BLOG TOUR: Then There's Trust (Blossoming of Truth book 3) - Susan Gray

A forbidden love…a relationship in jeopardy…a tested trust

Darcy Dukas is fearless and feisty – but can she be trusted? Left bereft after a personal disappointment, her vulnerable mindset causes her to seize an opportunity to pursue her dream career. When Marcel Duval arrives in Durham to establish his detective agency, she agrees to work with him. But is she prepared for the risks she will encounter? Risks for her safety…risks for her young marriage…and risks affecting her family’s trust?

In 1952 Josh Smallwood, Darcy’s brother, returns home after completing his national service. Trying to sort his future, he begins working on the family farm and befriends Judy, a young nurse. He is baffled to discover any liaison with her is forbidden by her family. This mystery fuels an intense, secret relationship…can they overcome obstacles to be together?

A shroud of guilt clings to Chantal Martin – will she ever be free from its taint? As an unmarried mother, her once tenacious trait seems to have deserted her. Striving towards the final hurdle, an unexpected decision and an untimely event threaten to blight her resilience…can her trust be rewarded?

Then There’s Trust is a gripping, emotional story of love, fidelity and trust set in 1950’s northeast England.

 

What did I think?

I discovered this wonderful series at book two, Hope on Hope, so I was very excited to catch up with the Smallwood family again in the third book, Then There's Trust.  Although it's part of a series I think you could read it as a standalone and still enjoy it, but when read as part of the series it is outstanding.  

There's a family tree at the start of the book, which is really useful even if you're already familiar with the characters but will be invaluable for any readers new to the series.  As it's a family story, there are a lot of characters but they are so well developed that it never gets confusing as I feel like I know each character personally.

As with real life, there are a lot of ups and downs in the book and some parts of the story had me laughing and at other times I was struggling to hold back my tears.  It just goes to show the strength of the author's talent to generate such an emotional response from the reader.

Filled with family drama, Then There's Trust is an emotional and heartfelt read that captivated me from start to finish.  I am missing the characters already but I have book one, Blossoming of Truth, on my Kindle so I hope to visit them again soon.  It's an easy five stars for this simply magnificent novel.

I received a digital ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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About the author:

‘Never too old to follow your dreams’ has become Susan Gray’s mantra since beginning to write novels after celebrating a significant birthday. Susan endeavours to entwine the genres of mystery and romance and sets her books in the Twentieth Century. She lives with her husband in northeast England, setting her books in this picturesque area. She has a son and daughter, both married, two granddaughters and a grand dog. When not writing she loves to spend time reading, puzzling, walking and catching up with friends over a coffee. She enjoys travelling and tries to include many of the places she has visited in her books. Her plots are inspired by ‘life’ and how her characters navigate the waters. She loves to ‘people watch’ and creates her characters based on the many strangers she has observed. She has written eight novels, but only four are published so far. SPANISH HOUSE SECRETS was her debut novel. BLOSSOMING OF TRUTH, HOPE ON HOPE and THEN THERE’S TRUST are a series.

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BLOG TOUR: Realm of Fear (Mirror Wars Book 3) - Alan Bayles

After cheating death with the aid from a mysterious cosmic entity, Dave Barnes and Claire Tulley find themselves on the parallel world of Terra, where the sudden appearance of Claire’s supposedly deceased twin sister, a revered Terran resistance leader throws them off balance.

A former enemy, now potential ally, may hold the key to returning home and continuing their battle against the sentient AI, Oracle.

New threats emerge, forcing Claire and Dave to make an impossible choice: keep the portal sealed, stranding them on Terra with a hostile inhuman presence, or do they jeopardise the whole multiverse just to get home?

GRAB YOUR COPY OF REALM OF FEAR NOW TO DISCOVER THEIR FATE!

 

What did I think?

Even though I don't usually read science fiction, I am really enjoying the Mirror Wars series and Realm of Fear is the thrilling third book in this gripping series.  It's a book I wouldn't advise reading as a standalone as you need to have read the earlier books to understand the various worlds and how they and the characters link together.

What links all of the worlds is Oracle, a scary AI that sends chills down my spine.  When you take emotions out of the equation, you really can't predict what Oracle will do next.  I loved how the Tulley sisters are reunited in this book but they have some unfinished business to deal with first to do with the last time they saw each other.

It's quite thought-provoking to see different versions of people in each world and it is surprising how similar they actually are.  I like to think that would be the case if I ever did run into another version of me from another world.

The pacing really ramps up in this instalment and especially so at the end where the reader is left right on the edge of the cliff with a beady eye out for book four.  I can't wait to read the conclusion. 

I received a gifted paperback for the Love Books Tours bookstagram tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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BLOG TOUR: Oracle's Vision (Mirror Wars Book 2) - Alan Bayles

The battle for the fate of Earth has only begun as Detective Inspector Dave Barnes and his team must fight against a malevolent AI hell-bent on dominating multiple worlds.

With Terra, a counter-Earth in a parallel dimension, under its control, the tyrannical AI known as Oracle continues her relentless march across the multiverse‚ and now she holds Earth Prime in her sights.

While Dave Barnes and members of The Castle battle to stop the dangerous AI from succeeding in her invasion, all is not lost on Terra where a group of resistance fighters are marshalling their forces to free those who have been assimilated as mindless foot soldiers.

With conflict waging on both worlds, and Oracle tightening her grip, hope comes from an unlikely source when the duplicitous Colonel David Barnes offers information that could prove vital. But can this master of deception be trusted to aid in the fight for two worlds?

As Oracle becomes increasingly unhinged, and with the fate of humanity at stake, it becomes clear to those who resist that the AI will stop at nothing to rule the multiverse. In a desperate struggle to survive, can those on opposite sides unite in a mission to save two worlds? And, with the stakes so high, will all who fight live to see freedom from Oracle's reign of terror?

 

What did I think?

After reading Double Jeopardy, the first book in the Mirror Wars series, I raced on to book 2, Oracle's Vision and it's a fantastic sequel.  

The story has taken a dark turn now that Oracle has arrived to take control of our world and whilst it sometimes is a bit techy (and Trekkie) for me, I was completely invested in the story.  You can tell that Alan Bayles is a big Star Trek fan so this book will definitely appeal to Trekkies and sci-fi fans alike.  There are also some movie references to look out for and although I haven't seen any Star Trek, I did notice the Back to the Future ones.

As it's the second book in the series, I think you do need to have read the first book to fully understand the different dimensions and the story behind some of the characters,  I think I would have been completely lost if I'd tried to read it as a standalone.

The pacing is fast and the plot is gripping so, even though it's quite a chunky book, I read it a lot quicker than I expected.  I can't wait to find out what happens next and I will be reading book 3, Realm of Fear very soon.

I received a gifted paperback to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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BLOG TOUR: Double Jeopardy (Mirror Wars Book 1) - Alan Bayles

 

Called to the scene of a grisly double murder in a northern English village, Detective Inspector Dave Barnes thinks he's seen everything - until the threads of his investigation unwind an otherworldly secret.

As the Inspector and his team delve deeper into the case, a former history professor, with a personal interest in the crime, steps forward to provide bizarre clues that seem too impossible to be true. And, as Professor Claire Tulley shares her discoveries dating back to a failed military experiment 90 years earlier, DI Barnes realises that he's embroiled in a cover-up that reaches the highest levels of the government and beyond.

On a parallel Earth, Colonel David Barnes observes his doppelgänger with contempt as the detective edges closer to learning the truth about alternate worlds and the multi-dimensional portals that link them. But, as the Colonel seeks to assume control, he will do whatever it takes to overcome those in his way, even if that means assassinating the man reflected in the mirror.

With the fate of his Earth at stake, and realizing that not everyone around him is who they appear to be, Detective Inspector Barnes and his team must battle for their survival. But how can he win the fight when his own reflection is plotting against him?

What did I think?

I don't usually read science fiction but I was drawn to Double Jeopardy by the amazing cover and the fact that Alan Bayles and I support the same football team.  I read it a lot quicker than I expected as it cleverly combines science fiction with a police procedural.

Alternate worlds and the multiverse is a fascinating subject and I loved how Alan Bayles' vivid imagination sets out two different dimensions for this story.  The County Durham setting is unusual and I love that actual buildings I know of (and some I didn't) are included in the book.

I set aside a good few days to read Double Jeopardy but I was surprised how hooked by the story I was and I absolutely raced through it.  Alan Bayles includes a number of references to his favourite books and films and it was fun picking them up, although I will have missed a lot as I'm not a Trekkie.

Incredibly imaginative and completely compelling, Double Jeopardy is a fantastic start to a new series and I don't have to wait long for more as I'm heading straight on to book 2: Oracle's Vision.

I received a gifted paperback to read and review for the Bookstagram Tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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BLOG TOUR: A Daughter's Love - Nancy Revell

When Lucy’s estranged mother dies unexpectedly, her grief is overwhelming. Lucy was disowned when she married penniless horse-trainer Danny for love, leaving her blue-blooded family’s fortune in tatters. But Lucy always dreamed that one day, they’d reconcile.

So when her widowed father Edward begs her and Danny’s forgiveness for his part in their argument, she’s overjoyed. Newly pregnant, she’s determined to give her baby the family she longed for.

Danny, however, isn’t convinced: Edward’s mended ways feel too good to be true. But Lucy’s pregnancy is difficult, and she can’t hear his worries. Until the worst happens, and their fragile family is tested to its very limit…

Will love be enough to get them through?

 

What did I think?

A Daughter's Love is the third and final book in the Cuthford Manor series and I have enjoyed every beautifully written word.  You can read it as a standalone as there's enough of the backstory included to fill in any blanks that new readers might have but it is simply breathtaking when you have read the previous books.

Angie's siblings Danny and Marlene are the focus of this book as Danny starts his married life with Lucy and Marlene tentatively opens her heart to the possibility of love.  The Boulter family haven't had an easy life and it's not about to change any time soon with cracks appearing in Danny's marriage already and Marlene losing the man she loves to manipulative Mabel.

As much as I loved the majority of the characters, I really detested Mabel.  There's a line that sums Mabel up perfectly: "And what Mabel wanted, Mabel got."  You'd think Mabel was lady of the manor but she's just an employee at Cuthford Manor.  Poor Thomas doesn't stand a chance when Mabel sets her sights on him, probably just to spite Marlene more than anything.

I feel like I have watched this lovely family grow up over the years and I will miss them but the beauty of being a reader is that I can always pick up the books again and I plan to do just that.  Nancy Revell is a natural storyteller and I can't wait to see what she writes next.

Impossible to put down, incredibly entertaining and completely unmissable, A Daughter's Love is a fantastic family saga that I highly recommend.  An easy five stars - I absolutely loved it!

I received a gifted paperback for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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About the author:

Nancy Revell is the author of 12 titles in the bestselling Shipyard Girls series, which tells the story of a group of women who work in a Sunderland shipyard during WWII. Her books have sold more than half a million copies, across all editions, with the last book in the Shipyard Girl series a No.2 Sunday Times Bestseller. Before that, she was a journalist who worked for all the national newspapers, providing them with hard- hitting news stories and in-depth features. She also wrote inspirational true-life stories for just about every woman’s magazine in the country. Nancy was born and brought up in the North East of England and now lives in Oxfordshire with her husband, Paul.

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BLOG TOUR: Poole of Light (The Poole Legacy Book 1) - RJ Verity

A coal-mining town. A flicker of light. A boy who dreams of more.

Spennymoor, 1913. When ten-year-old Jem Poole sees a moving picture for the first time, it sparks a fascination that will shape the course of his life. Raised in a northern coal town marked by hardship and loss, Jem begins to dream of more than soot and survival — he dreams of light.

Through war, reinvention and the golden age of British cinema, Jem rises to national success, building a legacy of silver screens and stories that define a generation. But when a figure from his past reappears, long-buried memories resurface, and he must confront the truth of the life he has built – and the memories that never let go.

 

What did I think?

Oh my word, Poole of Light is a fabulous debut novel from RJ Verity!  As soon as I saw that it was set in my local area of County Durham I wanted to read it and I am so pleased that I did as it's a fantastic historical fiction novel.  

The novel starts in the coal mining town of Spennymoor where Jem and Daisy are inseparable childhood friends.  When Jem's widowed father decides to move to Leeds to marry his sister-in-law, Jem doesn't even have time to say goodbye to Daisy.  It's not the end of their story though and I loved the way that they meet years later.

Whilst 1913 doesn't seem like that long ago (to me, at least), it's a stark reminder of how tight money was for most families and the things that needed to be done to put food on the table.  It must have been so difficult to simply exist and that's even before the two world wars depleted the population and the economy.

The film industry setting is unusual and I really enjoyed the insight into the early cinema experience that RJ Verity has clearly researched meticulously.  It's a rags to riches story that reminded me a little of The Greatest Showman as Jem is so driven to succeed, despite the many challenges he must overcome along the way.  

Atmospheric, authentic and entertaining, Poole of Light is a riveting and compelling historical fiction novel.  It's a fantastic start to a new series and I can't wait to read more about the Poole family.  A very highly recommended read and one that is not to be missed by fans of historical fiction.

I received a gifted paperback for the Rachel's Random Resources blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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About the author:

RJ Verity grew up in Yorkshire and studied at King’s College London before spending more than twenty years in financial services across Asia. She now lives in Guernsey with her endlessly patient husband and their spirited ten-year-old Labradinger. When she’s not writing or reading, she can often be found exploring the island’s rugged coastline.

She is currently working on The Poole Legacy, her debut trilogy of historical novels. The first book in the series, Poole of Light, is out now.

Social Media Links – 

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorRJVerity

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https://www.pinterest.com/RJVerityAuthor/ 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/239076062-poole-of-light

A universal link to Amazon page: https://mybook.to/poole-of-light 

The map: https://www.rjverity.com/1930s-leeds 

The book club kit: https://www.rjverity.com/bookclub 

The blog link: https://www.rjverity.com/blog 

Giveaway:

Giveaway to Win a limited edition print of Poole of Light book (gold foil, high quality paper) (Open to UK Only)

*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome.  Please enter using the Gleam box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Gleam 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.

Win a limited edition print of Poole of Light (gold foil, high quality paper) (Open to UK Only)

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BLOG TOUR: Saint Cuthbert's Curse - M M Hudson

A searing July heatwave. Four bodies.

When corpses begin turning up in abandoned County Durham coal mines, police detective Tony Milburn is pulled into a chilling mystery. All four dead within four days but can Saint Cuthbert’s ancient curse really be the cause?

Durham’s iconic Miners’ Gala suffers a bizarre disruption and, amid the chaos, several high value artefacts are stolen.

As the caseload heats up, the Major Crimes Team is understaffed and under pressure. Aided by the enigmatic surfer, Penfold, but suffering the obsessive attentions of DC Diane Meredith, Milburn comes up against his toughest investigation yet.

The fourth Penfold mystery novel digs deep into the north-east’s heritage, as long-buried church secrets and the legacy of coal intertwine in Saint Cuthbert’s Curse.

 

What did I think?

I love this series that is set in my local area so I was delighted to see a new book in the Penfold Mysteries.  Saint Cuthbert's Curse is the fourth book of the fantastic series that is set in Durham and I have somehow missed book three so I will be sure to rectify that omission.  You can of course read it as a standalone as it has its own self-contained plot as well as characters from the earlier books.

The plotting is razor-sharp and the writing is breathtakingly descriptive so, although I do know the various locations in the book, it's very easy to imagine walking the streets of Durham with DS Milburn and his Holmes-like friend Penfold.  They certainly need their wits about them when investigating this case.

The Miners' Gala is a huge event in Durham's calendar and it is beautifully depicted.  I loved the intertwining of our coal history and Saint Cuthbert's treasure.  Durham Cathedral is also incredibly vividly described so you feel as if you are right there amongst the action.  Although the story is fiction, it's always good to read about real places and streets that you know or can look up on the internet.

Incredibly gripping, sharp and clever, Saint Cuthbert's Curse is a fantastic crime novel in an unmissable series.  A very highly recommended read.

I received a digital ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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Miles Hudson

Amazon

About the author:

Miles Hudson loves words and ideas.

He’s a physics teacher, surfer, author, hockey player, inventor, backpacker and idler.

Miles was born in Minneapolis but has lived in Durham in northern England for more than 35 years.

www.mileshudson.com

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BLOG TOUR: Meantime in Greenwich - Hannah Keens

Can an orphaned astrologer and a widowed astronomer put aside their differences to find love?

After Stella’s parents died, she spent her childhood in an orphanage so she fears loving anyone in case she loses them. Her only solace in life is astrology.

Benedict’s wife died in childbirth, so he raised his son alone. When he meets Stella, he is overwhelmed by guilt. And as a respected professor of astronomy, can he really allow himself to fall in love with an astrologer?

Find out whether love is written in the stars for Stella and Benedict in this English romantic comedy.

What did I think?

I absolutely adored Meantime in Greenwich from its clever play on words title to its charming and heartwarming storyline.  It's no secret that Hannah Keens is a pseudonym of Helen Steadman and as Helen is one of my favourite authors it's no surprise that this gorgeous book is going straight on to my favourites shelf.

I used to go to Greenwich a lot when I visited family in London so it was lovely to virtually revisit this part of London in the book as it was brought to life through the wonderfully vivid and descriptive writing.  If I thought the location was vivid, it pales in comparison to the characters who virtually pop from the page.  I loved Stella but it was her love interest Benedict's son Daniel who stole my heart.

So I mentioned the clever play on words in the title earlier and obviously the location is Greenwich (with Durham playing a small cameo) but the Meantime comes from the spat between astrology and astronomy.  Stella is an astrologer and, as her mother taught her, it keeps her mother's memory alive.  Stella meets astronomer Benedict when she attends his lecture about Saturn and they have an instant connection.  Benedict's snooty astronomy colleagues couldn't bear it if he dated an astrologer!

There is just so much to love about this book and it's perfect escapism to put a smile on your face at the end of the day.  It's fabulous feel-good fiction without being sugar-coated as the characters have their own past heartaches and challenges to overcome.  I warmed to the characters so much that I had a lump in my throat at the end and I'm missing them already.

Romantic, charming and uplifting, Meantime in Greenwich is a fabulous romantic comedy that warmed my heart and cheered my soul.  I will definitely be reading it again to brighten my day; it's like my own personal prescription from Dr Steadman.  Very highly recommended.

I received an ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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About the author:

Hannah Keens is a contemporary English novelist. She writes sweet romantic comedies that will leave you with a smile in your heart. Welcome to a world of love, laughter and happily ever after.

Website: https://hannahkeens.com/ 

Author note from book: https://hannahkeens.com/visit-mysteries-in-covent-garden

Twitter: https://x.com/HannahKeens 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahkeensauthor/ 

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BLOG TOUR: The Philosophy of Love - Rebecca Ryan

What is love? Is it something spiritual or wholly physical? Can our feelings be explained and quantified? Or are we all actually two halves of a whole?

Ask Alice and Luke and you’d receive vastly different answers.

Despite her world having been recently dismantled by a messy break-up, Alice would tell you that love is the most important – albeit ineffable – human experiences. But when she once again crosses paths with her old school nemesis, Luke, he challenges this. Luke is a scientist and he’s certain love can be measured and explained – just like everything else.

So the two decide to make a bet: they’ll each venture back into dating and if one of them falls in love, Alice wins, if not, then Luke does.

But can anyone win when you’re playing with emotions?

 

What did I think?

I absolutely loved Rebecca Ryan's debut novel, My (extra)Ordinary Life, so I was very excited to read her new book, The Philosophy of Love.  Well, just imagine my delight when I found out that it was set just a few miles down the road in Easington Colliery.  What a lovely surprise!

After breaking up with her boyfriend, who was also her boss, Alice suddenly finds herself homeless and unemployed.  So, she packs her meagre belongings and leaves London to live with her parents in a little village in County Durham.  It's not long before Alice bumps into her old schoolfriend Luke and the sexual tension between them virtually sizzles off the page, although neither of them can see it; they're too busy trying to win a bet about love.

The chemistry between Alice and Luke is like a smouldering candle just waiting for a little draught of air to ignite it, but the last place that Alice thinks to look for love is right in front of her.  Of course it would have been a very short story if she had fallen for Luke right away!

As well as the wonderful romance, there's a really strong sense of family and community in the book as the villagers all come together to save their local community centre.  I loved how Alice's family all rallied around her, along with her friends new and old.  Village life in the north-east is depicted beautifully in this book as well as the warmth and friendliness of the people in the region.

Rebecca Ryan admits to using a lot of artistic license to recreate Easington for her readers and her writing is so wonderfully vivid that it really brings the village to life.  Whilst I understand the need to change and embellish some things in the village, it's a shame that the names of a north-east landmark and university were changed.  It didn't spoil my enjoyment of the book at all though, it's just that I get a kick out of seeing places I know in print. 

                  

Funny, flirty and completely captivating, The Philosophy of Love is filled with north-eastern charm and wit and it delighted me from start to finish.  Rebecca Ryan is certainly one to watch and I definitely consider myself a fan.

I received an ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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The Widow's Choice - Nancy Revell

1949, County Durham.

From the Shipyards of Sunderland to Lady of the Manor . . .

When Angie marries her sweetheart Quentin and moves into Cuthford Manor to begin their new life together, she feels like the luckiest woman in the world.

But Quentin falls victim to a tragic accident and Angie's life is left devastated. Now, along with the prospect of rebuilding her life, she is faced with an impossible choice that will have far-reaching consequences for herself and those she loves most.

Angie will need to draw on the help of her family, the community of Cuthford Manor and her old friends from the shipyards if she's to find happiness again.

 

What did I think?

I've wanted to read one of Nancy Revell's novels in The Shipyards Girls series since I realised they were set locally in Sunderland and I finally have a Nancy Revell novel in my hands in the form of The Widow's Choice.  There are 12 books in the series that finished in 2022 but The Widow's Choice revisits some of the main characters so fans of the series could see what happens next and new readers would be tempted to see what happened earlier.  

Although the characters are new to me I felt as if I'd known them for years.  I felt Angie's pain at her devastating loss and could totally understand why she wanted to make a new start but memories are more than bricks and mortar.  Luckily, she has her shipyard girls around her to support her through her difficult time.

Angie may be the mistress of Cuthford Manor but it's a title that she doesn't feel she is entitled to and this isn't helped by her devious mother in law who is determined to get her hands on the manor for herself.  There are secrets aplenty to discover in this engaging family saga and I was surprised to find myself researching some true stories that I had never heard of before.

Heartbreaking, heartwarming and completely uplifting, The Widow's Choice has it all: strong female characters, devastating family secrets and a bucketful of emotions.  I am now more than tempted to read The Shipyard Girls series, in fact I feel compelled to do so after encountering these colourful characters for the first time in The Widow's Choice.  

I received a paperback copy for the Tandem Collective readalong and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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BLOG TOUR: Solstice (The Widdershins Trilogy Book 3) - Helen Steadman

England, 1673. Still a world of witches, witch trials and witchfinders.

When a new vicar arrives to take over the parish of Mutton Clog, the village finds itself in the grip of puritan fever, and suspicious eyes are turned on Rose Driver.

Rose’s mother, brother and grandmother were all put to death by the fanatical witchfinder, John Sharpe.

Almost quarter of a century after the Newcastle witch trials, Sharpe is no longer a threat. Rose should be safe in her quiet village, but is history about to repeat itself?

Find out in Solstice, the powerful conclusion to The Widdershins Trilogy, which tells the story of one woman’s struggle for survival in a hostile and superstitious world.

The Widdershins Trilogy was inspired by the little-known Newcastle witch trials, where fifteen women and one man were hanged for witchcraft on a single day in August 1650.

 

What did I think?

Solstice is the third book in the Widdershins Trilogy and it is a fantastic conclusion to an absolutely superb series.  It can be read and enjoyed as a standalone but it is simply breathtaking when read as part of the series.

Rose Driver, the daughter of Jane Chandler from the previous books, is one of the main characters in Solstice and she is brought beautifully to life through Helen Steadman's vivid writing.  The story is told from two points of view; that of Rose and her nemesis, Patience Leaton, whose father is the new parish vicar.

Patience takes an instant dislike to Rose, especially when Rose catches the eye of Patience's twin brother Earnest. Patience is overcome with religious fervour and it's almost as if she is possessed by the devil, which is rather ironic when she accuses Rose of being a witch...just like her mother and grandmother.  

Reading Solstice is like stepping back in time with every single turn of the page.  The sights, sounds and smells of 17th century County Durham seem to emerge from the pages of the book and completely immerse the reader in the era.  Helen Steadman is an impeccable researcher and the depth of her knowledge is evident throughout the book.

Wonderfully immersive and completely spellbinding, Solstice is a magnificent piece of historical fiction that deserves its place on my favourites shelf.  I have adored every book in this wonderful trilogy and Solstice is a very fitting end.  An easy five stars and highly recommended.

I received an ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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About the author:

Helen Steadman's first novel, Widdershins and its sequel, Sunwise were inspired by the 1650 Newcastle witch trials. Her third novel, The Running Wolf is about a group of master swordmakers who defected from Germany to England in 1687. Helen's fourth novel, God of Fire, is a Greek myth retelling as seen through the eyes of Hephaestus, perhaps the least well known of all the Olympians. Helen is particularly interested in revealing hidden histories and she is a thorough researcher who goes to great lengths in pursuit of historical accuracy. To get under the skin of the cunning women in Widdershins and Sunwise, Helen trained in herbalism and learned how to identify, grow and harvest plants and then made herbal medicines from bark, seeds, flowers and berries.The Running Wolf is the story of a group of master swordmakers who left Solingen, Germany and moved to Shotley Bridge, England in 1687. As well as carrying out in- depth archive research and visiting forges in Solingen to bring her story to life, Helen also undertook blacksmith training, which culminated in making her own sword.

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