October books

Only two favourite reads from October:

Camille Di Maio - The Way of Beauty

I found this to be a wonderful book, peopled with interesting characters and also revealing some New York history that was unfamiliar to me. Spanning several decades, it begins in 1905 when Vera is a child, living beside the magnificent Penn Station. Her father, a German immigrant, has lost his health through working as a labourer deep beneath the river, creating the train tunnel so that the rich passengers don't have to disembark to finish their journey by ferry. As a child, Vera meets young Angelo, from an Italian family, who works on the station newspaper stand. They form a deep connection, and when she reaches adulthood, Vera realises that she loves him. But before she can explore this, Angelo introduces her to his beautiful fiancee, Pearl. Pearl's wealthy family have cast her out as they were scandalised by her first marriage, even though she's now widowed with a young son. Despite Vera's disappointment, she cannot help but admire Pearl for her ideals and her fierce commitment to the cause of Votes for Women. She takes on the job of looking after Pearl's little boy, Will. But her relationship with the family is difficult, and eventually she leaves them and returns home to care for her ailing father. The story is interwoven with the magnificent Penn Station and its stone eagle decorations. The years go by, and a new generation grows up in the shadow of the Station. Encompassing heartbreak, adventure and love, I really enjoyed this novel, with its many threads and wonderful characters, interlaced with history.

Emma Bennett - Last Dance, Second Chance

Turning now to a contemporary romantic novel. Jessica has reached the pinnacle of her ballet career - she's just been promoted to Principal Ballerina at her New York ballet company, and she has been chosen to dance Princess Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty. Having a couple of free weeks before rehersals start, she flies back to England to visit her parents - only to discover that they're heading off on holiday with her brother and his family. Disappointed, she agrees to look after her father's new resuce dog, energetic Monty. But on one of her first walks, Monty is excited by meeting another dog, and trips Jessica. Luckily the dog's owner, Nathan, is a doctor and turns out to be a former schoolfriend. Devastated at breaking her foot and losing her role in the ballet, Jessica finds that she must swallow her pride and accept his help. As her relationship with Nathan turns to something deeper than friendship, she reminds herself that they must consider this to be just a short fling. Nothing can stand in the way of her career, especially as they will soon be living on other sides of the Atlantic. It has just been an interesting interlude - or has it? A delightful novel about love, family and following dreams.

September books

These are my favourite reads from September:

Kate Frost - One Scottish Summer

When Tilly graduates from Edinburgh University, she spends the summer staying with her best friend, Logan, at his Aunt Joy's house on the Scottish island of Mull. Her whole life is ahead of her - she indulges in a fling with local farmer Cal, while Logan flirts with barmaid Rosie. On their last evening, she flings into the conversation that if she and Logan get to the age of 35 without finding the right person, then they ought to marry. Then they head out into the world, searching for their dream jobs, in and out of relationships, all the while staying firm friends. But fourteen years later, Tilly returns to help Logan prepare for his Aunt's memorial service, and to prepare the house to sell. Neither has found their life partner, or a permanent home. Tilly has always felt at peace on this island, although it's not the same without Joy's loving and wise presence. Joy has left her a journal, which she started after Tilly's first visit. In it she writes of her love for her husband, who died young, and about Logan, her dead sister's son who became motherless as a teenager. Tilly has never felt close to her own jet-setting parents who hadn't really wanted a family. She has time now to look back on her life, and wonders what her future holds. Can she finally soften into the serenity of the island and open up her heart to new possibilities? A novel that explores the true meaning of love.

Jeevani Charika - The Wedding Planner's Guide to Stealing the Bride

All through Kalpana's life she's been conscious that her academically achieving family look down on her. With their successful scientific careers, they believe that being an author of romantic novels is trivial, no matter how successful she is. Now she's engaged to serious acclaimed non-fiction author, Marcus, she feels that they approve of her. He's rich, clever and handsome, and is determined to have the wedding in Sri Lanka, in honour of her heritage. Having grown up in England, Kalpana knows little of the country, but is prepared to be whisked away to learn more about it and visit potential wedding venues. Enter Sampath - colourful wedding planner with a top agency, and half Sri Lankan himself. Kalpana is touched that he turns out to be a particular fan of her books, and they soon become friends. Marcus doesn't see him as a threat, believing him to be gay. But once they reach their destination and Kalpana begins to reconnect with the country of her heritage, something changes. Marcus is frequently absent on publicity meetings with an old friend, and she's thrown more into Sampath's company. And he's not gay, just fond of wearing bright colours. As Kalpana discovers more about her past she begins look hard at her relationship to her family. Sampath, meanwhile realises that he's fallen completely for the bride. He grittedly sticks to his remit, to create the very best wedding for his clients, as his job depends upon it. A delightful feel-good novel, well-written with likeable and interesting characters. Recommended.

Clare Flynn - The Artist's Apprentice

In the early years of the 20th Century, Alice dreams of becoming an artist, but is restricted by belonging to an impoverished aristocratic English family. It's expected that she'll fulfil her existence by making a good marriage to Gilbert, the elder son of a rich banking family. Her brother Victor will also benefit by being given a senior position in the American branch of their firm. Reluctantly she agrees - after all, Gilbert is young and handsome, and seems pleasant enough. But a startling discovery means that she changes her mind at the last minute, and everything descends into chaos. It is decided that she will marry the younger brother, Edmund, who is training as a stained glass artist. Edmund's heart is elsewhere, and Alice cannot bear the thought of being bartered as a commodity. Both young people make drastic and precipitous decisions that will alter the course of their lives forever. Then a few years later, in 1913, Edmund is taking on his first prestigious solo commission for two stained glass windows. His assistant pulls out, and it is suggested that he takes on the local vicar's niece to help out. With no alternative, he decides to allow her to try out - only to discover that it is his spurned former match, Alice. She only takes on the position because she sees it as an interesting outlet for her artistic talents. Neither realises that this will change their lives forever. Great characters, plenty of tension and an excellent portrayal of an era when old values are on the verge of falling away. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

August books

These are my favourite books from my August reading:

Jan Bayhham – The Greek Island Secret

This was an enjoyable dual timeline novel. Alexandra is mourning the recent death of her mother, Elin. She’s just finished art school, and hopes to be a potter, but her father is dismissive, and her younger sister Claire is about to start university. Alexandra is mistrustful of her mother’s friend Sally, who seems to be trying to take her mother’s place. Then a letter summons her to see her mother’s solicitor, where she’s given a diary and sketchbook belonging to Elin. It opens up a time that she knew nothing about, before her mother married. Alexandra had no idea that Elin had been an artist. The journal, written in 1969, describes her visit to a Greek island for a summer school with a Greek painter. The reader is transported back to that summer, where Elin’s talent and heart awaken, and she connects deeply with the people of the island. But there are sinister undercurrents, and not everyone welcomes her. However, much is left unsaid in the diary – so Alexandra determines to follow in her mother’s footsteps and try to unover all the secrets that the Greek Island has to reveal. A great summer read.

Tracy Chevalier - The Glassmaker

I absolutely adore glass, and stories about the people who make glassware. Added to that,Tracy Chevalier is one of my favourite authors, so I couldn't resist this book. The heroine lives on Venice's neighbouring island of Murano, the home of glass manufacturing through the centuries. The novel begins in 1486, during the Renaissance. Young Orsola Rosso tumbles into a canal and is pushed by her brother to go to dry off in the glass factory of one of the other glassmaking families on the island, to spy on them. There she meets Maria Barovier, the unmarried daughter of the family, who is a rare female glasmaker. A tentative connection begins between them. A few years later, Beatrice teaches Orsola to make glass beads with a flame, saying that her family's fortunes will come to depend upon it. As tragedy and hardship hits the family, Orsola works steadfastly despite her older brother's derision for her work. But the novel has a strange twist - as Orsola secretly falls in love and copes with caring for her family, the outside world is marching on at a faster pace. The years leap by, Napoleon conquers Europe, the industrial age comes, then modern wars... It's an unusual way of depicting the history of Murano and Venice, all through the eyes of one woman and one family, but somehow it works. Orsola is a multi-faceted character, kind, caring, loyal and resilient through all the hardships and emotions that life brings her.  

Valerie Keogh - The Wives

This tense psychological thriller had me on the edge of my seat, and towards the end I couldn't put it down! Career nurse Natasha has long envied her three friends their settled marriages and families. So when handsome, charismatic Daniel sweeps her off her feet she doesn't hesitate to say 'yes' when he proposes. A few months later he suggests an expensive cruise for their delayed honeymoon, and insists that she asks her friends Barbara, Michele and Tracy Ann and their husbands Ralph, Don and Blake, to join them. But right from the start of the cruise there are many undercurrents. Natasha suspects that at least two of her friends are showing unwelcome attention to Daniel. Gradually the cracks in their friendships are revealed, and it turns out that there are bitter and dangerous resentments beneath the surface. Even Natasha is not totally innocent. As the ship journeys from port to port, tensions increase, and when tragedy strikes, it's difficult to work out who is to blame. Tense, pacy, and shocking, it's an exciting read.

July Books

These are my favourite reads from July:

Nancy Bilyeau – The Blue

I found this to be a very enjoyable and unusual mystery set in the 18^th Century. Genevieve Planche's Huguenot grandparents fled from France to England after suffering dangerous persecution. She longs to be an artist, a career forbidden for women at that time. Instead her father arranges for her to become a porcelain painter in Derby, something she derides as inferior. But after meeting the intriguing Sir Gabriel Courtenay, she's drawn into spying to discover the formula for a rare and priceless blue colour which has political and financial rewards. In return he will pay for her to go to Venice, where she can train as a proper artist. However, her mission turns out to be less straightforward than she imagined. Her emotions become dangerously engaged, while she begins to fear for her grandfather’s safety back in London. As she finds herself questioning her motives and the integrity of Sir Gabriel, she experiences doubt, heartbreak, and extreme danger. Will she have to give up the love she craves, disappoint her father, or surrender her dreams to be an artist? Full of the flavour of history, this is a very different type of novel that is as colourful as its title. 

Evonne Wareham – Out of Sight Out of Mind

This romantic thriller is certainly unusual! It opens with the heroine, Madison, encountering a down-and-out in an alleyway in London, as he comes at her with a crowbar. He’s weak and injured from a mugging, but she sees him as a brilliant subject for her research – because she can read his mind. She uses her special empathic talents in her scientific research, but taking a subject into her own home is not part of her remit. She gets the tramp to clean up in her bathroom, treats his wounds, and gives him some of her former husband’s clothes. It turns out he has no memory, save for the name Jay, and he’s younger – and more attractive – than she’d originally thought. But he’s also incredibly sensitive in his mind, which thrills her. He agrees to be her test subject, and as they begin to work together, sparks begin to fly, in more ways than one. As she begins to search for clues to his identity, danger begins to surface. As they delve beneath the surface, disturbing secrets are revealed, and Madison begins to question whether she can trust Jay or whether he is a dangerous threat. An intriguing read.

Sue Moorcroft – Want to Know a Secret?

A novel of family relationships. Diane suffers an extreme shock when the police arrive to tell her that her husband Gareth is in hospital, severely injured following a helicopter crash. They've always struggled with money, so how could he be flying in a helicopter? It turns out that he's been keeping secret his recent connection with his biological father and a whole new side to his family. His half-sister Valerie, the pilot of the helicopter, is also being treated in hospital. When Diane visits Gareth she meets his brother-in-law James and three nieces too. It turns out that his father has gifted him a lot of money, and he’s been living a secret upmarket life with them. It stirs up huge resentments from the past. But what is more disturbing is the fierce attraction she begins to feel for James, and the compassion for his fragile youngest daughter Tamzin, of similar age to her own daughter Bryony. As the families begin to interact while Gareth and Valerie recover in hospital, even more secrets begin to bubble to the surface. Diane has many decisions to make about her own and her family’s future, while coping with all the unexpected events that life still has to throw up. Twisty, deeply emotional, and packed with content.

June books

My best reads from June are:

Victoria Connelly - Family Portrait

Following the death of Brenna's father, landscape painter Nicholas Bellwood, she meets up with her older brother, Alex, and younger sister, Cordelia, at his home in the Lake District. They need to decide what to do with his paintings, studio, and the contents of their substantial family home. Their mother died several years earlier, after leaving her husband following years of coming second to his illustrious career. Alex and Brenna also had difficult relationships with Nicholas, though much younger Cordelia was close to him. All of them are emotionally attached to the magnificent setting of the home where they grew up, and they struggle to deal with Nicholas's belongings while they prepare for his funeral. But the reading of their father's will to them brings a huge shock for them as they discover that their father had a whole other secret side to his life. The siblings struggle to understand their emotions about the enigmatic man who was their father. Cordelia remembers seeing a family portrait that he had painted, and becomes desperate to trace it to see if it can provide answers about his true feelings for them. As the search for the painting begins, they begin to learn more about themselves and there is the chance to heal old emotional wounds from the past. A novel that explores difficult family relationships and how the lives our parents live are seen from a totally different perspective once we grow up. Interesting characters, all within the setting of one of the most beautiful areas of England.

Heidi Eljarbo - The London Forgery

I am a great fan of this author's novels, which always have a Norwegian thread. This one is the first in a series set in the 1970s. The main character is Fabiola Bennett, the daughter of Soli Hansen, heroine of the author's series about the wartime Norwegian art resistance group. Fabiola is an art historian, called to the National Portrait Gallery in London to quietly investigate a possible problem with the Gainsborough Painting of Mr. and Mrs. Andrews. What she discovers is shocking, and she knows she has to keep it hidden from public knowledge. With the help of her friends - Cary, a London police officer, and Pippa, a bookseller - she sets out on a mission to rectify the matter. But it turns out to be a tricky and even dangerous endeavour, as she encounters people from even the darkest areas of society. The mystery unfolds with dexterity and fascinating leads, rabbit holes, and twists. Meanwhile we get a glimpse into the life of the painter, Thomas Gainsborough, back in the 18th century as he paints the portrait of Mr. and Mrs. Andrews, and why he painted it the way he did. A thoroughly enjoyable read. 

Jo Leevers - The Museum of Second Chances

This newly published novel of awakenings and coming to terms with the past is thoroughly heartwarming and a great read. The main character is Evelyn, a lonely and disappointed woman in her sixties who runs a little museum in a boathouse on the Cornish coast. She spends her days trawling the beach, picking up rubbish but also hoarding items she thinks are interesting, which she displays in the chaotic museum. She views her life as a failure, having started life as a foundling, and later having ruined her chances of working in the British Museum in London. In the neighbouring boathouse, Della with her colourful clothes and hair runs an ice cream parlour, dispensing bizarre flavours of her wares. When each woman receives a letter informing them that their leases are to be ended and the boathouses sold to a developer, Evelyn is reluctantly drawn into a campaign to save them. Three younger people who want to save the boathouses step in and begin to organise their strategies - Sariah, estranged from her family and a manager at the local hotel; Angela, who works at the local leisure centre and mother to a young boy; and Jacob, who works in the local newsagents, but who has grander origins. As part of their campaign they choose four objects to display, asking people to comment on them. But as stories begin to come to light, there are secrets that have long lain undisturbed and begin to lay bare hidden truths that stir up the lives of all involved. The museum begins to live up to its name, as each of the participants is given the opportunity for new chances - but are they too much to bear?  

May books

My best reads from May are:

Pam Lecky - Footprints in the Sand

This is the second novel in the series about the delightful Victorian female sleuth, Lucy Lawrence. Lucy's widowhood has given her more freedom, especially since she received a substantial reward for her previous successful investigation. But taciturn detective, Phineas, who had led her to believe that there was something between them, seems to have dropped off the face of the earth. So when Lucy meets the dashing French Egyptologist, Moreau, she's beguiled enough by his tales of great archaeological discoveries to fund his latest dig. She sails to Egypt with her reluctant maid, Mary, and soon finds herself involved in more than she'd bargained for. Thefts in the hotel, a burglary in the museum, artefacts going missing from sites, all precipitate Lucy into another adventure. And Mary is thoroughly scandalised that her mistress wants them to go and live in a tent in the desert! Populated with colourful characters, exotic locations, not to mention tombs and spooky burial sites, Lucy's path abounds with mystery, danger, and a hint of daring romance too. But who is a friend, and who is an enemy? Another great read from the pen of this author.

Shari Low - One Midnight With You

This is a heartwarming tale of two families in Glasgow who have been connected over the years. This one New Year's Eve (or Hogmanay, as the Scots call it) is pivotal in all of their lives. As the clock ticks down to midnight, four people have big decisions to make. Ailish has to face the fact that her divorce is now final, but she's never been able to move on in her life after the cheating of her ex-husband, Eric. What will her life hold for her now? Meanwhile her daughter Emmy is beginning to fear that the man she loves may be seeing someone else. Emmy's grandmother, Minnie, is having a difficult day, but is determined to bring in the New Year at Gino's Italian Restauruant, where she and her husband have had such wonderful times every year. Tonight she has a special reason why she needs to go there. And Dario, Gino's son who now runs the restaurant, has a hard decision to make which he fears may hurt the people he loves. As midnight approaches it looks like there could be much heartbreak in store. A beautiful intertwining of love and friendship between many members of a community. 

Caroline Cauchi - Daughter of the Titanic

This is a fascinating re-imagining of the life of an enigmatic woman. Helen Melville Smith, daughter of the tragic captain of the Titanic, Edward Smith, was only fourteen when her father went down with his ship. Mel grew up with the weight of her mother's grief and the eyes of the world upon her. She had to cope with the constant speculation in newspapers, rumours that her father had deserted his ship and was still alive, living a secret life. The novel is written in the shape of an interview taking place in the 1970s, when Cambridge professor Catherine is recording Mel's reminiscences after discovering a painting of her with the title An Unlucky Woman. We see Mel's life from the inside, as she enters an unusual marriage, and how she strives to create a life full of meaning and purpose and create her own persona in the face of the labels and judgement she has experienced from people who don't know her. The author dives deep into the loves and sorrows of this woman who travelled through her life under the scrutiny of others, and how tragedy moulded her but ultimately did not destroy her. Sensitively and expertly written, and an excellent read.

April books

My favourite reads from April are:

Fiona Collins - Five Days in Venice

This is a beautifully written novel, and the scenes set in Venice are atmospheric and colourful, bringing the charm and opulence of the city to life. With this backdrop, we find the heroine, Olivia, arriving to take part in a festival of writers. She's from a modest background, raised alone by her artisan father after her mother died. Olivia is apprehensive about the event, as she knows that one of the other writers taking part is the stratospherically successful and charismatic Leo Greene. She and Leo met originally in their youth, and have shared significant moments as the years have gone by. Despite their intense attraction, they have never actually been together. The last time they met, they both said unforgivable things. Now they must spend five days in each other's comany. To make matters more difficult, Olivia's godmother Gillian, who lives in Venice, is desperately ill in a hospice. This relationship has been strained since Olivia's father died many years earlier, and she has no idea why. As we follow the days when Olivia and Leo have to interact together, the novel dips in and out of their difficult encounters over the years, right up till their final quarrel. The complications of their lives and their missed connections are expertly drawn, showing fully rounded characters as their failings and disappointments play out. I became more enticed by this novel as it unfolded, and by the end I couldn't stop turning the pages.

Jeff Wheeler - The Alchemy of Fate

This is the third in this author's Invisible College series, which I can thoroughly recommend (see my previous blogs for reviews about the others). It's set in an industrial world where magic is available for a select few. Magic has been bequeathed to humans by a race called the Aesir, tall beings who love the cold. In the past they were allied with the humans, but there was a falling out and now they are enemies. The Aesir go into hibernations for long periods of time, but when they awaken the war continues. This has recently started again, and the humans who have trained in magic at the Invisible College are doing all they can to work with the military to defend humanity. Young genius Robinson has invented special lamps that detect hidden Aesir spies infiltrating their society, but they have been stolen by the military. A court case is imminent to determine ownership of the invention. Robinson's new wife, McKenna, is deaf which means she cannot create magic, which requires the ability to sing. But she's being hunted by a mysterious man who can disguise his identity - only McKenna can see through his deception. He kidnaps her, and Robinson is torn as he tries to find her but must prepare for his court case. This is an exciting and imaginitive world, with an amazing history, lore and secrets. No spoilers - but there is an astonishing revelation which I certainly didn't see coming, and which turns everything on its head. I'm looking forward to reading the fourth book (last in the series) in which the result of this revelation brings everything to its conclusion. Imaginitive and compelling.

Evie Woods - The Violin Maker's Secret

This was an amazing novel, right up my street. I love a mystery, a love story, people finding themselves, and all wrapped up in classical music! Add a dash of history and a little paranormal into the bargain. Devlin buys a violin from airport Lost Property in the mistaken belief that his girlfriend would like it. As she was expecting an engagement ring, but he's not ready, the pair realise that they are not suited after all. Devlin knows there's something special about this instrument, but when he sees a news story, he begins to suspect that it's a valuable stolen instrument. He enlists the help of his old history teacher, Walter, now retired, in the hope he can help him discover its origins. Walter's shaken from a dark moment by the task, and gets caught up in the search. They take it to Gabrielle, who is running running her father's stringed instrument dealership now that he's gone. As their paths become irrevocably entwined when they embark on a journey of discovery, the three become strangely attached to the violin as they search for its maker. But there's someone sinister tracking their moves, who is desperate take back by any means what they believe is theirs, and with no qualms about who gets hurt. As the chase crosses countries, the novel dips into the history of the violin, while new dark secrets are revealed, and the lives of Devlin, Gabrielle and Walter will never be the same. Riveting, enthralling, imaginaive, I absolutely devoured this book.