jbronderbookreviews

Half the Lies You Tell Are True By CP Wilson

An unsettling, dark psychological thriller from the author of Ice Cold Alice.

In a world where internet rumour becomes real-world fact, do we ever really know anyone?

High school teacher Dougie Black is brutally attacked in school. Stabbed in front of his class by a pupil with no apparent motive, Dougie fights for his life in ICU whilst DS Lewis Gilmour attempts to unravel the events leading up to the attack.

As the doctors struggle to save Dougie’s life, social media is rife with rumours about his private life. Mr Black’s friends and family begin to question everything they thought they knew about him.

Who is Dougie Black? Why did a child attempt to murder him? How did so many years of lies lead to an horrific moment of violence?

Half The Lies You Tell Are True, is a dark glimpse at what social media has done to our integrity and our perception of each other. Perfect for fans of Black Mirror and Gone Girl.

Amazon     Barnes and Noble     Goodreads

Praise for CP Wilson

“If you’re looking for something to get your teeth into then this is the book for you which I cannot recommend enough giving 5 big massive stars.” – Shell Baker.

“Sometimes you start reading a book and you stop to check the blurb again because you realise that the book you are reading far outweighs the book you were expecting! And that’s what happened to me here because this book caught me out with a plot and setting that were far superior to anything I could have hoped for.” – Joanne Robertson – Amazon Top 500 reviewer.

“C.P. Wilson kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end combining complex emotions with cruelty and gruesome scenes. The story is perfectly balanced and the suspense is skilfully distributed.” – Suze Lavender.

“CP Wilson asks hard questions about society, domestic abuse and shared culpability.” – Rowena, Murder, Mayhem and More.

“Throws you right in with the first harrowing scenes.” – Caroline Vincent, Bits about Books.

“I think the author will certainly wow readers with this book and leave them begging for more.” – Sarah Hardy, By The Letter Book Reviews.

Author’s Bio

Pseudonym for Amazon best-selling Mark Wilson. C.P. Wilson writes psychological thrillers.

Mark Wilson is the Amazon-bestselling author of ten works of fiction and one non-fiction memoir. He also writes Crime Thrillers under the pseudonym, C.P. Wilson

Mark’s short story ‘Glass Ceiling’ won first prize in May, 2015 on Spinetingler’s Short story competition and will be included in Ryan Bracha’s Twelve Nights at Table Six. dEaDINBURGH reached the quarter finals of the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award in 2014 and is a finalist in the Wishing Shelf Book Awards, 2015.

Website     Facebook     Twitter

My Review

5 stars

Dougie Black is a High School Biology teacher that is attacked and stabbed by his student Harry Jardine. As Dougie fights for his life in the hospital, rumors start flying on social media about what happened and the supposed “truth” behind the scenes. Then there is Francesca, Frankie, Malone. Frankie is a teacher that was mentored by Dougie when she first started. The rumors can’t be true but the more she looks into them the more she starts questioning herself about Dougie. What is the truth? It’s up to DS Lewis Gilmour to figure this out.

This is a story that could have easily came out of any newspaper today. Everyone relies on social media so much, especially the younger generation that lives are seriously being affected. How many suicides have been caused from social media? Murders? Worse? This story kits right at this topic.

Dougie has had his share of a hard life and is currently trying to deal with his wife’s dementia. Of course there are things in his past that he has done that can affect him today, he is only human. Then you have Harris whose mother could care less if he was even around. His step father abuses him physically and mentally. But he is a victim of bullying from social media too.

It is so sad how much social media affects people. They instantly get riled up and go off to argue or protest and not fact check or really look at the whole situation. This book is a great representation of what is happening in real life and is heartbreaking to read. But it is one that I recommend everyone read, especially today’s kids and young adults.

I received a complimentary copy of this book.  I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

I would like to thank the author for an opportunity to read and share his book.

Read Full Post »

Absolute Darkness by Tina O’Hailey

A thrill ride through time that will make you hold your breath.

Sitting by the campfire, Brandy admitted a secret to her friends. She swore she saw a ghost when exiting a cave earlier that day. Was she seeing things? Did they believe her? The next day, breaking a cardinal rule, she snuck back to the cave alone. No one knew where she was. What if she fell or was trapped? There would be no rescue.

For ten thousand years Alexander had kept the time streams of this universe safe from an eternal destructive force that continually threatened to tamper and destroy all. Locked in an unremitting battle, the two foes become sidetracked by an unexpected visitor. An entangled journey begins with chilling twists and turns until becoming locked into an inescapable death deep within a submerged cave.

Who will come out of the watery depths alive?

Absolute Darkness: Virtual Blog Tour June 28 – July 4

Amazon     Barnes and Noble     Goodreads

Preorder from the publisher. Use code: PREORDER2018 to receive a 10% discount!

Author’s Bio

Tina O’Hailey (author of animation text books “Rig it Right” and “Hybrid Animation”, professor in animation, visual effects and game programming, caver and occasional mapper of grim, wet, twisty caves—if she owes a friend a favor or loses a bet—whose passion is to be secluded on a mountain and to write whilst surrounded by small, furry dogs and hot coffee) was struck by lightning as a baby.

Author Blog     Absolute Darkness Facebook Page

My Review

5 Stars

Brandy and her friends are cavers and one night after a day of exploring, she admits to her friends that she thinks she saw a ghost. Of course no one believes her so Brandy goes back in the caves alone. After getting trapped she wakes to find a gorgeous man standing over her. Alexander is a Time Watcher that can manipulate time. He is trying to keep everything going well. Yindi on the other hand is trying to cause total destruction.

This was an interesting read. I really liked the Brandy and Susan story. Tina O’Hailey clearly knows her stuff when it comes to caving and made me feel right there with the women as they explore.

I love the idea of the Time Watchers and although they pity the linears, people that are believed to be stuck in their times. I admit that I was a little lost in the beginning and I don’t completely know which side Alexander and Yindi are going to end up on let along what they are planning. But it was a great change from the regular paranormal characters.

This is a wonderful story with a hint at a prequel that I think will help clear up some of my questions. But I liked the book and think it’s a fresh look at a fantasy story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

I would like to thank Rachel’s Random Resources for the opportunity to read and share this book.

Excerpt from Absolute Darkness:

Introduction:

Brandy has rappelled into a pit and in the process became knocked unconscious, just missing breaking her neck, and was hanging from the rope inches from the bottom of the pit. Alexander plucked her from the rope and she came to. The tables turn and she thinks she is rescuing Alexander.

10 Unexpected rescue.

“Well, here we are.” She held out her hand, paused, took off her glove then held out her pink hand again. “Brandy.”

His hand enveloped hers in its grip. “Alexander.”

She paused, feeling the strength of his hand around hers.

“Alexander,” she repeated then released his hand. Then softly, she asked, “Are you OK? Have you been in here all night?”

He smiled then looked around the room. “I was walking in the woods with my dog.” The lie came easily. “He came upon a raccoon and took chase. I followed him into this cave.”

“Did you have a light?” Brandy asked.

“A flashlight, yes. I lost it in a crawl. It rolled into a crevasse.” He held out his hands, a what could I do gesture.

Brandy took up the story, completing it for him. “You crawled back here and slept for the night with out finding your dog.” She hugged her knees close to her chest. “I probably caught sight of you just as you were going in the cave.” She put a hand on his shoulder, tentative, soft, then removed it. “I’m so sorry. I caught such a quick glimpse of you, then you were gone.”

“I was rushing,” said the man who had no need to rush.

“I thought…” she paused, seemed to consider something, then continued. “I thought I was just seeing things, really.”

“I ran in so quickly, I must have barely missed you. Fortunate that you saw me at all.” Alexander peered at her closely. “Are you sure that you are well?”

“Yes.” Brandy dropped her gaze to avoid his intense eyes. “We need to get you out of here.” Brandy drug her pack to rest between her ankles and began returning the contents of her pack with care and dedication to the precise placement of the items. They disappeared one by one.

Alexander watched her movements without commenting.

“Here, use this.” She handed Alexander a light. He held it in front of him and eyed it suspiciously. “It goes on your head. I mean, it should go on a helmet, but your head will do.” She took it from him, pulled the elastic bands out then motioned for him to lean closer. Alexander lowered his head so she could place the light on his skull, the elastic band whisking across his hair. She leaned in close, her breath warm on his ear as she adjusted the straps. The goal of affixing the light met, Brandy paused and became conscious of how close she was to Alexander. She smiled a quick nervous smile and exhaled, “There.” Then sat back from him.

Brandy looked up at the hole in the ceiling above them. “Guess we can’t get you out that way.”

Alexander did not follow her gaze. He watched her face instead. The sun felt heavier now as it crept higher in the sky. Exhaustion pulled at the backs of his eyeballs. He rubbed a cold hand across his eyes; he exhaled slightly, a human gesture. “I visited this cave when I was younger.”

“Oh yeah?” Brandy slung the backpack across her shoulders but made no attempt to start moving.

“We used candles then.” His gaze drifted towards the dark beyond them. “There is a very lovely area just back this way.” He pointed with his headlamp. “I can take you there.” He watched for her reaction. “Seems a shame to waste the trip. We are already back this far.”

Brandy considered.

Note From the Author

#FORLINEARS puzzle: Please check out the virtual blog tour and you might find some embedded fun in the imagery.

(https://www.rachelsrandomresources.com/absolute-darkness) In fact, I dare you. Can you find the hidden puzzles that lead to an autographed book give away? First one to figure it out wins an autographed book.

Read Full Post »