Paper Heart by Cecelia Ahern

                                                  

Ebook:  359 pages 

Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Irish Fiction, Romance,

Publisher: August 2025 by Harper Collins

Source: My Kindle Library via NetGalley

First Sentences: Life usually ticks along, consistent as a drip from a leaky tap, but today is different.

Setting: Ireland

Review Quote: An immersive, sometimes heartbreaking, yet ultimately uplifting rollercoaster read. Her best yet' Patricia Scanlan

My Opinion: 

Despite the fact that 'Paper Heart' is I think about the 20th novel published by Cecelia Ahern it is only the fifth I have read over a period of twenty years.

The protagonist Pip is thirty two years old and still living at home, with her parents and sixteen year old daughter. They are both controlled by Pip's parents, in particular her mother. Life at home is unimaginably stressful until Pip starts to question why she is living her life like this'

In conclusion I must honestly say that 'Paper Heart' disappointed me. Parts were enjoyable but I found the origami poems somewhat boring and the storyline generally was so depressing. Josephine, Pip's mother was an absolutely despicable character and it angered me that Pip took so many years to finally stand up to her. 

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.  Into The Storm

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads: 

From the bestselling author of PS I Love You comes a story of finding yourself – and finding your way home.Pip’s world is small. But it’s about to become a whole lot bigger.

For years she’s tucked away her dreams, shrinking herself into the space left behind – like the delicate origami she creates alone in her room.

Then hope comes from an unlikely an astronomer from the local observatory. He teaches her to look up at the stars, and to see a world far bigger and more beautiful than she ever imagined.

And perhaps in that big, beautiful universe there’s someone waiting for her. If she can find the courage to open her heart.

Pip never stopped dreaming, but now it’s time for her to live – and maybe even to fall in love.

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 Blue Hour by Paula Hawkins

                                       

Hardback:  310 pages                                                                                                 
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Suspense
Publisher: Doubleday 2024
Source: Tywyn Public Library
First Sentences: The moon woke me, bright and close. It shed such a strange light over the sea, a dark kind of daylight, like looking at the negative of a photograph.
Review Quote: ‘Vivid, extremely tense, unnervingly unputdownable. This is a superb, powerful read.’ Independent
Main Characters: Vanessa Chapman, James "Beck" Becker, Grace Haswell, Sebastian Lennox, Julian Chapman, Sir Douglas Lennox, Lady Emmeline Lennox, Helena Fitzgerald, Graham Bryant, Nicholas Riley, Isobel Chapman
Setting: Scotland, Eris, Scotland (United Kingdom)

My Opinion: 

Having read all of Paula Hawkins novels so far I can safely say that I have enjoyed this one the most.

In 'The Blue Hour' we have a mystery revolving around deceased artist Vanessa Chapman. The puzzle is slowly revealed to us by her close friend Grace Haswell with the help of James Becker.  James works for the Fairburn Foundation where he is in charge of all the artworks by Vanessa that were donated to them on her death. It is a tense and atmospheric story, the latter mainly due to the remote setting of Vanessa Chapmans home being located on the island of Eris in Scotland, which is completely cut off from the mainland for many hours a day and hers is the only house on the island. The tension is because of the secrets that all the characters have and that are only slowly revealed to the reader.

A chilling and dark novel that in my opinion is well worth reading.

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads:

Eris, an island with only one house, one inhabitant, one way out. Unreachable from the Scottish mainland for twelve hours each day.

Once home to Vanessa. A famous artist whose notoriously unfaithful husband disappeared twenty years ago.

Now home to Grace. A solitary creature of the tides, content in her own isolation.

But when a shocking discovery is made in an art gallery far away in London, a visitor comes calling.

And the secrets of Eris threaten to emerge . . .

Previous Reviews:  The Girl On the Train. Into the Water.  A Slow Fire Burning

Author Profile and Photo from Amazon

 

 Courtesy of Phoebe Grigor

PAULA HAWKINS worked as a journalist for fifteen years before writing her first novel. Born and brought up in Zimbabwe, Paula moved to London in 1989. Her first thriller, The Girl on the Train, has sold more than 23 million copies worldwide. Published in over fifty languages, it has been a Number 1 bestseller around the world and was a box office hit film starring Emily Blunt.

Paula's thrillers, Into the Water and A Slow Fire Burning, were also instant Number 1 bestsellers.

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

 Author Official Website    Paula Hawkins - Amazon Page

 Goodreads Author Profile.    

Hope Street by Mike Gayle

                                             

Hardback:  354 pages                                                                                                 
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton  2025
Source: Tywyn Public Library
First Sentences: Bernie McLaughlin made her way up the narrow flight of stairs, the treads squeaking and groaning with each step as she carried her son's morning mug of tea. She was so exhausted she felt more like eighty-four than sixty-four.
Review Quote: 'Moving, uplifting, unforgettable. Mike always writes from the heart and creates stories we fall in love with' Lisa Jewell
Main Characters: Connor McLaughlin and Lila Metcalf.
Setting: England
My Opinion: This is only the second book by this prolific author that I have read, although I have wanted to read more of his work since 2018 when I read the last one. Somehow I have missed out on doing so, a shame if they are as good a read as this one. 

Hope Street is a poignant story with characters that are so believable. Connor McLaughlin is the male protagonist and currently the only resident of Hope Street of the title. The street is due for redevelopment but Connor is refusing to move.  Lila Metcalfe becomes interested in Connor and the background to his refusal to move when she is sent to interview him, for her job as a local reporter. How she decides to help him is a story of friendship, sad yet heart-warming. 

A realistic storyline with wonderful cast of characters makes this novel a throughly enjoyable read that I throughly recommend.

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads:

Lila Metcalfe is a trainee journalist in Derby and she's very used to being given the stories that no one else wants. So, when her editor tells her that the city's Cossington Park development is being held up by a solitary resident on Hope Street who is refusing to leave, she knows she is going to be the one sent to find out more. And that's how she meets Connor.

Twenty-something Connor is the sole resident of Hope Street and he is not at all what Lila is expecting. And he has a very clear reason not to move: he is waiting for his mum to come home.

Previous Review:  The Man I Think I know

Author Profile from Goodreads in his own words:

I was born in the 70s — the 70s were great. I would recommend them to anyone.

I was also born in Birmingham — in my humble opinion the greatest city in the world with the nicest people too.

I used to live in London — a great city too. But a bit on the pricey side.

I also used to live in Manchester — another great city (although technically I lived in Salford which is next door but that’s sort of splitting hairs).

Before I went to university I wanted to be a social worker — I have no idea why. It didn’t last long.

After I left university I wanted to write for the NME — I’ve always loved music but it was only when I went to uni that it started loving me back. I can’t play any instruments or sing so writing about music seemed to make sense.

My first paid writing gig was for a listings magazine in Birmingham — (Actually my first unpaid writing gig was an interview with Kitchens of Distinction for Salford Student Magazine. I can’t begin to tell you how terrible it was.)

I used to write a music fanzine — it was called Incredibly Inedible and I co-edited it with my mate Jackie. We typed up the first issue on my dad’s olde worlde typewriter and then literally cut and paste on to A4 sheets using scissors and glue. Over the three years of its existence we interviewed many bands and artists including: Smashing Pumpkins, The Cranberries, Pavement, Bill Hicks and Blur.

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

Author's Official Website.     Mike Gayle - Facebook Profile.    Instagram Profile

Goodreads - Author Profile      Mike Gayle - Amazon Author Page

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley

Hardback:  416 pages      

Genre: Fiction, Thriller, Mystery, Suspense                                         

Publisher:  Harper Collins 2024

Source: Tywyn Public Library

First Sentences: It's opening night of The Manor, the new jewel of the Dorset coastline.

Review Quote: ‘A high octane tale’ DAILY TELEGRAPH

Literary Awards: 
Audie Award Nominee for Mystery (2025), Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Mystery/Thriller (2024), She Reads Best of Award Nominee for Mystery, Thriller, & Suspense (2024)

Setting: Dorset, England

My Opinion: 

I first read one of Lucy Foley's novels in 2019 and this is now my fifth. Murder mysteries are not a favourite genre of mine but I enjoy her novels as I find the writing atmospheric with good characterisation.

'The Midnight Feast' is set in a luxury hotel during its opening weekend. The owner is Francesca who has inherited the house from her Grandfather. With the help of her husband Owen, the house has been renovated and turned into a well-being resort. Some of the locals are not happy about the development and remember only too well what happened there fifteen years ago. The story of events is told via dual timelines.

A slow burn of a story for me, apologies for the pun, not a spoiler, but there is a fire involved. It is not until the storyline is well evolved that the pace picks up.  Thriller fans will undoubtably enjoy this, I did but was not keen on the gothic folklore aspect.

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads

In the shadows of an ancient wood, guests gather for the opening weekend of The Manor: a beautiful new countryside retreat.

But under the burning midsummer sun, darkness stirs. Old friends and enemies circulate among the guests. And the candles have barely been lit for a solstice supper when the body is found.

It all began with a secret, fifteen years ago. Now the past has crashed the party. And it’ll end in murder at…

Previous Review:  The Paris Apartment.  The Guest List

Author Profile:                

                                   

                                                      Courtesy of Goodreads

In her own words from her Goodreads Profile

Hello and welcome to my Goodreads page! I’m the author of the murder mystery thrillers The Midnight Feast, The Paris Apartment, The Guest List and The Hunting Party — as well as the historical novels The Book of Lost and Found, The Invitation and Last Letter from Istanbul. 

I came to writing through a love of reading — I previously worked with books as a fiction editor, a literary agent’s assistant, a bookseller and a literary scout! 

Inspired by trips to the West Country and local folklore I began plotting my latest novel, The Midnight Feast. A midsummer heatwave, a setting with a past, a reunion that takes a dark turn. And so The Midnight Feast came to life.

Thanks to brilliant readers around the world, my novels have sold over five million copies, and been translated into multiple languages. I’m also a No 1 New York Times and Sunday Times bestseller. A life-long Agatha Christie fan, I also contributed to Marple, a collection of short stories featuring the legendary detective.

Photographs and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

Lucy Foley Author - Facebook.   Twitter - Lucy Foley.    Goodreads Profile

Amazon Profile

An Ideal Husband by Erica James

Hardback: 406 pages

Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Family Saga, 

Publisher: Harper Collins 2024

Source:  Tywyn Library

First Sentence: It was a perfect March day and spring had arrived in all its glorious splendour. 

Setting: Suffolk, England

Review Quote: 'I love Erica James and her new book does not disappoint. She brings a real warmth to her characters and also a poignancy to her story telling. Highly recommend.' Netgalley Reviewer, 

My Opinion:  Erica James is one of my long time favourite authors for a guaranteed agreeable read. Once again she has not disappointed me.

'An Ideal Husband' is a contemporary family saga, covering a year in the life of the Langford family. A perfectly normal happy family, or so they thought until Kip Langford tells his wife Louisa that he is leaving her. The dynamics of the relationships within the family are full of emotion as they navigate a roller coaster of a year. What complicated individuals they all are and at times some of their behaviour feels unbelievable. Louisa in particular feels far too sympathetic and understanding of her husband's behaviour.  

Recommended to fans of contemporary escapism, remember that is what it is escapism and fiction which is why at times the reader may find it somewhat removed from the reality of such a situation!

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads: 

The Langfords are a perfectly happy family. Louisa and Kip, happily married for nearly forty years, have raised their children and are now just settling into a new phase of life where they’ll have more time for themselves. Everything seems perfect. But then, one Boxing Day after a lovely family Christmas, Kip tells Louisa that their marriage is over. It’s not something Louisa saw coming. And what he tells her next is even more he’s fallen in love with their son’s ex-girlfriend, Zoe, the woman who broke Angus’ heart. So just like that, Louisa’s marriage is over… and her new life can begin. A gorgeous, gossipy family drama of a couple navigating a divorce, a woman on a journey of self-discovery, and an older man getting his just deserts.

Previous Reviews:  I have reviewed quite a few of her earlier novels on the blog. They are Tell It To The Skies,  It's The Little Things,   Hidden Talents, The Hidden Cottage, The Real Katie Lavender,  A Secret Garden Affair, Mothers and Daughters,  Letters From the Past,  Summer at the Lake,  Coming Home to Island House

Author Profile:         

                                       

Photo Courtesy of  Amazon

In the author's own words from her Amazon Profile.

Thank you so much for visiting my Amazon Author Page. My first novel - A Breath of Fresh Air - was published in 1996 and was selected by WH Smith as a finalist for their Fresh Talent promotion. Since then I have written many more novels, most of which have been bestsellers, including Gardens of Delight which won the Romantic Novel of the Year Award and features Lake Como, one of my favourite places to visit. My novel Summer at the Lake also features Lake Como and was a No.1 bestseller in Norway.

My twenty-fifth novel - A Secret Garden Affair - was published in the spring of 2023 and is my second book to be published by HQ Stories. Partially set in the summer of 1981 when Prince Charles and Lady Diana are about to marry, Libby discovers her fiancé has been cheating on her. Heartbroken, she flees London to go to Larkspur House in Suffolk to be with her great aunt Bess and the renown garden designer Elfrida Ambrose. As Libby tries to piece her life back together, Bess and Elfrida find themselves reliving the past with all its secrets and tragedies. 

My 26th novel - An Ideal Husband - is currently available in hardback and I hope you'll enjoy meeting the Langford family who have to face more than their fair share of trouble after Kip announces that he wants a divorce as he's been having an affair with their son's ex-girlfriend! The paperback will be published in November.

If you want to keep up with all my latest news, or simply get in touch to ask me a question about one of my books, you can find me online in all the usual places as well as my website.

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

Erica James - Official Website.   Instagram - Erica James

Goodreads Author Profile  Erica James - Amazon Author Page.  Erica James - Facebook

How to Lose a Lord in Ten Days by Sophie Irwin

                                              

Ebook: 384 pages

Genre: Historical Romantic Fiction 

Publisher: Harper Collins July 2025

Source: NetGalley

First Sentences: 'Who wishes to marry me?' Lydia demanded, looking up from her novel in some alarm.

Setting: Regency London 

Review Quote: ‘Such style, wit and beautiful story-telling … Better than Bridgerton, as good as any Heyer’ Susan Lewis, Author 

My Opinion:  Sophie Irwin has a fresh approach to historical romance, so far her novels all being set in regency England, of which this is her third. They are very reminiscent of Georgette Heyer of whom I was fan, in my teens, many years ago. It did not come as a huge surprise, after reading her first novel, that Sophie Irwin actually wrote her university dissertation on the author Georgette Heyer.

In 'How to Lose a Lord in Ten Days' we meet Lydia Hanworth, a wealthy long woman, whose parents are determined she marry well. The highly eligible Lord Ashford is the perfect match in the opinion of her family when he proposes and Lydia finds herself engaged to him. Lydia however thinks differently and is determined not to marry him. The interactions between her and Ashford as the story progresses are amusing and as they slowly get to know each other, so do their opinions. Does hate turn to love though?

Definitely a fun read that at times is pure farce, but in a good way, written in a clever humorous style .This will appeal to fans of historical romance, particularly those that enjoy the Regency period and something that will make them smile.

With thanks to NetGalley, Harper Collins and Sophie Irwin for giving me the opportunity to read and review. 

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads: 

From the Sunday Times bestselling author of A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting comes a delicious new Regency romance…

Rich, handsome, and titled Lord Ashford, has every lady in England longing for his hand in marriage.

Everyone, that is, except Miss Lydia Hanworth – the only young woman Ashford wishes to marry.

Pressured into accepting Ashford’s proposal, Lydia has just ten days to free herself from her obligations before the engagement is publicly announced… what can go wrong?

Previous Reviews:   A Lady's Guide to Fortune Hunting    A Lady's Guide to Scandal

Author Profile:         

                                              

Photo Courtesy of Twitter                                                                         

Sophie Irwin grew up in Dorset before moving to south London after university. She has spent years immersed in the study of historical fiction, from a dissertation on how Georgette Heyer helped win World War Two, to time spent in dusty stacks and old tomes losing herself in Regency London while researching this book. Her love and passion for historical fiction bring a breath of fresh air and a contemporary energy to the genre, and Sophie hopes to transport readers to a time when ballrooms were more like battlegrounds.

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

Twitter Profile   Sophie Irwin - Instagram  Goodreads Profile  Amazon Author Page

The Italian Vineyard by Anita Chapman

Ebook:  357 pages Kindle edition

Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Historical Fiction,

Publisher: July 2025 by Bookouture

Source: My Kindle Library via NetGalley

First Sentence: The woman pushed open the shutters and was blessed with the most breathtaking view - one she'd fallen in love with at first sight, since arriving from England only days before.

Setting: Italy

Review Quote: ‘Wow, what a story!... Amazing!... Very emotional… Heartbreaking… So very beautiful! You just can’t put it down, from the beginning till the last pages.’ NetGalley Reviewer, 

My Opinion: 

Just two years ago Anita Chapman published her first novel. In this short period of time she has established herself as an author that writes captivating stories in Italian settings and 'The Italian Vineyard' is her fourth published novel.

This latest story is a dual timeline one set in the 1930 's and the present day. The main protagonists are Kate, in the 21st century  and her great grandmother Lady Charlotte in the 1930's. In 1939  Charlotte was presented with a very special gift of fine wine and it is this vintage bottle that links these two women and their personal love stories together. The backdrop for this emotional yet uplifting novel are the wonderful settings of Italy and the Surrey Hills.

Once again Anita Chapman has transported me to places I am familiar with. She successfully shares her own love of Italy by writing stories that feel realistic. Perfect escapism for Italophiles and those readers that enjoy a satisfying story with an element of mystery.

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.  

The Tuscan Diary

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads: 

Gazing out over the lush, rolling vineyards of Verona, Kate thinks of the gift that brought her to Italy. The dusty bottle of wine from her great-grandmother’s cellar, which holds the key to a family mystery that will change everything…

England, 1939. After her husband’s unexpected death, Lady Charlotte throws herself into reviving the vineyard at his beloved home, Copeley Park – desperate to focus on anything other than the dangerous secret she now carries. Along with her head gardener, Albert, she travels to Verona for research, where she is quickly distracted by Italy’s beautiful golden light and vibrant mimosa flowers. But just as her heart starts to open up, the threat of war spreads across Europe, tearing apart Charlotte’s plans for her future and leaving her with a heart-wrenching decision to make…

Now. Devastated by the loss of her mother and newly single, Kate asks to work at Copeley Park – her family’s failing estate – to take her mind off her heartbreak. But when she learns that the park’s stunning vineyard might have to be sold, she’s determined not to let this beautiful piece of her family’s history go. And when she’s given a dusty old bottle of wine that belonged to her great-grandmother with a note attached from a mysterious ‘B’, she convinces handsome head winemaker Ben to accompany her to Verona to unravel its secrets…

But as Kate and Ben grow closer against the stunning sunsets of Italy, will Kate discover that some secrets are better left buried in the past? Or will unravelling the romantic mystery at the heart of the vineyard lead to a future Kate could only ever have dreamed of…?

Lose your heart to Italy in this beautiful, moving story of family secrets and letting those you love inspire you. Readers of Lucinda Riley and Fiona Valpy will fall hard for this enchanting, escapist and romantic page-turner.

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

One Summer in Provence by Carol Drinkwater

 

                                            

Ebook: 407 pages                                                                                             
Genre: Contemporary Romantic Fiction
Publisher:  3 July 2025 Corvus
Source: NetGalley
First Sentences: The rain was a light summer matter, more a mist than a downpour. Somehow, though, it settled within her, burrowing to her bones. She was shivering, cold and hungry, and she was about to do the worst thing she could imagine. To give up her most precious possession.
Review Quote:  Straight into the world of vines and olives and love. Brilliant writing, memorable characters. Lived experience unfolds into a superb read. I loved it -- Miriam Margolyes

My Opinion: 

I have been aware of Carol Drinkwater more as an actress than an author. In the early years of this century I read and throughly enjoyed her autobiographies about life on her olive farm in the south of France. Despite the fact that she is also a prolific fiction author this is only the second novel of hers that I have read.

‘One Summer in Provence’ is a family saga set in France where married couple Celia and Dominic run a vineyard. Celia is planning the estates annual summer party and things don’t quite go as Celia hoped due to some hidden secrets emerging.

I read this while relaxing in the shade during the recent gorgeous summer weather and was transported to the South of France. If you are looking a gentle summer read but one with depth, then this is for you.

With thanks to NetGalley, Corvus and Carol Drinkwater for the opportunity to read and review. 

Précis Courtesy of Amazon:

Celia Grey appears to have the perfect life: married to Dominic, the man of her dreams, and living on a glorious, thriving vineyard in the south of France. To celebrate their good fortune, she decides to throw a huge party.

When she is contacted by a stranger who claims to be her long-lost son, David, the newborn she gave up at twenty and has never spoken of since, Celia impulsively invites him for the weekend of celebrations - without mentioning it to her husband.

Despite his surprise, Dominic graciously welcomes David and his unexpected companion - but secretly he harbours doubts. Is David really Celia's son? And who is the mysterious young woman travelling with him?

Only Celia can decide how far she will go to hold everything together, to keep her perfect life from unravelling...

One Summer in Provence is a story of betrayal and belonging, and of discovering love in unexpected places.

Previous Review:  An Act of Love

Author Profile:

                                             

Anglo-Irish actress Carol Drinkwater is perhaps still most familiar to audiences for her award-winning portrayal of Helen Herriot in the BBC series All Creatures Great and Small. A popular and acclaimed author and film-maker as well, Carol has published nineteen books, and one Kindle Single, for both the adult and young adult markets. She is currently at work on her twenty-first title.

When she purchased a rundown property overlooking the Bay of Cannes in France, she discovered on the grounds sixty-eight, 400-year-old olive trees. Once the land was reclaimed and the olives pressed, Carol along with her French husband, Michel, became the producers of top-quality olive oil. Her series of memoirs, love stories, recounting her experiences on her farm (The Olive Farm, The Olive Season, The Olive Harvest and Return to the Olive Farm) have become international bestsellers. Carol's fascination with the olive tree extended to a seventeenth-month, solo Mediterranean journey in search of the tree's mythical secrets. The resulting travel books, The Olive Route and The Olive Tree, have inspired a five-part documentary films series entitled The Olive Route.

                                                                                      

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

Author Amazon Profile.   Goodreads Author Profile.  

Carol Drinkwater - Author Website.     Twitter Profile