#kathleen mcgurl

[strangertheories]

I GOT A SIGNED COPY OF MILLIE'S BOOK!!!

Also just wanted to give some credit to Kathleen McGurl for ghost writing this book. Whilst Millie did the research and helped shape the story, she did not do the writing and I think it's really unfair that McGurl isn't being credited. At very least, they should've been listed as co writers but I guess MBB's name sells.

[motherbookerblog]

Book Review - Nineteen Steps by Millie Bobby Brown and Kathleen McGurl

⭐⭐ Rating: 2 out of 5. I wasn’t ever planning on reading this book because it just didn’t sound like my kind of thing. A historical romance set around a tragic event during World War 2? Yes, I like history but the romance of it all. Setting a romance in WWII is just an easy way to manipulate the reader. I could already guess how the love story was going to end. I also felt like Millie Bobby…

[semper-legens]

4. The Pearl Locket, by Kathleen McGurl

Owned: No, library Page count: 218 My summary: When Alison inherits her great-aunt’s house, she doesn’t know what family secrets she will unwittingly be unleashing. Who is the girl in the picture with her grandma and great-aunt? Why does Kelly, her teenage daughter, have the words ‘Joan loves Jack’ written on her wall? And why is Kelly acting so strangely? My rating: 1/5 My commentary: 

Sometimes, you want to take a bit of a leap of faith, you know? Read something out of your usual niche. I make no secret of the fact that a lot of what I read is for readers younger than myself, either out of nostalgia for what I read when I was younger, or liking the premise and genre. That’s not to say I don’t read adult fiction, just that I have my literary niches and tend to stick within them. This book isn’t that, however. This book is what I’d call ‘mum literature’ - not my mum, she’s more into Stephen King, just the kind of thing a stereotypical middle-aged mother would read. And I...was incredibly bored. It just wasn’t very good, is the thing. I’m sure it’s perfectly enjoyable if you’re the kind of person this sort of book appeals to, but I’m not, and so I was bored senseless.

First off, the story’s entirely bland. It switches between the POV of Alison and Kelly in 2014 and Joan in the 1940s. The ongoing mystery is what happened to Joan, since in the future Alison and Kelly don’t even know that she existed, as well as what’s happening to Kelly. She’s acting out of character - not like a typical teen, obsessed with the 40s. It’s implied that Joan’s ghost is possessing her, which the book never fully confirms. The problem is that all of these characters are bland cardboard cutouts. Kelly’s characterisation is ‘teenage girl’ in the most stereotypical manner; ironically, the 40s stuff almost gives her a personality, right up ‘til the point where she’s disparaging Teens These Days for being shallow and not having any problems in comparison to teens in the 40s. The other characters are just Mum, Dad, Brother without much personality. Joan’s the most interesting, but even then she doesn’t have a lot of individuality about her. Her dad’s a one-note snobbish asshole. The sister we’re supposed to hate is a one-note bitchy sister. Characters are either Good or Bad with no nuance.

Furthermore, all of the dialogue is trite and bland. There’s a lot of expositional dialogue, without much personality injected. Kelly doesn’t talk like any teen I’ve ever met (I was 18/19 in 2014, so I’m almost in her generation) and is creepy even when she’s not being subtextually possessed by a ghost. Everyone in the 40s segments talk like they’re in some propagandistic BBC project about Blitz Spirit and Land Girls and How We All Got On In The War, It Was Hard But Gosh Darn It We Had Community Spirit, God Save The King. Miss me with that shit. The 40s was not a good decade in which to live.

And aside from that, there was just no tension. The mysteries at the centre of the story are predictable from the second they’re introduced, and the writing isn’t good enough to compensate for that. It’s just trite, Joan got pregnant with her working-class sweetheart after sleeping with him once, her family were scandalised, he went to war and got shot, Joan killed herself, but surprise, her boy’s still alive in 2014 and they track him down. Kelly sits with her boyfriend on Joan and her sweetheart’s bench and they have a moment, which I guess means everything’s fine or something. I bet there are a thousand books about the war which share this basic plot, and there’s nothing else to it to make it memorable or interesting. It’s just...nothing.

Next up, hopefully something a lot more enjoyable than this, as Lemony Snicket has poison for breakfast.

[quirky-book-reads]

The Girl with the Emerald Flag

The Girl with the Emerald Flag by Kathleen McGurl (@KathMcGurl) is a emotive story about danger, rebellion, and friendships... as the reader follow a courageous woman as she fought for independence #historicalfiction #rebellion #EasterRising1916

Genre Historical Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Saga A country rebellingIt’s 1916 and, as war rages in Europe, Gráinne leaves her job in a department store to join Countess Markiewicz’s revolutionary efforts. It is a decision which will change her life forever. A rebellion is brewing, and as Dublin’s streets become a battleground, Gráinne soon discovers the personal cost of fighting for what you…

[cherylmmbookblog]

#Blogtour The Girl with the Emerald Flag by Kathleen McGurl

#Blogtour The Girl with the Emerald Flag by Kathleen McGurl

 It’s a pleasure to take part in the BlogTour The Girl with the Emerald Flag by Kathleen McGurl. About the Author Kathleen McGurl lives near the coast in Christchurch, England. She writes dual timeline novels in which a historical mystery is uncovered and resolved in the present day. She is married to an Irishman and has two adult sons. She enjoys travelling, especially in her motorhome around…

[coloursofunison]

Today, I'm taking part in The Storm Girl by Kathleen McGurl blog tour

Today, I'm taking part in The Storm Girl by Kathleen McGurl blog tour. Pop by and check out my review for this dual timeline novel. @KathMcGurl @rararesources #dualtiemeline #histfic

Today, I’m taking part in The Storm Girl by Kathleen McGurl blog tour with Rachel’s Random Resources. Here’s the blurb: The gripping new historical novel from the USA Today bestselling author of The Girl from Bletchley Park and The Forgotten Secret. A heartbreaking choice. A secret kept for centuries. 1784. When Esther Harris’s father hurts his back, she takes over his role helping smugglers…

[mygardenoffantasies]

We can't know what's ahead of us, or where our actions will take us. All we can do is follow where our hearts lead, and act upon our beliefs.

Kathleen McGurl, The Pearl Locket

[prettylittlelyres]

2020: My Year in Reading

-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:- Part 6 -:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-

I also re-read “Midnight” by Jacqueline Wilson, which was even better than I remembered. My sister and I have been re-reading a lot of Jacqueline Wilson’s books recently, and, in doing so, have found that all our hang-ups about them were actually… just a bit twitty. They’re great stories, they keep you turning the pages, and the pure sass of some of the characters just goes right through the roof. “Midnight” however, is a story I’ve always loved – no silly hang-ups could ever touch it – in part, I guess, because Violet just feels so Sapphic-coded, and also because she had a room full of fairy dolls that she’d made out of love for her favourite series of books, “The Flower Fairies” (sadly fictional, but I would quite frankly die of happiness if Jacqueline Wilson wrote and published even one as a novelty!). That might seem an odd reason to love a book, but, when I was at primary school, I was obsessed with the “Rainbow Magic” books by Daisy Meadows (by several ghost-writers, actually, but I digress) when I first read it, and had my very own “India the Moonstone Fairy” doll, which my mother had helped me to sew! As far as I was concerned, I was Violet, minus the horrid (misunderstood) big brother, and plus a lovely (the best, actually) big sister. Didn’t hurt that I was a baby gay, either, and that I had a close friend who played dolls with me (and with whom I might have been a bit in love). I’m seriously considering writing to Jacqueline Wilson to tell her how much I adore “Midnight”, even at 22. (I’m just not sure how to do that without coming across as a sycophant.)

Somehow, I’d managed to forget how heart-breaking “Vicky Angel” and “My Sister Jodie” were (also Jacqueline Wilson), but re-reading them at the beginning of December brought all the Big Tears flooding back. I managed not to cry outwardly, but these books hit me hard! I loved the Gothic atmosphere of “My Sister Jodie”, though – it was quite a bit like “Midnight” – and all the references it had to “The Secret Garden” by Frances Hodgson Burnett (which I need to read, actually; I’ve only ever read the Ladybird version). The descriptions of Melchester College as the family sees it for the first time, and then looks around their living quarters, are great, such a strong contrast between this beautiful vista and the drab dreariness of life-behind-the-scenes.

I took December to make my way through my small (but growing!) library of writer’s craft books, with “Writing Deep Point of View” and “Fiction Pacing” by Rayne Hall, and “Writing Your Story’s Theme” passing a few hours on a rainy afternoon by reinforcing all I learned at A’ Level and teaching even more, and “Ghost Stories and How to Write Them” by Kathleen McGurl giving me a much clearer idea of how to craft something spooky, as well as how to market it. I don’t really write many short stories, but that’s something I want to change, so I thought it would be a good idea to start with some craft revision! Further to wanting to write more spooky stories, I also took December to finish “The Turn of the Screw” by Henry James (more popularly known since the brilliant Netflix series as “The Haunting of Bly Manor”!), and the novel we were set in our French class, “Et si c’était vrai” by Marc Levy (the basis for the film “Just Like Heaven”, which I adore).

I’ve been trying to get into more subgenres of Alternate History and Fantasy, as I’m really enjoying “Kushiel’s Dart” by Jacqueline Carey, but I’m painfully aware that it’s Eurocentric in the extreme. I’m so glad I made an effort to push my reading horizons further this year, because I loved reading “Daughters of Nri” by Reni K. Amayo, and I’m looking forward to reading “Children of Blood and Bone” and its sequels by Tomi Adeyemi. I tried to read the first one two years ago, but my brain was mashed potato at the time, and I couldn’t concentrate on it at all. I’m doing much better now, so it’s on my reading list for 2021!

I also finally read “Alone: A Love Story” by Michelle Parise, which is the novel-version of a podcast with the same name. It helped me through a horrible time a few years ago and is just so beautifully written that – despite it being attached to some nasty memories – I really love it, and still listen to it to go to sleep. Obviously, I knew exactly what was going to happen, because it follows the same “storyline” as the podcast, but the book is just as excellent. They are both the author’s memoir, focussing on how she’s learned to enjoy living alone, being single, and carving out an independent life for herself. Suffice to say, it was the first step on my ladder to “feeling OK”. Steps 2, 3, 4… 10, 15… 86, etc. were spontaneous day trips to Winchester, where I would proceed to hole up in a coffee shop with a ball of yarn and a crochet hook, sipping tea while I worked, and tried not to think about what was making me sad. Those steps were not as good as the first one, and if I’m going to recommend you pick just one, I’d say, “Pick Step 1, and read or listen to “Alone: A Love Story” by Michelle Parise.”

For far too long, I’ve had “On Beauty” by Zadie Smith, and “The Returnees” by Elizabeth Okoh on my Kindle app (I don’t like Amazon, so I’m looking for alternatives!), and hadn’t read either one of them through to the end. I’d picked them both up on occasion, but only on short bus journeys, or while I was passing time, waiting for tea to cool; it made it hard to get into them, but I decided I’d sit down and read them both from the beginning, and not stop until I reached the end, and they’re both fabulous. I love Elizabeth Okoh’s painting of life in Nigeria, and as a British-Nigerian, and Zadie Smith’s lavish descriptions of everything are just wonderful. I can’t wait to see what Elizabeth Okoh does next (“The Returnees” is her debut novel), and I’m looking for my next read from Zadie Smith.

More speculative fiction finished off my reading in December! “Gone” by Michael Grant is perfect for fans of “The Society” (Netflix – please renew it! I would so love to see further seasons!), and “Q” by Christina Dalcher was deeply upsetting, but a gripping read. At last, I also finished “The Left/Right Game” from the r/NoSleep subreddit. I stayed up late, late, late, and then woke up early, early, early, to read the last chapters, on the morning of New Year’s Eve.

So, there you have it; a condensed overview of books I read in 2020. Condensed? Yes! Condensed quite a bit! This article is over 6,000 words long as it is, so I think I shall split it up into several posts, and queue them to be published, one per day.

I hope that I’ve helped you find something to read, or that I’ve reminded you of a favourite book you now want to re-read! Happy New Year to everyone, and may 2021 be much better!

[grimoiregrove]

Book Blitz: The Witch of Willow Hall  by Hester Fox

The Witch of Willow Hall

by Hester Fox

Genre: Adult Historical Fantasy Fiction (YA Friendly)

Release Date: October 2nd 2018

Graydon House Books (Harlequin)

Summary

Two centuries after the Salem witch trials, there’s still one witch left in Massachusetts. But she doesn’t even know it. Take this as a warning: if you are not able or willing to control yourself, it will not only be you who suffers the consequences, but those around you, as well. New Oldbury, 1821 In the wake of a scandal, the Montrose family and their three daughters—Catherine, Lydia and Emeline—flee Boston for their new country home, Willow Hall. The estate seems sleepy and idyllic. But a subtle menace creeps into the atmosphere, remnants of a dark history that call to Lydia, and to the youngest, Emeline. All three daughters will be irrevocably changed by what follows, but none more than Lydia, who must draw on a power she never knew she possessed if she wants to protect those she loves. For Willow Hall’s secrets will rise, in the end…

Add to Goodreads

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Advance Praise

"Hester Fox's THE WITCH OF WILLOW HALL offers a fascinating location, a great plot with history and twists, and characters that live and breathe. I love the novel, and will be looking forward to all new works by this talented author!" 

--Heather Graham, New York Times bestselling author

"Beautifully written, skillfully plotted, and filled with quiet terror, readers will devour this absorbing, Gothic tale of romance and suspense. Perfect for fans of Simone St James and Kate Morton." 

-- Anna Lee Huber, the national bestselling author of the historical Lady Darby Mysteries

"Beautifully written, with an intriguing plot full of suspense and mystery, The Witch of Willow Hall will cast a spell over every reader." 

-- Lisa Hall, author of Tell Me No Lies and Between You and Me

"I was entranced by this intriguing and spellbinding novel with its messages of love and loyalty and being true to who you really are. I hope Hester Fox goes on to write many more such novels--I for one will be buying them." 

-- Kathleen McGurl, author of The Girl from Ballymor 

"With its sense of creeping menace and chilling undertones, this compelling story had me gripped from the first page. The vividly drawn characters cast their spell so convincingly, I couldn't stop reading until I discovered what happened to them. A wonderful debut novel.”

--Linda Finlay, author of The Flower Seller

Excerpt

     “It’s too hot for coffee,” Emeline announces suddenly, even though she’s not allowed to have a sip of the beverage. “It’s too hot for dresses and shoes and hair and fingernails. It’s too hot for stockings and feathers and fur.”      Mr. Barrett and Father break off their conversation, and si¬lence falls over the parlor. Mother shoots our guests an apolo¬getic look and then a pleading one at Emeline. “I’m so sorry. It’s past her bedtime and she’s getting tired.”      But Emeline isn’t done. She’s goes over to Mr. Barrett and looks up at him. “It’s too hot,” she repeats. “And I’m not tired at all. There’s a pond behind the house, did you know? I want to go to the pond and see the mermaids.” I should take her upstairs to bed, but I don’t move. Mr. Bar¬rett is looking down at her with a queer expression, a crease between his brows. She takes his hand in hers. His aren’t ta¬pered and elegant like Cyrus’s; Mr. Barrett’s hands are capa¬ble, strong, and Emeline’s hand completely disappears in his. “Please, let’s go to the pond where it’s cool and we can swim with the mermaids. I want to go play with the little boy at the pond.”      “What little boy? What on earth are you talking about, Emmy?” But Emeline ignores Mother’s question and her lip begins to tremble when it becomes clear that she isn’t going to get her way.      By this time even Catherine and Mr. Pierce have paused in their giggles and whispers and both are staring. Crimson spreads over Catherine’s face. “Really, Emeline. Leave poor Mr. Barrett alone.”      Mother gets up slowly, and I can tell she doesn’t have the energy for this. “It’s dark out, Emmy. And Mr. Pierce and Mr. Barrett have business to discuss with your father.” She reaches out to take her hand, but Emeline dives out of her grasp.      I’m mortified. I understand Emeline, but Mr. Barrett will never return to our house if she behaves like this. I try to catch her attention, but she misses the cautioning look.      “I don’t want to go to bed!” I’ve never seen Emeline in such a pout before. She must be tired beyond reason, and the heat certainly isn’t helping. Hands clenched at her sides, she looks as if she’s on the verge of bursting into tears. But instead she just stomps her little foot.      But just as her foot comes down on the carpet, both doors slam shut with a great bang.      Mother jumps, Catherine lets out a little cry and Father’s eyebrows look as if they are about to fly off his face. The room goes silent, the only movement the residual wobbling of a vase on the table. We all look at each other. Even Emeline looks surprised, because if we didn’t know better, it was almost as if she caused the doors to fly shut with her foot.      Father is the first to speak. He clears his throat and glances around. “Must be the wind,” he mumbles. “You think you have a house built new and it wouldn’t be full of drafts and loose doors, but I suppose there’s no such thing as peace of mind in New England construction.”      Mother is quick to agree with him, and Mr. Pierce gives a dubious nod. But we all know that there was no breeze, that it’s been so still that a feather would have hardly quivered, let alone two doors slamming. No one wants to say so though at the risk of frightening Emeline.

About the Author

Hester comes to writing from a background in museum work and historical archaeology. She loves the Gothic, the lurid, the dark...so long as the ending is a happy one. She has never seen a ghost, though she remains hopeful. Hester lives outside of Boston with her husband. THE WITCH OF WILLOW HALL is her first novel.

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[amysbooketlist]

The Forgotten Gift: Book Review

The Forgotten Gift: Book Review

The Forgotten Gift My Rating: 4.25 Genre: Fiction Format: eARC* Publication Date: November 11, 2020 Author: Kathleen McGurl

Similar To

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ABL REVIEW

~Book Blurb~

What would you do to protect the ones you love?

1861. George’s life changes forever the day he meets Lucy. She’s beautiful and charming, and he sees a future with her that his position as the second son in a…

[booksfriendsnews]

[e-BOOK GRATUITO - 13.11.2020] O livro O Diamante do Sr. Cavell da autora Kathleen McGurl publicado pela @leabharbooksbr está disponível gratuitamente na Amazon. LINK: https://amzn.to/2UsFHxG (LINK NA BIO) SINOPSE: 1829 O belo e bem-sucedido Henry Cavell, acaba de retornar à Inglaterra depois de servir ao exército na Índia, se instala na cidade de Worthing, em frente ao mar. Ele está de posse de um grande diamante, dado a ele na Índia, que promete dar à mulher que ama - quando encontrá-la. Jemima Brown, uma jovem de dezesseis anos e de bom coraç��o, passa a trabalhar para ele como criada de serviços gerais. Quando o Sr. Cavell a defende das atenções indesejadas de alguns trabalhadores que prestavam serviços em sua casa, percebe imediatamente o quanto ele é íntegro e respeitável. Mas foi Caroline Simpson, filha de um desses trabalhadores de Henry, quem chamou a atenção dele. Podia ser socialmente inferior, mas era bonita, sabia flertar e como usar seus encantos. Ela manipula Henry para que se case com ela, e apenas a fiel Jemima sabe que ele fora enganado. Como Jemima poderia lutar contra seus sentimentos crescentes pelo Sr. Cavell, manter sua moral e permanecer no emprego, apesar do comportamento cada vez mais errático de sua patroa? https://www.instagram.com/p/CHiMY_0DgNx/?igshid=1bngvyqxu7w5o

[quirky-book-reads]

The Storm Girl

The Storm Girl by Kathleen McGurl (@KathMcGurl) s a character driven dramatic story filled with secrets, murder and betrayal... #historicalfiction #escapereads #dualtimeline

Genre: Historical Fiction A heartbreaking choice. A secret kept for centuries. 1784. When Esther Harris’s father hurts his back, she takes over his role helping smugglers hide contraband in the secret cellar in their pub. But when the free traders’ ships are trapped in the harbour, a battle between the smugglers and the revenue officers leads to murder and betrayal – and Esther is forced to…

[cherylmmbookblog]

#BlogTour The StationMaster's Daughter by Kathleen McGurl

#BlogTour The StationMaster’s Daughter by Kathleen McGurl

Today it’s my turn on the BlogTour The Stationmaster’s Daughter by Kathleen McGurl.

About the Author

Kathleen McGurl lives near the sea in Bournemouth, UK, with her husband. She has two sons who are now grown-up and have left home. She began her writing career creating short stories, and sold dozens to women’s magazines in the UK and Australia. Then she got side-tracked onto family history…

[coloursofunison]

Today, I'm taking part in #TheStormGirl by Kathleen McGurl blog tour. Pop by and check out my review for this dual timeline novel. http://mjporterauthor.blog/?p=5073 @KathMcGurl @rararesources #dualtiemeline #histfic

[jacquelynnadina]

'Like Painting A Speeding Bullet,' Landscape Master Ken Salaz Depicts Tactile Feeling Of Nature, Sun

Opening Saturday at Rehs Contemporary, "A Noble Pursuit: The Majestic Landscapes of Ken Salaz", also features works by Erik Koeppel, Joseph McGurl, Brett Scheifflee, Eleinne Basa, TJ Cunningham, Tim Lawson, Charlie Hunter, William Davis, Kathleen Dunphy, Patrick Mcphee, and John MacDonald. 'Like Painting A Speeding Bullet,' Landscape Master Ken Salaz Depicts Tactile Feeling Of Nature, Sun published first on Real Estate News

[brettseaton]

‘Like Painting A Speeding Bullet,’ Landscape Master Ken Salaz Depicts Tactile Feeling Of Nature, Sun

Opening Saturday at Rehs Contemporary, “A Noble Pursuit: The Majestic Landscapes of Ken Salaz”, also features works by Erik Koeppel, Joseph McGurl, Brett Scheifflee, Eleinne Basa, TJ Cunningham, Tim Lawson, Charlie Hunter, William Davis, Kathleen Dunphy, Patrick Mcphee, and John MacDonald. ‘Like Painting A Speeding Bullet,’ Landscape Master Ken Salaz Depicts Tactile Feeling Of Nature, Sun syndicated from https://oicrealestate.wordpress.com/