Publication Day Review: The Haunting of Hattie Hastings, Part Three by Audrey Davis

The Haunting of Hattie Hastings, Part Three by Audrey Davis

Published: 30th July 2018

Pages: 101

Available on Kindle

Order now from Amazon

Rating: 5/5 

Blurb

Nothing lasts forever … Gary’s time on earth seems to be coming to an end. His visits are less frequent and his visibility is fading fast. But he still has a mission to accomplish, which involves Hattie and her ability to pass on a heart-rending message.

Best friend Cat’s ex-husband is determined to prove that he deserves another chance, but do leopards really change their spots?

Times are tough for Hattie’s mother Rachel, but where there’s life, there’s hope …

Meanwhile, is there someone already in Hattie’s life who can help her move on when it’s finally time to say goodbye?

Get your tissues at the ready – both for laughter and tears – with the final instalment of a trilogy that has been hailed ‘brilliant’, ‘hilarious’, and ‘a great feel-good read’.

Review

This is the final part of the Hattie Hastings story so if you haven’t read parts one and two yet I strongly suggest you so everything in this book makes sense to you.

Hattie’s husband Gary was killed in a road traffic accident but afterwards he didn’t disappear completely, after re-appearing several times to Hattie and her best fiend Cat. Gary’s been given a mission to help those he’s left behind, and in this part, he’s finally worked out what that mission is before he can rest in peace and he sends Hattie to Scotland to try and help him on his quest.

In this the final part of the story it was to say goodbye to Gary for good, something which I did find quite emotional, as I’ve grown to love his honest nature and obvious devotion to Hattie.

 Audrey Davis has done a fantastic job of giving each character a proper ending, something which can appear rushed and incomplete even in some longer books but has been done sympathetically and completely. I have loved reading the Hattie Hastings trilogy mostly because I love Audrey’s writing style of quick witted one-liners which has taken the issues of loss and grief and explored them in a sensitive way with humour that just works.

I really hope this gets made into a complete book as I’ve loved joining Hattie and Gary in their journey to everlasting peace, well Gary anyway. I’m really looking forward to what Ms. Davis’ writes next.

About the Author

Audrey Davis survived secondary school on the West coast of Scotland. Rubbish at science but not too bad at English, she originally wanted to be an actress but was persuaded that journalism was a safer option. Probably wise. She studied at Napier College in Edinburgh, the only place in Scotland at that time to offer a journalism course.

Her first foray into the hard-nosed newspaper world was as a junior reporter in Dumfriesshire. Duties included interviewing farmers about the prize-winning heifers to reporting on family tragedies. She persuaded her editor to let her launch an entertainment column which meant meeting the odd celebrity – or just the downright odd. From there, she moved to the loftier rank of senior reporter back in her home patch. Slightly more money, fewer farm animals but a higher crime rate. As Taggart would say: 'There's been a murrrrder!'

After a stint in London on a video magazine – yes, she is that old – Audrey moved to Singapore with her fiancé. She tried valiantly to embrace the stinking heat, humidity and lack of jobs, although she did work briefly on a magazine which was banned by the government for 'artistic' use of naked men's bottoms.

Next on her adventures was a land Down Under where her main focus was raising Cost Centre One (aka firstborn) and coming to terms with the imminent arrival of Number Two. Still, she loved the Aussie way of life – BBQs, beaches and bring your own booze to restaurants – so it came as a blow when OH announced a move back to the UK. Not a job between them, the climate a possible deal breaker and an Exorcist-style vomiting infant on the flight home didn't bode well …

Always a survivor, Audrey sought out similar-minded friends (i.e. slightly bonkers), got the children into a good school and thought about taking up writing again. Sadly, thinking about it was as far as she got, unless you count shopping lists. Then, hubby drops another bombshell. Switzerland. As in – it's packing time again. Off to the land of cheese, chocolate, scarily efficient trains and a couple of teeny, tiny issues. Like driving on the 'wrong' side of the road and speaking a foreign language (French). The former was conquered fairly quickly (we'll skip over the wall demolition in week two), the latter remains an ongoing battle of the hopeful against the hopeless. At least she provides amusement for the local workforce.
It wasn't until 2016 that Audrey rediscovered her writing mojo with an online Writing Fiction course. From there, her first novel – A Clean Sweep – was born, although it took a bit longer than nine months from conception. A short, darker prequel – A Clean Break – followed, and in November 2017 she published the first in a novella trilogy, The Haunting of Hattie Hastings Part One. Part Two is published on 21 March 2018, with the conclusion following in July. After which she might have a wee lie down …

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/audreydavisbooks

Twitter- https://twitter.com/audbyname

Purchase from Amazon UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Haunting-Hattie-Hastings-Part-Three-ebook/dp/B07DT2P5Q3

A Clean Sweep by Audrey Davis

A Clean Sweep by Audrey Davis

Published: June 2017

Pages: 314

Available in Paperback and on Kindle

Order now from Amazon

Rating: 5/5 

Blurb

A CLEAN SWEEP is a laugh-out-loud tale of love, lies and second chances.
Love comes around when you least expect it. Fifty-something widow Emily isn't expecting romance. Nor is she expecting a hunky twenty-something chimney sweep on her doorstep.
Daughter Tabitha knows something isn't quite right with her relationship, while her boss – Abba-loving Meryl – thinks she's found the real deal. Are they both right, or pursuing Mr Wrong?
Emily's sister, Celeste, has the perfect marriage … or does she? Can a fitness tracker lead her down the path to happiness or heartbreak?
Susan is single, overweight and resigned to a life of loneliness. There was the one who got away but you don't get another try, do you?
Prepare for a rollercoaster ride of emotions in a book that will grab your heart, make you smile and wish you had a chimney to sweep.

Review

A Clean Sweep is a heart warming tale centred around the relationships of five women. Emily the main character is a fifty-something widow who on the outside appears to be fine on her own after the death of husband Jim, but deep down she’s looks for something to put the sparkle back in her life. Along comes Joe a thirty-something hunk who comes to sweep her chimney (yes really) and the pair just seem it to hit off. But can they actually have a relationship?

Emily’s daughter Tabitha is staring to find fault with her long-term relationship with boyfriend Tom, can they put the magic back in their relationship or is it time to call it done. Tabitha’s boss Meryl is still searching for her hero, but has she finally found someone who’s perfect for her in tall dark and handsome Miroslaw? Susan is an over weight and lonely woman who is approaching 50, she still dreams about the love she once had with Jonathon. When theirs paths cross again is it second time lucky for this pair? Emily’s sister Celeste believes she has the perfect marriage to Michael, but when a fitness tracker leads her to a hasty conclusion can she fight to get her perfect marriage back on track.

All of these women are very ordinary and experience highs and lows in their lives which many of us can relate to. This along with Audrey Davis’ fabulous comedy writing this made for an addictive and very enjoyable read. I laughed all the way through this book and can highly recommend it if your looking for something which will leave you with a smile on your face.

Everything ties up well at the end, which was good but left me a little sad as I’d love a sequel with these characters as they’d begun to feel like friends.

Thank you so much to the author for sending me a copy to review honestly, which is what I have done.

About the Author

Audrey Davis survived secondary school on the West coast of Scotland. Rubbish at science but not too bad at English, she originally wanted to be an actress but was persuaded that journalism was a safer option. Probably wise. She studied at Napier College in Edinburgh, the only place in Scotland at that time to offer a journalism course.

Her first foray into the hard-nosed newspaper world was as a junior reporter in Dumfriesshire. Duties included interviewing farmers about the prize-winning heifers to reporting on family tragedies. She persuaded her editor to let her launch an entertainment column which meant meeting the odd celebrity – or just the downright odd. From there, she moved to the loftier rank of senior reporter back in her home patch. Slightly more money, less farm animals but a higher crime rate. As Taggart would say: 'There's been a murrrrder!'

After a stint in London on a video magazine – yes, she is that old – Audrey moved to Singapore with her fiancé. She tried valiantly to embrace the stinking heat, humidity and lack of jobs, although she did work briefly on a magazine which was banned by the government for 'artistic' use of naked men's bottoms.

Next on her adventures was a land Down Under where her main focus was raising Cost Centre One (aka firstborn) and coming to terms with the imminent arrival of Number Two. Still, she loved the Aussie way of life – BBQs, beaches and bring your own booze to restaurants – so it came as a blow when OH announced a move back to the UK. Not a job between them, the climate a possible deal breaker and an Exorcist-style vomiting infant on the flight home didn't bode well …

Always a survivor, Audrey sought out similar-minded friends (i.e. slightly bonkers), got the children into a good school and thought about taking up writing again. Sadly, thinking about it was as far as she got, unless you count shopping lists. Then, hubby drops another bombshell. Switzerland. As in – it's packing time again. Off to the land of cheese, chocolate, scarily efficient trains and a couple of teeny, tiny issues. Like driving on the 'wrong' side of the road and speaking a foreign language (French). The former was conquered fairly quickly (we'll skip over the wall demolition in week two), the latter remains an ongoing battle of the hopeful against the hopeless. At least she provides amusement for the local workforce.

It wasn't until 2016 that Audrey rediscovered her writing mojo with an online Writing Fiction course. From there, her first novel – A Clean Sweep – was born, although it took a bit longer than nine months from conception. A short, darker prequel – A Clean Break – followed, and in November 2017 she published the first in a novella trilogy, The Haunting of Hattie Hastings Part One. Part Two is published on 21 March 2018, with the conclusion following in May/June. After which she might have a wee lie down …

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/audreydavisbooks

Twitter- https://twitter.com/audbyname

Blog Tour Review: The Haunting of Hattie Hastings: Part Two by Audrey Davis

The Haunting of Hattie Hastings: Part Two by Audrey Davis

Published: 21st March 2018

Pages: 95

Available on Kindle 

Order now from Amazon

Rating: 4/5

Blurb

The story continues … Hattie is used to her deceased husband Gary dropping in and out of her life. His timing might not always be great, but at least he's still around. Although – when Hattie tentatively tries a spot of dating – his interference isn't entirely welcome.
Best friend Cat is lapping up her new relationship with teacher Jamie, but ex-husband Stewart isn't prepared to fade into the background.
Hattie's mother Rachel faces a daunting battle, one she doesn't want to burden family and friends with. But there's someone waiting in the wings who might be more than a shoulder to cry on.
Gary still doesn't know what his mission on earth is, and spirit guide Clarence isn't offering any clues? Will an encounter with another provide him with answers, or put Hattie in an impossible situation?
Prepare for more laughs and tears in the second instalment of a trilogy which takes a darkly comic look at life … and the afterlife.
Warning: Cliffhanger ending

Review

In this the second part of the Hattie Hasting’s trilogy Hattie is finally getting her life back together after the sudden death and re-appearance of husband Gary. She’s dipping her toe into the dating world again and gaining a lukewarm reception. The burden of Gary’s presence has been lifted now more people have “seen” him and her man problem seems to the secretive behaviour of her mother Rachel. Best friend Cat is loved up with new boyfriend and is trying her best to avoid ex-husband Stewart whose reappearance has left her more unsettled than Gary’s.

This is a good follow on too part one which I enjoyed reading last year. I do feel this book has a much more serious tone than the first book and I did miss Gary’s one-liner’s, which made the first book for me. Although he does have a couple of very funny incidents to help him get his point across, moving crisps packets anyone…

 The introduction of little Marty adds another dimension to the story which I really liked. As with the previous book we’re left with a cliff-hanger ending and I can’t wait to read it to find out how it all works out.

Thank you so much to Audrey Davis and Rachel Gilby for inviting me on the blog tour and sending me a copy to review.

About the Author

Audrey Davis survived secondary school on the West coast of Scotland. Rubbish at science but not too bad at English, she originally wanted to be an actress but was persuaded that journalism was a safer option. Probably wise. She studied at Napier College in Edinburgh, the only place in Scotland at that time to offer a journalism course.

Her first foray into the hard-nosed newspaper world was as a junior reporter in Dumfriesshire. Duties included interviewing farmers about the prize-winning heifers to reporting on family tragedies. She persuaded her editor to let her launch an entertainment column which meant meeting the odd celebrity – or just the downright odd. From there, she moved to the loftier rank of senior reporter back in her home patch. Slightly more money, less farm animals but a higher crime rate. As Taggart would say: 'There's been a murrrrder!'
After a stint in London on a video magazine – yes, she is that old – Audrey moved to Singapore with her fiancé. She tried valiantly to embrace the stinking heat, humidity and lack of jobs, although she did work briefly on a magazine which was banned by the government for 'artistic' use of naked men's bottoms.

Next on her adventures was a land Down Under where her main focus was raising Cost Centre One (aka firstborn) and coming to terms with the imminent arrival of Number Two. Still, she loved the Aussie way of life – BBQs, beaches and bring your own booze to restaurants – so it came as a blow when OH announced a move back to the UK. Not a job between them, the climate a possible deal breaker and an Exorcist-style vomiting infant on the flight home didn't bode well …

Always a survivor, Audrey sought out similar-minded friends (i.e. slightly bonkers), got the children into a good school and thought about taking up writing again. Sadly, thinking about it was as far as she got, unless you count shopping lists. Then, hubby drops another bombshell. Switzerland. As in – it's packing time again. Off to the land of cheese, chocolate, scarily efficient trains and a couple of teeny, tiny issues. Like driving on the 'wrong' side of the road and speaking a foreign language (French). The former was conquered fairly quickly (we'll skip over the wall demolition in week two), the latter remains an ongoing battle of the hopeful against the hopeless. At least she provides amusement for the local workforce.
It wasn't until 2016 that Audrey rediscovered her writing mojo with an online Writing Fiction course. From there, her first novel – A Clean Sweep – was born, although it took a bit longer than nine months from conception. A short, darker prequel – A Clean Break – followed, and in November 2017 she published the first in a novella trilogy, The Haunting of Hattie Hastings Part One. Part Two is published on 21 March 2018, with the conclusion following in May/June. After which she might have a wee lie down …

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/audreydavisbooks

Twitter- https://twitter.com/audbyname

Blog Tour Review: The Haunting of Hattie Hastings: Part One by Audrey Davis

The Haunting of Hattie Hastings: Part One by Audrey Davis

Published: 24th November 2017

Pages: 90

Available on Kindle

Order now from Amazon

Rating: 4/5

Blurb

Some people just won't take death lying down … ! (NB: cliffhanger ending).

Part one of a fun-filled trilogy about life, death and letting go.

Hattie Hastings is happily married, even if husband Gary drives her up the wall at times. When tragedy strikes, she is left alone and heartbroken, with only an assortment of family and friends to prop her up.

Struggling to cope, she is left reeling when her deceased other half returns, popping up at the most inappropriate times.

Hattie can't convince anyone that Gary has returned. Not even best friend Cat – now free from the cruel and controlling Stewart – will believe her.

Why has Gary returned? And what will Cat do when her slimy ex-husband tries to worm his way back into her affections?

The Haunting of Hattie Hastings will make you laugh, cry and count down until Part Two …

Review

The Haunting of Hattie Hastings part one is part of a three part novella written by Audrey Davis. Hattie has recently lost husband Gary after a car accidentally ran into him while he was taking out the dustbin. Just as Hattie is beginning to come to terms with Gary’s passing she begins to notice half-drunk glasses of whisky all-round the house, the drink Gary loved every night. Assuming its son Johnny Hattie thinks nothing of it until Gary appears to her and begins talking. Hattie’s totally thrown, especially as he disappears just as quickly and nobody else seems to believe her. 

There’s no doubting this is a funny read, Audrey Davis has excellent comedy timing which translates in to some great scenes. Gary is quite uncouth and doesn’t mince his words but I felt like he was a loveable rouge who just adored Hattie and for that reason I found myself warming to him. I felt we didn’t really get to know Hattie very much but I’m sure that will come in later parts.

I did feel there was a lot to take in such a short read with viewpoints from Hattie, Johnny, her best friend Cat, her mother Rachel and brother Jack and of course Gary. Some interesting plotlines have been laid down so I’m interested to see where this story goes with its next instalment, which I hope is on the way soon.

About Audrey Davis

Scottish-born Audrey studied journalism in Edinburgh more decades ago than she cares to admit. She cut her writing teeth on provincial newspapers (using a typewriter) and a London-based video magazine (another sign of her advanced years).

Engagement to her now-husband Bill took them to Singapore, Australia and Buckinghamshire, England, before they settled in Switzerland in 2002. Along the way they had two boys, both all grown-up and living in the UK.

Her journey to becoming a published author began with an online Writing Fiction course. It took well over a year but, in June 2017, Audrey published her debut romantic comedy novel, A Clean Sweep. It was quickly followed by a shorter and darker prequel, A Clean Break.

The idea for The Haunting of Hattie Hastings came from nowhere, just a random title that popped into her head and from there grew into Part One of a trilogy. It comes under the same genre, but has some poignant scenes and – hopefully – lots of laughs! Audrey admits to being a worrier, and has always used humour as a defence mechanism, as her friends will attest.

When Audrey isn’t writing, she loves shows like The Walking Dead, American Horror Story and Strictly Come Dancing (a strange mix, she knows). Her interests include cooking (and eating pretty much anything apart from oysters), travelling and going to the gym. OK, the last one is mainly to compensate for her passion for food!

Audrey would describe herself as a ‘pantser’ rather than a ‘planner’, preferring to run where a story takes her and scribble copious notes along the way. She’d love to write a page-turning thriller, but fears her natural tendency to see the comic side of life might be an obstacle.

​

Website - https://audinsuisse.wordpress.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/audreydavisbooks

Twitter - https://twitter.com/audbyname

Thank you to the publishers and Rachel Gilby for inviting me to be part of the blog tour and for sending me a copy to review.