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In the Valley of Blue Gums
Journalist Thea Anderson’s adventurous life has been one of endless danger. Even her childhood, where she and her mother were forced to flee Malaya in the fish-stinking hold of a junk in the dying days of colonialism, was fraught with peril.
For a time it seemed she would find safe harbour in Tasmania in the arms of wine-maker Peter Torrance, but her restless spirit cannot be contained. Thea’s ambition is to travel the world as a foreign correspondent but Peter is dedicated to his family vineyard in a blue gum valley: it seems their love must fail.
Thea makes her name internationally with her coverage of the assassination of President Kennedy then the escalating war in Vietnam, one of the only women in the field. Her job leads her further into peril and death stalks her all the way, until a return to Tasmania opens the door to a new and exciting career.
Will this opportunity allow her to become reunited with the man she used to love? Or has that dream vanished, like mist in the valley of blue gums?
For a time it seemed she would find safe harbour in Tasmania in the arms of wine-maker Peter Torrance, but her restless spirit cannot be contained. Thea’s ambition is to travel the world as a foreign correspondent but Peter is dedicated to his family vineyard in a blue gum valley: it seems their love must fail.
Thea makes her name internationally with her coverage of the assassination of President Kennedy then the escalating war in Vietnam, one of the only women in the field. Her job leads her further into peril and death stalks her all the way, until a return to Tasmania opens the door to a new and exciting career.
Will this opportunity allow her to become reunited with the man she used to love? Or has that dream vanished, like mist in the valley of blue gums?
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Published September 4, 2018
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About the author
J.H. Fletcher
20 books30 followersJ.H. Fletcher is the prize-winning author of fifteen novels, published to both critical and popular acclaim in Australia, Germany and the UK, as well as numerous short stories and plays for radio and television.
He was educated in England and France and travelled and worked in Europe, Asia and Africa before emigrating to Australia in 1991. Home is now a house within sight of the Western Tier Mountains in northern Tasmania.
He was educated in England and France and travelled and worked in Europe, Asia and Africa before emigrating to Australia in 1991. Home is now a house within sight of the Western Tier Mountains in northern Tasmania.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
May 17, 2018
Journalist Thea Anderson’s position with the Clarion newspaper in Sydney had been hard-earned – working her way up from a junior, her position had escalated when she’d covered the assassination of President Kennedy, purely by accident. The pictures she’d taken shot her to fame – her next big assignment was as one of the only women to cover the war in Vietnam. Danger and death, fear and horror; they were her constant companions. But it was something she needed to do.
Prior to her assignment in Vietnam, Thea had fallen in love with the enigmatic Peter Torrance, wine maker in her home state of Tasmania. But Peter’s vineyard Keebunna had been in the family for generations – he respected her career and would be there in the valley of blue gums when her assignments were over.
Vietnam kept calling her back and Thea, though fully aware of the dangers, needed to do more for the people who were suffering – the innocent women and children. But could she? And would it be the worst decision she had ever made?
In the Valley of Blue Gums by Aussie author J.H. Fletcher is a fast-paced, action-packed historical novel which I thoroughly enjoyed. Moving back and forth through Thea’s life, from her youngest days with her mother and father in Malaya, through to life in Sydney and Tasmania, and her assignments throughout the world, the woman who courted danger through her love of adventure lived a life of no regrets. An excellent novel, In the Valley of Blue Gums is one I don’t hesitate to recommend.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read and review.
Prior to her assignment in Vietnam, Thea had fallen in love with the enigmatic Peter Torrance, wine maker in her home state of Tasmania. But Peter’s vineyard Keebunna had been in the family for generations – he respected her career and would be there in the valley of blue gums when her assignments were over.
Vietnam kept calling her back and Thea, though fully aware of the dangers, needed to do more for the people who were suffering – the innocent women and children. But could she? And would it be the worst decision she had ever made?
In the Valley of Blue Gums by Aussie author J.H. Fletcher is a fast-paced, action-packed historical novel which I thoroughly enjoyed. Moving back and forth through Thea’s life, from her youngest days with her mother and father in Malaya, through to life in Sydney and Tasmania, and her assignments throughout the world, the woman who courted danger through her love of adventure lived a life of no regrets. An excellent novel, In the Valley of Blue Gums is one I don’t hesitate to recommend.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read and review.
July 6, 2018
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
The title, In the Valley of Blue Gums (the blue gum is the state tree of Tasmania), the rich Australian cover and my past reading history with the author J.H. Fletcher, all culminated in a feeling that I just had to read this novel. Thanks to an opportunity through Beauty and Lace book club, I am able to enjoy my third book written by J.H. Fletcher. In the Valley of Blue Gums is a modern historical fiction title that deftly combines love, ambition and partnership in the one involving novel.
In the Valley of Blue Gums introduces the principal character of Thea Anderson. Right from her formative years Thea’s life has encompassed adventure and high drama. J.H. Fletcher travels to Malaya in the beginning of his latest novel, where we learn that Thea and her mother were forced to flee the area due to the collapse of colonialism. Then, after seeking solace in the peaceful surrounds of Tasmania, Thea falls in love with a winemaker, but her free spirit cannot be quelled. Instead, Thea leaves the beloved vineyard life she has with Peter, for the excitement of an overseas posting as a foreign correspondent. Thea’s career takes her across the globe. She covers the assassination of
President Kennedy and then moves onto the dangers of wartime Vietnam. Eventually, after coming close to death, Thea turns her attentions to a different career back home. But can this free spirit settle into life back home in the arms of man she loves? Is it enough?
As soon as I picked up In the Valley of Blue Gums to read, I was reminded of just how much I enjoy the writing of J.H. Fletcher. I especially like the way in which he approaches of each of novels, this one included. He is able to firmly grab a hold of the past and weave these events into an engaging fictional tale, featuring dynamic characters. Fletcher certainly knows his craft, he composes his tales to a perfect symphony of facts combined with fiction. He also structures his novels in a way that they flow gently from place to place and time period to time period.
In the Valley of Blue Gums sees Fletcher situate his new novel in a number of different international locales. We are transported with Thea, to her childhood in Malaya, we then move to Thea’s reporting years in the US and Vietnam. To please his loyal Australian readers, Fletcher faithfully returns to Tasmania, showcasing a beautiful vineyard area. As a self confessed lover of all things Tasmanian, Fletcher won me over. What I picked up on with this novel, was that no matter what the location or time zone, Fletcher had a good handle on his locale.
Fletcher’s leading lady is Thea, who is one of the most vibrant and intrepid female protagonist’s I have come across for some time. It was an absolute pleasure to follow Thea’s colourful and adventure filled journey from her childhood, right through until her 60’s. It is a rich life, full of abundant scenes that defined history over the decades. Thea is supported by a rich secondary cast and I have to say I thoroughly appreciated the way Thea’s character interacted with these figures.
The most confronting part of this novel was the opening scene and the history that is explored by Fletcher. When we first meet Thea she has been the victim of a bombing in a cafe in Sydney. This brings to light the current climate of present day Australian society. While in the past, the examination of the Kennedy era in the US leaves much to think about. Likewise, the most overwhelming part of In the Valley of Blue Gums was the Vietnam War sequences, where we follow Thea in the field. It is a perilous feat on behalf of the lead, but in the process we gain a better understanding of how the Vietnamese people were directly impacted by the war. We also gain a little more appreciation of what the Vietnamese truly thought of the war and the revelations are heartbreaking.
For me, the starring feature which I feel I must spotlight is the Tasmanian winery sequences. I adored learning more about the business of wine making in this region, what works and what doesn’t. I almost booked my return visit to Tasmania!
The back cover of In the Valley of Blue Gums reads, ‘another compelling novel from master storyteller J.H. Fletcher’. I couldn’t have put it any better myself. This is a great read that I am very happy to recommend to fans of Fletcher’s work and all historical fiction enthusiasts.
*Please note that a free copy of this book was provided to me for review purposes through Beauty & Lace and Harlequin – Mira. To read the original review on the Beauty & Lace website please visit http://bookgirl.beautyandlace.net/boo...
The title, In the Valley of Blue Gums (the blue gum is the state tree of Tasmania), the rich Australian cover and my past reading history with the author J.H. Fletcher, all culminated in a feeling that I just had to read this novel. Thanks to an opportunity through Beauty and Lace book club, I am able to enjoy my third book written by J.H. Fletcher. In the Valley of Blue Gums is a modern historical fiction title that deftly combines love, ambition and partnership in the one involving novel.
In the Valley of Blue Gums introduces the principal character of Thea Anderson. Right from her formative years Thea’s life has encompassed adventure and high drama. J.H. Fletcher travels to Malaya in the beginning of his latest novel, where we learn that Thea and her mother were forced to flee the area due to the collapse of colonialism. Then, after seeking solace in the peaceful surrounds of Tasmania, Thea falls in love with a winemaker, but her free spirit cannot be quelled. Instead, Thea leaves the beloved vineyard life she has with Peter, for the excitement of an overseas posting as a foreign correspondent. Thea’s career takes her across the globe. She covers the assassination of
President Kennedy and then moves onto the dangers of wartime Vietnam. Eventually, after coming close to death, Thea turns her attentions to a different career back home. But can this free spirit settle into life back home in the arms of man she loves? Is it enough?
As soon as I picked up In the Valley of Blue Gums to read, I was reminded of just how much I enjoy the writing of J.H. Fletcher. I especially like the way in which he approaches of each of novels, this one included. He is able to firmly grab a hold of the past and weave these events into an engaging fictional tale, featuring dynamic characters. Fletcher certainly knows his craft, he composes his tales to a perfect symphony of facts combined with fiction. He also structures his novels in a way that they flow gently from place to place and time period to time period.
In the Valley of Blue Gums sees Fletcher situate his new novel in a number of different international locales. We are transported with Thea, to her childhood in Malaya, we then move to Thea’s reporting years in the US and Vietnam. To please his loyal Australian readers, Fletcher faithfully returns to Tasmania, showcasing a beautiful vineyard area. As a self confessed lover of all things Tasmanian, Fletcher won me over. What I picked up on with this novel, was that no matter what the location or time zone, Fletcher had a good handle on his locale.
Fletcher’s leading lady is Thea, who is one of the most vibrant and intrepid female protagonist’s I have come across for some time. It was an absolute pleasure to follow Thea’s colourful and adventure filled journey from her childhood, right through until her 60’s. It is a rich life, full of abundant scenes that defined history over the decades. Thea is supported by a rich secondary cast and I have to say I thoroughly appreciated the way Thea’s character interacted with these figures.
The most confronting part of this novel was the opening scene and the history that is explored by Fletcher. When we first meet Thea she has been the victim of a bombing in a cafe in Sydney. This brings to light the current climate of present day Australian society. While in the past, the examination of the Kennedy era in the US leaves much to think about. Likewise, the most overwhelming part of In the Valley of Blue Gums was the Vietnam War sequences, where we follow Thea in the field. It is a perilous feat on behalf of the lead, but in the process we gain a better understanding of how the Vietnamese people were directly impacted by the war. We also gain a little more appreciation of what the Vietnamese truly thought of the war and the revelations are heartbreaking.
For me, the starring feature which I feel I must spotlight is the Tasmanian winery sequences. I adored learning more about the business of wine making in this region, what works and what doesn’t. I almost booked my return visit to Tasmania!
The back cover of In the Valley of Blue Gums reads, ‘another compelling novel from master storyteller J.H. Fletcher’. I couldn’t have put it any better myself. This is a great read that I am very happy to recommend to fans of Fletcher’s work and all historical fiction enthusiasts.
*Please note that a free copy of this book was provided to me for review purposes through Beauty & Lace and Harlequin – Mira. To read the original review on the Beauty & Lace website please visit http://bookgirl.beautyandlace.net/boo...
June 22, 2018
J H Fletcher is a new to me author, I had read a lot about this book, great reviews so I thought I might like this one and wow can I say what a book this is, one that grabbed me from the start and pulled me into a dual time line travelling from early days Malaya to worn torn Vietnam tragedy in America and a beautiful vineyard in Tasmania and one that I highly recommend.
We get to know a young Thea Anderson when she is living in Malaya with her parents on a tin farm she is a bright child and eager to learn but life can be hard at times and fleeing the country with Japanese soldiers after her and her mother is something that will stay with her for ever. As the years go by Thea studies to become a journalist and takes up a position with a big newspaper in Australia and becomes a foreign correspondent firstly covering the assignation of President Kennedy in The States and then spends some very dangerous years in Vietnam during the war, but really makes a name for herself with the Americans and gets herself into some dangerous situations to cover stories that she knows need to be highlighted.
Eventually Thea returns to the man she loves in Tasmania Peter Torrance marries him and starts writing books that bring to life the world she lived in while working as a correspondent, and life settles down for her a little, she becomes a mother and continues to write, I loved getting to know Thea and her family J H Fletcher has bought these characters to life on the pages I felt like I was with Thea every step of her journey, I loved her strength and courage that she showed throughout everything that had happened to her.
This is a fast paced story that is beautifully written, the descriptions are fabulous, the characters so real and alive this is a story that should not be missed, it is poignant that had me turning the pages, it is one that will stay with me for a long time to come.
We get to know a young Thea Anderson when she is living in Malaya with her parents on a tin farm she is a bright child and eager to learn but life can be hard at times and fleeing the country with Japanese soldiers after her and her mother is something that will stay with her for ever. As the years go by Thea studies to become a journalist and takes up a position with a big newspaper in Australia and becomes a foreign correspondent firstly covering the assignation of President Kennedy in The States and then spends some very dangerous years in Vietnam during the war, but really makes a name for herself with the Americans and gets herself into some dangerous situations to cover stories that she knows need to be highlighted.
Eventually Thea returns to the man she loves in Tasmania Peter Torrance marries him and starts writing books that bring to life the world she lived in while working as a correspondent, and life settles down for her a little, she becomes a mother and continues to write, I loved getting to know Thea and her family J H Fletcher has bought these characters to life on the pages I felt like I was with Thea every step of her journey, I loved her strength and courage that she showed throughout everything that had happened to her.
This is a fast paced story that is beautifully written, the descriptions are fabulous, the characters so real and alive this is a story that should not be missed, it is poignant that had me turning the pages, it is one that will stay with me for a long time to come.
January 13, 2019
4.5★
I've never read any of J.H. Fletcher's works before, but this one won't be my last! I really enjoyed it. I've noticed his books before and thought the covers looked a bit clichéd and soppy, however this book was anything but. There was some romance, but the main part of the story was of a journalist-turned-novelist looking back over her life and the events that shaped it.
I don't know a lot about the Vietnam War, and I'd never heard of Soong Mi (I was listening as an audiobook - love Jennifer Vuletic's voice! - so I'm not sure of how it is spelt) or the real-life massacre that it was based on.
There were other events described based on real-life events - the "emergency" in Malaya, the assassination of JFK. The novelist in the story writes fiction because she feels that is a better way to get the truth across, and I get the impression that the real author feels the same.
I look forward to reading more of J.H. Fletcher's works!
I've never read any of J.H. Fletcher's works before, but this one won't be my last! I really enjoyed it. I've noticed his books before and thought the covers looked a bit clichéd and soppy, however this book was anything but. There was some romance, but the main part of the story was of a journalist-turned-novelist looking back over her life and the events that shaped it.
I don't know a lot about the Vietnam War, and I'd never heard of Soong Mi (I was listening as an audiobook - love Jennifer Vuletic's voice! - so I'm not sure of how it is spelt) or the real-life massacre that it was based on.
There were other events described based on real-life events - the "emergency" in Malaya, the assassination of JFK. The novelist in the story writes fiction because she feels that is a better way to get the truth across, and I get the impression that the real author feels the same.
I look forward to reading more of J.H. Fletcher's works!
August 17, 2019
This book was so good, I loved the dual timelines, I probably enjoyed the Vietnam storyline the best, but it was all great. This is the first book by J.H Fletcher I've read and I must remedy that, I really enjoyed the writing and the way he is able to describe things and make me feel like I am completely there and experiencing life along with the characters. It also shows that the media and the way it continually distorts the truth is not a new thing, the way Thea's company tries to manipulate the story she wants to tell to suit the story the government wants told is so spot on for the way things are today also. I enjoyed all the relationships throughout the story, and the way love can be with different people. Though I haven't been to Tasmania, after reading this I kind of feel I've been there, and I would definitely like to visit. I recommend this for lovers of historical fiction.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia for a copy in return for an honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia for a copy in return for an honest review.
March 20, 2023
The subject matter was interesting but it jumped around a lot and I don't love JH Fletcher's style of writing.
August 20, 2018
Not as good as the authors other novels. I found the references to the Vietnam war and the stories of the “war correspondent” somewhat dragged out and quite far fetched. I felt it bought the story down
July 1, 2018
'In the valley of Blue gums' by JH Fletcher is the first book I've read by Fletcher, I now have another author to add to my to read pile.
The book is based around Thea Anderson and her life, Thea is now 60 and the book looks back over her life and adventures. Her whole life it seems has been filled with dangerous and life threatening situations, from a young girl fleeing Malaya with her mother to the present time in the book.
Fletcher has written this book beautifully it could have been so confusing with the odd mash of another characters story and point of view, into Thea's story and jumping too and through from the present time to the past.
An aspiring journalist Thea meets winemaker Peter Torrance as she's nearing the end of her studies, there is an instant connection for both, but both have aspirations, Peter to upgrade the family winery and Thea to become a foreign correspondent, which seem unable to allow them a relationship. Thea lands a job with a media company and kickstarts her career by her coverage of President Kennedy's assassination. Then sent to Vietnam, one of few women to do so, her coverage of the war continues to help her make a name for herself but it's a dangerous place to be and Thea lands herself in trouble more than once.
Upon her return from Vietnam an opportunity arises that could allow Thea to return to Tasmania and possibly Peter, if she hasn't left it too long....
I enjoyed this book, it was easy to follow and keep up with the toeing and throwing from the past to the present, the different angle of Vietnam was interesting to read as well.
Thanks to Beauty and Lace and Harlequin for the chance to review this book, I now have another author to keep an eye out for!
Original review can be found here: http://bookgirl.beautyandlace.net/boo...
The book is based around Thea Anderson and her life, Thea is now 60 and the book looks back over her life and adventures. Her whole life it seems has been filled with dangerous and life threatening situations, from a young girl fleeing Malaya with her mother to the present time in the book.
Fletcher has written this book beautifully it could have been so confusing with the odd mash of another characters story and point of view, into Thea's story and jumping too and through from the present time to the past.
An aspiring journalist Thea meets winemaker Peter Torrance as she's nearing the end of her studies, there is an instant connection for both, but both have aspirations, Peter to upgrade the family winery and Thea to become a foreign correspondent, which seem unable to allow them a relationship. Thea lands a job with a media company and kickstarts her career by her coverage of President Kennedy's assassination. Then sent to Vietnam, one of few women to do so, her coverage of the war continues to help her make a name for herself but it's a dangerous place to be and Thea lands herself in trouble more than once.
Upon her return from Vietnam an opportunity arises that could allow Thea to return to Tasmania and possibly Peter, if she hasn't left it too long....
I enjoyed this book, it was easy to follow and keep up with the toeing and throwing from the past to the present, the different angle of Vietnam was interesting to read as well.
Thanks to Beauty and Lace and Harlequin for the chance to review this book, I now have another author to keep an eye out for!
Original review can be found here: http://bookgirl.beautyandlace.net/boo...
June 22, 2018
I really enjoyed this book, my first by J.H. Fletcher and it certainly won’t be my last. The story is a gripping tale of foreign correspondent/journalist and writer Thea Anderson’s adventurous life. The story crosses over times lines from the present to the past but does so seamlessly and flows really well.
The story covers Lea’s life from her young childhood in Malaya, through to her life in Sydney working for the Clarion newspaper and then to her home in Tasmania where she meets her husband Peter Torrance, a winemaker who runs Keebuna vineyard in the Valley of Blue Gums.
Lea begins her foreign correspondent career in America covering the Kennedy assignation. After making a name for herself she spends a lot of her journalistic time in Vietnam covering the war. This period of her life is well researched and really interesting! She is fearless and as a woman in a mans world in Vietnam she is an inspiration. The work she does for the newspaper and her humanitarian role in Vietnam calls her back to the country until one episode makes her realise she needs to be where her heart is, back in Tasmania.
After a clash with the newspaper over an episode in Vietnam she decides to cease her life as a foreign correspondent and she becomes a writer - writing fact as fiction. Her books strike a cord with the general public and she wins many awards. Her life with her husband Peter and daughter Alison in the valley provide a haven for her writing.
There is heartache and despair in Thea’s life but her relationships change over time and new ones are built, even later in life.
This is one of those books that you just can’t put down. A 5/5 for me.
Thanks @beautyandlace @harlequinbooks for the opportunity to read and review
July 10, 2018
Brilliant - just brilliant. Another wonderful book courtesy of Beauty and Lace and Harlequin. I had no idea J. H. Fletcher was male until I checked - this isn't meant to be patronising but he drew the female characters so well I assumed the author was female. Thea is a budding reporter when she is thrown into the assassination of President Kennedy and actually hears the activity above her of the shooting without understanding until later what it was. She later spends time in Vietnam as a war correspondent. The factual details from these events is portrayed in a fascinating and incredibly interesting way.
The stories within stories were wonderfully written and believable. I loved the early life history we are given about Thea and her Mother and Father. The stories linking Thea's daughter and Thea's marriage were fascinating.
Definitely one of the most interesting books I've read recently - and that's high praise.
The stories within stories were wonderfully written and believable. I loved the early life history we are given about Thea and her Mother and Father. The stories linking Thea's daughter and Thea's marriage were fascinating.
Definitely one of the most interesting books I've read recently - and that's high praise.
January 31, 2019
In the Valley of Blue Gums: loved it. I will always be a country girl at heart. Thi sure is the story of Thea who has lead a very interesting life. Successful in her career and having a life that many would envy, we follow Thea’s life from an early childhood in Malaya, a working career in Vietnam and the USA and also a vineyard area of Tasmania
I was not familiar with the author J.H. Fletcher and incorrectly assumed this was the work of a female. Fletcher has a unique grasp of the female psyche
This was an enjoyable book to read, as it flipped through the different periods in her life. It moved quite fastly and gave new perspectives on the Vietnam War
I highly recommend this story of a strong gutsy woman who right from the start refused to fit any moulds
Thank you to Beauty and Lace and Harlequin for giving me the chance to review this
I was not familiar with the author J.H. Fletcher and incorrectly assumed this was the work of a female. Fletcher has a unique grasp of the female psyche
This was an enjoyable book to read, as it flipped through the different periods in her life. It moved quite fastly and gave new perspectives on the Vietnam War
I highly recommend this story of a strong gutsy woman who right from the start refused to fit any moulds
Thank you to Beauty and Lace and Harlequin for giving me the chance to review this
August 3, 2018
I was pleasantly surprised by this book.
I thought it was going to be a long dragged out book. But it was everything but!
It was fantastic.
You can tell so much knowledge and research went into writing this novel. Travelling back into Malaya and Vietnam war you feel you a right amongst the characters.
The novel goes backend forth from the past to the present, but it is written so well that there is no confusion and it keeps it very exciting.
Hats off to J.H Fletcher, I will be looking out for more of his novels!
I thought it was going to be a long dragged out book. But it was everything but!
It was fantastic.
You can tell so much knowledge and research went into writing this novel. Travelling back into Malaya and Vietnam war you feel you a right amongst the characters.
The novel goes backend forth from the past to the present, but it is written so well that there is no confusion and it keeps it very exciting.
Hats off to J.H Fletcher, I will be looking out for more of his novels!
February 2, 2020
Constrained by her newspaper in her role as a journalist in Vietnam, despite the dangers she has faced in gathering stories, Thea becomes an author in order to express her own views on the Vietnam war. An instant success, she goes on to become a well-known author of several books, all of which have a message contained within their pages. However far she travels to promote her books, home to Thea will always be a winery in the valley of blue gums in Tasmania, Australia, where she is safe and loved by the vitner. An engrossing read.
September 14, 2018
A sweeping saga of the life of Thea Anderson, an Australian who builds a career as an international journalist. No matter what her adventures, where she wanders over her career, she continues to be drawn back to Australia, back to wine-maker Peter Torrance in the misty valleys of Blue Gums.
You'll be drawn into the history Thea lives through, those breathless years of the sixties and beyond.
For a different review, see AudioFile Magazine http://www.audiofilemagazine.com
You'll be drawn into the history Thea lives through, those breathless years of the sixties and beyond.
For a different review, see AudioFile Magazine http://www.audiofilemagazine.com
May 8, 2019
The story of journalist/novelist Thea Anderson and her daughter Alison. There is love, war, wine and travel. Although it covers a lot of subjects the pace of the story is gentle. Thea is an amazing women who had lived through a lot but remains a very modest person, taking in all in her stride. Her emotions could of been so much more extreme which may of added to the story and my investment in her as a character.
July 24, 2018
I have just finished reading this and absolutely LOVED it! What a page turner. I couldn't put it down. Brilliantly researched and grabs your attention from the very first, right through to the very last, page. I have read nearly all of J.H. Fletcher novels, but in my opinion, this is my favourite to date.
March 16, 2024
I must admit the cover of this book hides the great content inside. This is a dual timeline story, between Vietnam in the 60s during the war and the year 2000. This is my first book by this author but it won’t be my last (if I can find her books in the UK). Highly recommended.
August 10, 2018
Audiobook
August 31, 2018
An easy read which I needed.Interesting aspects of Vietnam war and some relationships.
November 7, 2019
I'm Really enjoying the book
November 8, 2019
3.5 starts actually. An interesting insight into the Vietnam War. Easy read but a little confusing with the many jumps in time zones. No real build-up... climax... I was expecting more...
January 4, 2020
Enjoyable Book
April 21, 2021
A fascinating story. The way the author told Thea's life story kept me guessing to what was going to happen next
May 24, 2021
Enjoyed the story. First book by this author. Amazed to read that the author is a male.
December 31, 2020
In The Valley of Blue Gums, is about careers, love and adventure. All her life Thea Anderson wanted to have an adventurous life, and this theme continues in her career as a journalist. Living in Tasmania Thea fell in love with winemaker Peter Torrance and thought she finally found a place to settle down. However, that was not the case. The readers of In The Valley of Blue Gums will continue to follow Thea Anderson to find out what happened.
In The Valley of Blue Gums is the first book I have read of J. H. Fletcher and I engage with the plot from the first page. I will read another book by J. H. Fletcher. I love the way J. H. Fletcher portrayed her characters and intertwined then together throughout this book. In The Valley of Blue Gums is well written and researched by J. H. Fletcher. I like J. H. Fletcher description of the settings of this book that complimented the book's plot.
The readers of In The Valley of Blue Gums will learn how to run a vineyard in Tasmania. The readers of In The Valley of Blue Gums will also understand that after miscarriage parents grieve differently with the loss of the unborn child.
I recommend this book.
In The Valley of Blue Gums is the first book I have read of J. H. Fletcher and I engage with the plot from the first page. I will read another book by J. H. Fletcher. I love the way J. H. Fletcher portrayed her characters and intertwined then together throughout this book. In The Valley of Blue Gums is well written and researched by J. H. Fletcher. I like J. H. Fletcher description of the settings of this book that complimented the book's plot.
The readers of In The Valley of Blue Gums will learn how to run a vineyard in Tasmania. The readers of In The Valley of Blue Gums will also understand that after miscarriage parents grieve differently with the loss of the unborn child.
I recommend this book.
July 18, 2018
.H. Fletcher is one of my favourite novelists. His books are usually large family sagas with sympathetic characters, a wide range of settings and moving love stories. This one is no exception. It tells the tale of mother and daughter Thea and Allison, but it is mostly Thea's story and involves her looking back on her life and attempting to start again after the death of her husband. Although Thea is very much in love with winemaker Peter, she is an ambitious journalist and her career takes her to the Vietnam War where she discovers a dark secret...Allison, a single mother, is struggling to look after the Tasmanian winery but she now has help from a handsome South African.
I found some of this story rather confusing because it jumps between time periods and it has several different settings and characters. However, I enjoyed it but the novel is quite harrowing and a bit unbelievable in one instance.
I received this free ebook from Net Galley in return for an honest review.
I found some of this story rather confusing because it jumps between time periods and it has several different settings and characters. However, I enjoyed it but the novel is quite harrowing and a bit unbelievable in one instance.
I received this free ebook from Net Galley in return for an honest review.
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