#BlogTour Search for the House of Dreams by Alison Burke

 
 It's my turn on the BlogTour Search for the House of Dreams by Alison Burke.

About the Author

'I was born in Lancashire and started my career by training as a State Registered general nurse. Later, I joined the army and became an officer in the Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps. On a posting to Malaya, now Malaysia, I found my true love. This was an ideal setting for a marriage with young children, and now my memories are a wonderfully rich source of material for my writing.' Follow on Facebook, on Instagram, Visit alisonburkefictionwriter.com

About the book

It is the year 1847 in the elegant city of Bath where 18yr old Genevre Stratton is treated more as a servant than a daughter in the elegant house where bills are not paid, and the rent is in arrears.          

Appalled by the dishonesty and overriding social ambition beneath her parents’ veneer of respectability, only her love for her younger brother and sisters keeps her there. Left to cope alone when their false world falls apart, she fights to keep her siblings together, until poverty forces her to yield them to the care of their half-brother, George Coleman.  

Handsome, wealthy and charismatic, he is the enemy who becomes her lover. To surrender all to her passionate desire for him, or to keep the independence of a new-found musical career on the London stage? This is her is her choice to make, until an unexpected call of duty takes her to Paris. Must the old, dark secrets she discovers there alter the course of her life forever?

Review

As far as Genevre is concerned she is part of a respectable story with paths mapped out for all of them, especially the children of the family, but the truth is far from rosy. Fractured family relationships, money problems and living a huge charade to keep up with everyone else - all to the detriment of said children.

Genevre has to learn some very harsh lessons and at some point she also has to take a moment to think twice about the woman her mother is now, as opposed to the woman she once was or was supposed to be. Everything is determined through her particular frame of reference, her own experiences, but it's easy to forget it's the same for others.

Although this can be read as a standalone novel I believe the end leaves this open for a sequel or to be part of a series. Where does Genevre go from here?

It's a family saga, historical fiction and a story defined by the societal rules of the time. About a woman who is forced to step up as the surrogate parent when her parents are incapable or just not willing to parent themselves. It's about love, support and disillusionment on a certain level. Looking for your place in society and family, whilst not being entirely sure what that is suppose to look like.

It's a heartfelt, moving and engaging read. Perfect historical escapism.

Buy Search for the House of Dreams at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher ‏: ‎Lily Dale Press pub date 14 Jun. 2021. Buy at Amazon com.

#Blogtour The Charity of Strangers by Alison Burke

It's my turn on the BlogTour The Charity of Strangers by Alison Burke.

About the Author

I was born and grew up in Lancashire, gained several nursing qualifications and had the privilege of a long and varied nursing career, briefly in the Royal Army Nursing Service abroad, mainly in the NHS in UK. True love and a happy family came my way and now I have the time to  read, write and remember.

Follow Alison Burke on Instagram, on Facebook, Visit alisonburkefictionwriter.com

About the book 

You can find almost anything in a charity shop, but can you find love? You can certainly find friendship and there is both laughter and tears ahead when 19yr old Zaffron, lonely, anxious and without direction, meets Blaire Daintry, good-looking, charming, and gay.

Both volunteers in the charity shop, he has a hidden agenda, she has secrets,  but they are friends from the start, despite Blaire’s constant sparring with Ida, the stern, good-hearted older volunteer who Zaffron admires. And perhaps Ida has secrets too.

Together with other victims of the city’s housing crisis, Blaire and Zaffron set up a safe and happy home.  Secure at last, she tells him of the dreadful incident in her childhood that has marred her life, but not even his total acceptance gives her the confidence to start a relationship with an attractive and decent young army sergeant who falls in love with her.

Is it fear of the truth coming out that holds her back? Or is there some other reason, buried too deep in her heart for her to recognise?

Review

This seems to be floating under the heading of rom-com, but to me it had more of an Eleanor Oliphant meets chick-lit kind of feel to it. There is no romance as such, just an unrequited obsessive crush - if you can call it that at all. I thought it veered towards more of an Oedipus complex, which was interrupted by the inconvenience of Blaire's sexuality.

Towards the end Zaffron is surprised by what Blaire reveals about his relationship and considers it a further betrayal, however I think he made that choice to curb her enthusiasm or slightly obsessive infatuation. In fact if you view his choices individually they are completely normal for someone who is intent on bettering their life and prospects.

If you view the same connections, decisions and choices through the lens of Zaffron's references then of course it appears to be nefarious and driven by the intent to deceive and betray. At least that is how Zaffron perceives it, and that is the real gist of the entire story. How does Zaffron perceive things, as opposed to others?

It's an interesting piece, perhaps more of darker read than a light-hearted one. A contemporary piece when it comes to people who are neither here nor there in society. On the brink of complete breakdown with no home, no job and only acquaintances born through circumstance. It shows how hard it is to reestablish yourself in society, especially when you are unable to bring certain prerequisites to the table.

One of the core elements is of course the fact that someone needs to hold out a hand and offer help for a person in need to be able to rebuild their broken down life, which is something everyone can take away from this read. A small gesture goes a long way.

Buy The Charity of Strangers at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher : Lily Dale Press pub date 25 Nov. 2020. Buy at Amazon com.