Delighted to bring you an extract from 'Mine by Alison Knight
Mine
“What’s mine, I keep.” London, 1968. Lily’s dreams of a better life for her family are shattered when her teenage daughter refuses to give up her illegitimate child. It doesn’t help that Lily’s husband, Jack, takes their daughter’s side. Taking refuge in her work at a law firm in the City, Lily’s growing feelings for her married boss soon provides a dangerous distraction. Will Lily be able to resist temptation? Or will the decisions made by these ordinary people lead them down an extraordinary path that could destroy them all? Mine – a powerful story of class, ambition and sexual politics. Purchase Links UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08JQF4JQT US - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08JQF4JQT Extract
EXTRACT FROM MINE by Alison Knight
Here’s a short taster from Chapter Three. Lily, who has been married to Jack for nearly twenty years, is finding it increasingly hard to deny the fact that she is unhappy at home, especially after their daughter Beverley has an illegitimate child. She’s starting to have feelings she shouldn’t have for her married boss, and this is making her uncomfortable at work. Lily was sitting in the crowded café around the corner from the office, cradling a cup of frothy coffee she didn’t really want. She should be in the office by now, but she was hiding like some guilty kid. What the hell was she playing at? The truth was, she was hiding from her boss. She had a feeling she was developing a crush on him. Not that he’d given her any encouragement. Not really. He was nice, polite, respectful. If he fancied her, he’d been subtle about it ̶ not like some of the partners in the firm. Some of the older chaps thought nothing of patting her knee or copping a look at her bust while she took dictation, the dirty old sods. If she said anything, they’d act all offended. But she knew how they operated. At least she managed to stay out of reach of them most of the time. She felt sorry for the girls in the typing pool; they got the worst of it. She’d believed Mr Warwick, the Office Manager, had been different. None of the girls had ever complained about him like they did the others. She’d enjoyed working with him. It didn’t hurt that he was quite dishy, in a stuffy sort of way. She’d often wished she could get Jack to go for an office job, to be more like Mr Warwick, but it just wasn’t him. He’d go stark raving mad being cooped up in an office. She sighed as she thought about her husband this morning in his chauffeur’s uniform, giving the Jag a final polish before leaving to pick up a man who would be dressed just like Mr Warwick – in a Saville Row suit and carrying a leather briefcase. Lily remembered feeling so proud of Jack when he’d got that job. Wearing a smart uniform and having a posh car he could bring home had been such a big improvement on driving a bus up and down the Mile End Road. But she couldn’t help comparing him to her boss, who had people working for him and saw clients in a book-lined office. Lily realised that Jack was still a lowly driver, a servant, at his boss’s beck and call. No better than a bus driver, really. Dreaming about him becoming a professional man, of them buying a nice house and getting away from their lowly council house, wasn’t going to happen, so the sooner she faced that the better. Maybe what she was feeling about Mr Warwick was just a wish that Jack could’ve been more like him and that Beverley hadn’t just ruined things. The door opened, letting in a gust of autumn wind as a couple of office workers hurried out. Lily glanced at her watch. Five to nine. She couldn’t put it off much longer. She hated being late for work, and there was a pile of accounts to get through before the end of the month. With any luck Mr Warwick would be busy too, and she could avoid seeing him. Whenever she saw him, she couldn’t help wondering what it would be like being married to someone like that. Silly thoughts. Dangerous thoughts. She had to stop it.
Author Bio –
Alison has been a legal executive, a registered childminder, a professional fund-raiser and a teacher. She has travelled the world – from spending a year as an exchange student in the US in the 1970s and trekking the Great Wall of China to celebrate her fortieth year and lots of other interesting places in between. In her mid-forties Alison went to university part-time and gained a first-class degree in Creative Writing at Bath Spa University and an MA in the same subject from Oxford Brookes University, both while still working full-time. Her first book was published a year after she completed her master’s degree. Mine is a domestic drama set in 1960s London based on real events in her family. She is the only person who can tell this particular story. Exploring themes of class, ambition and sexual politics, Mine shows how ordinary people can make choices that lead them into extraordinary situations. Alison teaches creative and life-writing, runs workshops and retreats with Imagine Creative Writing Workshops(www.imaginecreativewriting.co.uk) as well as working as a freelance editor. She is a member of the Society of Authors and the Romantic Novelists’ Association. She lives in Somerset, within sight of Glastonbury Tor. Social Media Links – Websites: www.alisonroseknight.com www.imaginecreativewriting.co.uk www.darkstroke.com/dark-stroke/alison-knight/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/alison.knight.942 Twitter: @Alison_Knight59
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You have to stop me from hurting anyone else. I don’t want to do these horrible things. Help me before I’m forced to do it again. And I will do it again because I have no choice. I’ve never had a choice.
In a busy shopping centre, a little girl clutches a teddy bear, clinging to it in the absence of her mother, Katrina. Hours later, Katrina’s body is discovered in an abandoned building. For Detective Kim Stone, it looks like a quick, functional kill. But Kim’s instincts tell her there’s more to this senseless murder than meets the eye. What was the motive for killing a young mother out shopping with her child? Days later, a second victim is found in a local park, her neck broken just like Katrina’s and her six-year-old son missing. With her colleague, Detective Stacey Wood, working on another unsolved crime and a member of the team grieving the loss of a close relative, Kim is struggling to make inroads on what is fast becoming a complex case. And when a handwritten letter from the killer lands on Kim’s desk addressed to her, and pleading for help, she knows time is running out to bring the little boy home alive. With the support of a handwriting analyst and profiler, Kim and the team begin to get inside the mind of the killer and make a shocking discovery. Some of the victims have scratch marks on their wrists. But these are no random scratches. The killer is using them to communicate with someone. The question is… with whom? And if Kim doesn’t find them soon, another innocent soul will die.
Another stonker of a book. How the hell does this author do it, time and time again these books just get better.
I love following a series of books as I really feel over the series you get to know the characters, you really get a feel for them and the things they do. This series would make for a brilliant TV drama. Kim Stone is great at knowing and following her instincts. Her team also know when Kim has something in her mind to do, she'll do it. Stacey, Bryant and Penn are Kim's team. They all work amazingly with each other and the banter between them is fantastic. The team I would say have pretty much gotten used to Kay and the way she is, which is a good thing really. When Kim receives a letter from the Killer of two women asking her to help stop him killing. It's all systems go. The clock is ticking and the team must get going. I find it exciting when you think you have figured out who the killer is, most of the time I'm wrong, as I was on this occasion. I find when you are so far in a series of books that knowing the background of al the characters really adds to the enjoyment. We are seeing different snippets from the lives of all the characters and just getting to know them even better. I love following their back stories and their current lives. I especially love the bond between Penn and his brother. I highly recommend this book and also the whole series, if you are anything like me you will be best to read them in order as it really does help. I know I've said this before but I wish I could un-read the whole series so that I could start it all over again. One of my all time favourite Detective series and thrilled to hear that Angela has a lot more to come for this series.
Biography
Angela Marsons is the Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of the DI Kim Stone series and her books have sold more than 4 million in 5 years. She lives in Worcestershire with her partner and their 2 cheeky Golden Retrievers. She first discovered her love of writing at Junior School when actual lessons came second to watching other people and quietly making up her own stories about them. Her report card invariably read "Angela would do well if she minded her own business as well as she minds other people's". After years of writing relationship based stories (The Forgotten Woman and Dear Mother) Angela turned to Crime, fictionally speaking of course, and developed a character that refused to go away. She is signed to Bookouture.com for a total of 28 books in the Kim Stone series and her books have been translated into more than 27 languages. Many of her books, including Blood Lines, Dead Souls, Broken Bones, Fatal Promise and Dead Memories reached the #1 spot on Amazon on pre-orders alone and the translation of Dead Souls, La Verita Sepolte, recently won the prestigious Primo Bancarella award.
Read what everyone is saying about Deadly Cry:
‘Whoopee The queen of crime is back…this book is a reminder to all her fans what a brilliant crime series this is…Unlike some long running crimes series, each book always brings something new to the table, whether it be its characters, the plot, or jaw dropping moments that take the reader by surprise.’ The Book Review Café, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Utterly fabulous! I loved this book so much. The whole series is fantastic and it just gets better and better with every book. Read this in one sitting as I was literally glued to it. Highly recommend, if I could give it more than 5 stars I would.’ Linda Strong Book Reviews, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Angela Marsons writes the type of books that I will literally drop everything just so I can read it.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I honestly don’t know how Angela Marsons gets better and better with each book…My jaw dropped over and over again and I’m just sitting here so shocked at the end!’ With A Book In Our Hand, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I could read Kim Stone books every day and never get bored, I read this in a day as couldn't put it down.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Angela Marsons is the Queen of Crime, and every police team needs a Kim Stone! With a strong, fast paced storyline, this book will bring tears to your eyes, then have you covering those same eyes for fear of what may happen on the next page!!’ stardustbookreviews, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Reading this series is like catching up with old friends…Yet another brilliant work by the amazing Angela Marsons!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Oh how much have I missed Kim Stone… you are guaranteed a story that will grab a hold of you from the start and keep you invested in the outcome right to the very last page.’ Jen Med’s Book Reviews, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Quite simply, Angela Marsons is THE QUEEN of Crime Fiction…Every book of Angie’s is a masterpiece of storytelling, each so different in theme and incredibly enjoyable to read.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
THE DARKEST DEEDS ARE HIDDEN FROM SIGHT . . .
Bob Skinner is back in the latest gritty mystery in Quintin Jardine's bestselling series, not to be missed by readers of Ian Rankin and Peter May. New Year's Day, and Edinburgh lies sleeping. But two men will never wake again . . . When struggling ex-copper Terry Coats was discovered in bed with an air hostess, his excuse that he was 'going undercover' cut no ice with the force - or his wife. But now he's been brutally killed on Hogmanay night, it seems there may have been more to his plea. Dragged from the New Year celebrations, Special Constable Sir Bob Skinner is shocked to find Coats' body alongside that of Griff Montell: his erstwhile protégé, and former lover of Skinner's own daughter, Alex. Could there be some dark truth under Coats' cock-and-bull story, after all? As the secrets start unravelling, Skinner realises he has gravely underestimated someone close to him - and the effects will cost him, and those he loves, dear . . .
This series of books is by far one of the best Crime series available. This needs to be on TV. I absolutely love every single one of these books.
Bob Skinner, I've read about him so much over the years I almost think he's become a family member. In fact I may know him better than I know some of my family. He's Big Bob, a warm cuddly teddy bear or Big Bob, the ferocious, lethal, detective who you don't want to be on the wrong side of. Why has a car with two dead men in the back seat been left outside a police station. More to the point who has left them here. It's a brazen act, dumping a car with dead bodies in anywhere but why the police station. Mario Maguire interrupts Bob and Sarah's new year by requesting Bob at the scene of crime. Bob is no longer working for the police, or should I say he's no longer a copper. But his expert advice is always welcomed and he now has a badge that means he can help on cases the top brass feel they need him for. This is one of those cases. The abandoned car with the 2 dead men in the back is the scene he's required to attend. It turns out one of these men is an Ex police officer and the other one is a current police officer. Why together, what do they have that links them, both. These men are also link with a whole host of officers, does that mean the wider force are in trouble. The team with the help of Bab have to work out the whys, the how's and the who. The investigation will see them talking to a whole host of people who knew the 2 guys and slowly they need to piece parts of the puzzle together. Have we finally found a case that doesn't seem solvable. What an absolutely gripping read, the story flows well and leads you on a great journey. Back with some familiar characters who we have gotten to know through the previous books. Jardine writes a crime novel like no other. I can not wait each time I finish a book I need the next one. Long may this series continue. Here is the series in order just in case you fancy giving them a go.. I really recommend you read them all in order. Series Bob Skinner 1. Skinner's Rules (1993) 2. Skinner's Festival (1994) 3. Skinner's Trail (1994) 4. Skinner's Round (1995) 5. Skinner's Ordeal (1996) 6. Skinner's Mission (1997) 7. Skinner's Ghosts (1998) 8. Murmuring the Judges (1998) 9. Gallery Whispers (1999) 10. Thursday Legends (2000) 11. Autographs in the Rain (2001) 12. Head Shot (2002) 13. Fallen Gods (2003) 14. Stay of Execution (2004) 15. Lethal Intent (2005) 16. Dead and Buried (2006) 17. Death's Door (2007) 18. Aftershock (2008) 19. Fatal Last Words (2009) 20. A Rush of Blood (2010) 21. Grievous Angel (2011) 22. Funeral Note (2012) 23. Pray for the Dying (2013) 24. Hour Of Darkness (2014) 25. Last Resort (2015) 26. Private Investigations (2016) 27. Game Over (2017) 28. State Secrets (2017) 29. A Brush with Death (2018) 30. Cold Case (2018) 31. The Bad Fire (2019) 32. The Roots of Evil (2020) A Hint of Death (2014) Skinner's Elves (2017)
A spine-tingling standalone thriller of obsession from bestselling author and master of the genre Peter James.
To the outside world, suave, charming and confident doctor Marcus Valentine has it all. A loving wife, three kids, a great job. But there's something missing, there always has been. Or rather, someone. Driving to work one morning, his mind elsewhere and not on the road, he nearly mows down a female jogger on a crossing. As she runs on, Marcus is transfixed. She is the spitting image of a girl he was crazy about in his teens. A girl he has never been able to get out of his mind. Lynette had dumped him harshly. For years he has fantasized about seeing her again and rekindling their flame. Might that jogger possibly be her all these years later? Could this be the most incredible coincidence? Despite all his attempts to resist, he is consumed by cravings for this woman. And when events take a tragically unexpected turn, his obsession threatens to destroy both their worlds. But still he won't stop. Can't stop.
Firstly I have to say when I started this book It felt so different to any other Peter James book I had read. A phycological thriller that leaves you wondering who can be trusted and if it's really worth going to my dr appointment.
The build up and suspense behind the story is brilliantly done. Marcus Valentine is a very successful Doctor. He has the wife, the kids, the car, the money. On paper it seems he has it all. yet Marcus Valentine is a very nasty, evil controlling man. He has developed a very strange obsession with one of his patients. A very unhealthy obsession at that. It is his patient and friends partner that he has the obsession with, Georgie is feeling a little uneasy when she is around Marcus but can't put her finger on why. When things start going wrong for Georgie he is there to support her. There is plenty going on in this story, some of it seems a little far fetched but then it really does add to the story. Marcus is a master at manipulation and this really adds that chilling edge to the story. an easy read. The Christmas Killer: The debut chilling new British detective crime thriller series for Winter 2020 (Di James Walker 1)
As the snow begins to fall, the body count begins to climb…
DI James Walker is ready for a quiet family Christmas in the sleepy village of Kirkby Abbey. But when he opens an early Christmas present left on his doorstep, he soon realises it is no gift. Inside is a gruesome surprise, and a promise – twelve days, twelve murders. Not long after, the first body is found, half frozen in the snow. As the blizzards descend, panic spreads through the remote Cumbrian village – there’s a killer amongst them, and with eleven more victims to go, anyone could be next…. Can James stop the killer before they strike again? The first in a new series, Alex Pine has written a dark, atmospheric crime novel, set in a snowed-in Cumbrian village, for fans of Val McDermid, Ross Greenwood and LJ Ross
I started with reading a sample/teaser of this book. It was enough to get me hooked and I was thrilled when I got the chance to read the full book.
This is the first I have read of this author and it's the first in a series, that means I know I will have more to look forward to in the near future. Never knowing what you are going to get when reading from a new author to me, I have to go in with an open mind. This book didn't disappoint, It was interesting, enthralling and gripping. I genuinely didn't have a clue who was 'the Christmas Killer' and a little surprised when I did find out. Enough twists and turns in this book to keep you on the edge and guessing. Moving from city life to village life is going to be so different for DI James Walker. He's moving for an easier pace of life. Just knowing that you know that where ever he goes it is not going to be quite. He's going to be dragged into something. That is exactly what happens. Get a mug of hot chocolate, and put your feet up. get ready for a thrilling read. Enjoy! |
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