I hope you’ve been enjoying the early May bank holiday. We’ve spent the weekend being typically British and started on the garden with a reward afterwards of a cool glass (or two) of Pimms.
I’ve also joined up with other sci-fi and fantasy authors to offer free books and giveaways during the month of May. Are you ready to find some new authors to follow?
These books, both in fantasy and sci-fi, are available on bookcave here.
There are 18 novellas and books to choose from including my own Fantasy Short Stories.
I’ve recently been trying a few new authors this way, the free no risk option is appealing – especially after my recent BookBub ad and the credit card statement that followed! I’m well on the way to making back the money though, so I’m very happy with the result. Last week I shared more stats of the recent sale on bookbub, if you’re interested in the sale from a writer’s perspective.
Anyway, enjoy the rest of your holiday if you’re lucky enough to have another day off work. I hope you have lots of reading planned.
Thanks to the publisher for my ARC of Summer at the French Bakery.
Blurb
A new adventure is on the menu . . .
Juliet has learnt that life is too short not to chase your dreams. But when she buys an old watermill in France, her tranquil new start is quickly kneaded into something far more ambitious when the local mayor offers her a deal she can’t reopen the village’s derelict boulangerie.
With a formidable rival – the owner of the local bread vending machine – determined to crush her, Juliet faces disgruntled villagers, her own lack of baking skills, and hidden secrets within the mill itself.
But with help from her outspoken neighbour and the charming Tabac owner, Juliet battles to bring back the aroma of freshly baked bread – and with it, the heart of the community.
Can she prove that even the biggest dreams start with just a little pinch of courage?
Mini review
I really loved Juliet’s story. She took a chance walking out on a marriage of 25 years and following her dreams to France. The water mill she bought and the lovely little village in France where she moved to are both places that came alive and made me want to visit. Anyone who loves bread will be enchanted with this tale, while I had a real soft spot for a certain Tabac owner who supported Juliet as much as she needed and made a very fitting male lead. It was a beautiful story of second chances, and there were some emotional moments too. It’s a story I would like to revisit one day.
You’ll have to be quick to pick up some bargains in the Indie Book Sale as it ends today – 13th April 2026.
I’ve picked up a few books and look forward to reading them.
Death’s Disciple by Emma L Adams.
Seven years ago, Captain Yala Palathar was a hero. She and her squad of close-knit dragon-riding warriors were Laria’s elite, fighting for their nation alongside the monarch and his magic-wielding Disciples. Seizing control of an unmanned island should have been a simple mission, but Yala’s squad was little prepared for the horror and tragedy that awaited. Instead of triumph, all Yala and her allies found was death.
Years on, Yala lives in seclusion in the deep jungle, ignoring the rumours of unrest in the capital following the end of the war. She little expects assassins to find her hideout – nor does she anticipate the mission that ended her career to have given rise to rumours that see her targeted by mercenaries vying to claim a price on her head. With the other survivors from her squad being picked off one by one, she has little choice but to return to the capital in the hopes of finding answers.
Whether the truth lies with the Disciples of the Flame – who refused to believe her stories of the monstrous beasts that haunted the island – or with the long-dead king who sent her squad to their doom, one thing is clear. Yala must finish the battle she started all those years ago… even if it brings her face to face with the god of death Himself.
Hall of Bones by Tim Hardie
If you like Robin Hobb, Giles Kristian or John Gwynne you will love this Viking-inspired dark epic fantasy series. When a new enemy comes to power Rothgar’s ruling family and friends are forced to ally with old rivals. Faced with betrayal from within their own clan Rothgar’s survival is by no means certain, as an ancient and malevolent magic grows in strength and threatens all he holds dear.
In the remote land of Laskar the seven ruling clans have vied with each other for power for over a century. The son of the Reavesburg Clan Chief, Rothgar, has been groomed all his life for a role supporting his elder brother, Jorik, in leading their kingdom when their father’s time finally comes to an end.
However, the rulers of their greatest rivals, the Vorund Clan, are in the grip of something older and far darker. They have been conquered by evil, a remnant from the time when the gods warred with one another and the world of Amuran collapsed into the Fallen Age.
Everything is about to change …
The first book in The Brotherhood of the Eagle series, Hall of Bones begins a tale of epic fantasy, magic and intrigue.
Platinum Tinted Darkness book 1 and book 2 Tears of the Maelstrom by Timothy Wollf (both books are free at present)
When the gods send their harbingers, the Guardians are all who stand in the way. But who protects these defenders when the gods seek to sway them?
Crystal mage Serenna Morgan struggles to maintain the neutrality of the Guardian Pact when a neighboring kingdom invades her own. The God of Death offers his divine power to stop the invasion. For a price. As the conflict escalates, the remaining Guardians fall prey to the other meddling deities, and the choice given to Serenna might be the only thing that keeps them together. Or results in their doom.
Not all gods love their people, but the ones that do may end up the most dangerous.
No Heart For A Thief by James Lloyd Dulin (I actually forgot that I bought this book a few years ago in the sale. So I’m looking forward to reading it.)
We are the stories we tell ourselves…even the lies.
The Thief, a great spirit, and her descendants have abused their ability to steal magic for centuries. When Kaylo starts to hear the song of other people’s magic, he must learn to hide from his people as well as the invaders. A gift or a curse, Kaylo may be able to save his people from the Gousht Empire that claimed their land with this stolen magic.
Eighteen years later, Kaylo still prays to the spirits, but not out of loyalty or love. He knows better than to rely on those selfish bastards for anything. While hiding in the forest from his foolish acts of rebellion, he encounters a girl, Tayen, being pursued by two soldiers of the empire. Against his better judgment, he risks facing the consequences of his past to intervene.
When Tayen attempts to run off seeking vengeance for her family, he offers to train her to wield her magic and a blade. If he can’t convince her to relinquish her need for vengeance and stave off the demons of his past, he’s going to get them both killed.
Another free book to download direct from the author – That which Follows you home by Josiah D Blizzard
The Long Dream by C.M.Debell (a bargain boxset for only 99p)
In Andeira, the dragons vanished 3,000 years ago, their magic lost and forgotten. But without humankind’s ancient partners in magic, the world is slowing dying. One young mage dreams of fulfilling his father’s dying wish and returning the dragons to the world, but in his way stand the powers that have filled the vacuum of their absence – and the ancient enemy from which they fled millennia ago.
The Crimson Court by Brendan Noble (the longest book on my list at 580 pages)
Game of Thrones meets the industrial revolution in this revenge-filled epic where secret societies pull the hidden threads of power, ravenous spirits haunt the skies, and magic comes at a heavy cost.
To find her father’s killers, she must join their shadowy order… then shatter it from within.
An upstart noblewoman from a fallen house, Kasia Niezik has sworn to destroy the elusive Crimson Court who assassinated her father. She is a Reacher of the forbidden realm of Death, able to kill with ease, but her near immortal foes scheme behind the veils of power.
So she will tear their veil to shreds.
Kasia travels to her nation’s heart, seeking allies either brave or foolish enough to help her infiltrate the Crimson elites. Whether spirit hunter, politician, princess, or thief, though, everyone has a hidden agenda. And those with the widest smiles hold daggers behind their backs.
Dive with a diverse and inclusive cast into this world of fantasy intrigue where flintlock guns, risky magic, crystalline dragons, and dangerous spirits clash amid shadowy bids for power. Revenge is sweet, but at what cost?
***
And don’t forget, The Lost Sentinel is in the sale (and book 2 is also discounted)
The magical island of Kalaya is dying, and it falls to Tei, an exiled mystic, to save it. But with Kalaya’s corrupt Assembly attempting to eradicate magic, can Tei help the exiles restore the island’s power before it’s too late?
When her father is murdered by the Assembly’s Masked Riders, Tei flees to the hidden mountain sanctuary of Turrak. Welcomed by the exiles, she is tasked with finding the realm’s next Sentinel before the old one dies. Tei must navigate the monster-ridden Astral Plane, while being pursued by the Soul Eater, a dark entity that devours lost spirits.
As Tei risks everything to find the hidden Sentinel, a lone Assemblyman attempts to dismantle the Assembly from within and prevent its persecution of magic. While across the Silent Sea, a reluctant naval commander, who is being manipulated by telepathic visions, readies an invasion fleet, pulling all their destinies towards a devastating war for the island’s survival.
To save Kalaya, Tei must learn that true power isn’t just about wielding magic – it’s about surviving the devastating sacrifices required to protect it.
If you like multi-dimensional characters in intricate worlds, then you’ll love The Lost Sentinel – the spellbinding novel that kicks off the action-packed fantasy trilogy Silent Sea Chronicles.
Well, this book just wowed me. I have to say it was probably one of the best books I read in 2025, though technically I finished it at the beginning of 2006.
Blurb
It’s the most wonderful time of the year on Castle Street, and there’s a paw-some new business opening….
It had always been Tabby’s dream to work with cats and an inheritance from her beloved nanna has finally made that a reality. Idyllic Castle Street in Whitsborough Bay couldn’t be a better place for pastry chef Tabby to open a cat café with her boyfriend, Leon.
But when Leon leaves her in the lurch, the pressure mounts for Tabby. With Christmas fast approaching, she has to open the café on her own – a daunting prospect, especially when she’s been hiding her health issues from the ones she loves.
Faced with local resistance to the café – and somebody seemingly determined that she won’t succeed – Tabby will need her friends, family and cats more than ever to recover her broken Christmas spirit and pull together for a Christmas miracle.
Will the cat café bring the festive joy to Castle Street as Tabby had hoped or will it be a cat-astrophe? And can the magic of Christmas on Castle Street mend Tabby’s broken heart as well as her business?
My Mini Review
I loved every moment spent with Tabby and her trials with both her health, heartache and opening a very special cat cafe. The slow burn romance, friends to lovers trope and lots of furry friends made for the purrfect festive reading!
I really enjoyed the friendship and chemistry between Tabby and Tom, and loved their cute nicknames for each other; Tabby-cat and Tom-cat. The cats were all stars of the story as well.
Learning about Tabby’s chronic heath condition was interesting and felt completely believable and integral to the storyline. At no point did I find it too much, it made the story more interesting and made the relationship between Tom and Tabby even more special. I loved their connection. I shed tears quite a few times reading this book, Jessica is a master at getting to you feel the character’s emotions.
It really was a top read for me and I highly recommend it.
I know it’s not Christmas time anymore, but I still enjoyed reading this festive story. Well, actually I loved this book and it led to some late nights staying up reading.
Blurb
A Mistletoe Miracle is the cosy festive romance from best-selling author, Emma Jackson, guaranteed to have readers feeling the joy amidst the chaos of Christmas, and the heady rush of falling in love.
Heartwarming and hilarious, get ready for a generous sprinkling of snowflakes, mayhem and kisses…
Nestled in the sleepy, snow-covered village of Holinton, the Everdene Hotel should be the ideal setting for a perfect Christmas… But for Beth, returning to her childhood home looking for a chance to heal in peace after a disastrous break-up, it’s more of a fiasco than a festive fantasy.
With her mum stranded in a blizzard and most of the hotel staff off sick, Beth is forced to take the reins, impress a mystery hotel reviewer, and figure out if her attraction to Nick, the very grumpy – and very gorgeous – pilot who is staying for the holidays, is the real deal or a rebound headed for disaster.
Between mince pie emergencies, deadly decorations, and two dozen disgruntled guests, Beth needs to find a miracle under the mistletoe if she’s going to survive this Christmas…
Perfect for fans of Laurie Gilmore, Heidi Swain and Tarah DeWitt.
Mini Review
I loved the story of Beth and Nick, from the way they literally bumped into each other, right up to their last moment on the page together.
Beth has to cope with running the hotel when her mother is stranded miles away because of the snow. She does an amazing job of juggling a dozen tasks at once and still somehow manages to find the time to fall for one of her grumpy guests.
The festive feel to the story lifts your spirits any time of year. And as the blurb states so perfectly, there are plenty of mishaps to keep everyone, especially Beth, on their toes.
I’m pleased to find out there will be a sequel following two of the other guests, though I shall miss the Everdene Hotel and all of Beth’s antics.
This is my first read by Emma Jackson and it won’t be my last!
I loved this book, just as I have loved every one of Jo Thomas’ books. It was a beautiful story of second chances at love, and at times it was very emotional. I loved Thea and her children, and of course, Giovanni, who comes to their rescue as soon as they arrive in town. There are some real characters, and great backstory to unravel both amongst the townspeople and for Thea and her young family. Plus, it has a renovation theme, which I always love. Everything about this book had me hooked. I’d love another story set in the same town in Tuscany. In fact, writing this review makes me want to read the book all over again!
It’s never too late to find where you belong…
Thea knew the holiday house her late husband Marco bought in Tuscany wasn’t pristine. But when she relocates to Italy for the summer with her children, she’s shocked by how much work Casa Luna needs. And she only has six weeks to fix it up ready to sell! Her only option is to ask the tight-knit Italian community for help.
In return, Thea and her children become involved in the community kitchen, working alongside handsome chef Giovanni and three very competitive nonnas. Gradually, Thea begins to open up to the people around her for the first time in a long while. But just as she’s beginning to wonder whether this small Tuscan town could become a new place to call home, a surprise visitor turns everything on its head . . .
This is the third book in the Skye sisters trilogy. I’ve enjoyed every one of the Skye sisters’ books equally, and I don’t think I can pick a favourite. What I have loved is being able to follow each sister and still keep in touch with their siblings. Valentina’s story is just as engrossing as her siblings, and in some ways more emotional as she has a young son and broken marriage to juggle whilst falling in love. Xander has his own issues, but he is the perfect match for Valentina – if only life, family and location issues didn’t get in the way for both of them. This was a lovely end to the trilogy, and I highly recommend the series – just as I recommend every one of Sue Moorcroft’s books.
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?
Wow, the start of this book throws you straight in the deep end, and it doesn’t stop as Kate’s life is thrown upside down. I couldn’t stop reading, hoping desperately that Kate would get her happy ever after. The storyline keeps you guessing as she tries to settle into a new community without giving away her past. I loved how everyone came to help her – the sense of community in Starry Cove is strong and I loved the mystery around Piers her love interest. It was a story I would read again and recommend to any romance reader.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my ARC copy.
Life doesn’t always go to plan . . . After a messy breakup and a nightmare boss, Kate swaps the chaos of London for the calm of Starry Cove-the charming seaside village she loved as a child. She arrives hoping for peace and a fresh start. But life has other plans: Kate soon discovers she’s going to be a mother.
As she navigates small-town life (and morning sickness), Kate finds friendship in the ‘coastal girls’-a warm, welcoming group who help her land a job with Piers, the reclusive owner of the local manor. He’s guarded, grumpy and impossible to read… but there’s more to him than meets the eye.
As feelings grow and secrets slowly come to light, Kate must decide if she’s ready to open her heart again-and whether Starry Cove could be the home she’s been searching for all along.
It has become a ritual to look back at the year and check in on my achievements.
It doesn’t feel as if much happened in 2024 as I didn’t meet many of the goals for the year that I set rather optimistically in 2023. However, plenty of other things did happen, so it’s important to focus on the positive.
Writing
I published a new short story collection called A Little Christmas Magic on 28th November 2024.
I also made the decision to make a series of Christmas stories – Winter Warmers. This now includes my previous Christmas collection – A Christmas Wish.
Both books had a book tour on Instagram in December which I enjoyed immensely. There’s nothing better than seeing what reviewers think of the heart-warming stories I’ve created. And it was great to be able to share so many review snippets and posts on Instagram throughout the month. Both were run by Love Books Tours and went very smoothly. Highly recommended service if you are wanting a book tour next year.
Aside from writing, I attended several writing events in 2024. There was a weekend event just outside of Stratford Upon Avon hosted by Alison May and Janet Gover. A whole weekend of food, writing workshops and talking writing with fellow writers. Plus some excellent 1-2-1’s that helped me move my ideas forward. I would recommend both Janet and Alison for the services they offer to writers, and they also run the Debut Author Club together.
The Romantic Novelist Association conference was held 10 minutes for my home at The Royal Holloway College, so I couldn’t resist attending the whole weekend event. At times I found it a struggle socially as I didn’t know anyone, but it was a wonderful opportunity to mix with both aspiring and published writers. The workshops were great as well.
I kept up with my monthly writing sessions at my local library, and attended several author events in libraries and Waterstones.
The not so successful side of 2024….
Fantasy genre
I made the decision to park my new fantasy series Starlight Prophecy for a while. I need to go back to the planning stage and really get to know the world and the history before I commit to working on the half completed trilogy.
I also toyed with the idea of writing a collection of short stories in the world of my Silent Sea Chronicles, but I think it’s a hard one to pull off. I want to provide extra content for readers who’ve enjoyed the series and also entice new readers without giving too much of the various storylines away. Maybe I will revisit this idea in 2025.
Romance genre
I’ve made great headway with The Mermaid Hotel Series (news I will share in a New Year’s post). However, 2024 has seen a lot of work editing and re-editing the story, reshaping major points of the character arcs etc. I’m almost happy with the way it is now, so I’ll share more about that very soon.
Reading
I met my Goodreads goal of 24 books. That seems like a sensible amount, though of course I’d love the time to read more. I did not however get around to reviewing many books, which I am not pleased about. I enjoying reviewing books on my blog and see it as a way to score some good karma points! Hopefully people will review my books more in 2025. Fingers crossed!
I would love to put a post together celebrating my favourite reads of 2024, but will have to see if time allows.
Other
I love the little graphic I made to show off my books. It will need to be changed soon because it is very festive, but I will enjoy it for now.
And that is about it for 2024. It’s had its ups and downs, but I’m confident 2025 will be a bigger and better year!
I loved Bella and Jack’s story, from the moment they meet over a falling Christmas tree in a church, right up to the last page. It was a very entertaining read for any time of year.
Bella was a great character to follow. She has a big heart and puts family above everything else. This causes a few issues in her life, the biggest losing touch with Jack after a magical few hours together. I was desperate to read on to see if the couple would get their happy ever after.
I enjoyed being back at Halleybrook, and getting little glimpses into characters lives from the previous books in the series. This can be read as a standalone without an issues, though I highly recommend all the books, whichever order you read them. Oh, and I just found out last night that Claire’s book ‘Clues to You’ won the book bloggers novel of the year 2024 competition. I loved that story and think you should definitely check out all of Claire Huston’s books.
Fleeing her heartache and horrendous job, Bella stumbles upon a December wedding in the beautiful village of Haileybrook and the spirit of the season moves her to act as a fake date to handsome stranger Jack.
Jack and Bella hit it off, but Bella has to leave in a hurry and their magical evening soon becomes nothing more than a blissful memory.
A year later, Bella is returning to Haileybrook, seeking a fresh start and a quieter life. With a new job close to her cosy cottage home, a peaceful Christmas is surely only days away.
But it’s not long before family surprises, small-town feuds and romantic drama disrupt Bella’s plans, and she has to wonder if being alone is what she really wants for Christmas …
This standalone festive romance is set in the village of Haileybrook. The Haileybrook stories can be read in any order.
Books, games, music, and life — filtered through the mind of a writer, drummer, and philosopher who thinks too deeply about all of it. If it moves something in your chest, I'm interested.
Suzanne Rogerson Author 