PAGE~TURNERS: 2021

Monday, December 20, 2021

THE LOST PROMISE OF IRELAND

MY THOUGHTS:

Maggie has been away from Sandy Cove for awhile but still remembers the wonderful summers she spent there when she was young. So when she finds out that her family’s old cottage is available, she decides to rent it for the summer. She is in much need of a vacation in order to move on from the man who recently broke her heart. Maggie was so happy to see her best-friend Sorcha and Sorcha’s cousin Brian still living in Sandy Cove. The three have a great time reminiscing as if it was yesterday. Maggie finds an old box hidden in the attic of the cottage full of the love letters she sent to an American boy she met one summer. They knew they would find each other again one day, and that day happens sooner then she expected. Maggie is not the only one returning to Sandy Cove for the summer. She is torn between her feelings for Brian and her long lost love.

I felt like I was actually in Ireland, I could feel the coastal breeze from the Irish Sea upon my face. The wonderful description of the village will have you forgetting where you actually are. This phenomenal story will touch your heart and make you feel as if are part of Maggie’s close circle of friends. This series is an amazing escape that you are sure to cherish long after you finish reading the book. I absolutely loved this amazing addition to the series.

Thank you Susanne O’Leary for another wonderful installment to the Starlight Cottage series. This is one series I didn’t want to end, as I wanted to stay in Ireland for a while longer. I absolutely loved this story, and I highly recommend it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

DESCRIPTION:

THE LOST PROMISE OF IRELAND

Author: Susanne O’Leary
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: December 17, 2021
Pages: 272
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A completely gorgeous story about lost loves and small-town secrets that will sweep you away to the Irish coast.
Maggie remembers her summers in the village of Sandy Cove in Ireland like they were yesterday. She and her family would swim in the crystal-clear waters, collect beautiful seashells and relax on the sand. So when she sees that her family’s old coastguard cottage is available, she wonders if renting it for the summer will finally help her move on from the man who just broke her heart.
As soon as Maggie arrives she is delighted to find her childhood best-friend Sorcha and Sorcha’s cousin Brian still living in town. They enjoy cosy nights in the local harbour pub, with its stunning views across the ocean, as if no time has passed. And when Brian reveals he had a fierce teenage crush on Maggie, she can’t help but notice just how handsome he has become.
But then Maggie finds a worn metal box hidden in the attic of the house, full of love letters she exchanged with a sweet American boy she met one summer. During their last night together, star-gazing on the beach, they promised to find each other again. Soon it becomes clear that Maggie is not the only one returning to Sandy Cove.
Torn between her growing feelings for Brian and the romance she’s held in her heart for many years, Maggie realises that her summer may be more complicated than she’d expected. Will Maggie finally find a true love who can sweep her off her feet or will this holiday in Sandy Cove be her last?

ABOUT SUSANNE O’LEARY

Susanne O’Leary is the bestselling author of more than twenty novels, mainly in the romantic fiction genre. She has also written three crime novels and two in the historical fiction genre. She has been the wife of a diplomat (still is), a fitness teacher and a translator. She now writes full-time from either of two locations, a ramshackle house in County Tipperary, Ireland or a little cottage overlooking the Atlantic in Dingle, County Kerry. When she is not scaling the mountains of said counties, or keeping fit in the local gym, she keeps writing, producing a book every six months.

Sunday, December 12, 2021

MURDER AT THE CASTLE

MY THOUGHTS:

Amateur sleuth Belinda Penshurst is at it again. While Belinda was attending a wine tasting event one of the guests collapse. Wine critic Sadie Oppenshaw is the victim. She dies at the wine tasting event that Belinda organized and also invited her to attend. So, Belinda immediately goes into sleuth mode and is determined to find out who poisoned Sadie. With retired detective Harry Powell by her side, Belinda begins to investigate the world of wine. But, soon yet another guest at the wine tasting is found poisoned. Belinda and Harry must find the culprit before they become the next victim.

This cozy murder mystery was such an entertaining read. I loved the detailed description of the quaint village Little Challham, it seems like the perfect place to go wine tasting. I enjoyed the mystery of the story and the plot twists where very engaging, they kept me guessing til the end. I absolutely loved this amazing addition to this series.

Thank you Lisa Cutts for another wonderful installment to the Belinda Penshurst series. This series is a cozy mystery, that is absolutely enjoyable to get lost in. I loved this story, and I highly recommend it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

DESCRIPTION:

MURDER AT THE CASTLE
Author: Lisa Cutts
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: December 8, 2021
Pages: 301
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When the star guest collapses at a wine tasting, it seems someone has a taste for murder. Fortunately, amateur sleuth Belinda Penshurst was at the event – and now she’s on the case!
Belinda Penshurst loves her home village Little Challham, and its charming, peaceful ways. So when wine critic Sadie Oppenshaw dies at a tasting Belinda organised, she immediately turns detective to uncover the poisoner…
Accompanied by retired detective Harry Powell and her boisterous Labrador Horatio, Belinda sets out to investigate the world of wine. There are scandals brewing everywhere… but do the local DIY enthusiasts have a deadly vendetta, or did Sadie’s reviews cause a resentful restaurant owner to crack?
When another of the guests at the wine tasting is found poisoned, it becomes clear the killer is only just getting started. Can Belinda crack the case and open the champagne, before the murderer catches up with her?

ABOUT LISA CUTTS

Lisa Cutts is a full-time detective constable investigating murders for a living. When off duty she writes a fictitious version of her day job. She lives and works within the county of Kent with her husband and Labrador.

She is the author of the DC Nina Foster books, Never Forget and Remember, Remember. Never Forgot was longlisted for the Waverton Good Read Award 2013 and the winner of the Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award 2014 for Best Thriller. She has also written four books in the East Rise Incident Room series, Mercy Killing, Buried Secrets, Lost Lives and Don’t Trust Him. All four centre around DI Harry Powell and his Major Crime Team battling to solve the latest murders within the county. Currently she is writing the Little Challham mysteries, cosy mysteries set in a fictional village in Kent.

She writes a monthly column, Behind the Tape, for Writing Magazine answering police procedural questions from other writers. In early 2016, she was honoured to become the Patron of Rochester Literature Festival and help establish Murderous Medway, an annual crime fiction festival packed full of amazing author panels. As well as being on BBC Radio 4’s Open Book, Lisa has twice appeared on This Morning to chat about TV crime dramas Broadchurch and Line of Duty.

Saturday, December 11, 2021

DAUGHTERS OF MAGPIE COVE

MY THOUGHTS:

Connie’s mother asks her to leave the city and come home to Magpie Cove and take over the family business. A charming coastal museum in the wonderful town of Magpie Cove. Even though Connie is reluctant to return home, she does anyway. The quaint museum is struggling to keep going, but it is a cornerstone of the little community. Connie is determined to make her new adventure a success and save the museum that has been in her family for generations. When Connie finds her great-grandmother’s diary in an old box in the attic, it reveals things about her that she never knew. When Connie befriends local entrepreneur, Alex Gordon she begins to realize that she is exactly where she loves to be. But, when someone from her past arrives in Magpie Cove, she wonders if she must leave for good and never return.

This awesome romantic suspense has all the feels. This author completely pulls you into the story and whisks away to Cornwall. I am always happy to return to wonderful Magpie Cove it’s such a gorgeous setting perfectly described by the author. The quiet, quaint town is one that you can’t wait to get too and never want to leave. I love the mystery of the story and the plot twists and turns where very engaging. This rapid page turner is one that will definitely stay in your heart for a long time. I absolutely loved the amazing addition to this series. This series is one to be cherished for a long, long time.

Thank you Kennedy Kerr for another wonderful installment to the Magpie Cove series. This series is a wonderful escape to Cornwall, one that shouldn’t be passed up. I loved everything about this entire series, and I highly recommend it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

DESCRIPTION:

DAUGHTERS OF MAGPIE COVE
Author: Kennedy Kerr
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: December 9, 2021
Pages: 238
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Connie stared out at the quiet Cornish sea as the hazy early morning light bathed the horizon in a beautiful golden glow. She inhaled the salty, cleansing ocean air, looked down at the handwritten note and wiped away the lone tear that had started to fall…
When Connie Christie’s mother summons her home from the city to Magpie Cove to take over the family business – a quaint, charming museum – Connie is reluctant. The cove holds nothing more than bad memories for Connie, memories she’d rather leave buried…
The tiny coastal museum is a hub for the local community but it is struggling to survive, and despite herself, Connie is determined to save the business that has been in her family for generations. Discovering her great-grandmother’s diary tucked away in a dusty box in the attic – which reveals her struggles as a young woman – gives Connie a surprising clue to unlocking the secrets in her own past. Maybe what happened to her all those years ago wasn’t her fault after all?
Connie starts to relish her work at the museum and the beautiful, calm surroundings of Magpie Cove. A chance encounter with handsome local entrepreneur, Alex Gordon, leaves her with more than just butterflies. Perhaps embracing a new start in her old home maybe isn’t the worst idea she’s ever had.
But just as Connie starts to feel like she finally belongs somewhere, the peace she has found crumbles when the one person she has tried for years to forget resurfaces… Can Connie finally find her home, and herself, in Magpie Cove, or will her painful past force her to run away again, this time for good?

ABOUT KENNEDY KERR

Kennedy Kerr is a British fiction author. She adores beaches, lochs and stone circles, and loves writing about small communities, mysteries and family secrets. She has a very cuddly cat called Twinkle who spends her days sleeping: Kennedy aspires to having Twinkle’s nap schedule one day.

Kennedy also loves cooking and baking all types of food, which is almost as much fun as eating it. Her favourite foods include (but are not limited to) Indian food, Victoria sponge, breakfast pastries with coffee and sushi. The only thing she’s not particularly keen on is artichoke, and she’d eat it, anyway.

Tuesday, November 30, 2021

THE ISLAND WE LEFT BEHIND

MY THOUGHTS:

New York City, 1928, Ellen and Lucas Lyman have made the very difficult decision to leave Amherst Island for a better life. Amherst Island has been their home that they have loved with all their heart. They met there as children, and were friends that had found love. It has always been their home. Lucas makes money on the stock market and Ellen loves being a mother in New York City. But when their son Jamie becomes seriously ill, and Lucas can’t leave his job, it’s up to Ellen to take Jamie to a place that can help him recover. Ellen does everything she needs to save her son’s life, even if it means she must leave Lucas, the man she loves. So Ellen and Jamie make the long journey across America.

This heartbreaking and heart pounding story is an unputdownable must read. Definitely keep the Kleenex nearby because you will surely need it. This rapid page turner is one that will definitely stay in your heart long after you flip the last page. I absolutely loved the amazing addition to this series. This series is one to be cherished for a long, long time.

Thank you Kate Hewitt for another wonderful and the final installment to the Amherst Island series. This series is completely unforgettable, heartbreaking and phenomenal. It is an absolute must read. I loved everything about this entire series, and I highly recommend it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

DESCRIPTION:

THE ISLAND WE LEFT BEHIND
Author: Kate Hewitt
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: November 30, 2021
Pages: 349
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“I love you. Of course I do. But we haven’t any choice in the matter, do we? If our little boy’s health, even his survival, is at stake, we have to do whatever it takes.”
1928, New York City: Ellen and Lucas Lyman have made a heart-wrenching decision to leave their beloved Amherst Island behind in search of a new life. The island was once the home of their hearts: where they had met as children, become friends, and over time found love.
But New York City was calling, and it was everything they’d hoped for and more. With Lucas making money on the stock market, and Ellen finding fulfilment as a mother, at first they are happy raising their family, together, in the most exciting city in the world.
Until their beloved son Jamie becomes perilously ill, and Ellen is given an impossible choice. With Lucas unable to leave his job, it is down to her to take Jamie to a place he might recover even if it means making the journey across America without him.
Ellen knows what she must do. What every mother would do to save their child. Even if it takes her further away from the man she loves—and every place she has called home‑than ever before.

ABOUT KATE HEWITT

Kate Hewitt is the bestselling author of many novels of women’s fiction, including the Hartley-by-the-Sea series set in the Lake District, the Willoughby Close series set in the Cotswolds, and Tales From Goswell written as Katharine Swartz. Her novel A Mother’s Goodbye has been called ‘unputdownable’ and ‘the most emotional book I have ever read’ by readers. Her latest novel, Not My Daughter, is out now, and No Time to Say Goodbye is available for preorder.

She lives in a small market town in Wales with her husband and five young(ish) children, along with their two Golden Retrievers. Join her newsletter for monthly updates and giveaways on her website, or be part of her Facebook groups Kate’s Reads.

Friday, November 26, 2021

DEATH ON A WINTER’S DAY

MY THOUGHTS:

It’s winter 1921 and Lady Eleanor Swift has been invited to spend Christmas in Scotland, at her frIend’s, Baron and Baroness Ashley’s castle. She is happy to accept the invite and even more happy to have Gladstone, her bulldog, along for the fun. The snow is falling and the guests are gathered by the fire enjoying each other’s company. But what was a fun evening quickly turned into an unexpected holiday when Mr. Eugene Randall is found dead. Soon the Baron is arrested, and Baroness Ashley begs Lady Eleanor to investigate and find out who the killer is. Lady Eleanor is determined to find out who the real killer is and while she is questioning the guests, someone else is found dead, from a fall from a balcony. This is not the Christmas holiday she expected, but with two murders to solve, she can’t relax until she finds the real culprit.

This Christmas cozy mystery is such a wonderful story. Lady Eleanor is a favorite of mine and this series is a definite must read. I loved this story so much, it had me completely engrossed from the very first page. This magical Christmas mystery will have you flying through the pages. An absolutely amazing addition to this series….loved it.

Thank you Verity Bright for another wonderful, and enjoyable who-dun-it story. I totally love reading Lady Eleanor Swift and her sleuthing adventures. I loved everything about this book. A definite must read cozy mystery. I highly recommend this book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

DESCRIPTION:

DEATH ON A WINTER’S DAY
Author: Verity Bright
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: November 24, 2021
Pages: 330
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Christmas at the castle with holly, handmade gifts, snowflakes and… is that a body under the tree? Someone call Lady Swift!
Winter, 1921. Lady Eleanor Swift, amateur sleuth and reluctant lady of the manor, has been invited to spend Christmas in Scotland, at the beautiful castle of her dear friends Baron and Baroness Ashley. Even her favourite companion, master of mischief Gladstone the bulldog, is coming along to share a slice of turkey. As snow begins to fall outside, the rather mismatched group are cozy by the roaring fire, sharing a tipple over a plate of Mrs Trotman’s famous mince pies.
But after what was supposed to be a fun party game, Mr Eugene Randall is found dead at the feast. A somewhat unpopular business associate of the Baron’s from across the pond, it seems Mr Randall has certainly upset somebody. Was it what he said about Scottish whisky?
The killer must be in the castle… and when the Baron is arrested, Baroness Ashley begs Eleanor to investigate. Determined not to let her friend down, Eleanor sets about questioning the remaining partygoers.
All too swiftly, someone else is found dead, having apparently fallen from a high balcony. As if one murder wasn’t enough to put a twist in the tinsel! Eleanor knows she’s skating on thin ice now. And when she discovers a hidden document that points the finger of suspicion at the unlikeliest of suspects, she realises there’s more to the story. Can Eleanor catch the killer before it’s time for Christmas dinner?

ABOUT VERITY BRIGHT

Verity Bright is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing partnership that has spanned a quarter of a century. Starting out writing high-end travel articles and books, they published everything from self-improvement to humour, before embarking on their first historical mystery. They are the authors of the fabulous Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery series, set in the 1920s.

Friday, November 19, 2021

THE CRANBERRY INN

MY THOUGHTS:

It’s time to unpack the Christmas decorations and begin hanging the lights. The snow is coming down and Laurel Hanover and her eight year old son, Simon are heading home for Christmas. They’re going to The Cranberry Inn located in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains. Laurel is more than ready for a long overdue break from New York. She is going to help her father run the Inn for Christmas and make lasting memories with her son. But when Laurel arrives at the Inn she finds it to be a shambles, and a note that says her father is gone and won’t return until Christmas Eve. No one seems to know where her father is, and she won’t allow anything to get in the way of Christmas plans with her son. She hires her childhood friend, Joel Hutcherson who is a carpenter, to help her fix up the Inn. While spending a lot of time together fixing up the Inn, they don’t see eye-to-eye on the repairs. But when Joel reveals to Laurel that she was his first crush, she admits that she is falling for him. Then Laurel discovers the real reason her father disappeared and she can’t help but wonder if Joel has known the truth since the beginning.

This wonderful Christmas story is sure to get you in the holiday spirit. This sensational escape, will have you wanting to decorate the tree and hang the lights. I loved this story so much, it had me completely engrossed from the very first page. The characters were so believable and heartwarming, while the town was charming and inviting. This magical Christmas read will have you reaching for the hot cocoa and tossing a log on the fire. I thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful story of second chances and new beginnings, pure delight.

Thank you Barbara Josselsohn for another wonderful, hopeful and inspirational story. I enjoyed this sweet, feel-good Christmas story that has all the feels. I loved everything about this book. A definite must read cozy romance. I highly recommend this book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

DESCRIPTION:

THE CRANBERRY INN

Author: Barbara Josselsohn

Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: November 15, 2021
Pages: 258
Buy on Amazon

As twinkling lights go up and snowflakes begin to fall, Laurel Hanover and her eight-year-old son are going home to the Cranberry Inn in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains. Laurel can’t wait to leave New York behind to help her father run the family business, and make snow angels with her son, even if it’s just for Christmas. But when she walks through the door, she’s shocked to find the inn in disrepair, and a letter saying her father will be gone until Christmas Eve…
No one in town knows where Laurel’s father is, and she doesn’t know whether to be worried or angry – but she won’t let the inn go under, and nothing will get in the way of the perfect Christmas for her son. Seeing the worn-out wooden bannisters, bare of festive lights, she immediately recruits her childhood friend, brooding local carpenter Joel Hutcherson. They might disagree on whether any walls actually need to come down, but each rip in the carpet makes Laurel more concerned for her father, and Joel is a welcome distraction. And when he admits that Laurel was his first crush, she realises she’s falling for him.
But then Laurel uncovers a card with beautiful, ornate writing amongst her father’s things and learns the real reason he disappeared. And it changes everything. Worse still, she thinks Joel knew the truth all along.
Laurel thought this was going to be the perfect Christmas – that maybe she had found her happy. But now there’s nothing to stop her from running back to New York the moment the baubles come down… is there?

ABOUT BARBARA JOSSELSOHN

Barbara Josselsohn is an award-winning writer who loves crafting stories about strong protagonists facing a fork in the road. Her novels include The Bluebell Girls, The Lilac House, The Last Dreamer, and her newest release, The Lily Garden. She has published hundreds of articles about family, home and relationships in national and regional publications, and also teaches novel writing at the Writing Institute at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York. She lives just north of New York City and enjoys escaping to the beach or the mountains whenever she can. Other than writing, her biggest passion is her family: her husband, her three kids, and her indefatigable shih-poo!

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

FROM THE DARK WE RISE

MY THOUGHTS:

Germany 1942, Annegret Huber unexpectedly inherits a huge fortune that includes, a house and a factory outside Berlin. She holds inside a secret of who she really is and the only thing she can do to survive is to stay hidden and never reveal the truth about her. Her real name is Margarete. But then a prisoner escapes, and Margarete discovers that her factory is attached to a labor camp and when she sees what is going on at the labor camp, and how horrible the conditions are, so she realizes she must do whatever she can to make a difference. One day while looking at those on the other side of the fence, she see’s a face that is extremely familiar to her. But, can it be someone she recognizes, someone she knows?

Wow, this book, was so amazingly captivating. I devoured this book in one sitting, unable to stop turning the pages once I began. I had to read through, non-stop to the end. I loved it, I found it exciting, breathtaking and intense. This in one unforgettable read. I wish I could give ten stars. Definitely a must read for all historical fiction fans….wow, just wow, I’m totally speechless.

Thank you Marion Kummerow for such a wonderful and beautifully written story. I enjoyed this brilliant and gripping story so much. I highly recommend this phenomenal book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

DESCRIPTION:

FROM THE DARK WE RISE
Author: Marion Kummerow
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: November 17, 2021
Pages: 279
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“Please, let me help. I won’t tell anyone.” It was madness to help an escaped prisoner in Nazi Germany, but how could she not? If it weren’t for a lucky strike of fate, she might be the woman on the ground shivering with fear. A light of hope entered the prisoner’s eyes and she knew what she had to do…
1942, Germany: When a young woman calling herself Annegret Huber unexpectedly inherits a huge fortune, including a house and factory just outside Berlin, her first thought is to try to see out the war quietly, avoiding the Gestapo and SS as best she can.
No one needs to know her dark secret. She must focus on staying hidden. Because she can’t risk being exposed for who she truly is. Not really Annegret. But a girl living a secret life. A girl who was once called Margarete.
But then an encounter with an escaped prisoner changes everything, as Margarete discovers what is happening at the factory and its attached labor camp. Witnessing first-hand the suffering of prisoners—shivering, with faces gaunt from hunger, as they work in brutal and cruel conditions—she realises she must act.
If she can save just one life, she knows she has to. Because the truth is that Margarete resembles the prisoners in the camp in ways she daren’t admit. And on the other side of the fence, she has seen a face that is achingly familiar…

ABOUT MARION KUMMEROW

Marion Kummerow is a USA Today Bestselling author of historical fiction.

She was born and raised in Germany, before she set out to “discover the world” and lived in various countries. After many years abroad she returned to Germany and settled down in Munich where she’s now living with her husband and two children.

After dipping her toes with non-fiction books, she finally tackled the project dear to her heart. UNRELENTING is the story about her grandparents, who belonged to the German resistance and fought against the Nazi regime. It’s a book about resilience, love and the courage to stand up and do the right thing. Since then she has started writing the War Girl Series. Intended as a trilogy, she grew so fond of the characters that she’s now plotting book 12 in the series.