Showcase Sunday #12

 

Showcase Sunday is a weekly event hosted by Vicky at Books, Biscuits and Tea where book bloggers share what books they have added to their collection in the previous week. This week I'm also going to do a weekly round-up where I share what I have read and reviewed. Firstly here's what books I've added to my ever increasing tbr pile:

 

 

These have all been lent to me from my friend Jane:

 

A French Affair by Katie Fforde

The Holiday by Erica James

The Beach Café by Lucy Diamond

The House We Grew Up In by Lisa Jewell

Summer at the Lake by Ericia James

 

 

I also bought some books this week:

 

What Would Mary Berry Do? by Claire Sandy

The Seafront Tearooms by Vanessa Greene

Biscuit by Miranda Gore Brown

 

 

 



I also received a copy of The Marriage Mender by Linda Green from Quercus for a Goodreads giveaway, super excited to read this one.

 

I also had some super books sent to me through Netgally this week:

 

Snow Angels, Secrets and Christmas Cake by Sue Watson

Mistletoe Mansion by Samantha Tonge

Christmas Wedding at the Gingerbread Café by Rebecca Raisin

Cold Feet at Christmas by Debbie Johnson

Mr Miracle by Debbie Macomber

A Christmas to Remember by Jenny Hale

As Good as it Gets by Fiona Gibson

The Mysterious Miss Mayhew by Hazel Osmond

Baby It's Cold Outside by Kerry Barrett

 

I started reading Baby It's Cold Outside and realised it was a series I would really enjoy so I bought the first two books for my kindle:

 

Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered by Kerry Barrett

I Put a Spell on You by Kerry Barrett

 

So I have a lot of reading to do! This week I read:

 

A Week in Paris by Rachel Hore

The Heart of Winter by Emma Hannigan

A Christmas to Remember by Jenny Hale

Snow Angels, Secrets and Christmas Cake - just started

 

This week on the blog

 

Monday - Review Fool's Gold by Zana Bell 5/5

Tuesday - Top Ten Tuesday - Character Driven Novels

Wednesday - Review A Week in Paris by Rachel Hore 5/5

Thursday - Release Day Round-Up # 6

Friday - Review The Heart of Winter by Emma Hannigan 4/5

 

 

Book Review - The Heart of Winter by Emma Hannigan

 

The Heart of Winter by Emma Hannigan

Released: 9th October 2014

Publisher: Headline Review

Pages: 439

Available in Paperback and on Kindle

Order now from Amazon

 

Blurb

Holly Craig's family have lived happily in Huntersbrook for generations but when times grow hard, even she must admit defeat and sell off their once-successful stables.
The three Craig children, Lainey, Joey and Pippa find themselves locked in a fight to keep their beloved Huntersbrook; dare they transform it into one of Ireland's most sought after countryside venues?
Renovation work is well underway when life rears its ugly head and everything stops in its tracks. The Craig family is forced to reassess what matters and although they no longer live at Huntersbrook, can the house work its magic even so ... and lead them into the light once more?

 

Review

 

The Heart of Winter is set in the county house of Huntersbrook which has been owned by the Craig family for three generations, now Holly Craig and her children must pull together to save the family home they adore.  Although none of the children currently live at home they are drawn back to help transform the home they love into a house that can host upmarket country events. 

Lainey the eldest lives with husband Matt and young son Ely in a farmhouse on the edge of the estate she is longing to expand her family and her home to fulfil her dreams. Joey is on the verge of being made a partner at his Dublin accountancy firm, is he on the edge of great things or about to lose what is most important to him? Pippa the youngest has no intentions of settling down like her sister, she’s living life in the fast lane, living a very fine line between work and too much play, will she slow down before it’s too late?

The Heart of Winter is told mainly from the perspectives of the three Craig children in alternating chapters.  Initially I found it hard to get my head round who was who and how they fitted into the story, once I had it worked out the story flowed at a good pace and kept my interest. I found the characters not very likeable at the start. Lainey comes across very angry and bitter towards her mother because she feels she was unloved as a child, this made me feel sorry for Holly as she clearly loved all her children. Joey seems to be letting his new role in the firm go to his head and I didn’t like the way he kept breaking promises and becoming too busy for his family. At the beginning  I really struggled to find anything likeable in Pippa, she comes across as selfish, silly and easily led into things which are bad and I just wanted her to stand up for herself and be strong.

As the story progressed and unfortunate events start to happen the family did start to unite and come together and support each other and by the end I did enjoy the family spirit in the story and this was highlighted most in the family Christmas scenes. I really liked the way each of the children overcame their difficulties and were able to become in my opinion better, stronger more likeable characters. I also like the way that there were enough hints at the end of the book that I could see another book with these characters being written, I don’t know if that was intentional or not.

The Heart of Winter is essentially a family saga that will warm your heart and make you want to let your own family know you love them. With a Christmassy ending it is a good book to start your festive reading. I would give this book a rating of 4/5 as it took me awhile to relate to the characters.

Thank you to Headline Review and bookbrigr for my review copy.

 

 

Release Day Round Up #6

Today there seems to be a huge amount of books due for release , in fact is being called Super Thursday in the publishing world, obviously I cannot feature all the books so here are a few of which I have been lucky enough to read and review already myself and some which I still have to read. So here's my pick's for this week:

 

Fool's Gold by Zana Bell

Released: 7th October 2014

Publisher: Choc Lit UK

Pages: 320

Available in Kindle or Paperback

Order from Amazon here
 

Love – is it worth its weight in gold?
It’s 1866 and the gold rush is on. Left to fend for herself in the wilds of New Zealand’s west coast, Lady Guinevere Stanhope is determined to do whatever it takes to rescue her ancestral home and restore her father’s good name.
Forced out of his native Ireland, Quinn O’Donnell dreams of striking gold. His fiercely held prejudices make him loath to help any English person, let alone a lady as haughty and obstinate as Guinevere. But when a flash flood hits, Quinn is compelled to rescue her, and their paths become entwined in this uncharted new world.
Though a most inconvenient attraction forms between them, both remain determined to pursue their dreams, whatever the cost.
Will they realise in time that all that glitters is not gold?

 

I was lucky enough to be sent this from Kim at Choc Lit a couple of weeks ago. This is a brilliant book and quite unlike anything I've read for a long time, I really loved the adventure aspect of it, check it out its a great read. Check out my full review here.

 

 

A Week in Paris by Rachel Hore

Released: 9th October 2014

Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK

Pages: 480

Available in Paperback and on Kindle

Order from Amazon here.

 

The streets of Paris hide a dark past...September, 1937. Kitty Travers enrols at the Conservatoire on the banks of the Seine to pursue her dream of becoming a concert pianist. But then war breaks out and the city of light falls into shadow. Nearly twenty-five years later, Fay Knox, a talented young violinist, visits Paris on tour with her orchestra. She barely knows the city, so why does it feel so familiar? Soon touches of memory become something stronger, and she realises her connection with these streets runs deeper than she ever expected. As Fay traces the past, with only an address in an old rucksack to help her, she discovers dark secrets hidden years ago, secrets that cause her to question who she is and where she belongs...A compelling story of war, secrets, family and enduring love.

 

I was sent a copy of this to read from Simon & Schuster via NetGalley, so thank you to them.This book was totally absorbing I just could not put it down until I knew what all the secrets were, truly brilliant, definitely an author I need to read more of. Check out my full review here.

 

 

Baby it's cold outside by Kerry Barrett

Released: October 9th 2014

Publisher: Carina UK

Available on Kindle

Order now from Amazon

 

For better or much, much worse...

Esme and Jamie have finally got their perfect wedding day planned. Beautiful snowy landscape – check. Amazing venue – check. Stunning dress – check.

But when an avalanche seals off their gorgeous mountain hometown from the outside world, their dream day starts to look more like a nightmare. Especially when Jamie’s ex turns up on their doorstep with a surprise neither of them expected!

Whilst Esme’s magical powers can solve a lot of problems, it's starting to look like their big day is doomed! Is Esme and Jamie’s wedding simply not meant to be, or can they still make it down the aisle, against all the odds?

 

I was lucky enough to received a copy of this to review from Kerry herself and I did start reading it but realised it is something I am going to love. So instead of just reading book three I have ordered the other two books in the series (Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered and I Put a Spell on You) and intend to read them all soon, so my review for this will be a little later than I initially planned.

 

 

 

A Christmas to Remember by Jenny Hale

Released: 10th October 2014

Publisher: Bookouture

Pages: 249

Available on Kindle

Pre-Order now from Amazon

 

Carrie Blake loves her job as a nanny but, while her friends are settling down, all of Carrie’s spare time is spent with other people’s families. Though it breaks her heart, her New Year’s resolution is to embark on a new career and fix her love life.

As Carrie starts her last job, she’s sure she’ll be going out on a high – the house is amazing, the kids are adorable, and she’s in charge of decorating the tree!

The only problem could be her boss… single-dad, Adam Fletcher might be both handsome and successful, but he’s always working. Doesn’t he realise he’s missing out on precious moments with his son and daughter?

As Adam’s family arrive for Christmas including his sensitive sister, Sharon, and his fun-loving elderly Grandpa, Walter, Carrie realises that she might just have found the perfect allies in her quest to persuade Adam to loosen up. There’s still time for Carrie to make this the best Christmas ever… after all, Christmas is the time for miracles, isn’t it? Let the festivities begin!

 

I have a copy of this I'm hoping to curl up with this weekend as it looks the perfect book to start my Christmas reading with.

 

 

The Heart of Winter by Emma Hannigan

Released: 10th October 2014

Publisher: Headline Review

Pages: 435

Available in Paperback and on Kindle

Order now from Amazon

 

Holly Craig's family have lived happily in Huntersbrook for generations but when times grow hard, even she must admit defeat and sell off their once-successful stables.
The three Craig children, Lainey, Joey and Pippa find themselves locked in a fight to keep their beloved Huntersbrook; dare they transform it into one of Ireland's most sought after countryside venues?
Renovation work is well underway when life rears its ugly head and everything stops in its tracks. The Craig family is forced to reassess what matters and although they no longer live at Huntersbrook, can the house work its magic even so ... and lead them into the light once more?

I'm currently reading this book and so far I'm enjoying it. I'm hoping to have a review up on my blog on Friday or Saturday so pop back if you would like to know my full thoughts.

 

The Seafront Tea Rooms by Vanessa Greene

Released: 9th October 2014

Publisher: Sphere

Pages: 416

Available in Paperback and Kindle

Order now from Amazon

 

The Seafront Tea Rooms is a peaceful hideaway, away from the bustle of the seaside, and in this quiet place a group of women find exactly what they've been searching for.

Charismatic journalist Charlotte is on a mission to scope out Britain's best tea rooms. She knows she's found something special in the Seafront Tea Rooms but is it a secret she should share? Kathryn, a single mother whose only sanctuary is the 'Seafront', convinces Charlie to keep the place out of her article by agreeing to join her on her search. Together with another regular, Seraphine, a culture-shocked French au pair with a passion for pastry-making, they travel around the country discovering quaint hideaways and hidden gems. But what none of them expect is for their journey to surprise them with discoveries of a different kind . . .

Full of romance, tea and cake, The Seafront Tea Rooms is a heart-warming tale about the strength found in true friendship.

 

I've had my eye this one for a while and have finally pre-ordered it, so keep an eye out for a review sometime soon.

 

 

The Year I Met You by Cecelia Ahern

Released: 9th October 2014

Publisher: Harper Collins

Pages:328

Available in Hardback and Kindle

Order now from Amazon

 

Jasmine loves two things: her sister and her work. And when her work is taken away she has no idea who she is.

Matt loves two things: his family and the booze. Without them, he hits rock bottom.

One New Year’s Eve, two people’s paths collide. Both have time on their hands; both are at a crossroads. But as the year unfolds, through moonlit nights and suburban days, an unlikely friendship slowly starts to blossom.

Sometimes you have to stop still in order to move on…

Original and poignant, The Year I Met You will make you laugh, cry and celebrate life.

 

A new Cecelia Ahern novel, bound to be brilliant, I'm hoping I can hold out for a paperback copy but who knows this may show up on a Showcase Sunday post sometime before June.

 

So that's my pick of today's release's, what are you hoping to add to your collection? I'd love to know.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book Review - A Week in Paris by Rachel Hore

 

A Week in Paris by Rachel Hore

Released: 9th October 2014

Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK

Pages: 480

Available in Paperback and on Kindle

Order from Amazon here.

 

 

Blurb

The streets of Paris hide a dark past...September, 1937. Kitty Travers enrols at the Conservatoire on the banks of the Seine to pursue her dream of becoming a concert pianist. But then war breaks out and the city of light falls into shadow. Nearly twenty-five years later, Fay Knox, a talented young violinist, visits Paris on tour with her orchestra. She barely knows the city, so why does it feel so familiar? Soon touches of memory become something stronger, and she realises her connection with these streets runs deeper than she ever expected. As Fay traces the past, with only an address in an old rucksack to help her, she discovers dark secrets hidden years ago, secrets that cause her to question who she is and where she belongs...A compelling story of war, secrets, family and enduring love.

 

Review

A Week in Paris tells the story of Fay Knox a 21 year old violinist with no recollection of her early childhood.  The story starts when Fay in 1956 when Fay is sixteen and she travels to Paris on a school trip, while she is there everything feels familiar to her although when she returns her mother assures her she has never been. When Fay reaches 21 she is accepted to play in an orchestra on tour in Paris.  Before she goes her mother has a mental breakdown and is admitted to hospital, while Fay visits her she tells her daughter to look in the linen chest before she goes on her trip. Fay finds an old child’s rucksack which feels familiar to her, with just a label saying St Cecile’s, Paris. Confused Fay heads to Paris where she again has feelings of familiarity, after finding a convent named St Cecile’s Fay begins to unravel a past life which makes her question everything she believes to be true.

Although the majority of this story is set in the present day 1961 we also learn about Kitty’s early life through the narrative of Nathalie Raymond a lady who Fay meets after being lead to the convent of St Cecile’s by the luggage ticket.  Kitty’s story takes place during the war years and it was just so haunting and really conveyed the uncertainty and fear people must have had at the time.

I loved the way that Fay’s life in Paris began to reflect that of her mother’s years earlier and like the parallels between Kitty and Eugene and Fay and Adam. In a way I think it helped to tie the two stories together. I also loved the way that both Fay and Kitty rely on their gut instinct when they are unsure about things and when knowing who to trust.  After the story had unfolded it was easier to see why Kitty had had her breakdown and ended up in the hospital, I’m sure many who have kept so much hidden for so long would crumble eventually too.

This was my first time reading a novel by Rachel Hore and I think she has done an incredible job in creating a very realistic feeling historical novel, I actually felt like I was living Kitty’s story and the writing was so gripping that I could just not stop reading.  I loved this book as I really enjoy historical fiction, especially when there is a hidden mystery to unfold which this book did brilliantly. It is a book which will make you question whether the truth is sometimes best left hidden or if it should be told despite the repercussions. 

I’m sure fans of Rachel Hore will adore her new book and I highly recommend it to those of you who are fans of historical fiction, it’s a book that will totally absorb you.

Rating 5/5

 

 

Top Ten Tuesday - Books for people who like character driven novels

 

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week's list was top ten character driven novels, I have to admit I struggled with this one. Anyway here is my list for this week:

1. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Can there be two more inspiring characters than Augustus and Hazel Grace? Their journey is one which will definitely bring tears to your eyes and look at life in a whole new way.

 

2. Room by Emma Donoghue

Told from five year old Jack's perspective this book gives a haunting account of life trapped inside the "Room" which is home for Jack but a prison for his mother.

 

 

3. Appetite by Philip Kazan

This book follows the story of Nino Latini as he grows from an arrogant foolish young man into a sensible and humble man. The descriptive language of the food he creates in this book is mesmerising.

 

4. Before I go to Sleep by S J Watson

Follow Christine as she tries to work out who she is and what has happened to her.

 

5. The Dress Thief by Natalie Meg Evans

Alix Gower longs to design her own haute couture designs. As she lands a job in one of Paris' top fashion houses she becomes entangled in a web of deceit which could make or break her dreams.

 

6. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Follow the lives of Jane, Elizabeth, Lydia, Kitty and Mary Bennett as they struggle to find perfect matches, in this one of the most famous of character driven novels.

 

7. Saving Grace by Jane Green

Grace watches her life fall apart as Beth enters her life determined to take over.

 

8. The Time Traveller's Wife

The story of Henry and Clare is one of my all time favourite reads, its just beautiful

 

9. The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic

Love her or hate her Becky Bloomwood is certainly a very memorable character in the Shopaholic novels

 

10. Matilda by Roald Dahl

Matilda is probably still my favourite book of all time, she is such a great character  and one I'm sure many of us book bloggers relate to.

 

So that is my top ten for this week, what was on your list? Link with other blogs at The Broke and the bookish here.

 

Book Review - Fool's Gold by Zana Bell

 

Fool's Gold by Zana Bell

Released: 7th October 2014

Publisher: Choc Lit

Pages: 320

Available on Kindle and Paperback (on 7th)

Order from Amazon here

 

Blurb

It’s 1866 and the gold rush is on. Left to fend for herself in the wilds of New Zealand’s west coast, Lady Guinevere Stanhope is determined to do whatever it takes to rescue her ancestral home and restore her father’s good name.

Forced out of his native Ireland, Quinn O’Donnell dreams of striking gold. His fiercely held prejudices make him loath to help any English person, let alone a lady as haughty and obstinate as Guinevere. But when a flash flood hits, Quinn is compelled to rescue her, and pass. But and their paths become entwined in this uncharted new world.

Though an intense attraction forms between them, both remain single-minded in pursuit of their dreams. Will they realize in time that all that glitters in not gold?

 

Review

 

Fool’s Gold is a book which is completely different from anything I’ve read in a long time,  it is essentially a story of one woman’s journey from dependent rich daughter to headstrong independent woman which takes place on a gripping and enthralling adventure across New Zealand’ beautiful backdrop,  with a sprinkling of romance. It is written in such a way that the reader will be hooked from the very first page.

The story is based around Lady Guinevere Stanhope and Doctor Quinn O’Donnell. They first meet in the depths of the forest, Guinevere looking to photograph the long lost Moa bird and Quinn looking to find gold. Initially there is hostility between the two as Guinevere is looking to be self-reliant after the loss of her father and Quinn being a doctor wants to play the rescuer and keep her safe. So begins their adventure, sometimes together, sometimes apart until the eventually find the dreams they have been searching for.

Both Quinn and Guinevere are very likable characters and all the way through I wanted them to find the happiness and peace they were seeking. Guinevere first comes across as stubborn, fragile and a little self-important but as her adventure unravels we see her grow into a strong and feisty woman who carves her own way in the world. Quinn is perfect handsome hero who just can’t stop helping people in need, even though he keeps claiming he no longer wants to be a doctor. He does seem a little blinded by his need to have land and build a big house but I was glad when he was able to leave his past behind him.

Fool’s Gold is a book which captivated me right from the start and I was sad when it was finished. It was so good, one of my top reads of the year. I recommend this book to everyone; it’s an incredible read which captures the true essence of human spirit in the face of adversity.

Rating 5/5

 

Showcase Sunday #11

 

Showcase Sunday is a weekly event hosted by Vicky at Books, Biscuits and Tea where book bloggers share what books they have added to their collection in the previous week.  This week I have received two books from bookbridgr and two from Rebecca Raisin, so thank you to both of them.

 

 

The Heart of Winter by Emma Hannigan, released 9th October

A Special Delivery by Clare Dowling, released 23rd October

 

I am super excited to read both of these as I'm a huge Clare Dowling fan and am ready for her next book. I'm also looking forward to the Emma Hannigan book, I've not read anything by her before but this one and her previous book The Summer Guest really appeal.

 

 

 

 

I was super excited to receive these from Rebecca herself, these have been on my wish-list for a long time and I cannot wait to get stuck into Lily's story and aren't the covers just beautiful!!

 

So that is what has been added to my ever increasing bookcase this week, what have you added to yours? Check out Vicky's blog post here to link up with other blogs.