Imogen Matthews
This novel takes you back in time to World War Two, in Holland, and is based on fact. You will find yourself in the village of Berkenhout, hidden deep inside the woods. Reading this narrative, with the hindsight of a 21st century reader, you fear for the people throughout the book. Turning each page with dread, you try to hope…
From the outset, Jewish people disappear in the Dutch village. There is ‘A windowless van parked up ahead, its back doors open and the German soldiers were shouting at the elderly couple to get in.’ Such occurrences become part of everyday life for a community that decides to ‘stand up’ and support their Jewish neighbours. It is an incredible story!
The community hide their Jewish neighbours in attics and summerhouses. Eventually, an entire village is constructed, in the woods, to protect these vulnerable people. It is intriguing to observe how a community work together. In turn, Matthews examines how the hidden villagers feel trapped. It is sad that ‘freedom seemed an impossible dream’ yet we know it is better than the fate of their counterparts outside of the village. How could they have realised the danger? The German occupation is an ever-present menace that pursues the characters. ‘All it took was a stray German to bump into’ one of children running through the woods with supplies. Will they be caught?
The pathways, the darkness and the sounds of the forest help to personify the menace that is present throughout the novel. Sofie observes that:
‘for now, the sun was shining and it filled her with the warmth she’d forgotten existed’
The woods that symbolised freedom and adventure for children become an uncertain place. As in a nightmare, the shadows of fear begin to dominate but will the monsters ever become real?
A society is developed with rules, regulations and leaders but there is tension. Matthews explores the pressures of a community within a community. She presents some very strong central characters who grow up in this unnatural world. It is heart-breaking to observe how the children lose their innocence. These children live with uncertainty and broken families – they have to find an inner strength. The community spirit is heartening yet wanes under the burden of war. Some of the younger characters rely on friendships to support them but they learn about cold, brutal betrayal.
This isn’t a fairy-tale in the woods and ‘you just have to keep hoping’. You won’t go hurtling from one resolution to another. You know that not all the characters will survive. But you will take a look at how brave, unselfish people can work together in the face of injustice and discrimination. Children will play a real game of cat and mouse, with the Germans, as they risk their lives to deliver food to hidden villagers.
The woods also conceal a village that provides sanctuary for lost souls. You will find Englishmen, Russians, a defective German, an American. World War Two was fought in villages by brave people. Sometimes these brave people feel the weight of responsibility; sometimes these people go missing and sometimes they return. The narrative successfully captures the world of chaos. There are raids by German soldiers and some news of the outside world but even this information is in the shadows. The reader is distanced, with the villagers, from the outside world but niggled by their twenty first century knowledge.
As more and more refugees arrive in the village to seek sanctuary, one cannot fail to see the parallel with the refugees in Europe. Matthews gives an insight into how desperate people are driven into circumstances. The author guides you towards the uncertain ending. Find out about Lisebeth, Sofie, Jan and Oscar as they ‘soundlessly’ creep through their adolescence, in a chaotic world. Get inside of the hidden village and find out more about the impact of the exceptional circumstances on the very real characters and dilemmas. The characters of this book will never leave your memory and it will make you reassess the terrors in our own world.
Please see all my reviews at Books in Handbag and my blog at jessiecahalin.com.
Place the 
house inside a Tudor mansion, add 
and shake up with 
’s attitude. Do you like the sound of this diva mayhem? Well tighten your seatbelt then prepare to meet Sofia, Blaire and Gilda.
. Do not, I repeat do not keep your feet firmly fixed on the ground. Indulge yourself in this bizarre world and enjoy! If you are a celebrity addict and reality TV junkie then you will soak up this insight. You might want to invite 
and do your research into the A-Z of the outlandish celebrity world. The behaviour goes from A for annoying to Z for zany. As I read the novel, I really wanted to believe that these outlandish people really exist. Is this what happens behind the glossy images in ‘Hello!’ ? 
But I received an education in opportunity through William’s eyes. It warmed my heart when William delighted in his full belly and compared Aunty Betsy’s Christmas feast to the meagre ‘turnip and potato soup’ that he was accustomed to.
One is shocked, educated and made to feel compassion like the central characters. I tasted ‘the grit and grime’ of the novel from the safety of my armchair, and felt the warmth of ‘the straightforward good folk with no pretentions or guile’. Yet, I did want to get on my soap box and rant on behalf of my ancestors who would have struggled as ‘wealth and poverty oozed through the smoke from the chimneys.’ I wanted to call on Sir Titus Salt for help!
Joyful Trouble
This charming story of a ‘fine dog’ is based on the true story of ‘Just Nuisance’ – a dog enlisted by the Royal Navy. Both the real and fictitious adventurers hail from Simon’s Town, in South Africa. But the spirit of the dog is brought to life by the author’s lively storytelling. I fell in love with the enthusiastic puppy and wanted to know how he got his name. I laughed out loud at the scene where the dog sat in the Commander in Chief’s chair. I applauded the dog when he received his seaman’s cap.
Patricia Furstenberg is presenting a guest post tomorrow and introducing her trio of new books: ‘
Patricia Furstenberg is the author of the Bestseller 
A black coach and horses arrived outside of the inn. Fortunately, there was step outside of the inn to allow me a little grace, as I entered the carriage. Alas, the handbag had not been invented. I kept my possessions in my pockets, stored my belongings in a bundle and held ‘
Sue Johnson, the author, was driving the coach and horses and I heard her call to the horse to commence the journey. We galloped at a pace through the Regency narrative; it was indeed thrilling as the characters veered of the track. Without a fortune to keep the characters on a steady road of wealth, I was in awe as they employed survival tactics of the highest order. Lucinda and Hannah, both strong and resourceful ladies, navigated their way through the perilous era – and what a brilliant journey. The ladies could not see me. I waited in the background, hoping for a twist in fate to keep them safe. Perhaps, I did help them along the way.
The shadow of the villain lurked, but ‘a hunger and cold gnawed his insides’, as he searched for his treasure – the lady with the ‘sapphire eyes’. Oh, how I feared for Lucinda. Despite her slight frame and pale countenance, Lucinda had the fire of the twenty first century woman. Indeed, ‘naked hostility’ shone in her ‘sapphire blue eyes’, and she recognised that her brother ‘had more choice in life’. Mentally stronger than her artist brother, John, Lucinda rejected ‘the devil on Longdon Hill’, and was not fooled when he ‘strutted out like a peacock’. Laughing at Lucinda’s perceptive, intelligent comments, I wanted to invite her into the twenty first century; but she could not see me.
I entered an inn to find ‘the air thick with the smell of smoke, old cooking and unwashed bodies. The smell was so over powering…’ But I did not dwell on the assault on my senses, as it was time to follow the pathway of the winding plot. I saw that ‘turmoil’ ‘twisted inside’ of Lucinda when faced with the devilish character. She was not hoodwinked by her suitor, and I knew I would witness the adventures of a thoroughly modern Regency lady. I returned hastily to the carriage each night to follow the plot, but drew the curtains on the ‘man on a black horse’ who was always clipping at Lucinda’s heels. I hoped Lucinda would be clever enough to outwit him, and see his ‘silhouette’ before he saw her. I pointed at a potential suitor, alas she could neither see me, nor hear my counsel.
Time for Honesty
Earlier in the day, we had strolled past the white Norwegian church in Cardiff Bay, and this reminded me of ‘
It was a pleasure to get to know Emmelin. She would be a loyal friend who needs a little support, and the occasional nudge in the right direction. Fortunately, her friends are always on hand with delicious vanilla custard bakes, custard doughnuts, cakes and cookies. Despite the troubled childhood in Solvik, it provides Emmelin with a haven from reality. Solvik is the ideal cosy retreat conjured while gazing into the flames of a cosy fire. Café Soleside would be my go to destination if I needed a culinary treat to soothe the senses. I would order smoked salmon and scrambled eggs baked with cream cheese and salad. Although the food is Norwegian, there is a familiarity with my own culture, and I loved this. It is also reassuring to be presented with a couple of villains who one hopes will also get their just desserts!
And there are some bitter twists in the novel to evoke your compassion for Emmelin. The narrative gains pace as it heads towards Christmas. I hoped there would be a comforting ending to compliment the ‘vanilla custard bakes with sugar glaze and coconut flakes.’ Or perhaps the bitterness of misunderstandings would be soaked up with the ‘creamy fish soup with seafood and newly baked rolls.’
I found a cosy setting for the Norwegian church as, ‘the ocean had frozen as I {she} gazed out at the white, untouched landscape. Little could compare with fallen snow.’ What a treat to find a charming Christmas tucked away in the corner of a sweet novel. If only, I could have skied over the Welsh mountains to meet Magda, Oliver, Emmelin and her first love. Instead, I decided to try some of the recipes at the end of the novel. Time to plan my New Year’s Eve menu, and Time to look forward to the year ahead.
Mette Barfelt is a Scandinavian author. After 16 years working for travel agents and airlines, she got a degree in Marketing, before she started writing books. Naturally, with her background in the travel industry, she has travelled extensively throughout the world and visited numerous countries. Her passion for travels and cruises has resulted in the non-fiction book “Alt du bør vite om cruise”, published by Aschehoug Publishing House in Norway.
The Little Theatre by the Sea 
Beneath the beguiling canvas of Deriu there are shadows lurking. Faye feels ‘a dark underbelly to this place’. Ley’s story explores the shadows and searches beneath the surface of the paradise. The Little Theatre is a symbol of: the town’s history, culture, the secrets and the way that the heart can wither if unloved.
The insight into Faye’s parents helps the reader to understand Faye. There is a clever juxtaposition of what seems to be the end of a relationship compared with a potential new relationship. Faye’s parents, Ade and Molly, both embark on an emotional journey. These characters provide some poignant reflections on love and marriage. Ade, who has been looking for adventure, realises ‘…it was the minutiae of life that kept couples together’. Ley’s exploration of the way a marriage can veer out of control is thought-provoking. Molly’s epiphany is beautifully washed away in a memorable scene. Rosanna Ley examines how honesty is key in any relationship be it an established relationship or a new one.
gypsy top, and up-do and red bandana.’
Polly is an endearing character full of humour, vulnerability, strength and determination. She is stranded on an emotional island, unable to commit, as her character has been shaped by her Bohemian mother turned celebrity chef. Polly delights in Bristol and is aware of how its maritime and smuggling past lurks in every corner. It is a delight to meet the pseudo pirate who hijacks Polly’s heart and keeps their love hidden inside a treasure chest. The reader waits for the love to be retrieved from the treasure chest. Dun tugs your heart, pulls at your emotions and tickles you with humour as you yearn for a happy ending. But the experienced reader is all too aware of ‘
The narrative resonates with the beats and rhythms of the colourful language but forget the scansion of traditional poetry: let the ebb and flow of life and love run its course. The story is packed full of delicious moments like one of Polly’s Jammie Dodgers. And if one steps back then there are also some contemporary issues. Read the story and find out how partners impact on friendships. Observe how a child impacts on the life of a free spirit. Explore the dynamics of a close female relationship when the friend is in a same sex partnership. Meet Polly’s adorable little girl who is the beating heart of the novel.
Besides the dream job, Fran is to live in a ‘heavenly’ fairy-tale cottage. Have I tempted you to read yet? As Fran says, ‘thank goodness for fate’ and I say let’s drink to the reassuring destiny of a romantic novel. But do all the roads lead to happiness?
Blow away the dust on Joshua’s books to reveal a ship. Can you see the ghost ship sailing in the distance and will this bring a bad omen? Dim the lights as the ghost ship gets closer. The characters present a tableau of the Victorian scenes. But what happened to the poor boy who was flogged? Can Eleanor’s investigation save the boy? Why does someone think that Eleanor is ‘going to kill him?’
I am getting carried away with this ‘detective lark’! Jan Ellis is so clever at writing the dialogue that I became completely absorbed and wanted to be amid the drama. Jan Ellis has skilfully woven the clues into the narrative. I envied Eleanor’s knowledge and read the book greedily in one sitting. I visited the bookshop, the fair and the parties so it was only right that I should be able to get involved in the investigation.
The people in Flora’s life construct the narrative threads. Although, surrounded by supportive friends and family, Flora is secretive. Friends and family love Flora and there are tender moments. For instance, the letter that Flora’s father writes to the unborn child is incredibly moving. Her mother’s silent support is beautiful while support from her friends evoke humour. The constant in the narrative is the developing relationship that Flora has with Little Bump. Flora’s experience of her difficult pregnancy and analysis of her relationships pull the reader into the story. Is Flora hiding something? Each time it seems as if a mystery has been solved, the narrative moves on. Initially, the mystery of the child’s father intrigues. The reader longs for a certain man to be the father, yet the undertones of something unsettling unnerves and nudges the reader.
‘It is all a cruel game, this life of mine, as I begin to lose track of what is real and what isn’t.’