Sharon Booth's Blog, page 6

Every Woman for Herself by Trisha Ashley

Every Woman for Herself is another brilliant Trisha Ashley novel. Her heroine is one Charlotte (Charlie) Fry, nee Rymer, whose extremely selfish husband decides their marriage is over (a fait accompli, apparently) and basically clears off back to Saudi on his next business trip, leaving Charlie to pick up the pieces and start again. Charlie doesn’t sit around, weeping and wailing. She decides to get on with her life, and, after a rather unfortunate episode with a frying pan that is just a joy to read, in a rather guilty way, she heads home to her father’s house on the Yorkshire moors.

Charlie’s amorous father has had a long string of mistresses, and his current one, the glamorous Jessica, is currently living at the Parsonage (not a real Parsonage, just its name) along with her two children. It’s rather crowded, as, besides Charlie’s older sister Em, who is most definitely in charge of the place, their other sister, Anne, has returned home, as has brother Bran, an absolutely extraordinary character.  It’s quite difficult to tell whether Bran is mad or just very, very clever. Either way, eccentric doesn’t even begin to cover it, but I loved reading about him. As you can probably tell, Charlie’s father had a real interest in the Brontes and was trying to recreate them, in some sort of strange experiment. He’s another eccentric!

In the family’s cottage, just down the road,  the exotic-looking famous actor, Mace North, and his little girl are staying, while Mace works on his play. When Charlie’s misadventures in her new job lead to her being sacked, Em arranges for her to work for Mace, taking care of his daughter, and before long they have built up quite a rapport. With the help of Em, who is now dabbling in the dark arts, Mace falls under Charlie’s spell – at least, that’s what Charlie believes. Funny, then, that Gloria’s potion to remove the spell doesn’t seem to work.  The all-seeing Gloria isn’t keen on Mace, and doesn’t want him to get his hands on Charlie. She sees nothing but disaster in such a union. On the other hand, she could be getting mixed up.

Em, who is keeping a tight rein on the house, is fighting a determined battle to prevent Jessica from taking over her home and changing the way things are done. Nothing is going to distract her from that purpose. Or is it?

Anne, a war correspondent, is fighting a different sort of battle, and she’s taking it all in her stride, including moving on from the boyfriend who badly let her down, just when she needed him most.

It’s a chaotic household, but it’s very much held together with love and laughter, and the Parsonage has always been the place that the family can return to and find things carrying on, pretty much as what passes for normal in the Rymer family. So, when Jessica announces that she is marrying their father, and then decides they are going to sell the Parsonage and move into a more modern, comfortable house, it’s a real blow to them all. Can the Rymers pull together and stay together? Especially after a particularly disturbing piece of information about Charlie and Bran comes to light.

With a lovestruck, leather-clad vicar, a group of friendly, neighbourhood witches, and a vengeful widow who is determined to wreck Charlie’s life, this is an extremely entertaining novel. Then there’s Skint Old Northern Woman, a real stroke of genius on Charlie’s (and the author’s!) part. Throw in the unsentimental warmth of the family relationships, the smouldering sex appeal of Mace North, dogs, children, and laugh-out-loud scenes, and you have a really wonderful story that’s an absolute joy to read.

Definitely five stars from me!

You can buy Every Woman for Herself here.

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Merry Christmas

[image error]It’s Christmas Eve! I can’t quite believe that the big day is almost upon us. It seemed to be hovering in the distance for such a long time, and now it’s so close I can practically hear those sleigh bells. I think I say the same thing every year!

Christmas preparations are almost done. I don’t have children living at home any more, so it’s not as frantic as it used to be when I had five little ones, all with very high expectations of a perfect day. No pressure there, then! It’s a lot easier, now, with just the husband and the dog to think about. On the other hand, I can’t deny that it’s lost a certain something. I do miss having the kids around most at Christmas. They were noisy, chaotic and very messy, but Christmases with five children at home were also amazing, exciting, and rekindled the joy of the festive season in me every year.

How are your Christmas preparations going? This year, I actually managed to write all my cards and post them or [image error]give them out in time. I can’t remember the last time I managed that. The last of the food shopping is being delivered today, and I’ve already had an email to say there are no major substitutions, which for Christmas Eve, is pretty impressive. Even the presents are wrapped, and most of them have already been delivered.

Of course, not everything’s gone according to plan. Two parcels have gone astray. One was delivered to the sorting depot on the 9th December and hasn’t been seen since. Investigations are in progress but I’ve heard nothing so far, and I doubt I will now, this side of  January. The other was delivered to some mysterious person at some mysterious address. It was signed for, but no one has come forward to tell me they have it. Again, investigations are in progress…Hmm. I actually ordered the item again, as I couldn’t hang around while the company tried to figure out what had happened, but there has been no sign of that one at all. Can’t say I’m impressed with the delivery company. Amazon, on the other hand, have been brilliant. Everything ordered from them has arrived well on time. There have even been Sunday deliveries! Impressive.

[image error]The thing is, whatever’s not here now isn’t going to be here for Christmas, and it’s no use worrying about it. I’m determined not to stress about all this stuff. It’s sad but true that the most wonderful time of the year is also the time when we lose sight of everything that matters, lost in a fog of panic, and a dreadful fear of failure. Today I’m seeing some of my kids and grandchildren, watching my favourite film, It’s a Wonderful Life, and maybe even treating myself to a festive snowball! Christmas is for enjoying, and I intend to do just that. It’s too easy to get caught up in believing you have to have the “perfect” Christmas, and thinking that to achieve that you have to tick off every single thing on your to-do list, when, really, none of it matters at all.  I think this poem by Sir John Betjeman sums it up perfectly:

Christmas

The bells of waiting Advent ring,

The Tortoise stove is lit again

And lamp-oil light across the night

Has caught the streaks of winter rain

In many a stained-glass window sheen

From Crimson Lake to Hookers Green.

The holly in the windy hedge

And round the Manor House the yew

Will soon be stripped to deck the ledge,

The altar, font and arch and pew,

So that the villagers can say

‘The church looks nice’ on Christmas Day.

Provincial Public Houses blaze,

Corporation tramcars clang,

On lighted tenements I gaze,

Where paper decorations hang,

And bunting in the red Town Hall

Says ‘Merry Christmas to you all’.

And London shops on Christmas Eve

Are strung with silver bells and flowers

As hurrying clerks the City leave

To pigeon-haunted classic towers,

And marbled clouds go scudding by

The many-steepled London sky.

And girls in slacks remember Dad,

And oafish louts remember Mum,

And sleepless children’s hearts are glad.

And Christmas-morning bells say ‘Come!’

Even to shining ones who dwell

Safe in the Dorchester Hotel.

And is it true? And is it true,

This most tremendous tale of all,

Seen in a stained-glass window’s hue,

A Baby in an ox’s stall ?

The Maker of the stars and sea

Become a Child on earth for me ?

And is it true ?  For if it is,

No loving fingers tying strings

Around those tissued fripperies,

The sweet and silly Christmas things,

Bath salts and inexpensive scent

And hideous tie so kindly meant,

No love that in a family dwells,

No carolling in frosty air,

Nor all the steeple-shaking bells

Can with this single Truth compare –

That God was man in Palestine

And lives today in Bread and Wine.

[image error] I fully appreciate that not everyone believes that “God was man in Palestine”, but the Christmas message of love, hope, and forgiveness is relevant to everyone – and maybe it’s more important than ever in these troubled times.
So I’d like to wish you all a very merry, peaceful Christmas. Have fun, make memories, and remember to enjoy it – even if you don’t get the exact present you wanted, or the turkey’s too dry, or Uncle Bill gets completely sozzled and falls asleep with his head in the pudding. One day, you’ll look back on Christmas 2016, and you won’t remember the things you forgot to do, or the things that didn’t arrive in time. You’ll remember the love, the laughs, and the feelings. That’s Christmas for you.

Have a good one!
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Deck the Halls by Emily Harvale

I absolutely loved this book! I admit, when I first started reading it I was a little jolted by the use of present tense. It’s not something I’ve come across often, but I quickly adjusted to it. In fact, because of the use of present tense and first person, it really felt as if I was right there with Harriet, and I actually really enjoyed reading a book written in this fashion for a change.

I liked every character in the story (except for Art’s family, who were all completely hideous!). It was a pleasure – especially at this time of year – to read about a family that is so loving and affectionate. Even more so when the family is a blended family. Harriet gets on equally well with her half-siblings and step-siblings and is genuinely fond of her step-mother, which is so refreshing.

The Hall itself is another character, and I loved the description of the Tudor house, and the way it clearly means so much to the family, even if it is falling down around their ears.

Enter Lance, friend of the family and hero of the holidays. He’s definitely the sort of man you’d want close by when your stately home is crumbling to bits, you have your prospective in-laws coming to visit, and you may have misled them – just a teensy bit – about how grand your house is. Lance is kind, capable, and distinctly gorgeous. And there’s an instant spark between him and Harriet that almost the entire family recognises, even before Harriet herself is ready to acknowledge it.

There’s a lot of humour in this book. At times I actually laughed out loud. I loved Harriet. She’s a girl after my own heart. I especially loved the way her heartbreak wasn’t helped by copious helpings of Christmas comfort food. I mean, she really tried to cheer herself up! The twins and their fabulous aim when throwing snowballs really amused me, as did her stepbrother’s penchant for blowing things up while conducting scientific experiments. Aunt Vicki is also a great character, and I could just picture her in my mind – all-seeing and all-knowing.

This is a real festive treat, with a beautiful old house, Christmas lights, a wonderful family, and a lovely romance to enjoy. I so loved meeting the Halls, and I really hope there’s more to come from them. Wonderful. 5/5

You can buy Deck the Halls here.

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A Christmas Romance by Amy Perfect (Lynda Renham)

As signalled by the fact that Lynda Renham is writing as Amy Perfect, rather than under her own name, this book is a little different to her usual romcoms. It’s still funny, but it’s set at a gentler pace, and is cosier, somehow. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I really loved it.

Little Perran is the sort of place many people would love to live in. A picturesque Cotswolds village where everyone knows everyone, and everybody cares what’s going on in their neighbours’ lives.

Frankie has been badly betrayed by her boyfriend Paul, so there’s a lot of sympathy for her. Everyone wants to see her happy. Frankie just wants to get on with her life and think about something else, and it seems she’ll get her wish, when news hits the village that famous film star Roux Lockhart is coming to stay in Little Perran. Everyone is buzzing with excitement, even though they’ve been sworn to secrecy.

Because Roux is staying at her Aunt Rose’s house, Frankie has reason to cross paths with him, and there’s an undeniable attraction between them. Roux has recently broken up with his actress girlfriend and he certainly isn’t looking for love. Frankie is still reeling from Paul’s betrayal and romance is the last thing she wants or needs. Or is it?

When the two of them go missing in a terrible snowstorm, the villagers fear the worst. What could possibly have happened to Frankie and Roux? And with the disappearance of a major film star in the news, it seems Little Perran won’t be having such a quiet Christmas, after all.

With a dodgy Christmas cake competition, a village flirt, and two publicity-seeking exes on the scene, as well as a lovely subplot involving Frankie’s mum and a nursing home, this book is a really fun and uplifting Christmas book, which is just the thing to help get you in the festive mood. I look forward to returning to Little Perran to see what happens there next.  5/5

You can buy A Christmas Romance here.

A Holly Bay Christmas by Jo Bartlett

Jo Bartlett certainly knows how to tell a good Christmas story. A year or two ago, I read and reviewed her lovely novella, The Gift of Christmas Yet to Come (which, by the way, is being reissued by Accent Press with an absolutely gorgeous new cover) and I thought then that she really knew how to fill her readers with Christmas spirit. A Holly Bay Christmas, is, I’m delighted to report, just as enjoyable, and just as festive.

Holly Bay is an absolutely charming little village nestling on the Cornish coast. It’s full of those delightful little shops and businesses that you find in Cornwall, and it’s populated by a community of people who really pull together and care for each other.

Maddie’s entire world revolves around her bookshop/teashop, Basil’s Adventures, which is named after her beloved grandfather. He was the biggest influence upon her life, teaching her the wonders and delights of reading, and how to escape into the magic of a book. Although he rarely travelled outside the town, he had a whole lifetime of adventures in his imagination, and so, when he died and left Maddie an inheritance, she used it to fulfil her dream of opening her own business, naming it after him. She is devoted to her work, has a cosy flat in Holly Bay, and plenty of friends. She can’t help wondering, though, if it’s time she gave some thought to finding romance. Not that there seems much chance of that, when she’s so busy, particularly now that it’s almost Christmas and Holly Bay is a hive of activity.

So when the attractive and friendly Ben Cartwright arrives in town, it seems like fate. Ben seems very interested in her, in her business, and in her friends. Could he be the man of her dreams?

When he helps out with raising funds for a charity that is close to her heart, and even dons an elf costume to help out, she begins to think that, just maybe, he actually might be just that. But dreams don’t always come true, and secrets have a habit of being discovered, often at the most inconvenient times. What is Ben really doing in Holly Bay?

As a storm sweeps in, bringing destruction in its path, the residents of this little town must work together to help each other, and to make one little boy’s Christmas dreams come true. The key to it all is Ben, but can he be trusted? Is Maddie about to lose everything she holds dear, or is it going to be a happy Holly Bay Christmas, after all?

A heartwarming, cosy festive story that will really put you in the mood for the festive season. Merry Christmas! 5/5

You can buy A Holly Bay Christmas here.

Daughter of Pendle by Rowan Scot-Ryder

I should imagine that many people have heard of the Pendle Witches. The witchcraft trials of the early seventeenth century have become the stuff of legend, and a whole industry has sprung up around the unfortunate people who were accused of bewitching their neighbours, and even of murder, and were sent to Lancaster to answer to their “crimes”. What Rowan Scot-Ryder has done, in this captivating book, is give those people a humanity. They no longer seem like names of almost mythological beings, but real people, caught up in the most horrific events.

A great deal of the book is taken up with the story of Jennet Device, the youngest daughter of one of the families accused. It is Jennet’s sister, Alizon, who in effect starts the whole terrifying business, when she encounters a pedlar, John Law. In the witchcraft trial, it was stated that Alizon demanded pins and Law refused to give them to her, firstly because of the expense, and secondly because he feared what she would do with them. (It was well known that pins were used in witchcraft.) It was stated by Law’s son Abraham, that Alizon had no intention of paying for the pins, and when Law wouldn’t comply with her request, she cursed him, causing him to fall ill.

The author takes this event and gives it a new slant, looking at it from Alizon’s point of view. What she shows is the terrifying speed with which events start to snowball from that point, leading to the arrest of Alizon, her brother Jem, mother Elizabeth, and grandmother, known as Demdike. Not only the Device family are named, but neighbours, too. Friends of the family, and bitter enemies, the Whittles – including Demdike’s nemesis, Chattox.

Jennet Device is on record as being nine years old when she was called to give evidence against her family. In this book, the author states that her mother told the authorities she was nine to protect her, but in actual fact she was eleven, and had turned twelve by the time the trial started. Either way, there’s no doubt that she was still a little child, vulnerable and afraid, yet she was made to stand on a table in front of a room full of angry people, and tell them all of the things she had “seen” and “heard” her family and neighbours do.

It’s not entirely certain what happened to Jennet after the trial which saw her family hang, but it is known that a woman by the same name was jailed for witchcraft offences some twenty or so years later. Rowan Scot-Ryder uses this to continue her story, and in this fictionalised account of the events, we learn that it is indeed the same Jennet. What brings her back to Lancaster and leads her to being accused of the same crimes as her family is a fascinating tale and, again, the author weaves in facts to give it a very authentic ring.

I have to admit, I read this story with growing anger. Anger because the way the poor were dismissed and ignored is just appalling. Anger because women were used as scapegoats, and any woman who refused to stay in her place, or give a man what he wanted, risked being accused of heinous crimes that those in authority were all too keen to believe. And anger because those with money and power used their position to levy a justice that was no justice at all. Those with no money had no voice, and there was no such thing as a fair trial.

I also felt desperately sad and helpless. They were caught in a situation there was simply no escape from. Anyone different was viewed with suspicion, and even the elderly – sick and blind at that – were not given any reprieve. It was frightening to see how things were developing, and how quickly more and more people were caught in the web of accusations and lies. Whichever way they turned, whatever they said, they were condemned, and it was clear that they had no way out of the situation they were in.

My heart broke for Jennet, who carried the guilt for the result of her “evidence” for the rest of her life. What she suffered was just awful, and although it’s said that her mother screamed and cursed at her in the courtroom, I much prefer to believe this version, and actually find it easier to believe. It must have devastated Elizabeth Device to see what they had done to her child. No doubt she had spent months worrying about her, and about what they were doing to her. To hear Jennet saying the things she said, must have confirmed her worst fears and broken her heart, too.

Interestingly, the author chooses to weave in the mythology of the area. She includes events that can only be viewed as magical, and, rather than dismissing the talk of “witchcraft” as nonsense, she leads us to conclude that there was indeed something different about the Device family, at least, although it becomes clear that there was nothing evil about it. It’s quite telling that she has some of her characters speaking Latin occasionally, a language that the “old queen” Elizabeth the First has banished, because of its Catholic connotations. In that sense, it becomes obvious that anything not complying with the official protestant religion is unacceptable. It’s the narrow mindedness of the puritanical movement that deems anything outside its own parameters as evil. I thought this was handled well in the book. It opens the reader’s mind in a way that simply letting us believe that events were black or white would never do.

As the book continues on to the next generation, and history repeats itself, we get at last the hope of a happy ending. Jennet’s daughter Beth finds happiness, and it seems there will be a new start for the family.

The author leaves us with one last twist, and what a twist it is. Shocking, and yet, somehow, inevitable. I won’t say any more as I don’t want to spoil it for other readers. I will simply end this review by saying that this is a book that will stay with me, and will make me look at the historical facts with new eyes, and a huge amount of compassion. A really compelling read. 5/5

You can buy Daughter of Pendle here.

 

Catching Up!

Hello to you, dear readers! (I sounded a bit Miranda-ish then, didn’t I? Sorry. Not that that’s a bad thing, I hasten to add. Sounding like Miranda, I mean, not being sorry. Shall I start again?)

Hello! I hope you’re having a lovely weekend, whatever you’re doing. I thought I’d pop up this post because we haven’t had a chat for a while, have we? And I think we are well overdue a catch up.

It’s been a busy few weeks, as you can probably imagine. Once Upon a Long Ago was published on the 26th September, and it was a massive relief to push Lexi and Will out into the big, wide world. It was as if I’d had the longest pregnancy in history and had finally given birth. (I’m back to Miranda again, aren’t I? In her “what I call” Call the Midwife role.) Their story did start back in 2011, after all. At least in my mind. It’s been a long time…

Just a couple of weeks after that, I published my Christmas novella, Baxter’s Christmas Wish. That started life as a People’s Friend pocket novel, but it’s now a cosy festive story, all brightened up with tinsel and glitter, and is on sale for just 99p so, really what have you got to lose? And it’s also available in paperback, which is lovely. Actually, all my books are available in paperback. I think we forget that, sometimes, because the modern publishing industry seems geared to ebooks, and I have to be honest and say the Kindle versions of my books massively outsell the paperbacks, but it’s always lovely to have a copy for my bookshelf and, besides, my mother doesn’t do ebooks.

So, what else have I been up to? Well, today, I’m over on Helen Pollard’s lovely blog, chatting about the Kearton Bay books, the pros and cons of writing a series, and those gorgeous Yorkshire settings. You can read our conversation here.

I’ve also just published a short story on Wattpad. It was something I wrote ages ago, and I didn’t quite know what to do with it, but today I thought, why not put it up for anyone and everyone to read for free? I’m kind-hearted and generous like that, you see. You can read Lilac Wine here.

Finally, I’m hard at work on Skimmerdale 2. Aren’t I just! Do you know, I was actually up until half past three this morning, tapping away at my laptop! That’s dedication for you. I have to admit, it’s lovely to back in the Yorkshire Dales, and even lovelier to be back in the company of my gorgeous sheep farmer, Eliot. I am completely smitten with him. I can’t imagine why. Just because he’s got gorgeous black curls, and dark chocolate brown eyes, and a smile to die for. Funny, I seem to be hearing the Poldark theme tune in my mind. I wonder why? Life is a mystery…

I’m hoping Skimmerdale 2 – which currently has two possible titles and I’m not sure which, if any I’ll choose just yet – will be out in spring 2017. Then I have an idea I’m working on for another Christmas story, but this time it will be a full-length novel, and quite different from anything I’ve published so far.

So you see, I’m quite busy, and yet I still made time to have this cosy little chat with you. I’m a star, aren’t I? I may sound a bit deranged, but I’m currently fuelled by  coffee, crisps and Cadbury’s Creepy Cake Bars, which have a cinder toffee filling and are much tastier than you’d expect with that name. (This author would like to point out that other cake bars are available, and not just from Cadbury’s. And I should know…)

Have a great week!

 

Meet Baxter, the Boisterous Boxer – It’s Christmas Novella Time!

So, here I am, discussing my latest book. It seems like only a matter of weeks since I was talking about the publication of Once Upon a Long Ago. Oh, wait – it is only a matter of weeks! Heck, I’m not usually that fast, am I?

To be truthful, this Christmas novella was written last year, as a People’s Friend pocket novel, All Because of Baxter. Pocket novels only stay on the shelves for two weeks, and it struck me as a bit of a waste of a gorgeous dog, so I decided to release it myself later on.

As I was thinking about reworking it, it occurred to me that it would make an ideal Christmas story. It’s quite a cosy, romantic sort of book, about love (obviously), friendship, and belonging. I decided to give it a festive twist and the result is Baxter’s Christmas Wish.

It was inspired by my young work colleague, Leah, whose dog, George, is a real character. While Leah regaled us with tales of her naughty Boxer and his latest antics, my imagination was working overtime. Could a boisterous dog be the means of bringing happiness back to a lonely young woman and her little boy? It turned out that Baxter was more than capable, and this story is the result.

I hope you enjoy it. Here’s the blurb.

When Ellie Jackson’s marriage unexpectedly ends, she and her young son, Jake, seek refuge with Ellie’s cousin, Maddie. But Maddie soon tires of her house guests, including her own boisterous rescue Boxer dog, Baxter.

A trip to the park proves eventful, when Baxter literally bumps into Dylan.

Kind, funny, and not-too-shabby in the looks department, Dylan soon wins Ellie and Jake over, and Ellie dares to dream of a happy ending at last.

But as the snow starts to fall and Christmas approaches, Ellie realises time is running out for them. Dylan clearly has a secret that may ruin their happiness, Baxter’s home is in jeopardy, and she has no way of making Jake’s wishes come true.

Must Ellie give up on her dreams, or can Baxter lead her back to happiness?

Light the fire, switch on those Christmas tree lights, curl up with a hot chocolate, and enjoy this heart-warming festive story of love, home, and second chances.

You can buy Baxter’s Christmas Wish here.

Have a great week.

 

Love On the Nile by Ellie Gray

Having read Ellie Gray’s previous novel, Beauty and the Recluse, I was confident that I would enjoy this second offering, and I’m happy to say it more than lived up to my expectations.

Ellie writes such romantic stories, with really sexy and passionate heroes. In this novel, we have the added bonus of the beautiful backdrop of Egypt. I’ve never been to Egypt myself, but reading this book, I really felt as if I was there. I could feel the sun beating down on me, taste the dust in the back of my throat…I was highly relieved when the heroine reached for her bottle of water and glugged down the liquid. I was quite parched myself by that time!

So, what’s the story? Well, basically it’s girl hopes for holiday of a lifetime, visiting the breathtaking sites of ancient Egypt, girl gets unexpected guide on her dream vacation, guide turns out to be gorgeous but annoying, their attraction sizzles hotter than the Egyptian sun, guide has issues and reluctantly pushes girl away, and then…

Well, you’ll have to read it for yourself to discover what happens next. Let me just say, though, that there’s a lot more to this story than that paragraph could adequately explain. The almost mythical setting of the novel, the wonderful characters, the likeable and gutsy heroine, and the oh-so-sexy, dark and brooding hero, makes this a sheer delight to read. Natasha and Kyle’s romance is believable, sweet, tender, and smoking, all at the same time!

I thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in this gorgeous book, and I was rooting for Kyle to battle his demons and take a chance on Natasha. I loved both main characters, but I also grew very fond of Natasha’s younger brother, Nicky, who is very sympathetically and realistically drawn, and on Aunt Lucy, too. Ellie has, in short, done it again, and now I’m very much looking forward to her third novel. Excellent read. 5/5

You can buy Love On the Nile here.

 

It’s Publication Day! And Breathe…

It’s publication day! After what feels like a very long journey indeed, Once Upon a Long Ago is now available to buy. It’s the culmination of five years dreaming and plotting and imagining and rethinking. Yes, five long years! That’s when the idea first hit me for Will and Lexi’s story, but it’s only this year that it felt right to finally tell their tale.

Although Once is the third book in the Kearton Bay series, it’s very much a standalone novel, too. So, what’s it about? Well…Perhaps a sneaky peek at my Pinterest board will give you a flavour of it. You can access the Once Upon a Long Ago board here.

In the meantime, here’s a quick guide: Stately homes, heritage, Civil War, horses, romance, fear, past, history, love, friendship, art, family, castles, lies, jealousy, kindness, goodness, inner beauty, fairy tales, loss, grief, laughter, secrets, treasure, faith, flapjacks, ponies, Labradors, Anne Bronte, Scarborough, hope, desperation, happy endings. Phew! If that’s not enough for you, here’s the blurb.

Lexi Bailey doesn’t do love. Having seen the war zone that was her parents’ marriage, she has no interest in venturing into a relationship, and thinks romance is for fairy tales. As far as she’s concerned, there’s no such thing as happy ever after, and she’s not looking for a handsome prince.

For Will Boden-Kean, that’s probably a good thing. He hardly qualifies as a handsome prince, after all. He may be the son of a baronet, and live in a stately home, but he’s not known for his good looks. What he is known for, among the residents of Kearton Bay, is his kind heart, his determination to fund Kearton Hall — and his unrequited love for Lexi.

While Lexi gazes at the portrait of the Third Earl Kearton, and dreams of finding the treasure that is reputed to be hidden somewhere in the house, Will is working hard to ensure that his home survives. When he goes against Lexi’s wishes and employs the most unpopular man in the village, she begins to wonder if he’s under a spell. Will would never upset her. What could possibly have happened to him?

As plans take shape for a grand ball, Lexi’s life is in turmoil. With a secret from Will’s past revealed, a witch who is far too beautiful for Lexi’s peace of mind, and a new enchantress on the scene, things are changing rapidly at Kearton Hall. Add to that a big, bad wolf of a work colleague, a stepmother in denial, and a father who is most definitely up to no good, and it’s no wonder she decides to make a new start somewhere else.

Then she makes a discovery that changes everything — but time is running out for her. Is it too late to find her happy ending? Will Lexi make it to the ball? Will Buttons save the day? And where on earth did that handsome prince come from?  

The book is currently available for Kindle, but it will also be available as a paperback very soon. I really hope you enjoy my third adventure in Kearton Bay. I had a lovely time writing it, as well as visiting a local stately home, Burton Agnes Hall – which, in my mind, is Kearton Hall – and Scarborough Castle, looking at lovely old paintings, reading up on the Civil War, reminding myself of childhood fairy tales, and immersing myself in some good old fashioned romance. It came as quite a shock to me to realise that the next time I visit Kearton Bay, it will be my last journey there. Book 4 is some way off just yet, though, and I’m not ready to wave goodbye to my lovely friends just yet!

I have lots of books planned for the future, but right now, I’m going to enjoy the fact that Once Upon a Long Ago is finally out there. I’m really fond of Will and Lexi, and I hope you will be too. Enjoy!