Miranda's March Musings!
Welcome, darlings! Have you been reading up a storm? If you missed Alyssa's marvellous blog last week about why romance novels are good for you (as if there is any doubt), go here. I'm so converted already.
I had recent surgery on a misbehaving hand and had to do a strict regime of 'rest and elevate' with said hand above my heart. This meant a lot of sitting down with my hand on pillows. As it was sore and I had utter brain fog from the anaesthetic, this was fine for a few days - until I could think again, and started to get a teensy bit bored. So I 'rested' my way through four seasons of the wonderful Midsomer Murders, seasons 9-12. Love that I've got heaps more seasons to go.
 |
| Picture credit: amazon.com |
I also read, read, read, and discovered some fabulous Aussie authors/books completely new to me, which I'm totally sharing with you.
 |
| Picture credit: amazon.com |
A great find is Jacquie Underdown's Bittersweet, first book in a new series about three brothers who own a vineyard. I cannot tell a lie, I won this book in an online chat (yay, thanks Jacquie!), so I plunged in with no preconceptions...and was still sitting in my chair (resting and elevating) a few hours later, sort of sobbing and gasping and thinking what absolute gold this book is. Failed chef Amy takes over her friend Rachel's cupcake shop, and get reacquainted with Rachel's brother-in-law Tom. 'Reacquainted' is code for: wow, these two are explosive together! Bittersweet is very raw and real. An unthinkable tragedy happens, and there has to be an implosion before things can ease. But along the way...Amy and Tom, magical Cupid cupcakes, wine... Brilliant.
 |
| Picture credit: amazon.com |
I had the enormous pleasure of sitting next to Maddison Michaels at a recent ARRA High Tea, and got all enthusiastic hearing about her debut Victorian romance, The Devilish Duke. What a knockout first book, Maddison, congratulations! I adored Lady Sophie Wolcott, and how she had that devilish Devlin running in circles around her while she completely resisted to his charms. Loved the cameo with Queen Victoria, I was very amused, and also the suspense-y parts with a killer on the loose. Look for the scene where the Sophie's brother battles for her honour with the duke. Heh, another amusing part. Looking forward to the next book already.
 |
| Picture credit: amazon.com |
Last but not least is The Wife's Tale by Christine Wells. It's a true crime I haven't read Christine's books before (oh so sorry), but I now intend to hoover up her others asap; also more of the wonderful historicals she writes as Christina Brooke. Thankfully I've read and loved some of the latter! The Wife's Tale goes between Queensland, Australia, and the Isle of Wight. Modern day lawyer Liz is sent by her boss to the Isle, to investigate an historical 18th century 'situation' pertaining to a beautiful property there called Seagrove. He wants her to pursue its sale for him as he may well have a claim on it, but, well, it's complicated - and the modern day (rather dishy) Lord Nash wants to sell under no circumstances. There's lots of intrigue, drama (understatement) - including a scandalous court case, and huge emotion, plus a nod to how awfully women were treated in past days. Just. Stunning.
Love from Miranda. xxx
Love to Love:
New category romance coming out from fave authors, like Michelle Douglas, and Kelly Hunter.
Love to Laugh:
I never guess the villain in Midsomer Murders. Sigh...
Love to Learn:
Discovering new authors is Just! So! Exciting! to me.
