Extract from The Other Mother by Heidi Field Suzannah is at home with her fiancé, Alec, talking about choosing a name for the baby that is growing in her stomach. Alec is explaining that he wants to name their little girl her after she is born because he doesn’t want people to know until she has arrived, and he hates keeping secrets.  Alec reaches for his mug and slurps his tea. “How’s Blair? I hope I get to meet her before the wedding. I’m sorry that my work keeps me so busy, and I haven’t managed to make time for her, yet, but I promise I will when this little one is born. You’ll see a new me.” “I can’t wait. I’m going to enjoy having you around more.” I rest my head on his shoulder and wonder how on earth I’ll manage to visit Mason when Alec takes a step back from work. I’ll have to think of a better excuse than a non-existent friend. Maybe my boss at work will need me for meetings or a slight change of duties that require some office-based days. Oh, I don’t know, I’ll come up with something. The doorbell rings. “I’ll get it.” I stand up and my belly rumbles. “Why don’t you get started on dinner—we’re starving.” Alec glugs the rest of his milky beverage then picks up both mugs and walks out to the kitchen. I head to the door. The doorbell rings again. “OK. OK. I’m coming.” I lift the chain and unlatch the door, pulling it open and holding it ajar. My heart stops. “Breck!” “Suzannah.” I glance towards the kitchen. The tap is running and Alec has switched on the speaker to play some rather hectic dance music. I turn back to Breck, his tall, slim frame and curly brown hair still the same; it’s only the look in his eyes that’s different. “Shit, Breck, what are you doing here? I thought you were back in Ireland with your parents.” “I am. I was. I just need to talk. Please. You can’t keep ignoring me.” “There’s nothing to say. Nothing has changed.” “Mason is in prison. He confessed to being an accomplice to a serial killer. Jesus Christ, Suzannah, that changes everything.” I put a hand on my stomach. “I’m moving forward with my life, Breck. You left, remember. Ran away. Abandoned me. Please, leave me alone. If I ever find out anything about Lily, I’ll tell you. I promise. Please, just go.” Alec hollers out from the kitchen. “Everything alright, Suzannah?” I call down the hallway. “Just a delivery driver looking for an address. He got the wrong house.” I eyeball Breck, one hand on my hip. “Goodbye, Breck.” I close the door and lean back against it, praying he will leave and never come here again. Excerpt From The Other Mother Heidi Field This material may be protected by copyright. Here’s the blurb Suzannah is pregnant with her third child. The first is in prison. The second is dead. How far will she go to keep her unborn baby safe?  When Suzannah learns she is pregnant, she feels like safety and happiness are finally within reach. Her handsome, successful fiancé, Alec, is over the moon about the baby. He proposes and pampers her. He thinks this is Suzannah’s first marriage and first child, but she’s keeping a few secrets. Actually, a lot of secrets. And they are dangerous…putting Suzannah in a position where she must choose who and what she’s willing to sacrifice to keep her baby and her freedom. Drowning in her lies, Suzannah is desperate to bury her past, but her ex-husband, who abandoned her years ago, returns, stalking her and demanding to know what really happened to their daughter. When the imprisoned serial killer who lured and groomed her son, threatens to sell his story to the press, Suzannah feels like the life she’d built and the precious one she’s growing, teeter on a precipice. Now the two children she’s hidden from Alec may be the least of her worries. Pre-order Links https://amzn.to/4bP39Mu https://amzn.to/40y1w1p https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-other-boy-11 Meet the author Heidi Field was raised in the beautiful countryside of the South of England with her parents and her two sisters. In her twenties she was a freelance Sports Massage Therapist. She achieved a Degree in Zoology at the age of thirty and then went on to raise two boys and became the stepmother of three more young children. She still lives near her family home with her partner, their Great Dane and the children that have yet to fly the nest. In her early forties Heidi completed a Masters in Creative Writing at Winchester University. She entered the course hoping she would become a children’s fantasy writer and left with a burning desire to write contemporary mysteries and thrillers. Heidi wanted to put relatable people in extraordinary situations, challenge them, push them to their limits and watch them fight for their sanity. The Other Mother is Heidi’s second novel, the next book in The Peasedale Woods Killers series. Connect with Heidi Facebook Instagram TikTok Posts I’m excited to share an extract from The Other Mother by Heidi Field #thriller #blogtour #blogpost November 23, 2025 Extract from The Other Mother by Heidi Field Suzannah is at home with her fiancé, Alec, talking about choosing a name for the baby that is growing in her stomach. Alec is explaining that he wants to name their little girl her after she is born because he doesn’t want people to know until she has arrived,…… I’m sharing my review for The Accidental Plus One Down Under—Travel Tales from a Trailing Spouse (Book 2) by Alison Ripley Cubitt #blogtour #travelmemoir #bookreview November 22, 2025 ‘m sharing my review for The Accidental Plus One Down Under—Travel Tales from a Trailing Spouse (Book 2) by Alison Ripley Cubitt #blogtour #travelmemoir #bookreview I’m delighted to share a post by Lucy Elena about her new romcom, The Starling Dance #newrelease #blogtour #blogpost #romcom November 22, 2025 I’m delighted to share a post by Lucy Elena about her new romcom, The Starling Dance #newrelease #blogtour #blogpost #romcom

Shining a light on Rome’s street artists: The ‘invisible’ performers hiding in plain sight  Street artists and performers feature prominently in my novel The Starling Dance. As the evening sky over Rome turns pinky-purple, there’s something special about seeing musicians, mimes, jugglers and acrobats transform the ancient piazzas into their stage to delight passing tourists. Today’s street artists are not a modern phenomenon. They were a familiar sight in the thriving multicultural metropolis of Ancient Rome, flocking to bustling market squares or busy roads, hoping to be compensated for their entertainment. Some were migrants from faraway lands, others were freed slaves, and some were simply dreamers hoping to make it big by being ‘scouted’ by a member of Roman high society. Then, as today, it was unstable work, dependent on the generosity of passersby.   I first noticed the street artists while working in Rome as a journalist. My walk to the office took me past the Colosseum and the ancient Fori Imperiali and, on the way, I passed many street performers. That ‘commute’ is something I often dream about now when I’m crammed into the tube at rush hour!  I’m someone who just can’t sit still, so I was particularly intrigued by the ‘human statues’, who, wearing creative disguises, hold poses for hours on end. There were ‘floating’ genies, cupids, and men with hats, sunglasses but no heads, among many others. I wondered what they thought about while they worked.  Some mornings, I would catch a glimpse of their real faces as they changed into their costumes. I speculated about their lives and what led them to perform. By that time, I had developed an initial idea for The Starling Dance – a lonely woman in a foreign country spying on her neighbours – but I needed a love interest to, potentially, turn this character’s fortunes around. I started to imagine chapters filled with colourful street artists to add a magical touch. Perhaps the love interest could be a charming street performer, I thought.  Like most people who pass by, I didn’t know anything about street artistry, so, before creating a character, I wanted to find out more. I visited the ancient squares and spoke to some of the performers who worked there. At the time, I was thinking that The Starling Dance might be a film so I asked if I could film them, with the idea of compiling an atmospheric montage of their work.    First, I met a jazz band from Eastern Europe who had been performing in Piazza Navona for years. They could find alternative work, they told me, but they loved music and the freedom performing gave them. They explained about the difficulties they faced with stricter controls on performers and ever-increasing competition.  I also spoke to a charismatic Charlie Chaplin impersonator. He’d moved from Venice to Rome following restrictions on street artists there. I planned to film his performances but one day he disappeared from the square and I never found him again.  Then, there was the cowboy who stayed impossibly still in his costume – moving only occasionally and deliberately to impress passersby. He told me about his wife and child back home in Southern Asia, where he sent the money he made. In his spare time, some of the other artists were teaching him to paint with aerosols and stencils – apparently more lucrative than performing. One day, after I’d filmed his work on several occasions, he invited me for coffee and proudly showed me photos of his family. He insisted on paying for my drink – a gesture I will always remember!  Following my research, I decided to make a street artist a key character in the book – I won’t say too much for fear of spoilers, but I knew I wanted to portray him as a talented person with an interesting and credible backstory. Including this character allowed me to introduce a vibrant cast of street performers – from the veteran clown who has been performing for decades in Rome’s old town, to the bubble blowers, impersonators and daring flame throwers. The artists in Rome add a touch of sparkle to the ancient city and I hope that I’ve managed to bring that to life in The Starling Dance.  Here’s the blurb In a sweltering Roman summer, Laure is trying to start a new life. But can she manage in a city where walls have ears, trees have eyes and even the birds are acting strangely? It’s been exactly one year since the shit hit the fan and Laure’s anxiety exploded into a full-blown burn out. In search of a new start she’s moved to Rome – pasta, Aperol and sunshine should make everything better, right? But with her 30s around the corner, la bella vita isn’t going to plan. Her boyfriend, the dreamy Davide, has disappeared (Either Laure’s been ghosted or he’s accidentally fallen off a cliff – hopefully) She wants to murder her neighbours: their arguments are keeping her up all night. In her local café, Laure meets a handsome stranger and the sparks fly, that is until she finds herself caught in a big lie. ‘Hmmm, it’s not ideal,’ says her best friend Eva, as she puffs on a spliff in the bathtub. Just as things are heating up, a talking tree enters the fray (as if this Roman summer wasn’t weird enough, just ask the birds). That tree is Viviano, a dynamic and adventurous street performer who poses around the Eternal City dressed as a tree, well, sometimes a cat too and sometimes a ripe tomato. He could be thriving in life but something is holding him back. One thing is certain though: he wants to meet Laure. Will Laure find her path? Will she accidentally put pineapple on a pizza? And is there a real love story to be found in the surreal swirls of the Italian capital? The Starling Dance is a love story full of quirk, humour and heart-warming characters, each trying to overcome their personal obstacles and demons to give themselves a chance at life and love. Lucy Elena is a journalist who has worked across Europe and Latin America. The Starling Dance is her debut novel. It was initially dreamt up as a film while Lucy was working in Rome and became interested in the street artists she passed every day on her way to work, eventually getting to know them. The artsy film of her imagination never materialised but The Starling Dance was born in the form of a book, with a big dose of love, fun and healing thrown in for good measure. Purchase Links https://www.amazon.co.uk/Starling-Dance-riotous-heartwarming-romance-ebook/dp/B0FL12DQ34 https://www.amazon.com/Starling-Dance-riotous-heartwarming-romance-ebook/dp/B0FL12DQ34 Meet the author Lucy Elena is a Londoner with a love of languages and exploring new different cultures. For most of her career she has been a journalist reporting across Europe and Latin America. But she has also experimented with career forays into pasta making (yes, like an Italian nonna) and teaching. Lucy has always loved dreaming up and telling stories and The Starling Dance is her debut novel. When not writing or working, Lucy enjoys spending time with friends and family, trying out new foods and pretending she can play the ukulele. Instagram TikTok Facebook Posts Stay up to date with the latest from our blog. I’m sharing my review for The Accidental Plus One Down Under—Travel Tales from a Trailing Spouse (Book 2) by Alison Ripley Cubitt #blogtour #travelmemoir #bookreview historical fiction I’m delighted to share a post by Lucy Elena about her new romcom, The Starling Dance #newrelease #blogtour #blogpost #romcom historical fiction I’m excited to share an extract from The Maid’s Masquerade by Catherine Tinley #blogtour #historicalfiction #historicalromance Historical Romance I’m delighted to welcome Deborah Swift and her new book, The Cameo Keeper, to the blog #HistoricalFiction #Renaissance #GiuliaTofana #Poison #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub  Blog Tour · Coffee Pot Book Club · historical fiction · New Release · Womens Fiction

Here’s the blurb New Year’s Eve, 2019 While everyone else is popping champagne corks and ringing in a new decade, Alison—The Accidental Plus One—is crammed into a flying tin can somewhere over the Equator, obsessing over whether she remembered to lock the front door.  Can she really uproot her life halfway across the world—again?  Rural calm was sweet while it lasted, but when her partner’s job prospects dwindle, the lure of a new adventure on the far side of the planet proves irresistible.  This time, she promises herself it’ll be easy. Fewer things to pack. No dog to uproot. Renting rather than buying. And before she knows it, Alison is heading for a land of giant spiders, the world’s longest lockdown and a place where strangers call you mate.  The Accidental Plus One Down Under is a heartwarming and humorous memoir that proves sometimes love leads us on the most unpredictable journeys.  Perfect for fans of: .           Real-life expat tales .           Heartwarming stories of starting over If you love stories about the ups-and-downs of life far from home, you won’t want to miss this next hilarious chapter! Book 2 of the Plus One series.  Purchase Links https://www.amazon.co.uk/Accidental-Plus-One-Down-Under-ebook/dp/B0FRT3ZY64 https://www.amazon.com/Accidental-Plus-One-Down-Under-ebook/dp/B0FRT3ZY64 My Review The Accidental Plus One Down Under is a memoir of the author’s time living in Australia and her many travels while there, to New Zealand, the UK and Canada. For those who like food, travel, and knowing how much everything costs to achieve those goals, this could well be the book for you. The memoir is at its strongest in the closing chapters, where the author is saying a farewell (for now) to Australia and takes a journey across the vastness of Australia via train. There, I feel the author’s love for the location really shines through. I also found the chapters on Australia’s Lockdown intriguing, but lacking in enough detail for my nerdy need to equate my experiences in the UK with those in Australia. This is a book for those who love to travel, or for those who love to travel from their armchair. Meet the author Alison Ripley Cubitt is a multi-genre author who started her writing career by winning first prize in a writing competition with a pony book. Some years later, she left New Zealand with the ability to make a white sauce without a recipe, carry three plates at once, and ride a horse (though not at the same time). Dreaming of becoming a copywriter, she landed a job as the receptionist in an advertising agency in Sydney that made the TV series Mad Men’s work culture look tame. But after two and half years, the lure of London proved too hard to resist, and she left Australia. Landing in London at the right time, she got her break in television production and lasted 15 years, working on Channel 4’s anarchic The Big Breakfast and at Walt Disney and the BBC. For the past five and a half years, she has divided her time between Melbourne, Australia and Jane Austen country, England. Her published non-fiction includes travel guides and memoirs. Her fiction includes screenplays, short stories and thrillers. The Accidental Plus One Down Under: Travel Tales from a Trailing Spouse (Book 2) is her tenth book. Connect with the author Facebook Instagram Threads https://www.lambertnagle.com Posts Stay up to date with the latest from our blog. I’m sharing my review for The Accidental Plus One Down Under—Travel Tales from a Trailing Spouse (Book 2) by Alison Ripley Cubitt #blogtour #travelmemoir #bookreview historical fiction I’m delighted to share a post by Lucy Elena about her new romcom, The Starling Dance #newrelease #blogtour #blogpost #romcom historical fiction I’m excited to share an extract from The Maid’s Masquerade by Catherine Tinley #blogtour #historicalfiction #historicalromance Historical Romance I’m delighted to welcome Deborah Swift and her new book, The Cameo Keeper, to the blog #HistoricalFiction #Renaissance #GiuliaTofana #Poison #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub  Blog Tour · Coffee Pot Book Club · historical fiction · New Release · Womens Fiction

I'm delighted to welcome Deborah Swift and her new book, The Cameo Keeper, to the blog #HistoricalFiction #Renaissance #GiuliaTofana #Poison #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub 

Packet ship, mid-Atlantic, 1818 ‘I wondered if I could perhaps…be you. Just for a short time.’ ‘Be me, miss?’ Bewilderment flooded through Marguerite. ‘Whatever can you mean?’ ‘I should like to work as a housemaid in Derbyshire—to fetch and carry, clean and mend. To do honest work with my hands and learn new things and not be a dashed heiress!’ ‘But…but…’ Marguerite could not take it in. She herself had been forced by circumstances to give up her status as the daughter of a gentleman in order to become a servant. And now here was Miss Van Bergen, an heiress, choosing to do the same. It made no sense. It was also impractical. ‘But Lord Linford will still expect you in London!’ Did Miss Van Bergen want a hunt for her all over England? For that was what Lord Linford would be forced to do, if she did not arrive. Even if she wrote to him, he would still do it, for young ladies were not permitted to have adventures. ‘Yes. This may sound nonsensical, but you look a little like me.’ She turned back to the mirror, meeting Marguerite’s eyes in the reflection. Marguerite was confused. ‘We look very different, miss.’ ‘Yes, but you have brown hair and blue eyes. You are a similar build to me too. The miniature that Lord Linford received was not very accurate.’ ‘I…see…’ It was true. They were broadly similar and, while they could never be taken for twins, they might be sisters. And Miss Van Bergen’s accent was decidedly English, despite her having grown up in New York. ‘Besides, you will be in mourning for my—your—aunt. It is likely that you will see little of him—or anyone. You will simply rest, and not work, until I return.’ To rest, read and be a lady again, for just a few weeks…Lord! Am I actually considering this? Fear rushed through her at the very notion of attempting to carry off such an audacious scheme. Would Linford recognise her? Marguerite thought not. She could barely remember his looks, and people generally saw what they expected to see. She would arrive as Miss Van Bergen, and it was likely he would simply accept her as Miss Van Bergen. As she imagined standing in front of him, anger coursed through her veins. What he had done was unforgivable. The least he deserved was a wealthy bride who did not want him. Abruptly, she was fiercely glad that Miss Van Bergen was going to cause him trouble. She could only imagine his consternation when his heiress returned, and he realised he had been duped by a serving maid, a person of no consequence to him. Revenge. The discomforts, worries and fears of the past four years abruptly came together in a fiery ball of rage within Marguerite. She had no desire to ruin him, as his callousness had ruined her. No, she was better than that. But here was an opportunity to cause him discomfort, at the very least. While she had no clear plan, there might be sport to be had, and perhaps it would lessen the grief within her. In some small way, Papa would be avenged for the man’s duplicity and callousness. Here’s the blurb An heiress and a maid swap places in brand-new duet The Heiress Switch Undercover as the Earl’s fiancée And to settle old scores… Part of The Heiress Switch: On a transatlantic voyage, English maid Marguerite hatches a plan with an American heiress to temporarily trade places when they arrive in England. Forced into servitude, this is Marguerite’s chance to re-enter Society, and posing as the betrothed of Benedict, Earl of Linford—the man at fault for her circumstances—is the perfect opportunity for revenge! But her anger is soon replaced by an unsettling attraction. Still, Benedict caused her to lose everything once and she won’t lose her heart to him now—even when he reveals some unexpected truths… Perfect for fans of: Hidden identity Enemies to lovers Purchase Link https://mybook.to/MaidsMasquerade Meet the author Catherine Tinley is an award-winning writer from County Down. She writes witty, heart warming Regency historical romance novels. She has won a coveted Rita® Award, two RoNA Awards, and the HOLT Medallion, and her books have been translated into ten languages. Two of her books have also been published as manga graphic novels.  She also writes saga/women’s historical fiction as Seána Tinley. After a career encompassing speech & language therapy, Sure Start, and managing a maternity hospital, she now works for a leading charity. She lives in County Down with her husband, children, cats, and dog, and can be reached via her website or on socials. https://linktr.ee/CTinley Posts I’m excited to share an extract from The Maid’s Masquerade by Catherine Tinley #blogtour #historicalfiction #historicalromance November 20, 2025 I’m excited to share an extract from The Maid’s Masquerade by Catherine Tinley #blogtour #historicalfiction #historicalromance I’m delighted to welcome Deborah Swift and her new book, The Cameo Keeper, to the blog #HistoricalFiction #Renaissance #GiuliaTofana #Poison #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub  November 20, 2025 I’m delighted to welcome Deborah Swift and her new book, The Cameo Keeper, to the blog #HistoricalFiction #Renaissance #GiuliaTofana #Poison #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub  I’m sharing my review for the delightful, The Dog Sitter Detective’s Christmas Tail, a cosy-mystery by Antony Johnston #bookreview #festiveread November 20, 2025 I’m sharing my review for the delightful, The Dog Sitter Detective’s Christmas Tail, a cosy-mystery by Antony Johnston #bookreview #festiveread

Packet ship, mid-Atlantic, 1818 ‘I wondered if I could perhaps…be you. Just for a short time.’ ‘Be me, miss?’ Bewilderment flooded through Marguerite. ‘Whatever can you mean?’ ‘I should like to work as a housemaid in Derbyshire—to fetch and carry, clean and mend. To do honest work with my hands and learn new things and not be a dashed heiress!’ ‘But…but…’ Marguerite could not take it in. She herself had been forced by circumstances to give up her status as the daughter of a gentleman in order to become a servant. And now here was Miss Van Bergen, an heiress, choosing to do the same. It made no sense. It was also impractical. ‘But Lord Linford will still expect you in London!’ Did Miss Van Bergen want a hunt for her all over England? For that was what Lord Linford would be forced to do, if she did not arrive. Even if she wrote to him, he would still do it, for young ladies were not permitted to have adventures. ‘Yes. This may sound nonsensical, but you look a little like me.’ She turned back to the mirror, meeting Marguerite’s eyes in the reflection. Marguerite was confused. ‘We look very different, miss.’ ‘Yes, but you have brown hair and blue eyes. You are a similar build to me too. The miniature that Lord Linford received was not very accurate.’ ‘I…see…’ It was true. They were broadly similar and, while they could never be taken for twins, they might be sisters. And Miss Van Bergen’s accent was decidedly English, despite her having grown up in New York. ‘Besides, you will be in mourning for my—your—aunt. It is likely that you will see little of him—or anyone. You will simply rest, and not work, until I return.’ To rest, read and be a lady again, for just a few weeks…Lord! Am I actually considering this? Fear rushed through her at the very notion of attempting to carry off such an audacious scheme. Would Linford recognise her? Marguerite thought not. She could barely remember his looks, and people generally saw what they expected to see. She would arrive as Miss Van Bergen, and it was likely he would simply accept her as Miss Van Bergen. As she imagined standing in front of him, anger coursed through her veins. What he had done was unforgivable. The least he deserved was a wealthy bride who did not want him. Abruptly, she was fiercely glad that Miss Van Bergen was going to cause him trouble. She could only imagine his consternation when his heiress returned, and he realised he had been duped by a serving maid, a person of no consequence to him. Revenge. The discomforts, worries and fears of the past four years abruptly came together in a fiery ball of rage within Marguerite. She had no desire to ruin him, as his callousness had ruined her. No, she was better than that. But here was an opportunity to cause him discomfort, at the very least. While she had no clear plan, there might be sport to be had, and perhaps it would lessen the grief within her. In some small way, Papa would be avenged for the man’s duplicity and callousness. Here’s the blurb An heiress and a maid swap places in brand-new duet The Heiress Switch Undercover as the Earl’s fiancée And to settle old scores… Part of The Heiress Switch: On a transatlantic voyage, English maid Marguerite hatches a plan with an American heiress to temporarily trade places when they arrive in England. Forced into servitude, this is Marguerite’s chance to re-enter Society, and posing as the betrothed of Benedict, Earl of Linford—the man at fault for her circumstances—is the perfect opportunity for revenge! But her anger is soon replaced by an unsettling attraction. Still, Benedict caused her to lose everything once and she won’t lose her heart to him now—even when he reveals some unexpected truths… Perfect for fans of: Hidden identity Enemies to lovers Purchase Link https://mybook.to/MaidsMasquerade Meet the author Catherine Tinley is an award-winning writer from County Down. She writes witty, heart warming Regency historical romance novels. She has won a coveted Rita® Award, two RoNA Awards, and the HOLT Medallion, and her books have been translated into ten languages. Two of her books have also been published as manga graphic novels.  She also writes saga/women’s historical fiction as Seána Tinley. After a career encompassing speech & language therapy, Sure Start, and managing a maternity hospital, she now works for a leading charity. She lives in County Down with her husband, children, cats, and dog, and can be reached via her website or on socials. https://linktr.ee/CTinley Posts I’m excited to share an extract from The Maid’s Masquerade by Catherine Tinley #blogtour #historicalfiction #historicalromance November 20, 2025 I’m excited to share an extract from The Maid’s Masquerade by Catherine Tinley #blogtour #historicalfiction #historicalromance I’m delighted to welcome Deborah Swift and her new book, The Cameo Keeper, to the blog #HistoricalFiction #Renaissance #GiuliaTofana #Poison #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub  November 20, 2025 I’m delighted to welcome Deborah Swift and her new book, The Cameo Keeper, to the blog #HistoricalFiction #Renaissance #GiuliaTofana #Poison #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub  I’m sharing my review for the delightful, The Dog Sitter Detective’s Christmas Tail, a cosy-mystery by Antony Johnston #bookreview #festiveread November 20, 2025 I’m sharing my review for the delightful, The Dog Sitter Detective’s Christmas Tail, a cosy-mystery by Antony Johnston #bookreview #festiveread

I'm sharing my review for the delightful, The Dog Sitter Detective's Christmas Tail, a cosy-mystery by Antony Johnston #bookreview #festiveread

I'm delighted to welcome Deborah Swift and her new book, The Cameo Keeper, to the blog #HistoricalFiction #Renaissance #GiuliaTofana #Poison #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub 

The Secret Sauce is on blog tour with Rachel's Random Resources hosts. Check out the reviews, blog posts and Q & As below #histfic #historicalmystery

Inspirations for The Bookseller of Kathmandu The Bookseller of Kathmandu is set in two different locations and two time-zones and the inspirations behind the story came from many different sources. I’ve wanted to write about Kathmandu since I first travelled to Nepal in 1987 when I was on a long trip round India and Southeast Asia. I was enchanted by Kathmandu, especially the narrow old streets of Thamel and the ancient heart of the city, Durbar Square. Thamel was a maze of pedestrianised streets and alleys, lined with medieval buildings, thronging with people. It was crammed full of shops, temples, cafes and street vendors.  Durbar Square, 1987 The atmosphere, especially during the smoke-filled evenings was magical. My friend and I arrived by bus from Pokhara after a long trek through the Annapurna Range and spent several lazy days there. We stayed at the Kathmandu Guest House, in those days a backpacker hostel, eating in the many cafes and visiting all the sites of the Kathmandu Valley.   Since then, Nepal suffered a devastating earthquake in 2015, destroying many of the ancient temples and streets in Thamel. Some of these have been rebuilt, but for a long time, Thamel and Durbar square were badly damaged, and even now, ten years on, the effects are still apparent.  I first wrote about Nepal in The Fortune Teller of Kathmandu, published in 2023, which tells the story of Chloe, a thirtysomething British woman, who travels to India and Nepal to retrace the footsteps of her grandmother, Lena. Lena worked for a Gurkha recruiting officer during World War II, travelling to the forbidden kingdom of Nepal with him to recruit men for the front in Burma.  The Bookseller of Kathmandu, although a standalone story, is in part a follow-up to that book. Chloe is married to Kiran, a Nepalese tour guide, and has bought a quirky old bookshop in Thamel. The inspiration for Paradise Books, was Pilgrim’s Book House in Thamel. A narrow old shophouse, with three stories packed full of books of every kind.  In the story, Chloe is approached by Rajesh Desai, a distant cousin of Kiran’s. His father, Anil, has just died and Rajesh asks Chloe if she will take his father’s old books from him. Pilgrim’s Book House, Kathmandu Chloe is surprised to discover that Anil’s home is a crumbling Rana palace. When she starts looking through the books, she finds a cache of fading letters. They are from a British woman, Alice Lacey, living on a mining estate in Malaya, to Anil, who was serving with the Gurkhas during the Malayan Emergency of the 1940s and 50s.  The inspiration for Anil’s home is the hotel I stayed in while researching both books. It is called the Shankar Hotel, itself a restored Rana palace. Full of panelled rooms, chandeliers and sweeping wooden staircases, it seems to belong to a former era. Hotel Shankar, Kathmandu. A former Rana palace.   The book is partly set in British Malaya of the late 1940s, where Alice Lacey is living with a volatile husband through a time of danger. Her developing friendship with Anil provides some light during those dark days. I have also travelled to Malaysia several times, the first time in 1985 on an overland trip between Bangkok and Bali, staying in Penang and Malacca en route for Singapore. I was first inspired to visit because my father served in the British Indian Army in the Malaya Campaign during WWII. He was taken prisoner by the Japanese at the Fall of Singapore and transported to work on the Thai-Burma railway. I have travelled there since, to research his story, on several occasions.  I set my first book, Bamboo Heart, partly in British Malaya in the lead up to the Japanese invasion, mainly in Penang, and my second book, Bamboo Island, on a rubber plantation near Kuala Lipis and in Singapore. I’ve written several books subsequently about WWII in Southeast Asia and during my research I began to read about the Malayan Emergency. Chinese communists, trained by the British as guerillas to wage war against the Japanese, turned against their former allies in an attempt to oust British rule and impose communism on Malaya. The resulting conflict lasted twelve years and has often been compared to the Vietnam war.  British Army patrol during the Malayan Emergency. Photo – British Army Museum.  When I did start to read about the decline of British rule in Malaya and the Emergency, I began to wonder how it had affected the lives of ordinary people. So, I created the character of Alice, a naïve British woman, living on an isolated tin mine, caught up in those turbulent events, who is thrown together with a Gurkha officer assigned to protect her home.   I hope you enjoy The Bookseller of Kathmandu and that it transports you to the backstreets of Kathmandu and to the jungles of 1940s Malaya. If you are interested in finding out more about my books, please visit my website.   Here’s the blurb A sweeping tale of secrets and survival set against the mystical backdrop of Nepal, and the tropical heat of 1940s Malaya. In the heart of bustling Kathmandu, Chloe Rai’s quaint bookshop is a sanctuary for those seeking solace within the pages of timeworn stories. But when she discovers a collection of letters hidden within the crumbling walls of a forgotten Rana palace, her world begins to intertwine with a narrative from a different time and place. Penned in the 1940s by a woman named Alice Lacey, the letters tell the story of the Malayan Emergency, a time of turmoil and conflict. As Alice’s life becomes intertwined with that of Anil, a Gurkha officer, their bond is tested by the chaos and violence surrounding them. Chloe’s discoveries not only reveal family secrets, but also mirror her own struggles in the present. As she delves deeper into Alice’s story, she begins to understand the power of the past in shaping the present. With a rich cultural backdrop and a poignant exploration of friendship, resilience, and truth, ‘The Bookseller of Kathmandu’ is a beautifully woven tale that showcases the enduring power of storytelling. Join Chloe on a journey through time as she uncovers the truth and learns to navigate the complexities of her own life. If you enjoy captivating storytelling, then you won’t want to miss ‘The Bookseller of Kathmandu.’ And if you loved ‘The Fortune Teller of Kathmandu,’ then you will be enthralled by Chloe and Alice’s intertwined stories… Purchase Link  https://mybook.to/booksellerkathmandu Meet the author Ann Bennett is a British author of historical fiction. Her first book, Bamboo Heart: A Daughter’s Quest, was inspired by researching her father’s experience as a prisoner of war on the Thai-Burma Railway and by her own journey to uncover his story. It won the Asian Books Blog prize for fiction published in Asia in 2015, and was shortlisted for the best fiction title in the Singapore Book Awards 2016. That initial inspiration led her to write more books about WWII in Southeast Asia – Bamboo Island: The Planter’s Wife, A Daughter’s Promise, Bamboo Road: The Homecoming, The Tea Planter’s Club, The Amulet, and The Fortune Teller of Kathmandu. Along with The Lotus House, published in October 2024, they make up the Echoes of Empire Collection. Ann is also the author of The Oriental Lake Collection – The Lake Pavilion and The Lake Palace, both set in British India during the 1930s and WWII, and The Lake Pagoda and The Lake Villa, set in French Indochina. The Runaway Sisters, USA Today bestselling The Orphan House, The Child Without a Home and The Forgotten Children are set in Europe during the same era and are published by Bookouture. Her latest book, The Stolen Sisters, published on 29th November 2024 is the follow-up to The Orphan List (published by Bookouture in August this year) and is set in Poland and Germany during WWII. A former lawyer, Ann is married with three grown up sons and a granddaughter and lives in Surrey, UK. For more details, please visit her website http://www.annbennettauthor Connect with the author Facebook Instagram X Link Giveaway to Win a Paperback copy of Fortune Teller of Kathmandu (Open to UK and Europe only) https://gleam.io/spDXQ/win-a-paperback-copy-of-fortune-teller-of-kathmandu-open-to-uk-and-europe-only *Terms and Conditions –UK and Europe entries welcome.  Please enter using the Gleam box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Gleam from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize. Posts Stay up to date with the latest from our blog. I’m delighted to welcome The Bookseller of Kathmandu by Ann Bennett to the blog for a publication day blog post and competition #blogtour #historicalfiction #newrelease #blogpost Blog Tour · Dual Time · historical fiction · Rachel’s Random Resources I’m delighted to be sharing the cover for Magical Beginnings in Little Beaubrook by Bella Brightside #romance #newrelease #blogtour #coverreveal Romance It’s cover reveal day for Don’t Forget the Crazy by Lucy Kaufman #coverreveal #blogtour #psychologicalsuspense historical fiction · Suspense I’m sharing my review for Pilgrim’s War by Michael Jecks #newrelease #histfic #blogtour #bookreview Blog Tour · Boldwood Books · book review · historical fiction · Medieval · New Release · Rachel’s Random Resources

Here’s the blurb Some places are special enough to heal hearts… Welcome to Little Beaubrook In a tiny English village hidden away for decades, the mists are parting to reveal a manor which glows gold and tumbledown thatched cottages that have been waiting for the right people to rebuild them. On moving in day, a diverse group of new neighbours have only two things in common. Their hearts have been broken in some way, and they’ve all signed a contract with some very strange stipulations, including buying one of the cottages for a pound. As Chair of the commonhold association, Albie Curville hopes that by sharing his late wife’s rules for living he can bring these reluctant strangers together to fulfil her dying wish before he runs out of time… and before they discover his secret. When their newfound community – built on kindness, friendship and a manor with a long history of helping those in need – is threatened by an outside source, can they finally overcome their pasts to save Little Beaubrook and seize the second chances they deserve? Come and visit this magical lost village for a cosy, feel-good story about love, found family, new beginnings and the healing power of community. Perfect for fans of Debbie Johnson, Jenny Colgan, Evie Woods and Phaedra Patrick. Pre-order Links UK  – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Magical-Beginnings-Little-Beaubrook-heartwarming-ebook/dp/B0FVNQC7S8 US – https://www.amazon.com/Magical-Beginnings-Little-Beaubrook-heartwarming-ebook/dp/B0FVNQC7S8 bitly link bit.ly/48XcAKD Meet the author Bella Brightside is a multi-published, award-nominated romance author who writes under several pen names and had commercial success with her novel The Last Charm. Owned by a husband, large family and two naughty beagles, she drinks too much coffee, buys far too many books and spends her nights wondering how a sentient village would behave.  You can find her on Instagram at @authorbythesea1207. She is represented by the literary agent Rachel McMillan. Connect with the author Instagram Threads TikTok Facebook Posts I’m delighted to be sharing the cover for Magical Beginnings in Little Beaubrook by Bella Brightside #romance #newrelease #blogtour #coverreveal November 17, 2025 I’m delighted to be sharing the cover for Magical Beginnings in Little Beaubrook by Bella Brightside #romance #newrelease #blogtour #coverreveal It’s cover reveal day for Don’t Forget the Crazy by Lucy Kaufman #coverreveal #blogtour #psychologicalsuspense November 16, 2025 It’s cover reveal day for Don’t Forget the Crazy by Lucy Kaufman #coverreveal #blogtour @rararesources @kaufmanlucy @sepiainkpublishing I’m sharing my review for Pilgrim’s War by Michael Jecks #newrelease #histfic #blogtour #bookreview November 16, 2025 I’m sharing my review for Pilgrim’s War by Michael Jecks #newrelease #histfic #blogtour #bookreview

I'm sharing my review for Pilgrim's War by Michael Jecks #newrelease #histfic #blogtour #bookreview

Here’s the blurb Her lists are life or death. “If it’s on the list, I have to do it.” Milli Morgan lives by her lists. Groceries, goals, organising her boss – nothing escapes being ticked off her ever-growing to-do lists. Order brings her comfort; control keeps the chaos at bay. Everyone can rely on Milli. Until the day new items start appearing on her list in red ink. At first, she blames stress. A prank. Someone playing mind-games. But one instruction on the list refuses to be erased and demands to be completed. A command so terrible she would have to be crazy to tick it off. Don’t Forget the Crazy is a dark psychological suspense short story about obsession, perfection, and the dangerous pressure of always being “the good girl.” Fans of Gillian Flynn, Lisa Jewell, Patricia Highsmith, and Shirley Jackson will devour this chilling portrait of order unravelling into darkness.  Pre-order Links https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0G1KPBK1N https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G1KPBK1N Meet the author Lucy Kaufman is an award-winning author, playwright, audio dramatist and poet. 40 of her plays have been performed professionally around the UK and Australia, to critical acclaim. She has lectured in Playwriting and Screenwriting for Pen to Print and Canterbury Christ Church University and is a mentor at The Writing Coach. Originally from London, she now lives by the sea with her husband, sons, dogs and cats.  Connect with the author Instagram Instagram Link Posts Welcome to a world of limitless possibilities, where the journey is as exhilarating as the destination, and where every moment is an opportunity to make your mark. It’s cover reveal day for Don’t Forget the Crazy by Lucy Kaufman #coverreveal #blogtour #psychologicalsuspense November 16, 2025 It’s cover reveal day for Don’t Forget the Crazy by Lucy Kaufman #coverreveal #blogtour @rararesources @kaufmanlucy @sepiainkpublishing I’m sharing my review for Death of a Stranger, the first book in John Pilkington’s Elizabethan mysteries featuring Matthew Cutler #histfic #historicalmystery #bookreview #blogtour November 15, 2025 I’m sharing my review for Death of a Stranger, the first book in John Pilkington’s Elizabethan mysteries featuring Matthew Cutler #histfic #historicalmystery #bookreview #blogtour It’s cover reveal day for The Entrepreneur’s Almanack by Robin Bennett #newrelease #covereveal #entrepreneurship November 14, 2025 It’s cover reveal day for The Entrepreneur’s Almanack by Robin Bennett #newrelease #covereveal #entrepreneurship

Here’s the blurb 1594, Bishopsgate Ward, London. Within the walls and without, unease and uncertainty lurk beneath the noise and bustle of a smoky, teeming city. Matthew Cutler, newly widowed and caring for two spirited daughters, takes his position as constable for the parish of Spitalfields very seriously. So when Paulo Brisco, a quiet Venetian perfumer is found brutally murdered in his own shop, Cutler throws himself into his first major crime, and one which threatens to set all Bishopsgate alight. 🔥 Being a humble parish constable, Matthew Cutler’s powers are slight – and yet he possesses a skill which most others do not. As a former actor he can employ disguise, to considerable effect and to his unique advantage… Plunged into a treacherous world of notorious rakes, angry tradesmen and a community seething with anti-foreigner sentiment and suspicion, Cutler must decipher shattered clues and confront a killer whose motive remains a baffling mystery – until the very last. Step into the dangerous world of Elizabethan London with this cracking murder mystery!🩸🔍 Purchase Link https://mybook.to/DeathStranger My Review Death of a Stranger introduces the reader to Matthew Cutler, a former player and now a widower, working as a constable of his parish, under the guidance of his father-in-law. Matthew is a likeable character as he navigates Elizabethan London. He has to contend with some quite tricky situations too, as well as trying to solve the mystery of who our killer is. We are treated to a depiction of Elizabethan London, after a resurgence of the pestilence, and with the memory of the Spanish Armada still fresh in everyone’s mind. This is a time of unease and suspicion, alongside the rigid social strictures of the era. The attempt to solve the mystery takes the reader on quite the journey through the Elizabethan underworld, as well as into high society, a society Matthew is effectively barred from, although there is an intriguing solution to it. At points, it feels as though anyone could be the murderer, from the lowest to the highest, and then many others in between. Matthew does not lack for suspects, but he does struggle to find the killer, even when someone is sent to effectively stop his investigation. There is no doubt that I don’t understand much about the Elizabethan justice system, and it’s possible that some of the nuances may have passed me by, but I did enjoy this historical mystery, which contains the elements I’d expect from a story set in the era. An enjoyable read, and I look forward to reading more by the author. Meet the author A writer for over forty years, John Pilkington was born in Lancashire and worked at many jobs including laboratory assistant, farm worker, weaver, shipping clerk, picture frame-maker and cabaret musician before taking a degree in Drama and English and finding his true 2 vocation. He has since written plays for radio and theatre, television scripts for a BBC soap, a short-lived children’s series and numerous works of historical fiction, concentrating now on the Tudor and Stuart eras. He also ventured into speculative fiction with his biography of Shakespeare’s famous jester, Yorick. He now lives in a village on a tidal estuary in Devon with his long-term partner Elisabeth; they have a son who is a psychologist and musician. When not at the desk he walks, swims, listens to music and tinkers with d.i.y. projects, and is enjoying being a grandfather. Connect with the author Bookbub profile: @jpscript Posts Stay up to date with the latest from our blog. I’m sharing my review for Death of a Stranger, the first book in John Pilkington’s Elizabethan mysteries featuring Matthew Cutler #histfic #historicalmystery #bookreview #blogtour historical fiction It’s cover reveal day for The Entrepreneur’s Almanack by Robin Bennett #newrelease #covereveal #entrepreneurship Non-fiction I’m delighted to welcome Samantha Ward-Smith and her new book, Ravenscourt, to the blog #HistoricalRomance #HistoricalFiction #GothicRomance #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub Blog Tour · Coffee Pot Book Club · Gothic Romance · historical fiction · New Release · Romance I’m sharing my review for The Queen Who Came in From the Cold by SJ Bennett, released today #bookreview #newrelease #mystery book review · Cozy Mystery · Crime Fiction · historical fiction

Here’s the blurb A new kind of yearbook has arrived for founders, dreamers, and doers. The Entrepreneur’s Almanack is a funny and deeply personal chronicle of what it feels like to start a business from scratch. This third in a series of short yearbooks celebrates the underrated art of entrepreneurship and a key aspect of the same: namely, success in business has more to do with intangibles than we care to admit.  The guesswork and the gut, divine providence, even dumb luck are all players and should be welcomed round the table, not ignored at the fringes. The Entrepreneur’s Almanack is the cosmic crutch you never knew you needed in business, but shouldn’t be without. Purchase Links https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0FVM42P26 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0FVM42P26 Publication Date – 14th November Meet the author When Robin Bennett grew up he thought he wanted to be a cavalry officer until everyone else realised that putting him in charge of a tank was a very bad idea. He then became an assistant gravedigger in London. After that he had a career frantically starting businesses (everything from dog-sitting to cigars, tuition to translation)… until finally settling down to write improbable stories to keep his children from killing each other on long car journeys. Connect with the author Facebook Instagram TikTok X Posts Stay up to date with the latest from our blog. It’s cover reveal day for The Entrepreneur’s Almanack by Robin Bennett #newrelease #covereveal #entrepreneurship Non-fiction I’m delighted to welcome Samantha Ward-Smith and her new book, Ravenscourt, to the blog #HistoricalRomance #HistoricalFiction #GothicRomance #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub Blog Tour · Coffee Pot Book Club · Gothic Romance · historical fiction · New Release · Romance I’m sharing my review for The Queen Who Came in From the Cold by SJ Bennett, released today #bookreview #newrelease #mystery book review · Cozy Mystery · Crime Fiction · historical fiction I’m sharing my review for The Angel Prophecy by Rob Jones #actionandadventure #blogtour #bookreview #newrelease Action and adventure · Blog Tour · Boldwood Books · book review

I'm sharing my review for The Queen Who Came in From the Cold by SJ Bennett, released today #bookreview #newrelease #mystery

I'm sharing my review for The Atlantis Covenant by Rob Jones #actionandadventure #blogtour #bookreview

I'm reviewing Saving Starlight Hall by Debbie Viggiano #blogtour #romance #bookreview #funny

I'm delighted to welcome Rosemary Griggs and her book, Mistress of Dartington Hall, Book 3 in the Daughters of Devon series, to the blog with a guest post. Guest Post - historical background Mistress of Dartington Hall continues the story of a French Huguenot noblewoman, Lady Gabrielle Roberda Montgomery. Roberda’s father, Gabriel de Lorges, was a prominent Huguenot general. He gained notoriety as the man who accidentally killed King Henry II of France in a jousting accident.

I'm delighted to share my review for Murder at the Wedding by Anita Davison #bookreview #blogtour #historicalmystery #newrelease

I'm delighted to welcome Paul Rushworth-Brown and his book, Outback Odyssey, to the blog with an excerpt. Excerpt - Cultural Encounter with Jarrah “I ask your permission to teach him our ways and show him our culture and Country.” The Elders exchanged glances, the firelight catching the lines of their faces. The eldest of them, Jarrah, was the first to speak.

I'm reviewing Woden's Storm by Donovan Cook #blogtour #newrelease #historicalfiction the second book in the First Kingdom series