Blog No 178 – Book Review – The Sister Returns by Joanna Rees

As I’m passionate about historical fiction, i did accept this offer to write a book review for Joanna Rees latest book, The Sister Returns from the Stitch in Time Series. Joanna is another new author to me, yet I was eager to commence this novel

The book is available in most bookstores and online retailers now. Congratulations to Joanna for a magnificent book.

Book Description

To have a future, she must confront her past….

It’s 1929 and after running away from her family in Lancashire, becoming a dancer in London and having a riotous time in Paris with her best friend Nancy, would be fashion designer Vita Casey is now living a much more sedate life in New York with her baby son Bertie, far away from her real brother, Clement and her nemesis Edith.

When the disastrous events of the Wall Street Crash change their destinies, Vita and Nancy flee to Los Angeles, where Nancy is determined to make it in the talkies. Schmoozing their way into the ranks of the Hollywood elite, Vita is starting to think that she can begin to fulfil her fashion ambitions. But when the love of her life, Archie is hired as a writer in Nancy’s new movie and Clement exacts his ultimate revenge, Vita’s past and present collide.

She has no choice but to tell the truth and try to reclaim what is rightfully hers before it’s too late.

to think that she can begin to fulfil her fashion ambitions. But when the love of her life, Archie is hired as a writer in Nancy’s new movie and Clement exacts his ultimate revenge, Vita’s past and present collide.

She has no choice but to tell the truth and try to reclaim what is rightfully hers before it’s too late.

About The Author – Joanna Rees

Joanna Rees, aka Josie Lloyd and Jo Rees, is the bestselling author of numerous novels, including rom-coms, blockbusters, and big-hearted adventures such as The Tides of Change and A Twist of Fate. Based in Brighton, Joanna is married to the author Emlyn Rees, and with whom she has three daughters. They have co-written several novels including the Sunday times number one bestseller Come Together, which was translated into over twenty languages and made into a film. They have written several bestselling parodies of their favourite children’s books, including We’re Going on a Bar Hunt, The Very Hungover Caterpillar and The Teenage Who Came To Tea. As Josie Lloyd, Joanna has written the novel The Cancer Ladies Running Club. When she’s not writing, she likes running along the seafront with her dog.

Book Review

I have not read the first and second books in the Stitch in Time series, yet I’m eager to get hold of both copies. This book had me hooked from the beginning to end and now I am wondering why there’s not a book four in the making. The book does have an unexpected ending but could be explored more in another novel.

This book commences in the early 1930’s in New York and continues to Los Angeles and then returns to the UK. The novel follows the lives of two women and a baby boy.  Vita & Nancy are best friends and Vita is the mother of baby Bertie.  The story unfolds about Vita being a single parent and how Nancy is a fiancée and yet doesn’t become a married woman.

Nancy chases her dream of becoming a movie star in the talkies and Vita returns to work to be a fashion designer. Throughout the book you learn more about Nancy & Vita’s families, which is not always a bed of roses. Love appears to be troublesome and revenge has been added to mix to provide some excitement.

This book was compulsive reading, and I thoroughly enjoyed the novel and its characters. Anyone who enjoys historical fiction will love this book and author. This book gets 5 stars from me.

Some of Joanna’s Other Books

Stitch in Times Series

1. The Runaway Daughter
2. The Hidden Wife

Joanna’s Social Media and Random Things Tour

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Blog No 177 – Book Review – Daisy and the Dazzling Dachshunds by Janey Clarke

Have you ever chosen a book by its cover or is it just me! Seeing the book cover with several little cute dachshund dogs provoked my curiosity. I’ve accepted a further offer to write a book review for Janey Clarke’s latest book Daisy and the Dazzling Dachshunds. Janey is another new author to me, nevertheless, I was excited to commence this novel.

The book is available in most bookstores and online retailers now. Congratulations to Janey for a marvellous book.

Book Description

The discovery of a murdered woman with a rescued dog and her puppies on Bodmin Moor, hurtles Daisy, a shy retired librarian and her oddball friends, into another dangerous, yet comical escapade.

Daisy is on a mission to find the murdered woman’s killer, linking events to the puppy farm, and is suddenly thrust into a world of explosions, shootings and kidnappings!

Furthermore, family secrets come to light and Daisy discovers an unexpected revelation that will change her life forever. This newfound knowledge is difficult for Daisy to cope with and somewhat hinders the situation that befalls herself and her friends. And if that isn’t enough, the return of her ex-husband poses even more problems.

Daisy enlists the help of Cleo her cat, and Flora her puppy, both rescue animals, in her search for the puppy farm. However, the question remains, even with all the help she has, can Daisy manage to outwit the villains and save herself and the puppies from harm?

About The Author – Janey Clarke

Scottish born, I now live on the Jurassic Coast of Dorset with my husband, and Monty our enormous cavalier spaniel. As a lifelong sufferer from EDS, I cope with my restricted mobility by dictating all my novels. Changing primary schools, meant that I was unable to read until given special lessons. This gave me a deep love of reading and I devoured books. After extra training I specialised in teaching children with reading difficulties. Still an avid reader, I love cozy mysteries, where the murder doesn’t scare me to death!

Book Review

This book is full of warmth, mystery, and cute little animals. Such a joy to read a novel with so many entwining stories that keeps you engrossed in a book

Daisy recently separated from her husband and moves into an area with other retirees. She wants to establish a new life and continue her hobby of painting. In the adjacent properties are her newfound friends, all with quirky personalities.

Alongside her friends, she tries to locate a puppy farm, resolve a murder, ascertain her family, continue to build relationships, and look after abandoned pets. While all this is going on her ex-husband makes an unwanted appearance. You will learn more throughout the book about Cleo that cat and Flora & Lottie the dachshunds. Furthermore a little sprinkling of fur and four paws, always creates an entertaining novel

I could certainly relate to some of the individuals and even visualise some of the antics played out. This book was compulsive reading and had me smiling at situations. I would recommend this book to other avid readers for an unexpected treat

Janey’s Other Books

1. Daisy and the Deadly Dagger  

Janey’s Social Media and Random Things Tour

Blog No 176 – Book Review – The Island House by Mary Considine

As I have an enthusiasm for books, I’ve accepted a further offer to write a book review for Mary Considine’s latest book The Island House. Mary is a new author to me, nevertheless I was keen to commence this memoir.

The book is available in most bookstores and online retailers now. Congratulations to Mary for such a truly inspirational book.

Book Description

Mary and Patrick’s dream was to live in London, have 2.4 children, the nice house, the successful jobs. But life had other plans, and in one traumatic year that all came crashing down.

Bruised and battered, Mary finds herself pulled towards Cornwall and dreams of St George’s Island, where she spent halcyon childhood summers.  So, when an opportunity arises to become tenants if they renovate the old Island House, they grab it with both hands.

Life on the island is hard, especially in winter, the sea and weather, unforgiving.  But the rugged natural beauty, the friendly ghosts of previous inhabitants, and the beautiful isolation of island life bring hope and purpose, as they discover a resilience, they never knew they had.

It has been empty now for six years, and it is full of ghosts. Every wall is patterned with black mould, in lacy fronds or lumpy stripes; every window in the house is broken.

We pile bedding, blankets, coats on to the bed and the cats climb in with us, mourning their lost comforts. We listen to the wails of wind and the menace of waves through the broken glass and breathe in the spores and the damp, clinging together, our family, in the faint warmth of the bed.

We are entirely happy.

About The Author – Mary Considine

Mary Considine

Growing up in the flat landscape of Bedfordshire, Mary Considine fell in love with Cornwall and the sea on her first visit as a small child. Distracted by the badlands of London, she spent the 90s writing and directing plays on the London and Edinburgh Fringe, and scriptwriting. Work included Angels, Time Out Critics Choice; The Other Half, commissioned by the Carlton TV screenwriting initiative; and a short film The Hand Job, shortlisted for the Lloyds Bank/Channel 4 short film competition. The noughties were spent teaching drama in secondary schools in the hills of North Yorkshire and, in pursuit of her now husband, back in London, before realising her impossible dream of moving to St George’s Island in 2010. 

She now lives in North Devon with her husband, Patrick, and seven horses.

Book Review

I found this book to have both heart and soul, it was very inspiring indeed. This book provides an insight into Mary & Patrick’s life. Commencing in the city of London and moving onto St George’s Island, Cornwall.  Along the way, there’s moments of endearing friendships, compassionate family members and willing volunteers.

You’ll observe the evolution of pigs, ducks, dogs, and bees. The creating of being self-sufficient from the island. The restoration of an old property and the conservation of the island. The book elaborates on the history of the island and its inhabitants.

Mary & Patrick’s life does experience some personal challenges, both happy and sad moments, which you’ll learn more throughout the book

This is a beautiful written memoir, and I would recommend this book to any avid reader or book club reading lists.

Mary Considine Social Media and Random Things Tour

Blog No 174 – Book Review – Through the Water, Darkly by Victoria L Short

As I have a passion for books, I’ve accepted a further offer to write a book review for Victoria L Short latest book Through the Water, Darkly. Victoria is a new author to me, regardless I was eager to commence this historical romance novel.

The book is available in most bookstores and online retailers now. Congratulations to Victoria for a truly incredible book.

Book Description

What if their future lay in her past?

Caroline Curtis is an avid horticulturalist, who is injured during the restoration of a local country estate. She wakes in a familiar body, but a different time, and with mixed memories of her twenty-first century life and those of a seventeenth century lady, which causes difficult conflicts not only in herself but the people around her. The first English civil war is over, and the king deposed. The Prince of Wales is fleeing the country, and, as Caroline fights to change the future of the man with whom she has fallen in love, she begins to realise that time is not a straight line.

About The Author – Victoria L Short

Photo Credit Victoria L Short

I’m a mother to two teenagers and since moving from London the Suffolk five years ago I found I had some spare time, so I started to write. I wrote a little novella Our story coming home, which being my first I tend to cringe lol. Then in 2018 I re-produce my late grandfather WW2 logbook, A Stoker Logs, HMS Whelp, The Forgotten British Pacific Fleet. my grandfather served as a stoker on HMS Whelp, alongside Prince Phillip as the ships second in command.

My latest novel is an 80k romance time-slip called Through the water, Darkly which I super proud of. In-between writing and running a household I work in the film industry doing hair, makeup and wardrobe.

Book Review

This book is sprinkled with romance, historical facts and an out of body experience.

The book commences in the 21^st Century when Caroline retrieves a work-related accident, and she suddenly experiences an out of body experience living in the 17^th Century. She finds love with Nicholas, Lord Trevilian and becomes Lady Trevilian and Mistress of Debden Manor.

Throughout the book, Caroline struggles with culture and equal rights as she knows how the world has evolved in the 21^st century. Caroline manages to appear too forward with her use of the English language in the 17^th century, this can get her into trouble at times. Her knowledge of 21^st century medical issues can improve the lives of people back in the 17^th century. Caroline develops some very touching friendships and in one specific friend shares her horticultural knowledge to empower her.

Caroline foresees the future and attempts to change the course of action for love but is unable to delay the inevitable.

This book was extremely obsessive reading, and I must admit that I cried at the end. I would thoroughly recommend this book.

Victoria’s Other Books

1. The Forgotten British Pacific Fleet. A Stoker’s Log

Victoria’s Social Media and Random Things Tour

Blog No 173 – Book Review – The Orphanage Girls, Mary Wood.

Anyone who knows me or who kindly reads my blog, will appreciate that I love to read books. I have a passion for historical fiction; therefore, I couldn’t refuse the opportunity to write a book review and be included in the @RandonTTours for Mary Wood’s latest book The Orphanage Girls

The book was released on 12^th May 2022 and is available in most supermarkets, bookstores, and online retailers. Congratulations to Mary for another incredible book.

Book Description

Children deserve a family to call their own. Ruth dares to dream of another life far away from the horrors within the walls of Bethnal Green’s famous orphanage. Luckily, she has her friends, Amy, and Ellen – but she can’t keep them safe, and the suffering is only getting worse, surely there must be a way out of here? But when Ruth breaks free from the shackles of confinement and sets into east London hoping to make a new life for herself, she finds that, for a girl with nowhere to turn, life can be just tough on the outside.

Bett keeps order in the unruly part of East End and takes Ruth under her wing along orphanage escapee Robbie. But it is Rebekah, a kindly woman, who offers Ruth and Robbie a home something neither have ever known. Yet even these two stalwart women cannot protect them when the police learn of an orphan on the run. It is then that Ruth must do everything in the power to hide. Her life and those of the friends she left behind at the orphanage depend on it.

About The Author – Mary Wood

Born in Maidstone, Kent, in 1945, the thirteenth child of fifteen children, Mary’s family settled in Leicestershire after the war ended.

Mary married young and now, after 54 years of happy marriage, four children, 12 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren, Mary and her husband live in Blackpool, United Kingdom during the summer and Spain during the winter – a place that Mary calls, ‘her writing retreat’.

After many jobs from cleaning to catering, all chosen to fit in with bringing up her family, and boost the family money-pot, Mary ended her 9 – 5 working days as a Probation Service Officer, a job that showed her another side to life, and which influences her writing, bringing a realism and grittiness to her novels

When not writing, Mary enjoys family time, reading, eating out, and gardening. One of her favourite pastimes is interacting with her readers on her Facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/HistoricalNovels

Mary first put pen to paper, in 1989, but it wasn’t until 2010 that she finally found some success by self-publishing on kindle.

Being spotted by an editor at Pan Macmillan in 2013, finally saw Mary reach her publishing dream.

And on her web page: http://www.authormarywood.com

She is also on Twitter: @Authormary

Book Review

Oh my, I think I felt every emotion reading this book, happiness, sadness, fear, and empathy. The book focuses on Ruth’s life, starting as a 12-year-old orphan. Ruth’s life begins in an orphanage and along the way, she establishes relationships with individuals and the story is told. Initially Ruth’s life is plagued with hardship and cruelty, but she soon discovers people’s kindness and generosity in the outside world. Ruth begins to build a happier life and creates long-term and loving relationships.

Ruth is already a very compassionate person, nevertheless, she soon learns that life outside the orphanage teaches her diversity and culture. Ruth is enriched in love and along the way her life evolves. The book is very heart-warming and very hard to put down as the story captivates you to the bitter end, where you may shed a tear or two, like me.

Mary has the extraordinary gift of developing a story with an incredible imagination and dovetailed with her research. This book was awarded 5 stars from me and I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.

Mary Wood’s Book Series

1. Breckton
2. Generation War
3. Girls Who Went to War
4. Jam Factory Girls
5. Orphanage Girls

Blog No 172 – Cancer Update.

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/postagestampartistry

Hello everyone, 

Wow it’s been a while, My life seems to be consumed with medical issues and I didn’t want to bore you all with the in and outs.  It’s been over a year since my last PRRT treatment, which was executed in London   Therefore it’s time for a little update. 

I can’t believe I’ve reached yet another birthday in January. Something I certainly didn’t believe I would achieve, following my cancer diagnosis. Life has unquestionably changed dramatically since that very day I was informed that I had a rare cancer. There’s an undeniably truth in the saying, your life can change in an instance. No-one prepares you for the enormous life change that’s about to happen. Notwithstanding this, there’s no better feeling, than to wake up in the morning for another day of life. 

I’ve learned to be exquisite, to challenge, and to do my own research. Everyday is a school day and i continue to deal with ongoing symptoms. I do feel that following my treatment there has been some improvement in my symptoms but others have just escalated. 

Hearing loss, I can hear you say hearing loss, excuse the pun. I’m that 1% who lost my hearing through treatment. I should stress that it’s not complete hearing loss but considerable enough to warrant two hearing aids. I saw an Audiologist about 4 months after completion of treatment as I felt my hearing was deteriorating. My useful skill of listening to two conversations had gone. I got retested a couple of months ago and it was confirmed that my hearing had deteriorated further. According to the Audiologist, the treatment had killed the nerve endings in my ears. I have to say it’s good to be able to hear but I’m now very noise sensitive when I have the hearing aids in.

Flushing has beyond any doubt increased. looking like a strawberry at times can be quiet embarrassing. Let me stop you just there, this not menopause but a cancer symptom. The tumours in your body secrete serotonin causing your body to flush. I can glow with various symptoms and one of them is the feeling of pain. Someone said the other day, my body looks like a bad case of sunburn, he’s right. Furthermore it glows from head to toe and can happen numerous times throughout an hour.

Lumps. After treatment, I developed a lump on my forearm. The lump appeared from nowhere, for this reason my GP and I decided to play a game of watch and see.  Obviously it wasn’t joint related as the lump was in the middle of my forearm, it was under the skin, hard to feel and pain-free. As the lump appeared to continue to grow, the next course of action was an appointment with a Dermatologist for a biopsy. The lump was biopsied and turned out to be benign tumour but was very rare. I appeared to be a woman of rare health issues.

At the time of the biopsy I was asked if I had any other lumps and my reply was no. As the lump was not bothering me, no further action was required at this time.  

Subsequently a couple of months later my GP had to request another biopsy on behalf of my Oncologist in London.  At the time of writing this, there is an additional 3 lumps, we are maybe up to 4 now. I see the Dermatologist mid March.  I believe it to be the same rare benign tumours but I will have to wait and see. Surely there is a reason for these little devils appearing, maybe it’s due to my recent cancer treatment.  

Pain. I have pain in a couple locations both the spine and chest area.  The spine, I have sciatica in both legs down to my toes.  The Spine Specialist was meant to do spine injections a few months ago but I haven’t called him to arrange a treatment day.  He’s clearly chasing me, as I have a telephone consultation in the next couple of weeks.  

I will give you my reasons, I’ve have a lot going on and I’m trying to resolve those issues before going forward with another treatment. Besides, it doesn’t necessarily work, therefore I endured pain to have more pain. I don’t see the point of going again and again for something that doesn’t necessarily work and my GP agrees. This is a discussion I need to have with my Spine Consultant. I will get a second opinion by getting a private scan and have a discussion with my GP to take the appropriate action.

Additional pain is in the tumours in peritoneal membrane near the liver.  This is on another level of the Richter scale.  The Chronic Pain Consultant discussed the injections on the request of Oncology Consultant & my GP.  The approach was injections but when discussing it with the Consultant on my birthday if all days. I would  try the increase in morphine first and if I have issues, we would do the injections into the peritoneal immediately. I did inform her that it’s worth giving it a try but previously I haven’t tolerated too much morphine. I’m able to tolerate my usual morphine when sleeping and top ups of liquid when required, however increasing the tablets cause’s me too many problems to name. How do you find the balance?, it’s either suffering pain and have some normality to my day or for taking the edge of pain and zero quality of life. I had the injections yesterday and I will have my lower pelvic area done in April when the consultant returns after a month leave  

Endocrinologist. I have a lovely Consultant who monitors my thyroid, this is another issue brought on by the cancer. On the positive note my thyroid is managed well under his care. However he didn’t like some of my recent blood results and have requested I do further immediate blood tests, which I’ve done yesterday. Let’s see what happens there.

Other symptoms – You don’t need to hear the in’s  and outs of everything, nevertheless it can be challenging at times 

Novembers Oncology Scans – Suggest that I’m stable but my body is suggesting otherwise. I have tumours in the peritoneal, lower pelvic area, liver and lungs and wherever else the sneaky devils have put their head down. I feel there is even some reoccurrence to previous organs.

Although I’m challenged on a daily basis, I’m on this earth living a life many others don’t. Sometimes we feel things are done due to fate, which are either a lesson or blessing This situation is maybe a lesson it’s definitely not a blessing.

On the good days I’m still making art with recycled postage stamps. Check out my Etsy shop, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter   “Postage Stamp Artistry”  

Love to you all. ❤️