The Dare Club by Margaret K. Johnson

A group of newly singletons attend a course to help them deal with their relationship break-ups. Aleysha, Nick, Colette and Emma all met on the course and bond and decided to swap their broken hearts for brave hearts as  they set each other challenges to overcome their fears, by forming a dare club.

I really enjoyed getting to know all the characters in this book and learning about all their different background and individual stories that had resulted in them all ending up meeting at a crossroads in their lives, each character as their own issues to deal with and overcome. I also liked the way that new friendships were formed out of the difficult circumstances. It is a story of moving on.

The Forgotten Seamstress by Liz Trenow

The Forgotten Seamstress tells the story of Maria, who comes from humble beginnings to find herself working in Buckingham Palace as a seamstress, only to begin a passionate affair with the then Prince of Wales, Prince Edward but when she becomes pregnant she is put away in a mental asylum and when she recalls her story no one believes her and she is soon given the nick-name Queenie.

In the modern day Caroline becomes interested in a patchwork quilt she is given by her mother. The quilt belonged to her grandmother; Caroline becomes interested in finding out who made the quilt when she finds a unique Royal silk in it. Journalist Ben is on hand to help on what at times looks like an impossible and long search, not knowing that the Royal connection maybe closer than they think.

This is just one of those remarkable stories that have been perfectly put together with a good well thought out plot that does not disappoint the reader.  The sad fate and position Maria ends up in his heart breaking and although I did work out how the book would end this did not put me of reading the story to see if I was right! I would read more books by this author.