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Title: The Water Meadows

Author: Emma Blair

Narrator: Eve Karpf

Format: Unabridged

Length: 17 hrs and 10 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-08-11

Publisher: Audible Studios

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

It is May 1926. Glasgow is crippled by the General Strike and the future looks bleak for John Forsyth. Made redundant from his factory job and with no prospect of employment, he and his family only hold together through the determination of his ambitious wife, Madge. Even though this means a dramatic move to the farthest reaches of England - to Devon. As the family begin a new life in the village of Atherton, their fortunes change. John works in the copper mine, but unused to the appalling conditions finds solace in the Church and in his secret supply of scrumpy; long-suffering Madge ultimately attains love and happiness where she least expects it; and Graham, their eldest child, soon discovers how thrilling - and lucrative - a smuggler's life can be.

However, it is Jennie, the Forsyth's wilful daughter, who faces the greatest challenge of them all. Her dreams take her far beyond Devon's green fields and golden sands, and will bring her both devastating loss and passionate love.

Members Reviews:

Fantastic

really good. I felt I knew the characters personally by the time I had finished.

Didn't want it to end.

Keep them coming please !

Once it got going, was very engaging.

What did you like most about The Water Meadows?

I liked that the story was spread over such a long period of time, you really got to know a lot about the characters lives, rather than just a snapshot.

What other book might you compare The Water Meadows to, and why?

It reminds me of the Lesley Pearce Sagas (although not as good).

Which character as performed by Eve Karpf was your favourite?

Carensa, she seemed to be truest and best represented by the Narrator. The different accents were attempted with conviction so that each character had their own 'voice'.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The book didn't emotionally affect me, it felt like fiction, at no point did I believe the characters actually might have existed, however, I enjoyed the easy escapism.

Any additional comments?

At first I wasn't sure about this book, however, once the family had moved, it became much more engaging. The book wasn't particularly 'blockbusting' but it trotted along and maintained interest and I found I cared more and more about the characters as the book went on. The quantity of affairs was quite amusing, and the sympathy on the characters who had them but it was a good easy read with an unchallenging plot that I enjoyed.

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Title: Fields of Ice

Author: Arabella Edge

Narrator: Seán Barrett, Jilly Bond

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 11 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-01-11

Publisher: Isis Publishing Ltd

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Fields of Ice tells the dramatic story of Franklins third and final expedition to the North-West Passage through the eyes of the ships cook, Canot. The Erebus and the Terror set sail from Greenhithe on 19 May 1845. On board were Sir John Franklin, a crew of 129 men, and three years provisions. Franklins plan was to find the North-West Passage, a northern sea route to Asia that had eluded European explorers for hundreds of years. He was never heard from again. Alongside Sir John Franklins journey, Fields of Ice tells the story of Jane, Lady Franklin, a strong, redoubtable woman, who spent years trying to raise money and support to send out expeditions to find her husband and his men.

Members Reviews:

Wonderful.

Fascinating portrayal of a marriage set in a unique situation and dominated by a formidible woman

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Title: The Wounded Heart

Author: David Wiltshire

Narrator: Andrew Wincott

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 6 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-01-11

Publisher: Soundings

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

There was no doubt in Lt. Mike Gibsons mind that he was going to die. As a lieutenant in the Royal Army Medical Corps, death and carnage had been with him every day from the beaches of Normandy to the crossing of the Rhine. One moment eclipsed all others, in a forest clearing in Germany; where he had the experience of hell on earth. He owed his life to one woman, Lily de Howarth, the woman he adored. And now he was planning to kill her in the name of love.

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Title: Lights Out Til Dawn

Author: Dee Williams

Narrator: Kim Hicks

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 55 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-21-11

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Before World War II has even been officially declared, ten-year-old Hazel Morgan and her eight-year-old brother Peter are evacuated, leaving London for the safety of the Sussex countryside.

With her children gone and her husband John in the army, Rene Morgan misses her family terribly. When she learns that John has become a prisoner of war, she has to take on the highly dangerous job of firewatcher.

Meanwhile, Hazel and Peter are desperate to go back home. Returning to the city, they are overjoyed to be reunited with their mother and Gran. But their father is still far away and the worst of the war is yet to come. As the air raids increase, the Morgans must face the terror of the Blitz together....

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Title: Jessie Gray

Author: Emma Blair

Narrator: Eve Karpf

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 48 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-18-11

Publisher: Audible Studios

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

The first time Jessie laid her eyes on Tommy McBride was in July 1947, when they were still at school - and long before she knew anything about heartbreak or pain.

Then she was the sheltered, dreamy ministers daughter, determined to take a bite out of life. And he was the fighter from the wrong side of the tracks, hell-bent on proving himself in the world. They had nothing in common, separate destinies. But in 1947 the world was about to move into new decades of turbulence and change - and it was only the fighters and the dreamers who would make it theirs.

Members Reviews:

A thracket of pee

Jessie may be Gray, but this ain't no Fifty Shades. No, not that terrible, though still pretty dismal. I thought it was funny how when I saw the title of this book I said to myself 'that has got to be one of the most uninteresting names to select for your heroine; and to top it all you made it the title!?'. Well, apparently Emma Blair, and the heroine, agree, as she starts out the book calling herself by the name Star, feeling as she does that she needs a little livening up.

In the beginning there was hope. The first section, covering the high school years, was interesting enough. Flash forward to the mid-1950s and the writing becomes amateur. Cardboard characters, lots of telling not showing, simplistic prose-- all leading to boredom. We get the story of Tommy Boy the Teddy Boy and the titular heroine, who together embark on a career in music. Gang leader, rock star. So much sexy potential, right? Didn't happen. If there was some to be found I missed it.

I like the cover better on the audiobook version. The text version that I have pictures a 40-ish-looking woman in a granny dress, amid foliage, playing the violin. This is a book about rock stars! Wtf? I can only assume this is a depiction of life post Greenday, but post-Greenday is post-book, so still, wtf? Also, as per usual with Blair's books, the back-cover blurb is hardly helpful in getting an idea of plot. All it tells us is to expect dreamers and fighters in an era of turbulence and change, but no mention of what they're dreaming and fighting about. It makes it sound like a book about revolutionaries, but thank the lord there are no communists or other forms of political affiliation to be found here. Yeah, I guess there's that going for it. Still, I hardly consider it a fitting description for a story about a generic top-40 singer and a songwriter.

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Title: The Queen's Governess

Author: Karen Harper

Narrator: Zara Ramm

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 14 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-06-11

Publisher: Random House AudioBooks

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

"I could not fathom they were going to kill the queen. Nor could I bear to witness Anne Boleyns beheading."

As a favour to a doomed queen, Kat Ashley agrees to become governess and confidante to the young Elizabeth Tudor. Together they suffer bitter exile, assassination attempts, and imprisonment, barely escaping with their reputations and their lives intact. But when Elizabeth is eventually crowned, Kat continues to serve her, faithfully guarding all of the queen's secrets, even the one that could bring down the monarchy.

Members Reviews:

Loved it and learnt a lot about an important time in history

To be honest I only bought this book as Zara Ramm was narrating it - but I'm so glad I did

Its a great story about an almost forgotten person in history who served Elizabeth 1

Told with just enough details to keep you interested and for me it was a great insight into Tudor England and the games and manipulations that happened then

Wish there were more!

another enlightenment into queen bess

enjoyed listening to what could be a different side to what influence a queen of England.

GOOD BOOK ; FLOWS JUST LIKE A GOOD OLD TUDOR GOSSIP

I liked this book even though it was out of my norm. I was not sure this would be for me as I am a true hard history buff who loves her Tudor England buying hard facts and top fiction based on true facts. I study courses on the Tudor subject. However; Karen Harper knows how to spin a good yarn and this books is like a good old gossip with a friend. Based on some facts and mixed with fiction this works rather well.

The narrator is a big part of why I liked the book. Zara Ramm is perfect for creating the kind of ambiance needed for a story like this and for me gets it just right. You can relate to her voice characters. I like the way Zara reads so much so that I immediately looked up what other works this narrator has to offer and there is quite a lot. So, more yummy reads, listens.

If like me, you do not go into this book with any high expectations, you will become pleasantly surprised and enjoy this. In fact, my only objection is; the book ended rather abruptly and I was left feeling like I wanted more. But this is a sign of a good writer who knows her tricks of the trade. I am sure Harpers other offers will be just as good.

Easy Listening History

The author easily conjured up the dangers of tudor England. Makes you wonder why anyone wanted to be at court! A great mixture of fact , filled in by imagination. The only thing I could have done without was the occasional Mills & Boon type moments, but these do not dominate & you can always fast forward! It is great girlie history & compelling listening!

loved it

a very good story loved it from beginning to end and it was well read

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Title: The Other Side of the River

Author: Jessica Blair

Narrator: Marie McCarthy

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 25 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-30-11

Publisher: Hachette Audio UK

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

The Other Side of the River tells the story of Gennetta Turner, whose father owns a large jet-carving company. Competition between the companies is intense, and Mr Turner devises a way of consolidating his hold over the town by marrying his daughter off to the son of his arch-rival. However, Gennetta is wildly in love with her childhood sweetheart, a young sailor. How Gennetta foils her father's plan, defies local custom and makes a success of her own career is related in Jessica Blair's inimitable style, full of pace, adventure and appealing local detail.

Members Reviews:

Love Jessica Blair!

I found a book by Jessica Blair at our local library; however since they are printed in England, the library only had the one; and because I love her writing, I purchased used books on Amazon. This one has some sad things right in the first chapter, but is a great book, as the main character works her life out. I just love reading about England, so therefore Jessica Blair's books are great for me.

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Title: The Long Way Home

Author: Jessica Blair

Narrator: Marie McCarthy

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 37 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-27-11

Publisher: Hachette Audio UK

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Lydia Middleton faces a bright future, secure in the knowledge that her childhood sweetheart, David Drayton, will one day be her husband. Their parents heartily approve of a match between Whitby's foremost ship-owning families. But then Mr Middleton loses his fortune and later his life, and the Draytons reconsider. Lydia's uncle repossesses the family home and she is forced to leave Whitby.

Her brother, Luke, finds a job in the new town of Middlesbrough and Lydia decides to accompany him and make her own way in life. But she vows that when her fortunes have changed, she will return to her beloved home and exact a fitting revenge on her uncle. Driven by this desire, Lydia prospers but risks losing the most precious thing of all: the love of David, who has stayed faithful to her throughout their enforced separation. Vengeance or the path of true love - which will Lydia choose?

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Title: Dangerous Shores

Author: Jessica Blair

Narrator: Anne Dover

Format: Unabridged

Length: 14 hrs and 47 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-27-11

Publisher: Hachette Audio UK

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

When John Mitchell inherits property from a distant relative, he and his family move from a comfortable living in Whitby to a large country estate in Cornwall. It seems an ideal place for John and his wife to raise their young daughter, Abigail. However, life in the South is not without its problems and he finds himself clashing with the Gaisfords, a powerful old Cornish family. Any problems the family encounter over the years, however, seem to be averted when Abigail marries handsome Luke Gaisford, in spite of her father's warning that still waters run deep. But Abigail soon learns she should have heeded her father's warning when she uncovers the secrets Luke has been harbouring about his life.

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Title: Yesterday's Dreams

Author: Jessica Blair

Narrator: Anne Dover

Format: Unabridged

Length: 16 hrs and 10 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-27-11

Publisher: Hachette Audio UK

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Local Whitby girl, Colette Shipley has become fascinated by the mysteries of the new art of photography and begins to create a record of her scenic home town with its tall ships and twin lighthouses, street urchins and weathered old fishermen. One day she encounters Arthur Newton who shares her passion for the town's unique atmosphere. Colette and Arthur begin a friendship that develops further. However, unbeknown to Collette, Arthur is also married with a young child. Arthur has tried to be content with his steady job at the railways and his marriage to his childhood sweetheart Rose. However even before meeting Colette, Arthur had been living a secret life, one which he has not shared with his family, friends or even Rose: he has a real talent for painting. His talent has blossomed under the tutelage of a sympathetic gallery owner, Ebenezer Hirst, and the patronage of Laurence Steel, an established painter in the Pre-Raphaelite school. Arthur is now faced with a difficult decision: remain comfortably in his railway job or risk the security of his wife and child by becoming a full-time artist. A decision not made any easier by his growing attraction for Colette.