How to Hook a Husband By Sarah Harvey blog tour with guest post!

How to Hook a Husband

By Sarah Harvey

Published by Manilla eBook, 28th July 2016, £4,99

A witty, page-turning read for fans of Marian Keyes,

Jill Mansell and Carrie Elks

When Belle returns home from backpacking for her best friend’s wedding and catches the groom-to-be with another girl, the wedding is called off and Nicky is eternally grateful.

Realising her friend has a talent for spotting men with a roving eye, Nicky puts her friend to work helping others and soon Belle is hanging out in bars and hiding in bushes, hoping to catch unsuspecting Casanovas…

Then she is hired to follow the elusive Eddie Farrar and everything changes as Belle finds herself falling under his spell.

Will she be able to resist his charms or is there more to him than meets the eye?

About the Author: 

Sarah Harvey is an internationally successful writer of fun, young romantic fiction. How to Hook a Husband is her first novel published by Manilla. Sarah lives with her partner and their dogs in Northamptonshire.

He’s caught the bait, now it’s time to reel him in…

Guest Post:
What actually is romantic love, why do we all look for the one?





I met a man the other day. I was in a car garage so that wasn’t that unusual, those kind of places being a mecca for all things maledom. What was unusual was the fact that I found him incredibly attractive. I am what my mother terms as “choosy”. I don’t meet many men that catch my eye. It doesn’t help that my heart seems to be permanently taken by someone who doesn’t actually seem to want me too, it makes me walk through life with a set of blinkers on, as if no other man really exists except for this elusive he. But this man amidst the cars, who came up and started talking to me, well he stuck in my mind so much that he’s still there, three days later. So I was trying to think what it was about this one that made him slightly different. Was it the fact that he was friendly but a little and very sweetly shy, that he was interesting and as we talked I found we shared several interests that were uncannily specific, or even perhaps that he looked rather like Johnny Depp in “the Tourist”, I really wasn’t sure, but the more I thought about it, and wondered how my usually unswayable heart had suddenly skipped a small but noticeable beat, the more I realized that what attracted me was actually completely indefinable. And such I feel is Love, it is one of those feelings that is so hard to put into words, although the poets over the years have tried their emotional and emotive best. Pablo Neruda, whose poems are as deeply soaked in love, as a good old fashioned Christmas trifle is with sherry, describes it thus, “love is a clash of lightening bolts, and two bodies defeated by a single drop of honey”. Such a beautifully romantic description. I cannot profess to being able to put into words so wonderfully exactly what I think that love might be. I know from experience that what we think is love can be so easily distilled by disappointment, and if love isn’t lasting, was it ever actually love in the first place, or just that odd mix of chemistry and expectation that is instant attraction? Perhaps it’s not something you recognize with logic or your head, it’s something that you recognize with your heart, and for that I truly have no explanation. It’s something you find when you look into their eyes and see not just the beauty of the colour, but the beauty of their thoughts and heart and soul as well. I do know that we are forever as a sentient being in the constant pursuit of things that make us happy, and what gives us those wonderful ecstatic highs more than being completely and utterly in love? But is there only one person on this entire planet who can do that for you? I am actually not so sure that this is so for everyone, but I do know that although my heart may occasionally skip a beat when I meet someone new, for me there truly is only “the one”, because when I’m with him it doesn’t just skip a beat, it sings an entire opera.

How to Hook a Husband By Sarah Harvey blog tour

How to Hook a Husband

By Sarah Harvey

Published by Manilla eBook, 28th July 2016, £4,99

When Belle returns home from backpacking for her best friend’s wedding and catches the groom-to-be with another girl, the wedding is called off and Nicky is eternally grateful.

Realising her friend has a talent for spotting men with a roving eye, Nicky puts her friend to work helping others and soon Belle is hanging out in bars and hiding in bushes, hoping to catch unsuspecting Casanovas…

Then she is hired to follow the elusive Eddie Farrar and everything changes as Belle finds herself falling under his spell.

Will she be able to resist his charms or is there more to him than meets the eye?

About the Author: Sarah Harvey is an internationally successful writer of fun, young romantic fiction. How to Hook a Husband is her first novel published by Manilla. Sarah lives with her partner and their dogs in Northamptonshire.

What actually is romantic love?  Why do we all look for "the one"?’ 

Dr Hedgehog and the Post Box Rescue by Jerry Mushin

Dr Hedgehog and the Post Box Rescue by Jerry Mushin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Dr Hedgehog picture book series is intended to be read aloud to young children. Both the readers and the listeners will enjoy the stories. There are common characters, but each story can be read independently of the others. In most of the stories, Martin Mouse finds himself in awkward situations but Dr Hedgehog, usually with the help of other animals, is always able to assist. Children will recognise their mothers in Mavis Mouse, who worries about her son and is always greatly relieved when he arrives home safely. In this story, Mavis Mouse cannot find her son. Martin Mouse has fallen into a post-box and cannot climb out. How does Dr Hedgehog get him out?

I had never heard of 'Dr Hedgehog' before, I knew my class would enjoy it, as they always love a picture book so was pleased when this was sent to me for review.

Well, this book I thought was O.K, personally I am not keen on the illustrations or the plot, this was something that my class identified too. Dr Hedgehog should be giving animals medicine or making them better, however in this story he is on a mission to get a mouse out of a post box.

It was quite a sweet and short story that would be good for younger readers to attempt on their own. The text is relatively large and although a few tricky words, that they children probably wouldn't understand there is a lot they could access. The tricky words provide a discussion between the adult and the child which is nice.

I would recommend this to younger children, I read it to 6 and 7 year olds and although it did keep their attention I feel it would be better suited to 4 or 5 year olds.

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

642 Things to Draw: Journal by Chronicle Books

642 Things to Draw: Journal by Chronicle Books
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This deceptively simple and addictive sketchbook-with-content includes tons of hip and entertaining things to draw. Encourages artists to try their hands at things like a bike, mistakes, Fred Astaire, synchronized swimmers, a sippy cup, RUN DMC, feelings, a waffle, the view from an airplane, and many many more

So I absolutely love this book. It will inspire even the reluctant artist. It is not intimidating and has different sized spaces for different items. I have been drawing with my husband and we have had a little 'draw off' for each item. We have had so much fun filling in the pages and have lots more to continue with.

We have only been using pencil to create our drawings, however you could use a range of media, water colour, acrylic, pastels or even graphite. We have mentioned that we think the book would be really great to put in our hallway so when guests come over they have to leave us a drawing and a little message. This would also be great in a hotel room as you could ask guests to leave a little drawing for you.

If you are expecting images in this book to insipire you, you will be disappointed as there are just written inspiration such as a rolling pin, fire escape etc. For us this was enough. :) This is a great book that will keep you entertained for hours. I would love to check out others in this range. I would certainly buy this as a gift for others and recommend it.

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

SIXPLUS 11 Pieces Royal Golden Makeup Brush Set (Golden)

£28.99 from amazon.co.uk

Description taken from amazon.co.uk - 

• SIXPLUS MAKEUP BRUSH SET -All brushes are handmade,the bristles are made with highest quality synthetic hair , they are soft silky and resilient,easier to pick up powder ,works well for both pressed powder and cream .All of our brushes are environmental friendly,no animals are hurt or tested along the way.
• WOODEN HANDLES-The wooden handles are sturdy and organized,Sixplus brushes are professional at applying powder and making the application last longer.The set includes powder, foundation, blush, contour, eyeshadow, eyeliner brushes, more than enough for daily makeup. Gain more beauty and confidence with this exclusive makeup kit.
• COMES WITH A ZIPPER BAG - Space-saving and easy to take when travelling.Made of high quality leather, all brushes in one bag, convenient to carry them anywhere, easier for traveling and storage. You can also store other tools in the bag, such as foundation, mascara ,lipsticks or even your phone, it isn't only a brush pouch, you can also manage your daily necessities with it.
• PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP BRUSHES- The color of teh ferrules is quite special,and each individual make up brush is wrapped in a small plastic bag in the case,giving it extra protection.Black handle and brown hair with leather pouch ,providing it with a perfect new look. It is unique and unlike any other brushes, each brush is designed to provide best makeup applications, we aim at offering professional makeup brush, to make beauty easier
• OUR LIFETIME GUARANTEE: we focus on providing satisfing products and service during your purchases, if you are unsatisfied with your brushes after receiving them within 30 days, we will provide unconditional 100% refund for you

My review: 

When this brush set arrived for me to review, I couldn't believe the quality of it, it was definitely more than I expected. It came in a wonderful travel case, this would be perfect to buy as a gift as it is really well presented. It is also great to have all your brushes in one place, where there is less chance of losing them. 

Inside the case there are 11 brushes, each with it's own purpose. There is a guide inside as to which brush is for what. This is also printed on the back of the box too, so if you are unsure of what the use of each one is for you will get a good idea from that. Also in the case there is instructions on how to clean the brushes as well as 5 brush guards. These are for the larger brushes to protect them. 

I really pulled the brushes to check the quality of the hairs. They all remained intact, the handles are strong and don't show any signs of becoming lose. Each brush is very soft and full. All bristles are made in high quality synthetic human hair materials this is much better than them being plastic, they each have a wooden handle and hypoallergenic metal connector, great if like me you are allergic to metal. 

As I said before each brush has it's own function, there is a liquid foundation brush, a powdered foundation brush, contour and blusher brush, a selection of eye shadow brushes, a concealer brush, eyebrow brush and eyeliner brush. This is a great selection of brushes in this pack. I was so surprised there was an eyeliner brush in this pack, a lot of brush packs this would not be present in. 

At £28.99 this seems a little pricey, saying that though you do get 11 brushes, guards and a case. Due to the quality of these I would recommend this set to others. It should last a long time and does give really good results. 

There is one negative I have about these brushes and that is the smell of the case, it did smell quite chemically once removed from the box. The actual brushes however have no smell so I am assuming once they have been exposed to the air for a while the smell will fade. That is also certainly not a reason to not get these as this as a brush set is perfect. The range is incredible and like I said before the quality is brilliant. 

I would like to thank the company for sending this in exchange for an honest review. I was provided with a sample product at a complimentary or discounted rate in exchange for a fair, unbiased, and honest review. 

The Muse Audiobook feature

The Muse

Audiobook

Written by Jessie Burton

Narrated by Cathy Tyson

Available now,

30 June 2016

The Muse is a gripping tale of a Caribbean immigrant in 1960s London and a bohemian woman in 1930s Spain from the bestselling author of The Miniaturist.

Having narrated The Miniaturist herself, Jessie Burton chose British actress Cathy Tyson (Mona Lisa, Bad Girls, ITV’s Band of Gold) to narrate The Muse. Jessie said ‘she is absolutely perfect…to have someone like Cathy, who is a fantastic actress for all the roles in the book, reading The Muse is an immense privilege.’  

Tyson, who has Trinidadian roots, has commented on her narration and the art of storytelling, saying: ‘I think we tell each other stories in an effort to understand life.’ 

About The Muse:

England, 1967. Struggling to find her place in London after arriving from Trinidad five years ago, Odelle Bastien is offered a job as a typist at the Skelton gallery under the tutelage of the enigmatic Marjorie Quick. Although Quick takes Odelle into her confidence, she remains a mystery - never more so than when a lost masterpiece with a secret history is delivered to the gallery.

The truth about the painting lies in 1936 and a house in rural Spain where Olive Schloss, the daughter of a renowned art dealer, is harbouring ambitions of her own. Into this fragile paradise come artist and revolutionary Isaac Robles and his half-sister, Teresa, who immediately insinuate themselves into the Schloss family, with devastating consequences....

Seductive, exhilarating and suspenseful, The Muse is an unforgettable novel about aspiration and identity, love and obsession, authenticity and deception and is set to be 2016’s must-listen audiobook. 

To watch a behind the scenes video of The Muse visit www.audible.co.uk/TheMuse

Also available in ebook and print from Picador

Anna and the Swallow Man by Gavriel Savit

Anna and the Swallow Man by Gavriel Savit
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Anna and the Swallow Man is a stunning, literary, and wholly original debut novel that tells a new WW2 story.

Kraków, 1939, is no place to grow up. There are a million marching soldiers and a thousand barking dogs. And Anna Lania is just seven years old when the Germans take her father and suddenly, she’s alone.

Then she meets the Swallow Man. He is a mystery, strange and tall. And like Anna's missing father, he has a gift for languages: Polish, Russian, German, Yiddish, even Bird. When he summons a bright, beautiful swallow down to his hand to stop her from crying, Anna is entranced.

Over the course of their travels together, Anna and the Swallow Man will dodge bombs, tame soldiers, and even, despite their better judgement, make a friend. But in a world gone mad, everything can prove dangerous . . .


I could not write this review immediately I had read this book, I had to take time to analyse the impact it had on me as well as review the writer's style, choice of material and ultimately the story itself.

Normally when I read and review a book I know how I feel about it; this book is different, it is so haunting and parts of it kept coming back to me when I least expected it, it made me 'feel' the characters and that for me is rare. I know that I will remember this story for a long time to come and it easily sits comfortably alongside the likes of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, furthermore I can see this being made into a film and in schools on their listed books to read on the curriculum.

It is a moving, sometimes almost hopeless journey of a small child and a stranger who travel across war torn Poland during the years of the conflict seen through the eyes of the child but written by an adult. Anna's father is a linguistics professor in Krakow who when he goes to work he leaves his daughter with one of his many friends around the city. This particular day he leaves Anna in the care of his Polish friend who is a pharmacist but he does not return. One has to assume that he has been taken by the Germans although what his fate is we never learn. When her father does not return the pharmacist abandons her, perhaps he is afraid of having a Jew in his house or being associated with one but whatever his reason he leaves this little 7 year old girl to fend for herself. It highlights for me the acute need for self preservation of people during the war and the fear for their own lives that made them behave in this way. Anna has been educated by her father in languages and like him she can speak Polish, Russian, German and Yiddish so when she meets the Swallow Man who can also speak many languages she feels sure her father must have sent him to her. I think you need to abandon all grown up thoughts of fear and reason to immerse yourself in the mind of a 7 year old who has no reason to fear anyone of her fathers' many friends who she is used to being left with and that she has complete faith in the fact that if her father has organised this it must be OK.

What follows is her blindly following this stranger who eventually leads her across Poland to safety. Their journey is one not only of Anna's growing up physically but of her 'education' along the way of emotional conflict, the loss of her childhood and the horrors of war mixed with wonders of magical folklore stories and her unequivocal belief that everything will be fine . Children have this innocence that in part shields them from reality making everything like an adventure or a game, with Anna's conviction that the Swallow Man is somehow magical backed up by his tales of folklore she is able to survive her ordeal remarkably well.

We don't really learn much about the complex character of the Swallow Man but the author hints that he had a daughter called Greta who we must assume was either killed or who died and perhaps this is the reason that he forms a bond with Anna. He doesn't show her any real affection although she knows he cares for her. Possibly he does not want to love her knowing one day he will have to let her go, perhaps it is too painful for him like loosing Greta all over again. To Anna he is like a magician, somehow he is able to make himself blend in wherever he goes, not attracting attention and he teaches her to be the same, he teaches her how to survive. When in the city they wear city clothes, when they are in the country they dress accordingly, never seeming to stand out, never memorable and thus they are able to make their way across Poland avoiding or charming the Germans and the Russians along the way.

Beautifully written this was often a difficult read in terms of subject matter and at times felt quite hopeless despite this there was an underlying feeling that Anna would survive. I felt the ending was unfinished on so many levels which opens up the possibility of a sequel. Often a book is read and forgotten quite quickly but I know that this story will stay with me for a very long time, it is impossible to read something so beautifully crafted without it making such an impact. I rarely give a novel a 5 star rating but have to do so for this captivating book. If you haven't read it then you must but don't expect to be entertained expect to be moved and you won't be disappointed.

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