Another Great Review for 'Black Diamonds'

I was really pleased with this review for my upcoming historical romance, 'Black Diamonds'.

Lynette Rees transports the reader into the era of coal mining in the South Wales Valleys of 1865 with a rare talent for producing an authentic atmosphere.

She brings to life a cast of characters who leap out from the pages, their personalities inhabiting the imagination. The story unfolds at just the right pace, taking the reader on a journey which crosses continents and touches all the emotions.

The book begins with a depiction of the trauma and poverty following a mine disaster, which expertly introduces us to the various characters.

The poverty of the time is written about with empathy, especially when visiting the immoral and criminal area of the town, known as "China."

The heroine is a character with whom the reader will immediately relate to and share all her trials and tribulations. Her life becomes a roller coaster in more ways than one, with the reader becoming gripped by all her adventures, good and bad.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It will keep you reading through the day and night, as you will be unable to put it down.

I look forward to the sequel, as I keep wondering what will happen next in this enthralling saga.

Reviewed by Thea Horton author of

 "The French Letter King."

Great Review for 'Black Diamonds' [historical romance]

I was thrilled to receive a wonderful review from Welsh author, Gwen Madoc, for my historical romance, 'Black Diamonds'.

BLACK DIAMONDS by Lynette Rees

　

In her novel BLACK DIAMONDS Lynette Rees evokes powerfully the lives of the people of a Welsh mining village in the South Wales Valleys in the mid nineteenth century. The story is based on actual historical events in Merthyr Tydfil, when just before Christmas 1865 an explosion at Gethin Pit at Abercanaid overwhelmed the entire community with grief.

Lily Jenkin is a young heroine with passion, fortitude and courage, who struggles with the uncertainties of life in a mining community where the loss of loved ones from cholera or injury and death at the pit, and the subsequent heartache and poverty that results, are ever present possibilities.

Rees reveals the background and atmosphere of this particular era with depth and richness. Her characters spring off the page brimming with life. We feel strongly their grief and despair; their loves and hates. And also their hopes, and these feelings, together with the strength and variety of the characters, remain with the reader long after the book is read.

Rees takes the reader through the many twists and unexpected turns of the story with skill so that the pace of the novel never flags, creating a page-turner.

There is a great deal of warmth and emotion in the novel which reveals the true nature of the Welsh peoples. Highly recommended.

　

Reviewed by Gwen Madoc author of

NO CHILD OF MINE and

DAUGHTER OF SHAME

My review of 'The French Letter King' by Thea Horton

One novel you won't want to miss out on!!

When Tommy Horton arrived in the Industrial town of Merthyr Tydfil in 1900, little did he realise what lay in store for himself... 

A wheeler and dealer of his day, he set about to make his fortune, venturing into various deals, including pawn broking. After spending a period of time in prison, he eventually opened a rubber factory in the town to make ‘French Letters’, which as well as needed by the townsfolk, were in demand by the troops throughout the first and second world wars to combat sexual diseases.

Tom married and had an only son called, Ron. Both had a tempestuous relationship with one another, which is evident throughout this book. At times Tom could be controlling and manipulative toward his son, and Ron, although defiant on occasion, often buckled to the will of his father.

But the making of Ron is the love of a good woman called, Lorna.

This story is set against the back drop of the South Wales Valleys during a period in time when there was much hardship in the towns of Merthyr Tydfil, Tredegar and neighbouring valley towns.

This story will transport you back to an era when rationing came into force and black outs were the norm. Where families found it difficult to feed another mouth, so places like Tom’s rubber factory were a necessity. The women who worked there preferred to tell others they worked elsewhere. Indeed it was common place to tell people they worked at ‘The Butter Factory’. Such was the stigma of the day.

This is an excellent novel that not only brings to life the history and geography of Merthyr Tydfil during both world wars but weaved throughout it are two love stories: Tom’s relationship with his initially unappreciated wife and Ron’s relationship with Laura, the feisty ballroom dancer from Tredegar.

The characters in this novel leap out at you from off the page and this book will keep you reading long into the night. This is one novel you won’t want to miss out on!!

Available from:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/French-Letter-King-Thea-Horton-ebook/dp/B00KE8DSAC/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1402324526&sr=1-1&keywords=thea+horton

Another fab review for Watching You

I'm thrilled by the latest review for my new novel from The Romance Studio:

Watching You

Lynette Rees
Romantic suspense
Available from The Wild Rose Press
ISBN: 1-60154-259-3
July 2008

Angeline Hamilton loses her home and everything she cares about when her father dies. She visits the new owner in a fit of temper only to be asked to live there and work as Sebastian Tremaine's personal assistant. As she tries to build a new life an old flame carrying a grudge stalks her. He's determined to make her pay for leaving him years ago.

Lynette Rees builds a tale full of great characters. Angeline is portrayed as a usually mild mannered woman with brains, passion and a temper to match her red hair. Sebastian is a strong, capable, usually kind man suffering the pain of losing his wife and child in a fluke accident that left him temporarily blind. Angeline’s kissing cousin, Will, Sebastian’s sister Marsha and housekeeper Daisy are unique personalities who add much to the story. The villain is a nasty man who kills for fun and sexual gratification, a real psychopath who lusts for blood.

The author doesn’t give Sebastian and Angeline an easy time. They’re attracted from the beginning, it just takes them a long time to admit it.. By the time they do we’re deep into the mystery of what James King will do at the ball to act on his hatred of Angeline. No matter how much security surrounds them, or what Sebastian does to try to protect her, the ex fiancé seems able to circumvent it. It almost gets comical as someone is always distracted or late or slips up or turns their head or something happens to make it easier for evil to take control.

But that’s the fun of it. She keeps us believing that he just might pull it off because he’s gotten past them so many times in so many ways. This is a darned good story.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Very sensual

Reviewer: Dee Dailey
October 6, 2008

http://theromancestudio.com/reviews/reviews/watchingyourees.htm