Blog Tour: 'The Poppy Factory' by Liz Trenow

For Jess and Rose, the realities of war have terrible repercussions …

2012 and Jess, an army medic, is back home following her tour of Afghanistan. Shell-shocked by what she has seen, she wonders if her life will ever be the same again. Can help come through her great-grandmother Rose’s diaries?

1922 and Rose has just welcomed her beloved husband Alfie home from the First World War. But the homecoming is not what Rose had expected; Alfie returns from war a changed man, and not the same person Rose married. As he struggles to find work and to cope with life, Rose struggles with temptation…

Can an old factory, set up to help injured soldiers, help Jess, Rose and Alfie and save them from the heartache of war?

Last year I got the opportunity to be introduced to Liz Trenow’s writing when I received a review copy of her novel ‘The Forgotten Seamstress.’ I ended up loving the book and I looked forward to her next one. A few weeks ago I was contacted to be part of the blog tour for Liz’s latest release, ‘The Poppy Factory’, which will be released on the 28^th of August. I couldn’t say yes quick enough, because I couldn’t wait to sit down with this new story. The book has a simply stunning cover and the blurb immediately managed to intrigue me as well, so I had my fingers crossed, hoping I would end up enjoying this book just as much as Liz’s previous one!

Jess works as an army paramedic; a job she has always loved and knows she was meant to do in her life. However, after coming back from her tour of Afghanistan, she is finding it difficult to get back into the routine of everyday life. Jess is physically fit, but mentally things don’t seem to go as well as she originally expected. While spending some time at her family home, she comes across a collection of diaries from her great grandmother Rose, who was married to Alfie, a World War I soldier who lost his leg and also has to try to find his place in society after the war has ended. Jess is immediately captivated by Rose’s story, and especially the similarities between her own life and Rose’s, even though it happened roughly 100 years ago, are difficult to ignore...

Liz Trenow has become one of my favourite historical authors during the past year. I really loved her novel ‘The Forgotten Seamstress’ and I enjoyed ‘The Poppy Factory’ just as much. Her writing is simply wonderful; really captivating and easy to read. Her detailed descriptions are written in such a way that it’s really easy to picture it all and I felt incredibly close to the two main characters, Jess and Rose. I really enjoyed how the book switches between time periods, the modern day and age on the one hand and around World War I on the other, and how the characters are dealing with similar issues.

I loved both Jess’ and Rose’s stories, wondering what would happen to them, even though I have to admit I enjoyed Rose’s story a tiny bit more. Liz Trenow’s strength is definitely the historical aspect of her novels, and I think I will never tire of her stories. Every time I’ll see a poppy after having read this book, I will think of the factory and Rose’s story, and I can’t wait to recommend this book to others. ‘The Poppy Factory’ is another amazing Liz Trenow read; a captivating, touching and wonderfully well-written wartime story that will stay with me for years to come.

Rating:

9,0/10

  For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads
Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Review: 'Written in the Stars' by Ali Harris (2014)

Bea Bishop is horrible at making decisions. Forget big life ones, even everyday choices seem to paralyse her. She's learned to live with this because experience has taught her that it doesn't matter what you do, no one has the power to control destiny. Anyone who believes they can is a fool.  But as her wedding day approaches, her years of indecision are weighing heavily on her, and she can't help but wonder, 'What if, what if, what if….' 
What if she hadn't upped sticks and moved to London? What if she hadn't grabbed the first job that came along and settled down with the first guy who showed an interest? But all of her questions are silenced when she slips while walking down the aisle and is knocked unconscious. In this split second her life splits into two: in one existence, Bea flees back down the aisle and out of the church. In the other she glides blissfully towards her intended.
But which story will lead to her happily ever after?
I fell in love with Ali Harris’ writing style after reading her debut novel ‘Miracle on Regent Street’, which is definitely still one of my favourite chick lit books which I can’t recommend enough. I’ve also heard many amazing things about ‘The First Last Kiss’, which I somehow still haven’t read yet (it’s part of my summer reading this year!). Thanks to the lovely people at Simon & Schuster I received a review copy of Ali’s latest novel ‘Written in the Stars’, which was released on the 5th of June, and a book which I had been looking forward to for quite some time now!
Bea Bishop was abandoned by her father when she was just 7 years old; something that has influenced her and the rest of her life. However, she now leads a good life with her soon-to-be husband Adam, who works within the family business, while Bea does all kinds of jobs for a temping agency. Bea can’t help but occasionally wonder what would have happened if things had turned out differently in her life. On her wedding day, she slips while walking down the aisle and all of a sudden her life splits into two: one where she marries Adam, and one where she runs out of the church. Suddenly, Bea’s what-if’s are explored; the question is, which story will include the happy ending she has been looking for?
Wow, another amazing Ali Harris read! I already loved the blurb and the whole concept of the story; the magical touch to it which reminds me of Cecelia Ahern, one of my favourite authors. The book has a great plotline, mainly because I think lots of readers will be able to relate to it in a way. We all ask ourselves ‘what if...’ every now and again, and it was wonderful to join Bea on her journey in which two possible outcomes are looked at, something which none of us in real life will be able to do. Bea is a great heroine; I warmed to her quite easily and I was hooked on her story. I really wanted to know what would happen to her, which life she would end up living, and with whom she’d end up with.
The book also has a lovely mix of supporting characters, such as handsome Adam (Bea’s fiancé), hunky Kieran (a guy from Bea’s past), and Milly (Bea’s fabulous best friend). The book focuses a lot on gardening, which is Bea’s passion. I don’t have green fingers myself, but I enjoyed this aspect of the book a lot, Ali Harris’ descriptions are just wonderful and made it so easy for me to picture everything in my head. The book provides us with two amazing stories, which are linked to each other in a brilliant way, and I thoroughly enjoyed every single word of it. ‘Written in the Stars’ is a sparklingly romantic, touching, and incredibly well-written novel, and if you’re a chick-lit fan who hasn’t been introduced to Ali Harris’ work yet, you’re definitely missing out on something!

Rating:

9,5/10

  For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads
Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Upcoming release: 'It Had to Be You' by Ellie Adams

The worst break-up ever... Could be the best thing that has ever happened to her.

Lizzy Spellman has been dumped. At a party.While wearing a Henry VIII costume. By the man she thought was The One. Someone even filmed it, so now she's a massive YouTube hit sensation too.

Just when she thinks things can't get any worse, she meets the rudest, most cynical man in the world, and gets a new mission in life. To prove him wrong.

Love does exist, and she's going to find it...

Last year I was lucky enough to receive a review copy of Jo Carnegie's novel 'Party Games'. I really enjoyed the book, so I'm incredibly excited about Jo's upcoming release. 'It Had to Be You' will be released under the pseudonym Ellie Adams, and promises to be a wonderful chick lit read. The book will be released on the 28th of August and I can't wait to get my hands on a copy!

Pre-order your own copy on Amazon now by clicking here!