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The Castle in the Bay by Margaret Amatt #Review #BarraSeriesBook1

  We are travelling to the beautiful island of Barra for Margaret Amatt's new Barra Series, The Castle in the Bay. The first in this new series was published on 12th April by Leannan Press .   What if the castle has the key to mend their broken hearts? After a miserable few years, fun-loving Iona McKenzie tossed her corporate job to the wind, swore off long-term relationships, and escaped to the Hebridean island of Barra to teach water sports. Recently dumped by an ex who labelled him 'boring', Monty MacNeil is having a tough time. When he's tasked with carrying out his late father’s last request to scatter his ashes at Kisimul Castle – the famous castle in the bay – he doesn't expect his trip to Barra to begin by running smack bang into a feisty and gorgeous woman, knocking her off her bike, and almost dropping his father’s urn into the sea. Iona turns out to be the person he needs to take him over to the castle, but Monty soon sees another way she ca...
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Time Out by Emma Murray #Review


I am delighted to be taking part in the celebrations for Emma Murray's Time Out, especially on its Publication Day.
  
‘It’s just a phase,’ they said. ‘These are the happiest years of your life,’ they said…

Mother of one and professional writer Saoirse (pronounced Seersha, not Searcy – thanks a bunch Game of Thrones!) is still adjusting to the demands of motherhood, four years after the birth of her daughter, Anna.

Living in the claustrophobic London suburb of Woodvale, and being surrounded by passive-aggressive mum-wars, isn’t helping. Neither is her increasingly pent-up anger at her once-perfect husband. Her only comrade in arms, best friend Bea, is the one thing keeping her sane.

When Saoirse’s agent asks her to pitch for a book, she is horrified to discover the topic is motherhood. How can she possibly write a ‘warts and all’ account of being a mother without giving away what it’s really like?

Laugh-out-loud funny, painfully well-observed, but with an unmistakable warmth and unforgettable characters, this is the perfect antidote to all those parenting bibles that bear absolutely no relation to real life. The novel may or may not have been inspired by real life…


My Thoughts

This is a witty and amusing look at the life of a parent which had me smiling, especially the parts where Saoirse read the latest postings from the local Mum's social media group. The 'Organics' Mums' responses were priceless. Beneath the surface of the humour. there is an important message about meeting others with kindness and offering the hand of friendship to people who may be lonely and under pressure.

    Saoirse's relationship with her husband is under strain and although her husband, in her eyes, is full of irritating habits, it is interesting to hear her mother and Bea's take on him. You see that Saoirse's view of him may be a little unreliable. This is a fun read with a cast of slightly eccentric characters and some genuinely funny moments.

In short: A wry look at motherhood and marriage. 

About the Author 

Emma Murray is originally from Co. Dublin and moved to London in her early twenties. After a successful career as a ghostwriter, she felt it was high time she fulfilled her childhood dream to write fiction.

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Book link:  Amazon UK

Thanks to Emma Murray, Boldwood Books and Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources  for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.

Follow the rest of the tour!

 


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