A Springtime Affair

by Katie Fforde

#ASpringtimeAffair #NetGalley

Katie Fforde has a genuine talent for writing “nice” books that have likeable protagonists, good story lines and pretty happy endings. This novel is no exception. And, believe me, there are times when that is just what the literary doctor has ordered, a nice escape from the rigors of all that which is overwhelming us.

This story is mostly about mom, Gilly, and her daughter Helena. They live in what sounds like a very nice part of the English countryside. Gilly, victim of a bad marriage, runs a B and B that I so wish was real. I would dash right over for Gilly’s homey atmosphere and delicious food. Daughter Helena is a weaver who specializes in large scale projects. Each is moving ahead in life and it looks as if both will find romance and love by story’s end.

In a plot that reminded me a bit of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, Gilly’s rather greedy son and daughter-in-law want her to sell her property in order to fund a new home for them. They ever so kindly (sarcasm intended) will give Gilly a granny flat and allow her to babysit for her granddaughter. Will Gilly be able to resist their blandishments?

Gilly has two potential love interests. There is Leo who is attractive but…and William, Gilly’s accountant. Who will she choose and what will it take for her to recognize what she wants? Will she listen to Helen’s opinions, especially as Helena, a super recognizer, knows something about one of these men?

Helena becomes a very good friend of Jago, a property developer with heart. Will their relationship become the real thing?

This is an easy to read book that goes perfectly with a cup of tea and a few minutes of quiet time. I highly recommend it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Below are title’s from this week’s Short List, recently published books for less than ten dollars.

I have reviewed this one.

OTHER E BOOK BARGAINS

This is the book that began the series. I am reading the latest, Something to Hide, and will be reviewing it soon.

This was made into a movie starring Judi Dench

To begin at the end, although readers should not do this as there are spoilers, I learned that this novel is based on real people and real events that occurred in the build up to WWII. The story is well told and engrossing.

Protagonist Evelyn was raised in what seems to be a “typical” British home. Her father had a job, her mother was a homemaker and, while not terribly well off, the family managed well. Evelyn , who was intelligent, moved away from her family’s sphere. First she went to a boarding school and later was an Oxbridge graduate. She studied German at university, a helpful language for the time in which the novel took place. Evelyn’s best friend Sally is from a wealthier and more upper class and influential family. They happily included Evelyn in their world. Sally’s cousin Julia is her own woman and a bit of a black sheep. The novel revolves around these three women but with many other characters as well.

What happens when Evelyn becomes involved in war work? What starts out as a secretarial job leads to much more. Readers learn about this and the consequences that Evelyn’s decisions and actions have for her.

One thing that the author does extremely well is to portray the anti-Semitic and pro German attitudes of a group of British citizens. On their own, with Russian emigres and more, they wanted a world in which Hitler was ascendant. This made for some chilling reading.

Another well done aspect of the story was its presentation of work done in MI5. Where did women fit in this? How were agents supported (or not)? These issues add to the intrigue of this story.

What happens to the Unlikely Spy both before and after the war? Read this involving novel to find out.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

Here is another excellent entry in this inspiring series. Readers follow Florence Nightingale from childhood on. She was bright and cared deeply for others. Florence was a girl who grew up to do what we now call following her passion. She did not want to marry but wanted to care for others. Florence’s dream was to become a nurse at a time when nursing was not viewed as respectable. She subsequently did much to change that way of looking at the profession, even being honored by Queen Victoria.

Any child who dreams of being a nurse will be very inspired after reading this title. They can go to the end of the book and also enjoy the timeline and other information that is there, including some photos..

One thing that I learned from this title was that Florence was named for the city in Italy.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.

This title will be published on 12 April 2022

by Fiona Danks; Jo Schofield

#MakeThisBookWild #NetGalley

What a great book for kids and one that will get them outdoors to explore and discover. The idea is to take this book along; no worries about its getting grubby as that is the idea. Fill it with all sorts of thoughts and things relating to nature.

The book opens with an introduction of how to use this one and then goes on to many short sections. Some of these include Searching for Rainbows, Shell collecting, Dragon hunt, Eyes on the trees, Tiny treasures, Leaf printing, Garden goblins, Cloud gazing, and Bee friendly, along with many more. All in all, the perfect companion and encouragement to get out and enjoy the natural world.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this engaging and beautifully illustrated title. All opinions are my own.

This title will be published on 12 April 22.

Vivien Leigh, Laurence Olivier, and the Romance of the Century

by Stephen Galloway

Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier were giants as actors. Ms. Leigh may be best known for playing Scarlet O’Hara in Gone with the Wind, while Olivier was a renowned Shakespearean thespian. As can often be the case, this external glitter and glory did not fully reflect the actual lives of these two.

This well-researched book, sometimes gossipy in tone, tells the story of the cataclysmic meeting and relationship of these two stars. Just like a meteor (to keep an analogy going), these two were on a collision course.

What were the highs and lows for these two? How did they meet, come together and live a life together? Why did their relationship implode and what happened to each in light of this? Read this title to find out.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.

This title will be published on 22 March 22.

by Sandy Little

#MyLittleGreenUmbrella #NetGTalley

To me, this is an adult’s story masquerading as a child’s tale although both generations may well enjoy it. I loved the nostalgic feel of this story of the umbrella. In some ways it brought to mind, The Velveteen Rabbit, in terms of how important objects from our pasts can be forgotten or discarded but still can have deep meaning.

The illustrations in this title are beautiful; they have an old fashioned appeal that I very much liked. I will go back to enjoy them again, I am sure.

The story is about a special umbrella and what it means to two children and their childhoods. Who are they to one another? How does this special umbrella hold up? Read this very sweet book to find out.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

sleuthofbakerstreet.ca/i/1584200/March_2022_e_MOM_Read.pdf