On a long train journey
surrounded by people speaking loudly about inconsequential things, The Three
Graces whisked me away to sunny Tuscany with its life-affirming message, light
rom-com subplot, and three indomitable heroines who, although in their twilight years, are grasping life with both their hands.
Towards the end of the book, which
coincided with the end of my train journey, I let out a cheer and wiped away a
tear when certain resolutions happened. The people on the train fell silent.
I
held the book aloft and said very loudly – the power of a good book is not to
be underestimated. Several of the other passengers took down the title, saying
that they planned on reading it as well. I told them it would be time well
spent.
'She's such a skilful storyteller who vividly dramatises our lives with wit, wisdom and compassion' BERNARDINE EVARISTO
'I revelled in The Three Graces - such an intriguing cast, so convincingly presented, and a narrative that continually surprises' PENELOPE LIVELY
'A brilliant piece of storytelling... it should be the book everybody's reading this summer' ANDREW O'HAGAN
'Gorgeous and generous... rich with characters and suffused with sunlight' LISSA EVANS
When Enzo shoots an illegal migrant from his bedroom one night, it triggers a series of events that embroil old and young, rich and poor, native and foreign. His elderly…
The
weather outside was frightful. I had been through an exhausting emotionally
exhausting experience, and I opened this book with few expectations as the
author was new to me. I was immediately plunged into Victorian Britain and the problems the heroine faced.
Quarnby had clearly done her research and created a
world that immersed the reader. Low Road is a classic saga in the manner of Catherine
Cookson but with a Sapphic twist that pulls at your heartstrings.
When I
emerged blinking, having turned the final page several hours later, I realized
how pleased I was to live in today’s world but how grateful I was to have had
the opportunity to visit that world.
Two young women. One passionate love. Will their paths ever cross again?
Norfolk, 1813. In the quiet Waveney Valley, the body of a woman - Mary Tyrell - is staked through the heart after her death by suicide. She had been under arrest for the suspected murder of her newborn child. Mary leaves behind a young daughter, Hannah, who is later sent away to the Refuge for the Destitute in London, where she will be trained for a life of domestic service.
It is at the Refuge that Hannah meets Annie Simpkins, a fellow resident, and together they forge a…
A long time ago, when I was in hospital awaiting an
operation, a fellow patient told me in times of trouble, you can’t go wrong
with a Mills & Boon published book (Harlequin if you are in the US) to whisk you away. Wise advice, which I have used over and over again. And one of my go-to authors
is Michelle Smart.
This book has everything I require for a complete escape – avrunaway bride, a resourceful heroine, and a broody hero who may not have loved the
heroine to begin with but by the end is head over heels and a fabulous location
as well.
This book allowed me some time to escape for a few hours on a bad day.
It gave me the strength to carry on
A Florence cathedral, a fairy tale dress…a runaway bride!
Discovering that her billionaire fiancé, Enzo Beresi, will receive her inheritance if they wed, Rebecca Foley leaves him at the altar! She refuses to marry a man who keeps secrets from her.
Innocent Rebecca is devastated, yet she can’t let go of their powerful connection. So when Enzo arrives on her doorstep, she gives him twenty-four hours to tell her everything. The brooding Italian vows his feelings for her are real, but dare Rebecca believe in him enough to give into the temptation of their wedding night?
Nothing daunts Viking Tylir until unassuming Melkorka Helmsdottar upends his life by revealing he has a secret heir!
Mel has looked after little Katla since the girl’s mother died, but now Tylir intends to claim his child. Yet this battle-hardened jarl has no idea how to be a father.
Mel is the perfect person to help him. Only spending time with the captivating Mel binds him closer to her than he ever thought possible.
