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Kate Baker Fiction Writer

@katefranceswrites

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Writing most days ✍🏼 Don’t follow for fitness or cooking tips but I can crochet dishcloths 🧶 Love story ‘Maid of Steel’ out now. Working on Book 2

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📖🎻BOOK REVIEW🎻📖

The Violin Maker's Secret by Evie Woods

When Devlin wants to treat his girlfriend to a really special birthday gift he manages to convince his manager at the airport to sell him a violin from lost property (despite it having only just been lost). She said she always wanted to learn to play, but sadly his gift does not go down as well as he hoped. Making matters worse it looks like whoever lost the violin is desperate to get it back, by whatever means.

After seeing a news report of a theft of a violin from an auction house, Devlin seeks help from his old school teacher, Walter, and the pair take the violin to a violin repair and valuation shop. Intrigued by the violin as it has no maker's mark, shop owner Gabrielle, Walter and Devlin embark on a trip across Europe so Gabrielle can try to authenticate the violin and discover its provenance.

Meanwhile we also get to see the story unfold from the unique POV of the violin itself and we see how it was created. For this is definitely a magical instrument, created from love and heartache. We see how the violin passes through various musicians over the decades and it has even been played by Paganini. It is rumoured that he wrote a special piece of music connected to this violin.

As the story continues it is apparent that all three are harbouring secrets and things are going to come to a head very, very soon as they all begin to face up to their pasts. It does seem to be that the violin has a way of finding the right person who needs it, at the right time. But with the gang of thieves still in pursuit, just what are they all about to uncover?

I absolutely loved this story and enjoyed seeing it all unfold especially from the violin's perspective as well. Evie has a beautiful way of writing and it was an utter joy to read. This was a buddy read (see tagged) and thanks so much everyone for joining in. It gave us so much to talk about. I think we all began to guess some of the storyline, but it did not spoil my enjoyment of it at all. And having the violin take us through its history really added another lovely layer to this book.

🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻

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📚More Books Monday📚 (ad|pr*)

Some fantastic books have made their way into my home this week ~ I am trying to stick to my 3 books out and 1 in and it’s going ok….ish 😂😂

We Call Them Witches ~ India-Rose Bower*
Butcher and Blackbird ~ Byrnne Weaver (Aldi special buy)
Maid of Steel ~ Kate Barker
The Things You’ll Never Know ~ Ashley Audrain*

Are there any you would be promoting to the top of the TBR??

#MoreBooksMonday

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BUDDY BOOK REVIEW! 🩷📖 🎻
BOOK The Violin Maker's Secret by @eviewoods.author
GENRE - Historical Fiction, Magical Realism

BUDDY READERS 👯👯‍♂️👯‍♀️
Hosted by the lovely @ang.all.about.books 🩷 and read along with @amylostinbooks @cosylittlereadingcorner @dalesandbooks @hazel_andthe_bookmountain @katefranceswrites @wendyreadsbooks

SYNOPSIS ✍️
Baggage claim agent Devlin, retired teacher Walter, and appraiser Gabrielle should have nothing in common, but when a single choice sets in motion a new chapter in the violin’s story, they finally feel a part of something – something that matters, and which makes them matter.

As their search for the violin’s origins unlocks a mystery stretching back decades, the instrument teaches them a melody they never expected.

MY THOUGHTS 🎻⭐⭐⭐⭐🎻
I love searching through second-hand stores! I've looked at many things over the years, including books, and wondered about where they've come from and what not they've brought to the person who used to own it. I loved how this story brought this violin to life, giving it a voice of its own.

This story uses magical realism to weave together a whimsical and emotional tale about lost souls whose journeys unexpectedly bring them together. The characters carry their own sadness and burdens which have stopped them moving forwards, until a magical violin changes their lives. The violin really is the beating heart of this story. I particularly loved learning the violin's backstory and enjoyed the sweet ending, reminding us that life really does come full circle.

#travellingbibliopbile #bookreview #buddyread #bookstagrammer #booksthatgiveyouallthefeels

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✧ The ‘WE ARE SO BACK - STACK’ ♥️ ✧

May or may not have shed a little tear last Sunday because what do you mean @lewishamilton got his first win for @scuderiaferrari and there was an all British podium? Like, sorry WHAT!?

🏆 Was it his first win since 2024? Yes, yes it was. Are there still 15 races to go this season? Correct.
🏁 THEREFORE, I’m not going to get ahead of myself. WE shouldn’t get ahead of ourselves. Numbers/stats/percentage wise there’s quite a way to go.
🏎️ Thankfully, I’m a realist. I always take the bigger picture into account and I certainly don’t jump the gun. Cool, calm and collected? Got the t-shirt.
🇬🇧 So, am I now convinced Lewis Hamilton is going to win the Championship? HELL YEAH I AM, LET’S GO 🍾🎉

While I plan my end of season congratulations number 44 celebration party - leaning towards the last race, 6th December?? Please enjoy this beautiful red/F1 stack 🙃♥️

~

⭑ Full Throttle - @jkmaclaren [18/08] LOVED THIS!
⭑ Cross The Line - @simonesoltani
⭑ Ride With Me (@theworksstores) - @simonesoltani
⭑ The Last Letter - @rebeccayarros
⭑ The Deal (@theworksstores) - @ellekennedyauthor
⭑ The Mistake (@theworksstores) - @ellekennedyauthor
⭑ Circle of Liars - @katefrancisauthor
⭑ Mondays Are Murder - @ravenaguron
⭑ Beyond the Edge of Light - @jamielowtherpinkerton [02/07]
⭑ Harvest Season - @brynne_weaver
⭑ Sookie Stackhouse Stories - @realcharlaine
⭑ Dissection of A Murder - @jomurraywrites
⭑ Finale (@fairyloot edition) - @stephanie_garber
⭑ A Court of Thorns and Roses - @sarahjmaas

🏷️ #LewisHamilton #Formula1 #SportsRomance #BookStack #UKReader

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I have had the best weekend at @capitalcrime1 with the girls!

I’ve made amazing new friends and memories for a life time.

Special shout out to @tmpayneauthor, Susie, @thrillerswithnic and @katefranceswrites who I spent most of my time with! I adore you all and love how you took me into fold without question. ❤️

Now I need to sleep for 24-36 hours. 🤣

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🩸 𝐂𝐀𝐏𝐈𝐓𝐀𝐋 𝐂𝐑𝐈𝐌𝐄 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 🩸

What a weekend. ❤️

Three days of books, laughter, friendships and unforgettable memories.

I laughed until my cheeks hurt, met some incredible authors and reconnected with so many wonderful Booksta friends. My back is broken, my bank account is empty, but my heart is completely full.

The absolute highlight of the weekend was spending three days with these amazing women:
@katiethebookishworm @els_book.shelf @tmpayneauthor @mrssusied - thank you for making me feel so welcome, for the laughs, the chats, and for creating a safe space.

The friendships and memories I made with so many incredible people will stay with me long after the weekend ends. ❤️

And a very special shoutout to @tmpayneauthor . Your kindness, humour and genuine care for the people around you is beautiful. The connections you create and the conversations you have, with both humour and heart, really matter!

𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 🔈𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧’𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐈 𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐧 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐲𝐞𝐭, 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐥𝐲 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐭! @tmpayneauthor

Thank you to every author, reader and friend who made this weekend so special.
@capitalcrime1

#capitalcrime #tmpayne #bookevent #capitalcrime2026 #bookstagram

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Wicked afternoon and evening with these absolute superstars, celebrating the launch of Against The Tide. Find your people, and you’ll always be happy.

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Had the best first day at @capitalcrime1 yesterday! Met a many amazing people abs authors, cant wait to do it all again tomorrow!

#bookstagramuk #bookstagramcommunity #bookgirl #bookevent #crimebooks

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We all love a lil bit of @Netgalley ✨

These books have been so popular on Netgalley. We can't blame you, really – they are absolutely stunning titles 🧡

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It's the last Monday of the month and we've reached letter M in the alphabet.

In my #mbookstack we have;

Mrs Frisby and the Rats of Nimh
Mansfield Park
Mr Stoker & I @beckywrightauthor
Maid of Steel @katefranceswrites
More Adventurous on Willow Farm
Mia the Bridesmaid Fairy
Midnight Snows
Midnight
Matilda
Mary Poppins
Marigold and the Feather of Hope
Mage Quest
Memory and Dream
Matter
Moonheart
Midsummer's Eve
Milly Molly Mandy
Mockingjay
Model Misfit
Midnight Over Sanctaphrax
My Sister the Vampire
My Naughty Little Sister
Muse of Nightmares
Magic Study
Moll Flanders
Midwinter Nightingale

A whopping 26 books in all, including two indie authors and my own book, Mage Quest.

I'm tagging a few, but it's open to all, and the rules are simple. #makeabookstack of titles beginning with M, but remember, it must be M, not The or A.

Good luck everyone.

#juliablakeauthor #mondaybookstack #mondaybookstackchallenge

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What a warm welcome in Chelmsford today for the Book and Author event at The Galleywood Heritage Centre.

I don’t believe it, but I may just be all ‘book’ed out!

Nah… roll on the next bookish event.

See you all soon.

#readersofinstagram #readersofinsta #chelmsford #galleywood #bookish

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Looking forward to attending this event with my fellow authors on Sunday! #bookstagram #essex #books #event #booksales

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