Month October 2019

All Summer With You by Beth Good #Bookreview

yvonnembee 4 Comments

I am delighted to share my thoughts with you for All Summer With You by Beth Good.

Let me show you what it is about…

There’s no place like home…

Nursing a broken heart, Jennifer Bolitho retreats to Pixie Cottage. Her new landlord – a former soldier turned movie heartthrob – has grounds so large, she’s sure the little house nestled in the woods will bring her solitude.

Alex Delgardo also has reasons to hide away. Seeking refuge after a tragic incident turned his world upside down, he knows that the most important thing now is to care for his ailing family.

But when Jennifer enters their lives, that changes. Because, as they both learn, you can’t heal others until you learn to heal yourself…

When Jennifer moves into the cottage that adjoins the estate of film star Alex Deldgardo, there are certain clauses attached. One is that she should not trespass onto his property. She has no intention of doing so, unfortunately or fortunately a goat has different ideas. Jennifer finds a friend in an elderly lady and feels welcomed. Alex on the other hand is moody, grumpy and quite rude.

The author does such a fabulous job of entwining all things Cornish into this story. From local foods, plants, folklore, language and stories and weaves them wonderfully into the story that unfolds. Jennifer is a story teller and the author uses this character to introduce some well known Cornish stories into her tale.

The main characters of Jennifer and Alex both have histories, Jennifer is using the solitude to write her next book while also trying to come to terms with a break-up. Alex is also recovering, though from something quite different. I liked how the author took an unusual approach with his back story and as I learnt more my initial thoughts on him changed.

The author weaves a thoroughly enjoyable story the inclusion of various Cornish elements was great and very recognisable to me as I have lived in this county for 20 years. Including the language and stories was wonderful and the way they were included added an extra element to the reading. Often descriptions of scenery and food are mentioned in Cornish based books so it was a treat to see some of the extras.

The story flowed along at a really nice pace and had some really good heartwarming and also heartbreaking moments, and also the odd humorous moments as well. There were various elements that complemented each other so well.

This is a story that is a tale of coming to terms with the past and accepting that some things are out of your control. It is a story of life, love and loss and is one that I would definitely recommend.

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be wonderful 🙂 xx

A Grave for Two by Anne Holt #Bookreview

yvonnembee 3 Comments

I am delighted to share my thoughts on A Grave for Two by Anne Holt. I received this book as part of a giveaway by Readers First. This is the first time I have read a book by this author and I Admit that I will be reading more!

Let me show you what it is all about…

‘Anne Holt is the godmother of modern Norwegian crime fiction.’ Jo Nesbø

Selma Falck has hit rock bottom. Having lost everything – her husband, her children and her high-flying job as a lawyer – in quick succession, she is holed up alone in a dingy apartment. That is until Jan Morell – the man who is to blame for her downfall – rings her doorbell, desperate to overturn a doping accusation against his daughter, Hege – Norway’s best female skier. He’ll drop his investigation into Selma, but only if she’ll help… With just weeks until the Olympic qualifying rounds, clearing Hege’s name, and getting Selma’s own life back on track, seems impossible.

But when an elite male skier is found dead in suspicious circumstances, the post-mortem showing a link to Hege’s case, it becomes clear to Selma that there is a sinister web of lies, corruption and scandals lurking in this highly competitive sport. As time starts to runs out, another person is found dead, and Selma realizes that her own life is at risk…

This is the first time I have read anything by this author and she has left me with a curiosity to read more. The main protagonist of this story is Selma Falck, a woman with a past history and intriguing life. I met her as she was in a dingy flat as she has no job prospects and things look grim and uncertain. She is given a second chance when the father of the number one women’s Norwegian skier comes to ask for her help. The skier is Hege Chin Morell, she has been accused of taking an illegal drug and it threatens her Olympic dreams.

Along with Hege, another athlete is also brought into the story. Though its his death that is in question. There are several threads of other story lines that the author has woven into A Grave For Two and she deals with corruption, cronyism, drug and doping accusations as well as a more personal look into Selma’s life.

This is a wonderful read and a slow burner that is intriguing and has well woven story-lines. The investigation that Selma embarks on takes her down some dubious and shady paths. I liked how the author flitted between all the different threads and gradually built up the story towards its climax. For the most of the story I was addicted and found it very interesting reading, but then as the end approached I found myself loosing that addiction. I felt that things were dragged out a little too much. At this point for me a lot of the questions had been answered and there was still the odd revelation to be revealed but it just felt like it slowed in pace a little. It may that my tiredness didn’t help as I was trying to finish the book before going to bed.

Even though I felt a little disappointed by the ending, I still enjoyed the vast majority of the story and it has left me wanting to know more about Selma and what has happened in her life up to this point. This is an author who I will be revisiting in the future.

This is a story that I would recommend to readers who like a slow burn to their mysteries, with suspicion and corruption and a personal side stories.

Many thanks for reading my post 🙂 xx

Coming Home To Winter Island by Jo Thomas @jo_thomas01 @annecater #randomthingstours #bookreview

yvonnembee 3 Comments

I am delighted to share my thoughts on Coming Home To Winter Island by Jo Thomas. I love this authors books so I was so excited to grab a spot on the Blog Tour arranged by Anne at Random Things Tours and thank you so much for my advance copy of this fantastically fabulous book 🙂

Let me show you what it is all about…

Wrap up warm and explore the breath-taking beauty of a remote Scottish island and an old house waiting to unlock enchanting family secrets.

Fans of Jill Mansell and Milly Johnson will love this irresistible new winter novel from Jo Thomas.

Do you need to find out where you’ve come from before you can know what the future holds?

Ruby’s singing career is on the verge of hitting the big time, when her voice breaks. Fearing her career is over, she signs up for a retreat in Tenerife to recover.

But an unexpected call from a stranger on a remote Scottish island takes her on a short trip to sort out some family business. It’s time to go and see the grandfather she’s never met.

City girl Ruby knows she will be happy to leave the windswept beaches behind as quickly as she can, especially as a years-old family rift means she knows she won’t be welcome at Teach Mhor.

But as she arrives at the big house overlooking the bay, she finds things are not as straightforward as she might have thought.

There’s an unexpected guest in the house and he’s not planning on going anywhere any time soon …

Praise for Jo Thomas:

‘Magically romantic…best read in front of a crackling log fire’ Milly Johnson

‘The characters went straight to my heart’ Katie Fforde

‘A sparkling, heartwarming hug of a story’ Miranda Dickinson

‘Like the best kind of holiday’ Lucy Diamond

What happens when you mix a remote island, a voiceless singer, a sitting tenant, and a unknown grandfather and a lost gin recipe? You get the most amazing story by the fabulous Jo Thomas that is what you get! This is the third book I have read by this author and every time she transports me with her descriptions, story lines, characters and theme of the story.

Coming Home To Winter Island is a stunning read as I followed the devastating and catastrophic bad luck that fell on Ruby Mac, she lost her voice as she and her band are on the verge of being signed by a record company. She then gets a mysterious phone call and changes her plans ending up on a wintry Scottish island.

The author weaves in a story that takes quite a few surprising turns and I have to say they were brilliantly executed. Music, gin, recipes, dementia, local community and family history are all fabulous additions to Ruby’s story. There are a couple of other main characters of Hector and Lachlan, they are again so well developed and give a heartwarming and also a nervous and tentative feel to the story.

The descriptions of Christmases past and memories that are intertwined in the story add an extra special feeling to this story. It has a definite foothold in memories and these then help the progress forwards to the future. There are also some wonderful setting descriptions that definitely added extra sight, sound and smell senses to the story.

I will admit to not being a big fan of gin, I’m more of a whiskey drinker, but I have to say the sound of the gin mentioned in the book sounds amazing.

This is yet another book I absolutely devoured as I have with the previous books I have read by this author. If you are a fan of books that have a wonderful story, fabulous characters, sumptuous settings, that has many surprises, unexpected friendships and that does not take a direct route then I think this is the book for you. If you have already read Jo’s books then you will know where I am coming from because she is a fabulous author.

Coming Home To Winter Island is yet another book by Jo Thomas that I would Highly Recommend.

Jo Thomas worked for many years as a reporter and producer, first for BBC Radio 5, before moving on to Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour and Radio 2’s The Steve Wright Show. In 2013 Jo won the RNA Katie Fforde Bursary. Her debut novel, The Oyster Catcher, was a runaway bestseller in ebook and was awarded the 2014 RNA Joan Hessayon Award and the 2014 Festival of Romance Best Ebook Award. Jo lives in the Vale of Glamorgan with her husband and three children.

See what other Book Blogger think by following the Blog Tour…

Many thanks for reading my post 🙂 xx

The Secret Santa by Trish Harteniaux @TrishHarnetiaux @rachel90kennedy #Bookreview

yvonnembee 3 Comments

I am delighted to share my thoughts today on The Secret Santa by Trish Harteniaux. My thanks to Rachel at Penguin Random House for my spot on the Blog Tour and for arranging my e-copy of the book.

THIS YEAR YOU’LL GET WHAT YOU DESERVE…

When an international pop starlet rolls into town looking to buy the most expensive house on the market, struggling real estate agents and husband and wife duo Claudine and Henry think their terrible luck has finally turned.

The mysterious mansion has hidden secrets, and Claudine and Henry’s survival depends on no one finding out the truth about what really happened there. In a desperate move to secure the sale, Claudine decides to bury the house’s dark past and show it at its best – by inviting the singer to a lavish holiday party hosted inside the majestic mountainside mansion.

But when a murder weapon turns up as part of the party’s game of Secret Santa, Claudine’s carefully curated lie and the lives of all the party goers is threatened as they race to find the killer before they can strike again.

How far will Claudine go to protect her secrets? Is she prepared to kill to make a killing, or will she fall prey herself?

The synopsis does a good job of letting you know a little bit about this murder mystery story. A of seeing a stunning property means a change of location for Henry and Claudine’s staff Christmas do. The party will be moved to the remote property so that it can be shown off at its best for a potential buyer. Part of the party is the Secret Santa, a game of exchanging presents has been something that has increased over the years and everyone tries to out-do each other, however this year one of the gifts has a catch!

This is a murder mystery read that is about revenge for something that was done in the past. The truth is not revealed until far later in the story and it is where all the answers are suddenly revealed.

The story is told in quick chapters from the perspective of different characters, Claudine, Henry and Zara as well as a mystery italicised chapters! I like this style as it gave me a chance to get inside the heads of various people, see their thoughts and some of what they really think.

The story is well paced and definitely kept me guessing, gradually introducing me to everyone involved and also drawing me further into the story. The setting is good though not overwhelming, there are several good mentions about it and it does sound idyllic, isolated, remote and scenic. The focus is more on the people.

This is a murder mystery that has drama and suspense rather than blood and guts. Its not a thriller or police procedural and would suit cosy mystery readers. It is one I would recommend.

The Secret Santa is Trish Harnetiaux’s debut novel. She is a Brooklyn-based playwright whose published works includeTin Cat Shoes, How To Get Into Buildings, and If You Can Get To Buffalo. 
Follow her on Twitter @TrishHarnetiaux #TheSecretSanta

See what other Book Bloggers think by following the tour…

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be wonderful 🙂 xx

My Week In Books (w/e 27th oct) #MeAndMyBooks #Bookupdates

yvonnembee

Welcome to yet another weekly bookish wrap-up. The clocks are due to change and it doesn’t seem that long since they sprang forward! There is an image that comes around at these times of year and every time I see it I nod knowingly…

So let me share the books I have read this week…

I hadn’t started this one in last weeks post so I could not make any comment on how I was finding it, but… I have now finished it 🙂

Until We Meet Again by Rosemary Goodacre

This is the story of Amy and Edmond and is told during WW1 and is a beautiful story. A story that deals with the challenges of love during the war and also the opinions of the families. It dealt with hardships, uncertainties, duty and hope and is a fabulous read. Keep an eye for for the Blog Tour.

Still on the historical fiction and books set during the war, I then read…

The Photographer of the Lost by Caroline Scott

This is a hauntingly atmospheric and beautifully told story. It is set after WW1 and is a story about finding out what happened to those who are lost. Edie is desperate to find out where her missing husband is, whether he is alive or has been killed. Harry returns to France as a photographer and captures images for the families back home, a chance for them to see the final resting place of their loved ones. It is a heartbreaking read that is so poignant and yet holds glimmers of hope. You need a tissue or 6 for this one. Again, this is for a Blog Tour so keep your eye out for the reviews.

As much as I love reading hist/fic I felt like I needed to read something that was less emotional a lighter read. So I chose…

Hemlock Jones and the Underground Orphans by Justin Carroll (book not on Goodreads yet, so no image)

This is the 2nd book in the Hemlock Jones series and I loved the 1st one so much. Hemlock Jones is a demystifier and is definitely not to be confused with the “Consulting Detective” who resides in Baker Street! This is a fabulous book aimed at young readers 8 years and above. It was so good to get back to Hemlock and her sidekick Edward and their antics. Another Blog Tour read so look out for the reviews for this one as well.

My next read will take me back into hist/fic again…

The Rector’s Daughter by Jean Fullerton

I am looking forward to this one and yes it is another Blog Tour book, I could not resist this one as I have read this author before and really must get more of her books.

Well that is it for me for another week. Thanks for reading and wishing you all the best 🙂

Yvonne xx

Notting Hill In The Snow by Jules Wake @Juleswake @rararesources #Bookreview

yvonnembee 4 Comments

I am delighted to share my thoughts on Notting Hill In The Snow by Jules Wake. My huge thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for my spot on the Blog Tour and for arranging my e-copy of this wonderful festive book.

Let me show you what it is all about…

It’s mayhem in Bethlehem…unless they can work together!

Viola Smith plays the viola in an orchestra (yes really!), but this year she’s been asked to stretch her musical talents to organising Notting Hill’s local nativity.
Nate Williams isn’t looking forward to Christmas but as his small daughter, Grace, has the starring role in the show, he’s forced to stop being a Grinch and volunteer with Viola.

With the sparks between them hotter than the chestnuts roasting in Portobello market, Nate and Viola can’t deny their feelings. And as the snow starts to fall over London, they find themselves trapped together in more ways than one…

Purchase Links – Amazon – UK – US –

This is such an addictive book and has a very festive Christmas feel to it. Viola Smith is a viola player and is asked to help with a local school nativity as part of an outreach program. Viola has never organised anything like this before and she is supposed to have help from one of the parents, Nathan Williams.

Nathan is a lawyer and Viola doesn’t have a good track record with them, but, Nathan and his daughter Grace are dealing with life alone as Elaine, the wife and mother, is currently working away. Viola offers to help Nathan and Grace as they all juggle work, schedules, shopping and the upcoming preparations for Christmas.

I love the feel of this book as it really does bring together the traditional Christmas vibes. As well as the main story of a friendship between Viola, Nathan and Grace, there are other things also going on in the background. Viola has a rather demanding family and think that she is at their beck and call because she is single! Talk about running herself ragged, poor girl! She is one of those people who will put others before herself and this means she is going to have let some people down. Who and why is revealed as the story progresses further and further.

There is a strong underlying attraction between Nathan and Viola and things are not easy as there is Grace who is at the centre of any decisions and don’t forget Nathan also has a wife, albeit in New York…

The setting of Notting Hill is done so well, the author has managed to create an almost village like setting as she describes this busy area of London. This adds to the overall warm snugly feel of the story. Her descriptions of more traditional Christmas festivities are wonderful, from the gaudily decorated Christmas trees to the mugs of hot chocolate and stockings at the end of the bed are just superb.

This is a terrific read and I was hooked from the very first pages, I like the tentative tiptoeing around the romance and the obvious attraction between Nathan and Viola and yet all the while there is a feeling of this could go wrong at any point. Story-lines and themes have been wonderfully woven like tinsel on a Christmas tree and the overall effect is stunning.

This is a wonderful book that readers of romance and festive fiction will absolutely adore. I would definitely recommend this wonderful book.

Jules Wake announced at the age of ten that she planned to be a writer. Along the way she was diverted by the glamorous world of PR and worked on many luxury brands and not so luxury brands. This proved fabulous training for writing novels as it provided her with the opportunity to hone her writing and creative skills penning copy on a vast range of subjects from pig farming and watches, sunglasses and skincare through to beer and stationery.

She writes best-selling warm-hearted contemporary fiction for One More Chapter as Jules Wake and under her pen name Julie Caplin, she writes the Romantic Escapes series.

Between them, the two Js have written twelve novels, Notting Hill in the Snow being the latest.

Social Media Links – Twitter – Facebook – Instagram

See what other Book Bloggers thought by following the Blog Tour…

Many thanks for reading my post 🙂 xx


Stealing the Scream by Theodore Carter @RunAmok_books @theodorecarter2 #Bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my thoughts on Stealing the Scream by Theodore Carter. I would like to thank the lovely people at Run Amok Books for my review copy and apologise for not getting this post wrote up sooner!

Let me tell you what it’s about…

In 2004, masked thieves stole Edvard Munch’s “The Scream” from an Oslo museum. Norwegian police recovered the painting two years later but never explained how or where they had found it. Stealing The Scream examines/re-imagines the event, offering a tantalising account of what happened through fictional characters, Percival Davenport, an artist whose obsession with Munch leads him to steal “The Scream” and Leonard, a museum security guard and amateur sleuth, whose interest in Davenport’s art leads him and the police to the artist’s door, setting up a tense climax and a satisfying if unexpected ending to the story.

The author has used the theft of Edvard Munch’s iconic painting as the basis for his story. He has then created and wrapped a fictionalised story around it, and what a great story it is too!

Starting with the theft of the painting in 2004, the author then goes back in time 2001. From then he gradually introduces the reader to Percival Deavenport, a soon to retire CEO who, with plenty of tie and money on his hands decides to return to his love of painting. This provides a link to the art world and also starts an intriguing storyline that then brings the reader up to events of theft and after.

I really liked the writing style and he has a very easy to follow flow that I found quite addictive. I liked his approach to the theft and it felt very coy. By this I mean that he has taken several steps to distance his characters from the theft, it is not until later in the story he gradually tip-toes them closer. By this point a lot has already happened to Percival in his personal life and his changes are rather strange and it makes for an almost unsettling glimpse into his character.

Percival has a right-hand woman in the form of Lucinda and she is responsible for keeping an eye on him, this is far easier said than done. Also joining them are Will, Leonard and Red. These additional characters have very different roles and their role size varies. For me they were good stable characters who are able to keep Percival grounded, well they do until later in the book.

This story had quite a few surprises tucked within its pages. It is one of those stories that is almost quiet, it sits simmering gently and then it gradually starts brewing with intrigue and suspicion and the tempo and pacing is upped until the arrival at the surprising end section of the book.

This is a book that sounded intriguing and was one that I thought “Yeah! I might like this!”and I’m so glad I picked it because it very quickly became hard to put down and was such an unexpected and wonderful read.

Its a story that has crime and mystery and also leans towards the contemporary fiction style because of the dynamic that is involved with Percival. This gets a Definitely Recommended from me, thoroughly enjoyable and addictive reading.

Theodore Carter is the author of The Life Story of a Chilean Sea Blob and Other Matters of Importance (Queens Ferry Press, 2012), Frida Kahlo Sex Dreams and Other Unnerving Disruptions, and Stealing ‘The Scream’ (Run Amok Books, 2019).

His fiction runs the gamut from humor, to literary fiction, to horror. He’s appeared in several magazines and anthologies including The North American Review, Pank, Necessary Fiction, A capella Zoo, The Potomac Review, and Gargoyle.

His street art projects, which began as book promotion stunts, have garnered attention from several local news outlets including NBC4 Washington, Fox5 DC, and the Washington City Paper.

Carter lives just outside Washington, DC in Takoma Park, MD. 

Many thanks for reading my post:) xx

Sleep by C.L Taylor #Bookreview

yvonnembee 3 Comments

I am so delighted to welcome you to my thoughts on Sleep by C.L Taylor. This is a fabulous read and so addictive let me show you what it is all about…

All Anna wants is to be able to sleep. But crushing insomnia, terrifying night terrors and memories of that terrible night are making it impossible. If only she didn’t feel so guilty…

To escape her past, Anna takes a job at a hotel on the remote Scottish island of Rum, but when seven guests join her, what started as a retreat from the world turns into a deadly nightmare.

Each of the guests have a secret but one of them is lying – about who they are and why they’re on the island. There’s a murderer staying in the Bay View hotel. And they’ve set their sights on Anna.

Seven strangers. Seven secrets. One deadly lie.

Someone’s going to sleep and never wake up… 

WOW! I loved this book so much. C.L Taylor does such a fabulous job of adding suspense, mystery and intrigue into her stories that leave a chilling feel to them Sleep is no exception.

The story is based around Anna. I first meet her as she is driving back from a team building holiday. A slip of concentration leads to a horrific accident. The guilt that Anna feels is leading to her not being able to sleep. Along with the guilt there is also someone watching her, things get so bad that she relocates to the remote Scottish Isle of Rum and works in a hotel.

You would think that removing herself from the London area that the threat would stop, but she still senses that feeling of dread and of being watched. Things continue to get worse and leads to Anna suspecting the guests.

This is such an atmospherically chilling read. The author does a fabulous job of creating a story that explores the depths of Anna’s feeling of guilt. She weaves so much mistrust and suspicion into Anna’s story that it was hardly surprising that Anna cannot sleep. The other characters/ guests at the hotel also have things to hide and it is really brought out into the open when a bad storm leaves everyone isolated. A perfect setting for a murder and mystery story.

Along with the island characters there are also others, they have a part to play in the grand scheme of the story and I gradually got to know them.

The story moves at a really good pace and this is helped by the quick chapters. They are told from different perspectives and are easy to follow as each chapter is given the title of the name of the person whose perspective it is. Well apart from one character, their chapters are set out in italics!

This is such a wonderful read that had me addicted within the first few chapters and kept my attention until the very end. It has a wonderful psychological thriller suspense feel as I read and I felt that the author really got inside the heads of her characters.

If you like a good murder mystery, psychological thriller read that has bags of suspense then you really should pick up a copy of Sleep. I think this may be my favourite Cally Taylor book so far. I would Absolutely Recommend this book.

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

Reach for a Star by Kathryn Freeman @KathrynFreeman1 @rararesources #Bookreview #choclit #Giveaway (open INT)

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my thoughts for Reach For A Star by Kathryn Freeman. My huge thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for the invite onto the Blog Tour and also for arranging my e-copy of this book.

Let me show you what it is all about…

What if your dreams were so close you could reach out and touch them? 
How could anyone resist Michael Tennant, with his hypnotic blue eyes and voice like molten chocolate? Jessie Simmons certainly can’t. But Jessie’s a single mum who can’t sing to save her life – there’s no way she’ll ever cross paths with the star tenor. 

At least that’s what she thinks until she’s unexpectedly invited to take part in a new reality TV show. The premise? Professional singers teach hopeless amateurs how to sing. The surprise? Jessie’s partner is none other than Michael Tennant!

As she becomes better acquainted with the man behind the voice, will Jessie find out the hard way that you should never meet your idols? Or will she get more than she bargained for?

Purchase Links – Amazon UK or US

When Jessie’s two boys Luke and Jack set their mum up and enter her into a singing TV competition she is stunned. She gets to sing with her favourite singer Michael Tennant, in fact he isn’t just her favourite singer he is her idol and she has a real fan girl crush on him. Oh! Did I mention that she is not a very good singer!

I love the way this author has used two people from very different worlds as the focus of this story. Jessie is a single mum with two sons, works in a pharmacy and is friends with her ex-husband. Michael is a famous tenor, travels the world and has adoring fans and gorgeous women who admire him. But what the author has done is go beneath the fame and the everyday to create a magical and heartwarming story. It is a story full of endearing moments, insecurities, guilt, low self esteem and lost confidence.

Using the main two characters the author has created a story that focuses on the problems any new relationship has, but has taken it further as this relationship comes with some additional obstacles. This made for a story that had me guessing all the way through as to whether the differences between Jessie and Michael could ever be overcome.

I loved the cheeky comments from Luke and Jack, they added a down to earth feel to the story. They reminded their mum that she had responsibilities tot them as well. Again this added to the will they / wont they aspect of the story.

This is a fabulous read that had me welling up with tears one moment and laughing the next, with the occasional heart in my mouth moments added for good measure. A great balance of emotions and intrigue with some wonderful dry humour.

If you love Choc Lit books then you are going to love this. I read it easily in one sitting, I had to know how things ended. A fabulous read and one that I would Definitely Recommend.

A former pharmacist, I’m now a medical writer who also writes romance. Some days a racing heart is a medical condition, others it’s the reaction to a hunky hero.

With two teenage boys and a husband who asks every Valentine’s Day whether he has to buy a card (yes, he does), any romance is all in my head. Then again, his unstinting support of my career change proves love isn’t always about hearts and flowers – and heroes come in many disguises.

Social Media Links –

Website – Facebook –  Twitter 

Giveaway to Win a PB copy of Oh Crumbs by Kathryn Freeman (Open INT)

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY HERE

See what other Book Blogger think by following the Blog Tour…

Many thanks for reading my post, if you entered the Giveaway I wish you Good Luck 👍😊

My Week In Books (w/e 20th Oct) #bookstuff #MeAndMyBooks

yvonnembee 4 Comments

Hello and welcome once again to my weekly round up of books that I have read.

It has been one of those “uneventful weeks” if I am being honest as far as life in general goes. Me and He did have a wander out between showers, I do love our Cornish country lanes in the autumn, It’s a chance to see a little bit more now the leaves are starting to fall and the saying “you can’t see the wood for the trees” does seem appropriate!

Here are a few photo’s as they were taken, no faffing or filtering 🙂

  • ©YvonneBastian
  • ©YvonneBastian
  • ©YvonneBastian
  • ©YvonneBastian

So now to the books I read…

Last week seemed to have a few festive, Christmas themed books, this week it seems that I have gone all hist/fic 😯😁

Revolution by Piet Hein Wokke

This was a really good historical fiction that was set in the Middle East starting in the 1940’s. It is a tale of three boys and follows their very different journeys as they become men in a country that is seeing the start of a transformation. A really interesting read that is full of corruption and conspiracy as well as loyalty and honour. Even though it reached a conclusion where all the immediate questions were answered it also has left a lead in to another book.

Fire Queen – The Tale of Ophelia by Joanna Courtney

This is another hist/fic novel and is the second in the Shakespeare’s Queens series, I have not read the first one and I didn’t need to as they are stand alone stories. But after reading Fire Queen I will probably look up the first one. This is “Joanna Courtney’s new trilogy unearths the real women behind Shakespeare’s most infamous queens.” A great read that was gritty and full of interesting scenarios, Ophelia is a warrior and one of the men. Not wanting to be seen as weak or wanting to be wed and being beholden to her husband, she is a real tough lady. I really enjoyed this one.

The Secret Santa by Trish Harteniaux

The Secret Santa is definitely not a nice cosy Christmas read, in fact it is a murder mystery! An isolated setting gives a good backdrop to a story that has intrigue, mystery and secrets. This is a book I read for an upcoming blog tour, so keep your eye for a review soon.

The Girl Who Speaks Bear by Sophie Anderson

This is an absolutely beautiful story aimed at younger readers. It is the story of Yank a girl who is a little different from other in her village and so she sets out on a journey to discover her roots. I loved the folklore, fairy tale style of this story and the descriptions are stunning. A story that has a dragon, bears, an elk, a lone wolf and a house with chicken legs! I know this is aimed at young readers but, never mind them enjoying it I loved it and read it in one sitting.

Currently Reading…

Until We Meet Again by Rosemary Goodacre

I say “Currently Reading” I am due to start this book later today so I can’t let you know what it is like yet! It is for a Blog Tour in a few weeks so keep you eye out.

Currently Listening to…

Mythos – Narrated by Stephen Fry

I am really enjoying listening to this, Stephen Fry is a brilliant narrator and I decided that I would rather listen to this than read it. It is so full of so much stuff and a lot of things are explained with their modern connections in language. His pronunciations of names is very different to how I would say certain names and this is where it is good to listen. I will definitely be getting the next audio-book “Heroes – Mortals and Monsters, Quests and Adventures.”

Well that is it for books this week. My Goodreads tally is creeping ever closer to my target of 200 for the year. As I write this post I only have 23 books to go 🙂

Hope everyone has a great week and I wish you all the best

Yvonne xx

Many thanks for reading my post 🙂 xx