Today’s blog post is all about Amazon Prime Reading; which is on of the benefit’s of purchasing Amazon Prime membership and I thought would make an interesting blog post.
What is Amazon Prime Reading?
Amazon Prime Reading is included in the Prime membership and is where you can borrow a wide range of eBooks and magazines; which can be read on a kindle, mobile device or laptop through the Amazon Kindle App. The total limit of book you can borrow a one time is 10; which I think is pretty far. Once you’ve read them, they can be returned through your Prime Reading Library on through your browser (account) ( making sure your WIFI is turned on, on your device so the book can be retrieved.) And then you can choose another.
My thoughts:
I have to be honest I’d had Amazon Prime a while before finding out about Prime Reading; which I’m kicking myself for because I could have read so many more eBooks!!! I think that this is an amazing benefit because A) I’m not buying so many books; so I’m saving money! and B) I’m getting to read eBooks that are books I wanted to read anyway, plus I’m not clogging up my Kindle with lots of eBooks as they are being returned . Though I’m paying for my Prime membership I’m reading so many borrowed eBooks that to me I see it as free reading, and what’s not to like about that!!!! As long as I have Amazon Prime membership I will be continuing to use this benefit because its simply great.
Do you use Amazon Prime Reading? If so what have you been reading? Do you think Prime Reading is a good benefit of Prime Membership?
Effie Kammenou believes that it is never too late to chase your dreams, follow your heart, or change your career. She is proof of that. At one time, long ago, she’d hoped that by her age, she would have had an Oscar in her hand after a successful career as an actor. But instead, she worked in the optical field for forty years while raising her two daughters.
In 2015, three years after her mother died from pancreatic cancer, she published her debut novel, Evanthia’s Gift, the first book in a women’s fiction, multigenerational love story, and family saga, inspired by her mother and her Greek heritage. Kammenou continues to pick her father’s brain for stories of his family’s life in Lesvos, Greece, and their journey to America. Her interview with him was published in the nationally circulated magazine Reminisce.
Evanthia’s Gift: Book One in The Gift Saga was a 2016 finalist in the Readers Favorite Book Awards. Book two, Waiting for Aegina, was awarded finalist status in the 2019 International Book Awards. Chasing Petalouthes, the last book in the trilogy, also placed in the Readers Favorite Book Awards for the 2018 contest.
Kammenou’s latest project is The Meraki Series. Both Love is What You Bake of it and Love by Design are available now. Book three: Love is Worth Fighting for is set for its release on June 24, 2022, and is available for preorder. This series is a contemporary romance focused on three sisters and their quest for love and professional success despite their sometimes stifling and meddling family. But it wouldn’t be a Kammenou novel without delving into the past or references to mouth-watering foods. A mystery shadowed by a historical event in Greek history is slowly uncovered over the course of the three books.
As a bonus, each book contains traditional Greek recipes, many of which were passed down from her Athenian mother.
Effie Kammenou is a first-generation Greek-American who lives on Long Island. When she’s not writing or posting recipes on her food blog, aptly named Cheffie’s Kitchen, you can find her entertaining family and friends, or traveling for ‘research.’
She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Theater Arts from Hofstra University.
Format reading: paperback- kindly gifted to me by the author.
Blurb (as seenon the back cover of the book)
The third installment of The Meraki series:
All Krystina wants is to travel to beautiful locations, promote her blog, and achieve Insta fame. But with Loukas, her pesky frenemy from childhood, in tow, she hardly has time to breathe. If only he would leave her alone! But when the unforeseen strikes, forcing her to face challenging situations she never thought possible, it’s Loukas that helps her through it all. And then there’s the search her sisters began to find out what happened to her missing grandfather the man her grandmother has pinned all her faith on, believing he will one day return to her. Krystina is determined to find and bring him home, even through the most challenging of times. This quest will test everything she has come to know. But she may learn that through it all, when everything else crumbles around you, love is worth fighting for.
My Review
First off I would like to thank the author Effie Kammenou for kindly gifting me a copy of her book to read and review.
Love is worth fighting for is the third book in The Meraki series, having previously read and reviewed the first two books which you can check out here:
In Love is Worth Fighting For the reader follows Krystina story in the Andarakis family. She travels around and runs her own successful blog sharing her findings and sharing her thoughts. When she is home Krystina finds she has a shadow in Loukas, a guy she finds annoying. Loukas has a very difficult home life and the Andarakis family have taken them under there wing. Also entertwinded in the story is Krystina’s grandmother as she still wants to know why her husband never followed her and their daughter to America from Greece.
As the unimaginable happens Krystina , Loukas and Krystina’s grandmother find themselves self isolating at the start or the covid pandemic. In this time they learn a lot about each other and find out more about Krystina’s grandfather. Will Krystina stop fighting with Loukas and see what’s in front of her? Can Krystina’s grandmother ever find out what happened to her husband?
In all honesty the first two book have me hooked on this series already and I was so excited to read Krystina’s story. I adore the whole Andarakis family and feel they so likable. I did enjoy this book maybe not as much as the rest if I’m honest, the covid time line for me put me off a bit, as I read to escape everyday going’s on. But the I still enjoyed reading no the less. Another bit I loved was as in the first two books the grandmothers surch for her husband and the mystery that unfolds.
Effie’s writing style is wonderful; and will have you hooked from the very first page! I’m very much looking forward to the forth book in this series which covers the brothers story.
Bella Gonshorovitz is a prizewinning fashion designer. She opened her made-to-measure studio in East London in 2012, creating fine clothes designed for longevity. A long-term vegan, her cooking is inspired by her childhood in Tel Aviv. Growing produce at her allotment has allowed Bella to experiment with different crops in the garden and in the kitchen. She jas clear, engaging vision of how we can live sustainably and shares this with warmth rather than worthiness. She lives in Walthamstow, London.
My Review
What a beautifully put together book, with the most amazing photography. I really enjoyed reading this book which is just packed with informative information on generally living a more sustainable way. In the book are clothes to make and even come with patterns to help the reader recreate Bella’s clothes designs; which I’m all for. Another reason this book resonated with me is I’m starting to grow a few vegetables and I was intrigued by what nature really provides for us in terms food, dyeing clothes with said vegetable (which I was totally unwire of) and is a book I will be referring back too. I love the way Bella has put this book together and given pointers on certain vegetables and fruit which I think only makes me want to do more research on what other vegetables and fruits can offer and be used for. I also like the recipes even though I’m not a vegan I will be trying out a couple in the book. I think especially in todays world we need people like Bella reminding us that nature is a wonderful thing and is not just good for our planet but us too. Highly recommend Bella book.
Born in London to Greek Cypriot parents Soulla Christodoulou was the first in her family to go to university and studied BA Hotel and Catering Management at Portsmouth University. Years later, after having a family of her own, she sudied at Middlesex University gaining a PGCE in Business Studies and an MA in Education. Formal creative writing classes in 2015 ignited her life-long love of writing. She lives in North London and is currently working on her next two novels.
An authentic story about love and life in all its messy, unpredictable, imperfect glory. A truly heart-warming read.’ Jane Lacey-Crane If you’re looking for a book that will keep you captive, between its pages, until you’ve reached the end, then this is it. A story about overcoming adversity in all its forms, it will have you rooting for the characters as they fight for real love. Sexy and passionate it’s written in a beautiful and sensitive prose. Trust is a big word, when life has always let you down. And everyone deserves love a second time around, don’t they? Alexander, locked in a loveless, cold marriage, has melted into the humdrum of life, hiding behind his cerebral palsy. Maria, a single mother, is still reeling from her husband’s gambling and abandonment from years before. They click with their first tweet.
My review
Firstly I would like to say a massive thank-you to Soulla for not just asking and sending her book to me her book, but also for her kindness and patience in waiting for the review.
Alexander lives in Scotland in a loveless marriage, and his son has long since left home. He also lives with a health condition cerebral palsy; which affects his daily life. Feeling lonely Alexander joins Twitter to reach out to the wider world and he comes across writer Maria.
Maria is a single mother to teenage daughter Natalie. Maria is are still picking up the peace’s of their life after her gambling husband leaves her life upside down. Maria being an inquisitive writer joins Twitter to reach likeminded people like her.
Alexander and Maria strike up a mutual friendship through messaging and explore their love of literature. They are honest with each other and for the first time finding someone who accepts them for who they are. The attraction beings to grow for both of them, but will they both take the plunge and meet up? Is this friendship more than that? Will Alexander leave his loveless marriage?
What a beautiful read this book is. I really enjoyed following Alexander and Maria’s journey together from start to finish. I have to say as someone who suffers from a chronic health condition myself I though Soulla has written in such a sensitive and careful way, which comes across really well. Soulla has highlighted the condition cerebral palsy of which I didn’t really know much about until I read Alexander and Maria. For me this story is about friendship, acceptance, love and not being defined by a health condition. So not only have a read a great fiction story, I’ve learnt something too; which Soulla always manages to do. I just love her beautiful writing style!
Lisa Gardner started her writing career aged seventeen. Having caught her hair on fire while working in food services, crafting a novel seemed a safer bet. A mere ten years later she became an overnight success with the publication of her first thriller, The Perfect Husband.
Now an internationally bestselling author and winner of the International Thriller Writers Award for best suspense novel. Lisa lives in the mountains of New Hampshire with her family.
When not glued to her computer, she can be found hiking the mountains with her dog and/or researching new and interesting ways to get away with murder.
Avid hiker and soon to be groom Timothy O’Day disappeared while camping in the woods days before his wedding without a trace. As hours stretch into weeks, volunteers go home and police are assigned new cases, the case of disappeared hiker Timothy O’Day becomes just another missing person case.
But missing person specialist Frankie Elkin won’t let Tim be forgotten. A nomad traveling from city to city with more regrets than belongings, Frankie never gives up on a case, even when it seems hopeless. And she is determined to find Tim and bring him home- whatever the cost.
Joining a seven-day last ditch volunteer search team, lead by Tim’s father Martin, Frankie heads deep into the dark, secluded forest of America’s West Coast to uncover the truth of Tim’s disappearance. But with secrets swirling and tensions raised in the group, it becomes clear that Frankie Elkin’s case could well be her last…
My review
Firstly I would like to say a massive thank you to Rachael from Penguin Random House for kindly asking me to take part in this blog tour and for sending me an ARC proof. I’m very excited to share my thoughts after reading book one last year Blog Tour: Book review on: Before She Disappeared by Lisa Gardner
This is the second book in the Frankie Elkin series and boy was I excited to jump right in!
The story start’s five years after Timothy O’Day went missing as his father tries a last diched attempt to search for his son. His wife is dyeing and it is her wish to have him home. Frankie turns up and offers her help but the rest of the group however they are not convinced apart from one who recognises her from a form online about cold cased. Mean while there are fractures in the group with one of Tim’s groom buddy’s bow out of the search, due to his drinking problem leaving his equipment going spare. Frankie convinces the group she can be of help in this search for Tim and find out what happened to him.
The treck is gruelling and hard and Frankie is unprepared on so many levels but starts to see fractures and uncover secrets that could help lead to Tim’s remains. But what happens along the way and unfolds is a treck of nightmares.
One Step Too Far is a really epic read people!!!!!!!! Once I started reading I found it really hard to put down. I can honestly say I was sitting on the edge of my seat through out due to the tension and suspense of Lisa’s writing. There was a lot of plot twists that I just didn’t see coming and didn’t even come close to guessing who was/had been doing what. When I was reading it felt like I was watching a movie the description is absolutely on point in every way.
It was nice to catch up with Frankie Elkin again. I find her so intriguing in so many ways and have become quite attached to her. I find her to be a lost soul and would love for her to find her own peace and happiness.
I really can’t recommend One Step Too Far enough because I’m going to go out on a limb and say I think this book might just be my favourite out of the two books (and I gave that 5 stars). I would love to give One Step Too Far more than 5 stars because I really think it deserves it.
Marie’s Book Boutique gives
One Step Too Far by Lisa Gardner
5 super sparkly stars
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About the author (as provided by Love Books Tours)
Effie Kammenou is a believer that it is never too late to chase your dreams, follow your heart, or change your career. She is proof of that. At one time, long ago, she’d hoped that by her age, she would have had an Oscar in her hand after a successful career as an actor. Instead, she worked in the optical field for 40 years while raising her two daughters.
In 2015, three years after the death of her mother from pancreatic cancer, she published her debut novel, Evanthia’s Gift, book one in a women’s fiction, multigenerational love story, and family saga, inspired by her mother and her Greek heritage. Kammenou continues to pick her father’s brain for stories of his family’s life in Lesvos, Greece, and their journey to America. Her interview with him was published in the nationally circulated magazine Reminisce.
Evanthia’s Gift: Book One in The Gift Saga was a 2016 finalist in the Readers Favorite Book Awards. Waiting for Aegina: Book Two in The Gift Saga was awarded finalist status in the 2019 International Book Awards and Chasing Petalouthes, the last book in the trilogy, had also placed in the Readers Favorite Book Awards for the 2018 contest.
Her latest novel, the first book in a new contemporary romance series, is now complete. Love is What You Bake of It, follows Kally’s path to independence despite her sometimes stifling family and her tumultuous road to finding love. But it wouldn’t be a Kammenou novel without a delve into the past, or the references to mouth-watering foods.
Effie Kammenou is a first-generation Greek-American who lives on Long Island with her husband and two daughters. When she’s not writing or posting recipes on her food blog, aptly named cheffieskitchen, you can find her entertaining family and friends or travelling for ‘research.’
As an avid cook and baker, a skill she learned from watching her Athenian mother, she incorporated traditional Greek family recipes throughout the books for a little extra ‘flavour.’
She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Theater Arts from Hofstra University.
Copy Gifted/My own/Borrowed: Gifted by Love Book Tours
Blurb (as seen on the back cover)
Mia Andarakis just landed her dream job at a luxury magazine. And even better, her boss is the handsome and enigmatic Nicholas Aristedis, a man she has crushed on from afar. But Nicholas isn’t who she imagined. Irascible and mercurial, his instant dislike for Mia makes it almost impossible for her to work with him.
Nicholas has faced many losses, he has closed his heart to love. But Mia awakens feelings in him he had long since denied. And soon he discovres their connection is deeper than he realised.
Mia and Nicholas embark on an adventure across picturesque locations as they launch a new publication and uncover the mystery behind her grandfather’s disappearance. But perhaps the greatest challenge is in learning to set aside their insecurities and fear. Can the two forget the traumas of their past? And will they ever learn to trust in the possibility of love?
My Review
I would firstly want to thank Love Books Tours and Effie Kammenou for kindly gifting me a copy of Love by Design to read and review for the blog tour. After reading Love is what you bake of it I was eager to start to read. ( Blog Tour Book Review On Love is What You Bake of it by Effie Kammenou)
Love by Design is book 2 in The Meraki series and follows Mia’s story, one of three Greek/American sisters. Mia works in the publication industry and has a major crush on her boss Nicholas. Suddenly their is a shack up at the magazine and Mia is offered a new job at a new magazine Opal which will be run by Nicholas and his sister Penelope. Opal is a luxury magazine; which sends them to exotic places and Mia is excited to get stuck in to work, but Mia and Nicholas seen to rub each other up the wrong way.
As they work closely they start to discover things about each other that lights a spark of attraction between the pair. Nicholas learns about Mia’s grandfathers disappearance and starts to try and uncover the mystery. But will their past hurt stop them making the step in to love? Can Nicholas find out what happened to Mia’s grandfather? Will the new magazine be a success?
Firstly I want to say how addictive this series is! I was so looking forward to reading Love by Design after reading the first book. I adore everything about this book as I did the first because Effie quite frankly has the most dreamy writing style you can’t help but enjoy! I loved that it was written from different points of view which really dose give the reader so much more of a chance to connect and understand the character’s. Another thing I really loved was the wonderful Greek recipes Effie has included through out the book and some I’m defiantly going to be trying out at some point. I love the strong family vibes that run through out the book in proper Greek style! I think it’s pretty far to say I really adored Love by Design and I’m so looking forward to the next book in this truly wonderful series so far!
Effie Kammenou is a believer that it is never too late to chase your dreams, follow your heart, or change your career. She is proof of that. At one time, long ago, she’d hoped that by her age, she would have had an Oscar in her hand after a successful career as an actor. Instead, she worked in the optical field for 40 years while raising her two daughters.
In 2015, three years after the death of her mother from pancreatic cancer, she published her debut novel, Evanthia’s Gift, book one in a women’s fiction, multigenerational love story, and family saga, inspired by her mother and her Greek heritage. Kammenou continues to pick her father’s brain for stories of his family’s life in Lesvos, Greece, and their journey to America. Her interview with him was published in the nationally circulated magazine Reminisce.
Evanthia’s Gift: Book One in The Gift Saga was a 2016 finalist in the Readers Favorite Book Awards. Waiting for Aegina: Book Two in The Gift Saga was awarded finalist status in the 2019 International Book Awards and Chasing Petalouthes, the last book in the trilogy, had also placed in the Readers Favorite Book Awards for the 2018 contest.
Her latest novel, the first book in a new contemporary romance series, is now complete. Love is What You Bake of It, follows Kally’s path to independence despite her sometimes stifling family and her tumultuous road to finding love. But it wouldn’t be a Kammenou novel without a delve into the past, or the references to mouth-watering foods.
Effie Kammenou is a first-generation Greek-American who lives on Long Island with her husband and two daughters. When she’s not writing or posting recipes on her food blog, aptly named cheffieskitchen, you can find her entertaining family and friends or traveling for ‘research.’
As an avid cook and baker, a skill she learned from watching her Athenian mother, she incorporated traditional Greek family recipes throughout the books for a little extra ‘flavor.’
She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Theater Arts from Hofstra University.
The only love Kally Andarakis is baking is in the form of the sweet treats she whips up in her cafe, The Coffee Klatch.
Kally never belived herself to be a person worthy of love, but when an intocicating man she considered out of her league pursues her, she risks everything to be with him. Later, when tragedy strikes, truths are revealed that leave Kally broken- hearted and untrusting.
Eight Years later, Kally is a successful pastry chef running the cafe she’d always dreamed of owning. With a home of her own, a profession she’s passionate about and the support and love of friends and family, Kally is content with the life she has carved out for herself.
Until the day Max Vardaxis walks into her cafe…
With arguing parents, meddling relatives, an overly energetic grandmother, a man- crazy best friend, and the long ago, mysterious disappearance of a grandfather, this new man in town is just one more complication in Kally’s Life, if not the main one.
Kally must now decide whether to keep her heart safe or to once again take a ‘Whisk on love’
My Review
I would like to thank Love Books Tours for inviting me to read and review for the blog tour for Love Is What You Bake Of It by Effie Kammenou and for gifting me a copy.
Love Is What You Bake Of It by Effie Kammenou is the first book in The Meraki Series.
Kally is living out her dream of baking and running her own cafe The Coffee Klatch and having her own home. Coming from a Greek family food is always at the centre of any gathering, and that is where Kally get’s her love of baking. She is one of three sister and family is very important to them. Their grandmother is convinced her husband is still alive after he made her flee from Greece to Amarica with their daughter( Kally’s mother) with the promise to follow when he could. They are still waiting years down the line. With family and friends trying to pair her off at every possibility, Kally makes it clear she’s in no rush to do so. Kally thinks she is not worthy of having a happy-ever- after, when she has had stings from a past relationship and a bunch of unanswered questions.
Kally believes she is happy with her lot until Max walks into The Coffee Klatch causing her world to be turned on its head. Max also has trust issues from the past and has done things he isn’t proud of, but he is trying to turn is life around for him and his daughter.
Kally has a massive tragedy at her beloved cafe that brakes her heart, leaving her without a job and business; with no way of rebuilding. But the people around her and Max has other ideas.
Can Kally and Max get over their rocky start? Can they accept each others past mistakes? Will Kally ever be baking in her cafe again? Will Kally’s grandmother find out why her husband never followed her and their daughter all those years ago?
Love Is What You Bake It by Effie Kammenou is a perfect romance book! It whisk’s you away to a delicious place with wonderful characters that you can’t help but become attached too. I found my self devouring this book like the sweet treat it is! I loved the fact that it was written from Kally’s and Max’s point of view, with snippets from Kally’s mother and grandmother. It really made me the reader feel connected to the characters in the most wonderful way. Effie’s writing style is so dreamy and perfect in my eye’s!!!!! Another thing I LOVE LOVE LOVE is that Effie has included some recipes at the end of some chapters where the food appears in that particular chapter… How cute is that!? I will endeavour to try some of them out and get my Greek on!!!!!!!
This story is just dreamy and was just what I needed, I really can’t wait to read the next book in this series which follows the next sister. I really wish I could give this more star’s because I have a feeling this is a book I will re-read again. Highly recommended from me!!!!!
Sheila O’Flanagan is the award-winning author of over twenty novels, including The Women Who Ran Away, Her Husband’s Mistake, The Hideaway, The Missing Wife, My Mother’s Secret, All For You (winner of the Irish Popular Fiction Book of the year award) and Bad Behaviour, as well as the bestselling short story collection The Moment We Meet, The seasons of Change and Christmas With You.
By the third, Delphie thinks nothing could surprise her. But she’s wrong…
Delphie is enjoying her brother’s wedding. Her surprise last-minute plus one has stunned her family- and its also stopped any of them asking again why she’s still single. But when she sees all the missed calls that evening she knows it can’t be good news. And she’s right.
Delphie has been living her best life, loving her job, her friends, her no-strings relationships, and her dream house by the sea. Now she has to question everything she believed about who she is and what she wants. Is her mum right- is it time to settle down? Or does she want to keep on trying to have it all?
Each wedding of a glorious summer brings a new surprise. And as everything Delphie thought she had is thretened, she has the chance to reshape her future…
My Review
Thank you so much to Amazon Vine and Headline for the opportunity to read the ARC of Three Weddings and a Proposal by Sheila O’Flanagan. This is my first read of Sheila’s work so I had high hopes for this book.
The story follows Delphie a single independent woman; who is living a good life. She has a good job which she is driven in and a beautiful house by the sea. But her family are constantly at her to settle down, like her siblings! Her brothers wedding is first and she has to find a plus one and quick On finding one she shocks her family with her guest; but does get them off her back for more than a second. Then in at the wedding Delphie receives a shocking phone call; which takes her away from the wedding celebrations and her job becomes under threat!
The next two weddings Delphie attends has their own surprise’s to bring to her; which make her question her life and what she really wants. Is Delphie really happy with her lot? What will happen to her career and job? What does the future hold for Delphie?
Three Weddings and a Proposal by Sheila O’Flanagan started off really well, I was intrigued and found myself needing to find out more. But the middle of the book fell a bit flat for me; which was a shame and then picked up at the end. Delphie was a character that intrigued me from the get go; which is what made me carry on reading till the end. I just wish the middle was like the beginning and the ending because then it would have defiantly been a perfect read for me. I will still be checking out more of Sheila’s books of which there are many!
Ruth Torjussen grew up in stoke but now lives and works in Brighton as a Shared Lives Carer. She is passionate advocate of eating local food grown through regenerative farming as the answer to climate change.
When her best friend die’s of cancer just before her 50th birthday; and other friends move away from their home town of Stoke, grief-stricken Jenny sinks into a depression that her job as a Marie Osmond impersonator only exacerbates.
Nine months later, while everyone else is moving on, Jenny is still struggling. Despite the love of her family, nothing can alleviate her heartbreak and she dwells on the female-shaped hole in her life.
When newlyweds move in next door, she hopes that the woman over the fence will become a new friend and help get her back on track. But instead she gets Dawn: load, fat, tattooed and shouting the ‘C’ word within minutes of arriving.
Jenny’s GP suggests starting a course at the local college to bring her out of her reverie. And that’s where she meets Trudi. At last! Someone on her wavelength.
Will lovely Trudi be the friend she has so longed for? Will the creative writing class bring them together and add some much needed happiness to Jenny’s life?
My Review
Before I begin my review I would like to say thank you to Love’s Books Tours and Ruth Torjussan for gifting me a copy of Friends and Neighbours to review today on this wonderful blog tour.
Jenny friend has passed away around her 50th birthday and all her female friends have moved away, she struggles with having no close friends around.
Nine months have have passed and even with a loving husband and loving son’s can’t pull her out of her crippling grief. She works as a carer and a Marie Osmond impersonator but all that doesn’t take away what she is longing for a female friend. The house next door is empty and newlyweds are about to move in and Jenny has high expectations that the woman could be her new friend that she is so lacking in her life. But what she gets is not what she’s looking for.
Slipping further into depression her eco worrier husband and children are increasingly worried about her; as they encourage to pull her out of her grief to no avail. Now, on a suggestion from her doctor Jenny starts a writing course; where she meets Trudi. Jenny becomes convinced that Trudi is the one to fill the female void in her life, discounting other potential new friends that a neighbours. Is Trudi Jenny’s answer? Will Jenny learn to move on from her grief of her best friend? Are her likely female friends closer to home?
I so enjoyed reading Friends And Neighbours by Ruth Torjussen it has humour, much drama and may I say that the characters are really quite unique. On some level this book was very relatable on a personal level especially to Jenny. Ruth has simply done a smashing job of getting the reader to feel the emotion through her writing; she’s made me laugh and cry; which proves to me how good this book is! I really enjoyed Jenny’s eco and garden loving husband he was quite cool and I loved his utter devotion to his wife. Really great read, I highly recommend it!
Muna Shehadi’s life long love of reading inspired her to become a writer. She got her start in romance but is excited to be making her debut now in women’s fiction.
Muna grew up in Princeton, New Jersey, lives in Wisconsin, and has a much-loved summer place on the beautiful coast of Maine, all of which she couldn’t resist featuring in her Fortune’s Daughters Trilogy.
Olivia Croft’s life is at a crossroads. After yet another fruitless audition and the cancellation of her TV show, Crofty Cooks, she’s left with the hope that she and her husband Derek will finally conceive the child she craves- and that she’ll be able to forget the recent revelation that her late mother, the famous movie star Jillian Croft, did not give birth to her or her two sisters.
But her world only collapses further when she uncovers the cruel secret Derek has kept throughout their eight-year marriage. Unable to forgive his betrayal, Olivia flees LA for the coast of Main, a place which holds happy memories of her childhood and her beloved mother.
Coping with the loss of her career, her husband and her dreams, Olivia finds herself drawn to Duncan, a kindred spirit whose life has been equally shattered. But before Olivia can embrace a brand new future, she will have to come to terms with the past and face a final truth about her mother, one she never could have imagined.
My Review
I would like to thank Amazon Vine for kindly allowing me to read , review and for providing me with a copy Honest Secrets by Muna Shehadi.
Honest Secrets is the Third book in The Fortune’s Daughters Trilogy; where the reader follow three sisters on their journey to finding out who they are, and along the way the find secrets of their family!
In this instalment the reader get’s to spend time with Olivia Croft; a famous chef who has her own TV show, a loving and supportive husband and she craves to become a mother only it just hasn’t happened yet.
Suddenly Olivia find herself at a life junction after her career goes down the pan along with a shocking discovery of a secret that her husband has been keeping from her. On top of that she has the knowledge; she’s been trying to forget that Jillian Croft isn’t her birth mother and she has no clue who her biological mother is.
As her world is crumbling Olivia is sent to her stepmothers brothers and wife in Maine to lick her wounds and to decide where her life is going. Maine holds special memories of time spent with Jillian and is a place she feels she can take time out of her life in LA. While there she suddenly receives on of Jillian’s diary’s; which she knows her sisters was sent one leading them to know more about the infamous Jillian and leads them to their birthmother. But who sent it?
Olivia meets Decan who lives in the boat house with his son; he is going through his own struggles. Decan has made a judgement on who he thinks Olivia is and what going on in her life, until her learns more about her here is Maine and begins to soften. But what will become of their friendship? What will Olivia learn about Jillian’s condition; in not being able to carry a baby? Will Olivia’s out look change to how she was before? Who is her biological mother?
Honest Secrets by Muna Shehadi is a story full of mystery, romance with a bit of drama thrown in! I have to say after I read book two in this trilogy ( Book Review on: Hidden Truths by Muna Shehadi ) I felt that Olivia story was going to be an interesting one and it was!!!! Muna has dealt with the gender issues raised in the story in a delicate way: which really made me think and understand a bit more on this. I like Muna’s writing style, it felt gentle.
As I said in my review of Hidden Truths, I still have book one to read; and I don’t think it really matters that I haven’t read it because each book focuses on on of the three sisters. A great series!
Jennifer Robson in the USA Today and No.1 Globe & Mail (Toronto) best-selling author of five novels, among them somewhere in France and Goodnight from London. She holds a doctorate in British economic and social history from Saint Antony’s College, University of Oxford. She lives in Toronto, Canada, with her husband and children.
Venice, 1943. Under the Nazi occupation, life is increasingly perilous for Italian Jews. Antonina Masin has but one hope to survive- to leave her beloved parents and hide in the countryside, posing as the bride of a man she has only just met.
Nico Gerardi was studying for the priesthood until circumstances forced him to return home to run his family farm. A moral and just man, he refuses to remain a bystander to Nazi and fascist atrocities. The only way to keep Nina safe- and protect secrets of his own- is to convince prying eyes that their sudden marriage is a love match.
But farm life is not easy for a cultured city girl who dreams of becoming a doctor like her father, and Nico’s provincial neighbours are wary of this soft, educated, stranger. Even worse, their distrust is shared by local Nazi official with a vendetta against Nico.
As Nina and Nico come to know each other, their relationship deepens, transforming into much more than a charade. Yet both fear that every passing day them closer to being torn apart…
My Review
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About the author (as seen in the book)
Jennifer Robson in the USA Today and No.1 Globe & Mail (Toronto) best-selling author of five novels, among them somewhere in France and Goodnight from London. She holds a doctorate in British economic and social history from Saint Antony’s College, University of Oxford. She lives in Toronto, Canada, with her husband and children.
Venice, 1943. Under the Nazi occupation, life is increasingly perilous for Italian Jews. Antonina Masin has but one hope to survive- to leave her beloved parents and hide in the countryside, posing as the bride of a man she has only just met.
Nico Gerardi was studying for the priesthood until circumstances forced him to return home to run his family farm. A moral and just man, he refuses to remain a bystander to Nazi and fascist atrocities. The only way to keep Nina safe- and protect secrets of his own- is to convince prying eyes that their sudden marriage is a love match.
But farm life is not easy for a cultured city girl who dreams of becoming a doctor like her father, and Nico’s provincial neighbours are wary of this soft, educated, stranger. Even worse, their distrust is shared by local Nazi official with a vendetta against Nico.
As Nina and Nico come to know each other, their relationship deepens, transforming into much more than a charade. Yet both fear that every passing day them closer to being torn apart…
My Review
Venice in 1943 is under Nazi occupation and Italian Jew’s father is frightened for his daughter’s safety. He is a doctor and has been helping people in need and has passed this love on to his daughter. Nina ‘s father has arranged for her to be taken to the countryside in the hope she will be safe. Nina struggle’s with the thought of leaving her parents behind and pretending to be married to a man she has only just met.
Nico, was studying to be a priest but got called back to the family farm after a family tragedy. He has hight morals for helping people putting everything on the line in these uncertain times. Taking Nina back to his home as his very sudden wife cause gossip amongst the locals.
Nina is shocked but the simplicity of countryside life but knows that in order for this to work she must muck in with farm and married life. As time goes on Nina and Nico become close as find out more about each other, but there are harder times yet to come, and secrets to learn about.
Our Darkest Night by Jennifer Robson is the first book I’ve read from this author, and I really enjoyed it. I find this era very interesting to read about, and the characters seem to make it so really when you read. I became quite attached to both Nico and Nina for their courage, kindness and their blossoming love at this horrific time. I defiantly felt an array of emotions while I read; which is a sign of good writing. Jennifer made the story come alive for me and I will defiantly be searching out more of her books in the future.
Mel Giedroyc has been entertaining the nation for nearly thirty years. A comedian, writer, actor and presenter, Mel is best known for her work with Sue Perkins in the double act Mel & Sue. They have presented many television shows such as multi Bafta-winning The Great British Back Off (BBC) and Light Lunch (Channel 4).
Mel has written two non- fiction books and has appeared in sitcoms and panel shows, as well as on radio and on stage, most notably in Stephen Sandheim’s Olivier Award-winning Company in the West End.
Mel and Sue reunited recently in comedy drama Hitmen for Sky TV. Mel lives’ in London With her husband and two daughters.
Sally Parker is struggling to find the hero inside herself.
All she wants to do is lie down.
Her husband Frank has lost his business their home and their savings, in one fell swoop. Their bank cards are being declined. The children have gone feral. And now the bailiffs are at the door.
What does an ordinary woman do when the bottom falls out?
Sally Parker is about to surprise everybody.
Most of all herself.
My Review
Thank you to Amazon Vine and headline Publishing for giving me an opportunity to read and review Mel Giedroyc’s debut novel The Best Things. I really like Mel for all her TV work and find her so funny, so was super excited to see what she has produced.
Sally Parker, her husband Frank their three children and their niece live a life of luxury in a nice big house. They have a housekeeper, gardener, cook, dogwalker, so no one has to lift a finger. The children are running wild and doing their own thing. Sally has nothing to do but be a lady of leisure, but she depends on prescriptions to keep her going. Frank has make a mint but when he suddenly losses everything, their home, savings and their belongings that are worth the bailiffs taking.
Now Sally has been thrown into the deep-end having to take control of her family and try and make some money to put food on the table as her husband falls apart. Sally soon finds out a few secrets her husband has been keeping from her and she puts her life before in question. Can Sally keep her family together after being spoiled so much? Will Frank pull himself together enough to keep his family? How will the children react to the shock of their lives as their luxurys are taken away? Will Sally take control of her life for the first time ever?
The Best Things by Mel Giedroyc is her debut novel and what an entertaining read it was. As well as finding the story funning their are some emotional and heart warming bit too, so I feel she has covered all bases for a good read. I really found the children so funny to read about with their antics. I loved seen seeing Sally’s character grow; from a spoiled lady to trying to take control of the situation. I found myself really egging her on through out the book! Mel has also touched on mental health of Sally and her family; which I found interesting because each one is suffering in some way and has been written with care and shows a light at the end of the tunnel. I think this show readers that no matter what life throws at you a) your not alone and B) you can get through it!
The Best Things is a funny, heart-warming and intriguing read.
Copy provided by: Faye at Authoright and Clink Street Publishing
Blurb (as seen on the back cover)
If you found an unsigned lottery ticket, what would you do if it turned out to be worth millions? Hand it in or claim the prize?
Follow the twisting path of Maggie and Greg when faced with this dilemma. Who are the winners and who are the real losers? What is the price of honesty and does winning bring happiness? Can you do more good in the world if you are rich or poor? Find out in this intriguing tale of an ordinary family.
My review
I would like to thank the lovely Faye at Athouright and Clink Street Publishing for kindly gifting me a copy of The Lottery by Peter J Venison to read and review for the blog tour.
I have to say on reading the blurb of this book I was immediately intrigued, to see where the story would go.
Maggie and Greg are just an ordinary family with two children Sam and Jimmy. Greg goes out to work and Maggie runs the home and family life. On one of the couple’s walks in the park they come across an new looking lottery ticket; which happens to be for that evening’s draw! With no signature on the ticket and no one around they take it home the ticket. What would be the chances of this ticket being a winner? That evening with out the children around they discover this lottery ticket is actually a winner, a life changing amount!!!
Both Maggie and Greg agonise how they would go about finding the true owner of the winning ticket, until they relise it would be impossible. Then they find out that if they handed the ticket back and no winner could be traced that no one would get they winnings. It play’s on their mind day and night, but decide they could probably do more good in the world if they had money and claim the life changing amount of money.
Telling no one of their new fortune Maggie carries on as normal mean while Greg works on extending his business so no suspicion could be raise from the people around them. They also get the shock of their lives when someone comes forward calming it was their ticket, but came to nothing. Maggie want’s to do some good with the money helping the wildlife in Africa and set’s about doing so. Mean while Greg is moving money around and making deals without talking to Maggie.
The story covers many years of the families life’s and show many twists and turns that happen to them as a result of calming the ticket. Were they right to claim the found lottery ticket? Will Maggie and Greg do good with their new found fortune? Will they ever know who’s ticket it actually was? How much will the family change?
The Lottery by Peter J Venison was such an intriguing read and I was hooked by the storyline and the characters. There were part’s that I found a bit slow, but having said that I think it was the authors way of paving the charterers thought prosses. I found the story thought provoking even though its highly unlikely to happen, however it certainly sparked a discussion in my household! I really liked how the book spans over the years of this family allowing the reader to fully see the impact their choosing to keep the lottery winnings. There was parts of the story I didn’t see coming, and kept me wanting to find out more! Defiantly worth a read!
Mikaella Clements and Onjuli Datta have been writing fiction together since they first met in 2013. They are now married and live in Berlin, where they write and study. Originally from Australia, Mikaella was highly commended in the 2019 Bridport Short Story Prize and short listed in the 2019 Galley Beggar Press Prize. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, the Guardian, the TLS and the LA Review of Books, amongst others. Onjuli is British and was longlisted in the 2020 Desperate Literature Short Fiction Prize, as well as publishing non-fiction in the Billfold and Daddy Magazine.
Whitman ‘Win’ Tagore and leo Milanowski are the greatest love story of our time. International movie star meets the beautiful sone of a millionaire. Their kisses write headlines and their fights break the internet. Nobody needs to know it’s not real.
Win knows that Hollywood demands perfection- especially from a woman of colour. Leo just wants to enjoy life, and shift press attention away from his dysfunctional family. Together they control the narrative.
Except this time, on the shores of Saint-Tropez, Leo is hiding a secret that is about to send Win’s world spinning. Now everyone’s dream couple must confront the messy reality of their relationship. Just as they’re starting to realise that they might actually be falling in love…
My Review
I would just like to thank Amazon Vine for my ARC Proof copy of The View Was Exhausting by Milaella Clements and Onjuli Datta.
The reader meets Whitman Tagore ‘Win’ a British Indian actress: who has built herself up from nothing. Working in an industry where perfection, image is paramount and life’s are laid out for the paparazzi to devour. She has a long standing on off relationship with rich playboy Leo Milanowski, or so it appears to the public. Their relationship is very hot topic and sets headline’s; boosting both their life’s. They both come from very different up-brings; Win and her working class family and Leo; his private schools and other privileges. The pair know each other well but still have an air of mystery and secrets that have been held back; which are about to blow up and rock Win’s world. But what they both don’t realise they have actually fallen in love. Will Leo’s secret be able to be contained? What is Leo hiding? Are they going to accept their feelings for each other? Will Win’s image be destroyed?
The View Was Exhausting was a enjoyable read. I found myself feeling invested into Win and Leo and wanted to find out more at the end of every chapter. I liked the writing style which has a mixture of dialogue and description; which I think really helped me to gel with the characters and the settings. Its got glitz, glamor, romance and drama of the celebrity world; but also shows the struggle for a woman of colour actress. I did find myself willing Win and Leo to realise their true love for each other and lay their cards on the table! It a book that will defiantly give you an insight into the celebrity world!
Marie’s Book Boutique give’s
The View Was Exhausting by Mikaella Clements and Onjuli Datta
Christopher Lowery is a Geordie, born in the north east of England, who graduated in Finance and economics after reluctantly giving up career choice in professional golf and rock and roll. He is a real estate and telecoms entreprenaur and has created several successful companies around the world.
Chris was inspired to write his debut novel, The Angolan Clan, after the Revolution of the Carnations forced him to flee Portugal in 1975 with his family. He followed The Angolan Clan with two further titles in the African Diamands thriller trilogy- The Rwandan Hostage and The Dark web.
In 2018, Chris published The Mosul Legacy, an intelligent, gripping and moving international thriller that focused not simply on a compelling manhunt for a terrorist, but the terrible human consequences of modern conflict.
Triple Jeopardy is his fifth thrilling novel and reunites readers with characters and themes first explored in the bestselling Diamonds trilogy.
A mysterious batch of diamonds that has lain undisturbed for almost a half century, reappears to be sold at public auctions in Switzerland. But what is the true provenance of these priceless jewels, and who is behind their discovery and sale?
Jenny Bishop believes they are notorious blood diamands with a legacy of deceit, corruption and murder, and is drawn into a web of intrigue and threat as she tries to unravel a fraud that threatens everything she knows and loves.
My Review
A massive thank you to the lady’s at Love Books Tours for organising a wonderful blog tour and to the publishers Urbane for kindly gifting me a copy to read and review for my stop on the blog tour here today.
Having never read any of Christopher Lowery’s books before and only read the blurb on Triple Jeopardy I was full of expectations.
In the book a number of safety deposit boxes disappear; one of which house’s a batch of blood diamonds; which have a dark origins. The box belongs to Jenny Bishop who has kept them hidden until now. Now the diamonds are in the hands of a woman who has crossed Jenny path before and she will stop at nothing to get what she wants, letting no one get in the way. The diamonds are now coming up for sale in an auction in Switzerland. When Jenny finds out the box has gone missing she makes it her mission to find out who is behind all this; which pulls her into a dark world of lies, corruption and life’s loosed. She will stop at nothing to keep her family safe.
In the first few chapters of Triple Jeopardy it took me a bit to get into Christopher’s writing style, but when I did there was no stopping me! The amount of twists and turns in the story kept me turning the pages just to find out more. The story has lots of grit, murder, mystery everything you need for a good thriller. I also found Christopher’s description was great because it allowed me the reader to visualise the settings and characters. I really liked Jenny and found I was gunning for her to come out of everything ok. I don’t think it mattered that I haven’t read the other books which feature these characters because Christopher kind of fills you on on the bits you need to know.
All in all a good, entertaining and thrilling thriller!
Marie's Book Boutique 