Category: Blog Tour

Blog Tour – Spruced Up For Murder by Helen Golden

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Blog Tour, Contemporary, Mystery, Part of a SeriesLeave a comment

About The Book

Death at Francis Court Now Confirmed as Murder!

Speculation is rife that the victim, estate manager Alex Sterling (44), was found by Lady Beatrice (35), the Countess of Rossex, niece of King James. Lady Beatrice, who has finally come out of hiding following her son’s departure to boarding school, has been managing the project to refurbish and redesign the Events Suite at Francis Court, alongside Perry Juke.

Heading up the murder investigation is Detective Chief Inspector Richard Fitzwilliam. Rumour has it that he and Lady Beatrice have a fractious history…

Awful man! How dare Fitzwilliam suggest Lady Beatrice’s sister is the number one suspect for Alex’s murder. It could be any one of the staff who were on-site that morning. Well, she’ll show Mr High and Mighty Fitzwilliam! With her attention to detail, her clever dog Daisy, Perry’s imagination, and his partner’s contacts at Fenshire CID, they’ll find the murderer before him.

Unless the murderer finds her first…

Purchase Links

Author’s Bio

Hello. I’m Helen Golden. I write British contemporary cozy whodunnits with a hint of humour. I live in a small village in Lincolnshire in the UK with my husband, my stepdaughter, her two cats, our two dogs, sometimes my stepson, and our tortoise.

I used to work in senior management, but after my recent job came to a natural end I had the opportunity to follow my dreams and start writing. It’s very early in my life as an author, but so far I’m loving it.

It’s crazy busy at our house, so when I’m writing I retreat to our caravan (an impulsive lockdown purchase) which is mostly parked on our drive. When I really need total peace and quiet, I take it to a lovely site about 15 minutes away and hide there until my family runs out of food or clean clothes

Social Media Links –

Barbara’s Review

This is certainly a unique concept for a cozy murder mystery, so kudos to this debut author for that. The mystery was well developed and the clues were dropped enticingly along with the red herrings. It did take me a while to figure out who the ongoing protagonists were going to be (for the series) – mostly because they are such an unlikely mix. Again, kudos to the author for that.

Lady Beatrice, Countess of Rossex, is the reclusive, widowed niece of the king. Fourteen years ago, her husband was killed in an automobile accident, with another woman in the car. Lady Beatrice was very young at the time and the ensuing feeding frenzy by the press caused her to become almost a hermit – rarely leaving her apartments. To help bring her out of her shell, her sister, Lady Sarah, cajoles her into taking on an interior decorating project at Francis Court.

Perry Juke has worked at Francis Court for several years and is now assistant to Lady Sarah. Lady Sarah thinks Perry and this project are just what Lady Beatrice needs to bring her out of hiding. So, who is he to object? Even though he thinks Lady Beatrice is cold, snooty, and aloof, he agrees to the task. Perry’s partner, Simon Lattimore (a famous crime writer), reminds Perry that there could be other reasons for Lady Beatrice to appear cold and aloof. Perry is ready to begin the project and have some fun – and he was delighted to find a wonderful new friend in Lady Beatrice.

Detective Chief Inspector Richard Fitzwilliam was part of the team who originally investigated the death of Lady Beatrice’s husband. Now, he is back investigating a new murder and as soon as he and Lady Beatrice are on the same turf, the hostilities begin.

Perry, Simon, and Lady Beatrice are bound and determined to solve the crime first and show that gruff, condescending detective up. DCI Fitzwilliam does not take well to their meddling in police business and the fur flies.

I thought this book had an excellent mix of humor and drama. The chemistry between all of the characters was realistic and I was sure I’d like them if I ever met them in real life. Personally, I thought the book was a bit wordy and a tad draggy at a few spots, but overall, it was a nice read. Somehow, though, I couldn’t get my head around the fact that the person who is 17th in line for the English throne is playing at being a detective.

I can recommend this book and I hope you will enjoy it should you choose to read it. The next two books in the series will be following close behind this one, so be on the lookout for them – For Richer, For Deader (11/16/22) & Not Mushroom For Death (12/14/22).

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Counterfeit Wife by Paullett Golden – Blog Tour

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Blog Tour, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Part of a Series6 Comments

Release: October 10, 2022

ABOUT THE BOOK

From maid to marchioness

Trevor Gaines, the Marquess of Pickering, falls in love with his wife. The catch? The woman is an impostor. Desperate for money, he arranges a fast marriage with the wealthiest dowry in England. Not until after the wedding does he realize he married the wrong woman.

J’non Butler is a maid accompanying her mistress for an arranged marriage. When her mistress elopes with another man, J’non marries the marquess, posing as the man’s contracted bride.

This is the love story of Trevor and J’non as they defy convention and find passion in their bed of lies.

Buy Link

Amazon

Rafflecopter Giveaway

Click on the Rafflecopter image below to go to the giveaway. If that doesn’t work, click on this link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e81cec7d8/?Capture

Oct 7-12
Prizes: eBook of A Counterfeit Wife; autographed paperback of A Counterfeit Wife; book swag for A Counterfeit Wife including bookmark, magnet, and more; eBook, swag, or autographed paperback of one book of choice by Paullett Golden.  The giveaway is managed entirely by the book’s author.  Flippin’ Pages is not responsible for the dispatch or delivery of the prizes.

Excerpt

Both Trevor and Mr. Barmby rose when they saw her.
Trevor came around the desk and arrived at her side in a few strides. “I can see from your expression Hawkins has spoiled the surprise. No matter. May I introduce my childhood friend turned solicitor? Mr. Lloyd Barmby.”
J’non inclined her head, unable to keep the smile from her lips. The solicitor had rushed to Yorkshire upon receiving Trevor’s letter. This must be good news. “Welcome to our home, Mr. Barmby. I hope you’ll be staying for dinner.”
Trevor said, “This, dear friend, is my wife.”
Mr. Barmby’s quizzical expression transformed to one of what J’non could only describe as dissatisfaction tinged with anger. Her smile faltered.
Rather than bowing, nodding, extending a hand, or otherwise, Mr. Barmby pulled his shoulders back and said, “You are not Phoebe Whittington.”

Barbara’s Review

5 of 5 Stars
I always find this author’s works to be filled with complex and interesting characters as well as plots that shy away from the cookie-cutter version offered in so many HR novels. This book definitely follows that rule and I loved meeting J’non Butler and Trevor Gaines who are, indeed, very interesting characters. While their journey to love is straightforward and lovely, their journey to a HEA has a very large obstacle across the path.

J’non Butler is lady’s maid to a very spoiled, very rich young woman. Yes, Phoebe Whittington is spoiled and rich, but she’s being forced into marrying someone she’s never met – and she has already chosen the man she wants to marry. J’non is to accompany Phoebe from her home in London to the estate of her betrothed where the ceremony will be performed quickly. Goodness – I feel a big OOPS coming down the path.

As they travel, Phoebe tells J’non that she is NOT going to wed her betrothed and she IS going to run away with the man she loves. She also suggests that J’non continue the journey and marry the marquess instead. J’non does what she can to prevent the departure of her mistress, but she awakens to find Phoebe gone – and the marquess’ coach is arriving at the inn to continue the journey. What to do – what to do??? She must, of course, continue to the estate to let the marquess know his bride has run away with another man.

Trevor Gaines, Marquess of Pickering, has unexpectedly inherited the title along with a run-down and impoverished estate. He needs an infusion of money to set things right and orders his man of business to procure a betrothal to the woman with the richest dowery. It doesn’t matter whether she is a member of the ton or not – a rich cit’s daughter will do just as well. He doesn’t need to meet her or to know anything about her as this is entirely a business arrangement.

When the carriage arrives with his betrothed, he’s pleasantly surprised and hardly gives her a moment to speak before he tells her the plans for the wedding, etc. Oops – would she have told him if he’d given her a chance? Who knows? Probably not.

I love that Trevor falls for ‘Phoebe’ almost immediately and with her warm nature, friendliness to the tenants and townspeople, and insightful knowledge of farming and running an estate – well – he just falls deeper and deeper.

As we read, we just know there is more to J’non than meets the eye – but what is it? What is her background? Yes, we know all along that J’non and Trevor are going to have to pay the piper at some point – but goodness! What a conflict and resolution!

I am so glad to have met these two and I hope you will enjoy meeting them as much as I did. I will say – there are a couple of things I just didn’t understand and a punishment that was sorely needed but didn’t happen. However, I can’t tell you all about them without giving too many spoilers. That doesn’t matter though because the book was excellent.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

About The Author

Paullett

Paullett Golden is a Houston, Texas native who divides her time between
Northumberland, England, and her hometown. She has been a university professor for over 25 years.

When an oncologist told her she had three months to live, she decided it was time to fulfill her dream of being a novelist. After defying the odds, she now focuses her attention on her writing.

Her novels have hit the Top 10 Amazon bestseller lists and won a multitude of literary awards. She loves historical fiction of all kinds as a way to transport us to a different time and place. All research comes from authentic resources of the time and from scholarly and peer-reviewed articles from researchers specializing in the time. Though she may take liberties with the fictional aspects, she does aim for the fiction to reflect the mores, culture, laws, and environment of the time. When not writing, she can be found in her butterfly garden or on a racetrack.

SOCIAL MEDIA & WEBSITE

https://www.paullettgolden.com/a-counterfeit-wife

Facebook: @paullettgolden

Twitter: @paullettgolden

Instagram: @paullettgolden