Grace Olson

Published: 10/6/25

Publisher: Brown Dog Books

Suggested reading age: 5 – 10 years

SYNOPSIS

How do you begin to find where you belong when you’re on your own? Rhubarb is an orphan lamb who desperately wants a new mummy. His adventurous spirit leads him on a fantastic journey, guided by the moon. Wisdom appears in the form of a pony who helps Rhubarb to discover that not only has he found a new family, but he has also found the greatest truth – we are all one family bathed in the love of one mother – Mother Nature.

A whimsical tale for lovers of Peter Rabbit, The Wind in the Willows and Winnie the Pooh.

MY REVIEW

What I really loved is the story behind the story, that Rhubarb is a real sheep who is learning to be a therapy animal. 

The beautiful watercolour illustrations really bring this story to life and are such a good likeness to the real Rhubarb whose photograph is in the back of the book alongside Grace.

We follow Rhubarb as he begins his quest to find a mummy, just like the other lambs have and is surprised to find that a little girl can understand him where adults can’t and she joins him in his search.

Helped by the moon and learning about Mother Nature, he meets other animals along the way and finds happiness when he realises we are all one big family.

A really lovely short read to enjoy with your child, or for a more confident reader to read alone. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Grace was born and bred in Leeds, West Yorkshire. 

She dreamed of owning a pony ever since she was a little girl but it took until adulthood for the dream to come true. Unfortunately, Grace didn’t factor in the amount of poo that was involved with horse ownership. Had she realised that earlier in life she would have found a different hobby! 

Grace’s day job involves helping terminally ill people to feel more comfortable with their situations. She uses a combined treatment of massage, lymphatic drainage, coaching and healing. 

Her big dream is to set up a farm-based therapy centre where rescued farm animals can receive love and care and in turn help to heal the hearts and minds of terminally ill people.

The proceeds of this book will go towards making that dream a reality. So if you have enjoyed reading it please encourage your friends and family to buy it. You can also help by following Grace Olson – Author on Facebook and sharing her website. 

https//www.theyardbook.co.uk

By Matthew Hall

Publication Date: 21/5/26

Publisher: Eye Books

SYNOPSIS

The day Jessie Cunningham achieves her life’s goal and is made partner in an ultra-powerful Toronto law firm, she suffers a catastrophic burnout. While attempting to recuperate, she volunteers for a charity preserving ancient trees in the wilderness of British Columbia. There she meets Todd Samson, a man with a troubled past and a wounded soul.

The attraction is instant, but they’re from different worlds… that are about to collide.

When Todd is falsely accused of murdering a local conservation officer and his beleaguered community in the Three Valleys Reserve comes under pressure from the government to swap its ancestral territory for land on the outskirts of Vancouver, Jessie is drawn into their struggle against greed, corruption and injustice.

Forming an unlikely alliance with Chief Ray Squinas and wood carver and shaman Eldon Marshall, Jessie joins them in the fight of their lives – against just the kind of dark forces she has spent her career serving.

MY REVIEW

This is one of those books which comes along now and again and completely absorbs me into the storyline and the characters. What a brilliant read I loved every page.

What is initially a voluntary position for Jessie Cunningham, staying in a basic hut a world away from her usual life and recording ancient trees on land inhabited by an indigenous tribe, soon turns into a need to put her lawyer hat back on. So much for leaving everything behind for a while.

A woman is murdered and Todd, a local man with whom Jessie platonically shared a cabin one night after twisting her ankle, has been arrested for her murder.

Jessie promises to help his appointed lawyer prove his innocence, but she has no idea that this is just the tip of the iceberg and her own life and career are put in danger.

The descriptions of the wilderness, the people and their history had me totally enthralled. I could visualise that beautiful Totem pole being carved by Eldon, a talented wood carver and shaman.

Should they accept an offered ‘land swap’ to move from their ancestral valley to a new residential area near Toronto?

If you love a deep and meaningful read, one where you are drawn into the story completely, I would highly recommend this one. So far it is my book of the year and it’s going to take something exceptional to top it!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Matthew Hall is novelist and multi-award winning screenwriter. He was educated at Hereford Cathedral School and Worcester College, Oxford, where he graduated in law.

He has written over 60 hours of prime-time drama and in 2018 won a BAFTA for his most recent hit series, Keeping Faith (BBC1/S4C).

He has written 7 novels and a novella in his Jenny Cooper Coroner series. The Coroner and The Flight were both shortlisted for the Crime Writer’s Association Gold Dagger.

The Jenny Cooper novels have been adapted for television by the Toronto-based Back Alley Films. The series was CBC’s highest ranking show of 2019 and Universal UK TV’s highest ranking new drama release. ‘Coroner’ is distributed internationally by Cineflix/NBC Universal.

Seasons 1 and 2 premier in the US on The CW from August 2020.

He lives in Herefordshire with his wife Patricia Carswell and they have two sons.

Find out more at http://www.matthewhallbooks.com

Read less about this author

Caroline James

😍 COVER REVEAL 😍

Publication Date: 30th July 2026

Publisher: Avon Books

SYNOPSIS

Sail down The Nile this summer on a voyage of discovery…and just a little bit of mystery!

Pre-order the next unforgettable escape from the #1 bestseller – the perfect read for summer 2026!

Will an adventure sailing The River Nile turn the tide for Hattie?

Hattie Mulberry is exhausted. Worn out from the demands of everyone around her, she’s long overdue a break. So, she decides to take a holiday – the adventure of a lifetime, following in the footsteps of her literary hero, Agatha Christie.

Before Hattie knows it, she’s embarking on a glamorous Nile cruise. Not only a voyage steeped in history and world-famous sights, but one where the passengers are almost as fascinating as the views from her luxurious cabin…

As the eclectic band of travellers journey between ancient temples and legendary tombs, guided by handsome Egyptologist Sam, secrets surface, desires awaken, and tensions simmer beneath the Egyptian sun.

Will the magic of moonlit nights on the Nile bring romance and renewal? Or will the infamous curse of Tutankhamun cast a shadow when least expected?

A gloriously escapist read full of sun, secrets and romance, perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan and Judy Leigh.

Pre-order Links

https://geni.us/TNCK   The Nile Cruise

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Caroline James is the celebrated author of later-life fiction, including THE CRUISE, the #1 best-seller that has captivated cruise ship passengers worldwide, earning its reputation as Girl Power for the Over-Sixties! Her eagerly anticipated follow-up cruise novels, include THE CRUISE CLUB, and THE ARCTIC CRUISE both hitting the Amazon Top 100 Kindle charts.

Caroline’s vibrant storytelling stems from her colourful career. Before becoming a full-time writer, she carved out a fascinating path in the hospitality industry, owning a charming country house hotel and a lively pub. As a media agent, she worked closely with celebrity chefs, giving her an insider’s perspective on the glitz, glamour, and grit of the culinary world. When she finally turned her focus to writing, she discovered her true calling, penning best-selling novels that have garnered her legions of fans.

When she’s not writing, Caroline enjoys tranquil walks with Fred, her Westie, and writing and plotting her next novels in her Scottish retreat. As a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, the SoA, ARRA, and the Society of Women’s Writers & Journalists, Caroline is a passionate advocate for the written word and a champion of life-long creativity

Books by Caroline James:

The Nile Cruise

The Arctic Cruise

Atticus Arnott’s Great Adventure

The Cruise Club

The French Cookery School

The Cruise

The Spa Break

Hattie Goes to Hollywood

Boomerville at Ballymegille

The Best Boomerville Hotel

Coffee Tea the Gypsy & Me

Coffee Tea the Chef & Me

Coffee Tea the Caribbean & Me

Jungle Rock

 

 

Social Media Links – 

www.carolinejamesauthor.co.uk

Twitter: @CarolineJames12

Facebook: Caroline James Author

Insta: Caroline James Author

 

 

Scott Reisfield

Publication Date: 30 April 2026

Publisher: Vendela Publishing

SYNOPSIS

“Reisfeld knows about Garbo what we would never know. But, fortunately, he tells us.” ~ Mick LaSalle, author of Complicated Women: Sex and Power in Pre-Code Hollywood.

Hollywood Made Her a Star.

What she did for women made her a Legend.

Greta Garbo dominated European cinema and Hollywood in the 1920s and 1930s. With discipline and fearless self-belief, she transformed screen acting into something intimate, modern, and psychologically real. She fought studio control… and won. She challenged censors, defied social expectations, and refused to compromise her independence.

More than a movie star, Garbo reshaped what it meant to be a woman on screen-self-possessed, mysterious, and unapologetically autonomous. She redefined the power a woman could hold in Hollywood.

In this intimate biography, her grandnephew Scott Reisfield reveals this disciplined artist, strategic thinker, and the fiercely private woman who helped usher a closed culture into the Modern Age. 

“Scott Reisfield has written a history of his great-aunt, telling the story of both the star and the woman.” – Bo Florin, Professor in Cinema Studies, Stockholm University

MY REVIEW

I didn’t know a great deal about Greta Garbo before I read this book, other than she was a famous film star who famously said at some point in her life ‘I want to be alone’.

Well as luck would have it, when I was about halfway through the book, one of her films, Grand Hotel, was on TV and it is the one that famous line is from. It was rather amazing to be watching Garbo as I was reading all about her life. I wonder if Scott managed to have this shown to tie in with his book release, or if it was just a huge coincidence?

I enjoyed the book immensely. It is obvious Scott has spent a great deal of time researching Greta Garbo, his great aunt’s life. 

There are many quotes from people who knew her, excepts from letters and also photographs. Every reference is listed at the back of the book. All 1244 of them. As I said, very thoroughly researched.

Greta began studying at an acting school in Stockholm when she was a teenager. She worked as a successful salesperson for a few years in a store but her love was always going to be acting.

Very detailed explanations of events, and it is clear Scott wanted to correct any wrongs which had been written about her, as much as he possible could bearing in mind some of his story goes back 100 years.

It was heartwarming to read at the end of the book his first hand knowledge of Garbo as she would spend time with him and their family.

Garbo was an absolute icon and was much loved by her family, friends and fans.

Thank you to Kelly and Sophie for inviting me onto the blog tour. 

BLOG TOUR STOPS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Scott Reisfield

As her great nephew, Scott Reisfield brings unmatched access and insight to this biography. Having travelled the world and delved into family archives, Reisfield separates fact from fiction, offering new revelations about Garbo’s legacy. His previous book, Garbo’s Garbo: Portraits from her Private Collection (with Robert dance) was a museum companion and international bestseller, selling over 12,500 copies in the US alone. He was also part of the documentary Garbo where did you go? Which aired on Sky Arts in 2024.

A.J. Hobart

Publication Date: 28/4/26

Publisher: Hobeck Books

SYNOPSIS

Kidderminster Town Hall, July, 1910 A glittering family celebration The Stretton family spare no expense as the heads of their medical dynasty, Samuel and Kate, mark their golden wedding anniversary at Kidderminster Town Hall. Daughter Katie fights to ensure everything goes to plan. But family divisions soon come to the fore in a very public way, fuelling gossip that will keep the town talking for weeks. A transatlantic threat Meanwhile, the social fabric of this famous carpet-making town is being threatened by a surprise arrival. Ambitious American carpet-tycoon Calvin Whitmore has designs on disrupting the established order. Whitmore’s son Charles is far from convinced about his father’s plans. Can Katie support him to find the courage to finally face down his father? A lethal epidemic As the future of Kidderminster is being fought over, the town’s population is threatened by a deadly outbreak of smallpox. Principal surgeon Lionel Stretton, son of Samuel, must inspire his hard-pressed team at the infirmary to save as many people as possible. Under the strain, more buried family secrets emerge, secrets that threaten to destroy the family’s unity and reputation forever.

MY REVIEW

I am absolutely delighted to find, after finishing this wonderful book, that there will be more books in this series. 

Adrian has done an exceptional job in portraying the Stretton family, using first hand knowledge gained from Lionel Stretton’s memoirs. He has done a great and well deserved justice to the important part the Strettons played in medical advancements in Kidderminster.

The huge wealth gap between the rich Strettons and the poor was very evident. The stark reality of a time when there was no NHS made me appreciate how good we have it now. In Victorian England treatment had to be paid for.

When there is a smallpox outbreak, a lockdown is put in place to prevent the spread outside of the city. 

Around the same time, a wealthy carpet maker arrives in Kidderminster, complete with a marching band, from the US. With his son, he aims to put the Kidderminster carpet makers out of business. 

Completely immersive, and I couldn’t put it down. Can’t wait for the next one.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Adrian has been a broadcaster and journalist with the BBC for twenty-five years, and is an audiobook narrator, filmmaker and a writer. 

He is one half of Hobeck Books with Rebecca Collins, based in a big old barn in the Staffordshire countryside.

​

Book 3 of 3: The Clapham Trilogy 

By Julie Anderson

Publication date: 28/4/26

Publisher: Hobeck

SYNOPSIS

May 1951

Celebration is in the air with the Festival of Britain and for the first time in years the mood is one of hope rather than hurt.

For Detective Constable Faye Smith, London is not as safe as it seems. The criminal underworld is gaining strength, enjoying a lively existence below the surface. Then two bodies are found in the war-time shelters, a man and a woman. Who are they? What’s their story? Why were they murdered and how did they end up in the shelters?

Meanwhile, Ellie Peveril is busy with a celebration of a different kind. Ellie does all she can to support her friend but has her own worries, with ex-fiancé Patrick Haverstock looming in the shadows. Faye, keen to unravel the mystery of the double murder, finds herself tangled up in crimes that stretch far beyond a simple killing.

Faye and Ellie must face their toughest case yet as their lives change, irrevocably, for the future.

MY REVIEW

I have been reading and enjoying Julie’s books since I read the Cassandra Fortune series years ago. That series is excellent and well worth a read.

This is now the 6th book of Julie’s I have read, and the third instalment of the Clapham Trilogy.

Faye is a strong female main character who made the transition to police officer after book 1 when she helped solve a murder case. She was a hospital administrator at the time working in the women’s hospital just after the Second World War, which is based on a real hospital.

When two bodies are found in the dark and claustrophobic tunnels underneath a budget hotel which used to be used for shelter during the war (I love that Julie sets parts of her books in underground tunnels) Faye and her partner Danny begin investigating who they were and why they were murdered.

The trail takes them into the underbelly of London, facing gangsters and issues which are sadly still happening today.

Faye’s friend and roommate is to be married but there is a spanner in the works by way of an ex who is trying to ruin her life. Faye offers to arrest him if he ruins the wedding!

Those dark tunnels, and mention of the simple meals they are eating and the fact that 6 years after the war there is still rationing make for an atmospheric read. I am always transported into Julie’s books and get quite annoyed when my reading is interrupted! They are not books you want to put down.

Another winning novel and another fabulous trilogy.

I look forward to what Julie writes next.

Thanks as always to Rebecca at Hobeck books for my spot on the blog tour.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Julie Anderson writes historical crime fiction, although she has also written a series of Whitehall thrillers, the third of which, Opera, was listed for the CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger 2023. 

She lives in south London where her latest crime fiction series is set. The Clapham Trilogy comprises ‘The Midnight Man’ (2024), ‘A Death in the Afternoon’ (2025) and ‘Festival Days’ (coming 2026) all published by Hobeck Books. Before becoming a crime fiction writer she was a senior civil servant, working across a variety of departments and agencies, including the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. Unlike her protagonists, however, she doesn’t know where all the bodies are buried. 

She began writing with a short series of historical adventure tales for young people of all ages, the first of which, ‘Reconquista’, was listed for the Children’s Book Award 2016.

Julie also writes crime fiction reviews (and the occasional arts column) for Time and Leisure Magazine and is a co-founder and Chair of Trustees of the Clapham Book Festival, south London’s annual celebration of books and writing. She has been working recently with St Pauls Opera Company as an historical advisor on their production of ‘L’Elisir d’Amore’.

Susan Barrett

Publication Date: 24/4/26

Publisher: Bathwick Hill

SYNOPSIS

London, 1942, ordinary people behave in unaccustomed ways, all changed by their real and recent brush with death delivered by the blitz. We follow four of them deep into the shadowlands of the blackout, back into their own shadowy past – to discover what primed and equipped each to play their part in bringing down the predator who hunts the bomb sits after drank in a city itself transformed by war.

BLOG TOUR STOPS

Please do read the reviews from these lovely bloggers!

MY REVIEW

A literary tale exploring murder by ordinary individuals pushed beyond their limits. Are their actions justifiable?

One of the main themes running through the novel is a very interesting deep dive into poisons. One of our characters is obsessed with poisoners and collects a suitcase full of clippings as he grows his knowledge of poisons and their effects.

The story is inspired by the real life ‘Blackout Ripper’ Gordon Cummins. I have found a podcast about him I shall be listening to.

The story is set against the bleakness of the Second World War, and the lives of four ordinary people. We find out what has brought them to where they are now and I felt so sad for every one of them.

Through their happy times and their sad times, we follow the connection as one person introduced into the story then leads on to another until we are completely invested in all four of them, their lives and what happens to them. 

We are completely immersed into life during the war and how ordinary people lived.

Sadly some of the issues our characters face are still happening today.

And if, like me, you get super excited to find the title of the book within the text, you haven’t long to wait!

This one is going to stay with me and is a keeper. I couldn’t put it down. I’ve already told my husband he must read it. I’m going to be reading the other books by this author for sure.

Seriously this is a must read! You can preorder a Kindle version via Amazon using this link:

https://amzn.eu/d/0fEgA1xD

Or contact the publisher for a physical version

https://bathwickhill.com/

Huge thanks to Kelly Pike at Folk Public Relations for inviting me onto the tour.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Susan Barrett gave up a job in TV production to be at home with young children and to do what she always secretly wanted to do, write.

(The Aunt Lily Yorkshire Dales Mysteries Book 1)

By Anthony Aberford

Publication Date: 21 April 2026

Publisher: Hobeck Books

SYNOPSIS

Some secrets are best left buried; others are better never planted!

In a restored Victorian conservatory, four grieving women from the local wellness centre discover that their friend’s mysterious death, amongst her toxic plants, was not an accident.

When eccentric homoeopath Aunt Lily arrives on her tricycle, she seems just the person to help uncover answers. But who is she really, and why is she there?

A sixteenth-century journal hidden in the conservatory holds dark secrets that could change everything. And an enigmatic stranger will stop at nothing to find it – making false promises and real threats.

Can the friends resist his temptations and unlock the book’s hidden secrets in time? Do they have the strength to make an impossible choice before it is too late?

A creepy tale of intrigue and suspense, full of witty and charming characters, this brand-new cosy mystery novel is perfect for fans of Richard Osman, Jill Johnson and Janice Hallett who like their tea with a twist of tension.

MY REVIEW

Well this is very different to the excellent Inspector Zammitt series, but every bit as much a page-turner.

A genre-bender of a tale told over two timelines merging (not so) cosy murder mystery, supernatural thriller and dipping into tarot readings, witches, a homeopathic remedy book written hundreds of years ago and a conservatory reminiscent of Little Shop of Horrors. 

I fell in love with Aunt Lily as soon as she arrived on her tricycle at the village cafe, putting a rude young teen in his place and offering him a herbal remedy for his spotty face! An eccentric elderly lady with a penchant for cakes, she arrives stating this is exactly where she is meant to be although she is not sure why or even where she came from. I did wonder as the story unfolded whether Aunt Lily had a darker side.

I enjoyed getting to know the other characters too but Aunt Lily was my favourite. I’m so happy to find this is the start of a series and there will be more of Aunt Lily.

This is a book I would recommend to all ages from older teens to grans and granddads.

Thank you Rebecca at Hobeck for an e-ARC to read and review and a spot on the blog tour. 

About the author

Anthony (AJ) Aberford has enjoyed a varied career, having been both a corporate and banking lawyer, owning and running a private investment company and founding a leading Yorkshire craft brewery. Changing direction again, he is now the author of the Inspector George Zammit crime and thriller series.

AJ Aberford still keeps his house in Yorkshire, UK, but lives primarily in Malta, which is the inspiration for the Inspector George Zammit series. Upon moving there, he soon became enthralled by the culture and history of the island that acts as a bridge between Europe and North Africa.

Malta’s position at the sharp end of the migrant crisis, as well as the rapid growth of its commercial and offshore-financial sectors, provide a rich backdrop for his writing. The culture, politics and geography of the southern Mediterranean continually throws-up surprises in this fascinating part of the world, nothing is ever what it seems, with the lines between right and wrong often blurred and twisted.

AJ Aberford is married and has two grown-up sons, as well as grandchildren. He is a keen cook, an adventurous traveller, a cyclist and is currently writing the sixth book in the Inspector George Zammit series. The Inspector Zammit series is published by Hobeck Books https://www.hobeck.net/

by Gretchen McNeil, publishing 01 Sept 2026

 COVER REVEAL

An isolated town. A missing priest. An ancient, hungry darkness.

What starts as a missing person investigation morphs into something much darker when an FBI agent turned Catholic priest and a junior constable arrive on a remote Newfoundland island. This murder-mystery turned horror is perfect for fans of religious horror and cult-classic The Wicker Man

@gretchen_mcneil @blackcrow_pr @blackcrow_bks Designed by @rianhughes 

Pre-order from @waterstones

https://www.waterstones.com/book/we-are-for-the-dark/gretchen-mcneil/9781805530299

The Egyptian Stones book 2

Murray Bailey

Publication date: 6/3/26

SYNOPSIS

An ancient code. A deadly killer. A truth buried beneath the sands of time.

FBI Special Agent Charlie Rebb thought the Surgeon – a notorious serial killer – was a ghost from the past. But when a new series of murders erupts, each marked with strange, arcane symbols, the trail leads Rebb across continents to Egypt… and to a chilling revelation: the Surgeon has returned, and this time, his killings follow a pattern—one tied to a purpose more terrifying than anyone imagined.

Meanwhile, in Egypt, Alex MacLure has uncovered more encoded messages in ancient tablets. An ancient Egyptian was searching for a forgotten symbol. His name appears in a programme written by a brilliant AI student. The student reaches out with a wild theory – but before MacLure discovers the truth, he’s arrested for a murder he didn’t commit.

Thrown together by fate and hunted by forces beyond their understanding, Rebb and MacLure must unlock an ancient secret. They must stop the Surgeon before he unleashes a plan, millennia in the making.

MY REVIEW

Another absolutely cracking thriller from one of my must read authors. Murray never fails to serve up fast paced addictive thrillers which always keep me awake well past bedtime. 

In Mark of Eternity Murray cleverly weaves a present day FBI hunt for a serial killer together with an Egyptologist searching for an ancient Egyptian secret. This is one for DaVinci Code fans.

I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this new series, The Heretic Cypher, and in this second book (which can be read as a stand alone) we continue to follow young Egyptologist Alex MacLure on his quest to decipher ancient stone tablets and reveal their hidden secrets. He becomes a person of interest to the police, and is arrested on suspicion of murder.

FBI agent Charlie Rebb is chasing a serial killer who has fled from Atlanta to Egypt. He has been given the name ‘The Surgeon’ because he has a precise way he murders his victims, leaving a strange mark behind. She must work with the local police in Egypt, who do not make her feel exactly welcome.

The two storylines are seamlessly brought together when the investigating local police officer realises there is a connection between the two cases. 

Absolutely fascinating storyline, as both Alex and Chris follow leads, taking them right into the heart of the pyramids and secrets which lead back to the pharaohs. 

Absolutely recommend this series, along with everything else Murray has written! 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Murray Bailey Is the author of the Ash Carter thrillers, inspired by his father’s experience in the Royal Military Police in Singapore in the early 1950s. From the prequel series, based in Cyprus and Israel, The Prisoner of Acre won the 2025 Page Turner Award. A post-Singapore series is based in the Philippines. The Heretic Cypher is the first book of a trilogy featuring a young Robert Langdon-type character decrypting secret messages written by an ancient Egyptian. 

Murray is well traveled, having worked in the US, South America and a number of European countries throughout his career as a management consultant. However he also managed to find the time to edit books, contribute to articles and act as a part-time magazine editor.

Murray was born in Manchester and now lives on the south coast of England with his family and two dogs, Teddy and Muffin.