Today I am delighted to welcome author Anna Bell on the blog. Her latest book, It Started with a Tweet, is out in ebook next week and in paperback later next month. Today Anna has stopped by to answer all my bookish questions. I also have a giveaway for 3 paperback copies of this fun story. Scroll to the bottom of the post to enter!

Hi Anna and welcome to Alba in Bookland. First of all, could you tell us a bit about yourself?

Thanks for having me Alba! I’m Anna - I’m a British writer of romantic comedies who lives on the edge of the French Pyrenees with my lovely husband, two energetic toddlers, a lively labrador and five chickens. 

Your new book, It Started with a Tweet, is about media-obsessed Daisy, who goes on a digital detox after an online disaster. What sparkled this idea?

My starting point was that I wanted to write a book where people could fall in love in a more old fashioned way. To me there’s nothing more magical than a handwritten letter and I desperately wanted the two main characters to write to each other. I started to think what would drive people to write each other notes in our digital era - and that’s when the detox idea was born. 

I've seen on Twitter and you also started a digital detox yourself recently. Why did you decide that? Is this something that you would recommend to everyone?

Absolutely, do it! When I started writing the book, I began by researching the topic of digital addiction and I found it fascinating to find out how people’s behaviour changed when their devices were taken away. It really made me question not only my use of technology but also my children’s too. We detoxed as a family for three days and the results were amazing. With my phone and iPad firmly out of the way, no one seemed to miss it - least of all me. It made me feel free. It’s hard to explain, but I felt like no one was judging what I was or wasn’t doing. It allowed me to enjoy my time with my family without always thinking that there was something else in the room that needed my attention. Have a go - it’ll make you realise how much time you waste on your phone! 

Tell us a bit more about Daisy, do you think your readers will relate easily to her and her media obsession?

Daisy’s a workaholic who follows the mantra work hard, play hard and her whole life is played out on social media. When she has her phone (and her job) taken away from her she really has to learn who she really is and what she actually wants from life. I think that most of us are guilty of spending too much time on social media and I think readers will sympathise with her obsession. I also think they’ll be able to feel for her when her phone’s been taken away and the lengths she’d go to get it back. I’m sure we can all think of times when we’ve found ourselves offline and are desperate to connect again. 

What's your favourite social network? And what is the one you use the most to interact with your readers?

I love the simplicity of Twitter with it’s bitesize information. It’s where I find most of my recommendations for books and I love it when watching TV programmes when it’s more fun to read people’s reactions to the show rather than the show itself. I also find it really easy to use Twitter to talk to my readers and I love tweeting with them. My guilty secret is that I’m also addicted to Instagram stories- I have no idea why I find the ordinary bits of people’s lives so fascinating, but I spend ages watching them. 

What books do you currently have on your to-be-read pile?

I’ve just started reading The Belle Savage by Philip Pullman. I adored the His Dark Materials trilogy and I could not wait to dive back into the world of Lyra. I’ve also got Marian Keyes The Break to read after. I’ve never been disappointed with one of Marian’s books and I’ve heard great things about this one too. 

And finally, what can we expect from you next?

I’m currently writing a book about two old friends who made one of those if we’re not married by the time we’re thirty pacts - and they end up deciding to put the pact into action. It’s a love story in reverse with them slowly finding out what happens when the honeymoon’s over.

About the book:

Title: It Started with a Tweet

Author: Anna Bell

Published by Zaffre

ebook: December 7th 2017 

paperback: December 28th 2017

Amazon | Amazon UK

In his long-awaited return, John Green, the acclaimed, award-winning author of Looking for Alaska and The Fault in Our Stars, shares Aza’s story with shattering, unflinching clarity in this brilliant novel of love, resilience, and the power of lifelong friendship. 

Title: Turtles All the Way Down

Author: John Green

Published: October 10th 2017 by Penguin

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: Sixteen-year-old Aza never intended to pursue the mystery of fugitive billionaire Russell Pickett, but there’s a hundred-thousand-dollar reward at stake and her Best and Most Fearless Friend, Daisy, is eager to investigate. So together, they navigate the short distance and broad divides that separate them from Russell Pickett’s son, Davis.

Aza is trying. She is trying to be a good daughter, a good friend, a good student, and maybe even a good detective, while also living within the ever-tightening spiral of her own thoughts. 

Review: Let me start by saying Turtles All the Way Down is a brilliant book. Given that John Green is a really famous writer and that his last book was a smashing success, expectations for this one were really high, to say the least. So I went into it with quite an open mind but I instantly realised we were in for a very special ride. 

In this story, we get to meet Aza, her mum and her circle of friends, especially her best friend, Daisy. Aza is a highly interesting character. She suffers OCD and as you read about her and her ever-tightening spiral of thoughts, you really understand what she is going through and how it is affecting her life. I really think that John Green paints a really clear picture of what suffering a mental illness feels like (for the person suffering and for the people around them), which I am sure will open many eyes. 

Once again, teenagers in this story are very mature and really intelligent, discussing complex concepts and wondering about the universe and the meaning of life. I've read already a few reviews that say that this makes them less real or relatable but for me it's quite the contrary. I enjoyed immensely reading about them and learning about their struggles, their fascinations and dreams and I think many young readers will relate easily with these characters. 

On first sight, the plot for this story is not really complex, two girls trying to gather clues about a famous disappearance. But everything that happens around it, the characters, their conversations, their interactions, their struggles, their inner worlds... is what makes this book so special.

For me, this book is a winner and a must-read. It's definitely different from John Green's previous books but so so good. I am sure this book will touch many readers.

Rating: 5 stars

I haven't done a Bookish Recipe in a while, but while I was reading the fantastic The Lemon Tree Café by Cathy Bramley, I felt inspired to bake again. In this story there is a lot of delicious food, especially cake, which reminded me of my mum's lemon cake. She is a great baker and this is her signature cake (I don't even know how many times I brought this cake to school for fairs and celebrations) so I asked her for the recipe and tried my hand at it. 

It turned out quite delicious, even if I have to say, not as delicious as my mum's (probably because I left it in the oven a few minutes too much or maybe because she has a special touch, who knows?) but I definitely recommend this recipe. It's quick, easy and you get a light and fluffy lemony sponge. Perfect for when life gives you lemons 😉 

Ingredients: 

- 4 eggs 

- 1 lemon yogurt (125 g)

- 1/2 cup oil

- 1 1/2 cups flour

- 1 cup sugar

- 10 g baking powder

- finely grated zest 1 lemon

1) Heat oven to 200º C and lightly oil a 18cm round x 5cm deep cake tin. 

2) Mix the eggs with the yogurt and the oil. Add the sugar and mix again. 

3) Add the flour, baking powder and lemon zest. You can also add a couple of spoons of lemon juice to make it more lemony. 

4) Briefly and gently stir with a spoon so everything is just combined, without overmixing. 

5) Spoon the mixture into the tin and level the top. Turn oven to 180º C and bake for 40 mins or until a skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean. 

6) Dust with icing sugar. 

About the book: 

The Lemon Tree Café is a charming and heart-warming story that will make you laugh but that will surprise you too. Definitely the perfect read for a crispy weekend, to be enjoyed with a good Italian coffee and a big piece of lemon cake.

Blurb: The Lemon Tree Cafe was originally published as a four-part serial. This is the complete story in one package.

When Rosie Featherstone finds herself unexpectedly jobless, the offer to help her beloved Italian grandmother out at the Lemon Tree Cafe – a little slice of Italy nestled in the rolling hills of Derbyshire – feels like the perfect way to keep busy.

Surrounded by the rich scent of espresso, delicious biscotti and juicy village gossip, Rosie soon finds herself falling for her new way of life. But she is haunted by a terrible secret, one that even the appearance of a handsome new face can't quite help her move on from. 

Then disaster looms and the cafe’s fortunes are threatened... and Rosie discovers that her nonna has been hiding a dark past of her own. With surprises, betrayal and more than one secret brewing, can she find a way to save the Lemon Tree Cafe and help both herself and Nonna achieve the happy endings they deserve?

Today's review is for Sweetpea by C.J. Skuse. I discovered this author with her YA novels, but this time, she brings us an adult crime story... and what a story! Read my thoughts on it:

Title: Sweetpea

Author: CJ Skuse

Published: November 2nd 2017 by HQ Stories

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: The last person who called me ‘Sweetpea’ ended up dead…

I haven’t killed anyone for three years and I thought that when it happened again I’d feel bad. Like an alcoholic taking a sip of whisky. But no. Nothing. I had a blissful night’s sleep. Didn’t wake up at all. And for once, no bad dream either. This morning I feel balanced. Almost sane, for once.

Rhiannon is your average girl next door, settled with her boyfriend and little dog…but she’s got a killer secret.

Although her childhood was haunted by a famous crime, Rhinannon’s life is normal now that her celebrity has dwindled. By day her job as an editorial assistant is demeaning and unsatisfying. By evening she dutifully listens to her friend’s plans for marriage and babies whilst secretly making a list.

A kill list.

From the man on the Lidl checkout who always mishandles her apples, to the driver who cuts her off on her way to work, to the people who have got it coming, Rhiannon’s ready to get her revenge.

Because the girl everyone overlooks might be able to get away with murder…

Review: Well, well, well... this was not what I was expecting! Don't get me wrong, Sweetpea is fantastic but it took me quite for surprise. After reading and loving the dark and atmospheric YA novel The Deviants last year, I was expecting a really tense read with secrets and lies aplenty. But instead we get this really REALLY dark story which turns out to be quite humorous and no lies at all, only the plain truth.

Basically Sweetpea is the diary of Rhiannon, a serial killer. And we get to know her with no filters. Everything that goes through her mind ends in the diary and as you can imagine, she has some really extremely dark thoughts. From the thrill she gets from killing, her interactions with her weird colleagues, her sexual activities and fantasies, to her love for her dog and Sylvanian Families, she talks about everything. 

She is definitely a character almost impossible to connect with, but somehow, you kind of like her. For example, in every entry, she lists people she would like to kill and some of those entries are just hilarious. Seriously, if I had one of those lists myself, I would agree with her more than once. 

It's also so refreshing to get this uncensored view of her life. It's quite shocking at the beginning, as there's blood, LOTS of it, and violence, and sex, and disturbing thoughts, and disturbing actions... but once you get into the story, it's highly entertaining. Definitely not recommended for the faint-hearted or for younger audiences though.

Although the book is quite long, at around 500 pages, things keep happening at quite a fast pace and there are several characters that play a big role in Rhianon's life, so you don't get bored. My only con would be probably the last part of the story, as it all got a bit too much for me. 

Definitely recommended for fans of dark humour or for readers looking for something different, out of the ordinary.

Rating: 4 stars

I would like to thank the publishers for sending me a copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.

This past month of October, I had one of the most magical experiences ever: riding the Hogwarts Express. Although the journey didn't end at Hogwarts, it was a LOT of fun. Given that we went on a last minute trip to Scotland for a long weekend and we didn't have much time, we decided to take a tour with Discover Scotland. 

Their minibuses leave from Glasgow and take you on a scenery route to Mallaig, following the full length of Loch Lomond, stopping at both Glencoe, where you can already see some of the locations from the movies, and of course, Glenfinan, where you get a glimpse of the famous viaduct. 

Once you arrive at Mallaig, you have time for a walk in this quaint little coast town and for a quick lunch. We opted for fish and chips to take away and we sat at the harbour, enjoying the beautiful views.

And then it's train time! At Mallaig train station, you board the Jacobite, the actual steam train used in the movies as the Hogwarts Express. Not only that, the Jacobite follows the West Highland Railway Line, a journey described by many as one of the great railway journeys of the world. 

During the journey, that lasts about 2 hours, you have time to sit and enjoy the stunning scenery, take as many pictures as you want and basically get ready for the most magical moment. The train crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct, known not only for its remarkable engineering BUT as the way to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

As you cross the viaduct, the atmosphere inside the train is crazy. Everyone is trying to get the best pics, squealing and basically having a great time. I have to say though that I had to fight for a good spot to capture this moment on camera. But given that the viaduct is quite long, I think everyone had enough time to get their own memento. 

Once you arrive at Fort William, you can still get a couple more pics with the engine. From there, we continued our tour to go back to Glasgow, stopping at Drovers Inn, which is said to be “haunted” and there are many tales and sightings of ghouls and ghosts wandering around this ancient Scottish Inn. For us, it was the perfect place to enjoy some evening refreshments by a roaring log fire.

All in all, a magical and steamy day! I had never taken a steam train before and just enjoying its sounds and smells was already a treat. Definitely an experience I recommend to any Harry Potter fan looking for something a bit different. If you have more time, you can buy return tickets and follow the whole journey from Fort William to Mallaig and back. But if you are tight on time, taking a tour like ours is a great idea. 

New book review today for the gorgeous The Place We Met by Isabelle Broom. Heartbreak, humour and romance set in Italy's beautiful and dramatic Lake Como. Under dazzling New Year's Eve fireworks, two women hope for new beginnings... 

Title: The Place We Met

Author: Isabelle Broom

Published: November 30th 2017 by Michael Joseph

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: Taggie is only a few months into her job as a tour guide in Lake Como. She's rushed off her feet, but distraction is what she needs to forget why she left England. 

Lucy arrives at Lake Como with her perfect new boyfriend, Pete. Falling fast in love, she's sure that life is about to start for her, it feels so right with him.

But as New Year's Eve approaches and the women meet by chance, it becomes clear this isn't the perfect place of new beginnings. While Lucy is willing to do anything to keep hold of Pete, the past Taggie so desperately wanted to escape is catching up with her...

Review: Isabelle Broom is quickly becoming one of my favourite authors. Her stories are getting better and better with each new book and she always takes us readers to the most wonderful places. This time we head to Lake Como to discover a magical setting and two heartfelt, compelling and really interesting stories.

On one hand we have brave and stubborn Taggie, who has left London and moved to Como to try to heal her broken heart. On the other hand, we have Lucy who is quite at the beginning of a relationship. She has surprised her boyfriend with a trip to Como to share her love for this lake with her special person. 

I was really curious about both story lines and it was really difficult (quite impossible, actually) to put this book down. Both stories were full of secrets and quite unexpected surprises and I just wanted to know everything that was going on. This was such a clever and touching book. I completely fell in love with it.

Once again, Isabelle Brooms brings us a magical and evocative story that really tugs at your heartstrings. And its characters will stay with me for a long time. I actually finished this book a few days ago and I haven't stopped missing them. It's safe to say that The Place We Met will be on my top reads of the year.

Definitely one not to miss these holidays, pick a copy and get lost in gorgeous lake Como.

Rating: 5 stars

I would like to thank the publisher for sending me a copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.

Today I have a new book review for the tense and clever psychological thriller The Loneliest Girl in the Universe by Lauren James, a romance set in space from the beloved author of The Next Together series.

Title: The Loneliest Girl in the Universe

Author: Lauren James

Published: September 7th 2017 by Walker Books

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: Can you fall in love with someone you’ve never met, never even spoken to – someone who is light years away?

Romy Silvers is the only surviving crew-member of a spaceship travelling to a new planet, on a mission to establish a second home for humanity amongst the stars. Alone in space, she is the loneliest girl in the universe until she hears about a new ship which has launched from Earth – with a single passenger on board. A boy called J.

Their only communication with each other is via email – and due to the distance between them, their messages take months to transmit across space. And yet Romy finds herself falling in love.

But what does Romy really know about J? And what do the mysterious messages which have started arriving from Earth really mean?

Sometimes, there’s something worse than being alone... 

Review: let me start with... wow! This is one of the best psychological thriller I've read this year. When I first started reading this story I was pretty sure there would be a big romance with some tension... I was NOT prepared for what really happened. What a clever, well written, compelling and addictive story. 

The build-up tension during the whole story is just perfect, you really don't know what is going on until you are in the middle of the action, holding your breath, completely absorbed in the story, devouring page after page until the early hours of the morning. It had been a really long time since a book had put me in such a stressful state. 

Also, how original and unique is the idea behind this novel? It's set in the near future, when NASA has sent a spaceship into the deep space to reach a viable planet for humanity to develop. Romy happens to be only survivor left in that spaceship and, somehow, it's really easy to relate to her, even if she has never been in the Earth. I loved getting to know her and I surprised myself at how much I cared about her. Definitely a very well developed character.

I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy a good thriller. Believe me, this story will surprise you, will shock you and will completely capture you! 

Rating: 5 stars

I would like to thank the publishers for sending me a copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.

Today I have a new book review for the beautiful and compelling story The Dollmaker of Krakow by R.M. Romero. A timeless fantasy set in the Second World War that weaves together magic, folklore and history, perfect for fans of The Book Thief, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and Goodnight Mister Tom.

Title: The Dollmaker of Krakow

Author: R.M. Romero

Published: October 5th 2017 by Walker Books

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: In the land of dolls, there is magic.

In the land of humans, there is war.

Everywhere there is pain.

But together there is hope.

Karolina is a living doll whose king and queen have been overthrown. But when a strange wind spirits her away from the Land of the Dolls, she finds herself in Krakow, Poland, in the company of the Dollmaker, a man with an unusual power and a marked past. 

The Dollmaker has learned to keep to himself, but Karolina's courageous and compassionate manner lead him to smile and to even befriend a violin-playing father and his daughter--that is, once the Dollmaker gets over the shock of realizing a doll is speaking to him. 

But their newfound happiness is dashed when Nazi soldiers descend upon Poland. Karolina and the Dollmaker quickly realize that their Jewish friends are in grave danger, and they are determined to help save them, no matter what the risks.

Review: The story between these pages is as beautiful and complex as its cover and illustrations. A real treat for both young readers and adults.

The Dollmaker of Krakow is a solitary man. One day though, one of his dolls comes to life and quickly becomes a key part of his life. Together they hope for a better life for them and also for their new Jewish friends. But Poland is in a very delicate situation, Nazi soldiers have just arrived to take control of the cities and things are about to change... 

World War II is a chapter in our history that we, as adults, know pretty well. But thanks to numerous magical elements and well developed and interesting characters, this novel broke my heart all over again. I kept wishing that somehow, it would end differently for them. And I am sure that many young readers will learn a lot with this book, as I did when I first read Anne Frank's story all those years ago.

This reads like a classic fairytale, not the happy-ever-after Disney stories but the darker ones, that teach you that life is not fair and good not always wins. The more fantastic elements intertwine really well with the historical storyline and it's easy to get lost in its pages and forget about everything else. 

The beautiful illustrations really add something else to the story and help create the perfect atmosphere for such a special story. 

Definitely a story that will touch many hearts.

Rating: 4.5 stars

I would like to thank the publishers for sending me a copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.

We are close to Bonfire Night already so today I am hosting an extract of  the explosive Treason, by James Jackson:

Title: Treason

Author: James Jackson

Published: October 17th 2017 by Zaffre

Amazon | Amazon UK

  Young men laughed raucous at their tables as Christian Hardy nursed his pot of ale and swallowed back the memories and the worries for his son.  Regret could stay forever undigested.  He had been a poor father, absent and immersed in intelligence and war, afraid to touch the life of a little boy whose mother he loved and by default had destroyed.  Adam grew and the pair moved apart.  The sense of loss was keenest when he spied the youth and fellowship of others.

  It was the third night of waiting at the inn beside Tyburn.  Rain must have slowed his lieutenant or a hundred varied factors that could make an operative disappear.  The weather outside churned the gravel and mud and added to the melancholy.  This was the site of public execution and the stalking ground for ghosts, the place where paths and destinies converged and crowds and tumbrils gathered.  He had sent sufficient on that route.

  A spray of water and evaporating dampness announced the arrival of his man.  He was wearied and mud-spattered and slumped in a chair without recourse to speech.  The great north road was a punishing trek.  Hardy ordered beer.  They sat in silence, perusing each other and taking in the warmth and breathing air thick with the fumes of tallow and sea coal and tobacco.

  Finally the visitor reached in a leather pouch and withdrew a sheet of paper folded in waxed canvas.  He passed it over.

  Hardy slit the binding and spread the page to read.  In the candlelight emerged a list, names copied from a register of those who once attended St Peter’s School in York.  A cradle of militant Catholicism. Proof stared out and a fleeting hunch was realised.  Jack Wright had drawn attention to himself by stepping in the fencing-ring and betrayed his intentions through his arrogance and pride.  Now his childhood was identified.  Another name was here, Guy Fawkes scratched in ink like the rest, a boy that would later fight for Spain and against the interests of England.  Fawkes and Wright shared common heritage and cause and gave clue to their direction.

  Donning his cloak, Hardy thanked the man and left.  In the threads of thought spooling in his mind were captured other persons linked by blood and faith to the two already unmasked.  Security dictated they would keep their enterprise tight, would not build alliances far from the core.  He was glad it would limit the casualties.

  A severed head confronted him, hung from a tree as a warning or taunt or gesture of intent.  It was difficult to gauge motive with Realm.  The intelligencer stayed in the saddle and studied the object lit by a lantern hung adjacent on a branch.  Again the renegade had miscalculated.  In slaying the agent who had tailed Jack Wright, he showed his hand too early and his investment in conspiracy.  Gunpowder would be the vehicle for their murderous ambition.  Hardy gently eased the item from its resting place and snuffed out the lamp.  Let the bodies fall where they may.