I haven’t been totally vegetized over the holiday… Plenty of reading went on and I made a teeny dent in my TBR pile!
One set of books I read were by the extremely talented Judith Barrow. Visit her blog here!
I have always loved stories that were based during the war years. It comes from the fact that my mother loves these kinds of family sagas too, and so when I ventured into more grown-up fiction, these kinds of stories were on my mother’s bookshelves, rather than the chick lit, which I am also a bit partial to!
Well, Judith’s books are exactly the kind of stories my mum would love!!!!
Pattern Of Shadows
My rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Judith Barrow has spun a fantastic tale about a northern family in the grips of the war, with some extremely sensitive, yet relevant to today issues.
My heart went out to the protagonist, Mary, and all she had to endure, from an awful boyfriend to loving one of the ‘enemy’, rape and coping with the pregnancy of her unwed sister. All this and dealing with her troubled parents, and a brother who was not only an objector to the war, but struggling to come to terms with homosexuality.
A meaty read and I was very glad to see there was a sequel!
Goodreads review – here
Amazon review – here
Changing Patterns
My rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I was happy to be able to read the continuation of the Howarth family’s situations.
Mary and Peter appeared to be happily settled, but with the death of her brother Tom, a whole host of secrets are brought to the surface. Certain truths are uncovered which create situations where they all feel that things will never be the same again.
I really enjoyed how Judith Barrow took the different threads from the original story, and continued to weave another gripping chapter in the story of Mary and her family.
Goodreads review – here
Amazon review – here
Living In The Shadows
My rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Taking a step further into the later years of Mary, and the Howarth family, we meet the various children, and nephews and nieces.
The events of the past have a knock-on effect on the children of the family, and old secrets are unearthed again.
I really enjoyed the whole series of books, and look forward to more from Judith Barrow!
Goodreads review – here
Amazon review – here
Secrets
My rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A short spin-off book with some stories about the minor characters from the Howarth family saga – It was a wonderful way to add some context to the characters we learned a little about in the three book series.
Goodreads review – here
Amazon review – here
And I am excited to read the prequel, A Hundred Tiny Threads, which charts the story of Mary Howarth’s parents.
It has also been chosen as The Welsh Books Council’s BOOK OF THE MONTH in January 2018!
Visit Judith’s Amazon page here to get all her books!
I’m sorry if my reviews are rather simplistic, but I read for enjoyment, not to find technical issues with books, and if a story reaches my heart, and makes me want to keep on reading, it is a good book!
dgkaye
Jan 06, 2018 @ 03:15:24
Wow! Great readathon Ritu. What a treat that must have been to read a Judith marathon! 🙂 xx
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Judith Barrow
Jan 06, 2018 @ 06:06:11
And what a treat for me to have all the reviews, Debby.x
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Ritu
Jan 06, 2018 @ 07:14:53
💜
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dgkaye
Jan 06, 2018 @ 16:19:39
Yes! Great Christmas gift! ❤
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Judith Barrow
Jan 06, 2018 @ 16:26:50
Oh yes!! ❤
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Ritu
Jan 06, 2018 @ 07:11:15
And I’m lucky I still have more to read!
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dgkaye
Jan 06, 2018 @ 16:21:40
Rock on girl! ❤
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Ritu
Jan 06, 2018 @ 16:24:39
💜🤓📚
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D. Wallace Peach
Jan 04, 2018 @ 15:23:26
How wonderful that you got to go on a little reading binge and polish off a whole series. Excellent reviews and congrats to Judith. I’m certain she’s thrilled. Happy Reading!
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Ritu
Jan 04, 2018 @ 15:33:21
It’s not often that I can do that so I grasped the chance!
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Judith Barrow
Jan 04, 2018 @ 16:41:34
And how pleased that you did take the opportunity, Ritu.x
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Ritu
Jan 04, 2018 @ 17:00:32
😊
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Judith Barrow
Jan 04, 2018 @ 16:40:24
I am so thrilled with Ritu’s reviews and comments on my books, Diana. Such a compliment! x
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Ritu
Jan 04, 2018 @ 17:00:18
💜
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robbiesinspiration
Jan 03, 2018 @ 14:53:22
Lovely reviews, Ritu. I wish I could read all day every day.
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Judith Barrow
Jan 03, 2018 @ 15:13:58
I’m thrilled by Ritu’s reviews of my books, Robbie. Thanks for the comment
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Ritu
Jan 03, 2018 @ 16:08:54
Me too Robbie!
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Jennie
Jan 03, 2018 @ 13:20:29
Excellent reviews, Ritu.
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Ritu
Jan 03, 2018 @ 14:43:12
Thanks Jennie!
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Jennie
Jan 04, 2018 @ 01:22:06
You’re welcome, Ritu!
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Judith Barrow
Jan 03, 2018 @ 15:13:04
Thank you, Jennie
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Jennie
Jan 04, 2018 @ 01:24:40
You are most welcome, Judith.
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Mary Smith
Jan 03, 2018 @ 00:50:09
Lovely reviews, Ritu. I totally agree with what you say as I’ve read and loved all Judith’s books – except for A Hundred Tiny Threads, which is waiting patiently on my Kindle. I know I’ll enjoy it when I get to it.
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Judith Barrow
Jan 03, 2018 @ 05:42:30
Thank you, Mary. I appreciate your comments. I hope you enjoy A Hundred Tiny Threads as well.
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Mary Smith
Jan 03, 2018 @ 10:31:01
I’m sure I will, Judith. Happpy New Year, by the way – don’t think we’ve ‘spoken’ so far this year.
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Ritu
Jan 03, 2018 @ 08:55:15
Thanks Mary. Judith is a talented writer!
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Judith Barrow
Jan 02, 2018 @ 23:30:32
Ritu, what a brilliant surprise. I had no idea you were writing this lovely post with so many links. Such trouble you have taken!! I am really and truly overwhelmed. Thank you. xx
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Ritu
Jan 03, 2018 @ 08:54:44
Aw it was no trouble Judith. I enjoyed your books and look forward to the next!
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Judith Barrow
Jan 03, 2018 @ 09:30:29
Thank you, Ritu. Really must get into a routine again.x
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Ritu
Jan 03, 2018 @ 10:09:04
😊
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Judith Barrow
Jan 02, 2018 @ 23:19:30
Reblogged this on Judith Barrow and commented:
I cannot begin to express how thrilled and grateful I am for this excellent gathering of reviews of my books from Ritu. Thank you so much, Ritu
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OIKOS™-Redaktion
Jan 02, 2018 @ 21:53:19
Reblogged this on Die Erste Eslarner Zeitung – Aus und über Eslarn, sowie die bayerisch-tschechische Region!.
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