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.

Monday 24 December 2018

We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter

We Were the Lucky Ones by [Hunter, Georgia]
‘EXTRAORDINARILY MOVING’ PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
1939. Three generations of the Kurc family strive to live normal lives despite the growing hardships they face as Jews. But as the realities of war rush to meet them, they are cast to the wind and must do everything they can to find their way through a devastated continent to freedom.
Based on an incredible true story that ranges from pre-war Parisian jazz clubs to the desolation of the Siberian gulag, and follows the Kurc family as refugees, prisoners and fighters, We Were the Lucky Ones is a testament to the notion that even in the darkest of times, the human spirit can find a way to survive, and even triumph.
‘Brave and mesmerising’ Paula McLain, author of Circling the Sun

Saturday 22 December 2018

In The End by @stevens_gj

In The End: Their fight for survival is only the beginning by [Stevens, GJ]

COULD YOU SURVIVE THE END OF CIVILISATION?

What if you woke to find the electricity off, the internet down and the streets deserted? What if you were forced to run for your life, no longer top of the food chain? What if the government had no interest in keeping you alive? Those around every corner were intent on hunting you down, but you’d found a reason to struggle on, a new meaning to this life?

Meet Logan. That’s me. The first to believe the world had changed forever. The first to urge our friends to run. The first to kill, but not the first victim. I was the first to see for myself as nature twisted before my eyes. With death surrounding, getting ever closer, they looked to me for answers.Can Logan overcome his fears and find what it takes to get them all to safety, or will it be the end for humanity?

In The End is the debut novel from GJ Stevens, a compelling apocalyptic thriller that will leave you breathless, immersing you in their fight for survival.


Thursday 20 December 2018

Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life...And Maybe the World by William H. McRaven

The inspiring #1 New York Times bestseller that "should be read by every leader in America." (Wall Street Journal)

"Powerful." --USA Today

"Full of captivating personal anecdotes from inside the national security vault." --Washington Post

"Superb, smart, and succinct." --Forbes

BASED ON THE INCREDIBLE GRADUATION SPEECH WITH OVER 14 MILLION VIEWS ON YOUTUBE

If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.


On May 17, 2014, Admiral William H. McRaven addressed the graduating class of the University of Texas at Austin on their Commencement day. Taking inspiration from the university's slogan, "What starts here changes the world," he shared the ten principles he learned during Navy Seal training that helped him overcome challenges not only in his training and long Naval career, but also throughout his life; and he explained how anyone can use these basic lessons to change themselves-and the world-for the better.

Admiral McRaven's original speech went viral with over 10 million views. Building on the core tenets laid out in his speech, McRaven now recounts tales from his own life and from those of people he encountered during his military service who dealt with hardship and made tough decisions with determination, compassion, honor, and courage. Told with great humility and optimism, this timeless book provides simple wisdom, practical advice, and words of encouragement that will inspire readers to achieve more, even in life's darkest moments.


Tuesday 18 December 2018

Lockdown is still FREE!

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Leah Watton’s practical joke has spiralled way out of control—all to impress a crush…

With a prank online video, Leah hopes to catch the attention of Jake Colton, a cute, blond-haired, blue-eyed co-worker she’s had a crush on for months. But instead of sending it to Jake, she manages to forward the clip to her boss—who buys every gory second.

When mass panic ensues, Leah learns the video is more than a staged act…

The government is calling the virus AM13. As the outbreak spreads, citizens are forced to stay indoors while they assess the gravity of the illness. Most people are quarantined in their homes, but Leah, Jake, and Leah’s best friend Michelle are some of the unlucky few who are stuck at work when the Lockdown occurs.

That’s where she first encounters one of the infected…

Aside from a contaminated woman devouring one of her co-workers, Leah has another problem. Does she do as she’s ordered and stay at work? Or should she disobey government orders and break free to reunite with her family?

She can’t go it alone—after all, Leah has none of the skills needed to survive—but with Michelle and Jake by her side, not even a contagious virus and a sea of the dead can keep her from…

Breaking out of the Lockdown…

Sunday 16 December 2018

The Girl Who Lived: A Thrilling Suspense Novel by Christopher Greyson

The Girl Who Lived: A Thrilling Suspense Novel by [Greyson, Christopher]
Ten years ago, four people were brutally murdered—one girl lived.
No one believes her story. The police think she's crazy. Her therapist thinks she's suicidal. Everyone else thinks she's a dangerous drunk. They're all right—but did she see the killer?

Best Mystery-Thriller eBook of the Year — Independent Publisher Book Awards 2018
Winner Best Thriller — National Indie Excellence Awards 2018
Winner Best Thriller — Silver Falchion Award 2018
Finalist eBook Fiction — Indie Book Awards 2018
Silver Medal Suspense — Reader’s Favorite Book Awards 2018
Voted Most Loved Cover — NetGalley Readers

Grab your copy of this award-winning psychological thriller today!


As the anniversary of the murders approaches, Faith Winters is released from the psychiatric hospital and yanked back to the last spot on earth she wants to be—her hometown where the slayings took place. Wracked by the lingering echoes of survivor's guilt, Faith spirals into a black hole of alcoholism and wanton self-destruction. Finding no solace at the bottom of a bottle, Faith decides to track down her sister's killer—only to discover that she's the one being hunted.

How can one woman uncover the truth when everyone's a suspect—including herself?

From the mind of Wall Street Journal bestselling author Christopher Greyson comes a story with twists and turns that take the reader to the edge of madness. The Girl Who Lived should come with a warning label: once you start reading, you won't be able to stop. Not since Girl on the Train and Gone Girl has a psychological thriller kept readers so addicted—and guessing right until the last page.

"Christopher Greyson has created a thriller on par with The Girl on the Train, only with more suspects, more danger, and more agony for the young heroine." — Killer Nashville

"The plot turns come fast and furious... Sharp characters enmeshed in a mystery that, particularly in its final lap, is a gleefully dizzy ride." — Kirkus Reviews

"Greyson is a master of weaving suspense and keeping the reader guessing..." — NetGalley Review

Christopher Greyson's novels have been read by over a million readers and counting. Look for other standalone novels by the Wall Street Journal bestselling author. These books can be read in any order:

And Then She Was Gone (Prequel)
Girl Jacked
Jack Knifed
Jacks Are Wild
Jack and the Giant Killer
Data Jack
Jack of Hearts
Jack Frost 


Christopher Greyson's novels weave tales full of mystery, action and suspense with laugh-out-loud humor and sizzling romance. His unique stories and no-nonsense style of writing will take you on a page-turning roller coaster ride of emotions right to the very end. Visit ChristopherGreyson.com to find out more about your favorite characters, giveaways, and updates on new book releases.

Saturday 15 December 2018

Evil Lurks...coming soon!

Evil Lurks - High Resolution copy
Evil is everywhere, you cannot escape it, there are things in this world that we simply cannot understand. Do you dare dive into the unknown, to explore the supernatural, to find where Evil Lurks?

Cat Food by Armand Rosamilia
Anzu Rediscovered by C.L. Williams
Elementals by Katie Jaarsveld
The Town That Hell Spat Out by Kevin S. Hall
A Break In by McKenzie Richardson
The Revelation by Lachelle Redd
The Grey Man by Sheri Velarde
Onryo by Samie Sands
The Spark of Creation by McKenzie Richardson
Ghost in the Machine by Rick Eddy
Spirit of Lonely Places by Michele Jones
Heartbreaker by Kevin S. Hall
My Paranormal Romance by McKenzie Richardson
The Statue by Dave J. Suscheck
Life In There by Katie Jaarsveld
Cursed Document by Samie Sands

Friday 14 December 2018

The Rooster Bar: The New York Times and Sunday Times Number One Bestseller by John Grisham

The Rooster Bar: The New York Times and Sunday Times Number One Bestseller by [Grisham, John]
'The Best Thriller Writer Alive' Ken Follett
There's one last change for justice . . .
They dreamed of changing the world. Instead they're facing a mountain of debt and no hope of a future.
Mark, Todd and Zola are starting to realise it's not even worth graduating from law school. They're better off hanging out at The Rooster Bar, plotting how to dodge the loan sharks.
But maybe there's another way. Maybe they know enough about the law to pass as lawyers.
Because it turns out the crooked hedge fund billionaire who owns their law school also runs the bank that arranged their student loans.
And it's time justice was served. Even if it means taking on the FBI to do it . . .
Praise for The Rooster Bar
'Scintillating storytelling' - The Sunday Times
'A buoyant, mischievous thriller . . . This reliable best-selling author is feeling real pleasure, and not just obligation, in delivering his work' - New York Times
'A wild, hard-to-put-down romp' - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Wednesday 12 December 2018

New Arrivals at Mulberry Lane: Full of family, friends and foes! by Rosie Clarke

New Arrivals at Mulberry Lane: Full of family, friends and foes! (The Mulberry Lane Series Book 4) by [Clarke, Rosie]

1943, Mulberry Lane, London. In the midst of another bleak winter, life is hard for the residents of The Lane.

When Rose Merchant arrives at Mulberry Lane, she is carrying a secret that haunts her. How can she tell her landlady and the Lanes' matriarch Peggy Ashley that she is the daughter of a murderer?
As Rose learns that she is amongst friends she gradually learns to trust and even to love. But when Peggy's estranged husband Laurie returns home for good, both Rose and Peggy's lives are once again turned upside down.
Can they both find their way through the heartache to find happiness?

Monday 10 December 2018

Would each country react to the #zombieapocalypse differently?

Not Yet Dead - High Resolution
The AM13 Outbreak has affected everywhere, the entire world has experienced infection.

Victims of the virus are no longer human, they've changed, become something scientifically impossible. With their loss of human function and their new lust for flesh, there’s only one word to describe them...

Zombies.

The world is divided as everyone tries to work out how to survive. Many have already lost their lives 
in the fight, but there are still a few who are not dead...

Yet!

Saturday 8 December 2018

How would a zombie author survive the real life apocalypse?

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Writing books about the horrors of the zombie apocalypse is one thing—but Georgie Blake can’t believe it has become her reality…

She never expected her fictional stories of blood, death, and the consumption of human flesh to jump off the page into the real world. She certainly didn’t think she’d survive this long if they had. As a shy novelist, she was sure she’d be one of the first to die.

Safe in the Sanctuary, Georgie holds on to hope for a cure...

But that’s not all she holds on to. The government has promised the people of the Sanctuary that they can return home. The rumours are rife that there is an antidote on the horizon. But even if not, the infected are dying out, throwing the treacherous AM13 virus to the brink of extinction. If the infection dies out, this horrible nightmare Georgie is living in will be a distant memory.

Until everything that’s right goes terribly wrong...

Soon after meeting some new friends in the Sanctuary, Georgie learns she’s going to have to face the monsters outside the walls if she wants to return to her old life. But for a scared, introverted bookworm, it may be too much to consider...

Will Georgina conquer her fears of the dead to return home, or will she be one of the countless others who have gone Extinct?

Thursday 6 December 2018

Forgotten has my favourite cover for the AM13 Outbreak series. What do you think?

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Every attempt to contain the deadly AM13 virus has failed, leaving humanity on the brink of extinction…

The plague is spreading out of control with no cure in sight. Then the government announces its new plan—a sanctuary in an area completely untouched by the infected—as long as you can get there alive and unscathed.

Ethan Watton has managed to survive this long, even with OCD making every day more hellish than it already is…

Ethan’s obsessive-compulsive disorder dramatically affected his life before the infection began. Now he’s desperate to get as far away from the zombie virus as humanly possible. Isolated and afraid, Ethan thinks there is no way in hell he will survive the epidemic.

Alyssa Turner has spent her teenage years prepping for the undead to challenge her zombie killing skills…

Alyssa knows with absolute certainty that she will survive the AM13 virus. She’s read all the books, watched all the films, and done all the research. She’s strong, tough, and a self-proclaimed badass. Any group would be lucky to fight alongside her…until the unthinkable makes her doubt every skill she’s acquired.

Dr. Jones is a scientist who doesn’t understand why he was selected to produce a cure…

Surely there are survivors more experienced in virology than he is. And what will happen to him—and the rest of the species—if he fails? Is the fate of the human race really resting on his shoulders? Or are there others working toward the same goal?

With the zombies multiplying and survivors struggling to make it to the sanctuary, Ethan, Alyssa, and Dr. Jones fight to fulfill their destinies. If they fail, their fate is sealed, and they will join the millions of others who have been…
Forgotten.

Tuesday 4 December 2018

Lockdown is FREE!

Start the AM13 Outbreak series now while the first book is free. Each book can be read as standalone or in the series.
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Leah Watton’s practical joke has spiralled way out of control—all to impress a crush…

With a prank online video, Leah hopes to catch the attention of Jake Colton, a cute, blond-haired, blue-eyed co-worker she’s had a crush on for months. But instead of sending it to Jake, she manages to forward the clip to her boss—who buys every gory second.

When mass panic ensues, Leah learns the video is more than a staged act…

The government is calling the virus AM13. As the outbreak spreads, citizens are forced to stay indoors while they assess the gravity of the illness. Most people are quarantined in their homes, but Leah, Jake, and Leah’s best friend Michelle are some of the unlucky few who are stuck at work when the Lockdown occurs.

That’s where she first encounters one of the infected…

Aside from a contaminated woman devouring one of her co-workers, Leah has another problem. Does she do as she’s ordered and stay at work? Or should she disobey government orders and break free to reunite with her family?

She can’t go it alone—after all, Leah has none of the skills needed to survive—but with Michelle and Jake by her side, not even a contagious virus and a sea of the dead can keep her from…

Breaking out of the Lockdown…

US: https://amzn.to/2U1g71J
UK: https://amzn.to/2Qt2VDD

Sunday 2 December 2018

Look Alive Twenty-Five: A Stephanie Plum by Janet Evanovich

Stephanie Plum faces the toughest puzzle of her career in the twenty-fifth entry in Janet Evanovich's #1 New York Times-bestselling series. 

There's nothing like a good deli, and the Red River Deli in Trenton is one of the best. World-famous for its pastrami, cole slaw, and for its disappearing managers. Over the last month, three have vanished from the face of the earth, and the only clue in each case is one shoe that's been left behind. The police are baffled. Lula is convinced that it's a case of alien abduction. Whatever it is, they'd better figure out what's going on before they lose their new manager, Ms. Stephanie Plum.

Cincopa Gallery

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