An Earl of Bluebells

 An Earl of Bluebells

An English Garden #2

Steffy Smith

Reviewed by Helen

This series is about four Rakes and the four women who will tame them, I thoroughly enjoyed book one and this one is a steamy, sensual read as Lucas Belmont, the Earl of Chester and Lady Emma Finley find their HEA.

Lady Emma is no meek and mild lady, she knows what she wants and is not afraid to let people know either, she wants to start an orphanage and will go all out to do it, then there is Lucas the man she wants in her life she has felt this way about him for some time now, will she be able to get him?

Lucas and his friends lead a life of Rakes but he wants Lady Emma, will he be able to win her over, she is strong willed and determined and that is one of the things he loves about her, but will he be able to be his true self with her?

This is a steamy romance as they marry and find the love that has been there for some time, being themselves is best honesty and love will win through. This is a quick read and one I recommend to any historical romance reader.

My thanks to the author and Booksprout for my digital copy to read and review.

4 stars

May 1, 2025 by Steffy Smith Books

The Mademoiselle Alliance

 The Mademoiselle Alliance

Natasha Lester

Reviewed by Helen

Natasha Lester has done it again with her new book, taken a true story and turned it into an excellent story that shows the strength and courage of the resistance group, Alliance who worked throughout World War 2 with the backing of the British MI6 team to help bring down the Nazis and it was run by Marie-Madeline, a young mother and adventurer who never gave up.

Marie-Madeline was born in France, spent her younger years in Shanghai and at eighteen married and moved to Morocco, helping her husband with intelligence work, here her true adventurous self-came out learning to fly, driving rally cars, then giving birth to her son Christian but the marriage was not always a happy one and when she became pregnant for the second time with her daughter Beatrice she returns to France and here she stays with her two children.

1938 and Europe is on the verge of war, meeting a man named Navarre, who recruits her to help with the resistance group Alliance this turns her life upside down but she loves France, her children and her family and is determined to do what she can to save them all, but her real identity and gender is not known to many people. She also meets a man and at first meeting the chemistry is there, Leon Faye hero from the Great War will also become the man she loves.

Alliance is one of the biggest resistance groups there was during WW11 having sectors in every part of France, but there was danger every day, with the Gestapo moving in there are also traitors who cause death and trouble, will Marie-Madeline survive till the end and how many of the other Alliance members will?

This story is absolutely brilliant so many emotions as MS Lester brings to life the true story of Marie-Madeline Fourcade and showed what a truly amazing woman she was, this story is an heroic story of love, tragedy, heartbreak but above all else such courage and strength as we get to know and love the characters in this story and yes there were many tears from me.

I do highly recommend this one to any lover of a fabulous historical fiction, you will not be disappointed, and I loved it.

5 stars

March 26, 2025 by Hachette Australia

Marie's Merry Gentleman

 Marie's Merry Gentleman

The Bookshop Belles #2

Catherine Bilson & Ebony Oaten

Reviewed by Helen

We start back in Baxter’s Fine Books in Hatfield with three sisters left running the shop now that Estelle is happily married to Felix and Marie as left in charge of the accounts when a series of letters arrives from The Earl of Renwick from Cumbria, demanding that they personally deliver the books he wishes to purchase they are now calling him the Earl of Demanding but they are left no choice because the money is needed and it is decided that Marie will make the long journey.

It is coming up to Christmas time and the weather is cold and raining and it is a very long trip for Marie, who prefers quiet but finally she arrives at what first looks like a crumbling castle, set high in the Pennines Mountains, she is soaked through from sleet and very tired and just wants to deliver the books and turn around and start the long trip home and then she meets the Earl of Renwick, Sebastian and he is nothing like she expected he is young and handsome and not old and cantankerous and he is not very overly friendly.

But when Marie sprains her ankle and is forced to stay at Alston Castle for Christmas she must make the best of the situation, she meets Renwick’s eleven year old twin boys George and Richard and is soon helping out with their French lessons and getting to know them and also getting to know The Earl himself and is not thinking of him as the Earl of Demanding anymore.

As the weeks go by Marie and Sebastian open up to each other and soon it appears that their hearts are as well but Sebastian has locked his heart up after everything that happened with his wife is there a chance that he could find love again and if so Marie would be the one who is that person and Marie she never dreamed that a trip she didn’t want to take would find her love, but of course love doesn’t always run smoothly and it is a long way between Cumbria and Hatfield will they find the love and happiness they both deserve?

I loved this one from start to finish, fabulous characters a beautiful romance, and there are lots of smiles and fun along the way, I would highly recommend this one and book three falls onto my kindle today yay, one not to be missed, make sure you read Estelle’s story first.

5 stars

April 1, 2025 by Shenanigans Press

The Whisperer's War

 The Whisperer's War

Jackie French

Reviewed by Helen

Jackie French knows how to tell a story that has fabulous characters, and this one is no different, this story is set around World War 2 set mainly in England we get to meet Lady Deanna Calverton just before the war starts, she is caring for her dying grandfather The Duke in crumbling Calverton Castle, he knows that he will not be here for her and sets a few things in place to make sure she comes through the war and the first thing is the job she is going to do, spend her days digging on her farm and weekends spending time in lavish drawing rooms listening to the talk and gathering information to past on to people who need to know, come along for a story that had me turning the pages.

Lady Dee is well liked in the village and does all she can to help them all and that even means taking on three sisters, evacuees from the city who turn out to be orphans and they are keeping tight on their background but Lady Dee soon loves them like she would her own children and then with and aerodrome next door for training pilots she soon meets Australian Flight Lieutenant Sam Murray and soon she has lost her heart to him but he also has secrets and keeps himself at arm’s length, then when he is injured he is sent back to Australia yes they write letters but Dee wants more will she get it?

This story is fascinating with fact run through the story on the royalty of Britain, people impersonating Dukes and hidden caves that will hold secrets forever, the eagles that fly high in the skies and the animals that roam the land and Dusty the dog, but it is a story of survival the strength and courage that World War Two bought out in people and with Dee her never give up attitude about what she wants in life and her new daughters Magda, Rose and the Amazing Anna you will love them all I am sure and their trip to Australia to find Sam the man they all love even if she now knows his secret she will never let that stop her.

I also love the recipes that are at the start of every chapter, this is a story that I would highly recommend, I could barely put it down once I started it, a must read.

My thanks to Harlequin AU and Netgalley for my digital copy to read and review.

5 stars

March 1, 2025 by HQ Fiction

Estelle's Ardent Admirer

 Estelle's Ardent Admirer

The Bookshop Belle's #1

Catherine Bilson & Ebony Oaten

Reviewed by Helen

This is a wonderful start to a new series and I loved it from start to finish, set in Regency England in the bustling town of Hatfield, Estelle Baxter has been left in charge of the Baxter’s Fine Books and her three sisters while their father, Matthew is travelling France finding rare books.

Estelle is doing her best to keep the bookstore afloat there are debts piling up but Estelle is keeping herself focused and keeping it going she also has to contend with a not so nice cousin along the way, the last thing on her mind is marriage but when a very handsome gentleman arrives, Estelle for the first time ever notices but she soon sends him on his way.

Felix Yates grandson of the local Baron, Lord Ferndale has returned from his world tour at the request of his grandfather it is a long time since he has been to Hatfield and while wandering the town pops into the bookstore, knowing how much he and his grandfather loves books and he comes across the beautiful Miss Baxter and soon she has him intrigued with her strength and wit.

It is not long before Estelle and Felix are spending more time together aided by Lord Ferndale and with worry about their father in France and Cousin Joshua threatening to take over the bookstore Felix is stepping up to do what he can but Estelle is one very determined and independent woman, is there a chance that they can find love and happiness?

Decisions must be made will Estelle make the right one? Will Felix be able to convince Estelle that they are a perfect match?

This is a fun, witty, romantic and fabulous story one that I highly recommend, the characters are the best and that included Crafty the cat, you must come along and meet them all, I loved Felix so much what a hero and Estelle she is so wonderful, this is an awesome story and I cannot wait for book two, bring on Maria’s story.

My thanks to the authors for my ARC from Booksprout.

5 stars

March 25, 2025 by Shenanigans Press

Still Waters Run Deep

 Still Waters Run Deep

Louisa Valentine

Reviewed by Helen

Set in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea in the early 1970’s two expatriate couples are making the best of their lives, come along and meet them and get to know them and feel their emotions as MS Valentine weaves a story filled with heartfelt emotion over the years.

Sarah and Andrew have been together since high school, they married young and after university find themselves in Port Moresby with new jobs as for Sarah she finds herself in a man’s world but holds her own.

Jack and Jenny met at university and had a shotgun marriage they now have two young children and Jack has just taken a new position as boss in a government position in Port Moresby as Sarah’s boss.
When Sarah and Jack meet the attraction is instant, you see although Jack is loyal to his wife and family Jenny is not his soul mate and maybe Sarah is and as for Sarah she has longed for children and has now discovered that fertility is going to stop that and she cannot help her heart singing when she meets Jack.

Sarah throws herself into her job as only she can do, her and Jack become friends and he encourages her at work and gives her more projects that make her stronger but her heart longs for Jack and she knows that he will never leave his wife and children and that is how it should be, when Sarah’s life changes she decides that a change is what should happen, she leaves Port Moresby for greener pastures and becomes a top banker in a few countries making a name for herself but she is still lonely and has never forgotten Jack.

As for Jack years later his life changes as well and when he meets Sarah again is there now a chance that they can find the love and happiness that has eluded both of them for many year?

This is such a great story, a fabulous setting and I love the 1970’s I do highly recommend this one to anyone who loves a good story that will keep then involved with the wonderful characters and settings. Thank you Louisa for a fabulous story that had me cheering Sarah and Jack on.

4 stars

May 1, 2023 by Louise Wilson

The Secrets of the Rose

 The Secrets of the Rose

Nicola Cornick

Reviewed by Helen

This is a fabulous story it is a long time since I have read one of Nicola Cornick’s books and I am so glad I picked this one up, set over two time lines centuries apart in the same home and town we meet Dorothy Forester during the Jacobite Rebellion and Hannah Armstrong in the present, the story is intriguing, so well written and it was hard to put down.

1715 the country is on the brink of rebellion, Dorothy Forester lives in Bamburgh Hall with her ailing father, her older brother, Thomas is away at parliament in London and younger brother Nicholas is as Oxford, but trouble is brewing and Dorothy gets caught between the warring factions, all she want is to keep her family safe and then there is the mystery of The Rose a talisman that is hundreds of years old and it is said that her family is the keeper of The Rose and she knows she must keep it safe from falling into the wrong hands. The local blacksmith John Armstrong is there to support and help Dorothy and they get closer throughout the trying times.

Present times Hannah has returned home to Bamburgh to write a biography on a local hero Grace Darling but when she arrives she finds that her step-mother Diana is not well and that she has kept things from Hannah about her brother Brandon and Hannah is determined to get to the truth and this brings her to researching Dorothy Forester another local heroine during the Jacobite Rebellion and the more she digs the more she seems to think that there is a lot more to this myth about The Rose and is there a chance that somehow she is linked to The Rose as well and then danger arrives and like in her past there is someone there to save her Aaron her teenage crush, will they find the answers to the myths and secrets that abound around The Rose?

Nicola Cornick has researched and come up with a story that is intriguing, magical and has the reader thinking about myth, legend and facts, the characters are so very good and I felt a connection to them from the start, well most of them there are some that show their true self and I have no problem highly recommending this one to any reader and lover of a good historical story with a touch of everything in it. I loved it.

My thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books

5 stars

February 7, 2025 by Boldwood Books