#BookReview for The Silent Maid by Annette Spratte

My review for The Silent Maid by Annette Spratte, 5/5 stars. It also earns a Pink Quill Book Pick badge (click here for more information.)

When Daniel Huntington goes to Brigham Manor as Master of Horse, he is intrigued by the silent girl who sleeps in the kitchen and is treated badly by the other servants. The mystery deepens when he sees how Baronet Brigham treats her, and he desperately wants to find out why.

Interspersed with letters Daniel writes to his mother, where we see all his doubts and insecurities come out and learn more about him, the narrative draws you into the story right away, to the Yorkshire estate with its servants, intrigues, and volatile baronet.

A must read for fans of historical fiction, the author takes you back in time with this haunting story set in England in the 1700s. Romance with a touch of suspense and mystery, Annette Spratte has brought the characters to life and created a beautiful story that will stay with you for some time.

https://www.amazon.com/Silent-Maid-English-Annette-Spratte-ebook/dp/B0922FP8XR/
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silent-Maid-English-Annette-Spratte-ebook/dp/B0922FP8XR/

#BookReview for Night of the Spiders by Brian O’Gorman

My review for Night of the Spiders by Brian O’Gorman, 5/5 stars.

Wow, where do I start? Having read Dawn of the Spiders and Day of the Spiders, I guessed that I was in for a gory, horrific, terrifying roller coaster of a read – and I wasn’t wrong!

Night of the Spiders concludes the trilogy, and it was well worth the wait. The spiders are bigger, nastier, faster, and even more determined to wipe out the human race. There are some incredible scenes that keep you on the edge of your seat, heart racing, as the protagonists flee the hordes of famished spiders (and others that are gory enough to make you want to cover your eyes!).

Brian O’Gorman writes gutsy stories with a punch, that keep you hanging on every word until the end. His skill lies in creating great characters who become real people, with all their flaws and weaknesses, sometimes redeeming themselves, many times not. You can never tell who will die and who will survive, which can lead to some shocking moments as you read – his books are never predictable!

Even if you hate spiders (as I do!), I highly recommend this trilogy.

https://www.amazon.com/Night-Spiders-Brian-OGorman-ebook/dp/B093C4Y8H4/
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Night-Spiders-Brian-OGorman-ebook/dp/B093C4Y8H4/

#BookReview for Where Would You Fly? by Lillian Darnell

My review for Where Would You Fly? & Other Magical Stories by Lillian Darnell, 5/5 stars.

The first line of the blurb for this book reads:

Welcome to the radiant imagination of Lillian Darnell, a wonderful and unique human being, the kind who comes around only once in every 56,000 births, as she is missing the short arm of her 18th chromosome.

I thought it was the perfect introduction to my review. Her stories are full of imagination and wonder, as you see the world through her eyes from age 4 (written with a little help from her mum, Camilla) to age 16. Some are gentle guides to mindfulness, others to how to be happy, and most are delightful stories with fairies, unicorns, and magic.

I have to admit I found the Emotions and Feelings part particularly touching, where Lillian explores her own emotions while growing up. Her condition, and her journey which led to the publication of this book, are explained in the introduction by Camilla, who is also a wonderful poet, and a beautiful person. Her dedication to Lillian, and her son Thomas, is evident through the stories Lillian has written and the love she has for her family.

Every now and then it’s lovely to get away from the real world and travel to distant lands with mythical beings. Lillian’s book is a wonderful distraction that you can dip into every now and then, and it will put a smile on your face. Many thanks to Camilla, Lillian and Thomas for the chance to read Where Would You Fly?

https://www.amazon.com/Where-Would-You-Fly-Magical-ebook/dp/B08C2BF9P4/
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Where-Would-You-Fly-Magical-ebook/dp/B08C2BF9P4/

#BookReview #NetGalley for The Missing Pieces of Us by Eva Glyn

My review for The Missing Pieces of Us by Eva Glyn, 4/5 stars.

This is a dramatic, second-chance love story with characters who are trying to get over loss, and grief, while giving themselves another chance at life. The author tackles difficult subjects such as mental health problems, homelessness, and alcoholism, but she does it with great sensitivity, leaving the reader with a better understanding of how tragedy and grief can lead someone to make the wrong choices.

Both of the protagonists, Izzie and Robin, have suffered greatly, and have many flaws. You’ll find yourself wanting to grab them both and talk some sense to them! But this is ultimately a story of courage and determination, a journey of forgiveness and new beginnings.

This is not an easy read, but it’s one that kept me turning the pages, wanting to find out what happens to Izzie and Robin, whether they reach out and ask for the help they so desperately need. It’s a love story, but it’s so much more, and it’s a read I recommend.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK, and the author for the chance to read this book.

#BookReview for Sustainable Smallholding by Lorraine Turnbull

My review for Sustainable Smallholding by Lorraine Turnbull, 5/5 stars. It also earns a Pink Quill Book Pick badge (click here for more information.)

Living off the land has always been something that has fascinated me, and Lorraine Turnbull takes you by the hand and guides you through all the pitfalls and joys of owning a smallholding. I loved her no-nonsense tone and dry British humour, and she makes every page interesting (even when she’s talking about tax forms and the various licences you need!).

Full of great advice, she also gives useful tips on how you can make the most of any part of your land. Her passions are bee-keeping and cider-making, which she also used to teach, and her authority and enthusiasm come through with every word.

Interspersed with case studies of other smallholdings, and anecdotes from her own experiences, this is a great book for anyone thinking of sustainable living or actually doing it. Even if you don’t have a smallholding, she gives lots of advice for sustainable living that anyone can do, no matter how big or small their garden.

A fascinating read that I highly recommend.

https://www.amazon.com/Sustainable-Smallholding-English-Lorraine-Turnbull-ebook/dp/B08NF8QNQM/
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sustainable-Smallholding-English-Lorraine-Turnbull-ebook/dp/B08NF8QNQM/

#BookReview for #TheTuscanHouse #NetGalley by Angela Petch

My review for The Tuscan House by Angela Petch, 5/5 stars.

Having read and loved the other books in Angela Petch’s Tuscan series, I knew I would be for a treat with The Tuscan House. The author writes a beautifully descriptive narrative of the area in Tuscany, with plenty of research into the people and their lives in that era.

This is the haunting story of locals and partigiani fighting to survive in the Second World War. The Germans have taken over the area, and people’s once-tranquil lives are now full of hardship, But the author has done a fantastic job of showing how people’s resilience shines through even in the harshest times, and how hard people fought to save their country and their dignity.

This is a love story, but it is also so much more. We see the harsh brutality of war and the lengths desperate people will go to, but also compassion and a willingness to help others, even when it could mean death. The characters, and their lives, will remain with you for a long time after you’ve finished reading. Highly recommend.

https://www.amazon.com/Tuscan-House-Absolutely-beautiful-historical-ebook/dp/B08XY49QXY/
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tuscan-House-Absolutely-beautiful-historical-ebook/dp/B08XY49QXY/

#BookReview for Lost In Translation by Audrey Davis

My review for Lost In Translation by Audrey Davis, 5/5 stars. It also earns a Pink Quill Book Pick badge (click here for more information.)

I’ve read all of Audrey Davis’ books, and I love how she writes characters who are completely relatable, and situations that make you laugh out loud or cringe with embarrassment. Lost in Translation is a great read that I thoroughly enjoyed!

When Charlotte’s husband, Dom, drops the bombshell that they’re moving to Switzerland, Charlotte is upset, but determined to make the best of a difficult situation. Their two young sons, Alastair and Robson, are adorable, each with their own quirks that bring humour and fun to the story. Charlotte is a normal, insecure, forty-year-old woman who has given up her own career to stay home and be a full-time mother, while Dom is…domineering and arrogant, but weak-willed and bullying, are some descriptions that come to mind!

As always, there’s a lot of humour among the sadder moments, some witty observations on life as an ex-pat, wonderful characters, and beautifully described scenery, with lashings of hot chocolate and exquisite pastries that will make your mouth water. It’s a chance to get away from the everyday normal things and lose yourself for a few hours in a great read. Highly recommend!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08P7WTQ9K
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08P7WTQ9K

#BookReview for The Love Island Bookshop by Kate Frost

My review for The Love Island Bookshop by Kate Frost, 5/5 stars.

This is another instalment in Kate’s Romantic Escape Series. I’ve enjoyed every one so far – they’re a wonderful way to travel to different destinations while stuck at home!

Freya has suffered a couple of traumatic events over the last two years of her life, so when she sees an advert for a manager of a bookshop in the Maldives, she takes the opportunity to get away from things for a while. Stuck in a job she no longer loves, could this be the change she needs? With drama, lust, friendship, and love, interwoven with the stunning backdrop of blue skies, sandy beaches, and elegant villas of a paradise island, Freya has some difficult choices to make.

The previous book in the series was set in wintry Amsterdam. This one is the complete opposite, set on a beautiful island in the Maldives. But once again the author’s descriptive narrative pulls you into the story; you can feel the warm sand between your toes and hear the waves in the distance, and imagine yourself sitting in the cool shade out of the summer sun.


This is an emotional story of self-forgiveness, of looking beyond a person’s exterior to see the real soul inside, of learning to trust again after heartbreak and loss. Kate Frost’s books are pure escapism, perfect for lockdown, and I highly recommend this whole series. A great read!

The Love Island Bookshop will be out on the 8th April 2021.

https://www.amazon.com/Love-Island-Bookshop-enchanting-feel-good-ebook/dp/B08VC86S2K/
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Love-Island-Bookshop-enchanting-feel-good-ebook/dp/B08VC86S2K/

#BookReview for The Second Coming by Brian O’Gorman

My review for The Second Coming by Brian O’Gorman, 5/5 stars. It also earns a Pink Quill Book Pick badge (click here for more information.)

Where do I begin with this review? I love Brian O’Gorman’s books – the character development is on a par with Stephen King, the stories keep you hooked right from the beginning, and he loves to surprise and shock the reader in equal measure!

I had high expectations for The Second Coming, and it doesn’t disappoint! This is an epic story of the eternal fight between good and evil, with normal, down-to-earth characters who are thrown into the most extraordinary circumstances. When an earthquake hits the city of Stenfield early one morning, two men are affected in completely different ways. While one discovers he has the power to heal, the other discovers he can cause mayhem and chaos.

This is a story of redemption and self-discovery, but it is also an insight into the fragility of humans’ minds, of the thin line between good and evil, of how easily people can be turned against one another. There are many layers to the story, each character’s life affecting the others’, subtle actions causing catastrophic events later. As with all the author’s books, each time you read it you discover more and spot the little things that contribute and add depth to the overall story.

There are a few shocking scenes, and others that will have you holding your breath, but the narrative keeps you turning the pages right to the stunning end. With Brian O’Gorman’s books, you can never be sure how they’ll finish, and he definitely keeps you on your toes with this one!

A well-written, brutally honest read that will make you think, and remain with you for a long time after you’ve read it. Highly recommend!

You can preorder The Second Coming now, and it’s out on the 19th March:
https://www.amazon.com/Second-Coming-English-Brian-OGorman-ebook/dp/B08TC99MNH/
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Second-Coming-English-Brian-OGorman-ebook/dp/B08TC99MNH/

#BookReview for The Amsterdam Affair by Kate Frost

My review for The Amsterdam Affair by Kate Frost, 5/5 stars.

I love Kate Frost’s Romantic Escape series, and this one is just as beautifully descriptive as the others. I’ve never been to Amsterdam, but I could easily visualise the colourful houses and myriad of canals from Kate’s writing.

Iris, the protagonist, has a good life. She lives with her partner Will in a house they have just finished renovating, and has a well-paid career. So when Will says he has a surprise for her, the last thing she’s expecting is a move to Amsterdam!

While Iris takes advantage of the situation to immerse herself in the sights and beauty of Amsterdam and rekindle her creative spark, she starts to see another side of Will. I loved the character development of these two, how one grows while the other is bound by petty jealousies and selfishness.

Beautifully written, this is a more than a story of self-discovery. It also shows the subtle warning signs of abuse, of how easy it is to lose your identity while trying to fit in and please others, of how sometimes you should trust your instincts and follow them, and live the life you want. A wonderful, heartwarming story that I highly recommend!

https://www.amazon.com/Amsterdam-Affair-feel-good-romance-Romantic-ebook/dp/B08KY6GTYC/
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Amsterdam-Affair-feel-good-romance-Romantic-ebook/dp/B08KY6GTYC/