Never-My-Name and Isn't-My-Name

Never-My-Name and Isn't-My-Name: Naughty Fairy Twins

By:-Colin Stern

Illustrated By:-Emily Luke

Genre:-Children's Fiction

Pages:-32

Blurb:-"Never-my-name and Isn't-my-name were naughty fairy twins. But Isn't-my-name went missing, which is where my tale begins." When Never-my-name loses her fairy twin sister, Isn't-my-name, while playing on the snowy mountainside, she fears she may never see her again. Enlisting her fairy helpers, Never-my-name searches high and low but isn't-my-name is simply nowhere to be found. What she doesn't know is Isn't-my-name has gone on an accidental adventure where the help of a tea-loving, ancient green dragon and a blast of his fiery breath may hold the key to her safe return.

 Never-my-name and Isn't-my-name: naughty fairy twins is a beautifully illustrated poems by author Colin Stern that will delight young children up to six years old. With colourful characters and gentle humour, this fantastical fairytale is a classic in the making that will spark the imagination. The catchy rhythm and rhyme of this simple story, meanwhile, makes it perfect for reading aloud at bedtime...or any time.

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My Review:-This a story about naughty fairy twins Never-My Name and Isn't-My-Name. While playing amongst the silver birch on the mountainside Isn't-My-Name went missing. Even with the help from fairy helpers they still couldn't find her. Isn't-My-Name had fell deep down a hole where she meets a grass-green dragon sat upon a pile of gold. The dragon called Isn't-My-Name Jane, even though that wasn't the name she told him. After help from the dragon Isn't-My-Name is blown through the roof and lands on the snow. It's not long before all was forgotten when Never-My-Name meets back up with her twin. This is a lovely book with hand drawn illustrations and plenty to talk about on each page that will appeal to younger children. My granddaughters and I really enjoyed the fairy twins.

The Kitchen

The Kitchen (Book 2 The Chastity Reloaded series)

By Simone Buchholz

Genre:-Mystery Thriller/Suspense Literary Fiction

Pages:-202

Publisher:-Orenda Books

Blurb:-Hamburg State Prosecutor Chastity Riley and her colleagues investigate the murders of men with a history of abuse towards women . . . as a startling, horrifying series of revelations emerge. Germany's Queen of Krimi returns with the dark funny, mesmerizingly dark next instalment in an addictive series.

 When neatly packed male body parts wash up by the River Elbe, Hamburg State Prosecutor Chastity Riley and her colleagues begin a perplexing investigation. As the murdered men are identified, it becomes clear that they all had a history of abuse towards women, leading Riley to wonder if it would actually be in society's best interests to catch the killers. But when her best friend Carla is attacked, and the police show little interest in tracking down the offender, Chastity takes matters into her own hands and as a link between the two cases emerges, horrifying revelations threaten Chastity's own moral compass . . . and put everything at risk.

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My Review:-This is Book Two in 'The Chastity Reloaded Series' This book is translated from the original German book. Chastity Riley, Hamburg State Prosecutor is busy preparing for an upcoming court case when she gets a call to say male body parts, hands, feet, head have been found in the River Elbe in a bin liner. but this isn't going to the only ones that are found. It's not long before more body parts are found, but also a full body is found. Each of the body and parts found have be killed in the same way. It's up to Bruckner, Calabretta and Chastity to find out what happened, why and also who has done this. There is one thing in common, they all have a history of abusing women.

 There is also another storyline running alongside, Chastity's best friend Carla and bar owner has been raped by two men. When Chastity sees her she's not in a good place, but the police aren't that interested in the case, so after finding out what happened it's up to Chastity to find out more.

Are to two cases linked in some way, you need to read it to find out. The characters in the story are interesting group of people. Chastity is someone that knows what she wants and will do what she can to get it. This is a book that you will have to read yourself. I just want to say the translation by Rachel Ward is amazing. 

The Night In Question

The night In Question

By Suzan Fletcher

Genre:-Women Sleuths/Detective Fiction/Adventure Stories and Action

Pages:-448

Publisher:-Bantam/Transworld

Blurb:-Florence Butterfield has lived an extraordinary life full of travel, passion and adventure. But, at eighty-seven, she suspects there are no more surprises to come her way. Then, one midsummer's night, something terrible happens-so strange and unexpected that Florrie is suspicious. Was this really an accident, or is she living alongside a would-be murderer? The only clue is a magenta envelope, discarded earlier that day. And Florrie-cheerfully independent but often overlooked-is the only person determined to uncover the truth. As she does, Florrie finds herself looking back on her own life... and a long-buried secret, traced in faded scars across her knuckles, becomes ever harder to ignore.

 Readers of Elizbeth is Missing, Small Pleasures or Dear Mrs Bird will love prize-winning author Susan Fletcher's The Night In Question-an absorbing and uplifting novel with a uniquely loveable protagonist at its heart.

 'A wonderfully warm and involving page-turner.' Clare Chambers, Sunday Times bestselling author of Small Pleasures.

 'A life-affirming novel, full of surprises. It's a gripping literary whodunnit and so much more...I adored it,' Emma Stonex, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Lamplighters.

 'Every word is a jewel. A richly evocative and moving portrait of an unforgettable heroine who will teach you everything you need to know about life and love and loss. The best book I have read in a long time.' Veronica Henry, Sunday Times bestselling author of How to Find Love in a Bookshop.

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My Review:-Florence (Florrie) Butterfield has had an interesting life, travelling to many places...North African, Paris, Bas camp of Everest as well as remote Scottish towns. Florrie now 87 years old and a resident of Babbington Hall Residential Home and Assisted Living, after a freak accident with a Silent Night based, ending up in a wheelchair with one leg. But that doesn't stop Florrie enjoying her life. After the death of Arthur, a resident at the care home trips and dies, followed by Renata, the manager of the care home tumbling from her upper floor window, everyone thinking it was an attempt to kill herself. Florrie knows that something isn't right about it and decides she's needs to look into both case a bit deeper. With the help from Stanhope Jones, another resident of the care home they start looking what did happen to Renata that left her in a coma in hospital. Florrie had only been talking to Renata early that day about finding love and Renata had asked Florrie if she had ever been in love, it did leave Florrie think about memories and stories of her past that she was going to share with Renata but there was no sign that Renata was thinking about killing herself. 

 The book has great bunch of characters, Florrie is a great character on her own but when you add others such as Stanhope, a Polish Goth carer, an vicar, and a couple of sister-in-laws each having their own part in the story, it makes it so much more.  This isn't just a cosy crime, there is so much more friendship, love and also loss.

Aria and Liam: Baker Street Mystery

Aria and Liam: Baker Street Mystery

By Coline Monsarrat

Genre:-Children's Fiction

Publisher:-Apice Publishing

Blurb:-Meet Aria and Liam, two average 13-year-old with a not-so-average problem!

Hey, fellow adventurers! I, Aria, opened a portal to the past, which catapulted us into a 3,000-year-old kingdom! Since then, my BFF Liam and I have taken part in numerous adventures in history, facing exciting (and perilous!) missions. But don't worry; we're up for the challenge and learning how to become true adventurers! From ancient civilizations to historical events, we're on a mission to save the day and find our way back home. So come along for the ride as we explore the past and make history… literally!

 Get swept away into the foggy streets of London, where a baffling and cryptic adventure awaits Aria & Liam!

As Aria and Liam team up with the daughter of the famous writer, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, they must race against time to save him from a mysterious and sinister plot. But when Doyle announces the return of Sherlock Holmes, he suddenly vanishes, plunging them into a world of hidden clues and shadowy figures. Could the mastermind behind it all be a rival author, a member of a secret society, or someone from London's high society? With each chapter bringing a new surprise, Aria and Liam must use their smarts and bravery to crack the case and save Doyle before it's too late.

Will they prove themselves as sharp as the legendary detective, or will they fall victim to the same fate

Ideal for fearless adventurers aged 9 to 12 who love humour, excitement, and a dash of fantasy.

Aria & Liam is a series of standalone middle-grade books allowing young readers to enjoy each adventure in any order they wish.

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My Review:-Aria and Liam are taken back in time while on a school trip to 221B Baker Street, London. There they meet Mary Louise, the daughter of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle the famous writer, she needs the help of Aria and Liam. After announcing the return of Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur goes missing. Could it possibly be a rival author, a member of a secret society or someone that belongs to London's high society? There are plenty of codes to crack and new twists along the way. Will Aria and Liam crack the case before it's to late. This is a great book that is for ages 8-12 years but I do recommend it for anyone 8 and upwards. Even though it's part of Aria and Liam series, it can be read as a standalone.

The Heart Of Winter

The Heart Of Winter

By Shona Kinsella

Genre:-Fantasy/Mythology

Pages:-240

Publisher:-Flame Tree Press

Blurb:-Brigit is a young woman living in a Scotland still ruled by tribes and largely Pagan. As Christianity is beginning to find a foothold, Brigit pays lip service to the church, but truly venerates the old gods. She does not support the changing position of women through the teachings of the church.

 A cool, damp summer and an early winter threaten the harvest. A harsh winter means starvation, so the elders of Brigit's village panic. They petition Aengus, the god of summer, to protect them. He agrees on the condition that they provide him with a bride. He chooses Brigit and the deal is made without her knowledge or consent.

 When Brigit learns of this arrangement, she flees into the Highlands to seek out the Cailleach, the goddess of winter. The Cailleach is uninterested in Brigit's plight; humans have hated and feared her for generations, and she is tired of their complaining. Brigit is not discouraged. She sets up camp outside the Cailleach's cave and makes offerings to the Winter Queen every day. Aengus comes looking for his bride but cannot approach the cave because he and the Cailleach are opposites. Caught between two gods and finding an unlikely ally in the Fae witch, Nicnevin, Brigit will be tested to her limits and beyond.

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My Review:-Based on Scottish mythology, as well as the beginning of Christianity. Brigit lives with her parents in Scotland a place that is still ruled by tribes and largely Pagan. When Brigit asks her best friend Mary who is crying at the well what is wrong, she is told that she must marry Hamish, even though he is nearly forty.  The year will be exceptionally hard and there won't be enough food for the village, the village elders decide a sacrifice has to be made to Aengus Lord of Summer, but Aengus won't take an elders life as sacrifice, he wants to marry Brigit, a young woman that he has noticed. The elders agree but once Brigit hears of it, she is against it. There is only one way she can stop Aengus and that is to find Cailleach, the goddess of winter, but it's not going to be as easy as Brigit thinks, and once she finds Cailleach will she agree to help, after all she has been hated and feared by humans for generations. Brigit is not one to take no for an answer and sets up a camp outside the Cailleach's cave. Brigit finds an unlikely ally in a fae witch called Nicnevin, but will this be enough.. A book of fantasy and also of knowing what you want and will try anything to get it

The Human Kind

The Human Kind

By Alexander Baron

Genre:-Wartime Fiction/Historical Fiction

Pages:-192

Publisher:-The Imperial War Museum and is part of the IWM Wartime Classics series

Blurb:-MARKING THE FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUMS WARTIME CLASSICS SERIES

 Alexander Baron's remarkable Trilogy of the Second World War to be published together for the first time.

Spanning the Sicilian countryside to the brothels of Ostend, and the final book in Alexander Baron's War Trilogy, The Human Kind is a series of pithy vignettes reflective of the author's own wartime experiences.

 From the interminable days of training in Britain to brutal combat across Northwest Europe, the book depicts many of the men, women-and, in some cases, children-affected by the widespread reach of the Second World War.

 In his trademark spare prose, Baron's work provides an emotive and incisive snapshot into the lives of myriad characters during this tumultuous period in history,

 Based on Alexander Baron's own wartime experiences, this new edition of a 1953 classic includes an introduction from IWM which puts the work in historical context, and concludes the author's War Trilogy

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My Review:-This is the final book in Alexander Baron's War Trilogy. I haven't read the other two books in the trilogy, but now that I have read this powerful book I will be reading the other two books in the trilogy. The book is set out as 25 short stories, which can be read as one or a pick up and put down. Each story has an narrator, but not till the end that we are introduce as 'Alex' (Alexander Baron). Having military links in the family I found this book both interesting and emotional. I have to say there wasn't anything I didn't like about this book. At times I felt that Baron's was sitting with me telling me the stories, as he remembered them happening. I highly recommend that you read this book. 

Little Red Driving Hood

Little Red Driving Hood

By Stacey Rayz

Genre:-Children's Fiction

Ages:-5-10

Publisher:-Two Season Press

Blurb:-Think you know the story of Little Red? Think again! This time Little Red is under the hood. What challenges will she encounter on her way to grandma's this time?

 Would you dare take a risk if your life depended on it? Especially on a day when everything seems to go wrong? Little Red dares to be different and takes bold risks as she ventures into a field that is out of the norm for girls.

 Perfect for girls and boys ages 5 to 10 who love cars, fixing things, and fairy tales, this empowering story is a modern mashup between Little Red Hood and Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Little Red Driving Hood and the Three Repairs is a treat for little mechanics-in-the-making and girls who will grow up into empowered women with the choice to challenge gender roles for a better society.

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My Review:-This a twist on what we all know as Little Red Riding Hood. Little Red Driving Hood was read by my granddaughter Emily and myself. Little Red loves helping out at the car garage where her mam works on cars. Her mam asked if she would help her grandma fix her car and hands her a tool box, Red wants to show off her skills she has learnt. On the way to Grandma's house she meet three members of the Wolf family, baby wolf, Mama wolf and big bad Papa wolf. Even though she didn't manage to fix the first two cars she still keeps trying to help fix Papa wolf's car. Red shows children even if you don't manage something first time, you should still keep trying, and not to be afraid if you can't do it. The book shows that even if you are a woman you can still do whatever you want to do. Each page has a bright and colourful illustration. Emily found Little Red Driving Hood easy to read, as well as plenty to talk about.