A chance to blog

A Review of "Penhaligon's Pride" by Terri Nixon  When I hear that a book is set in Cornwall, I immediately want to read it and if it is a historical novel, that is even more of a pull. I am fascinated with the area and it's stormy history so was really happy to review this book. In retrospect I wish that I had read the previous book in the saga, Penhaligon's Attic.  I was a little confused with the number of characters at first and curious about what had happened before in their lives.  However, I did manage to get into it, and when my  mind stopped asking questions, I could just get on with the story.   While trying to keep secrets of their own, Anna reveals a secret about the real father of someone's baby and that leads to a blackmail situation that threatens to overwhelm.  The wealthy don't necessarily have it all and the business of mining on which the town's fortunes depend is accurately described as the risky busin

I loved this story of a woman's journey of re-discovery when her whole life, as she knows it, comes crashing down around her shoulders!  It made me think about how easily we fall into a rut and take things for granted, losing sense of self and direction. Harriet thought her life had nearly come to an end when when discovered her husband had been keeping more than one secret which meant that her life with him and her three children would change drastically. The consequences of his actions meant that while changing her life, Harriet discovered new things about herself that she wasn't sure that she liked. Along with moving to a new neighbourhood, she found that the friends she thought she had had were not real and she slowly acquired new people in her life who were more down to earth and interesting. Ellie whom she hadn't really given the time of day to in her old life, becomes a great support and she has yet to discover the story of her newest neighbour, Ava who seems a

Jack Telford, well experienced political journalist, has seven days to solve the mystery surrounding the death of his friend or else be accused of the murder himself.  This tale, based in Portugal, as the title suggests, takes place in 1974 amidst a revolutionary rumble occurring in the country. References to goings on taking place at the time have made me realise I could use to do some research about the happenings at the time although I was familiar with some of the incidents going on in the Portuguese colonies of Africa.  While trying to dig out the cause of his friend's death, Jack renews some old friendships while finding himself embroiled in a "labyrinth" of intrigue. Who to trust?  What to believe? His life is on the line. It's touch and go. I found it to be an intriguing mystery with strong characters and an unusual theme well away from the usual style that I review.  It is a look at the politics behind the politics and the battles taking plac

An absorbing story, fabulous characters and a dramatic finale! A book you won't want to put down!!! A man called Kay ... a story in it's own right, but it gets way more interesting when he meets a woman called Annabelle...or is that who she is?  "Annabelle" takes a thankless, mundane job in an office - her first "real world" employment.  Her new life has been thrust upon her by a judge in  a court of law, the reasons for which seemed a mystery at the time, but the method behind the madness will become apparent. Besides that, it keeps "Annabelle" out of jail and introduces her to a way of life far removed from that she was used to.  It also leads to the meeting of Kay whose life was unknowingly connected to her's despite their backgrounds being worlds apart. "Annabelle" has a sad past in which she was orphaned at the age of twelve.  The circumstances of her parents deaths were cut and dried, apparently, alt

This book effortlessly transports us to a time where much of what we as women take for granted was definitely not a given! It is easy to forget what it was like for women back a hundred and fifty years and more ago when simply being on the street alone could get you mistaken for a prostitute!  The story of two women, Sybil and Bea, world's apart - but not - and revenge on wrongs previously committed is intriguing, fascinating and enthralling.  What are the mysteries surrounding the past of the two ladies whose futures were moulded by very different beginnings? Will they be able to face their demons and each other?  The writer captures scenes brilliantly and the reader can easily get the feeling of where they are whether it is the the deserted and dusty manor house or the crowded tea room with it's comforting slices of tea loaf! Cornwall is a fabulous setting and the author could not resist a hint of Welsh being put into the mix and a description of pre-emanci