Archive | August 2023

The Lost Heir by Jane Cable

Aug11

The Ties That Bind

The Lost Heir by Jane Cable is a compelling dual timeline novel. It is the second book in The Cornish Echoes Dual Timeline Mystery series but can be read as a stand-alone.

The novel is set in the early nineteenth century and 2020 as lockdown begins. It evokes memories within the reader of isolation, food shortages, 2m rules, daily exercise and meetings via computer. We see strangers meeting on daily exercises who then find unique ways to connect.

A ‘gift’ passed down from her grandmother plagues a character as she tries to cope with daily life.

Characters in present day find links to the past as they search for their family trees. We all want to know where we have come from.

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Digging For Victory At Rookery House by Rosie Hendry

Aug9

Keep The Home Fires Burning

Digging For Victory At Rookery House by Rosie Hendry is a marvellous historical novel. It is part of the Rookery House series but can be read as a stand-alone. I recommend reading the previous books for maximum enjoyment.

The action opens in December 1940 at the height of the Blitz in Manchester. We see the devastation caused and the luck needed to survive. Plus the guilt of being a lone survivor. Bitterness, guilt and fear make terrible masters. We see a character hiding her feelings as a way of coping. Bitterness creeps in until – one day she faces her fears and realizes the enemy are just young men with families who love them. They are just following orders.

Much of the action is in a Norfolk village. There is a great house and a sense of community as we see women making do and mending; running canteens; arranging fetes; working the land etc. The women are definitely keeping the home fires burning while the men are away.

Houses are thrown open to evacuees and land girls. We see the trauma involved as a family home of forty seven years is demolished in order to make way for a new runway.

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Saving The Good News Gazette by Jessie Wells

Aug6

Most Charming

Saving The Good News Gazette by Jessie Wells is a most charming contemporary novel that made me smile. It is the second book in The Good News Gazette series but can be read as a stand-alone.

This is a book about community and big, generous hearts. The Good News Gazette exists to bring good news. Zoe, its editor, is the voice of the novel as it is written in the first person.

Zoe is community minded, spearheading the campaign to save the old cinema. She is also forward thinking and has innovative ideas that help transform the lives of those around her. She could, figuratively speaking, beat with the stick but she chooses the carrot instead, to help transform hearts.

Zoe is also a single mum, juggling many pies but remains cheerful and giving.

The tone of the novel is fun and light-hearted. It is absolutely hilarious at times. I just laughed out loud – especially in the scenes at the party with the nautical theme. I cannot ‘unsee’ the pictures that I conjured up in my head!

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The Cornish Rebel by Nicola Pryce

Aug6

Live In Hope

The Cornish Rebel by Nicola Pryce is a marvellous historical novel that consumed me from the start.

The action is set in 1801 in Cornwall. It is a time of change as we hear about the prospect of new turnpike roads being built. The world is teetering on a new era with new chemical discoveries being made that will aid with road building. Also, there are those who are concerned with the health of the tin miners.

Women were second class citizens to men but within the novel we meet some very strong, forward-thinking women.

Much of the story surrounds a girls school threatened with closure. Perseverance and determination are the characteristics of both an aunt and her niece. Both also have philanthropic hearts that want to help the plight of poor, disadvantaged girls. They believe that education should be available for all, with equal footings to all the girls in their care.

Jealousy is a terrible master. It corrupts and blackens hearts.

Animals are often good judges of character, as a dog proves in the tale.

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