My Month In Numbers - July

I seem to have missed a month or 2!

At the start of the month I took 1 plane journey from Inverness to Birmingham and then hired 1 car to drive myself to Wales and then onto the Cotswolds in to see my Mum first and then onto see my Dad. I only venture South of the border once a year (as I don't like flying) but funnily enough we are going back down next month - but this time we are driving which take considerable longer at 10 hours each way :)

I did take my running gear with me and notched up a few more (very hilly) miles to add to my 49.83 miles logged in July. I have done another couple of 3k races this month and actually managed to beat my PB in the first one.

I also purchased a new mountain bike - she is lovely and when Andy is back  action we will be hitting the trails. Not as much cycling this month with only just over 40 miles covered.

Whilst I was away I got plenty of reading done with 15 titles finished - a couple of my favourites were by Cathy Bramley and were the first books in 2 of her series - Appleby Farm and Wickham Hall.

But my most important number is 1 which is the number of furry new additions to our family. Meet Bella - not neutered or spayed by her previous owner she was a very young mum of 6 rather large kittens. Her previous owners then thought she was surplus to requirements and we have adopted her from The Cats Protection League. Maisie wasn't too impressed at first - plenty of hissing and a feline version of a mexican standoff ensued. But things are calming down now and they are tolerating each other. We are now a 2 cat household again :)

Please pop over an say hello to Julie and read everyone elses months in number.

The Olive Branch by Jo Thomas

I have the first book by this author on my shelves (The Oyster Catcher) for an age - why have I never read it? But after reading her second offering of The Olive Branch I will certainly moving Jo Thomass book to the top of my to be read pile.

The Olive Branch is another perfect holiday read - light, feel good and set in beautiful Italy. It follows the story of Ruthie who moves to Italy to start a new life. I so wanted Ruthie to succeed in her mission and in her "will they, won't they" relationship with the gorgeous Marco. It wasn't all plain sailing for Ruthie, but her journey along the way (with a large extended family and a menagerie of animals) made for an entertaining read. You can almost smell the olives.

I would highly recommend this book.

Jo has a short story out too - The Chestnut Tree and another one due out in October called The Red Sky at Night.

I would like to thank the publisher and Netgalley for the change to read this title.      

Skywatch Friday

We had a drive out to the Black Isle the other weekend - with the intention of visiting the best small bike shop in the Highlands - Square Wheels in Strathpeffer. It didn't take me too long to choose my new set of wheels and place my order.

We drove around a few of the small villages before heading out into the countryside to find the local mountain bike trails.

Cromarty is where the oil rigs come past on their journey up to Invergordon - for maintenance and repair work - or to be dismantled. Quite an impressive sight to see so many of the super sized structures so close up .

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

Review of What Happens In Cornwall by T A Williams

This is the second book I am reviewing after receiving a copy from Netgalley. I think it initially appealed to me because of the bright summery cover - and who doesn't like Cornwall?

What Happens In Cornwall by T A Williams would be a perfect Summer holiday read (if only I were going on a Summer holiday) - it flows easily and at a fair old pace.  Sam is a trainee archeologist and her relationship is nearing the end of it's life and she feels the need for a change so when an opportunity presents itself to go down to Cornwall she jumps at it. Introduce a mysterious island, a couple of comedic Italian photographers, a sexy university lecturer and a celebrity (plus a labrador called Henry) and her life changes direction quite quickly. I would like to know more about what is found on the archeological dig on the island and about the relationship between Sam and James. A sequel perhaps?

I was surprised to learn the author is male - not that it makes any difference to the book or my opinion of it. But I will be searching out more of this authors work - this one looks quite good too.

I gave this book 3 out of 5 stars.

I would like to thank the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this title.

First review for Netgalley

This is the 2^nd book I have read by Giovanna Fletcher (and I have only just learnt she is married to Tom Fletcher of McFly fame!)

Sarah is doing just fine. Sure she's been single for the last five years, and has to spend an uncomfortable amount of time around her ex-boyfriend, his perfect new girlfriend and all their mutual friends. And yes, her job as a PA to one of the most disgusting men in London is mind-numbingly tedious and her career is a constant disappointment to her mother. But it's really okay. She's happy (ish).

So it's not surprising that when Sarah starts dreaming about a handsome stranger, she begins to look forward to falling asleep every night. Reality isn't nearly as exciting. That is until her dream-stranger makes an unexpected real-life appearance, leaving Sarah questioning everything she thought she wanted.

Because no one ever really finds the person of their dreams... do they?

I did enjoy the main character of Sarah – you cannot help but to like her and sympathise with her about her useless boss and cantankerous mother. She has had a bit of a rough time after being dumped by Dan, not getting the promotion she so wanted and being denied the chance to go to Australia. But she bounces back – with the help of the mysterious Brett.

Loved the quirky off the wall dreams Sarah has at the start of many of the chapters – can real life and fantasy collide? Loved her group of friends too – wish I had something similar.

I think I preferred Giovannas earlier title You’re The One That I Want (I so hope there is a sequel) and I am looking forward to reading Billy and Me as I have heard many good things about it.

I would like to thank the publisher and Netgalley for my copy of this book – and to my friend Kim for introducing me to Netgalley in the first place.

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

I am back from my travels down South to visit family and I managed to find time for plenty of reading. Sitting in the sunshine with my Kindle was bliss.

I am reading 2 very different books at the moment.

I got a copy of Dream A Little Dream by Giovanna Fletcher from Netgalley (thanks to Kim at Bookworms and Shutterbugs for introducing me to this site). I started reading it on the flight home and am enjoying it.

Sarah is doing just fine. Sure she's been single for the last five years, and has to spend an uncomfortable amount of time around her ex-boyfriend, his perfect new girlfriend and all their mutual friends. And yes, her job as a PA to one of the most disgusting men in London is mind-numbingly tedious and her career is a constant disappointment to her mother. But it's really okay. She's happy (ish).

So it's not surprising that when Sarah starts dreaming about a handsome stranger, she begins to look forward to falling asleep every night. Reality isn't nearly as exciting. That is until her dream-stranger makes an unexpected real-life appearance, leaving Sarah questioning everything she thought she wanted.

Because no one ever really finds the person of their dreams... do they?

My second book isn't quite such an easy read - The C-Word by Lisa Lynch. This book was recently made into a moving TV drama but there is far more information and content in the book. A friend who was diagnosed last year with breast cancer has said it is a very true to life account of living with the disease.

The last thing Lisa Lynch had expected to put on her 'things to do before you're 30' list was beating breast cancer, but them's the breaks. So with her life on hold, and her mind stuffed with unspoken fears, questions and emotions, she turned to her computer and started blogging about the frustrating, life-altering, sheer pain-in-the-arse inconvenience of getting breast cancer at the age of 28.

The C-Word is an unflinchingly honest and darkly humorous account of Lisa's battle with The Bullshit, as she came to call it. From the good days when she could almost pretend it wasn't happening, to the bad days, when she couldn't bear to wake up, Lisa's story is emotional, heartbreaking and often hilarious. The C-Word will make you laugh and cry, and ultimately reaffirm your faith in life.

Skywatch Friday

I have just spent a few days down South with family in Wales and in The Cotswolds.

On Tuesday I went for a short walk with my Dad and Wendy starting and ending at Hidcote.

Some lovely views along the way.

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

Skywatch Friday

On the 28th June I did a 5 mile (was nearer 6 in actual fact) sponsored walk in aid of Parkinsons. My Mum has suffered with this disease for many many years and she asked me to take part.

Don't let the blue skies make you think it was a gorgeous day for a walk - in true Scottish style we almost had all 4 seasons in 1 day!

The walk started at Brodie Castle and led us out into a loop through Culbin Forest and back to the finish line at the castle. It was great to see so many people out supporting this very worthy cause.

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

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

I am reading a book that caught my eye over the internet - for a while I saw this book being advertised everywhere. I vowed I wouldn't be sucked in by hype over a book - I got sucked in with The Girl On The Train which I really didn't enjoy at all.

I am reading Good Girl by Fiona Neill - my first by this author. It starts off with quite a shocking start. The storyline then didn't go in a way I expected. It is interesting to hear stories from the different characters - but it hasn't grabbed me yet.

Scratch the surface of any family hard enough and you'll draw blood . . .

No one can believe it when straight A student Romy Field finds herself at the centre of a scandal, least of all her mother Ailsa - who is also the head of her new school.

Ailsa is quick to hold Romy's new boyfriend and his parents responsible for what has happened. But as mother and daughter reveal their very different version of events, a much darker truth emerges. It soon becomes apparent that Romy isn't the only member of her family harbouring secrets and her disgrace becomes the catalyst for the unravelling of all those around her.

It takes a split second to make a decision that can alter the course of your life.

And a lifetime to undo the consequences.

What are you reading today?

Skywatch Friday

The lighthouse at Channory Point.

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