Tag Romance

One Perfect Summer by Lucy Coleman @emblabooks #NetGalley #romance #contemporaryfiction #bookreview

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I am delighted to share my review today of One Perfect Summer by Lucy Coleman. It has been a while since I have picked up a book by this author, she writes some fabulous books and her latest one is no exception.

My huge thanks to Embla Books who granted my request to read this title via NetGalley.

Summer doesn’t last forever, but can a perfect one change your life?

For successful estate agent Freya Henderson, life is all work and no play. But, when she crosses paths with carefree young surfer, Luke Stevenson, there’s no denying the attraction between them.

When Luke invites her to join him on a working holiday in France, it’s a real dilemma. Is it time to throw caution to the wind? Perhaps an enchanting summer fling with no strings attached would be a great way to de-stress and finally allow herself some fun.

As he takes her on a magical mystery tour of gorgeous locations among stunning châteaux, picturesque villages and sun-kissed vineyards, Freya can’t help feeling there’s something missing in her life… perhaps even a man like Luke.

But how well does she know him? Is he just looking for a summer adventure, or is he running away from something?

As the summer draws to a close, can Freya and Luke simply slip back into their old lives, or will they be left wondering ‘What if?’

Maybe this summer romance never has to end…

MY REVIEW

It has been far too long since I last picked up a book by this author. This one is a wonderful story with fabulous settings and some sumptuous foods.

Freya is in her 30s, but listening to her you would think she was a lot older. She is a partner in estate agents in Kent with her childhood friend. Together they have worked hard to get their business up and running and to make it successful. This means long hours and very little time for relaxation. Trying to relax, Freya starts to go to a gym where she meets Luke. He is a few years younger and seems so carefree, he could be mistaken for someone with no care in the world.

After getting to know each other, he finally asks how she would like to join him for two months on a working holiday in France. Being someone who is ordered, likes to have plans and wants to what she is doing the next moment, day, week or month ahead, Freay is unsure. Deciding that this could be a chance to take a much-needed break, Freya agrees. Things are sorted for her break and she joins Luke.

This was a wonderful story and one that took me around vineyards, farms, manors, markets and a quieter way of life. That doesn’t mean to say it was an amble around rural France, because Luke takes her around his friends’ properties. This is not the first time he has made this trip and it is a chance to catch up with his friends. They are all so welcoming of Luke and of Freya.

There is an undertone to this story and this is something that is consistent. What does Luke actually do, what is his past and why does he travel as he does? For Freya, it is her experiencing things that she is not in control of.

As they travel and work together they become close, while Freya struggles with the slight age difference and Luke is desperate to prove her wrong. Throughout the story, there is this tentative balance between friendship and something wanting to be more.

The story has a wonderful pace to it, the slower way of life but it still with plenty going on. I adored the different settings and the idyllic feel that the author managed to instil throughout the summer journey. Then the backdrop of the real world and being an adult with responsibilities for Freya. There are some good characters to meet and while they are not many they are wonderful and have a part to play in the story.

I adored this book and the story, it’s one of those stories that is heartwarming and was an absolute pleasure to read. If you are a fan of romance and contemporary fiction then this is one you should have a look at. I would definitely recommend it.

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

A Fresh Start at Wagging Tails Dogs’ Home by Sarah Hope #NetGalley @boldwoodbooks #romance #romcom #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today of A Fresh Start at Waggin Tails Dogs’ Home by Sarah Hope. This is a wonderful story and the 3rd in the series but it reads well as a stand-alone.

My huge thanks to Boldwood Books for accepting my request to review this title via NetGalley.

There’s no place like home… Although dog trainer Sally is relatively new to Wagging Tails, the team she works with have quickly become her family and the dogs her friends.

But when Andy, the one that got away, turns up for a brief respite from the city, she is at a crossroads. As tempting as a life with him is, she loves her home of West Par, and anyway, she has responsibilities here.

Number one on that list is ensuring the dogs’ home stays in business. A developer has been sniffing around wanting to buy the land, and the team is worried.

Sally will do anything to save her home and her friends’ livelihoods but the lure of reuniting with her lost love is strong. Is there a way for her to have both?

MY REVIEW

This is the 3rd book in the series and, as is often the case, the first one I have read. This is one of those books that has a wonderful feel and I have read other series that give that same sense of community.

The story is set around Wagging Tails Dogs’ Home, a rescue centre for pouches who are lost, found or needing some care. I will say the author obviously loves her doggy cast and she has definitely done her research into how this type of establishment is run. As a dog owner and dog lover this is impressive and also adds to the overall importance of the message behind the story.

The fields alongside the Dogs’ Home have been bought and Flora, the owner of the Dogs’ Home, is being pressured into selling up. Flora has run this home for many years and remembers all the dogs that have passed through her gates and gone on to be re-homed. Selling up is not an option for her.

Sally is one of those who work with Flora and she left her very different career to do what she loves and works with the dogs to train them and their owners. Let’s be honest here, it is often the owners that need training, our dog Billy has spent years training us so that we know when he is asking for a treat, to be let out or wants you to chase him around the garden because he has just pinched a sock! But on a serious note, the author does have some points to make about training.

Sally, sorry I got a little sidetracked… she has been working at the home and loves her life. A blast from her past suddenly comes back into the picture and she is in turmoil about it. She also has some news from home that rocks her.

The story ambles along at a wonderful pace, bringing in characters and other threads. All the time the author shows a sense of family and friendship. It is a story and a series that many fans of romance, rom-com and contemporary fiction will enjoy. It is light-hearted but with some serious things as well. Gorgeous story and one I would definitely recommend.

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

Birds of Prey by Wilbur Smith @thewilbursmith @Tr4cyF3nt0n @ZaffreBooks #teamwilbur #TheCourtneys #historicalfiction #bookreview

yvonnembee

I am delighted to share my review of Birds of Prey by Wilbur Smith. This is the 9th published book and the 1st in the Birds of Prey Trilogy.

My huge thanks to Tracy at Compulsive Readers for arranging my copy of this and the previous book was part of the ongoing promotional campaign with Zaffre Books.

“Africa!” The sound of that mysterious name on his own lips raised goose pimples along his arms and made the thick dark hair prickle on the back of his neck.

A simple mission. A battle for their lives.

It is 1667 and the war between the Dutch and the English continues apace. Sir Francis Courtney, his son Hal, and their crew are carried around the southern tip of the African colonies by the good ship Lady Edwina, licensed to attack and seize the treasure-laden ships of the Dutch East India Company. When they capture a Dutch trader and hold the passengers to ransom, Sir Francis hopes only for a good price and a small sense of satisfaction.

But this is unlawful territory they sail in. An unexpected betrayal will mean the men on board will face greater peril than they have ever faced before – and many good men may never see home again…

MY REVIEW

If you have read any of The Courtney series books, then you will be aware that they often come in trilogies and flit across each one. Birds of Prey is the 9th published Courtney title and the 1st in the Birds of Prey Trilogie. This one starts in 1667, during the Ottoman Empire, Moguls, slave trade, Dutch East India Company and the Dutch had raided the dockyards at Medway, it is during this period the story starts and a peace agreement is just being signed.

This is the story of Hal, or to give him his full name, Henry Courtney, son of Sir Francis Courtney and they are aboard the Lady Edwina. They follow the order of knights known as Nautonniers, and Hal is learning from his father what this will mean.

During a skirmish, the crew and ship are taken, not before father and son have removed the treasure and coin they have amassed and hidden it. This is where Hal will learn what it takes to grow up into a man and what he needs to do to prove his father’s innocence and look at revenge for what he has been through.

With these books, the Courtney men are strong and easy on the eye as they always appear to have no shortage of women. Hal is no different, he like most of the others though, is not a womaniser. He is growing into a man and he has beside him some friends who have helped bring him up aboard the ship. These men are loyal and help imbue morals, loyalty, respect and empathy.

This is what I would call a “proper swash-buckler”, it is full of pirates, battles, warfare, travel, missions escapes and so much more. It is a book full of action and adventure, romance, life and death from the first pages through to the last.

As Hal moves through into being a young man he has dealt with a lot, but his upbringing has prepared him. Even though he is young he has experience and this will prove essential as he asks seasoned seamen to follow him.

The story takes Hal from life on the sea to being imprisoned, taking revenge and following an idea and religious mission. The author brings so many things to this book and I do think this is one of my favourites. The battles are amazing to read as are the trials and tribulations that are part of the journey.

This is one for those who like historical fiction and one I would definitely recommend.

About the Author…

Wilbur Smith was the bestselling author of many novels, each researched on his numerous expeditions worldwide. His bestselling Courtney series includes Assegai, The Sound of Thunder, Birds of Prey, Monsoon, and Blue Horizon. His other books include Those in Peril, River God, Warlock, The Seventh Scroll, and The Sunbird.

His books have been translated into twenty-six languages and have sold over 120 million copies. Smith was born to a British family in Northern Rhodesia, now Zambia, in Central Africa, and attended Rhodes University in South Africa. By the time of his death in 2021 he had published 49 books and had sold more than 140 million copies.

Wilbur Smith died at his Cape Town home on November 13, 2021. He was 88 years old at the time of his death.

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The Library on Love Heart Lane by Christie Barlow @ChristieJBarlow @0neMoreChapter_ #NetGalley #romance #contemporaryfiction #bookreview

yvonnembee

I am delighted to share my review today for The Library on Love Heart Lane by Christie Barlow. This is part of a series and is one I adore. Each book can be read as a stand alone but each book is fabulous so you will want to read them all.

PUBLICATION DATE – 31st December 2023.

Previously published as Evie’s Year of Taking Chances but now rewritten and improved by the author!

My huge thanks to One More Chapter publisher for granting my request to read this book via NetGalley.

Love, life, and libraries

Growing up in foster care, Elle Cooper always felt a piece of herself was missing. Now, as her thirtieth birthday approaches, she’s ready to find it. But when instigating the search for her birth mother leads to a whole host of unexpected events, this librarian’s quiet life suddenly gets very loud!

With new friends, old flames and surprising influences keeping Elle busy, she soon starts to see that there’s more to life than where you came from – and that where you are right now, and who you have in your corner, is what might just matter most of all…

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

MY REVIEW

I don’t know how the author does it, but she has created another superb instalment in the Love Heart Lane series. I have read all of the books and adored them, each one has a link with some characters, but they can also be read as stand-alone.

Elle and Pippa work in the Library on Love Heart Lane, they have a good friendship and are there for each other. Pippa is more outgoing while Elle is more down to earth, but they complement each other well. Elle has been keeping a secret and it is about to come out in the open, while Pippa is trying to work out how to get another boyfriend, she is over the past ex now and is ready to move on.

The Library sounds like an amazing place, as it should be, and there is a lot going on there is also the local book club that meets on a Thursday, mentions of book signings, and meeting authors are a good part of the story but as always there is also more to it than that.

The community is close and there are some regulars who make an appearance, as well as new faces. There are some fun moments in the story but there are also some very sad and heartbreaking ones. While we all want a perfect world, this is not the case and it is reflected in the story as things happen to people, but the author does tackle these within the story and they are part of the story.

The characters are great and I adored Elle and Pippa as well as Aiden, Wilson, Noah and others. They all bring their own influences, traits and opinions they give a great balance to the story and each other. This is needed when the search for a birth mother begins and the emotional support that will be needed. Also, words of wisdom are always helpful when relationships and romance are blossoming.

This story has some wonderful things going on and while I did work out some before they happened, there was still the odd one that I missed. Missed opportunities, mixed signals and an accident all add together to make the course of a romance stop before it even gets started.

This is another fabulous instalment and if you are a fan of heartfelt, warming, friendly and supportive stories that have a firm helping of friendship and cakes, there are a few of those, then this is a story for you. It is always great to come back to these stories and this one is, yes, another favourite and I adored it. It is one I would definitely recommend.

About the Author…

Christie Barlow is the author of thirteen bestselling romantic comedies including the Love Heart Lane series, A Home at Honeysuckle Farm and The Cosy Canal Boat Dream. She lives in a ramshackle cottage in a quaint village in the heart of Staffordshire with her four children and two dogs.
Christie loves to hear from her readers and you can get in touch via
Twitter – @ChristieJBarlow
Facebook – Christie Barlow Author
Instagram – christie_barlow

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

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

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

The French Chateau Dream by Julie Caplin @0neMoreChapter_ #NetGalley #romance #contemporaryfiction #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for The French Chateau Dream by Julie Caplin. I have read a few of the books in this series and each one is a story in its own right.

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

You are invited to a summer of sparkling champagne, warm buttery croissants and a little bit of je ne sais quoi… With a broken heart and a broken spirit, Hattie is in need of a summer escape. So when an opportunity comes up to work at a beautiful, stately chateau in the Champagne region of France she books her flights quicker than the pop of a cork. Romance is the last thing Hattie is looking for but then she wasn’t expecting gorgeous Luc to stroll into her life. With picnics in the warm French sun and delicious foodie trips to the local market, Hattie starts to wonder if a holiday fling – or maybe even something more – might be just what she needs

MY REVIEW

It has been far too long since I picked up a book by this author. As soon as I started this one I knew I was not putting it down until I had finished. Read in one glorious sitting.

Hatties has taken on the task of organising a wedding for her cousin, money is no object and the location is a French Chateau. When she arrives no one is expecting her, it is Luc who meets her on the doorstep and shows her around.

As the story continues, Hattie is in the midst of organising but finding things are not as she thought they would be. She is finding it difficult to get people on board but then it has also been left very short to get sorted. With the wedding looming Hatties is doing what she can to get the chateau up to speed.

Luc is too busy to help as he is trying to get the vineyard ready to start producing their own champagne again. There are heated discussions between various other people in and around the area. All in all a very fraught time.

The author brings the charm of the chateau right out of the pages, while it may be a little tired it does sound wonderful. The mentions of markets and food definitely made an impact and there are mentions of wine as you would expect.

The story has such a feel-good vibe to it and once I began I just had to keep reading. Everything about this book is fabulous from a wonderful storyline and romance to a mystery and the odd surprise.

Ideal for fans of romance, contemporary fiction and for those who just want to get away vicariously for a few hours. It is one I would definitely recommend.

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

The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods @0neMoreChapter_ #NetGalley #fantasy #contemporaryfiction #histfic #bookreview

yvonnembee 9 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for a gorgeous story – The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods is an amazing story. I have read a story from this author before under her other name Evie Gaughan -The Story Collector is a gorgeous book and you can see my review HERE.

I originally requested this title from One More Chapter via NetGalley and I didn’t get to it for publication Day, but then I saw it being reviewed and bought myself a copy.

On a quiet street in Dublin, a lost bookshop is waiting to be found…

For too long, Opaline, Martha and Henry have been the side characters in their own lives.

But when a vanishing bookshop casts its spell, these three unsuspecting strangers will discover that their own stories are every bit as extraordinary as the ones found in the pages of their beloved books. And by unlocking the secrets of the shelves, they find themselves transported to a world of wonder… where nothing is as it seems.

MY REVIEW

This is an amazing story about books, love, a vanishing bookshop and discovery and I loved every word. This is not the first time I have read anything by this author, the first time was The Story Collector which was another beautiful story.

The Lost Bookshop is something Henry has been searching for, he has followed manuscripts, links, leads and rumours to find its whereabouts yet to no avail.

Martha is also trying to hide and finds herself working for Mrs Bowden as her housekeeper. She has found her own version of a new life and yet keeps her head down.

Opaline is a character who is from the past, she works in France for the Shakespeare and Company bookshop, another one who is trying to escape from her past.

While these three are the main characters, there are some amazing others that the author has drawn into her storyline. Opaline’s story is of her brothers’ trying to force her into an arranged marriage, but being the 1920s Poaline has other ideas. Henry is struggling with something that has happened in his past, just as Martha is but for different reasons. These three characters tell their story in their own voices so you do get a personal sense of narration.

As well as having three different voices there are also two timelines, this may sound as if it starting to become a little complex but it honestly is not. The author has woven it brilliantly and I soon found myself automatically recognising the different voices and timelines.

The story is about finding your own future and having the confidence to take the steps forward on that path. Sometimes a little nudge is needed. The Lost Bookshop is a character in its own right, it is an amazing sounding place and it becomes what it needs to be when it is needed. A truly fantastical-sounding place that I would love to visit.

A mix of historical fiction, romance, fantasy and contemporary fiction. I adored this one a huge amount and I would highly recommend it.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Evie Woods is the pseudonym of Evie Gaughan, bestselling author of The Story Collector, The Heirloom and The Mysterious Bakery On Rue De Paris.
Living on the West Coast of Ireland, Evie escapes the inclement weather by writing her stories in a converted attic, where she dreams of underfloor heating. Her books tread the intriguing line between the everyday and the otherworldly, revealing the magic that exists in our ordinary lives.

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The Ghost Ship by Kate Mosse @KateMosse @RandomTTours @MantleBooks @panmacmillan #historicalfiction #romance #piracy #bookreview

yvonnembee 5 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for The Ghost Ship by Kate Mosse. This is a fabulous, actioned-packed story set in Europe and on the high seas in the early 1600s.

My huge thanks to Anne at Random Things Tours for my spot on the Blog Tour and for arranging my e-copy of the book from the publisher Pan Macmillan and Mantle Books.

Piracy. Romance. Revenge. Across the seas of the seventeenth century, two seafarers are forced to fight for their lives. The sequel to The City of Tears , The Ghost Ship is the third novel in The Joubert Family Chronicles from bestselling author Kate Mosse.

The Barbary Coast, 1621. A mysterious vessel floats silently on the water. It is known only as the Ghost Ship. For months it has hunted pirates to liberate those enslaved during the course of their merciless raids, manned by a courageous crew of mariners from Italy and France, Holland and the Canary Islands.

But the bravest among them are not who they seem. The stakes could not be higher. If arrested, they will be hanged for their crimes. Can they survive the journey and escape their fate?

A sweeping and epic love story, ranging from France in 1610 to Amsterdam and the Canary Islands in the 1620s, The Ghost Ship is a thrilling novel of adventure and buccaneering, love and revenge, stolen fortunes and hidden secrets on the High Seas. Most of all, it is a tale of defiant women in a man’s world.

MY REVIEW

What a brilliant book this was. The 3rd in the series and one that is full of action and adventure right from the start and through to the end. The story is set in the early 1600s and focuses on a young woman called Louise. The story is set in various countries and Louise travels from The Netherlands to France, Italy, the Canary Islands and more.

She is fascinated with the ocean but doesn’t get much chance to go on a ship until circumstances change and she gets more than she bargained for. Her course is dangerous and fraught with uncertainty and secrecy.

Well, this story is impressive and if you are a fan of piracy, buccaneers, chases, storms, romance and so much more then you want to take a look at this one. It can be read as a stand-alone, as I did. It has been a series I wanted to read and I do have the books but they have evaded me. This story is that of Louise, her life, dreams, hopes and discovering just what she can do.

The historical fiction side is referred to and so it keeps you in the time. Europe is in a period of turmoil and this leads to the characters dodging authorities and trying to keep themselves out of the limelight. But when stories of the infamous Ghost Ship start to surface, it is only a matter of time before the chase begins and capture is on the cards.

The author has created brilliant characters and scenarios to great effect. The issues that a female in Europe in this era is one that is shown in the story and within the plotline. The politics are there as you would expect but not overly done. Secrecy is something that is embedded in the story and its consequences are shown in various ways, some unexpected and some inevitable.

If you like romance, adventure, a daring female protagonist and a fast-paced story that is set in turbulent times then this is one you should definitely have on your list. A wonderful historical fiction story that I would definitely recommend.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kate Mosse is an international bestselling author with sales of more than five million copies in 42 languages. Her fiction includes the novels Labyrinth (2005), Sepulchre (2007), The Winter Ghosts (2009), and Citadel (2012), as well as an acclaimed collection of short stories, The Mistletoe Bride & Other Haunting Tales (2013). Kate’s new novel, The Taxidermist’s Daughter is out now.
Kate is the Co-Founder and Chair of the Board of the Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction (previously the Orange Prize) and in June 2013, was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for services to literature. She lives in Sussex.

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