Loose Ends by Ninette Hartley - #bookreview #blogtour

In the small industrial town of Ridley, West Yorkshire, two young women walked out of the shirt factory gates together... They were looking forward to the weekend...

***

It’s March 1941 at the shirt factory in Ridley, Yorkshire. Ness is a typist in the office, and her friend Eileen works as a seamstress on the shop floor. 

Nobody could have imagined the consequences when as a result of a prank Eileen plays on her friend, Ness’s name and address ends up in the pockets of two shirts destined for Royal Navy personnel on active service.

The fallout from Eileen’s action takes Ness on a challenging, life-changing journey where she must develop her talent for dressmaking and acquire the skills needed to run a business. 

It is not easy during wartime, when money is short, clothes rationing is widespread and negative attitudes prevail. 

Can she win through? 

Or will a painful secret she must conceal destroy her chances?

***

The book begins in 1941 with carefree friends Ness and Eileen leaving work in anticipation of the weekend ahead.

The main character of the book is Ness and she is a wonderful main character. When Eileen jokingly puts Ness' name and address in two shirt pockets that she is packaging up at work, she unknowingly sets into motion a set of challenges that Ness will have to face.

What I loved about this book is how we see Ness develop throughout the story. The novel begins in 1941 and we follow Ness right through to 1953, and observe her grow from girl to woman. At an early point in the novel she faces a life altering event which she keeps secret for many years. However, it dogs her path significantly and we witness her bravery and courage throughout.

The secondary characters were equally well drawn. I loved Ness' mum and her friend Rose, as well as the devoted George. The author creates characters extremely well.

This book had everything that you would expect to find in a book of this genre; challenges, romance and secrets. It was extremely enjoyable and I would recommend it to anyone who likes fiction about strong women set again a working class background during World War II.

ISBN:  978 1838421045

Publisher:  Horstead Books

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

No. of Pages:  362 (paperback) 

About the Author:

Ninette Hartley is a writer, mother, grandmother, wife and teacher. She has followed many paths – from acting and dancing to magazine publishing, and even driving a pony and trap – but she has always come back to storytelling.

Ninette has an MA in creative writing and has been published in three short story collections. Her first memoir Dear Tosh, published in May 2021 was shortlisted in the Selfies Book Awards and long-listed in the Dorchester Literary Festival Writing Prize 2022. From 2008 -2016 she lived in Italy on an olive farm, returning to the UK to live in Dorset for eight years. Never one to stay in one place for long, she has recently moved to France where she plans to continue writing more works of fiction and poetry.

Loose Ends is her debut novel. You can read more about her on her website: www.ninettehartley.com and you can also follow her on social media.

(e-book and media courtesy of Zooloo's Book Tours)

(all opinions are my own)

Henry V: The Astonishing Rise of England's Greatest Warrior King by Dan Jones - #bookreview

 

The doctor is nervous.

John Bradmore is the best surgeon in England. He has a famous practice in London. He attends on rich and powerful clients, including the king...

***

HENRY V reigned over England for only nine years and four months, and died at the age of just thirty-five, but he looms over the landscape of the late Middle Ages and beyond.

The victor of Agincourt was remembered as the acme of kingship, a model to be closely imitated by his successors. William Shakespeare deployed Henry V as a study in youthful folly redirected to sober statesmanship. In the dark days of World War II, Henry's victories in France were presented by British filmmakers as exemplars for a people existentially threatened by Nazism. Churchill called Henry 'a gleam of splendour in the dark, troubled story of medieval England', while for one modern medievalist, Henry was, quite simply, 'the greatest man who ever ruled England'.

For Dan Jones, Henry is one of the most intriguing characters in all medieval history, but one of the hardest to pin down: a hardened warrior, yet also bookish and artistic; a leader who made many mistakes, yet always triumphed when it mattered. As king, he saved a shattered country from

economic ruin, and in foreign diplomacy made England a serious player once more. Yet through his conquests in northern France, he sowed the seeds for calamity at home, in the form of the Wars of the Roses.

Dan Jones's life of Henry V stands out for the generous amount of space it allots to his long royal apprenticeship - the critical first twenty-six years of his life before he became king. It is an enthralling portrait of a man with a rare ability to force his will on the world. But, above all, it is an unmissable account of England's greatest king from our bestselling medieval historian.

***

If you are looking at this book and thinking that it might be a heavy going historical tome then think again. 

This is so accessible to read as the author, Dan Jones has steered away from the traditional style of history writing being in the past tense and has written this in the present tense. This may be unconventional, but Mr. Jones has accomplished this extremely well. It drives the text along, pulling the reader in and allowing them to observe history from a closer perspective.

That said, the book contains a vast amount of knowledge as it covers Henry's entire lifetime - from the time of his birth in 1386 to his death in 1422 via his ascension to the throne in 1413. We learn much about the boy and youth, Hal who became the serious King Henry. However, the author states that these two personas were very much one and the same and he sets this out for the reader perfectly.

Despite the fact that I have a history degree, I actually knew little about Henry V other than on a superficial level.  I focussed more on modern history. Therefore, I was very eager to dive into this and I feel that I am far more informed now. I have ploughed through many history textbooks over the years and by comparison, this made for easy reading and was more like reading a detailed novel.

This book is an intelligent and informative read which made for enjoyable reading. Publishing today, I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys history.

ISBN: 978 1804541937

Publisher:  Head of Zeus/Apollo

Formats:  e-book, audio, hardback and paperback

No. of Pages:  448 (hardback)

***

About the Author:

Dan Jones is the Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author of many non-fiction books, including The Plantagenets, The Templars and Powers and Thrones. He is a renowned writer, broadcaster and journalist. He has presented dozens of TV shows, including the Netflix series Secrets of Great British Castles, and writes and hosts the podcast This is History. His debut novel, Essex Dogs, is the first in a series following the fortunes of ordinary soldiers in the early years of the Hundred Years’ War. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.

(ARC and author info courtesy of the publisher)

(author photo courtesy of Penguin Random House)

(all opinions are my own)

The Almanac: A Seasonal Guide to 2025 by Lia Leendertz - Illustrated by Sarah Abrehart - #bookreview #blogtour

 

The year lies ahead of us, its full moons, equinoxes and soltices, meteor showers, flowers, cakes and festivities all to come, from the first scent of spring on the cold air [through] to the cosy candlelit cave of winter...

***

The Almanac: A Seasonal Guide to 2025 gives you the tools and inspiration you need to celebrate, mark, and appreciate each month of the year in your own way.

The 2025 edition has the theme ‘ancient astronomy’ and includes constellation stories from around the world and a ‘megalith of the month’ - exploring the myths and astronomical alignments of stone circles and cairns from across the UK and Ireland. It also includes a brand new Cake of the Month feature.

Readers find themselves referring to The Almanac all year long, revisiting it again and again, and looking forward to the next edition as the year draws to a close.

From tide tables to moon phases, wildlife to folklore and mouthwatering seasonal recipes this is the comprehensive guide to 2025.

***

As I sat reading this book, I could see the season changing before my eyes. Although The Almanac covers next year, it nonetheless seemed to speak to me as I observed the sudden drop in temperature and the yellowing of the leaves outside my window.

It is a small volume which contains a wealth of knowledge. As expected, it is broken down into monthly chapters with each of them being folkishly illustrated by Sarah Abrehart.

Each month has a title chapter page listing it's contents which include the religious festivals of a range of religions. These vary from the Chinese New Year through to Litha, the Pagan Midsummer Festival, international celebration days, UK Bank Holidays and so much more.

Within each of the monthly chapters there is a marvellous array of information. There are tide tables, lunar gardening, music, crafts, recipes, all with the theme of ancient astronomy running throughout. There is something to appeal to everyone in this whether your interest is the giant megaliths or the moon cycles.

This is one book I shall be keeping beside me next year as I fully expect to want to reread it each month of 2025.  It would make a fantastic Christmas gift, and I can think of several people who I know that would enjoy referring to this. 

I highly recommend this lovely Almanac and I am sure that you enjoy it too.

ISBN: 978 1856754682

Publisher:  Gaia

Formats:  e-book and hardcover

No. of Pages:  288 (hardcover)

About the Author:

Lia Leendertz is an award-winning garden and food writer based in Bristol. She presents a monthly podcast, 'As the Season Turns', about what to look out for in the month ahead and writes a free weekly newsletter, 'Lia's Living Almanac'.

Her reinvention of the traditional rural almanac has become an annual must-have for readers eager to connect with the seasons, appreciate the outdoors and discover ways to mark and celebrate each month.

(book and all media courtesy of Random Things Tours)

(all opinions are my own)

The Missing Family by Tim Weaver - #bookreview

After they arrested him, they took the suspect down to the basement.

It was vast, a maze of nearly identical corridors and entranceways...

***

One family . . .

On a beautiful summer's day, at a remote lake in the middle of Dartmoor, three members of the Fowler family take a dinghy out onto the water, leaving mother Sarah at the shore. Less than sixty seconds later, she checks to see where they are. The boat is drifting in the middle of the lake. It's empty. Sarah's family have completely vanished.

One killer . . .

At the Skyline Casino in London, the security team have just made a headline-grabbing arrest: they've spotted and detained a man suspected of murdering a high roller. After locking him in one of their holding cells, the team station themselves outside and wait for the police. But when the cops arrive, they find something impossible. The killer is no longer inside the cell.

Two detectives . . .

David Raker is an expert at solving missing persons puzzles – but these mysteries are unlike anything he's ever seen. As he digs into the Fowler's, his long-time ally – ex-detective, Colm Healy – tries to get to the bottom of what happened at the casino. But the men are in danger. Because, buried in the shadows of both cases, is a deadly secret that was never meant to come out . . .

***

 Although this is the thirteenth book in the David Raker series, and I have not read any of the previous books, this worked extrememly well as a stand alone novel.

David Raker is a missing persons investigator who has been called in by Sarah, a woman whose husband, son and his girlfriend have all dissappeared from a dinghy on a lake almost before her eyes.

In addition, he is also called in to investigate a missing persons case in a casino where someone has disappeared from a locked cell. The author does a great job in bringing these two seperate strands of the story together, and there were many twists and turns along the way.

Although this is a fairly long book at 496 pages, it is fast paced and I was able to read through it quite quickly as it made for compulsive reading.

I definitely did not predict the conclusion and there were certainly some surprises held back for the final chapter. It had everything that a book of this genre should have - compelling characters, a fast and exciting plot and several strands that fall together nicely at the end.

I am feeling tempted to go back and read some of the earlier David Raker books as I would enjoy seeing what had brought him to this point in his life.

Well written and perfectly executed and I highly recommend it.

ISBN: 978 0241586914

Publisher:  Michael Joseph

Formats:  e-book, audio and hardback

No. of Pages:  496 (hardback)

About the Author:

Tim Weaver is the author of 15 novels, including the David Raker mysteries You Were Gone, No One Home and The Blackbird. He's also written the standalone, Missing Pieces, as well as the limited edition David Raker story collection, The Shadow at the Door.

 Tim's book have been selected for the Richard and Judy Book Club three times, shortlisted for a National Book Award, and been nominated for both the Crime Writers' Association Dagger in the Library and Ian Fleming Steel Dagger awards.  They've also been Sunday Times Top 3 bestsellers and number ones on Kindle, iBooks and Audible. As well as all of that, Tim is also busy developing several original TV series' with Line of Duty creator Jed Mercurio's production company​.

Away from writing, he lives in Bath, home to overpriced real estate and Georgian terraces, and he's lucky enough to write full-time, allowing him to build his day around the things he does best: staring out of the window, and making endless cups of tea.

(ARC courtesy of the publisher)

(author media courtesy of the author's website https://www.timweaverbooks.com/)

The Blossoming of Truth by Susan Gray - #Q&A #authorinterview #blogtour

I am thrilled to bits to have author, Susan Gray here on the blog today to answer some questions about how she writes and what inspires her. Her latest book release, Blossoming of Truth was published earlier this year.

But first, here is a little bit about the book.

The Blurb

A tragic accident…   A bitter betrayal…   A baffling mystery.

When an attractive young woman seeks refuge in his home during a blizzard, Tom Smallwood is convinced they have met before. As their friendship develops, her persistent denial of their previous connection threatens to shake the bedrock of Tom’s ‘life code’.

A tragic accident robs Tom of his beloved brother, leaving him devastated.

His world implodes further when he is arrested…

HIS ONLY CRIME WAS TO FALL IN LOVE.

Can Tom’s strong pillars of truth and integrity hold fast and enable him to win the heart of the woman he adores?

ISBN:  978 1916572720

Publisher:  UK Book Publishing

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

No. of Pages:  365 (paperback)

***

Q  What inspired you to begin writing?

A I think I always wanted to write. As a child, I made up stories in my head on long car journeys. I grew up in northeast England, and the house I lived in was built in the style of a Spanish hacienda. It was a magical place, with a large garden, summerhouse and stream. I felt there was a story behind this setting, but it was sixty years before I put pen to paper. When the global pandemic struck, I decided to write my debut novel based fictitiously around my childhood home. Once started, I haven’t stopped – I’m currently editing my seventh book. It has been a’ late onset career’, but I am enjoying it!

Q  Do you write using pen and paper or on a computer?

A  I begin with an A5 notebook and pen and write scenes – some I use, others I discard. Then I use A4 paper and a pen and start to join the dots. I get a ‘feel’ for a suitable chapter length - usually five doubled sided sheets which I staple together...these form my longhand chapters. Then it’s typed up onto the computer. After that it’s edit, edit, edit and edit!

Q  Who are your favourite writers - and are you influenced by them?

A  As a child it was Enid Blyton, and I loved the book ‘Heidi ‘by a Swiss author Johanna Spyri. As a teenager I was hooked on Agatha Christie books. In later years I’ve been a fan of Josephine Cox, Lucinda Riley, Nicholas Sparks, Victoria Hislop and more recently Jojo Moyes and Lorna Cook. I love Twentieth Century Historical Fiction, mystery and romance – so yes, they have influenced me.

Q  How do you do your research? Did you enjoy it?

A  Mostly internet, sometimes Travel Guides, often my local cemetery. I use old photographs particularly those from the area where I live and set my books - I write in the 1920’s era. Sometimes I draw on memories of places I have visited and conversations with elderly relatives. I do a little research before a novel, but try not to do too much initially, as it affects my ‘flow’. After that I do it as I go.

Q Do you enjoy editing?

A I regard editing as literary housework. I iron it - to wrinkle out the creases so it flows smoothly; I dust it - to find the typos and grammar mistakes; I polish it – adding descriptions to make it sparkle. I vacuum it to suck up the fluff (padding). Sometimes I put it through the literary washing machine - to spruce it up (on the wash cycle); tighten it up (on the spin cycle) and occasionally I take the literary scissors, needle and thread – cut bits out and stitch it up again! I’m not a lover of housework!

Susan, I love your likening of editing to house work. Thank you so much for being on the blog today. I have really enjoyed hearing about your approach to writing and research.

About the Author:

 ‘Never too old to follow your dreams’ has become Susan Gray’s mantra since beginning to write novels after celebrating a significant birthday. Susan endeavours to entwine the genres of mystery and romance and sets her novels in the early Twentieth Century. She lives with her husband in northeast England – setting her books in this picturesque area. She has a son and daughter, both married, two granddaughters and a grand dog. When not writing she loves to spend time reading, puzzling, walking and catching up with friends over a coffee. She enjoys travelling and tries to include many of the places she has visited in her books. Her plots are inspired by ‘life’ and how her characters navigate the waters. She loves to ‘people watch’ and creates her characters based on the many strangers she has observed. She has written six novels. SPANISH HOUSE SECRETS was her debut novel and is now joined by BLOSSOMING OF TRUTH.

(media courtesy of Rachel's Random Resources)

(all opinions are my own)

The Dark Wives by Ann Cleeves - #bookreview #blogtour

 

Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope looked up from the teenager's scrawl.

"It's got today's date. Chloe must have written it this evening."

The manager of the children's home was faded, dusty. He had grey hair tied back in a ponytail. He seemed well out of his depth."

***

The man’s body is found in the early morning light by a local dog walker on the common outside Rosebank, a care home for troubled teens. The victim is Josh, a staff member, who was due to work the previous night but never showed up.

DCI Vera Stanhope is called out to investigate the death. Her only clue is the disappearance of one of the home’s residents, fourteen-year-old Chloe Spence. Vera can’t bring herself to believe that a teenager is responsible for the murder, but even she can’t dismiss the possibility.

Vera, Joe and new team member Rosie Bell are soon embroiled in the case, and when a second connected body is found near the Three Dark Wives standing stones in the wilds of the Northumbrian countryside, superstition and folklore begin to collide with fact.

Vera knows she has to find Chloe to get to the truth, but it seems that the dark secrets in their community may be far more dangerous than she could ever have believed possible.

***

This is book eleven in the well known Vera Stanhope series.

If you are a fan of Vera from the television series, I recommend reading the books as there is much more insight into Vera's thought processes, and how she approaches her cases and staff in her own inimitable way.

In this book Vera and her team are investigating the murder of a care worker in a children's home, as well as a missing teenager. There is also a new member on the team, Rosie who at first struggles to fit in and find her place in her new job.

The pace of the book was steady to begin with as the author spends some time setting the scene and laying out her characters. However, it quickly picks up pace and has some surprising plot twists. I was totally unaware as to who the murderer was throughout. It was suspenseful and there was much to keep me guessing.

The Northumberland setting was beautifully portrayed. There was also some local folklore woven into the story. For example, the titular Dark Wives are a set of standing stones in the local area and they had their own part to play in the story.

I found this a compelling read. I have not read any of the earlier books, although the television series is essential watching in our house. Not reading the earlier books did not hinder my enjoyment of this one and it works perfectly well as a standalone. 

I recommend this to anyone who enjoys police procedural, crime and suspense novels. Enjoy!

ISBN: 978 1529077742

Publisher:  MacMillan

Formats: e-book, audio and hardback

No. of Pages:  384 (hardback)

About the Author:

ANN CLEEVES is the author of 37 critically acclaimed novels, an international bestseller translated into over 20 languages worldwide. In 2017 was awarded the highest accolade in crime writing, the CWA Diamond Dagger. She is the creator of popular detectives Vera Stanhope, Jimmy Perez and Matthew Venn, who can be found on television in ITV’s Vera, BBC One’s Shetland and ITV's The Long Call respectively. The TV series and the books they are based on have become international sensations, capturing the minds of millions worldwide.

Ann worked as a probation officer, bird observatory cook and auxiliary coastguard before she started writing. She is a member of ‘Murder Squad’, working with other British northern writers to promote crime fiction. Ann also spends her time advocating for reading to improve health and wellbeing and supporting access to books. In 2021 her Reading for Wellbeing project launched with local authorities across the North East, and in 2022 she was awarded an OBE for her services to reading and libraries. 

The Dark Wives, is her 11th Vera novel. She lives in Northumberland where the Vera books are set. You can find Ann on Twitter and Facebook @AnnCleeves.

(book and media courtesy of Random Things Tours)

(all opinions are my own)

Hanukkah by Leslea Newman and Rotem Teplow - #bookreview

 

My name is Lior, which is a Hebrew name that means "my light."

Hanukkah is the Jewish Festival of Lights and it's my very favourite holiday...

***

Discover the joy and meaning of Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights.

Lior and his parents, aunties, uncles, grandparents and cousins are inviting you to celebrate with them! Join in as they make latkes, light the Menorah, recite the Hanukkah blessings, play the dreidel game and share presents.

Along the way, you’ll learn how Hanukkah is an eight-day celebration marked by the daily lighting of a new candle on the Menorah. It brings the Jewish community together by commemorating the victory of the Maccabees over the Greeks.

This bright and engaging picture book covers:

 The Miracle of Hanukkah

The delicious food eaten, such as latkes, noodle kugel, and sufganiyot

The fun to be had playing the dreidel game

How the Menorah is lit every night using the Shamash

The community celebrations at the Synagogue

and more!

…and this glowing gift book is further brought to life with:

 Instructions to make an edible Menorah

A guide to make a Hanukkah tzedakah box

A recipe for delicious latkes and apple sauce

In this immersive exploration of Hanukkah, young readers join a practising family as they commemorate the miracle of Hanukkah. Seen through the eyes of young children celebrating themselves, this is a simple and exciting way to introduce little ones to this important Jewish occasion.

Part of the Celebrations & Festivals series, you are invited into a family's celebrations as you explore the magic and excitement of religious and cultural festivals around the world.

***

The Jewish festival of Hanukkah is one of those annual events that does not occur at the same time each year. The Christian festival of Easter is exactly the same in this respect. Hanukkah can occur just about anywhere during November and December. It is an eight day festival and in 2024 it begins on the 25th of December and coincides with Christmas Day. 

The book follows one family whilst they make preparations for the upcoming holiday - beginning with the cleaning and decorating of the home in preparation, right through to the eighth night when all nine candles are lit. Following this the decorations and menorah are put away for another year.

Along the way the book tells of the religious meaning of the holiday, the events of the celebration itself, and concludes with recipes, a quiz, crafts and so much more. The illustrations are excellent and the text is well written and presented.

This is one of the nicest books for children that explains the history and modern practices of Hanukkah that I have come across. It is part of the Celebrations and Festivals series, all of which appear equally well done. They cover Christmas, Diwali, Ramadan and more.

I'm proud that my immediate family is multi-cultural and multi-faith. We are a mixture of Christian, Jew, Muslim and Atheist. Therefore, we take great joy in celebrating a range of festivals and appreciating how we can all come together as one.

The book is released in the UK on the 3rd of October and I have already preordered two copies of this as gifts. I highly recommend this.

ISBN: 978 0711287211

Publisher:  Words and Pictures

Formats:  e-book and paperback

No. of Pages:  48 (paperback)

About the Author:

Leslea Newman started her literary career by publishing poems in Seventeen magazine when she was a teenager and never looked back. She is the author of 85 books for readers of all ages. Lesléa’s work has been translated into French, German, Italian, Spanish, Turkish, Serbian, Kazakh, and Chinese. Some of her best known titles are: October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard; A Letter to Harvey Milk; Hachiko Waits; Sparkle Boy; and Heather Has Two Mommies. 

She has a green belt in Shuri Ryu Karate; can turn a canoe on a dime; her favorite color is leopard print; she is (mildly) obsessed with shoes; and she never met a piece of dark chocolate she didn’t like! 

About the Illustrator:

Rotem Teplow is an Israeli illustrator who lives with her husband and two sons in a small village in Israel, near the Dead Sea. She enjoys yoga, reading books, and illustrating beautiful scenery. A graduate of Shenkar College of Design, she currently illustrates for newspapers and children's books worldwide.

(author photo courtesy of Cynthis Leitich Smith)

(author media courtesy of the author's website)

(illustrator photo and media courtesy of Simon & Schuster)

(all opinions are my own)

The Witch of the Breton Woods by Jennifer Ivy Walker - #bookreview #blogtour

Lavender and pink streaked the dawn sky, the fresh saline scent of the briny marsh cleansing the crisp morning air. Yvette stood in rubber boots, harvesting shellfish in a secluded cove, far from suspicious, watchful eyes...

***

Traumatized by horrors witnessed during the Nazi invasion of France, a young woman retreats to the dense Breton woods where she becomes a member of the clandestine French Resistance. When she finds a critically injured American paratrooper whose plane was shot down, she shelters the wounded soldier in her secluded cottage, determined to heal him despite the enormous risk.

Ostracized by villagers who have labeled her a witch, she is betrayed by an informant who reports to the Butcher—the monstrous leader of the local paramilitary organization that collaborates with the Germans. As the enemy closes in, she must elude the Gestapo while helping the Resistance reunite the American with his regiment and join the Allied Forces in the Battle of Brittany.

Can true love triumph against all odds under the oppressive Third Reich?

***

Set in France during the Nazi occupation of World War Two, this exciting story has the power to transport the reader to the time and place.

This author is new to me, so I did not know what to expect from this book. It exceeded my expectations in that it was gripping and I was hooked by the plot at quite an early point.

The main character, Yvette, lives in a cabin in the woods. She is a healer and has been labelled as a witch by the townsfolk. She is also a member of the French Resistance which is led by her brother Jules. When she discovers an unconscious American soldier dangling upside down by his tangled parachute from a tree, she enlists the help of her comrades to take him back to her cabin to care for him.

Yvette is aware of the danger she is in, and this demonstrates her bravery. There are several occasions throughout the story where the reader can admire her courage. She is a strong woman and this is evident from the very beginning of the book.

The author brings her characters alive extremely well. Equally, the setting is well portrayed. I felt that she had researched both the place and period very well. 

I have read many books set during WWII and this is a good addition to the canon. It has everything that you would expect from the genre: adventure and bravery, and some romance to boot. 

I recommend this book to lovers of historical fiction and those who enjoy books with a strong female lead.

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Formats:  e-book

About the Author:

Jennifer Ivy Walker has an MA in French literature and is a former high school teacher and professor of French at a state college in Florida.  Her novels encompass a love for French language, literature, history, and culture, incorporating her lifelong study, summers abroad, and many trips to France.

The Witch of the Breton Woods is heart-pounding suspense set during WWII in Nazi-occupied France, where a young woman in the French Resistance shelters and heals a wounded American soldier, hiding him from the Gestapo and the monstrous Butcher who are relentlessly hunting him. 

(ARC and media courtesy of The Coffee Pot Book Club)

(all opinions are my own)

10 Ten Exciting Books I Want to Read in September 2024

 

I suspect by that by the end of this month our surroundings will be looking much more autumnal.

It hasn't been a brilliant summer in my neck of the woods. There hasn't been many consistently sunny days. However, there is something lovely about early autumn. It hasn't yet got too cold but the colours of nature are beautiful.

It is time to think about getting out the blankets and the warm socks back out of storage, although it's not cold yet. I wonder how long before the weather turns chillier?

Here are ten books that I would like to read this month; some new, some old and some for the little ones.

A Memoir of Jane Austen by J.E. Austen-Leigh

Monster Post by Emma Yarlett

The Frightened Ones by Dima Wannous

Hot Dog by Doug Salati

See Under: Love by David Grossman

The Stones of Burren Bay by Emily de Angelis

Women of the Silk by Gail Tsukiyama

Michal's Destiny by Roberta Kagan

A Christmas Gift for the East End Library Girls by Patricia McBride

All the Old Knives by Olen Steinhauer

Happy September Reading!

One Midnight With You by Shari Low - #bookreview #blogtour

 Ailish Ryan, 54 - Newly divorced mum, primary school teacher, recently moved from her family home to a two-bedroom flat where she is supposed to be embracing single life. And she will - just as soon as she works up the motivation to get out of her comfy clothes and Crocs...

***

What would you do if you had just twenty-four hours to change your life?

Ailish Ryan has been in hiding since her husband’s affair ended their marriage. But when a friend forces her to face her new reality, will she choose to revisit the past or embrace a brand new future?

Ailish’s daughter, Emmy, thought her boyfriend was nothing like her cheating father, but now she’s not so sure. As the hours pass, she turns detective to find out if she picked the right man, or if history is repeating itself.

Grandmother, Minnie Ryan is on a mission to deliver a very special gift to a lifelong friend. But will grit and a touch of divine intervention be enough to overcome the obstacles that fate is putting in her way?

Dario Moretti has spent his whole life working in the family business, but now it’s in trouble and he’s all out of options. Will he have the strength to let it go, even if it means hurting the people he loves?

The clock is ticking… but will twenty-four hours be long enough to heal four broken hearts?

***

This book is set in Scotland during the Hogmanay celebrations. I liked the way the narrative of this novel took place over a 24-hour period. Furthermore, each section is broken down into two hour time periods. This gave the book much immediacy and I enjoyed it very much.

It is a light-hearted, humorous and entertaining read. The chapters are written from the perspective of four of the characters, Ailish, her daughter Emmy,  Ailish's ex-mother-in-law Minnie and Dario, an old friend of the family. I enjoyed the way each of the characters moved the story along through their different perspectives.

 There was much to like about Ailish, and she was easy to engage with. However, there is a great cast of secondary characters who were equally entertaining. Ailish's friends Rhonda and Gwen were excellent, as were the individual men who revolve around the three women and contribute to the story.

There was much humour included in the story. However, there were also some more serious elements that the author handled well. At no time did this feel heavy. It remained along an upbeat tone and was joyous to read.

I very much liked the way the story covered the 24 hours leading up to the Hogmanay celebrations. The new year is a time to anticipate new beginnings and the author conveyed that very well.

I would say that this book would make for a wonderful read over the New Year period. However, we are now in early September and I doubt that I would want to wait until then. As it is available on Kindle Unlimited at the moment I recommend giving it a read. It would then make for a fantastic Christmas gift in the run up to the New Year celebrations.

ISBN: 978 1835184608

Publisher:  Boldwood Books

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

No. of Pages:  304 (paperback)

***

About the Author:

Shari Low is the #1 bestselling author of over 30 novels, including My One Month Marriage and One Summer Sunrise and a collection of parenthood memories called Because Mummy Said So. She lives near Glasgow.

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

(all opinions are my own)

Reading Roundup for August 2024

 

It is so nice to be back after my visit to Cheshire where I visited my son and his lovely wife. I took the above photo while I was away. It is a huge Paddington Bear which is completely made from straw. It is sited at Snugberry Farm in Cheshire where they sell the most amazing range of ice creams. It would have been rude not to sample a few while we were there! 

I managed a fair bit of reading while I was away, not all of which I have written reviews for yet.

Did you have a good reading month? What was your favourite read of August?

Books I Have Read

The King's Messenger by Susanna Kearsley - This is an author that I already liked and this book lived up to my expectations. Historical fiction of a lesser known queen. You can read my review by clicking here.

Rakiya: Stories of Bulgaria by Ellis Shuman - Needless to say, this is a collection of short stories which are all set in Bulgaria. I enjoyed reading them very much. You can read my review by clicking here.

The House of the Witch by Clare Marchant - This is probably my favourite read in August. A dual timeline set in the 17th century and the present. I highly recommend this one and you can read my review by clicking here.

Love in the Library by Maggie Tokuda-Hall & Illustrated by Yas Imamura - This picture book tells the story of how the author's grandparents, Tama and George, first met and fell in love. You can read my review by clicking here.

No Funeral for Nazia by Taha Kehar - I enjoyed this very much. Written from the persepective of a narrator who has passed away. Excellent fiction. You can read my review by clicking here.

When You Were Mine by Emma-Claire Wilson - This was an extremely enjoyable read based around two women who meet in the emergency department of a hospital in Spain when they both go into labour.

And Then She Fell by Alicia Elliott - This was fabulous and I really hope to get a review up soon. It features a native American woman who marries a white Canadian man. It made for riveting reading.

One Midnight With You by Shari Low - This was a nice book and my review will be up tomorrow as part of the blog tour.

Hanukkah by Leslea Newman - A wonderful picture book for children and my review will be up later this week.

One Grand Summer by Ewald Arenz - A coming of age story which was beautifully written. You can read my review by clicking here.

A Class Act by Julie Houston - Quite frankly I would read anything by this author. This was another wonderful read and you can find my review by clicking here.

The Missing Family by Tim Weaver -  It is number thirteen in the David Raker series. It worked well as a stand alone and was an enjoyable read.  You can read my review by clicking here.

Ancestry by Simon Mawer - This was a very enjoyable fictionalised account of the author's ancestors. Well worth reading.

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang - I'm always sceptical when I approach a book which has had so much hype. However, this was fantastic and I highly recommend it.

Books I Am Partway Through

The Dark Wives by Ann Cleeves

The Witch of the Breton Woods by Jennifer Ivy Walker

Henry V by Dan Jones

Folklore of Sussex by Jacqueline Simpson

Weyward by Emilia Hart

Nocturne With Gaslamps by Matthew Francis - #blogtour #spotlight

 

Hello. I am back from my summer break today and am delighted to be starting my return with a spotlight of Nocturne With Gaslamps by author Matthew Francis.  It is a historical crime fiction novel set in Victorian London’s gaslit theatre scene, where ghosts lurk in the shadows and murder takes centre stage. It is due for release on 5th September.

The Blurb

Gaslight. Ghosts. Murder.

Hastings Wimbury has always dreamt of playing Hamlet, but for now he works as a theatre gas-boy. Here, he tends to a gas chandelier so powerful it creates its own weather, and limelight machines that can throw a shadow onto a wall ten miles away.

When Hastings suddenly disappears, his fiancée Flora sets out to find him with the help of Cassie, her rival in love who is more preoccupied with the ghosts terrorising the streets of London. Soon total darkness is imposed upon the city, and they realise that something far more sinister is at hand…

Ladies aren’t supposed to solve mysteries, but this is a matter of life and death.

ISBN: 978 1915584236

Publisher:  Neem Tree Press

Formats: e-book and paperback

No. of Pages:  224

About the Author:

Matthew Francis is Professor Emeritus in Creative Writing at Aberystwyth University. He read English at Magdalene College, Cambridge University. He writes novels, short stories, and poetry collections. He has won the TLS / Blackwell's Prize for Poetry and the Southern Arts Literature Prize, and been shortlisted twice for the Forward Prize, twice for the Welsh Book of the Year Award and once for the Ted Hughes Award. In 2004, he was chosen as one of the Next Generation Poets. He is a Fellow of the Welsh Academy. Matthew lives with this wife in Aberystwyth, Wales where he enjoys playing chess, cooking and playing the ukulele.

(all media courtesy of The Write Reads)

(all opinions are my own)