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Out of the Silence – Owen Mullen
“For Afra and the millions of Afras, I hope things have improved – now and then, something allows us to believe the forces for good are still out there, fighting against the darkness threatening to engulf us.” – Owen Mullen Introduction A mutilated, broken, dying woman is found near a hospital in Punjab. Her name is Afra. What she must have suffered makes you cold. Spine-chillingly cold. Beatings. Strangulation. Acid attack. Not to mention what came before, the years of abuse and rape. To Doctor Simone Jasnin, Afra is an eye-opener. Of course, she knew that women were considered lower creatures and wives the property of their husbands in India,…
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Sticks and Stones – Jo Jakeman
Philip Rochester leaves behind three (ex-)wives and one son. And.. indigestion. At least that is what Imogen, (ex-)wife in the middle, feels. When we go back 22 days before the funeral – no, a lifetime before – we slowly but surely understand who Philip Rochester was in Jo Jakeman’s gripping, shocking thriller with its dark humour, ‘Sticks and Stones.’ Storyline Imogen is glad to be rid of her husband even if he refuses to grant her a divorce but instead, wants to divorce her. Yes, his reputation means all to him. But Imogen will not leave the home she built for herself and their little son, Alistair. When she goes…
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No Remorse – Robert Crouch
No Remorse is the third instalment in the engrossing Kent Fisher Mysteries series and I love it! Our Environmental Health Officer has trouble focussing as his beloved Gemma is now engaged to Richard and a secret unravels abhorrent actions from the past, exposing not only Kent but those dear to him, to dangerous situations… Introduction An old man in Nightingales, a home for the elderly tells Kent ‘they’ want to kill him because ‘they’ know who he is – but they will never know his secret. Before Kent can ask any further, he is whisked away by the stern manager, Miss Rudolf, who has no time for nonsense and whilst…
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Echo Hall – Virginia Moffatt
A fascinating family saga spanning almost a century about the lives, loves and tragedies of three strong women, Rachel, Elsie and Ruth, set against the history of WWI, the suffragette movement, WWII and the Gulf War. All somehow connected to Echo Hall. All influenced by its ominous atmosphere… Introduction It is the year 2014 and Phoebe is curious as to the place where she was born: the stately mansion called ‘Echo Hall,’ home of the Flint family. The house that has been “on the edge of her memory” for so long that she is dying to be inside it, to breathe in the atmosphere of the former home of her…
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All The Colours In Between – Eva Jordan
Lizzie, a mother, author, lover of her partner and life takes us with her on an emotive and enticing trip through her fascinating life filled with love and laughter, sadness and grief, and friendship and betrayal – all the colours in between black and white! Introduction Lizzie should feel proud that she has successfully weathered the storms of time, the emotions she went through each have their own colour such as ‘cranberry passion’ for first love, the ‘iridescent pink flush‘ of desire and the colour of ‘sulphur‘ for times of intense pain. So why should she not feel an abundant joy with its bright colours but, instead, sees everything fade…
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*Christmas 2017*
Now Christmas is before us and the end of the year is nigh, I want to express my gratitude to all of you in our bookish world for connecting, for your friendship and inspiration, for being there. I have read and reviewed many wonderful (new) books, have found new authors to read and to connect with but foremost, I must extend an apology to those authors, whose books have not been reviewed yet although they have been on my list for quite some time. I realise I have let you down. I can only tell you I am sorry – your books are on my list and will be read.…
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Luna the Moon Pig – Suzy Davies
*Children’s Book* Luna the Moon Pig is a delightful (pig’s) tale of love, adventure, and belonging by Suzy Davies with gorgeous illustrations by Sheila Graber .. a special treat for your (grand)children and yourself! “Dedicated to families of piggies and people worldwide, Luna the Moon Pig is the cutest of pigs, with a moon face, chocolate-drop eyes, and the wiggliest of tails.” Introduction Once upon a time, far, far away from here little piggies were born on a farm. The last of the litter was a little black pig with chocolate-brown eyes. Her face was all shiny and round, just like the moon she was born under. No wonder her…
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Made in Japan – S.J. Parks
An atmospheric and engaging tale of a mother and daughter who, twenty-three years apart, come to Japan each with their own objective, both with a strong sense of not-belonging and a desperate wish to find their place in life. Introduction After her mother’s death, a young woman wants to learn to know Japan, the country of her father, whom she does not know. Hana has not even a name to find him nor a clue as to who he is or his whereabouts; all she knows is the ‘Teahouse’ her mother, Naomi, helped to create. Most of all though, Hana needs to find herself and to that end, she leaves behind…
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Zenka – Alison Brodie
Combine a London mobster with a feisty Hungarian pole-dancer, a soft-hearted male nurse and many more crazy, likeable, over-the-top characters et voilà you have ZENKA: a quirky, dark, and romantic comedy. Introduction What have a London mobster by the name of Jack Murray, an exotic Hungarian pole-dancer named Zenka, a soft-hearted male nurse Nicholas, Trevor, a frustrated accountant and a couple of tough guys in common? And there is more… For instance, Jack never knew he had a son but sort of adopted a psychopath, Lloyd, a sadistic low life whose Jaguar is now owned by Nicholas! A script, heading for disaster. Zenka does everything she can to direct Jack…
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The Prince and the Pea – Denise Deegan
*Children’s Book* Once upon a time, a King came up with a cunning plan to find a genuine Princess for his son. Only a true Princess would be allowed to marry the Prince. Introduction Have you heard of the King who wanted to protect his Kingdom by forbidding his son to marry anyone but a real Princess? The Prince has to do what his father tells him – he is the King, after all. So one Princess after another come to the castle and are put to the ultimate test: are they for real or not? Follow me… Storyline A Kingdom must have an heir. A little Prince or Princess to become King or Queen one day. It…
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