(Original Review)
Yesterday I discovered something very exciting! There is a quote from the review on the back of the paperback edition!!
I feel like a proper book blogger now ;)
Thank you Georgia - and Harper Impulse!
Tuesday, 10 November 2015
Saturday, 7 November 2015
Learning to Speak American by Colette Dartford - Four *
Blurb:
Having suffered in silence since the tragic death of their young daughter, Lola and Duncan Drummond's last chance to rediscover their love for one another lies in an anniversary holiday to the gorgeous Napa Valley.
Unable to talk about what happened, Duncan reaches out to his wife the only way he knows how - he buys her a derelict house, the restoration of which might just restore their relationship.
As Lola works on the house she begins to realise the liberating power of letting go. But just as she begins to open up, Duncan's life begins to fall apart.
Colette Dartford's debut novel, Learning to Speak American, explores whether a parent can ever truly move on from the death of a child. And, after all the heartbreak, whether Lola and Duncan can learn to love again.
Blurb:
Having suffered in silence since the tragic death of their young daughter, Lola and Duncan Drummond's last chance to rediscover their love for one another lies in an anniversary holiday to the gorgeous Napa Valley.
Unable to talk about what happened, Duncan reaches out to his wife the only way he knows how - he buys her a derelict house, the restoration of which might just restore their relationship.
As Lola works on the house she begins to realise the liberating power of letting go. But just as she begins to open up, Duncan's life begins to fall apart.
Colette Dartford's debut novel, Learning to Speak American, explores whether a parent can ever truly move on from the death of a child. And, after all the heartbreak, whether Lola and Duncan can learn to love again.
Review:
This is not my normal genre and I had some reservations when I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review. However, I need not have been worried.
It is an incredibly emotional book, dealing with the aftermath of the death of a child. It follows the parents as they try to make sense of the world, their relationship and themselves.
Duncan is the fixer - trying to make his wife's life better as he tries to deal with his guilt. Lola is badly damaged by the death but starts to come alive and recover in California's Napa Valley as she fixes an old house they buy.
There are many twists and turns before the end, none of which I will give away! But I enjoyed it and it certainly made me think - a lot!
It is an incredibly emotional book, dealing with the aftermath of the death of a child. It follows the parents as they try to make sense of the world, their relationship and themselves.
Duncan is the fixer - trying to make his wife's life better as he tries to deal with his guilt. Lola is badly damaged by the death but starts to come alive and recover in California's Napa Valley as she fixes an old house they buy.
There are many twists and turns before the end, none of which I will give away! But I enjoyed it and it certainly made me think - a lot!
Friday, 6 November 2015
Review of House of Shadows by Nicola Cornick - Five *
Blurb:
Blurb:
London, 1662:
There was something the Winter Queen needed to tell him. She fought for the strength to speak.
‘The crystal mirror is a danger. It must be destroyed – ‘
He replied instantly. ‘It will’.
There was something the Winter Queen needed to tell him. She fought for the strength to speak.
‘The crystal mirror is a danger. It must be destroyed – ‘
He replied instantly. ‘It will’.
Ashdown, Oxfordshire, present day: Ben Ansell is researching his family tree when he disappears. As his sister Holly begins a desperate search, she finds herself inexplicably drawn to an ornate antique mirror and to the diary of Lavinia, a 19th century courtesan who was living at Ashdown House when it burned to the ground over 200 years ago.
Intrigued, and determined to find out more about the tragedy at Ashdown, Holly’s only hope is that uncovering the truth about the past will lead her to Ben.
For fans of Barbara Erskine and Kate Morton comes an unforgettable novel about three women and the power one lie can have over history.
Review:
This was one of the most fascinating books I have read in a long time! Nicola gets the balance between history and modern times just right! It's my first book of hers as I don't normally read historical romance, but I may well have to change that now!
It is the story of a mirror and a pearl and the people who are affected by them through history. So we meet Elizabeth Stuart, the Winter Queen and William Craven from the 17th Century, Lavinia Flyte and Robert Verity in the early 19th Century and Holly and Mark today.
I learned a lot about mid-17th century history in Europe - and it was all really interesting and well written. Nicola shows the beginnings of the civil war in England from the point of the European royalty, which was very different!
The love stories were wonderful! Elizabeth and William as lovers from different social backgrounds, Lavinia and Robert - again from different social backgrounds and finally Holly and Mark, who are from similar backgrounds!
The weaving of the mirror and pearl throughout the book was amazing! the people in the book were attracted to them for very different reasons and this made it all the more interesting!
I so enjoyed this book and am still thinking about it, long after I finished it!
It is the story of a mirror and a pearl and the people who are affected by them through history. So we meet Elizabeth Stuart, the Winter Queen and William Craven from the 17th Century, Lavinia Flyte and Robert Verity in the early 19th Century and Holly and Mark today.
I learned a lot about mid-17th century history in Europe - and it was all really interesting and well written. Nicola shows the beginnings of the civil war in England from the point of the European royalty, which was very different!
The love stories were wonderful! Elizabeth and William as lovers from different social backgrounds, Lavinia and Robert - again from different social backgrounds and finally Holly and Mark, who are from similar backgrounds!
The weaving of the mirror and pearl throughout the book was amazing! the people in the book were attracted to them for very different reasons and this made it all the more interesting!
I so enjoyed this book and am still thinking about it, long after I finished it!
Thursday, 5 November 2015
Review of Snowdrops at the Star and Sixpence by Holly Hepburn - Four *
Blurb:
A perfect winter warmer novella for all fans of Cathy Bramley and Scarlett Bailey.
When sisters Nessie and Sam inherit a little pub in a beautiful country village they jump at the chance to escape their messy lives and start afresh. But when they arrive at the Star and Sixpence, it's not quite what they imagined - it's pretty much derelict, ruined by debts, and it's going to be a huge job to get it up and running again.
It's just before Christmas but they are determined to relaunch on New Year's Eve, to bring the new year in with a bang. But with nosy neighbours, miserable locals and no money to contend with, it's not going to be easy.
And when the sisters' past comes back to haunt them, they start to think that the fresh start they needed is very far away indeed…
Curl up with Snowdrops at the Star and Sixpence - the perfect novella for those winter nights.
Blurb:
A perfect winter warmer novella for all fans of Cathy Bramley and Scarlett Bailey.
When sisters Nessie and Sam inherit a little pub in a beautiful country village they jump at the chance to escape their messy lives and start afresh. But when they arrive at the Star and Sixpence, it's not quite what they imagined - it's pretty much derelict, ruined by debts, and it's going to be a huge job to get it up and running again.
It's just before Christmas but they are determined to relaunch on New Year's Eve, to bring the new year in with a bang. But with nosy neighbours, miserable locals and no money to contend with, it's not going to be easy.
And when the sisters' past comes back to haunt them, they start to think that the fresh start they needed is very far away indeed…
Curl up with Snowdrops at the Star and Sixpence - the perfect novella for those winter nights.
Review:
This is the second book I've read recently along the lines of father dies and leaves property to daughter(s) who never really knew him. But they were very different!
Nessie and Sam inherit their father's pub and set about opening it up once more. They are helped and hindered by locals and introduced to the beginnings of new romances.
I liked the two different characters of Nessie and Sam - Sam is much bolder that Nessie and gets herself and the pub in trouble before they've even started! But she worked in PR and finds way to resolve all the problems.
interesting to watch them learn that their Dad wasn't just a heavy drinker, but a nice man as well.
Nice, comfortable, Christmas read :)
Nessie and Sam inherit their father's pub and set about opening it up once more. They are helped and hindered by locals and introduced to the beginnings of new romances.
I liked the two different characters of Nessie and Sam - Sam is much bolder that Nessie and gets herself and the pub in trouble before they've even started! But she worked in PR and finds way to resolve all the problems.
interesting to watch them learn that their Dad wasn't just a heavy drinker, but a nice man as well.
Nice, comfortable, Christmas read :)
Wednesday, 4 November 2015
Review of Never Kiss a Man in a Christmas Jumper by Debbie Johnson - Four *
Blurb:
Blurb:
You’ve seen Mark Darcy in the reindeer jumper his mother gave him, now meet Marco Cavelli in this season’s hottest Christmas knit!
For single mum Maggie, Christmas has always been a family occasion – her daughter Ellen filling the house with her bubbly warmth and mistletoe, her dad Paddy having one too many festive tipples, and the traditional family Christmas tree looking like a drunken elf vomited a rainbow all over it.
But this year, with both Ellen and Paddy away for the holidays, Maggie’s facing a truly blue Christmas – alone with nothing but a bottle of Baileys and an M&S turkey dinner.
Until walking the snowy streets of Oxford, Marco Cavelli quite literally crashes into her life – and, complete with broken leg, becomes her unexpected houseguest. All dreamy brown eyes and 6’5” of gorgeousness, the man is hotter and more delicious than a freshly baked mince pie.
Though Maggie always thought it’s a truth universally acknowledged that you never kiss a man in a Christmas jumper?
The next FABULOUS book from Debbie Johnson, author of best-selling Christmas number one, ‘Cold Feet at Christmas’ and the summer hit ‘Pippa’s Cornish Dream’.
Review:
I have been waiting for another book from Debbie after I enjoyed Pippa's Cornish Dream so much. And this didn't disappoint in any way.
On the surface it was a light, witty read with some real laugh out loud moments. But there was a darker undercurrent involving Maggie's past. Marco was a great guy and as she fell in love, it became clear that she had been shutting herself off from life for 19 years. Seeing her come to life and try to take risks was a real joy.
Leah was the funniest character ever - but even her past revealed a lot of sadness in her search for her Happy Ever After.
The sad wedding in the hospital was a real tear jerker, especially as Maggie was starting to flower by then.
Loved it and look forward to Debbie's next one!
On the surface it was a light, witty read with some real laugh out loud moments. But there was a darker undercurrent involving Maggie's past. Marco was a great guy and as she fell in love, it became clear that she had been shutting herself off from life for 19 years. Seeing her come to life and try to take risks was a real joy.
Leah was the funniest character ever - but even her past revealed a lot of sadness in her search for her Happy Ever After.
The sad wedding in the hospital was a real tear jerker, especially as Maggie was starting to flower by then.
Loved it and look forward to Debbie's next one!
Friday, 30 October 2015
Review of Christmas at Coorah Creek by Janet Gover - Five *
Blurb:
What if you don’t want to be home for Christmas?
Spending Christmas away from home is one thing but English nurse Katie Brooks is spending hers in Coorah Creek; a small town in the Australian outback.
Katie was certain leaving London was the right decision, but her new job in the outback is more challenging than she could have ever imagined.
Scott Collins rescued Katie on her first day in Coorah Creek and has been a source of comfort ever since. But Scott no longer calls the town home – it’s too full of bad memories and he doesn’t plan on sticking around for long.
Scott needs to leave. Katie needs to stay. They have until Christmas to decide their future …
Blurb:
What if you don’t want to be home for Christmas?
Spending Christmas away from home is one thing but English nurse Katie Brooks is spending hers in Coorah Creek; a small town in the Australian outback.
Katie was certain leaving London was the right decision, but her new job in the outback is more challenging than she could have ever imagined.
Scott Collins rescued Katie on her first day in Coorah Creek and has been a source of comfort ever since. But Scott no longer calls the town home – it’s too full of bad memories and he doesn’t plan on sticking around for long.
Scott needs to leave. Katie needs to stay. They have until Christmas to decide their future …
Review:
A lovely novella from Janet. I've read all her books and they are all truly wonderful.
Katie is an English nurse arriving in Coorah Creek to work at the hospital and Scott is returning after 8 years to try and make his peace with his father and the town.
The story follows Scott and Ed's attempts to bridge their differences, and the beginnings of the relationship between Katie and Scott.
I loved the ups and downs of the relationships, to say nothing of poor Katie and the ups and downs of the air ambulance! I couldn't see how the geographical problems could be resolved......but Janet's ending is a stroke of genius!
Katie is an English nurse arriving in Coorah Creek to work at the hospital and Scott is returning after 8 years to try and make his peace with his father and the town.
The story follows Scott and Ed's attempts to bridge their differences, and the beginnings of the relationship between Katie and Scott.
I loved the ups and downs of the relationships, to say nothing of poor Katie and the ups and downs of the air ambulance! I couldn't see how the geographical problems could be resolved......but Janet's ending is a stroke of genius!
Review of Snowflakes on Silver Cover by Holly Martin - Five *
Blurb:
Libby Joseph is famous for her romantic Christmas stories. Every December, readers devour her books of falling in love against the magical backdrop of the Christmas season. If only Libby believed in the magic herself…
Struggling to finish her current novel, Libby turns to her best friend and neighbour George Donaldson to cheer her up. But George also needs a bit of support himself. Nervous about getting back into the dating saddle after splitting from his wife, he and Libby strike a deal. She will teach George how to win over the ladies, and Libby will in turn be inspired to inject her novel with a good dose of romance.
As Libby and George explore the beautiful White Cliff Bay on a series of romantic Christmas-themed dates, Libby finds herself having more fun than she’s had in ages and…discovers feelings that she never knew she had for George.
But is it too late? Will George win someone else’s heart or can Libby act like the heroine in one of her stories and reach for her own love under the mistletoe this Christmas?
Snuggle up with a piece of Christmas cake and mulled wine, and spend the festive season at White Cliff Bay. You won’t want to leave! Christmas at Lilac Cottage also out now.
Blurb:
Come and spend a picture perfect romantic Christmas at White Cliff Bay
Libby Joseph is famous for her romantic Christmas stories. Every December, readers devour her books of falling in love against the magical backdrop of the Christmas season. If only Libby believed in the magic herself…
Struggling to finish her current novel, Libby turns to her best friend and neighbour George Donaldson to cheer her up. But George also needs a bit of support himself. Nervous about getting back into the dating saddle after splitting from his wife, he and Libby strike a deal. She will teach George how to win over the ladies, and Libby will in turn be inspired to inject her novel with a good dose of romance.
As Libby and George explore the beautiful White Cliff Bay on a series of romantic Christmas-themed dates, Libby finds herself having more fun than she’s had in ages and…discovers feelings that she never knew she had for George.
But is it too late? Will George win someone else’s heart or can Libby act like the heroine in one of her stories and reach for her own love under the mistletoe this Christmas?
Snuggle up with a piece of Christmas cake and mulled wine, and spend the festive season at White Cliff Bay. You won’t want to leave! Christmas at Lilac Cottage also out now.
Review:
This was one fabulous book! It was lovely to return to White Cliff Bay and meet more of the residents.
Libby and George cracked me up! Their relationship was so up and down and happening and not happening! The tender moments were lovely and the funny moments had me laughing out loud!
Kat and Big Dave added light relief as well and their hilarious conversations and moods were brilliantly done.
The added bonus was that there were 2 love stories and Seb and Amy's was a very difficult one, not helped at all by Judith, the mother of Seb's late wife - you get the gist!
Holly Martin is a very clever writer - she makes you laugh and cry in one book. And this year we got 2 Christmas books!!
Libby and George cracked me up! Their relationship was so up and down and happening and not happening! The tender moments were lovely and the funny moments had me laughing out loud!
Kat and Big Dave added light relief as well and their hilarious conversations and moods were brilliantly done.
The added bonus was that there were 2 love stories and Seb and Amy's was a very difficult one, not helped at all by Judith, the mother of Seb's late wife - you get the gist!
Holly Martin is a very clever writer - she makes you laugh and cry in one book. And this year we got 2 Christmas books!!
Thursday, 29 October 2015
Review of From Paris With Love This Christmas by Jules Wake - Five *
Blurb:
Blurb:
The gorgeous, Christmassy feel-good follow up to the Summer best-seller ‘From Italy With Love’.
Just until Christmas…
That’s what Paris socialite Siena Browne-Martin keeps telling herself. She’ll stay with her estranged sister, Laurie, just until Christmas. Running away from the chateaux to escape her hot-tempered fiancé Yves’s wrath, may not have been the most rational decision. But Laurie had always said that Siena had a room at the cottage and right now she really needed it.
But arriving at the airport to be greeted by the grumpiest, most brooding—and dangerously gorgeous—man Siena has ever met, is not what she expected. And learning that Laurie isn’t living at the cottage anymore is even more of a surprise. Now Siena is stuck rooming with sullen Jason Landon, which is definitely not in the plan! Especially when his protective nature and quiet compassion threatens to ignite something in Siena that she never knew existed…
For Jason, Christmas can’t come soon enough. This pampered Parisian princess is the last person he wants to share his house with—he knows the destruction high-maintenance gold-diggers can cause and he’s never going there again. But Jason soon realises that there’s more to his unexpected house guest than meets the eye and suddenly Siena staying just until Christmas doesn’t seem like long enough…
This Christmas, fly to Paris with Siena and Jason and experience the magic of the holiday season in From Paris With Love This Christmas by dazzling contemporary romance author Jules Wake!
Review:
Jules is one of my favourite authors and I've been looking forward to reading this since I finished From Italy With Love!
And I certainly wasn't disappointed. Siena's story is a wonderful tale and she is a feisty, vulnerable, confused young woman. Appearances can be deceptive and Jason misjudged her to start with but then begins to see the grit that makes up a lot of personality.
Jason is a hot, growling bear at the start of the book, but his understanding soon shines through.
It was lovely to catch up with Laurie and Cam and not so good to re-meet Mother!
The trip to Paris was unexpected and I so enjoyed Siena showing Jason the sights. I love Paris and it made me want to hop on Eurostar!
Now my fingers and toes are crossed for Will and Lisa's story next!
And I certainly wasn't disappointed. Siena's story is a wonderful tale and she is a feisty, vulnerable, confused young woman. Appearances can be deceptive and Jason misjudged her to start with but then begins to see the grit that makes up a lot of personality.
Jason is a hot, growling bear at the start of the book, but his understanding soon shines through.
It was lovely to catch up with Laurie and Cam and not so good to re-meet Mother!
The trip to Paris was unexpected and I so enjoyed Siena showing Jason the sights. I love Paris and it made me want to hop on Eurostar!
Now my fingers and toes are crossed for Will and Lisa's story next!
Saturday, 24 October 2015
Review of A Merry Mistletoe Wedding by Judy Astley - Four *
Blurb:
It is almost a year since Sean and Thea met and it's been a roller-coaster ride: they're getting married on Christmas Day!
Neither Thea or Sean want a big fuss - a simple wedding, with Christmas lights and just a few sprigs of mistletoe for decoration is all they need. But before they know it, things begin to get complicated. Trying to manage a long-distance relationship in the build-up to their Christmas wedding is one thing, but as one challenge after another comes their way, the happy couple begin to wonder if they'll ever make it down the aisle . . .
Blurb:
It is almost a year since Sean and Thea met and it's been a roller-coaster ride: they're getting married on Christmas Day!
Neither Thea or Sean want a big fuss - a simple wedding, with Christmas lights and just a few sprigs of mistletoe for decoration is all they need. But before they know it, things begin to get complicated. Trying to manage a long-distance relationship in the build-up to their Christmas wedding is one thing, but as one challenge after another comes their way, the happy couple begin to wonder if they'll ever make it down the aisle . . .
Review:
What a lovely book! Judy deals with some very sensitive issues - previous relationships, both recent and distant, family rows and post natal depression in a very sensitive way. It is a very "busy" book - featuring all the members of a family and their problems and solutions.
I really liked the way Judy accelerated the time as we approached Christmas and the seeming oblivion of Thea and her approaching wedding. Thea and Sean have a lovely relationship, full of of teasing and laughs.
Emily and Sam have children and the story concentrates on Emily after the birth of her 3rd child. Sam performs a masterstroke near the end of the book and my heart bled for poor Emily!
Anna and Mike (mum and dad) are ageing hippies and Anna's sensitive handling of Mike's total denial of getting older was very well done!
My favourite character was Rosie - her lack of tact was incredible - and consequently extremely funny! I loved the way everyone tolerated and understood that she didn't mean any harm by her extraordinary comments!
All in all, a lovely Christmas read and the locations are beautifully described - both Cornwall and SW London - areas Judy knows well as she lives in both!
I really liked the way Judy accelerated the time as we approached Christmas and the seeming oblivion of Thea and her approaching wedding. Thea and Sean have a lovely relationship, full of of teasing and laughs.
Emily and Sam have children and the story concentrates on Emily after the birth of her 3rd child. Sam performs a masterstroke near the end of the book and my heart bled for poor Emily!
Anna and Mike (mum and dad) are ageing hippies and Anna's sensitive handling of Mike's total denial of getting older was very well done!
My favourite character was Rosie - her lack of tact was incredible - and consequently extremely funny! I loved the way everyone tolerated and understood that she didn't mean any harm by her extraordinary comments!
All in all, a lovely Christmas read and the locations are beautifully described - both Cornwall and SW London - areas Judy knows well as she lives in both!
Thursday, 22 October 2015
Review of Bella's Christmas Bake Off by Sue Watson - Four *
Blurb:
Bella Bradley is the queen of television baking – a national treasure. Her Christmas specials have been topping the ratings for years and her marriage to Peter ‘Silver Fox’ Bradley is the stuff of Hello magazine specials.
But this year things are going to be different.
For Amy Lane, Bella’s best friend from school, life hasn’t held quite the same sparkle. And when Amy’s husband walks out three weeks from Christmas, it seems their lives are further apart than ever.
Amy has watched Bella’s rise to fame fondly, despite the fact Bella was always a terrible cook. But when she realises that Bella’s latest Christmas book is made up entirely of Amy’s mother’s recipes, the gloves are off…
After winning a competition to appear on Bella’s TV show, Amy is going to make sure that for Bella and her viewers, this will definitely be a Christmas to remember…
A hilarious, heart-breaking and feel good read about best friends, baking and the magic of Christmas.
Blurb:
Two best friends. One big lie. The best bake off EVER.
Bella Bradley is the queen of television baking – a national treasure. Her Christmas specials have been topping the ratings for years and her marriage to Peter ‘Silver Fox’ Bradley is the stuff of Hello magazine specials.
But this year things are going to be different.
For Amy Lane, Bella’s best friend from school, life hasn’t held quite the same sparkle. And when Amy’s husband walks out three weeks from Christmas, it seems their lives are further apart than ever.
Amy has watched Bella’s rise to fame fondly, despite the fact Bella was always a terrible cook. But when she realises that Bella’s latest Christmas book is made up entirely of Amy’s mother’s recipes, the gloves are off…
After winning a competition to appear on Bella’s TV show, Amy is going to make sure that for Bella and her viewers, this will definitely be a Christmas to remember…
A hilarious, heart-breaking and feel good read about best friends, baking and the magic of Christmas.
Review:
If you are looking for a Christmassy book, full of emotion and laughs then this is the book for you! Thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end.
The twists were mostly unexpected and the characters were treated with love and affection. The changes in Bella and Amy from beginning to end were so well thought out and very realistic.
The humour was, as ever, forefront and some of Bella's early filming had me crying with laughter. I'll never forget the ham........
If you trust my reviews, then look no further for a really enjoyable read!
The twists were mostly unexpected and the characters were treated with love and affection. The changes in Bella and Amy from beginning to end were so well thought out and very realistic.
The humour was, as ever, forefront and some of Bella's early filming had me crying with laughter. I'll never forget the ham........
If you trust my reviews, then look no further for a really enjoyable read!
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