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Wartime Arrivals at Harbour House by Fenella J Miller #Review

  I am delighted to be on the tour to celebrate a new series by Fenella J Miller . Wartime Arrivals at Haebour House is the first in a historical fiction series which begins in July 1939, just before the outbreak of the Second World War. It was published by Boldwood Books on November 29th. London July 1939 Elizabeth Roby lives a content and privileged life in London with husband Jonathon and children, Emily and George. But with the outbreak of war, everything changes. Jonathon informs his family that they have to move from their smart London home to the riverside town of Wivenhoe and their new home Harbour House, where Jonathon will do his duty for his country as part of the Admiralty at the shipyards. But Elizabeth is devastated. How will she start a new life in a place she hardly knows, surrounded by strangers? And how will her children cope allowed to run wild in the countryside with urchins? Elizabeth is sure it will be a disaster! But with the threat of German bomb...

The Island of Dreams by Helen McGinn #Review #PublicationDay

 

It's Happy Publication Day to Helen McGinn for her latest novel, The Island of Dreams, published by Boldwood Books today. 


Martha is the youngest of three sisters and, in her mid-thirties, has the dubious honour of being the only one to call off a wedding at the last moment.

Now, feeling as if she’ll be single forever, and trying to keep her low opinion of her sister Iris’s fiancé to herself for risk of looking bitter, Martha needs a change of scene.

When she is given the opportunity of a holiday to Paxos it seems too good to turn down, though the idea of travelling alone is daunting. And when the trip to the Greek island gets complicated, Martha wonders if this has all been a mistake.

But soon the island and its residents start to work their magic on Martha, and when she meets single father Harry and his adorable son Milo, a new way of living is revealed in contrast with the drab routine of her life back home. How can Martha leave behind the warmth of the people, the freedom and the fun, not to mention Harry and Milo when it’s time for her to go home…

Let Helen McGinn magic you away to a world of sunshine and serenity, romance and relaxation. Perfect for fans of Erica James, Carol Kirkwood and Karen Swan.


 My Thoughts

What a gorgeous setting for this escapist novel. The Greek sun seems so appealing and the sea shimmers away. Martha needs this escape. Despite her close family ties, she has tried to avoid being in her childhood home with its memories of her ex- fiance and her sister's  wedding. You sense that Martha is ready for a change but not sure which direction to go in. She has tried to protect her heart and avoid amy entanglements. 

    The family who befriends Martha in Greece take her at face value and see such positives that she does not really see in herself. Her natural kindness draws people to her and she feels a sense of belonging in the community she meets. With a range of characters who add such colour to the story and strong central characters, this is an enjoyable read and perfect for holiday reading.

In short: escapist read

About the Author

Helen McGinn is a much-loved wine expert on TV and in print and an international wine judge. She spent ten years as a supermarket buyer sourcing wines around the world before setting up her award-winning blog (and now best-selling wine book) The Knackered Mother’s Wine Club. She is the drinks writer for the Daily Mail and regularly appears on TV’s Saturday Kitchen and This Morning. Helen lives in the New Forest.

You can follow Helen here: Facebook |  Twitter  |  Instagram

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 Book links

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

                                                         Check out the rest of the tour!

 


 

 

 


 


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