Friday 15 December 2023

Merry Christmas 2023

 


This will be my last post before the New Year and I wanted to take this opportunity to wish you all a wonderful Christmas. I hope the season brings you joy and happiness... and book shaped gifts under your tree.

I also wanted to say a huge thank you to you all for reading my blog. We all lead such busy lives and I am sincerely grateful that you take time out of your day to read my blog. It means such a lot to have your support, and to know that I am sharing some booky love.

Thank you also to those who share my posts around your social media channels, and to those who tell their friends about my blog through word of mouth.

This year saw me celebrate my ten year blog anniversary. I can still hardly believe that it has been a whole decade since I first posted my initial tentative post, whilst wondering if anyone would even see it!

I look forward to sharing more book reviews with you in the New Year. I hope 2024 brings you much health and happiness. See you then.

10 Ten Exciting New Releases in January 2023

 


In this post I am looking ahead at a few of the new and exciting books due to be published in January 2024. 

Looks like it is going to be a good reading year ahead if this month's selection is anything to judge by.


Blizzard by Marie Vingtras

To find the child they must survive the storm

A blizzard rages in an isolated corner of Alaska. Few inhabitants live in this desolate place. Scattered across the vast, white expanse, they shelter in solitude from the tempest and the extreme cold. But amid this storm and far from home, a woman walks alone with the child.

She stops for a moment to re-tie the laces of her boots filled with snow. Instants later she looks up and the child under her care has vanished. In desperation she searches for him, knowing that every minute that goes by in this snowstorm is a threat to both of their lives. Soon she is joined in the hunt by the other neighbours. And as the search intensifies to save the missing child from certain death, she too will become the object of pursuit.

Blizzard is a gripping thriller, quiet and unnerving at first, but then building to a breath-taking climax.


Very Very Lucky by Amanda Prowse

With kids to look after, an ailing mother and a neglected husband, life is full for Emma Fountain―too full, she realises, when she wakes up in IKEA after falling asleep in one of the show beds. Only her crazy, funny best friend Roz keeps her sane. But when Roz climbs in through her bathroom window one day to deliver terrible news, Emma’s belief that she can find a way around any obstacle crumbles in the face of a problem she just can’t fix.

For recently widowed Thurston, life without his beloved wife of sixty-two years has lost all its joy and sense of purpose. That is until he finds himself driving his niece to work one day and meets Emma, whose busy days are the opposite of his own. As Thurston is drawn into the whirlwind of Emma’s chaotic life, and as his calming influence starts to bring her troubles into perspective, an unlikely friendship grows.

In a world where grief is the price we pay for love, can two very different people realise that the little things in life are precious, that love is all around us, and that, even after all, they might still be very, very lucky?


A Brilliant Life by Rachelle Unreich

Born in Czechoslovakia, Mira was only 12 years old when World War II broke out and 17 when the Nazis finally caught up with her. Torn apart from her family, she went on to survive four concentration camps, including Auschwitz, and a Death March when she was too weak to walk. She lived when almost everyone she knew did not.

At 88, living in Australia, Mira is diagnosed with cancer and her daughter, a journalist, decides to interview her to distract her from her illness. As Mira gives her testimony Rachelle comes to understand how Mira's unique perspective - seeing her experiences through the lens of the goodness of the people who helped her - protected her from the depths of humanity's cruelty, and enabled her to go on to live a full and brilliant life.

Rachelle also fits together the jigsaw pieces of her own life as a child of a survivor. She comes to understand that however different their lives have been, she and her mother are uniquely united by a fierce inner strength to live, and a mystery of strange things that always seem to happen around them.

A beautiful story of love, loss, wonder and the deepest kind of trust in life, A Brilliant Life questions the role that fate, chance and destiny play. It is a tribute to family, a story of incredible resilience, and a chronicle of the deep connection between a mother and a child which not even death can destroy.


River East River West by Aube Rey Lescure

A mesmerising reversal of the east–west immigrant narrative set against China’s economic boom, River East, River West is a deeply moving exploration of race, identity and family, of capitalism’s false promise and private dreams. 

Shanghai, 2007: feeling betrayed by her American mother’s engagement to their rich landlord Lu Fang, fourteen-year-old Alva begins plotting her escape. But the exclusive American School – a potential ticket out – is not what she imagined.

Qingdao, 1985: newlywed Lu Fang works as a lowly shipping clerk. Though he aspires to a bright future, he is one of many casualties of harsh political reforms. Then China opens up to foreigners and capital, and Lu Fang meets a woman who makes him question what he should settle for...


The Widow's Choice by Nancy Revell

1949, County Durham - From the Shipyards of Sunderland to Lady of the Manor . 

When Angie marries her sweetheart Quentin and moves into Cuthford Manor to begin their new life together, she feels like the luckiest woman in the world.

But Quentin falls victim to a tragic accident and Angie's life is left devastated. Now, along with the prospect of rebuilding her life, she is faced with an impossible choice that will have far-reaching consequences for herself and those she loves most.

Angie will need to draw on the help of her family, the community of Cuthford Manor and her old friends from the shipyards if she's to find happiness again.



One Love by Matt Cain

2002 - Danny arrives at Manchester University determined not to hide from the world any longer. This is the year his life will begin.

He locks eyes with a handsome stranger across the hall at the Freshers' Fair. It starts with a wink and soon Danny and Guy are best friends.

2022 - Now, both single for the first time in years, Danny and Guy return to the confetti-covered streets of the Gay Village for Manchester Pride.

After years of shared adventures and lost dreams, Danny finally plans to share the secret he has been keeping for two decades. He has always been in love with Guy.

Could this weekend be the end of a twenty-year friendship . . . or the start of something new and even more beautiful?


Cover the Bones by Chris Hammer

A body has washed up in an irrigation canal, the artery running through Yuwonderie, a man-made paradise on the border of the Outback. Stabbed through the heart, electrocuted and dumped under cover of night, there is no doubt that detectives Ivan Lucic and Nell Buchanan are dealing with a vicious homicide.

The victim is Athol Hasluck, member of one of the seven dynasties who have controlled every slice of bountiful land in this modern-day Eden for generations.

But this is not an isolated incident. Someone is targeting the landed aristocracy of this quiet paradise in the desert. Secrets stretching back decades are rising to the surface at last - but the question remains, who stands to gain most from their demise?

Can Ivan and Nell track down a killer before the guilt at the heart of these seven families takes the entire town down with it?


Harvest Cruise by Rebecca Benison

What's the true cost of a free vacation?

Geri is an introverted writer who is most comfortable at home. When her boss-turned-best-friend wins two passes for a single’s cruise, she thinks she’s taking steps towards expanding her circle. What begins as an uncomfortable but enticing foray into a world of awkward flirting and adventure, quickly becomes a fight for survival.

With kidnappings, murder, and conspiracy, Geri finds herself in the middle of a story she never could have imagined writing.


The Trials of Marjorie Crowe by C.S. Robertson

How do you solve a murder when everyone thinks you're guilty?

Marjorie Crowe lives in Kilgoyne, Scotland. The locals put her age at somewhere between 55 and 70. They think she's divorced or a lifelong spinster; that she used to be a librarian, a pharmacist, or a witch. They think she's lonely, or ill, or maybe just plain rude. For the most part, they leave her be.

But one day, everything changes.

Local teenager Charlie McKee is found hanging in the woods, and Marjorie is the first one to see his body. When what she saw turns out to be impossible, the police have their doubts. And when another young person goes missing, the tide of suspicion turns on her.

Is Marjorie the monster, or the victim? And how far will she go to fight for her name?


The Secrets of Cresswell Hall by Alexandra Walsh

1605 - Bess Throckmorton is well used to cunning plots and intrigues. With her husband Sir Walter Raleigh imprisoned in the Tower of London, and she and her family in a constant battle to outwit Robert Cecil, the most powerful man in the country who is determined to ruin her, Bess decides to retreat to her beloved home, Crestwell Hall. But there she is shocked to hear talk of a new plot to murder the king. So, unbeknownst to their menfolk, the wives of the plotters begin to work together to try to stop the impending disaster.

Present Day - Isabella Lacey and her daughter, Emily, are excited to be starting a new life at her aunt’s home, Crestwell Hall in Wiltshire. During renovations, Isabella discovers an ancient bible that once belonged to Bess Throckmorton, and to her astonishment finds that it doubled as a diary. As Isabella reads Bess’s story, a new version of the Gunpowder Plot begins to emerge - told by the women.

When Emily’s life is suddenly in terrible danger, Isabella understands the relentless fear felt by Bess, hundreds of years ago. And as the fateful date of 5th November draws ever closer, Bess and the plotters’ wives beg their husbands to stop before a chain of events is set into action that can only end one way…

This unforgettable timeslip novel is perfect for fans of Barbara Erskine, Elena Collins and Diana Gabaldon.

Wednesday 13 December 2023

The Wit & Wisdom of David Attenborough by Chas Newkey-Burden - #bookreview #blogtour

 


Sir David Attenborough is many things - all of them wonderful. He is a broadcasting titan, whose passionate, semi-whispered narration of the natural world has been adored for generations. He is also an environmental warrior who has delicately shown us how we have harmed our plantet and what we can do to make it right. Along the way, he has rightly become nothing short of a national treasure - a charming, adorable and admirable grandfather figure for generations...

***

A fascinating and entertaining collection of facts, quotes and stories, celebrating Sir David Attenborough's wicked sense of humour and astute wisdom.

David Attenborough is a national treasure, known for his soothing voice, calming presence, passion for the natural world, and his humble, easy-going nature. Despite his incredible talent and influence, he tends to play it all down, one time stating that, 'I can't believe I'm still employed'.

So if he won't celebrate himself, we'll have to do it for him.

Filled with facts, tributes and anecdotes, as well as beautiful illustrations, this enormously positive book celebrates Sir David, providing a fascinating insight into his life as well as showcasing his brilliant sense of humour. Running chronologically, this book begins with his early days, to his first job at the BBC, to eventually becoming the most esteemed naturalist on the planet, as he is today.

Such revelations include:
- There are 18 plants and animals named after him
- When asked by a reporter how many degrees he had, he said it would be 'rude to count'*
- The single thing that would improve his quality of life is 'good, workable knees'.

Blending his quips galore with his powerful messages on the environment and future of the planet, this timely book showcases everything we love about Sir David, making it the perfect gift for any fan.

* He has over thirty!

***

It is very clear from the opening paragraph at the top of this page that the author is a huge fan of Sir David Attenborough. And why wouldn't he be? Throughout this book Mr Newkey-Burden goes on to provide evidence of the qualities and attributes of the incredible Sir David Attenborough.

The book comprises of five sections in the life of Sir David:

1. The Making of David Attenborough
2. Hitting the Small Screen
3. The Broadcasting Titan
4. Protector of the Planet
5. The Legacy

Throughout these chapters the prose is presented in snippet form, detailing biographical information, anecdotes, facts and interviews from his life. Interspersed throughout are some lovely line illustrations depicting everything from a puffin to a sundial. These complement the text nicely and certainly add to the appeal of the book.

This was an effortless and fascinating read. I read it in hardback form and it is sized that it is easy to slip into a pocket or handbag. Also, the nature of the writing made it an easy book to dip in and out of.

Although this book has not been endorsed by Sir David it is a celebration of the life and accomplishments of a great man.  Fans of environmental issues or admirers of Sir David Attenborough will enjoy this book very much.

ISBN: 978 1856755269

Publisher:  Gaia

Formats:  e-book and hardcover

No. of Pages:  272 (hardback)




About the Author:

Chas Newkey-Burden writes about animal rights, veganism and the environment for the Guardian, Independent, the i, Metro and the Daily Telegraph.

He is the author of dozens of books, including, Running: Cheaper Than Therapy, The Runner's Code, Get Lucky: Rituals, Habits and Superstitions of the Rich and Famous and The Reduced History of Dogs.


(book and media images courtesy of Random Things Tours)
(all opinions are my own)

Monday 11 December 2023

The Haunting Scent of Poppies by Victoria Williamson - #bookreview #blogtour

 


It was the books that Charlie smelled first - the books that drew him in.

Charlie Briggs had a nose for business, and he wasn't about to let a little thing like the "closed for lunch" sign hanging on the door of the bookshop get between him and a chance to make some unearned cash...

***

A spine-chilling winter ghost story set in the months after the Great War. Perfect for lovers of MR James and Susan Hill

The War is over, but for petty criminal Charlie his darkest days are only just beginning.

Charlie Briggs is never off-duty, even when a botched job means he's forced to lay low in a sleepy Hampshire town for the holiday season. Always searching for his next unwitting victim, or a shiny trinket he can pilfer, he can't believe his luck when he happens upon a rare book so valuable it will set him up for life. All he needs to do is sit tight until Boxing Day. But there's a desperate story that bleeds beyond the pages; something far more dangerous than London's mobsters is lurking in the shadows.

Could the book be cursed? Why is he haunted by the horrors of war? Can he put things right before he's suffocated by his own greed?

***

I usually steer well clear of any book that has the genre of horror attached to it. However, when I was offered a copy of this for a blog tour and saw it was authored by the talented Victoria Williamson, who I have read and enjoyed previously, I could not resist.

I am so glad that I decided to read it as it was beautifully written and I did not find it remotely scary. Rather it has an eeriness to it which is engrossing. 

It focuses on a character called Charlie Briggs, who is a petty criminal who has fraudulently evaded serving in the First World War.  He is a thoroughly unlikeable character but that did not deter me from being completely engrossed in this novella from the first page to the last. Charlie is haunted in two ways; first by the ghost of a man who died in the war and whose book Charlie has stolen; and secondly by the war itself.

At just under a hundred pages, this made for a quick read. However, the horrors of the war did not make for light and entertaining reading, and the book dealt with some very difficult themes as even though we are just over a century on from the war, the horrors and the experiences of the men in the trenches is still shocking to read.

However, Ms. Williamson, handles her subject in a way which is not gratuitous but she writes in a way which gets her point across admirably. It is astonishing that she has been able to convey the atmosphere and subject so well in such a short piece of writing. I highly recommend this book and it is perfectly sized to slip in a pocket... or the Christmas stocking of an older teenager or adult if you would prefer.

If you would like to read my reviews of the books I have previously read by Victoria Williamson please click on the title links below.

The Whistlers in the Dark

The Pawnshop of Stolen Dreams

Norah's Ark

ISBN: 978 1738436408

Publisher:  Silver Thistle Press

Formats:  e-book and paperback (currently available on Kindle Unlimited)

No. of Pages:  100 (paperback)


About the Author:

Victoria Williamson is an award-winning author who grew up in Scotland surrounded by hills, books, and an historical farm estate which inspired many of her early adventure stories and spooky tales. After studying Physics at the University of Glasgow, she set out on her own real-life adventures, which included teaching maths and science in Cameroon, training teachers in Malawi, teaching English in China and working with children with additional support needs in the UK. Victoria currently works part time writing KS2 books for the education company Twinkl and spends the rest of her time writing novels, and visiting schools, libraries and literary festivals to give author talks and run creative writing workshops.

Victoria’s previous novels include The Fox Girl and the White Gazelle, The Boy with the Butterfly Mind, Hag Storm, and War of the Wind. She has won the Bolton Children’s Fiction Award 2020/2021, The YA-aldi Glasgow Secondary School Libraries Book Award 2023, and has been shortlisted for the Week Junior Book Awards 2023, The Leeds Book Awards 2023, the Red Book Award 2023, the James Reckitt Hull Book Awards 2021, The Trinity School Book Awards 2021, and longlisted for the ABA South Coast Book Awards 2023, the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2020, and the Branford Boase Award 2019.

Her latest novel, The Pawnshop of Stolen Dreams, is a middle grade fantasy inspired by classic folklore. Twenty percent of the author royalties for this book are donated to CharChar Literacy, an organisation working to improve children’s literacy levels in Malawi.

You can find out more about Victoria’s books, school visits and free resources for schools on her website: www.strangelymagical.com




(book and media courtesy of The Write Reads)
(all opinions are my own)

Friday 8 December 2023

Bumbly the Bee and the Day the Flowers Lost Their Music by Tia Colcomb

 






The Bumble Bees were in their nests. Ready to start their day.

Bumbly, the youngest of the bees, was singing loudly.

"Buzz, Buzz, I'm making a honey that's for me!"


***


This is a story of a small Bee called Bumbly. He is an inquisitive bee with a kind nature. 

Bumbly heads off on his first big adventure. Little did he know he was about to meet lots of new friends, including some flowers especially one called Sonny the Sunflower. Who he and his friends have lost their music. 

Oh no something is missing what could it be and how can Bumbly help them? 

As you make your way through the book there is a blue butterfly follow her from page to page, can you see how she changes? 

This book will help your child's understanding of how plants grow and thrive and of course how bees like Bumbly play their part too!

***

This is a sweet little story featuring Bumbly the Bee who is ready to head off on his first big adventure.

The book is aimed at pre-schoolers although early infant aged readers would enjoy it. It would make for a delightful bedtime story to share with little ones.

The illustrations and the text work very well together, and pre-readers will enjoy the bright colourful pictures.

The sections where the flowers regain their singing voices and sing are lovely. The songs, written in rhyme work very well and add an extra level to this book.

I have one small criticism in that there are one or two typos in the text, but overall this is a lovely book which adults will enjoy sharing with their little ones.


ISBN:  978 1838755980

Publisher: Nightingale Books

Formats:  e-book and paperback

No. of Pages:  69 (paperback)


About the Author:

Writing has given Tia an avenue to express herself and to be transported to a different world when life has been full of challenges due to health problems. She spends her life trying to spread kindness and happiness and hopes she can through this book.






(book and media courtesy of the author)
(all opinions are my own)


Thursday 7 December 2023

The Extraordinary Dreidel by Devorah Omer & Illustrated by Aviel Basil - #bookreview

 


On Hanukkah, Uncle Haim the carpenter made Gil and Nurit a wooden dreidel. This was no ordinary dreidel. It was as big as a soccer ball!

And it had a secret compartment...


***

It is Hanukkah, and brother and sister Gil and Nurit have just been given a wooden dreidel; a special one, made just for them by their uncle. The children soon discover just how special this dreidel really is when they uncover its secret, hidden compartment.

Gil and Nurit discuss which of their own things they should hide inside. Gil then decides that he will take the dreidel to his school Hanukkah party and offer a prize to the person with the best idea. But as he prepares to leave, the dreidel is nowhere to be found. When he fetches his jacket in the closet, however, he is met with a great surprise!

The Extraordinary Dreidel is a light-hearted, family-focused story for children that will educate them about the traditions of Hanukkah and their place within the holiday. Aviel Basil’s colorful, eye-catching illustrations are the perfect accompaniment to this enjoyable, meaningful tale.

***

Sundown today sees the beginning of Hanukkah for those who celebrate it, and this lovely picture book would make a perfect Hanukkah gift for pre-school/infant age children.

The book has super illustrations from Aviel Basil which support the story about a dreidel with a hidden compartment. As the children debate what they could hide in there, the family pet finds an excellent use for it herself. 

It has a delightful ending which children will love.

It would be a great addition to the infant classroom to aid teaching about Judaism and it's festivals.

Happy Hanukkah! Chag Sameach!

ISBN: 978 1784389376

Publisher:  Green Bean Books/Pen & Sword

Formats: e-book and paperback

No. of Pages:  24 (paperback)


About the Author:

Devorah Omer (1932–2013) was born in Kibbutz Maoz Haim in 1932. Completing her studies in 1952, she went on to become a teacher, which was when she began to write books. In her lifetime, she wrote and adapted more than 100 books for children and young people, which have been translated into many languages. 

She received a great number of awards for her work, including the Ministry of Education Prize in 1973, the Ministry of Education Prize for Lifetime Achievement in 2005 and the Israel Prize for Lifetime Achievement in 2006.

Her books also won her the Book Publishers Association's Gold and Platinum Awards on several occasions. She is one of the most prolific and popular children’s authors ever to come out of Israel. Devorah Omer died in Israel at the age of 80.


(ARC courtesy of NetGalley)
(author media courtesy of ITHL and Pen & Sword Books)
(all opinions are my own)

The Fortune Teller of Katmandu by Ann Bennett - #spotlight #blogtour

 


The Blurb

A sweeping wartime tale of secrets and love, mystery and redemption, moving from the snowcapped Himalayas to the steamy heat of battle in the Burmese jungle.

Perfect for fans of Dinah Jeffries, Victoria Hislop and Rosie Thomas.


Hampshire, UK, 2015. When Chloe Harper’s beloved grandmother, Lena dies, a stranger hands her Lena’s wartime diary. Chloe sets out to uncover deep family secrets that Lena guarded to her grave.

Darjeeling, India, 1943, Lena Chatterjee leaves the confines of a strict boarding school to work as assistant to Lieutenant George Harper, an officer in the British Indian Army. She accompanies him to Nepal and deep into the Himalayas to recruit Gurkhas for the failing Burma Campaign. There, she discovers that Lieutenant Harper has a secret, which she vows never to reveal.

In Kathmandu, the prophesy of a mysterious fortune teller sets Lena on a dangerous course. She joins the Women’s Auxiliary Service Burma (the Wasbies), risking her life to follow the man she loves to the front line. What happens there changes the course of her life.

On her quest to uncover her grandmother’s hidden past, Chloe herself encounters mystery and romance. Helped by young Nepalese tour guide, Kiran Rai, she finds history repeating itself when she is swept up in events that spiral out of control...


ISBN:  978 1738430307

Publisher:  Andaman Press

Formats:  e-book and paperback (currently available on KindleUnlimited)

No. of Pages:  368 (paperback)


About the Author:

Ann Bennett is a British author of historical fiction. She was born in Pury End, a small village in Northamptonshire, UK and now lives in Surrey. Her first book, Bamboo Heart: A Daughter's Quest, was inspired by researching her father’s experience as a prisoner of war on the Thai-Burma Railway. Bamboo Island: The Planter's Wife, A Daughter's Promise and Bamboo Road: The Homecoming, The Tea Panter's Club and The Amulet are also about the war in South East Asia, which together with The Fortune Teller of Kathmandu make up the Echoes of Empire Collection.

Ann is also author of The Runaway Sisters, bestselling The Orphan House, The Forgotten Children and The Child Without a Home, published by Book Outure.

The Lake Pavilion, The Lake Palace, both set in British India in the 1930s and WW2, and The Lake Pagoda and The Lake Villa, set in French Indochina during WW2, make up The Oriental Lake Collection.

Ann is married with three grown up sons and a granddaughter and works as a lawyer. For more details please visit www.annbennettauthor.com.

Wednesday 6 December 2023

How Not to Murder Your Ex by Katie Marsh - #bookreview #blogtour

 



On the many occasions Clio had imagined murdering her husband, it had never been anything like this. Her mind's eye had always turned away from what came next - avoiding the gore that would accompany the click of a trigger or the scream that might follow his flailing body after it was pushed from a cliff. She had never been serious, anyway. Everyone knew that. It was just Clio saying her piece, moaning about Gary the way she always did. People thought it was funny - last week her darts team had even stuck his picture over the bullseye for their Friday night match...


***

It is 5:30 am on Clio's forty-fifth birthday and her hated ex is lying dead on her doorstep. Even worse, this is no accident. Someone’s killed him...

When single mum Clio’s ex Gary turns up dead on the doorstep of her caravan – the one she’s been forced to live in ever since he stole every penny she had – there’s only one suspect. Her.

What’s more, she doesn’t remember much about the night he was killed – not just because of the forgetfulness that’s been plaguing her along with the hot flushes – but because she definitely had one too many cocktails with her two best friends Amber and Jeanie.

Clio does remember them talking about how much they all hated him though. And, in the frame for murder, she has to ask herself – if she didn’t kill Gary, who did? One of his many enemies? Or someone a little closer to home? And can she and her friends find the real killer before it’s too late?

***

This is an excellent book about the friendship of three women, Clio, Amber and Jeanie. It is about the lengths they will go to protect their friend when she is wrongly accused of murder.

In fact, whilst there is much to recommend this book, it is the friendship between the three women that is to the fore. They never doubt one another, and at all times the bond between them is their focus, sometimes to the detriment of their own families. At other times, it is the wider family that drive their actions and cement their bond even further.

Throughout the book, the chapters are presented from the perspective of each of the three women which provides further insight into their thoughts and actions. However, the are also chapters devoted to the perspective of the murder victim, Gary. He was not a character that the author intended us to like. In fact, the insight into his mind and conceitedness was sufficient to make us sympathise with Clio even further.

There were sufficient twists and turns in the mystery element of this book to keep me guessing. In fact, it was only shortly before the reveal that I realised who the murderer was.

The book finished at a point where there is ample scope for this to become a series. I sincerely hope that the author does continue with this as the book was both engaging and entertaining and I would love to read more of these characters.


ISBN:  978 1785138768

Publisher:  Boldwood Books

Formats:  e-book, audio and hardback

No. of Pages:  308 (hardback)


About the Author:

Katie Marsh wrote five bestselling, uplifting women’s fiction novels before turning to cosy crime for Boldwood. Previously published by Hodder, the first in her new crime series  How Not To Murder Your Ex, following the fortunes of the Bad Girls Detective Agency, will be published in December 2023.







(ARC and all media courtesy of Rachel's Random Resources)
(all opinions are my own)


Tuesday 5 December 2023

10 Ten Fabulous Festive Books

 


'Deck the halls with boughs of holly la la la la....'

Be grateful that this isn't a sound recording as my singing is terrible and you would all be running for the hills by now! Not that that stops me having a little festive sing song when no one else is around.

Enough of singing. Let's talk books because I am much better at that lol.  There are some fantastic Christmas books around this year..... both new and old. My favourite Christmas book remains A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. I am mentioning it here as it did not seem neccessary to place it in the top ten below as it is a given for me.

So, here are ten Christmas titles which I think look amazing.


The Jolly Christmas Postman by Janet and Allan Ahlberg

I am including this as it was a firm favourite with my children when they were younger. 

The magical, award-winning story of The Jolly Christmas Postman has been delighting children for generations, making it the perfect book to share on Christmas Eve!


The Jolly Postman has a busy day ahead. It's Christmas Eve in Fairy-Tale Land and there's plenty of post for him to deliver! There's a card for Baby Bear, a game appropriately called 'Beware' for Red Riding Hood from Mr Wolf, a get-well jigsaw for Humpty Dumpty and many more! But, can he deliver it all by Christmas? Little ones will love opening the envelopes to read the post in this magical story, full of festive, fairy tale surprises!


Murder on the Christmas Express by Alexandra Benedict

Eighteen passengers. Seven stops. One killer.

In the early hours of Christmas Eve, the sleeper train to the Highlands is derailed, along with the festive plans of its travellers. With the train stuck in snow in the middle of nowhere, a killer stalks its carriages, picking off passengers one by one. Those who sleep on the sleeper train may never wake again.

Can former Met detective Roz Parker find the killer before they kill again?

All aboard for . . . Murder on the Christmas Express.


A Stepney Girl's Christmas by Jean Fullerton

It's December 1940 and East London is expecting snow. But after months of nightly visits from the Luftwaffe, it will take more than a white Christmas to turn the bombed streets of Stepney festive. Young Eleanor Jolly, newly widowed after her husband stopped a German bullet on Dunkirk beach, is trying to pull through for the sake of her baby James. Her mother-in-law - the deceptively-named Ruby Jolly - isn't helping.

Klaus Wagner is the loneliest German in London. Having narrowly escaped imprisonment by the Gestapo for his work on an anti-fascist newspaper, he signs up for the British armed forces, hoping to save his beloved country from Nazi rule. But the holiday season is making him homesick for the family and friends he left behind.

However, Prue and Fliss Carmichael have a plan to boost morale: a surprise Christmas pantomime. When Ella comes on board, she wasn't expecting to find a German dissenter roped into the cast. Especially not an undeniably handsome German dissenter, with cornflower eyes and a mischievous smile.


The Night Before Christmas by Alex Pine

This Christmas, the hunters become the hunted…

When four trail hunters go missing in the fells of Cumbria on Christmas Eve, the race is on to find them before nightfall – when the temperature plummets.

After hours of searching, the first body is found… Not frozen in the snow, but brutally murdered and bearing a warning: the real hunt has begun.

As a snowstorm descends, three lives hang in the balance. But can the killer be caught before the trail goes cold?

From the master of Christmas crime comes a thriller that will chill you to the bone this Winter, perfect for fans of James Patterson, Clare Mackintosh and anyone who prefers their mince pies with a side of murder.


The Christmas Book Club by Sarah Morgan

A long-lasting friendship
Every year, Erica, Claudia, and Anna reunite for their book club holiday. They’re bonded by years of friendship and a deep love of books, but there is still so much they keep from each other . . .

A perfect Christmas escape
At the cosy Maple Sugar Inn, Hattie specialises in making her guests’ dreams come true, but this Christmas all she wants is to survive the festive season. Between running the inn and being a single mother, Hattie is close to breaking point.

The start of a brand-new story…?
Over the course of an eventful week, Hattie sees that the friends are each carrying around unspoken truths, but nothing prepares her for how deeply her story will become entwined in theirs. Will this Christmas be the end of the book club’s story or the start of a whole new chapter?


The Christmas Appeal by Janice Hallett

One dead Santa. A town full of suspects. Will you discover the truth? Christmas in Lower Lockwood, and the Fairway Players are busy rehearsing their festive pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk, to raise money for the church roof appeal. But despite the season, goodwill is distinctly lacking amongst the amateur dramatics enthusiasts. Sarah-Jane is fending off threats to her new position as Chair, the fibreglass beanstalk might be full of asbestos, and a someone is intent on ruining the panto even before the curtain goes up. Of course there's also the matter of the dead body. Who could possibly have had the victim on their naughty list? Join lawyers Femi and Charlotte as they read the round robins, examine the emails and pore over the police transcripts. Will the show go on? 


Classic Christmas Crime Stories Ed. by David Stuart Davies

Christmas is not always the season of goodwill. As this hugely entertaining collection shows, it can also be the season of mysterious deaths, hidden poison bottles and blunt instruments...

Part of the Macmillan Collector’s Library; a series of stunning, cloth-bound, pocket sized classics with gold foiled edges and ribbon markers. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover. The stories in Classic Christmas Crime Stories have been selected and introduced by writer David Stuart Davies.

This collection of ten stories from the golden age of British crime writing features festive whodunits by Margery Allingham and Ngaio Marsh. There are unexplained deaths by all manner of suspect means from famous writers such as Baroness Orczy and Marjorie Bowen, and dastardly Christmas crimes to be solved from esteemed crime writers such as Robert Barnard, Nicholas Olde and H. R. F. Keating. Each story is brilliantly plotted – some deliciously tense, others laced with humor – and each is bound to thoroughly entertain.


Christmas at the Wartime Bookshop by Lesley Eames

Alice, Kate and Naomi want to keep the magic of Christmas alive in their village of Churchwood but a thief in the area and a new family that shuns the local community are only the first of the problems they face.

Naomi is fighting to free herself from Alexander Harrington - the man who married her for her money then kept a secret family behind her back. It could be the start of a whole new life for her, but after years of Alexander controlling - and draining - her finances, two questions remain to be answered: how much of her money is left, and will she be able to achieve the independence she craves?

Alice's dreams came true when she married sweetheart Daniel. Now he has returned to the war and Alice misses him terribly, but she is delighted to discover that she's carrying his child. Will she, Daniel and the baby make it through the war unscathed?

For Kate, life with her dysfunctional family on Brimbles Farm has never been easy but she now has Land Girls Pearl and Ruby to help, giving her more time for her friends. She's also in love with pilot Leo. But what sort of shadow will be cast over the lives of all at Brimbles Farm when her brother returns from the war with terrible injuries? And why has Leo stopped writing?

As ever, the Wartime Bookshop is a source of community and comfort. But disaster is about to strike...


The Christmas That Changed Everything by Faye Acheampong

This Christmas, will she give her heart to someone special?

Toy shop manager Naomi is determined to make this Christmas a record-breaker. But when The Entertainment Emporium’s Santa falls ill, Naomi needs a stand-in—quick! And buttoned-up accountant Will is her only option… Forced to spend the festive season with him, in heart-racing proximity, Naomi starts to see the real Will. But revealing her true self could change everything… Does she dare let Will unwrap her guarded heart?



A Christmas Celebration by Heidi Swain

When Paige turns up unannounced at Wynthorpe Hall, she discovers the place she knew when she was growing up has changed beyond all recognition. She’s only planning to stay for a short time, but is quickly pulled into local life.
 
One night while driving home after delivering library books and shopping to residents she stumbles across an isolated cottage and meets Albert, its elderly and rather grumpy owner. She quickly realises there’s more to Albert than meets the eye and the same can be said for the other man she can’t seem to help running into, handsome but brooding Brodie.
 
All three of them have a secret and a desire to hide away from the world, but with Christmas on the horizon, is that really the best way to celebrate the season?


(header photo courtesy Unsplash)

Monday 4 December 2023

The Vintage Village Bake Off by Judy Leigh - #bookreview #blogtour

 


'In the presence of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we have come together to witness the marriage of Harriet and Geoffrey, to pray for God's blessing on them, to share their joy, and to celebrate their love.'

The vicar smelled of something muddy and a strong whiff of aniseed. Hattie wondered if he'd just finished a quick burial outside. He must have rushed into the vestry to dust the soil from his hands and swig a swift glass of Pernod before starting the marriage service. She squinted at Geoffrey, sombre in his grey suit, through the dense net of her veil...

***

Now in his seventies, Robert Parkin is stunned to find himself the unlikely sex symbol of the village gardening club.

Living in happy solitude with his cat Isaac Mewton in the Devon village of Millbrook, entertained by his mischievous chickens and goats, Robert has never figured out the rules of romance. But as the local ladies vie for his company, it soon becomes clear that Robert’s Victoria Sponge cake is the lure, and as his baking prowess grows, so does his confidence.

Cheesecakes, meringues, puddings, Robert can do it all, but his real masterpieces are his scones – ginger, rosemary, coconut, fruit, his recipes are inspired and soon come to the attention of the local media. Which county does the best cream tea – Devon or Cornwall? It’s time for an age-old debate to be settled with a competition.

Robert’s sisters Bunty and Hattie are both at crossroads in their lives, so news of their brother’s baking competition is the perfect excuse to bring them to Millbrook. And as the siblings relish each other’s company, and Robert relishes being at the heart of his community, a summer of scones may just light the way to long-lasting happiness for them all.

***

This book was fun to read. It focusses on how we are never too old for second chances and how it is never too late to delve into new opportunities.

Whilst Hattie is the main character, it is really the story of three siblings of mature years, Hattie, Robert and Bunty. The author has developed their characters brilliantly, and they were each a joy to become acquainted with.

However, there was also a cast of secondary characters who were equally well drawn. I loved the vicar's daughter, Tilda, who is part of a punk band called Armpit. Jacko, the self-centred plumber, as well as the various women who are vying for Robert's attention. All extremely well drawn and who added an extra nuance to both plot and character.

What was delightful in this book was observing how Hattie grew as a person. Having escaped her marriage to the coercive and controlling Geoffrey it was marvellous to observe how she grew in strength and character.

It was a character led book set in an English village in Devon. The author conveys the feeling of community very well. Devon is a beautiful part of the country, and she did a great job in demonstrating that through the narrative.

It was a heartwarming and lighthearted novel which was a pleasure to read, and I recommend it.


ISBN: 978 1785132230

Publisher:  Boldwood Books

Formats:  e-book, audio, hardback and paperback

No. of Pages:  336 (paperback)


About the Author:

Judy Leigh is the USA Today bestselling author of The Old Girls’ Network and Five French Hens and the doyenne of the ‘it’s never too late’ genre of women’s fiction. She has lived all over the UK from Liverpool to Cornwall, but currently resides in Somerset.










(e-book and media courtesy of Rachel's Random Resources)
(all opinions are my own)

Friday 1 December 2023

Books I Want to Read in December 2023

 


IT'S DECEMBER!!!

I have been busy making a list of books to buy for my family for the festivities. Okay, I'd be lying if I didn't own up to the fact that I have made a fairly extensive list for myself too, and just happened to have left it lying around where my family might stumble upon it!

In the meantime, here are ten books that I would like to read it December! And if you are wondering why there are almost no festive titles in this list, they will be coming in a seperate post.


The Winter List by S.G. Maclean

The Fault in our Stars by John Green

The Witch's Daughter by Imogen Edwards-Jones

A Lady on the Edge of Ruin by Lotte R. James

The Wrong Girl by Laura Wilson

The Puppets of Spelhorst by Kate DiCamillo

Dawn by Elie Wiesel

Sanctuary by Luca D'Andrea

Hercult Poirot's Silent Night by Sophie Hannah

The Giver of Stars by Jo Jo Moyes


Thursday 30 November 2023

Nameless Queen: A Prophecies of Ragnarok Story by Marie Sinadjan- #spotlight #excerpt

 


I am delighted to be bringing you a spotlight and excerpt from Nameless Queen by author, Marie Sinadjan. Do enjoy reading this and there is a purchase link below.


The Blurb

All things end, and all must die.

But death is not always the end.

When Geiravor Lokisdottir was stripped of her name and cast out of Asgard, torn from her family and the life she had known, she thought she’d lost it all. But in the shadows of Niflheim she discovers the path to her destiny, and what it truly means to be queen.

This is a prequel short story to THE PROPHECIES OF RAGNAROK trilogy by Meri Benson and Marie Sinadjan and a retelling of the myths involving Hel, the Norse goddess of death and the queen of the underworld.


Excerpt


Standing on the bank of the river Gjoll, Hel listened to the names of the Dead in the wind. This was her life now, as difficult and strange as it was to accept.

The Allfather had banished her from Asgard for treason, trapping her in Niflheim and erasing her name. However, she eventually realized that the realm itself was alive and had other plans. Niflheim did not intend for her to merely wallow in her despair and slowly starve herself to death.

The realm wanted her to be its caretaker.

A line of longships stretched toward the horizon and disappeared into the mist. In the ships were bodies, and the first one had come alive at Hel’s accidental touch.

The man lurched like he had been holding his breath underwater for far too long. “Where am I?”

For a moment she stared back at him with an equal measure of fear. What just happened? Was it her appearance that scared him?

But it soon became clear that it was not the case. “Who am I?” he asked her, distraught.

His name came to her in the wind. “Egil Hringson,” she repeated.

Her eyes flew wide as the man clung to her and wept like a child. She hadn’t realized how important it was for the Dead to be remembered, not until then. And while she did not have the details of his life, revealing his name seemed to help him find peace.

She did not sleep for three whole days, traversing the bank of the river to bring the newly deceased out of their stupor. There were surely hundreds of them; she’d stopped bothering to count after she reached twenty. Some ships had elaborate carvings on the prow, while others were simple wooden vessels that appeared to have been put together at the last minute. None of that mattered to her, however. It was not her place to judge or choose who awakened in this realm, unlike Odin the Allfather and his band of Valkyries.

At first, only the old woman helped her. But after three days of tireless work by the river, the inhabitants of Niflheim came to see that she was something more than merely a deranged soul who could not embrace the fact that she was dead. One by one, they joined her, seeing those she’d awakened into settlements and communities. Most of them were patterned and named after actual Midgardian locations, which provided a small comfort to the Dead.

“Who is she?” Egil asked the old woman when he returned to the river the day after his awakening.

“Hel,” the old woman answered.

It was not Hel’s real name, but it was all she had.

The one she had been born with had been taken away from her.


Purchase Link from Amazon

Wednesday 29 November 2023

Reading Roundup for November 2023

 


How has November been for you, my friends?  It has been a quiet month for me which isn't a bad thing as it has given me lots of reading time.

Have you started shopping for the festivities yet? Hopefully, you are more organised than I am. I have made a start but I still have lots to do! I will get there. I always do.

Have you read anything good this month? Do tell!

Here are the books which I read this month.


Books I Have Read

New York Miracle by Margo Laurie - A sweet Christmassy ghost novella. You can read my review by clicking here.

Number 23 Burlington Square by Jenni Keer - This was my favourite book this month. It scored an easy five stars. You can read my review by clicking here.

Ghosted by Rosie Mullender - This was a delightful rom-com which I really enjoyed. You can read my review by clicking here.

The Counterfeit Detective by Simpson Grears - A dual timeline novel with overtones of Sherlock Holmes and Jack the Ripper. You can read my review by clicking here.

The Heretic's Daughter by Michael Lynes - The second book in the Isaac Alvarez series, and probably my favourite of the trilogy. You can read my review by clicking here.

The Red Citadel by Michael Lynes - The perfect book to end the Isaac Alvarez series. You can read my review by clicking here.

Into the Lion's Mouth by Nancy McConnell - I read this book for the BBNYA Awards and I will post my review after the judging has taken place.

How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney by Mac Barnett - The age old question is considered in this lovely picture book for children. You can read my review by clicking here.

Shrines of Gaiety by Kate Atkinson - This was my book group pick this month. One or two members really liked it but the majority thought it was less enjoyable than some of her previous books.

Bunnies in a Sleigh! by Philip Ardagh - I loved this picture book for young children. Lots of reasons to make children (and adults) giggle. You can read my review by clicking here.

Christmas at the Cabin by Rebecca Boxall - A gorgeous tale that is the perfect festive read. You can read my review by clicking here.

The Library Girls of the East End by Patricia McBride - I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book which is the first in a planned series. You can read my review by clicking here.

A Woman of Courage by Rita Bradshaw - I enjoyed this book very much. You can read my review by clicking here.

Moroccan Traffic by Dorothy Dunnett - The seventh book in the Dolly series. You can read my review by clicking here.

Books I Am Partway Through

The Chilbury Ladies Choir by Jennifer Ryan

The Only Way Out is Death by Varun Gwalani

The Vintage Village Bake Off by Judy Leigh


(header photo courtesy of Dollar Gill/Unsplash)