Book Love ~ June

This month I am sharing 6 reads that have kept me entertained on my travels during June. Some of these have been languishing in my to read pile for some time, and I am now wondering why I've left them so long. This month's reads have taken me to the far flung places of  Hollywood and Greece, and contemplate running, gardening and opening a café on an idyllic island off the Thames coastline. They have evoked many childhood memories and a gap year in Greece!.... here's what has been keeping me entertained during June.

False Start – Barbara Valentin 

Mattie Rose is the advice columnist for the Chicago Gazette under the pseudonym of "The Plate Spinner", mum to a brood of children, and husband to a hunky paramedic. In reality she's sworn off men, strapped with debt, haunted with childhood taunts of "fattie mattie" and slowly recovering from being jilted at the altar 2 years previously. Mattie's ex-fiancé is on the run for embezzlement and fraud, having framed his twin brother Nick to take the fall for his shenanigans. Nick having lost everything from his brothers scams is also trying to recover. Mattie & Nicks paths cross again when Nick is hired by the newspaper to coach The Plate Spinner to run the Chicago marathon…. Much fun, and heartache ensue as Mattie & Nick find themselves on a running journey. I really enjoyed this book and found Mattie adorable, she made me laugh lots, her enthusiasm for exercise is on a par with mine!... a fun read, perfect for anyone looking for inspiration to run a marathon.

The Grand Reopening of Dandelion Café – Jenny Oliver    Annie White has recently inherited The Dandelion Café on the Thames-side island of Cherry Pie. Cherry Pie is Annie's childhood home, she returns to tie up loose ends, and renovate a tired looking café with the option of selling it. Soon the island, the cafe and its habitants (especially the gorgeous millionaire Matt) creep their way into Annie's heart and she has to decide what she wants. This is the 1^st book of a new series by Jenny Oliver and I really enjoyed it, great characters and looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

Coming up Roses - Rachel Lucas
Daisy's parents take off for a midlife crisis gap year, leaving her in charge of renovating their ramshackle garden. A move to the countryside of Steeple St John couldn’t come at a better time for Daisy and she relishes nurturing the garden back to its former glory. Daisy befriends Elaine and Jo in the village who are both battling their own problems and collectively the 3 ladies embark on helping each other. Outside of their problems the village is battling its own problems with greedy garden developers and Daisy soon finds herself fighting to save her beloved garden with the help of pensioner Thomas.

This is a glorious book for the summer, and a perfect read following my recent trip to Chelsea Flower Show, Rachel's description of the allotment evoked so many memories of me & Gramps trundling wheel barrows between the greenhouse and allotment and the character of Thomas could easily have been my granddad. Obviously Daisy needs a love interest and this comes in the guise of a charming Irishman and a hunky vet, both vying for her affection in different guises. I loved this book, its beautifully written and absorbs you into an idyllic village setting, a perfect book to transport you into a different world whilst travelling through the tunnels of London on the tube,… delightful Rachel Lucas.

Truly Madly Greekly - Mandy Baggot 

Mandy Baggot always writes some of the best heroes in her books and TMG doesn’t disappoint in the guise of Yan. Ellen's life has fallen apart and suddenly the capable, confident and career driven women is no more. Finding herself accompanying her Bridezilla sister Lacey to the island of Corfu to plan her wedding, she is hoping the time away will help her sort herself out and distract herself from her problems. What Ellen hadn't factored into her holiday plans was Lacey suddenly getting cold feet and her finding herself enjoying the company of a hunky Bulgarian holiday entertainer Yan. This book was a romp of a read. It's both emotional, & funny, and the  perfect holiday companion whether on a sun lounger or staycation it will keep you entertained.

Picture Perfect – Kate Forster

I first met the characters of Zoe and Maggie in Kate's novella The Perfect Christmas, Picture Perfect continues the story and also shares the back story of both women. Maggie is Americas sweetheart actress of 20 years and Zoe is one of Hollywood's most successful managers where stars clamour to be represented by her. The ladies are the best of friends and have each other's backs, especially as they both embark on journeys and relationships which take them away from their comfort zones of Hollywood expectation. Dylan enters both their lives, a young girl searching for her birth mother, and has an impact on both of them in ways they never expected, suddenly their picture perfect lifestyles aren’t looking so solid.

 It was so lovely to catch-up with these characters again and the old & new storyline thread running through the book is reminiscent of the blockbusters of Shirley Conran and Jackie Collins of my teens. This book had a real "Lace" feel about it, but totally up to date in its Hollywood setting … a great read with lots of storylines running together to culminate in a book filled with glitz, glamour and intrigue.

Game of Scones – Samantha Tonge

Growing up Pippa's summers were spent in the idyllic Greek island fishing village of Taxos. Here she spent her days dreaming of her own tea shop alongside her childhood friend Nikos…. Grown-up life has given Pippa a secure accounting job and a sensible suave boyfriend. Returning to the village of Taxos after many years, Pippa's idyllic memories are tainted by how tired the little village has become, something her boyfriend Henrik is keen and quick to point out. Soon it is apparent that Henrik is here for different reasons to Pippa and with Pippa discovering her childhood friend Nik is no longer a gangly irritating boy but a bit of a greek hunk life suddenly doesn’t seem so safe and sensible anymore. With threats of development looming, Pippa finds solace in baking her legendary scones for all and soon the Tastiest Little Tea shop takes a life on its own and could be the villages saviour.

Having spent many summers in a fishing village on the island of Rhodes and a gap year island hoping, this book touched many memories. The camaraderie and community spirit of the village was so familiar it evoked memories of smells, tastes and  friendships. Enjoyed the character of Pippa, but it was Nikos grandma that I adored, so typical of that generation and Nik was delicious :-)… only wished that Samantha had shared the recipes of all the delicious scones that she described.

As you can see I have had so much fun with my reads this month, and surprised myself with 6 books making the Read pile. My book reads have influenced my instagram feed and lifestyle during June!!

David Gandy launched his swimwear range at the beginning of the month and the advert launched to support completely had me thinking of Yan in TMG.

• The sneakers are out and i'm walking more, not quite to marathon standards just yet!
• Completely obsessed with roses this month, and have snapped and savoured when ever I have seen them, including a trip to The Rose Garden at Hever castle.
• Cherries are in season and I can't go a day without sampling and seeking opportunities to make cherry pie... still can't get it as good as the ones my nan made.
• A sneaky scones & jam was the perfect accompaniment to Game of Scones, alas not on a greek island but on the rooftop of work.

 My pile is overflowing for July and I am struggling with what to pick as so many of my favourite authors have released books in recent weeks. Pop back next month and see what has made the cut! Here's some posts from previous months. What has grabbed your attention recently on the book front, what would you recommend, would love to hear from you.

Book Love ~ February

This week's blog post theme is Books, I have plans to share some book adventures here and across the pond from my visit to New York. However I am  kicking off with what has been keeping me entertained & offering escapism on my daily commute through the tunnels of the London tube

• It felt like a Kiss ~ Sarra Manning - Ellie has a lovely life, a family that love her, a fab job in a Mayfair Art gallery, fabulous friends & lots of fun... the only bleak point in her life; is that she is the daughter of a famous rock star, whom fails to acknowledge her existent. Ellies life is turned upside when a bitter ex sells her story to the press, her job, reputation & family life is torn apart.... in walks David Gold her fathers lawyer to help manage the situation & media... here's where the story begins with half truths & perceptions clouding judgement at each chapter. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it has great supporting characters and you warm to Ellie instantly. Her love & loyalty to her family is heartwarming and as her relationship grows with David you really hope that everything works out for her. 
• Beneath the Moon & Stars ~ Amelia Thorne - this is the first of 2 reads from Amelia this month..Joy moves into the village, a stones throw from her childhood home, which has won the accolade of "the friendliest village in the uk" and finds that actually that is a myth. Joy also finds herself living next to a teenage movie movie star who for some reason has taken a dislike to her. Joy however is desperate to try and put down some roots, something she has been struggling with since her childhood. Befriended by the secret gay in the village, Joy trys to overturn the villagers misconceptions of her. This was a delightful book, with a gorgeous hero and a fun and feisty heroine,a lovely book which will make you laugh, get agitated and swoon and hope that you may get a next door neighbour like Finn move in next to you!
• Love Lies & Louboutins ~ Katie Oliver - Katie has written a fabulous series of books in her Austen inspired novels and ticks so many of my boxes... this follows on from Gemmas adventures in "And the Bride wore Prada" where she married wayward rockstar Dominic Heath. Her marriage vows are sorely tested when an old flame Jack appears and it looks like her husband has gone AWOL with a teenage pop sensation. Gemma finds herself getting caught up with an investigation Jack is involved in, involving the abduction of his niece Jools. It was great to catch-up with some characters from Katie's previous books and I loved how they all intertwined... can't wait for book 3 Manolo's in Manhattan
• The Perfect Match ~ Katie Fforde - it was a joy to curl up on the tube with a KF novel, I really enjoyed this book. Bella escapes her life and finds her self living with her godmother. Engaged to her boss Nevil, she is the sweetheart estate agent of the village. Bella is a nice person, moral and sees the good in all, however she starts to question her relationship when things start to unravel at work. Bella's life unravels more when the nephew of an elderly friend turns up and out to be the unrequited married crush that she fled from previously..... with many side stories, along with glorious locations, this book really does offer fabulous escapism and hope for us over 40's that there is someone out there for us all!
• Love me for me ~ Jenny Hale - Libby looses the perfect job, fiancee and apartment in New York overnight and finds herself back in the Virginia seaside town that she fled 12 years previously. Here she has to face many demons, the biggest in the shape of her 1st love, high school sweetheart and ex Pete. Although predictable, this book deals with many heart wrenching issues, the biggest being senile dementia. Libby frustrated me at times, but I still enjoyed this book and the life in this delightful seaside town on the east coast.
• Tied up with Love - Amelia Thorne - this book is sheer escapism from start to finish with a very hot hero!.... Izzy finds herself abducted from the street in broad daylight, blindfolded and handcuffed and thrown in the back of a van, all it seems in the name of love and a very big issue of mistaken identity. Tied to a bed and starring at the delicious Ethan Chase, Izzy realises that things cant be all bad and she could turn this to her advantage... recently jobless Izzy blackmails Ethan to give her a job at "Kidnap my Wife" sexual fantasy business. Sparks soon flair and a romp of a read entails.
Books that tick my boxes on a commute are those that have the ability to transport me to somewhere other than a cattle truck carriage, where sweaty armpits are a regular feature in my face and a seat is a luxury. Amelia Thorne does that in this book.... having just finished watching The Arrow 2 it wasn't hard to imagine Stephen Amell as the delicious Ethan Hawke from the narrative & description Amelia wrote. How much fun was it to then see this video on twitter from the talented Tay from @Chicksthatread on twitter, of Amelias book Tied up with Love.

As you can see I've read a an fun mix this month and enjoyed all of them.Here are some previous book posts & literary loves. Pop back this week when I share more Literary loves from across the pond in NY.
...what have you been reading? did you love it or did it not live up to expectation?

Wednesday Words ~ October

This month Kindle and I have had an adventure whist commuting home from work (more of which I will share late in the post. I have also read 5 books which have kept me entertained as I travel through the tunnels of the London tube.

This months reads;

• The Vineyard ~ Karen Aldous - Lizzie has created a life in Cannes with her small boy and successful beauty business. Estranged from her mother for several years she heads home to find that things have changes and moved on in her absence. Here Lizzie meets Cal who is leasing land from her mother to grow a Vineyard.  I enjoyed this book, but it took some time for me to like Lizzie, the book also deals with some difficult subjects and fluctuates between 2 styles of writing which took some time for me to get used to. However that aside I enjoyed the story and characters and it was nice to escape to the glamour of the South of France for a while.
• Sealed with a Kiss ~ Rachel Lucas - Kate is dumped on her best friend's wedding day by the world's most boring boyfriend, Ian. She is more upset at being jobless & homeless on the back of the break-up and finds herself taking a job on the remote Scottish island of Auchenmor as an all-round Girl Friday. She is not known for her organisational skills and has a disastrous first meeting with her grouchy boss Laird of the Island - Roddy. However Kate finds herself falling in love with the island and its inhabitants. I loved this book from the start, and I along with Kate fell in love with the island of Auchenmor... I even googled highland island getaway's for next year. A fabulous first book, perfect for curling up on the sofa with a large mug of chocolate ~ delicious
• Love Like the Movies ~ Victoria Van Tiem - Kenzi has her life all scripted, fiancé Bradley, successful career, home & kids all planned until Kenzi's ex and the boy who broke her heart enters stage left. Shane embarks on a journey to win Kenzi back by re-enacting all the rom-com movies that they used to watch together. He's just a guy, standing in front of a girl, asking her to trust him again!...this book is a must for any rom-com movie fan, perfect for an afternoon on the sofa with a bucket of popcorn and a soda. I loved it and are now working my way through some movie favourites.
• Gone Girl ~ Gillian Flynn - late to the party on this book and have very mixed views. Amy & Nick have been married for 5 years when she disappears, this starts a huge investigation, with the biggest question being asked has he killed her?... her diary alludes to a marriage that is not what it seems. With huge twists and turns, this book absolutely keeps you on the edge of your seat and keeps you turning pages. This book had be completely gripped until the end when it turned completely and now I hate it. I absolutely loath the ending and wish I hadn't read it as I feel like its a waste of time. With how successful this book has been and the noise behind the film I am in the minority, but just feel cheated.

• Pieces of You - Ella Harper - Lucy & Luke are soul mates and have the perfect marriage, after eight long, heart-breaking years trying to have a baby, that perfect marriage is crumbling before their eyes.When a terrible accident puts Luke into a coma, Lucy is forced to reassess everything she thought she wanted.  - I loved this book, it's a heart wrenching story which will make you ask yourself so many questions. Written under the new pen name of Ella Harper this is a huge departure from Sasha Wagstaffs normal writing, immensely enjoyable, it explores family ties, secrets and heart-ache.... my only advice is to make sure that you have a hankie handy when you read it.. you will need it. - Ella's book was also the reason for my tube adventure this month!

I was so engrossed in reading Ella's Pieces of You standing on the platform at Bond street station commuting home Friday evening, that I completely didn't see the girl rushing towards me to board the oncoming central line tube. As she barrelled into me my Kindle hurtled into the air into the path of the oncoming tube.

As I waited for the tube to leave the platform, and to witness the fate of my kindle I envisaged looking down on the tracks and seeing a  broken little tablet. To my delight my kindle was hanging precariously on the edge of a ledge, still on the page I had been reading!. The team at Bond street were fabulous and due to it being a security/safety risk to leave it there, they chose to stop the trains and rescue my Kindle from the track..... so huge apologies if you were on a delayed Central line Friday evening during rush hour, it was all my kindle & Ella's fault!
As you can see I've read a an eclectic mix this month and enjoyed most of them. Here are my previous Wednesday words posts of books read this year.
 Look forward to sharing my reads next month...what have you been reading? did you love it or did it not live up to expectation?

An evening of ABC ....

Authors, Books and Cocktails.... Wednesday night I spent the evening at the Century Club on Shaftsbury avenue at the first Book Club event from All About You  in association with Pan Macmillan with 3 authors that I have enjoyed immensely over the years.
Lucy Diamond, Karen Swan and Jane Green.
I have featured all 3 several times on the blog as they have all written books that have stayed with me after reading. Lucy & Karen I featured on this  Septembers book post... and have blogged about both previously, here is my Christmas reads post. and Jane's Love Verb featured here

The evening kicked off with introductions from Bernadette from AAY and Caroline from Pan Macmillan, and opening questions to the 3 authors. This was followed by the Lucy, Karen & Jane reading extracts from their 3 books, recently published.
Lucy ~ One Night in Italy
Karen ~ The Summer Without You
Jane ~ Saving Grace
All 3 gave great insight into their books and the inspiration to their writing. They said to all would be writers - "write the book that you want to write".  It was much fun, with lots of laughter ... thankyou ladies for your tips & honesty.
After the questions the Ladies moved to the back of the room to book sign and meet the audience. It was lovely talking to all three, as they all have, at some point caused me to miss my stop on the tube on-route to work.

 All 3 have a book that features in my favourites list and I have both a well thumbed copy, and a copy on kindle.  Jane's - Jemima J- one of my go to books in my 20's the fat girl desperately trying to fit into the society she works and win the heart of her best friend. Karen's - Christmas at Tiffany's - Cassie embarks on an amazing journey between London, New York, Paris after heartbreak and with the support of her 3 best friends. Lucy's - The Beach Café - Evie inherits her aunts beach café on the coast of Cornwall and changes her life in the process...
I had a fabulous evening talking to the authors, drinking cocktails and chatting about books.... thankyou all involved. I look forward to the next one... the goodie bag was a lovely little treat.

It was so lovely to see Jane looking so well and rocking not only fabulous hair but also some gorgeous shoes. Jane was diagnosed with malignant melanoma earlier this year and has been talking about on her recent book tour, women's hour and in yesterday's daily mail.  I hope that her recovery continues along with her fabulous writing.
Excited to hear from both Lucy and Karen of Christmas sequels to The Beach Café and Christmas at Tiffany's.... both now on pre-order!. and looking forward to starting Jane's Saving Grace next week x

Wednesday Words ~ September

After a summer hiatus I am back with the reads that have been keeping me entertained throughout my commute under London and lazing in the park under a tree!

• Lucy Diamond ~ One Night in Italy - 3 women's lives collide when they meet at an Italian evening class; Anna who leads a relatively dull life, with a relatively dull boyfriend accidently discovers that her father may be Italian.... this embarks Anna on embracing her 'Italian' heritage whilst she seeks to find him. Sophie has spent the last decade travelling the globe. Whilst serving gelato in Italy she gets a call to say that her father is seriously ill, and its time for her to head home. Catherine finds herself home alone, when the kids fly the nest to Uni and husband shacks up with mistress!.... An Italian evening class brings the 3 together where they discover new friendships, secrets and a love of Italian!.... thoroughly enjoyed this book and the characters in it. I laughed lots as I shared the journey that these 3 ladies took. It also got me researching weekend adventures in Italy!...'magnifico!'
• Katie Fforde ~ A French Affair - Gina and Sally are sisters that inherit a stall in an antiques centre called The French House from their Aunt Rainey. Aunt Rainey is a little eccentric and sets some rules to the inheritance, which will be over seen by the owner Matthew. Matthew is a little staid in thinking and the girls embark on a journey to generate business and get Matthew thinking a little different. This book was an easy read, no great surprises, but a fun delve into the world of vintage treasures.. a great gift for anyone who is obsessed with antiquing daytime TV shows!
• Karen Swan ~ The Summer without you - Rowena and Matt have been together for years, before finally embarking on marriage & kids  Matt chooses to take 6 months out and travel through Asia. Rowena who is a professional photographer embarks on her own journey where she finds herself in The Hamptons in a house share ... a huge change from her cottage in the suburbs of London after a chance encounter at a wedding. Here she finds her own adventure along with questioning her longevity of her relationship with Matt.  I loved this book, Karen Swan is becoming one of my favourite authors. The supporting characters are just as great as Rowena and their summer in the Hamptons. As with Karen's previous books it made me lust as much about the setting as the characters.... actively researching a stay in the Hamptons!
• The Best Thing that never happened to me ~ Laura Tait & Jimmy Rice - Debut novel written by 2 friends, sharing one story from 2 perspectives ... Alex and Holly have been friends since they were 11, sharing love, laughter, and friendship through their teens... the book flips between the 2 spanning from present day back to 1999. Having lost touch when Holly moves to London from Yorkshire, they find themselves again when Alex moves to London as a teacher. Reminiscent to David Nicholls One Day this book is a gorgeous story of First Loves, Second Chances and lots of cross wires!.... loved both characters and really didn't want it to end.
• The Teashop on the Corner ~ Milly Johnson - the teashop on the corner run by Leni becomes a impromptu meeting point for Carla, Molly and Will... Carla discovers her husbands secrets on the day of his funeral, Molly's ex-husband re-appears trying to make amends for his wrongs and Will's wife walks out on him when his business goes bust... all find themselves looking for comfort, friendship and support in a place they least expect. I really enjoyed this book the main characters along with the supporting cast are lovely. Every corner should have a Tea shop like the one run by Leni... who along with the others has her own heartbreak and surprises.
• The Silkworm ~ Robert Galbraith - another gripping mystery for Comoran Strike from JK Rowling. Cormoron is asked to investigate the disappearance of an author from his long suffering wife. Quine has been known to go off for a few days, however when he is found brutally murdered, the publishing world is awash with rumours of slanderous manuscripts, who has silenced the author? ... Loved this book JK sucks you into a world of darkness, murder and mystery at every chapter. This book is dark, compulsive and a complete page turner. Always amazes me where JK's imagination goes to write the stories that she does... graphically descriptive, compulsive storyline and a wounded hero that you just love. Assisted by Robin his temporary assistant  Cormoran embarks on the 2nd biggest investigation of his career. It takes you from the glamour of Bloomsbury to the seedy streets of Soho. This is a fabulous thriller from start to finish. I cannot wait for the next instalment. Robert Galbraith is the pseudonym of JK Rowling, and any editor that passed up the first book The Cuckoo's calling must be kicking themselves.. Her narrative is as descriptive as any HP novel and she has created a character that will make the adult population rooting and willing him to succeed in the same way that every child did with Harry.... Bravo JK.

As you can see I've read a an eclectic mix this month and enjoyed them all. Here are my previous Wednesday words posts of books read this year. I am thrilled that I will be meeting 2 of the authors favoured in todays post at a book event later this month; Karen Swan and Lucy Diamond along with Jane Green. Pop back  at the end of next week when I share my evening of literary fun with Karen, Lucy & Jane. 

Wednesday Words ~ July

This month most of my reads have had the common theme of Summer. As well as them keeping me company on my commute to London and Birmingham, I have also taken much advantage of the weather and reading under the shade of  a tree in the park.

• You're the one that I love ~ Giovanni Fletcher ... Maddy is poised to marry her soul mate, but which one will she choose?.. both are waiting at the end of the aisle for her... Maddy met her soul mates at the age of 8, they have been inseparable since, this story explores the life, friendship, and love of Maddy and her 2  best friends Rob & Ben. I enjoyed this book, there were times when I didn't like Maddy much and it seemed a little slow in places, but overall an easy read for summer.
• The Unfinished Symphony of You & Me ~ Lucy Robinson ... sally is an amazing singer, who only sings in secret in a wardrobe. Her parents have discouraged any form of public display and her love affair with opera has been her guilty pleasure since childhood. To appease her love of the operatic world she secures a job in the royal opera house in London as a wardrobe assistant. This see's her embark on a huge adventure when the company secures a summer in New York. Sally meets a mystery man in NY and falls in love, when tragedy strikes she finds herself back in London this time however she finds herself starting at the royal college of music honouring a promise she made. When the mystery man turns up on her doorstep clutching an I.O.U Sally has some decisions to make. ~ I loved this book, it sucked me in from the start, anywhere that transports me to New York is a win for me. Lucy Robinson writes the most beautiful funny & heart breaking characters you feel like you know. This book is gorgeous, set across operatic acts, its a must.
• A Summer to Remember ~ Victoria Connelly ... Nina's life is a little dull, after nearly being knocked down by a speeding car, and finally telling her bullying boss to shove her job, she realises that her life needs to change. Fate finds herself being offered a job back to the Old mill house that was her only sanctuary when she was younger when she used to baby-sit the Milton boys. This time her job is to help the the Senior Milton (Dudley) write his book and generally keep the house organised. What Nina finds is that its not only Dudley that needs disciplining, there's a mad dog and grown-up handsome Milton Boys!. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, set in the country side of Norfolk, it transported me back to childhood summers in this part of the world. A gorgeous read, evoking long summer days, walks by the rivers and lashings of ginger beer!
• Ice Creams at Carringtons ~ Alexandra Brown .... we join Georgie & Tom in the 3rd Carringtons book. Georgie is now head personal shopper at Carringtons along with writing a column in a national magazine and still madly in love with Tom. Georgie is nominated to help organise the local summer festival for Mulberry-on-Sea. She embarks on huge plans, but suddenly an amazing offer comes her way which involves a trip to New York and choices to make.... can Georgie & Tom survive and can she pull together the festival 100's of miles away?.... It was lovely being back with Georgie and her friends, another great read from Alexandra and look forward to further adventures... delicious.
• The Beach Hut Next Door ~ Veronica Henry .... returning to Everdene Sands, we embark on a summer of secrets, love, loss, hopes and dreams for the owners of the Beach Huts and the Big Grey House on the Cliff. Veronica Henry has written another fabulous summer read. This really does evoke you into long lost summers, picnics on the beach and days that seemed endless. The perfect read for an afternoon on the beach.

As you can see, my reads have been perfect for the weather that we have been having,  I have enjoyed each one in its own right so Thankyou authors for 5 great reads.... Here's previous Wednesday Words posts..... What's been grabbing your attention this month and what reads would you recommend?

Words Wednesday ~ June reads

This month I've only managed 4 books, my commute has involved the car more often this month and unfortunately I am unable to read & drive! However what I have read I've enjoyed lots; here's what's kept be gripped as I have navigated myself from east to west London.

• The Unpredictable Consequences of Love ~ Jill Mansell; How many secrets can an idyllic Cornish seaside town hold. This novel centres around Sophie, a girl who fled to Cornwall after a traumatic break-up, and now reluctant to fall in love. Sophie is a budding photographer, this brings her into contact with many of the locals. From Dot the local hotelier, Josh her grandson and business partner, (recently returned from LA,) to Reilly a feckless surfer and nephew to the local famous author, who admires Tula, Sophie's best friend. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, Jill Mansell manages to write books that you wish you were an extra in, filled with great characters, and a seaside town that I wish I could spend a holiday in.
• With all My Love ~ Patricia Scanlan; Spanning 3 generations Patricia Scanlan has written another epic Irish family saga. Briony is daughter to Valerie and mother to Katie, whilst helping her mother move into her house in Spain she discovers a letter from her beloved grandmother Tessa. Briony's father died when she was a little girl, which resulted in the families becoming estranged. This is a heartfelt story dealing with the complexities of growing up in Ireland and dealing with the laws, gossip and bigotry of a small Irish village and the lies, betrayal and sacrifices within a family. This book really struck a chord with me, growing up with strong matriarchal women in my family, and the complexities of a grandmother / mother / granddaughter relationship. An absorbing read.
• Before we Met ~ Lucie Whitehouse; Hannah is newly married following a whirlwind romance crossing the Atlantic, between London and New York with Mark. One weekend Mark doesn't come home from NY.  Is Hannah's concern just paranoia, or does Mark have another woman, or is something more sinister? As Hannah starts to dig into Marks life, she realises that she may not know her husband as well as she thinks or at all. This is a great domestic thriller or Chick Noir as it is being labelled. I enjoyed this book, it appealed to my cynical mind!...
• Me Before You - JoJoMoyes; where do I star with this book, this book has languished in my "to read" pile since it was published. Knowing a little of the subject matter, I have put off reading it thinking it would be too depressing to read on commute to work. How wrong was I! Yes this book does deal with assisted suicide, but it also deals with so much more. The journey that the 2 characters Lou and Will take to get there is heartbreakingly beautiful. The story revolves around Will, a successful, outgoing, businessman, until one day all that is taken away from him when he is hit by a bus. Will finds himself a quadriplegic, in a chair with no desire for life, surrounded by memories of a life passed. Lou is a 26 year old girl living in a small town, she can tell you the number of steps between her parents home and the café where she works, spending time with a boyfriend she's not even sure she loves anymore. Finding herself out of work Lou takes on the job of being Wills companion, employed by his mother in the faint hope that she can change his mind from a date booked in Switzerland. Can Lou change Wills mind and show him that life is worth living after the 6 months?  This book is one of the most heart-breaking love story's I have ever read, it also one of the funniest, with laugh out loud moments, it will have you crying and laughing all in the same paragraph. It deals with an incredibly brave subject and it will make you question your beliefs and wishes. This book should be in everyone's 100 books to read in a lifetime list.

As you can see a mixed and varied reading pile for June, all 4 recommended for reading on the couch, in the garden, on the beach or on the tube!... hankies optional for a couple and a must for 1.

What have you been reading this month and what are you recommending?

 

Words Wednesday - May reads

This month I have managed to squeeze six books into my daily commute, which gives you an idea of how long some of my travels have been!... A book is a fundamental part of my commuting life, this is what has been keeping me entertained underground and overground across the city of London in May.

An Eligible Bachelor - Veronica Henry ~ VH is one of my favourite authors, her books are always a romp of a read filled with fun, family, friendship, love & laughter, with a leading guy you want to run away with and a location that I'm usually googling for a dream holiday!...this book doesn't disappoint. Guy is the Lord of the Manor in a Cotswold countryside,  Honor is a single mum in the village who runs a small catering /cake business. Guys mother launches a luxury B&B business for weekend retreats at the manor and enlists Honor's help. Throw in an adorable best friend, a soapstar fiancé and an errant ex and you have a fabulous romp of a read. Loved it, luxurious escapism, perfect if curled up on sofa a chilly Sunday afternoon or lounging on a sunbed in the tropics.
A Gift to Remember - Melissa Hill ~ Darcy works in a small independent bookstore in the heart of New York, whilst cycling to work one morning she knocks down a gentleman crossing the road walking his dog. Darcy wracked with guilt ends up looking after the dog whilst the man (Aiden) is taken to hospital. Aiden wakes from his accident with no memory of who he is, other than he has a dog. Darcy embarks on an adventure across New York trying to identify her patient and reunite him with his dog & family in time for Christmas.  I really enjoyed this book, Melissa Hill writes a great novel with New York as one of its characters. It has mystery, fun, romance and a very cute dog, all set to the backdrop of a fabulous city. Even with Christmas as its season, this can be read at anytime, another great read.
The One Plus One - JoJo Moyes ~ Ed's life is in chaos, under investigation from everyone he escapes to his weekend home to hide, here he meets Jess, a single mum to Nicky & Tanzie and Norman the dog.  Jess is holding down 2 jobs and struggling to make ends meet, along with looking after a bullied stepson and a maths prodigy daughter. Tanzie is offered a partial scholarship to a school for gifted children. To win the remains of the school fees, Tanzie is entered into a maths Olympiad in Scotland.
Jess's next challenge is get her there to compete, after some calamities, Ed finds himself offering to chauffeur the family there.... here embarks a journey that will change all of their lives for ever. A fabulous read filled with love, laughter, tears and family...
Revenge - Martina Cole ~ Michael Flynn is at the top of his game as crime lord of the british underworld. Family & Loyalty are his underlying principles in a world filled with crime, violence, power and money. Michael's world comes crashing down when his principles are compromised and his family comes under threat. Martina Cole was always one of my favourite authors, writing hard gritty family crime dramas in the East end of London. Although still not as good as her early novels, this book puts her back in the game of great reads, something which has been lacking in the last few books.
A Place to Call Home - Carole Matthews ~ Ayesha flees her home in the dead of night with her small daughter, escaping a violent husband. Finding herself  in London far away from what she knows, she seeks out a refuge for help. With no room at the refuge, Ayesha finds herself in the care of Crystal, Crystal boards at a reclusive popstar Ayden's house in Hampstead. This novel is about so much, its filled with love, laughter, family,it tackles domestic violence, crossing cultures and generations. It will tug at the heart strings from so many levels... I loved this book. NB if reading on the tube, a handy tissue is advisable! Another fantastic read from Carole Matthews, she knows how to tackle difficult subject matters in an uplifting and real way.
The Cuckoo Calling - Robert Galbraith ~ This book had me gripped from the start (thanks Ali Mc for the recommendation!) I loved it. Robert Galbraith has created a detective that will stand alongside some of the fictional classics and favourites and creep into your heart. Cormoran Strike is a war veteran down on his luck both personally and professionally. He is approached to investigate the death of a high profile model, who's brother refuses to believe that she threw herself off her luxury apartments balcony. Assisted by Robin his temporary assistant  Cormoran embarks on the biggest investigation of his career. From the glamour of Mayfair to the seedy streets of Soho this is a fabulous thriller from start to finish. I loved this book so much I have the next instalment on pre-order already. Robert Galbraith is the pseudonym of JK Rowling, and any editor that passed up this book must be kicking themselves now. Her narrative is as descriptive as any HP novel and she has created a character that will make the adult population rooting and willing him to succeed in the same way that every child did with Harry.... Bravo JK.
As you can see, my reads have been varied and eclectic this month, and I have enjoyed each one in its own right. Thankyou authors for 6 great reads....
What's been grabbing your attention this month and what reads would you recommend.

Words Wednesday - April reads

This months Wednesday Words are a mixture across the book genre's. Here's whats been keeping me entertained on my daily commute around London.

• Take Mum Out - Fiona Gibson  Alice is rapidly approaching her 40th birthday, plodding along with her life being a single mum to 2 teenage boys and managing a small meringue business.  Alice is quite content, however her 3 best friends have other ideas and embark on setting her up on 3 blind dates - this is met by mixed reviews from her 2 sons, ex-partner and difficult to please mum, but with much glee from her friends. This book was much fun, some very laugh out loud moments along with some very heartwarming moments of juggling life on the rapid approach to 40. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, perfect way to de-stress on the tube.
• A Hundred Pieces of Me - Lucy Dillon  Gina Bellamy finds herself evaluating her life, when suddenly having overcome many obstacles she finds herself living a single life after many years of marriage. Dealing with a divorce and moving into a small flat, her possessions don't seem to fit into her new life, so she decides to keep 100 special things and let the rest go. On her journey she becomes a foster mum to a rescued greyhound, collectively they begin to mend each others hearts. As she works through her things she learns to deal with her past and look forward to the future. This book is beautiful, it touched parts of me that have been locked away for a long time, it is funny, heartbreaking and wonderful all in one read. I loved Gina as a character, brave, courageous and forgiving... on finishing this book it made me evaluate so much, things may be things, but the special things filled with so many memories are pieces of you... gorgeous.
• Soldiers Wives - Fiona Field This book follows the lives of 3 women in the military. Chrissie, Maddy & Jenna. Chrissie is a medic in the regiment, orphaned at a young age, she finds herself falling in love with a married man. Young, glamorous and very naughty Jenna, married to a up and coming soldier she has little regard for the rules of military life. Maddy, Oxford graduate, now mum to a colicky baby finds herself married to an newly appointed ambitious Officer.  You can tell instantly that Fiona has a military background to write in the detail that she does, taking you from the daily life of army housing to the war torn life of Camp Bastion in Afghanistan. If you loved Soldier Soldier in the 90's or the US Army wives, then this is the read for you, an enjoyable book that brings it home what living life with a soldier of life on the front line is like....
• Mark Billingham - the Dying Hours.  This is Mark Billingham's 11th novel in his Tom Thorne series, and one of his best. Having found himself back in uniform and being stationed south of the river,  Inspector Thorne is finding life in the police a little challenging. With a series of apparent suicides across the elderly generation, no one will take his claims seriously that fowl play is involved. Embarking on a covert investigation, Thorne finds himself in danger from many sides from the off. A fabulous read from start to finish, not for the faint hearted or squeamish! Glad to see Thorne back on form, filled with suspense, and some very funny & ironic observations of the police force and its politics.  
• Jenny Colgan - Little Beach Street Bakery  Polly finds herself moving into a flat above an old bakery shop on a small mount just off the coast of cornwall. Polly's move is the result of both her business and relationship failing at the same time, with little money and limited options this is all Polly can afford. To cope with daily life she starts to bake bread, word soon gets out and a covert baking business begins on the island. Over time she slowly begins to overcome the deep ingrained traditions and politics of the island and feel part of the community. Befriending an injured baby puffin named Neil helps her overcome some of the barriers on the island.  I loved this book, it took me back to many a holiday on the cornish coast with my grandparents as a child, walking across the inlet to St Michaels mount. This story captures what seaside village is all about, from community to sacrifice and the bleakness and joy of the seasons. I completely fell in love with Neil the puffin; this book bought a tear to my eye on many occasion, catching me out twice on the tube!... a great read.

I hope that you have enjoyed my Wednesday Words.... Here  are previous months posts of what I've been reading in 2014. What have you been reading this month?... would love to hear what has been grabbing your attention. Enjoy x

Wednesday words - my March reads

Welcome to this months Wednesday words... a little late posting but better late than never! I've read 5 books so far this month and here are my favs so far.  These have entertained me both on my commute and some down time on my sofa.

If you're not the One - Jemma Forte ... This book centres around Jennifer Wright, who after a huge row with her husband finds herself running out of the house into the path of an oncoming car. - Whilst laying in a coma Jennifers brain opens up 3 time tunnels. Each tunnel takes her back to a significant other before her husband, and how her life might have been. This book once I had got used to the format of time jumps was a thought provoking read. For women approaching a time of "what ifs" it takes Jennifer back on journeys of her 1st love, the very clever university guy, the bad boy who never met the parents approval and the guy who was just too nice..... I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it took me down many a memory lane tunnel of my own and is an easy, entertaining read, especially for those that have at any point of their life thought .... Is this the one? ..
Prada & Prejudice - Katie Oliver .... I'm a sucker for any P&P themed/ influenced book and this didn't fail to hit the Austen in me!... Natalie Dashwood is heiress to a established department store with very little regard for much other than shopping , socialising & the odd scandal. Her grandfather owner of Dashwood & James brings in a hot shot consultant Rhys Gordon to sort out the failing business. Prejudices and a lot of pride are encompassed as Natalie is put to work for a living working alongside Rhys to turn the company around.  Throw in a rockstar ex, a spending ban & a daily battle with Rhys, Natalie's life is turned on its head, with several other characters weaving in & out of the story, this is a great first book in a series of "Austen" inspired novels. Rhys Gordon makes a fabulous Mr Darcy-esque character...
United States of Love - Sue Fortin ... Anna Barnes is a single mum to 16 year old Luke, living in the picturesque town of Arundel on West Sussex.  Soon she finds herself working for the gorgeous American chef Tex Garcia who moves to Arundel to open a restaurant. Life for Anna is looking good, until her Ex Mark appears back from a year long stay in America and decides to move back into the family home to get to know his son better. Things aren't as simple as they seem, as Mark is an ex-footballer and after a serious car accident he left Anna & Luke to move to America for his career and isn't being as honest with Anna as he should. With some great side stories this is a great read and perfect for an afternoon curled up under a tree or on the sofa!... Tex is a perfect leading man!
Love & Liability - Katie Oliver ....Following on from Katies first novel this tells the story of Holly James, daughter of Alistair James, partner in Dashwood & James department store. Evolving from a privileged upbringing Holly goes it alone in London to carve a career as a journalist for 'Briteen' magazine. Stitched up by her editor and sent to interview barrister 'Henry Barrington" she expects to meet an old stuffed shirt, instead she meets a young hot financial legal exec, who soon becomes more than just an interviewee. On her journey Holly meets Zoe a homeless teen runaway, and soon she is pitching a serious magazine feature. Throw in a back stabbing flat mate, a fiercely jealous editor, a hot headed chef lots of mis-communication Holly soon finds her life unravelling. I loved this book and is a great 2nd novel... easily read as a stand alone as well as in a series, tackling some serious issues it also ticks all the best bits of a great 'chick-lt' novel.
Made in Nashville - Mandy Baggot ... this book fell into my kindle basket purely because of the title, due to my fixation with Nashville TV series.  This book centres round Honor Blackwood. Hannah, 10 years previously was country's brightest star, this was until she was subjected to a savage knife attack from a stalker whilst performing on stage. Hannah hasn't performed since and suffers from many issues, nowadays she she spends her time finding solace in the local Target and in her best friends guitar shop. It is here that she first meet current bad boy & country rebel Jared 'Jed" Marshall. With pressure from her record company, and manager to return to performing, Honor is faced with some decisions. Helped by Jared ( who has some secrets of his own) this is Honours journey back to the life that she once loved. I really enjoyed this book, it was light but the characters had depth. Fans of Nashville this is a must.
5 fun reads for the start of Spring....... thanks Ladies for keeping me entertained this month....
What's been in your reading pile this month?

Wednesday Words- my february 5

Welcome to my Wednesday words.... so far this month I have read 5 books on my daily commute.
Books are an integral part of my commute and if I don't have at least 2 options available either in book form or on kindle I get a little anxious! ... silly I know, but I really cant do the commute without. Thankyou ladies for taking me to other peoples lives on my daily commute. Alas not much reading done last week due to the commute being by car to deal with the tube strikes which seemed to last for days.... but determined to make up for this week!
Here's what has kept me entertained:-

• Make my Wish Come True - Fiona Harper. This was a hangover from my Christmas pile, it features 2 sisters her are quite estranged purely through such different lifestyles, Juliet a domestic goddess, control freak single mum and Gemma the career focused single assistant director. Juliet's plans for a perfect Christmas start to unravel until a mini meltdown ensues resulting in Gemma offering up her 2 weeks holiday vacation to the Caribbean, swapping life with her sister. With a handsome next door neighbour and a need to pull off the perfect christmas, both sisters go on a journey into each others lives. I enjoyed this book, it was an easy read, a little predictable but perfect to while away a couple hours escaping the horrible weather outside. ***
•  Here's looking at You - Mhairi McFarlane . Anna Alessi is a history and art expert within her field. She has a job she loves, great friends and is now just looking for the ideal guy for a little romance. Things however never used to be so ideal, life at school for Anna was some of the worst years of her life and some she would rather forget.  However very soon Anna's nemesis and the high school hunk who was responsible for her final humiliation at school walks back into her life. .... he however has no idea who she is. Can Anna deal with all the demons she thought had been laid to rest and how long is it before James realises who she is.  This book is so much more than a chick lit read. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, its not as predictable as you think and it has some laugh out loud moments along with some heart wrenching parts. ****
• Heaven Scent - Sasha Wagstaff. Cat Hayes impulsively marries a penniless waiter, she, within weeks finds herself  a widow. Unbeknown to Cat she finds out that Oliver is part of a French perfume dynasty. Cat finds herself in the south of France dealing with a disconnected family headed by a formidable matriarch of a grandmother. This book takes you to a world of glamour, family saga and romance. I loved this book, escapism at its best, completely enthralled with the whole perfume making business accompanied by gorgeous french men!....perfect for a wet and cold february commute. ****    
• The House that we grew up in - Lisa Jewell  This book details the life of the Bird family, 4 children growing up in a lovely home in the country, with 2 parents who love them.  On paper its idyllic, however one Easter tragedy strikes and suddenly the lives of the Bird family  will never be the same. This book is so many layers and slowly as you peel each one back the story develops. The story jumps between 3 time spans which takes some adjusting to however once you have I couldn't put this book down. It deals with some gritty issues and it really struck a chord with me. Not always an easy read, but an enjoyable one. ****
• Take a Look at Me now - Miranda Dickinson. Nell Sullivan has always been known as ‘Miss Five-Year Plan’. But when she finds herself jobless and newly single on the same day, Nell decides it is time to stop planning and start taking chances. Nell blows her redundancy cheque on a life changing trip to San Francisco. Bunking down at her cousins she embarks on an exploration of both herself and San Francisco. In a vibrant colourful city she meets many characters, one of which is the dashing mysterious Max. Nell falls in love with the magic and sparkle of the city, but soon her adventure is over and she is heading back to London. Will she revert back to the 'old' Nell?  This is my favourite read of the month...... I loved Nell, there was a little bit of me in her! and I fell in love with San Francisco, through Nell's adventures.  In fact I loved it so much I have spent hours pouring over google exploring holiday options!... not this year but on wish list for next! This is my ***** book for Feb
  What have you been reading this month?
  

#Project Life 2014 ~ January

So a twelfth of 2014 has passed and it what a blur it was!. January is never much different for me and this year it has been even more stressful. Hopefully this will be my last weekend at work and I can start to enjoy February and catch-up on life, friends and sleep!

Although the majority of January was spent at my desk, I did manage some down time and have fun.
January saw me try some new things with my blog and launch some features which will appear monthly this year.
Here's a re-cap :-

• Totes Amaze Tuesday  showcasing the lovely Liberty Tote from Victoria Beckham
• Wednesday Words - reviewing my 12 reads from Christmas 
• Feeling Fabulous Friday - what beauty product is making me feel fabulous this month.

Social media has provided lots of entertainment and fun for me during Jan, starting with this funny tweet and response from the lovely James Haskell (England rugby player) as my Jan feature on my calendar.

It was lovely to see my friend Ali back on the social circuit after a Dr endorsed hiatus over the holiday period... knowing how much she loves inspirational quotes and the family being big fans of Mr Selfridge a little yellow gift box found its way to her door to brighten january.
It was also lovely to catchup in person with my blogging/twitter friend Caroline who popped into the big yellow store with her mum and we grabbed a cheeky glass of wine and a gossip.. so lovely to see them both.
This month also saw the family get together to celebrate my cousin's sons 21st birthday. Lewis lives 'up north' so doesn't get down to us often due to university and home commitments to it was extra special that he came down and spent his birthday weekend with us. As a huge Dr Who fan, I teleported together special Dr cupcakes just for the occasion.
Over the last 4 weekends when driving into work I have parked up at the same spot along the embankment and enjoyed the fresh air and admired the view. Each week I have taken a picture to record the changing tides. The river has been a talking point this month due to persistent rain that has deluged the country this month.
Finally I would like to thank H&M and my team for the fabulous new shots of David Beckham in his pants .... not many men could make grey smalls look to effortlessly sexy but he manages to tick all the boxes. I have on several occasions this month found these pics in paperwork or tacked to desk when returning from challenging meetings along with a cup of coffee and a cupcake. My team really do know me well!!!.... its the little things that often mean the most!

As February dawns I have set myself 5 things to do.

1. Alarm to go off later than 4.45am at least once a week
2. be home before 8pm at least once a week
3. Spend a Sunday on the sofa and not at my desk
4. Eat a dinner that doesn't ping in the microwave or arrive via the toaster.
5. See my friends .....x
   Hope you have all had a jolly January.... here's to a fabulous February.
   .... pop back tomorrow for my Social media Sunday... 14 treats on the ipad during January.

Wednesday Words - christmas reads

Each month on Wednesday words I will share with you what I have been reading that month.Back in December I shared with you my 12 reads for Christmas  . The plan was that were to see me through the festive season, and into the new year.Here's what I read and my thoughts for my christmas dozen;

1. Just for Christmas - Scarlett Bailey ~ Alex flees Edinburgh after the love of her life announces his engagement. She seeks refuge in a new job and life in a Cornish fishing village as far away from Scotland as possible. Befriended by a vagrant dog Buoy and clashing heads with her neighbour Ruan this book is so much more than a girl and unrequited love. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it covers many issues, complete with a sprinkling of snow and christmas magic its delightful.
2. Wish upon a Star - Trisha Ashley - Cally a single mum and her little girl Stella find themselves moving back to the village of Sticklepond and in with her eccentric artistic mum Martha. Cally's reasoning is to save money for a life saving operation for her daughter in America. Cally is enveloped into the heart of the village as they take on the mission of raising money to help Stella. With an ex-partner back on the scene, Cally's weekly baking column and a sexy baker on the scene, this book is a welcome return to Sticklepond. Not as Christmassy as expected it still is a lovely read, which envelopes you back into village life. 
3. Christmas at the Gingerbread cafe - Rebecca Raisin - a little cupcake war novella - Lily finds competition on her hands when Damon opens a bakery opposite the Gingerbread Cafe,  a fun read with a sprinkling of icing sugar and a dash of cinnamon.
4. Christmas at the Cupcake Cafe - Jenny Colgan - A welcome return to the cupcake cafe and the life of Izzy, still in love with Austin and Pearl & Caroline still in residence at the cafe. Izzy embarks on creating the perfect Christmas. Austin's job soon leads him to New York. This should be Izzy's dream but soon her life becomes to unravel..... It was so lovely to catch-up with Izzy & co. The New York moments bought back so many fab memories, the recipes doted  through were delicious and as like the first I wish that Izzy's cafe was round the corner to where I lived. I don't think I would leave it!
5. Calling Mrs Christmas - Carole Matthews Cassie finds herself unemployed and a little demoralised when she stumbles on an idea of becoming Mrs Christmas - creating the perfect christmas for people to busy or unable to do so themselves. With the assistance of her partner Jim and You Tube she teaches herself lots of skills to help her new venture and soon Mrs Christmas is born. Soon gorgeous millionaire Carter is calling on her services and Cassie has to make some choices. ... Carole Matthews has done it again with a corker of a read. This book isn't   just froth, it deals with some serious issues. I loved the relationship that Cassie & Jim developed with the 2 ex-inmates Kieron & Andrew. Sandwiched between the perfect Carter Christmas its a treat.... this quite possibly could be my perfect job!
6. Christmas at Claridges - Karen Swann - Clem is the socialite party girl, house sharing with her adored brother and PR at the family business she appears to be the party girl of Portobello road. But behind the party facade, Clem is hiding  a big secret which puts her home, job and relationship with brother under threat. From the market stalls of Portobello road to the magic of Portofino Clem tries to keep her secret and help her brother, by taking on a venture to decorate a millionaires Villa. With romance, intrigue and long lost friendships rekindled I loved this book. As with all of Karen Swann's books the title and cover are a red herring to what this book is about, its so much more than just Christmas at Claridges.  My only wish was that there was a little more Christmas & Claridges in the book.
   
7. Christmas at the Beach Cafe - Lucy Diamond a lovely little novella where we catchup with Evie and Ed's first christmas at the Beach cafe. Evie plans the perfect christmas with just her and Ed, suddenly Eds brother Jake is on the doorstep, along with Evie's best friend Amber. Desperately trying to finish her recipe book along with finding Ed the perfect present her plans soon go array ..... A welcome return to the Beach cafe and the life of Evie & Ed, sometimes the perfect Christmas isn't what you dreamed..
8. Christmas at the Cresent - Veronica Henry - another little slice of Christmas in a small novella. Georgie lives at a much desired address in Pelham crescent in the heart of bath along with her baby boy Titus. Titus's father Giles decided fatherhood for him within an hour of his birth.  With a dashing neighbour in residence, Georgie's Christmas is some what different to what she planned. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and hope that Georgie appears in another of VH's novels in the future
9. Coming home for Christmas - Jenny Hale set in the town of Virginia Allie lands a house managers job at Ashford house looking after the Marley family. Allie's job is to manage christmas and then get the house ready for sale. Robert the oldest son, battles his grandmother, brother & sister to sell the house. Each Marley family member has their own story to tell and they find a kindred spirit in Allie.... I enjoyed this book, much different to what i imagined it would be... an easy christmas family read
10. Meet me under the Mistletoe - Abby Clements Laurie & Rachel were friends in school but now communicate via the odd email and christmas card. Laurie lives the London life, where as Rachel has the perfect chocolate box cottage family in Yorkshire. A family and life emergency suddenly see the 2 old friends swapping houses for the run up to Christmas, suddenly each others perfect lives are not so perfect as they both thought. I loved this book and I'm sorry its languished in my to read pile for so long. If you loved The Holiday, then this book will tick so many boxes for you. delightful.
11. Christmas at Carringtons - Alexandra Brown A welcome return to Carringtons and the life of Georgie & Tom. With a camera crew in tow to film the lives of a department store at Christmas its a pantomime of a read.... its like Towie meets Mr Selfridge in a riot of a read..... loved loved loved this... laughed out loud behind the scenes of a reality tv show & department store. 
12. I heart Christmas - Lindsey Kelk I was so looking forward to curling up with Angela  and her Christmas in New York, but this left me a little disappointed. Christmas in New York is magical and I'm afraid this book didn't capture it enough for me.  

My 12 reads of Christmas were a treat and I cannot wait to start compiling a new list for 2014. As well as sucking me into the magic of Christmas they have contributed to a wish list of things to do, see & eat over the 2014 holiday period.

A holiday to a Cornish cottage at Christmas  is being explored along with a trip to New York!...An evening at Claridges and an amble through the georgian Bath streets and Christmas market are a must! Along with copious amounts of Eggnog, Cupcakes dusted with cinnamon and a pile of festive reads, here's to a happy 2014 holiday!