EVERLASTING by Jo Carroll @jomcarroll

4.5 out of 5 stars

On Amazon UK
On Amazon.com

How I discovered this book: A few years ago I won one of Jo Carroll's travel memoirs in a blog competition, and I've bought all her books ever since!

This time Jo spends six weeks in Malawi, and the 'Everlasting' of the title refers to her sixty year old guide ~ that is him on the cover. 😀

What I love about Jo Carroll's books is that they read as though she's written them from the heart, without thinking too much about it, just her opinions of the country as it unfolds to her; her impressions often change back and forth as her time there goes along.  The short cameos of the people she meets are always so vivid; I can usually see exactly what they are like (particularly those with whom she has a less than totally positive experience!); there's a touch of Bill Bryson about her style.  The star of the show in this case, of course, was Everlasting himself, who sounded delightful.  Oh, and that's something else that I like ~ her portraits pick out the amusing aspects without ever being patronising.  I am always left feeling that part of Jo doesn't want to go home to her First World life... 

In poverty stricken countries such as this one, Jo Carroll delivers a fair and uncomplicated view of the problems facing the country.  In the case of Malawi, she felt she was going round in circles as she talked to aid workers from large organisations, villagers who were helping themselves, independent aid providers, tourists and white settlers.  She has a way of picking out the essential information, but her delivery is never preachy, and there is much else to enjoy, simply about the beauty of her surroundings and her experiences.  With every book she writes, it makes me want to visit the country.  Thus, as far as I can see, her work is done!

Everlasting is only novella length, I read it in one evening, and I recommend it most highly if you have any interest in this sort of book.

THE PLANTER'S DAUGHTER by Jo Carroll @jomcarroll

4.5 out of 5 stars

19th century historical fiction based on fact

On Amazon UK HERE
On Amazon.com HERE

This is an interesting and unusual novel that begins as a good, solid and readable story and gets better and better as it goes on.  The Planter's Daughter tells the story of Sara Weldon, a girl from Ireland who leaves her family in the middle of the mid 19th century potato famine to stay with an unknown, well-to-do aunt in Ireland, before falling from favour and being transported to the other side of the world.

The first chapter is told from the point of view of Kitty, the kitchen maid at the aunt's house who finds Sara on the doorstep.  This section of the book reminded me of those historical rags to riches (or riches to rags and back again) blockbusters that were so popular in the 1980s by people like Barbara Taylor Bradford, with the heroine to whom wrong is done, who vows revenge, while those who meet her are struck by not only her beauty (may or may not include tiny waist and head of auburn/raven tousled curls), but also the steely determination in her flashing emerald/sapphire eyes.  However, I always liked this sub-sub-genre, so was happy to read on!

For the second part the story moves to Australia, and a new character's point of view ~ devoutly religious Grace, who lives on a dusty small-holding/forge in the rural area near Melborne with her stepsons and own children, and takes Sara in as a maid.  Well written, well researched and highly readable, the only downside being this: I thought, "but I don't want to read about Grace's path to Australia, I want to read about Sara's."

I had it all wrong.  This is where the novel really 'kicks in', if you like.

Half way through Grace I realised I was completely engrossed, and I began to appreciate the structure.  Grace is fascinating, really quite horrible.  She's pious, more than a little self-satisfied, unable to see any views but her own.  She wears her religion like a badge, cloaking her selfishness in her delusion that she is showing others the path of righteousness.  She thinks she loves Sara, but in fact she loves only the image of her that she has created to fill the gaps in her own life.  During this chapter my inner rating hat added another star to my eventual review; it's really, really good.

Then we get to New Zealand, and Grenville, the magistrate who falls in love with Sara.  Like Grace, he is obsessed with his own image of the girl, and this obsession brings only woe to everyone concerned.  I loved this chapter; I felt that Jo Carroll really got into her stride with Grenville; her writing actually improves over the course of the book.

I very much like the showing of one character's story through the viewpoints of others, and Jo Carroll has executed this challenging format very well, though I did wish that there had been a little variation in the three chosen characters' feelings about Sara; all three adored her, longed to still her butterfly wings (sorry, getting a bit BTB saga, there), but didn't understand her at all.  I didn't know if I did, either; I hadn't met her yet.

I was in for a pleasant surprise.

In the last party we finally get to meet Sara: it's about her childhood in Ireland, life during 'the hunger', and her path to Belfast to get a ship to Liverpool.  The last part, about this journey, was outstanding, and the highlight of the book; it made sense of the whole story.  Sara was not a likeable girl at all, but seeing her as she began put it all into perspective, and I understood how clever the book is.

I had a few issues with style/format, but this is normal for a debut novel, and no one likes every single part of even their all-time favourites.  The research that has gone into this novel is apparent without ever being intrusive.  The idea comes from a true life story, and Sara's ending is shocking and surprising (don't read about the real life story first!); I was waiting for something more in line with yer typical historical saga, but it didn't happen - well, who needs predictability, after all?  The Planter's Daughter is a 'slow burner' and so much more than the tale-of-love-determination-and-revenge-across-three-continents, Taylor Bradfordesque epic that I thought it was going to be at first.  Read it.  You'll be pleased you did.  

FROGS AND FRIGATE BIRDS by Jo Carroll

5 GOLD stars

Travel memoir: Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands

On Amazon UK HERE
On Amazon.com HERE
On Goodreads HERE

I've read all of Jo Carroll's travel memoirs and loved every one, and this is no exception; I think I loved it as much as my previous favourite (Bombs and Butterflies, about Laos, which I read as part of her paperback incorporating three books, called From The Inside Looking Out).

What I enjoy about the way Jo Carroll writes about is that she brings the country alive, not by clever, researched facts or wordy descriptions but by the deceptively simple way she describes the local people and the way in which they live.  Every time, she makes me want to visit that country, which is what a travel book should be all about, isn't it?  Her love for Ecuador in this book shone through so much, and brought tears to my eyes on several occasions (sometimes they were tears of envy!).

She's funny, sometimes, with her observations of her guides and her fellow travellers, and very down to earth; I've said before that her style reminds me of Bill Bryson's.  But she also talks about the problems within the country, the charm of the people, the wonder of her surroundings, the joys and difficulties of being a lone traveller.  When I read about the Galapagos Islands I almost started packing a bag, and her tales of the less populated areas of Ecuador made me want to go and live there, too.

It's a short, delightful book which I enjoyed so much I know I'll read it again.  Would be lovely if there were pictures too, but they're not necessary.   

After the Earthquake (Nepal) is reviewed HERE, with links to From The Inside Looking Out (Laos, Cuba and Nepal) and Over the Hills and Far Away.

AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE: Over The Hill goes back to Nepal by Jo Carroll

5 out of 5 stars

Travel Memoir

On Amazon UK HERE
On Amazon.com HERE
On Goodreads HERE

All profits from this book's modest price go towards Jo's project to build a house for one family in Nepal who are currently living in a heap of rubble due to the earthquake - so it's money well spent for that reason alone!  If you would like to read more about this, you can do so on her blog, HERE

Aside from this, though, it's a delightful book.  Jo has become one of THOSE writers - I'll always buy a new one by her, straight away.  Despite the house project, this is not a depressing book by any means.  It's an enchanting depiction of the people of Nepal, of the country itself, and I think anyone reading this will long to visit themselves (I just wish I could!).  I love how Jo portrays the kind, generous local people with such a love for their country and their determination to maintain their way of life.

There's a lovely bit when Jo visits an eco-village in the mountains that made me long and long to go there; oh yes, and the bit when she sees the sunrise over Annapurna South, and her descriptions of the monsoons, the market, the sadness she felt on seeing how a country so dear to her is so empty of tourists, causing economic problems to the country, when there is so much still to see.... I thoroughly enjoyed it all.  It's touching, funny, informative, inspiring, an altogether fascinating afternoon's read, and Jo Carroll is a pretty admirable woman (she does all this alone; she's a grandmother).

Buy it!

From the Inside Looking Out reviewed HERE

Over the Hill and Far Away reviewed HERE

My Top 24 Books of 2015

I've read over 100 books this year, so this was no easy task, although the top ten was simpler: they're the ones to which I gave my rare 5 Gold Stars. 
 I started off doing a Top 20, but there were a few I just couldn't decide between ~ so, here's my...

TOP

....the reading of the following took place between January 1st and December 12th, 2015...

 
I haven't included more than one book by the same author; instead, I chose my favourite, but mentioned any others I've read/reviewed this year.  Lists such as this are all about personal taste, of course, and so much depends much on preference of genre; there are plenty of other very good books on this blog, to which I've given 4* ~ you can find them all HERE.

Okay, here goes!  For the full review of each book, click the title.  I've added a note to say how I discovered it, because I think this is interesting for writers, readers and book bloggers alike.

**Numbers 24~11 are in no particular order**:

24.  OUTBACK PROMISE by Maggie Bolitho

Australian family drama 

Discovered: A choice from those submitted to Rosie Amber's Review Team; 
I review for Rosie's blog as a member of the team. 

23.  CONCEALMENT by Rose Edmunds

Financial/psychological thriller

 

Discovered: Got to know the author via Twitter, I'd read her first one and liked it.

22.  OWEN by Tony Riches 

Plantagenet historical fiction 

Discovered: Another Rosie's book review team choice.

21.  CASTLES, CUSTOMS AND KINGS 

by English Historical Fiction Authors

Historical anthology ~ non-fiction

Discovered: A tweet!

20.  CHANGING PATTERNS by Judith Barrow 

1950s Family Saga.

Discovered: Got to know the author via Twitter.  This is the middle part of a trilogy, and my favourite of the three; there are links to my reviews of the other two parts at the end of this one.  
 

19.  MAD WORLD by Kate Mary

Zombie apocalypse  (US)

Discovered: Amazon browse, the cover of the first one in the series caught my eye, then I read the next three.  I liked Mad World, the third one, best.  You can see the review of the first, Broken World, with links to the others HERE

18.  PUBLIC BATTLES, PRIVATE WARS by Laura Wilkinson

 1980s northern England miners' strike drama

Discovered: I read a review by a fellow member of Rosie Amber's Review Team that made me want to buy it.

17. THE GODDARD AFFAIR by Scott Marlowe

Fantasy assassin adventure ~ novella

Discovered: Another choice from the reviewer's list on Rosie Amber.  This year I have also read Thief's Gambit by this author, review HERE.


16. SURVIVING THE EVACUATION: Book 1: London by Frank Tayell

Zombie Apocalypse (UK) 

Discovered: Amazon browse.  I've read four others in the series, links to which are on the review for this one.  I liked this one and the fourth best. 

15.  OVER THE HILL AND FAR AWAY by Jo Carroll

Travel Memoir  

Discovered: I won the author's second book in a blog competition last year, and liked it so much I bought her first one, too.

14.  LIVING BY EAR by Mary Rowen 

Contemporary drama/musician

Discovered: I read an article by the author on an unrelated subject, on a book blog.  Something about the way she 'talked' made me think I'd like her fiction writing too, so I read the blurb for her book and the subject matter appealed very much.

13.  THE PRODIGAL by Nicky Black

Gritty Geordie crime drama

Discovered: Our mutual proofreader told me it was really good, so I bought it when it came out!

12.  NO MORE MULBERRIES by Mary Smith

Family drama/Afghanistan

Discovered: I read an article about it, by the author, on the same book blog where I read about Living By Ear (the discontinued but still in existence A Woman's Wisdom), and thought it sounded like something I'd love to read.

11.  AN UNLAMENTED DEATH by William Savage

18th century murder mystery

Discovered: A choice from Rosie Amber's review team reading list.  Have since bought his next book, not read yet.

And now......the countdown begins!

 ~~~~ The Top Ten ~~~~

It was hard to put them in order of preference, but I think a countdown is more fun, don't you?  Adds a bit of tension to the proceedings!  So I struggled and hummed and hahhed, and here it is.....

10.  THE TURNING OF THE WORLD by John Privilege 

Post apocalyptic drama (pandemic), Northern Ireland

Discovered: Got chatting to author on Twitter, I asked to see his book.  Happened to be in a current favourite genre, and I liked the look of it ~ ker-ching!  Have since reviewed his second one, The American Policeman

9.  THE GREAT LAW OF PEACE by Zoe Saadia

Native American history 

Discovered: I've read lots of Zoe Saadia's books, discovered via her blogs on Twitter, and think the Peacemaker series is the best thing she's done, and this is the best of the series.  Links to her other books are on the review above, and I've also reviewed The Peacekeeper.

8.  INKKER HAUSER Book 2: LITERASTEIN by Phil Conquest 

Dark humour, contemporary drama ~ novella

Discovered: I got to know the author via the internet about eight years ago, through our mutual interest in writing, amongst other things, and always hoped he'd publish something because he's one of the most genuinely talented writers I've come across.  I read the first part of this last year, loved it, and this is even better.

7.   MANTLE OF MALICE by April Taylor

Alternative history ~ Tudor fantasy 

Discovered: I got to know the author on Twitter because of our mutual interest in the Tudors, and read the first part of this trilogy last year.  The links to Court of Conspiracy and Taste of Treason can be found on the review above; the trilogy got better as it went on, this third part was definitely my favourite.

6.  ANY MAN JOE by Robert Leigh

Vigilante crime drama/thriller

Discovered: I'd bought it after reviewing the first in this series, Kill Line (link on the review on above), for Rosie's blog, and I chose that after a review by another member of the team made me want to read it.  Robert Leigh subsequently submitted it to Rosie's review team list, so I reviewed it for her blog, too.  Oh, and our mutual proofreader recommended it, as well!

Getting exciting now....!

~~~~ The Top Five ~~~~

5.  THE BASTARD PRINCESS by Gemma Lawrence

Historical fiction ~ the early years of Elizabeth I

Discovered: Got to know the author on Twitter because of our mutual interest in the Tudors.  I read a few of her stories on Wattpad and loved them, so I leapt on this when it came out.

4.  FUTURE PERFECT by Katrina Mountfort

Sci-Fi, post apocalyptic drama, UK

 

Discovered: Rosie Amber was asked to review this but it wasn't her sort of thing so she asked me if I'd like to read it.  I'm so glad she did!  I've since bought and reviewed the sequel, Forbidden Alliance; the link is on the above review.

Now it's really getting exciting....

 

~~~ The Top Three ~~~

3. ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE CITY OF CRIMINALS 

by Mark Barry. 

Violent contemporary drama

Discovered: I 'met' Mark Barry when he asked me to appear on his blog, then thought I would try one of his books.  I have read four of them now, and this is the best one, by far.  This year I have also read his book Ultra Violence; links to all of his that I've read can be found in the review above.  Highly recommended!

*

Second Place...

My runner up and silver medallist is a two-in-one, really, because she writes under two names, Davina Blake and Deborah Swift.  I've read several of her books this year and it was so hard to choose which one, for this list, because I love them all, but in the end I went with...

2.  PAST ENCOUNTERS by Davina Blake 

World War II and 1950s drama

Discovered: via Twitter, I can't remember exactly how, I think I read an article on her history blog.  For this list, I was torn between the above book, and The Lady's Slipper, in her Deborah Swift guise; links to my reviews for all her historical fiction can be found HERE.

 

Drum Roll....

And the Gold Medal goes to.....

~ My Favourite Book of 2015 ~

DEATH & DOMINION by Carol Hedges

Victorian Murder Mystery

Discovered: Twitter, I believe... I think she commented on one of my blog posts!  I read the first of this series, Diamonds & Dust, last year, and didn't think anything could top the second, Honour & Obey, but this did.  Even if you think a Victorian murder mystery isn't your thing (which is what I thought), you should buy this NOW.  This is talent!

I do hope this has been of interest to you, not least of all how I found each book.  I'm so glad I offered to be a part of Rosie Amber's team, and that I've got involved with so many book blogs this year.  Unless writers have a traditional publisher behind them or have limitless funds for promotion, it's a constant struggle, in this deluged market, to get our books in front of readers, and for readers to sort the wheat from the chaff; if everyone who looks at this list bought just one of the books....!!