Tears of Innocence by TR Robinson

TR Robinson’s story Tears of Innocence begins before the Second World War. Her happy and innocent childhood is shattered following the death of her mother. To add further to her trauma she is kept in ignorance of the event and shunned by family members who believed a child did not need, or could not understand sufficiently, to grieve; as was customary at the time.

Sadly this is only the beginning of her traumatic and troubled life. The author does not reveal her home country but it was invaded by German troops during WWII.  In a desperate need to escape abuse she becomes separated from those she loves and trusts and lives on the streets or in terror of being abused yet again.

Her young life is a roundabout of finding happiness then being hurt or lost, over and over again.

After marrying an English naval officer she moves with him to England. His family adore her and she them. The welcome she receives fills the reader full of hope for her future happiness. It is not to be.

Although her in-laws suspect she is being abused by her husband it was not appropriate, in post war Britain to interfere between a husband and wife

The intertwining of Robinson’s life story with the background of history is undeniably gripping reading.

There are two points the author makes in her Preface that the reader should note. The spelling is British English and her thoughts and emotions are in italics.

My first thought when I read she had included her emotions in italics was “this is going to be annoying” It was anything but. I would not recommend this method for most authors. Robinson is a skilled writer and this way of clarifying how she was feeling at that moment of time draws the reader in; it felt like I was by her side all the way but powerless to help and support her.

I usually make notes when reading a book for review. It must be an indication of how engrossed I was when I barely made a note or highlighted sections.

This is an inspirational story that I highly recommend and look forward hearing that the author has released the second part of her trilogy.

My rating 4*

Petite Confessions: A Humorous Memoirette by Vicki Lesage

Have you read the positive reviews about Vicki Lesage’s first two books Confessions of a Paris Party Girl and Confessions of a Paris Potty Trainer? 

Still not convinced these belong in your library? Then spend a dollar an on copy of Petite Confessions for

a twinkling insight into the author’s life and light hearted ability to laugh at herself, her family and her adopted country, France. 

This collection of humorous short pieces will have you coming back for more of Lesage’s laid back writing style.

My rating 4*

The First Noble Truth by C Lynn Murphy

I want to say firstly that the book description on the review websites needs to be re-written. I received a copy of the book in return for an honest review and if it hadn’t been offered I would not have purchased a copy based on the description.

I really didn’t know what to expect and certainly didn’t appreciate I was going to be reading a story so skilfully and touchingly written.

The story is about two young women with one story told in the first person and the other in the third person. The women are very different as is their suffering, yet their stories are beautifully told.

The first story is initially set in the United States then follows the young woman as she travel to Africa and Asia. The second story is set in Japan.

However, there is sufficient information in other reviews about the story line so I will focus this review on the quality of the book.

I was totally absorbed by The First Noble Truth.  The author’s approach to her story telling is unusual but works extremely well without confusing the reader.

The prose is a gentle step by step approach but compelling reading. The author has a wonderful imagination and is able to transcribe this to paper extremely well. There are many beautifully written passages that are quotable as well as detailed descriptions of what characters are doing.

The writing draws you in wanting to read more; not because you need to know what will happen like you would in a suspense or thriller novel but because of the writing skill itself.  It is a book you want curl up with, relax and enjoy the emotionally moving tale as it develops.

Krista’s visits to Africa and Asia are more of a traveller’s tale not a tourist experience and give excellent insight into the countries she visits. I particularly appreciated and enjoyed the insight into Japanese culture, traditions and way of life.

If this is C Lynn Murphy’s first novel I expect her to amaze us with her writing in the future.

My rating 4*

This review is also available on my website www.pam.id.au

An Impossible Marriage by Meriel Brooke

Author Meriel Brooke cleverly uses her own family history as the basis of this beautifully written family saga spanning two world wars.

Sam, the main character, comes from a country life in England through World War I to Malaya and Singapore during World War II then home to England again. Through the book weaves a story of romance; family life and its inevitable ups and downs; and a successful career as a rubber plantation manager alongside the different horrors of each of the wars.

It is beautifully written and even has a touching underlying story of a man’s relationship with his horse.

The characters are very real even if not always likeable. I must admit I do get very annoyed by reviewers who criticise characters because they don’t behave the way we expect them to today. Brooke’s characters are real because of the accuracy of their behaviour and attitudes of the time.

Sam and other characters in the story suffer two world wars as many men did. In World War I he is a pilot of the Royal Flying Corps (later RAF) shot down and badly wounded. In World War II he is imprisoned in the dreaded Changi prison. This aspect of WWII is often not well known in many parts of the world.

The book is historically accurate and conveys a sense of time and place well. It is wonderfully descriptive and consistently good from beginning to end; moving along nicely with never a boring patch and ending on a twist I didn’t imagine. Brooke also uses some great analogies “Like a gaggle of geese without a gander”

Romance, intrigue, war and a history lesson too; can’t complain about that mix.

This book was provided to me for free for an honest and unbiased review.

My rating 4*