Three women who met at antenatal classes gather every week in summer for a picnic in the park, under the shade of the weeping willow tree and share thThree women who met at antenatal classes gather every week in summer for a picnic in the park, under the shade of the weeping willow tree and share their thoughts about motherhood.
Elsie is new to the area, she taking her baby for a walk in her silver cross pram and she’s happy when she’s asked to join the group. The four Irish women have very different personalities and the one thing they have in common is they have had their first child.
Gracie is the organized mother, she seems to have everything under control and little Jasper is thriving. Gracie's worried about being absent from her job in advertising, she didn’t know her partner for long before she fell pregnant and it feels like she's the mother of two children. Lina is a single parent by choice, she doesn’t think her daughter Tommy’s father needs to be involved in her life and she quite capable of raising her and financially supporting them both. Jane doesn’t say much, it’s a cheap outing and she’s happy to be able to escape the house with baby Owen. Her husband is controlling and demanding and she has to make sure she's home in time to cook his tea perfectly. Elsie is new to the group, she and little Chloe are always dressed beautifully. Elsie has the habit of saying the first thing that pops into her head and she has a bad case of foot in mouth disease.
Being a new mum is really hard, it’s isolation, tiring, you doubt your own capabilities and it completely changes and takes over your life. Mixing with a group of mothers in the same situation should make you feel better, at times it causes tension, conflict, resentment and comparisons.
I received a copy of The Start of Summer by Alison Walsh from NetGalley and Hachette Books Ireland in exchange for an honest review. The narrative is an interesting and thought provoking look at motherhood from four different points of view. A story about friendship, relationships, babies, women, expectations, reality, hindsight, hiding domestic abuse, secrets and three and a half stars from me....more
Keagan Cadagan moves to Springfield, Missouri with her employers the Flannigan’s, she's their nanny and housekeeper, and she leaves her seven brothersKeagan Cadagan moves to Springfield, Missouri with her employers the Flannigan’s, she's their nanny and housekeeper, and she leaves her seven brothers behind in Kansas to fend for themselves. When Mrs. Flannigan announces she's going away for a couple of months, it’s not safe for Keagan to stay in the house with Mr. Flannigan and she secretly flees. Woodrome and Hunter Boarding House are looking for a housekeeper and a hopeful Keagan applies for the job. Raymon Woodrome isn’t sure eighteen year old Keagan will be suitable, she seems far too young, and she proves him wrong.
Keagan and Raymons relationship starts off as a professional one, over time they develop feelings for each other and Keagan is worried, as she’s Catholic and Raymon is a Protestant. He’s hardworking, kind, considerate and Keagan is exactly the same and their a perfect match. Keagan teaches Raymon the art of Irish storytelling, dancing and he enjoys the traditional food she cooks and so do the guests at the boarding house.
As time goes on, Keagan worries about her brothers, her former employers have disappeared and things get worse. America enters WW I, all men in Raymons age group have to register for the draft, she's concerned he will be sent off to fight and the Spanish Flu breaks out.
I received a copy of a Promise in Autumn by Barbara Morriss from NetGalley and BookBaby in exchange for an honest review. The narrative is based around real people who lived in America during the early 1900’s, Keagan and Raymon are the nicest of characters and the story has elements of suspense, mystery and crime, due to the Flannigan's pasts and business practices. A sweet and wholesome love story, about the changing of seasons and the uncertainty of life, and four stars from me....more
Ruth Dixon is only fourteen when her mother leaves one morning for Stanhope, she assumes she’s gone Christmas shopping and she's worried when she doesRuth Dixon is only fourteen when her mother leaves one morning for Stanhope, she assumes she’s gone Christmas shopping and she's worried when she doesn’t return. Her father comes home drunk, he assaults Ruth and she doesn’t know what do to? Ruth life turns into a nightmare, one night her father attacks her again and this time a desperate Ruth retaliates.
A pregnant Ruth wanders the country roads for days, when she’s rescued by Jay Gilbraith and he takes her to the nearby convent. Sister Madeline along with three other nuns run a new orphanage in Wolsingham, aided by Jay, and they provide food, shelter and an education to orphans and many are children of migrants.
Once Ruth recovers, she enjoys looking after the younger children at the orphanage, she discovers she has a talent for drawing and telling stories. She has a secret crush on Jay Gilbraith, he’s engaged to Eve Gray, the local doctor’s daughter and he’s building her a large house on the fell.
Jay Gilbraith and his childhood friend Wesley Hallam own the local coal mine together, after a terrible accident, Jay struggles to cope and Eve gets really annoyed with him and makes a silly decision.
I received a copy of The Foundling School for Girls by Elizabeth Gill from NetGalley and Quercus Books in exchange for an honest review. The story highlights the importance of friendship, and helping those in need, Jay and Wesley grew up on the streets of Newcastle, from his own personal experiences he wanted to protect innocent children, he uses the money he made from his successful business to do this, and I really admired his character in the narrative. Three and a half stars from me and I’m keen to read the next book in the series, The Runaway Children....more
Neville Hopkins dies in a mining accident, his widow has no choice, she and her six children move into the workhouse. The family are separated and senNeville Hopkins dies in a mining accident, his widow has no choice, she and her six children move into the workhouse. The family are separated and sent to different parts of the facility and the eldest boy Tom finds a job.
Megan Hopkins holds onto the happy memories of when her family was together and it keeps her going, when she tries to visit her mother, and Miss. Hamilton refuses to let her see her. For some reason Miss. Hamilton has it in for Megan, her best option is to find work outside and spend less time in the workhouse. Mrs. Peggy Mathias employees Megan to run her market stall selling baked goods, and Megan is so excited.
Megan shares her good fortune with her friend Griff Morgan, and she saved a hungry Griff from being arrested when he stole two apples. Griff lives in the China district, a bad area of town, with his uncle Berwyn and he’s worse off. Megan and Griff share the odd sticky bun, and Megan introduces him to her new friend Mrs. Kathleen O’Hara, and she's a singer at the temperance hall. They discover Griff can sing, and he teaches a dog Scamp to preform tricks on stage. Unfortunately for Griff his greedy uncle ruins everything for him, and he’s not sure if he will ever see Megan again?
I received a copy of The Workhouse Waif by Lynette Rees from NetGalley and Quercus books in exchange for an honest review. Wales in the 1860’s is the main setting for the narrative, where life was hard and the last place anyone wanted to end up; was living in the workhouse. Megan's is a sweet and kind girl and she has soft spot for her best friend. Megan handles everything life throws at her, she looks out for her younger siblings and doesn’t give up hope of seeing her friend Griff again. Four stars from me, a story about hardship, poverty, persistence, resilience, friendship and having faith.
Badara is a small country town in South Australia, where everyone is distantly related and knows each other’s business. Single mother of three Paige RBadara is a small country town in South Australia, where everyone is distantly related and knows each other’s business. Single mother of three Paige Radcliffe moves to the tiny town, she looking to escape the city and hide.
Paige doesn’t know anyone in Badara, she’s lonely and she joins the local exercise class at the town hall. Paige is nervous about going, people tend to judge single mothers and it makes her feel uncomfortable. The ladies at the class are older, they have lived in Badara for years, and they bombard Paige with gifts. At first Paige assumes they feel sorry for her, but in a small town people often share excess fruit and baked goods and it’s one of the many benefits.
Marion Addicot and Briony Hensley are sister-in-law’s, their husbands are farmers and Marion has recently retired. Marion can come across as rather curt, and Briony is rather proper and likes to do things perfectly. Briony isn’t prepared when her married daughter Chelsea moves home and her son Blake returns from London and reveals a big secret. Briony and Vince have their three adult children back in Badara, Vince looks at the situation differently to his wife, he thinks the family are reconnecting and Briony feels everything has changed, not for the better and she doesn’t handle it well.
Marion is horrified when they start talking about holding a back to Badara weekend, in the 1970’s they had a similar celebration, a time capsule was buried and Marion wants it to stay in the ground. A sixteen year old Marion and her friend wrote down what they thought about people at the time and local gossip.
Marion’s letter is found, read out during exercise class and feelings are crushed. Marion is ashamed of what she wrote, how can she repair the damage she’s done and apologize. Marion hides at first, then she sets about making amends for her hateful letter, she bakes batches of her famous sausage rolls and starts delivering them. This causes a tidal wave of change, slowly her friends forgive her and they all experience a revelation? Women put a lot of pressure on themselves, they juggle too many things, keeping up the appearance they have everything under control and they don’t need any help.
I received a copy of Keeping Up Appearances by Tricia Stringer from NetGalley and Harlequin Australia in exchange for an honest review. Small Australian rural towns usually have a hall, church, primary school, a football and netball club. Life revolves around these things, most of all it's about sharing community spirit, friendship, support, a feeling of belonging and camaraderie. Ms. Stringers descriptions and characters in her latest novel were simply perfect, I laughed and cried while reading the narrative. It was honest, raw, tender, funny, a sisterhood and a bond was formed between the five women and five stars from me....more
Karlana Vogel's parents died when she was a baby, her grandfather Jeremiah raised her, he’s owns the local real estate agency in Acacia Haven, and theKarlana Vogel's parents died when she was a baby, her grandfather Jeremiah raised her, he’s owns the local real estate agency in Acacia Haven, and they work together. Karly likes her job, and her two best friends Summer and Nev live in the quaint beach side town, and they catch up regularly for fish and chips. Karly isn’t happy when Hudson Grenville a hotshot agent from Melbourne arrives in Acacia Haven with plans of taking over her grandfathers real estate agency, he really makes her mad, and riles her up!
Hudson had a difficult childhood, he’s worked very hard to be a successful agent in Melbourne and he wants to increase his portfolio. Buying Vogel’s agency is important, Hudson wants to expand Grenville Sanctuary, and they provide housing for troubled teens and people down on their luck. He presents his pitch to Jem and Karly, it sounds great to Jem, and Karly isn’t impressed at all.
Jem and Karly need to discuss Hudson offer, Jem thinks Karly is being stubborn and there is more to life than living in Acacia Haven and running his agency, he could retire and wouldn’t Karly like a change? Hudson has really ruffled her feathers, he makes Karly feel rather flustered and of course it because she's mad at him!
Jem is sixty nine, Karly thinks he’s happy living and working in Acacia Haven. Jem has been secretly dating a widower, who runs the Kick Knack Shop, their trying to work out where their romance is heading, do they want to travel, and what the future holds?
I received a copy of The Promise of Home from NetGalley and Harlequin Australia in exchange for an honest review. This is the second book I have read by Nicola Marsh, included in the narrative are characters from the first book Summer of Serenity, I liked catching up with them again and Acacia Haven. I admired Karly and Hudson for their work ethic, both are perfectionists and high achievers. I enjoyed reading about their evolving relationship, both had to learn to be more adaptable, pull down the barriers and follow their hearts. If you like reading a fictional story set in a small Australia town, with chemistry and sparks flying between the main two characters, I highly recommend reading this book, and five stars from me....more
In December 1941, the American commanders didn’t see the major attack by the German forces coming, after the first barrage and three Panzer armies andIn December 1941, the American commanders didn’t see the major attack by the German forces coming, after the first barrage and three Panzer armies and their supporting troops started advancing. The 106th and the 99th American infantry divisions had no combat experience and the 28th infantry was weakened and depleted by the battle at the Hurtgen Forest. Fighting in the harshest climatic conditions imaginable, the temperature was -28 degrees, many suffered from hypothermia, frostbite and trench foot. Keeping the army supplied was causing logistical problems, the German soldiers believed the lazy, spoiled American soldiers were no match and they proved them wrong.
The Battle of the Bulge or as it’s sometimes called The Ardennes Offensive was not only fought in the forest, the terrain included hills, valleys, rivers, and farmland. Peering through thick mist and fog, the American soldiers heard footsteps crunching in the snow and saw figures coming out of the mist and of course they were German soldiers. The battle lasted a month, the allies won because they had air support, eventually they dropped ammunition, medical supplies and food to their troops, the Luftwaffe couldn’t provide air support to the Germans divisions as the allies had decimated their numbers, and a few tackles errors also slowed their advance.
Martin King walked the battle fields of Belgium, he’s spoke to veterans from The Battle of the Bulge, and listened to their stories. One surviving soldier lived in Florida, he wore four pairs of socks, he lost all of his toes from frostbite and years later his missing toes still felt cold. The battle was the Germans last major Western offensive, with heavy casualties on both sides and the Germans continue to fight on for another five months.
I received a copy of The Battle of the Bulge by Martin King from NetGalley and Arcturus Publishing in exchange for an honest review. After storming the beaches of Normandy and reaching Paris, the American troops had one major offensive to overcome and that was the Battle of the Bulge. The author thoroughly researched his book, he acknowledges the human side of war, those in charge, the tragedy, huge loss of life, civilians caught up in the violence, and price of victory. Five stars from me, I liked to read true and well written accounts of WW II battles....more
Leticia Lili‘uokalani Lang is returning to Hawaii in 1909, after being sent to boarding school in San Francisco, to turn her into a lady and for her tLeticia Lili‘uokalani Lang is returning to Hawaii in 1909, after being sent to boarding school in San Francisco, to turn her into a lady and for her to learn to control her fiery temper. Letty loves animals, she wants to be a veterinarian and she’s a proud suffragette.
On arrival Letty jumps into the water, she saves a horse from drowning and discovers she’s an mākāhā, a Gate to the healing fires of the land, and her hair turns a bright red. The ancient power that lives with in her is very intense, it's her connection to the islands, she needs to learn how to use her special type of magic and Kumu helps her.
Letty meets Mr. Timothy Rowley, it was his horse Diablo that she saved from drowning and he doesn’t know what to make of Letty. After spending time with her, he discovers the gift she has with animals, Letty finds the Englishman attractive, with her power a kiss from her is enough to kill him and she must control her feelings towards him.
I received a copy of Bound in Flame by Katherine Kayne from NetGalley and Passionflower Press in exchange for an honest review. I’m not a big fan of magical realism, it’s not really my style, as the narrative was set in Hawaii it did fit in with the islander’s beliefs and culture. I enjoyed reading about the beautiful island, food, clothing, Letty's dreams of being a vet, love interest, and her family are all lovely. Letty's a member of the Hawaiian Ladies Riding Society and what an impressive sight they would be riding their horses and holding their votes for women banner. Three and a half stars from me, I actually own a copy of this book and a quick read.
Suki Brown grows up in poverty, her parents work for farmer Constsant Lambton and she’s desperate to escape their over crowed cottage. Suki falls in lSuki Brown grows up in poverty, her parents work for farmer Constsant Lambton and she’s desperate to escape their over crowed cottage. Suki falls in love with Captain Jack, he tells her he loves her and she’s left to deal with the consequences.
Suki's employed by the Bradbury family as a wet nurse in Bath, she has to feed their baby William first and then tend to her own son. Sir George and Lady Bradbury have three children, Ariadne, Melissa and little William. Sir George is busy with his various business ventures and Lady Bradbury likes to entertain and go shopping. Suki fends off Sir George's unwanted advances, then discovers William has passed away and she quickly switches the babies. Suki's very worried she will get into trouble for defending herself against Sir George and for William passing away.
Suki tires to find Captain Jack Daventry, he lied to her and he’s set sail aboard the Bonny Beaufoy. He’s pretending to be a slave master, he and the crew are traveling to the West Indies. The realities of slavery shock Jack, others don’t consider slaves to be human and he begins to think differently. This causes tension aboard the Bonny Beaufoy, it’s a long voyage back to England and Jack has to fight keep his own freedom. All the while Suki is still searching for him, dealing with the Bradbury family and worried someone will discover her deception.
I received a copy of Suki from Agora Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Beryl Kingston has written a long winded historical saga, it starts in Bath England, in the year 1755, and you travel along with Jack to the West Indies, Africa and back to England. The story highlights the plight of unmarried mothers, poverty, lack of education and how hard life was at the time. You also learn about the beliefs and customs of the period, fashion, child raising, infant mortality rates, diseases, and how cruel and barbaric slavery was. I found the parts of the narrative about slavery very difficult to read, extremely distressing and three stars from me....more
A fire quickly spreads through Twin Springs Hotel in 1928, General Rockwell’s three daughters are killed, Emerald, Ruby and Amethyst and years later tA fire quickly spreads through Twin Springs Hotel in 1928, General Rockwell’s three daughters are killed, Emerald, Ruby and Amethyst and years later the mystery surrounding their deaths remains.
Diamond was orphaned at eight when her mother Opal passed away in a fire, after staying at a series of foster homes and in a psychiatric facility, she's adopted by the Wolfe family. Diamond changes her first name to Justyne, stops talking about the shadowy woman who haunts her dreams and follows her everywhere. She's raised by a military family, her brother Jaxon served in the Special Forces, he returns to the US and has met the woman he wants to marry.
JD runs a detective agency, called White Wolfe Investigations, she uses her unique gift to find missing and abducted children. Once found, she contacts the police and the social worker that helped her all those years ago. The Wolfe’s travel to Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, to visit Jaxon and his finance Ava Fairbanks. The Fairbank family own an old rundown hotel and spa called Twin Springs.
Logan Oakes was badly burnt in his last tour of duty, he thinks he looks like a monster, he’s hiding in the woods until Jaxon his old army buddy and his brother Sam drag him back to Twin Springs. He promised to rebuild the tower for Isabella and Theo's wedding, he gets back to work, and he feels uncomfortable around the Wolfe clan.
JD swears, she dresses in all black, wears boots and keeps a knife hidden in one of them. JD notices something is odd about the young front desk clerk at Twin Springs, she's taking care of her little brother and he’s obsessed with superheroes. He thinks Logan is one, he and JD are determined to discover what the siblings are hiding and in doing so, it leads them uncovering the long buried secrets that have been hidden at Twin Springs for a century.
I received a copy of Haunted by Amethyst by Dee Armstrong from NetGalley and Big Dipper Publishing in exchange for an honest review. It’s a spooky story about an old hotel, JD's unique gift and link to her shadow, a wounded warrior, two extremely cynical people falling in love, a quick read and three stars from me....more
The Jackson family live in Borough, in the south of London and have two teenage daughters. Jim runs a produce stall at the local market and Rosie is aThe Jackson family live in Borough, in the south of London and have two teenage daughters. Jim runs a produce stall at the local market and Rosie is a housewife. With the threat of another war looming, Mary is sent to the country and Gracie has just started studying nursing at Guy’s Hospital. Rosie’s family still live in Binderton, she visits her Pa and the family celebrate a wedding and the birth of a new baby.
Jim fought in The Great War and Rosie lost her brother, so they both know how terrible war can be. Jim signs up as an air raid warden and Rosie volunteers to drive an ambulance. When the Blitz starts, Jim and Rosie are shocked by the decimation of London, the numbers of innocent civilians killed and the shocking injuries. The family endure the war years, the Germans bomb London every night, at times Rosie really struggles and doesn’t know how much more she can take? Jim and her girls keep her going, and the support of her neighbors Mrs. Totteridge and Sonia Cohen.
A working class families experiences during the Second World War, and how the Jackson’s follow the war news and battles. From the beaches of Dunkirk and the bombing of Pearl Harbor, to the deserts of Africa and to campaign in Italy, and D-Day, the push into Belgium and the liberation of concentration camps.
I received a copy of Citizens Armies by Beryl Kingston from NetGalley and Endeavour Media in exchange for an honest review. The narrative really highlights what it was like to live in England during WW II, from children being sent to the country, to the Blitz and so many sleepless nights, rationing and shortages, young single women being conscripted, wartime marriages, the constant worry and the inevitable loss of loved ones. The second book in The Jackson Family Saga, I highly recommend reading both novels and four stars from me....more
Ella and Johnnie McCain own a small plantation and a tin mine in the Kledang hills in Malaysia and Ella inherited the property from her late father. TElla and Johnnie McCain own a small plantation and a tin mine in the Kledang hills in Malaysia and Ella inherited the property from her late father. The couple have two children Grace and baby Toby. Ella lives a very comfortable lifestyle, she has a cook, nanny, gardener, houseboy and a driver.
Johnnie’s from England, his parents still live there and the couple have been worried about them, and due to the Second World War breaking out. Everyone assures Ella that Malaysia is well defended and the Japanese wouldn’t attack the island and she has no reason to make a fuss!
Then the Japanese decimate Pearl Harbor, Malaysia could be next and many of the Europeans families are fleeing to Singapore and Ella doesn’t know what to do? Grace is in the fever hospital in Menglembu, Ella reluctantly leaves for Singapore with Toby and the plan is for Johnnie and Grace to meet them there. When they don’t arrive, Grace makes the difficult decision to sail to England and she can stay with her in-laws in Oxfordshire.
The Japanese move into the McCain’s villa, Noor the cook remains, she takes care of Grace and she doesn’t know what happened to Mr. McCain. Communications between the two countries have been cut, Ella has no idea what happened to her family in Malaysia and she's extremely worried. Ella finds living in England hard, she hates the cold weather and she feels guilty for leaving Grace behind. Her mother in-law Polly is lovely, she’s concerned about her son and granddaughter and she has two children from the city billeted with her. As the war years drag on, both women struggle to keep positive, they feel tired, drained, rundown and get overwhelmed.
The war finally ends, Ella can’t find out what happened to Johnnie and Grace and eventually she’s able to travel back to Malaysia, she has no idea if they survived the Japanese occupation and she's shocked by how much it has changed.
I purchased a copy of The Forgotten Promise by Paula Greenlees and I decided to review it for NetGalley as well. The story is told from two points of view, Ella’s and Noor’s and when they were little girls they were best friends and this changed when Ella went to school. You read about the struggles they faced during the Second World War in the narrative, the uncertainty, danger and deprivation and a huge secret from the past is revealed at the end. I highly recommend this book for fans of wartime historical fiction and five stars from me....more
Lewis Madigan has just had the worst day of his life, the software developer is counting on receiving a promotion and pay rise. Instead he’s given a pLewis Madigan has just had the worst day of his life, the software developer is counting on receiving a promotion and pay rise. Instead he’s given a pink slip and his final pay check, and arrives home to find his boyfriend is leaving him.
His grumpy homophobic neighbor notices Tim leaving, he’s rather happy about it and makes a nasty comment. Chester Wheeler lives alone next door, he’s wheelchair bound, his daughter is desperate to find him a new health-care worker and she thinks Lewis is the perfect replacement. Lewis doesn’t need the hassle, he has no experience taking care of people and however he does require the money. All he needs to do, is make sure Chester takes his medication, be on call twenty four hours a day and how hard can it be? Chester is difficult, he pushes Lewis’s buttons, has a go at him all the time for being gay and is downright horrible.
One day Chester is nice to him, Lewis is suspicious, and he has every right to be, Chester wants him to drive him from Buffalo to Arizona and so he can see his ex-wife before he passes away. Lewis would have to drive a Winnebago two thousand miles, take care of a frail Chester and he agrees! For the unlikely pair, it’s a time of being way out of their comfort zone and self discovery. Lewis sees another side to Chester, and under the prickly exterior he’s human and has regrets.
I received a copy of So Long, Chester Wheeler from NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Another uplifting, emotional and life changing story from Catherine Ryan Hyde. Lewis gives Chester the greatest gift, and receives one himself and he discovers that helping someone in their final days is the highest calling and the purest of services. Five stars from me, I’m always a blubbering mess when I read Catherine Ryan Hyde’s books, she has a way with words and tugging at my heartstrings and she’s done it once again....more
When Caylin Moore was six years old, his mother fled an abusive marriage and moved back with her family in Compton, Los Angeles. Their situation becamWhen Caylin Moore was six years old, his mother fled an abusive marriage and moved back with her family in Compton, Los Angeles. Their situation became worse when his mum suffered from a serious heart problem, she could no longer work, and his father was sentenced to life in prison for killing his girlfriend.
Caylin had to grow up fast, and he was only nine when the police frisked him walking home from school. He dedicated himself to helping his mother and siblings, being true to his faith, doing well at school, being an athlete and making the world a better place.
Caylin’s childhood wasn’t easy, he went hungry, and the only way he could bathe was using cold water and a bucket, initially he shared a mattress with his mum, sister and brother and lying awake at night they could hear helicopters flying overhead, gunshots and rats and cockroaches crawling around in the walls of the derelict building.
Caylin studied hard, he listened to advice, he applied for every scholarship he could find, Caylin presented himself in person, and asked if they could help him, and he didn’t care if the receptionist laughed at him or a fellow student looked down at him for mopping floors.
I received a copy of A Dream Too Big by Caylin Louis Moore from NetGalley and Nelson Books in exchange for an honest review. His memoir is an uplifting and inspirational read, Caylin fought against poverty, oppression, injustice and prejudice, to be awarded a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford University. Every teenage boy needs to read this book, a true coming of age story and every high school library should have a copy. Five big stars from me and I wonder what Caylin will achieve next?
Shilly Williams has a connection to things that are not occurring in this world, and it's a valuable talent to have when you run a detective agency wiShilly Williams has a connection to things that are not occurring in this world, and it's a valuable talent to have when you run a detective agency with your partner Anna Drake. The newest member and investigator is Mathilda, and it’s been six months since they had a new case and their waiting in Cornwall.
Captain Fredrick Ian’s is unable to sleep, he keeps dreaming that his brother Joseph has been lured by a mermaid and he’s lying dead on a beach. Anna thinks his story is hilarious, Shilly however takes him seriously, at the time mermaids were a part of folklore with links to the sea and drowning.
A dead man is found on the coast of Morwenstow, very much like in the captain’s dream and he wants to know if it’s his brother? Anna and Shilly visit Parson Robert Hawker, he takes care of the dead and the damaged body is at his house. The two detectives have no idea the parson’s wife Charlotte is the Captain's and Joseph's sister and this adds to the intrigue. In an area where ship wrecking is a common practice and so are strange lights moving across the cliffs, Shilly uses both her investigative skills and special gift to identify the body is that of Joseph Ian’s and she discovers how he died.
I received a copy of The Mermaid's Call by Katherine Stansfield from NetGalley and Allison & Busby in exchange for an honest review and it’s the third book in the Cornish Mystery Series. I haven’t read the first two books, so it took me a little while to work out that Shilly and Anna Drake were in a romantic relationship and Anna dressed as a man. Parson Robert Hawker's character is based on a real person, and he kept his animals inside and including his pig. I enjoyed reading about Cornwall, ship wreckers and mermaids calling, in this historical mystery and three stars and a half stars from me.
Margaret is the librarian in North Platte, Nebraska and after America enters the war she wants to help. So do other women in the community and they stMargaret is the librarian in North Platte, Nebraska and after America enters the war she wants to help. So do other women in the community and they start The North Platte Canteen Committee. Daily trains stop at North Platte taking servicemen and women of to serve overseas in the Second World War. Their idea is to provide sandwiches, cookies, and drinks to them, for free and it’s their way of thanking them.
They had no idea how much of a difference they would make, volunteers brought food from a two hundred mile radius and they served over six million people during the time the canteen was open. All of the food and drinks were donated, they asked the personnel to sign the visitor’s book and many continued to keep in touch.
The story is told from two main characters point of view, Margaret Parker and a teenage girl Rose Nelson. Both Margaret and Rose are lonely due to their circumstances at home and they become friends.
Captain Tom Carver notices Maggie at the canteen, she’s shocked when he writes to her, and they start a long distance relationship. Rose meets Harry Gates, and it was common at the time for teenage girls to write and send care packages to soldiers.
Tom is a career soldier, he served in WW I and Maggie’s fiancée didn’t return from the war and she’s never been married. Both Maggie and Rose fall in love with their soldiers, they put their hearts on the line and not knowing what the future holds. The group of canteen ladies rally around it each other during the long war years, and many lose husbands, sons and grandsons overseas.
I received a copy of The Whistle Stop Canteen by Barb Warner Deane from NetGalley and West Publishing in exchange for an honest review. What an amazing and surprising story, not only do you read about the work the women did feeding thousands of service men and women, it’s gives you a an idea of what life was like in America during the war and how it affected the women and their families. It’s an uplifting narrative about helping others, being part of a group, friendship, comradery and finding love. Four and a half stars from me, my only criticism is the cover, I feel it’s rather drab, and it might not encourage people to read this gem of a book.
The war in Europe has finally ended, the residents of Beach View Boarding House in Cliffehaven celebrate and can’t wait for the men to return home. ThThe war in Europe has finally ended, the residents of Beach View Boarding House in Cliffehaven celebrate and can’t wait for the men to return home. The owner Peggy Reilly is busy working in the office at Solly’s clothing factory, looking after the boarding house and her youngest daughter Daisy and worrying about her husband Jim.
Second Lieutenant Jim Reilly is fighting the Japanese in Burma, with his Scottish mate Jumbo McTavish, they hear about the war ending in Europe and Jumbo gets out his bagpipes. The 14th Army has fought hard and it’s been a long campaign, the tropical weather means it’s hot and humid and when it rains, it’s the perfect conditions for mosquitoes, leaches, malaria and ulcers. Jim dreams of returning to Cliffehaven to be with Peggy and his children and this keeps him going.
Three of Peggy’s older children are living in Somerset, at Owlet Farm with widow Aunt Violet and Peggy assumes they will move back home? Her eldest daughter Anne calls to say they won’t be returning just yet, she waiting to hear from her husband Wing Commander Martin Black who’s a prisoner of war in Germany and their happy living in the countryside. Peggy’s other daughter Cissy loses her job when the war ends, she moves back into Beach View, and Cissy finds all the extra people staying there a right nuisance.
Peggy has grown close to the evacuees staying with her at Beach View, with the end of the war and she’s busy planning engagement parties and weddings. Ivy is marrying her finance Andy, Peter a wounded Australian soldier has proposed to Rita, and Ruby’s Canadian boyfriend Mike has popped the question and wants her to move to Canada?
I received a copy of With Hope and Love by Ellie Dean from NetGalley and Random House UK in exchange for an honest review. It describes the hardships of living in England during WW II, children being evacuated and people made homeless from the bombing, the celebrations when the war in Europe ended, and the struggles men faced returning to civilian life and especially those who were prisoners of war. Three and a half stars from me, I enjoyed the narrative, however it did end rather abruptly and this could be because the book is part of a series....more
On March 25th in 1942, nine hundred and ninety nine teenage Jewish girls boarded a train in Poprad, Slovakia, they and their parents thought they wereOn March 25th in 1942, nine hundred and ninety nine teenage Jewish girls boarded a train in Poprad, Slovakia, they and their parents thought they were going to work in a factory for three months. Most of the young women had never left home before, some were really excited and others upset.
Instead they are taken to Auschwitz in cattle cars, they were the first group of women to arrive there and be processed. The young women had to wait in line for hours, made to remove all of their clothes and subjected to a humiliating and brutal medical exam, had their heads shaved and a number tattooed on their arm.
The girls were fed a small serving of soup, which consisted of rotten horse meat and vegetables and a small piece of bread. They were expected to do hard work and with their bare hands, spread cow manure in fields and demolish bombed houses and in all types of weather. The lucky ones worked inside, sorting through new arrivals clothes and in the section called “Canada�. The girls suffered from malnutrition, exposure, frostbite, typhus, and some had medical experiments carried out on them. Towards the end of the war the Germans destroyed documents, evidence and sent the young women on a death march.
I received a digital copy of The Nine Hundred from NetGalley and Hachette Australia in exchange for an honest review. Heather Dune Macadam interviewed survivors, witnesses, relatives and did extensive research to discover what happened to the first group of women sent to Auschwitz and Birkenau. An amazing story about a generation of teenage girls who lost so much and including, their education, health, fertility, and family, many always felt scared, their feelings and hearts were damaged and they suffered from survivor’s guilt.
Like all young women they had hopes and dreams for their future and this was taken from them. A powerful, heartbreaking, moving and inspirational Holocaust story and five stars from me....more
Milton and Yvonne Hamilton live next door to Odell and Joyce Watson in Branson. Milton and Yvonne have a checked past, and are now bootleggers. Odell Milton and Yvonne Hamilton live next door to Odell and Joyce Watson in Branson. Milton and Yvonne have a checked past, and are now bootleggers. Odell manages Yvonne’s father’s grocery store, they look to have the perfect life and this makes their friends the Hamilton’s jealous!
When Milton and Yvonne are taken in for questioning by the police, they’re furious and determined to find out who filed the false report? When they discover it was their so called friend Odell Watson, they want to make him pay and set about taking him down.
Odell is leading a double life, he’s not the model citizen or husband Joyce thinks he is and the Hamilton’s use this to blackmail him. Odell gets tired of how he’s being treated, he comes up with a plan, it’s a disaster and it backfires. Joyce is the innocent victim in this crazy game of blackmail and deceit.
I received a copy of Across the Way by Mary Monroe from NetGalley and Kensington Books and it’s the third book in The Neighbors Series. It’s hard to keep a secret, greed and violence destroys three lives in this story and Joyce wises up! Three and a half stars from me, and I wish I had read the first two books in the trilogy. ...more
The Geische and Hilss families are of German decent, they live in Fredericksburg, Texas, they have intermarried and this created tension between them.The Geische and Hilss families are of German decent, they live in Fredericksburg, Texas, they have intermarried and this created tension between them. Carel Geische wants to develop some land and for a subdivision, he borrows too much money from the bank, uses other people's property as collateral, and his entire empire is about to crumble.
With so many charters, marriages, divorces, parents, children and step-children it was hard to keep track of what part they played in the story and I can understand why some people stopped reading the book. The Gillespie County Fair is held once a year, it’s the place to be if you live in the small farming community and I thought the narrative would be based around this. But it’s not the case at all and the title of the book is very misleading.
I received a copy of The Gillespie County Fair by Marc Hess from NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group in exchange for an honest review. I felt sympathy and empathy for two characters, Mari Hilss and Willow Geische. Mari is Carel’s ex-wife and Willow is his daughter, and both are emotionally damaged by him. Two stars from me, what an odd story and maybe I just didn't get it? ...more
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