book review – Page 13

Today, it’s time for something a little different, I’m reviewing The French Cookery School by Caroline James #fiction #newrelease #blogtour

Here’s the blurb

Mix together a group of mature students:

A culinary Sloane, a take-away cook and a food journalist.

Add in:

A handsome host

Season with:

A celebrity chef

Bring to the boil:

At a luxurious cookery school in France!

Waltho Williams has no idea what he’s letting himself in for when he opens the doors of La Maison du Paradis, his beautiful French home. But with dwindling funds, a cookery school seems like the ideal business plan.

Running away from an impending divorce, super-snob Caroline Carrington hopes a luxurious cookery holiday will put her back on her feet. Blackpool fish and chip café owner Fran Cartwright thinks she’s won the lottery when her husband Sid books her on a week working alongside a celebrity chef. Meanwhile, feeling she is fading at fifty, journalist Sally Parker-Brown hopes her press week covering the cookery course will enable her to boost her career.

But will the eclectic group be a recipe for success, or will the mismatched relationships sink like a souffle?

Whip out an apron, grab a wooden spoon and take a culinary trip to La Maison du Paradis, then sit back and enjoy The French Cookery School!

Purchase Link

https://mybook.to/TFCS

My Review

The French Cookery School is a life-affirming story of second chances for our cast of 50+ characters set in the heat of Franch in the mid-summer, as well as the heat of the kitchen. Our main characters, and there are really four of them (Fran, Sally, Caroline and Waltho), all have their own struggles to overcome or ambitions to achieve, which sets the scene for a story of facing grief and loss and moving beyond the comfort of how lives have been led for so many years.

It is an engaging, quick read that is sure to appeal to fans of cookery, France, and second-chance stories who are looking for a more ‘serious’ take on the genre.

Meet the author

Caroline James always wanted to write, but instead of taking a literary route, followed a career in the hospitality industry, which included owning a pub and a beautiful country house hotel. She was also a media agent representing celebrity chefs. When she finally glued her rear to a chair and began to write, the words flowed, and several novels later, she has gained many bestseller badges for her books.

The French Cookery School is Caroline’s tenth novel. Previously, The Cruise, described as: ‘Girl power for the over sixties!’ was an Amazon Top Ten Best Seller. Caroline’s hilarious novels include The Spa Break and The Best Boomerville Hotel, depicted as ‘Britain’s answer to the Best Marigold Hotel’.

She likes to write in Venus, her holiday home on wheels and in her spare time, walks with Fred, her Westie, or swims in a local lake. Caroline is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association, the SOA, ARRA and the Society of Women’s Writers & Journalists. She is also a speaker with many amusing talks heard by a variety of audiences, including cruise ship guests.

Books by Caroline James:

The French Cookery School

The Cruise

The Spa Break

Hattie Goes to Hollywood

Boomerville at Ballymegille

The Best Boomerville Hotel

Coffee Tea the Gypsy & Me

Coffee Tea the Chef & Me

Coffee Tea the Caribbean & Me

Jungle Rock

Connect with the author

www.carolinejamesauthor.co.uk

Twitter: @CarolineJames12

Facebook: Caroline James Author

Insta: Caroline James Author

Today, I’m sharing my review for The Maiden of Florence by Katherine Mezzacappa #blogtour #histfic #newrelease And there’s a competition too

Here’s the blurb

‘My defloration was talked about in all the courts of Europe. The Prince boasted of his prowess, even as preparations were being made for his wedding, as boldly as if he had ridden across that causeway with bloodstained sheet tied to his lance.’
1584, Italy: Twenty-year-old Giulia expects she will live and die incarcerated as a silk weaver within the walls of her Florentine orphanage, where she has never so much as glimpsed her own face. This all changes with the visit of the Medici family’s most trusted advisor, promising her a generous dowry and a husband if she agrees to a small sacrifice that will bring honour and glory to her native city.
Vincenzo Gonzaga, libertine heir to the dukedom of Mantua, wants to marry the Grand-Duke of Tuscany’s eldest daughter, but the rumours around his unconsummated first marriage must be silenced first. Eager for a dynastic alliance that will be a bulwark against the threat of Protestant heresy beyond the Alps, the Pope and his cardinals turn a blind eye to a mortal sin.
A powerful #MeToo story of the Renaissance, based on true events.

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Maiden-Florence-Katherine-Mezzacappa/dp/1914148509

https://www.amazon.com/Maiden-Florence-Katherine-Mezzacappa/dp/1914148509

My Review

Told with the benefit of hindsight by our maiden of Florence, Giulia, The Maiden of Florence is the story of this astounding event and the consequences of it for our fair maiden. The first third of the book is a retelling of what might have befallen Giulia, and events then move on to tell the story of what occurred afterwards, including her eventual marriage. However, the reach of the man behind her involvement is never very far away, despite her resentment of it.

The narrative allows Giulia to have her happily ever after ‘for now’, but events quickly move on, and she finds herself caught up in the battle to protect her oldest son, seeking aid where she would never have thought to do so until desperate.

The story is told with compassion and some insight from her husband. The recreation of Florence and Venice in the late 1500s/early 1600s is intriguing while also reflecting her restricted world view—we see only a small area of Florence and Venice. Giulia is rarely, if ever, not subject to some external force, whether it is the benign influence of her husband or other malevolent forces.

An engaging read, somewhat slower in pace, and sure to delight readers of this era and also narratives featuring strong women who are constrained by the society they live in.

Meet the author

Katherine Mezzacappa is an Irish writer of mainly historical fiction, currently living in Italy. She has published several novels under pen names with publishers Bonnier Zaffre and eXtasy. She works as a manuscript assessor for The Literary Consultancy. Katherine reviews for Historical Novel Society’s quarterly journal and is one of the organisers of the Society’s 2022 UK conference. In her spare time she volunteers with a used book charity of which she is a founder member.

Connect with the author

Twitter: https://twitter.com/katmezzacappa

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

https://katherinemezzacappa.ie

Giveaway to Win a vintage postcard, early 1900s, of the babies from the façade of the Innocenti orphanage. (Open INT)

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33c69494586/?

Happy Release Day to Sleight of Hand, the new book in The Alewives of Colmar historical mystery series by Elizabeth R Andersen #bookreview #newrelease

Here’s the blurb:

In the spring of 1354, all was well in the town of Colmar – until Efi Kleven discovered a hand in her pot of new ale…a hand that was not attached to a body. Now, Gritta, Appel, and Efi, the three alewives of Colmar, must solve the mystery of the severed hand before suspicion falls on them. While they attempt to keep their fledgling brewery afloat, more bodies turn up outside of town – along with more suspects.

With few allies and several powerful men working against them, the alewives find themselves flummoxed: How did the hand of a man from Vogelgrun end up in a cooking pot in Colmar? Why were none of the victims local? And would this most inconvenient ingredient get in the way of Efi’s plans to find herself a new husband?

Book 2 in The Alewives of Colmar mystery series, Sleight of Hand follows the three alewives as they confront life after the Black Death with bravery and wicked humor, showing resourcefulness and determination in the face of poverty, misogyny, and murder.

Purchase Link

https://amzn.to/3xKB49r

My Review

Sleight of Hand is a fabulous follow-up to book 1 in The Alewives of Colmar Series, The Alewives (you can find my review for that here).

In Sleight of Hand we return to our three fabulous characters of Efi, Gritta and Appel and find them once more in a bit of a pickle. The characters of our women, their sort of ‘guardian angel’ and the only one who takes them seriously, Friar Wikerus, and the ‘men’ in Colmar remain as firm as in book 1 – the men are still stupid (aside from Friar Wikerus, although he also causes himself some difficulties) while Appel, Gritta and Efi are fabulous as they circumnavigate the restrictions placed on them by men who think they know better. There is a great deal of gentle humour, and this combined with the strong characterisation ensues the reader is very firmly in favour of the women, and not the men.

The mystery itself is very well-constructed. Everything slowly reveals itself and there are any number of red herrings to keep the reader guessing.

It was so delightful to return to the world of our Alewives of Colmar. I really hope there will be a book 3, and indeed, many more stories for our main characters. If you’ve not yet had the joy of reading The Alewives, then yes, begin there, but only because if not, you’ll be missing out on your first encounter with Efi, Gritta and Appel.

Meet the author

Check out Elizabeth’s website, or click on the link for The Alewives review above, which has all her info.

https://www.elizabethrandersen.com

Today, I’m taking part in the #blogtour for Shadow of the Witch, a 1670s era #horror

Here’s the blurb

London, 1677. A house with a dark secret. A lawyer in pursuit of magick. A witch, dead for fifty years.

Israel Cutler, dealer in second-hand goods, discovers the journals of Doctor Winter. Detailing the doctor’s relationship with a hanged witch, he recognises an opportunity. Seeking out a lawyer he knows with an interest in the occult, Cutler tries to sell the journals, but soon finds himself involved in a terrifying ritual—one that could bring black witch Lizzie Pickin back from the dead. Again.

Forced into a dangerous partnership, the witch leads Cutler on a trail of murder and revenge.

In this horror series set in London, Shadow of the Witch is book #2 in the Black Witch Saga.

Purchase Links

AMAZON https://geni.us/r4kqMtb

SMASHWORDS https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1480253

My Review

Shadow of the Witch takes us to 1677 London – a London rebuilding in the aftermath of the Great Fire, and to a suitably spooky story.

Our main character is out to make some money when he takes some books he’s found at an auction to a local lawyer known for being involved in some otherworldly doings. Little does he know what he’s letting himself in for.

Shadow of the Witch packs a lot of punch in very few pages – as we encounter the witch, Lizzie Pinkin, and her nefarious deeds. She has one thing on her mind, revenge, and our poor main character finds himself helping, whether he wants to or not.

The author takes the reader on a journey through 1670s London, with an eye for what’s happening after the Great Fire. As a historical fiction reader and author, I really enjoyed this aspect of the story.

I’ve read quite a few of Colin Garrow’s books now – they’re never fail to disappoint and he seems able to conquer all the genres he writes – from thrilling thrillers, to Geordie crime to Sherlock Holmes-esque tales.

A really enjoyable and atmospheric tale sure to delight readers.

Check out my reviews for Colin’s other stories.

Sherlock Holmes

Geordie Crime -Blood on the Tyne

Terminal Black

Meet the author

Colin Garrow grew up in a former mining town in Northumberland. He has worked in a plethora of professions including taxi driver, antiques dealer, drama facilitator, theatre director and fish processor, and has occasionally masqueraded as a pirate.

His short stories have appeared in several literary mags, including SN Review, Flash Fiction Magazine, Word Bohemia, Every Day Fiction, The Grind, A3 Review, 1,000 Words, Inkapture and Scribble Magazine. He currently lives in a humble cottage in Northeast Scotland where he writes novels, stories, poems and the occasional song.

He also makes rather nice vegan cakes.

Connect with the author

Twitter https://twitter.com/colingarrow

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

Website https://colingarrow.co.uk/

Bookbub https://www.bookbub.com/profile/colin-garrow

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

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

I’m sharing my review for Brethren by Robb Pritchard, a thrilling tale of 1st century Britain #histfic #review

Here’s the blurb

His sons were ripped from his arms and he was sold into slavery… Now he has a terrible choice.

Cadwal, a widowed Celtic warrior is a dedicated father raising his children in his mountain stronghold. In these uncertain times, the tribe must be vigilant, as caught between the expanding Roman empire and power-hungry neighbours, treachery is rife.

When enemies infiltrate his hillfort his family are snatched away and he is dragged to the mines as a slave. Trapped in the dark depths, he has to decide whether to save his tribe from the onslaught of the Romans, or his sons. His only hope is to seek out the dreaded druids… but first he must escape the chains and tunnels.

Brethren is the gripping first novel in the Foundation of the Dragon series based in what is North Wales during the Roman invasion. If you’re a fan of page-turning historical fiction with twists and turns galore then you will love this book.

Purchase Link

https://amzn.to/3IXcvZ4

My Review

Brethren by Robb Pritchard is a thrilling tale of Britain during the first century of Roman occupation, twenty years after the devastation of the Druid stronghold on the Island of Mona. (Readers of my reviews will know I’ve just read Simon Turney’s new story about Agricola – the two stories dovetail in a most pleasing way)

Our two main characters, Cadwal and Brei, fight for what they believe in, even as treachery abounds from those determined to make alliances with the Romans to the detriment of other people.

Cadwal, a warrior, struggles to rescue his children from enslavement while himself facing enslavement, injury and death at the hands of the Romans. Brei, the king’s counsellor, must do all she can to protect her tribe from a weak king and power-hungry heirs. Combined, the two characters present a thrilling story of the era, which is very much non-stop.

It’s taken me a while to get to this story, for which I’d like to apologise to the author, but it is very well-written and engaging. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and my 5-star review is fully justified. I’m looking forward to reading more of Robb’s books.

Check out a post by Robb Pritchard about Usurpers.

I’m really excited to be taking part in today’s blog tour for Race to Novus by RA Clarke #blogtour #newrelease #scifi #review

Here’s the blurb

A daughter’s last chance at redemption on an alien planet. A sweeping secret that could not only end her dreams, but her life as well.

Finn Rucker boards the starship to seek a fresh start as part of a colonizing effort on Joya. The race, sponsored by Governus, yields free land and startup funds for the lucky winners. The number of entrants guarantees someone is going to lose and Finn is determined that she and her bionic horse, Herc, will be among the winners.

Racing through uncharted jungle to the settlement of Novus, Finn and her fellow racers soon discover that not everything is as it seems – and Governus withheld information from the contestants. Strange beasts attack the racers, mechanical equipment begins to fail, and the very air seems out to get them.

When all seems lost, a mysterious people arrive and help the racers, revealing the depth of Governus’ deception. Finn will have to keep her pulse pistols close and her new friends closer – but not too close – as they all race to survive the jungle.

You will love this mashup of Hidalgo and James Cameron’s Avatar as Finn navigates the guilt of her past, the promise of a future, and the imminent dangers of her present.

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.ca/Race-Novus-R-Clarke-ebook/dp/B0CSC5YS3P

https://www.amazon.com/Race-Novus-R-Clarke-ebook/dp/B0CSC5YS3P

Publisher’s website: https://www.cloakedpress.com

My Review

Race to Novus is a really fun, action-packed sci-fi read. I’ve not read a great deal of sci-fi of late, but this is the second book in a month, and it’s been very enjoyable.

Our main character, Finn, and her trusty, half-bionic horse, Herc take us quickly to Novus, as the space ship lands on the planet and the race begins. While on board, Finn has already forged some friendships, and I enjoyed that these relationships come to us fully formed, allowing the action to get underway quickly.

But, all is not as it seems on Novus, and every so often, we are treated to a brief interlude where we begin to discover the depth of the subterfuge used to get Finn and her friends to Novus.

As well as the friendships, the galaxy that Finn occupies is also fully-formed. We’re quickly told how things stand, and why some of the different species like one another, while others don’t. There is also a genuine sense that this is ‘every species for themselves’ until things start to go wrong, and then these previous alliances come to the fore, as danger abounds and everyone finds their lives under threat.

This is a really intriguing take on a good-old-fashioned land grab and competition – it has elements of the Hunger Games and indeed, the Avatar description is also applicable. A refreshing read. I’m really glad I decided to try it.

Race to Novus is available now.

Meet the author

R.A. Clarke is a former police officer turned stay-at-home mom living with her family in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. Besides raising two rambunctious boys, soaking in lake time, and acting in community theatre, R.A.’s spare time is spent plotting fantastical novels and multi-genre short fiction. Her tales have been featured in various publications, and have won international writing contests, such as Red Penguin Books’ humour contest, the Writer’s Weekly 24-hour contest, The Writer’s Workout: Writer’s Games, and the 2023 Write Fighters 3-Day Novella Challenge. She was also a finalist for both the 2021 Futurescapes Award and the 2022 Dark Sire Awards.

R.A. Clarke writes and illustrates a children’s chapter book series for ages 7-10 as Rachael Clarke as well. The first book in that series, The Big Ol’ Bike—a story about a smaller than average kid with a huge heart—was named a Females of Fiction Award finalist by Hindi’s Libraries in 2021. To learn more, please visit: www.rachaelclarkewrites.com.

Connect with the author

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

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/raclarkewrites

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

Website: www.rachaelclarkewrites.com

Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/raclarkewrites

I’m sharing my review for Lost Solace by Karl Drinkwater, a fabulous sci-fi thriller #blogtour #audiobook

Here’s the blurb

They’re called the Lost Ships … but sometimes they come back.

And when they do the crews are missing, while the ships have been strangely altered, rumoured to be full of horrors.

Opal Imbiana has been seeking something her whole life. It’s a secret so precious she’s willing to risk her life recovering it from a recently discovered Lost Ship, in a lonely nebula far from colonised space.

She’s just one woman, entering an alien and lethal environment. But with the aid of an amazing AI companion and experimental armoured suit, Opal might just stand a chance.

This blast of a book kickstarted the much-loved Lost Solace series, about an unlikely friendship between two women who keep hope alive in the darkest of times.

Purchase Links

https://karldrinkwater.myshopify.com

https://books2read.com/karldrinkwater

My Review

Lost Solace is a hugely enjoyable book, and the narrator is absolutely fabulous. She brings wonderful warmth to our main character, and also our AI companion. I don’t read a huge amount of sci-fi these days, but decided to take a chance on it for the blog tour, and I’m really pleased I did.

The story itself is fast-paced and well-plotted. Opal is an intriguing main character, determined to achieve her objective no matter what obstacles try to stop her, and there are a lot of obstacles. The action is pretty non-stop.

The story is sure to appeal to sci-fi fans (and those who’ve perhaps not sampled the genre much recently) and the narrator makes the storyline pop. Really enjoyable. Give it a try. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. I plan on enjoying the rest of the books in the series.

Meet the author

Karl Drinkwater is an author with a silly name and a thousand-mile stare. He writes dystopian space opera, dark suspense and diverse social fiction. If you want compelling stories and characters worth caring about, then you’re in the right place. Welcome!

Karl lives in Scotland and owns two kilts. He has degrees in librarianship, literature and classics, but also studied astronomy and philosophy. Dolly the cat helps him finish books by sleeping on his lap so he can’t leave the desk. When he isn’t writing he loves music, nature, games and vegan cake.

Go to karldrinkwater.uk to view all his books grouped by genre.

As well as crafting his own fictional worlds, Karl has supported other writers for years with his creative writing workshops, editorial services, articles on writing and publishing, and mentoring of new authors. He’s also judged writing competitions such as the international Bram Stoker Awards, which act as a snapshot of quality contemporary fiction.

DON’T MISS OUT!

Enter your email at karldrinkwater.substack.com to be notified about his new books. Fans mean a lot to him, and replies to the newsletter go straight to his inbox, where every email is read. There is also an option for paid subscribers to support his work: in exchange you receive additional posts and complimentary books.

Connect with the author

Newsletter (and Substack) https://karldrinkwater.substack.com/

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5766025.Karl_Drinkwater

I’m delighted to be reviewing Murder on the Dancefloor by Katie Marsh #cosycrime #newrelease #blogtour

They DID promise her a killer hen weekend…

Jeanie’s getting married, and – despite her completely impossible four sisters – her best friends Clio and Amber are determined to give her a bachelorette weekend to remember. They’re in matching pink T-shirts and the drinks are flowing…

But the night turns out to be unforgettable for all the wrong reasons when a girl turns up dead on the dancefloor. And – even though she’s a stranger – she is wearing one of Jeanie’s hen T-shirts.

Who is she? And why are the police convinced that the hens are involved? Can the newly-formed Bad Girls Detective Agency solve the murder? And in time to get Jeanie up the aisle?

Unputdownable mystery set on the English coast – perfect for fans of The Thursday Murder Club, Bad Sistersand How to Kill Your Family.

Purchase Link

https://mybook.to/dancefloorsocial

My Review

Murder on the Dancefloor is the second book in Katie Marsh’s cosy crime series featuring our three would-be-detectives, Jeanie, Clio and Amber.

It’s six months after the events of How Not To Murder Your Ex, and it’s Jeanie’s hen weekend. Not, of course, that the event is going to run smoothly. When one of the nightclub guests is found dead, the three all resolve to find the culprit.

As with the first book, humour and the bitter-sweet reality of life combine to find our characters in some very awkward situations as Jeanie frantically tries to evade her overbearing family and fears for her coming wedding, whereas Amber is still determined to get one over on Marcus, her former boss and the reason she’s no longer in the police. Clio, too, is coming to terms with her daughter being at university and all the changes this has brought to her life.

I really enjoyed the storyline and the resolution of the mystery. Between the three of them, they all manage to get into some unfortunate scrapes and while there has been a murder that needs solving, this still has very much a feel-good and life-affirming quality to it. If there can be such a thing, this is a joyful cosy murder mystery.

The slightly different presentation of this novel does mean we don’t get to ‘hate’ on Clio’s ex-husband as we did in book 1 (and we all hated him), and perhaps that is a little bit of a miss, but does mean we get more of our three heroes.

A fun, entertaining, funny mystery. I look forward to reading more.

Meet the author

Katie wrote romantic fiction before turning to crime. Her debut novel was a World Book Night pick and her books are published in ten languages.

She lives in the English countryside and loves strong coffee and pretending to be in charge of her children. ‘How Not to Murder your Ex’, the first in her Bad Girls Detective Agency series is out now, published by Boldwood Books. The next instalment, ‘Murder on the Dancefloor,’ follows in March 2024.

Connect with the author

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I’m delighted to be reviewing The Missing Maid by Holly Hepburn #histfic #cosycrime

A GLORIOUS SHERLOCK HOLMES-INSPIRED MYSTERY FOR FANS OF NITA PROSE AND JANICE HALLETT

London, 1932.

When Harriet White rebuffs the advances of her boss at the Baker Street building society where she works, she finds herself demoted to a new position… a very unusual position. Deep in the postal department beneath the bank, she is tasked with working her way through a mountain of correspondence addressed to Baker Street’s most famous resident: Mr Sherlock Holmes.

Seemingly undeterred by the fact that Sherlock Holmes doesn’t exist, letter after letter arrives, beseeching him to help solve mysteries, and Harry diligently replies to each writer with the same response: Mr Holmes has retired from detective work and now lives in Sussex, keeping bees.

Until one entreaty catches her eye. It’s from a village around five miles from Harry’s family estate, about a young woman who went to London to work as a domestic, then disappeared soon afterwards in strange circumstances. Intrigued, Harry decides, just this once, to take matters into her own hands.

And so, the case of the missing maid is opened…

Purchase Link

https://mybook.to/missingmaidsocial

My Review

The Missing Maid by Holly Hepburn is a cosy crime with a rather delightful premise involving 221B Baker Street and Sherlock Holmes.

When our heroine finds herself somewhat unceremoniously ejected from her plush office in the bank, she’s somewhat wary of being redirected to the post room, but once there, she discovers her job is, if anything, somewhat tedious. However, as she types standard replies to the requests asking Sherlock Holmes to resolve problems for those writing to him, she finds herself struck by one of the requests. She is determined to do all she can to help the family while pretending to be Mr Holmes’ secretary.

The mystery leads her to some rather dodgy places in 1930s London, and she gets involved with some rather shady characters as well. She also discovers that the talent for solving crimes is not as easy as she might have hoped.

Harriet, or Harry as she’s called throughout the book, is a fun character with the fiery determination to be expected from a well-to-do young lady trying to make her way in the world in the 1930s when most seem to think all she should do is settle down and marry someone who can keep her in the way she’s accustomed. And that includes her mother.

Her wealthy background both opens doors and precludes her from gaining entry to everywhere she might wish to go. She also has to rely on a family friend for legal advice. This feels quite true to the period.

The mystery’s resolution is well constructed, and I particularly liked that it’s not ‘easy’ for Harry to solve the crime. It takes determination and acknowledging that she can’t do everything herself.

A delightful, cosy crime sure to appeal to fans of Sherlock Holmes and Golden-era crime novels.

Meet the author

Holly Hepburn has wanted to write books for as long she can remember but she was too scared to try. One day she decided to be brave and dipped a toe into the bubble bath of romantic fiction with her first novella, Cupidity, and she’s never looked back. She often tries to be funny to be funny, except for when faced with traffic wardens and border control staff. Her favourite things are making people smile and Aidan Turner.

She’s tried many jobs over the years, from barmaid to market researcher and she even had a brief flirtation with modelling. These days she is mostly found writing.

She lives near London with her grey tabby cat, Portia. They both have an unhealthy obsession with Marmite.

Connect with the author

https://twitter.com/HollyH_Author

https://www.instagram.com/hollyh_author

It’s release day for Eric Schumacher’s new book in Olaf’s Saga, Riddle of the Gods #bookreview #newrelease #historicalfiction

Here’s the blurb

Riddle of the Gods is the riveting fourth novel in the best-selling series chronicling the life and adventures of one of Norway’s most controversial kings, Olaf Tryggvason.

It is AD 976. Olaf Tryggvason, the renegade prince of Norway, has lost his beloved wife to a tragedy that turns the lords of the land he rules against him. With his family gone and his future uncertain, Olaf leaves his realm and embarks on a decades-long quest to discover his course in life.

Though his journey brings him power and wealth, it is not until he encounters the strange man in the streets of Dublin that his path to fame unfolds. And in that moment, he is forced to make a choice as the gods look on – a choice that could, at worst, destroy him and at best, ensure his name lives on forever.

Purchase Link

https://amzn.to/4akXbBf

My Review

Riddle of the Gods is the fourth book in the Olaf’s Saga series of novels detailing the life of the famous Olaf Tryggvason (the man whose name I can never spell correctly). Riddle of the Gods begins in Wagaria, where Olaf is married and expecting his first child, only for tragedy to strike. Deciding to jump ship rather than being forced out, Olaf leaves Wagaria and determines to change his future by taking up raiding.

Fast forward about six years, and Olaf and his warriors arrive in Ireland to continue their pursuit of wealth. While we hear little of Olaf’s life for the preceding six years, our narrator, Torgil, offers some insights into just how they’ve been growing their wealth. With it, we begin to realise that Olaf is perhaps not the hero we might expect him to be, taking part in enslaving people who fall foul of his blades, even though he was once enslaved himself.

Torgil is our narrator for Olaf’s tale, having once sworn an oath to Olaf’s father to protect a man he considers as his friend. But this friendship is tested as Olaf casts aside any belief that stands in his way of growing wealthy and powerful, and earning himself an enemy in the form of Torgil.

While Torgil returns to Dublin on Olaf’s remarriage, seemingly cast out by his powerful friend, Olaf continues to grow richer and more influential in northern England, although we only hear about this from Torgil’s old ship brothers. Olaf, it transpires, has no problem being less than honest with his fellow warriors, casting Torgil as a traitor when he’s not. The book’s final act follows Torgil as he understands just how far Olaf has fallen in his estimations but also how Olaf isn’t the only one to have put ambition above all else. There will be more to follow in continuing books.

Torgil is an engaging character, and his part in Olaf’s tale is that of an honourable friend pushed to the limits of his endurance. While the two don’t meet again in the final act of the book, it’s to be assumed that they will once more come into conflict with one another in subsequent stories. Olaf himself is a slippery character – knowing full well what lies in Olaf’s future – it’s intriguing to encounter him as a younger warrior, hellbent on achieving as much as he can no matter what.

Riddle of the Gods is sure to appeal to readers of the era and genre—and yes, it might be book 4 in a series—but like me, readers could pick up the tale here quite easily. It is an engaging and confident story that takes the reader from Wagaria to Norway to Ireland and England at the advent of the Second Viking Age.

Meet the author

Eric Schumacher discovered his love for writing and medieval European history at a very early age, as well as authors like J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Bernard Cornwell, Jack Whyte, and Wilbur Smith. Those discoveries fueled his imagination and continue to influence the stories he tells. His first novel, God’s Hammer, was published in 2005.

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