Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. This feature was created because they are particularly fond of lists over there at The Broke and the Bookish. I'd love to share my lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

This week's topic is ten books I have added recently to my tbr pile. I feel like my pile keeps growing exponentially. For every book I read, I add like three more. But you know what they say so many books, so little time. Here are my latest additions:

Today I am very happy to welcome Simona Elena to my blog. Simona is behind the beautiful blog Sky's Book Corner and a lovely friend of mine. Now, she is going to talk about her own Bookland, the place where she gets lost in their books and travel far far away. Simona, all yours:

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Thank you Simona for sharing your own Bookland with us! Who wouldn't want to get lost in some of these amazing worlds too? 

You can connect with Simona on Twitter and on Facebook

And don't forget to check out her blog, Sky's Book Corner, for all things bookish!

The month of April I am taking part in yet another challenge organised by the amazing Sophie, Reviewed the Book, and Suze, Lavender Likes, Loves, Finds and Dreams. During March, I have been taking part in their Net Galley Challenge so I have been focusing on my kindle books. Now it's time to give my beautiful paperbacks some love. There's nothing better than holding a book in your hands, isn't it? Oh! And sniffing it a little, who doesn't love the smell of books?

If you want to join us and have fun reading your paperbacks while chatting on Twitter and Facebook, you can join the challenge here. 

Here is my tbr pile for April. I am aiming for 8 paperbacks because I also want to squeeze some NetGalley titles in between. This week being a holiday I expect to read a lot, but you never know with holidays, sometimes you have nothing planned and in a minute you find yourself with 8 different activities planned for the next couple of days!

Secrets of Singer Girls by Kate Thompson

The Girl Who Couldn't Stop Arguing by Melissa Kite

The Liar by Nora Roberts

Ivy Lane by Cathy Bramley

Pretty Thing by Jennifer Nadel

Clash of Iron by Angus Watson

Sealed With a Kiss by Rachael Lucas

The Best Time of Our Lives by Jane Costello

Don't they all look amazing? Wish me luck with the challenge! And tell me, what's on your April tbr pile?

Reeling from the sudden loss of her sister, Haddie Montgomery has sworn off relationships. All she wanted from Beckett Daniels was a sexy distraction to help her escape her pain for just a little while....There weren’t supposed to be any strings attached—so why can’t she shake the memory of that unforgettable night from her thoughts? Or the taste of his kiss from her lips?

No matter how hard Haddie tries to forget about him, Becks relentlessly tries to prove that she should start living for today. But she is determined to avoid romantic commitment, and she can always use her ex-boyfriend’s reappearance to help snuff out the slow burn within her that Becks has sparked....

Or will fate force her to realize that this kind of connection doesn’t come along very often and a chance at love is worth the risk?

*First of all I would like to thank the publishers for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

Review: Slow Burn is part of the Driven Series but it can be perfectly read as a stand alone. It was actually my first book by K. Bromberg and in no moment did I feel lost or like I was missing something, all the references to previous story lines were explained and I am now itching to get my hands on the previous books.

I was positively surprised to see that Bromberg dived into the story straight away, a couple of pages in and the action was in full move. Haddie really was a force to be reckoned with, a really lively girl and very determined, although a bit lost right now, after losing her sister to cancer. And then there was Becks, the southern gentleman who turned out to be not so gentlemanly in private. The chemistry between these two was electrifying from the beginning and their scenes together were sexy as hell but so full of emotions too. It was difficult to put the book down.

Slow Burn turned out to be a really emotional read and I couldn't stop the tears in a couple of scenes. There are so many honest and raw emotions going on between the characters that it was impossible no to feel invested in the story. Especially with Danny and Maddie, the husband and daughter of Haddie's sister. They played a huge role in Haddie's story and unraveled a lot emotions in me.

Slow Burn is a steamy and sexy captivating read that I am sure old and new fans of K. Bromberg will love. It had a depth I was not expecting and it made me think a lot about life, taking the moment and fighting for what you want.

Rating: 

Pearl Nolan always wanted to be a detective but life, and a teenage pregnancy, got in the way of a police career and instead she built up a successful seafood restaurant in her coastal home town of Whitstable - famous for its native oysters. 

Now, at 39, and with son Charlie away at university, Pearl finds herself suffering from empty nest syndrome . . . until she discovers the drowned body of local oyster fisherman Vinnie Rowe, weighted down with an anchor chain, on the eve of Whitstable's annual oyster festival.

Is it a tragic accident, suicide - or murder?

Pearl seizes the opportunity to prove her detection skills and discover the truth but she soon finds herself in conflict with Canterbury city police detective, Chief Inspector Mike McGuire. Then another body is discovered - and Pearl finds herself trawling the past for clues, triggering memories of another emotional summer more than twenty years ago...

*First of all I would like to thank the publishers for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

Review: I really enjoy cosy crimes so when I was offered Julie Wassmer's debut to review, I couldn't resist. I started reading and I was immediately invested in the story. Pearl was a joy to read, smart and determined, she is ready to prove that she is much more than an oyster restaurant owner. And her little family adds humorous sparks to the story, with a lively mother who likes flamenco and a son who has fallen in love with a mysterious Italian girl and is no longer eager to go back home for the summer.

But what I enjoyed most about this story was the setting. The story was set in a coastal town during the annual oyster festival. I could perfectly picture myself there, on that fishing town with the boats ready to go find the most delicious oysters. Julie's descriptions were vivid and detailed and gave character to the story. Although I am not sure I really want to try oysters, they do not look like the most appealing dish.

The story was fast-paced and easy to follow. I had my suspicions about who was behind the deaths but an unexpected twist took me by surprise. All in all, a very enjoyable story that cosy crimes fans will devour in a couple of sittings. 

Rating: 

Published: October 4th 2013 by ThornBerry Publishing

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: Mix together…

*First of all I would like to thank Candlelit Author Services for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

Review: So You Think You're A Celebrity...Chef? is a fun read that will make you laugh more than once. In the story there are quite a lot of characters, which was a bit confusing at the beginning but once they all start playing their part and you see they are all linked, it gets better. The main character, Hilary, is an agent for famous chefs, the ones that appear on TV all the time and publish books. I didn't really warm to her, especially when the story starts, as she is a bit too bossy with her employees and bitchy in general. As the story unfolds though, we get to see her let her hair down and enjoy life more. 

As you can imagine the story revolves around food. So if you enjoy foody stories and especially all these TV shows like Master Chef where there are more divas than real chefs, I am sure you'll find this story interesting. And the added travelling, makes for a good escapist story. Who wouldn't want to get lost in Ireland or the Caribbean with a bunch of chefs to cook for you?

All in all, So You Think You're A Celebrity...Chef? is a light read to enjoy one springy afternoon. It has its humorous moments and a kind of Soap Opera air, with lots of characters, misunderstanding, scams and love affairs and with more than one surprise in story for you. So if this sounds like your kind of meal, go for it!

Rating: 

                             

Jack Powell's confidence is matched only by his intensity. The darkness in him comes from years of secrets and memories he'd rather forget. Lana has an exotic innocence that draws him in and Jack wants a taste of her. She's a light in the darkness of his world - and she needs help, which he agrees to give her.

The only rule? He makes the rules.

Lana gives up her control, letting Jack take her body however he needs, while she works her way into his heart. But Jack's past catches up to them and Lana finds herself wrapped up in a scheme that will expose every secret she's worked so hard to keep. She clung to Jack once when her world was crashing down, but this time, she loves him. She'll continue to reach for him - her only fear is if he'll reach back, or go on his way, taking her soul with him . . .

Addictive and unforgettable, Lana's story will seduce, surprise and stay with you. A brand new trilogy by the #1 Bestselling author of Break Me Slowly, the Reign series is an emotional rollercoaster you'll want to keep riding forever.

*First of all I would like to thank the publishers for sending me a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and for inviting me to take part in the blog tour.*

Review: Yours Tonight is a novel as beautiful and elegant as the cover. Just over 200 pages, I was instantly captured by the story and devoured it in one sitting. Both main characters, Lana and Jack, have a past they don't go to share with anyone, especially not with each other, so there are a lot of secrets to be kept, which makes the story quite intriguing. But once their worlds collapse, they cannot deny their attraction, attraction that quickly becomes much more. 

I really enjoyed reading the great build up to the relationship between the two characters and was surprised more than once during the novel. Especially with the ending. I also enjoyed Joya's style, which I found really captivating. Plus she handles some delicate topics very well. In no way did I find the storyline to be forced or inadequate. It all fitted perfectly and flowed easily.

Really fast paced, steamy and sexy as hell, this story will take you in an emotional roller coaster and will leave you wanting more, much more. Luckily for us, this is a trilogy and we'll not have to wait long to have the second book, Yours Completely, in our hands. 

 

About the author:

National and international bestselling author Joya Ryan is the author of the Shattered series, which includes Break Me Slowly, Possess Me Slowly, and Capture Me Slowly. She has also written the Sweet Torment series, which includes Breathe You In and Only You. Passionate about both cooking and dancing (despite not being too skilled at the latter), she loves spending time at home. Along with her husband and her two sons, she resides in California.

TWITTER  | FACEBOOK  | WEBSITE

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. This feature was created because they are particularly fond of lists over there at The Broke and the Bookish. I'd love to share my lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

This week's topic are books that I read during my childhood or teen years that I'd love to revisit now. I read so many books that it was difficult to choose only ten. I finally opted for these ones because I would love to take one weekend to just re-read them and see if I love them as much as I did back then: 

Blurb: Atticus Craftsman never travels without a supply of Earl Grey and his five favourite books – so he makes sure he has packed both after his father, distinguished publisher of Craftsman & Co., sends him to Madrid to shut down a failing literary magazine, Librarte.

When nobody has heard from him in three months, his father knows something must be very wrong.

Do not fear, Inspector Manchego is on the case. No, not the cheese. Manchego, as in the most valiant Don Quijote de la Mancha. Lacking a horse but with hapless derring-do, Manchego gets to work unravelling the mystery of the quintessential Englishman’s disappearance.

But there to block him at every turn are the five fiery and closeknit Spanish women who run Librarte, and who’ll do anything to keep their jobs – even if it involves subterfuge, the long-lost poems of Federico García Lorca and a journey to the gypsy heart of Andalucía...

Review: The Altogether Unexpected Disappearance of Atticus Craftsman is one of those crazy stories that makes you laugh out loud with the absurdity of the situations. Being from Barcelona, I was curious to see how the translation of a Spanish book read in English. I applaud the translator as the story flowed naturally and in no moment was it confusing. I have to say that I have never been to the south of Spain but I could perfectly picture the white house bathed by the unforgiving sun where a whole gypsy clan gathers to sing and dance flamenco. 

The story revolves around books, as Atticus works for his father's publishing house and goes to Spain to check on their Spanish office. There, 5 very different but united women create the Librarte magazine every month. Each one of them has their own story to tell, but my favourites were Solea, the ambitious and beautiful blonde gypsy, and Berta, the caring boss who has always relied on books for company. They all have one thing in common though, they don't want to lose their job so when Atticus arrives they send him away to search some undiscovered famous poems. 

When Atticus doesn't come back after three months though, a new bunch of characters enter the story. Inspector Manchego is in charge of finding him and with the help of his friends, he is determined to find him even if he has no idea of what he is doing. And although I didn't like him at the beginning, I ended up warming to him. Atticus' parents also enter this mix and make a very English appearance in the heart of Spain. And even a certain pirate, makes everything more complicated.

The Altogether Unexpected Disappearance of Atticus Craftsman is a story full of literary references, adventures, flamenco, laughs and stereotypes that I am sure will make you laugh more than once. It will appeal to book lovers looking for a light read to take their minds off things. And let me add that the cover fits perfectly with the story, quirky characters in a crazy adventure.  

Aisling Brady is miserable. So is her husband Mossy. The three kids are too. Yet nobody dares say a thing. Instead the Bradys keep their heads down and grimly look forward to another miserable Christmas in Dublin.

What Aisling doesn't know is that this year, they will get the most unexpected gift of all. One that will bring joy and heartbreak, hope and a string of sleepless nights.

As their world is turned upside down, questions have to be asked. But are the Bradys ready to face the truth about themselves? And what each of them has done?

Review: First of all I would like to thank Clare Dowling because after I won a giveaway she sent me a signed copy of this gorgeous book (which is now on my very special shelf) and a box of delicious chocolates. 

A Special Delivery certainly is a roller coaster of a story, as it says in the blurb every family has its ups and downs but I think the Bradys have more in a year that any other family. The story starts on Christmas Eve when the atmosphere at their place is not really joyous, quite the opposite, because one of their sons is no longer with them and nobody is ready to talk about it, but then they find a baby in their garden with a note. It's time for him to be with his father but who is his father? 

As the story unfolds, we discover bit by bit what happened to this family that broke them apart and how the baby ended in their doorstep. But also how they are coping now with this new member of their family, he certainly is a ray of sunshine. I think we all fell in love with this little buddy. 

In this book there is a lot of drama, and when you think nothing else can happen, it does. It certainly surprised me more than once. But Clare tells a beautiful story with a message about forgiveness, understanding and learning to accept that sometimes, you can try all you want to change someone, but they are not going to change if they don't want to. 

Clare also deals with some serious topics during this story, like addiction, an unplanned pregnancy or depression but adds some humorous sparks with some comic situations or the Polish neighbour who was always ready to help with make up brush on hand. All in all, A Special Delivery is a beautifully written family tale that won't even let you breath while you are reading it, turning page after page, wanting to know more. 

Rating: 

Welcome to Bookish Recipes, a feature on the blog where I cook or bake a recipe from a book I have loved and share the result with you. This week's recipe is inspired by Aven Ellis' latest book Surviving the Rachel. This lovely story is about a girl who after finishing college is a bit lost and the last thing she is looking for is love. But the gorgeous boy living next door is too cute to resist. 

In the book, Jack, Bree's love interest, has lived in Germany and works as a German translator. He takes Bree and her friend to one of these German places for tourists and tells them what they should order to have a real German experience. He is a big fan of Spätzle and Bree ends up having and loving Gulasch with Spätzle:   

Title: Surviving the Rachel

Author: Aven Ellis

Published: December 20th 2014 by Soul Mate Publishing

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: Life after college graduation is not at all what twenty-one-year-old Bree Logan expected. Unable to find a professional communications job, dumped by the guy who was THE ONE, and stuck with a pricey city apartment she can’t afford, Bree ends up moving back home with her parents in the suburbs and working as a cocktail waitress at a posh Chicago hotel.

In a desperate attempt to get a fresh start, Bree goes to a hip salon and requests that the first available stylist chop off her long dark hair. Alarmed when the stylist suggests “The Rachel,” after the famous haircut from the show Friends, Bree is hesitant, but decides to go for it when she is assured it will be a “fresh, modern adaptation” of the infamous 90’s cut. Unfortunately for Bree, it turns out to be exactly the same cut, but with horrific heavy bangs added to it. Hideous doesn’t even begin to describe it.

Bree is convinced nothing will ever go right when she meets neighbor Jack Chelten, a twenty-five-year-old German translator. Not that Bree is looking to date anyone, but there's something quirky and intriguing about his freckle-splashed face and blue eyes. And suddenly Bree finds herself seeking out different opportunities and challenges . . . as well as the boy next door.

In her new adult life, Bree learns that sometimes you have to go through crises to get to where you need to be. And if you can survive The Rachel, you can survive anything, right?