Category Family Life

Making Memories at the Cornish Cove by Kim Nash @KimTheBookworm @rararesources @BoldwoodBooks #NetGalley #fiction #romance #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I have been waiting an age to share my review for this book and today I finally can 🙂 here is my review of Making Memories at the Cornish Cove by Kim Nash. This is the 3rd book in the Cornish Cove series and her latest book is another wonderful addition.

My huge thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for my spot on the Blog Tour and for arranging my copy from the publisher Boldwood Books.

It’s never too late…

After five husbands and five broken hearts, Lydia feels like she’s always been chasing something. But now she’s found her purpose, and having moved to Driftwood Bay to spend more time with her daughter Meredith, she’s happier than ever.

But there’s still life in these old bones yet! With her newfound sense of identity, she’s keen to re-explore the things that made her happy as a younger person. Lydia’s passion was dancing – she used to compete in her younger years, and there’s no place she’s more at home than on the dancefloor.

So when widower and antiques restorer Martin tells her about a big dance competition, she’s ready and raring to bring more joy into her life. But while making memories with Martin, the more she realises that both of their hearts need restoring too…

MY REVIEW

What another fabulous book in the Cornish Cove series this one is. Returning to some of the characters to catch up with things going on in their lives as well as learning more about them and newer characters is great.

This one focuses on Lydia, she is Meredith’s mum and they have reconnected after many years. There is a past that gradually emerges and it is a chance for pasts to be dealt with. Lydia is enjoying being in her 70s and she is a very capable lady who does not feel old and has plenty of things to look forward to. She is given the chance for some new opportunities and a chance to do something she thought she never would. She has been married before and she is deciding if she needs a relationship or if she is happy in her own company. Living in this community of Driftwood is a way of finding herself if you like.

Along with Lydia and Meredith, we have Clem and his Dad Martin, a new neighbour and the vocal and wonderful Vi. Everyone needs a Vi in their lives, and they probably know someone similar… I am saying nothing about who she occasionally reminds me of! I think this is wonderful about this author’s characters, they feel familiar and that is not just through reading the books in order, but that they do remind you of people you already know in everyday life. I think this is what makes this series so good and for me, it means the balance is right.

With new starts and fresh opportunities, things are going well, but there are some more serious aspects that the author brings in. This does leave a cloud over things and these are dealt with as any of us do in reality. We dwell and overthink and wonder about the what-ifs. Don’t think this means the book is down and moody because it never is, the author knows her characters too well to let them suffer in silence. They do live in a close-knit community after all.

There are some wonderful heartwarming moments in this book and I will admit to a tear or two at some scenes. This is a fabulous book and would work as a stand-alone, but reading in order helps with the continuing stories of what are becoming regulars. One for fans of heartwarming contemporary fiction and romance, with some very humorous moments and great characters. I would definitely recommend this book.

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Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

Mrs Quinn’s Rise to Fame by Olivia Ford @MichaelJBooks #NetGalley #contemporaryfiction #romance #food #baking #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review of Mrs Quinn’s Rise to Fame by Olivia Ford. This is a charming story that encompasses Mrs Quinn’s love of baking and a chance for her to do something exciting.

My huge thanks to Penguin Michael Joseph for accepting my request to read this copy via NetGalley.

A huge-hearted, redemptive coming-of-old-age tale, a love story, and an ode to good food

Nothing could be more out of character, but after fifty-nine years of marriage, as her husband Bernard’s health declines, and her friends’ lives become focused on their grandchildren—which Jenny never had—Jenny decides she wants a little something for herself. So she secretly applies to be a contestant on the prime-time TV show Britain Bakes.

Whisked into an unfamiliar world of cameras and timed challenges, Jenny delights in a new-found independence. But that independence, and the stress of the competition, starts to unearth memories buried decades ago. Chocolate teacakes remind her of a furtive errand involving a wedding ring; sugared doughnuts call up a stranger’s kind act; a simple cottage loaf brings back the moment her life changed forever.

With her baking star rising, Jenny struggles to keep a lid on that first secret—a long-concealed deceit that threatens to shatter the very foundations of her marriage. It’s the only time in six decades that she’s kept something from Bernard. By putting herself in the limelight, has Jenny created a recipe for disaster?

MY REVIEW

This thoroughly enjoyable story gets your tastebuds tingling as you read it. Jenny Quin is 77 and decides that she wants to enter a TV baking show, she has watched it and finally wants to enter. She does this unbeknownst to her husband Bernard. so begins a secret that reveals more about her than she would have believed possible.

Jenny has always baked and the recipes she uses have been handed down over the generations, from an uncle’s favourite bake to an aunt’s or granny’s favourite pudding. They are all there in Jeeny’s book and each one comes with a memory.

As Jenny bakes the stories from her past are gradually revealed. While Jenny thinks of herself as just being Jenny, her family considers her a fabulous baker. Jenny’s decision to sign up for the show is so that she can say she has done something significant.

The story is a nice comfortable one with mentions of cakes, bakes, puds and tarts. Each one brings a memory and this is how you gradually get to know Jenny and her life before meeting Bernard. When she joins the show she meets other bakers and friendships are made. Gradually she comes out of her shell and it is lovely to read.

The story ambles away at a nice pace and there are some wonderful moments in it. There is a secret that comes out that does get resolved, for me that finished a little too quickly and I would have liked to have had a little more information and more story about this.

This is a charming story and one of family, friendship, memories and secrets. A good one for those who like a story with a heart and about a woman having the courage to do something that is unlike her. I liked this one a lot and I would happily recommend it.

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

Last Orders at Mulberry Lane by Rosie Clark @AnneHerries @rararesources @BoldwoodBooks #historicalfiction #bookreview

yvonnembee

I am delighted to share my review today of Last Orders at Mulberry Lane y Rosie Clark. This is the 10th and final book in the series and it is one for those who like historical romance and fiction.

My huge thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for my spot on the blog tour and for arranging my copy from the publisher Boldwood Books.

MY REVIEW

This is the 10th and final book in the Mulberry Lane series, not bad as it was only due to be a trilogy. I am so glad it lasted longer than the original 3 planned books.

Last Orders at Mulberry Lane is a book that enjoys memories from the past but also about what the future holds for the community in Mulberry Lane. Families have lived, grown up and had children of their own and are welcoming the next generation into the world. As some arrive others pass as is the way of things.

The lanes have been the focus of the story but it is about the community within not just the area. This final book brings the series into the ’60s, and while changes are going on our group does not get caught up in the wilder side of life. They have focus and are either hard studying or have other responsibilities to deal with. That doesn’t mean that they are straight-laced and prudish though.

The book was a goodbye but also it was a way to move on and this for me was done so well. The author could have easily been caught up with the “what was” but also focused on the future and the different options and prospects open to the families and community. Remembering that this was a community that went through the bombing of the war and it brought a special bond and friendship over the years.

This is a book about families and also how things have changed socially. There are new relationships and things for the next generation to look forward to. But for the Mulberry Lane Community, it is a chance to have a final get-together with friends.

If you are a fan of historical romance and fiction then this is a series I would recommend. It has been a wonderful journey and not only would I recommend this book but also the whole series.

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

The Guernsey Girls by Mary Wood @AuthorMary @PanMacmillan #historicalfiction #romance #bookreview

yvonnembee 14 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for The Guernsey Girls by Mary Wood. This is the first book in the series and it is a fabulous story of family and friendship.

My huge thanks to Chloe at Pan Macmillan for arranging a copy and for my spot on the Blog Tour.

January 1936. After the hard work of being a maid at Wallington Manor in the lead-up to Christmas, Annie is very excited at the prospect of going home to Bethnal Green. She has missed her family, but the money she earns keeps them all afloat.

Harriet, is from the island of Guernsey and is visiting her aunt at Wallington Manor. When she has to leave for London Annie is asked to look after her. On the train journey a friendship blossoms.

And when an accident happens their friendship is made even stronger. A friendship that would see both girls through pain, happiness, marriage and death. A friendship that would see them both united in Guernsey. But this is just the beginning of their incredible journey . . .

MY REVIEW

This is a fabulous book about family and friendship. Beginning in 1936, Annie is a maid and is due to travel from Guernsey back to her family in London. Olivia is also due to travel so plans are made for them to travel together. Annie is to be the maid and companion to Olivia during the journey. The train crashes and Annie manages to get out and take Olivia with her. Due to her heroic actions, Annie is given the chance to change her life and not just be the maid but become a friend to Olivia. They both rely on each other and have shared an experience that has brought them close. This friendship provides not only Annie but also her family a chance to improve their way of life.

This is another fabulous story from this author and I have read many of her books. This one shows the differences between two social classes and how one accident can change their relationship in the future. Olivia has a fiance and he is nervous about what is going on in Europe as he is a German by birth. Annie has an admirer who knows her from when she was younger. Relationships blossom and plans are in the making for their futures.

If you have read any of this author’s books then you will know that her romances never run straight, there are always kinks and obstacles in the way that need to be overcome. This book is no exception, the train brought the girls together but they will need each other many more times in the following years during this story.

The author brings the way of life at the time to life, exploring the past and giving voices to her characters. There are several characters and you just can’t help but adore some of them. You soon become concerned about what is happening to them and what they have to go through.

This is a fabulous story and one that fans of historical fiction, family drama and romance books. It is one I would happily recommend.

About the author

Born the thirteenth child of fifteen to a middle-class mother and an East End barrow boy, Mary Wood’s childhood was a mixture of love and poverty. Throughout her life, Mary has held various posts in office roles, working in the probation services and bringing up her four children and numerous grandchildren, step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren. An avid reader, she first put pen to paper in 1989 while nursing her mother through her final months, but didn’t become successful until she began self-publishing her writing in 2011.

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The Bad Boy by Gillian Godden @GGodden @rararesources #crime #gangland @BoldwoodBooks #bookreview

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I am delighted to share my review today for The Bad Boy by Gillian Godden. This is not the first time I have read a book by this author and if you are a fan of family-based gangland thrillers then this is one for you.

My huge thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for my spot on the Blog Tour and for arranging my copy of this fabulous book.

The Lambrianus are back, and they are badder than ever.

Born with a silver spoon in his mouth, Adam Lambrianu understands only too well the fearsome family legacy he’s inherited. He only wants to make his family proud, but as a renowned playboy and bad boy he has a wild and reckless reputation.

Scarlet Lambrianu knows her little brother needs to step up in running the family casino business and empire, but she also worries the old gangland ways don’t interest him anymore. Adam’s sure he can make his own money and build his own legacy in his own unique way.

Desperate to keep Adam in line, old family friend Julie Gold is called in to help. She knows Adam has big plans, but there are rules in their world that must be followed.

But Adam is a Lambrianu and just like his infamous father before him, he knows that if you want to succeed, sometimes rules have to be broken.

MY REVIEW

I like this author’s books and have read a few of them, but I have not seen this series before. This is the 5th book in the series, and it works well as a stand-alone. When I started this book I had not realised it was so far in the series but it worked well. As I was reading I did realise that some things had happened in the past, but there is a character I have come across before; Julie Gold. There is some cross-over that I may have missed, but it doesn’t matter because this book is fabulous.

The Lambrianus Family have their own business and it is run mainly by Scralet but also by her younger brother Adam. He is a ladies’ man, a bruiser, not afraid to get his hands dirty and seems to get away with flashing his blue eyes and exuding charm. Yeah, he is definitely a good baddie! This is where Julie Gold comes in as a friend of the family to try and keep Adam in check and stop him rushing off and causing problems.

He has a new business idea and along with Julie he is in line to make some good profits, but then there is also the other side of his business dealings that have dire consequences. This also brings into play another part of the family.

This is a brilliant book and once I had started it, I read it over the course of a day. It is a gangland crime thriller and does show the dealings the Lambrianus have in the local area and also how they are trying to keep up with changing times. With this being the first time I have read any of this series I was pleased to have been able to keep up with the characters and their relationships within the family group. The author did a great job of adding important details where necessary and I do imagine this is
also great for readers of this series who may need the odd nudge of memory.

There is plenty of action in this story and also a time when you get to see the more family-based side of it. The dynamics are good and the author shows a “human side” to her characters rather than being all business and nothing else.

This is a series that I do wish I had started from at the beginning but reading this book as a stand-alone works amazingly well. I am definitely looking forward to reading the next book as it has been left open and I need to know what the family are going to do about the threat that is looming in the future!

This is a gangland thriller and there is a reasonable amount of what you would expect. But this is also more family-based as such, the author shows how Adam is trying to navigate a relationship, how Scarlet is trying to stay the strong businesswoman but how other aspects of her life may be suffering. There is the family in Italy that also needs support and it is all connected and flows so well in the story.

I really enjoyed this book and if you are a fan of gangland family-based crime thrillers then you should look at this book, series and author. It is one I would definitely recommend.

About the Author

My name is Gillian Godden an Indie author and a full time NHS Key worker at a local inner city medical centre in East Hull, East Yorkshire, England. My patients come from all sectors of society and no two days are ever the same. My duty of care is to my patients and during the recent pandemic a lot of frightened and lonely people have relied upon us at the medical centre to offer guidance and support. This year is the 72nd anniversary of the NHS and we do everything we can to support out patients when they need us.

When I come home I like to wind down and writing is my escape from the mental stresses of my day. My job is not a 9 to 5 job and I work to support my patients when they need me so my days can be long.
The medical team at the surgery work together to support all our patients during their time of worry and need.

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Finding Family at the Cornish Cove by Kim Nash #romance #contemporaryfiction #romcom #bookreview

yvonnembee 3 Comments

I am delighted to share my review of Finding Family at the Cornish Cove by Kim Nash. This is the 2nd book in the series and it is a wonderful book to cosy down to read.

For years, Gemma has been running her late mother’s café with devotion, and when an opportunity comes to buy out her next-door neighbour and expand, she jumps at the chance.

She knows she will do her mother proud – keep her legacy going strong – but deep down she knows there’s still something missing. But sometimes family are those you choose, or those who choose you!

With a growing community of supporters cheering Gemma on, will she really spend the rest of her life alone?

And with some new faces at her blossoming bistro, perhaps romance may also be on the cards?

MY REVIEW

What a delight it was to return to Driftwood Bay, this is the second book in the series and you could read it as a stand-alone as it works well. Having read the first book though, and loving it, I would suggest reading it as it was another gorgeous story.

Gemma has been running her Mum’s cafe after the death of her Mum. She has put a lot of hard work into it and it is time to make a new step forward. Gemma has been through a lot in the past and it is with some trepidation she decides to expand. Always in the back of her mind is the memory of her Mum and she often wonders what she would have thought of Gemma’s ideas.

There is a newcomer into the Bay and he has his own bag full of problems, they are not as straightforward or as obvious as you would first think. Then there is Lucy, Gemma’s sister who is also thinking of the future. Behind all of this is a secret that Gemma has been holding onto. Letting it out could be heartbreaking, but this is something she wants to keep to herself.

It was great to be able to reconnect with some of the characters from the first book, Clem and Meredith pop up regularly and add to the overall friendly feel of this gorgeous-sounding bay. gemma’s cafe sounds wonderful as does the new look extension.

This is a story from Gemma’s point of view, it is her story and brings up things from her past. She has not put them to rest and there are things that she does need to deal with, these sorts of things tend to arise at the most inconsiderate of moments. But it will give her the chance to meet them head-on, even though at the time she would rather avoid them.

I adore this author’s books, they are full of warmth and with this one, family is well and truly at the centre. There are various family issues from various sources and this made for interesting reading. I did kind of work out connections, but the lightness of the story made the reading enjoyable. If you are a fan of cosy family and romance novels with a few chuckles thrown in then this is one for you. Some great new characters that liven up the Bay. Looking forward to the next one and I would happily recommend this one.

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

The Book of Beginnings by Sally Page @HarperCollins #fiction #historicalfiction #contemporaryfiction #NetGalley #bookreview

yvonnembee 4 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for a very special book. The Book of Beginnings by Sally Page is an amazing story that blends, friendship, mystery and a cemetery together to create a story that I adored everything about.

My huge thanks to Harper Collins for accepting my request to review this title via NetGalley.

From the author of the phenomenal bestseller The Keeper of Stories, comes the next uplifting story of how the most unexpected friendships are forged in the most unlikely of places . . .

Jo Sorsby knows she is hiding from her past when she steps in to look after her uncle’s stationery shop. Glimpsing the lives of her customers between the warm wooden shelves, as they scribble notes with fountain pens and browse colourful notebooks, distracts her from the life she has left behind.

Yet far from home, Jo feels adrift . . .

When she meets Ruth, a vicar running from a secret, and Malcolm, a septuagenarian struggling to write his first book, she realises that she isn’t alone.

It’s the beginning of a friendship that can transform Jo’s life . . . if only she can let them in.

MY REVIEW

Occasionally you come across a story that is quiet, mesmerising and totally addictive. The Book of Beginnings is just such a book, it is beautifully written and one that completely wraps you up in the story of the characters.

Jo is taking over the running of her Uncle’s stationary shop, it has a mix of stationary and other odds ‘n sods. Jo loves stationary and spent many happy childhood days in this shop. With her Uncle being diagnosed with dementia she decides to turn this shop into a proper stationary shop. She gets to know her two neighbours, a tattooist and an optician and also meets some interesting characters. The two main ones are Ruth and Malcolm, both very different in their mannerisms and the way they look at life.

Jo soon finds herself becoming friends with them and together they embark on a journey. Not a journey in the physical sense as such, but one that leads them to make some wonderful discoveries about themselves. In the process of this, Malcolm has a side project and this is a brilliant idea and involves some of the people buried in Highgate Cemetary. In bringing this aspect into the story, the author not only provides a historical slant but also gives the characters something to bond over.

This is a stunning story and one that captivated me from the first few pages. In some ways, this story is about people who come together and get to know each other. But it is also so much more than that, the author has created such a warmth within her characters. There is a bit of mystery to all of them and some honest advice is given when needed. This trio are simply brilliant together given the differences in age, past histories, beliefs and life experiences. But together they just work and they work so well.

There are family and friends that come and go, this is more for Jo rather than Ruth or Malcolm, but again with having two good friends beside her Jo is able to see things from a different perspective.

I adored this book so much and it was one of those books that just wraps you up in its pages. Stunning story, with memorable characters and an absolute pleasure to read. I would highly recommend this one.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

After studying history at university, Sally moved to London to work in advertising. In her spare time she studied floristry at night school and eventually opened her own flower shop. Sally came to appreciate that flower shops offer a unique window into people’s stories and she began to photograph and write about this floral life in a series of non-fiction books. Later, she continued her interest in writing when she founded her fountain pen company, Plooms.co.uk.

In her debut novel, The Keeper of Stories, Sally combines her love of history and writing with her abiding interest in the stories people have to tell. Sally now lives in Dorset. Her eldest daughter, Alex, is studying to be a doctor and her younger daughter is the author, Libby Page. Both are keen wild swimmers.

Many thanks for reading my review, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

A Winter Wedding at Starcross Manor by Christie Barlow @ChristieJBarlow @OneMoreChapter_ #romance #contemporaryfiction #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for A Winter Wedding at Starcross Manor by Christie Barlow. I am not a big fan of reading festive books in September, but for this series, I will always ignore what season we are actually in to read the next Love Heart Lane book.

This book is due to be published 28th September 2023.

My huge thanks to One More Chapter for accepting my request to read this fabulous title via NetGalley.

Love Heart Lane – where friends are there for you no matter what

Fashion designer Libby Carter has always loved weddings, so when her brother finds himself in a bind and asks her to step in and plan the perfect winter wonderland wedding for guests at his hotel, Starcross Manor, she happily takes on the challenge. But this is no ordinary Christmas wedding and when everything starts to go awry Libby asks gorgeous videographer Guy Hart for help.

This isn’t single dad Guy’s usual gig – and he is not a fan of weddings – but saying no to vivacious Libby isn’t an option … especially when saying yes leads to one very unforgettable kiss under the mistletoe!

MY REVIEW

I think that each time I pick up a Love Heart Lane book I believe it is my next favourite. Once again this latest book in the series is my new favourite! Each book is a story in its own right, but the author has crafted her series around the people who make up this wonderfully close-knit community. Starcross Manor is at the forefront of this story with some favourite characters dropping in.

Starcross Manor is a wonderful-sounding hotel in the Scottish Highlands, run by Fergus and fiance Julie. It is his sister, Libby, who is one of the leading cast in this story as she drops in to help with organising a wedding at the manor. She is joined by Guy who is a wildlife photographer and filmmaker who owes Fergus a favour and also needs a break from his own life and problems.

Libby is a fashion designer who is due to start a new career in New York, she has built her brand from the floor up and helping Fergus with a wedding when his current planner has quit for personal reasons seems like a good fit. It gives Libby a chance to catch up with family and friends before she makes the next step.

Anyone who has read any of these books knows that, once you visit you never want to leave. It is also similar for the readers of this story because many of us never want the books to end and eagerly look forward to the next one. Now in the 12th book, the author has created a wonderful setting and a fabulous community for her fictional series and one that always welcomes you back.

Libby and Guy have chemistry from the start and it is down to a little dog that makes the initial introduction. Both of the characters have reasons for not wanting to be in a relationship and there is some great banter and flirting between the two. There is also the story of what they are trying to avoid. Each one has a story that is sad and also heartbreaking. The reasons for one of these I didn’t expect, but it actually fits well in this series.

With other characters coming back, it helps to catch up with some old favourites as well as mentions of the last book. It keeps the reader up to date with goings-on in the community and also is a great way of just nudging the memory a little.

Because the author introduces new characters in each book, it means that it is easier to remember them, some stand out more than others and there are firm regulars that you would expect. This keeps things feeling real and relevant for each book.

With the wedding plans and some shocking choices, Libby has her work cut out for her, she also has a secret project in mind. I did wonder if things would turn out how they did, but how the author led me there was a journey that had me hooked.

I adored these two new characters and the others that came with them, and I look forward to seeing where things go with them in the future as I am sure they are going to appear again.

Another wonderfully written story set in an amazing community. Full of warmth and romance but with a suspicious and shocking twist. This series and this book are brilliant and if you are a fan of romance then you are going to adore this one. If you are already a fan… you are going to love it! It is another I would definitely recommend.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Christie Barlow is the international bestselling author of twelve romantic comedies including the iconic Love Heart Lane Series, A Home at Honeysuckle Farm and Kitty’s Countryside Dream. She lives in a ramshackle cottage in a quaint village in the heart of Staffordshire with her four children and two dogs.
Her writing career has come as a lovely surprise when Christie decided to write a book to teach her children a valuable life lesson and show them that they are capable of achieving their dreams. Christie’s dream was to become a writer and the book she wrote to prove a point went on to become a #1 international bestseller in the UK, USA, Canada and Australia.
When Christie isn’t writing she enjoys playing the piano, is a keen gardener and loves to paint and upcycle furniture.
Christie is an ambassador for the @ZuriProject alongside Patron of the charity, Emmerdale’s Bhasker Patel. They raise money and awareness for communities in Uganda.

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

Power of the Sword by Wilbur Smith @thewilbursmith @Tr4cyF3nt0n @ZaffreBooks #historicalfiction #teamwilbur #bookreview

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I am delighted to share my review today for Power of the Sword by Wilbur Smith. This is a big lump of a book at just over 800 pages but my goodness it is one you can really get stuck into. This is book book 5 in the Courtney series,

My huge thanks to Tracy at Compulsive Readers for my copy of this book as part of the marketing campaign with Zaffre Books.

“We are Courtneys. We don’t have to fight with our fists. We fight with power and money and influence. Nobody can beat us on our own ground.”

A powerful family. A time of war.

Centaine de Thiry Courtney has not only survived, but thrived, a successful woman with two sons of her own: Shasa Courtney, the Courtney heir, and Manfred de la Rey, Shasa’s half-brother, her secret child raised solely by his father. At the time of the Great Depression, Centaine must make difficult decisions to ensure the security of her family – decisions that will affect Manfred and his father, Lothar de la Rey, a man Centaine once loved.

But the world is changing, and conflicts greater than any the world has seen before are looming. Centaine and her children must face the upcoming war – where not all of them will be on the same side…

MY REVIEW

Following on from The Burning Shore, Centaine is a powerful businesswoman. Her diamond mine is doing well but the stock markets in the US may threaten her way of life. She is dependent on the diamond markets run by the larger companies and they set the prices for her to sell. When a large shipment of her diamonds is stolen she is left in limbo and needs her wits to be able to survive and for her to be able to pass her empire on to her son Shasa.

Lothar is desperate. He has his son to think about and if you have read the previous book then you will know all about this. Manfred, Lothar’s son is young, and fiery and discovers that he also needs to learn to live in a changing world. Manfred makes his own life and follows his path, to do this he has to return to his past and his Uncle.

Once again the author builds so many mountains for his characters to climb, they are not easy and there will be losses along the way. There is a lot of room for the many different threads in this book with just over 800 pages. There is the odd little bit where the story slows, but this is due to the politics that are becoming more and more important. The world is on the brink of another war, the African nations and tribes are trying to come together and there is the briefest mention of a man who will rise to be a world figure. There is also mention of another, a German by the name of Hitler. In Africa, there is support for him and this gives something for the reader to be able to focus on as far as timelines go.

There are a vast amount of characters and the story crosses countries and continents. The danger abounds and as much as things try to carry on, the threat of war is ever present and this is shown especially through a couple of the characters as they attend the Olympic Games in Berlin. It gives a voice to the thoughts of people at the time and shows how people can be divided based on their beliefs and own personal situations.

The author brings so much to his stories, whether it is the landscape, culture, animals or politics there is always something to learn. With a new generation comes a new sense of wanting to be more. To be their people with their own identity and have their rights and freedoms. This is something that will continue in the books.

This is another brilliant book and a big lump of a book at that. It has so much going on and some pasts are revisited and there is a sense of de ja vu at times especially with WWII looming and still being a painful memory for some of the characters.

If you are a fan of historical fiction then this is a series and book that I would definitely recommend.

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

I Did It For You by Jayne Cowie @PenguinUKBooks #suspense #dystopian #thriller #NetGalley #bookreview

yvonnembee 6 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for I Did It For You by Jayne Cowie. This is a dystopian thriller as such, but not one that is set in the distant future. Imagine you had the chance to get rid of the gene that made males violent, would you test your newborn son for that gene?

My huge thanks to Random House UK for accepting my request to read and review this title via NetGalley.

If you could test your son for a gene that predicts violence, would you do it?

Antonia and Bea are sisters, and doting mothers to their sons. But that is where their similarities end.

Antonia had her son tested to make sure he didn’t possess the “violent” M gene.

Bea refuses to let her son take the test. His life should not be determined by a positive or negative result.

These women will go to any length to protect their sons.

But one of them is hiding a monster.

And there will be fatal consequences for everybody…

MY REVIEW

This is a wonderful and yet eerily realistic feeling book to read. The basics of it are that newborn male children are being offered the M test, which will determine if they have a predisposition towards violence. This test has the aim to cut down violence in society and also make it safer for women or those who live with a more violent person. Now initially this sounded like a good idea, but my goodness the author has twisted it into an amazing story as it gave me a perspective from both sides of the M gene. Those having it are shunned and those without it are able to live a more care-free existence. What an eye-opener this was and one that would make for great reading for a book club.

Antonia and Bea are sisters but they could not be more different. Their lifestyles, choices, decisions, parenting and appearance, well they are the polar opposite. The author hints at troubles in the past but this is not fully explained until much later in the story. By then you will be starting to add things together and wondering who is who and who is being completely honest.

This is a dystopian story and it is one that has been done so well, it could be present day or the not-to-distant future. We are all aware of DNA tests for certain conditions so having the choice of what you would do for your newborn child to give them the best life possible, what would you do? The author took the sisters and gave them differences and that made it easier to see things from each of their perspectives. Oh my goodness it definitely made me think and at times it was an almost impossible dilemma to work out who was right as they both had valid reasons. Apologies if this is vague, but I don’t want to give anything away!

The story does flit back and forth in time and between characters, this fills in gaps at key points of the story and literally had me flipping the pages. The further I read the more tense the story got and yes I did guess at a couple of the answers and get them right, but from the outset, I had no idea how things would pan out.

If you like tense and suspense-filled stories that have an eerie and realistic slant to them then this is one for you. An excellent read and one that was a one-sitting book for me. I could not put it down and I would definitely recommend it.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

An avid reader and lifelong writer, Jayne Cowie also enjoys digging in her garden and making an excellent devil’s food cake. She lives near London with her family.

You can find her on Instagram as @CowieJayne

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx