Birthday & Christmas Gifts

Hello their lovelies , I thought I would quickly pop on and show the bookish goodies I got for Christmas / Birthday . Most of these are books I have previously read and enjoyed but did not own ... now I have my very copy , yay!!! 

These socks !!! How fabulous .... and sometime necessary ;0) 

The Wizard Of Oz by L. Frank Baum 

Breathe List Journal 

Bedtime Stories For Stressed Out Adults by Luch Mangan 

What The Doormouse Said . Lessons For Gorwn-ups Feom Children’s Books . 

Midnight At The Bright Ideas Bookstore by Matthew Sullivan 

The Eyre Affair by Hasper Fforde

Uncommon Type by Tom Hanks 

Notes On A Nervous Planet by Matt Haig 

Simple Knitting by Erika Knight 

Family Friendly Knits by Courtney Spainhower

Christmas Eve Jólabókaflóðið

It’s a lovely dry cold day here on this Christmas Eve in my part of Ireland , the north west coast( Wild Atlantic Way). Presents are wrapped , fairy lights are glowing , food is being prepared and the last bits of cleaning and tidying have begun . Christmas movies , pjs and cosy socks will be laid out tonight , and for the first time we will be exchanging books thanks to a lovely Icelandic tradition of Jólabókaflóðið , or bookflood in English , that we (in my house) have now adopted  . It would not take much for me to join in with extra ways to bring more books into my life at any time of the year but there is something extra special about doing this on Christmas Eve after the hustle and bustle of the run up to Christmas . 

I have wrapped up two books for two people , one has flown across the ocean to my friend and the other is for my hubby . I will take great delight in watching him open his gift this evening , he has no clue what I have got him ( he is going to love it) .

I have really enjoyed reading up about 

Jólabókaflóðið , it seems like the most perfect solution to the long dark nights we have at this time of year , the idea of flooding your life with books amid the darkness of winter sounds like a introverts dream , but not just that , it’s all those fabulous unread books and new authors .... oh the excitement!!! Eeekkkk

Have you heard about Jólabókaflóðið , will you be joining in this tradition ? I am hoping to make this a new yearly tradition , a way to ease into Christmas with the most blissful way I know how ... sharing a lovely book . So from my house to yours I wish you a peaceful Christmas Eve and happy reading xxxxxx

Vintage Books Podcast : Talking About The Icelandic tradition of the Book Flood . 

https://itunes.apple.com/ie/podcast/vintage-books/id395664824?mt=2&i=1000424506138 

Death By Dragonfly by Jane Tesh . Review

The story is set around David Randall and his detective agency set on 302 Grace Street. When David is asked to try and find stolen property it seems like an easy enough job but it gradually becomes a lot more difficult and complicated especially when a dead body is found . 

I really enjoyed this story , the psychic/ magical elements to the story were really fun and added something special to the story , I especially enjoyed when Camden was getting a psychic reading. The characters were well written and a colorful bunch , you want these guys living in your  neighborhood , well most of them , there is a few devilish ones included . I recommend this to everyone who enjoy a magical/ mystical element to their mystery stories , it was very good . 

I received this book to review from the lovely people over at Netgalley .

This book is being published December 18th and is available from all good bookstores now . Below please find the links:

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43186766-death-by-dragonfly

Mini book Haul

The Labyrinth Of Spirits by Carlos Ruiz Zafón. This is book 4 in this series . 

Dracul by Dacre Stoker . As a big fan of the original Dracula by Bram Stoker I could not resist getting this . I am looking forward to digging into this over January  . What more could you want then two epic books to start the new year with  ! :0) 

New Arrivals At Mulberry Lane by Rosie Clark. Blog Tour .

This is book four in this series set in 1943 in London . The story centers around the family and friends who live on Mulberry lane ,  they are a very tight knit community each with their own ups and downs and everyone tries to help each other out . It is a truly heartwarming story that really gets you invested in the characters from the very start and you are rooting for them to do well throughout the story as they try to make the best of life during the war and all the hardships that go with that . To make a good story even better there is two despicable characters included , I was hoping for their demise so I read eagerly to see if I got my wish .

The plot was so good I did not want to put it down , so I didn’t , who needs sleep anyway !  Would  I recommend this ? Most  definitely! 

I received this book to review from the lovely people over at Netgalley and Aria Publishing . Below please check out this terrific writer and all the information to find her online xx

New Arrivals at Mulberry Lane – Rosie Clarke

 

 

About the author

 

Rosie is happily married and lives in a quiet village in East Anglia. Writing books is a passion for Rosie, she also likes to read, watch good films and enjoys holidays in the sunshine. She loves shoes and adores animals, especially squirrels and dogs.

 

 

Follow Rosie

Twitter handle: @AnneHerries

Facebook: @RosieClarke

 

About the book

 

1943 Mulberry Lane, London. In the midst of another bleak winter, life is hard for the residents of The Lane.

 

When Rose Merchant arrives at Mulberry Lane, she is carrying a secret that haunts her. How can she tell her landlady and the Lanes’ matriarch Peggy Ashley that she is the daughter of a murderer? As Rose learns that she is amongst friends she gradually learns to trust and even to love.

 

But when Peggy's estranged husband Laurie returns home for good, both Rose and Peggy’s lives are once again turned upside down.

 

Can they both find their way through the heartache to find happiness?

 

Buy links

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2Sgfhgt
iBooks: https://apple.co/2PVyrXi

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2SbH2qB
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2PVzeaP

 

Follow Aria

Website: www.ariafiction.com

Twitter: @aria_fiction

Facebook: @ariafiction

Instagram: @ariafiction

 

Next up on the blog tour is Stacy Is Reading ! 

Thanks for stopping by xxxx

The Truth Pixie by Matt Haig . Review

I got this book for my niece this Christmas . It is the delightful tale of a young pixie who can only tell the truth , she is struggling quite a bit with who she is , the story is about excepting yourself  , the good and the bad things that happen to everyone and how your thoughts effect how you cope with these things , the entire story is told through rhyme . It is a feel good story and very hopeful , with terrific illustrations, perfect for around the 7+ age group . 

Here are the links :

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41443051-the-truth-pixie

Matt’s Website:

http://www.matthaig.com/

Persephone Gift Subscription

Persephone Bookshop in London is a beautiful independent publisher of once out of print or forgotten books , brought back , given a fresh crisp look and with especially lovely details , just check inside the cover and you will see what I mean . Its a complete book lovers treat with matching bookmarks. 

Books in grey covers bought directly through the shop online ( or just call them, they’re lovely )get free matching bookmarks . 

I was gifted this subscription and it’s my very first Persephone subscription , each month I get a new book that comes with a bookmark . It’s so exciting and the perfect gift for a special someone in your life if you are stuck figuring what to get them. 

Here is a link to the shop and they ship internationally:

https://www.persephonebooks.co.uk/

Making Conversation by Christine Longford . Book 1 in my subscription .


A Lady And Her Husband by Amber Reeves . Book 2 in my subscription . 

The Secret by Jennifer Wells . Review

This story was So good I literally could not put it down , so I didn’t and read it in one sitting , I could not get enough of these characters , and they have stayed with me since I have finished the book . The story goes back and forth in time , from the 1920’s and 1940’s and centers around two women , Lily and Ivy . The story is an interesting one as we see how the past can effect current relationships and change people for the worst with its long term damaging effects . The elusive Dr Cuthbertson was a character I loved to hate , although there is not that much narration with him he leaves a strong presence throughout the story , and that lingers . 

Reading about the medical professional from the 1940’s was really interesting too , the way women were helping women and trying to modernize reproductive health was really moving . 

This was a fabulous read with strong women characters and a big old creepy house filled with secrets , both combine wonderfully . I loved this . 

I received this book to review from the lovely people over at Netgalley and Aria Publishing . 

This book has now been published and is available from all good bookstores  . Below please find the links:

The Secret – Jennifer Wells

 

 

About the author

 

Jennifer works in Market Research when not writing. She lives in Devon with her young family and cat. The Secret is her third novel in the series set in fictional Missenham in the Home Counties.

 

 

Follow Jennifer:

Twitter handle: @jenwellswriter

Facebook: @JenniferWells

 

About the book

 

A tightly woven story full of secrets and lies with a breathtaking finale.

 

London 1920 – Troubled young dancer, Lily, is invited to remote Elmridge House, home of the wealthy theatre benefactor Dr Cuthbertson to escape her troubled past. An isolated guest room and a surprise pregnancy leave her longing to return to the stage and her London life. She soon discovers that Elmridge House is not all that it seems - the house holds secrets which make it difficult for her to leave.

 

Missensham 1942 – Young nurse Ivy Watts is called out to a patient at Elmridge House, home of the aloof Mrs Cuthbertson and reclusive Dr Cuthbertson. Ivy is entranced by the opulence of the house and its glamorous past, but when she tells her mother about Mrs Cuthbertson, her mother becomes fearful and forbids her from returning to the house.

 

What secrets does Elmridge House hold? And why does Lily’s mother live in fear of the mysterious Mrs Cuthbertson?

 

Perfect for the fans of Lesley Pearce and Susan Lewis.

 

Buy links

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2O6tSI2
iBooks: https://apple.co/2Rdjq3n

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2JgIoMv
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2RazNxE

 

Follow Aria

Website: www.ariafiction.com

Twitter: @aria_fiction

Facebook: @ariafiction

Instagram: @ariafiction

 

 Below please check out other book bloggers on this blog tour . Next up , Stacy Is Reading . 

Catch and If Yucon by Maddy Hunter . Review .

This is book 12 in the “Passport To Peril “ series featuring main character Emily , a tour escort who leads groups in foreign countries  . In book 12 her tour group are visiting the breathtaking Alaska , amid the glorious scenery of huge glaciers and whale watching the groups high spirits take a drastic slump when a body of a member of the group is found . If that was not enough excitement another member manages to catch an eerie looking sight on camera adding some more excitement to their holiday . 

This was so much fun , reading about somewhere I have never been was intriguing and  getting to know the characters in the tour group was very enjoyable as they are such a colorful group of older tourists , each with their own quirks . I had no idea who the murderer was until the very end of the book , that was half the fun , trying to see if I could figure it out. Emily’s family were my favorite , each one funny and full of energy , I wish I had found this series sooner ! I can’t wait to go back and read the the books from the beginning  . If you enjoy a book series set in different locations in each new book , I would say definitely check this out ! 

I received this book to review from the lovely people over at Netgalley .

This book is being published December 8th  , 2018 and will be available from all good bookstores then . Below please find the link:

Goodreads :

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38606646-catch-me-if-yukon

Killer Classics by Kim Roberts . Review

This is book 5 in the Book Barn Mystery series set in Hazel Rock ,Texas , and is based around the family run bookshop and book club run and owned by Charli Rae Warren and her dad Bobby . The town has quite a few quirky residents making it really enjoyable getting to know them , but it  is also hiding a killer . 

I loved the description of the bookshop and bookclub , also the camaraderie amongst the bookclub members was touching especially when one of their own encounters danger. 

This was a really enjoyable read and I can’t wait to go back and start this series from the beginning even though it’s not necessary to have read previous books  to enjoy this ,  book 5 . 

I received this book to review from the lovely people over at Netgalley .

This book is being published December 4th and will be available from all good bookstores then . Below please find the links:

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39168407-killer-classics

New Arrivals At Mulberry Lane by Rosie Clarke . Review

This is book four in this series set in 1943 in London . The story centers around the family and friends who live on Mulberry lane ,  they are a very tight knit community each with their own ups and downs and everyone tries to help each other out . It is a truly heartwarming story that really gets you invested in the characters from the very start and you are rooting for them to do well throughout the story as they try to make the best of life during the war and all the hardships that go with that . To make a good story even better there is two despicable characters included , I was hoping for their demise so I read eagerly to see if I got my wish .

The plot was so good I did not want to put it down , so I didn’t , who needs sleep anyway !  Would  I recommend this ? Most  definitely! 

I received this book to review from the lovely people over at Netgalley .

This book is being published December 4th and will be available from all good bookstores then . Below please find the links:

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41809439-new-arrivals-at-mulberry-lane

Game Of Scones by Mary Lee Ashford . Review

The story is set around main character , Rosetta Sugarbaker Calloway ,she has changed direction slightly in her career recently and now publishes community cookery books with her friend and work partner , baker , Dixie Spicer . The duo are known as Sugar and Spice and they have yet to come across a mystery that has got the better of them , so when arch enemies Elsie and Bertie have a major falling out in small town St Ignatious it’s not long before it becomes obvious that there is a lot more to their feud then it first seems . 

This was a delicious foodie mystery that was near impossible to read without munching on something tasty. 

I especially loved the friendship between Rosetta and Dixie , these are ladies you want on your side when trouble comes knocking as they won’t give up until they can help those who need it . 

An added bonus was the book also contained some delicious recipes at the back . I recommend this to all mystery fans . 

I received this book to review from the lovely people over at Netgalley .

This book is being published December 4th and will be available from all good bookstores then . Below please find the links:

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39168402-game-of-scones

Book Haul

Once Upon A Time by Cleo Coyle.

Below and above are some new books by Author Cleo Coyle and Anna James . I have followed this series from book 1 and the series is at book 17 now .

The series is set in a coffee shop in New York and its one of my favorites . There is also usually recipes at the back of each book which is an added bonus and lovely surprise at the end of the book . If you are looking for a cosy mystery series to start with then this is one of a few I would recommend.  

Dead To The Last Drop by Cleo Coyle 

Holiday Buzz by Cleo Coyle 

A Brew To A Kill by Cleo Coyle 

Dead Cold Brew by Cleo Coyle . 

The first came across this book ( Tilly And The Bookwanderers )through my local on-line library . I am about 50+ pages in and I love it . The outer covers of this book are striking but the most gorgeous thing about it is the inner covers . Check them out below . 

The Novel Art Of Murder by V.M Burns . Review

This is book 3 in the “Mystery Bookshop” Series featuring Samantha Washington , her high spirited granny Josephine and Josephine’s close friends . The story begins with Jo being replaced by new resident Maria , and Jo is none too pleased about it , later when Maria is found dead Jo is the first person the law looks to and it’s up to Sam and her  elderly friends to find out exactly what’s been going on . 

I loved the relationship between Sam and Jo , it’s a really close and loving one and they are fiercely loyal to one another . The side story that ran along with this story , that Sam was writing made this even more enjoyable , it was a lovely added bonus . 

I had no idea who the bad guy was going to be by the end so it was a very pleasant surprise . I would recommend this to any cosy mystery fans as there is a lot of laugh out loud moments as well as a few that would bring a tear to your eye . 

I received this book to review from the lovely people over at Netgalley .

This book is being published November 27th and will be available from all good bookstores then . Below please find the links:

Goodreads :

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39339734-the-novel-art-of-murder

Deceased And Desist by Misty Simon

This is book 3 in “ A Tallie Graver Mystery” Series. Tallie has a keen eye for when something is just not right , and while working one day she has the misfortune to come across a dead body it quickly becomes apparent that the police are completely useless and it’s up to her to put things right much to the disgust and anger of stand in Police Detective Hammond . 

I really enjoyed this story , Tallie does not really care who she annoys as long as she gets to the truth and I kind of love that about her , she has a strong determination to get a job done while also managing her work , family,  love life , oh and her dogsitting . There was some really twisted bad guys in this that had me urging Tallie on , I really wanted to see her get justice so sleep was abandoned until I read the very last page . I loved it , especially the surprising end . 

I received this book to review from the lovely people over at Netgalley .

This book is being published November 27th and will be available from all good bookstores then . Below please find the links:

Goodreads :

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39312790-deceased-and-desist

Let The Dead Keep Their Secrets by Rosemary Simpson . Review

This is book 3 in the “ Gilded Age “ Mystery series set in New York . This was one of the most engrossing books I have read this year because the bad guy in it is just incredibly despicable, he truly is an evil character . The story begins with a young woman contacting the Hunter and MacKenzie Detective agency , she has some grave concerns about the death of her sister , what seemed like a fairly straightforward case soon escalated and the plot just thickened from then on . 

The setting of the story was terrific , the medical knowledge from that time in history was well introduced in the story and it all made this a truly gripping read with a great adrenaline boost towards the end as the danger got higher and higher for Prudence and Geoffrey . I loved every minute of this!

I received this book to review from the lovely people over at Netgalley .

This book is being published November 27th and will be available from all good bookstores then . Below please find the links:

Goodreads :

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39101655-let-the-dead-keep-their-secrets

The Whispered Word by Ellery Adams . Review

If you are a true fan of bookshops and all things bookish then I highly recommend this , book 2 in the “Secret , Book & Scone Society . The main character is Nora , she is the owner of the most gorgeously described bookshop , she is a little prickly soul but has a good heart and will help anyone in trouble ( even if it could potentially put her in harms way ) . 

When someone shows up to her shop in dire need of help the young woman has come to just the right place . 

I could really keep gushing about this book all day , it’s obvious the author has a deep love of all things bookish and I absolutely loved that . Sprinkled throughout the story are also quotes by famous authors and the odd anecdote adding to the bookish fun . The plot was very enjoyable and there is more then one baddie here that you will love to hate . All in all a fabulous read . Go get this immediately ! 

I received this book to review from the lovely people over at Netgalley .

This book is being published November 27th and will be available from all good bookstores then . Below please find the links:

Goodreads 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39081611-the-whispered-word

The Body In The Attic by Judi Lynn. Review

I am always fascinated by people who buy run down houses , do them up and then flip them , so this book was right up my street ;0) 

This is book 1 in the River Bluff series featuring main character Jasmine ( Jazzi) and her cousin Jerod . They flip houses for a living and they are good at it . When they get a chance to buy a house with connections to Jazzi’s missing aunt they jump at the chance only quickly to find themselves up to their eyeballs in death . 

Wow, this was a good read , I read this all in one go and pretty much instantly fell in love with Jazzi’s Norwegian contractor called Ansel and his adorable little dog . Jazzi’s family history is a fascinating one and pretty dark and tragic too  , this was a book where you quickly become attached to the characters and their well-being and I kind of loved that , it also makes it impossible to put down , so I didn’t . Would I recommend this ? Without a doubt ! 

I received this book to review from the lovely people over at Netgalley .

This book is being published November 27th and will be available from all good bookstores then . Below please find the links:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39168404-the-body-in-the-attic

Violet Tendencies by Kate . E. Dyer- Seeley. Review

This is book 2 in the Rose City Mystery series set in Portland . It’s the run up to the annual flower festival in the city and Britta and her aunt are going to be decorating a float for the Parade. What starts as terrific fun idea spins turn out to be terrifying as protesters with nothing but trouble on their mind start to threaten the creators and crafters of the parade floats  and it just continues to escalate . 

The plot was great fun , seeing all the prep that goes into occasions like this was intriguing. I loved how the menace gradually grew as the festival grew nearer and you were not quite sure what was going to happen , it was made especially nerve wrecking because of the dangers of being in large crowds in public places nowadays . I throughly enjoyed this book , it was the first book I have read in the series but it won’t be the last . 

I received this book to review from the lovely people over at Netgalley .

This book is being published November 27th and will be available from all good bookstores then . Below please find the link:

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38998445-violet-tendencies

‘Twas The Knife Before Christmas by Jacqueline Frost . Review

Let me start this review with , if you love Christmas and mysteries then go pick this up straight away ... right now ... off you go ... now on with the review . 

I adored this , I pretty much knew I would within the first few pages of reading this as we get terrific descriptions of the town and shops etc and it’s adorable . The author really knows how to set the stage . 

The town is called Mistletoe , and it’s in Maine and I could not get enough of it and the plot  . Holly is the main character and she helps out with her parents Christmas Tree Farm , she also makes jewelry. You could almost imagine that this charming place would be free from bad things happening but you would be mistaken when Holly’s best friend is accused of murdering someone and it’s up to Holly to help prove her innocence. 

This book has everything I am looking for in a seasonal cosy read and I can’t believe I am only finding this series now , I will have to go back and read the 1st book in the series immediately. If you can’t tell already,  I highly recommend this . 

I received this book for review form the lovely people over at Netgalley . This book is being published 23rd November 2018 and will be available from all good bookstores then . Below please find the links :

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37762870-twas-the-knife-before-christmas

In Peppermint Peril by Joy Avon . Review

The story is set around Christmas time in the picture perfect town of Heart’s Harbor , Maine . The main character is Callie Aspen , she helps her grandmother Dorothea with Book Tea , a vintage tearoom. When they are asked to help with a very special tea party it ends up being quite a bit more work then they imagined when someone is murdered . 

I am a big fan of books based around specific seasons and I am not going to lie Christmas ones are my favorite , there is something extra cost about reading them .  I loved the back history to the story and the relationship between the characters , it really did have me losing sleep as I needed to know why on earth the person was killed and why . As a mystery this did not disappoint and I recommend this for anyone looking for a festive mystery to keep the old grey cells working . 

I received this book for review form the lovely people over at Netgalley . This book is being published 23rd November 2018 and will be available from all good bookstores then . Below please find the links :

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38318251-in-peppermint-peril

Death and Daisies by Amanda Flower. Review

The story is set in Duncreigan in Scotland , where the scenery is stunning and the local minister is a crabby old man with more then his fair share of attitude who is keen to share his dislike of her as soon as he possible could . 

Flower shop owner Fiona Knox has moved to Scotland from America to live and run her new flower shop after being left a considerable inheritance by her godfather , what he also left her was something a little more magical in the form of a walled garden with a terrific back story going back many many generations . 

On the day Fiona has been dying for , her shop opening , a body is found , and he is awfully familiar .... 

There was so much I loved about this book from Fi’s warm personality to the quirky town she now finds herself living in ., also , who does not love to read about a bad guy. The magical element to the story adds to the plot and Fiona’s character is someone you would love to have as a friend , so you pretty much instantly root for her to do well. She’s awesome . 

Would I recommend this ? Definitely. 

I can’t wait for the next book in the series ! 

I received this book for review from the lovely people over at Netgalley . This book is being published on the 23rd of November 2018 and will be available from all good bookstores then. Below please find all the links :

Goodreads 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39662682-death-and-daisies

Author Website 

http://www.amandaflower.com/

Sunday Reading .

Hi Lovelies !

I pulled back the curtains this morning and a beautiful crisp Sunday morning greeted me with glorious sunshine and blue skies . What more could you ask for ! I am sitting in bed as I write this , a cup of tea nearby and a large library book . This is a perfect Sunday morning in my eyes. . All feels right with the world and it is quiet , that makes it even better. The book I am starting ( first book below) is by an author I have read before , she is an excellent writer and has the ability to completely immerse the reader willingly in her writing for the duration of her story , and a long time afterwards . I have high hopes for this story . The Clockmakers Daughter by Kate Morton. 

I am about a 1/3 of the way through Making Conversations by Christine Longford. I loved the preface by Rachel Billington , it was a terrific start to a great book . I will pop up a review once I have finished this . So far if I had to think of one sentence to sum it up it would be : The innocence of youth . 

The book below was a gift last Christmas from a dear friend and I am only now giving it a good read , what I mean by that is the last time I picked it up I was as distracted as a squirrel and in no frame of mind to read this gorgeous book and these colorful characters . When Stella sat down to write this , she really knew what she was doing , it’s fabulous . Review will be up this week . 

In other bookish news the Goodreads voting has started in all the categories,  if you have not done already it might be worth your time checking it out to see if you can still vote so you can vote on your fabourite books . 
Now lovelies , I hope you have a terrific Sunday full of peace and happiness and great books . Xx

A Village Affair by Julie Houston . Review

I loved this story set in a small village in England . Cassie Beresford is the main character and she is married to Mark . Cassie is about to start a new school year in a new position as head teacher and if that was not stressful enough she has just found out her husband has been cheating on her .... with one of the closest people she has in her life . 

First off , I loved Cassie , she is a strong lady , but with lots of new drama to juggle she is barely keeping her head above water , but somehow her strength of character and warm wit keep her going . The story is a touching one but there was also more then one genuine laugh out loud moments that really gave me a good chuckle , I kept poking my husband and saying here , listen to this ! 

The story touches on many topics like forgiveness , family and new starts and is one of the best books I have read this year so far . Go read this immediately folks . 

I received this book in exchange for a review from the lovely people over at Aria Publishing . This book has now been published and is available from all good bookstores. 

A Village Affair – Julie Houston 

 

About the author

Julie Houston is the author of The One Saving Grace, Goodness, Grace and Me and Looking for Lucy, a Kindle top 100 general bestseller and a Kindle Number1 bestseller. She is married, with the two teenage children and a made cockerpooand, like her heroine, livs in a West Yorkshire village. She is also a teacher and a magistrate.

 

Follow Julie

Twitter handle: @juliehouston2

Facebook: @JulieHoustonauthor

Website: http://www.juliehouston.co.uk

 

About the book

 

Cassie Beresford has recently landed her dream job as deputy head teacher at her local, idyllic village primary school, Little Acorns. So, the last thing she needs is her husband of twenty years being ‘outed’ at a village charity auction – he has been having an affair with one of her closest friends.

As if it weren’t enough to cope with, Cassie suddenly finds herself catapulted into the head teacher position, and at the front of a fight to ward off developers determined to concrete over the beautiful landscape.

 

But through it all, the irresistible joy of her pupils, the reality of keeping her teenage children on the straight and narrow, her irrepressible family and friends, and the possibility of new love, mean what could have been the worst year ever, actually might be the best yet…

 

Buy links

Kobo: https://bit.ly/2MF22BW 
iBooks: https://apple.co/2PEjcCb

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2MFTI4T 
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2yFfGjA

 

Follow Aria

Website: www.ariafiction.com

Twitter: @aria_fiction

Facebook: @ariafiction

Instagram: @ariafiction

 

Persephone Book Haul

First thing I want to show you is this beauty . This is the 1999-2018 Persephone Catalogue containing information on books number 1 - 130 in their catalogue . It truly is a beautiful and informative catalogue to dip into when ever you are at a loss for something to read. .

Front cover :

Back cover:

It’s like a beautiful patchwork made of paper . 

Now let’s get on with showing you the books . 

My birthday is in December and so my family order my presents in mid November to make sure I get them on time and here is some of the beauties I received so far , there is also a book subscription and I will be getting eleven more over the next 11 months as the first one is included here with the order . 

Young Anne by Dorothy Whipple 

Making Conversation by Christine Langford

The Call by Edith Ayrton Zangwill

To Bed With Grand Music by Margarita Laski

The New House by Lettice Cooper

The Crowded Street by Winifred Holtby

A House In The Country by Jocelyn Playfair

Below is a link to Persephone Books , it’s definitely worth checking out :

http://www.persephonebooks.co.uk/

Whiskey In A Teacup by Reese Witherspoon . Review

I was so pleased when I was able to get this at my Library . I have been a fan of This actress since I was a teenager and have followed her film career ever since . I was very keen to sit down and read this beautiful book when it arrived and it certainly does not disappoint. 

Reading Reese’s book for the first time is just what you would expect from the warm bubbly blonde we see on tv and in movies , Reese’s book feels like having a chat with an old dear friend ... and there is lots of iced tea at hand and plenty of Y’all’s . The book is broken down into different chapters like Christmas , books , Cooking , recipes etc . I must say the recipes were mouthwatering and I am looking forward to trying them out , the beverage recipes alone are dreamy . 

The thoughts I had coming away from reading this were  , can Reese please be my friend :0) , I truly hope she will be writing another book very soon and what a warm and funny lady she really is . 

Below please find the link to this book on Goodreads :

Goodreads 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40009804-whiskey-in-a-teacup

The Victorian Chaise-Longue by Marghanita Laski

This is the story about a fairly young , married woman with a new baby recovering from tuberculosis , one day she lays down for a rest on her second hand chaise-longue and wakes to find herself in someone else’s body in the past . 

This story gave me chills ... not in the same way as you get when you worry there is someone standing behind you in the dark but with a very uneasy feeling that not all is well at all ... I kept wondering could she have become delirious through her illness or was the chais-longue some type of portkey that brought her back to the previous owners body ... for a small book it packs a lot of punch and gives you plenty to come away and think about . I would highly recommend this. 

This is published by Persephone Books.

Link below:

http://www.persephonebooks.co.uk/the-victorian-chaise-longue.html