Review ~ Tainted Love by Kimberley Chambers

***Happy Publication Day ***

Harper Collins
February 11th 2016

Nobody can hurt you like the ones you love…

Tainted Love starts, with a prologue, in the Autumn 2001, but very quickly moves back in time to the Spring of 1986, when Vinny and Michael Butler were very much in control of the mean, and it must be said, moody streets of the East End of London. Family history runs deep, and there is much antagonism between the various factions who make up the hangers on, and associates, of this violent, and often vicious, brotherly duo. So dangerous is the world in which the Butler’s live, that there is never any sign of a companionable softening between them, there is certainly no love lost, and there is never any condemnation that ever goes unnoticed. Tempers fare and spill over, old resentments are allowed to fester and bitterness flourishes in the dark corners of their shady world.

As always, the skill of the writing draws you in with realistic fervour. There is much to take in, both in terms of deadly domestic undercurrents, and also of the dark and poisonous secrets which start to unfold, and you soon start to realise that, deep down, it’s not going to end well. Truthfully, I really can’t say much more about Tainted Love without spoiling the whole story, but suffice it to say that for those readers who have followed this series from the beginning, there is no doubt that this fourth book will have you on the edge of your seat.

For anyone new to this series, this really is NOT the book to start with, as you need to truly understand the complicated Butler family dynamics in order to comprehend the depth of animosity that continually gnaws away at the central characters. However, if you like your gangster crime to have a frighteningly realistic edge, then I highly recommend this series, but please start at the beginning in order to enjoy the journey.

Best read with …Eggs Benedict and copious amounts of decent champagne…

About the Author

Visit her website
Follow on Twitter @kimbochambers
Find her on Facebook

Tainted Love is published on the 11 February in hardback and ebook



My thanks to Felicity Denham at Harper Collins for my review copy of this book.

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Review ~ The Wronged by Kimberley Chambers

Harper Collins
March 2015

The Wronged follows on from where the last book, Payback ended. Vinny is struggling to come to terms with another family tragedy, whilst young Vinny, a definite chip of the old block is trying to hide deadly secrets of his own. When Vinny is imprisoned for the part he played in the murder of an old adversary, the family , now under the protection of the other brother Michael, needs to keep up the status quo. But old jealousies fester and even with Vinny banged up inside, Michael doesn't find that  his life is any easier without his older brother's constant criticism.

As always, the writing is absolutely first class. The story comes vividly to life in such a way that the book soon becomes unputdownable and whilst there is no doubt that the Butler Family rule the corner of their world with total violence and a disregard for convention, there is also a fascination to find out just what they will do next. Unmistakeably, violence and treachery go hand in hand and even though you know this is fiction, you can't help but be drawn into the gritty and unmistakeable world of the Butler family. Family secrets are exposed, new wrongs must be made right and  old enemies need to be made aware of who exactly is in charge.

If you like gritty, realism with a story that is filled to bursting with exciting sills and thrills and with a strong family at its heart, then this is one of those addictive stories which you can't really afford to miss out on.

About the Author

My thanks to Harper Collins for my copy of this book.



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Review and Giveaway ~ Payback by Kimberley Chambers

Family. They’re supposed to watch your back. Not stab you in it.

Vinny and Michael Butler are two of the hard men of London’s East End, they rule the roost with a rod of iron and woe betide anyone who messes with their family. But for those they have crossed, revenge is a dish best served cold and the Butler’s are about to find out that payback comes when you least expect it.

This is my first Kimberley Chambers novel and at first I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to pick up the back story enough to enjoy this continuation which began in the previous book, The Trap. But I needn’t have worried because the author does a really good job of filling in the history of the Butlers and very soon into the story I became absorbed in this dark and gritty world of East End family politics. Neither Vinny nor Michael are in the slightest bit likeable as they have no reservations about dispatching people who get in their way but the inclusion into the story of their mother Queenie and their Aunt Vivian, and of their assorted girlfriends, wives, mistresses and children, allows us a tantalising glimpse into their softer side. Vinny adores his young daughter Molly, but when Molly goes missing, there is a whole list of people who hate Vinny enough to wreak this sort of vengeance.

Fast paced, gritty and very realistic, the story soon becomes a real page turner and the need to find out just what’s going on means that the pages fly by in the blink of an eye. The ending when it comes is a bit of a shocker but the conclusion does then lend itself to a continuation of the story in the next instalment – The Wronged – which is due in 2015. For Kimberley Chambers legions of fans, I am sure that 2015 won’t come quick enough but for new fans, like me, we have a whole back catalogue of delights still waiting for us.

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**Enter this Giveaway **

For a fabulous chance to win a copy of Payback 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My thanks to Louise Swannell at Harper Fiction for kindly providing this giveaway copy

The Author in my spotlight is ....Kimberley Chambers

I am delighted to welcome to the blog

Kimberley Chambers

© by kind permission

whose latest novel

Payback is out in paperback today

Published 19 June

Harper Collins Publishers

This gritty and thrilling novel set in the seedy world of drugs, violence and poverty with all the ingredients of a fast-paced novel that will have you gripped to the very last word. 

PAYBACK reached no 1 in The Sunday Times bestseller charts on Hardback publication in January 2014. 

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Kimberley ~ welcome to Jaffareadstoo and thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to answer our questions.

 What can you tell us about Payback that will pique the reader’s interest?

 The story is based around a young child who goes missing. Molly Butler is as cute as they come, but her father has made many enemies in his lifetime. The truth about Molly's disappearance doesn't come to light until the very end of the book, and it's shocking to say the least !

Where do you get the inspiration for your stories?

I've led a different life to most authors. I grew up in Dagenham where you had to be streetwise to survive. I also worked as a market trader in the East End for many years, so have always been surrounded by colourful characters. I find it relatively easy to create strong dysfunctional families like the Butlers. My family wasn't exactly normal. 

Do you outline the plot first, or do you let the story go wherever it takes you?

I usually have a beginning and an end. But nine times out of ten, I change my mind about the ending. I just tend to let the story go with the flow. As I finish a chapter, the next naturally springs to mind. For instance, I was going to kill Eddie Mitchell off at the end of The Feud. So glad I didn't as that trilogy has been very popular and without Eddie, it wouldn't have worked.

Do you ever base your characters on people you know?

No. I prefer to create my own. 

What do you think makes a good fictional villain?

Keeping them real. Plus power, wealth, fear etc. It helps if they're good looking as well. I’ve had many of my female readers tell me they wouldn't kick the likes of Vinny and Michael Butler out of bed. Same goes for Eddie Mitchell. Male readers wanted to be him, and it's unprintable what the women said ;-) 

If Payback was optioned for a TV drama, who would you choose to play Vinny and Michael?

To be honest, I've never really thought about it. The reason being is if it ever went to drama, I probably wouldn't get much say in the matter. Vinny's quite sinister, so if it were up to me i,d opt for a powerful actor such as Tom Hardy. As for Michael Butler, I think Danny Dyer would play him rather well.

Can you tell us what you are writing next?

I've just finished The Wronged. It's another in the Butler series. Follows on from Payback and comes out early Feb.

About the author

Kimberley Chambers lives in Romford and has been, at various times, a disc jockey and a street trader. She is now a full-time writer and is the author of seven previous novels.

 For further information about Kimberly visit:

Kimberlychambers.com

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Thank you Kimberley - It's been a real pleasure to host this interview.

Jaffa and I wish you continued success with your writing.

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