Book Synopsis:

Jack Fogel had always wanted to work in TV, not run the family business. He thought he’d escaped, until his father’s heart attack saddled him with Fogel’s Kosher Chickens, an operation built by his grandfather and mired in the past. Years later, his wife is long gone, his two teenage daughters perpetually disappointed and his mother insistent that he fund her expensive lifestyle. Even worse, he finds himself at war with business rival Lionel Gutterman, a former employee now prepared to use the most unethical tactics to exact revenge. Lonely and miserable, he meets Sonia Lewis on a blind date. When she reveals she owns a vegan cafe, Jack panics and doesn’t quite tell the truth about what he does. As their relationship blossoms, the lie becomes more difficult to sustain. With increasingly unpredictable attacks from Lionel, he faces personal and professional destruction unless he works out how the truth can save him. Chicken Wars is a romantic comedy about the conflicts we must overcome to accept who we are. For Jack, the prize is love or poultry. Can it be both?

My Review:

Chicken Wars is a very funny, intriguing read with some amazing characters.

Firstly I absolutely loved the main character Jack who seemed such a lovely character who is doing his best to keep his family’s chicken business running. He is a very real character and I liked that we go on a journey with him as he comes up with lots of interesting ideas to try to save the family business. Along the way he makes a lot of wrong decisions which endeared him more to me and I think helped me to get to know him better as the reader is given an insight into how he thinks.

It’s been a long time since a book has made me laugh as much as this one did. The author just has such a great way of describing a situation which combined with some of Jack’s ideas made for some very funny moments. As well as the family business Jack has fallen for the lady who runs the vegan cafe though she’s not impressed with Jack’s job of killing chickens. Will Jack be able to juggle both the business and his love life? Well I’m not going to spoil anything for you but I’d highly recommend you read this fabulous book to find out!

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:

Adam read English at university and wondered if he would ever be able to write a book rather than just read one. He dabbled with performing and even wrote a show but abandoned any dreams of creative glory to get a job instead.

The next thirty years were spent in an advertising career trampling on those that got in his way whilst enjoying lots of long lunches. He learnt everything there was to know about selling dog food, toilet paper and the small print on a mortgage ad. Serious stuff.

Undeterred, he wanted to find out in his middle-age dotage if he could still write. Fortunately, the desire to produce something entertaining still burnt strong, even if he no longer knew how to hold a pen.

For the last few years, Adam has written essays and articles on the foibles of our working lives. His first novel ‘The Curious Rise of Alex Lazarus’ was published in 2021 and ‘Chicken Wars’ is out in May 2023.

Married to a wonderful wife for thirty years, she is his business partner and most uncritical fan. His three children are sadly less forgiving.

As I might have mentioned once or twice (ok a lot) I like a good book challenge so when I was tagged by the lovely @always_need_more_books to take part on a sequel to the #bookscavengerhunt I knew I’d have to take part.

For this challenge you had to find a book with the following on the cover:

🌨️ Snow – The Drift by CJ Tudor

🎹 Musical Instrument – The House Of Whispers by Anna Mazzola

👦👧 Children – Are We Having Fun Yet by Lucy Mangan

♂️A Man – Beyond The Wand by Tom Felton

⛱️A parasol – Don’t Look Back by Jo Spain

I actually found this challenge a bit tricky and a couple of the items nearly alluded me. The only book with a child on the cover is a cartoon one that is pictured. I also struggled with the parasol and almost had to use an umbrella instead.

I’ve tagged a few people who might want to take part on Instagram but no pressure.

Book Synopsis:

When Joe and Roisin join their group of friends for a weekend away, it’s a triple celebration – a birthday, an engagement and the launch of Joe’s new crime drama on TV.

But when Roisin sees secrets she shared with Joe play out on the TV screen, she knows that between us means nothing at all.

Roisin finds herself searching for clues to the truth – about her life, their history, and the man she thought she loved. And it’s then that Roisin finds the most unexpected plot twist of them all. Among those same old friends, there’s a surprising potential for new beginnings . . .

My Review:

I’m a huge fan of this author and I’ve enjoyed all her previous books so I was very excited to read Between Us – her new book.

Firstly I loved the main character and really enjoyed following her throughout the book. She’s such a warm, relatable character that it is impossible not to like her. It was very interesting to learn more about her and her history as the story continues. Her friends are a great group and the author does a great job describing them so I could see them clearly in my mind. I found myself wishing I had a similar group of friends as they seemed like great fun.

I thought this book had a great pace to it and I was soon completely absorbed in the story. There were a few twists and reveals that kept me guessing but mostly I was just happy hanging out with Roisin and her friends. Some of the moments in the book were hilarious and made me laugh out loud much to my kids amusement. I can’t wait to read more from this author in the future.

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:

Sunday Times bestselling author Mhairi McFarlane was born in Scotland in 1976 and her unnecessarily confusing name is pronounced Vah-Ree. After some efforts at journalism, she started writing novels and her first book, You Had Me At Hello, was an instant success and she’s since sold nearly 2 million copies of her books. Between Us is her ninth book and she lives in Nottingham with a man and a cat.

Good morning everyone I belong to two books clubs on here and these are the two books we’re reading this month.

I’m really enjoying The Fair Botanists, especially learning more about the moving and recreation of the botanical gardens in Edinburgh. Frenchman’s Creek is a great read too. I’ve only read a few books by Daphne Du Maurer but I’ve enjoyed them so I was excited to read another one by her. I have a few more pages to go before our discussion Thursday so hopefully I’ll finish it.

Do you belong to any book clubs? What books are you reading for it?

Frenchman’s Creek by Daphne Du Maurer

Lady Dona St Columb is tired with the shallowness of life at the Restoration Court. Despite always being at the heart of court intrigue, there is a secret Dona who longs for freedom and honest love, even if it is spiced with danger. She leaves London for Navron, her Cornish estate, seeking peace and solitude. But she finds that Navron is bring used as a base by a pirate – a Frenchman who, like Dona, would gamble his life for a moment’s joy. Her passion and thirst for adventure have never been more aroused, and together they embark upon a quest rife with danger and glory.

The Fair Botanists by Sara Sheridan

Could one rare plant hold the key to a thousand riches?

It’s the summer of 1822 and Edinburgh is abuzz with rumours of King George IV’s impending visit. In botanical circles, however, a different kind of excitement has gripped the city. In the newly-installed Botanic Garden, the Agave Americana plant looks set to flower – an event that only occurs once every few decades.

When newly widowed Elizabeth arrives in Edinburgh to live with her late husband’s aunt Clementina, she’s determined to put her unhappy past in London behind her. As she settles into her new home, she becomes fascinated by the beautiful Botanic Garden which borders the grand house and offers her services as an artist to record the rare plant’s impending bloom. In this pursuit, she meets Belle Brodie, a vivacious young woman with a passion for botany and the lucrative, dark art of perfume creation.

Belle is determined to keep both her real identity and the reason for her interest the Garden secret from her new friend. But as Elizabeth and Belle are about to discover, secrets don’t last long in this Enlightenment city . . .

And when they are revealed, they can carry the greatest of consequences . . .

Good morning everyone and happy Monday! I was treated to a book subscription for my birthday by my amazing friend @bringmerocks and yesterday…..I got my first book! I’ve not read anything by this author yet but I’ve heard good things so I’m very intrigued.

Thanks so much for this wonderful birthday present lovely lady!

Book Synopsis:

It is 1985, in an Irish town. During the weeks leading up to Christmas, Bill Furlong, a coal and timber merchant, faces into his busiest season. As he does the rounds, he feels the past rising up to meet him – and encounters the complicit silences of a people controlled by the Church.

About The Author:

Keegan was brought up on a farm in Ireland. At the age of 17, she travelled to New Orleans, where she studied English and Political Science at Loyola University. She returned to Ireland in 1992, and her highly acclaimed first volume of short stories – Antarctica – was published in 1999.

Her stories are translated into 30 languages and have won numerous accolades. Antarctica won the Rooney Prize for Irish Literature. Walk the Blue Fields won the Edge Hill Prize, awarded to the finest collection of stories published in the British Isles. Foster won the Davy Byrnes Award and was last year chosen by The Times as one of the top 50 works of fiction to be published in the 21st century. Small Things Like These was shortlisted for the 2022 Rathbones Folio Prize. It won the Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year Award and the Orwell Prize for Political Fiction and was shortlisted for the Booker Prize 2022.

Good morning everyone and happy Sunday. I’ve been lucky enough to receive some amazing book post this week!

⭐Love light Farms by B.K Borison
⭐The Witching Tide by Margaret Meyer
⭐The Blood Of Others by Graham Hurley
⭐The Moon Gate by Amanda Geard
⭐The Last Lifeboat by Hazel Gaynor

I’m really excited to read these soon as they all sound really good. Huge thanks to all the publishers for sending me these books.

We had a lovely day in the sun yesterday and I actually got to read a little in the sun – well in-between trying to stop my youngest kick his football over the fence. I’m currently reading The Fair Botanist by Sara Sheridan for one of the book clubs and I’m really enjoying it so far.

Do you like reading outside?

Lovelight Farm by B. K Borison

Lovelight Farms is a wholesome rom-com featuring a handsome, freckled data analyst, a messy, optimistic Christmas tree farm owner, and a small town with the best hazelnut lattes on the east coast. This sweet and steamy romance, by B. K. Borison, is a holiday happily-ever-after for fans of Tessa Bailey and Hannah Grace.

In an effort to save the Christmas tree farm she’s loved since she was a child, Stella enters a contest with insta-famous influencer Evelyn St. James. With the added publicity and the huge cash prize, she might just be able to save the farm from its financial woes. There’s just one problem. To make the farm seem like a romantic destination for the holidays, she lied on the application and said that she owns Lovelight Farms with her boyfriend. Only . . . there is no boyfriend.

Enter best friend Luka Peters. He just came home for some hot chocolate, and somehow got a farm and a serious relationship in the process. Will their fake love affair save Lovelight Farms in time for Christmas?

The Witching Tide by Margaret Meyer

East Anglia, 1645. Martha Hallybread, a midwife, healer and servant, has lived for more than four decades in her beloved coastal village of Cleftwater. Everyone knows Martha, but no one has ever heard her speak.

One Autumn morning, the peaceful atmosphere of Cleftwater is shattered by a sinister arrival and Martha becomes a silent witness to a witch-hunt. As a trusted member of the community, she is enlisted to search the bodies of the accused women. But whilst Martha wants to help her friends, she also harbours a dark secret that could cost her own freedom. In desperation, she revives a wax witching doll that she inherited from her mother, in the hope that it will bring protection. But the doll’s true powers are unknowable, the tide is turning, and time is running out . . .

An immersive and deeply moving novel inspired by true events, The Witching Tide breathes new life into history whilst holding up a mirror to the world we live in now. A story of loyalty and betrayal, fear and obsession, the impact of misogyny and the power of resistance, it is a magnificent debut from a striking new literary voice.

The Blood Of Others by Graham Hurley

The new blockbuster thriller from Graham Hurley, The Blood of Others is part of the SPOILS OF WAR Collection, a thrilling, beguiling blend of fact and fiction born of some of the most tragic, suspenseful, and action-packed events of World War II.

Dieppe, August 1942. A catastrophe no headline dared admit.

Plans are underway for the boldest raid yet on Nazi-occupied France. Over six thousand men will storm ashore to take the port of Dieppe. Lives will change in an instant – both on the beaches and in distant capitals.

Annie Wrenne, working at Lord Mountbatten’s cloak-and-dagger Combined Operations headquarters, is privy to the top secret plans for the daring cross-Channel raid.

Young Canadian journalist George Hogan, protege of influential Lord Beaverbrook, faces a crucial assignment that will test him to breaking point.

And Abwehr intelligence officer Wilhelm Schultz is baiting a trap to lure thousands of Allied troops to their deaths.

Three lives linked by Operation Jubilee: the Dieppe Raid, 19 August 1942. Over six thousand men will storm the heavily defended French beaches.

Less than half of them will make it back alive.

The blockbuster SPOILS OF WAR non-chronological collection features compelling recurring characters whose fragmented lives mirror the war that shattered the globe. For fans of Philip Kerr and Robert Harris.

The Moon Gate by Amanda Geard

1939: On the eve of war, young English heiress Grace Grey travels from London to the wilderness of Tasmania. Coaxed out of her shell by the attentions of her Irish neighbour, Daniel – Grace finally learns to live. But when Australian forces are called to the frontline, and Daniel with them, he leaves behind a devastating secret which will forever bind them together.

1975: Artist Willow Hawkins, and her new husband, Ben, can’t believe their luck when an anonymous benefactor leaves them a house on the remote Tasmanian coast. Confused and delighted, they set out to unmask Towerhurst’s previous owner – unwittingly altering the course of their lives.

2004: Libby Andrews has always been sheltered from the truth behind her father Ben’s death. When she travels to London and discovers a faded photograph, a long-buried memory is unlocked, and she begins to follow an investigation that Ben could never complete. But will she realise that some secrets are best left buried . . .?

The Last Lifeboat by Hazel Gaynor

Liverpool 1940. Alice King stands on the deck of SS Carlisle, waiting to escort a group of children to Canada as overseas evacuees. She is finally doing her bit for the war.

In London, as the Blitz bombs rain down and the threat of German invasion looms, Lily Nicholls anxiously counts the days for news of her son and daughter’s safe arrival.

But when disaster strikes in the Atlantic, Alice and Lily – one at sea, the other on land – will quickly become one another’s very best hope. The events of one night, and the eight unimaginable days that follow, will bind the two women together in unforgettable ways.

Inspired by a remarkable true story, The Last Lifeboat is a gripping and triumphant tale of love, courage and hope against the odds.

Good morning everyone I was very excited to win a proof of this very intriguing book. As I might have said once or twice I love a witchy book and this one sounds fascinating as it is based on real events. It also includes a part of the witch hunts that I wasn’t aware of, namely the use of ‘prickers’ to help identify witches.

Huge thanks to Phoenix Books for sending me this gorgeous book. I’m excited to read it!

Book Synopsis:

THERE IS POWER IN SILENCE

East Anglia, 1645. Martha Hallybread, a midwife, healer and servant, has lived for more than four decades in her beloved coastal village of Cleftwater. Everyone knows Martha, but no one has ever heard her speak.

One Autumn morning, the peaceful atmosphere of Cleftwater is shattered by a sinister arrival and Martha becomes a silent witness to a witch-hunt. As a trusted member of the community, she is enlisted to search the bodies of the accused women. But whilst Martha wants to help her friends, she also harbours a dark secret that could cost her own freedom. In desperation, she revives a wax witching doll that she inherited from her mother, in the hope that it will bring protection. But the doll’s true powers are unknowable, the tide is turning, and time is running out . . .

An immersive and deeply moving novel inspired by true events, The Witching Tide breathes new life into history whilst holding up a mirror to the world we live in now. A story of loyalty and betrayal, fear and obsession, the impact of misogyny and the power of resistance, it is a magnificent debut from a striking new literary voice.

About The Author:

Margaret Meyer was born in Canada, grew up in New Zealand and now lives in Norwich, England. She worked in publishing and literature promotion before retraining in a second career as a mental health therapist. In 2020 she completed an MA in Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia. The Witching Tide is her first novel.

Book Synopsis:

A second son, not born to rule, becomes a man, and a king…

In grand royal palaces, Prince Harry grows up dreaming of knights and chivalry – and the golden age of kings that awaits his older brother. But Arthur’s untimely death sees Harry crowned King Henry of England.

As his power and influence extends, so commences a lifelong battle between head and heart, love and duty. Henry rules by divine right, yet his prayers for a son go unanswered.

The great future of the Tudor dynasty depends on an heir. And the crown weighs heavy on a king with all but his one true desire.

HENRY VIII. HIS STORY.

Alison Weir’s most ambitious Tudor novel yet reveals the captivating story of a man who was by turns brilliant, romantic, and ruthless: the king who changed England forever.

My Review:

I’m a huge fan of this author and I think I’ve read every book she’s written. Her books are always so informative and have a way of making history fun so it’s easy to learn more about the period she is describing.

Firstly I must admit that the Tudor period is one of my favourite historical periods and I’ve never been a huge fan of Henry VIII as I’ve always felt much more sympathy with his wives with all that happened to them. This book certainly helped me to understand Henry’s side of the story and, although I’m still on the wives side, I did feel a bit of sympathy for him.

The author does a great job of setting the scene in this book so I felt like I was actually there following Henry around his court. I hadn’t realised how hopeful Henry’s reign had started with a handsome king on the throne and lots of money available thanks to his predecessor’s frugality. It was very interesting to follow Henry through his reign and realise what went wrong for him. It’s definitely made me think more about everything he went through and how differently history might have turned out if things had gone differently.

I thought this book had a great pace to it and I soon found myself absorbed in the story. I loved all the historical detail the author includes in the story which helped make the story come to life for me. I’m very excited to read more in this fabulous series.

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

About The Author:

Alison Weir lives and works in Surrey. Her books include Britain’s Royal Families, The Six Wives of Henry VIII, Children of England, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Henry VIII: King and Court, Mary, Queen of Scots and Isabella: She-Wolf of France.

Book Synopsis:

Blackpool, 1938. Miss Margaret Finch – a rather demure young woman – has just begun work in a position that relies on her discretion and powers of observation. Then, her path is crossed by the disgraced Rector of Stiffkey (aka Harold Davidson), who is the subject of a national scandal.

Margaret is determined to discover the truth behind the headlines: is Davidson a maligned hero or an exploiter of the vulnerable? But her own troubles are never far away, and Margaret’s fear that history is about to repeat itself means she needs to uncover that truth urgently.

This deeply evocative novel ripples with the tension of a country not yet able to countenance the devastation of another war. Margaret walks us along the promenade, peeks into the baths and even dares a trip on the love boat in this, her first seaside summer season, on a path more dangerous than she could ever have imagined.

My Review:

The Misadventures Of Margaret Finch is a heartwarming, quirky read that was hugely enjoyable.

Firstly the author has obviously done her research and I loved her fabulous descriptions of Blackpool in its hey day between the wars. I’ve never actually been there so it was great fun experiencing the sights and sounds of Blackpool alongside the characters. It sounds like it was a fun place to visit and I can see why so many people decided to holiday there.

Margaret was a fantastic main character and I loved that she didn’t follow convention to do what women were expected to do at that time. Her job sounded very interesting and one that I think I’d love to do as I’ve always enjoyed people watching. She is very good at her job and dedicated to it which was nice to see though I did wish she had more of a balance in her life.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from the author in the future. The story starts off a little slowly as the author sets the scene but I soon found myself absorbed into the story. I loved the subtle blend of actually historical events with fiction and the inclusion of real life characters which were very interesting to find out more about. I would recommend only googling the events in this book after reading though as there could be a few spoilers. I found myself sad to finish the book and leave Margaret behind.

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

About The Author:

Claire McGlasson is a journalist who works for ITV News and enjoys the variety of life on the road with a TV camera. She lives in Cambridge. The Rapture was her debut novel.

Please do read some of the other reviews available on this blog tour.

Good morning everyone and happy Thursday. I saw this idea on @might_read_until_i_feel_better page and I knew I had to join in. I have loads of books on my tbr, more than I’ll get to read probably, but these ten are the books I’m most excited about.

⭐ Scarlet by Genevieve Cogman
⭐In The Land Of Puppets by T.J Klune
⭐One Puzzling Afternoon by Emily Critchley
⭐The Last Witch Of Scotland by Philip Paris
⭐ Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
⭐ Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld
⭐A Killer In The Family by Cytha Lodge
⭐ In Memory Of Animals by Claire Fuller
⭐In Memoriam by Alice Winn
⭐Out Hideous Progeny by C. E. McGill

Do we have any books in common?