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| http://janicehortonwriter.blogspot.co.uk/ |
You can pop over there now and sign up for the party!
I just have to find something to wear now!
DizzyC
Saturday, 13 October 2012
Party invite...
...to join Janice Horton as she celebrates the launch of How do you Voodoo?
Friday, 12 October 2012
Saturday Snapshot 13/10/12
I am hooking up with Alyce at At Home with Books for Saturday Snapshot
This week I would like to share the littlecollages I made from our wedding snapshots using a website, new to me,
I found Pic Monkey and it is as easy to use as Picnik without sign ups. I do miss Picnik and am happy to have found http://www.picmonkey.com/
This week I would like to share the littlecollages I made from our wedding snapshots using a website, new to me,
I found Pic Monkey and it is as easy to use as Picnik without sign ups. I do miss Picnik and am happy to have found http://www.picmonkey.com/
DizzyC
Coffee, Tea, The Gypsy and Me - with UK Giveaway
The lovely Caroline James has been in touch to say that Coffee, Tea, The Gypsy and Me is now available in Paperback.
To celebrate publication in paperback, Caroline has kindly offered a prize for one lucky UK reader. Please see the form at the end of the post.
I am sharing my review with you again
1987
Jo is a single mother of a little boy, not of her choosing, after all her weasel husband ran off to Spain with the nanny!
Jo is a strong character who decides to pick herself up and make a life for herself and her son.
When her friend Robert shows her a run down hotel, Jo jumps at the chance to turn it around and make it a success.
Enter Hattie, who seems to appear just like a fairy godmother and help Jo, not only with the hotel business but also with a change of image for Jo.
The annual Gypsy horse fair is coming to the village. There are mixed reactions to the event, locals are not too keen. Meanwhile, Jo does very well from the horse fair when it brings some business at the hotel and a new love interest into her life. John is handsome, charming and very attentive towards Jo, but she feels this could not go any further, he is a Gypsy and wanderer.
The story takes us through a year in the life of Jo, Hattie and the traditional country hotel. As to be expected in a busy hotel, there is an array of colourful characters coming and going.
Extra business comes in via a shooting party.
Just as things are looking up, the recession hits the hotel hard and her ex husband turns up looking for a second chance. Should Jo cut her losses and sell up or stick with it? Should she give Greg a second chance? Will John return to her life and settle?
I found this story engaging from page one and enjoyed this delightful weekend read right the last page. I warmed to all the characters. John was especially handsome and oozed charm. I hated the villain of the piece, Greg.
I look forward to more from this author.
5 out of 5 for me! Loved it!
Review copy - This did not influence my review in any way
To be entered into the UK Giveaway draw for a a signed book and a box of 'Jo's Chocolate Tiffin' - a recipe from the book. please fill in the form below
a Rafflecopter giveaway
To celebrate publication in paperback, Caroline has kindly offered a prize for one lucky UK reader. Please see the form at the end of the post.
I am sharing my review with you again
 |
|
1987
Jo is a single mother of a little boy, not of her choosing, after all her weasel husband ran off to Spain with the nanny!
Jo is a strong character who decides to pick herself up and make a life for herself and her son.
When her friend Robert shows her a run down hotel, Jo jumps at the chance to turn it around and make it a success.
Enter Hattie, who seems to appear just like a fairy godmother and help Jo, not only with the hotel business but also with a change of image for Jo.
The annual Gypsy horse fair is coming to the village. There are mixed reactions to the event, locals are not too keen. Meanwhile, Jo does very well from the horse fair when it brings some business at the hotel and a new love interest into her life. John is handsome, charming and very attentive towards Jo, but she feels this could not go any further, he is a Gypsy and wanderer.
The story takes us through a year in the life of Jo, Hattie and the traditional country hotel. As to be expected in a busy hotel, there is an array of colourful characters coming and going.
Extra business comes in via a shooting party.
Just as things are looking up, the recession hits the hotel hard and her ex husband turns up looking for a second chance. Should Jo cut her losses and sell up or stick with it? Should she give Greg a second chance? Will John return to her life and settle?
I found this story engaging from page one and enjoyed this delightful weekend read right the last page. I warmed to all the characters. John was especially handsome and oozed charm. I hated the villain of the piece, Greg.
I look forward to more from this author.
5 out of 5 for me! Loved it!
Review copy - This did not influence my review in any way
To be entered into the UK Giveaway draw for a a signed book and a box of 'Jo's Chocolate Tiffin' - a recipe from the book. please fill in the form below
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thursday, 11 October 2012
The Duke is Mine - Eloisa James
The Duke is Mine by Eloisa James
- Publisher: Piatkus (29 Dec 2011)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 074995602X
- ISBN-13: 978-0749956028
- Also available in Kindle format
The blurb
Tarquin, the powerful Duke of Sconce, knows perfectly well that the decorous and fashionably slender Georgiana Lytton will make him a proper duchess. So why can't he stop thinking about her twin sister, the curvy, headstrong, and altogether unconventional Olivia? Not only is Olivia betrothed to another man, but their improper - albeit intoxicating - flirtation makes her unsuitability all the more clear.
Determined to make a perfect match, he methodically cuts Olivia from his thoughts, allowing logic and duty to triumph over passion . . . until, in his darkest hour, Tarquin begins to question whetherperfection has anything to do with love. To win Olivia's hand he would have to give up all the beliefs he holds most dear, and surrender heart, body and soul - but it may already be too late.
This regency romance seeks to retell the fairytale The Princess and the Pea with fun, frolics and flamboyancy.
The heroine is the voluptuous Olivia, not a skinny supermodel, who is betrothed to a young man and has been since she was a child. She has no need to be like her twin Georgiana, who is slender and mindful of her manners. Georgiana has been taught how to be a Duchess and now is the time to find her a Duke.
Tarquin, Duke of Sconce is the target, and it all looks quite promising, except for one thing. Tarquin only has eyes for Olivia. So begins a chase that sees lots of flirting and some unusual meeting places, which I loved.
Add into the mix an array of colourful supporting characters, look out for Lord Justin Fiebvre, and
you have a ball.
I do enjoy Eloisa James novels and this one has to be my favourite so far.
Why?
Could it be the fact that the characters just leap off the page? The author's unique retelling of fairytales for adults? The humour? The swashbuckling adventure?
It is all of these things!
Pure fairytale fun!
9/10 for me!
I received a review copy for my honest opinion.
A bit early with Something for the weekend..
... I know it is only Thursday, but have to share these treats with you whilst I think about it :)
As always, please do check (price) b4 u click!
As always, please do check (price) b4 u click!
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| I loved this one and notice it is at a bargain price of £1.99 (at 11/10/12) http://www.amazon.co.uk/First-Time-Your-Face-ebook/dp/B0074VPI7S/ref=pd_sim_kinc_52 |
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| On my shelf patiently waiting for me get your copy for 99p (at 11/10/12) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Very-Accidental-Love-Story-ebook/dp/B007QOW1XC/ref=pd_sim_kinc_11 |
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| Climbing the charts and at a bargain price of £1.99 (at 11/10/12) http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-School-Gates-ebook/dp/B009583W2G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1349937591&sr=8-1 |
Move over Darling by Chris Stovell
is getting a lot of attention on the blogs at the moment
bargain at £1.99 (at 11/10/12)
My current read which will take me into the weekend is
The Road Back by Liz Harris
also £1.99 (at 11/10/12)
Have you any other suggestions?
DizzyC
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Blogging takes a lot of time and care so I would like to know what works and what doesn't.
Many thanks for taking part.
Wednesday, 10 October 2012
W.I.P. Weds - Ella Griffin
I must say I am looking forward to Ella's next novel after enjoying Postcards from the Heart
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| Photos courtesy of the author |
Ella, thank you for being my guest
1. Please tell us about your next novel which is due to be published in New Year, 2013.
It’s called ‘The Heart Whisperer’(I’d love to know what you and your readers think of the title!) It's a bittersweet comedy about coming to terms with your past and learning to love your future.
Claire Dillon’s beautiful, charismatic mother, was a GP who died, tragically, when she was only 33-years-old. Her death has cast a long shadow over the Dillon family, but especially over Claire, who has always blamed herself for what happened.
Her mum had everything to live for. A husband who loved her, two children who adored her, patients who depended on her.
As she turns 33 herself, Claire can’t help seeing her own life through her mother’s eyes. Her acting career is a joke. She’s permanently short of money. Her estranged brother, Nick, thinks she is a waste of space.
Her reclusive father talks to his dog more than he does to her. And ever since she was dumped by the man she thought she loved, she’s been hiding out in her rock star friend Ray’s gloomy basement playing sweary Scrabble and watching box-sets.
She resolves to give herself one year in which to try to create a new life that will make her mum proud.
Then tragedy strikes again and Claire is thrown back together with her brother. Both of them are forced to return to their family home to confront some hard truths about the past that have shaped the people they have become.
2. What stage is the new novel at? Do you have a book cover design yet? Do you get to choose the cover design?
I’ve just finished it. The copy edits went off last Monday. I am a demon for making changes to things at the last minute but I have sworn that I won’t make any at the proof stage. Well, not many anyway!
The cover is being developed now (not right now as it’s 10.15 on a Sunday night as I write this!) I will have some input into the design and I’m nervous and excited at the same time. I know everyone says you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover but I think it’s hard not to!
I loved the cover of my first book, ‘Postcards from the Heart’. It was inspired by a Miro painting I have always admired.
3. Can you share a little excerpt with us?
Not until it’s all been approved. But I can share this quote that appears on the title page.
It sums up the whole story, really.
‘Sometimes your head is shouting so
loudly, you can’t hear what your heart
is whispering.’ Anon
4. Who is your favourite character in your new novel and why?
Oh God! I can’t choose! They’re like my children. I can’t have a favourite (at least, I can’t admit to one)!
I suppose I feel closest to Claire. She didn’t just lose her mum when she was six. She lost the family she would have had if the accident hadn’t happened.
In a lot of ways, she hasn’t really grown up. I found, when I was writing, that I really, really wanted her to be happy but the past has a strong hold on her so she didn’t always make things easy for me!
I feel real sympathy for her brother Nick. He had to look after his little sister when he was only a child himself. He grew up too fast.
He has cut himself off completely from his childhood and reinvented himself as a relationship coach. He loves fixing other people’s problems. But underneath it all, he’s still broken himself.
I also have a real soft spot for his perfect American wife, Kelly, who is not as perfect as she seems.
I have a bit of crush on Ray, Claire’s oldest friend, who is the gorgeous ex-lead singer of a pretty famous band. He writes terrible jingles for ads while he’s waiting for the band’s comeback to happen and he worries a lot of about his skin!
And I absolutely love Dog, Claire’s dad’s eccentric, hairy lurcher, though Claire doesn’t share my feelings! She’s terrified of dogs!
He looks a bit like this!
Read the opening pages of Postcards from the Heart or buy it here.
Listen to the opening pages of Postcards from the Heart or buy the audio book here:
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