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creatively--challenged · 4 years

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Thanks, Zoom | Harrison Osterfield x Fem!Reader

Summary: You and Harrison have been dating a while, though have yet to meet each other’s parents. You’re trying to plan the perfect way to introduce him to yours until Zoom does it for you.

Words: 2K

Warnings: None, just pure fluff.

A/N: I apologise but I have been on a massive Harrison buzz lately. I just need him to be my boyfriend. Let me know what you think! Enjoy x

You squeezed the tea bag against the side of your cup before removing it and adding a drop of milk, stirring it into your tea as you waited for your laptop to connect. You had it set up on the island in the kitchen, sunlight streamed through the overhead skylights and birdsongs drifted through the open back door while you waited for the newly installed Zoom app to connect to a meeting with your parents back home. You’d been forced to download the app to see your family since the government had announced a lockdown and you couldn’t travel home for the Easter break as you had planned to see your loved ones. Instead, you were stuck indoors with four boys who you loved dearly, but it still didn’t take away the ache you felt from missing your family.

You’d moved to London about a year ago to start your career as a writer and it was going incredibly! You had your own flat, your dream job, and you’d even started dating the most amazing man a couple of months ago. You had met Harrison through work, technically. You were sent to interview a couple of the models at a Joshua Kane runway event to get a take on how to models themselves felt about the line and how to clothing made them feel. You were more interested in writing about film and pop culture but when your co-worker went on maternity leave early, you had to share her projects with two of your other co-workers; something you’d have to thank her for profusely when she got back because otherwise you wouldn’t have fallen head over heels for Harrison. You had never been one to believe in that ‘love at first sight’ crap but you didn’t really know how to describe it otherwise. He was so captivating. He answered all of your questions honestly and really went into detail, giving you lots of material to write with. You were hanging onto his every last word, marvelling at the innate beauty he held, the slight goofy way in which he presented himself (extremely different to how he displayed himself on the runway), and the adorable crumple of his nose and hand gestures he made while cracking little jokes mid-conversation.

Too nervous, and professional, to ask for his number or anything like that, you’d thanked him and left kicking yourself that you didn’t know more about him. Sure, you looked him up you realised who he was and what acting projects he was involved in (for future reference so you could request to cover those interviews) but he was practically a stranger. Until, a week after your article was published one of the interns at your firm popped his head over your computer monitor to let you know a Mr. Osterfield was in reception waiting to see you. You freaked. Had you misrepresented him? Paraphrased too much? Was he pissed that your article focused on what he had to say too much? Or not enough? Your legs shook as they carried you towards reception. You curled the ends of your hair around your fingers, cursing yourself for not foreseeing this and wearing a nicer outfit, or putting more makeup on this morning. Here you were, meeting an actual male model and you looked like a complete Plain Jane in a bottle green jumper and dark grey slacks.

Except, when you saw him in the waiting area, he was a completely different Harrison to the one you’d met previously. Fluffy hair pushed back loosely, an oversized cream jumper hiding his perfect frame, and a pair of baby blue jeans on him. He also had a pair of glasses balanced on his nose and wore a nervous expression, much like the one adorning your face. Oh no. You liked this Harrison so much more. He was adorable, stumbling over his words as he explained he had searched for your article on the web so that he could contact you, disappointed in himself for not getting your number that night. His eyes darted around the room and he scratched at the back of his neck idly as he nervously asked if you would be interested in meeting him for lunch the next day. You had giggled like a schoolgirl and told him ‘of course’, before exchanging numbers with him and waving goodbye from the foot of the stairs up to your office; vaguely catching him high-fiving a very familiar brown eyed and brown haired man once he thought he was out of sight.

You two quickly became inseparable. He’d introduced you to the boys and you’d gotten along with them amazingly, especially Tom who confirmed he had bullied and encouraged Harrison to contact you once he found the article. Harrison had brought you with him to walk Monty and was a little put out when Monty seemed to favour walking beside you rather than him. You made it official between the two of you after a couple of months of seeing each other, but you still had one major obstacle to get over before you could be 100% solidified as a couple; meeting each other’s family. You’d both spoken about it, wanting to find the perfect time to arrange dinners and get togethers which was especially hard with both your work schedules. But any half-plan the two of you had made was now moot since quarantine began. You were thankful when Harrison cleared it with the boys and invited you to stay with them for the duration of lockdown since the thought of spending all that time alone in your flat was lowkey killing you. The topic of meeting each other’s family was on hold for now, though you both knew it was the first port of call as soon as this was all over.

You had told your parents briefly about Harrison, said you were dating someone from London, but never actually mentioned how serious the relationship was and your parents never pried. You had been reluctant to video call them from Harrison’s shared house for some reason but when Tom and Harry went out to bring Tessa for a walk, Tuwaine was locked up in his room, and Harrison said he was going to workout for an hour or so, you thought it was the perfect time for a quick video call before the lads wreaked havoc on the house again. So here you were, sipping on your tea and appreciating the springtime sounds drifting through the windows while waiting on your laptop to connect. Eventually the screen changed from a loading one to one of your parents sitting in front of their computer screen. A bit pixely, but they were there. You smiled and waved enthusiastically at them and laughed when they waved back before lowering the camera to show you the family dog back home, wagging his tail at the excitement.

“Hey, honey! How are you? How have you been coping?” Your mum asks as you tell them all about your boredom in lockdown. They fill you in on all the family drama you’d missed over the last few months and ask if you’re coming to see them when lockdown ends. Before you’d realised it you had already been on video chat with them for almost 40 minutes, laughing and swapping inside jokes.

“Where are you, darling? The background doesn’t look like your flat. Have you gotten some work done?” Your dad asks inquisitively. Just as you’re about to tell them you’re staying at a “friend’s house” you hear movement coming from the kitchen door.

“Y/N? Sweetheart, have you seen my headphones? I’ve decided to go for a run instead but I can’t find – oh. Sorry are you in the middle of something?” Harrison catches your wide eyes and frantic expression. You’re desperately trying to think of a way to avoid your parents asking about who’s calling you ‘sweetheart’ but it doesn’t work.

“Ahhh, you’re staying with the boyfriend? I didn’t think it had gotten that serious.” Your mum quips, eyeing the camera knowingly. It’s now Harrison’s turn to look frantic, his eyes going as wide as saucers. He mouths the word ‘sorry’ at least 7 times before you let out a nervous laugh.

“Ehh, yeah, Mum. I’m staying with my boyfriend for lockdown. Couldn’t stand being in my flat alone for God knows how long.” You say, desperately hoping she won’t ask what you know she will. Harrison is frozen to the spot, not really knowing what to do. Should he go? Should he just appear on screen? You’re not sure either.

“Well…? Is he invisible? Can we meet him?” Your dad asks gruffly, a hint of humour to his voice. You let out a relenting sigh. Scooting your chair to the side while meeting Harrison’s eyes in question over the screen. He nods frantically in response, running his fingers through his hair in an attempt to tidy it up.

“For the record, I wanted to introduce you in person over Easter but with all that’s going on we never got the chance to visit. I suppose this is the next best thing. Mum, dad, this is Harrison, my boyfriend.” You present as Harrison appears on screen beside you, a relaxed smile appearing on his face. He really is a great actor.

“Uh hi it’s really great to meet you guys! Well, see you guys, technically. I know Y/N was really excited about introducing us properly and I was really looking forward to meeting you.” You hold your breath as you wait for this encounter to be less awkward than it was turning out to be and soon enough with Harrison’s charm and your parents’ easy-going demeanours, the four of you were chatting comfortably and making plans to meet up as soon as lockdown was over.

“Oh Y/N, I can see why you were keeping this one to yourself. He’s quite the Prince Charming.” Your mum exclaims, causing you to groan and drop your head into your hands while Harrison held in a delighted chuckle.

“Okay, Mum. Yep, thanks. Listen, I’ll call you tomorrow okay? It was lovely seeing you, stay safe!” You call, waving though the screen.

“Nice to meet you, guys! Look forward to actually meeting you!” Harrison shouts, waving like a madman. You close the lid on your laptop and groan as you lower your head into your arms. You can hear Harrison chuckling behind you, arms coming around your frame comfortably.

“I’m so sorry. I should have warned you I was going on video call.” You mumble and Harrison’s body vibrates against yours with laughter.

“Why are you apologising? That was really nice, actually! Trial by fire, as it were.” He laughs out and you turn to face him. He’s smiling so widely at you and your heart melts a little. “I mean, as much as I would have loved to drive out to your parent’s house for dinner with a lovely bottle of wine and a bouquet of flowers for them, the impromptu meeting was perfect and makes me all the more excited to actually meet them. At least I’ve already laid down some groundwork with your dad, he definitely won’t hate me now, I’m sure of it.” He tells you and you slap his chest lightly, laughing with him.

“Oh shut it, you know no one could ever hate you. You’re way too charming. Plus, you play golf so that’s an immediate common ground with my dad.” Harrison leans down and presses his lips to yours sweetly. Holding you in a delicate embrace.

“You know, this means that now you definitely have to meet my family. Maybe I can feature you in my next Zoom call? My sister has been asking me endless questions about the ‘mystery woman in my life’.” He jokes and you both laugh again.

“Mystery woman! That sounds like an article half the people in my office would write. You know I don’t do tabloids.” Your eyes narrow at him and he holds his hands up in defense. “But I would love to feature in your next Zoom call, on one condition; Monty is in it too.”

“Deal.” Harrison then swoops you up into his arms making you cry out in surprise. “I’ve decided not to go for a run. There are other ways to get my cardio in for today.” You giggle as Harrison lightly peppers your face in kisses as he carries you up the stairs towards his bedroom.

Maybe this Quarantine wasn’t half as bad as you thought.

#harrisonosterfield #harrison #osterfield #haz osterfield #haz #harrison x reader #harrison fluff #blurb #fluff #quarantine

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lamptracker · 5 years

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Scavenger Hunt (hastily thrown-together fic)

The warning’s there in the title, kids. This is a two-days-late birthday present for @the-quackson-claxon so I can’t guarantee it’ll be any good BUT here it is anyway.

FIC: Scavenger Hunt

Pairing: Harrison Osterfield/Female Reader

Summary: For your birthday, Harrison sets up a scavenger hunt; with Tom’s help, you revisit the most memorable spots from all of your relationship’s important milestones.

And happy belated birthday, Kyli!!

You blink slowly as your eyes adjust to the morning light. You’re still tired, not quite ready to be awake, but today is your birthday and you’re excited.

You roll over to wake up your boyfriend, Harrison… but he’s not in bed. Instead, an envelope is resting atop his pillow. Curiously, you open it:

Happy birthday, darling! The handwritten note inside reads. Thought I’d send you on a little scavenger hunt for your birthday today. Go take a shower real quick; your first clue will be hanging on the outfit I’ve picked out for you today. See you soon! Love, Harrison <3

Laughing, you head into the bathroom to take a quick shower.

Once you’re out and dried off, you go to your closet, looking for the outfit Harrison has thrown together for you. You sigh with relief when you see it’s a simple flowered sundress and strappy sandals. You take off the envelope hanging from the hanger and read your first clue:

Clue number one - I hope you find this bitchin’

You won’t miss it - it’s in the middle of the kitchen :)

You crack up laughing again as you quickly get dressed, brush your hair, and do your makeup (just a fast, simple look for today). You tiptoe into the kitchen, where you’re greeted by a curious sight:

There, in the middle of the kitchen, is a giant cake. It’s not a real cake - probably cardboard or something, covered in construction paper.

“Harrison, if you’re in there, this was the worst scavenger hunt ever,” you say.

Just then, the top of the cake rips open…and out jumps Harrison’s best friend, Tom Holland.

“Happy birthday, (y/n)!” Tom exclaims; you burst into giggles yet again. “I’m going to read you your second clue, ready?”

“I guess,” you say, between laughs.

Tom dramatically clears his throat before reading out the second clue: “Clue number two, hope this is okay. Tom is going to drive you around today. Wait, I am? Oh, okay, yeah. Um… anyway: I hope this isn’t getting old yet, but tell him to take you to the place we first met.”

You smile to yourself as you recall the very first time you and Harrison met.

“Tom,” you say, “take me to the grocery store, would you?”

Tom scrunches up his nose. “The grocery store?”

“He didn’t tell you about that? It’s how we first met. I was trying a new recipe and needed a can of chickpeas, there was one can left and they were on the bottom shelf. He was in the same aisle, went for the same can of chickpeas. We bumped foreheads when we went for it, he felt so terrible he let me have the chickpeas. But I didn’t want him to leave empty-handed, so…”

“...you gave him your number. Yeah, I remember now. That’s bloody adorable, really.” Tom offers you his arm. “Shall we?”

“We shall.” You loop your arm through his and he guides you to the car; you buckle your belt and he starts driving.

“So,” Tom says as he drives you to the store, “how old are you, anyway?”

“Tom, didn’t your mother ever teach you the three things you never ask a lady?”

Tom sighs. “Her age, her weight, and whether or not she’s pregnant.”

“Exactly.”

“But you’re not a lady, you’re (y/n).”

“Just drive, ya div.”

Tom chuckles as he pulls into a parking space at the store. The two of you get out and head straight for the canned goods aisle. On the bottom shelf: Exactly one can of chickpeas.

“How much you wanna bet he bought every can of chickpeas on the shelf just to make this happen?” Tom asks.

“I’d be making a lot of hummus then.” You pick up the lone can and turn it over, finding your third clue taped to the bottom:

Clue number three, now you mustn’t be late

Is located where we had our first date.

(PS: Tell Tom i did not buy all the chickpeas)

“He says he didn’t buy all the chickpeas,” you say, “and now you’re taking me to Subway.”

“You had your first date at Subway?” Tom asks incredulously.

“He’d made reservations at that cute little Italian place on 83rd,” you explain as you walk back to Tom’s car. “But when we got there, the health department had shut it down.”

“Oh, yeah, I remember that. E.Coli outbreak, was it?”

“Something like that. Anyway, all the nice places were booked, so… we went to Subway. That one just up the street from where that Italian place used to be.”

“Used to be? They never opened back up?”

“Oh, no, they did. But a week after that there was a fire, so much damage they had to condemn it.”

“Grease fire?”

“Angry cook mad he didn’t paid while they were shut down.”

Tom shakes his head. “Yikes.”

The drive to Subway is a little longer than the one to the grocery store, so Tom puts on his favorite “Nothing but 90s” playlist and the two of you sing along, loudly and off-key.

Once you get to Subway, you walk in; the manager is waiting by the door with a takeout box full of cookies - raspberry cheesecake, your favorite.

“You must be (y/n),” they say, handing you the box. “Happy birthday! These have already been paid for, plus there’s a note on the bottom for you?”

“Thank you,” you reply, carefully detaching the note as you hand the box to Tom.

Clue number four - I hope you don’t miss

Go to the spot where we had our first kiss

(PS: Tom can have a cookie if he wants one, he’ll whine if you don’t share)

“I will not,” Tom says, in a voice that comes very close to whining.

Laughing, you open the lid of the box; Tom takes a cookie.

“Let me guess,” he mumbles between bites of cookie, “your first kiss was someplace really stupid, wasn’t it?”

You shake your head. “I…” but you sigh. “Okay, fine. It was in front of Gamestop.”

“Do I even want to know?”

“Probably not, but I’m going to tell you anyway.” You giggle as you take a bite of a cookie. “His Xbox controller broke, Monty might have been involved. So we went to buy a new one; as we were walking out my mom called and said my aunt was coming for a visit. I hadn’t seen her in probably two years. I was so excited I hugged him and then I just… kissed him. Right there, on the sidewalk, in front of Gamestop. He did that thing, you know, where he just kind of froze. And as I was vomiting out an apology he grabbed my face and kissed me again.”

Tom nods as he drives toward Gamestop. “Again, adorable. And not nearly as stupid as I thought.”

You just roll your eyes, singing along to the 90s playlist once more.

Once at Gamestop, you quickly dash inside to where the Xbox controllers are; sure enough, you find a note taped to one.

“Can’t wait for this one,” Tom scoffs.

You shoot Tom the nastiest glare you can muster; if looks could kill, he’d be six feet under.

“I’m just saying!” Tom throws his hands up in self-defense. “His rhymes could use a little work, I mean…”

“I think they’re sweet.” You untape the note and read it aloud:

Your next-to-last clue is here, I hope they’re not turds

You’ll be going to the first place I said those three little words

(PS: I’m sure Tom is making fun of my poetry skills; tell him to bugger off)

Tom’s eyes grow wide. “How did he…”

“Either he just knows you really well or you’re that predictable.”

Tom just shakes his head. “So what weird place am I taking you to this time?”

“It’s not weird, it’s… unconventional. And you’re taking me to the emergency department at the hospital.”

Tom blinks rapidly for a moment. “Okay, I’m definitely sure I don’t want to know.” He waits for you to climb into the car and buckle your seat belt before driving off yet again.

You giggle a little as you pull two more cookies out of the box from Subway, offering one to Tom (who willingly accepts it). “I’d sprained my ankle - it was really stupid how it happened, I was carrying laundry down the steps to take to the laundromat and I missed a step. Harrison was at a fitting for Joshua Kane but he ran out of it just to take me to the hospital. As we were leaving and he was helping me into the car I thanked him and said something like, ‘Oh, you didn’t have to drop what you were doing just for me.’ He looked me in the eye, smiled, and said: ‘Why wouldn’t I? I mean, I love you.’” You tear up a little at the memory. “And oh my God, Tom, it was like time stopped. But in the best possible way.”

Tom looks over at you, smiling warmly. “I remember that night. He came back to our apartment absolutely on cloud nine. I asked him what happened and he said, ‘Well, (y/n) sprained her ankle and I told her I loved her.’ I was trying to come up with some witty comeback when then he goes, ‘Don’t worry, she loves me too.’ He literally did not stop smiling all night. I think that - oh, we’re here.”

You’re about to ask Tom exactly what he meant by “I think that” when you spot an envelope sticking out of the flowers surrounding the water fountain in front of the emergency department. Wasting no time, you rip it open and read the final note:

Well love, if Tom was making fun of my poetry skills he has a right to

I’m sick of writing these, but i’ll never be sick of you.

This is the last clue (so I guess we both win)

Head to the place where I asked you to move in.

“Oh, even I know this one,” Tom says. “The park, right?”

You nod. “Right there by the pond, yeah. He had this big speech all planned out, but by the time he got around to it he was so nervous he just blurted it out.”

“Sounds about right. He was so scared that I was going to be upset that he was moving out. But that couldn’t have been farther from the truth. I like you, and I like you and Harrison together. He’s been so much happier since you came along, and since he’s my best friend I want him to be that happy all the time. Did he ever tell you I’m the one that found your apartment?”

You laugh. “That explains why we live within walking distance of you and Harry, I guess.”

“Well, I can’t have him too far away.” Tom pulls the car into a parking space, quickly texting someone after he turns the engine off. “Here we are. Harrison says this is where I leave you. So… happy birthday. I’ll have a real present for you later today.”

“Oh, thank you so much, Tom.” You lean over and give him a hug.

“It’s no problem, really.” Tom gives you a quick kiss on the cheek. “Enjoy the rest of your day.”

You climb out of the car, cookies in hand, and head to the little gazebo near the pond. You gasp when you’re finally close enough to see it:

Harrison is waiting there for you, sitting at a little picnic table. He’s prepared a picnic lunch for the two of you; the table has a red-and-white checkered cloth on it and a few votive candles lit.

“Happy birthday, darling,” Harrison says softly as you approach him. “I see you’ve brought dessert. There are some left for me, right?”

You giggle. “I only gave Tom two, plus I only had a couple, so… what’s all this?”

“Just wanted to do something special for your birthday. Make it really unforgettable.”

“So far so good.”

Harrison had made sure to pack all of your favorites for lunch; the two of you chat and eat. You’ve been together for nearly two years, and yet you still never run out of things to talk about. He hands you a few presents to open - a book you’ve been eyeing, a gift card to your favorite store, a new case for your phone. “The big present is for later, if you catch my drift,” he says, winking; you burst into laughter.

“Harrison,” you say, “this has been just a really fun day.”

“I’m glad.” He reaches across the table for your hand, squeezing it gently. “Sorry you had to spend part of it with Tom, though.”

You shake your head. “Nah, he was alright. But thank you, this has been a wonderful birthday.”

Harrison raises an eyebrow. “What, you thought that was all of it? I’ve got one more surprise for you.”

“You said that was later, if I caught your drift. Which I always do.”

Harrison chuckles softly. “Okay, two surprises. The first one you figured out. This one…” He suddenly stands up, walks around to your side of the picnic table, and drops to one knee.

“Haz, what…” you gasp, covering your mouth with one hand; he takes your free hand in both of his.

“Is this cliche, to do this on your birthday? Doesn’t much matter, I’m doing it anyway.” He clears his throat for a moment before continuing. “I love you. I love you so much there aren’t enough words for me to properly describe how much. You’re funny, and sweet, and way smarter than I’ll ever be. I want to spend all of your birthdays, and every day, with you for the rest of our lives. So… what do you say? Will you marry me?”

“Yes!” you exclaim, not even hesitating for a moment.

Harrison laughs loudly. “I haven’t even gotten the ring out yet!”

“Well, it’s not my fault you have poor planning skills,” you tease.

Harrison pulls the ring box out of his pocket and hands it to you; you open it slowly, admiring the beautiful diamond ring inside.

“Harrison,” you say, voice wavering and eyes wet with tears, “it’s perfect.”

“Put it on.” He’s grinning from ear-to-ear. You silently comply, sliding the ring onto your finger.

“I love it,” you whisper. “I love you.”

“I love you too, darling. Happy birthday.” He stands up slowly; he pulls you to your feet and kisses you softly.

“Well,” you say, “I definitely won’t forget this.”

“Oh, I should hope not.” He flashes you that cheeky, slightly lopsided grin you’ve come to cherish as you kiss him again.

So far, this has definitely been the best birthday ever.

#harrison osterfield #harrison osterfield imagine #seriously this might suck

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jenmedsbookreviews · 6 years

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Made the most of the beautiful weather this weekend and went for a lovely walk early on Sunday morning. A few miles and several steps covered, I also cleared 40% of an audiobook so it is all good. Productive day for me then. Whoop whoop.

So – how has your week been? I’ve had a bit of an emotional one again this week unfortunately. Took my little kitty to the vets as he’s been under the weather and we’ve been monitoring him for the week. Sadly, this time he hd lost more weight and the vet felt a mass in his intestinal tract which doesn’t look good. He’s on steroids to manage his condition and hopefully improve his feeding but we both know it is simply a matter of time before I have to say goodbye to Mars too. I am trying to psyche myself up for it, but I have to be honest, as nice as the gesture was, it didn’t help that the same evening I came home to a card from the Vets with their best wishes after the loss of Kaycee the other week. Can anyone guess who was an emotional blubbering mess? No? That would be me. Again.

I did manage to complete two of my three online courses, which sounds like far more of an achievement than it actually is, but hey. I now have certificates. Go me, lol.

Taking my mind off things, I had a meeting in Crawley on Thursday so I took the opportunity for a quick stop off in the city the night before to attend the launch of Roxanne Bouchard’s wonderfully lyrical crime thriller, We Were The Salt of the Sea. The event was hosted by the Canadian Embassy, the venue and the evening amazing, and a big thanks to Karen Sullivan for the invitation. Certainly a very memorable event with brilliant readings by translator David Warriner (in English) and Roxanne herself (in French) which made the night perfect. Might have picked myself up a sneaky signed copy of the book too, courtesy of the lovely Karen again. The dedication is in French but I have just about enough knowledge of the language to translate. It was lovely to meet both Roxanne and David and their respective partners, and to see a number of my good blogging pals too.

You know my theory that book post is like buses? Well – proven again this week. While I was away I received three letters/parcels. The first was a book-plate for The Craftsman by Sharon Bolton. If I hadn’t been expecting it then it would have been quite unnerving lol. The second was a copy of Her Name Was Rose by Claire Allan from Avon Books. The third was something pretty special – a finished copy of The Ice Swimmer by Kjell Ola Dahl where I am quoted on the cover!!! My first (and probably only) time as a cover girl. I will treasure this for sure. Might even have to get it signed by the man himself as a super special copy.

Saturday saw me attending the blogger author meet up in Stoke organise by Stephanie Lawrence and Kerry Parsons. It was fab to catch up with some old friends and make some new ones. I am crap with pictures so there is no evidence to be found on this blog, but if you search about you may find some in existence elsewhere.

I’m probably a very naughty bunny – depending on your perspective – but I did go onto Netgalley again this week, In my defence, I had to as I needed books for blog tours … I just might have strayed and requested a couple more while I was there. Whoops. I picked up The Date by Louise Jensen, Follow Me Home by DK Hood, The Puppet Show by MW Craven and Strangers on a Bridge by Louise Mangos. I also received an advance copy of After He’s Gone from author Jane Issac, the first in a brand new series which I am really looking forward to tucking into soon.

Purchase wise – not so well behaved I’m afraid. I made a few pre-orders (as you do) and picked up a couple of bargains too. As well as preordering Follow Me Home, The Puppet Show and Strangers on a Bridge, I picked up Dead Blind by Rebecca Bradley; The Adulterer’s Wife by Leigh Russell; The Dying Place by Luca Veste; The Promise by Katerina Diamond; Dark Winter and Original Skin by David Mark. No audio books, the then I think I have enough to be going on with, don’t you?

Books I have read

Absolution – Paul Hardisty

Sequel to the critically acclaimed The Abrupt Physics of Dying, The Evolution of Fear and Reconciliation for the Dead. Claymore Straker returns in another gripping, page-turning, socially conscious thriller, with more at stake than ever…

It is 1997, eight months since vigilante justice-seeker Claymore Straker fled South Africa after his explosive testimony to Desmond Tutu’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission. In Paris, Rania LaTour, journalist, comes home to find that her son and her husband, a celebrated human rights lawyer, have disappeared. On an isolated island off the coast of East Africa, the family that Clay has befriended is murdered as he watches.

So begins the fourth instalment in the Claymore Straker series, a breakneck journey through the darkest reaches of the human soul, as Clay and Rania fight to uncover the mystery behind the disappearances and murders, and find those responsible.

Events lead them both inexorably to Egypt, where an act of the most shocking terrorist brutality will reveal not only why those they loved were sacrificed, but how they were both, indirectly, responsible. Relentlessly pursued by those who want them dead, they must work together to uncover the truth, and to find a way to survive in a world gone crazy. At times brutal, often lyrical, but always gripping, Absolutionis a thriller that will leave you breathless and questioning the very basis of how we live and why we love.

The final Claymore Straker novel but by god what a hard hitting, emotional read, full of social conscience and a clear passion for his subject. Paul Hardisty takes us on a roller coaster rise as Straker seeks to reunite himself with Rania, possibly the only woman he has ever loved. Full of action, tension and subterfuge this book has many facets, covering environmental and humanitarian issues whilst providing a compelling story told in such beautifully crafted language. Action with a heart. Loved it. It’s available now in e-book or from 30th May in paperback so you can pick up or preorder a copy here.

…

The Reckoning – Yrsa Sigurdardottir

A chilling note predicting the deaths of six people is found in a school’s time capsule, ten years after it was buried. But surely, if a thirteen-year-old wrote it, it can’t be a real threat…

Detective Huldar suspects he’s been given the investigation simply to keep him away from real police work. He turns to psychologist Freyja to help understand the child who hid the message. Soon, however, they find themselves at the heart of another shocking case.

For the discovery of the letter coincides with a string of macabre events: body parts found in a garden, followed by the murder of the man who owned the house. His initials are BT, one of the names on the note.

Huldar and Freyja must race to identify the writer, the victims and the murderer, before the rest of the targets are killed…

The best thing about long drives down to London are the hours of audio book I can consume while travelling. I devoured the previous book in the Freyja and Huldar series and couldn’t wait to read this one. I was not disappointed. A dark central story and a very chilling aspect to this novel as a whole, not just its setting, but by god was it a good read/listen. You can pick up a copy here and I’ll be sharing my review soon.

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Summer at the Little Cottage on the Hill – Emma Davies

Take an endless stroll through wild meadows and breathe in the sweet aroma of flowers in full bloom. The first ever guest at the little cottage on the hill is looking for an escape, but her past is not far behind her…

Thirty-two-year-old ‘ice queen’ Isobel slams the cottage door and pulls the curtains shut. She has just six weeks to practise for a secret project that could save her career and no one must know she is here.

When Tom, the local thatcher with eyes as blue and deep as the ocean, hears the sound of her violin on the breeze he feels a tug at his heart-strings that reminds him of happier times. Who is this mysterious new lodger, and why does she look so familiar?

Desperate to find out more, Tom is devastated when Isobel refuses to enjoy everything the farm has to offer. He won’t give in, but just when it looks like Isobel is coming out of her shell, someone recognises her and the troubles from her past threaten to take away everything she has been working towards.

Will the lessons Isobel learned at the little cottage help her to stand up and face the music? Will Tom ever find a way to unlock the emotion she needs to move on?

After all the darkness I needed a little time in the light. And it doesn’t come much lighter and brighter than summer days in the beautiful gardens of Joy’s Acre, in my home county of Shropshire, the setting for Emma Davies’ Little Cottage on the Hill series. More romance, friendship and feel good story telling and a set of recipes and delicious sounding dishes to get your mouth watering. I’ll be sharing my review soon but you can pre order a copy here.

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Thirteen – Steve Cavanagh

THE SERIAL KILLER ISN’T ON TRIAL.

HE’S ON THE JURY…

‘To your knowledge, is there anything that would preclude you from serving on this jury?’ Murder wasn’t the hard part. It was just the start of the game.

Joshua Kane has been preparing for this moment his whole life. He’s done it before. But this is the big one.

This is the murder trial of the century. And Kane has killed to get the best seat in the house.

But there’s someone on his tail. Someone who suspects that the killer isn’t the man on trial.

Kane knows time is running out – he just needs to get to the conviction without being discovered.

I have been intrigued by the sound of this book since I first heard about it late last year. I’ve had it on preorder since before christmas and it was one of my most anticipated reads of 2018. I will admit – this was my first time in the witness box with good old Eddie Flynn but it will not be the last. Dark, twisted and ingenious, I loved this serial killer thriller with a twist. I’ll be sharing my review in a couple of weeks as part of the tour but you can order your own copy here.

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Four. Been better been worse. I am also slotting in short stories from the Ten Year Stretch anthology too along the way, so it’s not all bad really. Busy week on the blog – highlights below.

Dead Blind by Rebecca Bradley

Ten Year Stretch Part 2: Ten Years of CrimeFest.

The Retreat by Mark Edwards

Book Love: Sandra Danby

Summer at the Comfort Food Cafe by Debbie Johnson

The Louisiana Republic by Maxim Jakubowski

Ten Year Stretch Part 3: Ten Years of CrimeFest

The week ahead is a little slower. I’ve a few blog tours lined up and perhaps a couple of reviews if I get a chance to type them up but my main focus (other than the cat) will be attending CrimeFest in Bristol from Thursday. Really looking forward to it. Be prepared for much tweetage as a result.

Blog tours are for The Old You by Louise Voss, Fault Lines by Doug Johnstone, Dying Truth by Angela Marsons and Freefall by Adam Hamdy.

Hope you have a fabulous week all. I’m not sure if I’ll be back with a post next Monday – it really depends on how I feel after CrimeFest lol. We will know by this time next week if I am funny though so that will be nice.

Enjoy your week,

Jen

Rewind, recap: Weekly update w/e 13/05/18 Made the most of the beautiful weather this weekend and went for a lovely walk early on Sunday morning.

#Rewind Recap #Weekly Round UP

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