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The Cottage at the edge of the world by Jane Lovering #Review

  Some houses won’t let go of the past. Some people won’t, either… When single mum Libby is offered a life-changing sum of money to clear out an old cottage in the woods, she expects dust and decay. She doesn’t expect a house full of secrets, a room full of birds, and a woman who refuses to leave. The handsome but stressed architect who hired Libby is also a puzzle. Why can't Ross empty Elm Cottage himself? What can he possibly see in Libby, who has been burned by love and is wary of attachment? How can they persuade the mysterious but kindly Isobel to move on? As Libby is pulled into the cottage's story, she must face up to her own deepest fears. Can she help Isobel, fight the past that haunts her, and learn to open her own heart to love once more? Jane Lovering’s new novel is a delicious, romantic mystery where secrets, love and healing weave through every page.   My Thoughts The mystery at the centre of this story is quite intriguing. In fact, I should probably sa...
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A Heart Full Of Hope by Kay Seeley #Review #FitzroyHotel

 

We are transported to Edwardian England for the first in an historical fiction series, The Fitzroy Hotel by Kay Seeley. A Heart full of Hope  was published by Enterprise Books on June 1st. 

I also have a great giveaway to win a paperback copy of the book. Details on how to enter are at the foot of this post.


Is love an illusion? A heart-wrenching historical saga set against the background of two very different worlds in Edwardian London

When Charity Browne arrives at The Fitzroy Hotel on her way to a country house party, she knows there’s more to the invitation than a weekend of revelry. She’s old enough to be married and her family are hoping for a good match.

Sparks fly when she collides with dashing Jack Carter, the hotel housekeeper’s disreputable brother.

A visit to a home for waifs and strays makes Charity question her values. Her attempt to help a small, mute boy she sees there leads her to attractive and worthy Dr Adam Radcliffe. Together they uncover a web of deceit, betrayal and lies surrounding the boy’s family.

Fate unites Jack and Charity in a quest to save the boy from unimaginable evil.

Will Charity fall for Jack’s mesmerising charm, or will Adam’s selfless compassion capture her heart?

Packed with compelling twists and turns A Heart full of Hope is a perfect read for fans of Downton Abbey and Upstairs Downstairs.


 My Thoughts

I found this to be a promising start to a series, with the Fitzroy Hotel providing a great setting, full of potential for future stories. There are  plenty of period details. The working life of the staff in the hotel is glimpsed as events evolve. You are also shown how the lives of young women were centred around the need to make a suitable marriage and the class system dictated their choices. The lives of the less well off had fewer choices and little control.

    The story also looks at the plight of young orphans who are so at risk. The Church's involvement in providing a level of care is described, with good and bad motives illustrated. The romance at the centre of the story is slow burning and Charity finds that she has a difficult choice to make. I am hoping for more in the series . There is a certain pathos in knowing what will happen to the world in just a few short years.

In short: social issues, romance and plenty of period detail.

About the Author

Kay Seeley is a talented storyteller and bestselling author. Her short stories have been published in women’s magazines and short-listed in competitions. Her novels had been finalists in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. She lives in London and loves its history. Her stories are well researched, beautifully written with compelling characters where love triumphs over adversity.  Kay writes stories that will capture your heart and leave you wanting more. Often heart-wrenching but always satisfyingly uplifting, her books are perfect for fans of Anna Jacobs, Dilly Court and Josephine Cox. All her novels are available for Kindle, in paperback, audio and in Large Print.

Kay is a Member of The Alliance of Indie Authors and The Society of Women Writers and Journalists.

You can follow Kay here: website  |  Facebook  |  Instagram  |  X (Twitter)

Book links: Amazon UK |  Universal link

Thanks to Kay Seeley, Enterprise Books and Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for a copy of the book and a place on the tour. 

 


 Giveaway (UK only)


Giveaway to Win 3 x paperback copies of A Heart full of Hope by Kay Seeley (Open to UK only)

*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.


 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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