Latest reviews...

Jaffa and I have been silently absent over the last few days - I've been feeling under the weather, so jaffa donned his best Florence Nightingale outfit and played nursemaid. He's never far from my side, and is such a comfort - like a furry hot water bottle...

So here are our reviews of books we have managed to read since we last got together..

Our History week proved to be a great success..we went from 13C England to Elizabethan London, and from ancient Rome to the early 20C brothels of London, Paris and New Orleans.....and all without leaving our armchair- such is the tremendous power of reading.

A huge Thank You to all these great authors for creating wonderful escapism.

The Gallows Curse by Karen Maitland

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

jaffa's rating : 4paws - he's not keen on witches !

Set in the Norfolk marshes with more than enough Gothic gloom to feed the soul, the dark and dirty 13C is brought gloriously to life in this third novel by Karen Maitland. Beautifully crafted from the beginning, and teeming with superstition, this story transports you back to the brutal days in our history, when dark and Godless forces roamed freely, and violent crimes were accepted without question.
I have total admiration for an author who can recreate a world so entirely that as you read, you can feel the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, and when you are forced back to the 21C ,the smell of wood smoke still lingers in the air, and you can almost imagine you are still there......

Loved every word.

Prince by Rory Clements

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
jaffa's rating: 5paws

This third book in the series is a rather more complex tale about investigator, John Shakespeare.Set against the machinations of the Elizabethan court, and with a rich array of characters, this story keeps you enthralled from the beginning, and has enough historical integrity to keep the book true to its time and place.
I enjoyed the intricacies of the plot, and look forward to the next instalment in John Shakespeare's eventful life..

The Forgotten Legion by Ben Kane

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

jaffa's rating : 5paws - he loved the fighting !!

This is a well crafted and rather violent story set in ancient Rome, which follows the fortunes of four unlikely characters who are bound together by accidents of fate. From the brutal world of the gladiator, to the opulence and decadence of a high class brothel, this story simply abounds with verve and gusto.

Can't wait to read the next two books in the series.

Belle by Lesley Pearse

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

jaffa's rating 3paws - not his sort of novel - made him blush !

Fifteen year old Belle witnesses a murder, and is abducted and sold into prostitution.Her journey takes her from the seedy world of a Parisian brothel, to the opulence of a New Orleans pleasure house, but through it all Belle remains true to herself, and shows a liveliness of spirit that belies her surroundings.


I've not read many books by Lesley Pearse but I have always enjoyed the ones I have read, and this latest offering is no exception.I am pleased that there will be a sequel next year entitled "Belle's War".

I would highly recommend all these books to my friends.