Wednesday 30 April 2014

Review - The Edge of Sanity by Sheryl Browne


Flipping heck! Who’d have thought Sheryl Brown had thoughts like this!

About the book

How far would YOU go to protect your family?


A decent, ordinary man, a man who has already suffered the loss of one child, Daniel Conner is forced by extraordinary circumstances into being a hero. Tortured, forcibly drugged—heroin still pulsating nauseatingly through his veins—his wife and daughter degraded, Daniel knows their kidnapper is beyond reasoning with.But does being pushed one step beyond endurance justify doing the unthinkable?

High on drugs, indebted to his supplier, and desperate, Charlie Roberts takes Daniel’s wife and daughter hostage. Daniel does everything within his power to rescue the situation bloodlessly. Eventually though, Daniel realises that with or without violent mood swings induced by amphetamines and cocaine, Charlie Roberts is a psychopath. He wants more than Daniel’s money.He wants him.

The Edge of Sanity: a harrowing story of hope amid loss and betrayal.

What did I think?

Sheryl has made the switch from rom com to psychological thriller with complete perfection.  You would think she had been writing in this genre for years. 

It’s a book that’s full of drama, with some really dark goings-on in it, which made the book exciting, thrilling and gripping to read. 
The relationship between Daniel and Jo was a difficult one following the trauma of losing their youngest daughter and it covered the dynamics they both had with their older daughter excellently with all of them hurting so much and carrying their own grief and guilt while not knowing how to be a family again and how to talk to each other.  A family that were living their lives on the edge and desperately needing help.

I felt a massive emotional pull to Jo, she was so lost after the death of her child, every mother’s nightmare I should think and I wanted to reach out and help her.  Daniel was a great character too, strong, brave and coping on the outside but crumbling on the inside.  I felt for this family, I really did!
Who would have thought that Sheryl Browne would know about the things that go on in this book, I shall look at her in a whole new light but I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and even though I love Sheryl’s rom coms, I would definitely love to read more from Sheryl in this this gritty, emotional thriller style.  An immensely brilliant read that I struggled to put down!

About the author
While Sheryl loves to write humorously, she has always been drawn to write about real people trying to overcome life’s obstacles. People readers can relate to, because they are empathising with the character.

Sheryl’s debut book, Recipes for Disaster, commissioned by Safkhet Publishing, was shortlisted for the Innovation in Romantic Fiction Award. Sheryl is also contributing editor at Lovehappyending Lifestyle magazine and a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association.

A partner in her own business, a mother, a foster parent to disabled dogs, and multi-tasker extraordinaire, Sheryl is grew up in Birmingham and is currently studying for her Masters Degree in Creative Writing at Birmingham City University.

Sheryl’s Final MA Project is a stage-play based on one of her novels, A Little Bit of Madness, the first scene of which has already been work-shopped at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. Her book Learning to Love – exploring the fragility of love, life and relationships, was written around a short, the theme of which was bereavement in childhood, which was selected for publication in the Birmingham City University Anthology, Paper and Ink, of which Sheryl is super proud. 

For more information about Sheryl and her books, visit www.sherylbrowne.com or www.safkhetpublishing.com.  You can also join her on her Facebook page or chat to her Twitter profile .

Sheryl's Books
Recipes for Disaster – Sexilicious Romantic Comedy combined with Fab, Fun Recipes.
Somebody to Love – Sigh with contentment, scream with frustration. At times you will weep.
Warrant for Love – Three couples in a twisting story that resolves perfectly.
A Little Bit of Madness – White Knight in Blue rescues The Harbour Rest Home.
Learning to Love – Exploring the Fragility of Love, Life and Relationships.
The Edge of Sanity – How far would YOU go to protect your family?

6 comments:

Sheryl Browne said...

Ohhhh, Kim! Thank you so much! I've been really worried about putting this 'baby' out there. What a fabulous review to kick it off with. Thrilled you love my thriller!! Yay! :) xx

Anonymous said...

I could not have put it any better and must say, Kim: I wholeheartedly agree and not for one single minute to I regret having opened another imprint because of Sheryl!
When's the next thriller coming out, Sheryl?

Mandy said...

Sounds like another winning read and a bit different from your other books, Sheryl. Looking forward to reading it!

Mandy :)

Anonymous said...

This sounds intriguing. Can't wait to read it.

Patricia said...

Sheryl is such a talented writer ! She always manages to touch our hearts and funny bones, I can't wait to read this and see how she sets our nerves on edge!

Linn B Halton and Lucy Coleman said...

I'm back from my hols to find another Sheryl Browne masterpiece has hit Amazon! What a fantastic review, Kim, off to download it now! Thanks for sharing and congratulations Sheryl, you are one amazing author.