Revenge Puck - Sara Ney

 

When I catch my girl with my hockey teammate and best friend—scratch that, ex-best friend—I’m done playing nice.

Declan betrayed me. But I have the perfect way to get even: his sister.

Juliette is sweet, bookish, gorgeous… and completely off-limits.

Fake dating her should be easy. A little wining and dining, a little harmless flirting, and I’ll get revenge on the guy who wrecked my life.

But Juliette throws me completely off my game.

Beneath her button-up shirts and wide eyes is the sexiest and most fascinating woman I’ve ever met. All good-girl by day, lacy underwear by night.

She sees right through my bad attitude… and somehow likes me anyway.

Suddenly the one thing worse than losing my best friend, would be losing her.

I’m desperate for revenge. But hurting Juliette? That’s a penalty I just can’t take…

My Review

This is one of those books that you just can't help but 'greedy read'. I only started it yesterday, and by this morning I'd already got to the end. I loved the relationship between Aaron and Juliet. They seemed so good for one another, even though they are complete opposites. I didn't even mind the way they got together; obviously, it was all going to blow up in Aaron's face at some point, but he comes to realise how he feels about Juliet pretty quickly.

Having said all of that, this wasn't a perfect read. There were a few things that were introduced as though they might be a key plot point and then never mentioned again. Why did Bailey cheat on Aaron? What did Declan know that led to it all? Perhaps some of that will come out in the next book, because that features Declan and he's really going to have to do something special, as at this stage he's pretty unlikeable.

What really stopped this book from getting another star was the end. It seemed incredibly rushed, and although I could see we were heading towards a conclusion, the ending was sudden and didn't give you that nice tie-up of everything that you usually expect at the end of a romance like this. It's a bit of a shame, but I still really enjoyed the book overall.

The Campervan Detectives - Maeve Haran

 Fearless, feisty and at the wheel of her bright orange campervan, newly-single Sadie is about to enter a new era… as a detective?!

It’s never too late for a second chance, and when Sadie Sutton’s marriage implodes spectacularly, she jumps into her vintage VW campervan and heads for the twisty cobbled streets and sea views of her childhood in the little seaside town of Winching. But her fresh start comes to an abrupt stop when she trips over a dead body, turning an ordinary walk with her faithful dog Sam Spade into a murder investigation!

Having failed to stop a balaclava-wearing suspect disappearing from the scene into the night, Sadie can’t help but take matters into her own hands. The victim, retired headmistress Charlotte Woolf, was well known around Winching for her sharp tongue – rumours suggest she was particularly disliked by her own husband! But he swears he doesn’t even like killing snails by mistake…

With the enthusiastic help of three women at the campsite who have all embraced Van Life, Sadie starts sleuthing. Who was sending Charlotte anonymous bunches of flowers that had her rattled? Do the members of the local sea swimming club hold a vital clue? Sadie and her friends are on the right track… until their prime suspect ends up dead in his garden shed!

Can Sadie get to the root of the problem and stop the killer before the next person is buried? Or will her fresh new chapter end with her driving her campervan back the way she came?

First in a brilliant new series from bestselling author Maeve Haran, this warm, witty and absolutely unputdownable cosy crime novel is perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, The Thursday Murder Club and Robert Thorogood.

My Review

I love the idea of this murder mystery. After finding her husband and best friend in bed together, Sadie sells her car, buys a camper van and disappears off to the small town she used to visit when she was a child. Who wouldn't want to just give up on everything like that and escape? It all goes a bit wrong when she stumbles across a dead body on her first night there.

I loved the way that Sadie meets up with and befriends a group of women who all live in their campervans. Not only does she have a whole group of women she can rely on, but they work together to solve the mystery. I loved that. 

This is the first book in the series and I'm looking forward to seeing what's next for Sadie and her friends. 

Murder at the Cornish Book Club - Fliss Chester

 Join Maddie Penrose, scone baker, book lover and amateur sleuth, in her new home by the Cornish seaside. A member of her local book club has been murdered, and she’s on the case!

Maddie Penrose is settling into Cornish life with her fun and feisty grandmother, Nor. She throws herself into getting to know the locals, helping out at the village book club and enjoying the occasional G&T in the pub with handsome police officer DI Tom Trevelyan. But one sunny morning, her newfound peace is shattered when she spots Quentin, a member of the book club… dead, with a knife in his back.

To Maddie’s surprise, it transpires that almost all the other members of the book club have a motive to murder Quentin. Quentin’s own wife, a fellow reader, seems to be hiding something. The local romance author isn’t all sweetness and light, and another writer is keeping secrets. But is one of the book lovers in the sleepy seaside village really responsible for Quentin’s untimely death?

No sooner has the ink dried on the page of the first killing, another takes place – and the second victim is also a member of the book club! As Maddie frantically scrambles to get her clues down in black and white, she unearths a discovery connected to Nor. Is her gran the next victim on the list?

Can Maddie rescue Nor before her story ends in murder too? Or will the killer have the last word?

My Review

This may only be the second in the Maddie Penrose series, but I already feel as though we know Maddie, her gran and 'her' policeman quite well. This is a great series, set in beautiful Cornwall. Maddie herself is both intuitive and chaotic, and that adds to her charm and likability.

This time, Maddie finds herself thrown into another murder investigation after the discovery of a body at a dawn swim. It seems that many people have reason to want the dead man out of the way, but it's not immediately obvious if any of them would want it enough to actually commit murder.

I love Maddie's less-than-perfect approach to trying to figure out what happened. She scribbles notes in her grandmother's recipe books in a way that I'm sure only she might be able to make sense of them.

This is a great series, and I'm looking forward to finding out what might be next for this cook and amateur sleuth.

The Book Club Murders - Maggie Allswell

What Judy’s book club doesn’t know about murder mysteries isn’t worth writing about. Nothing beats cracking a fictional case over some wine and salt and vinegar crisps. But can they put their puzzle-solving skills to the test when the local librarian dies in a real-life murder?

For widower Judy, her murder book club is the highlight of the she gets to hear all the local gossip and even discuss a good fictitious poisoning or two. But when local librarian Wendy disappears, Judy follows in the footsteps of her fictional detective heroes only to find her dead in her home, clasping a copy of Romeo and Juliet…

The police rule it a tragic accident, but Judy knows that her friend hated Shakespeare, and suspects foul play. Gathering her fellow book lovers together, soon they discover that several townspeople had motive to want Wendy dead. Was it Nigel from the tavern, who may have been Wendy’s secret boyfriend? Or could it be Bryan, the local bookshop owner, tangled in a bitter rivalry with the library?

The plot thickens at a charity murder mystery night held at Nigel’s tavern. Suddenly more murders come to light, both real and very badly staged. And when Nigel makes an astonishing revelation, the book club agree it’s a plot twist no-one saw coming. Can Judy and her book club solve the mystery before they too fall victim to a killer plot?

My Review

Playing for Keeps - Bella North

It’s all fun and games until fake starts to feel like forever…

My life revolves around two things: football and family. Romance? Not so much. But my fans have other ideas. And they’ve turned my easy-going life into a nightmare with their campaign to find me a wife…

My childhood best friend Serena thinks it’s hilarious. She’s always wanted the big, swoony love story, but instead, she has a controlling ex she can’t shake breathing down her neck. And then the solution to both our problems hits me: a fake romance. ‘Settling down’ with Serena will get the fans off my back, and having a muscly football player on her arm should be enough to warn off her ex. Plus, we’re best friends, so what could go wrong?

Our first date is set for the city’s annual charity ball. I’m smug as I imagine how easy my life will be after tonight. Except, when my lips touch Serena’s in front of the flashing cameras, when I hear her soft sigh as I dip her lower, something like panic creeps through my chest. I’m not meant for love—letting people down runs in my genes. I can’t do that to Serena. I won’t.

As the story we’re spinning gets bigger, so do the feelings I’ve worked so hard to chase away. We want completely different things. But I can’t stop wondering: do we both want the one thing that counts—each other?

Playing for Keeps is a fun, steamy, friends-to-lovers sports romance, perfect for fans of Liz Tomforde, Stephanie Archer and Elsie Silver. The third in the Oakwood Ranch series, it can also be read as a standalone.

My Review

I love a good fake dating storyline. We all know where they're really going, and usually they are quite far-fetched, but they are still enormous fun. This time around, there was at least some reason behind the fake dating idea, and it worked really well. It probably helped that one of my other favourite romance genres is Friends to Lovers, and Playing for Keeps fits that as well.

Serena has been in love with Chase for years, but after he made it clear they were just friends, she's been determined not to step outside that role. When they start to fake date, her feelings all come rushing to the surface, and she's not the only one who is affected in that way.
This was a really fun read, and although there are some weighty issues for both Chase and Serena to deal with, it's still quite lighthearted and enjoyable. I really liked these two as a couple, and although they have been friends for years, best friends at that, there was still plenty to discover about one another.

I'm enjoying this Oakwood Ranch series. I'm hoping there's another one coming soon (I know who I think it might be about too), but we'll have to wait and see if that actually eventuates...

The Fatal Flotilla at Sea Oats Beach - Karen C.Whalen

 If you are looking for a quirky amateur sleuth with a knack for comedy, The Fatal Flotilla at Sea Oats Beach is right for you. This mystery is filled with laughs, twists, and an unforgettable lead character.

The dazzling lights of the Christmas Flotilla shimmer across Sea Oats Beach, transforming the December night into a twinkling wonderland. But for Breanna Hart, the brilliance dims when she discovers a gunshot fatality on an abandoned boat. The victim, known for his generosity in the animal welfare community, seems an unlikely target, making the suspicion cast upon one of Bree’s own neighbors all the more perplexing.

Driven by a connection to the victim’s love for animals and her own pursuit of truth, Bree begins a fact-finding mission. As an animal shelter volunteer, she sees a chance not only to solve the case but also to help a bloodhound named Tracker. If he can pick up overlooked clues, Bree hopes the police will train him as a K-9 detection dog and give him the forever home he deserves.

As Christmas Day approaches, Bree’s holiday plans compete with her investigation. Every question she asks edges her closer to a vicious killer who is definitely not feeling the holiday vibe.

My Review

Who doesn't love a good cosy mystery? The Fatal Flotilla certainly fits into that category. Our heroine, Bree, might not intend to be a sleuth, but when she finds a body on board a seemingly abandoned boat, she can't help but try to figure out what had happened.

One of the joys of this kind of story is trying to figure out whodunnit yourself. This time around I was completely barking up the wrong tree. I'd convinced myself that there were clues throughout the story that pointed to one particular person; to be fair, there were, but I just picked up the wrong clues and the wrong person. That didn't stop me from really enjoying this read, though.

This is the second book I've read in the Sea Oats Beach mystery series, and I'm sure that it won't be the last. I'm really enjoying them and look forward to reading more in the future.

Death in a Scottish Tower - Lydia Travers

One body falling from a tower could be considered an accident, but two is definitely murder… And Lady Poppy Proudfoot is determined to find the culprit!

Scotland, 1924: When Lady Poppy Proudfoot is invited to Glasgow University to celebrate a scholarship she generously established, she’s excited to return to her old stomping grounds. But the delightful champagne reception is interrupted by screams when a body plunges from the tower to the ground below…

While everyone exclaims at the tragic death of the young student, Poppy is instantly suspicious. Just moments before the body fell, tutor Mary Christie told her a student died falling from the very same tower eighteen years ago. Convinced another death is no accident, Poppy and the distractingly handsome Inspector MacKenzie begin to investigate.

As they do, they discover the murderer left behind clues – a threatening note referring to the death eighteen years ago, and a replica of the previous victim’s dress. Could it be Malcolm Kennedy, the porter with a grudge against privileged students? Or Mrs Lorimer, the jealous wife of a professor, who has a deft hand with a needle and thread? Or perhaps Mary Christie, who told Poppy about the first death, and might know more than she’s letting on?

When another young female student is found dead, Poppy knows that time is running out. And when she receives an anonymous note, asking her to climb the tower at midnight, she is terrified of what she might find. Can Poppy unveil the murderer before she, too, plunges to her certain death?

A gripping and page-turning whodunnit, this historical cozy crime novel is perfect for fans of the mysteries of Helena Dixon, Verity Bright, T.E. Kinsey and Catherine Coles.

My Review

Death in a Scottish Tower is the third book in the Lady Poppy Proudfoot mystery series. This time, Poppy finds herself with another dead body while visiting Glasgow University, where she has set up a scholarship for women. She quickly throws herself into investigating and assists the charming and handsome Inspector MacKenzie, whom she is quickly falling for.

I like the balance of murder, historical setting and romance in these books. It's obvious that eventually something is going to happen between Lady Poppy and her Inspector (who asks her to call him James), and I enjoy this element of the story as well as the mystery side.

I didn't think that this one was too hard to solve, and I got to the bottom of things before either Poppy or Inspector MacKenzie. That's half the fun with these kinds of reads, though. I much prefer those that I can at least try to solve. 

I'm sure that we'll be back with Poppy and her handsome inspector before long, and I'll be interested to see what she has to solve next and if she manages to progress her romance with the inspector. I'm sure that anyone who enjoys a good murder mystery would enjoy Death in a Scottish Tower. 

The Last One Alive - H.K. Christie

She glances in the rearview mirror as the stranger walks towards her broken-down car. The wicked look on his face sends a chill up her spine and she knows he’s not here to help. She doesn’t have time to scream before she falls to the ground, and the darkening sky goes black.

When the lifeless body of a young girl is discovered at an abandoned warehouse close to Red Rose County, FBI Agent Val Costa races to investigate. Setting eyes on the victim, Val’s heart stops as she spots the jagged letter S carved into her ice-cold chest. Slowly, she runs her fingers across her own identical scar. She’s been waiting for the Bear to leave his mark again, and now he finally has.

Determined to catch the man who’s haunted her dreams for years, Val promises to end his killing spree once and for all, but when more bodies are found bearing the same deadly carving, she fears she may already be too late. And then Val receives a call that turns her blood to ice—her best friend Sally is missing, and the killer has left a note addressed to her. Follow these rules and she lives.

Desperate to find Sally, Val faces her biggest challenge yet. Will she need to defy orders and track down the Bear alone before it’s too late?

Fans of Lisa Regan, L.T. Ryan and Mary Stone won’t be able to put down this totally heart-racing crime thriller.

My Review

Last One Alive is the third book in the Val Costa series and I think the best so far. From the first page I was on the edge of my seat. Through the other four books, we have followed Val as she has helped the local police department solve murders, but all the time the shadow of the bear, the serial killer she was chasing and who abducted her before she left the FBI.

In this fourth (and final?) book, Val is once again face-to-face with the bear. He's been following her all this time and is now completely obsessed. It's clear that this is a final showdown and that only one of them is going to come out of this alive.

I loved this final conclusion to Val's story. I couldn't put it down and devoured the whole thing in just a couple of sittings. (Had I had more time, it would have been just one sitting.) A fantastic conclusion to a really great series. 

H.K. Christie

H.K. Christie is an Amazon bestselling crime novelist best known for her Martina Monroe crime thriller series. H.K.’s writing style is a gripping blend of suspense and pace. Her ability to craft complex plots creates a dynamic ebb and flow of tension that keeps readers captivated and eager for more. Inspired by true crime and social justice, she develops realistic, multidimensional characters that bridge the gap between fiction and reality. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and feisty pup, Charlie.

The Bleed-Through Effect - AA DaSilva

 Amidst a complex web of love, betrayal, and the quest for power, morality is tested, and two soulmates must face the consequences of choices they make across multiple lives.

Charlotte and Simon are ready to move on with their lives after dismantling the black-ops agency known as Quantym. But when Charlotte begins suffering from nightmares and disturbing visions, she fears events on the Periphery—her parallel life—are impacting her and she’s suffering consequences of the bleed-through effect. 

In a dual timeline between the main reality and the Periphery, Charlotte and Simon must confront the blurred lines between strength and weakness, love and loyalty, and their past and future.

 

As they struggle to regain control over their lives, a catastrophic secret is revealed, a vengeful lover on a quest for power closes in, and Charlotte must figure out a way forward...even when the past refuses to let go.

My Review

The Bleed-Through Effect is the second book in the Periphery series. Set in a world where there are seven realities, all linked, but with a progression through each one. Quantum has managed to find a way to travel between the different realities and are planning to offer designer deaths which allow those who are willing to pay enough to travel to the reality that suits them best.
This is a romance of sorts, it follows Charlotte as she comes to terms with what her husband really is and the feelings that she has for Simon. Simon is so much better for Charlotte in many ways, but there were a few times in this book that I thought that he showed a few red flags, with his reactions to things that happened.
The book was gripping and I was desperate to find out what was going to happen to Charlotte and Simon. As I said, although there is romance, it really played a secondary role to the action that was going on.
This is a gripping read that I couldn't put down. Read book one first, but don't miss this one either.

Author Bio

Born and raised in New England, AA DaSilva holds a degree in clinical laboratory science and brings her love of science and writing together via science fiction. When she’s not writing or identifying cells under a microscope, she can be found with a book in one hand, and a cup of iced coffee in the other. She resides in Massachusetts with her husband, two sons, and pup Didi (who looks suspiciously like an Ewok).

 

Her debut novel, Periphery, is a science fiction love story that explores fate, strength, and the choices that determine our destiny.

 

AA DaSilva has completed book two in the Periphery series and is currently working on edits. For the latest updates on new releases and events, sign up for email updates and follow her on socials.

Murder in the Winter Woods - Katie Gayle

 Julia Bird adores a walk on a winter’s day. The crunch of fresh show under your feet and the promise of hot cocoa by a roaring fire afterwards… But she’s not expecting to find a body in the woods!

It’s Christmas in Berrywick, the busiest time of year for dashing taxi driver Lewis. But when he’s killed in a road accident, the entire village is shaken. Julia Bird, recently appointed to the Road Safety Committee, visits the site so that no other villager suffers the same fate. But when she spies a pendant left in the bushes, she feels certain Lewis’s death was no accident…

As the festive lights twinkle in the village square, Julia vows to uncover the truth. She soon learns not everyone found Lewis’s charm appealing. Sweetshop owner Dora says he had an eye for the ladies, much to his wife’s frustration. Lewis recently gave his life savings to a mysterious businessman who proves difficult to track down. But could these be reasons enough to want him dead?

Then, local beekeeper Matthew is struck by a car near the Christmas market. Julia believes the two deaths must be linked, but contrary to Lewis, Matthew was as sweet as the honey he sold. Who could possibly want to hurt Berrywick’s kindest man?

With no obvious leads, Julia stumbles upon an old picture that finally links Lewis and Matthew. Many years ago they were in a band poised for stardom, but when the bubble burst, their chance at fame vanished quicker than a glass of festive eggnog. Could someone be targeting the band members one by one? And can Julia track them down before the killer strikes again?

An utterly gripping and totally charming cozy mystery set in the English countryside. Fans of M.C. Beaton, Faith Martin and Betty Rowlands will love the Julia Bird Mysteries!

My Review

I think that I say this after every book, but these Julia Bird Mysteries just get better and better. This time, Julia manages to stumble across two bodies and it soon becomes clear that there is a link between the two deaths.

It's been beautifully warm here, which seems a little strange when you're reading a book set at Christmas, that doesn't really matter though. It might have even helped cool me down very slightly. I think if you can, though, this would be a great read on a cold day.

I was feeling quite smug, as I was fairly confident that I'd solved this mystery before Julia had managed to. I wasn't wrong, but I will admit that I wasn't completely right either and might have changed my a few times here and there before the end.

This was another great instalment in the Julia Bird series. I can't wait to see what she gets up to next.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

Author Bio:

Katie Gayle is the writing partnership of best-selling South African writers, Kate Sidley and Gail Schimmel. Kate and Gail have, between them, written over ten books of various genres, but with Katie Gayle, they both made their debut in the cozy mystery genre. Both Gail and Kate live in Johannesburg, with husbands, children, dogs and cats. 

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A Very Bookish Murder - Dee Macdonald

 Welcome back to the tiny Highland village of Locharran, where Ally McKinley – guesthouse owner and accidental detective – is about to stumble upon another dead body… and her next case.

When Ally McKinley hears that well-known novelist Jodi Jones is going to host a writers’ retreat at the hotel just down the road, she’s delighted to offer rooms at her little guesthouse for some of the attendees. Ally is thrilled to join the group for one of their first sessions – but the retreat has barely begun before she finds the famous writer strangled in the ladies’ bathroom!

The cake tin and teapot come out at the little guesthouse in the Highlands as Ally begins to question her bookish guests. Accusations of plagiarism and infidelity start flying and it’s clear that more than one of the retreat attendees had a grudge against Jodi. But could any of them have resorted to murder?

When Ally discovers a diary in Jodi’s bedroom at the guesthouse with several pages ripped out of it, she thinks she’s close to cracking the case. But the plot thickens when another of the aspiring writers is found dead, only hours after she said she knew the identity of Jodi’s killer.

Not only is the murderer still in Locharran, they’re desperate to stop Ally getting to the truth. With her faithful puppy Flora by her side, can Ally unravel the clues and solve the mystery before she’s written out of the story for good?

A totally gripping and bookish cozy mystery set in the Scottish Highlands from bestselling author Dee MacDonald. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin and Clare Chase.

My Review

A Very Bookish Murder is the third in the Ally McKinley Mystery series. This time we join Ally when she is playing host at her B and B to a group of writers who are all in the area for a course. Unfortunately, as seems to happen when Ally is around, one of their number falls victim to murder.

I have to admit that this time, I completely failed to spot the murderer. There were plenty of clues and hints that all made sense when it came to the big reveal. However, I didn't make the connection as the story unfolded. Ally, at least was on the ball and although her hidden mystery solving board on the back of a painting didn't quite get her the right result, she was able to put together all of the other clues better than I was.

Fortunately, my enjoyment of the story was in no way diminished by my inability to solve it. I'm really enjoying this series and I am looking forward to finding out what murder Ally manages to find herself in the middle of next time.

Author Bio:

Aged 18, Dee arrived in London from Scotland and typed her way round the West End for a couple of years before joining BOAC (forerunner of British Airways) in Passenger Services for 2 years and then as a stewardess for 8 years.

She has worked in Market Research, Sales and at the Thames TV Studios when they had the franchise.

Dee has since relocated to Cornwall, where she spent 10 years running B&Bs, and only began writing when she was over 70!

Married twice, she has one son and two grandsons.

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Murder on a Scottish Island by Lydia Travers

 A dead body and a missing sapphire pendant? Lady Poppy Proudfoot is on the case!

Scotland, 1924: When Lady Poppy Proudfoot is invited to her friend’s hotel on the Isle of Skye, she is looking forward to a holiday. But all thoughts of relaxing vanish when she discovers the body of a strangled woman in a church.

The police believe the widow’s death was a robbery gone wrong, as a pendant was stolen from the scene. But Poppy is sure it’s murder. Ignoring the police’s warnings to keep her nose out, she enlists her friend Inspector MacKenzie, and her loyal Labrador, Major, to unpick the case.

Poppy suspects one of the hotel’s guests knows more about the murder than they are willing to admit. Could it be Miss Buccleugh, the avid button collector? Or the travelling guru, who conveniently disappeared just after the murder? Or was it Mr Henderson, so desperate for money he was driven to murder?

When Poppy sees the victim’s sapphire pendant on the neck of another guest, she is convinced the killer is targeting widows in the hotel, and luring them in with jewellery. But to prove her theory, she will have to offer herself up as bait. It’s risky, but her only way of catching the killer… Can Poppy con a con-man, and make it out alive? Or will she be the next wealthy widow on the killer’s list?

An addictive and gripping whodunnit, this historical cozy crime novel is perfect for fans of the mysteries of Verity Bright, T.E. Kinsey, Helena Dixon and Catherine Coles.

My Review

Murder on a Scottish Island is the second in the Lady Poppy Proudfoot series. There are all the elements here: A plucky, female amateur detective, a fun pet dog, a dashing male detective and a murder mystery to solve.

Poppy is very keen to try and solve the mystery herself and starts to track down clues straight away when she discovers a dead body. She does seem to see herself as a professional detective, even though her previous experience is only what she gained in the previous book and her ability to accidentally find murder victims.

I enjoyed this, but at the same time, there were a few little niggles for me. Poppy is a little bit too keen and full of her abilities. I also found her continual lusting after the inspector a little bit much. I prefer a slow burn romance in a murder mystery series, but Poppy seems ready to rip both of their clothes off and dive on him at any minute. Major, the dog is fantastic though.

This is a good, solid, second book and I will be keen to read the next one, despite my misgivings.

Author Bio:

Lydia Travers was born in London.  She moved progressively north until settling with her husband in a village on the edge of the Scottish Highlands. She has raised children, bred dogs and kept chickens; and for as long as she can remember has written for pleasure. A former legal academic and practitioner with a PhD in criminology, she now runs self-catering holiday accommodation, sings in a local choir and is walked daily by the family dog.

Lydia also writes as Linda Tyler and her first novel under that name, Revenge of the Spanish Princess, won a 2018 Romance Writers of America competition for the beginning of an historical romance. Her second novel The Laird's Secret was Commended in the 2021 Scottish Association of Writers' Pitlochry Quaich competition for the beginning of a romantic novel. Mischief in Midlothian won the 2022 Scottish Association of Writers' Constable Silver Stag trophy. She has had a number of short stories published in magazines, journals and anthologies in the UK, the USA and Australia.

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