This is the blog of Samie Sands, author of Lockdown. There will be many great books and projects reviewed here. For more, check out thelockdown.co.uk.

Tuesday 28 July 2015

Sirens Call by Jayne Castle

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In the mysterious world of Harmony, there are places filled with unexplored marvels. But Rainshadow Island isn’t about to give up its secrets…

In the alien catacombs of Rainshadow, there are creatures whose compelling songs lure the unwary to their death. That’s why Rafe Coppersmith, hired to clear out the catacombs for exploration, needs a music talent. He’s knows the perfect one, but she probably doesn’t want anything do with him...

Ella Morgan had once fallen hard and fast for Rafe, but then he disappeared for months…and he’s not about to tell her why. Ella, too, has secrets that only her dust bunny knows. She’s not just a music talent, she’s a Siren: a paranormal singer capable of singing men to sleep—or to their deaths.

But once on Rainshadow, Rafe and Ella will learn that surrendering to passion doesn’t come without risks—and fighting fire with fire only adds to the flame…
Jayne Castle, the author of The Hot Zone, Deception Cove, The Lost NightCanyons of NightMidnight CrystalObsidian PreyDark LightSilver MasterGhost HunterAfter Glow, and After Dark, is a pseudonym for Jayne Ann Krentz, the author of more than fifty New York Times bestsellers. She writes contemporary romantic suspense novels under the Krentz name, as well as historical novels under the pseudonym Amanda Quick. She lives in Seattle.
Review: Jayne Castle does it again! I love the Rainshadow series - especially the dust bunnies. Ella and Rafe are wonderfully complex characters hiding numerous secrets, but the simmering passion between them never fades. As in all the book from this series, the characters are tested, but their bond deepens rather than breaks. When everything is against them, they cling onto their love having my routing for them until the very last page. 

Saturday 25 July 2015

Redemption Road by Lisa Ballantyne

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The crash is the unravelling of Margaret Holloway. Trapped inside a car about to explode, she is rescued by a scarred stranger who then disappears. Margaret remembers little, but she's spent her life remembering little - her childhood is full of holes and forgotten memories. Now she has a burning desire to discover who she is and why her life has been shrouded in secrets. What really happened to her when she was a child? Could it have anything to do with the mysterious man who saved her life?
Flitting effortlessly between past and present, this is a suspenseful, gritty and emotionally charged journey of an estranged father and daughter, exploring the strength of family ties and our huge capacity for forgiveness.
'An emotionally compelling tale of old sins and lingering ghosts' Chris Brookmyre
Lisa Ballantyne was born in Armadale, West Lothian, Scotland and was educated at Armadale Academy and University of St Andrews. She spent most of her twenties working and living in China, before returning to the UK in 2002, to work in Higher Education. She lives in Glasgow.
Review: I really enjoyed how the car crash in Redemption Road spiraled a whole series of unexpected events. Secrets, repressed memories and exciting twists were revealed as the plot plowed on ahead. I had no idea what to expect when I started to read this book and it wasn't long before I just couldn't put the book down! Wow, now I definitely need to read 'The Guilty One'!

Friday 17 July 2015

Tracer by Rob Boffard

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Imagine The Bourne Identity meets Gravity and you'll get TRACER, the most exciting thriller set in space you'll ever read.
A huge space station orbits the Earth, holding the last of humanity. It's broken, rusted, falling apart. We've wrecked our planet, and now we have to live with the consequences: a new home that's dirty, overcrowded and inescapable.
What's more, there's a madman hiding on the station. He's about to unleash chaos. And when he does, there'll be nowhere left to run.
In space, every second counts. Who said nobody could hear you scream?
'Fast, exhilarating and unforgettable, and once you start it you can't stop' Sarah Lotz, author of The Three
'A stunning debut that never lets up, from the nerve-jangling beginning to the explosive end' James Douglas, author of The Doomsday Machine
'TRACER sets a new standard for all-action SF' Ken MacLeod
 "Rob. Thirty. Author. Journalist. Sound Engineer. Snowboarder. Hip-hop artist. Tall. Basketball-player-length arms. Lots of tattoos. Glasses. Bad hair. Proud South African. Born in Johannesburg. Splits time between London and Vancouver. Digs New York. Doesn’t dig Vegas. Loves New Orleans. Not a helicopter pilot."
Review: Oh my God! Tracer was unlike anything I've ever read before. It's really a heart pounding thriller that had me gripped from the very first page to the last. Riley is an unlikely hero, but as the story unfolds, it becomes clear why she really is the one who has to save everyone else. I really enjoyed the extreme living situations in outer space and the way the author has a chilling way with words. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys sci fi or dystopian novels - this book is truly unique! I really, really hope that there is going to be a second one!

Monday 13 July 2015

The Book Review Club - The Bleeding by Max E Stone

The Bleeding is part of The Book Review Club – sign up for free books and gain readers and feedback for your book HERE.
Max Bleeding
Mark My Words…
Derek Warren is smooth, charming, and a master manipulator.
But is he a killer?
I swear…
If so, how is the former businessman committing murder from a maximum-security prison cell?
And what, if anything, does he have planned next?
You’ll Never See It Coming…
Detective Stephen Bennett is sure he has the answers to these questions.
But the path of dead bodies leads him to a truth far more disturbing than he suspected…
You Will Bleed…
Get your copy for review and enter the competition to win 1 of 15 audiobook copies HERE!

Sunday 12 July 2015

The Book Review Club - Alluring Song by Aimee McNeil

Alluring Song is part of The Book Review Club – sign up for free books to review and gain readers and feedback for your book HERE.
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Raised in seclusion, Lorelei is suddenly taken forcibly from the only place she has ever known. Her captors, led by a man named Crewe, become enamored of the fair Lorelei, except the warrior named Ajax, who refuses to accept her innocence. Suspicions lead him to act upon deep-rooted instinct. Lorelei can feel his distaste for her, almost palpable in the air, while she struggles against the confusing feelings he stirs within her. Everything about Ajax appeals to her, while he seems intent on causing her harm. Ajax, bred from a lineage thought to be only myth, struggles between his nature and the intense desires that Lorelei inflames within him. Her very being causes him to question everything he believed to be true. When Lorelei is taken from his grasp, and her life is threatened, he realizes he will stop at nothing to save her, even if it is at the risk of his own life. The notorious Teller arrives at Falls Landing, making strategically violent moves against the crown, causing fear and doubt to stir in the hearts of the people. Fueled by a vengeance so fierce, Teller has woven an intricate plan for the demise of the royal structure, the king, and the true target of his hatred. The once-proud King Brom spirals into the web of lies and deceit his own wife, Queen Peronell, has spun around him. His ability to rule the kingdom comes into question as he encounters threats that infiltrate his realm. The truth of his downfall soon confronts him, and he is left to face what will remain. Prince Arthur struggles with dark urges that threaten his sanity. His thirst for pain, pleasure, and the taste of blood begin to control him. When his secretive mother reveals the truth of his existence, he embraces his nature, even biting the hand that feeds him. His fascination soon turns toward the mysterious beauty that shows up at his door, and he will destroy anything that gets in his way. All paths collide, and Lorelei finds herself in the middle of a struggle for power. She must face the truth of her creation, confront the powers that seek her, and face the new world that has forever changed from the protective walls of her forest. The dangers that surround her have been in play long before Lorelei was born, but they have been awaiting her arrival. Lorelei will also discover something that gives her the strength to face all that confronts her, her heart holding the key.
ReviewAimee McNeil is a wonderful writer, her descriptions of the settings are gorgeous - you feel like you're really there among the plot and the characters jump to life off of the page! Lorelei is a lovely, layered, complex person who is surprisingly relatable considering all the magic surrounding her life. Although there is violence and brutality within the pages, as the story line unfolds it becomes necessary to understanding the explosive ending. This is the debut novel of a writer who is going far!
Sign up to The Book Review Club to get your copy, and enter the Competition to be in with a chance of winning a signed paperback copy!

Wednesday 8 July 2015

Queen of Fire by Anthony Ryan

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In the thrilling conclusion to the “deftly and originally executed” (Booklist) New York Times bestselling trilogy, Vaelin Al Sorna must help his Queen reclaim her Realm. Only his enemy has a dangerous new collaborator, one with powers darker than Vaelin has ever encountered…

“The Ally is there, but only ever as a shadow, unexplained catastrophe or murder committed at the behest of a dark vengeful spirit. Sorting truth from myth is often a fruitless task.”

After fighting back from the brink of death, Queen Lyrna is determined to repel the invading Volarian army and regain the independence of the Unified Realm. Except, to accomplish her goals, she must do more than rally her loyal supporters. She must align herself with forces she once found repugnant—those who possess the strange and varied gifts of the Dark—and take the war to her enemy’s doorstep.

Victory rests on the shoulders of Vaelin Al Sorna, now named Battle Lord of the Realm. However, his path is riddled with difficulties. For the Volarian enemy has a new weapon on their side, one that Vaelin must destroy if the Realm is to prevail—a mysterious Ally with the ability to grant unnaturally long life to her servants. And defeating one who cannot be killed is a nearly impossible feat, especially when Vaelin’s blood-song, the mystical power which has made him the epic fighter he is, has gone ominously silent…
Praise for the Raven’s Shadow novels

“Anthony Ryan is David Gemmell’s natural successor and epic fantasy’s best British talent.”—Fantasy Book Critic

“[Blood Song] certainly has it all: great coming-of-age tale, compelling character and a fast-paced plot. If [Ryan’s] first book is any indication of things to come, then all fantasy readers should rejoice.”—Michael J. Sullivan, author of the Riyria Revelations series

“Ryan hits all the high notes of epic fantasy—a gritty setting, ancient magics, ruthless intrigue, divided loyalties and bloody action.”—Publishers Weekly

“A top contender for the most impressive debut of the year… A thick, meaty novel of substance…A powerful epic.”—SFF World

“Fans of broadscale epic fantasy along the lines of Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series and George R. R. Martin’s Song of Ice and Fire novels should find this debut much to their liking.”—Library Journal
 
Review: I haven't read the rest of the books in the Raven Shadow series, so it took me a little while to work out who everyone was, but that didn't diminish my enjoyment of the book at all! The author is an excellent writer, who uses descriptive language in a gripping, exciting way. The storyline is fast-paced, character driven and set in a wonderfully thrilling world. My heart was racing throughout reading this book and by the end I needed more...so I've already ordered the previous books!

Tuesday 7 July 2015

Quality of Silence by Rosamund Lupton

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On 24th November Yasmin and her deaf daughter Ruby arrive in Alaska.
Within hours they are driving alone across a frozen wilderness
Where nothing grows
Where no one lives
Where tears freeze
And night will last for another fifty-four days.
They are looking for Ruby's father.
Travelling deeper into a silent land.
They still cannot find him.
And someone is watching them in the dark.
Rosamund Lupton is the author of Sister, a Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller and a bestseller in Europe. Published in the UK by Little, Brown Book Group, Sister has been translated into over thirty languages and has international sales of over 1.5 million copies. It was the fastest-selling debut of 2010 by a British author, a BBC Radio 4, Book at Bedtime and was winner of the Richard and Judy Best Debut Novel of 2011 award and the Strand Magazine Critics First Novel Award. Film rights of Sister are currently under option with Studio Canal, to produce with Kevin McCormick of Langley St Pictures. Emily Blunt is attached to star and the script is in development. Lupton's critically acclaimed second novel Afterwards also went straight into the Sunday Times bestseller lists and was the No. 2 Sunday Times fiction bestseller of 2011, with UK.
Review: Wow! Quality of Silence is a psychological thriller like no other. It's written from an extremely unique perspective in terrifying circumstances which just snowball, getting continually worse. Rosamund Lupton has created a gripping, heart pounding read. It wasn't long into the story before I simply couldn't put the book down. Highly recommended - you won't find anything else like this!

Ink by Glenn Benest and Dale Pitman

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★★★★★ + “HOLY FREAKIN CRAP!” My brain is in total fangirl mode right now. I love love LOOOOVE this book! ” 
     Ash D. - Fear Street Zombie Review  
“ . . . Masterful! A scare-fest that’s thrilling, macabre, and spine chilling. ” 
     Jee Ann - The Book Tales  
“Reading this book is as fun as going to the movies! The writing is so vivid! INK is by turns funny, scary, hallucinatory, and romantic. The transition between the mundane and fantasy worlds is seamless, and if thinking is your thing there’s stuff to chew on about the nature of reality. Highly recommended for just about everybody!” 
      JP Bloch - Social Misfit Times

Monday 6 July 2015

Chaos Company by Christopher Slayton

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The highly effective team of genetically enhanced soldiers code-named Chaos Company has returned to the United States to be commended for their bravery. While on leave the team finds themselves at odds with the highly dangerous mercenary Liam King, who has been contracted to assassinate President Jennifer Grey. Chaos Company thwarts Liam’s attack, but at the cost of their team leader's life.
With their leader killed the team looks to Corporal Desmond Striker to guide them in a hunt for Liam. During their hunt the team will find themselves in the cross-hairs of a private military company and have their abilities pushed to their limits. Before Chaos Company finally comes to blows with Liam they will discover that their greatest threat is a leader within their own country.
Review: Chaos Company is an action packed, exciting novel that will leave you wondering until the very last page. Christopher Slayton is an awesome author, who is going to go far! His writing style is gripping, fast-paced and the characters are so well written, each in their own individual way. Highly recommended!

Sunday 5 July 2015

Readers Klub: Forgotten by Samie Sands | Book Review

Readers Klub: Forgotten by Samie Sands | Book Review: Forgotten (AM13 Series) by Samie Sands   Forgotten truly is a must read for all those die hard zombie apocalypse fans.Forgotten picks up r...

Friday 3 July 2015

Mommy's Late Night Book-up: ✯Review✯ Forgotten by Samie Sands

Mommy's Late Night Book-up: ✯Review✯ Forgotten by Samie Sands: Blurb The Lockdown has failed. The AM13 virus is spreading out of control and there doesn’t seem to be any way of stopping it. The Go...

Sweet Ache by K. Bromberg

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The New York Times bestselling author of Slow Burn turns up the heat when a sexy bet turns into so much more....

Hawkin Play, the bad boy rock star with a good guy heart, has lived a lifetime of cleaning up after his twin brother’s mistakes. Hunter’s most recent screwup could land Hawke in jail and risk the band’s future. Hawke agrees to guest lecture at a local college to stay in the judge’s good graces—and a bet with his bandmate to seduce his sexy teaching assistant is icing on the cake.

Quinlan Westin is harder to bed than Hawke imagined. She knows his type and is determined to avoid the rocker at all costs—even if their attraction runs deeper than simple lust.

Just as Hawke might finally be winning over the girl, his brother has other plans. When Hunter realizes his twin finally has a weakness, he’ll stop at nothing to take advantage....
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author K. Bromberg is that reserved woman sitting in the corner who has you all fooled about the wild child inside of her--the one she lets out every time her fingertips touch the computer keyboard. 

K. lives in Southern California with her husband and three children. When she needs a break from the daily chaos of her life, you can most likely find her on the treadmill or with Kindle in hand, devouring the pages of a good, saucy book.

On a whim, K. Bromberg decided to try her hand at this writing thing. Her debut novels, Driven, Fueled, and Crashed of The Driven Trilogy were well received and went on to become multi-platform bestsellers as well as landing on the New York Times and USA Today lists. Her other works include a short story, UnRaveled, and a companion piece to The Driven Trilogy titled Raced. She is currently working on three stand alone Driven novels, Slow Burn, Sweet Ache, and Hard Beat as well as a '10 year gap' novel to follow up the conclusion of Crashed.


Review: Sweet Ache is the first book from the Driven series that I've read, and it's left me desperate to read more. K. Bromberg is a phenomenal writer - the characters she creates are realistic, flawed and completely lovable. Quinlan and Hawkin develop a relationship in the midst of bad feeling, awful pasts and an undeniable passion. When things threaten to tear them apart, them come out stronger. This novel is sensual, fun and romantic - highly recommended.

Mommy's Late Night Book-up: ✯Review✯ Lockdown by Samie Sands

Mommy's Late Night Book-up: ✯Review✯ Lockdown by Samie Sands: Blurb Leah's practical joke has spiraled way out of control. Now everyone seems convinced that the apocalypse is coming - in the ...

Thursday 2 July 2015

Hard Time by Cara McKenna

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Perfect for fans of Beth Kery, Maya Banks and J Kenner, this intensely sensual, unforgettable story of forbidden love will turn your world upside down . . .
He was big. Tall frame, wide shoulders - but not burly. His near-black hair was due for a cut, curling under his ears. Dark brows, dark stubble, dark lashes and eyes.
And he was handsome. So handsome it broke your heart.
He watched me. But not the way the others did. Lazy and half-lidded, yet intense. A hundred looks in one. I didn't like it. Couldn't read it. At least with the horny jerk-offs, I knew where I stood.
I wondered what the worst thing you could do and still only get sent to a medium-security prison was. I hoped not to ever learn the answer.
'Gritty and compelling. McKenna is a master at capturing realistic situations and characters' - Maya Banks
'Sweet, smoking hot, stand out' - Beth Kery
'Passion unlike anything I've seen.' - Under the Covers
'For all of its forbidden nature, this is a lovely, heartfelt romance' - Dear Author
'Ultimately, we learn that people are more than just labels, snap judgments are often misguided, and new life is found in the most unlikely of places. There's nothing sugar-coated here, and the romance stands out more because of it' - Heroes & Heartbreakers
'The emotions, actions and reactions of all the characters were honest and real. I kept wondering the whole time whether Annie and Eric were going to find a way to make it work' Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
Cara McKenna writes smart erotica - sexy stories with depth. A little dark, a little funny, always emotional. She also writes red-hot romance under the name Meg Maguire. She loves writing sexy, character-driven stories about strong-willed men and women who keep each other on their toes, and bring one another to their knees. Before becoming a purveyor of red-hot romance and smart erotica, Cara was a record store bitch, a lousy barista, a decent designer and an over-enthusiastic penguin handler. Cara now writes full-time and lives north of Boston with her bearded husband. When she's not trapped in her own head she can usually be found in the kitchen, the coffee shop or jogging around the nearest duck-filled pond.
Review: Hard Time might be based on a controversial topic - falling in love with a prisoner - but the end result is sexy, steamy and very romantic. Eric and Annie are the classic case of opposites attract and their story is compelling. By the end of the book, I was routing for a 'happy ever after', despite my early reservations. This book is perfect for romance fans, looking for something a little different!

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