Books in my Month...

Time again to put all my monthly reads in one place 

....here they are.....

 The Help by Kathryn Stockett


 A Greyhound of a Girl by Roddy Doyle


 The God Box by Mary Lou Quinlan



 Mutiny on The Bounty by John Boyne



 The Go-Between by L P Hartley



 A Lady Cyclist's Guide to Kashgar by Suzanne Joinson




 Trapeze by Simon Mawer




 Putting Alice back together by Carol Marinelli




 The Apothecary's Daughter by Charlotte Betts





 The Crown by Nancy Bilyeau




I've had some really good books this month, with some fine writing from authors who are new to me...

• Carol Marinelli
• Kathryn Stockett
• Simon Mawer
• Mary Lou Quinlan

I especially like to read books by debut authors, these are three talented debut writers who I expect will have interesting writing careers ahead of them...

• Charlotte Betts
• Suzanne Joinson
• Nancy Bilyeau

For good storytelling I rely on favourite authors, who can always be guaranteed to write a good tale...

• John Boyne
• Roddy Doyle

And as a treat to myself I read a wonderful modern classic - The Go Between 

• L P Hartley

And Finally my Book Group read of the Month 

 Alice Bliss by Laura Harrington.

Thanks for looking 

and

Happy Reading

Friday Recommends..

Friday again, and it's time for my choice of book for Friday recommends...

This is an exciting book blog hop that book bloggers can take part in once a week to share with their followers, the books that they most recommend reading!


The rules for Friday Recommends are:


Follow Pen to Paper as host of the meme.
Pick a book that you've read, and have enjoyed enough to recommend to other readers. It can be a book you've read recently, or a book you read years ago - it's up to you - but make sure you tell us why you love the book (like a mini review). You make the post as long or as short as you like.
Visit the other blogs and enjoy!









I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to review this book for NetGalley on behalf of  Other Press

My Friday Recommended read this week is 

Trapeze 

by

Simon Mawer

Other Press

Pub Date: May 01, 2012

ISBN: 9781590515273

My review

Marion Sutro, is a young woman on a dangerous mission. She is recruited, in London, by the special operations executive, and after extensive training, is chosen to take part in an operation, which involves being parachuted into occupied France, during WW2. Marian’s natural aptitude with the French language, and her ability to convince the authorities that she is a French citizen, makes her the perfect candidate for espionage. Entrusted with assignments that will place her in extreme danger, Marian assumes different identities, but is always aware that should she make a mistake, she runs the risk of being captured and interrogated by the Germans. Marian is a very competent young woman, but she is also extremely flawed, and it is this very vulnerability, which makes her character all the more fascinating.
Marian’s story, based on the factual exploits of a group of brave women who actually worked as undercover officers in France, never falters, or fails to deliver a perfect narrative. War torn France with all its mistrust and treachery, is so cleverly described, I felt as if I was hiding in the shadows watching the story unfold. Not only is the book a clever adventure story, but it also has romance, and deception, which helps to add an extra element of excitement, and further compliments Marian’s complex character.

This book gripped me from its opening page, and I am delighted to recommend it to other readers who enjoy high calibre writing. The author’s natural storytelling ability shines through the story from beginning to end, and the reader’s own emotional involvement with the characters, make this a book to remember.

If you enjoyed Charlotte Gray by Sebastian Faulks you will enjoy this one.

Wishlist Wednesday

I am delighted to be part of wishlist Wednesday which is hosted by Dani at pen to paper

 

The idea is to post about one book each week that has been on your wishlist for some time, or maybe just added.

So what do you need to do to join in?

Follow Pen to Paper as host of the meme.

Pick a book from your wishlist that you are dying to get to put on your shelves.

Do a post telling your readers about the book and why it's on your wishlist.

Add your blog to the linky at the bottom of her post.

Put a link back to pen to paper (http://vogue-pentopaper.blogspot.com) somewhere in your post.

My Wishlist Wednesday Book 

is 

The Queen's Secret 

by 

Victoria lamb

Bantam Press (16 Feb 2012)

Synopsis from Goodreads

Elizabeth I, Queen of England, arrives at Kenilworth Castle amid pomp, fanfare and a wealth of lavish festivities laid on by the Earl of Leicester. The hopeful Earl knows this is his very last chance to persuade the Queen to marry him.
Yet despite his attachment to the Queen and his driving ambition to be her King, Leicester is unable to resist the seductive wiles of Lettice, wife of the Earl of Essex. And soon whispers of their relationship start spreading through the court.
Enraged by the adulterous lovers' growing intimacy, Elizabeth employs Lucy Morgan, a young black singer and court entertainer, to spy on the couple. But Lucy, who was raised by a spy in London, uncovers far more than she bargains for.
For someone at Kenilworth that summer is plotting to kill the queen. No longer able to tell friend from foe, it is soon not only the queen who is in mortal danger - but Lucy herself.


I've long been enamoured of the "did they, or didn't they" aspect to the passionate love story between Elizabeth I and Robert Dudley.

Were they were lovers...?

I have my doubts but their relationship really catches my imagination and I enjoy well written novels about the time they spent together.

I am sure that  I will get a copy of this before too long !!

Review ~The Crown by Nancy Bilyeau

Another book with an intriguing cover has taken my eye - this time it is The Crown by Nancy Bilyeau. 


This fascinating historical novel is set in 1537, during the turbulent middle years of the reign of Henry VIII, when enemies lingered on street corners, and to profess your Catholic faith usually ended with a trip to the infamous tower of London.

Published by Orion Books
February 2nd 2012

This story is rather different as it combines straightforward historical fiction, with a thrilling quest to find the missing Athelstan crown, which was worn by the Saxon King, Athelstan in 937, at the battle of Brunanburh, and is believed to have mystical properties.

From words whispered on the deathbed of the dying Queen, Katherine of Aragon, to the sanctified deity of a Dominican nunnery, this story abounds with treachery, suspicion and intrigue. Joanna Stafford, a novice nun, becomes entangled in political intrigue. She  is charged with the quest of finding the missing crown, or her father, already imprisoned in the tower of London, will meet his fate at the hands of sadistic, and ruthless killers.

I was drawn into this story from the very beginning, the writing is so thoughtfully composed, and with such fine attention to detail that the reader is immediately transported back through time, when Tudor England is exposed with all its faults and failings.

What I liked best was the way in which the author cleverly weaves together all the story strands until they resemble one of the fine tapestries that hang above the castle halls...and as you creep along the rat infested corridors, you can sense the lingering scent of candle wax in the air.... and the flutter of fear never really goes away.

This author undoubtedly makes history come alive, and has written a stunning debut novel which captures  the Tudor period to perfection.

I loved it !!

5 *****

Jaffa at play...

Jaffa enjoying some play time in the garden with his friend , Timmy....

Friday recommends #10

Friday again, and it's time for my choice of book for Friday recommends...

This is an exciting book blog hop that book bloggers can take part in once a week to share with their followers, the books that they most recommend reading!

The rules for Friday Recommends are:

Follow Pen to Paper as host of the meme.
Pick a book that you've read, and have enjoyed enough to recommend to other readers. It can be a book you've read recently, or a book you read years ago - it's up to you - but make sure you tell us why you love the book (like a mini review). You make the post as long or as short as you like.
Visit the other blogs and enjoy!

My  Recommended Read

is

The Apothecary's Daughter

by 

Charlotte Betts

Hardcover, 400 pages

Published 2011 by Piatkus Books
Paperback
Published February 2012

Set against the back drop of Restoration England , this book brings to life the sights and smells of a teeming city. It describes beautifully the way of life in London in 1665, when the plague was rife and red crosses appeared on doorways with alarming regularity. The descriptions are so evocative you can almost hear the dead carts rumbling through the cobbled streets, and watch with horror as bodies are tumbled into lime filled pits.

Susannah Leyton is the apothecary's daughter who has helped to run her father's apothecary shop since she was a young girl. When her place in her father's affection is taken by a new and avaricious step mother, Susannah must learn to make her own way. A disastrous marriage follows which engulfs Susannah in a whole new range of problems but brings to life a cast of unforgettable characters.

I know you shouldn't judge a book by its cover but this one is glorious - you really feel like you have your nose pressed to the window, and are peering at the array of lotions and potions on offer inside. This rich tapestry is so wonderfully evocative of plague ridden London, you feel as if you walk the same streets and smell the same malodorous smells. I stayed up long and late to finish as I simply couldn't put it down.

I look forward reading more historical novels from this talented story teller.

I give this book a wonderful 5***** review.

About the Author.

Charlotte Betts began her working life as a fashion designer in London, followed by a career in interior design. The Apothecary's daughter is her debut novel, which won the RNA New Writers award 2011 and the YouWriteOnBook of the Year 2010.


Charlotte's next book The Painter's Apprentice is due out in August 2012 - I can't wait !!!

I've found another favourite author, and one of my reads of 2012.

Review ~ Putting Alice back together by Carol Marinelli

I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to read and review this novel for NetGalley on behalf of Harlequin UK, (Mira) who kindly provided a pre publication galley.

Paperback, 397 pages

Published March 2nd 2012 by Mira UK

Putting Alice Back Together by Carol Marinelli
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I expected putting Alice back together to be light hearted chick lit, but instead found a book packed with emotional turmoil, and a life so upset by a past event that it threatens to ruin all future happiness.

Told in alternate chapters we are quickly drawn into the life of present day Alice, who at 27, with all her faults and failings is undeniably challenging. Her life is in constant melt down, and she relies heavily on drink and prescription drugs to help her make it through the day. Interspersed with adult Alice is the story of young Alice, growing up with her mum and her sisters, and who uses her talent for music as her escape from the world around her.

This is a well written and lively story, Alice is an unusual heroine, who isn’t always likeable, and yet the supporting cast of her friends and family combine to make this an intriguing page turner. When I got to the end of the novel I really cared about Alice and hoped that she would be able to move on with her life.

For me, the sign of a good story is when the characters are still in your head several days after finishing the book. Putting Alice back together is one such novel, and I look forward to reading more of this author’s work.