Good morning everyone and happy Friday! I actually had time to visit my local library this week and have a browse without the kids. I actually only went in for one book (which I found) but was tempted by two more on my way out.
The Marriage Season is a book club read that I’m really enjoying so far. It’s giving me Pride and Prejudice vibes which I always love. The Other Side Of Night is a book I had on my #12in12challenge which I’ve not been very good at keeping up with and I’ve been hearing lots of good things about The Theatre Of Marvels so I knew I had to get it when I saw that one.
Today I’m going into my kids school to hear some of the kids in year 1 read, then I have lunch with my mum which I’m looking forward to as I haven’t seen her much this week and then I’m working this afternoon!
Do you use your local library? What was the last library book you got?
When Blaise Hill, a feisty young journalist from one of Sydney’s toughest neighbourhoods, is dispatched to London at the dawn of the swinging sixties to report on Princess Margaret’s controversial marriage to an unconventional photographer, she is drawn into an elite realm of glamour and intrigue.
As the nation faces an explosive upheaval, Blaise must grapple with a series of shocking scandals at the pinnacle of British society. Yet, haunted by a threat from her past and torn between two very different men, who can she trust in a world of hidden motives and shifting alliances? If she makes the wrong choice, she will lose everything.
Inspired by real events, The Royal Correspondent is a compelling story of love and betrayal, family secrets and conspiracy that takes you from the gritty life of a daily newspaper to the opulent splendour of Buckingham Palace.
My Review:
The Royal Correspondent is an absorbing and entertaining read which was perfect to read over the Jubilee weekend.
Firstly I really liked Blaise and I enjoyed following her throughout the book. She’s a strong lady, who isn’t afraid to reach for her dreams despite lots of opposition. It was nice to see her grow from the very bottom of the ladder to one of the top jobs though hard at times to see people’s attitudes towards her because she was a woman.
The author does a great job of setting the scene in this book and I loved how she manages to transport me from Australia to London. There are lots of fashion and music references which really helped to bring the swinging sixties to life for me. As someone who’s unlikely to step into a newspaper office I especially liked all the little details the author includes about working there. I’d never considered how noisy it might be and how sexist it was for the women who worked there, with women only being able to work in certain areas.
This book had a great pace to it and there always seemed to be something happening to keep me reading. I enjoyed going on the journey with Blaise and read the book in a couple of days. This was the first book I’ve read by this author but I’d definitely like to read more from her in the future.
Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and the publisher for my copy of this book.
About The Authors:
I began my media career while I was still a student at the University of Sydney, performing voice-overs for TV and radio commercials (I hereby confess to being the “We Try Harder” Avis Girl).
After graduating with Honours in Government, I spent six months as an international intern on the staff of a Congressman in Washington DC. I returned to Australia to work as a reporter and newsreader on a regional television station in Queensland.
Back in Sydney, possessed by a long-term fascination with fashion and a passion for writing, I became a regular contributor of feature articles, interviews and reviews for major national and metropolitan publications including The Australian, Sydney Morning Herald Good Weekend Magazine, Cleo and Harper’s Bazaar.
I then wrote the landmark book Best Dressed: 200 years of Fashionin Australia followed by Parade: The story of Fashion in Australia (both HarperCollins Australia). This led to my appointment as the Editor of Harper’s Bazaar, then Portfolio, Australia’s first magazine for working women.
A mid-life career change, inspired by my role as the President of The Royal Hospital for Women Foundation, saw me undertaking postgraduate studies in Applied Psychology and the establishment of a successful psychotherapy practice.
A decade later, I found I was once more unable to resist the lure of the written word. My memoir, Rosetta: A Scandalous True Story, has been optioned for the screen by a major studio.
My first novel, The Paris Model (2020) was not only an Australian bestseller (thank you, lovely readers) but was published in the United States and Canada with Europe to follow in 2021.
Even better, my latest novel, The Royal Correspondent was published in Australia in February 2021 and has already been sold to North America. A dream come true!
I have two beautiful children and live in Sydney with my husband.
I’m also a keen student of art, fashion, history and politics and am exceedingly fond of Paris.
Good morning everyone and happy Thursday. I’ve been lucky enough to receive these stunning green books in the post recently.
⭐The Memory Of Animals by Clare Fuller ⭐The Dive by Sara Ochs ⭐Death Of A Bookseller by Alice Slater ⭐Bad Men by Julie Mae Cohen ⭐More Confessions Of A Forty Something F##k Up by Alexander Potter.
I’m really excited to read these soon and actually hope to read Death Of A Bookseller as one of my next reads. Huge thanks to all the tagged publishers for sending and to @always_need_more_books for the inspiration. Do go over to her page and see her beautiful green stack.
Good morning everyone. I received my copy of this beautiful looking book in the post yesterday. I’ve been hearing lots of great things about the Twin Crowns series so when I saw this on the Waterstones website, complete with beautiful spredges, I knew I had to get it. I’m looking forward to starting this series soon.
What’s your favourite Fantasy series?
Book Synopsis:
Bestselling authors and real-life sisters-in-law Catherine Doyle and Katherine Webber join forces on a compelling YA fantasy bursting with high-stakes adventure, romance and humour. Two queens, one throne. What can possibly go wrong . . .?
Twin queens Wren and Rose have claimed their crowns . . . but not everyone is happy about witches sitting on Eana’s throne.
Cool-headed Rose sets off on a Royal Tour to win over the doubters, but soon finds herself drawn to the Sunkissed Kingdom. Here secrets are revealed about those closest to her, and Rose finds her loyalties divided.
Meanwhile rebellious Wren steals away to the icy north to rescue their beloved grandmother, Banba. But when she accepts King Alarik’s deadly magical bargain in exchange for Banba’s freedom, the spell has unexpected – and far-reaching – consequences . . .
As an ancient curse begins to arise from the darkness, the sisters must come together and unite the crown. Their lives – and the future of Eana – depend on it.
Break the ice to free the curse, Kill one twin to save another . . .
About The Authors:
Catherine Doyle grew up in the West of Ireland. She holds a BA in Psychology and an MA in Publishing.
Her award-winning and bestselling middle grade début, The Storm Keeper’s Island is set on the magical island of Arranmore, where her grandparents grew up. The sequel, The Lost Tide Warriors, was published in July 2019, with the third to follow in March 2021. Catherine’s modern re-imagining of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, titled The Miracle on Ebenezer Street, was published by Puffin books in October 2020. She is also the author of the Young Adult Blood for Blood trilogy (Vendetta, Inferno and Mafiosa), which is often described as Romeo and Juliet meets the Godfather.
Katherine Webber is originally from California but currently lives in London. She has also lived and worked in Hong Kong, Maui, and Atlanta.
She loves an adventure, whether it is found in a book or in real life. Travel, books, and eating out are her favourite indulgences.
Her debut YA novel WING JONES/THE HEARTBEATS OF WING JONES is published by Walker Books in the UK and Penguin Random House/Delacorte in the US. Her next YA novel will be out in August 2018. Katherine also writes the young fiction series SAM WU IS NOT AFRAID as Katie Tsang with her husband Kevin Tsang.
A mercy mission in the heart of Wessex is beset with deadly, bloody dangers.
Tamworth AD831
Icel’s profile continues to rise. Lord of Budworth and warrior of Mercia, he’s acknowledged by King Wiglaf and his comrades to keep Mercia safe from the ravages of Wessex, the king-slayer of the East Angles, and the Viking raiders. But, danger looms. Alongside Spring’s arrival comes the almost certain threat of the Viking raiders return.
When Lord Coenwulf of Kingsholm is apprehended by a Viking and held captive on the Isle of Sheppey in Wessex held Kent, Icel is implored by Lady Cynehild to rescue her husband.
To rescue Lord Coenwulf, Icel and his fellow warriors must risk themselves twice over, for not only must they overpower the Viking raiders, they must also counter the threat of Mercia’s ancient enemy, the kingdom of Wessex as they travel through their lands.
Far from home and threatened on all sides, have Icel and his fellow warriors sworn to carry out an impossible duty?
My Review:
I’m a huge fan of this author, and this series, so I was incredibly excited to learn there was a new book in the series. Once again the author has written an exciting and thrilling read that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Firstly the author does a fantastic job of bringing the Saxon period to life so that the reader feels like they are actually there experiencing everything alongside the characters. I felt like I was one of the warriors joining in their banter one moment and then fighting alongside them the next.
It’s been lovely following the characters throughout the series and being able to watch them grow. There were some characters that I really loved and others I loved to hate. Icel is a particular favourite of mine and it’s been great to watch him grow into his warrior role and start to feel comfortable in it. It’s been especially nice to see him keep up his healing skills as well as his warrior skills and become more comfortable in using them.
I thought this book had a great pace to it and there always seemed to be something exciting happening to keep me reading. Even in the slower moments I just found myself enjoying hanging out with everyone which is always a sign of a great book on my opinion.
This is the fourth book in the series and while it could be read as a standalone I feel you are best to read the books in order as you build up more of a relationship with the characters.
Huge thanks to Rachel from Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Boldwood for my copy of this book via Netgalley.
About The Author:
MJ Porter is the author of many historical novels set predominantly in Seventh to Eleventh-Century England, and in Viking Age Denmark. They were raised in the shadow of a building that they believed housed the bones of long-dead Kings of Mercia –so their writing destiny was set. The first novel in their new Anglo-Saxon series for Boldwood Son of Mercia was published in February 2022.
Good morning everyone. Today on Two For Tuesday I thought I’d share the first books I’ve bought from Rossiter abusing my staff discount.
I actually ordered these in for myself as I’ve been wanting to read them for ages. Gytha Lodge is a favourite author of mine so I’m always excited to read her books. Our Hidden Progeny is a book I’ve seen lots of great reviews for which made me very intrigued and I knew I had to get a copy.
Yesterday we had a great opening day for Rossiter books in Malvern. It was so amazing to see so many people coming in the door, especially all the enthusiastic younger readers which I loved to see. It was especially nice to see so many familiar faces so thanks to everyone who came and said hi.
Have you read either of these?
A Killer In The Family by Gytha Lodge
Someone in your family isn’t who they say they are . . . THE PAGE-TURNING NEW THRILLER FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF SHE LIES IN WAIT
Aisling’s two sons, Ethan and Finn, mean everything to her.
Ever since becoming estranged from her own parents, though, she’s always felt like a piece of her is missing.
Desperate to find answers – about her family, and herself – Aisling uploads her DNA to an ancestry website, and is thrilled when it finds a match.
But instead of finding answers, she comes face to face with a detective. Aisling’s DNA is a match for a recent crime scene – the latest in a string of murders by a dangerous serial killer, known as ‘the bonfire killer’. And the police have three lead suspects: her father, or one of her two sons.
Aisling would do anything for her family – but can she protect a killer?
Our Hidden Progeny by C. E. McGill
Mary is the great-niece of Victor Frankenstein. She knows her great uncle disappeared in mysterious circumstances in the Arctic but she doesn’t know why or how…
The 1850s is a time of discovery and London is ablaze with the latest scientific theories and debates, especially when a spectacular new exhibition of dinosaur sculptures opens at the Crystal Palace. Mary, with a sharp mind and a sharper tongue, is keen to make her name in this world of science, alongside her geologist husband Henry, but without wealth and connections, their options are limited.
But when Mary discovers some old family papers that allude to the shocking truth behind her great-uncle’s past, she thinks she may have found the key to securing their future… Their quest takes them to the wilds of Scotland, to Henry’s intriguing but reclusive sister Maisie, and to a deadly chase with a rival who is out to steal their secret…
Good morning everyone and happy Bank Holiday Monday! I know I’ve already done this challenge but when I was looking for titles last time I kept finding dark titles that I thought might work, so I thought I’d do a dark edition this bank holiday 😂
Where? – Dead Man’s Creek
When?- (When there’s) A Sliver Of Darkness
What’s In The Sandwiches? – Bright Shiny People
What’s the weather like? – The Whispering Dark (dark & windy)
What can you hear? The black eyed children from Hydra
Who’s joining you? Her Majesty’s Secret Coven
In other news Rossiter books is opening today at 10am so if you’re local do come say hi! We have a visit from the Gruffalo at 11, 1 and 3 so do bring the kids too.
Good morning everyone I was tagged by the lovely @always_need_more_books to take part in the #bookscavengerhunt challenge. The idea is to find a face, a flower, a car, an animal, a book and a house on a book cover.
Here’s the covers I found: 😁The Weather Woman by Sally Gardner 🌷The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell 🚗The Do Over by Lynn Painter 🦥 Chicken Wars by Adam Leigh 📚The Book Lovers Retreat by Heidi Swain 🏠Night Will Find You by Julia Heaberlin
I had great fun going through my books trying to find things. Some books could have done for two things, like The Marriage Portrait could have been flowers and animals, but I thought that was cheating. Surprisingly the thing I found most hard to find was a book on a cover. I also found it interesting that when I tried to take a picture of the covers I found my camera actually picked up the face on The Weather Woman’s cover.
I’ve tagged a few people who might want to join in on Instagram but no pressure. Have a great Sunday!
Good morning everyone and happy Coronation Day! It seemed fitting to share a red, blue and white stack today.
💙Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice For Murderers by Jess Sutanto
💙The Expectant Detectives by Kat Ailes
❤️End Of Story by Louise Swanson
❤️ The Minuscule Mansion Of Myra Malone by Audrey Burges
🤍The Atlas Paradox by Olivie Blake
🤍The Snow Hare by Paula Lichtarowicz
These are all books i still need to read. Miniscule Mansion and Expectant Detectives are for blog tours next month but the rest are all books I’ve heard lots about and really want to read soon.
I’m working until 2 today so will miss the coronation but I’m looking forward to watching the historic event on iPlayer later with the kids (who I have bribed with popcorn to watch with me).
Noelle is an efficient and friendly hotel cleaner, a model employee. Or so she’d have you think. The trouble is that she can’t help taking little ‘souvenirs’ as she cleans. Nothing of value, just tokens of happy, normal lives: a lipstick, a hair clip, some tweezers. And by the time the guest has noticed, she’s long gone.
As she starts at her 21st hotel, she’s determined to beat her record of one month in a five star hotel before suspicion falls on her. But when she meets her new colleagues, her plans are complicated. These women aren’t just hands pushing carts down lonely hotel corridors: they are women with lives full of happiness and worry, pain and joy. The kind of lives Noelle has never known how to live. They make her wonder what it might be like to have real friends, people to stick around for.
Will the women at Hotel 21 give her the courage to claim the life she deserves, or will her old habits come back to haunt her?
My Review:
Hotel 21 is a heart warming story that manages to be both funny and heart breaking at the same time.
The story is told from the point of view of Noelle, a hotel cleaner who has just started working at her 21st hotel as she has to keep moving hotels due to he’d habit of collecting ‘souvenirs’ from hotel guests. Throughout the book we learn more about Noelle and her past including the sad impact it’s had on her life. Some of the events in her past are very sad and really made me feel sorry for Noelle. I wished I could give her a hug I felt she really needed.
The other cleaners at the hotel are a lovely bunch that I enjoyed getting to know over the course of the book. I really liked how the author manages to make them all so individual with their own back stories which helped the reader get to know them better. It was really lovely to see how they all were so close and how they helped each other.
This book does start off a bit slow as the author sets in scene but soon gets going to become very addictive. I enjoyed watching Noelle work through her problems with her friends help and how she comes to terms with her painful past. This is the author’s debut novel and I look forward to reading more from her 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:
Senta Rich began her career as an advertising copywriter. During this time, she also wrote radio plays and magazine articles, before moving into the world of screenwriting. She now writes regularly for film and TV. Rich lives in Dublin with her husband and son.
Over The Rainbow Blog 