Search
The Style Your Modern Vintage Home: A Guide to Buying, Restoring and Styling from the 1920s to 1990s
Book
Style Your Modern Vintage Home is an inspirational book for all vintage enthusiasts. It encompasses...
ClareR (5950 KP) rated Cunning Women in Books
May 15, 2021
Cunning Women is everything I love about historical fiction.
I’m on a bit of a 17th century bender at the moment, and witches seem to crop up frequently. Basically, if you were female, didn’t have a man about the place (preferably one you were married to) and knew things other than washing, cleaning and popping out babies, you risked being accused of witchcraft. Add to that a birthmark, and/ or an opinion or two, AND not going to church regularly, then you might as well start picking your own stake out.
Sarah and her mother, brother and little sister, all live in a hamlet abandoned after all the inhabitants died of plague, known as the Plague Village. They have no money and little income after the death of Sarah’s father, and what money they do have comes from selling potions, small spells and begging. They’re outcasts, and there’s an atmosphere of dank, dark poverty in where they live and what they wear. They are avoided by pretty much everyone in the village - it seems to be a really lonely existence.
Then comes a spark of hope when Sarah meets the local farmer’s son, Daniel. He lives a very different life: one of open spaces, plenty of food, light and comfort. He’s treated poorly by his father and a farm hand, but he’s never hungry, and his living conditions are so much better than those of the Haworth family.
This is a story that feels so raw and real. You just know that it’s not going to be a happy ending. How can it? DOn’t get me wrong - I rather like endings that are unresolved or just plain unpleasant (weird, I know), but the youth of these protagonists had me hoping throughout for a better life for them.
Ahh, the 17th century - great to read about, but I’ve never been so glad to have been born in the 1970’s!
This is a really enjoyable, heartfelt historical fiction novel, and I’m so pleased that I got the chance to read it. Many thanks to Windmill Books for providing me with an e-arc through NetGalley.
I’m on a bit of a 17th century bender at the moment, and witches seem to crop up frequently. Basically, if you were female, didn’t have a man about the place (preferably one you were married to) and knew things other than washing, cleaning and popping out babies, you risked being accused of witchcraft. Add to that a birthmark, and/ or an opinion or two, AND not going to church regularly, then you might as well start picking your own stake out.
Sarah and her mother, brother and little sister, all live in a hamlet abandoned after all the inhabitants died of plague, known as the Plague Village. They have no money and little income after the death of Sarah’s father, and what money they do have comes from selling potions, small spells and begging. They’re outcasts, and there’s an atmosphere of dank, dark poverty in where they live and what they wear. They are avoided by pretty much everyone in the village - it seems to be a really lonely existence.
Then comes a spark of hope when Sarah meets the local farmer’s son, Daniel. He lives a very different life: one of open spaces, plenty of food, light and comfort. He’s treated poorly by his father and a farm hand, but he’s never hungry, and his living conditions are so much better than those of the Haworth family.
This is a story that feels so raw and real. You just know that it’s not going to be a happy ending. How can it? DOn’t get me wrong - I rather like endings that are unresolved or just plain unpleasant (weird, I know), but the youth of these protagonists had me hoping throughout for a better life for them.
Ahh, the 17th century - great to read about, but I’ve never been so glad to have been born in the 1970’s!
This is a really enjoyable, heartfelt historical fiction novel, and I’m so pleased that I got the chance to read it. Many thanks to Windmill Books for providing me with an e-arc through NetGalley.
AVG Photo Cleaner and Manager
Photo & Video and Utilities
App
Free up valuable iPhone and iCloud storage space with AVG Photo Cleaner, the iOS cleaner that...
iParadox – Alarm System Control
Utilities and Business
App
2016 and before H/W may be upgraded to connect with Swan service additional costs apply in this...
NF
Nature's Fabric: Leaves in Science and Culture
Book
Leaves are all around us in backyards, cascading from window boxes, even emerging from small cracks...
DogHotel: My Dog Boarding Kennel
Games and Entertainment
App
***Open your own dog hotel!*** DogHotel invites you to manage a brand new dog resort, put your dog...
Takeoffs And Landings
Navigation and Education
App
Polish off your skills on the two most exhilarating aspects of flying—takeoffs and landings. This...
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Undiscovered Deaths of Grace McGill in Books
Jan 16, 2022
Well, this is like no book I have read before and most definitely in a good way and whilst, in my honest opinion, I don't think the cover does it justice, please don't let it put you off.
I'm sure we have all read or heard about those very sad situations where someone dies and lies undiscovered for days, weeks or even months and have wondered what their story is and why they died so alone in the world; this is a story that unlocks some of that mystery but from a very unique perspective - the cleaner who removes all evidence of that lonely death.
Grace McGill is that cleaner. She does a job that very few people would want to do and she is good at it but there is more to Grace than meets the eye; she is an extremely interesting and complex character that is, what some might call, slightly odd but I found her fascinating.
Things plod on at a fairly sedate pace where we get to know Grace, her background, her foibles and eccentricities. She goes into great detail how she sets about cleaning a scene, which some might find a little too descriptive, and how she tries to get to know the person and their story.
One such death has her intrigued and she sets on a path to find out more and this is where the story and action really begins and just about half way through, there is a totally unexpected and jaw-dropping moment which totally surprised and shocked me and completely shifted the book into something else and I was hooked until the end racing through the pages to find out what was going to happen next.
This is like no other book I have read before; it's a little bit strange with a quirky but endearing main character and a unique story that I would recommend to others who enjoy reading things that are a little bit different from the usual.
I have never read anything by this author before but will definitely be looking out for him in the future and I must thank Hodder & Stoughton via NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
I'm sure we have all read or heard about those very sad situations where someone dies and lies undiscovered for days, weeks or even months and have wondered what their story is and why they died so alone in the world; this is a story that unlocks some of that mystery but from a very unique perspective - the cleaner who removes all evidence of that lonely death.
Grace McGill is that cleaner. She does a job that very few people would want to do and she is good at it but there is more to Grace than meets the eye; she is an extremely interesting and complex character that is, what some might call, slightly odd but I found her fascinating.
Things plod on at a fairly sedate pace where we get to know Grace, her background, her foibles and eccentricities. She goes into great detail how she sets about cleaning a scene, which some might find a little too descriptive, and how she tries to get to know the person and their story.
One such death has her intrigued and she sets on a path to find out more and this is where the story and action really begins and just about half way through, there is a totally unexpected and jaw-dropping moment which totally surprised and shocked me and completely shifted the book into something else and I was hooked until the end racing through the pages to find out what was going to happen next.
This is like no other book I have read before; it's a little bit strange with a quirky but endearing main character and a unique story that I would recommend to others who enjoy reading things that are a little bit different from the usual.
I have never read anything by this author before but will definitely be looking out for him in the future and I must thank Hodder & Stoughton via NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated Never Let You Go in Books
Apr 9, 2019
Lindsey and Sophie are mother and daughter. They live together in Dogswood Bay. Sophie is in here senior year in high school and Lindsey owns her own cleaning company. When Lindsey finds out that her ex-husband, Andrew is about to be released from prison after 10 years, she goes on the alert. He was very abusive and manipulative towards Lindsey, but Sophie wants her dad to be a part of her life. When things start to happen that can only be explained by Andrews controlling behavior, the pair try to hide from him in any way they can. Will they be able to stay away from him, or will he try to hurt Lindsey again?
First of all thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for the ability to read this book before it is released. Another book that had me on the edge of my seat and at the end, my heart was beating out of my chest, I was so excited to figure out what was going to happen next. Lindsey is a character that you can see as the lady next door or one of your friends. Trying to rebuild her life after being in an abusive relationship and trying to build a life for her young daughter to look up to. When she finds out that her ex is not only being released from prison after 10 years, but that he will also be moving to the same town, she is instantly on high alert. How can she keep herself and her daughter safe? Not sure of who to turn to and who to trust, she may see things in a clouded light.
I really felt for Lindsey and I could feel her fear. You are really drawn into this story and you want to help Lindsey and Sophie get out of their tough circumstances. I have read nearly all of Chevy Stevens books and I have not been disappointed by one yet. This book had a twist that you could see coming, but the culprit was hard to figure out. A few times, I thought I knew what was going to happen and I was shocked by the final outcome. This is a book you will not want to put down and will not want to read if you have a bad heart. Loved it!!!
First of all thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for the ability to read this book before it is released. Another book that had me on the edge of my seat and at the end, my heart was beating out of my chest, I was so excited to figure out what was going to happen next. Lindsey is a character that you can see as the lady next door or one of your friends. Trying to rebuild her life after being in an abusive relationship and trying to build a life for her young daughter to look up to. When she finds out that her ex is not only being released from prison after 10 years, but that he will also be moving to the same town, she is instantly on high alert. How can she keep herself and her daughter safe? Not sure of who to turn to and who to trust, she may see things in a clouded light.
I really felt for Lindsey and I could feel her fear. You are really drawn into this story and you want to help Lindsey and Sophie get out of their tough circumstances. I have read nearly all of Chevy Stevens books and I have not been disappointed by one yet. This book had a twist that you could see coming, but the culprit was hard to figure out. A few times, I thought I knew what was going to happen and I was shocked by the final outcome. This is a book you will not want to put down and will not want to read if you have a bad heart. Loved it!!!
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Once And For All in Books
Feb 1, 2018
Louna is the daughter of a single mother, Natalie Barrett. Natalie runs a famous wedding planning business with her friend William. Together--often with Louna's assistance--they help frantic brides have the perfect day. But Louna, Natalie, and William are a cynical trio: so much that they even take bets on the success of each wedding after every affair is over and they're cleaning up. Louna has another reason to be cynical: she met her true love the previous summer, but it ended tragically. After graduating high school, she's just trying to get through her last summer and head off to college. Standing in her way: charming Ambrose, the brother of one of her mother's clients. Natalie takes on Ambrose as an employee to appease her client, so Louna is stuck with cheery, serial-dater Ambrose. But the more time she spends with him, the less he starts to bother her...
<i>I was surprisingly charmed by this novel.</i> It's predictable, but in a good way. You know what you get with a Dessen novel, and this book came along at a good time for me. It's more serious than expected (I won't spoil that plot twist for you) but also <i>breezy and sweet at times.</i> Louna is a likeable heroine--flawed, complicated, real. The supporting cast of characters is humorous and realistic: Louna's best friend Jilly, whose parents have a food truck business and saddle Jilly with her many younger siblings; William, with his bride-whisperer tendencies; Natalie, and her rigid obsession with her business; and girl-crazy Ambrose, who verges on stereotype, but manages not to. The book also gives you a fun look into the wedding business, which is sort of enjoyable and lets you see how most of our characters deal with stress.
Overall, <i>this is an engaging novel, with serious undertones.</i> It's a quick read, powered by an enjoyable cast of characters. While there are some dark moments that may surprise you, the romance probably won't. But there's nothing necessarily wrong with that sometimes. :)
You can find my review of Dessen's novel SAINT ANYTHING <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1267324399?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1">here</a>;.
<center><a href="http://justacatandabookatherside.blogspot.com/">Blog</a>; ~ <a href="https://twitter.com/mwcmoto">Twitter</a>; ~ <a href="https://www.facebook.com/justacatandabook/">Facebook</a>; ~ <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+KristyHamiltonbooks">Google+</a>; ~ <a href="https://www.instagram.com/justacatandabook/">Instagram</a>; </center>
<i>I was surprisingly charmed by this novel.</i> It's predictable, but in a good way. You know what you get with a Dessen novel, and this book came along at a good time for me. It's more serious than expected (I won't spoil that plot twist for you) but also <i>breezy and sweet at times.</i> Louna is a likeable heroine--flawed, complicated, real. The supporting cast of characters is humorous and realistic: Louna's best friend Jilly, whose parents have a food truck business and saddle Jilly with her many younger siblings; William, with his bride-whisperer tendencies; Natalie, and her rigid obsession with her business; and girl-crazy Ambrose, who verges on stereotype, but manages not to. The book also gives you a fun look into the wedding business, which is sort of enjoyable and lets you see how most of our characters deal with stress.
Overall, <i>this is an engaging novel, with serious undertones.</i> It's a quick read, powered by an enjoyable cast of characters. While there are some dark moments that may surprise you, the romance probably won't. But there's nothing necessarily wrong with that sometimes. :)
You can find my review of Dessen's novel SAINT ANYTHING <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1267324399?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1">here</a>;.
<center><a href="http://justacatandabookatherside.blogspot.com/">Blog</a>; ~ <a href="https://twitter.com/mwcmoto">Twitter</a>; ~ <a href="https://www.facebook.com/justacatandabook/">Facebook</a>; ~ <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+KristyHamiltonbooks">Google+</a>; ~ <a href="https://www.instagram.com/justacatandabook/">Instagram</a>; </center>