The Last Party at Silverton Hall - Rachel Burton

 

A gripping and heartbreaking tale of family, duty and the secrets we keep from those we love most. Perfect for fans of Rachel Hore, Lorna Cook and Kathryn Hughes.

Two women. Two centuries. A life-changing night...

1952: Vivien and Max collide in the thick London smog. Within a few years, their whirlwind romance sees them living a quiet life on the Norfolk coast, blissfully happy with their beautiful daughter – at least, that's how it appears...

2019: Isobel is hoping for a fresh start when she inherits her beloved grandmother Vivien's house in Silverton Bay. But when she discovers an old photograph of Vivien at one of the infamous parties held at Silverton Hall in the 1950s, Isobel is forced to question how well she really knew her grandmother. Silverton Hall is a place Vivien swore she never went and never would – but why would she lie? And what other secrets was she keeping?

Together with an old friend, Isobel searches for answers. But is she prepared for the truth?

'I was absolutely transported to Silverton Bay... I loved it and wanted to savour every page.' Kathleen McGurl

My Review:

Enchanted by this story from start to finish. I think a combination of setting and characters won me over and I was reluctant to put it down!

I think for a dual timeline to work, both elements have to be captivating, whether by character or storyline but this was written perfectly, the “older” timeline playing out in clever ways, hinting at what was to come, drip feeding tasty titbits. I was fully investing in both stories, although they are both part of one. Vivien and Isobel are both strong women in difficult or uncomfortable circumstances. Vivien promised one life but presented with something she never anticipated; Isobel finding herself at a point where she can reassess her life and reconnect with those she holds close in her heart.

A beautiful story of secrets, choices and opportunities; it highlights the importance of being honest, open and willing to see things from another point of view.

With great writing, strong and likeable characters. I wishes it continued on a little longer; a must read for fiction fans. 

Praise for Rachel Burton:

'Enticing and atmospheric... Packed with love and mystery that will keep you wanting more from the first page to the last' Lauren North, author of Safe at Home

'A wonderful escape... I adored the characters, the headiness of their first loves, and vulnerabilities as they hoped for their own happily-ever-afters'  Jenny Ashcroft

'With her signature nostalgia, swoon-worthy hero and wistful setting, this is a romance to whisk you away any time of the year' Victoria Cooke

About Rachel:

 Rachel Burton has been making up stories for as long as she can remember and always dreamed of being a writer until life somehow got in the way. After reading for a degree in Classics and another in English Literature she accidentally fell into a career in law, but eventually managed to write her first book on her lunch breaks. She loves words, Shakespeare, tea, The Beatles, dresses with pockets and very tall romantic heroes (not necessarily in that order) and lives with her husband in Yorkshire. Find her on Instagram and Twitter @RachelBWriter

Follow Rachel:

On Twitter: @RachelBWriter

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Rachelburton74

On Instagram: @rachelbwriter

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Buy links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Party-Silverton-Hall-ebook/dp/B0B3SCGXYF/

Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-last-party-at-silverton-hall/rachel-burton/9781803287256

Where we belong - Sarah Bennett

 

On paper, Hope Travers has an idyllic life.

Living in a bustling farmhouse with her mum, aunt and uncles, cousin and too many dogs to count, surrounded by the breath-taking Cotswolds countryside, she knows she is privileged and protected.

But all families have secrets, and the Travers family are no exception. Their farmhouse sits in the grounds of the Juniper Meadows estate, passed down through the generations and now being made to pay its own way with a myriad of businesses and projects. When a construction crew uncover what appear to be historical ruins, the history of the Travers family is put under ever closer scrutiny as a dig gets underway.

Hope may have found a blossoming romance with local archaeologist Cameron Ferguson who is running the dig, but when things start to go wrong around the estate and family secrets begin to be revealed, Hope wonders if she’s made a big mistake in digging up the past.

My Review:

I had high hopes for this new series from Sarah Bennett and this is a brilliant start. I adored Mermaids Point so was excited to see where we would be next. Juniper Meadows sounds great, I love the idea of some big estate and already can sense there is so much to explore and discover. There are some lovely characters (and already one I could happily not see again) that have created some interesting relationships I am keen to see develop. I wonder what will play out, who will find love etc. 
With family secrets, historic finds, romance and drama; I feel like there is much more to come and I couldn’t be happier. I am already intrigued and love the quirky characters. 
A nicely paced, calm read that pulls you in from the start, I loved the historic element and wonder if more will come from that. I have high hopes for Cameron and Hope, will there romance be a short term or something long lasting? Will any further secrets be uncovered affecting the lives of the family?
A lovely read, realistic and with characters that are believable and interesting. I will look forward to the next!

Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3jQEYqg

Author Bio:

Sarah Bennett is the bestselling author of several romantic fiction trilogies including those set in Butterfly Cove and Lavender Bay. Born and raised in a military family she is happily married to her own Officer and when not reading or writing enjoys sailing the high seas. 

Social Media Links:

Facebook: Sarah Bennett Author | Facebook

Twitter: Sarah Bennett (@Sarahlou_writes) / Twitter

Instagram: Sarah Bennett (@sarahlbennettauthor) • Instagram photos and videos

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/SarahBennettnews

Bookbub profile: Sarah Bennett Books - BookBub

Healing Hearts at Bumblebee Barn - Jessica Redland

 

Welcome to Bumblebee Barn, home to wonderful animals, stunning views and spectacular sunsets - and resident young farmer, Barney.

While Barney loves his life at Bumblebee Barn - a farm that has been in his family for generations - he's struggling to find someone to share it with. The early mornings quad biking through muddy fields and the long hours looking after the crops and animals are proving to be a deterrent to finding love.

So when his sister, Fizz - desperate for Barney to find his soulmate - sees an advert for Love on a Farm, a new reality TV show to help farmers find love, he has nothing to lose by applying. Afterall, he isn't meeting anyone suitable down the traditional route and surely he won't be picked anyway...?

Thrown into the chaos of reality TV, Barney could never have expected that his whole life would be turned upside down, with buried secrets to be uncovered and his heart on the line. With his family and friends rooting for him, could the magic of Bumblebee Barn heal his broken heart and help him find love on the farm?

Purchase Link - https://amzn.to/3Nq8mOD

My Review:

A new book by Jessica Redland? COUNT ME IN! As a fan of her books I couldn’t wait to meet some fantastic new characters but was thrilled at a sneaky cameo from some old favourites too! 

 

Typical of any book by Jessica Redland, this story pulled me in, dented my heart a little but fully restored it by the end. A full range of emotions, lots of ups and downs within this tale of looking for love and following your heart. With some great, lovable characters and some who are just downright awful, there’s a mixture of heart warming romance, comedy moments, along with sadness and righting old wrongs.  

 

Barney is such a great character, lovable, true to himself  and getting to know him better was a joy. Fans of Hedgehog Hollow may recognise him as the brother of Fizz. Looking for love on a TV show isn’t what you’d typically expect of a farmer and this doesn’t end up being your typical dating show.

 

Amber is TV producer extraordinaire, who is confident and takes no fools.Having to work with people who have caused trouble in the past is a challenge, but one she takes on. Her chemistry with Barney is instant but she wants to concentrate on finding him love with a contestant that is more his type.

 

A charming story, full of heart and emotion, everything I have come to expect from a Jessica Redland book. I couldn’t put it down and think for fans, it’ll be like picking up a favourite, cosy blanket. For readers new to Jessica, you have a glorious selection of books to discover after this!

 

Highly recommended! 

Author Bio:

Jessica Redland writes emotional but uplifting stories of love, friendship, family and community. Her Whitsborough Bay books transport readers to the stunning North Yorkshire Coast where she lives with her husband, daughter and sprocker spaniel. Her Hedgehog Hollow series, set in a hedgehog rescue centre, takes readers into the beautiful rolling countryside of the Yorkshire Wolds.

Social Media Links 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JessicaRedlandAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JessicaRedland

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicaredlandauthor/

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/JessicaRedlandNews

Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jessica-redland

Your place or mine? Portia Macintosh

 

Your Place or Mine?

Two reluctant housemates. One question: Is this your place or mine...?

When Serena is kicked out of her flat, an offer from her friend, Taylor, to house sit for her while she and her husband go travelling could not be better timing. But unfortunately for Serena she’s not the only one to have received this offer…

Enter Ziggy: arrogant, messy (and annoyingly handsome) musician, and friend of Taylor’s husband. Living with him is far from ideal, especially when he claims the best room, has loud parties - and the least said about his kitchen manner the better...

There's just one solution for Serena – drive him out of the house by being twice as difficult to live with than he is! But Ziggy knows Serena's game and as war ensues between them, being forced together under one roof may result in some unexpected consequences…

Purchase Link - https://amzn.to/3fm70bl

My Review

Fantastic to be kickstarting my blog this year with an author I enjoy time after time! What a blast this book was, I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. There is drama, fun, mischief and a true enemies to lovers trope that makes books like this so much fun to read. 

Serena is an interesting character, but one I instantly liked and was rooting for. She just has no luck and it all seems to happen at once for her. When we meet Ziggy, well it’s clear there’s a spark but crikey me they go head to head it trying to wind the other up. Of course, this leads to lots of fun, laughs for us reading but the inevitable romance. Loved how it played out, enjoyed how other characters adding more comedic elements. You have got quite the villain of the piece, a creep of a boyfriend but all isn’t as it seems and Serenas  attempts at outing him are hilarious despite how hurt she must feel. 

Written in true Portia style, it was well paced and entertaining. I know what to expect from Portias books and I wasn’t disappointed by this latest book. As always I look forward to reading  more. 

Author Bio – 

Portia MacIntosh is the bestselling author of over 20 romantic comedy novels. From disastrous dates to destination weddings, Portia’s romcoms are the perfect way to escape from day to day life, visiting sunny beaches in the summer and snowy villages at Christmas time. Whether it’s southern Italy or the Yorkshire coast, Portia’s stories are the holiday you’re craving, conveniently packed in between the pages.

Formerly a journalist, Portia has left the city, swapping the music biz for the moors, to live the (not so) quiet life with her husband and her dog in Yorkshire.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/macintoshportia/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PortiaMacIntosh

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/portiamacintoshauthor/

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/PortiaMacIntoshNews

Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/portia-macintosh

A Cosy Christmas with the Village Vet - Eliza J. Scott

 

It’s the most magical time of the year! Will Brogan and Nick find the happiness they crave so they can celebrate the festive season?

Christmas has always been a special time for Brogan, especially since her move to her grandparents’ smallholding. Set near the picturesque village of Lytell Stangdale in the middle of the North Yorkshire Moors, it’s an idyllic location. But with the loss of her beloved grandparents still raw, she’s struggling to find her festive spirit.

Talked into going to a wedding by her friends, Brogan finds herself sitting next to a rather handsome stranger. Thinking she’ll never seen him again, she dusts off her flirting skills and lets her fun-loving side loose.

Newly single Nick Heuston was dreading going to his friend’s wedding. But a chance encounter with a woman with captivating green and eyes makes him think otherwise. He’s gutted when she disappears without leaving any way for him to contact her.

Telling himself he needs a break from relationships, Nick intends to focus all his attention on his job as a vet at a new practice. It proves easier said than done; he just can’t get Brogan out of his mind.

Meanwhile, Brogan’s been looking forward to starting her new job as a vet nurse at the new local practice. On their first day at Danskelfe Veterinary Surgery, both are stunned when they come face-t0-face once more – something Nick seems very happy about, but Brogan’s not so sure.

Despite her reluctance, it would seem fate is keen to push them together, and Brogan finds her feelings for Nick growing. As for Nick, the more he gets to know Brogan, the more he finds himself falling for her.Just when their romance looks ready to bloom, something or someone seems to get in its way.

Will Christmas work its magic? Or are Brogan and Nick destined to be nothing more than a brief encounter?

Why not join Brogan and Nick, together with their canine companions Wilf and Maudie – and all the familiar Life on the Moors characters – for a heartwarming, festive trip to the moors?

Purchase Links:

UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BLX7RK7L  

USA https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLX7RK7L

My Review:

Another smashing read from Eliza J Scott and her Life on the Moors series. As always it’s a story full of warmth, character and love.A feel good story that gives you a cosy warm feeling all the way through. 

 

Amongst characters we have already met and taken to heart, we have Brogan who is restarting her veterinary nurse career and new vet Nick. When they meet on their first days, both realise where they have met before and all can see the sparks flying. 

When situations, drama and moors life throw the pairing together, it’s easy to see their relationship is full of spark but can both allow themselves to follow their hearts. 

 

When the village comes under threat and loved ones are affected, Brogan and Nick become closer than ever. Fate plays it’s hand throughout this winter filled treat, a story of love, friendships and connections but also in allowing people close and taking a chance. 

 

Written as part of a series but easily read as a standalone book, the sense of community is what I love about these books. A gorgeous story in a brilliant setting. Highly recommended! 

Author Bio:

Eliza lives in the North Yorkshire countryside with her family. When she’s not writing, she can usually be found with her nose in a book/glued to her kindle or working in her garden, fighting a losing battle against the weeds.

Eliza is inspired by her beautiful surroundings and loves to write heartwarming romance stories with relatable female characters. Her books will always have happy endings.

Social Media Links – 

Twitter: @ElizaJScott1

Instagram: @elizajscott

Facebook: @elizajscottauthor

Website: www.elizajscott.com/

BookBub: www.bookbub.com/authors/elizaj-scott

Amazon author page UK: amazon.co.uk/~/e/B07DMQWPMH

Amazon author page US: amazon.com/~/e/B07DMQWPMH

The Sleepover - Keri Beevis

 

The Sleepover

When you’re a kid, you imagine monsters to have horns and fangs. That they hide under the bed or in the wardrobe. And you believe they can only come after you when it’s dark.

You don’t expect them to look like everyday people or that they may be someone you already know…

The summer in question started out with hot, fun-filled days and new friendships.

We had just turned thirteen and had our whole lives ahead of us.

But that was before her…

Before we became known as the Hixton Six and our lives become defined by one night.

It’s hard to believe twenty years have passed since she was locked away.

But now she’s free and strange things have started to happen.

When I close my eyes, the creeping anxiety and fear is overwhelming and all too real.

Because the monster is back, and I know she has a score to settle with us.

Purchase Link - https://amzn.to/3o2ugfb

My Review:

Having read books by this author before, I thought I would be prepared for The Sleepover… but wow. A gripping and chilling thriller, with dark drama and a spooky tone, it kept my heart thudding throughout.

I always like to think I know what’s going to happen or who is responsible but this one kept me on my toes with some great twists and turns along the way. The writing style is one that keeps a reader in suspense, it’s easy enough to read whilst being really clever in leading us into false sense of security.

I was genuinely shocked by by the ending, I think I may have gasped or something out loud a few times too. 

Another fantastic read by Keri, definitely an author on my ‘must read’ list every time.

Highly recommended for thriller lovers! 

Author Bio:

Keri Beevis is the internationally bestselling author of Dying To Tell, Deep Dark Secrets, Trust No One, Every Little Breath and The People Next Door. Dying To Tell reached no. 1 in the Amazon chart in Australia and was a top 25 hit in the UK. Keri wrote her first novel at age twenty, but it was a further twenty years before she was published, after winning a contract in a competition run by a small press. She lives in Norfolk, along with her two naughty kitties, Ellie and Lola, and a plentiful supply of red wine (her writing fuel).

Social Media Links:

Facebook: Keri Beevis - Author | Facebook

Twitter: Keri Beevis (@keribeevis) / Twitter

Instagram: Keri Beevis (@keri.beevis) • Instagram photos and videos

Bookbub profile: Keri Beevis Books - BookBub

The Silent Child - MJ White

When a body is discovered at an abandoned Suffolk farm, DS Rob Minshull and the squad believes it’s the latest casualty of the drugs war terrorising rural communities. But when the victim is identified as a well-respected local teacher, the case is thrown wide open.

While they hunt the murderer, the South Suffolk CID team face a new threat. A brutal vigilante group dispensing their own twisted justice puts the investigation in grave danger, as well as the detectives.

Educational psychologist, Dr Cora Lael, is called in to work with Lottie Arundel, a troubled teen who stopped speaking a year ago.

As Cora enters Lottie’s world, it seems that the teen’s silence might hold the key to the case. But as Cora and Rob work together to find a vicious killer, it’s clear that uncovering Lottie’s secrets will take Cora and Rob into the most dangerous of places – where the price to pay for the truth might be death…

Purchase Link - https://amzn.to/3yiWXZT

My Review:

The Silent Child is the second book in the Cora Lael series by MJ White (otherwise known as wonderful Miranda Dickinson). I thoroughly enjoyed the first book and eagerly awaited this next one and it did not disappoint. An author that has definitely succeeded in crossing genres and doing both well.

The discovery of a body in a barn sets us on gripping and dramatic journey to find the killer whilst we see Cora start working with a teenager who has stopped speaking. When Cora’s work starts crossing into the police investigation she is soon back in familiar territory of working with the police.

I was hooked from the start, I really enjoy the premise of Cora’s special talent and so love seeing how it can be put to use within these storylines. The author draws us in and makes us feel like we are part of it all, I really enjoy trying to solve the investigation as we read along, although I’m usually wrong!

With many twists and turns along the way, this storyline is dark at times with themes that could make some uncomfortable but it is well written and necessary for the storyline. Sensitive issues that have been very well handled by the author.

I think we have seen more character development in this book than the first, almost like the first setting the scene and now we are really getting into knowing more of the characters and lengths they will go to for justice. I believe we have more to see from them and look forward to more books in the series. 

A fantastic crime drama that I love in book form but believe would adapt well onto the screen. I highly recommend and eagerly await number three!

Author Bio:

MJ White is the pseudonym of bestselling author Miranda Dickinson, author of twelve books, including six Sunday Times bestsellers. Her books have been translated into ten languages, selling over a million copies worldwide. A long time lover of crime fiction, The Secret Voices is her debut crime series. She is a singer-songwriter, host of weekly Facebook Live show, Fab Night In Chatty Thing..

Social Media Links – https://twitter.com/wurdsmyth

https://www.instagram.com/wurdsmyth/