NaNoWriMo Winner 2014

As you can see by the title I finished my 50,000 word count story for 2014. This was my third year doing this and I really enjoyed it. Each year I learn more and find the process more enjoyable. As you may know I was nearly a week in hospital so missed those days writing but as soon as I got out my fingers were off at high speed again. To all those who won I wish you a mighty congratulations , all those aching fingers and necks were all worth it.

The Bane Chronicles by Cassandra Clare , Sarah Rees Brennan , Maureen Johnson. Review

This is a collection of eleven stories featuring the infamous Magnus Bane. If you are a fan of The Infernal Devices series then Magnus will be no stranger to you but for those who are less familiar with him Magnus is a very very old Warlock and a very dapper dresser who is very witty bordering on Caustic . He helps people out of the various situations they get themselves into with his own particular sense of style.We get a really good insight into his life and many loves in this book so it's not essential to have read other books in this series before this one . The story starts in 1791 in Peru and each new story is set at a different point in time and a different place leading up to present day.This globe trotting Warlock has a really sweet and adorable side that he tries to hide very well but he just come across as a very likeable character...well as far as Warlocks go. Each new story also features a really awesome illustration that makes a lovely added extra to this beautiful book. I would recommend this book to all fans of the  Infernal Devices Series and Mortal Instruments series...or if you just like a bad guy. Enjoy! 

I received this book for review from the lovely people over at Lovereading4kids.co.uk for review. 

This book is being released this month.

You can buy it from Lovereading4kids.co.uk and all other bookstores then.

Below please find a link to this book on the Lovereading website.

http://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/book/10589/The-Bane-Chronicles-by-Cassandra-Clare.html

In my mailbox

Hi lovelies ! Are you having a good day? I was out walking earlier and I can just about feel my fingers again now. Beautiful and sunny and cold ,the perfect walking weather. I was so pleased when I hot back and these two gorgeous books arrived . I was sent these for review from the lovely people at Lovereading4kids.co.uk.Both of these books are YA and are to be published in 2015 . The first book is book two in the Red Eye series by Stripes Publishing. If you want a book that will keep you up at night with creepy plots look no further then this series. Can't wait to start this!!!! I foresee a sleepless night in my near future :0)

Sleepless by Morgan

The next book I received is The Earth is Singing by Vanessa Curtis . This is the story of a young Jewish girl and her life when the Nazi's arrive . This sounds like it will be an emotional read. Can't wait! 

In My Mailbox

My postman is great ! He brought me some lovely books today that were sent from the awesome people over at Lovereading.co.uk that I am very excited to show you! 

The Door That Led To Where by Sally Gardner

The Bane Chronicles by Cassandra Clare

Sarah Rees Brennan, Maureen Johnson

I Was Here by Gale Forman

Orkney Twilight by Clare Carson

Me and Mr J by Rachel McIntyre . Review

This is the story of a young girl called Lara who's family are on the breadline after the family business went bust. If things were not hard enough she is getting badly bullied at school , and being ginger haired with an unfortunate surname  is just about all the bullies could possibly need to begin a war against her. Lara's interior dialogue is hilarious and even though she really is struggling with these bullies and having no real friends to speak off she is very brave and gutsy and I had to admire her for that.

When a new teacher arrives her life brightens considerably in some ways , but some people can't stand her happiness and would do everything they could to hurt her even more. 

I literally started this and did not put it down until I finished it, it had such great characters both good and bad and a plot that felt very believable that I wanted to see how Lara's story would end. This is a very memorable story with a female lead character that is to be admired. 

I received this book for review from the lovely people over at Lovereading4kids.co.uk

This book is due for publication February 2015 and will be available from lovereading4kids.co.uk and all other good bookstores then.

Below please find a link to this book on the Lovereading website. 

http://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/book/9781405273442/isbn/Me-and-Mr-J-by-Rachel-McIntyre.html

Apple and Rain by Sarah Crossan. Review

This is a book about a young girl called apple who lives with her grandmother in England. Apple's mother abdoned her years previously to peruse a glamourous stage life in America. Apple misses her mum dearly and thinks her life would be 100% better if only her mother would come back and she did not have to live with her fussy, strict grandmother any longer. Her friendship with her best friend is on the rocks too and life seems very uncertain right now. Be careful what you wish for because sometimes wishes can turn to nightmares very quickly and sometimes it's better to have dreams then the cold face of reality. Apple is a brave young girl who is trying to be there for everyone , her life is often terrible but she is an optimistic soul really and extremely kind despite the odds against her. This is a story to pull at the heart strings with a young heroine in the centre of the story that shows amazing strength.

I received this book from Lovereading4kids.co.uk for review.

This book is due to be released Februaury 2015

If you would like to know more about this book I will leave a link to this book below.

http://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/book/10691/Apple-and-Rain-by-Sarah-Crossan.html

This book is a YA book aimed at ages 14 +

In my mailbox

Today I got sent a review book from the lovely people over at Lovereading4kids.co.uk. The book is called Me & Mr J by Rachel McIntyre  and is about a young girl finding her perfect soulmate in her new male teacher Mr Jagger. I can't wait to start this, it sounds amazing!

This is an uncorrected proof so the cover of this will look different when it is published.

The Haunting of Sunshine Girl by Paige McKenzie. Review.

This book was SO good I did not sleep good for two nights as it was very creepy and I wanted to find out how it would end. Meet Sunshine, a modern girl with a retro love of clothes and all things old timey , she has moved to a new town with her mum and the book begins with them moving into their new house. Very quickly we learn that there is more to this house then meets the eye and Sunshine has a direct line to the creepiness that her mother seems totally unaware of leaving her very frustrated and scared. It does not take Sunshine long to meet a new friend called Nolan , a young man with an open mind and a laid back attitude, basically the most perfect friend she could meet in her present predicament . They work together to find out what's going on and if they can make it all go away. This book was really creepy throughout but had moments of real sadness and chills up the spine. I recommend this for dark stormy nights when the lights go out.

I received this book from the lovely people over at Lovereading4kids.co.uk.

I will leave a link to their website below this week as the website is currently under construction.

This book is going to be released in March 2015 and I can't wait !!!!!!!! 

Monday Night / Pamper Night

It was a rough rough week last week and if anyone was in need of a good home pamper session it is me right now. 

My appetite is at zero at the moment and I feel pain and I am uncomfortable so I have to try and encourage myself to have something . I made one of my favourite homemade soups, creamy mushrooms and potato , there is no cream in it but I add some milk to make it creamy, then when it is cooked I wait until it cools then pop it in the fridge until I need it. I am also planning on getting plenty of veg in my diet to perk me up so the below stir fry is needed badly. I make this about once a week.

I like to light a candle and turn of harsh lighting then put on some music that is restful rather than stimulating. I believe I got this candle holder in Next and the pattern creates lovely patterns on wall tiles.

A hot bath is a must with either aromatherapy oils or foodie scented bubble bath/ shower gel.

This one smells like cola bottles.Warming and a little sweet.

When I get out of the bath I turn on an audio book as I get ready for bed and putting on my lotions and potions.I am finishing Yes Please by Amy Poehler which I have adored listening to. Amy is one cool lady who can also call Tina Fey a bestie.....  Can't get much cooler then that. 

The skincare products That are saving my skin now are these:

I need hydration right now. Not enough fluids ... or enough yummy eats make skin dull and pasty so while I am working on getting healthy fluids and nutrition in my body I need something that can soothe and calm down what ever is going on on my face. 

Hydration baby! 

Masks are the first thing I reach for. They are gentle and this one does not irritate my sensitive skin .

Moisturise it! Okay when skin is seriously parched I will reach for all my favourite skin saviours , some are old friends others I am still getting to know. Here they are:

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour cream. The is a reason it has been around for so long. It does what it says it will.

Le Roche Posay 

Le Roche Posay

Elemis

Cracking up! Lips are the first to get dry , crack,  and in the worse case bleed during cold weather. That rarely happens now since I found some solid products that prevent it ,but should I go out in the cold without something moisturising on my lips I may kiss my lipsticks goodbye as no one wants to see a cracked lip wearing lipsticks.it makes it look so much worse. Night time is the best time to layer on the balms so they have a full night to absorb all the goodness from the products without drinks and food taking them off.

Scrub first

Lush Popcorn Scrub

Lush whipstick

Got cold feet! I have bad circulation in my feet so I try and remember to coat feet in body butters or lotions then add thick bed socks or thermal socks on top. The heat from under my duvet will help the lotion to sink in and in the morning your feet will thank you. 

Try this one! 

The Body Shop 

Oil Slick! 

There is nothing my hair enjoys more then being covered in oil and left overnight. After the oil is washed out my hair is more likely to be calm and better behaved and less like the birds nest it craves to be. 

I like Caudalie Divine oil for this but as I have now run out of that I have been using L'oreal oil and it smells lovely without being too much in your face. I add a soap and glory turban over the top of this to keep in heat aiding it to work then let it sit for the night .

Once bitten! 

My poor nails are suffering... They don't know if they are coming or going... To be fair some are breaking off and some are continuing to grow ,so to look at them it would be hard to figure out what style exactly I was going for. With a nail file in hand and some patience, I cleaned, scrubed, filed, buffed, painted and let dry until they were looking a bit better. I chose this perky colour to liven up my digits. It's more of a summer colour but I don't care. 

Cute As A Button by Essie

Arm and a leg! 

I hate putting on body lotions but I know how good they are for my skin so I try to do this often . This is the one I have been using lately.

I prefer the smell of the old Charity Pot but I will use this up anyway but likely won't repurchase. 

 

In My Mailbox

While I was in hospital I received these two awesome sounding books from the fabulous Lovereading.co.uk. The first book I am showing you below is a creepy young adult book that has me gripped to the page already. This has a great title! I have seen the cover and it is going to be awesome. The edition I have is the uncorrected proof. The Haunting of Sunshine Girl by Paige McKenzie. This is being published in March 2015

The next book is a lovely hard back called Apple and Rain by Sarah Crossan.

This sounds like it is going to be a real emotional read . I will leave a link to this book down below. This book is being published in February 2015. Sarah also wrote The Weight of Water.

Apple and Rain

http://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/book/9781408853061/isbn/Apple-and-Rain-by-Sarah-Crossan.html

Hospital

Hi guys ! I am back. I have been away for nearly a week in hospital and am now on the road to recovery so I will try my best to get a few blog posts up this weekend even though I am still a bit under the weather but I will try and get back into a routine.

Have you all been having a good week? I hope so. Lots of love x x x x

Here is a pic of me about to go have something horrid done in my lovely backless blue paper dress .

Polka dot pink slippers and Christmas Penguin Pajamas ! Oh yes folks I was def mixing it up that day! 

The Woman Who Stole My Life by Marian Keyes.

Marian Keyes new book "The Woman Who Stole My Life " has now been published!!!!!! Yay!!!!!!! 

I love Marian and this book was truly brilliant! Below please a link to this book on the Lovereading.co.uk website where you can find my review along with some other fantastic ones . You can also read a free excerpt from the book which is awesome!

http://www.lovereading.co.uk/book/12915/The-Woman-Who-Stole-My-Life-by-Marian-Keyes.html

NaNoWriMo

Hi guys! It is another novel writing month already. Each November people take to their pen and paper or various electronic devices and bang out their word count every day hoping that the muses will shine on them and inspirational will come from here , there and everywhere. This is my third year entering and I was not going to do it this year as I just was not feeling inspired but when the day beckoned I could not resist and I found myself signing up for 2014.

The one thing I enjoy about it is the sense of satisfaction from doing it. Completing daily word count targets, reaching the 5k 10k mark..these all fill my heart with joy and put a spring in my step .

When I sit down and create characters and plots,places and crimes I forget about the rest of the world for a while and these people who I create become real to me , I look up after an hour amazed and smiling contentedly .

Do you have a novel in you? Why not join the fun over at NaNoWriMo . It's inspiring and awesome and who knows just how much fun you could have.

Mission To Murder by Lynn Cahoon. Review

Mission to Murder is book 2 in the Tourist Trap Mystery series set in the California coastal town of South Cove. I love a nice setting for a series and I really loved the description of this quaint town with really great characters and my favourite was the main character and shop owner Jill Gardner. Jill owns the Coffee Books And More shop and is dating the town detective and that comes in very handy when she is regarded as a suspect for a murder that no one sees coming...

The area Jill lives in is a historical area and she comes up against some opposition when she tries to get her place on the historical map by a distasteful character called Craig Thomas who would like to have the most popular place in the area.

There are some very enjoyable characters here like Jill's aunt who is sarcastic and feisty and very likeable. Jill is a smart lady who I immediately warmed to , I wish I had gone back and read book 1 in the series first but it is not essential. I will be doing that this week. 

If you are looking for a mystery with a nice easy going pace, strong characters, good plot , nice setting that you will enjoy this an awful lot. I will be continuing this series without a doubt! 

Red Eye Books Mini Kindle Haul

I recently reviewed Frozen Charlotte by Alex Bell which is part of a new series of books called Red Eye.I loved it SO much that I had to go and get the other three books that are available in the series on my kindle. These are creepy books that are guaranteed to make sure you don't sleep a wink and are being published by Stripes Publishing . At the moment they are not available on paperback from what I can see but you can get them on kindle and I do recommend them for those teens who like horror stories and for adults too. If you previously loved books similar to Point Horror and Goosebumps, if you liked the television show Eerie Indiana then you will likely enjoy these a lot.

Sleepless by Lou Morgan

Flesh and Blood by Simon Cheshire

Bad Bones by Graham Marks. 

Below please find a link to Stripes website where you can find more about these books .

http://www.littletiger.co.uk/red-eye

Currently Reading

It's grey and dismal out there so when all else fails and the night seem to be so dark and gloomy it's time to pick out some great books to curl up with .

Below are some good books I am reading and listening to right now. Some are my own some are library books. 

Amy Poehler's book Yes Please is a delightful book that has me glued to my Audible App at every chance I get. Amy is funny and cheerful and a joy to listen to... A real ray of sunshine. I am looking forward to reviewing this !

The next book I am reading is When Will There Be Good News by Kate Atkinson. This is my first book by this author and I am not too far into this yet but I am enjoying the writing style and the introduction to the characters so far.

Death Among The Roses by Anna Drake is a cozy mystery that I am loving. The book starts with a murder... That is certainly the way to get my attention in a cozy mystery. No messing about here. Love it!

The Life I Left Behind By Colette McBeth. Review

This was a very enjoyable psychological thriller from the author of Precious Thing. From the very beginning I knew the story was going to keep me up to the early hours of the morning trying to figure out who the killer in this book was going to be. 

The main characters of the story are Eve, Melody and Detective Inspector Victoria Rutter. From the beginning we know that Eve Is dead , she was murdered but she is lingering here unable to go on to where ever dead people are supposed to go as she has unfinished business.Her death is important not just for the reason that she was murdered but because there is a lot of familiarities between it and a previous case of Melody's from years back. Melody was viciously attacked years before , could it be the same attacker or someone new , that's why I had to stay up all night to find out. The story has moments that will make your eyes tear up, terrify you ,and leave you with a sense of unease , Eve and Meolody are good narrators but I was not sure how reliable Meoldy was as she was very damaged by her own attack.

If you want a book to keep you up until the early hours flicking pages and eager to know how it will end then look no further then this book. Truly great.

I received this book for review from the lovely people over at Lovereading.co.uk

This book is due for publication in January 2015 and will be available to buy from Lovereading.co.uk and all other good book stores then. 

If you would like to find out more about this book then please follow the link below. 

http://www.lovereading.co.uk/book/13159/The-Life-I-Left-Behind-by-Colette-McBeth.html