REVIEW - THE ALEWIVES - Cheers m'dears!

The Alewives by Elizabeth R Andersen

Date read: 13th May 2025

My rating: 5*
Genre I reckon: Historical Women in Fiction

Buy link: Amazon  

 

What a fab book! I have to admit I thought the main focus was going to be on the murder mystery, but was pleasantly surprised to discover it's more about the camaraderie between three women.

The book is set in Colmar, Alsace in the year 1353.

I love these women. Grumpy Gritta with her menagerie of offspring is a grounding force not to be reckoned with. Appel who has dubious ways of making money is wise. And pretty Efi who strives to find herself after her loss. The three women are just wonderful together - perfectly imperfect. And so incredibly strong - they must face the ire of jealous men who would deem it unlawful for them to run a business. Well, they survived The Great Pestilence - they're made of stern stuff!

As someone who's written a tale of medieval monks, I was super excited to read Friar Wikerus - an intriguing figure indeed. 

This book is incredibly well researched. We get to explore the smelly tanneries district, meet the poor folk who dwell in that area AND investigate a murder (or two) and thievery. The brewing techniques are detailed in all their glory. And I felt like I was there, strolling around, poking my nose into the folk's houses. The tone was kept light with wry humour. Amazing! 

If you like historical fiction and cosy mysteries, this book is right up your...Trench Lane!

Trouble is brewing!

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - WOOD AND WONDERS - Theodorable!

Wood and Wonders by Duckie Mack

Date read: 16th April 2025

My rating: 5*
Genre I reckon: M/Mx Romance (non-binary rep)

Buy link: Amazon  

I love the Heartcraft Market!!! I wish I could visit it IRL.

And I love this author; my go-to when I need a low-angst, gorgeous read. 

All books in this series are stand-alones, but I recommend reading them all as they're all marvellous. 

So, in this book we finally get to Theo's story. He's been quietly lurking in the marketplace, and I was intrigued by this burly lumberjack type guy. And I was not disappointed. 

Onyx explodes into his life, 'thanks' to a scammer. They are a popstar looking for a retreat to tap into their creativity. Fortunately, Theo is as silent as they come. 

I loved how these two were there for one another. Theodorable! 

It was awesome to read a non-binary character who was just themselves without any issues around that. And Theo's grief healing was done with care. 

A steamy mountain retreat for the soul. 

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - A LITTLE LIGHT MISCHIEF - a lot of fun

A Little Light Mischief by Cat Sebastian

Date read: 18th March 2025

My rating: 4*
Genre I reckon: F/F Regency Romance Novella

Buy link: Amazon  

This is a very sweet novella. A spinster vicar's daughter with a terrible past is now a companion. Molly, who also has a lot of baggage, is now a lady's maid.

There's a slight class divide, but happily not of the power imbalance kind. Molly is bi, which is a lovely inclusion as it gives us a little daughter who's all kinds of cute. 

These two ladies have to tiptoe around one another as they explore their feelings. 

And then comes revenge! Oh, wonderful restitution.

The historical setting is appropriately done i.e. not modern gals dressed in costume. This felt very true to its time. 

A lot happens in this little novella. And it's all good. 

Always in love and light, 

TL

REVIEW - YOU AND ME - and all the feels

You and Me by Tal Bauer

Date read: 24th February 2025

My rating: 5*
Genre I reckon: M/M Romance with sports

Buy link: Amazon  

This is one of those books which is full of raw emotion in the most marvellous way. 

Luke is straight and a widower. At the start of this tale he's been struggling to come to terms with the loss of his wife. He's lost in darkness. Separately, so is his son, Emmett. They barely see each other, let alone talk. Their pain is visceral. 

Finally, Luke realises he has to try to make a change, to reach out to his son. But he has no idea how. Then a letter arrives from the booster club for his son's high school American football team. 

American football is a backdrop for this story of healing and recovery. It contains its own symbolism as the tale progresses. As is the artistic way Luke views the world, as his life gradually gets painted with colour. btw I'm not a sports fan but it totally works in this book.

Landon is a "super dad" and everything Luke wants to be. His son hugs him, gives him smiles, speaks to him... Happily, Landon is very generous. And, as the two sons are best friends, Landon helps show Luke the way. 

My heart broke a thousand times at every tentative baby step these guys took. There is so much fear - neither Luke nor his son can survive another loss. 

The love story is also gradual. And contains its own fears, not about the bi-awakening itself but all which surrounds this beautiful relationship and the impact it may have.

The characters leap off the page with a whole range of emotions and behaviours. By enduring the pain you're rewarded with endearing joy.

The writing is incredible. Descriptive and real, light and shade. 

What we're left with is a story of bravery, courage and fighting for a HEA. It's like one's drowning but coming up for life-affirming air. 

A heart-wrenching, sweet and little bit steamy book of gorgeousness. 

TWs: Loss/grief, drug misuse/addiction

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - THE GIRL FROM THE SEA - Up where it's better

The Girl From The Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag

Date read: 18th February 2025

My rating: 4*
Genre I reckon: YA F/F (Sapphic) Romance

Buy link: Amazon 

This is a graphic book, as in comic strip style, which itself is enchanting. 

And it's very sweet. 

Morgan is struggling with her young teenage years in the wake of her parents' divorce, which has affected her brother too. And then a selkie comes along to complicate things even further. 

It's full of metaphors, which I feel is useful for young teenagers coming to terms with being LGBTQIA+. There are a couple of timid kisses but nothing more, so it's very YA friendly.  And gives The Little Mermaid vibes.

Here's the thing; everyone's journey is different. And this story is quite clichéd, admittedly. 

But once Megan's family and friends know her truth, they're accepting and supportive. 

It's a tale of trying to blend in with the crowd as you go through those difficult teenage years. And learning it's OK to be different.

The images are beautiful, the story is bumpy but meaningful, with a HFN (not a HEA). 

Always in love and light,

TL

 

BOOK NEWS - New Book; Love Habit

 

I have a new book launching on 1st March 2025 (*releases party balloons*). 

It's called Love Habit.

I've written another historical romance, but this one's about monks in medieval/Tudor England (in 1485). Yes, you read that correctly - monks. 

Because when I was researching Love in the Roses, I discovered lots of odd marginalia images e.g. in psalters and books of hours, which made me curious. Monks drew those images, and they seemed to have a bottom fixation. 

I pondered this, and realised a monastery was the perfect place for a middle-classed, gay, young man to head to if he were trying to avoid marriage. And it didn't take very much digging to discover real life stories of gay monks (incl. saints). So, I decided to bring those stories into the light via fiction, with love. 

The Blurb

Two monks in love…

1485: Paul timidly enters Darenth Priory to avoid marriage. In good faith, he expects to live out his days in chaste devotion to God. But there is temptation lurking within the monastery walls.

For there is also another novice, Luke, who both resembles and sings like an angel. Is he a test? A gift? Paul must decide.

Can these two young men venerate love alongside liturgy? Or will they be cast out?

A religious yet irreverent story awaits.

 

NB This is a work of fiction about what may have been, told in first person POV; a positive, realistic LGBTQ+  story which probably happened many times over and deserves now to be shared in the light with love.

As England moves from the Medieval to the Tudor era, attitudes may be different than expected, even for Benedictine monks in the Catholic Church.

There are scenes of a mature nature, which require patience to discover.

Includes improper use of candles.

---

If you pre-order Love Habit in ebook format (before it launches on 1st March 2025), you will benefit from it's reduced price of $2.99 (£1.99).

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - GRAVE SECRETS - Truth Unearthed

Grave Secrets by Saffron Amatti

Date read: 6th January 2025

My rating: 5*
Genre I reckon: Cosy Mystery Aided By Ghosts 

Buy link: Amazon 

This is book 3 in the Lucas Rathbone Mysteries (book 1 review can be found here)

The series gives Poirot meets Ghost Whisperer vibes. You have glorious 1920s London and a quaint village. With a whole lot happening. 

I was really pleased to discover more about Tommy in this book. He's definitely a character with layers. A little bit ooh, a little bit whey! Only, in this book he's landed himself slap bang in the middle of trouble. Again. And so, his loyal friend, Clara has to dive in to try to help, along with her grumpy puppy fiancé, Lucas Rathbone.

Lucas has ghosts who can talk to him. Fair ole talk his ear off, to be fair. Gives a chap a nasty headache. 

There's definitely more to Tommy's tragic past than previously realised. 

And I must say I'm warming to the guy. 

A well-written, thrilling, dangerous and intriguing tale!

One I heartily recommend. 

A great way to start my 2025 reading.

Always in love and light,

TL