Published Reviews
On Angel Mountain
A modern Welsh literary triumph... An excellent evocation of the beautiful countryside of the area and the traditions of rural eighteenth-century Wales. It has a page-turning plot, packed with adventure, treason, murder and passion, where the horrors in the drama are balanced by gentle scenes full of the warmth and love of the family at Plas Ingli. And it has, in Martha Morgan, an irresistible narrator and heroine: brave, impetuous, loving, and occasionally vengeful....... Welsh Books Council Unusual and beautifully written...there are shades of Thomas Hardy's Wessex. Nottingham Evening Post If it does not become a best-seller, there is no justice in this world. John Seymour, writer and broadcaster The writing is vibrant and alive. For someone who had never written fiction before some of the erotic scenes -- not to mention a brilliantly crafted description of a miscarriage -- needed careful handling........ The author lives in one of the most beautiful parts of Britain, and he has used that landscape and scenery to fuel his imagination. Phil Carradice, Writers' Forum Need a book to snuggle up with by the fire? This is it -- a stirring tale of the rebuilding of the fortunes of a Pembrokeshire farming family told through the diary of the young mistress of the house. It’s got the lot -- love, nature, mystery, mysticism and a lot of charm -- a bit Wilkie Collins. The period detail is so authentic you forget it’s recently written, and it’s one of those books you miss when you’ve finished it. Welsh Living The concept is imaginative and enjoyable. The book will unquestionably enjoy an audience not only in Wales, but for anyone with the remotest interest in our nation. Western Mail It is a sign of the writer’s skill and imagination that we enter fully into Martha’s vivid world. If you want to enjoy a lively, skilful and exciting portrayal of real life in eighteenth-century Pembrokeshire, you will have to buy this book. County Echo The author’s intimate knowledge of the subject is apparent on every page. The story is soundly based on historical fact, and allusions to genuine historical people and events give it a feeling of authenticity. But this is more than just a diary of a country lady. Cleverly woven into the text runs a dark and sinister tale.... This book will give pleasure to those who are fascinated by social history and to those who enjoy a gripping tale. Gwales (Welsh Books Council) A well-paced and well-plotted tale with a gripping finale and a strong sense of place. Pembrokeshire Life ====================== SOME READERS' REVIEWS "I have just recently discovered this wonderful series and wanted to thank you for publishing such a marvellous story and historical document!" Helgard Krause "Your style is so full of the values of goodness, love & care, it's as if you are reaffirming these values in the reader who now seems to live in stress and turmoil - too much almost to hang on to in today's crazy world." Rob Waygood "Have just finished reading Rebecca and the Angels. It is wonderful, but do I have to wait until November for Flying with Angels? Please publish sooner!" Kate Thompson "Have thoroughly enjoyed Dark Angel and I am half way through Rebecca. Will be sorry when this series ends but all good things have to end sometime!!" Jill Ellicott "Our family have thoroughly enjoyed reading the Angel Mountain saga and have read all the books in the series." Leigh Forman "We had a visit to Carningli on my birthday and it was a very moving experience -- this would not have happened had you not written the Angel Mountain books which have been a source of inspiration to me." Linda Laws "The fact that Martha Morgan is a creation of your imagination has, for me, in no way detracted from the pleasure I gained from enjoying Martha's company. Long may you continue to develop such full and interesting characters! It makes the reader feel a sense of loss when the story ends...." Sharron Clement "The saga series is certainly worthy of classical status, and it is very easy to see Martha's story as a lavish period drama, and indeed a 'block-buster' film with, perhaps, Catherine Zeta Jones as Martha? Can't wait." Roy Waterford "I would just like to congratulate you on a series of such wonderful books that you've written. My mother bought the whole series and was completely enthralled with them. She passed them on to me and I am currently working my way through the second book, which I find difficult to put down!" Sally Whittock "I wanted you to know how much I loved your last book in the Martha series. I found I couldn’t stop crying at the end…not because I was sad, but because the completeness of her ending was something I felt said something to me very profound (my 93-year old aunt had just died so perhaps it was on my mind). I think there is a bit of Martha in me.........." Clarissa Dann "Today I feel very lonely. After some months of reading, last evening I completed Guardian Angel, and now Martha has left me. This is only the second time I have been able to read a complete literary Saga, from beginning to end, back to back, and in one complete sitting, as it were, without any other reading in between. It has been a most satisfying, if somewhat tragic, reading experience, for which I offer you my very sincere appreciation." Neil Carter "My congratulations on your splendid books!" Joyce Taylor "I can honestly say that these are the best books I have ever read..." Pamela Alderman "I am quite addicted!" Fiona Hay |
House of Angels
It has to be said that Brian's metamorphosis into novel mode has been smoothly achieved. Martha Morgan becomes a very real person and the books are a compulsive read, with shades of Cordell and Cookson, although the author refutes outside influences apart from the brooding presence of Carningli itself. Derek Rees, Western Telegraph, referring to the first two "Angel Mountain" novels Readers are swept along on a roller-coaster of emotion, experiencing Martha's passionate love for her family and their mountainside home to her desire for truth and justice. The plot twists and turns with murder, hidden treasure and romance all preventing the reader from putting the book down until finished. I look forward to further offerings from Brian John and his inspiring heroine Martha Morgan." Catherine Collins, County Echo This is a splendidly-imagined and well-told tale of good triumphing over evil, set in the dramatic scenery of Carningli near Newport, Pembrokeshire. ...the local colour is brilliantly imagined and the incidental historical detail, unobtrusively woven into the fabric of the narrative, is fascinating. Here is an adventure story in which the narrative never flags. The delineation of the main characters, especially the headstrong and irresistible Mistress Martha, by turns spiritual and earthy, is vivid and true. Robert Anthony, Western Telegraph This time the beauty (Martha Morgan) is swept through a complex tale of murder, intrigue and romance. Mixing grief and pathos, exuberance and humour in equal measure, the whole narrative has a strong sense of place. Dean Powell, Western Mail The beauty of the country and the day to day business of farm life is set amidst intrigue and a collection of compelling characters to make a wonderful winter read. - Welsh Living Martha Morgan, who is young and beautiful, tells the story through entries in her journal, with many descriptions of local characters and customs and so lyrical a response to the beauty of the landscape that she might have been influenced by Dorothy Wordsworth..... All this is satisfying and well told...... In terms of presentation other publishers might learn a few tricks. Richard Jones, Planet Based on her diary, this novel, like its predecessor, reaches out and pulls you into Martha's small world..... Beautifully written, this book takes you on a journey which you will never forget. If it is not made into a lavish period drama for the television there is no justice! Jo Barnes, One Wales magazine ========================== Dark Angel An excellent book which recounts the further adventures of Mistress Martha Morgan of Plas Ingli -- who is now firmly established as one of the most interesting heroines in recent historical fiction. Move over, Elizabeth Bennett! Really this tale, set in the early 1800's, is about love lost and regained, and while the story is dominated by a mysterious figure in black called "The Nightwalker", and by the heroine's self-doubts and periods of depression, this novel is really about constancy and the triumph of love. As in the earlier novels, the plot twists and turns and rushes ahead at a fine pace, and once again the author packs a double whammy into the final few pages of the book. Amazon.com The author has woven timelessness into the character of Martha Morgan. This is a love story, a tale of a complex, compelling creature on a voyage of discovery that veers between elation and despair and of a love lost and found. Martha reveals through her diary entries every innermost secret of her being. It reveals a driving force she at times cannot control. Martha has an eye for the most intimate detail of people and things; she is complex and mysterious, at times ruthless, yet it would appear she is insecure, in spite of the warmth and advice of the people who surround her. Whatever worms of discontent writhe in Martha's breast, be it passion, self-analysis or the nightmare of the Nightwalker, she is revealed as a creature of innate strength. This book is filled with goodness; it is filled with caring, compassionate people. It has a message that basically the human species recognizes truth, justice, fairness and kindness. Martha dominates this book. Her mysticism, and meditations on the mountain, her joys and sadness perhaps reveal the fragility seldom perceived in the Martha Morgans of this present day world. It is a timeless and compelling tale. Richard Cluroe, Gwales.com (Welsh Books Council) What a synopsis doesn’t mention is the richly textured background against which the drama is all played out; the deep, underlying sense of place; the wisdom and humour of ordinary (and sometimes extraordinary) folk; and the keenly researched and observed cameos of rural life in the community, living and working in the protective shadow of Angel Mountain. Irene Payne, Western Telegraph 
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Rebecca and the Angels
The author lives in one of the most beautiful parts of Britain and he has used that landscape and scenery to fuel his imagination........the writing is vibrant and alive. Phil Carradice, Writer's Forum The unique perspective which the author brings to his robust saga of Pembrokeshire country folk ..... manages to make even the most familiar aspects of the Rebecca tale seem fresh, and arguably this is the most successful of the series to date. Once again the action builds to a dramatic denouement on the slopes of Carningli, and in the final showdown the spirited Martha once again confounds all those foolish enough to think of conspiring against her and her flock of guardian angels. Keith Johnson, Pembrokeshire Life The magic of Martha Morgan and the mystical mountain of Carningli continues to weave its spell. In "Rebecca and the Angels" author Brian John's storytelling reaches a rich maturity. We are swept along in a gripping tale that often leaves you breathless. I'm delighted that Brian's books have been snapped up by Transworld Publishers and that readers throughhout the world will now be able to share in Martha's magic." Doris Goddard, Western Telegraph The author has researched his period well and is at ease with his genre. The pace is, like the Welsh climate, gentle one minute, tempestuous the next, ranging from blood, battles, intrigue and treachery to the whimsical, fly, romantic and mystical. The author's obvious appreciation of the Welsh countryside comes across to the reader in some excellent descriptive prose; indeed, like its heroine, this is a book of many parts. Norma Penfold, Gwales.com (Welsh Books Council) ======================= Flying with Angels This novel has all the feisty and awe-inspiring ingredients to be found in John's preceding books relating to Martha - and many of the original characters remain as alive and colourful as ever, together with several new and animated individuals who add still more flavour to the narrative. As always Martha finds a cause to fight for, and this time it is the Poor Irish, caught up in the Potato Famine of 1845-48. She becomes embroiled in a private battle with the secret Society of Sea Serjeants, and this gives her friends and family some considerable problems as they try to protect her from the society's vengeance. John, as always, has a magical feeling of place and his narrative is full of dynamism and perception. Norma Penfold, Gwales.com (Welsh Books Council) The much loved Angel Mountain books take the form of a discovered diary, which follows the life of insuppressible heroine Mistress Martha Morgan from her late teenage years to her demise in this the final book......... Wackier she may get but it is apparent that Mistress Martha has lost none of the saltiness and spirit that have endeared her to readers since the first book called “On Angel Mountain” appeared from the author’s own publishing imprint, Greencroft Books. Becky Hotchin. PembrokeshireTV Successive books have turned Martha into Pembrokeshire’s best-loved fictional character. The books have also turned Carningli (the key location in the saga, and the place where Marthas has her secret cave) into a place of pilgrimage, climbed by many readers who generally stay well clear of mountains. Brian blames the “spirit of the mountain” for that phenomenon, but the books clearly have something to do with it. News Wales (Western Mail) ============================ MORE READERS' REVIEWS "I must say once more how both my wife and I are enjoying the series of books, they are bringing to life what it must have been like in the area in past times......." Michael L Whitbread "I've just finished reading Dark Angel - the story just gets better & better - will poor Martha ever find true happiness!?" Joyce Lewis "Tears rolled down my face as the life of Martha Morgan came to an end and I felt a real sense of loss. All of the books have been amazing, enthralling, educational and inspirational. I congratulate you on such an achievement." Pam Wilson "I have enjoyed the first four volumes of the saga and now look forward to yet another good read. How do you keep the momentum of the story and the development of the many characters going for so long and in such a lively way?" Heather Gordon "Once I started reading On Angel Mountain I found it difficult to put the book down, and as I continued through the remaining books it got even harder. The reader gets into the way of life of Martha and all connected with her - it gets into the blood!" Ileen White "May I congratulate you on your fascinating Angel Mountain series which has given me many happy hours of reading. I hope to live long enough to see it become an equally delightful television series." Mair Price "Congrats to Brian John on managing to draw all my senses into the book!!! The last time I was obsessed with a compelling need to read a book from cover to cover was 20 years ago when I read the Poldark novels by Winston Graham. Long live Martha Morgan!!" Heather Giles 
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