Left on the Shelf

A Little Christmas Spirit

About the Author

Susan Buchanan writes contemporary romance, women’s fiction and romantic comedies, usually featuring travel, food, family, friendship, community – also Christmas!

Her books are Sign of the Times, The Dating Game, The Christmas Spirit, Return of the Christmas Spirit, A Little Christmas Spirit, A Taste of Christmas Spirit and Just One Day – Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn, The Leap Year Proposal, You Can’t Hurry Love and The Boulangerie on the Corner.

As a freelance developmental editor, copyeditor and proofreader, if she’s not reading, editing or writing, she’s thinking about it.

She is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, the Society of Authors and the Alliance of Independent Authors.

She lives near Glasgow with her husband, two children and a crazy Labrador.

When she’s not editing, writing, reading or caring for her two delightful cherubs, she likes going to the theatre, playing board games, watching quiz shows and eating out.

You can also find Susan at:

My Other Blog Posts Featuring This Author

A Taste of Christmas Spirit

The Leap Year Proposal

(ARC and media courtesy of Rachel's Random Resources)

(all opinions are my own)

(Bookshop.org affiliated)

Friday, 25 September 2026

The Tale That Time Sews by Sita Brahmachari & Jane Ray - #bookreview

This is the thread that travels the Earth, that Time sews...

***

I am required to make it clear at the beginning of my reviews that I received this book for free from the publisher. I have not been paid for doing this and all opinions are my own. I am Bookshop.org affiliated, which means I earn a very small amount of money if you buy from there using my direct link. Although I include purchase links to Amazon, I am not affiliated with them. I include them to make it easy for you to navigate to them if you so wish.

***

The Blurb

While a young girl awaits the arrival of a new sibling, her Nana works on a special story quilt. As she sews, mends, and adds new patches, Nana shares the story of her own journey - of fleeing her homeland, finding love in a new country, and stitching together a new beginning from fragile threads.

With every new and restored patch, the girl begins to understand her place in the world. Patterns burst with stories, threads shimmer with spirits passed and new patches wait to be brought to life. Each careful mend and every stitch carries the hope of what's to come.

Now, as a new life enters the world, Nana's quilt wraps around her grandchildren in the warmth of the past and the promise of what's to come.

My Review

This delightful picture book tells the story of time through a continual needle and thread.

In fact, as we turn the pages we follow the thread through the life of a young girl as she waits for the birth of her new sibling. We meet her family and friends as we watch her grandmother sewing a quilt, weaving the past and present into every stitch.

It has been beautifully illustrated with the thread and the grandmother working on the quilt as constants throughout the book. We see the grandmother sharing photos and stories of the family's past, their fleeing their country in search of peace.

The illustrations add so much more to what is written in the text. They are delightfully done and encapsulate the story of this family through the three generations in the book.

It is a lovely story which is inclusive and diverse. It is a beautiful book for sharing and I could imagine it being one that a child returns to regularly. There is something very special within its pages and I highly recommend it.

Book Details

ISBN: 978 1800789654

Publisher: Templar Books

Formats: hardback

No. of Pages: 32

Purchase Links

About the Author

Sita is a multi-award-winning writer of novels, plays, novellas and short stories. She is the winner of the Waterstones Children's Book Award for Artichoke Hearts, and has been nominated for the Carnegie Medal five times. Sita has been an Amnesty International Ambassador and speaks in schools, at festivals and conferences. In 2018 Tender Earth received the UK Honour from the International Board of Books for Young People.

Sita is based in London. She is a former Writer in Residence for BookTrust and Writer in Residence at the Islington Centre for Refugees and Migrants.

You can also find Sita at:

About the Illustrator

Jane is a London-born artist and illustrator. She has illustrated over 60 children's books, and her work has been widely recognised, earning nominations for prestigious awards like the Hans Christian Andersen Award (2018) and the Kate Greenaway Medal. Jane continues to exhibit her art regularly at galleries such as Primavera in Cambridge and Watermark Gallery. She works with Sita as the Artist in Residence at the Islington Centre for Refugees and Migrants.

You can also find Jane at:

(book and media courtesy of the publisher)

(all opinions are my own)

(Bookshop.org affiliated)

Wednesday, 23 September 2026

Invitation From a Dictator by Rory Clements - #bookreview

***

The Blurb

ON THE EVE OF WAR, A ROYAL GUEST IS LURED INTO HITLER'S DEADLY WEB . . .

Munich, 1937. The Duke and Duchess of Windsor have arrived in Germany for a historic meeting at Hitler's mountain retreat.

But recent attacks by ruthless Communist band, Red Freedom, has brought fear and bloodshed to the area. As brutal as the Nazis, their next targets are Edward, Wallis and the Fuhrer himself.

Detective Sebastian Wolff is charged with their protection, but the conflict between his job and his politics becomes even more complicated when Wolff realises who is behind Red Freedom: Ulrike, his first love and the mother of his son.

My Review

Although this is the third book in a series, I have not read the earlier books. It works very well as a standalone novel.

The book is set in Munich in 1937, just as Hitler's power is in the ascendant and prior to the beginning of the Second World War.

The main character, Detective Sebastian Wolff, is investigating a terrorist gang called Red Freedom. However, he is transferred to guard the visit to Hitler's mountain retreat in the Austrian Alps, the Berghof, as the controversial Duke and Duchess of Windsor are going to visit.

Meanwhile, Wolff's fiancée Hexie has also been invited to stay at the Berghof by her old friend, Eva Braun. These three subplots running through the book lead to some exciting twists and turns for Wolff as he continues to investigate Red Freedom whilst also carrying out his protection duties of the abdicated King Edward VIII and his wife, Wallis Simpson.

I really liked the way the author wove the three aspects of the plot together. It demonstrated real skill in the writing. Mr Clements is a great storyteller and for I was completely gripped by the book

The book is fairly slow-paced, but I think this was entirely necessary for the slow burn of the plot to develop. It also provides the reader with a more in-depth understanding of the characters.

The book has definitely made me want to go back to the beginning of the series and read the books prior to this one. Fans of pre-war thrillers will love this book and I highly recommend it.

Book Details

ISBN: 978 0241728215

Publisher: Viking

Formats: e-book, audio and hardback

No. of Pages: 400 (hardback)

Series: Book 3 in the Detective Sebastion Wolff series

Purchase Links

About the Author

Rory has a passion for thrillers. He loves reading about men and women facing the ultimate test under fire - and he loves writing about them. It must be in his blood.

Born in Dover, Kent, and raised in various outposts of the world while mhis father served in the Royal Navy. He grew up hungry to become a writer.

He worked for many years as a national newspaper journalist but always dreamed of switching to novel-writing. On moving to Norfolk in 2007 he found the perfect spot to achieve his ambition.

So why thrillers? Well, it might have something to do with his family history.

His generation of the Clements clan is the first since the Crimean War not to have seen active service in a branch of the military, and he feels extremely fortunate that this is so. While his father, grandfather and great-grandfather survived fierce and deadly fighting in three major wars, he fears he would not have measured up.

He believes his history has given him a keen understanding of valour and the stoicism of those in peril - whether from enemy agents, at sea, in the air, or on the battlefield.

These are the essential qualities of the protagonists in his three series - Tom Wilde, a Cambridge history professor; Seb Wolff, a Munich cop in the 1930s; and John Shakespeare, a spy in Elizabethan England. They're very different characters but they share one quality - courage.

You can also find Rory at:

Facebook

(ARC and media courtesy of Viking Press)

(all opinions are my own)

(Bookshop.org affiliated)

Monday, 21 September 2026

Ancestral Virgins by Fiona J. Mackintosh - #bookreview #blogtour

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The Blurb

In early 20th century Britain, society was changing rapidly, but not much was changing for women. From different ends of the social spectrum, Celia Mapperley and May Hallam wrestle with rules and circumstances beyond their control and must navigate love, sex, war, and the thin line between conformity and scandal. As they each bear the shame of a devastating family secret, their stories come together in ways that neither could have imagined.

My Review

This review is of all three of the books in this series, as they do not really work as standalone novels.

The first book begins in 1911 before the outbreak of World War One. Set in the grand house of Mapperley, we follow the main character, Celia, who was born into a world of standing and privilege. As a young woman of the aristocracy, we read of her innocence and naivety. This isn't a spoiler as we are made aware on the first page that Celia and her brother, Makepeace, have an unhealthily close relationship.

In the second book, we meet May and her brother Davey. May's family work on the Mapperley estate until the outbreak of the war when the family are scattered. Two of her brothers are away at the front and her sister Lily is in service at a different aristocratic house. May's brother Davey has Down's syndrome, and a close bond has formed between them.

In the third of this trilogy, the worlds of both Celia and May are brought together. Two women who have had to navigate their ways through life in very different ways left me feeling very hopeful and optimistic for them both.

What we see in this book is two main characters who have formed very close brother-and-sister bonds, but in very different ways. Not only are the characters separated by class, but it also highlights the change that happened following the war, where the class boundaries changed significantly.

I enjoyed the writing in these books. The author has constructed her stories extremely well and each of the books had me gripped. It is a glimpse into the life both upstairs and downstairs of the time period, which the author portrayed very well.

The books made for excellent reading and I wholeheartedly recommend them. However, I must add that these books are not for the faint of heart. We witness on the page both incest and sexual violence, so please be aware.

Book Details

ISBN: 979 8993482309 (part 1)

979 8993482316 (part 2)

979 8993482323 (part 3)

Publisher: Midatlantic Press

Formats: e-book and paperback

No. of Pages: 128 (part 1)

126 (part 2)

174 (part 3)

Purchase Links

About the Author

Fiona J. Mackintosh is a Scottish-American author living in Washington D.C. whose fiction draws from both sides of the Atlantic. Her flash fiction collection, The Yet Unknowing World (Ad Hoc Fiction, 2021), was a runner-up for the 2021 Saboteur Award for best short story collection, and her debut novel Ancestral Virgins will be published on June 26, 2026. Her flashes were selected for Best Small Fictions in 2023 and 2019, and her short stories have been finalists in the Cairde Word, Colm Toíbín, Bristol, Galley Beggar, Exeter, and Fish Short Story Prizes. She is a proud recipient of an Individual Artist’s Award from the Maryland State Arts Council.

You can also find Fiona at:

Bluesky

(ARC and media courtesy of Rachel's Random Resources)

(all opinions are my own)

(Bookshop.org affiliated)

Friday, 18 September 2026

The Sun Casts No Shadow by Mark Richardson - #bookspotlight #blogtour

Today I am shining the book spotlight on this book. The Sun Casts No Shadow by Mark Richardson is a dystopian noir novel and will appeal to lovers of the genre.

The Blurb

In the walled, rotting City where daylight is a just a memory, pickpocket Wellington Thorneycroft drifts through life. The rules are simple: take what you can, feel nothing, and never look too closely at the shadows.

But when a ghostly woman appears—silent, radiant, impossible—everything shifts. Her promise is clear: we’ll escape together. With that, Thorneycroft is thrust into a fever-dream journey that twists through brothels, back alleys, and the outer edges of sanity itself.

Guided by visions and a growing hunger for something beyond the City’s poisoned streets, he begins to question the nature of the prison he calls home... and whether escape is even possible.

Laced with brutality and bleak wonder, Mark Richardson's The Sun Casts No Shadow is a neo-noir descent into metaphysical horror.

Dark. Gritty. Unforgettable. Enter the City.

Book Details

ISBN: 979 8184326337

Publisher: Independently published

Formats: e-book, hardback and paperback

No. of Pages: 180 (paperback)

Purchase Links

About the Author

Mark Richardson writes neo-noir novels which blend elements from a range of genres, including surrealism, science fiction, fantasy, and dystopia.

He grew up near Chicago, graduated from the University of Iowa, and now resides in the San Francisco Bay Area.

You can also find Mark at:

(media courtesy of The Write Reads)

(all opinions are my own)

(Bookshop.org affiliated)

Thursday, 17 September 2026

Little Wolf's Big Huff by Harriet Howe & Illustrated by Katie Cottle - #bookreview

Every year, Little Wolf and Daddy Wolf took a trip to watch the Wolf Moon rise.

They always had the most wonderfully-waggy-tailed time...

***

The Blurb

Every year, Little Wolf and Daddy Wolf watch the Wolf Moon rise. Two wolves, alone together, under the big night sky. But this year's trip is looking to be a little bit BIGGER and BUSIER than usual... This time all the brothers, sisters and pups are coming, too. Little Wolf is worried it won't be the same...

And sure enough, it ISN'T. As things go from bad to worse, strange feelings start to bubble in Little Wolf's belly and fizz through his fur. Before long, he feels BIG and BAD. He huffs...and he puffs...

Can Daddy Wolf help Little Wolf get a handle on his huffs and puffs before it's too late? And teach him about a very special part of being a wolf?

This reassuring picture book is packed with fairytale-like storytelling and in-depth character and world building, supporting children when they are faced with BIG feelings to process. Perfect for fans of Barbara Throws a Wobbler, The Colour Monster and Tom Percival's Big Bright Feelings series.

My Review

This is a delightful picture book to share with children finding themselves in need of a little reassurance.

Little Wolf is a charming character. He is a first child, followed by lots of younger siblings. He's okay as long as his annual wolf moon watch stays just as it's always been, with just him and Daddy Wolf. Then one year when Mummy Wolf is unwell, the baby wolves come too and it scares Little Wolf who thinks it just won't be the same.

I loved the language that the author used in this book to describe Little Wolf's feelings. She describes him as having a "wobbling worry inside... the not-fairness... churning round and round and upside down... big feelings bubbled in his belly..."

The author conjures up the worry and fear that children experience at one time or another in their young lives. However, I also loved how Daddy Wolf teaches him coping strategies for when he feels worried and unsure. In fact, at the back of the book is a page demonstrating to children how to use these strategies for themselves. Overall, what this book is really saying is that it is okay to have unhappy feelings and to express them. If I could go back in time and visit my childhood self, I would be taking a copy of this book with me.

The illustrations are delightfully done and add to the text really well. I loved seeing the mischief the younger siblings were causing without it being said in the text. They have been done in a lovely palette of colours and are evocative.

I highly recommend this book to the little ones in your life. It carries so much in its forty pages and is a lovely story which would provide an opportunity to discuss how a child is feeling.

A brilliant picture book that is well worth getting your hands on.

Book Details

ISBN: 9781835874455

Publisher: Bonnier Books

Formats: Paperback

No. of Pages: 40

Purchase Links

About the Author

Harriet's first word was "book", she's loved stories ever since, so it's a dream come true to end up writing her own. Originally from London, she now lives in Suffolk with her family. When not writing, Harriet works in television; she's filmed talking horses, chefs in jets and pop princesses in fabulous dresses. But she's happiest with a pencil in one hand and a cup of tea in the other, brewing up her next story.

You can also find Harriet at:

Bluesky

About the Illustrator

Katie Cottle is a freelance illustrator and picture-bookmaker based in Bristol. Originally from Swansea, Katie graduated from the Illustration course at the University of the West of England in 2017. She enjoys telling stories through drawing, and uses a variety of media, including a mix of traditional and digital techniques. She was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize for The Blue Giant. She particularly enjoys using bright colours and drawing grumpy faces.

You can also find Katie at:

Website

My Other Blog Posts Featuring This Author/Illustrator

Tiger's Last Roar

(ARC and media courtesy of the publisher)

(all opinions are my own)

(Bookshop.org affiliated)

Wednesday, 16 September 2026

Fraying Skeins by Nancy Jardine - #extract #excerpt #blogtour

I am so pleased to be bringing you an extract from this book today. Fraying Skeins by Nancy Jardine is set in Scotland during the late 19th century.

The Blurb

Escape In Paradise Evasion

1870 Scotland

Fleeing from Peterhead, Margaret Law makes Aberdeen her refuge. Menial jobs keep her and her toddler son fed– till an unusual tutoring task boosts her finances, and self-worth. Letters to best friend Jessie contain the absolute truth, especially when Johnny Fraser re-enters her life. Is he the man for Margaret to grow old with? When better employment emerges in St. Andrews, Margaret is torn. Will the move mean losing Johnny?

When Johnny follows Margaret to St. Andrews, their life together is idyllic. But when menacing secrets unfold, will Johnny’s past indiscretions be their undoing? Will he lose the cherished family he is establishing with Margaret?

The Extract

Fraying Skeins – A Stupefying Dilemma.

Sitting down alongside him, Margaret forced his attention. “Johnny. There’s something bothering you. It’s been a problem brewing for ages but we have to talk about it.”

His eyes when they slid towards her were guarded. “There’s nothing wrong.”

She grabbed the fingers of one of his hands and squeezed to get some reaction from him. Refusing to back down, she forced him to maintain his gaze on her. “I vowed after living with Sandy’s lies and mistruths that I’d never allow myself to be in a similar vulnerable situation where someone close to me was lying to me. I know there’s something wrong.”

A flicker of despair was there before Johnny shuttered his feelings once more.

“I’m sure you still love me and the children as much as ever, Johnny, so I don’t think it’s that.”

His head bent again, but not to read the newspaper.

“I’m also sure it’s not because you’ve gambled away your wages. Or our savings.”

She watched his head shake mutely from side to side.

“I want to help with whatever is causing you this anguish. But you have to tell me what it is.” When he still said nothing she persisted. “It doesn’t matter if I find it painful, or unpalatable. We can surely work it out, together, whatever has happened.”

His head eventually lifted, the look in his eyes bleak.

“I’m not sure this can be worked out, whether we’re together or not.”

The sneering laugh that then rumbled from him shocked her in its cruelty. “You and me, together, is the problem that I can’t work out!” he scorned.

“You don’t want to be with me any longer?” She couldn’t believe that he wanted to be free of her. She just wouldn’t accept that was his problem.

His abrupt rise from the table was unnerving. His fingers clawed through his hair and he had the demented look of a trapped animal.

“It’s because I desperately do want to be with you, Margaret. You! That’s what the problem is!”

“You’re not making any sense, Johnny. You have to make me understand.” She jumped up to catch him in his roaming around. Her arms encircling his taught body stopped his strides.

She knew when his forehead touched down on her own that he was near to a breaking point, his furious torso trembling.

Edging him towards a chair, she forced him to sit down again, then perched sideways on the chair next to him, his hands held firmly in her own. Though her insides were churning, she ensured her tone was encouraging and not threatening in any way. “Start at the beginning.”

Ten minutes later, after a horrifying explanation, she was no longer holding his hands since he’d wrestled them free of her attempts to soothe him. He sat as still as a statue, his gaze blindly facing forward.

“And this letter you received today from Artie says that Jane Forbeson has given up on the Kirk Session finding you, and she has paid for adverts in the local and national newspapers?”

“Yes.” He still stared directly ahead.

“Her hope being that the newspaper adverts will widen the search for you?”

The slightest of nods broke Johnny’s immobile posture.

Margaret’s mind was in a whirl but showing she was devastated wasn’t going to help. They needed to discuss the situation even more, to work out what to do.

“And Artie’s indication is that the local paper states that you are her legal husband, and she has certification to prove it?”

Again the nod was so tiny she could have missed it, his whole body held so rigidly in the grip of his fury. “It’s in my pocket.”

She took it that he wanted her to read his letter. Going to the door she fished out a

crumpled piece of paper and flattened it on the table. The writing was, of course, unfamiliar since he’d never let her read any of his Kirriemuir correspondence. However, what Artie had written showed his deep concern about the ongoings. And it also showed his faith in Johnny, who Artie clearly believed to be innocent.

“But…If you really did marry her, then…we…”

Book Details

ISBN: 978 1739696467

Publisher: Nancy Jardine

Formats: e-book and paperback (currently available on Amazon Unlimited)

No. of Pages: 324 (paperback)

Series: Book 3 in the Silver Sampler series

Purchase Links