Sunday, 18 October 2020

 



Announcement:  Charlotte is coming back too, subject to new baby.  So between us, hopefully, at least a couple if not more reviews will be posted each month.   

Saturday, 22 February 2020

Scottish Time-Travel Novel.



Reviewed by Francine.


Taking a time-slip/travel plot and adding a little alternative history to the mix, Ms Orford combines true fact with fiction and a serious what-if theme. Thus leaping from the 21st century to the realm of Mary Queen of Scots, young heroine Mary Elizabeth learns the skill of “puddle-jumping” back and forth through time and differing historical periods. Of those met along the way not all are key signatories, but nonetheless add backbone to the overall plot. The main theme concentrates on conflict between the Scottish and the English through the Tudor, Elizabethan, and Stuart periods respectively. Equally, the present day Brexit debacle and Independence for Scotland from the Union of the British Isles and the Province of Northern Ireland (United Kingdom) is a prime key!

Unfortunately time-travellers can be guilty of attempt to alter history or inform persons in the past of future aspects that may deem the messenger a witch. Mary Elizabeth is no exception in tempting a fate worse than death. There is sense of naivety about the heroine in many respects, bold arrogance too, and with time-slip novels readers will gladly shelve disbelief when feats of endurance are magical in content and action. And without spoiling the plot I will end here and say, for lovers of alternative history X marks the spot for intrigue, adventure, and time travel!


Wednesday, 19 February 2020

Regency Spies & A Convenient Marriage




Reviewed by Francine

Aside from French spies and highwaymen, when a novel touches on one’s home town it is only natural for element of familiarity to cloak about one, and Erica Taylor’s novel does precisely that when the hero and heroine venture to Wells Cathedral. Not only is the heroine’s penchant for Gothic architecture apparent, other cathedrals are soon destined to play a role in highlighting the craft of code breaking scripted ciphers. The very fact Luke, nor Vivian, had foreseen a chance encounter would lead to a marriage of convenience, they nonetheless adapt to the agreed bargain and become intrigued by each other almost as much as the mystery she finds herself dragged into.


Subsequently, as perilous danger surrounds them within England of 1816, Vivian unravels elements from her past that had meant little to her until events unfold. Thus with a timely spy plot, Luke’s past haunts him and fate determines a second encounter with his past is not only a major threat to the Prince Regent and his beloved daughter Charlotte, can his marriage of convenience with Vivian hold them together or is a parting of the ways inevitable? Therein lies the essence of marry in haste on impulse for personal gain, and suffer the consequences of uncertainties at a later date in how to resolve issues that that were never supposed to arise. A thoroughly enjoyable read as two people find the past can determine the future as they know it.  Enjoy!



Saturday, 8 February 2020

17th century Swashbuckling Romance.



Reviewed by Francine.


Set in Devon (England) 1627, the reign of Charles I, the author presents the reader with a slow burn romance and swashbuckling tale of derring-do. Thus three brothers whose major skill is that as an acrobatic trio, their secondary skill base is carpentry which lends favour to their labour in exchange for coin. Whilst a young woman met within a tavern soon enlists Gabriel and his brothers’ to assist with a schoolroom, a trusting bond grows between Gabriel and Perspicacity and love inevitably blossoms. But as with all travelling troupes of entertainers’ opportunities arise and move on they must, and those left behind enact their lives as fate dictates.

By the time the trio return to Devon, great interest is shown in Gabriel and his brothers’ performances by a man of noble countenance which is somewhat baffling, until Gabriel learns of a wicked gut-wrenching deed by others. Hence, Gabriel and de Wolf have every reason to band together. Notorious Barbary pirates holding prisoners on Lundy Island are a force to be reckoned with in more ways than one. Not only do they trade in slaves they barter and trade over kidnap victims from rich family folds. Situated in the Bristol Channel the island is a natural rock fortress, the castle less so, but can Gabriel and de Wolf rescue the women they love from the island and survive to tell the tale? Enjoy!

Monday, 3 February 2020

Historical Romance



Reviewed by Francine


Imagine if you will the windswept coastline of Ireland and a man mourning a lost love! If you’ve ever read “Wuthering Heights” you’ll recognise the mournful sorrow of loss in this novel, and in some respects Devan, Marquess of Castlereagh, befits the dark brooding essence of Heathcliff from the classic tome penned by Emily Brontë. 

Thus Devan poor man has retreated from England to Dahlingham, where beside himself with grief the appearance of a young woman who markedly resembles his late beloved haunts his every waking hour and dreams taunt and torment him. Aside from tragedy of Devan’s loss, Raven has no recollection of who she is or whence she came from. She is but a seeming orphan lost to strange dreams and unexplained circumstances. All the while Devan is far from her thoughts until an act of kindness, a kindness that drives him to the brink of belief he is losing his mind, and Raven to the horrors of love transcending time. But how can love in the present coalesce with love in the past, and how can she give her heart to Devan if it rightfully belongs to another?

Whilst Laura Mills-Alcott readily admits the ballad “Sweet Barbara Allen” inspired the writing of the novel, it’s more than that, for it has underlying elements of the Sleeping Beauty about it with the long sleep in a nether existence, and a prince who with one kiss stirs and brings forth a life Raven had lost. Thus The Briar and The Rose is a tale of something once lost and regained with a twist ending to warm the hardest of unromantic hearts. Enjoy!


Monday, 13 January 2020

A Mediaeval Ghost story.





Reviewed by Francine:

Set in Minster Lovell, a place in which the River Windrush flows through in its former crystal clear glory, although the overall setting is mediaeval during the reign of Edward IV, it brought back wonderful memories of my children wading in the waters in search of crayfish. There is nothing better than books that traverse time with wonderful prose and natural dialogue thus presenting good sense of times past whilst transcending personal time, that sense of familiarity. Although the mediaeval period is far from my favourite reading material I appreciate others’ perspectives on the past, and putting my author hat aside I can relish a good read no matter the period: more especially when historical input is seamlessly woven into the tapestry of the overall story. Whilst the mistletoe bride is a matter of myth the ghostly atmosphere enhances the story of a fairly ordinary gathering of family and friends, but the fact legend can almost become reality in another time is startling in its power of presentation. Well written, albeit a novella, this is a truly worthwhile read for lovers of the mediaeval period and that of legends – true or imagined and thus retold across the centuries.