Roberta Reads

  Review - 4 out of 5 stars: I’ve enjoyed several books by Julie Shackman before, so I was pleased to be offered a chance to review A Scottish Island Summer.  I have to confess that I didn’t warm to Darcie to start with. She just seemed to complain a lot. However, she soon mellowed a bit and I liked her better. She seems to be a good person at heart, but very controlled by fleeting emotions. I liked Logan a lot more, though admittedly he seemed a little irritating on the first encounter.  The setting was lovely. Skye comes across as a really beautiful location, even if it does rain a lot. I loved the coral beach especially (though it doesn’t sound comfortable to walk or sit on!).  I liked the plot too, with the treasure hunting and the romance. It felt like a holiday from the here and now. Overall, this was a really enjoyable romance, with a beautiful location, and a touch of adventure. I was given a copy of this book, my opinions are my own. Blurb: When ambitious ci...

  A Forever Home at Honey Bee Croft New friends, new life, new love… Single dad, Joel Grainger, is devoted to his little girl, Imogen, doing all he can to be a key part of her life. But with Imogen’s mum being ever more difficult and Joel’s job suddenly in doubt, he’s worried that everything is about to change. Joel has given everything to Imogen, and he doesn’t regret it, but maybe he’s lost himself along the way… Since her dad’s heart-breaking dementia diagnosis, Poppy Wells has been struggling and desperately needs a break. An opportunity to stay in gorgeous Whisperwood Farmhouse nestled in the Yorkshire Wolds and a stone’s throw away from Bumblebee Farm couldn’t be more perfect. Finally able to breathe, Poppy begins to see a new life ahead, a place where she can heal her broken heart and be part of something special. But can she ever leave her beloved dad to get the happiness she craves? When Poppy and Joel meet there’s an instant connection. But with both of them at a crossroa...

  Review - 4 out of 5 stars: I’m always on the lookout for more cosy crime authors, so when the opportunity to review Murder on the Menu by Katie Marsh arose, I jumped on it. This is the third book in the Bad Girls Detective Agency series, and I haven’t read the previous two. I found that this book worked well on its own, there weren’t any confusing bits where I felt like I was missing vital information. The setting worked well, the island isolated by the storm, and the run down castle, produced an excellent atmosphere for this thrilling tale.  I liked the characters, and though I suspect I would have understood them better if I’d started with book one, they were all well enough portrayed that they felt real. The mystery was a good one, and although I had suspicions of the culprit near the beginning, I couldn’t be sure until all was revealed. There were many excellent candidates for the murderer! The only thing I didn’t like was the fact that the story was much more towards th...