Raincoats and Retrievers by Cressida McLaughlin

Raincoats and Retrievers by Cressida McLaughlin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It’s autumn and Primrose Terrace has never looked lovelier. But things are far from rosy for the Barker’s at No.6. Cat’s been walking their pair of gorgeous Golden Retrievers and she’s noticed that things are distinctly chilly between owners Juliette and Will. For Cat, things are coming to a head with Mark, but is he the right man for her? Especially as she is getting closer to flatmate Joe. Cat thinks she must be able to do something to stop autumn falling on the Barker’s marriage, but is there anything she can do to resolve her feelings about Mark?

Raincoats and Retrievers is the third part of a serialized novel told in four parts – all set in Primrose Terrace.


I began reading this delightful series a while back and I enjoyed it so much. Something happened and I never got round to reading this installment, so when I turned on my kindle and saw it staring at me, I couldn't wait to continue the series and got stuck in.

It is the beginning of Autumn and we get to take another dip into Fairview and the neighbours of Primrose Terrace. I was worried picking this up after such a long time away from the series, I was worried that I wouldn't be able to slip into it easily and that I would have to reconnect with the characters. I am so glad I was wrong, as soon as I had finished the first page I felt back in these wonderful characters lives and felt I had never been away. Something else I noticed about reading this so far apart from the others is that these novellas could quite easily be read a stand a lone novels, however reading them in order does allow you to really connect with the characters and make links.

Cat Palmer's dog walking business is really taking off, she gets to know not only the canines that she walks but also the families they come from. In this installment we get to meet some new characters and Cat soon discovers that one of her retrievers owner is having marriage trouble. She is also having her own trouble when it comes to her love life, her and Mark seem to hit it off but at the same time seem to not want to commit, finally they go on a date, are things beginning to look like they could have a future?

This is such a quick series to read, the writing flow well and it is enjoyable. I love the fact this has been released in installments. Personally I find it so much easier to read a book broken down in this way. Perfect for busy days and nights when I only get an hour or so to read. This actually makes me feel like I have completed something. I can't wait for the final part now.

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

This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp

This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



10:00 a.m.
The principal of Opportunity, Alabama's high school finishes her speech, welcoming the entire student body to a new semester and encouraging them to excel and achieve.

10:02 a.m.
The students get up to leave the auditorium for their next class.

10:03
The auditorium doors won't open.

10:05
Someone starts shooting.

Told over the span of 54 harrowing minutes from four different perspectives, terror reigns as one student's calculated revenge turns into the ultimate game of survival.




This is a book that I am finding difficult to review... Although I have had this sitting waiting to be read for such a long time, due to the nature of the book it did take me a while to get to.

When I heard about this book I instantly wanted to read it. Living in the U.K we are lucky enough not to have a gun culture, as they seem to have in America, however we regularly hear about school shootings. It is only something we can listen to and be shocked in disbelieve that someone would want to do something like that.

This made it a really interesting book for me, I wanted to try and understand it. I feel that this book has made me feel the fear that the victims would feel but I felt I was unable to develop many feelings at all for the shooter as I didn't get to know the character that well. Maybe that was the point of the story, to not be able to read the shooter at all and to instill fear in the reader.

The story takes place over 54 minutes and is about a school shooting, it did take me a while to get into the book as there are a few characters we jump to and from, in between that we had flash backs, where we discovered information about some of the characters and briefly the shooter. Throughout the book we come across some big secrets, ones that perhaps could have effected the event unfolding, or perhaps are the reason this is happening.

Once I got to grips with who was who, I could see links between the characters and did 'enjoy' the book. 'Enjoy' perhaps is not the right word, but I wanted to reach the end and read it in record time and find out what happened in the end. I found it difficult to relate to the characters, and not many of them were that likable. I did grow to like some of them as the novel went on.

This is a pacy book and I did enjoy that aspect of it. At times I couldn't believe such little time had passed as it felt it could have been hours, this was something I think that was very good. I would have thought in that situation that is probably correct, a few minutes would feel like hours.

I am not very emotional when it comes to books, they never really seem to grip me that much, however the last 20% of this book really got to me. By the end of it I had a lump in my throat, something which is a whole next experience for me when reading a book so it obviously had a big effect on me.

I liked the link between the characters and I also enjoyed the acts of bravery shown by some characters, the completely selfish act to save others, this gives the human race hope. This also reminds you as a reader, there are some good people out there who are willing to put themselves in danger for others.

This is a book, that if you read it will stay with you for a very long time, regardless what you think of it and surely then Nijkamp has succeeded as an author. I think this is a powerful debut YA novel, which is hard and emotional to read.

I really loved the epilogue, most books I don't think they bring an awful lot to the story, this one was different. It made that lump of mine get even bigger, but it was totally worth it. We were left with a few unanswered questions, however I can live with that.

This book is for the YA market, however on the back it is suggested 14 years and up. I would have suggested a slightly older age range just due to the brutality in the book. I know if I had read this at 14 it would have freaked me out and I wouldn't have wanted to go to school the next day.

This book is not perfect, far from it but overall this book is one you should read, it is a hard subject and perhaps one you will struggle through, but it is shocking and real.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Little Girl Gone by Alexandra Burt

Little Girl Gone by Alexandra Burt
My rating: 3 of 5 stars



A baby goes missing. But does her mother want her back?

When Estelle’s baby daughter is taken from her cot, she doesn’t report her missing. Days later, Estelle is found in a wrecked car, with a wound to her head and no memory.

Estelle knows she holds the key to what happened that night – but what she doesn’t know is whether she was responsible…
Gone Girl meets Girl on a Train was how this book was billed and having read both of these books I was really looking forward to fast paced psychological thriller. I was left a bit deflated as I found it to be mainly about psychoanalysis of a postpartum woman who appears to have 'lost' her child and only through many sessions with a therapist can the reader unpick what has happened to her baby Mia.

The first part of the book was totally gripping, especially when Mia is suddenly missing and Estelle has been in a car accident and appears to be suffering from amnesia - but then page 162 for 100 pages not until page 262 did it really get going again. Although a fascinating process to piece together snippets of memory as Estelle is given triggers it was so slow and almost boring. I was very close to just quitting but I do try hard not to do this so I can given an honest review so persevered with it. As I said pg 262 it started to gain momentum again but I felt that Alexandra Burt must have realised she had to finish this and from then on it was hurried and for me an anti climax.

I didn't really like this book, it seemed way too long and I couldn't really connect with the characters, at the end I really didn't care what happened the ending was not really worth the investment of having read 456 pages and such a shame it was marketed against two very good novels as it set expectations very high. It was in no way as memorable as these other two novels and feel readers will get the wrong idea about this book from the marketing.

I can only give this book 3 stars and this is mainly due to the fact that it was well written.

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

Time after Time - Hannah McKinnon Cover Reveal

I have managed to bring you the cover of Hannah McKinnon's new book - Time after Time and look how beautiful it is!

Hayley Cooper, a powerful but now struggling lawyer, fantasizes about what her life would be like if only if she’d made different choices. It’s understandable; the past two years have been hell. She barely sees her kids, her boss is trying to sabotage her, and her marriage is falling apart.

Burnt out, Hayley goes to sleep wishing for a different life. When she wakes up married to her first boyfriend, one she has not seen in over twenty years, she realizes there might be some truth in the saying “be careful what you wish for”. Over a single weekend, like Ebenezer Scrooge, Hayley gets to see her life on other side of the white picket fence – not just with her first ex, but with each of her past loves. But is the grass always greener, and will she ever want to go home?

The book publishes on 2ndJune

THANDIE NEWTON’S PERFORMANCE OF CHARLOTTE BRONTË’S JANE EYRENOW AVAILABLE AS AN AUDIO DOWNLOAD AT AUDIBLE

THANDIE NEWTON’S PERFORMANCE OF CHARLOTTE BRONTË’S JANE EYRENOW AVAILABLE AS AN AUDIO DOWNLOAD AT AUDIBLE

NEW RECORDING OF BRONTË’S MASTERPIECE CELEBRATES THE BICENTENARY OF HER BIRTH

21st April 2016 – Audible Studios, a production arm of Audible.com, today announced the release of acclaimed stage and screen actress Thandie Newton’s audio interpretation of Charlotte Brontë’s beloved novel Jane Eyre. Two centuries after Brontë was born, this intimate enactment of her most enduring work is now available for download at audible.co.uk/JaneEyre.

"Jane Eyre is in a class of its own. It’s romantic, dramatic, spiritual, and it remains extremely relevant today” said Newton, the star of The Pursuit of Happyness, Crash, Mission Impossible:II and the upcoming HBO series Westworld.“The book brilliantly mirrors the reality of being a human being. I loved using my voice to bring these characters to life. I gave myself over to the story completely, breathing the book in and then gently exhaling it for the listener in what became a very personal and intimate interpretation. There is a special magic in audiobook performance, being read to is one of the most comforting and nourishing bits of stimulus that exists. It’s a luxury and a pleasure. It feels like I’ll be sending the gift of the book out to a lot of people I don’t even know, and that is such a privilege.”



Newton recorded Jane Eyre in Audible’s London studios.

“Jane Eyre has been interpreted so many times over the years, but you haven’t quite experienced it until you’ve heard the extremely talented Thandie Newton read it to you,” said Audible EVP and Publisher Beth Anderson. “Her astonishing performance really calls attention to how ahead-of-her-time Brontë was, and how vibrant Jane’s character remains even centuries after the novel’s publication. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Charlotte Brontë’s bicentennial than by experiencing her greatest creation anew with this remarkable recording.”

With a 30-day membership trial at Audible, new listeners can enjoy any one audiobook, including Newton’s performance of Jane Eyre, for free.



In addition to Newton, among the acclaimed performers who have recently narrated works of literature for Audible are Emma Thompson, Rosamund Pike, Dan Stevens, James Franco, Jesse Eisenberg, Jake Gyllenhaal, Kate Winslet and Tim Robbins. In 2013, Audible Studios won its first Grammy Award, for its production of Janis Ian’s memoir Society’s Child, and also won the Audie Award for Audiobook of the Year, for Colin Firth’s performance of Graham Greene’s The End of the Affair.

Audible, the world’s largest seller and producer of downloadable audiobooks and other spoken-word content, invented and commercialized the first digital audio player in 1997, and has since been at the forefront of the explosively growing audiobook download segment. In 2015, listeners around the world downloaded 1.6 billion hours of audio from Audible.com outlets; Audible members downloaded an average of more than 17 books over the course of the year. Two thirds of new Audible members are first-time audiobook buyers.

ABOUT AUDIBLE, INC.

Audible, Inc., an Amazon.com, Inc. subsidiary (NASDAQ:AMZN), is the leading provider of premium digital spoken audio information and entertainment, offering customers a new way to enhance and enrich their lives every day. Audible was created to unleash the emotive music in language and the habituating power and utility of verbal expression. Audible content includes more than 250,000 audio programs from leading audiobook publishers, broadcasters, entertainers, magazine and newspaper publishers, and business information providers. Audible is also the preeminent provider of spoken-word audio products for Apple’s iTunes Store.

Alien: out of the shadow audio clip

Alien: Out of the Shadows

An Audible Original Drama

dramatised for audio by Dirk Maggs, from the novel by Tim Lebbon

AVAILABLE FROM 26^TH APRIL 2016

Pre-order now

A fast-paced thriller set between the first two Alien films, following a terrifying fight for survival and an intense struggle between human and artificial intelligence 

A brand new audio drama, Alien: Out of the Shadows – starring Rutger Hauer (Blade Runner and Batman Begins) in his first role for audio, Matthew Lewis (Harry Potter film series), Corey Johnson (The Bourne Ultimatum and Kingsman: The Secret Service) and Kathryn Drysdale (Two Pints of Lager and St Trinian’s) – is available to download from 26^th April atwww.audible.co.uk/scream.

A new chapter in the Alien franchise, the sci-fi audio drama is directed and produced by the renowned radio director Dirk Maggs (radio series of Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy), based on the original novel by award-winning author Tim Lebbon.

The story follows Chief Engineer Hooper (Corey Johnson), who finds himself in command of a stricken orbital mining vessel after its captain is killed.  Hooper finds himself not only responsible for the lives of his fellow crew, but also for the survivor of the only previous alien encounter, Ripley (Laurel Lefkow). 

Hooper’s ship, a large mining freighter, is in orbit over a planet whilst servicing a mine on its surface below.  Suddenly, two of its drop ships appear unexpectedly from the storm-lashed planet, with on-board cameras revealing alien creatures are loose on the vessels, attacking the mining crew on their return to the freighter.  The crew must struggle not only against the ferocious predatory aliens but also against Ash (Rutger Hauer), the Artificial Intelligence on board the freighter that will stop at nothing to secure an alien specimen alive. 

Rutger Hauer (voicing Ash) says, “Working on such a famous franchise was a challenge, but an amazing one to have. This was also my first introduction to audio work; it was fascinating to focus on just how powerful the voice can be for such a unique, non-human character like Ash. In the art form I work in, creating compelling audio drama is the ultimate illusion.”

Matthew Lewis (voicing Baxter) says of working on audio, “Audiobooks and dramas are a new medium for me, but luckily I was working with some true professionals who I could learn from; since its audio only, you have to squeeze as much emotion from every line as you can without overdoing it.  I'm a huge fan of the Alien universe and the opportunity to be a part of that was very exciting - I love playing all kinds of different characters from different walks of life, and a seasoned bridge officer such as Baxter in a science fiction scenario was a completely new one for me too.”

Tracey Markham, Country Manager at Audible UK, says, “We are thrilled to add a dramatized chapter of the Alien franchise to our collection of original audiobooks.  Starring one of sci-fi’s best loved actors, Rutger Hauer, in his first audio role, ‘Alien: Out of the Shadows’ not only allows fans to once again get lost in this fantastic world, but also adds to Audible’s popular sci-fi collection.”

Alien: Out of the Shadows was directed and produced by Dirk Maggs, who also adapted it for audio from the original novel by Tim Lebbon. It is available to download from 26^th April! (pre-order now) at www.audible.co.uk/scream.

Cast List

Ash – Rutger Hauer

Baxter – Matthew Lewis

Hooper – Corey Johnson

Ripley – Laurel Lefkow

Kasyanov – Andrea Deck

Lachance – Mac Macdonald

Jordan – Barbara Barnes

Powell – Abdul Salis

Welford – Nathan Osgood

Sneddon – Kathryn Drysdale

Garcia – Regina Brandolino

Vic Jones / Cornell – Tom Alexander

Download at www.audible.co.uk/scream

Below you will be able to hear a clip from the audio-book. 

Dewey's 24 hour readathon April 2016

So already I seem to be a little behind in the readathon this year. I have been faffing, I went and did a good deed though, I handed out 16 books for #worldbooknight which made me feel really good, after catching up on the internet I am now finally ready to begin. So, so far not a good one as it is hour 3 and I haven't even read a page... I did buy a couple of books this morning however, so I think these will be added to my list to read today. OK so all mini challenges I complete will be updated to this page. 

Hour 8 - 10:
On a break - caught up and had dinner. 

Hour 7: 

Pages: 61
Number of books: 1
Total pages: 261
Total books: 1

Hour 6:

Pages: 61
Number of books: 
Total pages: 200

Total books: 


Hour 5:

Pages: 87
Number of books: 
Total pages: 139
Total books: 

I decided not to do the Mini Challenge for hour 4 as I want to get into reading!
Hour 4: 
Pages: 52
Number of books: 
Total pages: 52
Total books: 

I decided not to do the Mini Challenge hour 3.

Mini Challenge 2: Hour 2:
Ok, here are my top books I read as a child, I can't actually remember more than 3 as I tend to go crazy over an author and read all of their books in the series. So here are the 3:

1. My earliest memory of a book I loved was Katy Laura and the dream boat. This was a short story, I think one of the very first I was able to read on my own. I also loved having this read to me. 

2. Anything by Jacqueline Wilson - I literally had the entire set of her books, I also used to read them to my baby brother!

3. I really loved my stage books when I was at school. Biff, Chip and Kipper in The Magic Key series. 



Pages: 
Number of books: 
Total pages:
Total books: 


Mini Challenge 1: Hour 1 



1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today?

Well hello! I am over here in the U.K. South of England to be exact. :)


2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to?

I am trying something different today, I have decided not to have a TBR pile, which I have created just for the readathon. I am going to be reading whatever my mood is. So I can't answer this question at the moment.


3) Which snack are you most looking forward to?

Snack??! Well I am going to say my dinner - going to have fajitas, I have been so hungry today already I have eaten more than I do in a normal day...


4) Tell us a little something about yourself!

OK, this is my fourth 24hour readathon, each one I participate I tend to read less than the previous one, I know that is not a good sign, however I really am going to try and exceed my target today!


5) If you participated in the last read-a-thon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today? If this is your first read-a-thon, what are you most looking forward to?

I am most looking forward to getting time to sit and read for a long period of time. I have been in a little reading slump the last couple of weeks so I am really hoping to get out of it today.

Each hour I will leave my stats as shown: 

Pages: 
Number of books: 
Total pages:
Total books:

The Double Clue (Quick Reads 2016): And Other Hercule Poirot Stories by Agatha Christie

The Double Clue (Quick Reads 2016): And Other Hercule Poirot Stories by Agatha Christie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A perfect introduction to Agatha Christie - four of the best Hercule Poirot stories, chosen for their readability and sense of adventure.

A man is found shot through the head in a locked room. A wealthy banker vanishes while posting a letter. A thief disappears with a haul of rubies and emeralds. And, in the golden sands of Egypt, the men who discovered an ancient tomb are dying one by one . . .

Hercule Poirot, the fussy Belgian detective with the egg-shaped head and immaculate moustache, solved some of the world’s most puzzling crimes. This book contains four of the very best stories, selected by John Curran, author of Agatha Christie’s Secret Notebooks, and Sophie Hannah, who wrote the brand new Hercule Poirot novel, The Monogram Murders.

Includes the stories ‘The Double Clue’, ‘The Market Basing Mystery’, ‘The Disappearance of Mr Davenheim’ and ‘The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb’.



I always love to read the quick reads for the year, I find them easy to fit around every day life. I have never read an Agatha Christie book so was very excited to find this in the line up for this year.

This book is made up from 4 short stories, each is completely different to the one before and are interesting enough.

As a reader totally knew to Agatha Christie, I was amazed at how much could be packed into a few pages, I felt that the action really began from the first page. There was no build up of the characters or a lot of description, however I would have thought the majority of people would not be knew to Poirot.

I would say that this is a good introduction to Agatha Christies writing and I would recommend it if you are a fan.

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

Twisted River blog tour with extract

Today it is my stop on the Twisted River blog tour. I have been lucky enough to be able to bring you an extract from the book. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did. 

Kate

CURRAGOWER FALLS

EARLY SEPTEMBER



Kate could never quite make up her mind whether she loved or loathed September. A flurry of withered leaves danced over her feet as she scurried down the steps of the Clare Street campus and set off briskly for home. Snatching a quick glance at her watch, her heart

skipped a beat. She was cutting it fine. She quickened her step. She had to make it home before five. Not a second later. It was a new routine, now that summer break was over. It had been harder with all the idle time this year. Things had been different when they’d had the beach house.



Today had been difficult. Once upon a time Kate would have jumped at the chance of becoming assistant head of the Visual Communications Department. She would have been thrilled to bits. But that was before there were other demands on her. She should have been elated at being offered the position so soon after her return to the workforce. Instead, she felt a bittersweet sadness at having to turn it down. Life was about choices and this was a choice she had to make.



Simon Walsh, the head of department, had looked at her in disbelief.

“This is a windup. You’re teasing me, right?”



With a heavy heart, Kate shook her head.



“But, Kate, you’re the best person for the job,” Simon protested. “You know that. I know that. I know you’re only just back but you’ve got the talent and you know this department like no one else.”

“I know that, Simon. And I’m flattered. Really, I am. But things at home, you know . . .” She hesitated. “It’s just not that easy. The job I have now I can manage. Assistant head is a whole other proposition. Extra responsibility, more time here on campus. I have thought about it. Believe me.”



Realizing she was serious, Simon ran a distracted hand through his long hair. “There has to be a way. I was so looking forward to having you as my wingman.”



Again, Kate shook her head. She’d made up her mind.



“I’m sorry. There’ll be other equally suitable candidates. Anyway, surely the job has to be openly advertised?”



Disgruntled, Simon had taken off, shoving his hands deep into the pockets of his crumpled linen jacket.



Already Kate was at the Abbey Bridge and a gust of wind pulled at her slackly fastened chignon, threatening to loosen it. A man on a bicycle swept by, close to the curb. She smiled to herself. It appeared he had every worldly good he owned in his pannier. A black and white dog with attitude sat in the basket up front. Again she looked at her watch. There were scarcely fifteen minutes left. Would she make it? In the old days she might have taken the car but they had only one car

now and Mannix had it today. Her laced-up boots started to chafe against her skin as she broke into a jog.



Suddenly, Kate heard the pounding of feet from the rear. Two guys with white hooded tops ran past her. It wasn’t clear if one was the quarry and the other the prey or if they were running together. Moments later a squad car screamed through the evening traffic pursuing the two

fleeing creatures until they disappeared through an alleyway and out of sight. Unperturbed, Kate continued her journey, the satchel full of papers clapping up and down on her hip.



Twisted River by Siobhán MacDonald is published on 18th April by Canelo, price £1.99 in eBook.

The Assistants by Camille Perri

The Assistants by Camille Perri
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Behind every successful man is a busy assistant and Tina’s boss is very successful.

But Tina is tired of being overworked and underpaid.
She’s bored of her damp flat and her mounting debts.
Then a blip in the expenses system sends Tina a cheque.
She’s a good person.
But she’s desperate.
This isn’t stealing.
It’s an administrative error.
Right?

What would you do if you thought you’d get away with it?



Tina works as an assistant to Robert Barlow billionaire entrepreneur and has worked for him for 6 years. Like all assistants Tina does everything for her boss from squeezing lemons into his drinks to buying birthday presents for his wife and children when he forgets, she knows more about him than anyone even his wife and she is discrete and loyal. She is paid a pittance for always being at his beck and call and like all assistants she seems to be 'on duty' 24/7. She is overworked and underpaid with mounting debts, a shabby flat, nothing to look forward to and no friends or time to have a life of her own.


Through a mix up with a flight company and having to pay for Robert's tickets out of her own pocket as she has no company credit card, Tina is sent a cheque to reimburse her when the airline realise how important Robert is and having initially refused to give him a 'freebie' change their mind. Tina put her claim through to get her money back as soon as she had set up the flights and is paid by the company but when she receives the cheque from the airline she is tempted to keep it. She, like most of her assistant colleagues, has a student loan debt that takes a huge part of her salary each month and she fantasises how different her life would be if she could just pay it off. After all Robert pays more on lunch than she does on rent - where's the harm, it's not stealing after all.


She's not a thief and not a bad person but she longs for a better life and so succumbs to temptation and with a couple of clicks on her computer pays off her loan, it's as quick and easy as that, no one knows she's done it and she thinks she has got away with it until Emily Johnson assistant to the director of Travel and Entertainment and who signs off all related expenses for her boss calls her up to the 43rd floor and tells her she knows what Tina did.


From then on events spiral out of Tina's control and she is blackmailed into doing the same for Emily and it seems this is not going to end with her. Great read, funny in parts and good characters who all blend well together. Good pace to this novel, lots of twists and a good ending. Would be a perfect holiday book, a fun light hearted easy read.


Thoroughly enjoyed this book, has to be a well deserved 4 stars.


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

Dewey's 24 hour read-a-thon TBR

So it is that time of year again, Dewey's 24 hour read-a-thon is upon us. This is my favourite read-a-thon, I try to devote as much time as possible to reading and it helps to tackle my TBR pile. 

I have already written my introduction post you can find it here

O.K so all that was left was for my to share my TBR pile with you all. This year I am going to try and get through more books than I ever have. I am going to be cheating a little, if you can cheat? I am going to be getting through all the quick reads for this year. Quick reads are short stories to encourage others to read. I have been sent these for review and although I have read a couple, the others are sat waiting for a review. 






I have currently read, A baby at the beach cafe and the double clue. Both of these reviews you can find here and here

The next book I am going to read or should I say finish reading is, Follow Me Back. I have started this and am in the first third of the book. This is a relatively short book so I am hoping to have this finished rather quickly. 





After finishing all of them I would quite like to read one of my own books. I know this is a good oportunity to eat into that review TBR, however I bought A Thousand Nights by E.K Johnston a while back and would love to try and get to that. Another book that I have to review is Dumplin' I would also love to read this. 

            

I think the problem is I just have too many books to read, I want to read all of them at once, which I know is not possible, however this read-a-thon gives me good opportunity to try! 

I also have to pop out during the day, as I am acting as a taxi! (Husband off to the footy again...) During this time I hope to finish an audio book that I am currently listening to by Cecelia Ahern. 

So that's it! I will be so pleased if I get to read all of those books, are you joining in with the read-a-thon? What is your TBR? I would love to know. Please leave a comment. 

Not Working by Lisa Owens

Not Working by Lisa Owens
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Claire Flannery has quit her job in order to discover her true vocation - only to realize she has no idea how to go about finding it. Whilst everyone around her seems to have their lives entirely under control, Claire finds herself sinking under pressure and wondering where her own fell apart. 'It's fine,' her grandmother says. 'I remember what being your age was like - of course, I had four children under eight then, but modern life is different, you've got an awful lot on.'

I was not sure of what to make of the writing style of Not Working by Lisa Owens, written in vignette form it reads like a cross between diary entries or notes for a story, this did make parts of it seem unfinished at times but sticking with it does allow for it all to come together eventually.


I am not really a fan of this style of writing as I do find it a bit disjointed similar to Adrian Mole books although having said this I did enjoy the Adrian Mole diaries once I had adapted to this style. This is pretty much how I felt with Not Working, I did persevere but it was a struggle as I didn't read this in one sitting or over a few days so because of this the style was hard work to follow.


I liked the humour but felt I couldn't really relate to Claire who leaves her well paid job to 'find herself' and embarks on months of unemployment and strained relationships with her friends, her boyfriend and her parents. It all seems to go on forever and you feel the frustration of those around her which did in turn rub off on me reading the novel. It just seemed a bit pointless really and therefore I can only give this one 3 stars - sorry Lisa not for me.

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

Rose's Vintage by Kayte Nunn with Q and A and International Giveaway!!!

Kayte has been kind enough to stop by at The Book Corner today to answer some questions about Rose's Vintage, there are also a couple of fun ones I have added in. Please find these below. 

Thanks so much Kayte for your answers, I loved reading them and I hope the readers of The Book Corner will also enjoy them. 

Right at the end of this blog post you will find an international giveaway! So make sure you get entering!!!

Rose’s Vintage

Kayte Nunn

‘Some books, like wine can be sipped—but I had to gulp this novel down! It was delicious!’—Rachael Treasure

‘Fans of Maeve Binchy will delight in the romance of Kayte Nunn’s sweeping tale—I know I did.’—Lauren Sams, author of She’s Having Her Baby

Rose Bennett, talented chef and English rose, trades her hometown of London for the sunny shores of Australia after a particularly devastating break-up. She finds herself a job as a nanny in the Shingle Valley, a picturesque yet rugged area full of vineyards, and tries to forget about romance.

As winter turns to spring, Rose starts to unlock the secrets of the Valley—the traditions, local secrets and delicious produce. And despite herself, Rose starts to fall in love: with the valley, the wines, the two children she’s helping to look after—and with their father, the handsome and brilliant Mark Cameron, owner of the troubled Kalkari Wines estate.

In the tradition of Under The Tuscan Sun, Rose’s Vintage boasts a lush setting reminiscent of Australia’s best wine-making regions, a feisty heroine in need of a big life change and a delicious line-up of food and wine. Best read with a glass of red!

About the author:

Kayte Nunn is food writer and the former editor of Gourmet Traveller WINE magazine. She also writes on travel, health, wellbeing, parenting and lifestyle topics, and has been short-listed for local and international short-story awards. She is a mother to two girls. This is her first novel.

Here is the Q and A:

1. How long had you worked in publishing before you took the leap into writing your own book?

I’d worked in book and then magazine publishing for more than 20 years, ending up as a freelance project editor and features writer. It took a short break between freelance assignments and a feeling of ‘now-or-never’ to get me to start. 

2. Where did you get the idea from for Rose's Vintage? 

I was sitting in a café overlooking Bondi Beach on a very grey, miserable day – nothing like the scenes from Bondi Rescue – and began to wonder what if you turned up in Australia and it was nothing like you expected. I went home and started writing the next day.

3. What inspires you to write? (E.g. must have candles with linen fragrance, journeys, chocolate etc) 

The initial spark of inspiration can really come from anywhere – the idea for the novel I’m currently working on came when I touched a beautiful bronze engraved sundial in the botanic gardens in Sydney. It was almost as if a jolt of electricity went through me and I recognized the very beginnings of an idea.

4. The setting for your novel is at a vineyard in Australia. Why did you decide to set it there? 

I was editor of a magazine called Australian Gourmet Traveller WINE several years ago and in the course of that rather wonderful job was lucky enough to travel to some of Australia and New Zealand’s finest wine regions. As I knew a little bit about wine, and I loved the sense of community I encountered in these regions, it seemed the obvious place to set it. Wine is also a very sensual product, so that lent itself to a love story, as well as plenty of shenanigans!

5. Is this the beginning of a series? How many will there be? 

I have written a second book with the same setting, but introducing some new characters, called The Angels’ Share (which is what the wine that is lost to evaporation in the barrel is called), which is due out in 2017. I’ve also written a synopsis for a third in the series that I’m very excited about.

6. Where will your next novel be set?

I’m working on a historical mystery, set in the late 19^th century, between Cornwall, Chile and Sydney. The research is fascinating!

7. What genres do you enjoy reading? 

I love crime, blockbusters, women’s fiction, YA, some literary fiction… plenty!

8. Do you have a favourite author? Who is this?

Oh I have many favourites and it would be impossible to choose one: Vanessa Diffenbaugh, JoJo Moyes, Liane Moriarty, Kate Forster, Isabelle Allende are just a few that spring to mind…

9. If you were stranded on a desert island, what 3 items would you take with you and why?

Aside from my husband and girls, I’d take a laptop with unlimited battery power, something comfortable like a bean bag to write in, and plenty of food – I can’t write if I’m uncomfortable or hungry!

10. - Make your choice :)

sweet/savoury

I’ve a shocker of a sweet tooth.

apple/banana

Banana – but not overripe.

watsits/quavers

Umm… neither I’m afraid. Ready-salted kettle chips for me.

cadbury/galaxy

Cadbury. With Galaxy a close second.

iOs/android

iOs – I’m an Apple fan from way back.

ebooks/print

Print. But ebooks when I’m travelling or can’t get to a bookshop to buy what I’m after.

film/series

Film. But I do love a good binge-watch – have just finished House of Cards.

tea/coffee

Tea. Especially made by someone else and brought to me in bed!

home/away

When I’m home I dream of being away, but it’s always nice to come home…

city/beach

Beach. I’m lucky enough to live with ocean views.

summer/winter 

Summer. Apart from when I want to go skiing.

red wine/white wine

White wine – chardonnay or pinot gris please, and make it a large one!

twitter/facebook

Instagram – I love looking at pretty pictures.

Just below is the INTERNATIONAL giveaway and there are going to be two winners for an ecopy of Rose's Vintage. You can enter in many different ways just check the Rafflecopter out below. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway