The Sacrifice Indrajit Garai

The Sacrifice by Indrajit Garai

Paperback published 26th August Independent Publishing Format

In this collection meet Guillaume, who gives up everything to protect his child, young Mathew, who stakes his life to save his home, and Francois, who makes the biggest sacrifice to rescue his grandson.

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The story The Move is a sad account about the hardship of farming. I couldn’t help feeling rather sad for Guillaume who had to hire young Hugo who was just a boy, who really should be playing with other boys, but Hugo had to work on the farm as Guillaume couldn’t afford to hire anyone to help on the farm.

The Sacrifice tells exactly the story of what the title states. Although this is a work of fiction with three short stories they are rather long in comparison to other short story collections books, which really helped me get into the stories more being that bit longer.

It was heartbreaking to learn that the milk from Guillaume’s farm market price was eight cents below the cost of his production per litre. My heart was torn he couldn’t even afford to buy new clothes for himself, but he would get by in the clothes and shoes he had but not his son. 

So much more happens in the story The Move. All the characters really come across as real people, leading real-life jobs and scarifies that the characters have to make, just like in real-life we all have to make sacrifices at some point in our lives. 

Without out question this story The Move was my favourite, it tugs at the heart really making you appreciate what you have. I would like to thank the author for sending me a copy to read and review.

The author Indrajit lives in France with his family. The Sacrifice is his first work of fiction.

The Secret of You and Me Melissa Lenhardt blog Tour

The 

 by MillsandBoon

The Secret of You and Me by Melissa Lenhardt

Paperback Published by Mills and Boon

Remembering Sophie as I’d last seen her eighteen years ago, eyes downcast, cheeks wet from crying, apologising over and over. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.

Nora any Sophie were best friends until the day Nora left town abruptly. Rumours hinted a love triangle between Sophie. Nora and Nora’s then boyfriend, Charlie.

18 years later, the death of her father forces Nora to return home to face Sophie and her past. A lot has changed in her small home town, but memories are long, and true love never fades.

The question is, will Nora get a second chance at love?

MY REVIEW

I have loved reading every single page of The Secret of You and Me, with lots of surprises set within the story that I didn’t realise was going to happen, and with interesting characters that author Melissa Lenhardt had written about stayed with me long after I finished. A page turning vibrant story not to be missed.

What keep me turning the pages, is a secret love affair with complications, one that I don’t want do any spoilers about.

Sophie and Nora vowed to be friends for life, they had their future all mapped out together. I could relate to that in a certain way, most best friends vow to stay best friends forever.

18 years ago Nora left Lynchfield, without any explanation as to why, and joined the army. There were two reasons why Nora, had left her fathers house.

Once Nora left Lynchfield, Sophie Elizabeth Russell, and Charlie sent Nora letters, with pleas for forgiveness, but Nora never read any of them.

Eighteen years later Nora has returned back to Lynchfield for her Fathers funeral. Once she has sorted out his house she will leave Lynchfield.

Sooner or later Nora will have to face everyone she left behind including Sophie and Charlie.

Before Nora returns to back to where she moved too and set a new life for herself in DC , it will now depend on what need to be done, then she can return back to her new home. Also there’s someone special that Nora needs to see.

An unexpected surprise is waiting for Nora to discover that Sophie, Nora’s best friend has married, Charlie, who was Nora’s boyfriend and Sophie has a daughter Logan, with Charlie. Nora’s can’t help but wonder what her life might have been like if she was the that had married Charlie.

Eighteen years is a long time since you have seen your best friend and your first love and lot changes in eighteen years, but can you pick up from a relationship 18 years on?

What’s to enjoy is so many secrets unfolding, and an relationship that sets the question if it can be reunited after 18 years.

I’ve really enjoyed my time reading The Secret of You and Me by Melissa Lenhardt and hope you all will do too.

My favourite line in the story was: I resent you. I miss you. I hate you. I love you. What could these. Words have meant? And to whom?

I would like to say a very big thank you to Mills and Boon for sending me an early proof paperback and for inviting me to be

 

ABOUT MELISSA LENHARDT

 

Melissa Lenhardt is a women’s fiction, mystery, and historical fiction author. The New York Times called her sixth novel, HERESY, An all-out women-driven, queer, transgender, multiracial takeover of the Old West. When Melissa isn’t writing, she’s thinking. I really should be writing and eating Nutella or peanut butter straight out of the jar. A lifelong Texan, she lives in the Dallas area with her husband, and two sons, and two golden Retrievers, Hazel and Lucy who, let’s be honest, rule the roost. 

http://www.melissalenhardt.com and Twitter@MelLenhardt

@MillsAndBoon

#TheSecretofYouAndMe

@MelLenhardt

#BlogTour

My Twitter @bookread2day

My Twitter #bookread2day

 

 

The Friendship List Susan Mallery

  

The Friendship List by Susan Mallery

Paperback published by Mills and Boon 6th August 2020

One summer can change your life.

Single mom Ellen Fox  missed out on a lot, but she wouldn’t change a thing —until she overhears her son saying he can’t leave for  college because she needs him too much. If she wants him to live his best life, she has to convince him she’s living hers.Ellen’s best Unity vows to help, creating a list of challenges to push Ellen out of her comfort zone. Unity will complete the list, too, to support Ellen, but not because she need to change!

Both women The Friendship List begins as a way to make others believe they’re doing fine. But somewhere along the way Ellen and Unity discover that life is meant to be lived with joy and abandon, and filled with humor, heartache and perhaps the odd regrettable tattoo.

MY REVIEW 

The Friendship List is a perfect feel-good read for anyone who has ever wanted the courage to change, or written a bucket list. This is the perfect book I recommend.

I first became a fan of Susan Mallery after watching a book that she had written that was turned into Christmas film, Marry Me At Christmas. After the film I read the paperback You Say It First. 

I I thought that The Friendship List was absolutely fabulous reading about the friendship between two best friends. idea, with the front cover

What I liked reading is how the story is filled with heartache, humour and of course romance..

Why I adored reading The Friendship List it took me back when I was single parent, remembering how hard it is to pay for everything like school uniform.

Ellen Fox who teaches at a high school, is a single parent, who is struggling to pay for her son Cooper college fees. She is thinking of taking an extra job in the evenings to help her son go to UCLA. For a room and board at UCLA the total cost would be sixty -four thousand dollars. Ellen’s idea is marrying someone with money. If Ellen’s son Cooper goes to Stanford he might get a partial scholarship, that could go toward a room and board.

Widow Unity is Ellen’s best friend and she will help Ellen, as Ellen helped Unity, when she married Stuart, by sewing on glass beads by hand on Unity’s wedding dress. Since Unity’s husband died she is very thankful for her own business, as it gives her something to do every day.

With Ellen worrying over money she is determined to send her son Cooper to UCLA college, but she over hears a conversation with Cooper telling his best friend that he can’t go to college as his mom needs him and he should stay at home and get a job.

I loved the friendship between Ellen and Unity, they really help each other in every way that can. And that’s what best friends do they stick together no matter what.

My favourite line: Ellen hovered just to the side of the door, figuring she didn’t get all that much opportunity to eavesdrop….

My special thanks to @MillsandBoon for sending me an early proof copy ahead of publication. 💕 #gifted

#FriendshipListChallenge

#BookRecommendation

@SusanMallery

My new Twitter #bookread2day📚

ABOUT AUTHOR SUSAN MALLERY

#1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery writes heartwarming and humorous novels about the relationships that define women’s lives—family, friendship, romance. She’s best known for putting nuanced characters into emotionally complex, real-life situations with twists that surprise readers to laughter. Because Susan is passionate about animal welfare, pets play a big role in her books. Beloved by millions of readers worldwide, her books have been translated into 28 languages.

Critics have dubbed Mallery “the new queen of romantic fiction.” (Walmart) Booklist says, “Romance novels don’t get much better than Mallery’s expert blend of emotional nuance, humor, and superb storytelling,” and RT Book Reviews puts her “in a class by herself!” It’s no wonder that her books have spent more than 200 weeks on the USA Today bestsellers list.

Although Susan majored in Accounting, she never worked as an accountant because she was published straight out of college with two books the same month. Sixteen prolific years and seventy-four books later, she hit the New York Times bestsellers list for the first time with Accidentally Yours in 2008. She made many appearances in the Top 10 before (finally) hitting #1 in 2015 with Thrill Me, the twentieth book in her most popular series, the Fool’s Gold romances, and the fourth of five books released that year.

Susan lives in Washington state with her husband, two ragdoll cats, and a small poodle with delusions of grandeur. Her heart for animals has led Susan to become an active supporter of the Seattle Humane Society.

Find Susan Mallery on Twitter @SusanMallery

Visit Susan online at www.SusanMallery.com

Families of Spies Brian Landers

   

Families of Spies by Brian Landers 

Paperback published by RedDoor 

Julia Dylan’s aunt vanishes while sailing from Kefalonia to Syracuse in Sicily. Julia’s uncle, the head of Defence Intelligence, asks M16 to investigate but M16 has high priorities. The CIA have uncovered a Russian soy at a NATO airbase north of Syracuse. 

Julia and her new husband Thomas abandon their honeymoon and join the search. In Syracuse they encounter a suspiciously well-informed detective who is investigating the murder of an Iranian journalist.

Could it all be connected?

And could the connection go all the way back to an infamous Mafia massacre in 1947?

Yo unravel the mystery of Eveline Sadeghi’s death, Julia and Thomas Dylan must not just understand history, but families too, especially their own. 

MY REVIEW 

Families of Spies is book 2, that’s another page turning spy, thriller fiction story. I read book 1 Awakening of Spies and was so impressed with this remarkable spy thriller I needed to read book 2. 

Any one of these spy thrillers can be read as a standalone, if you miss book 1 you can still read book 2. 

But following on from book 1 Awakening of Spies when Thomas meets Julia. When Thomas found himself working with Julia in Brazil he found himself a woman soulmate. Now years later Julia and Thomas are getting married. Julia’s families liked traditions, with morning suits, elaborate hats and a glittering reception in a marquee. The wedding feels like a top posh fairytale wedding with a glittering reception. 
I think it’s rather nice if the groom already knows one member of his brides family. Thomas knew Julia’s uncle Lord Grimspound as he was Thomas, boss. Lord Grimspound was appointed Director General of Defence Intelligence a year before Thomas joined. 

Now Thomas and Julia are blissfully happy married and on their honeymoon in Rome, with the sun shinin, what can possibly go wrong. In the hotel pigeonhole a message has been from Lord Grimspound was for them to phone him as soon as possible have changed your flights. Sadly when Julia phones her uncle she is told that her Aunt Eveline has disappeared sailing to Sicily and never arrived. Tragically Eveline Bunny Sadeghi’s was smiling happily as she sailed to her death. I couldn’t rest I had to know what really happened to Eveline. 

Plenty more in store for readers to discover inside this book, but I won’t say much more as I do it want to spoil your reading time.

It’s a really good experience choosing an author’s book that I have never heard of before and reading and reviewing their work , then finding out that with excitement I have a new author to look forward to reading in future. 

Families of Spies is absolutely brilliantly paced that grips you and thrills you from page one until the last page. 

 I have to recommend book 1 Awakening of spies and book 2 Families of spies as I never enjoyed a spy thriller set do much. And I know you will all become addicted to this spy thriller set as much as I have.

ABOUT AUTHOR BRIAN LANDERS



 





Intruders E. C. Scullion Blog Tour



   

INTRUDERS BY E. C. SULLION

Paperback published by Red Door 18th June 2020

Breaking in is only the Beginning. 

There is a safe in a secure compound in South America.

Your job is to bring me the contents of that safe.

Disgraced security consultant Tom Holt accepts a job from a mysterious lawyer, on behalf of a client named Capricorn.

Holt’s team comprises Anil, safe – cracking ex- con, Ray, a disgruntled logistics man, and Becca, a fiery red-headed thief with as much attitude as she has talent for picking pockets. 

On arrival in the alluring Argentine city of Buenos Aires, Holt’s past swiftly catches up with him. As he begins to question the clients motives, he finds they are darker, more sinister characters who slowly loyalty to his employer.

Who is Capricorn? What’s inside the safe?

Tom Holt is about to discover how far he will go to expose the truth, even if it means risking everything, including his own life. 

MY REVIEW 

It’s impossible not to like Intruders. The story is so tense and fast paced I give the storyline of Intruders one rule there’s no room for flicking through the pages. The story has a kind of feeling like a James Bond movie or Alex Rider, with all the action planning of a task set for Tom Holt. 

Lawyer Albert Denham has a job offer from his secret client, for ex military Tom Holt. The lawyer can’t disclose information who gave Denham Tom’s name & address. I found it quite creepy how the lawyer Denham knew everything about Tom and his whole life. 

There’s no question about it far as Denham is concerned Tom is the right man to do a top special job, as Tom speaks Spanish. Denham wants Tom Holt to break into a safe and bring its contents back to him. Without bringing back the contents Tom Holt will not get paid. 

The mission is that Tom will to go to Buenos Aires where a team is currently based and to Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay, then break into a safe and bring back all the contents of the safely back. Tom Holt knows all about systems people put up in place with locks, fences, CCTV, so he should be able to complete this mission. Although this task is illegal, Tom must sign a non-disclosure agreement of this project. 

Tom arrives in Argentine meeting up with a man named Anil, who is a safe cracking ex con, and with another man Ray Caulder, Rebecca Wylde who is fiery red headed thief.

It is the house of Sabina Cordero who’s compound that will be surrounded by a towering electric fence, and fingerprint recognition entry system, that Tom and his teammates are to break into Sabina’s  safe. But with inside information Tom Holt finds there is a big snag, Sabina wears her own key to the safe around her neck at all times. 

What will Tom Holt’s next plan be to be able to get into the safe and deliver its contents to Lawyer Albert Denham?

And what is the safe?

I would like to thank very Red Door for sending me a finished paperback Intruders, and for inviting me to the summer blog tour today. 

How the story of Intruders began.

In May 2016, the author Emma Sulllion, moved with her husband and two small children to Uruguay in South America, to work in the small but perfectly formed British Embassy in Montevideo. But she barley spoke any Spanish and had no idea what to expect. She lived on a secure housing compound known as Lomas de la Tahona, the basis for Aves de Las Colinas in this novel. The house overlooked the ninth hole of the surrounding golf course. A few months later Emma Scullion started writing Intruders. Almost all of the places in this story are real, from La Huella in Jose Ignacio, Lagomar Beach, into the vibrant streets of Recoleta and La Boca in Buenos Aires, to the apocalyptic playground on Costa Rica street in Carrasco Lagomar Beach and the dusty tracks of the Canelones landscape.

ABOUT AUTHOR EMMA SCULLION 



E.C. Scullion is British Author. She joined the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in 2003. For the past eleven years she has managed to escape Westminster, working in British Embassies in Beijing, Bangkok, Panama City and Montevideo in Uruguay. She is a graduate of the Faber Academy and INTRUDERS is her first published novel. She now lives in Rome with her husband and two children.

You can follow her on Twitter @ECScullion or on Facebook @E.C. Scullion Author.





The Joyful Environmentalist Isabel Losada

   

The Joyful Environmentalist by Isabel Losada

Paperback published by Watkins Publishing 14th July 2020

‘I want to learn every single way possible to love our planet. And to do this wholeheartedly, energetically and joyfully.’ 

Finally! A book about saving our planet that is fast, funny and inspiring too. Isabel doesn’t bother with an examination of the problem but gets right on with the solutions. Her aim: to look for every single way that we can take care of the planet; how we live and work, travel, shop, eat, drink, dress, vote, play, volunteer, bank – everything. The feel-good book of the year for anyone who loves nature and knows that one person can make a HUGE difference. 

‘This is the joy we need in our lives.’ – George Monbiot 

‘She gave my spirit a lift and my feet somewhere to stand.’ – Sir Mark Rylance 

‘Practical and realistic as well as visionary.’ – Dr Rowan Williams 

‘A manifesto of brilliant advice offered with humility and good grace. A practical guide to empower us all.’ – Isabella Tree 

ISABEL LOSADA is the bestselling author of six previous books including The Battersea Park Road to Enlightenment. 

MY REVIEW 

I started reading The Joyful Environmentalist, as soon as it landed on my door mat. I was so much into this book that I didn’t even notice the time had way passed my normal bed time and then finished the rest off the next day.

Isabel Losada is a radical environmentalist, who has been reading about the climate change. Isobel has written this book in a way that anyone who reads it will find ideas how to save the planet. This book has also been written as Isabel’s singled minded focus and with every solution she could find to stop using plastic,  and parts you all will find incredible funny. 

What author Isabel Losada, is not trying to do here is tell people to change the way you live and save the climate change. She is simply describing in her well written book how Isabel took the time to change the way she lives thinking about how she can do her bit to save our planet. 

I must admit the author Isabel certainly gave me many ideas and brought things to my attention that I hadn’t even thought about, for example we all have in our houses too many plastic biros, don’t we ?  but in fact we can all swap them piles of plastic pens for a metal pen. 

Another thing I hadn’t really thought  about is all the plastic cups we are given in coffee bars like Costa. You can take a small flask with you and get a coffee bar to pour your coffee into that.  Don’t take plastic crap from anyone is Isabel’s motto and now I couldn’t agree more. 

Now with the Coronavirus we are adding more plastic to our planet as we are told to wash our hands more and sanitizer more, both have plastic bottles if you use hand wash. 

The Joyful environmentalist is very educational and very worth reading, with plenty more reading about and discovering things you would never know about without reading this book. 

I also found at the back of the book the more interesting things that I have never known about such endnotes and further reading about if you want to increase your understanding of how climate change has been caused. Something that I found so important that there is a page about ten environmental charities. 

I would like to thank the author Isabel Losada and Watkinspublishing.com for sending a finished paperback me this most interesting book The Joyful Environmentalist. 

ABOUT AUTHOR ISABEL LOSADA 



Isabel Losada is a British author who combines humour with a serious look at her subject matter. She has worked as an actress, broadcaster and public speaker as well as a comedian and author. Isabel remains committed to narrative non-fiction and swimming against the tide. 

You can find author on    www.Isabellosada.com

Twitter @IsabelLosada

Verbal Peter Murphy

  

VERBAL BY PETER  MURPHY  Paperback published by No exit press 10th December 2020  ‘A good polic force  is one that catches more crooks than it employs – Sir Robert Mark A  clever, accomplished Cambridge graduate  with a good job and an attentive lover, Imogen Lester seems to have the world at her feet. Byt when her parents are murdered abroad while working for the Diplomantic  Service, she is suddenly thrown headlong  into a murky world of espionage and organised crime. When she is charged with drug trafficking even Ben Schroeder’s  skills may not be enough to save her – unless a shadowy figure from Ben’s past can survive long enough  to unmask a web of graft and corruption. MY REVIEW  I have read two other books by Peter Murphy and Verbal is my absolute favourite legal thriller. I loved how this storyline was set out with the first half of what happened, and leads to part two twisting the story.   If you love reading crime novels with a twist in the tale look no further than Verbal that is a fantastic Ben Schroeder novel.  What to look forward to in the first half of the book.  Julia Cathermole a lawyer at the age of fifty five, and is the senior partner of Cathermole & Bridger.  One evening as Imogen Lexter was fast asleep in zjukia’s house,  Julia couldn’t sleep, and goes into her study, when she takes an important call. Julia is told to tell Imogen and Damian that their parents Michael and Margaret have both been bludgeoned to death. Julia knew Michael and Margaret through her father as he was Michael’s mentor in the service when Michael was a young officer.   It seems Michael had been working on something in Sarajevo. To make more complications, the embassy are not saying exactly what Michael was doing there, but his wife Margaret had been with him as presumably as a Diplomatic cover.  With Imogen to care for Julia couldn’t bring herself to to tell Damian by phone and got the police to go to the Lester family home in Hampstead Heath to break the deverstating news to him. Damian was unknown to the Hampstead police.  A good police force is one that catches more crooks than it employs.  What’s to enjoy in the second half of the book.  A court case is held with Ben Schroeder QC  who had applied to join the chambers twenty years ago and was well established in his profession. I’m keeping tight lipped about why there is a court case as I fear it will give too much away.  If you haven’t read any books by Peter Murphy perhaps now is the time look this author up and you may find some of his books for your next read. Peter Murphy writes with a genuinely good cast of characters. For your next read I have to highly recommend Verbal by Peter Murphy as the storyline is addictive as always. I would like to say a very big thank you to no exit press for sending me a paperback ahead of December 2020 release date to read and review.  ABOUT AUTHOR PETER MURPHY  Peter Murphy graduated from Cambridge University and spent a career in the law,as an advocate, teacher, and judge. He has worked both in England and the United States, and served for several years as counsel at the Yugoslavian War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague. He has written nine novels two political thrillers about the US presidency, Removal and Test of Resolver, seven historical/ legal thrillers featuring Ben Schroeder. A Higher Duty, A Matter for the Jury, A d is there Honey Still for Tea? The Heirs of Owan Glyndwr, Calling down the Storm, One Law for the Rest of Us and Verbal. He is also the author of the judge Walden of Bermondsey series. He lives in Cambridge.  You can find Peter Murphy on  www.petermurphyauthor.co.uk

The Silken Rose Carol McGrath

   

THE SILKEN ROSE BY CAROL MCGRATH 

Paperback published by Headline Accent 23rd July 2020

Meet the She-Wolf from Provence 

They called her the She-Wolf from Provence 

She’d shape the destiny of England.

1236. Ailenor of Provence, cultured and intelligent, is only thirteen when she meets her husband,  Henry III of England. A foreign and friendless princess in a strange land she is determined to please him. And she knows that when the time comes  she must provide an heir, to secure the throne against those who would snatch it away. 

Rosalind, a commoner skilled in the art of needlework and embroidery, catches the young queen’s attention and friendship blossoms. But she is unprepared for the dangerous ramifications of winning the queen’s favour.

As closeness, and soon love,develops between Ailenor and Henry, so too does her influence on her husband and her power at court. As France and Wales provide constant threat, and England’s barons increasingly resent her influence, Ailenor must learn to be ruthless. Who should encourage her husband to favour? Who can she trust?

Caught in a web of treachery and deceit, her choices will define the fate of England. To protect her close friends, and her beloved children, Ailenor, the She-Wolf from Provence, would do, and ensure, anything.

My review 

The Silken Rose is beautifully written, by the skilled author Carol McGrath. The characters and their life style, with the glamour and excitement delivered my full attention. The author has well researched The Silken Rose. The Silken Rose is the first in a trilogy concerning medieval queens who were regarded by many contemporary barons and Chronicalers as she -wolves. One the special things I loved about the story is the mention of Dover and Canterbury which both places are near where I live and regularly shop. 

Henry, King of England, sent for thirteen year old Ailenor of Provence to become his bride. The situation when Ailenor arrive in Canterbury she was non to pleased that King was not there to greet her.  It was of course important for Ailenor that everything was perfect for the wedding,  and now there is a problem with the smell of her wedding dress. When Ailenor finally met the King, extravagant gifts were laid out for her appraisal a beautiful sapphire brooch a pearl necklaces and an enormous ruby gold ring, and many other gifts followed. Ailenor felt it was her duty to bear her lord an heir. But the King himself claimed that she was only a child herself and what more does she know about love?  This made Alinenor think that maybe the King had a mistress or even could there be a boy ? She would I d the King to her somehow. Alinenor would make sure there will never be others.

 No one would dismiss Lady Ailenor, once she the queen, not even her husband. 

A short exact to show how beautiful this story is.

Canterbury January 1236

The road from Dover to Canterbury was mired with winter mud so progress was slow. Alinenor, princess of Provence, had never seen such weather in all of her young life. She tugged back the oiled canvas that was served to keep out the worst of the rain and peered from her long box-like carriage into the January landscape. A collection of gaunt faces stared back; figures huddled in heavy cloaks, watching the golden loans of Savoy and Provence pass through Canterbury’s southernmost gate into the cramped lanes of the city. 

I would like to say a very big thank you to Emily at Headline Accent for sending me this beautiful finished copy of The Silken Rose to read and review. 

I absolutely agree with what people are saying about The Silken Rose

Well-researched fascinating by Joanna Courteney

Steeps the reader in the life of a medieval court by Joanna Hickson

A feast for the senses by Debrorah Swift. 

ABOUT AUTHOR CAROL MCGRATH 

Carol McGrath studied History at Queens University Belfast, has a MA in Creative Writing  from  Semaus HeaneyCentre,  Queens University Belfast and an English MPhil from The Royal Holloway ,University of London. The Handfasted Wife is the first in a Trilogy about the royal women of 1066 was shortlisted for the RoNAS, The Swan-Daughter and The Betrothed Sister  complete this highly acclaimed trilogy. Mistress Cromwell, a bestselling historical novel about Elizabeth Cromwell, wife of Henry VIII’s statesman, Thomas Cromwell, is republished by Headlin. Carol speaks at events and conferences. She was the co-ordinated if the Historical Novels Society Conference, Oxford in September 2016 and is an avid reader and reviewer. She is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and Historical Writers Association. Carol lives in Oxfordshire with her husband. 

Visit author Carol McGrath http://www.carolmcgrath.co.uk
You can find Carol McGrath on Twitter @carolmcgath



DAISY J P HENDERSON

   

DAISY BY J P HENDERSON 

Paperback published by no exit 23rd April 2020

MEET DAISY A PICK OF GRACE AND DIGNITY 

MEET HEROD A DISAPPOINTMENT

Written in his own words, and guided by a man who collects glasses in a local pub, this is the story of Herod “Rod” Pinkney’s search for Daisy Lamprich, a young woman he first sees on a decade-old episode of the Judge Judy Show, and who he now intends to marry. 

When Daisy is located in the coastal city of Huntington Beach, California, he travels there with his good friend and next-door neighbor, Donald, a man who once fought in the tunnels of Cu Chi during the Vietnam War and who now spends most of his time in Herod’s basement. 

Herod is confident that the outcome will be favorable, but there’s a problem. Will the course of true love ever run smoothly for this unlikely hero? 

My review 

I wanted to read this A funny and touching story of Daisy because I loved reading  The Rosie Project and The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. The first words that keep me wanting to read more. My name is Herod Rod Pinkney and I’m in love with a girl called Daisy.  The fun part that came to my attention very early on in the story that Herod Rod Pinkney was trying to write a book. He showed his first chapter tohis agent Ric who collects glasses at a pub called the Landdowne. It may seem odd that Ric works in a pub collecting glasses and not in a conventional literary agency, but that wasn’t somethings that concerned Herod. It was in fact, Ric who suggested that Herod write a book, before the new landlord moved in. When Ric offers Herod Rod Pinkney for a drink he ordered a small drink because he had a book to write and books didn’t write themselves. 

I loved reading this story about Herod Rod Pinkney. Daisy is just one of those stories you can’t leave as you are trapped in finding out all that happens to Herod throughout his entire venture.

I would like to say a very big thank you to @noexitpress for sending me a finished copy of Daisy to read and review.

About author J P Henderson 

The Miseducation of Evie Epworth Matson Taylor

THE MISEDUCATION OF EVIE EPWORTH BY MATSON TAYLOR 

Hardback Published by Simon and Schuster 14th July 2020

It is the summer of 1962 and sixteen-year- old Evie Epworth stands on the cusp of womanhood. But what kind of woman will she become?

Up until now, Evie’s life have been nothing special a patchwork of school,  Girl Guides, cows, milk deliveries, lost mothers and village fetes. But inspired by her idols Charlotte Bronte,Shirley McLaine and the Queen, she dreams of a world far away from rural East Yorkshire, a world of glamour lived under the bright lights of London or Leeds. 

Standing in the way of these dreams, though, is Christine, Evie’s soon to be stepmother, a manipulative and money grabbing schemer who is lining Evie up for a life of shampoo and set drudgery at the local salon.

Luckily, Evie is not alone. With the help of a new friends and the wise counsel of the two Adam Faith posters on her bedroom wall brooding Adam and sophisticated Adam, Evie comes up with a plan to rescue her bereaved father, Arthur from Christine’s pink and over-perfumed clutches, and save their beloved farmhouse from being sold off. She will need a little luck, a dash of charm and a big dollop of Yorkshire magic if she is to succeed, but in the process she may just discover who is excally she is meant to be.

MY REVIEW 

The Miseducation of Evie Epworth is one of the funniest most enjoyable books that I have read. Author Matson Taylor has got the balance just right of a comical story all about Evie Epworth. 

In 1962, Evie is sixteen and half as tall as a tree at 5ft 1, on the cups of womanhood. But what kind of woman will she become.  She dramatically had a car crash with thankfully no broken her dad Arthur, visited her 18 times and Christine only visited twice. Her idol is Adam Faith with posters of him on her bedroom walls and she quite often speaks to him. She had written to him three times without any replies. Evie put her name for sixth form to get away from Christine,who is the new woman in her dads life, and that she can’t stand her stepmother.  Things would have very different for Evie if her mother was still alive. One minute Christine can be horrible to Arthur and the next be nice to him, in Evie’s eyes it’s like Christine is using some kind of magic on him. A friend of Evie’s gives her a book called Yorkshire magic. And as far  as Evie is concerned Christine could have her own nagging room. What can happen furthermore in Evie Epworth ‘s world?  A truly wonderful story  not to be missed all about Evie Epworth life. This book is so funny it has to be the best comic novel of the year.  I can see why The Miseducation of Evie Epworth by Matson Taylor is the BBC Radio 2 Book Club Summer Selection. 

ABOUT AUTHOR MATSON TAYLOR 

I  would like to say a huge thank you to Jessica at a Simon and Schuster for sending me a early paperback proof copy to read and review.