THE LAST QUEEN by Gemma Lawrence @TudorTweep

 4.5 out of 5 stars

On Amazon (universal link)

On   Goodreads

How I discovered this book: a favourite author

In a Nutshell: Book 1 of the Chronicles of Cleopatra

I was surprised by this new book by Gemma Lawrence, as at first glance it seems like a world away from her other historical fiction, which is, in the main, English, European, Tudor, Plantagenet, Saxon and Norman. 

Then I began to read it and saw that, of course, it's not a world away, at all.  Amongst those who rule kingdoms, the story will always be about manipulation, danger, betrayal, alliances and moral issues.  This book covers the early part of Cleopatra's life about which, as the author states in the notes at the end of the book, very little is known.  The way Ms Lawrence has imagined it was entirely convincing, and I liked reading all the factual information contained in the earlier part of the book, as it concerns a place, time and culture about which I knew nothing at all.

A fascinating start to what I'm sure will be another excellent series.

FOOTNOTES: The History behind the Novels by Judith Arnopp @juditharnopp

 5 out of 5 stars

On Amazon (universal link)
On Goodreads

How I discovered this book: Saw it on X, big fan of this author

In a Nutshell: A selection of articles that give background information about the subject matter of the author's novels

In the introduction Judith Arnopp apologises for any repetition in this collection of blog posts and articles from previous years, as her books were in progress.  Yes, there was some repetition, but it didn't matter to me, because so many of the articles were fascinating.  

The chapter about the Mary Rose made me think, 'I have to see this', to the extent that I've looked up the site and trains, and asked my sister if she fancies taking the trip with me.  The one about Harlech Castle and Owain Glyndŵr made me want to read a book about the subject.  'The Mysterious Death of King William II' ensured that The Forest Dwellers will be the next book of Ms Arnopp's that I read.  Even the chapters about people I already knew a lot about, like Margaret Beaufort and Henry VIII's wives, I still enjoyed reading.

And now I want to visit all those ancient Welsh churches, too - this book is a little gem!

MAKE HIM A SANDWICH by Candace Owens @realCandaceO

 5 GOLD stars

On Candace's website - Canada and US only
On Amazon.com - ships to UK

On Goodreads

How I discovered this book: I saw it advertised on Candace's show.

In a Nutshell: 'Why real women don't need fake feminism'

My husband bought me this for Christmas; such was the demand for this elegant treatise of feminist culture that it didn't arrive until a few days ago.  Having just closed the book, I imagine most will agree with me that the wait was worth it.  MHAS is so well-written I became totally engrossed in every historical account, every 'celeb' incident, every aspect of the way in which the media and those who run it have manipulated young women to think that (for instance) getting your kit off on the internet for money is 'liberation'.

I particularly liked Chapter 4, Beyond the Pale, which outlines the origins of the movement, back as far mid 19th Century Russia.  So much I didn't know.  Oh, and don't miss Chapter 6: The Kardashian School of Plastic'.  Or #7, Along Came Hannah, about 'trad wife' Hannah Neeleman and her YouTube channel about life at her family home, Ballerina Farm. I was glued to the pages throughout!

MHAS compares the biology of men and women, the emotional differences, which made me think about aspects I hadn't previously considered.  The book is a light and 'easy read', wise, honest and straight to the point but always classy.  I watch Candace often, so I know how intricately she researches every detail, how careful she is before presenting facts.  She digs deeper than most, into both her subject matter and the motivations of others.

Something else I appreciated was the way the chapters themselves were structured - a masterclass in keeping the reader's attention.  I can't recommend this book highly enough.  It cuts through all the lies, myths,  hype and manipulation; the hows and whys about the overturning of Roe vs Wade was an eye-opener.

Make Him A Sandwich is informative, fascinating, funny, beautifully structured, and fears no man!  Or woman, of course.  😉

STROWG by John F Leonard @johnfleonard #RBRT

 4 out of 5 stars

On Amazon
On Goodreads

How I discovered this book: it was submitted to Rosie's Book Review Team, of which I am a member.

In a Nutshell: When you're manservant to a diabolical entity...

I read John F Leonard's The Bledbrooke Works some years back and thought it was great, so my interest was piqued once more by another story set in the same place.  Strowg is a novella that fits perfectly into its size, in that it doesn't need any more detail or backstory.

Charles Hennessey is Strowg's devoted factotum, and has been for many years ... Strowg himself is some form of vampiric creature, though the word 'vampire' is never used, but basically Charles's job is to find 'sustenance' for his master, who has now shed the human exterior and embrace his inner monster  In exchange for his service, Strowg promises him eternal life.  A slow drip, by passing on his own blood.  

Despite the subject matter this is fairly low key horror, and it even has a subtle, darkly humorous thread running through it.  This works really well, and Mr Leonard exhibits some suitably neat turns of phrase that added so much to this story.  It's good, I recommend!

My Top Ten Books of 2025

 

... as usual, not necessarily published in 2025, but that's when I read them!  

In no particular order, click the title to read my review.

Boatyard Views 

by Val Poore

A collection of Val's essays about her life on the water - 

beautifully put together, amusing and informative!

Marguerite: Hell Hath No Fury! 

by Judith Arnopp

The story of Margaret of Anjou, a major player in the Wars of the Roses

All The King's Bastards 

by Gemma Lawrence

Alternate, speculative history - what would have happened if Henry VIII had died from his jousting injury, early in 1536?  Fascinating!

Last Train to Freedom 

by Deborah Swift

A mission of great importance in the dangerous arena of Europe during WWII ... the train in question is the Trans-Siberian Express

About the Real Stages of Grief 

by D G Kaye

Part memoir, part advice - D G Kaye talks about bereavement and how she has learned to live with her loss 

Burke and the War of 1812 

by Tom Williams

Fictional account of the factual mission of James Burke, to recruit the American First Nations to fight with Britain against the US

A Pact With The Devil 

by Anna Legat

Murder and demonic possession in 15th Century Poland

Death of a Clown 

by Catherine McCarthy

The story of Charlie, the reluctant clown - beautiful book

The Long Walk 

by Slavomir Racwicz

The allegedly true story of Slavomir Rawicz, who escaped from a Siberian labour camp during World War II, and, with comrades, trekked thousands of miles to reach safety. 

The Book of Thornhold 

by Judith Arnopp

A novel of long-short stories, about a family across the centuries.  Marvellous.

I hope you will select at least one of these for your next read - you won't regret it!  

Happy reading, and happy new year!

📚📚📚📚📚

THE CAMEO KEEPER by Deborah Swift @swiftstory

5 out of 5 stars

On Amazon

On Goodreads

How I discovered this book: a favourite author

In a Nutshell: The election of a new Pope creates chaos in 17th Century Rome

Never a disappointment, a book by Deborah Swift.  I've read the others in the series and they're all stand-alone.  I know this because I have a terrible memory but I didn't have any unanswered questions.  The Cameo Keeper made me want to read the other books again; knowing what happens next makes everything that comes before mean so much more.

Now, to the book!  This one sees astrologer Mia living with stepmother Giulia and her new husband, in Rome.  Mia falls in with the wrong people, lured by glitter, which leads to the increasing distance between her and young chirurgion Jacopo. 

A powerful woman, a new Pope, a malevolent colleague of Jacopo's, money, murder and fear of the Inquisition provide splendid material for the plot to play with, with intrigue and ghastly secrets around every corner.  

As usual with the author's books, the research into the life and work of the people she portrays (many of the key players were based on actual people) is immaculate; in this book I felt as though I was heariing from an apothecary who lived in those days, so convincing was it.  Fascinating, too.  I loved reading about the practices of the day and how, already, natural remedies were being demonised in favour of scientific discovery/experiment, for the financial benefit of the latter.

Definitely recommend this one!

HANGING ON by Iseult Murphy @AuthorIseult

 4.5 out of 5 stars

On Amazon (universal link)
On Goodreads

How I discovered this book: I won it online, in the giveaway on Teri Polen's site

In a Nutshell: A Christmas ghost and a lonely girl

A long short story that I would say could be read and enjoyed by anyone from the ages of 10 upwards!

Angelina lives a meagre life with her mother, Thea, who we realise early on is something of a sociopath at best.  Angelina doesn't know who her father is, and is always scared of what her mother might do to her.  Then, a surprise Christmas present proves more of a gift than she could ever have imagined.

The book is extremely well-written and beautifully presented.  I loved the structure, how we see Angelina's awful circumstances, but in between the unravelling of her history, we are provided insights into Thea's background.

This was just one of the hard copy books that Iseult Murphy donated to the giveaway - I look forward to reading the other two!  Meanwhile, this is on Kindle for just 0.99, and I definitely recommend. :)