January seemed to drag on forever. Here in the Southern hemisphere it tends towards hot days and humid nights. Hot cross buns arrived in the shops on Boxing day and Christmas decorations and foods went on sale. In the heat the whole concept seemed unreal.
Forced to stay inside under the air conditioning I did what I do best, I picked up a book and read. There were legal processes I couldn’t hurry along and re-applying for my passport also had reams of paper work.
Her majesty the Queen Investigates #No 5
The Queen Who Came in From the Cold by S.J.Bennett.
It’s 1961 and the Queen is planning her state visit to Italy aboard Britannia. But before she goes, an unreliable witness claims to have seen a brutal murder from the royal train. Did it really happen, and could the victim be a missing friend of Princess Margaret’s new husband, Tony Armstrong Jones? The Queen and her assistant private secretary, Joan McGraw, get to work on their second joint investigation, little imagining that this time it will take them all the way to Venice in a tale of spies, lies and Cold War skulduggery.
Mystery Fiction .Audiobook Mystery ,British Literature Royalty
336 pages, Hardcover First published November 6, 2025M
My Review.
A socialite with a taste for heavy drinking and gossip, wanders where she shouldn’t on the Royal train .She returns claiming she saw a murder. No one believes her, but later a few coincidences convince Joan McGraw that it could be true. No one is reported as missing and they have an important trip to Italy to prepare for. Joan’s suspicions won’t go away and soon she is involved in situations she had thought to leave behind. Fun, and believable. Love how HM the Queen and HRH Prince Philip are portrayed. I can almost hear Philip’s commentary.
The Parasol Academy #I
The Nanny’s Handbook to Magic and Managing Difficult Dukes by Amy Rose Bennett.
Mary Poppins meets Bridgerton in a feel-good blend of cozy fantasy magic, historical romance, humour, and Victorian era charm, as a recent graduate of the Parasol Academy for Exceptional Nannies and Governesses finds her supernatural abilities are little help when it comes to falling for the shy, mysterious inventor who happens to be her employer . . .
For readers of Heather Fawcett, Allison Saft, Katherine Arden, Freya Marske, and Olivia Atwater’s Regency Faerie Tales series.
Emmeline Chase, 25-year-old widow and new alumna, may be more high-spirited than the Academy would like. Few graduates, however, could turn a mismanaged teleportation onto a duke’s rooftop into an offer of employment. But Emmeline’s circumstances, along with her desperation to support her bankrupt, incarcerated father, have made her dauntless. Which seems the primary qualification to work for expert horologist Xavier Mason, Duke of St. Lawrence, and manage his three rambunctious wards. Yet Emmeline soon discovers that the nobleman’s heart-melting voice and captivating mind present an entirely different sort of trouble. She cannot risk losing her license by fraternizing with her employer . . .
Xavier’s wards have sent two nannies packing in a month thanks to frogs, firecrackers, and general mayhem. In addition, Xavier’s professional reputation is on the line. He’s already considered odd, with his talking raven companion and his fascination with timekeeping instead of pleasure-chasing with his peers. Charming, vivacious Emmeline seems intrigued with his quirks—but Xavier must have absolute peace to design London’s “King of Clocks” for Westminster Palace before the competition closes. Emmeline can no doubt restore order. As long as he doesn’t fall under her spell . . .
Yet, with a possible saboteur in their midst, and the attraction flaring between them threatening to become a deliciously disastrous distraction, a touch of magic may be required . . .
Romance Fantasy, Historical Romance Historical Fiction .Historical Magic Fiction
401 pages, Paperback First published September 30, 2025
My Review.
Suspend disbelief and enter into the fun of a talking raven who can communicate telepathically with Emmeline, a nanny with a touch of Mary Poppins. Mary was much too sensible to fall for her employer, but Emmeline finds the bashful and misunderstood Xavier hard to resist. Her charges are high spirted, but never nasty , merely bored with the sober routine of the household. Emmeline soon finds their interests and encourages them, even involving the Duke. Life would be perfect but for the household’s saboteur, is that merely mischief or something more sinister? At times the magic is a bit too convenient but overall, I enjoyed the book
Annie Valentine #1
The Personal Shopper by Carmen Reid.
Meet Annie Valentine: stylish, savvy, multi-tasker extraordinaire.
As a personal shopper in a swanky London fashion store, Annie can re-style and re-invent her clients from head to toe. In fact, this super-skilled dresser can be relied on to solve everyone’s problems . . . except her own.
Although she’s a busy single mum to stroppy teen Lana *and painfully shy Owen, there’s a gap in Annie’s wardrobe – sorry, life – for a new man. But finding the perfect partner is turning out to be so much trickier than finding the perfect pair of shoes.
Can she source a genuine classic? A lifelong investment? Will she end up with a mistake from the sale rail, who’ll have to be returned? Or maybe, just maybe, there’ll be someone new in this season who could be the one . . .
- Lana is renamed Lauren in later books.
- Chick Lit. Romance Fiction, Contemporary Rom Com. Fashion
- 354 pages, Kindle Edition First published January 1, 2007
My Review.
I read a much later book in the series book eight I think. I enjoyed it and thought Id start at the beginning. Annie is a relatable character- her work life is a success. She is a much in demand personal shopper attuned to trends and brands. She has an eye for style and repeat customers who swear by her abilities
The luxe lifestyle doesn’t continue at home, as single mum Annie tries to do it all. Life would be so much better if she had a partner-.and she tried one on for size, but is he really all he seems?
Annie Valentine #2
Late Night Shopping by Carmen Reid
The eagerly anticipated new novel from the author of The Personal Shopper sees Annie Valentine jetting off to Italy.
Annie Valentine is one ambitious lady, but does she know when to stop?
Uber-busy Annie Valentine — mum to two demanding children and personal shopper in a swanky London fashion store — is now intent on setting up a business of her own. She has ambitions for a shoe and handbag empire, and she’ll do anything to get there.
But what about her adorable new man? As someone who wants nothing more than a quiet life, Ed is shocked to discover Annie is staking their home on her success. And now their relationship is on the line.
Ed isn’t convinced that Annie’s surprise remedy — an extravagant friends and family holiday to Italy — is really what they all need. Especially when a dashing Italian businessman promises to fulfil Annie’s every dream. . .
Chick Lit. Romance Fiction. Adult Women’s Fiction ,Fashion Contemporary
304 pages, Kindle Edition First published June 30, 2008
My Review.
Annie has been single so long that it doesn’t occur to her she needs to consult her partner about any decision. It’s an obvious blind spot for a smart woman and she hadn’t realised she risks losing more than money. Annie’s impulsive nature both delights and infuriates. I didn’t find it as enjoyable as book one.
How Not To Shop by Carmen Reid.
Annie Valentine #3
Her passion is fashion…but she’s on a budget!
Personal shopper Annie Valentine is about to hit the big time: presenting a glamorous TV makeover series! This is it for Annie and her little family. No more scrimping and saving, finally all her hard work has paid off.
But life in the spotlight isn’t all its cracked up to be. Soon, Annie discovers this is TV on a shoestring and her budget is zip. But more than this, Annie feels s though the women she should be helping to look fabulous, go away feeling all the more like fashion failures!
Fans of Sophie Kinsella, Lindsey Kelk and Paige Toon will love this laugh-out-loud romantic comedy from bestselling author Carmen Reid.
Chick Lit. Romance Fiction. Contemporary .Modern.
344 pages, Kindle Edition First published January 1, 2009
My Review.
Anyone who has enjoyed a makeover show should enjoy this book. It is quite revealing about production values, personality clashes, what makes good tv? After being a big fish in a small pond, Annie isn’t enjoying the experience. She still wants to do her best for the women she is supposed to be transforming. Annie has genuine empathy and this makes her efforts worthwhile.
A frothy concoction of reading this month. I wasn’t in the headspace to read anything challenging or confronting. I choose escapism pure and simple. Next month? Who knows!
Sonia Bellhouse- Author. 