Book Review: Terminal Life by Richard Torregrossa

When i first spotted this book, I really liked the look of the cover and with the little description of a suited hero novel. This made me think that the hero of the story is very smart, business- like and immaculately dressed. A different type of hero to the normal costume dressed heroes that are ten a penny nowadays.    
                  


Book Description

Luke Stark, a Special Forces veteran, returns home from his second tour in Afghanistan to learn that his wife has been mysteriously murdered and his son has disappeared. These tragedies, in addition to suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, push him over the edge. He has also been diagnosed with an incipient form of cancer, but he forgoes treatment, a decision that is akin to a slow suicide.

Although he lives in a shelter, he wears an impeccable suit, an eccentric characteristic that sets him apart from his fellow down-and-outers and just about everybody else. He is nicknamed, somewhat ironically, The Suited Hero.

Revenge and the search for his son spark a kind of rebirth in him that is as cathartic as it is brutal. This leads him into the dangerous world of illegal prescription drug distribution, where nobody in this gripping mystery crime thriller— not even some family members—is who they appear to be.
This book is a very enjoyable action/suspense/thriller, and one that I read pretty quickly. The main character Luke Stark is a great hero and you can’t help but feel for him in his unfortunate circumstances. There are some fabulous action scenes with a little gore included, but this gets offset by a romance element which for me was a welcome change from all the action.
I would definitely recommend it as a fast paced summer read, I was wanting more at the end though so would love to see a few sequels. The author has a fantastic character in Luke Stark and I for one would read more of his adventures. 
I have given Terminal Life by Richard Torregrossa 5 out of 5 stars.
Hardback Edition
Published 2014 by Oceanview Publishing
Rachel xx

Disclaimer: I was given this hardback edition to read and review free of charge by Oceanview Publishing through Tomoson. All opinions and views expressed are my own. Book description and bottom image taken from Tomoson.com for purpose for this review only.

#MySundayPhoto 26/07/2015

 

            

 

Rachel xx

OneDad3Girls

#MySundayPhoto 19/07/2015

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Book Review: The Confession of Thomas Hawkins by Antonia Hodgson

My first thoughts on this book was that it looked like a really interesting read. I haven’t read that many historical crime fiction, but was totally absorbed and intrigued by the cover of this one. 
Book Description

Spring, 1728. A young, well-dressed man is dragged through the streets of London to the gallows at Tyburn. The crowds jeer and curse as he passes, calling him a murderer. He tries to remain calm. His name is Tom Hawkins and he is innocent. Somehow he has to prove it, before the rope squeezes the life out of him.



It is, of course, all his own fault. He was happy with Kitty Sparks. Life was good. He should never have told the most dangerous criminal in London that he was ‘bored and looking for adventure’. He should never have offered to help Henrietta Howard, the king’s mistress, in her desperate struggles with a brutal husband. And most of all, he should never have trusted the witty, calculating Queen Caroline. She has promised him a royal pardon if he holds his tongue but then again, there is nothing more silent than a hanged man.

Based loosely on actual events, Antonia Hodgson’s new novel is both a sequel to The Devil in the Marshalsea and a standalone historical mystery. From the gilded cage of the Court to the wicked freedoms of the slums, it reveals a world both seductive and deadly. And it continues the rake’s progress of Tom Hawkins – assuming he can find a way to survive the noose…
           

When I decided I wanted to read this novel, I didn’t realise that it was a sequel to The Devil in the Marshalsea, but anyway I decided to give it a go. I am really glad I did, and felt that it didn’t matter that I hadn’t read the previous novel. 
The setting of the novel is in the deep grotty slums of London in the 1700’s. The way the book is written gives you a great picture of this time with the corruption and violence that seems to be all around you. The main character Thomas is such a likable character, and I was rooting for him all the time as we try to discover who actually dunnit?
The one thing I enjoyed about the book was that it is actually loosely based on real events, this to me gives it a sense of reality and truth behind the story.
My overall thoughts is that you will be taken on a fabulous ride with this thriller through grimy London and be guessing all the way! I have enjoyed it very much and look forward to going back and reading The Devil in the Marshalsea.
I have given The Confession of Thomas Hawkins by Antonia Hodgson 4 out of 5 stars.
Hardback Edition
Published 4th June 2015 by Hodder & Stoughton
Rachel xx
Disclaimer I was given this hardback edition to read and review free of charge from Bookbridgr. All opinions and views expressed are my own.

#MySundayPhoto 12/07/2015

Well this is the last Canadian #MySundayPhoto in my series of photo’s, I hope you have enjoyed looking at them. 

The moment when we were on The Lady of the Mist boat heading close to Niagara Fall’s is a very hard to describe moment. It was scorching hot and wet and just took your breath away. 
Rachel xx
OneDad3Girls

Happy Chocolate Day!

Well I have just discovered that today is Chocolate Day! One of my new favourite days, I think. This is a picture of some gorgeous chocolate cupcakes that I made yesterday. I can’t wait to tuck into them! 
I have always been a huge chocolate lover ( which you can probably tell by now! ) My favourite chocolate bar is a dark chocolate Bounty, which are actually hard to come by here in Cornwall. The best chance of finding one is normally at petrol stations. 
I would love to hear about all your favourite chocolate bars, are you a milk or dark chocolate lover?
Rachel xx