"Waiting On" Wednesday - It Had to Be You

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill over at Breaking The Spine where you showcase a book you are eagerly awaiting for publication.

This week my pick is:




Author : Ellie Adams (Jo Carnegie)
Publisher: Corgi
Released: August 28th 2014
Pages:448

Taken from Amazon:
The worst break-up ever . . . Could be the best thing that has ever happened to her

Lizzy Spellman has been dumped. At a party. While wearing a Henry VIII costume. By the man she thought was The One. Someone even filmed it, so now she's a massive YouTube hit sensation too.

Just when she thinks things can't get any worse, she meets the rudest, most cynical man in the world, and gets a new mission in life. To prove him wrong.

Love does exist, and she's going to find it . . .

This looks like it could be a really funny read. Hope it is as good as her Churchminister series.

 

 

What are you "Waiting On" this week? Here is everyone else's list.

 

 

Joanne x

 

 

Top Ten Tuesday - Authors Whose Books I Own The Most Of

 

'Top Ten Tuesday' is a meme/event hosted by The Broke and the Bookish , each week there is a different top ten list , this week it is top ten authors you own the most of. So here's my list:

 

1. Enid Blyton - I have around 100 books of Enid Blyton's from my childhood, I really loved the St. Clare's, Mallory Towers and The Naughtiest Girl in the School series' and have everyone of those. Plus all the Secret Seven collection and a few Famous Five books and many more. I haven't read them in years but am hoping to read them to my children and I hope that they will love them as much as I did.

 

2. Milly Johnson - I have all ten of Milly's paperback novels and LOVE them.  I'd never heard of her till she was on Come Dine with Me a few years ago. She mentioned she was a romance novel writer and it showed you the covers of the books she had written, which looked lovely. I'd  loved her on the show so went straight on Amazon an ordered the first three which were the only ones available at the time. I was hooked and have bought every one since.

 

3. Agatha Christie -  I love the Hercule Piroit series on TV and have bought the first five books, I also have a couple of the Miss Marple books.

 

4.  Tasmina Perry - I have five books by Tasmina, I love they way her characters are rich and famous, pure escapism at its best.

 

5. Jane Green - I only have four novels by Jane Green but Bookends is probably one of my favourite books ever, I reread every couple of years. This book was also what got me talking with one of my best friends and we still share a love of books twelve years later, so thank you Jane.

 

6. Carl Hiaasen - I have four books which Carl has written, I love his style of writing and plots even though at first glance they don't seem to be my kind of book, but some how he draws me in every time.

 

7. Lulu Taylor - I have four of Lulu's five novels which are published, the fifth is on my list to pick up before the end of the year. These are big books but I love them.

 

8. Louise Bagshaw -  I have four of her earlier novels, Tall Poppies being my favourite. I'm interested to read Beauty which is written under the name Louise Mensch which is the first book she's written in a while.

 

9. Jane Linfoot - Jane's books are a recent discovery for me but they are quickly becoming some of my favourites. I have three e-books, please write some more Jane as I love your work.

 

10. Fiona Walker - I only have three of Fiona Walker's books which are French Relations, Well Groomed and Kiss And Tell. These three tell the story of Tash and her love triangle with Hugo Beauchamp and Niall O'Shaunghnessy.

 

Making this list has been very interesting and has highlighted two things for me. Firstly I tend to buy big books, half of the ones I own are over 400 pages and some over 800, this is a little scary. Secondly I only tend to buy one or two books from most authors, although I've read many more that they have read. Maybe this is a lack of space I don't know. What is on your list, feel free to leave a link below. Did you notice anything interesting? See everyone else's list here.

 

Joanne x

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Book Review - Never Google Heartbreak by Emma Garcia

 

Author: Emma Garcia

Published: 2013

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Pages: 352

Available in: Paperback and Kindle

Source: Library Book

 

Never Google Heartbreak is the story of Viv and how she deals with the break-up between her and fiancé Rob.  Viv and Rob have been engaged for five years, after two failed attempts at actually getting married Viv is hoping its third time lucky. However two months before the third wedding date Rob declares he just can’t do it.  As any normal girl would do Viv moves out in the hope Rob will use their time “on a break” to realise his undying love for Viv and come crawling back to her. However he doesn’t, which leads Viv to go on a path of destruction which many of us can relate to. Viv does many of the things we’ve all done to win back the one we love, new haircut, fancy dress, endless phone-calls but finally she has to accept  that her and Rob are over. In an attempt to mend her broken heart Viv decides to set up her own self-help website to help those with a broken heart and so www.nevergooglehearbreak.com is born. Viv’s so focused on what she thinks she wants but doesn’t see what a good thing she has standing right in front of her with best friend Max until a huge misunderstanding ruins everything.

Viv is a great main character she was hilarious and some of the things she ends up doing just made me laugh. She does start off by being whiny, slightly self-absorbed and a little scatty but I think we can all be like that when we have had our hearts broken. By the end of the story she’s stronger and more focused and very determined to get what she wants. I think having Viv’s background with her Nana in the story helped the reader to understand Viv’s obsession with getting married and some of her insecurities. I loved every character in this book; I think they are all really well written and each adds something to the story. I think my favourite was Christie; the outfits she wore brought some brilliant images in my head and the way she was so clueless about her job was very endearing.

This story flowed really well and even though you can guess what happens fairly early on, the journey to get there is brilliant, with some very funny little twists.  The scenes with Viv at work are great, especially the meetings she has with Christie and their bosses. 

I think Emma Garcia has a real winner here, this book had everything for me great characters, great plot and sub plots and it was funny, I even laughed out loud while reading,  which does not happen very often. I hope to read the follow on book OMG Baby very soon as I cannot wait to find out what Viv gets up to next. I could not put this book down, even when I walked away from it I found myself going back and reading a bit more. If you are a fan of Sophie Kinsella or Alexandra Brown then I’m sure you will love this book.

Emma Garcia has a real talent for drawing the reader in and keeping them interested and making them laugh, that is why this book gets 5/5

Showcase Sunday #4

 

Showcase Sunday is meme started by Vicky at Books, Biscuits and Tea where book bloggers can share which books they have received throughout the week. This week I've been very good and not bought any books. I'm saving up for a Kindle and thankfully due receiving some money for my birthday on Friday I now have enough. I just have to wait till it's cooled down a bit so I can venture into town to get one without being exhausted.  I was lucky enough to receive some e-books this week.

 

          

                                                      

 

Firstly the brilliant Jane Linfoot sent me copies of two of her books for review,  How to Win a Guy in 10 Dates and High Heels and Bicycle Wheels, super excited to read these as read The Right Side of Mr Wrong last week and I loved it, plus I've had a sneaky read of the first couple of pages of these and I can't wait to read more, both look really good.

 

 

I also picked up this short story on Amazon for free yesterday. Have you read any of these, I'd love to know what you think? What did you pick up this week? To look at everyone else's list click here.  

 

Children's Book Review - Chocolate Mousse for Greedy Goose by Julia Donaldson

 

Author: Julia Donaldson

Illustrator: Nick Sharatt

Published: 2006

Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books

 

Chocolate Mousse for Greedy goose is a book about a group of animals eating a meal together and not all of the animals have good table manners. It is an ideal book to introduce younger children to table manners. As with most Julia Donaldson books the sentences rhyme and are full of simple adjectives which means the story is easy to read and follow. It rhyme's so well that my son and I have been known to sing this book instead of read it, which makes us both laugh.

 

I love this book and so do my children, its probably one of our favourites for a bedtime story.  Nick Sharatt has done a brilliant job capturing the animals facial expressions with his illustrations. My favourite page is the rabbit page where the line is ""Don't just grab it" says angry rabbit" and the rabbit has its hands on its hips and a big frown on its face, just like a cross mum would be. I love the way tiny bits of the next animal are shown on the edge of the page so the child can guess which animal is coming next, which enable them to be more involved with the story.

 

I would give this 5/5 as its a perfect story for younger readers. Even though it is quite old you can still buy it on Amazon here.

Book Review - Wolf Bride by Elizabeth Moss

 

Publisher: Hodder Paperbacks

Published: November  2013

Pages: 352

Wolf Bride begins in the Tudor court of Henry VIII just months before Queen Anne Boleyn met her untimely end. The story follows the relationship between Lord Wolf, a solder in the Kings Court and Eloise Tyrell, one of Queen Anne’s ladies-in-waiting.   Lord Wolf comes to court to claim Eloise as his bride. She accepts but is determined not to surrender herself to this man she barely knows.  However from their very first kiss it is obvious there is a deep passion between them, which despite the barriers they both put up eventually, erupts into some hot sex.

I love the two main characters in this book; they are very well written and very believable. Lord Wolf does seem to reflect his namesake and be quite “wolf” like. Obviously being a soldier he has the ability to hunt and kill his prey, but he also seem very wary of emotional attachments which I perceive as very “wolf” like. Also while reading there seems to be many hints that he has piercing deep eyes which were very sexy. I loved the way Eloise tried so hard to resist Wolf because she is determined not to submit to a man who doesn’t love her; but then whenever she sees him so just seems to go weak and fall into his arms because the lust for him just takes over.

As a huge fan of anything related to the Tudor era I thought it was brilliant the way the Queen Anne’s misdemeanours were woven into the background story, but did not take over from the relationship between Wolf and Eloise.  I also love the way the necklace on the cover is similar to the iconic necklace which Anne Boleyn wore with the pearls and the gold letter “B”, don’t know if this was intentional  but I love it.

Another thing which was really good was the way the author hinted at the relationship which is the focus of the second book in the trilogy, a brilliant way of making you want to read the next book, which I do very much.

This is a brilliant erotic fiction book; I loved the storyline, the characters and the sex scenes. This book totally deserves 5/5.

 

"Waiting On" Wednesday - First We Take Manhatten by Colette Caddle

 

 

 

 

 

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill over at Breaking The Spine where you showcase a book you are eagerly awaiting for publication.

 

This week my pick is

 

Publication Date: August 14th 2014
Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
Pages: 416

 

 

Taken from Goodreads:

Identical twins, Sinéad and Sheila Fields, have always done everything together and so, after graduating in millinery, they decide to open their own hat shop. It's a small business but thanks to hard work and talent, they build up a loyal clientele. Then one day a glamorous young actress buys one of their hats, wears it to the Baftas and suddenly success seems guaranteed.

But within weeks, tragedy strikes when Sheila disappears, and is presumed dead. After months of desolation, Sinéad is just beginning to come to terms with her loss when she is given new hope: there has been a sighting of her sister. While she is filled with excitement at the thought that Sheila might be alive, she is haunted by questions. Why would Sheila have deserted her twin without a word? After all, they had always told each other everything … hadn't they?
A compelling, emotional story from number one bestseller Colette Caddle.
'Caddle can whip up a tremendous love story' Irish Independent
'If you like Marian Keyes, you'll love Colette Caddle' Company

 

 

This looks really intriguing and a bit different to the rest of what is on my to be read pile, so looking forward to giving this one a go, especially as I have not heard of this author before. What is your pick for this week? Head over to Jill's blog to take a look at everyone's pick here.

 

 

 



Top Ten Tuesday - Characters I'd Want on a Deserted Island with Me

 

This week's list from The Broke and the Bookish is top ten characters you would want on a deserted island with you. Click here to see everyone's else's list.

 

So here goes:

 

1. Brando Marshall from The Right Side of Mr Wrong by Jane Linfoot

Every deserted island needs its own handsome brooding man doesn't it?

 

2. Nino Latini from Appetite by Philip Kazan

Anyone who can make eels taste good is always handy when food could be scarce or bland.

 

3. Augustus Waters from The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Just for his witty one-liners, okay and he looks good.

 

4. Becky Bloomwood from the Shopaholics series by Sophie Kinsella

I'd love to watch how she coped not being able to shop.

 

5. Hercule Piriot from the Agatha Christie Novels

One of my favourite fictional characters ever! You always need someone who has "little grey cells" to solve any crimes which may occur.

 

6. Lucy from Bookends by Jane Green

She is such a lovely cuddly character she would stop anyone feeling alone, scared, unhappy, perfect friend for anyone to have around.

 

7. Georgie Hart from Cupcakes at Carrington's by Alexandra Brown

Same as above really, plus she seems to get herself in tight corners which could be amusing.

 

8. Victor Frankenstein from Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

He made a monster out of dead humans, could be useful if you need protecting, plus he could probably invent other useful things.

 

9. Violet from White Wedding by Milly Johnson

Because every place needs someone who can make ice-cream

 

10. Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe

He's been there and done it all before, enough said.

 

So that's my list, what do you think? Who is on your list?

 

Joanne

 

 

 



 

 



Book Review - The Right Side of Mr Wrong by Jane Linfoot

 

Title: The Right Side of Mr Wrong

Author: Jane Linfoot

Publisher: Harper Impulse

Released:6th March 2014

Pages: 174 (Kindle Edition)

Source: Free from author in exchange for an honest review, part of the #SexMeUpReadathon

 

 

 

Shea Summers arrives at Edgerton Manor having entered a competition to be the "wife" of Brando Marshall, to prove to her friends that she is capable from moving on from her past. Brando is a rich, handsome playboy who has no intention of settling down. He believes Shea to be a gold-digger looking to bag herself a rich husband so decides to teach her a lesson. When these two meet the chemistry is instant and the one-upmanship between the two is intense and leads to some HOT scenes...

At 174 pages this is a short read which I think suits the hot, fast-paced, flirty style of writing this story has. I devoured this in around three hours as once you start reading it’s hard to put it down.  In a way I wish it had been longer as I wasn’t ready to stop reading about these characters, however I think this may have ruined the pace of the book.

I loved the way that the book focused just on the relationship between Shea and Brando, there were hints of other characters like Bryony and Mrs McCaul but we don't really get to know much about them. Keeping the story between Shea and Brando added to the intensity of the heat which develops between them as their reluctance to give in to their feelings drifts away.

Brando's the perfect male character for this book being handsome and sure of himself, I can imagine any woman would fall at his feet just as he wanted. I love the way that he changes as Shea puts up some resistance and makes him work a bit harder for what he wants, which in the end works out well as this seems to helps him overcome his demons from the past and become more settled in himself.

I’m glad I had the opportunity to read this book as I think I’ve found another author who could become a favourite, I really loved her fast paced witty style of writing and will definitely be reading her other books in the near future.

 Rating 5/5

 

 

Showcase Sunday #3

Showcase Sunday is a meme hosted by Vicky at Books,Biscuits and Tea aimed at sharing your new books with everyone else. This week I only bought one book:

Wolf Bride by Elizabeth Moss, this is for the #SexMeUpReadathon which is starting tomorrow!

I also went to visit my local library which is somewhere I have not been about two years. I was so pleased to find these three books which have been on my wishlist since they came out:

Never Google Heartbreak by Emma Garcia

The Dress Thief by Natalie Meg Evans

A Gift to Remember by Melissa Hill

Will definitely be visiting the library more frequently from now on I think. What did you receive this week?

Children's Book Review Pig's Egg by Katherine Sully

Author: Katherine Sully

Illustrated by: Sam Chaffey

Published: Cupcake (Imprint of Alligator Books) 2011

This is a cute little story about Pig who wants to be just like his friends Goose, Hen and Duck and be able to fly. When his friends all have eggs which hatch Pig feels even more left out until he finds a turnip which he believes to be an egg. Eventually he finds a caterpillar in the turnip which he then watches as it turns into a butterfly and then learns to fly like the babies of Goose, Hen and Duck.

This is a lovely story perfect to read with young children. The illustrations are beautiful and bring the story alive, my son and I loved the image of pig trying to fly the best.

Rating 5/5

Book Review - The Teashop on the Corner by Milly Johnson

I’ve been waiting to read this book for months as I am a HUGE Milly Johnson fan and The Teashop on the Corner did not disappoint me, I loved every single page.

The Teashop on the Corner is Milly’s tenth full length novel and yet again she has created an incredible bunch of genuine characters whose lives all end up being entwined in some way.  In this book it is the teashop run by Leni Merryman where all the characters meet and become friends. Leni appears to be an extremely bubbly person whose life appears complete but as the book unfolds we begin to get subtle hints that all is not as perfect as it seems.

The book focuses mainly on the lives of Carla Pride, Will Linton and Molly Jones. Carla has just buried her husband Martin and just received a huge shock which completely changes her world when she enters the Teashop. Will Linton has just lost his business and his wife and needs to begin to rebuild his life and overcome his fears. Molly Jones is sixty-eight and fears she will be put into “Autumn Grange” a retirement home by her son Gram and his wife Sherry who are far more concerned with Molly’s money than molly herself. When Molly’s ex-husband Harvey reappears after twenty-eight years apart Molly can’t believe it, he claims he is dying and wants to right his wrongs before its far too late, will Molly let him? As these three struggle with their upheavals, it’s the Teashop and Leni which become their sanctuary to help sort out their lives. 

I love Milly’s books and this one is definitely as good as the rest, I won’t say better because there is not one of them I can single out as a favourite, I love them all. I love the way Milly can write about five or six characters in the same book and you never get confused as to what is happening to each one. Milly Johnson has a real talent for making a group of characters come together and become friends which is believable when it could so easily seem forced. From the very first page of this book I was hooked yet again as I began to learn more about the characters. I think the thing I love most about Milly Johnson’s book and this one does it particularly  well is the ability to drop subtle hints about what happened in the past and what might happen in the future, so you keep reading just a bit more before you know it you’ve finished the book.

The Teashop on the Corner is a book about friendship, love and forgiveness all mixed in with a little Milly magic. It is the perfect summer read and my favourite book of the year so far.

I rate this book 5/5 most definitely.

"Waiting on" Wednesday - What Would Mary Berry Do? by Claire Sandy

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine

Author: Claire Sandy

Published: Pan Macmillan 31st July 2014

Pages: 350

ISBN13 97814472534950

Genre: Woman's Fiction, Chick Lit

Taken From Goodreads:

For fans of The Great British Bake Off, this is a story about family life, unfriendly rivalry and flat Victoria sponges.

Marie Dunwoody doesn't want for much in life. She has a lovely husband, three wonderful children, and a business of her own. Except, her cupcakes are crap. Her meringues are runny and her biscuits rock-hard. She cannot bake for toffee. Or, for that matter, make toffee.

Marie can't ignore the disappointed looks any more, or continue to be shamed by neighbour and nemesis, Lucy Gray. Lucy whips up perfect profiteroles with one hand, while ironing her bed sheets with the other. Marie's had enough: this is the year it all changes. She vows to follow - to the letter - recipes from the Queen of Baking and at all times ask 'What would Mary Berry do?'

Husband Robert has noticed that his boss takes crumb structure as seriously as budget sheets and so puts on the pinny: serious redundancies are on the horizon. Twins Rose and Iris are happy to eat all the half-baked mistakes that come their way, but big brother Angus is more distant than usual, as if something is troubling him. And there is no one as nosey as a matching pair of nine-year-old girls . . .

Marie starts to realise that the wise words of Mary Berry can help her with more than just a Victoria Sponge. But can Robert save the wobbling soufflé that is his career? And is Lucy's sweet demeanour hiding something secretly sour?

This is a delicious feast of a funny novel, perfect for fans of Jenny Colgan and Allison Pearson.

*** This is a work of fiction, in no way endorsed by Mary Berry, and where neither Mary Berry herself nor her recipes feature. ***


This is Claire Sandy's first book and it looks really good, I'm a huge fan of anything to do with baking so can't wait to get my hands on this.

Joanne

Top Ten Tuesday - Favourite TV Shows/Movies

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and The Bookish, to find out more out this meme click here. This week's top ten was favourite tv shows or movies. I'm going to focus on movies as couldn't think of ten TV programs that I really like.

1. Pretty Woman - Love this film so much, have lost count of the number of times I've watched it and the soundtrack is amazing!

2. The Devil Wears Prada - Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep are brilliant in this, but I do prefer the book version more.

3. Mamma Mia - What can I say I love ABBA songs and so wish I'd been around when they were popular, this always makes me want to dance.

4. The Holiday - Love Kate Winslett's character Iris in this, plus Jude Law is always good to look at.

5. Breakfast at Tiffany's - Probably my favourite Audrey Hepburn film ever.

6. P.S I love you - One day I will watch this and not cry like a baby, I will also read the book one day

7. Mona Lisa Smile-  Love nearly every character in this, its just brilliant!

8.  Confessions of a Shopaholic - Love this Isla Fisher is the perfect actress to play Becky Bloomwood. I have really been wanting to watch this again so may cave and finally buy the dvd.

9. Beaches- this is an older film with Bette Midler in, I watched it years ago with my friend who moved to Canada and every time I've watched it, it has brought back childhood memories.

10. Gnomeo and Juliet - Classic tale retold with gnomes! I've watched this so many times over the last two years with my son, he just loves it when the giant lawnmower tears through the garden.

Can you tell I have a bit of a thing for chick flicks?

Book Review - Appetite by Philip Kazan

Source: Goodreads First Reads Giveaway

Published: Orion 2013

This debut novel from Philip Kazan is stunning and one which should be savoured very slowly.  Appetite is set in Florence 1466, in the middle of the Italian Renaissance and tells the story of Nino Latini from age fourteen when he has just lost his mother.  Nino has an exceptional gift at being able to taste things to the extreme; he can tell whereabouts something was grown just by its taste. At the start of the book Nino is spending most of his time with his childhood sweetheart Tessina Albizzi until fate separates them. Nino then begins to work as a chef in his uncle’s tavern and from here his cooking skills grow until he finds himself cooking for the Medici‘s under the watchful eye from Maestro Zohan di Ferrara. From here Nino’s confidence grows and so do his ambitions both to win back Tessina and to create the most perfect feast.  Nino must trust fate to lead him on his journey.

I loved this book, the descriptive language which Kazan uses creates the most beautiful images which make Florence and all the food comes alive. You feel as if you are experiencing the rich and lavish dishes which are being created for yourself. Kazan’s descriptions are so good that when he is describing the rather more unpleasant side of Renaissance Florence I did want to heave at one point.

Nino was not the most appealing character to me, as he does come across as very arrogant, self-important and sometimes just plain silly. I did however like the way in which you felt his character develop from an idealistic young man who was a full of himself to a more sensible grown up man who began to consider the feelings of those around him.

I think this is a wonderful debut novel which has given me a wonderful glimpse into the lives of those living in Renaissance Italy and the importance that was placed on food at that time. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in historical fiction at this time or someone who enjoys a story with a romantic element.

I am so grateful to have won this as a Goodreads First Reads giveaway, it is a truly wonderful book and I hope to see more from Philip Kazan in the future.

I rate this book 5/5

Showcase Sunday #2

Showcase Sunday is a weekly meme hosted by Vicky at Books, Biscuits and Tea where you showcase your new books which you have received throughout the week, for more information check out Vicky's blog in the link above.

I've had a great week for gathering books this week with a total of 15 books! Firstly and probably the best book I've received this week is The Teashop on the Corner by Millie Johnson, not only because I love Milly's work and eagerly await each book for months but because I have a SIGNED copy!!!

Thank you so much for my amazing friend Jane who organised for me to get a sighed copy from a book signing in Barnsley. As well as the book I was also lucky each to receive this great bag, perfect for book trips to the library and also postcard and bookmark. Just wish I'd been able to go meet her myself, next time I will.

My friend Jane also brought me these books to read

The Chocolate Run by Dorothy Koomson

Star Island by Carl Hiaasen

Take a Chance on Me by Jill Mansell

So lucking forward to reading the Carl Hiaasen one I just love his sense of humor and writing style.

I then chose these four to read with my children who are six and ten months 

Puppy's Big Rescue by Igloo books, strangely no author is listed

Snore! by Michael Rosen & Jonathon Langley

Pig's Egg by Katherine Sully

Stop Monkeying Around by Christine Swift

If you can't tell, my son loves anything to do with farms and their animals. Yesterday's review was on Stop Monkeying Around

I then went into The Works and purchased these three for £5.00 

Left Overs by Stella Newman

A Whiff of Scandal by Carole Matthews

A Hundred Pieces of Me by Lucy Dillion

I then ended my massive book splurge in Whsmith with these 

Take a Look at Me Now by Miranda Dickinson

An Abundance of Katherine's by John Green

Every Woman for Herself by Trisha Ashley

The Shock of the Fall by Nathan Filer

I really loved The Fault in Our Stars by John Green so decided to read something else by him, Trisha Ashley is just brilliant and the other two I have heard good things about so want to give them a try. I've already started The Teashop on the Corner by Milly Johnson, which do you think I should start next? What books did you add to your collection this week?

Children's Book Review - Stop Monkeying Around by Christine Swift

Source: Purchased from The Works
Published by Cupcake, an imprint of Alligator (2013)
Illustrated by Sarah Wade

This book tells the story of Little Monkey who is just trying to have some fun but instead ends up annoying the other jungle animals.This is a really lovely little story of friendship and playing. My six year old said it was "Way cool" but he does like books which are aimed slightly younger than his age range, so I think it would suit a three or four old better.

I love the brightly coloured illustrations in this book and think Sarah Wade has created some really cute little characters which make the book a pleasure to look through.

I would rate this book 5/5

Book Review - The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

Source: Bought from charity shop
Publisher: Black Swan (2000)

The  Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic is one of my favourite books and with the release of the seventh book in the series, Shopaholic to the Stars, coming at the end of September I decided I would re-read the first book and finally pick up the rest over the summer.

The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic is the first book in the series and in it we meet Rebecca ‘Becky’ Bloomwood. Becky loves shopping, so much so that it is all she thinks about. It is clear very early on in the book that Becky has no grasp of reality and indeed the amount of financial trouble which she is in, which we know about because there are various letters from banks, credit cards and store cards requesting payment. The story follows Becky as she attempts to either Make More Money or Cut Back to clear her bills, both of which she is hopeless at. As you get further into the story you just how bad at lying she is and how she nearly always gets in to situations which make you cringe, which I think makes for a very funny read.

This is definitely not a book with any moral message or underlying themes it is just a lighthearted and very funny book which should not be taken seriously at all. Becky Bloomwood is a character you will either love or hate, I personally love her and can’t wait to read more books in the series.

I rate this book 5/5 because it made me laugh all the way through.

Weekly Round-Up #2

I have to confess that not much reading has been going on this week. Most of my time has been spent watching television. At the beginning of the week I was watching Andy Murray in Wimbledon and was sad to see him get knocked out. Secondly I've spent most of the weekend watching Le Tour de France which was having its Grand Depart through Yorkshire and came right through my home town. It was lovely to see all the places I know so well celebrating together, I don't think Yorkshire has ever seen so much yellow everywhere!

I'm about halfway through Appetite by Philip Kazan and it is a beautiful read the descriptions he uses are amazing and the story is just starting to get going too, I'm hoping to have this finished by the weekend but at just over 500 pages it is taking some time to get through.

The only new book I received this week was free e-book of The Right Side of Mr Wrong by

 

Jane Linfoot. To get a copy sign up to the #SexMeUprReadathon over on Laura's blog at SheLovesToRead. I've only read a few pages but already I'm hooked. Brando Marshall owns a large estate, his sister Bryony films the estate for a reality tv show, she then suggests he finds a wife to help him out. In comes Shea Summers and the heat begins...

Children's Book Review - Meerket Mail by Emily Gravett

   

Source: Purchased
Published: 2007 Macmillan Children's Books

This is my first children's book review, hopefully I will post one every Saturday. This book has been in our house for three years and is very well loved, it was bought when my son who was three at the time was going through a "Meerkat" stage.

This book tells the story of Sunny the Meerkat who lives in the Kalahari Desert. He decides the desert is too crowded on goes on a journey to visit his various relatives. When he arrives at each place he sends a postcard back home to his mum and dad.

I think this is a lovely book, which is perfect for children ages three to seven. I love the way that separate postcards have been added into the story, similar to The Jolly Postman, however these are fastened in so will not get lost. I'm very impressed that Emily Gravett is also the illustrator of these books as they are lovely and fit the story well.

I can highly recommend this book, especially if you loved The Jolly Postman books.

Rating 5/5

Book Review - Cupcakes at Carrington's by Alexandra Brown

This book is chick lit at its best, it has a great heroine, a little romance and some very funny plot twists. The only problem I had with this book is that it ended, I was totally not ready to leave these brilliant characters behind and I’m thrilled to know there are two more books in the series which will be added to my collection very soon.

Cupcakes at Carrington’s is set in a department store called Carrington’s in the seaside town of Mulberry-On-Sea and is written from the point of view of Georgie Hart. Georgie has worked for Carrington’s for many years and loves her job as a sales assistant in women’s accessories.  At the start of the book Carrington’s is about to undergo some changes under newly appointed retail consultant Maxine. Georgie is not entirely thrilled by this as she has to compete against her boss James and new guy Tom and also fight her feelings for both men.

I think Georgie is a great main character and I loved the way that things never seem to go quite right for her, making some really funny plot twists which make you cringe for Georgie but in a good way. Alexandra Brown has created a great bunch of characters in this book, each with their own great background story and this makes it impossible to pick a favourite.

I think this is a great book and would make an excellent film. Christmas at Carrington’s is definitely on my Christmas reading list as I can’t wait to find out what happens next. This book deserves 5/5 

Book Review - Recipe for Love by Katie Fforde

I’m ashamed to say this is the first book by Katie Fforde which I have read, cannot believe I missed out for so long. The Recipe for Love was an ideal book for me to read as it combines two of the things I love most reading and cooking.

Zoe Harper has won a place on a televised cookery competition which is the cross between Masterchef and The Great British Bake Off. The completion takes place at Somerby where Zoe begins to make friends with the owners, a heavily pregnant Fenella and her husband Rupert. As the competition continues Zoe’s realises she’s developing a crush on Gideon, one of the judges, which could land her in serious trouble.

Recipe for Love follows Zoe on her journey through the competition as she battles with the other competitors, helping out her new friends and her developing feelings for Gideon. I absolutely loved this book, it moves the story along at exactly the right pace to keep you wanting more and wondering what else is going to happen. The characters are all wonderful, my favourites been Lord and Lady Gainsborough as they were so utterly over the top aristocrats.

This is a perfect summer read and I would recommend it to anyone who just an easy read with great characters and some funny scenes. 

Which book of Katie's do you suggest I read next?

Joanne