Annotating Books

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Hi folks

Today’s blog post is about annotating books. So what is annotating (which I’m sure many people do) it’s were you add small notes of thoughts , feelings or any other comment in a book your reading.

Firstly I would like to say there is no right or wrong way to annotate a book. It can be individual to each reader, its really about what works for you the reader.

Bits and pieces you might need:

*journal or a note book to write more in-depth notes

*Pen or pencil

*your book

*highlighters (be careful as some highlighters seep through the pages of your book)

*Post it notes

*coloured tabs ( where you could colour code them to represent something different eg: Pink- love, friendships and romance, Blue- sad bits, death, Green-setting, Orange- important information, Purple-things that upset you.

How to start

Before you start it’s best to organise if your colour coding your tabs deciding what colour represents what. It’s also best to gather everything you’ll need with you while your reading, there’s nothing worse than having to stop reading because you’ve forgotten something.

Now your ready to start!!!

Notes you could write:

-highlight favourite quotes

-characterisation

-things that make you feel a type of emotion

-things you don’t like

-sensory bits that grabbed your senses

-plot twists

-anything though provoking or interesting

-themes: romance, tension, suspense, love triangle, enemies to lovers etc.

Benefits to annotating

-can help you to remember bits of the book.

-useful when wanting to discuss the book with other people.

-it can aide in helping you write a more in-depth review.

-you become more aware of writing styles, plots etc.

For me personally I have annotated a few books in my time, however I’m still trying finding what system works for me. At the moment I’m just tabbing bits that stand out to me and using see through post-it-notes to underline quotes so as not to put ink on my book ( writing in a book feels wrong to me, maybe I’ll get over it someday!!). I also don’t annotate every book I read only the ones I feel I want too.

Like I said earlier guys there’s no right or wrong way to do this it’s what ever works best for you!

Do you annotate books you read? What’s your system? What equipment do you used? Do you enjoy it? If so why do you enjoy it? Do you annotate every book you read?

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Book review on The Christmas Checklist by Lisa Hepner

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About the author (as seen on back cover)

Website: http://www.lisahepner.com

http://www.thechristmaschecklist.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LisaHepner

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/lisahepner

X (formerly Twitter): http://www.twitter.com/LisaHepner2

Publication date: 2nd November 2022

Publisher: Independently Published

ISBN: paperback 979-8731803885

Also available in Ebook format

Pages: 257 pages

Genre: Romance

Copy provided by: author

Blurb (as seen on the back cover of book)

Emily Richmond loves Christmas. Normally. But since her mom passed away, she’s unsure how she’ll make it through her first Christmas without her. When her mom leaves her a red envelope labelled ‘ Open December 1st’ she finds a ‘ Christmas Checklist’ inside with twelve activities she must complete before Christmas. Overwhelmed but determined to fulfill her mother’s final wish, she takes a baby step by donating coats to a local drive. There she meets Noah, a charming freelance writer looking for an inspirational Christmas article. He offers to help Emily complete the items on the checklist. She’s hesitant, but ‘get to know a stranger’ is on the list and she’s dealing with uncertainty in her current long-distance relationship.

As the two start to check items off the list, Emily starts to trust Noah and even develops feelings for him. Noah has found a great holiday story- and romantic feelings of his own but he’s afraid to give his heart to someone who might be leaving town. When Noah’s article about the checklist is inadvertently published without Emily’s approval, she feels betrayed, but she also sees how her mother’s love-filled list is inspiring others around the country. Having worked through the checklist together, as Christmas Day approaches, will they be able to complete the last item on the list: find love?

My Review

I would like to start off by saying a massive thank you to Lisa Hepner for kindly asking and providing me with a copy of her book.

I adored every single page of this The Christmas Checklist by Lisa Hepner, it really has put me in the Christmas mood! Not only will this story get you in the Christmas spirit but it has a beautiful sentiment for anyone going through a tough time. Let’s face it Christmas can be a tough time when your going through a something but this story will warm your heart and bring you a Christmas vibes through out. . Plus it has the lovely romance between Emily and Noah which has all the Hallmarks vibes which I really enjoy it was just what I needed to read! I really became quite attached to these characters, they are so well written and people you could see yourself being friends with.

The Christmas Checklist was a film before is was a book. It’s currently on Amazon Prime for the USA and Canada and is available to view on YouTube for UK viewers. I have yet to watched the film and hope it becomes available on Amazon sometime in the future.

But going back to the book I found the storyline to be full of meaning, kindness, romance and compassion and so much more! I would highly recommend The Christmas Checklist what a beautiful story!

Marie’s Book Boutique gives

The Christmas Checklist by Lisa Hepner

5 stars

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Book Review On: Bucolic by Cassandra N. Stump

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About the author (as seen on the back cover)

Cassandra. N Stump is a seventeen-year-old high school student living with her parents and four siblings in New York, debuting her first novel: Bucolic.

Website: http://www.cassandranstump.com

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/cassandranstump

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22054218.Cassandra_N_Stump

Publication Date: 18th January 2022

Publisher: BookBaby

ISBN: Paperback 978-1667817378

Pages: 338 pages

Genre: Contemporary Romance Fiction

Format Reading: Paperback

Brought/gifted: Gifted by the author

Blurb (as seen on the back cover)

Fairsage had always been a quiet and serene town encased in a bubble that shielded it from the rest of the world, keeping its residents adhered in naivety- that is until Caden Carlton moved in from the rivalling town over.

Libelle finds herself captivated by the only source that makes her feel truly alive: a boy with a haunting past that has come creeping back up, exposing her to the harsh realities of the real world.

She wants to make the same 180 in his life that he did for her, but Libelle fails to realize that some things are determined on swallowing us whole and wearing us down until there’s no strength left to fight it. No matter how big the shovel, deep the hole, or heavy the dirt- the past can’t be buried. Some souls are too far gone, but dose that mean she shouldn’t try and save him regardless?

My Review:

Many thanks goes to Cassandra for kindly getting in touch with me and for sending me a copy of her book to read and review.

In a small town called Fairsage, where everything is pretty much fine and dandy. A quite town where nothing much happens. Teenager Libelle love’s her quiet life in Fairsage surrounded by her family, friends and find’s the beauty in her wonderful surroundings.

Then Caden arrives in town from the neighbouring town, where he played for the lacrosse team. He joins Libelle and her friends hanging out around the beautiful surroundings of fairsage. Libelle finds him mysterious and fascinating and soon learns that his troubled passed haunts him deeply. Both Caden and Libelle open each others eyes to there worlds where often things are more complicated than they seem. Their connection with each other brings out the best in each other, but is that enough to save Caden from a past he struggles to let go of?

Waw! What a book! I adored every single page of this book and is very hard to put down. I was totally captivated by the beautifully described setting, to Libelle and Caden’s journey ; which is written in a wise and beautiful way. The story was relatable and I found that I could totally relate to Libelle living a small town life. I really enjoyed Cassandras writing style which is full of wise words, emotion and characters that you can’t help but be captivated by. If Cassandra can write this good at 17 then I see good things for her future and really hopes she writes more because I’d want to read them. Bucolic is a book that stays with you long after you’ve finished reading and is a book I can see I will for sure be re-reading in the future. Highly recommend Bucolic a fantastic read.

Marie’s Book Boutique gives

Bucolic by Cassandra N. Stump

5 Stars

You can also find me on:

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and Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/mariesbookboutique

Blog Tour Book Review On Escape To Tuscany by kat Devereaux

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About the author (as seen in the book)

Kat Devereaux was born near Edinburgh, and lived in the United States, Russia, France, Chile, Germany and the Czech Republic before finally settings in Italy. She is a writer and translator with a special focus on Italian Literature.

Website: http://www.katdevereaux.com

Publication Date: 6th July 2023

Publisher: Aria part of Head of Zeus

ISBN: Paperback 9781804549858

Ebook 9781804549834

Pages: 352 pages

Genre: Historical Fiction

Format Reading: paperback

Brought/Gifted: Gifted

Blurb (as seen on the back cover)

Romituzzo, 1944

Just fourteen, Stella Infuriati is the youngest member of her town’s resistance network- a secret she keeps even from her parents. She works alongside her brother Achille to relay messages, supplies and wepons to partisan groups in the Tuscan hills. Fuelled by courage and a fierce sense of purpose, Stella braves incredible danger and survives… but when peace comes in 1945, she vanishes.

Florence, 2019

Writer Tori MacNair arrives in Florence. Fleeing an emotional abusive marriage, she’s come to build a new life in the city her grandmother taught her to love. As she digs into her family history, Tori uncovers decades-old secrets about a brave young woman who risked everything to save her world. As Tori and Stella stories intertwine, they reveal the power of love. community, and sacrifice across the generations.

My Review

I would like to offer my thanks to Rachel from Rachel’s Random Resources for putting on a wonderful blog tour and to the publishers for kindly gifting me a copy to read and review for the blog tour.

1944 in Romituzzo teenager Stella has joined the town’s network of the resistance along side her brother Achille. Only she keeps this from her parents. She see’s harrowing sights and knows how dangerous it is, but Achille keeps a watchful eye on her. However when it’s all over and there is piece at last Stella goes missing.

2019 In Florence writer Tori arrives after leaving her abusive husband to start a new life. Florence is a place she loves which is connected to her late grandmother. Tori gets in a pickle about her book but things change on that front when she sifts through her grandmother things to discover Stella’s and Achille’s story. Tori decides it’s a story that needs to be told. And amoungst all this Tori has to get everything in order to stay in Florence with the help from lawyer Marco, and helps her in her quest to finish her research for her book.

I devoured this story in a few days, I found that I didn’t want to put it down. I was totally absorbed the duel timelines and the setting was described in such a way that you feel like you’ve been there in the Tuscan setting with the characters. I was intrigued by Stella and became very fond of her as the story progressed. She so was brave and saw some really harrowing sights, that she just handled for such a young girl. I adored Achille brotherly protectiveness over his sister which was lovely as she got such a raw deal from her parents. Tori was just as intriguing, as she navigates her new life and the research for her book and to uncover more about her grandmothers past. I enjoyed Kat Devereaux’s writing style, it’s escapism at its best. I’m defiantly going to be keeping an eye out for more of her books in the future because I really enjoyed this book so much. Defiantly a book I’d recommend.

Marie’s Book Boutique gives

Escape To Tuscany by Kat Devereaux

5 Stars

You can also find me on:

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and Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/mariesbookboutique

Book Review On: Maybe You Should Give Up… by Byron Morrison

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About The Author (as seen in the book)

Byron Morrison is a bestselling author, mindset and performance coach, specializing in helping people get out of their own way and take control of their lives. For the last decade, he has worked with CEO’s, entrepreneurs and bussiness leaders from around the world, helping them to reach their full potential. His books and work have been featured on TV, in magazines, as well as promoted on the radio shows and podcasts globally.

Website: http://www.byronmorrison.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/byronmorrisonauthor

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/authorbyronmorrison

Publication Date: 27th June 2023

Publisher: Morgan James Publishing

ISBN: Paperback 9781636980645

Ebook 9781636980652

Pages: 161 pages

Genre: Motivational self-help

Format Reading: Paperback

Brought/Gifted: Gifted

Blurb (as seen on the back cover)

Maybe You Should Give Up…on everything causing you to get in your own way!

It seems like every self-help book and personal development program is the same these days. They’re all preaching the same message: if you just push harder and try more, then you’ll achieve the life of your dreams! The problem is though… it doesn’t work, not long-term anyway.

In the end, the unfortunate reality is that most people never reach their goals. Despite good intentions, they get in their own way- sabotaging themselves and becoming the biggest stumbling block to their own success.

Byron Morrison’s journey of self-discovery and a decade of research and practical application of cycle-breaking techniques have been broken down in easy-to-follow steps. Maybe You Should Give Up is the counterintuitive guide you need to help identify and brake through seven areas that are keeping you stuck in self-destructive cycles.

My Review

I would like to thank the author Byron Morrison for kindly asking me to read and review his book and for sending me a copy.

In the book Byron discusses how we are our own worst enemy on sabotaging our own success in our goals and in many other areas of our lives. He discusses that thing’s that are holding us back like; fear, negative thoughts etc and refers to each one to rocks and boulders that we carry around, weighing us down and stopping us from achieving our goals and aims. Byron has broken the book down into section working on each rock or boulder that we need to let go of. Giving real life situation from himself and other people his helped which; I think helped in understanding what I was reading. I totally agree with Byron in taking each boulder/rock one by one to work on that area before going on to the next, because taking on to much in one go isn’t necessary going to get you to your goal.

I enjoyed reading the book and gave me a few things that I can personally work on and I think other people can get things from reading it too. I found reading it easy and I tabbed lots of things that stood out for me and think its going to be a book I refer back to over time.

Marie’s Book Boutique gives

Maybe You Should Give Up by Byron Morrison

4 Stars

You can also find me on:

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and Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/mariesbookboutique

Blog Tour Book Review On Adventures about to Begin by Allen Therisa

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About the author (as seen on Amazon)

Aside from writing fiction, Allen Therisa also contributes to blogs on everything from popular culture to politics. Adventures About To Begin is his debut novel.

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AllenTherisa

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/29532805.Allen_Therisa

Publication Date: 28th February 2023

Publisher: Book Guild

ISBN: Paperback 978-1-915603-31-9

Also available in Ebook format.

Pages: 352 pages

Genre: Family saga

Format Reading: Paperback

Brought/Gifted: Gifted for blog tour

Blurb (as seen on the back cover)

After the death of his grandfather, Noah’s life is thrown into chaos as he faces a repressed past which threatens everything he believes to be true. In the course of trying to come to terms with his loss, Noah must also navigate a difficult relationship with his sister, Kelly, as they reflect on their turbulent childhood – when they were taken from London to live in the Kent countryside following the breakdown of their parents’ marriage.

Set between the 1970s and the more recent past, Adventures About To Begin chronicles a collapsing marriage as experienced by its children and reflects on how memory shapes our decisions at crucial junctures during our lives. It is both funny and touching, as well as a sensitive insight into British family life during a period of great social and cultural change.

My Review

I would like to thank Kelly at Love Books Tours and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book for the blog tour.

In Adventures About to Begin by Allen Therisa we meet Noah and his sister Kelly who have just lost their grandfather which throws their lives into disarray. Things that have been appressed in their family and they try to deal with an eventful childhood after the breakdown of their parents marriage.

Set between the 70’s and 2005 the story flip flips between the two, which show the ups and downs of the families journey.

For me I was intrigued at the beginning and then I found the story kind of went a bit flat for me as did the ending. I found Noah an interesting character as he deals with his sexuality and his sister is quite a character too. It was good to see them during childhood and in adulthood. I did find the family dynamic was intriguing but at some points I found strange. I love the nostalgia in this book which made me smile and thought the author putting in the Appendix at the back explaining for anyone who didn’t know was a really nice touch.

Marie’s Book Boutique gives

Adventures about to begin by Allen Therisa

3 Stars

You can also find me on:

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My Reading Essentials

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Hi fellow book-lovers

Today I though I’d share with you my reading essentials, that I have with me while I’m having a reading session. I do all my reading at home, as I’m not very good at reading out and about as I can’t really concentrate, plus I get too distracted!!!!!

Lets get into my reading essentials:

  • My current read.
  • A steaming cup of tea (very British of me, I know!!!!) or a cold drink of squash.
  • My phone- only to check the time.
  • Small pocket dictionary- in-case I get stuck on a word.
  • Bookmark or postcard- to use to keep my page and also to use as a reading guide.
  • Notebook and pen- to write any notes on the book which will help me to write my review when I’ve finished reading.
  • Sticky tabs and sticky notes
  • Cosy blanket (for the cold days)
  • Bean bag book seat- I tend to use this when I’m reading a hardback because boy are they heavy to hold! I do also use for those chunky paperbacks for the same reason.
  • Bit of paper- to keep in my current read so I can write how many pages I read each day to then transfer to my reading journal later on.
  • Highlighters- to highlight bits of the book that stand out.
  • Clip on reading light- I used this when reading in bed. That’s quite a list, isn’t it? All the small bits like pens, highlighters, sticky notes/tabs I keep all together in a pencil case so they are kept together in one place.

Do you have things you must have with you when reading? What are those essentials? I’d love to hear them in the comments below, I love to read them and interact with you guys.

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Blog Tour Book Review On A Laird For The Highland Lady by Catherine Tinley

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About the author (as seen in the book)

Catherine Tinley has loved reading and writing since childhood, and has a particular fondness for love, romance and happy endings. She lives in Ireland with her husband, children, dog and kitten.

Website: http://catherinetinley.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/catherinetinley

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/catherinetinley

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/catherinetinleywriter

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15736775.Catherine_Tinley

Publication Date: 25th May 2023

Publisher: Harlequin

ISBN: paperback 978-1-335-72390-1

Also available in Ebook

Pages: 336 pages

Genre: Historical Romance

Format Reading: Paperback

Brought/Gifted: Gifted

Blurb (as seen on the back cover)

Becoming a laird

…worthy of the Highland lady?

In this Lairds of the Isles story, after an unexpected encounter with Eilidh MacDonald, Max Wood thinks this shockingly beautiful woman is unlike anyone he’s ever met! Working to restore the Scottish estate long neglected by his family, Max is achieving more than he thought possible. As a carefree second son he’s never considered marriage―until now… But will shaking off his decadent persona be enough to win the flame-haired lady who’s captured his heart?

My Review

A massive thank you to Rachel from Rachel’s Random Resources for putting together the blog tour and also to the author Catherine Tinley for kindle gifting me a copy to read and review. It even came with a cute bookmark.

Max Wood, has an encounter with Eilidh Mac Donald in London and is suddenly taken with her beauty. Max learns that Eilidh and her brother are trying to integrate with London society, to gain the trust of Max’s older brother to buy back a estate on a Scottish island that was taken from their family years ago. Max is known as a man of leisure with no money of his own and know as the sphere for his brother; who is having money issues that could cause a lot of problems for the whole family. Max’s brother is also trying to marry their little sister off, but she has her eye set on a man she has just met.

Max’s un-expectantly comes in to some inheritance and suddenly he has prospects and isn’t relying on he brothers hand-outs. When his brother is approached by Eilidh and her brother he refuses to sell the estate back to them, as it need to stay in the family. So Max sees an opportunity to buy the estate from his brother, with his new inheritance.

Traveling to Scotland with Eilidh and her brother and his little sister, he plans on restoring the estate and leave but on seeing the estate and the people who keep the place going he becomes attached and falls for more than just his surroundings. His family have treated the people terribly and plans to make it right.

I devoured this story in a few day’s, having not read a regency romance for a while, it made a refreshing change and also made me relies I like reading this genre from the time to time. This book is part of a series but can be read as a standalone. I loved the setting which is described brilliantly and felt authentic. I liked the characters which developed wonderfully and there are many up’s and down’s keeping the reader entertained. I felt a a very strong sense of community from this story which I always like and though it made Max’s character more than I already did. I would defiantly recommend if regency romance is your thing.

Marie’s Book Boutique gives

A Liard for the Highland Lady by Catherine Tinley

4 Stars

You can also find me on:

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Book Review On Murder on Mustique by Anne Glenconner

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About the author (as seen in the book)

Lady Glenconner was born Lady Anne Coke in 1932, the eldest daughter of the 5th Earl of Leicester, and growing up in their ancestral estate at Holkham Hall in Norfolk. A \maid of Honour at the Queen’s Coronation, she married Lord Glenconner in 1956. They had five children together of whom three survive. In 1958 she and her husband began to transform the island of Mustique into a paradise for the rich and famous. They granted a plot of land to Princess Margaret who built her favourite home there. She was appointed Lady in Waiting to Princess Margaret in 1971 and kept this role- accompanying her on many state occasions and foreign tours- untill her death in 2002. Lord Glenconner died in 2010, leaving everything in his will to his former employee. Lady Glenconner’s highly acclaimed memoir. Lady In Waiting, was an international bestseller, spending over thirty weeks in the Sunday Times top ten, and reaching number four on the New York Times bestseller list. Lady In Waiting was shortlisted for a British Book Award in 2020 and is being developed into a TV drama series.

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19335358.Anne_Glenconner

Publication Date: 24th June 2021

Publisher: Hodder

http://www.hodder.co.uk

ISBN: Paperback 978-1529336382

Hardback 978-1529336344

Ebook 978-1529336368

Pages: 352 pages

Genre: Crime

Format Reading: Paperback

Brought/Gifted: a birthday gift

Blurb (as seen on the back cover)

The residents of Mustique can only watch and wait as tropical storm Cristobal edges towards them across the Atlantic. And when American heiress Amanda Fortini heads out for a morning swim and doesn’t return, danger seems to surround the island. Amanda’s friend Lily is suspicious and scared, and so she asks for help from the person she trusts the most: her godmother.

Lady Veronica Blake knows all Mustique’s secrets. She would never desert a loved one in need and she can keep a cool head in a crisis. Meanwhile, Detective Sergeant Solomon Nile, the island’s only fully trained police officer, is on the trail of the killer, but the local community isn’t co-operating. He desperately needs Lady Vee’s insights to help him solve the mystery- before the storm hits…

My Review

A tropical storm is on it way the tropical island of Mustique. Amanda Fortini takes a morning swim and suddenly disappears. Her friend Lily raise’s the alarm to her sudden disappearance after she fail to turn up to meet her.

Lily is beside herself and her god mother Lady Veronica Blake rises over to the island to support Lily and share her knowledge of the island and its people to help solve this mystery. On an island where nothing much happens in terms of crime, Detective Sargent Nile Soloman must try and work out exactly what’s happening on the island.

This story reminds me of a cosy crime. I enjoyed the storyline and I didn’t guess the ending; so I was kept guessing till the end. The story progressed at a nice gentle pace and I found the characters intriguing and wholesome Lady Vee reminded me of like a miss Marple type of character! I adored the tropical setting; which is described well and the tropical storm really sets an airy mood to the story. I found it quite an easy read and would recommend if you like a light crime/ mystery.

Marie’s Book Boutique gives

Murder On Mustique by Anne Glenconner

4 Stars

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Book Review On: Love: From The Jungle To The Divine by R Stephen Lynch

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About the author (as seen on the back cover)

R. Stephen Lynch, Founder and Director of the Costa Rica Center for Jungian Study, is a Jungian author, scholar, and coach. Steve lives in Nosara, Costa Rica where he offers group forums and individual sessions in Jungian psychology and counselling.

Website: http://costaricacenterforjungianstudy.com

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/23105694.R_Stephen_Lynch

Publication Date: 2nd December 2022

Publisher: Independently Published

ISBN: Paperback 979-8366681810

Also available in Ebook

Pages: 58 pages

Genre: Non-fiction

Format Reading: Paperback

Brought/Gifted: Gifted

Testimonials (As seen on the back cover)

James Hollis

‘ Drawing from both personal experiences and the work of scholars, Steve Lynch has assembled valuable insight into the nature of love and of heartbreak. His book raises questions about this mystery we call ‘love’, and asks us to consider our responce. There is much for us to learn from this book’

James Hollis, Ph. D, considered by many to be the world’s leading Jungian scholar and author, is the author of The Broken Mirror, The Eden Project: in search of the Magical Other, and many other books

Yogi Liao Chian

‘ This book is full of wisdom anchored in the author’s real-life experiences and is inspiring for both young and old. The epiphany he describes through his encounter with the Divine is especially powerful and compelling!’

Yogi Liao Chian, a Zen Buddhist Monk and author of The New Book of Transcending Death, is a world renown spiritual leader with a global following.

My Review

I would just like to say thank you to Arley for Novel Cause who contacted me on behalf of the author to read and review Love on my blog here today. I was intrigued to read R. Stephen Lynch thought’s on this subject.

In this book the author explors love in it’s many form’s form Jungle love, Blood love to Divine love. While I hadn’t heard of Jungle love, I understood what was being explained and discussed.

And while I agree there are these forms of love that the author discussed, I have to say I feel that with friendship love it was kind of discounted, yes I agree it might not be the strongest type of love like say blood love or even partner love, it’s still an important kind of love. I’ve have friends that I’ve been friends for many years and no matter what we are there for one another and love each other. I don’t think I can comment on Devine love because I’m not really religious, but a appreciate the authors experiences. R. Stephen Lynch also discussed how Love can also be broken and the heart ache that causes. I totally agree that we end up suffering say when someone dies and that it extremely painful which is the price we end up paying for loving someone.

It’s a very short book at 52 pages long to read. I felt the book has been written in a way that is easy to understand. I liked that the author drew on his own experiences to discuss forms of love also drawing on things he has learnt from other professionals.

Nice quick easy read, I wouldn’t say I learnt lots but I still enjoyed it non-the less.

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Book Review On Never Never by Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher

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About the author’s (as seen in the book)

Colleen Hoover is the Number One Sunday Times bestselling author of more than twenty-three novels, including It Starts with Us, It Ends with Us, All Your Perfects, Ugly Love and Verity. In 2015, colleen and her family founded a non-profit called The Bookworm Box, a bookstore and monthly book- subscription service. Colleen lives in Texas with her husband and their three boys.

Tarryn Fisher is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of nine novels, including The Wives. Born a sun-hater, she currently makes her home in Seattle, Washington, with her children, hisband and husky. She loves connecting with readers on Instagram.

Website: http://www.colleenhoover.com

http://www.tarrynfisher.com

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/colleenhoover

http://www.instagram.com/tarrynfisher

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorColleenHoover

http://www.facebook.com/athortarrynfisher

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5430144.Colleen_Hoover

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5410816.Tarryn_fisher

Publication Date: 28th February 2023

Publisher: HQ http://www.harpercollins.co.uk

ISBN: Paperback 978-0-00-862048-6

Also available in Ebook

Pages: 400 pages

Genre: YA fiction/romance/mystery

Format Reading: Paperback

Brought/Gifted: Brought

Blurb (as seen on the back cover)

Charlie Wynwood and Silas Nash have been best friends since they could walk. They’ve been in love since the age of fourteen. But as of this morning… they are complete strangers. Their first kiss, their first fight, the moment they fell in love… every memory has vanished. Now Charlie and Silas must work together to uncover the truth about what happened to them and why.

But the more they learn about the couple they used to be.. the more they question why they were ever together to begin with.

Forgetting is terrifying, but remembering might be worse.

My Review

Charlie and Silas have been in each others life for 14 years and are in love. But suddenly they both find themselfs to be total strangers and have even forgotten who they are. They now have to try and work out who they are and what they mean to each other, things soon become apparent that they had lost their way in their relationship.

Both Charlie and Silas have to learn about their families and why there seems to be a rift between the Wynwood family and the Nash family.

I’m a massive Colleen Hoover fan and haven’t read anything by Tarryn Fisher, so was excited to dive in! I did enjoy the story to a degree, I was quite confused as to what was actually going on and where the story was heading. Although I did enjoy Charlie and Silas’s passion that they have for each other as they discover their relationship. But the ending felt flat and left me with unanswered question, I suppose what I’m saying is I wanted more from the ending.

Marie’s Book Boutique gives

Never Never by Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher

3 Stars

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Book Review On The Sister Effect by Susan Mallery

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About the author (as seen in the book)

Susan Mallery is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of novels about relationships that define women’s lives-family, friendship, romance. Library Journal says, ‘Mallery is the mater of blending emotional believable characters in realistic situations’, and readers seem to agree-40 million copies of her books have sold worldwide. Her warm, humorous stories make the world a happier place to live.

Susan grew up in California and now lives in Seattle with her husband. She’s passionate about animal welfare, especially that of the ragdoll cat and adorable poodle who thinks of her as mum.

Website: http://www.susanmallery.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/susanmallery

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/susanmallery

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/susanmallery

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/susanmallery

Publication Date: 3rd April 2023

Publisher: Mills and Boon

http://www.harpercollins.co.uk

ISBN: Paperback 978-1848459182

Also available in Audio book and Ebook

Pages: 416pages

Genre: Woman’s Fiction

Format Reading: Paperback

Brought/gifted: Gifted from publisher

Blurb (as seen on the back cover)

Finley McGowan lives her life by ‘rules’. Rules give her stability and stop her being hurt, something she needs more than ever after her sister’s betrayal years before.

Sloane McGowan spent her childhood trying to be the perfect daughter and sister. But when one traumatic event derailed her life, she found it spiralling out of control, until the fateful day she betrayed the one person she loves most-her sister.

When Sloane reappears in Finley’s life wanting to make amends, Finley must decide what is more important-rules or family? And, if the past is worth letting go, in order to embrace a future.

My Review

I would just like to thank the publisher Mills and Boon for kindly sending me a copy of The Sister Effect by Susan Mallery to read and review.

The Sister Effect by Susan Mallery involves two sisters Finley and Sloane. Finley lives at home with their mother after Sloane left Finley in financial debt and leaving her to look after her niece Aubrey. Sloane struggles with alcoholism, but misses being with her daughter and wants desperately to become sober and to get her sister back in her life. But can she do it?

Finley is very protective over Aubrey and want’s to keep her safe and away from any trauma that her mother might bring. She becomes friendly with her boss; who is going through his own problems and the pair become a support for each other. They both have to accept the past for what it is and to not hold resentment in order to move on.

I devoured this story pretty quickly, I became immersed till the very end. I enjoyed the character development, and seeing them progress and see them growing as people; especially the sisters Finley and Sloane. I loved Aubrey she was such a cutie and you can’t help but love her. I found the whole family dynamics intriguing and drew me into to find out more. I think Susan handled the alcoholism in a delicate but realistic way through out the whole story. I liked Susan’s description she really creates a clear image through her words; which adds to a good reading experience. Great read!

Marie’s Book Boutique gives

The Sister Effect by Susan Mallery

5 Stars

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Book Review On: How To Fake It In Hollywood by Ava Wilder

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About the author ( as seen in the book)

Ava Wilder is a professional video editor with a degree in media studies and cultural criticism. She currently lives in Oklahoma City with her fiancé and their toothless cat.

Website: http://www.ava-wilder.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/avawilderwrites

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/avawilderwrites

Publication Date: 14th June 2022

Publisher: Headline Eternal

ISBN: Paperback 978-1472294968

Also available in Ebook format.

Pages: 368 pages

Genre: Woman’s fiction

Format Reading: Paperback

Brought/Gifted: Brought

Blurb (as seen on the back cover)

Grey Brooks is on a mission to save her career now that her long-running TV show is over. With the role of a lifetime on the line, she’s desperate enough to agree to her publicist’s scheme: fake a love affair with a disgraced Hollywood heartthrob, who just happens to also need the publicity boost.

Ethan Atkins just wants to be left alone. Between his high-profile divorce, his struggles with drinking, and his grief over the death of his longtime creative partner and best friend, he’s slowly let himself fade into the background. But if he ever wants to produce the last movie he and his partner wrote together, Ethan needs to clean up his reputation and step back into the spotlight. A juicy affair with a gorgeous actress might be just the ticket, even if it’s the last thing he wants to do.

With their plan working perfectly, the sizzling chemistry between Grey and Ethan soon start to feel like more than just an act/ But in this ruthless industry, are they both too used to faking it to open themselves up to the real thing?

My Review

In How To Fake It In Hollywood by Ava Wilder the reader meets Grey Brooks as her acting work seems to have dried up after her long standing role in a TV show was over. She is desperate to save her career and agrees to her publicist crazy idea to fake date high-profile actor Ethan Atkins to provide both parties with a publicity boost.

Ethan has been living quite a solitary life after his brake-up of his marriage and the death of his best friend. Ethan struggles with drinking and low mood which stops him from being there for his daughter’s. He needs to do something to get himself back into the acting game, reluctantly he agrees to fake date Grey.

As they both embark on the whole fake dating thing; with glitzy outings, party’s and intimate dates what happens neither of them expected. But can Ethan clean his act up? Will Grey and Ethan realise their true feelings? Can Grey help Ethan with his grief and drinking?

This is the first book I’ve read by Ava Wilder and I enjoyed the character development, and setting. The chemistry between Grey and Ethan was pretty intense at times, as they navigate there way through fake dating. The glitz and glamour was fun and so far from my reality that it make it perfect escapism for me. I really like Ava’s writing style which has good pace and flow, which made reading it a pleasure. As I said earlier that Ethan has a drinking problem which is handled with care and is realistic and is something to be aware of if this is a trigger for you. But on the whole the book was a good escapism and was a good read.

Marie’s Book Boutique gives

How To Fake Date In Hollywood by Ava Wilder

4 stars

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Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/bookboutiqueM

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Book Review On Equanimity by John Elliott-white

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About the author (as seen on the back cover)

John Elliott-White is a semi-retired engineer, would-be philosopher and concerned observer of mental suffering. More importantly, he would tell you that he has learned to reject the self-illusion and it is this, more than anything that qualifies him to suggest how others might reach the same state of strength, serenity and contentment that he enjoys.

Having rejected the notion of ‘self’, he is quite comfortable referring to himself in the third person, but considered the idea of a bio a little ironic.

Publication Date: 24th November 2022

Publisher: Noctambulist Press

ISBN: paperback 978-0645625622

Hardback 978-0645625639

Also available in Ebook format

Pages: 188 pages

Genre: Self-help

Format Reading: Gifted Paperback

Blurb (as seen on the back cover)

Many self-help book address goals of self-improvement, boosting self-image, or getting more of what you want. But in Equanimity, John Elliott-White warns that the pursuit of such goals can back-fire badly, and that robust mental health lies in a very different direction.

Integrating recent neuroscience and psychology insights with ancient wisdom, he suggests that the evolution of human minds stalled tens of thousands of years ago and that they are no longer suited to the modern world. He proposes that the way our brains are wired is almost guaranteed to cause mental suffering; and yet, we can train them to significantly reduce that suffering- and hence find strength, serenity, and contentment. Whilst much of this ancient wisdom has often been associated with spirituality, this is not a book about saving your soul.

It is about saving your sanity.

My Review

I would firstly like to thank John Elliott-White for kindly asking me to read and review his book and also for very kindly sending me a copy.

What a interesting read this book is! I thought the book had been well written and has been well researched; giving reference through out the book. John has written his book with humour and he also gives real-life experiences; which I felt for me it made the information a little easier to take in and understand. I also found that by reading a few chapters at a time that I didn’t feel like it was information over load as there’s a lot to take in and process.

I learnt a lot about the complexity this is the brain, psychology, to ancient wisdoms and how this all ties in to mental heath. I found John’s book thought provoking; which lead me to do my own research. I liked that John has included a list of books at the end of the book for suggested reading and I will be checking some of those out in the future.

Marie’s Book Boutique gives

Equanimity by John Elliott-White

4 Stars

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Blog Tour: Book Review On: Stop! Waking Up tired… by Ralph Montague

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About the author (as seen on publicity information sheet)

Ralph is the Founder of The Longevity Clinic and author of the STOP!! Self-help workbooks. Having worked in the anti-ageing industry for over 20 years, Ralph decided to work from the inside-out and put his knowledge and expertise into a series of informative and entertaining self-help books, to encourage and assist people to try to sleep better, have more energy, and ultimately live longer, with truly life-changing results for readers.

Website: http://www.the.longevityclinic.co.uk

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ralp_montague

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/ralphmontague

Publication date: 17th March 2023

Publisher: FCM Publishing

http://fcmpublishing.co.uk

ISBN: Paperback 978-1-914529-62-7

Also available in Ebook format.

Pages: 257 pages

Genre: Non-fiction, Self-help

Format reading: Gifted Paperback

Blurb (as seen on the back cover)

FED UP WITH WAKING UP TIRED & EXHAUSTED?

You are most certainly not alone. Many people long for a better quality of sleep, however, it’s been made unnecessarily difficult with contradicting advice, thousands of sleep studies and unpronounceable words leaving you more confused than when you started on your quest to simply get a good night’s sleep.

THIS IS WHERE “STOP!! WAKING UP TIRED…” CAN HELP!

This workbook was written to make things simple and easy to action, with a no-nonsense approach to sleep. The information and advice is easy to follow, light-hearted in nature and will help you achieve the deep sleep that dreams are made of.

In this workbook, we will cover the core areas in your life where change needs to happen, in an approach that is easy to action. Split into three sections: Remove, Improve and Action

  • Remove: Discusses the habits and lifestyle choices that are having devastating effects on your sleep.
  • Improve: Covers everyday routines where making simple changes, can enhance and dramatically improve your sleep and in turn your health, happiness and outlook on life.
  • Action: In line with the philosophy of the STOP!! workbook series, the targets are realistic and actionable to follow, with two action plans to help make the first step to stop waking up tired, a very real and exciting reality and the second step, the pathway to rejuvenating nights of deep, relaxed slumber.

With journal style questions and prompts throughout the book, as part of the actioning process, STOP!! Waking Up Tired… allows you to get a clear understanding of where you are today, where you can be in a matter of just a few days, and where you could only dream of a few days ago, for a new more energetic and happy future you.

When partnered with other titles within the series, STOP!! workbooks can help you become the person you always dreamed you could be.

IF YOU ARE SERIOUS ABOUT NOT WAKING UP TIRED EVERY MORNING HAVING MORE ENERGY AND SLEEPING BETTER BUT DON’T KNOW WHERE TO START, THIS BOOK WAS WRITTEN FOR YOU.

My Review:

I would firstly like to offer my thanks to the lovely Kelly from Love Books Tours for hosting this amazing blog tour for this book. And my second thank-you is to Ralph Montague for kindly gifting me his book and for kindly signing it!

As a person who struggles to sleep for many reasons, I was very intrigued by this workbook. I really enjoyed Ralph’s easy going and humorous writing style, it made it a joy to read and so easy to understand. It’s the first self-help book I’ve read in this style and layout it really works well indeed. I really felt I gained a lot from working through this book. I had to give myself a pat on the back as a couple of this Ralph suggests I was already doing! Yay to me!!!

I loved how interactive this book is with question to answer after every chapter then Ralph would give suggestions on things to do. Answering the questions identified areas I needed to look at or change a bad sleeping habit in order to aid my sleeping. The sleep quotes at the beginning of each chapter really resonated with me, which added to my reading experience of this book.

I feel the way the way Ralph has laid the book out was excellent for a self help book and made retaining the information a lot better. I have to say I couldn’t help myself I’ve tabbed a lot in the book while I was reading so if I need to refer back I can. So far after finishing the workbook I’ve managed to identify things and habits I need to work on and have even managed to implement a couple and I’m working on the rest. Ralph suggests that by braking it down in to small chunks in order to make a habbit stick, and he’s so right! It really is working so far by braking it down and my sleep is defiantly improving.

I would highly recommend Stop! Waking Up Tired… by Ralph Montague if your struggling to sleep it’s a game changer!!!

Marie’s Book Boutique gives

Stop! Waking Up Tired by Ralph Montague

5 stars

You can also find me on:

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/bookboutiqueM

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