📖 Book of My Month ~ The Bride Stone by Sally Gardner

Head of Zeus 
31 July 2025

Thanks to the publisher for my copy of this book to review

The spellbinding new historical novel from multi-award-winning author Sally Gardner.

It is 1796. Duval Harlington, recently released from a French prison, is on his way home. He must reach his late father’s estate Muchmore House before the following evening if he is to inherit it.

But the inheritance rests on another condition: he must also be married. He is at a market, hoping to buy a fast horse, when he hears about a wife sale. He takes his chance and makes an extravagant bid for young widow, Edmée Hyde. To his delight and dismay, the bid is accepted and they marry, only to find that he and Edmée are both hiding life-threatening secrets.

📖 My Review..

Duval Harlington returns to England from France after being incarcerated during the latter years of the Revolution. On his return he discovers that, on his father’s death, he has now inherited the dukedom and the family estate of Muchmore. However, one of the terms of his late father’s will is that Duval must marry or lose the estate and with only hours before the deadline the race is on to find a bride. When he encounters a wife sale in a nearby village it seems like the only solution, and so, paying ten guineas, Duval chooses a young widow, Edmée Hyde, an enigmatic young woman, who has more than enough tragic secrets of her own. Together they take the path to their destiny.

What then follows is a fascinating story of two troubled young people, the traumas they have each suffered, and the secrets which they carry within them, all of which are explored in a compassionate love story which despite the many twists, turns and obstacles which come their way shows that the human spirit remains strong. Beautifully written, with a lyricism which belies its strength, there is much to enjoy in a story which is strong on historical detail, high in compassion and rich with scandal and intrigue. There are villains and champions, characters who make your blood boil and also those whose strength and kindness shines through the worst of human nature.

It is a story to be treasured and for that reason I am delighted to make The Bride Stone the Book of My Month for August.

About the Author

Sally Gardner gained a first-class degree at a leading London art college and became a successful theatre costume designer before illustrating and writing books. Her debut novel I, Coriander won the Nestle Gold  award, and she is also a Costa and Carnegie prize-winner. Her books have been translated all over the world and have sold over three million copies.

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📖 Book Review ~ To Catch A Lord by Emma Orchard

Boldwood
21 June 2025

My thanks to the publisher for the invitation to review this book

As a daughter of the notorious Wyverne family, Lady Amelia is used to being the subject of gossip. But while she has accepted her marred reputation – however unfair it is – she hates the horrible men it attracts.

Amelia decides she needs a suitor of impeccable repute to save her from the attentions of ungentlemanly gentlemen, and who better than the handsome and famously moral Lord Thornfalcon? Since coming into his title, ‘Thorn’ has been besieged by women who want to marry him, or have an affair with him, or both – so perhaps a pretend relationship might suit him too?

There’s just one small catch. Thorn’s childhood sweetheart Lavinia has also set her sights on him again, and rallied half the ton behind her. But what does that matter to Amelia – it’s only a fake engagement, isn’t it? Except, as Lavinia and her friends try to tear Amelia and Thorn apart, she starts to realise that her feelings may not be quite so fake after all.

Because the trouble with brave and handsome Lords is… they might just steal your heart.

📖My Review..

With her reputation sullied, and through no fault of her own, Lady Amelia Wyverne seems to attract the worst sort of gentlemen. Deciding upon a course of action, Lady Amelia is determined to set aside the chattering gossips by pretending to become betrothed to a man who is beyond reproach. The only problem, of course, is seeking out such a paragon but with a plan hatched to catch herself a lord, Amelia’s eye settles upon the charmingly handsome Lord Thornfalcon. Marcus Thornfalcon, hero, of the Peninsular campaign, has his own reasons for agreeing to Amelia’s subterfuge, some of which are set to cause all sorts of consternation amongst the ladies of the Ton and is a disaster for one lady in particular who is hell bet on revenge.

These regency romances are so beautifully written that they never fail to make me smile and I flutter through the pages with great enjoyment as I am whisked away to balls and soirées, keeping company with the beau monde of Regency England. Both Amelia and Marcus are delightfully imagined and I quite fell in love with both of them and as their tentative feelings are stirred you can’t help but want everything to work out well in a good way.

To Catch A Lord is a spicy, steamy romance from this talented writer who has captured the Regency Romance market with her passionate stories which, with a hint of Georgette Heyer, bring this world to life. There is a bit of a theme with this set of books as some characters overlap but having said that it is perfectly possible to read each book as a standalone story.

About the Author

Emma Orchard grew up in Salford and was given tickets to the grown-up library at the age of 11 because she’d read all the children’s books and the librarians were sick of the sight of her. She became obsessed with Georgette Heyer and hasn’t stopped reading her novels since. She studied English Literature at university and went on to work at Mills & Boon and behind the scenes in television and in publishing.

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📖 Book Review ~ The Girl with the Suitcase by Lesley Pearse

 

Michael Joseph
3 July 2025

Thanks to the publisher and ed public relations for my copy of the book to review

London, 1941

When Mary meets a glamorous stranger named Elizabeth she realises their lives couldn’t be more different. 

Elizabeth is beautiful and charming, about to set off on a dazzling adventure to Ireland where she’s inherited a grand house. 

Mary, shy and meek, has nothing to look forward to but the dreary life of a maid in Hampstead.

But when an air raid forces them to take shelter underground Mary’s life is suddenly changed forever. 

After waking up in hospital, injured but alive, the nurse mistakes her for Elizabeth and hands over her suitcase with Elizabeth’s money and tickets to Ireland inside.

This is Mary’s chance to escape the hardship of her life and start afresh.

Will she take it and what could go wrong?

📖My Review..

A chance meeting with a total stranger alters the course of Mary’s life forever and with the unexpected chance of a completely fresh start, Mary grabs the opportunity to move away from her life of drudgery and hardship. Set against the backdrop of WW2 we travel between war torn London, rural Ireland and affluent Bristol in a story which tugs away at the heartstrings with a remarkable young woman who takes whatever life throws at her and does so with that innate steadfastness of all those who’s survived wartime.

Beautifully written as only this author can, it is very easy to be drawn into the world which she recreates so sensitively. I loved Mary’s character, she’s such a strong person and yet it’s also the other characters who bring the story to life, especially Kathleen in Ireland and Rose in Bristol. A story of strong women  who support Mary in everything she does. At its heart are a couple of empathic love interests, good and kind men who take away Mary’s doubts about the shadows of her past with an indifferent mother and an abusive stepfather.

The Girl with the Suitcase is the author’s 33rd novel and is another lovely story from this sensitive and considerate writer. 

About the Author

Lesley Pearse is a global No.1 bestseller with fans across the world and sales of over 10 million copies of her books to date. One of the nation’s best-loved storytellers – a Lesley Pearse book is sold every 4 minutes in the UK – Lesley is a master of the gripping story line, always introducing her readers to characters that are impossible to forget. Although there is no set formula or easily defined genre for a Lesley Pearse novel, strong heroines and jeopardy are pervasive, and she always engages the reader completely. 

Told with Lesley's trademark warmth, wit and poignancy The Long and Winding Road is the extraordinary story of a remarkable woman fighting against the odds to achieve her dreams and finally winning.

Lesley lives in Torquay where she enjoys walking on the beach with her grandchildren. A fantastic speaker and committed and passionate fundraiser for the NSPCC, Lesley is a much sought after guest at literary lunches, library events and festivals up and down the country.

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📖 Book Review ~ One Dark Night by Hannah Richell

Simon & Schuster
3 July 2025

Thanks to the publisher for the invitation to read this book

A party at sunset. A body at sunrise.

What happened that night in the woods?

ELLIE

When the body of a young woman is discovered in the woods the morning after Halloween, arranged with ritualistic precision, teenager Ellie has more reason than most to be afraid …

RACHEL

As both Ellie’s mum and the local school counsellor, Rachel, must grapple with the terror gripping the community, a tough job that’s made even harder when she realises her daughter is keeping secrets …

BEN

Police detective Ben Chase is desperate to solve the murder, but with his daughter Ellie struggling and the noose circling ever tighter, can he catch the killer before they strike again?

📖 My Review..

A group of private school pupils sneak out into the woods on Halloween for an impromptu party which soon becomes something far more sinister especially when they begin to frighten each other with scary tales. The creepy woodland all contributes to the dark atmosphere and with a sense that someone is watching just heightens the tension. The following morning the body of a young teenager is found in suspicious circumstances and a whole police investigation is launched to determine just what happened at the fateful Halloween party.

This is a really creepy story which made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up and I found myself jumping at shadows, imagining a dark, dark wood with hidden figures, and the hint of something dangerous lurking in the undergrowth. The characters are well drawn and the fractured relationship between the main characters is done with a fine eye for captivating the nuances of teenagers who all have secrets to hide. The police procedural part of the story doesn’t intrude too much as it’s more about the dynamics between the lead detective whose daughter Ellie has been caught up in the events of Halloween night and his ex-wife who is a member of staff at the school.

One Dark Night is a real page turner of a read and one I couldn’t put down until final clever twist in this dark and creepy tale had been revealed.

About the Author

Hannah Richell was born in Kent and spent her childhood years in Buckinghamshire and Canada. After graduating from the University of Nottingham, she worked in the book publishing and film industries in both London and Sydney. She is a dual citizen of Great Britain and Australia, and currently lives in the South West of England with her family.

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📖 Book Review ~ Every Mother’s Nightmare by S E Lynes

Bookouture 
9 July 2025

Thanks to the publisher for my copy of this book to review

It’s the call every mother dreads. 

You knew it was coming… 

You are at work, on a hot summer afternoon, when the phone vibrates in your handbag. Your heart beats faster as you scrabble to find it because somehow, even before you answer it, you know. It’s the call every mother fears. It’s the call you’ve been waiting for.

Your daughter is in hospital. She was found this morning, confused and alone. She doesn’t remember anything. You wish you had never let her go away for the weekend. You can’t understand why her brother wasn’t watching over her like he promised, why he didn’t protect her.

You race to be with them, before it’s too late. But then the police find a body, deep in the woods, right next to where your children were staying.

You’ll do anything to keep them safe. But knowing what you know… do you need to protect your son, your daughter, or yourself?

📖My Review ..

Melissa’s two teenage children are at a summer camp for school leavers but when she receives a phone call at work to say that her daughter has been found naked, confused and disorientated on the camp site and has been rushed to hospital, Melissa leaves home to travel to her daughter’s bed side and is shocked and saddened when she finds out what happened. Melissa is also concerned about her son and wonders how he could have allowed his sister to be vulnerable to such a violent attack especially when he was supposed to be looking out for her.

The story gathers pace quickly and with some clever explaining we get the story, both before and after the event, from the point of view of Melissa, her daughter, Casey and her son, Dan. All have a vital role to play in this emotionally charged story which continues the debate about toxic masculinity, coercive control and dangerous grooming whilst at the same time reiterating the strength of the bond between mothers and their children. With so much going on I was reluctant to leave the story alone and pretty much read the book in one sitting. What I love about this author’s writing is her ability to surprise me every single time as just when I think I have the plot all sewn up, she strikes with a totally different scenario which leaves me gasping out loud.

Every Mother’s Nightmare is exactly what you expect from this talented writer, it’s a taut and dark psychological thriller which grips from the very first page and doesn’t let go of your imagination until the whole of this complicated story is told. 

About the Author

Formerly a BBC producer, S.E. Lynes turned to writing following the birth of her third child. After completing an MA in Creative Writing, she became a tutor at Richmond Adult Community College, where she taught creative writing for over ten years. She now combines writing, mentoring and lecturing.

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📖 Book Review ~ A Most Unlikely Lady by Darcy McGuire

Boldwood Books 
6 June 2025

The Queen’s Deadly Damsels #4

Thanks to Boldwood for my copy of this book to review

 

When seemingly fragile Miss Ivy Cavendale takes the headmistress position in an orphanage, it is her chance to stay anonymous in society. But not all is what it seems with Miss Ivy. When an intruder breaks in one night, she’s quick to draw her weapon, and while fear - her constant companion - has mysteriously disappeared, one thing is very she and her charges are the next target of The Devil’s Sons.

Commissioner Edward Worthington owes the head of The Queen’s Deadly Damsels a debt. So, he must keep an eye on the Duchess’s new protégé. How much trouble can the shy Miss Cavendale be? Rather a lot, actually. The diminutive wallflower has been overlooked and forgotten by society's elite, but Edward sees a woman full of fascinating contradictions he’s compelled to unravel.

Burdened by secrets and childhood trauma, Ivy is stunned as Edward ignites a breathless curiosity within her. And when he asks her to join forces to identify the dangerous intruder at The Widow’s Ball, she cannot refuse. She may not trust many, but something tells her she should trust Edward… with more than just this mission.

📖 My Review

 

A Most Unlikely Lady is the fourth book in The Queen’s Deadly Damsels series and like the stories which have gone before this is another cross between steamy romance and thrilling suspense. Lady Ivy Cavendale takes on the lowly position of headmistress at a London orphanage but with the worry that the Devil’s Sons are targeting vulnerable children, Ivy enlists the help of the other deadly damsels to catch the men behind this group of monstrous individuals. However, it is Ivy’s burgeoning relationship with Police Commissioner, Edward Worthington where the passion of the story lies as they both learn to share the secrets of their troubled past.

Hugely entertaining, the passion sizzles on the page whilst at the same time the mystery surrounding the Devil’s Sons continues to be a real challenge for the Damsels who are determined to bring these terrible individuals to justice. With plenty twists and turns and a spicy romance at its core, this latest story kept my interest from start to finish. And whilst it is possible to read this as a standalone story it does make sense to read the series from the beginning as that way you get to know the other damsels and the role they each play in fighting for justice. 

A Most Unlikely Lady is a worthy continuation of this successful series and I look forward to reading the fifth, and probably the final book in the series, when it is published later in 2025.

About the Author

Darcy McGuire is an award-winning New Zealand-born writer now living in the Pacific Northwest. She will write a five-part Victorian romance series for Boldwood, focused on a group of ‘Deadly Damsels’.

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📖 Blog Tour ~ The Secret Between Us by Kate Hewitt

Bookouture
24 July 2025

Thanks to the publisher for my copy of the book to review
Also for the invitation to be part of the blog tour

My husband and I share a secret. How far will I go to keep it?

In the middle of our school’s bustling summer picnic, I watch Harriet walk purposefully toward my husband, Michael. She places her hand on his arm, introducing herself and laughing at something he says. A knot forms in my stomach as I watch them. We’ve been here before. But I can’t just walk away…

Over the next few weeks, I try to keep Harriet from my family. But no matter what I do, she finds a way in. Her daughter and my twin boys become friends, and one night I find Harriet in my kitchen, smiling at my husband as she sips a cocktail. I feel like a stranger in my own home.

That night, when I see her name light up my husband’s phone, I can barely breathe. Because I know this is more than just an affair. She’s in our lives for a different reason. For years, I’ve kept a secret buried deep because I thought I could hold my family together. But now, I’m terrified Harriet is going to reveal it and I will lose everything…

Whatever happens, I can’t let her expose the secrets between me and my husband. But what will I have to do to stop her?

📖 My Review ..

When Elise Dunnett sees her husband, Michael, talking to Harriet Tierney at the annual school picnic she is immediately on high alert and is even more dismayed when Harriet’s daughter Kyra is newly enrolled at the same private school as her twin boys. From this innocent first meeting Elise is wary of Harriet and does her best to keep her away from her family with devastating consequences.

The plot is so gripping that I read the book quickly as I couldn’t wait to see what would unfold next as it really is a story which gets under your skin especially as the secrets which are being revealed are so cleverly placed that you can’t help but be left wondering whatever is going to happen next in this twisted tale of jealousy and revenge. All credit must go to this talented writer who weaves such a complex plot in which most of the main characters are largely unlikeable, this takes an inordinate amount of skill and it really pays off in an intricate story of secrets, lies and pure malice.

Fascinating and complex, The Secret Between Us is an emotional domestic drama which had plenty of twists and turns, compelling characters, and a real page turner of a plot.

About the Author

Kate Hewitt is the author of many romance and women’s fiction novels. A former New Yorker and now an American ex-pat, she lives in a small town on the Welsh border with her husband, five children, and their overly affectionate Golden Retriever. Whatever the genre, she enjoys telling stories that tackle real issues and touch people’s lives.

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