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Trying Times for the Mill Girls by Chrissie Walsh #Review #TheLockwoodInheritanceBook2

  West Yorkshire 1900-1918 Today we are going back to the early days of the twentieth century to see how life in Almondbury changes at this critical time.   Trying Times for the Mill Girls by Chrissie Walsh is published  today on December 5th by Boldwood Books .   You can read  my review of Book 1 in the Lockwood Inheritance series, A New Dawn for the Mill Girls   here   In changing times, even the strongest must fight to hold on... At the dawn of a new century, mill mistress Verity Hardcastle and her husband Oliver welcome their long-awaited twins: gentle, golden-hearted Briony and spirited, stormy Blaise. From the beginning, their children seem destined to pull in different directions—but the Hardcastles stand united, proud stewards of Lockwood Mill and its tight-knit community of hardworking girls. As the winds of change sweep through Yorkshire—from the rise of the suffragette movement to the shadow of war—the mill stands firm. ...

The Cat of Yule Cottage by Lili Hayward


    I decided to read The Cat of Yule Cottage in the run up to Christmas and as a seasonal holiday read, it hits the mark. However, it is more than a piece of romantic escapism. Jessamine Pike arrives at Enysyule having split from her boyfriend and had her book accepted by a publisher. She decides that her life needs an overhaul and takes on the tenancy of the house despite the rather odd stipulation that she should care for the incumbent cat, Perrin. Whilst the cat lives, her tenancy is safe. The house in run down and she soon realises that the locals in the Cornish village all have a view about her. Family rivalries and disagreements from years ago should have nothing to do with her but she is drawn into it all because of her strong feelings about the house and the rather aloof and arrogant cat. Beset by strange dreams, she soon realises that there is more to Enysyule than she had anticipated.

    I enjoyed the mix of Cornish magic and mystery which seemed to swirl through the story like the wintry weather that was enveloping the area. There was a good mix of characters, especially in the rival factions who live there. As Jess uncovers the secrets of the past, you feel the jeopardy she senses. Ultimately it is an uplifting yet surprising tale.

In short: a mixture of romance, magic and mystery - a great seasonal read.

Thanks to Hodder and Stoughton who sent me a copy of the book via Bookbridgr.

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