Smorgasbord Christmas Book Fair 2022 – New Book #Suspense #Thriller Sue Coletta, #History #NorthernIreland Jane Buckley, #Poetry #Prose Sally Cronin

Welcome to the Smorgasbord Christmas Book Fair with a selection of books from personally recommended authors on my bookshelf I believe will make wonderful gifts for friends, family and for you.

The first book is the latest release in the successful suspense series by Sue Coletta…Unnatural Mayhem: The Mayhem Series: #5

About the book

With the fate of the Natural World at stake, can Shawnee and Mayhem stop trophy hunters before it’s too late?

Explosive news of a crow hunt rings out in the White Mountain Region of New Hampshire, and one hundred crows gather to put an end to it. With so many lives at stake—including Poe’s—Shawnee and Mayhem must work together to stop the trophy hunters before they obliterate the local murder.

Taking on twenty-five experienced hunters armed with shotguns is no small feat. If they fail, Poe may lead his brethren to their death.

No matter what it takes, this group must be stopped.

But what if Shawnee and Mayhem aren’t seeing the full picture? What if these men have secrets worth killing over?

Head over to buy the book: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK

A small selection of books by Sue Coletta

One of the reviews for I Am Mayhem, Book Four of the series

Mae Clair 5.0 out of 5 stars Riveting from start to finish!

Wow! I’ve followed this series from book one, and it just keeps getting better. Coletta has penned a wonderfully unique and memorable set of characters—Shawnee Daniels, a (reformed?) cat burglar/computer hacker currently working for the police, her detective boyfriend, and Mr. Mayhem—serial killer, and chameleon-like adversary. Oh, and there are crows. Not just ordinary crows, but birds who are characters in their own right. Mayhem has three crows who do his bidding—Edgar, Allan, and Poe.

Poe, in particular, is a scene stealer. A charmer with Mayhem, Poe is oil to Shawnee’s water. Nails on a blackboard which makes for intriguing interaction.

In this the fourth book of the series, Coletta builds on the cat-mouse relationship between Mayhem and Shawnee. There is history between these characters, deeply-rooted, so it does help to have an understanding of that going into the novel, especially as this story picks up where book three left off. Stakes are high right off the bat with murder on the menu. As the story progresses, cold-blooded killings mingle with mysticism and Native American beliefs, customs, and folklore. For those who have followed the series, Shawnee’s family background is fleshed out, along with that of Mr. Mayhem, bringing surprising results.

Shawnee and Mayhem are polar opposites—one street-tough, and gritty, the other cultured but deadly. Parts of this story left me biting my fingernails to see how everything would play out, while other sections had me misty eyed. The suspense is great, but the character development is what makes this one so exceptional. The story wraps with a solid ending but does leave wiggle room should the author choose to continue. As a fan of the series, I can only hope she does. If you enjoy strong characters in a fast-paced tale layered with folklore and Native American themes (think skinwalkers and Tony Hillerman), you won’t want to miss this novel. 

Head over to find out more about Sue Coletta and buy the books: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK – follow Sue : Goodreads – website/blog: Sue Coletta – Twitter: @SueColetta1

The next book today is by Jane Buckley – Stones Corner: Darkness the sequel to Stones Corner: Turmoil which I can highly recommend. Book three will be available soon.

About the Book

From Turmoil to Darkness, an unapologetic account of the darkest years of ‘The Troubles’ in Northern Ireland.

Darkness follows the next instalment from author Jane Buckley’s Stones Corner, Turmoil.

Relive the harrowing and very troubled years of the early ’70s, considered the darkest years of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Following on from the catastrophic fall-out from the doomed Derry City Hotel meeting, the impact of the disaster has far reaching consequences for communities already divided and distrustful of each other.

Following the lives of so many, from the wealthy, vibrant James Henderson to the love-struck factory girl Caitlin McLaughlin and her family, you cannot help but be drawn in and empathise with the civilians caught up in a raging unrelentless war they want no part in.

All the while the guerrilla war in the province gains momentum as it extends to mainland Britain and the Irish Republic. Darkness takes us from the dank hellhole of the overpopulated Victorian Armagh Women’s Gaol to London’s lavish, opulent private clubs.

An unmerciful and harrowing tale, it endeavours to illustrate what life was like for Ulster’s war-torn, sectarian communities. It captures a story of conflict, survival of the fittest, and victims who attempt to live and love against a background of chaos and carnage.

Hope is deemed lost and forgotten until the power of love, truth, and justice steps in to create Light and a new beginning.

One of the reviews for the book

Sep 29, 2021 Roisin rated it five stars it was amazing

Thank goodness to get the next installment in the Stones Corner series- it was absolutely worth the wait!!! Once again, I could not put this book down as we find out what happens to our favourite characters after the explosive finale of Stones Corner- Turmoil.

The author weaves her magic by introducing new characters and plots without making the reader feel lost in the story line. The book has obviously been meticulously researched giving the reader an understanding of Derry’s, and indeed Northern Ireland’s, troubled past.

Be prepared for another emotional rollercoaster as the storyline unfolds and you get caught up in the lives of the familiar (and new) characters.

Once again, I’m left wanting more and I cannot wait for Stones Corner- Hope. Another fabulous offering from the author who’s passion and love for Derry and it’s people is clearly shown in this absolute page turner!! Well done!!!

Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon UK – And: Amazon US

Also by Jane Buckley

Discover more about Jane Buckley and buy the book: Amazon UK – And: Amazon US – Follow Jane:Goodreads – website: Jane Buckley Writes – Facebook:Jane Buckley Writes – Twitter:@janebuckley_sc

And to end the Christmas book fair… some blatent self promotion for my recently released collection of poetry and short stories. Variety is the Spice of Life: A Blend of Poetry and Prose

About the collection

Variety is the Spice of Life is a collection of poetry and short stories about relationships with others, including pets and animals inhabiting the world around us. The connection with others brings love and friendship, excitement and sometimes surprises, danger, mystery and sometimes the unexpected.

The poetry explores human nature, the fears, desires, expectations and achievements. Nature offers a wonderful opportunity to observe animals both domesticated and wild. Even in a back garden you can observe a wide variety of creatures and the daily challenges to survive a harsh environment.

The short stories introduces you to a healer whose gift comes with danger, a neighbour determined to protect a friend, a woman on the run, an old couple whose love has endured, an elderly retired teacher who faces a life changing accident, a secret that has been carried for over 70 years and a village who must unite as they face devastating news.

One of the reviews for the book

Nov 30, 2022 Lisette Brodey rated it five stars it was amazing

So much to say … I’m not sure where to begin.

Sally Cronin’s latest collection of poetry and short stories is one of the most delightful that I’ve read. First, the poetry. While reading this book, I took notes on every poem, jotting down how I felt and what impressions it gave me. However, now that I’m writing a review, I am finding it difficult to put those notes into one paragraph and make any cohesive sense. So let me try this another way.

What I loved most about the poetry is the author’s gift for nuanced descriptions of nature and its creatures as if we’re seeing them with brand new eyes. Her poem “The Robin – Size doesn’t matter” really resonated with me. In my childhood, robins were abundant where I lived, but reading this poem felt as though I was meeting them anew, just as I felt reading about bees, butterflies, starlings and other creatures.

The author is brilliantly observant and knows how to extract what is most special about the world she sees. And I love the pieces of art she creates with her lines of poetry. Most clever.

I don’t want to give too much away about the short stories, but each one delighted me in a different way. I especially loved “The Secret” and wanted it to go on. But to summarize, all of the stories had connections with nature woven throughout – and I found each one to be touching and heartwarming.  

Read the reviews and buy the collection: Amazon UK – And: Amazon US

Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US –  Amazon UK – More reviews : Goodreads – Podcast – Sally Cronin on Soundcloud – Twitter: @sgc58

Thanks for the wonderful support for the Christmas Book Fair and I hope you have overloaded your Kindles with books to read in the coming weeks.

Happy Christmas