Murder at the Matterhorn by T.A. Williams

 

"We're all on edge. After all, we may be closer now to discovering proof of alien life than ever before and the last thing we need is a bunch of police officers tramping about the place, disturbing everything".

"Being involved in a real police murder investigation was meat and drink to me".

Murder at the Matterhorn by T.A. Williams  is a delightful and highly entertaining murder mystery set in Italy.

This is the 5th book in the Armstrong and Oscar Cozy Mysteries series. It reads as a standalone, but it might help understand the dynamics between the main characters, as well as their back story, if you've read some or all of the previous books in the series.

Blurb:

An old friend in need...

Despited being retired from the police, Dan Armstrong is always on hand to help with solving a crime. So, when he's contacted by an old colleague in need of help, Dan readily agrees. The only problem Dan can see is the location - an isolated mountain-top campsite of UFO enthusiasts.

An unexplained death...

But these are no ordinary star watchers, and when Dan arrives one member of the group is already dead. Some of the group suspect alien abduction, but Dan is sure the killer is much closer to home.

An out of this world case?

Dan doesn't believe in aliens, but faced with a black hole of secrecy from the group of suspects, he and Oscar have their work cut out to catch the murderer... before they strike again.

It's another case for Dan and Oscar to solve!

A gripping new murder mystery series by bestselling author T.A. Williams, perfect for fans of Lee Strauss and Beth Byers.

Dan Armstrong and his sidekick Oscar the labrador are back in action. Dan works as a private detective in Tuscany. He is also a published author, with a bestselling book. As a retired Met DCI, he cannot resist a good mystery, so when his ex-colleague Paul Wilson calls from London, hoping he could help him, Dan's curiosity if piqued. Paul's sister Sandra is currently in Italy with a bunch of UFO hunters, and one of the group's been killed.

According to Sandra, "it's a weird set up and she doesn't trust any of them very much. Some of them appear to be very tight-lipped about what happened. She says it's almost as if there's a conspiracy of silence".

The UFO aficionados are camping in the Aosta Valley in the Alps. Though it's quite away from Tuscany, where Dan is based, he promises Paul to pop up there and have a look, to reassure his friend.

Dan is sceptical about the aliens, but for the sake of disguise he pretends to be one of the UFO enthusiasts. He feels pretty sure that the killer has to be one of the group, rather than some random person. It is quite a big pool of suspects to choose from. Dan and Oscar need to work fast to uncover the killer before s/he strikes again.

The character of Dan is well portrayed, he is likeable, affable, and a total slave to his dog. Oscar is ready to eat all the time, makes friends easily, and provides a guaranteed laugh in the narrative. 

There is a vibrant spectrum of supporting characters, from the local Inspector Costey, to the UFO group members (like the Pirates of the Caribbean in their silver spacesuits).

Like all the books in the series, Italy provides a fabulous rich setting, with spectacular landscapes and glorious food. Reading these books is akin to having a gastronomical tour across Italy.

"Somehow, I managed to find room after all the polenta and beef for an exceptional panna cotta with flambéed fruits of the forest in syrup that probably added another thousand calories to the meal, but I was past caring".

Murder at Matterhorn gives a lovely blend of a good story told against a picturesque background of Italy, a likeable protagonist with an adorable sidekick, and a compelling murder mystery. A five-star page-turner from the first pages.

Now that Dan and Oscar venture further from Tuscany, I hope they will travel more across Italy in the further books in the series. 

This review is part of the blog tour for Murder at the Matterhorn.

Many thanks to T.A. Williams, Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources for my e-copy of the book!

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/matterhornsocial

 

Author Bio –

T A Williams is the author of over twenty bestselling romances for HQ and Canelo and is now turning his hand to cosy crime, set in his beloved Italy, for Boldwood. The series will introduce us to retired DCI Armstrong and his labrador Oscar and the first book, entitled Murder in Tuscany, will be published in October 2022. Trevor lives in Devon with his Italian wife.

 

Social Media Links –  .

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TAWilliamsBooks

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

To Kill a Consul by Robert M. Kidd ( review and #giveaway )

 

"I must not be mastered by hatred. Justice and revenge are best served cold".

"This was his destiny. Just as it had been for his father and his father before him. He was a Prince of Numidia, born to lead his people into battle... He was eighteen years old, the same age as his uncle when he'd led his first campaign. Sphax felt ready".

To Kill a Consul by Robert M. Kidd is a riveting, action-packed historical novel set in 217BC.

Blurb:

To Kill a Consul

217BC. The Gauls are restless. Where is the wealth, plunder and lands they were promised? Hannibal's army has become little more than a burden to be fed and quartered... as welcome as a plague of locusts. Assassination plots abound as Hannibal is driven to take desperate measures to evade the assassin's knife.

If Hannibal is to appease the Gauls he must act fast. The invasion of Italia must not be delayed - his very life depends on it - but as that winter of winters fades into memory he is faced with a stark choice. Should he strike east towards the plains of Umbria and face consul Gnaeus Servilius Geminus' legions holed up inside the unassailable walls of Ariminum? Or strike westwards into the plunder-rich lands of Etruria?

Consul Gaius Flaminius' legions guard the western approaches. If any man can fire the bellies of Gauls with loathing it's Flaminius. But there is one other whose blood runs cold at the mention of the name. Flaminius ordered the brutal murder of Sphax's parents and Sphax has sworn a sacred oath to seek revenge. Can Hannibal trust the leader of his Numidian cavalry, or will this blood feud cloud his judgment? Sooner or later Sphax will have to face his inner demons.

The story follows real historical events, as seen through the eyes of the young warrior Sphax, Hannibal's nephew. The general confides in his nephew that he has spies everywhere in the Roman empire, including Rome itself, and that he plans a surprise attack on Consul Gaius Flaminius' camp.

At the mention of Flaminius' name, Sphax is plunged into "the red mist of hatred".

Flaminius is ruthless, cruel and totally devoid of moral principle or honour. His destruction should be planned with cold-blooded reason.

Hannibal is taking huge risks, playing with lives of his warriors. Sphax feels worried and frustrated, but there is nothing he can do to change the ambitious plans. The trip through the treacherous swamps sounds like a crazy scheme. Just the logistics of travelling with horses and weapons, providing food on the journey, appears impossible to solve. And there will be no turning back.

"For three days our army will simply disappear from sight, and when we emerge from its waters we will take the Consul's legions by surprise".

 This will be an incredible test of endurance for Hannibal's army. Sphax must curb his feelings of revenge, yet he is consumed by his inner struggles. He ventures deeper into the darkness and must find strength to survive.

This is the fourth book in the Histories of Sphax series. To appreciate all the nuances of the politics, military action and historical references in general, as well as the personal stories of the main characters, it would be wise to start with the Book 1. It is also quite a complicated historical period, with many military strategies depending on the political unions, betrayals and enmity. It might be tricky to understand what's at stake if you haven't read the previous books in the series.

As the series continues, we watch Sphax as he grows into a man, gains maturity and learns to curb his impusliveness.

The series just asks to be adapted to the TV screen. Many battle scenes are so atmospheric and evocative, you have the feeling of the panorama unrolling in front of you, and the action progresses, scene by scene, in an almost cinematic experience.

"Taking his place in the middle of the front rank he urged them forward. By the luck of the gods they were only spotted when they spilled from the track onto the field of the moon. By now they were all breathing hard, but javelins were already flying, spinning their deadly courses. Screams and cries of pain filled the air".

To Kill a Consul is an engrossing and accomplished historical adventure. Tightly plotted, tense and punchy, it is emotionally engaging as well. Robert M. Kidd orchestrates the story perfectly. Readers will delight in period detail and fascinating historical insight.

Many thanks to Robert M. Kidd and Rachel's Random Resources for my copy of the book!

You can catch up with the reviews for the previous books in the series:

The Walls of Rome

The Winter of Winters

and

The Hostage of Rome

Purchase Links

 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kill-Consul-Histories-Sphax-Book-ebook/dp/B0CKZCXPRV

https://www.amazon.com/Kill-Consul-Histories-Sphax-Book-ebook/dp/B0CKZCXPRV

Author Bio:

I’ve always read widely and been fascinated by ancient cultures - especially those of Greece, Phoenicia and Carthage. But my reason for writing the first novel in The Histories of Sphax series may sound strange to readers: I really wanted to set the record straight, to write about Hannibal’s war with Rome from Carthage’s perspective.

When Cato the Censor demanded that ‘Carthage must be destroyed,’ Rome did just that. In 146 BC, after a three year siege, Carthage was raised to the ground, its surviving citizens sold into slavery and the fields where this once magnificent city had stood, ploughed by oxen. Carthage was erased from history.

That’s why I’m a novelist on a mission! I want to set the historical record straight. Our entire history of Hannibal’s wars with Rome is nothing short of propaganda, written by Greeks and Romans for their Roman clients. It intrigues me that Hannibal took two Greek scholars and historians with him on campaign, yet their histories of Rome’s deadliest war have never seen the light of day.

My hero, Sphax the Numidian, tells a different story!

When I’m not waging war with my pen, I like to indulge my passion for travel and hill walking, and like my hero, I too love horses. I live in Pembrokeshire, West Wales.

Social Media Links

https://robertmkidd.com/

https://twitter.com/RobertMKidd1

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064169594911

Giveaway to Win the next book in The Histories of Sphax series to be dedicated to you (Open INT)

The next book in The Histories of Sphax series will be dedicated to the winner, and will be acknowledged on the inside page book title.

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The Ideal Couple by Anna Willett

 

"Despite her misgivings, the idea of being together, of doing something adventurous and romantic, made her stomach flip with excitement. Gold or no gold, this was going to be a time they would treasure in years to come, the fondest of memories to look back on when they were old and grey... Nothing bad was going to happen..."

"Iron Creek was a small community. It was only natural that the same faces would show up all over town. Still, she had the sense they were being watched, so she made a mental note of the ute's licence number".

The Ideal Couple by Anna Willett is an intriguing, well-plotted thriller/police procedural set in Australia.

Blurb: 

When detectives try to close a missing persons case, a small town’s twisted secrets begin to unravel… A couple disappear in a region of the outback known for its gold mining. Some three years on, there is still no trace of them. 

Detective Veronika Pope is handed the cold case. It’s cold only in name. When she turns up to the godforsaken town where the couple were last seen, the heat is sweltering; suspicion simmering. 

The detectives stay in the same seedy hotel as the couple did. The townsfolk aren’t welcoming. Nobody wants the cops probing into their affairs. 

From what Pope can gather, the missing duo were the perfect couple. Loving. Happy together. The picture of marital bliss. 

Assuming a murder but missing a motive, the detectives do make progress. They might even find the bodies, as the trail is hot. Almost too hot to touch. Pope is in serious danger of getting burned.

Perth-based detective Veronika Pope and her partner Jim are called to investigate the cold case of the missing couple in the outback town of Iron Creek. 

The Special Crime Squad specialises in unsolved homicides and long-term missing persons declared as cold cases.

Three years earlier Laura and Jonas Rankin go on an adventure of a lifetime, exploring the old abandoned mines in the isolated areas with a hope of finding gold. Later the camp is found, with two cups of tea sitting on the table, prospecting gear still attached to the ute, the tent pitched, and no sign of Laura or Jonas.

The camp from where the Rankins have disappeared is "eighty kilometres outside the nearest town, Iron Creek, close to five hundred kilometres north-east of Perth and what felt like light years away from the Special Crime Squad offices".

Veronika and Jim stay in the same hotel where the couple stayed before their last trip. Welcome Rest Hotel bar, a one-room saloon, is quite seedy. "Like a rusting flagship, it loomed over the ramskackle streets in all its red glory". Its owner Des is sleazy and rough, the locals are distrustful of any police involvement. 

While Veronika and Jim dig into the disappearance at Iron Creek, her team continue probing further in Perth, investigating the families of the missing couple.

As the information is gathered, both at Iron Creek and Perth, the Rankins appear to have been a loving couple, happy and devoted to each other. An ideal couple.

The Rankins are most likely the murder victims, but where are their bodies, and what are the motives? 

Pope must wade through the fears of the local community and unravel the town's secrets... and the dangerous murderer is following her closely.

There is a heavy sense of foreboding as the investigation progresses. The fascinating social insight into the small community sets a perfect background for the mystery.

The town is hardly more than ten streets, with a hotel, a garage, a mining museum, and a bunch of unfriendly locals who don't like the police poking their noses in the local affairs. Iron Creek is not a place where you would go on a holiday, it's bleak, unwelcoming and has a weird vibe to it. The descriptions of the town create an uneasy atmosphere which sets the scene. It's hot, very dusty, oppressive and suffocating.

"It wasn't just the constant heat and the buzz of flies, but also the monotony of red and the feeling of isolation. No wonder the residents seemed so kooky. Living in the strange Mars-like environment was enough to send anyone a bit nuts. Or was it the small-town feel that had him on edge?"

The plot is well-constructed and believable. Veronika Pope makes a strong female lead, she is intelligent and shrewd, as well as humane and emphathetic.

Supporting characters are also credible and memorable.

The Ideal Couple is the fourth book in the Cold Case Mysteries series, which features detective Veronika Pope. The previous books in the series are: The Woman Behind Her, The Family Man and The Newlywed.

The Ideal Couple reads as a standalone. After finishing the book, I'm curious to catch up on the first three books.

The Ideal Couple is a tense, emotional thriller, with a compelling plot, plenty of false leads and red herrings, and convincing characterisation.

Many thanks to Anna Willett, and The Book Folks for my e-copy of the book!

Author bio: 

Anna Willett was born in the United Kingdom and emigrated to Australia with her family when she was six years old. She developed a love of reading thanks to her mother who introduced her to authors such as Stephen King, Mario Puzo and John Steinbeck to name just a few. Although her reading tastes are eclectic, when it comes to writing, Anna is drawn to thrillers and dark tales. 

Anna writes about the shadowy side of the human experience and how ordinary people cope in extraordinary situations. Common tropes in Anna’s writing include people who get into trouble after they leave the safety of the city and the rupturing of domestic bubbles in which those who one is supposed to trust become a threat. 

Anna lives in Western Australia with her husband and their two children. When she’s not writing or reading, she enjoys movies, dining out and bushwalking with her dogs. 

Purchasing links: 

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CHJXJ7W5/ 

US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CHJXJ7W5/ 

AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0CHJXJ7W5/

 Social Media links 

Website: https://thebookfolks.com 

Insta/Threads:@the_book_folks 

Twitter: @thebookfolks 

Facebook: http://facebook.com/thebookfolks 

Blog: https://thebookfolks.com/blog/ 

Author’s social media links 

X: @AnnaWillett9 

Insta: @annawillettauthor 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Anna-Willett/ 

Author’s website: https://www.annawillett.info/

No.23 Burlington Square by Jenni Keer

 

"And, as she walked out the store and headed back to Burlington Square, she realised how lucky she was to have choices, even if those choices were compromises".

"It's what made the household work - the optimism of youth and the wisdom of the old".

No 23 Burlington Square by Jenni Keer is a historical novel set in the 1920s in London. 

No.23 Burlington Square: Blurb

London, 1927: One house. Three lives. A decision that will change everything. A powerful, unique timeslip story, perfect for fans of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, The Miniaturist, and Lucinda Riley.

On the morning of Friday 5th August, 1927, Miss Agnes Humphries - the landlady of the attractive, if-slightly-shabby, white-fronted townhouse at Number 23 Burlington Square - has a decision to make.

The rooms of the second floor lie empty, since poor Mr Blandford's unfortunate demise, God rest his soul. And Agnes must make up her mind as to who will be her new lodger... Will it be her spirited, young niece Clara, who drifts through the glamorous world of London's Bright Young Things? Or Stephen, the sensible, church-going, respectable banker who seems just to be too good to be true? Or the timid war widow named Mercy, who is clearly running from something - or someone...?

Agnes must choose between them. But what will her decision lead to? One of the choices could result in scandal, one in devastation, and one could even lead to happiness. If only she gets it right...

As all three lodgers enter Number 23, in alternate timelines, relationships are formed and destroyed, feathers are ruffled, and secrets are exposed. Three different choices. Three very different paths. And Agnes is to discover that nobody - including herself - is quite what they seem...

Miss Agnes Humphries lives at no.23 Burlington Square, her house is pack full of treasured things and memories of her dear father. The house would have been too big and expensive to run for an old spinster, so Agnes decides to become a landlady. 

Now she shares her home with an elderly musician Alexander Gorsky, a trendy photographer Gilbert, and the Smiths family. When one of the lodgers dies unexpectedly, Agnes puts an ad for the room vacancy.

Three candidates apply: her niece Clara, a social butterfly who dances and parties through the night, banker Stephen who appears to be a perfect candidate, and Mercy, a war widow, who Agnes feel sad for.

It is a difficult choice, each candidate has their merits. Who would be the best fit with the permanent residents of the house? 

Clara is entitled, impulsive and pretty useless. She seems to have no ambitions or aims, yet Clara is hiding a big secret. Agnes realises that offering the room to Clara would be like inviting trouble in the household, but she is family. 

Clara's story takes the bigger part of the book; we watch her immersed in the world of the Bright Young Things who throw their flamboyant dress parties, and dance until the early hours, "living fast and loose, as though we don't have a care in the world". Her friend Neville ponders, "But is it really any better to die charging across the muddy field, bayonet fixed and roaring "Long live the king", than to perish as a fractured mess in a motor car?"

Behind all the flamboyance and exuberance, Clara is hiding her vulnerable side. If her big secret is outed, there will be a huge scandal, among her cosmopolitan friends and wider society. Despite appearing featherbrained, Clara is a sweet young woman who is trying to find her way in the big world.

There is a huge pressure on Clara to get married, her parents threaten to cut her off if she does not comply. Yet she belives that being happy is more important than conforming. "For a young woman who had spent a lifetime not fitting in and feeling miserable, she was damned if she was going to settle for a marriage that led to more of the same". 

Young handsome Jack is always around, taking Clara to parties. His intentions are pretty clear, and he seems like a nice chap. One surely could do worse, choosing a life partner. 

Will Clara be persuaded by a persistent Jack and enter the marriage of convenience, or will she pursue her impossible dream?

The narrative moves slowly, as we follow Clara, Stephen and Mercy's stories. Along the way, we discover Agnes' past, with its tragedies and disappointments. 

Agnes comes across as a compassionate, intelligent and caring landlady. Her lodgers are truly her family. Her house looks stuffed, and old-fashioned, Agnes never throws anything, as every object has a meaning, or memory attached to it, from an old battered sofa where she escaped to in her childhood, to a wooden spoon that had a flattened side from years of use.

"The older woman loved things despite their imperfections, or perhaps even because of them, and fiercely believed that when people or objects were good to you, you must be good to them in return. Aunt Ag was nothing if not loyal".

Comparisons with Sliding Doors are inevitable. It might not be a sub-genre as such, but definitely a plot trend, exploring how our choices determine the outcome, almost like a multi-verse, minus the sci-fi element. The protagonists live through the alternative versions of their lives. It is a fascinating concept, which makes you look back and think, what if? (the idea which I toy with quite often).

No 23 Burlington Square is a wise, immersive read, about the paths we take and choices we make, whether they are right or wrong. It makes you believe that there are limitless possibilities and second chances. Uplifting and thought-provoking.

This review is part of the blog tour for No.23 Burlington Square.

Many thanks to Jenni Keer and Rachel's Random Resources for my e-copy of the book!

Purchase Link - 

https://mybook.to/burlingtonsqsocial

Author Bio – 

Jenni Keer is the well-reviewed author of historical romances, often with a mystery at their heart. Most recently published by Headline and shortlisted for the 2023 RNA Historical Romantic Novel of the Year, her first book with Boldwood The House on Burlington Square will be released in October 2023.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jenni.keer 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JenniKeer 

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

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

Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jenni-keer 

The Last Train from Paris by Juliet Greenwood (guest post)

 

I'm thrilled to invite Juliet Greenwood to my blog today. Juliet talks about the inspiration behind her historical novel, set in Paris during WWII. Scroll down to read the fascinating story of Juliet's Mum.

I'm adding this book to my must-read list. If I haven't had too many book blogging commitments this month, I would have loved to read this novel, especially that I've just stayed in Paris for several days.

The Last Train from Paris

 For Iris, each visit to her mother in St Mabon’s Cove, Cornwall has been the same – a serene escape from the city. But today, as she breathes in the salt air on the doorstep of her beloved childhood home, a heavy weight of anticipation settles over her. Iris knows she’s adopted, but any questions about where she came from have always been shut down by her parents, who can’t bear to revisit the past.

 Now, Iris can’t stop thinking about what she’s read on the official paperwork: BABY GIRL, FRANCE, 1939 – the year war was declared with Nazi Germany.

 When Iris confronts her mother, she hits the same wall of pain and resistance as whenever she mentions the war. That is, until her mother tearfully hands her an old tin of letters, tucked neatly beside a delicate piece of ivory wool.

 Retreating to the loft, Iris steels herself to at last learn the truth, however painful it might be. But, as she peels back each layer of history before her, a sensation of dread grows inside her. The past is calling, and its secrets are more intricate and tangled than Iris could ever have imagined.

 The year is 1939, and in Paris, France a young woman is about to commit a terrible betrayal… 

 A beautifully written and addictively compelling historical novel about the terrible choices ordinary people were forced to make in the horrors of World War Two. If you loved The Tattooist of Auschwitz, The Alice Network and The Nightingale, you will devour this book.

 

What readers are saying about Juliet Greenwood:

“This was fantastic! Perfect for a Kate Morton or Lucinda Riley hangover, this book will draw you in and won't let go until you've read the last page. This book was unputdownable – fascinating characters, excellent writing, and a plot that keeps you turning the pages. I loved every second of it." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I found myself reading chapter after chapter, unable to put it down. A first-time read by this author but certainly not the last.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“For readers of Kate Morton and Lucinda Riley, this book will be one of your favorites… A historical novel that will keep you reading until the end.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“An absolutely brilliant read. I could not put it down…I loved how the war changed everyone and it was a gripping story... I really loved it. Cannot recommend it enough.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Did everything that I was looking for… it left me wanting to read more from Juliet Greenwood.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Purchase Link - https://geni.us/290-al-aut-am

 

Author Bio –

Juliet Greenwood is a historical novelist, now published by Storm Publishing. Her first novel was a finalist for The People’s Book Prize and two of her books reached the top 5 in the UK Kindle store. Juliet has always been a bookworm and a storyteller, writing her first novel (a sweeping historical epic) at the age of ten. She lives in a traditional cottage in Snowdonia, North Wales, set between the mountains and the sea, with an overgrown garden (good for insects!) and a surprisingly successful grapevine.

 

Social Media Links –

Storm:                   https://stormpublishing.co/

 Website:              http://www.julietgreenwood.co.uk/

Facebook:            https://www.facebook.com/juliet.greenwood

Twitter: https://twitter.com/julietgreenwood

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

Guest Post by

Juliet Greenwood

 

My inspiration for The Last Train from Paris

 

The inspiration for The Last Train from Paris originated in so many memories of my childhood in the 1960s and 70s. Most were impressions of my parents’ generation, the sense of something underlying their ordinary, everyday lives that I didn’t understand, and, to be honest, wasn’t particularly interested. My world was the future, with the optimism and sense of increasing prosperity of those years. It was when my parents acquired a fridge to replace the pantry, a washing machine superseded the twin tub and the mangle on the draining board, and we eventually had a TV – black and white, of course - although some of the neighbours had the wonder of colour. The NHS was still a miracle. The Second World War was twenty years ago, which is lost in the mists of time when you are ten.

            It was only years later that I began to understand (some of it only recently), that what lay underneath the adults’ lives was a memory of fear and a sense that life really could change in an instant and nothing was certain. It’s something we haven’t really experienced since, at least not until Covid hit. All through that surreal and frightening time of the pandemic, when everything was turned upside down and our lives were suddenly controlled by rules and constrictions we followed to help us all survive, those memories of my childhood surfaced.

I remembered how conversations between the adults had always seemed to stray back to the war, to my dad seeing the barrage balloons going up over London, my mum making her way through bombed out Birmingham to study, and standing in the garden watching the glow that lit up the night as Coventry burned. Then there were my teachers who were refugees, who had lived through the nightmare of Europe descending into total war, who had survived the firestorm that engulfed Hamburg, and the inhuman nightmare of concentration camps.

            The films of my childhood about the war mostly followed the heroics of battles, retelling the major conflicts on land and sea and in the air. My mum always refused to watch them. At the time, that all fitted in with women being viewed as weak, and rather silly, confined mostly to the domestic sphere, with very little public appearance at all. It was taking my permitted walks during Covid through almost deserted streets and countryside, hungry to meet other dogwalkers to have some human contact, that I remembered most vividly the stories Mum told me of having been a 17 year old studying near Paris on the day war broke out and having to make her way back to Calais by train, to catch the last civilian ferry back to Dover, which was stalked by a German submarine in the middle of the Channel.

            It was then that it struck me that she had seen a side of war that, until recently, hasn’t often been portrayed. The experiences of the civilians, not as victims, but survivors. And in particular the women who kept lives together under the most horrendous of circumstances, responsible for feeding families, keeping them safe, keeping some kind of sanity and humanity, and surviving to build a future after it was over. That was what my mum had seen as a teenager, as she watched families saying goodbye on the stations as her train made its way from Paris, families remembering a previous conflict and knowing they were facing the horrors of occupation and total war. It was also the terror of imminent extinction she experienced as she sat in the silent ferry as the submarine sought for any sound that might betray its presence.

            It was thinking over those memories, and especially after we had found my parents’ letters to each other while Mum was in France, and the note she sent when she finally landed in Dover, that made me passionately want to tell the stories of the civilians making their choices as best they could, and surviving by working together and sharing their humanity as the unthinkable overtook their lives.

Above all, I wanted it to be a story of the strength and resilience of so-called ‘ordinary’ people, and the extraordinary way we pull together in times of crisis, whatever we are facing, be it war, a pandemic, or the many difficulties and tragedies of family life. I suppose, in the end, it’s about the power of love, and the way it pulls us through, whatever happens, and in hope of building a better future.

The Christmas Love Letters by Sue Moorcroft

 

"Since the night Adey had vanished into the blizzard, her life had borne all the hallmarks of the worst, most sensationalised and unbelievable of soap operas. But, unfortunately, that's what she had to deal with. And so she would".

The Christmas Love Letters by Sue Moorcroft is a moving story of love, deception and sacrifice that will tug on your heart strings.

Blurb:

A secret romance was just the start of the story.

Tucked into a crook of the Norfolk coast lies Nelson's Bar - an idyllic village where time seems to stand still. Maddy Cracey has called this beautiful spot home all her life, as has her husband Adey - until an epic row sent him storming out into a blizzard, with no sign of him since that fateful night.

Six years on, and Maddy's life in the village has settled into a gentle pattern with her younger daughter and Great Aunt Ruthie. However, when handsome stranger Raff turns up with a handful of long-forgotten love letters, their quiet life is upended as family secrets from the past are unearthed.

As Raff and Maddy get to know each other, they grow closer and a love story of their own seems inevitable. But when Maddy receives a mysterious message, she can't help but wonder whether her own past is as distant as she's thought it was...

The festive new novel about love, family and the power of words from Sunday Times bestseller Sue Moorcroft, perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan and Phillipa Ashley.

Maddy Cracey is a single mother who lives with her six-year-old daughter Lyla, and great aunt Ruthie, who is visually impaired and needs a live-in carer. As she walks along the cliff one November day, she thinks about her missing husband. 

"Adey Austen had done a vanishing act one snowy December night nearly seven years ago, and since then, Maddy's life had been defined by a secret and a lie".

Adey was great fun at the parties and on holidays. A man-child without responsibilites who enjoyed spending money. Enjoyed too much, as it was revealed later. 

When a stranger turns up at Ruthie and Maddy's cottage and introduces himself as Raff, the women are apprehensive. Raff mentions that he is a self-employed writer who has moved to Noforlk a few months earlier. His arrival with a bunch of love letters written many years ago, upsets the equilibrium. The old lady is clearly upset, and Maddy quite forcefully bids farewell to the unwelcome guest.

As the past secrets come unravelling, there is more mayhem and emotional turmoil to follow. 

With Maddy and Raff's affection for each other growing stronger, they have to find the fine balance between family loyalty and a new relationship. 

When Maddy receives a text from the withheld number, she is in for a shock. Is it a hoax? Suddenly, the new love seems less of a priority. Is there room in her life for a new relationship, when the past is interfering in her present life and poses a threat?

Maddy's a spirited woman, who cares deeply for her closest family, her little girl and elderly Ruthie. Their mutual love and affection shine through every page. Three generations of women under one roof, who enhance each other's lives.

I was very sad for Ruthie, she has wasted her life pining for the man who was not worth it. Having sacrificed the most precious thing in her life, she had still continued her love affair for many years. Ruthie's excuses that her lover's marriage was a sham are her ways of coping with her conscience. After all, being an OW for many years is rather demeaning, being fed with the crumbs of affection, rare meetings and letters which profess love but ultimately don't change anything. She is still alone, and has to live with her sacrifice. "...sad, sweet Ruthie had ended up with nothing she'd wanted".

Maddy who reads Nigel's old letters to Ruthie, thinks he "seemed a lovely man, despite his duplicitous life". Yet while he could be utterly romantic and loving in correspondence, in reality Nigel has ruined lives of two decent women. 

He totally didn't deserve the devotion from Ruthie. Despite the circumstances and the social attitudes of the times, he could have changed his life if he truly wanted, even if "divorce would have been a proper mess". Sindy certainly deserved better, and perhaps could have found someone who would have loved her rather than tolerated her company for the sake of children. 

I'm afraid I found the doomed lovers' story rather dispiriting.

Sue Moorcroft's depictions of nature are very visual. I have mentioned that already in previous reviews of Sue's books, that in a few masterful strokes she manages to create a vivid image. 

"The wintry afternoon turned the sea to gunmetal and the gulls complained as they rode the icy wind". Just one sentence, and you're transported to the cold seaside. "Maddy gazed at the glittering pavements, and the lampposts wearing white caps. "How pretty. It's like icing sugar". Again, a few outlines, and the picture is perfectly sketched.

I was glad to revisit the Norfolk landscapes on the pages of the book. Maybe one day I will go back there in person.

The descriptions of food are deftly rendered too, and truly make one hungry. I was aghast amazed though that Maddy wanted to skip roast potatoes in favour of the bread sauce and Yorkshire puddings, who does that?! 

The Christmas Love Letters is a heart-warming and poignant read in equal measure.

Full of secrets and passions, this tale is utterly compelling. The family dynamics, relationships between different generations, parallel love stories, evocative setting - all these elements create an engaging romance story.

This review is part of the blog tour for The Christmas Love Letters.

Many thanks to Sue Moorcroft and Rachel's Random Resources for my e-copy of the book!

Purchase Links 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Christmas-Love-Letters-gorgeous-heartwarming-ebook/dp/B0C7GDGBFX/

https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Love-Letters-gorgeous-heartwarming-ebook/dp/B0C7GDGBFX/ 

Author Bio – 

Sue Moorcroft is a Sunday Times bestselling author, and her books have been #1 on Kindle UK and Top 100 on Kindle US, Canada and Italy. She writes two books a year for publishing giant HarperCollins and has won the Goldsboro Books Contemporary Novel of the Year, Readers’ Best Romantic Novel award, a HOLT Medallion and the Katie Fforde Bursary. She’s president of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and past vice-chair.

Her novels, short stories, serials, columns, writing ‘how to’ and courses have appeared around the world.

Social Media Links – 

Amazon page: Sue Moorcroft

Audible page: Sue Moorcroft

Website: www.suemoorcroft.com

Facebook author page SueMoorcroftAuthor

Twitter: @SueMoorcroft

Instagram: @SueMoorcroftAuthor

Linked in: Sue Moorcroft

Link Tree: linktr.ee/SueMoorcroft

Bookbub: SueMoorcroft1

Movie Night Degustabox

  Degustabox is a monthly food and drink subscription box. It's an excellent way of discovering new products which have only just appeared in the shops, or those which have been around for a while, but you haven't had a chance to try them yet.

Thanks to Degustabox, I have found new favourites to add to our shopping list, including some products which I otherwise wouldn't have tried.

Each time a monthly box arrives, its contents are a total surprise. You get a good selection of foods and drinks.

If you haven't tried Degustabox subscription box yet, and would like to have a go, I have a £3off discount from your first box (and you can unsubscribe any time), just use code DKRLN when placing an order. 

What did we get in the Movie Night Degustabox box?

We start with the Product of the Month:

Tilda Sticky Rice (£1.54 for 250g) is the latest addition to the versatile range of Tilda rice. 

Made with specially selected grains, sticky rice has a subtle taste and a distinct sticky texture. Perfect for poke bowls and sushi, it's ready in 90 seconds in the microwave.

Suitable for vegetarians and vegans, it is also gluten free.

We've been fans of Tilda rice for many years, and you will find a couple of Tilda pouches in our pantry at any given time. We like trying new limited editions, and have our own favourites too. Sticky Rice is a tasty easy meal, ideal for Thai-style red and green curries, or try it as a dessert with coconut milk, mango and passion fruit.

Typical values: 221kcal and 0.1g of sugar per 125g serving.

Available in the major supermarket chains.

Simply Cook Jerk Chicken/ Nasi Goreng/ Cajun Jambalaya recipe kit (£2.50) is a is a handy recipe kit, which contains 3 flavour pots to create an authentic dish.

Cook 140+ chef-created recipes in 30 minutes or less with SimplyCook unique recipe kits. We had a Goan Curry recipe kit in the previous Degustabox, and it's lovely to try another recipe from their vast range. You will receive 1 item of three.

We received Simply Cook Jerk Chicken. It serves 2-4 people. You will need to add chicken fillets, coconut milk, kidney beans and basmati rice to prepare the dish. The ingredients include Jerk seasoning, Jerk paste and rice stock. For a meat-free meal, swap chicken for tofu.

Typical values: 260kcal and 26.8g of sugar per 100g.

Available in the major supermarket chains.

Knorr Quick Soups Chicken Noodle/ Tomato/ Chicken/ Vegetable (£0.75 each) are ready in minutes. A handy pantry product for when you are short of time, or don't want to bother to cook from scratch. 

You should receive two items in your box. We received Tomato and Cream of Vegetable with Croutons packs.

No artificial colours or flavour enhancers, low in fat, no added MSG, made with sustainbly grown vegetables.

Typical values: 67 kcal, 7.3g of sugar and 1.4g of salt in tomato soup, and 75kcal and 1.6g of salt in cream of vegetables soup.

Available at ASDA.

Knorr Hairy Bikers' Chilli Stock Pot (£1.90) is a result of collaboration between Knorr and the Hairy Bikers. This stock pot will help you cook tasty dishes, packed full of flavour.

Medium on Spicy meter (two peppers), vegan, gluten free, made with sustainably sourced vegetables.

Ingredients include: tomato paste, cayenne pepper, jalapeno chilli pepper powder, red bell pepper, paprika powder, vegetable juice concentrate etc.

I haven't used the pots yet, as I suspect it would be too spicy for us, I tend to buy products with one pepper on the Spicy meter. Have you tried these pots, and what did you think?

Available at Waitrose, Ocado and Tesco.

This month's hot theme continues with Chipoys Fire Red Hot flavoured tortilla chips (£1.99). 

Made in Mexico, these authentic crunchy chips promise an Intense level of heat (and again, being a wimp when it comes to spicy food, I haven't tried them myself).

Typical values: 571kcal and 4g of sugar per 100g.

Available across independent and symbol convenience stores and on Amazon.

Fruitip Fruit Puree Squeeze - variety pack (£7.50) is a fresh vegan fruit puree from Jeju Island, South Korea. 

There are two flavours in this pack - Korean Orange puree with ginger and Young Tangerine puree with lemon. Consume as you want, like a dessert, add to ice cream and yogurt, make a dressing with it. 

Freeze a pouch as an ice pop, or make an ice sorbet or slush. Add to a cocktail, mocktail or smoothie. Fold into batter before baking to add an extra fruity flavour to cakes, muffins or breads.

Typical values: 38kcal and 6.72g of sugar per 25g serving (orange) or 20kcal and 3.8g of sugar (tangerine).

No artificial flavours, and pure products without water. 

For me this was the discovery of the month, as I haven't come across this product before, and it is so versatile.

Available on Amazon.

PEPPADEW Sweet Mild Whole Piquante Peppers (£3.25 for 400g) are delicious sweet and tangy bite sized peppers, with a mild heat and lots of flavour. Their texture is firm, crisp and crunchy. 

Use in salads, pasta, on top of pizza, or in sandwiches (for example, with cream cheese and rocket, or sliced turkey and mayo). Or stuff them with ricotta cheese or cream cheese, and serve as a starter.

Nutritional information: 78kcal and 17.1g of sugar per 100g drained product; vegan, with no added preservatives.

Available in the major supermarket chains.

Very Lazy Teriyaki Paste (£2, see above) is another excellent product from the Very Lazy range, which provides maximum flavour and minimum fuss.

Teriyaki sauce and/or marinade is one of our kitchen staples, as I cook Teriyaki tofu regularly. I haven't seen Very Lazy Teriyaki paste before. It is different from our usual Lee Kum Kee or Kikkoman, and as tasty.

Ingredients include soy sauce, sugar, rice wine vinegar, tomato paste, ginger puree, onion puree, cornflour, lemon juice etc. For meat eaters, add it to a chicken dish; for vegetarians, it is fab with tofu and vegetables (carrots, sweet peppers and sweetcorn).

Available at Sainsbury's, ASDA and Morrisons.

Kellogg's Coco Pops Cereal 35g, Rice Crispies Cereal 22g, Crunchy Nut Cereals 35g and Special K Cereal 35g (£0.70 each) - a handy selection of cereals to choose from.

Typical Values: 86kcal and 1.7g of sugar (rice crispies), 134kcal and 6g of sugar (coco pops), 139kcal and 12g of sugar (crunchy nut) and 118kcal and 4.5g of sugar (Special K) per pack.

Other sizes available at all major supermarkets.

You should receive four items in your box.

Aero Caramel Chocolate Melts (£1.75) are caramel flavoured smooth bubbly chocolate pieces. If you love Aero chocolate, you will enjoy these delicious melts.

Typical values: 127kcal and 13.6g of sugar per 12 sweets.

Aero chocolate contains no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. Rainforest Alliance approved. Suitable for vegetarians.

Available at the major supermarket chains.

LoveRaw M:lk Choc Peanut Butter Cups (£1.89) are a vegan version of a well-known branded peanut butter cups.

They are gluten free, use no palm oil or artificial ingredients. There is an oat powder, which I guess is the milk substitute. I would like the vegan brands to stop using coy words as m:lk, m!lk, m&lk etc. Be proud of what you are doing and name the products accordingly. 

These peanut butter cups are smooth and creamy, with a mildly powdery aftertaste. 

Typical values: 100kcal and 4.2g of sugar per peanut butter cup.

Available at Tesco, Waitrose, Ocado, Amazon, Loveraw.com and selected independents.

Caleño Drinks Passion Fruit Martini/ Pineapple Pina Colada (£2.50) are tropical non-alcoholic pre-mixed cocktails.

Choose between a spritzy twist on the passion fruit martini, or a tropical pina colada spritz. They are fruity, refreshing and full of flavour.

Typical values: 42kcal and 4g of sugar per 100ml (passion fruit martini), or 45kcal and 4.2g of sugar (pina colada). No artificial flavourings, suitable for vegans and allergen free.

Best enjoyed chilled.

Available on calenodrinks.com and Amazon.

You should receive two items in your box.

What is your favourite product from the latest Degustabox?