The Secret Inheritance by Rachel Lynch

                                  

Ebook:   357 pages Kindle edition

Genre:  Mystery Thriller, Psychological Thriller, 

Publisher: October 2024 by Storm Publishing

Source: My Kindle Library via NetGalley

First Sentences: 'It won't be long now,' the doctor whispered. Clara dipped a mouth-swab into a bowl of cold water and was reminded of giving out lollipops to the children when they were small.

Review Quote: ‘So many family, secrets, so many twists, and turns, I absolutely loved this book!’ Reader Review, 

My Opinion: 

To be completely honest, this is the first book I have read by this author, because until now the titles/genre haven't appealed to me. 'The Secret Inheritance' stood out as a departure from her Crime Series, as it is a stand alone psychological thriller. Having read the blurb I liked the sound of this novel and must say I was not disappointed.

The protagonists Hettie, Jamie and Rosie are estranged siblings, forced to spend time together at the family home, after the death of their father. After a miserable and traumatic childhood it soon appears that they are all seeking revenge on each other in dark and devious ways.

A country house setting in the English countryside with betrayal and tragedy, for the family has made for a very readable psychological thriller. Can certainly recommend this page turner to fans of the genre.

With thanks to Netgalley, Storm Publishers and the author for the opportunity to read and review.

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads: 

The day her brother Christian died, Rosie Fitzherbert left her family home and never came back. Until now.

When her father dies, Rosie returns to Warbury House after decades away. To secure her share of the fortune, she must endure seven days with her estranged siblings, Hettie and James. But the sprawling estate holds more than money – it guards the truth about her brother’s tragic death.

As old wounds reopen, Rosie realises silence won't protect her anymore. With millions at stake and family secrets threatening to surface, can Rosie confront her past before it consumes her future? Rosie hasn't spoken in years. Will returning to Warbury House finally give her a voice?

Author Profile:         

                                                     

                                                    

                                                  Courtesy of Amazon Profile

Rachel Lynch grew up in Cumbria and regularly hiked the fells from a young age.

After studying history at the University of Lancaster, Rachel trained to become a teacher in London.

She began writing full time in 2016 and is represented by Peter Buckman of the Ampersand Agency.

Canelo signed the first three novels in the Kelly Porter series in 2018 and number 12 was published in 2024. 

Rachel lives near London with her husband and two children, and Poppy the terrier.

Photographs and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

Amazon Author Profile.    Twitter Profile.   Goodreads Profile

The Tuscan Diary by Anita Chapman

                                               

Ebook:  396,  pages Kindle edition

Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Historical Fiction,

Publisher: October 2024 by Bookouture

Source: My Kindle Library via NetGalley

First Sentences: The woman entered the bedroom and pushed open the shutters, welcoming the view of the Tuscan hills.

Setting: Italy

Review Quote: ‘I loved this beautiful book… Glorious… So many emotions!’ Goodreads Reviewer,

My Opinion: 

Just last year Anita Chapman had her debut novel The Venice Secret. published. In July of this year The Florence Letter was published and now just a few months later her third 'The Tuscan Diary' 

A dual timeline story starting in 1942 and 1993, with the settings in Italy and Yorkshire. The narrative follows the main female protagonists Eleanor and her granddaughter Jessica as they wrestle with love and loss. It is the discovery of a wartime diary that sets Jessica's search for the truth about the past in motion.

In short period of time Anita Chapman has established herself place on my favourite authors list with her delightful stories in Italian settings.  Very atmospheric and obviously well researched, this is perfect for Italophiles that enjoy contemporary blended with historical and a story to get immersed in.

It is with thanks to Bookouture, NetGalley and Anita Chapman that this title was made available for me to read and review.

Previous Reviews:   The Venice Secret.   The Florence Letter

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads: 

As she gazes at the lights of Siena glowing in the dusk, Jessica flips through the yellowing pages of the diary that led her here. Written by her grandfather during the war, it holds the answers to a family secret that might just change everything…

When Jessica’s grandfather left for war, he promised to keep a record of each day he was apart from her grandmother. The diary was lost along with him – until now, when a mysterious, handsome Italian man named Alessandro shows up at Jessica’s door with the diary in hand.

Immediately enchanted by her grandfather’s accounts of Italy’s glittering golden hours, Jess decides to spend a summer in Tuscany before she’s due to take over at her family’s farm. She hopes she can visit the places her grandfather once did – and finally find out what really happened the night he died…

In the historic city of Siena, she finds a job as companion to the glamorous Sofia – Alessandro’s grandmother – whose stories of Italy during the war are captivating. And as Jess spends more time with Alessandro, she begins to fall for him with each lingering look into his deep-brown eyes.

Together, Jess and Alessandro visit her grandfather’s resting place. But the more Jess learns about her grandfather’s time in Italy, the more she’s forced to question whether everything about her family’s past is a lie…

Jess came to Italy in search of answers, but time is running out. She can’t shake the feeling that the diary that has stolen her imagination is merely a work of fiction. And if it is, will the truth about her family inspire her to turn away from the path she thought she was destined for, and towards the life she truly wants?

Author Profile:         

                                                     

            

                                                  Courtesy of Amazon Profile

Anita Chapman enjoyed writing stories from a young age, and won a local writing competition when she was nine years old. Encouraged by this, she typed up a series of stories about a mouse on her mum’s typewriter and sent them to Ladybird. She received a polite rejection letter, her first.

Many of Anita’s summers growing up were spent with her family driving to Italy, and she went on to study French and Italian at university. As part of her degree, Anita lived in Siena for several months where she studied and au paired, and she spent a lot of time travelling around Italy in her twenties. 

Anita likes to read journals and diaries from the past, and one of her favourite pastimes is visiting art galleries and country houses. Her first published novel, The Venice Secret is inspired by her mother taking her to see the Canalettos at The National Gallery in London as a child. 

Since 2015, Anita has worked as a social media manager, training authors on social media, and helping to promote their books. She’s run several courses in London and York, and has worked as a tutor at Richmond and Hillcroft Adult Community College.

Photographs and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

Twitter Profile.  Anita Chapman - Facebook Profile.   Author - Official Website

 Goodreads - Author Profile

Into the Storm by Cecelia Ahern

                                          

Ebook:  346 pages Kindle edition

Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Irish Fiction, Mystery 

Publisher: October 2024 by Harper Collins

Source: My Kindle Library via NetGalley

First Sentences: The rain against the windshield is relentless. It buckets down from the heavens as if somebody or something is angrily and deliberately attempting to wipe them all out, like demonic toddler with a waterman over an ant hole.

Setting: Ireland

Review Quote: ‘Outstanding… I simply couldn’t stop reading. One of the two or three best novels I’ve read this year and without question the best book I’ve ever read by Cecelia’ JOHN BOYNE

My Opinion: 

It is twenty years since I first read and enjoyed Cecelia Ahern's debut novel, 'P.S. I Love You'. A few years later I read 'Thanks for the Memories' which disappointed me, then in 2012 I read a third 'One Hundred Names'. As this is only the fourth one out of her many published novels I cannot say I am a regular reader of her novels. However when I got the opportunity to read 'Into The Storm' the Irish setting and the blurb attracted me and I decided to read this contemporary mystery.

'Into The Storm' was inspired by a 'Rag Tree' a concept that many cultures believe connects heaven, earth and the underworld and this story is about the protagonists stormy journey and her eventual healing. Enya Pickering has suffered a devastating trauma and how she deals with the aftermath makes for an immersive read. 

In conclusion an emotional novel which is rather dark but well worth reading. I am sure I will be reading more from this author in the future.  With thanks to the author, NetGalley and Harper Collins for the opportunity to read and review.

Previous Reviews:   Thanks For the Memories   One Hundred Names

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads: 

Surviving the storm is only the beginning…It is a wild night in the middle of December, and GP Enya is crouched over a teenage boy, performing CPR in the freezing rain. She found him on a mountain road near Dublin, the victim of a hit-and-run.

The boy survives, but Enya goes to pieces. She leaves her husband, her son, and everything she knows to start a new life in remote rural Ireland.

But even in the quiet of Abbeydooley, beneath the boughs of an ancient tree, Enya is still haunted by that night in the rain. Can the stories of strangers and a land steeped in legend lay the ghosts of her past to rest? Or will the storm she's outrunning finally catch up with her?

Author Profile:         

                                                     

                                                  Courtesy of Amazon

Cecelia Ahern was born in Dublin, where she also grew up on September 30th 1981. After completing a degree in Journalism and Media Communications, Cecelia wrote her first novel at 21 years old. Her debut novel, PS I Love You was published in January 2004, and was followed by Where Rainbows End (aka Love, Rosie) in November 2004. Both novels were adapted to films; PS I Love You starred Hilary Swank and Gerard Butler, and Love, Rosie starred Lily Collins and Sam Claflin.

Cecelia has published a novel every year since then and to date has published 18 novels; PS I Love You, Where Rainbows End, If You Could See Me Now, A Place Called Here, Thanks for the Memories, The Gift, The Book of Tomorrow, The Time of My Life, One Hundred Names, How To Fall in Love, The Year I Met You, The Marble Collector, Flawed, Perfect, Lyrebird, ROAR, Postscript and Freckles.

To date, Cecelia’s books have sold 25 million copies internationally, are published in over 40 countries, in 30 languages.

Photographs, Trailer and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

Amazon Author Page.   Goodreads Author Profile.   Facebook - Cecelia Ahern

Cecelia Ahern - Author's Official Website   Twitter Profile

The Little Provence Bookshop by Gillian Harvey

 

                                                     

Ebook:  306 pages Kindle edition

Genre: Contemporary Romantic Fiction 

Publisher: October 2024 by Boldwood Books

Source: My Kindle Library via NetGalley

First Sentences: It was the same every morning, even Sundays in the high season. At seven o'clock the bell tower opposite would ring out, rousing Monique from her bed, and she'd wash, dress and make her way to the apartment's small cuisine, fill the copper kettle and with on the gas.

Setting: South of France

Review Quote: I inhaled this gorgeous novel in two greedy sittings. Escapist, romantic and deliciously atmospheric.’ Nicola Gill, author

My Opinion: 

Gillian Harvey is an author I only discovered earlier this year when I read The Riviera House Swap. She is a prolific author who writes escapist stories often set in France.

The story centres around Monique the mysterious bookshop owner and Adeline a young English woman who has taken a job as her assistant in the shop. Having recently discovered that she is adopted with a French birth mother Adeline has moved from England, to take this job in France to try and come to terms with the revelation. Along with her daughter Lilli they quickly settle in and Adeline discovers some surprising things about herself along the way.

A touch of escapism that will appeal to those looking for a quick mood enhancing read.

With thanks to Netgalley, Boldwood Books and the author for the opportunity to read and review.

Previous Review:   The Riviera House Swap

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads: 

 Everyone’s story has some magic. You just have to turn the page to find it… As the sun rises over the little Provence village where single mother Adeline has escaped with her little girl Lily, she breathes deeply. This is their new beginning. Here, she can forget the lies her family told her. Here, she can start her story again.

Later she opens the door to the town’s tiny bookstore, where she is to work, ready to meet the mysterious owner Monique for the first time.

She expected an ordinary bookshop. But this bookstore feels somehow different… magical. Breathing in the smell of books, she feels a jolt of something. It feels like a new chapter beginning.

As she gets to know the villagers – including the handsome Andre and friendly Michel – she starts to believe in the magic of this new start. But can a runaway like Adeline ever find what she’s looking for? Or is a happy-ever-after just another fiction?

A totally gorgeous, escapist, romantic novel – set in rural Provence – by the bestselling author of A Year at the French Farmhouse and The Bordeaux Bookclub.

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                                Courtesy of  Author Website

Gillian Harvey is a British author and freelance writer, who writes contemporary, uplifting and emotive fiction, often set in France where she lived for many years with her husband and five children.

Photographs, Trailer and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

Gillian Harvey - Author Website.    Goodreads Author Profile    Facebook Profile

Instagram Profile.   Twitter Profile