Christmas at the Convent

 Christmas at the Convent

Harriet Gordon Mysteries #5.5

A.M. Stuart

Reviewed by Helen

Harriet and Curran are just about to enjoy their first Christmas as a married couple and they are also looking forward to Julian and Esme’s wedding and a visit from young Will, it is sure to be a fabulous time that is until the phone rings in the early hours of the morning to say that a newborn baby has been found in the nativity scene at the local convent and that this baby is European, the hunt is on then for the mother they must ensure that she is safe.

Of course Harriet is not going to stay out of this investigation and Curran is happy to have her help with the young mother and when they uncover secrets that were supposed to stay secret this may very well not only put the mother in danger but the baby as well.

Again MS Stuart has taken her readers on a journey that will keep them turning the pages, Harriet and Curran work so well together bounce ideas off each other and find the answers they need, Harriet can also get herself in a little danger which is surely sending Curran greyer but together they make such a fabulous team and it will be sad to see the finish of this series but it looks like Harriet and Curran may be back with new adventures, I have my fingers crossed, this one ended so well it left me smiling.

I do highly recommend this series to any lover of a good historical mystery series this really is a brilliant series, one not to be missed, but read them all from the start, I love MS. Stuart’s books they are all fabulous.

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

5 stars

September 10, 2026 by Oportet Publishing

The Lost Perfumes of Paris

 The Lost Perfumes of Paris

Christine Wells

Reviewed by Helen

It is 1956 and we are in France, Grasse and Paris and we meet Elodie Limeaux, Elodie is the daughter of Aurore a famous perfumer who created some famous perfumes for The House of Limeaux and she wants nothing more than to be a perfumer like her mother was, she lost her mother when she was young and now her father Fabrice runs the perfume company that her grandfather started many years before, will she ever get there?

Elodie is now in her late twenties and she comes up against her father and the other lab assistants working for Limeaux, no perfume she creates seems to please him, her father refuses to allow her to follow in her mother’s footsteps, but when she finds out about a contest to find a perfume that will create the essence of Paris Elodie is determined to enter.

Marcelo Caspari is the son of a Swiss banker who is an investor in Limeaux and when he meets Elodie at a dinner he and his father support her all the way, Marcello is very interested in perfumes and finding all of the lost perfumes from many years ago and soon he and Elodie are working together in his own lab to create the perfect perfume to win the competition.

Together they not only find their passion for perfume is as strong as each other’s they also find that their hearts are also growing with love for each other, their journey to create that perfume meets a few hurdles along the way one of them being Elodie’s father he pushes her back at every turn, but Elodie shows her strength with Marcelo by her side and they create what they are very happy to enter into the contest but will they win and what will come of anything after that?

This is a story that had me invested from page one, I loved Elodie and Marcello and the other characters that add so much to the story the settings are beautiful as we see Elodie uncover truths about her mother and father and create perfumes that will last forever and Marcello is caring and passionate about perfume and Elodie. I loved this one so much and highly recommend it to any reader who loves a good historical fiction and romance, a must read.

Thank you MS. Wells for another brilliant story, it is so beautiful, based on woman perfumers from the past it shows what woman had to fight against to make their way in the perfume world and done so very well.

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

5 stars

September 8, 2026 by William Morrow Paperbacks

His Last Letter

 His Last Letter

Tanya Curran

Reviewed by Helen

This is a beautiful story, so well written and based on the authors own grandparents, it takes in men and woman who in 1939 and beyond put everything at risk to fight for their countries, report back to their country what was going on and nurse the injured throughout some very hard times, come along and meet these men and women.

Jack Sullivan is the eldest of a large family and willingly signs up to fight for his country, just before he leaves he meets Lizzie Lewis a nurse from Adelaide and their hearts seem joined from the start, he writes to Lizzie while he is away and their friendship grows through the letters.
Bert Miller is a reporter and his first big story takes in the announcement from the Australian Prime Minister at the start of the war, he is soon travelling over to the war zones and mailing his stories back to his editor and they are making the front page often.

After Lizzie receives some tragic news she decides that she will sign up and join the nurses helping, she is sent to Papua New Guinea and she is sure that is where Jack is, will she find him when she arrives?

Letters play a big part in this story and they are so beautiful, as we get to know Jack, Lizzie and Bert as well as the other fabulous characters that make this story so good, it is emotional, moving and opens up a world that was very hard for those six years. I loved Jack and Lizzie and Bert, is such a hero in so many ways as were all the men and woman who did what was needed,

I would highly recommend this story to any reader who loves a good historical fiction MS. Curran has bought the characters and the war to life on the pages, don’t miss this one, I loved it.

My thanks to the author for my copy.

5 stars

August 3, 2025 by Green Hill Publishing

The Palace of Lost Virtue

 The Palace of Lost Virtue

Anthea Hodgson

Reviewed by Helen

Anthea Hodgson takes her readers on and adventure back to Kalgoolrie in 1898 gold is everywhere and it plays a big part in the story and then there is the duel time line that takes us to 1926, come along and meet two woman from very different sides of the track who make friends and where they end up.

1898 and Marigold Harrington arrives with her mother in Kalgoolrie in search of her father who left their happy home in Toorak Melbourne in search of gold to make their lives better, Marigold is a member of The Christian Woman’s Temperance and she is determined to help woman wherever she can, especially those who are in brothels and the such, but she never thought her life would change the way it did.

Pansy Arlington has come to Western Australia from Kentucky USA after her life changed and now she owns and runs The Palace of Pleasure she has built her business up from nothing and has some very good girls working for her, Pansy does love a drink though so when Marigold arrives doing her best to talk to Pansy and the girls and change their minds about what they are doing, Pansy is not going to listen, but Pansy sees a strength in Marigold and also kindness.

It is not long before Marigold and Pansy become good friends and although their lives run in different circles they are there for each other especially when Marigold finds herself in a difficult situation and Pansy steps up and helps Marigold but it means the end of their friendship but does it really.

1926 sees Marigold still in Kalgoolrie but life is very different for her now things have changed she has been through a lot but she is still the most determined woman there is and there is a lot that keeps her going especially the court case regarding the murders of two policeman, her and her neighbour Gert are full of interesting information, will they find the killer or killers?

This story is based on true events, it was a hard time and I loved this one I loved Pansy she is a wonderful character as is Marigold and the girls Rosie and Bertha, there is a twist at the end that I did not see coming but I applauded it, I do highly recommend this one to any lover of a good Aussie historical fiction. Thank you Anthea Hodgson for another fabulous story.

4 stars

April 21, 2026 by Penguin Australia

The Diamonds of Tilly Devine

 The Diamonds of Tilly Devine

Jackie French

Reviewed by Helen

Constance McKie has just lost the mother she loved, she has been caring for her for the last seven years as she fought her battle with cancer it is 1931 and the Sydney suburb of Surry Hills is not the best place to live, the depression has changed people’s lives and now what is Connie to do, there are not many choices, starve, jump of the gap or become a street walker when Tilly Devine the queen of the brothels offers her a choice that is hard to refuse.

Connie weighs up her options and takes on the job of one of Tilly’s Diamonds these woman are beautiful, know how to keep secrets they are upper class, Tilly keeps her Diamonds separate from her other businesses and she plays matchmaker arranging marriages to wealthy men who needs to keep their personal lives secret and soon Connie finds herself married to businessman Ted Glendenning, they have met a few times and Connie is convinced that she will be happy with her paper marriage but after two days of marriage she realises that there is no way she is going to be happy and the mouse that Ted thought he married turns around when they arrive at the country property that Connie is supposedly to spend her life on the farm away from the city.

Soon Connie with some changes she is settled into her new life in the country and life is so very good for her but when a murder is suspected, things change very quickly connections to Tilly Devine must be kept under wraps, bribery, blackmail and so much more bring big changes to this once happy place, will Connie survive all that is happening? After all Diamonds are very strong.

This is such a great story MS. French has bought to life an era that was very hard for so many people and combined fact and fiction and bought her readers a story that is complex and immersive there are so many plots and so many fabulous characters Connie is such a strong and determined woman and Tilly Devine was always a woman not to be messed with and it shows in this story. I do highly recommend this one to anyone who loves historical fiction, I loved it.

My thanks to Harlequin Harlequin Enterprises for my copy to read and review.

4 stars

June 30, 2026 by Harlequin Enterprises

I've Grown Accustomed to My Scott

 I've Grown Accustomed to My Scott

The Mackenzies Take London #2

Sara Bennett

Reviewed by Helen

Book two in this wonderful series and we see the second Mackenzie brother Rory arrive in London to continue on in his reckless life he has no intention of falling in love or heaven forbid marrying, Rory is about the carefree life but things just might change when he ends up in a duel and then with his caring ways rescues and marries Grace, it is to be a paper marriage only he will see her settled in a home and he can go on his merry way or that is what he thought.

Grace sadly is known as Disgrace after a scandal when she thought a man would be able to help her escape her cruel stepfather, but when her stepfather finds her another husband and he ends up in a duel with a Scotsman is seems the she will now marry Lord Rory Mackenzie although she knows that it is a marriage on paper Grace dearly wants to make it real one at least once she is shocked when Rory refuses, he is a man of his word.

But with Rory’s Aunt Jennie encouraging them to be seen out in public to push the scandal away their time spend together sees them forming a relationship that is growing and soon they are sharing a bed and things are changing for both of them but falling in love was never on the plan for either but life has a way of changing things could they find a HEA together?

This is a truly a lovely story one that I loved Rory and Grace are made for each other and I do highly recommend this one and the series and I can’t wait for the next one bring it on I am looking forward to getting to know the next Mackenzie sibling.

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

5 stars

June 6, 2026 by Dragonblade Publishing, Inc

Rebel Spirits

 Rebel Spirits

Paula J Beavan

Reviewed by Helen

This is another fabulous Australian historical from one of my favourite authors, Paula J Beavan it is 1865 and we are in the small town of Jump Up Creek in The Hunter Valley of New South Wales and we meet the Maguire’s, Paddy and his two adult children Ellen and Michael, times have been hard since the death of wife and mother and since the railway went through, their roadside inn The Harp and Hound known as one of the best is no longer getting the patronage that it had and Ellen had promised her mother that she would keep things running and look after her father and brother.

Ellen continues to make the woman’s elixir that has been handed down from her granny then to her mother and now Ellen but when needs must with the help of their cook Mrs. Reid Ellen is soon doing something that she never would have thought possible, making poteen to an old family receipt and this could bring them back from the brink of ruin or destroy everything they have known as a family.

When Ellen rescues and injured Englishman Jack Bell who is searching for his long lost niece, Ellen offers him a place to stay and the care he needs for a while but soon there is a pull that she is not sure about, and it appears that Jack is feeling the same but they are from two very different worlds and with what she is doing at the moment nothing can happen.

Dangers seems to be appearing from all corners now when the mystery niece arrives with her secrets and what of her brother Michael and the things he is up to with the poteen she has been making and the sly grog shops and the neighbour who is after their land and the police are doing their best to contain the sly grog throw in a couple of children some Llamas and Alpacas and a race horse and this story has all that is needed for a wonderful story that had me smiling, cheering Ellen on and turning the pages.

I loved this one from start to finish, the author has bought the era, the characters and the events to life on the pages, who will Ellen choose family or the handsome Jack Bell? I do highly recommend this one, I never miss a Paula J Beavan story you will be transported back in time and get hours of reading joy, many thanks MS. Beavan for another fabulous story.

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

5 stars

May 27, 2026 by Paula J Beavan

The Marriage Trap

 The Marriage Trap

Victoria Purman

Reviewed by Helen

1960 in a suburban town in Adelaide and we meet the Langley family, Len, Olive, Cathy and Evelyn there are also another two sons and another daughter but they have married and moved out, this story concentrates on the three females Olive, Cathy and Evelyn and what life was like starting at 1960 and going through to 1970 and it was a bit different to what we know now come along and meet them.

Olive is sixty and is a strict catholic she has had five children the last one Evelyn was a change of life baby and born when she was fifty it was a big shock, did she ever want five children probably not but as a married woman and catholic there was not a lot she could do but she always hoped that her daughters would one day have a little more control over their lives.

Cathy is twenty and at teachers college she has her life planned teaching for a couple of years before she settles down and marries and starts a family of her own but she would like more control about those things but when she meets Andy she discovers that love is opening up a new world for her and one night will change all of her plans for the future and she finds herself married but one thing is for sure she is determined to decide how many children she has and she just might get that wish when there is talk of a contraceptive pill, this will change her life.

Evelyn is ten and is very smart she loves the family dictionary she uses it all the time she loves listening in on adult conversations and will look up any word that she does not know the meaning of and along the way she soon discovers that life for a woman is not all it is made out to be will things be different as she gets older, she certainly want sit to be.

I did enjoy this story and getting to know these three females and what life was like back then although I was born in the 1950’s and married in the 1970’s things were still changing for the better for me there is a lot of back story information throughout about the contraceptive pill and the catholic church and the thoughts of the men who ran it, did Olive’s ideas change over the years as her girls grew into woman? One thing is for sure I am glad things have changed for woman.

My thanks to HQ Fiction and Netgalley for my copy to read and review.

4 stars

May 1, 2026 by HQ Fiction

The Governess's Guide to Spells and Managing Misfit Marquesses

 The Governess's Guide to Spells and Managing Misfit Marquesses

The Parasol Academy #2

Amy Rose Bennett

Reviewed by Helen

I am loving this series, the first one was brilliant and now we get to know Parasol Academy Governess Hermina Davenport when she takes matters into her own hands to protect a child, come along for a journey filled with danger, fun and so much more.

Mina Davenport takes her job very seriously and when she is sacked form her job as Governess to a young, orphaned Viscount, she will use all of her magical powers that she needs to protect him and gets herself on the ship that is whisking him away to The Artic by his new guardian, too late to walk down the gangplank she uses her tel-ley-porting spell and finds herself and young Christopher on another boat this one belongs to an Irishman a huge man who has recently become a Marquess and here the journey starts with Phineas O’Connell , Lord Kinsale and his rather pugnacious pug Brutus.

Phineas grew up on the streets of Dublin and being a Lord was the last thing he expected and his life so far has not been easy he stutters and his accent is strong and he is finding it hard to fit in with The Ton, but when a mysterious woman and young child just arrive on his yacht, are they stowaways he has no idea but before long he comes up with a plan that this governess can help him with his etiquette and his elocution but first he must have a young ward to be able to hire her and in steps young pick pocket Tom Fleet, soon Mina, Phineas, Christopher and Tom are living and learning together.

This really is a fabulous story Phineas and Mina are perfect together and it shows when evil and supernatural forces make themselves known putting them all in danger Phineas stands his ground and will do anything to protect the woman he has fallen in love with and Mina a true Parasol Academy Governess uses all of her powers magical and beyond to keep them safe as she falls for her big bulking Irishman.

I do highly recommend this one, a fabulous historical romance with a twist it is as fabulous as the first one in the series and I am really hoping we will have more in the series, I loved it is filled with emotion, it is sensual and so much fun, Brutus is the best so many awesome characters.

My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my copy to read and review.

5 stars

March 31, 2026 by Kensington

The Hobart Hotel

 The Hobart Hotel

Mary-Lou Stephens

Reviewed by Helen

I loved this one, again MS Stephens has not disappointed me this story, it is absolutely fabulous told in two time lines, with wonderful characters and settings I fell into it and savoured the story.

1939 and it is the big opening for the Riviera Hotel in Wrest Point Tasmania and Mrs. Sabine Winters has travelled from Europe to be at the opening she is looking forward to the glamour after all that she has been through in Spain and now what is happening in Europe, she will have some choice selections for her (stolen) collection of jewellery she is sure, what happens is she is blackmailed by Mr. Grey into joining him in spying and she soon finds herself married to Mr. Grey and landing in Uruguay, South America where she puts herself in danger to get information about the Nazis who are doing their best to take over the country.

In 1973 Hobart is the place to be with the opening up of Australia’s first casino at The Wrest Point Hotel Casino and twenty year old Jenny Davis and her friends attend the opening and Jenny has found a gorgeous gold dress at the back of her mother’s wardrobe and she wears it, it really is special and she is soon approached by one of the managers and asked if she would like to become a Ladybird and Croupier but she knows that her mother will not stand for it she is against the Casino, but matters are taken out of her hands and soon Jenny finds herself, training to become a Ladybird, making new friends and earning more money that she ever did but is also causes a rift between her and her mother and soon she is living in The Riviera Hotel. With Jenny’s twenty first birthday coming up she finds a letter with a key that says this will change her life and soon Jenny and her friends will be uncovering an old mystery that will change her life.

This is a fabulously told story of two strong woman, two awesome settings it really is a page turner and has everything an historical fiction story needs, mystery, romance and adventure, I loved both Sabine and Jenny and the two timelines, the 1973 one bought back lots of memories for me with bands and music and The House or Merewether, I remember The Casino opening and all the fanfare that went with it. The ending is just the best, a fitting end to an awesome story.

I do highly recommend this one I loved it.

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

5 stars

April 1, 2026 by HQ Fiction

The Italian Correspondent

 The Italian Correspondent

Belinda Alexandra

Reviewed by Helen

Rome 1951 and Italian correspondent for Vogue, Veronica Gold is working hard after the war years and the loss of her daughter it is not always easy there is still a lot of conflict about the past and the fascists and the horrors she has seen while reporting the war are not easy to forget but she has her sister Penny and her cat Oggi and life will go on, but will she find love again?

With her life settled she is living in Rome when some men from her past arrive, Professor Marcello Fabbri, archeologist and former Partisan a man she spent one glorious night with during the war, her ex-husband Lyle Cooper who is an American diplomat he left her to marry her best friend heiress Emerald Evergreen add to that Count Carlo Durazzo, Emerald’s current husband and her life is just about to get turned upside down in so many ways.

When Lyle asks her to cover a story for him and then he is found murdered and it is looking like Emerald has killed him, Veronica is convinced she did it but Carlo says she is innocent but evidence shows that she may not have done it, Veronica and Carlo work together to set her free, this will need more help and Marcello steps in to help and a tangled web of emotions between all of these people grows making decisions for Veronica very hard, a couple of twists will really change the way she thinks, spies, the threat of nuclear war and so much more, but what of her heart will she finally find the love that she so very much deserves after all she has been through?

This is a story that is well written, Veronica Gold is based partly on the woman correspondents who worked so hard and made a difference back then, she is strong and determined but honest and real in herself, I could feel all that she was going through, there are so many fabulous characters in this story that made it what it is good and bad. There is adventure, mystery and murder and it is one that I highly recommend, I loved it.

My thanks to Harper Collins AU for my copy to read and review.

5 stars

March 31, 2026 by HarperCollins AU

Harbored Desires

 Harbored Desires

The Hazelby Sisters #1

Shannon Frances James

Reviewed by Helen

I do love an historical romance and this debut hit the spot beautifully I loved getting to know Harriet Hazelby and Alexander Ordell, come along and meet them for a rollicking sensual adventure.

Harriet is the third sister and has always been happier helping her father with his estates, riding horses and has been known to dress as a stable boy here and there for an adventure, it is one of these times when she has left her home after her eldest sister Eliza who is a duchess is insisting that she come for tea at the home of a Duke that she takes off into the town of Hull here she is mistaken for a sailor and ordered to board the The Seren with a message, this day could change Harriet’s life.

Captain Alexander is in a hurry to sail with the tide but when he discovers a stowaway on board who he wants off immediately that is until the young lad gives him a message and this message changes everything not only that but this young lad is not a lad at all but a young woman. This message cannot be ignored and it puts her life in danger so young Harry is soon sailing the seas with him and his crew and he puts her to work, was this the right thing to do, who is she really?

As they sail the sparks fly between them, Alexander is enjoying his spitfire she does not back down easily and Harriet is learning to be a sailor and quite enjoying it but she is also enjoying her time with Alexander and his dog Shadow. Alexander has sworn of marriage after what his mother went through but could Harriet be breaking down those walls and as for Harriet she has always thought she was not good enough to find a match as her parents did, could she be wrong?

This is a fabulous debut a beautiful story witty and sensual as we know love doesn’t always run smoothly and there are a few hurdles for Harriet and Alexander to jump before they find their gorgeous HEA, I loved both of them and the other characters in this story that help make it what it is and I am very much looking forward to more in this series and see what the authors has installed for them. I do highly recommend this one to any lover of a good historical romance it had me turning the pages and cheering them on and very happy at the end.

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

5 stars

April 11, 2026 by By The Fire Publishing

A Bride for Marcus

 A Bride for Marcus

The Devil Riders #6

Anne Gracie

Reviewed by Helen

Another beautiful story one of the best authors I do love a good regency and Anne Gracie does them so well and we have been awaiting for this one for a long time and finally Marcus has his story and it was worth the wait, I loved it, I loved Marcus and Tessa come along and meet them, although part of a series it can be read as a standalone.

Marcus Earl of Alverleigh is a most eligible bachelor but he is never going to marry he learnt enough from his parents’ marriage so that is not for him he has heirs in his brothers that will be enough, he is known as dull and quiet and that suits him well, that is until he reunited with an old friend someone he has not seen for many years his old neighbour and forest exploring friend Tessa Blaxland.

Tessa now Lady Hewitt has been widowed again and her brother Edgar has her back in London to do his best to marry her off again to pay his gambling debts she is known as the ice widow but this time she is refusing Edgar’s push to marry another old man, something that she is determined to never do again, she want her freedom, when at a ball she meets up with her old friend Marcus they had had so much fun together when they were young but her reputation is ruined and she keeps him at arm’s length.

But when Marcus steps in and rescues her things change with rumours spreading through the ton, Marcus offers her a convenient marriage of friendship and companionship, no passion, no love can she refuse and let her reputation be tarnished more and even worse what about Marcus’s reputation, maybe this will be good for both of them after all they are friends.

On their honeymoon though they are open and honest with each other and Tessa soon learns what making love is all about and Marcus’s walls are breaking down, could this be a match made in heaven, friends to lovers and a HEA so beautiful?

This is just the best story, fun, witty filled with humour but emotional and moving with such awesome characters, who cannot love Aunt Maude and Barney, Billy, Joey and Flora I laughed, I smile I cheered them on and felt for Tessa in so many ways but she stayed strong and so caring and Marcus what a hero he is the best, he knows how to love after all. I do highly recommend this one, sigh worthy and just what I needed.

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

5 stars

March 25, 2026 by Gracie Enterprises

My Fair Scot

 My Fair Scot

The MacKenzies Take London #1

Sara Bennett

Reviewed by Helen

When Callum MacKenzie is told by his father The Duke of Bonnyrigg that he must leave his beloved home in Scotland to go to London to find a wife who will bring respectability to the family he is not happy at all, Callum is very happy wandering the forests and caring for the animals but he must do what his father says, so off to London he goes to stay with his aunt but his first appearance amongst the ton does not go well, his aunt decides that he needs a tutor someone who can teach him the rules and manners of the ton and this person is Penelope Armstrong.

Penelope lost her parents in a carriage accident at the age of eighteen and with a young brother to care for Penelope does what she has to, but now she must find a way to keep food on the table and becomes a tutor in etiquette and manners for those who need it, this has not been easy to start with as she is known as a fallen woman but soon she is making a success of her small business but when she is hired to transform Callum MacKenzie she might just break her rule about her students.

The pull between these two is instant and soon Callum is becoming a gentleman but also falling for the beautiful Penelope and Penelope is feeling the same way and their time spent together is getting very sensual is there a chance that Penelope could be the wife that Callum needs, will his father accept her?

This is such a great story and I loved it I do love a good Scotsman and Callum is the best and Penelope is so caring and strong after all she has been through, their journey to a HEA was a beautiful one and I do highly recommend it and am looking forward to the next one.

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

5 stars

March 6, 2026 by Dragonblade Publishing, Inc

The Valkyrie Begins

 The Valkyrie Begins

The Valkyrie of Birca Series (a prequel)

Tanya Nellestein

Reviewed by Helen

I absolutely loved The Valkyrie of Birca series and was thrilled when the author put out a prequel before re-releasing this awesome series, it was fabulous getting to know Brenna from when she started her journey firstly to becoming a shieldmaiden then on to become who she is today The Queen of Birca and her relationship with her best friend Vali.

The seer has spoken she is destined to lead and heal the scars of her ancestors will the Gods be correct in their prophecy for what will happen with Brenna?

This story is just fabulous as is the series learning about The Vikings and their beliefs, the strength they carry and the deep love they share with each other, Tanya Nellestein has researched very well and brings the Vikings way to life on the pages, a must read, one that I highly recommend.

5 stars

February 18, 2026

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