Book Giveaway: The Napoleon of Africa by Phil Smart

My March 2026 giveaway is for a paperback copy of The Napoleon of Africa.

Click on the title below to read my review. 

The Napoleon of Africa by Phil Smart Giveaway

Blurb:

The year is 1815. With Europe reeling from Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo, Royal Navy Commander Stephen Cowen resigns his commission, bound for a new life in India with his family. But fate has other plans in store.

When a violent storm strikes off the coast of East Africa, Cowen’s three children – Nathaniel, Andrew, and Beatrice – are swept overboard in a longboat and cast ashore in an uncharted world. Lost and presumed dead, they are discovered by a local tribe and brought before the newly appointed Chief of the Zulus – the formidable Shaka – to decide their fate.
Fascinated by these young strangers, Shaka spares their lives. Amid tribal warfare and political unrest, the Cowen siblings are drawn into Shaka’s inner circle, forced to confront the brutal realities of their new world while holding onto the hope of being reunited with their parents. Several years later, British explorer, Lieutenant Francis Farewell RNR, ventures into the African interior in search of a rumoured warrior king, he unexpectedly stumbles upon a prize of infinitesimal value.

Spanning continents and cultures, The Napoleon of Africa by Phil Smart is a gripping historical adventure story of survival, identity and entwining the lives of the Cowen family with one of Africa’s most legendary leaders.

GIVEAWAY

Enter here to win a paperback copy of The Napoleon of Africa. The giveaway is open to Australian addresses only and entries close at 6pm AEDT on 12th March 2026.

If you can not see the giveaway form click HERE

Review: Harriet Hates Lemonade by Kim McCollum

Harriet Hates Lemonade is an entertaining story that expresses the importance of friendship. In the same vein as A Man Called Ove the curmudgeon Harriet learns that life is better when you loosen up and share it with friends.

Harriet has been widowed for over a year now. It had always been just her and Les. They only ever needed each other and Harriet has spent the last 12 months upholding Les' ideals of keeping the neighbourhood in check and reporting anyone who steps out of line.

Through Harriet's memories we see how her life was with Les and slowly Harriet comes to realise all was not as rosy as she thought.

I really liked Harriet's character. She was all bluster and lacking in tact, saying exactly what she thought. Many readers may not like Harriet's abrupt manner but I knew she didn't mean to offend, she was just stating facts and I found it all very amusing.

Harriet Hates Lemonade is an easy read even with the heavy themes of domestic violence, gaslighting, manipulation and control. These themes are offset by lighter themes of friendship, community and personal growth.

The story starts off with humour and I was taken unaware as it slowly escalates to scenes of domestic violence and then turns to a heartwarming story of new friendships.

Harriet Hates Lemonade is at times funny, foreboding and always heartfelt. I picked up the book every spare minute I had.

My rating 4 / 5 

Content: domestic violence

               murder

Publisher: Black Rose Writing

Publication date: 12th February 2026

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Pages: 330

Source: eCopy courtesy of the publisher

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#harriethateslemonade #wowwomenonwriting #kimmccollum #contemporaryfiction #blogtour #ausbookbloggers 

Review: Piper at the Gates of Dusk by Patrick Ness

 Piper at the Gates of Dusk is a return to Patrick Ness' iconic world of Chaos Walking.

If you have read the Chaos Walking trilogy; The Knife of Never Letting Go, The Ask and the Answer and Monsters of Men, you will know the how and why the humans have inhabited this new world. If, like me, you haven't read the previous books you will have a lot of questions and be chomping at the bit to read the previous three books.

Piper at the Gates of Dusk takes place twenty odd years on from the Chaos Walking books. Viola and Todd are still very much around and part of the community but this series is about their sons, Ben and Max, and is narrated in the alternating point of view of the two boys.

Strange things are seen far off in the sky and burning monsters have appeared in the forests. A new threat is coming! The humans and lands live together but all is not harmonious as suspicion and racism abound.

Piper at the Gates of Dusk is rich in action, intrigue and politics. There is a desperate attempt to save the only world they now have and the only world the young people have ever known.

Patrick Ness has a sharp eye for teenage fears and hopes. His teen-aged protagonists struggle to be heard over overbearing adults who brush them off as too young to have valid solutions to the problems presented.

I raced through this book with its never ending action and intrigue.

With themes of activism, social justice, racism, disability and gender dysphoria Piper at the Gates of Dusk is a book for our times.

The book ends on a super cliffhanger that has me eager for the next book.

I absolutely have to read the previous trilogy as I have a multitude of questions. Did humans invade the New World? Were the Land indigenous to the planet? Did they start out working together, or was there always animosity? Did the humans learn nothing from the history of the Earth!!??

My rating 4.5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

Recommended age:12 - 18 years (quite suitable for the younger end of this age group)

Publisher: Walker Books

Publication date: 7th April 2026

Series: New World Trilogy #1

Genre: Young Adult / Sci Fi / Dystopian

Pages: 384

RRP: $29.99AU (paperback)

Source: ARC courtesy of the publisher

Review: Stillwater by Tanya Scott

As soon as I read the prologue of Stillwater I was completely hooked into the mystery. 

Tania Scott asks the question in Stillwater; "Can you ever outrun your past?"

Luke Harris is working for a disability support company and gets a call for home help with the Wylie family. Here he meets Emma, sister of Phil who Luke is working with. 

Luke has a self-imposed solitude but he clicks with Emma and they start seeing each other.

Luke and Emma both have stuff  going on behind the scenes and Tanya Scott shows through their interactions that non-one really knows what's going on for you or how your past defines you.

The story goes back in time to different parts of Luke's childhood living with his gambling, lying, cheating father and how he was neglected and abused. Luke learnt from an early age to rely on no one but himself. The mob picked him up and looked after him, for a price. There was no escape.

Stillwater is a harrowing story of being brought up by the mob and trying to build a better life, but trouble always seemed to find Luke. Scott builds empathy for her main character. We get to see his upbringing and want him to succeed.

Stillwater is a gritty story of criminal bosses, paranoia , manipulation and coercion.

Fast-paced and addictive, Stillwater is a powerful debut that I couldn't put down until I'd finished the last page. I'm excited for the next Luke Harris novel coming out in April 2027.

Content: child abuse

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication date: 12th August 2025

Series: Luke Harris Thriller #1

Genre: Crime / Thriller

Pages: 375

Source: Own copy

Review: Gunpowder Creek by Alex Dook

Alex Dook's debut novel Gunpowder Creek is a fabulously entertaining read.

Gritty and action packed there is never a dull moment in this high octane crime thriller. 

Emily receives a garbled voicemail from her son Zach about someone coming after him. She races to his flat to find it trashed but empty.

Zach has been mixed up with the wrong people but when his latest job goes terribly wrong he finds himself held captive and his mother must complete the job or Zach will die.

Emily can't believe what she is doing, driving a stolen car to make a delivery to the remote town of Gunpowder Creek. She has three days to deliver or Zach will be killed. She will do anything for her only son.

What ensues is a race across the Australian desert where Emily's every move, every word is being monitored, but there is someone else who wants that package and they will stop at nothing to find Emily.

Alex Dook takes an everyday person and puts them in dire life or death situations showing how a mother's love transcends fear and pain. Emily is like a mother bear fighting off anyone who endangers her child.

I was stunned at how far Emily was pushed however, glimpses of her backstory shows she had a harsh upbringing. She was no quitter. Even though you will need to suspend your disbelief a little I found the descriptions of the punishing outback and Emily's desperation all felt real.

I liked how Dook had Emily fighting against the worst of humankind however when it came down to it she never lost her empathy.

Lots of dark humour had me laughing at times and were a welcome relief from the blood and gore.

Gunpowder Creek is an impressive debut. I raced through it. I'm now very excited to see what Alex Dook comes up with next.

My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Publisher: Echo Publishing

Publication date: 2nd September 2025

Genre: Crime / Thriller

Pages: 320

RRP: $32.99AU (trade paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

#gunpowdercreek #alexdook #debut #crime #thriller #ausbookbloggers 

Review: A Slowly Dying Cause by Elizabeth George

I really should do more research before requesting review books that are in a series.

A Slowly Dying Cause is book #22 in the Inspector Lynley series.

" The Inspector Lynley Mysteries series was developed for television by the BBC and ran for six seasons from 2001 to 2007. Britbox announced a reboot of the series to air in 2025."

When the body of Michael Lobb is discovered in his family's workshop police are called in to investigate. As the investigation continues the number of likely suspects increases.

I loved how Elizabeth George delved deeply into each character's life, making the story more about the characters and their nuances than the mystery itself. There seemed to be a theme around men's sexual fantasies and older men lusting after much younger women.

I found A Slowly Dying Cause to be a complex and satisfying read. It's a large book at over 600 pages and the intriguing mystery kept me entertained throughout.

A Slowly Dying Cause is a story about manipulation and deceit , infidelity and desire, and the family ties that bind us.

If you are already a Lynley fan you will not be disappointed with this new mystery however this book is not a good place to start even though the murder case is solved during the novel the focus on the characters' lives and their shared histories left me lost at times.

I enjoyed this enough to find some previous novels in the series to catch up on the characters.

My rating reflects on the fact I didn't know Lynley's and Haver's backstories and I found it hard to connect.

My rating 3 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐

Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia

Publication date: 16th September 2025

Genre: Crime / Mystery

Series: Inspector Lynley #22

Pages: 643

RRP: $34.99AU (trade paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

#inspectorlynley #aslowlydyingcause #elizabethgeorge #murdermystery #crime

Review: No Dancing in the Lift by Mandy Sayer

 With No Dancing in the Lift Mandy Sayer has written a raw, honest and compassionate ode to her late father Gerry Sayer.

Written like a love letter to her father No Dancing in the Lift reflects on the last few months of Gerry Sayer's life when Mandy became his sole carer.

Mandy Sayer's writing is very open and conversational. The story flows effortlessly making it an easy read.

Mandy shares her grief and memories of growing up with a father who was often absent; however their time together built lasting happy memories.

There are lots of fun moments as Mandy recalls many of her father's antics and some dubious fatherly outings. I can see life with him was never boring as we learn how her father's influence shaped the person she is today.

Their bohemian lifestyle as Mandy was growing up was a real eye opener for me and I appreciate the deep love she had for her father despite his failings.

I liked the honest and open way Mandy includes details of her dysfunctional and complicated family.

There is much to learn from Mandy's take on her experiences. Many would have looked back on this life and seen only disaster and neglect however Mandy is a glass-half-full woman and I really enjoyed her outlook on her unusual upbringing. 

If you like to read memoirs No Dancing in the Lift is one I would highly recommend.

My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

Publisher: Transit Lounge Publishing

Publication date: 1st September 2025

Genre: Memoir

Pages: 240

RRP: $32.99AU (trade paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher via Quikmark Media

#nodancinginthelift #mandysayer #memoir #australianauthor #ausbookbloggers