Life watch

 

I was asked to review by NetGalley oh my goodness this was close to home and maybe for me suffering anxieties this was a difficult read.

I was impressed by the writing and there was happiness too but this essentially made me look at mt life

Due for publication March 30 2027

What a great read

 

I read this during the long hot summer in the shade and I really could not put this book down. This is four stories that connect to the painter Piero Della Francesca and The Resurection which is in the Italian town of Sansepocro. Three of her characters are real with some poetic license. All her characters have a strong connection with this famous painting.

There is the painting iteself, the artist and family, Mary Hutchinson member of the Bloomsbury set related to the author and an insight into this set and Virgina Woolf, to Clary a conservator and Tiego a journalist in 2014 - the background to a painting and paints used furthered my interest in art and the art world, From Africa and World War 2 a British Captain disobaying orders to bomb the Tuscan town which houses what he feels is the greatest paining ever painted risks everyting.

Really interesting how the author has woven the painting and characters so well together mixing fiction with fact but such a well researched story.
Not due for publication until the beginning of the new year and 2027. But I would say well worth pre odering this.

Fascinating

 

I was staying on the Craster Family Estate this summer and this book was part of Mary Craster's books. What a fascinating book. I learnt the demise was not juat due to the death duty taxes after the second world war. There was a number of factors and the first world war ( or as Sir Roy Strong describes as the hallocaust of 1914-1918. Heirs were dying on the fields of Flanders, Somme and Pascendale to name a few of the "bloody" battles.
Interesting also was the parts concerning the history of the country houses, 1934 and the National Trust. The Government felt it would be better to focus on the houses rather than the parklands.
The black and white photographs told the story well. Amazing this books is 50 odd years old now. Thankfully we as a nation now appreciate old buildings which is our heritage.
Really interesting and would love to read a follow up.
Well researched and execute book.

A great cosy fantasy

 

I was asked by NetGalley to review what I would say is a cosy fantasy with adventure, some darkness, and humour thrown into the mix what is not to love about this story.  There is romance, baddies chsing the heroes and moralistic that the heroes get the better of the baddies. 

Just loved this and in the heat of the summer this not only cheered me up and took me into this interesting and magical world.

Due for publication during half term - October 29 2026 and just before Halloween.

So recommended.

Heartwarming

 

I was asked by NetGalley to review this beautiful story I had read The Secret Library previosly so was pleased to be asked to review this. 

This did not disappoint - this is another heart warming and the rebuiliding of a life ( a lot of us have done this in the past my 30 years are in reverese) 

I read this in one day - mixture of what can you dso in the heat and enjoying tthe long school holidays. 

30 years of work and then tp pack up and move to the coast Eve arrives and Ruth brings her a casserole with such friendship and kindness both with problems of their own. This is about a sense of belonging and in a village where everyone wants to know you to a secret at the bottom of her garden.

Well written and so looking forward to the next novel by Amanda James

Due for publication September 24th 2026 so will be an ideal story to read over half term holidays.

Beautiful

I was asked to review this by the publisher via NetGalley as I have read several of this author lovely stories.

This did not disapoint, I real this in the shade during the hottest weather we have had and this cooled me down. 

So Christmassy, full of magic, sparkle, love and promises. 

We meet Gwen who gets a knowck on her door form a social worker called Lara. Her late husband cousin little Will (Willow) is in need of a Foster home. Her life changes, she finds out so much of herself. Will is s gorgeous little boy. 

Such a beautiful story with the backdrop of a magical Christmas, emotional and lovely at the same time. 

So recommended and due for publication just at the right time for half term and the start of Christmassy reads.

Interesting

 

I was asked to review by NetGalley interesting book and author 

Found this to have a lot of spoilers - Yes I know some of the books are over 100 years old, but not everyone has read Agatha Christie. I can understand the author wanting to explore plots, storylines and the background to the crimes.

What I took from reading this book is to read Agatha Christies books in order, Poirot, Marple, Tommy and Tuppence and so forth. So a trip to Hay on Wye will be in order when it gets colder as I know they sell original paperbacks too. I will read over half term and the long Christmas holidays. 

The author writes well but since Agatha Christies death January 1976 there are good books out there such as Lucy Worsley's book -Agatha Christie which I feel is a ground breaking biography. 

I enjoyed the authors style of writing but this was not really for me. 

Readers this is due for publication September 10th so you can makes your own minds up.