Smorgasbord Cafe and Bookstore – Author Update #Reviews – #Paranormal S.A. Harris, #Thriller Carol Balawyder, #Romance #Mystery Jacquie Biggar

Posted on January 27, 2020 by Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life.

Welcome to the first author update for the authors in the Cafe and Bookstore with recent reviews.

Time to catch up with Sally Harris who has received a great many five star reviews for her debut novel Haverscroft.

About the Book

Kate Keeling leaves all she knows and moves to Haverscroft House in an attempt to salvage her marriage. Little does she realise, Haverscroft’s dark secrets will drive her to question her sanity, her husband and fatally engulf her family unless she can stop the past repeating itself. Can Kate keep her children safe and escape Haverscroft in time, even if it will end her marriage?

Haverscroft is a gripping and chilling dark tale, a modern ghost story that will keep you turning its pages late into the night.

One of the recent reviews for the book on Goodreads

I was totally immersed in Haverscroft from the get-go, a dark and super atmospheric read, made all the better by the dark nights now setting in and the ghostly chill it can leave.

Mark Keeling has moved his wife to Haverscroft House, from London with their twins Tom & Sophie.

Nothing unusual there, a new family moving to the country, away from the stress of London life. Kates had a hard time recently and though Mark thought he was doing the right thing, he’s hardly ever there, he still working in London and leaving Kate to sort everything at Haverscroft, the kids, new school a new puppy, it’s tiring her out and she’s worried she’ll relapse. But it’s not just the move that’s unsettled Kate and the twins, its the house. That was a shadow wasnt it? Did you hear those voices, and there’s that tapping again.

Part of the deal to purchase the house was that the new owners, must-visit Mrs. Havers, she’s too old now to stay there and has no heirs. Will she tell Kate the truth? What is she hiding? She’s not the only one with secrets – Kate, Mark and his Mother are all keeping their own too.

Mark doesn’t believe there’s anything wrong with the house, and gets annoyed with Kate’s phone calls and cries for help – but will he change his mind now he knows the true history of the house and its previous tenants?

I think S.A Harris really manages to set the tone early on and leave the reader with no doubt that there is something in the house. Haverscoft is the perfect spooky read for Halloween, well any time – if you love a ghost story, this needs to come under your radar, and soon. Haverscroft – Gripping, Atmospheric and chilling.

Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon UK

and on: Amazon US

Follow S.A. Harris on: Goodreads

Connect to Sally via her website:Sally Harris

The next author is Carol Balawyder for her latest release, the thriller Warning Signs: A Novel about Obsession.

About the book

Eugene’s research into his criminal mind is not about the why, but how to prevent his horrific crimes. Angie, a young woman starving for passion sees Eugene as her saviour from a lonely life of caring for her heroin addicted mother. How far is she willing to go in order to save her relationship with Eugene and his promise for a future together?

Detective Van Ray is out on a vindictive mission as he attempts to solve the murders of young girls in Youth Protection.

Their lives collide in a mixture of mistrust, obsession and ignoring the warning signs. A psychological thriller about human frailty and loneliness.

One of the recent reviews for the book

Jan 16, 2020 D.G. Kaye rated it Five Stars

I’m a fan of this author’s women’s fiction and because of her expertise in a background of criminology, I was eager to read her first psychological thriller, and it did not disappoint.

Detective Darren Van Ray is upset that’s he’s been taken off the big necktie serial killer’s case for arresting the wrong man and allowing the killer to continue his spree. But thanks to his good friendship with lead detective, Alice Virioli, he keeps abreast of the case that he’s put so much time into and finds he can’t distance himself from the case.

Angie suffers a low self-esteem and lives with her drug-addicted mother. Eugene is the serial killer who is murdering young girls newly released from a Youth Center Group, using the logic that those girl’s lives are pretty much ended for disaster with a life of debauchery, so he thinks he is sparing them a miserable life. At the same time, he is doing research about the psychology of killers to try and learn why he has these urges to kill. He gets closer to Detective Van Ray by offering him his take from research on serial killers, thinking if he befriends him he’ll take the scent of himself. But the detective smells a rat. And once again the detective finds he can’t steer away from this case.

Insecure Angie meets Eugene (a.k.a. Niko – his real name) and they fall in love. Angie finally feeling worthy of herself and Niko wanting someone all for himself – until later in the book when Angie discovers who Eugene really is! As the case continues, we learn more about Eugene and where his killing instinct comes from. Things heat up when Detective Van Ray becomes curiously interested in Angie and her connection to Eugene after Eugene is mysteriously killed but a photo of Angie is found in his apartment.

This book gives us an interesting look into a serial killer’s mind, expertly written through this author’s background studies in police and criminology studies. It was an interesting read, and happy to say that as one who doesn’t appreciate reading blood and gore, the book is focused on the psychological aspect of the hunt and the kill more than focusing on the gory remains. An excellent thriller!

Buy the book: Amazon US

and : Amazon UK

A selection of other books by Carol Balawyder

Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US

And on: Amazon UK

Read more reviews and follow Carol on: Goodreads

Connect to Carol on her blog: Carol Balawyder

And the final author today is USA Today Bestselling Romance author Jacquie Biggar with a recent review for her latest book published on 14th January – The Sister Pact: Home is Where the Heart Is.

About the book

Two sisters lose sight of what’s most important- family bonds.

Holly Tremaine is living on borrowed time. A life-threatening illness ends her promising musical career and sends her home in the hope of making amends for the past.

Levi Anderson is on the fast track to a successful year within his profession- the last thing he has time for is his twin brother’s shenanigans. But when it includes the one woman Levi hasn’t been able to forget, his conscience won’t let him avoid the temptation to see her again.

Can remorse heal all wounds? Or will past betrayals continue to ruin family ties, one thread at a time?

A delightful mixture of women’s fiction, chick-lit, romance and mystery, The Sister Pact has something for every reader.

One of the early reviews for the book

Kirchersmiles Awesome!! Must Read!!

Not sure why but this is my first book by this author and I loved it. I love a break sometimes from the heavy drama and the too hot scenes, not that I don’t love those too but this story was refreshing while still being very emotional, and I enjoyed every single word. I love this author’s style of writing, very smooth and easy to read.

I have 4 daughters, and although I’ve never dealt with this sort of conflict described in this story I’ve seen many others play out over the years and this book felt so real. The conversations felt real, the feelings were described in a way that made me feel them. I seem to gravitate toward the deep family stories lately and the emotions that go with them, this was an amazingly written book and as I said above, not sure why this is my first read by this author, but I can guarantee I have already looked at what else is available and my tbr has grown and I’ll be watching for any and everything from this point on.

Thank you Miss Biggar for keeping it real and allowing me to connect with the characters in this book!

Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon US

And: Amazon UK

A selection of of other books by Jacquie Biggar

Read all the reviews and buy the books : Amazon US

And: Amazon UK

Read more reviews and follow Jacquie : Goodreads

Connect to Jacquie via her website: Jacquie Biggar

Thank you for dropping in today and I hope you will be leaving with some books under your arm.. thanks Sally.

If you are looking for a book to read there are over 150 authors in the Cafe and Bookstore with approximately 500 books on display with recent reviews and buy links on Amazon: Smorgasbord Cafe and Bookstore FREE Author Promotion