Jaipur Moon by Liz Harris

 

"I agree with you there." She paused. "So we're going to be friends with them, are we?"

"Not exactly. We're going to appear to be friends with them", he told her. "We'll make a start tomorrow morning".

Jaipur Moon by Liz Harris is a gripping historical novel, set in India in 1934.

Blurb:

Jaipur Moon

Jaipur, 1934

When Philip Grainger and Frank Fletcher met late at night on the edge of an indigo plantation in Gujarat back in 1916, and one of them handed a new born baby to the other and walked away, their stated intention was never to see each other again.

In Jaipur, 1934, almost eighteen years later, Philip's daughter, Eleanor, is excited to learn that a new family has moved into the street where they live, and that the family has a daughter similar to age to herself.

When Frank Fletcher, having struggled for years to make a profit from his isolated indigo planatation, turns to exporting, he is encouraged by his exporter friend, Maxwell Anderson, to move his family to Jaipur. His daughter, Alice, hopes that at last she will make some friends.

But where there are secrets, someone invariably senses a secret, is determined to uncover it and use it to his advantage. Nothing stays hidden for ever...

The story starts dramatically with a full moon risen in the darkening sky, and a man creeping through the jungle. He meets another man in the dark, and passes a basket with a newborn baby inside it. Two men promise to end all contact between them.

"That's it then," he said. "We'll never speak of this in our family or with anyone else. And you and I will neer refer to this, should we meet again. Not that we ever will..."

Eighteen years later we walk along a sweeping crescent in Jaipur, where the members of the small British community have built houses that "felt British".

Eleanor Grainger lives with her parents in one of the most imposing houses in Victoria Crescent. One evening Eleanor arrives home with exciting news that a new British family is moving into the crescent. She is thrilled to find out that there they've got a daughter, who might become a new friend.

Alice Fletcher is also hoping to make friends. Bayana, where her father's indigo plantation was operating, was an isolated place where she didn't have any close friends. She is optimistic that Jaipur will bring opportunities to meet new people.

Harriet is Eleanor's bosom friend and confidante. They enjoy visiting the local cafes and bazaars, and gossiping to their heart's content. They believe Alice will do nicely as a new addition to their small circle of friends. 

The girls are not aware at first of the secrets and lies, threatening to dramatically unbalance their equilibrium.

We follow the daily lives of three families, who all have daughters of the same age. The daughters don't seem to have any ambitions in life except getting married. They have no dreams of travelling or doing anything different. In fact, their values appear very old-fashioned, seeing that it is 1936, and women have been working and earning their own money elsewhere, aspiring to have a profession or a vocation.

The storyline centres on the lives of the British community, their social lives, business, expectations. Jaipur serves as an exotic background, and the political tensions are hardly mentioned. 

There is a bit of a social status entitlement. Alice who has just arrived to Jaipur, scribbles down some notes, trying to keep track of what her new friends tell her about the city, and they all think she can write a guide. One barely educated young woman relies on the information given by two other not very educated women, without doing any research, and they all believe she is capable of writing a guide book.

The setting is beautifully-researched, with in-depth descriptions of the local landmarks and monuments, bazaars, streets. The colours and sounds reflect the vibrant background. 

Some plot tropes, like acquiring information via eavesdropping, make you wonder, just how careless you can be. Wouldn't you try to make sure nobody can hear you, if you discuss family/business secrets that can ruin your reputation? 

Jaipur Moon is an engaging, charming story of secrets and lies, love and betrayal, bonds of friendship and loyalty. 

This book will appeal to readers of historical fiction and fans of clean romance.

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

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jaipur-Moon-secrets-princely-Colonials-ebook/dp/B0F9P6176J

https://www.amazon.com/Jaipur-Moon-secrets-princely-Colonials-ebook/dp/B0F9P6176J

Author Bio – 

Liz Harris is the author of the historical novels THE ROAD BACK (US Coffee Time & Romance Book of the Year 2012) and A BARGAIN STRUCK (shortlisted for the RoNA Historical 2013). They and THE LOST GIRL/GOLDEN TIGER and A WESTERN HEART were shortlisted for Best Historical Romance by The Festival of Romance. In addition are contemporary novels EVIE UNDERCOVER, THE ART OF DECEPTION, THE BEST FRIEND and WORD PERFECT. THE DARK HORIZON, THE FLAME WITHIN and THE LENGTHENING SHADOW, set between the wars, comprise The Linford Collection, which was followed by The Colonials : DARJEELING INHERITANCE, COCHIN FALL, HANOI SPRING and SIMLA MIST. The second edition of THE ROAD BACK appeared in August 2022, followed by IN A FAR PLACE. Second editions of A BARGAIN STRUCK and GOLDEN TIGER were published in 2023. THE LOOSE THREAD, the first in the Three Sisters trilogy, was published in February 2024, THE SILKEN KNOT, the second in September 2024 and THE WOVEN LIE in February 2025. AWESTERN HEART was published December 2024. In addition to these, Liz has had short stories published in anthologies and magazines.

Social Media Links –

Twitter Handle:  @lizharrisauthor

Bluesky handle:  @lizharris.bsky.social

Instagram Handle:  liz.harris.52206

Website:  https://lizharrisauthor.com

 

Facebook: Liz Harris

Zephyr Trails by Nicki Ehrlich

 

"She wanted to run... Run from her past - idyllic days on the homestead that turned to dust and crumbled over four years of waiting and yearning, only to be abandoned".

"I think I know now what that pull is... It's about going west. There's a freshness on the trail and I want to be a part of that new territory. It's calling to me so loudly".

Zephyr Trails by Nicki Erlich is set in the turbulent wake of the Civil War.

Blurb:

The fine line between friends and enemies blurs as Ellis Cady sets out to reach the new frontier of post-Civil War America.

After waiting out winter at the Cady ranch in southern Missouri, hope blooms in the Spring of 1866. Ellis receives news of a mysterious man arriving in St. Louis. Will she find her father alive and well, or finally put his memory to rest?

Grasping at the illusive promise of her father's whereabouts, Ellis is distracted by the intrepid trick rider, Jimmie, a woman who rides with Levi Jack's Wild West Exhibition. Then, talk of reinstating a messenger service akin to the Pony Express rekindles a faded dream. Since the war's devastation, important letters and messages still need to get through a Western landscape governed by Indians and outlaws. When an untimely epidemic threatens, Ellis finds herself back in the saddle, a young woman and her horse on a perilous trail.

Ellis Cady is an unusual, highly original protagonist. She walks the line between past and future, trying to work out who her friends or foes are, as she journeys westward in search of the truth, and of herself. A strong, complex heroine, Ellis is determined not to surrender to societal expectations. What's vital is that people close to her, accept her as she is, and support her refusal to conform or settle. 

"Maybe unseemly for a girl, but on the back of a horse or settled by a campfire, a spread of stars overhead - this was home to her".

Spring of 1866 breathes new life into the Cady ranch in southern Missouri. After a lingering winter of a total uncertainty, Ellis receives word of a stranger in St.Louis who might hold a key to her father's fate. Is there a chance that her father might still be alive, will she ever have her questions answered?

"Hope had turned into something more substantial and, most days, she felt certain her father had survived the prison camp".

Ellis is driven by hope and haunted by memories. When her path collides with Jimmie, a trick rider from the Wild West exhibition, she decides to combine her quest with a challenging job.

The rumours of a Pony Express-style messenger servive revival appeal to her sense of adventure. Ellis is drawn into a risky mission that would reignite her dreams and her purpose.

As a deadly epidemic looms and the frontier landscape is still uncertain, Ellis and her horse must once again brave the open trail.

Zephyr Trails is a tale of a Western ambition and adventure, but more than that, it's a deeply personal story of identity, resilience and self-discovery.

The author sensitively explores the themes of the lingering shadows of war, especially the then unnamed trauma of PTSD.

With rich historical detail and a deep appreciation of the natural world, Zephyr Trails will captivate fans of the historical fiction set in the States, coming of age stories and books with non-conforming protagonists.

Ehrlich's prose is both lyrical and expressive, shifting gracefully between frontier vistas and the raw intimacy of Ellis's inner world.

"Winter remained mild, as if mother nature offered an apology, balancing her compassion with the conflict's remnants of bitterness". 

The book has distant echoes of Little House on the Prairie, with its poetic balance of danger and wonder in equal measure.

Zephyr Trails is a compelling and heartfelt read, which follows a poignant journey through a fractured land. A memorable book which will stay with you long after you finished the last page.

This book is the second book in the series, and I find it might be useful to read the first book. I started with the second, and found the beginning rather confusing. There is an awful lot of names of characters, and their personal interactions that left me baffled. At some point, I stopped reading, thinking I should get the 1st book to understand backstory, then went back to it. 

I believe with books like this, it would be super useful to have a page or two at the start with the synopsis of what's happened in the previous instalment.

I picked this book on Netgalley, because the subject appealed to me. It also made me think of my dear late friend David, and the stories he told about his grandfather  who was one of the boys working on the Pony Express. 

Murder at the Ponte Vecchio by T.A. Williams

"The question, of course, is why? Robbery is self-explanatory, but murder? What could that old man have done for somebody to put out a contract on him?"

Murder at the Ponte Vecchio by T.A. Williams is a fabulous cosy mystery, set in Tuscany. 

Reading it is akin to putting on your comfiest slippers - only these ones are embroidered with Tuscan sun, murder, and mouthwatering food.

It's the eleventh book in the delightful Armstrong and Oscar cosy mystery series, but don't worry if you haven't read the others. You can jump right in - though if you start from book one (or read at least a couple of the previous ones), you'll appreciate the dynamics and camaraderie between the main characters even more.

Blurb:

Murder at the Ponte Vecchio

An iconice bridge...

Private investigator, Dan Armstrong, lives and works in Florence and knows the world famous Ponte Vecchio well. Usually a magnet for tourists, on this occasion it is the scene of an unexpected death, and Dan finds himself involved in the intriguing case...

An uncompromising man...

Dan quickly discovers that the victim, an elderly jeweller, was every bit as hard as the diamonds he sold in his shop on the bridge. Few people liked him, not even his adult children, and his business dealings look murkier than the waters of the River Arno. Dan suspects more secrets lie hidden... perhaps inside the massive safe in the old man's luxury villa...

A complex case.

As the evidence begins to mount up, so too do the suspects with their different motives. With a fortune in gold bullion and precious stones involved, Dan thinks the only way to catch the killer is to lay a trap, but might he be caught in the killer's sights? Fortunately, he has Oscar, his canine wingman at his side, always eager to prove that he's as good as gold.

Can Dan and Oscar sniff out the killer's tracks or will this case be a bridge too far?

Dan Armstrong, our private investigator, has swapped the drizzle of the UK for the golden hills of Tuscany. He's enjoying life as a writer, his first book being a big success. 

While his detective agency is mainly dealing with domestic cases, outside its scope, Dan keeps tripping over dead bodies and solving more challeging crimes, much to the delight (and occasional exasperation) of his Florentine friend, Inspector Virgilio Pisano. Pisano's no fool, he knows having an ex-DCI from Scotland Yard on speed dial is rather handy.

The latest instalment of Dan and Oscar's adventures features several seemingly unconnected plotlines. Apart from the death of an elderly jeweller on the Ponte Vecchio, there are deaths of unidentified immigrants, corruption in the police, blood diamonds, thefts in the theatre and much more.

The cast is peppered with colourful locals - some charming, others gloriously oddball (or both at the same time). 

And then there's Oscar, the Labrador with a nose for more than just good food. He's not your average cosy mystery canine who pops up for comic relief and cuddles. Oh no. Oscar earns his post in the series, slobber and all.

T.A. Williams continues to dazzle with his food descriptions. Honestly, you may need a snack (or two, or more) nearby while reading. The culinary detail is enough to make you consider organising a trip to Tuscany, or at least ordering in some decent Italian takeaway.

The atmosphere oozes rustic charm, the mystery keeps you guessing, and the characters are as comforting as a good glass of Chianti. Twisty, funny, and thoroughly satisfying.

Murder at the Ponte Vecchio is a delicious blend of suspence, humour, and Tuscan flavour.

Dog lovers, mystery buffs, and armchair travellers alike will devour it.

This post is part of the blog tour for Murder at the Ponte Vecchio.

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

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

 

Author Bio –

T. A. Williams is the bestselling author of the Armstrong and Oscar cozy mystery series. Trevor studied languages at University and lived and worked in Italy for eight years, returning to England with his wife in 1972. Trevor and his wife now live in Devon.

 

Social Media Links – 

Facebook: @TrevorWilliamsBooks

Twitter: @TAWilliamsBooks

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

Bookbub profile: @trevorwilliams3

The House of Lost Whispers by Jenni Keer

 

"Few people noticed anything amiss as it lasted the tiniest fraction of a second. A jolt in our physical existence. A juddering of time..."

"I create joy in my daydreams because I've experienced sorrow in my life." As she said those words, she realised how true they were. Her fantasies had never been more important, carried more weight, than after she'd been orphaned".

"It was ridiculous really; a building couldn't care for you, and yet every time she stepped inside, she felt connected to something greater, something beyond its hexagonal walls".

The House of Lost Whispers by Jenny Keer is an emotional, heartfelt story, a mix of historical fiction, romance and a speculative fiction.

Blurb:

The House of Lost Whispers

On 15th April 1912, RMS Titanic sank and 1500 people lost their lives. But what if it stayed afloat?

When the ill-fated maiden voyage of the Titanic leaves thirteeen-year-old Olivia Davenport orphaned, she's sent to live with her guardians, the Fairchilds, in their huge Jacobean mansion - Merriford Manor. But the Fairchilds have more to worry about than a grieving young girl - with war in Europe imminent and four sons to protect.

Olivia feels alone and friendless. That is, until she hears a voice from behind the wall in her tower bedroom. A voice from a man called Seth. At first, she thinks he's a ghost. But it soon becomes clear that he lives in an overlapping world that is just a shudder in time away from her own. A world where the Titanic never sank... And everything since has been just slightly... different.

All Olivia wants is to find a way into his reality. And not just to see the faces of her beloved parents once again. But also to meet Seth. Who might be the love of her life.

An utterly unforgettable reading group historical novel, that is part romance, part gripping mystery, and part completely heartbreaking First World War historical fiction. Perfect for fans of Titanic, In Memoriam and Lucinda Riley.

The House of Lost Whispers is a strange tale of parallel worlds, one of them as we know it, and another, happening in the alternate reality, where the Titanic had never sank, yet the major catastrophic events of the XXth C still occurred.

Olivia Davenport becomes an orphan at a tender age of 13, having lost both her parents on the doomed Titanic trip across the Atlantic. Bereft and distressed, she finds herself under the guardianship of the Fairchilds, who were good friends of her late parents.

The Jacobean estate of Merrifield Manor is sprawling, with its beautiful grounds, picturesque gardens and two towers.

The Fairchilds are the typical aristocratic family of their time, they don't know how to express their feelings, they are not even used to hug their own children, brought up by nannies and sent off to schools to be educated. Olivia has been brought up differently, she misses the human touch, being hugged and comforted. She also has an over-vivid imagination.

In many ways, Olivia resembles Anne of Green Gables, with the same often exasperating idealism and ingenuity, and a total lack of boundaries or any understanding of when to stop with her fanciful ideas. On the one hand, play-acting her fantasies is her escapism and way of coping with the enormous grief, on the other, you realise that she's been like that even before she lost her parents. Olivia is very naive, being cossetted and indulged all her life by her loving family, and doesn't fathom the consequences of inventing foolish lies of romantic origins. In many ways, she is vexing and annoying.

The Fairchilds try their best to be kind to her, even allowing her to indulge in her romantic notions of staying in a tower. Olivia feels adrift and rather isolated. There are four sons in the family, and only the youngest, Benji, becomes her adoring acolyte, folowing her like a puppy.

Everything would change one night, when Olivia happens to hear a mysterious voice, emanating from behind the wall of her tower bedroom. At first, she believes she's being pranked, or perhaps it is a ghost... Or could it be that Seth "was here to help her navigate her unimaginable grief... This disembodied voice was her very own creation, manufactured to help her step into this new phase of life. He was here to help and then he, too, would simply disappear".

It takes them a long time to figure out that theirs voices come from the parallel realities. 

One heartbeat from her own, there is an alternate world, where the Titanic never sank, where her parents are still alive.

"It was only natural that she would want to believe that her parents hadn't perished in the icy North Atlantic Ocean but that would mean that Seth was a real person - and what? There was another version of this world somewhere in the universe, much like the world that Alice had stepped into through the looking glass..."

Sparks fly, there is an undeniable connection between Olivia and Seth. Is there a way to bridge the chasm between their two parallel worlds? As their relationship develops across the divide, and the bond deepens, defying the restrictions of time and space, the looming shadows of the First World War threaten both their realities. 

The story weaves together the threads of real history with the elements of the supernatural, and a poignant romance, presenting a mesmerising version of the world that might have happened.

I loved the concept of the parallel worlds, touching each other via the tower wall and never intersecting. At the same time, I wasn't entirely satisfied with the ending (which I'm not going to spoil). 

The House of Lost Whispers is a captivating, thought-provoking story which celebrates life's possibilities. A novel of loss and grief, love and hope, emotional resilience and second chances.

Potential triggers: murder, war deaths, scenes of sexual nature (only mentioning it because some of my readers prefer the so called clean romance; they are not exactly graphic, but some people might be uncomfortable with reading them).

This post is part of the blog tour for The House of Lost Whispers.

Many thanks to Jenny Keer, The Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources for my e-copy of the book!

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

Author Bio –

Jenni Keer lives in the glorious Suffolk countryside with her four grown up children, three demanding cats, but just the one husband. She is often frustrated by their inability to appreciate that when she's staring into space, she's actually working, and that watching television counts as research. Much younger in her head than she is on paper, she adores any excuse for fancy-dress and is part of a disco formation dance team.

Keer has written two contemporary rom coms and five quirky historicals, with two more due out in 2025.

The best-selling No. 23 Burlington Square (her 1920s sliding doors mystery) has now sold over 100,000 copies.

 

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: @jenni.keer

Twitter: @JenniKeer

Instagram: @JenniKeer

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

Bookbub profile: @jennikeer

Fields of Glory by Michael Jecks

 

"Archers were already positioned in their order of a staggered harrow, with wedges of men rather than straight lines, in order that each man in the fore should have the maximum field of fire... Already now the archers were bending their bows, drawing and loosing a deadly storm upon the walls. The arrows rose thick in the sky.

It was beautiful - and horrifying, Ed thought."

"He watched the attack grimly. The professional English soldiers cut through the townspeople like knives through soft French cheese. They could not defend themselves against professionals".

Fields of Glory by Michael Jecks is a gripping historical novel set in 1346, during the Hundred Years War.

Blurb:

1346. France. King Edward III is restless. Despite earlier victories the French crown remains intact. Determined to bring France under his own rule, Edward has devised a new plan of attack - one which he believes will finally bring the French army to its knees: a final, cataclysmic battle...

Berenger Fripper, Vintener of a pox-ridden mob of sixteen who make up the Vintaine of Sir John de Sully, storms the beaches of Normandy to bring victory to their king. But the French are nowhere to be seen...

And so Berenger leads his Vintaine through France and onward to battle - the Battle of Crėcy - one which will both bond and break his men and be a decisive turning point in the Hundred Years War.

Fields of Glory is the first book in The Vintener Trilogy. 

The Knights Templar by Michael Jecks is one of my top favourite historical mystery series. I also enjoyed A Bloody Mary Mystery series and read one of The Art of Murder books too. 

For some reason, The Vintener trilogy was a terra incognita for me, despite the first book appearing ten years ago. It is different in genre and plot-setting.

At the centre of the story is Edward's ambitious and cruel campaign, leading to The Battle of Crėcy.

King Edward III is convinced that France is the land, ripe for the taking. He believes in his claim to the French throne.

Restless after years of war and hungry for the French crown , he comes up with a single brutal plan to draw the enemy out, break them in one savage blow, and gain what should belong to him.

Into this bloody gamble marches the Vintaine of Sir John de Sully, led by a battered vintener Berenger Fripper. His vintaine is just a handful of tough hard-bitten men, sixteen souls who are cynic and without illusions. War is a business for them, they want to get rich, and go home. 

Worn thin by too many campaigns, they crash ashore on the beaches of Normandy, weapons ready and lusting after a fight... which never comes, as the French, it seems, have no wish to engage into a real battle.

The English army is driven deeper into the French territory, surviving hunger, mud, smoke, leaving terrible scars of war carved into the countryside. All roads lead to Crécy, which will be forever remembered in history as the slaughterhouse. There in the chaos, written in blood and iron, some men will rise, others will fall, and the Hundred Years' War will shock the European leaders.

Berenger is a likeable protagonist, complex and multi-dimensional. A seasoned warrior, he questions himself at times, unable to justify the atrocities committed in the name of God and the King. He doesn't glorify the war.

The main plotline is intertwined with secondary strands of narrative, which follow the lives of the supporting cast of characters, including a young English lad Ed who comes to France, set on revenge; Beatrice, the French girl who flees the persecution; Roger, the leader of the second vintaine,who is hiding a dark secret (he's one of the most controversial characters in the story); the gunner Archibald the Serpent, the master of the black powder, etc.

Ed "The Donkey" is an orphan who has witnessed the slaughter of his family by the French. He's burning with desire to avenge his family. He is left disillusioned by the atrocities commited by his own side while marching across the French countryside. 

There is nothing remotedly romantic about the battles described in the novel. 

While reading the book, I had to stop often enough and pause, as I found the battle and massacre scenes resonating with the current wars and atrocities, committed in the name of religion and/or spurred on by the avaricious rulers. Centuries pass, and innocent people are still slaughtered en masse for someone else's greed and zealousness.

Fields of Glory is a thoroughly immersive read, which deftly combines the real historical account with a tale of a dangerous adventure, as seen through the prism of ordinary people, enmeshed in the ambitions of the ruthless rulers.

Many thanks to Michael Jecks, Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources for my e-copy of the book!

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

Author Bio –

Studied actuarial science, then became a computer salesman for 13 years- after the 13th company folded, he turned to writing.

He’s the author of 50 novels, 6 novellas, 4 collaborative books and short stories. His tales are inspired by history and legends, but are all grounded in real life and real people, what motivates them, and why they turn to violence.

Founder of Medieval Murderers, he has served on the committees of: Historical Writers’ Association, CWA and Detection Club. He has judged the Debut Dagger, Ian Fleming Steel Dagger and other prizes, as well as serving as Dagger liaison officer and CWA Chair. He has taught writing at Swanwick and Evesham, and tutored for the Royal Literary Fund. He now runs South West Writers in Devon.

His work has been celebrated by Visconti and Conway Stewart pens; 2014 he was International Guest of Honour at the Bloody Words festival in Toronto, and Grand Master of the first parade in the New Orleans Mardi Gras.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: @Michael.Jecks.author

Twitter: @MichaelJecks

Instagram: @michaeljecks

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

Bookbub profile: @michaeljecks

The Secretary by Deborah Lawrenson ( review & #giveaway )

 

It can't be changed now. She is the one who has been changed. She has seen into the dark heart of a country where good people are destroyed for knowing the truth, where history is deleted and rewritten, and the more you know, the more risk you face...

She had always known this job would be a kind of loneliness in the midst of the crowd. It was always a question of trust, an all too precious a commodity in this nervy atmosphere. Moscow extorted a price. They all lived on their nerves, suspicious of everyone and everything.

The Secretary by Deborah Lawrenson is a compelling espionage thriller, set in Moscow, 1958. 

There are several themes, masterfully developed in the novel, from power dynamics and ideology restraints to the fundamental basis and balance of truth and deception. Living a lie takes a toll, and when you don't know who to trust, the world becomes truly chilling. 

These themes have been explored before in the espionage genre, however, the author expands the concept, challenging our preconceptions by introducing a leading female character into the game of spies. 

Blurb:

The Secretary

Moscow, 1958. At the height of the Cold War, MI6 secretary Lois Vale is on a deep cover mission to identify a diplomatic traitor. She can trust only one man: Johann, a German journalist also working covertly for the British secret service. As the trail leads to Vienna and the Black Sea, Lois and Johann begin an affair as love grows, so does the danger to Lois.

A tense Cold War spy story told from the perspective of a bright young working class woman recruited to MI6 at a time when men were in charge of making history and women were expendable.

Authentic and historical details are provided by the 1958 diary kept in Moscow by the author's own mother, who worked for British intelligence.

Lois Vale is a MI6 operative, who is sent to Moscow to find out a mole in the British Embassy. She is quickly learning the ropes of her new position, while observing the people and surroundings. 

Lois is told that she would never be able to tell anyone what she does. "Oh, you can say you work as a secretary. You must always stick to as much truth as you can. Beyond that, if anyone asks, even your own family, you are simply a young woman who wants to see something of the world".

On the train to Moscow, Lois encounters a mysterious Russian who claims that he knows exactly who Lois is. This confrontation, albeit very short, is just a tiny glimpse into the dangers Lois is facing. Her mission is high risk and treacherous. 

The only person Lois can trust is a German journalist, Johann Dreschler, who's working for the British secret service. "He was a trusted and highly effective operator, especially in the political sphere".

Johann is intelligent, astute and attentive. There is a mutual attraction, but is there any hope for a romance amidst danger?

Lois finds herself sharing a flat with Sonia, a volatile, unpredictable woman, who keeps petty grudges against her new flatmate. Sonia's not well-equipped to the tense conditions of life in Moscow. 

The claustrophobic atmosphere feels authentic. On the surface, Lois's job is not glamorous, it's very much plain routine, navigating social class inequalities, office intrigues and prejudiced housemates. 

The search for answers draws Lois into grave peril, as the walls seem to close in around her. Is there anyone she can trust?

The Secretary is a captivating thriller, riveting and unputdownable, meticulously researched and well-written. Lawrenson brings history to life with this superb story of trust, love and betrayal. A book not to be missed!

This review is part of the blog tour for The Secretary.

Many thanks to Deborah Lawrenson, The Book Guild and Rachel's Random Resources for my copy of the book!

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Secretary-Deborah-Lawrenson/dp/1835741436

https://www.amazon.com/Secretary-Deborah-Lawrenson/dp/1835741436

https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-secretary/deborah-lawrenson/9781835741436

https://www.bookguild.co.uk/bookshop/historical/the-secretary/

Author Bio –

Deborah Lawrenson spent her childhood moving around the world with diplomatic service parents, from Kuwait to China, Belgium, Luxembourg and Singapore. She read English at Cambridge University and worked as a journalist in London. She has written eight novels and her writing is praised for its vivid sense of place. The Art of Falling was a WHSmith Fresh Talent pick in 2005. The Lantern was published to critical acclaim in the USA, chosen for the Channel4 TV Book Club in the UK and shortlisted for Romantic Novel of the Year 2012. Her novel 300 Days of Sun, set in Portugal, was selected as a Great Group Read for the WNBA National Reading Group Month in October 2016 in the USA. Her novels have been translated into twelve languages.

Social Media Links –

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

Twitter:   https://x.com/deb_lawrenson

Instagram:   https://www.instagram.com/deborah.lawrenson/

Website: https://www.deborah-lawrenson.co.uk/

Giveaway to Win 2 x Paperbacks of The Secretary by Deborah Lawrenson (Open to UK Only)

*Terms and Conditions –

UK entries welcome. 

 Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  

The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. 

If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. 

Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. 

 Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. 

This will passed to the giveaway  organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. 

Please note that the Rafflecopter gadget is hosted by Chez Maximka for free for the purposes of the book promotion.

I have no access to the data collected, I am not responsible for selection of the winner, or despatch or delivery of the prize.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Casa Paradiso by Francesca Scanacapra

"Three hundred years the house had been standing sentinel, bearing the extremes of the seasons; through times of feast and famine, wars, revolutions and periods of blessed peace. Often Luigi found himself wondering about those who had called Casa Pardiso their home over the centuries... If only those old walls could speak!

The house was more than just a building. It was an archive of lives, each like a chapter in a book, but nothing more than a short story, really. The span of a human existence was as quick as a blink in the endless expanse of time..."
 

Casa Paradiso by Francesca Scanacapra is an outstanding historical fiction set in Italy. This is Book 4 of the Paradiso Novels. It can be read as a standalone, however, I strongly recommend starting with book 1 to enjoy all the nuances and references.

Due to a very stressful family situation with our son this year, I have significantly cut down on the blog tours, as I cannot commit, yet, I couldn't say No to another novel by my favourite author. And I'm so glad, I read this beautiful, emotionally-charged story.

You might remember my previous reviews of Casa Paradiso novels -

Paradiso

and The daughter of Paradiso

Casa Paradiso could be described as a prequel to this gripping series.

Blurb:

Casa Paradiso - 300 Years in the Life of a House

Lombardy, Northern Italy, 1637

Cristό Lovetta, a skilled stonemason, arrives in the rural village of Pieve Santa Clara to work on a nobleman's house.

Haunted by a tragic past, Cristό wonders if he will ever find happiness again. However, as he immerses himself in his work, the warmth of the community and the beauty of the landscape convince him to begin a new life there.

Cristό designs and builds his own house, which he names Casa Paradiso. Over the centuries, Casa Paradiso becomes home to many generations, standing testament to lives beginning and ending, and witnessing the everyday challenges and triumphs of its inhabitants - from love lost and found, to the tragedies of war, the far-reaching consequences of political decisions made by powerful men and the evolving role of women in Italian society.

Casa Paradiso - the fourth instalment of the Paradiso Novels - is a shining, evocative saga spanning three hundred years in the life of a very special house, and a book that explores the enduring strength of the human spirit, contrasted with the transient nature of life itself.

Casa Paradiso is a wonderful collection of stories, all inter-connected, and weaved together into a rich narrative. The stories are a mix of melancholic, poignant, occasionally comic (some tales reminded me of fablios), and heartwarming.

Each chapter tells a story of a new owner/occupant of the house, with their own challenges, tragedies and losses. 

The first chapter tells a story of Cristό Lovetta who arrives to the village of Pieve Santa Clara as a stone mason, known for his strength, skills and artistry. It is Lovetta who finds the perfect location for his future home and comes up with an elegant design.

"There wasn't another like it in the village, with such pretty, intricate brickwork... People would stop to admire the house, and to appreciate the glorious, blossoming garden in which it sat, filled with every kind of vegetable and fruit, and vibrant sprays of flowers".

The house becomes the main focus of the saga. Its gracious proportions, the elegant staircase and splendid fireplace are the testament to the building skills of the first owner. When in later chapters, the changes are made to the old house - you feel such an affinity with it - you are almost bereft. 

I loved the author's notes at the end of the book, revealing the inspiration behind the book. Casa Paradiso is based upon a real house, built by the author's great-grandfather in a small village in Lombardy.

(We also live in an old townhouse, about 300 years old, with its quirky features and never-ending repairs, and I often think, if the old walls could talk...)

Francesca Scanacapra has a distinct style of writing, evocative, compelling and intelligent. This book reminded me of the classic writers of the XIX-early XX century, like Guy de Maupassant, or Chekhov. There is a thematic depth, astute observations of human nature at its best and its worst, complexities of relationships and the gift of captivating storytelling.

There is a theme/image of a little man running through, with the focus on the lives of ordinary common people, who are often vulnerable and helpless, unable to control their destiny. 

I've read many good books this year, some made me cry, some amused me, and quite a few left me indifferent to the characters or the storyline. 

Looking at the year that is coming to an end very soon, Casa Paradiso is among my top three reads, if not THE book of the year.

This review is part of the blog tour for Casa Paradiso.

Many thanks to Francesca Scanacapra, Silvertail Books and Rachel's Random Resources for my copy of the book!

 

Purchase Link - https://geni.us/CasaParadiso

Author Bio –

Francesca Scanacapra was born in Italy to an English mother and Italian father, and her childhood was spent living between England and Italy. Her adult life has been somewhat nomadic with periods spent living in Italy, England, France, Senegal and Spain. She describes herself as 'unconventional' and has pursued an eclectic mixture of career paths – from working in translation, the fitness industry, education and even several years as a builder. In 2021 she returned to her native country and back to her earliest roots to pursue her writing career full time. Francesca now resides permanently in rural Lombardy in the house built by her great-grandfather which was the inspiration for her Paradiso Novels: Paradiso, Return to Paradiso, The Daughter of Paradiso and Casa Paradiso. Her novel The Lost Boy of Bologna was also published by Silvertail Books.

Social Media Links –

Twitter @francescascana2

Insta @francescascana2

The Hike by Lucy Clarke

"She wiped her face, looked down at her hiking boots. That was why she needed this trip. Needed to walk with these women. She felt so lost - in her marriage, in herself - that the only thing that made sense right now was to follow a trail from one point to another, step by step."

The Hike by Lucy Clarke is a tense destination/psychological thriller, set in Norway.

The Blurb:

THE PERFECT DAY FOR A HIKE

Seeking the escape of a lifetime, four friends hike out into the beautiful Norwegian wild - nothing between them and the mountain peak but forest, sea and sharp blue sky.

THE PERFECT PLACE TO DISAPPEAR

But there's a darker side to the wilderness. A woman went missing here one year ago. Now the friends are hiking into the heart of the mystery. And waiting on the trail is someone who'd do anything to keep their secrets buried - and to stop the group walking away alive...

Four women - Liz, Maggie, Helena and Joni - have been friends since school. They are going on an annual trip together. In the past the trips were of a leisurely type of holiday, lounging by the pool, or drinking themselves into oblivion in bars across Europe, all LOLZ and camaraderie. This time they are roped in to do a challenging trek by the queen bee of the group, bossy Liz, who they don't dare to contradict.

Liz works as a GP, and feels like life is passing her by. With two kids and a husband who appears to be decent, it's not quite clear at first, what is wrong with her marriage and life in general. Rather than spending more time with her kids, Liz leads her friends into a trip of a lifetime in Norway.

Maggie is a single mother of a little girl, who she adores. She also has a selfish, unpleasant and controlling ex who insists on having their daughter over at his house, just to prove the power balance. She is in an emotional turmoil from having to spend time away from her child, and hopes that the trip will be a big distraction.

Helena is child-free, and is adamant about it. Yet strangely enough she sleeps around and stops using protection. Her character is so convoluted, and there is no logic to her behaviour.

And then there is Joni, the rock star with a drug addiction, who feels she needs a new meaning in her life. She joins the "girls" at the last minute.

The narrative follows four POVs, with a lot of insights into the background of each character. The initial pace of the story is pretty slow.

Apart from Liz, none are physically fit to do any climbing, yet they agree to climb a treacherous mountain. Despite the weather forecasts, and warning from the locals, they stubbornly plod on.

Liz is in a medical profession so you would expect her to understand how body works. Yet she doesn't seem to comprehend the simple facts that you don't go climbing mountains without any training.

What could possibly go wrong?

The group hikes in the Norwegian wilderness, totally unprepared to any physical exertion. As they get deeper into the forests, there is an uneasy feeling that someone is watching them.

They know that a year earlier a woman has disappeared on the trail they are taking. Her body has never been recovered. That doesn't seem to bother our brave four. 

The physical and emotional strain take their toll, and the bickering among friends turns nastier. And someone is following them, waiting for their chance to strike.

"Trees loomed tall, black shadows huddled between them. She felt watched, although she couldn't remember being further from civilisation".

All four are so unpleasant, neurotic, insecure, that you actually don't care what is going to happen to any of them. The group dynamics is fluctuating from joy to resentment to antagonism.

 "Helena and Joni had clashed often in their teens. They could both be strident and opinionated, quick to rile and slow to back down. Liz and Maggie had become mediators, trying to smooth out the knots in the fabric of their friendship".

On the surface, they are bosom friends, who go on holidays together every year, supposedly being there for each other. There is a lot of talk about how much they mean to each other. That might be the case, but in the immature kind of reliance. All four behave like they are still teenagers, irresponsible and carefree. 

This is the kind of toxic sisterhood I'm so glad I managed to avoid in my life. 

There are many cliches about motherhood, a unique smell of babies, feeling incomplete without a child. The rock chick is the most cliche character of all, with her lifestyle and drug habits.

Lucy Clarke is a very popular author of bestsellers, and the endoresements on the cover of The Hike sounded intriguing. I have a couple of her books stashed in my pile of TBR books. Perhaps this book just didn't gel with me, and I should try another thriller. 

Saying that, it's an easy and quick read, atmospheric and suspensful.

"The mountains are brutal. Impervious. They don't care who is left broken and bloodied. They don't care for weeping or joy. It is why people lose themselves out here. There's no judgment. You can be anyone in the wilderness".

P.S. The Hike is currently free for Amazon Prime members.

Christmas at Polkerran Point by Cass Grafton (review + #giveaway)

 

"The sky wore a pastel-blue cape, with gossamer strands of feather-like clouds trailing its length. The sea glistened under a weak sun, and although the strong wind whipped the sea into white caps, crashing against the rocks beneath the lighthouse, the water barely rippled where it entered the embrace of the cove".

Isn't it a beautiful description of the Cornish coastline?! If you love Cornwall and books set in this distinctive location, you might be pleased to know there is a new book out - 

Christmas at Polkerran Point by Cass Grafton. 

This cosy romance set in Cornwall is the third book in The Little Cornish Cove series, which reads perfectly as a standalone. I read the first book a few years ago (see The cottage in a Cornish cove), and was happy to re-visit Polkerran Point and get re-acquainted with some of the characters from book one. 

Blurb:

Christmas at Polkerran Point

Fate may have brought them together but secrets seem destined to keep them apart...

An accident and a lost passport mean Gemma's six-month sabbatical to go travelling is not off to a strong start. She heads to Polkerran Point to stay at her aunt's while her new passport is processed and to find temporary work in the meantime.

Enter musician Matt. Newly moved into a secluded, renovated mill - complete with a recording studio - Matt is preparing for his band's big reunion. Focused on writing new music for the album, he needs a live-in housekeeper.

Even as sparks fly, Gemma can sense Matt's keeping secrets and with her role ending once Christmas is over, will there be anything to keep her in Polkerran?

Gemma Merriott is recovering from a scary accident on her trip abroad. Having lost all her travelling possessions and a passport, she arrives to Polkerran Point to stay with  her aunt and recuperate. While waiitng for her passport, and dreaming of travelling around Europe, Gemma is looking for a temporary job. 

"The die had been cast. Gemma's plans had fallen foul. Instead of exploring pastures new, she would be in the small Cornish village of Polkerran Point for the foreseeable, and... her aunt had been kind enough to invite her to stay..."

As a child, Gemma enjoyed visiting her aunt and spending time in the harbour. 

It so happens, that there is a job available - as a housekeeper to a reclusive musician Matt, who stays in a newly renovated mill. Years before, Matt used to be a guitarist in the famous band. Now that the band reunion is looming, he is engrossed in his work on a new album. Domestic chores are not his forte, he needs someone to organise his life for him, and around him.

Matt appears to be a grumpy, self-absorbed arty type, not capable of looking after himself, always relying on someone else to provide him with daily comforts, from adoring adoptive parents to the housekeepers. A man-boy in some aspects...

Gemma is not sure whether she even wants to work for Matt, but the job comes with a small cottage to live in, and the money is decent. 

You feel a tad sorry for bubbly Gemma, who loves her food but has zero talents in the cooking department. 

The atmosphere in the house is strained, and it looks like Matt has some secrets from his past that he does not want to share. 

"Rather than rigidly entrapped in the past, Matt seemed haunted by it. Lost and uncertain how to find his way forward".

Despite his aloofness, Matt is the man who sets Gemma's heart aflutter. She is intrigued. "Matt was a strange mixture, one minute dismissive, the next a vulnerable, wounded figure who needed... what, exactly?" 

Living together at the mill, they learn to trust each other and break down the barriers holding them back.

Once Christmas is over, will Gemma resume her travels, leaving Polkerran Point behind?

Gemma and Matt are both likable, yet some of their habits might leave you exasperated.

Gemma is a sweet woman, with a big appetite and an excessive love of all things Christmas-related. The way she obsesses with Christmas decor probably hints there is something missing in her life. 

And Matt, as much as he is busy, surely he is capable of putting his dirty clothes and wet towels in the washing machine? There's nothing remotedly romantic about washing someone else's undies.

There is a whole gallery of supporting characters providing a comic relief to the more dramatic storylines. 

Just the other day I was talking about a different book set in Cornwall and mentioned the hostile locals. This village is the exact opposite - openly nosy, quirky and warm-hearted.

Anna who is the main character in book 1 of the series, is a hard-working owner of a popular B&B. She is also a talented baker, and has her hands full, yet kindly allows a daily stream of visitors.

In her place, I would dread brace myself every morning, expecting being invaded by the over-friendly locals who have no boundaries. They come daily, expecting being served free hot drinks and pastries. This sounds a bit intrusive. Anna is a saint to put up with this.

This book is the quintessential festive reading, full of mischief, nostalgia, amusing word puns. Some of the scenes, like the Christmas fayre, or the ceremony of switching on the Christmas lights in the harbour, make me think of what it would be like to spend a winter holiday in my favourite location. I often watch online the Christmas lights switch-on in Mousehole on webcam, and hope one day to see it in real life. 

This story will delight the fans of Phillipa Ashley, Cressida McLaughlin, Emma Burstall and Trisha Ashley, and will make a lovely festive gift.

I believe this book would make a great Hallmark or Netflix Christmas film.

Christmas at Polkerran Point is a charming, sparkling seasonal read, light, funny and delightful.

This review is part of the blog tour for Christmas at Polkerran Point.

Many thanks to Cass Grafton, Canelo and Rachel's Random Resources for my copy of the book!

Purchase Link - https://geni.us/CAPP

 

Author Bio – Cass began her writing life in Regency England, enlisted Jane Austen’s help to time-travel between then and the present day and is now happily ensconced in 21^st century Cornwall.

Well, in her imagination and soul; her heart and physical presence reside in northern England with her ever-patient husband and Tig and Tag, their cute but exceptionally demanding moggies.

A bit of a nomad, Cass has called three countries home, as well as six different English counties, but her aspiration is to one day reunite with her beloved West Country.

In the meantime, she writes feel-good contemporary romances set in Cornwall and, in doing so, manages to live there vicariously through her characters and settings.

An Ambassador for the Jane Austen Literacy Foundation, Cass is also a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, the Jane Austen Society UK and the Society of Authors.

Social Media Links –

FB - https://www.facebook.com/cassie.grafton

Insta - https://www.instagram.com/cassgraftonwriter/

 

Giveaway to Win a paperback copy of Christmas at Polkerran Point along with a small gift bag (Open Int)

The gift bag contains a pack of Christmas post-it notes, a Cornish coaster, a gingerbread tree ornament and some festive-wrapped Tic Tac mints!

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome.  

Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  

The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. 

If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. 

Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  

Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. 

This will be passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  

Chez Maximka is hosting  Rafflecopter gadget for the purposes of the book promotion for free. I have no access to the data collected, or the selection of the winner. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway