My week has been interesting. I spent the beginning of the week watching too much TV and reading (although only sporadically) and generally it was pretty chilled. At least home wise it was, anyway. The most exciting thing which happened was having a roast dinner mid week and Friday night me and my best friend went out drinking, we got to try some new bars around town we’ve not been to before. It was fun to do something a little different.
Work wise, well… it’s been a little bit more than interesting. We had a couple of members of my team apply for an internal job this week which came as a bit of a surprise. I mean, we expected the one, she’d spoken of wanting a change already, but the other was a surprise. She explained her reasons and it’s not us or the job at least. We’re hoping that means things can be done to keep her but we shall see. The thing is, if both go we’re left in the lurch and I hate that. The thought of all the work and training that will happen doesn’t fill me with joy. It’s stressful, but we have to hope that things will work out.
I’m sure everyone has been rocked by the whole Trump election, as well. I mean, I’m not even from the US and I am rocked by it. I knew that the political feelings weren’t stable and that America was angry, but I did not expect an untested business man to be elected to the highest position in the US. Especially not after the numerous comments he has come out with which are just simply offensive. People joked about him being elected but God damn, who knew it would happen? It’s a scary time, but people are just the same today as they were yesterday and there is a new generation who voted against what Trump represents so we just have to hope that we can continue to do better.
What I’ve Been Reading
As you can see, my reading week has been a bit hit and miss. I’ve just not been able to get truly stuck into a book. I begin to and then have to stop reading (normally because I’m at work) and then I don’t get back into it for a while next time I pick it up. It’s an actual nightmare.
I read Doctor January and totally enjoyed reading it. It was an interesting romance that was fun to read. I loved friends to lovers and it was a slow one. Then I began reading Claimed… that was less enjoyable. It just wasn’t my kind of book but at least I tried. I read The Sun Is Also A Star and loved it (although I was wary at first). I’m glad I read that one, it was definitely the favourite of the week. Then there is The Bear and the Nightingale, I am enjoying it but it’s a hard book to sink my teeth into. I’m loving the small (if not entirely accurate) history lesson I’m getting with this book, though. I hope to finish it by the end of next week and it’s my first 2017 read. I am also reading Searching for Someday and that’s a sweet romance that is a little farfetched but my disbelief is firmly suspended.
New To Me
This is the only book which I’ve bought this week. I am proud of that fact because I’ve been buying way too many lately. This is a pretty looking book by an author I love. I’m excited to get reading as it sounds like Ahern has returned to some of her more fantastical reads.
Sadly, I can’t say I was as restrained when it comes to my book borrowing from the library. I borrowed five books and renewed my lending of two more. I have too many books already, I don’t know why I took out so many but I kept seeing books I’d been meaning to read and could have taken more if I hadn’t restrained myself. So many books so little time!
So how have your weeks been (outside of the obvious)? Anyone read anything which I should have on my radar? And has anyone else begun reading some 2017 reads (with it being so close now)?
Published: 18th October 2016
Source: Publisher
Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Christmas
My Rating:
A heartwarming Christmas story about family, friendship and finding love in unexpected places.
Joy Holbrook might be all work and no play, but that changes when her Aunt Ruby takes a fall that lands her in a rehabilitation center before the holidays. Joy takes a leave of absence from her job as a market researcher to run the family farm, even though the timing may hinder her chance at garnering the promotion of her dreams.Ben Andrews isn’t your average accountant. He also happens to be the handiest man in Crystal Falls. He’s helped his elderly neighbor, Ruby Johnson, decorate for the annual Christmas Home Tour—and win—the last several years. He’s not about to let some drop-in niece break their winning streak.Ruby seems overly concerned about Joy being able to handle Molly. Under the impression she’s referring Molly the bunny that is one of the menagerie of animals, Joy’s not worried at all until the next morning when a little girl named Molly shows up. For the sake of her aunt, Joy is forced to partner with Ben while Ruby is on the mend to help with preparation for the Christmas tour and, in the process finds her career-focused heart dreaming of a family.Will the magic of Christmas help her to open her heart and find her everlasting joy?
Christmas Joy was such a fun read and it’s the book which has gotten me most into the Christmas spirit with the house decorating contest for the house tours and for the whole small-town festive spirit. It was just a plain old cute read and I couldn’t get enough of it. It was one of those books that may not have the greatest of substance but what it does have it does well.
What I loved about this book is that it was set in a small town with a fish out of water woman who is used to being successful. The fact that the woman is called Joy just makes it even better. I loved the fact this career driven woman was forced back to a town she grew up in to help out an elderly aunt who helped raised her. That kind of story gives me the warm and fuzzies for illogical reasons.
I think the fact that I liked Joy probably helped with this book as it is a bit cheesy. I mean, the entire story line is obvious but I didn’t care because Joy was this woman who has focused way too much on her career to bring her happiness because she is scared of emotional connections after the death of her mother. She doesn’t want to risk being hurt again, going so far as to have a boyfriend she doesn’t particularly care about or even like, avoiding the town she grew up in and distancing herself from the aunt she adored when she was younger. She doesn’t even truly celebrate Christmas, not decorating her home, because she sees Christmas all day at work in her market research and because it is a holiday so closely linked to her mother. The fact that she has shunned all these things and is forced to confront them when staying at her aunt's to look after these animals is awesome.
I have to say, the romance definitely wasn’t fast. If you’re expecting an instant connection that is not this. I mean, the romance almost felt forced to me. The couple can’t get each other out of their heads even though they’ve only met once? That seems a bit far-fetched. I do wish the romance seemed a bit more logical, but once it got going it was pretty darn cute. I couldn’t resist them together becoming this team to do the ultimate house decorating. They worked well together, most of the time anyway.
When the only flaw you can think of is the romance was a bit slow then you know you’ve a good fun book on your hands. For me, this was a book that completely encapsulates the Christmas season. It is the kind of book you would want to escape into over the Christmas period to help remind yourself why we put ourselves through the stress of Christmas and it’s all because of family and friends. I really loved this book. This is the heart-warming Christmas movie of festive reads and it wasn’t ashamed of that fact. It embraced all the Christmas goodness into this festive little package. It is flawed but you just kind of don’t care. We all know Christmas movies are bad and cheesy but you love when they start coming back on TV, don’t you?
This is the book for those wanting to get a tooth pain from the sugary cute confection that is Christmas Joy. Do you like fluffy festive reads/films? And what is your favourite Christmas movie?
07 November 2016
Bite Sized Books // My Reviews Of Tessa Dare and Spindle Cove (Or, At Least, A Couple Of The Later Books)
Source: Bought
Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating:
What's a duke to do, when the girl who's perfectly wrong becomes the woman he can't live without?
Griffin York, the Duke of Halford, has no desire to wed this season--or any season--but his diabolical mother abducts him to "Spinster Cove" and insists he select a bride from the ladies in residence. Griff decides to teach her a lesson that will end the marriage debate forever. He chooses the serving girl.
Overworked and struggling, Pauline Simms doesn't dream about dukes. All she wants is to hang up her barmaid apron and open a bookshop. That dream becomes a possibility when an arrogant, sinfully attractive duke offers her a small fortune for a week's employment. Her duties are simple: submit to his mother's "duchess training"... and fail miserably.
But in London, Pauline isn't a miserable failure. She's a brave, quick-witted, beguiling failure--a woman who ignites Griff's desire and soothes the darkness in his soul. Keeping Pauline by his side won't be easy. Even if Society could accept a serving girl duchess--can a roguish duke convince a serving girl to trust him with her heart?
I loved this book. I hadn’t gone back to Tessa Dare’s Spindle Cove series for some reason and the release of her new book motivated me. I am forever grateful for that new book coming out because the last in the series was utterly fabulous. It was sweet and funny and just perfect. I mean, I was utterly in love with Griff and Pauline anyway, they were flawless together but the star of this book for me was Griff’s mother. Those knitting creations were fantastic. She was both severe and strict with following society rules but added this light hearted humou and some common sense to the books proceedings. She basically was a bit of everything I adore her. She was the meddling mother you can’t help but love.
Enough about shocking knitting adventures, though, and on to the book and the romance. The story itself was a hilarious. It was the typical, slightly farfetched historical romance plot that would never happen in real life but was perfect for the book. Pauline’s reaction to being chosen by Griff as his potential future wife was spot on. She was offended but treated with the appropriate amount of sarcasm and humour which is necessary when people have got your hackles up. And when she actually followed through as she dreamt of escaping from her fathers home with her sister then you have an amazing book.
Also, can we take a moment to admire Dare’s skill in making me fall in love with Griff when he was such a sleaze in a past book of hers? It takes a genius to transform a character as she has done because I was head over heels for Griff in this one. He was adamant he would never care for anyone but then his attitude to Pauline was amazing. The below gif perfectly summarises what I felt like he was doing for her in the middle proving she mattered.
And the Pretty Woman moment which happened in the book at the book shop? I know you all know what I mean if you’ve read it. Ugh, please that just killed me. I actually put the book down and admired Dare’s skill as I hadn’t even noticed the Pretty Woman similarities up until that point. It was a good thing , though.
Basically, this book ticked all my boxes and did everything right and reminded me Tessa Dare is my historical romance hero. She is one of the first authors I read in the genre and she will be one I will always come back to.
Source: Bought
Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating:
A snowstorm hath no fury like a spinster scorned!
Miss Elinora Browning grew up yearning for the handsome, intelligent lord-next-door…but he left England without a word of farewell. One night, inspired by a bit too much sherry, Nora poured out her heartbreak on paper. Lord Dashwood Missed Outwas a love letter to every young lady who’d been overlooked by gentlemen—and an instant bestseller. Now she’s on her way to speak in Spindle Cove when snowy weather delays her coach. She’s forced to wait out the storm with the worst possible companion: Lord Dashwood himself.
And he finally seems to have noticed her.
George Travers, Lord Dashwood, has traveled the globe as a cartographer. He returned to England with the goal of marrying and creating an heir--only to find his reputation shredded by an audacious, vexingly attractive bluestocking and her poison pen.Lord Dashwood Missed Out, his arse. Since Nora Browning seems to believe he overlooked the passion of a lifetime, Dash challenges her to prove it.
She has one night.
I have actually read all of the Spindle Cove books bar one of the novellas (and that’s only because it’s at a crazy high price on Amazon considering it’s only a novella) so I knew I had to read this one. It sounded fun and it really was. I have less to say about it because it is so much shorter than the other books, but I still really enjoyed it.
Elinora (or Nora) was a great character, who had the worlds biggest crush on a childhood friend only to turn to writing when she was left disappointed once more by him. She got drunk and wrote a letter to him stating exactly what he’d missed out on and declaring she didn’t need a man to define her. It became a pamphlet that women across the country read and she is off to a reading. Only, the weather is bad and the carriage she has gotten into is occupied by none other than Lord Dashwood. Hi jinx ensue and let’s just say it was a wild and fun read.
Another slightly absurd but utterly entertaining read. I love even these small glimpses into this world and it was fantastic seeing some old favourites in the pages. It’s perfect for those who want to savour everything Dare has to write and loves to revisit old faves.
Source: Bought
Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating:
All Charlotte wanted was to avoid scandal. Instead, she was caught in the arms of a mysterious, handsome lord...and he's not letting go.
On the night of the Parkhurst ball, someone had a scandalous tryst in the library.
Was it Lord Canby, with the maid, on the divan? Or Miss Fairchild, with a rake, against the wall? Perhaps the butler did it.
All Charlotte Highwood knows is this: it wasn't her. But rumors to the contrary are buzzing. Unless she can discover the lovers' true identity, she'll be forced to marry Piers Brandon, Lord Granville--the coldest, most arrogantly handsome gentleman she's ever had the misfortune to embrace. When it comes to emotion, the man hasn't got a clue.
But as they set about finding the mystery lovers, Piers reveals a few secrets of his own. The oh-so-proper marquess can pick locks, land punches, tease with sly wit . . . and melt a woman's knees with a single kiss. The only thing he guards more fiercely than Charlotte's safety is the truth about his dark past.
Their passion is intense. The danger is real. Soon Charlotte's feeling torn. Will she risk all to prove her innocence? Or surrender it to a man who's sworn to never love?
This is the book which motivated me to finally get around to reading the other two and it was just as good as I hoped. I’d seen a couple of reviews around so was slightly hesitant about starting straight away with my high expectations but I was so excited. I mean, I was told there was an age gap and a mystery and those are things which just kind of work for me and this book just worked for me too. One thing I didn’t realise is that Dare’s other recent series was linked with Spindle Cove so cue me flailing when I clicked who Piers was.
Charlotte and Piers were perfect together, even if Piers needed to have some sense knocked into him. It was a cute amazing read I adored and I will recommend to everyone. I loved their interaction together and how Piers worried over and was drawn to Charlotte and Charlotte began to realise how ideal Piers was for her because he both challenged her and also cared for her after she had spent much of her time having to sort things for herself. It was just utterly sweet.
I also liked the fact that the driving force of this book was Charlotte’s determination to discover who the mysterious couple were that they overheard which landed them into ‘an understanding’ for marriage. Whilst Charlotte was determined to find out who it was Piers was there leading a wholly different life and trying to keep Charlotte from his secrets. That would have been more successful if he had been better able to lie to her but she just picked up on all his tells.
I just adored this book. I am a sucker for mysteries and forced relationships and basically everything this book was. I loves the misunderstandings and the humour was always fantastic. I would always recommend this and it is proof Dare is just brilliant.
Have you read any of these, or any others by Tessa Dare? Which is your favourite? What was the last really fantastic historical romance you read? I am always on the hunt for recommendations.
Well, November had officially begun and it’s been a fun start to the month. I think the highlight of my week so far was definitely a bonfire and fireworks display I went to Friday night. It was such a laugh meeting my friend after work and driving over and just having fun hanging out with her and her boyfriend. They had rides on for the kids (we didn’t go on any of them, but I’m telling you that bouncy castle would have held my weight) and we wondered around drinking as many hot drinks as we could get or hands on (it was freezing, when I had a pint I thought my fingers were going to fall off so a lot of tea was drunk that night instead). The fireworks were so pretty and the bonfire was warm. It meant that I couldn’t sit and chat with Kaja and Danya about the ending of Because of Miss Bridgerton (sorry guys) because small villages have terrible phone signal it seems. But I say it was worth it.
As for the rest of my week. I have been very boring really. I’ve not done much, even work has been on the quiet side (for me anyway, a couple of my colleagues have a couple of things to grumble about but I won’t get into that today). I think the most exciting thing which happened was my brother getting his new car (his old one got written off a couple of weeks ago and he needed a new one to get to work). He has gotten himself a boy racer car (are boy racers a UK thing? Here’s the google link for you).
When all is said and done I’ve done little because it has been too damn cold to go anywhere that is outdoors so I’ve taken the opportunity to curl up and read some and I’ve loved it.
What I’ve Been Reading
I’ve got my reading mojo back! I believe the slump has ended. Either that or I’m going through a small not slump to compensate for a couple of bad reading weeks. I don’t care why it’s happening I’m just glad to be reading again.
I finished my readalong of Because of Miss Bridgerton and Loved it (why is the next book not out yet because that book sounds amazeballs). I then started trying to catch up on my review copies. I enjoyed Christmas Joy (seriously, that is the book to read at the beginning of December to get you hyped up for decorating and all that) and wanted to read a good urban fantasy. I thought I might get that in the form of Priceless which is on sale for 99p. Sadly, that book annoyed me with a few too many things. It’s good and I like the idea of it, but I don’t think I’ll be continuing with the series. Luckily for me I had another urban fantasy book on my Kindle waiting to be read in the form of Reliquary. That book annoyed me but it did way more right than it did wrong so I immediately bought myself the second book and read it last night and loved it. I've the third on pre-order.
New To Me
I also treated myself to a few books. Look, books go on sale at the beginning of a new month. I always have more books at the start than I intend. Don’t judge me!
Luckily, I regret none of my purchases. I mean, I got Labyrinth Lost for under £2, I got The Collectors' Society free (I’m curious about this book so hopefully it’s good and if not it’s no loss on my part), City of the Lost I’ve already read but I got a hardback copy for £5 (what sane person would turn down that deal?) and all my other purchases were made for under £1 for Kindle. Basically, I saw bargains and my brain couldn’t say no.
Also, I won a book on Twitter this week! I now own a signed copy of Bryan Cranston’s book! I am pretty damn excited for this book considering I’ve not actually seen Breaking Bad (look, the more people tell me to watch it the more I resist. I am contrary and there is nothing you can do to change that).
How has your week been? Anything interesting happened? Has anyone been to a good bonfire and fireworks display for Guy Fawkes (sorry non-UK readers, I know that’s not really your thing)? Please, fill me in on life and things below because I love hearing from you.
Looking Forward is a regular feature on the blog where I let you know which books I’m looking forward to in the month. They are all books I’m looking forward to being released and want to know if you’re excited about them too. This month and next month I’m probably going to be listing a bunch of books I won’t even buy because I am attempting to be smart and restrain myself so my family can buy me books for Christmas and so I can try and conquer my beastly TBR pile I’ve developed. Considering I wanted to reduce it this year it’s probably not the best plan to have it grow bigger than when it started.
Genre: Fiction, Chick-Lit, Romance, Contemporary
Release Date: 3rd November 2016
|  The Four Legendary Kingdoms – Matthew Reilly Genre:Adventure, Mystery, Thriller Release Date: 3rd November 2016 |
Life is in two parts: who you were before you met her, and who you are after.
A documentary crew discover a mysterious young women living alone in the mountains of West Cork. Strikingly beautiful she has an extraordinary talent for mimicry, like the famous Australian Lyrebird. The crew, fascinated, make her the subject of her story, and bestow the nickname upon her. When they leave, they take Lyrebird with them back to the city. But as she leaves behind her peaceful life to learn about a new world, is she also leaving behind a part of herself? For her new friend Solomon the answer isn’t clear. When you find a rare and precious thing, should you share it – or protect it… |
There are sixteen contestants, but only one will survive.
The last thing Jack West Jr remembers is arriving for a meeting at a top-secret military base with his family in tow. Now he awakes to find himself in a hellish scenario. Jack has been selected to take part in the Games, a series of deadly challenges designed to fulfil an ancient ritual. If he chooses not to compete, both he and his daughter will be killed. With the fate of the Earth at stake, Jack will have to traverse diabolical mazes, fight ruthless assassins and face unimaginable horrors that will test him to the limit. In the process, he will discover the mysterious and powerful group of individuals behind it all: the four legendary kingdoms. The thrilling new Jack West adventure from the bestselling author of The Great Zoo of China and The Five Greatest Warriors. |
Why Am I Excited?
I’ve said before I love Ahern’s books so when I saw this one I knew I wanted to get reading it. It sounds different to some of her other books but interesting all the same. I may sneak this book into my basket at some point, just to treat myself.
Also, doesn’t that cover make you want to buy?
| Why Am I Excited?
I discovered Matthew Reilly’s books by accident. My mom got the first book in this series in the post from some kind of book thing she was subscribed to way back when and we both ended up really enjoying it. They are like little mini action films that drag you in and you speed through. This series seemed to be abandoned, the last book came out when I was still at uni! When I saw another book being released I knew I had to read it regardless of anything else.
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Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Release Date: 3rd November 2016
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Genre:Mystery, Thriller
Release Date: 8th November 2016
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Natasha: I’m a girl who believes in science and facts. Not fate. Not destiny. Or dreams that will never come true. I’m definitely not the kind of girl who meets a cute boy on a crowded New York City street and falls in love with him. Not when my family is twelve hours away from being deported to Jamaica. Falling in love with him won’t be my story.
Daniel: I’ve always been the good son, the good student, living up to my parents’ high expectations. Never the poet. Or the dreamer. But when I see her, I forget about all that. Something about Natasha makes me think that fate has something much more extraordinary in store—for both of us. The Universe: Every moment in our lives has brought us to this single moment. A million futures lie before us. Which one will come true? |
In this gripping page-turner, an ex-agent on the run from her former employers must take one more case to clear her name and save her life.
She used to work for the U.S. government, but very few people ever knew that. An expert in her field, she was one of the darkest secrets of an agency so clandestine it doesn't even have a name. And when they decided she was a liability, they came for her without warning.
Now she rarely stays in the same place or uses the same name for long. They've killed the only other person she trusted, but something she knows still poses a threat. They want her dead, and soon.
When her former handler offers her a way out, she realises it's her only chance to erase the giant target on her back. But it means taking one last job for her ex-employers. To her horror, the information she acquires makes her situation even more dangerous.
Resolving to meet the threat head-on, she prepares for the toughest fight of her life but finds herself falling for a man who can only complicate her likelihood of survival. As she sees her choices being rapidly whittled down, she must apply her unique talents in ways she never dreamed of.
In this tautly plotted novel, Stephenie Meyer creates a fierce and fascinating new heroine with a very specialised skill set. And she shows once again why she's one of the world's bestselling authors.
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Why Am I Excited?
I mean, this is one I actually have to read so it feels a bit like cheating. But if I didn’t have a copy I would most definitely be planning to buy it. I really liked Yoon’s debut book so I obviously want to read this one too. It sounds different to the last one but also really good.
| Why Am I Excited?
Look, I am not a fan of Meyer’s and the Twilight series but I did enjoy reading The Host and I am intrigued about this book. The premise is one which I would want to read if it were any other author so I’ve decided I want to give this one a chance, regardless of who wrote it.
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Genre:Chick-Lit, Romance, Contemporary
Release Date: 17th November 2016
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Genre:Young Adult, Fantasy, Retellings
Release Date: 17th November 2016
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In this brand-new novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Meg Cabot, a scandal brings a young man back home to the small town, crazy family, and first love he left behind.
Reed Stewart thought he’d left all his small town troubles—including a broken heart—behind when he ditched tiny Bloomville, Indiana, ten years ago to become rich and famous on the professional golf circuit. Then one tiny post on the Internet causes all of those troubles to return . . . with a vengeance. Becky Flowers has worked hard to build her successful senior relocation business, but she’s worked even harder to forget Reed Stewart ever existed. She has absolutely no intention of seeing him when he returns—until his family hires her to save his parents. Now Reed and Becky can’t avoid one another—or the memories of that one fateful night. And soon everything they thought they knew about themselves (and each other) has been turned upside down, and they—and the entire town of Bloomville—might never be the same, all because The Boy Is Back. |
Long before she was the terror of Wonderland — the infamous Queen of Hearts — she was just a girl who wanted to fall in love.
Catherine may be one of the most desired girls in Wonderland, and a favorite of the yet-unmarried King of Hearts, but her interests lie elsewhere. A talented baker, all she wants is to open a shop with her best friend and supply the Kingdom of Hearts with delectable pastries and confections. But according to her mother, such a goal is unthinkable for the young woman who could be the next Queen. At a royal ball where Cath is expected to receive the king's marriage proposal, she meets Jest, the handsome and mysterious court joker. For the first time, she feels the pull of true attraction. At the risk of offending the King and infuriating her parents, she and Jest enter into an intense, secret courtship. Cath is determined to define her own destiny and fall in love on her terms. But in a land thriving with magic, madness, and monsters, fate has other plans. |
Why Am I Excited?
I am in love with Meg Cabot and her books. Especially this Boy series. It is amazing. I loved it when I was a teen and so I am thrilled it’s being continued. I cannot wait to get my grubby little hands on it. I love love and this was probably the beginning of my descent into romance.
| Why Am I Excited?
This is one which I am excited about purely for the author. The actual story itself is one that I am not utterly enamoured by. This is especially true of this one after some of the reviews I’ve seen. Either way, I want to read it, but it’s simply because Meyer has proven a fantastic author before.
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There are a whole lot of books to be excited about this month and I may not even get to buy them all! What are you most excited to get reading, I feel like I never find anything new to look forward to?
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