Independent reviews of your favourite books & role play games
Just for the Summer by Judy Astley
Lucky owners of Cornish holiday homes are leaving for the Summer break, all hoping for a carefree, fulfilling Summer. Clare is definitely ready for her holiday, her teenage daughter has been behaving strangely, husband Jack dreams of a new lifestyle and the younger children have been tiresome. Contemplating extra-marital matters, Clare wonders if Elliot will satisfy her dreams. A cocktail of mishaps, misunderstandings follows and at the end of the summer, will life be quite the same. This is the first of Judy Astley’s excellent social comedies and will appeal to fans of Katie Fforde and Kate Fenton.
I enjoy Judy Astley’s hilarious stories and thinks they go very nicely with a glass of wine and a box of chocolates ......or they would if Boris didn’t eat all the chocolates!! Mrs Boris
On the Edge by Jenny Pitman
When Jan Hardy is widowed by the untimely death of her farmer husband, she faces the task of providing for her two children and dealing with her bitter mother-in-law,Unable to make a living from the farm, Jan decides to sell up and use her love of horses and point to point racing to set up as a professional racehorse trainer. Having had some success as an amateur trainer, Jan is sure that this is the way forward and so takes on the biggest challenge of her life. Despite all the hardships and setbacks Jan loves her new life and slowly begins to make her way in the masculine world of horse racing.This is the first in a series of books by Jenny Pitman who has trained race horses and knows her subject inside out. This book gives an insight into the world of horse racing and the everyday problems of those involved.
Sophie’s Bakery for the Broken Hearted by Lolly Winston
Following the early death of her beloved husband, Sophie longs to be the ideal good widow, composed and graceful like Jackie Kennedy. Unfortunately, Sophie is more a jack Daniels kind. Soon she has not only lost her husband, but also her job and her waistline. Deciding to start over, Sophie leaves for Oregon and eventually opens her own bakery. Through helping Crystal, the teenager from hell, Sophie finds that she can have a life after her devastating loss, but can she ever fall in love again? Read & find out.This is the wonderful debut novel from Lolly Winston, at times heartbreaking, but also tender, humorous and never boring, one can really empathise with Sophie’s dilemmas, as she adjusts to her new life.
I really liked this novel, but thinks that a box of tissues might be handy at times. Boris didn’t read this one, but likes the sound of running a bakery, especially eating the cream donuts! Mrs Boris
Boris likes Tea Shops or if they’re posh, Tea Houses! He especially likes chocolate cream puffs, but Mrs Boris doesn’t let him have them very often as she’s keeping a careful eye on his waistline. Mrs Boris
The Tea House on Mulberry Street by Sharon Owens
This debut novel based in an old-fashioned Belfast Tea House concerns the lives of Daniel and Penny and some of their customers. Daniel makes delectable desserts, but Penny longs to change the decor and would like a baby, but Daniel is stubbornly resistant to all her wishes, but wont tell her why. Penny decides to rebel in her own way and discovers secrets from the past. Some customers also want to change their own worlds with some surprising results. An appealing debut novel in which Sharon Owens shows great skill in the interplay of her characters lives, resulting in a warm, feel good story which will go nicely with a slice of cherry cheesecake.
Just tasting for quality control purposes. Boris
Singing Bird By Roisin Mc Auley
Lena Molloy adopted a baby and is both worried and intrigued when she receives a phone call from the Nun who arranged the adoption. Mary her daughter is happy with her life and is about to make her debut as an opera singer. Lena however, takes matters into her own hands and decides to trace Mary’s birth parents. Her journey into the past takes many twists and turns and leads to an unexpected outcome.This debut novel is full of beguiling Irish charm and is a very moving and and sometimes amusing story which Mrs Boris recommends.
Good Husband Material by Trisha Ashley
Tish thinks James is the perfect husband, he’s kind, dependable, good-looking and even her mother likes him. They’ve bought the country cottage and seem set for a lifetime of domestic bliss, only James seems to view the local pub as his second home and Tish is day-dreaming about her first love the unreliable Fergal. He left her for a career in music and the celebrity lifestyle, his well-publicised escapades can’t all be publicity stunts, can they? Tish is determined to make her life with James and then Fergal comes crashing into her dreams for real.
The Little Lady by Hester Browne
When Melissa is made redundant for the third time she invents a new career for herself as Honey, owner of the Little Lady Agency, who can give a man a new image and transform his life. It is when Melissa falls in love with one of Honey;s most regular clients that the problems really starts and she is no longer able to keep her home life as Melissa separate from her career as Honey.
I highly recommended this original, riotously funny debut novel from Hester Browne. It’s given me a few ideas on how to improve Boris’ image, but without calling on Honey’s services. Mrs Boris
What’s wrong with my image? Anoraks & Chinos are all right by me. Boris
Falling For Mr Wrong by Caroline Upcher
When Polly’s husband, an ambitious film producer leaves her, she decides to concentrate on her own career as a literary agent and forget about men. Everyone seems to need their own Mr Right however, from Polly’s confused step-daughter to her bitchy best friend and are out to find him. Then when Polly least expects it, she meets the ultimate Mr Right, but is he the right one for her? Following the intricate paths of the search for true love, this is the debut novel from Caroline Upcher.
Well, at least you got Mr Right, Mrs B. Boris
Asking for Trouble by Liz Young
Sophy’s family think she’s happily settled with gorgeous boyfriend Dominic, but Sophy, happy with her current status only invented him to keep her mother happy. Then an invitation to her sister’s wedding arrives and Dominic’s presence is demanded. So far Sophy has found excuses not to produce him, but how can she get out of this one? So does Sophy confess, hurriedly dump her fantasy or panic? No as a last resort, she hires an escort in the shape of gorgeous Josh Carmichael. Soon Sophy realises that her little white lie can lead to big, big trouble and the wedding is only the beginning. An entertaining debut novel that had Mrs B in stitches with laughter. Anyone who has seen the film ‘The Wedding Date’ will recognize the story line as the film was loosely based on this sparkling novel that has some bite beneath the froth.
I don’t watch stalk & slash movies for the same reason you don’t watch the football with me, though we’re working on that one. Boris
Have you written a debut novel that you would like one of the booksfromboris team review. If so contact us now at boris@booksfromboris.com
Eve Green by Susan Fletcher
Following mother’s sudden death 8 year old Evie goes to live with her grandparents on a small Welsh farm. The whole place seems mysterious to city bred Evie. Flowers are left on the doorstep and people look at her strangely. What is the secret in her family’s past? Evie tries to discover it, but when a local girl vanishes, there is more darkness to come. Years later Eve is expecting her first child and her thoughts often turn to her childhood, her search for her own identity, the struggle to overcome grief and come to terms with the past and how to survive and find love.
My Sister’s Keeper by Judi Picoult
Anna was born to save her sister Kate’s life after she was diagnosed with Leukaemia. By the age of 13 she has undergone many injections, surgery and procedures to keep Kate alive. Anna wonders what life would be like without this and makes the heartbreaking decision to sue her parents for the rights to her own body. This moving, poignant novel explores the problem of a family falling apart through their child’s illness and the sacrifices that they all face until the ultimate decision has to be made.
Could it be Magic? By Melanie Rose
Jessica Taylor was caught in a terrific thunderstorm whilst walking her dog. She was glad of a fellow dog-walker’s offer to shelter in his car and an instant attraction sparked between them. Before they reached the car Jessica was struck by lightning. Lucky to survive she wakes in hospital but now she seems to be someone else, the stylish mother of four young children, Lauren Richardson. No-one believes her and her doctor puts down to the effects of her injuries. Later Jessica wakes again, but this time as herself and she soon realises that while Lauren sleeps, Jessica is awake. Her double life soon plays havoc with Jessica’s job and her relationship with Dan, the stranger who helped her that fateful day. Anxious to get her old life back Jessica finds herself dealing with the unfamiliar demands of four children and an even more demanding husband. As she grows used to her double life and keeping up with all the demands made on her, Jessica comes to love new family but which life does she really want?
Mrs B found this debut novel an easy read with an interesting storyline, one to have you reaching for the tissues at times. Mrs Boris
Newes of the Dead by Mary Hooper
An interesting debut novel based on the true story of a young woman, Anne Green, a young maid servant who survived hanging. Following her seduction by her master’s grandson, Anne gives birth in secret to a premature stillborn baby. When the child is discovered, Anne is accused of its murder and sent to prison. A brief trial finds Anne guilty despite adamant protestations of her innocence and she is sentenced to hang. Afterwards her body is taken down and carried to the College of Physicians for dissection. As Anne’s body is lying on the table, slight signs of life are noticed. Could she have survived and still be alive. A captivating story of a young girl’s search for love and her betrayal is based on the true facts and records of Anne Green who famously survived her hanging in 1650. She later married and had three more children and eventually died in 1665.
Mrs B enjoyed this debut novel which will appeal to anyone who likes history and real-life experiences. Mrs Boris