The Resistance Knitting Club

 The Resistance Knitting Club

Threads of Resistance #1

Jenny O'Brien

Reviewed by Helen

This is such a lovely story based on a true story, a story of courage and strength of heartbreak and love. Leonora and James Galliene grew up on the Island of Guernsey bought up by an aunt after the death of their parents, Leonora (Lenny) started knitting at a young age, never knowing how much it could help later in life.

When the war starts James joins up and works for the War Office in London as an interpreter while Lenny stays on the island and knits socks for the troops but when a telegram arrives to say that James is missing in action and the island is just about to occupied by the Germans Lenny takes herself to London to get answers.

Then Lenny finds herself working for the war office and joining what has become to be known as Churchill’s secret army, months of training sees her going to France to become part of the resistance, her coding skills are brilliant and with her suggestion that Morse code be used in the knitting that is sent to the troops messages can be sent. She is in Paris with Harry Dennison an old friend of James working together in dangerous situations, things change very quickly and decisions must be made.

The danger grows, will Lenny and Harry escape in time and what will become of them in the future, this story is told in duel time lines when we first meet Lenny in 2010 and then we go back and learn her story and truly what a story I loved it from start to finish and I do highly recommend it the characters are just wonderful strength courage abound in this one and the settings so good, don’t miss this one and I am looking forward to more in the series.

My thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for my digital copy to read and review

5 stars

February 6, 2026 by Storm Publishing

The Wartime Book Club

 The Wartime Book Club

Kate Thompson 

Reviewed by Helen

This is a story filled with heartbreak and it is so heart-wrenching but it is also a beautiful story of friendship, strength and courage shown by the people who lived through five years of Nazi occupation on the Island of Jersey during World War two, based on a true story of stolen German letters come and meet Grace and Bea.

Grace is the librarian and knows the power of books and how they can help and Bea is a postwoman sorting and delivering mail to people on the island, times are hard food is scarce and the morale is ebbing as people try to stay alive, Grace and Bea are taking very big risks to keep people safe but it is what they need to do, Bea is grieving the loss of her fiancé in an attempted escape and puts that grief and anger into what she can do to disrupt the Nazis Grace comes up with another plan to start a book club maybe that will build morale.

This book club works wonders and soon the library is lending more books than it ever has before with Grace also delivering books, banned books as well to help people being kept save she meets and American air force pilot shot down, Red and soon their hearts are growing but what a time to fall in love, how will it all end, is the end near?

This is a book that made me cry with what Grace and Bea went through but had me cheering them on as well and it shows what the power of books can do, I loved this one from start to finish the characters all of them played such a big part in this story and at the end the author has told her readers about the research, it is very interesting, I would highly recommend this one to any reader who loves a fabulous historical fiction.

5 stars

April 9, 2024 by Forever

Once Upon a Wicked Wager

 Once Upon a Wicked Wager

Spies Like Us #1

Cassandra Samuels

Reviewed by Helen

This is such a great story Oliver has come home to take the place of his brother Henry who died in a horse riding accident and is now the Earl of Bellamy and bankrupt because of a speculation that Henry invested in, Lisbeth has been through so much accused of murdering her husband Lord Blackhurst who was cruel and led the speculation although she was found not guilty for years she has been known as the Black Raven and kept to herself but she has decided to finally come out and find out who killed her husband but she needs help and Oliver is the one she finally allowes through her door to win the wagers that have been put up by the ton. The banter between Lisbeth and Oliver will keep you smiling as they journey to a HEA that is sensual and heartwarming with danger thrown in and Oliver's Aunt Petunia adds a lot to the story. Oliver is such a caring hero one that I would die for don't miss this one I highly recommend it I loved it.

5 stars

January 16, 2026 by Dragonblade Publishing, Inc

Lies, Love and the Lost Lord

 Lies, Love and the Lost Lord

The Lost Lords #4

Karla Kratovil

Reviewed by Helen

The final book in this wonderful series and it was fabulous, Rhys Seaton has been one of my favourite characters throughout the series will he finally get his HEA and the three girlfriends Violet is not happy in her marriage to the Marquis of Sommerset will she find a way to save herself?

Rhys has come a long way since growing up in a brothel in Cheapside yes he has been called lots of things but these days he is a wealthy business owner, illegitimate son of a Duke who is now close to his half brother the Duke of Hartwick but when he makes a deathbed promise to the one man who has been a father to him, he sets out to discover the truth about The Duke Of Lavensham, could this be the turning point in his life when he meets up with Lady Violet Sommerset searching the Duke’s study?

Violet is in desperate need to escape her cruel and brutal husband she is pregnant and will do whatever she can to protect her unborn baby and comes up with a plan to blackmail her husband’s father the Duke but first she must find some incriminating evidence to blackmail him, she takes a chance on searching his study during party and here she encounters Rhys Seaton she knows who he is but she does not fell scared at all she feels safe and they come to an agreement to work together to see what they can find out, will she finally be safe from her drunkard husband but be safe with Rhys?

Working together their friendship grows and soon into more than friendship but the sensual pull grows but Violet is married and Rhys is from the wrong side of the street but their hearts are growing, are they are getting closer to discovering what the Duke has been doing? Will Violet be safe, after an accident takes her husband and when they do discover the truth it changes many things about Rhys but not the love that has grown between them.

This is a fabulous story and the author takes on issues that are an issue in our world today and done it well, Rhys has always been a favourite for me and Violet is strong and capable and together they fly, I do highly recommend this one an historical romantic suspense a wonderful end to the series.

My thanks to Tule Publishing for my digital copy to read and review.

5 stars

January 15, 2026 by Tule Publishing

The Masterpiece

 The Masterpiece

Belinda Alexandra

Reviewed by Helen

WOW what a beautiful and amazing story from start to the fabulous finish, this is the first book from Belinda Alexander that I have read but it won’t be the last, I can’t believe that I have not read any of her books before.

1946 Eve Archer grew up in Australia with only her French mother, Madeline, Eve was taught everything about the finer things in the world but that was only when her mother was not influenced by alcohol, but when her mother takes her own life she leaves Eve a letter to take to the man who is her father Serge Lavertu and Eve is determined to find her father and get to know him.

But when she arrives in Paris she sets herself up with a position as companion to a wealthy socialite and is slowly getting to know her father even if she hasn’t told him yet and then Serge is arrested and charged with art theft, dealing selling a masterpiece to Hitler and murder and Eve is determined to prove his innocence.

With her investigations she finds Russian artist Kristina Belova, Kristina has no memory after 1923 but as their friendship grows Eve learns about the life of the two art dealers Serge, Kristina’s husband Max and Kristina’s life it is a tale of love, heartbreak and so much more, what it was like living in Nice during the war but will she uncover the truth of the missing artworks and the death of a beloved French couple before it is too late to save Serge?

A story set across many years from 1923 till 1946, what Eve uncovers is a love triangle and a secret about her own heritage. This is a fabulous story that I devoured it is beautifully written, fabulous characters and one that I would highly recommend to any lover of historical fiction.

5 stars

September 4, 2024 by Harper Collins Publishers

Two True Loves by Joanne Austen Brown

 Reviewed by Nas Dean

Two True Loves by Joanne Austen Brown is a tender, emotionally rich story that pulls you in from the very first page. The characters feel wonderfully human—flawed, brave, and deeply relatable. The author weaves love, loss, and second chances into a touching narrative that stays with you long after you’ve finished reading.

If you enjoy romantic stories filled with warmth, hope, and genuine heart, this book is an absolute delight. Perfect for readers who believe love truly can come twice.

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Helen's review

England 1815 and a young Eleanor Compton, daughter of a Vicar wants to marry the love of her life Viscount Alexander Darlington the war with Napoleon, after her father agrees they have a few months off love and happiness before Alex goes of to fight at Waterloo.

Eleanor discovers she is having their baby just before she finds out that Alex will not be returning, heartbroken and devastated when Alex’s best friend Miles Farley, Earl of Axton arrives vowing to keep the promise he made to Alex and that is to protect Eleanor and his unborn baby.

Miles stays close to Eleanor and Alex’s family as there is problems with one of Alex’s brothers but soon Eleanor and Miles are falling for each other should this be happening can someone love two men as much as Eleanor is doing?

A short story of heart-beak and happiness as love find its way to Eleanor again. A lovely romance and a quick read.

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

4 stars

Abducted by the Highlander

 Abducted by the Highlander

Daughters of the Isle #3

Christina Phillips

Reviewed by Helen

What a fabulous finish to this awesome series, will Roisin MacDonald find her HEA like her two sisters have? Roisin is quiet and very close to Isolde and Freyja but they have left the Isle and having met Hugh Campbell when he came looking for his cousin, Roisin always had hoped that he would return after the friendship they started eighteen months ago but sadly that didn’t happen and now she is on her way to visit Isolde in the highlands but she doesn’t make it.

Hugh Campbell has spent the last eighteen months spying for The Earl of Argyll he leaves everything and goes undercover and becomes a mercenary but his hope of returning to the isle of Eigg to see Lady Roisin McDonald is shattered but one day he hopes to make her his. Then out of nowhere he comes across a group of bandits attacking a party of riders and rescues the woman and he finds Lady Roisin, but he must not let her know what he is doing and soon Roisin is in the rebel McGregor camp and Hugh vows to keep her safe.

Danger is strong at the moment and keeping the woman he loves safe and not opening up to her is hard but Roisin has become stronger in the last eighteen months and she will not be ordered about by anyone.

Roisin is stunned when Hugh is the one to save her and she is determined to understand why Hugh is with a group of rebels and to make him understand that she wants him but secrets don’t help their journey and of course the danger is front and centre, will they come out of this with their lives and theirs hearts united?

This is a beautiful story, Roisin is so strong and capable and Hugh what a hero I loved him and they are made for each other, I gorgeous romance that had me turning the pages cheering them on throughout and meeting up with Isolde and Freyja and their families was awesome. I do highly recommend this one, I loved it.

My thanks to Netgalley and Dragonblade Publishing Inc. for my copy to read and review

5 stars

December 2, 2025 by Dragonblade Publishing, Inc