Deborah Swift's Blog, page 5
September 24, 2024
Inceptio by Alison Morton #AlternativeHistory #Rome #Thriller #Review
I have been meaning to get to this series for ages, but was prompted to read it by the fact I met Alison Morton at the Historical Novel Society conference, and that this book is now celebrating ten years of success. I know nothing about Ancient Rome except for being a bity of a mythology buff, but of course this didn’t matter because this book is set in the new land of Roma Nova – a place in which the Roman Empire still exists in a new incarnation.
Roma Nova is technically advanced – as you might expect when the engineers of Rome survived – and so the novel would also appeal to those that like reading science fiction as well as historical fiction. As a sort of outpost of the EU, Roma Nova has many political problems, and an army to deal with them.
The main protagonist is a Karen Brown, a New York office worker and park volunteer. The plot kicks off when forces outside her control mean she must relocate in a hurry to the land where her grandmother still lives – Roma Nova, which was founded sixteen hundred years ago by Roman exiles. Roman Nova is a matriarchal society with rules very different from the USA.
There is a very bad guy after her, Renschman, who is intent on getting hold of her inheritance – a multi-million business that the US government wants to get control of, and keep in the US. Karen has several very scary run-ins with this guy, including being left to freeze to death, and it’s enough to make her want to take a chance on a new life.
After she flees to Roma Nova she meets her grandmother Nonna who is a lovely character, and a great foil for all the dangerous characters that she has to deal with. After a particularly frightening incident in which the bad guy tracks her down, she is persuaded to go on a boot camp of special training which will maker her a member of one of the foremost SAS type special forces. Thus begins her transformation from New York office girl to Carina Mitela, efficient fighting machine – and she certainly needs those skills!
There is a touch of romance, with Roma Nova native Conradus Tellus, a great big lion of a man, but this is more of a political thriller than a romance, and Carina more than holds her own in this relationship. The world-building is immaculately done, with the author’s enthusiasm to keep Rome not only alive but developing, evident on every page. This is a genre bending novel and the first of a series. If you like an action-packed thriller with a strong female protagonist and impeccable world-building, do give this a try..
BUYTHE BOOK Barnes & Noble Amazon Waterstones Online or through your local bookshop. (UK link)
About Alison Morton
Alison Morton writes award-winning thrillers set in an imaginary European country where a remnant of the ancient Roman Empire still exists and is ruled by women who face conspiracy, revolution and heartache but with a sharp line in dialogue.
The Historical Novel Society selected SUCCESSIO, AURELIA, INSURRECTIO and JULIA PRIMA as Editor’s Choices. AURELIA was a finalist in the 2016 HNS Indie Award. SUCCESSIO featured as Editor’s Choice in ‘The Bookseller’.
Alison has misspent decades clambering over Roman sites throughout Europe, especially French ones. A former soldier and translator, she holds an MA History, blogs about history, social media and writing. Alison lives in Poitou in France, the home of Mélisende, the heroine of her two contemporary thrillers, Double Identity and Double Pursuit.
Find Alison at her website alison-morton.com
The post Inceptio by Alison Morton #AlternativeHistory #Rome #Thriller #Review first appeared on Deborah Swift.
August 9, 2024
The Story Spinner by Barbara Erskine #Timeslip #Roman #Mabinogion
The land of the Silures, 382 AD
Elen is a princess promised to a general of Rome. Macsen came to Wales seeking an alliance that would advance his quest for power.
Despite warnings her marriage is destined for heartache, Elen is determined to honour her vows.
But this union will change her destiny forever…
Camp Meadow, 2024
Cadi is a writer who has discovered Elen’s lost story. As she puts pen to paper, she hears the sound of ghostly marching feet.
Opening the gate to the ancient meadow behind her cottage, could the secret behind Elen’s fate lie closer than she thinks?
But someone is desperate to keep the past buried, plotting to destroy the meadow…
Can Cadi uncover Elen’s story before it’s lost to time?
REVIEW
I’ve read quite a few of Barbara Erskine’s books and this is one of her very best. It has all the ingredients her fans would expect; real history, myth and mysticism all sewn together into a gripping plot.
I love timeslip novels and this is one of the best, incorporating Roman history, the Welsh myths of the Mabinogion and a modern woman’s battle to save the very special landscape where she lives.The plot centres around a particular location, a field behind a cottage in a small village where it is possible that a Roman villa or palace once stood. There is a mysterious ‘wormhole’ in the field which enables people tp pass from present to past and vice versa when the veil between the worlds is thin.Cadi, a writer, is fascinated by this but discovers that a developer is about to build houses on this precious site.The developer turns out to be the main antagonist in the book, and someone who has had dealings with Cadi before and their relationship has what you might call ‘history’.Both the Roman aspect of the book and the modern day story are equally strong. Cadi and Elen are fantastic characters, each distinct and belonging to their respective periods, and I was particularly fond of Uncle Meryn, a professor who believes in the possibilities others won’t entertain! There is believable history behind the story and it has been thoroughly researched – immersing the reader in the detail of life thousands of years ago, as well as describing the detailed forensic and archaeological information of today.There are several other lovely characters in the book; Rachel the illustrator, Charles the academic and Kate the Vicar. The sense of community in the village location is very appealing, and I couldn’t help but root for all those who wanted to save the field from being built over.Special mention must go to Gemma the dog, who found the ‘otherworld’ first of all and lived to tell the tale (or should that be wag the tail?)!BUY THE BOOKThe post The Story Spinner by Barbara Erskine #Timeslip #Roman #Mabinogion first appeared on Deborah Swift.
July 29, 2024
Fortune’s Wheel by Carolyn Hughes #Audiobook #CoffeePotBookClub
Praise for Fortune’s Wheel:“A thoroughly researched book, with care given to ensuring that the characters have 14th century attitudes and knowledge…gives a strong sense of the reality of the past.”~ Catherine Meyrick, author of Cold Blows the WindReading Buy Links:This novel is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.🎧 Listening Buy Links :Audiobook Buy Links:Audible UK / Audible USCarolyn Hughes Author Links:
Website • Twitter • Facebook • BlueskyAmazon Author Page • BookBub • GoodreadsThe post Fortune’s Wheel by Carolyn Hughes #Audiobook #CoffeePotBookClub first appeared on Deborah Swift.July 19, 2024
Why women joined the Crusades – The Lost Queen by Carol McGrath #NewRelease #Medieval
Why Did Women Join the Crusades?
Why did women join Crusades? The importance of spiritual health during the medieval period cannot be underestimated. It was a way of cleansing the soul from the taint of sin, a penitential exercise and so there were female pilgrims. Yet, female visits to Holy Sites during menstruation was not acceptable to the Church. Monthly bleeding rendered women spiritually unpure. They were not deterred. One story circulated at the time concerning a woman who set out with her goose on the First Crusade- the goose led her and she followed it accompanied by a credulous crowd.
Outremer was lucrative for trade and during the era female sole traders especially from Genoa and Pisa moved to the cities of the middle eastern kingdom. Nuns visited and many stayed and established orders in the Holy Land. Queens travelled with spouses and since sexual relations continued whilst on Crusade pregnancies occurred. Joan of Acre, daughter to Edward I and Eleanor of Castile was famously born in Acre.There also had been an established royal family in Jerusalem for decades- a King and Queen and female nobility in Outremer, often widows and heiresses. Diplomatic marriages were made by Franks (European Christians) throughout the Holy Land. Noble women provided diplomatic support as Berengaria did in Rome after Richard I was imprisoned in Austria on his return from the Third Crusade. Queens Regnant were responsible for the defense of their territory against Muslim enemies. They recruited troops and organised campaigns. Queen Melisande of Jerusalem 1131-1153 ruled with her son Baldwin III. She sent a military force to relieve Odessa from the enemy. She was known to her contemporaries as “a wise and cautious woman with a manly heart”.Holy women joined the Crusades drawing authority from visions as evidence of piety. Women visionaries and recluses set up in Acre and Jerusalem. Some Crusade Chronicles invented stories about women crusaders to improve their narrative. Florina, daughter of Hugh of Burgundy was said to have died fighting in battle, late autumn 1097. She had hoped to marry the son of the King of Denmark if the expedition was successful. Their army was attacked by the Turks whilst crossing the Kingdom of Rhum (Turkey) but both were killed. The dates for this tale do not work and she would only have been fourteen years old. She was likely an invention as a moral warning to women of the dangers of going on Crusade. This story is in several chronicles including Albert of Achen. Marriage alliances united crusading families and marriages were not unknown between Muslims and Christians without either party converting.
The Lost Queen – Review
Another strong novel by Carol McGrath told mostly through the eyes of two women – Berengaria of Navarre, (Richard the Lionheart’s wife) and Avelina of Middleton who sets out searching for her husband who was lost on a previous crusade, defending Outremer from Saladin’s forces. Both characters are fully realised and I particularly enjoyed meeting Berengaria, who like many women of the era was marrying for the convenience of political alliance.
Avelina’s strength is her determination, and she joins some nuns who are also travelling on pilgrimage and through a series of serendipitous encounters they meet up with the Royal entourage of Eleanor of Aquitaine, who is escorting Berengaria to meet her son. As a Queen, Berengaria never sets foot in England (thus, The Lost Queen) and I knew little about her from the outset, and learned the history as I went along, on Berengaria’s shoulder as she navigates snow-capped Alps, attacks by assassins and all manner of hardships during her long travels to meet a man, who quite frankly, is far more concerned with military supremacy than he is with any wife. I also really empathised with her as she has to deal with Eleanor of Aquitaine, who came across as a real gorgon of a prospective mother-in-law. Avelina’s role in the story as Berengaria’s friend really helped the reader understand the power of female friendship in those times.
Carol McGrath has a great way of uncovering little known Medieval women with fascinating lives and this is no exception. Her depth of knowledge of the period is apparent in all the tiny details of clothing, crafts, setting and courtly life. and her attention to detail in the similes she chooses – such as ‘her back straight as a stiff reed growing on a riverbank’. Carol McGrath never strays from the period.
The courtly life of poetry, song and chivalry is contrasted with the violence and bloodshed of war. Berengaria’s court and life in the Kingdom of Jersusalem gives a real immersion into a different way of living and highlights the turmoil that existed between different religious persuasions and the power-mongering of rival states. The book serves to highlight how women were often left behind by their men, often with little news about what had become of them.
If you love carefully researched historical fiction, with total command of the detail and the history, this is a book for you.
Highly recommended.
BUY THE BOOK1191 and the Third Crusade is underway . . .
It is 1191 and King Richard the Lionheart is on crusade to pitch battle against Saladin and liberate the city of Jerusalem and her lands. His mother, the formidable Eleanor of Aquitaine and his promised bride, Princess Berengaria of Navarre, make a perilous journey over the Alps in midwinter. They are to rendezvous with Richard in the Sicilian port of Messina.
There are hazards along the way – vicious assassins, marauding pirates, violent storms and a shipwreck. Berengaria is as feisty as her foes and, surviving it all, she and Richard marry in Cyprus and continue to the Holy Land. England needs an heir. But first, Richard and his Queen must return home . . .
The Lost Queen is a thrilling medieval story of high adventure, survival, friendship and the enduring love of a Queen for her King.
Acclaim for Carol McGrath’s ROSE trilogy:
‘Powerful, gripping and beautifully told’ KATE FURNIVALL on The Silken Rose
‘A tour de force of gripping writing, rich historical detail and complex, fascinating characters’ NICOLA CORNICK on The Stone Rose
‘A beautifully narrated novel’ K J MAITLAND on The Damask Rose
July 9, 2024
The Virgins of Venice by Gina Buonaguro
After arriving at the convent, Justina takes solace in her aunt Livia, one of the nuns, and in the growing knowledge that all is not strictly devout at San Zaccaria. Justina is shocked to discover how the women of the convent find their own freedom in what seems to her like a prison. But secrets and scandals breach the convent walls, and Justina learns there may be even worse fates for her than the veil, if La Diamante makes good on her threats.Desperate to protect herself and the ones she loves, Justina turns to Luca for help. She finds she must trust her own heart to make the impossible decisions that may save or ruin them all.Buy the Book:Universal Buy Link General Buy LinksAbout Gina:
GINA BUONAGURO is the co-author of The Wolves of St. Peters, Ciao Bella and The Sidewalk Artist, as well as several romance titles under the name Meadow Taylor. The Virgins of Venice is her first solo novel. She has a BA in English from Villanova University in Pennsylvania and earned an MA in English from the University of British Columbia while on a Fulbright Scholarship. Born in New Jersey, Gina Buonaguro lives in Toronto.Find Gina:Website • Facebook • BookBubAmazon Author Page • LinkedIn • Goodreads
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Past Encounters by Deborah Swift #WW2
By Apparent screencapture., Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?...
From Filmsite: Brief Encounter (1946) is director David Lean’s brilliantly-crafted, classic British masterpiece. It is one of the greatest romantic tearjerkers/weepers of all time, with a very downbeat ending. Lean’s film is a simple but realistically-honest, unsentimental, self-told social melodrama of the quiet desperation involved in an illicit, extra-marital love affair between two married, middle-class individuals over seven weekly meetings, mostly against the backdrop of a railway station. The romantic couple includes a wife/mother (stage actress Celia Johnson) looking for escape from her humdrum life and sterile marriage, and a dashing doctor (Trevor Howard in his third film). (Characteristics of film noir also abound within the film – unglamorous locations, rain-slicked streets, dimly-lit interiors and dark train passageways in a tale of doomed, unfulfilled and frustrated love.) The Guardian says attempts to parody Brief Encounter have failed:The Radio 4 feature says that the timing of it, when so many men were returning from war, made the last few lines, ‘Thank you for coming back to me,’ particularly poignant. Do take a listen to the programme, it’s only half an hour but very informative if you love the film.Brief Encounter has survived such threats, because it is so well made, because Laura’s voiceover narration is truly anguished and dreamy, because the music suckers all of us, and because Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard are perfect.
And if you are interested in my novel, here it is. Past Encounters is the winner of a BRAG medallion for excellence in independent fiction, and a BookViral Millennium Award for best novel of the era.About ‘Past Encounters’From the moment Rhoda Middleton opens one of her husband’s letters and finds it is from another woman, she is convinced he is having an affair. But when Rhoda tracks her down, she discovers the mysterious woman is not his lover after all, but the wife of his best friend, Archie Foster. There is only one problem – Rhoda has never even heard of Archie Foster.Devastated by this betrayal of trust, Rhoda tries to find out how and why her husband, Peter, has kept this friendship hidden for so long. Her search leads her back to 1945, but as she gradually uncovers Peter’s wartime secrets she must wrestle with painful memories of her own. For if they are ever to understand each other, Rhoda too must escape the ghosts of the past.Taking us on a journey from the atmospheric filming of Brief Encounter, to the extraordinary Great March of prisoners of war through snow-bound Germany, this is a novel of friendship, hope, and how in the end, it is the small things that enable love to survive.The post Past Encounters by Deborah Swift #WW2 first appeared on Deborah Swift.
June 30, 2024
The Curse of Maiden Scars by Nicolette Croft #Gothic #Historical #CoffeePotBookClub
A Yorkshire orphan struggling for opportunity against 18th-century odds reluctantly transforms into a Venetian courtesan during the Empire’s last days.Sixteen-year-old Renna Covert toils away in the shadows of a Yorkshire workhouse, her days filled with the mundane task of shelling cotton and the dangerous duty of scouting for punters. One fateful night, she crosses paths with two sailors and finds herself thrust into the heart of a chilling encounter at the local asylum.These harrowing experiences catalyze Renna’s journey, promising newfound opportunities and revealing long-buried family secrets. Yet, at every turn, powerful forces conspire to thwart her quest for truth, forcing her to abandon her scullery work and embark on a daring escape to Venice alongside her steadfast companions.In the labyrinthine alleys of Venice, Renna’s fate takes yet another twist. She is ensnared by a cunning Madam who trains her as a Venetian courtesan. But beneath the veneer of luxury lies a world fraught with danger, where Renna must rely on her wits and resilience to navigate the treacherous waters of deceit and betrayal.Set against the backdrop of Venice’s tumultuous Napoleonic invasion of 1797, this is a tale of a girl’s struggle for survival. It is a story of resilience, defiance in the face of adversity, and, ultimately, one young woman’s determination to reclaim her identity.EXTRACT: The Curse of Maiden Scars
My story must have begun before life as a stray waif, but I didn’t know the tale. The cotton house takes in children as little as three—the unwanted offspring of criminals, crazies, and the contagious. By sixteen, we were expected to make room for younger sprogs and pursue meaningful work. It was weeks until my sixteenth birthday, and I didn’t have a plan. Choices for a girl like me were limited, so Camilla told me. I had some learning and hoped I might find a maid’s position. Whatever I was to become, I didn’t want it to include lurking about the seedy, dank Yorkshire streets like a wet cur.
A cackle of laughter echoed from inside the Inn that stood open behind me. A woman’s mound of blond hair tied in red, pink, blue, and black ribbons appeared in the window’s waving candlelight. She tossed her head back and let out a bright, spirited laugh as a burly man with a beard kissed her neck. I envied their intimacy. I longed to know such love and care.
Deep shivers tightened my sodden dress over my back, and a cough rattled through me. I was prone to illness. My lungs had never been strong. And the wetness only made things worse. I stuffed my head between my knees and swooned in lightheadedness. I closed my eyes and wished myself someplace warm and safe, dreaming of a small bed in a quiet room free of mold, surrounded by soft blankets, the amber light of candles, and a stack of leather-bound books with stories waiting for me to discover. Such a wish was only a fantasy to me—nothing in my real life resembled it.
Boot heels sounded beside me, ripping me out of my daydream. I lifted my head too quickly, and my vision faded darkly. Panic grew from the depths of my belly. Had I missed the opportunity to signal the workhouse strumpets, giving them time to sell their comfort for a copper?
A passerby kicked me and shot, “street rat.” He poured ale over my head and rolled with laughter. There was always laughter. I’d have kicked his feet out from under him if I hadn’t felt weakened from illness. I was accustomed to this sort of abuse, having scouted for culls since the age of eight, and wasn’t afraid to fight back if needed.
BUY THE BOOK Universal Buy LinkAbout Nicolette Croft
Nicolette Croft can’t remember a time when she was not creating imaginary worlds inspired by her Hungarian and American ancestors. As a neuro-divergent learner, however, putting those stories to paper proved more challenging than imagining them. Because her determination would not allow her to settle, she pursued an English B.A. to improve her writing.Young motherhood also brought unexpected challenges, which motivated her to pursue graduate work in twice-exceptional learners and education. She would later add an M.A. degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, specializing in neurodivergent people, trauma, and grief. Nicolette uses her natural gift of storytelling as an exploratory method for her clients.The Curse of Maiden Scars is also an outgrowth of her personal journey and marks her first publication as a novelist, having previously published short fiction. When not at her counseling practice or researching historical facts for her latest story, Nicolette shares treasured time with family, friends, and her husband. Whether writing, cooking, traveling, or learning, the act of creation is always at the center of her colorful life.Author Links:Website • Twitter • Facebook • Instagram Amazon Author Page • Threads • Goodreads
The post The Curse of Maiden Scars by Nicolette Croft #Gothic #Historical #CoffeePotBookClub first appeared on Deborah Swift.
June 23, 2024
Trouble in Assissi by Heidi Eljarbo #CoffeePotBookClub #HistoricalMystery
Assisi, 1973.On art historian Fabiola Bennett’s first day in Assisi, a local gentleman takes her aside to ask for advice about a painting that has wondrously appeared in the basilica’s bell tower.
So much for enjoying relaxing days filled with dining on pasta and gelato.
Soon, Fabiola and her besties, Pippa and Cary, are thrown into a shrouded mystery and caught up in a whirlwind of intrigue, theft, lies, and attempted murder, all of which overshadows the postcard-like charm of the small, historic town.
Rome, 1511.
Life is going well for Teodoro Nicoletti. Since he was a young man in Florence, he has worked and learned alongside the most-favored artist Raphael.
When Pope Julius II commissions Raphael to paint several frescos in the reception rooms of the Vatican Palace, Teodoro follows his master to Rome and discovers firsthand the admiration and rivalry between Raphael and two other reigning artists: Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci.
But the prickliest thorn in Teodoro’s side is his beloved Elisabetta’s father. The old man is determined to keep his youngest daughter from becoming Teodoro’s wife.
This is the second book in a new dual timeline series by Heidi Eljarbo—an intriguing spin-off from the much-loved Soli Hansen Mysteries.
Fans of Lucinda Riley, Rhys Bowen, Kathleen McGurl, Kate Morton, and Katherine Neville will love this cozy historical dual-timeline art mystery.
This title will be available to read on #KindleUnlimited.
BUY THE BOOK Universal Buy Link
About Heidi Eljarbo
Heidi Eljarbo grew up in a home full of books, artwork, and happy creativity. She is the author of historical novels filled with courage, hope, mystery, adventure, and sweet romance during challenging times. She’s been named a master of dual timelines and often writes about strong-willed women of past centuries.
After living in Canada, six US states, Japan, Switzerland, and Austria, Heidi now calls Norway home. She lives with her husband on a charming island and enjoys walking in any kind of weather, hugging her grandchildren, and has a passion for art and history.
Her family’s chosen retreat is a mountain cabin, where they hike in the summer and ski the vast white terrain during winter.
Heidi’s favorites are her family, God’s beautiful nature, and the word whimsical.
Sign up for her newsletter at https://www.heidieljarbo.com/newsletter!
Author Links:
Website • Twitter • Facebook • Instagram • Pinterest
BookBub • Amazon Author Page • Goodreads
The post Trouble in Assissi by Heidi Eljarbo #CoffeePotBookClub #HistoricalMystery first appeared on Deborah Swift.June 21, 2024
New Release! Frances, Tudor Countess by Tony Riches @tonyriches #Elizabethan
I’m delighted to highlight a new book in Tony Riches’ acclaimed Elizabethan Series.
“A thrilling portrait of a remarkable woman who witnessed the key events of Elizabethan England.”
Based on extensive research, original letters and records of the Elizabethan Court, this new account explores the life of Frances Walsingham, the only surviving child of Queen Elizabeth’s ‘spymaster’ Sir Francis Walsingham. Better educated than most men, her father arranges her marriage to warrior poet Sir Philip Sidney. After Philip is killed in battle, Frances becomes Countess of Essex, and is banished from court after her husband Sir Robert Devereaux’s rebellion against the queen. Can she marry for love, if it means turning her back on her faith and all she knows?
The story which began with the Tudor trilogy follows Frances, Countess of Essex and Clanricarde, from her first days at the Elizabethan Court to the end of the Tudor dynasty and the rise of the Stuarts.
BUY THE BOOK
UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0D1YQYL8G
US https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D1YQYL8G
#Elizabethan #Tudors #HistoricalFiction
About Tony
Tony Riches is a full-time UK author of Tudor historical fiction. He lives with his wife in Pembrokeshire, West Wales and is a specialist in the lives of the early Tudors. As well as his new Elizabethan series, Tony’s historical fiction novels include the best-selling Tudor trilogy and his Brandon trilogy, (about Charles Brandon and his wives). For more information about Tony’s books please visit his website tonyriches.com and his blog, The Writing Desk and find him on Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky and Twitter @tonyriches
The post New Release! Frances, Tudor Countess by Tony Riches @tonyriches #Elizabethan first appeared on Deborah Swift.June 4, 2024
Novice Threads by Nancy Jardine #CoffeePotBookClub #Scotland #Victorian
A thirst for education. Shattered dreams. Fragile relations. 1840s ScotlandBeing sent to school is the most exhilarating thing that’s ever happened to young Margaret Law. She sharpens her newly-acquired education on her best friend, Jessie Morison, till Jessie is spirited away to become a scullery maid. But how can Margaret fulfil her visions of becoming a schoolteacher when her parents’ tailoring and drapery business suddenly collapses and she must find a job?Salvation from domestic drudgery – or never-ending seamstress work – comes via Jessie whose employer seeks a tutor for his daughter. Free time exploring Edinburgh with Jessie is great fun, but increasing tension in the household claws at Margaret’s nerves.Margaret also worries about her parents’ estrangement, and the mystery of Jessie’s unknown father.When tragedy befalls the household in Edinburgh, Margaret must forge a new pathway for the future – though where will that be?ReviewIf you enjoy historical fiction set in Scotland and stories with working class backgrounds then you will enjoy this novel. Set in the mid-Victorian period, It is about a young woman’s battle to get herself an education and to move up in life.The novel begins when Margaret is a child and follows her from a small town to Edinburgh over the course of the novel. The cadence of the language and uniqueness of Scottish dialect is reflected in the writing. I was impressed with the level of detail that the author used in her depiction of the locations, and by the finely-drawn relationship between Margaret and her young friend Jessie, who plays a part later in the book. I also enjoyed the fact that every generation was present, including the grandparents, and that these seemed to jump off the page like real people. Care is taken to explore the community’s relationship with the ‘Kirk’ and how religion plays a part in every day lives.Once she is at school, Margaret is desperate to learn as much as she can, and at one point vows she will learn ‘every single word in the world.’Nancy Jardine manages the protagonist’s transition into adulthood with aplomb. When Margaret arrives at the Duncan household as a tutor to the disabled daughter, Rachel, the reader senses the tensions in the household immediately, with the cold imperious welcome she receives from Mistress Duncan, and the discovery that all her correspondence will be read and that her duties are not just tutoring, but also housework.The relationship between Margaret and Rachel is a pivotal part of the book, and unearths secrets about Jessie that I shan’t reveal here!This is the first in a series of books, and Margaret is a character who is easy to love. Novice Threads will appeal to lovers of family sagas and Scottish history, and anyone who enjoys a slice of working class life.Find Nancy Jardine here::WebsiteXFacebookThe post Novice Threads by Nancy Jardine #CoffeePotBookClub #Scotland #Victorian first appeared on Deborah Swift.
