February 27, 2018 by Tina Williams

~Release Blitz for La Contessa by S Nano~ includes extract

Out Now—La Contessa by S. Nano

#newrelease #erotica #bdsm

Book Blurb ~ La Contessa

The most decadent city…
The most perverted mistress…

Renowned for her beauty and cruelty, La Contessa’s reputation as a dominatrix is well established. And eighteenth century Venice has degenerated into a decadent and lascivious city, the perfect backdrop for her to play-out her debauched games and political ambitions.

She sends her maid, Julia, into the alleyways to search for a young man to act as her slave. Julia finds Roberto prostituting himself in the least salubrious district of Venice. He enters into La Contessa’s service to perform her bizarre and sadistic scenes.

From their first meeting there is a mutual attraction between maid and servant. The young couple engineer a series of sexual encounters, knowing the risks should their mistress discover them. Their situation is complicated when La Contessa rescues Becky and brings her to the palazzo as her submissive girl-slave. The interloper exposes Julia’s jealousies… and the feelings for her mistress.

How long can Roberto and Julia keep their love secret? Will Becky’s presence thwart their relationship? Will La Contessa’s scheming bring her the richest prize in all Venice?

All is resolved before the grand ball and masked, BDSM orgy held by La Contessa in her palazzo as the climax to Venice’s Carnivale.

Buy links

Author bio

S. Nano is a writer of erotic stories with dark and exotic content in fantasy or historical settings drawing on the themes of female domination, BDSM and fetish but often with a seam of quirky humour running through them.

‘La Contessa’ is his third full length novel. ‘Adventures in Fetishland’, a BDSM/fetish re-invention of the classic Alice stories was published by Xcite Books and ‘Mistress of the Air’, a comic, Steampunk, erotic adventure was also published by eXcessica. His novellas and short stories have been published by Xcite Books, House of Erotica, Forbidden Fiction, Coming Together and Greenwoman Publishing.

He is a regular participant in reading slams at ‘Smut by the Sea’ and similar events in the UK, contributing a workshop ‘Kinking Up the Past’, on getting inspiration for erotic stories in historical settings, in 2015.

Author web site: http://www.slavenano.co.uk/writing
Author facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nano.vaslen

Extract

La Contessa gestures for me to take up a position at the opposite side of her from Becky.

She’s dressed formally, in her wig, a rich embroidered gown, and as much make-up as I’ve seen her wear. She’s dressed to impress, and when I see her guest, I understand why. His gown is grand, its hood lined with ermine. But it’s the cane, capped with a silver winged lion, which provides the vital clue for me. Nobody would openly carry such an iconic symbol if they were not part of Venice’s ruling elite. The ensuing conversation confirms my suspicions.

“May I speak frankly to you, Contessa?”

“Yes, these are my servants. I trust them not to allow any report of our conversation to go beyond this room. They know the severity of the punishment if they do.”

“This is a delicate matter, Contessa. As you know the trade through Venice of late has declined, and the Doge and Council of Ten are, let me be frank, in straightened circumstances.”

“Allessandro Fernasse, I’m perfectly aware the interest on my loans to the Doge is due for payment in a matter of days. No doubt you’ve been sent here to crawl on behalf of the Council of Ten to renegotiate the interest payments. And, knowing the perverse lecher you are, I don’t doubt you’d also like to avail yourself of the entertainments I offer. You will see I have acquired a new slave and slave girl since you were last here. The girl is especially delicious don’t you think… and very willing.”

The corpulent representative of the Council of Ten squirms uncomfortably in his seat, sweat dripping from his forehead. I’m intrigued by this exchange. It explains a lot. Venice is a place where money rules. This must be the hold La Contessa has over the ruling elite of the city, making her untouchable in whatever she does.

“Yes, Contessa, on behalf of the Council I’m here to ask for a rescheduling of our debts.”

La Contessa raises an eyebrow, “Ask? You mean beg, surely.”

“Well, to discuss what mutually beneficial arrangements we might come to,” splutters Fernasse.

“Ha! You mean beg. And yes, I will make you beg! Get out of the chair onto your knees and crawl towards me.”

“But, Contessa, is it your intention to humiliate me?”

“Yes, indeed it is. Do as I say and get on your knees or there will be no negotiation. I will simply insist on the repayment of my loan. You know the consequences.”

Offered no alternative, Fernasse heaves his body out of the chair and gets down on his knees. He crawls the short distance to where La Contessa sits, her hand outstretched ready for him. He takes it in his hand and kisses it. There is a pause.

“Yes?” prompts La Contessa.

“Contessa, I beg you on behalf of the Doge and the Council of Ten to extend the period of your loan to the city for six months. We are expecting a fleet of merchant ships to arrive from the Far East by then with goods we can trade. I beg you to grant us this favour.”

“That’s better. And tell the Doge, next time he wants to reschedule his debts, he must come himself, and I will make him get down on his knees and crawl. I am minded to agree to an extension but I do have further conditions; a few trifles to satisfy my whims.”

“Yes, Contessa; let me know what they are. I’m confident we will be able to accommodate them,” said Fernasse, still on his knees.

“The first stipulation is that, on the final day of Carnevale, I will expect my barge to lead the procession along the Grand Canal, and for the ball to be held in my palazzo.”

“Why yes, Contessa, we would be honoured for you to host the Carnevale’s masked ball,” he says, relieved at the relative modesty of the request.

Release blitz organised by Writer Marketing Services

February 22, 2018 by Tina Williams

Release Blitz for Love Me Hard Boxed Set

Love Me Hard Boxed Set—Out Now! #lovemehard #romance #eroticromance

Blurb:

Romance Collections is proud to present these fifteen sexy and scintillating stories of passion, lust and desire. With each pulsating chapter, you will be pulled into these stories that will seduce you with every flip of the page.

So, do not hold back.

Do not set your eReader down.

It’s time to curl up and get lost as you read these tales of loving oh so hard.

Featuring books by some of today’s hottest best selling and award-winning authors, including: Nicole Morgan, Whitley Cox, Lucy Felthouse, Aeris Lize, Lita Lawson, Jeanne St. James, Alyssa Drake, Marissa Farrar, Christina Rose Andrews, Erica Lynn, EmKay Connor, T.J. Loveless, Molly Alvarado, Celia Fay and Kathleen Lawless.

Grab your copy today! https://books2read.com/lovemehard
Add to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37830925
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Love-Me-Hard-951457135031913/
*****

Excerpt from Lottery Losers by Lucy Felthouse:

Susie Parmenter let out a heavy sigh and closed her book, then put it down on the table beside her. She closed her eyes and let her head loll back on her shoulders, enjoying the warmth of the summer sunshine on her skin, which was pleasant but not too hot. It wasn’t the book that was boring her—under normal circumstances, she’d have been riveted by the crime fiction novel featuring a hunky lead detective—it was life. Just lately, her world had become so dull, so predictable, that she just couldn’t summon any enthusiasm for anything.

The worst of it was, she couldn’t tell anyone. It was a problem so utterly first world it was embarrassing. Humiliating, even. Admitting her permanent state of apathy would be ridiculous, and she doubted anyone would understand where she was coming from, anyway. After all, how could you possibly tell your friends, your family, your husband, that you were bored out of your damn mind when you had, quite literally, everything? Since winning a lottery jackpot twelve months ago, Susie and her husband, Peter, had had their worlds turned completely upside down.

At first, of course, it had been amazing. They had won more than enough money to live incredibly lavish lifestyles for the remainder of their years—even if they lived to be very old indeed. So, once the cash was safely in the bank, they’d quit their jobs. Then they’d taken off on an incredible round-the-world trip, spending much of their travel time plotting and planning what else they were going to spend their winnings on. By the time they arrived home, they were ready to hire an architect to draw up plans for a custom-build home. Another two weeks later, they’d found and purchased the plot of land, and were talking to builders. Things moved fast—but then, Susie had found that was often the case when large sums of money were involved.

Now their dream home was complete. It was, naturally, stunning. The huge house stood high on a hillside in the Derbyshire countryside, with only a handful of other properties in sight. It was situated so that from one side of the house, you could watch the sun rise in the morning, and from the other, you could watch it set in the evening. There was a covered and heated swimming pool, a Jacuzzi, a sauna, a gym, a home cinema… everything a person could possibly need or want, and then some.

They employed a cleaner and a gardener, so aside from cooking meals three times a day—if they didn’t eat out or order takeaway, that was—there was nothing to do around the house. Susie had moved the furniture umpteen times, which was a novelty at first, given their old house had been so small that every single item had a place that it fitted into—barely, in some cases—and that was that. She now found herself swapping pictures around and tweaking the positions of ornaments on a regular basis, often putting them back where they’d been to start with.

She’d gotten into a routine of using the pool, gym, and sauna every morning, but that still left hours and hours of the day just waiting to be filled.

It was all right for Peter—he might have ditched his job, but these days his time was divided between playing golf, and being involved in a bunch of stuffy business boards. She didn’t really understand what he did at the meetings, if she was honest, but it didn’t matter. What did matter was that, only weeks after moving in to their beautiful new home, Susie’s boredom was at fever pitch. She was climbing the walls. Surely even board meetings were more exciting than this?

Grab your copy today!

https://books2read.com/lovemehard

Release blitz organised by Writer Marketing Services.

February 20, 2018 by Tina Williams

ARC REVIEW – The Wolf’s Lover, by Samantha MacLeod

#urbanfantasy #Norsemyths #mythology #eroticromance

Adult/18+ read

Blurb

Karen McDonald buried her past.

Five years after her divorce, Karen is a wildlife biologist studying wolves in Yellowstone National Park. But when the wolf she tranquilizes turns into a man – a man she recognizes from the recurring dreams which have haunted her for years – her rational, scientific world gives way to something stranger and more dangerous.

The man is Vali, son of the Norse god Loki. He was imprisoned thousands of years ago, cursed to live inside a wolf’s body. Now Vali tells Karen he’s being hunted…and he’s hunting as well.

Because something has awoken beneath the volcanic caldera of Yellowstone, an ancient power that could spell the end of everything, unless Karen is willing to risk her life, and unearth the secrets of her past, to save her world.

My Review

Sexy and Spellbinding ~ 5 stars TOP READ

LOVED it! The Wolf’s Lover is another sexy and spellbinding foray into the world created by Samantha Macleod which blends characters from Norse mythology with reality as we know it. Although can be read as a standalone, if you have read some of the author’s other books you will no doubt be as delighted as I to once again be reunited with some of the characters and places that were included in them.

Karen and Vali (serious hottie alert!) are a wonderful couple and I just loved how their relationship develops. Vali, the mysterious and unknown lover who invades her dreams, becomes a powerful lone wolf and then morphs into a man of flesh and blood, destined to change her life forever. As the son of the Norse god Loki, Vali is far from ordinary and his destiny is entwined with that of Karen’s in ways neither he nor she could have imagined.

Karen is a strong woman with a painful past and has a lot in common with Vali. Indeed, they are just what the other needs, yet fate has other ideas and their love will be sorely tested as the plot progresses. The secondary characters are well developed and I particularly enjoyed meeting Loki and Caroline from the Trickster’s Lover (click on book title for review). They not only have their own role to play in this story but we also get to find out more about Loki’s past and how their relationship is progressing. I won’t say anymore about the storyline, except that it is a real doozy and once again this author is to be congratulated for such a unique and impressive plot.

The novel is beautifully written in terms of both language and form and the storyline is strong, entwining romance, mythology, tension and suspense. It questions whether even our free will is free or whether is it out of our control and subject to the machinations of others. Indeed, the themes the book deals with – the cycle of life and death, love, family are deep. The strength of the story and the characterisations are matched by the quality and depth of the erotic lovemaking scenes between Vali and Karen and the myriad of emotions they evoke – you may need to ensure you have access to unlimited iced drinks and before reading…

Recommended for fans of urban fantasy and myths and legends who enjoy sizzling lovemaking scenes with strong characters and plot and excellent world-building.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

Please note an ARC of this book was given to me by the author for the purpose of a fair and honest review.

Purchase Links

Amazon US Amazon UK

Connect with the Author

https://sammacleod.wordpress.com/about-me/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100012016893561

February 19, 2018 by Tina Williams

ARC REVIEW ~ Cinderella and the Geek (British Bad Boys), by Christina Phillips

#newadult #romcom #contemporary #romance

Blurb

From Christina Phillips a sexy, new romance with a hero you won’t forget…

I’m not looking for love or a Happily-Ever-After because I know how that ends. I just need to concentrate on my degree and look after myself. But there’s something about my boss, Harry, I can’t resist. It’s crazy since he’s so hot and smart it should be illegal.
And then, just like Cinderella, I have my night at
the ball and a midnight kiss, and for a week all my sexy daydreams come true. That fake date changes my life in a way I could never imagine. It turns out, Harry wants me too.

But I’m off to pursue my dreams, and he’s taking his business to the next level. There’s no way this fairytale has a happy ending, but that doesn’t keep me from wishing for it.

My Review

Enchanting twist on the Cinderella story ~ 4 stars

I loved this sweet new adult romantic comedy by Christina Phillips. It’s a perfect feel-good read with a distinctly British flavour which re-creates perfectly the excitement and angst of a new relationship between two young people who are very much in love.

Alice has been attracted to her boss Harry as long as she has been working at his high tech gaming firm. However, she has never had the courage to let him know her true feelings and is soon to leave his company and attend university hundreds of miles away. She is desperate to seduce him at some point during her remaining weeks at the firm, after all what does she have to lose? However, it never seems to happen, until Harry invites her to a ‘fake date’ which sees her accompany him on an unforgettable night at an awards ceremony.

The night is a game changer for them both and afterwards they begin to spend time together. It becomes clear that Harry does not just see Alice solely as his irreplaceable office administrator, but as something more… However, has their relationship got staying power or is it just a quick fling before Alice begins her studies?

Both Harry and Alice are thoroughly likeable characters and it is obvious to the reader that they are destined for each other. Harry is the quintessentially handsome geek – in his case an expert in computers, but a man who is not so good at letting his true feelings be known. Alice’s’s experience of relationships with the opposite sex is a big fat zero, her lifelong ambition before meeting Harry being to gain a degree and embark on a stellar career. She also has her own insecurities – what young person doesn’t?

The story is told in their dual POV and there are are some very funny scenes and internal and external dialogue as the couple navigate around each other, their colleagues and family. The physical scenes between them are sweet, funny and romantic at the same time and are beautifully depicted, although at times I did feel like banging their heads together!

Between them the path to lasting love is fraught with ups and downs, as they deal with intense feeings and situations they have not experienced before and issues arising from their past. The reader is left wondering whether their fragile bond will last.

All in all a cute and sexy feel-good read!

Reviewed by Tina Williams

An ARC of this novel was given to me by the publisher for the purpose of a fair an honest review.

Buy Links

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Connect with the Author

Website | Facebook | Twitter

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February 14, 2018 by Tina Williams

REVIEW – Captive Beauty, by Natasha Knight

#fairytaleretelling #romanticsuspense #eroticromance

Blurb

Cilla

The Beast had Belle.
Killian Black has me.

How I got here doesn’t matter, even though he says it does. Says it was my choice. He doesn’t get it, though. It wasn’t ever a choice for me.

And now, he’s changing the rules.

The agreement was one month. For thirty days, I’d be his. He’s no longer satisfied with my body alone, though. He wants my soul, too. Wants every part of me. And even though I can pretend I’m safe when I lie beneath him, this man does something to me. Something wicked.

A thing that will break me.

Killian

Cilla made the choice. She offered the deal. I just took her up on it. So what if I changed the rules half-way in? I’m not apologizing for it.

See, Cilla and me, we’re the same. She’s dark. As dark as me. Something happened to her. Something bad. It damaged her.

But it’s not a hero she seeks. It’s an avenging angel. A dark knight. That, I can do. I’ll slay her dragons, but it’ll cost her, because in return, I want everything. And I’ll take it.

She’s mine.

Author’s note: Captive Beauty is a standalone romance. Think Beauty and the Beast, but twisted and dark in the best, dirtiest ways.

My Review

Freaking Fabulous – 5 Stars ***** TOP READ

I just loved this latest release Captive Beauty, by Natasha Knight, one of my go to author’s when I want to read about exceedingly dark alphas and complex and damaged characters. It was not only a delicious panty melting read, but it was based on one of my favourite romance tropes – Beauty and the Beast. I one-clicked and devoured it with gusto at the first opportunity.

To save her brother from a serious kicking (and possibly worse) for daring to cross mob boss Killian Black, Cilla feels compelled to offer herself instead as recompese. She soon finds that she has signed herself over to the devil for 30 days to do exactly what he wants to her… For this woman who likes to keep men at an emotional distance she soon finds herself challenged by the darkness and intensity that Killian personifies. Killian is one hell of a dominant and likes very much to keep Cilla in her place. They are so well matched. as Cilla is feisty and certainly no pushover however, and I hugely enjoyed their battle of wills and the sex scenes truly sizzle!

The hero, or rather the anti-hero Killian Black is such a worthy beast: a remorseless mob boss with no scruples, a deliciously dark alpha. Yet Killian has his own inner demons to slay, feeling tormented that he could not protect an innocent from his past. The connection he forges with Cilla is profound and I loved that Killian is drawn to the darkness that he senses in her. He is determined to peel away her layers and discover what she is hiding. Yet Cilla is determined to keep her secrets at all cost, even when she enlists him to avenge a past wrong. As for Cilla, I loved that even as she struggles to submit to him she begins to enjoy his wicked attentions and very wicked they are too – cue serious hotness Natasha Knight style! My heart bled for what both these characters had endured.

I adore how this author delved deeply into their respective characters and slowly revealed their respective pasts. The attraction between Killian and Cilla was palpable from the off and increases in intensity as the read progresses. I was glued to the pages as I waited to find out whether their darkness would tear them apart or whether together they could slay their respective demons and together find resolution. It was unclear whether Killian’s actions would help Cilla find closure or somehow destroy them both.

The book contains a number of triggers, as you would expect with a dark romance, but they are integral to the plot and the character development. The writing, narrated in dual POV, flows beautifully. The book is an intense, emotional rollercoaster for Killian and Cilla and I enjoyed accompanying them on the ride.

This thoroughly addictive and sizzling dark romance, is without a doubt a superb read for lovers of the genre.

Goodreads

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Connect with the Author

https://www.facebook.com/natasha.knight.946

http://natasha-knight.com/books/

February 6, 2018 by Tina Williams

Release Blitz for Rory by Saskia Walker

Get Coded for Love with RORY #newadult #romance #stepbrother from @saskiawalker

RORY. New Adult Romance, book one in the Coded For Love series.

Three guys who want to leave their hacker days behind.
Three women who may or may not stand in their way.

A chance encounter on the London Underground brings Sky Vaughn face to face with her stepbrother, Rory Rattigan, the guy she had a passionate teen crush on back home in Wales. Sky’s vowed to stay out of trouble. She’s already been thrown out of one college and she’s desperate for a second chance to study art in London—but she never could resist sparring with Rory Rattigan.

Rory is trying to break with his computer hacker past. His sexy stepsister turns up just when he needs to hide his hacker kit, and she’s more than willing to help him out. But Rory soon realizes the desire he’s always had for Sky is going to complicate his plans to play life by the rules. He left home because he couldn’t have her, and now here she is.

The chemistry between Rory and Sky is about to change their lives forever—because trouble and danger can’t keep them apart, and they attract both, in spades.

Excerpt:

Once the door swung wide, Rory found she wasn’t where he’d left her, standing with the sad, almost resentful look in her eyes when he declined her invitation. From beyond the bathroom door he heard the sound of a shower.
She was in there. Presumably naked. The sound of the shower drummed in his brain. The door to the tiny bathroom was ajar, just slightly, and steam wisped out as he watched.

Okay, he told himself, get the USB stick and go. It would be the right thing to do and he wanted to do the right thing. But his feet were fixed to the floor like cement blocks were holding him there. His mind presented a picture of her, naked in the shower. It wasn’t hard to imagine. He’d seen her flitting about the house in a towel back at home in Cadogan. She’d always been a provocative little Madam. She’d told him she wanted him.

Then he thought he heard her voice, and it sounded as if she was cursing.

Unable to resist, Rory moved quietly around the futon and over to the bathroom door. The sound was muffled, but she was definitely mumbling to herself.

With one finger, he pushed the door a little wider, straining to hear what she said. He didn’t intend to actually look, but steam billowed over the top of the shower curtain and — with it — the sound of a frustrated moan.
The sound was so incredibly sexy, he couldn’t move.

Again a breathless moaning sound came from inside the shower curtain.
The sound of it made him harden. He should leave. It was wrong to be standing there, listening to her. Should he try to warn her? Yeah, sure. He could shout out while she was in the middle of showering, naked. That would be a good way to announce his presence.
She had invited him to stay, after all.

The scent of musk filled the steamy atmosphere.

Maybe he should have turned away, but instead he saw her red painted fingernails as she pulled the curtain aside to put the shower gel on the nearby shelf. Then the sound of the water ceased.

One hand grasped the edge of the shower curtain and pulled it back. She reached for the towel rail, pulled the towel free and wrapped it around herself as she stepped out onto the bathmat.

It was too late to walk away, even if he’d wanted to.

The towel was too small and barely covered her damp outline, the curve of her bottom showing beneath its hem. He’d just about processed the information when all the blood left his brain.

Sky turned his way.

Gasping audibly, she stepped back and butted up against the sink. Reaching around with one hand, she steadied herself. As she did the towel began to slip free.

“I’m sorry” he blurted, hands lifted in a guilty plea. “I didn’t know you were having a shower.”

Rory half expected her to scream, or at least tell him to stop staring — because he couldn’t help staring right then. No man in his right mind could help staring then. Mascara smudged beneath both eyelids. Her red-streaked black hair clung to her head and neck, the tips trailing across her chest, dripping water.

But she didn’t scream. Instead she laughed softly, as if at some private joke. “You came back.”

“I came back, to prove your security was lacking,” he explained as he attempted to tear his gaze away. He tried to chill, lowering his hands.

“Is that why?” Curiosity flashed in her eyes.

And for you, I came back for you. He was past denying it now.

“I guess you wanted to check the locks in here too, did you?” Her eyes were incredibly bright, her strawberry lips curved.
He shook his head. “Sky, I can’t leave now.”

“No, you can’t.”

She wanted him too, it was there in her eyes and it was such a turn on. He had to touch her, to bring her to that moment in his arms. Closing the small gap between them in a heartbeat, he shrugged off his leather jacket and threw it out the open door behind him.
Sky looked up at him, eyes wide, lips parted.

He paused a moment, lifted her damp hair free of her cheek, easing it back. Her eyelids fluttered and she inhaled sharply.
“You asked me to stay. Is this what you had in mind, or am I interrupting your private bathing time?” She could always say no.
“The shower was your fault,” she declared. “You got me so wound up.”

Grasping the towel to her chest with one hand, she put the other on his shoulder, inviting him closer.
Rory ducked his head and kissed her, cupping the back of her head in one hand, the other finding the curve of her hip to pull her against him.

RORY is just 99c on pre-order, but the price will increase on release day (14th February), so grab yours now to lock in the bargain price!

Buy Links:

Amazon US: Amazon UK: Amazon CA: Amazon AU:

Bio:

Saskia Walker is a USA Today Bestseller and award-winning author. Her short stories and novellas have appeared in over one hundred international anthologies and several international magazines, including Cosmo, Penthouse, and Bust. After writing shorts for several years Saskia moved into novel-length projects.

Fascinated with seduction, Saskia loves to explore how and why we get from saying “hello” to sharing our most intimate selves in moments of extreme passion. Her novels Double Dare and Rampant both won Passionate Plume awards and her writing has twice been nominated for a RT Book Reviews Reviewers’ Choice Award. She has lots more stories in the pipeline! Saskia lives in the north of England on the edge of the Yorkshire moors, with her real life hero, Mark, and a house full of felines.

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Release blitz organised by Writer Marketing Services

February 5, 2018 by Tina Williams

REVIEW ~ Deadly Lies (DI Mariner #1), by Chris Collett

#crimedrama #policeprocedural

Blurb

Journalist Eddie Barham is found dead in his home. A syringe is in his arm and a note by his side reads, ‘No More.’

Open and shut case of suicide? Not for DI Mariner. Hours before, he saw Barham picking up a woman in a bar. And then Mariner discovers Barham’s younger brother, Jamie, hiding in a cupboard under the stairs.

Jamie is the only witness to his brother’s death, but his severe autism makes communication almost impossible. Mariner is determined to connect with Jamie and get to the truth. Is the journalist’s death related to his investigation of a local crime kingpin?

What other dark secrets does Jamie hold the key to and can Mariner keep his relationship professional with Barham’s attractive sister, Anna?

In a nail-biting conclusion, Mariner races against time to prevent more lives being lost.

Perfect for fans of Peter James, Ian Rankin and Peter Robinson.

My Review

A Cracking Crime Drama – 5 stars

Deadly Lies by Chris Collett is a cracking character driven crime drama which had me guessing until the thrilling denouement. The book introduces the reader to DI Tom Mariner, the central character in the ensuing series, and can be read as a standalone. It is the first book I have read that is billed as a Police Procedural, and I was unsure as to what to expect. What I did find was that I was very quickly sucked into the suspenseful plot and the relationships between the chief protagonists.

Although the death of the journalist Eddie Barham in his home at first appears to be an open and shut case of suicide, DI Mariner is determined to leave no stone unturned. He focuses his investigation on not only the woman who he saw the deceased pick up at a Birmingham bar but also on attempting to communicate with Jamie Barham, Eddie’s severely autistic younger brother, who was found locked in a cupboard at the scene.

The latter part of his investigation brings him into contact with Anna, Jamie’s sister, and the very personal connection they forge adds further tension to the novel. Both have baggage from their past and I found their ‘will they won’t they’ relationship particularly well portrayed by the author. DI Mariner’s relationships with his colleagues are depicted in a realistic way and I found him to be a fascinating albeit flawed character. The novel is full of suspense as the investigation leads Tom Mariner into the underbelly of the city of Birmingham and to adopt some unexpected and often unpalatable leads involving drugs, prostitution and criminal gangs. I enjoyed the numerous twists and turns as he strives to solve the case.

One of the big pluses in the book for me was the complexity and humanity of the main characters, who due to their various foibles came across as very believable. It also examines the challenges faced by those with autism and their families.

All in all an enthralling start to the series. The author has created a fascinating character in that of Tom Mariner. I am curious as to how his crime solving journey and his personal one progresses and will be reading other books in the series.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

Please note that a copy of this book was given to me by the author for the purpose of a fair and honest review.