Arden

Arden

By G.D. Harper

Genre:-Historical Thriller/Drama/Plays

Pages:-360

Publisher:-Ginger Cat

Blurb:-Alice Arden, idealistic and wealthy beauty, burnt at the stake for killing her husband, The former mayor of Faversham in Kent. But was she really the one responsible for the most scandalous murder of the sixteenth century?

 William Shakespeare. England's greatest playwriter, born thirteen years after Alice's execution. Why does his first-ever  play, written about this murder, not bear his name?

 This is a story of two people-one reviled, one revered-whose fates become linked in a tale of corruption, collusion and conspiracy. Based on historical documents and recently published academic research, Arden unveils shocking new evidence about the murder of Thomas Arden and reveals, for the first time, a remarkable new theory about Shakespeare's early years.

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My Review:-I'm not one for Shakespeare, but I do like reading G.D. Harper's books, so thought we not give it a go and I'm glad I did. I love how the story is told in two timeline. We begins with Alice Arden being burnt at the stake, then we start to learn more about Alice and how she ended up being burnt. Next we read about Shakespeare's story, 13 years after Alice's death. This is a  story that is filled with scandal, conspiracy, corruption, told by an great author G.D. Harper. Harper has brought historical documents and recently published academic research together and gave us the information that tells a different story of 'Arden.' This is a book that you need to read yourself to understand just how two people born so far apart, yet come together in one book.

The Incubations

The Incubations

By Ramsey Campbell

Genre:-Thriller/Horror

Pages:-256

Publisher:-Flame Tree Press

Blurb:-"When a weight landed on his legs he raised his head from the violently crumpled pillow. The bed already had another occupant, and as Leo flung the quilt back so that it wouldn't hinder his escape the creature scurried up his body to squat on his chest, clutching him with all its limbs like half a spider..."

 The English town of Settlesham was twinned with Alphafen in Germany soon after the Second World War. During the war both towns were bombed, even though Alphafen seemed to have no strategic significance.

 To mark the fiftieth anniversary of the postwar reconciliation, pupils at the local schools were set to correspond with apposite numbers. Leo Parker has been in touch with Hanna Weber ever since but has never previously visited her. As an adult he's welcomed in Alphafen, but his stay seems idyllic despite the odd incidents-a local who blames him for a hostile letter a schoolmate of Leo's sent, a glimpse of an uncanny figure on an Alpine walk, a flapping intruder that seems to embody Hanna's night fears, an encounter in a mountain restaurant with an English tourist who turns out to be there for his own disturbing reasons.

 It's only after Leo leaves the town that the nightmares begin: an airport turns into a labyrinth, his own words become treacherous if not lethal, a family meal grows unnaturally active, and what are those creatures that have appeared in the photographs he took?

 The man he met in the mountain restaurant hasn't finished with him, and he has to deal with the town councilor who sent the warlike letter when they were teenage classmates. A local police inspector has reason to suspect his actions, even though the policeman is a friend of Leo's parents. Even the therapy Leo undertakes becomes a source of menace.

 In this bid to cement international relations, Leo may have roused the source of an ancient Alpine legend and brought a supernatural infection home with him.

 Even once he understands what has travelled with him, his attempts to overcome its influence may lead into greater nightmares still...

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My Review:-Leo Parker, who works as a driving instructor for the family and Hanna Weber's penpals, she's a local of Alphafen, Germany. Leoand Hanna's hometowns are twinned. Now years on Leo is welcomed to Alphafen by Hanna and her family. Not sure what has been happening to him while away, Leo was glad to back home, but not everything is that simple. What has he brought back with him, it's not just him, but also his parents are also having strange things happening to them. What is happening?

I have read other books by Ramsey, but I found this one different in many ways. I found the pace slow, but I think this added to the storyline. He knows how to pull you in and just as you think it's ok, that's when the horror side catches you.

The 12 Murders of Christmas

The 12 Murders of Christmas

By Sarah Dunnakey

Genre:-Mystery Stories/Puzzles

Pages:-352

Blurb:- 12 Murderous mysteries to read.

19 perplexing puzzles to solve.

1 mystifying murder to crack...

Mastermind Puzzlemaster Sarah Dunnakey cordially invites you to crack the code of who killed Edward Luddenham.

 It's the first anniversary of the mysterious death of Edward Luddenham, found dead at his home on the Yorkshire moors one frosty Christmas Eve.

 Now twelve people gather at his manor house for the reading of the Will. Each has their own motivations for coming: curiosity, duty, unrequited love, desperation, greed. They have been instructed to bring a "festive mystery story" to share. But all you need is a pencil.

 Safe from the biting cold and the relentless snowfall outside, settle in with your favourite tipple in hand, as the storytelling begins. Though you'll need to keep your wits about you - for among the guests is Edward's killer...

 Can you work out the puzzle and unmask the murderer before they strike again?

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My Review:-On the first anniversary of the death of Edward Luddenham, invitation have gone out, to meet in his country house on the Yorkshire Moors. With everyone gathered together, they each have their own mystery story to tell. Each story has clues and twists for you to solve, before moving onto the next one. If you love mysteries and puzzles this is the book for you, just make sure you have your notepad and pen by your side. I found it a easy read and loved how you become part on the book, always looking for clue as you go.

Colours of Home

Colours of Home

By Miriam Latimer

Genre:-Children

Age:-3-7 years

Pages:-36

Publisher:-Graffeg Books

Blurb:-When Ana leaves everything she knows and loves to escape the turmoil of war, she struggles to settle into her new home with Olive and her family. Olive has some adjustment struggles of her own, but when the girls draw together. Olive realises what Ana has had to sacrifice for the simple right to be safe. Little by little, Olive’s kindness and love help bring colour back into Ana’s world.

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My Review:-My granddaughter Emily and I read this book together. Ana is a refugee, coming to stay with Olive and her family. Olive doesn't understand why Ana is sad and try's so many things to make her smile, but Ana is sad. Olive then has an idea to draw pictures of family. Ana draws picture of what she has had to leave behind and how things are back home. Through drawing and playing Ana starts to smile. It's not long before Ana has loads of friends at school and she starts to enjoy herself more. She even get to see and speak to her family back home through video chat. It's a story that many children are going through, showing how war has a big impact on so many things for them. The book is filled with emotions, both happy and sad. The illustrations tells the story through colour for younger children to understand easier. Emily spoke about children in her school that have had to leave home behind and came to England where it's safe for them.

A Girl and Her Compass

 A Girl and Her Compass

By Oliver Crane

Genre:-Saga/Literary/Adventure

Publisher:-TBLOD

Blurb:

- A beautiful book, to be taken slowly and thoughtfully

A gorgeous journey of adventure and discovery
A novel in which the characters' lives ebb and flow, rejuvenating the spirit
The hopes and dreams of three young adults – Tracy, Nicholas and Dani – lie in tatters.
Nicholas embarks on a seemingly futile quest to try and reclaim what they have lost. Dani is resigned to abandonment and reluctantly seeks a new path, whilst Tracy takes refuge with her father in his luxurious London apartment.
But despite her comfortable life, Tracy feels trapped by her fears. The mere thought of returning to Scotland, where painful memories linger, paralyses her.

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My Review:-This is Book Three in 'The Nicholas Trilogy' and I've had the pleasure of reading and reviewing Oliver Crane's other two books 'A Boy in a Storm' and 'Past, Present, and Hope.' In this book we get to meet new and old characters, some I love and others not so much. This book can be read as a standalone, but I would recommend reading books one and two first. Three people, Nicholas, Dani and Tracy each on searching for what is missing in their life. Even though they have been through a lot there is still something they all need. I don't want to give to much away, as this is a great read. I will say I love the ending but I feel it's also an ending that could be added to. A story of self-discovery, resilience, hope, but most of all friendship. If you have friendship you will never be alone.

Time To Rhyme

Time To Rhyme

By Nigel Tetley

Illustrated By:-Peter David Scott

Genre:-Rhyme, verse and wordplay

Ages:-Baby upwards

Pages:-52

Publisher:-Troubador Publishing Ltd

Blurb:-A unique resource for Early Year's Literacy classes

This book features three variations on the theme of time which together introduce young readers to the cyclical rhythms of the seven days of the week, the four seasons, and the twelve months of the calendar year.

 Useful as both a charming story and a unique teaching resource, the beautiful illustrations from Peter David Scott throughout help provide discussion points for the young reader and adult to talk through. The ever-shifting scenery of the English countryside is the setting for this gentle and lyrical depiction of the passing of time as refracted through the prism of a child's imagination.

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My Review:-My grandchildren love reading as well as listening to stories. This is a lovely book to learn younger children the days of the week, the months of the years and the seasons. I loved how the author Nigel Tetley added a little story about my shadow. The illustrations for this book are beautifully painted, they could be put in a frame on your wall. We loved talking about the weather we have had and what weather they like as well as the different times of the year.

KIller Delivery

Killer Delivery

By Calum France

Genre:-Horror

Pages:-69 (15,000 words)

Blurb:-On a snow-covered Halloween night in the town of Aberlea, Jonathan Harker, a reclusive and wildly successful novelist, lives in an eerie Victorian mansion where the eyes in the paintings seem to watch your every move. Known for his chilling horror novels, Jonathan hides more than just dark tales within the walls of his grand but decaying home — there’s a secret buried in these walls that he’s desperate to keep hidden.

Karlee Monroe, filling in for the local takeaway driver, arrives at Harker's mansion with a tale of a broken-down car. But nothing about her arrival is accidental. A devoted fan of Jonathan's work, Karlee has meticulously planned her visit, bringing with her ulterior motives and a hidden agenda. The mansion, with all its secrets, is her true destination, but Karlee isn’t the only one with plans for the night.

As Jonathan and Karlee engage in a tense and uneasy dance of deception, the mansion’s doors are forced open by an even more dangerous threat. A group of three strangers invades the home, turning the night into a living nightmare.

When the lights go out, the real horror begins.

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My Review:-With this being a short 69 pages, it's one that is perfect for Halloween or sitting round a camp fire in  the middle of nowhere with friends. It's a fast paced, tension building read with a dark side and a few twist added throughout. The story is set around Jonathan Harker, a successful novelist living in his Victorian mansion in Aberlea. It's a cold snowy night when Karlee Monroe disguised as a Chinese takeaway driver calls for help saying she's broken down, but that's not the full or even half the story. I loved everything about this book and will be looking for more by author Calum France.