It’s the weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeekennnnnnnnnnd! At last, time to turn the pace down a notch and reward yourself, after a busy week, with some quality reading time. You deserve it! 😉 It’s day 25 of #R3COMM3ND3D2021. I’m not entirely sure where November has gone but gone it has. December is on the horizon and the big question on everyone’s lips is ‘will the kids manage to get to 1st December before opening the first door on their advent calendar or will the pull of chocolate be too strong?’ 😂

Joining me today is a brilliant book blogger and now, also a brilliant author! I am delighted to welcome the fabulous Zoé O’Farrell to damppebbles today to talk all things #R3COMM3ND3D2021. Zoé published her debut novel Ouija earlier this year and it’s received some rave reviews on the ‘zon. You can find out more about Ouija further down this post. Zoé also blogs at Zooloo’s Book Diary so make sure you follow her if you don’t already!

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.

Here are the three books Zoé recommends…

It’s Not Never by Louise Gregory & N.G.K.
OMG this book broke me. I was reading this whilst I was at my daughter’s swimming lesson and thank god I had my face mask on to mask the tears. It is such a beautiful story of friends and their journey into Space. This a beautiful tale of love, forbidden love, family, friendships and all the bonds. I laughed, cried the ugly tears, and I lived in fear with all the characters.
Zoé’s Review of It’s Not Never

Blackhaven by Kyle M. Scott
This has EVERY thing I love in a good gory and gruesome read! It reminds me of Richard Laymon of old. It was action packed, there is no preamble and the action starts from the opening pages. I LOVED it!! This book is an absolute blast to read and the author really does NOT hold back!
Zoé’s Review of Blackhaven

The Last Thing to Burn by Will Dean
This book, well just WOW! It is a cold cold book. It is brutal and there is sense of complete hopelessness. It is a powerful story but a dark and heavy story. It is an unnerving, chilling, powerhouse of a book. It draws you in, short chapters to entice the need to keep reading. The need to set things right.
Zoé’s Review of The Last Thing to Burn

Thanks so much, Zoé. Three great choices. This is the third time The Last Thing to Burn has been chosen which means it’s now in first place! Can it hold onto it’s lead until #R3COMM3ND3D2021 finishes in a few weeks time? I can’t wait to find out!

About Ouija:

The only thing for certain is the deaths were no accident.

Rayner High School once a prestigious school stands in ruins after such a terrible event.

A year later, a group of friends return to the abandoned school and their nightmare begins.

Something wants to get out and won’t take NO for an answer…

Ouija is Book 2 in a new series brought to you by Question Mark Horror. For fans of Point Horror, Christopher Pike & Nicholas Pine.

| amazon.co.uk | amazon.com | Goodreads |

About Zoé O’Farrell:
Zoé O’Farrell grew up in Watford but left the town life to live by the sea down at the White Cliffs of Dover. She spends her days working with numbers before escaping in the evening to the world of words and movies. Her go-to relaxation is watching a scary movie or reading a terrifying book! She is a book blogger and tour organiser just to keep her extra busy. When she is not reading or writing, you can usually find her watching Watford FC or at a gig. Failing that she can be found rolling her eyes at her husband as he acts the same age as her spitfire of a Mini-Me whilst separating her two cats. Ouija is her debut novel.

Zoé’s Blog and Social Media Links:
| Zooloo’s Book Diary | Twitter @zooloo2008 | Facebook | Instagram @zooloosbookdiary |

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)