A SONG ONCE HEARD by ANNE GORING

A SONG ONCE HEARD

BY ANNE GORING

THE BLURB:-

When rich, handsome Daniel Penhale proposes to Sophy Beardmore, she is swift to accept. The marriage seems to offer the security and respectability she has always dreamed of in a life overshadowed by her mother's feckless, radical way of living.

But Daniel's wealth has not made Kildower, his Cornish house, a happy place. It is haunted by old memories, not least those of his first wife. Meraud. No one seems to know the true facts about her death, though rumours and suspicions abound, fostered by the tragic legends that cling to Kildower.

Daniel's young daughter, Kensa, is resentful and sullen, her nurse, Jess Southcote, is sly and manipulative, the local people hostile. Then there is Meraud's brother Conan, who seems determined to strike up a friendship with Sophy, but out of what dubious motives?

Only when Sophy has unravelled the truth about the past and faced up to her true feelings for both Conan and Daniel himself can she find the happiness she seeks.

THE REALITY:-

I picked this up in a charity shop and then had to question why- a saga set in 1830s Cornwall would surely contain moral characters, set in moral times and be quite...boring? Wouldn't it? A bit like one of those light, bright and trite “heart-warming” women's magazine serials?

Thankfully, no. This wasn't the case at all. The leading lady, Sophy, comes from a dissipate background with a hedonistic mother, and it is this life she is trying to move away from, and claim her own identity. This book contained many little stories within it, and you find yourself rooting for our heroine, as you just know that she's a fundamentally good person (as opposed to some of the forces she is up against).

I was so grateful that the blurb did not contain comparisons to “Rebecca”, as so many West Country novels, set in big rambling houses where the husband has issues with his former wife do, as this book is nothing like it.

I enjoyed the real, gritty element of all the people I met in this book (especially Captain Penhale), the supernatural and rustic element of suspected ghosts and shrines to the gods and I certainly picked up on the latent passion between Sophy and both Daniel and Con.

With an unusual ending, this novel was a real eye-opener, and I would definitely read books by this author again.   

THE OBSERVATIONS by JANE HARRIS

THE OBSERVATIONS

BY JANE HARRIS

THE BLURB:-

Scotland, 1863. In an attempt to escape her past, Bessy Buckley takes a job working as a maid in a big country house. But when Arabella, her beautiful mistress, asks her to undertake a series of bizarre tasks, Bessy begins to realise that she hasn't quite landed on her feet. In one of the most acclaimed debuts of recent years, Jane Harris has created a heroine who will make you laugh and cry as she narrates this unforgettable story about secrets and suspicions and the redemptive power of love and friendship.

THE REALITY:-

Not many books have me laughing out loud only a few pages in, and then throughout the novel, but this is one of them!

Written in the first person, through the slang-afflicted and razor-sharp tongue of Bessy Buckley, it is unique in its use of the English language. A true lesson in bawd, this novel would suit anyone with a lavatorial sense of humour; such delights as the contents of chamber pots, sniffing the devil's bum, catching farts and keeping someone's motions as a personal keepsake are all mentioned!

The ghostly setting of the farm house, and the village, are brought magically to life and the plot has enough interest and twists and turns to hold your interest. It is the characters and their foibles and shortcomings which make this novel a thoroughly good read, though.

If you are easily offended and of a delicate disposition (and more fool you for being so), and don't like talk of bums, willies, fannies and turds, then perhaps this book isn't for you. But if you like a good romp that will keep you awake at night (like the double entendre?!) then read on!

This was a brilliant debut novel, and has the honour of being a stayer in my book cabinet.

KILLER RAVEL HEELS EQUALS ZERO COMFORT!

I bought these shoes from Ravel (who no longer exist) for £25, reduced from £50.  I never thought much to the fit of Ravel's shoes- they were always lacking in depth rather than width, and were designed for people with feet that have been run over by a steam roller!

I'm technically speaking a five and a half, but generally buy a six for the width.  I've only worn these a couple of times as the heel placement is just a little too far back and it kinda throws me off balance a bit.

Still, I shall persevere!

THE UNSEEN by KATHERINE WEBB

THE UNSEEN

BY KATHERINE WEBB

THE BLURB:-

When a free-spirited young woman arrives in a sleepy Berkshire village to work in the household of the Reverend and Mrs. Canning, she sets in motion a chain of events which changes all their lives. For Cat has a past- a past her new mistress is willing to overlook but will never understand...

This is not all Hester Canning has to cope with. When her husband invites a young man into their home, he brings with him a dangerous obsession.

During the long, oppressive summer, the rectory becomes charged with ambition, love and jealousy- with the most devastating consequences.

THE REALITY:-

This is another writer who uses a person coming out of a broken relationship, and who is free to love again, as a basis for romance (on the modern side of the story).

I like the way the historical sections of storytelling are written in the present tense, as it adds originality and helps with the flow of things.

The letters bind all aspects of the story together, and it's a novel that makes you stop and think, as we always know more about the past situations than the present day characters.

This is an unusual and interesting tale, using faked fairy sightings in a wholly different way.  The bucolic setting adds a sense of calm, and Hester's innocence regarding the marital bed, with references to rutting stallions, (as relayed through her letters to her sister) made me scream with laughter!

But it is the feisty character of Cat, with her of lack of respect and disregard for her “betters” and her desperate need for change, that is truly empowering. She is the true heroine of the story.  I totally loved this young woman, and was rooting for her all the way!  Also, the historical suffragette referencing really brings her prison experience to ghastly real life.

With its twists and turns (and murder!) mixed with modern day musings such as euthanasia and having sex with step-siblings, this novel is a magnificent pleasure to read, and truly original.

CHANNELING MY INNER CRUELLA DE VIL

I couldn't resist these charity shop delights, found in Eastbourne.  They are very witchy, aren't they?

I enjoyed Eastbourne, even though we were there whilst the south coast was being lashed by some of the worst storms in years.

Here's a moody photo of the pier, taken from the nice, cosy confines of my hotel room...

NEW LOOK MULTICOLOURED SHOES...

I bought these snazzy little numbers from New Look a few years back, to celebrate getting a new job.

Well, the job didn't last long and I've never worn the shoes- maybe because they are just too goddamn tight!

I do love them though, so will perhaps invest in some shoe stretching spray and try and break them in around the house... 

MICHAEL KORS KINKY SHOES...

I bought these Michael Kors shoes in New York a few years ago, but have never actually worn them out of the house (read into that what you will, you dirty minded buggers!) 

I think they cost the equivalent of £40, if my memory serves me correctly, from the Lord Taylor sale.  The exchange rate was very much in our favour at the time. 

They are almost fetishist, aren't they?