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The Winter Killings by Wes Markin

Jun18

Linking The Past & Present

The Winter Killings by Wes Markin is a marvellous contemporary novel that I just could not put down. It is part of The Yorkshire Murders series but can be read as a stand-alone. For maximum enjoyment I recommend reading the previous books first. It will enable you to track character development.

Once more we meet up with the police team trying to solve present day crimes. Cold case crimes have links in the present. Long buried secrets are unearthed that threaten innocent lives today.

We witness the destructive power of revenge when it has ruled a life. Back in the 1990’s, a future was stolen on a day. A character has never forgotten.

There is the theme of nature or nurture. A family in the past has committed horrendous acts of cruelty. Could these traits lie dormant in the genes? Are monsters made by society? Or bad genes? The fear of the latter dominates a character’s thinking.

In present day we see an undercover police officer going above and beyond. His future was stolen from him in the past. Now he lives with one eye and his heart on heaven. Readers of previous books will know of his personal tragedy.

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Second Chances At The Board Game Cafe by Jennifer Page

Jun13

The Spirit Of Generosity

Second Chances At The Board Game Café by Jennifer Page is the most charming, contemporary read that warmed my heart.

Just once in a while, a book comes along that as soon as you start it, you just know that it is going to wrap around you like a warm blanket, leaving you feeling loved – Second Chances At The Board Game Café is one such book.

Everything between the pages delighted me. I chose to read the book because it is set in Yorkshire – my favourite place in the whole world. I thought that it could not get any better – but it did! Not only set in Yorkshire but the 1970 film The Railway Children, one of my favourite films, was continually referenced. And then to top it all off, Haworth, my favourite place to visit, was mentioned. This book was just made for me!

Second Chances At The Board Game Café is a book to savor, to keep, and to prompt you to buy the other two books in the series! I just cannot get enough of this book! I certainly hope there will be many more in the series.

All the characters were delightfully drawn and easy to empathise with. Max, who was in year four, brought out my mothering instincts. He has autism. Jennifer Page has perfectly captured Max with his mannerisms, fears and dislike of change. Likewise, leading character Harry also has autistic traits. Despite their age difference, Max and Harry understand and support each other as they navigate life.

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The Little Book Of Extraordinary Cats by Anita Kelsey

Jun9

The Purr-fect Gift

The Little Book Of Extraordinary Cats by Anita Kelsey is a pure delight for any cat lover.

There are fifteen tales of fifteen unique cats who have revealed amazing feats or extraordinary acts of bravery. After each chapter there are short paragraphs of other cats who have similar stories.

Each story is accompanied by colour photos of the cats.

Did I have a favourite tale? Yes, I had two. I was full of admiration for Scarlett who rescued her kittens from a fire. Sinbad’s story tugged at my heartstrings – that brave little face is adorable. Who are Scarlett and Sinbad? Buy a copy of the book to find out.

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The Golden Gals French Adventure by Judy Leigh

Jun5

Leaves The Reader Smiling

The Golden Gals French Adventure by Judy Leigh is a most charming contemporary novel that I absolutely loved. I sank into the tale like a cosy bathrobe. It was a pure delight.

Life is for living. Too often our lives are caught up with work and duty. As we get older, we have choices to make. In the tale we meet characters who are approaching seventy and at crossroads in life – to continue as they have always done? Or to take a new direction?

The two main characters are chalk and cheese – Fliss has had a successful business and a life that revolved around networking, spending money and drinking. Her life is lonely in retirement. Those whom she thought of as friends, turn out to merely be acquaintances who do not want to meet up, seeing as she is now serving no useful purpose to them.

The other character, Shirl, is Fliss’ cleaner. She is approaching sixty. She is more than just a cleaner, she is a true friend to Fliss. Shirl is a family woman. She still looks after her grown up daughter and granddaughter. Shirl is a kind hearted soul, taking pleasure in the simple things in life.

The unlikely pairing of Fliss and Shirl take a holiday to France, staying in the coastal house of a friend of Fliss. Here, the fresh air opens up more than lungs, it opens up both the women’s lives.

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