I enjoyed reading these books this December:

Victoria Connelly - The Beauty of Broken Things

Another heartwarming book by this author. Orla has used all her remaining money to buy herself a run-down castle in East Anglia, where she can hide from the world. Her only outlet is to buy damaged but beautiful objects on the internet, and post them on social media. She believes she's safe from the outside world in her protected existence. But unexpectedly, Luke turns up on the doorstep. He has come to tell her news of a tragedy that affects them both. His vulnerability is as great as her own, and she must decide whether to stay hidden away or begin to face life again. But it's not easy to face your own demons, as both Luke and Orla discover. 

Wendy Clarke - We Were Sisters

Described on the strap line as 'an absolutely gripping psychological thriller', this novel lives up to its description. A totally different atmosphere for me after the other novels I've been reading lately, and I wasn't sure that I was in the right mood for this when I started. But the book became compelling and I was startled by the unexpected twists and turns as it progressed. Young Brighton mum Kelly is struggling with a new baby son at the time her twin daughters are starting school. There seem to be so many things for her to worry about - and then she finds a locket in the baby's pram. She's certain it belonged to her long-dead foster sister, Freya. Flashbacks follow Kelly's love-hate childhood relationship with Freya, while in the present day she's uncertain whether she's imagining the threats to her and her family's safety. I was kept guessing throughout the book, and was glad that I did read to the end. 

Lucy Coleman - Snowflakes over Holly Cove

I chose to read this novel in December because of the title, and it was advertised as a Christmas book. Actually, most of the story takes place before Christmas, so it didn't quite hit the festive spot. But everything does come to a conclusion at Christmas, so I was finally left with a seasonal feel. High-flying magazine journalist Tia is picking up the pieces after a meltdown following a family tragedy. Her boss, Camilla, sends Tia to take on an assignment in a remote cottage on the Gower Peninsula. She's to interview couples about their ideas of the perfect Christmas. Here she reviews her own life and worries that she's going to end up a younger version of her boss, consumed by her job and with no loving attachments. But the rugged Welsh coast holds secrets, and the people she meets are to have a profound effect on her life - especially a certain young man who's also hurting. An enjoyable read.

My best reads from November are:

Nicola Cornick - The Phantom Tree

A newly discovered Tudor portrait displayed in a gallery throws Alison Bannister's life into disarray. Purported to be a painting of Anne Boleyn, Alison knows that it is actually Mary Seymour, daughter of Henry VIII's last wife, Katherine Parr, and her last husband, Thomas Seymour. The reason she knows is that she grew up with Mary at Wolf Hall - Alison is a time traveller. She is stuck in the twenty first century, and can't find her way back to search for her lost child. But the painting hides clues that Mary has left, and Alison must trust in Adam, the historian who discovered the painting. To make matters more difficult, Adam and she fell in love several years earlier, but she couldn't sustain the relationship as she knew she would have to leave him if she wanted to go back to Tudor times and find her baby. Vivid scenes of Tudor England and the enigmatic character of Mary intersperse with Alison's desperate search to discover the truth about her son and also what actually happened to Mary. A riveting time-slip novel by an accomplished author.

Zhang Ling - A Single Swallow

This book was interestingly different, written by a Chinese author and translated into English. It's set mainly during World War II in China. The novel begins with the ghosts of three men meeting when the final one of them dies in his nineties.One of them, Liu Zhaohu, was a Chinese soldier. Two of them are American - the man known as Pastor Billy, a missionary; and the last to die, Ian Ferguson, who had been a soldier too with the American army in China. These three men are connected by the woman that each of them loved in a different way. They even called her by different names: Stella, Ah Yan (Swallow), and Wende (or 'wind'). Through the story of each ghost we follow Ah Yan's life from childhood to maturity, and the difficulties of being a woman at that time in Chinese history. The novel portrays a fascinating picture of a land and culture very different from our western existence. Colourful and compelling.

Rosemary Goodacre - Until we meet again

This is a tenderly written historical novel with a captivating love story. In the months before the start of World War I, Amy, the daughter of a schoolmaster, falls in love with Edmond, younger son of a local landowner. Despite opposition from his family, they become engaged. But as Edmond leaves university and signs up for the army, their plans do not run smoothly. Not to mention Amy blotting her copybook in the eyes of his family before they have even been married. Despite all, Amy and Edmond's love is a strong anchor for them as they are torn apart, each wanting to serve their country and bring to an end the horror of war. Sorrow is laced with joy in this well-crafted novel that holds the interest from start to finish, and gives the reader a flavour of what it was like to live in those times. I look forward to reading the next instalment of this trilogy.

I've been spending much of October reading the rest of the books in Jeff Wheeler's captivating Kingfountain series. Books 5 and 6 were my favourites. I'm not going to talk too much about them, as it would involve a lot of spoilers. Suffice to say, that if you want adventure, magic, mystery, a roller coaster of emotions, and excitement, all bound up in a reworking of myth and history, this is where to find it. Thoroughly enjoyable.

My other choices from October are:

Lucinda Riley - The Seven Sisters: Maia's story

As the title suggests, this is the first of a seven-book series, which was inspired by the legend of the Seven Sisters of the Pleiades in Greek myth. Maia is the eldest of six girls who were all adopted when young by the man they know as Pa Salt. They grew up in an idyllic mansion on the shores of Lake Geneva in Switzerland. He named them after the Seven Sisters of the Pleiades. But there is no seventh sister. When Pa Salt dies suddenly, the sisters are thrown into devastation. He leaves them each a clue as to their real origin. Maia decides to follow his lead, and she finds herself in Brazil. She uncovers a love story that begins in Rio de Janiero in the nineteen twenties, intertwined with the creation of the magnificent statue of Christ the Redeemer. Passionate, touching, and full of colourful history, this story develops with a depth of narrative that is captivating.

Heidi Eljarbo - Of Darkness and Light

This is an unexpected gem. I've read many novels about World War 2, but this one is refreshingly different. The author has lived in Europe and America and now lives in Norway, the location for this mystery set in 1944. Solveig, or Soli as she is known to everyone, has a passion for art and works in Mr Holm's art shop. When their cleaner's body is found in the back lane, this sets off a chain of events that leads the young woman into an existence she had never imagined. Her knowledge of art history leads to an astounding discovery that brings her the chance to help protect Norway's art treasures from the occupiers. Unexpected twists and turns are revealed as Soli begins to discover who is on her side and who is her enemy. A great read.

The cream of my reading from September is as follows:

Sylvia Broady – The Lost Daughter

This twentieth century saga captured me right from the start and had me turning the pages eagerly to discover the outcome of the story. In 1930s Hull, Alice is trying to escape from her bullying husband when she’s involved in a road accident. Waking in hospital with no memory of her identity, everyone believes she’s deserted her husband and young daughter, Daisy. When Alice regains her memory, she finds that her child has been privately adopted and her husband has gone to sea. Broken-hearted at the loss of her daughter, Alice begins a long path to self-discovery while searching for Daisy. Through the ravages of World War II, through friendship, love and loss, she has a hard path to follow, never forgetting her lost daughter. Emotive, sincere, with a story full of colour and excitement. Thoroughly recommended.

Liz Harris - The Dark Horizon

The first book in a historical series, this follows the fortunes of the Linford family. The story begins just after the end of World War I. Joseph Linford runs the house building enterprise, but he has distinct views on how his family should behave. He is furious that his son Robert has fallen for a 'land girl', Lily Brown, from a humble background. Despite trying to separate them, Lily became pregnant and they married before their son James was born. Joseph's machinations do not cease, and he begins to plot a new way to part his son from his unsuitable wife. His actions cause repercussions that will echo down the years, affecting not just Robert and Lily but many other people. A twisted plot, with unexpected turns, and a cast of characters that promise a host of interesting stories to come.

My best reads from August are:

Fiona Veitch Smith - The Jazz Files (Poppy Denby Investigates)

Chosen because the author is a fellow north-eastern writer, I was delighted with this book. Set in 1920s London, the story follows young Poppy Denby from Northumberland as she visits her former suffragette Aunt Dot in London. Dot encourages Poppy to apply for her dream job at the Globe newspaper, and soon she is a cub reporter in the company of dashing photographer Daniel. But there's a long-standing mystery about to rear its head, stemming from Dot's days as a suffragette before the war. Intrepid Poppy finds herself on the hunt for the truth. There's a mysterious death, treachery and a dastardly deceiver to uncover. Filled with colourful historic detail, interesting characters and plenty of twists. Thoroughly engaging.

Victoria Connelly - The Rose Girls

Victoria Connelly's books are wonderful 'comfort reads', and this one is no exception. Celeste returns to her family home and rose business in Suffolk to help her sisters after their mother has passed away. She has a failed marriage behind her, and her sisters Gertie and Evie also find it difficult to share their complicated love lives. Although the business is doing well, it doesn't provide nearly enough money for the upkeep of the crumbling manor house which is their home. There are some troubling decisions to make, and the young women struggle to agree on the future of their home and business. A novel of romance, family relationships, history and secrets. A great book to curl up with. 

Jeff Wheeler - The Thief's Daughter

Book 2 in the Kingfountain series, an alternative reality with fantasy inspired by the era of King Richard III in England. This novel has proved to be every bit as riveting as the first in the series. Owen and Evie are now seventeen years old, and their childhood companionship has developed into a deep love. But each have obligations to their King, Severn, the deformed, talented and  lonely monarch of Ceredigion. Owen is talented beyond his years in warfare strategy, and is blessed by the Fountain with powerful gifts. Together they travel to the neighbouring kingdom of Atabyrion to make a treaty with its young ruler, Iago Llewellyn. But there is a hard price to pay for his loyalty that will try Owen and Evie's love to its utmost limit. Exciting, magical, mysterious, with characters that leap off the page. 

The cream of my reading from July:

Sarah Harrison - The Flowers of the Field

I've decided to revisit some novels that I haven't read for many years, and this is the first I've chosen from my bookshelf. Published in 1980, I bought it a year or so later. The heroine is Thea Tennant, born in 1892 into the family of a successful industrialist and his genteel wife. Thea, full of restless energy and intelligent curiosity, wants to experience life to the full, just like her father. Thea has an elder brother Aubrey, and a younger sister Dulcie, who's petite, pretty and feminine. Their father's sister and her son Maurice also come to live with the family. The novel follows the family's life in the early twentieth century, culminating with the outbreak of World War 1, when all the young people follow different paths. Written with sumptuous description, bringing to life their experiences in every detail, this is not a novel for the faint-hearted. The wartime scenes contain graphic detail which displays the underlying beliefs and reactions of the protagonists as they come to grips with the tragedy and challenges of the age into which they are born. Love, betrayal, courage, are all there. It's a giant of a book, but well worth reading. (There's also a sequel.) 

Kate Ryder - Summer in a Cornish Cove

Cara is a talented artist, living with the grief of losing her young husband Christo and coping with bring up her two children alone. She lives in an idyllic Cornish cove, full of memories of their happy life together, and runs an art gallery with the help of her mother. Into this existence comes Oliver, a brilliant actor who struggles with his demons. His wife Deanna copes expertly with their family of four children while he follows his art and seeks to find peace. Oliver's world clashes with Cara's, and the consequences of an unwise decision he made threatens both of their families. The author deals sensitively with the problems of mental illness, while writing a book about lifelong love, infatuation, values, and responsibilities. All in an atmospheric Cornish setting.

My best reads from June are:

Jen Black - The Gavington Affair

It's some time since I read a novel from the historical romance genre, and I found this one pleasantly entertaining. The heroine, Melanie Grey, flawed physically, is hiding her real identity when she takes on the post of housekeeper at  Gavington House. It's the Northumberland seat of Adam, Duke of Jarrow, where he lives with his young daughter, Penelope. Since his wife's death, the master has had strict rules which make life more difficult - notably, not having any horses on the estate. Mel manages to cope with her new tasks, but she's intrigued by the man who seems to hide a genial character behind a mask of sternness. Striving to conceal her own past, she cannot help but follow her instincts to uncover her master, Adam's, secrets. Soon she becomes caught up in a web of deceit, where she must unbend her own strict ideas of the world, and struggle for those who have become dear to her. Good historical background, well-written, this was an enjoyable read. 

​Kay Bratt - True to Me

This book was refreshingly different for me. I've been reading a lot of British set novels recently, and was attracted to this one because it had a Hawaiian location. The heroine, Quinn, discovers on her mother's deathbed that the man she never met but had always accepted as her father, is in fact not her relation at all. With the help of a mysterious legacy from her mother, she buys a house on the island of Maui. This was her mother's home, and here she hopes to discover her own heritage. Her controlling fiance, Ethan, isn't pleased about her decision. When Quinn arrives at the house she's bought, sight unseen, she gets an unwelcome surprise which throws her into disarray. But when she meets people from her own ethnicity, she begins to explore her heritage. There are unexpected secrets to uncover in her own background, some of which are difficult to accept, and she has to decide whether to go back to her old life or to stir up sleeping dragons to find the peace she desires.

Julianne Maclean - A Fire Sparkling

I had a bit of an attention slump at the start of this novel, as there seemed to be far too many American expressions for a narrator who was supposedly English by birth. But the strength of the plot eventually hooked me, and I began to think that maybe the narrator might have used some of these expressions as she'd lived a long time in the USA. The modern-day heroine, Gillian, is American, and has had some difficult times in her life, most recently discovering the infidelity of her long-term partner. Fleeing to the home her widowed father shares with Gillian's grandmother, Vivian, Gillian finds the foundations of her existence rocked further. At ninety six, Vivian is spry for her age, but her son Edward has discovered a disconcerting photograph in a secret drawer. Gillian and her father persuade Vivian to tell them the truth behind the picture. What follows is a story that goes back to Britain in World War II, which is full of twists and turns that I didn't see coming. A good read.

These are my favourite reads from May:

Angela Petch - Mavis and Dot

Bought because it was written by a fellow writer from the RNA with proceeds going to charity, I finally settled down to read the book this month. I was soon hooked! Mavis and Dot are two very different elderly women who have recently moved to Worthington-on-Sea. Both lonely, without family, they meet at an event in the local church hall, and find that they somehow bond. The novel follows the two as they gradually get to know each other, one open and outgoing, the other quiet and rather prickly. The novel abounds with warm-hearted characters, spots of mirth, and poignant moments. Full of colour and genuine feeling, this was a novel that kept me turning the pages. If you want a book that's captivating and different, I highly recommend it.

Fiona Valpy - Sea of Memories

The second novel by this author that I have read, and another one to enjoy. In 2014 Edinburgh, Kendra feels that her marriage is stretched to breaking as she and her husband struggle to cope with the intense needs of their autistic son. At the same time, she's begun visiting her grandmother, Ella, who has become frail and is now in a local nursing home. There's a long-standing rift between Rhona, Kendra's mother, and Ella; Kendra has never understood the reason for this, as she finds the old lady warm-hearted and interesting. Ella begins recording her life story, on the understanding that Kendra writes it up. Along with Kendra we are drawn back into a time just before World War II when the young Ella visits France and befriends the twins Caroline and Christophe. They introduce her to a new way of life, and her horizons expand only to be cruelly diminished when they are separated by war. Love, heartbreak, and unexpected twists forge the paths of Ella's life, reaching down the years as a solace to her granddaughter. 

​Liz Harris - The Best Friend

The novel opens in 1989 when Caroline faces the woman who has stolen her husband from her - only to discover that it is someone she knows very well. Flash back to eleven years earlier, 1978, when Caroline is sharing a flat with three other young women. Caroline's a reluctant, newly-qualified teacher. All she wants is to marry a wealthy man and focus on raising their children. Louise is training for a career in public relations, Terri-Lee is aiming to be an actress, while Emily is a pupil barrister with her sights on a brilliant career unencumbered by a family. The girls go through highs and lows, influenced by their own childhood years but finding sisterhood in the other three. They support each other through love and loss, making some good choices and some unwise ones. But the question still hangs in the air - who will steal Caroline's husband? Plenty of nostalgic detail, four girls with different characters, and secrets to unravel. An enjoyable read.

April's best reads are:

Cathy Bramley - Conditional Love

A novel of love, family, growing emotionally, and searching for happiness. Sophie has always wanted a home of her own. Growing up she only had her mum, who's now off following her own dreams. Sophie thinks her life might be about to settle, when an unexpected legacy offers her a way to realise her dream. However, it comes at a price - the condition is that she meets up with her father, the man who abandoned her as a baby and never took part in her life. It's not the only hard decision she has to make, and her heart takes many bruises on her journey. What will she have to do, to find the love and happiness she craves? A warm, satisfying read.

Jeffrey Archer - The Eleventh Commandment

A thriller with a strong emotional element. Set in the political world of the 1990s, decorated ex-soldier Connor Fitzgerald leads a double life as a CIA hitman. The most important things in his life, however, are his beloved wife Maggie and their daughter, Tara, who's now grown up and falling in love herself. Connor looks forward to his imminent retirement, but his boss sends him on one final mission, into Russia. But unbeknown to him, his boss tricks him, as it's not the Russian politician who is the target, but Connor himself. Twists and turns abound in this tale of political intrigue, edge-of-seat action and drama. Who are Connor's real allies, and will he fall foul of the woman who wishes to ruin his patriotic reputation? A real page-turner.

Jeff Wheeler - The Queen's Poisoner

I have read one of Jeff Wheeler's previous series and found it absolutely captivating. His novels are aimed at young adults, but are good reads for all ages who like fantasy. He creates fascinating worlds influenced by Medieval England but with magical and paranormal elements. The Queen's Poisoner is the first of a new series which is inspired by the history of Richard III of England. The author writes an extensive note about his inspiration and ideas at the end of the novel. The story is told from the point of view of  8-year-old Owen, youngest child of the Duke of Kiskaddon, who has defaulted on his oath to King Severn, the hunchback king of Kingfountain. Severn has sent Kiskaddon's eldest hostage son over the waterfall to his death, and now Owen is to replace his older brother at the King's court. We see the workings of the court through Owen's eyes as he gradually forges allies and comes under the influence of the mysterious and secret Queen's Poisoner, Ankarette. It becomes clear that Owen is going to develop into a gifted character full of depth. Colourful and intriguing. 

My best reads from March are:

Loreth Anne White - In the Dark

A thriller set in the wilds of British Columbia, Canada, this book kept me guessing right up to the end. Thrust into a high-profile investigation in his new post, police sergeant Mason Deniaud must dig deep to overcome his own troubled past. He's straight from the city and has to rely on the experience of Search And Rescue operator, Callie Sutton. She also has a tragedy in her past, and a young son to care for. They are investigating a crashed plane with a dead pilot, and soon a story of eight passengers begins to unfold. There are flashbacks to how the eight ended up in the wilderness, in a spooky lodge with a killer on the loose. Great atmosphere, exciting, with a thrilling climax. 

Sheila O'Flanagan - The Hideaway

This Irish novelist is a favourite author of mine, and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It follows Juno as she flees to Spain to try and mend her broken heart. But her story isn't that simple - she believes has no right to feel the way she does, as shattering revelations have left her feeling overwhelmed with guilt. In the warm sunshine of the Villa Naranja she has time to think over recent events, and somehow begins, little by little, to live life again. She meets her Spanish neighbours, and makes friends in the little town nearby. Atmospheric, warm and full of emotion, we accompany Juno on a journey of discovery as she comes to terms with her feelings. Can life really move on, and will she ever find love again? 

Nick Alexander - You Then, Me Now

Becky has always fantasised about her father, who died before she was born.Her mother, Laura, told her she was conceived during a holiday romance, and he was lost soon after, but that's all she reveals. Growing up, money's always tight. Now she's an adult, Becky and her mother take a holiday together on Santorini. It's only while she's there that Becky works out that this is where she was conceived, though she can't persuade her mother to tell her more. But the reader follows with a parallel story of Laura's trip as a naive young woman with brash Irishman Conor. There are unexpected twists and turns in this novel about uncovering secrets and making new beginnings. It's commendable that a male author has written convincingly from the point of view of two women, conveying their vulnerability and emotional development. An enjoyable read.