Sleep awarded a Readers' Favorite 5 Star Review Badge! 🥳

I received the news yesterday that Sleep was awarded a 5 Star Review badge, from Readers' Favourite!😀 I also came with a wonderful review:

 "M K Boers’ Sleep follows Lizzy Dyson, a woman held in a psychiatric prison wing while a court considers her responsibility for killing her husband, Tony, and his lover, Sally Bryant. Lizzy has pleaded guilty, but the question before the court is how her state of mind should affect what happens next. As witnesses speak, ten years of marriage return through Lizzy’s memories, beginning with a romance that once seemed certain to last. Repeated miscarriages alter the life the couple expected, while Tony’s modeling career changes how their private problems are seen beyond their home. Stuart Reed, Tony’s oldest friend, becomes another source of hostility as Lizzy grows increasingly isolated. With each court appearance drawing more scrutiny, Lizzy must face what happened inside her marriage while preparing to speak for herself.

M K Boers’ Sleep is outstanding psychological suspense, written with a firm grasp of how confinement can alter the way a person experiences memory. Lizzy’s prison cell places her beside her own past every day, giving the book a psychologically astute quality that carries through each encounter. That skill shows beautifully through Carlene, the fellow prisoner whose courtyard conversations bring tenderness to Lizzy’s time inside. Sue Andrews is a memorable character during her prison visit, where her nervous manner communicates history between former friends. Lucy Dyson brings a loving familial note when Lizzy’s sister reaches across the table for her hands, and Marcus Dyson brings years of distance into the room when Lizzy’s brother arrives with Uncle Peter. Everything in this story rounds out Lizzy’s world, so readers who appreciate domestic suspense with psychologically perceptive characterization are in for a heck of a treat. Very highly recommended."

Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite.

To celebrate Sleep is on Sale for $2.99/£2.99

Review: A Christmas Blessing by Jack Rollins.

A Christmas Blessing by Jack Rollins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The third instalment of the Vampire Chronicles was another brilliant, compelling read, this time the story is seen through the eyes of Doctor Blessings daughter, Niamh as we find out what happened to her, and we further find out what the vampire infestation is doing to London.

The setting of a mansion house on the outskirts of London I could see perfectly, as I am a Londoner and the area indicated had exactly those kinds of house at that time - and still, though maybe not with as much space around it. The darkness of London under siege and barricaded from a monster that hides in the dark, was also very vivid.

I also liked how it ended with what was happening with Mary, and leaving the chance of something more to come. I really do hope so, because there is still so much more to know!

A series I can't recommend highly enough.



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Review: Doctor Blessing's Rapture, by Jack Rollins

Doctor Blessing's Rapture by Jack Rollins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book takes the story to the next level, after the short novel of the first. Here the character of Dr Blessing is explored as we learn how he is enraptured by his adopted 'daughter' - but in a very sinister way as she isn't human. We find out just how far he is willing to go.

We also understand more about Mary and her role in trying to stop this 'child'. But both Mary and Dr Blessing's plans are interrupted by a third party, Charles Blanton, who is seeking revenge for his master's death, and becomes an unstoppable train.

The story and characters develop and the fast pace continues. I found this even more compelling than the first, and just as brutal. I am already into the final book, A Christmas Blessing, and still just enthralled.

If a different take on vampire in a gothic Victorian setting appeals to you, I can't recommend this series enough.

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Dead Lake is staying at 99c/p indefinitely!

I've decided to keep Dead Lake (Book 1 of Tricky's Tales) at 99c/p indefinitely, or at least as long as it takes me to write the new subscriber exclusive from Tricky's world, which will be a prequel novella.

If you are not yet signed up to my newsletter you can do that here. 

Or click on the image below and start Tricky's Tales. 👇

Review: Doctor Blessing's Curse, by Jack Rollins

Doctor Blessing's Curse by Jack Rollins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I started this series from a unique standpoint, having read only the prequel - In Quiet Courts - and related short, Tender Morsels. I had no idea about just how dark this was going to get, or exactly what was going on with Dr Blessing, but my word, what a compelling storyline.

The story starts when Dr Blessing is called to a birth, and it's all going wrong, and when the mother dies, he takes the child - or creature to look after it and adopt it. But this is no ordinary creature. The story is fast-paced and each chapter is either written in first person when it's Dr Blessing or third person from other characters. It crosses over well and keeps the tension high.

I have read both Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock books, and Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, and Rollin's captures the style of writing and wording which reflects the world of Victorian London perfectly. It flows, and creates all aspects of it. Though this series is far darker and more horror-filled than any of their books.

I was gripped and already half-way through the second book, Dr Blessing's Rapture. Highly recommended for all horror lovers.

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Review: Death Game by Joseph Sale

DEATH GAME by Joseph Sale
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this one straight after reading the first book Save Game, so all the characters were still fresh in my mind. Levi's story has moved on by more than a decade, even though he himself hasn't due to mental health issues sparked by Fate of Ellaria game, and his friend Amir has gone on to build a new more immersive interactive game, which he is about to launch and wants Levi to take part in. But is Levi mental up to it?

Much like Amir's game, this book is just as immersive. We follow the characters and their challenges and someone trying to sabotage the game. It is a dark fantasy, with lots of horrifying elements, not least of all the character Cowl! Joseph Sale has an excellent descriptive manner which captures things visually, emotionally, even in a tactile way, using little words.

It's fast-paced, with a compelling story. And I'm so happy to find out there is a third (and even a fourth) volume as it is left on a very intriguing cliff hanger. I have already ordered Book 3 - Chaos Game.

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Review: Philosophy: A very short introduction by Edward Craig

Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction by Edward Craig
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I had hoped to dip in and out of this book, but each chapter links to the one previous with the topics being discussed. I might also not have the right temperament for this book, as I found it a bit presumptuous ... for want of a better word.

I had the same issues when studying English literature at college. When going over other people's writing - particularly when translated - guessing at meanings and assuming how someone lived, believed or thought. And then picking out words and asking what they meant by them. But maybe that is the point of philosophy and it is my ignorance that I didn't know that.

Some interesting facts and history. It is called very short (though it probably is in philosophical terms), and published in a tiny pocket addition, but the print is super small. I might give it another go another time as I just skimmed it really and read bits and pieces.

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