The Secrets of Crestwell Hall by Alexandra Walsh - #bookreview #blogtour

     ***

The court is a dangerous place. There are those who thrust themselves forward, desperate to catch the eye of the monarch, craving the glory of power. These individuals delude themselves into believeing they have reflected influence; that as a close companion to the queen, they wield a modicum of her sovereignty. What imaginitive fools they are...

***

‘A king adorns the throne… He has no subtlety, no grace but he does not deserve to die in the way that has been planned and this is why we shall stop them, our men, our kin and save us all.’

1605

Bess Throckmorton is well used to cunning plots and intrigues. With her husband Sir Walter Raleigh imprisoned in the Tower of London, and she and her family in a constant battle to outwit Robert Cecil, the most powerful man in the country who is determined to ruin her, Bess decides to retreat to her beloved home, Crestwell Hall. But there she is shocked to hear talk of a new plot to murder the king. So, unbeknownst to their menfolk, the wives of the plotters begin to work together to try to stop the impending disaster.

Present Day

Isabella Lacey and her daughter, Emily, are excited to be starting a new life at her aunt’s home, Crestwell Hall in Wiltshire. During renovations, Isabella discovers an ancient bible that once belonged to Bess Throckmorton, and to her astonishment finds that it doubled as a diary. As Isabella reads Bess’s story, a new version of the Gunpowder Plot begins to emerge - told by the women.

When Emily’s life is suddenly in terrible danger, Isabella understands the relentless fear felt by Bess, hundreds of years ago. And as the fateful date of 5th November draws ever closer, Bess and the plotters’ wives beg their husbands to stop before a chain of events is set into action that can only end one way…

***

This book was a lucky error on my part. When I was offered this book for the blog tour I was certain that I had previously read a book by this author. However, it appears I mixed up this author with another, and I am so glad I did because I thoroughly enjoyed this novel.

This is a dual timeline book, moving between the 17th century and the modern day. What both periods have in common is Crestwell Hall in Wiltshire, which was the home of Elizabeth (Bess) Throckmorton who was the wife of Sir Walter Raleigh.

In the modern day, the house belongs to the main character's aunt Thalia, and following a divorce Isabella moves into the house with her young daughter Emily. Together they plan to renovate the house and open it to the public. With help from the attractive but mysterious, Oliver, Isabella works at unearthing Bess' story.

We are all familiar with the story of the Gunpowder Plot, and the author retells the story from the perspective of the wives of the men involved. The author very skillfully provides the details of this period in history, and she has clearly researched her time period and the events extremely well. Much of Bess' story Isabella explains to those around her, but it never felt like an information dump. Instead, she related it in an engaging style, whilst then moving the narrative back to 1605.  Ms. Walsh accomplished seamlessly.

The book highlights the support of strong women to each other in both time periods. In the 1605 section, there are alot of names to consider but thankfully, there is a list of the women at the front of the book which proved very helpful.

This may have turned out to be the first book that I have read by this author, but I do not think it will be my last. It is a fabulous book which I was completely gripped by. Strong characterisation along with excellent research has combined into an extremely good book which I highly recommend.

ISBN: 978 1804159538

Publisher:  Boldwood Books

Formats:  e-book, audio, hardback and paperback (currently available on Kindle Unlimited)

No. of Pages:  384 (paperback)

About the Author:

Alexandra Walsh is the bestselling author of dual timeline historical mysteries, previously published by Sapere. Her books range from the fifteenth century to the Victorian era and are inspired by the hidden voices of women that have been lost over the centuries. Formerly a journalist, writing for national newspapers, magazines and TV, her first book for Boldwood will be published in Spring 2023.

(ARC and media courtesy of Rachel's Random Resources)

(all opinions are my own)

Harvest Cruise by Rebecca Benison - #bookreview

 

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Lisa demanded, not even bothering to exchange pleasantries as Geri entered the office. Geri was startled by the outburst, before realizing that Lisa was probably referring to yesterday's date. Word travels fast, she thought to herself.

"Nothings wrong, we just didn't connect," she replied as she put down her bag, took off her jacket, and hung it over the back of her chair. As she got settled she assumed that Lisa would get frustrated and leave. Instead, Lisa got frustated and stayed.

***

What's the true cost of a free vacation?

Geri is an introverted writer who is most comfortable at home. When her boss-turned-best-friend wins two passes for a single’s cruise, she thinks she’s taking steps towards expanding her circle. What begins as an uncomfortable but enticing foray into a world of awkward flirting and adventure, quickly becomes a fight for survival.

With kidnappings, murder, and conspiracy, Geri finds herself in the middle of a story she never could have imagined writing.

***

What a thrilling and exciting story this book turned out to have!

Lisa considers herself lucky to have won tickets for two on a singles cruise, and she invites her friend and colleague, Geri to accompany her. Geri is an introvert and agrees to join her, albeit reluctantly. On board, Geri meets Billy, and they seem equally attracted to one another.

Had I not read the blurb of this book, I may have thought that this was going to turn into a romance novel as everything was in place to indicate that. However, the book then takes an exciting turn and the two friends, along with others are kidnapped whilst on a cruise excursion. From there they are all held captive until they are auctioned off to the highest bidder.

This made for a pageturner of a book as the story takes a series of twists and turns. I do not want to say too much more regarding the plot as I would not want to take the enjoyment of seeing the story unfold for you. Suffice to say, there is plenty to hold a readers interest in this thrilling story.

Geri made for an excellent main character, and watching her develop and face up to her fears made for enjoyable reading. 

Additionally, the reader is also aware of how their absence is being played out at home. Geri's parents and Lisa's sister seek help in locating their missing relatives. This part of the book is every bit as gripping as the main story and it added another dimension to the book.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys books with an adventure packed storyline that will keep you turning the pages long after bedtime.

Published by Chicken House Press, the print and e-book version is availabe from their website at: https://www.chickenhousepress.ca/bookstore/p/harvest-cruise

E-book also available from Amazon

About the Author:

A professional storyteller, Rebecca Benison’s weekdays are spent connecting with audiences on behalf of brands, while her nights and weekends are devoted to fiction. Her work has been published in the Workers Write! literary journal, Empyrean Literary Magazine, Newsday, the Long Island Herald, and a host of other publications. Harvest Cruise is her debut novel.

(ARC and media courtesy of the author)

(all opinions are my own)

River East, River West by Aube Rey Lescure - #bookreview

 

A man called Lu Fang stole Alva's mother in Grand Ballroom B of Shanghai's Imperial Hotel. The 88,888-yuan luncheon wedding came with five cold appetizers, two soups, four meat dishes, three seafood dishes, plus Western-style black pepper steak, sugar-cream cake, and artificial flower bouquets. So expensive, yet so tasteless, Alva thought as she took in the windowless function room, the musty red-and-gold carpeting, the fabric petals scattered over each banquet table. Nothing like the white and pastel wedding of American movies, the candles and gazebos, the bridesmaids in their flowing gowns. Then again, her mother wasn't that kind of bride...

***

Shanghai, 2007: feeling betrayed by her American mother’s engagement to their rich landlord Lu Fang, fourteen-year-old Alva begins plotting her escape. But the exclusive American School – a potential ticket out – is not what she imagined.

Qingdao, 1985: newlywed Lu Fang works as a lowly shipping clerk. Though he aspires to a bright future, he is one of many casualties of harsh political reforms. Then China opens up to foreigners and capital, and Lu Fang meets a woman who makes him question what he should settle for...

A mesmerising reversal of the east–west immigrant narrative set against China’s economic boom, River East, River West is a deeply moving exploration of race, identity and family, of capitalism’s false promise and private dreams. 

***

This fabulous book is being published today, and when I was offered an advanced readers copy I jumped at the chance to read it. I enjoy reading books which are set in China. I have a daughter-in-law who is Chinese and I always embrace the opportunity to learn more about her country and culture.

Written with a dual narrative and timeline, Lu Fang, who is Alva's Chinese stepfather, tells his part of the story beginning in 1985 when he first meets Alva's American mother, Sloan. The narrative of Alva who is of mixed American/Chinese heritage picks up in 2007 and the author weaves these two narratives together seamlessly.

Both of the main characters made this book relatable and Ms. Lescure clearly understands her characters and completely inhabits them. Both Alva and Lu Fang were interesting in very different ways. However, what binds them together is Alva's mother, and that they both share the American dream. Alva longs to leave her Chinese school and to enrol in the International School in order to mix with the American expat community. Lu Fang wants nothing more than for his son to go to America to make a name for himself and his family. Both envisage a status that they do not feel is possible to achieve in China.

By contrast, Alva's mother Sloan, does not want to return to America. For her, China allows her to be someone of significance, to stand out in a crown and to attract the attention that she craves. This made for an interesting reversal of the East/West immigrant story through China's modern history.

However, it was familiar in it's description of the teenage experience. There were many occasions when I could forsee the danger that Alva was getting herself into. As a reader, I wanted to shout at her in order to stop her progressing any further down such a dangerous path. I was completely invested in her story. Equally, there were times when Lu Fang's narrative moved me to tears.

The writing in this book is beautiful and there were times it took my breath away. I can hardly believe that Aube Rey Lescue is a debut writer and she is definitely one to watch. It is a fantastic book and I highly recommend it.

ISBN: 978 0715655399

Publisher:  Duckworth Books

Formats:  e-book and hardback

No. of Pages:  352 (hardback)

About the Author:

Aube Rey Lescure is a French-Chinese-American writer who grew up between Shanghai, northern China and the south of France. After receiving her BA fro Yale University, she worked in foreign policy and has coauthored and translated two books on Chinese politics and economics. She was an Ivan Gold Fellow, a Pauline Scheer Fellow, and an artist-in-residence at the Studios of Key West and Willapa Bay AiR. Her fiction and creative nonfiction have appeared in Guernica, The Best American Essay 2022, The Florida Review online, and more. She is the deputy edotor of Off Assignment.

(ARC courtesy of the publisher)

(all opinions are my own)

The Secret Pianist by Andie Newton - #excerpt #blogtour

 

I am delighted to be bringing you an excerpt from this gorgeous book, The Secret Pianist by Andie Newton. But first, a little about the book.

The Blurb

Sisters. Traitors. Spies.

When a British RAF Whitley plane comes under fire over the French coast and is forced to drop their cargo, a spy messenger pigeon finds its way into unlikely hands…

The occupation has taken much from the Cotillard sisters, and as the Germans increase their forces in the seaside town of Boulogne-sur-Mer, Gabriella, Martine and Simone can’t escape the feeling that the walls are closing in.

Yet, just as they should be trying to stay under the radar, Martine’s discovery of a British messenger pigeon leads them down a new and dangerous path. Gaby would do anything to protect her sisters but when the pianist is forced to teach the step-daughter of a German Commandant, and the town accuses the Cotillards of becoming ‘Bad French’ and in allegiance with the enemy, she realizes they have to take the opportunity to fight back that has been handed to them.

Now, as the sisters’ secrets wing their way to an unknown contact in London, Gaby, Martine and Simone have to wonder – have they opened a lifeline, or sealed their fate?

***

The Excerpt

Here the village is starting to suspect the sisters are German collaborators, all the while they are sending secret messages to London. The one saving grace is that atleast the villagers haven’t found out that Gaby, the oldest sister, is teaching piano to a German commandant’s daughter (she has no choice), because once word spreads of this, they are doomed.

*

A smoky haze hung over the harbor from the explosions and filtered into the streets. I pulled my scarf from my pocket to cover my mouth, coughing, looking over my shoulder, checking to see if anyone was watching, if anyone had seen from what direction I’d come. Madame Roche stood at her front window, watching passersby, and I stopped in the street to wave like I’d been doing since we’d come home to Boulogne-sur-Mer, only she seemed more startled than pleased to see me.

A man threw his shoulder into mine, sending me flying backward with a yelp. “Collaborator,” he grumbled, and I looked up to Madame Roche again, but she was nowhere to be seen. An eerie feeling passed over me. An unwelcome feeling. I ran to our shop, reaching for the doorknob only to gasp.

A black ribbon.

I yanked it away, ducking inside under a clang of doorbells and immediately turning for a peep between the curtains. Simone stood up from behind the desk. Martine demanded to know what was wrong with me. I turned around, opening my palm, the ribbon entwined in my fingers.

Martine hit the desk with her fist. “Bastards! When did that happen? Who did it?”

“I… I don’t know,” I said, exhausted from the encounter in the street and the thought that all the shopkeepers knew about our visitor last night, instead of just the few that had turned off their lights. I tossed the ribbon on a pile of clothes and Martine went to the window, hands on her hips, looking up and down the street. I rubbed the back of my neck where it ached. “A man in the street called me a collaborator.”

Simone’s hands flew to her mouth. “What’s going to happen when they find out about your employment?”

“What am I supposed to do?” I asked. “Mme. Leroux and her son.”

“Speaking of her.” Martine pointed out the window. “Here she comes.”

Mme. Leroux arched her shoulders back before stepping inside, leaving her son on the pavement. Her face was stern and unforgiving. “Is it true?”

Martine stepped forward as if she was about to give her a talking-to, but I put my hand out to stop her.

“Of all the people,” Mme. Leroux said. “God rest your aunt’s soul.” She folded her arms tightly, looking over Martine and her shocked face, and Simone, who stood helplessly by the counter. “I came to collect my clothing. I won’t be doing business here anymore.”

“I… Ah…” I motioned for Simone to retrieve her things from the back, and not to forget the pants we’d mended for her son, using our old jackets for material we couldn’t buy because of the rations.

Her lips pursed while she watched Simone carry her garments in from the back. “It’s bad enough you’ve become a black ribbon shop, but allowing a German civilian to live in your aunt’s apartment, free of charge? Blanche would be disgusted.” She snatched her things from Simone, nearly scratching my sister’s arms.

“Watch it,” Martine said. “You don’t know what—”

“Martine!” I said. “Leave Madame alone. If she doesn’t want to do business with us, that is fine.”

Mme. Leroux took her things in her arms and gave us a look of contempt. “I hope you go to hell. All of you.” She threw open the door and stormed out.

“Why didn’t you tell her?” Martine pointed to Madame Leroux as she dragged her son to the other side of the street, her clothing bundled under one arm, never looking back, not even a glance. “Gaby! She needs to know what you’re doing for her. What those rations have cost us.”

I held my face. “I can’t,” I said. “It’s not fair to burden her.”

Martine turned back toward the window to stew, while Simone walked to the opposite side of the shop, her dress plainly exposing her swelling belly, before slipping on her coat to cover herself up.

“At least they haven’t found out about your lessons,” Simone said.

I felt the envelope in my pocket and the lump of money the commandant had given me. It was only a matter of time now: no matter how many backstreets I took, the fact that I walked to the German district every day would be discovered eventually. I closed my eyes tightly. I should have told Streicher the piano wasn’t mine.

“Sisters,” I said, eyes opening. “I… I…” Martine stepped away from the window as I fumbled my words, and Simone’s mouth hung open as she watched me pull the envelope from my pocket and set it on the counter. “I have some more bad news.”

ISBN: 978 0008541996

Publisher:  One More Chapter

Formats:  e-book, audio and paperback

No. of Pages:  384 (paperback)

About the Author:

Andie Newton is the USA Today bestselling author of A Child for the Reich, The Girls from the Beach, The Girl from Vichy, and The Girl I Left Behind. She lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her family. When she’s not writing gritty war stories about women, you can usually find her trail-running in the desert and stopping to pet every Yellow Lab or Golden Retriever that crosses her path. Andie is actively involved with the reading and writing community on social media. You can follow her on X (Twitter) @andienewton and Instagram, or check out her author page on Facebook.

(all media courtesy of Rachel's Random Resources)

The Rat King by Emma Miles - #spotlight #blogtour

 

Being the son of a Coven Lord is a far and desperate cry from luxury and safety. Every day Rothfel must prove he is worth the food his father puts on the table, and avoid the notice of Lord Atise’s brutal bodyguard, Bicken. When his only friend, a lowly slave, is cruelly taken from him, Rothfel finds himself alone in the sprawling, chaotic city of Letniv.

Yearning for friendship, love, and approval, he is offered a hand from the unlikeliest of places…

But who is really worth his loyalty? 

Akimas Atise, his distant, cold, and terrifying father? 

Golghen, the mysterious chameleon of Letniv city; king of liars, king of thieves? 

Gentle, brave Leida; slave, concubine, descendant of the free women of the north?

Or Zephyr? Ghost, murderer, and devoted follower of the King of Rats.

Rothfel is only ten, but his choices, his love, his loyalty… will change the Land Beneath the Sky.

The Rats of Letniv is a prequel to the Fire-Walker saga and Land Beneath the Sky companion books.

ISBN:  979 8863294148

Publisher:  Independent

Formats:  e-book and paperback ( currently available on Kindle Unlimited)

No. of Pages:  521

From the Author:

I often get asked when I knew I was a writer; the answer is always. A writer is what I am, it’s in my soul. There have been times in my life when I couldn’t write, and times when my writing has been the only thing that kept me going. I think I always longed for something deeper from life, something more meaningful, and I found it in my imagination and in the music of words.

It was poetry which first caught my attention, and whilst my younger cousins called for ghost stories it was animals I first wrote of. I think I gravitated toward fantasy because of the freedom it gives, I could create my own worlds and decide my own rules. 

My Wind’s Children trilogy was born from an image that came to me whilst daydreaming, of a young man sitting alone below a bridge. I didn’t know who he was; it turns out neither did he, but we found out together.

I’m now working on my seventh book and love writing more than ever, it’s an addiction, an obsession, but one I now share with my wonderful writing family. My beta readers, my editor, and you, my readers, having you with me on my journey means the world to me.

I write as much as I can around work, but I also try to squeeze in a ridiculous amount of hobbies! I’m a wildlife photographer and do a little archery. I paint, sculpt with clay, withies and driftwood, preferring to be outdoors if I can. I still have a love for the theatre, having started out in life studying backstage crafts, and a great love for language. I speak a little French, Romanian and Italian, ma non molto bene!

Thanks for reading this. If you read any of my books and love them, please come say hello and tell me, you’d be surprised at how much that means to an author.

Take care of yourself.

Em x

(all media courtesy of The Write Reads)

Homecoming Chaos by D.W.Brooks - #blogtour #authorinterview

 

I am delighted to be bringing you an interview with the author of Homecoming Chaos today and, I would like to welcome D.W. Brooks. But first, a little about the book.

The Blurb

Jamie Scott’s life fell apart four years ago when she broke off her engagement, turned down a dream job, and went overseas to run away from her life. Now she’s back, but the reunion is not without problems. She arrives home just in time to attend the soiree her mother planned, but she’s not prepared for what she finds—a dead employee in the parking lot.

Detective Nick Marshall is assigned to the murder case at the forensics lab owned by Jamie’s family. He meets the headstrong Jamie, but he has a job to do. And his attraction to her… well, he’s a professional.

Jamie knows the stakes are high. She has to face the past and save her parents’ business while dealing with her family drama and an uncertain future. She also has to deal with Nick, who wants her out of the way of his investigation. But fate keeps throwing them in one another’s paths… and into chaos that they both want to avoid, but neither can seem to escape.

***

Welcome to the blog. 

Q How did you come up with the idea to write your book?

A I came up with the idea for the main character Jamison quite a while ago. A brief history: I am a physician (ophthalmologist) by training, and I pursued an MBA while working at the ophthalmology department at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. After graduating, I left medical practice to work at WebMD. My leaving medical practice set off a lot of concern and confusion with my family and friends. I wanted to write a book about my main character leaving practice and how that affected her and everyone around her. People used to find leaving medical practice after “spending all that time to get there” strange. But by the time I started writing the book, I had decided that the experience of switching careers like that would be part of her life, but not the primary goal of the book. And I went from there, though Jamison has much more drama in her life than me!

Q  What have been some of the responses you have received regarding your book?

A  So far, so good. I have received a lot of positive feedback from my novel, as well as excellent reviews, including a glowing write-up from Midwest Book Review. Most reviewers have said that Homecoming Chaos was a fun read. Several readers have asked me to write a follow-up about some of the supporting characters or to write more about the romance between Jamison and Nick. And I am working on it!

Q  What’s one fact about your book that might surprise people? 

A  I am an only child. I have had a lifetime of listening to and observing sibling interactions including those of my cousins. I think I did a good job of conveying the sometime easygoing sibling relationships and the more fraught elements that can exist between siblings.

Q  What other books are you working on and when will they be published? 

A  I am trying to establish a rhythm of writing a novella, novel, novella, novel, and so on. I currently have a prequel novella to Homecoming Chaos (titled I Do CHAOS) that I have been giving away for free on my website, but I plan to move it to Amazon in 2024. I am now working on a novella about Nick and Jamison’s date (which could change) and novel #2 in the Chaos/Model MD Series. I would also like to have a Christmas novella for the 2024 holiday season. The plan is to publish all three in 2024; I am being aggressive!

Q  Is there a message you’re trying to get across with your book?

A  D.W.: You can go home again, but home (and the people who live there) may not be the same as when you left. Be ready to adapt!

Thank you so much for coming on the blog today. It's been fantastic and the book looks great. 

ISBN: 979 8218150501

Publisher: The Reboot LLC

Formats:  e-book and paperback

No. of Pages:  448 (paperback)

(all media courtesy of Pump Up Your Book)

The Beauty Doctor by Elizabeth Hutchison Bernard - #blogtour #bookexcerpt #bookextract

 

I am delighted to be on the blog tour today with this gorgeous looking book. Below you will find an excerpt and some information about the book.

The Blurb

A Bone-Chilling Mystery-Suspense-Thriller Set in the Edwardian Era

Finalist, Eric Hoffer Book Award

"Beauty is power," Dr. Rome told her. "And with enough power, one can achieve anything."

Straightening noses, trimming eyelids, lifting jowls . . . In the year 1907, his revolutionary beauty surgery is considered daring, perhaps dangerous. Still, women want what Dr. Rome promises. Neither is his young assistant Abigail Platford immune to Dr. Rome's persuasive charm.

Abigail once dreamed of becoming a doctor, though of a much different sort. That dream ended with her father's tragic death from a medical error for which she holds herself responsible. Dr. Rome, who proudly displays his medical degree from Johns Hopkins, seems to believe in her. If he were willing to act as her mentor, might there still be a chance to realize her dream of someday becoming a doctor serving New York City's poor?

But something feels terribly wrong, as though an insidious evil is closing in. Broken promises, lies, and intrigues abound. The powerful are threatening to destroy the weak, and adoctor's sacred duty hangs in the balance. Abigail no longer knows who to believe; but with Dr. Rome now her mentor and her lover, she desperately wants to trust him.

Even when she discovers that one of their patients has mysteriously disappeared.

From bestselling author Elizabeth Hutchison Bernard, a suspenseful work of historical fiction grounded in the social and moral issues of the Edwardian era in America. Second Edition with Author's Preface.

***

The Excerpt

The air in Mama Sally’s front room was dense with the smoke of incense and cigars. The drapes were drawn closed, and the only light came from an overhead gasolier. Several women wearing silk robes left open to afford a glimpse of creamy flesh lay about on red velvet sofas, talking and laughing with half a dozen men. Seemed that Mama Sally’s attracted patrons from outside the neighborhood, as these gentlemen were somewhat fashionably dressed in jackets and ties. Everyone was having a fine time—except for one girl, thin and honey-toned, who appeared younger than the rest and sat off to the side, staring into space.

“Mama Sally!” One of the lounging women had spotted the new arrival. A moment later, Abigail heard the click of heels and a rustling of silk. The velvet curtain in a doorway to her immediate left opened with the harsh scraping of rings on the metal rod.

“Yeah?” The woman standing on the threshold was notable first for her size—not tall but extremely wide—and then her age, which was likely three times that of any other woman in the room. She wore an elaborately flounced gown, fancy but out-of-date, her reddish hair piled high in a mass of curls and adorned with several brightly colored feathers. Her powdery-white face looked as if it might crack if she were to smile; it did not appear she was likely to do so.

“Good evening. I’m looking for the proprietor of this—this establishment,” Abigail said, her voice faltering.

“You’re lookin’ at her.”

“You’re Mama Sally?”

“I said so, didn’t I?” She did not move from the threshold.

“I’m a friend of Riana, the young woman who—”

“Hung herself,” Sally broke in. “Could have done it easier some other way, but in the end it don’t matter. She’s out of her misery now.” She eyed Abigail suspiciously. “If you’ve come lookin’ to collect her things, you can forget it. She didn’t have a pot to piss in. I only let her stay here out of the goodness of my heart.”

“I’m not here for her things. I’ve come about the little girl— Shaena.”

Sally raised an eyebrow. “What about her?”

“I just wondered who will take care of her now.”

“And what business is it of yours?”

Abigail suddenly noticed how quiet the room had become. She looked behind her. Everyone had left, except for the young girl sitting alone. She turned back to Sally, who was lighting up a cigar. “I told you, I’m a friend of Riana’s.”

Sally extinguished the match with a flick of her wrist. “Riana didn’t have no friends.” She took a step toward Abigail, eyeing her up and down. “You’re not one of them do-gooders, are you? Wantin’ to stick your nose where it don’t belong?”

“I just came by to make sure Shaena is all right.” Abigail held her gaze steady. “I wondered what arrangements have been made for her.”

“Arrangements?” Sally sniffed derisively. “As long as she does her work, I’ll let her stay here. That’s what her mother wanted.”

“But Riana wasn’t her mother.”

“I’m well aware of that, missy. I guess you don’t know—her mother was one of my girls, too. And that little one, she would have made a pretty whore one day. A shame her face got ruined.

But I’m holdin’ out hope for her yet. Men are funny that way; sometimes they don’t mind a girl who’s different, even like that.”

Abigail felt woozy from the smoke and incense, or maybe it was because of what Mama Sally had just said. It seemed there was nothing she could do to help Shaena. But there had to be. She couldn’t just walk away and leave her here.

“I’m taking Shaena with me.”

Sally showed no emotion, leisurely blowing a couple of smoke rings before she finally spoke. “It’ll cost you. Three hundred.”

“Why, that’s absurd! You don’t own her.”

Sally’s eyes narrowed. “She may be young, but she’s still worth something. I ain’t just givin’ her away.”

Abigail drew herself up. “I can have her removed from here, you know. There are laws—”

Sally clenched the cigar between her teeth, regarding Abigail as she would a harmless insect. “I’ll give her to you for two fifty, but that’s my last offer.”

Abigail couldn’t believe it. Here she was, engaging in the same despicable game as Joe Radcliff when he’d sent Franklin to bargain with Ludwik for the twins. Except, of course, she meant to rescue Shaena.

“All right, two fifty,” she agreed, realizing she would have to bluff her way out. “I’ll take her now and bring you the money tomorrow.”

“Afraid I don’t do business like that, honey. Bring me the money, I give you the girl. Until then, we got no deal. And if I get a better offer in the meantime, you can bet I’ll take it. So you best not dilly-dally.” She smiled smugly. “Now, I suggest you be on your way. A fine young lady such as you don’t want to be caught in a place like this, I’m sure.”

“But—”

Mama Sally’s smile vanished abruptly. “Good day to you, miss.” Turning her back with an air of finality, she passed through the doorway and drew the velvet curtain closed.

***

ISBN:  978 1685133504

Publisher:  Black Rose Writing

Formats:  e-book and paperback (currently available on Kindle Unlimited)

No. of Pages:  345 (paperback)

About the Author:

Elizabeth Hutchison Bernard is the author of bestselling historical novels. Her 2023 release,

Sisters of Castle Leod, is an Amazon Kindle #1 Bestseller (Historical Biographical Fiction, Historical Literary Fiction), winner of the 2023 Maxy Award for Historical and Adventure Fiction, and an Editors’ Choice of the Historical Novel Society. Her biographical novel Temptation Rag (2018) was hailed by Publishers Weekly as a “resonant novel . . . about the birth and demise of ragtime . . . in which romance and creative passions abound.”

Elizabeth’s 2017 historical mystery-suspense-thriller, The Beauty Doctor, was a finalist for the prestigious Eric Hoffer Book Award. The book’s re-release (Jan. 4, 2024) features a stunning new cover and an Author Preface with insights into social and moral issues of the Edwardian era that frame this shocking fictional story set in the early days of cosmetic surgery.

Before becoming a full-time author, Elizabeth was executive editor of an international aesthetic surgery journal, and senior consultant to the National Cosmetic Network in conjunction with Johns Hopkins University’s plastic surgery educational program. Learn more about Elizabeth and her books at www.EHBernard.com.

(all media courtesy of The Coffee Pot Book Club)

The Austrian Bride by Helen Parusel - #bookreview #blogtour

 

The tram trundled away from the platform, the wooden carriages mellow gold in the late-afternoon sunshine. Ella slowed from her sprint as she watched the tram disappear through the stone arch and down the steep hill. She let out an exasperated sigh. Now she would be late, and she only had herself to blame.

He was coming to Linz. The man himself. The town was buzzing with nervous energy. Everyone would be fighting for a good view when he arrived...

***

Austria, 1938 -  After years of hardship, Ella is full of hope for a better future for Austrians, and when Hitler marches into Linz, she can’t help but become swept up in the euphoria of her boyfriend, Max.

But she soon realises her mistake. When she witnesses a woman being shot in the street and a childhood friend’s Jewish department store is closed down, she knows she must do something.

It’s a dangerous time to be a resistor, especially when her fascist boyfriend proposes to her. Knowing the secrets she can uncover, Ella enlists in a Reich Bride School, finding herself propelled into the social elite of the Nazi circle.

Ella knows she has a duty – to her family, her friends, and her country – so while Europe teeters on the brink of WW2, a desperate race begins to save the people she loves. But betraying the Nazis could be her death sentence...

A powerful and unforgettable story of the strength of women and the unwavering courage of those who seek a better world. Fans of Suzanne Goldring, Mandy Robotham and Debbie Rix will devour this heartbreaking tale.

***

Last year I was on the blog tour with this author's previous work, A Mother's War, which I enjoyed immensely. You can read my review of this book by clicking here.

When I was offered a copy of The Austrian Wife on a blog tour I jumped at the opportunity to take part. I am so glad that I did as I enjoyed this book every bit as much as the previous one.

This is a well written narrative told from the dual perspectives of Ella and her mother, Marlene. Both women, individualy and bravely, fight against the Nazi regime at risk to their own safety. 

Set in Austria in the period just before the outbreak of WWII, the reader can observe Hitler's rise to power as Austria is annexed to the Third Reich. As more constraints are placed upon the native Austrian population as a whole, we also witness the beginning of the atrocities against the Jews.

However, some women were trained to become the perfect Nazi wife by attending the Reich Bride Schools where they were educated in how to look, serve their husbands and produce pure children, where under oath, they promise to raise them as Nazis.

This was an interesting and powerful read as we watch both Ella and Marlene fight to protect the Jews. In particular, we observe Ella portraying herself as training to become a perfect Nazi wife, whilst being in love with a Jewish man.

The author was able to create a volatile atmosphere in which she placed her characters. Her descriptions of Linz with vivid descriptions of kristallnacht came alive on the page. Rooted in history we see one of the characters depart Austria on the kindertransport anchoring this book very soundly in a particular point in history.

It is an excellent book which I highly recommend to fans of historical fiction.

ISBN:  978 1837515400

Publisher:  Boldwood Books

Formats:  e-book, audio, hardback and paperback (currently available on Kindle Unlimited)

No. of Pages:  330 (hardback)

About the Author:

Helen Parusel is a debut historical novelist, having been a teacher and a clothes buyer for M&S. She lives in Hamburg, and her first book is based on the Nazi invasion of Norway in 1940; while her second is inspired by war stories from her mother’s homeland of Austria, where she spent her early holidays.

(e-book and all media courtesy of Rachel's Random Resources)

(all opinions are my own)

Stitch by Padraig Kenny and Illustrated by Steve McCarthy - #bookreview

Stitch wakes up, just as he always has done for the past five hundred and eighty-four days he has been waking up.

Five hundred and eighty-five now, he thinks as he makes a mark with a piece of chalk on the wall by his bed. He says the words "five hundred and eighty-five" to himself because he can count, and saying the words makes the idea of waking up so many times more real - "more understandabubble", as Henry might say.

***

Stitch is not a monster – he’s a creation.

He and his friend Henry Oaf were brought to life by the genius Professor Hardacre, and have spent all their days in a castle deep in the woods, far from humankind. But when the Professor dies and his pompous nephew comes to take over the laboratory, they soon find out that his sights are set not on scientific discovery, but personal glory. And Henry is his next experiment.

Can Stitch and Henry escape his clutches and make their way in a world they were never built for – and may never be ready for them?

***

This is an utterly delightful book that was a joy to read. It is aimed at an audience of approximately nine years plus, and will be enjoyed by children, young people and adults alike. 

The book has been compared to Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, but the similarity ceases at the fact that Stitch and Henry have been created from parts of the recently deceased. It has been many years since  read Shelley's book and therefore cannot remember the details.  However, this does not feel like a children's adaptation of her book but is in fact much more a story in its own right. It is much more about the creations than the creator.

Stitch is a delightful character, as is his friend Henry. Their original creator has himself passed away and his nephew inherits his research papers and decides to develop and improve upon his uncles research.

However, it is through Stitch that we observe a humanity that does not appear in his human creator. We witness how he responds when he discovers he is a created being, and the book has much to say about identity, self-acceptance and the acceptance of those who perceive us as different. 

It is thought provoking in that it will ask children to consider the idea of difference and acceptance of others, and even reading this as an adult it remains a good reminder to show tolerance and kindness to others.

It is a charming and heartwarming story that was a delight to read. I highly recommend it.

ISBN: 978 1529517781

Publisher:  Walker Books

Formats:  e-book and paperback

No. of Pages:  208 (paperback)

About the Author:

Padraig Kenny is an Irish writer from County Kildare, now living in Limerick. Previously an arts journalist, a teacher and a librarian's assistant, he now writes full-time. His first novel Tin and recent The Monsters of Rookhaven were both Waterstones Books of the Month. He has twice won the Children's Books Ireland Honour Award for Fiction, has been nominated for the Carnegie Medal and shortlisted for the Irish Book Awards. This is his first book for Walker.

About the Illustrator:

Steve McCarthy is an Irish designer and illustrator. His style is bold, colourful and inspired by humour and wit. Steve's first picture book, The Wilderness, won the Honour Award for Illustration at the Children's Books Ireland Awards. His poetry anthology with Sarah Webb, A Sailor Went to Sea, Sea, Sea, was the 2017 Children's Book of the Year at the Irish Book Awards,

(book and banner courtesy of the publisher)

(author/illustrator photo info courtesy of Walker Books)

(illustrator photo courtesy of The Soho Agency)

10 Ten Exciting New Releases for February 2024

 

Brrr..... I don't know about you but it is jolly chilly here at the moment. What better thing to do than dream about all the lovely books which are coming up next month.

There are some exciting new titles due to be published in February and here are just a few that have caught my eye.

The Story Collector by Iris Costello

London, 1915: Tarot reader Katerina is trying to hold her life together amid the wartime chaos. When she opens a bakery that offers divination alongside sweet treats, she is hailed as a beacon of hope. But Katerina is hiding a dark truth that could cost her everything.

Germany, 1918: A mute British soldier is taken to a prisoner of war camp where he meets Miriam, a researcher. She is drawn to his gentle manner and secretly vows to help him. But soon she will have to make an impossible choice: will she save the one she loves, or herself?

Cornwall, Present Day: Recently widowed Edie is astonished to discover a mysterious box hidden in the wall of her newly renovated cottage. As Edie starts to investigate, she uncovers a secret that has lain hidden for over a century...

A long-held secret ties the tales of three women, from the cobbled streets of war-time London to an isolated German WWI camp, and the sea-swept cliffs of Cornwall. Beautifully told, moving and unforgettable.

A Dirty Filthy Book by Michael Meyer

London, 1877. A petite young woman stands before an all-male jury, about to risk everything. She takes a breath, and opens her defence.

Annie Besant and her confidant Charles Bradlaugh are on trial for the sordid crime of publishing and selling a birth control pamphlet. Remarkably – forty-five years before the first woman will be admitted to the English bar – Annie is defending herself. Before Britain’s highest judge she declares it is a woman’s right to choose when, and if, to have children. At a time when women were legally and socially subservient to men, Annie’s defiant voice was a sensation. The riveting trial scandalised newspapers, captivated the British public and sparked a debate over morals, censorship and sex.

Drawing on unpublished archives, private papers and courtroom transcripts – and featuring an incredible cast including Queen Victoria, George Bernard Shaw and London itself – A Dirty, Filthy Book tells the gripping story of a forgotten pioneer who refused to accept the role the Establishment assigned to her. Instead, she chose to resist.

The Unfishished Business of Eadie Brown by Freya North

When your present meets your past, what do you take with you – and what do you leave behind?

Eadie Browne is an odd child with unusual parents, living in a strange house neighbouring the local cemetery. Bullied at school – but protected by her two best friends Celeste and Josh, and her many imaginary friends lying six feet under next door – Eadie muddles her way through.

Arriving in Manchester as a student in the late 1980s, Eadie confronts a busy, gritty Victorian metropolis a far cry from the small Garden City she's left behind. Soon enough she experiences a novel freedom she never imagined and it's seductive. She can be who she wants to be, do as she pleases, and no one back home needs to know. As Manchester embraces the dizzying, colourful euphoria of Rave counterculture, Eadie is swept along, blithely ignoring danger and reality. Until, one night, her past comes hurtling at her with ramifications which will continue into her adult life.

Now, as the new Millennium beckons, Eadie is turning 30 with a marriage in tatters. She must travel back to where she once lived for a funeral she can't quite comprehend. As she journeys from the North to the South, from the present to the past, Eadie contemplates all that was then – and all that is now – in this moving love letter to youth.

When I Feel Red by Lily Bailey

April has always marched to the beat of her own drum, but would life be easier if she learned to fit in? Now that she's in Year 8, things have got even worse. She's much more likely to be trying to rescue an animal in need than worrying about who's dating who at school, which April just finds BORING. Plus, her lessons feel like they're in a foreign language, and it suddenly seems impossible to make it through the week without landing in detention.

As family worries and classroom romances ramp up, it feels like everyone around her is pulling away - even her best friend Ben. But when the pressure's on, can she find a way to fit in and still be true to herself?

An empowering follow up to When I See Blue about finding your place in the world from the inspiring author and mental health activist, Lily Bailey. Perfect for fans of Elle McNicoll.

Library for the War-Wounded by Monika Helfer

From Monika Helfer's award-winning, internationally bestselling wartime trilogy, based on her own family. Translated into English for the first time.

Josef was an illegitimate child, a charity case from Salzburg, schooled by a benefactor. He was drafted to fight in the Second World War while still at school and sent to Russia, returning with only one leg. He married his nurse, and brought his family to the high, idyllic slopes of the Austrian Alps, where he took a position as manager of a home for injured soldiers, a strangely suspended, deeply isolated place with a remarkable library.

He was a man of many mysteries. To his daughter, Monika, none was greater than his obsession with these cloistered, crumbling books, his great treasure and secret amidst a country barrelling away from the memory of war.

Beautifully written, restrained, and memorable, Library for the War-Wounded turns a real life into great literature by confronting the universal question: Who are our parents, really?

Next of Kin by Hannah Bonham-Young

Two bickering strangers trying to foster their younger siblings team up to create a stable home, but the undeniable chemistry between them threatens to ruin everything.

When she discovers her biological mother has had a new baby, Chloe doesn't hesitate to provide a home for her. Failing to meet social services' financial evaluation, she's forced into a new initiative: joining households with another prospective guardian.

Surly garage mechanic Warren, who is trying to gain custody of his deaf teenage brother, does not make a great first impression. But as their lives intertwine, Chloe and Warren discover they have more in common than they thought. So much so that the chemistry between them threatens everything they've fought for...

The List of Suspicious Thing by Jennie Godfrey

Yorkshire, 1979

Maggie Thatcher is prime minister, drainpipe jeans are in, and Miv is convinced that her dad wants to move their family Down South.

Because of the murders.

Leaving Yorkshire and her best friend Sharon simply isn't an option, no matter the dangers lurking round their way; or the strangeness at home that started the day Miv's mum stopped talking.

Perhaps if she could solve the case of the disappearing women, they could stay after all?

So, Miv and Sharon decide to make a list: a list of all the suspicious people and things down their street. People they know. People they don't.

But their search for the truth reveals more secrets in their neighbourhood, within their families - and between each other - than they ever thought possible.

What if the real mystery Miv needs to solve is the one that lies much closer to home?

The Mysterious Mrs Hood by Kim Donovan

A true Victorian murder mystery...

Great Yarmouth, September 1900: A young woman is found dead on the beach, a bootlace tied tightly around her neck. Despite her death attracting national attention in the press, nobody claims her. Detective Inspector Robert Lingwood of the Great Yarmouth police force declares he will not rest until the mystery of the young woman's death is solved. But it's only once the case has been referred to Scotland Yard that the layers of mystery start to peel away...

Mrs Hood was in fact Mary Jane Bennett, and this is her story.

Following clues and tracking red herrings leads the police to close in on their one and only suspect. With arson, fraud, an affair and a sensation-hungry press, the murder gripped the nation in one of the most eagerly anticipated trials of the early twentieth century. Author Kim Donovan finally tells her great-great-aunt's story and the truth of evil duplicity in Victorian England.

A fascinating historical true crime case perfect for fans of The Suspicions of Mr Whicher and The Five.

The Pieces of Us by Caroline Montague

Marina and Hugh were once madly in love. But after the loss of their beautiful little daughter, grief has created a distance between them that feels impossible to bridge. Marina knows leaving Italy is the only way they will be able to move on, but Thorncliffe Hall, Hugh's family home in England, is so grey and unwelcoming.

Just when life feels like it may never regain colour, Marina and Hugh come across a striking china coffee pot in a London shop window, adorned with a fox flying through the night sky. The coffee pot comes attached with a mystery, one that is connected with Hugh's own family many years ago.

By digging into the past, Marina is about to discover a story far beyond her wildest dreams. But will the past help her heal the present?

A heartwrenching, utterly unforgettable story for fans of Sally Page and Amanda Prowse.

Has Anyone Seen Charlotte Salter? by Nicci French

She’s loved by all who meet her. But someone wants her gone . . .

Then - When beautiful and vivacious Charlotte Salter fails to turn up to her husband Alec’s 50th birthday party, her kids are worried, but Alec is not. As the days pass and there’s still no word from Charlie, her daughter, Etty, and her sons, Niall, Paul and Ollie, all struggle to come to terms with her disappearance.

How can anyone just vanish without a trace?

Left with no answers and in limbo, the Salter children try and go on with their lives, all the while thinking that their mother’s killer is potentially very close to home.

Now - After years away, Etty returns home to the small East Anglian village where she grew up to help move her father into a care home. Now in his eighties, Alec has dementia and often mistakes his daughter for her mother. 

Etty is a changed woman from the trouble-free girl she was when Charlie was still around - all the Salter children have spent decades running and hiding from their mother’s disappearance.

But when their childhood friends, Greg and Morgen Ackerley, decide to do a podcast about Charlotte’s disappearance, it seems like the town’s buried secrets – and the Salters’ – might finally come to light.

After all this time, will they finally find out what really happened to Charlotte Salter?

Is there anything here that you would like to read?

(header photo courtesy of Unsplash)