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Our House on Sycamore Street
The Widow's Request
She’d come to discover the truth. But was her mother’s delirium to blame for her outlandish request? Or was her father really alive? If you love dual-time romantic suspense, you’ll love The Widow’s Request.
Fiona Johnson doesn’t know what to believe. But she knows she needs the truth, whatever that may be. So, at her ailing mother’s request, she leaves Zimbabwe for the shores of England and the quaint village of Eden Cove.
But she soon runs into trouble as deeply buried secrets long to stay hidden and something sinister brews just beneath the surface. Someone wants her gone. But who? And why?
Dr Matthew Kelly is grieving after the death of his beloved sister - a woman who’d lived too close to the edge. And his beautiful houseguest has the same reckless bent. He can’t let himself fall for her. Yet when every danger brings them closer together, how can he resist?
As Fiona and Matthew threaten to unravel the secrets of the past, will Fiona’s reckless ways push Matthew away? Or will he overcome his fear and take a chance on love?
TRIGGER WARNING:
Scenes of domestic abuse
Fiona Johnson doesn’t know what to believe. But she knows she needs the truth, whatever that may be. So, at her ailing mother’s request, she leaves Zimbabwe for the shores of England and the quaint village of Eden Cove.
But she soon runs into trouble as deeply buried secrets long to stay hidden and something sinister brews just beneath the surface. Someone wants her gone. But who? And why?
Dr Matthew Kelly is grieving after the death of his beloved sister - a woman who’d lived too close to the edge. And his beautiful houseguest has the same reckless bent. He can’t let himself fall for her. Yet when every danger brings them closer together, how can he resist?
As Fiona and Matthew threaten to unravel the secrets of the past, will Fiona’s reckless ways push Matthew away? Or will he overcome his fear and take a chance on love?
TRIGGER WARNING:
Scenes of domestic abuse
272 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 8, 2024
1 person is currently reading
18 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 3, 2024
I really enjoyed reading this book. The dual time makes it a very interesting and gripping read. I really enjoyed jumping from past to present and seeing how it all unfolded. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and especially loved how the story came together. I would gladly recommend this book.
September 26, 2024
From the beginning of the book you are drawn into the mystery of what happened to Fiona's father. It was a struggle to put down the book when something else required my attention. Well done Ashley with this wonderful book. Hope everyone is going to enjoy it as much as I did.
October 9, 2024
4.5 stars
With Ms Winter being a ‘new-to-me’ author, I had no previous point of reference and so this book is right out of, not only the Eden Cove ‘comfort zone’, but also mine! In addition, the customary allusions to the Ferryman’s Bakery and the lighthouse, an integral part of previous books, are missing, and only the more ‘touristy’ village landmarks, such as the hotel, the pub and, of course, the caves feature in a pivotal manner.
The above comments aside, the author kept this reader turning pages as quickly as possible in this dual time-line double-romance suspense novel and it was sometimes difficult to imagine that this community-oriented little village could have the level of intrigue and crime uncovered by Fiona during her quest for her father. The climax, which usually concludes a book, revealed further secrets, leading to a mandatory continuation of this gripping story to avoid a cliffhanger ending. This is my honest opinion of an ARC I received from the author.
With Ms Winter being a ‘new-to-me’ author, I had no previous point of reference and so this book is right out of, not only the Eden Cove ‘comfort zone’, but also mine! In addition, the customary allusions to the Ferryman’s Bakery and the lighthouse, an integral part of previous books, are missing, and only the more ‘touristy’ village landmarks, such as the hotel, the pub and, of course, the caves feature in a pivotal manner.
The above comments aside, the author kept this reader turning pages as quickly as possible in this dual time-line double-romance suspense novel and it was sometimes difficult to imagine that this community-oriented little village could have the level of intrigue and crime uncovered by Fiona during her quest for her father. The climax, which usually concludes a book, revealed further secrets, leading to a mandatory continuation of this gripping story to avoid a cliffhanger ending. This is my honest opinion of an ARC I received from the author.
December 24, 2025
Sadly, this book was a miss for me. There was a thread featuring dirty magazines. It was heading in a good direction since the leading man confronted the other guy about his obsession with the evil rags. I didn’t understand why that same leading man then treated the leading lady like a two-year-old rather than the adult she was. It was disappointing that the leads shared a bed while unwed (no intimate relations implied, so I assume it was done for humor or awkwardness). I got lost on what the leading lady’s mission was, as it took me a month and a half to slog through the first 20 percent of the story.
Content: pub/bar, dirty magazines, crude sexual term, leads sleeping on same bed while unmarried
Content: pub/bar, dirty magazines, crude sexual term, leads sleeping on same bed while unmarried
August 28, 2025
A gripping dual-time romantic suspense. Fiona Johnson has journeyed to Eden Cove from Zimbabwe at her mother’s request to find her father. The problem with the request is that Fiona has always been told her father died in an accident in Suffolk. No one in Eden Cove seems able or willing to help her in her quest, except for the village dentist, Matthew Kelly. As the pair seek answers, stories of the past come to light, making Fiona question everything she thought she knew.
October 15, 2024
ARC copy. I loved this story. Mystery, romance and twists you do not see coming! Filled with passion and intrigue I could not put it down.
Ashley has a way of drawing you into a story and making you feel like you are apart of it. You will laugh and cry. It's beautiful and wholesome, proving that with God's love any situation is possible.
Ashley has a way of drawing you into a story and making you feel like you are apart of it. You will laugh and cry. It's beautiful and wholesome, proving that with God's love any situation is possible.
November 4, 2024
Page-turning romantic suspense
I really enjoyed this story. Fiona, a tough "cookie" from Southern Africa, had entertaining interactions with the straight-laced Matthew. The dual timeline added intrigue and depth to the characters. While I guessed some secrets, the way they were revealed kept me engaged. I’ve read a few of the author’s other books set in Africa, and this short departure was well-executed and fun. Overall, it’s a quick, enjoyable read!
I really enjoyed this story. Fiona, a tough "cookie" from Southern Africa, had entertaining interactions with the straight-laced Matthew. The dual timeline added intrigue and depth to the characters. While I guessed some secrets, the way they were revealed kept me engaged. I’ve read a few of the author’s other books set in Africa, and this short departure was well-executed and fun. Overall, it’s a quick, enjoyable read!
November 5, 2024
I loved this book. Written in true Ashley Winter style it gripped me from the first page and kept me interested to the very last. Mystery, intrigue, romance, suspense - its all in here! Such a worthwhile read, I confess I read it twice!! Well done on a fantastic addition to the series!
ARC received, this is my unbiased opinion.
ARC received, this is my unbiased opinion.
October 8, 2024
For those who like to be taken on a journey and live through the story this is a must read. Twists and plots, suspicion and truth... What a journey of unexpected love and discovery. Well written and an amazing read
October 13, 2024
Time and time again..
That's how faithful God had always been to Fiona. If you enjoy sitting on the edge of your seat and hoping no one will distract you while you read then this is the book for you. Some surprises and lots of answers make this an engrossing story.
That's how faithful God had always been to Fiona. If you enjoy sitting on the edge of your seat and hoping no one will distract you while you read then this is the book for you. Some surprises and lots of answers make this an engrossing story.
February 19, 2025
So good
While this book addresses some touchy subjects (doemstic abuse, affairs, murder), it does so with grace. The story will keep you turning pages with suspense drawing you to the surprising end!
While this book addresses some touchy subjects (doemstic abuse, affairs, murder), it does so with grace. The story will keep you turning pages with suspense drawing you to the surprising end!
October 6, 2024
What a fantastic book! Couldn't put it down once I started. Well done, Ashley!!
October 9, 2024
What an awesome read!!! This story will keep you hooked till the end. Not only a romance but a suspenseful thriller.
It is set in dual time, keeping you intrigued as the mystery unfolds.
It is set in dual time, keeping you intrigued as the mystery unfolds.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews