THE ONLY BLUE DOOR

HISTORICAL NOVEL SOCIETY INDIE REVIEW January 2014


Most of us are familiar with child evacuation during World War 2, but I wonder how many know about child migrants who were sent to South Africa, Australia and Canada to avoid danger? The Only Blue Door follows the story of Maggie, Billy and Grace, siblings who become victims of the good intentions of people believing them to have been orphaned during the Blitz. Shipped to Australia to start a new life, the children are separated and so begins Maggie’s struggle to prove her mother still lives and to bring the family back together.Based on actual events, this beautifully written story had me gripped and emotionally attached to the characters and their struggles. Apparently well researched, it provides some insight into the long term impact of the events unfolding between 1939 and 1945, without being clichéd. The tireless work and battles with ‘red tape’ of the organisations involved in evacuation and subsequent repatriation of thousands of children over this period, is aptly represented in the story.

The writing style is engaging and accurate, with fully rounded and believable characters. I will not only be recommending this book but also looking to read more of this authors work. Not every story has a happy ending, but maybe this one does?

SPANISH LAVENDER

Reviewed by the Historical Novel Society Indie Review January 2014


In January 1937, Elizabeth makes the decision to stay in Civil War-torn Spain while her family returns to England. Her decision was, initially, made so that she could photographically record the impact of the war on Spain and her people. Finding herself alone in Malaga, she makes friends with two men, one who would be the love of her life, the other she would later marry. Seventy years later, a secret is unravelled by her granddaughter and a world of lies unearthed.

Spanish Lavender is, first and foremost, a love story. A naïve Elizabeth alone in a devastated city finds friendship and love with a young Spaniard by the name of Juan. When he becomes injured on the road to Almeria, he is taken to hospital but with no room for either Elizabeth or their mutual friend, Alex, they are separated and Elizabeth believes Juan dead.

Tragic, uplifting and beautiful, Spanish Lavender doesn’t shy away from the horrors of war, but neither does it concentrate on them. It is vital to remember that Spanish Lavender is a story of love.

The final third of the book suddenly leaps forward by seventy years, and here we meet Kate, the grandchild of Elizabeth. Initially a little confusing, this section helps answer some of the questions raised in the earlier section.  A riveting read and one for reading while wishing for warmer weather!

Last week I drove to Fuengirola to meet Karen McMahon, an interviewer with the Mijas International section of Mijas 340 TV.  This excellent local television channel serves both Spanish and foreign residents on the Costa del Sol.  Karen's weekly programme is varied and entertaining so I was flattered to have been invited to take part.  
As usual I overestimated the time it would take me to get to the studio and arrived an hour early.  I always calculate how long it will take to make the journey, add on half an hour for finding the place and another half an hour for traffic hold-ups, punctures, breakdowns, emergency stops, police traps etc.  None of which have ever happened, so far, but one can't be too careful. Consequently I usually always find myself arriving far too early and have to look for a local bar to hide in until it is time to present myself, exactly on time and not looking too eager.  However there was no obvious bar or cafe in the area, except the one in the studio itself.  It was far too hot to sit in the car for an hour and anyway, it would have looked a bit suspicious.  I didn't want anyone to think I was on a stake-out.  So I sauntered up to the bar and ordered a coffee.  This was obviously the staff canteen and, as it was lunchtime, people were coming in for their lunch, which by the way looked excellent.  I could hide here, in plain sight, I told myself.  However it didn't take long for the waitress to recognise me as a foreigner and not an employee of 3.40. 
 'Have you come to see Karen?' she asked. 
 'Yes, but my appointment is not until 4pm,' I answered.  
'I'll go and tell her that you're here,' the woman said with a smile.
My cover was blown.  A couple of minutes later, my charming host arrived and sat down beside me.  We went through the questions and the procedure for the interview and then straight into the studio to do the filming.
I have done a few TV appearances before, once as a guest on This is Your Life and another time as a guest on the Carol Vorderman show, (Steve Redgrave, a friend of many years, was the subject on both occasions) but they had both been a few years ago, so I was slightly nervous.  I needn't have been.  After the technician accidentally dropped the body mike down the front of my dress, I giggled, relaxed and was ready for anything.
It was an enjoyable experience and I was very grateful that Karen had invited me to talk about how and why I had decided to become a writer.  

To see the interview click on http://www.mijascomunicacion.org/index.php/340-television or watch it on Facebook