A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows

Sheer indulgence but well worth a read if you are a Diana Gabaldon fan

Songs of Love and Death: All-Original Tales of Star-Crossed Love by George R.R. Martin

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

jaffa's rating 5paws - closing his eyes.... and saying - "not another Outlander book -"

I only acquired a copy of the tales of Star Crossed Love because I wanted to read the novella A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows by Diana Gabaldon.

If you are familiar with the Outlander series - you will understand the need to find out just a little bit more about some of the minor characters.

This is Jerry McKenzie's story - he's Roger's father - and was lost during WW2 when his spitfire crashed and burned.

It's a beautifully evocative story, perfectly capturing the essence of London in the blitz, and the sheer horror of finding yourself in the wrong time and place.

For those who have read Echo in the Bone - it provides a few more clues....

It could have happened.....

Reviewed for newbooks magazine

I was delighted to be given a copy of this book to review for newbooksmag

Blow on a Dead Man's Embers by Mari Strachan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

jaffa's rating 5 paws

When Non Davies's husband, Davey,returns from the Great War, she is relieved to have him home in one piece, and yet Davey bears the unseen scars of war, and still lives with the horror of the trenches. Non must use all her skills, and do what must be done in order to keep her family together.

This quietly understated book is a delight to read, the story gripped me from its opening chapter, and kept me enthralled until its emotional conclusion. There is an underlying strength which comes from fine writing, great attention to detail, and the author’s natural ability to tell a good story.

Read it if you can.

Great reading with my Alphabet Authors....

I'm always keen to vary my reading with simple challenges - this is my 2011 Alphabet challenge - it's an attempt to cover every letter of the alphabet with a different author.

Anything goes - all have been great reads !!

A = Started early, took my dog by Kate Atkinson

B = Too Close to Home by Linwood Barclay

C = The Stonehenge Legacy by Sam Christer

D = The Secrets Between Us by Louise Douglas

E =

F = Fall of Giants by Ken Follett

G = Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows by Diana Gabaldon

H = The Hummingbird and the Baer by Nicholas Hogg

I =

J = A Hidden Affair by Pam Jenoff

K = The Forgotten Legion by Ben Kane

L = Catching the Tide by Judith Lennox

M =The Gallow's Curse by Karen Maitland

N = The Summer House by Mary Nichold

O =The Hand that First Held Mine by Maggie O'Farrell

P = Private Lives by Tasmina Perry

Q= Mistress of Rome by Kate Quinn

R = Chasing Fire by Nora Roberts

S = Blow on a Dead Man's Embers by Mari Strachan

T =Crimson China by Betsy Tobin

U =

V =

W = The Homecoming of Samuel Lake by Jenny Wingfield

X =

Y =We all Ran into the Sunlight by Natalie Young

Z =

As you can see there are still a few letters still to cover - I'm working on it

The Sandalwood Tree by Elle Newmark

I was delighted to be given the chance to read this book as part of the Transworld Book Group Reading Challenge -

I’m part of the Transworld Book Group!’

The Sandalwood Tree by Elle Newmark

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

jaffa's rating 5paws - he loved Spike !

Like a jewel in India’s crown, this beautifully written historical novel layers together a multifaceted story of love, loss, hope and redemption. The first part of the book opens in 1947, and we follow the story of Evie and Martin Mitchell, who, together with their five year old son Billy, settle into the Indian village of Masoorla. Martin, traumatised by an event he witnessed in WW2, is hoping to find resolution by researching Indian life for a thesis on the politics of modern India. Meanwhile, Evie is left to tend to Billy, and to their small rented bungalow, which she is determined to manage with the minimum of servants. Whilst cleaning out the old kitchen, Evie discovers a bundle of letters written by two emancipated Victorian ladies, who corresponded during the 1850’s. With little else to occupy her time, Evie soon becomes immersed in the story of Adela Winfield, and Felicity Chadwick. The Victorian element to the story focuses on the relationship between Adela and Felicity, and takes us from their shared childhood in England, through to the time they spent together sharing the bungalow in Masoorla. Victorian social traditions are expertly captured, revealing bigotry, racism, and devastating hardship, and yet there is an overwhelming sense of continuity, as piece by piece, Evie is able to uncover a story which reveals the power of love against adversity.

From the beginning of this book I was enchanted with the sights, sounds and smells of India; all are beautifully described, and perfectly represent time and place. The switch between the dual time elements is seamless and absorbing, as both stories capture the imagination perfectly. The history of India is explained with great precision and empathy, and whilst the politics are complicated and shocking, nothing is allowed to detract from the stark beauty of this troubled landscape.

Elle Newmark has produced a warm and satisfying novel which captivates and enthrals from the opening page. It kept me reading long into the night, and is definitely one of those books I will recommend to my friends.

I was saddened to learn that Elle Newmark died in July this year, her exceptional writing talent will be sadly missed.

I am sure that her lasting legacy will live on in her books.

So excited...

Jaffa and I are so excited to be taking part in the 2011 Transworld Book Group Reading Challenge

‘I’m part of the Transworld Book Group!’

Here's what we have chosen to read and review over the next few months - can't wait !!

A huge thank you to Transworld for organising such a great challenge.

My Latest Review is The Homecoming of Samuel Lake by Jenny Wingfield

This is my latest review for Newbooks and is one of the best debut books I have read for a while.

Jaffa enjoyed it but wasn't too keen on the treatment of some of the cats in the story - that made him cross enough to have a hissie fit.....

The Homecoming of Samuel Lake by Jenny Wingfield

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

jaffa's rating 5paws

Homespun America in 1950’s is beautifully described in this accomplished debut novel which interweaves the lives of the Lake and Moses family. Samuel Lake is a preacher without a congregation and without any hope of a ministry of his own he is forced to return to his wife’s family farm in Arkansas with his eccentrically named offspring. Of his three children, it is eleven year old Swan Lake who is the formidable ringleader, who is tomboy enough to run wild through the rural landscape, and yet has a heart bigger than the Arkansas sky.
Reminiscent of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mocking Bird, this emotionally charged book reveals a story that is at times dark and dirty, and yet has a theme of faith, and family that transcends pure evil. There is an abundance of rich and varied characters who bring the story to life, from grandmother Calla who tends her flowers, and dispenses wholesome wisdom, through to the bravery of Uncle Toy who keeps the bar at ‘Never Closes’, and who loves the Lake children as he would his own.
I stayed up late and long in order to finish reading this story, it made me laugh, it made me cry and ultimately, it made me believe in the power of storytelling.
This is storytelling at its absolute best, and I would recommend this novel wholeheartedly to my book group. If I could give it more than five stars I would do so without hesitation.
Read it if you can.

Yippee - A new author for me .....!

Trick of the Dark by Val McDermid

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

jaffa's rating 4paws

I've not read any of Val McDermid's books before and recently acquired this latest book , which is a stand alone story, and so not part of any established series.

At the beginning of the story we know that someone has been murdered , we even have two suspects facing trial for the crime but what then follows throughout the rest of the book, is the story of how, why, and what happened, not just to the murder victim, but also what happened to those who were intimately involved in the crime.

Overall, I enjoyed it and thought that the book was cleverly layered, with some interesting, though, not very likeable characters, and felt the story had just enough cliffhangers to keep me reading to find out what happened next. The plot isn't as gritty or as graphic as some murder / mysteries I enjoy, but there were some interesting observations, and I have to acknowledge that Val McDermid is obviously very adept at her craft.

Perhaps I have found me a new author - don't you just love it when that happens ?