Release date - 7th September 2017
Book length - 480 pages Publisher - www.harpercollins.co.uk Book Depository - www.bookdepository.com Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk Amazon US - www.amazon.com ABOUT THE BOOK The New York Times bestselling author turns the clock back to a time when two young girls convinced the world that fairies really did exist… 1917: When two young cousins, Frances Griffiths and Elsie Wright from Cottingley, England, announce they have photographed fairies at the bottom of the garden, their parents are astonished. But when the great novelist, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, endorses the photographs’ authenticity, the girls become a sensation; their discovery offering something to believe in amid a world ravaged by war. One hundred years later… When Olivia Kavanagh finds an old manuscript and a photograph in her late grandfather’s bookshop she becomes fascinated by the story of the two young girls who mystified the world. As Olivia is drawn into events a century ago, she becomes aware of the past and the present intertwining, blurring her understanding of what is real and what is imagined. As she begins to understand why a nation once believed in fairies, will Olivia find a way to believe in herself? MY REVIEW Where do I start with my review of THE COTTINGLEY SECRET by Hazel Gaynor? You know when you read a book that is just so breathtaking and magical, that you really cannot put it into words how it made you feel? Well, that is my predicament today but I will give it my best shot. In 1917 when hope is sparse and the war is still going strong, Frances Griffith and her cousin Elsie will bring a little magic to the world again when their photograph of fairies becomes a sensation. In present day Ireland, Olivia has returned to where she grew up to take care of the details following her grandfather's death and check in with her grandmother who has Alzheimer's disease. Lonely and a little lost, Olivia understands that she is at an important crossroads in her life - stay in Ireland and run her grandfather's bookstore which is so precious to her or return to the UK where her fiancé and a million stressful wedding decisions are waiting. Dissatisfied with who she has become, Olivia is determined to make the right choice, and when she discovers a family connection to the young girls who believed in fairies all those years ago and a manuscript that tells their tale, maybe a little magic will help Olivia find and fulfil her own dreams. THE COTTINGLEY SECRET by Hazel Gaynor is the perfect read as I became completely immersed in the magic and wonder of this story. The story moves from past and present throughout and I really became connected to Frances in 1917 and Olivia in the present day. Frances has moved to a new country with her mother, her father is fighting in the war, and she finds companionship with her older cousin Elsie. But when she feels the magic of the fairies at the bottom of the beck, and they appear to her, it becomes such a special part of who she is and who she will become. Olivia is struggling with her grief for her grandfather who has passed, her grandmother who is out of reach, and her mother who died when she was a little girl, so when she comes across the story of the fairies it gives her the distraction that she craves. But you cannot hide from life, and as Olivia finds out more about who she is, believing in something magical and herself may make all the difference. This story is mesmerising from beginning to end and as a firm believer of 'just because you cannot see something does not mean it does not exist', it called out to me on a deeper level. The characters are really loveable and the connection of past and present is so superbly written that you will struggle to put this book down. THE COTTINGLEY SECRET by Hazel Gaynor held my heart in the palm of its hand and is a truly exquisite story that needs to be read by everyone. Author Bio: Hazel Gaynor is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of A MEMORY OF VIOLETS and THE GIRL WHO CAME HOME, for which she received the 2015 RNA Historical Novel of the Year award. Her third novel THE GIRL FROM THE SAVOY was an Irish Times and Globe & Mail Canada bestseller, and was shortlisted for the 2016 BGE Irish Book Awards Popular Fiction Book of the Year. Hazel is a contributing author to WWI anthology FALL OF POPPIES: Stories of Love and the Great War. She was selected by US Library Journal as one of ‘Ten Big Breakout Authors’ for 2015 and was a WHSmith Fresh Talent selection in spring 2015. Her work has been translated into several languages. Hazel's 2017 releases are THE COTTINGLEY SECRET (August, William Morrow/HarperCollins) and LAST CHRISTMAS IN PARIS (October, William Morrow/HarperCollins). For more information: Website - www.hazelgaynor.com Twitter - twitter.com/HazelGaynor Facebook - www.facebook.com/hazelgaynorbooks Instagram - www.instagram.com/hazelgaynor/ *I want to thank Mary at Harper Collins Ireland, and the author Hazel Gaynor, for the opportunity to review this beautiful story.
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Release date - 7th September 2017
Book length - 352 pages Publisher - www.hodder.co.uk Book Depository - www.bookdepository.com Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk Amazon US - www.amazon.com ABOUT THE BOOK All the love. All the drama. All you missed. HILARIOUS AND HEARTBREAKING OFFICIAL NOVEL FROM THE HIT TV SERIES. Reeling from the sudden death of Rachel, his beloved wife, Adam has no time to grieve. He has to keep going, for the sake of their baby son. Jenny moves back in with ex-husband Pete, eight and a half months pregnant with another man's child. Can their relationship overcome past jealousies? Karen and David agree to an amicable divorce - but that's before he sleeps with the divorce lawyer . . . THE LOST YEARS reveals what happened to your favourite characters between series five and six of the award-winning TV series written by Mike Bullen. It's an irresistible chance to catch up on all the laughter, the tears, the life lessons we missed while they were gone. MY REVIEW Like millions of others I was and am a huge Cold Feet fan so when I heard there was going to be a book describing the lost years in between I was a tad anxious. What if the author got it wrong and completely ruined my memories of this show? What if it just didn't feel the same? But when it was announced that it was Carmel Harrington that would be writing this story I knew that it would be perfection itself, and I was right. Everything this author releases is pure gold and COLD FEET THE LOST YEARS is no exception. The novel begins in the aftermath of Rachel's death as Adam struggles with his grief. If it wasn't for his beautiful son and his conversations with Rachel inside his head, he probably wouldn't be able to get out of bed. Back in Belfast, Adam is enjoying getting to know his father again, but as the pain from the past begins to resurface, Adam may just have to face his demons as well as his sorrow, if he is to find a way to make a future for himself and his little boy. Jenny and Pete may be living together and giving it another go, but as Jenny's due date gets closer, she can feel Pete moving further away from her. She desperately wants to make this work but what if Pete is already regretting his decision to give their relationship another go? As David's relationship with the divorce lawyer seems to be getting more serious, Karen is struggling with juggling her career, her children, and her grief for the death of her best friend. And that bottle of gin is starting to look all too tempting... Throw in a few more secondary characters that add even more spice to the pot, and this novel is everything I wanted it to be and more. As I read the words, I could see each character from the tv show act it out in my mind, and you can tell that the author must be a huge fan of the tv series, as she gets all of the nuances, language, style, and character's mannerisms absolutely spot on. The drama is heartbreaking, hilarious, and emotional just as you would expect it to be, and nothing was done in my house the night I started to read this book. COLD FEET THE LOST YEARS by Carmel Harrington is a necessity for fans of the show but also for readers who just want a damn good read. Author Bio: Take the warmth and wit of Maeve Binchy and the secrets and twists of a Liane Moriarty and you get the utterly original and compelling voice of Irish Times bestseller Carmel Harrington, a voice that has captured the hearts of readers around the world. Carmel is from Co. Wexford, Ireland, where she lives with her husband Roger and two children, Amelia and Nate. Carmel writes with incredible compassion and warmth about characters so authentic, they could be sitting right beside you. Her page-turning family-centric novels are translated into eight different languages, all regular chart-toppers. Books published in 2017 are The Woman at 72 Derry Lane (Harper Collins) and Cold Feet - The Lost Years (Hodder & Stoughton). This original novel is written in collaboration with Mike Bullen, the creator of the popular ITV show. Carmel is a regular on Irish TV as a panelist on TV3’s Elaine Show. In addition, she is Chair of Wexford Literary Festival, of which she co-founded. Her other bestsellers include The Things I Should Have Told You, which was shortlisted for a BGE Irish Book Award in 2016, Every Time A Bell Rings, The Life You Left and Romantic eBook of the Year 2013 & Kindle Book of the Year 2013 winner Beyond Grace’s Rainbow. For more information: Website - carmelharrington.com Facebook - www.facebook.com/happymrsh Twitter - twitter.com/happymrsh Instagram - www.instagram.com/happymrsh/ *I was lucky enough to win an early copy from the Publisher - one of the best prizes I have ever won!! Release date - 6th September 2017 Book length - 304 pages Publisher - Self-published Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk Amazon US - www.amazon.com ABOUT THE BOOK Can Isobel escape her past? Or will she always be seen as a scarlet woman? Dublin, Ireland, 1880. Tired of treating rich hypochondriacs, Dr Will Fitzgerald left his father’s medical practice and his home on Merrion Square to live and practice medicine in the Liberties. His parents were appalled and his fiancée broke off their engagement. But when Will spends a night in a brothel on the eve of his best friend’s wedding, little does he know that the scarred and disgraced young woman he meets there will alter the course of his life. Isobel Stevens was schooled to be a lady, but a seduction put an end to all her father’s hopes for her. Disowned, she left Co Galway for Dublin and fell into prostitution. On the advice of a handsome young doctor, she leaves the brothel and enters domestic service. But can Isobel escape her past and adapt to life and the chance of love on Merrion Square? Or will she always be seen as a scarlet woman? MY REVIEW A SCARLET WOMAN by Lorna Peel is a beautiful, gritty tale of love, despair, and learning to trust, set in Ireland in the 19th Century. Isobel Stevens grew up in a harsh household where her father ruled supreme so when she finds herself seduced and abandoned, it is no surprise to find herself disowned and penniless. Heading to Dublin, Isobel will do what she must to survive but on the night she meets Dr. Will Fitzgerald, both of their lives will change forever. Finding a different way to make ends meet, Isobel and Will start a beautiful friendship that will give them both what they are missing in their lives. But life is never straightforward, and as obstacles and twists and turns try to throw them off their path, will they be able to find their way back to each other? From the moment I saw the cover of A SCARLET WOMAN I wanted to read it and the story inside did not disappoint. With strong characters who have been through so much, plenty of historical detail to paint a picture in your mind as you read, and a love story that will melt your heart along the way, A SCARLET WOMAN by Lorna Peel is a truly engaging and compelling story. But it is also so much more than a romance as there is a raw and tough quality to the story too, as the harsh reality of what life was like for so many women at that time is portrayed. A SCARLET WOMAN by Lorna Peel is perfect for historical fiction fans. Author Bio: Lorna Peel is an author of historical romance and romantic suspense novels set in the UK and Ireland. Her latest novel, A SCARLET WOMAN: THE FITZGERALDS OF DUBLIN BOOK ONE, an historical romance set in 1880s Dublin, Ireland, is available to pre-order for just 99cents or 99p at Amazon. For more information: Website - lornapeel.com Twitter - twitter.com/PeelLorna Facebook - www.facebook.com/LornaPeelAuthor *I am lucky to have a character profile and an excerpt for you all to enjoy... Meet A Scarlet Woman’s Isobel Stevens
Isobel Stevens is twenty-two years old. She was born in Co Galway, Ireland, the youngest of two children of the Reverend Edmund Stevens, a Church of Ireland (Anglican) clergyman, and his wife, Martha. Her parents’ marriage was an unhappy one. Reverend Stevens was a cruel and vindictive man who beat, not only his wife but his children, too. Despite his cruelty, Reverend Stevens wanted what was best for his children. Both Isobel and her elder brother, Alfie, were well-educated. Alfie was sent to Harrow public school in London, England while at the age of twelve, Isobel was sent to Cheltenham Ladies College in Gloucestershire, England. With Isobel’s beauty and education, Reverend Stevens hoped to arrange a good marriage for her. Unfortunately, this was not to be. Isobel was seduced by James Shawcross, a neighbour’s son, and she fell pregnant. James wouldn’t stand by her and Isobel was forced to tell her father about her pregnancy. Incensed, Reverend Stevens whipped Isobel and threw her out of the Glebe House. Disgraced and disowned, Isobel pawned the jewellery she was wearing and travelled to Dublin not knowing what she was going to do. In Dublin, Isobel approached a girl standing outside the railway station and asked her if there was anywhere she could work in exchange for bed and board. The girl said yes, and brought Isobel to Sally Maher’s brothel on Montgomery Street in Monto, Dublin’s red-light district… Excerpt: She woke feeling Will stirring beside her. His brown eyes stared blankly at her for a moment before he smiled. “You remember me, then?” she asked, fighting an urge to explore his now heavy stubble with her fingers. “Yes, I do. Good morning.” He rubbed his eyes. “Thank you for putting up with me last night. I don’t often drink to excess. I hope I didn’t pry too much and upset you.” “It was nothing,” she lied, giving him as bright a smile as she could manage. “I'd better go.” Throwing back the covers, he got out of the bed and went to the chair and door for his clothes. “Any sounds from the other bedrooms?” he asked as he got dressed. “I don't think they'll be stirring for hours yet.” “Well, I’m afraid Fred and Jerry need to stir right away. Fred’s getting married in—” He took out his pocket watch. “Three hours.” Putting his watch back in his waistcoat pocket, he went to the dressing table and bent in front of the mirror finger-combing his hair into place. “Use my brush.” She pointed to it lying beside a bottle of overly sweet scented perfume. “Thank you.” He reached for the brush, tidied his hair, then turned to face her. They observed each other for a couple of moments until she smiled self-consciously and pulled the bedcovers up to hide her breasts. “Why don't you—” he began, then stopped abruptly and flushed. “Find more suitable employment?” She shrugged. “I'm all but unemployable. I was schooled to be a lady.” “But think of what you might catch here?” “I am clean, Will,” she replied tightly. “You needn't worry.” He flushed even deeper. “You could go into domestic service?” “Yes, I suppose I could.” “I can only advise you to leave this brothel while you are still young and healthy.” “Thank you, Doctor.” Getting out of the bed, she quickly put her robe on and went to the door. She lifted his hat down from the hook before opening the door for him. “Good morning to you.” “Good morning.” Taking the hat from her, he went out. She closed the door, hearing him knocking loudly at the two other bedroom doors on the landing, ordering his friends out of bed and home at once. Standing in front of the dressing table mirror, she opened her robe and surveyed herself. He was right. A few years of this and she would be as coarse as Lily down the landing and would probably have syphilis or herpes into the bargain as well. It was time to leave. I WANT TO THANK LORNA PEEL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW THIS BOOK AND FOR THE FASCINATING CHARACTER PROFILE AND EXCERPT. Release date - 1st September 2017
Book length - 256 pages Publisher - blackandwhitepublishing.com Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk Amazon US - www.amazon.com ABOUT THE BOOK The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde Continues... Seven years after the death of Edward Hyde, a stylish gentleman shows up in foggy London claiming to be Dr Henry Jekyll. Only Mr Utterson, Jekyll’s faithful lawyer and confidant, knows that he must be an impostor – because Jekyll was Hyde. But as the man goes about charming Jekyll’s friends and reclaiming his estate, and as the bodies of potential challengers start piling up, Utterson is left fearing for his life ... and questioning his own sanity. This brilliantly imagined and beautifully written sequel to one of literature’s greatest masterpieces perfectly complements the original work. And where the original was concerned with the duality of man, this sequel deals with the possibility of identity theft of the most audacious kind. Can it really be that this man who looks and acts so precisely like Dr Henry Jekyll is an imposter? MY REVIEW Anyone who knows me knows that I love my classics and Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson is one of the best. So when I discovered that some brave author was taking on the task of writing a sequel, I was more than intrigued. And then I saw the cover which words cannot do justice - it is just that captivating. So how did the story fare when its predecessor was surely a masterpiece? Here are my thoughts on the intriguing DR. JEKYLL AND MR. SEEK by Anthony O'Neill: Seven years ago, Edward Hyde was discovered dead and Dr Jekyll mysteriously disappeared out of sight. Only Jekyll's close friend, Mr Utterson understood that his beloved friend was dead too, as Jekyll and Hyde were one and the same. Finding himself the sole beneficiary of Jekyll's estate, Utterson let seven years pass by and was preparing to take possession of his inheritance in the hopes that it would transform his life for the better, with a woman who has always held his affection. But when an imposter arrives claiming to be Jekyll returned in the flesh, Utterson is the only person who knows that this man must be a fraud, a criminal with nefarious plans, and as people who knew the real doctor begin to have fatal accidents, Utterson is determined to unmask this murderer for who he truly is, even if he must change himself to do it. But when everyone else in society accepts and welcomes Jekyll back into the fold, can Utterson be sure that he can trust himself? Taking on a classic written in such a different time period where the language and style were so different from the society that we live and write in today, is a huge undertaking and I must doff my hat to Mr O'Neill, as the story seamlessly continued from the original and I was transported back in time. The story is energetic, consuming, and exciting and I enjoyed seeing the mystery unfold from Utterson's point of view as he tried to build his case against the imposter. DR. JEKYLL AND MR. SEEK by Anthony O'Neill is an intriguing and contemplative story about friendship, desperation, and the thirst for the truth, and while the ending did leave me with some unanswered questions, overall I enjoyed this sequel very much. Author Bio: Anthony O’Neill is the son of an Irish policeman and an Australian stenographer. He was born in Melbourne and lives in Edinburgh. He is the author of Scheherazade, a revisionist Arabian Nights epic; The Lamplighter, a psychological horror novel set in Victorian Scotland; The Empire of Eternity, a history-mystery involving Napoleon Bonaparte and the early years of Egyptology; The Unscratchables, a Swiftian satire featuring dog and cat detectives; and The Dark Side, a crime novel set on the far side of the moon. For more information: Website - www.anthonyoneill.net *I want to thank Lina from Black & White Publishing, and the author Anthony O'Neill for the opportunity to review this book and take part in this blog tour. Don't forget to check out all of the other stops along the way!! Release date - 1st June 2017 (Paperback)
Book length - 416 pages Publisher - www.penguin.co.uk Book Depository - www.bookdepository.com Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk Amazon US - www.amazon.com ABOUT THE BOOK As the Second World War draws to a close, Intelligence Officer Gus Clifton surprises his sisters at their London home. But an even greater shock is the woman he brings with him, Krista - the German wife whom he has married secretly in Berlin. Krista is clearly devastated by her experiences at the hands of the British and their allies - all but broken by horrors she cannot share. But Gus's sisters can only see the enemy their brother has brought under their roof. And their friend Nella, Gus's beautiful, loyal fiancée, cannot understand what made Gus change his mind about their marriage. What hold does Krista have over their honourable and upright Gus? And how can the three women get her out of their home, their future, their England? Haunted by passion, betrayal, and misunderstanding these damaged souls are propelled towards a spectacular resolution. Krista has lost her country, her people, her identity, and the ties that bind her to Gus hold more tightly than the sisters can ever understand... MY REVIEW There are many historical novels centred around war and the horror it inflicted but none have touched my heart as much as THE NEW MRS CLIFTON by Elizabeth Buchan. Haunting, raw, and so very emotional, this is a story of the wreckage and damage that is left behind, and how people must now face the reality of what they have done to survive. When Gus Clifton arrives home with his new wife, it sends shock waves through his family and both of his sisters are stunned that he has forgotten about their friend, Nella, whom Gus had all but promised marriage. But the biggest shock is that his new wife is German. Julia cannot forgive her brother for bringing this woman into their home since the love of her life was killed during the War, and with this intrusion, Julia struggles to find her place in the world anymore. Tilly, the youngest sister, has a more open view of life and wants to try to be friends with their new sister-in-law, but dark shadows haunt her as she yearns to be noticed and to truly belong somewhere. Judged by many as the enemy even though the war is now over, Krista will have to navigate carefully this new life that stands in front of her, no matter how many nightmares from the past try to pull her back down. She misses her homeland even though it haunts her and marrying Gus was her only hope of survival. But can she really trust her unlikely husband? And can this moment of safety ever last? Her life has shown her that nothing can be trusted... THE NEW MRS CLIFTON by Elizabeth Buchan will make you question just how far you would go to survive, how you would cope with the horrific acts that these characters have witnessed, experienced, and committed, and this novel will make you feel deeply moved throughout. The characters are damaged and broken, but never defeated, and this backbone of inner strength that shines through the pages really is mind-blowing. As the story develops, you will find answers to some of your questions, but it is at the very end that all will become clear. THE NEW MRS CLIFTON by Elizabeth Buchan is a masterpiece of historical fiction that does not always make for comfortable reading but will consume you from the very first page, and I really hope it receives the huge applause that it richly deserves. Author Bio: Elizabeth Buchan began her career as a blurb writer at Penguin Books after graduating from the University of Kent with a double degree in English and History. She moved on to become a fiction editor at Random House before leaving to write full time. Her novels include the prizewinning Consider the Lily – reviewed in the Independent as ‘a gorgeously well written tale: funny, sad and sophisticated’. A subsequent novel, Revenge of the Middle-Aged Woman became an international bestseller and was made into a CBS Primetime Drama. Later novels included The Second Wife, Separate Beds and Daughters. Her latest, I Can’t Begin to Tell You, a story of resistance in wartime Denmark, was published by Penguin in August 2014. Elizabeth Buchan’s short stories are broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and published in magazines. She reviews for the Sunday Times and the Daily Mail, and has chaired the Betty Trask and Desmond Elliot literary prizes, and also been a judge for the Whitbread First Novel Award and for 2014 Costa Novel Award. She is a patron of the Guildford Book Festival and of The National Academy of Writing, and sits on the author committee for The Reading Agency. For more information: Website - elizabethbuchan.com Twitter - twitter.com/elizabethbuchan Facebook - www.facebook.com/ElizabethBuchanAuthor?ref=sgm *I want to thank Sian at Penguin, and the author Elizabeth Buchan, for the opportunity to review this book and take part in this blog tour. Don't forget to check out all the other stops along the way!! |
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