In Too Deep by Samantha Hayes - BLOG TOUR REVIEW

I am delighted to be today's stop on the BLOG TOUR for Samantha Hayes' In Too Deep, which was published on 5th May 2016 by Century.

In Too Deep

By Samantha Hayes

Published by Century (5 May 2016)
ISBN: 978-1780893419

Publisher's description

Four months ago, Rick went out to buy a newspaper. He never came back.

His wife, Gina, is struggling to deal with her loss, and her daughter’s mood swings are getting worse. Then she receives a phone call from a woman at a country hotel, confirming details of a booking Rick made before he vanished.

Desperate to find out more about his disappearance, Gina and her daughter take the trip. But there is something very strange about the hotel, and the family that run it.

Soon Gina is unsure that Rick even made the booking – but one thing is clear: both mother and daughter are in serious danger.

My verdict
In Too Deep is a gripping and highly addictive book that I read in one sitting.

There seems to be a trend at the moment for 'disappearance' books, but In Too Deep focuses on a missing husband rather than a child. It begins four months after Rick disappeared (with no apparent reason), and wife Gina and daughter Hannah are still struggling to cope. When they discover Rick made a hotel booking before he vanished, Gina wonders whether this could provide some answers. So she and Hannah pack their bags for a weekend break. But this certainly isn't a 'holiday of a lifetime'  and they find more than they bargained for.

I raced through In Too Deep, determined to discover what had happened to Rick, and had to keep telling myself to slow down. The tension builds up as Gina and Hannah slowly uncover more about the hotel and the family who run it. The book is well written and fast paced, with characters that I could relate to easily. I had to force myself to put the book down several times, just so I could take a breather and ease the tension in my shoulders. But that didn't last long as I had an urge to pick the book up again to keep reading. Not many books have that effect on me.

The author kept me guessing all the way through. The various twists and turns meant I had no idea what had happened to Rick, even until the last few pages. And I'm sure I must have gasped out loud in several places.

This is certainly a psychological thriller that I'll be recommending.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.



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You Belong to Me (Samantha Hayes) - BLOG TOUR

I am delighted to be today's stop on the BLOG TOUR for Samantha Hayes' You Belong to Me, which is being published tomorrow (12 March 2015) by Century.

I would like to welcome Samantha Hayes, who has some excellent advice for aspiring authors.

My Top 10 Writing Tips by Samantha Hayes

I know what it feels like to have a story or novel burning away inside you, yet somehow it just won’t come out onto the page the way you want, let alone turn into a full-length novel. So I thought I’d compose a list of tips to help aspiring writers along their journey. I’ve done all of these things myself, so it’s proof they work! Some may be obvious, but they’re still really, really important – and they’re in no particular order. Happy writing!

1) You're going to need support on the long journey to publication, so it's a great idea to join a writing group or club. You'll meet like-minded people who understand your frustrations, and who will also congratulate you on your successes. This may be online or 'in real life', but either way, it will help keep the focus.

2) Read the type of books you want to write. These should be books that inspire you, excite you, throw fuel on your literary fire. Don't copy or emulate, but innovate. And all the while read, read, read in your chosen genre.

3) Following on from above, don't write what you know, rather write what you love. There's a difference. If you're excited by your writing, it will shine through and your readers will stick with you to the end.

4) Write every day. If you want to be a published author, you need to start treating it like a profession. It's hard work, and you need to put pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard, every day. Set a word target or a time limit, and stick to it. Even if you only write a paragraph or two, it's better than nothing. I firmly believe writing is like a muscle. The more you do it, the stronger and better it gets.

5) Give as good as you get… in terms of feedback, that is. Offer your opinion and constructive criticism to members of your writing group. It will help you immensely in identifying what may be wrong with your work. Critiquing a piece of writing will shine a light on your own.

6) Get to know the business. Go to writing festivals, literary events, author talks, 'meet the agent' pitches, public book launches… Whatever you can find, go and mingle with people who also love books. Don't shove your 600-page manuscript under every editor or agent's nose, but use the experience to learn about how the business works.  Be professional now, and those in the business will remember you when your work arrives on their desk. A quick 'google' will bring up many events to attend.

7) Another obvious one - but make sure you have a cracking story to tell! You need a hook, something to grab the reader's attention from page one, and keep them turning the pages. Try to sum up your idea in a sentence or two. For example, You Belong to Me is about a woman who fled her stalker, but is forced to return home when her parents are killed. She thinks she's safe, but her nightmare is about to begin again.

8) Never give up! I knew I wanted to be an author aged around 11 or 12. My first thriller was published when I was 40. During that time, I was always writing, practicing, getting better, developing and doing all the other points in this list. Stick at it!

9) Edit your work. Know the value of this process, because in many ways, it's almost more important than the writing itself. Once your work is finished, I'd advise not looking at it for a month. When you come back to it with fresh eyes, make notes to yourself where the story doesn't work. And fix it! If that means cutting a character, or your favourite scene, or even adding in another point of view to make it work, then do it. Take your time. This is the most important stage and will pay dividends.

10) Finally, enjoy your writing! If you don't, no one else will. You are creating a piece of entertainment - what could be better? So find yourself a quiet space, make a cuppa, turn off your phone, and write your novel. I absolutely loved writing You Belong to Me (though I scared myself a few times!) and I really hope you love reading it.

You Belong to Me by Samantha Hayes,

published by Century, at £12.99

My verdict: This brilliant psychological thriller is an amazing read. This is Samantha Hayes at her best.

Read my full review: http://off-the-shelfbooks.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/you-belong-to-me.html

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You Belong to Me by Samantha Hayes

You Belong to Me

By Samantha Hayes

Published by Century, part of Penguin Random House (12 March 2015)

ISBN: 978-1473507319

Publisher's description
The compelling new psychological suspense novel featuring DI Lorraine Fisher, from the author of Until You're Mine and Before You Die. Perfect for fans of S J Watson and Sophie Hannah.

Fleeing the terrors of her former life, Isabel has left England, and at last is beginning to feel safe.
Then a letter shatters her world, and she returns home determined not to let fear rule her life any more.
But she's unable to shake off the feeling that someone who knows her better than she knows herself may be following her.
Watching. Waiting.
Ready to step back into her life and take control all over again.

My verdict

This brilliant psychological thriller is an amazing read. This is Samantha Hayes at her best.

You Belong to Me kept me guessing right to the end. Just as I thought I had it sussed, there was yet another twist or turn.

The dramatic prologue, with an assault on a young woman, Alex, leads us to Isabel, who is hiding out in India. She is paranoid, suspicious and scared, disturbed by a previous relationship. Then distressing news leads her to reluctantly head back home to England.

Although Isabel is on edge, she starts to feel more relaxed once she sees for herself that the source of all her paranoia is lying in a coma. But then when she realises someone has been into her flat, it's clear that something sinister is going on.

Samantha Hayes has developed the plotline brilliantly, with tension and intrigue, and has also created some believable characters. I was suspicious of Owen from the start - right place, right time and overly friendly, letting Isabel move into his basement and giving her a job. I was surprised she was so trusting after her past experience. But my views on him changed after a particular incident (no spoilers) and then changed again further into the book.

The book also follows DI Lorraine Fisher. Lorraine is trying to investigate the deaths of Alexandra and Melanie, but isn't being taken seriously when she voices her opinion that the murders are linked. Stress, resulting in ill-health, leads her to take some time off work and investigate on her own. You know her life will collide with Isabel's at some point, but it's a question of when and how.

Around three-quarters of the way through, You Belong to Me gets even creepier, and Isabel starts questioning her own sanity. Is someone playing with her mind, or is her mind playing with her?

My heart was thumping for the last half of the book and I couldn't put bear to put it down. Great ending - I certainly didn't see that coming and all I could think was 'wow'. 

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Join me on Samantha Hayes' Blog Tour on 11th March.