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The Orphanage Girls Come Home by Mary Wood @Authormary @panmacmillan @RandomTTours #historicalfiction #romance #trilogy #bookreview

yvonnembee 36 Comments

I am delighted to sahre my review today for The Orphanage Girls Come Home by Mary Wood. It is the final part of the trilogy so a bittersweet moment. Each of the books has been fabulous and if you are a fan of historical romance, fiction and saga stories then this is an author you should look up.

My huge thanks to Anne at Random Things Tours for my spot on the Blog Tour and for arranging my paperback from the publisher Pan Macmillan.

London, 1910
When Amy is chosen to be a part of a programme to resettling displaced children in Canada, her life changes overnight. Her great sadness is having to say goodbye to Ruth and Ellen, the friends who became family to her during the dark days at the orphanage. As she steps on board the ship to Montreal, the promise of a new life lies ahead. But during the long crossing, Amy discovers a terrifying secret.

Canada, 1919
As the decades pass, Amy’s Canadian experience is far from the life she imagined. She always kept Ruth’s address to hand – longing to return to London and reunite with her dear friends. With the world at war, it seems an impossible dream . . .

Separated by oceans, will Amy the orphanage girl ever come home?

MY REVIEW

This is the third and final book in The Orphanage Girls series and I have loved reading every one. This final one brings the lives of three girls to a conclusion as the author gives us the chance to see what happened to Amy. She was shipped off to Canada, it is supposed to be a fresh start but finds that life there can be just as dangerous as the one in the orphanage. It is 1910 when she sets out and while she is out there she never forgets her friends or where she came from.

Her life is taken up as a helper for families, she is to work like a servant in the homes of people, not all are trustworthy or treat her as they should. She does get the chance to move families and she begins to realise that there can be a chance of a new life. As things begin to settle the first world war breaks out and things change, lives are lost and hardship follows.

It is 1919 when Amy gets the chance to return and waiting are her two friends, Ellen and Ruth. They have been through some tough times as Amy has, but they have all come through it and want to discover more of their pasts. Over the years the girls have met new people and formed new friendships, but they have never forgotten each other.

Once again the author has woven a story of heartbreak for her girls, she has taken them and given them hardships in their lives that would be similar to what people would have been going through at the time. Poverty, disease, illness and deprivation were rife. Soldiers coming back from war struggled to cope and how the poorest found desperate ways to make a meal or pay the bills.

The story is about Amy, but it is also about bringing the lives of the girls back together again. The author has taken Amy and shown a different aspect of what life could be like, for those who had the promise of a new start and life in a different country. But at the same time, she is able to bring things up to date with the lives of Ellen and Ruth.

Working the storylines of the girls, their families and friends over the course of three books has been such a wonderful journey. The author takes you back in time to an era that is very, very different from what we now live in. Giving each of her characters a personality that shows differing perspectives, hopes, dreams and upbringings is a way of giving the reader a good cross-section of society at the time.

Another wonderful story of family, friendship, love and hope. One for fans of drama and saga stories, historical fiction and romance and one I would definitely recommend.

About the author

London, 1910
When Amy is chosen to be a part of a programme to resettling displaced children in Canada, her life changes overnight. Her great sadness is having to say goodbye to Ruth and Ellen, the friends who became family to her during the dark days at the orphanage. As she steps on board the ship to Montreal, the promise of a new life lies ahead. But during the long crossing, Amy discovers a terrifying secret.

Canada, 1919
As the decades pass, Amy’s Canadian experience is far from the life she imagined. She always kept Ruth’s address to hand – longing to return to London and reunite with her dear friends. With the world at war, it seems an impossible dream . . .

Separated by oceans, will Amy the orphanage girl ever come home?

Check out the other stops on the Blog Tour…

If Mary is doing her usual competition on Facebook and you leave a comment,

I will be approving them throughout the day.

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

The Whispering Skull by Jonathan Stroud #fantasy #fiction #youngadult #mystery #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for The Whispering Skull by Jonathan Stroud. This is the 2nd book in the Lockwood and Co series and it is a fabulous follow-up for this Young Adult fantasy series.

When the dead return to haunt the living, Lockwood & Co. step in.

A series of grisly thefts have been taking place across the capital: powerful supernatural artefacts have been stolen, and their warders murdered. In an atmosphere of mounting panic, a mysterious skull in an iron box is unearthed in Kensal Green Cemetery.

Witnesses hear it whispering urgently, but the words cannot be understood. Lockwood & Co. will have to use all their ingenuity and skill to uncover the secret of the whispering skull.

MY REVIEW

Having read the first book not so long ago, I decided it was time to continue with the second book. I have been told that the Netflix series is good but to be honest I am enjoying the books so I won’t probably watch the series.

As this second book gets off to a great start. Things have been slightly easier for Lockwood & Co when it comes to getting cases to solve and therefore being paid. Their latest one is of an old relic or artefact that had been removed from a recently discovered lead coffin. The artefact is extremely dangerous and Lockwood & Co, as well as their rivals Fittes Agency, have been called in to work this case together. If you have read the previous book then you will know that these two agencies do not see eye to eye when it comes down to working together.

I really enjoyed this one as much, if not more so than the first. I think this is because I was already aware of the characters and also the feel of the story. It meant I was able to get straight into the story and plot as I knew who was who. The author has once again created a superb story that has mystery, suspense, and danger and it is a thriller that has some great humour to it as well.

While this is aimed at a younger adult audience, I have to say it also works so well for grown-up readers! It does have an almost gothic feel to it and I wouldn’t be surprised if carriages, police with whistles and truncheons and lamplighters were seen. It is when the author mentions phones, cabs and the more modern items that I realise this is not a Victorian gothic fiction story, but a modern-day one. It has the right vibes and then there is the atmospherics that the author injects into it as well.

As the characters creep around there are orbs of light, glimmers, ghosts, lurkers and various other spectre and creepy things hovering around. It does give it a gentle horror feel but for me, it feels more suspense based.

If you are looking for a fantasy, mystery thriller series and you also enjoy reading YA fiction then this is a series that you should read, if you haven’t already. I have only recently started it and it has been around for quite a few years already. A brilliant book and it is one I would definitely recommend reading.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jonathan Anthony Stroud is an author of fantasy books, mainly for children and youths.

Stroud grew up in St Albans where he enjoyed reading books, drawing pictures, and writing stories. Between the ages seven and nine he was often ill, so he spent most of his days in the hospital or in his bed at home. To escape boredom he would occupy himself with books and stories. After he completed his studies of English literature at the University of York, he worked in London as an editor for the Walker Books store. He worked with different types of books there and this soon led to the writing of his own books. During the 1990s, he started publishing his own works and quickly gained success.

In May 1999, Stroud published his first children’s novel, Buried Fire, which was the first of a line of fantasy/mythology children’s books.

Among his most prominent works are the bestselling Bartimaeus Trilogy. A special feature of these novels compared to others of their genre is that Stroud examines the stereotypes and ethics of the magician class and the enslaved demons. This is done by examining the perspective of the sarcastic and slightly egomaniacal djinni Bartimaeus. The books in this series are The Amulet of Samarkand, The Golem’s Eye, and Ptolemy’s Gate, his first books to be published in the United States.

Stroud lives in St Albans, Hertfordshire, with his two children, Isabelle and Arthur, and his wife Gina, an illustrator of children’s books.

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

Wish Upon a Cornish Moon by Amanda James @amandajames61 @OneMoreChapter_ #contemporaryfiction #family #romance #bookreview

yvonnembee 3 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for Wish Upon a Cornish Moon by Amanda James. I do love this authors books and her latest one is just fabulous. A mix of past and present set in a wonderful Cornish cove.

‘I can see you don’t believe me, girl, but I’m telling you that there’s magic in the moon and that big sea out there.’ 1938
One midnight in June, 15-year-old Lamorna Williams throws a message in a bottle into the Atlantic at Magic Cove, hoping to meet her one true love – and someone writes back. 1997
On the other side of the world, Lamorna tells her story to her 16-year-old great nephew Ethan inspiring him to do the same. But this time, his message isn’t found for over twenty years… Present day
Single mum, Merrin Pascoe, is told of the legend of Magic Cove. In a moment of madness, Merrin wishes on the moon, and next day she finds a bottle in the sea. Will the cove cast its spell once again…

MY REVIEW

Not many people believe in magic or love at first sight, but not many live at Chapel Porth Cove in Cornwall—an area of magic, mystery and wonderous things. Over the years there has been a young woman who wishes for something more and to find her one true love. It has happened over generations and whether you believe in magic or not, if you don’t try, you will never know.

Merrin is a hard-working single mum, who helps out where she can and is not looking forward to her daughter leaving for university. When she meets Morwenna, she tells Merrin of how the cove is also known as magic cove and if a message is placed in a bottle and the words are spoken on a June night when the moon is full your true love will find it and you will meet.

Merrin has not had much luck with true love, she has in fact had her heart broken so is not looking for anything else in life. She is happy with her life, work and family.

The author has laid her story out over several timelines, these are easy to follow as are the different places where she sets her story, although the majority of it is in Cornwall. Mixing the past event with present situations is a great way of telling a tale as it gets pieced together gradually.

The story of Morwenna and her sister Lamorna is a sad one, but one that also makes sense when you realise what was going on in each of their lives at the time. A chance for a new exciting adventure with the man of your dreams is something that most girls want, but not everyone gets that chance, and some, they miss their chance.

Mixing the historical aspect of the story with a present-day one is a great way of drawing similarities between characters of many years of difference. It also makes for a tantalising read, I could see some things coming but not always in the way I expected them. The way the family dramas were worked in was great and it was a way of bringing different perspectives and experiences.

The romance side of the story is one that I adored, it was a mix of drama, adventure, daring and taking the chance when it appears. Set over different generations, it was a great way of showing how the magic of the cove and the message in the bottle could work in many different ways. Some things happen quickly, and some take a little more time, but things happen for a reason.

If you are a fan of romance, historical and contemporary fiction then this is one that you may well be interested in, there is a wonderful sense of warmth and hope throughout and with a message of taking a chance and doing what is right for you. I adored this one a huge amount and I would definitely recommend it, fabulous story.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Amanda James has written since she was a child and even asked her parents for a typewriter for Christmas. She never imagined her words would ever be published. In 2010 the dream of becoming a writer came true when she had her first short story published.

Originally from Sheffield, Amanda now lives in Cornwall and is inspired every day by the wild and beautiful coastline. She can usually be found playing on the beach with her family, or walking the cliff paths planning her next book.

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

Revenge by Kerry Kaya @KerryKayaWriter @rararesources @BoldwoodBooks #NetGalley #ganglandfiction #crime #thriller #bookreview

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I am delighted to share my review today for Revenge by Kerry Kaya. This is another fabulous read that continues in the Tempest series. Ideal for fans who love gangland crime thrillers.

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

Revenge
Damage will be done…
After the brutal gangland murder of her husband Terry, Tracey Tempest just wants to move on. She’ll never get over Terry’s betrayal, but she’s determined his shady past won’t spoil life for her and her beloved boys Ricky and Jamie.


Max Hardcastle just wants a quiet life and to maybe see how things go between him and Tracey. He knows she’s been hurt in the past, but he’s nothing like Terry and he’ll do anything to keep Tracey happy and safe.


But some people have other ideas.


When Max’s car garage is torched, he’s certain someone still has a grudge to settle. And when the Tempest boys discover one last secret Terry’s been keeping, the fallout could tear their family apart.
Will the Tempests survive this storm? Or will revenge be their downfall?


Purchase Link – HERE

MY REVIEW

When Tracy Tempest’s husband was killed in a gangland murder, it took her a while to come to terms with just what her husband did for a living. It seems she was the only one who didn’t know just what a devious man he was. Her two sons, Ricky and Jamies, knew and were up to speed with how things had been over the years. Two years later and Tracy is starting to move on, she is in a new relationship with Max Hardcastle, he is no choir boy himself and it seems that someone is out to destroy him and his businesses as well.

This is a brilliant follow on to the previous book, Travy has had to deal with the death of her husband as well as learn some home truths. She is now more aware of the gangs and the lives her sons and new partner are involved in. While she may be aware she is not fully grasp the seriousness of what is to come. Naive, yes she is but loyal and fiercely protective of her sons.

It is great to see another instalment in this series and the author brings you up to speed with some of what happened in the previous book. This one starts with a bang, quite literally as a car dealership goes up in flames, not a simple accidental one either, this one was planned. But who by is the question. Several other gangs are included in this story and they have been mentioned before, but they all have something in common, they cannot be trusted and they will each look out for their own.

This author is brilliant at injecting tension, drama and danger into her novels and this one is no expectation. There are some spectacular twists and scenes that she has worked into this story and it had me on the edge of my seat. I do like the Tempest family and Max, they seem to be the more moral ones in the story, that does not mean they are not brutal or any less dangerous though.

As the story progresses the author brings in other twists and characters, they all have a place in this story but what part they play is not always clear until it needs to be.

If you have not read the previous book I would definitely suggest you do, although it isn’t strictly necessary, it does give a brilliant intro to this family and the events.

This is open for fans who like a hard-boiled, dangerous and toxic gangland crime setting. It is a fabulous book and storyline and one I would definitely recommend.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kerry Kaya is the hugely popular author of Essex-based gritty gangland thrillers with strong family dynamics. She grew up on one of the largest council estates in the UK, where she sets her novels. She also works full-time in a busy maternity department for the NHS.

Check out the other stops on the Blog Tour…

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The Predators by Tony J Forder @TonyJForder #ThePredators #crime #thriller #policeprocedural #bookreview

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I am delighted to share my review today for The Predators by Tony Forder. This is the 2nd book in the DC Roston Chase series and it is another fabulous book. I adore this author’s books and I am loving this new series, a great place to start if you have not read any of his books yet.

The frozen corpse of a female hiker discovered on snow-covered downs presents DS Royston Chase, DC Claire Laney, and Trainee DC Alison May with a fresh murder case to investigate.

The more the body thaws the more it reveals, and as the investigation gathers momentum hopes are dashed of an early and successful outcome. It soon becomes clear that the victim and her killer were not the only ones on the hillside when the murder occurred, and the police are desperate to locate everybody who was.

But when the operation is interrupted by a series of related abductions, with all witnesses swiftly falling under suspicion, Chase realises that their case is far more complex than any of them could ever have imagined…

MY REVIEW

Once again the author has done a fantastic job of completely flummoxing me. I had no idea how this story would pan out and when I did start, it was only because the author led me there.

Chase, Laney and May are called to look at a body that has been found, frozen and in the elements for some time. When they start to put the scant clues together they are left with even more of a puzzle than when they started. When five more people who are connected with the case go missing there is something that the team are missing. They are joined by another unit and together they are really grasping to find the connections.

DS Royston Chase is a character I like, he can be a bit tunnel minded at times but with good reason. He does focus his mind to the nth degree, but he has a way of switching off to allow his mind to relax and focus instead on his family. They keep him grounded while at home but at work, well that falls to DC Claire Laney. Outspoken, brash and trying at all times to embarrass her boss. It is a hilarious combo but one that does work rather well. The two of them banter and poor Trainee DC Alison May is never quite sure who is being serious about making fun of her. It’s not just the job she has to learn, but how her two superiors work.

The setting is a semi-rural one and the exposure and expanse of the area add to the overwhelming feeling that I got and the team showed. You expect more questions than answers at the start of an investigation, but the questions are not really getting the answers or the results that would usually help. With the rural setting, it makes the usual security, shop, road cameras and the like a no-go for information, there are blackspots for mobile coverage and the people that may know something can’t be found.

The further this continues the more intriguing it gets, while I am giving the impression that this case may be slow in getting answers, the pacing of the story is anything but. It is brilliant for details and the author keeps the ideas and thoughts of his characters constantly thinking and using everything at their disposal to discover a chink that will allow them to proceed further.

This is a complex case but also it is one that had me hooked. It follows the investigation and brings the reader into a close-knit and tight group of people who are all invested in discovering the right outcome.

The first book was excellent at introducing the key players in this series and with this second book, the author has added a little more detail. Once again bringing the reader a story that delves into some tough themes but done in a way that does not go into detail, there is no need to.

It is one that I adored and it was good to come back to these characters, it didn’t take me long to remember them and their quirks and habits which is for me great as I do read quite a few books.

If you are looking to start a new series then this one is a good one to start with as this is only the second book, so not too much catching up to do. The Predators is a perfect title, snappy, to the point and relevant. A police procedural that definitely falls within the crime thriller genre and one I would definitely recommend.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tony J Forder is the author of the bestselling DI Bliss crime thriller series. The first seven novels, Bad to the Bone, The Scent of Guilt, If Fear Wins, The Reach of Shadows, The Death of Justice, Endless Silent Scream, and Slow Slicing, were joined in December 2020 by a prequel novella, Bliss Uncovered. The series continued with The Autumn Tree and Darker Days to Come, and The Lightning Rod. The next, What Dies Inside Us will be published in autumn 2023.

Tony’s other early series – two action-adventure novels featuring Mike Lynch – comprises both Scream Blue Murder and Cold Winter Sun. These books will hopefully be joined in 2024 by The Dark Division.

In addition, Tony has written two standalone novels: a dark, psychological crime thriller, Degrees of Darkness, and a suspense thriller set in California, Fifteen Coffins.

The Huntsmen, released in October 2021, was the first book in a new crime series, set in Wiltshire. It featured DS Royston Chase, DC Claire Laney, and PCSO Alison May. The second book, The Predators, will be released on 15 May 2023.

Tony’s first 8 novels were originally released by a publisher specialising in crime fiction. In 2020, Tony decided to strike out on his own, and subsequently negotiated the return of all publishing rights to himself. Each of those 8 books has subsequently been re-released under his own imprint, Spare Nib Books.

Tony lives with his wife in West Sussex, UK, and is a full-time author. He is currently working on the two more Jimmy bliss books.

Links
All of Tony’s links can be found on Linktree: https://linktr.ee/TonyJForder

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

Savage Sisters by Heather Atkinson @HeatherAtkinso1 @rararesources @BoldwoodBooks #NetGalley #crime #thriller #gangland #bookreview

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I am delighted to share my review of Savage Sisters by Heather Atkinson. I adore this author’s gangland crime books and this latest one is an amazing read.

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

Jane, Carly and Rose Savage are savage by name, savage by nature.
Having lost their mum too young, and with a bedridden father too ill to work, the sisters learnt early to stand on their own two feet. The family’s flat in the rough streets of Glasgow’s Haghill is their fortress, but when Carly’s ex-boyfriend Cole Alexander is released from prison, trouble soon comes knocking at their door. The Alexanders have beef with the Savages, so the girls call for back up in the shape of their uncle Eddie and his two gorgeous but dangerous sons, Harry and Dean.
As a turf war breaks out, the Savage sisters have choices to make. Stick to the straight and narrow or fight for what they deserve? And when the vicious girl gang Jane used to lead, the Unbeatable Bitches, are thrown into the mix, their minds might be made up for them. Because once a Savage always a Savage, and when the chips are down, there’s no one more deadly than a Savage sister.


Purchase Link – HERE

MY REVIEW

What an amazing start to a gangland thriller. It soon became obvious to me that I was not going to put this one down until I had read it from start to finish in one sitting.

Savage by name and savage by nature!

Three sisters Jane, Carly and Rose Savage spend their days either working or caring for their ill father, while the youngest Rose is still in school. They lost their mum to cancer and their dad has early-onset Parkinson’s. He was once a feared man as were his daughters, but priorities change and they are now happy to keep their heads down and out of trouble. This is what was happening until Carly’s ex, Cole Alexander, was released from prison. His elder brother Ross thought Carly was a bad influence on Cole as she wanted to avoid the family gang business. While Coel was inside things had settled but now he is out she and her family are threatened to keep away from Cole. It’s a shame Cole doesn’t keep away, he is desperate to make amends with Carly. It is Carly’s father Alex who finally makes the decision to call his brother and nephews in.

This is a fabulous, fast-paced and danger edge of your seat crime thriller, if you are a fan of gangland crime then this is one you want to keep your eye out for.

The author has created some characters in the Savage family and some absolute psychopathic creations in the Alexander family. That does not mean that the Savage family are all innocent and sweetness, but when pushed they definitely know how to make a stand and defend themselves. Savage is one word for this family another is brutal, but that could apply to all of the characters involved.

This is one of those books that had me so addicted and the more I read the more I needed to know. The stories of the different families and how they are linked and what they have done in the past give some indications of what is to come, but it was the way the author felt like she had given them free-rein to do what was in their nature that really made this a fabulous read for me. I know they are fictional characters but I was so invested in them that they almost became real. The imagery that the author built up was amazing.

I adore this book a huge amount and it is one that I would definitely recommend if you are after a brutal, gangland crime thriller with some great scenes. I should add that there is a bit of a romance in this and it will be interesting to see if this continues in the next book. I can’t wait to see what the auhtor has in store for the Savage Sisters.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Heather Atkinson is the author of over fifty books – predominantly in the crime fiction genre. Although Lancashire born and bred she now lives with her family, including twin teenage daughters, on the beautiful west coast of Scotland. Her gangland series for Boldwood, set on the fictional Gallowburn estate in Glasgow begins with the title Blood Brothers.

Check out the other stops on the Blog Tour…

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Our Hideous Progeny by C.E. McGill @DoubledayUK #NetGalley #gothic #fantasy #historicalfantasy #publicationday #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today of Our Hideous Progeny by C.E. McGill. This is a wonderful book that is set in the 1850s, a tale of mystery with a fantasy gothic theme to it. I would like to wish the author a Happy Publication Day today 🙂

My huge thanks to Doubleday UK for granting my request to read this title via NetGalley.

I have to mention something about this cover, it is dark but it fits in so well with so many elements of the story.

Mary is the great-niece of Victor Frankenstein. She knows her great uncle disappeared in mysterious circumstances in the Arctic but she doesn’t know why or how…

The 1850s is a time of discovery and London is ablaze with the latest scientific theories and debates, especially when a spectacular new exhibition of dinosaur sculptures opens at the Crystal Palace. Mary, with a sharp mind and a sharper tongue, is keen to make her name in this world of science, alongside her geologist husband Henry, but without wealth and connections, their options are limited.

But when Mary discovers some old family papers that allude to the shocking truth behind her great-uncle’s past, she thinks she may have found the key to securing their future… Their quest takes them to the wilds of Scotland, to Henry’s intriguing but reclusive sister Maisie, and to a deadly chase with a rival who is out to steal their secret…

MY REVIEW

I have read Frankenstein several times over the years, which is a book have enjoyed. When I saw this title on NetGalley it was the title that caught my eye, and then I read the synopsis. Rather than retelling the story, the author has decided to go on a slightly different path.

Mary had no idea who her grandfather was until she finally discovered a briefcase with some papers in it. It turns out that she is the niece of a certain Viktor Frankenstein, of course, we know the name from the Mary Shelly story, but in this story, he is someone who notes may just help Mary and her husband, James, make their mark in history.

Wanting to be recognised and acknowledged in scientific fields, Mary and Henry Sutherland are on the edge. They are not deemed important enough or, if I am being honest, rich enough to warrant being taken seriously. They have caused a few ructions and this has not helped their cause. They decide to travel to Scotland where they can continue their experiments based on her great uncle’s notes, they need solitude and secrecy and this isolated house is one that can offer that. It is Henry’s childhood home where his sister still lives.

This is a gothic horror novel as such, although not so much horror, then I didn’t think Frankenstein was either. But, it does exude that gothic vibe and also being set in the 1850s fit in well with the society at the time, with The Great Exhibition at Crystal Palace Gardens, Charles Darwin published On the Origin of Species and advances in electricity and research and discovery were happening at a fast rate. It is a great era to set a novel that mixes science, history and experimentation.

The characters of Mary and Henry are well done and the author does show the disparities between the different sexes in terms of academia. Women are and do attend scientific discussions, but they are merely seen as socials where they can gather with their male counterparts. Don’t forget this is a time when women are seen to support their husbands by attending functions with them, but do not have the brainpower or the stamina to understand such topics completely. We do now, of course, know differently, but the author does a great job of showing how difficult it is to be seen.

Having a husband and wife team does help to alleviate this, but the underlying problem is always there. With this new experiment they attempt to undertake, they each have their own tasks, and their own strengths and only by working together do they stand a chance of succeeding. The inclusion of a sister adds to the appeal and for me she was a great character to add. She is prone to ailments, but she also has a very good part to play in her own right.

This is a really enjoyable read, it does show perspectives of the society of the time and makes it a very good historical fiction story, it does have mystery and a wonderful gothic feel to it. I would not say it is very fast-paced, but it suits the era. I really enjoyed this one, it is full of descriptions if you are a fan of novels that do have a more classical fiction feel to them then this is one I would definitely recommend.

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

The Widow’s Weeds by Allie Cresswell @Alliescribbler #contemporaryfiction #friendship #bookreview

yvonnembee

I am delighted to share my review of The Widow’s Weeds by Allie Creswell. I do love this author’s books, her writing is wonderful and always captures me. This is the third book in her Wdiows series and it is a wonderful one.

One evening, Viola goes missing.
The explanation—a visit to her son—seems doubtful, and her women friends’ messages go unanswered. A spiky, caustic woman, Viola’s heavy drinking makes her tiresome company, but they know nothing of her troubled past.
Yet, Maisie misses Viola. Recently, their shared love of gardening has almost blunted Viola’s barbs, and Maisie is much in need of a close friend. Her house is a building site, her daughter’s wedding is looming. Most worrying is her friendship with handsome, formidable Oliver Harrington. She cannot work out what he wants from it, nor, really, what she wants, either. She barely has time to wonder where Viola has gone.
As Maisie grapples with her present-day preoccupations, Viola’s tale unfolds: a dark landscape of tragedy and suffering. Their two stories collide in an explosive finale. Can the two women rescue each other?
This third book in the Widows series stands alone. A story of weeds and wildflowers, tenacity and tenderness, and containing potentially upsetting details of domestic abuse, alcoholism, and bereavement, this is ultimately an affirmation of the strength and power of women’s friendships.

MY REVIEW

This is the third book in the Widows series, you don’t have to read these in order. Having read them myself I can say they are wonderful ones so it would be a shame not to read them.

This is an author who really knows how to draw you into a story, and all of these books in this series have been fabulous. The author has focused this book on Viola and Maisie. Viola is quite a snappy woman and seems very different to the others, so the author decided to show us more of her and what had happened to make her so. Maisie is the owner of a large house, it is being renovated and she is also dealing with her daughter’s marriage and various other things that her other friends are dealing with.

The widows are a mix of women who have come together in various ways, not all widows, but are single and are actually quite vulnerable. The author uses a wonderful analogy in this story to show how, as individuals, they are alone and not as strong, but as they come together they become stronger. The message behind this story is one that brings the struggles of single people who have been through hardships of one sort or another and rather than being victims, they become survivors.

I adored how the author has brought various stories out in this book. There are also mentions of domestic violence, and how people can be easily manipulated when they are unsure of how they should act. Being part of a couple is something different when you suddenly find yourself alone, you suddenly have to work out who you are as an individual.

The author does not shy away from bringing some tough subjects to the table with this story and with mentions of abuse, addiction and bereavement and she does it in quite an honest but also compassionate way. The problems are mentioned and how they have an effect on others, but also about how people come to terms with things that happen in their lives.

The author shows that there is enjoyment to be found after a tragic or heartbreaking event, but it is hard to deal with this if you are by yourself. I am a big believer in things happening at the right time, and that you have to be ready in yourself to deal with things as they come around. I know personally about living in a violent relationship. Reading the author’s story I was able to see things that had happened to me, and the author has made this a very relatable and also realistic story. I have moved on and so for me, the story did not bring up any issues. They did however highlight how you never really know someone until they are able to relate some of their experiences.

This is such a wonderful book, it is not all doom and gloom, instead, it carries the air of something better coming, of finding the belief that you can change and make a difference. A fabulous story for fans of contemporary fiction and one I would definitely recommend.

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Run to the Blue P N Johnson #PNJohnson @RandomTTours #crime #thriller #bookreview

yvonnembee 7 Comments

I am delighted to be opening the Blog Tour and to share my review today for Run to the Blue by P N Johnson. This is a fabulous story and one that mixes crime with a thriller and has a romance aspect to it.

My huge thanks to Anne at Random Things Tours for arranging my copy of the books and for my spot on the Blog Tour.

It was supposed to be the best day of her career, the day when she was the hero, the reporter whose story put a deadly gangster behind bars.
But as crime boss Ken Lean is sentenced, ace reporter Tess Anderson instead finds herself in the headlines: her husband is exposed as having an affair with a top government minister, and Tess herself faces death threats from the Lean crime family.
With her life collapsing around her, Tess runs to her friend’s villa on the Greek island of Paxos, but soon finds she’s been tracked down by killers and spies. Her only hope of escape is a mysterious, glamorous, and somehow familiar American yachtsman.
Can Tess stay alive long enough to see her pursuers behind bars?
Who can she trust as her enemies close in?
And what is the secret that her husband and his lover are so keen to ensure remains buried?
The latest novel from P N Johnson, the author of Killer in the Crowd, Run to the Blue is a fast-moving action thriller set in the world of television news in London, and in the beautiful Greek islands.

MY REVIEW

Oh what a fabulous book this was, I started it and read it in one sitting. The author had me completely hooked on his story of Tess Anderson.

Tess is a journalist and she is one that has been in some dangerous situations as she has reported on some tough people. The day she is waiting for the jury to return a verdict on crime boss Ken Lean, a story she helped to expose and was vital to getting the conviction of, she discovers that she is also in the headlines. Married to Sven, a TV marriage guidance councillor, the last thing she expected was to be in the headlines. Who would have thought that when the breaking news of a verdict would also be the same time as her husband was outed as having an affair?

While she is trying to get her head around her husband’s betrayal, she is also aware that her life is in danger. The repercussions of her story and the subsequent verdict and imprisonment of Lean become obvious as she is followed. Her life is at risk so she decides to go into hiding and a friend offers her a place in Greece to disappear to. One problem though, whoever is following her knows where she is again on her trial.

Enter the mystery yachtsman, he becomes someone who is going to help her, but she is wary and there is something about him that is familiar.

This is such a brilliantly paced story and one that mixes crime, thriller and romance altogether. The story that Tess broke is one that is tough but fitted so well within the character of Lean. The cheating husband is something that also works so well in this story. It also has its own repercussions and one that injects another level of danger.

While the author puts Tess in some unenviable positions, he does give her a lifeline. This allowed me to travel around some of the wonderful places, bays, coves and amazing food is part of the story. I really liked this reprieve from danger, although it always lurks there.

As the characters zip around the seas I soon found myself zipping through the book. It is the first time I have read anything by this author and it has been a wonderful introduction. Full of drama, tension and danger and balanced with friendship and romance. I added this one a lot and I would definitely recommend it.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

As a TV Newsreader, Reporter and Producer for both BBC East and ITV Anglia, Phil Johnson covered everything from tracking down criminals in Spain and going on high-octane police chases, to interviewing pop stars, politicians and celebrities.
Phil was also the face and voice of Crimestoppers in the eastern region for many years and created the successful TV series: “999 Frontline”.
Now living near Norwich, England, Phil loves music, travelling, walking, and sailing, and bringing exciting new characters with amazing stories to the page.

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A Summer Surprise at the Little Blue Boathouse by Christie Barlow @ChristieJBarlow @0neMoreChapter_ #NetGalley #romance #contemporaryfiction #LoveHeartLane #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for A Summer Surprise at the Little Blue Boathouse by Christie Barlow. I adore this series and every book is a story in its own right, so yes they can be read as stand-alone books, but believe me when I say, you would be missing out on some amazing stories if you didn’t read them all 🙂

My huge thanks to One More Chapter for my e-copy that I was invited to read via NetGalley.

Publication Date – April 30th 2023

Preorder the next book in the heartwarming and bestselling Love Heart Lane series Love Heart Lane – where friends are there for you no matter what When Bea Fernsby discovers her fiancé’s eyes have been wandering, she calls off the wedding and hits the road. The village of Heartcross in the Scottish Highlands is about as far away from home as she can get, and when she stumbles into the ideal summer job at The Little Blue Boathouse and meets gorgeous vacationer Nolan Hemingway, things finally start looking up. Now, as an old mystery surfaces and Bea and Nolan band together to find out what happened to his late grandfather’s one true love, fate throws Bea some unexpected curveballs…and promising opportunities. Bea’s stay is only supposed to last a couple of weeks, but as the old saying ‘Once you arrive in Heartcross, you never want to leave…’

MY REVIEW

I love coming back to Love Heart Lane, it is very accurate when the residents of Heartcross say that once you arrive, you will never want to leave. It is a series that I adore and each book in the series is a story in its own right, but the author fills you in on what is happening with some of the other locals.

Bea Fernsy has had enough, she has jumped in her car and decided to get away from her cheating fiance and booked a stay in the B&B. It’s not the first time he has cheated, but it is the last as far as she is concerned. She needs a chance to discover who she is and what she wants to do with her life. She has lost her friends, works nights, doesn’t have a social life and has got stuck into the humdrum and mundane ruts of life. Hence the escape to Scotland and this gorgeous community.

When she arrives at Heartcross she discovers a warm welcome, everyone is so friendly. This is something she has been missing out on in her home in Staffordshire. What starts as a break to re-discover herself turns into a slightly extended stay when she takes on a holiday job at The Little Blue Boathouse. Her sister thinks that Bea has lost the plot, but Bea knows better.

I must admit if I lived somewhere like Heartcross I would not want to leave, the warm community, the welcoming atmosphere and the views. Not just the views of the mountains, lakes, and secret coves either, the view of Nolan boatowner sounds rather scenic as well!

With things changing and finding newfound freedom, she discovers that she is happy. Something that she has not felt for a long time, she isn’t the only one who looks forward to getting out of bed in the morning and seeing what the day holds either. Nolan is just passing and then will be on his way again. He is trying to find his late grandfather’s true love. He has discovered a letter for her in a box of nick-nacks. It will take bother Bea and Nolan to discover the identity of this mystery woman.

Every time I pick up one of the books in the series I am always amazed by how easily I slip back into village life. The names of friends met previously come back to say hello and then I also get to meet some newcomers. The author has made the community feel so real and when anyone new comes in they are welcomed. People have to fit in this community and Bea is a good fit from the start, everyone knows everyone and therefore they become a large extended family.

With the troubles that Bea is trying to leave behind, she is aware that Nolan is holding something back. It makes for some worrying moments in their gorgeous romantic story. Right through this storyline, there are expectations of things coming to an end, but there is also some shocks along the way as well for some of the older residents.

Once again the author has created another wonderful heartwarming story that had me grinning like a loon and I did have a few lumpy throat moments as well. It’s just the way the author brings the who setting and the characters to life as she writes that I adore. If you are a fan of romance, community, friendship and starting anew then this is a book you should look at. If you have not come across any of these books before then I urge you to add them to your shelf. Either as standalone stories or as a series in order, each one is very special. I adored her latest story about the Boathouse and I would definitely recommend it.

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