Hello you and welcome to damppebbles. It’s day 11 of #R3COMM3ND3D2021 and it’s the weekend. Things are already looking up, right? So let’s add something else to the mix to make it a truly special day. Not only am I delighted to welcome brilliant author Rachel Sargeant to share the #R3COMM3ND3D book love with us but today also marks the publication of Everyday Kindness. Everyday Kindness is a collection of short, fictional stories of kindness written by some of today’s very best writers and edited by L.J. Ross. Rachel has a story featured in the anthology and all proceeds from the sale of the book go to Shelter, a charity that helps millions of people a year struggling with bad housing or homelessness. Click the link above to purchase a copy and help support a brilliant charity.

Rachel Sargeant is also the author of The Perfect Neighbours, The Good Teacher, The Roommates and Gallipoli: Year of Love and Duty and I am delighted to have her join me today to share three of her top reads published in 2021.

So, what is #R3COMM3ND3D2021? It’s about sharing the book love. It’s a chance for authors, book bloggers and bookstagrammers to shout about three (yes, *only* three) books they love. They can be written by any author, in any genre and published in any way (traditionally, indie press or self-published). But there is a catch. All three books must have been published in 2021. To make things interesting there are a couple of teeny, tiny rules; 1) the book must have FIRST been published in 2021 and 2) special editions and reissues do not count. I like to keep you lovely people on your toes 😉

As this is the fifth year of #R3C, things are going to be a smidge different this year. There’s a scary deadline involved *shudder*. The #R3COMM3ND3D application form will only be open until midday (GMT) on Wednesday 1st December. If you would like to take part in #R3C this year (and I would LOVE you to!) then please get your three choices in sooner rather than later. Any posts scheduled for later in December will be brought forward and I will close the series early if I’m not able to fill all of the available dates. The form is at the bottom of this post if you fancy taking part.

Let’s find out which three books Rachel recommends…

The Burning Girls by C.J. Tudor
I never thought I’d read something classed as ‘Horror’ – way too much blood and silliness, I thought. But I took a chance on this one and it was terrific. As well as the mounting creepiness and gore, there was a stunning plot that featured two rounded, engaging protagonists.
Rachel’s Review of The Burning Girls

Last One at the Party by Bethany Clift
My interest in dystopian novels took a bit of a hit last year. (Wonder why?) But one author managed to publish a virus novel in February 2021 that actually made me laugh. The premise is that the last survivor of a deadly plague is a woman who channels her inner Bridget Jones rather than Lara Croft. It’s worth having a read and a chuckle even during a worldwide crisis.
Rachel’s Review of Last One at the Party

56 Days by Catherine Ryan Howard
This is a well-plotted thriller set against the backdrop of the pandemic in Ireland. It is so much more than a nod to modern times where characters socially distance and gad about in masks. The international situation is integral to the plot. The two protagonists make the fateful decision to move in together when the first lockdown is announced and set in motion a devastating chain of events.
Rachel’s Review of 56 Days

Sold! Although, to be honest, I’ve read The Burning Girls already (and I loved it!) but the other two are definitely going on the wish list. They both sound so good!

About Everyday Kindness:
Everyday Kindness is a charity anthology of short, fictional stories of kindness, edited by LJ Ross. These uplifting tales of hope and of small, everyday kindnesses are intended to support wider, positive mental health goals and foster wellbeing through the act of reading tales of goodwill inspired by others. Featuring authors across the spectrum of literature, some international bestsellers and award-winning writers amongst them, this is a unique collection of words.

All proceeds from the book will be donated to Shelter, a charity that helps millions of people a year struggling with bad housing or homelessness.

Authors include: LJ Ross, Adam Hamdy, Alex Smith, Alexander Gordon Smith, Alison Stockham, Anne O’Leary, Barbara Copperthwaite, J.D. Kirk, C.L. Taylor, Caroline Mitchell, Chris McDonald, C.K. McDonnell, Claire Sheehy, Clare Flynn, Darren O’Sullivan, David Leadbeater, Debbie Young, Deborah Carr, Emma Robinson, Graham Brack, Hannah Lynn, Heather Martin, Holly Martin, Ian Sainsbury, Imogen Clark, James Gilbert, Jane Corry, Jean Gill, J.J. Marsh, Judith O’Reilly, Kelly Clayton, Kim Nash, Leah Mercer, Liz Fenwick, Louise Beech, Louise Jensen, Louise Mumford, Malcolm Hollingdrake, Marcia Woolf, Mark Stay, Marcie Steele, Natasha Bache, Nick Jackson, Nick Quantrill, Nicky Black, Patricia Gibney, Rachel Sargeant, Rob Parker, Rob Scragg, S.E. Lynes, Shelley Day, Casey Kelleher, Sophie Hannah, Victoria Connelly, Victoria Cooke, Will Dean.

| amazon.co.uk | Waterstones | Foyles | Book Depository | bookshop.org |

About Rachel Sargeant:
I grew up in Lincolnshire, taught English in Germany and now live in Gloucestershire with my husband, our children having flown the nest. I’m the author of three books published by HarperCollins: The Perfect Neighbours, a psychological thriller set in Germany; The Good Teacher, a police whodunit; and The Roommates, a suspense mystery set at a university during freshers’ week and inspired by my return to uni for a research degree. Alongside my studies this year, I’ve been pleased to contribute a story to Everyday Kindness: A collection of uplifting tales to brighten your day, edited by bestselling writer L.J. Ross with all proceeds going to Shelter. I am book mad and love discovering authors I haven’t read before.

Rachel’s Website and Social Media Links:
| Website | Twitter @RachelSargeant3 | Facebook | BookBub |

If you’re a book blogger, bookstagrammer or an author and you have three books published this year which you want to shout about then please complete the following form (or click this link: https://forms.gle/pHinvKCHGP89wumn9)