Felicity's War by Jean Fullerton

Today is my stop on the blog tour for Felicity's War by Jean Fullerton, for my stop I have my review. This is a Rachels Random Resources blog tour. The book is available to buy now, Amazon link here.

About the author:

Author Bio – Born and bred in East London Jean was a District Nurse by trade working throughout East London. She had published twenty-three sagas, including the popular WW2 RATION BOOK, which like all her books is set in East London. Jean has also written her autobiography A Child of the East End, about growing up in post-war Stepney and Wapping. She is currently working on first book of her new four book WW2 series.


Felicity's War by Jean Fullerton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 4 days

Pages - 383

Publisher - Corvus

Source - arc

Blurb from Goodreads

1941. Whilst London is battered by air raids, Felicity "Fliss" Carmichael has troubles of her own. Still reeling from catching her fiancé cheating, she flees to her childhood home at St. Winifred's Rectory, reuniting with her sister Prue and Hester Katz, a Jewish doctor sheltering there.

Though heartbroken, Fliss finds purpose again as a journalist. On assignment, she crosses paths with Detective Inspector Timothy Wallace, who shares her passion for truth and justice - though not her political beliefs. Despite their differences, an instant spark ignites between them.

But their love faces twists and turns ahead. While Fliss stumbles upon a crime and bravely intervenes, Tim's investigation into black market racketeering puts him in mortal danger...
In a city under siege, Fliss and Tim forge an unlikely bond. But can their blossoming romance endure the perils ahead?


My Review

So I have read book one of this, forgot about book two (it has a festive theme name so will buy and read closer to Christmas) but really liked the sound of this. Once I started reading I realised I recognised the characters but you can absolutely read as a standalone. Fliss is the daughter of a well to do priest, her mother has very high expectations and a touch of the Hyacinth Bouquet about her. Fliss is more interested in her career as a journalist and doing her bit for what is right, in this case, protesting against some shady practises of shop owners overcharging during war time and shortages. Throw into the mix a shady boyfriend, bombs are dropping and you will ALWAYS have some shady characters ready to take advantage at every corner!

I think the thing about these books are it takes you from your own time period to another, in this case, world war. It is mostly about the characters in a small town getting through the issues they face both in the things war throws at them, damage to buildings, loss, death, food shortages, plus everything of the times with the war being on the outer edges of the main story. Like it is relevant but doesn't deeply delve into the war itself but more the people living through it, reporting, surviving but also the domestic stuff and life that continues out with the war!

Be prepared to be annoyed, her mum ripped my knitting in book one and she is still a bit of a what will the neighbours say type person and yet she has a lovely husband and two good /caring about others daughter. Many emotions to be had and I like a book that gives you characters to love and hate! The book has a wee bit of everything - love, infidelity, theft, skulduggery of all kinds, loyalty, family, violence and dangers lurking, 4/5 from us. I will be going to get the book I missed and the others I haven't read of her other series as we do enjoy Fullerton's books, yet to read one we haven't!

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The Weighing of the Heart by Paul Tudor Owen

The Weighing of the Heart by Paul Tudor Owen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages - 150

Publisher - Obliterati Press

Source - Review book

Blurb from Goodreads

Following a sudden break-up, Englishman in New York Nick Braeburn takes a room with the elderly Peacock sisters in their lavish Upper East Side apartment, and finds himself increasingly drawn to the priceless piece of Egyptian art on their study wall - and to Lydia, the beautiful Portuguese artist who lives across the roof garden.

But as Nick draws Lydia into a crime he hopes will bring them together, they both begin to unravel, and each find that the other is not quite who they seem.


My Review

Nick Braeburn has broken up with his partner and finds himself moving into an apartment with two quirky older ladies. They have some rarities but it is the Egyptian art piece he is drawn to, that and his artist neighbour Lydia. Before long Nick finds the temptation too much, all round and him and Lydia commit a crime that has long lasting consequences for both.

The book covers a lot of ground, some Egyptian/art stuff that I actually found interesting and looking up. We look at the human psyche, in a subtle way then becoming more prominent, behind the main story of what is happening. Relationships, trust, honesty, lies, betrayal, jealousy to name but a few. For such a short book it packs in quite a bit with unexpected tones and layers nodding to mental health.

Nick is from England but the story centers in New York so a wee bit of trip fiction in there for you but for me it was the Egyptian tie in, the dreams and how that interlinked with what Nick was doing, thinking, feeling. A book with many layers, I think would make for a brilliant book club discussion because so many will take different impressions and points from it. 3.5 for me this time, I look forward to seeing what else Owen has to offer and certainly want to look more into Egyptian legends/mythology.

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The Pleasures Of Autumn by Evie Hunter

The Pleasures of Autumn by Evie Hunter
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages - 448

Publisher - Penguin

Blurb from Goodreads

When fine arts curator Sinead O'Sullivan is charged with a stealing the Fire of Autumn, a dazzling ruby with a history of violence and treachery, bail is set at one million Swiss francs.

Investigator Niall Moore is hired to stop her fleeing and to find the jewel. Niall knows Sinead's form as the feisty red-head led him a merry dance when their paths crossed once before. Despite the overwhelming sexual chemistry between them, Niall knows that he cannot trust her.

Sinead toys with Niall, refusing to tell him what she knows about the theft. An expert in interrogation, Niall uses every trick of the trade - and every tool in his erotic armoury - to get at the truth. And Sinead - just as well armed - counters his every move with one of her own.

As thief and thief-taker fight for dominance, there can be only be one winner ... but what happens when the stakes are raised and it's no longer just a jewel and Sinead's freedom in play?


My Review

Sinead is about to leave behind her career as the sensual burlesque dancer Lottie and take up a more fitting career for mousey personality, a museum curator. Low and behold, a priceless jewel is robbed and Sinead is captured on video committing the theft. Enter Niall Moore, investigator and seemingly Jack of all Trades, he is hired to keep an eye on Sinead to ensure the bail money is safe and then hired to investigate the crime. A sexual tension soon builds up between the two along with mutual distrust and a begrudging working relationship. As danger mounts, both will reassess their positions, feelings and how much they will risk to expose the truth.

For fans of 50 shades of grey and the erotica novels that have since followed, if you like them I am sure you will love this. Crass language at times, graphic sex scenes and chat although not quite rivalling James would cause an eye roll or two. Some big plot holes and you need to suspend reality however, if you take it for what it is and you enjoy erotica style reads with a bit of danger and crime I am sure you will love this. 3/5 for me, I have never read this author before however I would read them again, certainly ideal for a holiday read.

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