Book Review: The Split by Amanda Brookfield
I am pleased to be welcoming Amanda Brookfield to Novel Kicks. She’s here with the blog tour for her novel, The Split.
Two decades on from a passionate courtship and marriage, Lucas and Esther are getting divorced.
For Esther, it’s proving hard not to feel bitter watching Lucas enjoying his successful career, not to mention the attentions of his gorgeous, intelligent, and predictably younger lover. She meanwhile is struggling to forge a new life for herself, navigating the pitfalls of modern dating, while trying not to despair at the cost of living as a single woman of a certain age.
Then Lucas faces a shattering accusation at the same time as their children Dylan and Lily, start to implode. When Dylan runs away, and as his father fights to save his reputation, Lucas and Esther find themselves back in each other’s lives, whether they like it or not.
Has too much water passed under the bridge, or will long-forgotten loyalties and feelings bring the family back together, just when they need each other the most?
*****
After a twenty year marriage, Esther and Lucas are divorced. They, and the two children they share, now have to adjust to the new normal.
Esther is finding it difficult to witness her ex-husband’s new life. With a great job and a fiancée, he’s flying high. She knows that she has to find her new place in the world.
However, when Lucas’s life is derailed and their son, Dylan runs away, Lucas and Esther have to communicate, whether they want to or not.
Having previously not read any of Amanda Brookfield’s previous books, I didn’t know what type of novel this was going to be.
The Spilt is a slow burner and it did take me a while to get into it. To begin with, I wasn’t sure I was going to like it. I was very pleased I persevered. What I found was that this was a very interesting and detailed look into relationships between ordinary people. There are many twists and turns. Sometimes I loved the characters, other times I disliked their behaviour but as I progressed through the book, I became invested in them. Oh, and I want to adopt the cat.
by 
Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: First Meeting
It’s Friday which means it’s time to start writing some fiction.
Fiction Friday is our weekly writing flash fiction prompt.
The aim is to write for a minimum of five minutes and then keep going for as long as you can.
Don’t edit, just write. Once you’re done, you’re welcome to share in the comments but there’s no obligation.
*****
Today’s Prompt: First Meeting.
Your character is getting married but they have never met the person they are going to marry.
They don’t meet this person until they reach the church. Oh and there are cameras filming the whole thing.
What happens?
by Book Review: The Highland Hens by Judy Leigh
I am very excited to be welcoming Judy Leigh back to Novel Kicks. She’s here with the blog tour for her novel, The Highland Hens.
In the imposing Glen Carrick House overlooking Scotland’s famous Loch Ness, lives eighty-eight-year-old Mimi McKinlay, cared for by her three adult sons. Hamish has inherited his mother’s musical talents, Fin is the responsible brother, and Angus has the complicated and brooding personality to match his dashing good looks.
But what all the brothers share is a concern that their beloved mother is living in her memories of her days on stage, while letting her present days pass her by.
Jess Oliver is at a turning point. Amicably divorced after years of being married, this trip to the Highlands is a first taste of independence. It isn’t long before the beauty and hospitality of Scotland captures her heart.
When Mimi and Jess’s paths cross, a friendship is formed that will change both women’s lives. And as together they find ways to look forward instead of to the past, long forgotten dreams are within reach, and every new day is fresh with possibilities.
Take a trip to the Highlands with Judy Leigh for an unforgettable story of glorious pasts and fabulous futures, of love, friendship, family and fun.
*****
Jess has come to Scotland for a holiday and has instantly fallen in love. When circumstances mean she can’t immediately return to her home, she replies to an ad for a companion to an elderly lady. She has a few months before she can return home. Why not?
It’s here she meets Mimi. As the women become close, Jess starts to see life in a new way and when she meets Mimi’s three sons, maybe love won’t be too far behind?
I am a big fan of Judy Leigh’s novels having previously read and enjoyed A Year of Mr Maybes and Lil’s Bus trip. Therefore, I was excited to be invited onto the blog tour for her latest novel, The Highland Hens.
I visited Scotland a few times as a child (I’d really love to go back,) so I adored the setting for this novel. I could picture myself standing at Mimi’s window looking out at the beautiful scenery of Loch Ness.
It’s not hard to fall in love with the ladies in this novel.
by Book Review: The Lodger by Valerie Keogh
I am pleased to be welcoming Valerie Keogh to Novel Kicks. She’s here with the blog tour for her novel, The Lodger.
She’s in your home…
Leigh Simons can’t say for sure what made her do it. A moment of madness, perhaps, but when the young, loud and gorgeous waitress at her favorite coffee shop reveals she is homeless, Leigh offers her the empty room in her house.
In your head…
Gina is the perfect lodger; Leigh, lonely and frustrated with her life, becomes infatuated with the woman – her boldness, her zeal. If only Leigh could be more like Gina…
And missing without trace.
So when Leigh returns from a work trip she’s shocked to find Gina missing. Where could the young woman have gone…and why?
Leigh fears that something terrible has happened – why else would Gina leave her?
But as she sets out to find her missing lodger, what Leigh discovers changes everything she knows about Gina….and her own life, too.
*****
When Leigh discovers that a waitress in her favourite coffee shop is becoming homeless, she offers up her spare room, a decision she instantly regrets.
However, when Leigh gets back from a week away, Gina has gone. Vanished without a trace.
This was my introduction to Valerie Keogh’s novels and the idea for this book really intrigued me so I was excited to get started.
It’s going to be quite hard to talk about this book without giving away spoilers but I’m going to try. Here goes…
Leigh is an interesting character. I got the feeling that she held a lot of herself back, being the person her boyfriend, Matt wanted her to be.
She is a lot braver than she thinks, especially when she eventually decides to speak up against a well liked male colleague. She is someone to admire in that respect.
by Novel Kicks Writing Room: Short Story Pick and Mix
Today, our writing exercise will be a short story of between 1000 – 1500 words.
Write a short story using the prompts below. At random, pick one element from each section.
Then combine your four answers and create your characters, background etc.
Pick one each from the following:
- Police, Circus, Shop.
- Town, Country, Boat.
- Maggie, Brian, Jamie.
- Letter, Article, Doorbell.
I’d love to see what you come up with. If you feel comfortable enough to do so, post your story in the comments below.
by Book Club
