Leeza McAuliffe Has Loads More to Say by Nicky Bond - #bookreview #blogtour

 

Sunday 1st January

'My name's Leeza McAuliffe, I'm 11 years old, and my family does my head in.'

If I were writing a book, that's how I'd start. Straight to the point, no messing around...

***

Leeza McAuliffe is used to change. The previous year saw a house move, a family wedding, and the surprise arrival of baby Harvest. The next twelve months should be calmer. Except...

A new girl at school is causing Leeza headaches. What is her problem, anyway? Best mate Jake can cheer her up but their friendship has begun to spark gossip. And the arrival of a letter brings change that none of the McAuliffes saw coming.

Join Leeza as she charts another rollercoaster year. Whether it's misunderstandings about her love life, getting to grips with the brand new world of periods, or having her very first kiss, she's determined to record the highs and lows, no matter what.

***

Although this book is the second in the Leeza McAuliffe series, it worked perfectly well as a standalone novel. I have not read the first book, Leeza McAuliffe Has Something to Say, but that did not impede my enjoyment of this book at all.

Written in the form of Leeza's diary, we get to know her via her own words. This was exceptionally well done. Although the book is aimed at young adults, reading this as an adult was equally enjoyable. In fact, I think an adult reading perspective gave us a glimpse into the secondary characters; particularly when she is writing about her parents. For example, it was easy to read beyond the text when Leeza writes about her annoying parents because as adults we can interpret their actions via Leeza's response. Very cleverly done.

However, although  my girlhood is a good few years behind me know, I was still able to identify with Leeza. She is a fantastic main character, and I think readers will love her. I definitely intend to keep my copy of the book back for when my granddaughter reaches the appropriate age to get the best out of this book.

I love the way Leeza imagines that her diary will become a historical artefact of the future. It made for an amusing and entertaining read. The author has created a character with a distinct voice and who is an extremely likeable character. I very much hope that there will be more books in the series as I would love to accompany Leeza on her journey through her teens.

This is well worth reading and I think young people and adults alike will enjoy reading this book.

ISBN:  978 0995657458

Publisher:  Take-Away-Tea Books

Formats: e-book and paperback

No. of Pages:  350 (paperback)

About the Author:

Nicky Bond was born in Liverpool, UK, in 1978. The eldest of seven children, she found books were a perfect way to drown out the lively household around her, and meant her hands were never free to change a nappy. 

She studied Psychology and English Literature at University College Northampton before embarking upon a career in Education. Twelve years later, she stopped procrastinating and got writing.

Her first novel, 'Carry the Beautiful' was published in 2017. Her second, for pre-teens and those that care for them - 'Leeza McAuliffe Has Something To Say' - came out in 2019. 'Assembling the Wingpeople' - the sequel to her first novel - was published in Autumn 2021.

Nicky is a regular supporter of Liverpool Women Football Club, relaxes by cooking, and spends a lot of time drinking tea.

(book and media courtesy of Love Books Tours)

(author photo courtesy of her website)

(all opinions are my own)

Reading Roundup for January 2024

If you have noticed that things have been a little quiet on the blog this week, it is because this gorgeous little bundle of mischief has joined the family!

When I lost my lovely border collie to old age last September I was completly heartbroken. At the time I did not think I would ever have another dog again. Any of you who have lost a beloved pet will understand exactly what I mean. But then my daughter-in-law sent me a link to this litter of puppies, and they and their mum were only twenty minutes away... well you can imagine the rest. I was instantly in love again.

We have called her Roxie and she is a border collie/Bedlington terrier cross. She is a little darling and I am so happy to have another writing companion... that is when she allows me to do any actual writing! So, I hope you will bear with me if my reviews are less frenquent than they usually are.

That said, here is my list of books that I have managed to read this month.

Books I Have Read

Cover the Bones by Chris Hammer - This book is part of the Ivan Lucic and Nell Bucanan series and well worth reading. You can read my review here.

The Pierogi Peril by Geri Krotow - The second book in the Kielbasa Queen series. It was a light-hearted story which will appeal to cozy crime readers.

War of the Wind by Victoria Williamson - I love this author's books. They are all very different but all brilliant in their own way. This one is aimed at children of 10+ You can read my review here.

Maisie's Big Book of Kindness by Lucy Cousins - This lovely picture book for children has a positive measure about kindness, thoughtfulness and sharing.

 

Back to Her Future by Cary J. Hansson - This was a fantastic novel and was easily a five star read for me. You can read my review by clicking here.

The Austrian Bride by Helen Parusel - This was an excellent book set in Austria during the annexation in 1938. You can read my review by clicking here.

Stitch by Padraig Kenny - Based loosley on Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, this was my favourite book this month. You can read my review by clicking here.

But You Did Not Come Back Again by Marceline Loridan-Ivens - Although I did not get around to reviewing this book it is well worth reading.

Will You Be My Friend? by Sam McBratney - I will be posting my review of this gorgeous book for young children very soon.

A Kestrel for a Knave by Barry Hines - A brilliant modern classic and my review will be coming soon.

Harvest Cruise by Rebecca Benison - This is an exciting adventure story based around a singles cruise ship. You can read my review by clicking here.

River East, River West by Aube Rey Lescure - A fabulous book set in China. You can read my review by clicking here.

The Secrets of Crestwell Hall by Alexandra Walsh - This is a dual timeline book, moving between the 17th century and the modern day. You can read my review by clicking here.

Books I am Partway Through

 The Brother Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky - expect to see this one here for a while.

Newborn by Kerry Hudson

A Brilliant Life by Rachelle Unreich

Maude Horton's Glorious Revenge by Lizzie Pook

The Rat King by Emma Miles - #spotlight #blogtour

 

Being the son of a Coven Lord is a far and desperate cry from luxury and safety. Every day Rothfel must prove he is worth the food his father puts on the table, and avoid the notice of Lord Atise’s brutal bodyguard, Bicken. When his only friend, a lowly slave, is cruelly taken from him, Rothfel finds himself alone in the sprawling, chaotic city of Letniv.

Yearning for friendship, love, and approval, he is offered a hand from the unlikeliest of places…

But who is really worth his loyalty? 

Akimas Atise, his distant, cold, and terrifying father? 

Golghen, the mysterious chameleon of Letniv city; king of liars, king of thieves? 

Gentle, brave Leida; slave, concubine, descendant of the free women of the north?

Or Zephyr? Ghost, murderer, and devoted follower of the King of Rats.

Rothfel is only ten, but his choices, his love, his loyalty… will change the Land Beneath the Sky.

The Rats of Letniv is a prequel to the Fire-Walker saga and Land Beneath the Sky companion books.

ISBN:  979 8863294148

Publisher:  Independent

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

No. of Pages:  521

From the Author:

I often get asked when I knew I was a writer; the answer is always. A writer is what I am, it’s in my soul. There have been times in my life when I couldn’t write, and times when my writing has been the only thing that kept me going. I think I always longed for something deeper from life, something more meaningful, and I found it in my imagination and in the music of words.

It was poetry which first caught my attention, and whilst my younger cousins called for ghost stories it was animals I first wrote of. I think I gravitated toward fantasy because of the freedom it gives, I could create my own worlds and decide my own rules. 

My Wind’s Children trilogy was born from an image that came to me whilst daydreaming, of a young man sitting alone below a bridge. I didn’t know who he was; it turns out neither did he, but we found out together.

I’m now working on my seventh book and love writing more than ever, it’s an addiction, an obsession, but one I now share with my wonderful writing family. My beta readers, my editor, and you, my readers, having you with me on my journey means the world to me.

I write as much as I can around work, but I also try to squeeze in a ridiculous amount of hobbies! I’m a wildlife photographer and do a little archery. I paint, sculpt with clay, withies and driftwood, preferring to be outdoors if I can. I still have a love for the theatre, having started out in life studying backstage crafts, and a great love for language. I speak a little French, Romanian and Italian, ma non molto bene!

Thanks for reading this. If you read any of my books and love them, please come say hello and tell me, you’d be surprised at how much that means to an author.

Take care of yourself.

Em x

(all media courtesy of The Write Reads)

Reading Roundup for August 2023

 

This month has not been such a great one for me, and I have not reviewed as many books as usual. I had to have a stay in hospital (nothing serious) and upon my discharge I caught covid. I was looked after brilliantly by the NHS but lying there recovering I found it really difficult to read. There was so much necessary hustle, bustle and noise going on around me and I found I couldn't settle to anything.

Most of all, I missed my dog. It goes without saying that I missed by lovely husband too, but I was at least able to see him each day during visiting hours. My husband tells me that the dog missed me equally and judging from the reception his waggy tail gave me when I returned home he was quite right. So, this month my gorgeous dog, Buddy, is my header photo for no other reason that I love him and missed him so much.

Anyway, enough dog talk and on to books. I am a little behind with my reviews this month but they will be coming. In the meantime, here are the books which I read this month.

Books I Have Read

The Wolf Hunt by Ayelet Gundar-Goshen - This was easily my favourite book this month. My review will be up very soon so watch this space.  Purchase Link*

In a Lonely Place by Dorothy B. Hughes - This was an excellent book and my review will be up soon.  Purchase Link*

All Good Things by Amanda Prowse - I like this authors' books very much and this was no exception. My review will be up soon.   Purchase Link*

The Franchise Affair by Josephine Tey - This was most enjoyable for anyone who enjoys Golden Age detective fiction.  Purchase Link*

How to Draw a Giraffe: The Alice May Way by Alice G. May - I spent a very enjoyable afternoon with this book. You can find my review by clicking here.

Norah's Ark by Victoria Williamson - My review of this smashing book will be up tomorrow in time for the blog tour.  Purchase Link*

Wartime with the Cornish Girls by Betty Walker - This is the first in the Cornish Girls series. I liked it very much and my review is coming.  Purchase Link*

Kings and Queens: Alfred the Great to King Charles III and Everyone In-Between! by Marcia Williams - This was a fantastic comic-strip presentation aimed at junior school/middle grade children. If you would like to read my review you can do so by clicking here.   Purchase Link*

The Cornish Rebel by Nicola Pryce - This historical fiction title is one in a series and I cannot wait to read some of the others. My review for this book can be found here.  Purchase Link*

Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore by Matthew J. Sullivan - Although this book is not what I expected I enjoyed reading it very much. You can find my review by clicking here.  Purchase LInk*

The Prosecco Pact by Kiltie Jackson - A story of three very different women who are friends. You can read my review by clicking here.

Don't Look Away by Rachel Abbott - This was a fabulous read and I highly recommend it. You can read my review by clicking here.  Purchase Link*

Books I Did Not Finish

Last of the Summer Moet by Wendy Holden - Not finishing this is no reflection on the book but I was trying to read this in hospital and could not get into it.

I, Julian by Claire Gilbert - I had really high hopes for this book but couldn't get into it. I may try it another time.

Books I am Partway Through

Murder on the Farm by Kate Wells

The Yorkshire Farm Girl by Diane Allen

*Disclosure: I only recommend books I would buy myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post contains an affiliate link from which I may earn a small commission.

Never Trust a Gemini by Freja Nicole Woolf - #BookReview

 

I cannot stop dreaming about Alison Bridgewater. This could be because it's Libra Season... Love and relationships are on everybody's minds during Libra Season, according to my Bible to the Stars - or my Book for Blithering Idiots, as my Dad calls it. But it could also indicate that I'm reaching dangerous and dizzying new heights of my Alison Bridgewater Obsession, which is not good news, as I'm dizzied almost to death already!

They're very innocent dreams: Alison and me walking hand in hand across Tower Bridge in London... Alison and me playing tag on a white-sand beach...

***

Life is fraught for fourteen-year-old, zodiac-obsessed Cat. First there’s a minor bus-meets-girl accident, then there’s a boy-next-door suitor who can’t take a hint, but the most desperate disaster of all is Cat’s crush on the stunning and poetic Alison Bridgewater.

According to their star charts, Cat and Alison are the perfect match. To which Alison (woe alas!) remains oblivious.

But when the dangerously cool Morgan Delaney wades into the river to save Cat's sketchbook of kissing Disney princesses, she sends Cat’s stars spinning.

Can Cat get over her Alison obsession and follow her heart towards Morgan? Or should she exercise caution? After all, Morgan is a Gemini, and if there’s one thing Cat’s Bible to the Stars has taught her it’s that you can never – ever – trust a Gemini…

***

This book is aimed at teenage readers and particularly those of the LBQT+ community. Having said that - and speaking as a hetrosexual woman whose teenage years seem but a distant memory - I absolutely loved this book and was sorry when it came to an end.

The main character, Cat, is a fourteen year old lesbian who has yet to come out. She has a crush on her straight close friend, Alison, and the reader very quickly realises that this aspect of the story is not going to end well. Cat is one of the most adorable teenage characters that I have come across recently. She is clumsy, often says the wrong thing and lives her life according to her horoscope.

In fact, the book is divided into astrological sections and the plot plays out against Cat's understanding of what should be happening within this astrological time frame. I had a good chuckle at some of her expectations as well as the way in which she interprets it and attempts to apply to her life.

I am not a follower of horoscopes, but this book made me curious and I went to look up what the stars predict for me this week. I was surprised to read that it said that I should seek out something fun to help me access my inner child. This book had certainly done that as it was a very fun and easy read and I really enjoyed it. I guess that means that the stars aligned perfectly for me with this book!

What I most enjoyed about this book was that it was not an issue led narrative. Rather, the author has created a fun and interesting story centred around a main character who is a teenage lesbian. Ms. Wolf has done an excellent job in portraying her characters in such a believable and accessible fashion. I equally liked the secondary characters. Who could fail to like Jamie, Cat's accidental boyfriend?

This is a great coming-or-age story that will delight teens and adults alike.

ISBN:  978 1529509991

Publisher:  Walker Books

Formats:  e-book, audio and paperback

No. of Pages:   320 (paperback)

Purchase Link - Bookshop.org*

About the Author:

Freja Nicole Woolf’s writing is absolutely not autobiographical. (Except for the bits that are.) She’s been writing since school and, at the über-ancient age of twenty-four, she finally wrote her debut, Never Trust a Gemini, as a joyful, romantic alternative to the issue-led LGBTQ+ stories she grew up with. She lives in London and aspires to be a Capricorn. Unfortunately, she's a Pisces. Never Trust a Gemini, is her debut novel and is published by Walker Books.

(book courtesy of the publisher)

(author info courtesy of The Bent Agency)

(all opinions are my own)

*Disclosure: I only recommend books I would buy myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post contains an affiliate link from which I may earn a small commission.

Reading Roundup for July 2023

 

Here we are at the end of another month. It is summertime here in the UK and the weather has not relected the season. We had a few nice days but other than that it has been warm but muggy with lots of showers. Never mind - I have still got plenty of books read but mostly have had to do it indoors.

What have you been reading in July?

Books I Have Read

See What I Have Done by Sarah Schmidt - This is based on the story of Lizzie Borden. I found the book to be rather disappointing.

The Village Vicar by Julie Houston - Another lovely novel from Julie Houston. This is the first in a series and I enjoyed it very much. You can read my review of this book by clicking here.  

Purchase link - Bookshop.org*

Good Girls Die Last by Natali Simmonds - This was my favourite book this month. It made for a fantastic read and I highly recommend it. You can read my review by clicking here.

Purchase link - Bookshop.org*

Lucky Jack by S. Bavey - A lovely biography of Jack Rogers which has been written by his granddaughter. You can read my review by clicking here.

The Golden Bell by Robert L. Stone - This book of scholarly fiction set in the eleventh/twelfth centuries made for an interesting read. You can read my review by clicking here.

The Highlander's Bridal Bid by Nicole Locke - I enjoyed this book published by Mills & Boon. I am really enjoying their books at the moment. If you would like to read my review you can find it here.  

Purchase link - Bookshop.org*

This Child of Mine by Emma-Claire Wilson - A heartfelt and emotional debut book is well worth reading. You can find my review by clicking here. Purchase Link - Bookshop.org*

Miracle Number Four by Paul Marriner - This novel gave me a trip down memory lane by being set in 1970's London. I enjoyed it very much. You can find my review by clicking here.

Lessons by Ian McEwan - I am a fan of Ian McEwan but I was very disappointed by this novel.

The Long Call by Ann Cleeves - A fantastic new book series from the author of Shetland and Vera. I'm looking forward to reading more of the series. You can read my review by clicking here.

Purchase Link - Bookshop.org*

An Invitation to Seashell Bay by Bella Osborne - I really enjoyed this light-hearted rom-com. You can read my review by clicking here.  Purchase Link - Bookshop.org*

The Nurse by Valerie Keogh - This was a fast, gripping read that I did not want to put down. You can read my review by clicking here.

The Associate by Victoria Goldman - An excellent second book in the Shanna Regan series. You can read my review by clicking here.

#Living the Dream by Ed. Carrie Frais - A collection of essays and reflections on living as an expat. You can read my review by clicking here.

A Midlife Gamble by Cary Hansson - The last book in the Midlife trilogy. You can read my review by clicking here.

Never Trust  a Gemini by Freya Nicole Wolf - I only finished reading this book in bed last night and I will be posting my review this week.

Purchase Link - Bookshop.org*

Books I am Partway Through

Don't Look Away by Rachel Abbott

Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore by Matthew J. Sullivan

*Disclosure: I only recommend books I would buy myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post contains an affiliate link from which I may earn a small commission.