Delighted to review the eagerly awaited new release by Judith Barrow...another wonderful family saga The Heart Stone.
About the Book
1914. Everything changes for Jessie on a day trip to Blackpool. She realises her feelings for Arthur are far more than friendship. And just as they are travelling home, war is declared.
Arthur lies about his age to join his Pals’ Regiment. Jessie’s widowed mother is so frightened, she agrees to marry Amos Morgan. Only Jessie can see how vicious he is. When he turns on her, Arthur’s mother is the only person to help her, the two women drawn together by Jessie’s deepest secret.
Facing a desperate choice between love and safety, will Jessie trust the right people? Can she learn to trust herself?
My review for The Heart Stone February 20th 2021 – Five Stars
I have read all of Judith Barrow’s previous novels and was delighted when a new book was announced.
As always the author has created a cast of characters that embody all aspects of human nature and are guaranteed to elicit an emotional response. Combined with the harsh reality of life during this dreadful period in history, Judith Barrow has written a compelling saga .
The book covers seven years in the lives of two young people who face moments of joy but also untold dangers, loss, and at times despair. Arthur at only 16 is thrown into the maelstrom of the first year of the war leaving behind Jessie, his first and only love, to face her own devastating life events on the home front.
Times were very hard and despite the progress made by the suffragette movement, for women it was even tougher. Despite some enlightened men, particularly in this small village, the pressure was applied forcing women into marriages doomed from the start.
I am not going to share any spoilers but I do recommend The Heart Stone as a wonderful story with well drawn characters which will certainly bring you to tears from time to time. The author deals with the heartbreak and trauma with great sensitivity but does not shy away from writing honestly. This includes a thread of hope running through the novel which leads to a fitting conclusion to the story.
As with all the books of Judith Barrow, I highly recommend The Heart Stone. It is a story that will linger in your mind for a long time to come.
Head over to buy the book: Amazon UK – And: Amazon US
Also by Judith Barrow
Read the reviews and buy the books:Amazon US – and: Amazon UK – Goodreads – blog: Judith Barrow – Twitter: @judithbarrow77
About Judith Barrow
Judith Barrow,originally from Saddleworth, a group of villages on the edge of the Pennines,has lived in Pembrokeshire, Wales, for forty years.
She has an MA in Creative Writing with the University of Wales Trinity St David’s College, Carmarthen. BA (Hons) in Literature with the Open University, a Diploma in Drama from Swansea University and She has had short stories, plays, reviews and articles, published throughout the British Isles and has won several poetry competitions..
She is a Creative Writing tutor for Pembrokeshire County Council and holds private one to one workshops on all genres.
Thanks for dropping by and I hope you have enjoyed my review for Judith’s book..Sally
What a wonderful review! This sounds like my cup of tea, Sally! Congrats to Judith!
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Isn’t it, Jan. Thank you so much for dropping by and commenting. x
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Thanks Jan a wonderful book and beautifully written..hugsx
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HI Sally, what a lovely review, and Judith’s book sounds like the most heartfelt story. Toni x
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Thanks Toni and it certainly pulls on the heartstrings..hugsx
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Thanks, Sally, xx
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It’s wonderful, having put my heart and soul into this book, when it’s described as a”heartfelt” story. Thank you, Toni.x
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❤️❤️
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I loved your review Sal. I’m only 30% into reading it now, but you’re spot. I too always enjoy Judith’s books. Congrats to Judith for high praise ❤ xx
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Thanks Debby…Judith will be delighted you are enjoying.. ♥♥
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I am, Sally – very much! x
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❤ ❤
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Thank you so much, Debby. Thrilled with Sally’s words. xx
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Well deserved Judith xox
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Sounds great! Good luck to Judith with her latest one.
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Thank you so much, Pete. x
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Thanks Pete.. lovely read..x
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It seems like this book is nothing short of emotions and struggles. Than you for your nonspoiler review, Sally.☺️
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Thanks Miriam.. a lovely read..hugsx
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Hi, Miriam, it was a difficult era to review, but one I wanted to write about as it wa a part of my grandad’s history.
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Wonderful review Sally. I have not read anything by Judith Barrow, but I love historical fiction, so it sounds like it is time to give one of her books a go.
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I can recommend them all Carla.. lovely books.x
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I hadn’t known the author, so thank you Sally for introducing her. Heading over to Amazon to take a peek. I mean what else can you do when you aren’t allowed to go anywhere?
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Thanks Barbara.. Judith has a lovely selection of books and you are so right.. what else can you do? x
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Thank you, Barbara. Just grateful for for you to checking out my writing. x
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I managed to grab a copy of this book now, Sally. Last time, for some reason, I wasn’t able to purchase the book. It sounds great.
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I am sure you will enjoy Robbie… really engaging characters. hugsxx
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Great review, Sally:) I added this to my TBR list!
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Fantastic thanks Denise..hugsx
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Thank you so much, Denise. x
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Lovely review Sally. Judith’s characters do linger in my thoughts. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks Balroop and yes Judith is masterful when it comes to creating characters that linger..hugsx
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Thank you purchasing The Heart Stone, Robbie. I do hope you enjoy the read. X
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What a lovely comment to make. Thank you, Balroop.
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Sounds like a lovely read, Sally. I like books that can raise a tear. 🙂 Congrats to Judith on the wonderful review and thanks for the recommendation. 🙂
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Thank you, Diana, I am so thrilled with Sally’s review. x
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♥
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Thank you for the review, on a very interesting book, Sally! Just some similarities in circumstances these days. Michael
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Thanks Michael.. some things have not changed.. still a lot of work to do..hugsx
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🙂
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Thank you, Michael..
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A great review of Judith´s latest book. Sounds amazing.
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Thank you, Darlene. Sally’s review has set me up for the weekend. x
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♥
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Thanks Darlene.. it is brilliant..hugsx
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Lovely review, Sally. Judith’s writing mever fails to move me and her characters are always wonderfully drawn. I was going to wait for the paperback to arrive but have given in to impatience and bought the Kindle version. xx
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Thanks Trish and I am sure you will love this book of Judith’s too… have a good weekend.. hugsxx
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Thank you so much,Trish. Your opinion always. I see Amazon is saying the paperback version is delayed for some reason. Honno tells me Hive are also selling THS. https://www.hive.co.uk/Product/Judith-Barrow/The-Heart-Stone/25440663 – but, if you’ve already bought the kindle version… Just don’t give yourself a migraine!
xx
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Sally, sometimes, when working for weeks and even months with draft after draft, I wonder if I’ll ever get a story that will resonate with a reader. You have lifted my spirits on this wet weekend, with your brilliant review. Thank you. xx
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Well deserved Judith and all your hard work and diligence shines through…hugsxx♥
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Reblogged this on Thorne Moore.
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Thank you,. Thorne. x
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Reblogged this on Judith Barrow and commented:
With Many thanks to Sally for this wonderful review of The Heart Stone.
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My pleasure Judith.. well deserved five stars.. hugsx
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