Six in Six 2019 – My Choices

So without further ado here is my Six in Six for 2019.

• Six books with workplaces in their title

Farm

Cafe

Shipyard

Picture House

Lighthouse

School

• Six authors I have read before

1. Lucinda Riley
2. Heidi Swain
3. Nancy Revell
4. Christie Barlow
5. Veronica Henry
6. Sarah Bennett

• Six books from the past that drew me back there

1. Sara Sheridan – Mirabelle Bevan Series (Russian Roulette & Indian Summer)
2. Lorna Cook – The Forgotten Village
3. Hazel Gaynor – The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter
4. Liz Fenwick – The Path to the Sea
5. Georgina Clarke – Death and the Harlot
6. Erica James – The Dandelion Years

• Six new authors to me

1. Lorna Cook – The Forgotten Village
2. Erica James – The Dandelion Years
3. Georgina Clarke – Death and the Harlot
4. Caroline Roberts – Rachel’s Pudding Pantry
5. Laura Purcell – The Silent Companions
6. Kirsty Wark – The House on the Loch

 

• Six Extracts from reviews I have written in 2019

This is a wonderful heartwarming novel, which deals with many issues across a spectrum – from “cradle to grave” and all of the characters in the book are wonderful. Add to that the setting of Scotland and the power of the weather and it felt I was transported right up there and was sharing the community spirit which simply floated off the pages. (Love Heart Lane – Christie Barlow)

*

The story though is ultimately about Greta and how despite being a Goldbaum from one branch and having to marry into another branch is fiercely independent and determined to make her mark and not be overlooked in any way. Her actions and challenges to the norm and what is ‘expected’ were both heartwarming and heartbreaking. She can be found naked under the cherry tree in the early days of marriage, she will breastfeed her son herself. She will understand the power and knowledge that women  can have in a man’s world. She will love and she will grieve, for everything she knows about her Goldbaum history will be torn apart by war and the greed of money. (House of Gold – Natasha Solomons)

*

This is a fantastic read. It has everything you want from a book, humour, tragedy, light and dark moments and covers some difficult subjects with careful consideration. Plus I got to learn a lot about viticulture as well as the word itself! Wonderful characters which are introduced gradually and all play a part in the overall story. They are not all flung in at the beginning of the novel, but woven into the tale as you go so they are full formed and can be remembered quite clearly once you have put the book down.

Vintage Cathy Bramley which absolutely fizzes! (A Vintage Summer – Cathy Bramley)

*

Will Bluebell Castle survive the debts, the intrigued and the new love burgeoning within its walls?

It has everything that I could possibly want from a really good story; romance, mystery, history, a castle and even a Butler! If all or any of these things, fascinate you then read the book, it will bring joy to you in abundance.

It is like the Antiques Roadshow meets Downton Abbey and I am totally in love with it! Sarah Bennett has done it again and I think this is going to be her best series to date. (Spring Skies over Bluebell Castle – Sarah Bennett)

*

This novel is told from all the three main character points of view, to help with your understanding and timeline, chapters are dated so we go between present day and the past.

The writing is so subtle that I was immediately drawn into the house party of Boskenna and the mystery that continued to build around the events and the house had me in mind of Rebecca…….I was convinced that Mrs Danvers was going to appear. Whilst of course she doesn’t the secrets that are tied up in the house and the family are going to have to come out.

The Cornish setting added to the atmosphere and the author has an uncanny knack of making it all three dimensional away from the page. I could taste the salt in the sea air and feel the heat of the sun. (A Path to the Sea – Liz Fenwick)

*

This is a great read which took me to the ever changing weather and landscapes of the Highlands of Scotland. Whilst characters first appeared in an earlier novel by Colgan which I had not read, there was enough background to see me through as this book is very much focussed on Zoe and Hari as well as the three children she comes to care for.

Subtly done, some rather difficult situations are encountered, selective mutism, mental health issues in youngsters as well as romance and friendships, the book has so much to give and was one of my favourite reads of 2019 so far. (The Bookshop on the Shore – Jenny Colgan)

 

• Six books I have read but not reviewed

1. Sarah Sheridan – Russian Roulette
2. Agatha Christie – Dumb Witness
3. Lucinda Riley – The Angel Tree
4. Erica James – The Dandelion Years
5. Judy Finnigan – Eloise
6. Laura Purcell – The Silent Companions

That is my choices, I am really enjoying reading yours and there is still time to join in and tell everyone what you have enjoyed in the first six months of 2019.