Windsor Books

Edward agrees to help, but before he can persuade his friend to return the letters, she is killed and the letters vanish. Edward is the leadins suspect. Together with his friend, communist and newspaper reporter Verity Browne, Edward tries to get to the bottom of the mystery. But, can he trust even his friend Verity or will she, when she learns the truth, tell the Communist Party the truth about the letters and lead to the very overthrow that Edward has tried to prevent?

Author David Roberts writes convincingly about the fascinating period between the first and second world wars. The depression has radicalized all of Europe and both fascists and communists march and clash in the streets. With its message of power and elitism, fascism is popular with the upper class, even the King. Verity's struggles with her loyalties to country and party ring true. Edward is charmingly elite, yet cannot avoid the attraction toward the energetic Verity.

HOLLOW CROWN combines a critical period of history with convincing and detailed characters and a solid mystery to deliver a satisfying and compelling read.

Jonathan has been an observor on the Western Front but his experiences are not always appreciated by Royal Marines senior to him and without his experience. 1915 finds Jonathan and his men are on the beach at Gallipoli fighting the Turks in a no quarter given or asked for war. The Royal Marines are clinging to scraps of ground, loosing men constantly to snipers, booby traps and fruitless battles. Jonathan is wounded as he tries to prevent his own ships from shelling is men and is returned to Great Britain.

He recuperates and meets a young woman as he does so. The wrinkle is that this woman loved his older brother who died early in World War I. Yet they both learn to love one another in a world that is turned upside down.

After he is recovered from his wounds, Jonathan is sent to a newly activated battalion of Royal Marines bound for the Western Front. Now it is 1917 and the vast majority of the British Army is located in France and Flanders. Here is the real war now that the running sore of Gallipoli has been ended. The Royal Marines are mixed in with the British Army and both need to adjust to the forced marriage. Here on the Western Front the same problems face Jonathan as at Gallipoli - the losses of men due to enemy snipers, raids and assaults that are expected to gain miles of ground and end up gaining only yards, if that. It is as if the generals have gotten to the point where all they can do is throw more men into battle - that is all they seem to know.

Reeman has captured the grinding despair of Gallipoli and France. You can almost feel the heat of Gallipoli and the smell of rotting corpses (British, ANZAC and Turk). You can hear the sound of sniper shot and flies. You can almost feel the penetrating cold of the mud of France as the men stand in it day after day. As they assault prepared positions with little hope of success.

Few probably know of the exploits of the Royal Marines in World War I - they have been overshadowed by the sheer weight of numbers of the British and Commonwealth Armies. Yet serve they did with great distinction.

I recommend this book as a must read for those involved in the story of the Blackwood family. It is also an excellent book on it's own as a book about World War I by a very special segment of the British forces. It is an excellent work giving great detail about the campaings in Gallipoli and France. It is well written with exceptional charecters - from generals down to newly recruited Royal Marines who have barely learned how to shave. It is a powerful book.

Their father seems to be in a constant drunken state. Their younger sister Aileen seems to have physically and mentally stopped maturing five years ago when she turned ten. Their two brothers are always looking for a quick rich scam. Only their mother serves as a positive role model. Yet life on the island of Mull off the coast of Scotland in 1878 was pleasant enough for sisters, Biddy and Innis.

However, everything abruptly changes when a newcomer, shepherd Michael Tarrant, arrives. Both sisters want him for themselves and a sibling rivalry breaks out between them. However, Biddy, being prettier than Innis, catches Michael's immediate attention, but its is Innis, the deeper of the duo, who falls in love with the Incomer. With the rivalry turning acrimonious, it would seem that none of the participants in this skewed triangle will find lasting happiness.

THE ISLAND WIFE is a well-written historical romance by one of the sub-genre's top writers, Jessica Sterling. The novel is charming due to several intriguing sub-plots that add depth while neatly tying into the main story line. The three prime characters and the support cast add much local flavor to an already superb tale. The esteemed Ms. Sterling has created a pure gold experience for the historical romance audience.

Harriet Klausner