Skywatch Friday

A very local walk around Forres which took us past Sanquhar Loch - where I had a go at "freezing" the water.

Please pop over to the Skywatch blog to see more skies from around the world.

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

I have 2 books on the go this week - not always a good thing.

I have been trying out contact lenses this week which has hampered my reading some what. I wear varifocal glasses and thought I would try varifocal lenses - but due to the shape of my eyes this isn't possible. So as a compromise I am trying mono lenses - in which one lenses in my right eye is for my distance vision and my left eye has my reading prescription lens in. They take some getting used to and my distance vision is great. Sadly my reading is a bit blurred so I am back on Saturday to see if they can tweak the prescription for me. Watch this space.

I am reading The Chocolate Run by Dorothy Koomson and normally I love her books. But I am finding it hard to get into this one. Her characters aren't always very likeable and this one is no exception.

Amber Salpone doesn't mean to keep ending up in bed with her friend Greg Walterson, but she can't help herself. And every time it 'just happens' their secret affair moves closer to being a real relationship, which is a big problem when he's a womaniser and she's a commitment-phobe.
While Amber struggles to accept her new feelings for Greg, she also realises that her closeness to Jen, her best friend, is slipping away and the two of them are becoming virtual strangers. Slowly but surely, as the stark truths of all their lives are revealed, Amber has to confront the fact that chocolate can't cure everything and sometimes running away isn't an option . . .
The Chocolate Run is a delectable tale of lust, love and chocolate.

I am also reading The One You Really Want by Jill Mansell which is this months book over on the UK Kindle Lovers Facebook page. I still cannot decide if I have already read this one many years ago!

When Nancy realises that the jewellery her husband's being buying is NOT for her, it's time to decamp - to her friend Carmen's luxury London flat. Soon Nancy's met gorgeous Connor O'Shea, who lives next door, and his daughter Mia is matchmaking - not least because she'd like to see the back of Connor's current pushy girlfriend. While widowed Carmen feels a spark when a handsome charity worker called Joe calls round. But Joe's not quite all he seems...

Please pop over to The Book Journey and see what everyone else is reading today.

Skywatch Friday

Late afternoon light over Spey Bay back towards the old railway bridge.

Pop over to the Skywatch blog for more skies from around the world.

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

I'm not sure what to make of this weeks book.

I have read some great reviews.

But I am only 42 pages in so plenty of time to make up my mind.

Elizabeth is Missing, Emma Healey's stunning debut novel, introduces a mystery, an unsolved crime and one of the most unforgettable characters since Mark Haddon's Christopher. Meet Maud ...

'Elizabeth is missing', reads the note in Maud's pocket in her own handwriting.

Lately, Maud's been getting forgetful. She keeps buying peach slices when she has a cupboard full, forgets to drink the cups of tea she's made and writes notes to remind herself of things. But Maud is determined to discover what has happened to her friend, Elizabeth, and what it has to do with the unsolved disappearance of her sister Sukey, years back, just after the war.

A fast-paced mystery with a wonderful leading character: Maud will make you laugh and cry, but she certainly won't be forgotten.

Pop over to The Book Journey to see what everyone else is reading today.

Skywatch Friday

A Sunday walk along the River Spey from Craigellachie to Aberlour and back.

The River Spey.

Thomas Telfords bridge at Craigellachie - celebrating its 200th birthday this year.

Please pop over to the Skywatch blog for more skies from around the world.

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

It might only be November but I have just finished my first Christmas book - Just For Christmas by Scarlett Bailey. In fact it wasn't overly Christmassy an just a lovely story set in Cornwall. Scarlett Bailey is the one and the same Rowan Coleman so you know it is going to be a good one.

Her best friend’s wedding...

When Alex Munro learns that the love of her life is getting married to another girl, all she wants is to be alone – and as far away from Edinburgh as possible.

Moving to a Cornish cottage, which comes complete with the world’s scruffiest dog, Alex finds that her new neighbours are determined to involve her in their madcap Christmas festivities.

Then she meets her sexy neighbour Ruan – and somehow Alex doesn’t want to be alone this Christmas after all. But having lost one fiancé, Ruan has no intention of letting anyone get close to him again...

After recommendations from my Dad I am on my second Linwood Barclay. No Safe House is his latest offering and so far so good - it is turning into a right page turner.

Seven years ago, Terry Archer and his family experienced a horrific ordeal that nearly cost them their lives. Today, the echoes of that fateful night are still audible. Terry's wife, Cynthia, is living separate from her husband and daughter after her own personal demons threatened to ruin her relationship with them permanently. Their daughter, Grace, is rebelling against her parents' seemingly needless overprotection. Terry is just trying to keep his family together. And the entire town is reeling from the senseless murder of two elderly locals.

But when Grace foolishly follows her delinquent boyfriend into a strange house, the Archers must do more than stay together. They must stay alive. Because now they have all been unwillingly drawn into the shadowy depths of their seemingly idyllic hometown.

For there, they will be reconnected with the man who saved their lives seven years ago, but who still remains a ruthless, unrepentant criminal. They will encounter killers for hire working all sides. And they will learn that there are some things people value much more than money, and will do anything to get it.

Caught in a labyrinth between family loyalty and ultimate betrayal, Terry must find a way to extricate his family from a lethal situation he still doesn't fully comprehend. All he knows is that to live, he may have to do the unthinkable....

Please pop over to The Book Journey to see what everyone else is reading this week.

A busy week

In Monday I was voted Miss Slinky at my lovely Slimming World group. To say I was shocked wasn't the word. It wasn't because I had lost the most weight (because I haven't) but it was because I stay to group most weeks and participate fully and motivate others. I have to say I really enjoy going - they are a lovely group of ladies (and Stewart) and I have made some lovely friends. I will continue going when I reach target - which shouldn't be too long now.

A happy coffee.

It was a week for birthday treats.

And kitten cuddles.

Skywatch Friday

A Sunday stroll around Millbuies Loch.

Pop over to the Skywatch blog for more skies from around the world.

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

I have just finished Over You by Lucy Diamond which I thoroughly enjoyed - I have yet to read a book by Lucy that I don't like.

Josie, Nell and Lisa go back a long way – they were flatmates, soulmates and best mates back in their twenties when life was one long party. Five years later, things are different. Josie is married with kids in deepest suburbia, free-spirit Nell has travelled the world, and Lisa is on the path to career glory (and the salary Premiership). A reunion weekend in London seems a great idea to Josie . . . until she discovers something which will change the course of her life forever. 

I am now onto Just For Christmas by Scarlett Bailey. I know it is a bit early for Christmas stories but this one has reached the top of my to be read pile.

When Alex Munro learns that the love of her life is getting married to another girl, all she wants is to be alone – and as far away from Edinburgh as possible.

Moving to a Cornish cottage, which comes complete with the world’s scruffiest dog, Alex finds that her new neighbours are determined to involve her in their madcap Christmas festivities.

Then she meets her sexy neighbour Ruan – and somehow Alex doesn’t want to be alone this Christmas after all. But having lost one fiancé, Ruan has no intention of letting anyone get close to him again...

Please pop over to The Book Journey to see what everyone else is reading today.