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Coming Home to Maple Lodge by Alison Sherlock #Review

  I am delighted to feature the first in Alison Sherlock's new series set in the Corswolds. Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge was published by Boldwood Books on June 20th. A family and hotel in desperate need of help… Maple Tree Lodge has been the home of the Jackson family for over a century. But the hotel has never been a success and, following the sudden loss of his father, architect Ben Jackson soon discovers the hotel is close to financial ruin. Ben has to make some tough decisions if the hotel is to survive and his family are to keep a roof over their heads. With the hotel in urgent need of a renovation, Ben’s sister calls on the talents of her best friend, interior designer Lily Watson. Cash strapped Lily needs a successful project to prove to herself and her high-achieving parents that she can carve a successful career and Maple Tree Lodge sounds like just the place for Lily to showcase her talents. However, Lily’s vision for a cosy, country Cotswolds hotel is the com...
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New Beginnings at Roseford Hall by Fay Keenan #Review #PublicationDay

 

The first in a new series by Fay Keenan is published today. New Beginnings at Roseford Hall is published by Boldwood Books. 


Life in London has lost its sparkle for Stella Simpson.

So when she gets the opportunity to escape to the country for a year, it seems too good a chance to miss. In the beautiful Somerset countryside, the majestic Roseford Hall has been painstakingly restored and is now ready for its grand opening. And as the writer in residence, Stella gets to see it all  – from the rowdy resident peacocks, the hidden secrets of the Hall, to befriending the Lord of the Manor himself.

At the other end of Roseford, single father, Chris Charlton is facing his own refurbishment woes. Rocked by a tragedy two years previously, his plans for crumbling Victorian wreck Halstead House are as stuck as he is.

As Roseford Hall prepares to welcome a new era, and Halsted House’s future is under threat, Chris and Stella find themselves drawn to one another. Can they finally leave their pasts behind, and will Chris and Stella be able to embrace their new beginnings together – or apart…


 My Thoughts

This is a very promising start to a new series. The rural setting has a community feel and in Roseford Hall, you have a ready -made hub for community events. You see the village through the eyes of a newcomer, Stella, which is a good way to introduce it. Stella is making a new start as the Writer in Residence and settles into the demands of that role quite quickly. 

    Chris Charlton has a tragic event to get over and is struggling to renovate Halsted House and to come to terms with how he is going to bring up his own son. Much of the story centres around the barriers he has put up against his friends and family and his desire to punish himself for past events. Stella understands loss from her own family and has to reevaluate her first impression of him. Making your own family and starting over are major themes in the story. I can see the potential for future books and am looking forward to wnat happens next.

In short: New beginnings and starting over.

About the Author


Fay Keenan is the author of the bestselling Little Somerby series of novels. She has led writing workshops with Bristol University and has been a visiting speaker in schools. She is a full-time teacher and lives in Somerset.

 

You can follow Fay here:  Twitter    | Facebook   |  Instagram   |  YouTube  |  Pinterest  |  Bookbub   |  Blog  |  Newsletter sign up

Book link:  Amazon UK

Thanks to Fay Keenan, Boldwood Books and Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.

 

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