The Civil War is over and Charles II, the ‘Merry Monarch’, is revelling in the throne of his murdered father and all the privileges and power that comes with it. Sharing the spoils is his favourite companion, the celebrated beauty, actress Nell Gwyn. Beloved of the English people, Nell has come a long way from selling oranges and a childhood in a brothel, but as her fortunes have turned, her sister Rose has taken a different path. Marriage to a feckless highwayman has left Rose in the grim Marshalsea prison and now she needs her sister’s mercy to help get her out. But Nell needs Rose too. A plot to steal the Crown Jewels has gone tragically wrong, and Nell’s future with her protector King is at risk. If Rose can’t solve the riddle of the jewels both Gwyn sisters will head straight to the Tower.
Present Day
Librarian and history enthusiast Jess Yates has hit rock bottom. With her ex behind bars for fraud, Jess needs to lay low – easier said than done with a celebrity sister. But Tavy has her uses. Her latest TV project involves renovating Fortune Hall, and she needs a house sitter while she’s jetting around the world. The opportunity is too good to miss, especially when Jess discovers that Fortune Hall has links to the infamous Nell Gwyn.
Slowly the house begins to reveal its mysteries, and secrets that have laid buried for centuries can no longer be ignored. Jess hears echoes from a tragic past and as she struggles to understand her sister, Jess feels ever closer to Rose Gwyn, the sister forgotten by history but who had the fate of her family in her hands.
Bestselling author Nicola Cornick is back with a captivating, gripping, unforgettable tale of treachery and treason, love and loyalty, perfect for fans of Barbara Erskine, Elena Collins and Christina Courtenay.
Nicola Cornick is a historian and author who works as a researcher and guide for the National Trust in one of the most beautiful 17th century houses in England. She writes dual time novels that illustrate her love of history, mystery and the supernatural, and focus on women from the footnotes of history. Her books have appeared in over twenty five languages, sold over half a million copies worldwide and been described as “perfect for Outlander fans.” Nicola also gives writing and history talks, works as a consultant for TV and radio, and is a trustee of the Wantage Literary Festival and the Friends of Lydiard Park.
My thoughts: This is my sort of historical fiction, fleshing out the stories of women, real ones and fictional ones, giving them a voice and a life that feels real and rich.
Rose Gwyn was a real person, sister of the famous Nell – mistress of Charles II and supposedly the reason women were finally allowed to act on stage. But Rose is overshadowed by her sister, both in records and in her life. Nell was beautiful and has gone down in history. Rose didn’t want the limelight and chose a different path.
Nicola Cornick has given Rose her own story, of theft and an unhappy marriage, then royal pardon and joy in her second marriage with Sir Guy Forster. A country life and probably trips to London for the theatre and to see Nell. It might seem like a quiet one, but I can imagine it was happy.
Rose’s story is revealed by Jess, herself the sister of a celebrity, in reality star Tavy, and with a rotter of a partner, jailed for fraud. She’s down on her luck and staying in her sister’s house, one that might have a link to the Gwyn sisters, if she can find it. A librarian by training, she’s the perfect person to rummage through the records and find out which of the Gwyn girls lived in Becote House. She also meets the charming Ethan Forster, whose family once owned the house, could he be a descendant of Rose and Guy?
With two delightful romances, intrigue, scandal and wonderful characters brought vividly to life, this is a treat to read.
*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.
Historical fiction meets crime fiction in The Djinn’s Apple, an award-winning YA murder mystery set in the Abbasid period—the golden age of Baghdad.
A ruthless murder. A magical herb. A mysterious manuscript.
When Nardeen’s home is stormed by angry men frantically in search of something—or someone—she is the only one who manages to escape. And after the rest of her family is left behind and murdered, Nardeen sets out on an unyielding mission to bring her family’s killers to justice, regardless of the cost…
Full of mystery and mayhem, The Djinn’s Apple is perfect for fans of Arabian Nights, City of Brass, and The Wrath and the Dawn.
Djamila Morani is an Algerian novelist and an Arabic language professor. Her first novel, released in 2015 and titled Taj el-Khatiaa, is set in the Abbasid period (like The Djinn’s Apple), but in Kazakh- stan. All of her works are fast-paced historical fiction pieces. She is yet to have a full-length work translated into English. Djamila lives in Relizane, in the west of Algeria.
You can find Djamila on Twitter @DjamilaMorani and Insta @morani_djamila
You can find Sawad on Twitter @sawadhussain and Insta @sawad18
My thoughts: this was a really sad and moving story of love and revenge, scholarship and the dangers of too much knowledge.
Nardeen’s family are brutally murdered, she swears she will avenge them. Taken in by the doctor Muallim Ishaq, she trains to be a doctor in the Bimaristan (hospital) in Baghdad, then a shining example of hygiene and medicine.
This brings her into contact with the man she believes is behind her family’s deaths. But her mentor is hiding secrets. When she learns what the Djinn’s Apple is and how far some will go to get it, she starts to understand exactly what her father, also a doctor, was caught up in.
A clever and intense, enjoyable mystery with a smart and rather brilliant young woman as its protagonist. A glimpse into a past much of the world is rather ignorant about.
The historical notes at the end provide context and firmly plant Nardeen in the Baghdad of its past, when it was a shining example of multi-cultural life and education, bringing it into the present and to life once more. A delight.
*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own
Revolution is brewing in the semi-submerged city of Tiankawi, between humans and the fathomfolk who live in its waters. This gloriously imaginative debut fantasy, inspired by East Asian mythology and ocean folk tales, is a novel of magic, rebellion and change.
Welcome to Tiankawi – shining pearl of human civilization and a safe haven for those fleeing civil unrest. Or at least, that’s how it first appears. But in the semi-flooded city, humans are, quite literally, on top: peering down from shining towers and aerial walkways on the fathomfolk – sirens, seawitches, kelpies and kappas – who live in the polluted waters below.
For half-siren Mira, promotion to captain of the border guard means an opportunity to help her downtrodden people. But if earning the trust and respect of her human colleagues wasn’t hard enough, everything Mira has worked towards is put in jeopardy when Nami, a know-it-all water dragon and fathomfolk princess – is exiled to the city, under Mira’s watch. When extremists sabotage a city festival, violence erupts, as does the clampdown on fathomfolk rights. Both Nami and Mira must decide if the cost of change is worth paying, or if Tiankawi should be left to drown.
About the Author
Eliza Chan is a Scottish-born Chinese-diaspora author who ‘writes about East Asian mythology, British folklore and reclaiming the dragon lady, but preferably all three at once.’ Eliza’s work has been published in The Dark, Podcastle, Fantasy Magazine and The Best of British Fantasy, and her non-fiction has appeared on Tor.com. She lives in the North of England with her partner and young child. Fathomfolk is her first novel. @elizawchan
My thoughts: I rarely comment on book covers, because what’s inside is the important but this is a gorgeous cover. I really love it.
What’s inside is a clever, thought provoking, enjoyable story about colonialism, sacrifice, striving to build a better world and love.
In Tiankawi, a South Asian and South East Asian inspired world, humans and fathomfolk – beings who can live both underwater and on land, with hybrid bodies of sea creatures like mermaids, manatees, octopus, kelpie, seal, siren, try to survive alongside each other.
There’s a constant struggle between the ruling human class and the fathomfolk, living in shanty towns, many refugees from destroyed cities and towns further afield, or from civil war. The border guards, captained by half-siren Mira attempt to keep order, and protect the citizenry from arrest by the human city guard.
A group of fathomfolk, the Drawbacks, are agitating for reform, but the violent methods they deploy leave destruction of life and homes that threaten the fragile peace.
A manipulative seawitch plays both sides, using her skills at shape-shifting to keep her place in human society, while making bargains with the fathomfolk.
Kai, a sea dragon and the only folk on the council attempts to balance things more fairly, but he’s struggling to get humans onside. It’s all a powder keg primed to explode.
A rip roaring adventure follows both on the fragile city and in its depths, as both humans and folk struggle to belong and be part of this complex and conflicted world. The characters are well drawn and their internal lives reflect the turmoil around them, their struggles and the secrets they’re all keeping.
The first in what I can only imagine will be a gripping and intelligent series, it’s so far one of the best books I’ve read this year.
*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own
“One must be careful practising deception. The easiest to deceive will always be one’s self.”
The skilled thieves of the Takers Guild plot to overthrow the kingdoms of Baelon, but when their plans are thwarted by a prescient woman and her brooding daughter, they must turn to the League of Assassins for assistance.
Meanwhile, retired royal guard Rolft Aerns returns to the palace of King Axil with an old score to settle. When they all cross paths–and swords–in the dark shadows of Fostead’s south end, nothing is as it seems and the murder count rises quickly.
The long fingers of the Guild reach everywhere, and one overly ambitious thief is all it takes to spark a chain of events that will haunt the world of Baelon for many years to come.
Six Moons, Seven Gods is book one in The Legends of Baelon.
Award-winning author Robert A. Walker grew up in Northwestern Massachusetts. After graduating college, he packed his scant belongings in a car with rusted-out floorboards and headed west. He’s lived in California ever since, and now resides along the Pacific Ocean with his wife and dogs. When not fabricating stories, he can be found roaming local tennis courts or working on a never-ending list of DIY house projects.
Praise: “A fascinatingly detailed and murder-fueled adventure in a violent fantasy setting.” — Kirkus Reviews
“In Robert A. Walker’s Six Moons, Seven Gods, loyalty and treachery entwine, friendships are tested, and dangerous secrets are held close to the heart… a brilliant, compelling narrative that hooks the reader from start to finish.” — Literary Titan 5-star Review
“…an exceptionally rewarding fantasy. There are twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat, unable to stop reading.” — Ronél Steyn for Readers’ Favorite, 5 stars
SIX MOONS, SEVEN GODS EXCERPT
Sibil sat on a bed in a servant’s quarters, her head spinning. Had it not been for previous visits to the palace with Princess Lewen, she would not have known where she was. The steward had escorted her briskly to the room some time ago, leaving her to entertain herself. There seemed no end to the mystery surrounding her mother. Supposed premonitions of death had been unnerving enough, but now… an audience with the king? At his request! It was surreal, and Sibil’s wildest conjectures did not begin to explain it. Her attempt to seize control of her own life seemed waylaid once again. She was imagining herself a bit of flotsam from a shipwreck, at the mercy of the ocean’s currents, when the steward returned, shutting the door angrily behind himself. “Where is my mother?” she asked as he approached. “With the king.” Without warning, the steward sat so close to her their thighs touched. “I should like to see her.” Sibil started to rise. “In due time.” The steward caught her arm and pulled her back to the bed. “What are you doing?” “If your mother were more forthcoming, you would not be so inconvenienced.” “How do you mean?” Sibil’s eyes darted toward the door. “The woman’s hiding something. Perhaps you’d like to tell me what that is.” “My mother has nothing to hide from the king!” “I could be convinced of that, I suppose.” The steward loosened his hold and placed a palm against Sibil’s cheek. “There are many ways for you to prove your loyalty to the throne.” His hand brushed her breast as he withdrew it. “Are you prepared to do so?” Before Sibil could respond, he leaned in, his lips seeking hers. Sibil pushed him away, struggling to stand. “How dare you!” “Need I remind you where you are?” The steward rose, positioning himself between her and the door. “Or who you’re talking to?” “I mean no disrespect, m’lord, but if you —“ “Take off your blouse.” “What?!” “Like mother, like daughter. Take off your blouse and let us see what you are hiding there.” “I’ll do no such thing,” said Sibil breathlessly. “And if you lay another hand on me—“ The steward grasped her sleeve. Sibil twisted violently away, her blouse ripping at the shoulder seam. The steward grinned. “You see? One way or the other!” He started to laugh, sobering quickly at the sight of the dagger Sibil produced. “Put that away before you hurt yourself.” “Take me to my mother!” Sibil waved the dagger at him. “Did I not warn you about making demands?” The steward lashed out, recoiling as Sibil’s blade pricked his arm. He swore loudly as he inspected the spot of crimson staining his white blouse. “You’ll not soon forget what I’m going to do to you.” “Touch me and I’ll kill you!” Sibil lurched past the steward and onto the bed, clambering quickly over it, but he intercepted her before she could reach the door. He kicked a stool separating them toward her. Sibil grabbed it and flung it back at him. The stool sailed past the steward’s head and crashed against the door. “Make all the noise you want,” the steward said. “No one cares!”
What advice would you give budding writers?
Three pieces of advice: first, writing’s a journey. Don’t look too far ahead. Focus on your passion and the here and now. Write, write, write, and enjoy the travelling, one step at a time.
Had I known early on what it would take to be published, and all the work involved in getting one’s book into the hands of readers, I might never have finished my first novel, let alone started it. I was so naïve to think that–you know–if you write something worthwhile, someone’s going to want to publish it and people will then read it. Simple, right? The truth, of course, is so much more complex and challenging, regardless of whether you are trying to secure the representation of a traditional publishing firm, or you have decided to self-publish. Unless your intended audience is limited to friends and family, finishing your novel (quite the accomplishment in and of itself) is only half the battle. So my advice is to take it slowly and enjoy the journey—don’t peek too soon or too closely behind the publishing world’s thick curtain lest that cause you to turn back. Tackled one issue at a time, none of it as overwhelming or intimidating as the big picture first appears; there’s lots of support out there, and if you persevere, all those little challenges just make reaching your destination that much more rewarding. Carry on!
My second piece of advice is to listen to your heart while you are writing. Mine will generally tell me when I’m on the right track, and when I’ve gotten lost. The characters and scenes that I have been most engaged with during the creative process typically turn out to be those the reader also finds most entertaining. So now, when I find myself slogging through some piece that I don’t find particularly exciting or enjoyable to write, I ask myself: why is that? Am I asking the reader to suffer with me? Is there not something I can do to the storyline or character to make writing this more entertaining?
Lastly, I strongly suggest that you read your work aloud and slowly, either to yourself or to an interested listener. You’ll be surprised at the number of errors and opportunities that expose themselves. This advice was given me by my father, a professional editor by trade, and I have benefited from it ever since.
My thoughts: This was a complex and layered fantasy, with some fascinating characters and dastardly villains. The Takers Guild wants to change the monarchs of two countries, but their assassins have all failed so far, thanks to the strange visions of one woman. Her daughter was the late princess’ friend and the king brings both women into the castle to keep them safe, but also in the hope that any future visions will keep him safe.
The King’s soldiers search for a killer or killers in the capital, the body count is rising and it turns out that a familiar face may have some hand in it. A secret promise to the princess and queen has kept a former guardsman on his path, one none of his former colleagues were aware of.
As all of the different storylines and characters are brought together, revenge will be served, things will change, criminals will be charged and the war might just be averted.
Clever and enjoyable, this sets up what will hopefully be a fascinating and interesting series.
*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog, but all opinions remain my own.
When the body of a young girl is found exhumed from her grave, DCI Emma Gardner knows there’s more to this grisly find than just misadventure. Penny Maiden was killed in a hit and run accident forty years ago, and her killer was never found…Could someone be trying to right an old wrong?
A DI on the rails…
Determined to bring a dangerous gang of drug dealers to justice, DI Paul Riddick is trying hard to play by the rules. After his previous reckless actions, he knows this is his last chance to stay in the job he loves. But when his private life takes an unexpected turn, Riddick begins to lose control again.
Emma needs Paul to help her with her case, especially when more bodies are found in the same graveyard. But hurt badly by Riddick once before, Emma’s not sure she can trust him again. But as Paul’s behaviour begins to spiral even more, Emma worries she may have left it far too late to save her old friend Riddick from his own destruction…
Wes Markin lives in Harrogate and is the bestselling author of the DCI Yorke crime novels set in Salisbury. He is also the author of the Jake Pettman series set in New England. You can find out more by following him.
My thoughts: another shocking and gripping case has DCI Emma Gardner calling on her old friend DI Paul Riddick for help as a case of his is connected to hers.
A wave of murders and bodies in the local graveyard has the usual reporters and gossips up in arms. The first has been buried in another person’s grave, that body disinterred and placed on her mother’s final resting place. And if that wasn’t terrible enough, two young people are found bludgeoned to death and placed on a bench in the same graveyard.
Could a local drug dealing gang be involved? The young man was one of them, dealing super strong ecstasy to his friends and other people, and he and his girlfriend were last seen arguing. Did she want him to quit?
And what is the connection between all of this and retired MP Sebastian? And with Riddick’s vendetta back in Bradford?
There’s a lot for Emma to solve, and she’s worried about a strange man who keeps popping up at her house, scaring her au pair, are her kids safe?
Clever, highly readable and enjoyable, this is Emma’s most complicated case yet, but I know she can figure it all out.
*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.
My thoughts: I wasn’t born until 1986, a year after Chris Mullin was asked to write about the Birmingham Six, but I was vaguely aware of it as a huge miscarriage of justice.
Until I read this book I didn’t know exactly how egregious the behaviour of the West Midlands police, and their Lancashire colleagues, truly was. Not only did they violently assault the six men, they fabricated confessions, threatened their lives and basically tortured them. The police falsified their own records and even the officers not directly involved turned a blind eye to the activities of their colleagues.
This led to six men spending over almost two decades in prison despite being completely innocent of all of the charges they were convicted on. All they were guilty of really was being Irish in Birmingham and locatable.
Mullin was a journalist and MP and always seems to have been supportive of the six men’s innocence and the culpability of the police and legal system that allowed the real bombers to go free – and even leave the country. He identified and interviewed the real culprits and names them in this edition of his book, they are dead, and he is not at risk of reprisals.
The book is compelling reading, like the best thriller, but not fiction at all – the lives of six men, their families, friends and the victims of the bombings in 1974 were altered forever and despite being set free eventually, there was no real justice done here.
The police officers were never convicted, the judge and lawyers never apologised for their roles, the dodgy forensic scientist might have lost his job but never admitted fault, and of course the actual bombers never saw the inside of a court room (one of them did, but he claimed to have only been involved in making the devices).
It’s a terrible tragic story and one that should really be more widely understood as the repercussions from the case reverberate in the justice system even today, and should remind us all that the system, from police to courts is not always blind or indeed just.
The book itself is a feat of investigative work and determination, Mullin is a great writer and conveys the sense of hopelessness and then the glimmer of light given as this case moves back and forth between courts, Parliament and the press. His attention to detail, critical eye and engaging style make this both an enjoyable reading experience and a jolting horror at how so many were so betrayed by the system.
*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.
We are so EXCITED to share A House of Fangs and Deceit with you this week! Everything about it is just… *Chef’s Kiss
A House of Fangs & Deceit: A Dark Fantasy Romance (Lunaria Realms Book 1)
Publication Date: January 23, 2024
Genre: Dark Fantasy Romance/ Why Choose
*Why Choose *Equal Parts Plot & Spice *Smart/ Ambitious Mid-size FMC *Queer Rep *Rivals-to-Lovers *Friends-to-Lovers *Unique Take on Vampires, Shifters, Fae, & Other Magical Creatures
The fae are gone and the monsters reign.
Lunaria was always a land full of nightmares. But when the fae vanished without a trace, we had to make sacrifices to survive.
From the ashes, the Moroi Houses rose.
As the Heir to one of the most influential Houses, I’ve always known that an arranged marriage would be part of my future. One where I ruled alongside my husband as we fought to strengthen the crumbling alliances of our people.
When I’m betrayed by my husband and his House, however, I return home to an uncertain future—and to both my childhood crush and my arch-nemesis. Kieran is even more gorgeous and clever-tongued than I remember, while Alaric is frustrating… and hotter than he has any right to be. And then there’s the taciturn librarian and their magical ropes…
Navigating politics has always come easily to me, but I don’t know how to deal with my complicated desires or whom I can trust. Because the blood wards that have kept our realm safe for over a century are failing. The monsters are drawing closer, and someone is aiding them.
This is a spicy fantasy romance with love interests who don’t mind sharing. You can expect different types of relationships ranging from sweet and playful to enemies-to-lovers; set in a world full of monsters with a dark history.
Alex Frost is… actually Maddox Grey. Dun dun duuuuun!
Okay probably not that dramatic of a reveal since it isn’t exactly a closely guarded secret. The pen name Alex Frost was created to publish the spicier fantasy series that fall under the “Why Choose” genre.
Why Alex Frost? Because Maddox is a freaking nerd. After being trained by local baristas to respond to the name “Alex” instead of Maddox, it seemed like the perfect pen name. Half of it anyway.
Since Maddox already shares their last name with Jean Grey of the X-Men, it seemed fitting to borrow Emma Frost’s last name for their other persona.
The thrilling new historical adventure from New York Times bestselling author Boyd Morrison and expert medievalist Beth Morrison. Fox and Willa find themselves on a dangerous quest for the treasure of the Templar Knights.
A Perilous Quest. A Deadly Legacy.
Italy, 1351. English companions, knight Gerard Fox and the resourceful Willa, have come through a death-defying journey across war-torn Europe. Now looking towards a future together, they must first find a way to reconcile with their difficult pasts.
In a small village between Florence and Siena, Fox and Willa are caught up in a deadly ambush. After rescuing Luciana, the target of the attack, they take refuge in her opulent villa and learn her heartbreaking story – a tale of loss, deception, and a burning desire for freedom. Soon, Fox and Willa are involved in a perilous quest to save Luciana’s family legacy. To do so, they will have to solve a mystery that points the way to the fabled lost treasure of the Knights Templar.
‘Complete with mysteries, secrets, and adventure, rich in detail, delivering exactly what a reader craves. This writing duo knows all the right chords to touch.’ Steve Berry, #1 New York Times bestselling author
‘A mesmerizing sequel to the hugely entertaining The Lawless Land…. There is action galore. What a ride!’ Elizabeth George, #1 New York Times bestselling author
‘Any lover of historical mysteries or great tales of adventure will find much delight in this novel!’ James Rollins, #1 New York Times bestselling author
‘A triumphant follow-up to The Lawless Land, with a puzzle that will dazzle fans of The Da Vinci Code. There’s so much breathtaking excitement that the book should come with an oxygen tank.’ Lee Goldberg, #1 New York Times bestselling author
Boyd Morrison is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of twelve thrillers, including six with Clive Cussler. His first novel, The Ark, was an Indie Next Notable pick and was translated into over a dozen languages. He has a PhD in industrial engineering from Virginia Tech. Follow Boyd on: TwitterInstagramFacebookWebsite
Beth Morrison is Senior Curator of Manuscripts at the J. Paul Getty Museum. She has curated major exhibitions including ‘Imagining the Past in France, 1250-1500’, and ‘Book of Beasts: The Bestiary in the Medieval World’. She has a PhD in the History of Art from Cornell University. Follow Beth on: TwitterInstagramFacebook
My thoughts: I do enjoy a well researched historical novel and as one of the authors is a medievalist, and their author note explains all the work they did in putting the geography and history together, I am happy to say this feels very well realised.
I haven’t read the preceding book so I hadn’t met Fox and Willa before, but I thought they were tremendous fun and lively protagonists. I also really liked Luciana, she’s an incredibly brave and rather modern woman for the 14th Century. Her husband is a horrible man and she is determined to be rid of him and his influence for good, and that’s before she learns of the true extent of his treachery.
Their quest takes them all over Italy and even across the Mediterranean to Rhodes in Greece, on the hunt for the hidden treasures of the Templar knights, via the rhyming clues left by Luciana’s father, the Templars’ banker.
It’s a race against time as Luciana’s awful husband, once her father’s squire, and his hired mercenaries are also after the treasure, and more importantly a letter that reveals his crimes and could see him lose everything. Thankfully his enemies are many and happy to help his wife bring him down.
A rollicking romp of am adventure on horseback and by ship, seeking treasure in the churches and cities of Italy at the height of the city states’ powers.
*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.
Love across the colour bar is a criminal offence punishable by imprisonment.
John Terreblanche, a police reporter seeking redemption, tells the story of a Xhosa nurse, Promise Madiba, a Dutch doctor, Willem Jansen, and a Malay prostitute, Marja de Koning, who engage in a passionate love triangle in the shadow of the Sharpeville massacre, as South Africa lurches towards becoming a Republic.
Violent yet tender, Immorality Act spans from Indonesia to Cape Town and is a moving account of the impact of apartheid, racism and colonialism on lives in the twentieth century, as well as a celebration of the ungovernability of the human spirit.
Dr Berend Mets was born in Indonesia of Dutch parents, and amongst other countries grew up in apartheid South Africa where he became a doctor, anaesthetist and scientist. He came to fiction through an MFA degree after a career of medical, historical and scientific writing. Berend is a Professor of Anesthesiology at the Pennsylvania State University and divides his time between America, the Dutch Caribbean, and Cape Town, South Africa.
My thoughts: inspired by his experiences and those of his father, Dr Berend Mets has crafted a fascinating and moving story of the second half of the twentieth century. From Indonesia under Japanese occupation and the horrors of WW2 to the Netherlands and then apartheid South Africa, the story of Willem, Marja and Promise is both terribly sad and full of joy.
Falling in love across the colour bar is illegal in 1961, but not something Willem and Promise do intentionally. Meeting in the hospital where they both work, the damaged doctor and the impassioned nurse fall in love and work secretly to end apartheid.
Marja is Willem’s childhood friend, his first love, long thought lost to him. Near death, he saves her life in the operating theatre. As she recovers in Promise’s home, the net is closing in on them. Promise’s political activities and the fact a white doctor has been spending so much time with her has brought scrutiny on them. The Immorality Act forbids sex between the races and it is this law that sees Willem and Marja in court, Promise having escaped.
The framing narrative of a book written by Afrikaans journalist John Terreblanche is interesting and allows for the inclusion of court documents and police reports but does at times feel intrusive – as does his presence in their lives. He’s not part of their tangled relationship and doesn’t really belong. His guilt at his involvement in the case, only confessed later on, drives him to tell their story, but is it his to tell?
Powerful and moving, evocative and provoking, this is an interesting and intelligent book about a time when love was illegal and the government of South Africa felt it had the right to involve itself in people’s personal lives.
*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.
Lori has been in love with her best friend Aiden since college. Now Aiden (handsome, fair, All-American dream doctor) is getting married, and Lori desperately needs a date to the wedding. So she asks the best man, Jace (tall, dark, and brooding), to pretend their platonic friendship is something more not to have to face the worst day of her life alone. Fake dating one best friend to forget the other should be easy… Plot twist—it’s not. When Jace starts acting like the sweetest, most attentive boyfriend, Lori begins to wonder if she’s been seeing him wrong all this time? They’ve been an inseparable trio since freshman year, but now everything is changing — and that’s not even bringing Jace’s feelings into the mix. Basically? It’s complicated.
Camilla Isley is an engineer who left science behind to write bestselling contemporary rom-coms set all around the world. She lives in Italy and her first title for Boldwood, The Love Theorem, a Hollywood-meets-STEM romance was published in June 2023.
My thoughts: Lori loves Aiden, but Aiden’s marrying Kirsten, and Jace loves Lori, but they’re just friends…or are they?
When Lori asks her pal Jace to fake date till they get through Aiden’s wedding, she doesn’t realise that her friend has been in love with her since college, roughly the same length of time she’s been in love with Aiden, or is she?
Realising there’s more to Jace than she thought, and that he could be more than “just friends” totally blows Lori’s world view apart, maybe The One isn’t the friend she fell for all those years ago (Aiden) but the The One Next To Him.
With the humour and romance you expect from one of Camilla Isley’s delightful rom coms, this is Doctors Do Dating and Falling in Love, turns out they’re smart, just not when it comes to love!! Lots of fun and with a perfectly charming happy ever after.
*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.
ramblingmads 