The Missing Sister by Dinah Jefferies

When I was asked to take part in the blog tour for Missing Sister by Dinah Jefferies I jumped at the chance because this is an incredible author whose books are pure perfection and I look forward to her new releases each year.

My Review

When Belle’s father died she finds out she once had a sister who went missing at only a few weeks old when her parents lived in Rangoon. Desperate to try and find out the mystery surrounding her sister’s disappearance she accepts a job in Rangoon as a hotel singer to enable her a chance to discover any information that can help to find out more about the sister she never knew she had. It soon becomes apparent that there is more to the story in the press cuttings she found when she begins to receive anonymous threats as she begins her search.

Dinah Jefferies has such an extraordinary way with words unlike any author I know, her ability to describe everything so vividly from the aromas to the settings means I have no need to use my imagination as everything has been pictured for me so precisely it is as though I am walking the streets with the author and our main character Belle soaking up the atmosphere along with them. Dinah Jefferies manages to capture not only the exotic beauty of Burma but she also shows a dark devastation both visually and emotionally with the effects of corruption and vengeance.

Trust and hidden secrets are at the heart of this novel, not only does our main character Belle not know who she can trust around her but I had my guard up around every one of the supporting characters in this novel so I could feel the desperation and loneliness along with Belle.

The chapters jump back and forth between the present with Belle in 1930’s and back to 1911-1921 with her mother Diane as we begin to piece the events that took place back to the little baby’s disappearance. As much as I loved our heroine Belle I actually found myself more drawn to Diana’s character and longed for her chapters to come to build a better picture of what occurred at the devastating time for this families life. My heart went out to Diana and I found her storyline highly emotive.

The author has once again undertaken extensive research for this novel and this shows in her storyline without reading her author note in the book. The Missing Sister is another remarkable atmospheric novel that will keep you guessing the whole way through.

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The Day We Met by Roxie Cooper

Stephanie doesn’t believe in fate, true love or living happily ever after. She’s content enough being engaged to Matt. But then she meets Jamie, who understands her more than anyone else ever has.

Jamie is happily married to his childhood sweetheart Helen and believes in everything Stephanie doesn’t. So why does he have such a strong connection with Stephanie?

When Stephanie and Jamie meet one fateful weekend in 2006 it will change everything...

I remember last year looking to see what new releases were coming for early 2019 and I came across the synopsis for The Day We Met by Roxie Cooper, I hadn’t heard of the author before but I was drawn to the synopsis.

This storyline took me on a whole new emotional journey. Lies, deceit and adultery is something that I, like many I am sure, can not abide and yet for some reason my heart really went out to our main characters Stephanie and Jaime as the connection they had ran so deep they truly are soul mates and what does occur between them doesn’t come across as seedy or sordid. It is true love at the wrong time situation and because they still love their partners and are not willing to just drop everything for each other you never quite know if they will ever become and item. They are there for each other once a year and in the short space of time together there is so much understanding, support and love for each over it just seems wrong that a love like that isn’t experienced every day.

Both Jaime and Stephanie were likeable characters, Stephanie has her demons and as the storyline progresses and we see the bigger picture of her life and I found I was so desperate for her to take that leap and follow the path she was meant to be on, enveloping herself in the love she deserved.

I became so wrapped up in their love story which is told over a ten year period and then things went to a whole other place and my heart was broken in two so a word of warning have those tissues handy.

I loved the authors writing style, the believable romance she creates and the wonderful characters she developed in this novel. Each and every page of this book will keep you gripped but that ending will be sure to bring a lump to your throat.

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