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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

Because You Loved Me by Beth Moran #Review

 

It is marvellous to be able to welcome Beth Moran's Because You Loved Me to the blog today. Originally published as Making Marion, it has been published by Boldwood Books on January 11th 2023. 

 
Marion Miller needs a fresh start.

Her childhood in Northern Ireland wasn’t easy, with a father who passed away when she was young and a mother who got lost in grief. Now grown-up and with family relations as tense as ever, Marion heads to England, to find out the truth about her father’s mysterious past – and hopefully an extended family who will love her as much as he did.

Scarlett Obermann runs a holiday park in Sherwood Forest with her daughter Grace, but what’s she’s best at is making people feel like they belong. With her merry band of waifs and strays, Scarlett welcomes Marion with open arms, and it isn’t long before Marion finally understands what it means to find a home.

As she tries to uncover her father’s story, Marion slowly blossoms, even daring to indulge in her crush on Reuben, the son of the Lord of the Manor, but she hasn’t quite out-run her past. And as Scarlett faces her own tragedy, it’s Marion’s turn to take care of everyone.

Because you can’t choose your family, but you can make your friends the family you choose.

This novel was first published as Making Marion.


My Thoughts

 Marion turns out to be quite a complicated character with a childhood experience which has affected how she views herself as an adult. The grief of her mother has been so overwhelming that as a young girl, she was neglected and mentally abused. Turning this treatment onto herself she has internalised her mother's words and actions and a self-destructive way. In many ways, you see the healing effects of the friends she meets in Sherwood Forest as she tries to invent her life without reference to the past.

    I found that the group of characters added life to the story and moments of humour as well as sadness. Scarlett is a wonderful character, the complete opposite in many ways of Marion's mother. She is warm, accepting and empathetic- just what Marion needs. This is a gentle romance which makes for a warm and uplifting story and is well worth its re-issue.

In short: a heart-warming story of love and loss.

About the Author

Beth Moran is the bestselling author of romantic novels including Christmas Every Day and Just The Way You Are. She regularly features on BBC Radio Nottingham and is a trustee of the national women’s network Free Range Chicks. She lives on the outskirts of Sherwood Forest.

You can read my review of Christmas Every Day here
 and How not to be a Loser here and Take a Chance on Me here and We Belong Together here and Let it Snow  here .

You can follow Beth here: Website   |  Boldwood Books Profile Page   |  Facebook   |  Twitter  |  Bookbub  |  Newsletter Sign Up Link
 
Book link: Amazon UK 
 
Thanks to Beth Moran and Boldwood Books for a copy of the book and a place on the tour. 


                                                       Check out the rest of the tour!
 

 

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