If you are looking for a light romance read with a stunning setting – look no further.
Lettie, in her mid-twenties, has recently been made redundant frIf you are looking for a light romance read with a stunning setting – look no further.
Lettie, in her mid-twenties, has recently been made redundant from her job in London’s fashion industry. When she is summoned home to the Island of Jersey, she discovers that her father has been having health problems and is determined to get rid of the farm that he worked on for decades. Lettie, aghast at this news, says that she wants to take over the farm. Her father and her uncle are hesitant because Lettie has no real experience despite growing up on Hollyhock Farm. In addition to the acres of organic produce, the farm has cows, chickens, goats, and alpacas. Quite an undertaking!AI rendering of how I imagined Hollyhock Farm would appear
Oh, and speaking of livestock… there is a young and handsome vet in town. Lettie remembers him as a teen crush, yet he doesn’t seem to remember her at all…
The reader follows Lettie as she strives to prove herself to her father that she can, in fact, hold her own on the farm and keep it ticking over successfully. Meanwhile, she is quite distracted by Brodie, the vet.
As is usual with romance fiction, Lettie and Brodie’s relationship is fraught with many misunderstandings, miscommunication and adversity. Factor in other people who want to date them… oh, and also a stray dog called ‘Thistle’.
“Welcome to Hollyhock Farm” is an enjoyable, escapist read that is sure to be appreciated by fans of romance fiction. It is the first in a prospective series, so more visits to Jersey…...more
The third book in this police procedural series proved just as engaging as the first two. This is a police procedural crime series that is a pleasure The third book in this police procedural series proved just as engaging as the first two. This is a police procedural crime series that is a pleasure to follow.
Once again DS Ashley Knight finds herself heading a crime investigation that proves a real challenge. Hamish MacDonald, a young man, after a night out drinking, wakes up to find himself buried alive in a crude grave. Desperation and adrenaline help him escape. After other men go missing, and with the help of her 'fast track' young constable, Hector Fade, she must discover who is targeting these men who all seem to have some connection to the Vialli Italian crime family. When Hamish is forcefully taken from the hospital, Ashley's case just turned ugly. The patriarch of the Vialli family impedes the investigation once he realizes that his sons and nephews might be involved. Also, this powerful man seems to have someone from the police providing him with classified information. Who is the mole? And how and why are they doing this?
Three books into the series finds Ashley and Hector's friendship maturing. Their banter and jibing adding greatly to my enjoyment of the novel. Now Hector is almost finished his secondment to the team and Ashley wonders what decisions he will make about his future career.
The rest of Ashley's MIT team included DC Barry Hooper (several years younger than Ashley - whom she is sleeping with), DC Emma Stones (mother of three), and the pregnant DS Bhavini Kotecha. Ashley answers to Chief Inspector Vince Kettle. Even the peripheral characters in the book were interesting to get to know, however slightly.
DS Ashley Knight was an intelligent, lonely, and quite damaged protagonist. She has had a lot of 'life lessons' that have caused her to be empathetic to others. She is in her forties and single. In this novel she is looking to advance to Detective Inspector and her assessment is imminent - causing her more stress.
The setting was skillfully described. Norfolk, with all of its autumnal splendor.
The homicide investigation takes up about four months after the last book. In my opinion it would be advantageous to read this series in order to fully realize the development of the characters backstories.
Be warned, there are some distressing topics covered in this book. Gangland murders, torture, and people trafficking to name but three. Furthermore, readers will be delighted that there are some plot twists that keep you guessing. In addition to the present day police investigation, there are some chapters set one month previously that are devoted to the harrowing experiences of illegal immigrants. These chapters made me wonder how they could be linked to the present day criminal investigation.
With a well crafted plot, strong characterization, and a satisfying conclusion, this book should appeal to many fans of the genre. All in all, "Death in Bacton Wood" was a very tense and immersive police procedural and I hope that there are further books in this series. Fingers crossed!
Another enjoyable and compelling read from Laura Pearson!
Shelley Woodhouse is a memorable character. Though we first meet her when she awakens in inteAnother enjoyable and compelling read from Laura Pearson!
Shelley Woodhouse is a memorable character. Though we first meet her when she awakens in intensive care, we learn of her childhood and adolescence via her gradually recurring memories. She is strong, a fighter, and the reader champions her recovery, both physically and emotionally.
We empathize with her. Alone, with few memories, in hospital, Shelley just has two visitors. Her friend Dee (who looks somehow different) and a hospital volunteer named Matt. Dee smells the same, so Shelly is comforted by her presence. Matt brings tea, soup, Kit-Kats, and a listening ear.
This was a novel about a victim of domestic abuse. A victim who turned her life around, so it is a hopeful, yet at times poignant, read. The writing and characters ensured I was glued to the pages. The story is told via a dual timeline. NOW while Shelley is in hospital, and THEN relating her previous life.
The only wee quibbles I had with the story was something near the end (which I can't tell you about, so as not to spoil the story for you.) This 'something' seemed highly unlikely to have been missed by the hospital staff, and I found that it made the ending of the book hard to believe. Though, I did try my hardest to suspend belief on that score and rejoice with Shelley's recovery and future life.
I really enjoyed Shelley's heartwarming story which spoke to the cyclic nature of abuse. I have no qualms about recommending it to my fellow readers. Women's fiction and 'UpLit', with a love story thrown in for good measure....more
Beth's marriage has just dissolved and she's forced into starting over. She feels betrayed and is bitter about her situation. Her cheating husband seeBeth's marriage has just dissolved and she's forced into starting over. She feels betrayed and is bitter about her situation. Her cheating husband seems to have fared much better from their divorce. He lives with his girlfriend in Beth's old house... Now, for financial reasons, Beth has purchased a fixer-upper in a village a half hour's drive away. Her two children, Jacob and Olivia are confused and unhappy that they now have to share a bedroom and travel between the two homes.
Beth is attempting to renovate her little house to make it more comfortable for her and her children. While doing so, she discovers a cache of old 'agony aunt' letters addressed to "Dear Evelyn". After reading some of them, she decides she will carry on the 'Dear Evelyn' letters, only online, and with a modern slant. She hopes this activity will help her curb her loneliness and fill the long evenings alone.
Her decision brings about new friendships, a new pet, and sees her finding her own way to happiness.
This novel is a delightful combination of women's fiction and Uplit. With themes of parenting, step-families, sexuality and fresh starts, it should appeal to many who like 'starting over' novels that have happy endings.
3.5 stars rounded up for Amazon and NetGalley ; rounded down for Goodreads where the stars have different values...more
What a delightful introduction to a new mystery series! With a picturesque setting and personable characters, this novel was a very enjoyable read.
OurWhat a delightful introduction to a new mystery series! With a picturesque setting and personable characters, this novel was a very enjoyable read.
Our protagonist, Jude Gray, is a young, childless widow who now runs her large sheep farm with the help of Noah, her farm manager, and her loyal dog, Pip – all the while missing her late husband dreadfully. When she met her husband Adam, he introduced her to his life-long friends and they accepted her into their warm fold. Now, one of Adam’s friends is getting married, so she sheds her farming clothes and goes to the wedding where she sits with Sarah, now one of her best friends. The morning after the wedding, Jude is shocked to discover Sarah’s dead body in one of her sheep fields… It looks like suicide and that is what the police believe happened. Jude however, believes that Sarah was murdered and she vows to discover exactly what happened.
Jude’s investigation leads her into danger, but she won’t desist until the truth is revealed and justice is served.
This novel portrayed a working sheep farm, in all its messy, arduous glory. Jude was a strong character that I am eager to follow in subsequent novels. In this book her sister and young nephew visited the farm adding some levity to the serious tone. Jude was loyal, empathetic and caring as was shown by her regard for Sarah’s Granny Margot, and by her rescue of a lamb she named ‘Pancake’.
Another favorite character was West Mercia policewoman DS Binita Khatri (Binnie), who risked her career to help Jude. I enjoyed the growing camaraderie between the two women and I hope Binnie returns in future novels as well.
The use of codes and word games within the plot was a winning factor in my opinion, as I am a huge fan of both.
The writing was compelling and made for an easy, enjoyable reading experience. I’m eagerly awaiting the next book in this engaging mystery series....more
This mystery surrounds two families who live across the street from each other. The women of the two couples are best friends. One of the women, ClareThis mystery surrounds two families who live across the street from each other. The women of the two couples are best friends. One of the women, Clare Staines has recently been widowed. Her solicitor husband John, passed away at only fifty-three from cancer. She finds that although she does miss him, she is adjusting to living on her own much better than she thought she would. Then quite by accident, she discovers that John betrayed her in the worst possible way.
The other woman, Vic Dolan, has been having marital troubles, the latest of which saw her husband Rob being physically violent towards her - so she moved out. When Clare and Vic return to Vic's house to clear out some of her things, they find Rob dead.... bludgeoned to death.
Set near Sheffield, this crime thriller features members of the South Yorkshire Police. It is the week of the Queen's funeral, so police manpower is thin on the ground. The murder of Rob Dolan has few detectives investigating, but they do an excellent job.
The other characters in this mystery story include Clare's two adult daughters and their partners, as well as a young man named Jed who lives with his grandmother.
There were no great surprises in this novel. I had things sussed out fairly early, and was only a little off. The characters were well depicted and the plot well rendered. Having said that, I found I didn't like this book nearly as well as the author's previous novel "Fatal Secrets". For me, it was just missing an unidentifiable something, though I'm sure it will garner a lot of mystery fans who love it.
3.5 stars rounded up for NetGalley and Amazon - rounded down for Goodreads where the stars have different values....more
The second book in this police procedural series turned out to be almost as engaging and engrossing as the first one "Death on Cromer Beach". This is The second book in this police procedural series turned out to be almost as engaging and engrossing as the first one "Death on Cromer Beach". This is a police procedural crime series that I intend to follow.
Once again DS Ashley Knight finds herself leading a murder investigation with the assistance of her 'fast-tracked' young police constable, Hector Fade. I very much enjoyed how their relationship developed over the course of the two books. Ashley finds herself confiding in the young policeman which proves therapeutic for her. Their banter and jibing adding greatly to my enjoyment of the novel. The rest of the Ashley's MIT team included DC Barry Hooper (who is attracted to Ashley), and the newly pregnant DS Bhavini. Even the peripheral characters in the book were interesting to get to know, however slightly.
DS Ashley Knight was an intelligent, lonely, and quite damaged protagonist. She has had a lot of 'life lessons' that have caused her to be empathetic to others. She is in her forties and single.
The setting, the Hunstanton area in Norfolk, England was well described and atmospheric. It proved challenging for the police team as it was some distance from their offices and required them to spend a lot of valuable time driving back and forth.
The homicide investigation takes up just two months after the last book, and is a challenging one for the team. Bodies keep turning up... Secrets and lies abound among the residents. Why would someone be killing the middle-aged residents of a caravan park? The manner in which the victims were killed was varied, and looked to be expertly executed. They suspect an assassin. But what could the motive possibly be?
I thoroughly enjoyed the first half of this novel, but I thought that the second half was a tad convoluted. Despite many suspenseful moments, it just seemed overly long...
With strong characterization, this book should appeal to many fans of the genre. All in all, "Death at Paradise Park" was a very enjoyable police procedural and I look forward to further books in this series. Recommended!...more
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