It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

 

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a place to meet up and share what you have been and are about to be reading over the week. It’s a great post to organise yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment and er… add to your groaning TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn here at The Book Date.

What I read last week.

What I'm reading now.

What I'm going to read next.

Audio - SJ Bennett

Bookclub - Sean Lusk

To review - Louise Beech

Readalong - Helen Rolfe and Kitty Wilson

Family Secrets at the Inglenook Inn by Helen Rolfe

 

Welcome back to the Inglenook Inn, your home away from home.

Rupert has been the chef at the Inglenook Inn for years. He loves working at the boutique hotel, crafting exquisite meals and fantastic desserts for each and every guest. When his boss, who is practically family, has to rush away to take care of her daughter, Rupert has to step up and run the place. That would be challenge enough, but then his sister Natalie shows up, bringing a lot more than luggage.

Katy is out of a job and out of luck until she lands a temporary job at the Inglenook Inn. With her years of experience, helping to manage a hotel is a challenge she relishes. But there’s more drama under the roof than she expected and she’s worried her dad might be making a decision he’ll regret.

Rupert and Katy have their hands full, but there’s magic in the air at the Inglenook Inn, and as they work side by side they discover something new and unexpected.

Is it possible to fall in love in just a few short days?

Purchase Link - https://amzn.to/3RmiCrQ

What did I think?

This is the seventh book in the New York Ever After series. Now I will confess this series seems to have slipped past me and I am only now reading the very first book in the series. A bit late to the party I know but I am really enjoying it.

I have been told that all the books work well as standalone titles so don't worry if like me you a running a bit behind.

Now I have never been to New York but this story brought the city alive for me. It provided the perfect backdrop for Rupert and Katy's story. I enjoyed seeing how their relationship developed despite the issues that they have. And that story is is one of friendship, family and supporting each other - very apt for this time of year I felt.

I now really have to go back and read the earlier books in the series that I have missed. I do love a fell good story. This book was a little bit of magic designed to bring joy.

Author Bio –

Helen Rolfe is the author of many bestselling contemporary women’s fiction titles, set in different locations from the Cotswolds to New York. Most recently published by Orion, she is bringing sixteen titles to Boldwood – a mixture of new series and well-established backlist. She lives in Hertfordshire with her husband and children.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/helenjrolfewriter

Twitter https://twitter.com/HJRolfe

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/helen_j_rolfe/

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/HelenRolfeNews

Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/helen-rolfe

Clara's Christmas Magic by Rosie Green

The festive season is fast approaching but with the challenges facing Clara, it looks like being anything but the most wonderful time of the year. Can she somehow find the strength to meet those challenges head-on and find her way to the perfect, happy-ever-after Christmas?

Purchase Link - https://amzn.to/3CdsZKG

What did I think?

This is the 25th - yes 25th - book in the Little Duck Pond series. And this book is also book 3 (?) in a sub series all about Clara. I haven't read all of the books yet as I have dipped in and out of the series so I'm not 100% sure.

I really enjoyed catching up with Clara - she is such a girl next door that you would love as a friend.

I have never been to New York - and afraid it would be way down on my list of places to visit - but this story really brought the city to life.

I enjoyed reading this book in the run up to the festivities but I have to say it wasn't overly Christmassy.  But I loved the feeling of romance - even if it was a bit will she or won't she. I devoured this book in one sitting as it was so goo.

Author Bio – Rosie’s series of novellas is centred around life in a country village cafe. ‘Clara’s Christmas Magic’ is Book 3 in a trilogy about Clara. It would make for the best reading experience if you caught up with the others first: Book 1, ‘Clara’s Secret Garden’ and Book 2 in the trio, ‘A Winter Wish’.

Follow Rosie on Twitter - https://twitter.com/Rosie_Green88 

The Golden Oldies Book Club by Judy Leigh

 

Deep in the Somerset countryside, the Combe Pomeroy village library hosts a monthly book club.

Ruth the librarian fears she’s too old to find love, but a discussion about Lady Chatterley’s Lover makes her think again.

Aurora doesn’t feel seventy-two and longs to relive the excitement of her youth, while Verity is getting increasingly tired of her husband Mark’s grumpiness and wonders if their son’s imminent flight from the nest might be just the moment for her to fly too. And Danielle is fed up with her cheating husband. Surely life has more in store for her than to settle for second best?

The glue that holds Combe Pomeroy together is Jeannie. Doyenne of the local cider farm and heartbeat of her family and community, no one has noticed that Jeannie needs some looking after too. Has the moment for her to retire finally arrived, and if so, what does her future hold?

From a book club French exchange trip, to many celebrations at the farm, this is the year that everything changes, that lifelong friendships are tested, and for some of the women, they finally get the love they deserve.

Purchase Link – https://amzn.to/3SEaggJ

What did I think?

I love Judy's books - you know you are in for a treat of a read. Always looking on the light side of life with characters who are usually nearer my own age.

This was a wonderful heartwarming story which left me with a warm and fuzzy feeling. The story goes to show that you are never too old to find love. I loved the cast of characters and this is definately a story of friendship - and I loved the way they all supported each other in their times of need.

I've never had a cup of warm cider so maybe it is time to try it.

Author Bio –

Judy Leigh is the USA Today bestselling author of The Old Girls’ Network and Five French Hens and the doyenne of the ‘it’s never too late’ genre of women’s fiction. She has lived all over the UK from Liverpool to Cornwall, but currently resides in Somerset.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005568258864

Twitter https://twitter.com/JudyLeighWriter

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/judyrleigh/

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/JudyLeighNews

Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/judy-leigh

 

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a place to meet up and share what you have been and are about to be reading over the week. It’s a great post to organise yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment and er… add to your groaning TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn here at The Book Date.

What I read last week.

What I'm reading now.

What I'm going to read next.

Readalong - Helen Rolfe, Paige Toon and Kitty Wilson

Bookclub - Elif Shafak

To review - Louise Beech

Behind Closed Doors by Carol Wyer

 Two kidnappings, thirty years apart. Can Stacey face her own dark past in order to save her stepdaughter?

When Stacey’s ex-husband turns up on her doorstep begging her to help save his kidnapped thirteen-year-old daughter, Lyra, the terror is all too familiar. Stacey’s own violent kidnapping thirty years ago was never solved, and while a severe case of amnesia spares her from recalling the specific horrors, she remembers enough…

Stacey knows her father never paid the ransom—she has the missing pinkie finger to prove it. She knows she was only saved because of an anonymous tip-off to the police. And she knows her captor was never apprehended.

Lyra’s kidnappers have made it clear the police must not get involved. But Stacey can’t shake the eerie similarities between the two cases, and she’ll use whatever she can, from her journalistic powers to her shady contacts, to save Lyra from the same nightmare. Desperate to find any link between Lyra’s abduction and her own, Stacey forces herself to revisit her forgotten, traumatic past for clues.

But can she make sense of the terrible secrets she unearths in time to save Lyra? And if she does, is she ready to face her own tormentor?

What did I think?

I love Carols books - she is one of those authors whose books I will pick up to read without knowing anything about them.

This book is a standalone title and once I started reading I really didn't want to put it down - a proper page turner.

This book is packed full of suspense and mystery - you just have to keep turning the pages to find out what is going to happen next. Proper edge of your seat stuff. If I hadn't had to go to work then I think I could have read this book in one sitting.

It was full of drama. Decidedly chilling. With twists galore. 

If you want an action packed thriller then this is the book for you.

USA Today bestselling author and winner of The People's Book Prize Award, Carol Wyer's crime novels have sold over one million copies and been translated into nine languages.

A move from humour to the 'dark side' in 2017, saw the introduction of popular DI Robyn Carter in Little Girl Lost and proved that Carol had found her true niche.

In 2021, An Eye For An Eye, the first in the DI Kate Young series, was chosen as a Kindle First Reads. It became the #1 bestselling book on Amazon UK and Australia. The third, A Life For A Life, is due out March 15th, 2022, but is available to preorder.

Carol has had articles published in national magazines 'Woman's Weekly', featured in 'Take A Break', 'Choice', 'Yours' and 'Woman's Own' magazines and written for the Huffington Post. She's also been interviewed on numerous radio shows and on BBC Breakfast television.

She currently lives on a windy hill in rural Staffordshire with her husband Mr. Grumpy who is very, very grumpy.

When not plotting devious murders, she can be found performing her comedy routine, Smile While You Still Have Teeth.

To learn more, go to www.carolwyer.co.uk, subscribe to her YouTube channel, or follow her on Twitter @carolewyer

Death at Beresford Hall by Emma Davies

 

Francesca Eve, chef, caterer, and baker extraordinaire, has never desired the limelight. But when she’s accepted onto the country’s favourite cooking competition, she can’t help but wonder – what would it be like to win? The one thing she’d never imagined, though, was sharing the kitchen with a killer…

 

When Francesca Eve arrives for the Christmas special of the country’s most popular baking competition, she knows she’s out of her depth. For not only is she there undercover, reluctantly investigating strange threats to Miranda Appleby, the famous presenter-come-chef, but she swiftly gets roped into competing herself when another contestant can’t cut the mustard and quits.

 

Cooking may be bread and butter to Fran, but under the bright lights her cranberry sauce won’t set and her mince pies burn. When the real reason she’s there ends in total failure and Miranda is found with a cake slice through the heart - ‘lights, camera, cook’ becomes ‘lights, camera, murder…’

 

Miranda may have looked like butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth, but looks can be deceiving… From her harassed PA to the rakish producer and even the disappointed contestants, everyone on set seemingly had reason enough to want to bump her off. But who would be nuts enough to cook Miranda’s goose in such an obvious way?

 

As the police arrive to take over the investigation, Fran can’t help but continue her own lines of enquiry. She’s come to know the crew and contestants and can’t believe that any one of them would be guilty. But Fran must harden her heart to her new friends and focus her mind.

 

Someone may have thought Miranda was justifiably given her just desserts, but what Fran uncovers takes things to a whole new tier. Can Fran uncover the truth before another death occurs, and before the spirit of Christmas (cake) is ruined forever?

 

An utterly gripping cozy crime mystery set at a Christmas cooking competition. This is perfect for fans of Faith Martin, M.C. Beaton and The Thursday Murder Club.

What did I think.

This is the 4th book in the Adam and Eve series.

I love a cozy mystery and this series really hits the spot. Really enjoyed catching up with Francesca Eve and her investigations.

In this instalment the mystery starts to unravel during a Christmas cooking contest. Think Great British Bake of with a murder!!

Loved guessing along with all the twists and turns during the plot. Each person could have done it in my eyes. I really am no good in trying to suss out who actually did it.

Overall, this was another fun read that kept me interested from start to finish.

 

Author Bio

After a varied career, Emma Davies once worked for a design studio where she was asked to provide a fun and humorous (and not necessarily true) anecdote for their website. She wrote the following: 'I am a bestselling novelist currently masquerading as a thirty something mother of three.' Well the job in the design studio didn't work out but she's now a forty something mother of three and is happy to report the rest of her dream came true.

After many years as a finance manager she now writes full time, and is far happier playing with words than numbers. She lives with her husband, three children, and two guinea pigs in rural Shropshire where she writes in all the gaps in between real life. It's a county she adores, her love of its beautiful people and landscapes providing endless inspiration for her books, and in fact the only thing that would make Shropshire more idyllic is if it were by the sea.

Pop over to her website www.emmadaviesauthor.com where, amongst other things, you can read about her passion for Pringles and singing loudly in the car. You can also wave to her on twitter @EmDaviesAuthor or find her on Facebook (a little too often than is good for her).

 

Social Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emmadaviesauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EmDaviesAuthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authoremmadavies/

Website: www.emmadaviesauthor.com

Bookouture Email Sign-up: https://www.bookouture.com/emma-davies

Finding Family at Seabreeze Farm by Jo Bartlett

 

Freya Halliwell is looking forward to marrying the man of her dreams and starting their new life together. After the death of both of her parents, Ollie, along with Freya’s aunt, are the only family she has, but all the family she needs.

Until Freya discovers a shocking secret that makes her question everything she thought she knew about her once happy family and especially the man she used to call dad. Devastated and feeling more alone than ever before, Freya needs time and space to come to terms with the news. But until then the wedding is off!

Seabreeze Farm is the perfect place for Freya to recover. But could this beautiful farm perched high on the cliffs, also hold the answer to Freya’s past and reunite her with the family she never even knew she’d been wishing for?

This book was previously published as Finding Dad.

Purchase Link - https://amzn.to/3E8Nc5j

What did I think?

I have thoroughly enjoyed the Cornish Midwife series by this author so was super keen to read this book which is the second book in the Seabreeze Farm series.

Firstly, I loved the coastal location - the writing really brought it alive. This was a heartwarming and uplifting story which centres around the idea of family, love and friendships. It was just like a hug in a book.

Not overly Christmassy if the festivities are not your thing. This book took me away from myusual day to day life and this is exactly what a good book should be - a perfect piece of escapism.

Roll on the next book in the series.

Author Bio –

Jo Bartlett is the bestselling author of over nineteen women’s fiction titles. She fits her writing in between her two day jobs as an educational consultant and university lecturer and lives with her family and three dogs on the Kent coast. Her first title for Boldwood is The Cornish Midwife – part of a twelve-book deal.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: Jo Bartlett - Home | Facebook

Twitter: Jo Bartlett Writer (@J_B_Writer) / Twitter

Instagram: Jo Bartlett (@jo_bartlett123) • Instagram photos and videos

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/JoBartlettNews

Bookbub profile: Jo Bartlett Books - BookBub

A Cottage in the Highlands by Julie Shackman

 

When Leonie Baxter finds herself out of a job and out of a relationship, she’s at her wits end. Her life has just been turned upside down and she needs a plan, fast.

By chance, on a walk with her rescue puppy, Leonie stumbles across a striking house in the woods; fully furnished but unoccupied. As a journalist, she is determined to find out more, after all, reporting is in her nature.

But her attempts are thwarted by Lily Cruickshank who lives in the cottage next door. Why won’t Lily help Leonie? And who is the mysterious Flynn Talbot, whose letter Leonie finds inside the house?

And in uncovering the secrets of the abandoned house, will Leonie open her own heart and let love back into her life?

The brand new escapist story from the bestselling author of A Secret Scottish Escape and A Scottish Highland Surprise, for fans of Jo Thomas, Trisha Ashley and Cathy Bramley.

Purchase Links:

UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cottage-Highlands-romance-Scottish-Escapes-ebook/dp/B09YLF6PL5

USA - https://www.amazon.com/Cottage-Highlands-romance-Scottish-Escapes-ebook/dp/B09YLF6PL5

What did I think?

This is the third book in the Scottish Escapes series. I have really been enjoying this series - probably because I live so close to the Highlands myself so can picture the locations in my head. Saying that I don't think you have to have read the previous titles before reading this one.

It is a delightful light and quick read - a romantic mystery involving lost letters and a love interest. Once again, I thought the book contained a great cast of characters who brought the story alive. The story was relevant and highly satisfying.

Author Bio – Julie Shackman is a former journalist from Scotland, who has always wanted to write feel-good romance. As well as being an author, Julie also writes verses and captions for greetings card companies. Julie admits to having an obsession with stationery and handbags. She is married, has two sons and has a Romanian rescue puppy, Cooper. The Cottage in the Highlands is Julie’s seventh novel.

Social Media Links – https://twitter.com/G13Julie

https://www.facebook.com/julie.shackman

https://www.instagram.com/juliegeorginashackman

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

 

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a place to meet up and share what you have been and are about to be reading over the week. It’s a great post to organise yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment and er… add to your groaning TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn here at The Book Date.

What I read last week.

What I'm reading now.

What I'm going to read next.

Readalong - BP Walter, Kitty Wilson, Paige Toon and Leonie Mack

Bookclub - Elif Shafak