Tag Archive | Aria Fiction

Daughter Of Genoa by Kat Devereaux

Sep16

Extraordinary Acts Of Bravery

Daughter Of Genoa by Kat Devereaux is a comprehensive tale set in Genoa between April-July 1944.

This is a powerful story that is grounded in facts as the author has taken actual historical figures and re-imagined a fictional tale.

By 1944 Germany was losing the war but the Nazis and the Fascists in Italy were still clinging on to power. Their regime was a cruel one. Kat Devereaux has included back stories of persecution within her tale.

There were brave souls who helped those in need. “Every person we manage to help is a victory. We cannot change our situation, but we can do our best to improve it.” Ordinary men and women worked underground to move people to safety.

The leading lady is one such person. Having been helped, she wants to pay it forward.

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The Little Cottage By The Cornish Sea by Nancy Barone

Jul17

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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Kitty’s War by Eimear Lawlor

Jun23

Powerful

Kitty’s War by Eimear Lawler is a powerful historical novel that I read in just one sitting.

The novel is set in Southern Ireland in 1941. As the tale opens, the leading lady is heading home from the mainland to look after her brother.

We see that German origins can be a curse even though the leading lady has no ties with Germany.

Although Southern Ireland was neutral, the war still touched lives as there were bombing raids and German pilots were shot down. The Germans had all been perceived as evil Nazis but many were just young men with families who missed them.

Catholic Southern Ireland had some harsh and cruel laws for unmarried mothers and homosexual men. There were those who were kind and passed no judgement. It is awful to see how many had to hide their true selves.

Grief is a terrible master. It threatens to sink characters.

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The Girls Who Dared To Love by Diney Costeloe

May12

Engaging

The Girls Who Dared To Love by Diney Costeloe is a powerful historical novel that I loved. It is the second book in the Girls Who Dared series but can be read as a stand-alone. I, however, recommend reading book one first as this book continues where the first book finished.

Now the first World War is beginning. There is a focus on the women folk as some of the men have gone to war.

We see that the leading ladies are very much modern misses as they take control of their lives. They know what they want and who they want, and are not afraid to pursue their desires. They grab life with both hands.

Love arrows fall where they will. Parents do not always agree with their off-spring’s choice of marriage partner. They can either accept it or reject their children. The heart wants what the heart wants.

As the years are passing, old traditions are breaking down. The hierarchy of the classes is breaking down. Women too, are stepping out of traditional roles in order to make their own paths in life.

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