April books

 My favourite reads from April are:

Christina Courtenay - Highland Storms

I've read and enjoyed this author's Viking time-slip novels, but this is the first of her Scottish historical romances that I've investigated. It's a boy-meets-girl romp in the past, but with plenty of historical authenticity. Following the 1745 Jacobite rebellion, Brice's Scottish father took the family to safety in his mother's country, Sweden, where he's grown to adulthood. When Brice's intended bride jilts him in favour of his brother, he returns to his boyhood home in Scotland to take over his duties as its Laird. His father signed over the castle to him years earlier to prevent it being confiscated. The land should be thriving, but it soon becomes clear that the estate is being robbed. Arriving incognito, Brice meets Marsali, the young housekeeper who is the illegitimate daughter of the previous Laird, his father's cousin. Courageous Marsali is troubled by the unwanted attentions of the the factor, Seton. Determined to buy back his own estates that he lost following the rebellion, the factor employs desperate measures to try and do away with the new Laird. Brice, meanwhile, is seriously attracted to Marsali. While misunderstandings abound, Seton strives to free himself of Brice and force Marsali under his will. Plenty of action, historical background and matters of the heart. Well-written and entertaining.

Dodie Bishop - The Violin Maker's Wife

This is an interesting and imaginative re-telling of the life of Katarina, daughter of an Austrian military commander living in Cremona, Italy. The 18th Century is vividly brought to life as the girl begins violin lessons with young Giuseppe Guarneri, son of a local violin maker. As Katarina falls in love with music and the violin, her heart is also engaged by the brilliant boy who is just a few years her senior. They find a deep bond in their love of music, but Katarina's father has other ideas for her future.Giuseppe's violin-making talent soon flowers into something exceptional. When Katarina is of marriagable age, she's introduced to a young Austrian from her father's regiment, Johannes Horak. They become good friends, and she accepts his proposal of marriage, knowing it's an excellent match. She travels to his home to be prepared for marriage by his mother, as her own died when she was small. But her fiancee's family frown upon women performing music. She will have to give up so much to make this marriage. But a surprise visit on the day of her wedding turns everything on its head. A wonderful story imagined by the author from the bare bones of Katarina's life that are historically recorded, as she throws over convention for a marriage founded in deep love. The novel is written in an engaging way that plunges the reader into the era. An enticing novel for someone like me who is a musician, but also excellent for fans of history and vivid storytelling.

Dani Atkins - Always You and Me

This is a wonderful exploration of a love triangle, tender and heartfelt. When Lily's growing up, she meets moody but emotionally fragile Josh, who is fostered by her neighbours. The two develop a deep friendship. They never acknowledge anything deeper until the neighbours move away, taking Josh with them. On the point of his departure, their attraction bubbles to the surface, but he still leaves, with no promises to keep in touch. As the years go by she hears nothing from him. Then she meets Adam, loving and kind, and they fall in love. Surprisingly they bump into Josh and the friendship ignites once more. Despite Josh's presence in her life again, Lily knows that Adam is the man who can give her everything, especially a secure relationship and a family. But life doesn't turn out the way they had planned. A big quarrel with Josh on the eve of her wedding leaves her feeling let down. Several years later, Adam tells her she must go to Josh and find out the real reason for this. What hasn't he told her? While Lily's heart is breaking, she finally sets out to find Josh. When the truth of the past is finally revealed, she has some difficult choices to make. I was totally engaged throughout the whole novel, experiencing Lily's conflicting emotions as she goes through this journey of discovery. A beautiful novel.