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Once Upon a Thyme by Jane Lovering #Review

  It is a pleasure to feature Jane Lovering's  Once Upon a Thyme which was published by Boldwood Books on June 24th.   All her life, Natalie Fisher has been taught not to ask questions. Why risk uncovering uncomfortable truths, when you can stay in the safety of blissful denial? Since taking over the family herb farm, Natalie has stuck with what she knows, rarely venturing much further than the nearby village where her invalid mother now lives. But then, one day, everything changes with the arrival of unexpected visitors. First comes Zeb, employed by Natalie’s mother to help with the business but soon hinting at other motives. Then comes Simon with the famous band he manages, wanting to film in Natalie’s beautiful garden. The band causes chaos and the attitude of one particular member throws Natalie’s ordered life into confusion. Over one magical summer of revelations and of uncovering secrets, Natalie starts to blossom and by the time autumn arrives she knows n...
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On the Bright Side - The new Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen

Due to be published by Michael Joseph on January 11th 2018, On the Bright Side is a fictional diary  written under the pen name of Hendrik Groen. I am delighted to be taking part in the blog tour to celebrate its publication.

My Thoughts

 This is a humorous and entertaining look at the life of the elderly Hendrik Groen and his Old-But-Not-Dead club. You are treated to his observations of life inside and outside his care home. The follow -up to The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen, 831/4 Years Old, it picks up the story one year after the death of his friend, Eefje. Hendik's account lives up to the title with an optimistic and always amusing look at life. Exhorting us that the secret of aging is to always keep going, he warns that if you sit still and look out of the window, there you will stay!  His motto is to keep moving, both literally and figuratively, as he says, until you drop dead. I had to smile at the plan to take over the Resident's Committee by stealth and to pack it with his club members. The on-going campaign with The Director who often underestimated the old folk was a joy. Life and Death is viewed through the same practical lens- as Hendrik tells us, life doesn't come with training wheels. 

In short: heartwarming, thought provoking. 
About the Author

 Hendrik Groen started his diaries on the literary website of Torpedo Magazine. He says about his work: "There's not one sentence that's a lie, but not every word is true." His first diary, the international bestseller The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen, 831/4 Years Old has been translated into over thirty languages and is being adapted for television. His second diary went straight to number 1 in the Netherlands. He is currently working on a standalone novel.

About the Translator

Hester Velamns is the author of two popular children's novels and a translator specialising in modern fiction. Her translation of Renate Dorrenstein's A Heart of Stone won the Vondel Prize for translation and was Barnes and Noble Discover Great New Writer's selection. Her translation of  Lulu Wang's The Lily Theatre was a New York Times Notable Book of the Year.

Thanks to Sam Deacon of Penguin Random House for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.

Book Link: Amazon UK

Follow the rest of the Tour!

  
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