Edel's Book ,Beauty & Life Blog

It was terrific being back again reading about the beautiful Cranberry Island and the fabulous Natalie and the folks in the Grey Whale Inn. and it’s not the only thing turning heads as there has been some devilment going on on the island too with someone damaging boats of the locals ... I loved this story and all the twists and turns to find out what sneaky business was going on on the island and who is to blame . I read this in one sitting , it’s a brilliant addition to this series .

Gracie is a likable young woman with admirable traits and a big heart , she lives at home with her mum and she works in the local factory . As Gracie is so likable she draws the attention of some men , some of the attention is happily received but some of the attention is more distressing and that’s when her own strength and gumption serve her well . I really enjoyed this story of the ups and downs of a young woman during war time , trying to manage her job and place in the world with young love and the darker sides of life , her family and plans for the future . I especially enjoyed the parts of the plot with Gracie and her mother , it was interesting and heartwarming , I found myself galloping through the last 50 pages so I could find out if everyone would make it through in one piece through all the bombing .

Heather Burnside spent her teenage years on one of the toughest estates in Manchester and she draws heavily on this background as the setting for many of her novels. Dragged up by an alcoholic, violent father, and a weak, beaten mother, their childhood in Manchester only prepared them for a life of crime and struggle. Getting more and more immersed in the murky world of crime and gangs, his close bonds with Adele gradually loosen until they look set to break altogether. Dragged back into her worst nightmares, there's only one person she can turn to when her life is on the line – her brother Peter.

This is the story of a little village called Little Woodford , it’s a quaint place where everyone knows their neighbors and even more so the gossip about them, adding to the charm of the story . The story is told from a lot of the villagers perspectives but primarily from Bex’s point of view , Bex is a much loved resident , a widow and mother . Olivia Lewthwaite, former town councillor, pillar of the WI and all-round busybody, has been forced by her husband’s gambling debts to sell their house - her pride and joy. To make matters worse, a thoroughly disagreeable woman has bought Olivia’s beloved Grange and sets about objecting to everything she can, from the ringing of the church bells, to the market stall selling organic local meat.