PAGE~TURNERS: March 2023

Friday, March 31, 2023

AN ISLAND FAR FROM HOME

MY THOUGHTS:

Canada, 1941 Rosie Lyman and her cousin Violet decided to join the Canadian Women’s Army Corps. Rosie is missing her life back in Ontario and second guesses her decision to join the Army. Soon she is selected for officer training and her first assignment sends her overseas to London. She adapts to, and enjoys army life. When she meets Lieutenant Thomas Crewe, they spend as much time together as possible and soon find themselves falling in love with each other. Rosie found the one man that literally completed her. He was the one that she lived for and found purpose in her life. But when D-Day approaches their biggest fear is the possibility of Thomas being sent to the front line.

An Island Far From Home is the fifth installment in the Amherst Island Series by Kate Hewitt. This was a wonderful read and I really enjoyed the characters. Violet seemed to have a lot of drama that followed her but I still enjoyed the storyline. This is a wonderful book that can be read as a standalone, but I would highly suggest reading the series from the beginning. I definitely recommend this book.

DESCRIPTION:

AN ISLAND FAR FROM HOME
Author: Kate Hewitt
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: March 27, 2023
Pages: 345
Buy on Amazon

Rosie realised she loved the man standing before her. She wanted to spend the rest of her life with him. And if he were to fall in France, heaven help them both, she knew she would not regret one last night with him…

1941, Canada: When Rosie Lyman and her cousin Violet join the Canadian Women’s Army Corps, Rosie is uncertain about leaving her life in Ontario behind and entering a new and challenging world of duty and service.

From the moment Rosie signs up, the intensity of the work pushes all thoughts of home from her mind. And when she is selected for officer training and a placement overseas in London, Rosie finds herself swept up into an exciting world of classified postings she could never have imagined…

When she meets handsome Lieutenant Thomas Crewe, with sparkling blue eyes and a smile like a movie star, Rosie soon finds herself falling in love for the very first time. With precious moments together restricted to weekends on leave, the pair try to steal as much time together as they can.

But when Rosie hears that Thomas’s division is flying in the D-Day invasion, she feels like her heart might break. Will he survive the battle? And can she find the strength within herself to go on if he doesn’t?

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.

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

THE ACCIDENTAL INHERITANCE

MY THOUGHTS:

Cassidy Beeswhistle’s life is turned completely upside down when she loses her boyfriend and her job at the same time. She is in desperate need of a fresh start and a new beginning. She discovers that there is a lost deed to her late father’s beautiful manor. If she could find the deed it would return ownership of the manor to Cassidy. As soon as she arrives at Dithercott she immediately falls in love with the beautiful little village. With the breathtaking hills and lakes, along with the amazing villagers that welcome her into their corner of paradise, she knows that this is exactly where she is meant to be. Soon she meets Ned who happens to be the lord of the manor and a new found romance she didn’t plan for.

This story was such an enjoyable and beautiful read. I was amazed at the way the author left no stone unturned. Her detailed description of the village and the manor along with the people that live there, made me feel like I wanted to pack things up and move to Dithercott. What a truly magical place. This rapid page turner is one that I couldn’t put down. I loved everything about this wonderful and heart-warming story. I was hooked from the first flip of the front cover. This cozy romance was exactly the escape I needed. I loved everything about this wonderful story, with its amazing plot twists and turns and a phenomenal ending. I will recommend it over and over again.

DESCRIPTION:

THE ACCIDENTAL INHERITANCE
Author: Cate Woods
Published by: Bookouture
Publication Date: March 27, 2023
Pages: 358
Buy on Amazon

A surprise inheritance. A hostile lord of the manor. A chance at a new beginning…?

When Cassidy Beeswhistle loses her job and her boyfriend within seconds of each other, it’s time for a change. Discovering her beloved late father’s connection to a tiny English village, it seems like the perfect place to start again. Especially because there’s a secret ‘lost deed’, which – if found – would return the village’s gorgeous manor house to its rightful heir: Cassidy…

On arrival in Dithercott, Cassidy is blown away by the rolling hills and glittering lake, and the local villagers welcome her with open arms – all of them but one, that is… The current lord of the manor, Ned Bamford-Bligh, is tall and fiendishly attractive with his olive skin and jet-black hair, but he is also gruff and standoffish – and he has no interest in entertaining the new girl in the village; especially one who is potentially after his home, with its ivy-covered turrets and sprawling gardens.

Despite Ned’s frosty welcome, Cassidy is drawn to his piercing, hazel-eyed glare and she’s determined she is to uncover the demons that keep him locked away behind the manor’s imposing stonework. Before she knows it, an undeniable spark builds between them…

Just as Cassidy is feeling at home in Dithercott – and in the arms of Ned – he shows up on her doorstep clutching an old roll of parchment. Is this the discovery she’s been waiting for? And if it is, will its contents bring Ned and Cassidy closer together, or push them apart…?

ABOUT CATE WOODS

Cate Woods made the most of her university degree in Anglo-Saxon Literature by embarking on a career making tea on programmes including The Big Breakfast, Who Wants to be a Millionaire and French & Saunders. After narrowly missing out on the chance to become a Channel 5 weather girl, she moved into the world of magazine journalism, then ghostwriting and now writes novels under her own name. She has written two best-selling romantic comedies – Just Haven’t Met You Yet and More Than a Feeling – and a festive novel, The Christmas Guest, under the name Daisy Bell. Cate lives in London with her husband and two children.

Friday, March 24, 2023

THE CUBAN DAUGHTER

MY THOUGHTS:

Claudia, while living in London, finds out that her grandmother was born at Hope’s House which is a home for unmarried mothers. One day she finds an old faded family crest she needs to know what it has to do with her grandmother. Everything she knows about her family is completely turned upside down. When she discovers that the crest belongs to the Diaz family in Cuba. Immediately she flies from London to Havana, not allowing anyone to stop her. She must find out the truth about her family at any cost. Her first night in Havana she meets chef Mateo. Together they embark on a mission to discover the truth about the Diaz family. Mateo tells Claudia that his grandfather once worked for the Diaz family but he too wants to uncover the truth. When Claudia and Mateo arrive at the Diaz home they find it completely empty…abandoned. What family secrets reside there and how will they ever arrive at the truth.

I truly enjoyed this unputdownable story that was a time slip novel. I loved the amazing detailed description of the surrounding area of Havana. I enjoyed the characters and found myself to be cheering on Claudia and Mateo hoping they would find the truth they were searching for. What a wonderfully written story, of courage, mystery, love, laughter and the joys of discovering family roots. This was the second installment in The Lost Daughters Series, with both books so wonderfully written it has made this series amazing. This book can be read as a standalone or as part of the series. I really enjoy this author's writing style, she captivates the reader and keeps you completely engaged in the happenings of the story. Thank you Soraya Lane for a phenomenal story that I will recommend over and over again. I loved it.

DESCRIPTION:

THE CUBAN DAUGHTER
Author: Soraya Lane
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: March 23, 2023
Pages: 303
Buy on Amazon

Cuba, 1950: As Esmeralda moved past Christopher, her breath stilled as he caught her finger in his. It was only a split-second, their fingers intertwined in a hold so brief that no one could have possibly noticed, but it told her everything she needed to know. He didn’t just come to see Cuba. He travelled all this way to see me.

London, present day. When Claudia discovers that her grandmother was born at Hope’s House, a home for unmarried mothers, everything she thought she knew about her family is shattered in an instant. Looking down at a faded family crest, she is determined to discover how it can possibly relate to her grandmother.

Soon Claudia learns that the crest belongs to the Diaz family, once one of the wealthiest dynasties in Cuba. Impulsively Claudia books a ticket to Havana, feeling sure in her heart that she will be able to uncover her family’s true story.

Arriving in the bustling and vibrant city she meets a young man named Mateo, a chef who loves nothing more than to cook his family’s recipes. As they get to know each other over dinner, Mateo says that his grandfather worked for the Diaz family and he too wants to uncover what happened.

But when they arrive at the Diaz family home, they find it completely abandoned as if preserved in time from the 1950s. It’s not long before they uncover a heartbreaking story about Claudia’s family and of a young woman who was forced to leave behind everything she’d ever known in search of true love.

As Claudia becomes closer to Mateo, will her family’s story of bravery and sacrifice inspire her to follow her own heart to Cuba? Or will the tragic love story force her home?

ABOUT SORAYA LANE

Soraya Lane graduated with a law degree before realising that law wasn't the career for her and that her future was in writing. She is the author of historical and contemporary women's fiction, including the #1 Kindle bestselling novels The Last Correspondent and The Secrets We Left Behind.

Soraya lives on a small farm in her native New Zealand with her husband, their two young sons and a collection of four legged friends. When she's not writing, she loves to be outside playing make-believe with her children or snuggled up inside reading.

Tuesday, March 21, 2023

THE LOST MOTHER OF IRELAND

MY THOUGHTS:

Laura is in much need of a new beginning and when she inherits a small cottage from a friend, she knows her life is about to change. This could be the new beginning she needs. Laura was a nurse and a caregiver to Josephine after Josephine had a stroke. They became close friends and when Josephine passed away, she left Laura a small cottage in the beautiful village of Sandy Cove. Laura has never visited Sandy Cove, located on the west coast of Ireland. While Laura is walking on the beautiful white sand beach, she meets Gino, a handsome local, and they immediately develop a friendship. It was as if they had known each other all of their lives. Laura is adapting to life in the village, and is fitting in perfectly. Soon, Jennifer’s son disputes his mother’s will, Laura is afraid she will lose everything, not just the cozy cottage but also, her new found love…Gino.

This is the sixth installment of the amazing Starlight Cottages series. I always look forward to the escape of traveling to the beautiful white sand beaches of Sandy Cove. I still love the villagers as they feel like close friends and family. This is a wonderful story of new friendships, a bit of intriguing mystery, and romance. I loved everything about this story and, even though it is a series this book can be read as a standalone. If you are in need of a wonderful escape to a land far away, this is the book for you. I highly recommend it.

DESCRIPTION:

THE LOST MOTHER OF IRELAND
Author: Susanne O’Leary
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: March 20, 2023
Pages: 290
Buy on Amazon

A completely gripping and unforgettable story of long-lost family secrets and forbidden romance that will whisk you away to the beautiful village of Sandy Cove on the west coast of Ireland.

When Laura inherits a small cottage from a friend who was like a mother to her, she wonders whether this could be the new beginning she’s been searching for. Although she’s never been to the village of Sandy Cove on the west coast of Ireland, her friend described it as on the edge of the sparkling blue sea, with sandy white beaches. Could this be the fresh start she needs to ease her heartache?

During her first walk on the beach, Laura meets Gino, a handsome local who instantly charms her with his sparkling eyes and gorgeous smile. Laura finds herself attracted to him as he tells her about his life and his love for Sandy Cove. And, as they spend more time together, the pair begin to grow closer.

But just as Laura begins to settle into village life, her friend’s son disputes his mother’s will. But what he doesn’t know is that Laura hasn’t just inherited the cottage from her, she’s also been given a very valuable heirloom – one that tells the story of a forbidden love, a long-forgotten family secret and a bond between a mother and daughter that could not be broken…

Just as Laura begins to solve the mystery behind the painting, everything she thought she knew about Gino changes in a heartbeat when she discovers that he might have already given his heart away to someone else. Is their love story over before it ever truly began?

And when Laura uncovers the truth behind her inheritance, she is left wondering whether the family secret should have remained forgotten. When the dust settles from her discovery, will she be able to rebuild her life in Sandy Cove with the one man she truly loves?

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.

Thursday, March 16, 2023

DEATH ON DECK

MY THOUGHTS:

Lady Eleanor Swift is ready for the birthday celebrations to begin. She is all packed and ready to set sail on her first ever cruise with her boyfriend, Detective Hugh Seldon. From the very beginning things don’t go as planned. Once again Hugh cancels at the last minute. But that doesn’t stop Lady Eleanor, she goes on the cruise anyway, without Hugh. Once at sea and headed for New York, Lady Eleanor and her dependable and devoted bulldog, Gladstone begin to relax and take in the warm sunshine. But soon Lady Eleanor witnesses a man being shot and falling overboard. Gladstone and Lady Eleanor leap into action and begin investigating the scene. Lady Eleanor recognizes the weapon laying on the deck, it belongs to the one and only Detective Hugh Seldon. How can it be that Hugh is on the cruise even though he canceled? Just when things can’t seem to get any worse for Lady Eleanor, another passenger is found dead in his first-class cabin. Lady Eleanor must clear Detective Seldon's name and fast, before another passenger becomes a victim.

Oh my goodness I don’t even know where to begin saying how amazing this cozy mystery was. Wow, what a phenomenal addition to this fantastic series. I love Gladstone the bulldog, and who wouldn’t want him as a trusty sidekick? This fabulous cozy mystery read is exactly what I needed. It made me laugh out loud as I felt the warm sun on my face, while listening to the waves lap against the side of the cruise ship. This brilliantly written and captivating, whodunnit is one that is so good I may have to go back and read it again. This is a wonderful addition to the famous Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery Series but can be read as a standalone. However, my suggestion is to read the whole series, you won’t be disappointed and I highly recommend it.

DESCRIPTION:

DEATH ON DECK

Author: Verity Bright
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: March 13, 2023
Pages: 334
Buy on Amazon

When Lady Swift embarks upon her first luxury cruise she imagines a gilded ballroom, afternoons on deck taking tea and all the delectable food she can eat. But she can’t seem to escape from murder…

Lady Eleanor Swift is all set to spend her birthday with her beau, dashing Detective Hugh Seldon, until he calls to cancel on her again at the last minute. What’s a girl to do? Pack up her staff and her faithful old bulldog, Gladstone, and head off on a cruise to New York, that’s what!

On the stunningly opulent ocean liner Celestiana, Eleanor tries to forget her worries and make the most of her trip. That is, until she sees a man being shot and falling overboard. On closer inspection of the scene, Eleanor literally stumbles over the likely murder weapon. And the nick in the barrel is unmistakeable: this gun belongs to Detective Seldon…

With some discreet digging, Clifford discovers Detective Seldon is aboard the ship on an undercover mission. Eleanor doesn’t want to make waves but she’s sure that something fishy is going on and he’s being framed. To get Seldon off the hook, Eleanor casts her net wide and searches for the real murderer among a sea of suspects including European nobility, Italian opera stars and American nouveau riche. But does the victim’s expensive gold ring point to a lavish lifestyle or is it a red herring?

When another passenger is found dead in his first-class cabin, a poisoned whisky glass clutched in his hand, Eleanor realises they are really in hot water. Will the killer be Eleanor’s catch of the day, or will she spend her birthday at the bottom of the sea?

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.

Tuesday, March 14, 2023

LETTERS TO A STRANGER

MY THOUGHTS:

Letters to a Stranger was a wonderful story about Ruby Summers, who had lived an amazing life. She is now ninety-six years old and lives in a retirement home. Meanwhile, Cassie and Noah, mother and son, are living life at the start of the pandemic in March of 2020. The storyline’s dual timelines are 1940 and 2020. During the eighty year time span of this story, so much happens through handwritten letters, texts, emails and diary entries. I found Ruby’s story about her past to be completely intriguing, and it ties up all the loose ends of how all the lives are intertwined. I was flying through the pages at a rapid pace as I couldn’t wait to find out the end of the story.

I am a huge fan of time slip novels and Letters to a Stranger did not disappoint. Author Sarah Mitchell does a fantastic job of keeping the different timelines separated so that they don't become confusing. I enjoyed this story very much and I found the characters to be both relatable and likable. This multi-generational story was heartfelt and very engrossing with all the letters, texts and emails. I loved it from beginning to end. This brilliantly written and captivating, time slip novel is one that I highly recommend.

DESCRIPTION:

LETTERS TO A STRANGER
Author: Sarah Mitchell
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: MARCH 9, 2023
Pages: 453
Buy on Amazon

England, 1940. Dearest Ruby, you must have heard the news by now. The very worst has happened. Our countries are at war. What can I do? How can I stop this nightmare from happening? One day soon we’ll be together again. I swear. I love you. E. x

Present day. Ruby Summers has lived an extraordinary life. Now, at ninety-six years old and living in a quiet countryside retirement home, Ruby may be an elderly lady, but her memory remains perfect.

She remembers the summer in rural Norfolk eighty years ago when she fell in love with Edmondo, and the stolen moments spent in the orchard dreaming of their future. But tears fill her green eyes when she also remembers the September morning they embraced as they listened to war being declared on the wireless. As her village turned against Edmondo and his Italian family, Ruby knew she would be forced to make an impossible choice – one that would lead to a betrayal her heart never recovered from, and an earth-shattering secret she has never shared…

But when lonely Ruby decides to take part in a letter-writing scheme for the elderly, and single mother Cassie replies, she realises this could be her chance. Her last chance. By revisiting her past, can she finally share the secret that has haunted her for all these years? And will her unexpected connection with Cassie unearth truths even Ruby never knew were hidden – or will it tear both their lives apart?

ABOUT SARAH MITCHELL

Sarah grew up in Norfolk and studied law at Cambridge University which led to a career as a barrister, working mainly in the field of human rights. After nearly twenty years she was tempted off-track by a creative writing course at the Open University and fell in love with making up stories instead of constructing arguments. Three years later she completed, with distinction, an MA in Creative Writing – Prose Fiction at the UEA.

Now she lives in Norfolk again, this time with her husband and three almost-grown-up children, where she combines writing with some legal work – and thanking her enormous number of lucky stars.

Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon | Book Bub

Tuesday, March 07, 2023

THE CHILDREN LEFT BEHIND

MY THOUGHTS:

England, 1951 it has been six years since the end of the war and people are still trying to put their lives back together as best they can. So much heartache and loss. Clara Newton has loved each and every child that has been placed in the Shilling Grange Children’s Home throughout the years. Many children have aged out and moved on trying to find their place in the world. Gladys still misses her two brothers Trevor and Frank. Florrie continues to work through the trauma in her life and Peg still doesn't speak. Clara never gave up on any of the children. Clara put her whole life and happiness on hold to care for the children she loves so much. She turned down Ivor’s proposal because had she gotten married, she wouldn’t be allowed to work, and she wasn’t willing to walk away from the children that still need her care. The children’s home is under constant attacks of vandalism and Clara wants to know who is behind it and why. One day on an outing with the children, an event changed their lives forever.

I have really enjoyed this series. Author Lizzie Page has such an amazing talent for absorbing the reader into the story and establishing a personal relationship with the characters. I felt personally invested in the lives of Clara, Ivor and the children. I was anxiously waiting for each installment in this series to be released because I couldn’t wait to find out what was going to happen next. This was a story of courage, survival, love, family, and friendship. This was the fourth installment in what is a phenomenal series. This unputdownable and rapid page-turner is one that I will recommend over and over again. I loved everything about this story.

DESCRIPTION:

THE CHILDREN LEFT BEHIND
Author: Lizzie Page
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: March 3, 2022
Pages: 394
Buy on Amazon

England, 1951. In the aftermath of World War Two, Clara’s orphanage is all these children have left. Can she keep them safe and help them to heal? A heart-warming and emotional story of love and loss.

Clara Newton has dedicated her life to taking care of orphans who have nobody in the world but her. From affectionate Gladys, who desperately misses her older brothers, to traumatised Florrie who longs for her father and refuses to eat, Clara loves each of the children like they are her own.

But even though she has opened her heart to so many little ones, when brown-eyed war hero Ivor asks her to marry him, Clara is afraid to take a chance on love. Would married life prevent her from dedicating herself completely to her orphans?

Clara is soon distracted from the troubles of her heart when her beloved orphanage comes under attack. Someone throws stones through the window, and a threatening message is chalked near the door. Why would anyone want to frighten innocent children? And as the attacks get worse, can Clara keep the orphans safe?

Desperate to protect the little ones in her care, Clara takes the children on a day out. Away from the orphanage, Clara hopes that she and the children will be able to put their worries behind them. But when a terrible accident happens, will they all make it out alive? And will it be too late for Clara to tell Ivor how she really feels?

ABOUT LIZZIE PAGE

Lizzie Page is the pseudonym of Sam Lierens, a mum of three, who has lived and worked in Paris, Tokyo and London and loves combining her love of history with fiction. She loves reading ALL the books, and always loved reading the adventures of women in the past so it seemed natural to her to write historical fiction.

She lives with her family and dog by the sea in South East England.She enjoys traveling and she’s had lots of different jobs from waitressing and teaching to admin and bingo-calling – but being a writer is her absolute favourite.