I love Katie Gayle’s Julia Bird cozy mysteries so much! It’s so refreshing to have a smart, resourceful woman over 50 as the protagonist, and her having a sweet doggo is just icing on the cake. I never get tired of these stories and each be read as a standalone. But I enjoy reading them in order as I can watch the characters and their relationships develop.
Thank you for my copy and for having me on tour! I enjoyed this one and did not figure it out!
Here’s the scoop:
ulia Bird is as keen as anyone in Berrywick to see inside the famous Greystone Manor. But when she does, the last thing she expects to find is a body!
When Julia Bird is asked to clear out the gatehouse at Greystone Manor after the sudden death of Colonel Loxton’s sister, she is intrigued to finally see inside the impressive house. But when she discovers the body of the Colonel, who greeted her only hours before, dead behind the sofa with a bruise on his forehead, Julia believes his death is no accident.
Once forensics confirm it was murder, Julia tries to piece together what happened. On the day the Colonel died, she saw an unknown man getting into a car outside the manor. The butler Garforth and the housekeeper Biddy claim there were no visitors that day, so who was this mysterious man? Or is someone in the Colonel’s family not telling the truth, with tensions running high over the inheritance?
Days later, Julia finds another body dead among the rhododendrons and knows the deaths must be connected. At the Colonel’s funeral she heard his friends talking about a long-buried secret. Had the second victim discovered it, and is it motive enough to kill? With time running out, canJulia solve the case before there’s another murder at the manor?
An addictive and totally charming cozy mystery set in the English countryside. Perfect for fans of M.C. Beaton, Faith Martin and J. R. Ellis.
About the Author(s):
Katie Gayle is the writing partnership of best-selling South African writers, Kate Sidley and Gail Schimmel. Kate and Gail have, between them, written over ten books of various genres, but with Katie Gayle, they both make their debut in the cozy mystery genre. Both Gail and Kate live in Johannesburg, with husbands, children, dogs and cats. Unlike their sleuth Epiphany Bloom, neither of them have ever stolen a cat from the vet.
I apologize; I realize I was to post on the 26th, not 27th. My error!
I loved this sweet, feel-good romance about a busy woman who ends up on a small island off the coast of Massachusetts for Christmas, as opposed to an island in the Caribbean, and how she falls in love with the town, the people, and one man in particular. This was a clean read, FYI, and left me ready to start thinking about the holidays!
Thank you for my copy and for having me as part of the tour!
Here’s the scoop:
All Celeste wants for Christmas is to escape. But could a surprise visit to an inn where candles glow behind every window and the smell of winter spices fill the air be her chance at a new beginning?
Dropping her suitcase down on the front step of the Christmas Cove Inn, Celeste can’t help but smile. Her holidays should have been spent on assignment in the Caribbean, the perfect way to mend her broken heart. But when her flight was diverted to Sea Spray Island near Cape Cod, she had to take the only room left at the inn.
Celebrating the season is the last thing on her mind but that’s all cheerful islander and single dad Nathan wants to do. His family’s cozy inn is full of festive spirit, and it’s not only the twinkling decorations and crackling fires that begin to thaw Celeste’s aching heart…
With fast-falling snow keeping her on the island, she’s soon drawn in to the Christmas countdown activities by the quirky locals… and is spending more and more time with Nathan. When he asks for her help to raise money for the struggling community center, she says yes in a heartbeat. For the first time in years, has Celeste finally found a place to call home?
But when the snow stops and it’s time for Celeste to return to the city, will she really be able to say goodbye to Nathan and Christmas Cove? Or will the magic of the season give her a reason to stay?
A heart-warming and joyous festive read full of romance, Christmas spirit and small-town charm. Perfect for fans of Pamela Kelley, Heidi Swain and Sarah Morgan.
(Note: this book was previously published as Celebration At Christmas Cove)
About the Author:
Kristin Harper earned an MFA in creative writing. Before becoming a full-time author, she held numerous professional roles, including college professor, data analyst, and development director. She grew up in New England, and has lived in various places across the US, including the West Coast and Washington, D.C. Kristin’s now happily back in Massachusetts, just a stone’s throw from Cape Cod – the source of inspiration for the setting of her Dune Island series.
Wow – this was a super suspenseful thriller that I could NOT put down, focusing on an influencer whose daughter is kidnapped but who is working to hide a whole lot of things from her past.
Here’s the scoop:
My life is perfect. Bad things don’t happen to me. So why has someone taken my daughter?
I thought I was the luckiest woman alive. I have a loving husband, who supports me in everything I do. A beautiful home, with comfy couches and art taped to the fridge. And Stella—my kind, gentle daughter. I’ve fought so hard for this life, and every day I’m grateful for it.
So it hits me like lightning, the moment I see my nanny stumbling towards me, blood drying on her forehead. She was attacked. Stella is gone.
The world spins. I fight to breathe. This can’t happen to me. Not now.
I thought it couldn’t get any worse, but as I sit in a daze on Stella’s bed, my eye falls on a stuffed cat, threadbare from cuddling, that I thought I’d never see again. My blood freezes. Because now I know who did this, and they won’t rest till my perfect life comes tumbling down.
But they don’t know how hard I’ll fight to protect myself, my daughter—and my secrets…
A gasp-out-loud psychological thriller from the bestselling author of Not My Mother, with a twist you’ll never see coming. Perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell, Lucy Foley and Gillian Flynn.
If you like this genre of psychological thriller that keeps you guessing, you’ll want to read this one!
Thank you for my copy and for having me on the tour.
Here’s a bit about the author:
Miranda Smith writes psychological and domestic suspense. She is drawn to stories about ordinary people in extraordinary situations. Before completing her first novel, she worked as a newspaper staff writer and a secondary English teacher. She lives in East Tennessee with her husband and three young children.
Ms. Drew reached out about her Minnesota Thrift Shop cozy mystery series. I had not read any of them before and it was so much fun and such a treat to have a protagonist who was more my age (on the other side of 50 ahem…). And her shop is called Once Upon A Find – love that!!
Here’s the scoop about her latest: Add a Pinch of Poison. Find out what happens when a recipe box is discovered in the thrift shop and it looks like a recipe for murder!
Thrift shop owner Maggie Doyle is delighted when her grandson Parker starts bringing Gianna, the lovely Italian exchange student (he definitely does not have a crush on), to spend afternoons at Once Upon a Find.
But when Gianna discovers a hand-painted recipe box marked Dal Vecchio Paese (From the Old Country), the cozy afternoons turn deadly. Inside are treasured Italian recipes… and chilling instructions for poison.
Scrawled in the margins are dates and a name: the witness whose testimony sent an innocent man to prison. When Thaddeus Reynolds died suddenly years later, was it natural—or was it murder?
I loved these characters and look forward to reading more. Thank you for sending me a copy to review! Readers, this is not a long read either, under 200 pages, which is perfect for a weekend afternoon relaxing and reading!
I’m adding a note from Nora herself as I like her overview of the book better:
I’m Nora Drew, lifelong thrifter and author. Through my stories, I bring readers into the world of small-town Minnesota, uncovering hidden secrets in ordinary objects. Thrift shop owner Maggie Doyle is delighted when her grandson Parker brings the lovely Italian exchange student (he definitely does not have a crush on) to spend afternoons at Once Upon a Find. When Gianna discovers a hand-painted recipe box, the cozy afternoons turn deadly. Inside are treasured Italian recipes… and chilling instructions for poison.
And here’s her author bit via Amazon:
Nora Drew is the author of the Thrift Shop Cozy Mysteries, inspired by her lifelong love of secondhand treasures and the stories hidden inside ordinary things. A devoted thrifter, she believes the best mysteries often arrive disguised as forgotten objects—waiting patiently on a shelf for someone curious enough to ask questions.
Nora’s fascination with thrifting goes beyond the hunt for bargains. She’s drawn to the history, humanity, and quiet drama woven into well-worn belongings. Estate sales, rummage rooms, and small-town thrift shops have always felt like story vaults to her, filled with clues about the lives that came before.
At the heart of her writing is a deep appreciation for genuine friendship. Nora loves stories about people who show up for one another, swap theories over coffee, and solve problems together—preferably with humor and heart. Her mysteries are gentle, community-centered, and rooted in curiosity rather than chaos.
When she’s not writing, Nora can usually be found near a lake. She tries to hop in for a swim every day of the year—even in winter—believing that a little cold water is good for clarity and courage. Through her books, Nora invites readers to slow down, look closer, and discover the extraordinary hiding in the everyday.
Me again – I love that bio! Nora sounds like someone I’d like to have a cup of tea with and gab about books, or maybe investigate a vintage shop with. I give her props for swimming in the lake daily (I don’t do “water without sides”), though I do appreciate the serenity of lake life.
An image of a stack of vintage books and iced tea creates a peaceful reading nook overlooking a lush garden.
This summer I had a lot of reading time and I read SO MANY good books but I really do not have time to write about them all (alas, the day job calls). So I just want to shout out a few titles that I read and really enjoyed that are out now (or will be soon) that I was not part of a tour for:
The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies by Kate Westbury.
I had the book AND the audiobook. So much fun!
Set against the backdrop of post-WWII Oxford University, The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies is the irresistible debut from Kate Westbury that seamlessly layers mystery, romance, and a dash of academia to introduce the Crown’s newest undercover operatives. Oxford, England, 1951 – The Honorable Ginevra Bishop likes red lipstick, clever retorts, and earning top marks in her tutorials. She’s following her mother’s footsteps by studying at Oxford, eager to prove she’s more than a debutante.
Sidney Braithwaite likes brooding, Latin, and ignoring his nightmares. He’s determined to forge a new life for himself at Oxford, far from his childhood mining village and free from memories of the war.
Though Gin and Sidney have little in common, the British Security Service is keen to unite her charm with his espionage experience: there’s a Soviet spy at the university, and the agent tracking them down was poisoned. MI5 wants Gin and Sidney to pick up the trail and identify the informant before more sensitive information is compromised. As a team, the pair of undergraduates clash in personality, upbringing, and taste––but have a connection neither can deny. Gin and Sidney must unite their respective talents to follow the clues before they’re caught in the traitor’s crosshairs…if the sparks flying between them don’t blow up the operation first.
Lidie by Jane Smiley
I haven’t read anything by Smiley in a while and I just LOVE her writing.
From the bestselling, Pulitzer Prize–winning novelist, a rousing novel that follows two young women fleeing a divided America: one running toward a dazzling future and the other running from a troubled past
Christmas, 1857. America’s future is precarious; civil war looms on the horizon. After her abolitionist husband is murdered in the lawless Kansas Territory, Lidie Newton returns, in mourning, to her hometown of Quincy, Illinois. But her sisters have little comfort to offer, and Lidie is haunted by the memories of her failures—until she takes an interest in her niece, Annie. Beautiful, self-assured, and mischievous, Annie sticks out in Quincy. She becomes an actress at the local theater, and when she is offered the opportunity to perform abroad, she decides to run away. But travel is dangerous for a young unmarried woman, so Lidie, armed with her pistol and her wit, goes with her.
The two women embark on a perilous journey across the Atlantic, rushing toward an unknown future in England. Once they arrive in Liverpool, they vanish into new roles in the household of Annie’s benefactor, Mr. Mallory Cunningham. Annie takes a stage name and finds her way to a career, while Lidie becomes her lady’s maid. But will either of them be content with her new lot in life?
Exuberant and riveting, a sly commentary on truth and beauty and fulfillment that resonates with our times, Lidie delivers a panoramic portrait of a volatile era and the headstrong women trying to live an honest life in it.
It Girl by Alison Pataki
Pataki never disappoints in her ability to make history come alive through engaging historical figures.
At the dawn of the twentieth century, New York’s streets teem with change: electricity, automobiles, the brash young President Teddy Roosevelt—and the It Girls. As artists’ muses and working models, these independent young women soar to stardom not because of their pedigrees or inherited wealth, but because of their talent, charisma, and irresistible beauty. Pop culture is born, and in a world alight with Mr. Edison’s new bulbs, no one shines brighter than America’s sweetheart, Evelyn Talbot.
But the journey to stardom is not simple or straight. While working as a shopgirl, the young Evelyn is recruited as a studio model and soon catches the eye of the preeminent artists of the age. When Broadway comes calling, Evelyn solidifies her status as the first self-made American female celebrity: the iconic Gibson Girl, the most sought-after figure and face of her time. Enter a parade of powerful and power-hungry men, from world-famous architect Stanley Pierce, the visionary behind Manhattan’s mansions and iconic landmarks, to Hal Thorne, the shockingly wealthy railroad heir and premier “playboy” of high society. Each man promises comfort, glamour, security—even love. But fame and fortune are cruel teachers, and Evelyn learns that the only person she can rely on is herself.
When Evelyn finds herself at the center of a murder of passion declared “the Crime of the Century,” she is blamed for the acts of the men in her life. In the media frenzy that spirals around her, Evelyn realizes that to survive, she will have to write her own ending. But can this artists’ muse turned showgirl pull off the greatest act of her life?
It Girl is a breathtaking ride inspired by a singular artist and icon who captured the collective imagination of American society. Allison Pataki has crafted yet another unforgettable leading lady, a heroine who must find the power to change not only the world around her but her own destiny.
NumbWere the Beadman’s Fingers by Alan Bradley
Thank goodness, Flavia is back! This is possibly my very favorite mystery series and I can’t get enough of the very unique voice of Flavia and all the humorous goings-on in her life.
A nun’s corpse leads beloved amateur sleuth Flavia de Luce to uncover decades-old secrets in this charming final novel in the New York Times bestselling series.
“I love the Flavia de Luce novels! Flavia is the best female detective I’ve ever read, full of realism, self-confidence, and emotion (in roughly equal parts), and her tales are hilarious, engaging, and occasionally heartbreaking.”—Diana Gabaldon
In the cloisters of Golgotha House, a mere binocular’s-squint away from Buckshaw, a nun lies dead. When her fellow sisters prepare her corpse for burial, they discover that their companion has been living a shocking lie for years. The truth about her past, and the dark reasons she harbored for escaping it, are impossible to fathom.
Charged with cracking this mystery is the firm of Arthur W. Dogger & Associates (Discreet investigations)—consisting, of course, of the inimitable young Flavia de Luce and her faithful partner-in-detection Dogger.
Working under the eye of a glowering Mother Superior, Flavia and Dogger must uncover a decades-old crime and a secret that lies an ocean away—along with a trail of deception that lies closer to home.
The Pools by e. lockhart
An interesting story in verse by the author of We Were Liars. I liked it. Appropriate for older teens, I’d say.
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the We Were Liars series comes a love story full of simmering darkness and astonishing twists, following two teenagers whose lives are shattered by a shocking transformation.
This gorgeous hardcover edition of The Pools will feature unique printed endpapers, deckled edges (rough, uneven page edges), and an exclusive stamped case!
Once, in a small New England town known for its hot springs, something terrible happened. Something that should have been a warning to stay away from the pools, if the stories were to be believed.
But no one is afraid of the water anymore, even if they should be.
When new girl Lexie meets golden boy Chester, their chemistry is undeniable. She’s running from a glittering life she won’t speak about. He’s hiding secrets of his own. Their connection feels bigger than both of them, despite their damage.
One frigid winter morning in that small New England town, five people go for a swim in the pools. Five people, including Chester. What happens there sends shock waves through the town, changing life as Lexie knows it forever.
Magic Elizabeth by Norma Kassirer
I could NOT believe when this popped up on Net Galley. My very favorite book from when I was a little girl! I loved this story about a girl staying with her Aunt Sally and she is looking for a doll that was lost years ago. Part magical, part mystery and I was struck by how well-written this children’s book is!
A beloved middle-grade fantasy classic returns in a newly illustrated edition full of magic, mystery, and a doorway into the past.
When eight-year-old Sally is sent to spend the summer in a creaky old house with her elderly Aunt Sarah and a decidedly unfriendly cat, she expects weeks of boredom and loneliness. But everything changes when she discovers a mysterious painting of a little girl holding a doll—and learns that the doll, Elizabeth, vanished long ago.
Drawn by curiosity, Sally ventures into the attic, where an old mirror seems to open a doorway into another time. As she searches for the missing doll and the truth behind the painting, Sally discovers a story of friendship, empathy, and love that reaches across generations.
First published in 1966 and now back in print with brand-new full-color illustrations by Mark Richardson, Magic Elizabeth invites today’s readers into its timeless world of mystery, warmth, and wonder.
Here’s what makes Magic Elizabeth a classic fantasy for a new generation:
• A Beloved Children’s Classic Returns: A long-out-of-print favorite is available again for parents, grandparents, teachers, librarians, and new readers.
• A Magical Journey into the Past: A mysterious attic mirror, a lost doll named Elizabeth, and a long-ago friendship create a classic children’s fantasy for ages 8–12.
• Brand-New Full-Color Artwork: New illustrations by Mark Richardson bring fresh visual life to Norma Kassirer’s timeless story.
• Perfect for Independent Reading or Sharing Aloud: A nostalgic favorite for adults and a moving story of imagination, kindness, and love for young readers.
Magic Elizabeth is a classic middle-grade fantasy novel about a magic mirror, a missing doll named Elizabeth, and a mystery that reaches into the past. This beloved children’s classic remains a moving reminder that imagination, kindness, and love can travel across time.
The Castle in the Glen by Rhys Bowen
Rhys NEVER disappoints. I love her stand alone novels (well, I love all her novels) and this one was no exception.
A ghostwriter plunges into danger as she unravels the dark secrets of a powerful Scottish family in a thrilling novel of romance and mystery by the bestselling author of Mrs. Endicott’s Splendid Adventure.
Australian writer Emma Callander has been recruited to complete the final historical mystery in a series by celebrated author Iris Blackburn. It’s 1965, and Iris’s memory is fading. She’s certain that only Emma can do justice to her novel about a murder on the Isle of Skye. When Emma ventures to Scotland for research, she discovers the story is not fiction at all but rather a true crime, unsolved for more than fifty years.
It was 1904 when a couple’s suspicious drowning led to the disappearance of a mysterious young woman the locals called the Wild Girl. To this day the mystery is unforgettable, especially among the descendants of an aristocratic family who’ll do anything to keep their secrets buried. From the misty Highlands to a medieval castle, Emma and Tony Gordon, Iris’s handsome lawyer, work ever more closely to uncover them.
But while Iris may be known for her fiendishly clever twists, there’s one not even Emma could have seen coming.
The Amateur by Chris Bohjalian
Speaking of never disappointing, Chris Bohjalian has to be the most versatile author out there today. And he’s a genuinely nice guy as well as hugely talented. Somebody call Netflix and make the limited series – now!
1978: It is the first Thursday in August and temperatures are flirting with ninety when Mira Winston, eighteen years old, drives a golf ball from her tee toward the practice net near the clubhouse and caddy shack. The golf ball, weighing 1.6 ounces, tears through the net, traveling 150 miles per hour, and slams, with sickening force, into the temple of a high school junior named Kenny Foster, rupturing an artery and unleashing a torrent of blood. Kenny brings his hand to the side of his head, then topples onto his side. He’s dead before the ambulance even arrives.
In the wake of this terrible accident—and everyone, at first, agrees it was an accident—Mira looks for comfort in all the wrong places: In her lover, Theo Catton, a married man three decades her senior. In her mother, a well-kept woman with secrets of her own. In the dead caddy’s little sisters, girls bewildered by grief. But when the investigators look more closely at the torn net, when a detective recalls Mira’s history of recklessness, and when Kenny’s father spies Mira with her married lover, the affluent and mannered community turns on this once-promising young woman. A gripping story that takes the reader from the sun-soaked greens of a tony Westchester country club to the fluorescent-lit stand of a county courtroom, The Amateur asks: What happens when one small moment—a swing, a ball, a piece of string—changes the course of an entire life?
The Grapevine by Alexandra Sokoloff and Craig Robertson
As a California girl, I love stories that take place in California and this was a very engaging mystery. Yes the grapevine is a highway pass in SoCal that weaves together – integral to the story – but grapevines themselves weave into intricate and thick branches, just like this story had several strands that wove together.
From bestselling authors Alexandra Sokoloff and Craig Robertson, The Grapevine is a thrilling mystery featuring a quirky and relentless female protagonist, perfect for fans of Gillian Flynn and Karin Slaughter.
How far would you go to find your missing child?
Lou Gomersall’s going as far as it takes. And there’s no turning back.
When her nineteen-year-old daughter Abby disappears, Lou embarks on a reckless road trip in the family RV, scouring the highways and back roads of California. Through desert and mountains, into the woods, and to the ocean’s edge.
A year later, the police don’t believe Lou’s theory that four other missing young women have been taken by the same elusive predator. So, when another college sophomore vanishes, Lou jumps on the fresh trail, enlisting millennial #vanlifers, Gen Z entrepreneurs, boomer RVers, homeless sages, truck stop prostitutes, and everyone in between in her do-or-die mission to rescue Abby …
Or kill the man who took her.
Last Mission to Paris by Susan Elia MacNeal
Susan is an incredible writer (LOVE her Maggie Hope series) and this one was another amazingly researched and engaging WWII story.
Decades after serving as secret agents during World War II, three women reunite to uncover the truth behind the murder of their fellow agent in Paris.
In the rugged Scottish Highlands, four young women training as secret agents became inseparable: Flip, a fearless Southern Belle; Zaina, a dreamy Indian princess; Bella, the infamous star of stage and screen; and Gabrielle, a witty London shopgirl. They parachuted by moonlight into Nazi-occupied Paris, where they trusted each other with their lives… until the betrayal that shattered everything.
They were captured. Gabrielle was killed. And the truth about what really happened in Paris was buried. Twenty years later, in the vibrant London of the Swinging Sixties, the surviving agents are honored with a statue on the Thames. However, the well-deserved public recognition is eclipsed by the sudden death of a renowned war historian—and an anonymous letter suggesting that Gabrielle’s demise was far more suspicious than it appeared.
Chloe, Gabrielle’s daughter and a budding historian, grew up in the long shadow of a heroic mother she barely knew. Determined to uncover the truth, Chloe seeks out the three surviving agents, her mother’s friends. As past and present collide, Chloe draws the women back into a world of secrets, alliances, and duplicity.
As they follow clues from London to Paris and then to Berlin, the women discover their last mission didn’t just fail—it was deliberately sabotaged.
Because some missions didn’t end—and some betrayals go further than anyone can imagine.
Thank you for my review copies and the opportunity to read these books!
Coming soon…What I’ve Been Listening to this Summer (even without the 2-hour commute each day!)
I’m here today as part of the blog tour for a new suspenseful thriller — one that kept me guessing and guessing and I could not put it down!! The Wife After Me follows the protagonist ex-wife (I don’t think she is ever named – or if she is, I forget it!) as she adjusts to her divorce while house-sharing with her ex-husband. Everything is shared evenly until he brings home a new woman and then marries her. Tensions mount, strange things occur, and I was on the edge of my seat!
Here’s the scoop:
She married my ex-husband. They’re living in my house. One of us won’t make it out alive…
I share a house with my ex-husband, Ben. A floor each, a schedule for taking turns to use the kitchen. It may sound odd but it’s all perfectly amicable. Then his new wife moves in…
Yasmin breezes in on a cloud of expensive perfume, and it’s clear Ben is besotted. But her perfect veneer soon starts to crack. I know she’s been in my room. And I realise I have more to fear than I’d ever imagined…
Then Ben disappears, and I’m alone in the house with her. I hear a noise in our basement. I run down the steps and the door slams behind me. But is it Yasmin turning the key in the lock, or is the truth even more dangerous?
And will I survive…?
Fans of None of This Is True, John Marrs, T.M. Logan and Freida McFadden will be utterly gripped by this addictive, page-turning psychological thriller.
I was thinking that this would make a great Netflix limited series!!
Thank you for my copy and for having me as part of the tour!
About the Author:
Nora Valters grew up in the New Forest in the south of England and has lived in London, Manchester, Bournemouth, Oxford and Dubai. She currently resides in Weston-super-Mare. She studied English Literature and Language at Oxford Brookes University before embarking on a career in marketing and copywriting. Her debut psychological thriller Her Biggest Fan was published in October 2020. Her latest novel is His First Girlfriend and she’s currently writing her seventh novel, which will be out soon. Nora loves to travel and has journeyed around the world. She enjoys exploring new places, knitting/crochet, painting, hiking, and is an avid reader. She’s also a bit obsessed with dogs!
I’m here as part of the tour for a new series by Donna Ashcroft – the Honey Haven series, which is a sweet but spicy romance. This first title is The Candy Apple Cafe.
Here’s the scoop:
Falling in love can be sweet and spicy… 🍏 🍭🌶️🍏 🍭🌶️
A fun-loving baking queen with a heart of gold. Her gruff neighbour. A tiny Scottish town. Is this a recipe for love – or disaster? This is the utterly unputdownable spicy Autumn romance you’ve been waiting for! Seasonal spice + hot Scotsman = 🧡 🔥🌶️
When Izzi pulls up in her battered old car outside The Candy Apple Café, she takes a deep breath and channels her trademark optimism. She’s run away to Honey Haven to escape the mess her life is in right now. Only, she hasn’t bargained on a handsome, broad-shouldered Scotsman appearing out of nowhere and grilling her on why she’s parked there… it turns out the baking work she has lined up is in his gran’s café and he’s her new landlord… Cameron is immediately rubbed up the wrong way by Izzi’s upbeat vibes and yet, his eyes keep meeting hers across his gran’s cake display at The Candy Apple Café. Cameron’s heart beats a little faster every time she looks up at him through those long, dark lashes and there are only so many times Izzi can pretend she hasn’t noticed the way he towers over her, his dark brooding eyes failing to avoid hers… Then Izzi and Cameron find themselves thrown together to organise the town’s Autumn festival. Planning a spectacular cinnamon-scented event as a surprise for his gran, they find themselves pressed up against each other as they work to turn a crumbling castle into the perfect haunted house filled with sweet treats… But he’s closed off his heart. And she’s only meant to be in town for a few weeks. Will the heat between grumpy Cameron and sunny Izzi dial up a notch? Or will their relationship turn as chilly as the Autumn air in Honey Haven?
Snuggle up with a steamy hot drink and bed down with this spicy romance, filled with grumpy sunshine vibes and a dreamy HEA. Perfect for fans of Laurie Gilmore, Harper Graham, and Gilmore Girls!
I did like the character of Izzi and I do like a light romance – though this one had a bit more steam that I usually read! (but nothing over the top – it’s no 50 shades of whatever). I’m curious about the rest of the series and if it will continue to center on Izzi, or maybe other characters in the town. I do like a series that follows a town and all the interesting people in it. There are many good TV shows (BBC ones) that follow small towns like that and I never get tired of them!
So check out this new novel and let me know what you think!
Thank you for my copy and for having me on the tour.
About the Author:
Donna has had sixteen books published in total. Four have been in the Amazon top 100 and one even made it to number seven in the UK and US Kindle charts, another made it to number one in the UK, US and AU free Kindle charts. She was also shortlisted for the RNA Debut Romantic Novel of the Year in 2019.
She lives in Hertfordshire, with her own romantic hero, two grown up kids who pop in occasionally and two grumpy cats. She loves a happy ending and is never happier than when she’s escaping into a romance novel or movie.
I just love this series! This is the latest installment in the Lady Eleanor historical cozy mysteries. I love anything that takes place in theaters or on stage, and this one is centered on Shakespeare! Lady Eleanor has found another murder mystery to solve and has her friends and trusty pup to help her!
Here’s the scoop:
Lady Swift and her handsome husband Hugh Seldon are totally charmed by the picturesque town where Shakespeare once lived. Everyone is abuzz with chatter about the upcoming production of Macbeth… But wait, is that a body backstage?
Dashing showman Richard Ratcliffe is set to return to the stage at the famous Shakespeare Memorial theatre. But when priceless items belonging to Shakespeare himself go missing from the theatre’s collection, Eleanor knows someone has gone off-book…
Then the beautiful old theatre is set on fire. The gang are horror-struck, and while racing to help, Eleanor’s loyal butler Clifford discovers an act of foul play: Ratcliffe, the show’s leading man, is dead inside from a blow to the head. Was the fire a deliberate distraction to cover up the murder? Hugh believes Ratcliffe may have caught the thief in the act, but Eleanor isn’t so certain.
With the production in tatters, the cast and crew are flailing. Everyone is playing a part and Eleanor needs to decide who is putting on a deadly show and who is telling the truth. Did the director have more to gain from the insurance money than a standing ovation? Maybe the leading lady feared she was about to be upstaged?
Hunting for local gossip at the town tearoom, Eleanor discovers Ratcliffe had secrets he was desperate to keep from stealing the show… But the culprit is waiting in the wings. And it’s only a matter of time before Eleanor steps too far into their deadly spotlight. Can she catch the killer before it’s curtains for her too?
A totally delightful historical cozy murder mystery. Fans of T.E. Kinsey, L.B. Hathaway and Lee Strauss will fly through the pages!
About the Author:
Verity Bright –
Verity Bright is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing partnership that has spanned a quarter of a century. Starting out writing high-end travel articles and books, they published everything from self-improvement to humour, before embarking on their first historical mystery. They are the authors of the fabulous Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery series, set in the 1920s.
Thank you for my copy and for having me on the tour!
I’m here today as part of the blog tour for The Lost Husband by Shari J. Ryan. This was a WWII, historical fiction novel about a woman who survives Auschwitz and is sure she saw her dead husband, wearing a Nazi uniform. She won’t give up hope that he is alive.
Here’s the scoop:
Auschwitz, 1945. The gates are flung open. Prisoners flee for their lives. But as Celina stumbles toward safety, a man in a German uniform seizes her arm. She knows it’s impossible… but he looks just like her husband.
Celina has given up hope of ever leaving Auschwitz. Only memories of her beloved husband Noah keep her sane—her childhood sweetheart, her protector, once her entire world. If she allows herself to remember that he was killed, she knows she’ll be lost too…
Now, as the Soviets liberate the camp, Celina screams when a man in a German uniform grabs her. But the familiar green and gold sparkling in his eyes steals her breath. He looks exactly like Noah. But it can’t be him. Not here, not in this uniform…
As a Soviet officer hauls him away, Celina can’t let him go without making absolutely sure. Did her husband somehow survive the war, disguised as a German soldier?
To find the truth, she must follow as the Germans—now prisoners themselves—are marched away through the snowy forests of Poland. Staying hidden, and staying alive, will prove almost impossible.
But if it’s really Noah—and he’s still the good man Celina fell in love with—can she find a way to rescue him before she loses him all over again?
An inspiring, heartbreaking World War Two novel which celebrates the strength of human spirit and the power of love in the darkest of times. Perfect for fans of The Midwife of Auschwitz, The Choice and The Nightingale.
Here’s a little bit about Shari herself:
Shari J. Ryan is a USA Today Bestselling Historical Fiction writer. Her desire to write stories revolving Jewish livelihood during World War II stems from being a descendant of two Holocaust survivors. After the passing of Shari’s grandmother, she pursued an active interest in learning more about the inherited stories she yearned to understand better.
Shortly after earning a bachelors degree from Johnson & Wales University, Shari began her career as a graphic artist and freelance writer. She then found her passion for writing books in 2012. In 2016, Shari began writing her first Historical Fiction novel, Last Words , a story about a lifelong journey through the eyes of a Holocaust survivor, and Shari quickly found a new passion to share untold World War II stories within a fictional setting. In 2023 she also began exploring her first foray into the world of gripping, twisty psychological thrillers.
Shari is a lifelong New England girl who lives to make people laugh. She is happily married with two wonderful sons and a spunky Australian Shepard, who fits right in with the family.
I’m here today as part of the tour for Susanne O’Leary’s newest novel, The Secret Bookshop in Ireland. Just the title drew me in! Secret bookshop? Ireland? Sounds great! I loved this story, from the main character and her dog named Brian Boru, to the bookshop and the people of the village. This is a sweet romance story as well (a clean read) and a story that leaves you feeling good inside.
Here’s the scoop:
‘It devastates me that this will be the first you’re hearing of the bookshop. But it’s yours now, and I hope it can heal you despite everything you might hear about our family. Good luck, dear Ciara, and remember to never give up…’
Standing amongst the wildflowers that border the abandoned bookshop, Ciara’s heart begins to swell. She never met her mysterious distant relative Martha, but there’s no denying that this place, filled with beautiful old books, is captivating. Trapped in a dead-end job and a tiny apartment in Dublin, this inheritance could change everything for her.
As visitors from Cherrywood village arrive to welcome Ciara, and she learns to love each priceless edition she now owns, it’s Ronan, the handsome lawyer with hazel eyes and husky voice who makes a lasting impression. Can he help her learn more about Martha? Why was Ciara chosen to protect the bookshop’s legacy, and why all the secrecy? The only certainty is the butterflies Ciara feels every time she locks eyes with Ronan. Is it crazy to imagine herself re-opening the bookshop and staying forever?
But nothing prepares Ciara for the letter she finds hidden high on the rickety shelves, for the heart shattering story of an abandoned baby and a devastating family secret. The truth about Martha could mean Ciara loses the bookshop forever.
Ciara is faced with an impossible choice: close the doors of her new home and return to her old life in Dublin, or stay to find out the truth and risk everything for a new life in Cherrywood…
An utterly gorgeous and romantic story about second chances that will sweep you away to Ireland. Fans of Mary Alice Monroe, Mary Kay Andrews and Rachel Hanna will devour this feel-good read.
About the Author:
Susanne O’Leary is the bestselling author of more than 30 novels, mainly romantic fiction set in Ireland. Her many books set in County Kerry have been hugely popular with readers all over the world. She shares her time between Dublin and Kerry, where she and her husband have a little cottage near the beach. The wild, beautiful landscape, the small villages and the friendly people of that county have inspired her to write her feel-good stories. She’s been inspired to represent people of all ages and walks of life, with lots of romance, and more than a dash of humour. When she is not writing or reading by the fire, Susanne loves heading for the great outdoors, walking on the beaches or scaling the green hills of her favourite county.
It looks like this is the start of a new series – The Sisters of Cherrywood series – as this is Book 1. Yay!
Thank you for my copy and for having me as part of the tour!
