Thank you to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources for inviting me to participate in the blog tour for Death at Lovers' Leap, the third book in Martha Miller series of cozy mysteries set in a fictional village of Westleham in 1948.

Death at Lovers' Leap

Westleham Village 1948

As Valentine's Day rolls around, Martha Miller finds herself unusually melancholy at the state of her own love life. With husband Stan still missing and with her growing feelings for Vicar Luke still shrouded in secrecy, there’s only one place Martha can go - famous local beauty spot, Lovers' Leap.
Legend has it that those with a broken heart throw themselves off the bridge that spans the river, but Martha is certainly not about to do such a thing! But it looks like someone else has had other ideas…. Because there in the river, Martha finds a body. But is this misadventure, a moment of lovesick madness, or is foul play afoot? Martha knows one thing…the villagers of Westleham have another crime to solve! Let the investigation commence! Find out if Martha and Luke can catch the killer in a brand new Martha Miller mystery from bestselling author Catherine Coles.

Publication Date: February 16, 2024 by Boldwood Books
Publisher: Boldwood Books


Purchase Link

My thoughts:
Death at Lovers' Leap is  the third book in  Martha Miller Mysteries set in the post-war rural Britain. I'm a big fan of Catherine Coles' writing style- deceptively simple, but extremely engaging and full of realistic memorable details. If you are wondering whether you need to read the first two books before embarking on this one, the beginning of the story contains a very useful recap which will bring a new reader up to speed with the series in no time at all.
Martha, despite being quite reserved, is an extremely likeable character who has managed to make quite a few friends in the village. If you read the second book, you will remember we were left on a cliffhanger as far as her relationship with her sleuthing sidekick the dashing vicar Luke Walker is concerned. Their life circumstances seem to make it impossible for them to be more than friends. Of course, we've all been expecting the third book to see if we are going to get more news about where and why Stan Miller disappeared, leaving Martha desperately destitute and lonely. Luckily, she managed to integrate into the village life, not least thanks to her sleuthing successes. When Martha finds another dead body, the victim's mother, who is convinced it couldn't have possibly been a suicide, asks her to find the murderer of her son. The mystery itself is pretty straightforward and you will probably guess the culprit and their motive quite early on. Still, we get more developments on the romance front and other important relationships and get introduced to a few new characters.
The book has practically no subplots which makes it easier to read, but also makes it appear an interlude. The important thing is that the story never drags and leaves you both entertained and looking forward to the next instalment.
As with the previous books, I really liked the historical details and the bigger context in which the story is set, including the rationing books which play an important part in the story. I would definitely recommend this series to anyone who enjoys historical mysteries.
Thank you to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources, Netgalley and Boldwood books for the review copy provided in exchange for an honest opinion.

Author Bio

The daughter of a military father, Catherine was born in Germany and lived most of the first 14 years of her life abroad. She spent her school years devouring everything her school library had to offer! Catherine writes cosy mysteries that take place in the English countryside. Her extremely popular Tommy & Evelyn Christie mysteries are set in 1920s North Yorkshire. Catherine lives in northeast England with her two spoiled dogs who have no idea they are not human!

Social Media Links
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.coles.9847
Twitter https://twitter.com/catherinecoles
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/catherinecolesauthor/
Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/CatherineColesNews
Bookbub profile: Catherine Coles Books - BookBub

Thank you to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources for inviting me to participate in the blog tour for The Testing of Rose Alleyn by Vivien Freeman and thank you to Vivien for her guest post today.

About the book:

The Testing of Rose Alleyn

England in the year 1900. A vibrant young woman must take control of her destiny.
Vivien Freeman’s atmospheric novel brings late Victorian England hauntingly to life in the mind of the reader. In this beautifully written romance, we explore the choices facing an independent-minded woman at a time when women struggled for self-determination.

Purchase Links
Amazon / Waterstones / Amazon

Guest Post by Vivien Freeman

Ordinary Women by Vivien Freeman
 
No one is ‘ordinary’…
 
In 1921, when Marie Stopes opened her Mothers’ Clinic for Constructive Birth Control, offering contraceptive advice to married women, she said that it was not uncommon for her to meet women there who had been through twenty pregnancies.
I learned this fact from a Woman’s Hour feature just when I was starting to write about Rose Alleyn.  The thought of what life must have been like for those women horrified and angered me.  It also made me want to explore it, in a work of fiction, through the eyes of a daughter of one such mother as she approaches adult life.
At the age of sixteen, Rose has lived through the deaths of a much-loved little brother and sister, a new-born, a still-born, and the loss of a baby late in term, as well as what she has come to understand were five miscarriages.  Late in her twentieth pregnancy her mother suffered a fatal heart attack.  This traumatic event has fuelled Rose’s resolution never to marry.  The tension between this resolve and a developing relationship with her employer, Leonard Pritchard, is one of the strands of conflict in The Testing of Rose Alleyn.
If you look hard enough, you can always find exceptions to the general rule that women’s lives in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries were prescribed by gender and social status.  But they are rare examples, usually helped by the women in question being titled or wealthy or both, and not being opposed by a father or other male relative.  Marie Stopes herself is a good example.  She came from an enlightened family who encouraged her thirst for knowledge.  Even so, when her father died in 1902 and her family faced financial ruin, she was only able to continue her ground-breaking studies due to the patronage of her professor.  The illustrious (as she became) Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, upon completing her initial education, had to spend the next nine years undertaking domestic duties, continuing her studies in her spare time, since at first her father was opposed to his daughter becoming a physician.  These are some of the women you hear about because they managed to surmount everything that was thrown at them.  They were, indeed, the exceptions.
In The Testing of Rose Alleyn, I wanted to explore what life would be like for an ‘ordinary’ woman who, because of her humble background, had no lofty aspirations, was not under the patronage of some male, nor of independent means and who, therefore, had to earn her own keep.  I wanted to do this also, indeed, especially, because I believe that no one is ‘ordinary’.  We all have our own dramas.  Every life has incalculable depth.  There is no such thing as ‘ordinary’.
The fact that Rose has defied expectations and, unlike her three sisters and two of her brothers, has not gone into service at the local Big House, Sawdons, astonishes the rest of her family.  It is, as one of her brothers acknowledges, courageous when she chooses the path she does, since she has never worked in a shop, let alone a bookshop.  She has, though, as her most loyal family supporter remarks, always been a great reader devouring the very limited library within her reach.
For a female as young as Rose to strike out and try to forge an independent life in the busy market town of Widdock is a bold venture in Victorian times.  Her struggle to maintain that life, with all that it offers in terms of new cultural horizons and female friendships – not to mention love – against the demands of family loyalty back in her old home village, Markly, is another strand of conflict which runs through the novel.
If there is no such things as ‘ordinary’, there are, on the other hand, archetypal experiences, and these need to be celebrated. Giving birth, dying and being witness to these events, celebration and grief, together with activities as everyday as preparing and sharing a meal – these things are perennial and universal. 
I would like to think that someone from another age could recognise the scenes and experiences I describe in my novel, and that someone from another culture could do so, too.  We are all human beings.  I choose to celebrate the positive in our human nature and, in my writing, hold it up to the light.        

Vivien Freeman grew up in North London and graduated in Art History from the University of East Anglia before settling in Ware, Hertfordshire. A published poet as well as a novelist, she taught Creative Writing for many years and has an M.A. in Scriptwriting from Salford University. She now lives in rural Wales in the Vale of Glamorgan with her husband, the poet, John Freeman.

From the blurb:

The Santa Killer

The Santa Killer is coming to town…

One night less than two weeks before Christmas, a single mother is violently assaulted. It’s a brutal crime at the time of year when there should be goodwill to all. When DI Barton begins his investigation, he’s surprised to find the victim is a woman with nothing to hide and no reason for anyone to hurt her.
A few days later, the mother of the woman attacked rings the police station. Her granddaughter has drawn a shocking picture. It seems she was looking out of the window when her mother was attacked. And when her grandmother asks the young girl who the person with the weapon is, she whispers two words.
Bad Santa.

The rumours start spreading, and none of the city’s women feel safe - which one of them will be next?
He’s got a list. It’s quite precise. It won’t matter even if you’re nice.

Purchase Link

Publisher: Boldwood Books
Publication date: September 9th, 2022

My thoughts:
Dark and grim, but so well-written! If you've really enjoyed reading about DI Barton and his team, you'll be disappointed to find out this is the last instalment in the series. If this is your first Ross Greenwood book, don't worry-it can be read as a standalone and you can always go back and read about the team's previous cases.
A single mother is brutally attacked practically on her doorstep. The only witness, her young daughter, who is on the spectrum, draws a basic picture and says two mysterious words 'Bad Santa'. When another woman is assaulted in a similar way and a local DJ receives an ominous letter saying that the Santa Killer is coming to town, the race to solve the mystery and find the attacker begins.
Expect lots of suspects, unpredictable twists and turns that will keep on the edge of your seat.
Another compelling page-turner from Ross Greenwood!

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the review copy,  provided in exchange for an honest opinion.

About the author:

Ross Greenwood is the author of crime thrillers. Before becoming a full-time writer he was most recently a prison officer and so worked everyday with murderers, rapists and thieves for four years. He lives in Peterborough.
Social Media Links –  
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RossGreenwoodAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/greenwoodross
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rossg555/
Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/RossGreenwoodnews
Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/ross-greenwood

'Sweet, funny, heartbreaking but uplifting at the same time. I absolutely LOVED this book.'

Alice Fletcher doesn’t like to take chances and she certainly doesn’t believe in fate. Three years after the end of her last long-term relationship, she’s in no hurry to risk another heartbreak.
But fate has other plans. One day, on her drive home, Alice comes across a man, dazed and lost, by the side of a wrecked car. And with no one else around, Alice goes to help.
TV star Jimmy Mack is riding the crest of the career wave one minute, and the next he’s staring at his crashed car. But when Alice comes to rescue him, things start to look up.
What Alice and Jimmy discover next changes everything. Fate might have marked them out for each other, but somehow their destinies have got tangled. Will they get their happily-ever-after, or might their time together be shorter than either of them would hope…
Join Jill Steeples for this truly ‘out of this world’ romance and a love story to remember. Perfect for fans of Jessica Redland, Cathy Bramley and Miranda Dickinson.

Publication Date: May 12th, 2022
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Purchase Link

My thoughts:
A sweet story which is also  very difficult one to review without giving spoilers!
I really liked Alice Fletcher, the protagonist- she is a hard-working, super-organised PA, someone I would imagine has to be quite down-to earth. At the same time she is kind and romantic. Alice is driving home on Friday the 13th, happily thinking about her weekend, when she sees a car which has clearly been mangled by a horrific accident and a shell-shocked man next to it. Alice doesn't think twice before offering her assistance to Jimmy. Even when she realises he is a TV celebrity, all she sees is someone who needs comfort and help in his admittedly more than unusual predicament. Gradually they get to know each other. There's a special kind of trust, respect, and even tenderness that is growing between them, even when a scandal threatens to tarnish Jimmy's reputation and only Alice is willing to do everything possible to clear his name. Jimmy is sweet, caring, and thoughtful- I dare any reader to try and not fall in love with him, but he has a unique kind of problem that sooner or later will force them to go their separate ways. Or won't it?
A very quick, easy read, surprisingly uplifting, despite the sad circumstances in which the protagonists meet. A simple message of living your life to the full and taking care of people around you might be a bit predictable, but it is still true and it still helps to hear it again to make us look around and appreciate what we have.
Looking forward to reading Jill's next book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood books for the review copy provided in exchange for an honest opinion.

Author Bio

Jill Steeples is the author of many successful women’s fiction titles – most recently the Dog and Duck series - all set in the close communities of picturesque English villages. She lives in Bedfordshire.

Social Media Links –
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/jillsteepleswriter
Twitter  https://twitter.com/jillesteeples

Description

"Fire wasn’t exactly the intended outcome of a water spell, but with me, sadly inevitable."

Phoebe’s new life as a mage hasn’t had an auspicious start. No matter how hard she tries, her spells fail spectacularly. How is she to impress her boss, Archibald Kane, if she keeps setting her hair on fire?

Her problems with magic become trivial when a night out ends with a dead body. The victim has clearly been killed by a vampire, and the evidence points at Phoebe’s housemate Luca.

The leader of London vampires, Morgan Hunt, is convinced Luca is guilty. To prove his innocence, Phoebe and Luca set out to solve the death. Was the victim random, or has an old enemy of Hunt’s returned? And how are they to find the killer when Hunt has done his best to hide his past?

Phoebe is an expert in unearthing old things, but facing a powerful foe would be easier, if she had a hang of her spellcasting too. Luckily she has magical friends she can count on. And maybe the third spell turns out to be the charm after all.

Publisher: Crimson House Books        
Publication Date:   March 27th 2022
ISBN 9789527061558
ebook ISBN: 9789527061541

My thoughts:

Third Spell's the Charm is the third book in Susanna Shore's House of Magic series of paranormal cozy mysteries set in London.

Our sweet and charming protagonist Phoebe Thorpe is finally coming to terms with the discovery of the supernatural London and its usual suspects- vampires, weres, witches and warlocks, and an occasional hellhound or two. This is a bit of a spoiler if you haven't read the first two books yet, but she is also a mage herself, well, an untrained one, who needs to level up her non-existent spellcasting as soon as possible. As the title and the blurb suggest, Phoebe shouldn't let her spectacular failures discourage her, it will all come to her eventually and our naive mage/amateur sleuth will save the day for her lovely landladies, her housemates Ashleigh and Luca, her gentlemanly boss/love  interest Kane, and the whole law-abiding magic community.

I loved seeing the familiar faces and finding out how Phoebe's relationships and friendships grow and deepen. The mystery itself was based on an old grudge, so Phoebe has to do quite a lot of good, old fact-gathering and just won't let bygones stay bygones. As you can guess this doesn't go down well and she manages to ruffle a few feathers. If you pay attention to details, it isn't too difficult to guess the villain this time.

An easy, fun read, perfect for anyone who likes paranormal cozies with quirky, adorable characters and a lot of fast-paced action. Looking forward to the next story in this addictive series!

Thank you to NetGalley and Crimson House Books for the review copy provided in exchange for an honest opinion.

About the author:
​Susanna Shore is an independent author of more than twenty books. She writes the Two-Natured London paranormal romance series, P.I. Tracy Hayes series of light mysteries set in Brooklyn, and House of Magic paranormal mystery series. She is also an author of some contemporary romances and thrillers.

You can find her on Twitter @SusannaShore and more about her books on her webpage susannashore.com, where you can also find short stories and a sign-up page to her newsletter.

Description:

It Started With A Kiss
Can two strangers dreams lead to their destiny?

American Star Mendoza is living in her dream location, Edinburgh, a place she discovered in British novels while growing up.
Employed at a trendy city centre coffee shop, quirky, pink-haired Star spends her days fantasising about a handsome businessman she serves daily.
He's totally out of her league but a girl can dream, right?

Fin Hunter is exhausted from striving for his father's elusive love and approval, and of following a life path of his family’s making.
When things go drastically wrong Fin decides it’s time to stand on his own two feet and follow his own dream.

Star is bereft when her handsome stranger stops coming to her coffee shop, but a chance encounter in the most unlikely of places leaves her wondering if her fantasy could now become a reality?

Can opposites attract over their love of a city and music or is their story simply doomed to fail?

Previously Published as 'Star Attraction'

Publisher: Boldwood Books
Publication Date: April21st 2022

Purchase Link

My thoughts:
The first thing I noticed (well, apart from this  gorgeous  book cover) was how readable the book is. Lisa Hobman's writing style makes it very easy to get into the story and follow the events. It is also very sweet and romantic, given the differences in the background of the two protagonists Fin and Star- and yet, they are also perfect for each other.

Fin has been trying to be a perfect son all his life, but nothing makes his demanding parents happy or  proud of him. He even agrees to something that can only be called an arranged marriage to please his father and promote his business interests. But then things go spectacularly wrong...

Star is An American who is in love with all things Scottish (can't blame her!). When she gets a chance to move to Edinburgh, she can finally move to the city of her dreams. A talented photographer, Star lso works in a coffee shop where she meets Fin. Sparks fly, but the road to true happiness isn't easy.

Fabulous setting and lots of great characters, both main and supporting, plus, Lisa Hobman's lovely, warm writing style - the book has so much going on for it! Recommended to all readers looking for a sweet, enjoyable story with a bit of family drama and a happily-ever-after in the end.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the review copy provided in exchange for an honest opinion.

From the book blurb:

The Mersey Mothers
Liverpool 1953

January sees the dawn of the Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation year as the mothers of Reckoners Row unite in preparation for the celebration of the new Queen.

Meanwhile Evie Kilgaren is dreaming of her summer wedding to Danny Harris, but trouble looms for Skinner & Sons with a new rival trying to put them out of business, but no-one knows why....

Ada Harris is summoned to the bedside of her estranged husband, who, in his dying moment confesses to a deadly secret - he knows who really murdered Evie’s mam Rene all those years ago and the consequences are far reaching.

Has an innocent man been jailed and is there still a murderer walking carefree?

Will Evie get the happy-ever-after she so longs for with Danny? And will The Mersey Mothers unite and still be friends?

Publisher: Boldwood Books
Publication Date: April 19th, 2022

 Purchase Link

My thoughts:

This was my first book by Sheila Riley and I can see now why her novels are so popular. The book is so  engaging and easy to read that it's impossible not to fall in love with  its  fabulous characters!

It starts with a grim prologue. If you've read the previous books in the Reckoner's Row series, you already know that Evie Kilgaren's mother was murdered in 1947. Here we get a brief glimpse of what happened and know the case wasn't as clear-cut as it appeared to the investigating authorities. Is it possible that Rene's husband, Frank Kilgaren, was wrongly convicted and sent away to the Asylum for Criminally Insane?

The main events take place in 1953. Evie is preparing for her summer wedding with Danny Harris (Skinner). They are doing their best to keep Danny's delivery business afloat, but the company is in trouble. Ada Harris, the woman who the woman who raised Danny is called to the deathbed of her estranged husband Bert and finds out he knew who really killed Evie's mother Rene.
It is very easy to follow the story even if you haven't read the previous parts. Having said this, I wish I'd started from the beginning of this family saga- the writing style is extremely enjoyable and I loved all the historical detail that put the story into a wider context and brought it to life for me.
Heartwarming, family and community-oriented, full of likeable, strong characters, The Mersey Mothers has a lot going for it and will be much appreciated by the readers who enjoy the historical fiction genre!

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the review copy provided in exchange for an honest opinion.

Thank you to Rachel from Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me to participate in Under One Roof by Samantha Tonge.

Under One Roof
One forgotten discovery will change three women’s lives for ever…
Robin hasn’t been home for decades. After running away to London, she never expected to see her cantankerous mother, Faye, again. But when Faye has a fall, the two women are thrown together once more.
The years apart have not made their hearts grow fonder and the ground between them is unsteady. Then Robin finds an unopened scroll – the last of the treasure hunts her much-missed father used to take them on every Sunday. A hunt he believed might change everything. 
Yet, not even this gift from her beloved father can smooth the way until Robin’s daughter, Amber, arrives to meet her grandmother for the first time.  Amber is determined that the decades-old mystery be solved.
Can a 30-year-old treasure hunt really ‘change everything’?
Purchase Link

My thoughts:
I have come to expect well-written and entertaining books from Samantha Tonge, but this one is special and is probably my favourite so far. There is unexpected depth in this very easy-to-read, seemingly simple story of three women, representing three generations of one family.
Robin ran away from home when she was 16 and although she did see her mother Faye once when her own daughter Amber was born, it wan’t enough to heal the animosity and bridge the gap between then. Now, 48-year-old, divorced and recently made redundant Robin is asked by her Uncle Ralph to go back to her home village in greater Manchester to take care of Faye who has had a nasty fall. You’d think Robin’s mother would be grateful for having someone to look after her for a few weeks until her cast comes off and her bruises fade, but no, Faye doesn’t want any help or support, especially not from her estanged daughter who left her in the summer when Faye’s husband/Robin’s dad passed away. But Robin isn’t the same firey teenager with little life experience- she has matured and learned how to deal with challenging situations and a lot of this experience has come from being a mother herself. When her sweet, independent, eighteen-year-old daughter has a bit of a crisis with student accomodation, the simplest solution is to move into her grandmother’s house and get to know Faye and the secrets her family holds.
I loved the way the story focused on the three main characters (a bit more on Robin and Faye) which allowed the author to really develop them and dig deep into their feelings and their motivations. All of this without becoming too long and boring. There is a wonderful treasure hunt with its enigmatic clues- the last gift left by Robin’s father to the two people he considered most precious in the world. Of course, Faye and Robin do need Amber’s help to not only with the mysterious anagram, but also with their own uneasy mother-daughter relationship. There are also great references to 80s (including some fashion gems a lot of readers are going to sigh over nostalgically). And there are Dear Debbie! letters written by teenage Robin that bring a bit of levity and show how difficult it is (some say impossible) to give life advice to a teenage girl. The secondary characters are memorable in their own way- e.g. Tara, Yul, Blanche, even absolutely adorable Hoover…They do not take away from the protagonists, but rather add and enhance their stories by providing valuable details that let us understand what happened and empathise.
While my own family is nothing like Robin’s, reading this book brought back a lot of memories from when my grandmother was still alive and I could observe her relationship with my mother and realise for the first time in my life why my mother behaved in certain ways.
A well-written, thought-provoking, compelling and entertaining read from a very talented author who keeps delighting her fans with every new release. Highly recommended to anyone who likes stories about families in general and mother-daughter relationships in particular, life, time, second chances, forgiveness and understanding.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the review copy, provided in exchange for an honest opinion.

Author Bio –
Samantha Tonge lives in Manchester UK and studied German and French at university. She has worked abroad, including a stint at Disneyland Paris as part of the Opening Crew, and has travelled widely. She enjoys family time, baking and walking and always knew that one day she would write. Samantha finally took the plunge seriously in her late thirties, and hasn’t stopped since. Under One Roof will be her sixteenth book and she has also sold many dozens of short stories to women’s magazines.

Samantha’s uplifting stories are about identity and self-discovery, about friendships and communities. She enjoys creating diverse characters and writing about relatable issues that make the reader feel it’s not just me. Her books have hit the AmazonUK overall chart Top Ten position twice and she has won two awards.
Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

Thank you to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources and Boldwood Books for inviting me to participate in the blog tour for Starting Over at Primrose Woods by Jill Steeples.

Starting Over at Primrose Woods

Abbey Carter should be feeling on top of the world. 

She has the home of her dreams – a picturesque cottage just walking distance from her beloved Primrose Woods. She has a job she loves, great friends, and most exciting of all – a wedding dress hanging in her wardrobe ready to be worn.  So why does she feel so lonely… 
Lizzie Baker loves her job at the Treetops café in Primrose Woods, and she loves being a grandmother even more. If only she could face her fear of flying and see her granddaughter in person rather than on a screen.
Rhianna West is head over heels for her boyfriend Jay. She just wishes he could see her more regularly. His excuses are starting to wear thin, and Rhi’s dreams for the future are beginning to fade.
Can the fun and friendships, the picture-perfect scenery and rolling seasons in Primrose Woods help the women find the happy endings they deserve? After all anything is possible if you dare to dream…
An absolute treat of a book. Let Jill Steeples whisk you away into the beautiful countryside for the perfect feel-good comfort read. Just right for fans of Cathy Bramley, Heidi Swain and Julie Houston.

Purchase Link

My thoughts:

My first book by Jill Steeples and I'm so charmed know it won't be the last. Sweet, cozy, relaxing, this book is full of lovely countryside views and decent people (with one very notable exception) on the brink of getting a second chance at love.
The three main female characters couldn't have been more different. Abbie with her sweet and caring personality also carries a touch of vulnerability and sadness, perhaps due to missing her late mother. Deep down she knows her relationship with her fiance Jayson has seen more downs than ups recently. They are heading to the altar in just three weeks time, so should she even be listening to her heart which is telling that not everything is right despite having been together with Jason for twelve years. Confident and decisive Rhianna is so consumed with her whirlwind romance with Jay to have not time or energy to make friends in the place she moved to after graduating. There are warning bells ringing in her head too...Why is Jay being so secretive about them and when exactly will he be completely free of his nagging, petty ex? Fifty-nine-year-old Lizzy would love nothing more than to see her her daughter Katie who live in Australia. Her fear of flying is so debilitating that Lizzy's only hope to properly meet her granddaughter Rosie is to wait for her Katie's family to come over and visit her...Until she gets both good news and bad news. All three characters were charming and realistic, flawed and decent at the same time. They are a kind of people you would like to have as neighbours or even friends.
As you have already guessed the three stories are interwoven and are connected with each other through a lovely place- The Primrose Woods Park. I loved the descriptions of nature and fabulous walks..I can't help thinking that the author had a particular place in mind she based these vigniettes on.
I really enjoy second chance romances and can often see myself at a crossroads moment of my life going through similar emotions or my friends second-guessing whether they are ever going to find an honest, reliable partner who is going to love and appreciate them. I also like the inclusion of two widowed protagonists who have a different kind of challenges.
If you like books with a small-town setting, but are a bit apprehensive of their way too coomon focus on gossip, rest assured Starting Over at Primrose Woods is nothing like that. What you get instead is healing nature, a sweet and playful dog, a traditional country pub, and lots of thoughtful, kind people, genuinely caring about each others' feelings.
I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys low-angst books with clean romance in a lovely setting.
Definitely looking forward to reading more from this author!

Thank you to Rachel, Boldwood books and the author for the review copy, provided in exchange for an honest opinion.

Author Bio –

Jill Steeples is the author of many successful women’s fiction titles – most recently the Dog and Duck series - all set in the close communities of picturesque English villages. She lives in Bedfordshire.

Social Media Links
Facebook / Twitter

Thank you for reading the post! Have a lovely Monday and a wonderful new week!

Thank you to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources for inviting me to participate in the blog tour for Hunted, the latest instalment in DC Bailey Morgan series of police procedurals by Caro Savage.

Hunted
Someone is out to murder Detective Constable Bailey Morgan before she can testify in an upcoming trial.

Using her undercover skills, Bailey embarks on a dangerous mission to help the police catch this elusive killer before it’s too late.

But it won’t be easy for she’s up against a cunning and ruthless adversary who will stop at nothing to eliminate her.

A tense game of cat and mouse ensues, leading to a shocking revelation at the heart of which lies the key to Bailey’s survival.

Purchase

My thoughts:

The DC Bailey Morgan is one of my favourite series of police procedurals and I think it keeps getting better and better! If you haven't read the first two books (Jailbird and Villain, both published by Boldwood Books), don't worry, the author provided a brief summary of what exactly happened to Bailey in the past and how it still affects her daily life. Having said that, these are spoilers and if I were you, I'd start from the beginning and enjoy this very well-written series.

Similarly to the first two books, Caro Savage opens this latest instalment with a bang- a professional killer is trying to get information out of a Senior Crown Prosecutor on the only witness in an upcoming trial. Yes, you've guessed it, the witness is our intrepid undercover police officer Bailey Morgan. Once, the victim is found, it is clear that Bailey's life is in grave danger. The undercover operations department have a bold suggestion for Bailey- she is to become a bait for the fantom killer, nicknamed Rex. The hunt begins...and it isn't immediately obvious who is hunting who or who is going to prevail in the end.

I found all aspects of the book fascinating. Bailey is a complex character, still dealing with the aftermath of her first undercover job. One thing is indisputable- Bailey has a strong moral compass and a kind and comassionate heart. Is it wrong of me to say that I found the character of Rex utterly fascinating?I don't want to give away the twist that took me by surprise and completely changed Rex and Bailey's deadly game of hunt and surival, both mental and physical.

The pace is absolutely fantastic in this book with its short, action-packed chapters. I found it absolutely impossible to put the book down until its gripping, nail-biting climax and epilogue. I dearly love having a peek at the last pages, but this time I wasn't tempted at all- I knew the book is to be savoured, page by page.

I can honestly say that I've become a big fan of Caro Savage and can't wait for her next book to come out. Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys a well-written, fast-paced police procedural with a strong female lead.

Author Bio –
Caro Savage knows all about bestselling thrillers having worked as a Waterstones bookseller for 12 years in a previous life. Now taking up the challenge personally and turning to hard-hitting crime thriller writing, Jailbird was published by Boldwood in October 2019.

Social Media Links
Twitter / Instagram / Newsletter

Thank you for reading the post! Have a wonderful Monday!