Tag: #ruthhogan

The Phoenix Ballroom — Ruth Hogan

By 5t4n5

The Phoenix Ballroom -- Ruth HoganI got a little bit worried at first, like Ruth had written a book for teenagers, but the story slowly gets going and more grown up as we get into it.

While i enjoyed reading it, i don’t think it’s as good as previous books.   I just didn’t connect with the characters as much.   That might be down to me not being very well at the moment — i’m at home recovering from a rather serious time in hospital — and i’m finding a lot of things hard to focus my mind and thoughts on at the moment.

That said, i am looking forward to reading Ruth’s next book, The Light a Candle Society, which i think i will leave until i’m feeling a bit more myself.

Ruth’s Page

#ruthhogan

Madame Burova — Ruth Hogan

By 5t4n5

Madame Burova -- Ruth HoganI was rather excited to get Ruth’s latest book.   But it had a lot to live up to after the first three books: did it manage it?

Yes.

Just like the previous three books, we’re treated to a wonderful set of diverse characters and taken on a roller coaster rides of highs and lows, finishing with a most excellent bittersweet ending.

As to the story, it becomes pretty obvious to anyone paying attention who Billies’ mother is, the cheque gave it away.   And i did think i knew who the father was about the same time, but i realised i was wrong and picked the right one about 80% in.   It certainly didn’t ruin it because the characters were so wonderful and it was still totally enjoyable to see how everything plays out, how Billie finds out and then how everyone reacts to the truth when it finally arrives.

Ruth has such a great way of telling a wonderful story.   If you haven’t tried any of her books yet, do so soon.

Please Ruth, never stop writing.

Ruth’s Page

#lgbtq #ruthhogan

Queenie Malone’s Paradise Hotel — Ruth Hogan

By 5t4n5

Queenie Malone's Paradise Hotel -- Ruth HoganHaving totally enjoyed Ruth’s first two books i had fairly high expectations of this, and i wasn’t disappointed.

Once more Ruth dives into sensitive topics and tells a great story with not only compassion but also a wonderful touch of humour in all the right places.

Written from the point of view of Tilly and Tilda.   Tilly, the little girl who finds out her dad just died after he went away to work and Tilda, the grown woman whose mum just died and left Tilda her diaries of what really happened to her dad all those years ago — and a simple note saying “Forgive me”.   Back and forth we go, a chapter at a time, between Tilly back then and Tilda now, and it works amazingly well as, piece by piece, Tilly’s story gets told and Tilda’s truth gets revealed.

And what a wonderful place the Paradise Hotel must have been for a child to live, if only for a while.   A delightful den of loveable, eccentric crackpots: “Everyone there had been cracked in the kiln in one way or another.”

Ruth is a wonderful writer who never fails to conjure up the most wonderful cast of characters to tell the stories about the damaged souls that life creates.   I do hope for many more books from Ruth.

Ruth’s Page

#lgbtq #ruthhogan

The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes — Ruth Hogan

By 5t4n5

The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes -- Ruth HoganHaving totally enjoyed The Keeper of Lost Things, i just had to give this a read.

Mostly a book that deals with death, and how different people deal with death in its many guises.   I know, it sounds a bit morbid and miserable, but Ruth manages to pull this off without it being so.

As with The Keeper of Lost Things, Ruth creates a wonderful cast of characters that we can believe in and feel for.   People who have been hit by tragedy and grief and have to learn to live on with it.   And Ruth does this with a wonderful compassion mixed in with just the perfect touch of humour to keep the story flowing along nicely while set mostly between a Victorian grave yard and a lido.

10/10 for taking a topic that most writers would shy away from and making it into a really enjoyable, thoughtful read, with quite a few titbits of genuine wisdom thrown in.

I really enjoy Ruth’s writing, and you’ll definitely find me reading Ruth’s next book, Queenie Malone’s Paradise Hotel, at some future date.

Ruth’s Page

#ruthhogan

The Keeper of Lost Things — Ruth Hogan

By 5t4n5

The Keeper of Lost Things -- Ruth HoganA really enjoyable book.

The best thing about owning a Kindle is discovering “Kindle Book Deals”.   For 99 pence, including delivery, you really can’t go wrong trying out books simply judged by their titles and covers.   This one was a certainly a diamond in the rough.

Ruth’s treatment of Down’s Syndrome was a breath of fresh air in a world so full of ignorance and stigma, and her treatment of Alzheimer’s disease equally so.   Ruth really isn’t afraid to delve into lives that few writers would fear to tread and does so with care and understanding.

Definitely a book for anyone wanting to read a lovely, well thought out, enjoyable story with great characters you can’t help but enjoy — Ruth even manages to include a likeable ghost.

And if you should enjoy this book — and why wouldn’t you — then treat yourself and dive straight into Ruth’s next book: The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes.

Ruth’s Page

#ruthhogan