Category My Week In Books

MY Week In Books (w/e 19th March 2023) #booklove #bookupdates #MeAndMyBooks

yvonnembee 3 Comments

Welcome to another weekly update of books I have been reading. It has been a nice week and we have had the odd day of nicer weather to be able to make a start on getting things in order in the garden. General tidying up and getting the veg bed ready.

As for the books, well I have had another really good week as far as reading goes. I have managed 5, one of which I have been reading over the past couple of weeks as it is a non-fiction.

Forgotten Women by Zing Tsjeng – is a brilliant book and looks throughout history at women that have left an impression in various fields. I was fortunate to receive a hardback copy of this for the upcoming Blog Tour and I have to say it is definitely worth it. Having a physical book makes it easy to just pick up and flick through until something catches your eye. If, however, you are anything like me you will soon get sidetracked doing this and actually read it in sections. The full review is at the end of the week.

Hunted by Shalini Boland – this is the third and final book in this series and it has been an excellent one to read. I have read all the books and really enjoyed them. This final one has tension and danger and is a thriller right the way through. Full review of this book will be next week.

A Truth for a Truth by Carol Wyer – this is a series that I adore, its main protagonist is Detective Kate Young. She is an intriguing character and I do suggest that this is a series you read in order. There is an ongoing plot and also the way Kate behaves and acts is something you did, in my opinion, need to understand form the beginning. They are also fabulous books. This one has Kate on the edge, her moral compass is a little off-kilter and she is so vulnerable. The full review will be at the beginning of next month.

Summer at Green Valley Vineyard by Lucy Coleman – I do adore this author and her books are engaging and just wonderful to read. This one follows a change at a vineyard in Wales. It is a family-run business and it is one that several of the workers have a huge amount of respect for. What will happen when the new manager comes in, how will he change things and will he understand the ethos behind the vineyard. A full review of this gorgeous book will be tomorrow, although you can grab a copy today as it has just been published.

An Unexpected Guest by Hannah Ellis – I have read this series from the beginning and it is a shame that the author will be moving on to another project. I do hope that she returns to this series at some point. Each book has focused on one of the members of the Treneary family who live on the Scilly’s. It is the turn of Jago, he has been in New York and has returned to the islands. If you have read any of these books then you know there will be something crop up to throw a spanner in the works! Full review in a few weeks as part of the Blog Tour.

A bit more of a mix and not so much on the dark or criminal side.

Have a wonderful week ahead,

Happy Reading and Take Care

Yvonne xx

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

My Week In Books #inthegarden #booklove #bookupdates #MeAndMyBooks

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Welcome to my weekly update of books I have read. We managed to miss the snow but we did have a good amount of rain and some wind. My daffodils have been a bit battered but still, they do look nice and colourful. I have finished getting my pond finished and I now need to get some plants to finish off around it and a couple more to put in it. We are also in the process of laying a pathway, it is a bit too wet it to lay the slabs down that we bought though.

And finally, there is my camelia, I bought this one last year, ermmm I thought it was going to be white. I prefer the colour now it is starting to come out 🙂

Here is what I have read over the past week…

The End of Men by Christina Sweeney-Baird – it is almost a year ago when this book was released. I wasn’t keen on reading it at the time, but a year on and it is a fabulous book. When a plague starts to kill men it is initially ignored, very similar to how Covid was when it was first identified. The author has written a story that has many twists. This story was initially written prior to Covid, and some of the situations are scarily accurate. Full review to follow.

Do No Harm by Jack Jordan – I was delighted to get a spot on the Blog Tour for this book and what a brilliant book it was. A surgeon kills a patient, but it is not as simple as that. The story is addictive and tense and has some very surprising and at times shocking twists. My full review will be at the end of the month.

Hopeful Hearts at the Cornish Cove by Kim Nash – this is an absolute corker of a story and I loved it. I sniggered a few times through this, to be honest, all of Kim’s books have a wonderful sense of humour and her latest one is just fabulous. A new start, some new friends and a bit of romance make for a gorgeous story. Full review at the beginning of next month.

Taken by Shalini Boland – this is the 2nd book in The Vampires of Marchwood series, the third book I am currently reading. I am loving this series and yes you should read them in order as they do have an ongoing storyline. A brilliant story that spans ages and continents with some great characters and involved storylines. Full review to follow soon.

There we go, another fabulous book week.

Happy reading and have a wonderful week,

All the best

Yvonne xx

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

My Week In Books (w/e 5th March 2023) #booklove #bookupdates #MeAndMyBooks

yvonnembee 6 Comments

Another week of fabulous books and again I am shocked that I have managed to read five books! One was a short one, but still Five!!!!!

I have been out in the garden and decided it was a good idea to empty my pre-formed pond and sink it a bit further. It took a lot more effort than I thought but it is looking better than it was. The earth around it had gradually sunk leaving the pond higher and not looking great. I will take a photo after I have finished setting it up, at the moment it is in place and settling.

So here is what I have read over the past week…

The Ugly Truth by L.C. North – wow what an amazing book this was but also one that was quite brutal at times. It is based on how people treat a young woman on social media after a photo is taken of her and she becomes a celebrity. This is a look at the dark side of celebrity and showbiz culture, being in the spotlight constantly and having every detail of your private life scrutinized by people who don’t actually know you. Very addictive book with some very surprising twists. Full review to follow.

End of Story by Louise Swanson (aka Louise Beech) – when I saw the synopsis for this book I thought, finally a book from this author that may not make me cry… how wrong I was! I should know better, and if you have read any of her books you will know what I mean. This is set in a dystopian setting where reading fiction has been banned. A world with no fiction is just unimaginable, but the author did imagine it and then wove it into this intriguing and heartbreaking story. Full review to follow.

Love on the Run by Suzie Tullett – it has been a while since I have read any of this author’s books and it was great to get the chance to read her latest one. Mum of two, Hannah, has a month free from her twins as they go on their holidays with their dad. Somehow she agrees to take part in a charity run with her two incorrigible friends. A fabulous fun and amusing rom-com. Full review at the end of the week as part of the Blog Tour.

After the Burning by N.S. Ford – I seem to be reading more dystopian just lately so when the author got in touch to read her collection of dystopian short stories I was definitely going to agree. These are wonderful stories and they do have a real believability to them. Full review nearer publication day in a couple of weeks.

Marchwood Vampires #1 by Shalini Boland – this book does have a title, but it has recently been changed so I am just including the series title instead. An official announcement about this will be done on NetGalley this week. So I am not going to share the cover or obviously the title 🙂

This is a YA story and it is one that I really enjoyed. It has a duel timeline describing how the Vampires at Marchwood came to be there. The present-day storyline is when a young woman and her brother who are in foster care suddenly discover they are to inherit Marchwood and a huge amount of wealth as well. They knew nothing about the vampires! Full review to follow.

There we have it, five fabulous books.

I wish you all a wonderful week ahead

All the best

Yvonne xx

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

My Week In Books (w/e 26th Feb 2023) #booklove #bookupdates #MeAndMyBooks

yvonnembee 2 Comments

Hello to another weekly look at what I have been reading. I am unsure if I will be able to share anything today as we are due to have our electricity off for the morning while they do whatever needs doing. I do rely on wifi for a better phone signal as well as to keep it charged.

Another month is almost over and the wind is bitingly cold. The sun may be out on an odd day, but it isn’t warm yet. I have been out to see what is growing as I could see some of the daffs were starting to open. Many of the shrubs are starting to bud up and leaves are opening on some other plants, I didn’t hang around long enough to take that many photos.

The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz – when an aspiring writer gets to join a famous author at her home with some other women it sounds great. A chance to get feedback and advice from an established author is almost too good to be true. It is definitely too good to be true as the story takes very sinister routes. Keep an eye out for the upcoming Blog Tour for my full review.

A Psychic Subterfuge by JP Alters – well this one was all I hoped it would be and more. When Mary arrives at a state-of-the-art facility to help her with her non-treatable schizophrenia things are starting to look better for her. A chance to live a normal life. The other residents at the facility are aware of something and the conspiracies and theories about what is really happening to make for a thrilling and suspense-filled read. This is another book for an upcoming Blog Tour so keep your eye out for that one.

Cold People by Tom Rob Smith – this was another brilliant book to read and I devoured it. Humankind has been reduced to living in Antarctica, not everyone made it, in fact, only a small amount of people were able to reach land within the 30-day time limit they were given. The story is one of survival and doing what needs to be done to adapt to a new way of living in extreme conditions. The full review will follow soon.

The Foxglove King by Hannah Whitten – this is another fabulous book and is a fantasy that had me hooked. This is a book that I found really difficult to review, there are so many things that I want to say about it but it would mean leaving spoilers. A young woman has dark powers, she is brought into the citadel to spy. But who is the one she should be spying on and who is telling the truth, is anyone telling the truth, is she telling the whole truth! A full review will follow in a week or so.

I am not quite sure how I managed 4 books this week, I thought I had read my usual 3 until I checked on Goodreads. All are brilliant books, thrillers, paranormal, fantasy and a locked room style. Quite a mixed bag of darkness 🙂

Have a fabulous week

Happy Reading

All the best

Yvonne xx

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

My Week In Books (w/e 19th Feb 2023) #bookupdates #booklove #MeAndMyBooks

yvonnembee 2 Comments

Welcome to another weekly round-up of books I have read. I am still reading three books a week as well as working and doing my course so I am managing the balance nicely. What things will be like when I can spend more time in the garden though is anyone’s guess!

The Mother by T.M. Logan – I never read the synopsis for one of this author’s books, I only read it when I am ready to write my review. I adored this domestic thriller and I found it very difficult to put down. A woman stands accused of murdering her husband, she is jailed but she has always proclaimed her innocence. This is something that many people say, but what if she is telling the truth! This was a fab read and my full review will be at the beginning of the Blog Tour starting next week.

Red Light and Bell by Richard Cobourne – having recently read the 1st book in this trilogy, Band Wagon, I was eager to get onto the next book in this Showboz Thriller. This book does continue on from the first and is a fast-paced, dangerous and intriguing and I adored it as much as the first one. Full review as part of the Blog Tour in a couple of weeks.

You Can’t Hide by Emily Shiner – well what a fab intro to this author this book was. A brilliant domestic thriller that had me on the edge of my seat and at times wanting to shout at the characters. This is another Blog Tour book so the full review will be in a couple of weeks.

All on the dark side again this week, I seem to have gravitated back towards crime and thrillers at the moment, but I do have a romance and a fantasy to read soon.

Have a great week ahead,

All the best

Yvonne xx

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

My Week In Books (w/e 12th Feb 2023) #booklove #bookupdates #MeAndMyBooks

yvonnembee 4 Comments

Welcome to another weekly round-up of books I have read over the past week.

Lockwood & Co by Jonathan Stroud – I had forgotten how much I enjoyed this author’s writing as it has been a while since I picked up any of his books. When I got a copy of Lockwood & Co I was soon hooked as I read this YA supernatural mystery and thriller. I have not seen the NetFlix series, but the book is brilliant. Full review to follow soon.

The Last by Hanna Jameson – I do like an apocalypse and The Last is a fabulous book to read. There is a mystery to be solved and as the suspects are those who remained in a hotel after a nuclear explosion, it makes for an interesting locked room mystery. I really enjoyed this book, but I think I was a little disappointed as it was more about the mystery than the apocalypse, but I had not really read the synopsis before I started it. The cover caught my eye and that was enough for me. Full review next week.

The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett – this was an amazing book, a very unusual style as the story is told in emails, messages, notes and transcripts of conversations. Definitely mysterious and I loved it. I have the full review next week.

There you go, only a quick post from me this week,

Have a great week ahead

Take Care

Yvonne xx

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

My Week IN Books (w/e 5th Feb 2023) #booklove #bookupdates #the garden #MeAndMyBooks

yvonnembee 4 Comments

Welcome to another weekly update of books I have read. I cannot believe it is February already! I have ventured into the garden to do a few jobs, one of which was transferring the compost heap, this will rot down nicely over the months while the new one will be added to. It is hard work when you have to turn the compost, but my goodness it is definitely worth it. There are a few signs of buds and things coming into life again, I just hope the colds snap we are due this week doesn’t do much damage.

Ok, so here is what I read last week…

Crow 27 by Matt Johnson – Robert Finley is back and the author has him returning to the barracks to investigate stolen guns. The thing is he has been warned from getting involved with a suicide investigation at the barracks. This is a brilliant book and I adored it so much I couldn’t put it down. Tense is an understatement for this book and if you are a fan of thrillers and procedurals then this is one that you should have a look at. Full review in a couple of weeks.

The Paris Notebook by Tessa Harris – what an amazing book this was. Imagine if there were a set of notes from a psychologist, imagine that one of the doctor’s patients was Hitler being treated for blindness during WWI. What if this notebook came to light as Hitler began his invasion of Europe. Katja has the job of transcribing this book and the auhtor tells her story and of those she meets. This story does have some factual sections to it and there is a fabulous section at the end for further reading. Absolutely stunning story and the full review will be next week.

Band Wagon by Richard Cobourne – this is the first book in a series. I was sent it along with the second book ready for the Blog Tour. Danny is a journalist, Daisy is a PR for the upcoming tour for Martha. One problem, Martha is missing! This is a fabulous story that follows the mysterious disappearance of Martha. There are some shocks for Danny, one of which leaves him suffering a traumatic event. This is a thriller that goes backstage and into the financing of the deals taken to put on a show. The author has done a fabulous job and I am looking forward to reading the next book – Red Light, Green Light.

There we go, three books this week and all fabulous reads.

Have a great week ahead,

Take Care

Yvonne xx

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

My Week In Books (w/e 29th January 2023) #booklove #booknews #MeAndMyBooks

yvonnembee 3 Comments

Welcome to another weekly update of books I have read. This week has seen me reading some books from NetGalley and picking some from my own TBR shelf.

Love Will Tear Us Apart by C. K. McDonnell – this is the 3rd book in the Stranger Times series and I adored this as much as the previous ones. Stranger Times is a niche newspaper that reports on strange occurances and events. Its editor Banecroft is a force to be reckoned withand a new assistant editor has his number. Hannah, the othe ex assistant editor has her own story as do other members of the staff. This is a fabulous fantasy and very humerous book. Full review next minth near the publication day.

The Silence Project by Carole Hailey – this is a book that does have mixed reviews but I loved it. Emilia is the narrator for this book and it tells of how her mum stopped speaking and lived at the bottom of hte garden. What started as one womans way of trying to find peace and listen to the world around her changed into a world wide following. Told in the past and then in the future this was a gripping book and I loved how the author dealt with the issues that arose. This is a dystopian that hdoes have an alarming believable adge to it. Full review next month near publication day.

The Wilderness Retreat by Jennifer Moore – this is a very good read and the idea of having a week away in an isolted retreat to relax and come to terms with life and its problems sounds great. Well it did until I read this one and discover that this is not as serene and idyllic as it sounds. THis is a mystery thriller that had me trying to work out the full extent of the depth that the author has gone with her characters. I did think at times it was a little repetative, but still a very good book. Full review next month.

The Woman in Black by Susan Hill – I have had this book for ages on my kindle and I am aware of their being a film, but have not watched it. I do like a good classic style gothic mystery and this one is fabulous. I really enjoyed the eerie atmosphere ofthe book and the odd looks from people along with conversations that suddenly stop when you walk into a room. The auhtor has created a story full of suspense and I adored it. Full review will follow over the next week or so.

Another 4 week book for me again this week 🙂

Happy Reading and have a great week ahead

All the best

Yvonne xx

Many thanks for reading my post, a llike or share woudl be amazing 🙂 xx

My Week IN Books (w/e 22nd January 2023) #booklove #MeAndMyBooks

yvonnembee 3 Comments

Hello and welcome to my weekly round-up of books.

It’s a four-book week this week, one of them was a shortie so not as impressive as it may sound 🙂

Pathogenesis: A History of the World in Eight Plagues by Jonathan Kennedy – this was a brilliant book to read and if you are a fan of history then this is definitely one to keep an eye out for. Starting with humans at their very beginning the author took me through the ages and showed how it was possible for plagues to be as deadly as they have now become. The publication isn’t until April this year so my full review will be out closer to the time.

Life and Love at Mulberry Lane by Rosie Clarke – this is another brilliant book in the Mulberry Lane series and one that I adore. The author has now brought us up to the swinging 60s and with new ventures on the horizon things are, as always changing. This is a gorgeous series that follows the main characters, their families have grown and the next generation is stepping up to make their mark on the world. A full review for this one will be beginning of February as part of the Blog Tour.

Gone by Ruby Speechly – this is a domestic thriller and is mainly from the perspective of the mother. Her eldest son has gone missing. There are signs that something bad may have happened but neither the mother nor this reader realised how far the author was willing to go with her storyline. Very enjoyable read and one that has left me wanting to read more by this author. Full review at the end of February as part of the Blog Tour.

Rock Art for Beginners by F. Sehnaz Bac – this was a title I spotted on NetGalley while I quickly nipped on there to leave a review. It was the cover that caught my eye, and I was able to read this one straight away. This is for beginners but there is also a lot of more detailed work involved. I would say that this is good for a beginner but some of the things are for more experienced artists or crafters. A gorgeous book to look through and one that gives me ideas for other craft projects. Happy to recommend this one.

Have a great week ahead,

all the best

Yvonne xx

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

My Week In Books (w/e 15th January 2023) #booklove #bookupdates #MeAndMyBooks

yvonnembee 10 Comments

Hello and welcome to another weekly update of books I have read.

This week has been a quiet week as such, but with lots going on personally. I am not one for sharing personal stuff but these past few weeks have been hard to deal with. My Dad passed away just before Christmas and his cremation was on Wednesday followed by what would have been his birthday on Thursday. He had been very poorly and so it was not totally unexpected but still hard to deal with especially with Christmas, New Year and then his Birthday being so close. As a family, we have made it through some tough times and we are moving on with him very much in our hearts and our memories, he is still giving us plenty to reminisce and chuckle about which makes it just the slightest bit easier.

The books I have read over the week are…

The Night Man by Jørn Lier Horst – I was fortunate to win a copy of this book from the Publisher, Micheal Joseph on a Twitter giveaway before Christmas. It is the first book I have read by this author and I really enjoyed it. It is a crime thriller, a police procedural and it takes some interesting routes. Keep an eye out for my full review to come this month.

The Secret Keeper by Amanda James – I do adore this author and her books, this was previously published under the title of Summer In Tintagel. This is a gorgeous read and one that deals with family from the past and the present. A wonderful vibe runs through this story and it works so well given the location. My full review can be found HERE.

The Other Guest by Heidi Perks – I do love this author’s books and this one is a very good read. A death during a luxury holiday brings out more secrets than people realise. As much as I really enjoyed this one I did find it slowed towards the end. Keep an eye out for my full review this week.

Another week is done and dusted.

Have a fabulous week ahead, Happy Reading

Take Care

Yvonne xx

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