I will marry George Clooney(by Christmas) - Tracy Bloom

I Will Marry George Clooney by Tracy Bloom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Slogging her guts out in a chicken factory, whilst single-handedly bringing up a teenager who hates her, is far from the life that 36-year-old Michelle had planned.

But marrying the most eligible man on the planet by Christmas could change all that, couldn’t it? 

Sometimes your only option is to dream the impossible - because you never know where it might take you…

Motored through this book, it actually only took me two days to finish it. Incredibly unlikely story line but with Tracy Bloom's natural gift at comedy writing it was a really easy read which had good laugh aloud moments.

The story is about Michelle a single mother with a teenage daughter who has long since given up her dreams and ambitions and who works in a dead end job in a chicken factory. During an argument with her daughter Josie she foolishly says that if she manages to marry George Clooney by Christmas then her daughter has to agree to give up her no hoper of a boyfriend Sean and ideas of quitting school and make something of her life. Josie readily agrees assuming her mother has lost the plot and since there is no chance she can make this happen Josie believes she has already won the bet.

Although we know it is a stupid story line its told in such an engaging and funny way that you almost want it to happen for her and you're driven on to the end to see how this can possibly end happily for Michelle.

Michelle is an endearing character, she's hard working with a daughter who appears self centered and unappreciative and she has made sacrifices to give her a good life and the chance to make something of herself. When she sees her daughter ready to throw away everything for a boy Michelle has to do something to stop her hence this wacky idea of marrying George Clooney. Once having made the statement she confides in her work friends Gina and Daz who join together to help her make it happen (or not).

We also learn a lot more about Michelle and her relationship with her own mother as well as her relationship with Josie her daughter, they have a strange parallel. Michelle can't quite match up to her sister Jane (who tragically died) in her mother Kathleen's eyes, and she can't quite be the mother that Josie wants her to be either. Josie is frustrated that her mother has never revealed who her father is and Michelle is constantly being compared to her dead sister and reminded what a failure she is. The appearance of a face from the past also spurs Michelle on to prove to her daughter that you are in charge of your own destiny and following your dreams is always worth while.

Good laugh out loud moments, identifiable characters and a satisfactory ending - all you can ask from a read. Would rate this one 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5 for good reads and Amazon.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.

Weekly Wrap Up week 32 28/12/14

This week has come and gone so fast! I can't believe I'm halfway through the holidays! It was Christmas week this week and I spent it at the in laws, I will be having a second Christmas when I return home, with presents that I didn't take with me. That will be during this week some time. So the nest exciting thing we have to look forward to is New Years Eve. Please leave me a comment and let me know what you are going to be gettin  up to, I love to hear. 

I have felt I have really begun to get to grips with my reading since I've been off and managed so far to read more than I normally would. Unfortunately this year I have only opened 1 book so far, I am hoping  that I have others waiting for me under the Christmas tree at home... fingers crossed! 

This week I have been sent:

The Liars Chair by Rebecca Whitney 

Frostfire by Amanda Hocking 

Sudden Departure of the Fraser's by Louise Candlish 

Married by Christmas by Scarlett Bailey (Xmas present) 

This week I have bought: 

Books I have read this week:

Roomies 

Currently reading The Headmasters wife 

I hope you all had a great reading week and Christmas, thanks for stopping by at The Book Corner, I loved  hearing what you have got this week so please leave a comment to let me know. 

The Silver Collection - Carole Matthews

The Silver Collection by Carole Matthews
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The publication of my novel, The Christmas Party, has seen me celebrating a career that has spanned twenty-five books and eighteen years. Yet it seems like only yesterday when I had my first book, Let's Meet on Platform 8, published. I'm so lucky to have an enthusiastic and devoted following of readers - some who've stayed with me from the very beginning and some who are recent converts. Without you reading and enjoying my books, I would never have had the fabulous career I've been blessed with. We make a great team!

I thought it would be nice for you all to join the celebration with me and to offer a small token of my thanks and appreciation for all your support over the years. I love writing short stories and that's what helped to get me started on this road so I've put together a collection of a few of my favourites that have interspersed the last twenty-five books. Each one is very special to me for a different reason and has lovely memories. I hope you enjoy them too. Find half an hour to curl up on the sofa with them and raise a glass to toast twenty-five books and us!

Cheers!
Carole xx



This is a collection if short stories, I didn't know that when I downloaded it, but I was happy to get stuck in.

There are 5 stories in total and before each one there is a little description about each one from Matthews.

So about the stories, they are all in the romance genre.

The first story is called Ignorance is Bliss, this comes from the wife's perspective. She knows her husband is having an affair, she comes across bitter in places and not that likable. She has secrets of her own. This story was ok, not the best in the collection but enjoyable.

The second story 'Travelling Light' was actually my favourite story and I think it was also the longest in the collection.

Alice is travelling alone a few weeks before her wedding, she feels she needs some space before the big day and get her head right. On her travels in China she meets Kane an American and also a fellow traveller. They decide to spend their time together while they are in China, making sure to visit all the sites.

As times goes on Alice realises her love for Stephen (her fiance) back home, May not actually be what she wants.

I really enjoyed This short story, it became my favourite in the collection. It felt complete and not rushed at all.

The third story 'A weekend in Venice' was enjoyable but I also found it a little unbelievable. This story felt completely different to Matthews other stories in the book and took on a slightly more erotic feel.

The fourth story 'Hotel Du Lac' was only 5 pages and unfortunately you were able to tell when reading it. It came across very rushed with very little storyline. This I feel was not the best story and has left me feeling flat, to be honest I have just finished the collection and couldn't tell you anything about this story, it completely was lost on me. This certainly was the most disappointing story in the collection.

'The way to a man's heart' is the final story in this collection. The story is about chocolate and building up a business. Maddys ex lives in the flat above, when they split up she decided she wanted to start again and creating her own business seemed to be the way to go. After a while her ex turns up on her doorstep and begins trying her products,this quickly turns into a regular thing. This was another enjoyable story in this collection.

I read all stories in an afternoon.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone! 

I wasn't going to do a post today but I thought last minute that I would. I hope you all have had a brilliant  Christmas. I have spent the day at my in laws and just finished  a huge dinner and w  are now settling down to watch the Tele...well I will be doing some reading! 

As I am at the in laws it does mean I get to have two Christmas' s as when we return home I have  gifts from my family to open. So I am really looking forward to that. 

I have been super lucky so far, although I have only got one book which I am slightly disappointed about ha ha! 

Anyway I wanted to say happy Christmas to all my readers an  I hope you got everything you wanted. Please leave me a comment about what you were lucky enough to get as I love to hear. 

I hope you all have a great boxing day and are looking forward to New Year. 

The Gift - Karli Perrin

The Gift by Karli Perrin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It was the weekend before Christmas and the whole world was on countdown.
Except for me.
Last Christmas, I met a boy.
Last Christmas, we made a pact.
Christmas would never be the same.
Life would never be the same...

This is an incredibly short story, that I read in about 20 minutes, so perfect for a short lunchtime break or commute.

This is Imogen and Blake, they meet on the run up to Christmas in an unusual situation and take a shine to each other.

My only negative of this short story is the reference to most of the dialogue between the two characters being in code. I felt this point was laboured quite a lot.

The description of Blake makes you want your own Blake this Christmas.

This short story is flirty and fun. This is the first time I have read a story by Perrin, however on the strength if this I would read others of her books.

This is currently free on Amazon and it is a great free find. If you have not downloaded this yet, go grab yourself a copy!

A New York Christmas by Melissa Hill

A New York Christmas by Melissa Hill
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

When Maddie decides to visit Manhattan in December, hoping that a classic New York Christmas experience might help heal her broken heart, she wonders if an encounter with a handsome stranger might turn out to be the perfect Christmas gift.



I have really enjoyed reading novellas this year, it has allowed me to dip my toes into Christmas, in between other stories.

I first discovered Hill last year when I read A gift to remember and I love it. This story I thought I would equally love as it was set abroad and felt like a really great romance.

This story is about Maddie, she goes to New York to visit her for Christmas. Unfortunately when she gets there Sarah her friend cannot spend as much time as she had hoped she would be able to with her. Maddie is left to explore the Big Apple on her own.

While she is exploring, she meets a man, Blake, he seems perfect almost too perfect.

I enjoyed the majority of the story, however in places it felt very rushed. I was looking forward to the description of Blake and Maddies date as the description was great leading up to it. But in a few lines the date was over and I felt a bit let down by the lack of description given.

The story also seemed a little believable, something happens that I would have thought most people would just shrug off and not worry about, but Maddie gets really wound up about it.

Overall it was an ok story, I thought it would be much better if it had been longer.

weekly wrap up week 31 21/12/14

This week I finished school for the holidays and I'm so glad. This has been a very long term! This Christmas is full deserved I think! This has also been an exciting week for me as on Wednesday it was my third wedding anniversary, I can't believe how quick the time has gone! My husband bought me a lovely designer leather bag. (Leather is the third traditional wedding gift) it is just beautiful! Anyway back to the books. 

This week I have been sent:

The Vault by Karen Long

After the Storm by Jane Lythell 

The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir who got trapped in an IKEA Wardrobe by Romain Puertolas (already read and reviewed) 

This week I have bought: 

None 

Books I have read this week:

The stall of second chances by Dana Bate 

The Gift by Karli Perrin 

A New York Christmas by Melissa Hill

Shopaholic on honeymoon by Sophie Kinsella

As you can see I have managed to read quite a lot this week, some of the reviews are already up, look out for the others. 

So this is Christmas week and I would like to wish all of you a happy Christmas, I hope you get everything you wanted and have a brilliant Christmas. 

I am hoping as it is the Christmas holidays I will be able to read a lot more this week. 

Let me know what you have received this week and what you have read, I love to hear from you all. 

Thanks for stopping by at The Book Corner

The Stall of Second Chances

The Stall of Second Chances by Dana Bate
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sydney Strauss is obsessed with food.

Not just with eating it – though she loves that too – but with writing about it as an aspiring cookery reporter. But food journalism jobs are more coveted than cupcakes, and so Sydney is stuck working for one of TV’s biggest egomaniacs – until she’s left scrambling for shifts at the local farmers’ market.

Selling muffins at the Wild Yeast Bakery is hardly going to make her the next Nigella. But soon Sydney is writing the market’s weekly newsletter, and her quirky stories gain attention from a prominent food columnist. After years of being left on the shelf, she’s even dating again. And then Sydney gets a shot atthe story, one that could either make her career or burn it to a cinder – along with her relationship and her reputation…

I have been super lucky to have got a copy in time for the blog tour. This sounded rich up ny street, I love a chick lit and I love any books associated with food. So right from the beginning I thought this was going to be a book for me.

I read a lot of books and I feel that my expectation for a book to be good is now very high. Lately I have been left feeling a little flat after reading some books. This was not one of these and it was really refreshing.

This story is about Sydney, she is not having much luck in her job. She has taken the wrap for a mistake and now has been left with no job. She is starting to really feel the pressure and you feel Sydney is at a crossroads, she could pick herself up and get on with things or she could hit rock bottom. Luckily one of her best friends stops this from happening and forces her into covering a shift for her at the market stall she works on. Thus job at the Wild Yeast Bakery stall becomes more regular and although she cannot stand the owner and the hours suck, she doesn't have a lot of choice, it pays the bills!

From work in on the stall, Sydney begins to make contacts and her career feels like it could be on the up. This is brilliant, it has good pace and everything you would expect from a chick lit, romance too.

I don't want yo say anymore as I feel I would be spoiling it for you. All I would say is, this should be a book you read soon.

I found this a very easy read and it was really enjoyable. I also loved the recipes printed at the back of the book, I will be trying these out!

This was my first experience of Bate' s writing style and I loved it, I will definitely be getting hold of her previous book and give that a go.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.

English Laundry Perfume

English Laundry Perfume

What Birchbox say: 

English Laundry tap into the very essence of an English country garden with this beautifully fresh fragrance. Envelop yourself in top notes of rose geranium and creamy white flowers set against its backdrop of woody spicy and musky notes. 50ml. 

My review: 

This came in a lovely travel size with a spray pump. I prefer spray pumps to the ones you dab on your wrists as I feel you get a much better overall coverage. The packaging was lovely and came in a shade of pink. After a few pumps of the spray it finally came out. 

Initially you get a floral tone come through, their  is also quite a lost of muck in this product. Personally I do not like to wear musk. I have pets in the house and its known that dogs especially don't like musk and can turn on you - this is coming from experience with a family member who was wearing musk. 

Due to my experience I now don  have musk in the house and for that reason I would not wear this perfume. I did try it when it arrive  as I didn't know it was based with musk, I can say th  product is long lasting and I did get asked what the sent was that I was wearing. 

I wouldn't be buying this product down to a personal preference with the sent, saying that I had compliments and think the smell is pleasant. 

This product is very expensive at £60. 

Shopaholic to the Stars - Sophie Kinsella

Shopaholic on Honeymoon by Sophie Kinsella
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The new Mr and Mrs Brandon are on honeymoon, and Becky has big plans! They’ve got a whole year to explore Venice, learn yoga in India, sleep in little wooden huts in South America… maybe even see penguins in the Arctic. And of course they’ll need to buy just a few essential souvenirs along the way (everyone needs a set of Murano glass goblets, after all).

They’re not just tourists, they’re travellers. Becky is sure it is just the thing that Luke needs – time to unwind. He’ll come back a changed man… with all the good bits still intact of course.

But it soon becomes clear that Luke has different plans entirely. Can Becky help him let go, or will this little disagreement threaten their whole honeymoon?



When I heard that Kinsella had bought out a short story - Shopaholic on Honeymoon, I couldn't wait to read it. I was disappointed with her latest story - Shopaholic to the Stars but I was hoping this would be back to her usual standard.

I was not disappointed with this short story, I felt Becky was back to the old days, witty and I could hear her voice coming through. That is something I rely enjoy about the Shopaholic series, Becky has a voice and only by reading the first page I know if she is there.

This is the story of Becky on her honeymoon. As a traveller I have always wondered about her honeymoon and love the prospect of Becky travelling. (ONE of my favourite shopaholic' s was Shopaholic Abroad.

I loved every aspect of this short story, even though it was. Short story I felt there was a lot packed into it. It could have easily been a lot longer, something I would have loved! It would have nice to have Becky and Luke visit a few other places.

Kinsella was back with this short story, her writing style and her quirky aspects to the book were all present. I particularly enjoyed reading the letter response from the Mayor of London.

This is a must read for any Becky fan, and after being disappointed with the latest novel by Kinsella, she has managed to convert me back again and made me realise why I loved the books so much.

If you have not read any of the series, this is not th one to start with. If you have then you must read this one. This was a perfect gift from kinsella this Christmas for all her fans.

After reading this I cannot wait for the next story.

on strike fo Christmas - Sheila Roberts

On Strike for Christmas by Sheila Roberts
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

At Christmas time, it seems as though a woman's work is never done. Trimming the tree, mailing the cards, schlepping to the mall, the endless wrapping - bah humbug! So this year, Joy and Laura and the rest of their knitting group decide to go on strike. If their husbands and families want a nice holiday filled with parties, decorations, and presents - well, they'll just have to do it themselves.

The boycott soon takes on a life of its own when a reporter picks up the story and more women join in. But as Christmas Day approaches, Joy, Laura, and their husbands confront larger issues in their marriages and discover that a little holiday magic is exactly what they need to come together.

Not the greatest of books for me; it gambled on the fact that the readers really would believe that intelligent men and women could not sort out their differences without resorting to such drastic measures as females going on strike for Christmas until their partners committed to taking an active part in all the preparations and extra work that it presented for the women.

It was extremely predictable although amusing in parts, it did become tedious and I found I really got to the point where I didn't care about the Stitch 'n Bitch knitting club and their crusade to try and get their unappreciative other halves more involved in the festive season. It was so twee, the town called 'Holly' the main characters names 'Joy' and her Scrooge like husband Bob who she refers to as 'Bob Humbug' were all a bit too contrived for me. It could not have possibly been written for the UK market - I can't imagine this situation happening in the UK. I would think if women were foolish enough to think going on strike at Christmas in the UK would have the same effect/happy endings as this American novel had they simply would not be rewarded with partners who 'soldiered on' determined to prove they could cope they'd more than likely be told to stop being so childish and selfish which is what I wanted to tell these silly Stitch 'n Bitch club members.

In the real world these things don't happen and although novels are escapism this really is such a silly nonsense novel that it left me feeling no enjoyment at having read it just annoyance that the writer could think the reader wants or needs so little from a book. Most of the so called conflicts were not conflicts, they would have easily been solved by talking the situation through with their partners. Most men do take situations for granted but are not completely insensitive and once reminded that the partnership is all about sharing and give and take they do come through. Shelia Roberts depiction of the men in the novel was very Victorian and selfish, not complimentary at all and her depiction of women equally fell short of the mark.

Women these days are not long suffering, most of us enjoy the whole Christmas thing and although it is extra work we really wouldn't want our other halves to do it anyway and I'm sure most men are more than happy to help given the chance. The fact is most women would rather their other halves didn't help and the women in this novel really didn't want the men to do it either they just wanted to be given more credit and wanted their husbands to pay more attention to them - a bit shallow really.

As you can see I didn't gel with this book - Shelia Roberts as a writer is better than this let's hope her next one is more worthy of her writing skills.

Sorry only a 2 from me and that was for the rare moments of humour.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending me this copy in exchange for an honest review.

Weekly Wrap Up week 30 14.12.14

So it is getting close to the end of term and I can't wait! We are beginning to slowly calm, the plays at school are done and dusted and so we are now preparing for the final week. This week I have had to stay late at school most nights so have not done as much reading as I had hoped but I am pleased with my result. 

This week I have been sent:

Trust no one - Jayne Ann Krentz

This week I have bought: 

Shopaholic on honeymoon - Sophie Kinsella

Books I have read this week:

Currently reading the stall of second chances 

I hope you all had a great reading week and thanks for stopping by at The Book Corner, I loved  hearing what you have got this week so please leave a comment to let me know. 

The Snow Globe - Sheila Roberts

The Snow Globe by Sheila Roberts
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Discover an unforgettable holiday treasure in Sheila Roberts' heartwarming tale of love and laughter, magic and miracles, friendship and coming home . . .

When Kiley Gray discovers an enchanting snow globe in an antique shop, she has no idea how much her life is about to change. For years, the snow globe has passed from generation to generation, somehow always landing in the hands of a person in special need of a Christmas miracle.

Kiley could use a miracle herself. This year, all she wants for Christmas is someone to love. A hopeful shake leads her on an adventure that makes a believer out of her. When Kiley shares the story of the snow globe with her best friends-two women with problems of their own-they don't believe it. But they're about to discover that at Christmastime, sometimes the impossible becomes possible and miracles really do come true.

Perfect for fans of Jill Mansell, Marie Force and Nora Roberts, this is a gentle, romantic Christmas story that's sure to capture your heart and leave you with a smile

Roberts' charming story set in the Seattle area offers hope, comfort, and a second chance for those who believe, and a nudge to change the minds of those who don't.




I was offered this book to read for a blog tour, a Christmay book? I jumped at the chance to read it. From the blurb, this sounded like just my type of read, magical and set at Christmas, that was all I needed to know, I was hooked from the beginning.

This story is about an antique snow globe that is passed from person to person and changed their lives.

I loved the first story who's character was Kiley. I really got into this and enjoyed every minute of her story. To be honest although Suzanne and Allison were introduced as her friends, and then as main characters, I did expect to revisit Kileys story. This didn't happen and I felt a little let down.

Suzanne, for me was not a very likable character, after reAlly warming to Kiley, I found this a struggle yo continue with the story. I did for the main reason I thought we may return to Kiley.

Allison is the final character we follow in the story, she misses her grandmother dearly who passed away the following year.

I did enjoy the story, I felt like the story was actually a lot longer than it was, this could have been down to the fact there were three stories in it.

I felt that Kileys story was the strongest and I would have enjoyed to have read a lot more of her story than the others.

Overall the story was ok, it was Christmay and you could read it. Comfortably in an afternoon. I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.

Secret Santa by Scarlett Bailey

Secret Santa by Scarlett Bailey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A self-confessed Christmas queen, Sue Montaigne prides herself on organising the annual nativity pageant in her small Cornish village of Poldore.

But this year, what with having to deal with the repairs on Castle House after it was wrecked by a terrible storm, training a new – and frankly flighty – Virgin Mary and managing a Joseph who is allergic to sheep, she is distinctly lacking a little bit of ‘me time’.

And then there are the auditions for the new Santa. But nothing prepares her for the beautiful man who turns up, a twinkle in his eye and a promise to make her Christmas dreams come true…

I absolutely loved 'Just for Christmas' and 'Two weddings and a baby' last year, so when I heard Scarlett Bailey was back with Secret Santa also set in Poldore, I needed to read it.

This story centres around Sue, Sue inherited a large castle in the village, that had been passed down to her by her ancestors. She has got big financial problems and some with her husband. Sue is really in the heart of the community, she decides to really throw herself into the festivities this year, things are not plain sailing for her, especially when the long running Santa pulls out this year. Sue only has a few days to try and get a new Santa in time for Christmas!

There is a new visitor in the village this year, a famous actor, who Sue has taken a shine to. (Actually I think we all did!)

Although the story is set with the run up to Christmas, there are many issues in it that you can almost be forgiven for forgetting when it is set. A major them in this novella is the break down of Sue' s marriage and the effect she feels this will have on her children. Money worries and the stress this can cause is also a big theme.

I love the mysterious Nick and how his character can really change the dynamics and feelings of the story.

I really loved this short story and has become one of my favourites I have read so far. I am so glad I discovered Scarlett Bailey last year and I hope we will be getting more instalments from Poldore in the future.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.

weekly wrap up - week 29 7/12/14

This week has gone so quick and I cannot believe the first week of advent is already over! After last week's weekly wrap up, I decided I wanted to get the Christmas tree up, so it is! I absolutely love this time of year and love looking at my tree! Anyway I have done all my Christmas shopping now, so I can relax with a good book, a cup of tea and listen to some festive music! Anyway back to the books...

This week I have been sent: 

Book Geek tote bag to review and I have a fab offer coming your way, for all you book lovers!  Make sure  you check out yesterday's post for the discount! 

The Liar by Nora Roberts
The life I left behind by Colette McBeth 
The two of us by Andy Jones 

This week I have bought: 

Presents, do they count?!?!

Books I have read this week:

Secret Santa by Scarlett Bailey

I hope you all had a great reading week and thanks for stopping by at The Book Corner, I loved  hearing what you have got this week so please leave a comment to let me know. 

Book Lover Gifts - Book Geek bag review and discount code

Hi, this is a slightly different review today. My friends over at Book Lover Gifts have sent me a great bag to review. 

So here it is: 

Are you a self-professed book geek? Well I think you should get this bag. Be proud of who you are.

• Exclusive to Book Lover Gifts
• Eye catching design, sure to get noticed.
• Handprinted in the UK
• Made from high quality, natural cotton.
• The straps are 70cm, so it can be worn on your shoulder
• Measures 37cm wide x 41cm tall

The bag is £6.99

My review: 

It arrived all packaged beautifully in tissue paper with a book lover gifts sticker. It was so nice to think someone had cared about my gift so much before it arrived to me, I thought this was a wonderful, personal touch. 

So far I have  only been using the bag for about a week but I love it. It is made from cotton an  is a tote bag. It is really strong and I have been able to us  it to carry a whole number of items. It is comfortable and sits on your shoulders effortlessly, this is a really big hit for me. 

I love the print on the bag and it is easy to see it is really good quality. 

When I had been out with the bag I have had a few people comment on how unusual it is an  they asked me where I got it from. This has been the perfect time to review this bag for Book Lover Gifts as its on the run up to Christmas. 

On The Book Lover Gifts website they have a range of items. To b  honest I love them all, I am especially interested in the Jane Austen scarf they have. Anyone who knows me well, knows I always have a scarf around  my neck. I particularly love this one as it is 200 years of Jane Austen. 

I also am a big fan of the speech mark earrings, they are so cute and perfect for any book lover. Everything on the book lover gifts website is priced well and affordable. 

If you are still looking for that perfect gift for the book geek in your life, look no further. This website will have something for you. 

Becca over at Book Lover Gifts has been kind enough to offer my readers a discount on any of their items.

 If you would like to take advantage of this discount please enter - bookcorner10 at the checkout. 

This will give you 10% off until 1st January 2015! Make sure you take advantage of that!

http://booklovergifts.com/

One of the best things is that everything from their website is so unique, they also ship world wide so there really are no excuses now not to check them out. I think you will love them! 

If you do have a look on their website and decide to get something, I would love to know what you bought, please leave me a comment o keg me know. 

I would like to thank Becca for sending this in exchange for an honest review. 

Thanks for reading this and happy shopping! 

Cathy Bramley - Cover Reveal!

Conditional Love by Cathy Bramley

BLURB

A takeaway, TV and tea with two sugars is about as exciting as it gets for thirty-something Sophie Stone. Sophie’s life is safe and predictable, which is just the way she likes it, thank you very much.

But when a mysterious benefactor leaves her an inheritance, Sophie has to accept that change is afoot. There is one big catch: in order to inherit, Sophie must agree to meet the father she has never seen. Saying ‘yes’ means the chance to build her own dream home, but she’ll also have to face the past and hear some uncomfortable truths… With interference from an evil boss, warring parents, an unreliable boyfriend and an architect who puts his foot in it every time he opens his mouth, will Sophie be able to build a future on her own terms – and maybe even find love along the way?

I have been lucky enough to have already read this book, last year. This is a brilliant novel that I recommend everyone to read. You can find my review on my blog, go check it out. This cover though is absolutely stunning. 

Thornfield Hall - Jane Stubbs

Thornfield Hall by Jane Stubbs
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Rochesters are very good at keeping secrets...

Thornfield Hall, 1821. Alice Fairfax takes up her role as housekeeper of the estate. But when Mr Rochester presents her with a woman who is to be hidden on the third floor, she finds herself responsible for much more than the house.

This is the story Jane Eyre never knew - a narrative played out on the third floor and beneath the stairs, as the servants kept their master's secret safe and sound.



This book was unsolicited and historic fiction is not something I choose to read. I passed this one to my mum to read as she loves historical fiction. Here is her review: 

Thornfield Hall magically transported me back not only to the period of 1821 and all the quintessentially Englishness of this Victorian period but back to my school days when I was forced to read that wonderful classic Jane Eyre. I am so glad that I was made to read this incredibly beautiful book at school and even more pleased that I was asked to review this novel of Jane Stubbs telling the story behind Jane Eyre from the servants below stairs.

I never thought that Jane Eyre could be enhanced or indeed needed enhancing but having read Thornfield Hall I realised how much more rounded the original book became for me because of this novel. Jane Stubbs managed to retain all the magic and mystery of the original book as if she were Charlotte Bronte herself. She understood the characters so well and seemed able to really capture the essence of the book, it was beautifully written with great imagery connecting the reader to the familiar language and landscape of the rugged Yorkshire countryside and the hardships of living below stairs during this Victorian era.

Those of you who have read Jane Eyre will know the story so there are no 'spoilers' here, those of you who have not read the original will certainly want to read it I am sure after reading Thornfield Hall.

Jane Stubbs managed to preserve the integrity of the original book and yet create an outstandingly convincing take of the same novel from the perspective of the servants who were the hidden heart of the household, keeping the estates and grand houses running and sharing hardships and secrets below stairs. I loved the way Stubbs moulded the characters and developed their personalities, introducing new characters who were just as convincing as the originals and the twist she gave to the end of the story, believable and completely in keeping with the original novel.

If you, like me, loved Jane Eyre then you have to read this book, its' enchanting, beautifully written and well worth the 5 stars I have given it. If you haven't read Jane Eyre then you need to if only to appreciate the mastery of Jane Stubbs Thornfield Hall.

Loved it, absolutely loved it. I would like to thank the publisher for sending this, in exchange for an honest review.

My mum enjoyed this book so much she is passing it to her friend to read. She highly recommends it. This is due out tomorrow and should be part of your Christmas wish list!

The Great Christmas Knit Off - Alexandra Brown

The Great Christmas Knit Off by Alexandra Brown
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The perfect seasonal tale of how laughter, friends and wacky Christmas jumpers can mend a broken heart. For fans of Trisha Ashley and Jenny Colgan.

Heartbroken after being jilted at the altar, Sybil has been saved from despair by her knitting obsession and now her home is filled to bursting with tea cosies, bobble hats, and jumpers. But, after discovering that she may have perpetrated the cock-up of the century at work, Sybil decides to make a hasty exit and, just weeks before Christmas, runs away to the picturesque village of Tindledale.

There, Sybil discovers Hettie’s House of Haberdashery, an emporium dedicated to the world of knitting and needle craft. But Hettie, the outspoken octogenarian owner, is struggling and now the shop is due for closure. And when Hettie decides that Sybil’s wonderfully wacky Christmas jumpers are just the thing to add a bit of excitement to her window display, something miraculous starts to happen…



This is the first book I have ever read by Alexandra Brown, I knew she was very popular but other than thank I had no idea what to expect.

First thing I must say is that her ability to write about the setting and make the reader fall in love with it was incredible. I felt like I was in Tindledale with the characters and actually wished I was. She made the setting sound wonderful with it being welcoming and warm.

I loved the community feel about the book. Living in a town, I don't have that, you are unusual normally if you know the person who lives next door to you. Where as in Tindledale neighbours are friends and rally round to help each other. I loved that everyone tried to help Hetti, people she didn't even think would care did and this is what made all the characters really likable.

Sybil has a good job in the city, her husband to be however ran off with her sister and she has made a huge mistake at work involving a lot of money and is going to cost the tax payer thousands. she needs to get away and somewhere far. She has some friends who own the pub in a little village called Tindledale. They are always saying she must come and visit. The fact that she can't get hold of her won't matter, she will love to see her. So Sybil jumps on the train and heads off.

It doesn't take Sybil long to fall in love with Tindledale. Everything is so warm and welcoming there, well minus the power cut when she arrives and the lack of her friend there... she gets offered a room at a local B&B. The owner is so wonderful, takes the time to listen to Sybil and helps her find her was around. He really takes an interest in her and wants to help her out.

I hear that this is the first in a series of Tindledale and I would be interested in reading others. This was a lovely heartwarming tale. I would also like to read about Tindledale in the summer as I think the setting would be just as beautiful.

For me this was a different type of Christmas read, but one I enjoyed.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.

Weekly Wrap Up Week 28 30/11/14

So this is the last weekend in November eeeek! Not long to go until Christmas now! Have you done all your Christmas shopping? I have been doing little bits for the last few weeks, I hope to be finished by next weekend. (Fingers crossed!)

This week I have been sent: 

The first fifteen lives of Harry August by Claire North 

This week I have bought: 

Books I have read this week:

I hope you all had a great reading week and thanks for stopping by!