Tag Archives: Book Review

A House Divided An Easterleigh Hall Novel By Margaret Graham Review

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Margaret Graham a house divided book reviewI have read a lot of books by Margaret Graham and anyone who reads Frost regularly will know that I am a fan. They will also know that she is the contributing editor of this here magazine. In fact, it says so in the book. Which made me scream in joy when I saw it.

Anyway, back to the review. This novel is the third in the popular Easterleigh Hall series. I have loved all of them but I have to say that this one is my favourite. Margaret is a historian and her novels are always as education as they are entertaining. She weaves history and prose together in such a way it leaves you slightly breathless. I found it hard to put this fantastic book down and only did so when motherhood called. It has the great pacing that all good novels have. You can’t help but want to race to the end to find out what is going to happen next. Yes it is well written, but that is the least of it. This book is fascinating. I feel the cover lets it down as the interior is riveting and fun. You feel that you know the characters not just because you have read about them before, but because they are so brilliantly brought to life by Margaret’s words.

With no bias at all I can tell you that this is one of Margaret’s best books. High praise indeed considering her back catalogue. Watch out for our interview and day in the life with Margaret soon. Meanwhile buy this book.

 

19 May 2016| Arrow| Paperback| £5.99

 

1937

Evie and her family have struggle to keep Easterleigh Hall, now a hotel, running during the depression, and with war looming, she worries for the children, who have to find their way in a changing world.

Bridie is learning her trade at her mother Evie’s side, and is becoming a talented chef. Her cousin James has run away to fight in Spain, leaving the family devastated.

And Tim, the boy Bridie has always loved, shocks everyone by joining the Black Shirts and going to Germany, discovering too late that he’s playing a dangerous game.

Heartbroken at Tim’s defection, Bridie isn’t sure she can ever forgive him. But somehow these three must find a way to reconcile, because if war does come, they will need each other more than ever.

Margaret Graham has been writing for thirty years. Her first novel was published in 1986 and she is now working on her sixteenth. As a bestselling author her novels have been published in UK, Europe and the USA.

Margaret has written two plays, co-researched a television documentary – which grew out of Canopy of Silence, and has written numerous short stories and features. She is a writing tutor and speaker and has written regularly for Writers’ Forum. She also created and runs the Yeovil Literary Prize to raise funds for the creative arts of the Yeovil area. Now living near High Wycombe she is about to launch a flash fiction writing prize to raise funds for the rehabilitation of wounded troops.

For more information about Margaret Graham visit her website at www.margaret-graham.com

 

From Both Ends of the Stethoscope By Dr Kathleen Thompson Book Review

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From Both Ends Of The Stethoscope by Dr. Kathleen Thompson book review, health, breast cancer,I have to admit that I thought From Both Ends of the Stethoscope would be good. I also knew that it would educate me, but what I didn’t realise was that Dr Kathleen Thompson would make her book so entertaining and readable. The book is outstanding, an essential for anyone with breast cancer and their family. Dr Kathleen Thompson writes about her own experience in a graceful and poignant way while also giving you the inside track. You would only get this type of information from an insider and Dr Kathleen Thompson is an insider twice over; as a doctor and cancer survivor. I was incredibly impressed by her book. Her writing is so good she could write a novel.

Far from a fuddy medical book this guide takes you by the hand and tells you everything you need to know. It takes the process step-by-step, giving invaluable information at every point, all intertwined with Dr Kathleen Thompson’s fine prose on her own experience. I loved this book. Well done Dr Kathleen Thompson. Well done indeed.

Dr Kathleen Thompson is Frost’s medical expert but I promise you this has caused no bias for this review. This book is stunning and I am proud to have Dr Kathleen as one of our writers. The woman is an inspiration. You can send us any questions for her about any medical problem to frostmagazine@gmail.com or tweet us @Frostmag

Whilst dealing with her own breast cancer, Dr Kathleen Thompson recognised the desperate need for a ‘going through breast cancer’ guide. Her experiences make a fascinating story in themselves, and Kathleen uses them to guide the reader through diagnostic tests and treatment options, what to do when things go wrong, and when mistakes are made. All the while she explains what is happening and why. 
Recognising that anyone encountering cancer is in a state of shock, she delivers factual information intermingled with her own story, in an easily-digestible, and often amusing format. Each chapter ends with further information sources and a summary. 
Kathleen looks back on her cancer journey with honesty, humour and compassion, and with the benefit of her medical understanding and knowledge of the system.  
Later in the book she also explains medical research and how to assess the credibility of the numerous cancer treatment claims, and what we can all do to protect ourselves from cancer.

 

Read an excerpt from From Both Ends of the Stethoscope here.

Both Ends of the Stethoscope by Dr Kathleen Thompson

Paperback ISBN: 978-0-9935083-0-1

E book ISBN: 978-0-9935083-1-8

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q

 

 

Under Italian Skies By Nicky Pellegrino Reviewed By Frances Colville

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Under Italian Skies By Nicky Pellegrino Reviewed By Frances Colville

Frost writer Jan Speedie reviewed Under Italian Skies, now Frances Colville giver her opinion.

Stella, in her 40s, divorced, no children, loses a friend and a job she loved, and decides to embark on an adult gap year beginning with a house swap from her London flat to a beautiful old villa in southern Italy.   As she settles into her new life, makes new friends, explores new ideas and falls in love with Italy, she maintains an email exchange with the owner of the Italian villa, builds an idea in her mind of what he is like and wonders if she will ever meet him in person.  And of course if she does, will the reality live up to the image she has created of him in her head?

 

That Nicky Pellegrino knows Italy well and is passionate about the country and the people who live there is obvious on every page of this book.  The story flows, the characters are easy to identify with and the descriptions of lifestyle and food just make the reader want to be there, living the dream.  The sort of book that you can read purely for pleasure, Under Italian Skies is perfect for taking on a summer holiday – or for that matter enjoying with a glass of wine and a box of chocolates on a cold winter’s evening.  Either way you won’t be able to help feeling warm and happy

 

Under Italian Skies is published by Orion Books and is now available in paperback £12.99 and as an Ebook at £6.99

 

 

The Passenger by Lisa Lutz Reviewed by Margaret Graham

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The Passenger by Lisa Lutz Reviewed by Margaret Graham

This is the road trip to beat all road trips…

 

Lisa Lutz, the New York Times bestselling author of the Spellman Files, has written, in The Passenger, a thriller about murder, secrets and increasing desperation as Tanya flees the scene of her dead husband’s accident.

 

But is she Tanya, and is his death an accident? Such are the questions that slowly, and irrevocably are answered as the novel proceeds and the miles unfold. Tanya, or is it Debra, and what about Sonia, drives from danger,  but is it to safety? Nah, nothing so easy. She reaches a temporary sanctuary each time, and huddles beneath its roof, and the umbrella of another new identity but that’s as far as it goes.

 

The miles seem to put no distance between her and the past, but instead, through numerous encounters carefully managed by Lutz, she edges towards home, and a startling denouement, for her, and for us.

 

The Passenger shows the loneliness of the ‘long distance driver’, someone who has left a life, and all ties behind, who does not even own her own name. It reveals the depths of fear, pain and desperation of someone wanting, or needing, to disappear.

 

Written with verve, plot twists, and cleanly etched characters, but does it work?

 

On the whole, yes though I found I was hoping about halfway through that things would start coming together more quickly than they actually were. But this could have been me. I’m getting picky in my old age.

 

The layer upon layer of revelation, and consequences built the tension as I left the slight sag behind and soon I was hanging on for grim death as we roared, with a g force I admired, round hair pin bends of revelation towards the finishing line.

 

Should you read it? Yep, and prove me wrong about the sag and anyway, I really enjoyed it.  It was thought provoking.

 

The Passenger    Liza Lutz   Titan Books. Paperback and ebook

 

 

Under Italian Skies by Nicky Pellegrino Reviewed by Jan Speedie

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Under Italian Skies by Nicky Pellegrino, reviewed by Jan Speedie

It’s that time of year when thoughts turn to summer holidays. Nicky Pellegrino novel, Under Itlaian Skies y will surely put Southern Italy on your list of places to visit. Relax and let Nicky transport you there.
For the past 25 years Stella has worked for Milly Munro in her fashion business. Milly’s untimely death throws Stella’s well controlled life into confusion. At 49, Stella wonders what her future holds.
Following a chat with her friend, Birdie, Stella investigates the idea of a house swap to bring some changes to her life. Soon she swaps her small London flat for a beautiful old villa in Southern Italy (who wouldn’t).
At first it is very strange and a little lonely but as her confidence grows she makes friends in the village and so the fun begins.
Nicky Pellegrino has once again written a delightful, sensitive and fun story. It is clear she has a real love for Italy, so join her in her passion, immerse yourself in Italian village life.
Nicky Pellegrino now lives and works as a freelance journalist in New Zealand. She was born and brought up in Liverpool. Her father was Italian and they spent all their family holidays visiting Southern Italy. Her books are distributed in the UK, Australia and New Zealand and have been translated into 12 languages.

Published by Orion Publishing Group on 14th April 2016 at £12.99

 

 

Stop Talking Start Doing Action Book By Sháá Wasmund MBE Book Review

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Stop Talking Start Doing Action Book By Sháá Wasmund MBE Book Review

In 2013 I very briefly met Sháá at a How to Create A Non-Fiction Bestseller seminar at RADA. Sháá was great during the seminar, giving lots of advice and getting good answers out of the publishers who were there. Despite everyone in the room wanting to talk to Sháá she took some time out to acknowledge me. I always remembered her courteousness and generosity. She has charisma and talent in spades. When I got the press release for her new book I jumped at the chance to do a review.

This book works for a number of reasons: it can be read in one sitting (as I did), it has practical tools and exercises to do throughout the book, it has inspiring quotes, and the book is well structured. It allows you to take one step and then another. By the end, who knows what you will have achieved? The book gives you a kick in the pants while removing all of the excuses you make to yourself. It also takes advice from other self help writers and either expands on them or uses them to make a point. All in all this is a great inspirational book which helps you get your butt into gear. I wasn’t disappointed.

Stop Talking, Start Doing Action Book: Practical Tools and Exercises to Give You a Kick in the Pants is available here.

 

Stop Talking, Start Doing Action Book

Practical tools and exercises to give you a kick in the pants

 By Sháá Wasmund MBE

Published by Capstone.

Paperback original and e-book, £9.99

ISBN: 9780857086860

New book shows how to apply an entrepreneurial spirit to life

The Stop Talking, Start Doing Action Book is a motivational kick in the pants for anyone who has an itch to try something new or feels that there must be more to life. Encouraging people to face their fears, it helps readers identify their personal starting point and develop a plan to reach their goals.

Stop Talking, Start Doing Action Book is written by bestselling author and leading businesswoman, Sháá Wasmund. Awarded an MBE in 2015 for her services to business and enterprise, she helps readers apply an entrepreneurial spirit to achieve more and gain greater fulfilment from life.

Whether readers want to ditch their partner, seek a promotion, renovate their house, write a book, or start travelling, the Action Book demonstrates how to find the inspiration, self-discipline and confidence to move from talking to doing.

“As time roars past our ears we drift, deliberate, doubt and take ourselves too seriously” says Shaa. “But there’s never been a better time to start something. Now more than ever we live in a world of opportunity.”

A follow-up to the bestselling Stop Talking Start Doing (Wiley, 2011), the Action Book includes new tools and exercises to support readers who want to put their ideas into motion.

 

About the author:

Sháá Wasmund is a graduate of The London School of Economics. Her entrepreneurial career had an unusual start. At 22 she won a competition to interview Super Middleweight boxing champ Chris Eubank and ended up helping to promote his next fight to a sell-out 48,000 live crowd and an 18 million TV audience. Sháá remains an ardent boxing fan.

Shortly after she set up her own PR and marketing company and won the then relatively unknown vacuum cleaner company Dyson as one of her first clients. Working alongside Sir James Dyson helping to establish Dyson as a global brand taught Sháá more about business than any MBA. To this day, Sháá credits James as being one her biggest sources of inspiration.

Sháá’s love affair with the Internet began after she became a founding director in Sir Bob Geldof’s online travel company. A year later, Sháá raised substantial funds to launch mykindaplace.com an early social networking site. The company was later sold to BSkyB.

Sháá is an international bestselling author, prolific public speaker, digital native and passionate champion of small businesses. Amongst other accolades, Sháá has been voted by the Institute of Directors as one of the UK’s Most Connected Women.

In 2009 Sháá launched Smarta.com, the UK’s #1 Resource for Small Business. In 2011 Sháá launched ‘Smarta Business Builder’, a groundbreaking cloud-based toolkit for business.

In 2015, Sháá was presented with an MBE from the Queen for her ‘services to business and enterprise’ and published her second #1 bestseller Do Less, Get More: How To Work Smart and Live Life Your Way.

Sháá now runs business bootcamps, workshops and coaching programmes under her own brand, shaa.com. She has helped thousands of people monitize their passions and knowledge to build digital businesses they love.

She’s a regular guest on Sky Sunrise, reviewing the papers with Eamonn Holmes and now speaks on stages across the world, most recently sharing stages with Gary Veynerchuck and E-Myth legend Michael Gerber.

 

Follow Sháá: @Shaawasmund

Facebook: facebook.com/shaawasmund

 

 

The Daughter’s Secret by Eva Holland Reviewed by Frances Colville

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The Daughter's Secret by Eva Holland Reviewed by Frances ColvilleSurely a scenario which all mothers dread, the abduction of a child is the focus of this first novel by Eva Holland which won the 2014 Good Housekeeping novel competition.  It’s an intriguing and emotional read, telling the story of Rosalind as she struggles to cope with the imminent release from prison of her teenage daughter’s abductor.  Flashbacks to the time of the abduction six years earlier are skillfully interwoven with her current life and the reader soon becomes aware that both situations are far more complicated than they initially seem.  Eva Holland is spot on with her characterisation and successfully maintains tension throughout.  There are one or two annoyances (is so much snow realistic in Milton Keynes in late November/early December and in any case is it really necessary for the plot to work?) but they do not detract from the fact that this is a good story worth the read.

 

The Daughter’s Secret by Eva Holland is published in paperback and as an eBook.

 

 

The Mother by Yvvette Edwards Reviewed by Frances Colville

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The Mother by Yvvette Edwards Reviewed by Frances ColvilleThe Mother is Yvvette Edwards’ second novel.  Her first, A Cupboard Full of Coats, was longlisted for the Man Booker prize and shortlisted for the Commonwealth Book Prize.  So I began reading The Mother with high expectations, and I wasn’t disappointed.

 

The story opens on the first day of the trial of Ryan’s alleged killer and is told through the eyes of Marcia, mother of Ryan who, aged 16, was stabbed to death.  How would you feel if you had failed to keep your beloved and only child safe?  How could you ever come to terms with the knowledge that you would never see him again, and that he had missed out on a full, long and happy life?  And how do you deal with the guilt?  In fact, as Marcia says – “as a parent of a child who has been violently killed, is it possible, ever, to completely absolve yourself of blame?”

 

Yvvette Edwards writes so compellingly and so fluently that it’s hard to put this book down.  And it’s the sort of book which will stick in your mind long after you have finished it, especially if you are a parent.

 

The Mother is published by Mantle in hardback and eBook