Book Review: Envy by J D Groom

Fortunately, I have never been in an abusive relationship but wanting to understanding them leaves me fascinated. There is a grip to watching shows or films about it, like a thriller. You know the person is in danger and you on the edge of your seat, wanting them to get out but knowing its not straight forward. 

Shows I have enjoyed for this reason are:

Big Little Lies (2017)

I watched this because of the big names in it. The character played by Nicole Kidman is done incredibly well. I believe it was based on a book.

Dirty John (2018)

This series is based on a true story of one of John Meehan’s victims. There is also a documentary about the many victims of John Meehan.

You (2018)

I partly loved this series because it has a writer in it but that’s not what makes it compelling to watch.  That would be the tension of the show told from the viewpoint of the stalker, come murdering boyfriend.

Envy by J D Groom

If you loved the above shows, then you are bound to love Envy by J D Groom. It is a a short story available on Amazon for Kindle.

 Here is the blurb:


Kate had it all; a job she excelled at, friends, family and an apartment to call her own. Then she fell for her boss.

Finding herself stuck in his web, will she continue to live under his rule and be lost forever? Sometimes help can come from the most unexpected of places.

Blurb from Envy by J D Groom


What is it about?


If you haven’t figured it out yet, the story is about a main character trapped in a toxic relationship. Jodie doesn’t glamorise the situation by making it romantic or dramatise it with extreme scenes. She slowly builds the danger with all the control from the spouse, his sudden mood swings and unpredictability, the repressed freedom where the MC’s every move is tracked.


You get sucked into the dark tension and when the MC, Kate, has an opportunity to escape you feel her fear, her hesitation and you’re right there encouraging her to go but know the odds are stacked against her. Will her plan work, can she reach safety? Well… you’ll have to read to find out.


Would I recommend it?


100% Yes! This is a short story that packs a punch. If you want a quick read, then this short pacey page turner is for you.




What to watch if you love mermaids!

Someone said that they can see my novel Jewel Of The Sea as a series on Netflix. That really would be a dream come true. I have so many ideas for the world I have created, I am sure I could come up with more stories.

On that note, I thought I would share with you my favourite TV Series that are about mermaids.

Mako Mermaids (2013)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhSHwuEKDwU

This is the story of three mermaids that are banished due to an incident with a human boy. They have to adapt to life on land whilst tracking the dangerous merman before he discovers the trident.

The Australian shows off the beauitful country with a funny and entertaining show that you can watch with a little one around.

H20: Just Add Water (2006)

https://youtu.be/wqHED34TcwU

Three girls are transformed into mermaids when they visit the mysterious Mako Island. I like that they each have powers as well as the ability to shift.

When I was pregant I got emotional seeing Phoebe Tonkin and Claire Holt as young actresses in a series together because I am a fan of the Originals and they are in there together. It was sweet to think they have been friends from childhood to the present day.

Siren (2018)

https://youtu.be/sExa3DGy7N4

If you want somethings a lot more edgier, check out Siren. The story is about the fishermen over fishing and causing the Sirens to have to venture further to get food. It results in one getting caught. Her sister then comes to land to find her but although she may appear human, she is anything but.

Tidelands (2018)

https://youtu.be/MhsjoQLKaiY

The main character is shrouded in mystery. She returns to her hometown where her family (especially her mum) don’t really welcome her back. She then gets involved with a group that are half-sire, half-human and starts to uncover the secrets around her life.

Bubble Guppies (2011)

https://youtu.be/UVFA1k7K5rY

This is a sweet cartoon about the guppies which are mermaids and mermen going to school under the sea. It is for young children so you can enjoy it with the kids.

Any more…

I really do love mermaids. If you know of any more shows that I might love please let me know and I would love to hear your thoughts on the above shows if you have watched them too.

If you like this, you may enjoy:

Happy #LittleMermaidDay – Check out these mermaid beauty products!

What to watch if you love superpowers!

Sample chapter from Drift

  if_twitter-01-01_3066980  if_instagram-01-01_3066990  if_youtube-01-01_3066976  if_g-01-01_3066962

Ally plus text

What to watch if you love superpowers!

This month, I’ve got so many seasons on the go that I haven’t managed to finish watching any of them!  Most are new out so I’m waiting for episodes to be released – Aghh!

So, instead, I thought I would share with you some of my favourites TV shows with superpowers.

Misfits – Series

https://youtu.be/VsBYXLYNZlE

Genre:  Comedy

This TV series follows a group of young adults that are completing their community service as punishment for crimes.  They are hit by a storm that alters their bodies to have super abilities.  This leads to some funny moments and an original story line.

It’s a similar crude humour to Imbetweeners. If you enjoyed that, you’ll also love those. One of the main characters is played by Robert Sheehan who has a gorgeous head of dark curls.

Heroes – series

https://youtu.be/9AX6aXFdTkc

Genre:  Fantasy/Sci-Fi Drama

You must have heard of this one! There are a range of diverse characters and abilities and I love how they have integrated the powers into everyday life. The main story follows cheerleader, Claire Bennet, bringing all the characters together through various storylines.

One of my favourite powers is the main villian, Skylar. I loved how his ability was linked to his profession as a clock maker but they didn’t give him an obvious power connected to his trade like time manipulation. I also loved when Tracy Straus turns someone to ice and then they shatter. Ali Larter is one of my favourite actresses and she got to play a few characters in this series.

Gifted – series (Marvel)

https://youtu.be/B949SbPXGyw

Genre:  Fantasy/Sci-Fi Drama

This show is set in a world where superpowers are feared. Anyone with a power needs to be monitored and often find themselves punished for their abilities. Naturally, power groups get together to protect each other and hide from the authorities.

The show follows a family where the dad is employed to capture ‘gifted’ people who go to trial and then prison. His children discover they have powers and now they are wanted. The dad turns against the law and seeks the help from a rebel group to escape, in return he offers them inside information.

To me the show explores how we are all unique and people fear what they don’t understand. It’s told as a fantasy story but in some parts of the world people are really ostracised for being different.

Runaways (Marvel)

https://youtu.be/plyJQG-nRN0

Genre: Fantasy/Sci-Fi Drama

This show is about a group of teens that hang out because their parents are friends. Whilst hanging out, they uncover a sinister dark side to their parent’s relationships that suggest they are in a cult that sacrifices people! During the series the teens not only discover more about their parent’s secrets but also about their own hidden super abilities.

This TV series has a real comic book feel – there is even a dinosaur!

Alphas – series

https://youtu.be/ig_LfnyN7Es

Genre: Fantasy/Sci-Fi Drama

This series is about a group of colleagues that have super abilities. They work together to capture criminals that have used their powers to break the law, that a regular human officer would be unable to handle without being in danger.

One of the delightful things about this series is how ordinary some of the characters are. For example, Gary Bell is an agent but has autism. It is great to see an employer (although fictional), showing how the work environment is adaptable to enable this young man to be part of the work force and bring his valuable assets to the team. If this was seen in more TV shows, I think it would enable more employers to realise the possibilities.

Many more…

There are many more TV series with superpowers in and I’ll probably kick myself later when I remember one I should have included.

I had wanted to include a TV Show from when I was a kid (decades ago). I think it was called Ali Mac but I can’t remember. It was about a school girl that during a road accident with a truck got coated in a toxic chemical that then granted her the ability to turn into liquid. If you know the show, please let me know what it is called?

The main contributor to this collection is Marvel – they love super powers. Here are more shows by Marvel:

  • Jessica Jones
  • Daredevil
  • Luke Cage
  • Iron Fist
  • Agents of Shields

If there’s a show you think I’d love, please do recommend.

  if_twitter-01-01_3066980  if_instagram-01-01_3066990  if_youtube-01-01_3066976  if_g-01-01_3066962

Ally plus text