Tag Archive | Boldwood Books

The Lost Daughters Of Ukraine by Erin Litteken

Apr24

Choose Hope

The Daughters Of Ukraine by Erin Litteken is a powerful and heart-breaking novel that consumed me.

The action is mainly set during World War II and up to 1947. We follow three lost daughters of Ukraine as the war tears them apart – first the Soviets, then the Germans, and then the Soviets again. It is a book that will affect your emotions. It really resonated with me as I had an uncle from the Ukraine who was born in1922 and who suffered under the Soviets and the Germans, and who chose to come to Britain at the end of the war.

The Daughters Of The Ukraine is grounded in fact as it is based on the experiences of the author’s relatives.

All the characters are well drawn and realistic. Their bravery and their tenacity to overcome is amazing. “Fight because life is always worth fighting for.” It was a daily choice, to choose life. Anything else would have meant giving up.

There is a generosity of spirit. They shared what they had with those who had nothing. In contrast, the Soviets and the Germans were brutal. I remember my uncle saying that he did not want to fall into the hands of the Soviets.

My heart broke for a character who had lost her whole family. “Everyone I love dies, so I won’t love anyone.” She tried to build a wall around her heart, to harden her emotions but her heart broke free.

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Better Off Wed by Portia Mackintosh

Apr20

Delightful

Better Off Wed by Portia Mackintosh is another delightful contemporary offering that will warm your heart and leave you smiling.

There is a wonderful light-hearted tone to the story as we follow the preparations for a double wedding.

All the characters are realistic and likable, creating a warm atmosphere that envelops the reader.

The leading lady is charming and hilariously funny with her jokes and one-liners. There was a wonderful chemistry between her and the leading man.

We see that new friendships have big hearts. Characters bond over food and companionship.

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A New Year For The Seaside Girls by Tracy Baines

Apr15

Of Love & Compassion

A New Year For The Seaside Girls by Tracy Baines is a compelling historical novel that entertained me for a few hours.

The novel is set in Cleethorpes in 1940, as a group of variety performers adjust to the start of the war. Some are called up, some sign up for ENSA and others stay behind to boost morale. Friendships formed on the variety scene run deep.

Lives open up as secrets are unearthed. Selfish actions in the past need forgiveness. Failure to do so, risks drowning in bitterness.

We see lives that focus on others are met with kindness and compassion. In contrast, a life that looks inward threatens to drown in a pity party. The love and kindness of a four year old reaches the lost and the hurting. Her life, light and love innocently wrap around the lost and hurting who find themselves blossoming under her purity of emotions.

The ability to rescue the hurting even extends to a stray dog! As Mr Brown finds himself with a new home, he shows loyalty too. He even made himself at home in my heart!

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The Forgotten Palace by Alexandra Walsh

Apr12

Closing The Circle

The Forgotten Palace by Alexandra Walsh is a marvellous dual timeline novel that delighted my senses as the past explodes to life.

The story links events in 1900 with present day and the dawn of time, as the reader accompanies the characters to an archeological dig in Crete. In both time periods the characters stay in the same house and visit the dig of Arthur Evans who was a real life person. Fact and fiction collide to weave a terrific tale.

In both time periods the leading ladies are escaping lives in Britain to heal from trauma. Both have been either physically and/or mentally abused and duped by men. In modern day we see the leading lady believing that the abuse is somehow her fault and that he will not do it again. There are some hard to read scenes as the reader realizes the state of the relationship before the character.

Both leading ladies are linked by dreams as voices from the past call to them.

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