NEW RELEASES: The Girl in the Photograph by Kate Riordan - Trailer

Back in November, Uncovered had the wonderful opportunity to join author Kate Riordan and Penguin books for a blogger weekend at Owlpen Manor, Gloucestershire - the inspiration behind Kate's new novel The Girl in the Photograph.

The novel is released today, and to find out more, below is the stunning book trailer, which includes a Q&A with Kate.

When Alice Eveleigh arrives at Fiercombe Manor during the long, languid summer of 1933, she finds a house steeped in mystery and brimming with secrets. Sadness permeates its empty rooms and the isolated valley seems crowded with ghosts, none more alluring than Elizabeth Stanton whose only traces remain in a few tantalisingly blurred photographs. Why will no one speak of her? What happened a generation ago to make her vanish? As the sun beats down relentlessly, Alice becomes ever more determined to unearth the truth about the girl in the photograph - and stop her own life from becoming an eerie echo of Elizabeth's...

UNCOVERED PICKS: Five new releases for the New Year

Now that the holiday season is over, we've been focusing on the new year. After all, new year - new reads! There are many exciting new novels due for release in January, and it's been difficult to select just five. But the reading list is certainly going to be full, with new releases from Jill Mansell, Fiona Gibson, and a haunting tale from Kate Riordan.

When I Met You by Jemma Forte
Marianne Baker is happy. Sort of. She's worked at the same job for years (nearly 15, but who's counting), she lives at home with her mum (who is driving her crazy) and sleeps in a single bed (yep, her love life is stalled). Playing the violin is her only real passion - but nobody like her does that for a living. Then one nighteverything changes. The father who abandoned Marianne over twenty years ago turns up on her doorstep, with a dark secret that changes her life forever. Suddenly Marianne's safe, comfortable world is shattered. If her father isn't the man she thought he was, then who is he? And, more to the point, who is she? It's time to find out who the real Marianne Baker is. 

The Girl in the Photograph by Kate Riordan
When Alice Eveleigh arrives at Fiercombe Manor during the long, languid summer of 1933, she finds a house steeped in mystery and brimming with secrets. Sadness permeates its empty rooms and the isolated valley seems crowded with ghosts, none more alluring than Elizabeth Stanton whose only traces remain in a few tantalisingly blurred photographs. Why will no one speak of her? What happened a generation ago to make her vanish? As the sun beats down relentlessly, Alice becomes ever more determined to unearth the truth about the girl in the photograph - and stop her own life from becoming an eerie echo of Elizabeth's...

As Good As It Gets? by Fiona Gibson
“Midlife crisis? WHAT midlife crisis?!”

Charlotte Bristow is worried about her husband Will. Their fourteen years of marriage have been rather lovely so far, but things have been a bit odd lately.

With their stunning 16-year-old daughter Rosie newly signed to a top modelling agency and Will recently out of a job, Charlotte can’t help but notice that things are changing in their household.
As Will dusts down his old leather trousers and starts partying with their new, fun neighbours, Charlotte begins to wonder what on earth is going on.

So when Fraser, Charlotte’s ex – and father of Rosie – suddenly arrives back on the scene, Charlotte starts to wonder what might have been…

Don't Mention the Rock Star by Bree Darcy
They fell in love in an instant … so why have they spent a lifetime apart? 

As a teenager Kellie dated an American boy but circumstances meant they went their separate ways. Now he’s back and she’s so tempted to see him again. But two decades have passed and they are both married with children. 

And the last thing a celebrity reporter like her needs is the world finding out about her past relationship with a rock star. Especially as Kellie’s husband doesn’t even know she once dated AJ Dangerfield, lead singer of legendary band Danger Game. And she has no intention of him finding out. EVER. 

As Kellie deals with a demanding boss, a bullied son, an infuriating mother-in-law and a best friend who won’t act her age, she finds herself playing a dangerous game. What will happen if her two worlds collide? And is it possible that first love never fades? 

Three Amazing Things About You by Jill Mansell

Hallie has a secret. She's in love. He's perfect for her in every way, but he's seriously out of bounds. And her friends aren't going to help her because what they do know is that Hallie doesn't have long to live. Time is running out...

Flo has a dilemma. She really likes Zander. But his scary sister won't be even faintly amused if she thinks Zander and Flo are becoming friends - let alone anything more. Tasha has a problem. Her new boyfriend is the adventurous type. And she's afraid one of his adventures will go badly wrong. THREE AMAZING THINGS ABOUT YOU begins as Hallie goes on a journey. A donor has been found and she's about to be given new lungs. But whose?

EVENTS: Blogger weekend at Owlpen Manor with Kate Riordan and Penguin Books

A couple of weeks ago, I received an exciting invite from Penguin Books to a weekend event in Gloucestershire to celebrate the new novel by Kate Riordan. Published in January, The Girl in the Photograph is an intriguing tale set in the countryside, in the historic Firecombe Manor. The beautiful Owlpen Manor Estate, near Uley, was in fact the inspiration behind Firecombe and the novel, and during the weekend myself and fellow book bloggers were lucky enough to experience this beautiful place for ourselves.

When Alice Eveleigh arrives at Fiercombe Manor during the long, languid summer of 1933, she finds a house steeped in mystery and brimming with secrets. Sadness permeates its empty rooms and the isolated valley seems crowded with ghosts, none more alluring than Elizabeth Stanton whose only traces remain in a few tantalisingly blurred photographs. Why will no one speak of her? What happened a generation ago to make her vanish? As the sun beats down relentlessly, Alice becomes ever more determined to unearth the truth about the girl in the photograph - and stop her own life from becoming an eerie echo of Elizabeth's...

Arriving at the Owlpen Estate, I was greeted by Jessica from Penguin, who showed me to my lovely cottage. Grist Mill is an eighteenth-century mill, beautifully restored and so very cosy! Soon after exploring the cottage, I was met by bloggers (and weekend housemates!) Lizzie and Melissa, and began to get ready for lunch.

At the Cynder House we were met by the lovely Kate Riordan and the ladies from Penguin, which gave us the opportunity to chat to Kate and find out more about the book. The Girl in the Photograph, we were told, was originally going to be a ghost story, though this later changed. However, having now visited Owlpen, it's understandable how one could be inspired to write such a book. Steeped in history, Owlpen Manor is located in a Cotswold valley, with old buildings and complete darkness at night. Anyone who isn't familiar with living in such a rural location (myself included, being a city girl) may find it slightly eerie! But that's one of the many reasons why I loved this place.

We were taken on a tour of the Manor House by Sir Nicholas, who explained the history of Owlpen Manor and showed us around the grounds. The house is absolutely stunning and so very inspiring.

Later, we had afternoon tea in the cottage, then took some time to relax before the evening's dinner, which was a delicious three-course meal in the Cynder House. We chatted more with Kate and each other about the novel, and book blogging in general. It was a lovely evening, and later it was nice to get into my cosy bed in Grist Mill to read The Girl in the Photograph. Reading the book whilst staying at Owlpen was such a magical experience.

(Group picture taken by Sarah from Penguin).

Kate was absolutely lovely, and the whole weekend was such great fun. In fact, I didn't want to go home on Sunday; Owlpen is such a nice place that I wish I was back there! In fact, if you are looking for a cosy place to relax, and enjoy a historical location, then do check out Owlpen Manor.

A big thank-you to Kate Riordan, Penguin Books and Owlpen for a truly wonderful experience.