tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59943479491688116442024-03-18T03:03:36.745+00:00 Rea Book ReviewsRea's Book Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15353422384392155666noreply@blogger.comBlogger1141125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5994347949168811644.post-79337907267952162382024-03-14T09:00:00.001+00:002024-03-14T09:00:00.139+00:00The Saturday Place by Alice Peterson<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqwdDD6tMGc2xq28tAm4TFXtmCEsuTVRAs3U5gc8OEb_adhJRwp37QXjoPPQ0UxKvc8mwg0dK9biq9VvTUmpg-UHUc6jrPblwM6AlmJGrbMcGFVlVOu0KMk_lK0CJUB4z2IdgT412HiKAKmtS99vfwxKNlabDcRBEnBwvf_D0mUhmayuslvPFwYuQDccHL/s1000/alice.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="652" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqwdDD6tMGc2xq28tAm4TFXtmCEsuTVRAs3U5gc8OEb_adhJRwp37QXjoPPQ0UxKvc8mwg0dK9biq9VvTUmpg-UHUc6jrPblwM6AlmJGrbMcGFVlVOu0KMk_lK0CJUB4z2IdgT412HiKAKmtS99vfwxKNlabDcRBEnBwvf_D0mUhmayuslvPFwYuQDccHL/s320/alice.jpg" width="209" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span class="a-text-bold" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><i><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: helvetica;">Three perfect strangers who help each other to believe in love again</span></i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><i><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: helvetica;"><span class="a-text-bold" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Holly's</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> husband died, and she’s lonely. She needs to do something to save herself, quickly. Next thing she knows she’s interviewing for a voluntary cooking job, surprised to be ambushed by a scruffy man who looks like he has a past.</span></span></i></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><i><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: helvetica;"><span class="a-text-bold" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Angus</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> has messed up. He’s lost the respect of his family and has none for himself. If it weren’t for his brother and friend who run the café, he’d be sleeping on the streets. Angus is about ready to give up – until he meets Holly, who sparks something in him.</span></span></i></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><i><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Then </span><span class="a-text-bold" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Lauren</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> arrives from the homeless shelter. She came to London with nothing but an old train ticket, a teddy bear, and the clothes on her back. With no family, no home, no friends, she doesn’t know what love is. People scare her. She’s terrified of Angus and Holly. At first.</span></span></i></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: -4px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><i><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: helvetica;">Each of them finds themselves in the Saturday café at a time when they need something to grab hold of. It might have to be each other…</span></i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; margin: -4px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><i><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; margin: -4px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><i><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; margin: -4px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">I knew 2024 was going to be a great year for books when I
saw the news that one of my favourite authors Alice Peterson was back with a
new book. The Saturday Place invites us to a café that provides more than a hearty
meal, it’s a place of support, socialising as well as a sanctuary to fill your belly
with food that would have otherwise gone to waste.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">The storyline has three central characters Holly, Angus and
Lauren who all find themselves in the café as volunteers but little did they know
that by volunteering and helping others they themselves find that they are
benefiting from this little community hub too. Each of our main characters are
living a difficult chapter in their lives but with each other for comfort and
support they form an unlikely bond and begin to see that with time and small
gradual changes which may feel like hurdles at times that life that has taken a
dark turn can be full of light once again.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">This storyline is so simple yet so emotive and pure,
tackling challenges that many of us have come across either personally or to
those close to us. There are no dramatic twists and turns or big secrets to
uncover it is an insightful and touching novel that will touch your heart and
capture your attention the whole way through.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">I personally felt so connected to this book especially to the
lovely Holly having also lost my husband I found I could relate to so many
thoughts, feelings and emotions that she had most strongly the loneliness that
engulfs you. The way the author writes about living with grief after the loss
of your partner was so tenderly done and honest. I longed for a happy ever
after for her not necessarily to find another partner but just to feel happy,
loved and fulfilled.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">Lauren’s story was another delicate one too and I loved
watching her blossom as a person as she learned to trust and to accept help.
The who book though focusing on touching topics still felt hopeful and
uplifting. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">I was quite sad to leave these characters behind but I loved
every moment of this book.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">Available to buy here <a href="https://amzn.to/3UOqebP">CLICK HERE</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Paid associate link.</span></p><i><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></i><p></p>Rea's Book Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15353422384392155666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5994347949168811644.post-49790954538348042092024-03-10T08:20:00.006+00:002024-03-10T08:20:00.160+00:00The Hidden Years by Rachel Hore<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixO2Y1kC5-NrKKeEy_gKGfV738v9obYFsDN84XUGrRJDYtL4TT7yXMntqJhKSYLtLqTVf_5oVo5UOz5_9ZFYA4iqdtEUhyj79yhoc5S0sTJgiQAgnGJ5on_6fC28B2o3Zxo4YX8J0IJHntx0uJqGeQ-UScTLT6q3_IhmE5yPX68cPkU14M3s18N4czIVzv/s1000/hore.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="676" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixO2Y1kC5-NrKKeEy_gKGfV738v9obYFsDN84XUGrRJDYtL4TT7yXMntqJhKSYLtLqTVf_5oVo5UOz5_9ZFYA4iqdtEUhyj79yhoc5S0sTJgiQAgnGJ5on_6fC28B2o3Zxo4YX8J0IJHntx0uJqGeQ-UScTLT6q3_IhmE5yPX68cPkU14M3s18N4czIVzv/s320/hore.jpg" width="216" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><b><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111;">When talented musician Gray Robinson persuades Belle to abandon her university studies and follow him to Silverwood, home to an artistic community on the Cornish coast, Belle happily agrees even though they’ve only just met. She knows she is falling in love, and the thought of spending a carefree summer with Gray is all she can think about.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111;">But being with Gray isn’t the only reason Belle agrees to accompany him to Silverwood.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111;">Why does the name Silverwood sound so familiar?</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111;">What is its connection to a photo of her as a baby, taken on a nearby beach?</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111;">And who is Imogen Lockhart, a wartime nurse who lived at Silverwood many years ago?</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111;">As the summer months unfold, Belle begins to learn the truth – about secrets from the past that have been kept hidden, but also about the person she wants to be.</span></span></i></b><p></p><div><b><i><span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: Josefin Sans;"><br /></span></span></i></b></div><div><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">I love finding new authors to read and I have found a little gem in Rachel Hore having finished her recent release The Hidden Years with a story that is set in my happy place, Cornwall.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">This is a dual time frame novel that tells us Imogen’s story starting back in 1939 and then alternates to 1966 with the lovely Belle and I found I was interested in both of these characters stories but was pulled more to Imogen’s in all honesty. As the story moves along it is clear that there is some connection that connects the two character but it isn’t clear what until some time along and even if you do have your suspicions there was still another revelation that I didn’t work out. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">I loved the plot setting with Silverwood almost becoming a character in itself it is a home that holds many memories and history within its walls and has also been a protective refuge and a community helping. The characters were also extremely well developed and it was easy to form bonds with them </span><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">especially Imogen. I enjoyed watching her find her career path and it was also insightful to see how things differed in those times when it came to women working once married. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">I found the group Belle joined in her time in Silverwood very bizarre, I am all for free spirits but it seemed more like they had become lazy and lost their way and Belle clearly didn’t fit into this group! </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">The story of an event that unfolds really was moving and unexpected and the way it was told was pure and honest and for me wrapped the ending of the book up perfectly.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">This was a slow pace gentle read that I think I picked up and the right time for me and I look forward to reading more from this author. If you love authors like Liz Fenwick and Erica James then I think you would love Rachel Hore.</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3v7cTAX" target="_blank">Available to purchase by clicking here</a><br /></span></p></div>Rea's Book Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15353422384392155666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5994347949168811644.post-12213557350279918982024-02-29T08:25:00.001+00:002024-02-29T08:25:00.144+00:00The Long and Winding Road by Lesley Pearse<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWE2KuJGwgjRzop6TSnRoO_i1uHduLA755QOFdVxj2O-68RkmbSHTOo_WF-qP3JXW1SH56ICQsSL6S42Z0SD6m-nPTXfqwLTFjH0szvwzC6pt-h1nXOXZS03OXl4Q9o5w9W41aKIuSlrfEoP3WprJVSlp15635pyBHhI27trnId0iUT4bN4iFiqCi0tbWD/s1000/lesley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="650" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWE2KuJGwgjRzop6TSnRoO_i1uHduLA755QOFdVxj2O-68RkmbSHTOo_WF-qP3JXW1SH56ICQsSL6S42Z0SD6m-nPTXfqwLTFjH0szvwzC6pt-h1nXOXZS03OXl4Q9o5w9W41aKIuSlrfEoP3WprJVSlp15635pyBHhI27trnId0iUT4bN4iFiqCi0tbWD/s320/lesley.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b><i><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif;">Born during the Second World War, Lesley’s innocence came to an abrupt end when a neighbour found her, aged 3, coatless in the snow. The mother she’d been unable to wake had been dead for days. Sent to an orphanage, Lesley soon learned adults couldn’t always be trusted.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif;">As a teenager in the swinging sixties, she took herself to London. Here, the second great tragedy of her life occurred. Falling pregnant, she was sent to a mother and baby home, and watched helplessly as her newborn was taken from her.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif;">But like so many of her generation, Lesley had to carry on. She was, after all, a true survivor. Marriage and children followed – and all the while she nurtured a dream: to be a writer. Yet it wasn’t until at the age of 48 that her stories – of women struggling in a difficult world – found a publisher, and the bestseller lists beckoned.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif;">As heartbreaking as it is heartwarming, Lesley’s story really is A Long and Winding Road with surprises and uplifting hope around every corner . . .</span></span></i></b><p></p><p><b><i><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></i></b></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">This is certainly a first for me as I have probably only
read 4 autobiographies in my lifetime but none of them were the lives of an
author so The Long and Winding Road by Lesley Pearse was going to be a new
insight for me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">I have loved all of the fictional books I have read by
Lesley Pearse and having now read of her colourful and eventful life it is quite
easy to see where she gets some of the ideas and inspiration behind her
characters and the storylines she creates. She tells us how she was always making
up stories as a child some would call it lies few would see it as storytelling.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">I fell into this storyline with ease because I am currently
living in Chatham and with the early years of Lesley’s childhood she was raised
around Chatham and Rochester so a lot of the places she mentioned in her book I
have discovered or heard of myself so it made me feel more connected to the
storyline. One thing that really shocked me was how often Lesley moved home and
not just home different areas too, I actually lost count of how many homes she
has had but one thing that shines through is her determination because no
matter what the reason for her next move she never seemed to sit and wallow she
would storm forward and find her next home and job with defiance she really was
quite admirable in this way.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">Lesley is also very honest when it came to her relationships,
children and drug taking which was all very unexpected and insightful and again
where a lot of people may have crumbled Lesley seemed to have a decisive mind
and fire in her belly to forge forward in her own way.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">There wasn’t a lot about her writing or her publishing
journey which I was kind of hoping to have a little more of a glimpse into but
that aside I still found myself completely hooked on her every word and
actually enjoyed this a lot more than I was expecting. It is quite something to
now feel like you know the author behind the book in more light and I was quite
fascinated by her and admired her determination. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">Available to buy <a href="https://amzn.to/3wBIvio">HERE!</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">*<span style="font-size: x-small;">commission paid affiliate link</span></p><b><i><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif;"></span></span></i></b><p></p>Rea's Book Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15353422384392155666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5994347949168811644.post-1403628220263020282024-02-18T10:04:00.001+00:002024-02-18T10:04:29.993+00:00Homecoming by Kate Morton<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVxz5lqBpb0sz6Q35fxw9W2cW9HdPlgzGz-s9yYIIoK3NOkQeblan2-rBNF1IZQG2fF4hbHKOcBTkjJWslQkBKNj-9jfCWJt8mUdl_o9q91ajJ-9gb33W4CE101vpWsuB7YRcLjZKE-04PrObOMrl5PRGz8M2nIkY43xpwJXloNs5xexlosNkuh4jBpjBC/s1179/Homecoming.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1179" data-original-width="848" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVxz5lqBpb0sz6Q35fxw9W2cW9HdPlgzGz-s9yYIIoK3NOkQeblan2-rBNF1IZQG2fF4hbHKOcBTkjJWslQkBKNj-9jfCWJt8mUdl_o9q91ajJ-9gb33W4CE101vpWsuB7YRcLjZKE-04PrObOMrl5PRGz8M2nIkY43xpwJXloNs5xexlosNkuh4jBpjBC/s320/Homecoming.png" width="230" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><i><span style="color: #e06666;"><span class="a-text-bold" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 700 !important;">Adelaide Hills, 1959. </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif;">At the end of a scorching hot day, in the grounds of a grand country house, a local man makes a terrible discovery. Police are called, and the small town of Tambilla becomes embroiled in one of the most mystifying murder investigations in the history of Australia.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="a-text-bold" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 700 !important;">London, 2018. </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif;">Jess is a journalist in search of a story. Having lived and worked in London for nearly two decades, a phone call summons her back to Sydney, where her beloved grandmother, Nora, has suffered a fall and is seriously ill in hospital.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Seeking comfort in her past, Jess discovers a true crime book at Nora’s house chronicling a long-buried police case: the Turner Family Tragedy of 1959. And within its pages she finds a shocking personal connection to this notorious event – a crime that has never truly been solved.</span></span></i><p></p><p><i><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></i></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">Whilst visiting Padstow I stumbled upon a gorgeous independent
book shop that had wonderful displays of new releases and Signed Independent
Bookshop editions and the one that immediately caught my eye was Homecoming by
Kate Morton, an author I had never read before but with its stunning cover and exquisite
detailed sprayed edges I took a look at the blurb and realised this was a
mystery I wanted to uncover.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">The first thing I noticed with this book was the authors
beautiful detailed writing style that effortlessly brought everything to my
mind so vividly from the picturesque setting to the full-bodied characters
along with their thoughts, feelings and emotions. It was so easy to get lost in
this story and feel a part of the answer to solving the mystery surrounding the
deaths of Isabel and her children.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">The storyline is told in dual time frame which works
perfectly with this book despite being something I am not usually a fan of. Current
day we meet Jess whose Grandmother Nora is critically ill in hospital and seems
to be disturbed by something in her past which leads Jess on a path of discovery
as she unearths her family’s hidden tragedy, a tragedy that has never really
been solved.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">We are taken to the time of the discovery of the bodies and
hear the statements of those in the community and as the storyline moves along
and more pieces of the jigsaw are found my own spider senses kicked in and I
did actually solve one part to the story fairly early on ( I won’t say anymore
as I hat to give spoilers) this didn’t ruin my reading of this book though because
there was still other pieces surrounding the story and more shocking elements
revealed that I hadn’t picked up on so I still had my interest piqued the whole
way through.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">I do feel like the book was a little longer than it needed
to be but just as I got to the point where I felt like my attention was wavering,
I was immediately pulled back into the storyline. This was a delicate and
winding storyline that uncovers secrets and their long lasting effects they
have on peoples lives who are effected even in years to come. I loved this
authors storytelling and think fans of Erica James and Dinah Jefferies will
love this author too. I can’t wait to read another novel by this author.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">This book is also now available in paperback.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Supporting local bookshops, then click to buy here </p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://uk.bookshop.org/a/3532/9781529094084">BUY FROM BOOKSHOPS</a><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Amazon link <a href="https://amzn.to/3wuJgd1">Buy from Amazon</a></p><i><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif;"></span></span></i><p></p>Rea's Book Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15353422384392155666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5994347949168811644.post-53259635347266667532024-02-15T09:30:00.017+00:002024-02-15T09:30:00.133+00:00The Happiest Ever After by Milly Johnson<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDC7nEJM6O-gLPPtpNjZ9wg-WjAMvVHHkmDM1_q-8NkIztgoBjBQqr5ZYYZypniPNNLoHefoj14s9fgQADj19AnZ50ZxJbiRdq2j58emwqyCyGDcOyMU-XyGiGFX4MoZQMOhrwT_mQUT8KC1488fXzyKsfN2ycdlfula7NuenQW20NP__AaXvDY5IP9TWl/s1000/milly.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="653" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDC7nEJM6O-gLPPtpNjZ9wg-WjAMvVHHkmDM1_q-8NkIztgoBjBQqr5ZYYZypniPNNLoHefoj14s9fgQADj19AnZ50ZxJbiRdq2j58emwqyCyGDcOyMU-XyGiGFX4MoZQMOhrwT_mQUT8KC1488fXzyKsfN2ycdlfula7NuenQW20NP__AaXvDY5IP9TWl/s320/milly.jpg" width="209" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b><i><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111;">Polly Potter is surviving, not thriving. She used to love her job – until her mentor died and her new boss decided to make her life hell. She used to love her partner Chris – until he cheated on her, and now she can’t forget. The only place where her life is working is on the pages of the novel she is writing – there she can create a feistier, bolder, more successful version of herself – as the fictional Sabrina Anderson.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111;">But what if it was possible to start over again? To leave everything behind, forget all that went before, and live the life you’d always dreamed of?</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111;">After a set of unforeseen circumstances, Polly ends up believing she really IS Sabrina, living at the heart of a noisy Italian family restaurant by the sea. Run by Teddy, the son of her new landlady Marielle, it’s a much-loved place, facing threat of closure as a rival restaurant moves in next door. Sabrina can’t remember her life as Polly, but she knows she is living a different life from the one she used to have.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111;">But what if this new life could belong to her after all?</span></span></i></b><p></p><p><b><i><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111;"><br /></span></span></i></b></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: helvetica;">The Happiest Ever After has Milly Johnson’s wit and warmth
spilling through the pages of her latest book. In this novel we meet Polly
Potter who is far from happy with every aspect of her life from her
relationship with partner Chris where she is taken for granted and feels no
love loss, to her job that she used to love and thrive from only now to be
underappreciated and treated appallingly. Not wanting to simply function
anymore she is determined to take matters into her own hands and make a new
start for herself but what unfolds was not part of her plan at all.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: helvetica;">The opening chapters feature the terrible news reports from The
Daily Trumpet that make me chuckle each time they feature in Milly’s books,
they never get old and provide a touch of humour to each of her books. There
are such a vast number of characters in this book that really help to make this
book an enjoyable read, from the likes of Jeremy, Chris and Cilla who made my
blood boil to the big hearts of Teddy, Flick and Marielle who provide love and
support showing what true community spirit is and how a friendship can blossom
when you help people in their time of need. As ever there are always more
quirky characters in Milly’s novels too and that was found in the likes of
Orrible the most idiotic goon.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: helvetica;">I thoroughly enjoyed watching Polly’s journey and although
parts of the book were predictable it didn’t have a negative effect on my reading,
I still enjoyed watching the pieces fall into place. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: helvetica;">Milly Johnson is an author who you can always rely on to
deliver a corker of a read and this book is no exception. This was an uplifting
read that held my attention the whole way through there was a bubbling romance,
blossoming friendships and a bucket of karma too. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: helvetica;">Hardback Kindle</span></p><b><i><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111;"></span></span></i></b><p></p>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=reabookrevie-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=1398523526&asins=1398523526&linkId=7727243551de96b984f5fecf8cb300c0&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=reabookrevie-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=B0BSMGSQSG&asins=B0BSMGSQSG&linkId=c99aaa539fb5fc13840ea48c08bc1e40&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>Rea's Book Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15353422384392155666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5994347949168811644.post-34651458694910462382024-02-09T08:35:00.012+00:002024-02-09T08:35:00.153+00:00Things we Never Got Over by Lucy Score<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqr21W_r8FZlmB7YsdSL-sYgQ8UMafV_oOsttNvoSarcIaMBrLDwIw4vnNVU78hgWgynBw8tio4a-0lsUdtCej5K_BNJy9wnzR0KmTvRx3KHBTpXcY-diIBktvrosEB1gyDX8VZHxGT_fT3oduKzYlRUEbFDC3hHbOnvGQMeP4QY3P1MHP9rP_eGTVYz9/s500/score.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="326" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqr21W_r8FZlmB7YsdSL-sYgQ8UMafV_oOsttNvoSarcIaMBrLDwIw4vnNVU78hgWgynBw8tio4a-0lsUdtCej5K_BNJy9wnzR0KmTvRx3KHBTpXcY-diIBktvrosEB1gyDX8VZHxGT_fT3oduKzYlRUEbFDC3hHbOnvGQMeP4QY3P1MHP9rP_eGTVYz9/s320/score.jpg" width="209" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><i><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700;">Escaping her seemingly perfect wedding, Naomi Witt arrives in rough-around-the-edges Knockemout, Virginia, running to the rescue of her estranged twin, Tina.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700;">Too bad for Naomi her evil twin hasn't changed at all. After helping herself to Naomi's car and cash, Tina leaves her with something unexpected: the 11-year-old niece she didn't know she had. Now she's stuck in town with no job, no plan, no home and a whole lot of extra responsibility.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700;">There's a reason local barber Knox doesn't do complications or high-maintenance women, especially not the romantic ones. But since Naomi's life imploded right in front of him, the least he can do is help her out of her jam. And just as soon as she stops getting into trouble, he can leave her alone and get back to his peaceful, solitary life.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700;">At least that's the plan, until their lives begin to entwine in ways they never imagined . . </span></span></i><p></p><p><i><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></span></i></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">Things we Never Got Over by Lucy Score has been staring at
me in every bookshop I go in and then I received a copy for Christmas so I
think the universe was telling me I needed to read this book! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">This is book holds so many wonderful characters who each
play a perfect part in this book and they were all really well developed so I
never confused one character for another which can often happen with books like
this with so may characters. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">The opening of the book kicked off to a quick start pulling
me into a surprising and intriguing start so I knew this was going to be a book
too keep me entertained and it sure did. Set in a small town called Knockemount
there is an incredibly tight knit community so everyone knows your business
before you do sometimes but the support they all show our newcomer Naomi is great
especially her girls in Honky Tonk. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">Waylay who is Naomi’s niece was one of my favourite
characters, I loved to see her blossom as she began to settle down which isn’t
something she has had in life so far, structure, nurturing and support. She
provided a few laughs along the way too.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">On the surface this book follows the path of Naomi in her
new start in life, an unexpected one with Waylay and there is also the burning
romance with Knox who is the core of the town but underneath there is a deeper
issue as we begin to peel back the layers of Knox and uncover his demons that
have held him back in life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">Knox is a complex character, on the one hand he is every
woman’s dream, protective, confident, loving and caring oh and incredibly good
in bed! On the other hand he has the biggest barrier up that as soon as it
begins to drop and he then ruins everything and makes that barrier even higher.
I found his character so unpredictable and he even had me feeling the way Naomi
probably felt in that he was letting me in and then dropping me out. There was
only one thing, yes just one, that I loathed about this book and that was Knox
and his love of using the word Baby all the time! That word makes me physically
cringe in a book when referring to a woman but hey this is probably just my own
gripe.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">This book is spicy with a CAPITAL S so if you are not one
that feels comfortable with detailed sex scenes then be prepared to have to
skim read over a few pages here and there in this book but don’t let it put you
off reading because it isn’t all the storyline is about.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">This was a really entertaining read and I am off into town
today to go and get the next book in the series.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;"><a href="https://amzn.to/4920cGb">Available to buy here!</a><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: Roboto, Calibri, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">#CommissionsEarned</span></span></p><i><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-weight: 700;"></span></span></i><p></p>Rea's Book Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15353422384392155666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5994347949168811644.post-73777312776528844432024-01-20T09:00:00.001+00:002024-01-20T09:00:00.358+00:00Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31V_B8TRSZfOCt_5WYPEAFen5RXHGMZEwn1QDqI5nVyLVQxmmgghmlpmrKrrdR_81OG8489rYLw33HReXoAt361oaVH46Tqk7RW3H9EXhVD0V9q8H8jW7lpkspCyvL8dgZcM2PleCr2zta2cpbWm8dxyaUjRmWeqXLv7RjRSaGN6M-Cl0PKZctv1JQq9_/s1000/vows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="650" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31V_B8TRSZfOCt_5WYPEAFen5RXHGMZEwn1QDqI5nVyLVQxmmgghmlpmrKrrdR_81OG8489rYLw33HReXoAt361oaVH46Tqk7RW3H9EXhVD0V9q8H8jW7lpkspCyvL8dgZcM2PleCr2zta2cpbWm8dxyaUjRmWeqXLv7RjRSaGN6M-Cl0PKZctv1JQq9_/s320/vows.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><i><b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: verdana;">Two weeks have passed since Iris returned home bruised and heartbroken from the front, but the war is far from over.</span></b></i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><i><b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: verdana;">Roman is missing, lost behind enemy lines, with no memory of his past, or Iris. Hoping his memories return, he begins to write again – but this time for the enemy.</span></b></i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><i><b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: verdana;">When a strange letter arrives through his wardrobe door, he strikes up a correspondence with a penpal who seems at once mysterious… and strangely familiar.</span></b></i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: -4px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><i><b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: verdana;">As their connection deepens, the two of them will risk their very hearts and futures to change the tides of the war.</span></b></i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: -4px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><i><b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: -4px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><i><b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: -4px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">After flying through Divine Rivals I wasted no time in
downloading the second book in this duology, Ruthless Vows. In my opinion this
isn’t a book you can read as a standalone you really need to have read Divine
Rivals and met Iris and Roman to fully enjoy this book. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">We pick right back up where the previous book left off. Iris
is heartbroken and beside herself not knowing what happened to Roman after the
battle. Roman however has been healed by the God Dacre but in doing so all his memories
have gone. The book alternates between Roman and Iris’s points of views and
this works well as we get to see the anticipation that those who are not
following Dacre face and also get to see the plans as they unfold from Romans
side. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">What both of the books have in common is that they always
have something going on and there are no low or slow parts in the book. We
never quite know what is going to happen next and this is what kept me hooked
as the story progressed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">This book was really enjoyable but didn’t quite have the exciting
spark as the first book had. I loved the communication between Iris and Roman
through the letters in book one and although the author tried to recreate this
in book two it kind of feel short. This book was finished off perfectly and
worked really well as a duology.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;"><a href="https://amzn.to/48R230a">Available to buy here!</a><br /></span></p><i><b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: verdana;"></span></b></i><p></p>Rea's Book Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15353422384392155666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5994347949168811644.post-54424857153453523012024-01-13T09:00:00.002+00:002024-01-13T09:00:00.136+00:00It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVFSzS0A9qpn-z7GUX2MLRGtNqaPFfmmcVZIsMToAuEWrBBZd4QRXIwhJzsk5PoF7YAAdvXBiyjSu594F6mfTZlxybOdvEMnWcZHHfArrBSXpaFJ39SAY_v3Y7GemR_61s0JAOvpvB7rpGFYRjXBmdQrruxCNZ0AxCErBK5MOZcceN-fl-JnrP2Sc0YYT9/s277/ends.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="277" data-original-width="182" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVFSzS0A9qpn-z7GUX2MLRGtNqaPFfmmcVZIsMToAuEWrBBZd4QRXIwhJzsk5PoF7YAAdvXBiyjSu594F6mfTZlxybOdvEMnWcZHHfArrBSXpaFJ39SAY_v3Y7GemR_61s0JAOvpvB7rpGFYRjXBmdQrruxCNZ0AxCErBK5MOZcceN-fl-JnrP2Sc0YYT9/w263-h400/ends.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></i></b></div><b><i><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;">Lily hasn’t always had it easy, but that’s never stopped her from working hard for the life she wants. She’s come a long way from the small town where she grew up—she graduated from college, moved to Boston, and started her own business. And when she feels a spark with a gorgeous neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid, everything in Lily’s life seems too good to be true.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="background-color: white;">Ryle is assertive, stubborn, maybe even a little arrogant. He’s also sensitive, brilliant, and has a total soft spot for Lily. And the way he looks in scrubs certainly doesn’t hurt. Lily can’t get him out of her head. But Ryle’s complete aversion to relationships is disturbing. Even as Lily finds herself becoming the exception to his “no dating” rule, she can’t help but wonder what made him that way in the first place.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="background-color: white;">As questions about her new relationship overwhelm her, so do thoughts of Atlas Corrigan—her first love and a link to the past she left behind. He was her kindred spirit, her protector. When Atlas suddenly reappears, everything Lily has built with Ryle is threatened.</span></span></i></b><p></p><p><b><i><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></i></b></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">I am sure I am one of the last booklovers to pick up It Ends
With Us by Colleen Hoover and yet although I have seen it everywhere I managed
to avoid all spoilers so I went into this one with no expectations other than
expecting it to blow my socks off with the amount of praise it has received.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">Lily Bloom didn’t have the easiest childhood and we begin to
build a picture of her younger years through her diaries. She always dreamed of
opening her own flower shop and through hard work and being Brave and Bold she
made her dream come true. Life is looking up for Lily and when she hires her
first employee who becomes her best friend and through her she didn’t expect to
be reunited with someone she met briefly. As she opens her heart too when she
meets Ryle, a career focused handsome man but what looks like a perfect
relationship on the outside soon begins to feel like history repeating itself
on the inside.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">This wasn’t the breezy read I was half expecting to find
inside this book is packed with hard hitting trauma and what I appreciate the
most is the way the author has dealt with tough situations in such a raw,
dignified and honest way rather than sugar coating it. It really raises
awareness and gives insight into abuse and how your mind jumps through
different thought processes from anger to hurt to then forgiveness and self-blame
too. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">For me the ending of this book is what really stood out for
me and one that is praiseworthy, I never expected the book to end the way it
did and now knowing there is another book that follows on to this one I am
intrigued to see where this storyline heads next.</span><o:p></o:p></p><b><i><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span></i></b><p></p>Rea's Book Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15353422384392155666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5994347949168811644.post-62772828140235967822024-01-10T08:22:00.001+00:002024-01-10T08:22:00.151+00:00Return to Half Moon Farm by Holly Hepburn<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1WyjAeP00mnlWaA4mLwp813dAZoVSuUNc85-CUSrFDs7Qoyuj9unpmFbEN82nQLjXmjaaVDD6n9EHU1F4QLtTNQK_GLyzMqQLOaF9wiqH7Zb2X1rG9aRXyHj1KruulBgWNfhdM2iPmqFT-Q0dxTu7uTZUSgENh2D-V8JrDYb2BW_-OC5AU1c5ft2z04pm/s1080/Return%20To%20Half%20Moon%20Farm%20blogtour%20graphic.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1WyjAeP00mnlWaA4mLwp813dAZoVSuUNc85-CUSrFDs7Qoyuj9unpmFbEN82nQLjXmjaaVDD6n9EHU1F4QLtTNQK_GLyzMqQLOaF9wiqH7Zb2X1rG9aRXyHj1KruulBgWNfhdM2iPmqFT-Q0dxTu7uTZUSgENh2D-V8JrDYb2BW_-OC5AU1c5ft2z04pm/w640-h640/Return%20To%20Half%20Moon%20Farm%20blogtour%20graphic.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: verdana;"><i><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px;">When Daisy’s mother falls ill she is forced to return home. With her twin sons in tow, she moves back to Half Moon Farm, her family’s ancient hop farm. <br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />But a new life in the Kent countryside isn’t necessarily as idyllic as it might seem. Daisy’s relationship with her mother is complicated and the tumbledown farm isn’t the only thing that needs rebuilding. Daisy and her sons must adjust to life with estranged family, a leaking roof, and no WiFi.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Luckily for Daisy, she might yet find some distraction in silver fox farmer, Drew, or in the haughty heir to the nearby estate, Kit, who she can’t seem to avoid.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="a-text-bold" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 700 !important;">Daisy must learn to juggle her new life, the boys, and the daunting task of updating the farm. But there are secrets lurking in her family’s past that might throw everything into further disarray…</span></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><span class="a-text-bold" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 700 !important;"><br /></span></i></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">It seems to be becoming a New Year tradition for me in that
New Year means a new Holly Hepburn book and what a great way she always kicks the
reading year off for me and her new release Return to Half Moon Farm is no
exception.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">This is a storyline that will take you on a journey
uncovering long hidden family secrets as well as repairing relationships that
have been damaged along the way. Set in the beautiful Kent countryside the
setting lures you in and gives you that comforting and familiar feel which
instantly makes you feel at home.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">Daisy and her twin boys Campbell and Finn really kept me
entertained during this book, the boys brought humour and light-heartedness to
the storyline whereas Daisy was the one who added more depth to the storyline
juggling building bridges with her mother after a long time whilst trying to
repair all that is wrong at Half Moon Farm and its heartbreaking history as
well as carrying on with her illustrations too. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">There are a vast amount of characters in this book who we
are introduced too some you will love instantly others take a little to warm to
and others you will dislike from the get go and for me that was Drew. I couldn’t
put my finger on why each time he appeared in the book rather than feeling excited
for Daisy having this handsome hardworking and caring man around I felt uneasy
every time he appeared he plain and simply gave me the creeps!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">I thoroughly enjoyed this book and its little surprises we
encounter long the way. There is a touch of romance for Daisy weaving through
the pages but my attention was piqued more by the love letters that were found
from way back in war times.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">This book was another fantastic read by this author and it
has made a perfect start to 2024.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><span class="a-text-bold" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 700 !important;"></span></i></span><p></p>Rea's Book Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15353422384392155666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5994347949168811644.post-30660739620192229202024-01-07T09:00:00.001+00:002024-01-07T09:00:00.140+00:00Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC7pRHGvG2fk9DKNS5ceYqWT4FkkzZTQNwJhx6t5f8ck3b34R3Wd-_o3JPNv_XL9splMaPdpbnkle9HxFIAnqWlFa7-rZmXhBIiCps1APJzMjrGfPBT6tFOLS9eoKeDXm2qSHot435BrBy0SKYpwjeb1c4ieLuGWeurkirbaVBxIPQ_XKzZI15X_7UPrE8/s1000/divine.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="650" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC7pRHGvG2fk9DKNS5ceYqWT4FkkzZTQNwJhx6t5f8ck3b34R3Wd-_o3JPNv_XL9splMaPdpbnkle9HxFIAnqWlFa7-rZmXhBIiCps1APJzMjrGfPBT6tFOLS9eoKeDXm2qSHot435BrBy0SKYpwjeb1c4ieLuGWeurkirbaVBxIPQ_XKzZI15X_7UPrE8/s320/divine.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></i></b></div><p></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><b><i><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Eighteen-year-old Iris dreams that one day her writing will make a difference. A war between gods is raging, and she’s landed a prestigious job at the </span><span class="a-text-italic" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Oath Gazette</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">.</span></span></i></b></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b><i><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: helvetica;">But at home, she’s barely holding it together. Her brother is missing on the frontline. Her mother is lost in a haze of addiction. And each night Iris pours her heart out in letters to her brother.</span></i></b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b><i><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: helvetica;">Letters that will never be answered. Or so she thinks…</span></i></b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b><i><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: helvetica;">They’ve made their way into the hands of the last person Iris trusts: Roman Kitt. Her cold, unforgiving rival at the paper.</span></i></b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span class="a-text-bold" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b><i><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: helvetica;">Drawn together by fate and magic, they form an unlikely connection. They say love conquers all… but can it triumph in a war between gods?</span></i></b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span class="a-text-bold" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b><i><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></i></b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span class="a-text-bold" style="box-sizing: border-box;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">I saw Divine Rivals popping up on Socials so much last year
but when I was watching peoples yearly reading wrap up this book constantly
kept appearing on their top 5 books, as luck would have it when I went to read
the synopsis I found it was only 99p on kindle that day so although I wasn’t
sure it was my sort of read for that price I thought it was worth a try.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I am by no means a big Fantasy reader and so I was apprehensive
reading this book but to my absolute surprise I loved this book and finished it
in just over a day which is not something I achieve very often anymore. If like
me you love your romance and if you like a splash of historical and are
inquisitive about Fantasy then THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU to start! <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The storyline follows a rivals to lover theme with our main
characters Iris and Roman Kitt who are both battling it out for the promotion at
Oath Gazette but as the storyline takes a twist after Iris finds her life
taking a different path the pair soon are wrapped up in a War of the Gods.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Iris feels so mature for her 18 years and she is an easy
character to love, she has already had her heart broken as her brother Forest has
gone off to do his part in the war but with no communication, she has no way of
knowing if he is safe. Left at home with her mum who has fallen off the rails
she pushed herself to get a job to support them. She has a beautiful way with
words and she is determined and focused too, rather than sitting and wallowing in
situations she dusts herself off and gets up and goes again.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Roman Kitt is the perfect book boyfriend, he instantly puts
your back up and has an air of arrogance and self-righteousness but before your
eyes begins to unravel and grow as a character slowly earning your trust and
then melting your heart.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I was gripped from start to finish with this book, it was
romantic, exciting, thrilling and I can now see why this book was raved about
so much and for me I think it deserves every ounce of the praise it has received.
It was not what I was expecting at all but what a wonderful surprise this
turned out to be. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is the first of two books in the Letters of Enchantment
series by author Rebecca Ross and I am desperate to read the second book now to
find out what on earth is going to happen next as the ending of Divine Rivals
has left me on a big cliff hanger and I feel like the Fantasy element is
starting to take a bigger part in the storyline. This is why I feel this book
is a great start for romance lovers and even those who like historical fiction
too because this is more a romance with a sprinkling of fantasy to get you
comfortable and lure you in.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://amzn.to/3S7bfYD"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Josefin Sans; font-size: large;">Available to buy HERE!</span></b></a><br /></p><b><i><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></i></b><p></p>
Rea's Book Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15353422384392155666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5994347949168811644.post-21206326376587635812024-01-05T09:16:00.011+00:002024-01-05T09:16:00.135+00:00One Year After You by Shari Low<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwIvqhkgJ5m2MliyTSDPPF8sXNbFefB00vKmWVtKkSh0QCgo0_o3EddQVRIwrQ7R6UJtl2szKT1WmJPU1aN9BRqn8NePv8y71o-uOTPvzVK6GCCJSB0DMem_eLLxsXV0jF_xLBxnFI40ZcwthkECBKjiQ1tpmF-aRoZ7QFf9eJ2tp_SJ-U78Q-N7rCnHyg/s278/shari.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="181" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwIvqhkgJ5m2MliyTSDPPF8sXNbFefB00vKmWVtKkSh0QCgo0_o3EddQVRIwrQ7R6UJtl2szKT1WmJPU1aN9BRqn8NePv8y71o-uOTPvzVK6GCCJSB0DMem_eLLxsXV0jF_xLBxnFI40ZcwthkECBKjiQ1tpmF-aRoZ7QFf9eJ2tp_SJ-U78Q-N7rCnHyg/w208-h320/shari.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><p></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #e06666;"><i><b>For forty years the fabulous Odette Devine has been a beloved matriarchal actress on Scotland’s longest-running TV show.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Today she is broken, betrayed, and desperate to find out if this is her payback for a lie she told forty years ago.</b></i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #e06666;"><i><b>A year ago today, Tress Walker’s husband was killed in a car accident, on the same day she gave birth to their baby. Reeling from the discovery that he was with his mistress, Tress has to choose whether to protect her fragile heart or open it to love again.</b></i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #e06666;"><i><b>Noah Clark was devastated to discover his wife and his best friend were having an affair. Now the love of his life is asking for another chance to make their marriage work. But can there ever be a way back, once the trust is broken?</b></i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #e06666;"><i><b>Noah’s sister Keli Clark has recently been ghosted by the man she loves. When a shocking message from a complete stranger reveals the reason why, Keli will have to decide whether to forgive, forget, or to make sure he pays.</b></i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #e06666;"><i><b>Twenty-four hours. Four shocking secrets. One tumultuous tale of love, loss and second chances.</b></i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #0f1111;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans; font-size: medium;">I have to hold my hands up and say that until I began to
schedule my review in for One Year After You and find a link for you I didn’t
know that it was actually a sequel to One Day With You but what I will say is
that this can absolutely be read as a standalone because at no time did I feel
like I was missing something.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans; font-size: medium;">This book follows those who are left behind to pick up the pieces
and rebuild their lives after a devastating crash a year ago took the life of
not only a bestfriend, a dad but a husband too whilst also ripping apart
another marriage and friendship when infidelity was discovered. Adjusting to
this new life and learning to trust again <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans; font-size: medium;">The storyline follows a 24 hour period and alongside this
storyline of loss are weaved many other characters who are all linked to each
other in this big web of connection who all have something going on in their
lives from infidelity to hidden secrets looking set to come out the woodwork and
even touching on loneliness and regret too. There are so many characters and so
much happening it felt like an episode of our favourite soaps and yet the
author was so clever to tie each of the storylines into another character so
that nothing felt like it shouldn’t have been there.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans; font-size: medium;">I loved all the drama that was going on, there was such a
buzz of activity there was no safe place to put this book down because there
was always something happening and I wanted to see what was going to happen next.
One minute you had a lump in your throat from emotion the next adrenalin
pumping when a dose of karma was given.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans; font-size: medium;">Having lost my own husband it was Daisy’s character and
story that I was drawn to the most because in part I could relate to her
healing journey and the uncomfortable situations of “moving on” with someone
new when all you have ever known is your husband and learning to trust again is
not something that comes naturally or easy. I was holding out so much hope for
her that she would find the happiness and a new start that she deserved.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans; font-size: medium;">What I can 100% say is that having finished this book and
loving each and every moment I am now desperate to go back and read One Day with
You.</span><span style="font-family: Amazon Ember, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;"><a href="https://amzn.to/41HVWsL"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;">Buy Your Copy Here</span></a><br /></span></p><i style="color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><b></b></i></span><p></p>Rea's Book Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15353422384392155666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5994347949168811644.post-27257700892053107412023-12-17T09:30:00.003+00:002023-12-17T09:30:00.255+00:00The Book of Beginnings by Sally Page<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-MhkDtveJhPe1biGX-QEr5jm_8bjVUR6OZDH5-LNjCmsQZ6T5CjbgXYZxpqaOy_NcJtVeyMxP0X8NHK0K9YlzqWI4e2k0wfrngqu7t7WSWydfz3IIpyyKgrkTA2wqVXuN17wqR8z2OwIDxdu4pQ0w9836LfXxESuZxGiAUzuDf4h3-PG8yCI_v35pHz4/s500/book.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="324" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-MhkDtveJhPe1biGX-QEr5jm_8bjVUR6OZDH5-LNjCmsQZ6T5CjbgXYZxpqaOy_NcJtVeyMxP0X8NHK0K9YlzqWI4e2k0wfrngqu7t7WSWydfz3IIpyyKgrkTA2wqVXuN17wqR8z2OwIDxdu4pQ0w9836LfXxESuZxGiAUzuDf4h3-PG8yCI_v35pHz4/s320/book.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></b></i></div><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><i><b><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Jo Sorsby is hiding from her past when she agrees to run her uncle’s beloved stationery shop. Glimpsing the lives of her customers between the warm wooden shelves, as they scribble little notes and browse colourful notebooks, distracts her from her bruised heart.</span></b></i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><i><b><span style="font-family: helvetica;">When she meets Ruth, a vicar running from a secret, and Malcolm, a septuagenarian still finding himself, she suddenly realizes she isn’t alone.</span></b></i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><i><b><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></b></i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">I was kindly given this book as a gift for my birthday, introducing me to an author I haven't discovered before. The storyline revolves around our trio Jo, Malcolm and Ruth who form a intriguing and solid friendship each a little lost but together they support one another and help each other to face the issues they have been casting aside.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;"><span style="color: #0f1111;">One of the biggest interests for me in this book is the running of Jo's uncles stationary shop which is where she meets her unlikely friends as well as a real mix of customers and she begins to collect souvenirs for her noticeboard capturing her moments spent here and capturing snippets of memories created.</span></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;"><span style="color: #0f1111;">This is a gentle paced book so it wasn't one that I flew through but each time I picked it back up to read another chapter here and there I was delighted to be reunited with the trio and I was eager to find out what Ruth was running away from.</span></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;"><span style="color: #0f1111;">I really enjoyed this story and the friendship I just wished the ending hadn't felt like it was cut short I would have liked to have seen a little more of where Jo ended up next is all I can say without giving too much away. However the heart of the storyline was the bond that was created between our trio and that was mastered beautifully and with the focus being on new beginnings I think this was the perfect time of year for me to read this book.</span></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;"><span style="color: #0f1111;">This is an author whose writing style is so easy to fall into step with so I will certainly be looking to read more by this author in future.</span></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;"><span style="color: #0f1111;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;"><span style="color: #0f1111;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p></p>
<iframe sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=reabookrevie-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon®ion=GB&placement=0008612870&asins=0008612870&linkId=656b77de755c690b2e59f3ef2acd7da3&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe>Rea's Book Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15353422384392155666noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5994347949168811644.post-90173700239941017532023-12-02T09:30:00.007+00:002023-12-02T09:30:00.128+00:00Countdown to Christmas by Jo Thomas<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyDmf7EWQaqQ0RAqYlN73oGsK_CyhBtQtUSleZzR9i2q6jyfLZCoMlHiJvQSwECAT94x0G96fJkDJz7iOulAvXUryGxSE1WwL-Frtb9CmCXhxWAXw_vIhSSXubBkvIzM3iric2tFHV4gHvAMkFZlAMlkFgFih39Ged1cnbFEjYuH_xUsZGmSzhgo2e988D/s821/IMG_6983.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="821" data-original-width="599" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyDmf7EWQaqQ0RAqYlN73oGsK_CyhBtQtUSleZzR9i2q6jyfLZCoMlHiJvQSwECAT94x0G96fJkDJz7iOulAvXUryGxSE1WwL-Frtb9CmCXhxWAXw_vIhSSXubBkvIzM3iric2tFHV4gHvAMkFZlAMlkFgFih39Ged1cnbFEjYuH_xUsZGmSzhgo2e988D/s320/IMG_6983.jpeg" width="233" /></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><b><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(15, 17, 17); color: #0f1111; text-size-adjust: 100%;">Chloe can't wait for Christmas . . . to be over! Her son Ruben is staying with his dad and Chloe is planning to ignore the holidays altogether. Her only festive touch is her son's advent calendar, to help count down the days till he's home again.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />But a surprise call changes everything. Chloe might be the unexpected owner of some land in Canada! Surely, it's a scam. Or could it be just the escape she needs right now? Ruben's latest note in the advent calendar tells her to 'say yes!'<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />In a flash, Chloe's new countdown to Christmas involves a log cabin in the middle of a snowy forest, a community that's worried for its future, a gruff lumberjack who gives her butterflies and a </span><span class="a-text-italic" face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(15, 17, 17); color: #0f1111; text-size-adjust: 100%;">lot</span></b></i></span><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(15, 17, 17); color: #0f1111; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><b> of pancakes with maple syrup . . .</b></i></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: "Josefin Sans";">I do love books written by Jo Thomas as she really does have such a beautiful creative writing style with the ability to really bring the characters to life and the settings feel so vivid and her new release Countdown to Christmas is no exception.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">Chloe’s Son Ruben is spending his first Christmas with his dad she wants to erase Christmas this year altogether. When a surprising phone call offers not only an opportunity to get away from it all but also a possibility of changing her and Ruben’s life for the better she takes the plunge and travels to Canada.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">If like me you get to December and are still lacking in Christmas spirit and you turn to books to ignite that spark then let me save you the time of hunting through all of this years offerings and tell you this is 100% the book you need to read that will kick off that warm festive feeling. This isn’t one of those books we see every year with Christmas in the title and yet the book only containing a brief sprinkling of festivity, oh no, this is Christmas in its biggest and yet most natural and purest form. Set in the most idyllic location with its snowy backdrop and a small welcoming community. We join Chloe as she helps save the Winter traditions that this village usually creates. </span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">There has clearly been a lot of research into the process of tapping the trees for the production on maple syrup I almost feel like I could do it myself after reading this book! Maple Syrup is flowing through this book and it is the heart of this community too. </span><span style="font-family: "Josefin Sans";">As I have come to expect from a Jo Thomas book, there are so many delicious treats that are baked and they all contain the golden sugary treat. I sat reading this yesterday morning salivating at the maple syrup pancakes and finding myself with an overbearing craving! How does she do this to me every time!</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">Community spirit is a large part of this book and this little village and its occupants all lured me in and made this feel like the most welcoming and supportive place to live, I wanted to pack up my case and uproot right away! </span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">This was one of the most exciting Christmas books I have read in years it made feel like a child again, all warm and fuzzy with the magic of Christmas all ignited again after skiing away with Chloe to cut down a Christmas Tree, singing Christmas carols at the fair and opening advent calendars with the exciting anticipation if what is inside. This was such an atmospheric read and I can honestly say I feel as if I have been there to experience it all myself it really was so well written.</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">Ok so the ending is a little fairytale like and far fetched but do you know what I wouldn’t have wanted it to end any other way. This book has put the biggest smile on my face and has made me a little excited for Christmas this year which I haven't felt in a few years.</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=reabookrevie-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=B0C27KL6V4&asins=B0C27KL6V4&linkId=77358eccc162f624fd61c65adcf6d073&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>Rea's Book Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15353422384392155666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5994347949168811644.post-75977701263198525292023-11-28T15:07:00.001+00:002023-11-28T15:07:00.141+00:00The Lighthouse Bookshop by Sharon Gosling <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKYZWj1deI6QYy0t-L5a8R8AgAjxSx_wFUs34TwC3sTAue5PHKsZcBSaoibb_asQdK8WwYpeRBb8hJGW2eTWKHtjb8ccYbJ7P43q-m68V6hs-FO1rCK-yxgzUgTV-ZCRraFehgzor0R0fz3xlvnyKNfLEu5PWQS72DsbKxZsWBr4-TDwcraYCCD_3FM3ly/s277/lighthouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="277" data-original-width="182" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKYZWj1deI6QYy0t-L5a8R8AgAjxSx_wFUs34TwC3sTAue5PHKsZcBSaoibb_asQdK8WwYpeRBb8hJGW2eTWKHtjb8ccYbJ7P43q-m68V6hs-FO1rCK-yxgzUgTV-ZCRraFehgzor0R0fz3xlvnyKNfLEu5PWQS72DsbKxZsWBr4-TDwcraYCCD_3FM3ly/s1600/lighthouse.jpg" width="182" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><i><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif;">At the heart of a tiny community in a remote village just inland from the Aberdeenshire coast stands an unexpected lighthouse. Built two centuries ago by an eccentric landowner, it has become home to the only bookshop for miles around.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif;">Rachel is an incomer to the village. She arrived five years ago and found a place she could call home. So when the owner of the Lighthouse Bookshop dies suddenly, she steps in to take care of the place, trying to help it survive the next stage of its life.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif;">But when she discovers a secret in the lighthouse, long kept hidden, she realises there is more to the history of the place than she could ever imagine. Can she uncover the truth about the lighthouse’s first owner? And can she protect the secret history of the place?</span></span></b></i><p></p><p><i><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></i></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">The Lighthouse Bookshop is the first book I have read by
Sharon Gosling but with a title like this it sounded like a book written for me.
We meet a collection of characters who form a strong supportive network in the
hub of the Lighthouse bookshop and each of them have their own little back
story to weave into this storyline.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Rachel has found a not just a home but a place where she
feels safe and where she belongs working at the bookshop after Cullen offers
her a job and a home in his beloved lighthouse. But when dear Cullen passes way
unexpectedly everything looks like it is set to change leaving Rachel to start
all over again. When she unearths a hidden secret that has been concealed for
many years she immerses herself along with newcomer Toby to try and peace
together all the information they have to find out the true story behind her
discovery. The story that is revealed is very touching and the author delivers
this beautifully. I was intrigued by what they found but I also found I was
more drawn to the other characters stories especially finding out about Rachels
back story as well as seeing life change for Gilly.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The book had a gentle pace to it and yet there was always
something going on and before long you feel as though you are being drawn into
the social circle and you long for all of them to find their happy ever afters.
This book is not one that will leave a lasting impression on me however I did
enjoy it and it is perfect for those who love to unearth secrets and be wrapped
up in community spirit, romance and new beginnings.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><i><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif;"></span></span></b></i><p></p>Rea's Book Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15353422384392155666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5994347949168811644.post-76536128301702921992023-11-19T09:00:00.001+00:002023-11-19T09:00:00.153+00:00Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT80t16Rj7PsdqhcKSMcHQmikNNEJr3fwyNPSNf6bZ1xqQprYRpJxNBugFXIU1UrzKs8Lqsy_ZM0GPWvN5Juxvu1MfQzhuF9NwhG3S1oeGpiyAxtmpNqe2hwJDyPsE1fZ7XJnnBC_y8VEwESBrfU5G_DM5psO6JAccWcsTln31gUiGMoJZyirNDRg738Yl/s1000/fourth%20wing.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="659" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT80t16Rj7PsdqhcKSMcHQmikNNEJr3fwyNPSNf6bZ1xqQprYRpJxNBugFXIU1UrzKs8Lqsy_ZM0GPWvN5Juxvu1MfQzhuF9NwhG3S1oeGpiyAxtmpNqe2hwJDyPsE1fZ7XJnnBC_y8VEwESBrfU5G_DM5psO6JAccWcsTln31gUiGMoJZyirNDRg738Yl/s320/fourth%20wing.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="a-text-bold" face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 700;">Welcome to the brutal and elite world of Basgiath War College, where everyone has an agenda, and every night could be your last . . .</span><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general - also known as her tough-as-talons mother - has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: </span><span class="a-text-italic" face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic;">dragon riders</span><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;">.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />But when you're smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away . . . because dragons don't bond to 'fragile' humans. They incinerate them.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success. The rest would kill her just for being her mother's daughter - like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />She'll need every edge her wits can give her just to see the next sunrise.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Yet, with every day that passes, the war outside grows more deadly, the kingdom's protective wards are failing, and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Alliances will be forged. Lives will be lost. Traitors will become allies . . . or even lovers. But sleep with one eye open because once you enter, there are only two ways out:</span><span class="a-text-bold a-text-italic" face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700;"> graduate or die</span><span class="a-text-italic" face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic;">.</span><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><p></p><p><span class="a-text-italic" face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></p><p><span class="a-text-italic" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">I think it is only fair to start this review off by saying
that I am not really a big Fantasy Fan so I took a big chance on this one but I
have to admit after seeing so many clips of people saying this is their book of
the year I was intrigued.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">This was one of those books that after hearing all the hype
I started reading with extremely high expectations and as I started making my
way through chapter after chapter feeling a little overwhelmed with the number
of characters, I was already meeting I was feeling a little like I am not sure
what all the hype is about here<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">BUT THEN <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">Chapter 14 arrived and by the end of that chapter I finally
felt like the book had started for me and I suddenly cosied down to lose myself
in the storyline.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">As I mentioned before I am not a big fantasy reader but I
have enjoyed a few over the years and I could feel so many of the emotions, the
thrill and excitement that I remember when I read those books returning as I
read this because it was almost as if they were all rolled in to this book, the
dark twisted danger of Hunger Games, the magic school of Harry Potter the
intense overbearing romantic connection from Twilight and the excitement and
intrigue of Eragon. What more could I need in a fantasy book than all of the
things I loved from these books all rolled into one it was amazing!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">Violet is a character who you warm to instantly, your heart
goes out to her right from the beginning when you see her vulnerability through
her sisters eyes and then when we learn how much Violet wanted to be a scribe
but is railroaded into becoming a Rider by her powerful yet heartless mother.
But as the storyline moves along we see her character begin to grow and her
determination and courage build we are routing for this little dark horse all
the way hoping she can prove to herself and those who doubt her that she is stronger
than she looks and is not to be underestimated.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">I don’t want to give anything away when it comes to the
ending but what this author done so well was to take a chink out of my heart when
something happens to one of our characters and whilst I am feeling low but
starting to feel like things are starting to wrap up she then blindsides me
with a completely unexpected revelation that I didn’t see coming at all and
left me sitting gaping like a fish as I closed the book! SO often with
adrenalin filled books like this towards the end the book starts to slow and
feel a little anticlimactic well that is not how Rebecca Yarros roles! She is
keeping you on your toes right until the very last page.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">SO the big question, does this book deserve the almighty
hype it is currently receiving? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">Yes!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">All I say is give the book a chance to get going and don’t worry
if you forget who is who because some we lose along the way and then the
characters we really need to know and remember will be etched in your mind by
the mid-point of this book. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">Roll on book 2!<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p><p><span class="a-text-italic" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;">Kindle Hardback</span></p>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=reabookrevie-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=B0BPP58HR2&asins=B0BPP58HR2&linkId=d01ba94d07e0d7aa8120eb1c6ac4b36f&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=reabookrevie-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=0349436991&asins=0349436991&linkId=08d6c36ebcb20e68a68340b3be74164f&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>Rea's Book Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15353422384392155666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5994347949168811644.post-19504144156068641742023-11-12T18:02:00.001+00:002023-11-12T18:02:00.160+00:00The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFiW2tlQnBgEJva1rFwqvAQvt3kMn9elVQy6TGM00RxjetxAuxVKfkjTgzS9639H_2oa4MXx_rf2AGSFGbJT1vtYqLfpUhLlAgcKE-gfrCLEIRD-QF7BPumEXg-2mDaq9p04LR0ggUkxqRUaUyBFtzFhaXRgczjM5Ezljn_drcKmOJKjV33IYQmHmjF1WD/s500/pumpkin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="328" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFiW2tlQnBgEJva1rFwqvAQvt3kMn9elVQy6TGM00RxjetxAuxVKfkjTgzS9639H_2oa4MXx_rf2AGSFGbJT1vtYqLfpUhLlAgcKE-gfrCLEIRD-QF7BPumEXg-2mDaq9p04LR0ggUkxqRUaUyBFtzFhaXRgczjM5Ezljn_drcKmOJKjV33IYQmHmjF1WD/s320/pumpkin.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b><i>When Jeanie’s aunt gifts her the beloved Pumpkin Spice Café in the small town of Dream Harbor, Jeanie jumps at the chance for a fresh start away from her very dull desk job.</i></b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b><i>Logan is a local farmer who avoids Dream Harbor’s gossip at all costs. But Jeanie’s arrival disrupts Logan’s routine and he wants nothing to do with the irritatingly upbeat new girl, except that he finds himself inexplicably drawn to her.</i></b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b><i>Will Jeanie’s happy-go-lucky attitude win over the grumpy-but-gorgeous Logan, or has this city girl found the one person in town who won’t fall for her charm, or her pumpkin spice lattes…</i></b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">If you haven’t heard of The Pumpkin Spice Café then I am not
sure where you have been hiding because this book has blown up everywhere and
is shouted about being the must read Autumnal book of the year and so I had to
go and buy a copy for myself to see what I have missed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">The start of this book was very promising for me because our
main character Jeanie takes over the running of her aunt’s café, The Pumpkin
Spice Café and these kind of books are my favourites so I already felt like I
was onto a winner here. Add to this the setting with autumnal festivities being
held with pumpkins here and apple bobbing there it was a great start.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">Then we have our love interest in the form of a hulking sexy
farmer called Logan who is loved and cared by every one of the towns residents.
He has a gentle, loving nature hidden under the muscles and the chemistry
between Logan and Jeanie is instant.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">If you like your saucy spicey sex scenes then there are some
chapters that are ready and waiting for you with the sexual tension and
chemistry flowing through but towards the end of the book it felt like that was
all it was really about and so I soon lost interest. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">This is probably one of those books that is great for someone
who is just getting back into reading and wanting something steamy, light and
romantic but for me this book needed a bit more to the storyline to make this a
memorable read for me.</span><span style="color: #0f1111; font-family: Amazon Ember, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;"><br /></span></p><b style="color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i></i></b><p></p>
Rea's Book Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15353422384392155666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5994347949168811644.post-22744721797041532982023-11-11T09:00:00.001+00:002023-11-11T09:00:00.131+00:00Four Weddings and a Christmas by Phillipa Ashley<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKwHWp5hf1t-1JSPmzwqNy1vXrNTIC4vj9FeUkpONPiYATzxVq2Omaxe4QYoIgK2EawLhEHiUUQAAnMviMBb-7AF5z9ER-Y8SkCW9Kkhl3-WSFfV1YZKgv29_GGsU6fMuA-_5xWcmCyn0Vk0F_9Fjru0MTxemF3KxtP8wf5rVZWKiEJdf_i_-zaNMDrTKt/s1000/weddings.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="681" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKwHWp5hf1t-1JSPmzwqNy1vXrNTIC4vj9FeUkpONPiYATzxVq2Omaxe4QYoIgK2EawLhEHiUUQAAnMviMBb-7AF5z9ER-Y8SkCW9Kkhl3-WSFfV1YZKgv29_GGsU6fMuA-_5xWcmCyn0Vk0F_9Fjru0MTxemF3KxtP8wf5rVZWKiEJdf_i_-zaNMDrTKt/s320/weddings.jpg" width="218" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b><i>With her thriving business Cottage Angels, Freya Bolton prepares the Lake District’s holiday homes for Christmas visitors. It’s her job to think of everything, from cinnamon-scented candles to tasteful decorations and hampers of seasonal treats.</i></b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b><i>If only her love life were such a success… After being burned by past relationships, she’s now determined to steer clear of love for good.</i></b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b><i>So when she bumps into gorgeous – and single – ex-boyfriend Travis, a no-strings festive fling seems perfect.</i></b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b><i>But when her feelings for him begin to develop, is she on track for another romantic calamity? Or could this Christmas give her the gift of true love?</i></b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">My second Christmas themed book of 2023 and an author I
haven’t read in a while now, Four Weddings and A Christmas by Phillipa Ashley.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">Freya has a successful business preparing holiday rentals
but when she is preparing one of the properties, she gets an unexpected
surprise when her ex Travis walks in. Travis has come back to his home town and
is making the leap to launch his own business but could his return home stir up
old feelings?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">This is a storyline that had a lot to offer me because I
love business start-ups, rekindled romances and community spirit flowing
through the pages and that is what this book gave me and more with its
sprinkling festivity. Both Freya and Travis were great characters who had their
flaws which only made them more engaging characters and although the ending was
a little predictable the constant obstacles along the way held my interest and
made this a book that I sped through enjoying each and every moment.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">For me a strong part of this storyline was the characters
backgrounds and how their childhood has shaped them both as adults and had an
effect on them throughout their lives. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">I won’t be leaving so long to read another Phillipa Ashley
book again because this really was a thoroughly enjoyable read.</span><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">Paperback Kindle </span></p><b style="color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i></i></b><p></p><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=reabookrevie-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=000849438X&asins=000849438X&linkId=c5d7543e42383fb0b6cc8dab942e9a8e&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=reabookrevie-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=B0C1XZWPX9&asins=B0C1XZWPX9&linkId=41cbabd123bf3103747a0e91d6f553e3&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>Rea's Book Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15353422384392155666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5994347949168811644.post-19659106458453347352023-11-02T08:00:00.001+00:002023-11-02T08:00:00.145+00:00The Girls who Disappeared by Claire Douglas <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMoF2Gdhl_fDGFF6BBnHpuMICa3_yUjSddzZutjxsT1BVPiGvkGAIHQp-WHqDnXX1loWRdZ5Vi3y3_msK6Z9hj1WzcKZhQXAhjM3gs8aO_AQ9InDbUdu4R4D9uQvKDICg8hHntWDrhKGi8ymW03bq3abXaJN7SnI9cm1uBrsiUBk-JcHXEtnMEzGdjlArq/s1000/douglas.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="648" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMoF2Gdhl_fDGFF6BBnHpuMICa3_yUjSddzZutjxsT1BVPiGvkGAIHQp-WHqDnXX1loWRdZ5Vi3y3_msK6Z9hj1WzcKZhQXAhjM3gs8aO_AQ9InDbUdu4R4D9uQvKDICg8hHntWDrhKGi8ymW03bq3abXaJN7SnI9cm1uBrsiUBk-JcHXEtnMEzGdjlArq/s320/douglas.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="a-text-bold" face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 700;">THREE GIRLS MISSING</span><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="a-text-bold a-text-italic" face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700;">Twenty years ago</span><span class="a-text-italic" face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic;">:</span><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;"> One rainy night, Olivia Rutherford is driving three friends home when a figure in the road causes her to swerve and crash. Regaining consciousness, she finds herself alone in the car - her friends have vanished.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="a-text-bold" face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 700;">THEY ARE NEVER SEEN AGAIN</span><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="a-text-bold a-text-italic" face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700;">Now</span><span class="a-text-italic" face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic;">:</span><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;"> Journalist Jenna Halliday visits the close-knit community of Stafferbury to persuade Olivia to talk and solve the mystery of the girls' disappearance. But Olivia won't speak.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />What happened?<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Is Olivia hiding something?<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Why are the people of Stafferbury so frightened?<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="a-text-bold" face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 700;">How many secrets can one small town hide?</span><p></p><p><span class="a-text-bold" face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></p><p><span class="a-text-bold" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">The Girls who Disappeared is my first book by author Claire
Douglas and this book was gifted to me by my friend Laura and what a twisty
gripping read this is.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">Olivia and her three friends find themselves in a
devastating car crash only for Olivia to regain consciousness to find herself
trapped in the car but her friends have disappeared. The police never solved the
case.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">Years later and Jenna is sent to the eerie village to report
on the case for a new podcast just as the police are re-looking into the case.
With supernatural stories floating around will this case ever be solved?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">This book is one of those that has such a brilliant opening
that pulls you straight into the storyline already getting the brain cells
working coming up with every possible scenario that could have happened to the
girls so you are already quickly invested in the storyline, hunting for clues to
solve what the police couldn’t.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">The author has a very skilled writing style walking you
through meeting all the characters involved hearing their thoughts on the situation
and before long your suspicions begin to grow only to then be swayed onto pointing
the finger at someone else. Claire Douglas really does know how to tease you
into thinking you are close to solving everything only to then turn everything
on its head!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">I was a little worried part the way through that the
storyline was going to start getting a little too supernatural heavy as this is
really not something I enjoy in a book but rest assured my worries were unwarranted.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">This book was quite unpredictable for me, I was tense the
whole way through and gripped to the core waiting to see what was instore and the
twist well and truly shocked me!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">The only thing I would say was the ending ties everything up
perfectly but it did feel a little rushed which after having such a big twist
revealed made it seem a little anticlimactic and like the author had used up
all her energy on the rest of the book and just wanted to get all the facts
down quickly at the end. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">Despite my thoughts on the ending, I still very much enjoyed
this book and have already recommended to a work colleague who has picked this
one up now too. Safe to say this is an author whose books I will certainly be
looking out for from now on.</span><b style="color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;"><br /></span></p>Paperback Kindle <br /><p></p>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=reabookrevie-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=1405951184&asins=1405951184&linkId=b14dd98b0ed3be363e794df2f8629a03&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=reabookrevie-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=B09HMM2QHB&asins=B09HMM2QHB&linkId=358e9457bd1046b9694e729edc1e70cc&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>Rea's Book Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15353422384392155666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5994347949168811644.post-24122828805488206752023-10-28T09:00:00.014+01:002023-10-28T09:00:00.251+01:00The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYkxLbaJv59WkljAG1F8Mj6MJGstWEVRL-pn8GTAzQuC4_-iz9Jqq8n200freny2_TLA9DngLXbA3c-WiR7EwR8Javp2aqIQU8I0jJyH6t7oh42m7ZbuK8Xclz8YnItEJUuIOdxKWtOY4Ee_9MxUdublVoznDq4tyPG-CohSxPpfSphCO-RZznN8of0gQ0/s500/ex.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="332" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYkxLbaJv59WkljAG1F8Mj6MJGstWEVRL-pn8GTAzQuC4_-iz9Jqq8n200freny2_TLA9DngLXbA3c-WiR7EwR8Javp2aqIQU8I0jJyH6t7oh42m7ZbuK8Xclz8YnItEJUuIOdxKWtOY4Ee_9MxUdublVoznDq4tyPG-CohSxPpfSphCO-RZznN8of0gQ0/s320/ex.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><b><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;">Vivienne Jones handled the biggest break-up of her life the way that any witch would: vodka, bubble baths, and a curse on her ex.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;">That was nine years ago. Now Rhys Penhallow, descendant of the town's founders, breaker of hearts and still irritatingly gorgeous, is back. Rhys has returned to the quaint town of Graves Glen to recharge the ley lines and make an appearance at the annual fall festival. But when his every move results in calamity, Vivi realises that hexing her ex might not have been so harmless after all . . .</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;">As the curse starts to affect the magic of the town, resulting in murderous wind-up toys, an outraged ghost, and a surprisingly talkative cat, Vivi and Rhys must put their personal feelings aside and work together to break the curse and save not just the town, but also Rhys's life.</span></b><p></p><p><b><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></b></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">With the spooky season upon us I thought it was the perfect
time for me to read The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">When teenage Vivi is left heartbroken by a Rhys Penhallow
her and her cousin do what any drunken teenage witches would do … curse him!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">Roll forward 9 years when the town is gearing up for Halloween
and Rhys is due to return for the first time to charge the Ley Lines but everything
feels as if it is going against him and reuniting with Vivi soon reveals the truth
as to why the magic is out of hand!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">This book is different from my usual reading and yet I thoroughly
enjoyed this witchy, magical read with a big dash of romance and sauciness too!
It has such a youthful and exciting feel to the storyline that I found really
fun and refreshing. This certainly isn’t a book that will scare or spook you in
anyway it is purely a romance with a witchy setting which is perfect for this
time of year.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">Yes ok the romance side of things is predictable but the
enjoyment came through the two reuniting and them both on their quest to put right
the wrongs that they are responsible for whilst reigniting the flame between them
at the same time. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">There are some spicy sex scenes which won’t appeal to all
readers but you can skim through these parts without missing out on any of the
storyline and there was also some witty moments too which helped to make this a
light-hearted read.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">I look forward to reading the next book in this series now
to see what our characters get up to next!</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">Kindle Paperback</span></p><b><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;"></span></b><p></p>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=reabookrevie-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=B097SY8BWL&asins=B097SY8BWL&linkId=2dcd960f7634f7e60e177217624126f7&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=reabookrevie-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=1472290283&asins=1472290283&linkId=c757f69492bdaa63a4bd0168b8105dc5&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
Rea's Book Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15353422384392155666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5994347949168811644.post-17476152037189173722023-10-22T08:30:00.006+01:002023-10-22T08:30:00.144+01:00The Twat Files by Dawn French<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Q-5m05ukyg37enaH-0qdEc9kkAowgxFM2z7gC63XDCjD19h4bDDOF7BYBjBhaXgrgOdNmR5rVfEDb-uaZqzzW_tzKCOW84CvGPgokkt4gh7Li0kN_2fbDi5w7oe5d3ze55xDR8CMCx86tVMyLzVsE0OiEu7_l_XB4V6zlIQF-2kZTGATyphYDP2nmCA5/s500/dawn.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="355" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Q-5m05ukyg37enaH-0qdEc9kkAowgxFM2z7gC63XDCjD19h4bDDOF7BYBjBhaXgrgOdNmR5rVfEDb-uaZqzzW_tzKCOW84CvGPgokkt4gh7Li0kN_2fbDi5w7oe5d3ze55xDR8CMCx86tVMyLzVsE0OiEu7_l_XB4V6zlIQF-2kZTGATyphYDP2nmCA5/s320/dawn.jpg" width="227" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><b><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111;">When I was younger I wanted to be an interesting, sophisticated, semi-heroic, multi-layered person.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />BUT.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />That kind of perfect is impossible. Being an actual twat is much more the real me. Sorry to boast, but I am a champion twat.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />In </span><span class="a-text-italic" face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-style: italic;">The Twat Files</span><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111;"> I will tell you about all the times I've been a total and utter twat. The moments where I've misunderstood stuff and messed up. In my life these have been key because:<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Mistakes tell us about ourselves.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Mistakes tell us about others.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Mistakes are hilarious.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Mistakes expose our flaws.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Mistakes show us ourselves honestly.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Mistakes are gloriously human.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />My hope is that these stories might fire up yer engines to remind you of just what a massive twat you </span><span class="a-text-italic" face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-style: italic;">also</span><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111;"> are.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Let's celebrate and revel in this most delightful of traits together.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="a-text-bold" face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111;">That would be perfectly twatty.</span></b><p></p><p><b><span class="a-text-bold" face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111;"><br /></span></b></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">The Twat Files by Dawn French is sure to give you a good laugh
as this comedy sweetheart shares with us the many mishaps and Twatish moments
she has had throughout her life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">The way this book is actually set out makes for very light,
quick and easy reading allowing you to pick up and read a couple of chapters
here and there because it is all written in a sparse way rather than blocks of writing
and we even have the odd little comical doodle added in for more light hearted
entertainment too. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">There are so many scenarios that Dawn invites us to witness
with her from incidents with celebrities and also general mishaps too and I did
have many chuckles along the way. It is quite refreshing to see this woman who
graces our screens and has made us laugh for many years actually feels very
down to earth and relatable and it just shows that just because celebrities are
supposedly living this glamorous life that we are sometimes envious of they
actually have Twatish moments too as well as fan girling too!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">The part with Dawn’s meeting with Prince Charles had me
cracking up and only Dawn could get away with their conversation! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">This book entertained me more than I was expecting and I
raced through it in no time, her humour seeps through each and every page and
this book has only made me love this woman even more.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Kindle Hardback</p><b><span class="a-text-bold" face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111;"></span></b><p></p>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=reabookrevie-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=B0C7K4QFXH&asins=B0C7K4QFXH&linkId=b446287a8164d635618153d1f83723a7&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=reabookrevie-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=0241477484&asins=0241477484&linkId=1c6e0e32ab29e0c08264a274ed434c16&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
Rea's Book Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15353422384392155666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5994347949168811644.post-57891663863607939502023-10-12T09:00:00.001+01:002023-10-12T09:00:00.144+01:00That Festive Feeling by Heidi Swain <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJ0rUFayCtVUFDsItxI6jMWIL1cYJhulQpPRTKBEI_N0n6JC4TVEvaiKECO0dG0-NnnhesJMXHT0tuxWlA25cOfGdKiHd4xXdXWJ1xuoxdFOCqye6Vmaz1tpBVhAdhLEo-H5Gd-ikB4XqaAX3q6xx-MY5BteU7vfmy5Rk3tNde0KuQMeX0kr1Rhh5YxuW/s1000/heidi%20swain.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="658" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJ0rUFayCtVUFDsItxI6jMWIL1cYJhulQpPRTKBEI_N0n6JC4TVEvaiKECO0dG0-NnnhesJMXHT0tuxWlA25cOfGdKiHd4xXdXWJ1xuoxdFOCqye6Vmaz1tpBVhAdhLEo-H5Gd-ikB4XqaAX3q6xx-MY5BteU7vfmy5Rk3tNde0KuQMeX0kr1Rhh5YxuW/s320/heidi%20swain.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><i><b><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;">Holly has the place to herself this Christmas. It’s not her place, though – she is house-sitting for friends who live on Nightingale Square – just there to keep the place warm and cosy and only for long enough for her to sort her life out. Newly single and finding herself unsure about next steps for her career, she plans to hunker down and make some life decisions.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;">To clear her mind, she sets off on early morning walks around a nearby lake and bumps into May, an older lady who is also new to the area, and her dapper Dachshund Monty. Quickly, a firm friendship blossoms. Then when Holly meets Bear, a rather large and rather attractive man, at the local pub, and his rescue dog Queenie, her stay at Nightingale Square suddenly feels even more appealing.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;">As the community comes together for the season’s festivities, Holly must start thinking about where her life will take her next. Some big decisions need to be made, but distractions close to home make thinking about the future more tricky than ever…</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;">Will she get that festive feeling this Christmas…?</span></span></b></i><p></p><p><i><b><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></b></i></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">I am mad I know, only just dipping my toes into October and
I have already caved in and read my first Christmas book of 2023 but it was
impossible to resist when it is a Heidi Swain novel. That Festive Feeling is
the title of this years festive novel by this author and the cover is stunning
using my favourite winter colours of green gold and white to create a soft
chilly comforting vibe which I hoped would absorb through into the storyline
inside.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">We meet newly divorced Holly who is so easy to relate to,
after finding herself alone and thinking ahead to the next step of where her life
goes from here, where does she live and a troubling problem of what does she do
now it seems her love of her job has lost its excitement. Luckily her friends who
live in Nightingale square offer her a bit of breathing space house sitting for
them whilst they are away over Christmas. But the peace and tranquillity she
was hoping for to get her head together never seemed to be an option as she is
soon pulled into many welcoming arms!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">We are reunited with many much-loved characters from the
Nightingale Square which makes us as the reader feel as though we are being
welcomed home but if you haven’t read any of the others not to worry as this
can easily be read as a standalone.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">As well as reuniting with past characters and meeting the
lovely Holly we also have the gorgeous Bear to provide a little bit of love in
the air and also the lovely May and her wonderfully dressed dog Monty and they
all come together to make this a thoroughly enjoyable cosy winter read.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">The author has really covered the topic of living alone
after divorce and loss well in the book tackling those struggles of finding
where you fit now your alone and learning to make decisions on your own again
after so long of making decisions together. So often after separation it feels
like everything else around you is about to come crumbling down and thanks to
those around Holly they open up her eyes to different options available to her
as well as giving her a big helping of support which we know is always plentiful
in Heidi Swain novels, oh how I would love to crawl into her written worlds.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">There is a wonderful little sprinkling of festivity with
this being set around Christmas time and this has been a fabulous start to my Festive
reading, I knew Heidi Swain wouldn’t let me down!</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">Paperback Kindle</span></p><i><b><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;"></span></span></b></i><p></p>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=reabookrevie-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=1398519545&asins=1398519545&linkId=fcb036ee04efc88dab46d7bea73db224&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=reabookrevie-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=B0BSFZY6HC&asins=B0BSFZY6HC&linkId=0e481892484332eaa66ff1a91f6f93d9&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>Rea's Book Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15353422384392155666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5994347949168811644.post-46145815293698294052023-09-26T08:30:00.017+01:002023-09-26T08:30:00.140+01:00The Wake-Up Call by Beth O'Leary<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4tC-FDokpFdbMEz4XmyLyWNpG-82qxc853eAlTgEMqWMS9Lxhekda5wKoSHHLblFqO_GTLKuOoS-P4loT9-mJlU9LqZ78-tsF8uXiYiWe-jms5moe24iBYbUaWQDYiu1wutOGGm5IxCJjcLwuVrSZz0W_UrTSyd8acz0XCOtIHLhxUHp1bQPCC07Ny4zH/s1000/beth.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="648" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4tC-FDokpFdbMEz4XmyLyWNpG-82qxc853eAlTgEMqWMS9Lxhekda5wKoSHHLblFqO_GTLKuOoS-P4loT9-mJlU9LqZ78-tsF8uXiYiWe-jms5moe24iBYbUaWQDYiu1wutOGGm5IxCJjcLwuVrSZz0W_UrTSyd8acz0XCOtIHLhxUHp1bQPCC07Ny4zH/s320/beth.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="a-text-bold a-text-italic" face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; text-align: start;">Two sworn enemies. One failing hotel. Love is the last thing they need . . .</span><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; text-align: start;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />It's the busiest time of the year, and Forest Manor Hotel is quite literally falling apart. So when sworn enemies Izzy and Lucas are given the same shift on the hotel's front desk, they have no choice but to put their differences aside.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />The hotel won't stay afloat without some sort of miracle. But when Izzy returns a guest's lost wedding ring, the reward convinces management this might fix everything. With four rings still sitting in lost property, the race is on for Izzy and Lucas to save their beloved hotel - and their jobs.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />As their bitter rivalry turns into something much more complicated, Izzy and Lucas begin to wonder if there's more at stake here than the hotel's future. Can the two of them make it through the season with their hearts intact?</span></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">The Wake-up Call by Beth O’Leary follows two colleagues Izzy
and Lucas as they try to help save the hotel they work in from collapse but
this means working together and yet the pair can’t be in the same room without arguing
or winding each other up. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">With each chapter alternating between both characters POV we
get an insight into how they are both thinking and feeling in each situation
and also see how the other is interpreting things differently too and this
worked really well for this book. The author writes from both the male and
female perspective perfectly and this helped to really connect with each of
them. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">There is a love hate romance burning through the middle of
this storyline that at times had me laughing away and at others wanting me to
bash their heads together but there are also many tender heartfelt personal
moments too which added more depth to this uplifting story.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">There is<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a wonderful
sense of support in this novel with everyone trying to chip in and do what they
can to try and help each other in this very odd set up and it brings a
comforting feeling and one of hope.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Josefin Sans;">This was one of my favourites by this author it was easy
reading, witty and sparkling with romance the perfect book at the perfect time
for me.<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p><p>Hardback Kindle</p><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=reabookrevie-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=1529418240&asins=1529418240&linkId=d0c69791e95cab0ecccc0057f10da66d&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=reabookrevie-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=B0BL2ZYXCD&asins=B0BL2ZYXCD&linkId=99d8da25f7b79d658fcd43f42615bbc3&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>Rea's Book Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15353422384392155666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5994347949168811644.post-41504202411683186542023-09-25T10:00:00.001+01:002023-09-25T10:00:00.138+01:00Watching You by Lisa Jewell<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJXwuq47GRBxfgvOb8DNQvJwshNSL7pquLvl7J-c-VlnSi0uR_P0pVWZNBEIu7hsP3h1hxrH-6bETzl5L7gUSz52H_n-ktSEYuttWZZ1KWhR6fx4GJYjZHzkJzMvQOifL8IWgSpiGrc9LB2PM9IInxoVREe5OxS7-0j1LZMTsKgg4Mkq3i387m_0aUV3B/s500/%23lisa.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="311" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJXwuq47GRBxfgvOb8DNQvJwshNSL7pquLvl7J-c-VlnSi0uR_P0pVWZNBEIu7hsP3h1hxrH-6bETzl5L7gUSz52H_n-ktSEYuttWZZ1KWhR6fx4GJYjZHzkJzMvQOifL8IWgSpiGrc9LB2PM9IInxoVREe5OxS7-0j1LZMTsKgg4Mkq3i387m_0aUV3B/s320/%23lisa.jpg" width="199" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="a-text-bold" face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 700; text-align: start;">You're back home after four years working abroad, new husband in tow.</span><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />You're keen to find a place of your own. But for now you're crashing in your big brother's spare room.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="a-text-bold" face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 700; text-align: start;">That's when you meet the man next door.</span><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />He's the head teacher at the local school. Twice your age. Extraordinarily attractive. You find yourself watching him.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />All the time.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />But you never dreamed that your innocent crush might become a deadly obsession.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="a-text-bold" face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 700; text-align: start;">Or that someone is watching </span><span class="a-text-bold a-text-italic" face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; text-align: start;">you</span><span class="a-text-bold" face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 700; text-align: start;">.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="a-text-bold" face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 700; text-align: start;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="a-text-bold" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="a-text-bold" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; text-align: start;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">Watching You by Lisa Jewell has been on my kindle for some
time now, I remember trying to read it when it first came out and struggling to
settle into the pace of the book. I sat down this morning to try it again years
later and have just this minute finished the last page and I am desperate to
get my thoughts down straight away.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">Newly married Joey has just moved in with her husband to her
brother and sister in-laws house but she soon becomes infatuated with the local
headteacher who lives only two doors down. Little does she know her every move
is being watched.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">This was certainly the right book wrong time when I read it
before because put simply this is my favourite EVER book by Lisa Jewell! It did
take a little patience again to get into the flow of the storyline and that is
mainly due to the vast number of characters who we are introduced to but this
is done on purpose, the author has been very clever in bombarding us with characters
so we are distracted trying to keep up with what is going on with everyone in
the book and also it throws so many suspects into the mix too so we are always
kept in the dark.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">Its strange I never actually liked any of the characters because
I was suspicious of them all, they all had their own little quirks that tarnished
their character so I never really trusted them but yet they created so much
tension and intrigue that I couldn’t step away from this book. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">The story did take an unexpected turn, I thought it was all
going to be about Joey and her infatuation with Tom but we soon got lured down
a darker twisted path and this was when my attention became truly piqued and
the pace of the book quickened and all of the characters all suddenly felt real
and I well and truly had the wool pulled over my eyes as I didn’t expect things
to unravel the way they did.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">A truly addictive, tense read that was completely
unpredictable.</span><b style="font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;"><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: left;">Kindle Paperback</div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="a-text-bold" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; text-align: start;"><br /></span></div><p></p><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=reabookrevie-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=B076VWBYGZ&asins=B076VWBYGZ&linkId=30d5546799f70c277a3a9ddb57eed759&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=reabookrevie-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=178475627X&asins=178475627X&linkId=0f766ae6d547b3760cf8488e5ab41063&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>Rea's Book Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15353422384392155666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5994347949168811644.post-87204059222030557402023-09-22T17:00:00.001+01:002023-09-22T17:00:00.154+01:00I Heart Forever by Lindsey Kelk <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKFOaD3EX3nM8h5dy3UR_G3lY1P3wc-g4ckkZ16kpyruEtDRR-ILBtwg15lmsGgYZoWVZajUAHyqXPPR8QEyXvWu7JdPIYbWK0ySmM_rqPYhARoUoTV7nzWBf-p9RzcuLzm53hp5gjLq5X-nlgwATZCinxbG0kVSApzQxov0EIlnNY3FRwjjhsWogtzVsv/s500/lindsey.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="326" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKFOaD3EX3nM8h5dy3UR_G3lY1P3wc-g4ckkZ16kpyruEtDRR-ILBtwg15lmsGgYZoWVZajUAHyqXPPR8QEyXvWu7JdPIYbWK0ySmM_rqPYhARoUoTV7nzWBf-p9RzcuLzm53hp5gjLq5X-nlgwATZCinxbG0kVSApzQxov0EIlnNY3FRwjjhsWogtzVsv/s320/lindsey.jpg" width="209" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><br /></b></span></div><p></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span class="a-text-italic" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>A wedding in Manhattan…and someone’s keeping a secret.</b></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>The day her husband Alex picks up a backpack and goes travelling, Angela Clark swears she’ll stay out of trouble. But from trying to keep a secret from her best friend to accidentally flirting with her brand new boss at the fashion magazine where she works, nothing goes according to plan.</b></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; margin: -4px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>Then suddenly there’s another big secret Angela’s got to keep – and the man she loves is still thousands of miles away. As her BFF’s wedding looms, Angela is going to need her friends by her side. Her old life is set to change forever.</b></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; margin: -4px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; margin: -4px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">Those of you who follow my socials will likely know that I
have set myself a challenge to try and make a dent in my backlog of Netgalley
books. With two more needed to complete my challenge it was an easy pick for me
when I spied a Lindsey Kelk novel on the list as I absolutely adore her books
and this one is I Heart Forever from one of my favourite series the I Heart
Series.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ok I am pretty certain I did actually read this and must
have forgotten or misplaced my review because as I made my way through the
pages things began to become familiar to me and began predicting what was going
to happen next so either I have gained psychic abilities or my memory was
kicking in!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">However, despite the familiarity of the book I absolutely
loved this book and devoured it in a day, being back with the loveable Angela
and Jenny was like being reunited with old friends and the manic, crazy lives
they lead provided laughs all the way. I did miss Alex in this book as he is
missing for the majority of it but there was more than enough going on to still
hold my interest from start to end.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As ever Angela and Jenny are in life changing situations that
many of us can relate to, just maybe in a less frantic way! We are routing for
them and hoping that everything works out in their favour because over the
years we have formed a strong bond with these characters and ultimately, we
want them to get their happy ever afters. This book takes our characters through two big milestones in life that will change their lives.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We still have the glitz and glamour in this modern lifestyle
but we also have the reality of life’s hurdles thrown into the mix. If anyone
has yet to read a book from this series (seriously I don’t think I have met a
reader yet who hasn’t) then you really are missing out because these characters
really leave their mark. Fans of Sophie Kinsella Shopaholic series or Paige
Toon Johnny Be Good books will absolutely adore this series and I for one wish
I could go back and start them all for the first time again.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Another fabulous witty frenzied read from Lindsey Kelk that
gets a thumbs up from me.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Kindle Paperback</p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b></b></span><p></p>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=reabookrevie-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=B06VVZ8CR8&asins=B06VVZ8CR8&linkId=a701fc3bdbd2c5a21d60f23a4be426ef&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=reabookrevie-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=000823681X&asins=000823681X&linkId=16ee7daed8dba4231fb3e509800af8ef&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>Rea's Book Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15353422384392155666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5994347949168811644.post-33168241198731789902023-09-14T08:30:00.004+01:002023-09-14T08:30:00.149+01:00Night Train to Marrakech by Dinah Jefferies<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ_3woNn7tkth6_RUAbromAsJKtUzAPH6bs9O8D57MPsqj7LSf0NwvzG3M4K9tOoJyyG6L7zk4LJmTZzFq1asxA7-sCfR9V4ieBGbJV9V6Jxkn6pyrBPjJWWx2Em4hHy2Zjdgs2wkE8HkTugAdNHV6pfRTh4tuR8KRXEsdn5jhG5EMtHcXRZGHgA1gRXaZ/s1000/Dinah.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="645" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ_3woNn7tkth6_RUAbromAsJKtUzAPH6bs9O8D57MPsqj7LSf0NwvzG3M4K9tOoJyyG6L7zk4LJmTZzFq1asxA7-sCfR9V4ieBGbJV9V6Jxkn6pyrBPjJWWx2Em4hHy2Zjdgs2wkE8HkTugAdNHV6pfRTh4tuR8KRXEsdn5jhG5EMtHcXRZGHgA1gRXaZ/s320/Dinah.jpg" width="206" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span class="a-text-bold" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">MARRAKECH 1966</span></i></b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">Vicky Baudin steps onto a train winding through Morocco, looking for the grandmother she has never met.</span></i></b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">It’s an epic journey that’ll take her to the edge of Atlas Mountains – and closer to the answers she’s been craving all her life.</span></i></b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">But dark secrets whisper amongst the dunes. And in unlocking the mystery of Clemence’s past, Vicky will unearth great danger too . . .</span></i></b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;"><br /></span></i></b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: helvetica;">Night Train to Marrakech is the latest release by Dinah
Jefferies, an author whose books I have adored in the past for their richness and
vibrancy in her storylines so I was looking forward to stepping back into one
of her novels and this time being transported to Marrakech.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: helvetica;">I was surprised to find that I was struggling a little to
get into the first quarter of this book which is unusual for me with Dinah
Jefferies novels as they usually lure me in from the first chapter however I then
discovered this book was actually book 3 in a series which I was unaware of and
explained why I felt a little disconnected but I persevered and began to find
my way as the dramatic turn of events began to break in the story.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: helvetica;">Each chapter alternates between our two heroines Vicky and
her Grandmother Clemence, the pair are meeting for the first time after Vicky
makes the trip to visit her Grandmother but she is not met with the warmth she
was expecting and it is clear to the reader that there are secrets being concealed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: helvetica;">The book then takes a dramatic turn of events when Vicky and
her cousin witness a murder and things begin to spiral in a dangerous way and
there is soon more than one life at stake.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: helvetica;">The one thing that always sets this author aside from any
other authors books I have read is her powerful and detailed writing style, she
really does have a pure gift of bringing her storylines to life, everything is
so vivid from the smells in the air, to the tastes of the food and drink to the
bold colours and breath-taking sights it just makes this novel so atmospheric.
The author manages to pull the reader into the storyline so you really feel
like you are there living and breathing the same air as the characters but she
manages to feed us all these small intricate details without distracting you
from the storyline.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: helvetica;">This novel managed to create drama and tension along with
suspense with deep rooted secrets that were clear to see but yet impossible to
solve so when Clemence reveals her heart-breaking story I was in shock and also
felt such compassion for her and the life she missed out on.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: helvetica;">After the rocky start with this book I then found it got
under my skin and I was thoroughly immersed in the storyline and now I know it
is the third book of a series I am keen to pick up the previous two books in
the series. </span><span style="color: #0f1111;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: helvetica;">Paperback Kindle</span></p><b style="color: #0f1111;"><i><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;"></span></i></b><p></p>
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