Release Date: 14/01/16
Publisher: Two Roads
SYNOPSIS:
The Words in My Hand is the reimagined true story of Helena Jans, a Dutch maid in 17th-century Amsterdam, who works for Mr Sergeant the English bookseller. When a mysterious and reclusive lodger arrives - the Monsieur - Mr Sergeant insists everything must be just so. It transpires that the Monsieur is René Descartes.
This is Helena's story: the woman in front of Descartes, a young woman who yearns for knowledge, who wants to write so badly she makes ink from beetroot and writes in secret on her skin - only to be held back by her position in society.
Weaving together the story of Descartes' quest for reason with Helena's struggle for literacy, their worlds overlap as their feelings deepen; yet remain sharply divided. For all Descartes' learning, it is Helena he seeks out as she reveals the surprise in the everyday world that surrounds him.
When reputation is everything and with so much to lose, some truths must remain hidden. Helen
REVIEW:
A story that I wasn’t really aware of and whilst I knew the name of one of the protagonists, the events and others associated with him would be a complete mystery to me, so that when I read this, it would be to not only learn about this love story but also to see how he fit into his timer period.
Firstly for me what Guinevere has done extremely well is bring the time to life, I loved wandering round the streets of Amsterdam getting to meet the tales characters and loved spending time getting to know them as this love story unfurls. It has great pace, wonderfully descriptive prose and for me gave me a title that I didn’t want to put down, especially as real events blended seamlessly within the tales context to generate not only a snapshot of the time but of a mind that would go on to be thought of as the father of modern philosophy.
All round I loved this book and its definitely a highlight to kick off the new year with. Cracking.
Release Date: 20/06/13
Publisher:
SYNOPSIS:
Plymouth 1570 Drake's ship, The Swan, sets sail for the New World with a crew of pirates hell-bent on Spanish treasure. Among them is Will Doonan seeking both his fortune and revenge for the loss of his brother. But unbeknown to all, young Ellyn Cooksley has stowed away. And her presence aboard ship will prove to be more tempting to Will than gold ...
REVIEW:
OK, you’re looking for something specific, you want high sea’s action, a story of love and romance and mix it all up in Elizabethan England? Well that’s where this cracking title from Jenny Barden comes to the fore in this debut a long time in the making and to be honest the time that has been taken to polish it really does go to show the depth of not only research but love of the craft has gone into this book.
The history is believable with an almost miasma of the stench of the time attached. Its cleverly sculpted, grasps the reader deep into bossom of the title and really does give the reader a magical read that not only will thrill and enthral but makes the reader want to keep on reading long into the night. A great read.
Release Date: 09/10/12
SYNOPSIS:
To London society, the Inferno Club is notorious for its scandalous pursuits. In private, these warriors would risk their lives for king and country. Sebastian, Viscount Beauchamp, lives by a code of honour, and now honour dictates he must marry Miss Carissa Portland. He has no regrets over stealing a kiss from her - a fitting punishment for putting her delectable nose where it didn't belong. But now, caught in a compromising situation, he knows he must make her his bride. Carissa is not a gossip - she's a 'lady of information.' But even she can't flaunt Society, and while her head tells her that Beau's a notorious scoundrel, her heart - and her body - are captivated by his dangerous charm. But when Carissa next goes snooping, the secrets she uncovers about the Inferno Club may prove even more hazardous than falling in love with your own husband. The fifth novel in a sumptuous new romance series by New York Times bestselling author Gaelen Foley will make you blush with delight.
REVIEW:
I haven’t read any of the other titles in this series, so my review is going to be based on jumping in at the deep end here and hoping that I’m not dragged to my doom but overall I found this book entertaining enough. It had romance, some solid twists and whilst I wasn’t enamoured of the principle heroine, I did find myself hooked at the ways that the two characters got themselves into trouble as well as finding ways to escape the various elements.
It’s well written, the prose sharp and when backed with an author who appears to know her market audience well, definitely delivers on everything that you’d want in a historical romance. All in a solid enough title and whilst I preferred the other title I read recently to this one I have to say that I’ll more than dip a toe in next time.
Release Date: 09/10/12
SYNOPSIS:
Neville Roscoe, notorious and enigmatic, lives resolutely outside society, bound only by his code of honour - until challenged by his desire for the one woman he cannot have. Miranda Clifford is a lady imprisoned by rigid respectability - until tempted by a passion beyond her power to deny. Flung together in peril, through danger and intrigue, they discover a love impossible to ignore ...or keep. Filled to the brim with passion, glamour and intrigue, discover the latest novel by Stephanie Laurens: the queen of historical romance.
REVIEW:
I love time in the depths of the past with some historical fiction, and whilst I can usually be found deep on the fields of war, battering my way through shield walls or charging on the forlorn hope with some of the rifle regiments, I do occasional like to indulge in a little romance to give me something a little different. After all as a person who writes for fun, you do learn a hell of a lot by dipping a toe in genres you wouldn’t normally try.
What this book by Stephanie presented was a tale of a Rake who whilst previously had appeared in a more minor role was given the starring part opposite a cracking leading lady. It had everything you’d want from a wonderful sense of romance, deep emotional turmoil and when backed with an author who knows how to twist the readers emotions really gave as good as this type of title does. All in a great way to spend some time and a title I was more than pleased I took the time to savour.
Release Date:
SYNOPSIS:
Roger Dykmans, a university student, is living with his brother Hans, an international emissary who's secretly working against the Nazis. As time goes by, Roger finds himself increasingly drawn to Magda, Hans' Jewish wife. But their secret world is turned upside down when Magda and her young daughter, Anna, are arrested by the Nazis. The Gestapo make a deal with Roger: if he hands over information about Hans' operations, they'll set Magda and Anna free. Suddenly, Roger is faced with an impossible decision: should he betray his brother to save the woman they both love? Spanning decades and continents, The Things We Cherished explores the strength of true love under the worst of circumstances.
REVIEW:
There are some books that you can write a review on straight after finishing, and others that have to take a while to digest and dig your way through your thoughts so that you know what the book did for you mentally as well as emotionally. The later being the case with this title by Pam Jenoff where the writing takes you on a tale of love through critical times throughout the first part of the twentieth century and the harrowing choices that are made that people have to live with.
It’s cleverly written and with the key part coming to the reader in the first person point of view it makes for gripping reading as we get to know the old man in the court case as a young person. It has dark moments, the odd piece of light and of course the material is sensitively handled which makes this a book that is not just a story of romance but of survival against a dark period in our own worlds living memory history. It’s also has solid prose and the author is one who believes at the core of any story are the people rather than having to overly complicate the plot with intricate details almost as if to hide things.
Finally add to this, a wonderfully warm authorly voice and the story really does work its way into your subconscious. Crackingly told and of course a read that will stay with you for quite some time.
Release Date: 02/06/11
SYNOPSIS:
Honoria Smythe-Smith, the youngest daughter of the eldest son of the Earl of Winstead, plays the violin in the annual musicale performed by the Smythe-Smith quartet. She's well aware that they are dreadful. In fact, she freely admits (to her cousins) that she is probably the worst of the bunch. But she's the sort who figures that nothing good will come of being mortified, so she puts on a good show and laughs about it. Marcus Holroyd is the best friend of Honoria's brother Daniel, who lives in exile out of the country. He's promised to watch out for Honoria and takes his responsibility very seriously. But he has his work cut out for him when Honoria sets off for Cambridge determined to marry by the end of the season. She's got her eye on the only unmarried Bridgerton, who's a bit wet behind the ears. When her advances are spurned, can Marcus swoop in and steal her heart in time for the musicale?
REVIEW:
OK, this title was a complete surprise for me when it landed. I don’t usually read this type of book and when it was sent as part of a book gift bag from the publisher I thought, what the hell give it a go.
All in I wasn’t impressed, whilst the concept seemed pretty decent the execution felt a little flat, almost half-hearted with the comedic moments overly staged just to fit them in. Add to this a lead character that didn’t really step beyond the pages, dialogue that felt forced and overall a story arc that felt padded from the outset.
Whilst this title wasn’t for me, I have heard from friends who are fans of Julia’s titles that this isn’t her finest and whilst this was an ordinary release I’d have been better had I started with something like An Offer from a Gentleman. To sum up, this title was distinctly uninspiring and a disappointing let down all round, almost like a soufflé that didn’t rise, you know it had the right ingredients but sadly something went wrong in the baking.
