A Moment With…Susan A. King
It’s so exciting to be welcoming Susan A. King to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for Toffee Apple Strudel.
A NEW BEATTIE BRAMSHAW MYSTERY – It’s the summer of 2001, and for WI Secretary and practised busybody Beattie Bramshaw, it’s a time of new beginnings.
Her much-anticipated wedding to vegetable grower extraordinaire Doug Sparrow is now just months away. However, in the throes of setting up their marital home and new market garden business, she receives a surprise request to care for a distant relative.
Likewise, a number of her fellow Elmesbury residents also find their lives on the cusp of change, and not all for the good. Is it pure chance that the arrival of Beattie’s young ward coincides with yet another murder in the village? Or were plans already afoot?
Once again, Beattie picks up the gauntlet, but can she solve the case and uncover the murderer’s identity before it casts a shadow over her wedding to Doug?
Toffee Apple Strudel is a comedy crime caper in the style of Agatha Raisin and sees the conclusion of the ‘Beattie Bramshaw Mysteries series’. Make a brew, grab a chair, and prepare for a fun-filled finale.
Here to talk about Procrastination vs. Circumstance, over to you, Susan. Tbank you us joining us today.
Thank you, Laura, for inviting me to write a Guest Post for Novel Kicks.
Having given much thought to what I could or should write about, I did wonder if discussing the time gap between the publication of my second and third book, and the angst that accompanied it, would make for an interesting topic.
As is well known, an author is often prone to bouts of procrastination and, dare I say, can become rather proficient at it. I have amazed myself at the keenness I have shown towards seeking out cobwebs in the back of a cupboard or tending a flower bed that shows no evidence of plant material, let alone weeds! Indeed, the lengths authors will go to, to seek out an activity with which to postpone the completion of the manuscript waiting patiently on their PC, should probably be re-classified as an art form or, at the very least, a new Olympic sport.
by 
Book Extract: The Secret Lives of the Doyenne of Didsbrook by Tessa Barrie
I’m so excited to be welcoming Tessa Barrie to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her book, The Secret Lives of the Doyenne of Didsbrook.
The remote village of Didsbrook is thrown into turmoil after its best-known resident, the former actress turned best-selling novelist Jocelyn Robertshaw, is found dead under mysterious circumstances.
Villagers are appalled to learn that the charismatic Jocelyn died from Hemlock poisoning. Police claim she shot and ate a quail that had ingested hemlock. A theory disputed by all who knew her well. The animal-loving Jocelyn would never kill anything, but due to the lack of forensic evidence, police rule death by misadventure.
Jocelyn’s young protégée, Lucy Fothergill, determined to discover the truth about what happened to her mentor, discovers a hidden stash of Jocelyn’s notebooks, revealing jaw-dropping secrets from Jocelyn’s past. The impression Jocelyn gave the world that she lived a near-perfect life was an Academy Award-winning performance.
Believing the events from Jocelyn’s past may have led to her death forty-eight years later, Lucy begins to piece together the clues that lead to the truth.
The sleepy village of Didsbrook is about to wake up!
Tessa has shared an extract with us today. We hope you enjoy it.
*****beginning of extract*****
In 2018, the renowned actress turned best-selling author Jocelyn Robertshaw was found dead under mysterious circumstances in the small village of Didsbrook, and her young protégée Lucy Fothergill is determined to uncover the truth about what really happened to her mentor.
An Introduction to the village of Didsbrook, written specifically for the opening reading at the launch on 27th July 2025
By twenty-first-century standards, the village of Didsbrook is remote. It nestles in the heart of the West Downs National Park, an area of exquisite natural beauty and home to a diverse range of indigenous wildlife, as well as hundreds of Friesian cows. It is more accessible on horseback than by road, and Mr Beeching axed its railway station in the 1960s.
The village is a magnet for those who value privacy and a slower pace of life, with the added charm of its historical significance and cultural richness. Although many assume it is a pastoral dead end, they would be mistaken. The inhabitants of Didsbrook represent an eclectic mix of retirees and creatives, often a combination of both. The village serves as a vibrant hub for actors, writers, and artists. Every morning, alongside the dawn chorus and the gentle lowing of cattle, the sounds of vocal warm-ups and the click-clacking of keyboards can be heard drifting on the breeze.
by Book Review: Winter Wishes for the Home Front Nurses by Rachel Brimble
It’s a pleasure to be welcoming Rachel Brimble back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest novel, Winter Wishes for the Home Front Nurses.
Winter, 1942.
Secrets abound for the Home Front Nurses, but will one of them be able to tell the truth about her past before Christmas?
As the weather turns cold, and the war rages on, Veronica Campbell finds herself loving her job as a home front nurse more than ever. She’s spending time with her beloved best friends Sylvia and Freda, as well as assisting on life-saving operations with her fellow nurse Betty Wilson, and feeling valued and happy.
But at home, she wishes things were different. Because even cosied up by the fireside of her lovely little house, there’s a man who lives on her street. Someone she’d once thought she could trust, who – five years ago – had violently attacked her. His threats to her remain, but she’s been terrified into silence.
But everything changes when Betty needs somewhere to stay for Christmas, and Veronica impulsively suggests she move in with her. But can she trust Betty enough to let her guard down and tell her what happened that fateful day? Because if she doesn’t, they could both be at risk?
*****
I was delighted to be asked to join the blog tour for ‘Winter Wishes for the Home Front Nurses, by Rachel Brimble.
As a relatively recent convert to this author, I was hoping for a great third book in this series an I wasn’t disappointed. The author has a lovely, easy writing story, that makes it so easy to pick up where book 2 left off. This is a story about hope and love, and how those are probably the best things you could wish to find in the middle of a war.
by Book Review: See the Stars by Eleanor Ray
I’m so excited to be welcoming Eleanor Ray to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her novel, See the Stars.
Do you ever feel that life isn’t going to plan?
When Alice Thorington collapses in the street after a particularly hellish day at work, she must finally admit to herself that her outwardly happy life – steady relationship, well-paid job, beautiful flat in the city – isn’t everything she’d hoped it would be. Burnt out by long hours and living a life that doesn’t fulfil her dreams, Alice returns home to Yorkshire.
Her childhood home brings complicated family dynamics, a rediscovery of her passion for stargazing and two new friends: Berti, a boy who finds it easier to count the stars than interact with people, and Matt, her brother’s best friend and Alice’s teenage crush. With each of them facing their own struggles, can the stars that meant so much to Alice in her past help them to find their way in the present?
Filled with heart and warmth, this uplifting novel reminds us all that we need the darkness if we want to see the stars.
*****
Alice has always loved the stars. It was a passion she shared with her beloved Grandfather. However, when certain events occur in her life, Alice steps away from her dream and goes into the world of finance instead.
When she ends up retuning to the north for a while, can she recapture her love of astronomy and the life she left behind?
Although I’ve had the pleasure of hosting Eleanor Ray on this blog before, it’s the first chance I’ve had to read one of her novels. I was excited to be invited onto the tour for Eleanor’s latest book, See The Stars.
The cover for this book is possibly one of my favourites. It’s so wonderfully done.
by Book Extract: The Next Breath by Laurel Osterkamp
It’s a pleasure to be welcoming Laurel Osterkamp back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her novel, The Next Breath.
Can you fall in love again while still holding onto the memory of someone you’ve lost?
Robin thought she’d done the hard work of moving on. A decade after her first love Jed died, she’s finally in a new relationship with Nick—a man who’s everything Jed wasn’t: stable, sincere, and ready for a future. But when Robin agrees to perform in the play Jed wrote for her before his death, she’s flooded with memories—and guilt. Jed’s ghost lingers in her dreams, encouraging her to move on, but her emotions keep pulling her backward.
Caught between two stories—one that ended in tragedy, the other still unfolding—Robin must confront her grief, her fears, and the secrets she’s been keeping from Nick.
The Next Breath is a deeply moving novel about love, theater, and the quiet strength it takes to face the future when your heart is still tied to the past.
Lauren has shared an extract from The Next Breath with us today. We hope you enjoy.
*****beginning of extract*****
Jed stood on the porch, alternately breathing and coughing. He didn’t have a beer, just a bottle of water that rested against the railing. I stood next to him. “Hey. What are you doing out here all by yourself?”
“Too smoky in there. I need a break.”
“Yeah…” It was a cool night; fall was resigning to winter. Hugging myself, I pulled on the sleeves of my belted sweater, worn over a black t-shirt and stretch pants. My beatnik look.
“What’d you think of the play?”
He coughed so he could speak. “You were brilliant.”
“Right.”
“No, really.”
“I’m pretty much the scenery, Jed.”
He shook his head. “That’s not true. During Jacques’ ‘All the world’s a stage’ speech you have this great look on your face. I love how you respond to him.”
“Why?”
by Book Review: The Case of the Body on the Orient Express by Kelly Oliver
It’s a pleasure to be welcoming Kelly Oliver back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, The Case of the Body on the Orient Express.
Paris, 1928: Agatha Christie and fellow writer Dorothy L Sayers board the Orient Express, bound for Constantinople. Christie in particular is looking forward to a break from recent dispiriting events in both her work and private life – the finalisation of her divorce from her philanderous husband Archie, and the miserly reception of her latest book.
But before the duo can settle in to enjoy the luxuries of their first-class journey, their journey is derailed when a fellow guest drops dead during the dinner service. And as the last person to speak to the victim, Dorothy finds herself a prime suspect in his murder.
As the train hurtles East, Sayers’ resourceful assistant Eliza and her friend Theo must navigate a maze of suspects. But with each passing mile, the stakes rise, and when another body is discovered, their search to find the killer before they reach their destination becomes increasingly complicated.
Can Eliza and Theo stay one step ahead, crack the mystery and clear Dorothy’s name? Or will this be one journey too far for the amateur sleuths?
*****
It’s 1928. Fellow writers Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers are looking forward to a trip aboard the Orient Express to Constantinople. Eliza, who works for Dorothy, is accompanying them. Once the train gets underway, Eliza soon runs into Theo, someone she’s not seen for a long time.
Also, it’s not long before there’s a murder. Eliza, Theo, Agatha and Dorothy must find the perpetrator before it’s too late.
It’s been a while since I’ve had a chance to read a novel by Kelly Oliver and so I was very happy to be invited onto the tour for The Case of the Body on the Orient Express. This is book two in The Detection Club series. If, like me, this novel is your introduction to these characters, don’t fear – it can be read as standalone. Having read this book, I very much want to read book one though.
by Book Extract: Murder Most Wilde by Helen Golden
It’s so wonderful to be welcoming Helen Golden back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her book, Murder Most Wilde.
In the world of amateur theatre, the drama isn’t all onstage…
Tragedy Strikes the Windstanton Players
Popular local actor, Noel Ashworth, who collapsed during the rehearsal of Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy, The Importance of Being Earnest, was pronounced dead at the scene. As shock ripples through Windstanton’s tight-knit amateur theatre group, the Fenshire Police are looking at them as suspects.
I can’t let Perry’s acting debut end in disaster! With the cast spooked and the local police under-resourced, Bea—along with Perry, Rich, Simon, and her trusty Westie, Daisy must shift through the cast’s petty jealousies and diva behaviour to unmask the killer before they strike again.
When the show must go on…will everyone make it to opening night?
Helen has shared an extract from Murder Most Wilde with us today. We hope you enjoy.
*****beginning of extract*****
Perry Juke is excited to take on the part of Algernon in The Windstanton Player’s adaptation of The Importance of Being Ernest by Oscar Wilde. As rehearsals begin in the village hall, Perry is settling into the role and looking forward to opening night. Four weeks before the preview they move to the Windstanton Theatre Royal for their rehearsal in the historic theatre and everyone seems a little nervous. For Perry it suddenly feels very real…
*****
Perry Juke’s chest tightened as he stepped onto the stage of the Windstanton Theatre Royal. The smell of dust and old wood enveloped him, and a thrill of excitement shot down his spine. He looked out towards the red velvet seats, then up at the glittering chandelier. This is it. I’m a real actor now.
Emily Shaw, the stage manager, clapped her hands. “Alright everyone, listen up! This is our first walk-through in the actual theatre. With four weeks to go before we open, I expect you all to be off-script. No excuses!”
Noel Ashworth raised his hand, a sickly sweet smile on his face. “But, Em, my dear,” he said in his best actor voice. “It’s only been a month since the first read-through. And I have the most lines of anyone, you know.”
by Book Review: The Silent Witness by K.J. Mcgillick
I’m pleased to be welcoming K.J. Mcgillick to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for, The Silent Witness – book one in The Art Of Deception series.
History is fragile. A single brush can forge it anew.
When a stolen Klimt painting becomes a death sentence, lawyer-turned-writer Saoirse St. James must choose between justice and survival.
Eleanor Ashford should have been safe in her Boston home. Instead, she’s found murdered—and The Golden Veil, her priceless Gustav Klimt, has vanished without a trace. As executor of Eleanor’s will and the painting’s unexpected heir, Saoirse inherits more than art: she inherits a target on her back.
What begins as a simple insurance claim spirals into a deadly conspiracy stretching from Boston’s elite galleries to Venice’s shadowed auction houses. Alongside enigmatic investigator Matthew O’Donnell, Saoirse uncovers a criminal network that has been rewriting history itself—using forged masterpieces to manipulate the past, reshape power, and conceal the truth behind decades of crimes.
But Eleanor’s death was just the beginning. As bodies fall and evidence vanishes, Saoirse realizes The Golden Veil hides secrets that could expose this empire of lies—and powerful people will kill to protect it. Every step toward the truth draws her deeper into the crosshairs of Maximilian Devereaux, a ruthless powerbroker whose fortune and influence were built on stolen identities, forged provenance, and silenced witnesses.
From Zurich’s cobbled streets to Venice’s labyrinthine canals, this fast-paced thriller follows Saoirse as she stays ahead of assassins who erase their victims as cleanly as they forge the records of history. Because in a world where beauty masks brutality and culture conceals corruption, the most dangerous thing isn’t possessing a stolen masterpiece—it’s knowing who forged it and why.
Some inheritances are worth dying for. Others are worth killing for.
*****
Saoirse St. James plans to leave the world of law and become a writer. However, when her friend is found murdered and a Klimt painting is stolen, Saoirse finds herself in a race against time, following the breadcrumbs her friend left behind.
During her investigation, she crosses paths with Matthew, an insurance investigator. Together, can they find The Golden Veil before it disappears forever?
by Audiobook Review: Salt & Honey by Candi Miller
We’re pleased to be welcoming Candi Miller to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her book, Salt & Honey, book one in the Koba series.
‘Hide!’ shouts her father. Then he breaks cover to draw the hunting party away across the blackened plain. The child sees them shoot him. And murder her mother.
It’s the 1950s but Koba is a hunter-gatherer from an ancient living culture. She’s a survivor.
Alone in a cave, she fends for herself, talks to her ancestors, breaks taboos. She gains healing power and tries to ignore the warnings she feels. She trades with the teenage son of the family who orphaned her – bushcraft for jive dancing, salt for honey.
But now she’s in the greatest danger she’s ever faced: she’s falling for a white boy in Apartheid South Africa, where love across racial divides is brutally punished. She hears the axe shatter the bedroom’s wooden shutters but Koba won’t run.
Book 1 of this fast-paced saga introduces a striking character into romance-writing, offering readers a fascinating glimpse into a forgotten way of life and into recent black history.
*****
Salt and Honey is the story of a black African girl, Koba, orphaned by white farmers and then subsequently raised by them. Struggling to reconcile her situation with her heritage, she find herself falling in love with a white boy.
I was given this novel to review via Audiobook. The narration was superb. There are a lot of native African names and dialects with clicks in it and the narrator brought those to life wonderfully.
by Book Review: The Twin by Amanda Brookfield
I’m pleased to be welcoming Amanda Brookfield back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, The Twin.
A splintered childhood.
A family divided.
An ugly past resurfaces…
From birth, twins Cath and Rob are inseparable. When their mother dies, their bond deepens as their father hastily remarries a woman with a volatile temper whose sole focus is her own baby – Oliver – who arrives nine months later.
When, aged 48, Rob tragically dies, Cath’s world begins to crumble. Her grief compounded further by Oliver’s out-of-the-blue decision to attend Rob’s funeral, opening old wounds after three decades of estrangement.
Thrown together, the half-siblings are forced to confront a past that sends shockwaves through both their lives due to the huge discrepancies in their respective recollections. But could both their versions of the truth be correct…?
*****
When they lose their mother, the bond between twins, Catherine and Rob only deepens. However, when tragedy strikes, Cath is forced to face a past that threatens to overwhelm her.
Oliver doesn’t have good memories of a childhood that was plagued with bullying by his siblings. Can he find a way back to a side of his family that’s been lost for decades before he loses everything he holds dear?
The premise of this novel intrigued me so I was very excited to be invited onto the blog tour for The Twin, the latest novel by Amanda Brookfield.
by Book Review: Hit For Six by Isabella May
I’m pleased to be welcoming Isabella May to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, Hit For Six.
A simmering Fangirl Down X Rivals X Crazy Rich Asians (with a British twist)
LOLA is juggling two jobs to make ends meet; underpaid sales exec by day, and waitress in a cocktail bar by night.
MONTY is the captain of Bath Beasts cricket team and heir to a portfolio of luxury properties.
Girls like her don’t normally end up with boys like him. But when she accidentally bares all at his cup final, destiny (and the number six) ensures their match is a home run.
Unfortunately, Monty’s family has other ideas, doing all they can to prevent their golden boy from getting bowled over by the lowly Lola. Can their love survive the attacking shot? Or will they find themselves on a sticky wicket?
*****
Lola works two jobs trying to make ends meet. Monty is on the verge of becoming a professional cricket player. However, he’s the heir to his family’s vast wealth. Will Lola and Monty find love or will people get in their way?
Having been a fan of some of Isabella May’s previous novels, I was eager to get started on Hit For Six. From the blurb, it looked like a fun read and it absolutely was.
by Book Review: Cupcakes and Kisses in Micklewick Bay by Eliza J Scott
It’s a pleasure to be welcoming Eliza J Scott back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for, Cupcakes and Kisses in Micklewick Bay.
Every night, Jasmine Ingilby dreams of delicate sugar flowers and perfectly swirled buttercream. By day, she steals moments between her cleaning shifts to craft stunning cakes from her tiny kitchen, hoping to transform her passion into something more. But as a fiercely independent single mother of two, finding time to grow her fledgling business feels like reaching for the impossible.
Just when her hard work seems about to pay off, Jasmine’s carefully balanced world begins to crumble. Her landlord puts a ‘For Sale’ sign outside her rented home. Then a figure from her past returns to town, reopening old wounds Jasmine thought had long healed and causing trouble at school for her young children.
Then Max Grainger – her childhood best friend – unexpectedly returns to Micklewick Bay after twenty-five years away, and Jasmine is blindsided by the emotions his presence stirs. Now a successful businessman with a son of his own, Max seems determined to solve all her problems. But years of self-reliance have built walls around Jasmine’s heart that even the sweetest gestures struggle to break through.
Will Jasmine’s fear of getting burned again stop her from accepting help when she needs it most? Or will the loyal support of her friends help her discover the perfect recipe for love?
A heartwarming, emotional read about second chances, friendship, and finding the courage to believe in yourself, perfect for fans of Jessica Redland, Jenny Colgan, and Phillipa Ashley.
*****
Jasmine is spinning a lot of plates. As a single mother with several jobs, she doesn’t have time for a lot, especially love. However, when old friend Max returns to Micklewick Bay, could space be made for love after all?
Being a big fan of Eliza J. Scott’s novels outside of this series (I’m really not sure how this is the first time I’m discovering these books) I was really excited to be invited into the blog tour for Cupcakes and Kisses at Micklewick Bay.
Although this is book five in the Micklewick Bay series, it can be read as a standalone.
Eliza J. Scott has a wonderfully way of pulling you into her stories from page one by creating endearing, relatable characters.
by NK Chats To…Liz Mistry
Hello Liz. Thank you so much for joining me today and for inviting Novel Kicks onto your blog tour. Can you tell me about your novel, Deadly Reckoning?
The short answer is: A body, a missing child, and a vengeful sister dash detective’s Jazzy Solanki and Annie McQueen must race against the clock to stop a killer with a personal grudge. This one is all about coming to terms with her Jazzy’s relationship with her sister and her brother there’s a lot of twists and a lot of turns in it themes are all about nature versus nurture mental health coping with PTSD and with all of that going on struggling to catch a killer who’s quite diabolically clever
Which songs would make up a playlist for your book?
I’ve just been looking at some songs that might relate to Deadly Reckoning and one that springs to mind has got to be a Psycho Killer by the Talking Heads.
I played it a few times whilst I was writing to get me in the mood for writing about Jazzy’s sister, Mhairi, who is the antagonist in Deadly Reckoning.
Another one I listened to, will probably seem a strange choice, but those of you have read the book will understand. It is Wild Mountain Thyme and there’s two versions that I really like one is by The Silencers and the other is by the Red Hot Chilli Pipers not Peppers but Pipers and both Scottish bands.
Another song that appealed to me whilst I was writing it was Tainted Love by Soft Cell – an all time favourite and quite appropriate for Deadly Reckoning
What are the challenges and advantages when writing a book that’s part of a series?
The advantages are of writing a series are that as an author you get to know your characters more and more as the series goes on and, in each book, you can reveal a little more about each of the characters. I’ve got two main characters in Jazzy and Queenie and their stories tend to be front and foremost but I’ve also got stories in my mind about the rest of the Jazz Queens and that’s Fenton (Haggis) and Geordie 
(Misty Thistle) so the advantages are that you you get into their lives they become real characters to you. The disadvantages are that you become too attached to them and sometimes you don’t want to put them through the mill and I have to say we’re writing crime fiction so, yeah, we need to put them through the mill.
What’s your typical writing day like? Do you have any writing rituals?
I don’t have a typical writing day because I’m a bit of a procrastinator but when I’m writing I do have I’ve got some multi-coloured fairy lights lit in my room – when you’re writing dark fiction you can’t have too much light in your life. I have my candle on – I like to have a multi-sensory environment. If I’m editing or doing social media I tend to have a musical accompaniment of some description – usually from my playlist, but other than that no I don’t really have any rituals… I mean I don’t wear my knickers on back to front or anything like that although I’ve heard that some authors do.
by Book Review: Loving Spirits at the Vintage Teashop by Sharon Booth
I’m so pleased to be welcoming Sharon Booth back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her book, Loving Spirits at the Vintage Teashop.
The beautiful Cotswold village of Rowan Vale is run as a living museum, allowing tourists to see history in action. But there’s more to the place than any visitor would guess…
Fifty-something Shona grew up in the village and now runs its vintage, 1940s-themed teashop. Not everyone knows that the previous manager, her great-aunt Polly, still lives there too… as a ghost!
When newcomer Max arrives, hoping to find out more about the place where his German grandfather was a prisoner of war, both Shona and Polly are unsettled. Shona, because handsome, interesting Max is the first man to catch her eye since her divorce, and Polly, because she must finally confront the terrible truth about her past.
A 1940s-themed weekend planned for the village brings the families’ connections to a head and tragic secrets to light.
Can Shona help her ghostly great-aunt to find love and forgiveness once more, while also creating her own happy ever after?
The second in the comforting, feel-good, romantic series with a dash of fantasy that started with Kindred Spirits at Harling Hall.
*****
Shona has spent her whole life in the special Cotswolds village of Rowan Vale. Along with its living museum, the village has a close guarded secret… ghosts.
When Shona meets Max, a man visiting the village to find out more about his grandfather, she has surprising feelings. However, her Aunt Polly isn’t happy, especially when Shona and Max start looking into her murder.
Yay, another book in the Ghosts of Rowan Vale series. I was very excited to be invited onto the blog tour for Loving Spirits at the Vintage Teashop.
Don’t worry if you’ve not read the first in the series. This can be read as a standalone. I do totally recommend Kindred Spirits at Harling Hall though.
This book follows Shona, the manageress of Mrs Heron’s Teashop, as the village of Rowan Vale prepares for a 40’s themed weekend. I adore this idea. I also loved her. She’s fun and strong. Aunt Polly was also wonderful. It was also great to see other wonderful characters return. It’s one of the things I love most about these kind of book series. It was like going back to visit friends.
by Book Extract: The Side Project by Laurel Osterkamp
I am delighted to be welcoming Laurel Osterkamp to Novel Kicks as we shine a light on her book, The Side Project.
For anyone who’s ever wondered “what if,” Laurel Osterkamp’s The Side Project is a deeply resonant story about second chances, unfinished business, and the redemptive power of storytelling.
Rylee once dreamed of moving to California and becoming a writer, but life had other plans. A decade later, she’s stuck in her Minnesota hometown, working odd jobs, caring for her teenage brother, and haunted by the incomplete novel her late father left behind. Carson was her high school love—the one who got away, or perhaps the one who ran. Now a single dad, he’s focused on providing for his daughter and avoiding the messiness of emotional entanglement. When the two are unexpectedly assigned as writing partners in a graduate workshop, a no-strings-attached collaboration emerges—but the emotional strings are impossible to ignore. With their final class approaching and unspoken truths threatening to break their fragile trust, Rylee and Carson must decide: will they keep editing their past, or finally write a new ending?
Laurel Osterkamp has shared an extract with us today. We hope you enjoy.
*****beginning of extract*****
I steel myself and step out of my car, determined to keep things businesslike today. The sight of Carson outside raking leaves, ruggedly adorable with Ferris running circles around his feet, does nothing to break my resolve. I tell myself: You’re here to work. Nothing more, nothing less.
“Hey, Rylee.” He grins, pushing up his sleeves. “You’re right in time to hold the leaf bag.”
I don’t have time to respond before a happy splash of black fur races past us, yipping and barking. I laugh, and Carson shakes his head, smiling as well.
“Ferris loves chasing leaves,” Carson says.
Ferris circles us. Running in the autumn wind, his mouth is full of fluttering colors and twigs.
I contemplate Carson’s leaf bag. “The hardest part is always getting in the first few handfuls of leaves. Did you know they have these cardboard insert thingies that keep the bag open?”
Carson holds his rake with one hand. “Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah. My dad was excited when he discovered them at the hardware store. It used to be our thing, my dad and I, bagging leaves together.”
“Oh.” Carson’s mouth goes slack, and his eyes pool with sympathy. It’s like he backed over a bunny rabbit by accident. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up old memories.”
I wave off the awkwardness as if I’m shooing away bugs. “No worries. It won’t break me to hold the bag open, and I’ll even push down the leaves as you put them in.” My words come out in a rush. “Where should I put my computer?”
“I’ll put it inside. Do you also want me to take your purse?”
“Sure, thanks.” I hand him both.
He takes them through his front door as a gust of wind threatens to upend Carson’s carefully constructed leaf pile. I snatch up the rake, ready for battle. “You won’t escape me, bitches!” I yell at the flying leaves.
I look over to see Carson on his front stoop, watching my wild efforts like I’m a vaudeville spectacle he can’t quite believe. Embarrassed, I kick at the ground. “I didn’t want all your hard work ruined.”
by Book Review: The Forever Cottage by Jill Steeples
It’s a pleasure to be welcoming Jill Steeples to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her book, The Forever Cottage.
It’s never too late to change your story…
Tess Alexander lives an enviable life with her husband Charles, at Hollyhocks Cottage in the idyllic Cotswold village of Lower Leaping. Dreaming of their early retirement, Tess’s plans are dashed when Charles shares some devastating news and suddenly she’s left alone with only Barney, her adorable Beagle dog, for company.
Facing an uncertain future, Tess tries to reconnect with her old self. She begins to transform the neglected garden office into a beautiful retreat, the perfect spot for her to indulge in her long-forgotten creative passions.
However, a chance encounter with charming but down on his luck, Rob Templeton, soon puts pay to her plans, when she offers him the place to stay instead, sensing a kindred spirit.
With the support of old friends, Gina and Suzy, Tess must now step out of her comfort zone and embrace a different way of life, one that is filled with secrets, possibilities and second chances, if only Tess is prepared to take them.
With so many demands on her attention, will Tess find a way to follow her heart and discover her own happy ending?
*****
Tess loves her life in Lower Leaping with her beautiful home, husband and her dog. Having raised their daughter, she’s looking forward to the future.
However, when an announcement from her husband shatters her marriage, for a moment, she isn’t sure what she’s going to do next.
I was delighted to be invited onto the blog tour for the latest novel by Jill Steeples. Having not read anything by this author (I’m not sure how this happened), I was looking forward to discovering what this book had to offer. I am going to try and make this review as spoiler free as possible.
by Book Review: The Accidental Debutante by Jane Dunn
It’s so exciting to be welcoming Jane Dunn back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest novel, The Accidental Debutante.
A daring young lady and dashing lord
At Prebbles Flying Circus, the daring Eliza Gray captivates audiences with her breathtaking feats on horseback. Yet beyond the applause, she harbours a longing to find the family she lost as a child and discover who she truly is.
Fate, however, takes an unexpected turn when Eliza is unceremoniously knocked down by a curricle driven recklessly by Raven, Earl Purfoy. Dazed but intrigued, she cannot help but notice Purfoy’s commanding presence.
For his part, the dashing lord, is mortified at his carelessness and resolves to assist the spirited yet intriguing young woman. He deposits her in the care of his dearest friends, Corinna and Alick Wolfe, who encourage Miss Gray in her search for her family and sponsor her entry into London society. The glittering balls and scurrilous gossip of the ton are a far cry from the circus ring and Eliza finds herself the subject of intense speculation and unwelcome advances.
As a most accidental debutante, Eliza has to navigate the complexities of high society and her new friendships. Her quest for family and belonging becomes perilously entwined with Zadoc Flynn, an American heir in search of an English bride, and the unfathomable Lord Purfoy.
Can Eliza uncover the truth of her past and the family she longs for? And will it be Mr Flynn or Lord Purfoy, or indeed her new female friends, who help her find her place in the world?
In a tale of courage, passion, and self-discovery, this lost orphan must decide where she truly belongs.
*****
Eliza knows little of her life before Prebbles Flying Circus. With little in terms of clues, she leaves the circus life behind to go in search of her long lost family. When she falls (literally) into the path of Lord Raven Purfoy, things go in a direction that even Eliza couldn’t have imagined. Can Eliza find what’s she’s looking for?
by Book Review: Death at Fakenham Races by Ross Greenwood
We are so pleased to be welcoming Ross Greenwood back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for his latest book, Death at Fakenham Races.
When everyone is lying, how do you catch a killer?
A brutal attack at Fakenham Racecourse plunges DI Ashley Knight into the competitive world of horse racing, where fortunes are won and lost in the blink of an eye. As the investigation unfolds, a chilling discovery reveals a darker side to this glamorous sport. In these high-stakes arenas, where winning is everything and everyone has something to hide, a few are willing to cross the ultimate line.
Can Ashley, an outsider in a world of whispers and long-held grudges, unmask the murderer before they kill again?
Ross Greenwood is back with a brand new, heart-pounding case for DI Ashley Knight, perfect for fans of Mark Billingham, Ian Rankin and Peter James.
*****
A brutal murder in the depths of winter, a man beaten to death at a major racecourse. Newly promoted DI Ashley Knight has her work cut out for her to get to the bottom of things before the body count grows.
This is the 5th book in the Norfolk Murders series and it doesn’t disappoint. I read Death at Horsey Mere for review a few weeks ago and since then I have devoured the back catalogue. Ross Greenwood has an uncanny ability to keep you guessing right until the end, throwing in just enough information to keep multiple characters in the running for the spot as number one evil doer. While I confess I have read all the others in the series you don’t need to read them first if this is the first book you come across – it stands alone really nicely, filling in backstory as needed in a way which provides the information you need without boring people who already know the canon.
by NK Chats To…Catherine Yaffe
Hello Catherine. Thank you so much for joining me today. Can you tell me about your latest book, The Shadow Killer?
The Shadow Killer is a psychological crime thriller where we know from the outset who the killer is. When the police can’t get the answers they need to find a missing girl they turn to renown psychologist Dr Evelyn Shaw. Despite her extensive experience and skills, it seems to DI Ziggy Thornes that The Shadow Killer is manipulating her – and Ziggy doesn’t why. In a gripping finale, Evelyn and Hawthorne each face their own disturbing past while Ziggy pulls all the threads together to bring a secure conviction.
What are the challenges when writing a series of books such as the DI ‘Ziggy’ Thornes Series?
You have to have a great memory (or keep excellent records!) when it comes to character names, their traits in previous books and stay consistent with their personalities. I have an excellent editor who keeps track, and I use copious amounts of old-school record cards to stay on top of everything.
What are you currently working on?
I started the outline for Book 6 in March so I’m currently plotting the timeline. I’m not sure yet if it will be another Ziggy book or a standalone!
What’s your typical writing day like? Do you have any writing rituals?
I don’t really have a typical day during the Summer as I take a few months off but then come September I’m usually in the Shed early and write from 9 – 12pm, take an hour and depending on how I feel I’ll either write until 4pm or call it a day and read or do some research. I also have 4 cats, 3 chickens and go horse riding regularly as well as a large garden so I’m a bit rubbish as sitting down!
From idea to final draft, how long does it take you to complete a book?
Depends. I have Chronic Fatigue so I have to balance that with everything – most days I can write 2k words a day and I have been known to write and publish in 3 months but that was a fluke and probably won’t happen again!
Do you have any advice for the research and editing processes? How do you know when you’ve done enough?
by Book Review & Giveaway: Over the Sea to Skye by Sue Moorcroft
It’s our pleasure to be welcoming Sue Moorcroft back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, Over the Sea to Skye.
One summer on a beautiful island could change everything…
Valentina Taylor’s life has been upended. With her marriage over, and unsure of what her future holds, she heads to the Isle of Skye for the summer with her young son, Barnaby.
But the journey there sets her on a new path, when she meets Xander Courage on the train – a charming American, running from problems of his own. After sparks fly, they go their separate ways. But on this small island, they’re never far from one another…
Skye offers Valentina the refuge she needs as she whiles away the long summer days at her beachside cottage, enjoying visits from her sisters, Thea and Ezzie. But when bad news from home throws her Scottish idyll into turmoil, Valentina finds herself pulled away from the place – and people – that she loves.
Valentina knows she must confront her heart’s desires – but can she let go of the past and embrace the future she deserves?
Lose yourself in a heartfelt story of second chances, love, and self-discovery, set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Isle of Skye. Perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan and Karen Swan.
*****
Part of the joy I’ve had from reading these three books, is getting to know about each sister, and by giving each their own book, the author has only added to that joy. I’ve had a complete story for each, together with a little of the other two lightly sprinkled throughout, as the icing on a cake, to add to the wonderful flavour.
Sue Moorcroft has been one of my favourite authors for a number of years now, and I’m always grateful when a new story of hers is published. With ‘Over the Sea to Skye’ this is tempered by the knowledge that this is the third and final book in the series. That being said, this is one heck of a way to bring the series to a finale.
by Book Review: The Silver Ladies Seize the Day by Judy Leigh
Join me in welcoming Judy Leigh back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, The Silver Ladies Seize the Day.
You’re never too old to fall in love…again!
Cecily Hamilton is months away from her ninety-second birthday. She’s lived life to the full, choosing work over romance, friendship over love. And now she has a host of silver-haired friends living nearby, ready to fill her time with picnic lunches, prosecco and cheer!
Cecily thought she was content. She thought her cup was full…
But when the granddaughter of Cecily’s first and only love arrives on her doorstep, claiming that her grandfather, Eddie, is still in love with Cecily after all these years, Cecily wonders if there might be room for a little romance after all. Especially since, one by one, her friends keep falling head over heels for old flames and new.
Can the oldest silver lady of the bunch really hope for her own second chance at love? Is it finally time for Cecily to seize the day?
*****
As Cecily nears her 92nd birthday, she begins to reflect on her life and a certain someone who broke her heart. When the chance to see him again arises, she’s unsure of what to do. Can her fellow Silver Ladies get her through?
I do love falling into a good Judy Leigh novel and this book was no exception.
Middleton Ferris sounds like a wonderful place to live and I really like how everyone looks out for one another.
by Book Extract: The Evacuee’s Secret by Deborah Klee
I’m pleased to be welcoming Deborah Klee back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, The Evacuee’s Secret.
A forgotten village. A dangerous secret. A love that defies time.
In a Yorkshire village, condemned to be flooded as a reservoir, WW11 evacuee, Louise Pearson, commits a crime with devastating consequences.
A secret that keeps her away from her childhood home and her best friend and soul mate, Richard, for twenty years.
In 1965, fleeing a dangerous marriage, Louise returns to Yorkshire assuming a new identity. But the village she once knew and loved is about to be submerged to create a reservoir.
As the waters rise, so do the ghosts of her past.
Will Louise uncover the strength to face her demons and reclaim the love she left behind? Or will the secrets that surface pull her under forever?
A heart-breaking story of love, loss and betrayal.
Deborah has shared an extract from The Evacuee’s Secret with us today. We hope you enjoy.
*****beginning of extract*****
I am sharing the prologue to The Evacuee’s Secret, where we meet Louise as a fourteen-year-old evacuee in 1945. The story then moves to 1965 where thirty-four-year-old Louise has lived with a secret for twenty years. A secret that has kept her away from her soulmate and best friend Dicky. When Louise’s gangster husband threatens to expose her secret, Louise is compelled to return to Thorncrest, just as the valley is about to be flooded to create a reservoir.
*****
May 1945
Louise stood outside the farmhouse door, a cardboard suitcase at her feet. Her lower lip trembled, the lump in her throat painful. She couldn’t stop shivering; her bones felt cold as ice. Did they already know what she had done? Joan told her last night that she was being sent back to London. Louise assumed that meant she was going back home to Mum, but what if she was being sent to prison?
Louise turned to go back into the farmhouse to ask Joan, just to make sure, but the Red Cross lady came out. ‘Okay. Jump in the car.’
No goodbyes. Becks Farm had been her home, Ma and Pa, her family, since she was evacuated from London, two years and seven months ago.
One of the new farmhands whistled as he clanked a couple of milk pails across the yard. Louise didn’t recognise any of the lads and Land Army girls helping out. Milking the cows and feeding the chickens had been her job. Now, she had no place on the farm. Ma was staying with a friend in Harrogate. Louise hadn’t seen her since the day of the accident. Pa had died in hospital. The most important people in her life––gone. And it was all her fault.
by Book Extract: Stormy Skies at the Beach Hotel by Francesca Capaldi
It’s very exciting to be welcoming Francesca Capaldi to Novel Kicks and to be kicking off the blog tour for her latest book, Stormy Skies at the Beach Hotel.
Chambermaid Fanny is thanking her lucky stars she has had a second chance at life. As an unmarried mother, it could have been very different, and she is happy.
But when new maid, Susie, arrives at the Beach Hotel, it isn’t long before sparks fly. Susie begins to meddle in Fanny’s friendships and even in her budding romance with Walter, an American working at the aerodrome.
Meanwhile, a flu epidemic starts to spread and as more people fall ill, the hotel is forced to close.
Matters come to a head when Susie plots to reveal secrets about Fanny that could spell her ruin.
Can the hotel and the hardworking women who run it survive?
To celebrate publication day, Francesca has shared an extract with us today. We hope you enjoy.
*****beginning of extract*****
Fanny Bullen, who’s the head chambermaid at the Beach Hotel, is having an afternoon off with her two-year-old toddler, Elsie, by the seaside.
*****
Fanny looked out at the wide expanse of wet sand leading to a low tide. Beyond that, the sea was a dark, muddy green. She closed her eyes and breathed in the sea air. There were only around half a dozen stalls and tents along the promenade today, with it still being April.
‘Will there be Punen Juicy?’ Elsie asked.
‘Punch and Judy. Not today, sweetie.’
Elsie stuck out her bottom lip but seemed to accept it.
‘We’ll take a walk to the pier and see what’s down there.’
‘All wight, Mummy.’
The tent closest to the pier housed a fortune teller. Fanny wondered what ‘Madame Giovanna’ might tell her about her future. More than likely, she’d grow old being the head chambermaid.
Elsie stopped. ‘Mummy, that noise ’gain.’ She pointed out to sea.
by Book Review: Finding Love at the Magical Curiosity Shop by Jaimie Admans
I’m very excited to be welcoming Jaimie Admans back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for the latest book in the Ever After Street series, Finding Love at the Magical Curiosity Shop.
In a shop full of stories, some magic is real.
Mickey Teasdale loves her quaint curiosity shop, where every item feels magical to her. She loves imagining the past owners of her knick-knacks and telling her made-up tales to customers, but lately, the magic has dimmed; the shop feels cluttered, and even her stories seem as worn as the items she sells.
Everything changes when the grumpiest customer Mickey’s ever met—single dad Ren Montague—walks in with his surly teen daughter, Ava. Ren hates mess and clutter and prefers order and calm, but he’ll do anything to see Ava smile. Yet, something shifts in him when he meets Mickey, who seems like she stepped out of her very own fairy tale.
When Ava discovers a secret diary, hidden from years long ago, she and Mickey believe it must have once belonged to a real-life mermaid! Ever sceptical, Ren tries to protect Ava from disappointment, but as they unravel the mystery together, something special happens…
Ren learns that happy ever afters still exist if you’re brave enough to look for them, and Mickey discovers that real-life can sometimes be way more magical than anything she could have ever imagined.
*****
Mickey adores her shop on Ever After Street. Carrying on her father’s legacy is important to her and she loves making up stories for all the items within.
However, when she meets Ren and his daughter, Ava, she begins to wonder if her life is on the right track after all.
Yay, a new book in the Ever After series. Not only that, this one is influenced by The Little Mermaid – not only the first Disney film I owned but the first VHS tape I had. Yep, I’m that old. Haha.
by Book Extract: The Santorini Writing Retreat by Eva Glyn
It’s a pleasure to be welcoming Eva Glyn to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, The Santorini Writing Retreat.
Secrets make the best stories…
Three women, one writing retreat, endless possibilities…
Bestselling author Jessica Rose needs to escape from a terrible secret that’s robbed her of her creativity. Could leading a retreat on a gorgeous Greek island be just what she needs?
Coming home to Santorini was never in Zina’s plans, but now she’s determined to make her new business a success.
And then there’s Karmela, who just wants to write her book and make her mother proud.
In the heat of their Greek island paradise, these new friends find the courage to shape their own stories, and write endings they can all be proud of…
Eva has shared an extract with us today. We hope you enjoy it.
*****beginning of extract*****
There are three viewpoint characters in The Santorini Writing Retreat; Jo, the author with a terrible secret who leads it, Zina who owns the Retreat House and is desperate for her new business to succeed, and Karmela who just wants to write her book. Here we meet Karmela for the first time, as she arrives in Santorini by ferry.
Karmela jumped as something cold and wet nudged her leg. Looking down, she met the amber eyes of an almost silver greyhound, which was gazing up at her with an adoring expression. Without thinking, she reached to stroke its head.
“Hej ti,” she murmured softly.
A male voice came from above, slightly overloud and English. “I am so sorry.” He spoke slowly and left a gap between each word.
“It is OK,” she told him. “I speak your language.”
“Then I’m sorry again.”
by Book Extract: The Death & Life of Lucy Westenra by Rosie Fiore
I’m so happy to be welcoming Rosie Fiore to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, The Death & Life of Lucy Westenra.
What desperate steps will Lucy Westenra take to save her own life?
Hillingham in Hampstead, once the home of the well-to-do Westenra family, is now divided into apartments. When teacher Kate Balcombe sets about renovating her flat in the attic, she finds an unsent letter written 130 years before by Lucy, the nineteen-year-old daughter of the house.
You may know Lucy from Bram Stoker’s Dracula… a pretty, flirtatious girl with three ardent suitors, she is Mina Harker’s best friend. When Lucy falls mysteriously ill and dies, Van Helsing identifies her as a victim of the vampire.
But what if the monsters who hunt Lucy are much closer to home?
As Kate begins to investigate Lucy’s story, she meets James Harker, Mina’s great-great grandson, and together they uncover a long-hidden story of deception and murder.
Rosie has shared an extract with us today. We hope you enjoy it.
*****beginning of extract*****
This is the opening of the novel. It features two letters: one from Lucy Westenra to her friend Mina (in 1894), one from Noni Rosen, who lived in a flat in the same house in the 1980s, and the opening of a chapter told from the perspective of Noni’ s daughter, Kate, in 2024.
Prologue
Letter from L.W. To Mina Harker
14 September 1894
Hillingham
Dear Mina,
I am so weak; I think I may not recover. Can you come to me? I know Jonathan needs you, but I am in terror for my life.
Oh Mina, I have never felt so alone. Mother is weak and frail and can offer me no aid. I pleaded with the Professor, but he scorned me and dismissed my words as the delirious ravings of a child.
I watch my window every night, waiting for that ominous shadow. I feel certain that he will return soon. Every time I try to sleep, I sense his dark eyes on me, slicing my skin like hot blades. He is relentless and I know that should he gain entry here once more, he will have no mercy.
I think if you came and came soon, there is a chance we could plan my escape. Although he knows of our friendship, I believe I might be safe if I came to Exeter to be with you. I have considered fleeing to Whitby, but of course he would know to follow me there.
by Book Extract: Not My Valentine by Tony Bassett
I’m pleased to be welcoming Tony Bassett to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for Not My Valentine, book seven in the Detective Roy & Roscoe crime fiction series.
The most romantic day of the year turns into a nightmare…
Having returned from a date with her new boyfriend, Lydia is fatally attacked in her home. A burglary gone wrong or a planned assault?
Detectives from Heart of England Police investigate and try to find out more about the victim. She was much loved by family and colleagues. But maybe someone loved her too much.
Attention turns to Lydia’s boyfriend, Roman, when it transpires that he is the son of a local crime boss known to associate with the feared West Side Gang.
DS Sunita Roy believes he is hiding something, but will have to tread carefully – the criminals have connections in the force.
Despite having strong intuition, Roy is struggling. There is something missing from the picture and it could be a secret taken to the grave.
Tony has shared an extract with us today. We hope you enjoy it.
*****beginning of extract*****
Detective Sergeant Sunita Roy and her boyfriend, DI Tom Vickers, have raced to an address in West Bromwich amid fears that Aiden Pagett, a key witness in a murder case, may have been shot in a drive-by shooting. They are about to discover that the shooting is being investigated by DI Laura McLachlan from a different force, West Midlands Police.
CHAPTER 25
Sunita thrust her warrant card in front of a stern-faced constable standing behind the cordon. ‘DS Roy, Heart of England CID,’ she said. ‘Do you know who’s the SIO here?’
‘That would be DI McLachlan,’ he replied. ‘She’s just over there, speaking to one of the SOCOs.’
They observed a tall, slim woman in a blue-quilted jacket standing halfway along the front path outside Pagett’s home. A white tent covered the front doorway and porch.
As soon as she saw them approaching, McLachlan ended her conversation and turned towards them. ‘Can I help you?’ she asked with a vague smile.
‘We’re from Heart of England,’ Sunita explained, showing her warrant card again. ‘DS Roy and DI Vickers. I was here just a few hours ago in connection with one of our cases.’
‘Really?’ replied the inspector, shaking both their hands. ‘DI Laura McLachlan, West Midlands Homicide Unit.’
‘We’re looking into the Lydia Squires murder in Worcester.’
by Book Extract: Joyful June Journeys by Stephanie Wood
I am delighted to be welcoming Stephanie Wood to Novel Kicks as we celebrate the publication day for her book, Joyful June Journeys.
Chrissie is escaping to the Greek Retreat to avoid some of the issues her parents have left her to deal with at home. She hopes that visiting a new location will give her a different perspective and help her to find a way forward.
The Greek island of Kynos is an idyllic hideaway, offering its visitors the space and time needed to truly appreciate the traditional hospitality. The locals are always friendly and ready to entertain their guests, while the daily activities offer many different ways to explore the island and its heritage.
Chrissie is hoping The Retreat will help to focus her mind and stop her procrastination, but will she become distracted by the friendly locals?
The Greek Retreat is a trilogy of standalone tales full of sunshine, surprises and love.
Stephanie has shared an extract from Joyful June Journeys with us today. We hope you enjoy.
*****beginning of extract*****
Chrissie has decided to go on a bike ride to discover what lies further out from the local village where she has been spending most of her time.
The first part of the journey was familiar, as she took the road towards the village, but then she just kept going once she passed the usual turning.
Soon afterwards, she climbed a slight hill without too much effort and from there she was blessed with a 360degree view of the nearby fields, full of leafy goodness in all directions. There was an abundance of fruit and vegetables as far as she could see and as the breeze blew across the tip of each plant, she was bombarded with a remarkable mixture of aromas which were both tantalising and mysterious.
by Book Extract: This Ruined Place by Michael Lawrence
I’m pleased to be welcoming Michael Lawrence to Novel Kicks as we shine a light on his book, This Ruined Place.
Evy Miller thinks a summer with her grandparents in sleepy Dorset will be painfully dull. Her suspicions are confirmed when Juby, a wild-haired, lanky old man, strolls through her grandparents’ doorway. At first, she thinks he’s nothing more than an odd duck who charms her grandmother and annoys her grandfather. The last thing she expects is to become his companion on visits to the small village of Rouklye, whose entire population was evicted during WWII.
She has no idea that the reason for Juby’s visits will become a defining moment in her life and change her understanding of history and her own family forever.
Michael has shared an extract with us today. We hope you enjoy.
*****beginning of extract*****
The following excerpt is from This Ruined Place by Michael Lawrence. The teenaged main character, Midge, is visiting the ruined village of Rouklye with her elderly companion, Juby.
*****
There were several adjoining cottages beyond the wall. A much smaller building at the near end of them, a shed of sorts, was the only one with a door and roof. The roof was topped with crudely-cut gray slate, and on the equally rustic door, which was padlocked, a notice asked visitors not to pick the wild flowers, a request that might have amused Midge if she’d been in an easily-amused mood because there were no flowers in the immediate vicinity, wild or tame.
Juby had gone straight to the second cottage along, where he stooped to look in the doorway. ‘Post office and village shop,’ he informed her as she drew near.
He ducked inside. Following with a long-suffering sigh, she found a crumbling interior open to the skies, ivy reaching across exposed walls to which ragged portions of ancient plaster clung, an iron fire-grate teetering on a ledge where a ceiling and upper floor had once been, and beneath their feet ailing weeds between uneven gray paving slabs, while year-old leaves crunched underfoot. The place smelt of nettles and moss, the dust of an overheated summer.
‘Looks bigger empty,’ Juby said. ‘When the counter was in, shelves stocked, customer or two chatting, it was a right jam in here.’
Sunlight entered the broken building in tall bright spirals, picking out hovering dust motes. Watching the dust’s leisurely dance, Midge’s mind wandered. Her thoughts were still adrift when the whispers started. Whispers so indistinct that they registered only gradually; but once her attention was caught she glanced about for whoever it was that had followed them in.
by Book Extract: Wicket Maiden by Chrissie Harrison
It’s a pleaure to be welcoming Chrissie Harrison to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for Wicket Maiden.
Wicket Maiden is a groundbreaking romantic comedy set in the world of women’s cricket.
It’s the start of a new season for professional women’s cricket team The Scorpions.
Acclaimed batter Ellie, 32, is returning to the game after a long injury, determined to regain her form and her place in the England squad. This is her last chance, and she won’t let anything stand in her way.
Cricket fan Adam, 34, an artist and photographer, has followed Ellie and the team through highs and lows. He’s drawn to her talent, athleticism and public persona – but is content to be a face in the crowd, cheering her on. He’d never date a famous person, anyway.
When events on and off the pitch bring Ellie and Adam together, friendship blossoms, and their careers initially soar. Yet, with romance in the air, Ellie loses focus, jeopardising her dream.
What’s more important to them both – love, or cricket?
A share of the book’s royalties will be donated to pertinent clubs and organisations who champion the development of grassroots, girls’ and women’s cricket.
The story echoes the film “Notting Hill” – the challenge of love between a ‘star’ and a ‘normal person’.
The book touches on the good and bad sides of fame, and shines a light on women’s cricket – the mental and physical challenges, pressure of relentless media attention, community outreach, fan engagement, and the finite nature of the career of professional athletes. Above this, it is, of course, a love story.
The book is a non-spicy romance, and also includes neurodiversity and epilepsy representation.
Chrissie has shared an extract with us today. We hope you enjoy.
*****beginning of extract*****
Professional cricketer Ellie is visiting a friend at a local art gallery. Killing time, she (literally) bumps into a familiar face – one of the fans she often sees at matches. They’ve barely shared a few words over the years, and she doesn’t even know his name, let alone his job. Ellie, conversely, is known by him and millions of others…
A wide doorway led to a rear annex, with a sign proclaiming “Exhibition – Adam Glenn – Maidstone Artist”. Ellie nosed into the room. Only three people were inside, all nodding appreciatively beside a pop art style painting of a woman taking a selfie.
We’re now all masters of creating our own fame.
Another exhibit stopped Ellie in her tracks. Pride of place on the far wall was a brilliant and charismatic rendition of former England bowler James Anderson. The painting gushed with vigour and personality, movement and expression.
Wow.
by NK Chats To…Kay Seeley
Hello Kay. Thank you so much for joining me today. Can you tell me about your latest book, Troubled Times for Tilly and what inspired it?
Troubled Times for Tilly is a follow up to my first book, The Water Gypsy. Lots of readers asked me what happened to the little boy, Joey, and I wanted to know what happened to him too, so that was the beginning of Troubled Times for Tilly. It’s about Joey growing up straddled between two different worlds and not belonging in either of them.
Troubled Times for Tilly is part of The Water Gypsy Books. What are the challenges of writing a novel when it is part of a series?
The main problem is deciding how much of the first book to include. Obviously, the characters are the same, so their backstory is important, but I don’t want to include any spoilers for people who haven’t read the first book, nor do I want it to feel repetitive for readers who have. It’s a fine balance.
What’s your typical writing day like? Do you have any writing rituals?
I don’t write every day. I tend to write in the morning and draft the next part of the novel in the afternoon. I often draft by hand and type up the next day. I don’t have a typical writing day.
What’s your favourite word and why?
Insight – the reorganisation of perceptions so that what was once seen as separate elements are suddenly seen as connected and relating to one another to form a whole. To my mind that’s what storytelling is all about – giving people insight into things they never considered to be connected.
From idea to finished final draft, how long does a writing project usually take you?
I write slowly so each book takes a year. I only write one book a year.
How do you approach the research and editing stages? When do you know when you’ve done enough of both?
I love research and finding out about things, so I probably do too much. For example, in Troubled Times for Tilly Joey is a Naval Cadet so I visited The Royal Naval College in Greenwich (part of which is now Greenwich University) to get a fee of the atmosphere of the place. I learned snippets of information that go into the book. As for editing – it’s never enough.
If you could witness an historical event, where would you go?
by Book Review: Sunshine After the Rain by Jessica Redland
I’m very excited to be welcoming Jessica Redland back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, Sunshine After the Rain.
Melanie knows she’s been running away…
For the last seven years Mel has been hiding; from life, from her friends and from those who love her the most – her family. But being at home in her beloved Lake District has been far too painful for Mel to contemplate. Because seven years ago, Mel lost everything and she’s never been able to banish the dark clouds that follow her.
But maybe there really is no place like home?
When Mel returns to Willowdale for a family event, she has no intention of staying. But surrounded by her family she begins to realise just how much she’s been missing and also, how much healing she still needs to do.
Starting a dream job at Willowdale Hall, going on walks with Emma and her funny alpacas and reconnecting with those she loves, Mel slowly begins to see chinks of light and a more hopeful and happier future ahead.
And as Mel begins to feel stronger, she also feels brave enough to face the most painful part of leaving home…the one man she has always loved. With his help, can she finally banish the dark clouds forever and see the sunshine after the rain?
*****
Mel knows she has been hiding but can she really return home to Willowdale for good when there are so many bad memories?
I absolutely adore Jessica Redland’s novels so the chance to be on the blog tour for the latest instalment in the Escape to the Lakes series was something I couldn’t pass up.
by Book Review: The Cornish Cottage by the Sea by Kim Nash
I’m so happy to be welcoming Kim Nash back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, The Cornish Cottage by the Sea.
A new start by the sea…
For Jo Jenkins, life has always been about putting others first. But with her children grown and her ex-husband as rotten as ever, she knows it’s time to put herself at the heart of the story. So, when she inherits a beautiful beachside cottage in Cornwall, she grabs the chance to start over.
The crumbling old cottage needs a little love, but so does Jo. And with the help of her new friends – a kind-hearted jeweller, a no-nonsense businesswoman, and a local Jack of all trades with a past of his own – Jo begins to rebuild more than just bricks and mortar.
But tucked away inside the cottage is a secret that could change everything. As the waves roll in and the sea air clears her mind, Jo must decide if she’s ready to let go of the past. Will she finally learn to embrace the life she truly deserves?
*****
After her husband leaves her for her best friend, Jo Jenkins doesn’t know what to do with her life. When she is left a house in her Aunt-in-law’s will, she makes the decision to start a new life in Cornwall. However, it’s not all plain sailing and she is about to discover things that will change her life forever.
Anyone who has followed this blog for a while will know that any chance I have to join a blog tour for a Kim Nash novel, I jump at it. This was no exception.
by Book Review: Killer at the County Show by Kate Wells
I’m so pleased to be welcoming Kate Wells back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, Killer at the County Show – book five in the Malvern Mysteries series.
Foul play at the sheep show…
Tensions are high at the Three Counties Show when accusations of cheating add fuel to a longstanding feud. For Jude Gray, whose only hope was to not make a fool of herself showing her Kerry Hill sheep, farming life has never been so dramatic.
When a body is found, belonging to one of the competitors, there is no shortage of suspects. Every sheep farmer in this close-knit community has a motive and beneath their show-ready smiles, they all have something to hide.
Experience has taught Jude that when there’s a murderer at large, nobody is truly safe. And with secrets simmering beneath the surface, this may be her most challenging investigation yet. Can she unearth the truth before it’s too late?
A gripping new instalment in the Malvern Farm Mystery series, perfect for fans of Frances Evesham, Merryn Allingham, and Faith Martin.
*****
When a farmer is murdered at the Three Counties Fare it rocks the small farming community and sets people to gossiping and suspecting their neighbours. Was it the annoying, do-gooder celebrity who bought a farm or one of the other farmers down on their luck? Jude, a sheep farmer and best friend of a local police detective has her suspicions and cannot help but get involved.
by Book Review: The Missing Ones by Anita Waller
Please join me in welcoming Anita Waller to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, The Missing Ones.
Ray Eke has always found peace in his job, collecting litter for the city council. Until the day he finds the brutalized, bloodless body of a girl on his round. He recognizes her immediately too. Lauren Pascoe went missing three years before.
It’s also clear she hasn’t been lying on the roadside verge all this time. Someone’s clearly been holding her prisoner. Keeping her as their very special toy.
The police know it couldn’t have been Ray, whose gentle heart is obvious to all. But then another girl is taken. And she’s someone who Ray had a connection to, back in his previous job as an accountant, before his breakdown…
The twists in this novel are guaranteed to leave readers with their jaws on the floor. Just when you think you know who the killer is, you’ll have your mind blown!
*****
DI Chris Chandler is new to Sheffield, having just started a new job with an unfamilar team. When the body of a woman who has been missing for three years is found near the police station, he has to jump in at the deep end. Then, a second girl goes missing. The cases can’t be linked… can they?
I was so pleased to be invite onto this blog tour. Having been a big fan of Anita Waller’s previous novel, The Girls Next Door, I was very eager to get started on her latest book, The Missing Ones.
Wow! That’s what I have to say about this book. This is a psychological thriller at its best. I pretty much read this in one sitting, holding onto my kindle so tightly, my fingers lost blood flow. The plot grabbed me and pulled me in and wouldn’t let go.
by NK Chats To… Jon Rance
Hi Jon. Happy publication day. Thank you so much for joining me and for inviting Novel Kicks onto your blog tour. Can you tell me a little about your latest novel, Not Moving Out and what inspired it?
Hello, and thank you so much for having me on Novel Kicks! It’s a real pleasure to be here. My new novel, Not Moving Out, comes out on May 15th and I am very excited about it. Set in Brighton, it’s the story of Freya, Joe and their daughter Dolly. Freya and Joe have decided that after twenty years, their marriage is over. The problem is that Dolly still needs to live at home for another six months before she leaves for university, and they can’t afford for either of them to move out. So for six months, they are all forced to live together. The question is, will living together but separated make them both realise things about themselves and their relationship that might save their marriage? There are also various other plotlines that keep things ticking along with the most prominent one being Joe, a once successful but now failed comedy writer, using their new living situation as the basis for a sitcom – without telling Freya about it, of course.
I was inspired to write this book after reading a few articles about couples that wanted to separate, but for financial reasons had to keep living under the same roof. I thought it would be a really interesting dynamic for a romantic comedy.
Which songs would feature on a playlist for this book?
A great question. If you read my previous book, One Hundred Moments Of Us, you’ll know that it had a very strong playlist. I even created a playlist for it on Spotify! There are two Snow Patrol songs in this book. Chasing Cars, which is one of my favourite songs of all time and, You Could Be Happy. Also mentioned in the book are ABBA, so let’s go with Take A Chance On Me because it’s a great song and also the title fits into the theme of the book. In Not Moving Out, Joe is really into 90s Britpop music and so that would feature heavily. Perhaps some Oasis, Blur, Supergrass, and Pulp! The book has that perfect blend of humour, drama, pathos and joy, and I think that would be reflected in the song choices.
What’s your typical writing day like and do you have any writing rituals? How much has this changed since writing your first novel?
I do have a writing routine and it has definitely changed so much since writing my first book. My life when I was writing my first novel, This Thirtysomething Life was very different. I was working full-time, we’d just had our first baby, and writing was something I did when I got a spare five minutes. Which is why it took about 18 months to write that first book! Now I write full-time and my children are teenagers!
by Book Extract: Tucker’s Time Machine Telescope by Robin Bennett
It’s a pleasure to be welcoming Robin Bennett to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for his book, Tucker’s Time Machine Telescope with illustrations by Matt Cherry.
Thomas Tucker (or just Tucker to everyone who knows him) is walking innocently down the street when he is attacked by a chicken and falls down a hole. Unlikely as it sounds, this is how he ends up finding the Time Machine Telescope.
Unfortunately, Tucker seems to attract chaos and bad luck the same way that someone standing on top of a mountain waving a metal pole will eventually attract lightning and a free Xray.
Can he survive killer robots, Tudor kings, dinosaurs … and Kylo Hens long enough to complete his Time Machine Wish List
- GET RICH
- HAVE FUN!
- GET MUM AND DAD TO SPEND LESS TIME ON THEIR MOBILE PHONES
There’s only one way to find out…
Robin has shared an extract with us today. We hope you enjoy.
*****beginning of extract*****
Chapter 1
Tucker is chased by a chicken
Thomas Tucker (or just Tucker to everyone who knew him) was walking innocently down the street near his home. Minding his own business.
Although he didn’t know it yet, this was going to the most important day of Tucker’s life.
He was on his way to see Mrs Dempsey, the lady who looked after him in the holidays. His parents worked late, and they didn’t trust him to stay on his own for more than about ten minutes without getting into some sort of terrible trouble.
They weren’t wrong about this because Tucker seemed to attract chaos and bad luck the same way that someone standing on top of a mountain waving a metal pole will eventually attract lightning and a free Xray.
As we shall find out.
The sun was warm on his face, and it made him scrunch his eyes up, so he heard the chicken before he saw it.
by Book Extract: Summer Paths: An Anthology by Seasonal Collective
It’s a pleasure to be welcoming the Seasonal Collective as we shine a light on their anthology, Summer Paths.
This, the fourth and final selection of stories, completes the Seasonal Paths series created by a consortium of best-selling and award-winning North Atlantic writers.
In this anthology you will encounter unintentioned consequences, love in later life, the pull of family dynamics, misguided assumptions and murderous soulmates.
These yarns will take you to new worlds, into a ghostly abyss, across an ocean in pursuit of truth and into the darkness of ancient beliefs.
Make yourself comfortable and surrender to these multi-styled tales, all linked by the theme of summer, within the covers of this book. You will be surprised and entertained by what you find.
The Seasonal Collective has kindly shared an extract from Pierre C. Arseneault’s, The Year of the Goat with us today. We hope you enjoy.
*****beginning of extract*****
I like to tell people, I loved Gus and his motley crew so much that I wanted to tell another tale with this same cast and so I wrote this comedy called The Year of the Goat in Summer Paths as a sequel to Melvin in Winter Paths.
The Year of the Goat
By Pierre C. Arseneault
A dry, cracking sound echoed through the sultry morning air as the wooden baseball bat connected with the softball. Much of the crowd in the bleachers stood, cheering as the ten-year-old girl dropped the bat and ran for first base.
“The kid’s good,” Harvey said, stuffing his age-spotted hands into his jacket pockets as he stood next to the chain-link fence that circled the baseball field.
“Isn’t that Scooter’s granddaughter?” Gus asked, lifting his beige bucket hat and wiping the sweat from his brow with a handkerchief. He wondered how Harvey could wear long pants and a jacket on such a hot summer’s day.
“Over here!” Gus heard a familiar voice shout. Turning his attention to the bleachers, he saw his friend, nicknamed Scooter since early childhood. He’d been the only kid in the area who’d had a push scooter instead of a bicycle. Scooter straightened and waved excitedly while shouting, the wispy white hairs that ringed his baldpate fluttering in the warm breeze. “Did you see that?”
Gus’s knees creaked as he followed Harvey up the side of the weather-beaten bleachers of the old ballpark.
by Book Extract & Giveaway: You Can’t Hurry Love by Susan Buchanan
It’s a delight to be welcoming Susan Buchanan back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her book, You Can’t Hurry Love.
A delicious friends to lovers, forced proximity, workplace romance for 2025.
A 30th birthday celebration. A sloth sanctuary in Costa Rica. A split-second decision.
When Kat MacDonald takes the trip of a lifetime to Costa Rica, she doesn’t count on ditching her dead-end job, sending her uber-controlling boyfriend packing and volunteering at a sloth sanctuary.
But when she finally meets the swoon-worthy assistant manager Dexter, the chemistry between them is unmistakeable and sparks fly. Despite a rival for his affections, and her ex’s inability to know when to give up, she and Dexter are drawn to each other like magnets.
Just as she’s settling into life at the sanctuary and making friends, a letter arrives from back home in Scotland. A letter which could both upset her new plans and give her everything she has ever wanted. Everything except Dexter.
Kat is torn: should she stay in the tropical rainforest paradise with her beloved sloths, new friends and the delectable Dexter or pursue her lifelong dream? Or can she find a way to have it all?
A fun, escapist read full of romance, beautiful scenery and humour, perfect for fans of Emily Henry, Beth O’Leary Leonie Mack and Portia MacIntosh.
There’s a chance to win a copy of You Can’t Hurry Love but first, Susan has shared an extract with us today. We hope you enjoy.
*****beginning of extract*****
Kat has just arrived at the sloth sanctuary and is being shown around by the owner, Carlos. She has just clocked someone trying to catch his attention.
‘Excuse me a second, Kat. My deputy manager needs to speak to me.’
‘No problem.’ I cast my glance back towards the gorgeous guy he’s heading towards and he catches me. Oops. Busted. But his lips curve into a smile before I look away. Interesting.
I stand and listen to the questions from the school group, my brain whirring as it tries to work out some of the more difficult terms. I love that the word for sloth in Spanish is ‘perezoso’ – basically ‘lazy’, or ‘oso perezoso’ – a lazy bear. And the sloths are so sweet. It’s so relaxed here I almost feel a bit ‘perezosa’ myself. It’s hot, though. I could do with a cold drink.
I’m suddenly aware of a delicious, spicy aftershave and I turn my head slightly to discover the gorgeous guy is now standing beside me.
by Book Extract: The Throne of Ash by Lissy Porter
It’s a pleasure to be welcoming Lissy Porter to Novel Kicks and the blog blitz for their latest book, The Throne of Ash.
The Throne of Ash – A thrilling Tudor-esque fantasy with all the deceit, politics and Courtly romance of the Tudor era
A Queen. A Princess. And a Consort who must be chosen to ensure the future of the Throne of Ash.
The Queen’s Face masks all—even the woman who wears it. None may see her without it, not even her Consort responsible for ensuring she brings forth a healthy daughter to succeed her. If he fails, being cast aside is the most favourable of outcomes.
When Queen Cecily unknowingly determines on her sister’s lover as her Consort, ambition, jealousy, and the demands of courtly etiquette threaten the stability of the Throne of Ash.
Princess Bess knows only too well her responsibilities towards her sister, the queen, but when one of the powerful noble Houses attempts to ensnare both sisters with one lover, there can only ever be one winner.
The Throne of Ash is a Tudor-esque fantasy in which women rule, and men are kept in the background, of little use, except when a Consort must be chosen. Then, court intrigues, and politics come to the fore in a deadly game of politics and etiquette that sets sister against sister.
Lissy has shared an extract with us today. We hope you enjoy.
*****beginning of extract*****
In this excerpt we see Princess Elizabeth painting her sister, Queen Cecily, for a royal portrait. The queen has been absent from court for some days, following the revelation her Consort might not be who he seems to be.
The next time I see the queen, she greets me regally. If her expression, behind the Queen’s Face, is more rigid than usual, I hardly blame her. There have been no court appointments for three days. In that time she’s kept herself within her apartment, and now appears before everyone once more in the Queen’s Hall.
Unwillingly, I admit she’s played her hand well. In her finery she wishes to be painted wearing, she looks every inch the rightful and regal queen of Ash. No matter the swell of her belly, which she doesn’t so much hide as obscure beneath her gown, she presents herself as perfectly in command and above reproach.
Rumours regarding the likely outcome of Lady Alice’s fate are running like fire throughout the palace. All believe she’ll be executed. Few have anything good to say for her, although Lady Mary assures me there are many who are worried about the full accounting the queen has ordered. It appears, the House of Fish weren’t alone in pretending children belonged to them when they didn’t. Not, of course, that any can debate the legitimacy of the claims of me and the queen. We were acknowledged at birth by my grandmother, who witnessed our arrival into the world, if not our creation. For which I’m quite grateful. I imagine my mother and father were as well. Now, I’m pleased my grandmother was so assiduous in performing her duties.
by Book Review: Their Second Chance Season by Ella Matthews
I’m pleased to be welcoming Ella Matthews to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, Their Second Chance Season.
Can a ballroom reunion… Lead to a union at the altar?
War hero James Ashworth needs a rich wife to restore his family’s fortune. Despite the scars battle left on his soul, he’ll do his duty—even if everywhere he turns, he sees the woman he loved and lost…
Meeting James catapults widow Amelia back to the past— the letters he stopped responding to while at Waterloo and her subsequent forced marriage. Yet, when she discovers her father’s role in the Ashworths’ misfortune, she’s compelled to help—even if she has no intention of falling for the man who broke her heart!
*****
It’s 1816. Amelia Washbrook, the widow of the late Lord Mortram is determined to start enjoying life. This doesn’t stop her worrying as her sister, Sienna, makes her debut season in the Ton. Things are made even more complicated when James Ashworth returns to society. Can she avoid the man who broke her heart?
I do love myself a regency themed novel and couldn’t wait to get started on Their Second Chance Season.
Although this is the third book in the A Season to Wed series, it can be read as a standalone and there was never any point where I felt I was missing information. This was also my introduction to Ella Matthews.
by NK Chats To…Hywela Lyn (Plus Giveaway To Win A Copy Of The Matchmaker’s Mare)
Hi Hywela. Thank you so much for joining me today. Can you tell us a little about your latest book, The Matchmaker’s Mare and what inspired it?
Thank you so much for being part of my blog tour, Laura. To answer your question, I usually manage to get a horse somewhere in my stories, even the Science fiction Romances, so it was natural that I should think about writing a novel with horses as a large part of the plot. I had written short stories about horses, and one, written many years ago, was about a witch’s pony. I’d been thinking about writing a ghost story, and the witch became a matchmaking spirit. I set it in my native Wales and gradually the other characters developed and, of course, it became a romance -I am an unashamed romantic! Neither the pony or the ghosts in the story are scary, in fact one of them is quite mischievous and the matchmaker has her hands full keeping him in check while trying to get the two main characters to realise they are meant for each other!
What’s your favourite and least favourite words and why?
Favourite – Romance. Naturally since I’m a romance writer. The world needs more romance!
Least favourite – Literally. It’s used far too much and often incorrectly. I heard someone on the radio the other day say they were ‘literally on another planet’. Wow – I’m surprised that didn’t make headline news! 😊
What’s your typical writing day like? Do you have any writing Rituals?
I don’t really have a typical writing day and I actually write better at night! I’ve always been something of a night owl. I like to have a clear head when I write and not have to worry about jobs I haven’t done, so it’s usually quite late when I start writing, and then I get so absorbed I lose all track of time! I don’t think I actually have any rituals, except I like to have music on low in the background.
From idea to finished novel, how long does the process take you? How do you know when you’ve done enough research and editing?
At least a year. I am not a fast writer. I mull it over in my mind for a long time before I start writing. I usually get the first draft done fairly quickly, after researching and making a lot of notes. I like to do the research before I start writing, so as not to interrupt ‘the flow’. Then I write and rewrite before I feel it’s fit to send to beta readers. Then I rewrite again, taking on board all the comments I feel are relevant. Then I give it a few more polishes before I feel I can submit it to my publisher. I find it very hard to know when to stop and never really feel it’s good enough.
Do you have any advice to combat writers block?
LOL – I could say a long ride on a horse works wonders! Of course not every writer is fortunate enough to be able to do that, but a long walk is just as good. Anything to clear one’s mind. Gardening perhaps, or even reading something not connected with what you’re writing at the time. I usually find that when I stop trying to work out the problem that’s causing the block, the solution will pop into my head when I stop thinking about it!
In your opinion, what are the most common mistakes new writers make?
by Book Review: The House of Lost Whispers by Jenni Keer
It’s a pleasure to be welcoming Jenni Keer back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, The House of Lost Whispers.
On 15th April 1912, RMS Titanic sank and 1500 people lost their lives. But what if it had stayed afloat?
When the ill-fated maiden voyage of the Titanic leaves thirteen-year-old Olivia Davenport orphaned, she’s sent to live with her guardians, the Fairchilds, in their huge Jacobean mansion – Merriford Manor. But the Fairchilds have more to worry about than a grieving young girl – with war in Europe imminent and four sons to protect.
Olivia feels alone and friendless. That is, until she hears a voice from behind the wall in her tower bedroom. A voice from a man called Seth. At first she thinks he’s a ghost. But it soon becomes clear that he lives in an overlapping world that is just a shudder in time away from her own. A world where the Titanic never sank… And everything since has been just slightly… different.
All Olivia wants is to find a way into his reality. And not just to see the faces of her beloved parents once again. But also to meet Seth. Who might just be the love of her life…
An utterly unforgettable reading group historical novel, that is part romance, part gripping mystery, and part completely heartbreaking First World War historical fiction. Perfect for fans of Titanic, In Memoriam and Lucinda Riley.
*****
The sinking of the Titanic in April 1912 is an event known to the world… but what if it didn’t sink?
When Olivia Davenport loses her parents, she is sent to live with her Godfather and his family. Her life’s path goes a certain way.
However, when she begins to hear a voice through the wall of her bedroom, she starts to question everything she knows.
Although I’ve had the pleasure of hosting Jenni Keer on Novel Kicks in the past, this is the first opportunity I’ve had to review one of her novels. I am fascinated by the history surrounding the Titanic so the premise for this book intrigued me a lot. I couldn’t wait to get started.
by Book Review: Five Things I Love About You by Clare Swatman
It’s so lovely to be welcoming Clare Swatman back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, Five Things I Love About You.
Forty-nine-year-old Miranda is at a crossroads.
Her children have left home, her perfectly civilised divorce is more than a decade behind her and her romances since have been lacklustre, and her career has stalled. The bright spots in her life are best friends Sophie and Kirstie, but it’s clear something has to change.
So, when she’s knocked off her bike and wakes up in hospital bruised but not broken, Miranda wonders if the universe is trying to tell her something. And when she starts to be plagued by recurring dreams featuring the same featureless man, Sophie insists it’s a sign.
Her repeating dreams offer five clues to the man’s identity so, with nothing to lose, Miranda sets off on a journey to the future she’s always longed for. Somewhere there’s a life and a love waiting for Miranda, but will she grasp it with both hands or will she let her destiny slip through her fingers even when it’s right in front of her…
An uplifting, magical story about fresh starts, best friends and soulmates. Perfect for all fans of Lucy Diamond, Beth Moran and Jill Mansell.
*****
Miranda has found herself at a bit of a crossroads. Having lost her job, she doesn’t know what she’s going to do next. So, when she gets knocked off her bike and gets helped by a man she knows only as ‘J’, she decides to try and find him. Will fate help her along the way or is it a lost cause?
I am so pleased to be invited onto the blog tour for the latest novel from Clare Swatman. Having enjoyed previous books by this author, I couldn’t wait to get started on Five Things I Love About You.
by Book Extract: Shadows In The Spring by Christina Courtenay
I’m so happy to be welcoming Christina Courtenay back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, Shadows In The Spring.
Two souls bound together but lost in time. Until now.
AD 80
Duro of the Iceni tribe escaped life as an enslaved gladiator and is now finally home in Britannia with one thing on his mind: vengeance. For 20 years he has sought the Roman legionary who destroyed his family. What he didn’t expect was Gisel: a fierce Germanic woman with long white-blonde hair, forced into slavery by the Romans. Hypnotised by her spirit and her beauty, Duro frees Gisel and slowly tries to win her trust as they work together to complete his quest.
Present Day
Mackenna Jackson returns to Bath with a broken heart, thanks to rockstar Blue Daniels. Luckily she can still count on Blue’s former bandmate Jonah Miller as a listening ear. But Jonah has secretly been fighting stronger feelings, drawn to Mac’s quiet confidence and gorgeous white-blonde hair. As they explore the area, memories they can’t quite explain flood them both.
Is the spark between Mac and Jonah in fact a sign of something much deeper – a love enduring through millennia – or can it all be an illusion?
Christina has shared an extract from Shadows In The Spring with us today. We hope you enjoy it.
*****beginning of extract*****
Prologue
Germania Barbaricum (north-east France), mid-May AD 80
The jolting of the cart over a particularly large bump in the track woke Gisel. Her head felt as if someone had speared her skull with a knife and her gaze was unfocused. Only a sliver of light filtered in under the material that covered the wagon where she lay trussed like a fowl ready for the roasting spit. Everything was dim, and she wasn’t sure whether it was reality or merely a bad dream.
Then she remembered.
by Book Extract: Fantaisie by Michael Kenneth Smith
It’s a pleasure to be welcoming Michael Kenneth Smith to Novel Kicks as we shine a light on his novel, Fantaisie.
Fantaisie is set in the aftermath of war, where the front lines have shifted to secrets and survival.
Jan Orlinski, a pilot with few options, accepts work that puts him in the crosshairs of international intrigue. Sophie Gordon, caught up in a dangerous intelligence operation, vanishes behind enemy lines—setting Jan on a rescue mission that will test his limits.
Author Michael Kenneth Smith is known for The Postwoman, a novel rooted in real WWII resistance history. Fantaisie continues his legacy of character-driven, historically rich fiction.
Michael Kenneth Smith has kindly shared an extract from Fantaisie with us today. We hope you enjoy.
*****beginning of extract****
The black sedan was still following them as they neared the airport, albeit at a distance. Jan decided whoever it was wanted to keep an eye on them but wasn’t looking for a confrontation. He glanced back again as Brian made a quick turn and then another. After four years in Matadi, he knew the city’s streets well. Soon, they were headed back across the bridge into the heart of town, the sedan no longer visible behind them. The sun beat down as Brian guided the truck through Matadi’s bustling streets, which smelled of exhaust and overripe fruit from market stalls and street vendors. He turned down narrow alleys twice, the truck’s tires screeching in protest.
Five minutes later, they pulled up to a small, tidy house in an affluent neighborhood.
“Come on,” Brian said. “We need to talk.”
by Book Extract: Flowers of Evil by N.L. Holmes
It’s a pleasure to be welcoming N.L Holmes to Novel Kicks as we shine a light her Hani’s Daughter Mysteries Series.
No Pyramids, Just Crimes Worth Solving
While most historical fiction about ancient Egypt fixates on pharaohs and pyramids, N.L. Holmes takes a refreshingly intimate approach: small neighborhoods, family entanglements, and the everyday tensions that lead to murder. Her four-book series follows Neferet and Bener-ib — medical women turned reluctant detectives — as they navigate deadly mysteries within the working-class community of Thebes.
Each installment, from Flowers of Evil to The Melody of Evil, presents a different crime, a new emotional layer, and evolving relationships. Holmes’s deep archaeological knowledge makes every page ring with authenticity — and the fact that these stories center queer women in the Bronze Age? Even better.
The books in the series include Flowers of Evil, Web of Evil, Wheel of Evil and Melody of Evil.
N.L. Holmes has shared an extract from Flowers of Evil, book one from the series. We hope you enjoy.
*****beginning of extract*****
“Can you do anything?” the woman cried tremulously, clutching at Neferet’s arm.
But Neferet could think of nothing encouraging to say. Her insides had that hollow, leaden feeling that meant the worst was about to happen.
“There’s no point in stitching up the outside,” she said gently. “He’s lost a lot of blood, and they’ve chopped him up pretty seriously inside. As the medical books say, ‘This is not a case I will treat.’”
The woman understood and began to whimper. She reached out a hand to touch her husband’s shoulder but then drew back as if she’d just discovered it was someone else. A gloomy silence fell over the group, broken only by the increasingly weak huff of the patient’s breath. His lips moved feebly, and Bener-ib leaned over his face.
“I think you’d better stand with him, mistress,” Neferet said. “His soul is ready to fly. He might have something to say to you.”
The woman drew closer fearfully. “Sen-em-iah, my brother, I’m here.”
by Book Review: Men of Iron by MJ Porter
We are pleased to be welcoming MJ Porter to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for their latest book, Men of Iron.
After the legends of Arthur, yet before the Saxon kingdom of Mercia, a tribal age of iron and rust ruled.
Britain AD540.
In the western hinterland of Roman Britannia, Meddi, the seeress of the Eorlingas tribe, can only obtain vengeance when her husband’s dead and her ancestral villa returned to her.
With her brother, Madog, as leader, they unite and stand strong against those who seek the riches of their villa. They must harness the power of the lost magiks of iron to make weapons to mercilessly oppose those who seek to challenge and fight to rule.
Meanwhile in the east, Waermund, a young warrior of Saxon descent, has exacted the ultimate revenge against his brother. Startled by his own ruthlessness, he knows his father will pursue him to exact retribution. He and his band of miscreant warriors must flee westwards and forge a new future by earning coin from those too weak to protect themselves.
Meddi and Wærmund are set to collide in a world of iron and rust.
*****
Men of Iron is the first in a new series by M.J Porter. Having read novels in previous series by this author, I was eager to see what this new one had to offer.
This book is based in the dark ages, between the departure of the Romans and the rule of the Saxons. It’s a time when sharp iron which holds its edge is worth more than gold.
by Book Extract: How To Fix A Broken Heart by Nicola May
I’m pleased to be welcoming Nicola May to Novel Kicks as we celebrate the publication of her book, How To Fix A Broken Heart.
A heart-wrenching and life-affirming story of love and loss from number one bestselling author Nicola May
Gracie Davies is at an all-time low. After a devastating loss, the last thing she needs is a colleague hinting over coffee that it’s time to lose her baby weight. Then her boyfriend betrays her, and her world totally falls apart.
Rebuilding her life from scratch – with the support of her free-spirited sister, an unorthodox therapist, and a feisty new friend – Gracie finally begins to get her mojo back. Add in a passionate fling with handsome landscaper Ed, a fairytale encounter with a Hollywood film star and the persistence of her adulterous ex, and life is anything but predictable…
Soon she finds that community, purpose, and perhaps even new love might be the perfect prescription for a broken heart.
But can a heart that’s been so utterly shattered ever trust again?
Warm, witty, wildly sexy and deeply moving, Nicola May’s unforgettable novel is perfect for fans of Jojo Moyes, Marian Keyes, and Amanda Prowse.
This is a revised version of The Women of Wimbledon Common/The SW19 Club.
To celebrate How To Fix A Borken Heart, Nicola has shared an extract with us today. We hope you enjoy.
*****beginning of extract*****
Gracie goes on her first date after her boyfriend’s betrayal.
*****
Ed smiled warmly as he saw Gracie’s red Puma pull into the Wimbledon car park, where they had agreed to meet. He had thought she might chicken out and was pleased she’d stuck to her word. He jumped out of his van as she approached.
‘Hey, you look lovely.’ He kissed her on the cheek.
‘Well, you know, it’s not every day you get asked on a date by a handsome landscaper.’ She self-consciously pulled her jumper down over her jeans.
‘Oh, it’s a date, is it?’
Gracie reddened. ‘Err… well… I… err.’
by Book Review: Meet Me Under the Clock by Jo Lovett
I’m happy to be welcoming Jo Lovett to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, Meet Me Under the Clock.
Sometimes love happens when you least expect it…
When Nadia and Tom are both unceremoniously stood up by their dates under the clock at Waterloo Station, fate throws them together in the most unusual of circumstances.
What starts as a brilliant story for future dinner parties soon turns into a wonderful friendship, and both Tom and Nadia realise they’ve found the perfect partner in crime.
Tired of dating but always needing a plus one for weddings, parties, and the like, they agree to fake date each other. But as their pretend relationship starts to feel more real, Nadia and Tom begin to wonder if there’s more to their connection than convenience.
Could the relationship they’ve been faking be the one they’ve been waiting for all along?
A heartwarming fake dating rom com, perfect for fans of Beth O’Leary and Sophie Kinsella.
*****
Nadia arrives at Waterloo station for a blind date. At the same time, Tom is there to meet a woman he made a pact with. As a security alert brings these two together, they decide to help each other out with the dating thing by pretending to be an item. This surely can’t backfire… right?
Although i have had the opportunity to host Jo Lovett before on this blog, this is the first time I’ve had the chance to review one of her novels. The idea of this book sounded great and so I was pleased to be invited onto the blog tour for Meet Me Under The Clock.
by Book Review: Catch a Falling Star by Laura Carter
It’s a pleasure to be welcoming Laura Carter back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, Catch a Falling Star.
It’s never too late…
Lyra Clarkson has built a career capturing other people’s perfect moments. She loves her work as a wedding photographer – despite her family’s disapproval – but she’s never quite found her own path.
Guy Walker, former rock star turned wedding singer, has hit a new low. Desperately needing cash, he’s agreed to take any gig his manager can get him, even if this new form of entertainment isn’t just singing.
As Lyra and Guy’s paths cross – in the most bizarre way possible – an unexpected kiss will change everything. But was it simply a chance encounter or is fate bringing them back together?
Now forced into each other’s lives for the entire wedding season, the unlikely pair may just figure out together how to realise both their dreams…
*****
One night, Lyra shares a moment with her favourite musican as he performs on stage. When she is invited backstage to meet him, she allows herself to get swept up in the dream. However, a phone call at the dressing room door changes the trejectory of her life. Seven years later, she meets a stranger in a lift, one that feels really familiar.
Being a big fan of Laura Carter’s novels, I couldn’t wait to get started on her latest book, Catch A Falling Star.
by Book Review: Safe Harbour in Pelican Crossing by Maggie Christensen
I’m pleased to be welcoming Maggie Christensen back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, Safe Harbour in Pelican Crossing.
Safe Harbour in Pelican Crossing: An emotional and uplifting story of friends, family and second chances
After the death of her abusive husband, Erica Masters returns to Perth, eager for a fresh start and the birth of her granddaughter. But when she learns her husband has changed his Will in favour of their son, leaving her with nothing, she flees to seek refuge in Pelican Crossing, the place she once called home.
Having sold his fishing boat after a bitter divorce which left him to bring up his two teenage sons, Jamie Whittaker has found success with his fishing charter business. Thrilled by the arrival of his first grandchild, he is stunned when his teenage flame, Erica, reappears in town.
As the pair reconnect, old feelings resurface, but Erica remains guarded after her painful past. Jamie, determined to win Erica’s heart once again, manages to break through her defences until a family tragedy turns their lives upside down.
With everything unravelling around them, can these two troubled souls build a future together?
If you enjoy emotional reads, you’ll love this gripping tale of love and second chances.
*****
Erica’s life has not been the happiest. After the death of her abusive husband, she is looking for a new start, back where she grew up. Pelican Crossing promises the solace Erica is looking for. Will she still be happy to be back when she runs into old flame, Jamie?
by Book Extract: Karma Never Sleeps by R. John Dingle
I am pleased to be welcoming R. John Dingle to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for his latest novel, Karma Never Sleeps.
In a small town, the truth can’t always set you free…
When a second woman from a group of friends known as “the posse” is murdered in the woods near the New England enclave of Kendalton, FBI agent and profiler Gus Wheeler and his partner are called in to determine if this is a serial killing. He’s intrigued by a clue hidden on the body: a memorial picture of a teen who died 25 years ago.
Instead of helping with the investigation, the long-term friends stonewall the agents. But Gus can smell fear beneath their calm masks, fake smiles, and politely vague answers. Digging deeper, he discovers they are being terrorised by cyberstalking, spying, threats and mysterious break-ins. When a third member is hospitalized after a brutal attack, Gus suspects someone in the posse is the hunter instead of the hunted.
Is it the alpha leader Jules, her best friend Maria-married to the chief of police-outsider Mel, or weak link Lizzy? Or someone else bent on revenge? Time’s running out, and Gus’s life depends on his skill at determining who’s the best liar in town.
R. John Dingle has shared an extract with us today. We hope you enjoy it.
(Warning: Violence).
*****beginning of extract*****
Chapter One
Everyone knew Sarah Nelson loved to run. She was a triage nurse, so her days were filled with alarms and buzzers and life-or-death decisions. Running gave her much-needed quiet time, a chance to decompress and get lost in her own head without any distractions from work or kids or social media. She loved the alone time on the trails, just her and her music and the fresh smells of nature. And the endorphins; oh, how she loved the endorphins. Sarah would rave to the girls, the Posse as they called themselves, that as good as sex was with Steve (and it was pretty amazing), when she hit the zone on a run and the world melted away, the endorphins she’d get afterward were simply orgasmic. But, of course, all this was a lie, especially the Steve-sex thing. Sarah hated running, she absolutely loathed it. But deep down she loathed her vile friend, Jules, even more. Jules was a liar and a drunk and a constant thorn in Sarah’s side. Any day Sarah didn’t see Jules was a good day. But worst of all, Jules was a runner and a big-time one at that. And Sarah would be damned if that bitch did anything better than she did.
by Book Spotlight: The Dressmaker’s Secret Earl by Susanne Dunlap
I’m delighted to be shining a light on The Dressmaker’s Secret Earl by Susanne Dunlap. It’s book one in the Double Dilemma Romance series.
A marriage of convenience to a scoundrel? Not if Augusta can help it.
The impoverished daughter of a baronet, Augusta has no intention of being bartered away like a prize horse. Instead, she flees to London, determined to forge her own path as a modiste.
But fate has other plans. On her very first day in the city, she crosses paths with a brooding earl—one burdened with a clubfoot and a reputation nearly as scandalous as the proposal she ran from. His captivating sister, Mariana, is not only Augusta’s employer’s best client but harbors a secret ambition of her own: to marry the one man society deems wholly unsuitable.
Drawn into Mariana’s reckless schemes of masquerades, cross-dressing, and Whig intrigue, Augusta soon finds herself entangled in more than just scandal—she’s losing her heart to a man who embodies everything she swore to escape.
But the earl has secrets of his own. Is he truly the rogue society believes him to be?
And when Augusta’s past comes calling, will her newfound independence—and her heart—survive?
A charming, fast-paced Regency romance perfect for fans of Bridgerton and the sweetly adventurous love stories of Maggie Dallen and Jenny Hambly.
by Book Review: Happy Ever After at the Second Chances Sweet Shop by Hannah Lynn
It’s a pleasure to be welcoming Hannah Lynn back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, Happy Ever After at the Second Chances Sweet Shop.
Love is in the air…
After difficult times, Holly is finally adjusting to her new normal. Her daughter Hope is happy, she’s created a beautiful home, and an unexpected offer may mean fantastic opportunities for her sweet shop, Just One More.
But her sense of calm is shattered when best friend Giles drops a bombshell – a proposal to Sienna, a woman Holly barely knows and who isn’t right for Giles at all.
For Giles’s sake, she tries to make peace with Sienna, throwing herself into wedding planning. But as everyone else cheers on the ‘happy’ couple, Holly’s left questioning whether her doubts are about them – or about something in her own heart…
Return to the cosy world of the Cotswolds in this heartwarming story of love, friendship and second chances – perfect for fans of Holly Martin and Jessica Redland.
*****
Holly has settled into life running her sweet shop and bringing up her daughter.
However, when her best friend proposes to his girlfriend, Holly isn’t happy. She wants to try and convince Giles that Sienna is wrong for him but are her reasons for the warnings simply because she doesn’t want him making a mistake or is there something more to it?
I am such a big fan of Hannah Lynn, so I threw myself at any chance to be part of the blog tour for her latest book in the Holly Berry Sweet Shop series, Happy Ever After at the Second Chances Sweet Shop.
What I soon realised, is that I am not as up to date with this series as I am with Hannah Lynn’s Wildflower Lock books. I know. I don’t understand how that happened, but I will be rectifying that by adding this series to my TBR pile. The last book I’d read in this series was book five so there’s a few things that I’ve missed. Happy Ever After at the Second Chances Sweet Shop is book eight. This can be read as a standalone and I was able to keep up very well but obviously starting at this point will reveal spoilers if you’re then planning on reading the previous novels.
by Book Review: Enemies of the Crown by Peter Gibbons
We are pleased to be welcoming back Peter Gibbons to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for his latest book in the Saxon Warrior series, Enemies of the Crown.
A weakened crown. A country besieged by Vikings, suffering under the oppression of a powerful church.
994AD
King Aethelred the Unready’s rule falters. Policies recommended by the controlling bishops invite more attacks upon his Saxon kingdom as Sweyn Forkbeard, Viking battle-king of the Danes, grows in power; bloodthirsty for conquest.
Beornoth, Viking-killer and kings thegn believed his days in the shield wall to be over until summoned by the king to enforce a policy of retribution against his enemies.
In a time of shifting loyalties, alongside a savage warband of cruel Norman warriors, Beornoth embarks upon a brutal quest to rid England of King Aethelred’s so-called Viking enemies.
However, when this murderous campaign leads to the door of an old friend, Beornoth must choose sides, as his loyalty to king, country, and his brothers of the sword are put to the test.
Can Beornoth triumph over insurmountable odds in this shield splintering battle for the future of England itself?
*****
Enemies of the Crown continues the story of Beornoth, a fierce Saxon warrior and King’s Theign.
by Book Extract: I Kill Always Love You by Helen Golden
I am so delighted to be welcoming Helen Golden back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, I Kill Always Love You.
A perfect sunny getaway with no drama. Or so they’d hoped…
BREAKING NEWS Woman Taken in for Questioning in Death of Actress’ Husband
Police in Portugal this morning told reporters that a woman is being questioned in connection with the murder of the film producer Jason ‘JT’ Kenda, who was married to award-winning actress Ariella St Gerome.
Mr Kenda, who was found dead in the swimming pool of the couple’s villa, was initially thought to have died following an accident, but now police believe the American was killed intentionally. The villa is next door to where Lady Beatrice, the Countess of Rossex, is currently holidaying with family and friends at the villa of TV’s Sir Hewitt and his wife, Lady Grace.
Who can say no to Lady Grace? When the daughter of Lady Grace’s housekeeper is suspected of murder, her ladyship requests that Bea and her friends prove the maid’s innocence. But with time running out, can they navigate the tangled web of lies, betrayal, and hidden motives before an innocent woman is imprisoned for a crime she didn’t commit? Because even on holiday, the sleuthing never stops!
*****
Helen has kinky shared an extract from I Kill Always Love You with us today. We hope you enjoy.
*****beginning of extract*****
Intro
Lady Beatrice, her cute dog Daisy, her son Sam, and best his friend, Archie, are joined by DS Richard Fitzwilliam, Bea’s best friends Perry and Simon, and Simon’s daughter Isla, for a relaxing holiday in the sun, and they can’t wait. They’ve all had a crazy year so far, and all they want to do is sit by the pool and chill. No mysteries. No murder. Just sunny weather, good food, and great company. Their villa, Villa Mer, is in a complex of three, but Bea hopes that they can keep their interaction with their neighbours to a minimum, especially when she finds out that one of them is famous American actress, Ella St Gerome, and her husband, hot-shot Hollywood film producer, JT Kenda. The couple have been splashed all over the newspapers recently with rumours that he wasn’t giving his wife the lead role in his next movie. Bea doesn’t want to be dragged into that drama. But it was never going to be that simple, was it?
While Bea and the others were having breakfast the day after their arrival, an invitation arrived from Ella and JT to a pool party. Perry has persuaded Bea to hand deliver their acceptance note and has dragged her over to the neighbouring villa. Once in the grounds they overhear a couple arguing. Bea wants to turn back, but it’s too late. They have been spotted, and Ella has waved them over. Bea has no choice but to go…
by Book Review: The Lavender Bride by Alexandra Weston
It’s a pleasure to be welcoming Alexandra Weston back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, The Lavender Bride.
An English rose with American dreams
Audrey Wade longs to escape her domineering father and the bleak streets of post-war Yorkshire. Hollywood glitters with glamour, freedom, and the promise of a life with her best friend Freddie. But when Freddie abandons her, Audrey is left to chase her dreams alone.
A Heartthrob with secrets
Rex Trent is more than Hollywood’s leading man. Charismatic and dangerously handsome, he’s adored by millions and watched by powerful enemies in a paranoid 1950s America. One wrong move could destroy him.
A romance born of ambition and betrayal
When Rex proposes, Audrey is swept into Hollywood’s glamour and high-stakes secrets. But she soon discovers Rex’s dark side and faces a choice: cling to a man who may never love her, or risk everything to forge her own path?
A gripping new historical novel from a wonderful new voice. Perfect for fans of Taylor Jenkins-Reid, Wendy Holden and Allison Pataki.
*****
Audrey Wade has long held a dream to leave Sheffield for the promise of a great life in Hollywood, escaping post war Britain and her oppressive father forever.
After a few months of a new life in the US, Audrey catches the eye of film star, Rex Trent. Soon, she is caught up in a whirlwind of a life with him but is it what she really wanted?
by Book Review: The Viscount’s Pearl by Melissa Addey
I’m pleased to be welcoming Melissa Addey to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, The Viscount’s Pearl.
He’s a carefree rake who wants a marriage of convenience.
She’s an awkward spinster who doesn’t want to marry at all.
Fate has other plans in store for them both.
Laurence enjoys his dalliances with the married ladies of society, and thinks marriage is only a matter of convenience. He’s on the lookout for a practical woman accustomed to society. Frances is an odd and awkward young woman, more at home gathering shells on the beach than in the ballrooms of London, hoping to stay a spinster forever.
When the two meet in Margate, will their initial dislike of one another turn into something important?
While Laurence finds his life growing shallow, Frances wonders if love might be worth making a bold move for. Can she find her way into Laurence’s heart, and will he undertake to love her, just the way she is?
A warm-hearted Regency romance, full of historical detail and emotional discovery, as two opposites find they might just attract. The Season has begun, the ton is gathered… who knows what the tides will bring for Laurence and Frances.
*****
Frances wants a quiet life. She doesn’t even want to marry, content to live a spinster life. However, as her forth season beckons without a hint of a marriage proposal, her parents are putting pressure on their daughter. After all, the Ton has expectations for its unmarried ladies.
I love a novel based in the regency period. I am excited to be part of the blog tour for The Viscount’s Pearl. I have also not read anything from Melissa Addey before so it was a chance to discover a new author in the process.
by Book Review: Kindred Spirits at Harling Hall by Sharon Booth
I’m so delighted to be welcoming Sharon Booth to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, Kindred Spirits at Harling Hall.
The first in a delightfully warm, cosy and romantic new series with a fantasy twist, for fans of the BBC series ‘Ghosts’.
Can Callie give some needy ghosts their happy-ever-afterlife, while making Rowan Vale her own forever home?
When cash-strapped single mum Callie visits the beautiful Cotswold village of Rowan Vale on a school trip with her daughter, she is enchanted. It’s run as a living museum, with a steam railway, vintage teashop, Elizabethan manor house and old water mill allowing tourists to see history in action.
But there’s more to Rowan Vale than meets the eye…
To Callie’s surprise, the owner of the village, elderly Sir Lawrence Davenport, requests a meeting with her. It appears Callie has been observed talking to several villagers she shouldn’t be able to see – as they’re ghosts.
Sir Lawrence then makes an astonishing offer: to sell Callie the whole estate for a tiny sum, if she agrees to protect the village’s present tenants and make sure the headstrong ghosts are represented too.
With a spectral lord of the manor and his imperious wife, a naughty 1940s schoolgirl and the man who once taught William Shakespeare among them, it seems Callie’s role as owner wouldn’t be easy.
And that’s without the added complication of Lawrie’s disinherited grandson, the gorgeous Brodie.
Rowan Vale and Callie may need each other. But is this a match made in heaven or hell?
Fans of the BBC’s Ghosts, or books by Lucy Jane Wood, Laurie Gilmore and Heidi Swain will love this heart-warming and magical novel.
*****
As a child, Callie could see and communicate with ghosts but the ability disappears when her family are not supportive. However, when her visit to the village of Rowan Vale re-awakens her gift, her life quickly changes forever.
The premise of this book caught my attention and so I leaped at the chance to be part of the blog tour for Kindred Spirits at Harling Hall, This was also the first book I’ve read by Sharon Booth.
by Book Club
