Conversations with Tom

Big News! Conversations with Tom is ready to pre-order on Amazon. Be the first to have a copy on your kindle when it hits the virtual shelves on the 5th of February. It is the perfect romantic Valentines read.

Conversations with Tom by Angela Lockwood on Amazon.com

When Jeff and his wife Lisa adopt a kitten named Tom, they have no idea their marriage is in trouble. When the fluffy kitten turns out to be a boisterous cat, hell-bent on destroying furniture, Lisa realises life isn’t turning out the way she’d planned. Tom’s conviction that 4am really is the best time of day, plus her husband’s disastrous business sense, soon drives Lisa into the arms of another man.

Newly single, and at a loss, Jeff turns to his cat for a sympathetic furry ear. The witty and convincingly cat-like character he imagines becomes the friend he so desperately needs. But as his owner agonises about love and life, Tom concerns himself with more important matters, such as soliciting tuna and how to get better acquainted with the neighbour’s rabbit. Although they don’t always understand each other, Jeff and Tom form an unbreakable bond – until a trip to the vet changes everything…

 
You might have also noted that the blog has changed it's title to a more suitable: Angela Lockwood writes and reviews.

Who Killed Vivien Morse (DCI Hatherall Book 4) by Diana J Febry

Happy new year to all my readers. A bit slow of the mark, but with work and a bout of flu, things are not as quick as I would like. With the launch of Conversations of Tom on the horizon, I realise that I have a lot of work to do. The book is safely in the hands of Penny Hunter who is finalising the edit. I however need to plan and execute a big roll out for the 5th of February. 1st on the agenda was a revamped and renamed Facebook site. Language in the Blood is no longer my only book and this blog will need a new name too. (Any suggestions?)
Have a look, I think the banner by Paradox looks great:Angela Lockwood Author
I still try to read and review books by other independent authors. One of them; Diana Febry has been on my list for a long time and I'm glad I've finally got round to reading one of her books. I gave it 5 stars.

Who Killed Vivien Morse (DCI Hatherall Book 4) by Diana J Febry on Amazon.com 

When the body of Vivien Morse is found in some woodland, the case quickly becomes complicated. The abusive ex-husband has a cast iron alibi and due to her job as a social worker, there are many leads to follow for DCI Hatherall and his partner Fiona. This is not only a good mystery that had me guessing to the last, but also a highly entertaining read. This book could only have been set in the English country side; where else would you find such a colourful and eccentric mix of characters. I did feel for our DCI when he is trying to do his job, deal with personal problems and has to placate the local Neighbourhood watch busybody. A man dressed as a druid and not wearing shoes is hardly cause for hysteria? It was highly entertaining to be travelling in the shoes of our long suffering DCI as he was trying to extract fact from tittle tattle and flamboyant statements. Who Killed Vivien Morse is the 4th book in the DCI Hatherall series. Some characters pop up and it is clear that they played a role in earlier books but that doesn’t get in the way at of the story. I’m certainly tempted now to explore the first three books in the series.

Enablers Anonymous by Nico Laeser

Finally a chance to get back to the writer of one of my favorite Indie books of the last year; Skincage. I didn't think this was on a par, but it was still very good and deserved 5 stars.

Enablers Anonymous by Nico Laeser on Amazon.com

Ever since reading Skincage by Nico Laeser I’ve been keen to sample some more of his work. Enablers Anonymous is a dark comedy. It has its finger firmly on the pulse of the modern world. We meet Jimmy King a self-confessed loser but also a cynic who exploits what can be exploited. He stumbles into the world of therapy and self-help groups. What starts with a scheme to make some extra cash, gradually grows into a fast money making network of groups and seminars. As Jimmy struggles with keeping his web of lies from unravelling, his conscience is already pulling at the various threads.

The character of Jimmy is very well written, as he confesses to us the reader, we sense from his anecdotes that all is not as he sees it, and we develop a lot of sympathy for him as he blunders from one scheme to another. We get first hand a journey of self-discovery and growth. Enablers Anonymous is a clever story with a lot of heart. Recommended.

Eve of Tomorrow (Dawn of Rebellion Series Book 3) by Michelle Lynn

This has been a great YA series and I thoroughly enjoyed all 3 books. Maybe the second and third lacked some of the humour of the first, but that was offset by a fast and exciting plot. I gave it 5 stars.

Eve of Tomorrow (Dawn of Rebellion series Book") by Michelle Lynn on Amazon.com

Eve of Tomorrow is the third and last book in the Dawn of Rebellion series. And what a cracking end to the series it is. Quite a number of surprises and I dare you not to shed a tear. What I liked most about the series is seeing the two girls; Dawn and Gabby grow from London street urgings into not to be messed with strong woman, without losing their core characters. Gabby remains mouthy and defiant, while Dawn keeps her softer caring side.

Book 2 was rather dark and serious, and while things are grim in the colonies we see a more hopeful tone and also some romance. One character that comes to the fore in this book is Lee and I really felt for the tall silent American as he had the misfortune to fall in love.

The plot is exciting and fast moving as the girls race against time to stop a dangerous weapon that could spell the end of the colonies, being deployed.

I’m sad that the series has ended but it has been a great read and even though I would have liked a different ending, I can understand why the writer has reached this conclusion. Great stuff and look forwards to reading more from this writer in the future.

The Friendship Triangle by Joey Paul

It's not often that I read what before would have been called a children's book, but these days the early teens fall under YA. I think I would have enjoyed this book when I was about that age especially if I had some issues to deal with. The message about bullying was very good; don't suffer in silence, tell someone. I gave it five stars as I really enjoyed reading it, even as a much, much older adult.

The Friendship Triangle by Joey Paul on Amazon.com

This is rather a charming book for the younger young adult (early teens.) It deals with a number of difficult issues, such as bereavement, divorce, alcoholism and bullying. It is far from a depressing book because it has a very strong positive message; friendship is important and you can’t do it alone. The writer has made the three girls typical eleven and twelve year olds who don’t always make the best decisions, but with a bit of mystical intervention they reach the right conclusion. Written at a good pace and in simple language a younger reader will enjoy. Recommended.