Book Spotlight: Christmas in Castleby by J.M. Simpson

Today I'm part of a virtual book tour organised by The Write Reads for Christmas in Castleby by J.M. Simpson. The tour for ‘Christmas in Castleby' will run from 18th - 22nd March 2026.

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Christmas in Castleby was the 11th place BBNYA 2025 finalist!

About BBNYA

BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 (17 in 2025) finalists and one overall winner.

If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official.

Christmas in Castleby by JM Simpson tour banner

Page Count: 288 Pages

Genre: Thriller, Mystery

Age Category: Adult

Date Published: November 1, 2024

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Book synopsis for Christmas in Castleby by J.M. Simpson

Christmas in Castleby by J.M. Simpson book cover

When Tess Dutton arrives in Castleby to help in her sister’s restaurant for the Christmas period her worst nightmare awaits. Tess finds her sister unconscious at the bottom of her stairs, and a restaurant fully booked until Christmas.

Ex-Navy chef Griffin Jones returns to his late mother’s house trying to put his past behind him. He can’t forgive himself for what he did, and someone from his past won’t let him forget either.

Griffin steps in to help Tess in the restaurant, but he is haunted by his past. As he grows closer to Tess and their attraction blossoms, Tess receives a visit from an ex-lover, who wants to rekindle their romance.

Tess struggles when she finds out about Griffin’s past.

But he’s being persecuted.

And then Tess’s life is threatened.

Someone is so full of hate and so intent on revenge, that the only solution is to kill.

Revenge, betrayal, suspense and romance continue in this Christmas special of the Castleby series.

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About the author, J.M. Simpson

J.M. Simpson, author of Christmas in Castleby

J.M. Simpson was born in Essex, but was raised primarily in the West Country, never far from a rugged coastline, a sandy beach, or harbour. With a degree and PhD, much of Jo’s working career has been spent undertaking research in a variety of subjects; most notably in construction and development where her expertise lies.

Staying in the Welsh town of Tenby some years ago and watching the local lifeboat launch one stormy winter night, gave Jo the beginnings of an idea for a book. She was fascinated with the idea of the crew risking everything they know and love to plunge into a stormy sea to rescue a stranger. She wondered who these people were and what their lives were like. And so, the Castleby series was born.

Jo’s Castleby series; Sea State, Sea Change Sea Shaken, Sea Haven and Sea Rift are suspense thrillers set against the backdrop of the lifeboat crew in a coastal town. There is a Christmas Special due in November and there are further books in the series to come.

Jo lives in Kent, with her two (occasionally stroppy) teenage daughters, her extremely long-suffering husband and her rescue Border Collie Merlin. She also runs a successful research consultancy, but dreams of becoming a full-time writer. In early 2025, Jo will release the first in a new series based in the Scottish Highlands called The Ophelia Murders – First in The Whistlers Peak Series.

In what little spare time Jo has, she spends writing, walking the dogs, seeking out live music (except difficult jazz), being an armchair movie critic, dreaming of Scotland or the Pembrokeshire coast; drinking endless coffee’s in various local café’s (on the pretence of writing) or drinking copious amounts of wine in her most favourite pub with friends, (where no writing occurs whatsoever).

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the genre of Christmas in Castleby? While it has a festive title, Christmas in Castleby is primarily a Thriller and Mystery novel. It blends suspense, betrayal, and revenge with a touch of romance, making it a "gritter" holiday read than your typical festive fiction.

How does this book fit into the Castleby series? This book is a Christmas Special within the established Castleby series. While it continues the themes of the earlier books—Sea State, Sea Change, and others—it features a self-contained mystery that new readers and long-term fans alike can enjoy during the holiday period.

What was the book's achievement in the BBNYA? Christmas in Castleby was the 11th place finalist in the 2025 Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award (BBNYA). This prestigious ranking confirms its quality as a top-tier indie-published suspense novel.

What inspired the author to write the Castleby series? The author, J.M. Simpson, was inspired after watching a lifeboat launch in Tenby on a stormy night. She became fascinated by the bravery of the crew and the secret lives of those who risk everything to save strangers at sea, which became the foundation for the coastal town of Castleby.

Is there romance in Christmas in Castleby? Yes, the story features a blooming attraction between Tess Dutton and Griffin Jones, but their relationship is complicated by dark secrets, an interfering ex-lover, and a dangerous threat to Tess's life.