Rosie’s Book Review Challenge – A review from Susan

Today I bring you a review from Susan. She blogs at http://www.gardenofedenblog.com/

Susan chose to review “The Heart of Albion” by Sue Vincent and Stuart France

Here is her review.

Extraordinary, in a word! ‘Unusual’ for another, and definitely original and thought provoking.

It begins with the fable of Jack and the Beanstalk which I was happy to revisit. I appreciated the psychological insight given by the two adventurers, Wen and Don as they discuss it. Fairy tales and fables, myths and legends contain hidden meanings and it is in this vein that their journey begins.

Wen and Don set off in the Silver Bullet (their car) with map in hand to find Albion somewhere in Devon; or so I was led to believe in the beginning. They are often in conversation making perceptive and imaginative leaps linking ancient tales with contemporary lives.

There is much play on words where e.g. the same word has two distinct meanings. ‘Cleave’ can mean as in ‘cling to’, or to ‘cleave in half’. From their discussions of words inter alia we’re led into magical tales in which the trials and tribulations of those in the tales are interwoven with their current journey. I enjoyed the many associations and amplifications on words and their deft dealing with the opposites, which are not exclusive to each other but are two sides of the same coin.

Poor Father Fish (who may pre-figure Arthur) becomes ill with longing for the maiden who appeared to him in a dream. In order to find her, he undergoes many impossible tasks. He faithfully fulfils them with friend and foe always accompanying him. Against all odds or, because of them, his mission is finally achieved. He has to search the whole of Albion for her. I was reminded of Psyche’s tasks set by Eros’ mother, also impossible tasks, but her love for Eros and her determination to be re-united with him, is the glue.

Many churches are visited, patterns are perceived dimly and the point is made that ‘… we think we see them, then maybe not – difficult, effort, which is why we avoid them’.

There are pearls interspersed throughout. I liked Don’s words: ‘if we struggle to see things that are staring us in the face in the present, how much more difficult it is to be accurate with the past and even with what we like to call our past’.

The authors paraphrase Heraclitus whose original words I believe were: ‘No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man’.

I’m glad they brought out that the word ‘silent’ contains the same letters as ‘listen’ and note that they say ‘listen in silence’ and not necessarily ‘listen to silence’.

I enjoyed travelling through Yorkshire and different parts of England, a land of such beauty and history, symbolism and legend. There are beautiful photographs interspersed throughout. The authors’ knowledge of myth and history made this an engaging and psychological tale, in spite of its sometimes steam of consciousness writing … or so it seemed to me .. with endless … as pauses.

I would give this a 4*.

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Guest Author Sue Vincent

Today our guest is author Sue Vincent. I have read and reviewed a couple of Sue’s book “The Osiriad” http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-4lk and “The Initiate” co-written by Stuart France http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-37P  Sue recently offered their book The Heart of Albion for out book Review Challenge.

Let’s find out more about Sue and her books.

1) Where is your home town?

I was born in West Yorkshire, in the City of Leeds, so technically I’m a city girl though these days I live in the village of Waddesdon.

2) How long have you been writing?

My mother and grandfather were both writers, so it seemed a natural thing to do. In 2008 I won the David Burland Poetry Prize. It wasn’t until Gary Vasey asked me to collaborate on The Mystical Hexagram (Datura Press) that I began to write seriously.

Meanwhile I had met Stuart France and together we had embarked upon the adventures in the landscape that gave birth to The Initiate. I would say that the rest is history… but we haven’t finished yet and our fourth book together, Doomsday: The Ætheling Thing, is almost complete.

3) In your book The Initiate you follow myths and legends around ancient sites and old churches. What were you following?

It started with the mysterious blue light that seemed to rise like a mist, caught on camera at sites of ancient sanctity. We were led along a trail of severed heads and coincidences; through the archaeology, art and medieval architecture of England. We found ourselves delving into religious iconography, folklore and legend. Perhaps what we were really following was a growing awareness that beneath the surfaces we see every day there are strange and deep mysteries, hidden in plain sight, just waiting to be noticed and seen with the eyes of the heart.

4) The Heart of Albion continues your mystical journey; where does it lead you? Where is Albion?

What had started as a very local adventure soon seemed to encompass the whole of the country; the mysteries that were unfolding are an integral part of our history, our race and the very land itself.

Albion is the oldest name for Britain and comes from an old word for ‘white’, which means ‘sacred’ too. For us, Albion is the deeper Britain, the life of the land and its people, where stream and blood flow together like the red and white springs of Avalon.

5) In Sword of Destiny your story is set in Yorkshire. Who is the ancient keeper of light?

The Keeper of Light is Merlin. He is the son of the Forest Lord and a mortal woman and it is his task to aid the four people who are brought together to champion the Light at a time of change in the world.

The moors are rich in lore and legend; magical creatures, giants and ghouls are everywhere and each rock and river has a story to tell. As we move into a digital age we do not sit by the fire and listen to these tales from Great Granny as we once did. The land sleeps, its dreams quiescent. Sword of Destiny only brushes the surface of folk memory, but I hope it captures something of the magic that brings the land to life.

6) Tell us about the coincidence of birds who find and follow you on your travels.

It all started at Uffington with the buzzards and the skylark who seemed tuned in to our conversation and mood. You would, of course, simply smile and put it down to coincidence. The long walk along the Ridgeway to Wayland’s Smithy was attended by birds. It seemed a little odd, the way they kept leading us onward. Especially after the great snowy owl that had flown up beside us in broad daylight the previous day. But again… just one of those things. Of course, next morning there were nine of them wheeling overhead… and a combined wingspan of some sixty feet is a little hard to ignore…

7) The Giants Dance is set in Derbyshire, what was the ancient stone circle you found?

One of the most important sites for Don and Wen is the little Barbrook stone circle. It is here that Wen begins an encounter with visions of a far distant past. The circle itself is half hidden by the grasses; cysts and further circles await discovery in the heather and to walk that moor open to the past brings it to a rich and vivid life.

8) Wen and Don set off on great adventures of discovery, tell us about the visions Wen sees.

                Wen has always been close to the land and has felt the echoes of the past as shadows brushing the edge of consciousness. She has a strongly sceptical streak and would have called it imagination, until and she and Don visit Wincobank. Then it gets personal.

What she sees there imposes itself upon Wen’s senses and emotions; an overlay of an other reality that shows her the story of a young girl, a seer, who calls her to witness tragedy and heroism through her eyes before taking Wen on a shared journey through a lifetime… and beyond.

9) You’ve also written a book called The Osiriad, tell us about this book.

My fascination with Egypt started early; behind the stories were deep and timeless truths that hold good for us today. Not simply moralistic tales, but abstract concepts that are only now being echoed in the various branches of Quantum Physics and modern spirituality.

But the tales were disconnected and made little sense on their own, so I pieced them together in a linear fashion that makes them understandable and cohesive. But I also wanted to make them easy and enjoyable to read, so the book is written in the first person, and it is Isis who tells the tales from Her own perspective.

10) Where can readers find out more about you and your books?

                I write almost daily for my blog, Daily Echo and the books and new releases also feature on our website http://www.franceandvincent.com. All the books are available on Amazon, as paperback and for Kindle. I can also be found on Twitter and on Facebook and via The Silent Eye website.

Thanks Sue, Good Luck with the new book.

 

 

More books for the Book Review Challenge

Good Morning, Good Morning, come and pull up a seat once again. So how are you feeling? Glad it’s Friday? Come and take the weight off your poor weary limbs and take a relaxing deep breath. In and out, that’s it release the stress. Pull up a pew or find a comfy seat, kick off your shoes, nobody minds here, we’re all friends.

So what have you missed since you last dropped by? We’ve got some more delicious books for you, just whispering to be read…

If this is your first visit or you’ve been too busy to call we have a little book review challenge planned. It’s SO easy to play just a tiny part. You wouldn’t be here if you didn’t like books, who doesn’t like a story? We’ve so many to tempt you.

What’s that I hear? It’s too much effort? Not at all. You haven’t got time? What a terrible shame. A whole month to read a book? Could you possible try? Just for me? Please? Pretty please?

I hear you sigh, what to you have to do? It’s JUST SO EASY. Skip on down the page and find a book to tickle your fancy, tweak your eyebrow, or nudge your curiosity.

LIFT your weary limbs and type a few words in the sign up form at the bottom of the page. Now relax and have a cup of tea.

Is that it, you ask? Is that all? W-e-l-l just one more tiny teeny weeny thing….when we send you the book, the one you’ll enjoy, you’ll fly through it in the month of July, I know you will, just one more teeny weeny ever so small….WRITE A REVIEW? WHAT?! I hear you gasp, not a REVIEW surely not? I can’t do that, I don’t know how, they take too long, what if I don’t like the book? Please not a review.

BUT, and my BUT is REALLY important please listen, how’s the tea? BUT when you read a book do you ever talk about it? Do you ever tell others about a good book you’ve read? I see you nod and purse you lips, is that a YES? So couldn’t you possibly, just for me, write down your thoughts on this lovely book, not much, I don’t need an essay, just a few lines. I pause, I see the cracks in your armour you’re beginning to agree, is that a smile and a twinkle in your eye? YIPPEE! I’d grab your hands and we’d dance a little jig but I don’t want you to think I’m more crazy than I am, QUICK, QUICK, QUICK pick a book now. And don’t worry next week we’re doing all sorts of posts about writing that teeny weeny book review that will mean SO MUCH to the authors and me. THANK YOU. Now GO, GO, GO CHOOSE A BOOK.

From July 1st 3 e-copies of the following books will be available FREE for you to choose to read. All we ask is for you to read just 1 and write a review which will then be posted here and other sites where possible. Starting next week on Wednesday 25th June we’ll be posting a series on book reviews to help and advise you.

We’re beginning the book review challenge on Wednesday 25th June with posts from guest book reviewers and authors. There will be book reviewing tips and advice each day in the build up to reading and writing a review.

When books are requested I will confirm by e-mail. Please check your SPAM folder if you think you haven’t heard from me. Similarly when books get sent out by authors they may go into SPAM please do check. I always try to reply within a reasonable time but super efficient spam folders do foil me sometimes.

First come first served.

  Do you fancy an adventure in the forests of Windemere with young warrior Luke Callindor sent to protect the heir of Duke Soloman? REQUEST A COPY OF BEGINNING OF A HERO BY CHARLES E. YALLOWITZ (Fantasy) (2 copies left)

  How about a modern twist on Tudor history? Relive the life of Henry VIII through the eyes of Harry Lanchester and his merry wives. REQUEST A COPY OF KINGS AND QUEENS BY TERRY TYLER (Contemporary) (1 copy left)

  Are you in a romantic mood? How about a romantic Highland fling? REQUEST A COPY OF TALL, DARK AND KILTED BY LIZZIE LAMB (Romance) (2 copies left)

  Or how about a romantic romp with journalists in Norfolk with wedding bells in the air? REQUEST A COPY OF BOOT CAMP BRIDE BY LIZZIE LAMB(Romance) (2 copies left)

  Want to escape your superpowers? Null City is they place to be in this New Adult paranormal fantasy. REQUEST A COPY OF ONE WAY FARE BY BARB AND HANNAH TAUB(Paranormal NA Fantasy) (2 Copies left)

  Perhaps you’ve read One Way Fare? Here’s a chance to read the second book in the series. REQUEST A COPY OF DON’T TOUCH BY BARB TAUB(Paranornal NA Fantasy)

  How about a bit of gruesome history? England 1647, civil war and Matthew Hopkins sweeps through the land as the Witchfinder. REQUEST A COPY OF THE BLACK HOURS BY ALISON WILLIAMS (Historical)

  Could you see yourself at a tournament of Gamesmen as they play a game of Comet? There’s a mystery man and a potion maker in this fantasy. REQUEST A COPY OF THE BIRR ELIXIR BY JO SPARKES (YA Fantasy)

  Love a thriller? Travel with John Cannon as his relaxing leave of absence turns into a nightmare when his boat is attacked by terrorists. REQUEST A COPY OF MY GRL BY JOHN W. HOWELL(Thriller) (1 copy left)

  Can we tempt you with a spiritual quest? Albion, is the oldest name for Britain. Wen and Don take you on a mystical journey through Myths and Legends of these blessed Isles. REQUEST A COPY OF THE HEART OF ALBION BY SUE VINCENT & STUART FRANCE ( A spiritual quest around England) (1 copy left)

  Crime? The first book in the Georgie Connelly crime series. Join feisty documentary film-maker Georgie as she dangerously plans to expose Gentleman’s Clubs. REQUEST A COPY OF BUSINESS AS USUAL BY E.L.LINDLEY(Crime) (2 copies left)

NON-FICTION here’s the chance to get some help promoting your work. REQUEST A COPY OF HOW TO PROMOTE AND MARKET YOUR BOOK BY MADI PREDA (Non-Fiction) (2 copies Left)

  There’s more romance on it’s way.  Marianne Coltrane’s writes an award winning scoop about the sale of babies. Destiny will take her to an island off the wild west coast of Ireland. Love a mix of Ireland and romance? REQUEST A COPY OF THE HOLLOW HEART BY ADREINNE VAUGHAN(Romance) (2 copies left)

  If you’ve read The Hollow Heart by Adrienne Vaughan, here’s your chance to loose yourself in more Irish themed romance with the second book in the series. REQUEST A COPY OF A CHANGE OF HEART BY ADREINNE VAUGHAN (Romance) (2 copies left)

  How about a murder mystery set in a coastal resort in Maine? REQUEST A COPY OF DEATH IN A RED CANVAS CHAIR BY N.A GRANGER (Murder Mystery) (2 copies left)

 Step back in time to Georgia and the deep south for this book, real people struggling to survive with segregation and inequality. This is a fictionalised real story. REQUEST A COPY OF RED CLAY AND ROSES BY S.K. NICHOLLS

 TJ Therien has his fantasy book for FREE on Smashwords and Barnes and Noble (Nook), so no limit on the number of copies but he’d still like reviews. (Fantasy) Only

 British Adult comedy comes in the form of the Derek series, we have the first book available as a kindle download for UK reader/ challengers only. REQUEST A COPY OF PLEASE CALL ME DEREK BY MAC BLACK (British Adult Humour)

 1867, the American Wild West. British raised girl Annie meets wild man Colt McCall after a stagecoach crash. Fantastic cowboy romance. (UK readers + we’re working on a plan for the rest of the world.) REQUEST A COPY OF AN ENGLISHWOMAN’S GUIDE TO THE COWBOY BY JUNE KEARNS (Historical romance) (1 copy left)

 1924, the English Shires. Jazzing flappers and a half share in a million acre ranch in Texas. (UK readers + we’re working on a plan for the rest of the world.) REQUEST A COPY OF THE 20’S GIRL, THE GHOST AND ALL THAT JAZZ BY JUNE KEARNS (Historical Romance) (2 copies left)

 16 year old Jade discovers her Grandmother was murdered. She sets out to find the mystery commune killer. REQUEST A COPY OF JADED BY KRISTY FELTENBERGER-GILLESPI.(YA Thriller) (2 copies left)

Good Deeds Week 29th December – 4th January 2014

Welcome to New Year week of my Good Deeds weekly challenge. My own challenge to do one Good Deed a day based on the book by Judith O’Reilly called “A Year of Doing Good”

Find your own copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Whoop, Whoop! This week we step across to 2014, what a wonderful year this is going to be. My year long challenge doesn’t stop here because I began on 16th April, the day I began reading Judith’s book. Judith will be our guest today  (Sunday 5th January) in a second post, I’m so excited that she agreed to give up a piece of her valuable time to talk to us on the blog.

So what have I been up to this week?

December 29th – Cooked a lovely roast dinner for my parents as we didn’t see them on Christmas Day. The January issue of Fleet Life was delivered this morning, so I was able to write a second post today and let authors know about their books. This months books were “No Strings Attached” by Lily Bishop, “The Initiate” by Sue Vincent and Stuart France, “Ghost in the Machine” by Ed James, “Passion United” by Phillip Miles and “Summer’s Passing” by Randy Mixter. You can check out my post here http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-4mz or go to the online version at www.fleetlife.org.uk, click on the online directory and find Rosie’s Good Reads on page 48.

Good Deeds received; Mum really appreciated not cooking or doing the washing up and it was lovely to spend some relaxing time with them.

December 30th – We have a friend of my son over today, the boys have some school work to complete together and I’m providing lunch. Launched my Rosie’s Good Read Collections – Historical books today. Good Deeds received; Had some lovely comments and support for my post today, thanks folks it makes it all worthwhile. Here is a link to the post http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-39v

December 31st – At work today I spent extra time doing a job today which makes out lives easier and one that I could have left, but didn’t. Came home and visited lots of my wonderful friends on WordPress. It’s so busy that my like buttons haven’t been loading on people’s sites, so I shall endeavour to go back later to support you all. My yearly WordPress stats were a delight to read and I’ve sent off some personal thanks to followers and contributors to my site who have helped make my year such a success. Special mention to Stephanie Hurt , Harula at Words That Serve and Marin Thomas plus all my guest and fellow authors and writers who have given their precious time and words to my blog.

Good deeds received; The postman delivered a copy of “Please Call Me Derek” by Mac Black which I can’t wait to start reading, and author Julia Hughes offered me a copy of her recently published book “The Griffin’s Boy.” These should start my next year of reading off to a flying start. In 2013 I read 154 books in my Goodreads challenge.

January 1st – HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all, and it’s off to a flying start. 3 people contacted me today asking for book reviews. I have finished reading my first book of 2014 and have just sent the review off to the author before I post on Goodreads and Amazon. I have set my Goodreads book challenge at 120 books at the moment, if I’m near to smashing it before the end of the year then I’ll increase the target. Good Deeds received: Have had lots of lovely comments and support from fellow bloggers and readers of my New Year post. If you missed it here is the link. http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-4mZ

January 2nd – Started off with a Good Deed Received; Author Julia Hughes who recently sent me her latest book to read, this morning sent me another book on behalf of  Sean and Daniel Campbell. The best bit was that she reminded me about a great website for authors and writers called Words Unlimited where they have book promotions and author posts, they get about 600 views per day so why not check them out, please mention my name if you do decide to make contact with them, thanks.

Good Deeds; Have finished my second book already this year and posted my review on Goodreads and Amazon. A Haunting tale from Randy Mixter called “A Girl of the Paper Sky”

January 3rd – Strong winds and driving rain have been bending our neighbour’s tree over the fence until it hits our roof, so today we helped out our neighbour who has been too ill to tackle the tree. With her permission we cut back the tree finding a split in its lower trunk which could have meant it toppled over in the next windy storm. It was sad to cut the tree, but it was becoming too big for it’s small patch and a danger to our house. Good Deeds received;  My brother-in-law took the tree away at no cost to anyone.

January 4th – I have finished my third book of the year and written a review for author Mac Black of his book “Please Call me Derek”. This will appear on the blog later in January and Mac has agreed to be a guest author as well. We’re working on the interview at the moment. That’s all for this week, don’t forget to check out Judith’s guest post.

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.

In 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

Imagine 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

When 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.

ALTERNATIVE 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

ALTERNATIVE 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

A 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

In 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

Yorkshire, 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

Lillian’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

China, 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

This 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

January Fleet Life – Rosie’s Good Reads

The January Issue of Fleet Life just dropped through my door, so here it is with this months authors and their books.

The online version will be up shortly at www.fleetlife.org.uk. Then you can click on the online directory and find the reviews on Page 48.

This month featured books are;

“No Strings Attached” by Lily Bishop Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

“The Initiate” by Sue Vincent and Stuart France Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

“Ghost in the Machine” by Ed James Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com free on kindle at time of going to press.

“Passion United” by Phil Miles Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

“Summer’s Passing” by Randy Mixter Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

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Good Deeds Week November 24th – 30th

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.

November 24th -Today I’ve spent some lovely time in the garden with my husband giving it some last tender loving care before the winter sets in. The recent frosty nights have ended the fuchsias and the last flowering geraniums. It’s nice to tidy it up and energise the garden, then I placed the pots of bulbs in prominent places ready to watch them bud in the early spring. Sadly heard that a dear friend had recently passed away, my thoughts and wishes go to the family left behind.

November 25th – My morning giving my time to the local school. I also took in some bottles of booze for their Christmas Fair from my cupboards. Good Deeds Received; Lots of thanks for my help and the bottles.

November 26th – A lovely short morning at work which was great because the farm barn which is our office was quite cold. Dropping off some books to the charity shop later. Good Deeds received: Had some great comments on today’s book review post of “The Initiate” By Sue Vincent and Stuart France. Here is a link to my book review http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-37P

November 27th – I have a group of friends coming around after lunch. After my disappointing first try of a banana cake I’ve reverted to cakes I know will work and I’ll try another banana cake at a later date. I’ve soya milk for the friend who needs to avoid dairy and I’ve made brownies with rice flour for the friend who can’t eat gluten. Good Deeds received; Lots of lovely thanks from my friends for hosting the afternoon.

November 28th – Sourced and bought a small pack of wallpaper paste the other day for my Mum, delivered it today so she can do a bit of touching up around some windows after they had new double glazing installed. Wow! had our first Christmas card today, so nice to be in people’s thoughts.

November 29th – Am thrilled to publish a post today for some great friends I’ve met over the internet. Andy and Kirsty are launching their book “It’s NOT a Holiday” all about overland group travel. They’ve written a fun A to Z guide for anyone thinking of going on some of the fantastic trips that are available world wide. Here’s a link to their guest post; http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-2RV and a link to where you can get a copy Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

November 30th – The December issue of Fleet Life has just been delivered and I’m excited about my book review page. This month is a bumper issue and I’m on page 50! The books that I have reviewed are; “It’s NOT a Holiday” by Andy Robinson and Kirsty McGregor, “Becoming Anorak Nid” by local author Alix B Macey, “Beatrysel” by Johnny Worthen, “Death of the Mad Hatter” by Sarah J Pepper and “What it Takes” by Terry Tyler. Brilliant, the online version is up today, so I’ll be posting and tweeting to the lucky authors. Good Deeds Received: Lots of brilliant re-tweets and thanks from this month’s set of authors who are featured in the magazine.

The Initiate by Sue Vincent and Stuart France

The Initiate: Adventures in Sacred Chromatography by Sue Vincent

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a complicated book with many layers and one which I believe can be read in many different ways. There is a lovely trail around lots of English churches in and around Buckinghamshire and places a little further afield. Wen and Don also visit ancient sites like Stonehenge and Wayland’s Smithy as they crisscross over the aged Ridgeway (A drover’s road.) Upon their way they are followed by beautiful birds in particular red kites whom seem destined to show them the path to follow. Within the adventure are lessons on mysticism as Wen and Don study the churches and find a mystery in the architecture and stained glass windows. Their written journey is punctuated with myths, tales, visions and a story from another time. The churches are fascinating as are their colourful findings. Wen demonstrates her connection with the power of nature. Don injects his mystic wisdom and knowledge of the teachings of the Bible and the symbols left by Medieval architects who built the churches and chapels. Reading the book inspired me to look up the names of my local churches and intrigues me to follow in their footsteps to many of the churches in the book.
Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

View all my reviews on Goodreads.

If you have not met Sue yet, she has a lovely blog with beautiful pictures and lovely musings -The Daily Echo here; http://scvincent.com/