A SECRET GIFT by Amanda James Joy Pentire is working at a Care Home in Cornwall, three years after her husband Sean died young. She lives alone with heA SECRET GIFT by Amanda James Joy Pentire is working at a Care Home in Cornwall, three years after her husband Sean died young. She lives alone with her cat Sebastian and although she loves working with the residents, her life is not as happy or as fulfilling as she would like it to be. But somehow she seems to feel powerless to change it. Then, one day, one of the elderly residents, Hope, passes on a secret gift – one which will change Joy’s life in all sorts of ways… I absolutely loved this book. I hadn’t read any of Amanda James’s novels before, but have since bought another one. In A Secret Gift, she weaves a tale which has so much goodness in it, so much heart and warmth, it is a real feel-good story. There are some excellent elderly characters in it too, which was a nice touch. The novel is uplifting and magical. In places, it seems like a modern-day fairytale, though in the best possible sense. I found the story unusual and original and the characters are believable and wonderful. Who knows, there may even be a Prince Charming in the pages too… 9 out of 10
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A SECRET GIFT by Amanda James Joy Pentire is working at a Care Home in Cornwall, three years after her husband Sean died young. She lives alone with her cat Sebastian and although she loves working with the residents, her life is not as happy or as fulfilling as she would like it to be. But somehow she seems to feel powerless to change it. Then, one day, one of the elderly residents, Hope, passes on a secret gift – one which will change Joy’s life in all sorts of ways… I absolutely loved this book. I hadn’t read any of Amanda James’s novels before, but have since bought another one. In A Secret Gift, she weaves a tale which has so much goodness in it, so much heart and warmth, it is a real feel-good story. There are some excellent elderly characters in it too, which was a nice touch. The novel is uplifting and magical. In places, it seems like a modern-day fairytale, though in the best possible sense. I found the story unusual and original and the characters are believable and wonderful. Who knows, there may even be a Prince Charming in the pages too… 9 out of 10...more
Really enjoyed Rylan's book and learnt a lot about him that I didn't know. The abuse he received was very unfair and although he may not have been theReally enjoyed Rylan's book and learnt a lot about him that I didn't know. The abuse he received was very unfair and although he may not have been the best singer on The X-Factor, he is a hugely talented TV presenter and comes across as an intelligent, thoughtful man who really deserves credit for working hard and doing really well. A nice easy read, well written. 8.5 out of 10
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Really enjoyed Rylan's book and learnt a lot about him that I didn't know. The abuse he received was very unfair and although he may not have been the best singer on The X-Factor, he is a hugely talented TV presenter and comes across as an intelligent, thoughtful man who really deserves credit for working hard and doing really well. A nice easy read, well written. 8.5 out of 10...more
After Zoey Butler loses her job at Future State Energy in Colorado, USA and fails to find another job in the same sector, she contacts FBI Special AgeAfter Zoey Butler loses her job at Future State Energy in Colorado, USA and fails to find another job in the same sector, she contacts FBI Special Agent Alexis Thompson to see if she can help her find a new job. Alexis works in Riverbend K-9 Academy in Indiana with her dog Waffle and she finds Zoey a place there, working with the adorable canine Tasha. But as she begins to settle down in Riverbend and enjoying her new job, something happens with her old employers – Future State. She offers to help the FBI by returning to her old company and seeing if she can find out what’s happening. This time, fellow dog handler Liam is going to accompany her. The book has everything – drama, mystery, industrial espionage and romance. I loved the characters especially Zoey, Liam and Alexis. I also really enjoyed the dogs featured in the book and they were the reason I fancied reading it initially. The story is well-paced, held my interest throughout and kept me turning the pages. This is the first in the series and I would definitely be interested in reading the future books. 8 out of 10
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After Zoey Butler loses her job at Future State Energy in Colorado, USA and fails to find another job in the same sector, she contacts FBI Special Agent Alexis Thompson to see if she can help her find a new job. Alexis works in Riverbend K-9 Academy in Indiana with her dog Waffle and she finds Zoey a place there, working with the adorable canine Tasha. But as she begins to settle down in Riverbend and enjoying her new job, something happens with her old employers – Future State. She offers to help the FBI by returning to her old company and seeing if she can find out what’s happening. This time, fellow dog handler Liam is going to accompany her. The book has everything – drama, mystery, industrial espionage and romance. I loved the characters especially Zoey, Liam and Alexis. I also really enjoyed the dogs featured in the book and they were the reason I fancied reading it initially. The story is well-paced, held my interest throughout and kept me turning the pages. This is the first in the series and I would definitely be interested in reading the future books. 8 out of 10...more
An Escape to Remember by T. A. Williams MY REVIEW Back home early from ten weeks in Antigua on business, 32-year-old Louise Rhodes finds her partner TomAn Escape to Remember by T. A. Williams MY REVIEW Back home early from ten weeks in Antigua on business, 32-year-old Louise Rhodes finds her partner Tommy in bed with another woman. After moving her things back to her parents’ house, she gets a phonecall from her boss Joseph who asks her to go to Italy for some months to sort out a hotel there, which needs some revamping. She flies to Turin then is driven to the Grand Hotel del Monferrato by the elderly Luigino in an old Rolls Royce. She meets the rest of the staff, most of them being in their sixties including Domenica Albese, the assistant manager. The staff soon prove themselves more than capable though and Louise sets about organising improvements to the parts of the hotel that need it, including the drainage system and some of the décor. In the middle of all the work, Louise has a few men in her life to sort out. There’s Tommy her recent ex, Paolo (her old flame), Joseph her boss and the enigmatic Vito (who was due to inherit the hotel, but instead became a professor at Turin University). She has sworn off men, but will romance make its way back into her life anyway? I loved the writing style of this book and all the wonderful characters, especially the hotel staff and the gorgeous dog! I was surprised to discover the author was a man, as it’s quite rare for this genre, but he writes romance beautifully – and it is romance, exactly as I like it. I’m not one who wants to read about “bedroom antics” in great detail, but this book is perfectly pitched. I got into the book straight away and wanted to know what would happen to Louise. The setting is authentic and evocative and I enjoyed walking round the hotel’s estate and surroundings with Louise. Vito’s cottage is lovely too, I could picture it all so clearly. And who doesn’t need a virtual trip to an idyllic part of Italy right now? The characters come across as very real because no-one is perfect and they all have issues and baggage. I’m not interested in reading about perfect characters, because we know that isn’t real. I want them to have flaws and idiosyncrasies and quirks, or how can we believe in them? T A Williams gets this right too. A delightful book and I will be happy to read more of his novels. 9 out of 10
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An Escape to Remember by T. A. Williams MY REVIEW Back home early from ten weeks in Antigua on business, 32-year-old Louise Rhodes finds her partner Tommy in bed with another woman. After moving her things back to her parents’ house, she gets a phonecall from her boss Joseph who asks her to go to Italy for some months to sort out a hotel there, which needs some revamping. She flies to Turin then is driven to the Grand Hotel del Monferrato by the elderly Luigino in an old Rolls Royce. She meets the rest of the staff, most of them being in their sixties including Domenica Albese, the assistant manager. The staff soon prove themselves more than capable though and Louise sets about organising improvements to the parts of the hotel that need it, including the drainage system and some of the décor. In the middle of all the work, Louise has a few men in her life to sort out. There’s Tommy her recent ex, Paolo (her old flame), Joseph her boss and the enigmatic Vito (who was due to inherit the hotel, but instead became a professor at Turin University). She has sworn off men, but will romance make its way back into her life anyway? I loved the writing style of this book and all the wonderful characters, especially the hotel staff and the gorgeous dog! I was surprised to discover the author was a man, as it’s quite rare for this genre, but he writes romance beautifully – and it is romance, exactly as I like it. I’m not one who wants to read about “bedroom antics” in great detail, but this book is perfectly pitched. I got into the book straight away and wanted to know what would happen to Louise. The setting is authentic and evocative and I enjoyed walking round the hotel’s estate and surroundings with Louise. Vito’s cottage is lovely too, I could picture it all so clearly. And who doesn’t need a virtual trip to an idyllic part of Italy right now? The characters come across as very real because no-one is perfect and they all have issues and baggage. I’m not interested in reading about perfect characters, because we know that isn’t real. I want them to have flaws and idiosyncrasies and quirks, or how can we believe in them? T A Williams gets this right too. A delightful book and I will be happy to read more of his novels. 9 out of 10...more
I have read a few books by T. A. Williams and always enjoyed them, so I was looking forward to reading his latest romance novel – Never Too Late. StephI have read a few books by T. A. Williams and always enjoyed them, so I was looking forward to reading his latest romance novel – Never Too Late. Steph is 30 years old and works as a recording engineer, employed by her musician boyfriend Ethan. She is thrilled to be given the chance to go to Italy to work with the award-winning band Royalty, as they record their comeback album. They stay in accommodation above the recording studio and hang out with the band, who are now in their fifties and sixties, including the lead singer Keith Bailey and his wife of thirty years, Faye. Sometimes, novels which feature famous (fictional) bands can be a bit cliched, but this isn’t the case at all here. I was fascinated by the group’s dynamics straight away and loved how they were all older now, with wives, and it was really interesting to see how different each band member was. I liked the idea that Steph had harboured a secret crush on Ben, but in real life, he didn’t match up to her expectations. Ethan really is a bit of a waste of space and right from the start, I felt Steph could do much better. So it was interesting to see that relationship run its course and a new one begin… The Italian setting is a beautiful one with Keith’s luxury villa and golden beaches. I also enjoyed visiting Lerici with its interesting shops and impressive ice cream parlours. (No guilt feelings when I’m only eating the ice cream in my mind!) As fans of T. A. Williams (Me! Me!) will know, a black Labrador usually pops up in his books – and this is no exception. Meet Waldorf! A fan of the sea and very likely to shake the water all over you. Overall, I thought this was a fabulous book. I liked Steph straight away and loved all the people she meets in Italy. It’s a romance, but so much more besides and I found it interesting throughout and a really great read.
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I have read a few books by T. A. Williams and always enjoyed them, so I was looking forward to reading his latest romance novel – Never Too Late. Steph is 30 years old and works as a recording engineer, employed by her musician boyfriend Ethan. She is thrilled to be given the chance to go to Italy to work with the award-winning band Royalty, as they record their comeback album. They stay in accommodation above the recording studio and hang out with the band, who are now in their fifties and sixties, including the lead singer Keith Bailey and his wife of thirty years, Faye. Sometimes, novels which feature famous (fictional) bands can be a bit cliched, but this isn’t the case at all here. I was fascinated by the group’s dynamics straight away and loved how they were all older now, with wives, and it was really interesting to see how different each band member was. I liked the idea that Steph had harboured a secret crush on Ben, but in real life, he didn’t match up to her expectations. Ethan really is a bit of a waste of space and right from the start, I felt Steph could do much better. So it was interesting to see that relationship run its course and a new one begin… The Italian setting is a beautiful one with Keith’s luxury villa and golden beaches. I also enjoyed visiting Lerici with its interesting shops and impressive ice cream parlours. (No guilt feelings when I’m only eating the ice cream in my mind!) As fans of T. A. Williams (Me! Me!) will know, a black Labrador usually pops up in his books – and this is no exception. Meet Waldorf! A fan of the sea and very likely to shake the water all over you. Overall, I thought this was a fabulous book. I liked Steph straight away and loved all the people she meets in Italy. It’s a romance, but so much more besides and I found it interesting throughout and a really great read....more
I read and enjoyed A Scandalous Match in January and was looking forward to another Jane Dunn novel to read this month. If you love Jane Austen and enI read and enjoyed A Scandalous Match in January and was looking forward to another Jane Dunn novel to read this month. If you love Jane Austen and enjoy regency romances with brilliant characters and a gorgeous feeling of the time, these books are for you. A Lady’s Fortune is set in Hasterleigh, a village in Berkshire. Leonora Appleby is 27 – the same age her mother died. Her father died two years before and after looking after the estate since, now George Lockwood is to inherit her home of Hasterleigh Manor. Leonora’s best friend is Charlotte (Lottie) Blythe, who is 18 and lives at the Vicarage. She was a foundling left on the steps of the Vicarage as a baby and has always been brought up by Reverend Mildmay and his wife Sarah as their own daughter. The village is soon ignited with excitement as the new Earl Rokeby, Alistair, returns. His brother died in the war and Alistair is mentally and physically scarred from war. How will his return affect the village and its dynamics? Meanwhile, Leonora and Lottie go to London for the Season, leaving their safe countryside surroundings for the dangers of the big city. Well, I hope that’s given you an idea of the set up of the novel. There’s lots going on, but I recommend you read it yourself to find out what happens. It’s such a lovely book, beautifully written with a wonderful use of language and well-paced so you never lose interest. Jane Dunn writes such brilliant characters! So many realistic and unforgettable ones in here - from the adorable, kind and wise Nanny P (Peg Priddy) to the apparently psychic Rose Vazey and the horrible Lady Livia Dearlove, who is so spiteful and nasty that I wished I was in the pages and could give her a piece of my mind! Another truly lovely read from Jane Dunn....more
This is the first book in a new series, so I was excited to read it. I do enjoy historical fiction and sagas set in wartime Britain. Here, we are in BThis is the first book in a new series, so I was excited to read it. I do enjoy historical fiction and sagas set in wartime Britain. Here, we are in Bath in September 1941, during World War II. The story features three newly-qualified nurses – Sylvia, Freda and Veronica. The chapters are written from their points of view, so we get to see inside their thoughts. All of them have difficult relationships with their mothers and all of them hiding things. Will they be able to help each other deals with problems from the past? Sylvia Roberts is 23. She seems affected by being dumped by her fiancé a year ago, yet she is strong and feisty and can stand up for herself. Now she has finished her nursing training, she needs to move back in with her mother Eileen, who works in a pub, is vulgar and has a reputation. There’s one black family who live on Castle Street and Sylvia soon realises she finds the oldest son Jesse Howard very attractive and it seems to be reciprocated. He is a railway worker and his mum is widowed with five kids. Sadly, there is plenty of racism from the neighbours, including Eileen. How would a relationship between Sylvia and Jesse be possible in these circumstances? Freda Parkes appears to have a loving family home. Her parents tell her how proud they are of her becoming a fully qualified nurse. Her dad’s a policeman. Her brother has died in the war, with her other brother fighting away, and her little sister Dorothy (20) at home. But there is conflict. Freda’s mother has exacting ambitions for Freda’s future and these don’t tally with Freda’s own hopes of becoming a writer. Veronica Campbell is the shy one of the three nurses and comes across as nervous and vulnerable. Her demanding mother is a sister on a hospital ward and she is desperate to move out of home. The three nurses begin under the watchful eye (or perhaps more accurately, the critical glare) of Sister Dyer. There are six nurses on the ward including the spiteful Kathy Scott, who has been an enemy of Sylvia’s since they did their training together. They must learn to deal with all the wounded coming in, from those that have had their houses bombed to soldiers returning from battle. Well, I really enjoyed this book. There are perfectly sized chapters, which I enjoyed and – most importantly – absolutely great characters. They all jumped off the page in full 3D and I loved the three girls straight away and liked how they are all quite different from one another, but become firm friends. I was cheering them on from the first page. The book is really easy to get into and very readable. I wanted to keep reading to find out what happens, fingers crossed that the girls get their dream lives and the baddies get what’s coming to them. I am now looking forward to the second book in the series.
The story In Bloom begins in Essex in 2023 where we meet Delphine (Delph) Tennyson, who is 42 and lives in a flat with her partner Geoffrey Pearson JnThe story In Bloom begins in Essex in 2023 where we meet Delphine (Delph) Tennyson, who is 42 and lives in a flat with her partner Geoffrey Pearson Jnr (known as Itsy) and her seventeen-year-old daughter Rochelle (known as Roche). We learn that Sol (Delph’s ex, Roche’s dad) died young and the relationship between Roche and her stepdad is a difficult one. This soon leads to Roche leaving the flat and going to stay with her grandmother Moon, who is a real character! Moon is nearly sixty, and has been estranged from Delph for five years. The story goes back in time throughout and into the present, so we get to fill in the gaps of these women’s stories and understand what has happened to them before. Each of the three women has had to deal with many struggles in their own lives, which have affected – and are affecting – their relationships with each other now. I do love strong women characters and Moon, Delph and Roche all fit this well. In some places, the story is very sad and at times even brutal and can be quite hard to read in parts, but Eva Verde’s writing is so understanding that it doesn’t become depressing, because the fact that the women are still fighting is such a positive thing. Everything feels very real and nothing is sugar coated. I also enjoyed how distinctive the narrative voices of mother and daughter are and how Roche’s words are written how a teenager would speak. Being a daughter, mother and grandmother myself, I found it fascinating to see all the relationships and how the dynamic changes in different situations – for example, how Roche seems very closed at home around her stepfather, but more free to be herself with her grandmother. There are so many excellent descriptions of how it feels to be a mum and a daughter – all the love and exhaustion and conflicting emotions. I could relate to so much of this – how you never feel you have done enough and all the guilt you carry. I thought it was especially hard for Delph, how she is both a mother to a daughter who needs her (though may not think so) and a daughter to a mother with issues who also needs her, and how Delph has to juggle all these alongside the problematic relationship she has with Itsy. I have never read a book quite like this before and want to praise Eva Verde for her unique and beautiful voice, and her way of tackling topics that are so near to all our hearts by breaking down everything, so there can be a way found to build it back up again. ...more
Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy Reading the blurb for this book reminded me of Isaac and the Egg by Bobby Palmer, which was one of my favourite books of laSipsworth by Simon Van Booy Reading the blurb for this book reminded me of Isaac and the Egg by Bobby Palmer, which was one of my favourite books of last year. I love heart-warming reads and Sipsworth is also about a mouse and I love rodents. (I wasn’t too keen on some of the suggestions in the book about getting rid of them though!) Helen Cartwright has spent sixty years in Australia, but following the deaths of her husband Len and son David, she has returned to England and the village she grew up in. She moves into a detached cottage, as she turns eighty. Her life feels very empty and she feels she is just waiting to die. Now eighty-three, she sees a neighbour throw out an interesting looking box in the rubbish and goes to investigate. This leads her to discovering a mouse, which she calls Sipsworth. Her new little friend gives her a reason to get up and to go out to buy things. We find out about Helen’s past throughout the book and about the people she has loved and lost over the years. It has themes of old age, isolation, grief and loneliness, but without giving too much away, the new arrival in her life brings a host of positive things. As well as Helen being a wonderful character, I loved everyone in the book. There isn’t a huge amount of characters, no bad guys either, but everyone is amazing. I especially loved Cecil at the hardware shop and Dr Jamal. It is a very gentle story, but an intriguing one which draws you in – but I did worry about the mouse a lot! It’s written very sensitively and beautifully, it’s heart-warming and uplifting. I’m trying not to say too much, because I don’t want to give away too much, but it’s a gorgeous, enchanting story and I want everyone to read it. I suspect this is going to be one of my books of the year for 2024, it’s brilliant and gets a 10 out of 10 for me....more
As soon as I heard there was a book out about a child with Dyspraxia, I was interested to read it as it has been suggested my son might have this.
ThiAs soon as I heard there was a book out about a child with Dyspraxia, I was interested to read it as it has been suggested my son might have this.
This is such a cute book! The beautiful colour illustrations by Natasha Gunathilake are absolutely gorgeous and really enhance the lovely words. The text is very clear too, great for reading to children or with them.
Bea is eight years old. It’s the day before her school’s Sports Day and she wants to keep training for it. After she has been told her Dyspraxia means she might struggle with balance and co-ordination, she is worried about letting her friends down. But what will happen on the day itself?
The story explains Bea’s feelings beautifully and in a way that children will easily relate to. She goes through various emotions. She’s excited, scared, panicky, worried, all kinds of things. This will be great to talk to kids about, how we all have these emotions and how we deal with them. It is also a book about friendship with Bea and her pal Ruby.
The book does indeed show that it’s not the winning, but the taking part that’s important. Not everything goes Bea’s way either, but she copes with the ups and downs, which is an important lesson for all children to learn. It shows everyone has strengths and weaknesses. One of the sayings I use the most is “Run your own race!” and this book is a great example of literally doing that.
Jumping Hurdles is a really joyful, feel-good book that I loved and I’m sure children will too. ...more
Life Begins at 50! by Celia Anderson I do enjoy books where characters are around my age, so I was intrigued to read a novel about a woman who is nearlLife Begins at 50! by Celia Anderson I do enjoy books where characters are around my age, so I was intrigued to read a novel about a woman who is nearly fifty. I can usually relate to characters in their fifties more than fictional heroines in their twenties and thirties. Kate is approaching fifty. Her marriage of nearly twenty-five years is over and instead of her dream teaching job, she is working in a café. Her dad has died, and her mother Caroline has moved to France to be near Kate’s brother Jamie. She has no children, but spends time with her brilliant six-year-old goddaughter Elsie - one of my favourite characters in the book, with her dodgy named cuddly toys! Kate’s life is not how she expected it to be, approaching this milestone birthday. Her best friend Sophie tries to urge Kate to change. She’s noticed how her friend seems to be unhappy, only wearing dark clothes and living in a house with barely any furniture, after her ex took all the nice stuff. Luckily she lives in a beautiful area with a great community spirit and she soon becomes an honorary member of the Saga Louts – three single women in their eighties Beryl, Anthea and Winnie – who are full of fun and quite a handful at times. One day, Kate is taking a break in a local park and sees Milo visiting the memorial bench for his sister Frankie. She recognises him from visiting the café and the pub. When they meet again later and begin talking, she finds out more about him. Milo is fifty-one, and a financial advisor. He has split from his wife Marianne and their s Son Luka (17) lives with her. They have a great connection which could really go somewhere and make them both happy, but issues arise and it isn’t as straight-forward as it could be… I really enjoyed the story and all the wonderful characters in the book. The narrative goes back and forwards in time to show key moments in Kate’s life and I did find that a bit confusing. I also felt that although the book is described as “laugh out loud” it covers lots of serious topics in there like infidelity, grief and infertility, so isn’t as light reading as suggested. To me though, I felt those topics really enhanced the book. I just didn’t find it so comedic as painted. I loved so many of the characters and really wanted to be there in the café drinking coffee, eating carrot cake and chatting to all the women. I was especially rooting for Kate throughout. I felt she’d had a rough deal overall and wanted her to find happiness. Whether she does, well, you’ll have to read the book to find out what happens…
On The Edge by Sarah Turner I was really looking forward to reading this novel and I certainly wasn’t disappointed. First of all, it has a great cover,On The Edge by Sarah Turner I was really looking forward to reading this novel and I certainly wasn’t disappointed. First of all, it has a great cover, it’s bright, attractive, and different. It begins with a fascinating prologue, which draws you right in. Nana Phyllis has died and left instructions for Joni, Nick, Cate, Michael and Allie to go to her house in Wiltshire and spend a week together there, where they must complete some tasks in order to receive their inheritance and have her ashes scattered. This is all going to be overseen by Nana’s friend Sue, who is in her seventies and a brilliant character, very funny. The book is written in first person point of view from Joni, who is nearly forty and the Head of Maths at a secondary school in Exeter. She has a partner Lewis, who is a manager of a marketing agency, but I found him quite annoying with his laddish mates. They are celebrating ten years together and are trying to conceive. The others involved in Nana’s instructions are Joni’s dad Michael (who is nearly seventy), his second wife (Joni’s stepmum) Allie and her children Nick and Cate. Nick is single, the same age as Joni, and they were best friends at school, but have been estranged for a long time. Nick brings his seven-year-old adopted son Stan with him and Stan brings along his imaginary friend Bilbo. Cate is 34 and not only is she far too Instagram-ready and irritating, but her boyfriend Jason is even worse. Joni’s mum died young and Allie, Nick and Cate their mum moved in with Joni’s dad. It was a strange situation and Joni has a whole heap of emotions to deal with – and she still does, decades later. Everyone seems awkward together, Joni isn’t happy and relaxed, and there are lots of tensions and underlying issues. Can Nana bring them all together with her plan? I absolutely loved Nana’s presence in the book. Even though she dies before the story starts, she’s there throughout with the letters she has left and her instructions. I also loved Nana’s border collie dog Bracken. The family have to partake in a whole host of different activities including climbing and abseiling. The week gives them time together, as they are forced to be with each other and talk about things. Will they be able to heal old wounds and finally stop avoiding speaking to each other about important issues and feelings? Sarah Turner is a brilliant writer, I just adored this book! She writes in a wonderfully fun, chatty style. She is observant and witty and I really enjoyed Joni’s idiosyncrasies about planning and how she likes things to be a certain way. Each character really came to life and jumped out of the page. The novel is excellent, I really can’t fault it, it is such a beautiful story. It’s heart-warming, involving, and often emotional. I loved it from the first chapter and wanted to keep reading, to find out what happened to all the characters. There is really something magical about the book and I think it’s going to be up there as one of the best books I read in 2024.
Felicity’s War by Jean Fullerton It is February 1941 and London is dealing with World War II on a daily basis. Felicity (Fliss) Carmichael is 25 years Felicity’s War by Jean Fullerton It is February 1941 and London is dealing with World War II on a daily basis. Felicity (Fliss) Carmichael is 25 years old and a political reporter for a newspaper. She finds her fiancé Giles Naylor cheating on her, after four years together, so she decides to move back home with her parents and start again. Her parents live in St Winifred’s Rectory. Her father is Reverend Hugh Carmichael and her mother is the very traditional Marjorie. They have a Housekeeper called Dolly Lavender and are currently housing Jewish refugees in the old servants’ quarters – Dr Hester Kratz (a refugee from Austria), Ingrid Haas with her children Nicolas and Freda, and the Bakker family, who are Dutch - Johanna (17) with her baby brother Peter and sister Eva. Fliss has a great relationship with her sister Prudence (Prue) Quinn. Their brother Captain Robert Carmichael, in away with the King’s Own Infantry. Meanwhile, there are issues with crime in the city during wartime, including racketeering and looting. Thirty-year-old Detective Inspector Timothy Wallace from Wapping CID is dealing with some of the crimes and bumps into Fliss. They both find each other attractive, but their political views differ and when Fliss meets Harry Gunn at a speaker’s corner and finds their politics are very similar, could he be a better option for a romance? You’ll have to read it to find out what happens, of course. I really enjoyed the political angle to this novel, which gave it something different to other books I have read in the historical fiction genre, which is one of my favourites. I also enjoyed the police angle. The story was very easy to get into, and I was interested in the main characters straight away. Fliss is a very strong woman, she’s not scared of being unconventional, and holds strong opinions. I loved how “modern” she was, while fitting perfectly into the time. The only small criticism I have of this book is that there were loads of characters to get to know in different parts of the book, often in different settings, so I found it a bit confusing at first. It was initially hard to know who was important and who was just mentioned in passing. But overall, I really enjoyed the book with its wonderful characters and great storylines. It is very well researched, very evocative and atmospheric, so it feels like you’re there and experiencing life in wartime along with the characters. I would definitely read more of Jean Fullerton’s novels.
This is Book 12 in the Helen Grace series. I think I began with Book 2, then went back to read the series from the start. They do work as standalone nThis is Book 12 in the Helen Grace series. I think I began with Book 2, then went back to read the series from the start. They do work as standalone novels, but I would definitely recommend beginning with Book 1, because you get to learn about Helen and her backstory in each book. I read mainly female authors, but M. J Arlidge is one of my favourite male authors (along with T. M. Logan) and I will read anything he writes and I’ve never been disappointed yet. Forget Me Not is straight into the action, as we meet Naomi Watson (15) just as she is being dumped by her junkie boyfriend Darren Haines (22). Her mother Sheila goes into the police station to report her daughter as missing and Detective Inspector Helen Grace takes a personal interest in the case. Helen has worked at Southampton Central Police Station for over thirty years and is the leader of the Major Incident Team. She is an absolutely brilliant character and another of my favourites is her colleague Detective Sergeant Charlie Brooks, who has played a great supporting role in the previous books. As with all of the novels, there are some office politics to deal with. Like any workplace, the police station has its own conflicts and rivalries. This time, there’s a new boss – Chief Superintendent Rebecca Holmes – who is a decade younger than Helen. As well as the missing Naomi, there’s plenty of crime to keep the police busy. The feud between rival drug gangs is getting worse in Southampton. Seventeen-year-old Jason Matthews has been shot and things are in danger of escalating, As always with a book written by the genius that is M. J. Arlidge, you will find it full of excitement and thrills – the definition of a page turner. Each story is fast paced, really dramatic and well-written, and I love the short chapters that make you think you’ll just read one more, then look up and find an hour has passed. Forget Me Not is another stunning, rollercoaster of a read and I highly recommend it, along with all his books. ...more
This is the second book in the Clarks Factory Girls series, but can easily be read as a standalone. It’s September 1915. Eighteen-year-old Louisa ClemeThis is the second book in the Clarks Factory Girls series, but can easily be read as a standalone. It’s September 1915. Eighteen-year-old Louisa Clements lives in the village of Street in Somerset. She is planning to marry Mattie Searle, once he gets home from the war in France. She works at the Clarks shoe factory along with her friends Kate and Jeannie. But then Kate’s sister Peg arrives to tell her the worst news – Mattie has been killed. Kate and Jeannie have their own problems too. Kate’s mother has recently died and her father gets drunk and hits out. And then there’s Beryl, but I’ll leave you to find out about her. Oh my! Meanwhile, Jeannie’s older brother Lucas (19) decides to enlist, leaving only Jeannie, her mother and two younger twin brothers – Peter and John - at home. Meanwhile, Louisa has more problems to deal with, her parents insisting she move to live with her aunt. Peg is married to Will Searle (Mattie’s brother) and when they move to Lincolnshire (my home county!), Louisa escapes with them. I enjoy books set in England in the past and featuring great female friendships. I love all the historical detail and finding more about the time when my Nanna (1907-2007) was young. I especially enjoy the social aspect of it, particularly how women managed with their partners, sons and brothers at war and how they kept life at home stable. In this story, it’s shocking that an eighteen-year-old has to deal with the enormity of losing her fiancé in war, because she seems so young, but of course, this kind of thing happened all the time during WWI. It was also interesting finding out about the girls’ work at the Clarks shoe factory and what their job entailed. It’s all beautifully described with the smells and the sounds painting a vivid picture. The story was really easy to get into, I was hooked at the first page. You feel so much sympathy for young Louisa and get drawn into the world of her, her family and friends in 1915. It’s well-paced and holds the reader’s interest throughout, as we follow the lives of the characters with all the ups and downs. Overall, I enjoyed every aspect of the novel and look forward to catching up with the characters in future books.
The Winter Killings is Book 5 of The Yorkshire Murders series, but was my first of his books and is perfectly fine to read as a standalone. I do enjoyThe Winter Killings is Book 5 of The Yorkshire Murders series, but was my first of his books and is perfectly fine to read as a standalone. I do enjoy a good crime/thriller book, it’s one of my favourite genres and this novel is a great read. DCI Emma Gardner is our main character. She’s originally from Salisbury, but was seconded to North Yorkshire eighteen months previously. She is a divorced, single mum to Anabelle (8) and is also bringing up her niece Rose (9) with the help of a Polish au pair called Monika. I really enjoyed getting to know all the characters, especially the police team. There’s DC Lucy O’Brien, who is in her late twenties, so younger than Emma, yet they definitely have a spark between them. I also really liked Ray Barnett, who has a connection to something discovered as part of the police investigation. Away from the police, I also liked Jess Beaumont, an autistic character, who is written really well. There are a few different strands going on in the story. We have Emma trying to find her missing colleague – DI Paul Riddick – with the help of former police officer, now private investigator, Cecile Metcalf. We also have a couple of strange things happening - a real skull turning up in place of a fake one during a pub act, then a body being dumped at a farmhouse. It is a perfectly paced book, I kept picking it up to read more as the storylines were intriguing and I wanted to know what was going to happen next. The chapters are a really good size, easy to keep reading! I thought the police team were a really interesting bunch and I’d love to read all the books in this series, as The Winter Killings is a brilliant book....more
The Little Book of Extraordinary Cats by Anita Kelsey Being a big fan of both books and cats, I knew I couldn’t resist this book. For starters, it lookThe Little Book of Extraordinary Cats by Anita Kelsey Being a big fan of both books and cats, I knew I couldn’t resist this book. For starters, it looks gorgeous, you need to buy the paperback. The cover is delightful and inside, there are the most beautiful colour photos of gorgeous cats and kittens that you will want to look at again and again. It’s not a long book, around 150 pages, but it is full of fascinating feline feats! There are fifteen true tales (or should that be tails?) about our kitty friends in the book, mainly from the UK and the US, plus ‘honourable mentions’ or mini stories of several more cats. There are some funny stories such as Dusty in America who stole around a thousand things from his neighbours’ houses (I found a video of this on YouTube). I also enjoyed reading about Charlie who stole toy dinosaurs from a children’s nursery. There are some sad stories though, like the cats sent into space and those shortlisted for the “honour” – a really awful way to treat animals. So many of these cats are brave and inspirational. Rexie Roo had to have both his front legs amputated, but recovered amazingly well. (Another one you can find videos of on YouTube.) Another clever cat is Zebby who helps his deaf owner Genevieve and I think Zebby wins my award for most beautiful cat in the book, though I may be biased as he is a black and white tuxedo, like my own cat Socks. (Another lovely video – check out Zebby National Cat Awards 2023 on YouTube). Then there’s the incredible bravery of Scarlett! This is the ideal book for when you’ve got a spare ten minutes and want a quick read. It’s not a long book, about 140 pages excluding the footnotes. Each section is stand-alone so you could pick out a certain chapter, though I did read it in order. I often found myself searching online for more information – for example, about Casper the commuting cat who loved travelling on the number three bus in Plymouth. I also found photos of Blackie with Winston Churchill and Peebles jumping through a hoop on a ship and I joined a Facebook page for Jerry the Asda Cat. Many of the cats have died before the book was published, but the deaths are dealt with very sympathetically, so it isn’t a depressing book.
Identical by Saskia Sarginson I hadn’t heard of this author before, but I was intrigued by the blurb and wanted to know more about the story – and I’m Identical by Saskia Sarginson I hadn’t heard of this author before, but I was intrigued by the blurb and wanted to know more about the story – and I’m so pleased I did. What an exciting read! The book is about Alice and her twin sister Cecily, who had a very difficult childhood with their mother, domineering father and older brother Henry. They were brought up as Catholics and religion was very important, their father using it to enforce his long list of rules and his severe punishments for breaking any. The story is told in first person, so we get to see the viewpoints of both Alice and Cecily. It is the present day and Cecily contacts Alice after years of being estranged and Alice not even being in the country. Cecily explains she is in an unhappy marriage, her husband is an alcoholic and she needs to get away for a few days to work out what to do and how to sort everything out. But she wants Alice to play her, while she has the time away. They’re identical twins, so she is the only person available. Alice accepts. She moves into Hollyhocks Cottage with Cecily’s husband Gabriel (Thankfully they’re sleeping in separate rooms!), her teenage daughter Bea and the cat Sukie. She isn’t particularly happy about it, but feels she owes Cecily a favour and after all, it’s only for a week and then her sister will come back. She has a notebook her sister’s written, so she knows her routine, a wardrobe of Cecily’s clothes to wear, her special beauty products and even what kind of foods to cook. What could possibly go wrong? Well, I absolutely loved this book! I do enjoy a good psychological thriller and this was fascinating. There was mystery and intrigue straight away, as you want to know what’s happening and why Cecily wants her sister to take her place. It becomes even more interesting as it soon becomes clear that what she has told Alice isn’t entirely true. Your thoughts run this way, then the other, as you try to piece things together and work out what’s actually going on and why. I don’t want to say much else about the story, because it’s quite twisty-turny and I don’t like spoilers, but I loved it. It was a real page-turner, I was up until the early hours reading and was desperate to know what was going to happen next. This was the first of the author’s books I have read, but it’s unlikely to be the last. ...more
Bloodshed on the Boards by Judy Leigh is a Morwenna Mutton Mystery – in fact, book two in the series. I read and enjoyed the previous one – Foul Play Bloodshed on the Boards by Judy Leigh is a Morwenna Mutton Mystery – in fact, book two in the series. I read and enjoyed the previous one – Foul Play at Seal Bay – and was looking forward to catching up with everyone again. It’s April. We catch up with Morwenna (62) and her family, with nice reminders of who everyone is. Morwenna likes swimming in the sea with her friends (the SWANs) and has a new electric bike and a busy life with work and the odd bit of sleuthing when necessary. There’s her daughter Tamsin (28) and her granddaughter Elowen (6), who is a brilliantly funny character, very authentic. Morwenna’s mum Lamorna (82) lives nearby, as does Morwenna’s ex Ruan. There’s a gorgeous cat called Brenda too and even the cat jumps out of the page and is right there in front of your eyes. Judy Leigh has such a wonderful talent for bringing all her characters to life. We are back in Seal Bay in Cornwall for another murder mystery. The Spriggan Travelling Theatre Company arrive in the area and are performing the Cornish version of King Arthur. One of them is Daniel Kitto (82), who is Lamorna’s old flame! He owns the theatre company and is promising to move to Seal Bay, rekindling Lamorna’s hopes of them getting back together. But then… there’s a murder!!! I don’t want to tell you any more of the story, because I’d recommend you read this wonderful book yourself and discover all its joys as it unfolds… I have read lots of Judy’s books in all three genres she writes as (one as Elena Collins) and have loved all of them. As well as the humour and wit in her novels and the fabulous characters and stories, her settings are excellent too. In the Morwenna Mutton series, Seal Bay comes to life with its coast, all the little shops around and the people who live and work in the area. It’s all so easy to picture and you feel like you are there, right in with all the action. Having said that, I’m just popping into the Proper Ansom Tearoom for a pot of tea and a scone…
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