The Little Greek Guesthouse by Lizzie Lee #romance #bookreview

Posted on August 13, 2026 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

I haven’t read any of Lizzie Lee’s books before so I was really pleased to win a paperback from the publisher in an Instagram competition. It arrived promptly and I couldn’t wait to read it. The cover is pretty and the blurb intriguing and I was hooked from the first few pages with the mess Nina’s life suddenly spirals into.

Nina’s a great lead and her relationship with her father Theo shines through. I also really love her friend, Heather, the schoolteacher who has a delightful way of avoiding swear words.

Kefalonia came alive and all the people in the little town were wonderful to spend time with.
I quickly became invested in the house renovation and wanted Nina’s dream to become a reality against all the odds thrown at her, including her dad’s stubbornness.
I loved the conservation aspect of this book and the geeky, turned hot enemy to lover dynamic with George. Vassilis, the builder, is another story!

Overall, it was a great read and I’m looking forward to discovering more of Lizzie Lee’s books.

Here’s the blurb

Sun, sea and second chances are on the cards this summer…

At thirty-three, Nina Pappas never imagined she would be back in her childhood bedroom, but having lost her job, her flat and her boyfriend (to her best friend, no less!) in one disastrous day, that’s exactly where she finds herself.

So when her dad, Theo, suggests she join him for the summer in Kefalonia, Nina is more than ready to trade heartbreak for healing – and the concrete jungle for the shimmering Ionian sea. A few sun-soaked weeks under the Greek sky, filled with balmy, thyme-scented evenings and lashings of sumptuous home-cooked food, might just be the reset she needs. And she might even enjoy renovating the house Theo’s inherited if it involves working with the irresistible and brooding local builder…

But island life isn’t all sea views, sunsets and souvlaki. As Nina finds herself clashing with the determined (yet undeniably handsome!) conservationist, hellbent on derailing Theo’s plans, she discovers that starting over is rarely straightforward – and that following your passion is one of the bravest things you can do. That, and recognising real love when it crosses your path…

Escape to Greece this summer in Lizzie Lee’s brand-new uplifting and feel-good read about taking a chance on life and love. Perfect for fans of Mandy Baggot, Sue Roberts and Jo Thomas.

Final thoughts – it’s well worth a read!

The question of what to write next #authorlife #indieauthor

Posted on May 29, 2026 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

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.

Book Cave link

My Fantasy Short Stories collection is on the list available and I’d love to see you over on my newsletter.

If you prefer not to join through the Book Cave link, there is a sign up form (link in the above page menus).

Whatever you’re doing today, be it reading, writing, or working a boring day job, have a good one.

Until next time…

BookBub deal for The Lost Sentinel #fantasy #bookdeal

Posted on April 23, 2026 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

Yesterday I was lucky enough to bag a BookBub deal for the UK, US, Canada and Australia.

The link to the ad will still be live for a few days, and you can follow me on bookbub too. The Lost Sentinel bookbub deal. They ran with the hook line;

“On an island where those with magic are exiled, a tailor’s daughter must hide her abilities — and find the one who will help save their home. This spellbinding novel kicks off an action-packed fantasy trilogy!”

At my last check this morning I’ve sold in the US, UK, Canada and Australia

The Lost Sentinel sold 244 KENP 450

The Sentinel’s Reign Sold 73

The Sentinel’s Alliance Sold 44

Book rankings 7 in CA store for Sword and Sorcery

45 in US store for Action and Adventure fantasy.

And in the top 100 in the UK ,US and Canada.

I’ll keep you posted on the stats at the end of the month. It’s good to have a written record of how these ads perform as a way to judge whether they still have an impact. And maybe my data will help you decide if it’s worth paying the big money for ads in the future. It all depends on your goals – mine is to re-spark an interest in an older series and show off the new cover and blurb.

Let’s keep our fingers crossed and wait to see what has happened by the end of April.

If you’d like to help, the book will be on sale until 28th April. Any shares of my posts and sales will help give the rankings a boost.

The Lost Sentinel universal link

And with book 2 also at 99p, the complete series is available for under £6.00.

Thanks for reading and following my author journey. If you have any advice or wisdom to share please do. Or if you are just starting out and want to talk things through, don’t be shy in asking for help.

The Writer Blog Prompt Project B is for Book Trailers

Posted on February 11, 2026 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

Last week the prompt from Ari Meghlen was Book Trailers – now that is a subject I didn’t expect to be writing about at the moment. But I want to take part in the weekly blog challenge so here goes…

I don’t see many book trailers. I guess I don’t hang out where they are shown and I don’t go out of my way to find them. But they do have a place and, done right, can be a real game changer for authors. There is no doubt the world of social media has become very visual, so authors need to move with the times.

When I bring out my romance series later this year I will be using all forms of promotion to reach readers and that will include book trailers.

My son is a music production graduate. He makes amazing music so I will be commissioning his help for that. My daughter is learning digital art so I’m also hoping she will be able to help in some way as well. It would be great to work on the project as a family – though not just for the free labour! (only joking, I would pay them for their time.)

I have dabbled with book trailers in the past, well I had one made for me to promote the audiobook of The Lost Sentinel. The narrator’s wife put together a video on Youtube. It was fun to see my book brought to life in a different medium, but it’s no longer available to watch so I can’t share the link.

I don’t feel very qualified to talk about book trailers but I’m excited at the prospect of doing my own and seeing what works.

As I planned out this blog post I listened to Radioactive by Imagine Dragons and one line in the song stands out ‘…welcome to the new age…’. I suppose that’s how indie authors need to look at book trailers and everything involved in publishing our books.

Later this week the topic of choice is Content Warnings.

Here is the link to Ari’s post on Book Trailers. She shares some great tips, so it’s worth having a read.

Until next time…

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See my book catalogue on the Suzanne Rogerson Collection

Book Review Christmas at the Cat Cafe by Jessica Redland #romance

Posted on January 24, 2026 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

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.

Check it out on Amazon.

Book Review A Mistletoe Miracle Emma Jackson #romance #romcom

Posted on January 21, 2026 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

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!

5 star read!

Check it on Amazon here.

New Year Plans 2026 #indieauthor

Posted on January 18, 2026 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

We’re already over halfway through January, so I’m a bit late with my New Year plans. I don’t like to waste an opportunity, so I’ve made myself a brief list of tasks that will help me reach the big goal – publishing The Mermaid Hotel Series in 2026. I have a rough publishing schedule in my head, though I’m not ready to announce it yet. Instead, I’m focusing on the steps I need to follow to reach my goals.

Book 1 – Get a cover, proofread, start the publishing journey including blog tours, ARC copies etc.

Book 2 – Get feedback from my critique partner, edit, get cover, send to my editor, edit, proof read, prepare to publish.

Book 3 – Read and edit prior to sending to a professional reader within the New Writers Scheme as part of my Romantic Novelist Association membership. Then the usual, edit, critique route as per book 2.

Book 4 – Send monthly installments to my writing group, edit and get a critique / edit etc.

Book 5 and beyond – Plan the books and prepare to write them as soon as possible.

Winter Warmers series – Write 8 to 10 cosy Christmas stories and publish in October / November.

Back catalogue – I want to go through all my published books and update the content, ensuring they all have links to my other books, social media etc.

Author profile – I need to improve my author presence on social media, work on my website and restart my newsletter. I’ve looked at Substack and want to figure out how it works before I start posting there.

I plan to attend some in person events this year, including ALLi Indie Author Lab in March and the Romantic Novelist Association bi-annual conference in July. I’m signing up to plenty of online webinars as well, trying to increase my knowledge of current indie publishing trends and marketing opportunities.

I’m hoping to have more time this year to dedicate to all things writing. I need it if I’m going to achieve this huge list. As much as I just want to write stories, I know I need to get a business head on and think about reaching readers. I hope to share more of this journey here.

Any tips will be greatly appreciated!

Have you set any resolutions or goals for 2026, realistic or otherwise?

Audiobook tour wrap up for A Little Christmas Magic #shortstories

Posted on December 24, 2025 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

Happy Christmas Eve everyone!

Yesterday was the last day of the Audiobook tour run by Love Book Tours. It’s been great to read the reviews and pick out little snippets to share here. I’ve loved seeing how my stories have resonated with people and how reviewers have picked different favourites for their own reasons. With a book of 8 stories, it shows me that I’m doing something right!

Book A Holic 17 “I loved the different themes within this collection – although all festive – each one showed what the festive period really means to different people in different situations – reminding us to think of others at this time of year too.”

caits reading nook “I enjoyed the hopeful themes of each of these stories and how they feature multiple generations.”

amornia carlton “This was an incredibly beautiful listen for the holiday season! The title is absolutely perfect and fitting. The collection of short stories really is an examination of different kinds of ways that Christmas – or life in general, but during the holiday – can be magical.”

East Yorkshire bookworm “The audiobook contained stories of love, family, hope and reunions. I think my favourite was Poppy’s Christmas Wish.”

Pixies book blog “The voice actor if these stories really pulled you in, a very soothing voice. It caught me hookline and sinker!”

bookwormwhitlock86 “…a beautiful selection of fun, magical, festive and unique short stories perfect for Christmas.”

For the last time this year I get to share the blurb for A Little Christmas Magic.

From a much-loved family pet that goes missing to a neighbour in need.
Chance meetings and the kindness of strangers.
Overcoming trauma to help others and being prepared to make sacrifices.
A father rushing to get home to his kids in time for Christmas.

Dive into a short and sweet story to get you in the festive spirit.

Eight Stories

Poppy’s Christmas Wish
Last Minute Dash
Driving Home for Christmas
The Honeymoon Period
A Christmas Toast
The Last Train Home
The Wrong Post
Taking Care of Belle

Available as audiobook, ebook, paperback and hardback on Amazon.

If you’re struggling on Christmas Eve, why not stick on the audiobook and let Colette’s soothing voice help you through your preparations.

Have a good one, everyone.

Check out my socials on Linktree

Review catch up for A Little Christmas Magic and the #Audiobook tour

Posted on December 20, 2025 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

I’ve been so busy at work with the end of the year preparations, but I’m finally able to share the latest review snippets of the audiobook – A Little Christmas Magic;

Simplyburiedinbooks says “It’s filled with emotion and empathy, and each story feels relatable and endearing…”

Sherleysreadingcorner “𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑳𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝑻𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝑯𝒐𝒎𝒆 was my absolute favorite of the eight short stories. Elliot and Athena’s story was the sweetest. I really hope they get a full-length novel someday. Their love story would make the best romance read.”

Piggindani_reads shared a mini review of each story and finished with “Overall rating ~ 4.6 rounded up to 5 because it was a wonderful experience and the narration was perfect.”

Melisbookreviews “…cozy Christmas short stories that are perfect for the season to read, or in my case listen to, with a cup of steaming hot chocolate.”

livinginmyownprivateworldwithbooks “The narrators were perfect for the stories as they added depth to the characters, really brought the different personalities of the people featured throughout all the stories and made me emotional as I listened, even laughing out loud at some points and shredding tears at another. Overall, it was a wonderful mix of magical Christmas moments, and I would recommend it to everyone.

Cypruscornerreads “All the stories show warmth and kindness, but some also grief and other difficult issues, but all are written sensitively and show the very best of human nature. Definitely one to listen to while preparing for Christmas time.”

jrw1904 – Booky Charm “…I have to say, this collection of stories couldn’t have a better name! I’ve had my faith in Christmas restored as each story is a like a big hug followed by a warm mince pie.”

Dave Chats Books shared some really great feedback about the narrator. “Narrator Colette Davis-Kerwin delivers a beautifully measured performance that enhances the charm of the story and brings the book to life. Her narration is expressive, and warm, giving each character a distinct voice while maintaining a comforting, storybook tone and it’s this that gives each story it’s unique character and keeps you listening throughout. In my personal opinion the perfect choice for narrator of this book.”

Dave also says “You can’t help but smile as you’re listening to this and that smile will stay long after you finish, if you need an injection of Christmas spirit then this audiobook is the injection you need.”

There are some great graphics shared with these reviews on Instagram as well, so it’s worth clicking the link and checking them out.

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My thoughts – I knew Colette was the perfect narrator right from the first sentence of her audition. I’m really pleased she agreed to work with me on this project.

These lovely reviews really help me remember why I do this crazy thing called writing and sink so much of my time, heart and soul into it!

I’m still catching up with reviews, so I’ll be back soon!

A Little Christmas Magic

Audio sample for A Little Christmas Magic

A Little Christmas Magic final stops on the #audiobook blog blitz

Posted on December 14, 2025 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

Happy Sunday. I hope you’re feeling festive!

I’m back with the last of the reviews from my blog blitz tour for A Little Christmas Magic.

Yesterday it was great to see the reviews coming in and to hear how much reviewers are enjoying the audiobook while they’re getting ready for Christmas or having a well earned break from preparations.

Here are the latest review snippets I have to share.

“The narrator truly brought the stories alive, filling them with emotion.” Plumbobmummy

“…Colette Davies-Kerwin, was wonderful. The recording was clear, read well and I didn’t want this book to end to be honest. …Over all, this book was fantastic. It has me completely feeling the Christmas cheer.” Novel Kicks

“The audio narration by Colette Davies-Kerwin brings an added layer of charm and cosiness, making this collection a joy to listen to on wintry evenings.” My books and crafts

“This is a cute set of 8 short stories that total less than 3 hours listening time with a focus on family, friends, love and peace and goodwill. I think my fav was the Last Minute Dash but they’re all great for listening to while you’re wrapping gifts or any of the other millions of holiday chores you have to accomplish in the next few days.” The loppy knot on instagram

I hope you’ve enjoyed these little snippets and have had a chance to check out the full reviews on the blogs and Instagram. Thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources for hosting this Blog Blitz.

If you want to hear a sample for yourself, click this link – Audio sample for A Little Christmas Magic.

And if you want to start feeling Christmassy, you can pick up both books in series in ebook, paperback, audiobook and hardback. They’d make a great Christmas present or stocking filler for the readers in your life.

Winter Warmers Collection

Thanks for joining in the blog blitz. I’ll be back in a few days with more.

You can check our my socials here Linktree.