The Dance Of Love by Angela Young

The Dance Of Love

By Angela Young 

‘The Dance of Love’ is an exquisitely told tale of love, duty, honour and desire.

The story of Natalie Edwardes, who has to find her way in a world with expectations that she can’t always meet, is told with warmth and understanding. The historical setting, which takes us from a carefree Edwardian world through the drama of the sinking of the Titanic and the agony of the First World War, sparkles with rich and authentic detail.

It is her position in society, and the rules of the world in which she lives and loves, that put the first obstacles in Natalie’s way. Although her father is rich, which in some ways makes her a good match, he is a self made man and as such cannot hope to compete with his more aristocratic neighbours on a level playing field.

This leaves Natalie in a position that leads to lies, cover-ups and ultimately heartache.

The story is written with a great deal of compassion and emotion and I really felt for Natalie as her relationships with those she loves – her father, her husband, and her son – were tested to the absolute limit.

I loved this book. It was a totally absorbing story with great characters, a great geographical and historical setting, and a satisfying plot.

Highly recommended.

Thanks very much to the author for a review copy of this book.

The book will be released at the end of July.

Speaking Of Love by Angela Young

 

Speaking Of Love

By Angela Young

‘Your stories have relieved me of my madness.’ This quote, attributed to Sally Pomme Clayton, really sums up the story of ‘Speaking Of Love’.

The novel is about the complications of family and love, and the problems caused by the inability of those involved to speak about love. It is also a book about storytelling and as such the structure, with stories stacked within stories, is a little like a series of Russian dolls.

Iris is a storyteller – she tells us her own story, but she also tells us a number of the other stories that run through her like her lifeblood. The stories she tells are also about family relationships, and serve as a counterpoint to the main narrative.

The other main theme of the book is mental health. With Iris, and to a lesser extent, her daughter, Vivie, we see the effects on people’s mental wellbeing of the inability to speak about love, or about feelings and needs.

In many ways this is quite a difficult book to read, with some very dark and distressing themes. But there are also some beautifully uplifting moments, and in the end, it is a rewarding read.

Relief from the darkness which Iris and Vivie both seem to have locked themselves into, ultimately comes from Iris’s former neighbour, Dick, and his son who has long been in love with Vivie.

In bringing these four together the author provides an ending that, whilst left fairly open, is full of hope for the future. At this point, all the stories, both told and untold come together.

Thanks very much to the author for a review copy of this book.