Review ~ The Lavender Garden by Lucinda Riley

Atria Books
6 June 2013

"Unlocking the past

      is the key to the future"

Following her mother’s death in 1998, Emilie de la Martinières, returns to the family château in the sun drenched Côte d’Azur. She is dismayed to find that her reckless mother has been profligate with the family finances, and if the chateau is to remain in her family, Emilie has some tough financial choices to make. When the enigmatic Englishman Sebastian weaves his way into her life, Emilie is faced with her growing attraction to him, and whilst trying to rationalise Sebastian’s interest, Emilie must also seek out the truth behind the château’s involvement during the German occupation in WW2.

This dual time narrative gets off to something of a slow start but as the story evolves and it becomes more obvious where the story is going, the narrative becomes much more interesting. Both dual time frames are captured well; the suspicion of wartime and the indecision and fear of discovery is well thought out, as is the present day romance story of Emilie and Sebastian.

Overall, this is an interesting and enjoyable family saga which blends secrets, history and a smattering of romance.

My thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for my copy of this book 

**This book is also entitled The Light Behind the Window **

Review ~ Apple Tree Yard by Louise Doughty

June 6th
Faber and Faber

Sometimes a book you don’t expect to like really takes you by surprise and makes you sit up and take notice. Gripping from the beginning this book takes you on a roller coaster of a journey as we watch as Yvonne Carmichael, a renowned scientist, begins an illicit and highly addictive extra marital affair with man who is at first a stranger. This irresponsible liaison which begins with a risky sexual encounter will ultimately spin Yvonne’s life out of control.

I think what I found refreshing is that Yvonne is fifty-two, not some inexperienced ingénue, so  it could be argued that she should have known better but what it does prove is that we are never too old to act out of character – and that pushing self destruct buttons is not merely a prerogative of being young and in love.

To say more about this story would be to do the book a complete disservice- it is definitely one of those books which once started you simply can’t put down. I started reading it on a sunny day in the garden at about 11:30 and didn’t look up, except for food and drink some twelve hours later.

My thanks to NetGalley and Faber and Faber for my copy of this book.

Book Beginnings on Fridays....

Hosted by Gilion at Rose City Reader

Book Beginnings on Fridays as stated by the host was started:

 "to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires."

You can share on Google + and social media , please post using the hash tag #BookBeginnings

and there's also a Mr Linky on the host's blog.

Book Beginning : Whiskey Beach by Nora Roberts

Through the chilly curtain of sleet, in the intermittent wash of the great light on the jutting cliff to the south, the massive silhouette of Bluff House loomed over Whiskey Beach. It faced the cold, turbulent Atlantic like a challenge.

I will last as long as you.

**

I like this opening sentence. I can imagine the cold, and picture the sweep of light as it illuminates the house and Whiskey beach is suddenly there in my imagination and the story is open with endless possibility.

I know that as I open the latest Nora Roberts that I am in for a good read. Her books are always pure escapism and she has a wonderful ability to tell a good story, and sometimes that's just what I need on a sunny summer's day.

**

A bit of book blurb...thanks to goodreads

For more than three hundred years, Bluff House has sat above Whiskey Beach, guarding its shore - and its secrets.

To summer tourists, it's the crown jewel of the town's stunning scenery. To the residents of Whiskey Beach, it's landmark and legend. To Eli Landon, it's home...

A Boston lawyer, Eli has weathered an intense year of public scrutiny and police investigation after being accused of murdering his soon-to-be ex-wife. And though there was never enough evidence to have him arrested, his reputation is in tatters as well as his soul. He need sanctuary. He needs Bluff House.

The Sea Sisters by Lucy Clarke ~ UK Giveaway

Harper (9 May 2013)


"People go travelling for two reasons:because they are searching for something, or because they are running from something. For me, it's both".

Sisters, Katie and Mia are coping with their own personal grief after the loss of their mother. Katie, the sensible one stays at home and concentrates on her job and life in London, whilst Mia, the younger and more flighty of the two, decides to go travelling. When news reaches Katie of an appalling tragedy involving Mia, she is determined to discover the truth. Using Mia’s travel journal as a guide, Katie retraces her sister’s footsteps and in doing so throws open a story of lies, deceit and heartbreak.

What then follows is a well written mystery adventure which looks into the complexity of sibling relationships and opens up to scrutiny the minutiae of both Katie’s and Mia’s lives. The story, told by both sisters in alternate chapters, allows the plot to evolve in both the present and in the past, and the travelogue which is central to the story is nicely descriptive and sets the scene well.

Overall, the story is nicely told, it kept my interest from start to finish and I think if you are looking for an interesting holiday read then this one certainly ticks all the boxes. It’s got foreign adventure, mystery, excitement and a smattering of romance.

I really enjoyed it.

 *****

***GIVEAWAY***

I HAVE ONE PAPERBACK COPY OF SEA SISTERS TO GIVE AWAY

UK ONLY

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT AND A CONTACT EMAIL

ONLY REQUIREMENT IS THAT YOU ARE A FOLLOWER OR BECOME A

FOLLOWER OF JAFFAREADSTOO

WINNER NOTIFIED BY EMAIL IF NO REPLY IN 48 HOURS THEN A WINNER WILL BE REDRAWN

ENTRY OPEN UNTIL 09:00 18TH JULY 2013

***GOOD LUCK ***

And the winner is 

Karen

Well done !!
And thanks to everyone else who entered.

Outlander news....

Starz and Sony Pictures television will start filming in the Autumn of 2013 their Outlander adaptation of the best selling Outlander series by American author, Diana Gabaldon.

It with great delight that I share the news that came out yesterday that

Scottish actor, Sam Heughan has been cast 

as Jamie Fraser.

“Oh. My. God. That man is a Scot to the bone and Jamie Fraser to the heart.”

–Diana Gabaldon

Now that Jamie has been cast - and to my eyes - Sam looks quite perfect - I can't wait to see  the other characters - come to life. 

My only hope is that somehow , someday I'll get to see the series on UK televison or DVD.

Fingers crossed !

***

It seems like a long time since I wrote of my obsession for all things Outlandish,but really the books and the stories they contain are never forgotten, and just like the old friends they are, they sit patiently waiting for yet another re-read.

In the excitement of yesterday's news, it now seems imperative that I re-read the books with the *official* Jamie in mind. I have a lot of books to reread ~ seventeen* at the last count ~ which is not including the back up copies I have on Kindle ~ just in case !!

*includes the Lord John books and duplicate copies of Outlander, Dragonfly in Amber, Drums of Autumn

I have an eclectic mix of book editions - my oldest book is the 1991, mass market paperback, which was the only copy available to buy at the time - hardback copies in the early 1990s were pretty hard to come by.

My 1991 copy is now so old and fragile, I have to protect it with its own little bag - tartan lined , of course !

As you can see my other copies are a mixture of hard copies and paperback - all are far from pristine - they've been read more times than I care to admit and they're still the only books I would save if the house was on fire.










But by far the most precious of my books are my 20th Anniversary copy of Outlander and my hardback copy of The Exile, which thanks to my friends at the Outlander Book Club - both books are signed by Diana Gabaldon.

Alba gu bràth
"Scotland forever",

These beautiful Outlander book Beads were a gift

from a lovely friend which I then added onto my own silver book mark.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/outlandertvseries.starz

Twitter: @Outlander_Starz - join the conversation with #Outlander and #STARZ

~***~

Review ~ The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls by Anton DiSclafani

Published June 6th 2013 by Tinder Press

Set against the beautiful background of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Blowing Rock, North Carolina, this interesting debut novel tells a rather poignant story of lost innocence in the story of fifteen year old Thea Atwell, who has been sent away from her parents, and her twin brother Sam, to the eponymous Yonahlossee Riding School for Girls. The reason why she has been uprooted from her family in Florida is only implied, however, as the story unfolds the reason for Thea’s banishment is revealed in tantalising glimpses.

The languor of the 1930’s and the dreaminess of a bygone age is encapsulated in the almost surreal atmosphere of the riding camp, where some of the girls ride sedate horses by day, and yet sneak away to illicit assignations under cover of darkness. Throughout the narrative there is an underlying sexual tension which is made all the more evocative by the gradual revealing of Thea’s involvement in a scandal of epic proportions.

Overall, I enjoyed the descriptions of life at this rather strange boarding school, which in many ways reminded me of the Enid Blyton boarding school stories I so enjoyed as a young teenager, but obviously this books’ more adult theme set a more risqué tone to the story. 

My thanks to Real Readers for my review copy of this book.

My Guest on the blog is Hannah Fielding

I am delighted to welcome

Hannah Fielding

Photo by kind permission of the author

Hannah ~ welcome to Jaffareadstoo and thank you for visiting us to talk about your book

Hannah , what is it about Burning Embers which will pique the reader’s interest?


One of my reviewers describes Burning Embers best: ‘A sultry epic romance like Hollywood used to make.’ Burning Embers is pure romantic escapism. The plot takes place in magnificent surroundings, there is a little suspense which will keep the reader turning the pages, and of course Rafe, my hero, is to die for!

You set the book in Kenya – how important is location to your story?

In my stories location is very important because it is a means by which I convey romance. I believe that the setting is essential for establishing a romantic mood and transporting the reader to the fantasy world, because location holds such power to colour a story. Since childhood I’ve loved writers who really paint a scene in your mind, and I knew when I started writing romance that I wanted to transport my readers to the time and place in which I situate the tale. The canvas I’m creating must not only capture their attention but also their emotions. The reader must be able to see, feel, taste, hear, smell everything my heroes and heroines are experiencing, and I call upon all the senses to render an authentic ambiance. 


What came first, the plot or the people, and did you base your characters on anyone you know?

The plot came first. When I write, I am essentially a planner. Having researched my facts thoroughly, I plan my novel down to the smallest detail. A writer today has no excuse for not getting his/her facts right. I use all the tools available: travel, internet, books, films, documentaries: they’re all there to enrich the experience and make the writing journey easier. Planning ahead, I have found, makes the writing so much easier and therefore so much more enjoyable. After that I place my characters – purely my own inventions – in my story like pawns on a chessboard.


How much research did you need to do for Burning Embers?


I read widely on Kenyan history and culture, especially folklore, but in fact most of the inspiration was from my own experiences. Burning Embers began not as a story, but as a vivid landscape in my mind. The seed of the idea was sown many years ago when, as a schoolgirl, I studied the works of Leconte de Lisle, a French Romantic poet of the 19th century. His poems are wonderfully descriptive and vivid – about wild animal, magnificent dawns and sunsets, exotic setting and colourful vistas (see my website for translations: http://www.hannahfielding.net/?cat=7). 

Then, later on, I went on holiday to Kenya with my parents and I met our family friend Mr Chiumbo Wangai who often used to visit us. He was a great raconteur and told me extensively about his beautiful country, its traditions and its customs. I was enthralled, and when I put pen to paper Burning Embers came to life. 


Can you tell us what you are writing next?

My next novel, The Echoes of Love, is a romantic and touching love story set in Venice and Tuscany. It opens with the first Venice Carnival of the Millennium. It is a tale of lost but tender, deep, ineffable love, dealing with its echoes and learning to love again. The release of The Echoes of Love is planned for November.


...And finally a fun question: If Burning Embers was optioned for a TV drama/movie, who would you like to play Rafe and Coral ?

Joe Manganiello as Rafe 

Malin Akerman as Coral 

Read an Excerpt from Burning Embers

Though the afternoon sunshine was beginning to fade, the air was still hot and heavy. Coral was struck by the awesome silence that surrounded them. Not a bird in sight, no shuffle in the undergrowth, even the insects were elusive. They climbed a little way up the escarpment over the plateau and found a spot that dominated the view of the whole glade. Rafe spread out the blanket under an acacia tree. They ate some chicken sandwiches and eggs and polished off the bottle of cordial. They chatted casually, like old friends, about unimportant mundane things, as though they were both trying to ward off the real issue, to stifle the burning embers that were smoldering dangerously in both their minds and their bodies.

All the while, Coral had been aware of the need blossoming inside her, clouding all reason with desire. She could tell that he was fighting his own battle. Why was he holding back? Was he waiting for her to make the first move? Rafe was lying on his side, propped up on his elbow, his head leaning on his hand, watching her through his long black lashes. The rhythm of his breathing was slightly faster, and she could detect a little pulse beating in the middle of his temple, both a suggestion of the turmoil inside him. Rafe put out a hand to touch her but seemed to change his mind and drew it away. Coral stared back at him, her eyes dark with yearning, searching his face.

The shutters came down. “Don’t, Coral,” Rafe whispered, “don’t tease. There’s a limit to the amount of resistance a man has.”

“But Rafe…”

A flash of long blue lightning split the sky, closely followed by a crash of thunder. Coral instinctively threw herself into Rafe’s arms, hiding her face against his broad chest. She had always had a strong phobia of thunderstorms. Now she knew why the place had seemed eerie, why there had been no bird song or insect tick-tocks, no scuffling and ruffling in the undergrowth. Even though the skies when they entered the valley had not foretold the electrical storm that was to come, just like with the animals, her instinct had told her that something was wrong. But she had been too distracted by the turbulence crackling between her and Rafe to pay attention to the changing sky.

Rafe, too, was shaken out of his daze and turned his head to see that the sun had dropped behind the mountain. Dense clouds had swept into the valley and were hanging overhead like a black mantle.

“Where did that come from? No storm was forecast for today?” he muttered, jumping up.

There was another tremendous peal of thunder, lightning lit up the whole glade, and again another crash. Then the heavy drops of rain came hammering down against the treetops, pouring down through the foliage.

A wind was starting up. Without hesitation, Rafe folded the blanket into a small bundle and tucked it under his arm. He slung the hamper over his shoulder, and lifting Coral into his arms, he climbed his way up to the next level of the escarpment where a ledge of rock was jutting out and found the entrance to a cave where they could shelter. Coral was shivering. She tucked her face into his shoulder, her fingers tightly gripping his shirt. She was completely inert, paralyzed by fear. They were both drenched.

There was no way they would be able to get back to Narok tonight. Coral knew from her childhood that storms were always long in this part of the country, and through her panic she prayed that he wouldn’t be piloting that little plane back in this howling gale. At least here they were protected from the storm. It was not yet completely dark. Rafe looked around, still holding her tightly against him. Coral couldn’t herself as she sobbed uncontrollably.

“Shush, it’s all right,” he whispered softly in her ear. “It’s only a storm. By tomorrow morning it’ll all be over.” He brushed her tears away as more fell. “I’m going to have to set you down for a moment, Coral. I need to light us a fire and get you out of those wet clothes.”

Website: www.hannahfielding.net

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/fieldinghannah

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/fieldinghannah

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5333898.Hannah_Fielding

Hannah - thank you for visiting us - we wish you continued success and look forward to reading The Echoes of Love when it is published.