The House of Birds and Butterflies - by Cressida McLaughlin

Original Cover

My own copy

The blurb: 

Abby Field loves every inch of Meadowsweet Nature Reserve on the idyllic Suffolk coast where she lives and works. Especially Swallowtail House, the rambling but empty country house that seems to look out at her each time she passes it’s shut-up windows.

When a TV wildlife programme choses a rival location for their new series, Meadowsweet is under threat – unless Abby can whip up a plan to keep the visitors flocking. But she finds herself distracted by the arrival of a brooding – and annoyingly handsome new neighbour… bad-boy novelist, Jack Westcoat.

With the pressure on, Abby and her cute rescue huskie, Raffle, must pull something special out of the bag. But with Jack in need of a good friend – and Abby feeling the pull of attraction, she can sense her resolve fluttering away…

My Opinion:

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

Abby Field works at Meadowsweet Nature Reserve in Suffolk. She is very passion for her work and puts her heart and soul into it. She organisms new events and things for the reserve, but when a handsome stranger turns up in ... cottage, she kind of gets distracted. 

The handsome stranger is novelist Jack Westcoat. At first he just feels disturbed by the people and the animals, but Abby and him have a lot of chemistry from the start. The start exchanging little messages, which are so cute and just say it all. Everything is not that obvious at the beginning, but I was actually just waiting for the two of them to get together. I liked the way their relationship developed, Cressida McLaughlin really captured their connection. 

Jack needed the time away, especially after a little scandal the year before. Only after a while we find out what actually happened. Abby had her dog Raffle, as well as her friends, who all added something special to the story. 

The setting of this book is unique and fabulous. Cressida McLaughlin did a great job describing it and creating a wonderful atmosphere. 

The characters in this book are very authentic and just unforgettable. A lot of twists and turns add some drama to the story and make it exciting. 

A definite must read! Cressida Mclaughlin is such a talented author. 

Rating:

Cressida McLaughlin on Twitter: @CressMcLaughlin

Website: https://cressidamclaughlin.com

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Absent in the Spring – Carrie Elks

Original Cover

My own copy

The blurb: 

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:

Back with the Shakespeare sisters and I couldn‘t be happier.

This time we follow Lucy, the eldest, who works as a lawyer in Edinburough. She is flown out to Miami to meet a new client and lwt‘s say the sparks between them fly immediately. Lachlan MacLeish has inherited an estate in Scotland, but his half brother claims it‘s all his, even though it was clearly Lachlan mentioned in the will. Lucy starts working on that and obviously hets to spend timw with Lachlan. Their chemistry is undiniable, so one things leads to another eventually. Lucy wants to stay professionalthough, which doesn‘t make things easier.
Lachlan has never felt like this before, could Lucy actuall be the one?!

Lucy also has her sisters to deal with and her father, who is very confused and doesn‘t remember evwrything anymore. Lucy knows somwthing about their mother, none of the others know, so there definitely is cause for drama.
Lachlan lives in New York or Miami, Lucy across the pond in Scotland, another thing, which doesn‘t make things easier. Lucy also has doubts when she hears how he was with other women and he has the tendancy to overreact.

All these factors play into storyline and make it compelling and gripping. I was definitely hooked. Carrie Elks captured their connection beautifully, added some passion and love. Lucy‘s sisters as well as Lachlan‘s best friends play an important part in the story as well. The characters were very well lined out and I loved how the plot progressed.

I loved catching up with Lucy‘s sisters and I think Carrie Elks did a fab job with all the different locationsand settings, the way she described them was perfect.

This book has it all: love, passion, drama, friendship, secrets, family insights and much more. A FANTASTIC book!!!!

Rating:

Carrie Elks on Twitter: @CarrieElks

Website: https://carrieelks.com

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Movie Review – Mamma Mia! Here we go again

mammamiamovie.com

About the movie:

magazinmannschaft.de

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again is a 2018 jukebox musical romantic comedy film directed and written by Ol Parker, from a story by Parker, Catherine Johnson, and Richard Curtis. It is a follow-up to the 2008 film Mamma Mia!, which in turn is based on the musical of the same name. The film debuts Legendary Entertainment's new fanfare, composed by Frank Ilfman in 2015. The film stars Lily James, Amanda Seyfried, Christine Baranski, Julie Walters, Pierce Brosnan, Dominic Cooper, Andy García, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgård, Cher, and Meryl Streep. Both a prequel and a sequel, the plot is set after the events of the first film, and also features flashbacks to 1979, telling the story of Donna Sheridan's arrival on the island of Kalokairi and her first meetings with her daughter Sophie's three possible fathers.

Due to the financial success of the first film, Universal Pictures had long been interested in a sequel. Here We Go Again was officially announced in May 2017, with Parker hired to write and direct. In June 2017, many of the original cast confirmed their involvement, and James was cast as a young Donna that July. Filming took place from August to December 2017 in Croatia, and at Shepperton Studios in Surrey, England.

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again was released in the United Kingdom and the United States on July 20, 2018, ten years to the week of the original film's release. It has grossed over $167 million worldwide and received generally favorable reviews from critics, who, while calling the film itself just a "so-so romantic-comedy", praised the cast and musical numbers

More information: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamma_Mia!_Here_We_Go_Again

My opinion:

theplaylist.com

I LOVE Abba!!!! I loved the previous Mamma Mia movie and of course I also love the musical, so yay!!!!

It was clear to me that I have to go see this movie, especially because the old cast is still part of it. I was really excited after watching the trailer. However, I was really surprised with the storyline after seeing the trailer and then the actual movie. It was not in a bad way though, actually in a positive way. 

The movie plays five years after the first one and a lot has changed. Sophie has build up the hotel again, to make her mother proud. Her husband Sky is not always around, it’s hard for her, because he is the love of her life. Sam, one of her three dads is there for here and of course the other two dynamos Rosie and Tanya. Sophie is kind of in the same position Donna was in all these years ago. So we go back in time and find out how she met Harry; Bill and Sam. 

indiewire.com

Lily James, does a fantastic jobs playing young Donna. She is full of life and really got into character. Her voice is great and together with the other two young dynamos she put on a really great show. Also her acting was on point. I struggled a bit with the young Harry and Bill, the one playing Sam was good. I felt though that they didn’t seem very authentic and their singing was not that great. Of course the singing thing also also a bit true for Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth and Stellan Skarsgård. I really adored Pierce Brosnan in this movie! Fab acting. 

Amanda Seyfried really sticks out. She has the voice of an angel and her acting is on point. I loved that she got to perform with the dynamos. I also really liked the way her story developed in the movie. 

This movie is definitely a feel good movie, full of love, fun, friendship, music, passion, but also grief and loneliness. The music is of course fabulous and just makes you happy. They also included some not that well known songs, which was fabulous. 

The setting on this Greek island is absolutely gorgeous (I know it’s actually Croatia). They captured it beautifully. The dancing queen scene is absolutely magnificent!!!

There are several cameo appearances as well, like the two guys from Abba. I loved, how they included the greek locals as well. Oh and then there is Cher, I don't need to say more. 

Puzzle Girl - by Rachael Featherstone

To celebrate the new cover of Puzzle Girl by Rachael Featherstone, I'm re-posting my review. 

The blurb: 

Love is a riddle waiting to be solved…

Clued-up career girl Cassy Brookes has life under control until one disastrous morning changes everything.

When she finds herself stuck in a doctor’s surgery, a cryptic message left in a crossword magazine sends her on a search to find the mysterious ‘puzzle-man’ behind it.

Cassy is soon torn between tracking down her elusive dream guy, and outwitting her nightmare workmate, the devious Martin. 

Facing a puzzling love-life, will she ever be able to fit the pieces together and discover the truth behind this enigmatic man?

My Opinion:

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

Clever name, great cover, smart storyline. 

The book started in a fab way, had some exciting moments, but at certain times I was kind of lost and struggled with the plot. 

Let’s start at the beginning though. The story follows Cassy Brookes, who finds a puzzle book in a doctor's surgery waiting room. Now she wants to find „puzzle man “. At the same time, she has to deal with her workmate Martin. 

The idea behind this book is really great and I liked the mystery behind it. Cassy’s journey to find puzzle man is full of adventure, ups and downs and excitement. I really loved following her around. I really adored her friend Dan, probably my favourite character in this book. Another character I really Liked was Martin, had added some extra spark to the story. They all had their own story shared in a way and some other characters too, a lot of sub-plots, but included in a clever way. 

I felt that after a certain time her mission of finding THE man took over her life a bit too much. 

Rachael Featherstone’s writing has a witty humour, is refreshing and just so much fun. 

My fave thing about the book: The mentions of the different DLR stations, I always take it coming from the airport, so I know them all. 

A superb debut novel!!!

Rating:

Rachael Featherstone was born and raised in Woodford. Her path to writing

was a little unorthodox. After reading Mathematics at Oxford University, New College, Rachael went to work in research.
When Rachael’s mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2012, Rachael decided to take a chance, quit her job, and fulfill a lifetime ambition to write a novel. She went back to university and completed a Masters in English Literature and had several short stories published.
Rachael now lives in Hampshire with her husband and daughter.

Social Media & Links
Twitter: @WRITERachael       Website: www.writerachael.com

My Very Italian Holiday - by Sue Roberts

Original Cover

My own copy

The blurb: 

A beautiful guesthouse, a fresh start and a hunky Italian. Does it sound too good to be true? 

When Gina arrives in Lake Como, thousands of miles away from her life in the Lake District, she wonders if she’s bitten off more than she can chew. Working for Fabio, running his lakeside hotel, seemed like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. After her world was tragically turned upside down, breaking her heart in the process, she was in desperate need of a fresh start. Plus, it didn’t hurt that Fabio was easy on the eyes… 

But it’s not all picturesque mountains, pizza and prosecco. The crumbling guesthouse that Fabio has inherited from his family needs some serious TLC. Is she up to the challenge? 

As Gina and Fabio work in close quarters, sparks start to fly. But Fabio has a secret he is scared to share, and Gina has her past to come to terms with. Does her heart belong back home or is a life in the sun – with a very handsome Italian – just the change of scenery she needs? 

Escape to the gorgeous mountains and glittering Lake Como in Northern Italy! This laugh-out-loud funny and feel-good story of starting over and living life to the max is perfect for fans of Kat French, Jenny Oliver and Carole Matthews. 

My Opinion:

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

Gina runs a B&B and she lost her husband years ago. She gets to know Fabio, a charming Italian, who needs help turning his family’s guesthouse into a beautiful hotel. It’s a fresh start for Gina and she and Fabio hit it off from the start. 

I was actually a but surprised with the book and the storyline, mostly because I expected something else. The title sounds very promising, but half the book actually plays in England, which is a bit of a shame, because the setting at Lake Como is beautiful and Sue Roberts did a great job describing the area and the food. Gina only goes to Italy half way through the book, that took quite a while. 

The rest of the story felt a bit rushed for me though. There was too much going on at times, too many characters at once and I couldn’t relate to any of them. 

 I really wanted to like this book more, but the spark didn’t fly. It’s a cute story, very funny and heart-warming. 

Rating:

Sue Roberts on Twitter: @SueRobertsautho

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Book of the Month - July

The books I read this month:

-      The Forgotten Guide to Happiness –by Sophie Jenkins 3/5

-      A Summer Scandal– by Kat French  5/5

-      One in a Million – by Lindsey Kelk 5/5

-      Somewhere Beyond the Sea –by Miranda Dickinson 5/5

-      The Book Ninja –Ali Berg and Michelle Kalus 3/5

-      Happily Never After –by Emma Robinson 4.5/5

-      My Very Italian Holiday –by Sue Roberts 3/5

Two of these books really stood out to me: 

One in A Million – Lindsey Kelk

The bit on the back:

Everyone wants that special someone….

Annie Higgins has given up on love: she’s too busy trying to get her tiny business off the ground. Infuriated by the advertising agency across the hall making fun of her job, Annie accepts their crazy challenge – to make a random stranger Instagram-famous in just thirty days.

And even when they choose Dr Samuel Page PhD, historian and hater of social media, as her target, Annie’s determined to win the bet – whether Sam likes it or not.

But getting to know Sam means getting to know more about herself. And before the thirty days are out, Annie has to make a decision about what’s really important…

Funny, real and heart-meltingly romantic, Annie and Sam’s story is My Fair Lady for the social media age – and the perfect feel-good read.

My opinion:

Lindsey Kelk's writing is absosultey hilarious, romantic, passionte and just fantastic. She really understands how to engage a reader. 11 out of 10 points for this book for sure!!!!!BRILLIANT!!!

Full review: http://simonascornerofdreams.blogspot.com/2018/07/one-in-million-by-lindsey-kelk.html

Lindsey Kelk on Twitter: @LindseyKelk

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Somewhere Beyond the Sea – Miranda Dickinson

The bit on the back:

Can you fall in love with someone before you’ve even met?

Seren MacArthur is living a life she never intended. Trying to save the Cornish seaside business her late father built – while grieving for his loss – she has put her own dreams on hold and is struggling. Until she discovers a half-finished seaglass star on her favourite beach during an early morning walk. When she completes the star, she sets into motion a chain of events that will steal her heart and challenge everything she believes.

Jack Dixon is trying to secure a better life for daughter Nessie and himself. Left a widower and homeless when his wife died, he’s just about keeping their heads above water. Finding seaglass stars completed on Gwithian beach is a bright spark that slowly rekindles his hope.

Seren and Jack are searching for their missing pieces. But when they meet in real life, it’s on the opposing sides of a battle. Jack is managing the redevelopment of a local landmark, and Seren is leading the community campaign to save it.

Both have reason to fight – Seren for the cause her father believed in, Jack for his livelihood. But only one can win. With so much at stake, will they ever find what they are really looking for?

Miranda Dickinson's Somewhere Beyond the Sea is a sparkling tale of love, life and finding magic where you least expect it.

My opinion:

The setting is magnificent, Miranda Dickinson’s descriptions are on point, I felt like being there with the characters. The book is about love, hope, loss, grief, friendship and much more. Miranda Dickinson put a lot of passion and love into it and I really hope we will see these characters again. 

Review: http://simonascornerofdreams.blogspot.com/2018/07/somewhere-beyond-sea-by-miranda.html

Miranda Dickinson on Twitter: @wurdsmyth

Website: https://miranda-dickinson.com

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