This month's #HistFicThursdays have been all art-inspired, so I'm sticking with that theme! A couple of months ago, the Things to Inspire blog was about sketches . Today's is about finished pieces of artwork! Artwork has been an inspiration for millions of people across thousands of years. Just like a book, the finished product can (hopefully!) be an inspiration. Over the years, we've collected one or two pieces of old artworks, and these are a few... Religious artwork has always been used as an inspiration and, historically, this was how the majority of people interacted with biblical stories. This was a barn find - probably created for someone's own interest judging by the naive style of artwork. It looks like it might have been from a panelled wall at some point. I wonder what happened to the rest of the panels and what story they might show when they are all together... Of course, not all artworks are paintings! Here is a scrimshaw of the Battle of Flamborough
I'm thrilled to be taking part in the book tour for this really enjoyable book "Mrs Murray's Home" by Emily-Jane Hills Orford!
Mrs Murray's Home |
Blurb
Review
I also liked the little twists (which I won't mentioned here!) and the surprises in the novel that were interwoven skilfully into the story. I never felt that the story was forced. The plot was fast paced and certainly enjoyable!
Although this is not the first book with these characters, the author relays the prior information really well, without info-dumping. I haven't read the earlier books, but I found I didn't need to. It was an enjoyable standalone story.
There was one thing that niggled me quite a bit about the book: the research about Scotland. I've never known it to snow in July. The last frost date is in May.
It's also incredibly tricky using real places. The book is mostly set at Blair Castle - a real place owned (at the time) by a real family. Strangely, I had no problem with the brownies in the castle. It was Cousin George who I took exception to. Personally, I'd have preferred it if Mary and her Granny visited a fictional castle, or the old Duke of Atholl was portrayed a little more realistically.
I also wasn't sure about the witch, and how she was "born bad". I do love a good baddy back-story - you know, a reason for all the bad stuff that they've done - and I don't really like a kid's book to have the Born-Bad-Baddy. Personally, I think this isn't a good lesson for kids to learn.
On the whole, however, I really enjoyed reading this book. I read the entire book in a day, which is always an indication of a fabulous plot! Thank you Emily-Jane Hills Orford for sharing this gripping book with me!
Emily-Jane Hills Orford |
The book is available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mrs-Murrays-Home-Piccadilly-Street-ebook/dp/B08528C67T
Please do leave your own review on Amazon, or Goodreads, or whichever your favourite book platform is. Reviews really help authors!
There's an awesome Rafflecopter prize that you can enter by following this link:
Please follow the rest of the tour posts of this gripping book as it starts its journey into the world:
Thanks for hosting me and my book, "Mrs. Murray's Home". Glad to hear you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome! I may have to search out the previous books!
DeleteI like the cover. Did you help design it?
ReplyDeleteThe publisher has an amazing cover designer who has designed the covers for each book in the series. I'm glad you like it.
DeleteThanks for sharing your review!
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome!
DeleteThe book sounds great and I like the cover.
ReplyDeleteIt's a really entertaining book!
DeleteThanks. I have to admit I had a lot of fun writing all the books in this series. There's one more to come.
DeleteYou're very welcome! Thank you for the opportunity!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fun read! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI hope you get to read this book and the other books in the series. One more book to come.
DeleteThanks so much for both the book description and giveaway as well. I enjoy hearing about another good book.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. I hope you enjoy the book.
DeleteDo you find a difficult time concentrating on your work due to everything going on in the country right now?
ReplyDeleteI have to write. It's my sanity. When my mother was dying of cancer ten years ago and my son was fighting his own battle with cancer at the same time, I had to write. Writing takes me away from the problems of the day without having to sacrifice the importance of those around me. So, yes, it is difficult, but I make myself write - every day. To keep me sane in a time full of insanity.
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