Review: Kiss of the Raven Witch

Review 

Review: A Painkiller to Die For

 

It was difficult for Will Jeavons to imagine just how his life could possibly get any better. Having overcome a traumatic childhood, he had gone on to study molecular pharmacology and win tenure as a lecturer at his beloved Cambridge University. But his life was soon to become better still, the CEO of a biotech company. Will’s unique research led to the discovery of a non-addictive drug for chronic pain. A remarkable solution for the opioid epidemic which had claimed the life of his mother.

Will’s flourishing company was subsequently acquired, and this was when he first met Celeste Simmonds. The beguiling Celeste would steer Will away from his earlier hedonistic, womanising lifestyle. However, the only way he could ensure the success of his drug was to bury key safety data which could have led to the clinical trials being terminated.

Clinical trials which resulted in the husband of Lydia Goldberg falling into a deep coma. It was Lydia’s scientific training which led her to discover Will’s fraudulent cover-up. She was determined to seek vengeance and concocted an elaborate honeytrap and a decision for Will to make. A career ending confession or being submitted to a life-threatening game of Russian roulette.

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Painkiller-Die-Dr-Martyn-Pritchard-ebook/dp/B0FC6Y9SXN/

https://www.amazon.com/Painkiller-Die-Dr-Martyn-Pritchard-ebook/dp/B0FC6Y9SXN/

Author Bio –

Dr Martyn Pritchard is currently moving towards retirement following on from a 35-year long career in drug discovery research focusing on neuroscience as well as novel medicines to treat pain. He is the author of over 50 scientific papers and book chapters along with one novel written under a nom de plume: A Practical Arrangement.

 

Social Media Links –

Instagram: martyn.pritchard1 (Instagram)

Facebook: (20+) Facebook

Review: Book Lover's Bucket List

A bucket list to change her life.

Gabriella Brookes has spent years quietly loving Zach Osborne, knowing he only sees her as his best friend’s bookish little sister. He’s charming, successful, and only back in their Derbyshire village for the summer before his next big move.

When Gabby stumbles across her long-forgotten teenage bucket list, Zach proposes a deal: together, they’ll tick off her book-inspired challenges, if she helps him complete a few fun tasks of his own.

What starts as a perfectly sensible plan quickly turns into something far more complicated, when real life refuses to stay neatly tucked between the pages.

But as Zach’s past resurfaces and his future pulls him away, Gabby is forced to face a harder truth: dreams don’t come true if you only ever read about them.

Ticking off the challenges was meant to be easy.
Admitting what your heart wants is the real risk.

A cosy, small-town romantic comedy about courage, love, and rewriting your own ending.

The Book Lover's Bucket List by Hannah Claire
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An adorable book for summer's day! I loved the protagonists and the way they are pulled together for the very reasons they assumed they would never work. The use of books as plot device was so fun for this booklover. Kudos to Hannah Claire for keeping the romance real enough to be believable while still providing all the happy tingles necessary for a good romance. I also loved the setting -consider The Peaks on my travel wish list. I can only hope it will be this charming.

View all my reviews

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GX33FZ34

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GX33FZ34

Author Bio – Hannah has always been a bookworm, loving nothing more than escaping into fictional worlds, and can't walk past a bookshop without adding to her already-overflowing To Be Read shelves. She writes contemporary romantic novels set against the beautiful landscape of the Peak District in Derbyshire, close to where she lives.

A firm believer in the power of love stories to offer comfort and escape, Hannah writes books that celebrate connection, hope, and the magic of second chances — stories designed to bring a little joy into busy lives.

She lives with her husband, their three children, two cats, and one very bouncy dog who still hasn't worked out that squirrels generally don't want to be her friends.

Hannah loves long sunny days spent outdoors and rainy afternoons spent indoors — ideally under a cosy blanket with a good book. Her favourite things include sparkly nail varnish, candles, bubble baths, and chocolate, and she remains convinced that there is no such thing as too many notebooks.

 

Social Media Links – @hannahclairewriter

Facebook and Instagram

Review: The Catalyst

When human bodies are found with scales and tails, DNA specialist Kat Crocker is assigned to uncover the cause of the mutations and stop them before they spread. But her growing visibility makes her a target. As attacks escalate, the trail leads her to a newly released VR game powered by impossible genetics—and to one man: the mentor who taught her everything, the father she buried years ago.

Review

The Catalyst by Andrea Goyan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Well, that was trippy. Goyan has created a bendy world where gaming blends with reality to create a super-race of animal-human hybrids. It's an extension of Ready Player One where the company wants more than allegiance- it wants to own every identifying piece of the participants. The book has some great reviews.

Overall, the story is written with immersive, detailed scene-setting and an excellent sense of suspense. It keeps you curious until the final reveal. I wish it had leaned a little heavier into the science. The "why" of it all is largely left untouched and I would've enjoyed knowing more about the transmission of DNA from one organism to another. However, the overall premise and good plot stitching help to keep the novel solid and intriguing. So while it isn't a perfect sci-fi, it has a lot to recommend it and is worth picking up.

View all my reviews

Purchase Link

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Catalyst-Kat-Crocker-Book-ebook/dp/B0H67WYZ8N/

https://www.amazon.com/Catalyst-Kat-Crocker-Book-ebook/dp/B0H67WYZ8N/

 

Author Bio – Andrea Goyan is an award-winning author and an avid animal person who grew up being called Goat-Girl and Raccoon-Mama. She is a grateful part of a flock of collaborative Magpie Poets whose first collection, An Illegal Feast, was released in 2025. Andrea also co-hosts MetaStellar Magazine’s “Long-Lost Friends” and “Storytime.” In her spare time, she walks her dogs and loves to paint, especially animal portraits. 

Many of her stories are available for free on her website.

Social Media Links –

Website Andrea Goyan,

Facebook Andrea Goyan Storyteller,

Bluesky Follow Andrea on Bluesky!

Review: Me Too

Nearly forty, Anna has a successful career, a long-term relationship, and a carefully maintained sense of independence. But as time begins to run out, one question becomes impossible to ignore. What if she’s left it too late for the one thing she truly wants—a baby?

Divorced journalist Rob keeps his life free from complications. But when he runs into Anna at a friend’s wedding, he’s caught off guard. The girl he remembers is gone, replaced by a woman who is impossible to ignore.

When Anna makes him an offer, it’s one he can’t quite believe. No strings. No expectations. Just one simple arrangement.

It should be straightforward.

But the closer they become, the harder it is to stay detached. What begins as a practical plan deepens into something far more tender and much more dangerous.

If Anna allows herself to hope, she could lose not only her dream of motherhood, but the one man who has begun to feel like home.

Now Rob has a choice. Walk away…or risk everything for the woman he was not supposed to fall for.

Because some arrangements were never meant to stay temporary.

Review 

  ME TOO: The Millingham Series book two by Katharine Light
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am an advocate for parenting by choice. Whether you've found love and want kids, haven't found love but want kids or don't want kids - I believe your choice should drive the parenting decision. So this was an interesting premise for a story, especially since it also explored Rob's feelings about parenting. Katharine Light is an award-winning storyteller whose ability to understand the human heart and put it on the page makes books feel light, magical and important all at once.

The book title shares an unfortunate overlap with the #metoo movement. I am afraid that meant that I didn't trust poor Rob until the very end. The book is a quiet, older romance about two people who share a longing for family. It is part of a series with the theme of two people finding each other through a shared longing.

View all my reviews

 

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/ME-TOO-Millingham-book-two-ebook/dp/B0DLXK5FQ1

https://www.amazon.com/ME-TOO-Millingham-book-two-ebook/dp/B0DLXK5FQ1

Author Bio –

Katharine Light was born in Glasgow and lived there until her family moved to Manchester when she was ten. While in her teens, she began writing stories for her younger sister Emma. These mostly centred around a naïve heroine and a 1980s pop star (some would say the hero was modelled on John Taylor of Duran Duran).

She did a degree in psychology at University College London, and after a year travelling, worked in corporate film production for several years, before taking a break to raise her children.

For many years she wrote mainly during the holidays, around her busy work for a local church.

Her first novel Like Me, published in 2023, was shortlisted for The Selfies Book Awards 2024. Her short story My arms are empty which is based on an episode from her second novel Me Too recently won the City University competition City Writes.

She is a director of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, with responsibility for organising their conferences, gatherings and awards ceremonies.

Katharine lives in London with her husband and quite often at least one of their adult children. She loves singing, walking, painting, looking at art, and going to the theatre.

 

Social Media Links –

Instagram/Threads – katharinelightwrites1

Facebook – Katharinelightwrites

 

Social Media Links –

Instagram/Threads – katharinelightwrites1

Facebook – Katharinelightwrites

Review: A Blighter is Bumped Off

The only thing worse than a persistent suitor? A dead one on your lawn.

London, 1892. Alice, Duchess of Stortford, has returned to town determined to enjoy her first Season as a wealthy widow. But instead of balls, flirtation, and whispered gossip, she finds herself besieged by ambitious bachelors—none more persistent than the insufferably smooth-talking Miles Fonthill. When Alice firmly refuses his sudden proposal, she assumes the matter is settled.

Instead, he turns up dead in her garden.

The police are happy to call it a tragic accident. Alice is less convinced.

Why was Miles climbing over her garden wall in the middle of the night? Why had he become so determined to win her favour? And what did he really want?

As Alice begins to dig into Miles’ final days, her search leads her into the glittering heart of London society, where old loyalties run deep, secrets are guarded fiercely, and reputation matters more than truth. But when whispers of the mysterious Order of the Golden Key begin circling dangerously close to her own late husband’s name, Alice realises this death may be far more complicated than one unwelcome suitor meeting an unfortunate end.

And if someone is willing to kill to keep their secrets…this Season may prove positively deadly.

Perfect for fans of feisty female sleuths, Victorian High Society, and secret scandals, all served with a dash of humour and a cup of tea.

A Blighter is Bumped Off (A Duchess of Stortford Mystery): A Victorian whodunnit with a hint of humour by Helen Golden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Oh this series! It is so wonderfully, eclectically amusing from start to finish. For me, the mystery boils along at just the right pace. It's never too deep nor to complex, but it's also not boring and predictable. I was so happy to see the lovely duchess prepare to leave mourning. She is too colorful for a life of black lace. Of course, when one of her first suitors winds up dead in her garden, the gossip and who-dunnit is afoot! With a remarkable cast of recurring characters, this charming book series will delight readers of historical fiction and mysteries.

I have read all 4 of these stories and I imagine I will be a fan of the next four, too. They are light, breezy, witty and intriguing. If you are in your cozy mystery era, these deserve a spot on the book list.

View all my reviews

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Blighter-Bumped-Duchess-Stortford-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0FWC6CBLC

https://www.amazon.com/Blighter-Bumped-Duchess-Stortford-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0FWC6CBLC

About Helen Golden

Helen Golden spins mysteries that are charmingly British, delightfully deadly, and served with a twist of humour.

With quirky characters, clever red herrings, and plots that keep the pages turning, she’s the author of the much-loved A Right Royal Cozy Investigation series, following Lady Beatrice and her friends—including one clever little dog—as they uncover secrets hidden in country houses and royal palaces. Her new historical mystery series, The Duchess of Stortford Mysteries, is set in Victorian England and introduces an equally curious sleuth from Lady Beatrice’s own family tree—where murders are solved over cups of tea, whispered gossip, and overheard conversations in drawing rooms and grand estates.

Helen lives in a quintessential English village in Lincolnshire with her husband, stepdaughter, and a menagerie of pets—including a dog, several cats, a tortoise, and far too many fish.

If you love clever puzzles, charming settings, and sleuths with spark, her books are waiting for you.

 

​Follow Helen Golden

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/helengolden_author

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

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@helengoldenauthor 

https://twitter.com/HelenGoldenAuth 

Review: The Wordsmith's Guide to Authentic Dialogue

A Wordsmith's Guide to Writing Authentic Dialogue: A Practical Handbook for Crafting Natural, Character-Driven Conversations by Elizabeth M. Hurst
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This has become one of my favorite series on the craft of writing. Once again, the author demonstrates a deep understanding of writing and publication. The first chapter boldly declares "dialogue is not conversation" - and writers should immediately feel both seen and held accountable. There is so much practical help in these guides. It's not just a what, it's a how-to - and a good one at that. There are beautiful books full of the philosophy of writing that will inspire you - this one will help you fix what you wrote after all that inspiration so that it's interesting to someone else, too. Overall, highly recommended manual on perfecting your dialogue. If you want to write, this one needs to be a bruised and broken tome on your shelf. Use it - or bore us all with unnecessary conversation.

I was a little sorry that the exercises got shuffled to the end of the book. I liked having them at the close of the chapter where they were freshest on my mind. I felt honor-bound to complete them when they were staring me in the face.

View all my reviews

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

Author Bio –

Elizabeth was born and bred in the picturesque harbour town of Whitehaven in the northwest of England, where the long, wet winters moulded her into a voracious reader of fiction to escape the dismal weather.

In 2016, Elizabeth set up her freelance editing and proofreading business, EMH Editorial Services. In 2018, she quit the corporate world and concentrated her energy full-time towards her love of the written word.

Elizabeth has published timeslip novellas (the Lost Souls series) and a stand-alone novel, A Light Shines in Darkness, based on Blessed Angelina of Marsciano. She is also the author of The Wordsmith’s Guides, a series of nonfiction books on the craft of writing.

Elizabeth now lives with her husband in the warm and sunny south of France, where the wine is cheaper than the water, and the cats spend their days hunting lizards and dreaming of the birds that roost on the roof.

 

Social Media Links –

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethMHurstAuthor 

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

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@lizhurstauthor

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-m-hurst/

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/lizhurstauthor.bsky.social

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14332807.Elizabeth_M_Hurst

 

Review: Nero the Hero

 

Prepare to meet your new favourite superhero as Nero the Hero reveals his secret! 

Nero is no ordinary dog. This miniature schnauzer has a beard, a bark, and a secret. When danger strikes, he transforms into Nero the Hero, a powerful protector with extraordinary abilities.

Alongside his human, twelve-year-old Jack, Nero dives into fast-paced adventures filled with mystery, heart, and just a touch of fun. But when Jack makes a brave mistake and finds himself in real danger, Nero must face his greatest challenge yet to save his best friend alone.

Perfect for readers aged 8-12, this highly illustrated chapter book blends action-packed fantasy with an engaging, accessible style, making it ideal for reluctant readers and confident young bookworms alike. With short chapters and dynamic illustrations, Nero the Hero is a thrilling start to a children’s fantasy series about friendship, bravery, and daring rescues.

Fans of Claude and The Hounds of Penhallow Hall will love this action-filled adventure starring a heroic dog and the boy who believes in him.

From the author of the popular Magical Mister Mishkins series, Samantha Mattocks introduces a bold new hero first seen in The Magic of Mister Mishkins. Beautifully illustrated by Gerda Smit, this is a story full of adventure, loyalty, and the power of believing in something extraordinary.

Review

Nero the Hero is an adorable book perfect for early readers. My 6-year-old son is very into the Puppy Place series and anything dog-related on Netflix, so he grabbed this readily from me. He loved self-appointed superhero Nero and his boy, Jack. I loved all the ways that they showed a dog bring love and goodness into the world of children.

If your kids have every made you watch Super PupZ or Paw Patrol, this should be a great summer book. It's available digitally and the artwork was bright and colorful on our iPad. The writing level is appropriate for early readers. It has a few challenge words but is mostly very comfortable for a reader that can handle Magic Treehouse or the Puppy Place series independently.

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nero-Hero-1/dp/106824271X/

https://www.amazon.com/Nero-Hero-1/dp/106824271X/

Author Bio – Samantha Mattocks is best known for her highly illustrated Middle Grade books in The Magical Mister Mishkins series. Her words have transported readers across all her work to another place, one filled with magic, inspiration, dreams, and more.

An award-winning journalist and author, Samantha lives in Norfolk. She owns The Arabian Magazine, a beautiful publication that celebrates the Arabian horse. She was on MasterChef UK in 2019.

Social Media Links –

Insta –  https://www.instagram.com/samanthamattockswrites/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/samanthamattockswrites

Review: A Cornish Escape

 

When a catastrophe threatens Ellie's business there's a puzzling mystery to solve, and Gertie steps in to follow the clues. Love and romance are the very last things on Gertie's mind right now. But while she's risking her safety helping to hunt down the culprits, could she also be in danger of losing her heart?

Review

Rosie Green writes such delightful stories.  This cozy romance checks all her elements - a cheerful love story, a happy little seaside town, and a little bit of mystery. The mystery drives the plot, but it isn't a strong whodunit and you won't need a notebook to track any details. Like the other books in Little Duck Pond Cafe series, this story is light and uplifting. It will renew your faith in love and community. 

Gertie and Jonah have been featured in other Little Duck Pond Cafe books. The series may feel overwhelming at 46 books. Each is an easy comfort read, perfect for camping trips or lazy Sundays on the porch. I haven't read every book in the series and I don't feel lost wherever I jump in. So don't feel like you have to read 45 books before this one - or dive in and have a book-happy summer.

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FRM5QNMQ

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FRM5QNMQ

 

Author Bio – Rosie Green is the author of the popular Little Duck Pond Café series, set in the fictional village of Sunnybrook. Watch out for lots more café drama and romance in 2026, including ‘The Secrets of Midsummer Cottage’, which will be published in July.

Follow Rosie on Twitter - https://twitter.com/Rosie_Green88

https://www.instagram.com/rosiegreen_author/

Review: No Chance

 

A romantic comedy of missed chances, awkward encounters, and one unforgettable trip across Europe. In the summer of 1985, Will Evans sets off interrailing with one goal: win the heart of Ruby, the girl he’s been hopelessly in love with since university. But with bad timing, bad jokes and a rival named Tom Bellows, Will’s chances are slim. As they journey through cities, cultures and chaos, Will must navigate more than train timetables - like growing up, letting go and learning what love really means.  Funny, heartfelt, and painfully relatable, No Chance is a nostalgic coming-of -age story for anyone who has ever loved too hard, too soon

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/No-Chance-Gareth-Thomas-ebook/dp/B0FWDDT9BT

https://www.amazon.com/No-Chance-Gareth-Thomas-ebook/dp/B0FWDDT9BT

No Chance by Gareth Alun Thomas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a charming romance-and-a-little-more story that really hit me in the feels. It's the European train trip I dreamed about in my twenties, complete with the almost-missed romance. I laughed, cringed and cried at this well-paced growing up story that really nails what it feels like to be completely at a loss when everyone thinks you've got it all figured out.

View all my reviews

Author Bio – Gareth Alun Thomas was born in Dinas Powys, just outside Cardiff but now lives in Blackwood in the Welsh Valleys. He has worked for over 34 years for the NHS as a Biomedical Scientist and has recently retired but returned to work part time. Working less hours, Gareth finally had time to write his first novel, No Chance, something he always wanted to do. When his parents passed away Gareth and his brothers had to clear their house and came across old diaries he had written when he travelling with 5 friends across Europe on an interrail ticket. Using this diary as a template, Gareth finally wrote and completed his first novel, No Chance. Gareth has been happily married to Amanda for over 30 years and they have 3 children 2 girls and a boy. In his spare time Gareth enjoys walking the dog, travelling and playing the guitar as well as cooking for the family.

Social Media Links – Facebook Gareth Alun Thomas, X @garethalun5, Instagram garethalun5.

Promo: Time of My Life

 

How far would you go to change your life?

When Eliza Woods sees an advertisement for someone’s whole life for sale – their house, car, all their belongings, even their clothes and cat – not to mention a trial-run in their job and an introduction to their friends… she decides it’s fate.

Grabbing a different life with both hands is exactly what she needs. Even if 26-year-old Carrie’s wildly-social life and job in a bar couldn’t be more different from Eliza’s quieter existence.

As for Carrie, she’s heading off to Greece, desperate to run away from everything she’s familiar with in England. The two women message each other after the deal has gone through, with Eliza excited to go for cocktails with Carrie’s friends before her first shift at her new job.

What Carrie doesn’t tell her is why she put her life up for sale. And what Eliza doesn’t tell Carrie is that she’s about to turn 75. And that isn’t her only secret…

Don’t miss this absolutely brilliant, escapist read. Available now!

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

The Time of My Life Is currently available for only 99p!

Author Bio –

Samantha Tonge lives in Manchester UK. She studied German and French at university and has worked abroad, including a stint at Disneyland Paris. She has travelled widely.

Samantha has sold many dozens of short stories to women’s magazines. She is represented by Darley Anderson Agency & Associates. In 2015 her summer novel, Game of Scones, hit #5 in the UK Kindle chart and won the Love Stories Awards Best Romantic Ebook category. In 2020 one of her novels won the RNA's Jackie Collins Romantic Thriller Award. Currently Samantha writes uplifting, emotional women's fiction for Boldwood Books. She seeks to raise a smile, and make a reader feel they are not alone with the challenges of life.

 

Social Media Links –  X – https://x.com/SamTongeWriter

Instagram – samanthatongeauthor

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SamanthaTongeAuthor

Review: Witch Hunt

 

Murder, witchcraft, and a race against time – welcome to Pendle Hill.

A young woman is found brutally murdered and mutilated at the foot of Pendle Hill and the local police are in no doubt who the killer is. Newly released from a psychiatric unit, Will Perkins has delusions that the victim is a witch. When DCI Liam Doyle and his team are brought in to investigate, the suspect is already in custody and the case apparently wrapped up. Except for one key detail – evidence.

Is it really possible the origins to this murder lie in Pendle’s infamous past?

Recently returned to work, DS Anna Morgan is battling her own demons. The physical wounds from her last case have healed, but the psychological trauma still haunts her. When another body turns up the investigation is blown wide open and Doyle has to face up to the horrifying possibility that he could have prevented this killing.
Can Doyle overcome his own doubts and track down the killer before they strike again? Will Morgan be able to conquer her fear before it destroys her?

Set in and around Lancashire’s legendary Pendle Hill, Witch Hunt is a gripping British crime thriller with dark humour and a nail-biting climax. This fast-paced novel, the second in the series featuring DCI Doyle and DS Morgan, will have listeners on the edge of their seats.

If you have enjoyed books by authors such as Val McDermid, MW Craven, JD Kirk and Alex Smith, you won’t want to miss Witch Hunt.

Review

Witch Hunt is an interesting procedural that looks at the intersection of mythology, madness and murder. The story is gritty, not cozy, but the gore and details didn’t get in the way of fhe story. For me, it was more of a how-dunnit than a who-dunnit. The book builds to an exciting climax regardless of when you figure out the mystery  

I listened to the story on Audible. The audiobook is well-read by Aubrey Parsons. He has a good grip on voices and accents and the male/female voices were discernible without being annoying  

Purchase Links

UK Links:

https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B0GV51STB8

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GV4XCNLT 

USA Links:

https://www.audible.com/pd/B0GV5659QN

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GV59H5TQ

Author Bio –

Fast approaching fifty; without enough money for a sports car, BD Spargo decided to express his mid-life crises by turning to crime …

Thankfully for pretty much everyone this meant writing crime fiction rather than anything more nefarious. Originally from London, he spent his early career working in television and theatre including on the Ruth Rendall Mysteries broadcast on ITV.

A life changing accident necessitated retraining and a change of direction going on to work in mental health services. This culminated in ten years managing a groundbreaking forensic psychiatric service. He now lives in Lancashire with his family and is getting acclimatised to the rain.

 

Social Media Links –

Website:                           https://bdspargo.com

Facebook:                         http://facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557017745842

Twitter:                           https://twitter.com/BDSpargo

Bluesky:                            https://bsky.app/profile/bdspargo.bsky.social

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

 

Review: The Fatal Farandole

 

The Fatal Farandole

The Fatal Farandoleis a cozy mystery full of plot twists and small-town secrets. It’s perfect for fans of character-driven crime novels with emotional depth.

A beloved Provençal festival.
A murderous conspiracy.
A bullfighter who knows too much.

When two local chefs are killed within a week, shockwaves ripple through the region’s tight-knit culinary world.

Suspicion lands squarely on baker Julie Cavallo.

As whispers turn to accusations, her eccentric family closes ranks, and her loyal friends rally to her side.

But Julie’s running out of time. Her pastry shop is at risk. Her love life is unraveling. The gendarmes are tracking her every move. Julie can’t afford to wait for the official investigation to uncover the truth.

Her instincts go into overdrive. Dots connect. Patterns appear…

Can Julie make it through this case, when asking the right questions has already gotten others killed?

Review

I am so completely in my Jessica Fletcher era.  Ana Drew's Beldoc series has just the right vibe. Baker Julie Cavallo has that uncanny ability to land herself in the middle of a murder mystery even though she'd rather be proving that gluten-free can still be decadent. 

It's easy to make me dive into a cozy mystery, not always as easy to get me to finish it or to read the next one. However, I find these little charmers by Ana Drew to be just the right length and complexity to be intriguing and fun without becoming burdensome or dull. 

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F749KMMK

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0F749KMMK

Author Bio –

Ana T. Drew is the evil mastermind behind a recent string of murders in the fictional French town of Beldoc. A first-place winner of the Chanticleer MYSTERY & MAYHEM Awards, her books have been released in several languages, both independently and through traditional houses, including HarperCollins France and Straarup & Co.

When she’s not plotting mysteries, Ana can be found perfecting her low-carb cookie recipes or watching The Rookie to cope with the void left by Castle.

Ana lives in Paris with her husband and their dog, but her heart resides in Provence.

 

Social Media Links –

Website: https://www.ana-drew.com

Facebook: facebook.com/AnaDrewAuthor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/anadrew   

Haunting Willows Cottage

 

Ingrid and her daughter Susan return to the Western Highlands of Scotland, staying at Strathbairn with Gertrude McCleod while their new home, a cottage by the loch, is redecorated. The very same day, the ghosts of Ingrid's past return when Gertrude's brother Miles arrives with his new bride and his friend Timothy.

When her former beau turned betrayer Hamish starts work on a barn conversion, Ingrid is desperate to leave Strathbairn. She rushes to move into the cottage only to find she is sharing her new home with a violent ghost.

Realising the haunting is somehow connected to Strathbairn and sensing that something at Willows Cottage must be returned, she makes every effort to discover what that it is.

While Hamish and Gertrude conspire to force Ingrid into marriage, Timothy becomes a regular caller with a romantic motive. With two suitors and two marriage proposals, who will she choose - and can she solve the haunting of Willows Cottage?

A gripping conclusion to a classic gothic mystery trilogy laced with dark family secrets.

Review 

The Haunting of Willows Cottage by Isobel Blackthorn
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book offers strong characters, beautiful settings and an intriguing mystery. I love a good gothic mystery, and this is one. The author keeps the mood taut, dropping the right number of hints to drive you through the novel. Gothic horror is largely psychological and eerie, rather than more overt horror. For me, that's the sweet spot, but others might prefer more grab-and-stab than this novel provides.

This is part of a trilogy and I wish I had read the other books for a deeper understanding of the backstory and characters. So, consider reading these books in order for the best experience.

View all my reviews

 

Purchase Links

UNIVERSAL BOOK LINK: https://books2read.com/u/mYJzVp

AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FXJDKJQ3

APPLE BOOKS: https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-haunting-of-willows-cottage/id6754550008

BARNES & NOBLE: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-haunting-of-willows-cottage-isobel-blackthorn/1148696029?ean=2940182364515

GOOGLE BOOKS: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=laCSEQAAQBAJ

RAKUTEN KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/ebook/the-haunting-of-willows-cottage

Author Bio –

Isobel Blackthorn is an award-winning author of immersive and inspiring fiction. She has penned over twenty-five books including a number of bestsellers. She majors in strong female leads and empowerment narratives.

Among her credits, Isobel’s biographical short story ‘Nothing to Declare’, which forms the first chapter of her biographical novel Emma’s Tapestry, was shortlisted for the Ada Cambridge Prose Prize 2019. One of her Canary Islands novels, A Prison in the Sun, was shortlisted in the LGBTQ category of the Readers’ Favorite Book Awards 2020 and the International Book Awards 2021. The Cabin Sessions was nominated for the Bram Stoker Award 2018 and the Ditmar Awards 2018. And The Unlikely Occultist: A biographical novel of Alice A. Bailey received an Honorable Mention in the 2021 Reader’s Favorite Book Awards.

Blackthorn is the author of the world’s only biography of Theosophist and mother of the New Age movement Alice Bailey – Alice A. Bailey: Life & Legacy.

Isobel has a background in Western Esotericism. She holds 1st Class Honours in Social Studies, and a PhD from the University of Western Sydney for her ground-breaking research on the works of Alice A. Bailey. Her doctoral thesis has been downloaded over 13,000 times.

Isobel’s first work, which she wrote in 2008, is Voltaire’s Garden. This memoir is set in the mid 2000s and tells the story of building a sustainable lifestyle B&B in Cobargo on the south coast of New South Wales, Australia, which gained international attention when a firestorm razed the idyllic historic village on New Year’s Eve 2019.

Isobel’s writing has appeared in journals and websites around the world, including Esoteric Quarterly, New Dawn Magazine, Paranoia, Mused Literary Review, Trip Fiction, Backhand Stories, Fictive Dream and On Line Opinion. Isobel was a judge for the Australasian Shadow Awards 2020 long fiction category. Her book reviews have appeared in New Dawn Magazine, Esoteric Quarterly, Shiny New Books, Sisters in Crime, Australian Women Writers, Trip Fiction and Newtown Review of Books.

Isobel’s interests are many and varied. She has a long-standing association with the Canary Islands, having lived in Lanzarote in the late 1980s. A humanitarian and campaigner for social justice, in 1999 Isobel founded the internationally acclaimed Ghana Link, uniting two high schools, one a relatively privileged state school located in the heart of England, the other a materially impoverished school in a remote part of the Upper Volta region of Ghana, West Africa. After working as a teacher, market trader and PA to a literary agent, she arrived at writing in her forties, and her stories are as diverse and intriguing as her life has been.

Isobel has performed her literary works at events in a range of settings and given workshops in creative writing.

British by birth, Isobel entered this world in Farnborough, Kent, UK. She has lived in England, Australia, Spain and the Canary Islands. She now lives and writes in Spain. She is currently at work on two novels composed in Spanish.

 

Social Media Links –

https://isobelblackthorn.com/

https://www.facebook.com/Author.Isobel.Blackthorn/

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https://www.instagram.com/isobelblackthorn/

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