What I read

5 Stars

Shopaholic to the Rescue by Sophie Kinsella

In Her Wake by Amanda Jennings 

The Girl in the Ice by Robert Bryndza 

The Stylist by Rosie Nixon

Wickham Hall by Cathy Bramley

4 Stars

Snowdrops at the Star and Sixpence by Holly Hepburn

Blueprints by Barbara Delinsky

Heart Conditions by Phoebe Fox

A Home in Sunset Bay by Rebecca Pugh

To be reviewed

Sleepless in Manhattan by Sarah Morgan

Not Working by Lisa Owens

The Book of Lost and Found by Lucy Foley

Summer Nights at the Moonlight Hotel by Jane Costello

What I cooked

Hagrid's Rock Cakes

What I was up to

What I blogged about

February 4th was my 2nd blogiversary! And to celebrate that my little blog, I run several giveaways. It was a lot of fun and the response was incredible. So thanks again to everyone!

Also February 4th was Harry Potter Book Night and I shared some of the decorations I used on my own Harry Potter party. 

During the month I had the pleasure of welcoming some fantastic author to my blog:

Guest Post by author Hannah Emery: Capturing the castle

Guest Post by author Rebecca Pugh: Playlist for A Home in Sunset Bay

Author Interview with Rosie Nixon

Today I am over the moon to be on the Blog Tour for The Choice by the one and only Nicholas Sparks. Now a major motion picture starring Benjamin Walker and Teresa Palmer, The Choice is an unforgettable - and heart-wrenching - love story that will capture your hearts. And today, thanks to Little, Brown UK, I am offering you the chance to win a signed copy! 

Title: The Choice

Author: Nicholas Sparks

Published: February 11th 2016 by Sphere

Amazon | Amazon UK

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The giveaway is open to UK & Ireland and the winner will be contacted via email. They will have then 48h to claim their prize. 

Blurb: A perfect winter warmer story for all fans of Cathy Bramley and Scarlett Bailey.

When sisters Nessie and Sam inherit a little pub in a beautiful country village they jump at the chance to escape their messy lives and start afresh. But when they arrive at the Star and Sixpence, it's not quite what they imagined - it's pretty much derelict, ruined by debts, and it's going to be a huge job to get it up and running again.

It's just before Christmas but they are determined to relaunch on New Year's Eve, to bring the new year in with a bang. But with nosy neighbours, miserable locals and no money to contend with, it's not going to be easy.

And when the sisters' past comes back to haunt them, they start to think that the fresh start they needed is very far away indeed…

Review: Snowdrops at the Star and Sixpence is the first installment in the Star and Sixpence Series. So, as you can imagine, this novella (about 90 pages) serves as an introductions of the characters and the setting. Basically, we have sisters Nessie and Sam, who after inheriting a pub in the countryside from their father, decide to leave their old lives in the city behind and make a go at running the pub. Small problem, they hadn't talked to their father in more than 20 years, know nothing about running a business and the locals do not seem to be of the most welcoming kind. So it's not going to be easy for these sisters in the Star and Sixpence.

One thing I loved about this story is how charming the setting was. I could totally picture myself in the small town, with its quirky houses and slow life. I think Holly Hepburn made a great job in creating a place where I could get lost for a few hours and she certainly picked my curiosity to see what happens next with the sisters and their new home and business. Plus, some of the locals make for really interesting characters, the old painter who couldn't really paint or the "queen" of the village who run with an iron fist from her throne in the post office. You get the picture, right?

And I'm also curious to know more about the sisters themselves, why were they willing to leave all behind to move to a place they had never even heard of? What happened with their father? Will they be able to win the local's hearts and make a success of the Star and Sixpence? Is the gorgeous neighbour interested in one of the sisters? So many questions! I cannot wait to pick the next installment and find out a bit more! 

Rating: 

    

Published: February 26th 2016 by Piatkus

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: Home is where the heart is ... but what happens when a mother and daughter are forced to question everything they thought they knew about themselves? Don't miss the next novel from beloved bestselling author Barbara Delinsky, who "combines her understanding of human nature with absorbing, unpredictable storytelling (Publishers Weekly)" in ways that no reader will soon forget.

Jamie MacAfee's life is almost perfect. She loves her fiancée, even if she hasn't quite worked out why she won't set a wedding date and she certainly adores her job, working as an architect on their family home renovation show. Meanwhile, her beloved mother Caroline has built up her confidence after a painful divorce, working closely alongside her daughter as the very successful host of Gut It!. Everything is going to plan, until the lives of both women are changed overnight.

When the TV network plan to replace Caroline with Jamie as the show's host, Caroline is left feeling horribly betrayed - and old in the eyes of the world. Then tragedy strikes, leaving Jamie guardian to her small orphaned step-brother and fiancée to a man who doesn't want the child.

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

Review: Blueprints is a story about family, above all. Caroline and Jamie are mother and daughter but also best friends. They both work for the family company, Caroline as a carpenter, and Jamie as an architect. And they also work together on the renovation show linked to the company, Gut It. Caroline has been the host for years and the audience adore her but the producers think she is getting too old and who could be better to fill her shoes than her daughter? That Caroline doesn't take this well is the understatement of the year. So this situation opens a gap in their tight relationship. But this is only the premise for the story and it happens rather soon in the book. What happens later is so much more, but SO much more. 

After a tragic and sudden accident, Jamie needs to take care of her little step-brother. Something that completely changes her life. With no support from her fiance and Caroline occupied with other matters, she feels alone and overwhelmed so when she meets an old school acquaintance in the park who is also a single parent she seeks comfort in him. What happens next is not unexpected, I mean, once you get over the shock, you see clearly where the story is going but what surprised me most was the pace of the story. In a few pages so much could happen! This bothered me a bit at the beginning as I was still processing everything and felt like the characters were acting without really thinking.

But then, I realised I was starting to care for these characters and I really wanted to support them, especially Jamie. I got that she thought that she had everything figured out and then, in a minute, her whole life changed and she no longer knew anything. The changes in Caroline were not as drastic but I enjoyed reading about her. And I could see that the bond she had with her daughter was strong, even with all their differences.

For a moment there, I thought I was not going to like this book. As I said, everything seemed to happen at once. But I am glad that I persevered because it turned out that I did like this book. I enjoyed the story and it kept me quite hooked. It is definitely a book full of drama, rushed decisions, mistakes and reconciliations. And even if it was a bit predictable where all was going, the author did manage to surprise me a couple of times and made me care for the characters like they were all friends. All in all, a touching read about what's important in life. 

Rating: 

     

Blurb: To Las Vegas . . . and beyond!

Becky Brandon (née Bloomwood) is on a major rescue mission! Hollywood was full of surprises, and now she's on a road trip to Las Vegas to help her friends and family.

She's determined to get to the bottom of why her dad has mysteriously disappeared, help her best friend Suze and even bond with long-time enemy Alicia Bitch Long-legs (maybe...).

As Becky discovers just how much her friends and family need help, she comes up with her biggest, boldest, most brilliant plan yet! So can she save the day just when they need her most?

Becky is setting out to make things right in this laugh-out-loud, feel-good conclusion to her American adventure that began with SHOPAHOLIC TO THE STARS. 

Review: After the huge cliff hanger in Shopaholic to the Stars, I was dying to know what was going to happen next with Becky and the gang. I am sure that if you are reading the eighth book of the shopaholic series you already know how crazy Becky's world is. In her latest adventure she takes all her family and friends (and major enemy Alicia Bitch Long-Legs) on a road trip to Las Vegas and the heart of America to try to find her father and Suze's eccentric husband, Tarquin, who are supposedly on a "mission". 

I really had no idea what the mission was, and I certainly didn't expect everything that happened during the road trip. There were awkward situations, fights, a rodeo, blackmailing, pottery artists and spiritual readings... crazy right? But somehow Sophie Kinsella pulls it off, she might have gone a bit over the top with this book but I just loved every bit. I was grinning like a loon from cover to cover.

I have read some reviews that say that this series has run out of steam and the last books are not as good as the first ones. It's probably true that they are not as good, basically because the first ones were amazing. Becky was such a special and unique character that kept surprising us and maybe now that we know her, we can more or less expect how the story is going to go. But the truth is that I enjoyed this book as much as any other. Becky is still one of my favourite characters ever and she is still full of surprises. Plus, after several years with no new books, these last two books have been a real treat for me. Like going back home. So, shopaholic fans, don't miss Becky's latest adventure, it does not disappoint!

Rating: 

Blurb: A perfect life … until she discovered it wasn’t her own.

A tragic family event reveals devastating news that rips apart Bella’s comfortable existence. Embarking on a personal journey to uncover the truth, she faces a series of traumatic discoveries that take her to the ruggedly beautiful Cornish coast, where hidden truths, past betrayals and a 25-year-old mystery threaten not just her identity, but also her life.

Chilling, complex and profoundly moving, In Her Wake is a gripping psychological thriller that questions the nature of family – and reminds us that sometimes the most shocking crimes are committed closest to home.

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

Review: Amanda Jenning's previous book, The Judas Scar, was one of my favourite reads in 2014 so I had been eagerly awaiting the release of In Her Wait for a while. I was also a bit worried that her new story wouldn't live up to my high expectations. I needn't have worried though, only reading the prologue I knew it was going to be as brilliant and disturbing as her previous work. In fact, this is for me the author's best yet. It held me captive in its atmospheric pages for hours and I just kept telling myself one more chapter until the early hours of the morning.

In Her Wake tells the story of Bella, who after an isolated childhood with overprotective parents has married an overprotective (quite older) man who basically runs her life for her. But the death of her mother uncovers some buried secrets that make Bella flee her life. She heads for St Ives, in Cornwall, where she is going to be faced with her past, a past she had no idea about and soon she will no longer know who she really is.

As the story unfolds, we discover more and more secrets that make In Her Wake a complex and chilling family drama. With more unexpected twists that I was prepared for, Amanda Jennings managed to shock me more than once and left me completely perplexed with the turn of events. I especially applaud her capacity to make me doubt everything and everyone. There was a moment when I was no longer sure if the actions described were right or wrong. Something Bella seemed to struggle as much as me, which me really connect with her. I was shocked, she was shocked, and we both needed the truth to come out.

In Her Wake will definitely be one of the psychological thrillers of the year and a clear contender of the book of the year for me. I don't want to give you more details about this chilling and equally brilliant story and its complex and multilayered characters because I fear I might spoil something for you and that wouldn't be fair, you all need to feel it all and discover it all by yourselves. It will be worth. 

Rating: 

The Tower of London

York Castle

Blair Castle

Beaumaris Castle and Caernarfon Castle


The castles above sum up everything that I enjoyed giving Castle du Reve: mystery, beauty and the magical ability of connecting the present to the past. 

About the author:

I have written stories for as long as I can remember. I love writing about how fragile the present is and how so much of it depends on chance events that took place years ago. I studied English at the University of Chester, and I know work in a College where I mentor degree students. The most important things in my life are my family, my friends, books, baking on a Saturday afternoon, getting glammed up to go out for champagne and dinner and having cosy weekends away. I live in Blackpool with my husband and our little girl.

Title: The Secrets of Castle du Rêve
Author: Hannah Emery
Published: 18th February 2016 by Harper Impulse
Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: In the quaint, seaside town of Silenshore, a legacy of secrets is about to be revealed…

Growing up in the imposing Castle du Rêve during 1940s wartime, young Evelyn longs for a life outside the castle walls. She dreams of attending glamorous parties, gracing the silver screen and being swept off her feet by a dashing, debonair beau. But innocent Evelyn is unaware that her bid for freedom from the oppressive castle will change the course of more than just her life…

In the early Sixties, sweet, intelligent Victoria meets the man of her dreams! Yet the expression of their love comes with consequences. In the shadow of the mysterious castle, is their relationship doomed from the start?

In the present day, Isobel has just learned she’s pregnant. An unexpected challenge she can only hope she’s up to. Except living in the father of her child’s family home, beneath the eyes of the castle, all is not as it seems… Soon secrets that have been hidden for decades threaten to change the lives of Isobel’s new family irrevocably.

Three women’s lives tangled together in a web of secrets, scandal and deceit, as the legacy of Castle du Rêve is finally discovered…

A must read for those who enjoyed the Richard & Judy bestseller, Amy Snow.

Blurb: Her eyes are wide open. Her lips parted as if to speak. Her dead body frozen in the ice…She is not the only one. 

When a young boy discovers the body of a woman beneath a thick sheet of ice in a South London park, Detective Erika Foster is called in to lead the murder investigation. 

The victim, a beautiful young socialite, appeared to have the perfect life. Yet when Erika begins to dig deeper, she starts to connect the dots between the murder and the killings of three prostitutes, all found strangled, hands bound and dumped in water around London. 

What dark secrets is the girl in the ice hiding? 

As Erika inches closer to uncovering the truth, the killer is closing in on Erika. 

The last investigation Erika led went badly wrong… resulting in the death of her husband. With her career hanging by a thread, Erika must now battle her own personal demons as well as a killer more deadly than any she’s faced before. But will she get to him before he strikes again?

A page-turning thriller packed with suspense. If you like Angela Marsons, Rachel Abbott and Karin Slaughter, discover Rob Bryndza’s new series today – at a special launch price.

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

I found it very interesting that some of the chapters were told from the murderer's point of view. Being inside their mind and knowing what they were doing and planning without knowing who they actually were was kind of addictive. I knew something was going to happen sooner or later and I all I wanted to do was shout to Erika to warn her. 

Erika's team, especially Moss and Peterson, added the perfect spark to this dark story. Even without really knowing her and her past, they sensed she was special. Their loyalty to her, who was not a bit fan of rules and liked to make things her own way, was admirable. There were also some members of the team though that didn't exactly approve of her and her methods so I couldn't wait for Erika to solve everything and prove them wrong. 

The Girl in the Ice is a fantastic psychological thriller. Dark and addictive, its plot twits and unravels in the most unexpected ways. For a moment there I thought I had everything figured out... I was wrong... Robert Bryndza completely surprised me and shocked me to the chore. Well done sir! I'm already looking forward to next installment. 

Rating: 

Blurb: When fashion boutique worker Amber Green is mistakenly offered a job as assistant to infamous, jet-setting 'stylist to the stars' Mona Armstrong, she hits the ground running, helping to style some of Hollywood's hottest (and craziest) starlets. As awards season spins into action Mona is in hot demand and Amber's life turned upside down. Suddenly she catching the attention of two very different suitors, TV producer Rob and Hollywood bad boy rising star Liam. How will Amber keep her head? And what the hell will everyone wear? The Stylist is a fast-paced, fun-packed rummage through the ultimate dressing up box.

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

Review: The Stylist is Rosie Nixon's debut and what a debut! As it says in the cover, it's perfect for The Devil Wears Prada and Shopaholic fans because it has that same fun spark that made those books so great. Actually, now that I think of it, this book would make a fabulous movie too with its fast paced plot and with the lovely Amber Green (almost) getting the hand of the crazy world of fashion and styling the stars.

But now to the story. I found it highly entertaining and fun. As I said, I really liked the main character, Amber Green (who was not named after the traffic lights, if you were wondering). She was really down to earth and naive enough to find herself in the most hilarious situations, like attending one of the most prestigious award ceremonies of the world in an onesie. She didn't have a great knowledge about fashion but by being in the right place in the right moment she landed a job for stylist to the stars, Mona. Or should I say crazy completely unreliable stylist to even crazier stars, Mona? You get the picture. Luckly, Amber seemed to have a natural eye for styling and was a real hard worker.

So as we follow Mona and Amber during award season, we immerse in the crazy world of stardom. But also we learn about how much work goes on behind the scenes. I love these stories that give us a glimpse to the other side of the story. I mean, who doesn't love checking what celebrity wore what in the Oscars? (I certainly do). But do you ever wonder why they chose that dress or those shoes? 

But the book not only focuses on fashion and what to wear. It is also about following your dreams, finding the courage to stand up for yourself and recognizing who the good people are. Ah! And how to care for a miniature pig too! Plus, we also got a good dash of romance with Amber's not one but two love interests during her adventures, I really liked one of them and was really happy with the ending. 

There was not a thing I didn't like about The Stylist. Rosie Nixon's style was fresh and fast paced and managed to entertain me non-stop for several hours. She is definitely an author to watch. I'm sure next time I check who wore what in the Oscars, I'll be reminded of Mona and Amber. 

Rating: 

The sixth blogiversary giveaway comes to you thanks to lovely book blogger Sophie, from Reviewed the Book, and you can win We Are All Made of Stars by Rowan Coleman (for me, Rowan's last was out of this world good, a heartbreaking but uplifting story that will leave no one indifferent)! First, I'd like to thank Sophie for helping me celebrate my 2nd blogiversary. The giveaway is International. The winner will be contacted via twitter or email and will have 48h to claim their prize. Good luck!

We Are All Made of Stars by Rowan Coleman

What if you had just one chance, one letter you could leave behind for the person you love? 

What would you write?

Stella Carey has good reason to only work nights at the hospice where she is a nurse. Married to a war veteran who has returned from Afghanistan brutally injured, Stella leaves the house each night as her husband Vincent, locks himself away, unable to sleep due to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

During her nights at the hospice, Stella writes letters for her patients containing their final wishes, thoughts and feelings – from how to use a washing machine, to advice on how to be a good parent – and usually she delivers each letter to the recipient he or she has died.

That is until Stella writes one letter that she feels compelled to deliver in time to give her patient one final chance of redemption…

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Today I am over the moon to be part of the Blog Tour for The Stylist, the fantastic debut of Rosie Nixon. I enjoyed this read immensely and I am delighted to welcome Rosie to the blog for an interview: 

Blurb: Wickham Hall was originally published as a four-part serial. This is the complete story in one package.

Holly Swift has just landed the job of her dreams: events co-ordinator at Wickham Hall, the beautiful manor home that sits proudly at the heart of the village where she grew up. Not only does she get to organise for a living and work in stunning surroundings, but it will also put a bit of distance between Holly and her problems at home.

As Holly falls in love with the busy world of Wickham Hall - from family weddings to summer festivals, firework displays and Christmas grottos - she also finds a place in her heart for her friendly (if unusual) colleagues.

But life isn’t as easily organised as an event at Wickham Hall (and even those have their complications…). Can Holly learn to let go and live in the moment? After all, that’s when the magic happens…

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

Review: I have reached the conclusion that Cathy Bramley cannot write a book I don't fall in love with. I have loved every single word this woman has written so far. And with Wickham Hall, Cathy has surpassed herself again. I really like the structure of her books, given that they are first released as serialised novels, they always follow the same pattern: 4 parts with a little cliffhanger at the end of each that makes you want to keep reading non-stop to know what is going on. I actually always wait until the whole book comes out so I don't have to wait to know it!

In Wickham Hall we meet Holly, a lovely hardworking girl who has just landed the job of her dreams: assistant events organiser at the local Mannor House, Wickham Hall. She and her mother have always been regular visitors of the house and she has always felt connected to this place. But then, on her first day her new boss is a no show and she is left handling the events department on her own. We soon discover though that Holly's highly organisational skills and her love for the place are more than enough to handle it all. That's until gorgeous Ben enters the picture... The reluctant heir of the manor is being pushed by his parents to step up his game and become more involved in the state. So he ends up being Holly's new boss. And the sparks in their little office start flying!

I kind of fell a bit in love with Ben myself and I absolutely adored reading his interactions with Holly. They made each other better persons and their teasing and banter really brought a fun spark to the story. But Wickham Hall offers so much more than their story, starting with the lovely and lively cast of characters that work at Wickham Hall and finishing with the mystery of why Holly feels such a strong connection with the place and the mystery of who her father is, there's certainly no time for boredom reading it. With each page, there's something new to discover.

Talking about the characters of Wickham Hall, I can't not mention the lovely security guard who has a soft spot for every small creature and small child he encounters or the fierce and extremely talented chef who rides a Harley and makes the most delicious concoctions. They were my favourite ones but everyone had their own story to tell and added their little piece of heart to this lovely community. Ah! And let's not forget the Lord and Lady of the manor. Great leaders and highly involved in everything. They made such a cute couple. Even if they not always made things easy for Holly.

So if you need a bit of sunshine to brighten up your day and put you in the mood for spring, then Wickham Hall is your book. I can guarantee that you will fall in love with the setting and its characters and that by the end of it, you'll want to have your own Mannor! Or at least visit one! Another hit from Cathy Bramley, Wickham Hall is unmissable, it goes straight away to my list of favourite reads of the year. 

Rating: