Beautiful Lies review

As a huge fan of historical fiction, I was looking forward to reading Beautiful Lies with the promise of an insight into Victorian London, Queen Victoria’s jubilee celebrations and the politics of the era. Unfortunately I found it hard to get in to right at the beginning with many names being mentioned without introduction and the protagonist Maribel being described very vaguely.

There are lots of different plot lines, which do not seem to link together very well and we never truly know Maribel’s past or her real character. The descriptions of historical events such as Buffalo Bill’s Wild West, Queen Victoria’s jubilee celebrations and ‘Bloody Sunday’ are covered very fleetingly and feel very detached. The vibe that I personally got from the book was more 1920s than Victorian.  

The novel follows Maribel throughout and it may have been interesting to find out more about some of the other characters. There were some passages that were more interesting and would grab my attention, but unfortunately these would fade away again and the story would carry on plodding away with over long descriptions and pointless activities, for example a sudden trip to a Spanish mine. The author’s notes at the end were very interesting and I felt that the character of Maribel is wasted and could have been explored so much more.

From reading other reviews, which have described the book as 'gripping', 'juicy' and 'compelling', it may be that I just didn't 'click' with this book,however this is not one that I would be recommending to friends.

The Virgin Queen's Daughter review

As you may have seen from previous blog posts, I have read many historical novels set in the Tudor era, in particular about the 'people's Queen' Elizabeth I. This novel focuses on the rumour that Elizabeth had a child before she became Queen and a series of events means that the Queen and her daughter's fates are linked together.

The usual cast of Eizabeth's court are featured including Robert Dudley, Lettice Knolleys and Mary Gray, but the two main characters - Elinor (Nell) de Lacey and Sir Gabriel Wyatt are fictional.

Nell comes across Elizabeth as a young child, when she accidentally comes across the princess while she is imprisoned in the Tower of London. She boldly offers the 'pretty princess' a key to escape, not realising how dangerous this could be to her whole family. Elizabeth admires the young girl's courage and when she becomes Queen, invites Nell to court. Nell defies her mother's wishes and moves to London, but she soon realises that her mother's tales of lies, deceit and danger are all true and she has to learn how to survive, not knowing who to trust along the way.

Robert Dudley's closest friend Sir Gabriel Wyatt shows a particular interest in Nell and gradually, rumours and revelations reveal the 'truth' about Nell's parentage and her life is in danger...

I loved the characters of Nell and Gabriel (who I had a bit of a book crush on!) and found parts of the book really exciting and thrilling to read as the Court whispers about secrets and lies. However I did find the ending a little weak and odd compared to the rest of the book.

I really like Ella March Chase's style of writing and her research into Tudor history is obviously very thorough and I was surprised to learn that she is American. I will definately be reading more of her work.

The Legacy of Hartlepool Hall

This was my first Paul Torday read and I'm sorry to say that it will probably be my last...

Ed Hartlepool returns to his family home to face up to his responsibilities after years of being abroad in tax exile. To his shock, there are many debts and the only way out to his sell the property for redevelopment. There is also the matter of the 'mysterious' Lady Alice who has suddenly started living at the house and his old friend Annabel, who is stuck living with her grumpy old father.

Although the book is easy to read, the dialogue is terrible and the characters are all unlikeable and unrealistic. They are caricatures of wealthy stereotypes who have no idea about the real world and I wonder if the author does too. I couldn't work out if it was supposed to be a comedy or a study of the upper classes, either way it did not make me laugh and there were some hugely frustrating parts of the story, for example Annabel's reaction to a major event in her life.

The only part of the book I warmed to, was the description of Hartlepool Hall itself, but unfortunately the main parts of the story did not seem to have any resolution. A very strange and frustrating read.

The Beach Cafe

Yes, this is one of those books, that you know exactly what is going to happen after the first few pages, but sometimes this is just the type of book you need to read, especially while relaxing holiday. I read this while sitting by the sea in Devon (sometimes on the patio of a real beach cafe!) although I think it would have made me feel 'holiday-ish' even if I didn't have the sound of the waves and seagulls. 

Evie is the odd one out in her family and has never made a big success of her life. She inherits a cafe in Cornwall after her beloved Aunt dies and takes the big decision to leave her boring life in Oxford and manage the cafe. Of course, there are a few disasters along the way, plus unwelcoming locals and a romance along the way, but by the end I guarantee that you will be wanting Evie's new life too!

Yes its predictable, some of the descriptions and dialogue are a little cringey, but the help that Evie receives to make her dreams come true can't help but make you smile! 

A Humble Companion

I had never heard of Laurie Graham before I was lucky enough to receive a proof copy of this book. I became so engrossed in this story of a young girl, selected to keep a princess entertained, that I read it in two days, while on holiday in May.

Nellie Welche, a young girl with a distinct facial mark, is chosen to be Princess Sophia's 'humble companion'. Sophia is the twelfth child of King George III and over the years of their relationship, Nellie has an insight in to the life of the royal children and glimpses of the King's madness. The girls grow up together, with Nellie visiting Sofy and her sisters at their cold houses, returning home to work and look after her family. There is an interesting juxtaposition between Nellie's freedom and Sofy's dependence and innocence of the world. 

Nellie eventually has to marry a confectioner called Jack, who she grows to become fond of, while Sofy watches as her older siblings try to find suitable matches and has her own huge secret to keep... Based on the long-running rumour of a illegitimate child, A Humble Companion also focuses on how two young ladies in very different circumstances try to find their way in life and build their own friendships and extended families with a mixture of fictional and real-life characters.   

I really enjoyed this book, in particular the realistic relationships Nellie has with her husband Jack and the real love of her life Major General Thomas Garth. Graham gives a very amusing voice to Princess Sofy, particularly in her letters to Nell and this gives a fascinating insight into what may have happened during the royal family in this era. Witty, real and poignant, I look forward to discovering the author's other work. 

Nellie can be followed on Twitter @nelliebuzzard 

Darcy and Fitzwilliam

As you may know from previous posts, my favourite book is Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.I have read many adaptations and 'sequel's and this is the first one to focus on the close relationship between cousins Fitzwilliam Darcy and Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam (yes the names do get confusing at times!)

The book is split into two parts, the first concentrating on the married life of Darcy and Elizabeth. They still tease each other, with the author keeping up the couple's playful and cheeky dialogue, and Darcy can still be as grumpy and aloof as ever. Elizabeth sighs that she thought he had moved past this after banter between the two cousins turns more serious. As Elizabeth learns that she expecting her first child, there is the bombshell that Darcy once had a brief relationship with the sly Caroline Bingley and she is up to her tricks once more as she lures him to her brother's house to seduce him once more...

The second part is set in London, with Fitzwilliam falling in love with an American widow called Amanda. There is a problem though, Amanda has a son, and they are both under the control of her fierce mother-in-law. Fitzwilliam is undeterred and follows her around the city convincing her of his love. 

This is one of the best Pride and Prejudice follow-ons I have read, as it keeps the tone of Austen's wit, is cheeky and funny and stays true to most of the characters. It was interesting to see Lady Catherine de Burgh's personality expanded and becoming an ally to Elizabeth!

I would recommend this to all fans of Darcy and regency romance!  

I'm Back Online!

Hurrah! After a couple of months absence from the blogging world, when I have been combating broken computers, long working hours, busy weekends and watching the Euros,  I finally have a chance this weekend to share my views on the books I have read over the last few weeks. This weekend I am hoping to add my reviews for the following:


Darcy and Fitzwilliam by Karen V. Wasylowski
A Humble Companion by Laurie Graham
The Beach Cafe by Lucy Diamond
Saving Izzy by Jon Katz
The Legacy of Hartlepool Hall by Paul Torday
The Virgin Queen's Daughter by Ella March Chase
Beautiful Lies by Clare Clark
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins


Phew, that is going to be a lot of typing! I am also going to make a decision on our book group reads for the next few months, so members watch this space! I'm off to do some research and make some notes now armed with coffee...