Smorgasbord Cafe and Bookstore – Author Updates – Reviews – #Afghanistan Mary Smith, #Prehistoric Jacqui Murray, #Mystery Mary Anne Edwards

Welcome to the Wednesday edition of the Cafe and Bookstore with recent reviews for authors on the shelves

The first author today is Mary Smith with a review for her novel set in Afghanistan, a book that I can highly recommend…No More Mulberries

About the book

No More Mulberries is a story of commitment and divided loyalties, of love and loss, set against a country struggling through transition.

British-born Miriam’s marriage to her Afghan doctor husband is heading towards crisis. Despite his opposition, she goes to work as a translator at a medical teaching camp in a remote area of rural Afghanistan hoping time apart will help are see where their problems lie. She comes to realise how unresolved issues from when her first husband was killed by a mujahideen group are damaging her relationship with her husband and her son – but is it already too late to save her marriage?

One of the recent reviews for the book on Goodreads

Jan 25, 2021 M.J. Mallon rated it 4.5 stars really liked it

I really enjoyed No more Mulberries. The story’s strength lies in its cultural detail, and in its great variety of characters. The tale transports you away to Afghanistan to a country we all have heard a lot about, but few have ever been there. It doesn’t shy away from mentioning the truth of living in Afghanistan where losing face and a woman’s place and freedoms are far different than in the west. It also touches upon the stigma of leprosy. And yet, with all the trials and tribulations there is a sense of how much Miriam loves this adoptive country, so much so, that she decides to convert her faith and become a muslim.

It is a slow burn of a story, with much detail in the beginning explaining the path that took Miriam from Scotland to living in Afghanistan. It is also a love story, and in some ways a love triangle between the ghost of her dearly departed first love, who was killed, and her new husband Iqbal with tensions apparent especially towards the end of the story.

The ending was emotionally powerful and brought all the threads of the story to a satisfying conclusion. I began to understand Miriam’s motivations.

A well-written, engaging story which I would highly recommend especially to those who appreciate cultural stories about family, marriage, love and honour.

Read the reviews and buy the book : Amazon US – And: Amazon UK

Also by Mary Smith

Read the reviews and buy the books:Amazon US – and: Amazon UK –  Blog: Mary Smith’s Place – Goodreads: Goodreads – Twitter: @marysmithwriter

The next author today with a recent review is Jacqui Murray for Against All Odds (Book 3 of the Crossroads Trilogy) A series that I can highly recommend.

About the book

A million years of evolution made Xhosa tough but was it enough? She and her People finally reach their destination—a glorious land of tall grasses, few predators, and an abundance that seems limitless, but an enemy greater than any they have met so far threatens to end their dreams. If Xhosa can’t stop this one, she and her People must again flee.

The Crossroads trilogy is set 850,000 years ago, a time in prehistory when man populated most of Eurasia. He was a violent species, fully capable of addressing the many hardships that threatened his survival except for one: future man, a smarter version of himself, one destined to obliterate all those who came before.

From prehistoric fiction author Jacqui Murray comes the unforgettable saga of a courageous woman who questions assumptions, searches for truth, and does what she must despite daunting opposition. Read the final chapter of the People’s long search for freedom, safety, and a new home.

A perfect book for fans of Jean Auel and the Gears!

One of the recent reviews for the book

Terri 5.0 out of 5 stars Now That They are Home…  Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2021

Jacqui Murray knocks it out of the park again with the third book in the Crossroads Trilogy. Set 850,000 years ago, thoughtful and compassionate leader Xhosa fearlessly guides her people to their final home in what we know as modern Spain. Meticulously researched, the setting invites the reader to feels the heat, the flies, and lurking predators as Xhosa’s people navigate their home and surroundings. Definitely a page-turner, Murray deftly weaves the flaws and ordinary humanity into the characters which flesh out the probable personalities of Homo Erectus. Despite Xhosa’s chronic headaches, Seeker’s spiritual capacity and oddness, Wind’s stoicism, and Pan-Do’s experience and capacity to accept his emotions, the People exist and thrive in a cohesive group with an insatiable will to survive. Loyal wolves round out the group and provide a unique perspective to the series relating to the domestication of some mammals. If you are into pre-historic fiction, I highly recommend Murray’s Crossroads Trilogy.

Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK

Also by by Jacqui Murray

Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK –  Follow Jacqui: goodreads – Blog: Worddreams – Twitter: @WordDreams

The final author today is Mary Anne Edwards with a review for the first book her mystery series and a look at the new covers for the books – Brilliant Disguise: A Charlie McClung Mystery (The Charlie McClung Mysteries Book 1)

About the book

Are you sure you could tell the difference between murder and suicide?

Having had more than enough of the big city, Detective Charlie McClung moves to a small town looking for a simpler life.

Turns out his first case is the most complicated of his career.

A young woman is found shot and while everyone is telling him suicide, his gut, and the dead woman’s beautiful neighbor, are telling him something quite different.

How far can he dig before he uncovers secrets never meant to be unearthed? Throw in a shady police chief and an unexpected love interest and McClung quickly finds himself with more trouble than he ever imagined.

One of the recent reviews for the book

Hunter Tondee 5.0 out of 5 stars So good I immediately read the 2nd in series, “A Good Girl”! Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2021

This book starts off with a bang and keeps going strong! Mary Anne does such a great job creating a mystery and paying attention to detail! So glad I was introduced to her books!

Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK

Also by Mary Anne Edwards

Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US – and: Amazon UK Follow Mary Anne on: Goodreads – Website: Mary Anne Edwards – Twitter: @maedwards58

 

Thanks for visiting today and I hope you are leaving with some books.. thanks Sally.