The bookseller of Kathmandu

The Bookseller of Kathmandu

A sweeping tale of secrets and survival set against the mystical backdrop of Nepal, and the tropical heat of 1940s Malaya.

In the heart of bustling Kathmandu, Chloe Rai's quaint bookshop is a sanctuary for those seeking solace within the pages of timeworn stories. But when she discovers a collection of letters hidden within the crumbling walls of a forgotten Rana palace, her world begins to intertwine with a narrative from a different time and place.

Penned in the 1940s by a woman named Alice Lacey, the letters tell the story of the Malayan Emergency, a time of turmoil and conflict. As Alice's life becomes intertwined with that of Anil, a Gurkha officer, their bond is tested by the chaos and violence surrounding them. Chloe's discoveries not only reveal family secrets, but also mirror her own struggles in the present. As she delves deeper into Alice's story, she begins to understand the power of the past in shaping the present.

With a rich cultural backdrop and a poignant exploration of friendship, resilience, and truth, 'The Bookseller of Kathmandu' is a beautifully woven tale that showcases the enduring power of storytelling. Join Chloe on a journey through time as she uncovers the truth and learns to navigate the complexities of her own life.

If you enjoy captivating storytelling, then you won't want to miss 'The Bookseller of Kathmandu.' And if you loved 'The Fortune Teller of Kathmandu,' then you will be enthralled by Chloe and Alice's intertwined stories...

 

Purchase Link

https://mybook.to/booksellerkathmandu

 

Author Bio –

Ann Bennett is a British author of historical fiction. Her first book, Bamboo Heart: A Daughter's Quest, was inspired by researching her father's experience as a prisoner of war on the Thai-Burma Railway and by her own journey to uncover his story. It won the Asian Books Blog prize for fiction published in Asia in 2015, and was shortlisted for the best fiction title in the Singapore Book Awards 2016.

That initial inspiration led her to write more books about WWII in Southeast Asia - Bamboo Island: The Planter's Wife, A Daughter's Promise, Bamboo Road: The Homecoming, The Tea Planter's Club, The Amulet, and The Fortune Teller of Kathmandu. Along with The Lotus House, published in October 2024, they make up the Echoes of Empire Collection.

Ann is also the author of The Oriental Lake Collection - The Lake Pavilion and The Lake Palace, both set in British India during the 1930s and WWII, and The Lake Pagoda and The Lake Villa, set in French Indochina.

The Runaway Sisters, USA Today bestselling The Orphan House, The Child Without a Home and The Forgotten Children are set in Europe during the same era and are published by Bookouture. Her latest book, The Stolen Sisters, published on 29th November 2024 is the follow-up to The Orphan List (published by Bookouture in August this year) and is set in Poland and Germany during WWII.

A former lawyer, Ann is married with three grown up sons and a granddaughter and lives in Surrey, UK. For more details, please visit her website www.annbennettauthor

Social Media Links –

https://www.facebook.com/annbennettauthor

https://x.com/annbennett71

https://www.instagram.com/annbennettauthor/

www.annbennettauthor.com

Giveaway to Win a Paperback copy of Fortune Teller of Kathmandu (Open to UK and Europe only)

*Terms and Conditions –UK and Europe entries welcome.  Please enter using the Gleam box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Gleam from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

https://gleam.io/spDXQ/win-a-paperback-copy-of-fortune-teller-of-kathmandu-open-to-uk-and-europe-only

My Review

This book is wonderfully researched and moves from present day Nepal to 1940s Malaya and post colonial India. The transitions are smooth and the reader is equally invested in both Alice's story as well as  Chloe's. when a relative of her Nepalese husband offers Chloe his father's library of books for her bookshop, she is determined to find out more about Alice and her relationship with Anil. There are many parallels between the two stories as they come together beautifully at the end. The descriptions are well drawn and invite the reader to put Nepal on their bucket list.

 

Old girls go Greek

                                                                   Old Girls Go Greek

At 64, Meg Foster is ready to paint outside the lines

Newly divorced from overbearing husband Malcom and with only reruns of Bergerac and an irascible black cat called Ivan for company, Meg decides it’s time to add a little colour back into her life. So when she spots a flyer for a local art class at the Lower Begley community centre, she grabs a brush — despite her only painting experience being a half-hearted coat of magnolia in the downstairs loo.

Surrounded by a motley crew of charming amateur artists, Meg slowly begins to rediscover her spark with the help of the other old girls…and the only male in the group Derek. And when someone suggests a painting holiday to sun-soaked Santorini, Meg doesn’t hesitate to sign up. Whitewashed walls, turquoise seas and possibly even a Grecian god or two? Yes please!

As the sun sets over the Aegean, Meg starts to realise that life — like art — is all about perspective. Could this trip be more than just a wash of watercolour fun? Could friendship, freedom and a second-chance romance be just a sketch away?

Full of heart, humour and hues of every shade, relax with another joyful story from Maddie Please celebrating the power of reinvention, female friendship, and living boldly — no matter your age.

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/OldGirlsGoGreekBook

 

Author Bio –

Maddie Please is the author of bestselling joyous tales of older women. She has had a career as a dentist and now lives in rural Herefordshire where she enjoys box sets, red wine and Christmas.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: @maddieplease

Twitter: @MaddiePlease1

Instagram: @maddieplease1

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/MaddiePleaseNews

Bookbub profile: @MaddiePlease

My Review

How refreshing to read about older women rediscovering themselves and having the time of their lives. What's not to love about this book? Firstly, it's set in my beloved Greece, on Santorini; secondly it involves an art group  and thirdly there are some great characters.

The descriptions of the scenery and food immediately took me back and watching Meg believe in herself and find romance is heart-warming.

I thoroughly enjoyed this light-hearted book from start to finish. I only hope there are more in the series.

A Wordsmith's guide to planning the perfect plot

 The Wordsmith’s Guide to Planning the Perfect Plot

* DO YOU STRUGGLE TO FINISH WRITING A NOVEL?
* DO YOU RUN OUT OF MOMENTUM BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE YOUR STORY IS GOING?

The Wordsmith’s Guide to Planning the Perfect Plot is your trusted companion for turning story ideas into structured, compelling narratives. In this fourth instalment of the Wordsmith’s Guides series, Elizabeth M. Hurst takes you through popular plotting methods—including the Snowflake Method, Save the Cat Beat Sheet, and The Inside Outline—helping you choose the right approach for your writing style. You’ll also find practical advice on troubleshooting common pitfalls, crafting satisfying endings, and keeping your plan adaptable as your story evolves.

Inside, you’ll discover:

• Clear explanations of proven plotting methods
• Guidance on choosing the right structure for your novel
• Tips for overcoming plot issues and staying on track
• Advice on writing satisfying, well-rounded endings
• A practical appendix full of tools and templates to support your planning process

 

Whether you're a planner, a pantser, or somewhere in between, Planning the Perfect Plot will help you shape your novel with clarity and confidence.

Purchase Link - https://geni.us/PlottingAmazon

Author Bio – 

Elizabeth was born and bred in the picturesque harbour town of Whitehaven in the northwest of England, where the long, wet winters moulded her into a voracious reader of fiction to escape the dismal weather.

She graduated with a degree in Business Studies and a string of jobs followed, after which she finally settled in the automotive industry, where she spent twelve happy years.

Having already started writing around the age of 40, she had begun to dream of a more creative lifestyle and set about creating her freelance editing and proofreading business, EMH Editorial Services. In 2018, she quit the corporate world and concentrated her energy full-time towards her love of the written word.

Elizabeth now lives with her husband in the warm and sunny south of France, where the wine is cheaper than the water, and the cats spend their days hunting lizards and dreaming of the birds that roost on the roof.

Social Media Links – 

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethMHurstAuthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizhurstauthor/

Website: https://elizabethhurstauthor.com/

 

My Review

This is quite a comprehensive view of the different types of plotting types out there. I found the book useful  especially about how to overcome the 'soggy' muddle part of writing a book. There were often examples about how to put the plot into practice - admittedly some of the examples i wasn't familiar with but others were very informative. This is definitely a book I will be dipping in and out of in the future as plotting is not my forte. All in all one of the more useful guides to plotting that I've read.

Murder on an Italian Island

Murder on an Italian Island

A holiday island…

When private investigator, Dan Armstrong, and his girlfriend, Anna, are invited to the gorgeous island of Elba for a much-needed break, he jumps at the chance. The thought of sun-drenched shores makes Dan promise Anna he won't “play detective” for a whole week…

A luxury hotel…

Their luxurious hotel, with its wonderful food and picturesque seaside views, seems the perfect escape, especially with Dan's best friend Virgilio and his wife joining them. But the calm shatters with a sinister encounter and a sudden, suspicious death..

A decades old case…

Virgilio's past connection to the victim casts a long shadow, pulling Dan into a decades-old case. But beneath Elba's beauty lie secrets and resentments – the victim was universally hated – but was his death the result of foul play or just a tragic accident?

With his faithful canine companion, Oscar, Dan must unravel the island's mysteries, a task that soon takes a decidedly personal and unsettling turn.

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/MurderItalianIsland

 Author Bio –

T. A. Williams is the bestselling author of the Armstrong and Oscar cozy mystery series. Trevor studied languages at University and lived and worked in Italy for eight years, returning to England with his wife in 1972. Trevor and his wife now live in Devon.

Social Media Links – 

Facebook: @TrevorWilliamsBooks

Twitter: @TAWilliamsBooks

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/TAWilliamsNews

Bookbub profile: @trevorwilliams3

My review

I have been a fan of this series from the start and this book continues to delight. set on the beautiful island of Elba, where Dan is taking a break with his girlfriend and close friends, it is not long before he is swept up into investigating a murder. There are quite a few twists and turns along the way to keep the reader engaged, as well as delicious Italian treats and of course, Oscar the dog, who plays a pivotal role in saving the day. Perfect summer read.

 

Jaipur Moon

Jaipur Moon

Jaipur, 1934

When Philip Grainger and Frank Fletcher met late at night on the edge of an indigo plantation in Gujarat back in 1916, and one of them handed a new born baby to the other and walked away, their stated intention was never to see each other again.

In Jaipur, 1934, almost eighteen years later, Philip’s daughter, Eleanor, is excited to learn that a new family has moved into the street where they live, and that the family has a daughter similar in age to herself.

When Frank Fletcher, having struggled for years to make a profit from his isolated indigo plantation, turns to exporting, he is encouraged by his exporter friend, Maxwell Anderson, to move his family to Jaipur. His daughter, Alice, hopes that at last she will make some friends. 

But where there are secrets, someone invariably senses a secret, is determined to uncover it and use it to his advantage. Nothing stays hidden for ever…

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jaipur-Moon-secrets-princely-Colonials-ebook/dp/B0F9P6176J

https://www.amazon.com/Jaipur-Moon-secrets-princely-Colonials-ebook/dp/B0F9P6176J 

Author Bio – Liz Harris is the author of the historical novels THE ROAD BACK (US Coffee Time & Romance Book of the Year 2012) and A BARGAIN STRUCK (shortlisted for the RoNA Historical 2013). They and THE LOST GIRL/GOLDEN TIGER and A WESTERN HEART were shortlisted for Best Historical Romance by The Festival of Romance. In addition are contemporary novels EVIE UNDERCOVER, THE ART OF DECEPTION, THE BEST FRIEND and WORD PERFECT. THE DARK HORIZON, THE FLAME WITHIN and THE LENGTHENING SHADOW, set between the wars, comprise The Linford Collection, which was followed by The Colonials : DARJEELING INHERITANCE, COCHIN FALL, HANOI SPRING and SIMLA MIST. The second edition of THE ROAD BACK appeared in August 2022, followed by IN A FAR PLACE. Second editions of A BARGAIN STRUCK and GOLDEN TIGER were published in 2023. THE LOOSE THREAD, the first in the Three Sisters trilogy, was published in February 2024, THE SILKEN KNOT, the second in September 2024 and THE WOVEN LIE in February 2025. AWESTERN HEART was published December 2024. In addition to these, Liz has had short stories published in anthologies and magazines.

(As usual, I have let rip, and this might be a weeny bit too long!! If so, I can shorten it.)

Social Media Links – 

Twitter Handle:  @lizharrisauthor

Bluesky handle:  @lizharris.bsky.social

Instagram Handle:  liz.harris.52206

Website:  https://lizharrisauthor.com

Facebook: Liz Harris

My Review

Firstly, I was intrigued by the setting as Jaipur is on my list to visit. Liz Fielding has done an amazing job of blending fact and fiction, filling in gaps where there is no evidence, for example, the description of the houses, and for this the notes at the back of the book were very useful.

Having been successfully transported to Jaipur of the 1930s, it was the lifestyle and the characters that stood out for me, perfectly portrayed of their era with of course a carefully hidden secret about to shatter the lives of the small ex-pat community.

This is an interesting and informative read and will appeal to anyone interested in India or indeed history.

 

A Scottish teashop in Napoli

 

A Scottish Teashop in Napoli

A tender and funny novel that combines the best of Scottish and Italian culture with the joys of female friendship and a cast of characters reminiscent of Jenny Colgan and Sophie Kinsella.

When Lucy's childhood sweetheart stands her up on their wedding day, leaving her alone on a plane eloping to the tropical location of his choosing, their dream – now feeling like just her dream - of their bairn filled future disappears in a heartbeat (or the time it takes for her to listen to the rambling drunken voicemail he left calling off the wedding).

In Naples, Elena is recently widowed and struggling to keep her husband's family's beloved and centuries old mozzarella factory afloat, whilst running her language school and bringing up their son. At risk of losing both businesses- and adding even more disruption to their life - she advertises a job and hopes for the best.

The stars seem to align and Elena and Lucy, each suffering from a very different sort of loss and loneliness, set about trying to lift the struggling business and each other.

A charming, tender and funny novel about the power of female friendships, the importance of letting go and the joys of eating pasta!

Purchase Links

https://bedfordsquarepublishers.co.uk/book/a-scottish-teashop-in-napoli/ 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Scottish-Teashop-Napoli-Jane-Lambert-ebook/dp/B0DNDFHJSB/

https://www.amazon.com/Scottish-Teashop-Napoli-Jane-Lambert-ebook/dp/B0DNDFHJSB/ 

Author Bio – Jane Lambert was brought up on the west coast of Scotland, studied Modern Languages at Stirling University, then taught English in Vienna. Her love affair with Italy began when she married an Italian chef from Naples. Her debut novel, THE START OF SOMETHING WONDERFUL, was published by HarperCollins in 2018 and inspired by her rollercoaster transition from globe-trotting cabin crew to aspiring actor.

Social Media Links – [X twitter] @JaneLambert22 / Jane Lambert | Facebook                               [Insta] @janealexandralambert

My Review

A lovely story that warms the cockles of your heart as you follow the lives of two strangers who become friends. Both Elena and Lucy are feeling alone for different reasons but as their friendship

 develops, they each discover a new zest for life. Set between Scotland and Naples, this book gives the reader the best of both worlds. Tenderly written and can thoroughly recommend.