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Celebrations and Confetti At Cedarwood Lodge by Rebecca Raisin 

Celebrations and Confetti At Cedarwood Lodge

by Rebecca Raisin 

Celebrations and Confetti is an excellent start to the Cedarwood Lodge series. I take my hat off to Clio for taking on such a massive challenge, although I can totally see the appeal. It sounds amazing! I love her commitment to the project, and I love her relationship with her friends, and colleagues.  She has a difficult relationship with her mother. A grieving mother who seems to carry a secret relating to Cedarwood. A secret she seems unwilling to share with Clio which strains their relationship further. It’s very intriguing and I hope we find out more about that.

Cedarwood is part of a small community and Clio is determined to bring it back to life with many celebrations and happy occasions. Will she leave herself any time for a bit of romance though!?

A very enjoyable read. I’ve already bought book two and started it. I’m finding myself quite invested in these characters.

** According to Amazon I purchased the Kindle edition of Celebrations and Confetti on 23rd November 2016 **

Clio Winters is finally fulfilling her childhood dream of renovating the gorgeous old Cedarwood Lodge in Evergreen. Turning it into the perfect destination for big celebrations, weddings and parties has brought her back home, but Cedarwood Lodge is in need of a lot of tender loving care.

Perhaps all the work will be the perfect distraction from the real reason she had to leave her glamorous New York life behind.

Will coming home be the best decision of her life… or her biggest regret?

Cedarwood Lodge is a delectable romance told in three parts – following Clio Winters journey back to her hometown of Evergreen. This is Part One.

Happy reading!

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Where They Found Her by Kimberly McCreight 

Where They Found Her

by Kimberly McCreight 

Molly Anderson is a delicate character who has suffered tremendous loss. She is a mother and a reporter for a small publication. She usually covers the arts but when a body is found in the woods near to the university, she is tasked with the most difficult report she’ll ever have to work on. Her husband is understandably concerned about the effect on her mental health, given her history, but Molly is determined to see it through. Little does she know just how this case will change her life forever!

Where They Found Her is a compelling read with twists and turns galore. As the truth was revealed I was shocked, sickened, and my heart went out to Molly as well as others involved in such traumatic circumstances.

** According to Amazon I purchased the Kindle edition of this book on 21st November 2018 **

Motherhood hasn’t come at all easy for Molly Anderson. But she’s finally enjoying life as mother to five-year-old Ella and as Arts reporter for the small but respectable Ridgedale Reader. That is, until a body is found in the woods adjacent to Ridgedale University’s ivy-covered campus. This is a discovery that threatens to unearth secrets long buried by the town’s most powerful residents, and brings Molly to two women who are far more deeply connected than they have ever realised.

Happy reading!

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The Assassination of a Nobody (The Lisbon Novels Book 3) by Malcolm Havard @MalHavardWriter #PublicationDay #Promotion @BoBookPublicity

OUT NOW!

The Assassination of a Nobody (The Lisbon Novels Book 3) 

by Malcolm Havard 

In the shadowy streets of Lisbon during World War II, secrets are currency and trust is a luxury few can afford. Dinis Lopes, a man with a past as murky as the city’s fog, finds himself entangled in a web of espionage, betrayal, and unexpected alliances. As he navigates the treacherous waters of wartime intrigue, Lopes must confront his own demons and make choices that could alter the course of history. “The assassination of a nobody” is an exciting story full of suspense. Every choice matters, and each character has secrets.

New to the series?

Find all the books in the series here…. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0D239LSMD?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tkin

Happy reading!

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The Assassination of a Nobody (The Lisbon Novels Book 3) by Malcolm Havard @MalHavardWriter #BookPromotion @BoBookPublicity

The Assassination of a Nobody: Fourteen people are dead. Lopes is determined to find out why (The Lisbon Novels Book 3) 

by Malcolm Havard 

In the shadowy streets of Lisbon during World War II, secrets are currency and trust is a luxury few can afford. Dinis Lopes, a man with a past as murky as the city’s fog, finds himself entangled in a web of espionage, betrayal, and unexpected alliances. As he navigates the treacherous waters of wartime intrigue, Lopes must confront his own demons and make choices that could alter the course of history. “The assassination of a nobody” is an exciting story full of suspense. Every choice matters, and each character has secrets.

Pre-order now!

New to the series?

Find all the books in the series here…. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0D239LSMD?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tkin

Happy reading!

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Mother’s Boy by Patrick Gale 

Mother’s Boy

by Patrick Gale 

Mother’s Boy is another beautifully written novel by Patrick Gale. I was absolutely blown away by A Place Called Winter which was my first experience of this author. I have since added all his books to my TBR list.

Mother’s Boy is based on the true story of poet, Charles Causley. I hadn’t heard of Charles Causley previously (I have now added one of his poetry collections to my Wishlist), but I found his story fascinating. He is an interesting character. One I found quite difficult to warm to initially though, if I’m honest. He’s quite standoffish which seems like an odd thing to say, but I can understand why he is why he is. He lived in a time when he couldn’t be free to be who he really was, without fear of arrest.

After the untimely death of his father at such a young age, it is just him and his mother, Laura. Laura is a very warm character. Resilient, and hardworking, doing whatever she needs to do to provide for her son. I really liked Laura, and my heart went out to her. Charles is desperate to escape Launceston at his first opportunity, which I found sad for Laura, but understandable from the young Charles’ perspective. When another world war looks imminent, he signs up with the Navy as a coder. He’s an intelligent boy with much to offer. Away from his mother and his hometown he feels more able to explore who he really is. This isn’t without caution though. Charles grew on me more as his story progressed and I felt so sad for him in the end.

This is an inspiring character driven story full of love, loss, and sacrifice. A beautiful portrait of a mother and son relationship. A bond unbroken and one which endures.

** I bought the paperback edition of Mother’s Boy on Publication Day, 13th May 2022 **

Laura, a laundress, meets her young husband when they are both placed in service in Teignmouth in 1914. They have a baby, Charles, but his father returns home from the trenches a damaged man, already ill with the tuberculosis that will soon leave Laura a widow.

As a new war looms, Charles signs up for the navy as a coder. His escape from the tight, gossipy confines of Launceston to a more colourful life in action sees him blossom, as he experiences the possibility of death, and the excitement – even terror – of a love that is as clandestine as his work.

Happy reading!

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Keep Her Secret by Mark Edwards @mredwards

Keep Her Secret 

by Mark Edwards

I thoroughly enjoyed Keep Her Secret, despite wanting to knock some sense into Matthew. I really liked him. I have no idea what he sees in Helena (apart from her looks). I really didn’t warm to her at all. When she confesses her secret to him, I was willing him to run away as fast and as far from her as he could. That wouldn’t make for a very exciting story though, would it!

Some people seem to do some crazy things for love, whilst those of us on the outside are looking in thinking what on earth are you thinking! Helena seems to hold some kind of spell over Matthew. So much so his common sense seems to evade him.

Helena made me nervous throughout the story. I couldn’t make my mind up if I believed anything she said. Who knows what trauma and abuse can do to a person though. She is certainly more than a little unhinged.

There are a few characters throughout this story who make some extremely questionable decisions too. There are many “you have got to be kidding me” moments. They make this a highly entertaining read in my opinion.

Fast paced, with short chapters, it kept me intrigued to the end. An unnerving conclusion kind of makes me want to know what becomes of Matthew and Helena. I hope he came to his senses, but I’m thinking probably not! Lol!

Mark Edwards is, and will remain, one of my favourite authors.

** This was our Bookstagram April Buddy Read. It was my choice on this occasion. Thank you to Lucie, Zoe, Leanne, Lee, and Lou for joining in with my month’s read **

After twenty years apart, Matthew and Helena have rekindled their college romance and are away in Iceland on their first holiday together. Swept up in the romance on a mountain hike, one moment they are taking the perfect photo, the next Helena is hanging from the cliff edge…

Terrified, Matthew almost misses Helena’s sudden and shocking confession—but what he hears chills him to the bone. And when Helena reveals the full truth Matthew is horrified, not only by what she’s done, but why she did it. Does he really know her at all?

His shock turns to horror when, back in England, they discover that someone not only overheard Helena’s confession but plans to blackmail her. Now Matthew must decide whether to go to the police or help Helena keep her secret—and as events spiral out of control, how far is Matthew willing to go to protect his ‘perfect’ girlfriend?

Treat yourself

Happy reading!

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Under the Lemon Tree by Emma Cowell @EmmaCowellBooks #ARC #NetGalley

Under the Lemon Tree

by Emma Cowell

Under the Lemon Tree is another gorgeous read by the very lovely Emma Cowell. I have loved every one of her books and, as always, this one is so beautifully written you can’t help but love the perfectly imperfect characters and fall in love with Greece all over again.

When we first meet Kat, she hasn’t long lost her twin brother, Nik. I can’t even begin to imagine that kind of devastating loss. My heart went out to her and her parents.

When she discovers she has inherited a house, on a Greek island, from an uncle she had never met she is naturally shocked and intrigued. As was I!

I loved following Kat on her journey to Agistri. It sounds like such a beautiful place. I could totally envisage her renovations of her new home and could quite happily live there myself.

I was not prepared for the secrets she discovers about her uncle, her brother, and her mother. Kat’s pain was almost palpable, and my heart ached for her at times throughout this story.

This is such a rollercoaster of an emotional read, set in a stunning location. A heart-warming tale of family dynamics, love, grief, friendship, personal growth, ambition, hope, achievement, romance, true love, and delicious Greek food. I was completely captivated!

** Many thanks to the author and publisher for my review copy via NetGalley **

Can one Greek summer heal the secrets of the past?

Could discovering a family secret encourage Kat to follow her heart?

Shattered by the sudden loss of her twin, Nik, Kat is lost in grief. The comfort of family feels both soothing and suffocating, but everything changes when she inherits a house on the breathtaking Greek island of Agistri from a mysterious uncle she’s never met.

Arriving on Agistri, Kat is mesmerized by its crystalline waters, lush pine forests, and the citrus-scented air. Among the white-washed houses and warm, welcoming locals, she begins to feel her heart heal. The island offers more than solace, sparking courage in Kat to face her loss — and maybe even embrace the spark of unexpected love…

But as she unearths her family’s buried past, Kat must also confront her own fears of belonging, forgiveness — and the possibility of rediscovering happiness in the shadow of heartbreak…

Treat yourself!

I.C.Y.M.I

One Last Letter from Greece: The new sweeping, romantic debut novel to escape with in summer 2022 by Emma Cowell @emmalloydcowell @AvonBooksUK #BookReview
The House in the Olive Grove by Emma Cowell @emmalloydcowell
The Island Love Song by Emma Cowell @EmmaCowellBooks #NetGalley

Happy reading!

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#FlashbackFriday April 2025

Hi, and welcome to my Flashback Friday feature!

On the first Friday of each month, I like to look back at the books I was reading the previous year during the same month.

Please do join in if you have the time, I’d love to see your posts 🙂

A big thank you to those who already join in regularly! xx

Here are my reviews from April 2024 + a link to previous April FBFs….

The Man Who Died Twice: (The Thursday Murder Club 2) by Richard Osman @richardosman

It Began With a Lie (Secrets of Redemption Book 1) by Michele PW (Pariza Wacek) @MichelePW

The Crossing (Detective Louise Blackwell Book 1) by Matt Brolly @MattBrollyUK

This Happened to Jessica: A psychological suspense mystery (Secrets of Redemption Book 2) by Michele PW (Pariza Wacek) @MichelePW

Outside In: Nature Poems by Daniel Thompson @AuthorDThompson Julia Murray (Illustrator) @LollyPopPR
#FlashbackFriday April 2024

Happy reading!

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Collateral Damage: A Disappearing Inc. thriller by Mick Williams

Collateral Damage: A Disappearing Inc. thriller

by Mick Williams

Mick Williams has done it again! How he keeps coming up with such great story ideas I’ll never know. He’s one of the most versatile writers I know. Everything I have read of his has been brilliant so I knew this would be too.

This book begins with Jason, hiring Katy (along with her sister, and colleague, Marsha) to find his sister. I’m not sure I’d be as quick to hand over a chunk of money to a company I’d never heard of before, but he’s obviously desperate. When they start looking into this sister though it’s soon obvious that this isn’t a straightforward missing person’s case. Far from it! And Jason isn’t who he first appears to be.

There’s not much else I can say without spoiling it for you lovely people who haven’t had the pleasure of reading it yet, but I can tell you that this story has some kick@ss female characters!! Katy and Marsha are instantly likable. Ambra grew on me. Others not so much.

There are a few other interesting characters, maybe not so likeable, but interesting all the same and integral to the plot. A plot which is full of action, intrigue, fantastically choreographed fight scenes, and an explosive conclusion!

** Many thanks to Mick Williams for my advance review copy **

“Disappearing Inc. – do you want them lost or found?”

When private investigator Katy King agrees to help Jason Cooper locate his missing sister, the case seems simple—at first. But as dead ends pile up and Jason’s story unravels, Katy realizes she’s been pulled into a web of lies far darker than she imagined.

With no time to retreat, Katy finds herself hunted on two fronts: the head of an Albanian kill squad seeking revenge from a previous meeting, and a ruthless assassin determined to fulfill her deadly mission.

As these forces converge, Katy must unravel the truth behind Jason’s secrets while staying one step ahead of killers who won’t stop until she’s dead.

Treat yourself….

Happy reading!

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Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus 

Lessons in Chemistry

by Bonnie Garmus 

Elizabeth Zott is the most fabulous character! I thoroughly enjoyed her story.

She is a chemist, living and working in a male dominated world in the 1960s. The attitudes of some men towards women in the workplace during this time is quite revolting, although not entirely shocking. Elizabeth doesn’t suffer fools gladly though. As a result, her approach to life and work is often misunderstood, and is certainly not tolerated, by some. Her soulmate gets her though and their relationship is heart-warming. My heart broke for her when her life starts collapsing around her.

There are some other great characters throughout this story too. Six-Thirty is a favourite of mine, and I thought Harriet was hilarious. Mad is a little genius.

Lessons in Chemistry is a completely captivating story. It’s clever, funny, thought-provoking, heart-wrenching, and inspiring. I loved it!

Your ability to change everything – including yourself – starts here

Chemist Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman. In fact, she would be the first to point out that there is no such thing.

But it’s the early 1960s and her all-male team at Hastings Research Institute take a very unscientific view of equality.

Forced to leave her job at the institute, she soon finds herself the reluctant star of America’s most beloved cooking show, Supper at Six.

But as her following grows, not everyone is happy. Because as it turns out, Elizabeth Zott isn’t just teaching women to cook.

She’s daring them to change the status quo. One molecule at a time.
__________


A Book of the Year for:
Guardian, Times, Sunday Times, New York Times, Good Housekeeping, Woman & Home, Stylist, TLS Oprah Daily, Newsweek, Mail on Sunday, Entertainment Weekly, NPR, India Knight, Hay Festival, Waterstones, Amazon, Books are My Bag and many more!

Author of the Year at the British Book Awards
Winner of the Goodreads Choice Best Debut Novel Award
Winner of the Books are My Bag Reader’s Choice Award
Winner of the Books are My Bag Breakthrough Author Award
Shortlisted for the HWA Crown Award


Praise for Lessons in Chemistry:

‘Full of humour, heartbreak and characters who feel like real people’ Red Magazine

‘Thought-provoking and stylish‘ Guardian

‘Laugh-out-loud funny and brimming with life, generosity and courage’ Rachel Joyce, author of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry

‘I loved Lessons in Chemistry and am devastated to have finished it!’ Nigella Lawson

‘A novel that sparks joy with every page’ Elizabeth Day, author of Magpie

‘Witty and sometimes hilarious … the Catch-22 of early feminism’ Stephen King

‘A beautiful, sharp, funny and dark modern classic. I adored it’ Chris Whitaker, author of We Begin at the End

Happy reading!