I was asked by NetGalley to review this book and I was so pleased to do so as I love Rachel Hore and her stories. This one did not disapoint.

A dual timeline of two women- Nancy who studied Zoology and feels her life has been ruined. Then she meets journalist Stef and as friendship blossoms and Nancy feels she can tell her story now she is older.  Stef realises that post war Nancy suffered predudices as a woman scientist. 

The story is powerful and interesting and keeps the reader interested till the end of the story. 

Recommended read - due for publication 30 July 2025.

 

I was asked to review by NetGalley and the publishers 

Reading this in February I have to close my eyes and think of those long balmy summer days during the long holidays.

The author paints such a wonderful picture of Cornwall and I am there- this is friendship, romance a bit of intrigue and personal history all thrown into the mix. 

The author creates such wonderful characters- a story that you may think is predictable but with lots of twists and tuens along the way.

A perfect sun bed read whether in a cottage in the South West or lying under a palm tree this will be up there in the top ten this summer. Due for publication on the 5th June 2025.

I loved this story.

 

An interesting look at Evolution 

I was asked to review this book by Lovereading. 

Wow what a read and will always be apt. At present with conflicts around the world, I keep asking the questions why are human the way they are? how are we shaped how did evoution occur. Reading this book is less complicated and the author gets it. I had not thought about evolution from a process point of view as spiritualism sometimes overtakes and we then look at this really from just one perspective here the author looks at this from all angles. Some are known as we have grown up with Darwins theory but it is also interesting from the authors perspective also.  It is all part of the bigger picture. 

Well researched, well written and authors exploration of his own theories also.

Best Children's book since Harry Potter

 

I knew the author but did not know he wrote, so when I got the chance to read this during the long school holidays I was so intrigued.

I was gripped with the story from page one, excellent storytelling, with a puzzle element to this and the story is written well.

Two pupils set about to unlock this intruiging mystery. the protagonsists are James Price the great great grandson of the famous ghost hunters, Harry Price and Emma Houdini, great great garadughter of the great escape artist. The author brings these two great characters to life.

The imagery the author brings to this is stunning with cliff hangers and ghostly tales.

Written for 8-13 year olds, but many adults looking for a great ghostly read please don't hold back read this and then move to book 2.

Best children's book I have read since picking up the first Harry Potter book some 30 years ago.

So what are you waiting for pick this up this summer, and would make a great stocking filler for Christmas (never too early to start)

Beautiful and Poignant Read

 

I was late to the table with this novel
This is a beautiful and poignant novel about a couple who escape from war torn Syria in the hope of finding asylum in the UK. The story is told in the first person by Nuri, who with his wife Afra undertakes a shocking journey.
There is no holds barred with this novel- and there should not be.
Personally for me apart from hearing about people being crammed onto boats and risking their lives- I had no idea of the plight of these unfortuate human beings (some people forget that part) and the author has created characters who are real and realatable as the reader embarks on this journey with them.
Highly recommended.

Beautiful story on Two Timelines

 

I found this book on Amazon Prime during the hot summer of 2022. 

Beautifully written, set on two timelines which moved seemlessly, the storyline was captivating and I wanted this to go on and on as was fascinated by the story and Venice. 

The two characters Caroline and Juliet story was captivating - I thought predictable but getting into this romance/mystery I was wrong.

Recommended read 

 

I came across this book in a National Trust Bookshop- during the hot 2022 summer. I devoured this sitting in Odcombe Lodge Somerset.

I loved the humour of this book, well researched World War 2, letters fom frantic women in a topsy turvey world still with old ideas to a magazine. Mrs Bird who totally refuses to answer letters and give advice on relationships, sex, politics or much else. Thank goodness for Em who takes it upon herself to contact some of these woman. By day working in a magazine by night volunteering with the London Fire Service during the Blitz. 

This is about friendship, old standards, the horrific aspects of the blitz and working in an archaeic office for an outdated magazine - What could possibly go wrong. 

This is the first book in a series which I aim to complete in 2023. Recommended read.