Tag Archive | Boldwood Books

A Vintage Vacation by Maddie Please

Jun2

Carpe Diem

A Vintage Vacation by Maddie Please is an absolutely delightful contemporary novel that warmed my heart and made me smile.

The leading characters are all over sixty and full of fun, vigor and life, proving that life is for living whatever your age. The characters are a breath of fresh air as they breeze through the novel.

Much of the book is set in Italy. The landscapes spring into life under the artistic pen of Maddie Please. The vim and vigor of Italy contrasts sharply with London which squashes the life out of the characters.

There is the theme of what defines us. “There’s more to life than your job.” We are so much more than what we do. Our lives are there to be lived. We witness the natural landscape drawing the life out of the ladies. Life is to be grabbed, seized and lived. Put away the corporate and embrace the natural.

Family and friends – old and new – are important. We need to enjoy our time together while we can. Life is short. Eternity is long. No one on their deathbed ever says “I wish I’d spent more time at the office.” We need to re-order our priorities and live right.

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The Wagging Tails Dogs Home by Sarah Hope

Jun2

Delightful

The Wagging Tails Dogs Home by Sarah Hope is a positively delightful contemporary novel that will warm your heart.

If you love dogs – this is definitely the book for you. I am a crazy cat lady but I absolutely adored this book.

There are so many dogs in need of new homes that the shelters are overflowing. No one ever wants to turn a dog away. Looking after the dogs costs money. The reader follows the staff at the dogs home as they prepare for their annual fund raising event. There are hiccups along the way but the dedicated staff are determined not to let the dogs down.

We witness lives that have also been let down by others. Being hurt has made souls cautious but there are good people out there.

All the characters were well drawn, realistic and likable. It felt more like meeting new friends as I dropped in on their lives. There was a wonderful camaraderie as the staff at the dogs home had huge, generous hearts.

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Wedding Bells At Goodwill House by Fenella J Miller

Jun1

Budding, Blossoming & Blooming

Wedding Bells At Goodwill House by Fenella J Miller is the next book in the fabulous Goodwill House series. It can be read as a stand-alone but I recommend reading the previous books first to enable you to track character progression and development. I loved catching up with the characters. It is like greeting old friends.

We join Goodwill House in early 1941 with World War II in full swing. There are continual air raids as well as the winter weather to contend with.

Familiar faces are battling trauma from the past. They feel stuck in a moment in time and need love, care and patience to heal.

Once more Fenella J Miller writes with care, compassion and an eye for detail, painting the scenes with her words. She has a marvellous sense of humor, presenting the reader with several hilarious situations which had me snorting with laughter – possibly not a book to read in public!

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Hard Times On Weaver Street by Chrissie Walsh

May26

Constant & True

Hard Times On Weaver Street by Chrissie Walsh is a fabulous historical novel and the second book in the Weaver Street series. It can be read as a stand-alone.

I enjoyed catching up with familiar faces as the residents of Weaver Street journey through the 1920’s and 1930’s.

These are challenging decades as the residents who are recovering from World War I find themselves plunged into depression before war once more looms on the horizon.

All the women are strong, realistic and likable. They support each other throughout life’s changing seasons. They also welcome new faces. “There was more love in those shabby little houses in Lamb Lane than there ever had been in Heathcote Manor.” Money does not buy happiness.

There is no judging of situations as the women realise that there but for the grace of God. We all make mistakes and need love not judgement.

It is delightful to watch the children grow throughout the course of the book as we welcome the next generation of residents to occupy Weaver Street.

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