Thomasina Trelora leaves Knockleby in Dorset, and her half-brother Ambrose has organized for her to marry a vicar in the new colony of Australia. She�Thomasina Trelora leaves Knockleby in Dorset, and her half-brother Ambrose has organized for her to marry a vicar in the new colony of Australia. She’s aboard the Finbar, when they sight the coast of Australia, a terrible storm hits and the ship’s scuttled on the rocks. Thomasina almost drowns, her memory of what happened is rather distorted, and she thinks she was saved from drowning by a man with a black face?
When she wakes up, she’s staying with the Craw family and at their estate Willowbrae. Tom realizes she’s been freed from marrying a complete stranger, she pretends she has amnesia and goes by the name Poss. The Craw’s have three sons, Tobyn, Virgil and young Mouse and Mrs Craw has always wanted a daughter to replace the one she lost. Soon, Poss notices that there’s something very odd going on at Willowbrae, the whole Craw family is rather different, and she witnesses a couple of very disturbing events and discovers a shocking secret.
The Ripping Tree is a story about Colonial Australia, how the native Aboriginal people were treated terribly by the white settlers and they had no regard for the way they lived and their traditions. Also, women who didn’t conform at the time, were quickly labelled as hysterical and sent to an asylum. Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers Australia for my copy, it’s an eerie and haunting story and four stars from me....more
Mercia Saunders was studying art at the Pennsylvania Academy, when she took her sketching too far and they shipped her belongings home to Newport, RhoMercia Saunders was studying art at the Pennsylvania Academy, when she took her sketching too far and they shipped her belongings home to Newport, Rhode Island. Her father Adam isn’t impressed, he gives her two choices, marry one of the three men he has picked out for her or visit her brother Fitz in dusty Texas.
Mercia likes her comforts, shopping, social life and being banished to Texas sounds boring and she hasn’t seen her brother in seven years. But, it’s a far better option than marrying one of the men her father has chosen, she packs her trunks and begins her journey west.
Her father has organized for her to travel with the Williams family, they stop in Chicago and then she leaves civilization behind. Pinkerton Agent Dominic Prentice, is trying to find a stolen locket and Mercia’s father has employed him to keep an eye on his daughter as well.
He finds Mercia very attractive, he goes by the name Grant Preston, and she gets rather flustered around him. While staying at the Star S Ranch, he notices Mercia has drawn a picture of the locket he’s being trying to locate, and a lady was wearing it in Chicago. Allan Pinkerton’s impressed with Mercia's drawing skills, he offers her a job working as an artist for his agency and Dominic asks her to marry him. I received a copy of Taming A Scandal in exchange for an honest review, a sweet romance and three stars from me....more
Ceferino Carrión is desperate to leave Spain, he’s been conscripted into the army, received his call up papers, and he wants to go to America. After sCeferino Carrión is desperate to leave Spain, he’s been conscripted into the army, received his call up papers, and he wants to go to America. After seven failed attempts to leave the country, he's finally successful, Ceferino's aboard a ship called the Liberte as a stowaway, and he arrives in New York. He has an old suitcase, five dollars, and the name, and the address of his uncle Ramon.
Over the years, he uses several names, by the time he arrives in Hollywood, Ceferino goes by the name Jean Leon. He works driving yellow taxis, he meets some very famous people, and he marries Donna Morgan, and opens a restaurant called La Scala.
His restaurant is successful, he meets six people and all of them make a huge impact on his life. James Dean, Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, John F. Kennedy, Elizabeth Taylor and Ronald Regan. But, as time goes on, he thinks of his family that he left behind in Barcelona, he contacts them, and he and his brother open a winery.
Stars in His Eyes is a story about a man taking a chance, following his dreams, being successful in America, a migrant who couldn't speak any English and meeting some of the most important people in the golden age of Hollywood. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, a quick read and four stars from me....more
In 1945, the Emperor of Japan announced the countries surrender to the allied forces and the war in the Pacific was finally over. Three men in a ChineIn 1945, the Emperor of Japan announced the countries surrender to the allied forces and the war in the Pacific was finally over. Three men in a Chinese village make a promise, they survived the long war years, after their deaths, their souls would return to the village of Yuehu on the anniversary of the surrender.
William de Royer-Macmillan, a minister and doctor, Ian Ferguson a gunner’s mate in the American Navy and local soldier and her childhood friend Liu Zhaohu. The men all knew a girl who grew into a woman, and her name was Ah Yan. She suffered terribly, her father was killed, and her body violated, and with dignity and incredible courage she survived. The ghosts look back at the past, missing is Ah Yan, each of the men loved her and her soul was free from this world.
A Single Swallow is a story a girl called Ah Yah, about the three male ghosts, I'm sorry but I didnt really understand the meaning behind the book and I found it all rather confusing. The positive aspects of the story for me, was doctor Billy saved Ah Yah life, he also taught her about medicine, she could support herself, and return to her village....more
Cally Manfield is only eight when her mother Ada dies in childbirth, her father George is a coal miner at Calthorpe Colliery and the general strike haCally Manfield is only eight when her mother Ada dies in childbirth, her father George is a coal miner at Calthorpe Colliery and the general strike has just ended. When, Cally really needs her father's attention, he becomes involved with his sister-in-law Annie and he’s forced to marry her. Annie's a spiteful woman, she hates Cally and makes her life absolutely miserable. She lies to Cally, informs her that her dad doesn’t want her to live at home anymore, and sends her off to work as a maid.
Cally works hard, the owner has wondering hands and she's forced to leave. At fourteen Cally’s on her own, the girl who once dreamed of getting a grammar school scholarship, and is now homeless. A kindly couple Dolly and Henry Brook give her a job working in their pub, and she learns a lot about the hospitality industry from them. Mary and Sykes Balmforth, want to open a country house hotel in the Colne Valley, they offer Cally a job, it’s a huge success and Cally finally has stability she's wanted.
She keeps in contact with her father George, Annie doesn’t change her ways and he had no idea what his horrible wife had done to his eldest daughter. Cally marries Red Blackstone, they start a family and she continues to work at the hotel. With the threat of war looming, Cally and Red struggle to get over a terrible loss and the last thing Cally wants is to be trapped in a unhappy marriage like her father.
The Child From the Ash Pits is a story that spans two decades, about a girl who grew up in poverty, forced to sit outside in the cold by her evil step-mother, despite hardship and constant setbacks, it's amazing what she has accomplished, and her father's proud of her. I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, if you like a long historical saga, I highly recommend reading this book and four stars from me....more
Emma Wood and Nathan Foxdale meet in a hospital waiting room, Emma’s rather shy, and she shocked when a handsome stranger starts talking to her. Both Emma Wood and Nathan Foxdale meet in a hospital waiting room, Emma’s rather shy, and she shocked when a handsome stranger starts talking to her. Both are really nervous, attending their medical appointments alone and Nathan asks Emma if she would like some moral support and she can return the favor.
Emma’s a librarian, she looks after her disabled mother Carole and has never had a boyfriend. She has a best friend Alice, together they run a support group for young people who are caring for sick loved one's and missing out on their teenage years.
Nathan’s a sky diving instructor, he does tandem jumps from fifteen thousand feet, he lives his life at a fast pace and he’s a bit of a maverick. Nathan's mother passed away when he was a baby, he was raised by his grandparents and he doesn’t get on with his half-brother Marcus.
While waiting for their results, Nathan takes Emma to see the Puffins and Emma introduces him to her mother Carole. Emma and Nathan are the complete opposites, they vow to not waste an hour of whatever time they have and they fall in love. Nathan senses he doesn’t have long in this world, and together they create a foundation called Everlasting Acts and unfortunately Nathan's right.
I received a copy of 99 Days With You from NetGalley and Bookouture in exchange for an honest review, I haven’t cried so much since I read A Walk To Remember, Catherine Miller’s book is beautifully written, poignant, I highly recommend reading it and you will need a big box of tissues, and five stars from me. ...more
When We Were Brave follows three main characters during WW II, what happens to them is truly heartbreaking, they all suffer terribly and endure severeWhen We Were Brave follows three main characters during WW II, what happens to them is truly heartbreaking, they all suffer terribly and endure severe hardship and unbearable loss.
Wilhelm Falk is an SS officer, he’s married to Ilse, and has two sons Hans and Dietrich. He’s horrified by what the Nazi’s are doing to Jewish people in the concentration camps, he wants to expose their crimes, and let the world know what’s really happening. While in Italy, he fakes his own death, changes into a regular German soldier’s uniform and becomes Klaus Stern. Wilhelm becomes a prisoner of war and is sent to America, and he’s determined to escape. He needs to contact Pastor Theodore Graf and retrieve the important information he sent to him about what the Nazi's are doing in the extermination camps.
Izaak Tauber’s eight, he lives in Amsterdam, his mother Rachel’s a midwife and his father Saul is Jewish, he's been arrested, and sent to a camp. Rachel and Izaak try to escape Amsterdam, they end up being captured, Izaak still continues to draw when he can, and believes they will find his father in one of the concentration camps.
Herbert Muller lives in Pennsylvania, he’s of German heritage, and he’s married to Jutta, and has two children Alfred and Frieda. His parents Otto and Anni immigrated to America after WW I, and wanted a better life for their son Herbert. They work hard over the years, own a corn grinding mill and an orchard. When Otto’s arrested as an enemy alien, Herbert goes with him, thinking it will be a simple matter to sort out, and the whole situation will turn into an absolute nightmare.
When We Were Brave by Karla M. Jay is well written, her research has been thorough, you feel a real connection to the characters, at times it’s very hard to read and very different to other historical fiction books I have read about WW II and the holocaust. Thanks to NetGalley for my copy, I felt so many emotions reading this story, and you discover the link between the main characters and four stars from me....more
Angelica Chastain, fled London with her son William and she wants a better life for the five year old. She faked their deaths, to escape her husband aAngelica Chastain, fled London with her son William and she wants a better life for the five year old. She faked their deaths, to escape her husband and moves to Birmingham. After sleeping rough for a few nights, she meets a kind lady in the park, her name’s Georgina Hampton and her son Alexander and William become friends. Georgina’s married to Stanley, he owns a business called Hampton and Moore and they make a variety of fountain pens.
Georgina, Stanley and their friend Effie don’t understand how cunning, manipulative and sinister Angelica can be. What Angelica will do, to achieve a better life for herself and her precious William. When Georgina tragically passes away, Angelica goes from being the governess, to being the new Mrs. Stanley Hampton and Alexander’s loving stepmother.
When people in her husband’s circle start to question his decisions, and hasty marriage to Angelica. She continues to secretly plot to get rid of anyone standing in her way, her love for her son is a dangerous obsession and want's him to own Hampton and Moore. Set in Victorian England, The Penmaker's Wife is a rather dark and far fetched story about a mother who's a compulsive liar, serial killer, and two stars from me....more
Pamela Jackson is about to finish school in 1942, she’s extremely smart and she receives an offer to attend Oxford University. She puts this on hold dPamela Jackson is about to finish school in 1942, she’s extremely smart and she receives an offer to attend Oxford University. She puts this on hold due to the war and Pamela’s interviewed to be a codebreaker at Bletchley Park and she joins the Wrens. Here she meets Clarissa Morton, Norah Clarke, Edwin Denham and Frank Miller. One of the men is extremely friendly and charming to Pamela, and then she begins to have second thoughts about him, his loyalty to England and has he been lying to her?
Julia has been married to Marc for fifteen years, they have two sons and she runs her own IT company. Julia’s busy juggling her work, two children, and their after school actives. Her husband Marc has always been negative about her career, he doesn’t help her with daily tasks at home, and he’s become very distant. Her brother Bob is cleaning out his house, he gives Julia photos of their grandmother and she worked at the English country house called Bletchley Park. Julia’s grandmother never spoke about what she did during the war years, with her being good a math and languages, and it makes sense to Julia why her grandmother was given the opportunity.
Julia discovers what her grandmother did at Bletchley Park, from having to sign the official secrets act, not being able to speak to anyone about her work, using the huge digital electronic computer called Colossus, and how being able to decipher the German messages, reduced the length of the war by several years. Julia gains strength from her grandmother’s experiences, it helps her deal with the problems in her own life, to keep going during the tough times, and she defiantly takes after her grandmother.
The Girl from Bletchley Park is a dual timeline story about two intelligent women, and I found reading about Bletchley Park fascinating, I liked the two main female characters of Pamela and Julia, and I despised Marc's character. A slightly different writing style and story line to Kathleen McGurl's previous books, a nice change, thanks to NetGalley for my copy, and five stars from me. ...more
Emma lived with her beloved grandmother, she now has dementia, she's living in an expensive nursing home and Emma's worried her grandmothers insurance cover will run out. When, Emma’s father suddenly passed away, his widow Gillian inherited the house, the family sweet shop and not Emma. Gillian's announced she wants to sell the shop, to a big company and Emma's devastated. Emma runs the business, makes all the yummy chocolates and sweets, using her fathers recipes and Kailyn thinks Emma should buy the shop.
A couple visit the sweet shop, they notice a painting that's been hanging on the wall for thirty years, they want to buy it and offer her a lot of money. Emma’s not silly, the painting belongs to her and she remembers the artist painting it. Could selling the painting be a way for Emma to buy the business, pay for her grandmothers care, can she part with a precious memory and it must be worth more than the couple have offered?
Emma’s also helping a lady called Lydia and her son Jamal, she found them sleeping in their car and she's organized a place for them to stay. Cody Henderson owns the local hardware store, he also runs a program to help troubled teens and it’s exactly Jamal needs. Cody makes Emma flustered, she hasn’t been in a relationship since Joe passed away and is it time for her to move on?
A Bittersweet Surprise is a story about Emma reevaluating her life, she's been stuck in a rut, she needs to stand up for herself, the new people in Emma’s life make her aware that it’s time for her to be in control of her own destiny and secrets from the past are uncovered. I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, a perfect follow on from the previous book in the series The Winemaker's Wife, the character of Emma is sweet as the treats she makes and four stars from me....more
Isabella Waverly’s a lady, her circumstances change when her mother dies and her father starts drinking. Faced with no other choice, she starts workinIsabella Waverly’s a lady, her circumstances change when her mother dies and her father starts drinking. Faced with no other choice, she starts working as a scullery maid to support her father and younger sister Louisa. The hours are long, it’s hard work and a kindly Mrs. Robbins teaches Bella how to cook. Soon Bella realizes she’s stuck being a maid, to get a new job as a cook, she needs a reference and her current employers won’t give her one.
A young woman’s hit by an omnibus, Bella comforts her on the street and she gives her an envelope. It’s an offer to work as assistant cook at Buckingham Palace, the interview has today’s date on it and Helen Barton from Yorkshire has tragically passed away. Bella knows this could be her only chance to be employed as a cook, she decides to take a risk and she attends the interview as Helen Barton.
Queen Victoria’s royal kitchen, is a hive of activity and has so many staff. Bella’s captivate by it all, she has so much to learn and studies cookery books in her spare time. Bella’s a talented baker, she makes the best scones and they get the Queen’s tick of approval. When the monarch travels to the Riviera, Bella’s one of the English staff to go with her and she can speak French.
Bella’s threatened by someone who knows her true identity, they try blackmailing her and then one of the queen’s quests falls ill and dies. Bella cooked the guest’s final meal, they think she poisoned the Count, during the investigation she has to prove her innocence, and she’s concerned her true identity will be revealed
Above The Bay Of Angels, is a story full of interesting characters, I find Queen Victoria and her relationship with her servant Abdul incredibly fascinating. I enjoyed reading about Bella learning to cook, her visiting the local markets with French chef Jean-Paul Lepin, her seeing and tasting new ingredients and recipes. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, full of mystery and secrets, a wonderful change of writing style by Rhys Bowen and five stars from me....more
Matilda Ellman lives in Augsburg Germany, in a small apartment complex and near her best friend Hans Brauer. Life is becoming extremely hard for JewisMatilda Ellman lives in Augsburg Germany, in a small apartment complex and near her best friend Hans Brauer. Life is becoming extremely hard for Jewish people living in Germany in 1939, Matilda’s close to Han’s entire family, she’s known them her whole life and their Jewish. When the Brauer's are forced to move, and seventeen year old Matilda creates a place for Han's to live in the attic of her parent’s house, and hides him. German soldiers move in downstairs, for months Hans tries not to make any noise, he writes by candle light, Matilda smuggles him food and she loves him.
Grace Laurent, lives in Boston and she’s an architect. One day she receives an envelope in the mail, from a solicitor in Germany and she’s inherited a book shop in Dachau and from a grandmother she didn’t know existed. Grace’s mum died in 2015, as a baby she was sent to America during the 1930’s from Germany, and she tried her whole life to find her birth parents. Grace travels to Germany, hopefully to get some answers about her mother’s origins and solve the mystery. The bookshop’s called Runa’s Wunderbare, it’s a beautiful old building, and she’s given letters and photographs that belonged to her grandmother Matilda. Grace is taken on a tour of Dachau, she’s horrified by what happened to Jewish people in the nearby camp, and it’s very confronting.
Grace discovers the secret to her identity, she’s taken on an moving and life changing journey. The dual timeline book is about young love, never giving up, friendship, the power of believing in what’s right, it’s an uplifting and hopeful story. The Bookseller of Dachau by Shari J. Ryan is one of the best books I have read this year, I was so emotionally connected to the characters, I was a crying, and five stars from me. ...more
Jy Atherton works as a principal at an elite Melbourne private school, he’s rather outspoken and he’s annoyed his bosses at the education department. Jy Atherton works as a principal at an elite Melbourne private school, he’s rather outspoken and he’s annoyed his bosses at the education department. As his punishment, he’s sent to assess a small school in the beach side town of Acacia Haven and it’s year twelve class has the lowest VCE results in the state. The school's on the brink of closure, the education department has made up its mind, Jy has to endure a month at the school and submit his report.
The first day of school, the attendance rate at Acacia Haven for the high school students is extremely low, and Jy can’t understand why? The primary school aged children are keen, paying attention, the curriculum isn’t standard and it would defiantly be classed as an alternate school. Teacher Summer O’Reilly doesn’t get off to a great start with Jy, she was born and raised in Acacia Haven and she’s protective of the town and its school.
Summer shows Jy the sustainable living community of Serenity, families don’t see formal education as a priority, they prefer children to learn by life experience and connecting with nature. Jy’s impressed with the way people live, the community garden, and he understands children’s education priorities and requirements are different to students in the city and he will include this in his report. The sparks fly between Jy and Summer not only at work, they can’t avoid each other in a small town and the principal’s a good looking and single.
Summer’s mother Rayne is facing her own challenges, she seems like she has everything under control, she’s been keeping a secret for years, it’s a heavy burden to carry and she needs to find the courage to deal with her past. Summer of Serenity is a story about a small coastal town, it’s a tight knit community, with a dedicated teacher and she and others will fight to keep the school open. Despite being vulnerable, mother and daughter still believe in love, romance and both have to follow their hearts.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Harlequin Australia in exchange for an honest review, the first book I have read by Nicola Marsh, I was impressed, five stars from me and I now look forward to reading The Liar Next Door. ...more
Henrietta Forward loves her job as a light plane pilot, she musters cattle and works as a crop duster. Henri grew up on a farm, she likes her independHenrietta Forward loves her job as a light plane pilot, she musters cattle and works as a crop duster. Henri grew up on a farm, she likes her independence, and not being in the same place for long. With a knowledge of animals, crops and flying, her job suits her perfectly and Henri has the best of both worlds. After an alarming indecent she returns home to Bunyip Bay, to the family property called Bungara Springs, and she's staying with her mum.
Liam Castle owns and runs the pub in Bunyip Bay, not much happens in town that he doesn’t know about, and he doesn’t mention his own past. He’s from America, single, very good looking and a bit of a mystery man. Henri’s mum’s wants her daughter to settle down, stop gallivanting around, get married and start having babies. The last thing that Henri wants, she likes her freedom, she’s not all that keen on having children and maybe Liam and Henri would make the perfect couple?
They decided to play along with the idea, it will solve Henri’s problems, and the town’s matchmakers will leave them both alone. What they didn’t take into consideration, is that they have fun together, the chemistry between them is electric, the sparks fly, and can they keep their relationship platonic?
Outback Secrets is a story full of small town drama, slightly dysfunctional families, dealing with the loss of loved ones, keeping of secrets, facing fears, life's challenges and a hot romance. Rachael Johns has done it again, I always love the characters in her books, the use of Aussie language, being set in Australia, and it made me laugh out loud. Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia for my copy, and five big stars from me. ...more
Mellie Vale, lives in Wollombi, with her father and he mixes with some rough characters. With a high fever, Mellie remembers running through the AustrMellie Vale, lives in Wollombi, with her father and he mixes with some rough characters. With a high fever, Mellie remembers running through the Australian bush, with a bunyip chasing her, and everyone thinks she has an overactive imagination. Bunyips are mystical creatures that live in the bush and near lagoons, they make a roaring noise and Aboriginal people believe they exist. The Pearson family give her a place to stay, she has no idea what happened to her dad, and their two daughters Lydia and Bea, bully Mellie.
When Lydia and Bea, Ella and Grace Ketteringham, and Millie are given and oppituinty to stay with Anthea Winstanley, a family friend of the Pearson's, Mellie’s nervous, and Anthea's an amateur paleontologist. Anthea’s interested in fossils, and convinced she will find proof of the ancient sea dragons, and the ichthyosaur and the plesiosaur. The Hunter Valley was once a vast in land sea, full of prehistorical marine life, with the right conditions they eventually turned into fossils, and Anthea’s property at Bow Bow Gorge is the ideal location.
Penelope Jane Martindale is an Australian ambulance driver, she served in France during WW I, and she’s waiting for a ship to taker her home and she visits the Natural History museum in London. Her brothers Dan and Riley died in the war, as young boys they collected fossils and Penelope also finds them interesting. She travels to Lyme Regis, to visit the graves of three famous women paleontologists and speaks to a Mr. Wood.
The Fossil Hunter is a dual timeline historical mystery, set in 1847 and 1919, its full of scientific information, interesting characters, long kept secrets, startling discoveries, and complicated family relationships. I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Harlequin Australia in exchange for an honest review, Tea Cooper at her very best, I highly recommend reading this book, and five stars from me. ...more
At the Vienna General Hospital in the 1880’s, to reduce the number of abandoned babies a woman could give birth and not have to reveal her identity. JAt the Vienna General Hospital in the 1880’s, to reduce the number of abandoned babies a woman could give birth and not have to reveal her identity. Josepha Pfeiffer works at the Vienna foundling home, she names the new baby girl born in the early hours of Christmas day in 1889; Fanny, and she takes a personal interest in her well being. Josepha’s old enough to be Fanny’s grandmother, she makes sure she finishes school and helps her find employment when she leaves the foundling home.
Due to her humble origins, Fanny can only find work as a maid, Josepha lets her sleep on her couch when she get fired for numerous reasons and usually it's due to her not concentrating. Fanny has a talent for sewing, she wants to design and create her own clothes and her mind is full of ideas. Fanny’s determined to work for Madame Moreau at her fashion house, she manages to convince her to give her a chance and an apprenticeship. For three years she works for Madame Moreau, studies at the technical college and gains her qualifications as a craftswoman in tailoring. Fanny always wonders who her real mother is, and Josepha explains her mother wouldn’t even take the certificate of admission from the hospital and gave birth wearing a veil. Fanny meets three people who are important to her and they all have a major impact in her life, Izabella and Maxim Kalman and Helene Bathory.
When France declares war on the Austria-Hungarian Empire in 1914, life in Vienna changes quickly and all the men are called up to fight. It causes huge shortages of labor, food, supplies and the city is full of hungry refugees. Fanny, Helene and Izabella all do what they can to help, the war is long and a brutal. At the end of the war, long kept secrets are uncovered about Fanny’s birth mother, it solves the mystery and no one will ever take Josepha’s place in Fanny’s heart.
The Girl with the Golden Scissors is a story about the life of Franny Schindler, from the mystery of her birth, her growing up in a foundling home and having the determination to follow her dreams, and never giving up. Based around the true facts regarding the Vienna foundling home, the Austro-Hungarian Empire and it’s reputation of crafting tailored suits. Julia Drosten has written a remarkable historical fiction book, I highly recommend reading it and five stars from me....more
Peter Hanse & Sons has been selling coffee in Hamburg, Germany for over thirty years, and the company is facing bankruptcy. With the sudden death of tPeter Hanse & Sons has been selling coffee in Hamburg, Germany for over thirty years, and the company is facing bankruptcy. With the sudden death of their father, brother’s George, Robert and Karl need work out a way of saving the business and the family’s villa they all grew up in. German's traditionally drink coffee, the brothers come up with an idea and it’s importing cocoa beans and promoting a delicious new hot drink
George stays in Hamburg, Karl moves to Vienna to talk with buyers to see what the demand is for cocoa beans, find a new warehouse and learn as much as he can about making and selling hot cocoa. Robert takes the biggest risk, he moves his family to Cameroon a German Colony in Africa and buys a cocoa plantation.
Roberts’s wife Elisabeth and eldest daughter Martha are not happy about moving to Africa, Luise the youngest daughter is fifteen, a bit of a tomboy and she’s really excited. Elisabeth's furious her brother-in-law George and sister-in-law Vera get to stay in Hamburg and continue reside in the family villa and she’s expected to live in a filthy country. Robert and Luise enjoy working alongside the estate workers and learning all they can about growing, harvesting and exporting cocoa beans. Luise meets Hamza, he works at the cocoa plantation and he’s a member of the Duala people. Elisabeth’s miserable, she hates Africa, and her husband for making her live in such a primitive place. The family have no idea what she’s capable of, it will betray the brothers trust in each other and it has terrible repercussions.
A Distant Hope, is the first book in The Hansen Family Saga by Ellin Carsta, it takes you on a journey from Hamburg, to Vienna and Africa. I enjoyed reading about the German Colony in Africa, growing cocoa beans, the way of life of the Duala people, their cultural beliefs and practices. Thanks to NetGalley for my copy of the book in exchange for an honest review, I’m really looking forward to the next book in the series, and four stars from me....more
Josephine Sharpe returns home to Arthurville, her dad Michael still lives there, and she’s been offered a job working as a journalist for the local coJosephine Sharpe returns home to Arthurville, her dad Michael still lives there, and she’s been offered a job working as a journalist for the local community newspaper. Her father Mick still drinks too much, sits around the house all day and Jo’s living with her dad. The newsletter's really small, with a tight budget, and Jo's to concentrate on covering happy events. Things like grandparent’s day at the primary school, what’s happening at the local cricket club and town meetings.
You can understand why Mick Sharpe struggles, his wife Miranda and baby daughter Amy disappeared in 1994, and haven’t been seen since. Merry went missing just before Jo turned eight, it was the talk of the town and it still is twenty four years later. Was Merry unhappy being married to Mick, wanted to make a fresh start and she sent a letter a few months after she disappeared from Queensland?
Returning to Arthurville for Jo’s bittersweet, she meets up with old friends and the small town hasn't changed. She want's answers to her questions about her mum’s troubled relationship with her family, why she didn’t speak to her mother Ruth and brother Roland Beaufort. They live at Pembroke, a grand house and property, they disowned her mother when she married Mick and they didn’t worry about Jo’s welfare after her mother left.
Jo’s starts looking into her mother’s disappearance, and she remembers small things that happened around the time she left, and somethings don’t make any sense. Jo focuses on the facts and little details; her parent’s marriage, was her mother keeping secrets, her mum's friends, family, work colleagues and people she knew in Arthurville. Merry's job, she uncovers her mother wrote articles for the Chronicle and she wasn’t just a secretary.
The Little Bird by Wendy James, is a small town thriller, about family rifts and grudges, shocking secrets, stunning revelations, and Merry's not the first person to have gone missing in the small town and with so many hidden clues! I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley, I found the story fascinating and it wasn't at all predictable and five stars from me. ...more
Sara Archer was born in India, as a small child her parents died and she went to live with her aunt in England. Her memories of India are rather fuzzySara Archer was born in India, as a small child her parents died and she went to live with her aunt in England. Her memories of India are rather fuzzy, she remembers feeling warm, her ayah and she’s not a fan of the English weather. Charles Fitzroy works for the Department of Justice in India, he’s visiting England, after a quick courtship he proposes to Sara and she accepts.
After being apart from her new husband for months, Sara arrives in India, eager to see Charles and looking forward to living in her new home. Sara meets Charles’s friends, their snobby English society people, she doesn’t like them, their very racist and treat their Indian servants terribly. Sara’s disappointed and unhappy in her marriage, Charles is controlling, ruthless, and she feels trapped.
Sara starts to feel like a Jasmine Wife, a term used for an English woman living in colonial India, they wilt like a picked jasmine flower, they fade fast, often become ill, their marriages fail and they return home to England. Sara meets French-Indian Ravi Sabran, he’s the kind of person Sara should have married and they feel an instant connection to each other.
Charles is greedy, he encourages Sara to visit The Maharajah and his wife The Maharani, both are known for giving extravagant gifts of precious stones, and Sara’s given so much more. The Maharani knew her parents, and she tells Sara about her family and her secret heritage.
The Jasmine Wife by Jane Coverdale, is a wonderful historical story set in beautiful colonial India, Sara’s a lovely character, she’s reunited with her beloved ayah Malika, finds her childhood home, and discovers her true identity. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, I love stories set in India and four stars from me.
Nora Doyle lives in Ballybun, Ireland in 1924, with her parents and large extend family. It's a small rural village, where everyone knows your businesNora Doyle lives in Ballybun, Ireland in 1924, with her parents and large extend family. It's a small rural village, where everyone knows your business and she's best friend's with Kitty Quinn. The two thirteen year old girls, think it’s their duty to witness any local funeral officiated by Father Kelly and make sure everyone gets a fitting send off. Her family live in a cottage called Grey House, her dad Colm delivers milk and Nora has almost finished school. Kitty and Nora spend their free time, running around the village, exploring the countryside and dreaming of what they will do when they grow up.
Nora loves to read, her grandad gives her a book every Christmas and she’s a very curious teenager. The big house on the hill is owned by the Bretton family, during one of their adventures the girls notice a whole in the wall, they discover a secret garden and it’s looked after by a boy called Edward. Nora’s family don’t like to talk about the Bretton's, she has no idea why and she keeps her visits to the garden a secret. Edward and Nora, have a real connection, and it’s hard to explain how they feel about each other.
Nothing stays a secret in Ballybun for long, Nora’s forbidden to go to the garden by her mother and Caroline Bretton. Nora and Kitty finish school, they both find jobs locally and life continues on. A series of unfortunate events, including sickness, and an accident, changes Nora’s feelings towards herself, home, Edward and her family.
The Orphan's Daughter, is a delightful story, and you feel like your actually living in Ireland at the time, and I really enjoyed the Irish sense of humor and banter in the narrative. Most of all I loved the character of Nora, she has spirit, kindness, compassion and a way with words. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, I highly recommend reading it and When We Danced At The End Of The Pier also by Sandy Taylor and five stars from me. ...more
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