I am a history fan, especially when it comes to Ancient
Egypt.
I loved this story as a wonderful blend of fiction, ancient and Biblical history,
expertly woven by the author into an intriguing tale. It kept me turning the
page to find out what happened to the young protagonist, Lydia, who starts out
in servitude to the evil Cleopatra, and eventually becomes the handmaid to
Herod’s wife, Mariamme.
The story spans a period of many years, after Lydia is
tasked by a dying Jewish man to reunite ancient scrolls with a secret group of
mystical keepers. The characters were engrossing and believable and took me on
a wonderful journey of imagery and reality combined. I wanted Lydia to win,
after her early mistreatment in life. I wasn’t disappointed.
In Egypt, 39 B.C., young Lydia serves as a handmaid to an aging Cleopatra and her son, until she is entrusted with an ancient set of sealed scrolls and joins the household of a visiting Galilean governor to return them to Jerusalem.
This is an engrossing story. I switched on
the text-to-speech function on my laptop Kindle app and listened each day as I
sat working at my desk. Almost unable to stop listening each day, I was engaged
from the outset with the story of Kate Royston, and ultimately, the story of
the Titanic.
It’s an intriguing mix of historical fact and fiction, an
emotional roller-coaster ride and the addition of some romance makes it a
winning formula.
Throw in a rescued dog character who becomes
an integral part of the tale, an irascible wealthy old lady, and an aspiring
presidential U.S. senator and everything works. Kate Royston, the protagonist,
is hugely likable, and as her fortunes rise and fall with her journey of
escape and assistance, I found myself willing her to a happy ending.
SELECTED FOR THE FRONT PAGE OF PUBLISHERS WEEKLY MARCH 20TH EDITION
"SOS TITANIC TO ALL SHIPS. SINKING HEAD DOWN 41.46 N 50.14 W. COME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE"
North Atlantic Ocean, 1912. Kate Royston is a witness to history as the RMS Carpathia responds to the Titanic’s desperate SOS. Kate plans to escape personal tragedy by fleeing to Europe but everything changes when the Carpathia races to save the Titanic's survivors.
Forced to return to New York, Kate abandons her hope of escape and becomes embroiled as a vital witness in the high profile Senate investigation of the disaster.
This is a gentle family story of loss, love and recovery for an
8-12-year-old readership.
When a grandfather suddenly dies from an illness
which is sweeping the world, 5 family members drop out of society to live in a
secret forest for seven years. This story impacted me personally, having lost
my first husband suddenly 7 years ago, and our 40-year-old daughter just as
suddenly this year. My granddaughter and her brothers lost their paternal
grandmother a few years ago.
I really identified with the family’s grief, and
their determination to go on with their lives, albeit in a self-sufficient
manner. There was also a magical side to this story, with some lovely escapism
through the involvement of horses who help the family in beautiful, and
dramatic, ways.
'This middle grade narrative by a master storyteller is an utter delight.' Books+Publishing
In the mountains there was a valley, and in the valley were the horses.
When Honey was four and her brother Rumi was a tiny baby, her family loaded up their converted ice-cream-van-camper and drove away from all they knew, as an illness swept the sad wide world. High in the mountains, they crossed a bridge to follow a mysterious herd of enchanted horses into a sheltered valley. The bridge and the track disappeared behind them - and now they are trapped in paradise.
When expert Persian cat detective, Ah-Fur, answers an urgent call on his special orders phone in his Australian office, he knows trouble is afoot. The Australian Prime Minister, Martin Bigcheese, is on the line. The English Prime Minister, Ivor Bighouse has lost two cats. His ginger cat Winston, and his tabby Ponzie, have disappeared in London. One from his office at 10 Downing Street and one from his country residence. Put on a special flight to England, Ah-Fur and his cousin, Show-Fur, plan the investigation and go through their list of subjects. Ah-Fur thinks he knows who did this dastardly deed. Junior fiction adventure for readers aged 7-11. A book with all the things kids love: Mystery, Humour and action, with shades of Inspector Gadget and James Bond!
