Thursday, 17 July 2025

Murder Most Wilde by Helen Golden - #extract #excerpt #blogtour

 

There's nothing I like more than a book with a dog on the cover, and this one is so appealing.

I am delighted to have an excerpt from this lovely book today. Murder Most Wilde by Helen Golden looks like a fabulous read, and is part of A Right Royal Cozy Investigation Mystery series.


The Blurb

In the world of amateur theatre, the drama isn’t all onstage…

Tragedy Strikes the Windstanton Players

Popular local actor, Noel Ashworth, who collapsed during the rehearsal of Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy, The Importance of Being Earnest, was pronounced dead at the scene. As shock ripples through Windstanton’s tight-knit amateur theatre group, the Fenshire Police are looking at them as suspects.

I can’t let Perry’s acting debut end in disaster! With the cast spooked and the local police under-resourced, Bea—along with Perry, Rich, Simon, and her trusty Westie, Daisy must shift through the cast’s petty jealousies and diva behaviour to unmask the killer before they strike again. 

When the show must go on...will everyone make it to opening night?


The Excerpt

Intro

Perry Juke is excited to take on the part of Algernon in The Windstanton Player’s adaptation of The Importance of Being Ernest by Oscar Wilde. As rehearsals begin in the village hall, Perry is settling into the role and looking forward to opening night. Four weeks before the preview they move to the Windstanton Theatre Royal for their rehearsal in the historic theatre and everyone seems a little tense. Suddenly one of the lead actors, Noel Ashworth, collapses on stage during a scene with Perry, and panic sets in…

***

Oh my giddy aunt! Perry’s heart hammered against his ribs as he raced towards Noel’s crumpled form.

Crunch!

His polished boot crushed something beneath it, but Perry barely registered it. His mind was laser-focused on Noel as his eyes locked on to the unmoving form of his fellow actor. 

Emily beat him there by a hair’s breadth, dropping to her knees beside Noel’s body. “Noel! Can you hear me?” Her normally unflappable voice pitched with urgency.

Perry joined her on the floor. Noel lay still, his skin a sickly pale sheen of sweat. Perry’s stomach twisted. This is bad. Really bad.

“Call an ambulance! Now!” Em barked over her shoulder, her steely gaze resting on Kurt, who stood rooted to the spot, gaping at them, his face pale and blank as if his mind had short-circuited. 

Perry clenched his fists. “Kurt! Call for help! Ring an ambulance!” 

Kurt blinked at him dumbly. Perry wanted to shake him. Of all the times to go into shock! He patted his pockets out of habit and groaned. No phone. Brilliant! “Do something, man!” he bellowed, his frustration bubbling over. 

That seemed to jolt Kurt into action. He fumbled for his phone. His movements were jerky as he turned away, muttering into the receiver.

Beside Perry, Em was trying to reposition Noel’s limp body. “We need to get him in the recovery position. Perry, help me.” 

He hesitated. His instinct told him it was already too late. He’d seen his fair share of corpses over the last few years. The grey tinge to Noel’s skin, the slackness in his face... Perry swallowed hard. But he bit back his doubts. If there was any chance Noel could be saved, then they had to try. Together, he and Em rolled Noel onto his side. His head lolled unnaturally, his skin waxy and slick with sweat. She pressed a trembling finger to Noel’s throat. The pause that followed seemed to last forever.

Her face twisted. “I can’t feel…” she whispered, her composure cracking as she rolled Noel onto his back. “Colin! Get the defibrillator!”

Without hesitation, she clasped her hands and began chest compressions—firm, 

fast, steady. “If it is a heart attack, we might still have a chance, right?” Her eyes met Perry’s. He gave her what he hoped was a reassuring smile as he heard footsteps bolting in the direction of the wings. 

He crouched nearby, his heart thudding in his throat, watching her hands rise and fall in rhythm. If Colin doesn’t come back quickly… What do I have to do? Think! He’d practised CPR before, years ago—but had never used it in real life. What was the song you have to give compressions to? He remembered and began reciting the words of the children’s song “Nelly the Elephant” under his breath, mentally preparing himself to take over from Em. 

“Come on, Noel,” Em muttered, breathless with effort. “Come on…”

Footsteps thundered back into the room. Perry stood and shuffled back to make space, his foot landing on something small and hard. Noel’s fake cigarette, its casing broken. Without thinking, he scooped up the pieces and tucked them into his pocket. 

Colin skidded to a halt beside him, his eyes wide, the defibrillator clutched to his chest. “I’ve never used one of these before!” he gasped, thrusting the machine at Perry. “I’ll take over CPR.”

Perry caught the unit, nodded, and shuffled into place beside Noel as Colin dropped to his knees opposite Em and immediately took over compressions.

Perry suppressed a sigh of relief as he flipped the lid up. At least the machine will talk me through what to do…

He powered it on. The device came to life with a mechanical voice. After telling him to call for help, it continued, “Apply pads to patient’s bare chest.”

He knelt closer and helped Em tear open Noel’s shirt. The skin was clammy beneath the pads, the adhesive slow to stick. Still, they got them in place as shown in the illustration.

Perry knelt back as the voice instructed, “Analysing heart rhythm. Do not touch the patient.”

Colin stopped, and everyone froze. 

“Shock not advised. Begin CPR.”

Em gave a curt nod, and Colin resumed compressions, singing what sounded to Perry like “Staying Alive” by the Bee Gees under his breath.

Perry swallowed hard. No shock? That must mean there was no shockable rhythm…

A sharp scream startled him. His head jerked up to see Stella standing frozen half-way along the stage, her eyes wide with horror, one hand clamped over her mouth.

“Tom!” Em shouted, her voice snapping like a whip. “Get Stella out of here!”

Tom remained rooted in place, gawking at Noel’s lifeless form. Em shot Perry a pleading look. “We’ve got this, Perry. Can you…?”

He nodded and rose. “Come on, Stella,” he said softly, going over to her. Her 

gaze didn’t waver from Noel, her limbs rigid. He put an arm around her shoulders, but she didn’t budge. 

“Is he…?” she whispered.

“They’re doing everything they can,” Perry told her, though the words felt hollow.

Just then, Millie appeared, looking flushed. “Can I help?” she asked as her eyes settled on the morbid tableau taking place before her.

Perry blinked, surprised to see her. She isn’t due until later. Then again, maybe she’d mixed up the schedule like Stella had.

“Noel’s been taken… er, ill,” he blurted. “Please, Millie, take her somewhere. Get her a cup of tea. Plenty of sugar. She needs to sit down.”

Understanding dawned in Millie’s eyes, and she murmured her agreement, her face solemn. She gently pulled Stella towards the curtain, whispering reassurances. 

Perry’s gaze darted back to Noel. Should I take photos of the scene? He shook his head. No. That’s ridiculous. This was almost certainly a heart attack, not something nefarious. Noel was very young to have a cardiac arrest, but if drugs were involved… He let the thought trail off as the distant wail of sirens reached his ears.


Book Details

ISBN:  978 1915747341

Publisher:  Drew Bradley Press

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

No. of Pages:  324 (paperback)

Series:  Book 12 in the A Right Royal Cozy Investigation Mystery series.


Purchase Links

Amazon UK

Amazon US


About the Author


Helen Golden spins mysteries that are charmingly British, delightfully deadly, and served with a twist of humour.

With quirky characters, clever red herrings, and plots that keep the pages turning, she’s the author of the much-loved A Right Royal Cozy Investigation series, following Lady Beatrice and her friends—including one clever little dog—as they uncover secrets hidden in country houses and royal palaces. Her new historical mystery series, The Duchess of Stortford Mysteries, is set in Victorian England and introduces an equally curious sleuth from Lady Beatrice’s own family tree—where murders are solved over cups of tea, whispered gossip, and overheard conversations in drawing rooms and grand estates.

Helen lives in a quintessential English village in Lincolnshire with her husband, stepdaughter, and a menagerie of pets—including a dog, several cats, a tortoise, and far too many fish.

If you love clever puzzles, charming settings, and sleuths with spark, her books are waiting for you.

You can also find Helen at:

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(media courtesy of Rachel's Random Resources)

(all opinions are my own)


Wednesday, 16 July 2025

This is Me Trying by Jenna Adams - #bookreview #blogtour

 


The Blurb

In this contemporary coming-of-age YA novel, a teenage girl navigates a romance with an older boy when they're cast as the leading roles in their drama group's production of Romeo and Juliet.

When Brooke and Matt are cast as romantic leads in their drama group's performance of Romeo and Juliet, they don’t mean to actually fall in love. Secrets and lies seem a small price for Brooke to pay for an older boyfriend, until they take their relationship to the next level one night in an empty auditorium. After she learns of the illegality of Matt’s actions, Brooke’s anxiety reaches breaking point and she makes a decision that changes her life forever. Years later, Matt is reunited with Brooke, desperately seeking redemption. But what sense can they make now of a love that never did run smoothly?

Exploring mental health, co-dependency, and the blurred lines of sexual consent, this captivating debut recounts a young woman’s journey to independence as she strays beyond all she has ever known to confront her traumatic past.

Previously published as Can I Stray.


My Review

This was a five-star read for me, and I enjoyed every page.

The two main characters in this book meet at a drama group when Brooke is fourteen, and Matt is eighteen. They are cast in the roles of Romeo and Juliet. Brooke already has a crush on Matt, and it is not long before her feelings are reciprocated. What follows is a complicated, messy romance, which made for fascinating reading. 

The chapters are alternated between Brooke and Matt and cover the coming few years. We can observe them mature through their individual narratives, which gave a fabulous insight into their thoughts and emotions. 

This is a very heartfelt and emotive book. There were times when I felt heartbroken at the story that they had to tell. They both had to face some very complex issues. The author did a fantastic job of portraying the range of emotion and complex needs that both Brooke and Matt have to face.

Thus, the book deals with some difficult themes, and Ms. Adams deals with them with sensitivity and compassion. The issues of consent, depression, and codependency are covered in this book with realism and honesty. My heart went out to Brooke in particular, and how her lack of self-esteem affected her and those around her. It would be impossible not to feel devastated on behalf of her mother.

This is Me Trying is being published tomorrow, and I highly recommend that you get your hands on a copy. However, I should add some trigger warnings to that recommendation. Issues of consent, mental health issues, and abandonment are all present in this book. But it is a brilliant book and well worth reading.


Book Details

ISBN:  978 1917275101

Publisher:  Neem Tree Press

Formats:  e-book and paperback

No. of Pages:  432 (paperback)

Previously published as Can I Stray


Preorder Links

Bookshop.org

Blackwell's

Amazon UK

Amazon US


About the Author

Jenna Adams began writing at the age of fourteen and now writes from her third-floor flat, which is full of houseplants. She has written for a variety of publications including The Book Network, Brook Charity, and The Content Wolf, and is passionate about exploring mental health, consent, and codependency in her writing.

You can also find Jenna at:

Author Website

Instagram

Tik Tok

Facebook


Why not check out some of the other fabulous bloggers on this tour.


 


(ARC and media courtesy of The Write Reads)

(all opinions are my own)

(Bookshop.org affiliated)

Tuesday, 15 July 2025

10 Ten Exciting New Releases in August 2025

 


Hasn't the weather been glorious? A little too hot for some perhaps? However, there is nothing nicer than finding a shady spot, a long cool drink and settling back with a good book.

There are some exciting new releases coming out next month. Here are just ten that have caught my eye.

With Her Own Hands by Nicole Nehrig

A rich and intimate exploration of how women have used textile work to create meaningful lives, from ancient mythology to our current moment.

Knitting, sewing, embroidery, quilting—throughout history, these and other forms of textile work have often been dismissed as merely “women’s work” and attached to ideas of domesticity and obedience. Yet, as psychologist and avid knitter Nicole Nehrig wonderfully explores in this captivating book, textile work has often been a way for women to exercise power. When their voices were silenced and other avenues were closed off to them, women used the tools they had—often a needle and thread—to seek freedom within the restrictive societies they lived in.

Spanning continents and centuries, With Her Own Hands brings together remarkable stories of women who have used textiles as a means of liberation, from an eighteenth-century Quaker boarding school that used embroidered samplers to teach girls math and geography to the Quechua weavers working to preserve and revive Incan traditions today, and from the Miao women of southern China who, in the absence of a written language, pass down their histories in elaborate “story cloths” to a midcentury British women’s postal art exchange. Textiles have been a way for women to explore their intellectual capacities, seek economic independence, create community, process traumas, and convey powerful messages of self-expression and political protest.

Heartfelt and deeply moving, With Her Own Hands is a celebration of women who have woven their own stories—and a testament to their resilience.

Preorder Link - Bookshop.org


 Wedding Bells for the East End Library Girls by Patricia McBride

The library girls are determined to keep their community’s spirits high.

With their beloved library damaged by bombing, they’ve found a temporary home in the local school, but they long to return to the place they love.

Mavis’s wedding should be a time of joy, but beneath the celebrations, she carries a secret. Determined to stay strong, she refuses to dampen the happiness of those around her.

Jane is finally stepping into the life she deserves. After years of self-doubt, she is beginning to find her confidence and – with the support of her two best friends – perhaps even an opportunity she never thought possible.

And for Cordelia, hope is also on the horizon. As the war winds down, her partner Robert may finally return from Africa. For the first time in a long time she is looking forward to a future filled with love and joy. But dare she dream of more wedding bells?

Preorder Link - Amazon UK


 Cuckoo in the Nest by Diane Saxon

What secrets lie within?

I've moved into a shared house. My three new housemates aren't just reserved, there's a distinct chill in the air, an unspoken tension that makes me uneasy.

I'm not here to make friends, though.

I have my own secrets.

Nikki is like a sister to me and I'm here to find out what happened to her.

Where is she?

I'm convinced someone knows more than they're letting on. Is she simply missing? Or has something far more sinister occurred within these walls?

I'm not leaving until I find out if Nikki is alive or dead.

Preorder Link - Amazon


The Girl From the War Room by Catherine Law

Through the trees in St James's Park she spotted the white facades of the Whitehall offices, and her stomach contracted. But it wasn’t nerves. Fortitude, yes, and a kind of hell-bent willingness. An understanding of the importance of her work; to do something, however small, to help. A privilege.

1941: A world away from idyllic childhood summers spent in Devon, Cassie Marsh steps through the sandbagged entrance to the War Room, determined to do her part for the war effort.

The air crackling with tension, the urgency of whispered conversations, the weight of secrets – nothing in her quiet upbringing has prepared her for this. Here, women like her are expected to work tirelessly, remain composed, even as their homes – and lives – are devastated by the Blitz.

But Cassie’s heart is already divided between love and duty. She dreams of rich summers at Greenaways from a lifetime ago, before her world was torn apart. She dreams of one person… the one she cannot – but must – forget.

And as her family begs her to return to safety, to the soothing, reassuring walls of the country house, Cassie must decide where her heart really lies. In times of war, can you ever afford to question your loyalty?

Preorder Link - Amazon


 Snowflakes Over Starr's Fall by Kate Hewitt

As the stars twinkle and the snow drifts over the town… someone’s about to find the magic she didn’t even know she’d been missing…

Jenna has lived in Starr’s Fall for most of her life, and has run the general store for over ten years. Secretly she might dream of love and romance, but she’s happy as she is. Really.

That is, until Starr’s Fall’s newest resident—ex-New Yorker, millionaire investment banker—Jack Wexler breezes into Jenna’s store, seemingly furious they don’t stock smoked salmon. Jenna is as amused as she is annoyed. Who is this ridiculous guy, and doesn’t he realize he’s not in Manhattan anymore?

Jack meanwhile can’t believe he lost it in public. But ever since being forced to leave his high-flying career to focus on his health, he’s not been himself. What’s more, the last person he’d expected to be attracted to is the shrew of a storekeeper he’s just encountered… which he might have called Jenna, in a moment of temper…

Neither of Jenna or Jack’s ideal of romance includes these sorts of furious sparks flying. But when they’re both roped in to organizing the town’s Winter Wonderland parade, they’re forced to work together. And as Christmas approaches – will two opposites merely attract? Or, in magical Starr’s Fall, could they fall in love for keeps?

Preorder Link - Amazon


 Daughter of the Tarot by Clare Marchant

Two women, linked by the cards, unravel a secret spanning the decades...

1644: Portia is living in London, having escaped an abusive man in Italy, with just baby Vittoria and the clothes on their backs. Making her living reading tarot cards, she starts to realise there are other women like her – who need help. As she delivers the Devil card to their door, each has the chance to escape… But to what future? Because Portia is a woman with secrets. And they are about to come back to haunt her.

Now: After her mother’s death and father’s hasty plans to remarry, Beatrice has left home to open a tarot shop in London. But when she’s unpacking, she finds a set of cards she’s never seen before, one that’s evidently been handed down through generations of her family. It’s a set that is missing a card though… the Devil’s Card. She begins to search for the lost card, but she also starts to hear rumours of that very card being linked to a series of murders of women in 17th century London… 

Will she find the truth… or will she only see the illusions the cards are suggesting?

Preorder Link - Amazon


If Not for My Baby by Kate Golden

Clementine Clark isn't looking for love. She's a talented singer, but she's set her dreams of stardom - and romance - aside to care for her ailing mother.

And then her best friend calls her with a life-changing opportunity: join Irish megastar Halloran on his first US tour as a backing vocalist. Clementine wants to reject the offer, but the pay would change her and her mom's life. Overnight, Clementine goes from serving enchiladas at the Happy Tortilla to belting high notes before a cheering crowd.

But the whiplash of trading small-town Texas for sold-out stadiums is nothing compared to the rush of performing with the enigmatic Thomas Patrick Halloran. Poet, introvert, and lyrical genius, Halloran quickly gets under Clementine's skin. The two couldn't see the world more differently. And yet, over the course of the next eight weeks on tour, the romantic rockstar might just strike an unforgettable chord in Clementine. But will it be enough for an encore?

Preorder Link - Bookshop.org


 The Secret Librarian by Soraya M. Lane

New York, 1942: Avery is engaged to be married. Longing for adventure instead, she jumps at an unexpected offer to trade her library job for undercover intelligence-gathering in Portugal. But her new life in Lisbon, known as the Capital of Espionage, challenges everything she thought she knew about herself.

Local bookshop owner Camille, a French widow with access to the enemy newspapers and magazines Avery needs, befriends her. But are the rumours that swirl around Camille true—does she really have a Nazi boyfriend? And what secrets did she bring with her when she fled France? Avery must decide—fast—if she can fully trust Camille. Millions of lives depend on it.

As Avery discovers more about Camille’s world, she realises that living in a city of spies will take all her courage. With suspicions growing, they are both playing a terrifyingly dangerous game. And not everyone will live to tell their story. Can Avery and Camille stay far enough ahead of their enemies to survive?

Threaded through with daring, sacrifice and love, this is the inspirational story of two women prepared to risk everything to help others survive the horrors of World War II.

Preorder Link - Bookshop.org


 Rooms for Vanishing by Stuart Nadler

For the Alterman family, Fania and Arnold, and their children Sonja and Moses, the universe has been fractured.

In 1938 Sonja is lifted onto a Kindertransport train that will take her from Nazi-occupied Austria to London. She is the only member of her family to survive.

In 1966 Fania works as a massage therapist in Montreal, a place that has provided her safe haven after she lost her entire family in the war.

In 2016 Arnold lives out the last of his days and the last memories he has of his family in the city he has always called home.

And in 2000, Moses awaits the birth of his grandson, unaware that the strings that tie him to his past are being drawn tighter and tighter.

Surely none of these realities co-exist, and yet they seem to be drawing closer . . .

Moving between Vienna and Prague, London and Montreal, New York and Miami, Stuart Nadler's Rooms for Vanishing is a spellbinding exploration of what might happen when grief and hope collide.

Preorder Link - Bookshop.org


 In Berlin by Eric Silberstein

Software engineer Anna Werner lives at a rapid clip, relishing her work and adopted city as much as her early morning runs. All comes undone on a sweaty August evening when, in the course of a 20-minute commute, Anna goes from worrying vaguely over a sore shoulder to staggering her way into an ambulance. She has suffered a spinal stroke. Over the coming months, her parents join the insurance man in telling her to get ready for life in a group home.

The only person who recognizes what Anna is still capable of is Batul al-Jaberi, a recent Syrian immigrant who meets Anna while doing her rounds as a janitor at the hospital. Batul is applying to medical school, where she hopes to regain control of a life hijacked by her family's flight from persecution in the early days of the Arab Spring.

At first the friendship is what Anna and Batul each need to regain mobility. But as their relationship deepens, Batul finds she must choose between her family and Anna-a choice that will force both women to rewrite their notions of loyalty.

In Berlin is a work of empathetic precision, exploring both the unpredictable nature by which geopolitics and scientific breakthroughs touch our lives, and the brave, bold, and sometimes quiet ways in which people reassert agency in the face of loss. Most of all, it taps a throughline of emotion that binds characters and readers alike across geographies, cultures, and ambitions.



(all opinions are my own)

Monday, 14 July 2025

Victory for the Foyles Bookshop Girls by Elaine Roberts - #bookreview #blogtour

 


Alice stifled a yawn as she stood huddled with her friends Victoria and Molly near the counter in Foyles Bookshop, their voices low as they snatched a moment between customers to catch up...


The Blurb

London, 1918: the war in Europe may be drawing to an end, but there are new challenges for the Foyles bookshop girls.

As their dreams of the war ending look like they might finally come true, the girls of London’s Foyles bookshop allow themselves to look forward to a brighter future.

But their hopes may be shattered when news of a terrible flu that is gripping the world reaches London, and the girls realise they are not out of danger yet. Meanwhile, they have their own challenges to face when Alice discovers her father has been living a double life; Victoria’s beloved husband Ted struggles to adjust to life after the trenches; and the secret Molly has been keeping finally comes to light.

But, working side-by-side in London’s Foyles bookshop, Alice, Victoria and Molly have become more like sisters than friends. And together, they can brave any storm.

As London faces its toughest year yet, will the Foyles bookshop girls make it through to victory together?


My Review

I so enjoyed being able to revisit the staff of Foyle's Bookshop in this book. I have previously read The Foyles Bookshop Girls' Promise which I really enjoyed, and this one was every bit as good.

There are rumours that the end of World War One is approaching, and people are being cautiously optimistic, and looking forward to a time of peace. Friends Victoria, Molly and Alice who all work at the bookshop are busy with work and supporting their menfolk who have already returned from the war. Each are mentally battle scarred in their own way.

Just as everyone is feeling hopeful of the war coming to an end, they are hit by an unseen enemy in the shape of the Spanish flu epidemic. Much of this will resonate with the reader as it was not dissimilar to the covid pandemic of recent years. People were required to take similar safety measures. The bookshop was forced to close for a short while but the staff rallied around its customers and provided a delivery service.

There were also hidden secrets in the lives of the three main characters, which we, as readers, were aware of. However, it made for interesting reading to observe how this would play out upon revelation to other characters within the book.  Although the girls had so much to contend with throughout the book, they remained optimistic and they were a joy to read about. The author has done a great job in her creation of these characters. The secondary characters are equally well portrayed, and each had an important role to play within the plot.

Ms. Roberts also depicts the time period with an authenticity which helps the reader to become immersed in the story. It was a compelling read which I enjoyed very much.

This was a quick, easy and delightful book to read. It is a heartwarming and uplifting novel which left me smiling and feeling satisfied.


Book Details

ISBN:  978 1805497226

Publisher:  Boldwood Books

Formats:  e-book, audio, hardback and paperback (currently available on Kindle Unlimited)

No. of Pages:  280 (paperback)

Series: Book 6 of the Foyles Bookshop Girls series


Purchase Links

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Waterstones


About the Author

Elaine Roberts is the bestselling author of historical sagas set in London during the First World War. She joined a creative writing class in 2012 and shortly afterwards had her first short story published. She was thrilled when many more followed. Her home is in Dartford, Kent and she is always busy with children, grandchildren, grand dogs and cats.

You can also find Elaine at:

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

(all opinions are my own)


Friday, 11 July 2025

The Silent Witness by K.J. McGillick - #bookspotlight #blogtour


 I am so pleased to be shining the spotlight on this book today. The Silent Witness by author, K.J. McGillick is part of the Art of Deception series.

The Blurb

History is fragile. A single brush can forge it anew.

When a stolen Klimt painting becomes a death sentence, lawyer-turned-writer Saoirse St. James must choose between justice and survival.

Eleanor Ashford should have been safe in her Boston home. Instead, she’s found murdered—and The Golden Veil, her priceless Gustav Klimt, has vanished without a trace. As executor of Eleanor’s will and the painting’s unexpected heir, Saoirse inherits more than art: she inherits a target on her back.

What begins as a simple insurance claim spirals into a deadly conspiracy stretching from Boston’s elite galleries to Venice’s shadowed auction houses. Alongside enigmatic investigator Matthew O’Donnell, Saoirse uncovers a criminal network that has been rewriting history itself—using forged masterpieces to manipulate the past, reshape power, and conceal the truth behind decades of crimes.

But Eleanor’s death was just the beginning. As bodies fall and evidence vanishes, Saoirse realizes The Golden Veil hides secrets that could expose this empire of lies—and powerful people will kill to protect it. Every step toward the truth draws her deeper into the crosshairs of Maximilian Devereaux, a ruthless powerbroker whose fortune and influence were built on stolen identities, forged provenance, and silenced witnesses.

From Zurich’s cobbled streets to Venice’s labyrinthine canals, this fast-paced thriller follows Saoirse as she stays ahead of assassins who erase their victims as cleanly as they forge the records of history. Because in a world where beauty masks brutality and culture conceals corruption, the most dangerous thing isn’t possessing a stolen masterpiece—it’s knowing who forged it and why.

Some inheritances are worth dying for. Others are worth killing for.


Book Details

ISBN: 979 8317310820

Publisher: Independently Published

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

No. of Pages: 372 (paperback)

Series: Part 1 in the Art of Deception series.


Purchase Links


Amazon UK


Amazon US


About the Author


From the bustling courtrooms of Atlanta to the vibrant tapestry of 16th-century England, Kathleen McGillick’s life and career have been a captivating blend of legal expertise, artistic passion, and a thirst for adventure.

Fueled by an undergraduate and graduate degree in nursing, Kathleen built a foundation of compassion and care. This dedication to service later led her to pursue a Juris Doctorate, allowing her to navigate the intricacies of the legal system for nearly three decades. Her courtroom experience now breathes life into the intricate details of her legal thrillers, ensuring every courtroom scene crackles with authenticity.

But Kathleen’s story does not end there. A deep fascination with art history led her to delve into the world of renowned artists and captivating eras. Her particular passion for 16th-century British history allows her to transport readers to richly detailed historical settings, immersing them in the culture, politics, and societal nuances of the time.

Driven by an unwavering dedication to her craft, Kathleen has independently published twelve  thrillers since 2018. Her commitment extends beyond solo creation, as she actively engages with the writing community, honing her skills through workshops and courses led by renowned authors.

And when she’s not crafting captivating narratives, Kathleen embarks on international journeys, soaking in diverse cultures and experiences that further enrich her writing. This global perspective adds another layer of depth and realism to her stories, allowing readers to connect with characters and settings that transcend geographical boundaries.

You can also find her at:

Author Website

Facebook

Linked In





(media courtesy of Rachel's Random Resources)

(all opinions are my own)


Thursday, 10 July 2025

The Standing Stone on the Moor by Allie Cresswell - #bookreview #blogtour

Yorkshire 1845 - The moor was vast and largely impassable - an expanse of black bogs, impenetrable undergrowth and dense woody swathes of small tufted shrubs...

***

The Blurb

Yorkshire, 1845.

Folklore whispers that they used to burn witches at the standing stone on the moor. When the wind is easterly, it wails a strange lament. History declares it was placed as a marker, visible for miles—a signpost for the lost, directing them towards home.

Forced from their homeland by the potato famine, a group of itinerant Irish refugees sets up camp by the stone. They are met with suspicion by the locals, branded as ‘thieves and ne’er-do-wells.’ Only Beth Harlish takes pity on them, and finds herself instantly attracted to Ruairi, their charismatic leader.

Beth is the steward of nearby manor Tall Chimneys—a thankless task as the owners never visit. An educated young woman, Beth feels restless, like she doesn’t belong. But somehow ‘home’—the old house, the moor and the standing stone—exerts an uncanny magnetism. Thus Ruairi’s great sacrifice—deserting his beloved Irish homestead to save his family—resonates strongly with her.

Could she leave her home to be with him? Will he even ask her to?

As she struggles with her feelings, things take a sinister turn. The peaceable village is threatened by shrouded men crossing the moor at night, smuggling contraband from the coast. Worse, the exotic dancing of a sultry-eyed Irishwoman has local men in a feverish grip. Their womenfolk begin to mutter about spells and witchcraft. And burning.

The Irish refugees must move on, and quickly. Will Beth choose an itinerant life with Ruairi? Or will the power of ‘home’ be too strong? 


My Review

This was an excellent read, and I enjoyed every minute that I invested in reading it.

Although this is the third book in the Talbot series, it is something of a prequel to the rest of the books. It also worked perfectly well as a standalone novel, and it has definitely inspired me to read the others in the series.

Set in Yorkshire in 1845, the author has done an excellent job in conjuring up the atmosphere of the Yorkshire Moors. I could almost feel the wind howl against my face and the snow beneath my feet.

The main character, Beth, has been wonderfully well portrayed. She is a multi-faceted character who knows her own mind and lives life on her own terms, in as much as she could within the restrictions of a Victorian society. She has many decisions that she has to make throughout the story, and she does so with kindness and compassion for others on every occasion.

There is a large cast of characters in this book, but at no point in my reading did I find it difficult to keep track of who was who. In fact, there is a list of characters at the beginning of the book, but I did not need to refer to this. Each of the characters are portrayed in a genuine way, and they were utterly believable.

The book reminded me of reading the classics, partly perhaps because of the location where Emily Bronte based her book, Wuthering Heights. However, this is far from a retelling of another book. What it provides is a story that has plenty of interest, a variety of characters, and a strong plot. I'm not sure that as readers we ever want more than that from our fiction.

I was absolutely engrossed in this book. When I was away from my reading of it, it definitely had the ability to pull me back. I kept wondering what was happening in Beth's life. For me, that is the sign of an outstanding book - one that nags away at me to get back to it as quickly as possible.

The author is a great storyteller and conveyed her story in a way that was engaging throughout. This was a wonderful book, and now I cannot wait to read some of the others in the series.


Book Details

ISBN: 978 1739469979

Publisher: Allie Cresswell Ltd

Formats: e-book and paperback

No. of Pages: 531 (paperback)

Series: Book 3 of the Talbot Saga (can be read as a standalone)


Purchase Links


Amazon UK

Amazon US


About the Author


Allie has been writing fiction since she could hold a pencil. She has a BA and an MA in English Literature, specialising in the classics of the nineteenth century.

She has been a print-buyer, a pub landlady, a bookkeeper and the owner of a group of boutique holiday cottage but nowadays she writes full time.

She has two grownup children, five grandchildren and two cockapoos but just one husband, Tim. They live in the remote northwest of the UK.

The Standing Stone on the Moor is her sixteenth novel. 

You can also find Allie at:

Author Website

Instagram





(ARC and media courtesy of The Coffee Pot Book Club)

(all opinions are my own)



Wednesday, 9 July 2025

Alliance with Her Renegade Knight by Lissa Morgan - #bookreview

Ludlow, 1459 -

"Who would have thought to see Proud Cis brought so low? How shaming for her!" Isolda, standing at the window looking down onto the town square, noded in response to her mother's remark. "Yes, but how brave she is."

***

The Blurb

The knight's target...

Becomes his greatest desire!

From the moment wool merchant Isolda catches sight of Sir Henry, she senses a powerful bond. But the vigilante knight is tracking down the person penning seditious poems exposing corruption...poems she secretly wrote!

Henry is torn after discovering Isolda's hidden identity, especially as he sympathizes with her cause. When Isolda's apprentice is murdered, Henry joins forces with her, hiding out in his manor, where passions run high! Yet after the traumatic death of his family, Henry can't let Isolda breach the walls around his heart. Still, he must find a way to earn her trust--their lives depend on it!


My Review

I was delighted when the author of this book, Lissa Morgan asked me if I would consider reading her latest novel. I have previously read, enjoyed, and reviewed her titles, The Warrior's Reluctant Wife and The Warrior's Forbidden Maiden, which form her Warriors of Wales series. Consequently, I had high hopes for this novel too, and I am glad to say that it surpassed those expectations, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The book is set in Ludlow in 1459 during the War of the Roses. Yorkists and Lancastrians oppose one another, and this brings Lancastrian knight, Sir Henry Wevere to the once Yorkist stronghold of Ludlow to seek out and punish the person who is pinning insurgent poetry to the church door.

When Sir Henry lays eyes on Isolda, who is the main character in the book, they both sense an instant chemistry. However, their loyalties lie on opposing sides of this war, and Isolda is, in fact, the author of the poems!

This was a fabulous premise for this book, and I loved watching it unfold. The chemistry between Sir Henry and Isolda was palpable, and it made for a wonderful enemies-to-lovers story.

Isolda was a marvellous main female character. She is a strong and determined woman. On her father's death, she took over his business as a wool merchant. Consequently, she is shunned by the Merchant's Guild because she is a woman in business. Her conviction that she is as worthy as any man to run a business perfectly sets up her strength of character, which we can see demonstrated throughout the novel.

Henry is fleeing his own demons after his family were all killed in a fire. This makes him a complex character, full of grief, dread, and unable to get close to anyone else for fear of losing them.

The author has created two brilliant characters who were likeable, and I was longing for them to find a way to put aside their differences and fears.

The author has skill in portraying historical stories while making them relevant to a modern readership. I think, as women, we can all identify with Isolda being held back merely because of her gender, a concept recognisable to the majority of women today.

I thought this was a book that was well worth reading, and I enjoyed it very much.


Book Details

ISBN: 978 1335540225

Publisher: Harlequin

Formats: e-book and paperback

No. of Pages: 272 (paperback)


Purchase Links


Blackwell's


Harlequin

Amazon UK

Amazon US


About the Author


Lissa Morgan hails from Wales but has travelled far and wide over the years, usually in pursuit of the next new job.  A history graduate and former archivist, she now works in academia and freelance website design, which she fits in around her writing time. She lives between the mountains and the sea in rugged north-west Wales surrounded by medieval castles that provide the perfect inspiration for her books.


You can also find Lissa at:

Author Website

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(book courtesy of the author)

(all opinions are my own)