The Great Escape From Woodlands Nursing Home By Joanna Nell

The Great Escape From Woodlands Nursing Home By Joanna Nell

by Hannah ♥ 5 Comments

At nearly ninety, retired nature writer Hattie Bloom prefers the company of birds to people, but when a fall lands her in a nursing home she struggles to cope with the loss of independence and privacy. From the confines of her ‘room with a view’ – of the car park! – she dreams of escape.

Fellow ‘inmate’, the gregarious, would-be comedian Walter Clements also plans on returning home as soon as he is fit and able to take charge of his mobility scooter.

When Hattie and Walter officially meet at The Night Owls, a clandestine club run by Sister Bronwyn and her dog, Queenie, they seem at odds. But when Sister Bronwyn is dismissed over her unconventional approach to aged care, they must join forces – and very slowly, an unlikely, unexpected friendship begins to grow.

My Thoughts:

I am so glad I had the opportunity to read this warm and light hearted read. This story put a smile on my face and I even had a few chuckles too. Hattie and Walter are in their late 80’s and live in the Nursing home, they meet at ‘Night Owls’ where they get up to all sorts of things in the middle of the night when they cannot sleep. I have not read any books that are set in a care home and I found it sad but uplifting to read about their lives. Some of what they get up to is very amusing though and reminded me of my grandparents. We see a friendship emerge between Hattie and Walter which was lovely to see and they plan to escape from the Nursing home. There are some right characters that bring this book to life. I would love to read more about them.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review. Thank you to Netgalley and Hodder and Stoughton for sending me a ARC copy.

Get your copy here:

The Book about Getting Older By DR. Lucy Pollock

The Book about Getting Older By DR. Lucy Pollock

by Hannah ♥ 2 Comments

Now more than ever, we need to talk about getting older.

Many of us are living to a very great age. But how do we give those we love, and eventually ourselves, long lives that are as happy and healthy as possible?

Dr Lucy’s book gives us answers to the questions we can voice – and those that we can’t.

A long life should be embraced and celebrated, but it’s not all easy. Yet even the most challenging situation can be helped by the right conversation.

How do we start?
How do we ask whether it’s worth taking seven different medicines?
Is it normal to find you’re falling out of love with someone, as they disappear into dementia?
Should Dad be driving, and if not, who can stop him?
What are the secrets of the best care homes?
When does fierce independence become bad behaviour?
How do you navigate near-impossible discussions around resuscitation and intensity of treatments?
And who decides what happens when we become ill?

My Thoughts:

I think this is one of the most important books that you should read if you are halfway through life. All my life adult life I have been in and out of hospital so know how hospitals operate but this really gives you a good insight as to what happens as you get older, I wish Dr Lucy Pollock was my doctor, she seems very caring and compassionate and I have met quite a few doctors in my time and only a handful if that have been as caring as Dr Lucy Pollock. I like the way the book is written, we hear true life stories about older people and explanations that are easy to understand. Each chapter brings a new subject falls, dementia, and questions you or a loved one maybe too afraid to ask. At the end of each chapter are websites to find more information from. The book gives us an explanation of what it means to get older. I found this an insightful and informative book that will help people or family dealing with the issues that are raised in this book.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

Get your copy here:

January Giveaway

January Giveaway

by Hannah ♥ 1 Comment

Hey everyone, this is my first giveaway of the new year and I am so excited to tell you what it is. So I am going to pre-order for one lucky winner a copy of The Island By C. L. Taylor, not out until 21st January. The giveaway is on my twitter page not on here so head over there @bookbloghannah and follow, like, retweet and comment for a chance to win this fantastic book.

Giveaway closes Wednesday 13th January and is only open to UK residents. Sorry.

The Island By Ben McPherson

The Island By Ben McPherson

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A shocking act of violence…
It should have been the safest place on earth. A summer camp for teens, on a beautiful island off the coast of Oslo. But what started out as a haven becomes hell on earth as two men start shooting.

A family torn apart…
With Norway in shock, the families gather, desperately hoping their children have survived. Some have their prayers answered. Some must confront their worst nightmare. But for one family, this is just the beginning…

A daughter gone missing…
Cal and Elsa’s daughter Licia was on the island that day. But the police can find no trace of her – dead or alive. Stuck in limbo, Cal and Elsa delve into their daughter’s life. The secrets they uncover are shocking. But they still don’t know – did Licia survive the shooting? Or is she gone forever?

My Thoughts:

I thought this was going to be like some of the other books I have read called The Island but it was strangely different, a husband and wife who have three kids, they hear there has been an explosion in town and that the Summer camp where their kids are has had gunman invade it, one of his daughters was on that island but where is she now? Will the family find the answers they are looking for? It was a good plot line but for me it was a bit too slow, I felt as though the story was not really going anywhere and I didn’t feel I connected with any of the characters, but that is my opinions I am sure other people will like it. There were bits of the book that I found good though.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

Get your copy here:

New Arrivals at Hedgehog Hollow By Jessica Redland

New Arrivals at Hedgehog Hollow By Jessica Redland

by Hannah ♥ 1 Comment

With new arrivals comes new responsibilities…

The sun is shining, wild flowers are blooming and Hedgehog Hollow is officially open for business.

For Samantha, the proud owner of this beautiful rescue centre, life has never been busier. But with an influx of new hogs and hoglets to take care of, not to mention a full-time job and ongoing family issues, can she accept the possibility that she has taken on more than she can handle?

Fortunately, she has the love of her life, Josh, by her side for support and encouragement. But Josh has his own family troubles to deal with. And soon he must decide if he’s ready to do the one thing he swore he’d never do – forgive his father.

For both Samantha and Josh it’s a season of change and for figuring out whether the past can ever truly be forgotten.

My Thoughts:

After reading and loving Finding Love at Hedgehog Hollow, I couldn’t wait to revisit. Samantha is the owner of Hedgehog Hollow where she rescues hedgehogs, I never knew until reading these books how much work goes into owning a rescue centre and keeping on top of everything, I really admire Samantha and all that she does for the hedgehogs. Samantha has alot going on not only running the place but also she has a full time job, a boyfriend and somebody seems out to make her life a misery. Can she find out who it is and also can she find out a way to make things work? I loved reading about the hoglets, so cute, I was willing for them to survive. A handy tip is that at the back of this book is also tips on how to look after hedgehogs if they are in your garden. I loved this book and cannot wait for the next one.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

Get your copy here:

The Captive By Deborah O’Connor

The Captive By Deborah O’Connor

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Hannah knows the cage intimately. Small, the size of a shopping centre parking space. A bed, a basin, a table and chair. A hatch and metal drawer through which to exchange food and other items.

Then there’s him. Always there on the edges of her vision, no matter how hard she tries to block him out.

Every day, the same thoughts run through Hannah’s mind:

What if he speaks to me?
What if he hurts me?
What if he gets out?

My Thoughts:

A very unique story line where criminals rather than going into a prison they are housed in the victims whoever they have wronged home and put inside a cage. They have to be in this cage for the duration of their sentence and only allowed out for certain things. It goes without saying that the criminal will realise what they have done wrong and pay for their sins. Hannah’s husband has died and she is suppose to be having Jem the man that murdered her husband into her home. How can she look at this man as he has taken away her husband from her but not all is as it seems. As they continue living alongside each other, Hannah learns more things that she never could imagine. There are several twists in this book, a couple of them I did guess but it is a very unique story line and feels very fresh, one that made me think what I would do in Hannah’s situation. I think the storyline has been well executed and written well. One that will stay with me.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

Get your copy here:

The Coffinmaker’s Garden By Stuart MacBride

The Coffinmaker’s Garden By Stuart MacBride

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A village on the edge…
As a massive storm batters the Scottish coast, Gordon Smith’s home is falling into the North Sea. But the crumbling headland has revealed what he’s got buried in his garden: human remains.

A house full of secrets…
With the storm still raging, it’s too dangerous to retrieve the bodies and waves are devouring the evidence. Which means no one knows how many people Smith’s already killed and how many more he’ll kill if he can’t be found and stopped.

An investigator with nothing to lose…
The media are baying for blood, the top brass are after a scapegoat, and ex-Detective Inspector Ash Henderson is done playing nice. He’s got a killer to catch, and God help anyone who gets in his way.

My Thoughts:

I like reading a book by Stuart MacBride, I find them gritty and engaging. This story is about a house that is full of secrets but it is in danger of falling of a cliff, can the detectives retrieve all the evidence before it is too late? It was not my favourite of Stuart’s books but it was still good none of the less. The character’s were all believable and well rounded. I love how it is set in Scotland and Stuart has written the local dialogue into, so you get more of a feel for the place. A story that will have you on a knife edge.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review. Thank you to lovereading for sending me a copy, check out their website:

https://www.lovereading.co.uk/

Get your copy here:

Love, Almost By Hayley Doyle

Love, Almost By Hayley Doyle

by Hannah ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Chloe and Jack are soulmates. But life has other plans…

Chloe is deliriously in love for the very first time. But when Jack, her boyfriend of five months, is killed in a tragic accident, she is left reeling. Their relationship was amazing – but it never really had the chance to get started.

Grieving but determined, Chloe decides to live life for the both of them and makes her way through the list of things they’d planned to do together – this time on her own.

My Thoughts:

A tender, emotional but uplifting read that I became hooked on. This is Chloe and Jack’s story, just when she finds the perfect man something devastating happens, it is the story about grief and loss, I really felt for Chloe and hoped that she would be ok. I can never imagine her situation and never want to but it makes you cherish the ones close to you as you never know what is going to happen. It is such a fragile storyline but one that has been done really well. I laughed at parts, I cried at parts and I thought this story was told beautifully.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

Get your copy here:

Book Promotion Directory 2021 Blogs & Promoters By Deena Rae Schoenfeldt

Book Promotion Directory 2021 Blogs & Promoters By Deena Rae Schoenfeldt

by Hannah ♥ 2 Comments

The Book Promotion Directory lists blogs and book promotion providers to help Indie Authors promote and market their books. Listing blog addresses, contact information, what types of posts they allow authors to share on their sites, if they review and if so where reviews are posted, standard turnaround time, and book formats accepted. Indexes list bloggers by accepted genre so you can easily find sites amenable to your subject matter. Book Promotion companies show contact information, what genres they are equipped to promote, services offered and pricing range.

With more than 180 blogs and almost 40 book promotion companies, complete with live links to facilitate easy contact, this is a must-have for authors looking for help promoting their new releases and backlist titles. Bonus material of almost 200 other book promotion avenues as a starting point to help authors start building their own promotion blueprint.

My Thoughts:

I think this directory is much better than the last one, even though the last one was good. I feel as though this one is laid out better. It is easy to understand and easier to follow. I think it is a brilliant idea for authors as they can find a blogger and see if they read a specific genre. Over the years I have had many authors contact me quoting this directory and I am forever grateful to be part of it. For the e-copy it also has live links to all the sites so it makes it even more easier for an author. The great news about this directory is it holds over 180 blogs all in alphabetical order and at the back there is the book promotion page, If you are a new author, this will really help to start mapping out what you want to achieve, it is a very handy tool. I think this book helps authors and also blogs to establish themselves.

Get your copy here:

Books that are going to be released this year

Books that are going to be released this year

by Hannah ♥ 2 Comments

I have already read some cracking reads for this year already, here are my favourite so far, I have left the links to pre order. Enjoy. Happy Reading.

The Island by C. L. Taylor

Girl A by Abigail Dean

Shiver by Allie Reynolds

Ask No Questions by Claire Allan

Space Hopper by Helen Fisher

Find You First by Linwood Barclay

The World at my feet by Catherine Issac

The Castaways By Lucy Clarke

The Best is yet to come by Katy Collins

Greenwich Park by Katherine Faulkner

The Therapist by B. A. Paris

The Wild Girls By Phoebe Morgan

Her last Holiday By C. L. Taylor

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid