Tag: blogtour

#BlogTour The Thunder Girls by Melanie Blake @MidasPR

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0bb3eb64-b0d0-4fba-b343-07afb2eaea53.__CR0,0,970,300_PT0_SX970_V1___Welcome to today’s stop on the blog tour for The Thunder Girls by Melanie Blake. The author is described as “Jackie Collins for a new generation” and the book as “perfect for fans of Daisy Jones and The Six”. A special e-book edition is available for the whole of April at the discounted price of £0.99. But before you rush off to grab yourself a copy, let me tell you a little more about The Thunder Girls and its author.

The Thunder Girls_Book JacketAbout the Book

THE

Chrissie, Roxanne, Carly and Anita, an eighties pop sensation outselling and out-classing their competition. Until it all comes to an abrupt end and three of their careers are over, and so is their friendship.

THUNDER

Thirty years later, their old record label wants the band back together for a huge money-making concert. But the wounds are deep and some need this gig more than others. In those decades apart life was far from the dream they were living as members of The Thunder Girls. Breakdowns, bankruptcy, addiction and divorce have been a constant part of their lives. They’ve been to hell and back, and some are still there.

GIRLS

Can the past be laid to rest for a price, or is there more to this reunion than any of them could possibly know? Whilst they all hunger for a taste of success a second time around, someone is plotting their downfall in the deadliest way possible . . .

Purchase links*
Amazon.co.uk | Hive (supporting UK bookshops)
*links provided for convenience not as part of an affiliate programme

Find The Thunder Girls on Goodreads

Mel Blake_PhotoAbout the Author

2020 has been a huge year for Melanie Blake, not only has The Thunder Girls become a number one bestseller but Melanie has written a hit stage play based on the book, which is due to go on a national tour in 2021, following a sellout, critically acclaimed world premiere preview run at The Lowry which broke box office records for a new work. Melanie is currently finishing her second novel, set in the TV industry which is due for publication in 2021.

A self-made millionaire and one of the UK’s most powerful female talent agents, The Thunder Girls was inspired by Melanie Blake’s first-hand experience of the 90’s pop industry. Blake started her career on Top of the Pops where she worked with some of the biggest bands of the 90’s including The Spice Girls, Destiny’s Child, Madonna, All Saints and Kylie Minogue.

Melanie’s big break came when Claire Richards from Steps hired Melanie as her manager. Melanie went on to manage members of super groups including Spandau Ballet, Mis-Teeq, Five Star, Bros and other members of Steps. In 2009 Melanie reformed original 80’s girl group, The Nolans, for an award-winning reunion tour which took £2 million at the box office.

Connect with Melanie

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#BlogTour #BookReview The Wheelwright’s Daughter by Eleanor Porter @BoldwoodBooks

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Screenshot_2020-04-20-16-41-24_kindlephoto-612530156Welcome to today’s stop on the blog tour for The Wheelwright’s Daughter by Eleanor Porter. My thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resourcesfor inviting me to take part in the tour and to Boldwood Books for my digital review copy via NetGalley. You can read my review below but do also check out the posts by my tour buddies, Bookish Jottingsand Joanna at Over The Rainbow Book Blog.

The Wheelwright's DaughterAbout the Book

Can she save herself from a witch’s fate?

Martha is a feisty and articulate young woman, the daughter of a wheelwright, living in a Herefordshire village in Elizabethan England. With no mother Martha’s life is spent running her father’s meagre household and helping out at the local school whilst longing to escape the confines and small-mindedness of a community driven by religious bigotry and poverty.

As she is able to read and is well-versed in herbal remedies she is suspected of being a witch. When a landslip occurs – opening up a huge chasm in the centre of the village – she is blamed for it and pursued remorselessly by the villagers.

But can her own wits and the love of local stable-hand Jacob save her from a witch’s persecution and death…

A brilliant and accomplished novel that perfectly captures the febrile atmosphere of Elizabethan village life in an age when suspicion and superstition were rife. Perfect for fans of Tracy Chevalier.

Format: ebook (310 pages)             Publisher: Boldwood Books
Publication date: 21st April 2020 Genre: Historical fiction

Find The Wheelwright’s Daughter on Goodreads

Purchase links*
Amazon.co.uk | Hive (supporting UK bookshops)
*links provided for convenience not as part of an affiliate programme

My Review

For those who’ve read any amount of historical fiction set in the 16th century, it will be a familiar (no pun intended) story: an independent-minded, young woman educated beyond what might be expected with a knowledge of herbal remedies suspected of witchcraft by those who seek answers for events they cannot comprehend.

In this case, the seemingly incomprehensible event is a geological one, a landslip that destroys the village chapel. What clearer message can there be, some villagers wonder, that the Devil is in their midst? They are encouraged in this belief by the charismatic but sinister Father Paul who is bent on rooting out Catholics priests and prepared to use any pretext to gain favour and satisfy his own puritanical urges. As is often the case, there’s a misogynistic, not to mention rather un-priestlike, element to his fervour.

It has to be said that Martha doesn’t help herself initially, making light of the whispered rumours about her and continuing to roam the countryside alone at night, relying on the continued support of the daughter of the Lord of the Manor to protect her. The fact that Martha’s father is a drunkard prone to profane outbursts doesn’t help. Nor, unknown to Martha, do the circumstances of her mother’s death. As a friend warns her, “They are afraid…all these goings-on. Who’s to know what’s behind it all? It’s easier for them to decide it must be you.”

Along with a generous cast of secondary characters, there is some lovely detail about village life in the period, such as seasonal celebrations. The book’s conclusion invites the reader to use their own imagination to decide Martha’s future or, perhaps, to wait patiently for a possible sequel.

The Wheelwright’s Daughter is a skilfully crafted story of love, betrayal, superstition and fear in 16th century England.

In three words: Engaging, assured, immersive

Try something similar: Widdershins by Helen Steadman

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8106517-683x1024About the Author

Eleanor Porter has lectured at Universities in England and Hong Kong and her poetry and short fiction has been published in magazines. The Wheelwright’s Daughter is her first novel.

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