New Publication Spotlight: The Sweetheart Locket by Jen Gilroy

The Sweetheart Locket by Jen Gilroy

What if the key to your present lies in the past?

London, 1939
On the eve of the Second World War, Canadian Maggie Wyndham defies her family and stays in England to do her bit for the war effort. Torn between two countries, two men and living a life of lies working for the Special Operations Executive (SOE), Maggie's RAF sweetheart locket is part of who she is...and who she isn't.

San Francisco, 2019
Over twenty years after Maggie's death, her daughter Millie and granddaughter Willow take a DNA test that's supposed to be a bit of fun but instead yields unexpected results. Willow has always treasured her grandmother's sweetheart locket, both family heirloom and a symbol of her grandparents' love story. But now she doesn't know what to believe. She embarks on a search for the truth, one she doesn't know will reveal far more about herself...

A gripping and heart-breaking dual timeline novel about love, loss and buried secrets, The Sweetheart Locket is perfect for fans of Lorna Cook, Rachel Hore and Suzanne Kelman.

An heirloom locket and how gifted DNA throws up questions about your existence. Set in both England and California, we follow one woman’s journey to find the truth. With a dual timeline, and written from multiple points of view, this is a beautifully written story of discovery and buried family secrets.

When the results for her and her mother’s DNA tests are received, Willow is shocked to discover her heritage isn’t what she thought. The fact, her mother, Millie doesn’t want to discuss the findings makes her suspicious and spurs her to find out the truth. Therefore, she decides to use some of her time on a scheduled work trip to London, to find out more about her beloved late grandmother… with surprising results.

This evocative and absorbing novel instantly draws you in. The author has written about strong women and how they have manoeuvred around and overcome obstacles in their lives. Maggie’s story in particular is heart-wrenching, as the author tells us how this young woman defied her family and stayed in England at the beginning of World War Two, to help in the war effort. Full of poignant detail, it highlights the difficult decisions people have dealt with and the sacrifices made. It also sheds light on how these decisions shaped lives and the relationships they formed with their families… and the resulting consequences.

Full of insight, this is a truly delightful story spanning three generations. Grandmother, daughter and granddaughter; all are fascinating characters creating a truly enlightening novel.

***arc generously received courtesy of Orion Dash via NetGalley***

UniversalAmazon link

Other links (Apple, GooglePlay & Kobo) via Hachette

Jen Gilroy writes sweet contemporary romance and dual timeline historical women’s fiction—warm, feel-good stories to bring readers’ hearts home.

A Romance Writers of America® Golden Heart® finalist and shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists’ Association Joan Hessayon award, Amazon named her third book, 'Back Home at Firefly Lake,' a 'Best Book of the Month: Romance' in December 2017.

A dual British-Canadian citizen, Jen lived in England for many years and earned a doctorate (with a focus on British cultural studies and social history) from University College London. Returning to where her Irish family roots run deep, she now lives with her husband, teenage daughter and floppy-eared rescue hound in small-town Eastern Ontario, Canada.

When not writing, she enjoys reading, ice cream, ballet and paddling her purple kayak.

Visit Jen online at www.jengilroy.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/JenGilroy1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenGilroyAuthor/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jen.gilroyauthor/

Giveaway to Win 2 x Kindle copies of The Sweetheart Locket (Open to UK / Canada)

*Terms and Conditions –UK & Canada entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

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New Publication Spotlight: The Maids of Biddenden by G D Harper

The Maids of Biddenden by G D Harper

‘There is no me; there is no you.

There is only us.’

The Maids of Biddenden is inspired by the real-life story of conjoined twins Mary and Eliza Chulkhurst, born in 1100 into a wealthy family from a small Kent village.

Joined at the hip, the sisters overcome fear and hostility to grow into gifted and much-loved women ­– one a talented musician and song-writer, the other a caring healer and grower of medicinal plants. Entangled in the struggles for power and influence of the great Kent nobles of the time, they achieve much in their lifetimes and leave behind a legacy in Biddenden that survives to this day.

This is the heart-warming and inspirational story of two remarkable women leading one joint life, challenging adversity to become the best they can be.

Amazon UK                Amazon US  

I became a full-time author in 2016, publishing three novels under the pen name GD Harper. I have been both a Wishing Shelf Book Award finalist and Red Ribbon winner, been shortlisted for the Lightship Prize, longlisted for the UK Novel Writing Award and longlisted for the Page Turner Writer Award. The Maids of Biddenden was a finalist in this year’s Page Turner Book Award for unpublished manuscripts, longlisted for the Exeter Book Prize and the Flash 500 Novel Award, and shortlisted for the Impress Prize.

Facebook: @gdharperauthor

Twitter: @harper_author

Website: www.gdharper.com

https://www.instagram.com/gdharperauthor/

New Publication Spotlight: A Defiant Maiden’s Knight by Melissa Oliver

A Defiant Maiden’s Knight by Melissa Oliver

A knight’s protection…That she doesn’t want…or need?

Joan Lovent may be losing her sight but she refuses to lose her independence too. So when Sir Warin de Talmont tells her it’s too perilous to be out alone in the city, she doesn’t pay him any heed. But with threats surrounding them, she begins to value his protection and helps with his dangerous work in return. If only the powerful connection between them wasn’t so impossible to ignore!

Introduction to extract- Warin de Talmont takes Joan Lovent to Smythfeld on market day, where she is delighted to find all manner of livestock being traded.

Joan could see from the man’s bemused expression that he did not quite comprehend her. ‘Horses…I have always adored horses. From the first time that I was put on the back of the animal as a child, I have revelled in every aspect of horseback riding—a pursuit that used to afford me a huge amount of pleasure.’

Warin frowned. ‘It used to?’

She nodded. ‘Yes. I have often been told that I learnt to ride before I could even walk. And in time my enjoyment was derived from the dizzying speed that I would put my horse through.’ She smiled at that long-ago memory. ‘The faster I rode the more thrilling and unfettered the feeling was. Yet…yet it was more than just the riding that enchanted me—I loved everything about those big, majestic creatures.’ She inhaled before continuing. Not that this part of her story was easy to revisit. ‘Then one day, when I was eleven years or so, my horse jumped clear of a bushel that hid an uneven ditch behind it. I took a bad tumble, which may or may not have attributed to my poor eyesight, as I was bedridden for more than a sennight, slipping in and out of cognizance.’

‘God’s breath, Joan, that’s dreadful.’

‘Indeed.’ Along with everything else that she had faced.

‘And yet you rode on horseback when I escorted you two years ago?’

She took a sip of ale and nodded. ‘I did, but that was the beginning of the end unfortunately.’

Even to her own ears she sounded a little unmoved by these circumstances, when the reality had been quite different—the very opposite had been true. It had devastated Joan when she had been resigned to forsake the one thing that had given her so much pleasure. And it was the first of many, with many more changes that she would eventually be forced to accept as her condition would worsen.

‘I am sorry, Joan,’ he murmured, shaking his head. ‘That could not have been easy to accept.’

‘No,’ she muttered, unable to say more. Her life had not been easy and she had sacrificed many things. She exhaled and even managed a smile as she lifted her head. ‘But this is welcome, so I thank you.’

‘No need to thank me.’

‘Of course I do! I practically forced my company on you.’ She chuckled. In all honesty, her behaviour had been quite unbecoming even if the sentiment behind it was a good one.

‘Never mind that.’ He took her empty mug from her, setting it back down on the cart, and held out his hand. ‘I have an idea. Something that I hope might also be equally welcome. Come.’

Joan took his offered hand as it closed around hers, strong, warm and strangely intimate. Warin led Joan along the path that wound through the area where horses were being traded.

‘Where are you taking me?’

‘You shall find out soon enough.’ He continued leading her away from the main area of the market until he stopped in front of the last horse trader and possibly the most inconspicuous, tucked away as he was at the periphery.

‘If it ain’t Sir Warin of Talmont, as I live and breathe. I ’aven’t laid eyes on yer since Lent, my good man. What brings you ’ere?’

‘Same as always, Asa of Bath. Same as always.’

‘If that be the case, then I might or might not have information that you might be searchin’ fer.’

‘Good to know, Asa, we shall discuss that later. I come bent on a very different matter altogether.

The other man nodded, clearly understanding Warin. ‘’Appy to oblige. What can I do fer yer?’

‘Well, I was wondering whether you might just happen to have a young, docile palfrey suitable for a lady.’

The trader grinned a toothless smile and made a single nod. ‘I might have just the thing, as it ’appens.’

In no time at all, Joan was amazed to find herself atop the very young, docile palfrey Warin had requested, while he led the young horse at the rein as they gently ambled away from the crowd. In truth, it felt wonderful to be on horseback again—something Joan had never believed she would ever experience. again. And she had Warin de Talmont to thank for that.

‘I hope you realise how much this means to me.’ She beamed down at him as he led the horse at a slightly quicker pace.

‘And I hope you realise that I do it, with pleasure.’

She held on with one hand on the pommel of the saddle and the other holding the reins. It felt just as it had ever done, simply stupendous. Something as ordinary as riding. ‘Well, it is certainly a day that I will never forget.’

‘Glad to hear it.’ He slowed the animal to an eventual stop. ‘Shall we make it all the more memorable?’

‘What do you propose?’

What Warin de Talmont suggested was made evident in the following moment when the man managed to mount the horse, swinging his leg, so that he was now sat behind her.

‘Are you ready to go a little faster?’ The warmth of his breath from behind brushed against her skin.

She felt a little hot. A little breathless being this close to him.

‘It is your choice, Joan, but know that I have you. I will never let you fall.’ Warin’s hand came round her waist, anchoring her to him. ‘So, the question is whether you would like to ride like the wind again?’

UK Harper Collins- https://bit.ly/3isA6ng

Harlequin US https://bit.ly/3Jwt397

Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09N1RD4D2/

Amazon US https://amzn.to/3udgZmC

Melissa Oliver is from south-west London where she writes historical romance novels. She lives with her lovely husband and daughters, who share her passion for decrepit, old castles, palaces and all things historical.

Melissa is the WINNER of The Romantic Novelist Association’s Joan Hessayon Award for new writers 2020 for her debut, The Rebel Heiress and the Knight. 

When she's not writing she loves to travel for inspiration, paint, and visit museums & art galleries.

Instagram @melissaoliverauthor

Twitter @melissaoauthor 

Facebook @melissaoliverauthor

www.melissaoliverauthor.com

New Publication Spotlight & Extract: Autumn in Sycamore Park by C.P. Ward

Autumn in Sycamore Park by C.P. Ward

The first in a new romantic comedy series from CP Ward, author of Christmas at Marshmallow Café and Summer at Blue Sands Cove.

Having fled a relationship and a previous life she would rather forget, young teacher Jennifer Stevens throws herself into a demanding new job at Brentwell Primary. Charged with marshalling a group of unruly eight-year-olds to the autumn harvest festival, her only solace is the peace of nearby Sycamore Park.

As the evenings draw in and the leaves begin to fall, will new friends, delicious autumn treats, and a possible new man on the orange-tinted horizon help Jennifer finally come to terms with her past and begin to look forward into the future?

Autumn at Sycamore Park is another delightful romantic comedy from CP Ward, author of several popular seasonally themed novels. Set against a backdrop of warm autumn days, it offers everything fans of CP Ward’s other books have come to love: laughter, friendship, good times, and a hint of newly discovered love.

Jennifer meets Angela for the first time

From here you could see the whole park. The main walking path made a complete circle, with numerous other pathways leading to monuments or secluded play areas. To the south and east, the surrounding streets were residential, with the thickest patch of trees and the theatre over to the west. To the north, a small car park stood beside the library, a two-storey Georgian building. Outside were a newspaper stand and a couple of other stalls, now closed. Down a small, tree-lined side road on the library’s right, tables and chairs were set out on a pedestrian-only street, a signboard Jennifer couldn’t read at this distance standing among them.

‘Shall we go and take a look?’ Jennifer said to the little dog, who had sat down on the grass and was watching her, tongue lolling. ‘Might be a bit more interesting than dinner out of a plastic packet. Do you think James will mind?’

The dog gave her a little bark and wagged his tail. Of course the cat wouldn’t mind.

‘Let’s go, then.’

She attached Bonky’s harness again and headed down the slope. The library was closed—at six p.m., a sign on the door said—but the little café appeared to be open, even though no one was sitting outside. Jennifer paused, looking at the sign over the door.

Oak Leaf Café.

The front was wood paneled with the name carved into a larger piece over the door. The tables were also wooden, and while Jennifer suspected they were pine rather than oak, each had a little vase of autumn twigs and leaves in the centre, adding to the quaintness. Next to a triangular menu, salt and pepper pots were also made out of wood.

‘What do you think?’ she said to the little dog, who appeared insistent on inspecting each chair leg in turn. ‘Although, it’s a little chilly.’

‘Feel free to bring the little guy inside,’ came a voice from the doorway, and Jennifer looked up to see a middle-aged woman leaning on the door frame, wearing a maple leaf-designed apron over jeans and a white t-shirt. Grey-flecked light brown hair was tied back into a ponytail. Bright green eyes sparkled through the glasses she wore, and a face that still retained a hint of youthful beauty gave Jennifer a warm smile.

‘Oh, would that be all right?’

The woman waved. ‘Sure. I’ve even got some food out the back somewhere if he’s hungry.’

‘Well, thank you.’

‘Come in and have a look at the menu if you’re interested. I love the wind off the park in this season, but it gets a little chilly once the sun goes behind the theatre.’

Jennifer went into a pretty, wood-paneled interior. Six wooden tables stood neatly arranged in front of a countertop. In little nooks and alcoves, pots of dried flowers stood, giving off a gentle lavender aroma. On the wall, framed posters identified various varieties of pumpkins and squashes. Antique cooking pots and utensils lined shelves in front of the windows delicately framed with lace curtains.

One table by the window had a view of Sycamore Park. ‘That one,’ Jennifer said. ‘I’d like to sit there, please.’

‘Take your pick,’ the woman said. ‘We’re not exactly bursting at the seams.’ She smiled again. ‘My name is Angela. Angela Dawson. With only the two of us here, I don’t think it would be proper to remain strangers, would it?’

‘I suppose not. I’m Jennifer. Jennifer Stevens. I just moved to Brentwell. Yesterday, actually. I work at the local primary. Today was my first day.’

‘Busy times! I don’t know how you young people handle it. I get tired just walking around the park in the morning. And who’s this little guy?’

Angela bent down to pet Bonky, who lapped up the attention with a frantic wag of his tail.

‘Ah, his name is Bonky. He’s two years old.’

‘I had a toy poodle as a child, many, many years ago. Lovely little things.’ Angela stood up. ‘Bonky? That’s … interesting.’

For the first year or so, Jennifer had always felt a flush off embarrassment telling people the name of her dog, but she had got used to it. After all, it was just a name, albeit a little unusual.

‘Yeah, the kids at my old school chose it. I was having a few issues with some of them, and I thought getting them to choose the name for my dog would be a form of bonding. I was expecting something generic like Harry or Rover, but … nope. Bonky. They came up with Bonky.’ She shrugged. ‘And so it stuck.’

‘Well, it’s kind of cute, isn’t it?’

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09NMG5CFR

Apple

https://books.apple.com/jp/book/autumn-in-sycamore-park/id1600201320

Barnes & Noble

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/autumn-in-sycamore-park-cp-ward/1140781886

Kobo

https://www.kobo.com/ja/ebook/autumn-in-sycamore-park

CP Ward is a writer from the UK who currently lives and works in Nagano, Japan. For more information, please visit http://www.amillionmilesfromanywhere.net/cp-ward.html

http://www.amillionmilesfromanywhere.net/cp-ward.html

New Publication Spotlight and Extract: The Lost Laird From Her Past by Jeanine Englert

The Lost Laird from Her Past by Jeanine Englert

A second chance…With her first love!

Lady Brenna Stewart is grateful to be saved from her burning carriage—only her rescuer is Laird Garrick MacLean, the man she once loved and lost! He seems determined to protect her from the unknown enemy pursuing her across the Scottish Highlands. But, bitterly hurt by his past betrayal, she needs answers. Why did he abandon her? And how can she keep her heart safe now, when the connection between them is as strong as ever…

Context: In chapter three, Laird Garrick MacLean and Lady Brenna Stewart have just escaped an attack from mercenaries along their travels to his home at Westmoreland. They have had a hasty and unexpected reunion after Garrick finds her injured in a burning carriage along the hillside upon his return to the Highlands. It has been over a year since they have seen one another and had once planned to marry. Garrick does not know that everyone believed him dead due to his long absence and that Brenna has moved on with her life . . . until now.

Excerpt from Chapter 3 of The Lost Laird from Her Past:

‘Care to tell me why a band of English mercenaries are hunting you through the Highlands? And where you learned to throw a blade?’ Garrick tugged the reins for his mount to set off for Westmoreland once more.

They were safe. For now.

‘As much as I don’t wish to admit it, the throw was luck. And mercenaries? How do you know that is who they were? There is no reason for them to be after us. Perhaps we were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.’

‘Mercenaries do everything with purpose. I’ve seen many similar scenes over the last year. It was intentional. You were targeted. I want to know why.’ His words were tight and clipped. Anger and upset at almost losing her bubbled in his gut.

‘I can’t imagine why. Arthur and his son were merely bringing me back home.’

‘Who are they? Why were you not travelling with your father’s men with proper protection? Those men didn’t look capable of protecting you. One of them was just a boy.’

Brenna squared her shoulders and shifted further away from him. ‘Father selected a husband for me. He sent me south to meet with him one final time to settle the terms of our engagement and pending marriage. A Mr Stephen Winters. He divides his time between London, Edinburgh and Oban. His driver, Arthur, and his son agreed to take me back to Glenhaven this eve rather than tomorrow. They worked for him, this man I am to marry.’

Every fibre of Garrick’s body tightened and ached.

Saints be. She was to marry another man and he was English? How much could a man take? He shook his head. While he knew he’d purposefully and willfully given up on the idea of marrying Brenna, knowing she was promised to another made jealousy bloom tight and full in his chest. And anger too. She had moved on quite easily from the idea of him once she’d believed he was dead.

‘And what of us?’ he asked. ‘What of our understanding?’

‘What understanding? We were not officially engaged. I waited for you, but you never came home. You never wrote. Nothing. It is as if you are a ghost returned from the dead. It’s been over a year without a word from you to anyone. Not me, nor your family. What else was I and everyone else to believe?’

‘As you can see, I’m not dead, nor a ghost.’

‘Aye, here you are,’ she added under her breath.

‘What does that mean?’ he asked, irritation sharpening the edge of his words once more.

Silence was his answer.

‘Why did you not wait for me?’ The words surprised even him as they fell from his lips. He’d intentionally let her go. He had no claim or demands he could make. Not really. Heat flushed his face. He sounded like old Garrick. Lovesick and hopeful.

It turned his stomach.

She scoffed, facing him. ‘Wait! I did. It’s been over a year. What were we all supposed to think, especially me? Should I have waited for ever?’

 https://books2read.com/u/b6Mwnp

Jeanine Englert’s love affair with mysteries and romance began with Nancy Drew, Murder She Wrote, and her Grandmother’s bookshelves full of romance novels. She is a VIVIAN® and Golden Heart® Finalist as well as a Silver Falchion, Maggie, and Daphne du Maurier Award Winner in historical romance and mystery. Her Scottish Highland historical and historical romantic suspense novels revolve around characters seeking self-acceptance and redemption. When she isn’t wrangling with her characters on the page, she can be found trying to convince her husband to watch her latest Masterpiece or BBC show obsession. She loves to talk about books, writing, her beloved rescue pups, as well as mysteries and romance with other readers. Visit her website at www.jeaninewrites.com.

FB: https://www.facebook.com/JeanineWrites

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Website: https://www.jeaninewrites.com

Goodreads: The Lost Laird from Her Past by Jeanine Englert (goodreads.com)

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While Away the Hours in Scotland Giveaway! (Open to UK / US)

Whether it's too cold, too hot, or too rainy where you are, you can while away the hours with the first two books in the Falling for a Stewart Series: Eloping with the Laird and The Lost Laird from Her Past! Your prize also includes two Scottish blessing bracelets, one for you and one for a friend, and some lovely book swag! Happy reading! 

*Terms and Conditions –UK & US entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

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