Margaret James (1)Reseñas

The Final Reckoning by Margaret James is a 2019 Ruby Fiction publication.

A haunting, suspenseful mystery-
This story is a genuine whodunit style mystery, with a cold case element added in, on top of a compelling emotional drama, which gives the story an added dose of depth. Part of what helped to create such a sinister atmosphere, is the secluded village, the hint of religious fervor, and the residents, who range from slightly quirky, to moderately suspicious, to downright strange.
Eleven years prior, Lindsay Ellis found her boyfriend’s father murdered. The trauma left a lasting mark on Lindsay, but now, after her mother’s passing, she is forced to return to Hartley’s Cross for the funeral planning and to put her mother’s affairs in order. Forced to confront her painful past, Lindsay examines her feelings for her old boyfriend, while attempting to find answers to the old unsolved murder, hoping for long overdue closure. However, her arrival back in Hartley’s Cross is not welcomed by everyone…
This an absorbing mystery, with a tense, and surprising twist I didn’t see coming. The pacing is even, with a nice, balanced deepening of the mystery and increase in the suspense. This is a quick, atmospheric novel, all mystery and suspense lovers will enjoy!

Romantic fiction about two people meeting, and not getting that they should totally hook up! ;)

Rosie goes to visit a friend. She is mourning and does not want to talk about it(and it takes a while before we are told why, she really should not hold it inside.) She is busy and wants to forget.

Patrick's wife tells him she is leaving and taking the kids. I should think she is a B, which she is. But at the same time, it's not her fault if she fell for someone else. And he does realise during this that he should spend more time with his kids, and how fun it is to spend time with that. He was very work focused before. So, good for him to grow.

When these two meet there is something. But as this is more than just romance, they go their separate ways, but they still think about each other. I liked that. Love is not all falling in instalove, spending days in bed and getting married the next month. Here they think about each other, and worry about reaching out. But hey, there is also romance in this book so they do finally get together, get to know each other (slowly!), and fall in love.

Like I would steer you wrong, of course there is a HEA too.

Friendship, love and a bit of everyday drama.

This is actually part 3 in a series but it can well be read on its own. Book 1 took place during WWI, book 2 was about that couple's daughter and this book has a new heroine named Cassie who arrives at a farm to work. The farm owned by the couple from book 1. It's her story.

I have read the other two books but this was actually my favorite. I can't say what made it so, was the writing better? The story? The heroine? Who can tell what tiny detail makes me fall more? I did like the two previous books too but I guess Cassie won me over more. She was brave, did not give up and most of all, she was sweet.

The story is about the war, family and love. Cassie falls for the son in the family, luckily the Denhams are good people and not snobs as they come from a better family and she is gutter trash. All is good on that front. But the war is always there and Robert goes back. Their romance takes some time to blossom and I liked this. No rush, even if we know it will happen (as he does not like her from the start.) And as he is away fighting and she does her best to serve her country there is always that amount of danger in the air. It's not showed though.

It was nice to meet the Denhams again and Daisy from previous books. And the twins Stephen and Robert were so alike, but nice young men. There is also another landgirl named Frances who befriends Cassie.

One thing I did not like, but as this was about the story, it's a very personal opinion. Because of something that happened I would rather have the book end unhappily then how it ended now, all happily. Somethings I do not forgive.

Conclusion:
Easy to read, romance, conflicts and war always present. Heartache and happiness is promised.

The Silver Locket by Margaret James

This is the first book in the trilogy that follows the Denham family. It starts in 1914 and we meet the young head strong, wonderfully defiant Rose Courtenay who is not willing to confirm to her families Victorian wishes. Therefore rather than being married to her parent’s choice of suitor she runs away and becomes a nurse. Whilst working in France during the war, she meets Lieutenant Alex Denham who reminds me of a Lion Bar of chocolate. He has many layers and textures, some chewy, some soft, but over all very solid.

In Choc Lit true fashion, we are encapsulated into the story and characters, so that they become so vivid, bright and alive, we care about them and what happens to them. This novel has so many depths and layers, it’s a love story with muscles. The research is comprehensive and therefore every reader will learn something, they did not previously know about that time in our history.

One of the nicest feelings about getting to the last few chapters, is not only finding out how it all ends, but knowing that you have another two books to read afterwards, you do not feel like you are saying good bye to the characters. You know you are going to be able to catch up with them in The Golden Chain and The Penny Bangle.

In conclusion a lovely, romantic novel that every woman who loves chocolate will adore.

The Commuting Bookworm 12/06/12

The Penny Bangle by Margaret James
Its 1942 and the war is on. Cassie is a skinny young women who's Gran is worried about her being in Birmingham with all of the air raids. Cassie is persuaded to go down to a farm in Dorset and become a Land girl. She meets Francis and the twins Steven & Robert.
Steve is funny, friendly and happy to teach Cassie in what she needs to do, Robert just thinks she’s too skinny, week and a city work shy runt to be of any use when he and his brother have to return to active service. Things change, Cassie falls for Roberts charm, but soon gets bored of being a land girl. Her and Frances decide to join up together into the ATS. The result is that Cassie becomes strong, confident but still very much in love with Robert. They are both stationed in North Africa and get time together where he proposes marriage.
With Africa won, Cassie gets sent back to Blighty and Robert goes on to Italy, where he goes missing in action and is believed to be dead. Mean while back in Blighty Steven is there and has fallen for Cassie. But he struggles with the fact he can not return to active service but instead is behind a desk in London.
The Penny Bangle is the third book in a trilogy (The Silver Locket (1) and The Golden Chain (2)) However, even though I have not read the 1st two I still was able to follow the story lines and this delightfully written book has inspired me to go back and read the 1st two.
Robert Denham who Cassie loves, is somewhat like a Yorkie bar, he is solid, dependable and it would take a lot to break him. Steven, however reminds me of a Kit Kat caramel because even he’s not sure of who or what he is. The Penny Bangle is everything that you would expect from Choc Lit publications. It does not disappoint and exceeds all expectations.
The Commuting Bookworm 31/05/12

My thoughts:

This is a stand alone novel, but it also is a continuation of The Silver Locket, in that book Rose and Alex fell in love and later adopted a child, Daisy. Fast forward and she is 15, going on 16, and she falls in love for the first time. You can read it without having read the other one; you will just get more surprises. This is a good thing too.

Daisy was young, but she was also ready to try new things, and to make mistakes. She was pretty headstrong and found out that she wants to pursue acting with Ewan, who she has fallen for. So they leave because her parents also know they can't stop her. They can just try to keep her safe, and that is sure why I liked her parents. Because if not then Daisy would surely have left without a word. Sure she makes mistakes later when she falls for a scoundrel (yes I still love that word). But she is growing up and finding herself. And for being so young she has a good head on her shoulders.

Ewan then, well he will make mistakes too. But as I said these two are young, and the love is there, and you all know I wouldn't be leading you down the wrong path. There will be a HEA.

While her previous book was about war this one is about the stage, and the trouble of finding a job. Following your dreams, and finding yourself. And there is some drama too, love trouble, and a certain "evil" Sir Michael who does not like the Denham family.

Conclusion:

A pretty sweet book and you always knew when they were down on their luck that things would get better, or at least I hoped so. You always need hope in dark times. The setting was interesting, and the romance was always there in the background, but it was more important what they were doing. Which I liked. A nice balance between historical fiction and historical romance.

Rating:

Sweet

My thoughts:

I was not sure about Alex, I mean he got the girl pregnant, and married her, very good, and proper considering, but then he wants to flee his marriage because all along he was in love with Rose. So I felt kind of, you made your bed, now just lay in it! But still he really loved Rose, oh it was hard, I did fall in the end, because he has just done the right thing, and I did wonder if that kid was even his. His wife was a horrid golddigger so her I did not like one bit.

Rose then, she was nice, and she wanted more from life. Can't blame her for falling for a handsome soldier, even if he is married.

There was also a sidestory with two sisters, one a friend of Rose and fellow nurse, the other one, well I can't say, spoiler alert. But via her I learnt something about a side character in the book. Something not nice.

I had wished for more war, I know, that sounds strange but this war was the last honest one, it was more between soldiers than what war is these days. And I felt there was not enough of the plight and horror. But then again that was perhaps could so it could focus on these two. Because this story was about two people running from problems, but at the same time finding themselves and doing courageous things. It was not so much about the romance, it was there, but it was more the growing they did, and how they tried to put things right.

Final thoughts and recommendation.

I felt it was a bit jumpy at times, and I actually think this could have been a good book written in letterform. Or I am just obsessed with war and letters.

Who to recommend it to,sure there is romance, there is war, so perhaps if you want a bit more drama with your fiction, but still some romance. And also an interesting book about WWI.