Tag Archive | Bookouture

The American Wife’s Secret by Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger

Oct23

So Brave, So Heartbreaking

The American Wife’s Secret by Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger is a powerful historical novel that I read in just one sitting. It is the third book in The Diplomat’s Wife series but can be read as a stand-alone.

The action takes place in Europe 1943-1945 as we follow an American lady who does what she can to sabotage the Nazi war effort and to gain intelligence.

All the characters were well drawn and realistic. The bravery, tenacity and loyalty of the leading lady was admirable.

We witness the horrors of war from within Nazi-occupied territories. Trust was in short supply and lips needed to be tightly sealed.

The author created the atmosphere of fear as we ‘see’ the methods used by the Gestapo to extract information.

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The Sisters At The Last House Before The Sea by Liz Eeles

Oct22

Enchanting

The Sisters At The Last House Before The Sea by Liz Eeles is an absolutely beautiful contemporary novel. It is the sixth book in the Heaven’s Cove series but can be read as a stand-alone.

The novel is about family. Family may be blood related or brought together by love. Family love us despite our faults. Family stick by one another. We see two sisters thrown back together by the death of their grandmother. Life is awkward at first but gradually old bonds are rebuilt.

We see the difficult position of a fifteen year old step daughter. She is trying to find her place in life but is troubled. Her life is continually built on shifting sand and she does not know where she belongs. The location of Devon offers her more freedom than her stifling London life.

A character is gaslighted by her partner. She is oblivious to the mental torment he is inflicting. The reader can clearly see what is happening. Our hearts are broken by cruel barbs to the character who is a kind and gentle soul.

There is a mystery to solve from a century ago. Enquiries about a long-dead relative open some exciting new doors.

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The Girl From The Resistance by Imogen Matthews

Oct13

Extraordinary Bravery

The Girl From The Resistance by Imogen Matthews is a powerful historical novel. It is the first book in The Dutch Girls series which promises to be fabulous.

The reader enters Nazi-occupied Holland as we follow a brave young woman who refuses to sit back and do nothing. Her heart goes out to her Jewish neighbours as she is determined to make a difference.

When thrown in at the deep end we either sink or swim. The leading lady chooses to swim. She taps into a hidden strength and goes above and beyond what she felt she was capable of. She is determined to follow through on her promise to protect two young sisters after their parents were taken. She has a strong inner core.

We see extraordinary acts of bravery by ordinary people. The resistance draws many in, in order to help smuggle Jewish people or to sabotage the Nazis plans.

It is tense at times as action happens in the dead of night under the noses of the Nazis. My heart rate definitely rose.

There is love and loyalty with no thought to personal safety.

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The Weekend Away by Miranda Smith

Oct7

Totally Gripping

The Weekend Away by Miranda Smith is a totally gripping contemporary psychological thriller that I just could not put down.

Everyone grieves differently. A group of friends meet up one year after the death of a friend and sister, to remember her. All seem sincere in their grief – but at least one of them is lying.

The story is told mainly from the victim’s twin sister Sienna’s point of view and also in the form of a diary written by her late twin. Sienna has felt guilty since her sister died – but now she is angry and determined to seek out the truth.

Friends turn out to not be as true as they first seem. Covering up crimes in order to preserve the face of a company seems more important than letting the truth come to light.

Much of the tale is set on a remote wooded mountain in an isolated cabin. The landscape and the elements mirror the torments within. As a heated situation gets more and more out of control, the reader’s heartrate ramps up. Can anyone take control? Will the truth ever be known?

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