Julie Goucher ~ Anglers Rest

Third book in the delightful and addictive Cedar Cove series. On loan from Liz

In this book we follow the story of Rosie and Zach who were introduced in book two. The storyline of Grace and her two daughters are developed further as are the characters of Jack’s son Eric. Also there is a mystery to solve who is the man who died in the bed and breakfast run by friends of Jack and how does the deceased link to Grace’s husband Dan?

This is a fabulous series. On the pile for Audrey

On loan from Liz. Second book in the series.

Debbie Macomber continues with the lives of the Olivia and Jack; Charlotte her mother, Grace and the disappearance and death of her husband Dan. We also see the introduction of Rosie and Zach.

Simply wonderful!

On its way to Audrey.

On loan from Liz. This is the first in the Cedar Cove series and was great and I am just about to wizz through book two!

This is the story of Judge Olivia Lockhart, her daughter Justine, then there is the young couple torn apart in grief who are presenting a case for divorce in Olivia’s court room, not if Olivia has anything to do with it. Add to that Olivia’s friend Grace and her husband Dan, who vanishes after 35 years of marriage, Olivia’s mother Charlotte who writes a senior’s column in the local paper, edited by Olivia’s friend, Jake, plus a few others and we have the central characters to Cedar Cove.

What I enjoy about the Debbie Macomber writing style is her ability to identify with genuine issues as the lives of the characters unfold, and for the duration of the book I am walking along side those characters in Cedar Cove.

Now on its way to Audrey.

What a fabulous book, I want to read more! Now in the desperate search for book two.

This is the story of Eleanor, married to a wealthy family in a turbulent England. The story unfolds with moving from her beloved Dorset to Yorkshire with her husband and his father. Eleanor is actually a woman before her times, who later on has her focus on the business of the family and bringing up her children. This is a storyline that reminds us of that in previous times, women were possessions of their spouses, who should produce male heir’s to continue the family name and wealth. This was a time that to marry for love was a bonus!

If you enjoy historical novels then this is a good series to read, for the author has clearly spent much time researching 15th Century England.

Going into my permenant collection for a wee while, until I locate my own copy

From the back cover

“There are more skeletons and high dramas within Dinah Eaton’s family than most family historians could ever wish for. She has traced her own and her husband’s forebears back to the mid-eighteenth century with contributions from around the world. Family members, and lovers of family history, will find this a fascinating story. The story of the EATONS, firmly ensconced in Kent (Rochester and Gravesend), starts with George Eaton (1761) joining the West Kent Militia during the Napoleonic Wars. The MATTHEWS and MERRITT families were from Market Lavington in Wiltshire. William Merritt was an informer during the local Swing Riots in 1832. His illegitimate granddaughter was brought up by a member of the aristocratic Knollys family. The FINCHES from Aylesford and the GOODWINS from Northfleet (both in Kent) led more conventional lives and were pawnbrokers, publicans, coopers and thatchers. Generations of the HASTINGS family joined the Royal Navy. Charles (1788) was killed in Australia, son Charles was shipwrecked off Chile in 1835 and rescued by Captain FitzRoy of Beagle fame. The RAYNERS from Yorkshire had mining and medical connections. Follow the lives of six children orphaned in 1866 when both parents died. The HEATHS worked in the lace industry in Nottingham and the JONES were from Margate in Kent. Dinah’s German great great grandfather was a LOEWENSTEIN lost over-board in the North Sea in 1863. Later generations led chequered lives with intrigue and scandal which shocked the family in the early 1900s.”

The author’s web page is HERE

I’ve been asked to review this book for the Hampshire Genealogical Society, whose website is HERE

ISBN – 09552605-0-7

Here is my review:

At just under 500 pages, Roots and All, A History of the Eaton & Hastings families, is an impressive account of the author’s family and that of her husband. Complete with 30 genealogical trees indicating line of descent, 340 photographs, 12 maps & original pen & ink sketches. Thoroughly researched, indexed and footnoted, this is a fascinating account of the author’s family history and an ideal source of inspiration to fellow Genealogists, and not to mention a very enjoyable read!

I hadn’t intended to start reading this one as soon as it was opened from the delightful NSSSS parcel, but I did. The front cover reveals “A slim volume of terrifying power – The New York Times”, That is a very accurate assessment of this little book, which contains only 120 pages. The harrowing story of the author and his struggle for survival.

I’m going to rate this little book a 9/10. Not because It was a good read, like isisjem, I don’t feel that I can rate it with that in mind, but purely because a piece of the book remains with me.

What a super book, Only put down once I started it because various life events made me! The characters were written and developed with a sense of realness to them. I loved the character of Agnes, who at nearly 75 years “escapes” the old people’s home she is residing in to visit her grandchildren. Once she has embarked upon her journey she meets new people and makes friends with those who want her to succeed in her quest. While Agnes is on her journey, her son Jack is on a different type of journey, he is struggling with his inner being, thinking back on perhaps the things he could have done differently, with his ex wife, his mother and with Monica his new partner. Jack is worried that something terrible has happened to Agnes. Meanwhile, a young and inexperienced policeman believes Jack is guilty of a serious crime.

This signed copy going into my permanent collection for a while.

Another wonderful read in the life of Agatha, with her friend Charles and all the usual village friends. Agatha is pining for James Lacey,is getting on with her detective business, but is she keeping out of trouble?!!

This was one of the Times reads for 99p range earlier this year. A delightful book, written as a series of small recollectings of past times. Funny in places with some sad bits and lots of descriptive bits about food, and his childhood.

I enjoyed this, as I read it I also took a trip down memory lane, school milk, which has a very similiar effect on me to that of the author, having suffered a similiar fate as a child at junior school. The ponderings of an artic roll, we had one for desert about three days after I read this, the first time in probably 25 years! not to mention the walnut whips I purchased and consumed as a result of memory lane!

I wasn’t sure how I felt about this book when I finished it a few weeks ago, and I am still not sure now.

It is the story of Robert, a landscape architect who has devoted his life to his work and the cost of his wife, well ex wife and daughter. Offered a job in the South West of England to create The Garden of Eden. Robert accepts the job and is soon caught up in the work and things spiral out of control.