Monday, 9 November 2026

Secrets Of A Winter Escape, by Sue Moorcroft

As regular readers of the blog will know, I've been friends with Sue Moorcroft since we first met at the Kettering Writers Group in 1999 (we genre writers were consigned to the back of the room, where we had a great laugh).  Since then she's gone from strength to strength, hitting number one in the Kindle Bestseller charts (with The Christmas Promise) on her way to becoming a Sunday Times Best Seller, while her novel A Summer To Remember won the Goldsboro Books Contemporary Romantic Novel Award 2020.  As well as featuring her a lot on blog (to see more, click this link), I'm pleased to be part of the blog tour for her latest novel, Secrets Of The Italian Guesthouse, which has just been published in paperback and e-book. This also marks the second novel of the trilogy as part of her new deal for The Legacy Trilogy with Quercus Books, an imprint of John Murray Press.

Will this be a Christmas to remember?

Christmas should be the most wonderful time of year. But for Erin, who's just lost the job that she loves, it's anything but. Down on her luck, the only gift she wants is escape...

So, Erin returns to Lake Como, home to the pensione she inherited from the grandmother she never met. The city sparkles with the magic of the season, and the guests provide a welcome distraction from the life that Erin has left behind.

As the snow begins to fall, Erin finds herself staying in the room next door to Caleb, an injured footballer who's eager to avoid the prying eyes of the press. With emotional baggage bigger than his suitcases, he's a complication that her bruised heart doesn't need. But when Caleb lights Erin up like Como's illuminations, will she admit that all she wants for Christmas is him?

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My review - The second in the Three Sisters trilogy, this follows on directly from “Secrets Of The Italian Guesthouse” and tells the story of Erin, sister number two, raised by her single mum Lisa in Scotland. After a break-up, losing her job and enduring a birthday party that isn’t what it seems, Erin leaves Scotland to spend time with Jade at the Three Sisters Pensione. There, after details of the tragic event which kind of led to all her woes becomes apparent, Erin meets the footballer next door, Caleb, who is recovering from a broken leg and his own relationship troubles. As the two combine forces – his determination to get back into the game and her marketing skills – things begin to happen but, since this is a Sue Moorcroft novel, there are plenty of obstacles in the way.

As usual with a book by Sue, characterisation is key and it was interesting going into this, having been introduced to the character in a previous novel but now seeing her in a new light. Erin is strong, independent, vulnerable, hurt but quite joyous in her way and seeing the relationship between her and Caleb – another stellar creation – grow is a real delight. And it all flows so easily too, which means you start to read and then look up a dozen or so pages later, swept along by the assured storytelling. Como is a character in and of itself and there’s plenty of spot-on description to make you feel like you’re standing in that glorious town in the midst of Christmas celebrations. 

With a varied and well sketched supporting cast, the chance to re-meet the other sisters and a compelling story that races along, I’d say this was another winner. Very much recommended!

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Sue Moorcroft is a Sunday Times bestselling author. Her novels have reached #1 on Kindle UK and Top 100 on Kindle US, Canada, Germany and Italy. She’s won the Goldsboro Books Contemporary Novel of the Year, Readers’ Best Romantic Novel award, two HOLT Medallions and the Katie Fforde Bursary. She’s a past president of the Romantic Novelists’ Association.

Her novels, short stories, serials, columns, writing ‘how to’ and courses have appeared around the world.

Born into an army family in Germany, Sue spent much of her childhood in Cyprus and Malta but settled in Northamptonshire at the age of ten. An avid reader, she also loves Formula 1, travel, family and friends, dance exercise and yoga.


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Monday, 6 July 2026

Secrets of the Italian Guesthouse, by Sue Moorcroft

As regular readers of the blog will know, I've been friends with Sue Moorcroft since we first met at the Kettering Writers Group in 1999 (we genre writers were consigned to the back of the room, where we had a great laugh).  Since then she's gone from strength to strength, hitting number one in the Kindle Bestseller charts (with The Christmas Promise) on her way to becoming a Sunday Times Best Seller, while her novel A Summer To Remember won the Goldsboro Books Contemporary Romantic Novel Award 2020.  As well as featuring her a lot on blog (to see more, click this link), I'm pleased to be part of the blog tour for her latest novel, Secrets Of The Italian Guesthouse, which has just been published in paperback and e-book. This also marks the first novel of her new deal for The Legacy Trilogy with Renegade Books, an imprint of John Murray Press (see the press release here).


Two sisters she's never met
A first love who's impossible to forget...

For Jade, life in Lake Como is la dolce vita. Until her beloved grandmother passes, leaving Jade not just the family's bustling guesthouse to run, but two life-changing secrets to confront...

The pensione hasn't just been left to Jade, it's also been inherited by her sisters - who she had no idea existed. As Erin and Rosalie arrive in Italy, Jade is forced to face the heart-wrenching prospect of sharing her last remaining tie to the woman who raised her.

Jade is desperately trying to hold on to the past, but there's one person she would prefer to leave firmly behind: her first love, Leo. He's back in the city that is filled with the memories they once made together. But as Jade fights to take control of her future and her heart, why do all cobbled roads lead back to Leo?

Lose yourself in the first, utterly romantic novel in a brand-new trilogy, filled with new beginnings and second chances. Perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan and Milly Johnson.
 
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Over the years, I've read a lot of Sue Moorcroft's work and, I have to say, this is one of her best. Plus, it's the start of a trilogy, so reading through and picking up what's key to this novel, or perhaps others in the series, has been fun. 

I really enjoyed it, as it’s a wonderful meditation on family, friends and loyalty, with real heart that moved me at times. As ever, it’s full of and adventure, a very keen sense of location (Lake Como has never come across so well on the printed page!) and some nicely nostalgic moments, both for family and long-ago love affairs.

The story is as tight as a spring, the twists and turns perfectly blended in and the whole thing flows smoothly and seamlessly. Jade, the heroine, is very likeable and - given her situation - what might have come across as selfishness from another writer sounds perfectly reasonable (and human) here. Leo was a great Moorcroft hero, all cheekbones, fringe, presence and heart and the raunchy bits were done well. Erin and Rosalie, Jade’s sister, came across well and are nicely set up for the other books in the series. The cast list is rounded out by Leo’s parents and brother, who bring a nice sense of humour to the occasion and Jade’s Gran is a strong presence, even though the story only begins once she’s gone. I could discuss other characters but, to do so, would spoil your enjoyment. 

This is a great book, full of heart, humour and drama and I would very much recommend it.

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Universal Book Link - https://geni.us/ItalianGuesthouse

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Sue Moorcroft is an international bestselling author and has reached the #1 spot on Kindle UK. She’s won the Goldsboro Books Contemporary Romantic Novel Award, Readers’ Best Romantic Novel award and the Katie Fforde Bursary. 

Her short stories, serials, columns, writing ‘how to’ and courses have appeared around the world.

Born into an army family in Germany, Sue spent much of her childhood in Cyprus and Malta but settled in Northamptonshire at the age of ten. An avid reader, she also loves Formula 1, travel, family and friends, dance exercise and yoga.


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Sunday, 4 January 2026

Temporary hiatus

Unfortunately, the Strange Tales site is going into a temporary hiatus but will return at some point in the near future.


In the meantime, further details about my thrillers can be found at https://mewthrillers.blogspot.com/ or using the normal www.markwest.org.uk address.

I also have a Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MarkWestWrites/

In addition, I have started a Substack account, which is free to subscribe to - https://fridaynightbooks.substack.com/


Thanks for all your support to this point, I'll see you here again soon.
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