I’ve considered lovely Barbara Havelocke a personal friend for some years so it gives me enormous pleasure to take part in the cover reveal for her brand new book Estella’s Fury. 

I loved Barbara’s first book in this gothic, historical thriller series – Estella’s Revenge – and you’ll find my review here. 

Let’s find out about Estella’s Fury:

Estella’s Fury

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Doesn’t Estella’s Fury sound fabulous?

Published by Canelo’s Hera on 13th November 2025, Estella’s Fury is available for pre-order here. 

About Barbara Havelocke

Barbara is an international bestselling author, whose psychological thrillers have topped Amazon and Kobo. Her writing career started in journalism, interviewing the real victims of crime – and the perpetrators. The realistic, complex characters who populate her fiction reflect this deep understanding. When not writing, Barbara is found walking her two dogs, Scamp and Buddy, or taking photos of wildlife.

You can find out more about Barbara by visiting her website and following her on Twitter/X @BCopperthwait. You’ll also find Barbara on Bluesky, Instagram and Facebook.

It’s my absolute pleasure to welcome back lovely Patricia Furstenberg to Linda’s Book Bag today. Patricia has featured here many times before but it’s been far too long since she appeared.

Today we are discussing her brand new book When Secrets Bloom, so let’s find out more:

Staying in with Patricia Furstenberg

Welcome back to Linda’s Book Bag Patricia and thank you for agreeing to stay in with me once again.

Thank you so much for having me back, Linda. It’s always a pleasure to visit Linda’s Book Bag. Your passion for stories and tireless support of authors is truly inspiring. I’ve been a long-time admirer of your blog and I’m delighted to return for another sweet chat.

That’s so kind of you. I know you have a brand new book out so tell me, which of your books have you brought along to share this evening and why have you chosen it? 

Thank you for asking, Linda. This evening, I’ve brought When Secrets Bloom, my new release. It’s an historical fiction novel set in 15th-century Transylvania over three winter days; mist clings to people’s breath and secrets root deeper than the winter freeze.

And it’s out today! Happy publication day.

I chose this book because it’s a story that took many years to take shape to finally bloom in four books. The first one, When Secrets Bloom, follows Kate Webber, a German Saxon healer caught between duty and suspicion, love and survival. At its heart lies a question I kept returning to: What if the secrets we carry could either heal or destroy, depending on who learns about them?

Given my life at the moment, When Secrets Bloom sounds essential reading. Tell me more! 

The book promises to immerse the reader in superstitions and secrets, but also in light, the kind that flickers through wooden windows and from ancient beliefs, but also from the hearts of those who refuse to surrender to silence. 

At its centre is Kate, a German Saxon healer in 15th-century Transylvania, a woman as rooted in the land as the herbs she gathers (taught by her mother) and the legends she believes in (educated by her father). When Kate defies her husband’s command and saves yet another mother and child, the price is more than her safety. It’s her name, her past, and her future. Accused of witchcraft she can either stand against suspicion or release a secret that refuses to stay buried.

This is a story where local superstition and medieval science (sometimes grossly misunderstood) brush shoulders: the whispers of strigoii (the local undead) mix with the first printed pages coming off Kronstadt’s wooden press. In many ways, the novel is a quiet homage to women who heal, remember, and endure, who hold communities together while history watches elsewhere.

I’m always fascinated by women in historical fiction. But why did you choose Transylvania for your setting?

Kronstadt is the old name for Brasov, one of Transylvania’s biggest cities. Transylvania holds an enduring place in my heart. My mom is from there. I grew up listening to its stories and I was lucky to visit and touch the old stones of its fortresses. So writing about Transylvania isn’t a choice, it’s a return. A return to my roots and to a past that still speaks if you know how to listen.

And yes, Vlad the Impaler lingers at the edge of these pages. Not as the figure of fear, but as a memory, a mentor who once taught Kate to read a wound as one reads a map. He doesn’t appear, not yet. But he is there; in every choice Kate makes, in every lesson she recalls.

This sounds brilliant.

What else have you brought along and why have you brought it? 

I’ve brought along a small field of crocuses in bloom. They hold a quiet but powerful meaning in When Secrets Bloom. For Kate, they are more than flowers; they are memory made visible. A childhood gift from a silent sweetheart (one she’ll meet again), a symbol of rebirth and resilience and a thread that ties her dangerous present to a moment of innocence long gone. The crocuses appear only briefly in the story (although they made it on the book cover), but their presence lingers, just like the people we carry within us, even when they’ve vanished from sight.

That aspect of presence feels very pertinent in today’s world. Were there any other reasons for choosing them?

The crocus is one of the first flowers to brave the frozen Transylvanian soil and also the last to wither in the face of autumn frost, as Spring and Autumn crocuses. Much like Kate herself, they bloom when few others dare. 

Historically, crocuses grew wild across the Carpathian hills, prized not only for their fragile beauty but for the saffron they sometimes yield. Golden threads used in healing, dyeing, and rituals lost to time, their duality, fragile and strong, fleeting and enduring, mirrors the quiet resilience at the heart of this story.

I think I’ll be looking at crocus blooms differently in future…

And because no evening on Linda’s Book Bag is complete without a sweet delight, and no historical fiction book is complete without a taste of the past, I’ve also brought Turkish delight. Soft, sweet, dusted with nostalgia. It’s a nod to Vlad Dracula, whose youth was forcefully shaped in the heart of the Ottoman Empire where apparent sweetness and sharp strategy often walked hand in hand. It’s easy to forget, before the legend hardened around his name Vlad was a young boy forcefully held at the Ottoman court. Here, he learned their ways, tasted their food, and adapted their knowledge to survive.

Oo! I didn’t know that. And Turkish delight is one of my favourites. You can come again!

So, tonight, flowers for memory and sweets for diplomacy. Both can be dangerous. And both can be beautiful. I’m a big fan of symbolism, Linda. When Secrets Bloom offers not just a glimpse into the past, but a quiet conversation with it. Some stories ask to be read. This one, I hope, will also be remembered. 

I hope so too Patricia, and it certainly sounds as if it will be. Thank you so much for coming back to the blog to tell me about When Secrets Bloom. I think it’ll be an intriguing and mesmerising read. 

Thank you so much, Linda, for welcoming me back to Linda’s Book Bag. It’s been a joy to share When Secrets Bloom with you and your readers and to bring along a little taste and scent of the world behind its pages. Your support of stories and storytellers means more than I can say. Heartfelt thanks.

My pleasure! Now pass me some Turkish delight to celebrate today’s publication of When Secrets Bloom and I’ll give readers a few more details:

When Secrets Bloom

Transylvania, 1463

Some secrets heal. Others kill.

Kate Webber, a 28-year-old Saxon healer, has long walked the line between reverence and suspicion. Trained in the healing arts under the guidance of Lord Vlad Dracula, she has learned that skill alone cannot protect a woman in a city ruled by fear. Her marriage to the powerful but secretive Magyar promised stability, yet left her silenced and watched. On a bitter Advent night, when a mother and her newborn face death, Kate defies her husband’s command and steps into danger — for life, not reputation.

When Kate succeeds, the city notices. Some with awe. Others with fury. The town physician, threatened by her talent and humiliated by her success, seizes his moment. And as rumors flare into accusations, old alliances stir. Iancu, Kate’s childhood friend and now captain of the Militia, comes to her aid during the perilous birth — rekindling memories of freedom, laughter, and trust, before marriage shackled her to duty.

Back in her workshop, a girl appears, pleading for a love potion. But Margit brings more than need. She leads a mob. Elsewhere in the city, Moise, a Jewish apprentice at the printing press, notices a cloaked figure drifting across the square: a Shaman whose presence draws whispers of Magyar’s hidden dealings. When a rare manuscript disappears from the press Moise begins to uncover a darker purpose: a sought-after book. On the day of execution Kate performs a final act of defiance, she saves another child, while Moise is framed for more than he could have ever imagined.

Kate and Moise’s fates, as well as the map’s legacy, unfold as some secrets must be read not in books, but in the hearts of those who hide them.

Published today, 27th June 2025, When Secrets Bloom is available for purchase (at a bargain price I might add) here.

About Patricia Furstenberg

Patricia Furstenberg is a writer of historical fiction inspired by the forgotten corners of the past, where truth and legend entwine. With a medical degree and a heart rooted in Transylvania, her stories often explore resilience, hidden truths, and the quiet strength of women and dogs. She is best known for her war fiction Joyful Trouble, Silent Heroes and the new and enchanting When Secrets Bloom.

For further information, follow Patricia on Twitter/X @PatFurstenberg and Facebook or visit her website. 

It was almost a year ago that lovely Justin David at Inkandescent sent me a copy of Bleeding Fabulous by Mark Ward in return for an honest review. As a teenager I babysat a little boy who had haemophilia and I was always terrified he might suffer internal bleeding so I was intrigued to read this memoir. I’m delighted finally to have got round to reading Bleeding Fabulous and am delighted to share my review today.

Bleeding Fabulous was published by Inkandescent on 24th November 2024 and is available for purchase here. 

Bleeding Fabulous 

The story of how a boy came to be infected with blood borne viruses, and in spite of multiple death sentences, lived to become the world’s first ever LGBTQ+ Ambassador for Haemophilia.

‘Faced daily with my own mortality, I chose to live fabulously—each of my fifty-five years has been full of love, laughter, adventure… and feather boas.’

Mark Ward is the founder of Haemosexual—an online support and information resource championing equality, education and better healthcare for everyone with a bleeding disorder, no matter what their sexual orientation. Mark’s battle to secure a public enquiry into the Infected Blood Scandal has led him to places he never expected, and to meet people he never dreamt of.

‘Mark is a survivor, literally, of the HIV visited upon him through contaminated blood, but rather than merely revelling in the simple fact of life, he has heroically dedicated himself to ensuring life remains possible for others.’—Sam Stein KC

This forthright (and fabulous) memoir, recounts the journey of an unlikely lad from Letchworth who grows up to be a renowned and respected rights campaigner.

My Review of Bleeding Fabulous

A memoir.

My goodness. Bleeding Fabulous is exactly that – bleeding fabulous – and I thought it was astonishing. Mark Ward’s writing is candid, honest, and utterly gripping because it reveals the most compelling insight into how a young boy with haemophilia became a man infected with all manner of life threatening viruses as a result of the treatment he received from the very people who were meant to be caring for him.

Having been a young teacher in the early 1980’s when the tombstone A.I.D.S adverts were proliferating, I knew a little bit about the Infected Blood Scandal but here we have the most affecting, personal account that hits the reader right in the solar plexus. The stark brutality and prejudice of those Mark encountered in some health care workers, politicians and employers balanced by the sheer tenderness and support he witnessed from those such as Richard and his Mum, simply leaps from the page. I confess to being slightly ashamed of my casual, naïve, lack of knowledge and understanding into what people like Mark have endured. Bleeding Fabulous might be a hugely entertaining memoir, but it’s important and educational too.

What works so well in Bleeding Fabulous is the insight into the machinations of national and international health, politics, employment and education that is presented by a warm, flawed, sensitive human being who is unafraid to show himself – warts and all. This means that we gain an understanding of a genuine human being rather than a statistic or a briefly read headline. I loved Mark’s passion for air travel, life and his pets, for example, and felt for him every time he was rushed to hospital or suffered another prejudice or knock back because of his sexual orientation or the infections he carried through no fault of his own. The author actually has a wicked sense of humour and whilst he brought a tear to my eye on many occasions, I laughed too. Indeed, Mark Ward engendered several emotions as I went with him on his life’s journey, from despair to hope, fury to joy and all the emotions in between. The author takes the reader on a roller coaster of a trip.

Certainly Bleeding Fabulous isn’t the most literary book I’ve ever read, but I think it might be one of the most touching and affecting. Alongside smashing photos that bring the people in the book to life, Mark Ward’s accessible, no nonsense, style is incredibly impactful. Anyone reading Bleeding Fabulous who is not shocked and horrified by humanity but ultimately uplifted and encouraged by it too, simply isn’t human. Bleeding Fabulous is a must read book and I feel privileged to have done so.

About Mark Ward

Mark Ward is fifty-five years young and lives near Brighton. He was born with severe haemophilia and grew up in Hertfordshire—where he was the first severe haemophiliac to attend a ‘normal’ school, enabling special needs education to be established. At school and in hospital, he was often given other people’s opinions regarding his chosen career in aviation. But this never stopped him from dreaming, and then proving them all wrong: he joined the British Airways Youth Training Scheme at sixteen. He worked within the airline across a variety of departments on the ground and in the air, before his health declined and he medically retired. 

Mark then became the ‘Door Whore’ for G-A-Y at the London Astoria, working with some huge stars and even performing as a drag queen. 

He’s been an HIV and LGBTQ+ activist for over thirty years and has volunteered for charities including Terence Higgins Trust, the West Midlands Lesbian & Gay Switchboard and Open Door in Brighton. 

In 2004, he addressed the World Federation of Haemophilia Congress in Bangkok with his ground-breaking booklet ‘You Don’t Have to be Straight to Take Factor 8’; he was then asked to join the newly-established Tainted Blood Committee in 2006, and has since become an experienced campaigner, media representative and core participant in the Infected Blood Inquiry. 

In 2013 he created the support network Haemosexual for those with a bleeding disorder who identify as LGBTQ+ to provide sexual health education and tackle stigma. 

He’s been an active member of The Haemophilia Society for more than twenty-five years and in 2019, he became the world’s first ever LGBTQ+ Ambassador for Haemophilia.

You’ll find Mark on Facebook and Twitter/X @Haemosexual.

It’s my pleasure today to welcome author S. J. Barratt to Linda’s Book Bag. Suzanne is a middle grade author and as someone late to reading because of my weird sight, I find I’m always enthralled by the books available to children today. 

Let’s find out more:

Staying in with S. J. Barratt

Welcome to Linda’s Book Bag Suzanne and thank you for agreeing to stay in with me.

Thanks for having m Linda.

Tell me, which of your books have you brought along to share this evening and why have you chosen it? 

I’ve brought the second in my series of books for middle grade readers. I’ve brought it to get kids off WiFi and into wildlife!  I remember my childhood, full of walks in the woods with my dog and friends, on our bikes, making camps…  it seems that children these days don’t get much of these timeless activities, so I wanted a story that would promote having simple adventures in a safe place with nature.

Oh yes! You’ve just described my childhood perfectly. I like the sound of this series.

Who would you describe as your ideal reader?

My ideal reader is a curious 9-12-year-old who loves stories that take them somewhere new. Maybe they don’t always get to explore the world in real life—because of family life, circumstances, or simply because they love escaping into books. This story is a way to travel when you can’t, a way to have adventures when you’re stuck at home, and a way to feel powerful when the world’s problems seem too big.

I think escapism is part of the wonderful power of books.

What can we expect from an evening in with Living at the Edge of the World – Spring? 

I’d describe it as an eco-fiction for middle grade, perfect for 9-12s. It’s a standalone story but also the second in a series of four that follow the seasons on a remote island in Shetland, Scotland. The first book is Living at the Edge of the World – Winter and I am currently working on the third which is all about summer and the theme – ocean pollution. 

These sound great. How have the books been received so far?

I like this review:
With its mix of adventure and heartfelt moments, this book makes you want to step outside, breathe in the fresh air, and look for a hidden story waiting to be uncovered.

Literary Titan

That’s brilliant.

What else have you brought along and why have you brought it? 

I have brought along some bannocks, which are traditional bread/scones that everyone eats every day in Shetland. 

Anyone who brings food is always welcome Suzanne…

And some Shetlandic reels to listen to…

As soon as you listen to a reel, your feet usually start itching and you want to dance! 

I couldn’t agree more! Thank you so much for staying in with me Suzanne to chat about Living at the Edge of the World – Spring. I wish you every success with it. 

Now, pass me a bannock whilst I give readers a few more details:

Living at the Edge of the World – Spring

Twins Tabitha and Timothy aren’t exactly thrilled when their parents’ globetrotting plans land them on Papala Island, —a windswept, remote corner of Shetland—with their quirky great Uncle Tamhas. Life without Wi-Fi, bustling city streets, or their usual comforts feels like a nightmare. But as they explore the island’s rugged landscape, uncover ancient legends, and connect with the unique community around them, Papala begins to feel less like a punishment and more like a place full of possibilities.

From battling treasure hunters to standing up for the environment, the twins discover that adventure can come in the most unexpected places—and that sometimes, change is exactly what you need.

Published on 20th March 2025, is available for purchase here.

About S.J. Barratt

Suzanne is a writer, hiker, and gardener who creates children’s books inspired by the wonders of nature. Based in Lyon, France, with her family, she feels equally at home in the rugged landscapes of Shetland, Scotland, or the French Alps. When she’s not writing, she’s hiking to new places, chatting with plants, or trying to convince her garden that she’s in charge. Her mission? To ignite young imaginations with the natural world and replace Wi-Fi with WildLife.  

For further information, find Suzanne on Instagram and Facebook, Bookbub and Goodreads. Suzanne is actively looking for reviews of her books.

My huge thanks to Jane Corry for ensuring I received a copy of her latest novel, The Stranger in Room Six in return for an honest review. It’s my pleasure to share that review today.

I had originally been asked to review The Stranger in Room Six by My Weekly, but recent changes mean those reviews are currently on hold until a new Fiction Editor is in place. 

You’ll find my reviews of Jane’s We All Have Our Secrets, Coming to Find You and I Died on a Tuesday here. 

The Stranger in Room Six was published by Penguin on 19th June 2025 and is available for purchase through the links here.

The Stranger in Room Six

You may not know the stranger in room six. But they know everything about you.

It’s been fifteen years since Belinda was convicted of her husband’s murder. Now, she’s ready for her life to begin again, and she’s set on that happening at Sunnyside Home for the Young at Heart.

The owner, Mabel, has spent her life here. First as an evacuee during the Blitz and now as the care home’s oldest resident, Mabel has held the secrets of this house for as long as she can remember. Secrets that could kill if in the wrong hands.

But history won’t stay hidden forever and someone is onto them both. Watching and listening from room number six, they’ll stop at nothing to find out the truth.

With a past this dark, is anyone as innocent as they seem?

My Review of the Stranger in Room Six

Belinda’s life is in turmoil.

The Stranger in Room Six is what might be termed a ‘proper story‘. It’s packed with history, intrigue and a wide range of relationships so that it has something for every reader. The way in which the various strands of the narrative are drawn together is so cleverly done. 

I’m not usually a fan of multiple timelines, but The Stranger in Room Six is woven together really effectively and, actually, requires the modern day and 1940s eras in order to illustrate the way history and the actions of the past reverberate through the lives of the characters. 

Both Belinda and Mabel are complex individuals who show that literal truth does not necessarily reflect moral or intentional behaviours. Initially I found Mabel rather naïve, but realised that she needed to have that innocence in order to be malleable and that, in fact, she was very much a child of the era. Both women have secrets, they both do the wrong things for the right reasons and the right things for the wrong reasons. Both face tragedy partly of their own making, and yet neither intended their actions to have the consequences they did. This is a fascinating aspect of the plot

Along with that intricate, engaging and carefully crafted plot, there are thought-provoking themes in The Stranger in Room Six. Family and parenthood are central and I found Belinda’s estrangement from her daughter Gillian very moving. Equally interesting is the impact of the past on our lives. However, I think the most riveting aspect of The Stranger in Room Six is the consideration of revenge, retribution and redemption. This is the kind of narrative that leaves the reader questioning how they might have behaved in similar circumstances. Add in other aspects like marriage, dementia, friendship and trust and The Stranger in Room Six feels like a story to ponder long after the final page is read.

I also found the settings impactful and in many ways, place equates to character as it shapes Belinda and Mabel every bit as the secondary characters do. Belinda’s time in prison feels authentic and disturbing so that the reader cannot help but empathise with her even if she is deemed to be a murderer. I loved the way history has a physical consequence on Sunnyside Home for the Young at Heart – but you’ll need to read the book to see what I mean. It was fascinating how the house reinvented itself over time – just like a real person. 

I thoroughly enjoyed The Stranger in Room Six and it proves that Jane Corry really knows how to craft a drama that reels in her readers and keeps them entirely gripped and entertained throughout. 

About Jane Corry

Jane Corry is a prize-winning author and journalist (Daily Telegraph and women’s magazines) who worked for three years as the writer in residence of a high security male prison. This experience helped inspire her Sunday Times Penguin bestsellers My Husband’s Wife, Blood Sisters, The Dead Ex, I Looked Away, I Made A Mistake, To Tell The Truth, The Lies We Tell, We All Have Our Secrets, Coming To Find You, I Died On A Tuesday and The Stranger In Room Six. She has now sold over 1.5 million copies of her books world-wide.

Jane worked as an RLF Fellow at Exeter University and is a former creative writing tutor at Oxford University. She also writes short stories; features for The Daily Telegraph and speaks at literary festivals all over the world. Many of her ideas strike during morning dog-jogs along the beach followed by a dip in the sea – no matter how cold it is!

Jane is also published by Doubleday in the USA and Canada.

For further information, follow Jane on Twitter/X @JaneCorryAuthor or visit her website. You’ll also find Jane on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram.

It’s such a pleasure to feature the brand new book in the Talbot Saga Series from Allie Cresswell today. Allie has been on Linda’s Book Bag before in posts you’ll find here, and her latest book The Standing Stone on the Moor sounds absolutely brilliant and is out today, 17th June 2025. 

Let’s find out more:

The Standing Stone on the Moor

Yorkshire, 1845.

Folklore whispers that they used to burn witches at the standing stone on the moor. When the wind is easterly, it wails a strange lament. History declares it was placed as a marker, visible for miles—a signpost for the lost, directing them towards home.

Forced from their homeland by the potato famine, a group of itinerant Irish refugees sets up camp by the stone. They are met with suspicion by the locals, branded as ‘thieves and ne’er-do-wells.’ Only Beth Harlish takes pity on them, and finds herself instantly attracted to Ruairi, their charismatic leader.

Beth is the steward of nearby manor Tall Chimneys—a thankless task as the owners never visit. An educated young woman, Beth feels restless, like she doesn’t belong. But somehow ‘home’—the old house, the moor and the standing stone—exerts an uncanny magnetism. Thus Ruairi’s great sacrifice—deserting his beloved Irish homestead to save his family—resonates strongly with her.

Could she leave her home to be with him? Will he even ask her to?

As she struggles with her feelings, things take a sinister turn. The peaceable village is threatened by shrouded men crossing the moor at night, smuggling contraband from the coast. Worse, the exotic dancing of a sultry-eyed Irishwoman has local men in a feverish grip. Their womenfolk begin to mutter about spells and witchcraft. And burning.

The Irish refugees must move on, and quickly. Will Beth choose an itinerant life with Ruairi? Or will the power of ‘home’ be too strong?

**** 

Doesn’t that sound wonderful?

The Standing Stone on the Moor is available for purchase on Books, Amazon UK, Amazon US and directly from Allie here. 

About Allie Cresswell

Allie Cresswell was born in Stockport, UK and began writing fiction as soon as she could hold a pencil.

She did a BA in English Literature at Birmingham University and an MA at Queen Mary College, London.

She has been a print-buyer, a pub landlady, a bookkeeper, run a B & B and a group of boutique holiday cottages. She taught literature to lifelong learners but nowadays she writes full time.

She has two grown-up children, three granddaughters, two grandsons and two cockapoos—but just one husband—Tim. They live in Cumbria, NW England.

The Standing Stone on the Moor is her sixteenth novel.

For further information, visit Allie’s website, or follow Allie on Facebook and Instagram.

I’m a huge fan of Sue Moorcroft’s books (after all, Sue has appeared here on Linda’s Book Bag more times than I have!) and had life not been so overwhelming that I didn’t know if I’d be able to meet deadlines I would immediately have signed up to the recent blog tour for her brand new book, Over the Sea to Skye. Over the Sea to Skye is the final book in Sue’s Skye Sisters Trilogy and I was thrilled when Becky Hunter sent me a surprise copy.

Over the Sea to Skye was published on 5th June by Harper Collins imprint Avon and is available for purchase here.

Over the Sea to Skye

One summer on a beautiful island could change everything…

Valentina Taylor’s life has been upended. With her marriage over, and unsure of what her future holds, she heads to the Isle of Skye for the summer with her young son, Barnaby.

But the journey there sets her on a new path, when she meets Xander Courage on the train – a charming American, running from problems of his own. After sparks fly, they go their separate ways. But on this small island, they’re never far from one another…

Skye offers Valentina the refuge she needs as she whiles away the long summer days at her beachside cottage, enjoying visits from her sisters, Thea and Ezzie. But when bad news from home throws her Scottish idyll into turmoil, Valentina finds herself pulled away from the place – and people – that she loves.

Valentina knows she must confront her heart’s desires – but can she let go of the past and embrace the future she deserves?

My Review of Over the Sea to Skye

Separated from husband Gary, Valentina is heading to her holiday home on Skye with son Barnaby.

Over the Sea to Skye is another fabulous book and, whilst it is the third in a trilogy, there is absolutely no requirement to have read the first two books Under a Summer Skye and A Skye Full of Stars – though I suggest you do, because they are so very good. Any backstory or essential detail needed from the other books is incorporated seamlessly into this third one so that the reader is never at a disadvantage.

The Skye setting is meticulously researched and beautifully depicted making the reader want to head there immediately. Both the history and geography of the area feel authentic and engaging. And yet these features never dominate, but rather act as a backdrop for events. Reading Over the Sea to Skye is like taking a holiday in book form. 

Sue Moorcroft seems to have an indefatigable ability to draw in her readers to her stories and make them care about her characters instantly. I was immediately desperate to discover Valentina’s strand and found her incredibly relatable – not least because she is pulled in several directions and has to set aside her own wishes and desires, in order to accommodate her sense of duty and the needs of others. With her young son Barnaby to consider, my heart went out to her as she always put him first. Her strength, her loyalty and her realisation that she is responsible for her own happiness make Valentina compelling. It felt devastating that her burgeoning relationship with Xander seemed unattainable despite their obvious attraction and I felt all of her emotions with her. 

However, that’s not to say that, whilst Valentina is wonderful with Barnaby, the author idealises parenthood. There’s the full range of relationships between parent and child here, especially as all three Wynter sisters are adopted, and Over the Sea to Skye illustrates that no two people have quite the same experience. I thought this aspect of Valentine’s story was written with sensitivity and considerable understanding, making it both believable and emotional.

The plot is hugely entertaining, and filled with the perfect balance of everyday life and dramatic events. There’s romance, of course, but, more importantly, there’s a wonderful exploration of family, career and marriage that is as thought-provoking as it is interesting. Obviously I won’t spoil the read for others but this story is brilliant for distracting you from the real world.

I really loved Over the Sea to Skye. It’s a narrative that feels ‘real’; the events here could happen to any one of us and as a result I felt I had been given a privileged insight into the lives of those involved. Mind you, I won’t be placing stickers on my car – but you’ll have to read the book to find out about that bit! Treat yourself to a perfect summer read in Over the Sea to Skye – you might just love it as much as I did.

About Sue Moorcroft

Sue Moorcroft is an award-winning Sunday Times and internationally published author of emotionally compelling, feel-good, page-turning fiction who has reached #1 on Amazon Kindle UK and Top 100 Amazon Kindle US, Canada and Italy. Her novels, short stories, serials, courses and columns have appeared around the world. An army child, Sue was born in Germany and then lived in Cyprus, Malta and the UK.

For further information, visit Sue’s website, follow Sue on  Twitter/X @suemoorcroft and find her on Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky.

My huge thanks to Rhiannon Morris at Harper Collins for originally sending me a surprise copy of The Tradwife’s Secret by Liane Child.

I’m delighted that The Tradwife’s Secret is my latest online review for My Weekly.

Published by HQ on 22nd May 2025, The Tradwife’s Secret is available for purchase through the publisher links here. 

The Tradwife’s Secret

Madison March is the perfect wife, with the perfect family and the perfect life.

She spends her days baking sourdough and picking vegetables from the garden while watching her children play in the fields surrounding her Montana homestead.

Dinner is always on the table for her husband, and they end their days sitting on the porch, watching the sun go down.

It’s a life anyone would dream of.

And it’s all a lie.

My Review of The Tradwife’s Secret

My full review of The Tradwife’s Secret can be found on the My Weekly website here.

However, here I can say that The Tradwife’s Secret is brilliant. It’s scarily plausible, fast paced and an absolutely gripping read. It’s not to be missed.

Do visit My Weekly to read my full review here.

About Liane Child

Liane Child is a writer whose gripping thriller The Tradwife’s Secret was inspired by influencers who believe in traditional gender roles in marriage. When she isn’t scrolling Instagram or TikTok, you can find her reading, walking her dog, or attempting to bake banana bread after not perfecting it in lockdown. She has travelled extensively and now lives in London.

For further information find Liane on Instagram.

I’m not entirely sure if I owe thanks to Chloe Davies (I suspect so), Poppy North or Rosie Friis at Macmillan for sending me a surprise copy of A Beautiful Family by Jennifer Trevelyan, but I am very, very grateful. It’s my pleasure to share my review of A Beautiful Family today. 

A Beautiful Family is published by Pan MacMillan imprint Mantle on 19th June and is available for pre-order through the links here. 

A Beautiful Family

In the past, we had always spent our summer holidays in remote places. That had always been my mother’s preference. This year was different . . .

As the long summer holiday stretches ahead, ten-year-old Alix wants to spend every second on the beach and in the water. But, with her parents unusually distracted and her older sister now more interested in boys, she finds herself alone.

Then she meets Kahu at the beach and he tells her about The Mystery. Two years ago, a girl went missing and none of the adults could find her. So the new friends decide to investigate – because people don’t just disappear.

But, as Alix and Kahu search for clues, they stumble upon secrets they wish they’d left alone. Is Alix’s holiday house as safe as it seems? And is her sister putting her trust in the wrong people?

My Review of A Beautiful Family

Alix’s family is away for the summer.

Oh my goodness. What an exquisite book. A Beautiful Family is an absolute triumph. Part coming of age story, part thriller, part domestic drama and part mystery, this is a book that is far greater than the sum of its parts and I adored it. 

Told from ten year old Alix’s perspective, A Beautiful Family is the epitome of tension. Jennifer Trevelyan captivates the reader from the very first page and mesmerises them to the last word. Not every single element of the narrative is resolved by the end so that the narrative feels as if it reflects the vagaries of real life, making it all the more impactful. It also means that the story reverberates in the reader’s mind long after the book is finished. It made me feel anxious and tense as I read but I simply couldn’t put it down. This truly is a masterclass in implied meaning. We fill in the gaps Alix leaves so that our minds suggest all kinds of scenarios – especially with regard to the man next door to the holiday home. 

The prose in A Beautiful Family is simultaneously sparse and beautiful and Alix’s voice is totally believable. Her blend of naivety and knowledge as she is growing up with her older sister Vanessa is utterly convincing. As a result, she reveals events, relationships and the actions of other characters to perfection. 

With the unities of time (a summer), place (a resort just north of Wellington in New Zealand) and action (Alix and Kahu’s search for missing little girl Charlotte) there’s an almost unbearable, menacing, intensity that is utterly compelling. As events unfold, Alix’s beautiful family begins to unravel so that the author peels back the layers of society and reveals the murky reality of relationships, burgeoning sexuality, family, marriage, friendship and difference. It really is a microcosm of the world.

I’m aware I’ve been somewhat vague in my review, but the narrative is so intricately woven that I don’t want to reveal anything that might spoil this exceptional book for others. 

In case it isn’t obvious, I thought A Beautiful Family was, quite simply, fantastic. I cannot recommend it highly enough. But if you read it, don’t forget to breathe. I swear I was holding my breath throughout!

About Jennifer Trevelyan

With a background in photography and children’s publishing, Jennifer is now a full-time writer living in Wellington, New Zealand, with her husband, son, daughter, dog and cat. When not at her writing desk, Jennifer can be found in the garden.

For further information, find Jennifer on Twitter/X @JTrevelyan, Bluesky and Instagram.

It’s almost four years since I first ‘met’ the fabulous G. D. Wright and you’ll find a post here when we stayed in together. It has been my pleasure to meet Gaz in real life since, as not only his writing has gone from strength to strength, but he’s a smashing man as well as brilliant author. That early book has been revised and rebranded as After the Storm. You’ll find my review of After the Storm here.

Since then, life has been a real roller coaster for Gaz and many of you will know that he is currently in hospital, having been extremely ill for several weeks. Consequently, he has been unable to promote his brand new thriller Into the Fire which is out today and I wanted to support both the wonderful man and the wonderful book by sharing this spotlight.

I have actually chosen Into the Fire as one of my featured books for The People’s Friend magazine June Bookshelf and my mini-review will be in next week’s issue out on 11th June.

I can tell you that Into the Fire is the typical G. D. Wright blend of breath-taking plot, thrilling events and deep, deep emotion and humanity so that there really is something for every reader between its pages.

Into the Fire is published by Harper Collins imprint Avon today, 5th June 2025, and is available for purchase through the publisher links here.

Into the Fire

HE RUNS INTO THE FLAMES A HERO.

Steve thought he had left his troubled past behind. Living a quiet life with his wife and children, everything changes the night he rescues a baby from a burning house, becoming an unexpected national hero.

HE EMERGES FROM THE ASHES A SUSPECT.

But as the spotlight shines brighter, so does the scrutiny, and a shocking accusation is made – that Steve is the man responsible for an unsolved murder in Beachbrook years prior.

BUT WHICH ONE IS HE REALLY?

As his world unravels, public opinion is firmly divided. Steve pleads his innocence, but DS Sue Willmott is determined to get to the bottom of what really happened all those years ago.

After all, even heroes hide secrets of their own.

****

You can get your copy of Into The Fire here and I really recommend you do!

About G. D. Wright

Gary Wright joined Kent Police at the age of 18 and worked in a variety of uniformed roles. At the age of 29, and completely out of the blue, he suffered two cardiac arrests that led to the diagnosis of a life limiting and incurable disease of the heart. Following the implant of an internal defibrillator in his heart, he was unable to continue policing and retired at the age of 30.

He bought a coffee shop in Ramsgate Harbour, and spent years looking out over the sea and dreaming up stories. He now writes full time, committing those very stories to paper.

After the Storm was Gary’s 2024 debut and is now followed by Into the Fire.

For further information, visit Gary’s website, follow him on X @GDWrightWrites, or find him on Bluesky, Instagram and Facebook.