Changes

{{newreview|author=Linda Mitchelmore|title=Emma|rating=3.5|genre=Women's Fiction|summary=Emma Le Goff was determined that she and her childhood sweetheart, Seth Jago, would get married but the vicar seemed strangely reluctant to oblige. Their pasts were against them. Seth’s brother had been hung and his father and brother were in prison. No one could <!- or would - quite believe that Seth had kept himself above the criminality. Then there were the deaths of Emma’s mother and brother, which might not have been an accident. To top it all Emma had lived with Matthew Caunter INSERT NEW REVIEWS BELOW HERE- the vicar wasn’t prepared to accept that she was simply his housekeeper. No - there was no question of his marrying them, but Emma came up with a novel solution to the problem.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1781890935</amazonuk>}} {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Rebecca MascullTananarive Due|title=The VisitorsReformatory

|summary=Adeliza Golding is comfortably off by Victorian standardsGracetown, Florida. June 1950. She lives in After a scuffle with a not insignificant housewhite boy, her parents can afford servantstwelve year-old Robbie Stephens Jr is sentenced to six months at the Gracetown School for Boys, Lizaotherwise known as the Reformatory. It's father owns a place with a brutal and runs dark reputation. But the segregated reformatory is a hop farmchamber of horrors, buthaunted by the boys that have died there. In order to survive the school governor and his Funhouse, Robert must enlist the help of the school's ghosts – only they have their own motivations... The but |isbn=1803366532}} {{Frontpage|author=Katherine Howe|title=A True Account|rating=4.5|genre=General Fiction|summary=Hannah Masury is considerable as Liza is different living in Boston, having been sent to live with a family who run an inn, and being made to work there from most: a young age. When she's deaf/blind and isolated from hears there is to be a hanging of some pirates in the world with only 'the visitors' for company town, she decides to go and communication in her mindwatch. Almost Enthralled and horrified in desperation when Liza is sixequal measure, her father calls on Charlotte Crowe for help. Lottie penetrates LizaHannah finds herself embroiled in a young boy's lonely world by teaching her finger writingdeath at the hands of two vicious pirates. HoweverShe hides away, in doing so that they don't find and kill her too, and then to escape them completely she unlocks revelations that Lottie would rather be kept secretruns away to sea, dressing as a boy and joining the notorious Ned Low's pirate ship as a cabin boy. For not everything changes; She soon finds herself in the visitors remainthick of things when there is a mutiny on board, whoever they and from there we are and whatever they wantcaught up in her rip roaring tale of life on the ocean waves.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1444765205</amazonuk>0861547438

 {{newreviewFrontpage|titleauthor=The Pursuit of Mary Bennet: A Pride and Prejudice NovelSarah Marsh|authortitle=Pamela MingleA Sign of Her Own|rating=3.5|genre=Historical General Fiction|summary=Mary Bennet seems to have After a serious case bout of 'middle scarlet fever as a child syndrome', Ellen Lark loses her hearing. The third Suddenly plunged into a world of five sisterssilence, everything about her life changes. Living in a time when the use of sign language was seen as something only savages do, Ellen is sent to a school where she is taught to lip read, but physically restrained from signing. From here, she ends up in another school studying under Alexander Graham Bell who has always been isolated, lacking teaching the close bonds formed between her older deaf and younger siblingsusing a system called Visible Speech. As a resultAt the same time, Mary has become bookishBell is working on other inventions and ideas, withdrawn and socially awkwardEllen finds herself unwittingly caught up in a complicated tangle of espionage.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0062274244</amazonuk>1035401614

{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Robert LyndonClaire North|title=Imperial FireHouse of Odysseus

|genre=Historical Literary Fiction|summary=Nine years after his return from the perilous trek to the Middle East, Frankish mercenary Vallon is now a general in the Byzantine army. He leads the 'Outlanders', a Babel of a mercenary force from every corner of the known world fighting those threatening the Empire. However, The Emperor has plans for them. On hearing about the [[Hawk Quest by Robert Lyndon|Hawk Quest]] expedition, the Emperor wants to send Vallon and his men on a What could matter more challenging trip: to bring a new wonder weapon back from far off China. The good news is that this than love?'fire drug' is more destructive than anything they already have. The bad news is that they could be away for at least 3 years and that Lucas, a young stranger accompanying them, has a secret that could prove as dangerous as the journey.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1847444997</amazonuk>}}

{{newreview|author=Meg Clothier|title=The Empress|rating=5|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=Itfollow-up to the excellent ''Ithaca''s 1179 and Agnespicks up a few months after where we left off. In the palace of Odysseus, daughter of King Louis VII is sent with delicate care Queen Penelope continues to Byzantium rule without her husband, who sailed to marry war at Troy and then by divine intervention never returned home. As ever she remains surrounded by suitors vying for the young son and heir throne of the EmperorWestern Isles. However Having survived – politically and physical – the chap in question, young Alexioschaotic storm that Clytemnestra brought to Ithaca's shores, Queen Penelope is more on the brink of a drip than a chip off his father's blockfragile peace. This leaves Agnes to work on her own strategy for survival. For this is a world where everyone is paranoidOne that shatters however with the return of Orestes, King of Mycenae, and with good reason as everyone is a target and Agnes isn't just a womanhis sister Elektra, she's a stepping stone to powerseeking refuge.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0099553147</amazonuk>0356516075

 {{newreviewFrontpage|isbn=B0C7J9D21B|title=The Web and the WingA Captive in Algiers (Muhammed Amalfi Mysteries)|author=Teresa RafteryA J Lewis|rating=34.5

|summary=I love a good family sagaWhen we first meet our hero, don't you? ''The Web his name is Ettore and the Wing'' begins he lives at the end The House of World War IBeautiful Swallows. Claire returns to her pre-war job Idyllic as a maid at Ardleagh Hallthis might sound, home of the Earl of Eglinton. But Claire wants more than it's a life in service. She wants education bordello and independenceEttore's mother died when he was born. And she wants away from Ardleagh He's not been short of mothers, though - but for another reason too someone of his background in late-eighteenth- rigid social rules mean that she can never declare her love for Jamescentury Amalfi, heir it's difficult to obtain decent employment. The stint working with the Eglinton titlepreparation of anchovies didn't work out and bastards are considered bad luck on fishing boats. James feels the same about Claire but he too has personal reasons for wanting to escape Ettore was nothing if not resourceful - and determined - his father will and it was not countenance his musical ambitions. After the disastrous miners' strike of 1926, James leaves long before he had a successful business as a guide for Berlin to become a concert pianistvisitors. From here, he observes the rise of Hitler with mounting concern He was even saving some money.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>178088561X</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|titleauthor=ColossusEssie Fox|authortitle=Alexander ColeThe Fascination

|summary=I would not want The Victorian era is incredibly over-romanticised as a setting for historical fiction (matched only, perhaps, by the Second World War) which has often led to be more than a few writers mishandling it. There's such a glut of media set in the front line of any army, but one era that is facing a row of battle worn elephants must be the worst These huge beasts, that don’t smell particularly nice, hallmarks we've come to associate with it are charging towards youfamiliar to the point of being cliched, their tusks tipped in armourhackneyed even. You’ll find me cowering somewhere near the baggage train. Not Gajendra, he All this is simply to illustrate that it would be an ambitious young man in Alexander’s all conquering armyeasy thing to do poorly. He has a special relationship with the largest elephant in Alex’s armyBut despite that, Colossus. This close relationship between man something about it still grabs me – and beast will lead Gajendra to a higher level than he could ever have imagined for a poor boy from Indiasomething about this book's description did as well.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0857891154</amazonuk>1914585526

{{newreview|title=The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls|author= Anton DiSclafani|rating=4|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=Theodora Atwell is torn away Cast out from her much-loved brother at the age of 15Rome, to be sent far from Artemisia Gentileschi arrives in Florence seeking an oasis in which her art can find a home in Florida to Yonahlossee, and where her future can thrive rather than stagnate. But as some as she's to have a fresh start after a mysterious event enters Florentine society she blames herself for. Set in faces great opposition from the 1930s to powerful Accademia, the backdrop self-proclaimed guardians of the Depressionhealing magics that through paintings have the power to protect the city and its citizens from plagues and curses. The all-male Accademia has hoarded power over art and architecture for centuries and guard it above all else. To them, we follow Thea as she tries to navigate her new surroundings Artemisia – an ambitious young woman who promises trouble and change – has no place amongst them and come to terms with the damage she's caused to her familytheir society.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0755395190</amazonuk>1803362340

{{newreview|title=Lionheart|author=Stewart Binns|rating=3.5|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=Richard Set in the First. Richard near-distant future, in a world on the Lionheart. Even those verge of us who didn't pay attention much climate collapse, Britain is in history lessons, those of us who are pretty dodgy on which King came when, will be familiar with some of them great peril. The British Isles desperately needs a hero (or several) to save the day and be able to put them more or less in their time contextrescue what little remains. We know William What no-one expected was that one of the Conqueror, we know Henry Knights of the Eighth… … and, up to a point, we know about Round Table would answer the Lionheartcall.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1405913606</amazonuk>0356518523

 {{newreviewFrontpage|titleauthor=Black VenusG K Holloway|authortitle=James MacManusIn the Shadows of Castles|rating=24.5

|summary=Anyone familiar with We begin after the numerous biographies of Charles Baudelaire will know there is an absence momentous battle in 1066 and on the middle day of William of Normandy's coronation as King of his life: Jeanne DuvalEngland. The facts about this mysterious woman are rather sparse, although it William's position is commonly agreed that she was not secure and the new king has many challenges. Imposing authority through a Haitian cabaret singer - and Baudelaire's perennial musecoronation is important. And it William is Baudelaire's fascination with Duval that continues right to haunt worry. While the books published by his critics and admirers alike: just whatprevious king, they ask themselvesHarold, was is dead and the great man's obsession with the woman he dubbed his Black Venus? But if there's little likelihood of more to say on the biographical frontpitched battles is over, what about in the realms rebels are stirring and much of fiction? What about using the scattered facts country does not wish to build a three-dimensional Duval, one with a backstory, hopes, and feelings? If you think this is recognise a bad idea, then you're too late, because this is the 'eureka!' moment that spawned James MacManus's exasperating new novel, ''Black Venus''overlord.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0715647423</amazonuk>1800422466

{{newreview|author=Sebastian Faulks|title=Jeeves and the Wedding Bells|rating=4|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=Bertie Wooster had Maya is a glorious time young girl living in Cannesa hunter gatherer village during the Mesolithic era. Climate change is occurring, not least because of the presence Sea of Georgiana Meadowes. He wondered if she should be allowed out at all, 'such a hazard did she pose to male shipping' - Grass encroaches further and that was before hefurther into Maya'd experienced her driving. Buts forest home, being a gentleman, Wooster's hands were tied: Georgiana and food is soon to become engaged to anotherbecoming more and more scarce. The two would meet again before too long as Wooster, along with his gentleman's gentleman, were invited What to stay at do? Can the home law givers in the federation of Georgiana's uncle - but, for reasons which you'll need villages muster peaceful ways to read for yourselfcope? Can the Traveller, ''Jeeves'' was there as a member spiritual figure who interprets the wisdom of the aristocracy and Wooster was his gentleman's gentleman. ConfusedAll Life, provide solutions? Oh, excellent!|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0091954045</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Linda Spalding1529125898|title=The PurchaseGodmersham Park|author=Gill Hornby

|summary=1798: Daniel Dickinson moves his five children and 15''If it were not for the casual dereliction of the odd gentleman's duty, there would no women to teach well-yearbred daughters at all.'' Anne Sharpe was thirty-one years old second wife away from when she arrived at Godmersham Park to take up the Pennsylvanian Quaker community he used position of governess to call home, towards Virginiatwelve-year-old Fanny Austen. While on an equipment-buying trip he comes across She had no experience of teaching but this was a slave auction and decides to be true to his abolitionist beliefs in an unusual waycase of necessity. He buys OnesimusUntil the death of her mother, Anne had a young slave boy, in order to change comfortable life and was loved by both parents although her father was frequently absent from the lad's lifehousehold. When her mother died, intending her father cast her off and would have nothing more to offer him do with her. No explanation was offered but she would receive an annuity of £35 a home and fairness in place of captivityyear. HoweverHer maid, Agnes, reality is more difficult and the Dickinsons find that their new servant will actually change their lives insteadwould receive nothing but was fortunately taken in by some neighbours.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1908737514</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Kent WascomMelissa Fu |title=The Blood of HeavenPeach Blossom Spring

|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=1799 in America and Angel Woolsack is I loved the son of an itinerant preacherprelude to Peach Blossom Spring, travelling around Louisianaa short chapter entitled ''Origins''. Life isn't easy as Angel Unfortunately it is torn between the puritanical fire and brimstone upbringing only truly poetic part of Preacher-Father and his desire to be a normal young man within the confines of a religious communitybook that I expected more from. Eventually AngelCovering Chinese history from 1938 to 2005 as viewed through one family's desire to express himself leads to tragedy and, perspective. When their home city is set ablaze during the war with his only friend Samuel Kemper for companyJapan, he is cast out by a young mother (Meilin) and her four-year-old son (Renshu) are among those he loveswho flee. Angel The story follows them on their journey across China, and Samuel decide to search for Samuelin Renshu's elder brother, Reuben, and thus begins the adventure that will take them case eventually to Florida, bring Angel a feisty bride and provide a place in the history books for the Kemper brothers as they grapple for land against the SpanishAmerica. |amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1611855713</amazonuk>1472277538

 {{newreviewFrontpage|titleisbn=The Ice-Cold Heaven1916072038|authortitle=Mirko Bonne|rating=4|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=They say that if you fall off a horse you should get back on one right away, but even so… I don't think many people who had only just left their first love – a shopgirl The House in their village – for their second – exploring the world on sailing cargo ships – would leap to a further voyage having been wrecked and stranded off the coast of South America for well over a week. But Merce here does – he wants to follow his best friend on to a ship called ''The Endurance'' and head with Shackleton to the Antarctic. But Merce is only seventeen, and is rejected – causing him to stow away onto one of the world's worst ever journeys.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0715645846</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|title=Hollow (The Reluctant BrideTalbot Saga)|author=Beverly EikliAllie Cresswell

|summary=Scarred soldier Major Angus McCartney cuts a lonely figure as he rides toward Micklen House bearing tragic newsWe meet part of the Talbot family in Yorkshire in November 1811. He knows that his presence will be unwelcome Twenty-seven-year-old Jocelyn Talbot and that the report he must deliver will devastate the entire householdher mother have travelled in some discomfort from their home at Ecklington, especially to the beautiful, unobtainable daughter of house in the family whom he has secretly been in love with for many yearshollow. Surely she will forever associate him The two women are angry with the bombshell that brought each other and Jocelyn is well aware of her world crashing down. There seems no way that she could ever love him the way that he loves her.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1781890862</amazonuk>}}mother's strengths and weaknesses:

{{newreview|author=Conn Iggulden|title=Wars of the Roses: Stormbird (Wars of the Roses 1)|rating=4.5|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=England in 1437: Henry VI is now old enough to take the throne after the untimely death of his father 15 years earlier. However 'The Lamb' (as young Henry She is known) doesn't take after his robustpracticed at subterfuge, dominant father as enemies and allies alike are wont to mention. Religiously devoutat concealing, peace-loving and often ill, Henry VI relies on his right-hand men to take the load. While beneath a privileged role for people like William de la Pole (Duke facade of Suffolk) and spymaster Derry Brewsterrespectability, it's also very dangerous. Theythe deplorable truth're the final line of defence before the King can be toppled and not all the malevolent powers are beyond the English Channel. A lot of hope is pinned on Henry's marriage to Margaret of Anjou healing the rifts but unfortunately there are unforeseen effects.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0718159837</amazonuk>}}

{{newreview|author=Elaine Neil Orr|title=A Different Sun: A Novel of Africa|rating=4.5|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=Emma Davis, daughter of a Georgian plantation owner has never been happy about the slave system. People just shouldn't be owned like merchandise. Whenever possible she slinks away to hear African stories from elderly slave Uncle Eli, sparking her imagination and love for a far off continent Hester is furious about which sheJocelyn's determined refusal to do more than dream. Emma is going to theological college and as she was asked, which has precipitated ''willthis violent and unexpected removal'' be a missionary out there. Her resolve pays off when she meets and marries Henry, clergyman and missionary to Yoruba. Once there Emma discovers a local culture richer and more rewarding than she imagined, but, then again, so is the cost.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0425261301</amazonuk>}}

{{newreview|title=Close to Then we are told of the Wind|author=Zana Bell|rating=5|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=Georgiana da Silva seems to have everything to look forward to; an engagement to her dashing cousin Jasper will finally allow her to escape the clutches birth of her oppressive aunt a child and open up the opportunity for her to travel the world, broadening her horizons considerably. Unfortunatelysoon after, when she overhears a conversation between Jasper and the duplicitous Lord WalsinghamHester Talbot departs, she realises that her engagement is a sham leaving Jocelyn in shame and that her brother’s life is isolation in danger from a ruthless assassin. Can she reach her brother in New Zealand before the assassin has time to strike? The scene is set for an exciting cross-continental race against time which will pitch Georgiana headlong into a world of deceit, intrigue and adventureYorkshire.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1781890269</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Bernard CornwellAnnabel Abbs|title=The Pagan Lord (Warrior Chronicles 7)Language of Food

|summary=Lord Uhtred Eliza Acton is outlawed and evicted from his land as he continues a poet who has never had the slightest inclination to niggle the Saxon clergy. However this time it's in a big way: he murders boil an abbot while trying to reclaim his eldest sonegg. As When tasked with writing a punishment he's evicted from his land so Uhtred does the only thing he can: he follows his destiny and travels north to reclaim Bebbanburg (Bamburgh) from his usurping unclecookery book, she recruits Ann Kirby, Aelfrica local woman with a troubled home life. There's a chasm between his dream Together, they test, craft, refine and realityreshape the world of domestic cookery, but Uhtred is determined. Perhaps it's just as well because his choice reinventing the recipe book and changing the face of strategy will shape a nationcookery writing forever.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0007331908</amazonuk>1398502227

 {{newreviewFrontpage|titleauthor=The Night FlowerFreya Marske|authortitle=Sarah StovellA Marvellous Light

|summary=Fourteen-year-old Miriam Booth Robin Blyth is nudged into a Romany gypsy from job in the Newcastle slums whoCivil Service, like much to his chagrin. There he meets Edwin Courcey and learns that the titular waif in [[:Category:Charles Dickens|Charles Dickens]]'s ''Oliver Twist'', is an orphan who lives by her wits but becomes drawn into a ring streets of house-breaking crimeLondon are threaded with magic. In 1842 she is caught and sentenced Desperate to remove a curse that threatens to seven years' transportation swallow him, Robin follows Edwin to the countryside, where the hedgegrows bristle with incantations and the people shimmer with power. There they uncover a convict colony sinister plot that threatens the lives of all magicians in Australiathe British Isles.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1906994218</amazonuk>1529080886

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Colum McCannB09F4CTKJR|title=TransAtlanticFlights for Freedom|author= Steven Burgauer

|summary=In 1845 ex-slave, black It's the later stages of World War I and the United States has just entered the conflict. Petrol Petronus is a young American Frederick Douglass visits Ireland for a lecture tour about freedom who has signed up and emancipation only joined the 17 Aero Squadron. This company was the first US Aero Squadron to be trained in Canada, the first to discover he's not preaching be attached to the converted after all. In 1919 Alcock RAF and Brown climb the first to be sent into a rickety aircraft the skies to fly fight the Atlantic and land Germans in Limerickactive combat. In 1994 Senator George Mitchell also travels to Ireland watched by a world But before that's about can happen, Petrol has to see a miracle of negotiation. Meanwhile through it all Lily and her descendants are also there, not only watching history master flying the notoriously difficult but living it on both sides of the Atlanticmajestic Sopwith Camel.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1408829371</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|titleauthor=Sisters of the East EndChristophe Medler|authortitle=Helen BattenMadrigal: A Closely Guarded Secret|rating=3.54

|summary=Katie Crisp had never intended to become Set against the backdrop of the English Civil War, a nunsecret plan (code-named Madrigal) is discovered by Sir Robert Douse in the summer of 1642. Raised by non-religious parentsAs a loyal servant of the King, her family frowned upon organised religion and when Katie started secretly going to churchHead of the Secret Service, they strongly disapproved. When Katie ran it is Robert's duty to uncover the aid details of a stroke victim, she had a vision that changed her life. She saw herself dressed as a nun with a large silver cross hanging from her neck. She decided to the plan and follow her calling and join the community clues to uncover one of St John the Divine, a group of Anglican nuns dedicated to nursing and midwifery. She thus shed her old identity and became known as Sister Catherine Marymost guarded secrets in history—especially since the plot could affect the King.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0091951771</amazonuk>B095HY8SXQ

 {{newreviewFrontpage|isbn=1471187179|title=The LuminariesA Beautiful Spy|author=Eleanor CattonRachel Hore|rating=54|genre=Literary Historical Fiction|summary=Eleanor Catton's Minnie is an 'ordinary'girl living an unexciting life in a leafy provincial suburb. The Luminaries'' book is set in the New Zealand gold rush of the late 1860s. It1930s and Minnie is expected to live up to her mother's expectations and find a story about greed, power, goldnice young man to marry, dreams, opium, secrets, betrayal produce children and identity, but most spend the rest of allher days looking after her husband and their home. Unfortunately, itthis isn's t what she wants to do at all and neither does she want to continue working as a secretary. As a celebration result of a chance meeting, she finds herself drawn into espionage, working for the art of story telling, both in terms of Catton's book secret service and effectively living a double life - attempting to infiltrate the stories Communist Party of Great Britain. Minnie finds herself torn between what she perceives as her characters have to tell. It's duty and the kind of book that is perfect escapism friends she has made - and which wraps you up in its world. If you like big, chunky books that you can get lost in likes - whilst working for hours, then this is one for youthe Communist Party.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1847084311</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Alison MacLeodAfonso Cruz and Rahul Bery (translator)|title=UnexplodedKokoschka's Doll|rating=2.5

|summary=It's 1940 and Britain lives in fear of Well, this looked very much like a Nazi invasion that book I could happen love from the get-go, which is why I picked my review copy up and flipped pages over several times before actually reading any dayof it. In case I found things to potentially delight me each time – a weird section in the worst happensmiddle on darker stock paper, Evelyn's husband Geoffrey has buried a little something for her and their young son Philip chapter whose number was in the garden20,000s, letters used as narrative form, and so on. He tells her It intrigued with the tin contains subterranean voice a bit of money and his favourite photo man hears in wartorn Dresden that what little I knew of them. As she digs it up from impulse rather than necessitymentioned, she discovers that there's no photo but what there is instead makes Evelyn doubt that she knows the man she marriedtoo. The events that follow make Evelyn realise that indeed she doesnBut you't. Meanwhile ve seen the war continues star rating that comes with this review, and a German does invade their livescan tell that if love was on these pages, but it was not in the way that either of actually caused by them could envisage. So what happened?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0241142636</amazonuk>1529402697

 {{newreview|title=The Last RunawayFrontpage|author=Tracy Chevalier|rating=3|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=Quaker girl Honor Bright is seeking escape from a failed relationship. Leaving quiet Dorset for America, a developing country about which she knows little, she hopes that accompanying her sister to the US will mean a new start within the American Quaker community. But Honor soon discovers the differences between America and England – not just in terms of weather and landscape, but also in the American culture of slave keeping.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>000735035X</amazonuk>}} {{newreviewChristina Hammonds Reed|title=A World Elsewhere|author=Wayne Johnston|rating=3.5|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=Landish Druken is a great hulk of a man who lumbers through his hometown of St John's, Newfoundland. Although he thinks of himself as a writer, he has never written a word he didn't feel compelled to burn, and everyone knows him as the wayward son of accomplished sealing captain Abram Druken. Landish escaped to study literature at Princeton, where he met best friend Padgett 'Van' Vanderluyden, the 'dud' son of an industrial tycoon and a rumoured homosexual, but he broke his promise to join his father's sealing empire on his return in 1893, and now lives in poverty and disgrace. |amazonuk=<amazonuk>0099572036</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|title=Stay Where You Are And Then Leave|author=John BoyneThe Black Kids

|genre=Confident ReadersTeens |summary=Alfie is just five years old when the Great War breaks out in 1914. His father joins up straightaway. Cheerful letters come from Georgie for a while and Alfie's mother reads them to him. But then the letters grow miserable and frightening. AlfieChristina Hammonds Reed's mother stops reading them aloud and hides them away - but Alfie finds them anyway. And then the letters stop altogether. Alfie is told that his father debut novel is on a secret mission and can't write, but he sees through set against the lie immediately. And then, one day, a chance meeting tells Alfie exactly what has happened to his father. He's home from backdrop of the front but he's in hospital1992 Los Angeles riots, suffering from a condition nobody understood at the time: shell shock. |amazonuk=<amazonuk>0857532936</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author= Daniel Woodrell|title=The Maid's Version|rating=5|genre=Historical Fiction|summary= Life may be tough in the Missouri town where Alma grew up but at least she has a job. She learns and experiences a lot as maid reaction to the wealthy Glencross family, but many absolution of the experiences aren't the sort she'd like to relive. To top it all offfour police officers for beating a black man, in 1929 the ArborRodney King, a local dance club, explodes into flames killing 42 people including Alma's younger sister Ruby. The cause remains a mystery as factions are blamed or viewed suspiciouslynearly to death. However Alma knows the truth, a truth that remains secret until decades later during a visit Told from her grandson.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1444732838</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Graham Thomas|title=The Other Woman (The Roxy Compendium)|rating=4|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=In the first part perspective of [[Hats Off To Brandenburg (The Roxy Compendium) by Graham Thomas|The Roxy Compendium]] we discovered that one of our heroes had had his heart broken by a lady called Abigail Hardwoode and there were hints that this lady's history was rather unusual. Graham Thomas isn't one to leave us in suspense for ''too'' long and he takes us back more than a quarter of a century to Ashley Bennett, the time when Abigail first met novel follows her beloved Benjamin Ananas. What she could not know was that events in France involved evolution from a British Secret Agent silent bystander when his family was kidnapped - and then Abigail's parents when they were tricked into undertaking a mission to rescue them which was off the books. When they were captured only one manconfronted with matters of race, agent Hilary Weaver, believed them to be innocent and Abigail, snatched from a woman finding her peaceful, high society life, headed to France to find them - voice and broke embracing her lover's heartheritage.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>B00E05A1J6</amazonuk>1471188191

{{newreview|title=Longbourn|author=Jo Baker|rating=5|genre=General Fiction|summary=So we have had Jane Austen Move on to [[Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith|meet zombiesNewest History Reviews]], and now something perhaps even more reprehensible – social realism. This is a world where people slip up in hogshit, where rain pisses it down, and if the weekly routine washday is bad, you should try it when five Bennet daughters have their coinciding periods. Sarah is in the middle of all this, trying to do her share of the housework with one hand at times, lest pus from her blisters get on the linen, or her callouses crack open. But why can she not get her feelings about James, the new mysterious footman fresh from who-knows-where, straight in her head, and why is her heart turned by the mulatto servant of the Bingleys up at Netherfield?|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0857522019</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Elisabeth Gifford|title=Secrets of the Sea House|rating=5|genre=Historical Fiction|summary= Ruth has been raised in children's homes after losing her mother as a young child. Her mother always told her that she was a Selkie, one of the seal people and eventually her mother would return to the sea. Ruth prefers this version to the official death certificates: suicide by drowning. As an adult, Ruth returns with husband Michael to her mother's native Hebrides. This is a new start for them both in an old manse they're renovating. However during the works they make a gruesome discovery: the buried remains of a special child. This body has been there for over a century, since Rev Alexander Ferguson's time and, as the years roll back to reveal its origins Ruth realises this isn't the only surprise awaiting her.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1782391118</amazonuk>}}