The Smallest Man - Frances Quinn (Blog Tour & Review)

Date of Reading: 2/12/2020

Author: Frances Quinn

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Publication Date: January 7, 2020

Rating: 4/5

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Random Things Tours)

About the book:

‘I want you to remember something, Nat. You’re small on the outside. But inside you’re as big as everyone else. You show people that and you won’t go far wrong in life.’

A compelling story perfect for fans of The Doll Factory, The Illumination of Ursula Flight and The Familiars.

My name is Nat Davy. Perhaps you’ve heard of me? There was a time when people up and down the land knew my name, though they only ever knew half the story.

The year of 1625, it was, when a single shilling changed my life. That shilling got me taken off to London, where they hid me in a pie, of all things, so I could be given as a gift to the new queen of England.

They called me the queen’s dwarf, but I was more than that. I was her friend when she had no one else, and later on, when the people of England turned against their king, it was me who saved her life. When they turned the world upside down, I was there, right at the heart of it, and this is my story.

Inspired by a true story, and spanning two decades that changed England forever, The Smallest Man is a heartwarming tale about being different, but not letting it hold you back. About being brave enough to take a chance, even if the odds aren’t good. And about how, when everything else is falling apart, true friendship holds people together.

Review:

    If you search for the stories of Tudor queens, you may find an entire library. Sadly, the popularity of the Stuarts is nowhere near and needless to say this book took me by surprise. Poor old Charles is often ignored, so who cares about his French queen who has come to love England as her own home? Well, I don't think anyone can forget the name Henrietta Maria after this or Nat Davy for that matter.

    A bird's eye view of the Caroline age through the eyes of the Queen's dwarf, that is what this story offers. Based on the life of Jeffrey Hudson, Frances Quinn creates a memorable tale filled with political intrigues, suspense and a touch of romance. She does take a fair bit of creative licence when it comes to Nat's story and I completely loved it. At least in this fictional world, Nat deserves a happy ending.

    Sold by his father for eleven shillings, Nat finds a new home with the young queen who shares a similar fate in her political marriage with King Charles. Since his size limits his access to complex political scenarios, we don't get to know the king that much. Instead, Quinn focuses on Nat's life in the palace, the way he manoeuvres the insults directed against him, turning his disadvantage as a means to create a celebrated story.

    From the very beginning we are pulled into this fast paced story growing with Nat, feeling his pain. My only complaint is regarding the abrupt ending which doesn't give us much details on the restoration. Still I am happy to know about Nat Davy. He must be the smallest man, but his courage and wisdom put many a tall man to shame.

    Thank you Anne for the blog tour invite, I feel honoured to have the opportunity to read this amazing novel.

Meet the author:

Frances Quinn read English at Cambridge, and is a journalist and copy-editor. She completed the Curtis Brown Creative Course in 2015. The Smallest Man is her debut novel.

A Real Royal Christmess - Linda West (Blog Tour & Review)

Date of Reading: 02/11/2020

Author: Linda West

Publication Date: October 6, 2020

Rating: 4/5

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Rachel's Random Resources)

About the book:

When the Christmas party psychic said Jess would meet a prince - she didn't know she meant a REAL prince...

Jess is trying to win back her boyfriend, who dumped her for being boring. Jamie is trying to complete his father's bucket list before he takes the Crown. Both of them are hiding who they truly are, and when the truth is discovered, it's a real royal Christmess!

Review:

     I know there is no hope of this story happening in reality, but don't we all need a touch of unreal sometimes? Yup! You got it right, a Cinderella story at Christmas. A prince about to take the burden of the crown and a shy accountant trying to win her boyfriend back . . . hmm . . . not a dull moment in the story.

    It was hard to warm up to Jess in the beginning. I know she is dumped but should she really take that frustration on Jamie? Well, all is sorted in due course though the enemies to lovers trope could have been developed further. Yet the chemistry between the characters and the gorgeous winter setting make up for everything.

    This is my first Linda West novel and I hope we will get to see more of Jess and Jamie. If you are on the look out for something to kick start your Christmas reading, this could be one of the best choices. Happy reading!!!

Meet the author: 

Linda West is the best selling author of the adorable and enchanting "Christmas Kisses and Cookies." It is a delightful series of holiday romances based around the town of Kissing Bridge and the magical Landers sisters who are the reigning blue ribbon cookie queens thanks to their mothers' 'special' recipe book. 

Linda was the owner of Mayberry - a celebrity-filled restaurant in Malibu where many of her recipes enchanted the regulars such as Tom Hanks and Anthony Hopkins to name a few. Her recipes are sprinkled throughout her fiction books much to the delight of her fans.

Her newest venture is in the cozy mystery and humor genre. With - Death by Crockpot - the first in her newest series -Linda takes her favorite known characters from Kissing Bridge and throws them into some side-splitting funny adventures. 

A Little Christmas Hope - Kathryn Freeman (Blog Tour & Review)

Date of Reading: 22/11/2020

Author: Kathryn Freeman

Publication Date: October 1, 2020

Rating: 4/5

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Rachel's Random Resources)

About the book:

Newly promoted headteacher Anna Dalton needs a Christmas miracle – and fast! After years of sitting through excruciatingly dull Christmas productions, complete with crying children and sleeping parents, she’s determined Riddlescomb Primary School will put on a Nativity to remember.

Enter bad boy actor Dan Ramsey, recently axed from the lead role in a TV drama and in desperate need of cleaning up his image or he’ll never work again.

Dan can flash those heart-stopping dimples all he likes, Anna tells herself she isn’t going to fall for them. She knows why he’s decided to volunteer at the school, and it’s for the good of his bank balance…not his soul.

But as Anna and Dan are forced to work together for the sake of a truly magical Christmas for the children, sparks fly and they can’t help but wonder what will happen once the festive season is over… 

Review:

    A romance involving a hotshot actor set in a primary school? Well, that was more than enough incentive for me to just dive into this story. And as always, Kathryn Freeman never disappoints.

    You may find the premise a bit familiar after all isn't there anyone who hasn't fancied meeting an actor in real life? I must make a confession though. Due to my recent obsession with K-dramas, I substituted Dan with one of my favourite actors in my mind. Yes, blue eyes were a bit of a hassle, but nothing a good dose of imagination could not fix. 

    Dan Ramsay comes to his old school for some voluntary work to improve his bad-boy actor image. But he is not fooling the headteacher, Anna Dalton, even with all the smooth talk. Forced to come out of his mask, Dan finds the school environment changing him, allowing him to be a better father and a better actor.

    The vivid school atmosphere Freeman presents reminded me how rewarding teaching is as a career. I could feel the spark radiating from the little group of actors after the successful completion of the Christmas play. Definitely, one of the best moments every teacher aspires for. By the way, little Maisie, you are my star.

    A beautiful Christmas read that reminds you of the magic of Christmas . . . again. Highly recommended!

Meet the author:

I was born in Wallingford, England and have spent most of my life living in a village outside Windsor. A former pharmacist, former pharmaceutical industry employee I’m now a self-employed medical writer who also loves to write romance. Some days a racing heart is a medical condition, others it’s the reaction to a hunky hero…

I’ve two teenage boys and a husband who asks every Valentine’s Day whether he has to bother buying a card again this year (yes, he does) so the romance in my life is all in my head. Then again, my husband’s unstinting support of my career change goes to prove that love isn't always about hearts and flowers - and heroes can come in many disguises.

The First Time We Met - Jo Lovett (Blog Tour & Review)

Date of Reading: 01/11/2020

Author: Jo Lovett

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication Date: November 10, 2020

Source: NetGalley

Rating: 4.5/5

About the book:

What if you met The One on his wedding day?

Izzy doesn’t believe in love at first sight, but when Sam walks into the cafe where she works one winter’s morning, she knows without a doubt that he’s the one. Too bad Sam’s getting married. Today.

Nearly a year later, Izzy still can’t stop thinking about Sam, the one that got away, but she knows it’s time to move on: he’s a married man and probably wouldn’t recognise her if he passed her on the street.

But Sam has never forgotten Izzy, the funny, gorgeous woman who asked him out on his wedding day. If the timing had only been better, he knows they could have had something wonderful.

When Izzy and Sam’s paths finally cross again, everything has changed. But with the Atlantic Ocean and decades of baggage between them, they are about to find out whether some obstacles are too big for even true love to overcome.

An unforgettable love story about what happens when the stars finally align. Fans of One Day in December, The Day We Met and Jojo Moyes will fall head over heels for The First Time We Met.

Review:

    Truth to be told, I am not a believer of love at first sight. Still, how can one resist a romance where fate plays a decisive role? Just as the blurb promised Izzy and Sam had a lot of hurdles to overcome. Keeping your love is not as easy as finding the one.

    Izzy meets Sam for the first time on his wedding day. There is a chance meeting again after a few years and neither can forget the other. But one is a widower with twins and the other is expecting a child. Finally, after fourteen long years, our story begins. One tiny glitch though; they are both at different ends of the Atlantic.

    I did love the way Lovett built up the story around both families. Sam is struggling to find a work-life balance and Izzy is still confused about her feelings towards her ex-husband. Sam's family is in shambles and sometimes I just felt that his children are being a bit hard on him. Well, the novel shows how marriage is also a union of families, smoothening the rough edges and bringing happy tears.

    This is my first Jo Lovett book and I am waiting for more. Without a doubt, this one goes straight to my favourite's shelf. Highly recommended!

Meet the author:

Jo Lovett lives in London with her family. 

She worked in Corporate Tax before taking a longer-than-expected career break to have more-than-expected children (five). She started writing romantic comedy when she realised that she was regularly begging her oldest son to let her do his English homework but she wasn't actually that interested in haunted houses or Macbeth.

Jo was runner-up in the Good Housekeeping/ Orion First Novel Competition 2018 and shortlisted for the Comedy Women in Print Award 2019.

When she can escape from her laundry mountain and childcare, she enjoys reading, tennis and wine.

https://twitter.com/JoLovettWrites

    

The Tokyo Bicycle Bakery - Su Young Lee (Blog Tour & Review)

 

Date of Reading: 31/10/2020

Author: Su Young Lee

Publication Date: August 20, 2020

Rating: 3/5

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Rachel's Random Resources)

About the book:

For cake-loving college girl Hana, Japan was the romantic destination of her dreams. With boyfriend Jin, she planned an exciting new life in the hustle and bustle of Tokyo. But when she finally arrives after months of planning, Jin isn't there.

Hana is left broken-hearted on a rainy Tokyo street. Jin left no note. One day he just walked out of classes and disappeared.

Hana begins her new life alone. Searching for Jin but finding no trace. Watching cherry blossoms fall into the Tokyo river. Working hard and delivering her lovely home-baked cakes by orange bicycle. Then she meets handsome young farmer Hikaru and glimpses a new way forward - in an alien place where she doesn't know a soul.

The Tokyo Bicycle Bakery is a sweet and sorrowful love story with a dash of magic realism, a sprinkle of mystery and a whole lot of cakes. 

Review:

    To tell that this book took me by surprise will be an understatement. How does it feel when you can't predict anything about the story? Strange . . . somewhat nice too. More than a sweet love story set in Japan, this is a story of self-discovery emphasising the need to pursue our own dreams.

    I won't advocate all the things referred to here. After all, a protagonist who leaves her home suddenly to live with her boyfriend in another country is not a very mature decision. But Hana is a role model when it comes to her kind-heartedness and caring nature. No wonder help comes to her from every quarter. 

    What I didn't like is the writing style which felt too mechanical. The dialogues were stilted and I couldn't find much chemistry between Hana and Hikaru. Jin's character was intriguing, but sadly he didn't get much of a voice. Well, we could always hope for another story featuring him getting to know more of his strange abilities.

Meet the author:

Su Young Lee is a Korean romance author who lived in Tokyo, Japan for 10 years and now lives in London, England with her husband and two lovely cats. 

Su works in academic publishing and loves baking, playing the piano and working on her calligraphy.

Check her blog here. 

https://suyoungleesblog.wordpress.com

One Family Christmas - Bella Osborne (Blog Tour & Review)

Date of Reading: 19/10/2020

Author: Bella Osborne

Publisher: Avon

Publication Date: October 15, 2020

Source: NetGalley

Rating: 4.5/5

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Rachel's Random Resources)

About the book:

A big family. A whole lot of secrets. A Christmas to remember…

This year, Lottie is hosting one last big family Christmas at the home she grew up in – just like her Nana would have wanted.

But when her relatives descend on the old manor house, Lottie gets more than she bargained for. Every family has its secrets, but in this family, everybody has one!

So, between cooking a Christmas dinner, keeping tensions at bay and a stray dog out of mischief, she has plenty on her plate (and not just misshapen sausage rolls and a frozen turkey). And then her first love shows up – nine years after he walked out of her life.

Can Lottie make their last family Christmas one to remember… for the right reasons?

A festive treat to curl up with this Christmas, perfect for fans of Milly Johnson and Trisha Ashley.

Review:

        I am speechless! It is a known fact that miracle hands are needed to manage a festive family gathering, but to manage Collins family . . . we need something more. Talk about a crazy family, and adorable in their own ways too.

        To honour her grandmother's last wish, Lottie is hosting the last Christmas in the manor. Her career and love life is in shambles and she is going to be homeless soon, but she can handle one Christmas right? How naive she was!!! 

        On the one side, there are the pets, Duchess the cat and Dave the dog, turning everything topsy turvy (I was planning to buy a puppy for Christmas, now I am not so sure). Then the family secrets which decide this the perfect timing to come out of the closet; and yes, Lottie's old flame is back too. What is not to go wrong?

        Did I scare you enough? Aren't you curious how Lottie survive this messiness? Go ahead then. This hilarious, unforgettable family story will definitely bring back memories of bygone Christmases and anticipation for more.

Meet the author:

Bella has been jotting down stories as far back as she can remember but decided that 2013 would be the year that she finished a full-length novel. Since then she’s written six best selling romantic comedies and she’s been shortlisted three times for the RNA Contemporary Romantic Novel of the Year Award. 

Bella's stories are about friendship, love and coping with what life throws at you. She lives in The Midlands, UK with her husband, daughter and a cat who thinks she’s a dog. When not writing Bella is usually eating custard creams and planning holidays.

For more about Bella, visit her website at www.bellaosborne.com or follow her on social media.

Social Media Links 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/osborne_bella

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/BellaOsborneAuthor/ 

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/bellaosborneauthor/

But for the Mountains - Erin Riha (Blog Tour & Review)

Date of Reading: 03/10/2020

Author: Erin Riha

Publisher: REUTS

Publication Date: June 3, 2020

Rating: 4/5

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Favourite Pages Book Club)

About the book:

Arden Thatcher wasn’t meant to be chosen.

But when her name is announced, she’s presented with something she never thought she’d have: a future away from her abuser. Shuttled off to attend the prestigious National Women’s Institute, Arden will receive Nordania’s highest honour, studying with other elite candidates to become leaders, diplomats, and ambassadors on the world stage.

Only, the institute’s not quite what she expected. Paraded around in gown after gown, the tests seem less about educating and more about a different competition, with a very specific prize at stake—the Nordanian Prime Minister’s son. Despite the dean’s protestations that angling for an engagement leads to expulsion, Arden sees the truth. There’s a secret bubbling beneath the institute’s refined surface, and those who refuse to play along may well wind up dead.

With the danger escalating, and the return of her abuser on the horizon, Arden’s shiny future becomes a gilded cage. And this time, she’s going to need powerful allies to escape.

Political intrigue, swoon-worthy romance, and a dash of dystopian flare, But for the Mountains begs the question, how do you change the world when you’re not allowed to try?

Review:

      Fans of 'Selection' may find this story somewhat similar, but I can't be the judge of that since I never got to read the series. I might after this, as it looks like I am inclined to like this particular trope. It is not everyday one can find such a strong heroine who fights back even with all the mental and physical abuse she has undergone. Books like these are a necessity.

   Arden Thatcher doesn't have much to look forward to in her life. Her hopes of being selected to the Institute have been demolished long back, she has no way of escaping the clutches of her benefactor's son. Then the unthinkable happens opening an escape route to a better future. But is the life at the Institute is all that is promised? Is she just transferring her bronze chains to golden ones?

    Well, the story had me hooked from the beginning. Lots of intrigues, mishaps and a love triangle -- quite a page turner from start to finish. Romantic part didn't interest me that much (nothing is confirmed yet, by the way) as Arden is a force to be reckoned with. I don't think she even needs a man. Her resilience and strong will to survive is hardly ordinary. I can't wait to know what new adventures destiny plans for you. 

Meet the author:

Erin Riha writes young adult fantasy novels about ambitious girls who don’t know they’re not supposed to exceed expectations. She has an undergraduate degree in Political Science, a Law Degree, and a deep reverence for the power of using exactly the right word in exactly the right moment. She lives in wonderfully weird Portland, Oregon, with her super dreamy husband, where they’re raising a future train engineer and a future chicken whisperer. When not writing, she’s a music director for a teen theater company, traveling the world, or dreaming of traveling the world. But for the Mountains is her debut novel.

Favourite quotes:

"It doesn't matter what I do, I'm always stuck between the person who thinks I'm trash and the person who's drunk - or both".

"You are so damn optimistic," he says.

"Well, that's something I've never been accused of."

"It wasn't until I was older that I truly understood. I wasn't worth a pronoun. I was an "it," a dehumanized nothing"

The Coffer Dams - Kamala Markandaya (Blog Tour & Review)

Date of Reading: 10/10/2020

Author: Kamala Markandaya

Publisher: HopeRoad

(Re)Publication Date: September 30, 2020

Rating: 3.5/5

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Random Things Tours)

About the book:

Clinton, founder and head of a firm of international engineers, arrives in India to build a dam, bringing with him his young wife, Helen, and a strong team of aides and skilled men. They are faced with a formidable challenge, which involves working in daunting mountain and jungle terrain, within a time schedule dictated by the extreme tropical weather. Setbacks occur which bring into focus fundamental differences in the attitudes to life and death of the

British bosses and Indian workers. A timely reminder of the British contempt for Indian lives and for nature.

Review:

       This book has been a part of my TBR for a very long time. How can it not be? When it comes to dissertations, Kamala Markandaya is always a student's favourite. Her books are testaments to the struggles of an early India that is trying to find its foothold in a modern world. 'The Coffer Dams' is no different.

    The entire novel revolves around a massive dam construction project planned with a major British company. In alternating perspectives, the author captures the forced co-operation between the two nations and also the undercurrents within Indian society. While the British constructors perceive India with a mixture of fear and wonder, the natives, still recovering from the impact of colonisation, approach the foreigners with doubt and suspicion. Weary of each other, they proceed with caution, united only with their common aim.

    As the discourses of marginalisation gain more importance each day, Kamala Markandaya's attempts to give voice to the helpless tribals pave a new direction which is continued by contemporary writers. Without a doubt, 'The Coffer Dams' will forever remain as a classic of Indian English literature.

Meet the author:

Kamala Markandaya is a pseudonym used by Kamala Purnaiya Taylor, an Indian novelist and journalist. A native of Mysore, India, Markandaya was a graduate of Madras University, and afterwards published several short stories in Indian newspapers. After India declared its independence, Markandaya moved to Britain, though she still labelled herself an Indian expatriate long afterwards.

Known for writing about the culture clash between Indian urban and rural societies, Markandaya's first published novel, Nectar in a Sieve, was a bestseller and cited as an American Library Association Notable Book in 1955. Other novels include Some Inner Fury (1955), A Silence of Desire (1960), Possession (1963), A Handful of Rice (1966), The Nowhere Man (1972), Two Virgins (1973), The Golden Honeycomb (1977), and Pleasure City (1982/1983).

Stuck on You - Portia MacIntosh (Blog Tour & Review)

Date of Reading: 16/09/2020

Author: Portia MacIntosh

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: September 17, 2020

Source: NetGalley

Rating: 4.5/5

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Rachel's Random Resources) 

About the book:

Could a post-it note really lead to love...?

Sadie doesn't have time for finding love. She's too busy as PA for famous artist Damian Banks. When she's not arranging exhibitions, she's organising his dry cleaning or dumping his never-ending stream of girlfriends.

But when she strikes up an unusual friendship with her desk share buddy, she finds a confidante and a new potential love interest. Problem is, they've never actually met...

With Christmas just around the corner, can Sadie put herself first for a change and find what she's been looking for all along? The brand new romantic comedy from top 10 bestseller Portia MacIntosh. Perfect for fans of Sophie Ranald, Mhairi McFarlane and Zara Stoneley.

Review:

        I figured out the plot from the blurb itself and it went exactly as predicted. No last-minute surprises or sabotages and I absolutely ADORED IT for that exact reason. It may not be Christmas yet, but Portia surely makes wonders in creating a festive spirit throughout. Playful banter, a creepy beginning with a serial killer and Christmas with the family . . . she does prepare a curious mix.

        Unlikely love stories have always held a special charm for me and this is no different. A hated boss and an unusual friendship through post-it notes contribute much to the mystery and then there is the meet the parents part. Don't we love it all the time? (Utterly nerve-racking though it may be in real life). Christmas with Sadie's parents on an island which takes the traditions quite seriously is one the best parts in the story. Competition to post Christmas postcards, Dickens Day, Winter Wonderland and movie night in pyjamas . . . I am tempted to pack my bags right away.

        And the dad jokes (on both sides) are absolutely  . . . hmm, ridiculous and hilarious. It is impossible to talk about the love story without some spoilers so I will let you be the judge of that. Suffice to say, this is, by far my favourite among all these author's works. Trust me, you cannot read this book without an evergrowing smile.

Meet the author:

Portia MacIntosh is a bestselling romantic comedy author of 12 novels, including It's Not You, It's Them and Honeymoon For One. Previously a music journalist, Portia writes hilarious stories, drawing on her real-life experiences.

Love at the Little Wedding Shop by the Sea - Jane Linfoot (Blog Tour & Review)

Date of Reading: 10/09/2020

Author: Jane Linfoot

Publisher: One More Chapter

Publication Date: August 20, 2020

Source: NetGalley

Rating: 4/5

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Rachel's Random Resources)

About the book:

St Aidan: a cosy Cornish village where friendships are made for life and it’s always cocktail hour somewhere…

Return to your favourite little wedding shop by the sea for love, laughter and a romance to sweep you off your feet!

It’s the most romantic day of the year but the girls aren’t just gearing up for Valentine’s Day and a busy wedding season ahead, it’s also the 10 year anniversary of their beloved shop!

Jess is planning the party of the decade and with the champagne and cocktails flowing, sparks are going to fly…and not just from the fireworks display!

Review:

        Even though I have read two of her other works (can't resist those cute covers), this is my first step into the 'Little Wedding Shop by the Sea' series. Surely, it lives up to its name. Though each book can be read as a standalone, we do get to meet a lot of characters from the previous books and the tightly knit group is enough of a temptation to pick the other books in the series. Well, I will have to follow the reverse order now.

        Milla is back in St. Aidan for a working holiday. That's the excuse, but the real reason is that she wants to be away from her ex-fiance and business partner who are now having a baby together. What is a better way to a speedy recovery other than working with her best friends? What she didn't foresee is that her first client will be the handsome stranger she kissed on Valentine's day. But Nic is here for arranging his marriage and so totally off-limits. Can Milla remain professional throughout the ordeal?

        Talk about a messy situation. I was worried in the beginning as snatching someone's fiance is not really a story I want to read. Well, I can't give you any spoilers, but rest assured, all will be well in due time. We could pretty much guess the way it's going but that didn't spoil anything for me. Even if you are not really into weddings, this will really pull you in. The wedding jitters, walking the aisle and the first dance . . . it is hard to keep back the happy tears once you come to know the work in the background.

        All in all, another delightful read from Jane Linfoot where Cornwall works its magic . . . again.

Meet the author:

I write fun, flirty fiction, with feisty heroines, and lots of heart. Writing is fab because I get to wear pretty shoes instead of wellies. I live in a cottage up a mountain road in Derbyshire, where my family and pets are kind enough to ignore the domestic chaos. Happily, we're in walking distance of a supermarket. I love hearts, flowers, happy endings, all things vintage, most things french. When I'm not on Facebook, and can't find an excuse for shopping, I'll be walking, or gardening. On days when I want to be really scared, I ride a tandem.

We Are Not Free - Traci Chee (Blog Tour & Review)

Date of Reading: 02/09/2020

Author: Traci Chee

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Date of Publication: September 1, 2020

Source: NetGalley

Rating: 4/5

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Colored Pages Bookish Tours)

About the book:

“All around me, my friends are talking, joking, laughing. Outside is the camp, the barbed wire, the guard towers, the city, the country that hates us.

 

We are not free.

 

But we are not alone.” 

From New York Times best-selling and acclaimed author Traci Chee comes We Are Not Free, the collective account of a tight-knit group of young Nisei, second-generation Japanese American citizens, whose lives are irrevocably changed by the mass U.S. incarcerations of World War II.

 

Fourteen teens who have grown up together in Japantown, San Francisco.

 

Fourteen teens who form a community and a family, as interconnected as they are conflicted.

 

Fourteen teens whose lives are turned upside down when over 100,000 people of Japanese ancestry are removed from their homes and forced into desolate incarceration camps.

 

In a world that seems determined to hate them, these young Nisei must rally together as racism and injustice threaten to pull them apart.

Review:

        I am not affected by this book. I am not an American and it's not my country which committed these atrocities. Why should I be bothered? Then the nightmares began. And I knew. There is no way to run. I cannot forget this story, even if I try to. That's the power of the written word. Who was I kidding again?

        Fourteen youths. Incarcerated with their families in the aftermath of the Pearl Harbour attack. This is their story. Written in multiple POVs, reading this book felt like looking through a window to peek at the family living inside the room. All the stories are connected yet different. They have their personal woes and also pleasures, like a softball match. Inspired by the author's own family history, these fourteen voices make it known that they cannot be forgotten. 

        Other than the brief understanding, I didn't know much about the US incarceration camps before reading this remarkable work. Stamped as enemies, this San Franciscan Japanese community is forcibly deported from their homes to live in inhuman conditions and this happens in a country which advertises freedom more than anything else. The betrayal, the anger and the confusion that they experience are vividly portrayed by Traci Chee, making it so heartbreaking and real.

        Not many books can't be claimed to have the power to haunt my dreams at night. 'We are not Free' is one of the exceptions and though bittersweet, I am happy to be splashed with some hard realities. 

Favourite Quotes:

"It doesn't matter how good we are, because they see only what they want to see, and when they look at us, all they see are Japs"

"And I get it finally. Gaman. The ability to hold your pain and bitterness inside you and not let them destroy you. To make something beautiful through your anger, or with your anger, and neither erase it nor let it define you. To suffer. And to rage. And to persevere."

"I learned a long time ago that the secret to academic success isn't smarts. It's knowing what they want from you and giving it to them with a smile."

"Sometimes I think it'd be easier to be stupid, because then at least I wouldn't be miserable all the time."

"They say they're here for our safety, but no one feels safe when they've got a gun pointed at them."

Meet the author:

Traci Chee is the New York Times best-selling author of The Reader trilogy. She studied literature and creative writing at UC Santa Cruz and earned a master of arts degree from San Francisco State University. She is Japanese American and was inspired to write We Are Not Free by her family’s experience during World War II. Some of the events she includes in the book are loosely inspired by their stories. She loves books, poetry and papercrafts, as well as bonsai gardening and games. She lives in California.

Author Links: 

Website: http://www.tracichee.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6567825.Traci_Chee 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tracicheeauthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tracichee

Tumblr: https://tracichee.tumblr.com/ 

Starcross Manor - Christie Barlow (Blog Tour)

Date of Reading: 24/08/2020

Author: Christie Barlow

Publisher: One More Chapter

Publication Date: August 14, 2020

Source: NetGalley

Rating: 3.5/4

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Rachel's Random Resources)

About the book:

Dying to know more about the brooding and mysterious Flynn Carter and the secrets behind his plans for Starcross Manor?

You won’t want to miss the next spellbinding chapter in the Love Heart Lane series – where friends are there for you no matter what.

When Julia Coleman meets Flynn Carter again in the cosy village of Heartcross it can only mean trouble. Flynn might be rich, brooding and sexy, but Julia knows first-hand he’s ruthless and she plans to watch his every move.

When Julia discovers Flynn’s plans for beautiful Starcross Manor her greatest fears come true. Because Flynn’s dreams of turning Starcross into a luxury hotel could ruin Julia’s dreams…and finish off the community of Heartcross for good.

Flynn makes it clear he doesn’t want trouble, and he’s not the man Julia thinks he is. As he sets about convincing the community he’s changed, he hopes he can convince Julia to give him another chance too…

Review:

        Once again, Christie Barlow takes us to the beautiful village of Heartcross and this time it is Julia, the owner of the B&B who finds her happily ever after. Surely, this is not only her story, but also of an entire village where the community stands together no matter what.

        Gorgeous, wealthy Flynn Carter is not a past that Julia wanted to face again. But here he is in Heartcross, encroaching on her safe haven with plans of converting the Starcross manor to a world-class hotel facility. Flynn's plans threaten the welfare of the entire community with their small businesses and Julia is determined to stop him. But is Flynn Carter really the guy she thinks to be? Her past experiences advise her to be wary of him, but her heart is not planning to listen. 

        From beginning to end, this cute little story was the perfect getaway from the real world. As always, Christie Barlow never fails to amaze us.

Meet the author:

Christie Barlow is the number 1 International bestselling author of ten bestsellers including A Home at Honeysuckle Farm, Love Heart Lane and Clover Cottage. Her writing career came as somewhat a surprise when she decided to write a book to teach her children a valuable life lesson and show them that they are capable of achieving their dreams. The book she wrote to prove a point is now a #1 bestseller in the UK, USA, Canada & Australia.

Emmie and the Tudor Queen - Natalie Murray (Blog Tour)

Date of Reading: 10/08/2020

Author: Natalie Murray

Publisher: English Editor

Publication date: August 25, 2020

Rating: 5/5

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Favourite Pages Book Club)

About the book:

True love has never been more deadly in this lush sequel to the best-selling Emmie and the Tudor King.

For an extraordinary love, Emmie Grace has given up her life in the modern world to move to the sixteenth century and marry the Tudor king she bravely saved from a dreadful fate. However, not everyone is pleased to see the glorious King Nick betrothed to the unknown and uncultured Emmie—especially the noblemen commanded to protect her.

As Emmie is drawn deeper into Nick’s sumptuous and savage world—where beheadings are way more popular than time travellers—the Tudor court heads on progress across the country, and a growing rebellion against the promised queen looms.

With life and love at stake, Emmie must face the cost of changing the path of history and realize that her greatest sacrifice is yet to come.

Review:

        I have loved 'Emmie and the Tudor King' and this beautiful sequel is a fine addition to a wonderful series. Starting directly from where the first book ended here we see Emmie embarking through new challenges as the betrothed of King Nicholas. But as all the time travel tales establish, life as a royal is not a fairytale. It's always exciting to travel to the past when you know what the future brings, but if you don't have some magic tricks up your sleeve this is going to be a perilous journey indeed.

        Just like the last book, this story too is filled with twists and turns, the anticipation increasing with each page. I was practically glued to my kindle the entire time even though I had a pretty good guess about the ending (I was right, by the way). I was glad to see Emmie keeping her high spiritedness in the Tudor court with the help of her three best friends. At a time, when kindness may lead to your doom, will her modern ideals save the day? Will their budding love withstand the perils balancing the two time periods? Grab a copy and find out! Trust me, you won't be disappointed.

Meet the author:

Natalie Murray is the author of EMMIE AND THE TUDOR KING (June 11, 2019) and EMMIE AND THE TUDOR QUEEN (August 25, 2020). A fast-paced YA time-slip romance, the Emmie and the Tudor King trilogy follows an American high school girl to a reimagined Tudor England, where she meets a doomed, but utterly dreamy, Tudor king. Emmie and the Tudor King has already received acclaim from Foreword Reviews, YA Books Central, and popular YA authors Brigid Kemmerer (A Curse So Dark and Lonely) and CJ Flood (Infinite Sky), among others. You can visit Natalie at nataliemurrayauthor.com.