The House Sitter by Elizabeth Drummond (2024)

 

The House Sitter

His house. Her rules. But who’s in charge?

Pippa Munro had everything planned for her perfect wedding. What she did not have planned, was for her boyfriend to break up with her. Or sell her beloved farm. So instead of being blissfully engaged, Pippa finds herself jobless, homeless and loveless. Things couldn’t be going better…

Wolfie Squires needs someone to look after his family’s ancient house. He’s too busy with his hot shot city job to deal with a country manor several hundred miles away.

The perfect solution? Find someone to house sit.
The less-than-perfect candidate? Pippa Munro.

Pippa is more comfortable working on a farm than dusting a chandelier, and definitely not the ideal choice for the job.

As tempers fray, ideas clash, and secrets are spilled, Pippa and Wolfie might realise they have the same ambitions for the house, if only they could stop arguing long enough to find out…

Purchase Links

Amazon UK

Amazon US

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A lighthearted and fun rom-com. I spent a Saturday and a Sunday morning reading this book and found it to be a funny and charming story.

From the beginning, I despised Alex and his father, so I was delighted when Pippa finally went her separate way. After wallowing in self-pity for a time at her cousin's place she lands on her feet with a house-sitting job at a lovely big mansion. 

My favourite parts of the book are the scenes where potential buyers view the mansion and Pippa finds ways of sabotaging the potential sale. Todd, the next-door neighbour is a hoot, especially when he and his pig get involved in Pippa's scheme. 

Wolfie is a sullen character but it is clear he has taken a shine to Pippa but he's not very good at flirting. Fortunately, his actions speak louder than words and there are a few very sweet and swoon-worthy scenes. I would have liked him to have a bit more self-confidence and not go off in a huff every time he sees Pippa interacting with Alex. Thankfully, Pippa doesn't give up on him.

I laughed out loud at Pippa and Wolfie's madcap last-minute dash to prevent a courier from delivering the paperwork for the sale of the mansion. It was such a lovely and humorous moment near the end of the book.

This was a lovely book and made the perfect weekend reading at the end of a busy and stressful week.

Author Bio  

Elizabeth Drummond grew up and studied in Yorkshire, attaining a degree in English Literature from Sheffield University before moving to New York for a year post-graduation. It was in New York she learned she was nothing like Carrie Bradshaw so upon her return to England she moved to London where she forged a successful career as a film distribution executive. Although her experiences on film sets and corporate boardrooms could fill multiple books with scandal alone, Elizabeth’s books are mostly filled with light-hearted humour and romance. Elizabeth lives in Essex with her husband and two daughters.

Social Media Links – Instagram/Twitter/TikTok/Threads @Lizzythebrit

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Her Scandalous Suitor by Rachel Brimble

 

Her Scandalous Suitor

A chance meeting...or so she thought. Is confidence trickster Will Samson the hero he claims to be or someone else entirely...

Emily Darson assumed her future of propriety and privilege amid a loveless marriage was set in stone. At least, she did until confidence trickster Will Samson came into her life...

Then everything changed.

With each revelation about her fiancé and herself that Will uncovers, he also reveals a little more of who is he, what he has suffered, and the volatile vengeance that burns in his heart.

Can Emily really risk security for scandal? Loyalty for love? Only time will tell…

Purchase Links

Amazon UK

Amazon US

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A classic revenge story where love wins out. 

Will is on a mission to get revenge on Nicholas Milne for the abuse he perpetrated on his mother. Emily is engaged to Nicholas as a way of making her dying father happy with the thought that she will be taken care of when he is gone. Neither is aware of the true nature of her fiancé but it will only be a matter of time before his mask slips and Emily finds herself trapped in an abusive marriage. Will decides that it would be the ultimate revenge to seduce away Nicholas's beautiful fiancée but he soon finds himself falling in love with Emily and wanting to protect her.

The story is quick-paced and grabbed my attention from the opening scenes in the auction room. Both Emily and Will appear to be fun-loving, as shown in the way they secretly interact with each other with looks and a wink even before they are properly introduced. It sets them up as a likeable couple. Contrast that with Nicholas's domineering and heavy-handed attitude with Emily and the reader is immediately given a dislike of him and a hope that Will can find a way of stopping the marriage altogether rather than simply seducing her.

This was a great read with compelling characters, drama and suspense at the ready.

Author Bio 

Rachel lives in a small town near Bath, England. She is the author of 29 novels including the Ladies of Carson Street trilogy, the Shop Girl series (Aria Fiction) and several single titles with The Wild Rose Press. She is super excited to be the first historical fiction author writing for Harpeth Road Press and her first novel with them will be released May 2024.

Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and the Female Entrepreneur Association and has thousands of social media followers all over the world.

To sign up for her newsletter (a guaranteed giveaway every month!), click here: https://bit.ly/3zyH7dt

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Dark Days at the Beach Hotel by Francesca Capaldi

 

Dark Days at the Beach Hotel

Can Helen save the hotel... and her reputation?

Helen Bygrove is managing the hotel, now that her husband has been conscripted. Against all expectations, Helen and her team are doing marvellously, despite the shortages brought by war. Even the exacting Lady Blackmore agrees. But then the calm is shattered when poison pen letters are sent to prominent townsfolk and Helen finds herself the target of a police investigation. Is someone trying to ruin Helen, and the Beach Hotel? And can she rely on the handsome but taciturn Inspector Toshack to help her? When her husband, Douglas, is invalided out of the war he is determined to take back control of the hotel and things go from bad to worse.

How can she ever escape his bullying? Is she a fool to hope that she may have a second chance at love?

Purchase Link - https://geni.us/bXV7C

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The third book in the series but I read it as standalone and thoroughly enjoyed it. Having started the series with the third book it makes me curious to read the others as this one was so enjoyable.

Helen and her husband, Douglas, own a hotel and while he is away completing training before heading off to war Helen comes under suspicion for sending poison pen letters. 

Helen with the support of her staff at the hotel and a budding friendship with the new Inspector makes this an endearing read. When the culprit is revealed everyone breathes a sigh of relief but this calm in the storm is shortlived with the news that helen's husband has been injured and that he is returning home.

Douglas is a nasty pievece of work and no one is thrilled at seeing his bossy, arrogant and bad tempered person return to bully Helen and the staff.

When threats turn to murder Helen must rely on Inspector Toshack to find the killer or killers and lear her name once and for all.

This was a clever and twisty mystery set during the war years. There is a lovely family feel in the hotel between Helen and her staff but it only takes one person to spoil things. I could imagine the hotel very well and the people who frequented it. The story is fast paced and I found myself reading it in a short amount of time as I wanted to find out what happened next with Helen. I enjoyed her friendship with Inspector Toshack and I have hopes for them for the future.

A smart, engaging, historical mystery. 

Author Bio 

Francesca has enjoyed writing since she was a child, largely influenced by a Welsh mother who was good at improvised story telling.

Writing under both her maiden name, Francesca Capaldi, and her married name, Francesca Burgess, she is the author of historical novels, short stories and several pocket novels. She is a member of the Romantic Novelists' Association and the Society of Women Writers and Journalists.

The first novel in the Wartime in the Valleys series, Heartbreak in the Valleys, was shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists' Association Historical Award 2021. Both the Valleys series and the Beach Hotel series are published by Hera Books.

Francesca was born and brought up on the Sussex coast, but currently lives in Kent with her family and a cat called Lando Calrission.

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Death on the High Seas (The Shires Mysteries Book 4) by Anna Legat

                                                                   Death on the High Seas

Maggie and Sam take a break from the murder and mayhem of Bishops Well and embark on a relaxing mid-winter cruise across the northern seas. The brochure promises smooth sailing, good food and dazzling entertainment. Sam is hoping to sprinkle the mix with romance.

But nothing goes to plan.

Maggie runs into an old lover, the mesmerising Benedict Rawbotham, who goes out of his way to sweep her off her feet. Sam is left seething with jealousy.

A mayday signal sent by a fishing boat forces the cruise liner off course. But there is something fishy about the rescued crew and Maggie insists that two young women have died on that boat. Alas, no one believes her.

Soon one of the alleged fishermen is also dead and so is one of the cruise passengers. Cordelia Conti Lang, nicknamed the Bitcoin Queen, with links to London’s criminal underworld, is found in her cabin, stabbed to death.

In pursuit of the killer, Maggie hurtles from one disaster to another and Sam begins to fear for her life. Has he taken her on a cruise to hell?

Purchase Links

Amazon UK

Amazon US

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This is a new series to me even though it's book four. It's easily read as a standalone but Maggie and Sam are so endearing I want to read the previous three books when I get a chance.

Maggie is a very exuberant person who likes to have a little drink and eat sweets. She also has the ability to see ghosts which I wasn't expecting as it isn't mentioned on the blurb. I love paranormal cosy cosy mysteries so this was a nice surprise.

There is a couple of murder mysteries for Maggie to solve and with plenty of suspects she has lots of sleuthing to do whilst Sam has his hands full trying to keep her out of trouble. He is trustworthy and reliable and is always there just when she needs him the most. There is quite a lot of drama on board the ship, especially when one of the rescued fishermen, a suspected murderer, is on the loose. However, the drama doesn't end there as Maggie's life is still in danger when the cruise is over.

This is a quick read with twists and turns to keep me guessing and a sprinkling of romance to further entertain.

Author Bio – Although she writes in a wide range of genres, Anna Legat is best known for her DI Gillian Marsh detective series and The Shires, her cosy murder mysteries. Anna is also the author of the historical thriller, Buried in the Past. She lives near Bath.

Social Media Links –

To find out more: Anna's Blog

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Army Girls: Heartbreak and Hope by Fenella J. Miller (2024)

  June 1941

Grace Sinclair never meant to sign up to the ATS, but when her parents made it clear she had to marry a man she hated, Grace ran away to the safety of the army. But with her cut-glass accent and upper-class ways, Grace finds it hard to fit in with the other girls and begins to think she has made a terrible mistake…

Things get worse for Grace when she meets dashing Squadron Leader Chris Holloway who shares sad and shocking news about Grace’s brother. Heartbroken, Grace confides in fellow ATS girl Ruth who offers her a shoulder to cry on.

With the war raging on, Grace knows she can’t wallow and must do her duty. And with Ruth’s new friendship and Squadron Leader Holloway’s support too, maybe there is hope on the horizon for Grace after all.

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/heartbreakhopesocial

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Heartbreak and Hope is the second book in the Army Girls series.

It is a sweet and quick read despite being 300 pages in length.

It's easily enjoyed as a standalone but reading book one will give an insight into Grace as she features in the first book too.

Heartbreak and Hope begins quite emotionally as Grace is confronted in the early chapters with the unwelcome news of the death of her brother; the only person she feels a bond with.

This coincides with her brother's friend, Chris, being determined to fulfil the promise that he would take care of Grace in her brother's absence.

Keeping an eye on Grace soon turns to love for both parties and it isn't long before wedding bells are ringing. 

There are, however, a few obstacles in their path to a HEA. Grace's maternal family appear to be a good support on the outside. Still, it doesn't take long before Grace realises that her grandfather's benevolence is fuelled by greed and that his intentions towards Grace and her mother are quite nefarious. This leads to a few tense scenes and a lot of drama.

Chris always manages to turn up at the right time and is a sweet antidote to the machinations of Grace's grandfather. There is a lot of drama surrounding her grandfather and it was very uplifting to see Grace navigating her way out of his clutches.

With a welcome little twist at the end of the story Heartbreak and Hope is a wonderfully entertaining read without dwelling for long on the harsh realities of deployment during times of war.

Author Bio –

Fenella J. Miller is the bestselling writer of over eighteen historical sagas. She also has a passion for Regency romantic adventures and has published over fifty to great acclaim. Her father was a Yorkshireman and her mother the daughter of a Rajah. She lives in a small village in Essex with her British Shorthair cat.

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Pierced by Silver Series: Paranormal Misadventures #2 by Anca Antoci COVER REVEAL

Title: Pierced by Silver Series: Paranormal Misadventures #2 Genre: Cozy Paranormal Mystery Release date: March 21st 2024 Pre-order: Yes Kindle Unlimited: Yes

Blurb: Where the boundaries blur between the living and the dead, the line between hero and monster is thin Deep in the heart of Transylvania, nestled amidst ancient forests and shrouded in centuries-old superstitions, lies the village of Vânători. A string of gruesome murders has left the villagers terrified, and the authorities baffled. Joining forces are Ella Martin, a witch with a hidden past, Felix Goia, a brilliant but haunted police inspector, and Radu Lupu, a mysterious police captain whose supernatural nature has the potential to unravel everything. As the bodies pile up and the villagers’ fear turns to rage, Ella, Felix, and Radu find themselves caught in a race against time. The locals suspect one of their own to be a strigoi—a relentless force that hungers for blood. They must uncover the truth behind the killings, whether it’s a human monster or a strigoi, before the village is consumed by darkness. However, their investigation takes a perilous twist when Radu, as a vârcolac, becomes the target of an unrelenting predator armed with silver tipped arrows. With their strongest ally out of commission, Ella and Felix must hurry to save him and stop the killings before Vânători becomes a ghost town. *Based on Romanian folklore and mythology, the story follows the events of Midsummer Night's Curse, but can also be read as a standalone. Each book in this series features a new mystery that will be solved by the end of the story, but the dynamics between the characters may change and evolve, so I recommend that you read the books in order. Amazon: https://amazon.com/gp/product/B0CT94BJ1Y… Goodreads: https://goodreads.com/book/show/205957560-pierced-by-silver… Fun fact: The wolf head on the cover is called Draco and was a religious and military symbol for the Dacians, an ancient people who inhabited what is now Romania and parts of surrounding countries (before we were conquered by the Romans 2000 years ago). It was a standard, typically made of bronze, that depicted a wolf head with an open mouth and a snake-like body. The Draco held significant meaning for the Dacians in two ways: military and religious. It was mounted on a pole, carried by a standard bearer, and often displayed proudly during battles and religious ceremonies. The Draco played a crucial role in uniting Dacian warriors and intimidating enemies during battle. The wolf head contained metal tongues that vibrated in the wind, creating a howling sound resembling wolves or dragons. Its wind-borne howl served as a psychological weapon against the enemy, striking fear into their hearts. The Draco also represented the Dacian pantheon, particularly the sky god Zalmoxis (serpent) and Gebeleizis (wolf). Both gods embodied power, protection, and connection to nature. Now, you may be wondering why I’m telling you all that. Since this is the second book in Paranormal Misadventures, I’ll assume you have already met police captain Radu Lupu (by the way, lupu means “the wolf” in Romanian and it’s a pretty common surname). Just in case you haven’t finished Midsummer Night’s Course, I’ll avoid spoilers. Let’s just say it’s relevant to the story. There’s actually a Dacian legend of the Great White Wolf I drew inspiration from. I hope you’ll enjoy the pieces of my culture and heritage I included in this story.

The C*ck Down the Block (The Cocky Kingmans, Book 1) by Amy Award Narrated by: Stella Hunter, Christian Fox

 

Description

Look, I've had it bad for the girl with all the curves next door forever. She turned me down in high school and since I'm not a total douchecanoe, I lusted after her all by myself in my shower, and we stayed just friends for years.

Now she's the adorkable librarian next door, and I'm the star quarterback of the best pro football team in the league.

So when she asks me to be her fake date to her all-girls school reunion, I am totally down to show her off to the mean girls who bullied her back then so they can see just how incredible she is.

I'll be the best boyfriend they've ever seen. The best fake boyfriend that is.

Until I find out from her slightly-stalkery classmates that she still has her v-card. I don't see how that is even possible. Not with how sexy and sweet she is. Could it be because she knows she belongs with me?

This curvy-girl and football-quarterback sports romance has a baddie plus-size woman who knows her own worth and a Bridgertons-meets-American-Football family you'll wish you were a part of.

Park your negativity and lofty expectations at the door because this is the romantic piece of fluff you need to brighten up a miserable day.

Trixie and Chris are childhood friends who are perfect for one another. Chris knows it, he just needs a way of finding a way out of the friend zone without destroying their relationship. Trixie's timely request for him to be her fake date is the opening he needs.

There is a great cheerleading squad of characters in this book but I didn't expect that my favourite side character would be Luke Skycocker, Trixie's chicken. The scenes with him were hilarious.

Chris's large family of brothers are equally sweet and funny and they do remind me of the Bridgertons. There are a couple of poignant scenes when they remember their deceased mother which adds an extra layer of emotion and depth to the storyline.

I love how they rally together to help Chris and Trixie along the way no matter the situation.

Trixie's mother is unconventional but smart and she provides a comforting boost of support when Trixie needs it most.

This story is hilarious and a lot of fun. With one open-door spicy scene, the story focuses more on Chris's attempts to woo Trixie. The dual point of view gives us an insight into his thoughts and how much he adores Trixie.

The dual narration of the audiobook brought the characters to life and somehow made them more believable. The narrators are so good I'm going straight to audio for the rest of the series.

The C*ck Down the Block releases on Tuesday the 6th of February 2024.

Preorder link

 

• By: Amy Award
• Narrated by: Stella Hunter, Christian Fox
• Series: Cocky Kingmans, Book 1
• Length: 7 hrs and 54 mins
• Unabridged Audiobook
• Release date: 06-02-24
• Language: English
• Publisher: Dreamscape Media