Lodes Chronicles Series by Fiona Walker

When Ellen Jamieson breaks up with her long-standing boyfriend, she plans to go travelling. But first she agrees to house-sit for her parents, who are trying to find a buyer for their idyllic cottage in the Cotswold village of Oddlode. The village is full of quaint and eccentric characters, both blue-blooded and below the salt, and Ellen is the subject of much speculation... moreWhen Ellen Jamieson breaks up with her long-standing boyfriend, she plans to go travelling. But first she agrees to house-sit for her parents, who are trying to find a buyer for their idyllic cottage in the Cotswold village of Oddlode. The village is full of quaint and eccentric characters, both blue-blooded and below the salt, and Ellen is the subject of much speculation. Under the wing of Ophelia ('Touchy Pheely') Gently, an impoverished local sculptor, Ellen goes to an Auction of Promises village fundraiser and wins a mysterious lot of three wishes. These have been donated by Jasper Belling, the incredibly gorgeous prodigal son of the local lord of the manor. Falling in love with a notorious hell-raiser is the last thing Ellen intended, and the convoluted scandals of the villagers put many obstacles in the way of the young lovers. Several ancient skeletons come rattling out of various cupboards before a no-holds-barred, loved-up finale. less

From the very first day that they move to the Oddlode Valley, it's inevitable that young teacher Mo Stillitoe, recently separated socialite Diana Lampeter, and cool, retired dressage diva Anke Brakespear will find their lives entangled. Despite their differing generations and backgrounds, the women are on a relocation collision course. As inept removal men deliver furniture and even horses to the wrong houses, other moves are being made... moreFrom the very first day that they move to the Oddlode Valley, it's inevitable that young teacher Mo Stillitoe, recently separated socialite Diana Lampeter, and cool, retired dressage diva Anke Brakespear will find their lives entangled. Despite their differing generations and backgrounds, the women are on a relocation collision course. As inept removal men deliver furniture and even horses to the wrong houses, other moves are being made. Mo's bad boy lover takes Diana's eye, Anke's flirtatious husband immediately suggests Mo hop into bed with him, and Diana's local heartthrob brother comes joyfully face to face with the Danish ice-maiden he posted on his wall as a teenager. As a long, hot Indian summer burns its embers into winter, the newcomers settle into their beautiful frost-hugged surroundings, generating enough heat to melt every heart in Oddlode. New passions ignite and old flames are fanned amid the honeyed villages, enchanted gardens, haunted parkland, and raucous country social life. The heat is on, and sparks fly but is this just a flash in the pan or is somebody fuelling the fire. less

Despite her broken heart, when Dilly Gently joins Magnus Olensen's new band, the chemistry between them is explosive. Both impossibly romantic blondes with the souls of poets, they seem to be made for one another. But before they have chance to declare their affections, Dilly's friend Nell confides that she has a huge crush on Magnus, and Dilly nobly steps down in order to play the reluctant matchmaker. Nell returns the favor by setting Dilly up with her dashing twin brother, Flipper... moreDespite her broken heart, when Dilly Gently joins Magnus Olensen's new band, the chemistry between them is explosive. Both impossibly romantic blondes with the souls of poets, they seem to be made for one another. But before they have chance to declare their affections, Dilly's friend Nell confides that she has a huge crush on Magnus, and Dilly nobly steps down in order to play the reluctant matchmaker. Nell returns the favor by setting Dilly up with her dashing twin brother, Flipper. But Flipper is not a good rebound for a true romantic: he hides a secret that could break Dilly's heart all over again. less

The announcement of a grand Treasure Hunt sets the Lodes Valley ladies' hearts aflutter. The cash is only part of the appeal—a win could solve several romantic dilemmas. Pixie Guinness sees the quest as a route back to her wayward husband; teenage daydreamer Faith hopes to snare her true love, Rory; and new arrival Liv—well, Liv just wants distraction from the boredom of country life... moreThe announcement of a grand Treasure Hunt sets the Lodes Valley ladies' hearts aflutter. The cash is only part of the appeal—a win could solve several romantic dilemmas. Pixie Guinness sees the quest as a route back to her wayward husband; teenage daydreamer Faith hopes to snare her true love, Rory; and new arrival Liv—well, Liv just wants distraction from the boredom of country life. But it is unhappily married Trudy who finds the trail of clues leads her in quite a different direction, and one closer and closer to temptation. Is she chasing a rainbow or just chasing her own tail? As the hunt reaches its climax, the competitors find they are fighting for the highest prize of all—their own happy ending. less