Two Heads Are Better Than One

Rachel Canwell

Publication Date: 12/2/26

Publisher: Northodox Press

SYNOPSIS

Lincolnshire, 1914. As the First World War approaches, three women are living, trapped between the unforgiving marsh, the wide, relentless river, and the isolation of the fen.

Their lives are held fast by profound grief, haunted by the spectres of the past. Trapped by the looming presence and eerie stillness of a hospital that has never admitted a single patient.  

Eleanor longs to escape. To make a life with the man she loves, leaving her sister, and all her ghosts behind. Clara’s marriage is crumbling and violent and she yearns for peace and security for both herself and her innocent children. Meanwhile, Lily, a formidable force of will, stands resolute against the relentless tide of change. She will stop at nothing, no matter the devastating cost, to ensure that life, and her family, remain frozen in an unyielding embrace of the past.

The author, Rachel Canwell, grew up with the story of this forgotten hospital. Isolated, stocked weekly and cleaned daily but never admitting a single patient. The hospital was real, tended by her family for over sixty years and set against the ethereal beauty and loneliness of the Fens, is the inspiration for her novel.

MY REVIEW

Paper sisters is a superb character driven novel; tense, haunting, claustrophobic and emotional, set against a bleak landscape. A harrowing yet compulsive read. 

Following the lives of two sisters left behind after the death of one brother and the marriage of another brother, we are drawn into the difficult relationship between the three siblings living on the Lincolnshire fens in 1914 as war breaks out.

Featuring an old hospital which has never been used but which Eleanor must keep clean and ready, and a collapsed port; both of which are actual places which made the story so believable, although the characters are completely fictional.

We are privy to the innermost thoughts of Eleanor, her sister Lily and her sister in law Clara, all trapped in unhappy lives and difficult, broken relationships. Lost love, mental health struggles and a violent husband together with fall out from the war had me absolutely fascinated and glued to the pages, desperate for a happy ending for the women. 

If you want a read to really get your teeth into, this is it. 

An outstanding debut which I will be recommending far and wide.

My thanks to Northodox Press for sending me an early copy.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rachel Canwell is an author who, having grown up in the Fens, has lived and worked in Cumbria for over twenty years.

Her short fiction has appeared in numerous anthologies. Her collection of flash fiction Oh I Do Like to Be was published in 2022 and her novella-in-flash Magpie Moon in 2023.

Paper Sisters is her first novel.

Social Media

Follow Rachel on X @bookbound2019

Instagram @rachel_canwell

Caroline James

Publication date: 15/1/26

Publisher: Avon

SYNOPSIS

Will the Arctic wonderland work its magic this winter?

Joy never imagined stepping aboard a cruise ship without her husband, Tom. Now widowed, Joy wonders what her voyage on the Emerald Dream will hold – and as it glides through breathtaking Norwegian fjords, she longs to believe in happiness again. However, she carries a secret that could unravel her fragile hopes if it ever came to light…

Elsewhere on deck, as the sun dips below the horizon and the polar night sets in, Henry, a lifelong bachelor, is living his dream of seeing the Northern Lights. Having long since given up on love, he now dedicates himself to his passion for photography. But when he meets Joy, is it more than the aurora borealis that catches his eye?

As they embark on a snow-dusted adventure which takes them from bustling ports to reindeer-drawn sleigh rides, will Joy and Henry find the courage to embrace love again? Or will hidden truths sink the possibility of a new beginning?

A heartwarming, feel-good voyage of self-discovery, romance and second chances, perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan and Judy Leigh.

MY REVIEW

A wonderfully Christmassy Arctic cruise is the focus for this gorgeous heartwarming read which had me glued until I read the very last page in floods of tears. But in a good way!

Being a fan of cruising, I was very keen to read this when the blog tour invitation came through, as a northern lights cruise is high on my list. Perhaps Caroline should be getting a commission from Fred Olsen Cruises for all the cruises which are guaranteed to be booked after reading this novel! 

What a mix of colourful characters we get to know on this cruise. From retired sole travellers Joy and Henry who may or may not get together, depending on his feelings for his neighbour back at home, to the obnoxious but hilarious Barbara and Kenneth, to Lady Eleanor, an 89 year old rich widow, and plenty more interesting characters, there is not a dull moment on this cruise!

I felt I was sitting at their dinner table observing their chats and going on the fabulous trips to some wonderful sounding places for which Caroline has drawn inspiration from places she visited on her own Arctic cruise before writing her book. 

Strangers placed together on a dinner table soon become friends for life. Well at least some of them do. Over the course of the cruise, we find out the secrets behind the smiles.

My favourite character was Jennifer, the lady who cleaned ‘Mr Henry’s’ cabin. Some people just ignore cleaners but Henry, gentleman that he is, took the time to speak to her and make her feel appreciated, and she developed quite a soft spot for him. I knew there would be a story for Jennifer and I was delighted at how it played out. 

I absolutely loved this book which took me away on an unforgettable cruise, and I’m looking forward to the next one, as well as planning to read Caroline’s earlier cruise books. Perhaps I’ll save them until my next cruise ….

Huge thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for my spot on the tour.

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, and her eagerly anticipated follow-up novel, THE CRUISE CLUB, and now: THE ARCTIC CRUISE. 

Her best-selling novel ATTICUS ARNOTT’S GREAT ADVENTURE is described as “A heartwarming and uplifting read where the characters shine from the page.” 

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 in her cosy writing retreat, Caroline enjoys tranquil walks with Fred, her Westie, and refreshing swims in a local lake. As a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, the SoA, ARRA, and the Society of Women’s Writers & Journalists, Caroline is a champion of lifelong creativity.

Social Media Links –

http://www.carolinejamesauthor.co.uk

Twitter: @carolinejames12

Facebook: Caroline James Author

Instagram: carolinejamesauthor

Bluesky: @carolinejames1.bsky.social

The Friend of the Family

Publication Date: 20 Jan 2026

Publisher: Thomas & Mercer

SYNOPSIS

A girl liberated from a carnival sideshow discovers her mysterious purpose in a moving novel about family, sacrifice, and transcendent love by #1 New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz.

The human “oddities” in the Museum of the Strange are less wondrous than the gawking rubes had been promised. But Alida is something else. The real thing. Traveling Depression-era America from carnival midways to speakeasies, Alida is resigned to an exploited and lonely life on the road as the museum’s golden ticket. Until she’s rescued by two compassionate strangers.

Franklin and Loretta Fairchild see in Alida a gifted and uncannily well-read girl in need of a loving touch and a family. With the openhearted couple and their three precociously imaginative children, Alida finds it. Yet despite everyone’s overwhelming generosity and acceptance, Alida knows she is still a very different kind of girl. Her dreams bear that out. They’re vivid, unsettling, and threatening. Alida fears that they’re also warnings. And that it’s the Fairchilds who may need rescue from a bad, bad world.

Alida will do anything to help those she now holds nearest and dearest. Empowered with a purpose to vanquish evil, she will not fail her family.

MY REVIEW

It is only fairly recently I have been introduced to the quirky novels of Dean Koontz, this being the third I have read. 

If you want to read something different, Koontz is definitely your man.

This tender novel is set in the US and written from the POV of a young girl who, when we meet her, is being exhibited near naked as a freak, both in a sideshow and also trailed around speakeasy clubs; the story being set in the 1930’s/40’s. One night a couple sees her and pays her ‘owner’ a large sum to buy her freedom.

She is taken in by her new found family and experiences love and belonging like she had never imagined could happen to her. She immediately gains two sisters and a brother who accept her immediately. Her new parents are rich and famous in the movie industry, regularly having big named actors to their home for dinner.

Changing her name from Alida to Adiel, the girl who does not know where she came from spends her life wondering what her purpose is, and also wondering whether the man who used to own her will come back into her life. We know she has a photographic memory but there are other things about her which are very unusual, and she has a very special gift.

It is a slow moving but engaging novel, very character driven and filled me with immense joy at the kindness of strangers. I didn’t know where the plot was going to go, but I thoroughly enjoyed the journey. The end had me in floods of tears, and was a real ‘wow’ revelation. 

This one is destined for my forever shelf.

Huge thanks to Katrina at FMcM for my early copy of the book to read and review for the blog tour.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dean Koontz, the author of many #1 New York Times bestsellers, lives in Southern California with his wife, Gerda, their golden retriever, Elsa, and the enduring spirits of their goldens, Trixie and Anna.

The Baker Street mysteries #3

Holly Hepburn

SYNOPSIS

Join Harriet White in 1930’s London for another glorious Sherlock Holmes-inspired mystery, for fans of Nita Prose and Janice Hallett.

After a very close call on the Norfolk Fens, Harriet White is about ready to hang up her deerstalker and settle back into her normal life, working in a bank on Baker Street. Until she discovers a letter in The Times newspaper challenging Sherlock Holmes to prove his status as the world’s greatest detective, by solving an impossible mystery. The letter, signed Professor James Moriarty, advises Holmes that the crime will be committed within the following seven days. There will be no further clues – Holmes himself must deduce which crime is the correct one to investigate.

Dismissing the letter as a prank, Harry goes about her business until news breaks of the theft of valuable jewel collection from a safe in an apparently locked room in a Mayfair townhouse.

Intrigued in spite of her misgivings, Harry dons a disguise and investigates. But as she begins to unpick the puzzle, a body is found. And now, a stranger, and far more deadly mystery begins to unfold around her…

MY REVIEW

Before I even started this book, I just had to look up 50 Berkeley Square as the author suggested. Very interesting history and I also recommend looking it up before reading the book.

Now on to the book, which I had been looking forward to reading, having read book 2 in the series. 

I enjoyed catching up with Harriet, known to all as Harry, as she reads a letter in the newspaper addressed to Sherlock Holmes from someone calling themselves Moriarty. The letter invites Holmes to solve an impossible crime which has not yet been committed. Harry works for the Abbey bank which just happens to own property on Baker Street in London including that very famous address. 

Harry’s job is to politely reply to the many letters they receive addressed to Holmes, pretending to be his secretary and advising he is now retired. Until she receives a letter which intrigues her so much she actually decides to investigate, and the ‘real’ Holmes would be immensely proud of her. She is a very determined and capable young woman and, with the help of her friends, gets stuck in. 

It turns out she has a few mysteries to solve in this outing, including one very close to home. 

A clever cosy locked room mystery which I was completely immersed in, excellent descriptions placing the reader in the centre of the action in London and with some very memorable characters. Set in the 1930’s, it is interesting too from a historical point as we read about the role of women at the time, men’s clubs, underground gambling, and the huge gap between the wealthy and the poor. And we visit a circus too.

There is also a potential romance for Harry, giving her more of a personality as I don’t feel we get to know much about the real Harry other than her family is wealthy but she likes to fend for herself by working and she lives alone.

That is exactly the way to finish a book as I’m now very much looking forward to the next one! 

Thank you to Rachel from Rachel’s Random Resources for my spot on the blog tour.

AUTHOR BIO

Holly Hepburn writes escapist, swoonsome fiction that sweeps her readers into idyllic locations, from her native Cornwall to the windswept beauty of Orkney. She has turned her hand to cosy crime inspired by Sherlock Holmes himself. Holly lives in leafy Hertfordshire with her adorable partner in crime, Luna the Labrador.

Social Media Links –

Instagram: @HollyH_Author

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/HollyHepburnNews

Little Duck Pond Café, Book 43

By Rosie Green

Publication date: 29/11/25

SYNOPSIS

Festive excitement is in the air, the tree is sparkling on the village green and Christmas music is making even the most hardened cynic feel a little sentimental – but one Little Duck Pond Café favourite is feeling anything but romantic! Is this destined to be a festive season best forgotten? Or could Katja’s dream of a merry little Christmas possibly end up coming true?
Purchase Link
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Merry-Little-Christmas-Duck-Pond-ebook/dp/B0DSGPTPRB
https://www.amazon.com/Merry-Little-Christmas-Duck-Pond-ebook/dp/B0DSGPTPRB

MY REVIEW

Another gorgeous read from this fabulous series, set in the run up to Christmas.

I loved the story of Katja and Caleb getting together in an earlier book, and this one focuses mainly on their relationship. Katja is concerned Caleb is not as keen on her as she initially thought. I answered texts. Missed her birthday. And why is he spending so much time with a female colleague? Surely there is some genuine reason Caleb is acting strangely as he was so perfect!

So we have a bit of intrigue going on there but also all the friendships and cakes we are used to from this series, which I will never get bored with. 

I love the close relationship Katja has with her Gran who won’t have the wool pulled over her eyes when it comes to Katja.

A great series I highly recommend.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rosie is the author of the popular, long-running Little Duck Pond Café series, set in the fictional English village of Sunnybrook. She loves to write stories that are full of drama, romance, mystery, family and friendship – happy endings guaranteed, of course! She has also written romantic comedies under the name Catherine Ferguson. 

Having studied English at Dundee University, Rosie worked as a journalist and then moved to Surrey, where she set up an organic fruit and veg box scheme. She then gravitated back to her birthplace and now lives with her family in the beautiful county of Northumberland. 

A Merry Little Christmas is out now. New books for 2026 include The Other Lizzie Bennet (January), Rumours, Romance & Rhubarb Crumble (March) and A Cornish Escape (May).
Follow Rosie on Twitter – https://twitter.com/Rosie_Green88
https://www.instagram.com/rosiegreen_author/

Christina Courtenay

Publication Date: 21/11/25

Publisher: Headline Review

SYNOPSIS

West Mercia, AD 873 – Merewen’s settlement is on guard against the outside threat of the
‘Heathen’ Norsemen. But for Merewen, the real threats come from within, as her future is cruelly snatched away from her.
Eirik, a Norseman, finds himself abandoned and injured after his uncle’s plunder of Mercian land goes wrong. He thinks his fate is sealed – until Merewen saves his life.

Hereford, Present Day – Left reeling after a huge betrayal, Alix moves to her grandfather’s farm in Hereford to heal her broken heart. There, after being given a family heirloom, she soon finds herself haunted by memories of a life she never lived, a relationship she never had, and a time in which she never existed.
Local farmer Noah is being hounded by the police to find the Viking hoard that his sister and her criminal boyfriend stole from his farm. Noah must prove his own innocence while struggling to decipher the curious connection he has to newcomer Alix – a bond that seems to transcend their
own reality.
As they search for the lost treasure, Alix and Noah start to feel the whispers of a love they never expected, one powerful enough to echo through history.

Purchase Link – https://geni.us/ripplestime

MY REVIEW

Woohoo another absolutely fabulous dual timeline romance from Christina.

I am such a fan of Christina’s work, having found and loved her Runes series and I have loved every book I have since read, eagerly waiting for the next one! 

In this book we return to Viking times for the historical part. 

In the past section, we get to know Merewen as she is jilted by her fiancée who then goes on to marry her sister. And a lucky escape is had! She meets Eirik; a handsome, injured Norseman who was left behind when his tribe attacked and now he wants nothing to do with them.

In the present, we meet Alix who has also lost her fiancé to her sister and she goes on to meet a handsome farmer who is living on the land Merewen lived on all those years ago. 

As Alix and Noah get to know each other, they share flashbacks of a couple from many years ago. Could they be that couple destined to be together for all eternity? 

The vivid descriptions of life in the 9th century absolutely transports the reader to that time. The clothes, how they live everything meticulously researched and brought to life again.

There is a very clever dog in each timeline too and they play a big part in protecting their owners.

Plenty of clever similarities in the stories on each timeline, and a big connection to the two storylines is a hoarde of treasure found by Noah’s sister and her boyfriend which was buried during Eirik’s lifetime.

I have to say I loved the passing reference to Alix’s favourite band Valhalla Storm who appeared in a previous book! 

Another absolute corker from Christine.

Thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for my spot on the blog tour.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Christina Courtenay writes historical romance, time slip/dual time and time travel stories, and lives in Herefordshire (near the Welsh border) in the UK. Although born in England, she has a Swedish mother and was brought up in Sweden – hence her abiding interest in the Vikings. Christina is a Vice President and former chairman and of the UK’s Romantic Novelists’ Association and has won several
awards, including the RoNA for Best Historical Romantic Novel twice with Highland Storms (2012) and The Gilded Fan (2014) and the Fantasy Romantic Novel of the year 2021 with Echoes of the Runes. RIPPLES THROUGH TIME (dual time historical romance published by Headline Review 21st November 2025) is her latest novel. Christina is a keen amateur genealogist and loves history and
archaeology (the armchair variety).
Social Media Links –
Website:- http://www.christinacourtenay.com
FaceBook:- Christina Courtenay Author Page –
https://www.facebook.com/christinacourtenayauthor?fref=ts
Twitter/X:- @PiaCCourtenay – https://twitter.com/PiaCCourtenay
Instagram:- @christinacourtenayauthor – https://www.instagram.com/ChristinaCourtenayAuthor/
Bluesky:- @christinacourtenay.bsky.social – https://christinacourtenay@bsky.social

Antony Johnston

PUBLICATION DATE: 20/11/25

PUBLISHER: Allison & Busby

SYNOPSIS

It’s almost Christmas, and actress and amateur sleuth Gwinny Tuffel is still pondering what to buy DCI Birch (retired) and whether she could adopt a new furry friend. But sorting through her late father’s papers leads her into his mysterious past, pointing to an enigmatic ‘liaison’ now living in a Somerset commune populated by a group of retired spies. When Gwinny and Birch are unexpectedly snowed in at the remote farmhouse, they find that any skeletons in her father’s closet have been joined by a body in the attic. Surrounded by people for whom keeping secrets is second nature, along with an energetic Cocker Spaniel, Gwinny and Birch are embroiled in a murder case once again. Will they uncover the culprit and escape in time for Christmas?

MY REVIEW

Another splendid outing for Gwinny and her boyfriend, ex Met DCI Birch.

I am loving this series and was delighted to be offered an early copy of Gwinny’s Christmas outing. Thank you to the publisher.

When sorting out some files in her late father’s study, Gwinny stumbles across a file. An intriguing file as her father had never mentioned the man named in it. Now Gwinnie is about as curious as they come, so it didn’t take long for her to convince Birch to join her on a visit to one of her father’s acquaintances who, now living in a remote farmhouse with a group of ex colleagues, might be able to shed some light on the file.

Of course it wouldn’t be a Dog Sitter Detective book without a murder, and an unplanned stopover finds Gwinnie cut off in bad weather in a house with a murder to solve. With Birch and two dogs along for the ride, we are guaranteed an addictive page-turner. 

The perfect read for today’s snowy weather!

Superb characters and plenty of laugh out loud moments makes this series a top cosy crime read. Get it on your list!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Antony Johnston is one of the most versatile writers of the modern era. 

The Charlize Theron movie ATOMIC BLONDE was based on his graphic novel. His murder mystery series THE DOG SITTER DETECTIVE won the Barker Book Award. His crime puzzle novel CAN YOU SOLVE THE MURDER? reinvented choose-your-own-story books for a mainstream audience and was a Waterstones Paperback of the Year. The BRIGITTE SHARP spy thrillers are in development for TV. And his productivity guide THE ORGANISED WRITER has helped authors all over the world take control of their workload.

Antony is a celebrated videogames writer, with genre-defining titles including DEAD SPACE, SHADOW OF MORDOR, and RESIDENT EVIL VILLAGE to his credit. He also consulted on the Emmy Award-winning SILENT HILL ASCENSION, making him the only writer in the world to have worked on all of the ‘big three’ horror gaming franchises.

His immense body of work also includes Marvel superheroes such as DAREDEVIL, WOLVERINE, and SHANG-CHI, the award-winning ALEX RIDER graphic novels, the post-apocalypse epic WASTELAND, and more. He wrote and directed the sci-fi film CROSSOVER POINT, made entirely in quarantine during the coronavirus pandemic.

An experienced podcaster and public speaker, he also frequently writes articles on the life of an author, and is a prolific musician.

Antony is a former vice chair of the Crime Writers’ Association, a member of International Thriller Writers and the Society of Authors, a Shore Scripts screenwriting judge, and sits on the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain’s videogames committee. He lives and works in England.

Lynette Creswell

Publication Date: 14 November 2025

Ages: 3-7 years

SYNOPSIS

The eggs are ready, but the Easter Bunny’s sick.

When the Easter Bunny catches a cold, the Egg Hunt is in jeopardy. Determined to save the day, two brave hoglets, Prickles and Primrose, team up with their friend Rosie Rabbit on a race against the clock to decorate and hide the eggs.
With mischievous Freddie Fox up to his old tricks and a secret helper working behind the scenes, surprises await at every turn.

Can Prickles and Primrose save the hunt?

Through teamwork, kindness, and a sprinkle of wonder, the friends embark on an unforgettable adventure, ensuring the hunt remains as special as ever.

A delightful tale in the spirit of Peter Rabbit and The Gruffalo.

MY REVIEW

Another wonderful children’s book from Lynette, continuing her series of Hoglets stories.

At just over 30 pages, and many of them with full page illustrations, this is a book which can be read quickly and is sure to become a bedtime favourite.

Children will enjoy trying to spot the coloured egg in every illustration.

An uplifting story of friendship, being helpful, and also teaches children not to steal.

Adorable.

Huge thanks to Lynette for my early review copy of the book.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lynette was born in London, but moved to Burnley, Lancashire when she was a small child. From the tender age of five she was raised by her grandmother and given books to help keep her quiet. Lynette found she had a passion for reading and subsequently started writing once she began school.

Years later, Lynette’s husband was so impressed with her ability to capture children’s imaginations with her stories that he encouraged her love of writing by buying her a laptop in the hope she would write something more substantial. So, with a little push in the right direction, Lynette decided to write a fantasy trilogy and the subject would be something that all children love to read about (and most adults too) – magic!

Her inspiration came from childhood books written by Enid Blyton. The Enchanted Wood and The Faraway Tree were her first real taste of fantasy and the reason why she writes today. 

Her first novel, Sinners of Magic, was published in 2012 and is now receiving attention from both London and American film producers. Betrayers of Magic became the second book of the series followed by Defenders of Magic. 

Lynette has since had one of her short stories published in America, hitting No 4 in the US bestsellers charts. The Witching Hour is only available via Amazon Kindle.

Lynette now lives in North Lincolnshire with her husband and King Charles spaniel, Ruby. All of her grandchildren are the apple of her eye.

You can contact Lynette via her website and blog: http://www.Lynetteecreswell.wordpress.com

Follow her on Twitter: @Creswelllyn

Brian Price

Publication Date: 4 November 2025

Publisher: Hobeck Books

SYNOPSIS

Pleasure or murder?
Was journalist Jenny Pike seeking extreme pleasure or was she murdered? Mexton police and her partner are suspicious. Things just don’t add up. Who would want Jenny killed and why? If she was murdered, then why was there no trace of the killer?

Deadly weapons
A mystery gunman is injured as his weapon blows up in his face. Someone is making blank weapons lethal. Mexton police are baffled. Meanwhile, a ruthless gangster is after a stolen laptop, and he will stop at nothing to get it back. What is on that laptop?

A dangerous turf war
Soon Mexton is in turmoil with illegal firearms, a vengeful crime boss and an impossible crime to solve. A turf war between drug dealers looms and the police seem powerless to stop it. Can DC Mel Cotton and her colleagues solve the riddles facing them without getting killed? Can a lethal conflict be prevented, before someone gets seriously hurt?

MY REVIEW

If you are in need of a new crime thriller series, you need to read Brian’s ‘Fatal’ series centred around the very capable and very brave DC Mel Cotton. She gets herself into, and out of, a lot of very dangerous situations.

I have read and thoroughly enjoyed 5 of the 6 in the series and I must buy and read the one I’m missing.

So this is book 6 in the series and is mainly about two rival drug gang leaders and an increasingly dangerous turf war. There are also a few other crimes cleverly weaved in to the narrative. So many murders for a small police force to investigate.

The dead bodies pile up. The tension builds and builds. The action does not let up for a second. I stayed awake until after 1am on two consecutive nights as I couldn’t put it down! 

The whole story reads as very authentic thanks to Brian’s own experience and his meticulous research.

Must say, I can’t get a certain Bananarama song out of my head now!

I very highly recommend this addictive series. Love the characters, the setting, the action, the tension. It really doesn’t get better than this!

Many thanks for Rebecca at Hobeck for my spot on the tour.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brian Price is a chemist and biologist who retired from the Environment Agency in 2016. He is the author of Crime Writing: How to write the science and runs a website offering tips on science for crime writers (www.crimewriterscience.co.uk). He taught science and technology courses for the Open University for 26 years. He has advised number of leading crime writers on scientific aspects of crime.

Brian’s first crime novel, Fatal Trade, was published, as an ebook and paperback, by Hobeck Books on 14th September 2021. A free novella, Fatal Beginnings, is available from Hobeck Books at http://www.hobeck.net. The sequel, Fatal Hate, was published in April 2022 and third novel in the series, Fatal Dose, came out on 31st January 2023. Fatal Blow, the fourth book, is due out on 17th October.

Several of his short stories appear in the anthologies Cuckoo, Lock and Key and Seventy Three, produced by the writing group Writers in Stone, and he has had stories published in the charity anthologies, The Dark Side of Christmas and Cooking the Books (published by Hobeck). His short story The Scent of an Ending appeared in the Crime Writers Association collection Music of the Night.

Find out more about Brian at http://www.brianpriceauthor.co.uk

Rosie Green

SYNOPSIS

A Hallowe’en wedding is taking place in Sunnybrook! One well-loved Little Duck Pond Café regular will be walking down the aisle at a reputedly haunted manor house miles from anywhere – and it’s set to be the spookiest and most fun Big Day ever. But when the local river floods and the wedding party is stranded there overnight, weird things start to happen. Are ghostly antics at play here? Or is there something far more sinister going on? Will the wedding even go ahead?

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DSBXXNT5
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DSBXXNT5

MY REVIEW

Rosie never fails to sweep me away in her gorgeous romantic novellas.

Another wonderful story, and it’s nice to read about romance in the older characters.

Clara is a famous and very successful florist with her own TV programme, resigned to her single life. Or is she? When her one true love, Mark, unexpectedly appears back in her life she realises she never really got over him. But is he really over his ex wife?

Mick and Sylvia are planning their Halloween themed wedding in an old gothic Manor House, and there may even be a ghost! 

The perfect Halloween romance read with a touch of the supernatural and plenty of secrets, and I honestly don’t know how Rosie fits so much story and depth of characters into her novellas, but she does. I adore every one I have read and hope they keep coming.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Welcome to my author page!

Rosie is the author of the popular, long-running Little Duck Pond Café series, set in the fictional English village of Sunnybrook. She loves to write stories that are full of drama, romance, mystery, family and friendship – happy endings guaranteed, of course! She has also written romantic comedies under the name Catherine Ferguson. 

Having studied English at Dundee University, she worked as a journalist and then moved to Surrey, where she set up an organic fruit and veg box scheme. She then gravitated back to my birthplace and now lives with her family in the beautiful county of Northumberland. 

Autumn Wishes & Fireside Kisses is out now; and A Merry Little Christmas will be published in November. New books for 2026 include The Other Lizzie Bennet (January), Rumours, Romance & Rhubarb Crumble (March) and A Cornish Escape (May).

Follow Rosie on Twitter – https://twitter.com/Rosie_Green88