I have mentioned before that here at the Shrine of Aea in her Aspect as the Personification of Tempered Enthusiasm we have had trouble with bell ringers. Once you are known to have bells, bell ringers will descend on you from all over the place, desperate to play a ‘new peal’. If you are not firm you can be overrun with them. Now I wouldn’t personally describe them as ‘vermin’ but in all candour I have known some use stronger terms. Especially when kept awake at night by an attempt to play out a full peal with all the changes. I am not sure how other shrines manage the problem. There are doubtless many winning strategies, but my suspicion is that all will revolve around the need to ‘domesticate’ the bell ringers you have. ‘Your’ bell ringers appear to adopt a possessive attitude to ‘their’ bells, and will work to control interlopers. The most important person in this regard can go under a number of names. I’ve come across Tower Captains, Ringing Masters, and Tower Leaders. If you get a good one, cherish them. Now I cannot judge this select few from the point of view of an ordinary bell ringer. Similarly I have no opinion on how they maintain order in their campanological swarm. I have heard rumours that some achieve their position of dominance through divide and rule. They maintain order by playing various cliques against each other, achieving harmony through division. Others I have seen strike me as avuncular types. By being everybody’s favourite uncle, aunt, or kin of similar standing, they keep their musicians in order. This can involve keeping their bell ringers fortified with everything from strong liquor through to cake. Whether one is more effective than the other I cannot really comment although it has been pointed out to me that the camp of bell ringers fortified with strong drink tends to pull with more vigour than niceness of timing and the results are discernible to the cognoscenti. On the other hand I’ve even heard of Tower Captains who rule through fear, maintaining the firmest discipline and perfect order. Yet, between ourselves, when one hears the mathematically wrought cacophony produced, even the most discerning listener struggles to tell the difference between the differing leadership styles. Now lest people think that I am disparaging campanology, I will state that I rather like the sound of bells. As I sit in thought on the barge, pondering a verse, the sound of a distant peal can even be helpful. Ringing out across the city in a measured manner it weaves music into the very fabric of the municipality. I am not too proud to state that the bells have, on occasion, inspired some of my finer verse. So my advice to the temple wardens of other shrines that happen to possess bells is to find a competent Tower Captain who you can work with, and domesticate them. Admittedly this domestication is an uncertain process. I’ve known temple wardens who approached the matter methodically. They felt you had to use both carrot and stick. I know in one case where the tower captain and his camp of ringers were asked to play for a wedding. Apparently the bride felt it would be romantic. To be fair to the young lady in question, up unto a point, she was right. The point was when it became obvious that to the ringers, their appointment to ring to introduce a touching service lasting barely half an hour, was merely an excuse to ring a full peal lasting at least three hours. In this case, a nameless lady temple warden handed the bride’s mother a horse whip, opened the door to the ringing loft and let the furious lady have at them. Apparently she cleared the loft in less than a minute, and was greeted with a standing ovation from the wedding guests when she returned to her seat. But it is often said that wild creatures are better tamed with kindness. It could well be that the truculent demeanour of the senior temple warden induces a healthy respect within the camp. Should another temple warden then make positive comments, arrange for bottles of beer of dubious provenance to be provided to quench the thirst of the ringers, and generally become their friend, there appear to be no limits to the cooperation that can be achieved. In all honesty it has occurred to me that this is why shrines have even numbers of temple wardens. It allows you to have both the cantankerous grouch and the genial acquaintance on hand and you can deploy whichever seems appropriate. But once you have domesticated your tower captain, then cherish them. Do not, under any circumstances, have anything to do with the lesser lights within the camp. Otherwise you will get drawn in to all sorts of internecine strife and conflict as factions rise and fall and attempt to bring down the tower captain in the process. I well remember when one bell ringer, aspiring to displace her tower captain by guile, told Maljie that it had been decided to change the practice night. Maljie merely looked at her and commented that she was used to discussing policy with the organ grinder, not some small and only sporadically continent ape kept to please the crowd. Now it may be that you lack Maljie’s personal presence. This is not to be wondered at. Reputations have to be built up over the years, nurtured like some delicate potted plant. But even Maljie had to start somewhere, even if none of us are quite sure when. So when dealing with bell ringers (or other wandering undesirables such as archhierophants or those creatures who dwell deep in the property department of the Office of the Combined Hierophants of Aea) decide on your approach and stick to it. In forty years’ time you will thank me. Still I seem to have drifted from the topic. Cherishing your tower captain. The problem with these otherwise splendid figures is that they lack permanence. Whether they are overthrown and devoured by their camp, abscond with the funds or flee in the arms of a lover (I confess I’ve never really understood that latter allusion. Surely you must flee faster if not embracing? Or perhaps you hand the technicalities of flight over to your coachman and thus embrace in the coach as it hurtles through the night?) you will lose one captain and will be forced to acquire another. My personal preference is to allow the camp to bring forward a leader from within their ranks. But beware, out there in the dark there are ‘tower leaders’ who lack both tower and camp. They are drawn inexorably to a tower with no tower leader and will attempt to inveigle themselves into a position of control. Under these circumstances there is no point in being avuncular, reasonable or open to discussion. For the lesser temple warden there is only one recourse. Memorise the line, “Ah, but you don’t want to talk to me, you need to discuss this matter with the incumbent.” That is all you need to say. Now when it comes to the incumbent, they too have no need to worry about these matters. They merely need to say, “Ah, that’s a temple warden matter. You need to take it up with Maljie.” At the last count, of four who were directed to Maljie, three abandoned their quest then and there. With regard to the fourth, there are mendicants who are willing to swear in a court of law that they saw that individual leave the shrine carrying his head under his arm.
And now a brief note from Jim Webster. It’s really just to inform you that I’ve just published a full Tallis Steelyard novel. Yes the rumours are true. Tallis Steelyard, the man who considered jotting down a couple of anecdotes to be ridiculously hard work, and considered the novella form to be the very pinnacle of literary labour, has been cozened into producing a novel.
It is, ‘Tallis Steelyard. A Fear of Heights.’
In this novel, recounted by Tallis Steelyard in his own inimitable manner, we discover what happens when the hierarchy plots to take control of the Shrine to Aea in her Aspect as the Personification of Tempered Enthusiasm. Will the incumbent be exiled to a minor fane in the far north? Will Tallis end up having to do a proper job? Does ordination and elevation beckon for Maljie? This story includes the Idiosyncratic Diaconate, night soil carts, Partannese bandit chieftains, a stylite, a large dog and some over-spiced food. On top of this we have not one but two Autocephalous Patriarchs and a theologically sanctioned beggar.
It’s a month of ARC catch up, so I haven’t given myself an author or series challenge this month, but that doesn’t mean I’ll change my mind part way through! It’s the month that the kids are coming back in to school, too, so there will be a lot going on, but you know me, I’ll keep reading!
And, FYI, over the month, I may have read plenty of arcs, but I somehow ended up with more on my list, because, Damn You, NetGalley, you keep tempting me!
When you’re trying to find your comfortable spot, in your car, to get a bit of sleep, the last thing you expect is, to have an older, well-to-do couple, quite obviously from much further afield, come knocking on your car window. This is exactly what happens to down on her luck Mim. Alone in this world, with not a job, nor a roof over her head, Mim decides to help this rather eccentric couple in their hour of need and ends up transferring her whole life from Lancashire to Devon. Not only that, she ends up belonging. A wonderful feel-good story with a few predictable storylines, but many love twists, and moments that make you trust humankind again. Many thanks to NetGalley, Harper Collins and One More Chapter for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Another Mhairi McFarlane smash. A story about friendship, trust and honesty. Eve is one of the lucky ones. friendship wise. She has her quartet of friends, who have been together for nearly twenty years. Her best friend since forever, Susie, and Justin and Ed, who made up the foursome at Sixth Form. There’s just one little fly in the ointment. She has a HUGE thing for Ed. An unrequited love, of sorts, especially since he is in a long term relationship with someone Eve really doesn’t like. Things happen on that one night, after the regular quiz night, they usually attend, including an impromptu engagement, which spins Eve out of control. But, it’s the phone call the next morning that tears Eve’s life apart, and the consequences of a tragic accident that force her to look at her feelings, and relationships in a whole new light. I absolutely loved it! It just goes to show that you never really know someone, or that you can’t know everything. Equally, there are reasons you shouldn’t know everything. This story explores relationships and friendships at a deep level. I sympathised with Eve, a lot, throughout the book. She seemed to have far more than her fair share of heartache chucked her way, in life, but still, she had so much to give, and in losing someone she held so dear, she still manages to rescue and find someone else. Many thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Shh… Can I tell you a secret? I finished this in a day! I have read several of Lizzie Chantree’s books already, she is an extremely versatile author, and this book is another little gem in her book jewels. Violet loves to sing. She has since she was young, but the joy of singing ends when her parents pass away. Since then, she’s hidden her talent, singing in secret, and succumbed to an awful relationship. The only silver lining in the cloud that is her life is the cafe she works at, and the family she has built from her regular customers. Life takes a huge turn when music producer Kai walks into the cafe and hears her voice. All in all, an enjoyable read, quick and easy, and the happy ending we all want! Many thanks to NetGalley and BHC Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
I’m not sure what I was expecting from this book, but it wasn’t what it was. Maybe I expected a more light-hearted story, but it ended up being more about grief, loss, and being lost. Dot works in the lost property section of the TfL department and takes her role of taking in lost items, logging them, and reuniting them with their owners very seriously. I initially found it quite hard to get into this book, enjoying the quirky characters who frequented the Lost Property department, and Dot’s colleagues, but the point of the story didn’t quite get me until quite far into the book. Dot is lost, herself. A sad character. But it took me a long time to build that empathy for her. And the tiny smidgen of romance at the end? Well, to be honest, I wish I’d been able to read a bit more of that, to be honest. Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Having read Beth O’Leary’s previous book, I was extremely excited to be granted a copy of The Road Trip to read, and I wasn’t disappointed. Addie and her sister Deb are en route to their great friend Cherrys wedding. It’s all set to be a fantastic road trip. Well, them, and Rodney, a stray wedding guest they managed to pick up. Then an accident occurs leaving them in a situation where they are forced to make an eight-hour road trip with not only Rodney, but two other guests, one of which happens to be Addie’s ex-boyfriend. What a bunch of characters, O’Leary has created! I loved the dual timeline, explaining how they got into the situation they are in right now, parallel to the eight-hour journey that ends up being over twenty-four hours long. Addie is a young, wronged woman, and almost all that has happened to her is not her fault. Dylan is a man who has never had to make a choice, and, unfortunately for him, everyone around him has a stronger will than him, causing him to never really fight for what he should. Deb is a fantastic sister, and protector, apart from when she disappears to satisfy certain thirsts. I could strangle his best friend, Marcus. Honestly, that long, stuck in a car, a Mini, of all cars, with him would have driven me batty! And Rodney, oh, poor, deluded Rodney! And I can’t forget the saviour of the day, Kevin, the truck driver who seems to appear whenever there is a problem. There are moments of hilarity, but a lot to think on, too. A thoroughly enjoyable book that I finished in a day! Many thanks to Netgalley and Quercus Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
What a fabulous book! Honestly, I was hooked from the start and had I not been in the midst of a week from hell at school resulting in me falling asleep way too fast, I would have finished this in one sitting! Sophie has found herself the perfect job – a professional bridesmaid. Each wedding she cultivates a secret identity and pretends to be a close friend of the bride, who will have hired her to make their special day perfect, under the guise of a best friend bridesmaid. It’s all going swimmingly, until she ends up with a job she never thought she would, ever, be considered for: Bridesmaid to Lady Cordelia Swann, a socialite Sophie followed and tried to emulate, as a teen. But this is one tough cookie of a client, determined to relieve herself of this new ‘friend’. Oh, and it doesn’t help that she has a HOT brother who doesn’t know her real identity, but is keen to get closer to his sister’s ‘friend’. I can’t explain how much I enjoyed the whole book. Sophie is an interesting character, who puts the needs of others way ahead of her own. A great quality in a bridesmaid, but not so great for herself. Cordelia is a character you probably want to slap initially, but she grows on you, then you find yourself with. soft spot for her. And Tom, the HOT brother? Well, I think I’ll be surreptitiously checking out men’s forearms more often, now, thanks to Sophie’s obsession with his. Highly recommended, and such fun! Many thanks to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Another Life is a heartwrenching story about love. Not just romantic love, but the love we have for others too. The book is written from the view of Nick Mendoza, eldest of two sons. It chronicles his life and several poignant losses within. We meet Anna, a girl he worked with at the cinema, as a teenager, and learn about their struggles as two people from very different backgrounds, who have strong feelings for one another but are unable to act upon them, due to Anna’s religions beliefs, and Nick’s life ones. We jump from one timeline to several others, and back, throughout the book, which, initially, I found quite confusing, but by the end, I understood. A really touching read, and a book that will stay with you a long while. Many thanks to NetGalley, and Penguin Michale Joseph for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Well, that was a delightful read! I am only sorry I couldn’t finish it sooner, but that was purely because my working life has been so hectic that I spent some nights eagerly awaiting the next chapter of Maxine and Alex, only to find myself asleep with my face buried in the kindle, not from boredom but from extreme exhaustion. Anyway, enough about me, on to the book! The Car Share is a funny, poignant tale about a young man who suffers from depression, and his journey to find a travel buddy, for a long road trip to Brussels. He accepts a request from a Max and only finds out, upon picking her up, that Max is a nonagenarian, actually called Maxine, hoping to go on her own last journey, before signing into a Euthanasia clinic, ending her life with dignity, before Alzheimer’s takes her life away. Through the story that mainly unfolds over a couple of days, the unlikely couple ends up in several pickles, as well as getting themselves caught up in a kidnapping case, so find themselves as fugitives. So much madcap fun, as well as some wonderfully touching moments within the story. The only reason I can’t give it 5 stars is that there was a lot of POV hopping within chapters which confused me a little. Many Thanks to NetGalley and Hoder & Stoughton for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A beautifully touching read about a man trying to get his family back together, following the devastating death of his wife. Joe and Lou were a couple truly meant for each other. They lived on the island of Groix, happy together. Both their children had moved on, and as is the way, fractures in the family dynamics threatened to break them apart indelibly, after Lou’s untimely death. Her forward-thinking, however, end up bringing her precious family back together in a way none of them ever thought possible. Told through the viewpoint of several characters, the story moves along over a period of a couple of months, with some flashbacks here and there. I loved the character of Apple, the feisty granddaughter, who, in many ways, ends up being the catalyst for many of the changes. A lovely read. Many thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Releasing 29th March, 2021
Only nine books for me this month. That is really quiet, but it just shows how tired I have been after school, every day! Usually, I can devour 2-4 books a week, at least, but this time, I have just about finished one during the week days, and one over the weekends.
I look forward to hearing what you think of the books above, and what you’ve been reading, too!
I am honoured to pop an extra post on today, to help celebrate the publication of Zoe May’s newest release, Flying Duo, which is out today!
A laugh-out-loud romantic comedy chick lit novel about love, dreams and self-discovery by bestselling author, Zoe May
London lawyer Rachel Watson has wound up in an Indian ashram with hippy heartthrob lover, Seb.
A high-achiever, Rachel has always lived life according to her Life List, ticking off goals along the way. But now that she’s in India, Rachel is going with the flow, or at least trying to…
Rachel’s visa is running out and it’s time to decide whether her relationship with Seb is a holiday romance or built to last.
The pair embark on a trip to Nepal for an Everest base camp trek, but will their relationship survive this gruelling expedition or is it time to part ways?
★ Flying Duo is the second romantic comedy in the ‘Flying’ series, following on from bestseller, Flying Solo. If you are looking for escapist women’s fiction, Flying Duo is offers a heartwarming romance in classic feel-good, funny chicklit style. It guarantees armchair adventure during lockdown. ★
And, here’s my review!
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Right, so, I read Flying Solo last year, and totally fell in love with the whole Eat Love Pray kinda feel, even though our heroine wasn’t off to find herself, in India, but to rekindle her romance with her ex, who had left her back in England. Still, the descriptions of the Ashram that Rachel found herself at, and the ensuing adventures, the people she met, followed by the romance she did find (not with that ex!) made me hanker for more, and I was over the moon to get a chance to read Flying Duo, the sequel. Rachel is in a happy place with her Ashram love, Canadian Sam. After turning things upside down in the ashram, by sparking an investigation of the head honcho there, she isn’t as welcome as she thought, and her visa was fast running out. A flippant comment sees the duo end up in Nepal, experiencing uncomfortable hostels, as well as deciding to climb Everest to the basecamp. Not quite the relaxing break Rachel had wanted, but it ends up being an enlightening time. We see Rachel grow, in a different way, through the course of Flying Duo, as she decides what to do with her life, and with whom. There are some gigglesome moments throughout, and some more disturbing ones (Bloodsucking leeches, anyone?) but the ending is truly fitting, and again…. might we see a Flying Trio soon???
And if you’ve not read the first, here it is, too!
Zoe has written several successful romantic comedies, and I highly recommend her books for a bit of escapism, especially right now!
It’s February, and the Love month is upon us, as well as a crazy birthday month for our family… Here’s to reading!
This month, I am going to work through some of the list of Laura Briggs books I have accumulated… (and I am also reading a couple of arcs for writer friends, and the first draft of a novel by a colleague!) The Little Hotel In Cornwall is an eight book series, that I’d like to complete, by Laura, as I have heard some lovely things about it.. I have another series by her, but, will savour them another time, as my penchant for picking up NetGalley arcs means I need to read them, too!
I have had a good few Laura Briggs books on my Kindle for a while now, through the recommendation of several reader friends of mine, and thought why not read them this month? So the first book in the series is this, A Little Hotel in Cornwall. A cute start to the series, where our American heroine ends up in this lovely hotel in Cornwall, and, instead of being a guest, finds herself working there. Why is she there? Not for a holiday, no, but on a search for a well-known author, who she wants to mentor her… I won’t go into the ins and outs, because that would spoil the story, but it all happens in quite a comical way. A fun read.
Another fun chapter in the life of Maisie, living and working in a Cornish hotel, under an assumed name, totally by accident! Will she pull off her act, in order to fulfil her dream of finding her elusive author target, to become her mentor? Who knows, because she keeps getting pulled in all sorts of different directions! This time, the aspiring author is helping an Earl to celebrate his 100th birthday, with the Penmarrow Hotel booked exclusively to house his family. And it’s Halloween. And the Earl has a few spooky activities planned, including seances. Oh, and don’t forget that blossoming romance with Sidney… Now, I don’t know about you, but I’m beginning to have some thoughts of my own, about what might transpire by the end of this series… still, it’s the suspense that keeps me wanting to read more!
Another fun step into the life of Maisie and her quest for writerly fame, while working in a Cornish hotel. This time, she gets caught up in an ice sculpture contest with a guest who is a fellow American, and who also appears to have taken a liking to our writer… Does this mean the end of the road for the budding romance between Maisie and Sidney, the local(ish) handyman? Lots of little twists and turns, and another end on a cliffhanger. Of course, I want to read on. I need to know if my hunch is right!
The next in the series following our author to be, Maisie Clarke, who has managed to settle into a Cornish hotel, as a maid, after travelling there to pursue her literary dream. This time, she gets embroiled in a jewellery heist! And, I will tell you now, that my hunch from the last two books has been proved wrong, but another shocker, in its place! Light-hearted, easy to read, and extremely addictive. Off to read book 5 now!
Another great chapter to our Author to be Maisie Clarke’s journey to writing fulfilment. She’s only just realised she’s in love, when the chance to chase her literary dreams, with the help of her Author hero, has sprung. A tough decision to follow her writing heart leads her to situations she would never have found herself in, ordinarily. It was interesting to get out of her Cornish background for a while, and learn more about Maisie the writer, rather than Maisie the American wannabe writer, turned hotel maid. We meet some more interesting characters and visit different locations, but I have to say, I kinda missed the hotel, the staff, the eccentric guests, and definitely Sidney! As did our heroine. Oh, and that twist I thought I had got right, then wrong… well, I might be on track, again!
Well, this was a sequel that really got into the nitty-gritty of some of our favourite characters! Maisie is back in Cornwall, at the hotel and in the village that has become something akin to home for her, on her quest for literary success. Only now, she wants, more than ever, to develop her relationship with Sidney, who has his own secrets. As always, the story is peppered with mysteries, that aren’t all fully solved, here, but enough to make you think. I’m still sure of my original hunch, re: that famous reclusive author, but still don’t know! I really enjoyed this book, as it dove into the characters more, and we learned a lot about Sidney, Dean, and even Mr Trelawney, the hotel manager. Can’t wait for the penultimate one. About to get right in there!
Oh, my goodness! The twists and turns! Laura Briggs, I am going loopy with all that keeps happening in Maisie’s life! If she wasn’t planning on being a writer, her experiences over the last couple of years should have convinced her to become one, anyway! From chasing a reclusive, successful writer, to taking on the identity of another person, to get a job, helping to solve mysteries and burglaries, break-ins, random trips to Paris and London with a person who turns out to be someone entirely different. I could go on, but then what’s the point of you reading the series? It was so lovely to re-enter our favourite American author-to-be’s world, again, with her happily ensconced in a fledgeling relationship with Sidney. Okay, so I have changed my tack on the mystery famous author’s identity, since the end of the last book, but WOW! to certain revelations in this book! We can sense a thawing in the demeanour of Dean, the rather cranky university friend of Sidney, and the secrets of Norman, the gardener. Maisie is so close to finding out who her secretive author is, and has news of her own to share, by the end, but then the twist at the end! Oh! What is going to happen in the last book? Quick, I need to read it now!
And, just like that, the series ends! What a fabulous ending to a wonderful series. Again, this one took part more out of Cornwall, than at the hotel in the series title, but all loose ends were tied up! Sidney disappears at the end of the last book, and we pick up with our soon to be published authoress, distraught. Maisie has no idea where her man has gone, but his friend, Dean, is able to shed some light, leading Maisie on another unexpected journey to find out what is going on. Another case of many layers being peeled, to reveal the reality of certain characters, Sidney, in particular. Oh, and that main mystery, that has followed, all through the series? I was RIGHT! Loved reading the whole series. I did it in thirteen days! Sad to see the end, but in a good way, as I can see nothing but happiness, and I am glad there are a whole other bunch of books I can read by the very talented Laura Briggs!
It’s fair to say that the majority of us don’t want to rock the life ‘boat’ too much. As long as we have everything we need to continue, comfortably, it’s just easier to continue, isn’t it? This is Jess. Living her life as she always has, with her librarian job, and her home with her beloved grandma. She’s had enough boat rocking, early on in life, so the smooth-sailing suits her fine. Until her grandma passes away, leaving her alone in the world. Then her job goes. She realises that its time to take the wheel, herself, and steer her life in a new, unknown direction She ends up selling their home, and moving to a small village, buying a quaint, but ramshackle cottage, and setting into the close-knit community. Here, she meets several locals and finds that a solitary phonebox, officially on her land, ends up binding her to the community, more than she could ever think possible. Creating the Littlest Library in that red phone box ends up being something she is most proud of, but it’s not until she’s on the brink of losing it, and her new, near-idyllic life, that she realises that its time to embrace the new direction her life ‘boat’ has veered towards. What a truly lovely story. Jess is a dear woman, who has had her fair share of grief, and I was cheering for her, the whole way through the story. Her collection of books, which was actually curated by her grandma, ends up in the hands of many, bringing the joy only books can, but it was the little veiled messages that I loved. Pencilled in notes, and highlighted passages, that her grandma had marked in some of the books, that were only brought to her attention by the readers, as they borrow books, reading into the messages as if they were left for them, but in reality, for Jess. And, of course, there is the romantic tension. Jess never envisioned herself settling down, so meeting a man so soon after arriving in the village doesn’t even register on her radar… but, as will happen, she does meet someone, Someone with enough of their own baggage. Easier to steer clear… but that would be boring, wouldn’t it? I loved the other characters, from Hannah, the long-distance best friend, to Diana and Mungo, the eccentric members of the parish council, and Becky, a surrogate best friend. Oh, and, obviously, Aidan. bat-counting, tree surgeon, single dad, Aidan. That man. All I know is that I want to find a little red phone box and turn it into a library… I’m quite possibly moving to that small village, soon… what are the odds? Thoroughly enjoyed it! Many thanks to NetGalley and Orion Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Now, that was a psychological thriller and a half! The disappearance and subsequent uncovering of the body of seventeen-year-old Karen Lomax, over twenty years ago has been forgotten by most. Unable to trace the murderer, or the events that led to her death, the case is closed. Fast forward to the present day. Annie and David Crayce seem to have it all. A wonderful marriage, three beautiful children, a hugely successful business, and a supportive family behind them. Who knew that the chance arrest of their daughter, as someone just around when a crime was committed, could lead them to the turmoil of being in the middle of a reopened murder case? Wow. Just Wow. Susan Lewis, you have done it again, haven”t you? You reeled me in, and kept me hanging right til the very end! There were so many moments where I questioned my self as to who might have actually been responsible for the death of a poor teen, but the way the PTSD of war years was woven into it, as well as the thoughts and actions of the police involved, I was kept on tenterhooks. And, yes, had it not been past 1 am last night I would have carried on reading to get to the end, but I had to put the book down. Fantastic. Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Evan Harper lost his wife, leaving him a widower and a single father. He’s wallowing in grief, still, two years on, with a little girl about to start school, and his. family and friends wanting him to take the next steps to move on. Before she passed away, Claire carefully collated a notebook, filled with letters for her husband and daughter to read, at key moments in their lives. This set of letters ends up being the catalyst for change, in Evan’s life, and he finds himself beginning to embrace life, and a few people, too… A cute story, an easy read, Very similar to a lovely book I read a couple of years ago, about a husband who passes on and leaves a notebook for how to fall in love again, for his wife. Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collines, One More Chapter for an ARC. in exchange for an honest review.
I was so excited to read the latest chapter of the Great Dagmaru series, and I wondered whether it would be the last… But, after reading it (all in one day, I’ll have you know), I’m sure there must be more to come. Please, Linda, tell me it is so! We’re back with Herman and Stephen, as they plan their wedding, and the bliss of being together, finally with the curse from The Dagmar family finally behind them. Or so they think. Every time I read the next one of these books, I think, “surely, everything will be smooth-sailing for them, now!” then something else gets thrown at them! Well, the curse may have given up on them, but there is still a huge evil force trailing them. This time we get to know Herman’s fathers alter ego much better, and another member of her family, Rudy, who is key to a whole new set of twists and turns that Linda takes us on, in this book. Another fab read!
Birdy Finch is kinda stuck in a bit of a rut. No family that she feels worthwhile being around, no decent. boyfriend, and not even a proper job to keep her going. All she has is her best friend Heather, and even she is leaving her, for a chance at happiness, for a while, at least. With no place to live, and nothing else she can do, other than give in and go back to her parents, Birdy decides to pretend to be her friend for a summer, taking up a job she was offered, in the depths of Scotland. No one will know, right? Except Heather is a sommelier and a very good one at that, and the place she was meant to be working is a hotel restaurant with aspirations of their first Michelin star… Armed with the knowledge that there is red, white and rosé, oh, and bubbles, too, Birdy finds herself plunged deep into the world of wine and hospitality, far removed from her brief experience as a barmaid. Oh, and what’s the chances that while she is pretending to be someone else, she meets someone who could be the love of her life, but he doesn’t even know who she really is? The Summer Job is chock full of fantastic characters, and Birdy’s situation, though a tad unrealistic, is hilarious, at times, heart-rending at others. The descriptions of the lochs and scenery around the hotel take you right there. I could almost smell the fish at the port! You know she’s going to get found out. That’s a given, isn’t it? But the little twist at the end makes for a fresh reveal! Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin UK for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Hats off to you, Kay! Another heartwrenching story centring around a family based in Maui. I have truly enjoyed all the stories in this trilogy, and this final episode was the icing on the cake, tying many little threads together to create the perfect finish. This time we concentrate on Jules, a mother who has already suffered her own losses in her life. And Jonah, her son. Always allowing himself to think he was to blame for his little sister, Nama, disappearing in the sea, as a child, then experiencing the horror that was active service in the army. Finally, Helen, the matriarch of a fractured family, fractured, but still reset, and working well. When Jules youngest daughter, Kira disappears, the family pulls together in a way you’d hope all families, did, but the shock of Jules suffering a stroke at the same time puts untold pressure on them all. This story speaks of culture, tradition, faith, and most of all, family. A beautiful read. Seriously. Go get it! As soon as it is out!
Oh my, reading this book made me think someone had been spying on certain aspects of my life, but then again that is the beauty of a book like this. So many women will read it, and something from it will resonate with them. So, we have our heroine, Cathy Collins, late forties, about to hit menopause, but not too sure, teenage children hitting their own milestones, a husband who might just be having his middle-aged crisis, wanting to leave his great job, to chuck it all in, to teach. This leaves Cathy wondering how they will manage, financially, since she only does a little extra work on the side, and anyway, who’s going to employ someone like her, a middle-aged woman, whose CV will consist of cooking awful dishes, cleaning her house constantly, and collating the receipts of a couple of local businesses. Oh, and cleaning her parents’ loo! On top of that, her high flying older sister in the US sends here a motivational diary for Christmas, and despite all her misgivings, she decides to add a few goals to it. Peppered with fantastically humorous episodes, as well as much more serious issues, The Wife Who Got A Life, is a brilliant read, and the cast of characters are a joy too. From Cathy’s family, to the book club ladies who are a support system in themselves, as well as the gang at The Mustard Factory, you are in for a great ride, as well as a great read! Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Releasing 15th April, 2021
Flying Duo by Zoe May ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Check out my post tomorrow for the review, on release day!
This book has been sitting on my kindle for a little while, now, so I thought it would be a good time to read it. I was unaware, when buying, that it was the second in a series. Now, usually, I want to read books in order, but I let that go. Now, after reading the book, I think I will, at some point go back to book one, and then read the subsequent two, as I thoroughly enjoyed the story. Gigi is one half of the G Malone design duo that is about to take the world by storm, having been asked to design the wedding dress for the future Queen of England. Unbeknown to her, tangled within the ‘nearly’ Royal family that she is working with, is her ex-fiancé, who is in a relationship with the sister of the bride to be. What a mess. Her feelings for him, are still not fully resolved, as they never had proper closure, and, to top it off, shes got a Viscount falling for her, too! So much angst and torment! Will she get the dress, and the wedding wardrobe designed, with her partner, Jamie? Will she succumb to the charms of the man she was in love with for four years? Or, will she end up becoming a part of the British aristocracy, herself? I had great fun, reading, and as I mentioned, I think I will have to invest in the rest of these!
Take a few scoops of family drama, drizzle it with some hot men, scatter some sprinkles of misunderstandings along with a wafer of romance, and you get Lizzie Chantree’s new novel, The Little Ice Cream Shop By The Sea. Genie has devoted the whole of her life so far, to helping her parents and grandparents keep their family business afloat, a restaurant and ice cream bar on the seafront, in an Essex town. She’s only twenty-two, but everything revolves around the restaurant, especially since her grandmother passed away. Genie works hard to try and retain the soul of a business fast going under. Changes in circumstances mean her parents decide to sell the business, and move to Cornwall, and her Grandfather plans to travel the world. But Genie can’t let her heritage go to waste, like that. Enter Ada, an older woman with her own griefs. She’s a widow, with many memories, and they are the reason she is there, having left the rest of her family in the US. An unlikely friendship between the two is the catalyst for them going into partnership, and Genie’s hopes of keeping her family business, stay alive. Of course, it would be far too simple if that was the end to the story. Enter a hunky waiter, a handsome son of Ada’s friend, and a gorgeous, tanned Adonis of a grandson (of Ava’s) and you have your heartaches and romance too. Oh, and not forgetting all the family secrets hidden deep below the surface, that work their way up and out into the real world again! I really enjoyed reading this and devoured it in a day! I sometimes forgot how old, or young, Genie actually was, what with all she has experienced in her life. The early twenties are the time to chase your own dreams, make your mistakes and find your true path, but it is as if Genie has been treading that path since she was a fourteen-year-old. I felt quite sad for her that she hadn’t had much of a chance to live her own life, but understood her insistence in wanting to keep the legacy of her family alive. An easy read, with some interesting twists, and a few sizzling scenes, too… just make sure they don’t melt your ice cream
And there you have it. My February reads! Were there any in there to tickle your tastebuds?
I am delighted to welcome the very talented, and generally very lovely Lizzie Chantree to my blog today, to introduce her new book, releasing tomorrow!
Over to you, Lizzie!
Why did you choose the setting you chose and do the locations hold any real life significance to you?I chose this setting because I’m from Essex and the coastline is beautiful here. I’ve always wanted to write a local story and I was sitting in a little cafe by the sea, when an elderly lady came in, sat down and began crying. The young waitress rushed up to comfort her and they spoke for quite a while. After the lady left the waitress told me they had only just met, which it made me think about the kindness of strangers. The cafe I was in was beautiful and had been family owned for generations. I wondered what would happen if they all fell into a state of disrepair and a story grew from there. The little ice cream shop by the sea is about unexpected friendships through the generations and how family heritage can sometimes mean more to some than others. This story has a bankrupt celebrity chef in it who flies in to protect his grandmother. What made you think of this character? Cal has had such success but overstretched his business and his world collapsed around him, so he’s been hiding and licking his wounds. Hearing about the ice cream shop owner, Genie, and her new friendship with his grandmother, he decides that Genie must be after his family money and rushes to protect his grandmother, Ada. He doesn’t realise that a few of his actions make the cracks in Genie’s relationship with her own parents even deeper and he uncovers a family secret he really wishes he hadn’t.
Blurb
From the international bestselling author of If you love me, I’m yours, Ninja School Mum and Babe Driven. Genie’s family is in crisis. Their seafront business is failing with the loss of Genie’s grandmother and her legendary ice cream flavours. Genie is determined to be the one to save her family’s heritage, but suddenly her mother wants to sell to developers and leave their shared history behind. Buying the business and taking on a sixty-eight year old business partner, Ada, with a mysterious past and a gorgeous but distracting grandson, Genie sets out to prove her parents wrong. Ada’s grandson, Cal, wants to protect his gran from ‘pensioner persuader’, Genie, but soon realises that living in a little seaside town and away from the paparazzi in Hollywood can actually give him time to heal. Hiding in a seafront business with its fiery owner and working as kitchen staff, is the only way he can think of to keep his ex-Hollywood glamour-puss, gran from harm. But his meddling might also ruin Ada’s second chance at love. Hiring a private detective and learning about Genie’s parent’s past makes Cal regret his own impulsiveness. The information he has unearthed could destroy their blossoming romance and turn Genie’s world upside down. Genie soon discovers that friends can become enemies and your closest family can have lied to you for your whole life.
Bio International bestselling author Lizzie Chantree, started her own business at the age of 18 and became one of Fair Play London and The Patent Office’s British Female Inventors of the Year. She writes books full of friendship and laughter, about women with unusual businesses, who are stronger than they realise.
But I Smile Anyway... 