tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8391087380266841882024-03-20T15:57:07.765-07:00Historical Romance ReviewsRomance Book Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268150556737773533noreply@blogger.comBlogger329125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839108738026684188.post-66059991771460448902024-03-11T15:52:00.000-07:002024-03-11T15:52:40.364-07:00The Sea Captain's Wife<p> <span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">The Sea Captain's Wife</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">Jackie French</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #660000; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPorpvp_B_fDCOyrxrCMMmBSfi1sbHWC6PmQPQYldm__-P3lFKU5751_0LJo_6wEIjijGPqdeTICm_TP3gNQ7YLGI8bUN2W-bh65KBxdTpxjpfNNxp5CW1m09fwoWO_V-r36lQhjSiEiLSzo4jkrCW4AYxMMvEFhfi0B7X-t-uuFUM5AdmspuQ7WUAzafD" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="311" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPorpvp_B_fDCOyrxrCMMmBSfi1sbHWC6PmQPQYldm__-P3lFKU5751_0LJo_6wEIjijGPqdeTICm_TP3gNQ7YLGI8bUN2W-bh65KBxdTpxjpfNNxp5CW1m09fwoWO_V-r36lQhjSiEiLSzo4jkrCW4AYxMMvEFhfi0B7X-t-uuFUM5AdmspuQ7WUAzafD" width="157" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Reviewed by Helen</span><p></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></p><div class="big450BoxBody" style="background-color: white; background-repeat: repeat-y; color: #181818; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><div class="big450BoxContent" style="overflow: hidden; width: 430px;"><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">This is a wonderful story, and one that I thoroughly enjoyed and I am not sure how I am going to review it, there are so many different characters and settings, but the sea plays a big part, but I have to say Mair McCrae is a character I will not forget easily, strong and so caring as her life changes in so many ways when she finds her husband, come along for an adventure in life, mystery, intrigue and love.<br /><br />Mair lives on Big Henry Island it is 1870 and this island is mainly woman and they make the decisions and keep the island running well, they grow food, cook, they knit clothes with their family patterns their men are sailors and leave on ships when they arrive and return when and if they can, three years ago the wave took all of their fishing boats and men and Mair lost her fiancé. The woman need and want husbands they truly are a loving group, the island tradition of searching the beach for sailors washed up they call them beachies and often they stay and become husbands.<br /><br />When Mair finds Michael Dawson washed up on the beach little does she know how her life will change in the weeks that it takes Michael to heal she gets to know him well, she learns about The Ghost and he is very well liked by the woman on the island and even though they know they are living on a volcano Old Henry just grumbles but Michael is worried that that will change and soon, he loves Mair and soon they are married and he and some of the older woman convince Mair to leave the island with Michael to start a new life, this is of course very scary for Mair.<br /><br />When they arrive in Sydney Australia, it takes Mair a little time to settle in and for Michael’s family to accept her and of course Michael is eager to be off again to search for the elusive Ghost that he discovered before he went overboard all those months ago, when Michael departs on the new steam ship he does not expect it to be as long as it ends up being and as for Mair strange things are happening and Mair is convinced that the Dawson family are in grave danger, will they all be safe, will Michael ever return?<br /><br />This is such a well told adventure story, so many fabulous characters, it has a little of everything and is sure to please any reader who picks this one up, the sea journeys are described so well and Mair’s amazement on her journey was eye opening, I do highly recommend this one.<br /><br />My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my copy to read and review.<br /></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">4 stars</div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #4f4f4d; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif;">March 1, 2024 by HQ Fiction</span></div><div><br /></div><div id="review-follow" style="margin-top: 8px;"></div></div></div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03984438742736003285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839108738026684188.post-50050115061833056282024-03-04T21:02:00.000-08:002024-03-04T21:02:54.311-08:00The Last Duke She'd Marry<p> <span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">The Last Duke She'd Marry</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">Scoundrels of Mayfair #3</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">Anna Campbell</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #660000; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjhd19CG4mHrlzHpEGWNMLAOu5o3h17VhRRfWyHI7I7hW6Z-HFMVIY6y6TSTHDGy4yaj_QrC44mw19AyKyFla7GAMxnr9blJHeQxcH5WefU-enXrqwJAFjhEdKZMki9WH80fQ1LO2yCxDWqVf-2gjl4XWuwfFt_eaqYGFVhYaVrhliWYTOeX8Ge1fRfnTQw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="316" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjhd19CG4mHrlzHpEGWNMLAOu5o3h17VhRRfWyHI7I7hW6Z-HFMVIY6y6TSTHDGy4yaj_QrC44mw19AyKyFla7GAMxnr9blJHeQxcH5WefU-enXrqwJAFjhEdKZMki9WH80fQ1LO2yCxDWqVf-2gjl4XWuwfFt_eaqYGFVhYaVrhliWYTOeX8Ge1fRfnTQw" width="160" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Reviewed by Helen</span><p></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></p><div class="big450BoxBody" style="background-color: white; background-repeat: repeat-y; color: #181818; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><div class="big450BoxContent" style="overflow: hidden; width: 430px;"><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">I loved this one so much, Anna Campbell knows how to write sensual, moving and wonderful romantic stores, with heroes to die for and heroines who are strong, caring and know what they want and we all know that reformed rakes make the best husbands, but who will Lady Juliet Frain choose, the woman born to be a duchess, who has never put a foot out of line, when not one but two Dukes are at her family home, one staid and proper and one a wild rake?<br /><br />With society awaiting the announcement of the engagement of Lady Juliet and The Duke of Granville and Juliet busy with her father’s plans for his Shakespeare Gala she is shocked when her father arrives at Afton Park with the notorious rake The Duke of Evesham who has been away from England for nine years to play Romeo opposite her Juliet and the sparks fly on their first meeting, Juliet has no understanding of how she feels, yes she wants to be a Duchess but who’s.<br /><br />Lucas Hebden, The Duke of Evesham has finally arrived back in London after the huge scandal years before but he wants a quiet life now but when he is loses a bet over a card game he finds himself cast in the roll of Romeo for a gala event, expecting his opposite to be a plain jane he is shocked when he meets the beautiful Juliet and somehow he just knows that life is never going to be the same for him.<br /><br />When Granville hears about the new Romeo, he insists on arriving at Afton Park and sparks fly between these two and Juliet is in the middle but her feelings towards Lucas run hot and she finds it hard to control them, but he is not who she had expected to fall for and when another scandal erupts life changes for Juliet and for Lucas.<br /><br />Will they find their way to love and happiness, will Juliet learn to trust Lucas considering his reputation and after the exceptional time they have spent together? This is a story that I do highly recommend it is a beautiful story so very romantic and is sizzles with sensuality, I loved Lucas so much and Juliet is his perfect Duchess. I can’t wait for Portia’s story.<br /><br />Thank you Anna for another keeper.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>5 stars</div><div><span style="color: #4f4f4d; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">February 29, 2024</span></div><div id="review-like" style="float: right; margin-top: 8px; text-align: right;"></div><div id="review-follow" style="margin-top: 8px;"></div></div></div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03984438742736003285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839108738026684188.post-11800746288256966482024-02-23T12:50:00.000-08:002024-02-23T12:50:19.072-08:00A Death in Chelsea<p> <span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">A Death in Chelsea</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">Lady in Blues Mysteries #2</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">H.L. Marsay</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #660000; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKmrcOaPlFnNzU6Lk23rloDgAL0Bz60nvLnqJ8umC3tkvXmjH2fSKxU74teWSRfXCw98bBgIcIE8xQ_OHc2RrogHfREHLrZcPcy_SbrpIKkqYHPeNo-zM_nb9lh52cxFSx4bHObF8P3BsT44dcY1PyzPaLThqeOZU8G7w9W06Y0yYr43g6zwoCw4o9lOh1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="297" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKmrcOaPlFnNzU6Lk23rloDgAL0Bz60nvLnqJ8umC3tkvXmjH2fSKxU74teWSRfXCw98bBgIcIE8xQ_OHc2RrogHfREHLrZcPcy_SbrpIKkqYHPeNo-zM_nb9lh52cxFSx4bHObF8P3BsT44dcY1PyzPaLThqeOZU8G7w9W06Y0yYr43g6zwoCw4o9lOh1" width="150" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Reviewed by Helen</span><p></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></p><div class="big450BoxBody" style="background-color: white; background-repeat: repeat-y; color: #181818; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><div class="big450BoxContent" style="overflow: hidden; width: 430px;"><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Book two in this wonderful series and I was pulled in from the start, it was so good catching up with Dorothy, Nina, Margaret and Mary again as they continue to work as WPV, Woman’s Police Volunteer, the war is still going on and more woman are needed to help in this role and Dorothy is forever training new woman and wants to be out on the streets but her true desire is to be a police investigator when Margaret discovers her neighbours body in his yard.<br /><br />Dorothy arrives to help not long before Inspector Derwent and his team arrive and she is offering her opinion as they search for clues and when they discover that the very wealthy neighbour’s will is missing a list of suspects grows and Dorothy is more determined than ever to show Inspector Derwent that she is very capable of being a very good investigator.<br /><br />As another spanner is thrown into the works with a grandson and what has happened to him and then another death things are heating up and Dorothy is working hard to find the killer, there is unrest in her group of friends and with the news that a woman MPV member has been given a warrant card and authorized to arrest as needed, Dorothy’s hopes for herself are growing if she can prove herself this time.<br /><br />This is another fabulous story in this series it is so well written that I felt transported to Chelsea 1915, I love the characters and the way Dorothy works through clues to get to the answers and her special way with witnesses especially female ones. This is one that I would highly recommend to any lover of a good historical mystery, I am really looking forward to the next one in the series I am sure we are going to see Dorothy excel.<br /><br />My thanks to the publisher Tule Publishing for my digital copy to read and review.<br /></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">5 stars</div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #4f4f4d; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif;">February 27, 2024 by Tule Publishing</span></div><div><br /></div><div id="review-follow" style="margin-top: 8px;"></div></div></div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03984438742736003285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839108738026684188.post-22370773270691335172024-02-20T14:05:00.000-08:002024-02-20T14:10:19.079-08:00Highland Heartbreaker<p> <span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">Highland Heartbreaker</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">Highland Hearts #2</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">Steffy Smith</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #660000; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjx7zDQUg9FH1MMMpjp7gmKWpq8RFWnGep4X_7cHKH_QL3ZxirtxD7_8LGQMJ7FYyzGRcpO9xqiVhpYQ84XW35ECNLlhfxZ5Y9NQvkS6VKOMIgV4Gg9Kkn4ACkpDfzPsJ-EEnxISwZjOwFIDfhw3eVE7zHwetVB0cEL4hmoyaXrMTbCn6F-IPAIuThCT6A1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjx7zDQUg9FH1MMMpjp7gmKWpq8RFWnGep4X_7cHKH_QL3ZxirtxD7_8LGQMJ7FYyzGRcpO9xqiVhpYQ84XW35ECNLlhfxZ5Y9NQvkS6VKOMIgV4Gg9Kkn4ACkpDfzPsJ-EEnxISwZjOwFIDfhw3eVE7zHwetVB0cEL4hmoyaXrMTbCn6F-IPAIuThCT6A1" width="160" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Reviewed by Helen</span><p></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></p><div class="big450BoxBody" style="background-color: white; background-repeat: repeat-y; color: #181818; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><div class="big450BoxContent" style="overflow: hidden; width: 430px;"><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">We are back in one of my favourite parts of the world The Scottish Highlands, we met Alex MacNichol on our last visit and he is one Braw Scotsman who flits from bed to bed he has no intention of settling down, that is until his King finds him a bride and not just any bride she is English.<br /><br />Lady Grace Worthington is a quiet young woman who had been engaged to a Baron for a long time but when he is killed in battle a trade is made to try and keep the peace between the borders and she has been whisked away to the highlands to marry a Scotsman, she arrives with her Nanny and is battling her nerves, will she come through this?<br /><br />Alex is not happy about who has been chosen for him but is willing to do as ordered, when his bride to be alights from her carriage he is stunned at her beauty she is not what he expected, but he also senses her nerves, he is determined to make sure she settles in.<br /><br />With Jamie and Izzy at Balla Cloiche Grace soon settles and makes friends with Izzy and Alex’s sister Kenna she is also struck by the chemistry that sparks between her and Alex and she is soon craving things she has no idea about and Alex is just the man to teach her and soon the passion is soaring between them, but danger is brewing Alex has been warned about the message in the runes, will they find their true happiness?<br /><br />This is a fabulous story, awesome characters and setting, sensual and filled with emotion and I loved seeing Alex and his true self fall head over heels in love with Grace, and seeing her truly find herself, she is so strong and shows her strength in so many ways, this is one that I highly recommend to any lover of historical romance. I am looking forward to the next one in this series.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>5 stars</div><div><span face=""Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #4f4f4d; font-size: 14px;">February 14, 2024 by Steffy Smith Books</span></div><div id="review-like" style="float: right; margin-top: 8px; text-align: right;"></div><div id="review-follow" style="margin-top: 8px;"></div></div></div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03984438742736003285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839108738026684188.post-71206588101106247882024-02-16T13:16:00.000-08:002024-02-16T13:16:20.762-08:00The Gunner Girls: Evie's Story<p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">The Gunner Girls: Evie's Story</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">The ACK ACK Gunner Girls #1</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">Sylvia Broady</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilbb8Bpy4zpZe1y9cuPmUXpIIPNIoBPaVhXBQUN288lqtIm-s16nJbK2VpNuRmlPBZWOFWF8fDRqUV25dxzJYXyTOVaAvy7TED5c1_ECKIIlgbYi_M-r2CiA9iL00y6tFsh9skvef1qda2B7q4ZwrS5ESqoA4GDRiPoJ2zhI98aARzcOwRs4baZtkNnHoX" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="297" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilbb8Bpy4zpZe1y9cuPmUXpIIPNIoBPaVhXBQUN288lqtIm-s16nJbK2VpNuRmlPBZWOFWF8fDRqUV25dxzJYXyTOVaAvy7TED5c1_ECKIIlgbYi_M-r2CiA9iL00y6tFsh9skvef1qda2B7q4ZwrS5ESqoA4GDRiPoJ2zhI98aARzcOwRs4baZtkNnHoX" width="150" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p> <span style="color: #2b00fe;">Reviewed by Helen</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></p><div class="big450BoxBody" style="background-color: white; background-repeat: repeat-y; color: #181818; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><div class="big450BoxContent" style="overflow: hidden; width: 430px;"><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">This is the story of young Evie Sinclair, who wanted to do her bit for the war effort, she has just turned eighteen and leaves her Island home in Yorkshire to joins the ACK, ACK gunner girls, she meets up with two more young woman Lily and Gloria on the train and a friendship is formed.<br /><br />The girls are thoroughly enjoying their the work they are doing although dangerous most times they all work hard and at local dance Evie meets RAF pilot Matt Goodwin, they soon are as close as can be, and on a visit home at Christmas Matt proposes, Evie says yes but after the war, they continue to meet as often as possible and the passion grows.<br /><br />When Evie loses Matt and then finds herself pregnant and her mother sends her away, Evie is determined to keep her baby, but in these times that is not an easy task and Evie works hard to do so and then over time is more determined than ever to help other single un-wed mothers.<br />Will Evie succeed in her quest and will she find love and happiness after all she has been through and what of Lily and Gloria?<br /><br />This is a lovely story, a little slow at times but it brings to life what is was like for unmarried mothers during the war years and is one that I would recommend to any reader who enjoys war time stories.<br /><br />My thanks to the publisher Joffe Books and Netgalley for my digital copy to read and review<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>4 stars</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #4f4f4d; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">February 13, 2024 by Joffe Books</span></div><div id="review-like" style="float: right; margin-top: 8px; text-align: right;"></div><div id="review-follow" style="margin-top: 8px;"></div></div></div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03984438742736003285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839108738026684188.post-88640138501445844452024-02-07T14:46:00.000-08:002024-02-07T14:46:44.572-08:00The Girl on the Boat<p> <span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">The Girl on the Boat</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">Emerald Sisters #1</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">Kate Hewitt</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #660000; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKnhux35_JVXOkDSdauMxaCUke18kOjxJBRCF0BdMODofROkL-rXjDAyPmHX9xNbMHO5hJhiYycQBfCpCraykjEpu1a1vAZVKpmYLRViytFT_gH67Wm5lwL9LboClVChkqyuPTM33R4qOZ3H-RQofB3uZTBM-cX9nG9ymaeTXpdNptQdFVyRZLw6IbeJ0a" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="312" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKnhux35_JVXOkDSdauMxaCUke18kOjxJBRCF0BdMODofROkL-rXjDAyPmHX9xNbMHO5hJhiYycQBfCpCraykjEpu1a1vAZVKpmYLRViytFT_gH67Wm5lwL9LboClVChkqyuPTM33R4qOZ3H-RQofB3uZTBM-cX9nG9ymaeTXpdNptQdFVyRZLw6IbeJ0a" width="158" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Reviewed by Helen</span><p></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></p><div class="big450BoxBody" style="background-color: white; background-repeat: repeat-y; color: #181818; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><div class="big450BoxContent" style="overflow: hidden; width: 430px;"><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Fist in a series and based on the true story of the SS St Louis that left Hamburg, Germany in 1939 with one thousand Jews on board, it is a beautifully told story of friendship and determination as we meet four young woman, Sophie, Rosa, Hannah and Rachel, this book is Sophie’s story and it is so very good.<br /><br />Sophie arrives in Hamburg with her father, step-mother and young half-brother she is filled with hope that their lives will turn around in Havana and being away from The Nazis is just what her father and their family needs.<br /><br />When she meets three other young woman she is thrilled that she now has friends and plans are made to enjoy this boat trip and that at the end they will meet for cocktails together ready to start a new life but things don’t go the way they planned when the ship is refused entry to Havana, her step mother insists that Sophie leave the ship and go to Washington and where a friend of her father’s is willing to take her in, it is the last thing she wants but she must go, she breaks up an emerald that belonged to her mother into four pieces and all girls have a piece with a plan to meet up in a Paris café one year after the war.<br /><br />Sophie gets on with her life in Washington, finding work and making new friends as war breaks out in Europe, it has not been easy for her being a Jew and wishing America would join the war, but she goes on worrying about her family and friends who are now in countries affected by war. When she is asked to take on a new role where she works she jumps at the chance to do her bit for the war effort she is determined to help no matter what.<br /><br />This is an emotional story, I loved Sophie, everything she has gone through and still she cares and stays strong, I am eagerly awaiting book two now and continue this awesome story, I do highly recommend this one to any reader who loved a fabulous historical fiction.<br /><br />My thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for my digital copy to read and review.</div><div><br /></div><div>5 stars</div><div><span style="color: #4f4f4d; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">February 8, 2024 by Bookouture</span></div><div id="review-like" style="float: right; margin-top: 8px; text-align: right;"></div><div id="review-follow" style="margin-top: 8px;"></div></div></div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03984438742736003285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839108738026684188.post-30580653774698221542024-01-30T18:08:00.000-08:002024-01-30T18:08:00.124-08:00The Baker's Secret<p> <span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">The Baker's Secret</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">Lelita Baldock</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #660000; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjuocMiZ-pOSfrMdMtJcxxuNP-1gwi9t067uCysLQub2bwkCvnqnQwMzTN3Zsj5EQjRFzMm3pOHjSozyCMWJjByN8qU4-n6eU9rELw5dZf3Rvpl7WynGtTt-RUtbRRY5Hb3tS1gI-MV_DyxvF6mUcwDWrAIoTThT-3t-HEp8OfLD_-f8Imn78tmlNmrPiLS" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="308" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjuocMiZ-pOSfrMdMtJcxxuNP-1gwi9t067uCysLQub2bwkCvnqnQwMzTN3Zsj5EQjRFzMm3pOHjSozyCMWJjByN8qU4-n6eU9rELw5dZf3Rvpl7WynGtTt-RUtbRRY5Hb3tS1gI-MV_DyxvF6mUcwDWrAIoTThT-3t-HEp8OfLD_-f8Imn78tmlNmrPiLS" width="156" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Reviewed by Helen</span><p></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></p><div class="big450BoxBody" style="background-color: white; background-repeat: repeat-y; color: #181818; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><div class="big450BoxContent" style="overflow: hidden; width: 430px;"><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">This is my first book by Aussie author Lelita Baldock but it won’t be my last, this story is heart-wrenching, it is also beautifully written with empathy and emotion, set during the occupation of Latvia during World War 2 first by the Russians and then The Nazis and South Australia 2018 as we meet sisters Estere and Zenta and their family.<br /><br />Estere and Zenta work in the family bakery with their mother Darta and father Nikolai, their brother Tomass works on the dockyards, life has been good but with the war coming closer things are changing in their quiet town of Riga Latvia, when first the Russians take over there is much cruelty, then the Germans arrive and oust the Russians and things get even worse, Tomass is forced to join the army, rations are cut, the Jews are being rounded up and Estere leaves for a while, Zenta stops going to school and is working harder in the bakery, life in changing and getting more dangerous.<br /><br />When Estere arrives back home pregnant she is determined still to fight for Latvia’s freedom with the Latvian Resistance as her father had done many years ago and soon convinces Zenta to help while delivering her bread to customers, she also delivers letters and supplies. But with Nazis appearing to lose ground the tensions are rising, Estere has her baby a little girl Aina and danger arrives on their doorstep, Zenta must run with baby Aina to save her life, leaving her family behind and life again changes so much for Zenta, not knowing what happened to her family she moves on to the other side of the world with a baby and starts a new life in Australia and holds a secret that will tear lives apart.<br /><br />Decades later Zenta knows she must tell her secret before it is too late, the tears I shed the heartbreak I felt but I also saw the courage, strength and determination that kept Zenta going all of those years and Estere what she went through searching for her daughter, the things they both lived through was shocking. I loved Zenta so much, this is a story that I highly recommend to anyone reader who loves an excellent historical fiction story, this is one not to be missed.<br /><br />My thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for my digital copy to read and review.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>5 stars</div><div><span style="color: #4f4f4d; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">January 25, 2024 by Storm Publishing</span></div><div id="review-like" style="float: right; margin-top: 8px; text-align: right;"></div><div id="review-follow" style="margin-top: 8px;"></div></div></div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03984438742736003285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839108738026684188.post-74618221597846091202024-01-22T18:16:00.000-08:002024-01-22T18:16:02.258-08:00The Lady Thief of Belgravia<p> <span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">The Lady Thief of Belgravia</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">Allison Grey</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #660000; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6u_1bw9q0WX7Txz0FPtZ-aKI65oV8KnBInCrQaOPCq8R-T67IvVXzXwMXVMA0DR8-Bvb4ARE32CFT56WQWu_RO9Q70mfljvfDevBvGu8DXwDsTkEn_jgDsU8iU9aKR7Tf2iOi1OnqyTBD_hk3WcbF22_B3b01RtDN6p4fhqT0Wmrl5U41SbzFRG66MQqY" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="309" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6u_1bw9q0WX7Txz0FPtZ-aKI65oV8KnBInCrQaOPCq8R-T67IvVXzXwMXVMA0DR8-Bvb4ARE32CFT56WQWu_RO9Q70mfljvfDevBvGu8DXwDsTkEn_jgDsU8iU9aKR7Tf2iOi1OnqyTBD_hk3WcbF22_B3b01RtDN6p4fhqT0Wmrl5U41SbzFRG66MQqY" width="156" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Reviewed by Helen</span><p></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></p><div class="big450BoxBody" style="background-color: white; background-repeat: repeat-y; color: #181818; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><div class="big450BoxContent" style="overflow: hidden; width: 430px;"><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">I did enjoy this debut story, a very steamy romance, a mystery and two people from opposite sides of the tracks, what will happen when a very good pickpocket is asked to help a Lord regain some important letters?<br /><br />Della Rose is known as Rosie Diver, the best pickpocket in Seven Dials, she has learnt in her life to not trust and to depend on herself, always, things change when she picks the wrong gentleman’s pocket to steal from.<br /><br />Cole Winthrop, Earl of Bradford needs a clever smart female to help in his quest to retrieve some important papers stolen from The Home Office of England, these hold secrets that his father worked hard to get and could put a lot of people in danger, he has been watching Della Rose and is about to offer her a lot of money to become his off-sider.<br /><br />Della excepts the offer reluctantly only because she knows that it will get her and her best friend Violet a new life, but to do so she must learn to be a proper lady, that means horse riding, playing the piano, talks and flirt because she needs to get close to The Duke of Salisbury.<br /><br />Cole and Della get along well but it is not long before they cannot deny the pull they share and soon as well as danger building to retrieve the letters but it appears they are falling in love.<br /><br />I did really like Della, she is feisty and strong and stands her ground and Cole is strong and caring and they make a really good team, I do recommend this one to any reader who enjoys a very steamy historical romance.<br /><br />My thanks to the publisher, Storm and Netgalley for my digital copy to read and review.</div><div><br /></div><div>4 stars</div><div><span style="color: #4f4f4d; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">January 18, 2024 by Storm Publishing</span></div><div id="review-like" style="float: right; margin-top: 8px; text-align: right;"></div><div id="review-follow" style="margin-top: 8px;"></div></div></div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03984438742736003285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839108738026684188.post-83881656510999530292024-01-18T12:35:00.000-08:002024-01-18T12:35:26.676-08:00Always Remember<p> <span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">Always Remember</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">Ravenswood #3</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">Mary Balogh</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #660000; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7nhgI73pj5a0JhItCl5OOKYEbm8glKRERFvkh7SDad_m35bUqfXWsWFQH-9Nm1R-F2-j9sLa4EDGhZCA867r6zLDyTnsoggLBIywxOlKzVu0774pi1HG1HbOcDLzd84ek3Nk_hjUg_-E1lmtM-GPW3Jcc8bbXWiQsru6gN-PqWDasikCoX4LMUWReLzEO" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="265" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7nhgI73pj5a0JhItCl5OOKYEbm8glKRERFvkh7SDad_m35bUqfXWsWFQH-9Nm1R-F2-j9sLa4EDGhZCA867r6zLDyTnsoggLBIywxOlKzVu0774pi1HG1HbOcDLzd84ek3Nk_hjUg_-E1lmtM-GPW3Jcc8bbXWiQsru6gN-PqWDasikCoX4LMUWReLzEO" width="159" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Reviewed by Helen</span><p></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></p><div class="big450BoxBody" style="background-color: white; background-repeat: repeat-y; color: #181818; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><div class="big450BoxContent" style="overflow: hidden; width: 430px;"><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Another wonderful and beautiful story in this series, Ben Ellis and Lady Jennifer Arden a match that should be out of the question but when they form a friendship that leads to more, will their hearts make it possible?<br /><br />Lady Jennifer Arden is the sister of the Duke of Wilby and after a childhood illness leaves her unable to walk this does not deter her from being a beautiful and happy, caring and loving person, she is twenty five now and she yearns to walk, run, dance and fly and to fall in love, marry and have children, but that gets less likely each year, but then she arrives at Ravenswood and meets Ben Ellis and his beautiful daughter Joy, things just might change.<br /><br />Ben Ellis is the illegitimate son of the late Earl of Stratton, although bought up with the Earl’s family and treated and loved as they are there will always be this stigma hanging over him, he is widowed with a three year old daughter he lives at Penallen and he dearly wants to remarry, but falling for a Duke’s daughter was not in the plan, but he cannot deny his heart.<br /><br />A beautiful, heartwarming story, that had me cheering them on and shedding lots of happy tears, Ben and Jenny have a lot to overcome to get to their gorgeous HEA, it is a moving and emotional story with a cast of fabulous characters that add to the story this is one that I highly recommend, I truly loved it.<br /><br />My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for mu digital copy to read and review.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>4 stars</div><div><span style="color: #4f4f4d; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">January 16, 2024 by Berkley</span></div><div id="review-like" style="float: right; margin-top: 8px; text-align: right;"></div><div id="review-follow" style="margin-top: 8px;"></div></div></div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03984438742736003285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839108738026684188.post-73489741121209592872024-01-10T18:06:00.000-08:002024-01-10T18:06:00.339-08:00The Bonniest Lass in Scotland<p> <span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">The Boniest Lass in Scotland</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">Highland Hearts #1</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">Steffy Smith</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #660000; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhC5qB8fsWrQzPorN74khqpRYlL_EryLnZ8n0G1GAHcZ8CzIlOxmjbNJaZNucMF_Fn-29MKn4bC7ibex9UTd--OX0-bsv40VMWhTU98JKkEClFZryF7TTQkia0EKnSBdkrfqkv8-Idnv4YOKAVZldc5qSwKgPxXE2YUfldq_WicFnOVIX3Xb4uMO9Vd-Zj4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhC5qB8fsWrQzPorN74khqpRYlL_EryLnZ8n0G1GAHcZ8CzIlOxmjbNJaZNucMF_Fn-29MKn4bC7ibex9UTd--OX0-bsv40VMWhTU98JKkEClFZryF7TTQkia0EKnSBdkrfqkv8-Idnv4YOKAVZldc5qSwKgPxXE2YUfldq_WicFnOVIX3Xb4uMO9Vd-Zj4" width="160" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Reviewed by Helen</span><p></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></p><div class="big450BoxBody" style="background-color: white; background-repeat: repeat-y; color: #181818; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><div class="big450BoxContent" style="overflow: hidden; width: 430px;"><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">I did enjoy my trip to Scotland, with braw Scotsmen and feisty strong women, it is 1316 in the Scottish Highlands and Laird Jamie Murray has been keen to arrange an marriage for a strong alliance for his clan, Isobel (Izzy) MacNeil has grown up in a village with a caring and loving family, will a chance encounter change both of their lives forever?<br /><br />Izzy loves nothing more than bathing in the loch, she is a dab hand with a knife a bow and arrow and is also a good healer, she is feisty, strong willed and very determined in whatever she does, when bathing one day she discovers an injured man who has fallen off his horse, she gets him home and with the help of her family he is soon on the mend and entrenched in Izzy’s heart, but she is a lowly villager and he is a laird, how can this ever work out.<br /><br />Jamie spies a beautiful water nymph just before he falls of his horse, when he awakens he is in a strange place with his nymph beside him, the family help him recover and a suggestion is made that Izzy return to his castle to help with his young sister and run the castle, he cannot hide his feelings for long and soon Izzy and he are firmly entwined with their passion.<br /><br />Izzy settles in well at Abercross Castle and is loved by all except one, but when secrets are reveled and Izzy goes missing and danger abounds, will Jamie finally realise that Izzy is the one for him, this is another fabulous story from Steffy Smith, it pulled me in and I loved Jamie and Izzy and the other fabulous characters and I am really looking forward to getting to know them better in their own stories.<br /><br />I do highly recommend this one, especially to any historical romance readers who love to be swept off to the Scottish Highland in a sensual and beautiful romance.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>4 stars</div><div><span style="color: #4f4f4d; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">September 14, 2022 by Steffy Smith Books</span></div><div id="review-like" style="float: right; margin-top: 8px; text-align: right;"></div><div id="review-follow" style="margin-top: 8px;"></div></div></div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03984438742736003285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839108738026684188.post-77679143186815247832024-01-09T13:24:00.000-08:002024-01-09T13:24:36.464-08:00Crossing the Bridge<p> <span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">Crossing the Bridge</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">Nancy Cunningham</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #660000; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiE9GYod5QtSpzSIfZX9XfliV1aAM99D6mOve9UsN_px-mHL9SILMpjacBTSzS0hIvt7AUDLyFqgI0byAjqNszhE6IpjmjtIBd8IUApGkbAfZmLlcjCOtKY4oZeQLXaTsIqlfy9QehA7BlM-h___r4gk9hWL9oNqm5VOPpeQg6ZBjJrmI1GY1ryWDWgK3-8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="311" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiE9GYod5QtSpzSIfZX9XfliV1aAM99D6mOve9UsN_px-mHL9SILMpjacBTSzS0hIvt7AUDLyFqgI0byAjqNszhE6IpjmjtIBd8IUApGkbAfZmLlcjCOtKY4oZeQLXaTsIqlfy9QehA7BlM-h___r4gk9hWL9oNqm5VOPpeQg6ZBjJrmI1GY1ryWDWgK3-8" width="157" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Reviewed by Helen</span><p></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></p><div class="big450BoxBody" style="background-color: white; background-repeat: repeat-y; color: #181818; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><div class="big450BoxContent" style="overflow: hidden; width: 430px;"><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Huge congratulations on a fabulous debut, this one is beautifully written with heartfelt emotion and I felt pulled into the story from the start, the characters are easy to like and it was easy to feel their emotions throughout the story, take a trip back to 1944 to a small country farming town in South Australia and meet Poppy Guildford and JB Beaton and a cast of wonderful characters.<br /><br />Poppy is a widowed mother of eight year old Glenn, times are hard at the moment with a war going on and Poppy is working really hard to keep the family farm going for her son, the pressure is on, there are talks with the bank but when she discovers a secret about her husband Poppy is stunned and this just causes more worry and stress, Poppy meets the new farmhand from her neighbour’s farm and the attraction is instant, is there a chance she could find love again? Poppy is strong but with her terrible Aunt Violet threatening her, her world is turning upside down.<br /><br />JB Beaton has returned from the war injured both physically and mentally, he has a young son Lee who is five years old but he needs to take off and find himself, so he leaves Lee with his sister and finds himself working as a farmhand on a farm in the small town of Coyders Creek here he meets the beautiful widow Poppy and soon things are starting look better as he an Poppy get to know each other, but will small town gossip and Poppy’s aunt tear things apart?<br /><br />This is a beautiful story filled with emotion, I loved meeting Poppy what a fabulous woman times were not easy for woman back then and Poppy was running the farm so well she stood her ground with all that was happing with a caring and loving heart and JB I felt so much for him, he had been through a lot and now it looks like he had found the happiness he so deserved, there are some wonderful characters that add to the story Walter, Ronnie and Charlie and even the horrible Aunt Violet played her part, I do highly recommend this one and am looking forward to many more stories from this new author.<br /><br />My thanks to the publisher Escape and Netgalley for my copy to read and review.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>4 stars</div><div><span style="color: #4f4f4d; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">January 1, 2024 by Escape Publishing</span></div><div id="review-like" style="float: right; margin-top: 8px; text-align: right;"></div><div id="review-follow" style="margin-top: 8px;"></div></div></div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03984438742736003285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839108738026684188.post-57206475278832077192024-01-07T12:19:00.000-08:002024-01-07T12:19:35.731-08:00The Marquess of Roses<p> <span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">The Marquess of Roses</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">Steffy Smith</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #660000; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikUM5y7-DXRMysT6nO2rlaxPAIwWJvdHaW4tmPI2vDB099nTDOeBbIoinFpmA_r6NAiLkk4pPwh_oJK7nrBC3vH52a2T6Qa273NsfcT-K_sL0YJgR8krVXU0NbRmkOP0nPQrx_fgaZpyM5ZHxg33zQS0i9M3hWBIlGoKkpTog2dyPZY6vAjoTjvbI27QfN" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikUM5y7-DXRMysT6nO2rlaxPAIwWJvdHaW4tmPI2vDB099nTDOeBbIoinFpmA_r6NAiLkk4pPwh_oJK7nrBC3vH52a2T6Qa273NsfcT-K_sL0YJgR8krVXU0NbRmkOP0nPQrx_fgaZpyM5ZHxg33zQS0i9M3hWBIlGoKkpTog2dyPZY6vAjoTjvbI27QfN" width="160" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Reviewed by Helen</span><p></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></p><div class="big450BoxBody" style="background-color: white; background-repeat: repeat-y; color: #181818; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><div class="big450BoxContent" style="overflow: hidden; width: 430px;"><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">I do love a good historical romance and this one ticks all of the boxes for one, I thoroughly enjoyed this sensual trip back to regency London and meeting feisty Lady Charlotte Fitzroy of Kentwell and Marquess of Sunderland, Adam Langdon, come along for a journey that will keep you turning the pages.<br /><br />Charlotte has led a fairly quiet life in the country since the death of her mother when she was eight years old, her father dotted on her and instead a of lady who can sew and paint the way most young ladies of the ton can, Charlotte rides, shoots and plays billiards. She is now twenty and her father the Duke of Kentwell has decided that it is time for to make her debut and what a debut she makes.<br /><br />Adam is a notorious rake and has no plans to settle down and take a wife, just yet, although he can remember meeting Charlotte when they were young children all he remembers is that she was determined and very feisty and vows to stay away, but their first meeting in the garden of her town house sees things going the other way and when his mother sets her sights on Charlotte being her daughter in law it seems like Adam might just want to get to Charlotte a lot better.<br /><br />This is a well written story, I fell for Adam and his rakish ways from the start and Charlotte is the best, outspoken she sets the ton a flutter with her riding habit and her honesty, she makes dear friends with so called wall flowers and soon is the talk of the ton, while Adam is losing his heart and doing his best to convince Charlotte what they could be together.<br /><br />I do highly recommend this one, it is a beautiful romance with a strong cast of fabulous characters that I am sure will make their way into books of their own, this one is sensual and a fabulous read that I loved, my first book by this author but it won’t be my last I look forward to many more.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>5 stars</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #4f4f4d; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">April 20, 2022 by Steffy Smith Books</span></div><div id="review-like" style="float: right; margin-top: 8px; text-align: right;"></div><div id="review-follow" style="margin-top: 8px;"></div></div></div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03984438742736003285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839108738026684188.post-82732349699854013842023-12-28T21:32:00.000-08:002023-12-28T21:32:13.237-08:00The Chocolate Factory<p> <span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">The Chocolate Factory</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">Mary-Lou Stephens</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #660000; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEid-cQcHT4QmbuVQem6Vk9QjRS9CZfoefiyvI69pfHkttmyXnRzOw4IZhOWF5RQmzTe0ES0bv94N9uUiSKhUEl1HDGTSwxrJ9ul-BppmA8lNvwDmYuDaIHrg0spa0oC0bYlu2TItWjqgmdDFskR3NnGad86dN_9ASqf9iB-i_0Wbzvpu8r4jyBsapSSeOQh" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="311" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEid-cQcHT4QmbuVQem6Vk9QjRS9CZfoefiyvI69pfHkttmyXnRzOw4IZhOWF5RQmzTe0ES0bv94N9uUiSKhUEl1HDGTSwxrJ9ul-BppmA8lNvwDmYuDaIHrg0spa0oC0bYlu2TItWjqgmdDFskR3NnGad86dN_9ASqf9iB-i_0Wbzvpu8r4jyBsapSSeOQh" width="157" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Reviewed by Helen</span><p></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></p><div class="big450BoxBody" style="background-color: white; background-repeat: repeat-y; color: #181818; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><div class="big450BoxContent" style="overflow: hidden; width: 430px;"><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">A beautiful story, it tells the story of the people involved in the start-up of the Cadbury’s Chocolate factory in Claremont, Tasmania, (known as The Firm) we get to know Dorothy, Maisie, Sarah, Frank, Gertie and Thomas to name a few, we learn of their friendships, their loves and the secrets that are coveted by many and that must be kept, come along and take a journey back to 1921, this one is sure to keep you turning the pages, and maybe eating your favourite chocolate while doing so.<br /><br />Dorothy Adwell has worked for Cadbury’s Bournville since she was a very young girl she is now a widow, thanks to the Great War and missing her husband Freddie very much, when she is offered the chance to come to Australia and be there for the set-up of the new factory she jumps at the chance to put the past behind her and it is a promotion, during the long voyage she meets a man Thomas Mooreland who reminds her so much of her Freddie and she can see that the is suffering the same as Freddie did and she is determined to help him.<br /><br />Maisie Greenwood is eighteen, she lives with her widowed mother and younger brother and sister and life is a struggle but she is thrilled to apply for a job at the Cadbury’s Factory, Cadbury Dairy Milk Chocolate is her favourite and very much missed, she is interviewed at home by Mrs. Dorothy Adwell and is accepted and with the help of Mrs. Adwell is soon a supervisor and she is also getting along very well with Mr. Frank Sutton, life is very good, that is until Percy enters her life at the factory.<br /><br />The recipe for the famous Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate is on that is coveted by many especially the Australian confectionary companies and there are many spies in this industry and when Dorothy and Maisie get caught up in a blackmailing plot to uncover said recipe, reputations are on the line. How far will they go to save their reputations and their jobs and who can they trust? Will they find happiness and fulfill their wishes for their own lives?<br /><br />I loved this one from cover to cover, MS. Stephens has researched this so well, I loved learning about The Cadbury family and what they did for their staff and their beliefs. The characters are fabulous and so easy to get to know the setting beautiful and the mystery and plot intriguing, obviously that recipe is worth a lot. I highly recommend this one, it is wonderful story, and I loved learning about the making of my favourite chocolate.<br /><br />My thanks to Harlequin AU for my copy to read and review.</div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">5 stars</div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #4f4f4d; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif;">January 31, 2024 by HQ Fiction</span></div><br /><div><br /></div><div id="review-follow" style="margin-top: 8px;"></div></div></div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03984438742736003285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839108738026684188.post-14419484135444135792023-12-16T12:26:00.000-08:002023-12-16T12:26:17.077-08:00Heart of the River<p> <span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">Heart of the River</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">Cheryl Adnams</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #660000; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8mULdu3YS2-Wn9MXVzccixCD55SBI756aNMp8Mwj6xKGxukdwUOYWie-bE27GblUedMJhVxbBdUnZbRUwgBb9ueGn-qwTMUfuMliagxta3wq2ypnpianihXQPrKS6UBpbA5ujNoQQQurZN84kKSziPEw0513DyoiIEYO_wjGytE1XfB6Yu4JBeqXJhGe9" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="278" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8mULdu3YS2-Wn9MXVzccixCD55SBI756aNMp8Mwj6xKGxukdwUOYWie-bE27GblUedMJhVxbBdUnZbRUwgBb9ueGn-qwTMUfuMliagxta3wq2ypnpianihXQPrKS6UBpbA5ujNoQQQurZN84kKSziPEw0513DyoiIEYO_wjGytE1XfB6Yu4JBeqXJhGe9" width="157" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Reviewed by Helen</span><p></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></p><div class="big450BoxBody" style="background-color: white; background-repeat: repeat-y; color: #181818; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><div class="big450BoxContent" style="overflow: hidden; width: 430px;"><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">This is a beautiful moving and emotional story set in 1956 around the Murray River on the border of New South Wales and Victoria, the river is rising towards one of the biggest expected floods in history, the rain is non-stop, how will the people from the towns living on the river survive?<br /><br />Isabel Hayward and her mother Audrey run the Riverside Pub in the small town of Gol Gol, Isabel is the assistant cook but what she wants is to be a chef and is saving madly to attend a course in Melbourne but this constant rain may put a stop to that and the fact that she hasn’t told her mother yet.<br /><br />Isabel meets a young Italian farmer Matteo Sorrenti at a meeting discussing the threat of floods and the attraction is instant, feelings left over from the war still run high and her friend Ross Burrows is not happy at all about their growing relationship, Ross is from one of the wealthiest families and has had high hopes for him and Isabel.<br /><br />As the river rises even more, Matteo and Isabel’s relationship is growing much to many locals displeasure and houses and farms are lost, there is a death in the swollen river and all the locals are of tender hooks, Isabel and Audrey are doing everything they can to help and when Matteo’s family need a place to stay they offer shelter at the pub, this opens up past secrets that have been kept for too long, that also somehow link Isabel’s, Matteo’s and Ross’s fathers and the mystery of Isabel’s father Sam may finally be learnt.<br /><br />As levees are built and broken by the raging river a storm is brewing around the Haywards the Sorrentis and the Burrows will Isabel and Matteo find love and happiness now that the past is reveled or will prejudice win?<br /><br />This is a beautiful story that I loved so much, Isabel is strong and caring heroine and Matteo is a gentleman and so easy to fall in love with, it is filled with so many emotions, and there were tears from me happy and sad there are so many fabulous characters in this story, MS Adnams has researched this time in Australian history so well and made me feel like I was there in all of that rain and mud.<br /><br />I do highly recommend this one, it is a page turner and keeper.<br /><br />My thanks to the publisher for my copy to read and review.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>5 stars</div><div><span style="color: #4f4f4d; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">January 3, 2024 by Harlequin Enterprises (Australia) Pty Ltd</span></div><div id="review-like" style="float: right; margin-top: 8px; text-align: right;"></div><div id="review-follow" style="margin-top: 8px;"></div></div></div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03984438742736003285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839108738026684188.post-7316817929821450772023-12-05T21:11:00.000-08:002023-12-05T21:11:03.844-08:00The Milliner of Bendigo<p> <span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">The Milliner of Bendigo</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">Darry Fraser</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #660000; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjoMaRWCZVvcV0TVLx6I3HKd1-1T0aSurt4Ls_JKAX4b-xcvtanncpzTWsQumugBSMURKJCVkMsG4TyK7Znihqt-gtfPC9zgZgwnczQnoFosKUADd5eIKhP1Db774nJ5cFBg8Ou6OLcx5p9Q0_LHAq9YXRyVR8tO7wKzEbrabfvBg_WpdFyariaLSqqxV5Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="278" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjoMaRWCZVvcV0TVLx6I3HKd1-1T0aSurt4Ls_JKAX4b-xcvtanncpzTWsQumugBSMURKJCVkMsG4TyK7Znihqt-gtfPC9zgZgwnczQnoFosKUADd5eIKhP1Db774nJ5cFBg8Ou6OLcx5p9Q0_LHAq9YXRyVR8tO7wKzEbrabfvBg_WpdFyariaLSqqxV5Q" width="157" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Reviewed by Helen</span><p></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></p><div class="big450BoxBody" style="background-color: white; background-repeat: repeat-y; color: #181818; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><div class="big450BoxContent" style="overflow: hidden; width: 430px;"><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Oh WOW, Darry Fraser has taken me from 2023 to Bendigo 1898 to meet Evie Emerson, milliner, she has worked hard with her employer and mentor, Lucille Downing to build up a fabulous clientele with her fabulous designs but she is worried about her sister Meryl who she last saw at their mother’s funeral none of her letters have been answered and Evie thinks it might be time to travel to Cobram to find her sister.<br /><br />Evie has been stepping out with Edwin Cooper for a very short time when he proposes marriage to her, Evie s not convinced that it would work and when she turns him down things turn very nasty and Evie’s reputation is in tatters and orders are getting cancelled at the shop. When he charges her with breach of contact now might just be the time to take that visit to Cobram to find her sister but trouble just gets worse there.<br /><br />Fitzmorgan O’Shea is a travelling journalist and very good friend of Evie’s he has just uncovered police corruption and that has the said ex-police officer on his trail and out for blood, he is after another story in Cobram, what he uncovers will affect Evie although it has been a couple of years since they have seen each other, he is there when she arrives and trouble follows Fitz and Evie gets caught up in it all.<br /><br />Raffety Dolan is best friends with Fitz and Evie but he loves Evie but has accepted that she will always be Fitz’s girl, but when a crooked ex-cop comes looking for Fitz, Raff goes to help his friend and ends up spending time with Evie as well, there is danger form two sides and Raff does all he can to keep her safe will he ever be able to speak up about the way he feels for her?<br /><br />This is a brilliant story, a real page turner, there is a lot going on in this one so many fabulous characters I loved Evie and Raff and Fitz, not to mention the characters from Cobram Jenny and Robbo and of course catching up with friends from previous Darry Fraser books that is always good.<br /><br />This is one that I highly recommend filled with adventure, danger and secrets, so many fabulous towns in Victoria and the great Murray River and the paddle steamers, three friends who care about each other is it time now to be truthful and see how love will fare, I loved this one, a must read.<br /><br />My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my copy to read and review.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>5 stars</div><div><span style="color: #4f4f4d; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">December 1, 2023 by HQ Fiction</span></div><div id="review-like" style="float: right; margin-top: 8px; text-align: right;"></div><div id="review-follow" style="margin-top: 8px;"></div></div></div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03984438742736003285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839108738026684188.post-21825795308633975672023-11-08T13:21:00.002-08:002023-11-08T13:21:45.278-08:00Foxborough Hall<p> <span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">Foxborough Hall</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">Ann B Harrison</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #660000; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUP5Vea9VYZhiVI_hZU_rjnoQFf7mDo3gBSPZVvmWHixQeaSygczr22AnhimJ4C53jpUwqJDVEgIPDX8cD7WDqIXoV_fcHvuHOzsX6fYd6CWmVi7gMD2dZnPcyNeizR46MJkF287wE3ROayH5uYgGB0NbLgvKw4MnaGOhU_ZazMFI5OAbh_9lTEN_je8_a" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="316" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUP5Vea9VYZhiVI_hZU_rjnoQFf7mDo3gBSPZVvmWHixQeaSygczr22AnhimJ4C53jpUwqJDVEgIPDX8cD7WDqIXoV_fcHvuHOzsX6fYd6CWmVi7gMD2dZnPcyNeizR46MJkF287wE3ROayH5uYgGB0NbLgvKw4MnaGOhU_ZazMFI5OAbh_9lTEN_je8_a" width="160" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Reviewed by Helen</span><p></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></p><div class="big450BoxBody" style="background-color: white; background-repeat: repeat-y; color: #181818; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><div class="big450BoxContent" style="overflow: hidden; width: 430px;"><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">A story set over two time lines, 1940 and 1980, a family with many secrets, a mother and daughter who have problems and a woman who wants to uncover the truth, come along and see if you can solve the mystery.<br /><br />Billie left Australia years ago, there was way too much tension between her and her mother, she has become a gifted criminal journalist in America and never stops till she has the answers, happily married with a teenage son, but that all turns upside down when she loses her husband and her and her son Alex move back to Australia to her parents. Billie is soon offered a job to uncover the truth about Foxborough Hall in Singleton NSW, Billie is very keen to prove herself, but what she discovers will shock her very much.<br /><br />Hamish Abbott lives next door and is a psychology professor and he takes a big interest in Billie and her son Alex, he can feel the tension between mother and daughter and when Billie goes to Foxborough Hall and does not return the search is on for Billie.<br /><br />Billie seems to be losing her grip on reality, seeing things from the past, things that happened to the two daughters of Foxborough Hall Wilhelmina and Gertrude, both just vanished during the 1940’s, what truly happened to them and why is there such a close connection between them and Billie?<br /><br />I thoroughly enjoyed this one, a different story, both settings 1940 and 1980 were well done, this is a story that I do highly recommend, there are a few twists and turns, but the ending is just right.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>4 stars</div><div><span style="color: #4f4f4d; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">December 14, 2017</span></div><div id="review-like" style="float: right; margin-top: 8px; text-align: right;"></div><div id="review-follow" style="margin-top: 8px;"></div></div></div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03984438742736003285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839108738026684188.post-4203429219181241112023-11-06T02:00:00.001-08:002023-11-06T02:00:03.117-08:00The Night Ship<p> <span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">The Night Ship</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">Jess Kidd</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #660000; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGKdS3qs5CgaezP_XvZQUcH8DBh3_bgVa-S2SdCnN3e8Kbf7bbHDSBL3WhdNtev0TsPAxsrDAGCBMeVacSm9jX5WhhmqwqYZiJtBmTKorbEpXMRF12ymbBbDuYZAnGeKEmXsGuE7HspmgTfZmzVH1ysLbiqCxa4VFCH37NOgHe4qyKhkIrVdDc4WAKCZmc" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2093" data-original-width="1399" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGKdS3qs5CgaezP_XvZQUcH8DBh3_bgVa-S2SdCnN3e8Kbf7bbHDSBL3WhdNtev0TsPAxsrDAGCBMeVacSm9jX5WhhmqwqYZiJtBmTKorbEpXMRF12ymbBbDuYZAnGeKEmXsGuE7HspmgTfZmzVH1ysLbiqCxa4VFCH37NOgHe4qyKhkIrVdDc4WAKCZmc" width="160" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Reviewed by Helen</span><p></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></p><div class="big450BoxBody" style="background-color: white; background-repeat: repeat-y; color: #181818; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><div class="big450BoxContent" style="overflow: hidden; width: 430px;"><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">I have had this one waiting for me for a while, and I was intrigued by the blurb especially since it was based on a true story, it is well written and very sad as we get to know two young children both nine year olds, Mayken starts her journey at sea in 1628 to the Dutch East Indies on The Batavia and then we meet Gill in 1989 on an island of the coast of Western Australia.<br /><br />Although the story lines are three hundred years apart these two children seem linked in some way, the ship that Mayken sails on is shipwrecked on the same island Gil moves too after the death of his mother in 1989 and Gil is very interested in learning about the shipwreck and the ghost who supposedly walks the island, little May. Both have monsters in their childhoods and both have a terrible time.<br /><br />Sadly this story wasn’t for me, I struggled to feel connected to the story, I felt very sad for both Mayken and Gil, maybe it was a bit sad for me, I am sure that there are many readers who will thoroughly enjoy this one. But I did enjoy learning some history that I didn’t know about.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>3 stars</div><div><span style="color: #4f4f4d; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">October 4, 2022 by Atria Books</span></div><div id="review-like" style="float: right; margin-top: 8px; text-align: right;"></div><div id="review-follow" style="margin-top: 8px;"></div></div></div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03984438742736003285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839108738026684188.post-88402118259080940462023-11-04T13:31:00.002-07:002023-11-04T13:31:44.132-07:00The Sugar Palace<p> <span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">The Sugar Palace</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">Fiona McIntosh</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #660000; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4KcufkWilAeRVvCQc3wV84wp4qS7xUmi4bXHuVVuwBla2hFW55omF6Vq9Sj5m297bTbP2_gp2BvwAaOSAmpAKrxJfu4AceHEDIKmuslLz4vNVZxI6DNhThDDye4ihfwlCjt6mC5Zr5IPXxR-e4Y6034HPn0c4t3qdZFZpidorr-WgIKcUFX20M9r4Ahup" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="311" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4KcufkWilAeRVvCQc3wV84wp4qS7xUmi4bXHuVVuwBla2hFW55omF6Vq9Sj5m297bTbP2_gp2BvwAaOSAmpAKrxJfu4AceHEDIKmuslLz4vNVZxI6DNhThDDye4ihfwlCjt6mC5Zr5IPXxR-e4Y6034HPn0c4t3qdZFZpidorr-WgIKcUFX20M9r4Ahup" width="157" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Reviewed by Helen</span><p></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></p><div class="big450BoxBody" style="background-color: white; background-repeat: repeat-y; color: #181818; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><div class="big450BoxContent" style="overflow: hidden; width: 430px;"><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Nothing better than a sugar fix and a good book, Fiona McIntosh has given her readers both with another fabulous story with this one, set around Sydney and The Rocks in the 1920’s while the building of The Sydney Harbour Bridge was going on we meet Grace Fairweather and learn of her dreams to open a confectionary shop and I loved it.<br /><br />Grace is working in her parent’s grocery store in The Rocks but her dream is of making her own confectionary, lollipops, toffee, fudge you name it Grace wants to make it and make it available to everyone. Her mother is keen for Grace to settle down and marry police officer Norman Jenkins, but Grace is holding back, she wants to make her own decisions not be told what to do. Then along comes cheeky Londoner Alfie Sweeting and there is an instant spark between them and Alfie is keen to encourage and help Grace to aim and see success with her dream.<br /><br />Grace’s mother Mary and Norman are not happy when Grace speaks up about getting married but soon they can all see that Alfie may be the one for Grace, Alfie is keen to help get the Grace’s shop The Sugar Palace open, Alfie also has a past that tends to run towards the criminal side and soon there are some not so nice people hanging around and causing lots of problems. Brothel owners and gambling and drug dealing criminals play a big part in this story, and keep you turning the pages to see what happens.<br /><br />This is a wonderful story with wonderful characters who come to life on the pages, this time is Sydney was a hard time and MS McIntosh made me feel like I was there, I loved Grace’s strength and determination and Alfie might have had a tough life earlier on but he is smart and eager to please the woman he loves.<br /><br />This is a story that I highly recommend, the excitement of opening the shop and the confectionary described had my mouth watering, so many fabulous characters to come along and meet, don’t miss this one.</div><div><br /></div><div>5 stars</div><div><span style="color: #4f4f4d; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">October 10, 2023 by Penguin Random House Australia</span></div><div id="review-like" style="float: right; margin-top: 8px; text-align: right;"></div><div id="review-follow" style="margin-top: 8px;"></div></div></div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03984438742736003285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839108738026684188.post-12912285575725146892023-10-28T13:47:00.001-07:002023-10-28T13:47:07.015-07:00The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard<p> <span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">Natasha Lester</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #660000; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj84J3-8hp0xDLV5y36YJhfdWN7pBGIkinGOXhJykLYrHG5r4iB5PfIwq8mTUkAF01vsQcZQTBjXgqwYpNceYEeGhy3DaE6OLQqfiuRYY888Q2aNl-pUSR2W4mEkoChB3IdH8kAT-7j7WH3jG1ZmSqvPT7A9ms4wZKKi2q8mlbyAN7fEFIhdQddZy_cxJmw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="311" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj84J3-8hp0xDLV5y36YJhfdWN7pBGIkinGOXhJykLYrHG5r4iB5PfIwq8mTUkAF01vsQcZQTBjXgqwYpNceYEeGhy3DaE6OLQqfiuRYY888Q2aNl-pUSR2W4mEkoChB3IdH8kAT-7j7WH3jG1ZmSqvPT7A9ms4wZKKi2q8mlbyAN7fEFIhdQddZy_cxJmw" width="157" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Reviewed by Helen</span><p></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></p><div class="big450BoxBody" style="background-color: white; background-repeat: repeat-y; color: #181818; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><div class="big450BoxContent" style="overflow: hidden; width: 430px;"><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Another fabulous story from Natasha Lester, I always look forward to her stories because I know I am going to be taken on a journey that will stay with me for a long time, her characters are not easy to forget and this time she has taken us to the 1970’s, and the world of fashion design in America and the struggle that woman had then to make a name for themselves, come along and meet three amazing woman who stood proud and strong.<br /><br />1917 and we meet Mizza Bricard she is sixteen and is on her own, at an exclusive party she meets some very scandalous woman and learns that she will need to stay strong and stand up to men to make her way in life, she will make a name for herself. She does that through the couture houses in Paris and becoming known as Dior’s Muse, but was she?<br /><br />1970 Astrid Bricard arrives in New York determined to prove to her adoptive parents that she can make it as a fashion designer, she has a scholarship at Parsons and lots of determination, but then she meets Hawk Jones, fashion designer and their lives explode in passion and love, and the media set her up as Hawk’s muse, totally ignoring her true designs. But when the top fashion designers of America come up against the French in Versailles Astrid’s world falls apart.<br /><br />Present times Blythe Bricard wants more than anything to design fashion, but she never wants to be someone’s muse like her grandmother and mother before her and turns her back on designing but cannot leave the fashion industry altogether, when she is invited to a Chateau in France her life will unfold in an emotional roller coaster that will tell the true story of her grandmother, mother and father.<br /><br />This is a must read story, so beautifully told, I was pulled into the story from page one, the mystery of what happened to Astrid and why, getting to know Mizza, Astrid and Blythe was fabulous, I loved these characters as I did Hawk, The 1970’s was a world that was staring to change but not fast enough for some, Natasha Lester has taken on some issues that still to this day are happening when they shouldn’t be. The ending is the best ever, it is an emotional roller coaster with every emotion there is rolling from the pages and yes I cried so much, I loved it.<br /><br />I do highly recommend this one, truly it is one not to be missed.<br /></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">5 stars</div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #4f4f4d; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif;">September 27, 2023 by Hachette Australia</span></div><div><br /></div><div id="review-follow" style="margin-top: 8px;"></div></div></div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03984438742736003285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839108738026684188.post-61633295642339712802023-10-24T15:30:00.001-07:002023-10-24T15:30:02.917-07:00The Talented Mrs Greenway<p> <span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">The Talented Mrs Greenway</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">Tea Cooper</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #660000; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgY_wN7VHRG-9ZjnSXZ6UOFHZ84wq5en7JTYA5YqT8v8EpycXHtwAEU3jzI4GIj8oIXtMtdj_ZMdzp0IesBnSvvVndtGWrHQLh2WMPd7KKa_aZnUguo3p4lHT-mV-gxRvEAwwjhU3rVmebMXSTA5fWWW46u3z8pexoy_PBv8mqGnUDdej_QBtYpf4sOVV2I" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="310" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgY_wN7VHRG-9ZjnSXZ6UOFHZ84wq5en7JTYA5YqT8v8EpycXHtwAEU3jzI4GIj8oIXtMtdj_ZMdzp0IesBnSvvVndtGWrHQLh2WMPd7KKa_aZnUguo3p4lHT-mV-gxRvEAwwjhU3rVmebMXSTA5fWWW46u3z8pexoy_PBv8mqGnUDdej_QBtYpf4sOVV2I" width="157" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Reviewed by Helen</span><p></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></p><div class="big450BoxBody" style="background-color: white; background-repeat: repeat-y; color: #181818; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><div class="big450BoxContent" style="overflow: hidden; width: 430px;"><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">This is a brilliant story, filled with wonderful characters, and so much Australian history as Tea Cooper brings to life the wife of colonial architect Francis Greenway, Mary Greenway, this was just about a on sitting read for me I could barely put it down, I loved it.<br /><br />Mary arrives in Sydney Town in 1814 with her three sons, she has followed her husband Francis after he is sent as a convict for forgery, she has little money and has not heard from Francis since he arrived, she is worried about the future but determined to start a new life, she has been through enough with her terrible first husband. She is beyond thrilled when Francis meets them at the cove and tells her that he has been asked to design some buildings for the colony.<br /><br />Mary settles in the house in George St and Francis has been appointed as civil architect and it is not long before she meets Elizabeth Macquarie, wife of Governor Lachlan Macquarie who encourages Mary to take more of an interest in her husband’s designs after looking through Mary’s portfolio of drawings, Lachlan Macquarie is soon authorizing the plans for a lot of building work around town, that still stand in Sydney today.<br /><br />Mary works hard with Francis but there must be secrets kept no one must know how much she does and the help that they received to be in this position, life is moving ahead and Mary and Francis’s family is growing and Mary has plans for the future, plans that will help a lot of young girls.<br /><br />Life in the colony is changing with a new governor appointed and the pressure is on for Francis and Mary but her strength and determination will pull her through the tough times. Tea Cooper is one of my must read authors and this book is another keeper, this really is a beautifully told story, I did know some things about Francis Greenway but not anything about his wife and I am very glad I got to know her and read this one.<br /><br />I do highly recommend this story, it really is fabulous, and you will not want to put it down once you have picked it up.<br /><br />My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my copy to read and review.<br /></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">5 stars</div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #4f4f4d; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif;">November 1, 2023 by HQ Fiction</span></div><div><br /></div><div id="review-follow" style="margin-top: 8px;"></div></div></div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03984438742736003285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839108738026684188.post-80068609762355849922023-10-12T22:00:00.003-07:002023-10-12T22:00:40.814-07:00Terror in Topaz<p> <span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">Terror in Topaz</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">Harriet Gordon Mystery #4</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">A M Stuart</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #660000; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHcHugKuG95oYsmFqqU-x5FtenlF9hLHEWdFanZJnvoyrnNhL5M3e8kYAMFXtgkxN0rffg8Q7TtQtZYbxZEYNEhsvCU9-eK0aS2Dd12QexSVW5j7OxTYIkg1wmTo4eJ-OoqS_nP6RoNRSDZfOZ8evDESQ3ew3hGdwvsYTKkQG_xa7di8iljKoC07JfUMAZ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="250" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHcHugKuG95oYsmFqqU-x5FtenlF9hLHEWdFanZJnvoyrnNhL5M3e8kYAMFXtgkxN0rffg8Q7TtQtZYbxZEYNEhsvCU9-eK0aS2Dd12QexSVW5j7OxTYIkg1wmTo4eJ-OoqS_nP6RoNRSDZfOZ8evDESQ3ew3hGdwvsYTKkQG_xa7di8iljKoC07JfUMAZ" width="160" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Reviewed by Helen</span><p></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></p><div class="big450BoxBody" style="background-color: white; background-repeat: repeat-y; color: #181818; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><div class="big450BoxContent" style="overflow: hidden; width: 430px;"><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">I am absolutely loving this series, I picked this one up and didn’t want to put it down, Harriett is one of my favourite characters and this time she is off to Kuala Lumpur with her brother Julian to check out a new school, but again there is a death and Harriet is caught up in it, come along for a compelling journey.<br /><br />1910 in Singapore and Harriet has been working for Inspector Robert Curran typing up reports but she seems to do more than that, but since Curran was suspended and a new inspector appointed Harriet has lost her job, so she accompanies Julian to Kuala Lumpur to check out the new school, things turn bad when a visitor the school is shot and Harriet and Julien are required as witnesses.<br /><br />Robert Curran has been given a secret case to investigate, the Topaz Club in Kuala Lumpur, this is going to give him the chance to also uncover the whereabouts of people who are close to him, there seems to be a lot of corruption going on, drug dealing and who knows what else, there are some very nasty people involved and finding people he trust is not easy but as always Curran is determined to find the truth. He of course does not expect Harriet to be there as well and before long they seem to have teamed up again to investigate another very dangerous case.<br /><br />Another fabulous and compelling story in this series, MS Stuart brings the setting and characters to life, I felt like I was there in danger with them all, Harriet and Curran work so well together but not only that are they finally going to realise that they could be more than work colleagues, will they both open up about their feelings as they solve another case.<br /><br />I loved this story so much and I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves a good historical mystery, but start from number one you will not be sorry and I am thrilled to know that the series is going to continue, everyone should get to know Harriett Gordon.<br /><br />My thanks to the author for my digital copy to read and review.<br /></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">5 stars</div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #4f4f4d; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif;">October 18, 2023 by Oportet Publishing</span></div><div class="big450BoxContent" style="overflow: hidden; width: 430px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div id="review-follow" style="margin-top: 8px;"></div></div></div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03984438742736003285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839108738026684188.post-29706204164330980452023-10-10T21:55:00.001-07:002023-10-10T21:55:08.045-07:00Dreaming of a Duke Like You<p> <span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">Dreaming of a Duke Like You</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">Duke of Grantham #1</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">Sara Bennett</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #660000; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEghSS84Xc8Rd7E7w7v2mXGhx7FRsRstu8tLFg5tZXGfb-HuW1yKPevW_L90SHrfJd-q29DnPfa0KJzly_e7F4LXIXggq3KhW5Z-UbQZmYeazcyOe6r8OMORHiN2Pwnesz2p6Xrl39upp7ZHt0_jgMLGKwvN6_NJLUwBfIY7JLBENVECgnHzuDCuzZVpT-EE" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="293" data-original-width="184" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEghSS84Xc8Rd7E7w7v2mXGhx7FRsRstu8tLFg5tZXGfb-HuW1yKPevW_L90SHrfJd-q29DnPfa0KJzly_e7F4LXIXggq3KhW5Z-UbQZmYeazcyOe6r8OMORHiN2Pwnesz2p6Xrl39upp7ZHt0_jgMLGKwvN6_NJLUwBfIY7JLBENVECgnHzuDCuzZVpT-EE" width="151" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Reviewed by Helen</span><p></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></p><div class="big450BoxBody" style="background-color: white; background-repeat: repeat-y; color: #181818; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><div class="big450BoxContent" style="overflow: hidden; width: 430px;"><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">I so enjoy a good historical and this one is fabulous, I loved the characters so much, can two people with scandalous pasts find the love and happiness that they deserve? I am thrilled that it is the start of a new series, can’t wait for more.<br /><br />Gabriel Cadieux grew up in a foundling home, never knowing his background, he is now the very successful owner of a gaming club, but life is about to change for Gabriel when he discovers that he is the legitimate heir to a dukedom, will he take on the role, especially when he discovers he has six half- sisters, who tend to be a bit rebellious and that the estate is practically broke. When he meets his sisters he knows he cannot abandon them, he is now The Duke of Grantham.<br /><br />Vivienne Tremeer has to do something to save her younger brother Will, she arrives at the Cadieux gaming club late at night to talk to the owner about letting the debt go, but what happens is an offer that Vivienne cannot refuse, will she help with his sisters and get them ready to take part in ton life, soon Vivienne is not only loving being with the girls she is also loving spending time with Gabriel.<br /><br />Life in the ton is not always easy and with Vivienne’s past and the scandal that has already rocked the Ashton family, soon things are heating up and it appears more scandal is about to erupt, will love conquer the talk, will Gabriel and Vivienne find that love, this one had me turning the pages and cheering them on, there are some characters in this story that will go to any lengths to stop them though.<br /><br />I did love this story and highly recommend it to any historical romance reader and I can’t wait for the next one.<br /><br />My thanks to the author for my copy to read and review.</div><div><br /></div><div>5 stars</div><div><span style="color: #4f4f4d; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">October 10, 2023 by Forever</span></div><div id="review-like" style="float: right; margin-top: 8px; text-align: right;"></div><div id="review-follow" style="margin-top: 8px;"></div></div></div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03984438742736003285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839108738026684188.post-54262968523782682542023-09-23T15:43:00.002-07:002023-09-23T15:48:28.838-07:00An Italian Secret<p> <span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">An</span><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;"> Italian Secret</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">Daughters of Italy #1</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">Ella Carey</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #660000; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEislphBoo4rbU53ojgrmeXePJLEBmly8020rMfsul8PXFKg25Q7YS9E2MC0UaVOm-MrTmi_QYW4cgAD0oheLCodYSZA_wN6g7LI7Hzqdm5L9oVmSnuF8E9ufx3DkSR71ssHKTpMS9gSR9DdA8Wv96cKxXm8mET2CwVVBAU2iViF4jfUS7aCuPFka8aRq_WR" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="228" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEislphBoo4rbU53ojgrmeXePJLEBmly8020rMfsul8PXFKg25Q7YS9E2MC0UaVOm-MrTmi_QYW4cgAD0oheLCodYSZA_wN6g7LI7Hzqdm5L9oVmSnuF8E9ufx3DkSR71ssHKTpMS9gSR9DdA8Wv96cKxXm8mET2CwVVBAU2iViF4jfUS7aCuPFka8aRq_WR" width="158" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Reviewed by Helen</span><p></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></p><div class="big450BoxBody" style="background-color: white; background-repeat: repeat-y; color: #181818; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><div class="big450BoxContent" style="overflow: hidden; width: 430px;"><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Another beautiful story from Ella Care, I read this one in one sitting I could not put it down, a mystery to uncover, awesome characters the setting is beautiful, set over two time lines we get to know Annie and Cara and I loved them and this story.<br /><br />Annie Reynolds lives in America she is an exceptional chef and loves Italian food, but when her father passes away and leaves a letter and two keys, Annie is shocked at what the letter reveals, the contents take her on a journey to Tuscany, Italy and to the Villa Rosa, a beautiful home that has been left abandoned for many years, here she starts the search for her history.<br /><br />1944 and Tuscany is controlled by the Nazis and the owner of Villa Rosa Contessa Evelina Messina has a few people working for her, her secretary Cara, a gardener Alphonso and a cook Bettina one son left at the start of the war and her other Raf is working with the Partisans, unbeknownst to his mother, Evelina takes a German as her lover and soon the Nazis have taken over Villa Rosa.<br /><br />Annie arrives at the Villa Rosa her inheritance, only to find Luca there working on the garden and then to discover that there is someone else who is claiming Villa Rosa as his. Annie is determined to not give up on finding the truth and what her searching uncovers is heartbreaking but shows courage and strength, will she finally find the truth?<br /><br />I am a big fan of Ella Carey’s stories and this one is another beautiful story, she has bought these characters to life, pulled me into the story and I felt all of the emotions, yes I cried and I cheered them on, this is a story that I highly recommend, it is one for the keeper shelf, don’t miss this one, I can’t wait for the next one in the series.<br /><br />My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my copy to read and review.<br /></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">5 stars</div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><span face=""Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #4f4f4d;">September 22, 2023 by Bookouture</span></div><div><br /></div><div id="review-follow" style="margin-top: 8px;"></div></div></div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03984438742736003285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839108738026684188.post-31489297285120774532023-09-21T23:27:00.003-07:002023-09-21T23:27:59.204-07:00The Echoes of Love<p> <span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">The Echoes of Love</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">Jenny Ashcroft</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #660000; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidwVYczJZE1TD4dKUkpKsT_YFr28xQL3e3o8xGuRonu5WIPARYEej1Fo1CTqiwX0VTKipNK4dki5ACOlLfidbL-W-jFfFRvowm8N5m8cp2l__HC0FRWlsFcwtWGZW-0afhKeK-5-BQ4HxW_kbdJmtUvS3knKKUw_FTDqjwPG1_AdJ46ILX4gEDE0U3CiN0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="226" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidwVYczJZE1TD4dKUkpKsT_YFr28xQL3e3o8xGuRonu5WIPARYEej1Fo1CTqiwX0VTKipNK4dki5ACOlLfidbL-W-jFfFRvowm8N5m8cp2l__HC0FRWlsFcwtWGZW-0afhKeK-5-BQ4HxW_kbdJmtUvS3knKKUw_FTDqjwPG1_AdJ46ILX4gEDE0U3CiN0" width="157" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Reviewed by Helen</span><p></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></p><div class="big450BoxBody" style="background-color: white; background-repeat: repeat-y; color: #181818; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><div class="big450BoxContent" style="overflow: hidden; width: 430px;"><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">This is a beautifully told story, it is heart-breaking as well and yes I cried, lots, set from 1936 onto World War 2 in Crete and then in 1974. Things are changing in Germany and throughout Europe but in 1936 in Crete two young people fall in love, what will become of them?<br /><br />Eleni Adams has come to Crete every summer as long as she can remember to spend this time with her grandfather, leaving England behind, in her eighteenth year things seem even better when she meets a young German, Otto who is holidaying in the villa next door, there is a spark instantly, and the summer becomes even more exciting as the two of them sneak away as often as they can and love grows.<br /><br />Otto and Eleni continue to write to each other and meet up one time in Paris, but war comes and life changes.<br /><br />When Crete falls to the Nazis Eleni returns to do her bit for her country, both of them England and Crete and Otto is there as part of the Nazi invasion and soon they are together again, enemies who love each other, with danger all around them where will it end?<br /><br />This is such a well-researched story, with fabulous characters and beautiful descriptions of Crete, so much love and so many secrets, I do highly recommend this one to any reader who loves historical fiction.<br /><br />My thanks to the publisher for my copy to read and review.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>4 stars</div><div><span style="color: #4f4f4d; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">September 29, 2022 by HQ</span></div><div id="review-like" style="float: right; margin-top: 8px; text-align: right;"></div><div id="review-follow" style="margin-top: 8px;"></div></div></div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03984438742736003285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839108738026684188.post-24275991146564009102023-09-18T19:49:00.003-07:002023-09-18T19:49:49.753-07:00The Secret Midwife<p> <span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">The Secret Midwife</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">Soraya M Lane</span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #660000; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggGptZQwp2HGQpbEDbOLOfEL6THhbzeWa-hLGiqRIO157nZjPEnGosyQR58rNzlVmHV8NrwJ8pKjPs2KtWSvPSZ_S2dAj8Hh2zZ9GDmZjUfu2Ftm5RXhnhDRwsCTEfNl5jiFcl1LYfiAbkRNCD4iUdmwaLyLNLPdvoHWC7Wvnm8qg4Ny1xVRQds5WVu1_g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="226" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggGptZQwp2HGQpbEDbOLOfEL6THhbzeWa-hLGiqRIO157nZjPEnGosyQR58rNzlVmHV8NrwJ8pKjPs2KtWSvPSZ_S2dAj8Hh2zZ9GDmZjUfu2Ftm5RXhnhDRwsCTEfNl5jiFcl1LYfiAbkRNCD4iUdmwaLyLNLPdvoHWC7Wvnm8qg4Ny1xVRQds5WVu1_g" width="157" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Reviewed by Helen</span><p></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></p><div class="big450BoxBody" style="background-color: white; background-repeat: repeat-y; color: #181818; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><div class="big450BoxContent" style="overflow: hidden; width: 430px;"><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">MS Lane has taken historical facts and turned them into a heart-breaking and heart-felt story of determination, strength and courage as we learn about the midwife, Emilia in Auschwitz who with the help of Aleksy and Lena saved hundreds of lives, make sure you have a box of tissues while reading.<br /><br />In 1995 the fiftieth anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, there is a call fall for any information on the midwife who saved so many lives, Emilia knows it is time to tell her story.<br /><br />When Emilia is taken prisoner in 1942 in her homeland of Poland she is sent to Auschwitz for helping Jewish mothers deliver their babies and working for The Resistance, what she discovers here is atrocious and appalling, but it makes Emilia determined to help as many as she can as a midwife.<br /><br />When she meets Aleksy a Polish doctor and Obstetrician they join forces to work together and then young Lena steps in to help as well and soon they are saving babies and woman at such danger to themselves.<br /><br />I cried bucket loads in this one, it is beautifully written and a must read story for any lovers of historical fiction, I do highly recommend this one.</div><div><br /></div><div>5 stars</div><div><span style="color: #4f4f4d; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">August 1, 2023 by Lake Union Publishing</span></div><div id="review-like" style="float: right; margin-top: 8px; text-align: right;"></div><div id="review-follow" style="margin-top: 8px;"></div></div></div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03984438742736003285noreply@blogger.com