I was really excited to be asked to review a secret release last month, and it wasan’t any old book, but a story by world famous comedienne, Dawn French!
How cool was that?
It was all a bit secretive, as it hadn’t been publicised that Dawn was releasing a new book, so I had to hold my review close to my chest… and, here it is, now the book, Because Of You, has been published.
But first, the blurb!
Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock . . . midnight.
The old millennium turns into the new.
In the same hospital, two very different women give birth to two very similar daughters.
Hope leaves with a beautiful baby girl.
Anna leaves with empty arms.
Seventeen years later, the gods who keep watch over broken-hearted mothers wreak mighty revenge, and the truth starts rolling, terrible and deep, toward them all.
The power of mother-love will be tested to its limits.
Perhaps beyond . . .
Because Of You is Dawn French’s stunning new novel, told with her signature humour, warmth and so much love.
And my review:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I was extremely excited to be chosen to read an advanced copy of Dawn French’s new book, Because of You, having read all of her previous novels, and enjoyed them immensely. The story centres around two women, due to give birth on New Year’s Eve/Day, 2000. Anna, wife of wannabe politician Julian, and Hope, the girlfriend of gentle Isaac. Tragedy surrounds both women, yet out of the despair, one baby, Minnie, emerges.
It took me a little while to really get into the book, but within a few pages, I was truly immersed in the story. A story about mothers and daughters, and love that grows. How real relationships are formed. Matters of the heart. Dawn French has created beautiful, rounded, characters, that cause you to either to care deeply about them, or want to throttle them (Julian, anyone?) Every step of the way, I wondered when the truth would be exposed. I had an inkling, but I wasn’t sure. The book is written from the point of view of Hope, Anna and Minnie, in turn, with snippets of Julian and Isaac too, giving you a complete picture of the thoughts of everyone throughout a surreal situation. I don’t want to give too much away, but suffice to say, I had tears in my eyes by the end of the book. Absolutely wonderfully written.
Available at all good retailers.
Dawn French has been making people laugh for thirty years. On purpose.
As a writer, comedian and actor, she has appeared in some of the UK’s most long running, cherished and celebrated shows, including French and Saunders, The Comic Strip Presents …, Murder Most Horrid, The Vicar of Dibley, Jam and Jerusalem, Lark Rise to Candleford, and more recently, Roger and Val Have Just Got In.
Today I am thrilled to be able to host my dear blogging pal, His Geoffleship, aka Geoff Le Pard, on my blog, as he introduces his amazing new poetry collection, The Sincerest Form of Poetry.
And here’s the Blurb:
All of life in one easy couplet
To write poetry I need inspiration. Often that comes from my appreciation of the craftsmanship of other, better poets, whose skills I aspire to emulate. For this anthology, I have chosen two such sources: in part one, the search for Britain’s favourite poem led to the publication of the top 100 and I have used a number of these to craft my own take on those beautiful and inspirational works; in part two, my love of the sonnet form, fostered by reading Shakespeare’s gems has provided a selection covering many topics and themes. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed creating them.
If you know of our dear Geoffles, already, you’ll be aware of his writing talent, having released several novels, and short story anthologies, already, and who can forget his short stories and flash fiction pieces on his blog? (I wonder where his mind wanders, sometimes…) Check it all out on his blog, here!
Here’s us, sharing a special moment at the ABBA’s in 2017!
And again in 2019, at the ABBA’s!
Anywho… I asked Geoff to choose a particularly poignant poem from his new anthology, along with a reason for why he selected that particular verse, and this is what he came up with.
Over to you, His Geoffleship!
The Hand That Guides Your consoling hand sits light on my sleeve, A confident tap to release me on four; We set sail, in step, gliding with ease Past blind spots and missteps strewn on the floor. I fumble to catch that elusive toe-tap Which, if I could, would allow me my head. You remind me, by way of a quick finger snap, Of the dangers where taking that path might lead. I continually try to do it my way, To give into weakness of flesh and of soul But you hold my love tight; I cannot stray And we remain linked; two parts of one whole. May it always be thus as we gib and we tack; Both looking forward, your hand at my back.
I wanted to write a poem to my fabulous wife, a thank you really for being in the right placeat the right time for us to meet and to give in (a bit too easily maybe) to my blandishments. And because it was to be a love poem, it just had to be a sonnet. But then again the sonnet is just 14 lines; how do you capture that essence? When I wrote this we had been married 30 years and together for nearer 40. We had many pleasures we enjoyed together (stop sniggering at the back, this is serious) and many which were our own. One that was ours and not really anyone else’s was our love of dancing. Weekly we’d take a lesson and gradually improve our waltz or cha cha cha, laughing, learning, loving. It’s both an intimate thing and a selfish skill that must be employed to gain the most enjoyment. And maybe more than any other it is a team exercise. Of course, we work as a team, in harness emotionally and familially, but this is a physical team at work and possibly unique for all that in our relationship. So using our dancing experiences as the kernel for the metaphor of what makes us work as a team in all situations became the base for my poem. When we dance there are two very specific parts of the process where each of us brings an extra skill to the party. I’ve never found it difficult to learn the steps, to understand the dynamics of the turns, the angles we need to achieve, the moments of longeur and the times when speed is essential; she understands the music, the rhythms and pacing, knowing if my inclination to focus on the mechanics is taking us away from the music. And as a metaphor for our marriage that’s true too. I’m the obviously dynamic one, the one up front loud and excited. And she allows me my head until… until my enthusiasm and need to get things done, to get on with things begins to challenge the overall plan. Ironically, because in a car we undertake the opposite roles often, but in life I tend to drive and she to map read. And together we make the steps, keep on the beat and move forward, two gliding as one.
Perhaps the one essential I didn’t capture here is our shared laughter; the critical piece, the glue, the cheese in the sarnie, the oil in the dressing. But then again, I rather hope some of the imagery will make the reader smile and that will do nicely.
Thank you, so much for that heartfelt piece, His Geoffleship!
Now, I was lucky enough to read the book in advance, and let me tell you, it’s a great little read! I giggled at his ‘amendments’ to ssome classics, in Part One, and ‘Please, Mrs Patterson’, really resonated with me, as a teacher! ‘We’re All Santas Now’, had me laughing out loud, garnering some funny looks from my son! Part two is filled with sonnets that are truly Geoffled, as in, his own, not some tweaked versions, ranging from covering some serious issues, to humorous, as well as cricket, for which I know His Geoffleship has a special love! A wonderful read which can be devoured in one sitting, or savoured at pleasure, picking up the book to read snippets of rhyme and cadence at your will. Loved it!
More about Geoff LePard
Geoff Le Pard started writing to entertain in 2006. He hasn’t left his keyboard since. When he’s not churning out novels he writes some maudlin self-indulgent poetry, short fiction and blogs at geofflepard.com. He walks the dog for mutual inspiration and most of his best ideas come out of these strolls. He also cooks with passion if not precision.
My Father and Other Liars is a thriller set in the near future and takes its heroes, Maurice and Lori-Ann on a helter-skelter chase across continents.
Dead Flies and Sherry Trifle is a coming of age story. Set in 1976 the hero Harry Spittle is home from university for the holidays. He has three goals: to keep away from his family, earn money and hopefully have sex. Inevitably his summer turns out to be very different to that anticipated.
In this, the second book in the Harry Spittle Sagas, it’s 1981 and Harry is training to be a solicitor. His private life is a bit of a mess and he’s far from convinced the law is for him. Then an old acquaintance from his hotel days appears demanding Harry write his will. When he dies somewhat mysteriously a few days later and leaves Harry in charge of sorting out his affairs, Harry soon realises this will be no ordinary piece of work. After all, his now deceased client inherited a criminal empire and several people are very interested in what is to become of it.
The third instalment of the Harry Spittle Sagas moves on the 1987. Harry is now a senior lawyer with a well-regarded City of London firm, aspiring to a partnership. However, one evening Harry finds the head of the Private Client department dead over his desk, in a very compromising situation. The senior partner offers to sort things out, to avoid Harry embarrassment but soon matters take a sinister turn and Harry is fighting for his career, his freedom and eventually his life as he wrestles with dilemma on dilemma. Will Harry save the day? Will he save himself?
Life in a Grain of Sand is a 30 story anthology covering many genres: fantasy, romance, humour, thriller, espionage, conspiracy theories, MG and indeed something for everyone. All the stories were written during Nano 2015.
Salisbury Square is a dark thriller set in present day London where a homeless woman and a Polish man, escaping the police at home, form an unlikely alliance to save themselves.
Buster & Moo is about about two couples and the dog whose ownership passes from one to the other. When the couples meet, via the dog, the previously hidden cracks in their relationships surface and events begin to spiral out of control. If the relationships are to survive there is room for only one hero but who will that be?
Apprenticed To My Mother describes the period after my father died when I thought I was to play the role of dutiful son, while Mum wanted a new, improved version of her husband – a sort of Desmond 2.0. We both had a lot to learn in those five years, with a lot of laughs and a few tears as we went.
Life in a Conversation is an anthology of short and super short fiction that explores connections through humour, speech and everything besides. If you enjoy the funny, the weird and the heart-rending then you’ll be sure to find something here.
When Martin suggests to Pete and Chris that they spend a week walking, the Cotswolds Way, ostensibly it’s to help Chris overcome the loss of his wife, Diane. Each of them, though, has their own agenda and, as the week progresses, cracks in their friendship widen with unseen and horrifying consequences.
Famous poets reimagined, sonnets of all kinds, this poerty selection has something for all tastes, from the funny, to the poignant to the thought-provoking and always written with love and passion.
It’s a busy month, my birthday, and starting back at school. I am always shattered every evening, so it’ll be interesting to see how many books I manage to read this month… not many…
Christmas Sisters is a wonderful introduction to the characters due to star in a series to be released soon. A woman filled with grief at losing her husband and child, opens her heart and home to a young girl who has been left with no carer, and as she comes to terms with having a new child in her life, she ends up with not one, but four new foster girls. No links to one another, but connection that becomes so strong, they become soul sisters. Looking forward to reading the series, now!
Neena is an immigrant who has moved from her life and family in India to the hustle and bustle of modern USA. This story charts a period in her life where the two cultures clash in many ways, when her father is taken ill, back home, and she has to rush back to support her parents. How do you mesh two cultures together, keeping hold of your roots, as well as embracing the new one you now live in? An interesting story. My only sticking point was that some writing was a little clunky in places, possibly due to language differences, meaning there were moments when certain situations cot lost in translation. However, if you look beyond this, the story has good potential, and makes good points.
I’ve always enjoyed Sarah Morgan’s Christmas inspired stories and this one was no different. One More For Christmas explores the fractured nature of a mother’s relationship with her daughters, where her trying to do the best for them, ends up forcing them apart. Then an accident brings them together, where secrets are unveiled, and in the midst of it all, a romance begins to blossom. A great read for Christmas, with some touching moments,
Releasig 22nd October, 2020
To be published 15th October. I can’t actually put my review up yet, until the publication date… but it’ss GOOD!!
I loved Dawn O’Porter’s So Lucky, so jumped at the chance to read her take on the Lockdown of 2020, and was not disappointed, whatsoever. There were many moments I was nodding my head, agreeing with her thoughts, times I was giggling at her antics, and then, especially as she discussed the loss of her good friend, Caroline Flack, there were moments of deep sadness. Dawn’s experience, regardless of whether she is a celebrity or not, mirrors the emotions of many families, stuck at home, home schooling, dealing with being in a home with the same people for months on end. A great read!
I’ve got to be honest with you. The last few weeks have seen me read less and less, not for want of trying, but because I am exhausted due to the trials and tribulations of this whole Covid-19 craziness. Books that I would usually whizz through, are unable to keep me awake and reading, However, for the first time in around four weeks, I found a book that kept me reading, and I finished it in two sittings. And that book was The Christmas Swap by Sandy Barker. OMG, I LOVED it! It was just the level of lighthearted reading that I needed, with characters that I felt invested in from the beginning. The May Ladies, or rather Jules, Lucy and Chloe, are a trio who met as youngsters and formed a true bond, despite living in totally different continents, America, Australia and England. Their friendship stays strong over the years, with them meeting up regularly. This Christmas, however, they end up swapping their lives, with Jules, the Aussie, ending up in a small village in Oxfordshire, Lucy the English rose, in the snowy depths of America, and Chloe, the American, enjoying a warm Aussie Christmas in Melbourne. A total departure for each of them, and who knew they might just meet some one special in their new Christmas abodes? I loved how Sandy switched slang for the different characters, so you could tell the origins of each character. The chemistry that simmered between certain individuals as they tested their feelings out, and that hint of something physical, without too much graphic detail. A really wonderful read, that promises to take you on a journey of discovery, and a whirlwind tour of the world! Many thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Released 16th October, 202
See, it was a much quieter reading month for me, due to starting back to school. the first few weeks always drain me totally, and having the builders around doesn’t help! Still, I was always reading, whether it was a page a day, or a chapter.
But I Smile Anyway... 