Painting the Blues in Gretna Green by Linzi Day
This is a fabulous read! I was hooked from page 1 and read almost without stopping (with apologies to family and friends who were ignored whilst I read!) It's not often I find a fantasy series that hooks me so much and so quickly (the last one was Jody Taylor's Chronicles of St Mary's series -COSM), and one that makes me laugh, as well as want to learn more about the things, times or peoples mentioned in it.
I loved the characters, especially Niki as she finds herself thrust into a whole new role she had no clue how to inhabit, and Dola - released from her silence and given a voice and extended responsibilities - go Dola! I'm utterly smitten by Mabon (if there is ever a TV adaptation of this series please consider the wonderful Michael Sheen for this character!) but all the characters are fascinating and absorbing: Ad'Rian, Dru, Tilly, and even HRH!!!
My only sadness is that there isn't an audio/Audible version of the book, as I love listening to great books whilst doing other things, and I can imagine this series would be amazing if read by someone who could characterize everyone well - I'm thinking of Zara Ramm who does the COSM books here.
Anyhow, I can highly recommend book 1 to anyone looking for something fun, absorbing, entertaining and a bit different. I'm already part-way through book 2 so I am defintely hooked. I also joined Linzi Day's mailing list and found there are several bonus chapters for the first 3 books available to subscribers, which add a bit more depth and flavour to the series - free chapters - what's not to love?!
The Sands of Time: A Short Story Collection by Rushford Editions
