The Little Cottage By The Cornish Sea by Nancy Barone

Coastal Aunts

The Little Cottage By The Cornish Sea by Nancy Barone is the most delightful contemporary novel that I absolutely loved and never wanted it to end.

The main theme is that of friendship. The lead character is fleeing her life in London. It was an isolated life with just one best friend. Her life was closed and lonely in London. In contrast with a small Cornish fishing village which offers friendship, care, compassion and so much more. It is a place where strangers are welcomed as family. Love and support abound.

A dilapidated cottage is in need of a make-over. Likewise, this echoes the life of the leading lady who also needs a make-over of her life.

There are huge hearts within the novel. Their love and care reach beyond the pages to envelop the reader. We feel better at the end of the book than we did at the beginning.

Lives need help in order to heal. In the village kind hearts provide the groundwork for healing.

There are some misunderstandings but the truth is always the truth, and will come out one day.

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The Dawn Of Adonis by Phil Earle

Exciting & Engaging

The Dawn Of Adonis by Phil Earle is the most charming children’s historical novel that I absolutely loved. It is perfect for ages eight years and over. It is a thoroughly enjoyable novel whatever your age.

This is a tale of adventure as we race through the streets of London in 1911. It has all the elements that make it exciting – heroes; villains; and a precious baby that needs protecting. There really is something for everyone.

The novel is very atmospheric and emotional. “The mountain howled. The jungle cried… the sky wept.” That really spoke to my heart.

We see the bravery of young children and the desire to protect and to do the right thing, even if the right thing is hard to do.

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The Women by Kristen Hannah

Women Can Be Heroes Too

The Women by Kristen Hannah is one of those books whose impact will last forever. It is a book that will not fail to change you as your heart breaks for the women. It will affect your emotions as you feel disappointment, hurt and anger for the way the women are treated; as well as admiration for their bravery.

The Women follows a young woman who went to war as a newly qualified nurse, in Vietnam. She bonds with the only two other female nurses. It is a trio who will support each other for a lifetime as only they understand the horrors they lived through. The war in Vietnam was mainly a man’s war.

The Vietnam War started as war on communism but became more unpopular as the years rolled on. Many young American men and Vietnamese civilians lost their lives, and the American government did not always report the truth. “He told her repeatedly that the war was coming to an end. Walter Cronkite said the same… But it was still going on. And men were dying.” For the first time, people had the war beamed straight into their living rooms via the medium of television. The Vietnam War was a war that provoked many anti-war demonstrations.

The book is powerful. We watch Frankie evolve from a society teen to a brave young nurse. “Frankie had been taught to believe that her job was to be a good housewife, to raise well-mannered children and keep a lovely home.” Her view of life will be forever changed. “What’s it like?… Vietnam?”… “Words won’t help… I could talk all day about what it’s like and you still won’t be ready.” Frankie goes from innocence to experience after being totally unprepared for the horrors of war.

The role of nurses was important. Not only did they assist the doctors, they could perform life-saving treatments themselves. Sometimes their role was to hold the hand of the dying. The men who returned, never forgot the nurses who helped them. “There are men going home to their families because of us.”

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A Scottish Teashop In Napoli by Jane Lambert

Insieme Per Sempre (Together Forever)

A Scottish Teashop In Napoli by Jane Lambert is the most delightful contemporary novel that I thoroughly enjoyed.

All the characters were wonderfully warm and welcoming. They wrapped around the reader as we received a virtual hug in a book.

The novel opens in Scotland but we soon travel to Naples as a character has a complete change of life following a public jilting.

Scotland represents the past. Naples equals a new beginning. The scenery was bright and sunny. The characters opened their homes and their hearts to a young Scottish woman.

Throughout the novel, the reader’s taste buds are tempted to delicious sounding food fayre. I was pleased to find the inclusion of recipes at the back of the book.

Characters bond over food. The food ‘speaks’ of love. “Whenever Lucy baked, she could feel her grandmother beside her.” Her Grandmother introduced Lucy to her love of baking which became her passion.

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