BLOG TOUR - Murder at the Homecoming

DESCRIPTION:

Amidst the smell of sherry trifle and the sound of lively music, the guests raise their glasses. But as a loud scream interrupts the toast, amateur detectives Flora Steele and Jack Carrington learn that not everyone is in the party spirit…

It’s the perfect day in Abbeymead for Ambrose Finch to throw a welcome party for his long-lost son, finally returning home after disappearing ten years ago. The sun is shining, the spread is sumptuous, and the residents are eager to catch a glimpse of the young man they’ve heard so much about – and perhaps learn why he left in the first place…

But when Ambrose sends his maid to fetch the cake from the kitchen, he is interrupted mid-toast by her screams. Flora and Jack rush to the kitchen, horrified to find the cook hired for the occasion lying unmoving on the flagstone floor. The sickly-sweet smell of cyanide is their only clue – but who was the glass she’d been drinking from intended for?

The poor cook had no enemies – but there are plenty at the party who do, and Ambrose seems to have invited them all to join the festivities. Flora and Jack can’t resist investigating, in an afterparty they never saw coming… And when another of Ambrose’s employees is found dead, they must work out why all roads seemingly lead back to the Finch family. But can they uncover whose past sins have come home to roost, before it’s too late?

An utterly charming and completely page-turning cozy mystery novel filled with brilliant twists. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin and J.R. Ellis.

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Title:  Murder at the Homecoming

Author:  Merryn Allingham 

Series:   Flora Steele Mystery #13

Publisher:  Bookouture 

Genre:   Cozy Mystery 

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   262

Date of Publication:  February 27, 2026

Rating:   4 Stars

MY THOUGHTS:

In Murder at the Homecoming by Merryn Allingham, the long-awaited reunion between Albert Finch and his estranged son, Lucas, sadly does not go as planned. What should have been a joyous homecoming quickly turns grim when the cook is discovered dead in the kitchen—just as Flora Steele and her husband, Jack Carrington, arrive to join the festivities.

Finch had spent nearly a decade searching for Lucas, even hiring a private investigator during those years, and had finally succeeded in bringing him home. Naturally, he intended to celebrate in grand fashion. Instead, attention is swiftly and tragically diverted.

The cook’s death is clearly no accident. The tell-tale scent of almonds lingers in the air, pointing unmistakably to cyanide poisoning. But who would want the cook dead? Or was the cook merely an unintended victim, with someone else as the true target? That seems far more likely. Flora and Jack are soon drawn into the investigation, determined to uncover the truth while doing everything possible to prevent further tragedy.

Flora and Jack continue to make a wonderful team. Flora, owner of the All’s Well bookshop, enjoys the flexibility to step away whenever murder intrudes upon village life. Jack, a successful crime writer, remains the perfect complement to Flora’s sharp instincts and natural talent for solving mysteries. Over the course of the series, they’ve built a strong working relationship with Inspector Ridley, who once again benefits from their insight.

This thirteenth installment in the series is another thoroughly enjoyable read. The enduring love between Flora and Jack, combined with their shared determination to uncover the right answers, makes for an engaging and satisfying mystery. I’m already looking forward to whatever adventures await Flora and Jack in book fourteen. I have no doubt it will be just as entertaining as the rest of this delightful series.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Merryn taught university literature for many years, and it took a while to pluck up the courage to begin writing herself. Bringing the past to life is a passion and her historical fiction includes Regency romances, wartime sagas and timeslip novels, all of which have a mystery at their heart. As the books have grown darker, it was only a matter of time before she plunged into crime with a cosy crime series set in rural Sussex against the fascinating backdrop of the 1950s.

Merryn lives in a beautiful old town in Sussex with her husband and one last cat, Bluebell. When she’s not writing, she tries to keep fit with adult ballet classes and plenty of walking.

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BLOG TOUR - Our Song

DESCRIPTION:

He was the love of her life. He’s my husband.

Then: Ally

I didn’t think my heart could take it when David and I ended things. He was my first love, my everything. But as soon as he met Charlotte, I knew that nothing would ever be the same. We were friends once, me and her. But some things are too broken to fix… aren’t they?

Now: Charlotte

The hospital waiting room door flies open, and I look up desperately, willing somebody—anybody—to tell me that David is going to be alright. But it’s not a doctor. It’s Ally; her face pale, her hair wild. It’s years since we were close, but I’d know her anywhere. She loved my husband first, and I suspect still owns a piece of his heart that I’ve never managed to get back.

How did she hear about David? Why is she here? But then her eyes fill with tears. “It’s Joe,” she whispers, “my husband. He’s had an accident too. But they won’t tell me anything…”

Our husbands are fighting for their lives, and all we can do is wait. With the future so uncertain for us both, Ally and I begin to untangle the past. After all these years of secrets and hurt, has fate thrown us together again for a reason? One thing is certain: after tonight, nothing will ever be the same again…

From the bestselling author of Always You and Me, comes a completely heartbreaking and emotional page-turner about love, friendship and impossible choices. Perfect for fans of Shari Low, Colleen Hoover and Paige Toon.

*First published January 2016

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Title:  Our Song

Author:  Dani Atkins

Publisher:  Bookouture

Genre:   Women’s Fiction

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   512

Date of Publication:   February 25, 2026

My Rating:   5 Stars

MY THOUGHTS:

In a truly remarkable coincidence, Charlotte and Ally both rush to the hospital when their husbands, David and Joe, are admitted in critical condition. The situation is so dire that both are now in the intensive care unit. Years ago, Charlotte and Ally were acquainted. In fact, Charlotte’s husband, David, was once deeply in love with Ally. However, time has passed, and both couples are now happily married. 

Their stories are tragic. Joe is an absolute hero, and Ally is beyond devastated. David, a devoted husband, would do anything for Charlotte. Tragically, the lives of both men are in grave danger. Although the outcome was clear, this story is a poignant exploration of healing amidst heartbreak.

While waiting in the ICU for both Charlotte and Ally, the story unfolds in a relatively short span of time. However, flashbacks serve as a powerful tool to connect the dots, highlighting the significance of their husbands in their lives and the circumstances of their initial meeting. Throughout the book, there are moments that strike a chord, showcasing the incredible strength and transformative power of love.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Dani was born and brought up in Cockfosters- a small London suburb at the end of the Piccadilly Tube Line. 

This served her well for commuting into the city, where from the age of 18 she worked in a succession of secretarial positions in companies as diverse as a BMW car dealership to the BBC. Dani spent her two hour commute avidly reading and dreamed that one day she would become an author herself. 

When her two children grew up and left home, Dani set about turning this dream into reality and devoted her time to writing. She now lives in a rural Hertfordshire cottage with her husband, a soppy border collie dog and a haughty Siamese cat.

Her first novels FRACTURED (called THEN AND ALWAYS in the US) and THE STORY OF US published in 2014. In January 2016, her third novel, OUR SONG was published. 

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Review - Kin

Title:  Kin

Author:  Tayari Jones

Publisher:  Knopf

Genre:   Multicultural Fiction 

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   368

Date of Publication:   February 24, 2025

My Rating:   5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

A magnificent new novel from the bestselling, award-winning author of An American Marriage—Tayari Jones has written an unforgettable novel that sparkles with wit and intelligence and deep feeling about two lifelong friends whose worlds converge after many years apart in the face of a devastating tragedy

Vernice and Annie, two motherless daughters raised in Honeysuckle, Louisiana, have been best friends and neighbors since earliest childhood, but are fated to live starkly different lives. Raised by a fierce aunt determined to give her a stable home in the wake of her mother’s death, Vernice leaves Atlanta at eighteen for Spelman College, where she joins a sisterhood of powerfully connected Black women and marries into an affluent family. Annie, abandoned by her dissolute mother as a child, and fixated on the idea of finding her and filling the bottomless hole left by her absence, sets off on a journey that will take her into a world of peril and adversity, as well as love and adventure, and culminate in a battle for her life.

A novel about mothers and daughters, about friendship and sisterhood, and the complexities of being a woman in the American South, Kin is an exuberant, emotionally rich, unforgettable work from one of the brightest and most irresistible voices in contemporary fiction.

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

Kin by Tayari Jones is the story of two “cradle friends,” Vernice (Neicy) and Annie, whose lives ultimately take very different paths. Annie escapes their hometown at eighteen, leaving Neicy behind. Years pass, and the events of their lives shape the women they become. Neicy grew up knowing privilege and stability, eventually earning acceptance to Spelman College. Annie’s life, in contrast, had been marked by adversity and uncertainty. As their formative years unfold against the backdrop of the rising Civil Rights Movement and persistent inequality, both women are molded by forces far beyond their control.

Despite the stark contrasts in their circumstances, a powerful bond connects Neicy and Annie. This bond bridges the widening gaps between their lives. Over the years, they exchange a series of letters, and the fractured pieces of their friendship begin to mend. These letters become more than mere correspondence; they become a sanctuary of healing. 

Both women grow up motherless. Neicy’s mother was tragically murdered by her father, and Annie’s mother had abandoned her, leaving her to be raised by her stern grandmother. Later in life they each encounter strong maternal figures who help guide them, thus illustrating just one way people can be kin to one another.

“Kin,” a word commonly used in the Southern United States and throughout Appalachia, signifies a deep connection rooted in shared history and loyalty. As the story had already established, Neicy and Annie are kin. While the term “kin” may be informal, it carries immense weight, encompassing both familial bonds and community ties. Neicy and Annie are undoubtedly kin, and despite the years that have separated them, their bond remains unbreakable, transcending the limitations of time.

While Neicy and Annie are the central focus of this compelling novel, Tayari Jones crafts strong secondary characters who leave a lasting impression. These supporting voices add richness and dimension, deepening an already emotionally layered story.

This heartbreaking novel reminds us that even when lives diverge, shared beginnings leave an indelible thread. Neicy’s structured, privileged upbringing and Annie’s unpredictable, often painful journey may stand in contrast, but their connection remains rooted in something deeper, that of loss, resilience, and the enduring power of chosen family. This was especially the case with Annie’s determination to find her mother.

This review would be incomplete without mentioning a particular scene. It depicts a poignant moment involving a little girl while Annie waits for Neicy at a bus station. This scene vividly captures the harshness of the Jim Crow era and leaves a lasting impression on the reader. Jones’s poetic writing style transports us back to a time when many of us still carry the memories of that era. If Jones’s previous works, including An American Marriage, had not gained recognition, Kin certainly makes up for that in spades.

Many thanks to Knopf and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tayari Jones is the author of the novels Leaving Atlanta, The Untelling, Silver Sparrow, and An American Marriage (Algonquin Books, February 2018). Her writing has appeared in Tin House, The Believer, The New York Times, and Callaloo. A member of the Fellowship of Southern Writers, she has also been a recipient of the Hurston/Wright Legacy Award, Lifetime Achievement Award in Fine Arts from the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, United States Artist Fellowship, NEA Fellowship and Radcliffe Institute Bunting Fellowship. Silver Sparrow was named a #1 Indie Next Pick by booksellers in 2011, and the NEA added it to its Big Read Library of classics in 2016. Jones is a graduate of Spelman College, University of Iowa, and Arizona State University. She is currently an Associate Professor in the MFA program at Rutgers-Newark University.

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AUDIOBOOK REVIEW - It’s Never Too Late

Title:  It’s Never Too Late

Author:  Marla Gibbs

Publisher:  Amistad

Genre:   Memoir

Format:  Audio ALC and Kindle ARC

Narrator:  Marla Gibbs; Tisha Campbell; 

  Regina King

Length:  8 hrs 35 mins

No. of Pages:   288

Date of Publication:   February 24, 2026

My Rating:   5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

The star of classic television series, including The Jeffersons and 227, reveals her difficult journey from a tempestuous childhood to becoming a confident Hollywood powerbroker and groundbreaker who paved the way for today’s superstar talents.

Marla Gibbs has been a Hollywood icon for generations of fans. Now, at ninety-three, she chronicles her climb from a difficult youth in which she yearned for safety and love, to the high-stakes world of Hollywood where she became a confident powerbroker learning to work behind the scenes for fair pay, access, and more creative control for herself and her colleagues.

Told in her forthright voice, It's Never Too Late illuminates Gibbs' daring move to Los Angeles to rebuild her life after an abusive marriage, how she became an actor, and how she eventually learned to balance acting with show running. She was a “Boss Bae” decades before the term would become entertainment industry shorthand for a power flex. While developing 227 her lawyer won her “all rights, courtesies and privileges of an executive producer without the credit.” Though the authority she wielded behind the scenes created deep tensions on and off the set, her hard-luck young life had prepared her to succeed even as her tenacity was put to the test. Her experiences laid the groundwork for powerbrokers like Shonda Rhimes and Issa Rae.

An inspiring personal portrait of triumph and Hollywood that reminds us we can leave the past behind, It’s Never Too Late is the true tale of a remarkable life and a wise guidebook for aspiring artists, entrepreneurs, and entertainment fans.

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

For ten years of my life, beginning in 1975, I fell in love with Marla Gibbs as the unforgettable Florence on The Jeffersons, and later all over again as Mary Jenkins on 227. While these were her most iconic television roles, It’s Never Too Late makes it clear that Gibbs is far more than a gifted comedic performer.

Her memoir is a powerful story of determination, strength, and resilience. Memoirs offer readers a brief window into lives we may recognize from afar, while also revealing experiences we might never otherwise see. This is exactly what Gibbs’s story does.

Strong narration is essential when listening to someone’s life story, and this audiobook truly shines. With Marla Gibbs herself opening several chapters, followed by the warm and engaging narration of Tisha Campbell, It’s Never Too Late becomes an absorbing and heartfelt listening experience.

What makes this memoir especially compelling is the honesty with which Gibbs shares her journey. Her early life was marked by significant challenges, and her career in television and on stage was not without setbacks. Yet she persevered, repeatedly reinventing herself and ultimately setting an inspiring example for those who would follow in her footsteps. It’s Never Too Late is a fitting title for a life defined by grit, growth, and grace.

Many thanks to Amistad and to Libro.fm and NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

BLOG TOUR - Murder at Sea

DESCRIPTION:

A glorious ocean liner setting sail, sunset on the horizon, and champagne on deck. All seems shipshape… until Kitty discovers a body on board. Time for some sleuthing! 

Devon, 1938. Kitty Underhay is enjoying a well-deserved rest when her very upset cousin Hattie suddenly bursts in. She sobs that the gentleman she had been seeing, Richard Westonholme, seems to have vanished, taking all of her jewellery with him. As Hattie describes Richard, he sounds eerily familiar, and Kitty and her husband Matt board a ship in hot pursuit – only to find him lying in a lifeboat… dead.

As they’ve set sail, the murderer has to be on board too, but there are suspects as far as the eye can see. Could Richard’s wife have something to do with the murder? What about the rich heiress and her guardian? And is the steward hiding something fishy?

Kitty and Matt are all too aware that the clock is ticking while the suspects are trapped with no escape. Can they net the killer before the ship docks? Or will one of them be dead in the water before they reach dry land? 

Fans of Agatha Christie, T.E. Kinsey or Verity Bright will adore this totally charming murder mystery. The perfect treat for cozy crime fans!

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Title:   Murder at Sea

Author:  Helena Dixon

Series:  Miss Underhay #23
Publisher:  Bookouture 

Genre:   Cozy Mystery

Format:  Kindle ARC 

No. of Pages:  280

Date of Publication:  February 23, 2026

My Rating:  5 Stars 

MY THOUGHTS:

Kitty Underhay is looking forward to her friend Alice’s wedding coming up fairly soon. However, when her cousin Hattie bursts in with upsetting news, Kitty and her husband Matt take action. Kitty and Matt had looked forward to meeting the man Hattie was seeing during the holidays, but he begged off as he said he was feeling unwell. It was much more than that sadly. He has disappeared, but not without absconding with Hattie’s money and her jewelry.

Naturally, Kitty and Matt spring into action. As Matt begins making inquiries, it quickly becomes clear that this scoundrel is wanted for far more serious offenses than defrauding Hattie. When they discover he is about to sail across the ocean, they make a bold decision to board the ship themselves, determined to confront him and see justice served.

But before Matt can even question the man, he is found dead in a lifeboat.

With a murderer clearly aboard and the ship bound for its destination, Kitty and Matt—now well established as private investigators—must unravel the mystery before the vessel docks. The confined setting heightens the tension, and the stakes feel deliciously high as the couple races to uncover the truth.

I have been thoroughly enjoying this series, and this installment is no exception. Kitty and Matt are a delightful pair whose partnership—both personal and professional—continues to charm. Their teamwork feels natural and engaging, and the maritime setting adds an extra layer of intrigue. I’m already looking forward to seeing what adventure awaits them next.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Helena Dixon is the author of the internationally bestselling Miss Underhay cozy mystery series. She is a Black Country girl living in Devon. Married to the same man for over thirty-five years she has three daughters, a cactus called Spike, and a crazy cockapoo. She was the winner of the RNA Romance Prize in 2007 and the RNA Love Story of the Year 2010.

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COVER REVEAL - Love Blooms at the Cornish Cottage

Love Blooms at the Cornish Cottage

by Kim Nash

The BRAND NEW instalment in the gorgeously uplifting, romantic Sandpiper Shores series, perfect for fans of Veronica Henry, Trisha Ashley and Cathy Bramley. ✨ 

Every book in the Sandpiper Shores series can be read as a STANDALONE

💔 How do you mend a broken heart? 💔

Michelle finally thought she’d found love with her hot Greek doctor. But when Demetri reveals he’s returning home to care for his sick mother, Michelle’s dream future crumbles. Choosing not to follow him feels like losing more than just love - it feels like losing who she’d started to become.

Determined not to fall apart, Michelle decides to throw herself into rebuilding her life in Sandpiper Shore, but then unexpectedly, Demetri’s brother, Makkis, arrives on her doorstep. Offering him a room seems like the kind thing to do… but the constant reminder of her lost love is difficult for her heartbroken soul.

And the more time she spends with Makkis, the clearer it becomes: there are parts of Demetri she never knew… Just as Michelle starts to heal with a little help from her friends, she’s faced with a decision: fight for the love she knows she deserves, or finally learn how to let go…

A heartwarming and hopeful story about second chances, rediscovering yourself, and finding love that feels like home. Perfect for fans Jessica Redland and Jo Bartlett.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kim Nash is an author of uplifting, funny, heartwarming, feel-good, romantic fiction.

She lives in Staffordshire with son Ollie and Englis Setter Roni, is Head of Publicity for Bookouture and is a book blogger at www.kimthebookworm.co.uk

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Kim won the Romantic Novelists Association's Media Star of the Year in 2016, which she still can't quite believe. She is now quite delighted to be a member of the RNA.

When she's not working or writing, Kim can be found walking her dog, reading, standing on the sidelines of a football pitch cheering on Ollie and binge watching box sets on the TV. She's also quite partial to a spa day and a gin and tonic (not at the same time!) Kim also runs a book club in Cannock, Staffs.

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Amazing Grace was her debut novel with Hera Books and came out in April 2019. Escape to Giddywell Grange is Kim's second novel and was published in September 2019. Sunshine and Second Chances is Kim's third novel and will be published on June 4th 2020.

You can read Kim's Blog here: www.kimthebookworm.co.uk

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