It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

I have started my first Amanda Prowse book - this author has been on my TBR pile for quite some time after reading lots of good reviews about her titles.

Poppy Day is the first in the  No Greater Courage series. All the proceeds from this book go to The Royal British Legion.

What would you sacrifice to bring home the one you love?

Ever since hairdresser Poppy Day married her childhood sweetheart, Mart, she's been deliriously happy. Now Mart is fighting in Afghanistan, and Poppy is counting the days until he returns.

It takes one knock at the door to rip Poppy's world apart. Mart has been taken hostage, and it's too dangerous for the army to rescue him.

Poppy is determined to bring him home herself. But her journey will lead her to a heartbreaking dilemma. What price will she pay to save the man she loves?

This is a gripping story of loss and courage from an author who knows what it is like to be the one left behind.

My second book is completely different - Far From True by Linwood Barclay. This is the second book in the Promise Falls series.

After the screen of a run-down drive-in movie theater collapses and kills four people, the daughter of one of the victims asks private investigator Cal Weaver to look into a recent break-in at her father's house. Cal discovers a hidden basement room where it's clear that salacious activities have taken place - as well as evidence of missing DVDs. But his investigation soon becomes more complicated when he realises the DVDs may contain something even more shocking.

Meanwhile, Detective Barry Duckworth is still trying to solve two murders - one of which is three years old - he believes are connected, since each featured a similar distinctive wound.

As the lies begin to unravel, Cal is headed straight into the heart of a dark secret as his search uncovers more startling truths about Promise Falls. And when yet another murder happens, Cal and Barry are both driven to pursue their investigations, no matter where they lead. Evil deeds long thought buried are about to haunt the residents of this town - as the sins of the past and present collide with terrifying results.

Please pop over to the Book Date to see what everyone else is reading today.

Skywatch Friday

Beautiful evening sun - Landshut Bridge, Elgin, Moray.

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

Sun and Pokemon

I don't really do hot - unless I am lying on a beach or next to a pool with an endless supply of cold drinks.

Jut as well I live in Scotland as it doesn't often get hot way up here. Today it got close though.

A perfect evening for a walk - catching a couple of Pokemon as we go.

Fun times.

It's Monday. What Are You reading?

I plodded my way through Beside Myself by Ann Morgan. When I reached the end I did wonder why I had bothered. The reviews were good but it just wasn't for me.

Another book which I keep hearing good things about is The Silk Merchant's Daughter by Dinah Jeffries. Fingers crossed with this one.

1952, French Indochina. Since her mother's death, eighteen-year-old half-French, half-Vietnamese Nicole has been living in the shadow of her beautiful older sister, Sylvie. When Sylvie is handed control of the family silk business, Nicole is given an abandoned silk shop in the Vietnamese quarter of Hanoi. But the area is teeming with militant rebels who want to end French rule, by any means possible. For the first time, Nicole is awakened to the corruption of colonial rule - and her own family's involvement shocks her to the core...

Tran, a notorious Vietnamese insurgent, seems to offer the perfect escape from her troubles, while Mark, a charming American trader, is the man she's always dreamed of. But who can she trust in this world where no one is what they seem?

The Silk Merchant's Daughter is a captivating tale of dark secrets, sisterly rivalry and love against the odds, enchantingly set in colonial era Vietnam.

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

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

Happy Monday.

I am still plodding on with The Wedding Proposal by Sue Moorcroft. It hasn't really grabbed me and I have been distracted by other shiny titles on my Kindle.

I loved The Girl in the Ice by Robert Bryndza and he was a new author to me earlier in the year. Have been holding off reading The Night Stalker but felt the need the other evening as I was after a grittier read. Hasn't disappointed so far.

If the Night Stalker is watching, you’re already dead… 

In the dead of a swelteringly hot summer’s night, Detective Erika Foster is called to a murder scene. The victim, a doctor, is found suffocated in bed. His wrists are bound and his eyes bulging through a clear plastic bag tied tight over his head. 

A few days later, another victim is found dead, in exactly the same circumstances. As Erika and her team start digging deeper, they discover a calculated serial killer – stalking their victims before choosing the right moment to strike. 

The victims are all single men, with very private lives. Why are their pasts shrouded in secrecy? And what links them to the killer? 

As a heat wave descends upon London, Erika will do everything to stop the Night Stalker before the body count rises, even if it means risking her job. But the victims might not be the only ones being watched… Erika’s own life could be on the line. 

The author Nicola May posted on Facebook asking if anyone would like to read he forthcoming release Love Me Tinder before publication date and leave a review. Who am I to say no? I have several books of hers on my kindle but haven't read any of them yet. This is a light and breezy read - have to say my favourite character is the parrot!!

Dull security or risky freedom - which would you choose? 

With her marriage in pieces, shy Cali Summers is faced with this decision and hits the world of fast love on an internet dating app. 

Using room 102 in the hotel where she works as her dating 'lair', she opens herself up to a world of sex, lies, deception, as well as personal discovery and passionate love. 

With a charming F1 engineer, a handsome army officer and her adulterous ex all on the scene, a predictable love match is far from on the cards.

Please pop over to the Book Date to see what everyone else is reading today.

Skywatch Friday

In an attempt to get fitter I am cycling to work - when the weather is dry :)

We have a fabulous new cycle path which takes me right into town and through my local park.

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

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

2 books on the go this week.

The Wedding Proposal by Sue Moorcroft has been on my TBR pile forever.

Can a runaway bride stop running?

Elle Jamieson is a private person, in relationships as well as at work - and for good reason. But then she's made redundant and with no ties to hold her, Elle heads off to sunny Malta.

Lucas Rose hates secrets - he prides himself on his ability to lay his cards on the table and he expects nothing less in return. He's furious when his summer working as a divemaster is interrupted by the arrival of Elle, his ex, all thanks to his Uncle Simon's misguided attempts at matchmaking.

Forced to live in close proximity, it's hard to ignore what they had shared before Lucas's wedding proposal scared Elle away. But then a phone call from England allows Lucas a rare glimpse of the true Elle. Can he deal with Elle's closely guarded past when it finally comes to light?

Appleby Farm is a series of 4 books from Cathy Bramley. There is a current trend for releasing novels in 4 parts usually published as e books only a month apart before the paperback copy is available. Personally I like reading this installments and read them between full books.

I am on part 2 - A Family Affair.

It’s impossible not to feel cheerful at Appleby Farm, so Freya is putting her doubts about her love life to the back of her mind for now.

But when she discovers the truth about its financial troubles, Freya has to face up to reality: they might lose the farm. There’s only one person she can ask for help, and it’s the last thing she wants to do… Can a trip to Paris change the farm’s fortunes?

As Appleby Farm’s fate hangs in the balance, Freya is surprised as her own dreams for the future take shape. But who will be at her side as her dreams become reality?

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

My Month In Numbers - June

This month I received 1 copy of a yet to be published book by one of my favourite authors.

I managed to bag 4 books that were already on my "to be read" pile from a charity shop - 2 books for 99p - love a bargain.

I took part in  5 mile charity walk for Parkinsons through the grounds of Brodie Castle  and into Culbin Forest. But due to vague signage and some not very accurate measuring it turned out to be 6 1/2 miles.

Andy (and a friend) managed to finally fit a tow bar to the Mighty MiTo so I can now transport 2 bikes around - I have only been waiting 12 months for this moment. Queue 10 miles along the coastal path.

June was the month my biggest boy turned 19. Biggest boy is the correct term as he is hitting the gym hard and the amount of food he can eat is incredible. Maybe I am counting down the days till he goes back to uni and I have a full fridge again.

My Month in Numbers is the brainchild of Julie over at Notes on Paper.