Bookreview: A Game of Chess

The Dream Factory (book 2) - A Game of Chess

written by John Simes

Check also my review of the Dream Factory on this link. 

"A beautiful fantasy novel!"

Summary

A Game of Chess is the thrilling sequel to The Dream Factory. Peter Young
thought things couldn't get any worse after his parents were snatched from his
home. He was wrong.

With the help of a revolutionary ephone called Om, and his girlfriend Navinda,

Peter's desperate search for his parents takes him from a sleepy Devon village
to the chaos of London. 

However, Peter and Navinda are merely pawns in a deadly game of chess,
orchestrated by criminal mastermind Rosencrantz and the sinister Golden Hand. 

Who will play the final checkmate? 

My review

For me it was nice to 'meet' the characters from The Dream Factory again 

in this sequel: "A Game of Chess".

As always the author is a wonderful detailed story teller and before I 
knew, I was into the story. So it really is a page turner!

"A Game of Chess" is well written, clear and it read easily, which I 
like very much.

This is a dark and compelling tale with a beautiful love story. If you like
quirky fantasy novels, this is a must read book! I recommend it with a
5 * rating. 

The Author

After his career as a teacher and school leader, John Simes founded 
Collingwood Learning - a consultancy for school improvement. In 
2013 he established Collingwood Published Limited.

John lives with his family in South Devon, England, where he grapples 
with his addictions to cricket, poetry and the stunning local landscape
as well as his continuing enthusiasm for education. 

Booktasters

Thank you very much for the author and Booktasters! I received a free
copy in return for my honest review. 

Bookreview: Lamlash Street

Lamlash Street: A Portrait of 1960's Post-War
London through One Family's story

written by J.M. Phillips

"A very nice trip to memory lane" 

Summary

Explore a world that can't be visited anymore-South East London, 1963.
On Lamlash Street, Cockney families have more life and character than money,
living among the bombed out and condemned buildings. Post WWII London
will evolve swiftly into the era of The Beatles, Twiggy, and modern, swinging London.

Experience the lively true story of a girl on her way to being a young woman,
coming-of-age at a moment in London's history unlike any other.
Jill Phillips tries to capture her first kiss while navigating a world turning
upside down and the trauma that her parents and uncle experienced during the war.

It's a time when a local factory shutting down could mean more than just job loss.
As families are torn apart, they rely on questionable yet quirky neighbors and find
inventive ways to survive-like pay cigarette machines in the house and Christmas
presents "special ordered" for a fraction of the cost.

Seen-but-not-heard by the adults in her life, Jill looks for young love and
how to define herself. Stories of Nazi aircraft on the walk home from school,
watching Doodle bugs (flying bombs) drop on London from rooftop perches,
and her uncle's many unsettling stories of war as young merchant mariner give
her a unique lens of the world and what a better future could look like for her family.

Lamlash Street: A Portrait of 1960's Post-War London Through One Family's Story
is a heartfelt and funny historical memoir. If you like non-stereotypical women
characters, working-class endurance, and a biography about rallying from abundant
loss, then you'll adore Jill Phillips' moving recollection.

Buy Lamlash Street to take an emotional and touching trip down memory lane today!

My Review

Readers of my blog(s) already know that I do like (royal) history. However London
also attracks me very much. 

It was a nice trip to the author's memory lane and the book was written very clearly.

However I missed some structure in the story. 

Nevertheless, it is a wonderful story. That's why I want to give a 4 star on 5 rating. 

The Author

J.M. Phillips is an author and retired Occupational Therapist. Motivated
by the retelling of family stories, she wrote Lamlash Street, which is about
navigating family life in London after World War II. She is a storyteller with
a passion to inspire families to connect through the telling of their past.

Growing up in the UK, J.M. emigrated to Canada after working in a London
solicitor’s office for a few years. She spent 30 years working as an
Occupational Therapist and Hospital manager before retiring.

Rather than slowing down the pace of life as she neared retirement,
J.M. refocused her efforts enjoying each day with a zest for life.
 A technology and sci-fi fan with a thrill-seeking streak, she’s been
cave swimming in Mexico and hopes to swim with dolphins.

During one of her many trips to visit her family in Bexleyheath,
she was inspired to capture their memories of a way of life that is
cherished by many. Pulling from her uncle’s World War II stories and
her memories of her young life in the 1960’s, she aims to carry on his
legacy with her books.

She spent many years working in health care. She is currently splitting
her time between the UK and Canada, maintaining close contacts with
family, and at the same time discovering more fascinating family stories.
Learn more at her website on this link. 

BookSirens

I received an advance copy for free via BookSirens. I'm leaving this review
voluntarily. Thank you very much for giving me the chance for reading this
memoir. 

Lamlash Street is published by 'Red Damask Publishing' in 2020. It is 
available on Amazon.com in Kindle version and in paperback. 

Source picture: Book cover

Bookreview: Lucia's War

London, 1950. Soprano Lucia Percival has overcome racism and many obstacles to become a renowned opera singer. She is now due to perform her last concert. But she has no intention of going onstage. A terrible secret from her service during the First World War has finally caught up with her.

London, 1917. Lucia, a young Jamaican exile, hopes to make it as a musician. But she is haunted by a tragic separation that is still fresh in her memory - and when she meets Lilian, an old woman damaged by a similar wartime loss, she agrees to a pact that could destroy everything she has fought so hard to achieve.

From the Western Front and the mean streets of Glasgow, to black society in London, Lucia’s story tells a tale of music, motherhood, loss and redemption.

From the author of "stirring" wartime saga White Feathers, shortlisted for the Romantic Novel of the Year Award 2015, Lucia's War is ideal for fans of Andrea Levy and Sebastian Faulks

I want to thank BookSIRENS for their free copy of 'Lucia's War'. My thoughts about the book are my own.

I chose this novel, because I really like to read about historical events and people. So I'm very happy with this wonderful story.

Lucia's War is very well and clearly written by Susan Lanigan.
She writes fluently and convincing.

I really wanted to know the end of the story. So a book to recommend to friends!


Lucia's War
Written by Susan Lanigan
Publication Date: 5 June 2020
Source picture: bookcover