Welcome to the Wednesday edition of the Cafe and Bookstore with recent reviews for authors on the shelves.
And the first book today with a review is A Year in the Life of Deidre Flynn – by Lucinda E. Clarke
About the book
Deidre is determined to protect her adopted niece Leah, but despite fleeing the country, the menacing threats continue.
They believe their enemies can’t reach them now, so who is behind the life-threatening attacks? The incidents escalate, each more horrifying than the last.
How can they fight back when they don’t know who the enemy is and they have no idea what they want.
A fast-moving, page-turning, psychological thriller that will leave you breathless, as once again, Leah is the victim of a cruel conspiracy that lurks in the shadows.
A gripping thriller for fans of Louise Jensen, Avery Bishop and Claire McGowan.
One of the recent reviews for the book
Deidre was my favourite (and somewhat underused) character in the first book, so I was delighted to see her become the focus of this latest instalment. This time we get to hear the story from the point of view of the three principle protagonists and it is fascinating to see how they differ in their attitudes towards the events of the day.
I enjoyed the French setting and it has inspired me to revisit my youthful visits to that country when we are able to travel again.
Great read, great characters and like any great series, it inspires me to go back and read Book 1 so I can revisit how the characters developed.
Head over to buy the book: Amazon UK – And: Amazon US
A selection of books by Lucinda E. Clarke
Read the reviews and buy the books : Amazon US – And : Amazon UK – Blog:WordPress Lucinda E. Clarke — Follow Lucinda:Goodreads – Twitter: @LucindaEClarke
The next author is Alex Craigie with a review for Someone Close to Home
About the book
Talented pianist Megan Youngblood has it all – fame, fortune and Gideon.
But Gideon isn’t good enough for Megan’s ambitious, manipulative mother, whose meddling has devastating repercussions for Megan and for those close to her.
Now, trapped inside her own body, she is unable to communicate her needs or fears as she faces institutional neglect in an inadequate care home.
And she faces Annie. Sadistic Annie who has reason to hate her. Damaged Annie who shouldn’t work with vulnerable people.
Just how far will Annie go?
One of the recent reviews on Goodreads
Someone Close to Home by Alex Craigie is a poignant tale of a talented and successful pianist who is too weak to rise to her own defense and thinks of others before her own self. A brilliantly written first person account of Megan, who is now languishing in The Yews, a cheap nursing home, and is at the mercy of insensitive caretakers who consider the inmates irrelevant. They have to face rough handling, insensitive comments; even verbal and physical assaults like slaps. They long for a genuine, friendly human contact but are treated as “their tasks.”
Mrs. Kenton’s non-serious attitude in managing the nursing home smacks of negligence, she doesn’t investigate any irregularities and fires the wrong persons. Annie’s atrocities go undetected for a long time but all that bothers Mrs. Kenton is, the reputation of the institution. Megan is the worst sufferer, as she has lost control over her body and her speech due to a stroke. She is “trapped in a web spun by adults,” (to put it mildly, in her own words.)
Craigie enters into the mind of Megan to bring out the abuse, the suffering and the resilience that shines through this book. The indifference of her son, whose love didn’t let her escape domestic violence, is heart breaking. Even Camilla, her daughter is callous and cold. Some of the characters are devilish, difficult to tolerate – Jordan, the tormentor who only knows bullying, Megan’s mother – devious, selfish and cunning and Annie – the pervert beyond anybody’s imagination. They fit into the story with perfect ease.
This book is emotionally draining and is predictable but is significant from two angles. One, it exposes the condition of nursing homes, which need to focus on hiring professionally trained staff and providing better care than just earning money. Two, it points at clear red flags in understanding relationships that Megan ignores.
Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon UK – And: Amazon US
Also by Alex Craigie
Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon UK – And: Amazon US – Follow Alex: Goodreads – Alex Craigie : Facebook
Thanks for dropping in today and I hope you are leaving with some books.. thanks Sally
A lovely line-up of books and reviews. Thanks for sharing, Sally. Hugs xx 🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks Harmony..hugsx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well this was a delightful surprise. Thanks so much for putting up Balroop’s brilliant review – I partcularly liked her comment on nursing homes because that was my reason for writing it, and for the message about not heeding warning signs in relationships and taking appropriate action. I’m sandwiched between Lucinda and Staci which makes me feel like a proper author! Been a while since I felt this buoyant! Thanks again ❤
LikeLiked by 3 people
Pleasure Trish.. and well deserved review..hugsx
LikeLiked by 2 people
Great books with deep digging reviews. Thank youl, Sally! Just in time i am a little bit busy ith other things, but in two weeks i will grab some of them too. Have put a riminder on my desk. Michael
LikeLiked by 2 people
Fantastic Michael and something to look forward to…hugsxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Sally, for featuring my review of Alex’s brilliant book. Any book that explores relationships so well is a treat. I have to check Lucinda’s books.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Always happy to share a great review Balroop… hugsxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much Balroop – I didn’t notice you’re comment and now I’m buzzing with pleasure. ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
My pleasure Alex.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Gosh, Alex Craigie’s book sounds like a tough but good read, Sally. The concept reminds me a bit of the book, Sybil. Nice to see Lucinda featured here too.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks Robbie.. Alex writes very well. and certainly touching a nerve with our current situation.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Bless you for this, Sally! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
♥
LikeLike
Thanks for the comment, Robbie! Sybil’s an excellent book but a harrowing read and one that I still think about.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Me too, Alex. Very harrowing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, two fab reviews. I have to think how hard it had to be for Alex to write that story! ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
Very much so and very thought provoking..♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤
LikeLike
Thanks, Debby. I was so fired up by the casual, unintentional neglect of a friend in a care home that I think it was done and dusted in six months. The mother in the book wasn’t a million miles away from my own… ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
♥
LikeLike
Sounds chilling Trish. Good for you for writing on a topic of controversy, seems almost everywhere. ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
Both of these sound great! I have meant to pick up one of Alex’s books, and this is going to be the one.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Fantastic Pete..enjoy..xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Practically dancing with delight, Pete! Many thanks.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Great Pete..xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on lucinda E Clarke and commented:
Thank you so much Sally.
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks for sharing Lucinda..hugsx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Sally so appreciate this. The review you included was extra special as the reader remembered my Deidre character from book one. I went immediately and grabbed Alex’s book and shall read that next week too. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
My pleasure Lucinda and Alex will be delighted..enjoy your day..hugsx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lucinda, my cup runneth o’er! And I’ve bought Deirdre Flynn!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful reviews! Thank you for sharing, Sally. I’m adding them to my growing list of must-reads! 😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Gwen.. sending over a gift certificate for two extra hours a day lol.. ♥
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Author Don Massenzio and commented:
Check out these reviews for some wonderful works from the Smorgasbord Cafe and Bookstore via this post from Sally Cronin.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks very much Don.. enjoy your day..x
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Judith Barrow.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Judith!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Thorne Moore.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Thorne. Much appreciated!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great selections, Sally. Lucinda always writes such interesting, original books.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have read the first in the series and have the follow ups now on the reader… x
LikeLike
Pingback: Smorgasbord Weekly Round Up – February 14th – 20th 2021 – Romance, Songs 1960s, Chilled soups, book reviews, videos and funnies | Smorgasbord Blog Magazine