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
7 Simple Ideas That’ll Save You Hours Every School Week
If every school week is more like an episode of Survivor at your place, don’t worry, you’re not alone! The struggle to stay on top of the school week mayhem is real – so we’ve put together a bunch of clever ideas to give you back some precious time (and sanity).
There’s nothing difficult about these tips, just solid advice and ideas from a mum who’s been in the school trenches for over a decade.
1. Teach The Kids To Make Some Simple Breakfasts
Four Ingredient Healthy Breakfast Cookies
Hang on, this is about breakfast, why are we showing you a picture of mouth-watering cookies?! These are Four Ingredient Healthy Breakfast Cookies – perfect for a prep-ahead school day brekkie!
Depending on their age there are so many safe and easy breakfasts kids can make themselves. From toasties, to yoghurt pots prepped the night before or just cereal. Not having to make breakfast for everyone will literally save you hours every week!
2. Lay Out Clothes For The Week
Use a hanging organiser or labelled baskets for each day. Include uniforms, socks and undies. Kids can dress themselves without the drama of missing items. I’ll be honest, my kids’ uniforms are expensive, so I wash during the week as they only have a couple of sets. However, if nothing else, having just socks and underwear sorted for the week is an absolute lifesaver!
The other huge help is not having to pre-treat stains on my kids’ uniforms, nobody has time for that during the week! My extra tip here is to use a great quality laundry detergent that is powerful enough to remove stains in-wash, so you don’t need to worry about pre-treating. Biozet Attack’s range is perfect, and while each product packs a punch when it comes to lifting stains, I love that each targets different issues. For example, Biozet Attack Plus Eliminator Power Capsules eliminate 99.9% of odour-causing bacteria – great for teenage boy school shirts! There’s also Biozet Attack Plus Sensitive 2L which is dermatologically tested, but still powers through stains.
3. Use A Family Calendar System
Whether it’s a wall planner, a shared phone calendar or a digital calendar, you need everyone to be able to track all activities, due dates and after-school commitments in one place. It also helps gives the kids a a sense of responsibility and doesn’t leave everything on your shoulders!
4. Plan A Weekly School Admin Session
Answer school emails, sign permission forms, top up canteen accounts and check term calendars in one go instead of daily interruptions. You may only need to do this fortnightly or monthly, but just make sure you schedule it in your calendar. Trust me, it saves so much time compared to juggling things bit by bit!
5. Quick-Fire Cleaning Sessions
Set a timer for ten minutes in the afternoon, pop on some music and everyone tidies their zone. This includes the kids emptying their lunchboxes, washing their drink bottles, handing you any notes and putting their clothes in the wash. Small bursts like this stop the house turning into chaos by Friday.
6. Have A Snack Station
Keep a drawer or fridge shelf filled with ready portions. Kids can pack their own snacks for school, and also grab something to eat when they get home. Think ahead and include them in the weekly shopping – ask them what snacks they would like (and cross your fingers they’ll still like them all week!).
7. Set Up A Family Charging Station
One spot for iPads, laptops and phones. No searching for chargers or discovering a dead laptop ten minutes before school! Make sure each child puts their school device on charge when they get home, as part of their Quick-Fire Cleaning Session.
While we can’t promise your school weeks won’t have moments of chaos, taking some of these tips on board will save you time – even if it’s just five minutes here and there. It’s about building realistic habits for the whole family, that will hopefully bring some calm to the school week.
Mouths of Mums is proudly working with Biozet Attack to bring you this article.
There are some great ideas here! I just use an old school paper calender but its so helpful to remember all the important dates – i always buy a family planner one so theres columns for each of us to write what were doing om certain days so we never run out of space! I need a snack station, but struggle to have healthy (or healthier) choices in the cupboard apart from the usual chips, rice crackers and museli bars!
There are some good hints here! I already do have a little snack station in my pantry – a large container filled with all sorts of bars, etc. It’s the first place the kids look for something to eat. I do like the idea of a charging station but I don’t think it would work in my house. Everyone seems to like charging things in their room and it could look messy with multiple cords.
The struggle is real so I’m loving these hints. I especially like the idea of getting the kids involved in preparing their own lunches and snacks and offering a variety of options that will hopefully encourage them to make healthy choices now and into the future.
A great article full of very helpful and handy tips. Most of these I already do but it has reminded me to add a few other things to my list to organise before the school year starts in a couple of weeks. Helpful tips like this are so great as you can never remember everything and this sure has given me a few extra things to think about.
We do daily life admin because it simply makes life easier to stay on top of everything that is required to run a family and household. Planning and organisation is so vital for every family and for a household. It really is very important to stay on top of all things at all times.
I love this article. I can relate to a lot of these ideas. For instance, I have a snack shelf in my pantry so my kids can choose and pack their own snacks. No more asking them what they want. We also have a family charging station in the kitchen. iPads, laptops and phones are only allowed to be charged on the kitchen bench. I love the healthy cookies. I must give these a go. The family calendar system is a must too!
I totally agree with most of these. We bought some inexpensive cereal dispensers, and that made mornings much easier. And school admin? For me, that is every Wednesday right before a regular appointment. It fitted in perfectly, I never overlooked anything, and if I didn’t need it it was a glorious burst of free time.
I love this article and the tips and already follow many of them. I have always been a big fan of schedules and planners and they simply make sense and make sure everyone in the family is on task. I also love snack stations; one for the fridge and one for the pantry; again it makes sense and makes preparing food and lunchboxes and snack times easy.
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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