Book Synopsis:

Winner of the Bath Novel Award 2020

When lonely and socially isolated translator, Gareth, takes up traditional Japanese archery in 1990s Bristol, he learns that to study Kyudo is to reach out, to another culture, another time, other people… But when one of them reaches back, two lives that should never have touched become strangely entangled.

In wartime Tokyo, Tanaka Mie finds herself wandering the burned-out ruins of her dead parents’ fire-bombed home with only hazy recollections of how she survived. Setting out on a hike to a mountain village shrine, away from the charred city, she begins a life to which she is not sure she is entitled, a life which feels like living on the other side of the sky.

To visit the past or the future, even in imagination, is to change it. But it is also to be changed.

The Arrow Garden is a delicately-wrought tale of truth, selfhood, and acceptance, which transcends time in its lyrical exploration of what it means to live.

My Review:

The Arrow Garden is a beautifully written, intriguing timeslip book which I really enjoyed.

I love timeslip novels, especially if part of it is based in WW2 so this book instantly appealed to me. I have to admit to enjoying the historical timeline slightly more as it was fascinating to learn more about war time in Japan. I really felt for Mia as I watched her try to come to terms with everything she had lost. It was heartbreaking to see her having to rebuild her life and struggle with the guilt she obviously feels about surviving.

The inclusion of Kyudo, a form of Japanese archery, was very interesting as I hadn’t realised there was more than one form of archery before reading this book. I enjoyed learning about it and how the practice fitted into Japanese tradition. It was really beautiful to see how it helps heal Gareth and gives him a new lease of life.

The two timelines complimented each other nicely and I enjoyed getting to know the two characters as the story went on. The change between timelines was quite quick which took a bit of getting used to but once I had I felt it made the two timelines seem more connected to each other. The ending went a different way to what I was expecting and was very emotional. This is definitely a story that will stay with me.

Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and to the publisher for my copy of this book.

About The Author:

Brought up to value thinking and making equally, Andrew’s first degree was in English Literature and Fine Art. He also holds an MA in Visual Culture at Bath Spa University. A lifelong interest in aspects of Japanese culture led to an extended trip in 2011 in the aftermath of the tsunami, assisting and observing participants in Shinto rituals of horseback archery.

The Arrow Garden is his first novel. Early drafts were longlisted for the Bridport Prize and The Bath Novel Award, before winning the BNA outright in 2020.

Andrew lives in Bath, England. When not writing he is to be found riding strange bicycles or, very occasionally, practicing traditional Japanese archery.

Book Synopsis:

Welcome to Cinnamon Gardens, a home for those who are lost and the stories they treasure.

Cinnamon Gardens Nursing Home is nestled in the quiet suburb of Westgrove, Sydney – populated with residents with colourful histories, each with their own secrets, triumphs and failings. This is their safe place, an oasis of familiar delights – a beautiful garden, a busy kitchen and a bountiful recreation schedule.

But this ordinary neighbourhood is not without its prejudices. The serenity of Cinnamon Gardens is threatened by malignant forces more interested in what makes this refuge different rather than embracing the calm companionship that makes this place home to so many. As those who challenge the residents’ existence make their stand against the nursing home with devastating consequences, our characters are forced to reckon with a country divided.

Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens is about family and memory, community and race, but is ultimately a love letter to storytelling and how our stories shape who we are.

My Review:

Chai Time At Cinnamon Gardens is a beautifully written, heartbreaking and powerful read that will stay with me for a long time.

Firstly I absolutely loved Maya and enjoy following her throughout the book. She’s such a warm, funny character and I was immediately drawn to her after reading about her wonderful vision for Cinnamon Gardens where everyone was welcome. There are lots of very different people in Cinnamon Gardens and I enjoyed getting to know them all slowly and learning more about their pasts.

This book has a deeper side to it as a few difficult subjects are discussed within the book which I wasn’t expecting. Through a series of flashbacks we learn more about the characters experiences in the Sri Lanka civil war which I found very interesting as I didn’t know much about it before. It being war there are also some truly heartbreaking stories involved too which were very emotional to read about. I loved learning more about the Tamil culture, traditions and some of the lovely sounding food they eat. It’s made me very interested in learning more about it and I’ve bought myself a cookbook to attempt to make some othe food mention in the book. The author also discusses racism in this book and the absolutely devastating effect of can have on people.

I thought this book was fairly fast paced and there always seemed to be something happening to keep me reading. The story is told from multiple points of view which I enjoyed as it was great to get to know all of the characters individually. There are a few mysteries running throughout the story which I enjoyed trying to solve and helped keep me absorbed in the story. There is a wonderful sense of community and warmth in this story which was great to read about. I found myself wishing I could be part of this lovely nursing home as it seemed such a great place to be.

Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and to the publisher for my digital copy of this book, though as you can see I also purchased my own copy as I knew it was a story I would want to share.

About The Author:

Shankari Chandran was raised in Canberra, Australia. She spent a decade in London, working as a lawyer in the social justice field. She eventually returned home to Australia, where she now lives with her husband, four children and their cavoodle puppy, Benji. In January 2017, she published her first book with Perera-Hussein, called Song of the Sun God. Her second book, The Barrier, was published in June 2017.

Book Synopsis:

In 1944 in war-torn Dubrobvnik Branko Milisic holds his newborn daughter Safranka and wishes her a better future. But while the Nazis are finally retreating, the arrival of the partisans brings new dangers for Branko, his wife Dragica and their new baby…

As older sister to two half-siblings, Fran has always known she has to fit in. But now, for the first time in her life Fran is facing questions about who she is and where she comes from.

All Fran knows about her real father is that he was a hero, and her mother had to flee Dubrovnik after the war. But when she travels to the city of her birth to uncover the truth, she is devastated to discover her father was executed by the partisans in 1944, accused of being a collaborator. But the past isn’t always what it seems…

My Review:

I’m a huge fan of this author so you can imagine my excitement when I was invited onto the blog tour for this her latest book. Once again the author has written an emotional, absorbing read that I really enjoyed.

Firstly one of the things I always love about this author is her way of describing the locations she sets her books in. The descriptions are always so vivid and really allow me to see the setting in my mind’s eye. I hadn’t heard much about Croatia so enjoyed visiting it alongside the characters. I’m a huge fan of historical fiction set in the second world war, especially if it teaches me something new about the period, so I knew straight away I was going to love this book. It was very interesting learning more about the history of Croatia and what happened there during the war.

The story is told in two timelines one set in 1944 and the other 2010. I loved following Fran as she tries to discover more about her father and what happened to him during the war. She was such a real character and I warmed to her instantly, wanting her to succeed. The author doesn’t hold back from telling the truth about the reality of war which helps bring the story to life and make it seem more realistic.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read more from this author. I was quickly drawn into the story and into the lives of the characters. There always seemed to be something happening to keep my interest and I soon found it hard to put down as I cared about the characters. The two timelines compliment each other really well and I liked how the reveals happened naturally without any huge leaps. I loved the ending and closed the book sad to leave the wonderful characters behind. I definitely want to visit Croatia soon.

Huge thanks to Rachel from Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me onto the blog tour and to the publisher for my copy of this book.

About The Author:

Welcome to my author page and thank you for taking the time to visit. I love to write emotional women’s fiction inspired by beautiful places and the stories they hide. My passion is to travel (when possible, of course), but luckily I find inspiration can strike just as well at home or abroad.

My last holiday before lockdown was a trip to Croatia, and the country’s haunting histories and gorgeous scenery have proved fertile ground, driven by my friendship with a tour guide I met there. His wartime story provided the inspiration for The Olive Grove and his help in creating a realistic portrayal of Croatian life has proved invaluable. My second and third novels set in the country, An Island of Secrets and The Collaborator’s Daughter are dual timelines looking back to World War 2. My books are published by One More Chapter, a division of Harper Collins.

I am also inspired by the work of my own favourite authors, who include Victoria Hislop, Rosanna Ley, Angela Petch, Jenny Ashcroft and Elizabeth Buchan.

Although I am Welsh I am now happily settled in Cornwall, and I’m lucky enough to have been married to the love of my life for more than twenty-five years. I also write as Jane Cable.

Book Synopsis:

Award-winning food writer Sumayya Usmani’s stunning memoir conjures a story of what it was like growing up in Pakistan and how the women in her life inspired her to trust her instincts in the kitchen.

From a young age, food was Sumayya’s portal to nurturing, love and self-expression. She spent the first eight years of her life at sea, with a father who captained merchant ships and a mother who preferred to cook for the family herself on a tiny electric stove in their cabin rather than eat in the officer’s mess.

When the family moved to Karachi, Sumayya grew up torn between the social expectations of life as a young girl in Pakistan, and the inspiration she felt in the kitchen, watching her mother, and her Nani Mummy (maternal grandmother) and Dadi’s (paternal grandmother) confidence, intuition and effortless ability to build complex, layered flavours in their cooking.

This evocative and moving food memoir – which includes the most meaningful recipes of Sumayya’s childhood – tells the story of how Sumayya’s self-belief grew throughout her young life, allowing her to trust her instincts and find her own path between the expectations of following in her father’s footsteps as a lawyer and the pressures of a Pakistani woman’s presumed place in the household. Gradually, through the warmth of her family life, the meaning of ‘andaza’ comes to her: that the flavour and meaning of a recipe is not a list of measured ingredients, but a feeling in your hands, as you let the elements of a meal come together through instinct and experience.

My Review:

Abdaza is a beautiful, interesting read which is part memoir and part cookbook.

Firstly I love books like this. It’s so lovely getting to know the author through the recipes that are important to them. This author has definitely had a fascinating life and I loved learning more about her childhood in Pakistan as well as the time she spent at sea . There are some lovely stories included here, which reflect the author’s personality and makes the reader feel that they actually get to know the person behind the book.

As you can probably guess food has played an important part in the author’s life. For each story mentioned the author has included a recipe that reminds her of that period. All of the recipes are easy to follow and I enjoyed discovering a few different recipes to the ones I normally hear about. Highlights for me was the Wedding Korma and the delicious potatoes with curry leaves. We have made them several times since discovering them and plan to make them for the next time we have friends round. There are also some amazing puddings which I hadn’t tried before and I really enjoyed sampling those!

Overall I loved this book and highly recommend it to anyone who loves cooking or trying new foods. It would make a great gift for a foodie and I will definitely be buying a few copies as presents.

Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and to the publisher for my copy of this book.

About The Author:

Well-connected and beloved in the food world, Sumayya Usmani went from practising law for twelve years to pursuing food writing and teaching. Her first book, Summers Under the Tamarind Tree: Recipes and Memories from Pakistan (Frances Lincoln, 2016) was the first Pakistani cookbook in Britain. Her mentor and friend Madhur Jaffrey, who wrote the main blurb, calls the book ‘a treasure’. It won the Best First Cookbook category in the Gourmand Cookbook Awards in 2016. It was also shortlisted for the Edward Stanford Travel Writing Award. Her second cookbook, Mountain Berries and Desert Spice: Sweet Inspirations from the Hunza Valley to the Arabian Sea (Frances Lincoln, 2017) was shortlisted in the Best Cookbook of the Year category at the Food & Travel Magazine Awards. Sumayya won The Scottish Book Trust’s Next Chapter Award in 2021 for Andaza as a work in progress.Sumayya is an experienced cookery teacher having taught in many UK-based cookery schools, including Divertimenti and the School of Artisan Food and her style of teaching is based on inspiring people to trust their senses and intuition with flavours. She has been featured as a resident food writer for four weeks in the Guardian COOK supplement (now known as Feast), and has also featured in the Telegraph, New York Times, Independent, Saveur, Delicious, Olive, BBC Good Food and Food 52. She was called ‘the go-to expert in Pakistani cuisine’ by BBC Good Food Magazine.

Sumayya is a BBC broadcaster and has been a presenter on BBC Radio Scotland’s Kitchen Cafe as well as being a regular panellist on Jay Rayner’s The Kitchen Cabinet on BBC Radio 4. She has appeared on BBC Radio 4’s Women’s Hour. On television, she has appeared on Madhur Jaffrey’s Curry Nation on Good Food Channel, and various times on STV and London Live. Sumayya mentors other writers online as well as hosting her podcast, A Savoured Life.

Book Synopsis:

From the author of THE HENNA ARTIST. The final chapter in Alka Joshi’s New York Times bestselling Jaipur trilogy takes readers to 1970s Paris, where Radha’s budding career as a perfumer must compete with the demands of her family and the secrets of her past.

Paris, 1974. Radha is now thirty-two and living in Paris with her husband, Pierre, and their two daughters. She still grieves for the baby boy she gave up years ago, when she was only a child herself, but she loves being a mother to her daughters, and she’s finally found her passion–the treasure trove of scents.

When her friend’s grandfather offered her a job at his parfumerie, she quickly discovered she had a talent–she could find the perfect fragrance for any customer who walked in the door. Now, ten years later, she’s working for a master perfumer, helping to design completely new fragrances for clients and building her career one scent at a time. She only wishes Pierre could understand her need to work. She feels his frustration, but she can’t give up this thing that drives her.

Tasked with her first major project, Radha travels to India, where she enlists the help of her sister, Lakshmi, and the courtesans of Agra–women who use the power of fragrance to seduce, tease and entice. She’s on the cusp of a breakthrough when she finds out the son she never told her husband about is heading to Paris to find her–upending her carefully managed world and threatening to destroy a vulnerable marriage.

My Review:

The Perfumist Of Paris is a beautifully written, absorbing and inspiring read from a new author for me.

Firstly Radha was an amazing main character who I enjoyed following throughout the book. She’s such a strong lady who I sympathised with as I know the struggle with juggling family and work. She seemed stuck between two cultures at times having to fight her husband’s expectations to fulfil her dreams. Her experiences were quite emotional to read about and I really felt for her especially when it seems like her past was going to affect everything she’s worked for.

The author does a great job of setting the scene so that the reader feels they are actually there watching everything unfold alongside the characters. I’ve always loved books set in Paris so I enjoyed following Radha as she goes about the city. Radha’s job as a Perfumist was fascinating as I didn’t know anything about it before. The author’s descriptions of the perfume shop were really vivid and I sometimes felt I could actually smell some of the scents she was describing.

Overall I loved this book and look forward to reading more from this series in the future. I felt like I went on a real journey with Radha and, although it was tough to see her go through it I liked seeing where she ended up at the end . I think this book could be read as a standalone like I have done but I think it might be beneficial to read the books in order as you might understand the characters better.

Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and to the publisher for my copy of this book.

About The Author:

Alka Joshi was born in the desert state of Rajasthan in India. In 1967, her family immigrated to America. She earned a BA from Stanford University and an MFA from California College of Arts in San Francisco. Prior to writing The Henna Artist, Alka ran an advertising and marketing agency for 30 years. She has spent time in France and Italy and currently lives with her husband on the Northern California Coast.

Good morning everyone! As I might have mentioned once or twice (ok a lot) I’m a huge of Greek Mythology re-tellings so when I heard of this fantastic sounding book I knew I had to get a copy of it. My picture doesn’t do it justice as the cover is really beautiful with lots of gold foil on it which contrasts so well with the dark blue spredges. I’m hoping to read this really soon.

What was the last special edition you bought?

Book Synopsis:

In the cursed kingdom of Ithaca, each spring brings the hanging of twelve maidens, a gift to the vengeful Poseidon. But when Leto awakens from her death on the shore of a long-forgotten island, its enigmatic keeper Melantho tells her that there’s only one way the curse can be broken. Leto must kill the last prince of Ithaca . . .

In Lies We Sing to the Sea, debut author Sarah Underwood delivers a thrilling and breathtaking tale that will enthral readers from the very first page as they are transported to the cursed shores of Ithaca.

A reclamation of a story from thousands of years ago, Lies We Sing to the Sea is about love and fate, grief and sacrifice, and, ultimately, the power we must find within.

About The Author:

Sarah Underwood grew up in Devon, England. She obtained her MEng in Computational Bioengineering at Imperial College, London, and recently graduated with her MPhil in Population Health Sciences at the University of Cambridge.

Sarah’s first novel, Lies we Sing to the Sea, will be published by HarperTeen and Farshore Books in March 2023.

Book Synopsis:

What if your routine could make you happier every single day? So often our routine is based on what everyone else needs. Our work and family life fill our days up to the brim and we squeeze in what we can for ourselves in between. And, if we’re totally honest, in the dim hours when the truth seeps out between the cracks, we realise we might have lost ourselves a little along the way. In The Happiness Habits Transformation, former life coach Michelle Reeves urges us to take a time-out (without feeling guilty about it) to rebuild our daily routine into one that serves us – one habit at a time. Through her personal experience of depression and how she rebuilt her life through a combination of 8 simple happiness habits, you’ll discover how you can create a simple routine with time to focus on YOU, release yourself from the habit of negativity, boost your self-esteem and dream and plan out your biggest, scariest and most exciting goals. New for the second edition: Michelle explains how these habits continue to support her as she navigates a new season of her life through perimenopause and beyond, and shares success stories from others who have woven the habits into their own routines.

My Review:

I’ve been feeling a bit down since Christmas so when I heard about this book I knew I had to read it. I found this a very informative, helpful guide which I will definitely be recommending to others.

Michelle used to be a life coach and in this book gives advice about how to change your daily lives to improve your happiness. This was set out in an easy to follow format which I found very easy to read. The changes were easy to implement into your life and the author gives great advice about how to break down the goals so that you can achieve them which I thought was very clever.

As well as the advice the author tells a bit about her own story, giving the reader inspiration from her life and encouragement to make the changes to find happiness. I liked this personal touch as it was nice to see how the author made these changes in her life and how they benefited her.

I read this on ebook but would like to purchase a paperback copy so that it’s easier to highlight and find certain sections of the book as it was hard to flick back to revisit sections on ebook.

Huge thanks to the lovely Kelly from Love Book Tours for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book.

About The Author:

In 2008 Michelle Reeves left behind corporate life in the UK and moved to China for four years where her life fell apart. A traumatic birth and treatment for post-natal depression left her broken and searching for a way back to her former self. Over time and through the combination of 8 Happiness Habits she went from functioning to flourishing, including running her own life coaching practice for over six years.

“Sharing my journey in The Happiness Habits Transformation is such a privilege. I hope that the lessons I’ve learned will benefit any woman who is looking for a simple daily routine to release them from the habit of negativity, boost their self-esteem and help them finally plan out and live their biggest, most exciting dreams.

Yes I was a life and mindset coach by profession and now an author, but like most women, I also have many other roles; wife, daughter, sister, friend and of course Mum to my two amazing children. I wrestle most days into submission like everyone else!

So often we feel guilty for taking time out for us, but I believe it’s vital. If we don’t build time for ourselves into our daily routine, we end up trying to fill the many roles we play in our lives from an empty ‘cup’. We keep going back to dig deeper and deeper until there’s nothing left. Having a simple daily routine of Happiness Habits helps me to find that nourishing space in the day for me, and I hope this book will help others to do the same.”

*NEW* for 2023: The Happiness Habits Transformation: 2nd Edition includes a new chapter where Michelle explains how these habits continue to support her as she navigates a new season of her life through perimenopause and beyond, and shares success stories from others who have woven the habits into their own routines.

Michelle lives in the East of England, UK, with her husband, two children, and two crazy rescue cats: Bella and Ziggy.

Good morning everyone and happy Monday. I hope you’ve all had a good weekend. I thought I’d do a little reading update for you today!

⭐ Last: The Spoon by Lesley Crewe

⭐ Now – The Perfumist Of Paris by Alka Joshi

⭐ Next – Go As A River by Shelley Read

⭐Next – Preloved by Lauren Bravo

It’s been the Easter holidays so I’ve not got much reading done these last few weeks. I absolutely loved The Spoon Stealer and highly recommend it. I’ll hopefully be sharing my review later today – kids permitting. I have a few more pages of The Perfumist to finish today and then I’m excited to read Go As A River or Preloved as I’ve heard great things about both of them.

Today is the last day of the holidays and the kids want a quiet morning which is fine with me as I might be able to sneak in some reading. My daughter has been wanting to do baking all holiday so I’ve promised we’ll make cakes later and my youngest wants to go get more books out of the library which I’m excited about as he’s my reluctant reader so fingers crossed that’s changing!

What are you currently reading?

Good morning everyone I’ve managed to break my book buying ban and buy a few books this week!

⭐ Homecoming by Kate Morton
⭐ Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld
⭐ In Memoriam by Alice Winn
⭐ Begars Abbey by V. L. Valentine
⭐ The Book-Lover’s Retreat by Heidi Swain

I’m a huge Kate Morton fan and have her to thank for getting me out of a few reading slumps. Ive had Homecoming on pre-order since I heard about it and can’t wait to read it.

Romantic Comedy & In Memoriam are books I’ve been hearing lots about on here so decided to use my birthday vouchers on them. Begars Abbey I’ve wanted to read for ages. It sounds just my kind of book and I’m excited to finally get a copy.

Finally I’ve always loved Heidi Swain ‘s books so had to get a copy of her latest book, especially as it features book lovers. Her books are always amazing and I’m looking forward to reading this soon.

Have you read any of these?

Book Synopsis:

Germany, 1938. ‘No,’ she cries out as she falls to the floor, fear clutching desperately at her chest, ‘They can’t have taken him, they can’t have taken my husband.’ As her tear-filled eyes dart wildly around the empty room, she realises she has no one to turn to. She is his only hope. But how can she possibly save him?

When shy, beautiful Edith first met Jewish-born Julius it was love at first sight. Julius swept her off her feet, whisking her from humble beginnings into the sparkling society and glittering ballrooms of Berlin’s powerful elite. It felt like all her dreams had come true.

But her perfect world begins to crack with rumblings of the Nazi party growing in power and influence. Every day there are new laws to strip Jews of their money and their freedom. And there are even more frightening rumours, of horrifying camps, and people disappearing in the night…

Then when Edith’s own brother Joseph enlists as an SS officer, and her whole family turn their backs on them, she knows that it is only a matter of time before they come for her husband. She pleads with Julius that their only chance is to run away and start again. Who cares about worldly possessions if they can still be together, their lives intact? But despite everything, he refuses to believe he is in danger.

Then one terrible night, the sounds of cries and breaking glass ring out across the city as the Nazis wreak their destruction. Edith’s worst fears have been realised— Julius has been taken.

For so long, Edith has led a sheltered life, secluded from the real world. But the only way to save her beloved husband is to defy the Nazis and put herself in grave danger. Can she draw on every bit of strength she has to fight for love and save him… or is she already too late?

A totally devastating, powerful, and ultimately uplifting story, perfect for fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, My Name is Eva and Sold on a Monday.

My Review:

The First Spark Of Fire is an emotional, compelling and gripping read which I really enjoyed.

The story follows Edith and Helga from the early 1920’s to 1938. They are two very different women, from different backgrounds and I enjoyed following them throughout the story. It was very interesting to see how the economic situation and the rise of Hitler affected them differently.

I found it fascinating to learn more about life in Germany between the wars and how Hitler gained popularity. This was a subject that I knew little about before reading so I enjoyed discovering more about this period. It was especially interesting to learn more about the treatment of the Jews and how families could be targeted for having any Jewish connection no matter how small.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and I’m looking forward to reading more from this promising series. I felt fully transported to Germany, able to feel the fear and trepidation of the characters as if it was happening to me. Having the benefit of hindsight the reader is able to understand what is going to happen and I think this increases the tension in the book as we learn about the increasingly difficult rules the Jewish population have to follow. I found myself reading faster as the book went on as I cared about the characters and what would happen to them.

Huge thanks to Sarah for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Bookouture for my copy of this book via Netgalley.

About The Author:

USA Today Bestselling author of historical fiction.

Marion Kummerow was born and raised in Germany, before she set out to “discover the world” and lived in various countries. In 1999 she returned to Germany and settled down in Munich where she’s now living with her family.

Inspired by the true story about her grandparents, who belonged to the German resistance and fought against the Nazi regime, she started writing historical fiction, set during World War II. Her books are filled with raw emotions, fierce loyalty and resilience. She loves to put her characters through the mangle, making them reach deep within to find the strength to face moral dilemma, take difficult decisions or fight for what is right. And she never forgets to include humor and undying love in her books, because ultimately love is what makes the world go round.