Tag Archive | Harper Collins

The Winter Garden by Nicola Cornick

Oct27

True Treasure

The Winter Garden by Nicola Cornick is a marvellous dual timeline novel that had me enthralled from the start.

The book is set in present day and 1598 in the lead up to the Gunpowder Plot. Chapters alternate, as do the voices, with the action being seen through the eyes of the leading ladies – in the third person in present day and in the first person in 1598.

Living in a barn called Gunpowder Barn in the grounds of the old Catesby cottage provides a link to the past. It is all very atmospheric as there seems to be a thin veil between the two time periods.

We witness that sadness in the present attracts sadness in the past. A love will not rest until the past has surrendered its secrets.

A mother’s love is strong. We witness several instances. Life in the sixteenth century was precarious, not all children born, survived. A veil of grief is palpable.

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Snowed In For Christmas by Sarah Morgan

Oct24

Love, Laughter & Family

Snowed In For Christmas by Sarah Morgan is the most charming festive offering that will warm your heart on even the coldest day.

The setting could hardly be more perfect – snowed in in an isolated Scottish family home where love, laughter and care live. It is a home where strangers are welcomed into the heart of the family.

Sarah Morgan has once more created a marvelous set of characters who lodge in the reader’s hearts. I adored them all from Hunter the dog to Nana Jean. Nana Jean at eighty six yeas old does not believe in wasting time. She says just what she is thinking which is absolutely hilarious. Her mouth has no filter. She is definitely my favourite character, although I loved them all.

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The Love Arrangement by Ruby Basu

Oct17

Absolutely Charming

The Love Arrangement by Ruby Basu is an absolutely charming contemporary novel that will warm your heart and make you smile.

All the characters are wonderfully drawn and soon become your friends rather than characters in a book.

Love and friendship pervade the whole novel, enveloping the reader in wide arms.

Family is important. Our families want the best for us. We see that different children have different dreams. Our parents just want us to be happy and to live our best lives.

We follow a daughter who does not want to disappoint her parents. She creates the relationship she thinks they want to see in her. Lines soon blur between reality and illusion leaving a character confused as to what she really wants.

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The Twelve Wishes Of Christmas by Ruby Basu

Oct13

Christmas In A Book

The Twelve Wishes Of Christmas by Ruby Basu is the most delightful contemporary novel that will warm your heart. It is definitely Christmas wrapped up in a book. As you snuggle into its pages, you will feel the warmth and love.

Christmas is snow and candy canes, Christmas trees and hot chocolate, peace and goodwill. Christmas is The Twelve Wishes Of Christmas. It is positively charming and I am sorry it is over.

All the characters were warm and welcoming. There was a wonderful community atmosphere that helped to divert potential disasters.

Christmas is a time for family. Not all family is blood related. Sometimes family are those with whom we have a connection. Age is no barrier. Distance is no barrier. Connection remains even beyond the grave as we look back with fond memories.

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