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My Review of "The White Camelia" by Juliet Greenwood.

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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

A review of "Thicker Than Water" by Bethan Darwin

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There was a reason that I decided to review this book. As soon as I knew the story involved Wales and Canada, I was sold! Having come from a coal mining heritage in the Welsh valleys and lived in Canada for nineteen years, this book was right up my street! One of the first things that struck me in the beginning chapters was the writer's expression of details. I always had a clear picture of the scenes including the nappy changing that many can relate to! Secondly, there is a professionalism that is evident in the research and the writing. This book tells the tales of Gareth Maddox, a successful lawyer who leaves London with his wife and family and returns to Wales where his heart lies; and of his great- grandfather, Idris, who emigrates to Canada after the miners strike in the 1920's. The parallel stories of  Gareth and his family and that of his great grandfather and his twin brother are enthralling and really draw the reader in.  The history of the Welsh vales a

Review of "The Secret of Hilcrest House" by Melanie Robertson-King

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Review of "The Secret of Hillcrest House" by  Melanie Robertson-King Jessica didn't really know why she had decided to buy Hillcrest House in Eastern Canada, sight unseen, except for the fact it looked just like a house she had sketched many times over. However, on actually seeing inside her new purchase, the work that needed to be done was somewhat of a shock. The physical and financial shock would actually become less shocking in comparison with the number of ex-residents who still appeared to be still living in the house, years after their own deaths. There were secrets to be uncovered that would bring back some of her own most painful memories that preceded the ending of her last relationship. Even the garden wildlife was odd...one specific crow with a white feather really managed to get Jessica's attention. Jessica's attention was also taken by a good looking, in fact very hot, police officer with his own complicated history. The

A Review of "Between Friends" by Jenny Harper

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A Review of "Between Friends" by Jenny Harper This is an excellent read about three women who have been friends since they were schoolgirls. Although very different in character and lifestyle,  Jane, Carrie and Marta have been close for years but their worlds get turned upside down when Marta inadvertently reunites them all with a man from their past...Tom.  Tom is a morally bereft and frequently unemployed actor who fancies himself as holding the key to Pandora's Box as he uses the women's secrets to divide them while using them for his own financial and malicious gain.  This story is well told with emotional ups and downs for the three friends and their families.  Tom has woven a complicated  spell on them which leads them to have to open up about their innermost demons.  They may have been "BFF's" (Best Friends Forever) but certainly did not know everything about each other. Can their friendship survive the hidden secret

A Review of "Death Sentence" by Sheryl Browne

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Death Sentence  by  Sheryl Browne I have been a fan of Sheryl Browne for quite a while and have really enjoyed her romance novels.  This book was a gritty step in another direction and had me terrified and mesmerized at the same time. Well researched, it tells the story of love, retribution and revenge. Matthew  Adams, a Detective Inspector believes his child died at the hands of his previous childhood bully turned pimp and prostitute killer. Patrick Sullivan, aforementioned pimp and killer blames Matthew for the death of his brother in a drug raid gone wrong.  Both men have scores to settle and Sullivan uses Matthew's wife to exact his revenge.   As is the norm for Sheryl Browne, her main characters are embroiled in much complication and votility and other personalities emerge to further develop the story line and add to the emotional content. Poor Matthew has to fight to right the wrongs committed by Sullivan while trying to protect his pregnant wife and his ni