Book Review - The Memory Tree by Linda Gillard

TITLE - The Memory Tree

AUTHOR - Linda Gillard

PAGES - 335 Pages

GENRE - Family saga

BUY LINK - Click here

SYNOPSIS -

Can the power of love overcome life’s darkest memories and deepest losses?

When her favourite beech tree is felled in a storm, Ann feels as if someone has died. But when long-hidden seed packets are found inside the trunk, Ann realises there are more memories than her own lurking within the ancient tree . . .

A century earlier, head gardener William Hatherwick and Hester Mordaunt, mistress of Beechgrave, share a love for the mighty estate – and an undeclared love for each other. But when war breaks out, William is sent to the battlefields of France, and as the conflict rages on, Hester grieves beneath the tree. Can she and William ever find happiness once he’s witnessed the horror of the trenches?

In the present day, historian Connor Grenville wants to understand why his late grandmother tried to destroy Hester’s archive before she died. Who was she trying to protect – and why? His findings bring long-suppressed memories back to Ann’s mind . . .

Beneath the shadow of the tree, love is won and lost, and secrets are hidden and revealed. Will the truth heal the wounds that lie buried in the past?

Revised edition: Previously published as The Trysting Tree, this edition of The Memory Tree includes editorial revisions.

MY REVIEW 
I have read a few of Linda's books but think this is my favourite so far. Set in two different time periods but the same location and intertwined families. So many powerful and strong characters; especially the women.I loved how the author gave the women a voice and such depth and strength. I enjoyed the relationships that emerged between the various characters.

This is a book of so many interesting elements. Family trees; the glory of nature; war and sacrifice; love and betrayal. This was a well thought out and well researched novel. I loved all the characters and enjoyed reading how their lives progressed.

It was a powerful read and hard to put down, so five stars from me.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Linda Gillard is the author of eight novels and lives in North Lanarkshire, Scotland. She has

been an actress, journalist and teacher.

In 2009 STAR GAZING, set on the Isle of Skye, was short-listed for "Romantic Novel of the Year". HOUSE OF SILENCE was selected by Amazon UK for their "Top Ten Best of 2011" in the Indie Author category. THE MEMORY TREE, Linda's latest novel, is currently a #1 Kindle bestseller.

There will be a new novel from Linda in February 2020.

Connect with Linda on social media.
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Website

Book Review & International Giveaway - A Lifetime Burning by Linda Gillard

Title - A Lifetime Burning

Author - Linda Gillard

Publisher - Transita

Available from Amazon UK or Amazon US
both in Kindle and Paperback form.

THE BLURB
Greedy for experience but determined to be good, Flora Dunbar spends a lifetime seeking love, trying to build a future out of the wreckage of her past - an eccentric childhood spent in the shadow of her musical twin, Rory; early marriage to Hugh, a clergyman twice her age; motherhood, which brings her Theo, the son she cannot love; middle-age, when she finds brief happiness in a scandalous affair with her nephew, Colin.

"If you asked my sister-in-law why she hated me, she’d say it was because I seduced her precious firstborn then tossed him onto the sizeable scrap-heap marked Flora’s ex-lovers. But she’d be lying. That isn’t why Grace hated me. Ask my brother Rory..."

MY REVIEW

This is a complex family drama with lots of twists and turns.

The main character in the book is Flora Dunbar. She is a twin and has an incredibly close relationship with her twin brother Rory. They grow up in what appears a warm household.  Rory becomes a famous pianist, whilst Flora becomes the wife of a clergyman who was a lot older than her. Flora is a complex character and never seems really happy with her lot.  She creates scandal in her family in more ways than one, as lots of family secrets are unearthed and some taboo relationships are formed.

I loved this story and all of the characters involved. It was a complex story, full of love and passion, warm relationships but also hate. It was beautifully written and full of happy times, sad times and tragedies. So much all rolled into one book.

The only thing I didn't like about the book (but then this is often one of my gripes with many books not just this one) is the fact that it kept going backwards and forwards in time. This is okay for me if you read the book over a couple of days, which you could easily do if you had the time. However I read it over a span of about 10 days and kept forgetting where I was and in which decade and I had to keep going backwards and forwards to work out what was going on. It wouldn't deter me from reading more though. 

I did however love how the author managed to make you warm to some characters and feel sorry for others. The way the characters are intertwined in a complex way, made the story very fulfilling.

I thoroughly recommend it as it has a lot of content and makes you want to keep reading it. I love the style of writing that Linda Gillard produces and have read many of her books, and recommend you do the same.

Learn more about the author by going to her author page. Click here

Also take a look at Linda's other books which are on her author page. .

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY TO WIN A FREE KINDLE EDITION OF THIS BOOK - INTERNATIONAL GIVEAWAY! STARTS AT MIDNIGHT GMT 4TH JANUARY! ENDS MIDNIGHT 12TH JAN.

AS AN EXTRA BONUS, THE AUTHOR HERSELF HAS OFFERED A SIGNED PAPERBACK TO GIVE AWAY TO ONE UK READER!!! THANK YOU LINDA. 

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Book Review -- The House of Silence -- Linda Gillard

Gwen is a girl who has been orphaned when her Mother, Aunt and Uncle all died from curses ranging from drink, drugs and living an immoral life!

She works as a wardrobe mistress on film sets and this brings her into contact with the mysterious Alfie, who invites her, reluctantly, to spend Christmas with is disfunctional family at Creake Hall. Normally she would spend Christmas alone, so thinks it will be nice this time to spend it with a family.

This family Christmas does not turn out quite as she expected, and Alfie is behaving quite strangely. All is not as it seems. His mother is a childrens author and spends all her time in her room, refusing to mix with the rest of the household, even at Christmas. She lives in her own little world which is a mixture of the present and the past. She talks in riddles and when Gwen gets to meet her, she feels something with this family is not quite as it seems, especially when she see's family photos which don't quite ring true, and bits of torn up letters which seem to hide some secrets. Everyone tries to hide things from her. The only person she seems to have any faith, comes in the delightful guise of the handsome older gardener.

When she puts it all together it is quite a shock, and many secrets unfold.

This is a great book with some really interesting characters. I immediately warmed to Gwen and really felt for her. This book is well written and keeps you wanting to read on. Try as I might though I could not piece any of the clues together and was kept guessing right until the end. A really great read.

It's Monday. What are you reading?

Hosted by Sheila at Book Journey

Last week I finished reading Star Gazing by Linda Gillard (see my review), which I had to admit was one of the best books I had ever read.

I am currently reading several magazines as I love a good magazine. This includes "Woman" where I have  sent off for a free Revlon lipstick. I'm also reading my travel magazines, Lonely Planet and Wanderlust. Great magazines if you are a travel addict like me. Oh have I told you it's only 29 sleeps until I go on my cruise. I didn't? That's a surprise!

Adventure of the Seas - Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines

I am also reading The Darkness beyond the Veil by Darren Scothern, which is a selection of short stories of the paranormal/supernatural kind. Not my normal thing but I am quite enjoying it. I also like the short story aspect as it allows me to read one, then get on with my chores and then come back to another story.

My next book which I've actually started but only a couple of pages in, is The Stolen Child by Brian McGillow, which again is a kindle book.  I then have to decide which books I am going to read on my cruise, so I can set up a separate folder on my kindle. Decisions decisions.

I am often amazed at how many books people read in a week. I'm afraid I can manage one at the most, although I'd like to be able to read more. I find that if I read any quicker then I don't take it all in. So that's all from me for now. Back to my reading. x

Book Review -- Star Gazing by Linda Gillard

Star Gazing by Linda Gillard

Authors website: www.lindagillard.co.uk


I won this book on Dizzy C's Little Book Blog and the book was sent to me by the author, who had kindly signed it for me too. I was thrilled. I had never read any of her books before and was not sure what to expect.


The synopsis grabbed me instantly as it was about a woman who had been blind since birth. This resonated with me as my Paternal Grandmother was blind and I appreciate the difficulties a blind person faces. Plus I appreciate their hightened sense of touch and sound.

Synopsis
Blind since birth, widowed in her twenties, now lonely in her forties, Marianne Fraser lives in Edinburgh in elegant, angry anonymity with her sister. Marianne's passionate nature finds solace in music, a love she finds she shares with Keir, the man she encounters on her doorstep one winter's night.

Keir makes no concession to Marianne's condition. He is abrupt to the point of rudeness, yet oddly touchingly kind. But can Marianne trust her feelings for this reclusive stranger, who wants to take a blind woman to his island home on Skye, to 'show' her the stars?

This beautiful, passionate and deeply haunting novel has the power to move and gives hope to even the most fractured heart.

Review
This was one of the most touching and beautifully written books that I have had the fortune to read. The authors beautiful description of the scenery and surroundings in Skye, that need to be 'translated' into a musical comparison for the blind Marianne to understand, was hauntingly amazing. The way Marianne is taught by Keir about the surroundings of Skye by touch and sound, brought back memories of my Grandmother who I used to buy things for that she would 'see' by her touch. The research that the author has put in to the feelings of a blind person and the way they 'see' is truly brilliant. I found myself comparing Marianne to a younger version of my Grandmother.

The book itself is so beautifully written and the relationships between all the characters is warm and loving. The book is a mixture of joy, sadness and apprehension. I have to admit that I did actually cry in places whilst reading the book, which is very unusual for me. I don't want to write what the joy's, sadness and apprehension entail for fear of adding spoilers, so you will have to read it to find out for yourself.

I thoroughly recommend you read this one, but if you are a sucker for a good story, make sure you have plenty of Kleenex at the ready.

I have no other option but to give this wonderful book 5/5.

It's true! Things happen in 3's.

They say that things happen in 3's and it has just been proven to me.

First of all I won a UK Sweepstake on BookCrossing where 22 people entered, so that means I have won books from 21 other people. Some people have sent me 2 or 3 books! The postman came yesterday with a large sack and laughed and just left the sack with me. He was like Father Christmas!

Secondly, I won a draw with Random House Publishing on a "What shall I read this month" Facebook  thread and have won a book entitled "Sons of Thunder" by Giles Christian. This has made my husband happy as he loves this genre of books, so he gets to share my good fortune.

And lastly today, I have won another book draw run by "Dizzy C" on the blog Dizzy C's Little Book Blog and have won a book by author Linda Gillard entitled "Star Gazing". I'm thrilled about this as I have never read any of her books and they get such good reviews.

The postman is now the most popular man of the moment, delivering me all these exciting books!