Guest Review: A New Dawn at Brightwater Falls by Kim Nash

Home is where the heart is…

Imo spent most of her childhood at Brightwater Falls – a peaceful lakeside resort tucked away in a picture-perfect village – where she made treasured memories with her beloved mother and doting godmother Dandy.

So when Dandy falls ill and asks for help running the resort, there’s no question in Imo’s mind. She’ll do whatever it takes to save the place that meant so much to her, even if it takes some convincing of her two older sisters. Ally and Kate have always felt more like strangers than family, but thrown together under the same roof, maybe now is the time to work together.

As summer unfolds, Brightwater Falls brings unexpected reunions and difficult truths to the surface. But perhaps by returning to the place that once felt like home, the sisters can finally find their way back to one another.

Review: I have enjoyed several series of stories from Kim Nash and was excited to read this, the first book in a brand new series. Her romantic stories, generally told in the most picturesque settings, are warm and uplifting. I was positive that the Brightwater Falls series would follow that pattern.

Brightwater Falls is a popular peaceful resort set around a lovely lake that is run by Dandy, godmother of Imo, the central character of the story. Imo loves the resort. She spent a lot of time there while she was growing up, as her late mother worked there with Dandy. Soon after an annual family get together for Dandy’s birthday also attended by Imo’s two older sisters, Imo is shocked to learn that Dandy is seriously ill in hospital. Dandy needs help from the three sisters to run the resort in her absence, and perhaps permanently. Imo is quite prepared to step up, but her sisters need some persuasion. At first it looks as though getting the three of them to live and work together may be a difficult prospect, but as they spend more time in each other’s company than they have for years and secrets come to light it seems as if they may succeed. For Imo, being back at the resort brings back many happy memories but also means being in close proximity to love interests from her past.

I really enjoyed my first visit to Brightwater Falls. The lovely, well described resort with its lake and comfortable lodges sounds like somewhere I could definitely stay. I found Imo a very likeable and kind character who has obviously had a difficult history with her older sisters. I liked the way in which that history unfolded as the story progressed, but also how the reader gradually learned more about the lives of sisters themselves, perhaps explaining their difficult behaviour. Dandy was certainly a strong-willed lady, not ready to give up the reins without a fight. She deserved the opportunity to relax and enjoy her older years and I was glad that there were people who could help. I loved this heartwarming story full of family relationships and romance and I am already looking forward to the next book in this series.

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Guest Review: The Best Christmas Ever by Sarah Morgan

This year, Christmas isn’t going to plan … and that might be the best gift of all.

Mabel has no intention of celebrating Christmas. Living alone in her beautiful old house in the woods, she’s happier keeping the world at a distance.

Brooke has planned every detail of a magical family Christmas at her parents’ house. But when a fierce snowstorm forces her, her husband and their two daughters to take shelter in Mabel’s home, all her careful plans are turned upside down.

Also stranded are Izzy and Jason, two colleagues with unfinished business and undeniable chemistry. Izzy is hiding a lonely heart behind a bright smile. And Jason may be the one man capable of breaking through her walls.

Suddenly, Mabel finds herself hosting the last thing she wanted: a full house for Christmas. Then the chaos, laughter and warmth begin to work their quiet magic. As the snow falls and the fire crackles, this snowbound group discover that family can be found in the most surprising places.

Because sometimes the Christmas you never planned is the one that changes everything …

Review: The annual Christmas book from Sarah Morgan is always one of my favourites. Her books always centre on strong female characters coping with whatever challenges they are presented with and are set in a variety of interesting locations, this one in New England. In my opinion, Christmas stories are best with snow, and this one had plenty of that.

This story features three women, Mabel, Brooke and Izzy. Mabel is an elderly widow living alone in a large, impressive, but isolated, house in the woods. She has not celebrated Christmas since her husband died, and does not intend to do so this year. Brooke is travelling with her husband and two young daughters from their home in the UK to spend Christmas at her parents’ house near to Mabel’s. She is stressed about the reception they are going to get, from her mother in particular. Izzy is on the road with colleague Jason heading back to Boston after staging a house their company is selling. Despite the obvious attraction between the pair, she is scared of opening her heart to him for fear of being hurt. They are all brought together by one of the worst storms in years which has brought heavy snow and treacherous driving conditions. When the others become stranded, they all take shelter in Mabel’s house and realise that they may well be spending Christmas there. At first alarmed by this influx of strangers, Mabel begins to warm to them all and to the situation. In fact, all the adults realise that they have the opportunity to turn this from the worst Christmas to the best one ever. As they enjoy decorating the house and cooking some festive treats, they all have time to think about their lives and consider their next steps.

This was a truly heartwarming story of strangers meeting in difficult circumstances and becoming almost a family in a very short time. I loved the characters that the author has created, all of them kind towards each other and all brave enough to confront the difficulties in their lives. I thought Mabel was amazing, inviting these people into her life when she had planned to quietly remember Christmases past, but then she gained such a lot from their visit, almost as if something inside her had woken from a long sleep. It was rewarding also to watch Brooke turn from a stressed mum to someone ready to confront her fears and Izzy take a big step towards opening up to others. The two adorable little girls were instrumental in bringing the adults together, with their endless curiosity and ideas for having fun. It seems that the unexpected Christmas could be much better than one well planned in advance. So immersed was I in the book and the situation the characters found themselves in, that I almost expected to see snow outside when I looked up from reading. I think this cosy and fun festive book would make a perfect addition to a Christmas stocking, for yourself or others.

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Guest Review: The Greek Café by Sue Roberts

Tucked away on the edge of a lemon grove is a long-forgotten café overlooking a glittering blue sea. Erin gazes at the For Sale sign leaning against the faded blue door. Could this be the place to finally start over?

Newly single Erin is desperately in need of a fresh start. So when the opportunity to work at a holiday resort on a sun-soaked Greek island comes her way, she can’t say no. Even if it was the last place she visited with her ex-boyfriend…

A summer escape is just what Erin needs but forgetting her broken heart seems impossible. Then she stumbles across a charming old café hidden at the bottom of a forgotten lemon grove and feels instantly drawn to it. Despite the blue paint flaking on the door, she feels sure this is the place to help mend her heart.

Using all the savings she has, Erin decides to bring the café back to life with the help of sexy local boatsman, Takis. His broad shoulders and dark brown eyes make her stomach flutter. And as they work together to restore the café, Erin imagines what life could look like if she left her heartache in the past…

But just as Erin’s feelings for Takis begin to grow, a storm sweeps in and threatens to destroy everything they’ve worked for. Is this a sign Erin should book the next flight home? Or should she give this gorgeous island and love a second chance?

Review: This is the latest book in the Summer Romances series from this author, the majority of these stories being set, like this one, in Greece. I have to admit that I have not read any other book in this 13-part series, but it looks as though I may be trying to catch up with the rest after reading The Greek Café. I should mention what a stunning cover this book has; it made me long to sit on that terrace watching the sunset.

The story centres on fitness instructor Erin, who has been made redundant, has a failed relationship behind her and is looking for a new start in life. On impulse, she answers an advert for a job at a hotel in Rhodes and is offered the post for 3 months. While out exploring the area in her spare time, Erin spots a rundown cafe in a lemon grove which she discovers is for sale. After consideration, she decides to buy the cafe, complete with flat above where she will live. While working at the hotel, Erin has got to know local boat owner Takis, who helps in renovation of the cafe. Erin has developed romantic feelings towards strong and handsome Takis, but she is unsure whether to stay on the island or return to the UK, especially when a violent storm almost undoes all her hard work. Her love of the island and this new man in her life make it a difficult decision.

I loved this fun romance, with its wonderful setting and demonstrating the value of friendship. Erin was a really interesting and strong central character. She showed a great deal of courage, firstly looking far afield for a fresh start and then taking a gamble on the old cafe. She was lucky to have several supportive friends, both in Rhodes and back at home, giving her encouragement when she was unsure. The romance with the gorgeous Takis developed slowly and gently. I really admired his sensitivity. All this on the backdrop of a Greek island, sunshine and sparkling sea; what a perfect summer read.

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Guest Review: A Christmas Wish for the Village Midwife by Tilly Tennant

As stars sparkle in wintry skies, the little village of Thimblebury is getting in the Christmas spirit. Fairy lights hang in shop windows, couples kiss under the mistletoe and midwife Zoe Padbury has a heartfelt Christmas wish…

For midwife Zoe Padbury, there’s nowhere more magical than her Lake District home at Christmas. The air smells of hot chocolate and mulled wine, there are Santa cruises on the lakes, and Zoe has her hands full welcoming babies into the world – the best presents of all.

But at home at Kestrel Cottage, despite the lights twinkling on the tree, the mood is far from festive. Zoe has just had unexpected news: she may never be able to have children. She and her boyfriend Alex have been dreaming of starting a family of their own, and as she watches Alex put together the perfect Christmas for his daughter Billie, she hides her heartbreak. She’s determined not to ruin the holidays for him…

Zoe wraps presents with Billie, and sees Alex look at them both with such love. The season should be joyful, but she’s far from feeling light and hope. But what’s more important at Christmas? Keeping the peace or telling the truth? Zoe’s only wish is for many more Christmases with those she loves. But is her relationship strong enough to survive the secrets she’s been keeping?

Review: This is the fifth book in a series of stories about the life of Zoe Padbury, a midwife attached to the medical practice in the small Lake District village of Thimblebury. She moved there from Manchester, after the break up of her marriage and currently lives with partner Alex, his daughter and baby granddaughter in a farm outside the village. Although this and other books in the series feature recurring characters and references to previous stories set in Thimblebury, I feel that each one can be read as a standalone.

This story sees things a little unsettled in Zoe’s household as Alex’s daughter, Billie, has returned from visiting her in-laws in Spain in a strange mood. Life continues as normal for Zoe at work in the run up to Christmas, but things are strained at home because of Billie’s moods and Alex’s attempts to find the cause. Her relationship with Alex is also tense after devastating news about her health. Some plans Alex has for the future are causing a little ill feeling among some local residents. Can Zoe get her wish for a peaceful family Christmas?

It was lovely to return to Thimblebury and catch up with some familiar characters, including some mums and babies from previous stories in the series. I have to admit that I got rather impatient with Billie’s behaviour in this book; she was more like a badly behaved teenager than a mum in her mid twenties. Since it was nearing Christmas, it was great to watch seasonal preparations taking place in the village, have encounters with the big man and see just a dusting of snow. Fans of the series and newcomers alike should enjoy this festive family story.

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Guest Review: The Illusionist: The True Story of the Man Who Fooled Hitler By Robert Hutton

Cairo, 1942: If you had asked a British officer who Colonel Clarke was, they would have been able to point him out: always ready with a drink and a story, he was a well-known figure in the local bars. If you then asked what he did, you would have less success. Those who knew didn't tell, and almost no one really knew at all.

Clarke thought of himself as developing a new kind of weapon. Its components? Rumour, stagecraft, a sense of fun. Its target? The mind of Erwin Rommel, Hitler's greatest general. Throughout history, military commanders have sought to mislead their opponents. Dudley Clarke set out to do it on a scale no one had imagined before. Even afterwards, almost no one understood the magnitude of his achievement.

Drawing on recently released documents and hugely expanding on the louche portrait of Clarke as seen in SAS: Rogue Heroes, journalist and historian Robert Hutton reveals the amazing story of Clarke's A Force, the invention of the SAS and the Commandos, and the masterful hoodwinking of the Desert Fox at the battle of El Alamein. The Illusionist tells for the first time the dazzling tale of how, at a pivotal moment in the war, British eccentricity and imagination combined to thwart the Nazis and save innumerable lives - on both sides.

Review: Dudley Clarke (1899-1974) was an officer in the British Army, a pioneer of military deception and an advocate of special forces. Robert Hutton has written this biography, using recently-released documents. I listened to the audiobook version narrated by the comedian and historian Al Murray.

Dudley Clarke was born in South Africa and experienced the Boer War during his early childhood. After the war, the family returned to England where Clarke attended school and military college before receiving a commission in the Army. Too young to serve on the frontline during the First World War, he joined the Royal Flying Corps and completed his flying training in Egypt, starting an affinity for the Middle East. He remained in the Army after the First World War and served in a number of posts in the Middle East. During the early years of the Second World War, after the British had been forced to retreat from mainland Europe, one of the means of striking back at the enemy was small raiding parties. Clarke, having been impressed by the guerrilla tactics employed by the Boers in South Africa, suggested these raiding troops should adopt the name commandos, after the Boer units.

Towards the end of 1940, Dudley Clarke was posted to the Army headquarters in the Middle East in Cairo as an intelligence officer. His principal role was to develop deception plans to fool the enemy as to the strength of the Allied forces and when and where an attack may come. His methods involved feeding small pieces of information, such as orders to fictional units, using double agents, and visual deception such as dummy vehicles, over a period of time. In this way, the enemy was allowed to assemble the pieces like a jigsaw. He always emphasised that what mattered was not making the enemy think what you wanted, but making him do what you wanted. One of the fictional units he created in January 1941 was the Special Air Service (SAS) Brigade. He persuaded two soldiers to wear uniforms bearing airborne forces insignia and spend time in bars in Cairo and Alexandria where they would be seen. Later that year he met David Stirling who had come up with the idea of forming such a unit and Clarke persuaded him to use the SAS name for this unit. One of Clarke’s most important deceptions was to persuade the Germans that an attack at El Alamein in 1942 was not imminent but, when it came, would be at a different area of the front, ensuring the element of surprise.

However, Dudley Clarke’s most infamous moment came in October 1941 when he was arrested by Spanish police in Madrid whilst dressed as a woman. The British authorities managed to secure his release and get him to Gibraltar, but no explanation was offered for this behaviour.

Throughout the book the author uses comparisons with stage magicians or illusionists who try to mis-direct their audience’s attention in order to pull off a trick. This was very much the approach adopted by Clarke and his disciples, hoping to divert the enemy’s resources away from where an attack would take place. As a highly entertaining account of a shadowy and unsung figure, and a fascinating insight into the world of military deception, I would recommend this book.

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Guest Review: Match of the Day Football Almanac: Six Decades of Trophies, Tournaments, and Timeless Moments By Nick Constable

Do you remember the Battle of Old Trafford? Shearer's dream debut hat trick? Or how many goals Haaland scored in his first Premier League season? Hope, heartbreak and victory, over the past 60 years Match of the Day has shown it all.

From bombastic debuts in August to May’s nail-biting end-of-season title races, the football calendar is filled with legendary moments. Packed full of stories from 60 years of football history, The official Match of the Day Football Almanac is your ultimate guide to the highs and lows of the football season.

With a foreword from Gary Lineker and featuring the most legendary footballing stories from the last 60 years of Match of the Day, this month-by-month guide includes giant-killing FA Cup battles, the birth of the Premier League and the dawn of VAR, all culminating in legendary World Cup and Euros tournaments – with stats and insights from the experts at Match of the Day along the way. This is the perfect gift for any football fan, and a fitting tribute to our favourite football programme.

Review: In August 1964, the first transmission of a football highlights programme “Match of the Day” was broadcast on BBC2. Since then, the programme has become a Saturday night institution in England and Wales. This book, published in 2024, celebrates 60 years of this iconic programme.

Initially available only to a limited audience in the London area who had access to BBC2, the programme featured highlights of a single match in the English Football League First Division. It then moved to BBC1 and gradually expanded. In 1992, the breakaway Premier League was formed and nowadays the programme will feature extended highlights of one main match, followed by briefer highlights of all that other day’s fixtures in the Premier League. The book is divided into 12 chapters, each focussing on one month, beginning with the season’s opening fixtures in August. Hence, the chapters cover: dream or nightmare debuts as the season kicks off in August; managers’ fears of the sack (not from Santa) in December; giant killing acts as the FA Cup 3rd round pits lower league clubs against the top league clubs in January; and possible title deciders in May. The chapters relating to June and July cover the performance of England men’s and women’s teams in international tournaments (spoiler alert - the chapter on the Lionesses’ achievements is now out of date).

As an interesting review of the history of “Match of the Day”, including its presenters, commentators and pundits, over its first 60 years, I found this to be highly informative. It should appeal to all football aficionados.

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Guest Review: I’ll be Home for Christmas by Helen Rolfe

Chrissie used to love Christmas in her Swiss childhood home… until she lost her husband eight years ago. Add in a prolonged conflict with her sister Meg, and the holidays in the snowy Alps are just too hard to face. Now she’s in quiet Oxfordshire, focused on her daughter Sarah’s wedding.

But when Sarah runs away to her grandparents’ chalet just weeks before the big day, Chrissie heads to the mountains to help – and finds her estranged sister Meg there too. Usually in London at the helm of a thriving chocolate shop, Meg’s hiding the troubles of a tough year.

Trapped by snow in Winterbruck, the sisters must face old tensions, support Chrissie's daughter, and discover that family –and a little chocolate – can make even the coldest Christmas cosy.

I absolutely adore Christmas books and was excited to find this one from Helen Rolfe the first of many to appear in my kindle library this year. She is an author who always produces a heartwarming festive tale in an interesting setting. This story is set in Switzerland, and, I must warn other readers, is full of chocolate goodies as well as oodles of snow. It should really be read by a warm fire with a box of the confection close by.

This is very much a family story, featuring three generations. In the Swiss town of Winterbruck, grandparents Earl and Astrid (Grump and Nanna) are pleasantly surprised to receive a letter from granddaughter Sarah asking to come and stay over Christmas. She is due to get married on New Year’s Eve but her elderly grandparents will not be able to travel to England for the wedding, so they will be delighted to see her. Another surprise visitor turns up slightly after Sarah in the shape of her aunt Meg, who she has barely ever seen due to an estrangement between her and Sarah’s mother, Chrissie. Then, sensing that something is amiss with her daughter, Chrissie arrives on the doorstep. It is a long time since Chrissie has visited her childhood home, as it reminds her of her husband who she lost several years ago. The chalet is filled with tension as Earl and Astrid wonder what is going on with their daughters and granddaughter. It takes a near disaster for everything to come out in the open and begin to heal all the troubles.

This was a truly uplifting story brimming with family and friendship. In contrast to the cold snowy landscape outside, the Winterbruck chalet was full of warmth and love. I loved Sarah’s grandparents who looked on their family with affection and fed them lots of lovely local homemade favourites while they all worked out their problems. It was entertaining each time there was a knock at the door to guess who was there next. There was quite a crowd by the time the story ended. I liked the way in which the reader gradually learns what caused the estrangement between sisters Meg and Chrissie and what each of them has been doing in the interim. Sarah’s story also emerged in time. Being trapped by heavy snow was definitely beneficial for everyone to sort out their problems. The town of Winterbruck itself sounded absolutely amazing with its mountain views, snowy vistas and, importantly, chocolate shops; the author really had me wishing I could visit. I can highly recommend this as a book to add to your Christmas reading list.

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