Skip to main content

Featured

Arden by G D Harper #Review

  We start 2025 by visiting the sixteenth century and meeting two remarkable people from the time, one of whom happens to be William Shakespeare. Arden by G D Harper was published on October 1st by Ginger Cat .   The astonishing untold story of Shakespeare's first play Alice Arden, idealistic and wealthy beauty, burnt at the stake for killing her husband, the former mayor of Faversham in Kent. But was she really the one responsible for the most scandalous murder of the sixteenth century? William Shakespeare, Englandā€™s greatest playwright, born thirteen years after Aliceā€™s execution. Why does his first-ever play, written about this murder, not bear his name? This is a story of two people ā€“ one reviled, one revered ā€“ whose fates become linked in a tale of corruption, collusion and conspiracy. Based on historical documents and recently published academic research, Arden unveils shocking new evidence about the murder of Thomas Arden and reveals, for the first time...

A Surprise Proposal in the Rose Garden by Margaret Amatt #Review #GlenbriarSeriesBook8

 

We are returning to beautiful Scotland  for Margaret Amatt's eighth in her Glenbriar  Series, A Surprise Proposal in the Rose Garden. This latest novel was published on 31st May by Leannan Press.

 You can read my review of the first, Stolen Kisses at the Loch View Hotel here and the second, Just Friends at Thistle Lodge here and the third, Pitching up at Heather Glen here, the fourth, Two's Compamy at the Forest Lights Show here, the fifth, Highland Fling on the Whisky Trail here and the sixth Snowdown at the Old Schoolhouse here  and Starting Over at the Crafty Bee Barn here


One fateful evening. One ring. And a couple in for a big surprise

When social-media influencer Genevieve Harrington wakes up with the hangover from hell and a ring on her finger, sheā€™s in trouble.

Already reeling from a failed engagement, Finlay McBride is caught in a nightmare. Agreeing to accompany his exā€™s best friend to a party was meant to be a one-day-only act of kindness. Drunkenly proposing was not an optionā€¦ And yet itā€™s there on the internet for the entire world to see.

Genevieve needs to limit the damage. Being with her friendā€™s ex breaks so many rules and her social media followers are quick to remind her of the fact. But sheā€™s always had a secret crush on Finlay and now she has a chance to make things real.

Finlay soon discovers Genevieve is not the serenely indifferent woman he took her for. More and more, she opens her heart to him, and he starts to fall for her. But heā€™s leaving Scotland for a job in Dubai at the end of the month and he doesnā€™t want yet another failed engagement this year.

Together, they must decide if this is merely a moment of summer bliss or a love worth fighting for.


 My Thoughts

This eighth in the series carries on from its predecessor so there are some familiar faces. Although it can be read as a standalone, it helps to have read Starting over at the Crafty Bee Barn so that you understand some of the dynamics between the characters. This story focuses on Genevieve and Finlay and you follow events through both their viewpoints. They are both sensitive people who hide their feelings behind a veneer. Genevieve, in particular, has taught herself to shield her feelings and present the world with a serene face , no matter what. Her social media persona as the determined single girl, could not be further from her true nature.

    Family and friendship lie at the centre of the story. Genevieve feels herself always a disappointment to her parents and always wants to please them. However, it is obvious that both Genevieveā€™s family and Finlayā€™s care about them. Both families are a contrast, with Genevieveā€™s parents high achieving and conscious of what others may say. The family business seems to dominate much of their lives. This great series continues with another strong story.

In short: fake engagement and real feelings

About the Author

Margaret is a bestselling Scottish author and chocolate lover who has been writing stories for over twenty years (possibly more if you count her primary school efforts). Her early works will never see the light of day and are locked in dusty vaults on some old floppy disks. But after all those years of practise, Margaret released her first novel in 2021. It was the first of a ten-book series set on the gorgeous Scottish Isle of Mull.

Margaret is also the author of the acclaimed Glenbriar Series, based in the fictional Scottish town of Glenbriar. This is an on-going series with more books coming in 2024.

The stories are unashamedly romantic but with lots of drama and an eclectic mix of characters. Each

book can be read as a standalone but followers of the series will enjoy catching up with the characters.

You can follow Margaret here:  Facebook  |  Instagram  |  Twitter 

                                                  Website

 Purchase links  |  

 Thanks to Margaret Amatt, Leannan Publishers and Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.

Check out the rest of the tour!


 

 

Comments