My first taste of Jennifer Page’s writing, and I will be back for seconds!
The Blurb
Louise Dearnley has spent her life editing perfectly neat love stories, where heartbreak leads to fresh starts, charming small businesses bloom, and happily-ever-afters are guaranteed.
But now in her forties, she’s quit her job – and no, she doesn’t want to talk about why – and returned home to Applethwaite, the small Yorkshire village where she grew up. Starting over doesn’t feel nearly so much fun in real life as it does in fiction.
It also doesn’t help that her mother is convinced she’s here to run the family bakery, especially as the locals can’t get enough of Louise’s legendary ginger cake and scrumptious scones. Between renovations, a quirky ex-stepdaughter (who’s unexpectedly come to stay) and a gorgeous Italian who seems too good to be true, Louise’s second chance begins to take shape.
After a lifetime spent polishing other people’s happy endings, will Louise finally have one of her own?
My Mini Review
I loved the premise of this book – from the main character being an editor, to the cafe setting and renovation, to the sexy Italian builder and his secrets. The unfolding story kept me turning the pages and I just had to uncover exactly how bad a mistake Louise made to run away from her editing career and return to her childhood village.
The cast of characters were charming, the food descriptions scrummy, and the bookshop bakery sounds like heaven and a place I would love to visit. Please someone make this a real thing! Overall, this was a very enjoyable read and I look forward to discovering more of Jennifer Page’s books.
I’ve already enjoyed some of Nancy Barone’s books, so when this came up on Netgalley, I was excited to request a copy. I’m glad I did.
Blurb
Olivia swore she would never grow up to be like her mother, who fled to Sicily to be with her lover when Olivia was a teenager. But now in her thirties, the spark in Olivia’s marriage has been extinguished for years, she’s hopelessly pining over her attractive business partner, Markus, and her own teenage daughter barely speaks to her.
So when her estranged mother offers to pay for an eight-week trip to a luxurious wellness centre in Italy, Olivia reluctantly accepts. A break will be good for her. For everyone. There’s just one catch… Susan is staying in the adjoining room.
Fuelled by gorgeous weather, good food and even better wine, can the two women overcome their history and form the mother-daughter bond that Olivia always dreamed of? Or is it too late for second chances?
My mini review
I was intrigued to read Olivia’s story. I’m sure many people like me would dream of being offered a free eight-week holiday, but this doesn’t turn out quite how she expects. The story takes some unexpected turns when she is forced to face her mother after 22 years apart. There are some surprising revelations and deep soul searching moments for Olivia to contend with. There are plenty of emotional moments throughout the story as more of the past is revealed and both Olivia and her mother’s actions suddenly begin to make sense.
I really liked the relationship between Olivia and her business partner. I wanted them to get together and be the perfect couple they were meant to be if only she wasn’t trapped in a loveless marriage. Marcus is such a great guy and a best friend to Olivia and her children. I was rooting for them from the start. I also wanted Olivia to be able to mend her difficult relationships with her mother and her daughter before the past could repeat itself. At times the emotional moments made it a difficult read, but it was so rewarding and proves what a great author Nancy B is.
I recommend the book, especially if you fancy a getaway to Sicily.
I’m so excited to share this new release. Witchland is a regency romance with an enemy to lovers theme. I’m currently reading it and loving every moment. Just look at this cover – it’s beautiful.
The Blurb
A realm ruled by women. A witch cursed to kill the man she marries. An enemy who must wed a witch.
Those eyes. Wolf eyes, golden amber-brown, rich with the promise of wildness… but he looked at her with loathing.
It’s hate at first sight when Eliza Peverley meets Will Darsyn, an outspoken critic of Witch Society. But she needs to marry fast, so her Land will give her more magic as a wedding gift. Eliza’s vicious cousin has challenged her to a magical duel, and if she loses, her sister dies too. Will, for reasons of his own, also needs to wed quickly.
Cursed to kill her husband, the last thing Eliza needs is love. She wants a marriage of convenience with a man she won’t mourn. Will is perfect for her – perfectly disagreeable – and there isn’t the slightest chance of her growing fond of him.
Eliza and Will feign love to earn the queen’s approval to wed. And when Eliza’s rival attacks, they are forced to work together to survive. Attraction sparks, but Will has a dangerous secret. One that could change the stakes entirely.
A man who hates witches and the witch who’s going to kill him can never fall in love… can they?
This is a great start to a new trilogy, The Italian Legacy, by one of my favourite authors. Like her previous series, The Skye Sisters trilogy, this also follows the lives of three very different sisters, who don’t even know each other exist. Each book will follow a different sister’s viewpoint and I’m so glad we got to start with Jade in Italy. It’s a brilliant premise and the hotel is the perfect backdrop for their stories to unfold.
Jade is the sister with the most to lose, but everything to gain if she can accept her grandmother’s dying wish. I felt sorry for Jade who’d grown up at the hotel and loved running it, but was now expected to share it with sisters she doesn’t know.
The male lead Leo was swoonworthy and their past together made this the perfect second chance romance.
There are several story threads running through this book, each intriguing and had me hooked. Some will no doubt unravel as the series progresses. I loved the romance re-sparking between the couple and the three sisters have a great dynamic.
I can’t wait to read the next installment.
Thanks to Netgalley for my ARC copy, which I am very late posting.
Here’s the official blurb
Two sisters she’s never met A first love who’s impossible to forget… For Jade, life in Lake Como is la dolce vita. Until her beloved grandmother passes, leaving Jade not just the family’s bustling guesthouse to run, but two life-changing secrets to confront…
The pensione hasn’t just been left to Jade, it’s also been inherited by her sisters – who she had no idea existed. As Erin and Rosalie arrive in Italy, Jade is forced to face the heart-wrenching prospect of sharing her last remaining tie to the woman who raised her.
Jade is desperately trying to hold on to the past, but there’s one person she would prefer to leave firmly behind: her first love, Leo. He’s back in the city that is filled with the memories they once made together. But as Jade fights to take control of her future and her heart, why do all cobbled roads lead back to Leo?
Lose yourself in the first, utterly romantic novel in a brand-new trilogy, filled with new beginnings and second chances. Perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan and Milly Johnson.
Hasn’t it been a scorching week! Perfect for sitting in the shade with a book and a cool glass of something special, or maybe an ice cream (my favourite go to snack when I’m lost in a good book).
Over recent weeks, I’ve been struggling with the issue of what to write next.
In my fantasy readers newsletter this week, I posed the question of what I should work on next. The response has been interesting, so I thought why not get some feedback on my blog. Here are the 7 suggestions I made…
1. More short fiction set in the world of my current fantasy books – like Fantasy Short Stories – which I offer free to all newsletter subscribers.
2. A prequel novella to Silent Sea Chronicles where the focus is firmly on Farrell’s people and Stone Haven.
3. A sequel to Silent Sea Chronicles following the lives of the characters after book 3’s conclusion and their adventures on the Silent Sea.
4. Serialised fiction in a new world of wizards and wraiths where you have to trust your enemy to survive.
5. I could re-start work on Starlight Prophecy. I have planned it as a trilogy focusing on an anti-heroine and the lengths she will go to for revenge. No one is safe, not even her closest family.
6. In other writing, I’m busy working on a romance series set in a seaside hotel in Cornwall with a matchmaking landlady. Do you read across genres?
7. I’m also working on some more seasonal short stories for my Winter Warmer Series and want to get Book 3.
It’s not an exhaustive list of my ideas, as I have tons that could be developed. It’s more a case of working out what my readers want and what aligns with my goals, which is to publish something this year. I’d really hoped it could be my romance series, The Mermaid Hotel, but that project is stalling with lack of funds and also lack of inspiration for the cover art, plus a bit of doubt about if the books are good enough yet.
Maybe you’d like to share your thoughts as a reader, or a fellow writer? What makes you pick up your next read, or decide on your next project? And if you’ve read any of my books, what of the above list would you be most excited to read?
Before I go to enjoy the sunshine, I also wanted to take this opportunity to remind you of the Book Cave giveaway I signed up to. For the whole of May, there are some great books available free or on a giveaway. I’ve picked up some new to me authors, and I hope you will take a look and see if there are any free books that take your fancy.
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!
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.
