Lee Allen's Blog, page 23
March 19, 2021
Gill D. Anderson's Melita - Review
Melita by Gill D. AndersonMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
A potted family saga which explores the deep scars of tragedy and familial trauma.
July 1967. Suffocated by her family and craving independence, teenager Melita longs to escape her life in Malta. She meets Ross, travelling around Europe having escaped his family life in Scotland, and the pair soon embark on a passionate relationship. But as Melita makes the bold move to escape her patriarchal family, she learns that a fantasy life is not always so fulfilling when it becomes reality.
February 2020. Emily struggles with her estranged relationship with her mother, Melita. Melita has grown evermore bitter and driven everyone in her life away, conveniently finding ways to blame others and not take any personal responsibility. Having moved to Canada with her own family, Emily is unable to shake off the guilt of leaving her mother behind. Attempting to reach out to Melita, Emily is also determined to track down her father, whom she never knew as a child.
As the narrative moves back and forth between the present day and the late sixties and seventies, we learn how Melita’s past experiences have shaped her and tragically affected her life and her relationship with her own daughter.
‘Melita’ is a thoroughly enjoyable and engaging novel, character-driven and descriptive, packed with emotion and laced with suspense. Gill Anderson has done a remarkable job in developing her characters, each psychologically authentic. As the story develops, you find yourself feeling sympathy for even those most deeply flawed, who have allowed events in their life to shape them in a negative, rather than a positive, way. The events of the present day narrative are perfectly timed to convey how the pandemic has proved a catalyst for introspection and dealing with past experiences.
The novel explores how familial patterns and past trauma can affect future generations – how someone’s past, actions and relationships with their parents can impact their children, thus creating a cycle of repeating patterns and dysfunctional relationships. Even when at their worst, you can empathise with the characters and truly hope they can find ways to overcome their demons and make amends for their wrongdoing. Unfortunately, as in reality, not everyone finds they are able to redeem themselves. I highly recommend this book as both a short treat for fans of family sagas and for those who enjoy the genre’s complexities without wishing to commit to an epic series.
Full of drama, with several twists, ‘Melita’ is a tragic, thought-provoking tale that weaves a tapestry of human complexity and proves to be a timely fable.
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March 14, 2021
Bookstagram Author Interview
1) Please introduce yourself?
Hello! I'm Lee Allen, an author based in South Wales in the UK. I've thus far published five books, the most recent being "Bitten", an erotic horror vampire thriller.
2) When did you first realise that you have an interest in writing and wanted to become an author?
I've been writing for as long as I can remember. My best estimate is that I was around five years old, but it may even have been sooner than that when I started committing stories to paper. I have always loved books and reading and wanted to be able to create my own too. So, in a way, it feels as if I've always known I wanted to be a writer and I can't point specifically to when it started. But I haven't stopped since.
3) Which genre do you prefer the most to write and according to you which genre do you find difficult to write?
I tend to blend different genres together in my work. People often imagine genre to be neatly divided into boxes, yet there are complex webs of sub-genres and grey areas, stories being much like life itself. Primarily I tend towards the thriller and horror umbrellas, but within that there is so much potential - crime, romance, erotica, sci-fi, psychological, historical, the list goes on. I had a lot of fun mixing different genres when writing my short story collection "Whispers from the Dead of Night".
My new novel, "Bitten", combines erotic thriller, police procedural and gothic horror.
My work tends towards being quite dark, so I think I would probably struggle to write comedy - particularly sitcom or romcom.
4) How long does it take you to complete a book?
It varies from book to book. I was still in school when I wrote my first novel, which took me about two years to complete. My first novella took me a year to write around work, while my second novella took only six months (I was made redundant around that time).
I wrote my short story collection across a period of eighteen months. "Bitten" was already half written by the time I began working on it again just over a year ago, and I took a year to complete it. Both of those books were written around my day job, primarily worked on during evenings and weekends. I would love to be able to work on writing full time in the future - which will then mean more books (or longer books) for my readers!
5) What is the easiest and difficult part for you while writing a book?
I love writing. So, for me, the easiest part is being in the thick of a story, exploring themes and plotting for my characters, being in the midst of writing the next scene, building those images and thoughts and feelings. The characters live inside my head. I love what I write about, so even background research is fun. I feel I have found my vocation with writing and love burying myself in it.
Perhaps what's most difficult is overcoming the doubts and anxieties that creep in along the way, the thoughts that I may never finish writing the story, having to persevere through all those doubts to get to the end. I'm a perfectionist, which sometimes makes it a challenge to even pick up a pen to write the next sentence, through the fear it won't be my best writing. When it comes to editing, it can become quite intense and fraught with anxiety.
6) What was the reaction of your family when you decided to start writing books?
My family have always been very supportive of my writing. It feels like it's been a part of me my entire life - it's who I am - and they have embraced that. The stories may not always be in genres they would choose, but nevertheless they have supported me and are proud of what I've achieved.
One of the things that sticks in my mind is when my grandad, who rarely read fiction, started reading my first book, "Those Crimes of Passion". He said there was far too much sex and violence in it for him. Yet compared to "Bitten", it's remarkably tame! I wonder what on earth he would have made of that - it cannot help but make me smile.
7) Are you planning to launch a new book shortly? If yes, what theme are you deciding to write upon?
I recently launched my new novel, "Bitten", on Valentine's Day. It's the story of a police officer, Holleigh Ryder, and the pursuit of a vampiric serial murderer who strikes on Valentine's Day. It's an erotic thriller, a police procedural and a horror story entwined into one. I've already received positive feedback from readers and am very excited to hear from more!
Beyond "Bitten", I've already started work for my next book, which is in the very early stages at the moment.
8) What are the things that you are interested to do, other than writing ?
I love reading, music, film and television. I have a keen interest in the topics and themes I write about, which makes research fascinating. I believe that's something that is key to writing - if a writer loves what they do, it bleeds into their work, and their readers will feel that enjoyment too.
I also enjoy going to the theatre and cinema, or eating out at a restaurant, at a time when we were able to do those things safely. But I'm frequently a home bird - it's where I feel most relaxed and most productive and my imagination is free to roam in my next book.
Interviewed by Diksha Malik - see the post on Instagram.
Order Bitten from Amazon, Lulu.com, and Barnes & Noble.
Visit me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on Instagram
Hello! I'm Lee Allen, an author based in South Wales in the UK. I've thus far published five books, the most recent being "Bitten", an erotic horror vampire thriller.
2) When did you first realise that you have an interest in writing and wanted to become an author?
I've been writing for as long as I can remember. My best estimate is that I was around five years old, but it may even have been sooner than that when I started committing stories to paper. I have always loved books and reading and wanted to be able to create my own too. So, in a way, it feels as if I've always known I wanted to be a writer and I can't point specifically to when it started. But I haven't stopped since.
3) Which genre do you prefer the most to write and according to you which genre do you find difficult to write?
I tend to blend different genres together in my work. People often imagine genre to be neatly divided into boxes, yet there are complex webs of sub-genres and grey areas, stories being much like life itself. Primarily I tend towards the thriller and horror umbrellas, but within that there is so much potential - crime, romance, erotica, sci-fi, psychological, historical, the list goes on. I had a lot of fun mixing different genres when writing my short story collection "Whispers from the Dead of Night".
My new novel, "Bitten", combines erotic thriller, police procedural and gothic horror.
My work tends towards being quite dark, so I think I would probably struggle to write comedy - particularly sitcom or romcom.
4) How long does it take you to complete a book?
It varies from book to book. I was still in school when I wrote my first novel, which took me about two years to complete. My first novella took me a year to write around work, while my second novella took only six months (I was made redundant around that time).
I wrote my short story collection across a period of eighteen months. "Bitten" was already half written by the time I began working on it again just over a year ago, and I took a year to complete it. Both of those books were written around my day job, primarily worked on during evenings and weekends. I would love to be able to work on writing full time in the future - which will then mean more books (or longer books) for my readers!
5) What is the easiest and difficult part for you while writing a book?
I love writing. So, for me, the easiest part is being in the thick of a story, exploring themes and plotting for my characters, being in the midst of writing the next scene, building those images and thoughts and feelings. The characters live inside my head. I love what I write about, so even background research is fun. I feel I have found my vocation with writing and love burying myself in it.
Perhaps what's most difficult is overcoming the doubts and anxieties that creep in along the way, the thoughts that I may never finish writing the story, having to persevere through all those doubts to get to the end. I'm a perfectionist, which sometimes makes it a challenge to even pick up a pen to write the next sentence, through the fear it won't be my best writing. When it comes to editing, it can become quite intense and fraught with anxiety.
6) What was the reaction of your family when you decided to start writing books?
My family have always been very supportive of my writing. It feels like it's been a part of me my entire life - it's who I am - and they have embraced that. The stories may not always be in genres they would choose, but nevertheless they have supported me and are proud of what I've achieved.
One of the things that sticks in my mind is when my grandad, who rarely read fiction, started reading my first book, "Those Crimes of Passion". He said there was far too much sex and violence in it for him. Yet compared to "Bitten", it's remarkably tame! I wonder what on earth he would have made of that - it cannot help but make me smile.
7) Are you planning to launch a new book shortly? If yes, what theme are you deciding to write upon?
I recently launched my new novel, "Bitten", on Valentine's Day. It's the story of a police officer, Holleigh Ryder, and the pursuit of a vampiric serial murderer who strikes on Valentine's Day. It's an erotic thriller, a police procedural and a horror story entwined into one. I've already received positive feedback from readers and am very excited to hear from more!
Beyond "Bitten", I've already started work for my next book, which is in the very early stages at the moment.
8) What are the things that you are interested to do, other than writing ?
I love reading, music, film and television. I have a keen interest in the topics and themes I write about, which makes research fascinating. I believe that's something that is key to writing - if a writer loves what they do, it bleeds into their work, and their readers will feel that enjoyment too.
I also enjoy going to the theatre and cinema, or eating out at a restaurant, at a time when we were able to do those things safely. But I'm frequently a home bird - it's where I feel most relaxed and most productive and my imagination is free to roam in my next book.
Interviewed by Diksha Malik - see the post on Instagram.
Order Bitten from Amazon, Lulu.com, and Barnes & Noble.
Visit me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on Instagram
March 12, 2021
Hugh Montgomery's Control - Review
Control by Hugh MontgomeryMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
An unnerving medical thriller that explores the sinister nature of power and control.
Junior doctor Kash begins his new job at the Victory Hospital, under the supervision of renowned senior surgeon Michael Trenchard. Kash is a little in awe of his mentor and hopes to learn a lot, his career quickly dominating his life. Trenchard is greatly admired, but when he is left tragically incapacitated by a combination of drug use and auto-erotic asphyxiation gone awry, other impressions begin to emerge.
Unbeknownst to the medical team, Trenchard is suffering with locked-in syndrome and is slowly become more aware of everything that is going on around him, but remains unable to control his own body. Kash, unconvinced that it was his mentor’s own actions that led to his fate, searches for a way to uncover the truth. He knows that, aside from his assailant, Trenchard is the only person who knows what has been done to him and by whom, and Kash strives to find a way to communicate with him.
While Trenchard’s sadistic assailant stalks the hospital corridors, Kash strives to unmask them before they are able to silence their victim permanently.
Hugh Montgomery’s debut novel grips from the first page, a thriller packed with authentic medical detail that immediately immerses the reader into the frenzy of an emergency department at a busy hospital. Kash struggles to know who he can trust as more suspects emerge who may have had a reason to harm Michael Trenchard. In the novel’s most unsettling moments, we experience how powerless Trenchard feels in his locked-in state. As we hurtle towards the final revelations, Montgomery also explores the moral and ethical issues that lie at the story’s dark heart.
Gripping and intense, ‘Control’ is an engaging medical thriller that explores the darker side of human nature and chills to the final page.
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March 5, 2021
Michael Russell's The City in Flames - Review
The City in Flames by Michael RussellMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
An enthralling historical crime thriller set primarily in London during the Blitz, featuring Irish detective Stefan Gillespie.
In the fifth in the series, set in autumn 1940, Stefan finds himself suspended from Special Branch, ostracised by his colleagues and the community at large. Currently helping his father on the farm in Wicklow, they are both suspicious when a local man is found dead and his death deemed a suicide. Stefan’s interference is not welcomed by the local constabulary and he has little time to explore his suspicions, as he is whisked away to London on the orders of his superiors.
Meanwhile, German agents are dispatched to the UK, seeking IRA support to undermine Ireland’s position of professed neutrality, while one of the agents has her own hidden agenda. First, she journeys to London, evading British intelligence services. From there, she will continue her journey to Ireland.
Enlisted in an undercover mission, Stefan takes up a job as a barman, having left Ireland under a cloud. Under the threat of German bombs, he soon finds romance to while away the time, unaware that this draws him closer to a nefarious murder plot with potentially devastating political ramifications. Between the dangerous streets of wartime England and the hills of rural Ireland, Stefan wades through the darkness and subterfuge in his continual quest for the truth.
Seamlessly blending local, national and international crime and intrigue, ‘The City in Flames’ gives an insight into life during the Second World War from multiple perspectives. I have eagerly devoured each entry in this series since the first novel; this, the fifth, is another intricately plotted and well-written chapter, packed with imagery that evokes the daily danger and uncertainty of wartime London, but also the human resolve to continue with everyday life against this bleak, unforgiving backdrop. Behind the scenes, the machinations of German, British and Irish intelligence services influence and direct events. One of the strengths of the series is its depiction of historical context and how this weaves with Stefan’s own story and those of the crimes he investigates. Real-life characters also feature, while the politics of multiple countries and the horrors of war and prejudice constantly lurk in the background.
Deeply absorbing and slow-burning, combining elements of police procedural, espionage and political intrigue, ‘The City in Flames’ is another superb entry in Michael Russell’s high-quality series; which continues with the sixth novel, ‘The City Under Siege’.
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February 25, 2021
C.J. Tudor's The Chalk Man - Review
The Chalk Man by C.J. TudorMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
A gripping psychological thriller peppered with shades of horror amongst the long shadows of the past.
In 1986, Eddie and his friends are enjoying a day at the fair when tragedy strikes. A fairground ride collapses, leaving one teenage girl with horrific injuries, but miraculously alive, thanks to Eddie and new teacher Mr Halloran. So begins the tragic chain of events that befalls that summer. When one of the group receives a box of chalks for their birthday, they begin to use them to send coded messages to each other with a series of chalk men. Only the chalk men soon begin to appear on their own.
In 2016, Ed finds that the events of 1986 are not as far in the past as he had believed, while the Chalk Man still haunts him. Events in the present are soon to take a tragic turn when an old friend from the past is found dead. Perhaps it was just a tragic accident. But Ed is unconvinced that it isn’t linked to the murder of a teenage girl back in 1986, whose dismembered body was discovered in woodland.
As secrets of the past and present are unearthed, Ed finds that the mystery of the Chalk Man is far more tragic than everyone believes and that the malignancy of evil often does not find its source in an outsider.
I’ve been planning to read ‘The Chalk Man’ for quite some time, and it did not disappoint. Moving backwards and forwards in time, the narratives of 1986 and 2016 are told simultaneously, building to revelations in both past and present and a final satisfying twist. The relationships between the group of young friends and their respective families lies at the core of the story and it is through the dynamics between them and how those relationships have changed in thirty years that you feel the passage of time.
A fantastic debut novel by C.J. Tudor, incorporating the chilling tendrils of horror within its tone and imagery, blended with the fast-paced twists and turns of a psychological crime thriller. I am highly anticipating reading Tudor’s second novel, ‘The Taking of Annie Thorne’, very soon.
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February 14, 2021
Bitten - Out Now!
BITTEN is out now!
Release day has arrived for my fifth book, now available to download from Amazon and Lulu.com, and available at more retailers shortly.
An erotic horror vampire thriller, it tells the story of the hunt for a serial killer who strikes on Valentine's Day, leaving his victims exsanguinated. PC Holleigh Ryder wants to find justice, but at what professional and personal cost?
BITTEN is woven of many genres - it is on one level a crime thriller, a police procedural, a psychological thriller. It is also an erotic thriller, a dark love story, a gothic romance. It is a horror story, a vampire thriller. And it is also a tale about a quest for justice in our murky world where the lines often blur.
I am so thrilled to finally be sharing this story with readers. It has been with me for many years and I cannot wait for you to read it and to hear your feedback.
In the meantime, I may begin tinkering away at book 6...
Wishing you all a Happy Valentine's Day!
___
A tale of murder, fear and desire…
A serial murder investigation draws near its conclusion. For seven years the killer has evaded capture, but the police finally have their prime suspect in custody – a man who claims to be a vampire over three hundred years old.
PC Holleigh Ryder is tasked with the most unsettling and challenging assignment of her career. All she wants is to get to the truth and achieve justice for the murdered women, but this has been no ordinary case and it is far from over.
The vampire has his own endgame in mind, one that may leave the police praying they had left the damned undisturbed in their graves.
Visit me on Facebook
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Release day has arrived for my fifth book, now available to download from Amazon and Lulu.com, and available at more retailers shortly.
An erotic horror vampire thriller, it tells the story of the hunt for a serial killer who strikes on Valentine's Day, leaving his victims exsanguinated. PC Holleigh Ryder wants to find justice, but at what professional and personal cost?
BITTEN is woven of many genres - it is on one level a crime thriller, a police procedural, a psychological thriller. It is also an erotic thriller, a dark love story, a gothic romance. It is a horror story, a vampire thriller. And it is also a tale about a quest for justice in our murky world where the lines often blur.
I am so thrilled to finally be sharing this story with readers. It has been with me for many years and I cannot wait for you to read it and to hear your feedback.
In the meantime, I may begin tinkering away at book 6...
Wishing you all a Happy Valentine's Day!
___
A tale of murder, fear and desire…
A serial murder investigation draws near its conclusion. For seven years the killer has evaded capture, but the police finally have their prime suspect in custody – a man who claims to be a vampire over three hundred years old.
PC Holleigh Ryder is tasked with the most unsettling and challenging assignment of her career. All she wants is to get to the truth and achieve justice for the murdered women, but this has been no ordinary case and it is far from over.
The vampire has his own endgame in mind, one that may leave the police praying they had left the damned undisturbed in their graves.
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February 13, 2021
Ira Levin's The Boys from Brazil - Review
The Boys from Brazil by Ira LevinMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
A gripping high-stakes thriller that unlocks an international conspiracy masterminded by Auschwitz’s Angel of Death.
In September 1974, a group of men gathers at a Japanese restaurant at the behest of one man, who enlists them to murder ninety-four men across Europe and North America. All of these men are former SS officers, still loyal to the Nazi cause. The man who has called them to action is Dr Josef Mengele, who escaped to South America after the Second World War, avoiding capture and trial.
Yakov Liebermann, who investigates war crimes and is famed for bringing multiple Nazis to justice in recent years, receives an urgent telephone call from a young man who claims to have a recording of a meeting at which Mengele discusses a plot to bring about the Fourth Reich. Despite the call being cut short, it troubles Liebermann and he decides to look into the man’s claims.
Liebermann uncovers evidence that suggests what the caller claimed may have been true. Men have begun dying – men of the same age, all with younger wives and teenage sons. But why have these victims been selected, and what connects them? The answer provides terrifying implications for the future and the truth behind Mengele’s scheme, one which began many years before as he conducted his cruel experiments at Auschwitz.
In a race against time, Liebermann strives to bring an end of Mengele’s plot, the fate of the future hanging in the balance.
Ira Levin is a true master, his novels intricately plotted and devastatingly realised. ‘The Boys from Brazil’ is an outstanding thriller, all the more chilling as it was inspired by the true events of the Holocaust and features Mengele, who, at the time of publication in 1976, was still alive and in hiding in South America. Levin was always ahead of his time; his plot hinged on the concept of human cloning – all the more unsettlingly plausible in today’s climate.
Raising many ethical and moral questions, the novel twists and turns, tightening its grip as it hurtles towards the climatic showdown between Liebermann and Mengele. It is both a gripping drama and a study of humanity, as well as a warning from history that the past can never be allowed to repeat itself.
Levin’s novels are often the blueprint of their respective genres – this is no exception, a precursor to many conspiracy and political thrillers. The novel was also adapted into a film in 1978, starring Gregory Peck and Laurence Olivier. In whatever medium, Levin's storytelling remains immortal.
‘The Boys from Brazil’ is classic Ira Levin – a study of evil and the nefarious schemes that are bred in the dark shadows of the human mind.
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February 7, 2021
Bitten - One Week to Go!
Just one week to go! My new novel, Bitten, will be released on Valentine's Day - next Sunday, 14th February.
I have spent the last fortnight undertaking a final read-through to capture any more edits, scrutinising the novel line by line - an exhausting, at times panicked, but ultimately rewarding activity. Fuelled by sugar and caffeine, I have journeyed with my characters once again. I am both excited and nervous now that publication day is almost here.
Working on Bitten was my primary focus throughout 2020, while locked down at home safe from the pandemic that still holds the world in its grip. Focussing on my writing helped me through many struggles. Without it and the unending support of family and friends, I may not have survived it. I am incredibly grateful to have a passion that I can fully explore behind closed doors - many have not had that luxury.
Thank you, too, to all my readers and followers - your feedback for Whispers from the Dead of Night has kept me going; I was determined to finish Bitten in time to share it with you this Valentine's Day! I still don't quite believe or know how I achieved it. I have been working very hard on this book. I hope you will enjoy the result.
A tale of murder, fear and desire...
Available to pre-order on Amazon.
Coming soon to Lulu.com, Apple Books, NOOK and Kobo.
Visit me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on Instagram
I have spent the last fortnight undertaking a final read-through to capture any more edits, scrutinising the novel line by line - an exhausting, at times panicked, but ultimately rewarding activity. Fuelled by sugar and caffeine, I have journeyed with my characters once again. I am both excited and nervous now that publication day is almost here.
Working on Bitten was my primary focus throughout 2020, while locked down at home safe from the pandemic that still holds the world in its grip. Focussing on my writing helped me through many struggles. Without it and the unending support of family and friends, I may not have survived it. I am incredibly grateful to have a passion that I can fully explore behind closed doors - many have not had that luxury.
Thank you, too, to all my readers and followers - your feedback for Whispers from the Dead of Night has kept me going; I was determined to finish Bitten in time to share it with you this Valentine's Day! I still don't quite believe or know how I achieved it. I have been working very hard on this book. I hope you will enjoy the result.
A tale of murder, fear and desire...
Available to pre-order on Amazon.
Coming soon to Lulu.com, Apple Books, NOOK and Kobo.
Visit me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on Instagram
February 6, 2021
Bitten - Preview
Here is a preview of the opening scene from my new novel, BITTEN, coming this Valentine's Day:
___
Slivers of moonlight glittered through the slats of the blinds, which clacked together gently, rousing Holleigh from her light slumber. She turned over and rubbed her eyes, screwing them half-closed in an effort to decipher the blur of her bedside clock.
The blinds clacked again, startling her. The window was open, the wind moving the slats back and forth behind the curtains, which were half drawn, billowing slightly outwards. She hugged her goose-pimpled torso under the cotton and rose from the bed, surprised she had managed any sleep at all. She felt nauseous with nerves, anxious at the outcome of the impending operation.
Her mind drifted once again to the argument she’d had with Ethan several days earlier. It had not been pleasant. She had a job to do tonight and he did not react well to it. She recalled the rage in his eyes and his raised voice, his mockery at her faith in what her job stood for and that justice would prevail.
There is no justice, he had told her, only the means-justified end crafted by those powerful enough to pull the strings.
Recalling his expression of hatred for what she represented, the twisting feeling in her gut brought her close to tears. Years of emotional strain, both personal and professional, were to be put to the test tonight. Many, she knew, would be of the opinion she had made it far worse for herself. She had become distracted with Ethan and she should have expected his reaction and his feelings on the subject of what she had done; what she proposed to do. She had the sudden thought that she may not survive it. But the wheels were already in motion.
She reached past the blinds and slammed the window beside the door that opened on to the narrow balcony outside the apartment, hoping to shut out the cold. Love bites on her breasts and thighs glowed purple in the silver light. With the rest of her body gripped in a vice of cold, she still felt the heat in those wounds, while her vulva throbbed with warming sensitivity. She drew the curtains tight and sat back on the edge of the bed. She recalled Ethan’s blazing eyes, the twist of his mouth, the contortion of his face, his scorn and contempt.
Then he had kissed her. She still felt the force of that kiss even now, as his whole body clashed against hers. They made love with an aggression that she still felt jarring, conjuring conflicted thoughts and emotions. There was something raw and vulnerable in the aftermath of a sexual encounter. To have succumbed to animal desire and allowed another to physically experience you so intimately. It was both comforting and unsettling.
She let her body drop back on the bed and closed her eyes. She had simply to wait. She slid her black cotton shirt dress up around her waist, her fingers slipping beneath her black lace hipsters. She could withstand the burgeoning desire no longer, the thoughts of him that invaded her mind, the desperate need for him to invade her body over and over again. Her fingers felt cold as she touched herself, her fingertips circling, stroking. She closed her eyes, chewing her lip.
How many watched her curtained windows from outside? Waiting for movement. Within, she stoked secret desire. Still, days later, she could smell the sex in the room from her and Ethan’s passion. It was almost time now, the reason for Ethan’s wrath. She recalled his dominion over her, overcome now by the effect he had upon her. She let herself cry out, a soft emission piercing the night air. She sighed, allowing a smile to linger on her lips.
She pulled her dress back down her legs, getting up off the bed and walking down the corridor to the bathroom to freshen up and change into fresh underwear. Over the sound of the running tap, she heard something that may have come from outside. She switched off the tap, listening intently.
The tinkling of smashing glass came from the bedroom.
She walked on bare feet to the bathroom door, looking down the corridor to the room at the end. Quietly, she moved into the corridor and approached her bedroom. The moonlight cast a faint shadow on the floor ahead. Her curtains were parted.
Reaching the bedroom door, she peered around the architrave into the room. Seeing nothing, she edged around the doorframe and inside, looking at the shattered window visible between the gap in the curtains.
The moonlight shifted around her. Before she could react, hands gripped her wrists, fingernails that felt like claws digging into her skin. She cried out and was spun around, a long finger tilting her chin upwards. His eyes were beautiful, shining a deep crimson from the midst of the silver flooding the room. She gazed at them, breath catching in her throat.
He kissed her mouth slowly. She tasted metal. He stooped and touched her neck with his lips. She felt her orgasm rising again, feeling a sharpness piercing her skin, groaning as the man drew on the fresh wounds.
A crash invaded her senses, accompanied by shouting and activity spilling into the corridor. He was pulled away from her and she became aware of his snarling and hissing words, but could not decipher their meaning.
A hand reached out to steady her. Looking up, she saw her superior, Detective Superintendent O’Neill, beside her.
“You’re okay, PC Ryder, it’s over. We’ve got him. We finally got him.”
___
BITTEN, an erotic horror thriller.
A tale of murder, fear and desire…
A serial murder investigation draws near its conclusion. For seven years the killer has evaded capture, but the police finally have their prime suspect in custody – a man who claims to be a vampire over three hundred years old.
PC Holleigh Ryder is tasked with the most unsettling and challenging assignment of her career. All she wants is to get to the truth and achieve justice for the murdered women, but this has been no ordinary case and it is far from over.
The vampire has his own endgame in mind, one that may leave the police praying they had left the damned undisturbed in their graves.
Available to pre-order on Amazon.
Coming soon to Lulu.com, Apple Books, NOOK and Kobo.
Visit me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
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___
Slivers of moonlight glittered through the slats of the blinds, which clacked together gently, rousing Holleigh from her light slumber. She turned over and rubbed her eyes, screwing them half-closed in an effort to decipher the blur of her bedside clock.
The blinds clacked again, startling her. The window was open, the wind moving the slats back and forth behind the curtains, which were half drawn, billowing slightly outwards. She hugged her goose-pimpled torso under the cotton and rose from the bed, surprised she had managed any sleep at all. She felt nauseous with nerves, anxious at the outcome of the impending operation.
Her mind drifted once again to the argument she’d had with Ethan several days earlier. It had not been pleasant. She had a job to do tonight and he did not react well to it. She recalled the rage in his eyes and his raised voice, his mockery at her faith in what her job stood for and that justice would prevail.
There is no justice, he had told her, only the means-justified end crafted by those powerful enough to pull the strings.
Recalling his expression of hatred for what she represented, the twisting feeling in her gut brought her close to tears. Years of emotional strain, both personal and professional, were to be put to the test tonight. Many, she knew, would be of the opinion she had made it far worse for herself. She had become distracted with Ethan and she should have expected his reaction and his feelings on the subject of what she had done; what she proposed to do. She had the sudden thought that she may not survive it. But the wheels were already in motion.
She reached past the blinds and slammed the window beside the door that opened on to the narrow balcony outside the apartment, hoping to shut out the cold. Love bites on her breasts and thighs glowed purple in the silver light. With the rest of her body gripped in a vice of cold, she still felt the heat in those wounds, while her vulva throbbed with warming sensitivity. She drew the curtains tight and sat back on the edge of the bed. She recalled Ethan’s blazing eyes, the twist of his mouth, the contortion of his face, his scorn and contempt.
Then he had kissed her. She still felt the force of that kiss even now, as his whole body clashed against hers. They made love with an aggression that she still felt jarring, conjuring conflicted thoughts and emotions. There was something raw and vulnerable in the aftermath of a sexual encounter. To have succumbed to animal desire and allowed another to physically experience you so intimately. It was both comforting and unsettling.
She let her body drop back on the bed and closed her eyes. She had simply to wait. She slid her black cotton shirt dress up around her waist, her fingers slipping beneath her black lace hipsters. She could withstand the burgeoning desire no longer, the thoughts of him that invaded her mind, the desperate need for him to invade her body over and over again. Her fingers felt cold as she touched herself, her fingertips circling, stroking. She closed her eyes, chewing her lip.
How many watched her curtained windows from outside? Waiting for movement. Within, she stoked secret desire. Still, days later, she could smell the sex in the room from her and Ethan’s passion. It was almost time now, the reason for Ethan’s wrath. She recalled his dominion over her, overcome now by the effect he had upon her. She let herself cry out, a soft emission piercing the night air. She sighed, allowing a smile to linger on her lips.
She pulled her dress back down her legs, getting up off the bed and walking down the corridor to the bathroom to freshen up and change into fresh underwear. Over the sound of the running tap, she heard something that may have come from outside. She switched off the tap, listening intently.
The tinkling of smashing glass came from the bedroom.
She walked on bare feet to the bathroom door, looking down the corridor to the room at the end. Quietly, she moved into the corridor and approached her bedroom. The moonlight cast a faint shadow on the floor ahead. Her curtains were parted.
Reaching the bedroom door, she peered around the architrave into the room. Seeing nothing, she edged around the doorframe and inside, looking at the shattered window visible between the gap in the curtains.
The moonlight shifted around her. Before she could react, hands gripped her wrists, fingernails that felt like claws digging into her skin. She cried out and was spun around, a long finger tilting her chin upwards. His eyes were beautiful, shining a deep crimson from the midst of the silver flooding the room. She gazed at them, breath catching in her throat.
He kissed her mouth slowly. She tasted metal. He stooped and touched her neck with his lips. She felt her orgasm rising again, feeling a sharpness piercing her skin, groaning as the man drew on the fresh wounds.
A crash invaded her senses, accompanied by shouting and activity spilling into the corridor. He was pulled away from her and she became aware of his snarling and hissing words, but could not decipher their meaning.
A hand reached out to steady her. Looking up, she saw her superior, Detective Superintendent O’Neill, beside her.
“You’re okay, PC Ryder, it’s over. We’ve got him. We finally got him.”
___
BITTEN, an erotic horror thriller.
A tale of murder, fear and desire…
A serial murder investigation draws near its conclusion. For seven years the killer has evaded capture, but the police finally have their prime suspect in custody – a man who claims to be a vampire over three hundred years old.
PC Holleigh Ryder is tasked with the most unsettling and challenging assignment of her career. All she wants is to get to the truth and achieve justice for the murdered women, but this has been no ordinary case and it is far from over.
The vampire has his own endgame in mind, one that may leave the police praying they had left the damned undisturbed in their graves.
Available to pre-order on Amazon.
Coming soon to Lulu.com, Apple Books, NOOK and Kobo.
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February 5, 2021
Erle Stanley Gardner's The Case of the Careless Kitten - Review
The Case of the Careless Kitten: A Perry Mason Mystery by Erle Stanley GardnerMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
A thrilling legal mystery featuring defence attorney Perry Mason, from the Golden Age of crime fiction.
Helen Kendall finds herself thrown into turmoil when she receives a mysterious phone call, the caller claiming to be her believed-dead Uncle Franklin. The caller implores her to consult Perry Mason, and so bring him with her to meet him. Her new kitten narrowly survives a poisoning attempt, while her aunt Matilda continues to disapprove of her fiancé, Jerry. Helen consults the famous lawyer as requested, but the arranged meeting leads to the discovery of a man shot in his car, plunging Perry Mason into another murder case.
The mystery deepens when Aunt Matilda also narrowly survives an attempted poisoning and there is a further shooting at their home. Mason’s unconventional methods are brought under intense scrutiny, leading him and his team into their own legal peril. Meanwhile, a certain careless kitten may provide the key to unlocking the whole affair and unravelling this murderous scheme.
Gardner's Perry Mason series was an incredible success - he wrote a total of eighty-five novels featuring the attorney crusading for justice. Mystery series that originated in the Golden Age often follow their own formula – and the Perry Mason series is no exception to this. Mason’s clients are often innocent, with Mason having to both solve the mystery and exonerate his client, going up against the police and District Attorney as they present their case for his client’s guilt. Both the familiar formula and returning characters make such mystery series a comfort and pleasure to revisit time and time again. The lightning-paced courtroom scenes are pure brilliance, a highlight of this series, with Mason often succeeding in triggering revelations through cross-examination of witnesses and sometimes theatrical displays, much to the chagrin of the Court.
The novels were originally adapted for six feature films between 1934 and 1937, but it was the later TV series that ran from 1957 to 1966 that cemented Mason’s presence on the screen. Starring Raymond Burr as Perry Mason, it would later return for a series of TV movies in 1985, which continued for the next ten years, culminating in four films following Burr’s death. It was the repeats of these TV movies on Saturday afternoons that I enjoyed as a child which first introduced me to Perry Mason and ignited my love for legal thrillers and courtroom drama. The character has recently made a return to the small screen with the 2020 series, which presents an origin story for the character.
For fans old and new alike, ‘The Case of the Careless Kitten' is a classic mystery, superbly plotted and full of intriguing clues and suspense - yet another case that only Perry Mason can solve.
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