The Book Witch by Meg Shaffer - #bookreview

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I am required to make it clear at the beginning of my reviews that I received this book for free from Netgalley. I have not been paid for doing this and all opinions are my own. I am Bookshop.org affiliated, which means I earn a very small amount of money if you buy from there using my direct link. Although I include purchase links to Amazon, I am not affiliated with them. I include them to make it easy for you to navigate to them if you so wish.

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The Blurb

Rainy March is a proud third-generation book witch, sworn to defend works of fiction from all foes real and imaginary. With her magical umbrella and feline familiar, she jumps into and out of novels to fix malicious alterations and wrangle characters that go off-script.

Book witches live by a strict code: Real people belong in the real word; fictional characters belong in works of fiction.... Do not eat, drink, or sleep inside a fictional world, lest you become part of the story. Falling in love with a fictional character? Don't even think about it.

Except Rainy has fallen hard for the Duke of Chicago, the dashing British detective who stars in her favorite noir series. After their illicit romance is exposed, Rainy is forbidden from ever seeing her fictional lover again, lest she be expelled from her book coven-and forced to give up the magical gifts that are as much a part of her as her own name.

When a priceless book is stolen from her home, there's only one person she trusts to help her get it back: the Duke. Thus their shared quest begins through the worlds of Alice in Wonderland, The Great Gatsby, and other classics that will reveal hidden enemies and long-buried family secrets.

My Review

This book has a fun premise which was entertaining to read.

Haven't we all wanted our perfect fictional romantic partner to step from the pages of a book at some point in our reading lives? I've been awaiting Atticus Finch since I first read To Kill a Mockingbird when I was thirteen!

For the main character in this book, Rainy March, that very thing happens when fictional detective, the Duke of Chicago, steps from within the pages of his book series, along with his cat, Koshka. It's just as well, as she soon needs his detective skills in attempting to find her missing grandfather.

The role of a book witch, such as Rainy, is to prevent 'burners' from deleting characters from books. Her mother and grandfather were also book witches, and so her destiny was already mapped out for her.

I loved the way the author took us into some classic literature. We follow Rainy into Alice in Wonderland, The Great Gatsby and the Nancy Drew books. It was wonderful to experience these books through Rainy's eyes while she was within their pages.

The book was imaginative and creates a world of escapism for the reader. Ms Shaffer is a great storyteller and I felt very involved in the story.

I adore books about books. However, books of this genre aren't my usual reading fare, but I enjoyed this and I feel encouraged to perhaps dip my toes further into the genre.

Book Details

ISBN: 978 1529443868

Publisher: Arcadia Books

Formats: e-book, audio and hardback

No. of Pages: 320 (hardback)

Purchase Links

Bookshop.org

Amazon UK

Amazon US

About the Author

Meg Shaffer is the USA Today bestselling author of The Wishing Game, which was a Goodreads Choice Awards finalist, a Book-of-the-Month finalist for Book of the Year, a #1 Barnes & Noble bestseller, and a Reader’s Digest Best Book of the Year. 

She holds an MFA in TV and Screenwriting from Stephens College. Her second novel, the instant national bestseller The Lost Story, is available now from Ballantine.

Shaffer lives in Kentucky with her husband and two cats. The cats are not writers.

You can also find Meg at:

Author Website

Instagram

Facebook

(media courtesy of the author)

(all opinions are my own)

(Bookshop.org affiliated)

The Resistance Knitting Club by Jenny O'Brien - #bookreview #blogtour

2010 - Guernsey

"I think she's coming round, Anna. I'm sure I saw her blink.  Mum. It's Liz and Anna... your granddaughter. You're in the hospital."

She raised her voice a little, leaning closer to her mother's good ear.

"Everything's fine. We're with you and it's all going to be okay..."

The Blurb

Inspired by the true story of a woman who used knitting patterns to encode intelligence during World War Two.  

Guernsey, 2010. After a stroke, an elderly woman shocks her family by speaking perfect French – a language they never knew she possessed. As her granddaughter unravels seventy years of silence, a hidden wartime story emerges...

Paris, 1941. After her brother is declared missing in action at Dunkirk, eighteen-year-old Lenny Gallienne vanishes into Churchill’s secret army. In a bookshop on Rue de la Pompe, she poses as a simple shop girl while encoding intelligence from Nazi headquarters into knitting patterns. Each sweater smuggled to prisoners contains flight paths. Each scarf holds radio frequencies. Each mistake means execution.

Fellow agent, Harry Dennison is the only person who knows her real name. But when the SS close in, Lenny faces an impossible choice in the Metro tunnels beneath Paris – one that will haunt her family for generations. Because in the resistance, the most dangerous secrets are the ones you keep from those you love most.

My Review

I have read that the author of this book wrote it as it combined two of her greatest pleasures – reading and knitting. That resonated deeply with me, as they are also two of my favourite things to do and were what initially attracted me to this book.

Leonore (Lenny) and James grew up on Guernsey. The brother and sister were close, so when Lenny hears that James is missing in action following the battle of Dunkirk, she is understandably devastated. However, she cannot quite bring herself to believe he is dead, and so enlists in Churchill's Secret Army.

During her training, Lenny is the only woman there, and retreats into her faithful knitting. However, when she has the idea to knit Morse code messages into her knitting, she comes to the attention of Harry Dennison, an old friend of her brother's and fellow agent, who sees an opportunity to use her skill to pass messages. 

Based on fact, I was already aware that Morse code was used in knitting to aid the war effort. However, it was wonderful to read more about it in this book. I admired the way the author brings this to the attention of the reader through this story. Knitting was the domain of women during this time period, making it easier to avoid detection. However, I loved the chapter where she attempts to teach her fellow agents to knit.

Lenny finds herself in France, working as part of the French Resistance. This is where we see Lenny demonstrate her bravery and courage. She is an excellent character throughout and was easy to engage with.

The bulk of the story is set during the war years, but part of the book is dedicated to the present day and told from the perspective of Lenny's granddaughter, Anna. This added something to the book, as it is only here that we realise that Lenny has kept her wartime secrets with her throughout her life.

This was a well-written book which completely drew me in. The author is a great storyteller who has the ability to engage her readers from the very first page. I have not read anything by this author before, and am so pleased that this is the beginning of a series as I would love to read more. 

I was also very satisfied with the ending of the book. I highly recommend this book to fans of historical fiction. What more could we ask for but a story which has been well researched, includes knitting, has a fabulous narrative and a bit of romance thrown in. A fabulous book in my opinion, and I would love to hear your thoughts if you read this book.

 

Book Details

ISBN:  978 1837002566

Publisher:  Storm Publishing

Formats:  e-book, audio and paperback

No. of Pages:  324 (paperback)

Series:  Book 1 in the Threads of Resistance series

Purchase Links

Amazon UK

Amazon US

About the Author

Jenny O’Brien writes complex thrillers and heartbreaking historical fiction, as well as intriguing romances. Silent Cry, initially self published, topped the Amazon kindle chart in both the UK and the USA. Most of her books have followed suit. 

Jenny has over 40 years experience as a qualified nurse. She turned to creative writing as a hobby when her children were born. 

Born in Ireland, she now lives in Guernsey with her husband and children.

BOOK NEWS 

The Resistance Knitting Club came out in February, 2026. A blend of Jenny’s two hobbies - knitting and reading. For more check out The Resistance Knitting Club Facebook Page. Join the conversation as well as share your crafting projects. 

You can also find Jenny at:

Author Website

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Facebook

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

(author photo courtesy of her Instagram page)

(all opinions are my own)

(Bookshop.org affiliated)

A Murder for Miss Hortense by Mel Pennant - #bookreview

 

On the morning Blossom brought the news that the Pardner Lady, also known as Constance Margorie Brown, was dead, Miss Hortense had not long finished watching Kilroy and was in the back garden... Her blood-red roses, which she had planted a lifetime ago, were put there to stop her forgetting something that was, by its own nature, quite unforgettable...

***

The Blurb

Death has come to her doorstep . . .

Retired nurse, avid gardener, renowned cake maker and fearless sleuth Miss Hortense has lived in Bigglesweigh, a quiet Birmingham suburb, since she emigrated from Jamaica in 1960. She takes great pride in her home, starching her lace curtains bright white, and she can tell if she's been short-changed on turmeric before she's even taken her first bite of a beef patty. Thirty-five years of nursing have also left her afraid of nobody - be they a local drug dealer or a priest - and an expert in deciphering other people's secrets with just a glance.

Miss Hortense uses her skills to investigate the investments of the Pardner network - a special community of Black investors, determined to help their people succeed. But when an unidentified man is found dead in one of the Pardner's homes, a Bible quote noted down beside his body, Miss Hortense's long-buried past comes rushing back to greet her, bringing memories of the worst moment of her life, one which her community has never let her forget.

It is time for Miss Hortense to solve a mystery that will see her, and the community she loves, tested to their limits.

My Review

The titular Miss Hortense may not be popular in the town where she lives, but people come knocking on her door seeking advice nonetheless. She is a retired nurse and is the first port of call in her neighbourhood for anyone seeking advice. She is a huge personality. She tells people things straight and does not suffer fools gladly. She is not averse to speaking her mind and easily upsets people along the way.

The book opens with talk of the Pardner Scheme and her part in it. Although this scheme rang a bell, I had to remind myself of what it was. In fact, it was a community savings scheme particularly popular with the Windrush generation, who were excluded from using British banks.

We quickly learn in the early part of the book that there had been a falling out between Miss Hortense and some of the others of the group, which had culminated in her removal from the scheme.

One thing I loved about this book was the use of colloquial Jamaican throughout. This immersed the reader into the culture and community alongside the characters. 

There is a complex mystery running throughout the book, and through this, we can see the vast reach of Miss Hortense's memory of the past. There were many flashbacks to the time when their community first arrived, as well as the years between then and the point at which the book is set.

I cannot recall reading of another character like Miss Hortense. The author absolutely inhabits her creation, and I can't help but assume that Miss Hortense is a combination of many people that she has known.

I believe this is the first in a planned series of books. I will be interested to see where the author takes the larger-than-life Miss Hortense.

Book Details

ISBN:  978 1399814379

Publisher:  Baskerville

Formats:  e-book, audio and hardback 

No. of Pages:  352 (hardback)

Purchase Links

Bookshop.org

Amazon UK

Amazon US

About the Author

An award winning writer, Mel’s debut novel, A Murder for Miss Hortense, is the first in a new crime series starring Miss Hortense, a retired Caribbean nurse from the Windrush generation.  

A Murder for Miss Hortense will be published 12th June 2025.

You can also find Mel at:

Author Website

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(ARC courtesy of NetGalley)

(media courtesy of the author's website)

(all opinions are my own)

(Bookshop.org affiliated)

The Girl from Normandy by Rachel Sweasey - #bookreview #blogtour

 

As Marie-Claire held her precious baby in her arms, and Benjamin wrapped them both in his embrace, the new parents quietly cried, overwhelmed with relief and gratitude that mother and child had both survived the delivery. And yet, the same night that this light had come into their lives, a deathly darkness had fallen... in nearby Germany.

***

The Blurb

Paris, 1940 - Marie-Claire steps into the Gare de Lyon, not knowing it will be the last time she'll see her husband and son. Fleeing occupied Paris, she travels into the countryside of Normandy, and stumbles upon a chateau near Caen and a growing resistance movement. Soon, Marie-Claire finds herself working in a cafe in the quiet village of Sainte-Mère-Église, where she tries to come to terms with all she has lost – but little does she realise that her presence in Normandy will change the course of history…

1998 -  Half a century later, Esther is returning to the Normandy village she visited as a teenager, seeking a break from her monotonous life. Back then, she'd fallen in love with a rustic farmhouse and the family that lived there – not least the charming eldest son, Jules Joubert. But now, when Esther discovers an old annotated cookbook in the family kitchen, she begins to realise that the place she holds so close to her heart may hide more secrets than even the Jouberts realise...

What stories does the area carry? And could this trip change Esther’s life for ever?

My Review

This was a lovely dual-timeline novel, which I enjoyed very much.

The book opens in 1940 with the main character, Marie-Claire, about to board a train in Paris accompanied by her husband and two-year-old son. I won't say what happens within the first few pages of this book, but suffice to say that an event occurs which made me sit up and just devour the rest of this book.

Marie-Claire was a fabulous character - strong, determined, and brave. I was absolutely immersed in her story and was rooting for her every step of the way.

The part of the book which is set in Poole, England, and Normandy, France, in 1998 introduces us to Esther, who is the main character of this part of the story. Esther visited Normandy when she was thirteen to stay with a family there, and she remained good friends with Giselle, and thus kept her connection with the family.

The setting, which is mostly Normandy, is well portrayed. The author's description of the countryside around Giselle's family farm depicted an area of beauty. Even during the war years, when we see the struggles of those living there, it was still possible to see the wonder of the physical surroundings. 

Both timelines of the novel work together seamlessly and are ultimately brought together with ease. The author did a fabulous job with making the shift from one time to the other seamless.

This was a highly compelling novel which I enjoyed. My only criticism, and it is a minor one, is that there is an event which occurs at the end of the book which I felt was needless. However, this did not inhibit my enjoyment of the book, and I highly recommend it.

Book Details

ISBN:  978 1835331170

Publisher:  Boldwood Books

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

No. of Pages:  280 (paperback)

Purchase Links

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Blackwell's

About the Author

Rachel was born to English 10-pound-pom parents in sub-tropical Brisbane, Australia, and when the family moved back to Poole, Dorset, she was just 5 years old. She then grew up against the stunning backdrop of Poole Harbour where she sailed and played on the beaches of Brownsea Island and Studland, and walked across the Purbeck Hills, all of which inspired her imagination and provided the setting of her debut historical fiction novel set in WWII. Since then, Rachel has moved back to Brisbane, Australia.

You can also find Rachel at:

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Author Newsletter

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

(all opinions are my own)

Dark Secrets on Dressmakers' Alley by Rosie Clarke - #bookreview #blogtour

 

In the hours of darkness, the streets and lanes around Dressmakers' Alley could seem dark and frightening, but the two men creeping like shadows past shuttered businesses were not afraid of anything much, exept the sound of a policeman's whistle and his pounding feet.

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The Blurb

Welcome back to Dressmakers' Alley, where danger lurks on every corner...

London’s East End 1924

The girls of Dressmakers' Alley are happy in their new jobs. Business is thriving and yet a new shadow looms.

Women are being attacked and robbed whilst several businesses have been burgled. Are these two circumstances linked or is this just a coincidence?

As the attacks escalate, and the police seem unmoved to intervene, the men of Dressmakers Alley decide to take the law into their own hands and patrol the streets to keep them and their women safe.

But when the man suspected of the attacks is found brutally murdered the eyes of suspicion fall on the group and Sam Collins is charged with murder. He seemingly has a motive, no alibi and is the owner of the murder weapon. The Police are convinced they have their man but fiancé Winnie is determined to prove him innocent.

When the mystery comes to a head, a dark and surprising secret is revealed. The selfless action of a father prevents a miscarriage of justice - but at what cost?

My Review

I very much enjoyed being reacquainted with Dressmakers Alley and it's inhabitants. I read the first book in the series earlier this year and you can read my review of Dangerous Times on Dressmakers' Alley by clicking on the title.  However, this works very well as a standalone novel and it is not necessary to have read the first book in order to enjoy this one.

Set in 1920's East End of London the author depicts both the era and it's environment very well. Her writing conjures up the atmosphere brilliantly. I enjoy books set in this time and place as this is where my grandparents were living in the 1920's which brings a huge relevance to my reading experience.

I enjoyed picking up with the characters from where the first book left off. Most of the women in the story are employed at the Miss Susie garment factory. It is a darker time than the previous book and the women and their associated families are afraid by a spate of violent attacks occurring in the area. 

There are some dark themes in this book but they are sensitively handled and never gratuitous. As you would expect of a book of this genre there is also some romance and a bit of a mystery to solve too. Who is the person attacking these women and breaking into the local businesses? I was very invested in reading on and finding out who the culprit was.

Another great read from Rosie Clarke. I enjoyed reading this very much and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a historical saga.

Book Details

ISBN:  978 1785131592

Publisher:  Boldwood Books

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

Purchase Links

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Waterstones

About the Author

Rosie Clarke is a #1 bestselling saga writer whose most recent books include The Mulberry Lane series. She has written over 100 novels under different pseudonyms and is a RNA Award winner. She lives in Cambridgeshire.

You can also find Rosie at:

Twitter / X

Rosie's Newsletter

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

(all opinions are my own)

A Brilliant Life: An Unforgettable Memoir of Love, Loss and the Ability of the Heart to Heal by Rachelle Unreich - #bookreview

 

My mother has always told her stories perfectly. When her grandchildren were little, they would long to stay overnight at her house - in part for the nightly ritual of hot chocolate and the heavy European bedding that wrapped them up in a buddle of goose down until they succumbed to sleep, but mostly for the magical way she could tell a story...

***

A powerful, true story of a Holocaust survivor told by her daughter - a tale that reminds us of the resilience of the soul and the ability of the heart to heal.

Born in Czechoslovakia, Mira was only 12 years old when World War II broke out and 17 when the Nazis finally caught up with her. Torn apart from her family, she went on to survive four concentration camps, including Auschwitz, and a Death March when she was too weak to walk. She lived when almost everyone she knew did not.

At 88, living in Australia, Mira is diagnosed with cancer and her daughter, a journalist, decides to interview her to distract her from her illness. As Mira gives her testimony Rachelle comes to understand how Mira's unique perspective - seeing her experiences through the lens of the goodness of the people who helped her - protected her from the depths of humanity's cruelty, and enabled her to go on to live a full and brilliant life.

Rachelle also fits together the jigsaw pieces of her own life as a child of a survivor. She comes to understand that however different their lives have been, she and her mother are uniquely united by a fierce inner strength to live, and a mystery of strange things that always seem to happen around them.

A beautiful story of love, loss, wonder and the deepest kind of trust in life, A Brilliant Life questions the role that fate, chance and destiny play. It is a tribute to family, a story of incredible resilience, and a chronicle of the deep connection between a mother and a child which not even death can destroy.

***

When I sit down to write a review of a book, I try to compare it to similar books that I have read in the same genre. However, that method never works when it comes to reviewing Holocaust memoirs. How can I possibly compare them? I have no right to judge the experience of one over another. So, I tend to give all Holocaust memoirs five stars for this reason because I admire the bravery and courage it has taken a survivor to tell of their extreme trauma. 

However, as the number of them lessen, the mantle is taken up by second generation Holocaust survivors. In A Brilliant Life, Rachelle Unreich tells the story of her mother, Mira, and she does so with skill, love and admiration of a mother who gifted her daughter with love and understanding.

Ms. Unrecich, a journalist, conveys us from the point of Mira's birth in Czechoslovakia through to the time of her death in Australia. She interviewed her mother towards the end of Mira's life, utilizing the skills of her profession, and this book is the result. She writes extremely well and factually. 

I have read many Holocaust memoirs over the years, and even though we are decades on, they still have the power to shock. The author details the experiences of Mira's time in the concentration camps, the murders of her family at the hands of the Nazis, and yet still she was capable of seeing the goodness in people.

It is impossible to read this book without feeling emotional. The author has the skill to transport the reader to a time and place in history that we should all be grateful we did not have the misfortune to live through. She writes with compassion and eloquence and has produced an excellent account of the life of her mother.

Mira's legacy was happiness and gratitude. Throughout the devastating losses and suffering, she chose happiness. While surrounded by the most despicable of human behaviours, Mira still chose to see the best in people. What a brave and admiral woman and I applaud the author for telling us Mira's story. What an extraordinary woman she was and this is an equally remarkable book. I highly recommend it.

ISBN: 978 1785306525

Publisher:  Black and White Publishing

Formats:  audio and hardback

No. of Pages:  336 (hardback)

About the Author:

Rachelle Unreich started her journalism career when she was completing her Arts/ Law degrees at Monash University. In addition to studying writing at UCLA, she has lived in New York, Los Angeles, Sydney and Melbourne. She has been a journalist for over 35 years, and has had regular columns in the Sydney Morning Herald, the Herald Sun and Elle magazine. Her work has appeared extensively in Australia, US, UK and South-East Asia. She currently lives in Melbourne.

(ARC courtesy of Net Galley)

(author media courtesy of Curtis Brown)

(all opinions are my own)

Playing the Witch Card by KJ Dell'Antonia - #BookReview

 

Other people, when forced to start over, do so in appropriate places. New York. Los Angeles. Bozeman. Only Flair would wind up in Kansas, dragging a hand-painted, life-sized figue of Jack Skellington into her bakery and wondering where to hide it until the horror show that was Halloween in Rattleboro finally lurched to an end this weekend.

Flair hated seeing even the outside of her tidy space besmirched with the trappings of a ridiculous holiday that invited exactly the kind of chaos that she normally kept firmly at bay...

***

When Flair Hardwicke returns to the tiny town of Rattleboro to take over her grandmother’s beloved bakery, she believes she’s prepared for anything. All she needs is her daughter Lucie, and to get as far away from her cheating ex-husband as physically possible. But sweet treats weren’t the only thing her grandmother was known for in Rattleboro, and as determined as Flair is to avoid it, a misbehaving deck of tarot card-shaped cookies draws her back into the web of family magic she’s fought so hard to escape.

Even worse: her first love is in town. Flair hasn’t spoken to Jude Oakes, now a famous chocolatier, since he broke her heart at seventeen. When Flair finds she’s accidentally summoned Lucie’s father to Rattleboro under a curse she can’t break, the recipe for Halloween chaos seems to be complete.

But not everything in Rattleboro is as it seems. As Flair’s family is threatened, she is forced to put aside everything she thinks she knows about love, witchcraft, motherhood―and herself. Because Flair might think she’s done with magic, but magic certainly isn’t done with Flair.

***

This is a lighthearted cozy witchy book that is ideal to read in the run-up to Halloween.

Set in the town of Rattleboro, this book oozes with the atmosphere of this small town in America. It sparks with rivalry, romance and relationships. It was very much about the relationship between mother and daughter.

The main character, Flair, is at times funny and there were many times I chuckled at her reactions. Indeed, many of the characters were larger than life. I particularly enjoyed watching the relationship between Flair, her mother and her daughter play out. 

Flair originally left Rattleboro in an attempt to leave behind her magical skills, and she certainly does not want her daughter, Lucie, to be any part of it. However, now that she has inherited her grandmother's bakery, she is back in her home town, attempting to resist it's and her magic. However, when she makes tarot shaped biscuits they are imbued with a magic of their own and she and the magic are thrust back together.

This is a fun and entertaining read which will appeal to fans of light hearted witch themed books.

ISBN: 978 1803366845

Publisher: Titan Books

Formats: e-book and paperback

No. of Pages:  336 (paperback)

About the Author:

KJ Dell’Antonia is a New York Times best-selling author whose novels The Chicken Sisters and In Her Boots explore the same themes she once explored as a journalist: the importance of finding joy in our families, the challenge of figuring out what makes us happy and the need to value the life we’re living more than the one in our phones and laptops, every single time. Her third novel, Playing the Witch Card, throws magic into the mix, but witchcraft, like reality TV and literary fraud, rarely really solves anyone’s problems. She is also the former editor of the New York Times’ Motherlode blog, the co-host of the #AmWriting podcast,  and a passionate bookstagrammer (@kjda).  She lives in Lyme, New Hampshire, with her husband, children and assorted dogs, cats, chickens and horses.

(author photo and bio courtesy of the author's website https://kjdellantonia.com/)

(ARC courtesy of NetGalley)

(all opinions are my own)

The Wolf Hunt by Ayelet Gundar-Goshen- #Translated by Sondra Silverston - #BookReview

 I look at the tiny fingers of a newborn baby and try to understand how they could possibly grow into the fingers of a killer. The dead boy is named Jamal Jones. In the newspaper photo, his eyes are as dark as velvet. My boy is named Adam Shuster. His eyes are the color of the sea in Tel Aviv. They say he killed Jamal. But that's not true...

***

Lilach seems to have it all: a beautiful home in the heart of Silicon Valley, a community of other Israeli immigrants, a happy marriage and a close relationship with her teenage son, Adam. But when aa local synagogue is brutally attacked, her shy, reclusive son is compelled to join a self-defense class taught by a former Israeli Special Forces officer. Then a Black teenager dies at a house party, and rumours begin to circulate that Adam and his new friends might have been involved.

As scrutiny begins to invade Lilach's peaceful home, and her family's stability is threatened, will are her own fears be the greatest danger of all?

***

When I read this author's book, Waking Lions, a few years ago I thought it was brilliant. So when the opportunity arose to read an advanced readers copy of The Wolf Hunt, I jumped at the opportunity. If you would like to read my review of Waking Lions you can do so by clicking here.

The Wolf Hunt was an equally wonderful novel from the pen of the Israeli author, Ms. Gundar-Goshen. I will be surprised if this does not make it into one of my favourite books of the year.

I was gripped from the very first page (above) and the author lays out the premise for the whole book in her opening words. She is a marvellous storyteller and pulls the reader straight into the heart of the book.

As a mother I could identify with the main character, Lilach. Her fears, concerns and worries were tangible and I think all readers, not just parents, will be able to empathise with her feelings. She is an excellently well portrayed character. It is clear that the author completely understands her character and fully inhabits her. The role of her husband and son are equally fully realised characters and she brings them fully to life.

The story is full of suspense, and it made this book a real page turner for me. It is also heart felt and compassionate, dealing with some difficult issues by considering the grey areas inbetween the black and white simplicity of a situation.

This is accomplished storytelling at its very best, and this was one of those rare books which I did not want to end. I highly recommend it.

ISBN:  978-1782279884

Publisher:  Pushkin Press

Formats:  Hardcover

No. of Pages:  288

Purchase Link*

About the Author:

AYELET GUNDAR-GOSHEN was born in Israel in 1982. She is a practising clinical psychologist, has been a news editor on Israel’s leading newspaper and has worked for the Israeli civil rights movement. One Night, Markovitch, her first novel, won the Sapir Prize for best debut. Her novel Waking Lions was a New York Times Book of the Year and won the Wingate Prize, and her novel Liar was Editor’s Choice in People magazine. All of her novels are available from Pushkin Press.

About the Translator:

SONDRA SILVERSTON is a native New Yorker who has lived in Israel since 1970. She has translated works by Amos Oz, Etgar Keret and Eshkol Nevo. Her translation of Amos Oz’s Between Friends won the 2013 National Jewish Book Award for fiction.

Purchase Link*

(ARC courtesy of NetGalley)

(author/translator photo and info courtesy of Pushkin Press)

(All opinions are my own)

*Disclosure: I only recommend books I would buy myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post contains an affiliate link from which I may earn a small commission.

Morgan is My Name by Sophie Keech - BookReview

 

 I was born in the midst of a storm, when the waves rose so high up the cliffs of Tintagel it was feared the entire castle would be dragged into the sea. Though my mother never spoke of it, my nurse Gwennol often told the tale - how Lady Igraine's cries fought with the thunder, her pain carried off on the screaming wind, lightning illuminating her struggle and the dangerous labour she never had with my two sisters.

'For a while we were sure she would die,' Gwennol would say, holding me rapt, over the music of Cornwall's swirling clifftop breeze. 'Hours she lay there, howling like a banshee, bone-tired. We were about to lose the light when your lady mother sat up, staring at the window as if seeing the Angel Gabriel himself. 'The sea has come!' she cried. 'Risen up to bear us away!'...

***

An atmospheric, feminist retelling of the early life of famed villainess Morgan le Fay, set against the colourful chivalric backdrop of Arthurian legend.

When King Uther Pendragon murders her father and tricks her mother into marriage, Morgan refuses to be crushed. Trapped amid the machinations of men in a world of isolated castles and gossiping courts, she discovers secret powers. Vengeful and brilliant, it's not long before Morgan becomes a worthy adversary to Merlin, influential sorcerer to the king. But fighting for her freedom, she risks losing everything – her reputation, her loved ones and her life.

***

This book is being published today and I highly recommend that you get your hands on a copy. It was a fabulous read and I am already certain that it will be one of my favourite reads of the year.

It is not an easy task to write a re-telling of an age old story in a completely different way. This feminist perspective of Morgan was empowering to read. In a time period which was strongly patriarchal, the author did a fantastic job in creating this alternative depiction of the Arthurian legend.

I equally enjoyed her portayal of Merlin which was completely different to the friendly wizard we have come to expect from other versions of him. Ms. Keech describes him as a sinister character who Morgan distrusts from the very beginning. As soon as we encounter him we know that the author is offering the reader an engaging alternative of this story.

I loved the strong female characters and relationships in this book; from the time Morgan spends in the nunnery right through to the strong relationship she has with Alys and other secondary female characters. Even her mother, whilst not so obviously a strong female character, is vital in enabling Morgan to receive an education - an avenue not open to women of the period.

It is very much a character driven novel which is told at a sedate pace. The author possesses the ability to inhabit her characters, bringing them perfectly to life on the page.

The prose is beautifully written and I enjoyed reading every word of this fabulous novel. This is the author's debut novel. She is a skilled storyteller and I cannot wait to read more from her.

ISBN: 978 0861545193

Publisher:  Magpie

Formats:  e-book, audio and hardback

No. of Pages:  352 (hardback)

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About the Author:

Sophie Keetch has a BA in English Literature from Cardiff University, which included the study of Arthurian legend. She is Welsh and lives with her husband and son in South Wales. For her debut novel, she was drawn to Morgan le Fay because of the progression of her character through time, becoming ever more villainous as she was written and rewritten in the words of men. But beneath the infamy, Sophie felt there was an unsung story and was compelled to seek out the woman behind the myth and give a voice to her contradictions.

Support Independent Bookshops - Buy from Bookshop.org *

(ARC courtesy of NetGalley)

(author photo courtesy of The Soho Agency)

(Author info courtesy of GoodReads)

*Disclosure: I only recommend books I would buy myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post contains an affiliate link from which I may earn a small commission.

Unorthodox Love by Heidi Shertok - #BookReview

 

On the scale of catastrophic things in the world, being a twenty-nine year old virgin isn't that bad. It's not like losing a loved one or getting robbed at gunpoint or being thrown in prison for a crime I didn't commit, or anything else that requires therapy and a good lawyer. Which is why if tonight's date ends up being a total disaster, I'm going to be just fine... I will not curl into a ball on the floor and imagine dying as an old maid, then go to the kitchen and finish off a tub of ice cream. In fact, I will not even think about the cookie dough ice-cream sandwich that gazes at me with seductive eyes every time I open the freezer.

***

Penina has grown up believing the Orthodox Jewish teaching that there is one soulmate out there for everyone. But now she's twenty-nine and single, she's starting to wonder if she's the exception.

She has tried everything to find 'the one' and after yet another disastrous date, she can feel even her faith starting to dwindle.

Add to that spending her days surrounded by diamond engagement rings in the jewellery store where she works and her new boss, Sam Kleinfeld, making her life a living hell, and Penina feels more hopeless than ever.

Until she meets Zevi, a handsome, successful, Orthodox singleton just like her. Who has a rather unusual proposal.

Could Penina be about to get everything she's ever wanted?

But then there's Sam, her pain of a boss, who she just can't stop thinking about...

***

I am always a little wary when a book is described as 'laugh out loud funny'. Humour is so subjective that I sometimes find that I barely raise a smile to books described in this way. This book was the exception to that, and I thought it was hilarious in parts, and did indeed laugh out loud.

It was also interesting to read a romantic comedy set in an Orthodox Jewish community. I was already familiar with many of these concepts, but I think this would equally appeal to a reader who is less accustomed to the background.

Penina was a wonderful main character. She was quirky, fun, loyal and a delight to read about. Her relationship with her family and her employer were lovely and very believable. She was a social media influencer of modest fashion and this provided the reader with something a bit different.

The author did an equally good job with the secondary characters. Pernina's sisters were particularly good, and I really enjoyed reading about them.

All in all, this was hugely entertaining whilst being an entirely wholesome book and I loved every page. I found myself thinking about it when I was doing other things and could not wait to get back to it each time. I heartily recommend this to anyone who enjoys romantic comedy or has an interest in Judaism.

ISBN: 978 1471413384

Publisher:  Embla Books

Formats:  e-book, audio and paperback

No. of Pages:  368 (paperback)

About the Author:

Heidi Shertok is an Orthodox Jewish woman, wife to a stud muffin engineer, and mother of three. When she isn't writing, she can be found walking her eight pound attack dog, admiring other people's gardens, or hiking in high heels.

(ARC courtesy of NetGalley)

James I, The King Who United Scotland and England by Keith Coleman - #BookReview @penswordbooks

 

The king's first child, and his great hope as the rightful ruler of the two island kingdoms, Prince Henry, was born in Stirling Castle in February 1594. The great hopes of the father were set down in the Basilikon Doron, the 'royal gift,' an extended missive to Henry which the king published when his son was five. As he grew, it seemed to some that Prince Henry was everything that his father was not: comely in appearance, attractive in personality, upright in morality. In later years, after the shady favouritism of his father's court and the weakness of his brother, Charles, as king, there was a retrospective urge to idealise the lost prince who died before maturity...

***

The life of King James VI who united England and Scotland under one crown and became James I in 1603 is marked by contradictions. Generally praised as a good king of Scotland and a poor English one, James was a deep theological thinker, but he also inspired a superstitious frenzy which resulted in the North Berwick witch hunt and trials in the 1590s. Scholar and pedant, he was in his own view God’s appointed ruler, yet also a foul mouthed sloven and forever tarnished with the title of the Wisest Fool in Christendom.

The most glaring contrast in his personal life was between his image as a married family man and as a ruler who lavished indiscreet affection on a series of men whom he invested with considerable power. This book approaches James through the lens of his relationships with his major favourites. First was Anglo-French lord Esme D’Aubigny, then Scottish squire Robert Carr (later Earl of Somerset), and finally the consummate nobleman George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham. ‘A king will have need to use secrecy in many things,’ the king wrote in one of his books. Although his private life was sometimes astonishingly visible, there are still many mysteries about James I as a man rather than a ruler.

This work tracks the king’s life from a barren childhood through a succession of plots, intrigues and conspiracies in Scotland which largely forged, or deformed, his character. Beyond his complex and disputed connection with these men the book looks at his relationship with his wife, sponsorship of the arts, and contains a reappraisal of the first and most neglected historical mystery of his first reign, the Gowrie Conspiracy.

***

If I wandered into a bookshop, any bookshop, and browsed the history shelves I suspect that I would find the section on British royalty dominated by the Tudors. That is not a criticism as it was an extremely interesting period of history. Comparitively, I wonder how many books on the Stuarts I would find? This is certainly one such book that should feature on those shelves. 

It is rich in scope and whilst it discusses those events pertinent to King James VI/I's reign in England (1603 - 1625), the author offers something a little different in his book. The witch hunts, the Gowrie conspiracy and his unification of Scotland and England into a United Kingdom are all expectedly there. 

However, we learn much about King James the man. Mr. Coleman portrays the contradictory lifestyle led by James VI/I. On one hand, he portrayed himself as a husband and father. On the other, he openly displayed and elevated a series of 'favourites,' all men who were believed to be his bedfellows. As an historically apparent homosexual, (although the author explains that the concept of homosexuality was not the same as we understand it today)  he would still have been expected to fill the royal nursery and provide the country with an heir.

Mr. Coleman's book has been extensively researched and is presented in an accesible manner. I have read many books on this period in history and this is an excellent addition to the canon. It is suitable for those who are already familiar with Stuart history or to those who are new to the period. It explains much about King James himself and would entice a reader to find out more about the historical events of the period. It is an excellent book which I highly recommend.

ISBN: 978 1399093590

Publisher:  Pen & Sword History

Formats:  e-book, hardback

No. of Pages:  240 (hardback)

About the Author:

Keith Coleman has a MA degree in Celto-Roman Studies from the University of Wales, Newport. His book Aedán of the Gaels: King of Scots (Pen & Sword Books, 2022) was his latest long-term study of the legends and history of the Scottish kings. He is also the author of The Afterlife of Kings James IV, Otherworld Legends of A Scottish King (Chronos Books, 2019) and maintain several blogs about the legends and history of Scotland and its kings. He is currently working on a book on latter day Jacobites to be published by Pen & Sword.

(author photo courtesy of Amazon)

(ARC courtesy of NetGalley)

(author bio courtesy of Pen & Sword)

The Guinea Pig Chronicles by Patricia Maxwell Watts - #BookReview

 

Fluffy was a guinea pig, but not just any guinea pig! He was young, clever, brave and adventurous. If Fluffy had been a man, he would have been an explorer. Fluffy lived with Minky, another guinea pig, in a hutch in the garden belonging to the human family. Fluffy didn't think his name reflected his personality at all, but it had been given to him by his human mum, so he didn't really mind. Minky was older than Fluffy, and not quite as clever, so Fluffy felt it was his responsibility to look after Minky.

***

Do you ever wonder about your pets and what adventures they may get up to? What they might experience when you're not around? And, finally, where you'd be without them?

The Guinea Pig Chronicles is based on the lives and adventures of six real life guinea pigs, owned by the author and her family over a period of twenty years.

Fluffy was a brave explorer, and rescued his friend from the jungle garden. Hamish was beautiful, but very unlucky. What he experienced shows how brave he was as well. A sore eye, sunstroke and toothache meant he got to know the vet very well! Jynesse was named after a well-known health drink, and ‘narrowly escaped’ becoming a celebrity. Winter and her friend experienced snow for the first time - and met Father Christmas! Autumn was a born mother and fulfilled her destiny by meeting handsome Valentino. Two became seven after the arrival of five beautiful baby guinea pigs. Stripey was one of Autumn’s babies and stayed with Autumn when the other babies found new homes. Finally, Stripey was special because she was the ‘last one’.

Each of the stories also shows how, when caring for a pet, human beings learn some valuable and important lessons. With charming illustrations by Katie John to accompany the stories, The Guinea Pig Chronicles is perfect for 7 - 9 year olds or anybody who loves guinea pigs!

***

I do not often review children's books but as a lover of guinea pigs I could not resist reading this one.

I am so glad that I decided to as this is a delightful little book. It is a collection of individual stories based on the lives of guinea pigs that have belonged to the author over the years. The author tells the stories in a way that made me feel as though she were telling me a bedtime story.

Supported by charming pencil drawn illustrations, this book will please both children and grown ups alike who have a fondness for our cavy friends.

ISBN:  978 1803135236

Publisher:  Matador

Formats:  e-book and hardcover

No. of Pages:  64 (hardcover)

About the Author:

Patricia Maxwell Watts is a seventy-four year old widow. She was born in 1947, and attended the Convent of the Sacred Hearts school in Epsom.

Over the last fifty years she has worked for an airline, an executive hotel, a further education college, and a well-known health care company. She retired from the latter after 21 years, in 2017.

She married her chef/musician husband (now deceased) in 1969, and their son was born in 1978. The Guinea Pig Chronicles is dedicated to him.

Patricia enjoys reading, swimming, 80s music and cooking. She is a sun worshipper, and loves Kefalonia, a Greek island. She once owned a Morgan sports car, and drove it every day for eleven years.

The idea for The Guinea Pig Chronicles came to her while sunbathing in the back garden during the long hot summer of the first lockdown in 2020.

(ARC courtesy of NetGalley)

(Author bio and info courtesy of Troubador Publishing)

The Return by Anita Franks - #BookReview

 

It is Tom who hears them first.

She has been watching him run up and down the grassy margins at the edge of the field, his arms flung wide, the tops of his wellies flapping against his skinny calves. Although she cannot hear over the deafening putter of the tractor, she can easily imagine the nasal drone he is making as he swoops and dives, mimicking the Spitfires that sometimes fly over the farm.

***

Jack Ellison’s war is over, but the battle for his family has just begun.

When Jack left for the war, he made a parting pledge to his pregnant bride, Gwen, that he would never return. It was, after all, best for everyone that he didn’t.

Now, as celebrations erupt for Victory in Europe, Gwen is terrified that Jack will renege on his promise, threatening the life she has built for herself and their son on the family farm.

But war has changed Jack, and he is coming home, determined to claim a place in Gwen’s life – and her heart.

As events of the past come back to haunt them, Jack and Gwen find themselves facing their greatest battle – and it is a fight neither of them can afford to lose.

In this sweeping historical story with huge heart, Anita Frank weaves a glorious tale of love and loss, secrets and promises.

***

So many novels on the market are set during the Second World War, making it difficult to choose from amongst them. I have read across the range of these books. Some have been brilliant and some I could take or leave.

In The Return, the author gives us a story which is a little different to many others and, as such, kept me captivated as the story slowly unfurled.

The two main characters, Gwen and Jack, are complex and, their relationship even more so. The thing I particularly liked about this book is that the details are gradually drip fed throughout the novel at an appropriate pace. With every chapter I learned more of their back story which made reading this novel a joy.

Additionally, the surrounding cast of characters was thoroughly well drawn. Each played a significant part in this story, and the author carefully choreographed their parts around the stories of Gwen and Jack.

Ms Franks ability to portray characters and place are exceptional. The farm in which the story is based felt tangibly real and, therefore, it was easy to feel transported to another time and place.

At it's core it is historical fiction with a huge dollop of mystery, intrigue and romance. It tackles love in all it's forms and it made for an emotive and heart felt reading experience.

This is the first time I have stumbled upon this author, and I am delighted to discover that she has written a previous novel, The Lost Ones, which is going straight onto my Christmas list.

ISBN: 978 0008341251

Publisher: HQ

Pages: 480 (hardback)

About the Author:

A farmer’s daughter from Shropshire, Anita studied English and American History at the University of East Anglia before moving to London to work in media analysis and communications.

 

She left paid employment to become a stay-at-home mum when she had the first of her three children. Sadly, Anita‘s youngest child developed a rare form of epilepsy in infancy which has left him severely mentally disabled and she is now his full-time-carer, but she has begun snatching what time she can to pursue her lifelong ambition of writing historical fiction.

 

Anita now lives in Berkshire with her husband, her two lovely girls and her gorgeous boy, a fluffy cat with an attitude, and a bonkers Welsh Springer Spaniel.

Her debut novel, The Lost Ones, was published by HQ in October 2019.

(book courtesy of Net Galley)

(photo and bio information from agents website)