PINTEREST
BLOGLOVIN
GOODREADS
Published by Avon
Ebook: 5 October 2017 | Paperback: 14 December 2017
368 pages
Bad Sister is the second book by Sam Carrington, the first being Saving Sophie. For my turn on the tour, I have a great guest post from Sam, talking about her favourite books.
My Favourite Books
by Sam Carrington
I find it very difficult to choose my favourite books because the list is long! The best way I can do it is to start at the beginning and consider which books have been significant – ones I always remember without having to refer to my book shelves or lists.
At around the age of nine, I was devouring Enid Blyton’s ‘Adventure’ series. I loved all her books, but this series was one I enjoyed the most. This was possibly my earliest foray into the ‘mystery genre’ territory! I still have a copy of The Sea of Adventure and it always makes me smile to see the cover – it takes me right back to my childhood!
Another early one is Charlotte’s Web by E.B White, as this was the first book I read in one sitting. I still remember the range of emotions I went through, from being horrified at the thought of the piglet being slaughtered, the joy of Fern saving him and naming him Wilbur, to the utter sadness upon the demise of Charlotte!
During my teenage years I really got into S. E. Hinton’s books. The Outsiders was a book that forged a lifelong friendship when I spent ages discussing it with a girl in my class. We still talk about this book, so this one is forever going to be a firm favourite.
As an older teen, I began reading Stephen King and James Herbert. The books I remember most from these guys were The Tommyknockers and The Rats. I haven’t really read ‘scary’ books since that time, which I intend to rectify soon – so I’m looking out for recommendations!
Now, into adulthood!
The Silver Linings Playbook – by Matthew Quick. I bought this when I was going through a difficult time – it was a book read at just the right moment in my life. I loved how the relationships in this story were developed – I invested my emotions into Pat Peoples’ story and it was brilliantly told.
The Secret Life of Bees – by Sue Monk Kidd is one of my favourite reads of all time. This was my local book club read one month and the fact I enjoyed it came as a shock to me as it’s one I would never have picked up of my own accord – I don’t usually go for historical books. I read every single word of this novel, which is a rarity for me – I often skip chunks of paragraphs (don’t tell anyone!) But I enjoyed this in its entirety, and it will stay with me.
The Five People You Meet in Heaven – by Mitch Albom is also a book club read, and again, one I wouldn’t have chosen myself. Because it was short, and I knew we’d be discussing it, I felt compelled to give it a go. I’m so pleased I did. I read it in one afternoon, but somehow it really got under my skin and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I read all of Mitch Albom’s books after this.
Postmortem – by Patricia Cornwell. This was the novel that properly started my love of the crime genre, and, if I’m honest, my fascination with forensics and post-mortems! My shelves are now filled with Patricia’s books, although I still haven’t got to them all yet…
The Sculptress – by Minette Walters was a book I read while pregnant with my second child. I remember trying to get him to sleep so I could hurry up and delve into it uninterrupted! I loved the characterisation and became emotionally involved with the story. When I think of this book it takes me right back to the time I read it. I managed to hunt down a first edition of this book too, which I was thrilled about.
Blood Harvest – by Sharon Bolton. I love all of Sharon’s books, this just happens to be the first of hers I read, so is one I always remember. I loved the creepy beginning – it sucked me in and didn’t let go until the shocking denouement.
The Cry – by Helen Fitzgerald. I remember beginning this novel in the dentist’s waiting room and was immediately drawn in by the description of the new mother with a screaming baby on an aeroplane. It’s probably the only time I’ve ever wanted to spend longer at the dentist… The story was uncomfortable in places, but one I couldn’t put down.
Dark Places – by Gillian Flynn. I really enjoyed the twisted story, the questions it threw up and how I managed to relate to characters that were, for me, not all that likeable! I enjoyed Gone Girl, but found this more compelling.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo – by Stieg Larsson. I had been recommended this book by a man I met at a dinner for the Queen’s bodyguard (my brother-in-law was part of the Yeomen). He chatted about it so much, by the end of the evening I was desperate to read it! I put it forward at my local book club and everyone loved it – which I think was a first! I went on to read the other two in the Millennium trilogy.
99 Red Balloons – by Elisabeth Carpenter is a recent read. The characterisation of this novel left me in awe. I literally felt like I knew the characters personally, particularly Maggie, the older woman. Told with brilliant insight and story-telling skill!
There are many more I could list, but this post would be as packed as my book shelves if I did that!
Thanks so much Sam, I remember reading James Herbert under the bedcovers in my teens, The Fog and the Rats scared the hell out of me!
| About the book |
Then
When flames rip through their family home, only teenager Stephanie and her younger brother escape unhurt. Brett always liked to play with fire, but now their dad is dead and someone has to pay the price.
Now
Psychologist Connie Summers wants to help Stephanie rebuild her life. She has a new name, a young son and everything to live for. But when Stephanie receives a letter from someone she’d hoped would never find her, Connie is forced to question what really happened that night. But some truths are better left alone . . .
Gripping, tense and impossible to put down, Bad Sister will have fans of Sue Fortin, B.A. Paris and Linda Green hooked until the final page.
Gripping, tense and impossible to put down, Bad Sister will have fans of Sue Fortin, B A Paris and Linda Green hooked till the final page.
| About the author |
Sam Carrington lives in Devon with her husband and three children. She worked for the NHS for fifteen years, during which time she qualified as a nurse. Following the completion of a psychology degree she went to work for the prison service as an Offending Behaviour Programme Facilitator. Her experiences within this field inspired her writing. She left the service to spend time with her family and to follow her dream of being a novelist. SAVING SOPHIE, her debut psychological thriller, published in September 2016. It became a Kindle eBook bestseller, with the paperback hitting The Bookseller Heatseeker chart at #8. Sam was named an Amazon Rising Star of 2016. Her next psychological thriller, BAD SISTER, publishes in October 2017 in ebook and December in paperback.
Author Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon UK | Goodreads
