Rosie’s Good Read Collections; Historical Adventures

Welcome to “Rosie’s Good read Collections”, I’ve put together the books I’ve read into subject headings that I think the books belong to, for you to browse.

896634In the middle years of the ninth-century, the fierce Danes stormed onto British soil, hungry for spoils and conquest. Kingdom after kingdom fell to the ruthless invaders until but one realm remained. And suddenly the fate of all England—and the course of history—depended upon one man, one king. From New York Times bestselling storyteller Bernard Cornwell comes a rousing epic adventure of courage, treachery, duty, devotion, majesty, love, and battle as seen through the eyes of a young warrior who straddled two worlds. Goodreads, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com, My Review: http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-2An

18581334Imagine wandering through an ancient landscape wrought in earth and stone, exploring the sacred sites of peoples long ago and far away in time and history. The mounds and barrows whisper legends of heroes and magic, and painted walls sing of saints and miracles. Now imagine that the lens of the camera captures a magical light in soft blues and misty greens and gold. A light that seems to have no cause in physical reality. What would you do? If you were open to the possibility of deeper realities, perhaps you would wish to explore this strange phenomenon…something two people came to know as sacred chromatography. The Initiate is the story of just such a journey beyond the realms of our accustomed normality. It is a factual tale told in a fictional manner. In just such a way did the Bards of old hide in the legends and deeds of heroes those deeper truths for those who had eyes to see and ears to hear. As the veils thin and waver, time shifts and the present is peopled with the shadowy figures of the past, weaving their tales through a quest for understanding and opening wide the doors of perception for those who seek to see beyond the surface of reality. Goodreads, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com, My Review: http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-37P

16249401When Anne and Neil leave on a one-week holiday hoping to reconcile after a two-year separation, little do they know that destiny has other plans for them. Their discovery of human bones and a bejewelled cross in the hollow of a tree open the door to the supernatural realm and the anguished life of Genevieve, a nun from medieval England. Can Anne save her relationship and help Genevieve her eternal rest? The twists and turns in this paranormal tale keep the reader guessing up to the end and weave themselves together into a quest to rekindle love. Goodreads, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com, My Review: http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-1tb

Next two books by author Kathy Steinemann.

17372535ALTERNATIVE HISTORY:
LISETVILLE, 1890 — Murders are committed; homes are burned; family secrets are buried; an unexpected romance complicates lives. Amid the mystery and violence, a vigilante brigade emerges to administer justice. Flowing through the intrigue and drama is a dark undercurrent that will touch your heart as you empathize with the victims. Goodreads, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com, My Review: http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-eQ

17860229ALTERNATIVE HISTORY: Vanguard or villain? Who is the real Owen Vargas? SARGENT, 1898 — The Doctor has a secret, a secret he never revealed to his departed wife, a secret he kept from his childhood friend. Is he afraid that the Brigade will find out? Does he fear Retribution? Or does he have another reason for his mysterious behaviour? Discover the truth about the Doctor and the vigilante group known as the “Sapphire Brigade”. Goodreads, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com, My review: http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-1O3

17444140A PUNCTUAL PAYMASTER travels 70 years through the secrets of the white Thanos family and the black Taylor family, twisted like strands of yarn woven together on a loom. The wealthy, powerful Nikkos Thanos owns a woolen mill and almost everything else on the north side of Delphi, Missouri, and is the overseer of a fractured society. The brave, judicious Thaddeus “Cousin” Taylor owns a grocery store and a tavern on the south side and carries a past hauntingly shrouded in tragedy. Each man tries to shepherd his part of town through the turmoil of racism, the depression, and war. With the passage of time those roles are filled by Evangelina, Nikkos’ beautiful and strong-willed daughter, and T.J., the grandson who worshipped Cousin. Forty-five years after high school, two friends, Ab and Grady, return for the funeral of their mentor, T.J., and walk into the middle of a mystery. They unweave the black and white threads that are the town’s concealed, troubled past, revealing a tapestry of life and death, revenge and triumph. Goodreads, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com, My Review: http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-2vY

3420In a story of breathtaking scope, Colleen McCullough returns to the magnificent setting of her international bestseller The Thorn Birds. Following the disappearance of his only son and the death of his beloved wife, Richard Morgan is falsely imprisoned and exiled to the penal colonies of eighteenth-century Australia. His life is shattered but Morgan refuses to surrender, overcoming all obstacles to find unexpected contentment and happiness in the harsh early days of Australia’s settlement.
From England’s shores to Botany Bay and the rugged frontier of a hostile new world, Morgan’s Run is the epic tale of love lost and found, and the man whose strength and character helped settle a country and define its future. Goodreads, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com, My Review: http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-5z

13041262Yorkshire, 1904. On Netherwood Common, Russian émigré Anna Rabinovich shows her dear friend Eve Williams a house: a Victorian villa, solidly built from local stone. This is Ravenscliffe, and it’s the house Anna wants them to live in. It’s their house, she says. It was meant to be. As Anna transforms Ravenscliffe, an attraction grows between her and union man Amos. But when Eve’s long-lost brother Silas turns up in the closely-knit mining community of Netherwood, cracks begin to appear in even the strongest friendships. Meanwhile, at Netherwood Hall, cherished traditions are being undermined by the whims of the feckless heir to the title, Tobias Hoyland, and his American bride Thea Stirling. Below stairs, the loyal servants strive to preserve the noble family’s dignity and reputation. But both inside the great house and in the world beyond, values and loyalties are rapidly changing. Goodreads, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com, My Review: http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-2bh

1948925Lillian’s life spans the 20th century.Born in Suffolk in 1900, in service at the age of 12, her life is greatly changed by her experiences in two world wars. The Great Depression, the austerity years,President Kennedy’s assassination, Neil Armstrong’s moon walk and the death of Princess Diana are among the many events of this turbulent century that are told through their effect on her long life. Author Sally Patricia Gardner, writing with great affection for an
endearing character, traces Lillian’s Story as national and international events intersect with her own personal milestones. By the end of this compelling story, Lillian is living a more affluent lifestyle. At the heart of it, though, she has been changed by the eventful century into which she was born, and to which she undeniably belongs. Goodreads, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com, My Review: http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-8b

6383062China, 1929. For years Lydia Ivanova believed her father was killed by the Bolsheviks. But when she learns he is captive in Stalin-controlled Russia, the fiery-haired girl is willing to leave everything behind – even her Chinese lover, Chang An Lo. Journeying with her half-brother Alexei, Lydia begins a dangerous search. Tension grows between the two, for while Alexei is searching for his past, Lydia is looking for her future. But when Alexei disappears, Lydia is left almost penniless in Soviet Russia – and doubting the choices she has made. Surrounded by dangers, she searches for information and soon finds herself entangled with a Russian officer.
But Chang An Lo has not forgotten Lydia. He knows things about her father that she does not. And while he races to protect her, she is prepared to risk treacherous consequences to discover the truth…Goodreads, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com, My Review: http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-5Z

1078This tells the poignant tale of a Chinese farmer and his family in old agrarian China. The humble Wang Lung glories in the soil he works, nurturing the land as it nurtures him and his family. Nearby, the nobles of the House of Hwang consider themselves above the land and its workers; but they will soon meet their own downfall. Hard times come upon Wang Lung and his family when flood and drought force them to seek work in the city. The working people riot, breaking into the homes of the rich and forcing them to flee. When Wang Lung shows mercy to one noble and is rewarded, he begins to rise in the world, even as the House of Hwang falls. Goodreads, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com, My Review: http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-2ir

Good Deeds Week 29th September – 5th October

This is all about my journey to achieve one Good Deed a day for a year. I was inspired to set myself this challenge when I began reading “A Year of Doing Good” by Judith O’Reilly. Judith undertook some amazing deeds in her year, my own challenge has opened my eyes to opportunities which would previously have passed me by, where I can make a difference to the world, not matter how small.Good deedsSeptember 29th – A lovely autumn day and I spent the afternoon helping my Mum pick pears from her trees.

September 30th – In a bid to support a fellow local author whose just lost a lot of her work when computers were stolen, I agreed to read and review her book.

October 1st – The October edition of Fleet Life is out with my page of book reviews, this month the following authors were included; Sean Flynn with his book “Beer Goggles”, Pearl S Buck’s classic book “The Good Earth”, “Family Ties” by E.L. Lindley, “A Punctual Paymaster” by Dan Groat, and Julie McDowall with her book “Casting the Net”

October 2nd – Sadly we had to attend a funeral today. We joined others to celebrate the 92 years on this earth of a dear friend, and we made suitable donations to a Hampshire and Isle of Wight Charity and the local church.

October 3rd – Have just picked up someone else’s litter that was blowing around the court in which we live. Dropped off a Thank you note for a gift from a friend.

October 4th – 2 Books finished today for reviews in various places, I’m also working on guest author interviews for the entertainment of you, the readers.

October 5th – Today I voted for a local food bank in the Lloyds Bank community Fund promotion. Voting closes early November and the winning 2 good cause get £3000 each and there are £300 for 2 runners up.

Rosie’s Good Reads October edition of Fleet Life

Once again it’s the start of the month and another edition of Fleet Life featuring my page of Rosie’s Good Reads. For the online version go to www.fleetlife.org.uk click on online directory and find me on page 42 this month.

October Fleet Life jpegThis month’s featured authors and books are;

Beer Goggles by Sean Flynn

The Good Earth by Pearl S Buck

Family Ties by E. L. Lindley

A Punctual Paymaster by Dan Groat

Casting the Net by Julie McDowall

Good Deeds Week 18th- 24th August

This project was inspired after I read “A Year of Doing Good” by Judith O’Reilly. Her book may make you laugh or make you cry, but the world would be a better place if we all tried to spread a little love through doing good deeds.

A Year of Doing Good: One Woman, One New Year's Resolution, 365 Good Deeds. by Judith O'Reilly

I began my own challenge to do at least 1 Good Deed everyday for a year on the day I started to read this book (April 16th). My eyes have been opened to opportunities that would have passed me by if I were not conscious of my desire to seek out a Good Deed. I keep a weekly diary of my challenge which I publish each Sunday here on the blog. Here’s what I’ve been up to this week;

August 18th – Today I discussed a book draft with an author who wished to sound out a few ideas, it was fun and I hope my views help get a well deserved book on the way to being published. Stayed up extremely late to finish “The Punctual Paymaster” by Dan Groat so that I could bring you my 5* review of the book. http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-2vY

August 19th – We’ve just 2 places to fill in the Romancing September tour, where fellow blogger Stephanie Hurt and my self are offering a FREE promotion to romance authors or writers whose work contains a love interest. Each author gets a double promotion on both sides of the Atlantic on their allocated day. Made a donation to a charity bucket whilst I nipped in to town for more ice creams.

August 20th – A busy work day today, my only good deed was to drop money in a charity pot beside a cash till.

August 21st – Went to the beach today for a family day out. As a family we went out of our way to pick up a piece of equipment for a friend on our way to the beach . The only other deed was posting a book review before I went. It was a day of fun and important family time. If I had found litter at the beach I would have picked it up, but it was a beautifully clean place.

August 22nd – Rescued my neighbour’s 5 year old child who fell off his scooter outside my house. Picked him up and brushed him off and had the tears dried before his Mum turned up. Hooray we’ve filled all the places on the Romancing September Tour.

August 23rd – Today was a day of tweeting messages for other authors to promote their work, finalising the Romancing September tour posts, again for other people and a book review.

August 24th – I’m off to see my parents later and take them a few bits and pieces. The book review post today is from one of my young book reviewers that I’m supporting.

Good deeds

A Punctual Paymaster by Dan Groat

A Punctual PaymasterA Punctual Paymaster by Dan Groat

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I had forgotten why I down loaded this book and it sat on my kindle for a long time, but once I began reading it I was drawn straight in to the world of Cousin and the town of Delphi. We follow an intricately woven trail through the lives of the generations of people who are split into the “North” side of town and the “South” side. I’m talking about segregation and all that comes with the times and the territory, but there is such a deeper side to the book. Cousin instils a proud set of rules through an old family name with a meaning “Walk with Strength” which his grandson continues to live by, years later. The book title does not become apparent until the very last line of the book. If you read “The Help” by Kathryn Stockett and found it moving, then I believe this book will have a similar effect.
Find this book here on Amazon.

View all my reviews