#Review by Lou of The Bleed by Paul Barrell

The Bleed
By Paul Barrell

The Bleed is a thriller inspired by true events. See the blurb and my review as part of the random t tours in below.

Blurb

THE BLEED A GRIPPING NEW CRIME THRILLER . SET IN SOUTH

LONDON, INSPIRED BY REAL EVENTS.

MARC MADISON IS A GHOST

AND YOU CAN’T KILL A GHOST

Marc Madison is a lovable rogue, with a flawed addictive

personality, but he had never been sacked for being prudent

with the truth, smoking a little weed or nursing the hangover

from hell. He is also one of the Mets top undercover and has

been tasked with bringing down the the drug KIngpin of

south London.

With the help of bad boy dealer Christian Marc Madison has

successfully infiltrated a maintenance firm he is getting ever

closer to The Duke Of York, the head of the OCG.

Until, one evening on the way home he suffers a cardiac

arrest and as he drifts between life and death, a strangers

touch miraculously brings him back to life. Although from

that moment something in Marc changed. Something that

went all the way back to his childhood and his twin brother.

When a chance encounter introduces him to Eva Chan a high

class Chinese masseuse, Marc feels strangely drawn to her

but has no idea Eva is embedded deep within the claws of

the drug gang.

With Eva a willing Bonnie to his Clyde, Marc is dragged

deeper into the south London drug world, a place where, in

the search for the truth about his brother, the stakes escalate

with each crime he is forced to commit

Review

The Bleed is a fast-paced, darkly gripping thriller that takes readers to the depths of a gang in London, 2018. Inspired by real events, it shows how flawed humanity can be and how deeply dark and dangerous some people can be when they’re part of a gang.

In comes Marc Madison, who’s also deeply flawed and had a massive heart attack, but nonetheless is determined to infiltrate the gang and bring them down.

There’s also a plot to find out who killed one of his family members.

Each part weaves seamlessly to create interesting characters in a space where fiction and true events collide, giving a great story and picture of what goes on. It’ll open your world to the darker side of society and make you more aware, a bit like what Adolescence does on Netflix.

Check it out for a tense must read thriller.

#Review by Lou. Moulin Rouge the Stage Musical, setting theatres on fire with Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love @moulinmusicaluk #MoulinRouge

Moulin Rouge – The Musical

written by Louise Cannon

Moulin Rouge “sets the world on fire” or at least Edinburgh Playhouse until June in a UK tour travelling further than there. The real Moulin Rouge celebrated its 135th anniversary in 2024. Like the film, the stage does it proud. I was pleased to have purchased a ticket.

High Can-Can kicks, amazing costumes, huge sets that look like pictures which people have stepped into and music galore to tell the story of the Moulin Rouge, Satine, Toulouse Le-Trec, Satine and more…
It fills your heart with lots of emotions and leaves your heart with joy in it as you exit the auditorium. Can-Can down to the rest of my review and tour dates for one of the hottest tickets you’ll handle this year!

Enter the powerful, emotionally charged, colourful Moulin Rouge, full of dancers that are as colourful as a “firework” and stories to tell. Look into the streets, that look like moving paintings that people have magically stepped into (they’re not, the set artistry is just that incredibly created) where the Bohemians are sitting, contemplating life, that they’re “the children of the revolution” and Montmartre.

The songs are a mixture of newer, up-to-date songs and those in the film (which you may notice some of in my review). The story remains and is beautifully presented in awe-aspiring glory. Many, many medleys of various songs are expertly put together to tell the story of “Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love” of the Moulin Rouge. A fantastically brilliant part is a romance scene where spoken word and song are weaved together, championing the idea of love. Is there “tainted love” or “bad romance”or “everlasting love” in the air?

The emotional end is simply beautifully conveyed.

All the cast exceeded expectations in dance, song, acting! They’re all ones to watch out for. Special mention to a few in some main parts:

Verity Thompson brings energy, power and emotion as she conveys Satine’s complex life. Christian, played by Nate Landskroner plays well to show love for Satine and plays off the complexities, together showing how love isn’t straight forward.
Kurt Kansley brings the bohemian, arty world to the fore in the form of Toulouse-Lautrec, conveying all the bohemian beliefs that would make anyone run off with him and join the bohemian movement.
James Bryers as the Duke brought intrigue, wealth, a bit of menace, driving the plot forward, creating great tension.

You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll want to join both the bohemians and the dancers in the Moulin Rouge.

By the end of the Moulin Rouge effect is “Never Gonna Give You Up”.

“Come What May”, this is “Your Song” and a musical not to be missed!

Will you go “Rolling in the Deep” or be found swinging on a “Chandelier” when you discover touring details? Join the artists, lovers and bohemians here: Moulin Rouge Tour

*please note I am not affiliated with any company or production.

*Photos are taken by me and are encouraged before the show begins. I bought a ticket and chose to review.

#Review by Lou of Favourite Daughter by Morgan Dick @Jmdwrites @morgandick_author @VikingBooksUK #FavouriteDaughter

Favourite Daughter
By Morgan Dick

Life, it can be challenging, whether you’re a therapist by profession or not. Favourite Daughter weaves plausible characters with wit and issues. Having watched (perhaps discovered it quite late), In Treatment, this book intrigued me and feels very real with a rather different take on family drama. Find out more in the blurb and the rest of my thoughts in the review.

Blurb

‘He left you some money.’

Mickey felt her mouth drop open. The first half of that sentence had rung clear and true. The second half had not. Her father was one to take, not give.

After he left them for his new family, Mickey resolved never to think of her father again. She’s fine without him; yes, she drinks, but only sometimes and, really, she can’t not.

But with only $181 to her name, she’s not above attending some mandated therapy to access her inheritance. She’ll kneel at the Kleenex alter and soon be bingeing Bridgerton with a bottle of Russian Standard, five million dollars richer.

Arlo has more issues than most of her clients. Being a therapist has not prepared her for grief. She adored her father – his laughter, his charm, the smell of his cologne. She thought he adored her, too, but now he’s given his inheritance to a daughter no one knows, and Arlo is at a loss.

Two sisters are unknowingly thrown together for the first time.

It’s crazy, it’s unethical.

It’s perfect.

Review

Meet Mickey, she’s resolved never to talk to her father again. Harsh? Maybe a little, but when you read her story, you can totally see why she’s taken this stance when you know the choice he’s decided to take. The further unfortunate thing is the impact of her decision hasn’t gone without its own consequences. Mickey chooses a combination of alcohol, Bridgerton and lots of Kleenex tissues. It’s quite the combo binge, enough perhaps for anyone to wonder if she had shares in them all.

Who is really interesting is Arlo, the therapist who is enlisted, but doesn’t know she’s stepping into the unethical territory because she doesn’t know who her new client really is. Arlo also shows that therapists are perhaps not super-human and they have their own issues in life. Arlo certainly has them in spades.

Favourite Daughter is an immersive family situation with an array of emotions to get caught up in.

Buy Links

Waterstones Amazon

*please note I’m not affiliated with any company.

#Review of The Age of Diagnosis by Suzanne O’Sullivan #SuzanneOSullivan @HodderBooks #Health #Wellbeing #MentalHealth #Diagnosis

The Age of Diagnosis
By Suzanne O’Sullivan

Review written by Louise Cannon

The Age of Diagnosis is a fascinating read on autism, ADHD, Huntingtons, Lyme Disease and more… Find out more in the blurb and my thoughts in my review below and more about the author, Suzanne O’Sullivan who is very qualified to speak about what is in the content of this book, she herself sounds an interesting person, so her bio is worth a read…

Blurb

THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER
A RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEK
A BEST BOOK OF 2025 IN THE TIMES, GUARDIAN, LONDON STANDARD, NEW STATESMAN AND IRISH TIMES

‘Covers so many topics that have been troubling me but I hadn’t been able to resolve myself – as a parent and a clinician. An absolutely absorbing read’ – CHRIS VAN TULLEKEN

‘A brilliant study of the dangers of overdiagnosis’ – GUARDIAN

‘Compassionate and bracingly independent thinking’ – THE TIMES

From autism to allergies, ADHD to long Covid, more people are being labelled with medical conditions than ever before. But can a diagnosis do us more harm than good?
The boundaries between sickness and health are being redrawn.

Mental health categories are shifting and expanding all the time, radically altering what we consider to be ‘normal’.

Genetic tests can now detect pathologies decades before people experience symptoms, and sometimes before they’re even born.

And increased health screening draws more and more people into believing they are unwell.

An accurate diagnosis can bring greater understanding and of course improved treatment. But many diagnoses aren’t as definitive as we think. And in some cases they risk turning healthy people into patients.

Drawing on the stories of real people, as well as decades of clinical practice and the latest medical research, Dr Suzanne O’Sullivan overturns long held assumptions and reframes how we think about illness and health.

*As heard on Good Morning Britain, Sky News, Radio 4 Today and more.*

Review

Dr. Suzanne O’Sullivan has written a fascinatingly balanced book that’s been incredibly well-researched to the point where she has gained real people’s permission to tell their stories of diagnosis, the impact that’s had on their lives, both negative and positive.

The book could have been dry, but its not, its very readable and also, rather importantly, easy to understand. It’s written with a mix of factual evidence and anecdotes from the people she interviewed in a clear, concise manner. At no point do you feel too bogged down with anything.

This is a book that is such a fascinating read and from someone who has all the relevant expertise and you really feel like you’re picking up information from someone highly knowledgeable from the work she does. She certainly puts a different perspective on things.

About the author

I am a London based neurologist who cares deeply about reducing the stigma of psychosomatic disorders and normalising the reality of the mind-body connection and the havoc it can wreak. I campaign for healthcare improvements and long to see time spent with medical professionals better resourced to improve diagnosis and patient satisfaction. Technology is great – but people make people feel better.

I was born in Dublin but am now London based as a specialist at the National Hospital for neurology and Neurosurgery. I longed to be a writer since I was a child but didn’t actually start writing until I hit my forties and decided I had to realise the dream or give it up. So I realised it! My first book, It’s All in your Head was inspired by how difficult it had been to watch my patients struggle with serious psychosomatic disability with each feeling they were alone. Knowing this was a difficult subject, I was really touched by how the book was received and was honoured to be awarded the Wellcome Book Prize for it. I have since written Brainstorm that teaches people about the brain through stories of people with epilepsy and The Sleeping Beauties about mass psychogenic illness.

Stories are powerful. I have been honoured to have been told many thousands of stories over my lifetime, first as a doctor and now as a writer. I continue to work as a full time doctor and continue to try to effect change through the stories I’m told. My latest obsession is with medical overdiagnosis which has seen me write the Age of Diagnosis which tells the brave and nuanced stories of some incredible people who have both benefitted from and struggled through all that modern diagnosis has to offer.

#Review by Lou of Best Summer Ever by Heidi Swain @Heidi_Swain @BookMinxSJV @TeamBATC #TeamBATC @simonschusterUK #Summer #SummerRead #BestSummerEver

Best Summer Ever
By Heidi Swain

Review written by Louise Cannon

Heidi Swain is celebrating 10 years being a published author, please join me in congratulating her in what is no mean feat. She’s published stand-alone books and 2 series over the years. She writes books that are primarily published for the summer and Christmas, each are feel-good, uplifting and pure escapism, whilst also tackling the challenges of individuals and society of the day.

Her latest is Best Summer Ever. I am incredibly surprised and proud that I have been quoted. Today, I am also very pleased to be returning to the community of Wynmouth on the blog tour.
Find out more in the blurb and my review below…

Blurb

Summer is in full swing when Daisy drives back into Wynmouth in her almost-clapped-out car, having left both her most recent job and the man her parents thought she was going to marry. Coming home could be just what she needs to move her life on.

At Wynbrook Manor, things are in disarray. Owner Algy isn’t getting any younger, and Daisy’s mum Janet, housekeeper at the manor, spends her days running around after him, while Daisy’s dad Robin, the gardener, has been let down by the person he had lined up to take care of the new cut-flower garden.

As Daisy tries to find her place at Wynbrook and in the village, she’s drawn to summer visitor Josh. But when he turns out to be not the person he appears to be, will the spark between them fizzle out? And with it, the chances of this turning into the best summer ever?

Review

Wynmouth is a community of people who I like very much to return to time and time again. There are always new people and new things to discover about it.

The opening lines instantly make you think of warm, summery days. Heidi Swain has a knack of placing you right there at the scene and making you feel everything. Whether you’ve had a great week or a week you’re pleased to see the end of, this book helps to ease the mind and take you to the warm, balmy carefree days of summer.

Daisy is looking to change her life and has returned to Wynmouth in the hope that this will help her to do so. There’s a realism in the carving out of the character Daisy that is relatable and other readers I am sure will find, either all or elements of relatability too. She’s never quite found her place in life, no matter what she does or how much she tries, whether its in employment or relationships. You get a sense of how challenging for the soul, life can be. Even at home, when she returns to Wynbrook Manor, she doesn’t slip in as she had hoped because there are many stressful factors occurring within her parents lives. It gives a real baseline of how trying to change life circumstances isn’t always as easy as you’d imagine.
Fortunately for Daisy, things do slowly turn around and you see her develop a sense of place and see old friends. It warms the heart as life begins to even out somewhat, until there’s more trouble. She meets Josh and there’s a spark, but there’s so much to find out about him that makes you wonder if things could go any further with this visitor because not all is what it seems, deep under the surface. It makes you wonder how it can be the best summer ever. You’ll need to read the book to find out.
The twists and turns of life appear compellingly well-written and immersive in Best Summer Ever.

Best Summer Ever lightens the heart with the warmth of sun, community and romance.

#Review By Lou of From Bucket List to Best Self by Shane O’Brien @ZooloosBT #ShaneOBrien #Bucketlist #BlogTour #BestSelf #BestLife #Selfhelp #Journey #Travel #NonFiction

From Bucket List to Best Self
By Shane O’Brien

Review written by Louise Cannon

I like a bucket list. I’ve been creating a bucket list before I even knew that’s what it was called from the age of 15, some 20 odd years ago. The list, which used to be 3 lists, have contained the impossible, one which I had potential opportunity of and now kicking myself as will never have it again, I don’t think and some the seemingly impossible, but somehow has miraculously happened and some the achievable or the maybe one day I’ll get there. It’s evolved over the years as some things have been ticked off, some revisited as opportunity as risen and some just knocked off and replaced with something else.
So, a book about bucket lists was up my street, although is quite different from what I was expecting, but it’s still a good book and such a worthwhile read. The fun thing is everyone’s list is different and this is a type of list that I wouldn’t think of at all.

Blurb

From Bucket List to Best Self

Happiness, fulfilment and contentment are not a destination, they’re a journey.

Age has no relevance in this book, except for the fact that I personally completed my original bucket list before the age of thirty.

I am not some hot-shot world adventurer who has travelled to over forty countries. I am a person who knows what he enjoys. I am not an influencer who takes photos for Instagram, but someone who wants to look back on his memories when he’s old and grey.

I conquered some fears, gained self-confidence and learned to rely on myself. I discovered how to accept adversity and overcome it. I travelled the world and had some amazing times.

It’s not about focusing on the end goal but enjoying the personal journey.

The bucket list never ends.

It doesn’t matter when you start, only that you have started it; and that you’re fully intentional about your personal journey.

Review

Bucket List to Best Self isn’t quite like your, perhaps more traditional bucket lists of where you want to visit, what you want to see and experience, perhaps, who you’d like to meet, what you’d like to eat that isn’t in your everyday consumption. This is about self-improvement, but not in some blaze way, although he is within the psychology profession, but that just adds interest.
It, interestingly pulls you into really concentrating on Maslow’s theory, which was interesting, perhaps because I studied this as part of a wider course that wasn’t psychology as a whole, but even so, he talks about self-actualisation, really getting to know yourself. Self-actualisation is at the top of a triangle, illustrated in the book, with basic needs at the base of the triangle. It covers everything a human-being needs to survive and thrive. The triangle and the way the book seems to centre around it does sharpen your senses and makes you focus on you for a bit to see if you’re needs are being met in each segment that’s mentioned.

What excited me was a part about resisting conformity. I just love this, perhaps because I’ve been doing this all my life, from such a young age, resisting total conformity and choosing not to be a “sheep” as the saying goes, not that I am totally perfect at this.

The other interesting part tackles, rather bravely, one of life’s biggest questions, about “life purpose”, such a big topic, which is looked at a bit, as well as creating a focus on the journey, not the goal, which flips things on its head a bit as possibly lots of people focus on the goal.

It covers some adventure as well as the what you need to know about creating a bucket list and for self-improvement, also mentioning finances for the places you may like to visit too.

There are sections in the book where you can write things down that have pointers to create focus and the sorts of values and things you may like to achieve. It’s a very well laid out book.

All in all, it’s a fascinating book and is a very different take on the bucket list. One which people may find some useful life hacks from and more…

Purchase Link: https://mybook.to/bucketlistbestself-zbt

About the Author

Shane O’Brien is four-time All-Ireland champion in two different sports, has a Masters in psychology, ten years experience in youth work. He is a property investor, entrepreneur, and avid traveller. He has been to nearly forty counties before the age of thirty. From Bucket List to Best Self is a captivating exploration of personal growth drawing on Shane’s academic background in psychology and his diverse life experiences. Through a blend of research, personal anecdotes, and travel adventures, Shane offers readers a fresh and inspiring take on how to transform their lives and achieve their full potential.

Shane’s ability to seamlessly weave together his academic knowledge with real-world experiences sets From Bucket List to Best Self apart as a truly unique and valuable contribution to the self-help genre. His passion for personal development and his engaging writing style makes this book a must-read for anyone seeking to embark on a journey of self-discovery and growth.

Social Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shane.obrien

Website: https://shaneobrienbooks.com/