Trouble in Assisi by Heidi Eljarbo Spotlight

Today, the spotlight is shining on another winning combination of history, mystery and art: the second book in Heidi Eljarbo's Fabiola Bennett mysteries.

Publication Date: 28th May 2024
Publisher: Independently published
Series: A Fabiola Bennett Mystery
Pages: ~ 225 pages
Genre: Historical Mystery / Dual Timeline Mystery

Blurb

Assisi, 1973.

On art historian Fabiola Bennett’s first day in Assisi, a local gentleman takes her aside to ask for advice about a painting that has wondrously appeared in the basilica’s bell tower. So much for enjoying relaxing days filled

Murder on West Main by I. M. Foster A Snippet Tour

A knot tightened in his stomach, for it wasn't like her to seek him out in this manner.

Publication Date: December 20th, 2023
Series: A South Shore Mystery
Pages: 368

Blurb

When Colin Brissedon arrives at work one summer morning to find his new boss murdered, all eyes turn to him. After all, the man had threatened to fire him just a few days before, and his colleagues are more than happy to tell the tale. Kathleen admits her brother is no angel, but she can’t believe he would sink this low. Fortunately for them, neither does Daniel O’Halleran, the village’s new coroner’s assistant. Of course, he needs more than his gut feeling to prove it.

But that’s not going to be an easy task, considering the victim does not appear to

Novice Threads by Nancy Jardine Read an Excerpt

Publication Date: 15th May 2024
Publisher: Nancy Jardine with Ocelot Press
Page Length: 356
Series: Silver Sampler Series
Genre: Victorian Scotland Saga / Historical Fiction / Women’s Fiction

Blurb

A thirst for education. Shattered dreams. Fragile relations.

1840s Scotland

Being sent to school is the most exhilarating thing that’s ever happened to young Margaret Law. She sharpens her newly-acquired education on her best friend, Jessie Morison, till Jessie is spirited away to become a scullery maid. But how can Margaret fulfil her visions of

Tigers in Blue by Richard BuxtonBook Review

Publication Dates: Whirligig 22/3/2017, The Copper Road 26/7/2020, Tigers in Blue 8/12/2023
Publisher: Ocoee Publishing
Series: Shire’s Union Trilogy consisting of: Whirligig (Book #1), The Copper Road (Book #2), Tigers in Blue (Book #3)
Page Length: Whirligig 479, The Copper Road 421, Tigers in Blue 424
Genre: Historical Fiction

Series Synopsis

Shire leaves his home and his life in Victorian England for the sake of a childhood promise, a promise that pulls him into the bleeding heart of the American Civil War. Lost in the bloody battlefields of the West, he discovers a second home for his loyalty.

Katharine's Remarkable Road Trip by Gail Ward OlmstedRead a Snippet

Publication Date: June 13, 2024
Publisher: Black Rose Writing
Page Length: 226
Genre: Biographical Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Historical Fiction

Synopsis

In the fall of 1907, Katharine decides to drive from Newport, Rhode Island, to her home in Jackson, New Hampshire. Despite the concerns of her family and friends, that at the age of 77 she lacks the stamina for the nearly 300-mile journey, Katharine sets out alone. Over the next six days, she receives a marriage proposal, pulls an all-nighter, saves a life or two, crashes a high-society event, meets a kindred spirit, faces a former rival, makes a new friend, takes a stroll with a future movie mogul, advises a troubled

The Sand Vines by Michèle CallardRead an Excerpt

Publication Date: 01 May 2024
Publisher: Millefeuille Press
Series: The Vine Saga
Page Length: 400
Genre: Historical fiction

Synopsis

Bordeaux 1870 – Life is hard on the moor.

If Flore, a shepherd’s daughter, is not married by autumn, she must go into service and lose everything she holds dear.

Back from the French army, the dashing Ricar has set her heart and body on fire. Will he propose to her before it is too late?

Martial the viscount’s son adores Flore from afar. Aware that she can never be his. When a

20 Books of Summer (Winter) 2024

I've not been very active on this blog due to a number of reasons, so I'm hoping that this reading challenge hosted by Cathy @ 746 Books will provide a boost for my reading and reviewing.

The challenge will run from June 1st to September 1st, the winter months here in Australia.

Cathy claims to be the slackest of challenge hosts, suggesting that it is okay to aim for less than 20

A Bitter Remedy by Alis Hawkins Book Review

A Bitter Remedy is the first of a new mystery series from the author of the Teifi Valley Coroner series. While the latter is firmly set in Wales, the new series is set in Oxford with links to Wales through Jesus College and one of the main characters, Rhiannon (Non) Vaughan, one of a small number of female students allowed to attend lectures.

When a Jesus College undergraduate is murdered, Basil Rice, a College fellow, is asked to mitigate any scandal that could arise after the young man's guardian threatens to sue the College. Basil uncovers much about the student he didn't know and his task to keep things quiet becomes much harder when Non inserts herself into his investigation, causing havoc on more than one occasion with her actions.

Basil and Non are definitely a mismatched

New Release Challenge 2024 - My Sign Up Post

A new year and a new host!

This challenge got off to a late start and I'm even later signing up.

Hosted by: Davida @ The Chocolate Lady's Book Review Blog
Challenge period: 1st January to 31st December, 2024
Sign Up: Anytime
Aim: To read and review books released in 2024.
Twitter Hashtag: #2024NewReleaseChallenge

All the information can be found HERE

A Death in Venice by Verity Bright Book Review (Blog Tour)

Publication Date: 28 March 2024
Publisher: Bookouture
Format: Print, e-book and audio
Series: A Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery #17
Genre: Historical Mystery, Cosy Mystery

Synopsis

Stunning views across the Grand Canal and a hotel suite fit for royalty… Lady Eleanor Swift is having a jolly good time on her Italian vacation, until a gondola ride is cut murderously short!

1924. Lady Eleanor Swift has been on a grand tour around Italy for a month with her butler Clifford. Finally arriving in Venice, she’s thrilled to be attending the famous carnival: all that’s needed is the perfect bejewelled costume for her faithful bulldog, Gladstone. But on her first gondola ride to take in the sights, a passenger

The Shadow Network by Deborah Swift Book Review (Blog Tour)

Publication Date: 13th February 2024
Publisher: HQ Digital
Page Length: 376
Series: Secret Agent Series (but can be read as a stand-alone)
Genre: Historical Fiction / WW2

Synopsis

One woman must sacrifice everything to uncover the truth in this enthralling historical novel, inspired by the true World War Two campaign Radio Aspidistra…

England, 1942: Having fled Germany after her father was captured by the Nazis, Lilli Bergen is desperate to do something pro-active for the Allies. So when she’s approached by the Political Warfare Executive (PWE), Lilli jumps at the chance. She’s recruited as a

The Murder Game by Tom Hindle Book Review

Synopsis

One house. Nine guests. Endless motives for murder...

In the seaside town of Hamlet Wick, nine guests assemble for a New Year's Eve party to remember.

The owner of Hamlet Hall has organised a murder mystery evening with a 1920s twist, and everyone has their own part to play.

But the game has barely begun when one guest is found dead - killed by a fatal injury to the head.

With no phone signal and no way out of the house, the others are trapped with a killer in