Book of the Month - August

The books I read this month:

-      Absent in the Spring –by Carrie Elks 5/5

-      The House of Birds and Butterflies –by Cressida McLaughlin 4.5/5

-      One Thousand Stars and You –by Isabelle Broom 5/5

-      The Lucky Dress –by Aimee Brown 3/5

-      Go on, Girl –by Hilary Grossman 4/5

-      Martinis and Memories –by A.L. Michael 4/5

-      Return to the Little Cottage on the Hill –by Emma Davies 4/5

-      My Sisters and Me –by Lisa Dickenson  4/5

Two WOW books: 

Absent in the Spring – Carrie Elks

The bit on the back:

Losing control never felt so good . . .

A successful lawyer, and the eldest of four sisters, Lucy Shakespeare is used to being in control of everything and everyone around her, most particularly herself - that is until she meets the gorgeous Lachlan MacLeish. 
Lachlan's hired Lucy because he needs the best. His inheritance, the Lairdship of Glencarraig, is suddenly in doubt, thanks to his devious half-brother. Glencarraig is the only place where his memories of his family are happy ones and there's no way he's going down without a fight. The very last thing he wants is a distraction, but as soon as he sees Lucy, he knows he's in trouble.

Despite their efforts to resist, it isn't long before Lachlan has Lucy longing to break all her careful rules. As they travel from Scotland, to Paris and on to New York, Lucy can't help but wonder: is it sometimes worth risking it all?

My opinion:

This book has it all: love, passion, drama, friendship, secrets, family insights and much more. A FANTASTIC book!!!!Carrie Elks did a fab job with all the different locationsand settings, the way she described them was perfect.

Full review: http://simonascornerofdreams.blogspot.com/2018/08/absent-in-spring-carrie-elks.html

Carrie Elks on Twitter: @CarrieElks

Website: https://carrieelks.com

Goodreads - Amazon UK - Amazon US

One Thousand Stars and You – Isabelle Broom

The bit on the back:

Alice is settling down. It might not be the adventurous life she once imagined, but more than anything she wants to make everyone happy - her steady boyfriend, her over-protective mother - even if it means a little part of her will always feel stifled.

Max is shaking things up. After a devastating injury, he is determined to prove himself. To find the man beyond the disability, to escape his smothering family and go on an adventure.

A trip to Sri Lanka is Alice's last hurrah - her chance to throw herself into the heat, chaos and colour of a place thousands of miles from home.

It's also the moment she meets Max.

Alice doesn't know it yet, but her whole life is about to change.

Max doesn't know it yet, but he's the one who's going to change it.

My opinion:

This book is absolutely gorgeous and stunning!! It tells the journey of self discovery, travel, friendship, love and romance. It’s the perfect mixture and you can dive right into the story and I guarantee you never want to leave again. It’s very moving and yes I had to cry. The way Isabelle Broom plays around with words is fabulous, a very talented author indeed.

My review: http://simonascornerofdreams.blogspot.com/2018/08/one-thousand-stars-and-you-by-isabelle.html

Isabelle Broom on Twitter: @Isabelle_Broom

Website: https://isabellebroom.com

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Book of the Month - August

The books I read this month:

-       Crazy Stupid Love – by Cassie Rocca 3.5/5

-       The Art of Hiding – by Amanda Prowse 4.5/5

-       The Honeymoon – by Tina Seskis 5/5

-       The Big Dreams Beach Hotel – by Lilly Bartlett 4.5/5

-       The Cosy Canal Boat Dream – by Christie Barlow 5/5

-       The Summer of Hopes and Dreams – by Lynsey James 4/5

-       Reach for the Starts – by Colleen Coleman *started*

A very CLEAR winner this month!!!!:   

The Honeymoon – Tina Seskis

The bit on the back:

There's trouble in paradise. . .

For as long as she can remember, Jemma has been planning the perfect honeymoon. A fortnight's retreat to a five-star resort in the Maldives, complete with luxury villas, personal butlers and absolute privacy. It should be paradise, but it's turned into a nightmare.

Because the man Jemma married a week ago has just disappeared from the island without a trace. And now her perfect new life is vanishing just as quickly before her eyes. After everything they've been through together, how can this be happening? Is there anyone on the island who Jemma can trust? And above all - where has her husband gone?

My opinion:

I was hooked to this story from the start! It’s tense, full of drama, intrigues, lies and secrets. It’s def the best thriller I have ever read, very unpredictable and with a shocker of an ending!

I was literally at the edge of my seat after every chapter and just wanted to find out what really happened

A brilliant book, cleverly written and JUST WOW!!!!! 

Read my review here: The Honeymoon - Review

Tina Seskis on Twitter: @tinaseskis

Website: http://tinaseskis.com

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Book of the Month - August

The books I read this month:

-       The Sunflower Cottage Breakfast Club– by Lynsey James 4/5

-       Found – by Elle Field 4/5

-       After You – by Jojo Moyes 4/5

-       Green Tea Latte to Go – by Aven Ellis 5/5

-       Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany & Jack Throne 5/5

-       All About the Hype – by Paige Toon 5/5

-       Nice Day For a White Wedding – by A.L. Michael 4/5

-       Christmas Under a Cranberry Sky – by Holly Martin 5/5

-       The Singalong Society for Singletons – by Katey Lovell

-        

Well, well, I’ve read some great books this month and I picked four this time, but they are all another genre and one of them is a Christmas one, so I thought I’d go for it: 

Green Tea Latte to Go – Aven Ellis

The bit on the back:

Perfect Drink: Green tea latte with coconut milk and raw honey.

Perfect Fashion Icon: The Duchess of Cambridge. Always on point with her fashion, dressing appropriately for every occasion and not afraid to recycle things from her wardrobe, I truly admire her class and style.

Perfect Place: Seattle.

Perfect Activity for Relaxation: Yoga. I’m terrible at it, but I’m determined to perfect downward dog. Someday.

For Seattle blogger Payton James, life is all about trying to achieve perfection. Payton is determined to be her best self in all areas, and she refuses to rest until she achieves it.

However, an imperfect moment in a coffee shop completely changes Payton’s life. When her drink order gets switched by mistake, Payton finds herself face-to-face with a gorgeous British man named Brooks. Payton is instantly attracted to the witty stranger who is quick with his words—and has a beautiful smile.

Brooks is an exotic veterinarian with a huge passion for animals. Heartache in his past has led him to focusing on his career out of fear of getting hurt again. But there’s something about Payton that makes this vet want to know more about the bubbly blogger he has met via fate—and has him reconsidering his stance on love.

But will Brooks ever be free of his fears to truly open his heart? And will Payton’s drive for perfection cost her the one thing she loves most? Or will she learn to embrace imperfections?

And maybe perfect is the one thing Payton doesn’t want after all . . .

My opinion:

I really adored how their relationship developed in this book, the storyline is beautiful and there were some magical moments for sure. Aven’s writing has it all: passion, love, humour, heart, sparks and much more. This book is an AMAZING start to this new series set in Seattle!!!

Aven on Twitter: @AvenEllis

Website/Blog: http://avenellis.com/

Goodreads - Amazon UK - Amazon US

All About the Hype – Page Toon

The bit on the back:

The third super hot, super fun Jessie Jefferson novel from internationally bestselling author, Paige Toon.

Is the life of a famous rockstar's daughter all it's cracked up to be? And what about dating your fellow band-member just as you hit the bigtime? 

Jessie is still getting used to being a celebrity, and the daughter of one of the world’s biggest rock stars. With her own music career on the rise, a gorgeous love interest and a fun group of friends, it seems Jessie’s glamorous LA life couldn’t get any better . . . but things are about to get really complicated.

My opinion:

This story is truly magnetic and full of sparks! This story takes you on an exciting roller-coaster ride, full of emotions, excitement and passion. There is a lot going on in this book, but it never got to a point where it was too much. I actually really liked this fact and I think it added even more glimmer to this book. I absolutely adored catching up with Jessie, Johnny, meg and Co. 

Paige Toon on Twitter: @PaigeToonAuthor

Website: http://paigetoon.com

Goodreads - Amazon UK - Amazon US

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany, Jack Throne

The bit on the back:

The Eighth Story. Nineteen Years Later.

Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, a new play by Jack Thorne, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series and the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage. The play will receive its world premiere in London’s West End on July 30, 2016.

It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband and father of three school-age children.

While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places.

My opinion:

AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME! I love the fact that it is a script, it’s just as good and leaves so much space for your own imagination. It’s so fab to catch up with Harry, Ron, hermione and Co. And also getting to know the next genreation! There is so much action and drama in this book and also some unexpected events! LOVED IT!

Goodreads - Amazon UK - Amazon US

Christmas Under a Cranberry Sky – Holly Martin

The bit on the back:

This year spend a wonderful Christmas on Juniper Island, where love can melt even the iciest of hearts…

Piper Chesterfield lives a glamorous life travelling the world and reviewing the finest hotels. She calls nowhere home, she works alone and that’s how she likes it. For long ago Piper decided that to protect her heart she should lock it away. 

So when Piper’s next assignment brings her to the newly opened Stardust Lake Hotel for the festive season, the last person she expects to face is Gabe Whitaker, the man who broke her heart so completely she could never love again. 

But Piper isn’t the only one who has been frozen in time by heartbreak. Gabe hasn’t forgotten the golden-eyed girl who disappeared from his world without a trace. 

Now fate has reunited them on Juniper island, can the magic of Christmas heal old wounds? And can this enchanting town be the one place Piper can finally call home? 

Curl up with this gorgeously romantic tale and let the glistening snow and the roaring fires of Stardust Lake Hotel get you in the festive spirit this Christmas.

Christmas Under a Starlit Sky out soon.

My opinion:

Juniper Island is such a magical and festive place and so ist he story. I got hooked immediatley, because of how the characters have a history and now meet again. It’s unputdownable and full of wonderful sparks!!!

Holly on Twitter: @hollymartin00

Website: https://hollymartinwriter.wordpress.com

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