Month November 2020

My Week In Books (w/e 29th November) #booklove #bookupdates #MeAndMyBooks

yvonnembee 5 Comments

Wow! End of November has arrived and thi9s means I really need to get my Top Reads of 2020 sorted. Unlike the year 2020, books have been a constant thing, they haven’t let me down, they have been a source of enjoyment and have really helped me. I know many others have felt this way over these past months, I also know that some have also struggled with reading. Luckily for me I have kept reading, I have had the odd week where I may have only read 2 or 3 books but I have kept reading.

After last weeks festive theme, I am back to my usual mix (I know a certain someone will be pleased to see this and hopefully is still talking to me! You know who you are 😉😂) So this week the is some crime, a bit of fiction, a dash of dystopian and a non fic to add into my literary cocktail.

As always, Amazon UK links included are affiliate links. Of course you can also order through your local book shop 🙂

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I am a huge fan of this author and Bliss Uncovered by Tony Forder is a prequel to the much loved Bliss series. This is a chance for the fans of DI Bliss (AKA Bliss-ettes) to step back in time to when Bliss was younger. I was dubious about this novella but after a few pages I was hooked. I am wary of prequels that are written after a series is already up and running but I am so glad the author knows what he is doing, and he does it so well. A packed novella that I would definitely recommend. Keep an eye out for the Blog Tour.

Purchase HERE

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Another favourite author of mine is Lucy Coleman, The Villa of Dreams is a wonderful book set in Portugal as Seren starts a new job in a new country. This is such a gorgeous book that not only takes in the sights and culture of Portugal but also incorporates art, fashion and of course a lovely romantic theme. If you have read any of Lucy’s books then you will love it and get ready to be transported. Fabulous read and you’ll be able to see my full review as part of the Blog Tour.

Purchase HERE

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This is a new to me author and I have just been looking at his other books and I am pleased to see there are lots more out there. Containment by Nick Thacker is asked to investigate a deadly virus to see where it came from, and the virus turns out to be man made! This is set after Covid and it is mentioned a couple of times, but not dwelt on. This is a fast paced read and yes there is some science but it has been kept at a manageable level so that it doesn’t overtake the story. A cracking read and very addictive. I will post my full review soon.

Purchase HERE

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There is something about steam trains that bring out a nostalgia in many people. I have been on a few steam trains while on holidays and there is something magical about them and this book is a fabulous insight into not just steam trains the the railways. When I looked further into Julian Holland I discovered he has written a vast array of books. While railways and trains may not be everyone thing I thoroughly enjoyed the historical trip back in time. Quite an addictive read, well one I have been reading over the past couple of weeks actually! I was fortunate to receive a hardback copy, its gorgeous, and I think it would make a great gift idea.

Purchase HERE

Well another week done. Have a fabulous week and Happy Reading

Yvonne xx

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

Fifty Words for Snow by Nancy Campbell #fiftywordsforsnow @alisonmenziespr @eandtbooks #nonfiction #bookreview

yvonnembee 6 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for a gorgeous little hardback book 50 Words for Snow by Nancy Campbell. Down here in Cornwall we don’t get much especially given the coastal location, but even a sprinkling brings a smile to my face, well until I have to go to the local shop!

My huge thanks to Alison Menzies PR at Eliot & Thompson Books for sending me a copy of this book and for my spot on the Blog Tour.

Let me show you more about this beautiful book…

Synopsis…

Snow. Every language has its own words for the feather-like flakes that come from the sky. In Japanese we find Yuki-onna – a ‘snow woman’ who drifts through the frosted land. In Icelandic falls Hundslappadrifa – ‘big as a dog’s paw’. And in Maori we meet Huka-rere – ‘one of the children of rain and wind’.

From mountain tops and frozen seas to city parks and desert hills, writer and Arctic traveller Nancy Campbell digs deep into the meanings of fifty words for snow. Under her gaze, each of these linguistic snow crystals offers a whole world of myth and story.

Purchase from Eliot & Thompson directly, local book shops or from Amazon UK (this is an affiliate link)

My Review…

What a gorgeous book Fifty Words for Snow is, both in the cover design, the snowflake images for each word and even down to the colour of the text. The blue and white them of the cover is continued inside.

The colour for the book works well and it reminded me of older Christmas cards and scenes that show the wintery white snow that has highlights of blue.

As for the words, well they not only span cultures, countries and regions but also history, folklore and fairy tales. This is a book that I found myself picking up and reading over the course of a few days. I really liked the differences between the words and how each word was presented. Some are short one-page definitions where others span a few pages giving more details on history or include sections of stories or religious text.

Each word is its own chapter, I found that I was given the word, a brief dictionary type definition and also the language it is used in. This gave it a global feel rather than concentrating on specific regions.

I liked this book a lot and I learnt various things as I read. It is ideal for perusing through as well as just sitting down and going through each word individually. A fabulous little book, full of fascinating information about snow and all things snow-related.

Fifty Words for Snow is a great book and one I would definitely recommend for those who like to find new words, learn about different cultures and experience new stories from around the world.

About the Author…

Nancy Campbell is an award-winning writer, described as ‘deft, dangerous and dazzling’ by the Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy. Her travels in the Arctic between 2010 and 2017 have resulted in several projects responding to the environment, most recently The Library of Ice: Readings in a Cold Climate (S&S), which was longlisted for the Rathbones Folio Prize 2019. Her previous book on the polar environment, Disko Bay, was shortlisted for the Forward Prize for Best First Collection in 2016. She has been a Marie Claire ‘Wonder Woman’, a Hawthornden Fellow and Visual and Performing Artist in Residence at Oxford University. She is currently a Literature Fellow at Internationales Kunstlerhaus Villa Concordia in Bamberg, Germany.

Check out the other stops on the Blog Tour…

Dead Already by Tim Adler #DeadAlready @timadlerauthor @NightsBooks @damppebbles #damppebblesblogtours #crime #mystery #bookreview

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I am delighted to share my review today for Dead Already by Tim Adler. This is the first time I have read anything by this author and I am looking ofrward to reading more. Huge thanks to Emma at damppebbles blog tours for my spot on the tour and for my e-copy of this crime thriller.

Let me show you more…

Synopsis…

What if someone you accidentally killed came back to haunt you?

When the perfect crime results in the kidnap and murder of Megan, his only child, East End villain Mickey Speight is grief stricken. But now, nearly thirty years later, Megan sends a message to her father, gone-to-ground in present-day Margate.

As the messages from his dead daughter keep coming, Mickey teams up with a young American female therapist to discover whether this really is a voice from beyond the grave, or if somebody has loomed out of Mickey s past wanting revenge. Someone is fingering Mickey’s collar and Mickey doesn’t like it.

Mickey realises that he must haunt the old East End boozers, betting shops and strip clubs of his youth if he’s to find out what really happened to his daughter.

DEAD ALREADY is a psychological thriller that splices the ever-popular East End gangster genre with a ghost story; a cross between revenge thriller YOU WERE NEVER REALLY HERE and supernatural horror DON T LOOK NOW.

Purchase from –

Amazon UK – Amazon US – Waterstones – Foyles

My Review…

This is the first time I have read anything by this author and my first outing was a really intriguing read and one that caught me unawares initially. I had read the synopsis for this book a long time ago when I decided to sign up for the Blog Tour because I really liked the idea of this story. Then I sat down to read and found myself somewhat confused as I struggled to get to grips with the story. I then re-read the synopsis and suddenly things that I had read started to make a lot more sense!

Where do East End London gangsters go when they want to start over, well Margate of course. Mickey Speight is such a villain, he has had a hard life, he hasn’t many friends and 30 years ago he watched his daughter die. Why is he now getting messages from her?

I liked this story a lot, especially after I read the synopsis! It is a timeslip novel that flits back and forth and really easy to follow as well. The past is in italics and fills in the history for the present-day story. The past is something that haunts Mickey but tells of what he has done.

I liked the way the author tackled the layout for the story because the information the reader needs for the past is gradually drip-fed throughout. It makes it easy to digest and it has been worked really. well.

The messages from the grave give an eerie feel to the book, but not scary though, in some ways it has a more sinister feeling and adds a psychological feel to the thriller aspect of the story. It has good pacing as I followed Mickey and the author deeper into the mystery.

This was a story that nagged at me when I wasn’t reading it, it is unfortunate that readers also have lives to get on with and are not always able to sit and read a book in one go all the time. I think it would have easily been a one or two sitting read. It is a book for those who like a bit of old school gangster mixed in with a modern crime mystery feel. A good thriller with a psychological dimension that made for very interesting reading and one that I would be happy to recommend.

About the Author…

Tim Adler is a journalist and former commissioning editor on the Daily Telegraph, who has also written for the Financial Times and The Times.

His debut self-published thriller Slow Bleed went to number one in the US Amazon Kindle psychological thriller chart. Its follow-up Surrogate stayed in the top 40 psychological thrillers for more than a year. Bestselling crime author Peter James said of Tim’s third novel Hold Still, “Adler’s engaging style and sharp pace kept me glued”.

The Sunday Times called Tim’s most recent nonfiction book The House of Redgrave “compulsively readable” while The Mail On Sunday called it “dazzling”. Tim’s previous book Hollywood and the Mob was Book of the Week in The Mail On Sunday and Critic’s Choice in the Daily Mail.

Tim is a former London Editor of Deadline Hollywood, the US entertainment news website.

Social Media links – Twitter – Facebook –Website

Check out the other stops on the tour…

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

My Week In Books (w/e 22nd Nov) #booklove #booksread #MeAndMyBooks

yvonnembee 6 Comments

This week seems to have a definite festive fiction read as I have suddenly come to that point in the Blog Tours where the review books have a Christmas feel. When I think back to a time before my blog, I wasn’t really a romance reader and now I definitely look forward to them.

As always, there are purchase links to Amazon, these are affiliate links and earn me a small commission on qualifying purchases.

First up though is…

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Dead Already by Tim Adler, this is the first time I have read anything by this author and I am glad there are a few more of his books to pick up. This is a a book that has a crime thriller element but also an eerie psychological aspect to it. It has the feel of an old time gangster story that flits back and forth in time to fill in all the details. Thoroughly enjoyed this one and keep an eye out for the up coming Blog Tour.

Purchase here

Now for the festive ones…

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A Christmas Wedding at the Castle by Eliza J Scott was an adorable read and it was so good to be back in the village of Lytell Stangdale as Livvie and Zander are getting preparations ready for their wedding. I adore this authors Life on the Moors series and this latest one has a lot more to it than first meets the eye. Each of these books focuses on one of the main characters, so while it okay and easy to read as stand alone, they are much better read in order. Old secrets, old animosity and new beginnings are just the tip of the iceberg. Full review will be as part of the Blog Tour.

Purchase here

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Another welcome return to a community with Christmas in Cockleberry Bay by Nicola May. This is the 4th book in the series and I have loved each book. As always there are dogs and this time more babies as Rosa starts to work on her charity Ned’s Gift. I really enjoy the humorous comments and antics of the characters as they go about their everyday lives but mixed into this there are some heart-warming moments and some dodgy characters. Another Blog Tour review to keep an eye out for.

Purchase here

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Another welcome journey was to Christmas at the Waffle Shack by Helen J Rolfe. I love Helen’s books and this one is just a gorgeous read. I mean Waffles!!! Need I say more? This is the 2nd in the Heritage Cove series and it focuses on, well obviously the Waffle Shack, but also the blacksmith’s run by Lucy. Definitely sparks, but also nerves and pasts come into play with this story. Can a person change? Can they start over and heal a rift? A book you need to read on a full stomach or you will be reaching for the biscuit tin to keep you going as mentions of waffles and their toppings and the… I think I had better stop there I’m feeling hungry again! Gorgeous read and another one to watch out for as part of the Blog Tour.

Purchase here

A wonderful week for reading and a great chance to read a new author and also catch up with some of my other favourite authors.

Take care and Happy Reading,

Yvonne xx

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

The Heat by Sean O’Leary #TheHeat #SeanOLeary @damppebbles #damppebblesblogtours #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for The Heat by Sean O’Leary. This is a quick-ish read and a first for me by this author. My thanks to Emma for arranging my copy and for my spot on the Blog Tour. Let me show you what this book is all about…

Synopsis…

Jake is a loner who works nights in a Darwin motel and lives at the YMCA. He’s in love with Angel, a Thai prostitute who works out of the low-rent Shark Motel.

A vicious murder turns Jake’s life into a nightmare. He must fight for his life on the heat-soaked streets of Darwin and Bangkok in the wet season to get revenge, and to get his life back

Purchase from Amazon UK (this is an affiliate link) also –

Amazon AUS – US – Australian Bookseller

My Review…

This is a reasonably quick read and the story took me to Australia, not the gorgeous scenic side either. The main protagonist is a young man, a drug user, I suppose what you would consider to be a drop out.

The author has created a story that has a slow feeling pace but is also quite compelling reading. Taking the reader into the murkier world of drug use, prostitution and corruption. However, this young man does have more to him that first glance suggests.

The further into the story I got the more intriguing I found it. It has a moralistic sense to it as the main character tries to do what is best after the death of one of his friends.

The feeling I got from this was that it wasn’t a story about doing what was right, although that is part of the story. It is also about self discovery and also laying some demons to rest.

I did like this slower paced story, it is told from the perspective of the main character and this gives a more personal feel to this story. It is gritty given some of the subject matter involved but also it has a heartwarming sense of justice to it.

A story for contemporary fiction readers and I do think it also crosses into literary fiction. This is a human interest story that I found to be very addictive, I don’t think this will be for everyone but I thoroughly enjoyed it and I would be more than happy to recommend it.

About the Author…

Sean O’Leary has published two short story collections, ‘My Town’ and ‘Walking’.  His novella ‘Drifting’ was the winner of the ‘Great Novella Search 2016’ and published in September 2017. He has published over thirty individual short stories and is a regular contributor of short fiction to Quadrant, FourW, Sudo, Close to the Bone (UK) and other literary and crime magazines. His crime novella ‘The Heat’, set in Darwin and Bangkok, was published in August 2019. Drifting and The Heat are both available on Amazon. His interviews with crime writers appear online in Crime Time magazine.

He has worked in a variety of jobs including motel receptionist, rubbish removalist/tree lopper, farm hand, short-order cook and night manager in various hotels in Sydney’s notorious, Kings Cross. He has lived in: Melbourne; Naracoorte; Sydney; Adelaide; Perth; Fremantle; Norseman; Geraldton; Carnarvon; Broome; Yulara; Alice Springs; Kakadu; Darwin and on Elcho Island-Galiwinku. He now lives in the northern suburbs of Melbourne, thinks that test cricket is the greatest game of all and supports Melbourne Football Club (a life sentence). He writes every day, likes travelling and tries to walk everywhere.

Social Media – Facebook – Website – Instagram

Check out the other stops on the Tour…

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

Harpers Heroes by Rosie Clarke @AnneHerries @BoldwoodBooks #boldwoodbloggers @rararesources #histfic #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to once again feature my review for author Rosie Clarke latest book Harpers Heroes. This is the latest book in the Harpers Emporium series and what a wonderful next instalment it was.

My thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for arranging my e-copy of hte book and also for my spot on the Blog Tour.

Here is what it’s about…

Synopsis…

From the bestselling author of the Welcome to Harpers Emporium and The Mulberry Lane Series.
The Harpers Girls come face to face with the harsh reality of the cruelty of war.


Oxford Street, London 1915

Sally Harper quietly battles to keep Harpers afloat in the difficult days of the war, whilst husband Ben is working all hours for the War Office.

Beth Burrow is fighting concern for her husband Jack, now at sea with the Merchant Navy, and the fear she may never see him again and be blessed with a child.

Driven to exhaustion, Maggie Gibbs, is now working as a nursing assistant on the battlefields in France. With the everyday horrors of the casualties of war to contend with she suffers her own personal tragedy when her fiancé’s plane ditches in the sea.

Can the Harpers Girls and their loved ones survive the perils of war and find a path to future happiness?

A heart-warming saga following the lives, loves and losses of the Harpers Girls. Perfect for fans of Nadine Dorries, Pam Howes and Dilly Court.

Purchase Link – Amazon UK

My Review…

What an absolute joy to catch up with the folks at Harpers. This is a department store that has amazing bosses, colleagues and friends. They are more of an extended family rather than a work force and this is what makes this series so special.

There are some characters that are focused on more than others, these key characters are facing worrying and uncertain times. Some of the workforce have signed up to do their duty and fight in The First World War. The War has far reaching effects not only for those who are in the midst of the fighting, but also for those left at home worrying about loved ones. Also with rations and shortages other suppliers need to be found.

As I mentioned the story and characters are based around those that work ot or know people at Harpers, it gives it a family saga feel and really does draw you into t the lives, worries and uncertainties during this period in our history.

The author portrays so many aspects of war life. The women who volunteer close to the front helping the wounded, those involved in logistics, in freight and supplies, undercover work and many other aspects. While the horror of wounds is mentioned the story does ot focus so much on the front line fighting, though it is always an ever-present feature. In some ways it is more about everyday people doing the best they can no matter where they are and what they are doing.

Harpers Heroes is part of a series and even though I have not read this from the beginning I did read the previous book. So, yes you can read them as a stand alone, but I do wish I had read them in order as the two books I have read so far have been so engaging.

If you are a fan of historical fiction and romance, of family sagas and engrossing stories then you really want to have the Harpers series on your list, Harpers Heroes is a wonderful read and one I would definitely recommend.

About the Author…

– Rosie Clarke is a #1 bestselling saga writer whose most recent books include The Mulberry Lane series.  She has written over 100 novels under different pseudonyms and is a RNA Award winner.  She lives in Cambridgeshire.

Social Media Links –
Newsletter Sign Up – Website – Twitter – Bookbub

Check out the other stops on the Tour…

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

The Beach Party by Peter Bartram @PeterFBartram @RandomTTours #RandomTTours #crime #mystery #bookreview

yvonnembee 5 Comments

I am delighted to once again feature a review for Peter Bartram, The Beach Party is the latest in the Crampton of the Chronicle series.

My huge thanks at Anne at Random Things Tours for my spot on the Blog Tour and for arranging my signed copy of the book. Let me show you what it is all about…

Synopsis…

Murder stalks the beach party…

Brighton is about to host its most exciting beach party ever – with the world’s biggest name in rock music headlining the show. It seems a world away from the work of Evening Chronicle crime reporter Colin Crampton. But that’s before fraudster Claude Winterbottom is beaten to death. As Colin investigates the crime, he finds there are too many suspects. Like Manfred Crouchpenny, the fattest loan shark in the world. Or Jeremiah Clarke, leader of a band of purity campaigners. And who is the mystery woman who hides behind the pseudonym Astraea? The climax explodes on a pirate radio ship moored off the British coast. There are laughs alongside the action as Colin and feisty girlfriend Shirley Goldsmith race against time to save countless lives at the beach party.

· Paperback : 282 pages

· ISBN-13 : 979-8689870687

· Publisher : Independently published (28 Sept. 2020)

· Product dimensions : 13.97 x 1.8 x 21.59 cm

· Language: : English

Purchase from – Amazon UK (this is an affiliate link)

My Review…

It is always a pleasure to catch up with Colin Crampton, a crime reporter at the Chronicle newspaper based on Brighton. What starts out as trying to get the latest story out before the deadline ends up with our intrepid crime reporter being repositioned!

Colin is definitely a wily man when comes to getting the scoop and he does use the occasional dirty trick much to the annoyance of a fellow hack. But this time he has gone a step too far and he is moved from reporting the crime to reporting entertainment! While Colin is definitely entertaining he is not that sort of writer.

Never fear though, because no matter where Colin goes or he finds a crime or crime finds him. A man beaten to death, a pirate radio station and various suspects lead Colin over land and sea to discover follow the leads.

The author has definitely got the workings of his main character, his flaws and also his dogged determination is always to be admired. Colin in some ways reminds me of a dog who refuses to let go of a bone, he will not give up on a story. Part of me does wonder if there is a stubborn streak that means he doesn’t like to be beaten or if there is a morality to him as he wants to discover the truth; maybe there’s a little of each!

The story is a good pace, and I love how there are no mobile phones, computers or tech. This is set in the 1960s and there are mentions of bands and music that help keep the sense of time as well as some of the phrases that are used. I also really enjoy the humorous tones, very tongue in cheek and I think to a certain extent a very British style to them.

I am a fan of this series and I have a real soft spot for Colin and his escapades around Brighton. This latest book is another excellent read, it has drama, danger, unexpected surprises and a fair few twists. If you like cosy mystery and crime that has a sense of humour then you really should have a look at these books. The Beach Party can be read as a stand-alone, but you would miss out on some very, very good books in the series. I would definitely recommend this one, well all of them to be honest.

About the Author…

Peter Bartram brings years of experience as a journalist to his Crampton of the Chronicle crime mystery series. His novels are fast-paced and humorous – the action is matched by the laughs. The books feature a host of colourful characters as befits stories set in Brighton, one of Britain’s most trend-setting towns. You can download Murder in Capital Letters, a free book in the series, for your Kindle from http://www.colincrampton.com. Peter began his career as a reporter on a local weekly newspaper before editing newspapers and magazines in London, England and, finally, becoming freelance. He has done most things in journalism from door-stepping for quotes to writing serious editorials. He’s pursued stories in locations as diverse as 700-feet down a coal mine and a courtier’s chambers at Buckingham Palace. Peter is a member of the Society of Authors and the Crime Writers’ Association.

Follow Peter on Facebook – Twitter

Check out the other stops on the Tour…

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

It’s Raining Men by Rich Amoooi @RichAmooi @rararesources #Giveaway (open Int) #romcom #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am absolutely delighted to share my review for the latest Rich Amooi book, It’s Raining Men. I am a big fan of this author and he always delivers such a cracking read.

My thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for my spot on the Blog Tour and for organising my e-copy of this fabulous book. Let me show you what it’s all about…

Synopsis…

It’s Raining Men

On a dare, Faith Daniels tosses a coin into the infamous “Fountain of Love” and wishes for the perfect man, laughing it off as the dumbest thing she’s ever done. Like magic, her quiet life turns upside-down when men begin to appear out of nowhere. There’s a doctor, a lawyer, a firefighter, and a swimwear model, for starters. All of them are kind, generous, successful, and drop-dead gorgeous. All of them are interested in Faith. But who is Mr. Right?

A feel-good romance novel about love, friendship, and living life to the fullest!

Purchase Links – Amazon UK (this is an affiliate link) Amazon US

My Review…

I just can’t help but adore Rich Amooi’s books and this is another to add to the books I adore by him. This one lives up to its title as Faith soon discovers!. It’s her two best friends that convince her that the fountain of love will work for her. Faith isn#t convinced but to keep the peace she agrees to drop in a coin and make a wish.

It’s not that Faith has bad luck when it comes to love, it is that she lost the loved of her life when he passed away five years ago. She has started to remember the good time they shared but she doesn’t feel like anyone else can come close to filling the hole that he left, and she doesn’t really want to.

Her friends don’t take no for an answer and the author really has created the two most brilliant of friends to help Faith out. As I said the title is perfect because as soon as Faith makes her wish she notices men taking an interest in her, in fact by the time she has walked back from the fountain she has bumped into or noticed several men looking at her, surely the fountain isn’t for real!

I adore the way the author deals with his female leads as he leads them around the houses making mischief and adding humorous lines along the way. This is a book that deals tentatively with grief and how you can get stuck in a rut. He also manages to create a wonderful set of friends that form a bond and have a loyalty to each other. This is where the author excels, in so much as nothing runs smoothly. As a reader, you can see where he is going and you can see the finishing line but it is the route he takes to get there.

This is just the most perfect Sunday afternoon read, yeah that is exactly when I read it on a windy wet day sat inside in the warm. Yes, the author does verge on the cheesy side at a time, but it really doesn’t matter because the story is just a joy from start to finish. If you are looking for a positively heartwarming read for a wet and wintery day then this is one you definitely want to pick up. The King of Rom-Com has done it once again.

About the Author…

– Rich Amooi is the Amazon #1 Bestselling author of 15 romantic comedies, including It’s Not PMS, It’s You, Dying to Meet You, There’s Something About a Cowboy, and Madam Love, Actually.

A former radio personality and wedding DJ, Rich now writes romantic comedies full-time in San Diego, California, and is happily married to a kiss monster imported from Spain. Rich believes in public displays of affection, silliness, infinite possibilities, donuts, gratitude, laughter, and happily ever after.

Social Media Links –Author website – Facebook – Instagram – Twitter

Giveaway to Win a $25 Amazon Gift Card (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 be passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for the 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 HERE

Check out the other stops on the Blog Tour…

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

My Week In Books (w/e 15th Nov) #readingchallenge #bookupdates #MeAndMyBooks

yvonnembee 2 Comments

Well this has been an interesting week for me as I have finished my Goodreads Challenge. I completed the 200 books that was my target at the beginning of the year.

To some this will be a big number, to others not so much. While I don’t pressurise myself into having to read a certain amount of books, it is nice to complete a goal. Last year I read just over 230 books and I could have upped my target for this year, but reading is an escape, I enjoy it and I don’t ever want it to become something that I feel I have to do just to hit a target. This is why I like the Goodreads Challenge, it is flexible and it can be changed up or down.

As always, the links included are Amazon Affiliate links and these will earn me a small commission.

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Map’s Edge by David Hair is 400 pages of magic, fantasy, danger and adventure. I loved this book and it is the first time I have read anything by this author. It is the fist book in The Tethered Citadel and I meet a community that lives on the edge of society, misfits, drop outs or those not wanting to be found. They embark on a journey to discover a magical source that will give them a chance for a new start. Not all will make it! Fabulous book that I would definitely recommend.

Amazon UK Link

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Fifty Words for Snow by Nancy Campbell is a non-fiction book of, well the title does say it all really – 5o words for snow. Well, that isn’t all it is at all! This is a gorgeous book that has words from around the world, from different cultures, religions and folklore. Yes snow is involved in all its different forms and the author has created a gorgeous little book that I found extremely addictive. Keep your eye out for the Blog Tour and my full review soon. The hardback copy is a gorgeous book. Get a copy from Amazon UK or other good book shops.

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The Heat by Sean O’Leary is the first of the two novellas I mentioned earlier. This is a story that is in some respects one of not just doing the right thing but also about a journey of self discovery. The main protagonist is like a drifter, he has no real responsibility or roots as he meanders along in life until something happens that means something to him. This is a contemporary fiction read that I found intriguing and my review will be part of the upcoming Blog Tour.

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This is the second novella I read. In the Sweep of the Bay by Cath Barton and it is a wonderful story that is set in Morecombe. It is such a simple story about life and marriage but has been beautifully told. This is a story of falling in love, getting married. Then you fall into the routines of everyday life, this is what happens with Ted and Rene in this very down to earth and gorgeous story. Keep an eye for the Blog Tour and my full review.

Pre-order – Amazon UK

Well there we go folks, all that remains is for me to wish you all a good week ahead.

Take Care

Yvonne xx

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

History of World Trade in Maps by Philip Parker @Collins_Books #history #maps #nonfiction #bookreview

yvonnembee 5 Comments

I am delighted to share a wonderful non-fiction book with you today. History of World Trade in Maps by Philip Parker is a fabulous book for lovers of history, trade, travel, geography and also art. Some of the detailing and artwork in these maps is amazing.

Before I get to carried away let me show you what this is about…

Synopsis…

Trade is the lifeblood of nations. It has provided vital goods and wealth to countries and merchants from the ancient Egyptians who went in search of gold and ivory to their 21st-century equivalents trading high-tech electronic equipment from the Far East.

In this beautiful book, more than 70 maps give a visual representation of the history of World Commerce, accompanied by text which tells the extraordinary story of the merchants, adventurers, middle-men and monarchs who bought, sold, explored and fought in search of profit and power.

The maps are all works of art, witnesses to history, and have a fascinating story to tell.

The maps include
• Çatalhöyük Plan, c. 6200BC
• Babylonian Map of the World, c. 600BC
• Stone Map of China, 1136
• Hereford Mappa Mundi, c. 1300
• Buondelmonti Map of Constantinople, c. 1420
• The Waldseemüller Map, 1507
• James Rennell Map of Hindoostan, 1782
• Air Age Map, 1945
• Johns Hopkins Covid-19 Dashboard, 2020

Purchase from Amazon UK (this is an affiliate link) or from your local bookshop.

My Review…

This is such a nice book to sit and flick through, which is what I have been doing over the past week or so. The book is laid out in a logical sequence and covers the major trade routes around the world that have formed over centuries.

I am not a map reader but I do appreciate the artwork that went into earlier maps. Some of which are simply stunning with detailed images, designs and some with gold leaf. Some of the maps are recognisable as being a map by what we know of today, but some look nothing like a map as they are linear and flat.

The maps are explained with easy to follow captions and also more detail is gone into as well. From early routes, C.600BC to modern-day maps you can see a progression in accuracy and also understanding. The book ends with a startling image of pandemic routes and how human movement has increased so has the movement of disease.

Wool. sheep. textile, silk, spice, tea, slavery and all manner of routes are portrayed in this book. Details of transactions, old photos and all manner of other items have been included to build up a good and very interesting read.

While this is a book of maps, it also pulls together brief histories and geologies. I really appreciate the detail in some of the maps but at times the scale is very small given the huge detail involved and I would love to have been able to see these more clearly. A magnifying glass does help to a certain extent but a larger page or a fold-out page for the more detailed maps to give a better view would have been amazing. Although overall the size of the majority of maps is very acceptable.

This is a book that lovers of history, cartography, geography and also art would really appreciate. I think it would make a great present and I know I would love to receive it, therefore I would be very happy to recommend it as it does make fascinating reading.

Here are some other images from the book…

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