Most people call me Ludi or Lud, even though my name is Ludik. Or they do call me Ludik, but I can’t catch the k on their lips. No, it doesn’t bother me—being deaf, that is. Still, if given the choice, I would’ve gone with ugly.
There are many misconceptions about deafness, but the oddest to me is that we are void of sound, which is simply not true. And it’s with a sound that my story begins.
With the earth-shattering thunder of a runaway mountain.
The mountain took everything I’ve ever known. My village, my friends, my family. All gone. I don’t care why it ran. I’ll make sure it never moves again.
Beth has cocooned herself in routine after a devastating family tragedy upended her world years ago, but a chance encounter with a Marine named Ryker sends ripples through her carefully guarded world. He is smitten. She is unsure.
The city is thrown into chaos when a missile strikes near Spokane, testing Beth’s newfound optimism. As strife escalates, Beth must lead her friends on a perilous journey to her uncle’s farm in Idaho–a place she avoids.
Armed with only a vague location, Ryker embarks on a high-stakes quest, risking everything to find Beth in a world teetering on the edge of turmoil and anarchy.
Amidst the relentless pursuit of survival, Beth and Ryker each navigate landscapes fraught with unpredictability. Will their paths converge again? And will doing so bring them to safety…or closer to danger?
Join Beth on a gripping odyssey through adversity and uncertainty. In the end, will her resilience and indomitable spirit prevail against all odds?
This is the first book in the apocalyptic survival thriller series by Tracy Myhre.
The Halley Traveler by Mike Mollman (Book 1 The Martian Trader Saga)
Publication Day : 26th July
Tour: 26th Aug – 8th Sep
Genre: Sci-fi / Post apocalypse
Publisher : Beaver Castle Media
BACK OF THE BOOK
Chris Halley and his father run a trading ship across the Martian trade routes. When tragedy strikes, Chris is left all alone in an uncaring world. He must not only survive, but also discover and mete out the proper justice to his father’s murderer . . . if it doesn’t kill him first.
AUTHOR BIO
Mike Mollman is a charming individual graced with good looks, undeniable charisma and humility. These descriptions come straight from his keyboard, so they must be treated as unimpeachable facts. Mike lives in the Richmond, Virginia area. When he’s not self-aggrandizing, he likes to spend time with his two dogs and the many voices in his head.
Childhood friends Stef and Paul embark on an immersive virtual reality adventure, only to discover that The Disappearance of Eden Rose holds more than just puzzles and challenges. Encountering a mysterious character named Ollie James, they uncover a chilling link to a real-world tragedy: the unsolved deaths of numerous children over a decade ago. As they delve deeper, Stef and Paul realise they’re not just playing a game – they’re racing against time to unravel a shocking cover-up and undo its damage, risking their lives in pursuit of truth.
AUTHOR BIO
Stacy Buevich is a British writer and a film director with many award winning short films. She started writing novels during lockdown (wait did that really happen?), beginning with a magical mystery Maya Fairy, that she wrote for her daughter. Since then she has written several more and not planning to stop.
He hunts the legendary vampire alone, pushing Katelyn away to safety. But the vampire lord is not so easily bested. He evades Luca at every turn, leaving him free to tap into Kate’s power- the magic that lies at the heart of Icarya.Luca’s heart sinks as his father draws him further and further away from his eternal love.
Across the Great Sea, Kate is summoned to the slave city Likhan.
After the death of Seht Reza, Likhan teeters toward revolution as her nephew Darien seeks the throne. To protect him, Kate must work alongside Alaric, the assassin who will stop at nothing to win her back. The dark forces mounting against Darien leave Kate vulnerable to the destructive pull of her own magic.
Dreams of Ice and Shadow is the heart-stopping second volume of the Frostbite series, where gothic terrors invade epic fantasy, and Kate and Luca burn brighter than ever as the dangers facing Icarya threaten to separate them forever.
Perfect for fans of Jennifer Armentrout, Carissa Broadbent, and Deborah Harkness.
In this taut new thriller from the author of Chapel Field, one weekend of passion puts a woman at the center of a scandal that threatens to bury her . . .
When a spark ignites, Nina and Gabriel Da Silva, the mercurial busker at Halfmoon Lane, spend one weekend together at Nina’s isolated beachside home. Soon after, Nina receives some terrible news: Gabriel’s body has been found, and she’s been named a prime suspect.
Can Nina ever begin to piece her life back together or atone for her mistakes?
It turns out both conscience and love are heavy burdens, and Nina must learn to lean on the friends she has held at arm’s length . . .
REVIEW:
Although this novel fits within the thriller genre, I found it to be much more about the characters and how everything that takes place impacts them directly and shapes their personal development as well as relationships with each other. Friendships are put to the ultimate test and each of the characters learns something about themselves which in turn helps them to grow which really helps make the characters feel very believable.
The story is written from the points of view of Nina and Holly. Nina has fallen for a new man who meets an unfortunate end. Holly is the close friend who tries to help Nina along the way but is also out to seek the truth about what really happened and who was involved. Of the two characters I engaged more with Holly but both points of view help build an amazing story.
Sand, Sea and Second Chances by Catherine Michaels
Publication Day: 17th July
BACK OF THE BOOK
Kate Fiore is eager for a fresh start. Unemployed after a corporate takeover and scarred from a failed marriage, she hopes a temporary contract as an aquarium marketing manager will be a breath of fresh air. But a lockout and awkward misunderstandings plague Kate’s arrival at her summer rental.
Luke McAllister will fight to preserve his family and tight-knit coastal North Carolina community. So when he’s paired with Kate to lead the big local fundraiser and sea turtle patrol, the ardent islander clashes with the accomplished city woman. But even as their disagreements heat up, he can’t deny their irresistible attraction.
Sparks fly between the two as she learns to appreciate his passionate environmentalism and he slowly lets down his wall. But when Kate’s contract ends and silence follows, Luke fears letting her go may have cost him his one chance at forever.
Can their hearts rekindle across miles and months?
Sand, Sea, and Second Chances is the swoon-worthy first book in the Gull Island series of contemporary romance. If you like quirky characters, small-town settings, and classic cultural clashes, then you’ll adore Catherine Michaels’s breezy tale.
The Second Life of Jonathan Sendel by Jeffrey Ashkin
Out now: 16th July
Worldwide Tour 1st – 18th July
Genre: Thriller / Mystery
Publisher: Ink Smith Publishing
BACK OF THE BOOK
Best-selling author, Jonathan Sendel has been murdered. Now, his clone must solve the mystery.
In the near future when someone is murdered, a clone of the victim can be commissioned to help police solve the crime. This process is costly, tedious and not always successful. Memory lapses, mental implosions, and rouge clones are not uncommon. It’s risky, but Jonathan has the money, the fans, and the means, and so his clone must navigate a treacherous labyrinth of secrets to reclaim the life stolen from him and put his murderer behind bars.
Before his untimely death, Jonathan was stuck in a rut. His marriage was failing, writer’s block had his Jim Starlight series at a deadend, and his affair with a college student was about to go public. When his charred remains are found inside his remote cabin it’s clear that the murderer is someone in his inner circle.
His clone only has a matter of days to unravel the mystery before he loses the vast fortune he spent his entire life, the first one, building. As he uncovers his previous life’s transgressions, the people he trusted most may have some unsavory opinions about clones. Jonathan must take his investigation into his own hands to have a chance at life.
The Second Life of Jonathan Sendel is a twist-filled murder mystery, that examines the life of a beloved celebrity tarnished by scandal and the painful process of coming to terms with one’s own demons.
AUTHOR BIO
Jeffrey Ashkin’s literary journey began with penning plays for local and state
competitions in Florida, where he tried to distinguish himself as a burgeoning talent. Even before
college, he had already seen two of his plays come to life on stage – the existential sci-fi drama,
“My Self,” wowed audiences at the renowned Hippodrome Theatre in Gainesville, while the
satire “Growing Up Too Fast” found its place in publication through a prestigious theatre
company and played many times throughout Florida.
After college, Jeffrey segued into writing films and short stories. He dove into science fiction
and wrote and directed the sci-fi/mystery film “Technical Support.” This work earned the honor
of gracing the screens at San Diego Comic-Con in 2012, drawing attention from distinguished
filmmaker Rian Johnson, who praised the film as “Great stuff, well done. A cool sci-fi concept.”
His subsequent films continued to captivate audiences at San Diego Comic-Con in both 2022 and
2023.
In addition to writing, he enjoys hosting convention panels that delve into storytelling, be it the
iconic “Twilight Zone” series or the world of underwater filmmaking. He also likes playing trivia
at O’Brien’s Pub in Santa Monica where he is usually outmatched by Jeopardy! Champions.
During the week, he teaches special education in Los Angeles and strives to instill a love of
reading with his students. They inspire him every day.
What We Can’t Have: Hollywood Hot Shots by Selina Violet
Publication Day: 16th July
Worldwide – 17th – 26th July
Genre: Contemporary Romance
BACK OF THE BOOK
The right song can touch your soul…
Becoming a songwriter was never on Sydney Campbell’s radar. No; she chose a music major to one day inspire children as an educator. But all that changed when she met him…
Paired together on an important assignment, Austin Mitchell—the country star wannabe—quickly becomes the bane of her existence. Majoring in partying, his carefree attitude causes the duo to clash at every turn.
Despite the tension, they make beautiful music together, creating a song powerful enough to change the trajectory of their lives…
Forced together, the two battle to cope with their budding attraction as they struggle to navigate the pitfalls of the Los Angeles music industry.
Working as a team allows them to grow closer, however, outside forces keep them from fully committing to the partnership. And Austin’s carousing, along with his revolving door of one-night stands, doesn’t help Sydney trust his dedication.
The opportunity of a lifetime hangs in the balance.
Will they finally sync to become stars? Or will Austin’s actions make them just a one-hit wonder?
Hollywood Hot Shots is the first installment in the What We Can’t Have Trilogy. This story is a spicy, contemporary, opposites-attract novel featuring a curvy heroine and tortured hero that you can’t help but fall for. If you like compelling characters, light drama, and spicy scenes, then you’ll adore Selina Violet’s coming-of-age adventure.
Months have passed since the old worlds ended, and Elwyn has yet to find her place in the new one. Her fortunes turn when she’s presented with the opportunity she didn’t know she’d been waiting for: a shot at revenge against the spectral menace whose meddling doomed her closest companions.
Brannon has traded a life of bloodshed for one of incense and mantras, and he regrets the decision. When forced to confront the brutes who shaped him, he becomes more volatile than ever before and seeks out a worthy target for his rage. In setting fire to his past, he might just burn down every bridge he’s built since.
Plagued by guilt for failing his friends and kingdom, Aedyn is desperate for redemption but would settle for distraction. A chance for both arises when he’s recruited for a dangerous mission involving monsters who could crush his heart with their bare hands and a woman who could do the same with a smile.
Together with a friend they’d thought lost forever, a courageous fae warrior, and the embittered ward of their greatest foe, this ragtag group of ruffians ventures to an uncharted land filled with magic and mayhem. If they can uncover evidence of Unseelie plots, they could turn the tides of an inevitable war. If they fail, they might lose everything they cherish.
Dunfermline Reads 