Book Synopsis
The New York Times bestselling author of The Girl Who Came Home turns
the clock back one hundred years to a time when two young girls from
Cottingley, Yorkshire, convinced the world that they had done the
impossible and photographed fairies in their garden. Now, in her newest
novel, international bestseller Hazel Gaynor reimagines their story.
1917… It was inexplicable, impossible, but it had to be
true—didn’t it? When two young cousins, Frances Griffiths and Elsie
Wright from Cottingley, England, claim to have photographed fairies at
the bottom of the garden, their parents are astonished. But when one of
the great novelists of the time, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, becomes
convinced of the photographs’ authenticity, the girls become a national
sensation, their discovery offering hope to those longing for something
to believe in amid a world ravaged by war. Frances and Elsie will hide
their secret for many decades. But Frances longs for the truth to be
told.
One hundred years later… When Olivia Kavanagh finds an old
manuscript in her late grandfather’s bookshop she becomes fascinated by
the story it tells of two young girls who mystified the world. But it is
the discovery of an old photograph that leads her to realize how the
fairy girls’ lives intertwine with hers, connecting past to present, and
blurring her understanding of what is real and what is imagined. As she
begins to understand why a nation once believed in fairies, can Olivia
find a way to believe in herself?
Purchase Links
My Review
The Cottingley Secret is a historical novel with a dual storyline. In the present, Olivia Kavanagh inherits her grandfather's bookstore and discovers a mysterious manuscript related to the Cottingley fairies. Olivia wants to learn the link between this manuscript and her family. The book flashes back to two young cousins who made the fairy photographs in 1917, Frances and Elsie.
This was a fascinating read. I have heard of the Cottingley fairies before, and seen the most famous photo of Frances with the fairies. That is what initially intrigued me about this novel.
But there was so much more to this story. I loved Olivia's story, with the antiquarian bookstore and her past that she discovers there. I found the story of how she works to move past loss and discover what truly brings her joy. Although I wanted to read this book initially because of the Cottingley fairies, I found Olivia's story even more compelling. She is such a warm, kind character, deserving of true happiness. I love the words her grandfather wrote, words she learns to live by: "You don't need anybody's permission to live the life you desire, Olivia. You need only the permission of your heart" (p. 11).
This was a book that kept me up long after my usual bedtime. I just could not put it down. There are so many things in The Cottingley Secret that I am particularly fond of: a dual storyline, historical fiction, well drawn and sympathetic characters, family history, and a bookstore setting. (I sell vintage books, so particularly liked the book and bookbinding details in this novel.)
The writing by Hazel Gaynor is just lovely. The characters are well drawn, the dual storyline is handled beautifully, and the descriptions add so much to the story.
I cannot recommend The Cottingley Secret highly enough for fans of historical fiction. It is truly an enchanting read.
Author Bio
HAZEL GAYNOR is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of A Memory of Violets and The Girl Who Came Home, for which she received the 2015 RNA Historical Novel of the Year award. Her third novel The Girl from the Savoy was
an Irish Times and Globe & Mail Canada bestseller, and was
shortlisted for the BGE Irish Book Awards Popular Fiction Book of the
Year. The Cottingley Secret and Last Christmas in Paris will be published in 2017.
Hazel was selected by US Library Journal as one of ‘Ten Big Breakout
Authors’ for 2015 and her work has been translated into several
languages.
Originally from Yorkshire, England, Hazel now lives in Ireland.
Find out more about Hazel at her website, and connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.
I received a copy of this book from HarperCollins and TLC Book Tours.
Dear Friends,
I hope you are having a great day! I am about to take some blogging time off with my Momma. I will not be blogging in August, but will return after Labor Day. I have some fun ideas for Fall posts, and will be thinking more when I am enjoying some time off this upcoming month.
In the meantime, I wanted to share a few fun links with you. These are all posts from the past few months:
I hope you enjoy this linky, and I especially hope you have a great rest of the summer!
Love,
Abby xoxoxo
Book Synopsis
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Daughters of the Bride comes the charming tale about the problem with secrets, the power of love and the unbreakable bond between sisters
Kelly Murphy’s life as a tulip farmer is pretty routine—up at dawn,
off to work, lather, rinse, repeat. But everything changes one
sun-washed summer with two dramatic homecomings: Griffith Burnett—Tulpen
Crossing’s prodigal son, who’s set his sights on Kelly—and Olivia, her
beautiful, wayward and, as far as Kelly is concerned, unwelcome sister.
Tempted by Griffith, annoyed by Olivia, Kelly is overwhelmed by the
secrets that were so easy to keep when she was alone.
But Olivia’s return isn’t as triumphant as she pretends. Her job has
no future, and ever since her dad sent her away from the bad boy she
loved, she has felt cut off from her past. She’s determined to reclaim
her man and her place in the family…whether her sister likes it or not.
For ten years, she and Kelly have been strangers. Olivia will get by
without her approval now.
While Kelly and Olivia butt heads, their secrets tumble out in a big
hot mess, revealing some truths that will change everything they thought
they knew. Can they forgive each other—and themselves—and redefine what
it means to be sisters?
Told with Mallery’s trademark heart and humor, the Tulip Sisters are in for the most colorful summer of their lives…
Purchase Links
My Review
Secrets of the Tulip Sisters takes place in a little town called Tulpen Crossing, Washington. In this book you will meet tulip farmer Kelly Murphy and her prodigal sister Olivia. As the sisters sort out their differences and secrets kept and shared, they also are looking for love, connection, and happiness.
Let me admit this first -- this book has both tulips and tiny houses, which predisposed me to love it.
Tulips are my favorite flowers and I thought that reading about a tulip farm would be fascinating. It was! I loved the details about tulips and the day-to-day farming life recounted in this novel.
It was a fun surprise to learn that Kelly's crush Griffin worked as a tiny house designer. Tiny houses are one of my obsessions! I really loved reading about the tiny houses Griffin designed and the way they were constructed and displayed at his business.
This is just a perfect summer read. I really liked all the characters, loved the unique setting, and enjoyed the fresh, lively writing. The book begins:
"Kelly Murphy was willing to accept certain injustices in the world. That brownies had more calories than celery. That wearing white pants meant getting her period - regardless of where she was in her cycle. That her car would be low on gas only on days when she was running late. What she did not appreciate or accept was the total unfairness of Griffith Burnett not only returning to Tulpen Crossing, Washington nearly a year ago, but apparently waking up last month and deciding that stalking her was how he was going to spend his day" (p. 7).
How could you resist an opening like that? The book only gets better as you meet the characters and learn about their lives.
This is my first Susan Mallery read, but it will not be my last. I recommend Secrets of the Tulip Sisters as a perfect book to pack for your vacation or enjoy at home on a lazy weekend.
Author Bio
Susan Mallery is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of books
about the relationships that define women’s lives—romance, friendship,
family. With compassion and humor, Susan keenly observes how people
think and feel, in stories that take readers on an emotional journey.
Sometimes heartbreaking, often funny, and always uplifting, Susan’s
books have spent more than 200 weeks on the USA Today bestsellers list,
thanks to her ever growing legions of fans.
Critics, too, have heaped praise on “the new queen of romantic
fiction.” (Walmart) Booklist says, “Romance novels don’t get much better
than Mallery’s expert blend of emotional nuance, humor, and superb
storytelling,” and RT Book Reviews puts her “in a class by herself!”
Although Susan majored in Accounting, she never worked as an
accountant because she was published straight out of college with two
books the same month, January of 1992. Sixteen prolific years and
seventy-four books later, she hit the New York Times bestsellers list
for the first time with Accidentally Yours in 2008. She made many
appearances in the Top 10 before (finally) hitting #1 in 2015 with
Thrill Me, the twentieth book in her most popular series, the Fool’s
Gold romances, and the fourth of five books released that year.
Susan lives in Seattle with her husband, two ragdoll cats, and a
tattletale toy poodle. Her heart for animals has led Susan to become an
active supporter of the Seattle Humane Society. Animals play a big role
in her books, as well, as she believes they’re an integral component to a
happy life.
Connect with Susan
I received a copy of this book from TLC Book Tours.
Book Synopsis
The first novel in a frisky new mystery series set in a
small New England town, where an unlikely citizen is called in to solve
the purrfect crime. . .
Maddie James has arrived in Daybreak Island, just off the coast of
Massachusetts, eager to settle down and start her own business—and maybe
even fall in love. When a stray orange tabby pounces into her life,
she’s inspired to open a cat café. But little does Maddie know that
she’s in for something a lot more catastrophic when her new furry
companion finds the dead body of the town bully. Now all eyes are on
Maddie: Who is this crazy cat-whisperer lady who’s come to town? If
pet-hair-maintenance and crime-fighting weren’t keeping her busy enough,
Maddie now has not one but two eligible bachelors who think she’s the
cat’s pajamas . . . and will do anything to win her heart. But how can
she even think about happily-ever-after while a killer remains on the
loose—and on her path?
Author Bio
Cate Conte is the alter ego of Liz Mugavero. Liz is the author of the
Pawsitively Organic Mystery series from Kensington Books, the first of
which was an Agatha nominee for Best First Novel. As you can imagine,
her canine and feline rescues demand the best organic food and treats
around. She is a member of Sisters in Crime National, Sisters in Crime
New England, Mystery Writers of America, and the Cat Writers’
Association. She currently lives in Connecticut.
Author Links
Webpage – http://www.lizmugavero.com;
Twitter – https://twitter.com/lizmugavero;
GoodReads – http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6475412.Liz_Mugavero;
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Liz-Mugavero/329291780446231;
Purchase Links
Amazon – B&N
Giveaway
(5) Print Copy of Cat About Town by Cate Conte (Liz Mugavero)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Book Synopsis
The only thing standing between Georgia and her fairy-tale wedding is a murder. Or two.
When a young woman pleads for help from
Georgia Fenchurch in locating a missing Crown investigator, Georgia
resists. Her wedding is only a week away. Before she can say no, she’s
knocked to the ground by an assailant attempting to kill the young
woman.
Georgia now feels she must help. She
soon finds herself up to her wedding veil in stolen treasure and coded
letters. With the Duke of Blackford’s help, Georgia follows a trail of
missing men and dead bodies. Every victim had one thing in common – a
desire to possess a fortune in gold.
In between the society balls and social
calls of late Victorian London, Georgia works on her last case before
the big day. Will she stop a ruthless killer in time? Or will Georgia
find getting to the altar on time is going to be murder?
Author Bio
Kate began reading Agatha Christie mysteries and the Nancy Drew books
while her classmates were reading Dick and Jane. She particularly likes
historical mysteries and the feeling of time travel a good historical
book can give the reader. Combined with her love of late Victorian to
World War II architecture and fashions, she found an outlet for the
stories and characters that fill her head by writing The Victorian
Bookshop Mysteries and The Deadly series, as well as taking part in the
Christmas Revels anthologies.
Author Links
Website: www.KateParkerbooks.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/Author.Kate.Parker/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/KateParkerbooks
Goodreads: www.Goodreads.com/Kate_Parker
Purchase Links: Amazon B&N
