Book Extract: A Brotherly Devotion By Jill Bray
Please join me in welcoming Jill Bray to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her book, A Brotherly Devotion.
YORK 1224: On a hot July night, Brother Clement is savagely murdered when returning from administering to Lady Maud de Mowbray.
Simon de Hale, Sheriff of Yorkshire, is in his office when Abbot Robert visits to inform him of the murder, and request that he take responsibility for investigating the killing.
Simon is unsure whether the murder is a crime against the Abbey, or if it is a more personal matter against the monk.
Commencing their investigation, Simon and his deputy, Adam, ride out to see Lady Maud de Mowbray at Overton – the last person to see Brother Clement alive. When they encounter her son, Roger de Mowbray, they both take an instant dislike to him.
Lady Mowbray reveals to Simon that she intends to leave her money to the Abbey, and Simon can see this being a motive for the monk’s murder, if her son was aware of this.
The investigation gathers pace and a murder weapon is found.
A banquet is held at the castle to honour the Royal Justice – during which, one of the guests is exposed as the murderer and apprehended. But that will not be the end of the story for Simon and his family.
Jill has shared an extract from A Brotherly Devotion with us today. We hope you enjoy it.
*****beginning of extract*****
This extract is taken from Chapter 5 when Alexander visits Simon to ask for Katherine’s hand in marriage, only to be told that Simon has already promised her to Lord Fitzwarren and has received the King’s approval for the match.
*****
“Alexander, it is good to finally meet you. My daughter Katherine has told me about you.”
Alexander looked up expectantly and a little surprised. “So, you know why I am here then?”
Simon nodded. “Katherine spoke with me last evening.” He was about to continue when Alexander interrupted.
“So, you will know that I love her very much.” He began eagerly, his blue eyes sparkling and clearly nervous. “I have spoken with my own father, and he is agreeable to the marriage. I can assure you that I will take care of her and provide for her. After we are married, we will live with my family to start with, but in time I am hoping to renovate one of the properties on my father’s estate.”
Simon admired Alexanders’ enthusiasm, but he held up his hand to stop him from continuing. He had to put an end to this now, before it went too far. The last thing he wanted was to lead Alexander into thinking there was any chance of him marrying Katherine.
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Book Extract & Giveaway: Poole of Light By RJ Verity
I’m delighted to be welcoming RJ Verity to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her book, Poole of Light, book one in The Poole Legacy.
A coal-mining town. A flicker of light. A boy who dreams of more.
Spennymoor, 1913. When ten-year-old Jem Poole sees a moving picture for the first time, it ignites a spark. Raised in a northern coal-mining town marked by grief and hardship, he begins to dream of more than soot and survival. He dreams of light.
Through war, reinvention, and the golden age of British cinema, Jem rises to national success, building a legacy of silver screens and stories that define a generation. But when a figure from his past reappears, long-buried memories resurface, and he must confront the truth of the life he has built – and the memories that never let go.
Set against the backdrop of twentieth-century Britain, Poole of Light is a richly layered historical debut about ambition, identity, and the stories that shape us.
Perfect for readers who enjoy:
- Character-driven historical fiction with emotional depth
- Coming-of-age novels set in 20th-century England
- Themes of legacy, reinvention, and quiet redemption
- Authors like Jo Baker, Kristin Hannah, Amor Towles and Anthony Doerr
We have a chance for you to win a limited edition copy of Poole of Light but first, RJ Verity has shared an extract with us today. We hope you enjoy.
*****beginning of extract*****
INTRO
In this scene, Jem sets out with a simple, determined goal: to earn enough money to buy a ticket to see a moving picture. What he encounters instead is a painful lesson in class and belonging. Moving from shop to shop, Jem discovers that opportunity is not equally available to everyone, and the invisible boundaries of his town begin to reveal themselves. Yet even in the face of rejection, his resilience drives him forward – until he reaches the final shop on the street, where a very different kind of conversation unfolds. This moment marks the beginning of his fight for a future beyond the limits others place on him.
*****
Jem starts his quest at the far end of Whitworth Terrace. He is standing in front of a grand, two-storey building boasting full length glass displays on the ground floor, and tall arched windows above. Coats of arms and flags punctuate the front pillars in alternate fashion. The main entrance is a double brass swing-door, framed with shiny dark wood, above it the words Spennymoor Co-operative Society in gold lettering. He’s never been inside before, but Daisy says it’s as posh as St Paul’s Church. Trust her to know.
The glass door is heavy and he gives it a hard push. Inside, a whiff of sweet citrus fills the brightly lit hall. Smartly dressed shop assistants stand behind neatly arranged counters and – as it’s still early and with only a few customers present – all attention turns to him. He looks down at his scuffed boots and Archie’s jacket and trousers that are two sizes too big. It would be easier to turn and leave, but his desire to get a job and buy a ticket to see a moving picture is greater. He pats down his hair, holds his shoulders back and walks forward, facing straight ahead, glancing nervously from one assistant to the next. He spots a kind-looking middle-aged lady, smiling as she folds squares of fabric, and approaches her.
‘Hello, Ma’am.’
She glances up, her eyebrows rising as quickly as her smile vanishes.
‘I’m …’ He clears his throat. ‘I’d like a job, Ma’am.’
by Book Review: Tomorrow Starts Today by Jessica Redland
I’m so excited to be welcoming Jessica Redland back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, Tomorrow Starts Today.
It’s never too late to find yourself… 💫
When she unexpectedly loses her husband, Yvonne Kellerman’s world turns quiet and grey. Five years on, her days are filled with the gentle chatter of her loyal parrot, Trevor, and the comfort of her crafting table—but she can’t shake the feeling that life is slipping her by and Yvonne feels lost and lonelier than ever.
When she joins the local crafting club at Willowdale Village Hall, Yvonne expects nothing more than a few afternoons of sewing. Instead, amongst the other local crafters, she discovers friendship, laughter and a renewed appreciation for her gorgeous Lake District home. It’s a reminder that she isn’t alone and, with each new stitch, her confidence returns, and so does her belief that it’s never too late for fresh starts and new beginnings.
When a familiar face from her past reappears, Yvonne finds herself standing at a crossroads: will she protect her heart, or embrace the chance to love—and truly live—again?
*****
It’s been five years since Yvonne lost her husband, Cliff. Since then, she’s been going through the motions with only her patchwork quilting and her Parrot for company. When she spots a Cake & Crafts club advertised in the local newsletter, she takes a chance and decides to go. WIll this one decision change Yvonne’s life or will she lose her nerve?
I have made no secret of the fact that I love Jessica Redland’s novels and was not disappointed with her latest release, Tomorrow Starts Today.
My first impression of Yvonne is that she needs a big hug. Despite it being being five years since she lost her husband, she is still greiving and this subject is approached with care and the author shows that the process isn’t linear.
by Book Spotlight: Take a Look at Me Now by Robert Crane
It’s a pleasure to be welcoming Robert Crane to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for his book as we shine a light on Take a Look at Me Now.
In Take a Look at Me Now, Robert Crane presents a story rooted in everyday moments during a difficult period. The novel captures what it feels like when normal patterns begin to shift.
When Carrie Welter experiences a mental breakdown, her son Bubby’s life becomes unmoored. At fifteen, he finds himself navigating a world stripped of certainty, while his mother retreats into her own struggle.
Bubby’s attempts to assert control lead to poor decisions and unintended consequences—embarrassment, strained relationships, and growing anger. Without a stable foundation, he begins questioning not just his present, but the gaps in his past.
His search for the father he never knew becomes a way to confront long-held questions about identity and belonging. Take a Look at Me Now captures the emotional weight of stagnation and the quiet tension of a family suspended between what was and what might be.
His latest novel, Take a Look at Me Now is available to buy on Amazon UK, Amazon US and Waterstones.
by Book Extract: The Retired Assassin’s Guide to Orchid Hunting by Naomi Kuttner
Please join me in welcoming Naomi Kuttner to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her book, The Retired Assassin’s Guide to Orchid Hunting.
Assassin. Gardener. Reluctant cat adoptee.
All Dante wants is to be left alone in the small New Zealand town no one’s heard of. No drama. No bodies. No questions. But then, of course, the orchid convention comes to town, and Dante is knee deep in suspects, intrigue, and red herrings.
On top of all this, Dante must navigate a mysterious woman from his past, cat issues, and the terrifying prospect of a first date. And he has to do it while fighting his instinct to solve problems the old-fashioned way: permanently.
The ‘Retired Assassin’s Guide to Orchid Hunting’ is a cosy paranormal mystery with found family, ghosts, a grumpy assassin and a sunshine gardener.
Come for the murder, stay for the cat, the gardens, and the New Zealand country charm.
Naomi has shared an extract with us today. We hope you enjoy it.
*****beginning of extract*****
In which Dante grapples with moral ambiguity.
Dante drew the blinds, checked the room for any details that might identify his location, and sat at his desk in his front parlour. It was time for a weekly Thursday meeting he’d attended without fail for the last six months.
Under the desk, his fingers wrapped around the handle of his Glock 17. He let out a slow breath, chasing the inner calm his therapist had said this would bring. His fingers tightened around the stippled grip of the gun, the polymer plastic cool against his palm.
The cat butted its head against his calf, and Dante’s pulse slowed. His focus drew inwards to a single point as his shoulders relaxed. It was time.
Dante keyed the connection, and the screen of his computer flared to life. Looking back at him were four faces: John, Aubrey, Jasmine, and Frankie. Four retired assassins, four members of Assassins Anonymous, four killers doing their level best to keep their days homicide free.
by Book Club
