#Blogtour #review All The Colours In Between @evajordanwriter @urbanepub @thebookmagnet #win

I’m so delighted to be joining the blog tour today for All The Colours In Between by Eva Jordan – published on 19th October by Urbane Publications, and available from Amazon in the UK and US or direct from the publishers. The moment I spotted Eva’s first book, 183 Times a Year, I rather thought I’d enjoy her writing – so much so that I actually battled for a signed copy in a charity auction, only to leave it unread on my shelves (sorry, Eva!). But once again, I’m delighted to report that my instinct was right – I’ve gone straight in at this second book (and you can too…absolutely no reason why not) and found that her writing really was everything I wanted it to be.

It’s not a life, it’s an adventure!

Lizzie is fast approaching 50. Her once angst ridden teenage daughters, now grown and in their twenties, have flown the nest, Cassie to London and Maisy to Australia. And, although Connor, Lizzie’s sulky, surly teenage son, is now on his own tormented passage to adulthood, his quest to get there, for the most part, is a far quieter journey than that of his sisters. The hard years, Lizzie believes, are behind her. Only, things are never quite as black and white as they seem…

A visit to her daughter in London leaves Lizzie troubled. And that is just the start. Add to that an unexpected visitor, a disturbing phone call, a son acting suspiciously, a run in with her ex husband plus a new man in her life who quite simply takes her breath away; Lizzie quickly realises life is something that happens while plans are being made.

Gritty but tender, thought provoking but light-hearted, dark but brilliantly funny, this is a story of contemporary family life in all its 21st century glory. A story of mothers and sons, of fathers and daughters, of brothers and sisters, and friends. A tale of love and loss, of friendships and betrayals, and coming of age. Nobody said it would be easy and as Lizzie knows only too well, life is never straightforward when you see all the colours in between.

I just love a book that can take you to emotional extremes – you’ll laugh a lot, you’ll feel deeply for several members of this wonderful family at different times and in different ways. And at other times you will cry – and although “emotional” might perhaps have become my middle name recently, the way this book and its writer handles grief is quite exceptional. I was so caught up with the characters – Lizzie “approaching 50” was obviously closest to home for me, but every single character is drawn with a wonderful depth of detail, whether a difficult teen, a troubled young woman or a friend having problems of their own.

From its prologue full of kaleidoscopic colour, I loved everything about this book. The first person narration – whether it’s Lizzie, son Connor, daughter Cassie – works just perfectly, and allows you to climb inside the skins of the characters. I’m in absolute awe of how well the author writes in the “voice” of Connor – I’m no expert, but I thought it was just flawless. This is a family of real people living their lives on the page… and I might have missed out on reading the first book, but I’m ready now to put my name down for the next one. One I’d recommend to others? Absolutely!

Giveaway

Fancy winning a copy? With thanks to Eva, Urbane Publications and tour organiser Michelle Ryles (The Book Magnet), there are 2 signed paperbacks and 2 kindle ebooks of All The Colours In Between to be won (UK only). Here’s the rafflecopter for entry:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My thanks to Urbane Publications and netgalley for my advance reading e-copy, and to Michelle Ryles and the author for inviting me to be part of the tour. Here are the other stops for you to follow:

About the author

Eva Jordan, born in Kent but living most of her life in a small Cambridgeshire town, describes herself as a lover of words, books, travel and chocolate. She is also partial to the odd glass or two of wine. Providing her with some of the inspiration for her novels, Eva is both a mum and step mum to four grown-up children. Her career has been varied including working within the library service and at a women’s refuge. She writes a monthly column for a local magazine and currently works as a volunteer for a charity based organisation that teaches adults to read. However, storytelling through the art of writing is her passion. All The Colours In Between is Eva’s second novel.

If you want to know more you can find Eva at all the usual places. She loves to hear from readers and reviewers so please feel free to contact her.

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