My Reveiw of a Brill Book!

 http://www.amazon.com/Marshalls-Family-Anson-Welsh-ebook/dp/B010NGONK8/ref=pd_rhf_se_p_img_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=17Q6YBMR3C6NXYBWS9ZK

Riveting, Exciting and in Parts Shocking!

By Yvonne Lee on August 17, 2015

Format: Kindle Edition

Marshall lives in an African country somewhere...no specific place is ever mentioned. He's a pilot, a job he loves and is more than good at. His family however, particularly his wife Fiona give him nothing but grief. Nevertheless, life goes along comfortably enough, until the day a coup takes pace and a nightmare of murder and mayhem ensues.
A despot from the South of the country ousts the present government, and proceeds to torture, persecute and murder all who come from the North of the country. Eventually, Marshall gets caught up in the horror of it all, and is forced to find a way of rescuing his family and a number of others who need his help.
To say this is an exciting story, is an understatement. I was on the edge of where ever I sat to read the book. I got so involved, I found myself trembling with a mixture of concern, fear and anticipation. It is so well written, so descriptive, it felt like I was watching a film. One of those, where you shout with frustration at the hero...come on MOVE! before it's too late!
The characters are brilliantly fleshed out. I cared about those I was meant to, and disliked...hated others. The dialog is brilliant and the story flows, grabbing you pretty much from the first page.
If I have one negative thing to say about this book, it's the frequent use of expletives. I don't like it, and I never will. When an author writes as brilliantly as, Anson Welsh, it shouldn't be necessary.
Anyway, gripe over, this is a great book and one I whole heartedly recommend.

My review of A LESSER EVIL by Lesley Pearce.

 

It took me a few weeks to read this, as I found it a bit heavy going. But each time I began to flag, it hotted up again.

Parts of the story cover a theme that is gruesome, and sadly, is still happening today; in fact on a larger scale. Abuse and cruelty to children is sickening!
There were times when I was deeply moved, which is a credit to the authors writing skill.
On a negative note, I did not like some of the language used. I believe, with good imaginative writing, character emotions can be expressed quite adequately, without resorting to a plethora of bad language.
It spoilt, what was for me on the whole, an enjoyable read...in parts, exciting, moving, and with well fleshed characters. The relationship between Fifi and Dan came across very well.
Not sure what genre this would come under, I guess it could be a romance, come thriller. There was a great twist towards the end. I didn't see that coming!
On the whole, a good summer read.

http://www.amazon.com/A-Lesser-Evil-Lesley-Pearse-ebook/dp/B002RI9Q5I/ref=pd_rhf_se_p_img_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=13PM9QK89640WEKD5PBN

A brilliant day at the Haflinger Horse show.

 

Yesterday we had a wonderful time at the Haflinger Horse show. The weather was perfect, in fact I caught the sun and have a red nose.

I was so excited when we arrived at the show ground, it was a sea of gold...gorgeous Haflingers everywhere! I got my camera and started snapping away.

I must say they are a very attractive breed of horse, and surprisingly versatile. They are know as carriage horses, but they are an extremely comfortable ride and also jump well.

 

My friends young mare, pictured below did extremely well, winning reserve best in show.

Best in show was the gorgeous stallion ridden side saddle.

 

 

 

 

 Me with my friends horse. She did so well, especially as it was her first show.

Reserve best in show.

Best in show, which was no surprise. This picture doesn't do him justice, he was gorgeous! Ridden beautifully, they were a good team and swept the board with prizes.
But my friends young mare did so well to come second to him.

Rat Run gets a five star review.

http://www.amazon.com/Rat-Run-Y-I-Lee-ebook/dp/B010C0YH3S/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1436884981&sr=1-1&keywords=rat+run&pebp=1436884985087&perid=04YB7W65TJH5120ARCKV

Described as a children’s fantasy, akin to Aesop’s fables, the story begins with a peaceful evening in the kingdom of one group of rats, as they prepare for the arrival of the ‘right’ female for the King’s son to ensure alliances and a secure future. Princess Shamrock and her escorts have a dangerous journey to undertake from their own realm, in order to arrive at King Pierro’s, and an escort party will meet them half way to ensure her safe arrival.

The reader is then presented with the nightmare many rat owners dread, and if we anthropomorphised, we could readily believe fancy rats might have nightmares about too: wild rats invading fancy rat territory and battle! Death and injury remove any complacency the reader may have entertained as to the story being gentle and ‘cosy’.

The suspicion and distrust between the three kingdoms has been a fact of life for as long as any rat can remember. However one rat feels it’s time to change that: unwilling at first, he embarks upon a quest to find an answer to the disputes and constant fighting between the fancy rats and the wild rats.

The fact that the wild rats suffer prejudice and try to unite with fancy rats to improve themselves and find acceptance is a key to the solution. As is the acknowledgement that not all wild rats are bad and not all fancy rats are good.

The section where small, terrified Timere undergoes the Rat Run is skilfully and believably constructed, seeing everything from his perspective. The experience proves life-changing for him, as we know events can prove to be and we see his character grow as a result.

There are several segments to this story, keeping the reader interested and ever drawn in to the narrative, as different elements raise the level of anticipation and complexity. What might have been thought ‘obvious’ decisions are not always taken by the characters, and this adds to the depth of the book. Dissent and rebellion happens, and forgiveness has its place too.

Y.I. Lee gets a lot into this book, as it can feel there are several books within this one story, but the narrative flows easily and it is a pleasure to read, with plenty of heart-warming details.

 

-Lesley Mackness

My four star review of THE FAITH of ASHISH.

India is not a country I have ever wanted to visit. Even more so, when you see and hear what goes on there in the news...the treatment of woman!
However, the cover of the book and the blurb attracted me.

This is the story of Virat, Latha and their sweet little son, Ashish. They are untouchables and are forced to live a life of poverty and degradation. One day little Ashish is thirsty and drinks from a certain well. Doing so, means he has polluted the water. He receives a sever beating from the high cast men of the village.
In desperation, his father Virat seeks help from a rich landowner, Mammen Samuel...unaware that doing so, will plunge his family into slavery, with no way of escape!

From the very beginning, I found myself drawn into this often sad, and in some ways shocking story of mans inhumanity to man. While at the same time, I learned a lot about Indian customs...the cast system, and the hierarchy of Indian life.

THE FAITH of ASHISH, is not a particularly easy read, but I found it honest, in parts gripping and with good character portrayal.
A little extra editing would not have gone amiss, nevertheless this is a good story...a story with a message.

 

 

http://www.amazon.com/The-Faith-Ashish-Blessings-India/dp/1426709080/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8

Frozen Footprints. My review.

I love the cover and title of Frozen Footprints. So applicable to the story. It was the cover that attracted me in the first place. And I was certainly not disappointed.
What a great story! I would have given it ten stars if I could.
It's so refreshing to read an enthralling, gritty thriller, that is free of expletives! and overt sex.
This was a book I couldn't put down.
I really liked Charlene Perigard, the plucky heroin. With all that she's goes through, she stays true to her faith. As I devoured each page, there were times when I thought, Oh no, this must be it!
Kidnapped by an evil man and suffering cruel torture and deprivation, how can Charlene and her brother Max survive?
I loved the stories honesty. There were times, understandably, when Charlene doubted her faith...struggled to hold on. SO WOULD I. Nevertheless, she did.

Each character in the story was so well written.
I disliked their grandfather, intensely. What a horrible man! Between him and the awful kidnapper, I really felt for Charlene and Max.

This is a great book, I can't recommend it highly enough.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Frozen-Footprints-Therese-Heckenkamp/dp/0984236570/ref=pd_rhf_se_p_img_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=0CHZFM3VR4GC4A4CCQ5B

My review of Elvis the Frog.

This is a short, sweet little story for children.
Not having read many small children's books, I had to keep reminding myself, that repetition is helpful to children.
This little story, is a great way of teaching young ones to show respect and kindness to animals.

I love the attractive cover, and as a book for children, it's well written.

I can imagine myself reading it to my little grandson, when he's old enough.

http://www.amazon.com/Elvis-frog-Part-Michael-Donaldson-ebook/dp/B00VKST3LS/ref=pd_rhf_se_p_img_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=0BJQ7X87161J64SX5RVB