Tag Archives: book recommendation

Diana’s February Book Review ~ The Orchid Hunter’s Daughter by Jane Anderson

I went to listen to the author Jane Anderson in Kirkcaldy, Waterstones, where I bought a signed copy of The Orchid Hunter’s Daughter. I enjoyed the talk, and was looking forward to reading it, mainly because I have visited both Innerpeffray Library and Drummond Castle, both inspiring places.

I much enjoyed the story of the Orchid Hunter’s Daughter, bringing in my love of plants and history too.

The novel had many a twist and turns, was well written, with descriptions transporting the reader to the fashions, echelons and occupations of society in the late 19th century. The relationships were colourful and poignant, encompassing love, betrayal, dangerous adventures, scandal and sensitivity.

A little more about the father’s adventures in South Africa, although more difficult to research, would have made the book perfect.

Nevertheless, it was well worth venturing out on a very wet and windy February night!

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Diana Jackson’s January Book Review ~ The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes

I was browsing in Kirkcaldy Waterstones, as I do whenever I’m in town, and the first thing that caught my eye about this book was the title. Evocative, don’t you think?

The second was the era of 1937, which I seem to be drawn to at the moment, and yet this was set mainly in a back and beyond place called ‘Balleyville’ in Kentucky. An English girl, who married a local mine owner’s son, moved there. Then she became involved as a horseback librarian, taking books to out of the way and often isolated homesteads, Intriguing, don’t you think?

I was soon absorbed into Alice Wright’s life, which soon became intolerable. What had she done to make such a huge step in her life?

I loved the unlikely friendships Jojo Moyes formed between these ladies and the men who supported them. There was conflict aplenty, and possible tragedy, but there was also love and laughter too.

A sign, for me, of a great book, is one that lives with me long after I have finished reading it. ‘The Giver of Stars’ will go on my bookshelf to be read again, maybe in a few years time. Another rare but great sign!

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Diana June Review ~ The Seven Sisters Series by Lucinda Riley

I am making no apologies for writing another review for this fantastic series, which kept me engrossed for several weeks.

I finished the last book ‘The Story of Pa Salt’ last week, which was completed by Lucinda Riley’s son after Lucinda sadly passed away. To be honest with you, although I could recommend some of the series as stand alone books (and I have, especially my favourite ‘The Moon Sister’!) I think the last two, ‘The Story of Pa Salt’ and ‘The Missing Sister’, would be quite difficult to read without the background of the other books, but otherwise I think they are a fantastic, ingenious series of books, and although the plot is complex, with many twists and turns, they kept me gripped right to the end.

I was spellbound, in a different world, and not just one setting but many varied settings from the Australian outback to the Highlands of Scotland, from the heat of Mexico to the outstanding beauty of an island on a lake in Switzerland, in London and New York too. Each adopted sister was very different. I love books which explore family history and each book in this series was unique in this too, as each sister tries to explore their past in order to connect with the present.

It must have been such a gifted writer to keep all the threads in mind consistently, and probably took the great skills of more than one editor to check it, cross referencing each book.

‘The Story of Pa Salt’ certainly brought all of these threads together, tying up loose ends and answering nagging doubts along the way. Extremely clever, but satisfying too!

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Filed under Book reading, Book reviews, Family History