Sue Watson – We’ll always have Paris
Finalist in the contemporary romance category of the RNA Romantic Novel of the Year 2017, Sue Watson’s novel explores the possibility of rekindling old loves. The heroine, Jude, meets her former boyfriend shortly after she has lost her husband. Both now in their sixties, Jude is trying to rebuild her life with her grown up children, grandchildren, and the flower shop she started many years ago. Retirement beckons – but it’s not turning out to be the one that her children imagine for her. Instead of heading gracefully into old age, Jude realises that life has a lot more to offer, and is soon reviving her artistic talents as well as the feelings she had for her teenage sweetheart. There are tugs of love between her protective family and her new-found romance that no-one had been expecting. A tender and insightful exploration of love in later life.
Alan Titchmarsh - Folly
Another entertaining read from the multi-talented Mr. Titchmarsh. The art auction houses of the Ballantyne and King families, based in the city of Bath, have had a long-running family feud, though its origin is unclear to the younger generation. Jamie and Artemis are the grandchildren of the founders and have been in love for many years, despite the opposition of their families. When the two are thrown back together again at the sale of a master painting, new revelations open the door to the past. They have some difficult choices to make. A connection with a famous artist threatens the very existence of one of the businesses, and may mean that the two young people must part forever. A novel of love and secrets, with historic insight into one of England's foremost artists. Very enjoyable.
L.D. Ross - Lindisfarne
This is the first in a series of novels featuring the detective DCI Ryan, and I was attracted to it as it is set in my part of the world. I also like a good mystery. This did not disappoint - plenty of local colour (the island of Lindisfarne is separated from the mainland by a tidal causeway), history, and a wealth of different characters. What some readers may not expect is a strong romantic element, but as I'm a fan of both mystery and romance it didn't draw away from the story for me. I read the taster of the next novel in the series at the end (on Kindle) and liked it enough to consider buying that one as well.