It's Monday. What are you reading?

 

 It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a place to meet up and share what you have been, and are about to be reading over the week. It’s a great post to organise yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment and er… add to your groaning TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn here at The Book Journey 

I'm finding it difficult to find a book which really grabs me just now.

Yellowface and The Wake Up Call started off really well but both are starting to tail off. I should have stuck with The Wake Up Call but realised bookclub day was looming and I hadn't started The Ghost Theatre. Too  many books - not enough time.

What I read last week.

What I'm reading now.

What I'm going to read next.

Audio - Louise Candlish and RF Kuang

Library - Beth O'Leary

Bookclub - Mat Osmand and Orla Owen

The French Cookery School by Caroline James

 

The French Cookery School

Mix together a group of mature students:

A culinary Sloane, a take-away cook and a food journalist.

Add in:

A handsome host

Season with:

A celebrity chef

Bring to the boil:

At a luxurious cookery school in France!

 

Waltho Williams has no idea what he’s letting himself in for when he opens the doors of La Maison du Paradis, his beautiful French home. But with dwindling funds, a cookery school seems like the ideal business plan.

Running away from an impending divorce, super-snob Caroline Carrington hopes a luxurious cookery holiday will put her back on her feet. Blackpool fish and chip café owner Fran Cartwright thinks she’s won the lottery when her husband Sid books her on a week working alongside a celebrity chef. Meanwhile, feeling she is fading at fifty, journalist Sally Parker-Brown hopes her press week covering the cookery course will enable her to boost her career.

But will the eclectic group be a recipe for success, or will the mismatched relationships sink like a souffle?

Whip out an apron, grab a wooden spoon and take a culinary trip to La Maison du Paradis, then sit back and enjoy The French Cookery School!

 

What did I think?

I always find Caroline's books highly entertaining and this one was no exception.

I do like banking myself although I don't do much anymore as I now live alone - if I baked then I would end up eating it all!!

A cookery school sounds like a fabulous way to spend a weekend - I quite fancy something like that. I also fancy a holiday to France.....

A cracking cast of characters are brought together at the cookery school (I was pleased to see that there were some more mature characters which I could relate to) 

Another book which I would recommend if you are after some escapism from real life - and I know I am. This book totally transported me to the chateau (and yes I had that TV show in my mind as I was reading) 

There were some laugh out loud moments, a dash of romance and a soupcon of friendship - all mixed together to produce a delicious read.

Purchase Link   https://mybook.to/TFCS

Author Bio & Social Media Links –

Caroline James always wanted to write, but instead of taking a literary route, followed a career in the hospitality industry, which included owning a pub and a beautiful country house hotel. She was also a media agent representing celebrity chefs. When she finally glued her rear to a chair and began to write, the words flowed, and several novels later, she has gained many bestseller badges for her books.

The French Cookery School is Caroline’s tenth novel. Previously, The Cruise, described as: ‘Girl power for the over sixties!’ was an Amazon Top Ten Best Seller. Caroline’s hilarious novels include The Spa Break and The Best Boomerville Hotel, depicted as ‘Britain’s answer to the Best Marigold Hotel’.

She likes to write in Venus, her holiday home on wheels and in her spare time, walks with Fred, her Westie, or swims in a local lake. Caroline is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association, the SOA, ARRA and the Society of Women’s Writers & Journalists. She is also a speaker with many amusing talks heard by a variety of audiences, including cruise ship guests.

Books by Caroline James:

 

The French Cookery School

The Cruise

The Spa Break

Hattie Goes to Hollywood

Boomerville at Ballymegille

The Best Boomerville Hotel

Coffee Tea the Gypsy & Me

Coffee Tea the Chef & Me

Coffee Tea the Caribbean & Me

Jungle Rock

 

Contact:

 

www.carolinejamesauthor.co.uk

Twitter: @CarolineJames12

Facebook: Caroline James Author

Insta: Caroline James Author

Welcome to Hollyhock Farm by Georgina Troy

 Welcome to Hollyhock Farm

Set sail for the idyllic island of Jersey in this gorgeous new romance, perfect for fans of Rachael Lucas and Phillipa Ashley...

When Lettie’s parents call her and her brother back to Hollyhock Farm on the island of Jersey, the last thing they expect to be told is that their childhood home is up for sale.

Back on the island, with its rolling hills and golden sands, Lettie immediately remembers what it feels like to breathe in the fresh air in the green fields, and be part of this tight-knit community – a far cry from the life of events and high fashion she leads in London.

But she surprises even herself when she suggests that she instead could take over Hollyhock farm. Humouring her, her father agrees to give her a three month trial, and Lettie is determined to prove she’s up to the task.

But the summer season is no easy feat for a new farmer, and Lettie has a huge task ahead of her. And when an old flame reappears in the form of dashing local vet Brodie, Lettie’s summer is about to get even more complicated…

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/welcomehollyhocksocial

What did I think?

What better book to be reading right now. I am lucky enough to live out in the country. I am surrounded by farmland and quite a few of those fields are full of lambs. It's all I can do not to stop at the side of the road and watch their antics. And this is exactly the feel I got from this book.

I loved returning to Jersey and to Hollyhock Farm - the cover really sums up the location perfectly. I always enjoy Georgina's books and this one was no exception. I loved the escapism element to the story - escaping the city for the countryside and starting a new life.

Fabulous characters and great writing meant this was a thoroughly enjoyable read.

Author Bio –

Georgina Troy writes bestselling uplifting romantic escapes and sets her novels on the island of Jersey, where she was born and has lived for most of her life. She has done a twelve-book deal with Boldwood, including backlist titles, and the first book in her Sunshine Island series was published in May 2022.

Social Media Links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GeorginaTroyAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GeorginaTroy

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/georginatroyauthor/

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/GeorginaTroyNews

Bookbub profile: Georgina Troy Books - BookBub

The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou by Eleni

 

The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou

THEY HAVE TOLD SO MANY LIES ABOUT ME.

London, 1954. Zina Pavlou, a Cypriot grandmother, waits quietly in the custody of the Metropolitan police. She can't speak their language, but she understands what their wary looks mean: she has been accused of the brutal murder of her daughter-in-law.

Eva Georgiou, Greek interpreter for the Met, knows how it feels to be voiceless as an immigrant woman. While she works as Zina’s translator, her obsession with the case deepens, and so too does her bond with the accused murderer.

Zina can’t speak for herself. She can’t clear her own name. All she can do is wait for the world to decide...

IS SHE A VICTIM? OR IS SHE A KILLER?

A compelling historical crime novel set in the Greek diaspora of 1950s London – that's inspired by a true story – The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou is perfect for fans of Erin Kelly, Sara Collins, and Jessie Burton.

Purchase Link - https://geni.us/TUAOZPRRR

What did I think?

This was quite different from my usual reads - but I listened to it on audio in my car and I became completely engrossed in the character of Zina.

The writing style was punchy and the opening chapter saw us thrust into the action straight away. The story has many layers - obviously the crime but also marital disharmony, racism, miscarriage, domestic abuse to name a few. Quite hard hitting subjects.

Loved the developing relationship between Zina and Eva especially when Eva starts to question whether Zina is a victim or a killer.

A mesmerising story - unlike anything I have read before - one that I couldn't put down.

And it was only when I got to the end of the book did I discover it was based on a true story........ 

Author Bio –

Eleni Kyriacou is an award-winning editor and journalist. Her writing has appeared in the Guardian, the Observer, Grazia, and Red, among others. She’s the daughter of Greek Cypriot immigrant parents, and her debut novel, She Came To Stay, was published in 2020. Her latest novel, The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou, is inspired by the true-crime story of the penultimate woman to be executed in Britain. Follow her on and www.elenikwriter.com.

 

Social Media Links –

AUTHOR Social Handles

Twitter: @EleniKWriter

Facebook: Elenikwriter

Website: www.elenikwriter.com

 

Aries/Head of Zeus Social Handles

Twitter: @AriesFiction

Facebook: Aries Fiction

Instagram: @headofzeus

TikTok: @headofzeus

Website: http://www.headofzeus.com

 

Blog Tour Hashtag

#UnspeakableActsOfZinaP

A Single Act of Kindness by Samantha Tonge

 

A Single Act of Kindness

Meet Tilda Wright…

Tilda has done everything she can to make her life neat, protected, tidy. No longer the girl who was scared of everything, whose family pushed her away, who hit rock bottom. Now she runs her life – as she does her successful business – with the utmost organization. As long as she keeps everyone at arm’s length, she will be fine. She will be safe.

But then a chance encounter with a man who’s fallen on hard times changes everything. Milo needs a break, and self-contained Tilda surprises herself by deciding she should help him. Just for a while. A few days at the most.

Maybe all he needs is someone to organize him, to help him clean up his act? She is sure she knows how to kick-start Milo into turning his life around.

What Tilda doesn’t know is that – with this single act of kindness – it might actually be her own life that’s about to change forever…

 

What did I think?

Samantha is one of my go to authors. You must have those too? Authors whose books you will pre order or request from the library before you know anything about them.

This was such a lovely story. One of second chances and illustrated how a simple act of kindness can change a persons life. Admittedly this book does cover some tough ground - homelessness, alcoholism, bullying and depression - at no point did I find the reading heavy going. In fact, it was completely the opposite.

I became so invested in Tilda and Milo and their relationship that I just wanted to carry on reading. I think sometimes the descriptions of uplifting and heart-warming are used too often in book reviews - but those two words really do sum up how I felt about this book.

I would highly recommend this book and my only disappointment was that the story was over too quickly.

Purchase Link https://mybook.to/ActKindnessSocial

Author Bio –

Samantha Tonge is the bestselling and award-winning author of over 15 romantic fiction titles published by HQ, and most recently Aria. Her first book for Boldwood, Under One Roof, was published in February 2022 and her move to Boldwood marks a broadening of her writing into multi-generational woman’s fiction. She lives in Manchester with her family.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SamanthaTongeAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SamTongeWriter

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samanthatongeauthor/

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/SamanthaTongeNews

Bookbub profile: Samantha Tonge Books - BookBub

Making Memories at the Cornish Cove by Kim Nash

 

Making Memories at the Cornish Cove

It’s never too late…

After five husbands and five broken hearts, Lydia feels like she’s always been chasing something. But now she’s found her purpose, and having moved to Driftwood Bay to spend more time with her daughter Meredith, she’s happier than ever. 

But there’s still life in these old bones yet! With her newfound sense of identity, she’s keen to re-explore the things that made her happy as a younger person. Lydia’s passion was dancing – she used to compete in her younger years, and there’s no place she’s more at home than on the dancefloor. 

So when widower and antiques restorer Martin tells her about a big dance competition, she’s ready and raring to bring more joy into her life. But while making memories with Martin, the more she realises that both of their hearts need restoring too...

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/memoriescornishsocial

What did I think?

My first thought was what an utterly gorgeous cover - love the colour and the illustrations. Very inviting - definitely made me want to find out more.

Loved returning to Driftwood Bay - such a beautiful setting for the series. What a fabulous character is Lydia. Full kudos to her - 5 husbands??? Makes me live in hope that I might find someone else....

I won't go into the plot as you can find out all about it by reading the book yourself. The things that stood out for me was the sense of community that came across in the story. If only real life could be that was - I do feel that a sense of community isn't as strong as it once was which is such a shame. The characters - so well written that I felt myself caring about what happened to them next - I take this as a sign of good writing.

Left me with a warm and fuzzy feeling - and you can't ask for more than that.

Author Bio:

Kim Nash is an author of uplifting, funny, heartwarming, romantic, feel-good fiction and has wanted to write books since she was a little girl. The Cornish Cove series is set in the fictional seaside village of Driftwood Bay in Cornwall and is published by Boldwood Books. She lives in Staffordshire with her son Ollie and English Setter rescue dog Roni, is Digital Publicity Director for publisher Bookouture (a division of Hachette UK) and is a book blogger.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kim.nash.10

Twitter https://twitter.com/KimTheBookworm

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kim_the_bookworm/

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/KimNashNews

Bookbub profile: Kim Nash Books - BookBub

It's Monday. What are you reading?

 It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a place to meet up and share what you have been, and are about to be reading over the week. It’s a great post to organise yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment and er… add to your groaning TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn here at The Book Journey 

What I read last week.

Didn't manage to finish anything last week - another case of starting another book before finishing one first!

What I'm reading now.

What I'm going to read next.

Bookclub - Mat Osman and Orla Owen

Libby - Louise Candlish and RF Kuang

Library - Beth O'Leary