Hello. Today I’m delighted to be joined by Helena Dixon who you may know as Nell Dixon. Helena splits her time between the Black Country and Devon. Married to the same man for over thirty five years she has three daughters, a cactus called Spike, a crazy cockapoo and a tank of tropical fish. She is allergic to adhesives, apples, tinsel and housework. Her addictions of choice are coffee and reality TV. She was winner of The Romance Prize in 2007 and Love Story of the Year 2010 as Nell Dixon. She now writes historical cosy crime set in the 1930s – and her latest novel came out just last week! You can keep up to date on her website and her blog. You can even make a new Facebook friend!

Let’s have a look at her choices!

Joyce Grenfell requests the pleasure by Joyce Grenfell

The first volume in the famous actress, comedienne and entertainer’s autobiography. This is a lovely gentle book by an intelligent, gentle woman. It tells the story of her early years and her time during the war entertaining the troops. She worked with Noel Coward and speaks about her humour, spiritual beliefs and gives a snapshot of a time that has now passed into history.

You’ll note that the cover above is of a recording: this title seems hard to get hold of as a book though it seems easily available on CD. Perhaps one to look for in second hand bookshops as they reopen!

Tabitha in Moonlight by Betty Neels

Betty wrote a lot of books, all gentle, sweet romances often featuring poor downtrodden heroines. They were often nurses, who fell in love with powerful, wealthy Dutch doctors. Set in the sixties and seventies they capture a period in time perfectly and are a balm to the soul to read. Set in the UK and Holland mostly, there are Bentleys, dogs and meals at the Savoy.

Get the Kindle edition of Tabitha in Moonlight here (sadly without the retro cover)

Man Hunting by Jennifer Crusie

This little book is hilariously funny. A light hearted quick read by an author at the top of her game. A holiday romance where the heroine has a series of dates with all the wrong men where anything that can go wrong does go wrong before she finally ends up with Mr Right. Not as well known as her other books such as Bet Me and Faking It, this is lighter and funnier. 

You can get Man Hunting here.

Thanks Helena for your choices: I have come across Joyce Grenfell before but not the others.

We’re giving a shout out to Murder at the Playhouse, the brand new and third instalment in Helena’s Miss Underhay series following Murder at the Dolphin Hotel and Murder at Enderley Hall. The cover ooooooozes 1930s style and class and channels the Golden Age. There’s an army captain, an aspiring actress, a retired theatre impresario and an am-dram society. What’s not to love? You can get it here. (All links are, as ever, affiliate links.)

Thanks again Helena. Don’t forget to check out previous Secret Library features; see you next time.