The Cake Shop in the Garden By Carole Matthews

The Cake Shop in the Garden By Carole Matthews

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Fay Merryweather runs her cake shop from her beautiful garden. She whips up airy sponges and scrumptious scones, while her customers enjoy the lovely blossoms and gorgeous blooms. Looking after the cake shop, the garden and her cantankerous mother means Fay is always busy but she accepts her responsibilities because if she doesn’t do all this, who will?

Then Danny Wilde walks into her life and makes Fay question every decision she’s ever made.

When a sudden tragedy strikes, Fay’s entire world is thrown off balance even further and she doesn’t know which way to turn. Can Fay find the strength to make a life-changing decision – even if it means giving up the thing she loves the most? Life, love and family are about to collide in The Cake Shop in the Garden.

My Thoughts:

Carole Matthews is my one of my favourite authors. This book has to be my favourite of this year so far. I really enjoyed losing myself in the story, I did find it emotional as Fay has to go through some terrible times, which I could definitely relate to, Carole has a sensitive approach to these issues and I love that about her and her way of writing.

There are also parts to this book that are funny and I thought Stan was lovely, bless him. I liked the sound of Danny he sounded like a dream and I though Anthony was a bit of a wet sap. There is a twist in this book that had me on the edge of my seat I couldn’t believe it. When I found out about the canal side of the story I was really interested to read about it as it is sometime I have always wanted to do, as long as there is a canal boat selling cake I will be very happy. With this story I felt like I was actually a customer sampling one of Lija’s mouthwatering cakes, if only I were it would be sheer bliss. Loved the ending, it would be interesting to have a sequel just to find out what life brings to all of the characters.

Here Come The Girls By Milly Johnson

Here Come The Girls By Milly Johnson

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Shirley Valentine, eat your heart out Ven, Roz, Olive and Frankie have been friends since school. They day-dreamed of glorious futures, full of riches, romance and fabulous jobs. The world would be their oyster.

Twenty-five years later, Olive cleans other people’s houses to support her lazy, out-of-work husband and his ailing mother. Roz cannot show her kind, caring husband Manus any love because her philandering ex has left her trust in shreds. And she and Frankie have fallen out big time.

But Ven is determined to reunite her friends and realise the dream they had of taking a cruise before they hit forty. Before they know it, the four of them are far from home, on the high seas. But can blue skies, hot sun and sixteen days of luxury and indulgence distract from the tension and loneliness that await their return?

My Thoughts:

I love Milly Johnson’s books, they always seem to put a smile on my face. I managed to read this book in two days as I was so looking forward to seeing how the girls got on with their cruise. I loved the fact all of the girls had a true friendship and that the problems they had were real life problems. Beautifully written, a lovely summer read. I enjoyed reading about the cruise ship too as I have never been on a cruise. Loved all the characters and really look forward to reading my next Milly Johnson book.

If you would like to purchase this book through Amazon, click on the link below:

A Matter Of Temperance By Ichabod Temperance

A Matter Of Temperance By Ichabod Temperance

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In 1869, the Earth experiences the close pass of a new comet. In its wake, thousands of Terra’s inhabitants find themselves strangely changed. Among humanity, many find that any talent they may naturally possess has been elevated to an astounding degree. Likewise, a number of animals become self-aware and intelligent. A young “comet prodigy” from humble beginnings, Ichabod Temperance, has become one of the world’s foremost inventors in this age of prolific genius. Traveling to England to deliver his latest brilliant device to a famous explorer, the young tinker is unexpectedly struck by the fearsome hand of fate. Meanwhile, a lovely young aristocrat, Miss Persephone Plumtartt, survives an experimental accident only to find herself imbued with a power she can neither understand nor control, while dark forces and malevolent creatures pursue her, leaving a gruesome wake of death.
Yet, worse is to come. The naïve young inventor and the lovely intellectual find themselves fighting not only to save their own lives, while concurrently coming to terms with their own budding romance, but to prevent the destruction of all life on Earth in this humourously told and poignant steampunk adventure.
My Thoughts:
I found this book a little odd. It is written from two different points of view, but having said that there were quite a few parts that made me laugh. The book I found had a bit of a slow start, but I ploughed through it and it is a fairly engaging sort of read. I am glad I gave it a go through.
If you would like to buy it. Here is the link:
Mum on the run By Fiona Gibson

Mum on the run By Fiona Gibson

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Laura Swan was dreading the school sports day Mum’s race – but whoever would have thought it could be quite so life-changing?

Laugh-out-loud funny, Fiona’s writing deals with the real life cringe-worthy moments we all know so well…

Sports Day at her children’s school is a nightmare for Laura because of the event she dreads – the Mums’ Race. She knows the other mothers have been in training for at least three months – even though they’re trying to pretend that they haven’t. Laura’s vowed never to take part, but the morning of the School Sports Day she makes a fatal error and promises her daughter that if she eats her Rice Crispies, she will run. With no escape, Laura is forced to take part and as she moves towards her inevitable humiliation, she is horrified to spot her husband Jed flirting with Celeste the delectable French girl who works with him.

Determined to put up a fight and to show Jed there is still plenty of spice left in their marriage, Laura decides it is time to give her body the work out it has been desperately crying out for. But when Laura makes a special new friend at the running club that she has joined, she gets much more than she bargained for.

 

My Thoughts:

This is my second Fiona Gibson book and I completely fell in love with this book too. It is so true to family life, it will make you laugh out loud so be careful reading it in a public place. Fiona has a relaxed way of writing that I just love. Loved all the characters, it does have funny parts in this book but it also has some serious parts. My kind of chick-lit, easy read.

If you would like to purchase this book click on the link below:

The Olive Branch By Jo Thomas

The Olive Branch By Jo Thomas

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This Title will be released on 2nd July 2015

 

Escape to Italy with THE OLIVE BRANCH – the irresistibly romantic new novel from Jo Thomas, award-winning author of ebook runaway bestseller THE OYSTER CATCHER.

You can buy almost anything online these days.

But is a crumbling Italian farmhouse a step too far?

Ruthie Collins certainly thinks so when she arrives amid pouring rain to an olive farm she doesn’t know the first thing about running.

But for Ruthie, newly single, anywhere has got to be better than her mum’s settee. Hasn’t it?

Life can change with the click of a mouse. But the finer things – friendship, romance, and even the olive harvest – take time to grow. Can Ruthie put the past to rest and find her own piece of the Dolce Vita along the way?

My Thoughts:

I got this book for an honest review, so want to thank Jo and her publisher for sending it to me.I really liked this book, I loved the story it made me feel all warm inside, especially as the weather hasn’t been too good here, it made me think of a warm summers day and it cheered me up no end. I knew what was going to happen but I still very much loved it. Such a beautiful setting and really lovely characters. What’s not to love. I was so taken with this book I managed to read it in two days. It was brilliant finding out about the Italian way of Life. A perfect summer holiday read or to curl up with on a winters day.

My Grandmother sends her regards and apologies By Fredrik Backman

My Grandmother sends her regards and apologies By Fredrik Backman

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This title is not released until the 4th June 2015

 

Elsa is seven years old and different. Her grandmother is seventy-seven years old and crazy. Standing-on-the-balcony-firing-paintball-guns-at-men-who-want-to-talk-about-Jesus-crazy. She is also Elsa’s best, and only, friend. At night Elsa runs to her grandmother’s stories, to the Land of Almost-Awake and the Kingdom of Miamas. There, everybody is different and nobody needs to be normal.

So when Elsa’s grandmother dies and leaves behind a series of letters apologizing to people she has hurt, it marks the beginning of Elsa’s greatest adventure. Her grandmother’s letters lead her to an apartment building full of drunks, monsters, attack dogs, and totally ordinary old crones-but also to the truth about fairytales and kingdoms and a grandmother like no other.

My Thoughts:

I loved the start of this book, the relationship between Elsa and her grandmother is beautiful. I did find it quite hard going and wasn’t entirely sure what was going on some of the time. The story does have a certain kind of magic to it but I am not really sure why. Some people have said this book was brilliant so I think it is a bit like Marmite.

If you want to have a read of this book, here is the link to purchase it:http://www.amazon.co.uk/Grandmother-Sends-Her-Regards-Apologises

Lovereading sent me this book which I am very grateful for, if you fancy checking out their website, click on the link below:

http://www.lovereading.co.uk/

The Longest Ride By Nicholas Spark

The Longest Ride By Nicholas Spark

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Two couples. Two love stories. One epic tale.

Ninety-one-year-old Ira Levinson is in trouble. Struggling to stay conscious after a car crash, with his mind fading, an image of his adored – and long-dead – wife Ruth appears. Urging him to hang on, she lovingly recounts the joys and sorrows of their life together – how they met, the dark days of WWII and its unrelenting effect on their families.

A few miles away, college student Sophia Danko’s life is about to change. Recovering from a break-up, she meets the young, rugged Luke and is thrown into a world far removed from her privileged school life. Sophia sees a new and tantalising future for herself, but Luke is keeping a secret that could destroy it all.

Ira and Ruth. Sophia and Luke. Two couples, separated by years and experience, whose lives are about to converge in the most unexpected – and shocking – of ways.

My Thoughts:

Nicholas Spark is a new author to me, so I wasn’t sure what to really expect. I have to say I absolutely loved this book, so much so that I read it within 4 days of receiving my copy. I was hooked from the beginning and loved how the two stories entwined together. The story has everything going for it, it made me laugh out loud, it made me smile, it made me shed a few tears. It was just brilliant. I would highly recommend this book.

If you would like to purchase this book, here is the link:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Longest-Ride-Nicholas-Sparks

 

Voice of Innocence By Lindsey Detwiler

Voice of Innocence By Lindsey Detwiler

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Emma and Corbin: two typical teenagers traveling the road of first love together, innocent hearts linked by an impenetrable bond. When Corbin is convicted of a murder he didn’t commit and faces years in prison, though, their love is severed.

Decades later, Corbin is finally proven innocent and both are haunted by a relationship neither has forgotten. Lives irrevocably altered and time passed, Emma and Corbin must face a difficult decision: should they settle for the separate lives that have become their reality, or can they take the risk that the passion of a first love doesn’t fade with time?

My Thoughts:

This book is a love story with many interesting and intriguing twists. I found it really interesting to hear about the characters and they way you can read about their innermost thoughts. I think Lindsey has done that really well. This is a book that people will be able to relate to, it will make you think about life in general and about all the turns that life deals to us all. This book made me really think about my life and I really hope that there is a sequel as I would love to hear more about the two main characters.

Crashing into Love By Melissa Foster

Crashing into Love By Melissa Foster

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Fiona Steele has a great career, strong friendships, and a loving family. To an outsider, her life appears happy and fulfilling. But the one thing that’s missing is true love, and the only man Fiona wants is the one she can’t have, sinfully handsome and seductively intense Jake Braden—the man whose heart she broke, which she has regretted ever since.

As an LA stuntman, Jake Braden’s at the top of his game. He’s hired for all the best movies, hooks up with the hottest women, and lives an unencumbered lifestyle where his needs come first—and where he doesn’t have to examine his life too closely. Except when he visits his family in his close-knit hometown of Trusty, Colorado, where he spends his time avoiding Fiona—the only woman who knows who he really is.

When Fiona’s best friend is hired to act in Jake’s movie, Fiona jumps at the chance to try to win him back. There’s no denying the white-hot attraction burning between them. With every encounter, Fiona hopes Jake can’t resist falling back into the love they once shared. But her well-orchestrated rendezvous doesn’t go over well with the brooding heartthrob. Living in the fast lane is perfect for a guy who’s buried his emotions so damn deep he’s not sure he can remember how to feel—and he’s not sure he ever wants to.

My Thoughts:

Another brilliant story from Melissa, I feel very privileged to be able to read and review Melissa’s books. When reading one of these fantastic books I feel I am drawn into the characters world. The characters are loveable, I feel like I know each and every one so well. The story is written really well too, I love the fact Melissa uses LA as her base, as I was lucky enough to go there last year, and it is such a beautiful place, I think that’s why I feel I can connect with these books.

The Sweetest Thing By Cathy Woodman

The Sweetest Thing By Cathy Woodman

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If only everything in life was as simple as baking a cake…

Jennie Copeland thought she knew the recipe for a happy life: marriage to her university sweetheart, a nice house in the suburbs and three beautiful children. But when her husband leaves her, she is forced to find a different recipe. And she thinks she’s found just what she needs: a ramshackle house on the outskirts of the beautiful Talyton St George, a new cake-baking business, a dog, a horse, chickens…

But life in the country is not quite as idyllic as she’d hoped, and Jennie can’t help wondering whether neighbouring farmer Guy Barnes was right when he told her she wouldn’t last the year.

Or perhaps the problem is that she’s missing one vital ingredient to make her new life a success. Could Guy be the person to provide it?

My Thoughts:

Love, Love, Love this book so much. This book is part of a series but can be read as a standalone novel, which is what I have done but now want to read the series. I have read one of Cathy’s books before and fell in love with the style of writing and also they way it is just a nice, calming read. I love the fact that Jennie is a baker and makes all of these amazing cakes, I really felt like I knew her and what struggles she went through day to day. Cathy has a brilliant knowledge about farm animals, which was an added bonus. Look forward to reviewing her other books.