The Wendy House by Pauline Barclay

The Wendy House is a compelling story that tells the touching story of the horrors of abuse and the deep emotional scars it leaves behind. The author writes and captures the true feelings and emotions of the trauma the victim is going through and how it effects the whole family dynamics, with the shock waves and secrets of the feelings of fear and repercussions of speaking up.

A very difficult and taboo subject to write about in a novel, some readers may find its content upsetting, but the author handles the difficult scenes in a gentle, honest and respectful way. The book really makes you become involved with the leading character, it is gripping and you want to reach in among the pages and offer help and understanding. 'Tell someone', you feel yourself saying. I have read all of author Pauline Barclay's books and they are all very good and excellent reads, but this is her best work to date. 

In the Cold Light of Day by Pauline Barclay

When Kitty met and married a much younger man Bertie Costain after a whirlwind romance, some would judge their union as rather convenient, after all Kitty was wealthy and independent in her own right, and what else could possibly attract a younger man to an older woman?

When Bertie begins to behave odd and different and distance towards Kitty after he had always displayed only kindness and affection. Bertie also seemed to be happy with the life they were making together. Kitty starts to feel their life unravelling and spiralling out of control.

What is going on? Is their luck about to run out?  Is Bertie prepared to put the love of his life at risk by taking a huge chance and not laying all his cards on the table and let Kitty know what is deepest darkest secret is?

This story had me gripped and intrigued from the very start. I was hanging on every word due to the excellent way the story is written it really pulls you in emotionally, and you feel like the story is so real that you are actually in the room with the characters, a silent and invisible observer of a compelling drama, watching all the event of the story unravel before your eyes, and powerless to reach out and stop what you know Bertie is heading for, as both the leading characters in this book are extremely likeable and I so willed on for this story to have a happy- ever after.

This is my first read of 2015 and it is going straight to the top of my top ten reads.  This is a remarkable book well worth reading. If your New Year resolution is to read, then this is a great book to get you back into books.

Storm Clouds Gathering by Pauline Barclay

Set in the north of England during the 1960’s. Storm Clouds Gathering tells the remarkable tale of three different characters.

Shirley Burton works at the local mill but finds herself in trouble when her marriage to Jimmy goes through a rough patch and she is drawn to bad boy Billy.

Kathleen Mitchell is happily married to Joe, and they have a young family, she is good friends with Shirley, they work together at the mill, and they enjoy nights out together at the Bingo.  Kathleen is lucky to have a win at the Bingo. But is her luck about to change?

Anne Simpson is a caring and good teacher who goes out of her way to help her young pupils.  Engaged to school master Paul Betham her future seems to be all planned out for her.  But will it be a happy ever after?

I have nothing but praise for author Pauline Barclay, who knows how to write wonderful and moving emotional stories.  The story really draws you in for the start, and the excellent way each chapter is written makes this a real page turner. This is a book you just cannot put down, and you will not be able to resist reading on to see what will happen.

To buy this book from Amazon UK click here

To buy this book from Amazon US click here

Sometimes it Happens by Pauline Barclay

Sometimes it Happens is set on location of the posh and luxurious millionaires resort of Villas Bonitas. The story is about a lovely character called Doreen Wilkinson who after a big lottery win is holidaying on the resort with her daughter Tricia. Doreen is a great character she is not from a privileged background and the win has changed her life. She is from the East end of London and all her dialogue is written out just how she would talk in a cockney type slang which brings her more to life and is quite funny at times.

This is a new start for Doreen, who in the past struggled for money and now she has it by the bucket load.  When she arrives at the Villas, she causes a stir because as some of the other guests might say she is from a different class from the people who would normally stay there. Some of the other guests are Jack and Sheila Hoskins. Sheila is a complete snob, who looks down her nose at Doreen and she could make things unpleasant for her during her stay. Jack her husband is not all that Sheila thinks him to be and is keeping secrets. Simon and his partner Chicky who work as barristers. Add to that the staff who take care of the running of the Villas and you have got a great mix of characters, each with their own secrets. When Pat Greenwood, Doreen’s ex shows up unexpectedly, is he all that he appears to be or is he just after Doreen’s money?

This is a fantastic funny read. The characters really come to life and the interaction they have with each other is well written and done with great humour. When we all go on holiday, you never know what kind of people you are going to meet and this is what the story is about, a group of people who have ended up staying at the same location. What is great about this story is, that it has a moral that no matter how much money people have that they can still be the worst mannered and have no respect for others and that it is important to respect everyone no matter what their background is. It is about the person that you are and how well you respect and treat other people.

Sometimes it Happens put me in the mood for a much needed holiday and when I go I hope I have packed a book that is as good as this one! A great holiday read or it will brighten up a rainy day stuck indoors.

For more information on books by Pauline Barclay visit her website http://bit.ly/9oABfC 

Satchfield Hall by Pauline Barclay

Henry Bryant-Smythe is the selfish Squire of Satchfield Hall who cares about no one but himself. When he learns that his daughter Celia is pregnant to her lover David Gillespie he thinks nothing of banishing his own daughter and manipulating circumstances to send David off to war and soon news arrives of David’s death. Celia’s baby is taken away from her at birth and given to a childless couple to raise as their own and they are not told the full truth about the baby’s background. The consequences of Henry’s actions affect the lives of many people. It destroys people’s lives and takes many years for it to be resolved. Celia never forgets about her baby she has carried and given birth to.  Will she be able to undo the web of deceit that her father as weaved and be able to reconnect with her baby?

Satchfield Hall is a family saga it is about power, love, lies and in the end revenge. It is a wonderfully well written story of a period drama. It’s a page turner of a book it really gets you involved in the story.  The characters are really well written you really detest Henry Bryant-Smythe and really hope he gets his comeuppance.

Pack this one for your hols perfect summer reading x

For more information on books by Pauline Barclay visit her website http://bit.ly/9oABfC 

Magnolia House by Pauline Barclay

Imagine having to put your house up for sale after living in it for five decades.

Imagine this was due to circumstances out of your control that were brought about by you through the making of a kind gesture.

This is the position Jane Leonard finds herself in after giving her son half of her house. Unaware that she would be forced to sell her home within twelve months.

Magnolia House is a wonderful written novel by Pauline Barclay. I could not put it down; it keeps you interested from beginning to end and takes you on an emotional journey that touches your heart with the sadness of grief, but also shares moments of humour that make you laugh out loud. The characters are very like able and easy to connect with throughout the journey through this book.

I would recommend reading this book and I very much look forward to reading more books by Pauline Barclay.

Magnolia House is available to buy on Amazon http://amzn.to/iwRnCy

For more information on books by Pauline Barclay visit her website http://bit.ly/9oABfC