Somewhere beyond the sea - Amanda James

Doctor Tristan Ainsworth has returned with his family to the idyllic Cornish village close to where he grew up. The past has taught him some hard lessons, but he'll do anything to make his wife happy—so what's making her so withdrawn? 

Karen Ainsworth daren't reveal her true feelings, but knows her husband has put up with her moods for too long. A chance to use her extraordinary singing voice may set her free, so why shouldn't she take it? Surely her past can't hurt her now?

As a tide of blackmail and betrayal is unleashed to threaten the foundations of their marriage, Karen and Tristan face a difficult question. Is their love strong enough to face the truth when the truth might cost them everything?

My thoughts:

At first I did not know whether it was Tristan or Karen who had the secret (silly me ;) Because yes Karen was agoraphobic but there were things Tristan said. Anyway you will find out. I was only a bit, that is the secret? at first. That can't be the secret, and was it really the secret? Well you will find out ;) but trust me it was worth it.

Karen loves to sing, well she used to. Now she does not want to meet people or go outside. Tristan loves the village and the life, but he also wants his wife back to how she used to be. And it causes tension in their marriage.

And then there was the secret, a big one. There is blackmail, suspense, tension and romance too. The couple is already married but there can still be romance as they find each other again. Even if they are already in love and happy.

As I read on I understood Karen better, I always liked Tristan too as he was happy and was always trying. A good man.

Conclusion:

A book about moving on (and letting go of the past.)

Cover

I like it

Paperback, 336 pages
Expected publication: Out now 2014 by Choc Lit
Women's fiction
 for review

Review: A stitch in time - Amanda James

A stitch in time saves nine… or does it? Sarah Yates is a thirty something history teacher, divorced, disillusioned and desperate to have more excitement in her life. Making all her dreams come true seems about as likely as climbing Everest in stilettos.

Then one evening the door bell rings and the handsome and mysterious John Needler brings more excitement than Sarah could ever have imagined. John wants Sarah to go back in time…

Sarah is whisked from the Sheffield Blitz to the suffragette movement in London to the Old American West, trying to make sure people find their happy endings. The only question is, will she ever be able to find hers?

My thoughts:

How to tell this quickly, well a cute guy shows up and tells her she must stitch together times and sends her back to do so. If she saves 3 she saves 9 and more. Will she do it?

I am taking a step back. Our heroine Sarah is unhappy, she is a teacher but has issues at work. Her personal life sucks too. And if I was her I would also be unhappy. But in comes mystery guy from the time agency. And because she is a history teacher she does well with her time-hopping. She gets to to go to WWII Sheffield, to play little house on the prairie and to be a maid. But yes her modern sensibilities both saves her and gets her in trouble. But then it was not easy back then, and certainly not for a modern woman.

Oh yes, I did not forget mystery guy, there are sparks there and I will say no more.

Conclusion:

Time-travel, romance and lives to be saved in this interesting mix.

Cover

Her roots are showing, that is all I see

Romantic Fiction
Paperback, 301 pages
Published April 7th 2013 by Choc Lit (first published January 1st 2013)
For review