A Single Woman by Maggie Christensen @MaggieChriste33 #RomanticFiction #BookReview #amreading

April 29, 2019April 28, 2019 writeanneLeave a comment

Maggie Christensen Does It Again – Another Great Read

I’m very fortunate to have been given a pre-publication copy of A Single Woman, Maggie Christensen’s latest novel. It will be published on the 9^th of May and will be available at all the usual online stores including Amazon and Kobo.

I always look forward to reading books by this author and this new novel more than lived up to my expectations.

It was good to catch up with Matt and Bel, characters from two of the author’s previous books – The Good Sister and Isobel’s Promise. But this time the main characters were Matt’s widower son-in-law, Alasdair, and the single woman of the title, Isla.

You don’t have to have read the earlier books in order to enjoy this new one, but if you haven’t I’d recommend that you do just for the sheer enjoyment.

A Single Woman is a second-chance, midlife romance where the last thing either protagonist is looking for is to fall in love. It’s set mainly in the Scottish city of Glasgow, and it’s the thoughtful and touching story of the developing relationship between two rather damaged people.

Alasdair is lonely and sad as he struggles to parent his two teenage children while grieving the loss of his wife two years previously. Isla is independent, self-sufficient and lives for her work as head teacher of a high school for girls. And when the two of them meet, although they’re attracted to each other, both struggle with admitting they’re looking for anything more than friendship. For Alasdair there’s the guilt of being with someone new and for Isla there’s the fear of opening up about her past and making herself vulnerable.

I loved the slow-burn of this story. And I loved the flawed main characters with all their human frailties and vulnerabilities. I’m sure most readers will, like me, find themselves rooting for Isla and Alasdair and willing them to, for once, put themselves first and take a chance on each other.

Yes, this is another great read from Maggie Christensen.

From the Back Cover:

Isla Cameron. headmistress at an elite girl’s school in Glasgow, is determinedly single, adroitly avoiding all attempts at matchmaking by a close friend.

Widower Alasdair MacLeod is grieving for the wife he lost two years earlier, struggling as the single father of two teenagers, and frustrated by the well-meaning interference of his in-laws.

When a proposed school trip to France brings Isla and Alasdair together, they find a connection in the discovery that each is suffering the loss of a loved one, but neither is interested in forming a relationship,

As their friendship grows, Alasdair struggles with his increasing attraction to the elegant schoolmistress, while Isla harbours concerns about the complications a relationship with him would bring.

Can Alasdair overcome his natural reserve, and can Isla open her heart to love again?

***

Readers of Christensen’s earlier books, The Good Sister and Isobel’s Promise, will love reconnecting with Bel and Matt while enjoying Isla Cameron’s unique story.

Inceptio by Alison Morton @alison_morton #BookReview #crimefiction #thriller # mystery # romanticfiction #amreading

January 21, 2019January 20, 2019 writeanne6 Comments

As regular readers of this blog will know I don’t review books I didn’t enjoy, but I most definitely review the ones I did – as it’s a pleasure to spread the word.

However, with Inceptio, it was so good I was almost too scared to review it as I wasn’t sure I could do it justice.

It’s not even my usual type of read – so although I’d heard good things about this particular author, I’d put off reading her books. And as it turns out that was really silly. Note to self: read more widely.

From the Back Cover:

New Yorker Karen Brown is caught in a tangle of hot foreign agents, vicious maniacs and tough families. Running for her life, she is forced to flee from her home into the alien culture of Roma Nova, the mysterious last outpost of the Roman Empire in Europe. Who wouldn’t fear failure? Or will she tough it out and find herself? Apart from kidnapping, heartache and a close encounter with Latin grammar, she must contend with a fascinating but arrogant Praetorian special forces captain.

Plus a crazy killer wants to terminate her for a very personal reason.

Roma Nova is Karen’s dead mother’s homeland. Founded sixteen hundred years ago by Roman exiles and now ruled by women, it gives her safety, a lover and a ready-made family – but at a price. Joining a law enforcement service as an undercover investigator, Karen focuses on staying alive, but is determined to find out why the killer persists in hunting her.

Part action adventure, part military thriller, laced with romance and coming of age, this is Roman fiction brought into the 21st century through the lens of alternative history and driven by a female protagonist with heart and courage. If you enjoy thrillers and mystery books for women with twists, this is for you!

My Review:

Inceptio is the first in a series – which is good to know – as having read this you are left wanting more.

All the essentials are present for making this an excellent read. There are great characters, interesting settings, an intriguing plot and wonderful storytelling. But it’s the originality that’s off the scale.

This is a contemporary story but it’s set in an alternative – and highly plausible – history of the world. In this alternative world, Roma Nova is a wealthy and powerful state which is situated between northern Italy and Austria, and it is where most of the action is set.

There are vividly detailed descriptions of people and place. There is intense emotion. And the pace is brisk and compelling. Yes it’s a real ‘just-one-more-page- and-I’ll-stop’ sort of book.

And the characters – oh, the characters! With all of them, Alison Morton avoids stereotyping. All of them surprise and intrigue. I loved the two leads Carina and Conrad. Carina especially – she starts out feisty but leading an ordinary life – and grows into a (sometimes) literally kick-ass, strong and brave woman. And Conrad – oh Conrad – what’s not to love? The supporting cast are wonderful too – surprises everywhere.

With its scenes of brutal violence, its high level of suspense, its intriguing mystery and crime elements and its poignant romance – this is a novel that’s difficult to categorise. It has got everything. Incidentally, I also reckon it would make a hell of an amazing TV series – I can just see it as a Netflix type box set.

So in summary: My advice – just read it.

And to whet your appetite even further – you can view the book trailer on Youtube here – it’s awesome in its own right.

Inceptio is published by Pulcheria Press and is available online and in bookshops. Formats are paperback, ebook, audio, and MP3 CD.

Inceptio is available now from various places – see below:

Another great review for Settlement

November 27, 2018 writeanne2 Comments

I can’t imagine not writing. I just love it so much. Even if nobody read my scribblings I reckon I’d still have to keep on doing it. But if even one person reads and enjoys what I produce then that’s a bonus. But of course I’m delighted when more than one person does.

I love getting positive feedback and reviews – even the less positive but constructive reactions are helpful.

I really appreciate when readers who have already done enough by buying and reading my books, also take the time and trouble to review them – whether that’s on one of the online retailer sites or on their book blogs. This all helps spread the word to other potential readers and it does my writer’s ego good as well…

And today I certainly got that ego boosted when I read book blogger Joanne’s wonderful review of Settlement. What I especially loved was that she totally got what I was trying to say in the novel and she appreciated the subtleties of the title. This was a thoughtful and, to me, very special review.

You can read her review on her Portobello Book Blog here.

You can get a copy of Settlement here