Smorgasbord Book Reviews – Round Up – August 2023 – #Hereafter #shortstories Ted Myers, #Dystopian #Thriller Terry Tyler, #Children’s Sue Wickstead, #Family #Romance Jan Baynham, #Crime #Australia Fiona Tarr

Another enjoyable reading month for me and I would like to reshare my recommendations.

My review for the book August 5th 2023

From the moment we are mature enough to understand the concept of life and death, we as humans know without any shadow of a doubt that one day we will die. What we believe comes after, is dependent on a number of factors, culture, belief systems, early indoctrination of one kind or another, our imaginations and fears.

The author takes what is an event we all expect, and explores the when, how and what comes next in a series of short stories and a novella in the second part of the book. The stories certainly challenge the accepted beliefs many of us have, but also reinforces other philosophies and their teachings, such as during Bardo Train to Canarsie when a Tibetan monk takes on a train deep beneath the streets of New York in the company of a jazz loving homeless man .

Not all the characters “go gentle into that good night” either by another’s hand or their own. Some find themselves on the other side by accident or as a result of their own unwise decisions. All however, find their expectations challenged, when they resurface in the hereafter. There is also an element of be careful what you wish for… and Shop Till You Drop is a cautionary tale for those of us who have filled our wardrobes and shoe racks to bursting at some point in our lives! 

The stories certainly do encourage some introspection about our own lives and if we might too end up in a dock awaiting judgement as potential plaintiffs from our lives share their grievances…with a few surprise revelations.

Overall the short stories and the intriguing novella at the end will both entertain and raise some interesting questions about what actually might be out there, such as should we be fearful or excited about the next adventure in our story. Recommended.

Read the reviews: Amazon US –  And: Amazon UK

My review for the book August 5th 2023

Having read Infected, the first book in this new series, I was keen to read the second.The author has created such a visual and compelling world, it is difficult not to be drawn into this horrific, but all too plausible outcome of a rampant and indiscriminate virus that destroys the parts of the brain controlling our innate humanity.

As well as catching up with the previous characters, we are introduced to new survivors around the country and islands as they struggle to find food, water and other essentials needed for any reasonable expectation of life. We also discover how those determined to take any opportunity that presents itself to take from others, using any means necessary, are succeeding in their efforts.

Those still trying to survive in smaller groups are coerced or charmed into joining larger more established and fortified communities, not always with the outcomes they expected. More young people are left to fend for themselves and without the guidance of parents and other close relatives, align themselves with those who show the most strength rather than humanity. The rules have changed, and abiding by the socially acceptable behaviours of before the outbreak, will not be enough to save your life.

It is as if humans have devolved thousands of years in the space of a few months and anyone clinging to their humanity get swept away by violence and depravity.

In the background remnants of government are forming plans for the future, but with those who crave power front and centre in the reorganisation, recovery for those unwilling to toe the line is in jeopardy.

Meanwhile, smaller and more inclusive groups begin to come together, with not just survival, but a return to civilisation at the heart of their communities. All they can do is face the future together however uncertain that might be.

I am looking forward to finding out how these characters will develop in the final book in this series, and know from past experience with this author’s work, there will be more surprises. Recommended.

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

My review for the book August 12th 2023

This is a wonderful compilation album of new rhymes and stories and reminders of some of the other many books Sue Wickstead has written for children, with buses being the main feature for most of them. There are also bears and stories about David who loves his bath and the weekly visit from the binmen

In this book, as with the others, the wonderful illustrations guide the reader from page to page with vibrant colours and little details that would require the reader and the child enjoying the story, to stop and chat about what they can see and imagine.

The rhymes themselves are easy to learn with a lyrical and musical flow that would also be easy for a child to remember and to learn.

Altogether this is a delightful book and my own regret is that I don’t have any grandchildren to pass this and the others along to. But it certainly brightened my day.

Highly recommended.

Head over to buy the book in Print and Kindle: Amazon UK –  And: Amazon US

My Review for the book August 19th 2023

Everything that you want in a romantic novel with wonderfully rounded characters, mystery, heartstopping moments and a journey of discovery.

I found this novel hard to put down once I had read the first few chapters. Written in the first part during WWII,  there is an authentic feel to the day to day life of a country at war but also with elements of the class system of the Victorian era.

Annie Beynon is a force to be reckoned with. Determined to fill a role looking after horses usually reserved for men, her beauty and lovely nature shine brightly throughout the book. Of course she was going to catch the eye of the dashing son of the owner of the estate, but he is not stereotypical either, as he doesn’t just see Annie’s beauty but her inner kindness and gentleness. He trusts her with his beloved horse and with his heart.

Wartime is not always kind to lovers, and as events play out over the next few months both Annie and Edmund will find themselves on very different paths, with danger and self-sacrifice ahead for them both.

The author has created two different settings for her story and both are believable and well researched. Wales and France maybe geographically and culturally very different but the people who inhabit them are not, willing to do anything they can to protect those they love.

Secrets are very hard to keep and two decades after the war, circumstance make it imperitive that they are revealed to prevent unscupulous men and women from taking advantage of then next generation.

This is a well written love story that I can highly recommend.

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

My review for the book August 26th 2023

I enjoyed the first book in the series Her Buried Bones and was not disappointed with this second book in the series.

The author has offered great continuity from the first book with characters developing and becoming more rounded and we get to know them better and some of their back stories.

Jenny Williams is getting quite a reputation for attracting murders in this allegedly quiet backwater as far as policing is concerned and this is reinforced with the discovery of the body of a young woman found by the roadside.

With the involvement of Penny the forensic scientist who flies in to examine the scene and the body, it becomes clear that assumptions made at the time may be far from the truth. Having tracked down her family in the US and with their arrival in Cooper Pedy, more questions than answers are raised.

Parallel to this new investigation is the ongoing search by Jenny for any clues to the disappearance of her aunt and cousin several years earlier, the reason she applied for the posting to the town.  Slowly secrets and clues are being revealed as her relationship with the enigmatic Nick moves into more romantic territory.

The story races to the tense stand off and the discovery of horrendous family secrets and leaving the reader teetering on the edge of a cliffhanger, eager for the next book in the series.

Head over to read the reviews: Amazon AU – Amazon US – Amazon UK

 

Thanks for dropping in today and I hope you will be leaving with some books.. Sally