It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

I now have  a couple of weeks off work (and on nursing duties for hubby) so plenty of reading time.

Yesterday I finished A Vintage Wedding by one of my favourite authors Katie FForde. It was a lovely romp through the countryside with some well written likeable characters.

In a small Cotswold country town, Beth, Lindy and Rachel are looking for new beginnings.

So they set up in business, organising stylish and perfectly affordable vintage weddings.

Soon they are busy arranging other people's Big Days.

What none of them know is that their own romances lie waiting, just around the corner ...

I am now onto something different with The Life and Loves of a He Devil by Graham Norton. I quite like him on the TV and as you are reading this series of stories from his life you can hear him telling them.

In his new autobiography, written with characteristic humour and often outrageous candour, Graham shows that life is more than just a series of dates and it's really the things you love that make you who you are. From his beloved dogs to his rediscovered love of Ireland, the men Graham has loved and lost to his love affair with New York. It's been ten years since Graham last hit our shelves and being a decade older he has come to realise that what makes a life interesting is less what happens to you and more what inspires and drives you.

Graham Norton's career has spanned the last two decades, seeing him 'transition from risqu� Channel 4 comedian to national treasure' (Evening Standard), and he has entertained an audience of millions in Father Ted, as the hilarious host of Eurovision, and on his primetime BBC1 TV and weekly BBC Radio 2 shows. He is loved across the nation for his delight in the peculiar for his ability to find humour and a common ground in all that life brings.

In The Life and Loves of a He Devil is Graham shows us it's really the things you love that make you who you are.

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

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

Too many hours spent hanging around in hospitals last week meant plenty of reading time.

I managed to finish. The Good Life by Martina Cole. I have been disappointed by some of her more recent titles but this one was better - although not a patch on her earlier books.

Cain Moran wanted Jenny Riley more than he had ever wanted anyone or anything before in his life. But loving Jenny Riley was the easy part; it was telling his wife he wanted a divorce that was going to be the killer...

Jenny is not just any girl. She cares nothing for Cain's hard-man reputation - she just wants to be with him.

But Cain is not a free man. And he's about to find out that when his wife Caroline said 'til death us do part, she meant it.

When Cain is sentenced to life in prison it seems that Caroline might have got her wish. All Cain and Jenny know is that if their love can survive such separation, then one day they will have a chance at the Good Life together again.

But there are greater trials ahead than either can foresee. They're about to learn the hardest lesson of all:

Today I am going to start The Christmas Surprise by Jenny Colgan - I know it isn't very seasonal when we have just moved into Spring!

Rosie Hopkins, newly engaged, is looking forward to an exciting year in the little sweetshop she owns and runs. But when fate strikes Rosie and her boyfriend, Stephen, a terrible blow, threatening everything they hold dear, it's going to take all their strength and the support of their families and their Lipton friends to hold them together.

After all, don't they say it takes a village to raise a child?

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

Skywatch Friday

Today I had a day off work so after dropping the boys off at school I headed down to my local beach for a spot of eclipse spotting.

Sadly it was too cloudy to even see the sun but there is always a silver lining - and mine was a 2 mile walk along an almost deserted beach.

An hour later we were treated to brilliant sunshine and blue skies -  typical Scottish weather - but I wouldn't have it any other way.

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

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

I like nothing better than a good book set in Ireland - and some of my favourite authors are based there. One of whom is Cathy Kelly and I have just started reading her latest offering called It Started With Paris. So far so good and it seems to be packed with strong Irish women and I have no idea where the 3 storylines are going to go.

It all started with Paris. At the top of the Eiffel Tower, a young man proposes to his girlfriend, cheered on by delighted tourists. In that second, everything changes, not just for the happy couple, but for the family and friends awaiting their return in Bridgeport, Ireland...

Leila's been nursing a badly broken heart since her love-rat husband just upped and left her one morning, but she's determined to put on a brave face for the bride.

Vonnie, a widow and exceptional cake-maker, is just daring to let love back into her life, although someone seems determined to stop it.

And Grace, a divorced head teacher, finds the impending wedding of her son means that she's spending more time with her ex-husband. After all those years apart, is it possible she's made a mistake?

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

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

I am reading The Boy I Love by Lynda Bellingham. I am afraid to say I am plodding my way through it - and I need to finish it soon as someone else has reserved it from the library so I need to take it back.

It started off well enough but the storyline has slowed right down and I am not sure where the boy the main character of  Sally loves is! Or maybe it is the boy than Jeremy loves??  I feel Lynda was writing from her own experiences as she worked in theatres from the start of her career. I really hope it picks up - but I am halfway through already so will carry on with it.

It's the summer of '82 as Sally Thomas prepares to leave her job at the British Drama League in London and head off to the North of England for her very first season in repertory as an Assistant Stage Manager at the beautiful old theatre in Crewe. Flung into this new world, Sally soon finds her feet, thanks to her own steady, unspoilt nature and to the company of her best friend, Jeremy. One of the first lessons she learns is that the other actors barely need tuition in the art of stage-fighting, since they are quite adept at stabbing each other in the back. When Jeremy falls suddenly and dangerously in love, Sally needs to grow up - fast. A shadow is falling over the theatre, sparing no one, and a tragedy is gathering pace in the darkness behind the stage. The Boy I Love is a superb evocation of theatre and real life that will stay with you long after you've read it. Be warned: it may just break your heart.

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

Skywatch Friday

A much photographed local landmark.

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

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

Last night I finished Abbatoir Blues by Peter Robinson. I haven't read one of his books for ages and I cannot actually remember when I last read this genre of book. Not sure why I left it for so long as I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it. DCI Banks is back on our TV screens soon although to me Stephen Tomkinson isn't DCI Banks.

Two missing boys.

A stolen bolt gun.

One fatal shot.

Three ingredients for murder.

When DCI Banks and his team are called to investigate the theft of a tractor from a North Yorkshire village, they're far from enthusiastic about what seems to be a simple case of rural crime. Then a blood stain is found in an abandoned hangar, two main suspects vanish without a trace, and events take a darkly sinister turn.

As each lead does little to unravel the mystery, Banks feels like the case is coming to a dead end. Until a road accident reveals some alarming evidence, which throws the investigation to a frightening new level.

Someone is trying to cover their tracks - someone with very deadly intent . . .

And now onto something completely different with The Cake Shop In The Garden by Carole Matthews. I have read some mixed reviews of her latest book but she is one of my favourite authors.

Fay Merryweather runs her cake shop from her beautiful garden. She whips up airy sponges and scrumptious scones, while her customers enjoy the lovely blossoms and gorgeous blooms. Looking after the cake shop, the garden and her cantankerous mother means Fay is always busy but she accepts her responsibilities because if she doesn't do all this, who will?

Then Danny Wilde walks into her life and makes Fay question every decision she's ever made.

When a sudden tragedy strikes, Fay's entire world is thrown off balance even further and she doesn't know which way to turn. Can Fay find the strength to make a life-changing decision - even if it means giving up the thing she loves the most? Life, love and family are about to collide in The Cake Shop in the Garden.

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

My Month in Numbers : February

I have run just over 58 miles this month. One of my goals for 2015 was to run a 10k but I wasn't thinking it would only be in a few months time. The Moray Council is having a Beat The Boss Challenge and this means taking part in the Benromach 10k in Forres. Best step up the training as my longest run to date is 8.01 km on the 1st of February.

On the very last day of February I managed a 5k PB of 27 minutes 11 seconds

I went on a 28 mile bike ride with my fellow Belles on Bikes. We cycled from Elgin Academy out to Kinloss where we stopped at the farm shop for coffee and cake and then back again. Thoroughly enjoyed it despite the headwind (and Brumley Brae hill!)

And following on from this theme my Valentines pressie from Andy was 2 road tyres for my MTB - and they made such a difference when cycling on the road.

In February I read 7 books and 2 of which I gave 5 stars.

I finally reached my target at Slimming World just before Christmas with a total weightloss of 4 stone and  the very important 1/2 pound. I have found maintaining my weightloss harder than losing it and after putting on 5 pounds over Christmas and new Year it is very slowing coming off again but my total weightloss for February was a paltry 1 pound.

I donated 7 pairs of old glasses to the Specsavers appeal and at some point they should be winging their way to Africa.

In February 1 of our kittens went missing. Milo is only 10 months old and has been missing for almost 2 weeks, Despite searching the local area and several possible sightings we haven't found him yet. Much sadness in the Burton household.

Please pop over and see Julie at Notes on Paper to see everyone elses Month in Numbers.