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Crow Moon by Suzie Aspley#Extract #Giveaway #AMarthaStrangewaysInvestigationBook1

  I am delighted to introduce the first in a new series by debut writer, Suzie Aspley . The atmospheric thriller, Crow Moon was published by Orenda on March 14th. Today I have an extract for you to read and the chance to win a print copy of Crow Moon . Details on how to enter are at the foot of this post. When the crow moon rises, the darkness is unleashed… Martha Strangeways is struggling to find purpose in her life, after giving up her career as an investigative reporter when her young twins died in a house fire. Overwhelmed by guilt and grief, her life changes when she stumbles across the body of a missing teenager – a tragedy that turns even more sinister when a poem about crows is discovered inked onto his back... When another teenager goes missing in the remote landscape, Martha is drawn into the investigation, teaming up with DI Derek Summers, as malevolent rumours begin to spread and paranoia grows. As darkness descends on the village of Strathbran, it soon becomes

A Rebel at Pennington's by Rachel Brimble #Review


 We return to Pennington's Department store for this Edwardian Romance / Family Saga . A Rebel at Pennington's follows on from The Mistress of Pennington's which I reviewed here.

One woman's journey to find herself and help secure the vote. Perfect for the fans of the TV series Mr Selfridge and The Paradise.

1911 Bath. Banished from her ancestral home, passionate suffrage campaigner, Esther Stanbury works as a window dresser in Pennington's Department Store. She has hopes and dreams for women's progression and will do anything to help secure the vote. 

Owner of the prestigious Phoenix Hotel, Lawrence Culford has what most would view as a successful life. But Lawrence is harbouring shame, resentment and an anger that threatens his future happiness.

When Esther and Lawrence meet their mutual understanding of life's challenges unites them and they are drawn to the possibility of a life of love that neither thought existed. 

With the Coronation of King-Emperor George V looming, the atmosphere in Bath is building to fever pitch, as is the suffragists' determination to secure the vote.

Will Esther's rebellious nature lead her to ruin or can they overcome their pasts and look to build a future together?


My Thoughts

This is a great series and it was a pleasure to return to Edwardian England for this blog tour. I thought that there was an extra edge to this story as it explored the cause of women's suffrage and the differences between the different sets of supporters. It was very interesting to see the struggle through the eyes of the Suffragists who were determined to stay within the law in their protests. As their views seemed to fall on deaf ears, it was clear that frustration was rising and that the Suffragettes were gaining notoriety with some. 
    The relationship between Esther and Lawrence evolves as the novel progresses and it is fascinating to find out how they have both been affected by their families. Lawrence in particular feels damaged by his upbringing. There is a lot of detail about life in 1911 and it is a well - researched and authentic look at Edwardian England. With George V's coronation looming, the anticipation feels tangible. Once again, Pennington's offers a look at different classes of society and the changes which are looming. I am looking forward to Book 3. 

In short: An historical novel with a punch.

About the Author



Rachel lives with her husband and their two daughters in a small town near Bath in the UK. Since 2007, she has had several novels published by small US presses, eight books published by Harlequin Superromance (Templeton Cove Stories) and four Victorian romances with eKensington/Lyrical.
In January 2018, she signed a four-book deal with Aria Fiction for a new Edwardian series set in Bath’s finest department store. The first book, The Mistress of Pennington’s released July 2018.

Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and Romance Writers of America, and was selected to mentor the Superromance finalist of So You Think You Can Write 2014 contest. When she isn’t writing, you’ll find Rachel with her head in a book or walking the beautiful English countryside with her family. Her dream place to live is Bourton-on-the-Water in South West England.

She likes nothing more than connecting and chatting with her readers and fellow romance writers. Rachel would love to hear from you!


You can follow Rachel here:|   Website  |  Blog   |  Twitter 
                |  Instagram  |  Bookbub
Amazon UK   |  Amazon US    |   Kobo  |  Google Play 
 
Thanks to Rachel Brimble and Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.
                                      Be sure to check out the rest of the tour!
 
 


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