COMING CLEAN.

COMING CLEAN by ANDY HOWDEN.

Genre ... Contemporary Bookclub fiction / Political Thriller

Publication Date: 28th October 2024

Estimated Page Count: 330

Standalone Novel

2015. Veselina has left behind tragedy in Bulgaria for a new life in England, against the wishes of her family.Too proud to admit her misjudgement when her dream turns sour, she takes work as a maid for politician Gerard Fosh, tipped to be the next Prime Minister, and his wife Alison, also an MP with secret desires of her own. Soon Veselina suspects Gerard of a relationship with his ambitious political aide that could ruin his reputation and his career.

As she comes under pressure to uncover the truth, can Veselina confront the deception in her own life? And will others be able to do the same?

 First and foremost, great characters; I found myself liking the likeable ones and, well, equally liking the not so likeable ones. 
A story of political intrigue, deception, ambition, redemption and, ooh, moral dilemmas at the heart of which is Veselina, a Bulgarian immigrant in search of a new life who is struggling to make a living and keep her dignity.
I found Coming Clean to be thought provoking, insightful and full of an emotional depth that came as something of a surprise.
The author's account of Veselina's life/struggles beautifully and empathetically done. And as for the depiction of the MPs. What can I say? Wonderfully depicted, I couldn't help but be put in mind of some of the key players in the last UK government and yet, despite this, they were portrayed very much as characters within their own right.
The second of the author's books I have read {for my thoughts on the first, Melting In The Middle, click here}.

Andy Howden grew up in Yorkshire and read English Literature at the University of Sheffield, before a career in market research took him to London. Coming Clean is his second novel. His first, Melting in the Middle, emerged from an MA in Creative Writing at St Mary’s University and was long-listed for the Exeter Novel Prize.

Website: www.andyhowden.comTwitter: andy_howdenInstagram/Threads: howden.andyFacebook: facebook.com/andyhowdenwriter

With thanks to Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for organising a paper copy. One of several bloggers participating in the Publication Day Push of this book, agree or disagree with me, all opinions are my own; no financial compensation was asked for nor given; threats of violence towards my favourite teddy bear went unheeded as did promises of chocolate.

READ FOR THE 52 BOOK CLUB'S 2025 READING CHALLENGE.

{Information here}BOOK 3/52. PROMPT 35: WRITTEN IN THE THIRD PERSON.Other Prompts It Might Have Been Used For ...13: Title is ten letters or less33: A standalone novel35: Written in the third person43: Explores social class47: I think it was blue51: 300 - 400 pages long.

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{THE PARADISO NOVELS 4}: CASA PARADISO - 300 YEARS IN THE LIFE OF A HOUSE.

 My last Blog Tour read of 2024 and what a year it has been. Punctuated with ill health and subsequent delays in reading books and posting my thoughts on them, I'd like to offer my sincere thanks to Rachel of Rachel's Random Readings for her patience. FGT

CASA PARADISO - 300 YEARS IN THE LIFE OF A HOUSE by FRANCESCA SCANACARPA. 

Genre ... Historical fiction/romance/women’s fictionPublication Date ... 14th November 2024Estimated Page Count ... 240

Standalone Fourth Novel in the Paradiso Novels series {It takes place before book 1}Pre-order Link ... https://geni.us/CasaParadiso

Lombardy, Northern Italy, 1637

Cristó Lovetta, a skilled stonemason, arrives in the rural village of Pieve Santa Clara to work on a nobleman’s house. Haunted by a tragic past, Cristó wonders if he will ever find happiness again. However, as he immerses himself in his work, the warmth of the community and the beauty of the landscape convince him to begin a new life there.

Cristó designs and builds his own house, which he names Casa Paradiso. Over the centuries, Casa Paradiso becomes home to many generations, standing testament to lives beginning and ending, and witnessing the everyday challenges and triumphs of its inhabitants – from love lost and found, to the tragedies of war, the far-reaching consequences of political decisions made by powerful men and the evolving role of women in Italian society.

Casa Paradiso – the fourth instalment of the Paradiso Novels – is a shining, evocative saga spanning three hundred years in the life of a very special house, and a book that explores the enduring strength of the human spirit, contrasted with the transient nature of life itself.
The latest novel in a series which comprises three previous books, Casa Paradiso: 300 Years In The Life Of A House is book four if read in the order of publication OR, a 'prequal', the first book if read chronologically.
Taken right back to the beginning, back to Italy 1637 when skilled stonemason, Cristó Lovetta, decides to build his own house, 'Casa Paradiso'. Having really enjoyed book three in the series, The Daughter of Paradiso and, even more so, the author's The Lost Boy of Bologna {you can read my thoughts on them by clicking on the book title}, I admit to having high hopes for this, the author's latest work.
Beautifully written. I enjoyed how the author painted the landscape as we travelled through Lombardy, chronicling the rich history and ever changing roles and norms of the community. Most of all though, I found myself enchanted by the craft of Cristó, of how he worked the stone to build himself Casa Paradiso which over the three hundred years depicted in the novel echoed with the loves, the losses, the tears and laughter of several generations. However ...
At 240 or so pages, a relatively short novel to encompass so much, I felt it not nearly long enough and that, sadly, the afore mentioned descriptions of the landscape and a continually changing society overwhelmed the narrative, taking away from the actual story of the house and its inhabitants over the centuries.
But then, a book that I know has proved very popular with my book blogging buddies, most of whom absolutely loved it, I'm aware that I'm very much in the minority.

Francesca Scanacapra was born in Italy to an English mother and Italian father, and her childhood was spent living between England and Italy. Her adult life has been somewhat nomadic with periods spent living in Italy, England, France, Senegal and Spain. She describes herself as 'unconventional' and has pursued an eclectic mixture of career paths – from working in translation, the fitness industry, education and even several years as a builder. In 2021 she returned to her native country and back to her earliest roots to pursue her writing career full time. Francesca now resides permanently in rural Lombardy in the house built by her great-grandfather which was the inspiration for her

Paradiso Novels: Paradiso, Return to Paradiso, The Daughter of Paradiso and Casa Paradiso. Her novel The Lost Boy of Bologna was also published by Silvertail Books.Social Media Links ... Twitter @francescascana2Insta @francescascana2
With thanks to Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for organising a paper copy. One of several bloggers participating in the Publication Day Push of this book, agree or disagree with me, all opinions are my own; no financial compensation was asked for nor given; threats of violence towards my favourite teddy bear went unheeded as did promises of chocolate.

Share the love by following their blog. 
Take a few minutes to check out their newest post and leaving a comment, you’ll instantly put a smile on their face. 
Share on FaceBook, X, Pinterest, and other social media sites, it shows that you care about their work and want others to enjoy it too! TThe next time you see their post pop up on your feed, hit the like button, leave a comment, or even share it with your followers. It’ll defiantly make their day.