Reviews

The Sorrow Of Sisters

‘A very rich and satisfying read.’
Phillip Norman. Biographer and novelist. Author of Babycham Night.

‘This book reminds me of a cross between Wuthering Heights and the fiction of Sarah Waters. It has all the intensity of Brontes’s work coupled with the gorgeous prose and deep humanism of Sarah Waters.’
Lisa Guidarini. Reviewer. Chicago, Illinois, USA

‘The fifty chapters tell a story full of changes. Intensive, exciting. Dreams, sadness and triumphs are included and all turns around people which you will never forget. We would have wished that this book would have had easily 100 chapters.’
Alex Dengler. Reviewer. Bild am Sonntag. (Translated from German.)

‘A moving book, a fascinating picture language.’
New Week. (Germany)

‘Rather soon I knew that the book was far too poetic and original to work as a serial in my magazine. But I couldn’t stop reading. Everything around me just disappeared, and amazed I thought: This is the best book I’ve read for a very, very long time – Maybe one of the best books EVER. I haven’t felt that way for a book since I started to read classics ages ago, and found out how wonderful the world of reading was. I loved your book and I am going to carry it in my heart forever. Some books mean something special for you – and as I read so many books in my profession it was magical to find this gem in the book flood.’
Sara Hemmel. Fiction Editor of Swedish weekly family magazine.

‘Be warned: this is a page-turner and once started you won’t want to put it down. I have enjoyed Wendy K Harris’s first novel so much – a story of a woman’s quest for her roots – that I have booked a break on the Isle of Wight to enable me to visit some of the places mentioned in the book!’
Margaret Powling. Feature writer and reviewer.

‘I'm exhausted this morning after spending most of the night finishing your book. It was such a treat to have an unputdownable book in my hands again. They are few and far between lately. I absolutely loved it and the subject matter (spirituality, telepathy, auras) is right up my street. I thought the viewpoints were very clever. Great characters, great story.’
Lynne Hackles.Writer.

‘This is the story of a journey, external and internal, and a woman in search of self discovery. It's the classic with something of The Odyssey about it, but instead of Odysseus return to Ithica - we have Jane a middle aged, menopausal woman - and her journey is to the Isle of Wight. Wendy Harris breaks with linear narrative to use flashback, giving us the plot ahead of Jane's attempts to uncover her past. It's a risky strategy which makes a compelling structure to her story. The author writes beautifully of the delicate ghost like quality of the island, together with acute observation of internal emotion. It's written with skill, change of pace and mood. The individual voices of her characters carry an exciting plot which makes for compulsive reading.’
Caroline Hunt. Theatre Director.

‘This powerful and moving story spans the generations, and touches on many different aspects of life. Nothing is what it seems, and as each new snippet of information is revealed, you just have to keep turning the pages until you discover the whole truth. The main characters are so well written that they stay with you long after you have finished the book. This is a wonderful first novel by Wendy Harris, and I hope she goes on to write many more.’
Jan Wright. Short Story Writer.

‘Family relationships are seldom what they seem. Harris opens up closets and skeletons tumble out. This is an accomplished debut novel; plot and language are securely handled. The Sorrow of Sisters is the first of an Undercliff trilogy and promises well for the further books.’
Carol Atkinson. Reviewer.

This is a profoundly moving book. As the story unfolds one would imagine that it is a historical 19th century novel but, the characters are still alive in present day.
Each of the three protagonists tells their own story (interwoven throughout the book) in present and past tense and in first and third person. … it carried me through 373 pages of intriguing and evocative prose.
The Woman Writer

Blue Slipper Bay

‘Second novels, reputedly, are notoriously difficult to write. Especially if your first novel has been so well received (and in Wendy’s case, deservedly.) But readers needn’t worry for Wendy’s second novel, Blue Slipper Bay, is as lyrical and enchanting as her first (The Sorrow of Sisters.) Again, it is set on the Isle of Wight but whilst several of the characters from her first reappear, the main characters are new. However, as in The Sorrow of Sisters, the island weaves its magic around them and where they thought they might stay for just a short time … well, you will just have to read it to find out what happens to them. Again, be warned: once you pick this up, you won’t want to put it down! I’m really looking forward now to the third in Wendy’s Undercliffe series, Rocken Edge.’
Margaret Powling. Feature writer and reviewer.

‘I did wonder how Wendy Harris was going to better her first novel The Sorrow of Sisters, but she’s managed it with style. Blue Slipper Bay is again set on the Isle of Wight, and whilst a few of the ‘Sisters’ characters appear in brief, this is a stand alone book. The characters are compelling and beautifully crafted, and the story moves along at such a pace that I lost a whole weekend as I found it hard to put the book down! Not only is this a book you will want to recommend to your friends, but I believe it will also boost the tourist industry on the Isle of Wight. Who will be able to resist exploring Wendy’s stunning Undercliff setting? I’ve heard there is to be a third book in this series. I can’t wait!’
Jan Wright. Short story writer.

‘The second novel in Wendy K Harris’s series set at Blue Slipper Bay was as pleasantly warm as her first, The Sorrow of Sisters, which I reviewed a few months ago. Having become acquainted with her style in the first book, I was very much looking forward to the publication of her second. And she most definitely doesn’t disappoint. Throughout it all, the subplots tell the story of the characters from the first book, as well as some characters that have only sprung up in the second. A warmth runs through the tale, linking the locals to each other, exhibiting the depth of their caring and concern. That’s not to say some of the characters aren’t flawed, but the flaws they have are intensely human. By the end of the book the redeeming power of love and forgiveness is the prevalent theme. I look forward to the third in this wonderful series.’
Lisa Guidarini. Reviewer. Chicago, Illinois, USA.

‘It’s a cliché to say I couldn’t put it down, but really, I was reading this late into the night. Wendy has the gift of conceiving fascinating, unusual characters and giving them truly engaging stories, so you just have to know what happens next. Can’t wait for the next one now.’
Oxford Reader.

‘Although I was excited when I received my copy of Blue Slipper Bay, Wendy Harris’s second novel, I was also a little nervous – would it live up to her first novel, The Sorrow of Sisters, which I so enjoyed? I needn’t have worried. Blue Slipper Bay is another page turner with a plot that will keep readers guessing and characters that are beautifully written. Harris’s prose is lyrical and descriptive with images that burst off the page to dazzle and delight the reader. The Isle of Wight once again plays a central role and Harris’s love of the ‘Undercliff’ is obvious – in fact she is to the Isle of Wight what Daphne du Maurier was to Cornwall. I’m looking forward to the third novel in the Undercliff series and I won’t be nervous about reading it!’
Bristol Bookworm.

For a Chapters Book Club review of Blue Slipper Bay please click here (.PDF file).

Rocken Edge

‘I loved Rocken Edge. The characters are so alive and the story twisted and turned, keeping me turning the pages to find out what would happen next and to discover the truth about what had happened in the past. The ending was just right but, even so, I was disappointed to reach it as I didn’t want to leave the world that Wendy Harris has created so evocatively. This is the third of her series set in the Isle of Wight, but you don’t need to have read the others to enjoy this one.’
Diana Kimpton. Children’s author.

‘I have found your books to be a real emotional delight, reminding me of my favourite place and sparking my imagination. I have laughed and cried whilst reading them, pined desperately to be back on the Isle, and when I haven’t had my books around – have missed the characters as if they were absent friends!’
Rebecca. Mansfield.

‘I loved how you held the suspense. We knew but the characters didn’t. My heart was in my mouth as I waited for them to find out! The time parallels were dead clever. Your empathy is amazing.’Helen. Fownhope.

‘I really enjoyed Rocken Edge and can’t wait until next year when the book you are currently working on is published.’
Gillian. Havenstreet.

‘We went to the Isle of Wight for the first time last July. We are Brazilians. We have stayed in Ventnor and bought your book at the Botanic Gardens. We loved it. It is a wonderful book.’
Maria Lucia. Rio de Janeiro.

‘All in all, I thought this an excellent book, and am very grateful to the author for sending it to me. Highly recommended. I think it would stand alone, although in my opinion it’s best to have read the first two in the series before this one.’
www.suesbookreviews.blogspot.com Cyprus.

‘I’ve just finished your book and had to write to say how very much I enjoyed it. I couldn’t put it down towards the end, it is really gripping. The characters are brilliantly written (particularly the priest who was wonderfully horrible.)’
Jan Wright. Short Story Writer.

‘I have just spent the last two days on board holed up in Lymington because of the foul weather. I have had the most wonderful time thanks to you. I cannot remember when I enjoyed a book so much. I shall send the whole series to my daughter-in-law in Australia.’
Caz. Bonchurch.

‘I started it at work on Thursday and finished it Friday night. I couldn’t put it down and by the end I was nearly in tears. I work in Ventnor and I could see all the places and feel all the characters walking by my side. I thought it was fantastic.’
Melanie. Isle of Wight.

‘This book was waiting in the hallway when I got home. I flopped down on the sofa with the cat and a cuppa and started devouring it. Read it while I cooked and ate dinner and have just finished it. Another unputdownable read from Wendy K Harris.

This is the third Undercliff novel, set in the mysterious coastal world of the Isle of Wight. A cast of fascinating characters interact, the older, familiar people there to welcome again, bringing new characters into their midst and working their special magic on them. There’s some spooky nuns and a slightly gothic-y bit, a fallen priest and the absolutely delightful Fran in her chaotic animal-filled house (I think my favourite character). How will it all work out? We don’t exactly know, even at the end, but all kinds of pure spirituality are celebrated, hypocrisy gets its own comeuppance, and there’s joy for many of the characters. Thanks for writing these marvellous books.’
Liz Broomfield. Bookcrosser.

More reviews on www.amazon.co.uk.