fiction

Bookouture Blog Tour for The Lost Husband by Shari J. Ryan

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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.

Thank you for my copy of this engaging story and for having me as part of the tour!

Bookouture Book Tour for The Secret Bookshop in Ireland by Susanne O’Leary

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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!

Bookouture Blog Tour for Second Chances at the Hopeful Hearts Bookshop by Debbie Johnson

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I loved the first book in this series, so I was thrilled to be able to be part of the tour for the second title! This is a sweet romance series with likable characters who seem realistic. It’s got some steam/spice, just so you know. For this title, I also had the audiobook, narrated by Helen McAlpine and Brendan Dempsey, which I really enjoyed listening to while I drove my car.

Thank you for having me as part of the tour and my review materials. I look forward to the next installment in the Bonnie Bay series!

Here’s the scoop:

‘The most important stories are told by our hearts. So come and discover your second chance at happiness, at our cozy village bookshop in Bonnie Bay…’

Single mother Jane can’t believe it when an invitation to Bonnie Bay falls from the pages of a book: the Scottish village she was supposed to run away to with her first love. Until he broke her heart, that is. But he’s far away now – and why shouldn’t she spend a summer there, daughter Beth in tow? They’ll snuggle up reading, stroll by the wild sea, and maybe even banish Beth’s teenage grumps.

But arriving in the charming village, Jane’s jaw drops when she sees a familiar pair of green eyes… it’s Rory Callaghan, her first love, and the boy who broke her heart. The problem? Rory is now very much a man. He’s taller, broader. His Irish lilt still makes her weak at the knees. And the sizzling spark between them crackles just like it used to.

Rory might be a long way from his Irish hometown, but he’s made a new home right here. The cozy bookshop is his refuge, and owner Moira his replacement family. So when Jane arrives it’s like an arrow through his heart. She’s still gorgeous, still his Jane. And the fierce look in her eye tells him she’s just as passionate as he remembers.

After promising to help Moira turn the bookshop into a community hub, and with Beth making friends, Jane can’t walk away. Soon, days at the bookshop turn into very late nights with Rory. And with them both spilling secrets, the real reason they broke up soon comes to light… but will this summer adventure turn into a second chance romance? Or will their hearts end up broken all over again?

A totally gorgeous escapist romance with a delicious sprinkling of spice, perfect for fans of Susan Mallery, Phillipa Ashley and Laurie Gilmore. Let million-copy bestselling author Debbie Johnson whisk you away to Bonnie Bay, where the bookshop is welcoming, the sea views are breathtaking, and the nights are steamy!

About the Author: Debbie Johnson

Debbie Johnson is an award-winning author who lives and works in Liverpool, England, where she divides her time between writing, caring for a small tribe of children and animals, and not doing the housework. She writes feel-good emotional women’s fiction, and has sold more than 1 million books worldwide. She is published globally in many different languages, and her books include the best-selling Comfort Food Cafe series, the popular Starshine Cove series, Maybe One Day , The Moment I Met You and Forever Yours . Her publishers include One More Chapter (HarperCollins), Orion (Hachette), Storm, and Bookouture (Hachette).

Where’s My Daughter? by L.G. Davis

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I’m excited to be part of this suspenseful story, the psychological thriller Where’s My Daughter? I love this type of novel – twisty, edge of your seat, don’t know who to trust, suspenseful treat! This one kept me guessing up to the end.

Thank you for my copy and for having me as part of the tour!

Here’s the scoop:

They told me my daughter died. But an anonymous note proves she’s alive… and I’ll do anything to get her back.


I open the envelope and a photograph slips into my hands. My coffee mug falls and shatters on the kitchen floor. It’s my precious sixteen-year-old daughter, Sadie. Her hair is shorter and she looks thinner. I thought she was dead.

We were told she drowned at summer camp. A tragic accident, though she was a strong swimmer. My heartbroken husband is the one who broke the news. But this photograph proves it was all a lie. I turn it over with shaking hands and read the note: She’s alive. Don’t go to the police if you want to keep it that way.

Hands shaking, I read on: Your husband knows more than he’s saying…

This totally gripping psychological thriller will have you hooked until the final breathtaking twist! Fans of Gone Girl, The Housemaid and Lisa Jewell will be up all night turning the pages.

About the Author: L.G. Davis

Liz’s story began in a refugee camp in Angola, where she spent the first eight years of her life. After that, she spent some years in Namibia (her home country), South Africa, and Germany. She now lives in Vienna, Austria, with her husband and two children. Liz wrote her first full-length novel at eighteen and hid it in a box under her bed. Several others soon followed it. Her passion lies in writing edge-of-the-seat psychological thrillers that give readers the same rush they would get on a rollercoaster.

Spotlight on the Purrs and Puzzles Cat Café Cozy Mystery series by Samantha Noble

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Author Samantha Noble reached out to me about her cozy mystery series and while I am totally swamped with TBR books, I had to spotlight it because it looks WONDERFUL and I want to read it. Now I’m really a dog person, not a cat person as we are all allergic to cats; but I love all animals and pets and I love when a series ties in animals. This protagonist owns a cat café, a type of place I have always wanted to visit but alas, I do value our ability as a family to breathe so we don’t go. I admire from afar.

Here’s the scoop:

(image of print, digital, and audio versions of book in cozy setting with cat mug, headphones, magnifying glass, and warm throw, in front of fireplace with fire and lit candles) TRANSPORT ME THERE IMMEDIATELY PLEASE.

In Blueprints, Blackmail, And A British Shorthair, the tranquil life of Emma Clark is shattered when a renowned architect is murdered and a web of secrets entangles her beloved Savannah cat café. Drawn into the heart of the investigation by a cryptic set of blueprints and a sinister blackmail plot, Emma, alongside her clever British Shorthair, Purrlock Holmes, and steadfast Detective Jake Malone must navigate a maze of hidden motives, old vendettas, and dangerous lies. With small-town intrigue, feline charm, and a twist-filled mystery, this cozy whodunit will keep you guessing until the very last page.

Here’s the overview on Amazon:

Sometimes the truth is hidden in plain sight—and sometimes it’s curled up at your feet.

Running Purrs & Puzzles Cat Café in Savannah’s historic district means Emma Clark hears plenty of gossip. But when wealthy developer Garrison Faulk is found dead behind a nearby building, gossip quickly turns into suspicion.

The crime scene contains a clue that points uncomfortably close to Emma’s café, and before long, rumors are spreading faster than fresh coffee. With longtime residents guarding old grudges, business owners protecting secrets, and a growing list of suspects with motives to spare, Emma finds herself tangled in a murder that reaches far beyond a simple real-estate dispute.

Determined to uncover the truth, Emma follows a trail of hidden agendas, blackmail, and dangerous secrets buried beneath Savannah’s polished charm. Alongside her best friend Lizzie, a detective who would rather avoid cats, and Purrlock Holmes—the British Shorthair who always seems to notice what everyone else misses—Emma races to expose a killer before her reputation, her business, and the people she cares about become the next casualties.

In Savannah, some secrets are worth a fortune.

Others are worth killing for.

Perfect for fans of Ellery Adams, Sofie Kelly, and mysteries with a cozy café packed with charming cats, hidden secrets, and Southern atmosphere.

I believe you can read these titles as stand alones as well as in order.

Thanks so much for reaching out! I look forward to exploring this series!

About the Author:

Samantha Noble is the author of the Hazelwood High Jinx and Purrs & Puzzles Cat Café cozy mystery series, where the gossip is juicy, the animals sometimes seem smarter than the humans, and the bodies always seem to turn up at the worst possible time.

Set in small towns bursting with secrets (and the occasional sass from a parrot or a dog or a cat), Samantha’s mysteries blend humor, heart, and whodunits that’ll keep you guessing. Whether you’re following a curious innkeeper, a determined cat café owner, or a parrot with a taste for drama, you’re in for a delightful dose of cozy crime-solving.

When she’s not writing or wrangling plot twists with her editors or VA Chad Penwright, or getting suggestions from her Beta Team or ARC team, Samantha is likely sipping something caffeinated, daydreaming about her next book cover, or driving around town plotting murders (fictional ones—promise!).

Here’s a theme song Samantha Noble sent me for Purrlock Holmes the main cat character: https://suno.com/s/8SReRMRYa5kdPJcY

Fun!

Like Snow Before Sun by Marianne Rabalais Sulser

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Coming out June 9 is a beautifully written piece of historical fiction from Atmosphere Press: Like Snow Before Sun.

Marianna Rabalais Sulser tells the story of Jeanne LeJeune, a young woman who is part French, part Mi’kmaw, in 1700s Nova Scotia. I did not know much about Nova Scotia and Acadia during the time of the French and Indian War, and it was so interesting to read of how the people tried to not take sides and just live their lives, only to be turned upon by the British and displaced to other areas against their choice. This is a piece of history I did not know about and it was so interesting to read Jeanne’s story against this backdrop.

Beautifully written, with a story that highlights the upheaval at that time for Acadians, Like Snow Before Sun is highly recommended for those who enjoy historical fiction and stories of strong women.

Thank you to my friends at Books Forward for my copy to review!

Here’s the scoop:

INSPIRED BY TRUE STORIES

Which will you sacrifice-the father that raised you, or the nation you adore?

Acadia, 1755. Jeanne LeJeune has always lived between worlds-the fierce daughter of a French merchant and a Mi’kmaw woman, she is torn between the quiet rhythms of village life and the wild heartbeats of her mother’s people. But when her father is seized by English soldiers, her fragile peace shatters.

To win his freedom, Jeanne agrees to guide an English officer through the wilds of Nova Scotia-a choice that entangles her in the coming storm of war. What begins as a wary alliance soon becomes a journey fraught with danger, betrayal, and passion.

As the drums of conflict echo through the untamed heart of the forest, Jeanne must face an impossible choice: betray her heart to save her father or risk everything for the nation who shaped her soul.

Lush, romantic, and unflinching, Like Snow Before Sun captures a love tested by loyalty, loss, and the devastating cost of survival.

Here’s a bit about Marianna from her website: https://www.mariannesulser.com/about-the-author/

Bookouture Blog Tour for The People Next Door by Carla Kovach

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I’m excited to be part of the tour for this new novel that is SO suspenseful and thrilling! It’s The People Next Door by Carla Kovach. It kept me guessing the whole book and I also kept thinking how it would make a GREAT limited series for Netflix. I really like stories told from different points of view, too.

Thank you for my copy and for having me as part of the tour.

Here’s the scoop:

Dear Neighbour. I know who you are. I know what you did…

After that summer, I swore I’d never come back to Clover Lane. But when my aunt left us her house, I couldn’t say no. The last in a neat row of houses with white fences and countryside views, it was the life I’d always dreamed of for my family. They deserved it, even if I didn’t.


As the last boxes are unpacked and neighbours drop by to welcome us, I see the sparkle back in my daughter Morgan’s eyes and know we’re safe. I won’t ever let her near the woods where my best friend went missing, but welcome gifts and a coffee date with my neighbours have me feeling like we belong here. But then the first letter arrives, and my perfect new life shatters…


Suddenly, I notice curtains twitch as I unload the car and I find myself looking over my shoulder every time I leave the house. When more letters arrive and rumours poison the street, I start double-locking the doors at night. How much do I really know about the people next door? Are my children safe? Is there anyone I can trust?


Someone in this close-knit community thinks they know what happened that summer. I know they’re wrong, but my worst fear is realised when the last letter drops: Morgan is missing…

If you loved reading The Housemaid, The Perfect Marriage and The Girl on the Train, you will devour this absolutely jaw-dropping psychological thriller from Carla Kovach.

Buy links – NOT affiliated with BBNB:

Here’s a bit about the author:

Carla has been writing seriously since her mid-thirties. She started by writing stage plays which led to her producing and directing her own full length piece of theatre. After that, she decided to write films and books where she began by self-publishing. In the past, she has acted in a few indie films and has also co-owned a photography and video production company.

Right now, she is a full time crime and thriller author living in Worcester with her husband, Nigel and Poppy the cat.

Okay – hold the phone a minute here. Carla — we are practically NEIGHBORS! I live near Worcester as well. We could get together and drink coffee and chat about books and writing and theater if you want!

The Windsor Affair by Melanie Benjamin

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I love Melanie Benjamin’s novels but I truly adored this book! I love anything to do with the royals and it was so interesting to have a book that is largely written from the viewpoint of the Queen Mother. And it involves that crass Wallis Simpson who stole the heart of a king! So fun to read about the characters as they are all real people.

I highly recommend it to those who enjoy historical fiction related to the royals from not too long ago!

Thank you for my copy!

Here’s the scoop:

Description

A scandalous affair. A power struggle for the throne. A sensational rivalry between an English queen and an American social climber. In this electrifying novel, the New York Times bestselling author of The Swans of Fifth Avenue tells the story of the Abdication of Edward VIII—and the two women at the center of it all.

“As deliciously dishy as an English cream tea and the royal gossip whispered over it!”—Kate Quinn, author of The Astral Library

Feuding Windsor brothers and their wives—some things, it seems, never change. The Windsor Affair recreates the cataclysmic events that nearly toppled the monarchy and incited the power struggle between Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon and Wallis Simpson. Told from the perspective of both women, the novel propels readers into the fabulous world of the debonair Prince of Wales, café society of the 1930s, and the glittering private lives of the Windsors. The first novel to be dedicated to this infamous rivalry, The Windsor Affair brings us all the gossip and intrigue between the two very different—yet perhaps more similar than they would admit—wives of royals.

As Queen, Elizabeth would become the symbol of British pluck and courage during World War II and remain a British institution the rest of her long life. Wallis would be forever forced to enact the World’s Greatest Love Story even after it sours, as she goes from being admired to vilified and, ultimately, pitied. Against the backdrop of the Abdication Crisis, World War II, coronations, funerals, births, and deaths, these two women maintain a biting, sharp-tongued feud—until age and the long arm of history bring about a kind of understanding. For the last communication between these bitter rivals was a simple, surprising message: “In friendship, Elizabeth.”

Bookouture Blog Tour for The Girl with Two Names by Imogen Matthews

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Today I’m posting about a new historical fiction novel, centered on WWII: The Girl with Two Names by Imogen Matthews.

This was an engaging read – I always love reading about the Resistance because it forces me to ask myself if I could ever be that brave. There is some romance/love interest built in, but the story, in my opinion, is driven by the war experience. Stories like this always remind me of how much people were (are) willing to sacrifice to stand up for what they believed in, even if it meant death.

I haven’t read this author before, but I would look for her again!

Thank you to Bookouture for my copy and for having me as part of the tour.

Here’s the scoop:

She smooths her light blue coat with trembling hands as a man approaches. ‘Felix?’ he says, and she nods. ‘We weren’t expecting a girl.’ He smiles, but panic grips her throat at what he says next. ‘Whoever you are, you’ve been betrayed…’

1943, Nazi-occupied Holland. Turning up her collar against the wind, Trix prepares for her rendezvous. Hidden in the bottom of her bag are coded instructions from the British Special Operations Executive and a silk handkerchief, secretly printed with a map of her next meeting point. She knows working for the Dutch resistance is dangerous, but she must put her past behind her and become someone new… someone brave.

Trix’s friends think she’s a secretary – they can never know the truth. Living a double life is desperately lonely, but the longer she goes under her alias, Felix, the more comfortable she becomes with this new version of herself: one who will stand up for what is right, and fight for those who can’t. That is, until the warm brown eyes of a pilot from her past spark hope for a life after the war.

But when she’s ambushed and imprisoned by German soldiers posing as men from the Dutch resistance, Trix must lean on everything she’s learnt if she’s going to survive and grasp her chance at love. These soldiers see her as just a woman. But is that her greatest weapon? In war, often it’s those we underestimate the most who have the power to change everything…

Inspired by a remarkable true story, The Girl with Two Names is a totally heartbreaking and emotional World War Two novel of bravery, sacrifice and the power of hope in dark times. Perfect for fans of Heather Morris, Kristin Hannah and Fiona Valpy.

About the author:

Imogen Matthews is an Oxford-based, award-winning author and journalist with an interest in forgotten stories from WW2 Holland. Imogen was born in Rijswijk, Holland, to a Dutch mother and English father who moved the family to England when Imogen was very young. All her life, she listened to her mother’s stories about her life in Holland, in particular the hardships she faced during the Hunger Winter in 1944-5, which has had a profound impact on her writing.

Amazon: https://geni.us/B0GN9G684Xsocial (NOT affiliated with BBNB)

Bookouture Blog Tour for The Lady at the Lodging House by Natalie Meg Evans

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I’m so happy to take part in the tour for this historical fiction/WWII novel, which is book 3 of the Wartime Boarding House series by Natalie Meg Evans: The Lady at the Boarding House. This installment focuses on Betony, the wealthy socialite who is living with her friends in London and trying to make her way on her own financially, though her past life has left her with very few skills. Even though Betony is the main character, the other major characters, Grace and Jess, play key roles in the story. As I read each book in the series, I like it even more than the one before – I think this is because each one brings a further depth to the main characters and their trials and tribulations. Okay, I’ll say it: this was my favorite in the series so far!

Thank you for my copy and for having me as part of the tour.

Here’s the scoop:

The Lady at the Lodging House

The Wartime Lodging House Book 3

Natalie Meg Evans

London, 1940. In a Mayfair townhouse behind a wide front door, three women must bond together to make it through the war – no matter their differences.

A world away from the wealth and comfort of her family home, lord’s daughter BetonyStyles has come to love her new life at a London lodging house with Grace and Jess. Selling her beautiful gowns to pay for her rent and rations for the other girls, Betony is determined to do her bit.

By day she works in the factory sewing much-needed uniforms for the Women’s Air Force. At night, air raid sirens blaze – but Betony and the other girls do all they can to help in the hardest hit neighbourhoods, rescuing a precious newborn from the rubble. And she’s head over heels with her beau, brave Canadian pilot Winter Macpherson.

But her father believes duty to her family should come before her duty for her country. He demands she give up playing games and come home once and for all.

To stand up to her father and follow her own path, Betony needs Grace and Jess more than ever. But when Winter disappears, her heart shatters. Together, can the lodging house girls give each other hope even in the darkest times?

A completely unputdownable historical novel, perfect for fans of Jean Grainger, Lisa Wingate and Diney Costeloe. Your heart will break at this beautiful story of love, friendship and courage.

About the Author:

Natalie Meg Evans has been an art student, actor, PR copywriter, book-keeper and bar tender but always wanted to write. A USA Today best-seller and RITA nominee, she is author of four published novels which follow the fortunes of strong-minded women during the 1930s and 40s. Fashion, manners and art are the glass through which her characters’ lives are viewed. Each novel is laced with passion, romance and desire. Mystery is never far away.

An avid absorber of history – for her sixth birthday she got a toy Arthurian castle with plastic knights – Natalie views historical fiction as theatre for the imagination. Her novels delve behind the scenes of a prestige industry: high fashion, millinery, theatre, wine making. Rich arenas for love and conflict. Most at home in the English countryside, Natalie lives in rural Suffolk. She has one son.