Book Review ‘Sad Farewells’ Maria Gibbs

Sad Farewells by Maria Gibbs

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Book 101 of my Goodreads Challenge 2019

I am a big fan of this series ‘Children from the Streets’ by Maria Gibbs and for me the title says it all ‘Sad Farewells’ (Book 4). Be sure to have your tissues ready for this tear-jerker, you will be taken on a real rollercoaster ride of a read.

The whole series is very highly recommended and I feel I have really gotten to know the characters, as if they are a real family not just some cleverly crafted characters of fiction.

This book follows the stories and thoughts of Jose the original twin taken from Brasil to live a life of luxury in England (whilst his brother Pedro grew up on the streets) and his mother Christina. It is so difficult to tell you anymore without giving away some of the story. However, if you have not read the previous books you really should to enable you to follow this sad family saga, inspired by true events.

Start with ‘A Boy from the Streets’



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‘The Other Side of the Streets’ by Maria Gibbs

#BooksWeLove and it is fab to see Rainne has fallen in love with The Children from the Streets book series by Maria Gibbs read te review by clicking the link below

Rainne's Ramblings

Children from the Streets #3

 
Rio, Brasil has always been split in half.

Marcos Martinez is from the half where homelessness and poverty is the norm. The son of a man who lived on the streets until he was adopted at the age of twelve, Marcos has made it his mission to defy the norm and make something of his life.

Gio Silvas knows only the lifestyle of the other side. A billionaire’s son, he’s a selfish, weak, narcissistic bully who thrives on hedonism, vibrant carnivals, and untold wealth—a lifestyle where the word “no” is not part of his vocabulary.

When Gio falls for Marcos’ twin sister Caro, a hard life lesson is heading his way. Will he see the error of his ways and change, or will his love for Caro push him and her family past the point of no return?

Familiar characters await, along with new…

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Don’t judge a book by its cover. ‘Songbird’

Songbird by Julia Bell

Songbird by Julia Bell

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book 56 of my Goodreads Challenge 2019

I cannot believe it has taken me so long to get around to reading this story. It has been on my kindle since 2016. I found it to be a truly compelling story, one I found difficult to put down once I had begun reading it. I was forever striving to find out what was going to happen at the next turn of the page.

Carmen is the first opera I was really introduced to, and the mention of different opera’s within this story had me looking into booking more visits to the theatre. You would not believe the different opera’s I have been sampling over on YouTube.

This is a tragically beautiful story, with strong characters. Isabelle is such a powerful lead, although I did think I might be shocked after reading the opening line.

‘I was twenty-one years old when I sold my baby.’

My reason for giving this book just four stars was because the cover did not grab me, if it had then I am sure I would have read this several times by now.

This is a truly mesmerising, addictive and compelling read and one thing I take from this is ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover.’

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Julia Bell

I’ve written stories all my life, but I started to write seriously over twenty years ago and now I have ten novels online. I always advertise my stories as romances with attitude, that is, they have a twist in them that often takes a reader by surprise. My romances aren’t fluffy although they have the strong, independent heroine and attractive hero. This is a summary of my novels.

Deceit of Angels – set at the end of the twentieth century.
To Guide Her Home – time travel romance
If Birds Fly Low – supernatural.
Nyssa’s Promise – paranormal.
A Pearl Comb for a Lady – a three-in-one story which follows three very unique women through two centuries of love and betrayal.
Songbird & A Tangle of Echoes – a two-book story that follows the life of an ambitious woman who commits a heartbreaking act that haunts her for many years to come.
The Wild Poppy, Broken Blossoms and When Lucy Ceased to Be – historical romances with a family theme.

Just a little about myself. I’m a member of Goodreads and ALLi and for four years I was a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association. I’ve lived in Yorkshire, England, for most of my life although I have lived in other parts of the UK too i.e. Devon, Gloucestershire and Birmingham. I have two grown children, and five grandchildren. I do hope you enjoy my novels and can spare the time to leave a review on Amazon.

Happy reading

Julia Bell

 

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#RubyTubeDay 07 Emy Gets A Sister

I simply love this picture book by Chris Turnbull based on a true story, check out the review by Miss Rugy Heart. Read more below

Read~a~holic

Miss Ruby Heart Reviews Book 07

Emy Gets A Sister

by Chris Turnbull Illustrated by Rebecca Sharp

#RubyTubeDay 07

We give this book 4 Paws & a Lick

Full Review on Goodreads

Emy Gets A Sister by Chris Turnbull

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolutley LOVE this little book series based on true events.

Once again a bright and very beautiful children’s picture book. The stunning illustrations by Rebecca Sharp really bring the story to life. A book to share with the whole family. This is Book 2 so I would highly recommend getting Book 1 ‘A Home for Emy’ to read first.

Both very Highly recommended

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29 Goodreads ‘A Treasury of British Folklore’

A Treasury of British Folklore: Maypoles, Mandrakes & Mistletoe

by Dee Dee Chainey

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book 29 of my Goodreads Challenge

This is a beautiful little treasure trove of a book, split into three parts giving a wonderful and varied selection of tales from British Folklore.

Part One: Of the Land, Plants and Animals

An apt place to begin with short insights into the seasons and the folkloric year. For example did you know that

… a sneeze on Wednesday in Hertfordshire means a letter is coming.

Part Two: Witchcraft, Magic and Heroic Tales

This section also includes several ghosts and hauntings along with various versions of stories of the hauntings of the Hell Hound

Part Three: The Milestones of Life

This sections as expected covers births and deaths, love and marriage etc. One thing that interested me here was the prominent part that cheese seems to play in a birth ceremony often called ‘the groaning cheese’

In Oxfordshire, a ring was cut into the middle of the cheese, and the child would be passed through it for luck on their christening day.

Where to find Folklore
This wonderful list of festivals can be found at the end of the book. Each festival is listed under the month in which it is celebrated, and often includes a link for further information.

All in all a beautiful book with simple black and white illustrations dotted throughout. Great for dipping in and out of at your leisure.

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26 Goodreads ‘Acquainted with Butterflies

Acquainted With Butterflies: A Collection of Short Stories, Personal Essays & Poetry by J.C. Wing

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book 26 of my Goodreads Challenge

I absolutely fell in love with the book cover, a beautiful butterfly that stretched over the front and back once the book was opened out.

The book consists of a collection of short stories, personal essays and poetry some of which I absolutely loved. ‘Cold Feet’ was a great read something unique I had not come across before a tale of a wedding from different points of view.

I loved the poem:-

‘The Color of the Ocean’

The rays of sun, so warm and bright
a shiny ribbon of gold.
The water caresses the wet sand below
and the waves tell tales untold.

There is probably something here for everyone a light read that can be picked up and read in small snippets. From the funny short story ‘Letters to the Couch’ to stories full of suspense and horror such as ‘The Surprise Getaway’.

For me the personal essays were not really my thing, perhaps a little too intimate. But many did bring back memories of songs that were mentioned throughout. The author’s only real link with her father was their great love of music.

Worth checking out but to find out more visit JC’s blog spot http://jcwingandthegoddess.blogspot.com/

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24 Goodreads ‘Sins of the Father’

Sins of the Father by Maria Gibbs

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a phenomenal book and I will return to write my review real soon

Note best to read Book 1 first from the series ‘Children From The Streets’ both are heart-wrenching stories inspired by TRUE EVENTS Love then both equally.

Book 24 of my Goodreads Challenge

People often say books that follow on in a series are not as good as the first, but I beg to differ. I think this could even be better than Book 1 and that was an AMAZING heartfelt story too.

A Boy from the Streets

Book 1 A Boy from the Streets is the story of twins Jose and Pedro separated at birth one taken into a life of priveledge, the other left as a Street Child in Brasil. All were children who saw and experienced things that no youngster should ever have to witness or be part of.

In this Book 2, Sins of the Father all the boys are now grown men, but the story centres around Carlos the oldest of the brothers. His story is truly heartwrenching and to try and overcome his nightmares his brother Pedro suggests he write all his experiences down. The opening line drew me in:-

‘Ghostly echoes of my past whispered across the ages.’

As the young man begins to recall in detail his past life a whole can of worms is opened up. For the first time in his life Carlos finds himself drunk and ends up in prison.

However, his family are extremely supportive and with their help and the making of a new friend things start to change. But will a face from the past throw a spanner in the works and cause Carlos to fall ever deeper into his nightmares?

You will just have to read the series to find out, but read book 1 first. Both books are VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

I own this series in paperback and they look fab on my shelf of favourites. I’ve already read book 1 three times now, I love it so much. I urge you to try it for yourselves.

Visit my Blog to find out more about ‘A Boy From The Streets’ Book 1

https://roseenglishukauthor.wordpress…

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23 Goodreads ‘Still Life with Rice’

Still Life With Rice: A Young American Woman Discovers the Life and Legacy of Her Korean Grandmother by Helie Lee

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book 23 of my Goodreads Challenge 2018

I rather enjoyed this memoir although I did dip into it in small chunks, so it took a while to read. The trials and hardships that this authors grandmother faced read more like fiction than true life.

It was a little heavy going with all the drugs and religion. But thinking back now there are some horrendous images that the text conjured up and they still linger in my memory, always a sign of a good book.

A bit of a challenging read for me but I am glad I read it.

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21 Goodreads ‘George’s Odd Socks’

George’s Odd Socks: Bombyx Mori Magic Series Book One by FINN PISTONELLI

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book 21 of my Goodreads Challenge 2018

I really enjoyed this book it had a feel of a Roald Dahl story, exciting with wonderful characters. It had an air of Matilda and her lovely teacher about it.

Just check out the characters names, Anna Silverpenny the teacher of George the main character. There is a science teacher called Oleg Stillwater. The pet dog is called Sprout and there is a goldfish called Mr Fizz they all have some fab adventures.

A wonderful children’s story with a little bit of natural history and oozing magic.

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20 Goodreads ‘Madhouse’

Madhouse: A Suspenseful Horror by Miguel Estrada

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Book 20 of my Goodreads Challenge 2018

I enjoyed this book although it did not flow as well as it could have, perhaps something was lost in translation. It is quite an horrific tale but it has an amazing twist at the end I certainly did not see that coming.

A short read so worth a peek if you are a fan of horror.

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