Review: An Invitation to Seashell Bay Part 1: All Things Crafty by Bella Osborne

One ambitious businesswoman.

One irresponsible heir.

A deal that will turn both their lives upside down…

To grow her craft business, Nancy is in desperate need of two things: help and money. So when a potential investor she’s looking to impress recommends an assistant, she jumps at the chance to secure both.

Freddy Astley-Davenport is a notorious playboy with zero work experience. He’s poised to inherit his family’s estate in sunny Seashell Bay – but only if he can hold down a job for six months first. His plan is to take the assistant role in name only, then do the least work he possibly can.

Nancy has other ideas, though, and the pair butt heads from day one. However, as they argue, sparks begin to fly, and they soon discover exactly why opposites attract…

Review: I loved the start of this new series from Bella Osborne. We meet main character Nancy when she is having a disaster of a day. We know that she is off to a very big pitch, something that could be life-changing for her and then everything starts to go wrong. I love her attitude to everything that days throws at her and her determination to carry on and do her best regardless and that’s when I clicked with Nancy and I knew we were going to have a good time this series.

Nancy has her own business and this brings with it some other characters we will be introduced to this series. Love that Nancy has such a diverse workforce but they all obviously love her as a boss because they all support her and will go the extra mile to make things happen at All Things Crafty. Then along comes Freddy. I feel like we only scratch the surface of Freddy in this episode but there will be plenty of comedy moments and some difficult times ahead for Nancy with Freddy on board!

We also get to know Nancy’s flatmate, who is a teaching assistant, over the course of this instalment of the series. I like that it says in the acknowledgements of the book that this author called on a teaching assistant friend and did her research before writing this book but that friend must work in a very toxic school because poor Alice has a very bad run of things. There are definitely some questions I would ask about her school in regards to safeguarding but on the whole I loved the snapshot we got into her work and personal life and I can’t wait to read more from her.

This was a great start to the series and I will definitely be pre-ordering the rest of the books so I can read more about Alice, Freddy and Nancy’s adventures!

To order your copy now, just click here!

Review: A Wedding at Sandy Cove Part 1 (Always a Bridesmaid) by Bella Osborne

 This will be Ella’s eighth time down the aisle…

Ella has made it her mission in life to find every bride in their dream dress.

But every time she sends one of her happy customers off to the altar with a perfect, ivory silk gown, she thinks of those seven, hideous bridesmaid dresses hanging in her own closet.

She’s about to add another one, too, because her best friend’s wedding is now only months away. And this one, in a muddy shade of brown, might be the worst dress yet.

Ella is excited for her friend to have the perfect seaside wedding, but every discussion about flowers and centrepieces makes her feel more alone than ever.

So, Ella finally accepts her friends’ pleas to set her up on a blind date.

Ella is set to meet a handsome, gym-going estate agent. But a mix up on the night throws her into the path of Kit, instead.

Kit is most definitely not the man she was supposed to meet, but he could end up changing her life in ways she never thought possible…

Review: What a great start to a new series! We've all been in jobs with horrible bosses but Ella definitely wins for worst boss in the world! Ella is a great character to spend most of this first in a series with because she is just so relatable. She has a dream but she has squashed that dream in order to follow what she believes to be the right path but then things come along in Ella’s life to push her further and further away from that path, unexpected things, the kind of things that happen to all of us as we get older.

Ella also has really great friends and one of them is getting married, obviously being the talented seamstress she is, Ella is sorting out the bridesmaids dresses for the bride, but nothing tests a friendship like a wedding does it? Again something that we can almost all relate to, it is such a right of passage being a bridesmaid for a close friend but worrying about what she is going to have you walk down the aisle in.

The third member of Ella’s friendship group is another big player in this book. She is a lawyer dealing with messy divorces, if that doesn’t make you cynical about marriage, I don’t know what will! We get a few chapters from her point of view and I really liked that insight into the other side of the friendship group. I can’t wait to hear more from her.

Then throw Kit into the mix, he has some secrets for Ella and is determined to make her push her own boundaries. I don’t yet know what he is going to bring to the table as the book progresses but I know he will definitely cause some excitement and will certainly shake things up for Ella. I can’t wait to read the next instalment in this series, I need it in my hands right now-highly recommend A Wedding at Sandy Cove!

To order your copy now, just click here!

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

To order the paperback of all 4 parts just click the link: UK or US

Review: The Little Shop of Hidden Treasures Part 4 (Christmas Wishes) by Holly Hepburn

When Hope loses her husband, she fears her happiest days are behind her. With her only connection to London broken, she moves home to York to be near her family and to begin to build a new life.  

 

Taking a job at the antique shop she has always admired, she finds herself crossing paths with two very different men. Will, who has recently become the guardian to his niece after the tragic death of his parents. And Ciaran, who she enlists to help solve the mystery of an Egyptian antique. Two men who represent two different happy endings.

 

But can she trust herself to choose the right man? And will that bring her everything she really needs?

Review: The extra special thing about the latest installment of The Little Shop of Hidden Treasures is that it takes place at Christmas time. So not only do we get a satisfying ending to the whole story, we also get to have the fun and festivities of the city of York. Holly Hepburn has definitely taken some liberties with what she can fit in and around York Minster but I don't ind at all because it just makes it all the more festive and magical for Hope and the other characters in this tale. 

It was wonderful to spend one last adventure with these characters. I think because this is all set in York, and they even travel to Harrogate in this episode, that I feel like they're friends living down the road. It was just great to see them again and find out how they were all doing. Hope is such a lovely character because she really does have a good heart and wants to see the best in people. She often puts herself last and lets the happiness of others come first but that makes for a beautiful character arc for her and I loved getting to spend time with her. 

I was really excited to see Will and Brodie again in this part of the series, I think they really are my favourite characters and I really hope we get to hear more from them in another series or another book. This installment also has some belly dancing and some more mysterious artefacts, extra fun when it's at Christmas too. I really enjoyed the way everything wrapped up. It was very satisfying and yet kept me guessing until the last minute. I will miss my friends at the Ever After Emporium but I hope to be able to visit them again soon!

To order your copy now, jut click the link: UK or US

Review: The Little Shop of Hidden Treasures Parts 3 by Holly Hepburn

**PART THREE in the brand new series from Holly Hepburn.**

 

When Hope loses her husband, she fears her happiest days are behind her. With her connection to London broken, she decides to move home to York to be near her family and try to piece her life back together.

 

Taking a job at the antique shop she has always loved, she finds herself crossing paths with two very different men. Will, who has recently become the guardian to his niece after the tragic death of her parents. And Ciaran, who she enlists to help solve the mystery of an Egyptian antique. Two men representing two different happy endings.

 

But can she trust herself to choose the right man? And will that give her the life she really needs?

 Review: Oh it was so great to be back with Hope and her friends at the Little Shop of Hidden Treasures. I didn't realise how much I missed this group in between installments of this series-they really are a great bunch. I was also super eager to start this part in the series because part 2 ended on such a cliffhanger and I was desperate to find out what happened next. 

I love that we are getting to see Hope growing and learning over the course of this series, she is almost unrecognisable from part one because of the amount of confidence she has gained as well as the professional respect and the friendships she has made. I loved spending this installment of the series with her and finding out which steps she would take next. 

The other character I was pleased to spend more time with was Will, and of course his neice Brodie. I didn't realise how happy it made me when they appear in the story until we didnt' see them until partway through the book. I love him as a character and I really hope to see more of him in the next part! 

When I reviewed part 2 I said there was plenty of drama but the twists and turns just keep coming in this installment of the series. I gasped a couple of times and we have been rewarded with yet another cliffhanger of an ending. If you want to travel to York without the crowds and hang out with an awesome group of people then this is definitely the series for you. I can't wait to read part 4!

To order your copy now, just click the link: 

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Guest Review: Summer Serendipity at the Twist and Turn Bakery by Helen J Rolfe

It’s summer in Heritage Cove, the picturesque village by the sea. Join some of your favourite characters and welcome new faces in this uplifting, romantic read brimming with character, community and friendship…

The Heritage Bakery is finally getting the makeover it deserves, with sisters Jade and Celeste modernising the place and putting their own stamp on it while retaining all the charm of days gone by. But Jade has far more planned than a brand-new kitchen and fancy cake designs. She’s ready for an even bigger change in her life. It’s almost time to take the next step and she knows just what to do to make that happen.

Etna owns the village tea rooms and when she hears that local man Harvey is looking for a labourer to help him renovate the bakery after being let down at the last minute, she suggests to her nephew Linc that it may just be the change he needs to get his head straight. Linc arrives in the Cove willing to give it a go and he works hard, but what he hadn’t envisaged was anything bordering on a romance - not with his track record or what he’s involved in right now.

When a tall, dark, handsome stranger appears in the village and turns Jade’s world upside down, will it be enough to make her abandon her plan before she even sets the wheels in motion? And has Linc missed his chance to tell her how he really feels?

It’s almost time for the wedding of the year for one of the village favourites and the annual Wedding Dress Ball. But when the sun begins to set, will anyone else be lucky in love?

This summer read is Book 3 in a series of standalone novels set in Heritage Cove, the little village by the sea…

Review: This is the third book in the Heritage Cove series from this author. Heritage Cove is a seaside village in the east of England and the books in the series follow the activities of its inhabitants. Each of the stories can be read as a standalone. I have enjoyed many of Helen J Rolfe’s books in the past, and looked forward to reading this one, although I have not read the others in the series. I certainly found it easy to catch up with the characters who had obviously been active in the previous parts of the series and I am sure that I shall now go back and read these books as well.

This story concerns sisters Jade and Celeste, who run the bakery in the village. They have decided to have the shop and kitchen renovated, giving the place a new look and a new name while retaining its outer facade. Local builder Harvey is overseeing the work, but is let down by his assistant and instead passes the labouring work on to Linc, nephew of Etna, the owner of the village tearoom. Linc is currently a supply teacher on summer break, and is considering where his life should go from here. Jade is also at a turning point in her life where she feels it is time to make an important change she has been planning. After a rocky start, there seems to be an attraction between Jade and Linc, but will this go any further? Meanwhile, the whole village is gearing up for the wedding of two important residents and the annual Wedding Dress Ball. 

I have very much enjoyed reading this book, and would happily recommend it to others looking for an easy-to-read story with some lovely characters. The village of Heritage Cove sounds a marvellous place to live, with oodles of community spirit and lots going on. As well as the tearoom and pub, there is the Waffle Shack and the bakery, so nobody needs to go hungry; Jade’s cakes sound absolutely mouth watering as well as very pretty. I liked the way in which the author keeps the reader guessing when both Jade and Linc have secrets that they are keeping to themselves. As well as the central story of Jade and Linc, there are also many minor tales involving other members of the community, adding to the overall enjoyment of the book. I was particularly amused by the way in which Jade and her sister chose the new name for the bakery; I wonder how long it took the author to come up with their decision. I don’t know if any more parts of this series are planned, but I would like to learn more about some of the interesting people who live in and visit Heritage Cove.

To order your copy now, just click the link: UK or US

Guest Review: A Wedding at the Cosy Castle on the Loch (Book 4) by Alice Ross

This is the fourth short story in The Cosy Castle on the Loch series. You can read our review of part one here and part two here!

Lottie Palmer has hit an all-time low. Hurtling towards thirty at a worrying speed of knots, her life is a million miles away from where she’d imagined it would be at this stage. And the fact that her entire family is so wrapped up in her brother’s wedding to gorgeous model, Saskia, is doing nothing for Lottie's dwindling self-esteem.

Being unceremoniously dispatched to a wet and gloomy Scotland one week before the wedding to help with the arrangements, Lottie is not best pleased. But when the sun does eventually appear, she finds herself warming not only to beautiful Glenduff Castle, but also to one of its very handsome – and very married – residents.

Can the castle work its magic and help Lottie find a way to turn her life around? Or will she return home even more miserable than when she left?

Review: This is the fourth in a series of short stories centred around Glenduff Castle, now a luxury hotel in the Scottish highlands. Following the castle’s conversion into a hotel, it has grown in popularity and is also gaining a reputation as a wedding venue. I have been following this series and enjoying seeing the effects visiting the hotel has on various characters. Each story in the series can be read as a standalone.

This story centres on Lottie Palmer, who has been sent to the hotel in advance of her brother’s upcoming marriage to make sure that all preparations are proceeding as planned. Her life is not too happy, as she has recently lost her job and is becoming dissatisfied with her long-term relationship and especially with partner Dan. Being sent to the wilds of what she believes to be a boring and rainy land is like the last straw. However, things are not as she expected. The hotel is, of course, lovely and there is the bonus of a very attractive and attentive reporter, Zach, who is writing an article on the wedding. As she settles into her new surroundings, Lottie soon begins to realise that she could change her life from the one that she left behind just a few days ago.

I have been enjoying this entertaining series of stories. Each one focuses on a different character, with a few recurring characters appearing in the background. All have an element of humour, but I found this one funniest of all so far. It had me chortling away as I read. Poor Lottie had her work cut out dealing with the amazing demands of the bride-to-be as well as remembering the surname of the reporter she was trying not to find appealing. I can definitely recommend this story with its beautiful setting and amusing situations.

To order your copy now, just click here: UK or US

Review: When's It Due Sophie Drew by Katey Lovell

What can you expect when you are expecting?

Sophie Drew has been dealt the mother of all surprises – she’s having a baby!

Socialising with other mummies-to-be tempts Sophie into setting up a wish list at a local baby boutique. Although most of the items are unnecessary luxuries, she still finds herself lusting after designer changing bags and hi-tech prams.

When some of the most expensive items from her list start arriving, Sophie thinks her boyfriend Max has been splurging but when he denies it, Sophie is surprised.

Sophie is determined to find out who is sending the gifts and why.

Will she find the answer she is looking for and can Sophie finally have everything she ever hoped for?

A heart-warming look at life, When’s it Due, Sophie Drew? explores the emotional aspects of trying to conceive and being pregnant with sensitivity and humour.

Review: Ah this was such a great follow up to Nothing New For Sophie Drew, it made an excellent second book in the series. I love that we got to know Sophie so well in book 1 that we just got to carry on her adventures in book 2. I don't think you HAVE to have read book 1 in the series to enjoy this book but I think you will have a great appreciation of Sophie is a character and her own personal journey if you have read book one. You will also get to know a lot about side characters Max, Tawna and Eve if you have already learned what makes them tick in Nothing New For Sophie Drew. 

One of the things I loved about Sophie in book 1 was her attitude to life and her positivity and that definitely carries through to this novel even though she has been thrown the ultimate curveball, a surprise addition to her life. I love how her positivity works alongside boyfriend Max and his own take on the pregnancy and then her friends Tawna and Eve. I feel like we get to know Tawna a little deeper in this book. She was a bride to be in book 1 and that was all consuming and so we get to see the woman behind the veil in this latest installment and I do feel like seeing Eve and Tawna as best friends to someone who is about to have a baby is just a different dynamic. 

I really loved how open and honest Katey Lovell is in her writing. Things aren't always rosy for her characters in any of her books and she is honest about their money woes or their troubles to get their life together and this book is no exception. Often when you read about a character who is pregnant the pregnancy or brith fears are often glossed over but I feel like we get to live Sophie's pregnancy with her, the good the bad and the ugly and it is so refreshing to read about in a romcom where the ugly bits often get forgotten about in the quest to get to the tiny baby with the tiny outfits and the perfect parental pictures. So bravo to Katey Lovell for creating a real life character who has a real life pregnancy. 

This book was a great follow up to Nothing New For Sophie Drew and I loved getting to know Sophie even better and on another level in When's it Due Sophie Drew. It was also great getting to meet some new side characters including fellow mum Iris. If you're squeamish when it comes to pregnancy, fear not there is nothing too graphic here and what you actually have is a lovely story about a first time mum, her partner and her friends. I so enjoyed this book and I can't wait to see what happens in book 3!

To order your copy now, just click the link: UK or US

Guest Review: The Cosy Castle on the Loch: Autumn (Book 3) by Alice Ross

This is the third of four short stories in The Cosy Castle on the Loch series. You can read our review of part one here and part two here!

Rory McLeod has a dream – to be a chef. Which is unfortunately a million miles away from his parents’ dream of him running the family accountancy business.

Unable to believe his luck when he’s offered the position of pastry chef at Glenduff Castle, Rory postpones entering the family firm and accepts the job – for one year. A decision which throws his parents’ and his girlfriend’s plans for his future completely off-track. And which, upon meeting a cute little pigtailed artist, completely derails Rory’s own.

Review: This is the third in a series of short stories set in the Scottish highlands, in particular at Glenduff Castle, now a luxury hotel on the shores of Loch Duff. The property houses comfortable bedrooms and welcoming public areas, while castle outbuildings have been converted to add a tearoom serving delicious cakes and a group of artists’ workshops.

This story concerns Rory McLeod, whose wealthy parents expect him to take over running the family accountancy business once his father retires and also to marry what they consider a suitable woman. However, much to their surprise, Rory announces that he has been taking cookery lessons and has accepted a one-year post as pastry chef at Glenduff Castle. There he meets up with artist Liv and her incredibly cute young son. Suddenly Rory is questioning the future that his controlling parents and girlfriend have designed for him.

I am really enjoying this series of short stories. Each of them stands alone, but there are always recurring characters. They are filled with humour as well as more serious moments, and always a generous helping of Scottish scenery. I can recommend this and the other stories in the series; all can be read in a few short hours, but can transport the reader to a different world in that time.

To order your copy now, just click the link: UK or US

Guest Review: Winter at Wishington Bay by Maxine Morrey

Part 2 of the Wishington Bay series, read our review of part 1 here!

Eighteen months ago, Sophia Jones finally walked out on her unhappy life.

With a tricky divorce ongoing, money is tight and so when friends offer her a housekeeping job while they’re away travelling, she accepts.

Nate McKinley is hesitant when his brother, Gabe, offers him the use of their home in the picturesque village of Wishington Bay. But he has a book to a write and an imploded marriage to recover from, so maybe a change of scene is exactly what he needs.

As Wishington Bay works its magic, friendship blossoms between Sophia and Nate. For Nate, finally feeling able to be himself with someone who is honest and down to earth is a revelation.

But Sophia has a secret and a jealous colleague is determined to blow her cover. Can she really keep her old life in the past or is it destined to destroy this new, happy one too?

Take a trip back to Wishington Bay this winter and find out…

Review: How nice to be returning to the seaside village of Wishington Bay. This book carries on from Coming Home to Wishington Bay, the first of Maxine Morrey’s works that I read. I love a story that takes me back into a world I have visited before with the promise of bumping into familiar characters and situations. Although that is the case with this book, it can still easily be read as a standalone. In common with the previous Wishington Bay story, I listened to the audiobook version and was interested to note that when the main character appeared in the first book she had a very different accent from her present one, not that this spoiled my enjoyment of the story in any way. I should mention that this book has the most gorgeous cover, skilfully conveying the feeling of a winter outing by the sea.

The central female character in this story is Sophia Jones, who works as a waitress in Wishington Bay’s highly successful restaurant. Always short of cash, she is pleased to be offered an additional job as housekeeper for a visiting Australian writer, Nate McKinley, brother of a character who was central to the previous book in the series. After a not so friendly start, Sophia and Nate, both with failed marriages behind them, begin to bond. However, Sophia is hiding a secret from Nate and everyone else in the village which may jeopardise their relationship when it gets out. Unfortunately, Sophia’s work colleague has her eyes on Nate as well and will do anything to break them apart.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this book and can highly recommend it. The seaside village is so well described that I felt I could just walk down the sand and dip my toes in the sea, even if it was winter. A lovely feel of community, particularly as the village prepares for Christmas, comes across in the writing as well. The characters and situations are completely believable, and just as I n real life, not everyone is likeable. I was pleased to find that amongst the returning characters was Bryan, the (partly) sausage dog; he is such an adorable chap, rightly taking pride of place on the book’s cover. I loved that there was a mystery going on regarding Sophia’s past. It was cleverly woven through the story until very near the end to keep the reader guessing. I hope there may be more from Wishington Bay and its inhabitants in the future.

To order your copy now, just click the link: UK or US

Guest Review: Cuthbert’s Way by LJ Ross

A SECRET KEPT FOR A THOUSAND YEARS...

After the dramatic theft of a priceless artefact from Durham Cathedral, the rest of the world believes that DCI Ryan and his team were able to recover and return St. Cuthbert’s cross to its rightful home. But Ryan knows the cross he recovered was a fake―far from being over, their problems are only just beginning…

Just as Ryan and his team begin to unravel the truth behind the spate of mysterious thefts, something even more priceless is stolen―something that can never be replaced. 

As the nationwide manhunt continues without success, Ryan is thrust into despair―until he realises the answer lies not in modern policing but in an age-old secret known only to a chosen few. To recover what’s been lost, he must first crack ‘Cuthbert’s Code’, following the trail of a long-dead saint across the wild, unpredictable hills and valleys of the borderlands. 

Can Ryan find what he’s looking for, before it’s too late? 

He’s going to need a miracle…

Murder and mystery are peppered with romance and humour in this fast-paced crime whodunit set amidst the spectacular Northumbrian landscape. 

Review: This book is number 17 in the DCI Ryan Mysteries Series by LJ Ross. These stories are all set in north east England and follow the investigations of DCI Ryan and his team from Northumbria CID. All can be read as standalone stories, but there are frequent references to previous cases, usually well explained, as well as a host of recurring characters. I have been following this series from book 1, and was particularly looking forward to this book, since the last story (The Shrine) concluded with the suggestion of more to come.

This story follows on from The Shrine, in which the team had to trace an artefact stolen from Durham Cathedral, apparently during the confusion caused by an explosion. Not to give any spoilers, I will just say that in that case the team were not happy with the outcome of their investigations and the perpetrator was still a mystery. In the present book, investigations into the murder of a monk suggest that said perpetrator has appeared once more. This case, as before, has a connection with St Cuthbert, a medieval saint associated with Northumbria. When the murderer strikes far to close to home, Ryan finds himself delving into the history books to try to solve a riddle before it’s too late.

I have enjoyed this latest story in the DCI Ryan series. There was quite a complex mystery for the detective and his team to work out and the price of failure would have been too high for Ryan and his friends. Their investigations had them travelling the country in search of clues. I like that the author includes details of the family lives of Ryan and his team members in these stories; it makes them seem more realistic and human. I am looking forward to the next mystery in this series.

To order your copy now, just click the link: UK or US

Guest Review: A Fatal Affair by Faith Martin

She was dressed in a long white gown, embroidered with tiny flowers. Her body was wrapped in colourful ribbons that floated in the breeze. But underneath the swathe of golden hair, a string of darkly smudged bruises ringed her neck.

As May Day dawns in the peaceful village of Middle Fenton, a young woman is found brutally strangled, her body tied up with ribbons in the middle of the green. A week later, her boyfriend is found hanged in a local barn, and the police assume guilt over murdering his beloved has driven him to suicide – but not everyone is convinced.

WPC Trudy Loveday and coroner Clement Ryder are sent to investigate, and quickly realise that there’s a double murderer on the loose.

 

But the killer has already shown willingness to remove anyone who threatens to discover their identity… As Trudy and Clement circle in on the culprit, can they crack the case before they too come to a nasty end?

Review: This is the sixth book in the Ryder and Loveday series from Faith Martin. These stories tell of the investigations carried out by Oxford city coroner Dr Clement Ryder with the assistance of WPC Trudy Loveday, a young police officer in the early days of her career. All the books are set in the early 1960s in Oxford and surrounding villages. They can all be read as standalone stories.

In this case, Dr Ryder and Trudy are called in after a young village girl is found murdered early on May Day and her boyfriend is found hanged at a local farm a few days afterwards. The boy in question is the son of a high-ranking police officer who is keen to clear his son of suspicion of murdering the girl and then committing suicide. The coroner, ably assisted by the WPC, digs into activities in the village, turning up quite a few surprises and many possibilities for what may have happened to the girl and the young man. After many twists and turns, the story reaches a thrilling climax as the chain of events finally becomes clear.

Having read and enjoyed all of the books in this series so far, I sat down looking forward to another story filled with mystery and intrigue. I was not disappointed. As so often before, I found myself quite unable to guess at the outcome of the investigation; there were suspects aplenty and Faith Martin led me down many a blind alley before the truth was revealed in truly dramatic fashion. The characters that the sleuthing duo met along the way were so skilfully described that I felt I knew each one, but then, which were passionate about family or others in their lives and which really evil? I can thoroughly recommend this book to lovers of thrilling mystery stories. I am enjoying the pairing of the coroner and the young police officer and hope that there may be more books to come in this series.

To order your copy now, just click the link: UK or US

Guest Review: Summer Kisses at Mermaids Point by Sarah Bennett.

Laurie Morgan runs a café in the small seaside community of Mermaids Point, named after the beauties rumoured to live in the waters a few miles off the top of the point. When a hazy image is posted online of what appears to be a mermaid, the café and the village are soon full to bursting with curious sightseers.

The most eye-catching of the new arrivals is handsome author, Jake Smith, who has rented a cottage for the summer while he works on his new book. Or so he says. In fact, he is a journalist, burned out and disillusioned with life, whose editor has sent him on a crack-pot hunt for mermaids...

Jake quickly finds himself drawn to village life, and to the gorgeous woman who runs the local café. But he soon suspects there’s trouble lurking beneath the idyllic façade, and when it looks like Laurie’s family might be involved, Jake faces a difficult choice. Pursue the truth, or protect the woman he’s beginning to fall in love with…

Review: I always enjoy a book from Sarah Bennett and was pleased to find that a new one was in the offing. This is the first book in her latest series, set in the seaside village of Mermaids Point, a warm and welcoming community where I would love to spend some time. I was instantly drawn into this book and found it a quick read. 

Central to the story is the Morgan family, all of whom live in the village. Laurie runs a cafe serving the most delicious-sounding cakes, while her mum and dad run the gift shop next door. Brother Nick takes tourists out on his boat to view the coast and islands off the point. Unfortunately, a couple of wet summers have left businesses that are dependent on the tourist trade worried about the future. Reporter Jake Smith arrives in Mermaids Point to recharge his batteries and at the same time follow up on a strange report. Somebody has posted on social media a series of pictures apparently showing a mermaid slipping off the rocks at the end of the bay into the sea. He is interested to establish if this is a stunt perhaps intended to attract visitors to the struggling seaside village. When he arrives in the village, Jake is instantly attracted to Laurie and soon becomes friendly with the whole family. However, when it seems that Nick may be at the centre of strange goings on, Jake is conflicted between his job as a reporter and his connection to the family, Laurie in particular. 

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and can highly recommend it to other readers, whether fans of Sarah Bennett or new to her work. There are many interesting and eminently likeable characters in the story, Laurie and Jack taking centre stage. They are a lovely couple, but there is always the worry that Jack’s job may come between them. I enjoyed the mystery associated with the mermaid sightings and was surprised when the answer was revealed. The Morgans are a delightful family unit, always looking out for each other and considerate of the community where they live. I was very moved by the way in which they supported Jack when he needed help. I’m now looking forward to the next story in the series; the prologue, which appears at the end of this book, suggests that we are going to learn more about the characters we have met in this story. 

To order your copy now, just click the link: UK or US

Guest Review: A Fatal Truth by Faith Martin

As the Hughes family celebrate bonfire night, a terrible accident leaves the garden shed in flames – and father and grandfather Thomas trapped inside.

 

Tragic though it is, Thomas’s death passes without suspicion – until a local journalist makes accusations of a police cover-up in the press. WPC Trudy Loveday is sent to investigate, and asks coroner Clement Ryder to help.

 

But the more questions the two ask the less clear the case seems. There’s no evidence of foul play, and yet the dead man’s family are obviously hiding something. Then there are Thomas’s dubious business practices – was someone out for revenge?

 

All Trudy and Clement know for sure is that everyone is lying – and that they must find the truth…

 

Review: This book is the fifth in the mystery series by Faith Martin in which city coroner Dr Clement Ryder and WPC Trudy Loveday join forces in investigating suspicious deaths. The stories are set in the Oxford area in the 1960s, when female police officers were less common than they are in the present day, and were often treated more like secretaries than investigative officers. Trudy Loveday therefore considered herself privileged to be able to work in the field with the coroner. I am enjoying witnessing their growing friendship with each successful case, despite the differences in age and background between them.

In this case, the pair are called upon to investigate the death of an elderly man on bonfire night, when the garden shed in which he is working goes up in flames. His death would have been dismissed as a tragic accident, but a local newspaper reporter casts doubt upon the veracity of the police investigation, prompting calls for a more in-depth study. Since the victim was a ruthless business man who has made many enemies over the years, there is no lack of motive for murder, but also no clear suspects. The family, too, appear to have no great love for the man. As the reporter becomes more persistent in his allegations, Dr Ryder and Trudy begin to wonder just what is behind his apparent dislike of one of the man’s sons in particular. Although they are sure that something is being hidden from them, they are frustrated at how difficult it is to discover what that is.

I have read all of the books in this series and have enjoyed every one of them, this one being no exception. Every time I sit down to read one, I think that I may be able to spot the perpetrator before the end, but the plots are so skilfully engineered that I fail every time. This is surely the sign of a good mystery writer. The present story was slightly different from the others that I have read so far; I can’t reveal more than that without giving out spoilers. I, personally, liked the way in which this investigation ended. I would recommend this book, and the others in the series, to fans of cosy crime - I’m sure they would not be disappointed. I hope there will be many more books in this series.

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Guest Review: A Fatal Secret by Faith Martin

Oxford, 1961

A family day out at Briar’s Hall ends in tragedy when a young boy goes missing – and his body is found at the bottom of a disused well in the orchard.

It looks like a simple case of an eleven-year-old exploring where he shouldn’t: a tragic accident. But Coroner Clement Ryder and Probationary WPC Trudy Loveday aren’t convinced. If Eddie had been climbing and fallen, why were there no cuts or dirt on his hands? Why would a boy terrified of heights be around a well at all?

Clement and Trudy are determined to get to the truth, but the more they dig into Briar’s Hall and the mysterious de Lacey family who live there, the murkier things become.

Could it be that poor Eddie’s death was murder? There are rumours of blackmail in the village, and Clement and Trudy have a horrible feeling that Eddie stumbled on a secret that someone was willing to kill for…

Review: This is book 4 in the Ryder and Loveday series of murder mysteries from Faith Martin. The books feature cases in which Oxford city coroner Dr Clement Ryder and WPC Trudy Loveday work together to investigate deaths of uncertain causes. I have been working through the stories in order and enjoying seeing the pair succeed in getting to the bottom of several investigations. Each book is set in the Oxford area in the 1960s. Although each is part of a series, the books can all be read as standalones.

In this story, Dr Ryder and Trudy join forces to investigate the suspicious death of a young boy who has been found dead in an old well during an Easter egg hunt. Their investigations lead them into the world of a wealthy local family who own the impressive house and grounds where the egg hunt took place. They also question servants and groundsmen at the house as well as the boy’s family and local villagers as they try to piece together the sequence of events and everyone’s movements on the afternoon the boy died. It seems that key to the investigation is the daughter of the house, who was best friends with the boy. The investigators begin to wonder whether something that the children have discovered might have led to his death, perhaps a secret that would have been disastrous for the family had it been revealed, a secret that might lead even them into danger.

Once again, Faith Martin has presented the reader with a wonderful mystery, brimming with interesting characters and situations. I thought some of the characters were very dark, giving a definite feeling of danger throughout the book. When it became apparent what was behind all the secrecy, I was as surprised as the investigators, but even more so by the twist at the end. In addition to the secret involved in the case, Dr Ryder is still trying to keep his failing health hidden from everyone else, but Trudy is becoming more and more suspicious. I would recommend this entire series to other readers who enjoy a thrilling mystery and am looking forward to Ryder and Loveday’s next case.

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Gust Review: The Village of Lost and Found by Alison Sherlock

Scandal hit party girl Lucy Conway needs to leave London fast, so she packs her bags and escapes to the sleepy village of Cranbridge to take care of her beloved Uncle Frank.

But the country village isn’t quite as idyllic as she remembers. To make matters worse, her Uncle’s pride and joy, The Cranbridge Times, is close to going out of business.

Editor-at-Large Tom Addison is having a crisis of confidence and needs help if the newspaper is going to survive.

With time on her hands, can Lucy work some magic and together save the family newspaper?

Over a long, hot summer, friendships are made and hearts begin to heal.Nbr> And, with the help of a stray dog, perhaps Lucy and Tom can find their very own new beginning...

Review: This is book 2 in the Riverside Lane Series, following on from The Village Shop for Lonely Hearts by the same author. The series is set in the small, but sadly rundown, village of Cranbridge, with its little (or sometimes not so little) river running through the middle. I found the first book in the series quite captivating and looked forward to revisiting the village and its inhabitants in this sequel.

Lucy Conway has arrived in the village to escape the unwanted attention she is receiving from the press following the break up of a disastrous relationship in London. Her beloved uncle has suggested she should make a temporary move to Cranbridge, where he is sure that she can find work on the local paper, which he owns. Unfortunately, she finds both the Cranbridge Times and its editor Tom Addison in need of rescuing. Having not a great deal more to do with her time, Lucy decides to set about trying to reverse the fortunes of her uncle’s paper and at the same time help Tom regain his confidence. She quickly makes many friends in the village and begins to realise that it and its inhabitants have found a home in her heart.

I have very much enjoyed this story and would not hesitate to recommend it. It was easy to read but not so easy to put down. The characters are, in the main, ones that I have met before in the first book in the series, and it was good to learn a little more about some of them. They are all eminently likeable, and once again the reader feels a lovely warm sense of community in this little village that so deserves to be resurrected to its former glory. Of course, I would be remiss if I did not mention one of the big stars of the story - a shaggy dog called Keith! What a great character he was; I know I would have taken him in if Lucy hadn’t. This is definitely a series I would like to read more of, if indeed there are any more in the pipeline.

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Guest Review: A Fatal Flaw by Faith Martin

Oxford, 1960

As the city of Oxford prepares itself for the inaugural Miss Oxford Honey Beauty Pageant at The Old Swan Theatre, excitement is in the air.

Then, tragedy strikes the competition when one of the leading contestants is found dead.

Initially, the authorities assume her death was suicide. But after a malicious series of pranks and blackmail attempts are reported, WPC Loveday and Coroner Clement Ryder are called upon to solve the case.

In an atmosphere of fierce competition, the list of suspects is endless. Could what have started as harmless fun become a deadly race to win the prize?

With time running out, the duo need to spot the killer before tragedy strikes again…

Review: This is book 3 in a series of murder mysteries in which Oxford city coroner Clement Ryder joins forces with WPC Trudy Loveday to investigate cases of suspicious death. The books are all set in and around Oxford in 1960s, and all the stories can be read as standalones.

In this case, the duo becomes involved with the mysterious death of one of the contestants in a beauty pageant being run by a local business man. At the inquest, the jury records an open verdict, allowing Dr Ryder and Trudy to pursue their investigations into what could have been a suicide or a murder. At the same time, there is a series of incidents in the theatre where the pageant is to take place, increasing suspicion that this could be a case of foul play. The pair of investigators are drawn into the world of beauty and fashion as they take undercover roles in the pageant and come to understand what a dangerous case this is.

I really enjoyed this mystery. There were so many twists and turns to the story that I was unsure whether they would ever manage to unearth the truth before somebody else was murdered, and, indeed, whether Dr Ryder or Trudy might come to harm. The clues to the identity of the perpetrator were set out so skilfully that I couldn’t decide who it might be. Definitely a good ‘whodunnit’. I am enjoying this series and watching as the professional and personal relationship between the police constable and the coroner develops. Dr Ryder pays Trudy the respect that is lacking in her colleagues in the police force. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

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