Tag Archive | One More Chapter

Hell Hath No Fury by Annette Dashofy

Sep2

Blindsided!

Hell Hath No Fury by Annette Dashofy is a marvellous contemporary murder suspense. It is the fifth book in A Detective Honeywell Mystery series but can be read as a stand-alone. I recommend reading the books in numerical order as each one begins where the previous one left off, and therefore the back stories continue.

We rejoin the main characters, both of whom are recovering from events in the previous book. Miles from home, they once more, stumble into a crime scene.

Past events weigh heavy on a character. “The only problem now is that I can’t forgive myself.” We need to learn from the past and not dwell in it. The grace that we extend to others, needs to include the face in the mirror.

A sister’s bond sees a young woman travelling across states in order to help her drug-addicted sister. “You can’t fix me…Only I can fix me.” Acknowledging that you have a problem is the first step towards healing. It is a personal journey. We can receive support but our life is ultimately our responsibility.

A character recognises another’s pain and longs to help her. “I wanted to warn her… She told me all she knew how to do in life was to be Sonny’s wife and Daphne’s mother.” Sometimes, no matter how much we want to, we cannot rescue others from their situations.

Continue reading →

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.

Continue reading →

The League Of Lonely War Women by Andie Newton

Feb19

Loyalty, Bravery, Camaraderie

The League Of Lonely War Women by Andie Newton is a powerful historical tale that gripped me from the start. It is a fictional tale that is grounded in facts.

The story has four brave young women at its’ heart. They are American analysts working in Britain during World War II. They are transferred to Rome working for the OSS, which sees them parachuting into the heart of Nazi Germany in order to undertake a dangerous mission. Two of the women are tasked with something even more secret and dangerous, which they cannot tell the other two about. They hope to disrupt the Nazi war effort by lowering morale of the soldiers.

Andie Newton has created admirable characters. We see that trust and bonds formed in war will never break, even if separated for a time. Cunning and stealth is needed especially when they need to flee Nazi Germany.

The book is set in 1944 when it was clear that the Nazis were losing the war. Soldiers are dissatisfied. “He was swimming in unequal parts pain, hopelessness, and hurt.” We also see that boys are being recruited as soldiers. “He looked young, but his eyes had a tormented glaze to them from the war… I hoped he wasn’t one of the boys recruited directly from the Hitler Youth.”

This is a tale of two halves – war and peace – We rejoin the story ten years later as the two women who were on a special mission, now have the chance to complete it. But America is more concerned with the red in the bed than Nazi war criminals. The CIA did not reckon on the drive of the four women to complete unfinished business.

Continue reading →

No Stone Left Unturned by Annette Dashofy

Feb10

Superb Crime Suspense

No Stone Left Unturned by Annette Dashofy is a gripping contemporary crime suspense that I could not put down. It is the fourth book in A Detective Honeywell Mystery series but can be read as a stand-alone.

I enjoyed meeting up with familiar faces. Once more the police work in tantum with photographer, Emma, in the hope of solving a brutal crime. Newspaper archives hold secrets that are clues.

The crimes are far too close to home as an unknown figure goes on a crime spree that seems to be a personal vendetta.

As the body count rises, the law enforcement is left scratching its’ heads.

Annette Dashofy has created a marvellous plotline, with the suspense ramping up. Locations become seedier and darker, to mirror the action. My heartrate rose as I read towards the conclusion. There were times when I gasped out loud, yelling ‘no’ at my book!

There were tender moments too, particularly concerning an elderly dog who was in need of love and care.

Continue reading →