Review ~ Echoes of Time by Anne Allen

Sarnia Press
2016

A bit of blurb..

1940. Olive marries farmer Bill Falla. The Germans occupy Guernsey. 

All too soon Olive realises she’s made a mistake. 

Her life changes when she meets Wolfgang, a German officer- 

but there’s a price to pay. . . 

2010. Natalie Ogier returns to Guernsey to escape an abusive relationship – only to be plagued by odd happenings in her beautiful cottage on the site of a derelict and secluded farm. Disturbing dreams, disembodied voices and uncanny visions from the past. She becomes increasingly ill at ease as someone else’s past catches up with her own… 

Her only immediate neighbour, Stuart, is the grandson of the original owners, Bill and Olive. 

Thrown together in a bid to find out what really happened to Olive, can they each survive the repercussions of the past and move on? 

My thoughts..

This is now the fifth book in the Guernsey series of novels and even though each novel comfortably sits on its own merits as a stand alone story, there are threads which run through each one, and fans of the series will recognise people and places previously mentioned.

As always the author draws you so completely into the story that the here and now quite simply disappears and you are transported back in time to the Guernsey occupation during the Second World War, a time when fear and suspicion was rife. Olive's sad and sorry tale is told with such sensitivity that there were times when I was moved to shed a few tears.

I loved the modern day element and as always the author intersperses the story with believable characters. I really got to like and admire both Natalie and Stuart and felt an emotional attachment to them from the beginning. I also had real cottage envy and wanted to move into "Beauregard" with Natalie, and sip wine with Stuart whilst looking through the sheer glass window of the Old Barn.   

The time- slip element of the story is done quite seamlessly and the obvious attention to historical detail emphasises just how much research goes into making each of the stories feel truly authentic. There is no doubt that this author has found a real gem of a series in her Guernsey stories. Each one is as precious as the next and I am sure that the story, should the author be willing , can only continue to go from strength to strength.

Best Read With...A glass of home brewed gooseberry wine and a slice of home cured ham..

About the Author

Find the author on her website by clicking here

Follow on Twitter @AnneAllen21

My thanks to the author for sharing her story with me 

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Today my Guest Author...... is Anne Allen

I am delighted to welcome back to the blog

Anne Allen

Anne ~ welcome back to Jaffareadstoo...

Jo has suggested I write about what is so special about Guernsey that I've already written four books based on the island. Here goes…

It's a beautiful island only a few miles from the French coast although it's British. Not very big – seven miles by five – and can be driven around in about an hour and a half, Guernsey has a certain mystique, a feeling of separateness that epitomises islands. Its fascinating history has been traced back to Neolithic times, with old burial mounds and menhirs dotted around the island. As someone who studied history for my degree, it was wonderful to spend time in a place embodying centuries of British history. Initially Guernsey and the other Channel Islands were Norman French, belonging at one time to William the Conqueror; hence the strong French influence found to this day. The islands passed into British hands some few hundred years later but the local dialect, or patois, is Guernsey-French and I never did manage to understand it!

I arrived, with my three children in tow, in 1988, to set up a residential natural health centre, which promptly fell through weeks later. At the time I was a psychotherapist and set up my own practice to keep a roof over our heads. A year earlier I had fallen in love with both the island and the people and was determined to live there, whatever the cost. Guernsey has such beautiful sandy beaches, cliff walks, winding lanes and a pretty 'capital' in St Peter Port that it proved irresistible. The thousands of tourists who visit each year, from all over Europe, are testament to its many attractions.

St Peter Port is a must for visitors, having something for everyone. There are narrow cobbled streets – some a little steep, I admit! – full of great shops, cafés and restaurants, with gorgeous views over the harbour and neighbouring islands of Herm and Sark. I'm sure you've all heard of Les Miserables? Well, Victor Hugo finished the book and wrote others while in exile from France, living in St Peter Port. His house is exactly as it was back in the nineteenth century. All the beaches are lovely but my favourites are Vazon and L'Ancresse. And if you do go over, don't miss Herm☺ It's a tiny island, only one mile by a mile and a half, and takes about 15 minutes by ferry from St Peter Port and has an atmosphere all of its own. Readers of my books may notice how much I love it! There are no cars or bikes and everyone walks around at their own pace. A place to unwind and, for some reason, always seems to enjoy better weather than Guernsey. I was over in June and spent a super day there, even managing to fit in a book-signing as I sat in the sun☺

Although I left Guernsey some years ago, returning reluctantly to England, I go back at least once a year and this last time I found it extra hard to leave. My older son still lives there and I have some lovely friends to catch up with, making my visits fly by. And, of course, I need to fit in research for my novels. In June, when I launched my latest book, The Family Divided, I went around the island to decide where to site the action for my next, Echoes of Time. Not having a car, I hopped on a bus which took me around the complete coast in an hour and a half and it cost me £1! An absolute bargain…

Anne's latest book

The Family Divided is out now 

Amazon UK 
Amazon.com

My review is here

Sarnia Books
 June 2015

Find Anne on her website

On Facebook

On Twitter @AnneAllen21

Huge thanks to Anne for sharing her love of Guernsey and for bringing the place and its people so gloriously alive in The Guernsey Novels.


Visit Guernsey



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Review ~ The Family Divided by Anne Allen

Sarnia Books
June 2015

Charlotte Townsend returns to the peace and tranquility of the health clinic at La Folie, on the beautiful island of Guernsey.  She feels that a few days of total rest and recuperation will be just the tonic she needs to recharge her batteries in the wake of her father's death and worry over her mother's ongoing illness. She hopes that it will also give her the time and space she needs to overcome severe writers block. Whilst at La Folie, Charlotte meets up with her friends Louisa and Paul, both health therapists at the clinic, who introduce her to Andy Batiste, whose ongoing family feud over a WW2 inheritance threatens to destroy his family. When Charlotte volunteers to help in researching Andy’s family history, she little realises how much this will impact on her own life.

This is the fourth book in the excellent Guernsey series of novels which Anne Allen writes with such fine attention to detail. The island really comes to life and she paints such a vivid picture of both the place and its people that the more you read about them, the more you want to discover. A Family Divided takes some of the characters we have met before in previous books, and weaves them skilfully into the narrative, so that it really is like meeting up with old friends. We first met Charlotte Townsend in the third novel in the series, Guernsey Retreat, so it was nice to have a whole story dedicated to her. The ongoing mystery of the effect that WW2 had on the island adds a nice historical touch and helps to maintain continuity. The mystery at the heart of the novel is well explained, although perhaps better appreciated if you have read the series sequentially as some of the jigsaw pieces of the story will fit better if you have some prior knowledge of what has gone before.

Anne Allen has really made this a compelling series of stories. The light and easy style of writing and the way in which the characters come alive in your imagination make this a series I want to see endure for a long time. I am delighted that the ending of The Family Divided lends itself  really nicely into a continuation of the story and I really can’t wait to see what happens next.

About the Author

Find Anne on her website

Find her on Facebook

Follow her on Twitter @AnneAllen21

Amazon UK

Amazon.com

My thanks to the author for sharing this lovely book with me.

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Anne Allen's Itty Bitty Christmas...

Wishing you a Merry Christmas

from 

Anne Allen

What’s your earliest Christmas Memory?

Staying at my grandparents' house for Christmas, with my younger sister and parents. Their house was in a small circular 'Place' that had a grassy area with trees in the middle. This year we had snow - sooo exciting for us kids! - and I remember looking out the bedroom window and watching for Santa to land in the snow outside. It was like looking at a mini forest just feet away and the snow seemed to increase my belief that I would see Santa. But, sadly, I didn't!

Do you have any special Christmas Traditions?

Not now, although my grandparents did. Like the coins hidden in the Christmas Pudding which, miraculously, all ended up in the children's portions.

What’s your favourite festive carol or song?

Silent Night

Do you have a favourite festive film?

Love is All Around

What’s your favourite festive read ?

A Christmas Carol - of course!

Are you organised or do you leave everything until the last minute ?

Oh dear, I have to admit that these days I'm a last-minute type of person. Didn't used to be, but find it harder these days to plan ahead. Story of my life 

Christmas Tree – real or artificial?

Real - I hate the dropping needles but love the smell!

Tinsel or Glitter?

Neither

Gingerbread Latte or Orange spiced Hot Chocolate?

You know, I've not tried either! Does this mean I haven't lived?! Both sound yummy so if anyone would like to make me one I'd be happy to try 

Mince Pie or Yule Log?

Probably mince pie served with brandy cream

Christmas Dinner – Traditional Turkey or something Different?

Turkey every time

Christmas Tipple – Bucks Fizz/Mulled Wine or something stronger?

Bucks Fizz, please. Cheers!

A fun game of after dinner charades or more chocolates and the television?

We're not a 'charades' kind of family so it's likely to be messing about with the children's toys or watching television.

Will try to avoid the chocolates 

Anne's books are available on 

Amazon UK

Amazon 

   

Anne is very kindly offering  one lucky winner any one of her novels in this fabulous giveaway

A paperback copy in the UK or an ecopy worldwide

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My thanks to Anne for sharing her Christmas with us.

Jaffa and I wish you a very Happy Christmas





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In conversation with Anne Allen ~ interview and giveaway

I am delighted to welcome back to Jaffareadstoo

Anne Allen

Talking about her latest book

Guernsey Retreat

Sarnia Press 2014

What gave you the idea for writing Guernsey Retreat?

Guernsey Retreat is linked to my previous novel, Finding Mother, featuring a gothic mansion set on the cliffs in Torteval, Guernsey. At the end of that book, the house, La Folie, is sold and I thought it would make a fantastic setting for a natural health centre and retreat. I brought in new characters with their own stories, but some of the characters from both Finding Mother and my first novel, Dangerous Waters, make an appearance.


Tell us more about the novel's background.

I wanted Guernsey Retreat to be more of a romantic mystery, like my first book. I love anything to do with secrets and mysteries, don't you? Starting with the premise that someone had been violently killed in La Folie at the time of WWII, I thought it would be interesting for the son of that man, Malcolm, to be the future owner, converting it to a health centre. Malcolm is linked to a young woman, Louisa, whose mother is killed in a violent robbery in her home in London. Susan, her mother, urges her to find her father who Louisa has never met, and might now be in danger. Louisa tracks Malcolm down to Guernsey and they meet. Malcolm never knew he had a daughter so it proves quite interesting. The story then follows their search for the person – or persons – responsible for the two deaths. Along the way Louisa also meets someone who becomes very important to her.


What was the most difficult aspect of the writing of the story? How did you overcome it?

Later in the story the UK police are involved in bringing those responsible to justice and I was a bit hazy about police procedures. My only knowledge was that gleaned from watching crime dramas on TV – not necessarily accurate! Fortunately, my brother is a retired policeman and I was able to pick his brains although I did allow myself a little artistic licence ☺


Whilst you are writing you must live with your characters. How do you feel about them when the book is finished? Are they what you expected them to be?


Interesting question! My characters do seem to take on a life of their own at times, doing or thinking things I had not planned. I always end up with a fondness for the main protagonists – as long as they are 'goodies' – and in some cases will bring them back in minor roles in future books. I love to see how they grow into the lives I have created for them. ☺


How do you manage to balance writing with your everyday life and what do you do to relax?

Everyday life? Relax? What's that?! I have to admit this past year or so I have become a bit obsessive about my writing and publishing and could do with finding more balance. Perhaps I should spend more time on housework – would that count? I live alone so it's very easy to forget to dust, vac, cook etc. unless I have visitors. My favourite way of relaxing is to watch a good drama on TV unless I'm out with friends for a meal. Reading is another favourite but I don't seem to find much time for books except last thing at night or while travelling. Living by the sea does occasion the odd foray down to the beach for an ozone boost. Great for the little grey cells.☺


What's next for the Guernsey Novels?

The Family Divided is another romantic mystery and centres on Charlotte, a character from Guernsey Retreat, who helps a local man, Andy Batiste, to find out the truth behind his grandfather Edmund's death during the Occupation. Edmund was labelled a collaborator by his younger brother, Harold, and his pregnant widow fled Guernsey to escape the family's antagonism. Harold was left to inherit the family wealth which should by rights have belonged to Edmund's heirs. Andy not only wants to clear the family name, but to restore his father's inheritance.

My thanks to Anne for a lovely interview and for generously providing a copy of 

Guernsey Retreat in this giveaway.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

***Giveaway is open to international entrants, but please be aware that the prize will be an e-copy of Guernsey Retreat. ***#

For entrants in the UK, a paperback copy is on offer.




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Review ~ Guernsey Retreat by Anne Allen

Sarnia Press
2014

Two violent deaths. Separated by time, but with a final connection...

Hotelier, Malcolm has returned to Guernsey to open a health centre in the beautiful sanctuary of La Folie, plagued by the secrets of his past, he hopes to uncover the truth about what really happened to his father at the start of WW2. Louisa, suffering from the trauma of devastating loss, is determined to track down the father she never knew. In the peace and tranquillity of La Folie, Malcolm’s and Louisa’s story start to intertwine and a story of long buried family secrets starts to be uncovered.

The story is strong, slightly darker in places than previous stories but no less absorbing and from the very start of the book I was taken into a very believable world. The characters completely enchant me, so much so, they soon become as familiar as friends and I really start to care about what happens to them. I loved the burgeoning relationship between Malcolm and Louisa and their tentative steps to finding out more about their past gives the book its heart and soul. The author writes with a lovely light touch, really emphasising the bond between friends, and the hesitant, yet beguiling nature of new relationships, is explored with complete understanding and sensitivity.

There is no doubt that in this series of novels the author has captured the essence of Guernsey to perfection. The glory of the island, its places and its people really comes alive and as beauty of Guernsey starts to beguile the reader, there is a real sense of belonging, not just in the glorious descriptions of island life but in the way the minutiae of relationships is examined and controlled.

I really can’t wait to read more Guernsey novels from this talented writer.

My thanks to the author for sharing her work with me.

Come back tomorrow to read an interview with Anne Allen and a chance to win a copy of Guernsey Retreat.

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