The Its Monday! What Are You Reading meme is hosted at Book Journey.
Life…
I just have one piece of advice to share today:
It’s all that is keeping me sane right now after another busy week which hasn’t given me much of an opportunity to catch up.
What I Read Last Week
Chocolate Cake For Breakfast by Danielle Hawkins
Poppy’s Dilemma by Karly Lane
A Slight Change of Plan by Dee Ernst
Through the Farm Gate: Life on the Land by Angela Goode
Left by Tamar Ossowski
New Posts
(click the titles to read my reviews)
Review: The Good House by Ann Leary ★★★★
Review: Chocolate Cake For Breakfast by Danielle Hawkins ★★★★
Review: Happy Eva After by Chris Harrison ★★★★
Review: The All-Girl Filling Station’s Last Reunion by Fannie Flagg ★★★★
Review: The Trap by Andrew Fukada ★★★1/2
Review; Guest Post and Giveaway: Dee Ernst and A Slight Change of Plan ★★★★
Stuff On Sundays: Sign up for The Eclectic Reader Challenge 2014
What I Am Reading Today
This novel is the story of a lie. But it is also a story of laughter and tears, of life itself. When her chronically unemployed husband runs off to start a crocodile farm in Kenya with his mistress, Josephine Cortes is left in an unhappy state of affairs. The mother of two is forced to make ends meet on her meagre salary as a medieval history scholar. Meanwhile, Josephine’s charismatic sister Iris seems to have it all – a wealthy husband, gorgeous looks, and a tres chic Paris address-but secretly she dreams of bringing meaning back into her life. And then a dinner party changes the sisters’ destinies. Iris is seated next to a famous book publisher to whom she spins a tale of the 12th century romance she’s writing. When Iris charms him into offering her a lucrative deal for her book, she offers her sister a deal of her own: Josephine will write the novel and pocket all the proceeds, but the book will be published under Iris’s name. All is well – until the book becomes the literary sensation of the season…
What I Plan To Read This Week
(click the covers to view at Goodreads)
A humble soldier, known only as ‘Jones’, wakes in hospital with no recollection of his past. The few fleeting fragments of memory he glimpses are horrifying moments from the battlefield at Ypres. His very identity becomes a puzzle he must solve. Then Eden Valentine comes gliding into his world, a stunning tailoress who has a dream of her own business in high fashion but whose duty to her family may never permit her to fulfil. Her fiancé resents the intrusion of the disarming Jones who is in desperate need of her help to unravel his past. Surrounding the mystery is Alex Wynter, the influential heir to an industrial empire and country manor Larksfell Hall. With his aristocratic family still reeling from a recent tragedy, he brings news that will further rock the foundations of their privileged lives. When their three very different worlds collide, the pieces of the past finally fall into place and lead them into wildly unexpected futures. What they discover will bring shattering consequences that threaten to tear apart far more than just the heart of the tailor’s girl. From the bustling streets of post-Great War London to the idyllic 1920s Sussex countryside, this is a breathtaking story of passion and persistence from a phenomenal Australian storyteller about how true love can overcome incredible odds, even in the most extraordinary circumstances.
How do you thaw the coldest of hearts? Find out in the sexiest romance to hit the shelves this year. When Aidan Flynn walks into Cluny’s Restaurant, he can’t take his eyes off his new flame-haired boss, Annabel Frost. With his heart set on seducing her, Aidan can think of nothing but getting beneath her cold exterior. Known as one of the toughest women in the business, Annabel is impervious to Aidan’s many charms, and his grey-eyed gaze and lilting Irish accent do anything but captivate her. But Aidan knows there’s more to Annabel than meets the eye. And he’s not going to stop until he reveals all…
What dark gastronomic slip does Annabel Crabb have to confess to an unsuspecting guest? How did Mary Anderson change the life of Frank Woodley – despite the fact the two of them have never met? How did a plate of steak teach Missy Higgins a firm lesson about not being too hard on herself? The act of letter writing allows us to slow down and truly connect, with a person, a subject, an idea. At their hugely popular Women of Letters events, Marieke Hardy and Michaela McGuire encourage and allow our best and brightest to lay bare their sins and secrets, loves and loathings, memories and plans. Collected here for the first time, these dispatches from Australia’s favourite people are warm, wonderful and astoundingly honest.
With sales of over 200 million albums, AC/DC is not just the biggest rock band in the world. It’s a family business built by three brothers: George, Malcolm and Angus Young. And, as with any business, some people prospered while others got hurt along the way. The Youngs: The Brothers Who Built AC/DC is unlike any AC/DC book you’ve read before. Less a biography, more a critical appreciation, it tells the story of the trio through 11 classic songs and reveals some of the personal and creative secrets that went into their making. Important figures from AC/DC’s long way to the top open up for the very first time, while unsung heroes behind the band’s success are given the credit they are due. Accepted accounts of events are challenged while sensational details emerge to cast a whole new light on the band’s history – especially their early years with Atlantic Records. Former AC/DC members and musicians from bands such as Guns N’ Roses, Dropkick Murphys, Airbourne and Rose Tattoo also give their perspectives on the Youngs’ brand of magic. Their music has never pulled its punches. Neither does The Youngs. After 40 years, AC/DC might just have got the serious book it deserves.
Nineteen years after a devastating crime almost killed her, Erica Lawrence has returned home. In the small mountain town of Olinda, her story is legend. And now everyone knows she’s back, including top cop and childhood best friend, Jordan Hill, the first and only person to ever touch her guarded heart. When a woman goes missing and her body is found brutally murdered, fear swallows the town. And suspicion soon turns on Olinda’s newest resident: Erica. As the cop in charge of the murder investigation, Jordan has to face the awful truth that the prime suspect is the woman he always swore to protect. While Jordan and Erica struggle with their feelings for one another, the murders mount up and the tension grows. Not only that, but Erica has a dark secret that she’ll do anything to stop Jordan from finding out… Small Town Storm is a gripping read that captures the intensity and passion of first love and the terror of a town where trust has broken down. This is the unforgettable story of a lifelong romance, and of an innocent childhood tainted by evil that won’t let go.
While you are here…
Enter to WIN A Slight Change of Plan by Dee Ernst (Open Worldwide)
Sign Up for the Eclectic Reader Challenge 2014
Congratulate the winner of Escape Publishing Australian Romance Bundle giveaway Jennifer SR
Thanks for stopping by, I’ll be along to visit you shortly!
You have some tempting books this week…Melting Ms. Frost looks like fun…and I see that you also read The All-Girl Filling Station’s Last Reunion. I loved it!
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I love Fannie Flagg 🙂
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lol I like your advice, it’s crazy this time of the year! Must check out your review of The Good House, it’s one I’m keen to read. Can’t wait to see what you think of The Tailor’s Girl. Happy reading 🙂
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I know, so chaotic! I have been looking forward to reading The Tailors Girl, I have liked everything I have read by McIntosh so far – and I;m quoted on the back of this one!
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Lovely mix of reads. Enjoy.
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Thanks Mystica 🙂
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Fanny Flagg is always so fun!
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🙂 Absolutely love your advice!
Happy Thanksgiving!! The Brunette Librarian’s Blog
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Great advice! Enjoy your books and have a great week!
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I will take your advice. Hope this week goes better for you.
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The Yellow Eyes of the Crocodile looks like a lot of fun. I agree that reading is good for keeping you sane when life is crazy!
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Sage advice 🙂 You should always continue reading 🙂 I hope you have a better week ahead of you. I love the looks of The Tailor’s Girl especially.
Come see my It’s Monday! post 🙂
–Kimberly @ Turning the Pages
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Yes good advice, it has been hot here – yes I know all relative when you compare NZ to Australia but… hot for us. Most of my kids were just laying on the floor on Friday tired from the heat. I was wilting too and got out my book and read it.
I am just preparing my post to join your challenge, decided it contains a outside my comfort zone challenge for me! Will be linking up in next day or two.
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I’ve read Melting Ms. Frost and enjoyed it. I hope you have a great week.
Here’s my It’s Monday post. 🙂
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I read your ‘what are you reading?’ Monday posts every week and then realised I’ve never actually answered your questions ‘what are you reading?’ 🙂 Well I’m getting into ‘The Forgotten Garden’ by Kate Moreton, you might have read it too? It’s my second Kate Moreton novel (I finished the Shifting Fog this year) and I’m definitely enjoying this one so far!
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Small Town Storm definitely soundes intriguing! HOpe you like it! 🙂 Enjoy your reads this week.
Take a look at what I’m reading this week.
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The Yellow Eyes of Crocodiles looks like a good story about writers…
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Enjoy your reading week!
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love the cover for the tailor’s girl 🙂
I’m trying to dedicate time every day to reading again now that I changed jobs (giving me the gift of time back). Winter seems to have settled in, and our son has come home for a few months so I’m reading what he’s reading (knowing a few movies are coming out). It’s fun to talk about books with someone!
I hope you have a wonderful week!
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Wow, so many great books this week! I especially love the look of The Tailor’s Girl — will look forward to your review! Happy reading!
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A FABULOUS group of books there!!! Love the sign!!
Hope you have a “CALM” week!!
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I like the look of The Tailors Girl. I’m reading The Moon Field by Judith Allnatt at the moment also set in WWI – I wonder how many I’ll have read by the end of 2014 (anniversary of the start of this war)?
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I’ve got a copy of The Yellow Eyes of Crocodiles in my book case, but haven’t read it yet. It’s a big book. I look forward to hearing what you think of it.
Have a good week, and… keep calm.
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Hi there ShellyRae, these are unfamiliar titles to me, so I’m glad I dropped by your blog. 🙂 Like Lee, I’m intrigued by The Yellow Eyes of Crocodiles, I should check that one out soon. Have a great reading week!
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What a great collection you have. I haven’t heard of any of them but The Yellow Eyes of Crocodiles sounds good!
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A great piece of advice and some great books too 🙂
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What a list! I am looking into Yours Truly it looks like a good read 😀 Have a great week 😀
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Congratulations to Jennifer for winning the Australian romance pack.
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I really would like to read The Yellow Eyes of Crocodiles. Just the thought of a husband running off with a mistress to have fun makes me eat my teeth.
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