthew rushing to make things seem normal again, they’re at risk of exposing themselves to hostile forces.

An old enemy returns…

Life is already difficult enough even before the family receives news that Samuel West is back in town. He’s brought friends and he’s ready to fight to take control of the Red Rock Hotel and the remnants of Galena. The Rileys will do anything to keep their land, but after another tragedy strikes they may not be able to win. After all, what is survival worth if everything you’re surviving for is never coming back?

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I have also read more complete series by Grace Hamilton

Surviving The End Trilogy

Crumbling World

Falling World

New World

Small Town EMP Trilogy

Survive The Chaos

Survive The Aftermath

Survive The Conflict

After The Shift Trilogy

Freezing Point

Killing Frost

Black Ice

And started reading other series by her too!

EMP Lodge Series

Dark Retreat

Dark Hunt

Survivalist Reality Show Series 

Surviving The Swamp

BLOG TOUR - THE MOTHER FAULT BY KATE MILDENHALL

I'll be totally honest I felt immediately drawn to this book when I saw the silhouetted figures against the background of a bright orange sky.

Then when I looked at the release date it was also on my birthday, so yet another sign/reason to read it too! I was also super lucky to be accepted to read an e-arc of the book via Netgalley! If you love a mystery to keep you on the edge of your seat, that also has a futuristic, dystopian element to it then this book is for you!

  

Title: The Mother Fault
Author: Kate Mildenhall
Publisher: Harpercollins UK, Harper Fiction
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Release Date: 8th July 2021

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Mim’s husband is missing. No one knows where Ben is, but everyone wants to find him – especially The Department. And they should know, the all-seeing government body has fitted the entire population with a universal tracking chip to keep them ‘safe’.

But suddenly Ben can’t be tracked. And Mim is questioned, made to surrender her passport and threatened with the unthinkable – her two children being taken into care at the notorious BestLife.

Cornered, Mim risks everything to go on the run to find her husband – and a part of herself, long gone, that is brave enough to tackle the journey ahead.

From the stark backroads of the Australian outback to a terrifying sea voyage, Mim is forced to shuck off who she was – mother, daughter, wife, sister – and become the woman she needs to be to save her family and herself.

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REVIEW
There are two different covers for this book and if I am being totally honest the cover I absolutely adore, is the UK Harpercollins cover that has orange tones on it. (The one I have used in this review) I would definitely pick this book up from a book store shelf to learn more about it with this cover! As for genre, the ones listed are mystery, thriller which I certainly agree with, but would also add speculative fiction, dystopian, suspense and futuristic to that list. It’s dystopian with a different twist.

I love the silhouette of Mim, her children and their car on the cover. Then there’s the byline of To Keep Her Children Safe, She Must Put Their Lives In Danger which fits the rather drastic actions that Mim has to take when she receives the veiled threat of her children being taken away from her.

The world created in this book is ruled by “The Department” everyone has a chip fitted so there whereabouts can always be tracked. Those with addictions are taken into rehab units, and have their lives managed, being told when to eat, exercise and control contact with the resident’s families and friends. If children are taken into care they are put into the “Best Life” system where they are given the “perfect diet, exercise regime and schooling. Once in either of these systems it is both difficult and rare to leave them. The Department also controls the small amount of news that people can have as well as making it mandatory for everyone to know a minimum amount of news everyone is expected to know.

I felt almost immediately hooked into this book. It had me questioning if there was so much advanced technology why couldn’t Ben be tracked easily? But things are much more complicated in this advanced, futuristic world. The world building is really clever and interesting, and it keeps you reading on and on into the night!

Ben works for an important company called GeoTech and has basically disappeared and despite all the available technology cannot be tracked. Mim is naturally upset and confused as to where her husband could be. Things become even more serious when she is literally interrogated and has to hand over her own passport and her childrens too. When Mim shows signs of stress those in power offer to take her children into the care system called “Best Life.” Mim panics and goes to the one place she knows can help her go “off grid,” her best friend Heidi. Heidi helps her friend in the best way she can making them as untraceable as possible, removing their chips and advising Mim to use only cash etc. The only place/person Mim can go to for cash is her mum, who lives on the same property as her brother. When she arrives it quickly becomes apparent her brother is not pleased to see her and is happy when she leaves upon discovering her friend Heidi has had an accident in a fire. . . .was it purely an accident or something much more sinister. When on an impulse Mim ends up driving to a place she went on holiday as a child, meeting up with a guy she had a crush/fling with when she was much younger, it turns out he can help her get over the ocean to search for her missing husband. Within the close quarter of the boat old feeling rise to the surface and they once again find themselves drawn to each other.

My immediate thoughts upon finishing this book were that it was an action packed read that at times, had you on the edge of your seat wondering where Mim & her children were going to end up.

Summing up I felt there wasn’t a “final end” to the book, so I am wondering if that means there could be a bk2….or is that just how it all ends. The ending of the book sort of left me wanting more of the loose ends tying off. Having said all that I did really enjoy reading the book and would certainly check out other books by this author. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kate Mildenhall is a writer and teacher, who lives on the outskirts of Melbourne with her young family. She has taught in schools, at RMIT University and State Library Victoria, and volunteered with Teachers Across Borders in Cambodia. Her debut novel, SKYLARKING, was published in Australia by Black Inc. in 2016 and in the UK by Legend Press in 2017. Skylarking was longlisted for the Voss Literary Prize 2017 and the Indie Book Awards 2017.

Kate has received residencies at Varuna, the Writers House and at Bundanon.

With friend and author Katherine Collette, Kate co-hosts The First Time podcast, a podcast about the first time you publish a book.

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WISHLIST WEDNESDAY - MIDLIFE BITES: ANYONE ELSE FALLING APART, OR IS IT JUST ME? BY JEN MANN

This weeks Wishlist Wednesday book is looking far ahead!
MIDLIFE BITES BY JEN MANN
Midlife Bites is Jen Mann's call to action. She is leading the movement to create a new space where middle-aged women can share openly and honestly with one another. This no-BS collection of essays will help start the conversation and keep it going, because as women, we all have a right to be happy, fulfilled, and whole, no matter what stage of life.

Title: Midlife Bites: Anyone Else Falling Apart, Or Is It Just Me?
Author: Jen Mann
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group, Ballantine Books
Genre: Non-Fiction, Humour, Self-Help
Release Date: 4th January 2022

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A smart, personal, darkly funny examination of what it's like to be at the crossroads of a midlife crisis, from the New York Times bestselling author of People I Want to Punch in the Throat.

Jen Mann had what appeared to be the perfect life: a successful career as a bestselling author and award-winning blogger, a devoted husband, teenage kids who weren't total jerks, and a badass minivan. So imagine her surprise when, at forty-seven years old, a midlife crisis kicked her straight in the ladybits.

In an attempt to deal with the resulting range of emotions and physical changes in midlife, Jen posted a completely honest now-viral post, "Anyone Else Falling Apart Or Is It Just Me?" The response was instantaneous and overwhelming. Women from all over the country flooded the comments section, glad to see they weren't the only ones experiencing this feeling of isolation and dissatisfaction. It was the beginning of a movement. Midlife Bites encompasses these important conversations and observations and creates a space for women to navigate through this major point in their lives together, offering valuable insights and takeaways.

Jen shares her own story as well as advice and wisdom from the online community she built. Please note, this is not your mother's midlife crisis. Different from the typical self-help author, Jen tackles everything that bites about midlife, and nothing is off-limits with her no-nonsense approach. Subjects include: raging hormones; sex (after forty); finding your purpose; learning to make new friends (yes, even as a grown-up); moving out of your comfort zone; having conversations that count, no more small talk; and how to deal with rogue chin hairs (and other nuisances). 

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BOOK BLITZ - OUTLAW - THE PACK PROPHECY BY R.L. CAULDER

  

Title: Outlaw
Series: The Pack Prophecy
Author: R. L. Caulder
Genre: Adult, Paranormal, Romance
Release Date: 16th July 2021

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Behind every woman scorned is probably a person who made her that way. For me, it was more than one.

It was an entire pack.

I was exiled for exposing a murderous traitor. I was rejected by my mate, our bond shattered forever.

Even after being chosen by our goddess, my powers and title will never be enough for them to stand by me.

Now plagued by frequent and debilitating visions of battle and death, my mates and I must fight to assemble an army with no one but our goddess at our back.

Because war is coming, and not everyone will survive.

But I was chosen for a reason. I will lead an army if I must. I will stand in the gap and protect my people and their future, no matter what they’ve done. I will fulfill my prophecy.

Even if it means my death.

Author Note: This book has a 18+ warning and is intended for mature audiences. It is book two in The Pack Prophecy series which will end in a cliffhanger.

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EXCERPT 

She hadn't been raised with a pack and I didn't have a grasp on how the human world operated as a society or what standards were imposed, but they couldn't have been good if this young girl was already viewing her body in a negative light. I imbued my statement with conviction, needing her to understand she was perfect just the way she is, "You are beautiful, Morgan. Unique. Brave. Radiant."

Quick to deny any form of a compliment, she laughed once, dry of any amusement as she shook her head lightly in my hand, "I have no curves. I'm flat as a board and no guy even looks my way. I'll never find a mate."

Dropping my hand from her chin, I glanced at Tian and saw his eyes were closed and his breathing steady, hopefully truly asleep. Dropping onto the ground with my legs crossed in front of me, I gestured for Morgan to do the same. Thankfully she did, complying without any backtalk.

Reclining back with my hands on the ground, I looked up and took in the fir trees surrounding us. "Tell me what you see when you look at the trees."

"Uhm..." She trailed off in confusion.

"Don't overthink it. Just tell me the first thought that comes to mind."

"Well, they all just look like pretty fir trees. I don't know what else to say."

A soft smile tilted the corner of my lips up as I glanced back down at her. "You don't see that some are taller or shorter than others? That some are thicker with more branches and some are just beginning to come into their true form, many years later after the seed turned into a tree?"

She groaned and facepalmed, "Are you really comparing me to a tree right now?"

Her exasperation made me chuckle before I answered. "It's a valid comparison. We are not all built the same, although we all have human forms, they vary in shapes and sizes, just like these trees do. But when you looked at these trees, you didn't see all of those dissimilarities. You saw them for what they were--pretty trees. We are our own worst critics."

Her face morphed from slight annoyance to a thoughtful one, and I took it as a good sign as I continued on. "Some people may prefer one tree shape or size to another, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I promise you that when you find your mate, you're going to be the exact tree he prefers."

You really committed to that tree metaphor.

Well, it's all I could come up with on the spot, okay? Don't judge me.

Lux's snarky comments made me huff out a breath of air. I hadn't had much of an opportunity in life to learn how to have girl friends. Sofia and I hadn't had the opportunity to truly explore the budding friendship, so I knew I was somewhat helpless when it came to understanding other women.

Morgan felt like a little sister to me already. Both of our parents were dead and she only had one person in her life-- Pop. I had only truly had Milo as a friend growing up. No parental figure after Maya passed. I have struggled with so many things throughout my life, but self doubt was the biggest, and I didn't want that for Morgan.

I'm sure Pop did the best he could with raising her, but he would never truly understand a woman's mind and the struggles we go through when trying to fit into whatever society deems to be perfect.

For me it had been hating myself for being a human in a pack full of wolves, feeling like I would always be less. To her, there were obviously some ridiculous notions of what a woman has to look like in this human society.

Her gaze once more was glued to the ground as she inquired, "Why is it so hard being a girl? I feel so many emotions and I don't always know how to handle them. I have no one to talk to about it. It's just Pop and I."

Scrunching my nose up, I responded, "It is hard. But I think it is easier when you have strong women around you to remind you of your worth. Like earlier when you told me you believed in me-- that meant more to me than I can describe. So, I'll always be here to remind you how incredible you are, little wolf. You have me now."

She sucked her bottom lip into her mouth but not before I saw it quiver a bit. A few tears rolled down her cheek and my heart hurt, seeing her struggling with whatever emotions were rolling through her mind. Sitting up, I tugged on her arm until she was sitting in my lap as I cradled her to me. Her arms went around my neck as she cried, "I miss my mom. She would have loved you."

The burning sensation that told me my own tears weren't far behind pricked at my eyes. "I miss my mom too," I whispered.

 ABOUT THE AUTHOR 
 

R.L. Caulder is the author of The Pack Prophecy and Darkness Rising series. She lives in her writing cave away from the intense heat of the Florida sun with her husband and pets keeping her company.

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SPOTLIGHT SUNDAY - THE RED RIBBON BY LUCY ADLINGTON

 

Title: The Red Ribbon

Author: Lucy Adlington

Genre: General Fiction (Adult), Teens & YA

Publisher: Hot Key Books, Bonnier Zaffre

Release Date: 21st September 2017

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Rose, Ella, Marta and Carla. In another life we might have all been friends together. But this was Birchwood. 

As fourteen-year-old Ella begins her first day at work she steps into a world of silks, seams, scissors, pins, hems and trimmings. She is a dressmaker, but this is no ordinary sewing workshop. Hers are no ordinary clients. Ella has joined the seamstresses of Birkenau-Auschwitz. 

Every dress she makes could be the difference between life and death. And this place is all about survival. 

Ella seeks refuge from this reality, and from haunting memories, in her work and in the world of fashion and fabrics. She is faced with painful decisions about how far she is prepared to go to survive. 

Is her love of clothes and creativity nothing more than collaboration with her captors, or is it a means of staying alive?

Will she fight for herself alone, or will she trust the importance of an ever-deepening friendship with Rose?

One thing weaves through the colours of couture gowns and camp mud - a red ribbon, given to Ella as a symbol of hope.

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Also coming soon by this author....

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