Simona's Corner of Dreams

Wednesday, 4 February 2015

The Postcard – by Lily Graham

Original Cover

My own copy

The blurb:

“She always said she’d find a way to let me know that death wasn’t the end …”

When Ivy Everton, a children’s book illustrator, moves to Cornwall to start a new life with her husband Stuart, she gets given her mother’s old writing desk, a bittersweet token from a mother who made childhood magical.

When she clears it, she finds that the desk holds an unexpected surprise; one she wishes, in a way, that she hadn’t found, as wedged in the corner is a blank, faded postcard addressed to her, in her mother’s hand. At first, the postcard serves only to haunt her; a constant reminder of her mother’s last message, now forever silenced, and she can’t help but wonder what unwritten secret lies unsaid.

Yet, as the days pass mysterious inexplicable things begin to happen, odd items go missing from her studio, only to reappear, ethereally transformed in the seemingly empty desk.

Soon Ivy realises that the postcard was never really blank, it was simply waiting … waiting for her to find it.

Part ghost story, part magical Christmas tale, The Postcard is about a love that transcends time and space to transform and heal.

My Opinion:

*Book provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*

The Postcard follows the story of Ivy and her husband Stuart. Ivy has just found an old postcard addressed to her, in her mother’s hand. What she doesn’t know then: The postcard has a significant message for her. I was really intrigued by the blurb and I like the idea of a part ghost story and a wonderful tale. I have to say Lily found a wonderful way to combine the two.

I can’t put the book down, because the mystery around the postcard was magical and gripping. Ivy’s mother’s voice was always with us, somehow guiding Ivy through life.

I loved reading about Stuart and Ivy, they make such a cute couple and I was just so happy for them and for what they had ahead.

On NYE Ivy awakes with a weird feeling, but nobody takes her seriously. But then she gets bad news... about Stuart. I can’t tell you more here, but let me tell you this: Her mother is involved as well.

This book is a heart-warming, touching, dramatic, sweet and memorable gem. Lily’s writing is wonderful and takes you right into Ivy’s world. The storyline is great and it includes the right amount of drama. I can’t wait to read more by this talented author.

Rating:

My possible cast:

Ivy: Carrie Underwood

Stuart: Carey Price

Lily on Twitter: @Lilywritesbooks
Website: http://lilygraham.net

Monday, 2 February 2015

Book of the Month - January

The books I read this month:

- Frosted – by Katy Regnery 4.5/5

- New Year at the Ritz – by Nikki Moore 4/5

- Do You Take This Man? – by Sophie King 2/5

- Leaves For Chloe – by Pat Elliott 4.5/5

- Ice Cream at Carrington’s – by Alexandra Brown 5/5

- The Two Of Us – by Andy Jones 5/5

- As Good As It Gets? – by Fiona Gibson 4.5/5

- Uncle Montague's Tales of Terror – by Chris Priestley SCHOOL

- Fragile Lies – by Laura Elliot 3/5

- The Postcard – by Lily Graham 5/5

- Tied Up With Love – by Amelia Thorne 5/5

- Paris For One – by Jojo Moyes 5/5

A month with two clear winners:

Ice Cream at Carrington’s – Alexandra Brown

The bit on the back:

The third book in the delightful series set in Carrington’s Department Store.

Georgie Hart and Carrington’s Department Store have got the world at their feet. Since a reality TV series put them both on the map, life has been amazing! Carrington’s profits are in the pink, Georgie has carved herself a place in the nation’s heart and her romance with Tom, the store’s boss, has finally blossomed.

Now summertime has come to Mulberry-on -Sea and Georgie is in great demand. The town is holding a big summer festival and she and her mates from Carrington’s are planning on making sure that Mulberry puts on the show of its life!

But Georgie is about to get the offer of a lifetime – one that is just too good to turn down and something that will test her loyalties to their limits… Will Georgie be able to pull off it off once again, or has her luck finally run out?

My opinion:

This is definitely my FAVE out of the Carrington series. Alexandra’s writing is passionate, funny, warm, sweet and really refreshing. I couldn’t put this book down!!! It’s just FABULOUS!!!! Find the whole review here: Ice Creams at Carrington's Review

Alex on Twitter: @alexbrownbooks

Website: http://www.alexandrabrown.co.uk

Tied Up With Love – Amelia Thorne

The bit on the back:

‘We’re from KMW. Do exactly as you’re told and you won’t get hurt...'

Being grabbed off the street, blind folded, tied up and thrown into a van was not what Izzy expected to happen when she stepped out the door that morning. But when an accidental kidnapping at the hands of the sexy Ethan Chase and his 'Kidnap My Wife' sexual fantasy business leads to just that, Izzy seizes the chance to turn her misfortune into a brilliant new job opportunity…

Since then, life has been one big tangle of new client meetings, fake kidnapping pick-ups, and handling the temperamental, but drop dead gorgeous 'bad boy' Mr Chase. But, as liberating as being tied up in Ethan's life is, Izzy knows the time is fast approaching when she must make some decisions and take charge of her future. The only question is: will Ethan allow himself to be a part of it?

My opinion:

An INCREDIBLE story full of love, passion, heart, emotions and much more. I couldn’t put this amazing book down. The characters are perfectly well lined out and they had a unique chemistry. The writing is very gripping, magical, passionate, vivid, spellbinding, emotional and authentic. Amelia is such a talented and gifted author, who manages to create wonderful and authentic world.

Amelia on Twitter: @Amelia_Writes

Sunday, 1 February 2015

The Two Of Us – by Andy Jones

Original Cover

My own copy

The blurb:

Falling in love is the easy part. What matters most is what happens next...

Fisher and Ivy have been an item for a whole nineteen days. And they just know they are meant to be together. The fact that they know little else about each other is a minor detail. Over the course of twelve months, in which their lives will change forever, Fisher and Ivy discover that falling in love is one thing, but staying there is an entirely different story.

The Two of Us is a charming, honest and heart-breaking novel about life, love, and the importance of taking neither one for granted.

My Opinion:

*Book provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

When I got contacted about this book, I was really excited, the blurb sounded great and I haven’t ready many books written by men since a started blogging, so it was pretty special to me.

The story follows Fisher. I really enjoyed having a male character telling the story; it opened another door and made me see things from a different way.

Fisher has been together with Ivy for 19 days and he is madly in love, but suddenly he finds himself questioning everything about their relationship. Ivy has some big news and their life is about to change in a drastic way. Everything is different and since they haven’t been together for a long time, they are still getting to know each other. I loved reading about their journey. It was funny, sad, sweet, entertaining, dramatic and so much more.

Fisher was portrayed beautifully by Andy, a perfectly well lined out character with so much heart and love. He seemed very real and authentic and his feelings were described in a very careful, but still capturing way.

It seemed that in some way they were perfect for each other, but than in the other way they were miles apart. However, that’s what made the story more interesting. We learn more about both character’s pasts, which made their personality clearer.

A story of two soulmates – finding the way to each other, facing all obstacles!!! A beautifully written story with a lot of emotions and adorable scenes. Andy Jones is a very talented author and I really relished his fresh and unique style.

Rating: