I read The Beastly Trees by Sam Logue as a read and review book from Endeavour Media.
I liked it pretty well. I enjoy supernatural or paranormal thrillers that are kind of creepy but not too creepy.
About: "A small boy vanishes while on a visit to a park in Blackthorn with his family. The park is edged by a forest with strange trees that look like menacing beasts. Bizarrely, some also look a bit like several other missing children.
The family of Paul Gold, one of two identical twin boys, are distraught as his disappearance blights their lives. His younger sister Katie claims Paul visits her, but isn’t certain if what she sees is a ghost, or something else.
Years later Katie falls in love with a handsome, wealthy boy named Julian Bloomfield. Julian was in the park the day Paul went missing. Why did Julian’s nanny lie about calling the police the day Paul disappeared? What is the mysterious mark that some of the islanders, including Katie and Julian’s mother, bear? Why do figures in Julian’s paintings vanish and then reappear? Was Paul simply abducted and could he still be alive on the island?
These questions demand answers and Sam Logue’s supernatural thriller,
The Beastly Trees takes readers on the relentless pursuit for the truth. "
The story grabbed my attention right away as Paul, a child with a medical condition, wanders away with another boy and never returns. Part of the story involves what the unexplained loss of Paul does to his family. Part of the story involves the island and some of the people on the island that all share a mysterious Mark and ability. Some are sinister, some have made a conscious decision not to use that ability. The story covers many years, as Paul's siblings grow up, and his mother Victoria's sightings of Paul. Could he still be alive nearby? Flowers that bloom in the snow, a painting that shows Paul in it, then it doesn't. Will anyone ever find out what happened to Paul? What strange secret the people with the Mark have? I think this would be appropriate for YA also. It has the feeling of the television shows Wayward Pines and Stranger Things. The "stuff" going on is pretty strange but you can't put it down. It was a quick engrossing read.
I have read a few "read and review" books for Endeavour Media and have purchase a couple on my own. I have liked them all. You may want to check out their website and see what you think.
About:
"If the role of the publisher is to connect the world with stories, Endeavour Media exists to connect the stories of the past with the present. We’re just doing things a little differently.
We’re young, we’re creative and we’re dynamic, which means that we’re not afraid of disruption. We use technology to explore and innovate in the digital space, bringing timeless stories to new audiences. When technology advances, behaviour changes, and we have a responsibility to our authors and our readers to meet that change. A book is a book is a book, regardless of the medium.
Digital-first means that, when it comes to the publishing process, we combine the high-standards of traditional publishing with the power of digital influence: supporting our authors; meticulously editing every manuscript; carefully designing every cover; and marketing and promoting every book to its full potential across digital platforms. Being digital-first is not a stance against the paperback, which is why we have our growing print imprint Endeavour Quill. This marriage of two worlds is what we believe makes for successful publishing.
There is room for innovation in publishing and it’s our mission to fill that space.
We love our authors, we love our readers and we love what we do: independent publishing, the way it should be."
They have 12 genres of books to choose from; 3000 books by 800 authors. They have a Book of the Month. For instance, this month's book is The House on the Cliff by D.E. Stevenson.
About: " This enchanting romantic story tells the tale of Elfrida Jane, a small-part actress who moves from the glamour of the theatre world to her mother’s remote house in Devon. At first Elfrida finds her new secluded home lonely and bleak, but then some unexpected visitors arrive from the world of the theatre – a world Elfrida thought she had left behind forever…"
About D. E. Stevenson
"D. E. Stevenson (1892-1973), Dorothy Emily Peploe (married name) was a Scottish author of more than 40 light romantic novels. Her father was the lighthouse engineer David Alan Stevenson, first cousin to the author Robert Louis Stevenson.
2009 saw a renewed interest in Stevenson's books with the reissue of two of her most popular novels, Mrs. Tim of the Regiment (from Bloomsbury) and Miss Buncle's Book (from Persephone Books). The sequel, Miss Buncle Married, was reissued by Persephone in 2011."
I think that's pretty interesting and I always liked stories about houses on cliffs in England. I don't really read romances but may read this one. Reminds me of some of the books I read many years ago. As I said, there are 11 other genres to choose from.
Here is their website:
http://www.endeavourmedia.co.uk/
I received a free copy of the book and voluntarily posted a review.