REVIEWS OF BOOKS THAT I'VE READ in 2013 AND enjoyed
(scroll the page for my reviews)
FROM THE CORNER OF HIS EYE: DEAN KOONTZ
FINDING GRACE-A TRANSFORMATIONAL JOURNEY: KATHY GOTTBERG
THE rOSIE Project: graham simsion
THE ALMOND TREE: MICHELLE COHEN CORASANTI
the girl you left behind: jo jo moyes
MARCHING WITH CAESAR: R W PEAKE
Remembered: e d brady (part 1 of vistira trilogy)
reclaimed: e d brady (vistira trilogy part 2)
times twisted arrow: rysa walker
YEAR OF THE CELT:IMBOLC - ROB GODFREY
VOWS TO KILL: MARK CAPELL
THE SAMURAI'S GARDEN: GAIL TSUKIYAMA
banker's draft: clive mullis
redhead: ian cook
FINDING PRIDE: JILL SANDERS
the melody in our hearts
THE rOSIE Project: graham simsion
(not available to purchase until April 2013)
I'll start off by saying that I won a copy of this book in a giveaway competition. And am I glad that I entered!! It’s a fabulous
book! I do not have the superlatives to describe this wonderful piece of writing. Suffice to say it was funny, moving, extremely engaging and the best book of its kind that I have ever read. Our hero, Don, is a Professor of Genetics; extremely intelligent but socially inept to the point where you find yourself cringing and wincing at his social faux pas, whilst also laughing out loud.
There is one scene in particular that I was reading in a public place that could easily have got me carted away, I was laughing so much. Without giving too much away it revolves around a sex manual and a skeleton... (NB to any prudes - this is not an erotic novel!!) At the end of the book the author explains how the book came to life from an initial screenplay and suggests that the perfect actor would have been Cary Grant, which is exactly who came to mind for me during the reading. You might want to envisage Don in this way, it can only enhance the reading!! I cannot recommend this book highly enough – simply superb!
5 out of 5 stars
I'll start off by saying that I won a copy of this book in a giveaway competition. And am I glad that I entered!! It’s a fabulous
book! I do not have the superlatives to describe this wonderful piece of writing. Suffice to say it was funny, moving, extremely engaging and the best book of its kind that I have ever read. Our hero, Don, is a Professor of Genetics; extremely intelligent but socially inept to the point where you find yourself cringing and wincing at his social faux pas, whilst also laughing out loud.
There is one scene in particular that I was reading in a public place that could easily have got me carted away, I was laughing so much. Without giving too much away it revolves around a sex manual and a skeleton... (NB to any prudes - this is not an erotic novel!!) At the end of the book the author explains how the book came to life from an initial screenplay and suggests that the perfect actor would have been Cary Grant, which is exactly who came to mind for me during the reading. You might want to envisage Don in this way, it can only enhance the reading!! I cannot recommend this book highly enough – simply superb!
5 out of 5 stars
Only Dean Koontz could write a book like this! Full of compelling characters with a strong spiritual them running throughout it has many of the features that you would expect from a Koontz novel, plus a bit more! I don't write reviews that rehash the story so suffice to say that this is a story with a number of lead characters whose lives are or become intertwined and there are numerous threads. The main 'baddie' is completely twisted with a self-worth that would be laughable if he wasn't so utterly dangerous. There is no one character that isn't flawed in some way and has a background that has created the way they now think. To that end we find honourable, unbelievably kind, moral and scumbag amongst them. I really enjoyed this story, although it was an inordinately long read, but I devoured every word. The threads of the story were sad, horrific but also happy in turn. Towards the end I felt things became a bit garbled and too much was happening at once, but this is my only criticism of an otherwise excellent story for lovers of the supernatural and investigators of meta-physics.
4 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5 stars
I hadn't expected to enjoy this book, seeing it labelled as christian fiction I suspected it would be a proselyting novel full of sickly sweetness, as unfortunately so many are. However, I was very pleasantly surprised. This is a gritty read that takes the reader through the turmoil that our heroine, Grace, finds herself in. She is looking for her own version of God and the author leads us on a search with Grace as she ploughs through the minefield of
organised christian religion and the questions that such orthodox faith promotes. I found myself responding to some of the questions, alternately agreeing with some and disagreeing with others.
Finally, through her great friend Mrs Pettymint, Grace makes progress with her life's journey by using the lessons that Mrs P delivers. I did struggle with some of the non-orthodox views put forward and found myself gasping at the notion that a church would pay musicians to play hymns on a Sunday, or pay for a Sunday school teacher! Not part of a world I've inhabited and left me extremely surprised that such churches can spring up in the USA - but maybe I'm just naive! Overall, the book variously poses and answers many of the questions that those of faith, or not, might well perceive. I'm not a churchgoer but regard myself as spiritual and I was intrigued by some of the
alternative notions put forward. A worthy read which just nudges into a 4*.
4 out of 5 stars
organised christian religion and the questions that such orthodox faith promotes. I found myself responding to some of the questions, alternately agreeing with some and disagreeing with others.
Finally, through her great friend Mrs Pettymint, Grace makes progress with her life's journey by using the lessons that Mrs P delivers. I did struggle with some of the non-orthodox views put forward and found myself gasping at the notion that a church would pay musicians to play hymns on a Sunday, or pay for a Sunday school teacher! Not part of a world I've inhabited and left me extremely surprised that such churches can spring up in the USA - but maybe I'm just naive! Overall, the book variously poses and answers many of the questions that those of faith, or not, might well perceive. I'm not a churchgoer but regard myself as spiritual and I was intrigued by some of the
alternative notions put forward. A worthy read which just nudges into a 4*.
4 out of 5 stars
THE ALMOND TREE: MICHELLE COHEN CORASANTI
An incredible book. I admit I was somewhat sceptical when I started to read and was debating whether I would actually be able to get through this. It was a little confusing at first and I couldn't easily separate the characters. However, thankfully I persevered and a third of the way through the book I was ompletely hooked! The book centres around the Palestinian/Israeli conflict and starts from the year 1995 and culminates in the last decade. The main character Ichmad has a truly indomitable spirit and his resolve and determination to take care of his ravaged family is inestimable. The book is harrowing ... it's often extremely uncomfortable to read and is a testament against man's inhumanity to man. But ... it is also a story of hope and if there were truly men of Ichmad's character in positions of power and
authority the world would truthfully be a more wonderful place.
loved the way two enemies become friends, the love that Ichmad finds for the relationship that he has with his father. A Remarkable book that deserves every one of the 5 stars I give.
5 out of 5 stars
authority the world would truthfully be a more wonderful place.
loved the way two enemies become friends, the love that Ichmad finds for the relationship that he has with his father. A Remarkable book that deserves every one of the 5 stars I give.
5 out of 5 stars
the girl you left behind: jo jo moyes
There are two stories within this story. The first, commences in 1916 in war-torn occupied France and is set in a small village/town where our heroine, Sophie, runs the local hotel and her husband,
who is an accomplished artist by profession, together with all the other recruitable men in the area are away fighting. Her portrait hangs in the hotel and it is not long before the new German Kommandant sees it and is entranced. Suffice to say it is not long before the Kommandant turns his attention to Sophie...Cut to 2006 and the second part of the story begins with Liv who now
owns the painting...Liv is a widow of 4 years whose husband bought the painting as a gift early in their marriage. The stories merge, the history of the painting being gradually revealed and finally we discover what happened to Sophie.
I loved Sophie's story but struggled a little with Liv's life and questioned her decisions and reasons for acting in the way she does. At times I felt angry with her and really could not empathise with her as perhaps I was intended to. Having made this negative comment, the entire book is worth a 6 out of 5 just for Sophie's story alone and so I am compelled to rate it with the
maximum 5 stars. A very worthy read, very well-researched and one that leaves you pondering long after you've turned the pages.
5 out of 5 stars
who is an accomplished artist by profession, together with all the other recruitable men in the area are away fighting. Her portrait hangs in the hotel and it is not long before the new German Kommandant sees it and is entranced. Suffice to say it is not long before the Kommandant turns his attention to Sophie...Cut to 2006 and the second part of the story begins with Liv who now
owns the painting...Liv is a widow of 4 years whose husband bought the painting as a gift early in their marriage. The stories merge, the history of the painting being gradually revealed and finally we discover what happened to Sophie.
I loved Sophie's story but struggled a little with Liv's life and questioned her decisions and reasons for acting in the way she does. At times I felt angry with her and really could not empathise with her as perhaps I was intended to. Having made this negative comment, the entire book is worth a 6 out of 5 just for Sophie's story alone and so I am compelled to rate it with the
maximum 5 stars. A very worthy read, very well-researched and one that leaves you pondering long after you've turned the pages.
5 out of 5 stars
MARCHING WITH CAESAR: R W PEAKE
Brilliant - just brilliant! This is a book about a young wannabe roman legionaire who volunteers for the Roman army at the age of 16, pretending to be the requisite 17. The book details his training, his experiences in battle, including the acquisition of the spoils of war. Julius Caesar is the Commander of the force and we learn just how strategic a man he was, but also he inspiring he was. Our hero, Titus Pullus engages fully in battle and we follow his journey as a career soldier, comrade and...moreBrilliant - just brilliant! This is a book about a young wannabe roman legionaire who volunteers for the Roman army at the age of 16, pretending to be the requisite 17. The book details his training, his experiences in battle, including the acquisition of the spoils of war. Julius
Caesar is the Commander of the force and we learn just how strategic a man he was, but also he inspiring he was. Our hero, Titus Pullus engages fully in battle and we follow his journey as a career soldier, comrade and friend and laugh and weep with him. Full of detail which evidences the undoubtable and considerable research that the author has covered. I cannot praise this book highly enough - tremendous value too - more than 500 pages worth of reading.
5 out of 5 stars
Caesar is the Commander of the force and we learn just how strategic a man he was, but also he inspiring he was. Our hero, Titus Pullus engages fully in battle and we follow his journey as a career soldier, comrade and friend and laugh and weep with him. Full of detail which evidences the undoubtable and considerable research that the author has covered. I cannot praise this book highly enough - tremendous value too - more than 500 pages worth of reading.
5 out of 5 stars
Remembered (vistira trilogy part i) e d brady
Wow, hadn’t expected to enjoy this book even half as much as I did! A tale that is beautifully told, well-paced, with a unique story line. I found the story wholly unpredictable and eagerly turned (or should that be tapped on a kindle..?) the pages to see what would happen next, often finding myself totally surprised as each turn of events unfolded. The parallel worlds are very well linked and I have every intention of reading the next instalment to discover what happens next in Emily/Annie’s world. A truly excellent debut novel that I note is the first of a trilogy that I’m certain will leave readers as enchanted as I was. Could not recommend more highly to readers who enjoy romantic fantasy.
5 out of 5 stars
5 out of 5 stars
reclaimed (vistira trilogy part 2)
A thrilling 2nd volume follow-up to the Vistira trilogy. Our heroine Annella and her husband Kelsus must face the greatest threat to their world Vistira from an evil underground society that the
world had thought had long been eradicated. Prophecies are foretold, but are they fully understood and what exactly do they refer to? And what of Annella’s best friend Catherine – will Annella ever see her again? Lots of surprises, lots of delightfully cheesy and endearing love episodes - and of course the concluding part of this entertaining tale.
5 out of 5 stars
times twisted arrow: rysa walker
This is an amazing book! A time-travel novel like no other I've ever read and I am astounded at the ability of the other to keep track of the different time zones and events and yet still keep the story rolling. And roll it does, gathering pace and drawing in the reader at every page. I admit I had to re-read the first couple of chapters to get a better sense of what was going on but once that was done the story made perfect sense to me(!!). I know little of American history but it appears that...moreThis is an amazing book! A time-travel novel like no other I've ever read and I am astounded at the ability of the other to keep track of the different time zones and events and yet still keep the story rolling. And roll it does, gathering pace and drawing in the reader at every page. I admit I had to re-read the first couple of chapters to get a better sense of what was going on but once that was done the story made perfect sense to me(!!). I know little of American history but it appears that the author has done her research on this and she is more than just an accomplished writer but also an intelligent one too. I loved the characters, especially Kiernan...I await the next instalment with bated breath!
5 out of 5 stars
5 out of 5 stars
YEAR OF THE CELT:IMBOLC - ROB GODFREY
A real treat for historical fiction fans. There is a great deal of detail in this book and a whole cast of characters who are fighting for survival during the onset of the ice-age. What I found particularly fascinating is that the characters were very much like us still, despite the 2500 year gap. Each of still wants food, shelter, companionship and to be loved. The author tackles all of these things and we glimpse a little of what our ancestral neighbours had to endure, knowing that without them we ourselves would not be here. There are a number of story lines to follow including murder, adultery, young love and the very survival of life. The author confesses that the day to life he portrays is largely speculative as there is no written history of the people of this time, but I would agree with his considerations on this and also believe that their lives would not have been so different to our own. It’s interesting to note that we are still learning, through recent archaeological discoveries, that our ancient ancestors were not nearly as primitive as we might once have believed which really supports the author’s suppositions to tell his story. I loved the characters, good and bad, and really
want to pursue this story and learn what happens to them all. Heartily recommend.
4 out of 5 stars
want to pursue this story and learn what happens to them all. Heartily recommend.
4 out of 5 stars
VOWS TO KILL: MARK CAPELL
This is not my normal genre but I was given the opportunity to read this and sat down with mixed thoughts of what I might find.
Well… I’m a convert and will be spreading my reading tastes wider as a result! It’s a mystery, crime and romance novel that is written with style and intelligence. I liked the way the author breaks the book down into small chapters that each tackle a particular theme or revolves around a particular character. The characters are interesting and well-defined, and all are complex.
I wasn’t able to deduce what would finally happen and saw each
of my theories gradually get whittled away – the ending was surprising, sad and conclusive. The main thread of the book is that Lee, the main character, has a secret, one that only a handful of others share. I was slightly confused as to why this particular secret caused such problems though… other readers may
disagree but for me it didn’t quite add up. I thoroughly enjoyed the book though, despite this one criticism and would not hesitate to recommend.
4 out of 5 stars
Well… I’m a convert and will be spreading my reading tastes wider as a result! It’s a mystery, crime and romance novel that is written with style and intelligence. I liked the way the author breaks the book down into small chapters that each tackle a particular theme or revolves around a particular character. The characters are interesting and well-defined, and all are complex.
I wasn’t able to deduce what would finally happen and saw each
of my theories gradually get whittled away – the ending was surprising, sad and conclusive. The main thread of the book is that Lee, the main character, has a secret, one that only a handful of others share. I was slightly confused as to why this particular secret caused such problems though… other readers may
disagree but for me it didn’t quite add up. I thoroughly enjoyed the book though, despite this one criticism and would not hesitate to recommend.
4 out of 5 stars
THE SAMURAI'S GARDEN: GAIL TSUKIYAMA
Loved this book! Such well-defined characters and the author really gets into the soul of the individuals. Japanese customs abound, beautifully crafted into the story and I really felt I was there with the characters as a silent observer.
The scenes in the leprosy village were heartbreaking...Beautiful book and on my top ten list of books that I would take on a desert island!
5 out of 5 stars
The scenes in the leprosy village were heartbreaking...Beautiful book and on my top ten list of books that I would take on a desert island!
5 out of 5 stars
banker's draft: clive mullis
I really enjoyed this book! The central characters are two more than a little crazy detectives who are far less incompetent than first appears. Add to this a variety of quirky and whacky
individuals, cats that talk, bears with tattoos and you get the flavour of this parallel universe detective story. Loved the humour and wit and feel that this book has all the hallmarks of the beginning of an excellent series. Would definitely read more by this author. I've rated 4 but it's worth 4.5.... Well done with this debut novel and keep up the good work!
4 out of 5 stars
individuals, cats that talk, bears with tattoos and you get the flavour of this parallel universe detective story. Loved the humour and wit and feel that this book has all the hallmarks of the beginning of an excellent series. Would definitely read more by this author. I've rated 4 but it's worth 4.5.... Well done with this debut novel and keep up the good work!
4 out of 5 stars
redhead: ian cook
I was attracted to this title as a redhead myself. The writing was not only intelligent but imaginative - albeit occasionally pushing overboard the boundaries of stretching the imagination. Having said that it is clear the book is well-researched in terms of the mythology and legends related to redheads and threw up a lot of information that I was previously unaware of. Rebecca, the heroine, is a fiesty and fiery individual who has multiple facets and the male lead Jim makes a good counterpart, although
I have to say I preferred Larry... At no time was I in a position to be able to work out what was going to happen next, the story being totally unpredictable. For me, the story had rather too much gore for my taste but nonetheless it worked within the context of the story. Shades of the holocaust maybe? An enjoyable read for blondes, brunettes and redheads...
4 out of 5 stars
I have to say I preferred Larry... At no time was I in a position to be able to work out what was going to happen next, the story being totally unpredictable. For me, the story had rather too much gore for my taste but nonetheless it worked within the context of the story. Shades of the holocaust maybe? An enjoyable read for blondes, brunettes and redheads...
4 out of 5 stars
FINDING PRIDE: JILL SANDERS
I enjoyed this book, Jill is obviously a very good story teller and the tale rattles along at a good speed without veering off
course. The main characters are flawed, but believably so, and there is much merit in the way they fit around the more minor characters in the book. I got a strong sense of the relationship that Megan shared with her brother, which was an enviable one and well defined. The relationship with her ex-husband is well
described and I was left in no doubt as to why Megan behaves in certain ways. Overall I was very impressed by the story and would definitely read the next instalment.
4 out of 5 stars.
course. The main characters are flawed, but believably so, and there is much merit in the way they fit around the more minor characters in the book. I got a strong sense of the relationship that Megan shared with her brother, which was an enviable one and well defined. The relationship with her ex-husband is well
described and I was left in no doubt as to why Megan behaves in certain ways. Overall I was very impressed by the story and would definitely read the next instalment.
4 out of 5 stars.
Only Dean Koontz could write a book like this! Full of compelling characters with a strong spiritual them running throughout it has many of the features that you would expect from a Koontz novel, plus a bit more! I don't write reviews that rehash the story so suffice to say that this is a story with a number of lead characters whose lives are or become intertwined and there are numerous threads. The main 'baddie' is completely twisted with a self-worth that would be laughable if he wasn't so utterly dangerous. There is no one character that isn't flawed in some way and has a background that has created the way they now think. To that end we find honourable, unbelievably kind, moral and scumbag amongst them. I really enjoyed this story, although it was an inordinately long read, but I devoured every word. The threads of the story were sad, horrific but also happy in turn. Towards the end I felt things became a bit garbled and too much was happening at once, but this is my only criticism of an otherwise excellent story for lovers of the supernatural and investigators of meta-physics.
the melody in our hearts
This was a lovely, old fashioned romance with a truly sweet love story that begins to unfold from the onset. I engaged with the story from the very beginning and thought that the background story of the two main characters was well defined. It was made very clear that this was a couple who had an unusual relationship, one that was questioned by all those who observed them together. It didn't spoil it for me that it was obvious from the first meeting what the outcome would be, the journey to get there was the interesting part. My only negative is that I felt there was rather too much repetitive content on how they had met and how they constantly challenged others' views of their friendship. I think a fair portion could have been cut out and yet still have left us with this beautiful story that is well worth reading. I will most definitely be looking out for more from Roberta, who is an excellent storyteller.
4 out of 5 stars.
4 out of 5 stars.