Cover Reveal: Dreaming Of A Scottish Summer

 

Brooke never intended to return to her native Scotland. That is until she's offered a job with

legendary literary agent, Levi Hudson, who just happens to represent her favourite author, Petra

Swan.

Petra’s books helped her find hope again after her heart was broken, and Brooke will do anything to

meet her. Even if it means working with the formidable Levi.

Not only is he grumpy, he’s also infuriatingly handsome. Yet as his frosty exterior slowly begins to

melt, Brooke realises that moving back to the highlands might be the best decision she's ever made…

Pre-order Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dreaming-Scottish-Summer-Pre-order-heartwarming-

ebook/dp/B0GS91P34N

https://www.amazon.com/Dreaming-Scottish-Summer-Pre-order-heartwarming-

ebook/dp/B0GS91P34N

Publication Date: 31 st January 2027

Author Bio – Julie Shackman is a former journalist from Scotland, who has always wanted to write

feel-good romance. As well as being an author, Julie also writes verses and captions for greetings

card companies. Julie admits to having an obsession with stationery and handbags. She has two sons

and an adopted Romanian rescue pup, Cooper. Dreaming of a Scottish Summer is Julie's sixteenth

novel.

Social Media Links – Julie Shackman Author   - Website

https://www.instagram.com/juliegeorginashackman - Instagram

https://www.facebook.com/julie.shackman    - Facebook

https://x.com/G13Julie - X

https://www.tiktok.com/@julieshackmanauthor    - TikTok

Review: Private Devotions

 

Destiny promised Hanna Bailey her soulmate, but delivered a divorce instead. So, when the career opportunity of a lifetime comes calling, she’s ready to answer. Alone.

Joining the tour of rising rock band His Locked Heart is her chance to start again. Sold-out shows, endless miles, and the freedom to leave her past behind

But fate has a habit of rewriting the lyrics.

Behind the spotlight, the band’s brooding songwriter, Nathaniel Cole, is about to become the one person Hanna never expected. As friendships deepen and long-buried truths surface, Hanna finds herself torn between the life she built and a love that could burn the whole thing down.

Some songs are written in secret.

Some loves refuse to stay hidden.

And sometimes you get the chance to rewrite your own story.

Review

Private Devotions: A Rock Star Romance of slow burn, hidden hearts, second chances, and finding the love you always deserved ... by Olivia Lockhart
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

We enter this book with Hana following some very unfortunate advice from a psychic. She makes a decision that drops her inside a difficult marriage and creates pain that resonates throughout the book. Songwriter Nathaniel gives Hanna the words and music to try again.

Drama-filled and emotional, the book has unexpected depth. There was a quiet, courageous truth hidden in the pages - how often we choose the wrong voices, follow the wrong advice, repeat the same mistakes - and the strength required to break the bonds we forged for ourselves. Due to its literary themes, I found the denouement too rapid. We deserved time to sit in the newness of Hanna's self-awareness and enjoy the love that had always been there for her.

View all my reviews

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Private-Devotions-Romance-chances-deserved-ebook/dp/B0HC5549TZ/

https://www.amazon.com/Private-Devotions-Romance-chances-deserved-ebook/dp/B0HC5549TZ/

Author Bio – Olivia Lockhart (Livvie to her friends) is an English author who can't quite decide if she wants to write contemporary romance or paranormal romance. Either way, it HAS to be romance.

She loves to write about the underdog, the one who got away, the bits of love stories we can all relate to.

When not writing she can be found drinking wine, cuddling her beloved pooch or with her head buried in a book.

 

Social Media Links – https://www.instagram.com/livvieharts/

Review: A Dash of Christmas Spirit

 

CAN LARA ADD A SPRINKLING OF MAGIC THIS CHRISTMAS?

Jacob introduces ever tastier treats to the Sugar and Spice cafe’s menu as the Christmas Spirit knits her magic into the lives of those finding this Christmas tough.

Florence is struggling to make ends meet and afford the present she knows her son wants for Christmas. Her ex-husband flaunting his new girlfriend and their baby isn’t helping her mood.

Widower Jude feels a failure as a father to his two young children after the tragic death of his wife. The move to Winstanton was meant to make life easier. Can he learn to carve out time to build new friendships and give himself the chance to grieve?

Rachel’s boss has given the promotion he promised her to the man twenty years her junior, whom she trained. She’s fed up with being taken for granted, and the lack of sympathy from her husband and teenage children.

Retired David feels Grinch-like as his son expects him to look after his grandchildren all the time, without taking his life into consideration. He used to love Christmas, but this year it has lost its sparkle.

Can the warm welcome at the Sugar and Spice café help them find their Christmas spirit?

A feel-good festive romance with a heartwarming community and a generous helping of Christmas spirit!

Review - A Dash of Christmas Spirit: NEW for 2026: the perfect heartwarming cosy romance to snuggle up with this Christmas! by Susan Buchanan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Really fun, modern Christmas story - Ms. Buchanan has gathered a relatable group of characters whose holidays are less than jolly. The reasons are diverse, but real - from a lost child to financial struggles - and they definitely need a good pastry and warm drink. Lara welcomes them all to the cafe and allows the wonder of a supportive community to bring glad tidings. In the end, they have what they need to brighten the holidays.

The Sugar n Spice Cafe has the right splash of magic and cheer to bring everyone through their doldrum holiday and remind us all why we deck the halls each December.

View all my reviews

Purchase Link - https://books2read.com/u/meWMPV

Author Bio –

Susan Buchanan writes contemporary romance, women’s fiction and romantic comedies, usually featuring travel, food, family, friendship, community – also Christmas!

Her books are Sign of the Times, The Dating Game, The Christmas Spirit, Return of the Christmas Spirit, A Little Christmas Spirit, A Taste of Christmas Spirit and Just One Day – Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn, The Leap Year Proposal, You Can’t Hurry Love and The Boulangerie on the Corner.

As a freelance developmental editor, copyeditor and proofreader, if she’s not reading, editing or writing, she’s thinking about it. 

She is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, the Society of Authors and the Alliance of Independent Authors.

She lives near Glasgow with her husband, two children and a crazy Labrador.

When she’s not editing, writing, reading or caring for her two delightful cherubs, she likes going to the theatre, playing board games, watching quiz shows and eating out.

 

Social Media Links –

Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/susancbuchananauthor

X @susan_buchanan and Instagram @AuthorSusanBuchanan and Threads @authorsusanbuchanan and BlueSky @susanbuchanan.bsky.social

And on her website www.susanbuchananauthor.com

Giveaway to Win A Signed and dedicated paperback of A Dash of Christmas Spirit with matching bookmark (Open to UK Only)

https://gleam.io/XaEyk/win-a-signed-and-dedicated-paperback-of-a-dash-of-christmas-spirit-with-matching-bookmark-uk-only

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome.  Please enter using the Gleam box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Gleam 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.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

Review: The Queen of Bushy House

 

One house. Two women. Both determined to endure.

July 1818. Dorothea Jordan – celebrated actress and long-time companion of the Duke of Clarence – has returned. Not in flesh, but in spirit. For fifteen years Bushy House was her sanctuary, filled with laughter and her ten children – the FitzClarences. Now she watches as her portraits are taken down and her daughters sent away, in preparation for the duke’s new bride.

Princess Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen arrives in England with duty pressing upon her shoulders. At twenty-five, she has accepted a proposal no other princess would take. She must tame the duke’s debts, win over his unruly children and – above all – produce an heir to secure the British throne.

But Adelaide soon senses a presence in Bushy House.

As she struggles to find her place in a household shaped by another woman’s love, the restless spirit of Mrs Jordan lingers – watchful, wounded and unwilling to be forgotten.

Inspired by the true story of Queen Adelaide and the actress Dorothea Jordan, The Queen of Bushy House explores grief and ambition, motherhood and legacy – and the enduring power of a love that refuses to fade.

Review

The Queen of Bushy House : A Regency Novel inspired by Queen Adelaide and the Actress Dorothea Jordan by Molly Gartland
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is an interesting feminist perspective on two women with only one thing in common - the house they inhabit due to their connection with a man. Dorothea is granted access but no rights since she was never married to William IV despite giving him 10 children. Adelaide becomes the official wife as royal life beckoned and demanded a legitimate heir, though ultimately Adelaide would not provide William with a successor. The house becomes the witness of this historical drama and the injustices women face when their life depends only on the value they provide to someone else.

The writing is strong with deft dialogue that moves character and plot without feeling so stilted that it's unrelatable nor so modern that it's distracting. The women shine on the page. It is a good example of relatable historical fiction that adds empathy and encourages curiosity about the past without miring down in unnecessary historical rhetoric.

View all my reviews

Purchase Links

www.mollygartland.com or https://www.mollygartland.com/category/all-products (goes directly to the bookshop)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Queen-Bushy-House-inspired-Adelaide-ebook/dp/B0H8SBSRJY

https://www.amazon.com/Queen-Bushy-House-inspired-Adelaide-ebook/dp/B0H8SBSRJY

 

Author Bio – Originally from Michigan, Molly Gartland has lived overseas since 1994, including six years in Moscow and stints in Cairo, Cape Town and Dakar. A boomerang Brit whose ancestors arrived in America on the Mayflower, she now lives in south-west London.

A lifelong lover of books, theatre, art and urban wildlife, she is also a devoted supporter of Brentford FC and can often be found wandering through Bushy Park.

Review: The Earl's Bride

 

Bath, 1810.

Lord James Brotherton, the charismatic Earl of Avon, is wealthy, intelligent—and marked for death. His own cousin believes him an imposter and has enlisted corrupt lawyers and treacherous servants to remove him permanently.

Enter Sofia Brotherton.

Unconventional, outspoken, and entirely irresistible, Sofia turns James’s ordered world upside down. He falls for her instantly. She follows a week later.

As danger closes in, their growing attraction becomes both a refuge and a risk. With enemies plotting murder and passions running high, James and Sofia must fight for love—and survival.

A witty, action-packed Regency romance filled with intrigue, danger, and deliciously sensuous tension.

Review - I desperately needed a lovely romance by Fenella J. Miller today!

The Earl’s Bride by Fenella J. Miller
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fenella creates lovely characters whose happily ever afters seem well-deserved. Sofia Brotherton fits in well with Fenella's other heroines. She is feisty yet practical and smart enough to recognize that a bad marriage is worse than having to find a job. Unfortunately, her job brings her into the world of the Earl of Avon - who everyone wants dead.

The stakes are high and love is on the line for these two would-be lovers. As they fight their way toward victory, all the right tension plays on the page. This is lovely, escapist fiction at its best!

View all my reviews

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/Earlsbride1

Author Bio – Fenella J. Miller is a bestselling historical fiction author, known for her emotionally rich World War II family sagas, sweeping Regency romances, and Jane Austen-inspired variations. With over 100 novels published, she continues to captivate readers who love strong heroines, resilient communities, and heartfelt historical storytelling.

Fenella currently writes for Boldwood Books, where she has launched several beloved WWII series, including:

•            The Goodwill House series, beginning with The War Girls at Goodwill House

•            The Army Girls series, starting with Army Girls – Reporting for Duty

•            The Harbour House series, introduced with Wartime Arrivals at Harbour House

She is also the author of the popular six-book Regency romance series, The Duke’s Alliance, which begins with A Suitable Bride. Her novels are praised for their authentic period detail, compelling characters, and uplifting themes of courage and love during turbulent times.

Born on the Isle of Man to a Yorkshire father and a mother of Anglo-Indian descent, Fenella brings depth and diversity to her storytelling. She previously worked as a nanny, chef, hotelier, and teacher—experiences that inspire her vivid, grounded characters.

Now writing full-time, Fenella lives in a peaceful village in Essex with her British Shorthair cat. She enjoys a close relationship with her son, daughter-in-law, and grandson, and continues to share powerful stories of women facing challenges with strength and hope.

 

Social Media Links –  Fenella J Miller facebook   fenellajmiller.co.uk  website.

Review: Ancestral Virgins

 

Ancestral Virgins

In early 20^th century Britain, society was changing rapidly, but not much was changing for women. From different ends of the social spectrum, Celia Mapperley and May Hallam wrestle with rules and circumstances beyond their control and must navigate love, sex, war, and the thin line between conformity and scandal. As they each bear the shame of a devastating family secret, their stories come together in ways that neither could have imagined.   

Review - This is a difficult book to review. It's not a book for the faint of heart. It is very well-written with characters who feel real...but I didn't enjoy it and felt like I needed a palate cleanse. The book pushes many boundaries as it addresses the social change underway in England during the early 1900s. The author challenges what we believe about sex today and what we believe sex was like in the past.  My heart went out to the women even as one character became someone I absolutely loathed by the end. I think that was the point, but it was sad nonetheless. The book is scandalous - I had a similar feeling when a professor confronted us about whether pedophilia should be considered aberrant in a sexually open society - and I couldn't quite shake the ick. Literature doesn't have to be comfortable to be valuable. This one was uncomfortable and well-constructed so I won't say it wasn't valuable. I have thought about it a lot and will likely continue to think about it even if it makes me uncomfortable.

My warning for readers: I am not sure that I understood or agree with the theme of this story. It was odd to me to pair a story about disability acceptance with a story about incest. The book has a lot of sex - an unexpected and graphic LOT of sex. So reader beware. 

Purchase Link - https://books2read.com/rl/ancestralvirgins

Author Bio – Fiona J. Mackintosh is a Scottish-American author living in Washington D.C. whose fiction draws from both sides of the Atlantic. Her flash fiction collection, The Yet Unknowing World (Ad Hoc Fiction, 2021), was a runner-up for the 2021 Saboteur Award for best short story collection, and her debut novel Ancestral Virgins will be published on June 26, 2026. Her flashes were selected for Best Small Fictions in 2023 and 2019, and her short stories have been finalists in the Cairde Word, Colm Toíbín, Bristol, Galley Beggar, Exeter, and Fish Short Story Prizes. She is a proud recipient of an Individual Artist’s Award from the Maryland State Arts Council. www.fionajmackintosh.com

Social Media Links – https://linktr.ee/Fionajanemack

Review: Bob and Shirley's Guide to Murder

 

Bob and Shirley run a lovely country pub. They also solve murders ...

A warmly funny, gloriously British cozy crime and murder mystery series that can be read as standalones or part of a series. Set in a village where the pub is the heart of country life and served with warmth, wit and a very good Sunday roast.

“Murder? In our quiet, little English village?

Great Oakley is a place of hanging baskets, tearooms and riverside walks. We’ve won ‘Britain’s safest village’ 10 years running. I keep three pound coins, a box of toffees and a bottle of Pepto-Bismol on my dashboard at all times, and I’ve never needed to lock my car.

Certainly, Bevvy Hogg was disliked. She ran the local Waist Watchers group, yet came to our pub for fish and chips, treacle tart and a bottle of Chardonnay every Friday. But I don’t think she was murdered …”

When Bevvy Hogg is found dead in the Goose and Gander pub garden, with an empty treacle tart plate beside her and several dress sizes slimmer than anyone remembers, Great Oakley’s winning streak as Britain’s safest village comes to an abrupt end.

Review

Bob and Shirley's Guide to Murder by Suzy K. Quinn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was delightful and funny! I could read this every day and I would watch the HECK out of it as a series. Bob and Shirley are on the hunt to save their dessert and town reputation by solving the first murder in too many years to matter. They are persistent little sleuths with so little on the line that of course they can't leave well enough alone. This a laugh-out-loud who-dunnit that can easily be read in a few hours. The characters are delightful. Your sadness at finishing this book will only be alleviated by realizing it's a series so you won't have to leave Great Oakley forever. There will almost certainly be more frivolous mysteries for Bob and Shirley to muck through.

View all my reviews

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bob-Shirleys-Guide-Murder-Laugh-Out-Loud-ebook/dp/B0H832QG7Q/

https://www.amazon.com/Bob-Shirleys-Guide-Murder-Laugh-Out-Loud-ebook/dp/B0H832QG7Q/

Author Bio –

Suzy K Quinn (hello – it’s me!) is writing this bio in the third person. Which feels duplicitous and also a little egotistical. But here goes ...

Suzy K Quinn writes book club books and murder mystery series, and has sold over 1 million copies worldwide. She's a bestselling author in the US, UK and Germany and will soon, very possibly, have written more books than she's read.

Suzy lives in Wivenhoe, Essex, with her husband and two daughters. She is a twin, an incompetent parent of two and now fully decaffeinated. Her twin sister, Cate Quinn, is also a bestseller author. When Suzy isn't writing in cafes, she is walking around woods dictating like a lunatic.

Suzy loves her readers and is ALWAYS happy to chat on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/suzykquinn You can also get a free book at her website:

http://www.suzykquinn.com

Social Media Links –

 Profile - https://www.facebook.com/suzykquinn/

Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/suzykquinn

 

Tiktok @suzykquinn

Instagram @suzykquinn

Twitter @suzykquinn

Threads @suzykquinn

Giveaway to Win an e-copy of  Bob and Shirley's Killer Cuppa Puzzle (Open INT)

One of Great Oakley’s five open gardens served poisoned tea. Can you work out which one before Bob does?

‘Like Murdle and a cozy mystery rolled into one.’

Murder mystery logic puzzle stories for fans of The Killer Isn’t Alice, Murdle and Can You Solve the Murder?

These are ‘Puzzlories’. Read them like stories, solve them like puzzles. Each one takes about an hour to read and solve.

It’s Open Gardens weekend in Great Oakley. Five gardeners have opened their gardens to the public, and each is offering a unique drink, cake, flower and interesting garden feature to their fellow villagers.

Unfortunately, one garden owner poured poisoned tea. Probably not on purpose. But you never know. There are more murders in Britain’s safest village than you might imagine.

Village pub landlady Shirley Duffy visited all five open gardens before returning to the Goose and Gander for a much-needed beer and a sit down. One of those five gardens was the scene of the crime.

The trouble is, Shirley’s memory is known to be … selective. She can remember every cake she’s eaten since 1987, but not necessarily when and where she ate it. And she can’t remember which garden served tea on Saturday afternoon.

Shirley’s husband, Bob, is frustrated that Shirley can’t remember one garden from another. But he finds many things about his wife frustrating, and loves her anyway.

As Bob presses Shirley for details, the clues pile up. Your job is to note them down and work out who served the tea before Bob does.

Twenty clues, one in every short chapter. Fill in your detective’s grid, cross off your suspects and name the poisoner.

Grab your notebook, put the kettle on (carefully) and see if you can beat Bob to the answer.

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome.  Please enter using the Gleam box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Gleam 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.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

  Win an e-copy of  Bob and Shirley's Killer Cuppa Puzzle (Open INT)

https://gleam.io/sR8sl/win-an-e-copy-of-bob-and-shirleys-killer-cuppa-puzzle-open-int