beautiful

I was asked by the authors friend Sharon Kleve to review this book.

takes place in December 1898 towards the end of Victoria's reign.

London music hall star, Honeysuckle Flowers is to be taken to Wales to meet his parents. At that time music hall stars were not seen as good and proper to the Victorian high society so there is concern for Honeysuckle that his parents will shun her.

Honeysuckle comes to the rescue when she discovers his mother needs money for a plaque in memory of  soldiers who have died in battle  from their village, what better than to put on a musical show to raise the money. 

Will this gain the memorial plaque, will his parents see her in a different light and accept- readers you will have to read this and find out.

Beautiful, well written and gives the true meaning of Christmas.

A recommended Christmas gift this Christmas.

Poppy Denby the new Miss Marple

I was asked to review this book by Lovereading.

This popped through my letter box on Friday and by this afternoon I had snuggled down in my arm chair and read this interesting mystery.

This is book 4 of the Poppy Denby books, and can be read as a standalone story.

Set in the 20s Poppy is a journalist gets caught up a masks curse, then there is a murder. This is Agatha Christie written in a modern age set in the 20s.

Well researched and as a fan of the British museum and Egyptology this was right up my street. Who owns these artefacts made me think of today and the Elgin collection -the same issues today.

The roaring twenties, country estate setting atmospheric and the reader is transported back to a different age.

Recommended with an excellent plot which keeps the reader hanging on till the end - a thoroughly good read.

magical

I was asked to review this book by Nudge.

I have not read any of this authors books before and was curious as I am reviewing a few Christmas related novels at present.

The story is set in Norway what could be more magical than the northern lights. Bo Loxley and her partner Zac are to spend the festive season in the wonderful fjords of Norway in a remote farms- idyllic and should be perfect- but Bo can only talk to the mountain guide as he appears to understand and listen to her.

Meanwhile the mountain guides grandmother has secrets that date back over 80 years and the story takes us to the 1930s and back to the present day. This gives a different slant on the story. Will Bo and Zac relationship survive this festive period?- readers will have to keep reading to find out.

This novel really has a good story, the author writes well and on a cold afternoon snuggled up in a chair with a festive hot chocolate, the reader is transported to a magical Norway with secrets as this story unfolds.

Beautifully written and due for publication 1st November 2018. The ideal holiday read this Christmas.

Beautiful

I am always pleased when I get an email from Sharon Kleve to review her books, they are always well written cute and wonderfully romantic. This was no exception.

Never too early for Christmas, which is a magical time.

We all want to be home at Christmas, but there is the travel bit that is involved and this story is just that Adair is leaving the town she was living in and taking up a job in Seattle to be back home with those she loves.

this is not all doom and gloom with traffic problems and cancellations as she meets Easton who is travelling in the same direction and are both affected by the delays and cancellations. They get to know each other and realise there is a spark between them. if this had not happened we would have not met - it does happen.

Beautifully written and as the weather gets colder the reader will snuggle up for an afternoon and immerse themselves in this lovely romance and Christmas as an added bonus.

Recommended

Thank you as always Sharon Kleve for the email that sets me up for a lovely read.

An adventure awaits

I was asked by the author to review this cute book- I have previously reviewed a few of the Tovi books.

This just shows St Patricks Day is not about the frothy Dublin beer that St Patrick day appears to be more about and Tovi proves this he travels to the Emerald Isle and even finds a crock of gold  at the end of the rainbow.

The illustrations are lovely as expected for readers already familiar with this author.

Utterly cute and such fun little stories, with an adventure, children will be saying at the end of this where will Tovi go next. This is my question where next.

Original and fun thank you for letting me read and review this.

I will think differently about March 17th in future.

Scary

I was asked to review this book by Nudge.

This thriller will grip the reader from the beginning until its thunderous end.

Audra, and her two children are running away from her abusive husband. after leaving New York she is driving through a remote part of Arizona the police pick her up for something trivial. She is being taken in by the police, and the kids are left with a deputy. This is where it gets scary. At the station they are saying her kids have disappeared and Audra is being blamed. 

This is fast paced, haunting, upsetting, terrifying and creepy. You want this women to get her kids back, and will she- the reader will read on through of this to find out just what the ending will hold for them.


Well written, this author can certainly write a terrifying nightmare story that no one ever wants to experience. Who will believe this woman and will anyone believe her kids were with her when she was arrested?

Thank you to Nudge and Vintage crime for sending me this book to read.

Inspirational

I was asked to review this by Nudge

Sport has come into our lives more and more three brits have won great cycling races, we love the London 2012 Olympics and for me more so the Paralympics. Gavin asked the question what would an ordinary runner achieve - and just what did he achieve - a run from John O'Groats to Land's End- the sort of challenge that you see on Sports Relief - and at the start the viewer thinks no, and at the start of this story the reader may say no this cannot be achieved.

Not only was I there in paper form rooting for him, and feeling like I was on this endurance too, but I like the guy a lot too.

The reader goes on the journey too, it was never going to be easy, there would be a lot of pain a long the way, you learn about Gavin the person, Scottish living in London, the author diaries this and there is part travelogue too - which makes this interesting a long the way. We all go through times when we need to discover yourself and this is all part of Gavin's journey. This is an extremely honest account.

I was so rooting for Gavin and found myself getting excited as he nears the end and finally fulfils this challenge.

Although some reviewers state this is great for runners, I would say anyone interested in sport and the reader will learn so much about this challenge and may spur them on to fulfil a challenge of their own be it sport or not.

Well worth the read, thank you to Nudge for letting me review and thank  you to the publishers Sandstone Press for sending this for me to read.

Just found out this is being made into a film also.

Beautifully written

I was asked to review this by Lovereading.co.uk

After reading about "Coco" Chanel and what she did to save her business during occupied Paris, this came at a good time to read this.

I have been a fan of this author for sometime, so when this dropped through my letter box I was excited and now not disappointed. This was a great read.

This is about the past and occupied Paris during the second world war, and the present. This is about people from the past and present.

Tariq leaves is life in Algeria for Paris to find meaning, a dead mother and adventure whilst Hannah an America researcher listens to the accounts of women under occupied Paris during the time of 1940-1944 for a project.

Both Hannah and Tariq are two very different people with different pasts, relationships and problems who come together in an unusual circumstance with the story weaving from past to present. The author has researched the period of occupied France well and accurately accounts what took place during this period of time- as a woman what would you have done to save your life and no one knew just how this period of the war would end.

The main themes within this story Nazi regime as well as the French against the Algerians in the 1960s - Which I was not familiar with but added to this story.

I read this in one sitting only putting the book down at the end with a story that will linger for a long time and a Paris that I want to revisit again.

Thank you Love Reading and the publishers for giving me this opportunity to review.

A great no holds barred read

I was asked to review this book by Nudge. 

Quite an emotional read, but cancer is. We lost my mother in law to cancer 3 years ago. I knew this would be difficult but there was two stands to this story which intertwined. Cancer and gambling bother diseases.

This is a unique well written book. It can be uncomfortable at times but it cannot be that way, but at the same time the reader must read on. This is in your face full on, honest but I urge you to read this.

This is about Raz (Theatre Director) who has non Hodgkin's lymphoma stage 4 - which for readers who do not know what this disease is -Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is an uncommon cancer that develops in the lymphatic system, which is a network of vessels and glands spread throughout your body. 5year survival rate is around 90%. With gambling addition as well not a great combination. Readers experience what is going on in his mind, the highs and the very lows but with a great sense of humour that comes out amidst this dreadful time as you join the "cancer club" as he describes this really graphic account no holds barred. 

The author quotes the sentence most suffers will say "why me" and why not whoever that you may not particularly like, but then the author turns this around to "Why not me" and why he wanted to share this journey with the reader.

Will he find the right place to be in his life - reader please take time to read this.

Thank you Nudge and the author for letting me review this remarkable book.

is it me?

This came through my letter box not sure where this came from but a jolly good read

Kate Ready is coming up to 50, unlike me who is downsizing hours at work she is returning but having to and having to lie in relation to her age, that I find difficult to comprehend where a lot of our workforce are 50 and above. 
 Her husband is somewhere else head buried in self help books and taking a sabbatical, her daughter into social media the menopause and the aged Ps. Sound somewhat familiar.

This book deals with what all of us 50 somethings are going through- although I am probably boners moving house and upsizing may be that is the menopause - I do not know. I was hopeful to read about her memory as I thought last week I had the onset of dementia - so through this book I can laugh at myself and the antics of this book. Makes me now feel a bit more "normal" rather than the usual "is it me"

this book is a sequel but can easily be read as a standalone book.

Great sunbed read which was published June 2018

What if

I was asked to review by the Good Housekeeping Book Room which dropped through my letter box on my day off and first day of leave.

The cover gives food for thought straight away" if you knew the date of your death , how would you live your life?" creepy but in a sense we get one bash at this and we mess up would we if we knew? that is the thousand dollar question.

I just had to read this story.

Four children at the end of the 60s knock on the door of a psychic, this person claims they can know the date of the persons death.

then begins a section of each of the four children with unique storylines each interesting thought provoking and sad at the same time. But considering we are reading about mortality there is a great deal of life in the story.

This has an impact on the four children, whether the predictions do come true (readers you will need to read this) boy does this have an impact on their lives. Mortality, grief, life, fate, do we have a choice is everything mapped out for us all thrown into the melting pot. tackles the uncomfortable.

It is beautifully written by the author who brought us Anatomy of Dreams in 2014.

Recommended and just out of the summer sunbed read.

Life changing

I was asked to review by Nudge

firstly to say some of the reviews are a bot unfair, no the book does not go into the medical effects of drinking but we all know that cirrhosis of the liver, cancers etc can result in prolonged and a high intake of alcohol. What is more worrying is that drinking is the norm and on summers days this is blatantly obvious to children too who grow up thinking it is ok to drink to excess.


Right to the book - it set out well and the yellow pages really stand out, and I agree with the authors drinking even in moderation ( I am now not really sure what moderation is) does make you tired, grumpy, your annoying colleagues just get even more annoying and lately with stress at work I drink to help me sleep, which often has the opposite effect.

it is all about looking ay yourself and looking to other motivations, looking after your body we only get one. What I really like was the reference to Steve Peters book The Chimp Paradox, I am currently watching the Tour De France and fascinated by Team Sky.


there are interesting personal stories which the reader can relate to, loved the mocktails and resources are helpful

it is all about mindset, and will I be trying this? - yes when my new job starts in August even if it help me move to a different mindset. It doesn't have to start with a "dry" January it can start anytime.

Good read

I I was asked to review by Librarything 

I was not sure what to make of this at first it is unusual and pitched really well for the child. It was a quick read and I loved the main characters love of plants and science.

A lovely story and recommended - You would not expect this to have a ghost as all the main character thinks about is plants and a quest to find a rare orchid that is until  her teacher disappears and the police suspect her uncle was involved. She need to find out just what this ghost was telling her otherwise it could be too late.

Recommended and well written.

cute read it in February

I was asked to review by Librarything.com
I have to confess I should have reviewed 4 months ago when this would have been the ideal time to read, but loved it anyway. Cute story and follow up to the novello Secret Angel- probably best to read this first.

Cute read with a church theme threaded through

Lovely

quirky and mad capped

I I was asked to review by Nudge

This is a really fun book for 9-12 years but equally entertaining for the adult (or child within the adult)

A girl called Hyacinth and her  Mother  move to London. Her Grandmother gives her a book about the sewers of London for a going away gift ( a strange gift I hear you say- this is a strange story) She finds out that they are not at all right. They move to a flat that her family owns. there are plumbing issues in the bathroom, there is a problem with the tap. Then the fun begins.

It is rather mad over the next 36 hours - there are Sewers, giant pigs, talking mosquitoes in tuxedos and all added to the mix- her mother is kidnapped and it is Hyacinths quest to get her back.
Magic water, good and bad who do you trust?

A really funny story well written with sprinkles of magic and some mad capped characters.

I do hope I will see kids on sun beds reading this book, just watch your taps. 

Well researched

I was asked to review this by the Nursing Times Journal.

What was it like?

I have heard of this condition but not seen many books about this condition. Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT)
The author has researched this subject well as she herself suffers from this disease.
It is quite easy to misdiagnose this – and people do not know they have this with a tiny percentage 10-15% who are diagnosed correctly. This is not just a “nosebleed disease”
It is slightly unfair to state that this is misdiagnosed as it is uncommon, and specialists may never have seen this. The symptoms can be attributable to other problems.
This is book to help suffers and to gain and understanding and how to manage this.

What were the highlights?

The author is writing this as she herself suffers from this. The reader will not find this book difficult to read as the author writes well and paragraphs are in sections so if the reader needs to find an aspect they need to read about they do not need to spend time needlessly going through unnecessary material.
There is a well set out glossary which is valuable in order to understand abbreviations and medical jargon.
The resource section is useful, but readers need to be aware this is written for the USA audience. Saying that it is to be noted there is a Facebook Group in Ireland which may be useful and readers worth joining to find UK members or a link to UK resources.

Strengths & weaknesses:

This is a well set out book for HHT sufferers or those who feel they may have the disorder. Although written for the USA this equally apt for the UK reader. It certainly would be that starting block to go to your clinician and say I think I know what is wrong with me.

I found no weaknesses in this excellent text book.

Who should read it?

All Physicians, Emergency Department Team, GPs and patients and their families.

Inspiring

I was asked to review for the Nursing Times Journal.

What was it like?
This covers women and heart disease, I must confess I had no idea there was a difference to men and women’s symptoms. I learnt too that this was based on the authors blog – Heart Sisters blog which has attracted approximately 11 million views – that is impressive.
The author sets out how to recognise the early signs of heart attack, why women may delay going to seek treatment or advice to treating heart disease. This is written for woman by a woman.

What were the highlights?
This is written for woman by a woman and is a welcome voice. The first stages in the book I could relate to seemingly neurotic woman knowing something is wrong (we do know our bodies) to sometimes being misdiagnosed.
The personal accounts are interesting and thought provoking.
I am aware of Radiology discrepancy meetings within Trusts- the section on “are diagnostic errors in cardiology reported?” made me wonder and ask questions in the UK if this takes place? I wonder all too often in the UK are the health care settings looking at occupancy figures and targets too much.
This give the patient a lifeline and is an effective resource.

Strengths & weaknesses:
This is written in an easy to read guide/resource. The author is a graduate of Mayos Clinic Woman Heart Science and Leadership symposium for women with heart disease. This has been researched well, with up to date research and a useful glossary (if you are writing for patients understand this. The patients need to understand the jargon and medical terms- not all text book authors writing for patients realises this is important) this book links in with the authors blog – I have now signed up for this this book has made me want to know more.
Written in the states but is equally apt for the UK patient/reader.

Who should read it?
Anyone working in a Coronary disease setting within health care, Emergency Department staff, Ward staff, Medical Teams, and student nurses and doctors.



































































































































































































































































































































































































































































I was asked to review for the Nursing Times Journal.

What was it like?
This covers women and heart disease, I must confess I had no idea there was a difference to men and women’s symptoms. I learnt too that this was based on the authors blog – Heart Sisters blog which has attracted approximately 11 million views – that is impressive.
The author sets out how to recognise the early signs of heart attack, why women may delay going to seek treatment or advice to treating heart disease. This is written for woman by a woman.

What were the highlights?
This is written for woman by a woman and is a welcome voice. The first stages in the book I could relate to seemingly neurotic woman knowing something is wrong (we do know our bodies) to sometimes being misdiagnosed.
The personal accounts are interesting and thought provoking.
I am aware of Radiology discrepancy meetings within Trusts- the section on “are diagnostic errors in cardiology reported?” made me wonder and ask questions in the UK if this takes place? I wonder all too often in the UK are the health care settings looking at occupancy figures and targets too much.
This give the patient a lifeline and is an effective resource.

Strengths & weaknesses:
This is written in an easy to read guide/resource. The author is a graduate of Mayos Clinic Woman Heart Science and Leadership symposium for women with heart disease. This has been researched well, with up to date research and a useful glossary (if you are writing for patients understand this. The patients need to understand the jargon and medical terms- not all text book authors writing for patients realises this is important) this book links in with the authors blog – I have now signed up for this this book has made me want to know more.
Written in the states but is equally apt for the UK patient/reader.

Who should read it?
Anyone working in a Coronary disease setting within health care, Emergency Department staff, Ward staff, Medical Teams, and student nurses and doctors.