Book Review: Five Nights by Rachel Wolf

his is a fabulously glamorous and twisty thriller that takes place on a luxury cruise ship.We travel with Emily, who is stepping back onto a cruise ship for the first time in years after the highjacking incident that left her running from her life working on ships, and her best friend Belle. Belle has invited her to join this cruise with her incredibly rich husband and his many adult children who constantly compete for his attention and approval.

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Book Review: The Treatment by Sarah Moorhead

The future of law enforcement has arrived, courtesy of private health contractor Janus Justice. Their ground-breaking ‘Offender Treatment Programme’ has been hailed as the most effective way of tackling crime yet.

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Book Review: One by Eve Smith

First the Book Description One law. One child. Seven million crimes… A cataclysmic climate emergency has spawned a one-child policy in the UK, ruthlessly enforced by a totalitarian regime. Compulsory abortion of ‘excess’ pregnancies and mandatory contraceptive implants are now the norm, and families must adhere to strict consumption quotas as the world descends into chaos. Kai is a 25-year-old `baby reaper´, working for the Ministry of Population and Family Planning. If any of her assigned families attempt to exceed their child quota, she ensures they pay the price. Until, one morning, she discovers that an illegal sibling on her Ministry hit-list is hers. And to protect her parents from severe penalties, she must secretly investigate before anyone else finds out.  Kai’s hunt for her forbidden sister unearths much more than a dark family secret. As she stumbles across a series of heinous crimes perpetrated by the people she trusted most, she makes a catastrophic discovery that could bring down the government … and tear her family apart. My Review

Book Review: Gracemarch by J.J. Barnes, with Jonathan McKinney & Cliff Thomas

I loved this book. It has fabulous characters, magic, a monster, ghosts, under-cover assassins and more, all out in plain sight in a contemporary setting. Jane has been dumped by her boyfriend, her mum and sister don’t have time for her, her flat is a mess and she drinks too much wine. Her sister is a famous and successful author, whilst Jane works in a bar. She’s not sure how she will keep going without the financial help she was receiving from her boyfriend. Everything is falling apart.

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Book Review: The Lady of the Loch by Elena Collins

I absolutely loved this book.  It was somehow creepy and comforting. Gripping and enthralling.  I loved both timelines, in the present, and in the 1300s.  There wasn’t a slow moment. 

The modern timeline focuses on twins, Leah and Zoe.  Although Zoe is the successful one at the beginning of the book, Leah manages to dominate their lives, making decisions for them both without consulting her sister.  Zoe goes along with things to look after her apparently vulnerable twin and gets pulled right out of her comfort zone. But it is her perceptiveness that drives the story forwards as they settle into Ravenscraig Castle in Scotland, learn to live with an otherworldly presence, and discover the castle’s awful secret.

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Book Review: The Staycation by Cressida McLaughlin

The Staycation is a gorgeous, indulgent treat of a book that takes you on fabulous journeys built entirely on the strength of emotion and longing. Hester Monday is a fabulous character who dream of freedom but feels shackled by a traumatic childhood experience. Her longing to travel and inability to act on it is a beautiful depiction of the constrictions we’ve all felt over the past couple of years, but the book never once mentions Covid, lockdown or social distancing.

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Interview with Martha Dunlop by Kathryn Cottam

Welcome to The Story Cave everyone.  I am here today with gothic author Kathryn Cottam, who has come to ask me all about my new paranormal novel, The Starfolk Arcana. So today I am on the other side of the interview coffee table, answering the questions. Welcome Kathryn! 

Hello Martha! 

If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
I would tell myself to seek expert input sooner. It would have made the learning process a lot faster! I worked on the same book for a long time before finally sending it to a structural editor for critique. That was when the real learning started. 
 
What’s your favourite under-appreciated novel?
I adored A Thin Slice of Heaven by P.M.Terrell, which is a Romance, and a ghost story that delves into reincarnation. Is set in a wonderfully atmospheric Irish Castle. I’ve just treated myself to a signed paperback of this, and am looking forward to re-reading it soon. 

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The Starfolk Arcana: Book 1 of the Starfolk Trilogy

The Starfolk Arcana is book one in a brand new paranormal trilogy which has psychics, tarot, ghosts and more.  Scroll down to find the trailer, or to listen to me reading the first chapter. The Starfolk Arcana is available on Amazon, as well as through Kindle Unlimited and the Kindle Owners Lending Library. It will shortly be available to order through bookshops and libraries.  They’ve spent lifetimes being pulled apart. This time, they’re ready to fight.After years of hiding her psychic abilities, Beth meets Jonan – the man with the violet eyes – and starts to feel like she belongs for the first time. Jonan has waited lifetimes to be with the woman who haunts his dreams. Drawn together by deeply buried memories from before birth, they try to make sense of a soul connection that opens windows into both their histories and their destiny.But when a woman from Jonan’s past starts weaponising their emotions and stirring up hate, distrust and a fear of the supernatural, Beth and Jonan find themselves targeted in a wave of suspicion.Only they can see what she is doing. But can they hold out against her bombardment and be true to who they really are, or will they allow The Fear to tear them apart?   Watch the Book Trailer Here: Author Reading: Chapter 1Find The Starfolk Arcana on AmazonSubscribe to Receive Book News FirstFind me on Facebook

Book Trailer for The Starfolk Arcana: Watch it Here

The book trailer for The Starfolk Arcana, the first book in my new Paranormal Trilogy, is now live. The Starfolk Arcana is my debut novel. It will be released on 13 September 2020 and will be available in ebook and paperback formats from Amazon. You will also be able to order it from your bookshop or library.

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