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The Cardinal by Alison Weir #Review #PublicationDay

Travel back to Tudor times. Alison Weir's historical novel. The Cardinal, centres on Cardinal Thomas Wolsey. It is published today by Headline Review on 22nd May.   AN EXTRAORDINARY RISE TO POWER. A TRAGIC FALL FROM GRACE. It begins with young Tom Wolsey, the bright and brilliant son of a Suffolk tradesman, sent to study at Oxford at just eleven years old. It ends with a disgraced cardinal, cast from the King's side and estranged from the woman he loves. The years in between tell the story of a scholar and a lover, a father and a priest. From the court of Henry VIII, Tom builds a powerful empire of church and state. At home in London, away from prying eyes, he finds joy in a secret second life. But when King Henry, his cherished friend, demands the ultimate sacrifice, what will Wolsey choose? Alison Weir's riveting new Tudor novel reveals the two lives of Cardinal Wolsey, a tale of power, passion and ambition. My Thoughts This is a deep dive into Thomas Wolsey...

A Scandinavian Summer by Helga Jensen #Review

 


I am delighted to be taking part in the celebrations for the publication of Helga Jensen's latest novel,A Scandinavian Summer. It was published on June 30th by Hera Books. 

 It's the right time for love, but is it the wrong place?

After the tragic, premature death of her husband Anthony, Martha has spent all her time focused on her teenage daughter Rosie in their small Welsh village.

But with Rosie leaving the nest, and Martha's own job on the line, it feels that life is passing her by.

Inspired by her love for Scandi-noir dramas, Martha impulsively books a trip to Denmark, determined to push herself out of her comfort zone - even if the thought terrifies her...

Her trip to the tiny island of Fano becomes something much more: in the form of handsome stranger, Lars. Can Martha find love under the Scandinavian skies... but more importantly, can she find herself?

A romantic, warm and uplifting read, guaranteed to leave you smiling. Fans of Jenny Colgan and Kathryn Freeman will adore this feelgood read!

My Thoughts

 This is such an enjoyable read. You cannot help but laugh with its main character, Martha and will her to see through a few people and make the right choices. There are some lovely moments with the characters who she works with in her library and her reactions to travelling abroad, alone, seem so credible. Family life certainly is a complication and although for most of the book, we do not meet her daughter, Rosie, you have to smile at the messages she sends her mother and the unrealistic view she seems to take of her Mum's life. 

    Lars is a super character with a certain charm and it seems, lashings of patience and kindness. I enjoyed the setting and the cottage Martha rents in Denmark sounds amazing. With engaging characters, a few surprises in the plot and many moments of fun and humour, I thoroughly enjoyed the read and can see that it would be an ideal holiday read. 


In short: quirky characters and much fun

 

 

About the Author

 

Helga Jensen is an award-winning British/Danish best-selling author and journalist. Her debut novel was a winning entry in the 2017 Montegrappa First Fiction competition at Dubai’s Emirates Literary Festival. Her debut was also a contender for the coveted 2021 Joan Hessayon Award for new writers. Helga’s second romantic comedy, A Scandinavian Summer, went straight to number one on the Amazon Kindle charts for Danish travel on its publication day. Helga holds a BA Hons in English Literature and Creative Writing, along with a Creative Writing MA from Bath Spa University. She is currently working on a PhD.

You can follow Helga here: Twitter  |  Instagram   |  Facebook 

Book links: Amazon UK   ||  Kobo  |  AppleHive

Thanks to Helga Jensen, Hera Books and Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for a copy of the book and a place on the tour. 

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