Jean Stubbs (1)Ressenyes

The story takes place in Scotland in 1765 where Kitty Nairne marries the much older Laird Thomas Ogilvie. Kitty is not only young but immature as well and begins an ill advised relationship with her husband's younger brother, Patrick. Then a terrible murder takes place and Kitty is blamed.
I am a fan of true crime and remember reading about this case. I was very interested to read a fictionalized version of this crime and the trial that took place.
I found the writing and the story interesting and refreshing. The author did a good job of detailing everyday life in Scotland during the period in which these events took place.

A semi-fictional account of the life of Henry Tudor who would become Henry VII, the story ending on his wedding day. An enjoyable well-written book and as I admit to knowing very little about this king I found the subject interesting.

In Victorian London,Theodore Crozier, businessman, has been found dead. Initially thought to be a natural death, suspicions are raised and whispers about a relationship between Mrs Laura Crozier and her brother-in-law Titus are brought to light. It falls to Inspector John Joseph Lintott to investigate.
An enjoyable mystery and an interesting exposé of Victorian domestic life.
A NetGalley Book

1902 and Nicholas Carradine employs ex-detective Inspector John Lintott to investigate the train accident that killed his six-year old half-sister Odetto, twenty years ago. The case take Lintott to the scene of the crash in France.
I enjoyed the mystery of this story but the books should probably be called a romance and mystery story.

Good victorian mystery. The policeman was a working class, salt of the earth type. The servants were an enjoyable mix of personalities. The wealthy employers were not very likeable spoiled people. Altogether an enjoyable book. A couple of nice twists near the end.

Kit’s Hill by Jean Stubbs
The Brief Chronicles #1

Originally published in 1978 this book definitely is as valid today as it was then. This historical romance set in the 18th century begins the saga of the Howarth family...or at least one segment of this family. The Howarths have lived on their farm, Kit’s Hill, for longer than anyone can remember and it is Ned’s turn to bring home a wife and continue his line. He has his eye on a woman and has had it there for three years before finally summoning up courage to write her a proposal of marriage that actually begins the story of Ned and orphaned parson’s daughter Dorcas Wilde.

Dorcas has been lady’s companion to her spinster aunt for three years and the two are like chalk and cheese and yet, can she marry outside of the station she has been raised in even though she is too poor to catch a man she might pair well with...an educated man...perhaps a parson like her father.
Dorcas can have her own home, a husband, children and a life of her own with Ned though she knows nothing of farms or what living on a farm might entail. And yet...living as she has for the past three years versus that other path...well...what is a woman of twenty-five to do? What path should she choose? Of course she chooses Ned or the family line and future books in the series would not have been written. But what about this book? What did I think? Well…

What I liked:
* Ned: a good man who is honest and wise and simple who truly loves Dorcas...he knew all along they would wed though I am not sure his rosy view of what would be came about as quickly as he thought it would.
* Dorcas: intelligent, caring, perhaps a bit distant at time but a force to be reckoned with and quite capable of holding her own. When she finds and embraces “love” it is a marvelous thing.
* The slow build of the relationship between Ned and Dorcas
* The look into life long ago and all that it entailed – it was not an easy life and once again it made me think about how much easier life is today with birth control, educational options, less change of starvation...and so many other things. Even doing laundry back then was more difficult than it is today.
* The “authentic-old” feel of the writing with dialect (sometimes difficult to understand)
* The googling I did to try to find out more about terms used in the book...tenterhooks, saddle-stick and others

What I did not like:
* The slower pace to the story – much slower than most more modern stories
* Being reminded of the difficulties faced by those living in the 18th century
* The dialect that was difficult to totally understand – just as I liked it I disliked it

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? I think so

Thank you to Sapere Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

Wonderful and warm!

Ned Howarth's letter to the beautiful Miss Dorcas Wilde is wonderful. Heartfelt and hesitant it reveals his heart. After all a man can dream and a 'cat can look at a queen'. This rare look into the rural life of a farming family in the high hills of Lancashire County in the late 1700's, over thirty years, is a treat. Dorcas and her adjustment to the life and the adjustment of others to her shows Dorcas' tenacity in this life changing journey she undertakes. The inhabitants of Kits Hill are hesitant about her and no-one more so than the housekeeper, Betty Ackroyd, who until now has held a position of power.
And this is just the beginning! The first in a quartet originally published in 1980. The passing of time has not diminished the appeal of this enjoyable story of the Howarth generations at the farm on Garth Fells.

A NetGalley ARC

Set in the early 19th century, when steam trains were just beginning, this book is something of a family saga. The people shine through as individuals, and a potentially dull setting becomes interesting with clever writing and enough surprises to keep the book moving.

This book opens with someone waiting in a tea-shop shortly after World War II, then returns to 1928 as she grows up. The horrors of war are hinted at and eventually the book comes full circle. A pleasant read.

Flavia goes to stay at Kelly Park, a run-down country house. As she struggles to reach her dreams, she gradually gets accepted by the local people. Great characters and romantic tension, if a little over-dramatic in places.

The book opens with one main character at her sister's marriage. As the book progresses, the viewpoint alternates in sections between the sisters, building up a picture of their family. Pleasant reading.

Marina goes for a long break to an isolated cottage to recover from a tragedy. Her growing relationship with her 'difficult' son makes a powerful thread to this book. Very sympathetic characters and a good plot with some drama and excitement.

This is a great book. I would classify it as urban fantasy, as it is taken place in our current world and has elements of magic in it. The magical elements are not very pronounced, though. It is more like they are interwoven in the story. In the end, magic does play a large roll, but in a quiet way. Nothing flashy, no broomsticks, but there all the same and simply a part of the world.

The story is about Imogen, who is still grieving for the death of her husband and is invited to stay with an old school friend. Her friend is a staunch Christian and married to a vicar, but Imogen finds herself attracted to 'the listeners', a group of standing stones, and to a group of craftswomen who practice witchcraft. Being a milliner herself, eventually she joins them, but soon finds that all is not well in the world. Witchcraft is far from being universally accepted and the witches have an enemy...

I enjoyed reading this book, although the storyline was weak. A cosy book about wise women and witches, cosy craft shops and town gossips...... A nice read in all but read to be entertained by the descriptions not the story........

This is not a particularly strong book for the genre (gentle reads) but I really liked her book The Witching Time! One thing that struck me was some advice on page 275: Ezra says: "I will leave you now but not by yourself, but with your Self. Think of her as a separate being, a sister. Instead of driving her, tormenting her, finding fault with her, you should ask her what she needs."

In the tradition of Dion Fortune but with a shade more Romance this book has quite a sympathetic view of witches without being too cosy. Something like ‘Chocolat’ but not as well written.

I have not yet read this book.