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#HistFicThursdays - Mistress of Dartington Hall by Rosemary Griggs - Guest Post

For today's #HistFicThursdays blog, I am thrilled to be welcoming  Rosemary Griggs  to the blog with a guest post about her latest book  Mistress of Dartington Hall ,   as part of her  Coffee Pot Book Club  tour! Read on to find out about her strong female character in what is largely thought of as a male world. But first, let's meet the book... Blurb 1587. England is at war with Spain. The people of Devon wait in terror for King Philip of Spain’s mighty armada to unleash untold devastation on their land.  Roberda, daughter of a French Huguenot leader, has been managing the Dartington estate in her estranged husband Gawen’s absence. She has gained the respect of the staff and tenants who now look to her to lead them through these dark times. Gawen’s unexpected return from Ireland, where he has been serving Queen Elizabeth, throws her world into turmoil. He joins the men of the west country, including his cousin, Sir Walter Raleigh, and his friend Sir F...
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#MGMonday #BookReview "The Spirit of Loughmoe Abbey" by Megan Wynne

"The Spirit of Loughmoe Abbey"
by Megan Wynne


Plot

Gwen is supposed to be home-schooled but her mum's mental health problems mean she isn't receiving any schooling. When it is clear that her mum needs hospital treatment to recover, Gwen is sent to an unusual boarding school where students are helped to communicate with spirits. While there, she is confronted with an unsettling truth about her past.


Review


I read this book in a day, so that is always a good sign! I really enjoyed the mix of normal and supernatural that happens in the book, and how it weaves together so seamlessly. There is an air of mystery around the staff at the school, in particular the principal, which I would love to be developed.

I found Gwen thoroughly annoying at first. She had every trait I dislike in "home-schooled" children - I was home-schooled myself and get annoyed when people equate home-schooling to no-schooling or random trips to educational establishments. Maths is important, people! I really liked how this was not smoothed over in the story. Gwen had difficulties in learning. She had massive gaps in knowledge. It was something the character had to overcome, and I liked how this added to her personality.

While the spoilt Delphine was unpleasant, she had a point about aspects of Gwen's character. Gwen could be rude, ungrateful, unpleasant... but her character arc through the pages was a delight to read. You don't have to like the main character to enjoy a good plot so, while I say I didn't care for Gwen, it didn't take anything away from the story.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable story with believable characters and a gripping plot.


Buy the book here!

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