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Fifteen Postcards by Kirsten McKenzie

Sep11

Unique And Intriguing

Fifteen Postcards by Kirsten McKenzie is a fascinating time-slip novel with action in the nineteenth century and present day. The reader is in for a real treat as we travel from modern London back in time to exotic locations including India and New Zealand. It is the first book in The Old Curiosity Shop series which promises to be fabulous.

The plotline is unique drawing the reader in from the start. We have artefacts to follow and mysteries to solve as we time hop.

All the action hangs on treasures. These treasures link the ages and the characters and are powerful motivators. Where your heart is there is your treasure. Not all characters are driven by the pursuit of riches.

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The Night Portrait by Laura Morelli

Aug28

Keeping Her Safe

The Night Portrait by Laura Morelli is a fascinating dual timeline novel with its roots in reality. It is set in 1490’s Milan and 1940’s Poland and Germany. The link is Leonardo da Vinci’s portrait of a lady in ermine. Facts and fiction blend to produce a fabulous tale.

The action is told from several points of view in both the first and third person as the reader immerses themselves in two very different cultures.

The 1940’s follows an art historian employed by the Nazi regime to plunder artefacts from across occupied Europe. From 1944 we also follow an American soldier trying to trace these stolen artefacts to recover and return.

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My Darling by Amanda Robson

Aug24

Totally Absorbing

My Darling by Amanda Robson is an absorbing contemporary psychological thriller that I read in just one sitting.

The action is suspenseful and fast paced as suspicion points this way and that. There were multiple narrators enabling the reader to have insight into several minds. My heart raced as I longed to see justice served.

Everyone has a past. We need to learn from it and move forwards into the future.

There are the difficult topics of mental illness and abuse. It is always important to seek help.

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The Last Charm by Ella Allbright

Aug20

Of Rainbows And Stars

The Last Charm by Ella Allbright is the most beautiful contemporary story about friendship, love and family. It is a novel that will swell your heart with love whilst having you reaching for the tissues.

Within the novel are two young people whose fortunes we follow over fifteen years. Both are from fractured homes – one feels abandoned; the other needs love and kindness. The reader’s heart breaks for them both in different ways. They both recognise the needs of the other.

There are grown-ups who see the hurt and do their best to plug the gaps and bring love and care.

The reader celebrates the highs and mourns the lows as we witness the birth of a friendship, showing kindness, compassion and care. There are some huge hearts within the novel.

The chapters alternate between two points of view. One is written in the first person and one in the third. The love radiates from the pages, wrapping the reader in a ‘hug’. It was a totally enchanting read. I loved the characters who lodged in my heart. The book is over and I ‘feel’ lost. I wanted much more – but the love, the hope and the beauty remain.

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