Buried Treasure by @GilliAllan - #Review - So good I read it twice!

Gilli Allan is one of the most accomplished British storytellers I've come across in recent years, so it's always a great pleasure to read a new story from her.  Here is my review of her  fab new book, BURIED TREASURE, as published on Amazon and Goodreads.

I was delighted to receive an early copy of Gilli Allan’s latest story, since I have read her other books and have the highest regard for this talented author.  The title intrigued me from the outset; who hasn’t at some time in their life dreamed of finding buried treasure?  I know I have, and found this treasure of a story deeply satisfying.

The story concerns two very different people, and two diverse ‘treasure’ hunts.  For university lecturer Theo, his quest relates to evidence he needs to find of an ancient pilgrim route on the site of a proposed new supermarket near his university campus, in order to prevent its construction on a possibly sacred site.  Events and conference planner Jane’s treasure is much closer to home.  Her great uncle Alf uncovered the haul while ploughing one of his fields with his son during World War II.  Sadly, the find was confiscated by the government and placed in the British Museum without recompense, but, according to family rumour, one special artefact was missed, and subsequently secreted away.  In the fullness of time, Jane will inherit this, and her curiosity about it is as immense as the moral dilemma it will create if and when it comes into her possession. 

You might expect this common ground between the two would lay the groundwork for a promising relationship, but nothing could be further from the truth.  Jane sees Theo as an ‘upper class fogey’, a ‘brain on legs’, while a typical ‘Essex girl’ is at the forefront of Theo’s mind whenever he considers Jane.  But there is a far more powerful area of common ground between them, if only each could break down the barriers to discover it.  Both characters have been damaged by their pasts, far more so than each realises. 

This richly-drawn pair drive the action of the story and I would defy any reader not to empathise with them and become engrossed in their personal histories.  There are several other colourful supporting characters, all adding depth and interest as well as helping to reveal more about these two, but it is Jane and Theo who will stay in your mind long after you’ve finished reading.

I don’t want to give away too much of the story because you owe yourself the pleasure of reading this and discovering it for yourself.  And I promise you will not be disappointed.  It is a very satisfying romance, to be sure, but as always with Gilli Allan’s stories, BURIED TREASURE is about so much more than the relationship between two people.  Parental relationships, sibling, marital, workplace and that all-important relationship with oneself all come under compelling scrutiny.  The writing is intelligent and honest, and made all the more interesting by the author’s knowledge and evident love of archaeology, which gives the story that extra credibility.  I wholeheartedly recommend BURIED TREASURE as a must-read this summer.

Time to roll out my cute cats, and there is no doubt in my mind about how many this story deserves:

Well done, Gilli Allan.

About the author:

Gilli Allan began to write in childhood - a hobby pursued throughout her teenage. Writing was only

abandoned when she left home, and real life supplanted the fiction.

After a few false starts she worked longest and most happily as a commercial artist, and only began writing again when she became a mother. 

Living in Gloucestershire with her husband Geoff, Gilli is still a keen artist. She draws and paints and has now moved into book illustration.

She is published by Accent Press and each of her books, TORN, LIFE CLASS and FLY or FALL has won a ‘Chill with a Book’ award.

Following in the family tradition, her son, historian Thomas Williams, is also a writer. His most recent work, published by William Collins, is ‘Viking Britain’.

Fly or Fall by @Gilliallan - My review

I can see from my stats that over 900 of you looked in during the past week, which was given over to celebrating the Accent Press release of Gilli Allan's excellent novel Fly or Fall.  This is one of the best stories I've read in recent months, so here's what I thought of it:

I was delighted to receive a review copy of Fly or Fall, since I have thoroughly enjoyed previous titles from this author, whose writing style is a little reminiscent of the excellent Deborah Moggach.  What an engrossing story this is - Gilli Allan just gets better and better in my opinion.

The story concerns the quiet and self-effacing Eleanor, as she journeys through a traumatic period of her life.  Having become a teenage wife and mother, all she has known is devotion to her own invalid mother, her children and her husband.  Her 13 year old twins sometimes seem to be more worldly-wise than her.  She's suppressed her own needs and desires so completely that she seems almost without personality.  As such, she is quite difficult to relate to intimately and the reader has to get to know her in the same way as the other characters.  Nevertheless, it's impossible to dislike her.  Like all Allan's characters, Eleanor is complex and real.

 

Eleanor's husband, Trevor is a rather devious, self-serving man; I suspected and disliked him from the outset and at no time did he redeem himself.  Yet he was no less real - in fact I felt I knew him all too well!  Having sold Eleanor's family home in Battersea for a substantial price, Trevor moves his

family to the country to enjoy 'clean air, green fields, a house with a proper garden and a driveway'. Trevor selfishly pursues his new career and indulgences, while Eleanor tries to fit in with her sophisticated neighbours and sort out the marathon renovations of the new house.  Enter Patrick, the builder, a likeable rogue, whose constant harmless lies make him enigmatic and fascinating and who extends a warm hand of friendship to Eleanor, helping her through her most difficult times.

The village of Downland is peopled with interesting characters, Katherine, Felicity, Elizabeth and their husbands as well as Patrick and the even more mysterious David, to whom Eleanor is secretly drawn.  But no one in Downland is quite what they seem, as Eleanor has to discover in often painful ways.  This includes her own family and most of all, herself.

 

Ms Allan writes about seemingly ordinary people in ordinary settings, but, of course, neither is ordinary.  The characters are richly drawn in all their complexities, yet grittily realistic and engaging.  The settings are carefully painted with the reverence of an artist who has a deep affinity with the countryside. 

The story is compellingly told with a well-sustained narrative flow.  I found it deeply engrossing and sat up late into the night more than once, unable to put it down.  It gathers momentum, like a snowball rolling downhill, hurtling towards its dramatic conclusion.  I look forward to reading more from this talented writer.  Undoubtedly she deserves all five cute cats!

About Gilli Allan

Gilli Allan started to write in childhood, a hobby only abandoned when real life supplanted the fiction. Gilli didn’t go to Oxford or Cambridge but, after just enough exam passes to squeak in, she attended Croydon Art College.

She didn’t work on any of the broadsheets, in publishing or television. Instead she was a shop assistant, a beauty consultant and a barmaid before landing her dream job as an illustrator in advertising. It was only when she was at home with her young son that Gilli began writing seriously. Her first two novels were quickly published, but when her publisher ceased to trade, Gilli went independent.

Over the years, Gilli has been a school governor, a contributor to local newspapers, and a driving force behind the community shop in her Gloucestershire village.  Still a keen artist, she designs Christmas cards and has begun book illustration. Gilli is particularly delighted to have recently gained a new mainstream publisher - Accent Press. FLY OR FALL is the second book to be published in the three book deal.

Fly or Fall - The Blurb:

Wife and mother, Nell, fears change, but it is forced upon her by her manipulative husband, Trevor. Finding herself in a new world of flirtation and casual infidelity, her principles are undermined and she’s tempted. Should she emulate the behaviour of her new friends or stick with the safe and familiar?

But everything Nell has accepted at face value has a dark side.  Everyone - even her nearest and dearest - has been lying. She’s even deceived herself. The presentiment of disaster, first felt as a tremor at the start of the story, rumbles into a full blown earthquake. When the dust settles, nothing is as it previously seemed. And when an unlikely love blossoms from the wreckage of her life, she believes it is doomed.

The future, for the woman who feared change, is irrevocably altered. But has she been broken, or has she transformed herself?

You can purchase Fly or Fall by clicking here

Or connect with Gilli here: 

Twitter

Facebook

Gilli's blog 

New York Dolls by Catherine L. Hensley - #bookreview

We all enjoy a good chick lit, so I was delighted to receive a review copy of New York Dolls to read and review recently.  Here's what I thought:

“Never insert yourself into a story. If you do, you have to get yourself out of it, neat and tidy. It can never be about you.”  That was supposed to be the first lesson Denton Hodges learned when she went to work for Glitter Magazine.  Unfortunately she evidently failed that class, because inserting herself up to her eyeballs is exactly what Denton does on her first real assignment.  How she extricates herself from it is what makes compelling and entertaining reading in this chick lit adventure.

At first I was reminded slightly of Wishful Thinking - with Chris (Hollywood superstar) and Amber, the off-the-wall press-darling who exerts a mysterious hold over him, as well as a heroine working in publishing.  It's also reminiscent of The Devil Wears Prada, but I'm happy to say it's very much its own story - and a truly engaging one too.  The writing is a cut above what you usually find in the chick lit genre and the author draws you in very quickly and holds you transfixed throughout.

Some of the characters are beautifully drawn.  It's impossible to dislike Amber for all her neediness and lack of consideration.  She has a vulnerable, childlike quality you have to love and want to protect.  She certainly steals the show for me.  There are some other delightful characters, too, including Liz, Denton's mentor at Glitter; the fatherly chauffeur/bodyguard Mr John, and Raymond, the chef at Mamie's Bake Shop.  Less likeable, in my opinion (though it's not easy to pinpoint why), is the gorgeous hero Chris West.  He's a truly nice guy with a caring, protective nature, but remains a little too distant and secretive and, well…perfect, to allow us to get to know him too well.  I suppose that's what super-stardom does to some people.

The New York setting is so powerfully drawn, it's almost like another character and really brings the story alive.  Coming from the UK and never having been to NYC, this is exactly as I would imagine it; how it is portrayed in the most memorable movies. Catherine Hensley's skill with her descriptions is what lifts New York Dolls above average and makes it a visual and memorable story.  I liked the twist at the end, but confess I anticipated it about half-way through.  Nonetheless, it was executed well and provided a satisfying conclusion.

For me New York Dolls was a rewarding piece of escapism and for a début novel (which I assume this is) shows enormous promise.  I would happily read more from this talented author and award her all five cute cats for this story.

About Catherine L. Hensley

Catherine L. Hensley is a professional freelance editor and writer. From fiction and nonfiction manuscripts to academic pieces, she provides an extensive range of copyediting, proofreading, content editing, and writing services to a wide variety of clients located around the United States and abroad.

A native of south Louisiana, Catherine received her master of arts degree in creative writing and media studies from New York University and her bachelor of arts degree in English from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, with minors in history and mass communication. Her writing has appeared in The Advocate (Louisiana’s largest newspaper), OT Practice magazine, Quiet Mountain: New Feminist Essays, and Mused, the BellaOnline Literary Review. For more, visit www.catherinehensley.com.

Wednesday's Writer Shout Out - Sharleen Scott

This week's guest author is Sharleen Scott who says her first five star review of her contemporary romance/mystery, Caught in Cross Seas gave her a warm fuzzy feeling.  I'm sure reader/reviewer, Sharon will be delighted to know she can expect the sequel in October.  Here's what Sharon had to say:

A perfect summer read. What a delightful read this was! You will get drawn in to this story, and end wishing for a sequel! I am waiting for another book from you Sharleen Scott!

Short and to the point, but sometimes they're the best.  It certainly sparked my interest.

Here's the blurb for Caught in Cross Seas (an intriguing title, don't you think?):

It’s summer in the tranquil coastal town of Angel Beach, Oregon, but not everyone is enjoying the surf. Harlie Cates is caught in a sea of catastrophes. One of her homeless charges has died, her food bank may be forced to shut down, a reporter suspects she’s the missing ex-wife of a wealthy philanthropist, and her gorgeous new neighbor is threatening to have her arrested for stalking him. One more problem and she’s going under for the last time. 
Country music superstar Clay Masterson isn’t interested in dipping his toes in the cool Pacific. He’s on the trail of his supposedly dead father, who is wanted for murder in Montana, and the grapevine says he’ll find him in the vicinity of Angel Beach. For a guy with a famous face, hunting on his own isn’t easy. When he discovers Harlie isn’t a stalker, he enlists her in the search and soon finds his heart making discoveries of its own. 
The current shifts when details in a local murder match the Montana murder case. There’s no sign of dear ol’ dad and Clay is beginning to look like a suspect. Harlie knows the truth, but a promise has her struggling to stay silent. Whether she talks or not, someone will be sacrificed, and it may be Harlie who is in the most danger of all.

About the author:

Sharleen Scott writes contemporary romance/mystery/suspense and women’s fiction. Her debut novel, Caught in Cross Seas, was published in May 2014. Caught in the Spin, the second book in the series, is scheduled for release in the fall. Sharleen is a member of Romance Writers of America and Indie Romance Ink. Her former career as a travel agent introduced her to fascinating and romantic locales she could draw on for her books. 
Her present position as a rural mail carrier keeps her firmly planted in reality, a situation her imagination does its best to thwart. Sharleen lives in the beautiful state of Washington with her husband, Brett, and their two college kids. 

Wednesday's Writer Shout Out - Author P J Sharon's Top #Review

It's not surprising that author P J Sharon's heart was touched by this excellent five star review for her young-adult novel, Pieces of Love that appeared on Amazon last month. The reader/reviewer, Kirstin Harnedy, called it "An engrossing, heartfelt novel that offers readers a perfect vacation." 

This amazing story captivated me from the first page and I couldn't put it down. Genuine and heartfelt, it's an amazing journey that's the perfect blend of growth, love and humor set against the incredible backdrops encountered on Lexi's Mediterranean cruise. With authentic characters from Lexi with her struggles to overcome the loss of her sister and find her path to her delightful grandma who frequently reminds her never to call her grandma, PJ Sharon delivers an engaging novel that delights and inspires while brilliantly tackling the toughest of emotions with true depth. It's a novel sure live on in the reader's mind long after finishing the last page.

It certainly intrigues me and if it makes you want to know more about Pieces of Love, here's the blurb:

Sixteen year-old Alexis Hartman wants nothing more than to play her guitar and get high, hoping to escape the pain of losing her sister. But when her second arrest for pot possession leads to her mother’s breakdown, Lexi is sent to stay with her grandmother for the summer. While embarking on a Mediterranean cruise hardly sounds like punishment, being forced to face her demons and falling for a guy she may never see again gives Lexi a chance to discover what it means to love someone—even when you have to let them go

About author P J Sharon

Award winning author of young adult books, Massage Therapist, Personal Trainer, and Yogi, PJ Sharon has been called “a powerhouse of positivity and productivity.” Her mantra is “find balance in all things, and live every day to the fullest.” A black belt in the art of Shaolin Kempo Karate, avid kayaker, and singer of Italian art songs, PJ has two grown sons and lives with her brilliant engineer husband in the Berkshire Hills of Western MA where she writes YA…because every teen deserves a hopefully ever after.

You can find out more about P J Sharon and her award-winning stories by clicking on the link to her website.

Happy reading.