Tag Archives: Reviewed

When Christmas Bells Ring by Katie Flynn Reviewed by Jan Speedie

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When Christmas Bells Ring by Katie Flynn Reviewed by Jan SpeedieKatie Flynn has so many successful titles already but we must add this gentle readable story to her successful list.

The story starts in 1938 in Liverpool. Rosheen Clarke and her lively, strong willed twin daughters have no idea how their world is going to change with the advent of war.

After war is declared the twins are evacuated to Wales. The prospect of living in the countryside does not appeal to them.

Rosheen joins the WAAF and meets a fellow Liverpudlian Cassie Valentine.  The two become firm friends and support each other through – trouble with the twins, the bombing of Liverpool and Cassie fighting her love for a childhood friend Andy.

When peace is declared in 1945, Rosheen, Cassie and the twins are all changed by the events that have happened in their lives – hopefully all to their good.

Read and enjoy this well presented tale of life during World War 2.

Katie Flynn lives in the north-west of England.   Her short stories were often broadcast on Radio Merseyside. Hearing her family reminiscing about life in Liverpool in the early twentieth century she was prompted to write her Liverpool series. Katie has always loved to write and continues to although she has had to cope with ME for the past few years.

Published by Arrow on 22nd October 2015 at £6.99

Also available in ebook

 

 

Nightingales Under the Mistletoe by Donna Douglas Reviewed: Tracy Baines

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nightingalesunderthemistletoe

Christmas 1941 and the nurses at the Nightingale are facing their toughest winter yet.

With shortages everywhere, and every news bulletin announcing more defeats and losses, the British people are weary and demoralised and The Nightgale Hospital is suffering too.Millie is recently widowed and dealing with the demands of her family’s estate.  It’s not long before her old world of The Nightingale begins to beckon, along with a long lost love…

Jess is struggling with her move from East London to the quiet of the countryside.Effie finds herself exiled to a quiet village, but the quiet doesn’t last for long as she soon finds excitement in the shape of a smooth talking GI. As Christmas approaches, even the shelter of the countryside can’t protect the girls from heartache.

This is the first book I’ve read about the nurses at the Nightingale Hospital and it won’t be the last. Even though I came new to the series (this is book seven) it was easy to read as a stand alone and was at no point confusing.

It was a perfect winter read as I sat in front of a roaring fire, mug of tea and a box of choccies to hand. I was soon deep in the world of nurses and country living. The characters are likeable and realistic and the author strikes a perfect balance between the hard, grudging work that nurses do and the camaraderie that comes from pulling together. It doesn’t shy away from the awfulness of war but deals with it in a way that’s informative without being too upsetting and certainly made me wonder at the bravery of people during those trying times. That said there is humour and warmth on every page.

An absolutely perfect read for those who love Call the Midwife.

To be published 11th November by Cornerstone Publishing

 

 

Love You Better by Natalie K Martin Reviewed By Frances Colville

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Love You Better by Natalie K Martin Reviewed By Frances ColvilleNatalie K Martin’s second book Love You Better is about domestic violence.  Set in London, Thailand and Ibiza with links to other parts of the world, the story is fast paced with well-drawn characters and a good if somewhat predicable story line.  We all know that domestic violence can occur in all sorts of households and relationships, and any book which reinforces this and flags up some of the telltale warning signs is welcome.  The author has done her research well.  And her love of travel shines through too.

However, the ending of the book was clearly signposted from the early pages and for me this detracted from the impact of the story as it evolved.  It’s hard to care enough about the development of a character – even one you empathise with as much as Effie – if you’ve already worked out what is going to happen to her.  There were a few other things which pulled me up short. Is the character Oliver intended to be the same age as the other main characters (that is, mid twenties) and if so, how can he possibly be one of the most sought-after lawyers in London?  A three storey whitewashed Georgian house in a quiet street in Clapham for £500,000?  I don’t think so.  Nitpicking?  Yes.  But why not get it right?

This book is still a good read though.  It flows well, it’s interesting and I did actually want to know if I guessed the right ending.  And I liked the play on words in the title.  A book worth reading in fact.  I’m going to search out the author’s first book Together Apart and look forward to future offerings as well.

Love You Better is published by Lake Union Publishing and will be available in the UK in paperback and ebook versions from 8th October 2015.

 

 

Tolkien- An Illustrated Atlas by David Day Reviewed by Frances Colville

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TOLKIEN - AN ILLUSTRATED ATLAS by David Day Frances Colville

If you have a Lord of the Rings or Hobbit fan amongst your friends or family members, this little book could just be the perfect Christmas present.  It looks fantastic (in both senses of the word) and it’s reasonably priced.  The sort of book you could read right through and examine in great detail – or simply dip into when you have a spare half hour.

Designed as a companion to Tolkien’s books from The Hobbit through to the Silmarillion, there is a satisfying mix of illustrations, genealogies, chronologies and maps.  An unofficial book, not authorised by the Tolkien estate, it was never intended to be a substitute for reading the original books and you won’t find any complete stories.  But you will find a wealth of information which will make following the books themselves more straightforward and arguably even more compelling than they already are.  Be careful though if you already possess the Tolkien Encyclopedia or World of Tolkien or the Tolkien Bestiary as some of the information included in those books is repeated in this new one.

Even if you are, like me, not someone who knows your orks from your ents and doesn’t particularly care about the exact time-line of the development of Middle Earth, you will find much to like in the artwork, the varied fonts and the colour and feel of the pages on which this book is printed.  The faux leather cover is a work of art in its own right – much more interesting than it sounds.  And as far as I can tell, not being an expert on the subject myself, the author David Day knows his stuff.

Tolkien-An Illustrated Atlas is published by Cassell and is available in bookshops now.

 

 

Twisted by B A Morton Reviewed by Margaret Graham

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Twisted by B A Morton reviewed by Margaret Graham

Blimey, talk about tense …

In Twisted, Jack Miller’s been playing a dangerous game, and the stakes are about to be raised.

I read the first few lines and was hooked.

Poor old DI John Samuels is on the trail of a bank robber, but he has no idea of the people he’s dealing with. In particular, let me introduce you to Spook, who is one of the most balmy and evil characters I’ve come across. How on earth did B A Morton conjure her up, let alone all the others. You see, so few are conventionally good people, but they’re so interesting. I was totally engrossed, and found myself – understanding? Well no, not understanding why they were as they were, but close to that.

The pace, the story, the characters are all spot on. So, let’s get back to the book: the ruthless robber is Miller, for whom bank robbery is simply a means to an end. Wounded while making his escape Miller has half a million in used notes and a hostage that wasn’t part of the plan. As the police close in, Otto, the crime boss wants his cash, and someone wants Miller silenced  – forever.

Then there’s the weird misfit Spook. Unstable and fearless, she’ll go to any lengths to get what she wants. Then a judge’s daughter disappears and evidence points at Miller. It is then that Miller discovers just how crazy Spook really is. (Ah ha, but I knew it all along, so very there).  With every twist and turn, and even with the rapid pace, Morton keeps us with her.

Published by Caffeine Nights, Twisted surely lends itself to a series. I do hope so.

B A Morton lives in the North East of England, and writes across a number of genres, including crime, romance, horror and historical fiction. She lives in a cottage built on the remains of a medieval chapel.

She is a member of the Crime Writers’ Association. In 2011 her debut novel, Mrs Jones, a crime thriller set in New York, took second place in the international literary competition, The Yeovil Prize, and launched her extremely successful career.

 

 

The Very Thought of You by Mary Fitzgerald Reviewed by Jan Speedie

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The Very Thought of You by Mary FitzgeraldOnce again Mary Fitzgerald has woven a story of friendship, love, intrigue and blackmail. Set in 1944 when hopes were high that the war would be over soon; Mary has shown how the friendship and comradeship of a touring variety group brings much needed entertainment to factory workers and troops.

In 1944 Beau Bennett gathers together a touring variety group, the Bennett Players, to perform to factory workers, military hospitals and troops in the UK and France.

Catherine, Della and Frances join the Bennett Players and form a strong friendship as they travel around with the show. The three girls are each searching for something – Catherine seeking news of her husband reported ‘missing in action’, Della is ambitious for fame and Frances needs to keep the impoverished family estate safe for the future.

The shows are a great success and raise moral wherever they go but as they follow the advancing armies through France the girls realise that lies, deceit, betrayal and blackmail are following them and the troupe. Slowly the truth becomes clear and they all will be changed by it.  The girls have formed a strong bond which will survive as they return home to their changed futures.

Mary Fitzgerald now lives in the peaceful countryside of Shropshire. After a successful nursing career, marriage and four children, the family eventually settled back in the UK. Mary always loved writing and her characters took on a life of their own as she researches her books. After much rejection a chance email from Random House arrived and Mary was on her way to being a successful published author.

Mary’s characters have warmth and depth to cope with the ups and downs life presents.  Read and enjoy.

The Very Thought of You is available here.

Published in Paperback by Arrow on 16th July 2015 – £5.99

Also available in eBook

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