The Island House is the fifth novel from Posie Graeme-Evans.
In 2011 Freya Dane, a Ph.D. candidate in archaeology, arrives on the ancient Scottish island of Findnar. After years of estrangement from her father, himself an archaeologist who recently died, Freya has come to find out what she can about his work. As she reads through his research notes, she sees he learned a great deal about the Viking and Christian history of the island. But what he found only scratches the surface of the discoveries Freya is about to make.
In 800 A.D. a Pictish girl named Signy loses her entire family during a Viking raid. She is taken in by the surviving members of the Christian community, but when she falls deeply in love with a Viking boy, she is cast out. She eventually becomes a nun and finds herself at the center of the clash between the island’s three religious cultures. The tragedy of her story is that, in the end, she must choose among her adopted faith, her native religion, and the man she loves.
Centuries apart, Freya and Signy are each on the verge of life–changing events that will bring present–day and Viking–era Scotland together.
The Island House, written by Posie Graeme-Evans, is a new release from Simon & Schuster.
Available where all good books are sold in paperback for $19.99 Also available as an ebook for $17.99.
I wasn't selected but have since been given this book for my birthday earlier this year & loved it. There's a bit of everything from mystery, romance, murder but it kept me highly interested. I love the authors style of writing, it was easy to follow but ever so interesting. I would def read more from her.
This book is a great read, encompassing past & present. Written well and a pleasure to follow as you ride the waves of the island past & present. A treasure, not of the gold & riches kind, is hidden on the island enveloping those who are on the quest to uncover the hidden truth. You too will be enveloped as you join them on their journey. Highly Recommened
The only books I have ever read were Stephen King books. So when I got the chance to review the Island House I was blown away. I love reading books, so it was good to also be able to read another book by a different author. I really did enjoy reading this book, and will be looking into other books by the author. Thank you again for letting me review The Island House.
I finally finished reading it last night, the cover seems boring but as I have learnt it is usually these books that are the most interesting. I really enjoyed reading a chapter from the present and then one from the past and so on, it was almost like reading 2 books but I was totally captivated by how detailed it all was, from clothing to the 'raids'. All day I have walked around thinking about things that happened in the book and to the characters. I will definitely go and buy more books written by Posie Graeme-Evans!
When I first received the book I wasn't sure it was going to be something that would interest me. When I start reading a book I either can't put it down or can't pick it up again. I'm happy to say this book has been very hard to put down. It is very well written and has a way of keeping you in suspense and wanting to keep reading to find out what happens next. As I am only half way through this book so far I will post another review once I have finished it. :)
Really loved how the story keep going from the past to the present and the way the writer in twined them and how the spirits were reborn into the present day people and how the contection was instant from the start. The only thing was the way it ended for me ( I think that somehow the woman's bones mad there way to her true love ) But that wasnt quite conformed. But overall a great book and I would recommend others to read it :-)
For the other Mum reviewers who have not started this book - START NOW.
I do not read many books and I am half way through this book. Posie’s style of writing is captivating and easy to read and immerse yourself in the story. I like how there are two stories within one book and I am enjoying the tale unravel.
Well I'm just over a hundred pages in. I got the book yesterday and pretty much started ready straight away. It's a peek into ancient times as well as a story that follows Freya an archaeologist student working on her thesis. She inherits an Island from her tragically deceased archaeologist father, she has his finds to go through as well an unearthing some secrets herself. She leans more about her father along the way. It has 2 storylines and is well written. I'm also looking forward to finding all about Signy and the people left behind after a Viking raid, including one of there own who was injured and left for dead. A real page turner, can't wait to find out more about the Island and the artefacts her father found. I'll post more later.......
This book will suck you in right until the end. I was up until 2am one night as I just couldn't stop reading. It has murder, mystery, history, love, treachery all rolled in to one fantastic story. It flows seamlessly through time zones and just when you think you know what's going on, there is a fantastic little twist at the end. Loved it!
I love the feeling of reading a good book, I was captivated from chapter one and have just finished it! I love how it ends I found it easy to read. Thank you for introducing me to a fantastic author and re-discovering the joy of reading which I have not done for a long time!
I loved this book. It is such a good read. Couldn't put it down. I love the whole thing. How old and new come together to make a good read. I've already passed it on to a friend to read so we can talk about it. Soooooo Gooood!!
I wasn't selected but have since been given this book for my birthday earlier this year & loved it. There's a bit of everything from mystery, romance, murder but it kept me highly interested. I love the authors style of writing, it was easy to follow but ever so interesting. I would def read more from her.
This book will get you hooked. I love the feeling of reading a good book, I was captivated from chapter one and have just finished it! I love how it ends I found it easy to read. Thank you for introducing me to a fantastic author and re-discovering the joy of reading which I have not done for a long time!
I am still reading this amazing book and am loving the story so far. Unfortunately I haven't had a lot of reading time lately bit every chance I get I am reading a page or two. What an amazing story, I can't wait to read more it is enthralling. Can't wait to see what happens next!!!
The story is very Interesting, with many changes in the story. History and fiction are combined in this story to make is an entertaining read. The descriptive writing creates visual images in the readers mind as they read - almost like watching a movie of the story! I Throughly enjoyed this book, and would highly recommend it to others.
This is a brilliantly researched tale of the clash between the Vikings, the Picts, and the early Catholic Church in Scotland. This story runs parallel to the contemporary one in which Freya, an Aussie archaeologist, arrives on the Scottish island bequeathed to her by her father. He was also an archaeologist but didn't quite manage to solve the island's mystery which Freya also inherits.
The parallel plot works well most of the time, but there is often a lag while one side of the story catches up with the other, so some momentum is also lost. It also means that there are few surprises, other than the supernatural ones and I had difficulty suspending disbelief with these. With so much happening to a large number of characters, we don't get to know and love the heroine to the same extent as we did "The Dressmaker" which is a shame.
But Posie's writing remains a treat and her ability to bring the past to life is astounding. Her sensitive treatment of all three cultures is also to be applauded.
Upon finishing the Island House, I was satisfied with the story. It kept me, the reader intrigued and interested while offering an insight into the past. The love story between the modern day characters seemed a little too rushed and there was one character that really didn't need to be there but overall a good story.
This book will suck you in right until the end. I was up until 2am one night as I just couldn't stop reading. It has murder, mystery, history, love, treachery all rolled in to one fantastic story. It flows seamlessly through time zones and just when you think you know what's going on, there is a fantastic little twist at the end. Loved it!
What a great story,,,, i did find it hard going originally but once i got into it ...i could not put it down...although it was almost 500 pages...and the printing was tiny....
But the story of love throughout the ages mixed in with the violence of the vikings, the staunchness of early life in a monastery and the picts ( early english folk) all set in scotland throughout many many centuries as well as present time....made for a very interesting read....my mind was wondering where it was all going to end up...constantly...and sadly it did not go the way i had hoped...but the introduction of new modern characters made me feel they would also come out in the early9th century time...i wasnt sure which way it was going to end...so try for the read... it will delight you and also make you try and guess what will happen next.... thanks for taking the time to read this review... hope it inspires you to read it and then look for more books by this author.... it has me....cheers Cindy
This book is a great read, encompassing past & present. Written well and a pleasure to follow as you ride the waves of the island past & present. A treasure, not of the gold & riches kind, is hidden on the island enveloping those who are on the quest to uncover the hidden truth. You too will be enveloped as you join them on their journey. Highly Recommened
The only books I have ever read were Stephen King books. So when I got the chance to review the Island House I was blown away. I love reading books, so it was good to also be able to read another book by a different author. I really did enjoy reading this book, and will be looking into other books by the author. Thank you again for letting me review The Island House.
I finally finished reading it last night, the cover seems boring but as I have learnt it is usually these books that are the most interesting. I really enjoyed reading a chapter from the present and then one from the past and so on, it was almost like reading 2 books but I was totally captivated by how detailed it all was, from clothing to the 'raids'. All day I have walked around thinking about things that happened in the book and to the characters. I will definitely go and buy more books written by Posie Graeme-Evans!
I love the feeling of reading a good book, I was captivated from chapter one and have just finished it! I love how it ends I found it easy to read. Thank you for introducing me to a fantastic author and re-discovering the joy of reading which I have not done for a long time!
My copy of "The Island House" has finally arrived! I'm so excited to read it; I adored "The Dressmaker". In fact, Posie Graeme-Evans is one of the few authors who could drag me away from my George R.R. Martin binge. And so far, it's everything I expected.
A very good book for all you history fantasy women out there. for me this brings back memories of my years befor children when i was working and backpacking around scotland working in the highlands walking taking photos of pics ogh am stones and being transported to a plane between time and imagination. reading this book will call on your ancestors and commune on your inner spirit x
When I first received the book I wasn't sure it was going to be something that would interest me. When I start reading a book I either can't put it down or can't pick it up again. I'm happy to say this book has been very hard to put down. It is very well written and has a way of keeping you in suspense and wanting to keep reading to find out what happens next. As I am only half way through this book so far I will post another review once I have finished it. :)
Visually I did not find the front cover of the book to be very appealing, it would not be something that would attract my attention in a book store.
Initially I found the first two chapters difficult to read but after things became a little clearer I began to enjoy the book. I am currently up to chapter seven and am looking forward to finding out more....
Really loved how the story keep going from the past to the present and the way the writer in twined them and how the spirits were reborn into the present day people and how the contection was instant from the start. The only thing was the way it ended for me ( I think that somehow the woman's bones mad there way to her true love ) But that wasnt quite conformed. But overall a great book and I would recommend others to read it :-)
The first couple of pages threw me a little bit as I got used to the author's grammatical phrasing. Once past that, the story really starts to draw you in. The descriptions are well written and the story line is not in the least bit confusing. Can't wait to read some more!
Well I have now finished the book. Really well written. If you like archaeological stories with historical drama and family secrets - you'll love this. It also makes you realise just how horrible the times were back in the day of Vikings, Pagans and early Christians - where superstitions and intolerance created an ugly picture - this era turned humans into animals! This author really has the power to transport you into the story.
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Article
“My Floor Has Never Been So Clean”: The Mop That’s Winning Over Mums
Mopping isn’t exactly the chore most of us look forward to, but like most mums, for Katrina Macilroy, it’s unavoidable.
With three teenagers, a husband, a dog, two cats and timber flooring throughout most of her home, there’s plenty to keep her mop busy.
“I thought the toddler stage was hard, but teenagers take it to a whole other level,” Katrina told Mouths of Mums.
She describes herself as a ‘full-time Uber driver’ for her three kids, but when she’s home, she may as well be a full-time cleaner.
Her husband is a concreter, the family has plenty of sand coming inside and, with teenagers touching everything, the floors quickly show the evidence of a full family life.
“I have to mop like every second day because the floor gets marks,” she said.
So when Katrina was given the chance to try the Vileda Easy Wring & Clean TURBO Mop & Bucket Set, she was keen to see whether it could actually make one of her least favourite cleaning tasks any easier.
“I didn’t have high hopes for it to start with, because I’ve used spin mops before and I’d been disappointed,” she admitted.
But it didn’t take long for her to change her mind. One of the first things Katrina noticed was just how easy the mop was to use.
The foot pedal made wringing the mop quick and simple, without having to stop and fiddle with anything.
“It was so easy to spin it,” she says. “It wasn’t like you’re spinning it for hours or anything.”
She was also impressed by how quickly the mop itself could be put together, and the simple button that releases the mop head for washing.
“That simple press notion, everyone can do that. So I love that.”
It’s The Little Things That Add Up
For Katrina, who regularly finds herself cleaning up after a busy family, these little details made a surprisingly big difference. She also loved the triangular mop head, particularly when it came to getting into the corners and edges that her previous mop struggled with.
“The triangle design makes it easy to get into all the little corners,” she says.
But ultimately, the big question was whether it actually cleaned her floors. Katrina’s answer was an enthusiastic yes.
“My floor has never been so clean,” she says.
Katrina was also surprised by how light and manoeuvrable the mop felt, because at just 4’11”, she says mopping can sometimes be an uncomfortable job.
“I’m not a tall person, so trying to mop is always just a horrible experience.”
But she found the Vileda Easy Wring & Clean TURBO Mop & Bucket Set easy to move around and able to go in different directions without feeling heavy or awkward.
And it wasn’t just the mop itself that won Katrina over. She says the bucket design solved one of her biggest mopping frustrations: accidentally tipping the bucket over.
With timber floors, getting too much water onto the floor is something she tries hard to avoid. “The amount of mop buckets I’ve tipped over and just gone everywhere,” she says.
That can turn a simple cleaning job into another mess to deal with, particularly when you’re suddenly scrambling for towels and a dry mop head.
But Katrina says the Vileda bucket feels much more stable because of its design.
And for someone who mops as often as she does, she says that has saved her time. “This thing has saved me so much time, I can’t get over it.”
The Only Mop You’ll Need
Katrina also admits that she’d previously convinced herself she needed a steam mop. She even bought one, only to discover that plugging it in every time she wanted to clean wasn’t exactly appealing.
“You have to plug it in like a vacuum. Like, that’s not fun, I don’t want to do that.”
After trying the Vileda, she says she’s no longer convinced she needs one.
“Why do you need a steam mop when you can get this one?”
For Katrina, the combination of being lightweight, easy to wring, simple to manoeuvre and able to get into those awkward corners has made mopping feel much less frustrating. And despite going into the trial with low expectations, she’s now very happy to recommend it.
“I’m not trying to sell you a product, but I’m just saying that I’m very impressed with it. It’s really good.”
Her final verdict?
“It’s been really, really good. Recommend!”
This Real Story was provided as part of a paid sponsorship opportunity. Katrina was chosen to share her story because she was sent out and tried the Vileda Easy Wring & Clean TURBO Mop & Bucket Set, and genuinely loved it! And Vileda is so confident they’ve made the best spin mop ever, they’re backing the new & improved Easy Wring & Clean TURBO with a 5 Year Guarantee.
This mop so good and the views all are positive so I just purchased one on milkrun through Woolworths and it come with 2 mop head refills. Can’t wait to use it.
Yes, I couldn’t agree more. The Vileda spin mop is by far my favourite mop for a good thorough clean at home. I even got the landlords to purchase one for the holiday house I clean to make cleaning a breeze and get the job done properly. I always grab a spare when they’re out for half price.
Ah, I received a ‘you’re a finalist’ email from MoM for this fantastic mop but didn’t receive anything beyond that. I was looking forward to giving this a try to compare the three existing options I have but alas. Looks good, fingers crossed I can try it in the near future!
Omg! Yes! With 4 dogs and 4 teens AND the guests they bring home with them LOL our timber floors and tiles don’t stand a chance! I would love to see them add some wheels to the bottom of the bucket so that you don’t have to carry the bucket around with you.
This sounds like an excellent mop that makes cleaning so easy! I love a product that not only is as effective as advertised but makes a job less grueling. I gotta say though, a steam mop that plugs in sounds like an awful idea. I have a tineco floor mop, which is cordless and charges at a base, and it’s incredible on my white tiles.
10:28 pm
Intriguing
5:14 pm
Sweeps you away
4:31 pm
The Island House
2:25 am
Don't judge a book by its cover...
9:39 pm
This book is great read.
5:17 pm
Great Read
8:32 am
Start reading now - fantastic book
I do not read many books and I am half way through this book. Posie’s style of writing is captivating and easy to read and immerse yourself in the story. I like how there are two stories within one book and I am enjoying the tale unravel.
Thank you!
5:23 pm
intriguing, a real page turner - you'll love it!
4:54 pm
Gripping!
9:59 pm
Could not put it down - fantastic read
11:14 pm
Fantastic
10:28 pm
Intriguing
9:53 am
Intrigued
7:05 pm
Sensational hard to put down
10:10 pm
8:57 pm
Definitely Worth a Read
The parallel plot works well most of the time, but there is often a lag while one side of the story catches up with the other, so some momentum is also lost. It also means that there are few surprises, other than the supernatural ones and I had difficulty suspending disbelief with these. With so much happening to a large number of characters, we don't get to know and love the heroine to the same extent as we did "The Dressmaker" which is a shame.
But Posie's writing remains a treat and her ability to bring the past to life is astounding. Her sensitive treatment of all three cultures is also to be applauded.
8:07 pm
A good love story.
4:54 pm
Gripping!
9:35 pm
Great Read....once you're into it....
But the story of love throughout the ages mixed in with the violence of the vikings, the staunchness of early life in a monastery and the picts ( early english folk) all set in scotland throughout many many centuries as well as present time....made for a very interesting read....my mind was wondering where it was all going to end up...constantly...and sadly it did not go the way i had hoped...but the introduction of new modern characters made me feel they would also come out in the early9th century time...i wasnt sure which way it was going to end...so try for the read... it will delight you and also make you try and guess what will happen next.... thanks for taking the time to read this review... hope it inspires you to read it and then look for more books by this author.... it has me....cheers Cindy
5:14 pm
Sweeps you away
4:31 pm
The Island House
2:25 am
Don't judge a book by its cover...
9:59 pm
Could not put it down - fantastic read
12:46 am
It's Here!
11:39 pm
secluded escape
9:39 pm
This book is great read.
7:10 pm
Has me wanting to read more....
Initially I found the first two chapters difficult to read but after things became a little clearer I began to enjoy the book. I am currently up to chapter seven and am looking forward to finding out more....
5:17 pm
Great Read
1:24 pm
Interesting read.
11:01 am
couldn't put it down - worth staying up for
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