The Winter Runaway by Katie Flynn Blog Tour

Today is my stop on the blog tour for newly released "The Winter Runaway" by Katie Flynn, for my stop I have my review, enjoy. The book is out to buy tomorrow 24th of October, Amazon UK link HERE.

The Winter Runaway by Katie Flynn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages - 401

Publisher - Penguin

Source - ARC

Blurb from Goodreads

*The first installment in the brand new Runaway's series from the Sunday Times bestselling author

Tammy and her mother, Grace, are desperate to escape Tammy’s violent bully of a father. But when an unforeseen tragedy strikes, mother and daughter must flee Scotland in the dead of night.

To survive the severest of penalties, they leave behind everything they know and love – including one another.

Under new identities, Tammy and Grace must start afresh. Tammy joins the services and there she meets a dashing officer who begins to break her guard down.

But can the course of true love ever run smooth with Tammy unable to reveal her true self?



My Review

First thing I need to say guys is this one opens with domestic violence (DV), violence within a family setting and the far reach of the consequences throughout the book. Tammy and her mum Grace have been terrorised by Tammy's dad, Grace's husband since as long as they can remember. Alcohol abuse, psychological and physical abuse, the man is an absolute disgrace of a human being. When one night things go to far the women flee toward Scotland, setting them on a separate path, trying to heal their wounds and constantly looking over their shoulders.

The book starts with the horrific scene of DV then flips to three months earlier and gives us a frank look into the ladies daily life. Then we go to the after, Grace and Tammy trying to get through the day whilst the war is going on mind you and the paths each has chosen. Tammy falls into hers and enlists to do her part for the war, Grace finally has some freedom and finds herself helping other woman escaping bad situations and embracing her talent. With the promise of meeting up again both Grace and Tammy do what they need to to survive.

The book bounces about a wee bit but it is done well enough that it isn't distracting and the stories flow well. Tammy ran leaving her love behind Rory so we hear from him and about Tammy's dads antics, the war happening around them. Grace finding her own feet and independence after being beaten down for so long and Tammy with a few white lies has found herself a new bestie and both volunteer to help in the war effort taking them both on new paths. Their lies and lives they have escaped have brought them together and the book very much takes us along actions/consequences, how far lasting/reaching they can be.

Relationships is hugely centric in this one, mother and daughter, husband and wife, first loves, friendship and the attitudes between ranking officers in the army which I thought was pretty interesting. That and how snotty some attitudes are also to women and how they treat them!

It is a really good read to just sink into and forget your own life for a wee bit, set in perilous times, war, poverty, danger from your own loved ones, personal growth and strength once you find the courage to leave (DV). Again this really struck a chord with me, I think it depends on your background, life experiences but this one did pack a bit of a punch and pull some emotionals from me, 4/5.

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Good Friday by Lynda La Plante Book Tour

Good Friday by Lynda La Plante
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 3 days

Pages - 400

Publisher - Zaffre

Source - Review copy

Blurb from Goodreads

BEFORE PRIME SUSPECT THERE WAS TENNISON.

Every legend has a beginning . . .

During 1974 and 1975 the IRA subjected London to a terrifying bombing campaign. In one day alone, they planted seven bombs at locations across central London. Some were defused - some were not.

Jane Tennison is now a fully-fledged detective. On the way to court one morning, Jane passes through Covent Garden Underground station and is caught up in a bomb blast that leaves several people dead, and many horribly injured. Jane is a key witness, but is adamant that she can't identify the bomber. When a photograph appears in the newspapers, showing Jane assisting the injured at the scene, it puts her and her family at risk from IRA retaliation.

'Good Friday' is the eagerly awaited date of the annual formal CID dinner, due to take place at St Ermin's Hotel. Hundreds of detectives and their wives will be there. It's the perfect target. As Jane arrives for the evening, she realises that she recognises the parking attendant as the bomber from Covent Garden. Can she convince her senior officers in time, or will another bomb destroy London's entire detective force?


My Review

Book three of the Tennison series and we see Jane growing a wee bit more - professionally and personally. Getting her own place, moving into the CID and still having to deal with the all the male chauvinistic style attitudes. The timeline in 1974/75 the book is very much terrorist/bombs/IRA and as one of our mains get caught right in the heart of it at the start so it is very graphic, breath taking and heart stopping. La Plante is so good at creating the situations/atmospheres that even me, not a visual reader was absolutely enfolded in the scene/emotions/terror. and that is just the start!

I think what I like about these books is that you have the police side, investigation, crime, murder(s) whatever the book is taking you to. You also get the feel of the times, the vile attitudes/prejudices/stereotypes/racisms et al of that era but also down to tv shows & things that will take you back. The family dynamics, the personal side of Jane whilst striving to be the best she can be at the job despite so much stacked against her and relationships in her life.

Tennison can be so relatable because she isn't perfect but she is a good person, she makes mistakes but never from a bad place, she is good people and for me, characters like that are a breath of fresh air. The pace is bang on, hooked as usually quickly, blend of characters to like, dislike, hate and I can't wait to hit the next one, 4/5.

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