Linda Mitchelmore

To Turn Full Circle by Linda Mitchelmore

Emma Le Goff finds herself orphaned before her 16th birthday, both her parent’s dead in mysterious circumstances and the heartless landlord Reuben Jago turfs her out of the tied cottage the family were living in. His son Seth attempts to help Emma to the best of his ability but when the mysterious fisherman Mathew Caunter comes to Emma’s rescue things were bound to become complicated. Set in a small Devon fishing harbour in 1909, the scene is set show more for this debut novel from Linda Mitchelmore, the start of a trilogy.

Choc Lit always seems to find the very best of storytellers and this is no exception. Within the first chapter you love Emma, the reader is undoubtedly on her side. You feel her loss, and the unfairness of life. As the observer into this small community you are hooked, you can almost smell the fish, the salt air and hear the waves crashing against the beach such is Mitchelmore’s gift for storytelling.

Mitchelmore gives you enough for the vivid picture and experience, but not too much so that the reader loses interest or the thread of the story. Mitchelmore has the writing talent to capture the required emotional essence that can be compared to Jane Austin and the ability to paint a scene in words that Thomas Hardy would have found acceptable. Mitchelmore’s trilogy will do for the social history of this period the same as what Charles Dickens did for the 1800’s, such is the strength and accuracy of her story lines and description of events and surroundings.

Ultimately this is a delightful, page turning novel that makes the reader want more of Emma Le Goff et el, and although difficult to put down, I found myself not wanting to finish it, because then it would be the end and I wanted Emma to be part of my day, everyday. In conclusion, a wonderful epic novel that will become a timeless classic.

Published by Choc Lit: release date 7th June 2012
The Commuting Bookworm 11/05/12 show less

I thoroughly enjoyed this historical romance. Emma and her Daughter is a captivating story of family, secrets, second chances and true friendships.
The author’s depiction of 16 year old Fleur was very convincing. She was full of passion and drama, lying to get her own way but also sweet and considerate, showing the competing feelings a typical 16 year old would have.
Emma is a great character. She is feisty and forward thinking for her time. I loved how she never worried about gossip and show more started her own business, drove a car. These were things that most women just didn’t do. Her friendship with Ruby was where her true character shone through and it made me even more endeared to her that she stuck by Ruby and didn’t judge her.
The story wasn’t too sappy or angst ridden. Although I thought some of the events were a little too convenient this was still a nice light read for a very rainy summer’s day.

I didn’t realise until the end of the novel that there are two previous novels about Emma Le Goff/ Jago which is a good sign that this novel stood on its own very well.
I’m looking forward to heading back in time to where it all started and reading “To Turn Full Circle” and “Emma – There’s No Turning Back”.

With my thanks to the publisher via Netgalley for my copy to read and review. show less

Poor Emma and Seth, this was a book where there was drama and then more drama. There was setback after setback, but then the whole village can be pretty evil and unforgiving.

Right back to the beginning, this is actually book 2 but you do not have to have read book 1 to follow along. You get to see things that happened in book 1 that has consequences now. Like why the priest do not want to marry them and why some of the parishioners are stuck up idiots.

Just know that there is Emma and Seth show more who loves each other and wants to be together and start their new life. Emma wants to build a business for herself and not just be someone's wife. While Seth wants to throw off his father's shadow and be his own man.

Then you throw in Seth's vindictive ex-lover who has a secret. His brother who is in jail. A former friend of Emma whom she might have had feelings for, and yes then those idiots in the town. Those who should move on and not be idiots (yes they made me angry if you can't notice ;) People can be so mean.

Sure there was a bit too much drama, but then there are reasons for it all. And it felt real how Emma and Seth tried to move on with life and even had doubts about their love for each other. People seldom doubt when it it's all lovey dovey so it felt real.

And I do wonder what will happen in the next. It ends all well and you could stop at that. But there will be more so...I do wonder. show less

3.5 Stars

Four friends come together for a holiday they'll never forget. It'll be the holiday that changes them, for better or for worse. There will be self reflection, romance, and a Christmas to brighten the spirits of the lonely individuals.

Lissy takes it upon herself to ensure the holiday spirit is alive and well in her three distant friends. Inviting Janey, Bobbie, and Xander to stay at her Grandmother's old beach house is both selfish and philanthropic, she believes she can bring joy show more and companionship to those she knows are lonely this season. It's chick lit mixed with Christmas at its finest, with Linda Mitchelmore weaving stories of love, loss, forgiveness, and growth. It is confusing at first and I did have difficulty connecting with the characters, but that is always the case with a story told from more than two perspectives. The characters, however, have unique voices, and the tribulations each is facing is very distinct. At Strand House the friends remove their protective layers, they open up, they exhale the things they've been holding onto and open their lungs for friendship. I really enjoyed the Christmas spirit layered into the story, but more than that I love the companionship these four friends offer to one another. Their walks of life have been very different, their tie together a sad one, and yet they uplift, encourage, and understand. They have compassion and truly care, enough to do whatever they can to help and positively impact, it's a message we all need especially during the stressful feeling that the holidays can bring.

Christmas at Strand House is a unique holiday story for the chick-lit market, one I think fans will love to revisit year after year. It's a genuine story of friendship, survival, and the people who make the hard days brighter.

ARC provided. show less