April 15, 2014 by Caroline Barker

Yellow (A Sydney Hart novel #2) by Tim O’Rourke

Blurb: In love with Vincent and trying to move on with her life, Sydney Hart is visited by an old friend. When this friend suddenly goes missing, Sydney finds herself in a desperate race against time, not only to save her friend’s life, but also her relationship with Vincent.

With Michael wanting to spend more time with her in order to rekindle their relationship, Sydney’s life and emotions become ever more complex.

Trying to stay focused on the hunt for her missing friend, Sydney has to figure out who is telling her the truth; but most importantly, who is Mr. Yellow?

‘Yellow’ (A Sydney Hart Novel) Book Two.

*A New Adult Novel Recommended for mature readers*

Another masterpiece from Tim O’Rourke! There is nothing that this author can do wrong! Yellow covers many genres, including thriller, paranormal, horror, mystery and romance! Not to mention some cheeky dialogue in-between to lighten the tension and keep the reader amused. Add to this some great characters, nightmare ‘flashbacks’ and some great drama.

Each series of Tim O’Rourke’s covers many genres, however each is different and original, and Sydney Hart is no exception. I love the supernatural element of this series and how it affects Sydney, but rather than have me spoiling it I like the idea of keeping it a mystery and leaving you a little curious!

With Sydney now on leave she is spending all of her time with Vincent, but there is always that question deep down of ‘where can she go from here?’ The story opens up to a tender, loving scene between Sydney and Vincent. It is beautifully written, sensual and therefore, a little mature for the younger reader (I’d recommend 17yrs+). However, it is still very sweet and draws the reader in instantaneously. And after a small reminder of what had happened previously in ‘Witch’ (Book 1) we return to where Sydney is at, in her little ‘bubble‘.

“So instead of facing the world…….. I hid beneath the sheets of my bed, locked tightly in Vincent’s arms…………. we lay in each other’s arms, listening to soft music filtering in from the living room, and making love.”

As the story unfolds, the reader is acquainted with Lisa, Sydney’s best friend. Lisa’s visit is interesting, a little unwelcome at first. But Lisa is curious as to what Sydney is up to, at the same time as caring and wanting to encourage her to move on. Lisa is also a funny character and I caught myself laughing at some of the dialogue between her and Sydney.

It is at this point that the reader is made aware of Mr. Yellow and his mysteriousness, which is just what Lisa found so intriguing about him. Who is he? What’s his background? Will he be the one? However, (later in the story) Lisa appears to have gone missing but will Sydney be able to piece together what has happened? Remembering Lisa’s last visit to her home and connecting it to her ‘flashback’ nightmares when dreaming, Sydney decides to do a little investigating!

Some of the scenes, in particular the nightmare sequences can be quite horrific, scary and violent/gory. Sydney sees some horrific and violent events unfold in a household but can she make sense of them? There is also a sense of eeriness that the reader will feel at parts, in particular when Sydney visits Lisa’s house and sees a dark figure inside! This scene really did make me shudder!!!

As well as dealing with her feelings from Book 1, Vincent, trying to solve the puzzle of Lisa’s disappearance, her nightmares and the mysterious Mr. Yellow, Sydney also has to tackle her feelings towards Michael. After a quick fling with him in Book 1 he has developed feelings towards her, but she in in love with Vincent. Due to Vincent’s circumstances, Sydney is aware that a long term relationship could be unlikely but can she betray Vincent to ensure a relationship with Michael?

Even the reader is torn at this point as both Michael and Vincent are fantastic characters, and both have deep feelings for Sydney. They are great guys – I think it’s a pity she can’t have both. Albeit, some may disagree! The reader cannot help but wonder ‘what will become of Michael?’ if he doesn’t end up with Sydney. (You can feel a little sorry for Michael.) At the same time is staying with Vincent a realistic option?

Although it has been over 12 months since reading the first book of the series, I found Tim O’Rourke easily manages to remind the reader the main points of book 1, mostly through dialogue and Sydney’s thoughts throughout the book. However, they are camouflaged well into the story of Book 2 enabling a fresh reader to the series to pick up Yellow and understand what is happening and what has already taken place.

There are so many twists and turns, great characters and constant on-going adventure from beginning to end. You can liken it very much to your favourite roller-coaster and once you start, you just don’t want to get off. Any reader, of either gender over 17, who loves such a mix of genres to read will have it all in any one of Tim’s books. If you haven’t already, you MUST pick up a Tim O’Rourke book. You will not be disappointed!!!!

Yellow (A Sydney Hart novel #2) was provided by the author, Tim O’Rourke, for the purpose of an honest and fair review.

You can purchase Yellow from Amazon UK and Amazon US as e-book and/or paperback.

You can also purchase Witch (Sydney Hart #1) at Amazon UK and Amazon US!

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

July 14, 2013 by Caroline Barker

Author post/biog by Tim O’Rourke

Moonbeam (The Moon Trilogy, #2) Hi guys, following our review of Moonbeam (The Moon Trilogy, Book 2) we have a fantastic author post/biog from my favourite author, Tim O’Rourke! We would like to thank Tim for taking the time to write this for A Reader’s Review Blog. We hope you all enjoy this treat as much as we did. Over to you, Tim :-

“I started writing at the age of fourteen. As a kid I had struggled with reading and writing, but after discovering the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, I started to write myself. I wrote mainly short stories at first and these were often about ghosts or had some kind of macabre undertone. In fact, Isidor’s ‘Penny Dreadfuls’ which I included at the end of ‘Dead Angels’ (Kiera Hudson Series Two) Book 2 were all written by me between the ages of 14 and 15. I included those stories as Isidor was about 14 when he wrote them deep within the Hollows, so I thought they would be quite fitting.

Just like Isidor, I continued to read and write and it became my passion. I was taught to read by a dear friend, who just like Melody Rose, sat with me for hours and hours as I tried to make sense of the words.

I wrote poems, books and plays all the way through college, although I never tried to get any of my work published at that time. I didn’t have the confidence in myself or my writing. Shoot forward in time twenty or more years, and it wasn’t until my wife pulled a huge box from beneath the stairs and asked, “Tim what’s the point in writing all this stuff if you never share it with anyone?”, that I thought perhaps she had a point. I spent the next few years sending my work out to publishers and agents but without success. It wasn’t until I had written the first ‘Doorways’ book and ‘Black Hill Farm’ book that I decided I wouldn’t send them out to publishers or agents but publish them myself on Amazon. I remember thinking to myself as I hit the upload button on Amazon, that I would be happy if I sold 50 books. To my surprise, I sold more than that. But it wasn’t until I wrote the first Kiera Hudson book (Vampire Shift) that things really changed for me. That book sold really well and still does two years later. Kiera Hudson seemed to connect with people. I get more emails about Kiera then any of my other characters. People really seem to love the character and identify with her on some level. I think it’s because Kiera struggles and each of us do that every single day one way or another.

It’s kind of odd because as a teenager I remember reading that Conan Doyle got tired of writing about Sherlock Holmes – so much so that he killed Holmes off in ‘The Final Problem’. At the time there was a public outcry demanding that Holmes be bought back to life. Now, I’ve not had anything like that and I wouldn’t compare my writing or characters to those created by the genius Conan Doyle, but when I let it be known that there wouldn’t be any more Kiera Hudson books after ‘Vampire Hollows (Kiera Hudson Series One) Book 5, I did get my fair share of emails asking me to write more Kiera books. It was then I realised how fond and attached some people had come to this character. So before publishing ‘Vampire Hollows’ I went back and rewrote the ending, leaving the pages open for more Kiera Hudson adventures. I’m now writing the eighth Kiera Hudson book in the second series and I’m very glad that I am. Unlike Conan Doyle, who really didn’t want to write any more Holmes books, I do want to write more Kiera Hudson books but only if I can think of great adventures for her to have. I do have a third series planned. But like Conan Doyle and his relationship with Holmes, there are plenty of other stories I want to tell other than those about Kiera Hudson. I have so many characters roaming around in my head that want to be let out, that’s why this year, I have taken so time away from Kiera, and written stories about some of those other characters whose stories I want to tell. I absolutely love writing about Sydney Hart and I have plenty more mysteries for her to solve – I can’t wait to start writing them. There is also Winter McCall and Thaddeus Blake from my ‘Moon Trilogy’, who I also love writing about. Thaddeus and Winnie are kind of special to me as I wrote the first draft of ‘Moonlight’ when I was 14. I’ve made some changes to the overall story but it remains pretty much the same. In fact, if you read the first draft it is virtually identical to what you read today – other than Winnie was originally called Frannie. Thaddeus had an identical twin brother in the original story, but that was edited out. Ruby Little was a new character I introduced and I’ve had a lot of fun writing about her.

In ‘Moonbeam’, I really wanted to explore Thaddeus’ back story as I knew it would impact on the rest of the series. Thaddeus is a mystery not only to the reader but to me also. He seems quite allusive not only on the page but inside my head too. I know Thaddeus’ story and how it ends in for him and Winnie and I think the reader will be more surprised by what happens than in any of my other series. Like all of my books, I have been dropping clues since ‘Moonlight’ Book 1 and even more in ‘Moonbeam’ Book 2. At the end of book 3, ‘Moonshine’, I’m hoping the reader will gasp as all the little pieces of the jigsaw slide into place. I’m hoping to have ‘Moonshine’ published by the end of the year.

Between now and then, I will be publishing ‘Dead Push’ (Kiera Hudson Series Two) Book 7 at the end of July, then I’m doing the rewrites for ‘Flashes’. Over the coming months I will be writing the second Samantha Carter book, ‘Dead Lost’ (Kiera Hudson Series Two) Book 8, the final ‘Doorways’ book and working on ‘Pick’ which is a zombie novel I’m writing with my son. There are some more surprises to come, but they wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you about them now!”

TIM O’ROURKE

You can find my review of Tim’s Moonbeam (The Moon Trilogy, Book 2) below or by clicking on the link in the title. Check out our blog over the coming days for a giveaway of Tim’s Moonlight (The Moon Trilogy, Book 1) and also Vampire Shift (Keira Hudson, Series One Book One)! Both books will be paper copies and signed by Tim O’Rourke himself!!! – Caroline Barker, A Reader’s Review Blog

February 1, 2013 by Caroline Barker

Witch (A Sydney Hart novel) by Tim O’Rourke

Witch Although classed as a paranormal romance/thriller, ‘Witch’ has something to offer most genres, including horror, adventure, mystery and fantasy. Tim O’Rourke definitely meets his intended audience’s needs as this novel is fun and flirtatious but frightening and fearsome. Not to mention saucy, sensual and sexy. Hence the recommendation of mature readers.

The reader is instantly drawn into the story with Sydney and Michael trying to share a passionate moment. But, should she be doing this? Is she making a mistake? Even at the age of twenty, Sydney is still behaving like a tearaway, however she still comes to learn that she must take responsibility.

Sydney is a very likeable character and, as the book is written from her point of view throughout, the reader can make a strong connection to her. She wants to do the right thing, make her father proud, but isn’t she entitled to a little fun?

It is from this moment that events take place that will change Sydney’s life forever. Sydney begins having nightmares. These nightmares are vivid, frightening and eerie to the reader, as well as to Sydney. There are cringe-worthy moments, for example “…that flap of skin slapping against his emaciated face…” In parts, it made my skin crawl.

The effect that this novel has is brilliant. I went from laughing out loud one minute to being overcome with fear the next. This is one of the consequences from writing great characters as they are so full of life.

Vincent is my favourite character as he is awkward and funny. He appears to be sweet but cheeky and a little strange at times. One of my favourite scenes is when Vincent is dancing. Tim O’Rourke sets the scene up really well with the atmosphere and the music. The reader can feel Vincent really getting into the song and when Sydney had seen him she says, “You looked like you were having a fit!” Although sarcastic of Sydney, I found it very amusing.

The reader is taken on a mystery/adventure as Sydney tries to get to the bottom of these nightmares and why she was called a ‘witch’. Has she been cursed? Is the curse the reason for her nightmares?

In the back of her mind, Sydney is constantly conscious of her father. He is a strong and demanding character, but a little lost and empty too deep down. He is always wanting the best from his daughter but usually feeling disappointed with her. This is a great under current of the main story.

As in Tim O’Rourke’s ‘Keira Hudson’ series I enjoy the mention of modern technology, such as the iPod and, in this novel, the mini iPad. Knowing that the characters are using the technology that many of us have now and naming music artists and songs that the characters are listening to make this journey even more believable. Although some may see this point as being trivial, I believe that sometimes it is these small mentions that do provide a connection, an understanding with the reader which makes it seem that little bit more real.

As always, it has been my intention to write an honest and constructive review. Where is the criticism? Personally, I genuinely cannot fault the story, the characters, the setting nor the style of writing. The story is quick-paced, written direct to the point and each scene’s mood and atmosphere is built up beautifully to help create the events that take place. However, therefore, the reader is left wanting more. Whilst the novel wrapped up really well, missing nothing out, I would have liked it to have been longer. I just wanted to carry on reading! And on that note, I am hoping for more of Sydney Hart!!!

I would like to thank Tim O’Rourke for this copy of ‘Witch’, received in return for an honest and sincere review.

Reviewed by Caroline Barker