Another Great Read

Mr. Bounce from Roger Hargreaves'
series: http://mrmen.wikia.com/wiki/Mr._Bounce

 I went AWOL, didn't I? Sorry. Actually I went to Madeira Island in the middle of the Atlantic, but I know that's no excuse.

But I'm bouncing back into 2013 with an optimistic outlook for a great year (ahem...)

First off, while I was away I read "On A Lee Shore" by talented Elin Gregory (see her post here on "The Incredible Importance of Rum"). If you like stories about the Age of Sail, you'll love this one.





Here's my review:

Having read Ms Gregory's "Alike as Two Bees" I became a fan of her deceptively simple prose that hides a clever and pacy plot.

"On a Lee Shore" is one of those books I couldn't put down because I was fascinated by the main character, Lt Christopher (Kit) Penrose, from page one and subsequently by the dubious but compelling pirate known as Le Griffe. Told from Kit's point of view the story transports the reader back to The Age of Sail with just the right amount of detail to create a perfect atmosphere, whether it's London of that time, or the balmy Caribbean, or the fear and despair of a naval officer being taken prisoner aboard a pirate ship.

Courageous Kit is torn between his loyalty to his king and country - as well as the values instilled during his childhood - and his deeply buried true desires.

The author subtly sets off the harsh and cruel pirate life with a developing love story by using wry humour that bubbles under the surface of her writing and also by populating the novel with a cast of vibrant characters that will stay in my mind for a long time.

If I have to make one criticism, it will be that the ending happened too quickly. However, that could be remedied with a second novel in what could be a thoroughly enjoyable and compelling series.

Buy On A Lee Shore here:
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