When Captain Flint Was Still A Good Man by Nick Dybek

This novel grabs you from the beginning when it introduces us to a young man called Cal and his family who all rely on the fishing industry for their survival. Cal's father is a strong man who would do anything to maintain his job working on the boats ,what seems at first to be a strong work ethic becomes a lot darker as the story goes on.Relationship problems , fear, and secrets are just some of the things that occur in the story making it irresistible and easy to recommend to others. The story is told well through Cal's sympathetic eyes ,he is a wonderful lead character that is easy to empathise with. This was a wonderful story!

I was given this book by the lovely people over at lovereading.co.uk. You can check out this book and other reviews on the link below.
http://www.lovereading.co.uk/book/9781472100696/isbn/When-Captain-Flint-Was-Still-a-Good-Man-by-Nick-Dybek.html

New Books

When Captain Flint was still a Good Man by Nick Dybek ..This book was kindly sent to me by the good folks at lovereading.co.uk for review.

 The Magpies by Mark Edwards was just released yesterday. A psychological thriller that I can't wait to start!!

 Jenny Colgan. The loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris..With a title like that how could I resist!

 A Cottage by the Sea by Carole Matthews looks like the perfect chill out novel. I adore Carole's books!!I can't recommend them highly enough.

 Penelope by Anya Wylde was gifted to me by the author. I love cozy mysteries so can't wait to see what this Regency cozy mystery book is all about.

The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a ship of her own making. I have heard nothing but good things about this book....  it was about time I got my own copy.

Dismal weather but fab books

Its a very wintry night here in Ireland.. Yes I know it is supposed to be Spring. .But tell that to my daffodils and crocuses who are hanging their little heads so the wind does not decapitate them....sigh.... when the warm weather ever comes back I am sooooooo going to be ready for it...
So with all bad weather it is perfect weather for reading( well some good has to come from all the wet stuff). I was pondering today over the what books I am in the mood for to read this coming week and I surprised myself with the selection I picked. Normally this time of year has me thinking of romance books and if I can find one that combines Paris and love well then I am one happy chick.
As the wind is howling outside the window and the stove is being packed to the brim all day, more wintry themed books are yelling out to be read, and I am quite happy to remain with them for a few more weeks. (Any more then that and cabin fever is going to take over if I don't get out and get some sunshine soon).

My picks for this coming week are these:

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

This is an enchanting tale about a caster girl called Lena   and a boy named Ethan who both live in the town called Gatlin. Ethan believes he knows everything about the town he is from and  all the residents there but this is going to be the year that changes all that. The town of Gatlin has a lot of  southern charm and nosy neighbours that are interesting and engaging, you get a real feel for the place even though you are only reading about it. many times it was very easy to daydream my way there. The story is told from Ethan's point of view mostly and it is told very well .Ethan loves books and while I was reading  this book I was very envious of the description of the town library that he visited a lot, Especially one particular part of it.  I do love when a character loves books and reading and libraries, it makes them easier to relate to.  The story is part love story , part tragedy, add a curse and well there is plenty to sink your teeth into. My personal favourite part of the book was between Ethan and Lena and the times in the library. The plot was easy to follow but kept me on my toes, I really did not want the story to end, thankfully there are other books in the series so I wont have to leave these characters for long. I recently saw the film too and can really recommend it. Now on to book 2!!! ........(runs off to fetch the next book in the series , in audio).

Charlotte's Web by E.B.White review

I adored this!!! I should have been warned to have tissues at hand when reading it...oh well never mind ...sobs.........
This is the sweet and charming story about a pig called Wilbur and his friends down on the farm, specifically one friend-Charlotte. Charlotte is a spider with a heart of a gold ,she is a true friend to dear Wilbur !! There are many ups and downs in a pigs life and Wilbur's friend is there to help him out at each turn but there will come a day when Charlotte may need Wilbur's help.
I can't believe I have left it so long to read this story but now that I have it is going on my favourite shelf where I know I will read it again and again. 

Murder and Mayhem in Goose Pimple Junction by Amy Metz review

What a wonderful mystery , I loved it!!. Welcome to Goose pimple Junction where the locals are charming and full of witty banter and it's history is in the spotlight again, and will soon liven up the entire town.
The story is told in present day and from the 1930's ,in the 1930's dialogue we get to see a crime and some of the people involved  in it and in present day we meet a woman who has taken an interest in this old crime bring it all back into the spotlight again..
There was so many times during the reading of this that I sat there chuckling to myself as the conversations between the locals are quaint, filled with local slang and a good dose of humour. No one can read this and not smile from ear to ear. Mystery, Intrigue and some good old southern small town life make this a very enjoyable read that I would def recommend to any cosy mystery fan. I wish there was a real life Goose Pimple Junction.. I would be on the first plane out!!loved it!!

Shoot the Moon by Billie Letts Review

As soon as I read the blurb about this book I had to get it. The story is about a young woman who gets murdered and her baby son has gone missing. The only thing that is found belonging to him is his pajama bottoms. Many years later( almost 30) this young boy comes back to the town where his sudden reappearance will shock and worry the community he left many years beforehand. This was a gripping read and I could not wait to find out what happened on the day of the murder and his disappearance. This book really does not let you go from the opening pages to the very last one. We get glimpses into Gaylene Harjo's(the young woman who was murdered )life in the form of diary entries throughout the book  alongside what is currently happening, it gives us an idea of what this woman was really like from her own mouth and not that of the gossips in the town . A moving story ,told well that stays with you after reading it. There are some wonderful characters in this book ,some you will love, others you will dislike, but all memorable. This is definitely worth reading.

Forever Charmed by Rose Pressey review

                                                     Forever Charmed by Rose Pressey

This is the first time I had ever read anything by Rose Pressey and I was very impressed ! In this story we have a main character called Halloween La Veau or more commonly known as Hallie. Hallie has moved into the large creepy La Veau manor in Enchantment Pointe(love that name!!!!) which she has now turned  into a B&B. Upon arrival of the first guests things really start to take on a magical feel . Having always believed that was a bit of a let down as a witch ,things suddenly begin to magically look up for her. Teem Hallie with some other great characters such as Annabelle and Hallie's mum and it makes a fab read.If mystical and magical cozy mysteries are your favourite then I think you will enjoy this.

Mini Haul

Reading this weekend

 

 

Kindle Haul

 Worth its weight in old by K.D Hays

 The Flower Master by Sujata Massey

 Forever Charmed by Rose Pressey

 Christmas Steele by Vanessa Gray Bartal

 Arch Enemy of Murder by Vanessa Gray Bartal

 The Victorian Mystery Megapack

 Murder and Mayhem at Goose Pimple Junction by Amy Metz

 Cherry Bomb by J. A Konrath

 The Cooper Collection by Bill Bernico

 The Grimm Diaries

 The Anne Stories by Lucy Maud Mountgomery

 Killer Cupcakes by Leighann Dobbs

 Rock N Roll is Undead by Rose Pressey

 Lowcountry Boil by Susan M . Boyer

 Formula for murder by Judith Mehl

 Pies and Potions by Rose Pressey

Class Reunioin of Mirder by Vanessa Gray Bartal

American Gothic by Robert Bloch

First.. fabulous cover! Second awesome title!
This is the perfect cover for anyone fancying a nice creepy read..I mean for example...odd floating(I'm guessing) organs..unconscious body, add a dash of blood and a brief synopsis at the back of the book and it all amounts to a darn good sounding read!
If that was not enough to convince you, inside the book would you believe is even better.. a very scary pharmacist, missing guests from a hotel that hides many secrets ,add in someone who is overly fond of  chloroform ,and well let me tell you this makes for a wonderful quick read. Greed,power,success and the lengths some people will go to to obtain these things is all too vivid here. A wonderful book!

Queen's Gambit by Elizabeth Fremantle

Life is never dull in Tudor England in the court of Henry VIII.The well known history about this King and his many wives and failed marriages makes an excellent story on it's own but add some fiction to the mix and you have yourself a gripping tale. Katherine Parr is to become Henry's 6Th wife and is understandably dubious about marrying such a man with a very well known marital history..after all Katherine is quite fond of her head and would like to retain it if at all possible. .. Treading carefully is of utmost importance while being Queen while ignoring a lot of the King's bad behaviour(he really was a shockingly bad husband). Katherine is a character that you want to do well and find true love with a husband she truly loves, .I could not get enough of this story, an engrossing tale told well that will have you telling all your friends about it.

I won this through a comp that lovereading.co.uk was having on twitter but if you would like to know more about it then check it out on the link below where you can get a free excerpt.
Publication for this book is this month. (March)
http://www.lovereading.co.uk/book/8311/Queen-s-Gambit-by-Elizabeth-Fremantle.html

A Charming Crime by Tonya Kappes Review

 

 

 

.......Contains Some Spoilers............

 

 

 

 

Whispering Falls...Ahhhhh ...I love this name... the name has me instantly daydreaming of magical and mystical places ..... sigh....
This town which is full of colourful characters and shops is where the main character of the book June Heal finds herself living with her childhood friend Oscar and her pet cat Mr Prince Charming, when she decides to move her shop "A Dose of Darla", a shop selling homeopathic cures, from Locust Grove to the charming Whispering Falls.
Whispering Falls is not like most towns we know...the town and the people have a little something special about them that makes visitors to the town have a really enjoyable time and come away with more then they planned.
Our main character June is a homeopath and does it very well, this gift passed down in the family helps a lot of people but at times she could really do with something to help herself especially when she finds herself in some major trouble !!Yikes!!
June is a pretty laid back character who has not had the easiest of times(well explosions are a little hazardous to the health)... I really enjoyed reading about her and esp her mother Darla. I think if she was real she would have been a pretty fun person to know.A real free spirit with lots of friends.
Having been introduced to most folk in her new town very quickly she learns lots about her own family's past and begins to see a real future for herself here,this feels like a place she truly belongs.The book is filled with a quirky bunch of characters that were very enjoyable to read about and I am really looking forward to seeing them all in the next book in the series A Charming Cure.
This really is a charming cozy mystery read that will not fail to put a smile on any cozy mystery fans face. This is book 1.

The Woods are Dark by Richard Laymon review

This was an eerie read !! When weary travellers stop for the night at a motel they get more then they bargained for in this creepy tale... Anyone who has ever been on a road trip will get goosebumps while reading this tale of crazy killers, terrified victims and the great outdoors...If you have ever seen the No Vacancy movie and loved it for its terror inducing storyline then this story will be right up your alley!!

Haul Part 8

Above is a fab eyecatching fiction cover...seriously it screams to be read!!! 1893,Chicago world fair, a hotel and some disappearing guests.....sounds brilliant!!

When I hear Gotham I immediately think Batman...He is not in this book though..In this book we have a shocking murder of a young girl... a Detective  called Simon Ziele  and a lot of mystery to drag himself through.

A mystery bookshop, Detective agency next door and some fabulous characters...

Salem New England.... The history of this place is coming back to haunt and hurt others.

The sequel to A Discovery of Witches.....Shadow of Night

 Lucy Pym is invited to give a lecture about Psychology to the students in Leys Physical training School but while there there is a nasty accident that is going to need some investigating...

 

A Vacuum cleaner salesman...some espionage and some travel.... sounds wonderful!!

The resurrection casket is  the story about a place called  Starfall, a world in trouble from crooks and smugglers..add some time travel and read by David Tennant make this sound intriguing...

A Feast of the Drowned is about a naval cruiser thats sinks under strange circumstances... Doctor Who goes to investigate....Read by David Tennant.