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.

March Books

These are the books that I most enjoyed reading in March:

Julie Johnson - The Wind Weaver 

I enjoyed reading this first book in a fantasy series, a tale of magic and ancient legends. Rhya has been raised by a human guardian, but she is actually half fae, mostly feared by humans. When her guardian is killed and she's sentenced to death, she's rescued by the formidable Captain Scythe, a fearsome fighter. He and his troop of men carry her off to the hidden world of Caldera. There she learns of her true nature, and the prophecy of which she is a part - that there are four mystical fae beings, strong in magic, each capable of manipulating one of the four elements - air, fire, water and earth. She also discovers the astonishing truth about her captor. But her life is still in danger, and there are even darker forces hunting her, also threatening those she is learning to love and trust. Exciting, with dark twists and turns, this captured my imagination despite being occasionally a little long-winded. I'm intrigued to read more of the series.

Denise Robertson - Remember the Moment

I decided to revisit one of the excellent novels by the much-missed novelist and TV agony aunt, Denise Robertson. The detail of her settings and roundness of her characters is second to none. The little touches she adds about what the main character reads and views in the news, while living their own stories, bring the era to life. We also experience what they're eating, wearing, striving for, and this creates a vivid and lively story. The heroine, Emma, is in her thirties and she believes she knows what she wants from life. She's a sharp businesswoman, heading a firm in Manchester while running her late mother's dress shop along with her mother's elderly business partner, Poppy. But she lives a secret life - she's having an affair with her younger colleague, Keith, who's married with a young family. She believes that he will eventually leave his wife and make a life with her. But when she receives a telephone call from nineteen-year old Stephen, with the challenging accusation "What did you mean to my father?", her life is turned upside down. She's never heard of him, or his father, but bizarrely she's been named as a co-beneficiary in his will, alongside Stephen and his sister Avril. Eventually she must face the situation, and travels to Durham in order to unravel the mystery. There she clashes swords with Robert, their solicitor, while trying to sort out her relationship with Keith. A skillful and deep book with many twists and turns.

Sue Moorcroft - Over the Sea to Skye

This is the third of the author's Skye Sisters trilogy, focusing on Valentina, the eldest of the three adopted sisters. The English sisters have all ended up living in Scotland - the younger two, Essie and Thea, on the picturesque Isle of Skye, while Valentina lives in Inverness with her family. Her marriage to Gary having broken down, she leaves her job and escapes for the summer with her young son, Barney, to her recently purchased holiday home on the island to be near her sisters. On the journey, she meets American tourist Xander, who's searching for his roots in Skye and has brought his nephew MacDonald with him. Valentina tries to make life as normal as possible for her son whilst nursing her emotional wounds. But her restorative holiday is knocked off-course when a disturbing accident means that she is summoned back to Inverness to deal with Gary's family and his new partner, the much-younger Minerva. Life becomes a nightmarish balancing act, trying to forge a new life while doing what she feels is right for the welfare of her son. There's also an unexpected communication from someone who could be related to her. And surely the added complication of attractive American Xander who is showing her attention is something she doesn't need right now? Another excellent novel of family, sisterhood, and what love really means.

February books

The following are my best reads from February:

Wendy Walker - Blade

This fast-paced thriller attracted me because I've always been a fan of figure skating (I even learned to figure skate as an adult). The author writes from knowledge, having been on a special program for elite skaters as a teenager in the USA. The novel is told in two timelines - the heroine, Ana, is a lawyer working on defending children accused of serious crimes. She's  called upon professionally to return to The Palace, the elite skating programme in Colorado that she had attended years earlier, to defend a young student there. The body of one of the coaches, Emile, has been found frozen in a nearby field. All the clues point to thirteen-year-old skater Grace, who turns out to be the daughter of one of Ana's former fellow skaters on the programme. The girl hotly denies the accusasions. When Ana begins to question Grace and build her defence, we see flashbacks to her own time training there. There are many people she remembers from her teenage years, both on the staff and former students who now work at the facility. Dark secrets begin to emerge, and as the threads of the past intertwine with the present, there are some buried matters that must be faced by all as the truth finally emerges. A fascinating and heart-racing read.

Angela Britnell - Arlette's Story

This novel is an intriguing depiction of what it was like to live in France during the Nazi occupation in World War II. Arlette lives on her family's farm in the south of France with her widowed father and brother. When Marshal Petain surrenders the north of the country to Hitler's occupation, they are subject to increasingly strict rules, but believe they are better off than their compatriots. Saul, a young Jewish medical student is assigned to them as a farmhand, as he is no longer allowed to pursue his studies. Arlette soon finds her feelings for him deepening. But as the Nazi restrictions become more severe, the produce and the livestock from the family's farm are requisitioned, leaving them with little. When they receive a decree for Saul to report to the railway station, they are aware of the rumours about the nightmarish work camps where other Jewish people have been sent. Arlette's brother is off fighting for the Resistance, but she and her father are determined Saul won't be surrendered to their occupiers. A novel of courage, resilience, tragedy and defiance in the face of a cruel occupying force, well-written with page-turning pace which makes it a compelling read.

Marc Levy - The Heart of Everything

This is the first time I've ready a book by acclaimed French author Marc Levy, and I can say that it definitely won't be the last. I was utterly charmed by the book. Concert pianist Thomas's life is totally turned upside down by the unbelievable appearance of his father, Raymond, who died five years previously. Only Thomas can see him, and he doesn't look like a ghost. He pops up in unusual situations - even sitting on the lap of someone in the audience when Thomas is performing a concerto, throwing him off his stride. Raymond has an unusual request - the secret love of his life, Camille, has just died, and he needs his son's help to be reunited with her for eternity. Despite his parents having been divorced, this is an astounding revelation for Thomas. Eventually he's persuaded to make a quick trip to the USA with his father's ashes, to Camille's funeral, with instructions of how to achieve his father's last wish. To complicate matters further, he has to hide his true identity from Camille's daughter. Funny and touching, it's a tale of a father and son trying to mend their relationship beyond the grave, making up for lost time, and looking to the future. A thoroughly satisfying read.

January books

My best reads from January are:

Emily Howes - The Painter's Daughters

Eighteenth Century English artist Thomas Gainsborough painted his daughters, Mary and Margaret many times, clearly with great affection. But there are many rumours and stories about dark family secrets. In this expertly written novel, the author has crafted the story of the family from her own research. Told mostly from the perspective of younger daughter Peggy (Margaret), it reveals with tenderness the relationship she has with her elder sister Mollie (Mary), and how the family copes with the older girl's health concerns as they grow up. A plausible past history and its connection to Mollie's condition is expertly woven, bringing to life the rules of fashionable society of the time, and how people from different classes fit into that hierarchy. The characters are vivid, their failings and fears deftly created into a fascinating novel, written with accomplishment. History brought into vibrant existence, making an excellent read.

Jeff Wheeler - The Violence of Sound

This is the second in the author's series about the Invisible College, an adult novel rather than his usual young adult writing. In the novel's universe, mortals in an Edwardian-style era use magic and artefacts that have been passed down to them in the past from the exotic Aesir people. The Aesir, who inhabit the frozen north, go into long periods of hibernation. During their most recent awakenings they have waged a bitter war with humankind, its origins now unknown. Now the Aesir are active again and war has resumed. The Invisible College trains talented humans in the practices of magic, through sound. Having suffered an Aesir-created fever as a child, McKenna is profoundly deaf, so magic is unavailable to her. But she has learned to speak expertly through the tuition of Robinson, who is now her husband. They both believe that one day she will be adept enough to create magic. Robinson has invented a brilliant detection system for detecting Aesir, who have the ability to take over a person's mind and body, and become what's known as a Semblance. But the military have stolen this invention, discrediting Robinson's ability. And McKenna is experiencing disturbing symptoms, longing for the cold. Both she and Robinson begin to suspect that she is harbouring an Aesir presence within, but it's not like a usual Semblance. Her life is in danger if it's discovered, and they already know that they are both under threat from an unknown source. A book full of excitement, mystery, and magic. Jeff Wheeler yet again weaves a fantastical tale with expertise.

Vasundra Tailor - The Promise of Rain

This is a fascinating novel that took me to places that I knew little about. GP Anna has grown up in London as the daughter of an Indian father and Zimbabwean African mother. In their family documents she finds an envelope inscribed with Indira, her middle name, and inside is a pendant also with that name. Her mother, Theresa, reveals that it was left with her father when he was abandoned as a baby. Anna is shocked at this, previously only knowing that Mathew was adopted, not that his origins were unknown. Compelled to make a journey of discovery, she feels desperate to uncover her full identity. While involved in helping a patient find refuge from domestic abuse, she connects with another woman with a similar mixed-race background, working in the same field. Through her new acquaintance, new opportunities for her personal fulfilment open up. On the family's next visit to Zimbabwe, Anna begins searching for clues to her father's past, despite his reluctance for her to do so. Her journey leads her from Africa to India, not knowing whether she's going to find what she's looking for, or whether it will tear her family apart. An interesting and different novel.

December books

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

My three favourite reads from December are:

Sue Moorcroft - A Skye Full of Stars

I always read a few Christmas novels at this time of year, and this book was a particularly good one. Second in the Skye Sisters Trilogy, it follows middle sister Ezz as she starts her new promoted position as manager of Rothach Hall on the Scottish Isle of Skye. Her sister Thea also works there, as head gardener. They and their elder sister Valentina were all adopted, and are very close. Now it's approaching Christmas, and the family who own the Hall have decided to visit for the season - Grete and her son Mats with his two young children. Eric, Grete's husband, is staying in Sweden to work. Ezz has always liked Mats, but is surprised when she discovers he's now divorced. The children's mother has a new partner, and Mats is trying to shield them from the difficulties of the divorce. As a current of attraction begins to flow between Mats and Ezz, both are distracted by their own family concerns. Can the backdrop of clear starry skies, magnificent snowy landscapes, and Scottish seasonal traditions melt everyone's hearts and inspire them to come together for a heartwarming Christmas?

T.W.M. Ashford - The Final Dawn

This is the first in a science fiction series. Engineer Jack lives on Earth at a time when the sun has developed violent solar flares that are beginning to devastate the planet's climate. All countries have come together to research ways of finding a new home for the inhabitants. The plan is to save a select few in several spaceships named Final Dawn. But the scientists don't know if there are any other inhabitable planets, and how long it will take to reach them. Jack never completed his pilot's training, but when he hears that they need a test pilot for a new invention that might be the answer to finding a new home, he volunteers. His reward will be a ticket for himself and his wife on the Final Dawn ship. But the experiment results in him floating in space in an unknown part of the Universe. When he's rescued, he's astonished to discover that his saviours are sentient Automata robots. They agree to help him to discover a way back to Earth, while they make their own way to a refuge planet where they can be free and not slaves to 'Fleshies'. As their journey unfolds, Jack begins to bond with his unlikely rescuers. Full of humour, action and adventure, with villains to evade and new horizons to discover. The story is great, and I look forward to reading the next in this series.

Helen Buckley - Strictly Christmas Spirit

Another enjoyable seasonal read. Emily once had a brief appearance as a professional dancer on TV programme Strictly Dancing with Celebs. But seven years on, she's unknown, working as manager of a drop-in centre in London for the homeless and those struggling with life. Constantly juggling finances and desperately understaffed, the last thing she needs is to deal with the most unlikely volunteer worker. Bad-boy Hollywood actor, Blake, has been sent there to work out his community service order for drunken damage to a hotel room. Blake sees it as a way to restore his image with the public, nothing more. Blake and Emily rub each other up the wrong way almost immediately. But as they prepare the Christmas festivities, there are plenty of people who need help. While Emily works her fingers to the bone, Blake begins to listen to the stories of the people coming to the centre. Somehow he begins to engage with his job. Both Emily and Blake have dark times in their past that they are reluctant to expose. Guilty secrets, distrust, overwork and disappointment surface as the sparks begin to glow between them. When Christmas arrives, their time together will end - or will all they have learned about themselves and each other bring something more lasting? 

November books

These are my favourite reads from November:

A Storm of Infinite Beauty - Julianne Maclean

This novel is set in Canada and Alaska. In Nova Scotia, Gwen Hollingsworth is the curator of a museum celebrating the life and achievements of her second cousin, Scarlett Fontaine. Scarlett is famous for being a Hollywood actress, singer and songwriter . Unexpectedly a writer and former investigative journalist, Peter Miller, contacts Gwen to show her a newspaper clipping from 1964. It reports the aftermath of a drastic earthquake in Alaska, and contains the photo of a man handing a young woman her baby, who had been rescued from the disaster. The young mother looks like Scarlett, then known as Valerie. It was always thought that when she had died in 1979 she was unmarried and childless. Gwen and Peter set out on a hunt to find this man, to discover what happened to Scarlett's baby. The newspaper story also stirs painful memories of Gwen's past heartache from when she lost her newborn daughter two years earlier. To make the conundrum worse, her estranged, unfaithful husband Eric is now asking to try their marriage again. As the past unfolds its secrets, Gwen has some deep choices to make. A beautiful timeslip novel, well-written, with plenty of interesting content.

In the Hide - Gordon Buchanan

My latest non-fiction read has been this fascinating autobiography of the Scottish wildlife photographer. In the book he writes about his humble beginnings in the west of Scotland and on the Isle of Mull, and how he found amazing mentors who gave him the opportunities to follow his dream career. He intersperses these with stories from particularly exciting or challenging adventures from his photo shoots, and the amazing animals he's had the opportunity to film in the wild. Having seen most of his television programmes, I found it particularly interesting to read about his emotions as he was filming these, and he brings to life the tension in some particularly hair-raising expereinces. He opens up about his own personal challenges and how he feels that the natural world and his close family have saved and supported him. Also, his complete commitment to his job and the respect he feels for the wildlife and for the people who live in the areas where he was filming, makes this a tribute to the natural world and honours it completely.

The Warmth of Snow - Heidi Eljarbo

This Christmas romance novel is predictable, but full of charm. Set in Sweden in the early 19th century, we find orphan Erica who has grown up in the home of her aunt and uncle and their family. They gave her a home, but not the love she had experienced from her own parents. To make up for this, she tries to do good deeds for the local villagers, which includes giving them hand-made cards. On an impulse, she decides to give one to Count August Brandell, who has returnned injured from the Napoleonic Wars. When she calls upon him, she discoveres a man who is hiding away from the world, unable to walk, jaded with life. But he's only a few years older than she is, and she's determined to help him. August on his part is jolted from his despondency by her warm and generous nature. His elderly housekeeper, Stina, cares for him like a son, and encourages Erica in the belief that she can awaken him into joining the world again. A bond begins to form between the injured soldier and his sweet-natured neighbour. But there are underhand plans afoot that could harm Erica, and misunderstandings abound. As snow falls on the countryside, August and Erica are torn apart, and it looks like their love is doomed. A delightful novel to warm a cold winter evening. 

October books

My favourite reads from October are:

Dorothy Koomson - Beach Hut 501 (A Short Story)

Sims Rumakah, a professor of chemistry, lives in Brighton where she owns Beach Hut 512. She has a long-standing feud with Tamsyn, founder and leader of 'the Hutters', the group chat for the hut owners. Tamsyn has decided it's her job to police the hut owners and keep them in line. Since the recent vandalism to some of the huts, this has become more challenging. When a message arrives from Tamsyn about another hut being targeted, Sims realises hat it's 512  that's been destroyed. She also believes that this is connected to her own past, and the danger that still threatens her. Sims is determined not to let it ruin her existence. But when she goes to see the evidence, she's shocked to find the scene swarming with police. It turns out that there's a lot more to this incident than it first appeared. As Sims becomes a suspect in a serious crime, she begins her own investigtaion to discover the true culprit, and regain her life. Told with irony and honesty, it's a noir novella with plenty of twists and turns, with sharp observation and character study. It kept me hooked to the end.

Anette Chavez Macias - When We Were Widows

Ana and her elderly mother Imelda, both widows, are forced to vacate their home after a bathroom flood. She's horrified when Imelda arranges for them to go and stay with her daughter, Yesica, in Santa Monica. Ana has long had an uneasy relationship with her daughter. Yesica always adored her father, but there's so much she doesn't know about her parents' marriage. In addition, Yesica own husband was killed in a car crash just a few months earlier. Yesica agrees to have her mother and grandmother to stay, as she's been forced to take leave from her job, as her caring boss Damien has seen that she needs time out to process her grief. As the three women circle around each other warily at close quarters, they have to find a way of living together. Gradually secrets of their past marriages come to the surface, and both Ana and Yesica begin to see their lives ahead in a different light. A novel of women's changing lives, of relationships between mothers and daughters, and of rediscovered life and love, formulated in a family of Mexican descent. I found myself believing all the characters and it was interesting to learn more about Mexican heritage.

Christian Lewis - Finding Hildasay

This is the author's remarkable true story of how walking the coast of the UK saved him from depression and gave him back his self-worth. Ex-soldier Chris was at rock-bottom, penniless, jobless, homeless, and his daughter had moved out because she couldn't cope with his misery. While suffering from PTSD and struggling with his mental health, a wild idea came into his mind - to walk the coast of Britain to raise money for a British Forces charity, knowing that so many of them were struggling like he was. Cobbling together a kit, he set off, remarkably ill-prepared, but this action made him feel that he had a purpose. It was a difficult task, camping every night, eating frugally, suffering the elements, but he was determined to keep going and make his daughter proud of him for once. Gradually his self-esteem increased, as he began to see donations to the charity increasing in value, and he began to meet people who helped him and respected his resilience and commitment. He gained great solace from the wonders of nature, especially once he reached the Scottish coastline, and adopted his faithful dog, Jet, who became a wonderful companion. But as the world spiralled towards the horrors of a pandemic, could he really keep up his mission to keep walking the coast? A heartwarming story of courage and determination, a man finding healing his life and forging a new future for himself and others.

September books

Only two books really stood out for me during my September reading:

Stef Penney - The Long Water

This is a crime novel with a distinctly different flavour. In the height of summer in the north of Norway, the senior students in the local high school are reaching the end of their school days, with their customary reckless dares, and wild parties. Sixteen-year-old Elin is neurodivergent, coming to terms with how she relates to growing up, while her close friend Benny enters into his first proper gay relationship. Elin's grandmother Svea does her best to support her, while she reflects on her own difficult relationship with her daughter, and thinks about her own past. When one of the senior students, Daniel, goes missing, the whole town is affected. Everyone in Svea, Elin and Benny's circle has a connection to the missing teenager. Then the police search uncovers a body in one of the disused copper mines above the town - but it's not a recent death, and there begins a search to discover his identity. Old stories begin to surface, and painful memories are brought to light in the process. Fascinating characters, a different culture explored, as the author teases out each new nugget of information. Excellent storytelling, as we are transported to an unfamiliar area where we recognise dilemmas brought about by society and personal traumas from the past, until answers are finally given.

Lizzie Lane - A New Doctor at Orchard Cottage Hospital

This prelude novel in a saga series is set in 1930. Frances Brakespeare has recently lost her adoptive mother, Izzy, and unmarried former suffragette. Izzy encouraged Frances' career as a doctor in a London hospital, followig her time as a VAD nurse in World War I. When Frances loses her job after standing up to the mysoginistic actions of a male doctor, she applies to be the resident doctor at Orchard Cottage Hospital in Somerset. Soon she finds herself faced with new battles, trying to prove that she's a competent doctor. The two nurses, Lucy and her sister Nancy (who is married to a quarryman), are delighted to have her support, although the Sister, Edith Harrison, is surprisingly frosty. But Frances also has the support of local benefactress of the hospital, Lady Araminta, and a surprising friendship develops with local vicar, Gregory Sampson. There are opponents at every turn, not least the bullying quarry manager, Mr. Grainger. When she discovers that her new home has a disturbing mysterious connection to her fiance, Ralph, who perished in the war, she 's determined to discover the truth about this, while striving to convince the community that she deserves to be in her chosen profession. Well-written, plenty of twists and turns, with a compelling sense of place and time.

August Books

These are the books I have enjoyed reading this past month:

Kate Morton - The Clockmaker's Daughter

Kate Morton  is one of my favourite authors, and this book certainly didn't disappoint. In 2017, Elodie Winslow, an archivist for a 19th Century philanthropist, uncovers a forgotten box containing a hand-made leather satchel. Inside this is an artist's sketcbook and a Victorian photograph of a beautiful unidentified young woman, along with slip of paper containing a passionate declaration of love - unsigned. Elodie recognises one of the sketches instantly - it's the house from a story that her mother used to tell her as a child. But she has no idea of its location, as her mother died when she was young. Elodie begins to follow clues, which gradually lead her to Birchwood Manor, a house by the River Thames. We are transported into the past, firstly to the  nineteenth century when artist Edward Radcliffe lived there. There is a dark tragedy surrounding him and the house, also the story of a long-missing priceless jewel. But there's another voice that echoes through the novel, that of a ghostly presence at Birtchwood Manor. This spirit observes a family coming to live there during World War II, and now in the present day sees a young man take up residence for research. Eventually all the strands begin to come together. When Elodie finally travels Birchwood, the house changes her life too, and making her question her past, her relationship with her dead mother, and her own future. It's a beautifully woven tapestry - intriguing, tender, imaginative, full of colourful historic detail and peopled with fascinating characters. I absolutely loved this book.

Jean Fullerton - A Ration Book Dream

This is the first of Jean Fullerton's East End wartime sagas. On the day before war is declared, Mattie is helping her younger sister Cathy get ready for her wedding to fiance Stan. Mattie lives with her parents, grandmother, and six siblings in a workman's cottage in Wapping, near the London Docks. They're a close family, but money is tight. Mattie takes on the demanding job of a full-time air-raid warden, determined to do her bit for the country. But there are dark undercurrent in the East End. Her sister's husband is involved in a campaign for peace, and Mattie begins to suspect that all is not as it seems with him. Mattie herself is charmed by young banker Christopher, an educated man with striking blond looks, and she starts dating him. But somehow she can't get the thought of Daniel, the tall Irish priest who has come to help out at her family's church, out of her mind. As the months go by, she begins to realise that she will have to summon all her courage to protect her family, and she has some difficult choices to make. The scene-setting is excellent, and a rather slow start picks up pace to provide and exciting adventure filled with colourful characters, reaslistic setting of time and place, and plenty of romance. 

Sue Moorcroft - Under a Summer Skye

A romantic novel set on the Scottish Isle of Sky was an ideal read for my summer holiday on the nearby island of Mull. Thea is the youngest of three adopted sisters. She leads a quiet existence of head gardener at a wonderful house on the island of Skye, far from her English roots. The garden is open to the public, and she's happy working for the Scandinavian couple who own it. Her sister Ezzie also works there as an administrator. But there are people searching Thea out, determined to rake up an unhappy experience in her past and put it in the public eye. Dev, a journalist, has a remit to interview her, while popular influencer Fredek is chasing her in the belief that she owes it to him to appear on his social media channels. Dev ends up rescuing a dog and finds himself face to face with the woman he's hunting - and instead he finds himself falling for her. As Thea finds her own heart engaged, Dev realises that the last thing he wants to do is to hurt her. Now all he wants to do is to get out of his obligation to expose her past, but it turns out to be harder than he thought. As other secrets from Thea's past come to light, can he hide his true identity while doing all he can to help the woman he's come to care for? A very engaging book and a great holiday read. Also, there are two more books in the series, so there's plenty more good reading to look forward to!

July books

My favourite reads from July are:

Pauline Rowson - Death in the Cove

This is a satisfying crime mystery, set in Devon in 1950. Inspector Ryga has been sent from Scotland Yard to lead an investigation on Portland Island (attached to the mainland by a spit of land). A man has been found dead in one of the coves, his identity a mystery. He's dressed in an ill-fitting pinstripe suit, also wearing an expensive shirt and handmade shoes, but he has the rough hands of a labourer. Ryga, still adjusting to civilian life after his wartime naval service culminating as a prisoner of war, is intrigued by the unique setting of the island, with its nearby prison. The local police force treat him warily, being a stranger and from the capital. Soon after arriving he meets two women, both of whom he finds disturbingly attractive. The first, Eva Paisley, who discovered the body, turns out to be a former war photographer. The other is Sonia Shepherd, landlady of the Quarryman's Arms where he takes up lodgings. She was widowed in the war and has a young son, but seems to be hiding something. Ryga's policeman's caution warns him that either or both might be involved in the murder. Despite the doubts of his colleagues, he won't give up on this seemingly impossible investigation. Can Ryga untangle all the clues and reveal the story behind this baffling crime? An interesting plot with intriguing characters that bring the whole story to life.

Ellie Henderson - A Summer Wedding on Arran

This satisfying family story was perfect for one of my holiday reads, especially as I was visiting Scotland! Kirsty, Emma and Amy are still mourning their mother who died two years previously. It's a time of great change in their lives. The three sisters are due to reunite on Arran to celebrate Emma's wedding to Ben. Kirsty and her husband Steve now run the guest house where the girls grew up. The couple's twins are almost eighteen and ready to leave home. Emma has a demanding job as a lawyer in Edinburgh, while Amy has been living in Canada for some time in a relationship with a divorced man. There's an added worry in that their father is showing disturbing signs of memory loss. But all the sisters have underlying concerns that they are keeping to themselves. It looks like the joyful wedding may not go ahead after all, and Kirsty has made a momentous discovery that she hasn't yet felt able to share with her sisters. Amy also has some serious choices to make. As the three unite in the place of their birth, they must all face dramatic changes in their lives, all with the backdrop of a beautiful island. Thoroughly enjoyable. 

Ann Cleeves - White Nights (Shetland series Book 2)

Having followed the television adaptation and then read and enjoyed book 1, Raven Black, I found this novel just as gripping. Shetland cop, Inspector Jimmy Perez is at the start of a new romantic relationship with artist Fran. In the long summer Shetland days when the sun barely dips below the horizon, he attends an event where she's exhibiting her works alongside established artist Bella Sinclair. Unexpectedly he witnesses one of the visitors in an emotional meltdown in front of one of Bella's paintings. Next day the man is found dead. But what appears as suicide soon is revealed to be murder, and Perez's first job is to discover the man's identity. Roy Taylor is brought in from Inverness once more to head the investigation. Perez has to try and build on the tentative professional partnership they began during the previous investigation, knowing how uncomfortable his colleague feels in the remote islands. As Perez begins to delve into the lives of the local Shetlanders, he's looking for the dead man's connection to the area, despite everyone claiming he's a stranger. The urgency increases when another body is discovered. Convinced the two are connected, Perez is on a mission to discover the killer before anyone else is murdered. An investigation of many layers, creating an intriguing mystery. Always compelling and keeping the pages turning.

June Books

 These are my favourite reads from June:

Michael Ball - The Empire

I wasn't sure what to expect from a Novel written by a celebrity - but I absolutely loved this. The story follows Jack who had been a prisoner of war during World War I. His parents died while he was a prisoner of war, but now he's home and decides to follow the advice his mother left him in a letter. She suggested that he should find Lady Lillian Lassiter, as the two women had known each other when they were young. Lillian is the widow of the owner of The Empire, an impressive Victorian theatre. Jack is immediately captivated by the theatre, and takes a job as stage doorman. An added attraction is Grace, assistant to the Theatre Manager, Mr. Mangrave. Jack is longing to get to know her better, but he's penniless and at that moment is also homeless. As he gets drawn into theatre life, Jack knows he's found his place in the world. But soon the Empire is in trouble as a rival begins to sabotage their business. Unable to hire their regtular acts, they have to come up with some alternative ideas. But there are more sinister undercurrents, and secrets to be revealed. Full of authentic backstage atmosphere, colourful characters and a great story.

Mary Ellen Taylor - The Brighter the Light

This intriguing dual-time novel is set in North Carolina. Ivy has returned to the Outer Banks, a chain of islands off the North Carolina Coast, to prepare her recently deceased grandmother Ruth's house for sale. The Seaside Resort, a holiday park run by Ruth's family, has already been sold to a local builder. Ivy left the area as a teenager to pursue her dream of becoming a chef in New York. She knows that while she's here she will have to face her ex-boyfriend Matthew, and her closest schoolfriend, Dani, and face the fact that she let them down. She also has to forge a new path herself, as she's lost her job. On the nearby beach, an old shipwreck has been uncovered by a recent violent storm, which locals believe is the portent of great change. As Ivy sorts through her grandmother's belongings, and the piles of stuff that had been rescued from the resort, she begins to uncover more about Ruth's past. We are led through scenes of Ruth's summer of 1950 at the Seaside Resort, when she's fifteen, when the wreck is also exposed on the beach. Ruth knows she's adopted, and daydreams about who her real parents are - could her mother be Carlotta, the glamorous singer who is performing at the Resort for a few weeks? Gradually as significant events happen in each timeline, the secrets are unravelled down the years. A novel that keeps the pages turning.

Travis Nelson - Sigrid Rides

This is a fascinating non-fiction book, the story of an American IT man living with his wife and two cats in London. The book is advertised as the story of a social media sensation, how Travis explored London by bike with his deaf Norwegian forest cat, Sigrid, accompanying him in her specially adapted cat-basket. But it goes deeper than that when we learn about Travis's story. There's more drama involved when the world goes into Lockdown during the Covid-19 pandemic, and he has to face a difficult present and an uncertain future. He describes in detail how Sigrid began accompanying him on his bike rides, and how the videos he posted on social media went unexpectedly viral, bringing joy to so many others during difficult times. To me as a cat lover it was mesmerising, though I couldn't imagine taking any of my cats, present or past, out on a bicycle! Sigrid is certainly unique, and clearly enjoyed her excursions, not knowing how much she touched the hearts others. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

May Books

The books that I most enjoyed reading in May are:

Amanda James - A Stitch in Time

When history teacher Sarah meets attractive gardener John Needler, she has no idea how much her life is going to change. He tells her that she's a 'Stitch', someone who can be sent back in time to save the life of a person who is important to the future of humanity. John is a 'Needle', one whose job is to facilitate her missions and help her out if necessary. He's guided by faceless beings who also choose the candidates for Stitches. Sarah decides to take the plunge, as she's in a bit of a rut in her life, and feels she could do with some excitement. As she's whisked back in time and lives through a crucial time in the lives of other Sarahs, her knowledge of history and her intuition guides her to the people she's been sent to save. Her adventures are vividly depicted as we see her adapting quickly to her new circumstances - it's a page-turning read for anyone who likes history with a quirk. The heroine is feisty and opinionated, but warm-hearted and dedicated to completing her missions responsibly. But she also has a rebellious streak which eventually leads her into trouble, and she has some hard decisions to make about where her true feelings lie. Can she find a meaningful relationship for herself amidst all the chaos of her new calling, or must she choose to let it go to protect herself and others? A delightfully different novel. 

Patricia Wilson - Villa of Secrets

This dual-time family novel was a riveting read for me. Set on the Greek island of Rhodes, Naomi has her hands full looking after her elderly grandmother, Bubba, who is recovering from a stroke. Meanwhile she misses her husband, Costa, who's working on a cruise ship, and her two sons who are off at university. Naomi's younger sister Rebecca lives in London and is estranged from the family, who disapprove of her Austrian husband. But Bubba is determined to shake things up by having Naomi send Rebecca a shocking parcel, followed by a diary from her wartime experiences. As Naomi reads the diary, her grandmother - real name Dora - comes to life as a sixteen-year-old Jewish girl who ends up fighting to end the war in the hope that her family can be saved from the Nazi work camps. Dora had to grow up quickly, and perform desperate deeds in her quest for survival and for peace. In modern times, as Rebecca also begins to read the diaries, the two sisters become connected again. Both Naomi and Rebecca must reach deep into their hearts to rebuild their love and find a way to restore their family's legacy, while they learn to see their beloved grandmother in a new light. Many shocking secrets emerge while they strive to build their own future. A fascinating story which has roots in stories from real life. An excellent read.  

Maggie O'Farrell - The Marriage Portrait

This is a beautifully written novel, a reimagining of the story of Lucrezia, a noblewoman of Florence who becomes Duchess of Ferrara in 15th century Italy. She's only fifteen when she marries Duke Alfonso, who is twenty seven. He was originally engaged to her elder sister, Maria, who died - but to preserve the alliances, the Duke requests Lucrezia to take her place. The novel opens when Lucrezia is sixteen, staying with Alfonso at one of his hunting lodges, far from the main court. She gets a sudden, certain feeling that he intends to have her killed. Her story is built by flashbacks to her life growing up in Florence. Lucrezia is unlike her brothers and sisters, a gifted artist who sees into the very heart of the things she loves to paint. Through the author's detailed and descriptive prose, we see the world through this special young woman's eyes, feeling her every emotion, living her fears and joys. We watch her develop from innocent young bride into an intuitive woman as the caring mask of her handsome husband crumbles to reveal the darkness of his true nature. We are pulled into every essence of this era in Italy, so beautifully depicted. The reader is kept in suspense as she lives in the fear of his ultimate power over her. There's a clever twist at the end that gives the novel an extra special magic. 

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.

March books

These are my best reads from March:

Anita Abriel - The Life She Wanted

This American historical novel was absolutely captivating. In the early decades of the twentieth century, Pandora's father is a former tennis professional. But after suffering an injury in World War I and his wife's desertion, he's been earning his living as a coach to the family of rich real estate family. Pandora grows up almost as a member of the family, and the children of the house, Archie and Virginia, are her best friends. It seems natural to assume that Archie's friend will propose to her, and the life she wants as a rich woman and aspiring fashion designer will fall into her lap. When her hopes are dashed, it looks like she'll have to learn to type and get a boring secretarial job after all. Suddenly a new vista opens up, and her dreams seem to be coming true at last. But all is not as it seems. As everything begins to fall apart, Pandora has some difficult decisions to make, and her rash mistakes threaten to destroy her desired future and hurt the people she loves most. A wonderful snapshot of a seminal time in American history, when prohibition still reigns, where women are striving to escape from subjection to men, and society has strict rules that only the most courageous dare to challenge.Wonderfully drawn characters - an absolute jewel of a novel.

Victoria Connelly - The Way to the Sea

Cate has fled from her abusive husband with her young daughter, Eliza. Her friend Allie has found her a job as housekeeper to Charles, a palaeontoligist who lives on the Dorset coast. Charles is disconcerted by her unexpectedly bringing a child to the house, but agrees to a trial month. Eliza is unlikely to be noisy, as she hasn't spoken for months following an unnamed trauma. As the three of them begin a tentative co-existence in the old house, Cate and Eliza begin to appreciate the fascination of fossils while treading carefully with their reclusive new employer. As the secret of the locked room and its tragic meaning for Charles unfolds, the three of them begin a healing journey together. But danger is always at the back of Cate's mind, and the sorrow at her daughter's continuing silence. Have they really escaped their nemesis - and will Charles ever recover from the tragedy in his past? A sympathetically written story, with a dramatic finish.

Lauren Forry - The Launch Party

A murder mystery set on the moon - a novel that includes sci fi and crime, two of my favourite genres! I just had to dive into this and I wasn't disappointed. In the near future, ten people are selected from a lottery to be the first ever guests at the luxury Hotel Artemis, also the first hotel to be built on the moon. Among them is London Met detective, Penelope, who entered the competition to take her away from the guilt of a failed case that she believed was her fault. The other nine are from different parts of the globe, varying in ages and career. It's disconcerting when they arrive to find that there are no staff in the hotel, and the two PR women who took care of them on the space flight have vanished along with the returning space ship. When one of the guests is found dead the next morning, it's clear that it's murder. Penelope inevitably becomes the chief investigator while they send a distress call to Earth, which will take days to elicit a response. She recruits former investigative journalist, Tanya, to assist her. Any of the other hotel guests could be the perpetrator. As the mystery deepens and danger lurks at every corner, it's compounded by the fact that they are in a sealed container in space, with no backup from the authorities on Earth. Good characterisation, a gripping tale, and all the science reads as plausible to me, though I'm not an expert! 

February books

My favourites this month are:

Daisy James - Escape to the Hummingbird Hotel

This is a new author for me, and I shall certainly look out for more of her feelgood novels! Abi is unexpectedly left a property in Corfu by her aunt, whom she'd never met because due to a mysterious family estrangement. Following a disastrous romance, Abi decides to take a holiday there to deal with selling the property. The money would mean she could buy her dream cottage in England and pursue her ideal career as a botanist. The Hummingbird Hotel is not at all what she expected, nestled in the Corfu countryside next to an extensive vineyard. It's a place for retreats, enriching courses and relaxation. She finds herself immediately on the wrong foot with the vineyard's owner, Nico. As Abi begins to fall in love with the peace and beauty of the island and make friends with the locals, she's also finding her emotions are being stirred by the handsome Nico who seems to have some troubling issues in his past. Abi begins to question her intention to sell the hotel, realising it would cause many problems for the people she has grown to care for. But if she stays, will it be the end of her own dreams? Atmospheric, and a wonderful escapist read during the dark months of a British winter.

Faith Hogan - The Bookshop Ladies

I always enjoy Faith Hogan's novels. This is another set in her fictional Irish seaside town of Ballycove, and I spotted one or two characters from her previous books. In The Bookshop Ladies, American Joy has recently lost her Parisian art dealer husband. On his deathbed he shocked her by revealing that he has a daughter. This is heartbreaking for Joy, as the two of them were childless. She discovers that he's left his daughter Robyn a painting, which on impulse she decides to take to her in Ballycove. She finds the young woman to be lacking in confidence and pining with unrequited love. Robyn also has no idea of her origins. Before Joy can reveal who she is, a misunderstanding leads her to become a volunteer in the old bookshop that Robyn has just taken over. Against all the odds, Joy takes to her husband's daughter, and realises that she can help her with the dilapidated and financially failing bookshop. But when Robyn's mother Fern arrives in a state of despair, it is inevitable that secrets will be revealved. All three women are caught up in the life of the bookshop, and soon their long-held ideas about life, love, friendship and family are challenged. Warm-hearted and uplifting.

Diane Saxon - The Good Twin

This English thriller had me hooked. Twins Summer and Skye lost their mother due to a brain haemorrhage not long before they were due to go to university. Summer bows to her father's wish to defer her place and stay at home to help their twelve year old sister Jade in the aftermath of this tragic event. But her twin Skye takes chooses to go to university. When Summer disappears with no warning, the family concludes she must have run off, unable to cope. They don't realise that she's been taken, and is being held prisoner. The novel unfolds in two timelines, and from two points of view. We see Summer in her prison, suffering at the hands of her attacker who is only known as L.J. Then seven years on, we see her family beginning to move on. Jade is at university, Skye has her own flat and a dog, and a failed relationship. But most importantly, it's their father's wedding day, to Martha. At the last minute before they leave for the church, Skye answers a call to their house phone, and the torment of her twin's disappearance bursts back into her life. High in suspense, the reader is pulled along in a breathtaking ride as clue after clue begins to surface, and danger stalks Skye as well as her twin. Compelling right to the last page.

January books

My best reads from January are:

Shari Low - One Year After You

The novel follows a dramatic day in the lives of three people in Glasgow. It's the anniversary of Tress's husband Max's death, and her son Buddy's first birthday. She's determined to make it the best day possible for her little boy, and not associate it with anything dark. Noah was Matt's best friend, and remains Tress's constant support and friend. But they have another bond - Matt's death revealed that he and Noah's wife Anya had been having a long-term secret affair. Anya survived the accident, but Noah and Tress have had to come to terms with their betrayal. Tress's friends are trying to persuade her to begin dating again, and she's wondering whether it's time to take the plunge. Meanwhile Odette is a sixty-nine year old actress, stalwart of the local soap, The Clydeside. Now she's been written out of the show, shooting her final scenes that day. On her mind is the guilt of a bad deed she did as a young woman, and she's determined to try and put things right. Tress recently started work as a designer on the set. As Tress, Noah and Odette's stories begin to collide, old and new problems surface and bring the day to a dramatic climax, when nothing will ever be the same again. An intricate story, with many dramatic twists, sympathetically written. Very enjoyable.

Joy Ellis - Guard her with Your Life

Detective Sam has struggled to come to terms with his daughter being taken away to Greece by his ex-wife, Julia. T his surprise, Julia unexpectedly arranges for Zoe to come over to stay with him for a while. Excitedly he waits at Heathrow airport for the ten-year-old's arrival. In the hubbub of the airport he hugs the little blonde girl who's handed over to him by the air hostess. But when he looks into her face, he realises that this child is not his daughter. As a message comes through from Julia, warning him, "Guard her with your life", he takes the child home and begins a bizarre situation where he's pretending this girl is his daughter to everyone around him. What has happened to Zoe? As he and his brother get dragged into a dangerous situation, it becomes clear that the unknown little girl is in real jeopardy. Fleeing for their lives, they leave London, and Sam has to use all his policeman's expertise to protect them, while his police partner, Terri, also gets caught up in the mystery. A thrilling read, with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader on the edge of their seat.

Jeff Wheeler - The Invisible College

I find the worlds of this fantasy author absolutely fascinating. This is the first book in a new series, set in a different universe from most of his previous books. This is a world which is like the early twentieth century, but where technology runs from magic. Human beings were given this magic in the distant past by a mysterious race called the Aesir, who are cold-loving beings and have long hibernation cycles. But every so often they awaken and wage a war with humanity, their old alliance long forgotten. Robinson is a talented sorcerer, a researcher and professor at the Invisible College, where young people are taught magic. The key to magic is sounds, with music paramount. The Aesir have in the past released plagues on the human race which cause deafness, and eighteen-year-old McKenna is one who has suffered this fate. But she's supremely intelligent, and a talented lip-reader. She believes that one day she will have the ability to weave magic. Her parents employ Robinson to teach her how to improve her speech, and she's certain that this will be the key to her learning magic. As the Aesir awaken and a new war begins, Robinson and McKenna's relationship deepens. But someone is stalking him to the death, and McKenna suffers an accident which leaves her with strange sensations. Plenty of mystery, adventure, and magical imagination, this is another of Jeff Wheeler's novels that I couldn't put down.

December books

Happy New Year! My favourite reads from December are:

Raynor Wynne - Landlines

This non-fiction title is the third book in Raynor Wynne's Salt Path series. I was totally gripped by the first book. It told how she and her husband, Moth, lost their home at the time he was diagnosed with a serious chronic illness, and the power of the outdoors to reverse his symptoms. I bought this memoir without realising it was book three - I'll need to read book two now! In Landlines, Ray and Moth are living on their Cornish farm, but his symptoms have begun to progress. To add to the problem, it's the end of Lockdown and everyone is living with the spectre of the Covid pandemic. Ray begins to wonder if another long trek could work its magic again on her ailing husband. Moth's hesitant and skeptical, suspecting he's on a downward spiral. But he can't resist the lure of the trail, and somehow they manage to organise a trip to the northern-most parts of Scotland, where they aim to walk from Caithness to Fort William. Trials and tribulations abound, people are wary of strangers because of the ongoing virus fears, and it doesn't quite pan out the way they intended. But they keep on walking... The couple's love of the outdoors and nature is inspiring, and Ray's thoughts on the loss of wild spaces and the effects of humans on the natural world are insightful and meaningful. Another inspiring and riveting read.

Suzanne Fortin - The Dance Teacher of Paris

A dual-time novel set in present day and during World War 2. In Paris in 1942, Adele and her father run a dance school, keeping alive her mother's memory. In the dark time of the Nazi occupation of the city, it's a welcome release for the children. To Adele's dismay, her sister Lucille has become involved with Peter, a Nazi officer. Lucille claims that he's going to leave his wife and marry her. As the occupying force tightens its grip and the deportation of Jewish families begins, Adele realises that she must fight the evil and protect the innocent, no matter what the danger to herself. The modern part of the story focuses on Fleur, orphaned young, and brought up by her French grandmother. Lydia is now in her eighties, and every year she visits Paris on her own to reminisce. But this year she aks Fleur to accompany her, to discover about her grandmother's past. When they arrive in the city, Lydia is upset when she finds an old ballet shoe attached to a railing. Attractive antiques dealer, Didier, offers to help them investigate the source of the shoe. But Fleur doesnt know whether she can trust him, as he believes that Lydia can lead him to a priceless missing painting. In different centuries, two women seek to protect the people they love, and to search for the future they desire. Excellent historical atmosphere, drama and romance all combine to make a thoroughly good read.

Jenny Colgan - Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop

Carmen works at McCredie's traditional bookshop in Edinburgh, part of a picturesque row of shops in a historic part of the city, just below the castle. But times are hard, and all the shops are feeling the pinch. Carmen is nursing a broken heart, as Oke, the love of her life, has returned to his native Brazil and is working somewhere deep in the rainforest, out of communication - or else he's ghosting her. Carmen is so hard up that she's staying with her sister Sofia, who's on maternity leave, but who wants Carmen's room to house a full-time nanny for her four children when she returns to her high-powered job. To make matters worse, local entrepreneur Jackson McClockerty is buying up many struggling businesses and turning them into tacky souvenir shops. He has his eye on the shop where Carmen works. As Christmas approaches she has to come to terms with new challenging living arrangements, and with the realisation that Oke's not coming back. Delving into the secrets of the old bookshop she aims to find a new way of keeping its wonderful atmosphere and keeping it a source of wonder and joy for different generations, including her nieces and nephews. The people she thought she knew reveal hidden depths as snow begins to fall on Scotland's capital. A colourful and imaginative read with enjoyable characters, this novel celebrates the love of tradition and the magic of books.

November books

These are my favourite reads from November:

Kirsty Greenwood - The Love of My Afterlife

Delphie has lived a reclusive existence, unusual for a twenty-seven-year old woman. Suddently she finds herself in an ante-room for the Afterlife, in the presence of a most unusual being in the shape of a woman called Merritt. But even as she realises that she's dead, she meets the most attractive man she's ever encountered - and he's looking at her with love. When he's sent back to his life (as he's only under anaesthetic) Delphie can't believe that she would meet the Love of Her Life at that inappropriate moment! Merritt devises a plan to send Delphie back to Earth - and if she can find Jonah and he kisses her (intentionally) within seven days, then Delphie can have her life back. Revived and reprieved, she begins a frantic search for the man about whom she knows the bare minimum. At least he lives in London, but as she begins to recruit the workmates and neighbours she's never engaged with previously, she finds that it's a virtually impossible task. Humorous, tender and even outrageous at times, I found this to be an entertaining read, but with an underlying message about not wasting your life. There are lots of red herrings, lessons learned and even an unexpected twist at the end. Does Delphie find Jonah in the end? You'll need to read it to find out!

Nicola Cornick - The Other Gwyn Girl

Another of this author's novels about forgotten women from history, this time the elder sister of Nell Gwyn (the famous mistress of King Charles II). Rose was known to be a thief and married to a highwayman. But Nicola Cornick has delved behind the little that's known of her, and fashioned a sensitive and touching history for Rose. In this time-slip novel, we discover a connection between Rose and Jess, a woman from our own time. Jess is also eclipsed by her younger sister, Tavy, who is a television presenter and influencer. Following the end of a disastrous relationship to a fraudster, Jess is grateful to be offered the chance to live as caretaker for a historic manor house, Paradise Hall, which her sister is supposed to be 'making over' for the television cameras. While her famous sister is sleeping at a fancy hotel and jetting off to social events, Jess lives at the hall and wonders why she keeps seeing glimpses of a past time. When a historic skeleton turns up by the lake, she and the former owner of the hall, Ethan, begin to connect over their love of history as they search for its past. Intriguing, historically vivid, captivating, this book also has glimpses of present day characters from other of the author's novels. Thoroughly enjoyable as always.

Jenny Colgan - The Christmas Book Hunt

This was described on Amazon as a short story, but I would say that rather it is a novella. I know I can go to this author when I want to read an uplifting romantic story. This festive tale is a must for those who love books, and who like a feel-good romance. As Mirren's great aunt Violet only has a short time to live, she wants to make the old lady's final days as kind as possible. All Aunt Isobel desires is to find a special book that she had as a child, that connects her to the father she lost when she was young. Mirren knows that time is limited, so at the darkest time of the year she begins to search second hand bookshops for the rare book - if it actually exists at all. One of her first stops is at Philip Palliser's rare bookshop in the West End of London, where the owner's acquisitory instincts are engaged. He sends his downtrodden nephew Theo to follow Mirren on her hunt. If she does find the book, Theo's instructions are to pay her off for a fraction of its possible value. As Mirren's search widens to all corners of the British Isles, Theo latches on to her and persuades her that it's a coincidence that they're both on a book hunt. Is he a friend or a foe, and if she finds the book, will Mirren be able to keep it from his clutches? Full of lovely book references, bringing up the joy experienced by hunting for delicious finds in second hand bookshops, spiced with all the Christmas spirit of snow and festive accoutrements. A sensitive and satisfying read.

October Books

My favourite reads from October are:

Pam Lecky - No Stone Unturned

This is the first in a series of novels about Lucy, a young Victorian woman who is an amateur sleuth. Lucy has been estranged from her wealthy family since eloping with her husband Charlie. But after several years she's disillusioned by his infidelities and his badly-judged schemes that have left them penniless. When his recklessness goes too far, she finds herself identifying his body in the mortuary. Here she meets insurance investigator, Phin, who is researching some priceless stolen gems and believes that they were in Charlie's possession. As a result, Lucy herself is under suspicion. But her family have relented and invite her to stay with them for a while. Having no other means of support, she goes back home to Yorkshire. However, not everyone welcomes her home, and it's not the haven she'd imagined. Help comes from an unexpected source, and she's startled to find her heart being unexpectedly captured. Courageous Lucy embarks on an adventure with only Mary, her loyal Irish maid, to accompany her. The heroine is engaging, feisty, and resourceful, and the novel is well-written and packed with content.

Evie Woods - The Lost Bookshop

An enchanting novel about the joy of books and how a special bookshop in Dublin provides a refuge for two women a century apart. In 1921, Opaline runs away from her English family to escape being married off as a chattel. She travels to Paris where she works in a bookshop with a wonderful mentor, and meets people who share her interests and stir her emotions. But she's forced to flee again, and ends up in Dublin, taking over an unusual bookshop. In present day, Matthew is searching in Dublin for a wonderful bookshop he saw momentarily, but for some odd reason, he can't find it again. He believes it will lead him to a lost manuscript that would be the crowning of his research. His quest leads him to Martha, who has escaped an abusive marriage. She's found a live-in job looking after the elderly and eccentric Madame Bowden. The situation is not ideal but is safe. Martha and Matthew feel a connection to each other, though they spar constantly. At the same time, unexplained phenomena begin to appear in Madame Bowden's house. As Matthew and Martha begin open up to a new future, the links to the past are reaching down the years to be revealed. 

T. J. Brearton - Her Husband's Lies

Callie's husband, Abel, has lying in a coma in hospital following a car crash six weeks previously. As far as the police could tell, he'd skidded on some ice and crashed into the lake. Luckily someone had found him before the car was submerged. He wasn't even supposed to be in that area, and the questions keep piling up. Callie's desperate for answers, for him to recover, especially for the sake of her son Cormac who's just started college. But when a young woman named Althea calls her, claiming that she's a psychic who taps into the memories of others, and tells her that someone ran Abel off the road, Callie doesn't really believe in psychics - yet some of the information Althea tells her turns out to be spookily accurate. As she begins her own investigation, she begins to uncover secrets that Abel was keeping from her. When the police turn up some new evidence connecting her husband to a serious crime, it feels to Callie as if her whole life has been a lie. Exciting, twisting, the plot weaves its way through the winter countryside as Callie tries to find out the truth. A gripping read.

September books

These are my favourite reads from September:

Marc Guggenheim - In Any Lifetime

This fast paced, inventive novel really captured me. Jonas Cullen is a scientist whose work proving the existence of mulitple universes has won him a Nobel prize. But at the culmination of his work, his own world falls apart when his wife and soul-mate, Amanda, dies in a car crash. He sets out on a daring mission to find a universe where she is alive. However, despite the differences between these universes, they tend to favour similar outcomes, and his chances are slim. In addition, his time will inevitably run out. Then there's Eva, a Swiss scientist who has also lost her life partner, and he connects with her in more than one reality. Settling with her could be a possibility if he can't find Amanda. As another angry scientist begins to stalk him through the universes, seeking revenge, it seems that the odds are against him. Edge-of-the-seat moments, joy, despair, excitement, tenderness - this novel has it all. 

Ann Cleeves - Raven Black (Shetland book 1)

I've enjoyed every series of this drama on television. However, up till now I haven't read any of the author's books before. I found this novel to be excellent, with plenty of pace, well-rounded characters with convincing back-stories, and a definite sense of place. Detective Jimmy Perez went to school in Shetland, being from the even remoter Fair Isle. When he returns to take up a police post, he's immediately thrown into solving the murder of sixteen-year-old incomer Catherine Ross. She's discovered by Fran Hunter, former wife of a prominent Shetland businessman, and mother to Cassie. The killing stirs up memories of the disappearance twenty years earlier of another young girl. Reclusive neighbour Magnus Tait was suspected at the time, but nothing could be proved. It's Perez' job to discover once and for all if the old man was guilty of the previous crime, while many of his colleagues think it's a done deal. But danger lurks in the dark nights, and tensions run high. The other-worldliness of the Shetland isles is depicted very well. As Ann Cleeves grew up in England, she's certainly done her homework in depth. From the bleak winter landscape, the isolation of some of the residents and the difficulties of moving to live there, to the spectacle of the 'Up Helly A' winter viking festival, it's a brilliantly drawn novel.  

Patrick Stewart - Making it So

Every now and again I add one of my non-fiction reads to my list. I have particularly enjoyed this autobiography of the Shakespearean actor who became 'Captain Jen-Luc Picard' in the Star Trek: Next Generation series and beyond (I'm a long-term fan of the series!). He describes his impoverished background in Yorkshire, leaving school aged fifteen with no qualifications, and being given openings to develop his talent by a dedicated teacher. Through sheer hard work and grit he made his way through drama school and finally achieved his dream of acting with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Eventually he found himself in Hollywood, becoming famous as a sci-fi actor, but he never lost his love of the stage. Honestly written, the book reveals his troubled relationship with his father, plus his own personal family difficulties. He's also worked many famous actors who became his friends. The reader can hear his voice in the writing, as if it was spoken. If you're not a fan of the theatre, some of the acting detail might become tedious, but I found it absolutely riveting and I was always keen to get back to reading the book. An excellent autobiography.