Sunday, July 2, 2023

My Review for Role Playing by Cathy Yardley


Role Playing is a lovely read that pulled me in right from the beginning. I’m sure that I could be Maggie without the gaming, and Bogwitch is such a great online name. Who wouldn’t want to get to know her? I spent some of the beginning of the book, wondering whether I should actually give gaming a go. Then when I realised that yes, the majority of players probably are teenage lads, then I decided it maybe wasn’t the best idea!

I loved that both Maggie and Aiden (Otter) escaped the real world by running into a fantasy one. If they found themselves getting angry or annoyed with those around them, they’d disappear to fight the online baddies!

Aiden’s Mum is a narrow-minded bigot, and she didn’t deserve the help he was giving her, never mind that his life was on hold because he was trying to be such a kind and caring son. Still, she got her comeuppance and, to be honest, I wanted to just slap her across the face many times! 

Cathy Yardley raised some good issues surrounding sex and sexuality and I actually wasn’t aware what demisexual was, so that was a lesson learnt. I also didn’t know what ‘cinnamon roll’ was, and I wonder if that’s just me?! It's only recently (within the last hundred years) that asexual and demisexual have been recognised and accepted.

Overall, this is a book I’d recommend. Just check out the trigger words and subject before you delve in to make sure it’s for you.

Thank you to NetGalley, Montlake and Cathy Yardley for the opportunity to read and review Role Playing.











Thursday, June 29, 2023

My Review for The Silence by Katerina Diamond

The Silence Cover

The Silence was a real slow-burner for me. After the first attack, nothing seemed to happen for ages and then bam! It got darker and more twisted, as only a well-written thriller can. Gail was one of the main characters and a victim and I really didn’t warm to her at all. Yes, she had it tough and rough, but an evil streak ran close to the surface. DS Shona White was more likeable, all she wants to do is help the victims of crimes, without being hindered by her superiors. 

I worked out who the perpetrator was about three-quarters of the way in and from then on; I was just getting frustrated that no one else was getting it! I reckon I must have some sort of screw loose, as these days, the more messed up the thriller, the more I enjoy it!

There are loads of trigger warnings for The Silence, so make sure you read the description before you commit. If you’re happy with them all, then dive right into it. I think you’ll enjoy it.

Thank you to Avon Books UK for the opportunity to read and review The Silence by Katerina Diamond.





Saturday, June 24, 2023

My Review for The Cassandra Complex by Holly Smale


'My theory is that my brain is like a lazy IT department, and every time there's a problem with the electrics it just panics and pulls the plug out at the wall. Switch her off, switch her back on again: see if that helps'.

I loved, loved, loved this! A contender for my favourite book of 2023. There were definitely hints of Sally Diamond and Eleanor Oliphant in this book, and perhaps that is why I enjoyed it so much.

Who on earth can lose their boyfriend, their job and their home in the same morning? Cassandra can! Bad luck or self-inflicted? Maybe a bit of both, but when Cassandra realises she can manipulate time to change the past, she sets out to do just that, not necessarily with the outcome she wants, so she tries again and again!

Such an amazing character. Cassandra stayed with me for many days after I’d finished the book. She resonated with me a lot, her quirky ways, her routines, just many things about her and I so want to be her best friend - even if she wouldn’t want to be mine! 

I’m glad Holly wrote a beautiful story about neurodivergence.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK for the opportunity to read and review The Cassandra Complex by Holly Smale.


Tuesday, June 13, 2023

My Review for The Magic of Sea Glass by Jenny Hale

The title for this book grabbed me, simply because I moved to the coast last summer and decided I wanted to see if I could find sea glass (unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be much on the east coast of England but I’ll keep searching)!

Lauren has moved to the coast after she lost her fiance. She takes on a new job as a housekeeper in an inn on the Outer Banks in North Carolina and tries to forget about the life she’s left behind. Very quickly, though, she becomes immersed once again in planning a wedding and even begins to enjoy herself.

I’m a sucker for these sorts of stories, where the main character runs off to the seaside to get over a failed romance, a death or a career flop. Even better if they make a new life for themselves along the way. Lauren and Brody tugged at my heartstrings from the outset, and Mary was just like everyone’s favourite granny. 

Sea glass is there, as a story in the background and how magical it can be. I just hope, in time, I find some too.

Thank you to Jenny Hale and Harpeth Press for the opportunity to read and review The Magic of Sea Glass.

Thursday, June 8, 2023

My Review for Lovestruck by Laura Jane Williams


I loved this so much! An easy and fun read for summer days (or any day really)! I grew up in Birmingham and the book is set in Kings Heath, a suburb just a few miles from the city centre, so as the author writes about places in and around Birmingham I felt I was back there for a few days, it was warm and comforting.

The book is set in two parallel timelines, one where Becca replies to a text from her ex and the other where she blocks and deletes his number. Each takes its own path and we find out just what happens in separate dimensions.

I loved all of the characters, but Becca and Carlos were my favourites. The story was funny, warm, romantic and cosy and it made me feel warm inside from beginning to end. 

If you want something fun and uplifting to read, then I recommend a copy of Lovestruck to take on your holidays with you.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for the opportunity to read and review Lovestruck by Laura Jane Williams.

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Tuesday, May 30, 2023

My Review for Her Last Promise by Catherine Hokin

Her Last Promise is the fourth book in the Hanni Winter series and it’s now 1963. Hanni and Freddy are in the middle of a divorce. Renny, Freddy’s wild sister, wants to change the world and Leo - Hanni and Freddy’s son thinks he knows best!

Throughout the book, I was rooting for Hanni and I was with her every step of the way as she searched for a way to bring her evil father to justice. She was full of grit and determination and, despite the many obstacles in her way, she kept the end goal in sight.

WWII novels are often harrowing, but I found it difficult to read about Hadamar, the Nazi killing facility that the SS operated during the war. How another human being can even have thought about such a facility is beyond me, but as is true of many novels set in this era, it is educational and definitely something we should all be aware of.

Her Last Promise is a must-read if you have read the other three books in the series but even if you haven’t and you start with this one, I’ll almost guarantee that you’ll want to go back and catch up with Hanni from the beginning.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review Her Last Promise by Catherine Hokin.



Book Description

‘Too many have suffered at my father’s hands. I won’t let it continue. I’ll stop him, I’ll build a world where we can finally be free, I swear it…’

Berlin, 1938.When Hanni’s beloved sister suddenly vanishes in the middle of the night, Hanni knows her high-ranking Nazi father, Reiner, is not telling her the whole truth and may hold the key to her disappearance.

Years later, after finally learning how to live with her troubled past, Hanni dedicates herself to raising her teenage son, Leo, but her sister is never far from her mind. But when Leo begins to share Reiner’s pro-Nazi views and runs away from home to meet his grandfather, Hanni’s world collapses in an instant. She is determined not to lose her son to her father’s cruelty, like she lost her darling sister all those years ago…

Hanni has tried to stop her father before and nearly lost her life. Now she is fighting for Leo too and the stakes are higher than ever. She can’t lose him to the Nazis. She won’t let her father take her son away from her. Hanni knows this is her last chance to bring her father to justice. With her son’s life hanging in the balance, Hanni knows this will be her toughest battle yet. But with Reiner’s popularity stronger than ever, will she succeed?

A heartbreaking and gripping historical novel about courage, redemption and the endurance of the human spirit. Fans of The Alice Network, The Nightingale and The Tattooist of Auschwitz will be inspired by this heart-wrenching story about the choices we make to honour the lives of those we lose.

Author Bio

I seem to have followed a rather meandering career, including marketing and teaching and politics (don't try and join the dots), to get where I have always wanted to be, which is writing historical fiction. I am a story lover as well as a story writer and nothing fascinates me more than a strong female protagonist and a quest. Hopefully those are what you will encounter when you pick up my books.

I am from the North of England but now live very happily in Glasgow with my American husband. Both my children have left home (one to London and one to Berlin) which may explain why I am finally writing. If I'm not at my desk you'll most probably find me in the cinema, or just follow the sound of very loud music.



Thursday, May 25, 2023

US Road Trip - May 2023 - Summary

Summary 

Thank you if you've managed to read this far and I hope you found at least some of it helpful and interesting.

As a quick summary, we booked Hilton hotels (primarily Hampton Inn & Suites) throughout all the time on the actual road, apart from Yellowstone where we chose an independent hotel. We were more than happy with Hilton; choosing the same hotel means you know what you're getting. We had a budget of £150 per night (apart from Yellowstone) so that should give you some idea of what we were getting for our money.

Food has always been expensive in Vegas but it seems to have increased, even in the last twelve months. To put this into perspective, we had a Subway in Vegas and for two, foot-long subs it was $46. We had the same in Rexburg and it was $19.  That was just one example, it's easy to spend $50-$70 on breakfast/lunch in a restaurant and upwards of $100 for dinner. We went to Prime at Bellagio on our last night and there wasn't much change from $400.

We love Vegas and have been at least once a year, for the last fifteen years or so and therefore I am hesitant to say this, but I think we are done with Vegas...at least for a few years. The road trip throughout the different states and towns we visited has opened our eyes to how much more America has to offer us and I think that when we next take a trip, it won't include Vegas. I think we will definitely include a casino resort or two but somewhere different.

The cruise was a great way to relax but personally, Navigator of the Seas was too small for us so I will look at a larger ship if we were to cruise in the future.

We were both amazed at just how different each state was and how fast the scenery changed, from mountains to grassland, rocky outlooks and desert.  Utah was my favourite, just for the scenery but I loved each state we visited and it has only given me the appetite to want to see more.

Please feel free to message me if you have any questions or comments about any part of our trip and thank you for travelling along with us.  See you next time.