Tag Archive | Net Galley

The Shadow Pony by Olivia Wakeford (Illustrated by David Litchfield)

Apr24

Love – The Glue That Binds

The Shadow Pony by Olivia Wakeford (illustrated by David Litchfield) is the most charming contemporary children’s novel that I adored. It is suitable for the over tens. It is beautifully illustrated too.

The story is set in Wales and has Aberuraun Colliery as its’ focus. Following a school trip, lead character eleven-year-old Evan desires to find out more about the pit ponies that worked the mines.

Evan’s Grandad used to work in the mine and is haunted by a past event.

There is power in a story. It is in sharing stories that memories can be passed down the generations. We all want to know our personal histories.

We see the difficulties that arise when living with someone with a mental illness. Twelve-year-old Melly’s Mum has bi-polar. This is hard for Melly as sometimes her Mum has to be hospitalised.

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Sisters Of The Storm by Lana Kortchik

Apr23

The Bonds Of Love

Sisters Of The Storm by Lana Kortchik is a powerful World War II novel that I just couldn’t put down.

The reader joins twin sisters, both of whom are nurses, doing their bit for the war effort. The plane carrying them across Albania crashes and the book tells of their fight to survive in enemy-occupied land. They are befriended by partisans and by the people of Albania who are kind, sharing what little they had. “You stay in my house, you are family.” The Albanian people were kindness personified. “What they lacked in material possessions, they more than made up with unconditional love.” With no thought to personal safety, they helped the crashed Americans. “Every step of the way, they were met with kindness. They were welcomed by strangers like they were family.”

We learn about the daughters lives before the war. “Marrying his daughters off was a business deal for their father.” A daughter is cast out when she marries the man of her dreams, who turns out to be a nightmare.

We witness domestic abuse. It’s not always punches; it can be words. “Since they got married, there was a voice inside her head that sounded just like his, hissing and angry and terrifying, telling her she wasn’t good enough or smart enough.” A character believed the lies her husband spoke over her, and is determined not to be that person again. “One of these days I need to stop making excuses for him.” It takes guts to stand up to her husband, and to refuse to be brow-beaten any longer.

You never forget your first love. Although miles from home, there is a chance meeting for a couple who vow never to be parted again.

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The Magical Matcha Teashop by Natasha Bache

Apr9

Power Of New Beginnings

The Magical Matcha Teashop by Natasha Bache is a very charming contemporary tale that I read in just two sittings.

The reader is delighted to step into the world of Lavender Hollow, a small village in England. With its’ independent businesses and no big chain stores, the reader experiences olde worlde charm.

At the heart of the book is the matcha teashop. Owner Yulli relocated from Osaka after his wife Mei died. Yulli is running from grief, but there is no escape. Locking up his heart and keeping busy has also prevented him from accessing beautiful memories.

Mei put life and love into her brews. She knew just what was needed. The teashop needs a new person to take over the reins.

Grace wants a new beginning as she has escaped a soulless relationship and returned home. As the matcha teashop opens its’ doors, Grace can ‘feel’ it talking to her.

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The Orphan’s Mission by Glynis Peters

Apr3

Of Love & War

The Orphan’s Mission by Glynis Peters is a compelling historical novel that consumed me from the start.

The action begins in London before moving briefly to the south coast and then over to mainline Europe during World War II. We follow a teenage orphan whose father was French, and mother was British. Now she has nowhere to call home. She answers the personal call to fight the Nazis from inside France.

We witness the bravery required to sail to Holland, walk several miles to a rendez vous point, and then be parachuted into France.

A small cell of resistance fighters occupies a French farm. They live in plain sight as a family unit – until they realise someone has betrayed them.

We see the wits, bravery and cunning needed to survive the most dangerous of times.

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