Welcome to the "Best Books Beginning with B" list, a part of my 2024 A to Z Reading Challenge series! In this blog, you'll find my selection of captivating books that all start with the letter "B" that I have read this year. Whether you're looking for a new bookish adventure or a hidden gem, this list has something for every reader.
Join me as I explore diverse genres and authors, providing honest and insightful reviews to help you find your next great read. Take a look at that books I have read, so far, this year that begins with the letter B and discover the perfect book to add to your reading challenge this year! I am going to add to the list as time moves on so why don’t you book mark the page and keep coming back to it.
Let me know what your favourite is book that begins with the letter B.
Alis x
Title: Blood Sapphire’s Revenge
Author: Dr Bruce Farmer
Genre: Thriller
Publisher: Epigraph
Date Published: 2022
Book Length: 398
Format: Paperback supplied by Love Books Tours in return for an honest review
Star Rating 5 ***** I loved it and highly recommend
About Book: An arresting story that follows Haddy Abrams, a dauntless female warrior full of determination and boldness as she resolutely battles both personal demons and a heinous villain out to destroy the world. And yet, secretly, in her dreams, there is a man. A mysterious man she only met eyes with so many years ago – and who seems more a ghost than anything else, now. After shooting a notorious Islamic extremist in the Hadhramaut Mountains of Yemen with a record-setting sniper shot, Israel Defence Force Staff Sergeant Abrams finds herself in the crosshairs of a diabolical Eastern European oligarch known only as “X”. Haddy narrowly survives a targeted assassination attempt, but this only fuels her determination. Still traumatized by the attempt on her life, Haddy sets off to settle the score, even as she is plagued by inner demons set on destroying her before she gets there. Across the globe, the dreams of New York City police detective Wolf James are haunted by visions of a mysterious, dark-eyed woman he once encountered while summiting Mount Rainier in Washington state. Assigned to a covert training operation in the Ukraine and on the eve of his wedding day, Detective James suddenly finds himself face-to-face with the mysterious female warrior, who has captivated his dreams for months. He soon finds himself working with her – with no hesitation.
My Thoughts: Blood Sapphire’s Revenge by Dr Bruce Farmer starts as it means to go on a hard hitting, no nonsense and straight talking. The book has a strong female lead, Haddy who pulls no punches and shoots directly at her target literally. This book is a fast paced, suspense thriller.
Haddy the main protagonist is flawed but is also a fearless female, wonder woman this creates a character teeming with tension and angst. Dr Bruce Farmers attention to detail from meticulous research helps with the authenticity of the book enhancing this globe spanning tale. The plot is filled with twists and secrets that kept me on the edge of my seat as the book unfolded one chapter at a time.
The book came together like cymbals crashing loudly in an orchestra, like a thunderous crescendo near the end and it is all worth wating for.
In conclusion this book is a hard hitting, fast paced action-packed thriller. Haddy is a memorable strong female you will love and Wolf, well you will fall for him as much as Haddy does.
Title: Blood Among The Threads
Author: David Ebsworth
Genre: Historical, Crime, Mystery Thriller
Publisher: Silverwood Books
Date Published: 2023
Book Length: 335
Format: Paperback supplied by Love Books Tours in return for an honest review
Star Rating: 5***** I loved it and highly recommend
About Book: He only sought the truth. But some truths are best left buried. Wrexham, 1876. Meet Alfred Neobard Palmer, an unlikely hero. "It was a death which had brought him here. Death by snake venom, of all things." Palmer – and his more courageous sweetheart, young Ettie Francis. A series of accidental deaths which increasingly seem – well, more than simply accidental. Deaths luring Palmer and Ettie, slowly but surely, towards a terrifying climax through the treacherous waters of the North Wales coast. But can those deaths truly be linked to the huge coverlet on display at Wrexham's magnificent Art Treasures Exhibition? A patchwork of images both Biblical and bewitching. And is there, literally, blood among the coverlet's threads?
My Thoughts: Blood Among The Threads by David Ebsworth is an historical, mystery, crime thriller and as I read through the first thing that struck me is the writing style. It felt true to the time period and so easily transported me back to Victorian England, I could almost feel I was there from the beginning as Ebsworth draws you in with each page moving through layers of intrigue and mystery. I loved the backdrop of the Art Treasures exhibition it added a depth to the mystery and for all of her faults and foibles I loved the character Bethan Thomas. Ebsworth made her come alive with his vivid description and at times she even made me chuckle although I was not sure I was meant to.
The descriptions of the time Ettie and Alfred Neo moved along the streets of Wrexham made the journey come alive a testament, I think again to Ebsworth’s writing. I also enjoyed the character Ettie she was a formidable female and in the backdrop of 1857 she captivated me with her strength breathing life into the pages with her determination and unbelievable spirit, I just wished that Alfred Neo would stop dithering at times, but it just showed how involved in the story line I was.
In conclusion, a great Victorian Mystery with the writing allowing me to immerse myself in the period, vivid characters with some humour along the way. A must for lovers of a good Victorian Mystery that is filled with intrigue and will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Title: Broken Shadows
Author: Sorrel Pitts
Genre: Psychological Thriller Crime Mystery
Publisher: Bloodhound Books
Date Published: 2024
Book Length: 354
Star Rating: 5***** I loved it and highly recommend
About Book: A man reunites with his estranged father to uncover the truth about his tragic childhood …Twenty-seven ago, eleven-year-old Callum was abducted. His body was found six months later by his older brother, Tom, near a Neolithic henge called the Shadowing Stones. It was the first in a series of events that would tear Tom’s family apart. Convinced his father was responsible for his brother’s death, Tom fled to Australia to start a new life. Now, decades later, Tom learns that his father is dying of cancer. Knowing this may be his last chance to learn the truth, Tom returns to England. But when he crosses paths with childhood acquaintance Anna, the pair are drawn together. As Tom grows closer to both Anna and his father, he is confronted with a series of shocking twists and revelations that will change his life forever…
My Thoughts: Broken Shadows by Sorrel Pitts is a psychological thriller and is written from two points of view. Pitts writing is very emotional and gets to the heart of how people are feeling. I really enjoyed the main protagonists, Tom and Anna, of which the story is told from. Both trying to get answers about the past and trying to make sense of it. And although they are both flawed in different ways, and they come from different backgrounds they had similarities and a great connection. The way Pitts described their insecurities made me feel their pain. The romance was an added bonus in the book.
Pitt had the ability to keep me intrigued and guessing while she unfolded the past meant I did not want to put the book down. Her ability to describe places, people and feelings made me feel as if I was a bystander in the story looking on.
For me this was a book with raw emotion that was an absolute page turner that was beautifully and sensitively written, the was it was crafted focussing on the effects trauma has had on lives and the fall out from that made this a book I highly recommend and one that deserves every one of its five stars.
Title: Blades of Destiny
Author: Ben Cotterill
Genre: Fantasy Science fiction
Publisher: Next Chapter
Date Published: 2024
Book Length: 330
Star Rating: 4**** I liked it a lot and recommend
About Book: Rella has known the rumours of technology are true ever since she witnessed a spacecraft fall from the skies. But, on Arcadia, speaking that truth can get you hanged as a heretic. Only her collection of blades offer a glimmer of hope against Arcadia's ruthless dictators.
Though often lacking in social graces, Rella, a governor's daughter, suffers no lack of hand-eye coordination or resolve to survive after her father's wrongful death. When she gets word that the fanatics who executed her father have seized her only remaining friend, Rella knows it is time to put her training to the ultimate test. She must find a way to break into the Omi's Sanctuary, buried beneath their capital city.
Help arrives from the most unlikely of sources: a traveling Omi monk with a hidden agenda of his own. He seeks safe passage, while Rella needs his navigational knowledge of the underground maze leading to the heart of the Omi's stronghold. The pair must put their differences aside as the rescue mission morphs into a quest to expose the secrets concealed by their oppressors-and possibly even unveil the true history of humankind.
My Thoughts: Blades of Destiny by Ben Cotterill is a Science Fiction, Fantasy adventure book and not my normal genre to read.
The book is told from two time periods and although it was a little confusing to start with, it certainly added context to the story and I quickly began to know what was happening.
Cotterill story offers a blend of high-stake adventure along with deeply rooted conspiracies. The book takes you to the world of Arcadia where technology is taboo and heresy is met with the hanging noose.
The main protagonist Rella is a compelling character with grit and determination along with skill and a sense of what is right. Cotterill’s description of places and events is vivid and enabled me to feel the oppression. The books pacing is just about right with enough twists and turns to keep you engaged. But beware the book is about a continuing hard warn battle and sometimes not for the faint hearted.
In conclusion, Blades of Destiny is a tale of resilience and courage. Cotterill’s narrative is entertaining and thought provoking, I think, asking us to question boundaries between myth and reality and the lengths people will go to for justice. If you are a fan of Science Fiction, fantasy or adventure then give this book a read.
Title: The Book of Beginnings
Author: Sally page
Genre: Family Saga, Humorous Fiction
Publisher: Harper Collins
Date Published: 2023
Format: Paperback
Book Length: 416
Star Rating: 5***** I loved it and highly recommend
About Book: Her new chapter starts now…
Jo Sorsby is hiding from her past when she agrees to run her uncle’s beloved stationery shop. Glimpsing the lives of her customers between the warm wooden shelves, as they scribble little notes and browse colourful notebooks, distracts her from her bruised heart.
When she meets Ruth, a vicar running from a secret, and Malcolm, a septuagenarian still finding himself, she suddenly realizes she isn’t alone.
They each have a story that can transform Jo’s life… if only she can let them in.
My Thoughts: The Book of Beginnings by Sally page is a book about secrets, friendship, hope and belief. This is the second time I have read this book and although, I usually think there are two many books out there to read a book twice, I couldn’t resist as Sally Page is coming to our Book Club, so it has been made our Book of the Month.
As I read through the characters return to me like old friends, Sally writing makes you feel as if you are part of each conversation. I loved the camaraderie between Jo, Ruth and Malcolm it felt like a friendship had been bonded for the long term wherever their lives would take them. Malcolm was still my favourite character, his personality opened up like a beautiful flower as the friendship progressed. Sally Page’s writing has the ability to get under the skin of people and makes you want to get to know them.
At times I cries, not because of the sadness, but simply because of the raw honesty, but at times I laughed because of the gorgeous quips, the description of the peoples faces and the antics the three friends got up to.
I loved the historical element from beyond the grave, and really enjoyed the musings between the three amigos on what the ghosts would talk about.
In conclusion, a book that is worthy of all 5 stars that is funny and sad and a great testament to true friendship. If you love a book that has a bit of everything romance, friendship, laughter and raw emotion then this book is for you.
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