Released April 8th, 2016 Choc Lit From the Blurb: Sometimes a glimpse into the past can help make sense of the future … Everyone thinks Lexi is crazy when she falls in love with Hollingsworth House – a crumbling old Georgian mansion in Yorkshire – and nobody more so than her husband, Dylan. But there’s something very special about the place, and Lexi can sense it. Whilst exploring the grounds she stumbles across an old diary and, within its pages, she meets Allie – an Australian nurse working in France during the First World War. Lexi finally realises her dream of buying Hollingsworth but her obsession with the house leaves her marriage in tatters. In the lonely nights that follow, Allie’s diary becomes Lexi’s companion, comforting her in moments of darkness and pain. And as Lexi reads, the nurse’s scandalous connection to the house is revealed … Book Links: Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon AUS | Kobo | B&N | Google Play | Itunes | Goodreads MY REVIEW I cannot convey enough just how much I love this book. From the very beginning, I was pulled into first Allie's life during the war, and then Lexi's life in modern England, and I immediately cared so much about these characters. In 1945 Allie is dying and is determined to leave her love story with Danny in the form of a diary, in the hopes that someday it will help someone who needs it - someone who is lost and needs to learn that love isn't always the way we imagine it will be... It is 2010 when Lexi finds the diary on the grounds of Hollingsworth House, a house that calls to her very soul, and one she longs to own. At this point in Lexi's life, everything seems to be falling apart around her - her marriage appears to be over, her work is becoming less important to her, and her friends all seem to be struggling with their own issues, but her instincts tell her this house is where she is supposed to be. As Lexi navigates many new and terrifying changes in this story, we get to learn about Allie's life from the pages of her diary - the fear and harsh reality of war, mixed up with the meaning of true love - and as Lexi feels closer to Allie, Allie's words help Lexi figure out her own problems. WHERE DRAGONFLIES HOVER by AnneMarie Brear weaves history and fiction, past and present effortlessly together in such a way that takes a reader's breath away. With stunning description, deep and meaningful characters, and a beautiful message of love, WHERE DRAGONFLIES HOVER by AnneMarie Brear is truly a book not to be missed. BOOK RATING - 📖📖📖📖📖 5+++++++++ Author Bio: Annemarie Brear has been a life-long reader and started writing in 1997 when her children were small. She has a love of history, of grand old English houses and a fascination of what might have happened beyond their walls. Her interests include reading, genealogy, watching movies, spending time with family and eating chocolate - not always in that order! Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads *I want to thank LRR Promotions and AnneMarie Brear for the opportunity to review such a magnificent book, and for my spot on the blog tour. Read on for a little excerpt from this moving tale 📚 EXCERPT
The late sunshine enveloped the house in a golden glow. Again, it seemed to call to her, begging for attention. A path on the left of the drive looked inviting as it meandered through a small strand of poplars. Lexi grabbed her keys, locked the car and took off to explore again. She had nothing to rush home to now, and if she got caught for trespassing, then so be it. The overgrown pathway brought her out on the far side of the grounds near the end of a small lake. She gazed over the water towards the back of the house and noticed a paved terrace area. From there the lawn then sloped down to the water. She’d not been around the back before and fell even more in love with the property. She could imagine the serenity of sipping a cool drink on a hot summer’s day and looking out over the lake. Lexi stepped out along the bank. A lone duck swam by, its movement serene on the glassy, dark surface. This side of the lake was in shadow from large pine trees, and she stumbled on fallen pinecones hidden in the long grass. On the opposite side of the water were some small buildings, a garage, fruit trees in early blossom, and an overgrown vegetable patch, complete with a broken, rejected-looking scarecrow. She wandered over to a narrow shed on her left and peered through its sole, dirty window. Unable to make out much in the dimness, she walked around to the front and was surprised when she was able to pull the bolt back on the door. Why didn’t people lock things? A covered rowboat took up most of the space inside. She smiled, seeing herself rowing it on the lake. Growing more excited, Lexi edged around it to peer at the workbenches and the odd assortment of tools and useless things one found in abandoned sheds. It was like treasure hunting in an antique shop. She used to love doing that with her grandfather. She glanced about and spied a dusty painting leaning against the wall. The scene was of a child and a brown dog. Behind the canvas were more paintings, some framed, some not. Lexi flicked through them. The ones that caught her attention she took out and set aside. She looked for somewhere to sit and study the paintings. A small tin trunk wedged under a workbench seemed the only offering. Thinking it empty, she went to tug it out, but it remained fast. Using both hands, she heaved it out and was showered in a puff of dust. Squatting down, she inspected the latch that was held tight with a small lock. ‘Why are you locked?’ she murmured. The shed was open to anyone passing by, yet this ugly little chest had a lock on it. The trunk was nothing special, plain and in parts rusted. No ornament or writing hinted at its use. Intrigued, she grabbed a hammer from the workbench, but then hesitated. She had no right to open someone else’s property. Lexi closed her eyes momentarily. What was she thinking of breaking into the trunk? What am I doing? Never had she broken the law and here she was guilty of trespassing and breaking and entering! She looked around the rowboat as though expecting someone to jump out and arrest her. Something inside urged her on. She knew she couldn’t stop now. Sucking in a deep breath, she bent and hit the lock hard. The ringing sound was loud in the quiet serenity of the garden. The metal dented and with another few solid whacks the lock gave. Shivers of excitement tingled along her skin. Gently, she eased up the lid. Book Links: Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon AUS | Kobo | B&N | Google Play | Itunes | Goodreads
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WelcomeHi fellow bookworms. My name is Linda and I'm a reviewer & blogger, wife & mother who loves all things books! Currently ReadingUPCOMING BLOG TOURS
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