Book review of Ascent by Cathie Dunn

Ascent House of Normandy by Cathie Dunn

Ascent by Cathie Dunn

 

A brutal Viking raid heralds the dawn of a new, powerful dynasty – the House of Normandy

 

Neustria, Kingdom of the West Franks
AD 890

 

Fourteen-year-old Poppa’s life changes when Northmen land near Bayeux. Count Bérengar, her father, submits to them, and she is handfasted to Hrólfr, the Northmen’s heathen leader, as part of their agreement.

 

To her relief, Hrólfr leaves immediately in search of further conquest, only returning to claim her years later. In the face of retaliating Franks, they flee to East Anglia, where she gives birth to their son and daughter.

 

When Hrólfr and Poppa return to reclaim Bayeux, his new campaign strikes at the heart of Frankish power, and King Charles of the West Franks offers him a pact he cannot refuse. In exchange for vast tracts of land in Neustria, Hrólfr must convert to Christianity and accept marriage to Gisela, the king’s illegitimate daughter.

 

Poppa’s world shatters. She remains in Bayeux, with her daughter, Adela. When Gisela arrives one day, demanding she hand over Adela, to be raised in Rouen, Poppa’s patience is at an end. But Gisela makes for a dangerous enemy, and only one woman will survive their confrontation high up on the cliffs.

 

Will Poppa live to witness the dawn of a new era?

 

ASCENT is the first in a new series about the early women of the House of Normandy – women whose stories have been forgotten through time.

Until now!

 

Readers of Viking and medieval fiction will enjoy ASCENT, a fictional account of the life of Poppa of Bayeux, handfasted wife of Rollo the Viking.

 

Trigger warning: Loss of a child. Some battle and fighting scenes.

Ascent House of Normandy by Cathie Dunn

 

My Review

I love historical fiction and especially novels based around real characters, with a story that adds flesh to their bones and brings them back to life. However, working in a museum dedicated to 19^th century French rural life and the industrial revolution, that is housed in a Renaissance château, meant I had little knowledge of the era of history that this book is set in. My early worries that I wouldn’t connect with the story, characters or period were soon forgotten. 

 

Life at this time was harsh, with so much to battle with, from the constant threat of invasion or attack to the cruel weather, illness and disease. The descriptions in the book made it easy to immerse myself in the action and Poppa was a powerful character who I grew to love. Her relatively comfortable, privileged position as the daughter of the local Count was thrown into turmoil when their village was invaded. Where she was feisty and angry, her father was weak and complying, and to keep the peace, negotiated his daughter’s hand, binding her to Hrólfr. It might not have been her choice, but Poppa showed wisdom beyond her years and watching the changing dynamics of their unusual relationship was a delight that kept me turning the pages. The emotional side left me with a warmth I hadn’t expected.

 

This book is a gem for those who love historical fiction and are looking to read something a bit different. It certainly piqued my interest in this period, leaving me keen to learn more and I will be eagerly waiting the next book in this series. In the meantime, I’ve found more from Cathie, set in Versailles and the Languedoc, that I am now looking forward to reading.

  

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Cathie Dunn

 

Author Bio 

Cathie Dunn is an award-winning author of historical fiction, mystery, and romance. The focus of her historical fiction novels is on strong women through time.

 

Cathie has been writing for over twenty years. She studied Creative Writing online, with a focus on novel writing, which she also taught in the south of France. She loves researching for her novels, delving into history books, and visiting castles and historic sites. A voracious reader, primarily of historical fiction / romance, she often reviews books on her blog, Ruins & Reading.

 

Cathie is a member of the Historical Novel Society, the Richard III Society, and the Alliance of Independent Authors.

 

After many years in Scotland, Cathie now lives in south of France with her husband, and rescued Charlie Cat and Ellie Dog. Discover more about Cathie at cathiedunn.com

Ascent House of Normandy by Cathie Dunn

 

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Book review of The Golden Oldies' Book Club by Judy Leigh

The Golden Oldies' Book Club by Judy Leigh

The Golden Oldies' Book Club by Judy Leigh

 

Deep in the Somerset countryside, the Combe Pomeroy village library hosts a monthly book club.

 

Ruth the librarian fears she’s too old to find love, but a discussion about Lady Chatterley’s Lover makes her think again.

 

Aurora doesn’t feel seventy-two and longs to relive the excitement of her youth, while Verity is getting increasingly tired of her husband Mark’s grumpiness and wonders if their son’s imminent flight from the nest might be just the moment for her to fly too. And Danielle is fed up with her cheating husband. Surely life has more in store for her than to settle for second best?

 

The glue that holds Combe Pomeroy together is Jeannie. Doyenne of the local cider farm and heartbeat of her family and community, no one has noticed that Jeannie needs some looking after too. Has the moment for her to retire finally arrived, and if so, what does her future hold?

 

From a book club French exchange trip, to many celebrations at the farm, this is the year that everything changes, that lifelong friendships are tested, and for some of the women, they finally get the love they deserve.

 

The Golden Oldies' Book Club by Judy Leigh

My Review

This is a lovely read that pivots around a group of friends whose lives are ripe for change. Set with the backdrop of a cider farm, I loved how we moved through the seasons with the apple trees in Jeannie’s orchard. From the blossoms and promise of new beginnings, to the harvest and the cider making, plus all the Somerset traditions and festivals surrounding it. Nature was as strong as the female characters I’ve come to enjoy in a Judy Leigh novel.

 

Jeannie certainly had a lot on her plate, running a cider farm and managing a multi-generational family leaves her little time for anything else. The book club at the library is her moment of escape, just as it was for the others in the group, all of whom had become lost in the routine of life. I know from experience how a simple village library can play an important role in the community, so I was a big fan of librarian Ruth who understood just what it meant to them all. Her idea to resurrect the town-twinning link and plan a trip to France gave them all something to look forward to and their time away cemented their bonds of friendships.

 

There were sad bits, funny bits and lots of heart-warming moments as with the help of a little bit of library magic, the ladies rediscover their dreams. Together they are there to support each other as they make plans for the next stages of their lives. Following their journeys was a delight.

 

If you are looking for a heart-warming, uplifting read, add The Golden Oldies Book Club to your wish list.

 

Purchase Links 

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Judy Leigh

 

Author Bio

 

Judy Leigh is the USA Today bestselling author of The Old Girls’ Network and Five French Hens and the doyenne of the ‘it’s never too late’ genre of women’s fiction. She has lived all over the UK from Liverpool to Cornwall, but currently resides in Somerset.

 

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The Golden Oldies Book Club by Jenny Leigh

You might also like my review of Judy’s Lil’s Bus Trip 

6th June 2019, D-Day 75

Just one of the 18 Commonwealth War Graves cemeteries in Normandy

6th June 2019, D-Day 75 years on

Today marks the 75^th anniversary of D-Day, or Operation Overlord, a massive 7000 vessel seaborne invasion by the Allied Forces on the beaches of Normandy that marked the beginning of the liberation of Europe and the end of the Second World War.

Pegasus Bridge, Normandy, D-Day remembered 75 years on

Over 150,000 British, American and Canadian troops landed on an 80km stretch of coastline at Utah Beach, Omaha Beach, Gold Beach, Juno Beach and Sword Beach with bicycles, bulldozers, tanks, jeeps and trucks, as well as over 11,000 aircraft to support them. By 11^th June over 300,000 troops and 54,000 vehicles had landed in France. This still remains the largest military invasion and even today these are huge numbers to comprehend as are the number of lives lost. 

Landing craft bulldozer as used by my Dad's cousin Cyril, aged 19

In our current troubled political times, with radical nationalism on the rise, never has the message of world peace and unity, remembered with the commemoration of D-Day, seemed so important. In the memory of those who died for our freedom, we must never again let a war on this scale become a possibility.

Memorial in Arromanches, Normandy

With Ed, aged 18, now a similar age to many of the troops who landed on D-Day, watching the footage on the television this morning it feels more poignant than ever before. My Dad’s cousin Cyril was only 19 when he was one of the first to land on Gold Beach on D-Day. He was driving a bulldozer that was used to search for mines and then to help push the landing craft back into the sea, living on the beach for around eight weeks. I cannot imagine the horrific sights he must have seen in that time and certainly don’t want Ed to experience anything like that, ever. Miraculously Cyril survived and spent the rest of the War in France, Belgium and Holland and returned to Normandy many times over the years, with his family, for the commemorations.

German bunker, Normandy D-Day remembered 75 years on

My Granddad Albert, although not part of the D-Day landings, was also in France for about three years during the Second World War, where he served in the Royal Artillery. He would have been 36 years old at the time of the landings and had a wife and young family at home. Details about his time in the War are sketchy, but he was certainly part of the liberation and repatriation teams working in France, Belgium and Germany and we have a very fragile flag that was given to him by a grateful French villager as they passed through – or so the family story goes. 

Inside German bunker, Normandy

We will remember them

Ruins of German bunker, Normandy

This post has been linked to Lou Messugo's #AllAboutFrance

France et Moi with author Aileen Bordman

Welcome to ‘France et Moi’ where this week I am talking to Everyday Monet author Aileen Bordman about what France means to her.

 

Aileen Bordman

Aileen Bordman is a filmmaker, author and photographer. She is the president and founder of Monet’s Palate, Inc., a company dedicated to sharing the world of Claude Monet. She is the coauthor (with Derek Fell) of Monet’s Palate Cookbook: The Artist & His Kitchen Garden at Giverny (read my review here). Aileen is also the creator, writer, and producer of the acclaimed documentary film Monet’s Palate: A Gastronomic View from the Garden of Giverny, which was narrated by Meryl Streep.

She has been immersed in the world of Claude Monet since 1980, and her knowledge and passion with respect to Claude Monet's lifestyle, cuisine and gardens is sought worldwide. She lives in New Jersey

Firstly, I think France is a special place and it is famed for many things including its cheese, wine and diverse holiday locations plus, dare I say it strikes and dog poo littered streets. What do you think makes France so very unique and ‘French’?

Aileen: One need only walk the streets of Paris, to realize there is something very unique, special about France. There is a sensibility of style, culture and zest for the best life has to offer.  

2) What is your fondest memory of time spent in France?

Aileen: My earliest and many of the happiest were visiting with our French family. Paris during the 60’s was spectacular, and the family owned vacation homes in Juan-les-Pins, Narbonne, part of the French Riviera, and Le Touquet, where beaches are created each year. Oh, I had my first taste of really good marzipan there.

3) Where did your love of Monet and his garden start? 

Aileen: It started from the moment I set eyes on the magic Monet had created. Truly. I am not alone with respect to this reaction.

4) How does France inspire your writing?

Aileen: That is a really good question. I have often said that France, especially Giverny and Paris, makes me feel more alive. This feeling could only make my writing more passionate. Being in France makes me want to write, to share the beauty and inspirations that feed my soul. 

5) Every region in France has it’s own culinary specialty, do you have a favourite regional dish? 

Aileen: Indeed, Tarte Tatin! And it is very Norman, right down to its buttery crust and luscious apples.

6) Imagine you are sitting outside a French café at 10.00am on a sunny morning watching the world go by, what do you order from the waiter?

Aileen: Honestly, and it’s a tradition for me. Orangina.

7) What is your favourite thing to buy in a Boulangerie/Patisserie? 

Aileen: Pain aux amandes, the perfect almond croissant, my favorite is at Gérard Mulot, on Rue de Seine. 

8) France has many different cheeses, a silly question, but which French cheese are you? A hard and mature tomme, a soft, fresh and lively goat cheese, the creamy and rich Camembert or maybe the salty and serious Roquefort?

Aileen: A lively question, deserves my very goat response.

9) France has some beautiful cities and there are a few that constantly battle to be my favourite, what is your favourite French city and why?

Aileen: Paris, Paris, Paris! The why would require a dissertation. A practical response is that it makes me feel alive. I breathe differently in Paris. That is not an original statement. 

10) You have written two books about Monet, one concentrating on his kitchen garden and the new one showing us all how we can channel our inner Monet in our own homes and gardens, do you have any plans for more Monet inspired projects?

Aileen: I have been so wonderfully immersed in the creation of Everyday Monet, and plan to spend a great deal of time trying to share its contents. The time to think about the next project will present itself at the right time. For now, I am on a mission to share the beauty Monet created at Giverny, and I am so grateful to have these presents books to help me spread the word.

Thank you for taking the time to answer some questions about France and you.

 

Everyday Monet by Aileen Bordman

You can read my review of Everyday Monet here and if you are looking for a beautiful gift for someone special, I can recommend this book. Links to Amazon for both Aileen’s books can be found below.

Book review of Everyday Monet by Aileen Bordman

Everyday Monet by Aileen Bordman

My review today is for Everyday Monet, the new release from Aileen Bordman, an author whose passion is to share the beauty of Monet’s home and garden at Giverny with those of us not lucky enough to visit regularly. 

With the help of her Mother Helen Rappel Bordman, who has been directly involved in the restoration of Giverny since 1977, Aileen takes us on a tour of Normandy, Monet’s home and his beloved garden. The idea behind this book is to offer ideas and inspiration on internal decorating, flower arranging, entertaining and gardening, all on a Monet theme. It is packed full of stunning atmospheric shots of Giverny inside and out, lots of historical snippets about Monet and his life, quotes from the man himself and more importantly handy hints about how to recreate a bit of Monet magic in your home. It really lives up to expectations and whatever you are looking for there is something for everyone here, including recipes. 

 

My take on a Monet inspired shot!

This book is a beauty and I know I’m not the only one to think so. I’ve let a couple of my friends have a look and it seems this book has a great appeal to both French and British readers. I’ve learned a lot, and feel very honoured to have received a hardback review copy that will have pride of place on our coffee table, and I know that I will continue to enjoy dipping in and out of it for a long time; there is always something that catches my eye.

Everyday Monet is out now in ebook and the hardback will be available from 28th June. It would make a perfect gift for the art lover or Francophile in your life. You can read my review of Aileen's first book Monet’s Palate Cookbook here and links to Amazon for both books can be found below.

I’m also delighted that Aileen will be joining me back here on Friday for my France et Moi feature. 

Book review of The Secret of the Abbey by Kathleen C Perrin

The Secret of the Abbey by Kathleen C Perrin    

The Secret of the Abbey, on tour August 14-25, 2017

(historical fiction) Release date: June 3, 2017 Self-published at Langon House 565 pages ISBN: 978-0692877975 Website | Goodreads

SYNOPSIS

After unwillingly leaving a comatose Nicolas behind on Mont Saint Michel in 1429, Katelyn Michaels is distraught to be back in the United States in modern times. When a series of remarkable events facilitates her taking up residence on the Mount and reveals why Katelyn was called as a Watchman, her fondest hope is to be reunited with Nicolas, regardless of the circumstances. However, when Nicolas unexpectedly arrives with a new mission for her, Katelyn is devastated to learn that his head injury has deprived him of any memories of their relationship. Nonetheless, she is determined to once again save the Mount this time in sixteenth-century France amidst violent religious turmoil and rekindle Nicolas's feelings for her. The couple's love and loyalty is tested as she and Nicolas attempt to unmask the true source of the threat their adversary Abdon, sort out their conflicting emotions, and deal with the consequences of an astounding age-old secret.

MY REVIEW

Having really enjoyed books one and two in this trilogy I couldn’t wait to get back into the exciting world of Watchman Katelyn Michaels, whose travels through time for her missions to save the abbey on Mont St Michel bring French history to life. Yet again Kathleen Perrin has filled in the gaps of my historical knowledge of France with her easy to understand descriptions, which always include plenty of drama to keep me turning the pages.

Katelyn is a great character, believable (despite her ability to travel through time), intelligent, strong and independent. This time she and Nicolas are sent to Mont St Michel in 1577 when France is being torn apart by religious differences. Katelyn finds her place in the male dominated era she arrives in, and proves yet again why she deserves to be a Watchman. This book also reveals to her why she, an 18-year-old American girl, was chosen for the important role as Watchman; answers she needed for the strange events that have occurred in her life since she first arrived on Mont St Michel as a reluctant tourist. 

This book is action packed and full of real history woven into readable fiction. Emotions run high when Katelyn is reunited with Nicolas, who has lost all memory of her, the special bond between them and the work they have carried out together as Watchmen in the past. There are also plenty of heart stopping moments as she carries out her risky plans to save the abbey from destruction, often working in dangerous situations, alone and undercover.

 

I’m really quite sad to be leaving Mont St Michel and this series of books behind. Although written for young adult readers, they are perfect for anyone with an interest in French history, told with excitement and the fresh ideas of youth. If you haven’t yet read them, do take a closer look, but be warned, one book won’t be enough.

You can read my review of the second book in the series on the link below.

The Sword of the Maiden

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kathleen C Perrin holds bachelor's degrees in French and Humanities from Brigham Young University and is a certified French translator. Besides being the author of The Watchmen Saga, she has published several non-fiction articles, academic papers, and a religious history about Tahiti. Kathleen has lived in Utah, New York City, France, and French Polynesia. She and her French husband have spent years investigating the mysteries and beauties of his native country where they have a cottage and have taken tourist groups to France. The Perrins have three children and currently reside in Utah.

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France et Moi with author Jaimie Admans

Welcome to ‘France et Moi’ where this week, as part of her blog tour for The Château of Happily Ever Afters (read my review here) I am talking to author Jaimie Admans about what France means to her.

The Château of Happily Ever Afters blog tour

Jaimie Admans

Jaimie is a 32-year-old English-sounding Welsh girl with an awkward-to-spell name. She lives in South Wales and enjoys writing, gardening, watching horror movies, and drinking tea, although she’s seriously considering marrying her coffee machine. She loves autumn and winter, and singing songs from musicals despite the fact she’s got the voice of a dying hyena. She hates spiders, hot weather, and cheese & onion crisps. She spends far too much time on Twitter and owns too many pairs of boots.

She will never have time to read all the books she wants to read.

Find out more on her website here or connect on Twitter 

Firstly, I think France is a special place and it is famed for many things including its cheese, wine and diverse holiday locations plus, dare I say it strikes and dog poo littered streets. What do you think makes France so very unique and ‘French’?

Jaimie: The laid-back lifestyle. To an outsider, things in France seem like Britain in days gone by, everyone is so polite, and the focus seems to be on spending time with family rather than working as much as humanly possible, which I like. Then there’s the diversity and the culture, and they definitely know how to do food right, too!

2) What is your fondest memory of time spent in France?

Jaimie: I have family living there and all time spent with them has been my favourite! (Also, they will kill me if I say anything different!) Spending time with them, learning about their lifestyle and how things are different to life in Britain, speaking to French people, exploring gorgeous little villages and markets… I’ve loved every minute of it!

3) Would you say holidays in France have inspired your writing?

Jaimie: I wish! My time in France has been far too fleeting and I could just do with a lovely long holiday there now! I’ve set a couple of (unpublished) books in France, and it’s mostly research that’s inspired my settings there. Actual visits never last long enough for me! I’ve been learning the language for a while now, I love the rich history of the country and have studied it extensively, I also have friends as well as family living there, and a move to France is on my bucket list, although I can’t see it being in the near future.

4) Your latest novel, The Chateau of Happily Ever Afters, is set in Normandy, is that an area of France you know well?

The Château of Happily Ever Afters

Jaimie: Not well enough, unfortunately! Visits to Normandy have been of the ‘driving through’ variety rather than staying, but it’s a place I knew a lot about before I decided to set the book there, and where I’d choose to live if that move across the channel ever comes off. Most of my experience of the region is through friends who live there who have been quizzed and questioned incessantly for research purposes, and even though the chateau and the village where the book takes place is fictional, it is based on an actual area in Normandy for realism purposes, although I won’t tell anyone where it is!

5) Every region in France has it’s own culinary specialty, do you have a favourite regional dish?

Jaimie: Cheese. Cheese, cheese, cheese. Give me all the cheese, please! I’m a vegetarian so a lot of French dishes don’t work for me, but I’m a huge fan of cheese and luckily the French are experts at all things cheese, and I’ll happily try any and all of it!

6) France has many different cheeses, a silly question, but which French cheese are you? A hard and mature Tome, a soft, fresh and lively goat cheese, the creamy and rich Camembert or maybe the salty and serious Roquefort?

Jaimie: I’m a soft and gooey Camembert because I cry at everything! It also happens to be my absolute favourite French cheese!

7) With plenty of space and lovely scenery France is a great place to explore. If you were to take a day off from writing where in France would you go?

Jaimie: Well, as you might have guessed, I love chateaux. The vintage grandeur, the glamour, the stories they could undoubtedly tell, so the Loire Valley is top of my holiday destinations list. I also love little villages and would love to wander around places like Annecy or Giverny. Never mind a day off, I could spend years in France and I’d still never get to see all places I want to go!

8) Imagine you are sitting outside a French café at 10.00am on a sunny morning watching the world go by, what do you order from the waiter?

Jaimie: A café au lait and a flaky, buttery croissant, s’il vous plait. And a pain au chocolat for good measure!

9) What is your favourite thing to buy in a Boulangerie/Patisserie?

Jaimie: Everything! I’m not fussy when it comes to baked goods, I’ll take one of everything! If I had to narrow it down, a crusty white baguette, a croissant or six, some chouquettes, and whatever else looked the most tempting!

10) Do you prefer French or New World wine?

Jaimie: I’m in the minority here but I don’t actually like wine at all!

Finally, do you have any current projects you would like to tell my readers about?

Jaimie: Well, The Chateau of Happily Ever Afters has just been released, and I’m currently writing my next romantic comedy for HQ Digital, it will be set in the UK this time, much closer to home, but I’m sure I’ll be back in France again before long!

Thank you for taking the time to answer some questions about France and you.

The Château of Happily Ever Afters is currently only 99p. Link to Amazon can be found below.

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