Amazon – Page 4 – MJ Porter

I’m reviewing Esperance by Adam Oyebanjo #newrelease #specfic #mystery

Here’s the blurb

The history-bending speculative fiction from Adam Oyebanji, award-winning author of BRAKING DAY.

An impossible death: Detective Ethan Krol has been called to the scene of a baffling murder: a man and his son, who appear to have been drowned in sea-water. But the nearest ocean is a thousand miles away.

An improbable story: Hollie Rogers doesn’t want to ask too many questions of her new friend, Abi Eniola. Abi claims to be an ordinary woman from Nigeria, but her high-tech gadgets and extraordinary physical abilities suggest she’s not telling the whole truth.

An incredible quest: As Ethan’s investigation begins to point towards Abi, Hollie’s fears mount. For Abi is very much not who she seems. And it won’t be long before Ethan and Hollie find themselves playing a part in a story that spans cultures, continents . . . and centuries.

An extraordinary speculative thriller about the scars left by the Atlantic slave-trade, by a master of the genre.

Purchase Link

https://amzn.to/3Sg1syZ

My Review

Esperance is an enthralling and captivating novel. It is mostly a mystery, and much of it revolves around determining who perpetrated an impossible crime. It is also a story of friendship, family, and a quest for justice.

The story begins quickly, with our impossible crime, introducing us to one of our main characters, Ethan. It is he and Abi, who we meet a little while later, who propel the story onwards, but they both have their own agendas and therefore, the reader is very much left in the dark about some elements. We quickly realise Abi is far from what she seems. We quickly realise Ethan has his own demons, but we’re swept along in the mystery of the entire thing. I adored that Abi spoke with a 1930s flavour. It really gave her character an extraordinary shine.

I loved the historical elements of the story and how they combined with the otherworldly ones. I found the whole story quite extraordinary and incredibly enjoyable, although, of course, tinged with sorrow for the real-life elements it’s built upon.

The ending, when it came, perhaps felt a little rushed. I would have loved to know more about the otherworldly elements.

That said, readers of quirky mysteries interlaced with otherworldly elements, as well as those who love a good tale of retribution, will devour this novel, just as I did.

If it’s not quite a five-star read, it so very nearly is that I feel it would be wrong not to give it. Esperance is available now, and it’s well worth checking out. I have to say, the tag line got me for this one, ‘They cried out for justice. Something heard.’ (Shudder).

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#TheLastKing is 5 years old, and for one day only, it is FREE on Amazon Kindle. Enter the HUGE competition #bookbirthday #histfic

Image shows the cover for The Last King (a warrior holding a sword), with a large 5 shaped birthday balloon beside it with the words, free today only.

books2read.com/u/31RBva

If you’ve been with Coelwulf, Rudolf, Icel, Edmund and Pybba since the beginning, then you’re probably with me in trying to work out how five years have gone by since the first book’s release. There are now ten books in all, as well as a short story collection, Coelwulf’s Company, and the prequel series featuring a young Icel, the Eagle of Mercia Chronicles (check out the stories featuring a young Icel – if you know, you know, and if you don’t yet know, you’re going to want to find out.)

If you’ve not yet discovered The Mercian Kingdom: The Ninth Century series, then you’re in for a treat, as long as you’re not easily offended by foul language and violence – although if you are, there are Cleaner versions available without quite so much swearing. Follow this link, as they can be a bit tricky to find on Amazon.

The Last King books are available in ebook, paperback and hardback, and The Last King (book 1 ) is also available in audio.

Competition Time

I’ve gained some of the best fans ever by running competitions to win signed copies of my books, and this year is no different, although the prize keeps getting BIGGER.

To enter the competition to win all 10 books signed by me, complete this Google form. (Competition is open until 30th April 2025).

https://forms.gle/meb26JSa5DdVfkk5A

Entries are open to UK-based people only (because postage is very expensive elsewhere), but people outside the UK can still submit their details and receive a FREE copy of a short story collection featuring stories set in The Last King’s world (and check out another fabulous deal below).

image shows all 10 paperbacks in The Last King series sideby side in 2 rows of 5.

Image shows all 10 books in The Last King series piled up on top of each other.

You can also grab the first 3 books in the series for 99p/99c and equivalent worldwide for a very limited time

These are the less sweary-versions (I am having a bit of moment with hyphenated words so I am going with it for this).

https://amzn.to/4ifSdt1

Check out all the details for The Mercian Kingdom: The Ninth Century.

I’m delighted to welcome a returning Helen Golden to the blog with her new book, I Kill Always Love You. #bookreview #cosymystery #blogtour

Here’s the blurb

A perfect sunny getaway with no drama. Or so they’d hoped…

BREAKING NEWS Woman Taken in for Questioning in Death of Actress’ Husband

Police in Portugal this morning told reporters that a woman is being questioned in connection with the murder of the film producer Jason ‘JT’ Kenda, who was married to award-winning actress Ariella St Gerome.

Mr Kenda, who was found dead in the swimming pool of the couple’s villa, was initially thought to have died following an accident, but now police believe the American was killed intentionally. The villa is next door to where Lady Beatrice, the Countess of Rossex, is currently holidaying with family and friends at the villa of TV’s Sir Hewitt and his wife, Lady Grace.

Who can say no to Lady Grace? When the daughter of Lady Grace’s housekeeper is suspected of murder, her ladyship requests that Bea and her friends prove the maid’s innocence. But with time running out, can they navigate the tangled web of lies, betrayal, and hidden motives before an innocent woman is imprisoned for a crime she didn’t commit? Because even on holiday, the sleuthing never stops!

Purchase Link

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Always-Right-Royal-Investigation-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0D768B2VL

https://www.amazon.com/Always-Right-Royal-Investigation-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0D768B2VL

My Review

I Kill Always Love You is a fun addition to Helen Golden’s Right Royal Investigation mystery series. I’ve read all the books in the series so far, including all the short stories. I adore spending time with Lady Bea and Perry, and this time, we also have help from Simon and Richard, not to mention Isla.

I’ve come to expect well-plotted stories from this series, and I Kill Always Love You doesn’t disappoint. Did I work out what had happened? Not quite all of it because there were many red herrings and interesting side stories alongside the mystery of what really happened. I certainly appreciated the careful plotting and piecemeal revelations, even if I do wish Perry would buy himself a decent pair of running shoes.

A firm addition to this charming series. New readers will not be disappointed.

Check out my reviews for the other books in this fabulous series.

Spruced Up For Murder

For Richer, For Deader

Not Mushroom For Death

A Dead Herring

A Cocktail to Die For

A Death of Fresh Air

Meet the author

Hello. I’m Helen Golden. I write British contemporary cozy whodunnits with a hint of humour. I live in small village in Lincolnshire in the UK with my husband, my step-daughter, her two cats, our two dogs, sometimes my step-son, and our tortoise.

I used to work in senior management, but after my recent job came to a natural end I had the opportunity to follow my dreams and start writing. It’s very early in my life as an author, but so far I’m loving it.

It’s crazy busy at our house, so when I’m writing I retreat to our caravan (an impulsive lockdown purchase) which is mostly parked on our drive. When I really need total peace and quiet, I take it to a lovely site about 15 minutes away and hide there until my family runs out of food or clean clothes

Connect with the author

I’m delighted to be reviewing You Know the Drill by Dr Bill – The Private Musings of a Dentist #blogtour #non-fiction

Here’s the blurb

Welcome to my life. The life of a reluctant dentist. This book charts the course of a nervous student dealing with people from all walks of life, from exploding angry abscesses to exploding angry people, both in and out of the chair.

When I was a wet-behind-the-ears school sixth former, it seemed like a really good idea to go to university and study the teeth, gums and mouth. I’m still trying to work out why I thought that was a good idea.

The definition of a dentist mentions competencies in biomedical knowledge, surgical dexterity, and critical thinking. What it fails to include is being an unpaid therapist, getting splattered in pus, coaxing nutters out from under the dental chair, having the police storm your surgery, and dealing with patients who think a crown is something you put on your head, then try and sue you when you say otherwise.

Written as a form of therapy – to offload on paper – this book gives a frank account of life both in and out of the surgery. So, take a seat in the waiting room and I’ll see you shortly in Chapter One…

Purchase Links

Amazon UK

Amazon US

My Review

So, I hate the dentist (not the person – the idea of it). I’ve had a few nasty experiences with dentists who should perhaps have paid a little more attention to patient care than they did. However, I’ve found a new dentist and he’s lovely and very, very thoughtful. I decided to read this book as a means of understanding what it’s like for the actual person who is the dentist as opposed to the patient, gripping the armrests and leaving imprints in the dentist’s chair. I’m so glad I did. I can’t say it’s going to make my next trip any easier, but I will certainly be a little calmer about the whole thing – probably until the bloody drill comes out:)

This is a delightful collection of stories, from training to working as a dentist. Some of them are funny. Some of them are sad. Some of them are bloody outrageous. All of them paint the picture of a professional working under some very trying circumstances (including during Covid), and sometimes not. I also appreciated the explanations about how the system works in the UK and what dentists are actually doing when they look in your mouth. I was very glad I wasn’t the one in the dentist’s chair for some of the procedures described.

Fans of the dentist and those who aren’t (i.e. me) will enjoy this collection of tales and musings. And, I promise, there are no LAs involved in reading it.

Meet the author

Dr Bill is a reluctant dentist who lives with his kind partner and a neurotic cat. This is his first book. There may be another. This depends on whether Dr Bill’s patients are gracious sweethearts who give him nothing to write about, or cantankerous bastards who provide the fodder for written revenge!

Author image for Dr Bill showing their cat.

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It’s my turn on the blog tour for Love & Laughter (and other disasters) – A midlife romcom by Elora Canne #blogtour #bookreview #romance #novella

Here’s the blurb

Life in Pelican Cove is about to be disrupted when felines and big feelings move into the neighbourhood, along with the newcomers.

Meryl starts having unsolicited feelings for local yogi, Louis, aka Captain Underpants. She valiantly fights the moral dilemma of falling in love ‘at her age.’ However, she’s secretly enjoying the new experience, until her grown-up daughter casts doubt in her mind.

In a spontaneous act of defiance, Meryl decides to engage in the friendship of a secret admirer, Gardening Pop, via a local gardening forum as well. They share misguided messages of blooms as their friendship blossoms.

Meanwhile, Louis, Captain Underpants, finds himself in a love triangle of his own, when yogi, Glenda, makes her move on him. Glenda elicits the help of her close friend, Antoinette, and the two go off on a relationship101 Girls Only Weekend Getaway. There, they literally stumble upon sizzling trail guide, Andy. Soon, Glenda discovers she has no need to poach Louis after all.

Will Meryl still be interested in Louis’ suave moves? Or, has Gardening Pop plucked at her heartstrings?

This laugh-out-loud romcom novella brings out the best and the worst in the people of Pelican Cove, in a tangle of love and laughter, and other disasters.

Purchase Link

https://books2read.com/u/m00xoV

My Review

Love and Laughter (and other disasters) is a charming second-chance love story set in Pelican Cove, Australia. Our main characters all manage to entangle themselves with either doubt or overconfidence, which leads to many dilemmas for those involved, especially poor Louis, as they work out their feelings for one another.

This was a lovely tale, light-hearted and fun and sure to appeal to fans of the genre.

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I’m reviewing Murder At Merivale Manor by Ella Strike #blogtour #historicalmystery #bookreview

Here’s the blurb

A cozy dinner party, a playful game… and a very real murder.

London, 1923

Kitty Goring seems to have it all—lavish nights at London’s finest clubs, elegant soirées, and a parade of charming bachelors vying for her hand. But despite the glamour, Kitty longs for something a little more… thrilling.

In a bid for excitement (and to avoid her mother’s constant reminders that she really ought to be searching for a husband), Kitty dreams up the perfect diversion. A playful mock robbery at her family’s grand estate, Merivale Manor. It’s all meant to be fun—until one of the guests turns up very much dead.

With a real killer on the loose in quaint little Hampstead Village, Kitty’s keen instincts kick in. Forget matchmaking—Kitty’s determined to unmask the culprit before anyone else falls victim. With a sharp wit and a flair for mischief, she dives headfirst into the investigation. But getting to the truth won’t be easy, especially with the brooding Detective Inspector Henry Burton underestimating her at every turn.

Murder, mystery, and a dash of romance—Kitty’s got her hands full in this charming whodunit!

Murder at Merivale Manor is the delightful first book in the Kitty Goring Investigates historical cozy mystery series.

Author’s note

London in the 1920s is a glamorous and exciting city, but danger and death are never too far behind. Join Kitty Goring and her group of Bright Young Things in the adventure of a lifetime, as they race to catch a killer who lurks amongst them.
Each book in this series is a cozy period mystery that features our plucky heroine, aided in her investigations by a gang of eccentric and lovable characters.

Purchase Link

https://mybook.to/ZRrM

My Review

MMurder at Merivale Manor is the first book in the Kitty Goring Investigations series of historical mysteries set in the 1920s.

This first book introduces us to Kitty, a headstrong woman with a varied collection of friends and associates and a somewhat overbearing mother. The family is somewhat down on its luck but still working to keep up appearances. One of those is the need for Kitty’s brother to marry well to recover the family fortunes.

But, as ever, all is not as it appears when a woman keen on Kitty’s brother is unexpectedly murdered at the local fete. Feeling guilty about a silly game Kitty initiated that seems to have led to Jane’s death, Kitty is determined to investigate and find the culprit.

This is a fun, quick read, and readers of the genre will enjoy discovering who the true culprit was.

Meet the author

Ella Strike, cat lover and author of historical cozy mysteries, lives in London with her husband and twins. When she’s not penning murder mysteries or drinking copious amounts of Earl Grey, you can find her with her nose buried in a book or listening to true crime podcasts as she cooks.

Her stories are a mix of history, a dash of intrigue, and a whole lot of cozy, old-world charm.

Image shows the list of blog hosts for the Murder at Merivale Manor blog tour organised by Rachel's Random Resources

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I’m sharing my review for Wolf Six by Alex Shaw #blogtour #thriller #newrelease

Here’s the blurb

Killing for a living is easy, living for a reason is much harder

Meet Ruslan Akulov.

In the shadowy world of assassins for hire, he is known as ‘Wolf Six’.

A Ukrainian raised in Moscow, conscripted into Russia’s most covert Special Forces unit ‘The Werewolves’, Akulov is full of loathing for the country that built and then broke him. The only rules he follows now are his own.

Unable to shake the guilt of his past, Akulov has made it his business to seek out those who prey upon the innocent. The name Wolf Six is legendary – whispered by those who know it with fear. But when Akulov accidentally thwarts the armed robbery of a Chicago Bank, he pits himself against both the Russian Bratva and the CIA, setting into motion a spiralling sequence of events which will bring his past back to haunt him, and potentially turn his future to ashes…

His mission of retribution takes him from Chicago to Kyiv, to Havana and back into the US, where Akulov must stop at nothing if he is to remain alive. No simple mission, even for the world’s deadliest assassin.

Perfect for fans of Tom Wood, Vince Flynn and Mark Greaney, this is an explosive action thriller you won’t be able to put down.

image shows the cover image for Wolf Six by Alex Shaw. This cover is in2 halves. The top shows a city scape image and the bottom shows a man walking away from the cameradown a street. The words Wolf Six are in capitals and are enlarged over the two images.

Purchase Link

https://mybook.to/wolfsix

My Review

Wolf Six by Alex Shaw is certainly a thrilling thriller. It takes the reader from Chicago to Ukraine, Cuba, Russia, and many other places.

Our main character, Ruslan, is usually a cold-blooded assassin, but all that’s about to change as we follow him through this tale of double-crossing and vengeance. There is a split timeline narrative, with some elements explaining how Ruslan came to be as he is while also following him in the present, in which he’s managed to unintentionally get himself caught up in all sorts of difficulties with all sorts of baddies and intelligence agencies.

I very much enjoyed the whistlestop tour of the world through Ruslan’s eyes, and you certainly have to be on your toes to keep up with all the action.

I do have a soft spot for thrillers of this genre, and I will certainly be reading more of Ruslan’s adventures.

Image shows the cover for Wolf Sox by Alex Shaw on a city scape backdrop.

Meet the author

Alex Shaw is the author of bestselling action thrillers published by HarperCollins including the Aidan Snow and Jack Tate series, for which he was shortlisted for the Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize. He will start a brand new action-packed series for Boldwood, the first of which, Wolf Six, will be published in February 2025.

Connect with the author

Image shows the bloggers taking place in the Wolf Six by Alex Shaw blog tour arranged by Rachel's Random Resources for Boldwood Books.

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I’m sharing my review for How to Slay on Holiday by Sarah Bonner, a funny, twisted thriller #bookreview #thriller #blogtour #newrelease

Here’s the blurb

You’d kill for a holiday like this one…

Chloe and her husband Scott are holidaying with their families on the beautiful Greek island of Mykonos. But Chloe has a secret… She has hired a hitman to kill Scott when they return home. This week, her plan is to pretend to be such a happy wife that no suspicion can possibly fall on her after the murder.

But she’s reckoning without Scott’s meddlesome sister, Tori, plus the rivalries and demands of both families. Can she deal with them all while keeping her murderous intentions hidden?

Then Chloe wakes up in their villa covered in blood, next to a dead body, with no memory of the previous night. Panic ensues as she tries to piece together what happened – and just who else on this holiday might be a secret killer…

Fans of Katy Brent, Bella Mackie and Julie Mae Cohen won’t be able to resist this twisty, darkly funny crime thriller.

Purchase Link

https://mybook.to/howtoslayonholiday

My Review

How to Slay on Holiday is a fun, quick, and easy read. The use of three points of view helps the story move along at pace and also allows the reader to learn things not all of the characters know.

There are secrets aplenty between the two families on holiday and also between all of the characters. At times, I wondered how on earth it could ever be resolved, but resolved it was.

A really fun read, sharp and snappy.

Check out my review for How to Slay at Work by Sarah Bonner.

Meet the author

Sarah Bonner is the author of several bestselling psychological thrillers.

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Bookbub profile: @SarahBonner

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I’m excited to share Stephanie Wood’s covers for her The Greek Retreat Trilogy #blogtour #coverreveal #romance

Jessica is escaping to the Greek Retreat to discover if running away from a broken engagement really can lead to a happy ever after. She doesn’t believe life works that way, but her future could depend on it.
The Greek island of Kynos is an idyllic hideaway, offering its visitors the space and time needed to truly appreciate the traditional hospitality. The locals are always friendly and ready to entertain their guests, while the daily activities offer many different ways to explore the island and its heritage.
Jessica is hoping The Retreat will provide everything she needs in order to plan for a successful future, but has she left it too late?

The Greek Retreat is a trilogy of standalone tales full of sunshine, surprises and love.

Pre-order Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DPL8X95M

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DPL8X95M

Publication Date: 20^th March 2025

Chrissie is escaping to the Greek Retreat to avoid some of the issues her parents have left her to deal with at home. She hopes that visiting a new location will give her a different perspective and help her to find a way forward.

The Greek Retreat is a trilogy of standalone tales full of sunshine, surprises and love.

Pre-order Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DPL9T6VH

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DPL9T6VH

Publication Date: 22^nd May 2025

Katie is escaping to the Greek Retreat to give herself some space to recover from an unexpected predicament. She blames herself for the situation she finds herself in and knows that something has to change, although she has no idea what she is looking for.

The Greek Retreat is a trilogy of standalone tales full of sunshine, surprises and love.

Pre-order Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DPL3R8BP

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DPL3R8BP

Publication Date: 21^st August 2025

Meet the author

Stephanie writes contemporary fiction in the form of novels, novellas and short stories and her books explore a wide range of life’s challenges, dreams and responsibilities. The stories are all character based, so she has fun expressing each unique personality and the reasons behind their actions in a setting which always has a strong sense of community.

She published the AEGEAN SUN series of books as a fly-on-the-wall vision of life in a Greek resort during the summer season, the CHRISTMAS ON THE CLOSE series is set in a British suburban cul-de-sac over the festive period and the GREEK RETREAT trilogy is planned for publication in 2025.

Stephanie lives in Lancashire where, apart from reading and writing, she loves gardening and cycling and is a huge fan of the soaps Emmerdale and Neighbours.

I’m delighted to be sharing my review for Dashiki: A Cozy Mystery by Florence Wetzel #blogtour

Here’s the blurb

A cozy mystery with a dash of romance set in the vibrant world of jazz.

During an interview with reclusive jazz singer Betty Brown, journalist Virginia Farrell is shown priceless tapes from the iconic 1957 Thelonious Monk-John Coltrane gig at the Five Spot. When Betty is found murdered, Virginia is determined to recover the tapes and uncover the truth behind Betty’s death.

In the spirit of Nancy Drew, Virginia teams up with her six-foot blonde roommate to investigate the various suspects. Detective Robert Smith from the Hoboken Police Department joins the case, quickly becoming absorbed by an unsolved murder possibly linked to Betty Brown’s death, as well as an undeniable attraction to Virginia.

Dashiki is a cozy mystery laced with romance, immersing readers in the captivating world of jazz, where musicians, journalists, scholars, and enthusiasts intersect in an entertaining whodunit.

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DS1R2KNQ/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DS1R2KNQ/

My Review

Dashiki is a delightful, cosy mystery set in the early 2000s in the vibrant jazz world of New York. I am not a fan of jazz (sorry), but that didn’t stop me from thoroughly enjoying this mystery and being entirely enthralled as our detective, Robert Smith, and amateur sleuth, Virginia, endeavour to discover who was responsible for the murder of Betty Brown, while both harbouring doubts about the other.

The plotting of the mystery is excellent, and I didn’t work out who the real culprit was, which always pleases me. Too many clues and it feels too easy. Dashiki had just the right amount to keep me guessing while reading but not enough that it was self-evident who our murderer was.

I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery. The cast was fabulously eclectic, and the story is dotted with humour, which I also always very much enjoy. Fans of cosy mysteries will surely enjoy Dashiki as much as I did.

Meet the author

Florence Wetzel was born 1962 in Brooklyn, NY. Her novels include the thriller The Woman Who Went Overboard and the Swedish mystery The Grand Man. She has also authored horror short stories, a book of poems and memoir essays, and co-authored jazz clarinettist Perry Robinson’s autobiography. In July 2024, she published Sara My Sara: A Memoir of Friendship and Loss.

Author photo of Florence Wetzel, author of Dashiki

Giveaway to Win a Paperback copy of Dashiki by Florence Wetzel (Open to UK / US / Canada only)

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33c69494603/?

*Terms and Conditions –UK / US & Canada entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.