Tag Archives: Milly Johnson

CARIADS’ CHOICE: MARCH 2022 BOOK REVIEWS

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Milly Johnson’s My One True North reviewed by Carol Thomas

My One True North is a story about loss and grief on more than one level. There are predictable elements but this didn’t detract from my interest in the characters’ individual journeys.

There are many touching moments: The support group emanated a sense of care and community; Pete – the male lead – and his brother’s relationship was realistic and their love for their dad was warm and honest; I greatly enjoyed scenes at the pub where Pete and Laurie got to know each other. And I welcomed glimpses of characters from previous novels.

I hoped for a bit more to be made of the ending, especially as it had been clear where the final stage would be set from early on. It didn’t feel as wrapped up as Milly Johnson’s other stories, however, it was an enjoyable read, with likeable main characters, that tackled the difficult subject of loss well.

 

Helen Yendall’s A Wartime Secret reviewed by Imogen Martin

Maggie is an East End girl with a dangerous secret at a time of war: her beloved mother is German.

When the bank Maggie works for is relocated to a grand house in the Cotswolds, she is apprehensive about leaving. Her sister Violet has been sent to the country as an evacuee, her mother interned, and Maggie is left managing her overbearing father. Nevertheless, she is determined to do her bit for the war effort. But will Maggie be able to reach her sister? And can she find out where her mother has gone?

The novel has the style of a saga: a range of vivid characters including friends and enemies for Maggie, plots and sub-plots to be unravelled, and an underlying love story. Apparently, the move of the bank to the country is based on fact. This book is filled with authentic detail from the first page and is an addictive read. A fantastic debut novel.

 

Audrey Cowie’s Lost in Translation reviewed by Jessie Cahalin

A clever twist on the romantic comedy genre. It was wonderful to meet Charlotte and follow her new life in Switzerland with her husband and children. I adored the way the character found her voice and her identity and slowly changed. This story had me hooked from the outset because I feared the worse and wanted Charlotte to triumph. Perfect escape to Switzerland for me, and I read it very quickly. The writing style is fun and engaging – so entertaining to get inside of Charlotte’s head and hear what she thinks. There are some fantastic moments in this novel. This is an uplifting feel-good book with a satisfying ending. I loved it!

 

David Whyte’s Essentials reviewed by Morton S Gray

I have been a fan of David Whyte’s poetry ever since I saw him perform live at Ledbury Poetry Festival. It is interesting that he made such a big impact on me on that long ago evening that whenever I read his work I can hear his voice reciting the words.

The cover of this volume of poems is so tactile that I love just holding it and I savoured every page after buying a copy for both myself and one for my friend.

One of my favourite poems, ‘What to Remember when Waking’ features as an extract on the back cover and I have read and reread it so many times. The book contains many more of my other favourites, including ‘Start Close In’, ‘The Journey’, ‘Sweet Darkness’, ‘Marmeen” and ‘The House of Belonging’.

This is a lovely book and makes a wonderful gift. In my opinion, everyone should have a copy!

 

 

 

 

MILLY JOHNSON ON WINNING THE RNA’S OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

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Sunday Times Bestselling Author Milly Johnson on winning this prestigious Outstanding Achievement Award and what the Romantic Novelists’ Association means to her. 

I cannot tell you how delighted I was to receive an email telling me that I was being given the RNA Outstanding Achievement Award this year – this very special 60th anniversary year too.  It was one of those ‘pinch-yourself’ moments: how was it that me, a northern bird with no industry connections, who always wanted to be an author but never really thought it would be possible, was getting this accolade? It made me quite reflective of all the years between those moments and I realised

Credit: Chris Sedgewick

how much hard work I’d done to be published and stay published. I was never under any illusion that getting a book out there would bring me instant fame and fortune but still, there was never anything I wanted to do as much as hold a book, written by me with my name on the cover. And here I am published, and actually selling a few copies as well.  I never get blasé about it, it’s a thrill every time to see my name on a new book, to see it out there in the wild.

I have grafted, gone above and beyond the call of duty as you do for something you want with all the fibre of your being. I remember reading an early Carole Matthews book, loving her work, looking up to her, wanting to be published like she was, promoting her to status of goddess in my head and then a few years later she was my pal and we had the same agent. I remember well that longing to be ‘one of the chosen’ and so I can easily put myself in the shoes of those who are looking at me and imagining themselves published one day.  If they want it hard enough, and put the work in, and if one agent rejects them, and they move on to the next never taking a no as the final answer, then one day that call will come to say they’ve got a deal. Then the hard work begins. I used to equate that first publishing deal with the pinnacle of Everest, but it’s not even Base Camp. And often in this job, writing the book is the easiest part!

I am so looking forward to the evening. I have many friends there shortlisted for an award that it is sure to be a jolly one, and my plus one for the evening is my best novelist pal Debbie Johnson, because you need someone who understands the intricacies of this crazy job, to trust with all your niggles and to act as a sounding board when you feel like screaming because you’ve had the worst review ever written by anyone. And you are there for them when the reverse happens. A bit of kindness in this game goes a long, long way. And it’s always the best Karma to pay it forward.

I joined the RNA when I was published, not before. I was quite adamant that’s the way I’d do it and what a misguided fool I was! Had I joined before I would have benefitted from so much inspiration and guidance, I would have had so many more writer friends to mix with rather than do it all alone. I missed out on help and fun and a lot of Prosecco. But join I did eventually and it was one of the best investments I made becoming part of the association. I encourage any other writer not to follow in my footsteps as far as my stubbornness goes, but to join as soon as you can and take advantage of the wealth of wisdom its ‘fabulousness of authors’ has to share.

 

My One True North by Milly Johnson is published on 5th March by Simon and Schuster and is available to pre-order now.