A change of pace today - historical romance for you!
About the Book:
Kathleen Gray—talented, a little wild, at times rebellious, but always popular—has a fun, easy life in rural Somerset, with a doting family.
Suddenly, they are gone, everything is changed, and she has only Uncle Jack. Try as he might, he cannot be father and mother to her—he has a business to run and his own life to manage.
Kathleen takes a chance and becomes Kate Westfield, fending for herself in London, with a new life built on her hopes and dreams and new friends. She could hardly have imagined that one of those friends has a shoebox full of answers.
Review:
Kathleen's life is turned around in an instant, as is Uncle Jack's. Leaving her home and friends to live at a boarding school wasn't in Kathleen's dreams. She comes up with a plan, knowing that Uncle Jack's life has been disrupted as well, to re-invent herself and pursue her dreams. At the same time, she wonders about her biological parents. With her parents dead, she has no one to ask about them.
Griffin captures Kathleen's zest for life in the opening of the book contrasted with her devastation when she loses her family in a tragic accident. A tear-jerker for sure. Uncle Jack goes to London to take care of things but a single male with an engineering business in America that requires he travel frequently, he decides the boarding situation with Kathleen's school is the best solution. Kathleen's quick mind and risk-taking tendencies push through and she pursues her dreams.
The setting is predominantly the UK in the 1960's. This isn't a major point, but there are subtle reminders throughout the tale like the use of "groovy." It's well-written and best described as British literature. There are lots of emotional tugs (keep the tissues handy) and strong character development. Kathleen and Uncle Jack are great characters. The Twenty One Year Contract is a coming of age story with family, friends, and self-discovery.
FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.
About the Author:
L.B. Griffin was born and raised in the UK. She is married and came out of retirement when she received a contract for her debut novel. Griffin loves to write stories to touch people’s hearts, She draws upon social issues that are often hidden in deep drawers but readers can identify with. Her women don’t see themselves as courageous, strong, or survivors, but they certainly are.
Her debut, Secrets, Shame, and a Shoebox has received superb 5 star reviews, amongst them Whispering stories and VINE VOICE reader/blogger Michelle Ryles, singing high praise: ‘Incredibly well-written, Secrets, Shame, and a Shoebox is a magnificent debut. It’s a poignant, disturbing and a heart-warming page-turner that has left me chomping at the bit to continue Harriet’s story.’
The sequel, and also standalone – The Twenty-One-Year Contract, is already receiving fantastic five star reviews such as: VINE VOICE “This book will have you laughing, crying and cheering.”
L.B. Griffin continues to turn silent stories into courage, hope, and survival. Be warned, she is a self-confessed chocolate-raisin and strawberry addict!
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