The Empress of Australia by Harry Leslie Smith

It is now 1948 and Harry is beginning a new life out of the RAF and with new wife Friede, they move back to Halifax, and begin their married life back living with Harry’s mother.  Britain is left broken after the war; the future is looking dull and dark for the couple, with not many prospects on the horizon in Yorkshire, poverty and hardship is all that await them. Can Harry and Friede who survived a war, now survive the harsh and coldness of a life with nothing on the horizon?

This is the third in the series of the author Harry Leslie Smith’s memoirs, and having read the other two books in the series; I could not wait to read what would happen next in Harry’s life. There is something very special about reading a memoir, something that is so personal, and I would like to say a BIG thank you to Harry for taking the time on letting us all in and sharing his life with us, because for social history these books leave a legacy of learning for not only ourselves but for future generations too. We can learn what life was like and how it was lived. For me personally this is so much more interesting than reading a cold text book about events in general. I personally prefer real life accounts that I can connect with.

We should treasure accounts of history that are recorded down by people like Harry and written and recorded so well, the good and the bad that you can imagine being there and experience what it was like at the time, and leaves you wanting to find out what happens next, and I cannot wait to read more of Harry’s books.

Sweet Occasions by Linn B. Halton

Katie meets Adam when she kindly lets him dry off  from the rain in her bakery shop called Sweet Occasions, what follows is a touching story of two people who each have complications in their lives, and who occasionally meet in Katie’s shop and find friendship which over time turns to love. But with the timing never right these ‘Sweet Occasions’ may be all they are destined to have, unless fate and a Grandma’s love can give a helping hand before it is too late.

I have read nearly all of Linn B. Halton’s books so I was really looking forward to reading this book, I have found all her books to be remarkable reads and really interesting. This is a story that will not only touch your heart, but will melt your heart too. A warm and wonderful told story. The story line is original and fresh and will keep you guessing until the very end. sions by Linn B. Halton

Me & You by Claudia Carroll

When Angie is stood up by her best friend Kitty on her birthday, she knows there will be a good explanation, but when she gets in touch with Kitty’s boyfriend Simon it soon becomes apparent that Kitty has gone missing. So they begin to search to find out what has happened to her. Only to find that the Kitty they thought they knew and loved may not all she appeared to be.

This I have to say is one of the best books I have ever read. Claudia Carroll certainly knows how to write amazing stories.  This is one of those books that you just cannot put down.  It is a moving story of happily living in the moment and for it all to be taken from you in an instant when the past finally finds you.

I really liked all the characters in this book, and the way you almost thought you were going to predict what would happen, only for the storyline to go in another direction to what you are thinking.  The ending to this book is just wonderful too, so perfectly written.  This is going in my current top ten reads at number one.  From its cover on the outside to what is written on the inside, this is a beautiful book that is an exceptional read.

The Debt & the Doormat by Laura Barnard

When Poppy and best friend Jazz decide to swap lives. What follows is an epic story filled with a dizzy calamity of mishaps.

What was such a shame about this book is that in my copy it had sentences missing from the story, so it jumps a lot and you have to work out what is happening.  The book is not badly written it is written in an entertaining and lively way, and I did read the book the whole way through.  I just found the leading character not that likeable, she is very shallow and there are too much stereotyping of people which some readers may not like.  The leading character does not hold back and at some times is quite crude.  But at the end of the day she is just a character, and there are people like this in the world, so why shouldn’t an author use this type of person as a character in the book?  So that is what I was thinking when I was reading the story, but for me personally I like to connect with the characters and like the leading one, which sadly just did not happen for me with this book.

Three Little Birds by Carol E. Wyer

After a family tragedy life had almost come to stand still for almost forty year old Charlie Blundell. Charlie finds working as a presenter for her local hospital radio a comfort helping others. On a drunken night with friend Mercedes the pair comes up with an alternate Bucket List, A Carpe Diem list, with challenges set for each other to complete.

When the radio station desperately need funds raising or it risks having to shut down, Charlie’s challenges become sponsored and are picked by the radio listeners putting more pressure on Charlie to complete each task.  Charlie must leave her comfort zone behind, overcome her fears, and deal with a stalker ex-boyfriend to save the radio station.  Is she up for the challenge?

What I liked about this book is that it made me want to leap up of the sofa and get out and do something! This is a story of learning to live life to the full, about turning things around and changing things for the better. I like the way Carol turns what could have been such a sad story into such a positive and lively tale.

My Two Flags by Javier A. Robayo

Antonio Amaya moves from Ecuador to America, a dream his family have looked forward to. Aged just thirteen Antonio does not find the transition easy. In a new country and in a new school, he finds himself unable to fit in, due to language barriers, and prejudice. Antonio tries to fit in while going through the normal traits of being a teenager. A wonderful told story about what it is like to be different in a strange and new country, adjusting to a new world and adapting to the surroundings, about feeling out of place, not fitting in, overcoming bullying and prejudice, and learning a new language. Making friends and starting a new life.

I really felt for what Antonio was going through, and wanted to reach out and help. Also I learnt a lot from this book about what it is like to move to a different country when you do not speak the language, and now understand how difficult this can be. We have all had times in our lives were we have felt like outsiders and that we do not fit in, the awkwardness and loneliness of the situation is written beautifully by the author.