Shades of Yellow by Wendy J. Dunn - #bookspotlight #blogtour

Today I am shining the spotlight on Shades of Yellow by author, Wendy J. Dunn. I love the look of this one and I hope to read it very soon.

The Blurb

During her battle with illness, Lucy Ellis found solace in writing a novel about the mysterious death of Amy Robsart, the first wife of Robert Dudley, the man who came close to marrying Elizabeth I. As Lucy delves into Amy’s story, she also navigates the aftermath of her own experience that brought her close to death and the collapse of her marriage. 

After taking leave from her teaching job to complete her novel, Lucy falls ill again. Fearing she will die before she finishes her book, she flees to England to solve the mystery of Amy Robsart’s death. 

Can she find the strength to confront her past, forgive the man who broke her heart, and take control of her own destiny?

Who better to write about a betrayed woman than a woman betrayed?

Book Details

ISBN:  978 1764070409

Publisher:  Other Terrain Press

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

No. of Pages:  350 (paperback)

Purchase Links

Amazon UK

Amazon US

About the Author

WENDY J. DUNN is a multi-award-winning Australian writer fascinated by Tudor history – so much so she was not surprised to discover a family connection to the Tudors, not long after the publication of Dear Heart, How Like You This, her first Anne Boleyn novel, which narrated the Anne Boleyn story through the eyes of Sir Thomas Wyatt, the elder. 

Her family tree reveals the intriguing fact that one of her ancestral families – possibly over three generations – had purchased land from both the Boleyn and Wyatt families to build up their holdings. It seems very likely Wendy’s ancestors knew the Wyatts and Boleyns personally.

Wendy gained her PhD in 2014 and tutors in writing at Swinburne University of Technology, Australia. She loves walking in the footsteps of the historical people she gives voice to in her books. 

You can also find Wendy at:

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(media courtesy of The Coffee Pot Book Club)

(all opinions are my own)

The Last Laugh Club by Kate Galley - #bookreview #blogtour

My dearest friend,

If you are reading this, then I am dead!

A little melodramatic, but please indulge my dear deceased heart. And it's not as if we didn't know it was coming...

The Blurb

Three former friends. One last request. The journey of a lifetime!

In life, Norman George – passionate knitter, excellent friend and secret youtube sensation – liked nothing better than a good laugh. And, it seems, he gets the last laugh even in death, because at his funeral, he invites his three closest friends to scatter his ashes in a place close to his heart, the Shetland Islands. The only issue is, while Bridget, Gloria and Derek might have loved Norman, they can’t stand each other.

So it’s with trepidation that the eclectic trio set off in their minivan on the ferry to Lerwick, each harbouring their own reason for wanting to grant Norman this last request. But as storm clouds roll in over the Shetland Islands, all of them are about to discover that some secrets are best shared, and that even after death, good friendship can change everything…

My Review

When I was offered the opportunity to read this book as part of the blog tour, I jumped at the chance. Back in January, I read Kate Galley's book, The Old Girls' Chateau Escape. I loved that one, so was very keen to take up this opportunity. The link to my review can be found via the title.

There are few books which could be so instantly appealing to me: a trio of older characters and knitting. When Norman passes away, he leaves each of his three friends a letter. Gloria, Bridget and Derek were all former colleagues of Norman. Unbeknownst to the trio, Norman had become a successful knitting YouTuber during the last few years following an accident at work which forced him to retire. 

He asks the three of them to take his ashes and scatter them at the most northern part of the Shetland Islands. This is a huge undertaking for the three of them, who feel some animosity towards one another. However, for Norman's sake, they decide to honour his last wishes and set off to do so.

This was a fabulous book which was both light-hearted and tender. The author has created three wonderful characters. None of them are prepared for the adventure ahead, and this made for fun reading. They are each flawed, complex and relatable, and they come alive vividly on the page.

Indeed, the setting of the Shetland Islands is every bit as important a character as the trio. It is beautifully described, and the author's descriptions of the landscape and weather were visceral. I am sure that anyone who reads this book will be left with a longing to visit there themselves.

I was sorry to finish this book as I so enjoyed spending time with Gloria, Bridget and Derek on their adventure in the Shetland Islands. It was an entertaining read whilst dealing with themes of guilt, forgiveness and friendship. 

I would not hesitate to recommend this book, or indeed anything else by this author. I am definitely intending to delve into some of her other books.

Book Details

ISBN:  978 1835338834

Publisher:  Boldwood Books

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

No. of Pages:  264 (paperback)

Purchase Links

Amazon UK

Amazon US

About the Author

Kate Galley is the author of uplifting golden years fiction, including The Second Chance Holiday Club. She lives with her family in Buckinghamshire and works part time as a mobile hairdresser.

You can also find Kate at:

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

(all opinions are my own)

Back to Her Future by Cary Hansson - #bookreview

Tuesday 14th January 1986

Dear Mery,

I'm writing this letter even though I haven't got your address. Mum says she's sure we'll get one soon. I thought I'd write because otherwise I'm going to forget all the things I need to tell you. It's been twenty-four days already and I miss you.

***

Meryem has learned to look out for number one.

Abducted as a teenager from England to Turkey, where she was forced to marry a man twice her age, thirty years later she is finally free to live life on her own terms.

She is divorced and wealthy, working a lucrative job in Dubai when a whispered confession from her dying father turns her world upside down, and sets her on a path to discover the truth.

The first step is a return to London, and her childhood best friend, Alma.

But the women, once so close, struggle to reconnect as forgotten memories and shocking revelations surrounding Meryem's abduction, tear open unhealed wounds for both of them.

 Beautifully and boldly written, Cary J Hansson merges history, everyday circumstances and aching tragedy into an unforgettable narrative.

Back to Her Future is the compelling first novel in The Gen X Series of women’s contemporary fiction. If you like scarred but resilient heroines, nostalgic interludes, and transformative epiphanies, then you’ll love The Gen X Series.

***

Wow! It is rare that I begin a review with such an expression but on this occasion there is no other word which will do. This is a fantastic novel and was easily a five star read for me.

I have previously read all three books in the author's Midlife series and I am posting links to my review of each of those books below. I really enjoyed all three of them and highly recommend them. 

When I picked this book up, I was expecting it to be as good. However, my expectations were surpassed. In Back to Her Future, the first in a new series, Ms Hansson writes with depth and self assuredness and it is a delight to witness how accomplished her writing has become.

She has delved deeply into the complex lives of the three women in the book, Meryam, Alma and Sammy, who were friends as children. Life has taken them in very different directions and when they come together again as adults, it is not without problems.

The author demonstrates a depth of understanding of her characters. Each of them is complex in her own way, and I enjoyed the way in which the author brings the three of them to a point of understanding of one another, and themselves.

There are some difficult themes running throughout this book but there is nothing gratuitous and they are dealt with sensitively and compassionately. The story also looks at identity and culture and how they make us act.

However, the thing that is common to all these women is the guilt that they carry for one reason or another. Add to that themes of motherhood, friendship and forgiveness along with some excellent writing and you have a superb book.

The narrative is written through prose and a series of letters from the past and this permits the reader to understand the situation from differing perspectives.

All in all, this is an excellent book which I highly recommend. I can hardly wait for the second book in the series.

ISBN: 978 9152786017

Publisher:  Hansson Publishing

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

No. of Pages:  326 (paperback)

Links to Previous Reviews

A Midlife Holiday

A Midlife Baby

A Midlife Gamble

About the Author:

Cary’s  work has been shortlisted in national and international competitions. She writes for various publications, digital and print. She lives in Stockholm, where she enjoys a glass of wine and a cold water swim daily, but not in that order.

(book and media courtesy of the author)

(all opinions are my own)