#BlogTour #Review #AllTheColoursInBetween by #EvaJordan
*My thanks to Urbane Publications and Eva Jordan for an advance copy of the book in return for taking part with the Blog Tour and an honest review of the book*
It's not a life, it's an adventure!
Last year, on Mother's Day, the cover of 183 Times a Year caught my eye on social media; I immediately downloaded it and spent the rest of my Mother's Day devouring Eva Jordan's heartwarming, humorous and at times a little weepy, story of Lizzie and her family. I absolutely adored it. With the perfect balance of comedy, drama and emotion it was a lovely way to spend the afternoon and I quickly started to recommend the book to anyone who might listen. You can read my review here. Since then I have been lucky enough to meet Eva a few times and she also appeared as a guest in my Summer Scorchers Author Event which was a real honour. I have been eagerly awaiting her second book and couldn't wait to catch up with the characters and find out how life was treating them!
All The Colours In Between fast forwards about ten years from where we left off in 183 Times A Year - although I must say, All the Colours In Between can easily be read as a stand alone, you don't need to have read the first book to pick up the story but to be honest, once you've read one, you'll be craving to read more anyway so I highly recommend you check out 183 Times a Year when you get a chance! Lizzie, our main protagonist, is approaching 50. Her daughters are now in their twenties and have left home. Connor, Lizzie's son is still at home but there is a sense that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and the enormous rollercoaster of the teenager years are behind them. Well, think again! Family life is never straightforward, never uncomplicated and never without angsts, upset, drama and trouble! Before Lizzie can truly sit back and enjoy the success she's discovering through her new career as a writer, the relief from moving on after a divorce, fewer money worries and what she hopes to be the lessening complexities of her blended family, a visit to her daughter sets off a niggling concern that all is not well. And then, as is often the way in real life, a series of events tumble across the page and interrupt the harmony and peace Lizzie was attempting to achieve. Once again Jordan creates a fantastic catchphrase on which to hang a great story - life is never straightforward when you see all the colours in between...
Sometimes you start a book and the narrative voice immediately appeals to you, drawing you in like a friend will over a cup of coffee, like a conversation you cannot leave. Sometimes you catch a glimpse of something and you cannot walk away, turn it off or shut down the screen. Sometimes there is nothing better than letting yourself become immersed in someone else's family, someone else's drama and someone else's dilemmas. Jordan's books are just this. With such lively and vivid dialogue and description it's very visual and easy to imagine so it is a bit like binge watching a complete series of something like Cold Feet. All the Colours In Between is also fast moving, packed full of gripping moments, heartbreaking scenarios and plenty of humour making it a book that you just don't want to put down. It's a great story that's entertaining, rewarding and full of the numerous ups and downs that are sent to perplex, try and test us all.
I actually think I might have enjoyed this book a little more that 183 Times A Year! Jordan's writing is so fluent, so funny, so candid, so open, so honest and so realistic that it is impossible not to engage with the characters and form a strong emotional attachment with them. I had forgotten how strong Jordan's writing is, how her turn of phrase makes me laugh out loud, roll my eyes, sigh and smile. Jordan is a great observer of people and has a sound understanding of the complex dynamics within a family unit making her comments, dialogue, interaction and presentation of people authentic, believable and full of conviction. Her use of speech is particularly effective and I admire the way, to me, she captures the voice of each of the different family members who are all struggling with their own issues. One thing I think Jordan is particularly gifted at is capturing a modern day family and exploring the issues that are relevant in contemporary family life.
Although Lizzie is the main character, the story of the novel is really shared by various members of the family and I liked that we switched between the different plot lines. As there are some more challenging story lines and some quite emotional issues in the book, I think this use of multiple viewpoints really works, not only in creating more authenticity and depth, but also in creating balance for the reader.
This is a good book. It is packed with a lot of themes and a lot of characters who all have their own journeys but it is well managed and well delivered. Jordan does have a skill for creating characters who we relate to and feel empathetic towards and I like her style of writing. This book is perfect for people who enjoy Marian Keyes, for fans of popular fiction and I am sure All The Colours In Between is going to be a huge hit with anyone who loves a story about fathers, sons, mothers and daughters. Even though some of the issues addressed are emotional and upsetting at times, this is ultimately light hearted, very readable, tender and poignant. It's about life, from coming of age to the end of life. I recommend!
Sometimes you start a book and the narrative voice immediately appeals to you, drawing you in like a friend will over a cup of coffee, like a conversation you cannot leave. Sometimes you catch a glimpse of something and you cannot walk away, turn it off or shut down the screen. Sometimes there is nothing better than letting yourself become immersed in someone else's family, someone else's drama and someone else's dilemmas. Jordan's books are just this. With such lively and vivid dialogue and description it's very visual and easy to imagine so it is a bit like binge watching a complete series of something like Cold Feet. All the Colours In Between is also fast moving, packed full of gripping moments, heartbreaking scenarios and plenty of humour making it a book that you just don't want to put down. It's a great story that's entertaining, rewarding and full of the numerous ups and downs that are sent to perplex, try and test us all.
I actually think I might have enjoyed this book a little more that 183 Times A Year! Jordan's writing is so fluent, so funny, so candid, so open, so honest and so realistic that it is impossible not to engage with the characters and form a strong emotional attachment with them. I had forgotten how strong Jordan's writing is, how her turn of phrase makes me laugh out loud, roll my eyes, sigh and smile. Jordan is a great observer of people and has a sound understanding of the complex dynamics within a family unit making her comments, dialogue, interaction and presentation of people authentic, believable and full of conviction. Her use of speech is particularly effective and I admire the way, to me, she captures the voice of each of the different family members who are all struggling with their own issues. One thing I think Jordan is particularly gifted at is capturing a modern day family and exploring the issues that are relevant in contemporary family life.
Although Lizzie is the main character, the story of the novel is really shared by various members of the family and I liked that we switched between the different plot lines. As there are some more challenging story lines and some quite emotional issues in the book, I think this use of multiple viewpoints really works, not only in creating more authenticity and depth, but also in creating balance for the reader.
This is a good book. It is packed with a lot of themes and a lot of characters who all have their own journeys but it is well managed and well delivered. Jordan does have a skill for creating characters who we relate to and feel empathetic towards and I like her style of writing. This book is perfect for people who enjoy Marian Keyes, for fans of popular fiction and I am sure All The Colours In Between is going to be a huge hit with anyone who loves a story about fathers, sons, mothers and daughters. Even though some of the issues addressed are emotional and upsetting at times, this is ultimately light hearted, very readable, tender and poignant. It's about life, from coming of age to the end of life. I recommend!
Release Date: 19th October 2017
Publisher: Urbane Publications
Genre: Contemporary fiction, women's fiction
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ABOUT
EVA JORDAN
Eva Jordan, born in Kent but living
most of her life in a small Cambridgeshire town, describes herself as a lover
of words, books, travel and chocolate. She is also partial to the odd glass or
two of wine. Providing her with some of the inspiration for her novels, Eva is
both a mum and step mum to four grown-up children. Her career has been varied
including working within the library service and at a women's refuge. She
writes a monthly column for a local magazine and currently works as a volunteer
for a charity based organisation that teaches adults to read. However,
storytelling through the art of writing is her passion. All The Colours In
Between is Eva's second novel.
If you want to know more you can find Eva at all the
usual places. She loves to hear from readers and reviewers so please feel free
to contact her.
Twitter: @evajordanwriter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EvaJordanWriter/
For more recommendations and reviews follow me on Twitter @KatherineSunde3 or via my blog bibliomaniacuk.blogspot.co.uk or website bibliomaniacuk.co.uk
For more recommendations and reviews follow me on Twitter @KatherineSunde3 or via my blog bibliomaniacuk.blogspot.co.uk or website bibliomaniacuk.co.uk
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