His Disinclined Bride by Jennie Goutet Reviewed

"His Disinclined Bride" is the 7th book in the Seasons of Change historical romance series.

I have really enjoyed reading this series.  I have read books in the past written by several of the contributing authors to this collection.  A few of the authors are on my "favorite authors" list and I know when I see their names, that I can look forward to an excellent read before I even start the book.

Over the last year, Jennie Goutet has quickly become one of those trusted authors.  Her books are always exceptional and unique.  "His Disinclined Bride" is no exception and I admit, I really wanted to read it sooner, but I waited so I could read the books in the series in order.

It is absolutely not necessary to read this series in order, or to even read all of them.  Therefore, I recommend that, if you enjoy a historical romance novel, you will want to grab this one immediately.

I have always thought how uncertain and scary it would be to have parents arrange a marriage to a complete stranger based on social status.  I have always been grateful that I was not born in an era where women were treated as possessions and "given" to a groom they did not choose or even want.  

Jennie Goutet opened another door in this social paradigm for me in "His Disinclined Bride" when the marriage arrangement fell to the oldest brother because their father was deceased.  I have read lots of books and seen many movies when the brother was the head of the family and had to give permission to court, but I don't ever remember a plot where the brother made a marriage arrangement for his sister without her knowledge and to a complete stranger.  As I read though the book, I couldn't help but consider how a young woman would feel when thrown into this situation without any input or choice.  Where she was simply told that she would be getting married within a month and that she should be grateful.

 

His Disinclined Bride

Katherine "Kitty" Stokes was quite content living in her brother's home with him, his wife, their children and her younger brother.  She was quite close to her youngest brother and doted on her niece and nephews.  However, her serenity was shattered the day her brother informed her that she would be marrying Lord Hayworth in a month and would move to his estate several hours away.

 His Disinclined BrideCheck PriceLord Phineas Hayworth was tired of living under his father's thumb, helping to manage his estates.  When it came to choosing a wife, he did not want his parents dictating the choice.  Because his maternal grandmother had left him her estate, he wanted to marry, move to that estate, and take control of his own life.  He would continue to help his father with the other property, but he needed the distance from his parents that the Giddenhall estate offered.  He didn't know anyone he wished to marry so he told his man of business to investigate potential brides and make a business arrangement for him.  Phineas needed money to restore and maintain the Giddenhall estate in Castle Combe.  A bride's dowry would be the perfect way to obtain a large amount of money quickly.

Erasmus Stokes was thrilled with the opportunity to buy an alliance with a future Earl.  He was willing to pay a high price for such an arrangement.  He knew his association with a high standing member of the peerage would advance his business.  His shipping company was already extremely successful and he was admired by other businessmen, but he wanted to be able to claim family ties with Lord Hayworth.

Stokes and Hayworth entered into an agreement before Kitty even knew there was any consideration of such an arrangement that would dictate the rest of her life.  When she objected, her brother made it perfectly clear that she would do as he said, and that she should be grateful for such an arrangement.  After all, he could have chosen to send her out to be a governess or a companion.  As far as he was concerned, this arrangement served all three of them well.

Kitty was considered an inadequate, perhaps unrefined, bride choice by Lord Hayworth's parents and the peerage.  Even the servants of Giddenhall did not treat her with the respect due to Lady Hayworth (her new title by marriage).  Plus, the stable manager considered himself her equal and pursued her for a romantic relationship.

How would she ever find happiness again?  You will have to read the book to find out!

 

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Previously Reviewed from the Seasons of Change Series

• A Forgiving Heart
• The Last Eligible Bachelor by Ashtyn Newbold

Books by Jennie Goutet Previously Reviewed on ReviewThisReviews.com

• A Fall from Grace (Clavering Chronicles Book 1) Book Review
• A Regrettable Proposal: Memorable Proposals Series - Book 1 Reviewed
• A Daring Proposal: Memorable Proposals Series - Book 3 Reviewed

Read More Book Reviews at
ReviewThisBooks.com

His Disinclined Bride by Jennie Goutet Reviewed by:

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The Law of Moses by Amy Harmon Book Review

A newborn was abandoned in a small town laundry. He was left in a basket and found on the verge of death. His story made the news and he was named Moses. Unlike the biblical babe left in the basket and placed in the river, this Moses was a crack baby. Crack babies, due to being exposed to drugs before their birth, are expected to have many physical and mental difficulties. In some ways, Moses followed a similar trajectory as many children born with drug exposure and with absent parents.  He was passed from home to home, had difficulty in school, and was thought to have seizures and hallucinations. However, he is also very different than those similar children in a way that can either be considered a blessing or a curse - depending on how you look at it. 

"People love babies, even sick babies. Even crack babies. But babies grow up to be kids. Nobody really wants messed up kids."

I was lost in Amy Harmon's The Law of Moses. From the prologue that warned of heart-breaking loss to the last few words I was hooked. I fell in love with Georgia and Moses. We join their lives as they are in their senior year of high school. 

Moses eventually comes to live with Kathleen, his great-grandmother. He is turning 18 and will be aging out of the system. He is a very talented mural painter, painting his graffiti where he shouldn't and he sometimes knows people he shouldn't.  Kathleen lives next door to Georgia's family and has made arrangements for Moses to work on their farm. 

Georgia was the youngest child, born years after her own siblings. But she had grown up with many children as her parents were foster parents. As the story begins, her family is running an equine therapy program. While Georgia has seen Moses previously, during his visits with Kathleen when he was younger, this is the first time she's getting to know him. Or trying to get to know him. While most everyone else is suspicious or afraid of Moses, Georgia is drawn to him. But he's one of those "troubled" kids that most people avoid. Even the horses want to remain far from him. But Georgia can't stop herself. 

"Whatever it was, when Moses came to Levan, he was like water-cold, deep, unpredictable, and, like the pond up the canyon, dangerous because you could never see what was beneath the surface. And just like I'd done all my life, I jumped in head first, even though I'd been forbidden. But this time, I drowned."

The story continues over the next several years as Georgia and Moses go through some very difficult times, with and without each other, moving into adulthood. They are faced with adult problems and adult decisions.

My review does not do this story justice. I almost didn't write a review because I cannot describe it adequately without spoilers. Amy Harmon's writing is beautifully descriptive. It is easy to imagine the horses, scenery, and breath-taking murals. The characters are unique. Georgia and Moses are independent, strong, very different from each other, and both are very stubborn. This is described as a young adult and/or a coming of age romance but it is far from being confined to those genres.  It includes the mysterious disappearances of young ladies, beautiful murals being painted on buildings and overpasses of people who are missing or passed away, and a "different" young man who everyone blames for some of the bad things that happen. This story also has a paranormal aspect. I hadn't known that before I chose to add this book to my Kindle. If I had known, I probably would have passed the book by. I feel that most books with a paranormal bend seem contrived and difficult to believe. But Amy Harmon introduces and proves Moses' special abilities in a way that seems possible. Georgia and Moses are flawed characters who might not be easily likable but who won't be easily forgotten. 

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Book Review of A Forgiving Heart (Seasons of Change Book 2)

Seasons of Change is a historical Christian romance book series that is written by multiple authors.  The books do not share the same characters.  They simply share the same theme.

A Forgiving Heart by Kasey Stockton could easily be read as a stand alone book and is one I would recommend even if you do not wish to commit to the entire series.  The main character is quite believable.  She does, indeed, possess a forgiving heart, but not in a way that seems beyond reason.  While she has forgiven childhood mistreatment by other children, it is clear she still struggles with the memories of the selfish adult who was filled with anger and took it out on her.

This is a book that has stayed with me for days.  I realize it is fiction, but the injustices are all too real.  Children can be cruel, and people who should be looking out for you, often take advantage of their power.  Even if our own lives have been easy, comparatively speaking, I think we all need the opportunity to consider how others may well have very painful pasts.  Just telling someone they need to forgive someone seems trite and unsympathetic.  Giving them time and room to work through something step by step is a more thoughtfully considered response.  That is the reminder this book offered me, while also entertaining me with a romantic story.

I will warn you in advance.  This is not a light reading romance.  There is a pervasive evil throughout the story, starting with the uncle and continuing with someone viewed as a friend.  Perhaps, that is another life lesson we should all be reminded of.  People are not always who or what they seem.

 

A Forgiving Heart Synopsis

 A Forgiving Heart
(Seasons of Change Series)Check PriceKate Kingston is now an adult, content with her life as a teacher.  When an attorney arrives one day at the school to inform her of her uncle's death and her inheritance, she is thrown back into her past.  A past she would prefer to leave behind. 

When she was 4, her parents were killed.  Her uncle moved into the ancestral home in Larkfield and sent her to live with strangers.  When she returned to Split Tree Manor at the age of 9, he treated her as a house servant and would not let her go outside.  When she was not working in the house, she had to remain in a room with a hired woman.  The one day she did manage to slip out, she was assaulted by two male neighbors while trying to defend a smaller boy.  When she returned home, she was switched by her uncle for disobedience.  Finally, at 12, she was sent off to school, which turned out to be a much needed reprieve.

Kate returns to Split Tree Manor, where her only real memories are dominated by her cruel uncle.  She was simply too young when her parents died to remember Split Tree Manor as anything other than an unhappy place.  But, this was her father's home.  As the older brother, her father had inherited Split Tree Manor.  Unbeknownst to her, Uncle Bartholomew was only managing her inheritance until she reached the age of 20.  She had been 20 for six months, yet her uncle did not contact her or inform her of her inheritance.  Had he not died, she would not have known that she was the rightful heir of Split Tree Manor in Larkfield.

Kate doesn't return alone.  She takes an ally with her.  Alice James, the cook from the school, is thrilled with the opportunity to become Larkfield's cook.  She is also joined by another married friend, Emily Nielsen, whose husband is away at war.  Her hope is that these two friends can help her establish a home and re-enter society, a place where she belonged by birth, but was previously denied.

Shortly after her arrival, she meets Martin Evans who reveals that he is the younger boy from that day long ago and how he has always remembered her as his valiant defender.  He wishes to repay her kindness, but he also expresses his interest in courting her.

One afternoon, when Emily doesn't return home from horseback riding, Kate and the house staff set out to find her.  Kate is not the only person who finds Emily unconscious.  Sir Peter Evans is there and he is carrying Emily to his own horse.  Kate does not recognize Peter as one of the boys from years ago, nor does she realize he is the owner of Evanslea, but she had seen him several times recently.  She acquiesces to his plans and allows him to carry Emily away while she tends to Emily's horse.   

As the days pass, Kate finds unexpected friendship with one of the brothers and isn't quite sure why she is hesitant to get too close to the other one.  There is something there that she doesn't quite understand or trust.

 

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Once I started reading this book, I could not put it down. I stayed up late into the night reading. After a few hours sleep, I awoke ready to start reading again, forgetting any work I was supposed to do that day. It is an excellent book that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a combination of romance and mystery.

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Book Review of A Forgiving Heart (Seasons of Change Book 2) by:

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A Review of Blueberries for Sal, The Cookbook and the Children's Book

The month of July has been designated as National Blueberry Month. Thus, it seemed appropriate to tell you about two charming books with a blueberry theme: The classic children's book Blueberries for Sal, and a recent blueberries cookbook based on the book. 

The Author

Robert McCloskey (1914-2003) was an American writer and illustrator who wrote and illustrated eight picture books, winning two Caldecott Medals for his work. Blueberries for Sal has become a children's classic and has now been used as the basis for a blueberry cookbook.

Blueberries for Sal Storybook

Published in 1948, this charming book has won the hearts of young readers everywhere. Recommended for children 2 to 5 years old, it tells the story of a little girl (Sal) and her mother who go picking blueberries one day. At the same time, a mother bear and her cub also go searching for a feast of blueberries - all on Blueberry Hill.

Somewhere along the line both Sal and the bear cub wander off and end up following the wrong mother. Will each mother go home with the right little one? 

The story takes place near the sea in the pine-covered Maine countryside. It has expressive line drawings in dark blueberry blue to illustrate this charming story.

Click here for Blueberries for Sal Children's Book on Amazon

Blueberries for Sal Cookbook

At the end of Robert McCloskey's beloved children's classic Blueberries for Sal, little Sal and her mother brought their blueberries home and started canning their harvest to enjoy all winter long. But there, the story ends. 

With the publication of this Blueberries for Sal Cookbook (June, 2023), you can now share Little Sal's love of blueberries.  The cookbook has thirty family-friendly blueberry-based recipes, giving you many sweet ways to enjoy your own blueberries. 

The recipes include the classics, such as blueberry pie and blueberry muffins, along with breakfast favorites like blueberry coffee cake and delicious desserts of cookies and cupcakes.

The recipes are simple, and many of the steps are easy for children who like to help in the kitchen, like Sal. Most of the recipes work just as well with frozen berries, so you can have these blueberry treats any time of year.

The cookbook uses many of McCloskey's original line drawings, plus a few new illustrations based on the author's distinctive art style. 

Click here for Blueberries for Sal Cookbook on Amazon

Summary

Both the original Blueberries for Sal children's book and this new cookbook for blueberries are delightful additions to anyone's home library who love blueberries as much as Sal. 

Blueberry Related Links:

• Blueberries for Sal children's book on Amazon
• Blueberries for Sal Cookbook on Amazon
• A National Blueberry Month Review with Recipes by Olivia Morris on ReviewThisReviews.com 
• For those who follow a Keto or low-carb diet, you can easily enjoy Blueberry Scones with these recipes and keto-friendly products from Margaret Schindell on ReviewThisReviews.
• Read a review of National Blueberry Month by Wednesday Elf
• Beautiful Blueberry Handicrafts by Wednesday Elf

*Blueberry Book Reviews by Wednesday Elf

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Shattered by James Patterson - Book Review

 A Michael Bennett Thriller

Author James Patterson has written over 200 books, some of which have been co-authored by several different people. His genre is varied, including stand-alone thrillers, non-fiction, and romance novels. In addition, he is known for several series, such as the Alex Cross series and the Women's Murder Club series.

This book, Shattered, is one of the latest in one of my favorite series by Patterson – The Michael Bennett Series.

Michael Bennett

The main character in the Michael Bennett series, is a New York City police detective who is the father of ten adopted multicultural children. His wife died young and a young Irish girl named Mary Catherine became the family nanny. Michael also gets help with his large family from his grandfather, Seamus, who raised him. Seamus, after raising his own family and becoming widowed, decides late in life to follow a calling and becomes a Catholic Priest. Mary Catherine, Seamus, and all the children play a big part in each Michael Bennett story. Thus, with each book in the series, you have a thriller that is a murder mystery coupled with equal parts of Michael's family life. 

Plot of Shattered

As Shattered begins, Michael, who earlier in the series fell in love with Mary Catherine, is on his honeymoon in Ireland. As their trip nears its end, Michael finds a missed phone call from Emily Parker, an FBI colleague he had worked with on past cases. 

Emily, an FBI abduction specialist, had worked many cases with Michael and they had become good friends. When Michael cannot reach Emily, he discovers that she failed to show at FBI headquarters in Washington, DC. 

After returning to New York and settling in with the family, Michael admits to his new bride that he feels he must look into Emily's disappearance, even though DC is far outside his jurisdiction. As he delves into this most personal of investigations, he discovers that Emily has been keeping secrets. She had forged powerful connections in the political world and consequently made enemies who have motives to silence her – and her protectors. That just may include Michael. 

Summary

Shattered is Book #14 of 15 in the Michael Bennett Series. As always the case with a James Patterson book, the plot is a good one and the interspersing of family life keeps this thriller more warmhearted and fun to read. 

Shattered is co-authored by James O. Born. Patterson has often said that collaborating with others brings new and interesting ideas to his stories. He admits that he is simply more proficient at dreaming up plots than crafting sentence after sentence.

*Book Review of Shattered written by Wednesday Elf

Shattered by James Patterson, a Michael Bennett Thriller, is available on Amazon.

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Reviewing Ten Top Tips For Novice Gardeners

 

I have been helping a person new to gardening recently. Its been a long time since I was a new gardener as I started as a child when I was around 5 years old. This person is an adult and has no prior knowledge so I had to start from the beginning to help them with a new garden. 

So I thought it would be useful for any brand new gardeners out there to have a basic list of things to bear in mind when you start gardening. 

To my mind a garden is anything from a window box to a small back garden to large acres of land. Each have their own challenges and rewards. In particular never think you cannot be a gardener if you only have a small patch or containers.   

1.Learn About Each Plant As You Buy It Or Are Given It.

Research where it originally grew, what conditions it likes, what care it needs including its watering and soil requirements, pruning, ideal situation and winter care.

Select plants that are well-suited to your growing conditions, such as your climate and soil type. Right plant, right place will save you time, money and heartache. 

This is better especially in the early days of gardening than trying to cope with plants that will need a lot of care and input from you because your conditions do not suit it. 

If you do this with each plant it is not as daunting and you will quickly learn about a lot of plants. Once you are experienced in your gardening you will be more confident to try more difficult plants.

2.Buy A Few Good Quality Tools.

 Every gardener has their tried and trusted favourite tools and that will vary between gardeners and gardens. The ones below are what I use most in my garden so I would suggest a basic kit to include:-

• Secateurs like these Wolf By Pass Secateurs
• Shears like these Wolf Garten Shears 
• Adjustable Loppers
• Watering can and/or a hosepipe with adjustable head
• Garden fork
• Garden spade
• Weeding hoe
• Hand fork and hand trowel 

You can always add more as you go and you may need specific tools depending on your garden and the trees, shrubs and plants in it, but get the basics first.

3. Learn About Your Garden Plot 

Get to know your soil type whether it is clay or sandy, loam or stony. To check if it is acidic, neutral or alkaline you can purchase soil testing kits such as the one below, that will give you this information. 

If you garden in containers you will be able to choose the soil type depending on which compost you buy. Ericaceous compost is for acid liking plants, for others a good quality general purpose compost will be fine. 

Get to know which parts of your garden faces south, north, east or west. 

Check which areas of your garden are sunny or shady. It is useful to map out areas that are in full sun, total shade and partial shade.

All this influences the type of plants that will be happy in your garden and enables you to get to know your plot.  

 

4. Have Materials For Propagation And Seed Sowing

Make sure you have materials for taking cuttings and propagating and growing seeds. This will save you money in the longer term being able to grow your own seeds and take cuttings to make more plants. 

So buy a few seed trays, small pots and larger pots, good quality compost suited to young plants, perlite and grit, vermiculite and seed or young plant compost.

Buy labels as well as you think you will remember which pot has which seeds in it but in my personal experience you won't!! 

5. Cold Frame And Greenhouse.

Perhaps not immediately necessary but if you can invest in a cold frame to harden off young plants and a basic greenhouse to keep tender cuttings and young plants, you will find it valuable. 

It does not need to be a big elaborate greenhouse, if you are starting out a very basic temporary greenhouse will be sufficient for a while. 

6. Have A Wildlife Friendly Garden.

A wildlife friendly garden will benefit you and your plants more than may be immediately apparent. As time goes on your garden will find a balance of pests and predators and the plants will thrive better. You will have the added joy of watching bees, moths and butterflies, birds and maybe even hedgehogs and frogs in your garden. 

To achieve this it is best not to use pesticides or slug pellets which are harmful to wildlife. 

Get to know the pests and diseases your plants can suffer from so you can identify any issues. 

Design your garden and grow plants so that it attracts beneficial predators that will eat the pests and do the work for you. 

Do not be too tidy, wildlife need messier, wilder areas to live and material to build nests but you can easily incorporate areas like this into a lovely garden.

Grow shrubs birds like to nest in and/or fix up bird boxes, have a pile of logs in an out of the way area that insects and frogs can live in.

Build or buy an insect house. Great for insects and fun for any children to build and watch. Why Insect Hotels Are Good for Wildlife And Gardeners 

If we give garden friendly predators a place to live and do not interfere too much soon your garden will have a balance. Yes you will still get pests but the beneficial predators will keep them in check so they will not do much damage.  

One of the best books about wildlife friendly gardening I have read is The Wildlife Gardener By Kate Bradbury. It is a beautiful book I very much enjoyed reading and learning from. 

7.Crocks

Keep all broken crockery or broken pots to use as crocks in the bottom of pots so that soil does not block the drainage hole and to increase drainage. 

8.Get To Know Other Gardeners And Their Gardens.

Other gardeners are a wonderful source of information and inspiration. If they are local to you what grows well in their gardens may well grow well in yours. If you get chatting to them they may even share cuttings or dig up and share plants with you ! :) 

Most gardeners are very happy to talk about plants ! If there are any open garden events near you do take the opportunity to go around other gardens, You will learn so much and can continue to improve your skills and knowledge as long as you want to garden!  

9.Gardening Resources 

• There are often good gardening programmes on television.
• Buy a few good gardening books to help get you started. I am a big fan of the late Geoff Hamilton who wrote the book Cottage Gardens and the book listed below among many others. There are also many other good gardeners to learn from. 
• Check out good gardening magazines
• In addition you can join online gardening communities. 
• Read gardening articles by experienced and enthusiastic gardeners like those Gardening Reviews here on Review This Reviews. 
• If there are any gardening events and gardening shows local to you or that you can travel to they are a wonderful source of inspiration and information and a lovely day out. 

 

  10.Relax And Enjoy Your Garden!

 Few gardens are perfect.

Cultivate patience and enjoy the seasons, gardening takes time and effort, and not everything will be perfect right away. In fact in my experience a garden is always an ever changing dynamic, work in progress. 

Enjoy the process and learn from your successes, failures, surprises and mistakes. I am still learning and making mistakes and having successes after decades of gardening!  The main thing is to enjoy yourself and have fun. 

More Gardening Articles

Reviewing Choisya or Mexican Orange Blossom Shrub 

A Review Of The Elaeagnus Shrub In The Garden

Reviewing Ten Ways To Keep Garden Plants Alive During A Drought

Advantages and Disadvantages Of Moving House With Your Garden Plants Reviewed

A Personal Review Of The Inspirational Gardener Geoff Hamilton

Reviewing The Benefits and Drawbacks Of A Manual Lawn Mower

Growing Magnificent Magnolias In The Garden Reviewed

Reviewing Restoring A Metal Garden Swing Seat

How To Grow Camellias In Your Garden Or Container Reviewed

Review Of Wolf ByPass Secateurs

Reviewing Growing Annual Sweet Pea Plants And Flowers

Reviewing The Growing And Care Of Bottlebrush Plant

Reviewing How To Put The Garden To Bed For Winter

Metal Wind Spinners For The Garden Reviewed

Spring Woodland Walks For Wellbeing Reviewed

Why Insect Hotels Are Good For Wildlife And Gardeners

 Reviewed

Growing Vegetables In Outdoor Containers Reviewed.

Review Of Wolf Garten Shears For The Garden

Gardening Reviews By Contributors On Review This Reviews

Diary Of A Wild Country Garden 

Essential Wildlife Gardening Gifts  

Raintree Earth Designs

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Britt-Marie Was Here – A Book Review

 By Fredrik Backman, the bestselling author of A Man Called Ove and My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell you She's Sorry.

Synopsis

Britt-Marie is an older lady who has spent her life taking care of everyone else before herself. She cannot tolerate a mess and finds herself constantly cleaning and straightening. She also makes lists about everything. But now her life has become a mess and she doesn't know what to do about it.

She has just left her husband for being unfaithful and needs to find a job. The only one available to someone with no real experience in the working world is a temporary one in a forgotten little town called Borg. The job entails looking after a crumbling recreation center in a town where the main business has folded and nearly every other business has closed down. The only people who still enjoy the recreation center is the group of children who make up the very untalented soccer team. 

Britt-Marie is a very organized person who knows exactly how others should live their lives and she isn't shy about sharing her opinions. For instance, there is a proper way to sort a cutlery drawer and dinner must be at 6 pm exactly every night.  And, of course, there are  certain cleaning products, such as baking soda, which must always be used. 

But hidden inside this socially awkward and fussy busybody is a woman who has more imagination, bigger dreams, and a warmer heart than anyone around her realizes.

As Britt-Marie is drawn into the daily doings of Borg and the misfits who populate the town, along with helping the children with the soccer team, she discovers more about herself than she ever realized and perhaps a place where she truly belongs. 

Summary

As has been true of every one of Fredrik Backman's books, this is a heartwarming story told with the author's special way with words. I have been fascinated with Backman's storytelling with every one of his books I've read. I highly recommend this story of a woman who rediscovers herself and of a small town who has an unforgettable group of citizens who will never forget that “Britt-Marie Was Here”. 

Find this Book on Amazon

Related Links:

• A Man Called Ove reviewed by Treasures by Brenda
• My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry reviewed by Wednesday Elf
• Anxious People reviewed by Wednesday Elf
• For More Book Reviews, check out ReviewThisBooks.com 

*Britt-Marie Was Here reviewed by Wednesday Elf

A Fredrik Backman novel

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If Only They Could Talk By James Herriot - A Book Review

 

If Only They Could Talk, was Alf Wight's first book published in 1970 under the author name of James Herriot. It was also his first book that I read, and as a young child, I was completely and utterly enthralled. My copy is now very old and looks a little time-worn. This book has been with me on trains, and holidays and moved with me to every home I have lived in and I still love it. 

Surprisingly, knowing now just how popular his books and the series that followed, James Herriot was turned down by publishing houses when he first presented his book. I imagine given his subsequent success and place in many people's hearts, that the publishers who turned him down bitterly regretted their decision! I am very glad that Alf White did not take rejection to heart and persevered to get his first book published. 

Alf Wight could not publish under his own name as that would have been seen as advertising, which was professionally frowned upon by the veterinary profession. He chose the pen name James Herriot from the name of the Scottish goalkeeper Jim Herriot, who Alf would have known about.  

Surgery In Thirsk Where James Herriot (Author) Alf Wight (Vet) Practiced. 

If Only They Could Talk is a warm hearted book recounting his early experiences as a young veterinary surgeon in Thirsk, a small rural town in North Yorkshire, UK during the 1930's. I have written about Thirsk in my article Reviewing Our Visit To James Herriot Country Thirsk North Yorkshire UK, should you wish to know more about the town and the surgery where he practiced. 

His first book is full of witty observations, humourous moments and heart warming stories about the animals he treated and their owners. He depicts with honesty the difficulties, challenges, passion and wonders of a young vet starting out in the 1930's.   

His writing style is very easy, engaging and descriptive, bringing the animals and people to life so you feel like you are living his experiences right along with him. I just love the stories and tales he so wonderfully brings through the page.

His growing love of his adoptive county of North Yorkshire shows in his writing as he skillfully transports us via his words to the gorgeous stunning scenery of the Yorkshire Dales countryside. 

Whether he is helping a sheep in difficulty give birth in a cold field on an early Spring evening, performing small animal surgery, or diagnosing a beloved dog's illness, his love of the work and his passion to do his best for both animal and owner and his commitment to veterinary practice shines through. You really feel the dedication he has to his patients and the joy and sadness, frustration and amusement the work brings. 

Reading it again now makes you realise how much the world has changed and how much we have lost and gained. How community was so important and how they lived with significantly less technology than we do now. It was often frustrating that vets did not have the medicines they needed yet they were inventive and persistent to do their utmost to relieve suffering and cure, working hard and valuing each other.

He clearly has a wonderful sense of humour and the book is filled with hilarious anecdotes of his experiences with the animals and their owners which will make you laugh. I love the way he depicts the many wonderful often larger than life characters both human and animal he came across in his work. Truly one of the joys and gifts of all his writing.   

If Only They Could Talk, is a touching, funny and uplifting book. I loved it as a child and as a teenager, often reading deep into the night, way longer than I should have on a school night. I loved it even more as an adult, picking up more on the nuances of life as a vet and the challenges, joy and frustration it would bring. It can be read on many levels, appealing to animal lovers, depicting life as a young vet, and for anyone seeking an escape into the 1930's Yorkshire countryside along with a young vet making his way in the world. 

Whatever age and stage of life I have been when I read the book it has made me laugh and cry every time. There were times I quietly smiled and times I felt it pull at my heart. The book appreciates the special bonds we can develop with animals and recognises those deep enduring feelings. It brings to life the struggles of farming life, making a living in harsh conditions and of being a pet owner with the deep bonds and emotions that prevail.

It depicts clearly and without pretension or hubris what it was like for a country vet in the 1930s in North Yorkshire including the joys and sorrows, the successes and failures and slowly becoming a part of the landscape he worked within.

 

Overall If Only They Could Talk available at Amazon, is a beautiful book, a timeless classic I have enjoyed reading and rereading for decades and I would highly recommend it. As his first book as a published author, I think he writes very well, easy enough for older children to read, yet there are I think deeper levels to recognise as an adult. If you have enjoyed the TV series then do read the book which has the scope and time to go into more detail. 

Reviewing Our Visit To James Herriot Country Thirsk North Yorkshire UK

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Father's Day Gift Bags Reviewed

Most often the gifts I give to my father, or that my children gave to their dad, are very hard to wrap in wrapping paper.  Gift bags make that wrapping job easy, plus they save time and eliminate the need for tape, which I may not have on-hand.

Both my father and my husband love flashlights, tools, books, clothing items, and many other non-square shaped items that are hard to wrap.  Unless they happen to come in a box, they require a search for a box in order to wrap them.  When there is no box available, I have been known to just wrap paper around them, but that makes for a rather ugly gift.  Many years ago, I started using gift bags for those types of gifts. 

Not only do the gift bags make a pretty gift presentation, they have ribbon or fabric handles that make them easy to carry.  Plus, they often have a thoughtful message printed on the bag, which eliminates the need for a separate card.  Of course, you can still give a card, it simply is not necessary.  

Gift bags have become as essential as the gift in our home.  We save them and reuse them.  That is something you can't easily do with wrapping paper. 

 

Father's Day Gift Bags

There are so many Father's Day gift bags to choose from that it can be a daunting task to choose just one.  Your dad will appreciate the gift and you will appreciate the easy gift wrapping option.

Some of the gift bags come with tissue paper, while others are just the bags.  Be sure to read the descriptions of the listing and order tissue paper separately if needed.  

 SUNCOLOR 13" Large Father's Day Gift Bag With Tissue PaperCheck Price Bomiloho 16pcs Father's Day Gift BagsCheck Price MAYPLUSS 13" Large Gift Bag with Card & Tissue PaperCheck Price

 

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