Author of Saxon historical fiction and non-fiction, 20th-century historical mysteries, and Norse-inspired historical romantasy. Book reviewer and blog host.
I’m welcoming The Teacher’s Noble Heart by Susanne Dunlap to the blog #blogtour #RegencyRomance #bookreview
I’m welcoming The Teacher’s Noble Heart by Susanne Dunlap to the blog #blogtour #RegencyRomance #bookreview
Here’s the blurb
In Regency Cornwall, governess Miss Wilkins has always survived by being sensible, capable, and self-reliant. When she dares to take a bold step toward independence, she has no intention of complicating her life—or her heart.
Her encounters with James Pentarrant, the steadfast captain of the Delabole slate quarry, are marked less by romance than by spirited disagreement. Self-contained and disciplined, James challenges her views at every turn, even as he respects her resolve. What begins as wary sparring and mutual resistance gradually deepens into an understanding neither expected nor sought.
Alongside their unfolding story, a young heiress newly returned to Cornwall hides a calling that defies convention. When a moment of danger on the moor—and the inevitable gossip that follows—forces her into an unintended engagement, assumptions harden and emotions become dangerously entangled. Her growing affection for her own sparring partner, a gentle country doctor with the manners of a true gentleman and a secret of his own, only further unsettles what society is determined to set in place.
Set against the rugged beauty of Cornwall’s coast, quarries, and windswept moors, The Teacher’s Noble Heart is a tender Regency romance of intertwined lives, mistaken conclusions, and love discovered in spite of every sensible intention.
Purchase Link
My Review
The Teacher’s Noble Heart is the fourth of Susanne Dunlap’s Regency romances I’ve read, and I’ve enjoyed all of them (see my reviews below for the previous books). Every book offers something a little different, while still delivering on what we all expect from a Regency romance.
In this story, we are transported to Cornwall, where society is a little different to that of London and yet mostly governed by the same conventions, even if some elements are a little less refined. The addition of our working nobleman and the mystery of the new local doctor adds a delightful element to the story of our two heroines,as does our less-than-typical professions of the two women.
A charming Regency Romance, offering something a little different to stories of London and the Ton and sure to delight fans of the genre.
Susanne Dunlap started out a historian, became an award-winning historical novelist with fourteen published novels for adults and teens, and is now the author of the Regency romance series, Double-Dilemma Romance. She lives and writes in a converted textile mill in Biddeford, Maine.
I’m delighted to be sharing my review for The Old Girls’ Island Getaway by Kate Galley #blogtour #newrelease #comedy
I’m delighted to be sharing my review for The Old Girls’ Island Getaway by Kate Galley
Here’s the blurb
Two old friends. One sun-soaked adventure.
Dorothy and Gina may be separated by twenty years, but their friendship is timeless. At seventy-one and nearly ninety, life’s too short not to have a little fun – especially in Corfu.
When Dorothy is invited to visit an old friend at his villa, she insists Gina comes along. They’re looking forward to sunshine, sea breezes, and perhaps a dash of ouzo. But their plans are upended by an unexpected guest: glamorous actress Florence Quinn, who’s taken up residence in the pool house.
Florence may sparkle on the surface, but she’s hiding something – and someone – from her past. Determined to help, Dorothy and Gina embark on a quest across the island, only to find that Corfu holds more secrets, scandals, and surprises than they ever imagined.
A warm, witty, and adventurous tale of friendship, mischief, and unexpected discoveries.
We’re back with the joyful ‘Old Girls,’ Gina and Dorothy as they jet off for yet another holiday, in the company of Dorothy’s granddaughter. This time, there’s a film star in their midst, threatening to disturb what Dorothy had hoped would be a reunion with a friend at the end of his life. But there are two minor mysteries for our ‘Old Girls’ and Dorothy’s granddaughter to solve – did Rupert play a part in stealing the priceless diamond decades ago – and why is Florence so determined on finding her holiday romance from thirty years ago?
These two mysteries provide the intrigue for the story as Gina is prevailed upon to drive a car around the twisty roads of Corfu and even hops onto a scooter, all in order to aid Florence. Juliet, Dorothy’s granddaughter, provides a welcome boost of humour with her cutting, if mostly true, comments.
As with the previous two books in the series, The Old Girls’ Island Getaway is a charming read, with some funny moments thrown in to remind us all that life doesn’t stop just because the birthdays start to rack up.
Kate Galley is the author of uplifting golden years fiction, including The Second Chance Holiday Club. She lives with her family in Buckinghamshire and works part time as a mobile hairdresser
I’m welcoming Hidden Truth by CD Steele to the blog with an excerpt and a fab competition to enter #blogtour #Mystery #NewRelease
I’m welcoming Hidden Truth by CD Steele to the blog
This extract is from chapter 9. It is an exchange between Joe Wilde and a man named Colin Nelson. Joe is currently investigating the disappearance of Julie Turnbull and Colin Nelson had been stalking Julie for a period of time.
Just as Joe was about to pull up he saw a man walk out of his front gate and start walking in the direction of the town centre. Joe parked his car as quickly as he could, got out, then started walking at a fast pace so he could catch up with the man. When he was within earshot he called out to catch his attention.
‘Mr Nelson.’
The man turned around with a curious look on his face.
‘Sorry to bother you Mr Nelson, I just wanted to speak to you about Julie Turnbull if that’s OK.’
He looked at Joe suspiciously.
‘Wh-who are you? An-and what d-do you want?’
Colin Nelson spoke with a slight stutter. He was at least six feet tall and had a long thin face and his receding hairline made it look more elongated. The hair on top of his head or what was left of it was brushed forward, but it was so thin on top it almost looked see-through.
‘My name is Joe Wilde and I have been hired by Julie’s mother to investigate her daughter’s disappearance.’
‘That had n-nothing to do with me; the po-police questioned me at the time.’
‘I am not suggesting you did have anything to do with her disappearance, I would just like to talk to you briefly about her. Maybe we could talk while we are walking, where are you headed?’
‘I-I am going to the Po-Post Office.’
Joe had to fight to suppress a smile.
‘That’s where Julie used to work wasn’t it — you used to go in there quite often didn’t you?’
‘Yes.’
‘Sometimes it was for no other reason than just to see Julie.’
‘I-I told you I-I had nothing to do with her disappearance, I-I w-would never have done anything to hurt her, she was my friend.’
‘You wanted to be more than just friends though, didn’t you?’
‘Yes, I wa-was in love with her and I-I thought she felt the same about m-me.’
‘You knew she was married and even when she made it clear that she did not feel the same way about you, you continued to pester her in the Post Office. Then when you were banned from there you proceeded to stalk her.’
‘I just had to keep seeing her, ju-just being ne-near her, she made me happy.’
‘You do realise that your behavior really unsettled her, made her feel uncomfortable and a little scared.’
‘I-I would never have hurt her and I didn’t want to sc-scare her.’
‘But she didn’t know that, following someone around is not normal behavior, can you not see that now?’
‘Ye-yes I-I suppose, but I had stopped following her well before sh-she went missing.’
‘Only because her husband and his mate threatened to beat you up if you didn’t stop. They just threatened you didn’t they or did they take it further than that?’
‘No, they ju-just thre-threatened me that time, they didn’t beat up.’
‘What do you mean that time, are you saying they paid you another visit at a later date and beat you up that time?’
‘Yes, well th-the husband didn’t, hi-his mate did.’
‘So his mate came to see you on his own and beat you up, when was this?
‘It was only about t-two or three we-weeks after they both confronted me.’
‘Where did this altercation take place?’
‘It was at the local pa-park, I-I often go there to feed the ducks — h-he must have followed me there. At one point I-I went to the toilet block and he ju-jumped me in there. H-he punched me to the ground then st-started kicking me, it felt like it went on for a-ages but it was probably only a couple of minutes.’
‘Did he say anything whilst he was doing it or afterwards?’
‘Just that I-I sh-should stay away from Ju-Julie if I knew what’s good for me.’
‘Did you go to the police about this?’
‘No.’
‘Why not?’
‘I just wanted t-to forget the wh-whole thing, try to forget about Julie and keep my head down, I-I don’t like confrontation. If he had ever done it again I might have gone to the p-po-police.’
‘Did he ever accuse you of being behind her disappearance after she went missing?’
‘No, I never saw him again.’
By now they had reached the Post Office.
‘Will y-you wa-want to speak with me more a-a-after I come back out?’
‘No that’s OK, if I need to speak with you again Mr Nelson I will get back in contact.’
Here’s the blurb
Private Investigator Joe Wilde is investigating the murder of Philippa Redmond a former Labour MP. She had been found dead in her sauna over the Christmas holidays six weeks ago. The majority of her family had been staying with her at the time, but the police didn’t regard any of them as suspects. Evidence suggested an intruder had got into her home.
Joe also takes on a cold case of a missing woman named Julie Turnbull. She had disappeared six years ago without a trace. Meanwhile Joe’s good friend DI Whatmore is investigating the horrific murder of a woman who was burnt alive in her own home. His investigation crosses over with Joe’s missing person investigation. As they conduct their own investigations there are more killings.
DI Whatmore and Joe must join forces to track down a serial killer and solve a puzzling mystery, but doing so puts them and others in grave danger.
C.D Steele works as an Executive Officer in the Civil Service. He has a degree in Recreation Management and lives in County Down, Northern Ireland. This is his third novel and is the next book in the Joe Wilde Series after False Truth and Dark Truth.
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I’m delighted to welcome a returning Helen Golden to the blog with her new book, A Husband is Hushed Up #bookreview #historicalmystery #blogtour #avidreader @rararesources @rachelsrandomresources @helengoldenauthor
I’m delighted to welcome a returning Helen Golden to the blog with her new book, A Dowager is Done-in #bookreview #historicalmystery #blogtour #avidreader
Here’s the blurb
A mysterious summons. A fatal hot chocolate. And a duchess who never expected mourning to be this dreadfully dull.
Hampshire, 1891. Six months into widowhood, Alice, Duchess of Stortford, is restless. Black gowns and seclusion in the country have their limits, so when Clarissa, Dowager Countess of Romley, sends a personal summons asking for her discreet assistance with a troubling matter at Lawrence House, Alice seizes the excuse for a change of scene.
But what begins as a family gathering to welcome home the Dowager’s once-disgraced son ends in shock. Clarissa is discovered dead, her passing swiftly dismissed as a heart attack. Alice knows better. The Dowager had been afraid — and had trusted her to uncover the truth. Someone silenced her, but why? Was it to do with the announcement she made over dinner, or something even more dangerous?
Now everyone in the house is a suspect: the resentful heir, the returning prodigal, the mysterious guest with a too-familiar face. With her sharp-witted maid Maud, steadfast footman George, and her reluctant ally Lord Rushton at her side, Alice must act quickly. If the Dowager was murdered to keep her secrets buried, the killer will not hesitate to strike again.
The Dowager is dead. The clock is ticking. And the duchess is about to discover that country house parties can be murder.
Full of clever twists and a heroine who won’t give up until she finds out the truth, A Dowager is Done-in is the perfect escape for fans of historical mysteries wrapped in wit and warmth.
A Dowager is Done-in is the second full length novel in the Duchess of Stortford cosy historical mystery series.
Some time has gone by since the events of book 1, but Alice is still deemed to be in mourning, so her summons to attend upon Clarissa is met with some uncertainty. Would it be appropriate for her to attend? I think we all know she’ll find her way there, one way or another.
The mystery then unfolds at a fair pace. Who killed Clarissa and why? Alice and her helpers are determined to find out, especially as no one else truly suspects a murder has been committed.
This has all the feels of a classic country house murder mystery, with the rowing family and others with a keen eye to profit from the dowager countess’s will, if only the new will can be found. Alice manages to just about avoid scandal with her investigation, and this was another enjoyable cosy historical mystery.
Check out my reviews for the books in Helen Golden’s Right Royal Mystery series, featuring one of Lady Alice’s descendants.
Helen Golden spins mysteries that are charmingly British, delightfully deadly, and served with a twist of humour.
With quirky characters, clever red herrings, and plots that keep the pages turning, she’s the author of the much-loved A Right Royal Cozy Investigation series, following Lady Beatrice and her friends—including one clever little dog—as they uncover secrets hidden in country houses and royal palaces. Her new historical mystery series, The Duchess of Stortford Mysteries, is set in Victorian England and introduces an equally curious sleuth from Lady Beatrice’s own family tree—where murders are solved over cups of tea, whispered gossip, and overheard conversations in drawing rooms and grand estates.
Helen lives in a quintessential English village in Lincolnshire with her husband, stepdaughter, and a menagerie of pets—including a dog, several cats, a tortoise, and far too many fish.
If you love clever puzzles, charming settings, and sleuths with spark, her books are waiting for you.
I’m delighted to welcome back Colin Garrow to the blog with a historical crime novel set in Edinburgh #blogtour #histfic #bookreview #mystery
I’m delighted to welcome back Colin Garrow to the blog with a historical crime novel set in Edinburgh #blogtour #histfic #bookreview #mystery
Here’s the blurb
Edinburgh, Christmas Eve, 1936. A gruesome double murder. A white-faced killer. A mysterious stranger…
Still haunted by his recent past, Professor Finlay MacBeth is called in to assist the police following an horrific double murder. Traces of greasepaint and white cotton lead MacBeth and Inspector Callaghan to the Christmas Circus, but while they search for clues, someone else is watching them.
Meanwhile, bent cop Kilmartin still has MacBeth in his sights…In this thriller series set in Edinburgh, Overkill is book #2 in the Finlay MacBeth series.
Overkill is another success for Colin Garrow. This time we travel to 1936 and a very cold Christmas in Edinburgh. There could certainly be better times for a violent killer to strike than when snow lies thickly on the ground and no one has a decent pair of wellingtons to be found for love nor money.
I love that Colin’s novels are straight to the plot, and also, all plot. There is no time for extraneous activities, and this ensures his books, and I include Overkill in this, are quick reads while being very intriguing. I also appreciated the appearance of some Scottish words and found that they didn’t distract from the story but rather added to it.
I powered through Overkill and very much enjoyed the interplay between the main characters (even though the murders are particularly violent). This isn’t so much a ‘guess the culprit’ but rather a cat and mouse game where we hope the police will get to the killer before he strikes again.
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.
He has published more than thirty books, and his short stories have appeared in several literary mags, most recently in Witcraft, and Flash Fiction North. Colin lives in a humble cottage in Northeast Scotland where he writes novels, stories, poems and the occasional song.
He also plays several musical instruments and makes rather nice vegan cakes.
