#Blogmas Bad Timing

This year has been awful and once again the goal posts have changed, it’s like being in an abusive relationship with them. Though I don’t see 2021 being much different.

I’ll be honest, it’s all getting a bit much keeping families apart,shuting out non covid patients from hospitals, and the relentless doom everywhere. Make a me wanna flip a table!!

So instead of the few stolen days for Christmas where I could see some of my children, now I can’t. The rules suddenly changed again on 19th December.

cartoon credit Bob Moran

Also had some serious car trouble so being without a car, and hearing this news it’s all too much, depressive low moods are abound.

Even worse as we have no Christmas food in the house. But ever hopeful a little Christmas miracle will happen.

So I need to pick up my mood and try to stay positive. Not easy with failing health and the whole world against all the things that make life worth living.

#Blogmas No Gift Guides?

For the last few years I have prided myself on doing gift guides, especially for less run of the mill items and products.

And this year I’ve not joined in, I’m unsure of to why really, apart from honestly saying, this month has ran away with me, and I’ve certainly had more on my mind too. I bet we all have if are honest.

Instead I’ve found myself living more in the moment. Attempting some walks, enjoying the outside.

To be out in the cold air, just going dark and listening to a muffled world has fed my soul. Small pleasures to be thankful for. And it felt that something like gift guides would be lacklustred and disingenuous.

The sun going down, and wheel of the year turning feels more real more tangible.

This feeds my soul more, I understand others need the resemblance of normal and will continue to entertain and inspire others with their Christmas content, and for that I’m grateful.

You have to do what makes you happy and sane.

#Blogmas Lies on the Island by Stewart Giles #BlogBookTour

#ADGIFTED Given in return for an honest post with my own thoughts and opinions, I confess Stewart Giles is one of my favourites though.

Lies on theIsland: A detective Liam O’Reilly mystery

Island: A detective Liam O’Reilly mystery

Detective Liam O’Reilly is bored. Life on the peaceful island of Guernsey is quiet, but it’s too quiet for his liking. In the middle of an insurance fraud investigation he confides in his daughter and tells her he’d give anything for a juicy murder case to sink his teeth into.
‘Be careful what you wish for, Dad.”
Her words are still fresh in his mind when O’Reilly stumbles upon two dead bodies while investigating a fire at a container depot. The bodies have been burned beyond recognition and nobody seems to know how they ended up inside the container.
Soon it becomes very clear that something sinister is happening on the sleepy island and O’Reilly is thrown into the depths of lies and deception as he delves deeper into the lives of one particular family.
Everywhere he turns, he’s met with lies but O’Reilly is determined to find out the truth behind these gruesome murders even if by uncovering the lies means he’s putting his own life on the line.
Perfect for fans of Joy Ellis and LJ Ross.
BOOKS BY STEWART GILES
DS JASON SMITH SERIES
Book 0.5-Phobia
Book 1-Smith
Book 2-Boomerang
Book 3-Ladybird
Book 4-Occam’s Razor
Book 5-Harlequin
Book 6-Selene
Book 7-Horsemen
Book 8-Unworthy
Book 9 – Venom
Book 10 – Severed
Book 11 – Demons
Book 12 – Deadeye
Book 13 – Motive
Book 14 – Australia (coming soon)
DC HARRIET TAYLOR SERIES
Book 1-The Beekeeper
Book 2-The Perfect Murder
Book 3-The Backpacker
Trotterdown a box set of DC Harriet Taylor books
1-3
DS JASON SMITH &DC HARRIET TAYLOR SERIES
Book 1 – The Enigma
Book 2 – Dropzone
Book 3 – The Raven Girl
PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLERS
Miranda
Mistress
Medusa
STANDALONE HORROR
The Divide
DI O’REILLY MYSTERIES
Blood on the Island
Lies on the Island

Stewart Giles – Author
Bio

After reading English at 3Universities and graduating from none of them, I set off travelling around the world with my wife, Ann, finally settling in South Africa, where we still live.

Universities and graduating from none of them, I set off travelling around the world with my wife, Ann, finally settling in South Africa, where we still live.

In 2014 Ann dropped a ratherlarge speaker on my head and I came up with the idea for a detective series. DS Jason Smith was born. Smith, the first in the series was finished a few months
later.

large speaker on my head and I came up with the idea for a detective series. DS Jason Smith was born. Smith, the first in the series was finished a few months
later.

3 years and 8 DS Smith bookslater, Joffe Books wondered if I would be interested in working with them. As a self-published author, I agreed. However, we decided on a new series – the DC
Harriet Taylor: Cornwall series.

later, Joffe Books wondered if I would be interested in working with them. As a self-published author, I agreed. However, we decided on a new series – the DC
Harriet Taylor: Cornwall series.

The Beekeeper was publishedand soon hit the number one spot in Australia. The second in the series, The Perfect Murder did just as well.

and soon hit the number one spot in Australia. The second in the series, The Perfect Murder did just as well.

I continued to self-publishthe Smith series and Unworthy hit the shelves in 2018 with amazing
results. I therefore made the decision to self-publish The Backpacker which is book 3 in the Detective Harriet Taylor
series which was published in July 2018.

the Smith series and Unworthy hit the shelves in 2018 with amazing
results. I therefore made the decision to self-publish The Backpacker which is book 3 in the Detective Harriet Taylor
series which was published in July 2018.

After The Backpacker I had anidea for a totally new start to a series – a collaboration between the Smith and Harriet thrillers and The Enigma was born. It brings together the broody,
enigmatic Jason Smith and the more level-headed Harriet Taylor.

idea for a totally new start to a series – a collaboration between the Smith and Harriet thrillers and The Enigma was born. It brings together the broody,
enigmatic Jason Smith and the more level-headed Harriet Taylor.

Miranda is something totallydifferent. A stand-alone psychological thriller, it is a real departure from anything else I’ve written before. This was followed by the sequel Mistress in 2019. Medusa is coming soon

different. A stand-alone psychological thriller, it is a real departure from anything else I’ve written before. This was followed by the sequel Mistress in 2019. Medusa is coming soon

The Detective Jason Smithseries continues to grow and there are now 13 books including the introduction: Phobia. Book 12: Deadeye was published in February 2020.

series continues to grow and there are now 13 books including the introduction: Phobia. Book 12: Deadeye was published in February 2020.

Website: www.stewartgiles.com

Twitter: @stewartgiles
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stewart.giles.33

MY REVIEW

Can Giles ever write anything I don’t like? I seriously doubt it, he’s fast becoming the No 1 of my favourite authors.

Medusa was my last Giles book and still it returns to my mind at times, it had a lasting impression.

The detectives are always gritty and real, you notice aspects of each character in real world people, which is why I love these books so much.

I do so wish these were tv series sometimes, but then would the image I have in my head ever match up to who they would cast, perhaps not.

Highly recommended for a good murder mystery.

#Blogmas Dont Scream By Margaret Murray #BlogBookTour

#ADGIFTED Book given as a gift in return for a post, but all thoughts and opinions are my own. Choose crime fiction on purpose, as I enjoy the genre the most.

A YOUNG MOTHER
KILLED BY A THOUSAND CUTS

Detective Rickman couldn’t take his eyes off the body. There was so much blood. A lacing of fine cuts: parallel lines, curls, sunbursts, whorls and geometric patterns.

‘The baby?’ heasks. ‘Is the baby all right?’

asks. ‘Is the baby all right?’

Rickman must dive into a world of exploitation and betrayal in a case that becomes personal for the whole team.

CAN THEY STOP ATWISTED SERIAL KILLER, WHO TURNS HIS VICTIMS LAST BREATH INTO A NIGHTMARE?

TWISTED SERIAL KILLER, WHO TURNS HIS VICTIMS LAST BREATH INTO A NIGHTMARE?

Don’t miss this captivating crime thriller with a pulse-pounding conclusion.

Perfect for fansof Angela Marsons, Carol Wyer, J.M. Dalgliesh, Karin Slaughter, Matt Brolly, Ian Rankin, Mark Edwards and Charlie Gallagher.

of Angela Marsons, Carol Wyer, J.M. Dalgliesh, Karin Slaughter, Matt Brolly, Ian Rankin, Mark Edwards and Charlie Gallagher.

MEET THE DETECTIVES

At six-foot-four Detective Chief Inspector Jeff Rickman is an
imposing figure. He has the appearance of being a bruiser in a suit, thanks to his crooked nose (broken in childhood and badly reset) and assorted scars, one of which bisects his right eyebrow. He wears his chestnut-brown hair short, and anyone seeing him for the first time might mistake him for a tough nut. He’s handy enough with his fists to face down hard men, but women still feel safe in his presence.

Detective ConstableNaomi HartNaomi Hart

is known for her cool Scandinavian looks. She wears her ‘almost white-blonde’ hair in a twist, accentuating the length and curve of her neck.
Rickman is devoted to his partner and would never stray, but he does notice the men on his team noticing her. She is aloof from it all; there’s an air of
mystery about her and she likes it that way. Very much her own woman, Hart is ambitious, and can play the political game, willing to weigh up the costs against gains of working with people she really doesn’t like. In the interview room, she shows poise and control. She has a ready wit and a good sense of
timing.

PRAISE FOR MARGARETMURPHYMURPHY

“One of thosetough, gritty crime novels that burrows under your skin and won’t leave
you alone until you flip the last page — crisp writing, vivid
characters, a bullet train plot, and a nerve-jangling aura of menace.” Richard Montanari

tough, gritty crime novels that burrows under your skin and won’t leave
you alone until you flip the last page — crisp writing, vivid
characters, a bullet train plot, and a nerve-jangling aura of menace.” Richard Montanari“This is a book ofwhich it could justifiably be said, ‘As good as Ian Rankin, or your
money back’.” Phil Rickman, Phil the Shelf, Radio Waleswhich it could justifiably be said, ‘As good as Ian Rankin, or your
money back’.” Phil Rickman, Phil the Shelf, Radio Wales

“A chilling taleof murder, mystery and intrigue set in the murky underworld ofLiverpool.” Big Issueof murder, mystery and intrigue set in the murky underworld of
Liverpool.” Big Issue

“Murphy hassteadily established herself as one of England’s best crime novelists and
this latest book is another tough, convincing tale with strong characters and believable police work. Recommended.” Jeff Popple, Canberra Times

steadily established herself as one of England’s best crime novelists and
this latest book is another tough, convincing tale with strong characters and believable police work. Recommended.” Jeff Popple, Canberra Times

ALSO BY MARGARETMURPHY

MURPHY

CLARA PASCAL

Book 1: DARKNESS
FALLS

Book 2: WEAVINGSHADOWSSHADOWS

DETECTIVE JEFFRICKMAN

RICKMAN

Book 1: SEE HERBURN

BURN
Book 2: SEE HER DIE

Book 3: DON’TSCREAM

SCREAM

DETECTIVE CASSIEROWAN

ROWAN

Book 1: BEFORE HEKILLS AGAIN

KILLS AGAIN
STANDALONE NOVELS

DEAR MUM
HER HUSBAND’S KILLER

MARGARET MURPHY

Margaret Murphy writes internationally acclaimed psychological thrillers. She is a past Chair of the Crime Writers Association (CWA), founder of Murder Squad, and a former RLF Writing Fellow and Reading Round Lector. She’s been a country park ranger, biology teacher, dyslexia specialist and Visiting Professor in creative
writing. A Short Story Dagger and CWA Red Herring award winner, she has also been shortlisted for the ‘First Blood’ critics award and CWA Dagger in the
Library.
FIND MARGARET ON

AUTHOR WEBSITE

MY REVIEW

We start off fast and hard, our feet barely touch the floor and we are full pelt into a gripping gritty gang warfare and trafficking plot.

Never read anything by Margaret before, and it’s an author I will seek out in the future.

Characters are less than perfect humans which is relatable and feels more genuine to read, they clash, but heads and there’s a clear back history I could do with diving into more in past books as this one is book 3 of this series.

Enjoyable but grim and gritty, not a light read.

#Blogmas 3D CT Scan

While I was awaiting for an Mri minding my own business, believing it’s going to way after Christmas, I get a call out the blue.

It’s the radiology department and they want to book me in, for the 11th Dec and for a CT scan not mri.

So either the registrar was mistaken saying mri or McBryde has decided to skip this step and go in for measurements, I still have my telephone consultation in Jan 2021.

This is so cool to really see the bones in this way. I’m having deja vu as it’s 2 years ago since I did all this on the right hip.

I’m guessing the results will be what is discussed in Jan?!

3D CT scans are often necessary when assessing the shape of the femur (ball) and/or acetabulum (socket) in order to determine the degree of impingement and/or define the amount of bone that must be shaved to correct the underlying problem.

One of the most common reasons patients come in, is after having had hip arthroscopy elsewhere is to correct underlying or unaddressed impingement, and the 3D CT scan helps define the best approach possible in this setting as well.

Obviously I had to go in alone, but the scan itself is very quick, unlike Mri (which was noisy and about 45mins long) CT Scans are a few mins, and I wear all unmetal clothing so like leggings and t-shirt, so no undressing and taking more time up.

My worse part as always is the toes together, it really really hurts me. But just about doable for 2minutes in there.