tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67115753507103449632024-03-19T03:00:46.518+00:00Behind Green EyesUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger173125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711575350710344963.post-954821577362720482023-08-31T13:48:00.003+01:002023-08-31T13:48:57.657+01:00Blog Tour: Big Little Spells by Hazel Beck<span style="font-size: xx-small;">ARC provided by Harper Collins</span><div><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Links denoted with * are affiliates.<br /></span><div><div><br /></div><div>Hi!</div><div><br /></div><div>Today, as part of the Harlequin Trade Publishing Summer Blog Tour programme, I want to talk about a book called <i style="font-weight: bold;">Big Little Spells</i> - it's the second novel in Hazel Beck's <i>Witchlore</i> series, and the follow-up to <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3RjQrxp" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Small Town, Big Magic</a>. </i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqQ0SmBDkUPyv1nfeXLyP_bb8E2JuSeK_nL0jnxUVpN1VxPKfmXTusBR4JVpKCEEdPOmXYl_SSJhwlNNV7WcuzWdYqr-OgRVN6MQucqyyrDChLV5C2Z55IB4_w8xhMEUvI8VrPf90SMvHyv0in-sRZ9NGK4vLO2uDogcilcpDmRuTVyRYL1f0M4X4tJQU/s2400/Big%20Little%20Spells%20Cover.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="1594" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqQ0SmBDkUPyv1nfeXLyP_bb8E2JuSeK_nL0jnxUVpN1VxPKfmXTusBR4JVpKCEEdPOmXYl_SSJhwlNNV7WcuzWdYqr-OgRVN6MQucqyyrDChLV5C2Z55IB4_w8xhMEUvI8VrPf90SMvHyv0in-sRZ9NGK4vLO2uDogcilcpDmRuTVyRYL1f0M4X4tJQU/s600/Big%20Little%20Spells%20Cover.jpg" /></a><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>A smart, modern Rom-Com about a witch banished from her coven who seeks help from the only person who can prove she's not a threat to witchkind - her annoyingly immortal childhood crush.</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Rebekah Wilde was eighteen when she left St. Cyprian, officially stripped of her magic and banished from her home. Ten years later she's forced to return to face the Joywood Coven, who preside over not just her hometown, but the whole magical world.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Joywood are determined to prove Rebekah is a danger to witchkind, and she faces a death sentence if she can't prove otherwise. Rebekah must seek help from the only one who knows how to stop the Joywood - the ruthless immortal Nicholas Frost. Years ago, he was her secret tutor in magic, and her secret, impossible crush. But the icy and frustratingly handsome immortal is as remote and arrogant as ever, and if he feels anything for Rebekah - or witchkind - it's impossible to tell.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As I've mentioned already, this is the second in a series, which I was completely unaware of when I requested it. I haven't read the first book, and it soon became evident that that would be a slight issue.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The book picks up after a fairly big event, one that's not explained very well. We're thrown straight into the world and we're expected to know and understand several strange terms (like a test called a "Pubertatum" that just made me think of the baby from the Addams Family Values). Usually in a series, there's a little catch-up, and I felt that really would have helped here because it took me a while to figure out who was who and what was happening.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In saying that - the story romped along fairly quickly, and soon morphed into a solid tale of two witch sisters who had spent some time apart and were now working on repairing their relationship while also proving to their community that they had earned the right to use their magical powers. There's a romance subplot, it's a very early Buffy/Angel dynamic with some similar banter and some closed door scenes ("we tumbled this way and that" was about as explicit as it got).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There's a wider issue at play here - local witches are succumbing to some kind of illness that kills them, and the sisters and their coven are sure that the local equivalent of the town council are to blame. The same people they must impress if they're to be seen as true witches. The sisters failed the test once before, ten years ago, now they must take it again. This means revisiting some of the preparations and rituals they did as teenagers (think <i>Never Been Kissed</i> if Josie was a witch trying to prove herself). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I didn't really take to the teenage elements of the story (like the Prom) - I imagine fans of the first book who enjoyed it will LOVE this one, especially the progression of the relationship between Rebekah and Nicholas. I couldn't put it down for the last quarter, but I did feel like the book overall could've lost 50 pages and been none the worse for wear. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Will I read the rest of the series? Probably not, but I imagine fans of these authors and this series will be very happy with this latest instalment, which is hitting at the perfect time of year for some cosy witching. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thank you to Justine at Harper Collins for having me as part of the blog tour program. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Big Little Spells</i> is out now to buy (or you can request it at your local library!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Big-Little-Spells-Witchlore-2/dp/1525804723/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=big+little+spells+hazel+beck&qid=1689689501&s=books&sprefix=big+little+spells%2Cstripbooks%2C166&sr=1-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon US</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://amzn.to/3sBhXMr" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon UK*</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/big-little-spells-hazel-beck/1142049188?ean=9781525804724" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/9781525804724" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Blackwells (includes Duties & Delivery to Ireland)</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You can learn more about Hazel Beck below, and keep up with them on their website, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.Hazel-Beck.com">www.Hazel-Beck.com</a> </b>or on social media via <b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/hazelbeckauthor/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorHazelBeck" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15846572.Hazel_Beck?from_search=true&from_srp=true" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Goodreads</a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3I5qKR4MZ9EToZlPSAaFdNdLdgn0aBKFOc4XyuUywLfQmZOsAF7KbE9G8g46Ake1OVdPq_V-yhVz-2OXrsm62x4oDw-II4YGt6defxrNEMy_jmYDY7pur7DsrGo0SBhViWBcutlvHr8ZHduVX2VJrGCl6Lr3w9ebbDpUDNLvEOtqMsh0RPSPTW97iu4o/s800/Author%20Bio.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="600" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3I5qKR4MZ9EToZlPSAaFdNdLdgn0aBKFOc4XyuUywLfQmZOsAF7KbE9G8g46Ake1OVdPq_V-yhVz-2OXrsm62x4oDw-II4YGt6defxrNEMy_jmYDY7pur7DsrGo0SBhViWBcutlvHr8ZHduVX2VJrGCl6Lr3w9ebbDpUDNLvEOtqMsh0RPSPTW97iu4o/s600/Author%20Bio.png"/></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>
</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711575350710344963.post-36792211862398701022023-06-06T22:07:00.000+01:002023-06-09T11:57:27.952+01:00Blog Tour: Even if the Sky is Falling [edited by Taj McCoy]<span style="font-size: xx-small;">ARC provided for review </span><div><br /></div><div>Hi! </div><div><br /></div><div>I have another book from the Harlequin Trade Publishing Summer Blog Tour Program for you today - this time it's a compilation, edited by Taj McCoy.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTunY6Lz7OJC-PmUYh0pAb_vnzDdMO-9NbcR2yU5Ygf11o46-nrbS9K5x4gVRhZ8jbEy-rSZSN1mrh7pSX2HA8r_1UeY_1Qp-JoDmlYcHuhGo8miGmM4P3L_onirnUARV_hl9q3LsS2qq4wQXHMshSalWBMkAA5nY6Fv0SLrdUP_MmGW2z9gnZ2IjN/s3200/Even%20if%20the%20Sky%20is%20Falling%20Cover%20%281%29.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="3200" data-original-width="2125" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTunY6Lz7OJC-PmUYh0pAb_vnzDdMO-9NbcR2yU5Ygf11o46-nrbS9K5x4gVRhZ8jbEy-rSZSN1mrh7pSX2HA8r_1UeY_1Qp-JoDmlYcHuhGo8miGmM4P3L_onirnUARV_hl9q3LsS2qq4wQXHMshSalWBMkAA5nY6Fv0SLrdUP_MmGW2z9gnZ2IjN/s600/Even%20if%20the%20Sky%20is%20Falling%20Cover%20%281%29.jpg" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>For readers of Bolu Babalola's LOVE IN COLOR and Dhonielle Clayton's BLACKOUT, a collection of six stories filled with hope, humor, and heat that explore the chances a couple may take when they mistakenly believe the world is ending; for fans of <i>Love Actually</i> and all the best 90s disaster films that end in a triumphant kiss, with stories by Taj McCoy, Farah Heron, Lane Clarke, Charish Reid, Sarah Smith, and Denise Williams.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">When the global threat of meteor showers - exacerbated by an increasing amount of space debris in our solar system - causes widespread panic, a world-wide siren system alerting people to significant threats is developed. The plan immediately hits a rocky start when the US accidentally launches the siren during a routine testing without being able to signal the all-clear, causing people to take immediate shelter.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Each of these 6 stories forces two people - strangers, colleagues, crushes, rivals - to take cover with one another, exploring what chances a person may take when they mistakenly believe the world is ending. Spoiler: it's a lot of confession making and kissing.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Filled with joy, heat, and emotion, this collection also seamlessly incorporates issues impacting people of color in an authentic and genuine way.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Editor Taj McCoy describes herself as "committed to championing stories that include Black & Multiracial women of colour, plus-size protagonists, Black love, Black joy, & senses of sisterhood & family bonds."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">That aim really comes through in this collection of six romance stories, all set during a 12 hour emergency lockdown (of sorts). The opening story, <i>"All The Stars"</i> by Taj McCoy explains how the disaster happens, with a sweet tale about a NASA crew trial that goes awry.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In <i>Keep Calm and Curry On</i> by Farah Heron, two rival Pakistani chefs get stuck with each other in a flea market; <i>My Lucky Stars</i> by Lane Clarke sees law student Jones infuriated with her colleague Dianna, who she assumes is just a pretty face. <i>Bunker Buddies</i> by Charish Reid is that "do it for our country" scene from <i>Grease 2</i> but with a professor and an indie bookstore owner; <i>Interlude</i> by Sarah Smith is a handyman fantasy come to life, and <i>Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better</i> by Denise Williams is a spicy tale of old rivals returning to their college for an awards ceremony when the alarm sounds.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's SPICY - no slow burns here, no ma'am - but it's fun, and it's always nice to read stories featuring Black characters & characters of colour that don't have some kind of traumatic backstory to overcome. Joy and love reign supreme - and it's hot, fast, sweet, and charming. It has been described as <i>"an ode to the disaster movies of the 1990s, but with more kissing"</i> and that's a really accurate description.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Spicy, cute, well done. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you to Justine at Harper Collins for having me on the Blog Tour! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Even if the Sky is Falling</i> is available now.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Even-Sky-Falling-Taj-McCoy/dp/1335452559" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Even-Sky-Falling-Taj-McCoy/dp/1335452559" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon US</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/Even-If-the-Sky-Is-Falling-by-Taj-McCoy-Farah-Heron-Lane-Clarke-Charish-Reid-Sarah-Smith-Denise-Williams/9781335452559" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Blackwell's (Includes Duties & Postage to Ireland)</a></b></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Or you can request it from your local library!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDVnmZjCrQK_tzCANTlgFa4TGEcusMbLrFiv3DbdCUVR70i10frBGsEUUFW5CRlfLMNWiW4pSptt188EbxeV95B8ysG3Q0NmjIYKca0a9bv3vlLT6ZJQRIVbAyYMm9ug16VTmQVf5D6QDt-v-pqzcCs2GNpJLE-xY8CDrHmz4YDRNvXE56HeNtiAw/s800/Author%20Bio%20%281%29.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDVnmZjCrQK_tzCANTlgFa4TGEcusMbLrFiv3DbdCUVR70i10frBGsEUUFW5CRlfLMNWiW4pSptt188EbxeV95B8ysG3Q0NmjIYKca0a9bv3vlLT6ZJQRIVbAyYMm9ug16VTmQVf5D6QDt-v-pqzcCs2GNpJLE-xY8CDrHmz4YDRNvXE56HeNtiAw/s600/Author%20Bio%20%281%29.png" width="600" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0oYOKMJzkDA1LmXnf0762AZpR3usnGQJ6jmsKEGWz7wTiwpUoo3LFv7nXa27j3h_m0AAqS7_xwKti2NPNeqsUaCBBNIhT4ZJGqiywlG3g9IE-jsMHCddXUOfMyfplWsjECQafmo6uHwJIZLu9K_m-KntYv5mv4yE_FuDeDUfFjtfDW4e7WJOtmRQi/s800/Author%20Bio.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0oYOKMJzkDA1LmXnf0762AZpR3usnGQJ6jmsKEGWz7wTiwpUoo3LFv7nXa27j3h_m0AAqS7_xwKti2NPNeqsUaCBBNIhT4ZJGqiywlG3g9IE-jsMHCddXUOfMyfplWsjECQafmo6uHwJIZLu9K_m-KntYv5mv4yE_FuDeDUfFjtfDW4e7WJOtmRQi/s600/Author%20Bio.png" width="600" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711575350710344963.post-80912254245446670692023-05-10T15:45:00.000+01:002023-05-10T15:45:33.152+01:00Blog Tour: The Boyfriend Candidate by Ashley Winstead (Review + Excerpt)<span style="font-size: xx-small;">ARC provided by Harper Collins</span><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Hi!</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm delighted to bring you a review & excerpt of "The Boyfriend Candidate" by Ashley Winstead as part of the Harlequin Trade Publishing Summer Blog Tour programme. </div><div><br /></div><div>I've loved taking part in these tours before, because they always have a great selection of books to choose from.</div><div><br /></div><div>This time round, I picked a Grumpy/Sunshine, Fake Relationship rom-com about a quiet school librarian and a ballsy political candidate with somewhat of a reputation: </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDUxVh1AjJ-tv-xbUUGPuRYQJu6Jt_kJG-amvsKqILDlB0-damf0YMWDTuZMiy3kVyzP39gTXkF6CjqPBlD3S1VO7Oiv-dxT8kfMiUAVVla2VUc4dfQUFAeNcytRpm8KrxAYZWZlUOHUbWItN2wT8QGoTIl-0zPmNQ_HIx8unqvvT_Ic8PcvC0QUYW/s3200/The%20Boyfriend%20Candidate%20final%20cover.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="3200" data-original-width="2125" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDUxVh1AjJ-tv-xbUUGPuRYQJu6Jt_kJG-amvsKqILDlB0-damf0YMWDTuZMiy3kVyzP39gTXkF6CjqPBlD3S1VO7Oiv-dxT8kfMiUAVVla2VUc4dfQUFAeNcytRpm8KrxAYZWZlUOHUbWItN2wT8QGoTIl-0zPmNQ_HIx8unqvvT_Ic8PcvC0QUYW/w426-h640/The%20Boyfriend%20Candidate%20final%20cover.jpg" width="426" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>A laugh-out-loud rom-com about learning to embrace living outside your comfort zone.</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">As a shy school librarian, Alexis Stone is comfortable keeping out of the spotlight. But when she's dumped for being too meek - <i>in bed!</i>- she decides she needs to change. And what better way to kick-start her new more adventurous life than with her first one-night stand?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Enter Logan, the gorgeous, foul-mouthed stranger she meets at a hotel bar. Audacious and filterless, Logan is Alexis's opposite - and boy, do opposites attract! Just as she's about to fulfill her hookup wish, the hotel catches fire in a freak lightning storm. In their rush to escape, Logan is discovered carrying her into the street, where people are waiting with cameras. Cameras Logan promptly - and shockingly - flees.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Alexis is bewildered until suddenly pictures of her and Logan escaping the fire are all over the internet. Turns out Logan is none other than Logan Arthur, the hotshot candidate challenging the Texas governor's seat. The salacious scandal is poised to sink his career - and jeopardize Alexis's job - until a solution is proposed: he and Alexis could pretend to be in a relationship until election day... in two months. What could possibly go wrong?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I loved this. I thought it was so sweet, sexy, funny - both Alexis and Logan made for really likeable lead characters, and I liked that although Alexis was quiet, she wasn't afraid to stand up for what she believed in or the people she cared about. It's a masterclass in the slow burn - the tension was almost unbearable at times. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I loved the political parts too, some of the topics that the author touched upon were unfortunately incredibly topical - book banning at schools, libraries being defunded, protests by far-right groups about certain reading material. I liked that Alexis found a way to speak about these issues while also staying true to her own introverted nature. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The only thing I didn't love about the book was the push from Alexis's sister Lee to date someone for real - surely as a politician herself she would know that were Alexis to deviate from the agreement with Logan, she'd be throwing herself to the wolves? I thought it was a weird thing for her to suggest, but it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the story. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I loved the story, loved the plot, loved the characters, and I'm really thankful for the opportunity to read the book courtesy of the publisher. Thank you to Justine for having me on the Blog Tour.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The Boyfriend Candidate</i> by Ashley Winstead is available to buy now (or you can request it from your local library!) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Boyfriend-Candidate-Novel-Ashley-Winstead-ebook/dp/B0BC1VSNQ4" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Boyfriend-Candidate-Novel-Ashley-Winstead/dp/1525804960/" target="_blank">Amazon US</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-boyfriend-candidate-ashley-winstead/1142080805" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/The-Boyfriend-Candidate-by-Ashley-Winstead/9781525804960" target="_blank">Blackwells (includes Duties & Delivery to Ireland)</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You can learn more about Ashley Winstead's work below, and keep up with her on her <b><a href="https://www.ashleywinstead.com/" target="_blank">website</a></b>, <b><a href="https://twitter.com/ashleywinstead" target="_blank">Twitter</a></b>, <b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/ashleywinsteadbooks/?hl=en" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b> and <b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19926652.Ashley_Winstead" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></b>. Keep scrolling for a sneak peek at the first chapter!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPlXEHwdWBmF5SRoO3b6xcwiAfogWIgzie7_BqDuJoWC5ZKHerC8IP2AgP3G4HpCarR7agCHPIDEYbqtm6AkOBKienASAQnOl6Im0r4ocw8GrAqvi9ax9jkHpFQ-fY4i4g28_EJx5UTlGjUEf4k96TYbyQPD8DBKjlV9k7lsA36bJeLs02PIH5R91-/s800/Author%20Bio.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPlXEHwdWBmF5SRoO3b6xcwiAfogWIgzie7_BqDuJoWC5ZKHerC8IP2AgP3G4HpCarR7agCHPIDEYbqtm6AkOBKienASAQnOl6Im0r4ocw8GrAqvi9ax9jkHpFQ-fY4i4g28_EJx5UTlGjUEf4k96TYbyQPD8DBKjlV9k7lsA36bJeLs02PIH5R91-/w640-h640/Author%20Bio.png" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">EXCERPT</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-b66b9094-7fff-d3a3-8cfc-0e340464d0d4"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Alexis Stone Is Not a Mouse</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’LL SAY ONE NICE THING ABOUT MY EX CHRIS TUTTLE: </span><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the man was the entire reason I was here, standing at the entrance to the sultry Fleur de Lis hotel bar, wearing a red dress so plunging I kept it in the back of my closet for fear of scandalizing visitors, on the verge of reinventing myself. The memory of Chris and the still-fresh psychic wounds he’d left me were like a marching drum line urging me forward as I’d left my apartment, Ubered downtown to the Fleur de Lis, and cut a determined path across the lobby to the bar, a place with a reputation as Austin’s Grand Central Station of hookups. Unfortunately, now that I was standing at the entrance, the sight of all the laughing, drinking, dazzling people—dressed to the nines like me, but looking much more at ease about it—had me momentarily cowed.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt;"><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I thought back to what Chris said the day I discovered he was cheating on me (for the second time): “I </span><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">do </span><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">have needs you can’t satisfy. You should really learn to be more adventurous in bed, Lex. You’re like a timid little mouse. It can get really boring.” Remembering those words, I straightened my shoulders, took a deep breath, and stepped inside. I was </span><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">not </span><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a boring mouse—or at least I wouldn’t be one anymore. Starting tonight, I was going to be a new version of Alexis Stone: as bold and adventurous as my flaming-red dress.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt;"><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I tried to soak in the beauty of the bar while beelining through the crowded tables, anxious to leave the peculiar spotlight of being the only person standing among a bunch of cozy, seated people. But then I realized new Alexis wouldn’t care if everyone’s eyes flitted to her as she walked across a room—in fact, new Alexis would welcome it, because she’d spent nearly an hour straightening and then recurling her hair into movie star ringlets, and maybe that effort should be appreciated. I forced myself to slow and look up at the bar’s gorgeous glass ceiling, shaded a twinkly blue thanks to the night sky. Real palm trees lined the circular perimeter, fronds reaching toward the stars. They made the bar look like a very urbane urban jungle, which actually wasn’t too far off the mark.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My older sister, Lee, and her friends liked to roll their eyes at the entire downtown bar scene, calling places like the Fleur de Lis “meat markets where you go to spend thirty-five bucks on a martini while beating back horny yuppies” (Lee’s words). They preferred the hipster bars on the east side of Austin, where the clientele was cooler yet dirtier (my words). </span><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I </span><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">thought the Fleur de Lis was romantic, so it made sense to come here tonight for my critical but one hundred percent private mission: I, Alexis Rosalie Stone, was going to have my first one-night stand. I was going to sleep with a man with no strings attached, no stakes or expectations: just one night to do whatever felt right. Alexis the unadventurous bore? I’d killed her and buried the body.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt;"><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The gleaming brass bar was crowded, but I managed to slip a shoulder between two men and catch the bartender’s attention. “Vodka martini,” I said, feeling a sudden rebellious compulsion to do anything that would raise my sister’s eyebrows. By the time my drink came, I’d completed a full three-sixty swivel in my barstool to survey the sea of men for potential candidates. How exactly did one negotiate a one-night stand? Did you lead with it in conversation so all your cards were on the table (“Hi, I’m Alexis; you might be interested to know I’m trolling for a stranger to ravish me”), or did you hold back, let your intention slip out at just the right moment (“I see you’re ordering an Uber home; could I interest you in going splitsies back to my place for a wild night of sex”)?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt;"><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I braced a hand on the bar, taking a fortifying sip of my martini. Even if I made a complete fool of myself tonight—even if I was roundly rejected by every man I spoke to—coming here alone at least meant Lee and her crew couldn’t witness my flop, then use it to skewer me for all eternity like the jackals they were.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt;"><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A whistle cut through the bar’s ambient noise, followed by a loud, “Now </span><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">that’s </span><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a dress.” Out of nowhere, a man appeared and sidled up beside me. One look at him and my mind blurted </span><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">forehead! </span><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Probably because his was shiny as a disco ball, framed by waggling eyebrows, and tilted all the way to the side. The next second, I realized his head was turned that way so he could get a clear view down my dress.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Thanks.” I placed a protective hand over my chest and swiveled in the opposite direction. Hoping my body language would signal my disinterest, I took another sip of my martini and studied the empty corner of the room like it was fascinating.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt;"><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No such luck. “I’m Carter Randall,” the man said, jutting out his hand. “What’s your name?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt;"><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My deep desire for him to go away warred with my silly lifelong compulsion to be nice. “Um…” I twisted back to shake his oddly moist hand and searched for inspiration. My gaze snagged, as his clearly had, on my dress. </span><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Ruby…” </span><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The next word came unbidden. “Dangerfield. Ruby Dangerfield.” Curse my polite hardwiring that had me sitting here inventing a new name instead of dismissing him with something cool and clipped like, “Not interested.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt;"><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Carter gave my hand a little squeeze. He was twice my age, probably well into his fifties. Well-dressed, with a massive gold watch on his wrist, and—now that I squinted—a strangely sweaty face, like he’d just done a lap. Was he on party drugs? He used his sleeve to mop his forehead and I pulled my hand away, resisting the urge to wipe it on my dress. Carter’s eyes drifted down the length of my body yet again. “Well, Ms. Ruby. Can I buy you a drink? A stiff one?” He grinned.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt;"><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Oh,” I said. “That’s very nice. But—um—no thank you.” Inside, I burned with the fire of a thousand suns. Saying no to anyone, even a stranger, stretched the limits of my bravery.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt;"><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Aw, come on.” Carter leaned in closer and I scooted back so fast I nearly tipped over. “Look at you, sitting there in that dress. Clearly fishing for attention. Well, you caught me. Let’s get you drunk and see what happens.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Apparently, I was going to get a lesson in how </span><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">not </span><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">to proposition someone tonight. But my cheeks were burning, because in a small way Carter was right—I </span><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">had </span><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">come here to put myself on display and find someone, just very much not him. </span><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Be the new Alexis</span><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, I urged myself. </span><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Stop prioritizing this stranger’s feelings and tell him to leave you alone. </span><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But I couldn’t—at the slightest provocation, old, sad, doormat Alexis had quickly jumped back in charge.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt;"><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’m not trying to be rude,” I said carefully, feeling my heartbeat spike. “I would just like to be by myself tonight.” Well, shoot. Now that I’d committed to that, would I have to leave the bar so Carter didn’t catch me talking to anyone else later? My palms started sweating.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt;"><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“One drink—” he started.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt;"><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Oh, for </span><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">fuck’s sake</span><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">,” came a voice, tinged with an accent I couldn’t place—British mixed with Texas panhandle? I nearly knocked over my martini. “She said </span><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">no</span><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, mate. Get it through your thick skull and leave the poor woman alone.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Carter spun to get a look at the man who’d interrupted us, and without his body blocking the view, I got a clear line, too. My stomach flipped over and released a conservatory’s worth of butterflies. Even wearing a look of contempt, the man on the other side of Carter was stop-in-your-tracks, tongue-tyingly handsome. He was around my age, maybe a little older—he certainly radiated an older person’s authority—with a head of dark curls cut close and tight, brown eyes that were currently blazing, and thick eyebrows arched, waiting to see how Carter would respond. He had on a dark suit like most of the other men in the room, but he’d taken off his jacket and hung it on the back of his seat. He was sitting hunched over his drink in a white dress shirt with the sleeves messily rolled back, wearing a dark slim watch that was the antithesis of Carter’s flashy gold one. The wrinkles in his suit, creases under his eyes, and day-old stubble gave the impression of a weary business executive after a long, hard day at work. His eyes flitted to mine for the briefest moment before returning to Carter, but the charge that ran down my spine was enough to root me to my chair.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt;"><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Carter shifted his weight. Apparently, he was going to play the tough guy. “Why don’t you mind your business, pal?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt;"><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The beautiful, tired man rolled his eyes. “Oh, good. You’re one of those.” He got to his feet so fast his barstool made a screeching sound as it scraped across the floor. “Then let’s go ahead and get this over with, because I’ve had a shit day and I would like to kick your ass and get back home at a reasonable hour. So come on. You’re the one campaigning for Most Punchable Man in the Bar. Let’s have your prize.” The dark-haired man spoke calmly and quickly in his hard-to-place accent, like he invited people to get their asses kicked at least once a day. He made a little “come on” gesture that conveyed utter boredom.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt;"><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">People around us had stopped talking to watch. The extra attention only made me feel like I was going to melt into the floor at twice the speed. But if I had no idea how to respond to this turn of events—what to say or even where to put my hands—Carter was even more clueless. I could see his eyes dancing, doing quick calculations. On the one hand, Carter was thicker around the middle than the dark-haired man. On the other, the dark-haired man had revealed himself to be tall and well-built when he stood up.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt;"><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Nah, man.” Carter put his hands up. “We’ve got no problems. Just making new friends like you’re supposed to at a bar, for Christ’s sake.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt;"><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Great,” said the dark-haired man. “Then kindly fuck off as suggested.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt;"><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Carter didn’t wait to be told a third time. As he hightailed away from the bar, a woman nearby muttered, “What a douche.” And with that judgment rendered, the room dialed back to a normal volume.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Thank you,” I said to the dark-haired man. He waved me off with a grunt and settled back in his barstool, leaning comfortably over his drink, apparently hoping to resume his night like nothing had happened.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I stared at him. The adrenaline was draining out of my system, which left me feeling hollow. I should have been the one to tell Carter to fuck off. I should have had the guts, but instead I’d tiptoed around and this man had to step in and do it for me. How humiliating. It hit me like a ton of bricks: from the moment Carter arrived, I’d been unequivocally </span><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">mousy</span><span style="color: #211d1e; font-family: "Bembo Std"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Exactly like Chris said.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Quattrocento Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Excerpted from </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">THE BOYFRIEND CANDIDATE</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Quattrocento Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Copyright </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">©</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Quattrocento Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> 2023 by Ashley Winstead. Published by Graydon House.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Quattrocento Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Quattrocento Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJu06zxx_7f9Y2NLkMj910JIU4OgDecyG8PF56mBPkVnTRf5Pwz8AdeO5itYhK5Ol3ZdvwmAnf6KskIKflRmrnkxjkO8l19EN-LCPDkuh1z1qYiy7OaJ4lXM7_AxNIys82RBNtLs2HtMd9xBMl4zqipmk1103qj-bqtPqUOjsTHnJl8CYl8qzhdapR/s320/Sharon%20Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="86" data-original-width="320" height="86" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJu06zxx_7f9Y2NLkMj910JIU4OgDecyG8PF56mBPkVnTRf5Pwz8AdeO5itYhK5Ol3ZdvwmAnf6KskIKflRmrnkxjkO8l19EN-LCPDkuh1z1qYiy7OaJ4lXM7_AxNIys82RBNtLs2HtMd9xBMl4zqipmk1103qj-bqtPqUOjsTHnJl8CYl8qzhdapR/s1600/Sharon%20Signature.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711575350710344963.post-18817298970556145692021-10-25T15:11:00.001+01:002022-04-30T13:39:04.285+01:00Blog Tour: Fan Club by Erin Mayer [Review + Excerpt]<span style="font-size: x-small;">ARC provided by Netgalley. </span><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Amazon UK link is an affiliate. </span></div><div><br /></div><div>Hi!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Today I have a cracking debut novel for you, written by former <i style="font-weight: bold;">Bustle</i> editor Erin Mayer. <i style="font-weight: bold;">Fan Club</i> is a sharp, witty commentary on stan culture, how we view fame, and the risks we take in order to find some kind of meaningful relationship. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghd8tvRNx6OoesvXrff0UZwVlehH3tIQ23V6YLnmcre4LQIqUfdrA1ZT2bd_VxK8YoCQAlkniH46USUXvmIx8S9tcvztBVTn-stVY6ZTa_tOREGi4FEodq1-FSMPitTJ8u7dBHUF4Oy3M/s2048/Fan+Club.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1360" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghd8tvRNx6OoesvXrff0UZwVlehH3tIQ23V6YLnmcre4LQIqUfdrA1ZT2bd_VxK8YoCQAlkniH46USUXvmIx8S9tcvztBVTn-stVY6ZTa_tOREGi4FEodq1-FSMPitTJ8u7dBHUF4Oy3M/w426-h640/Fan+Club.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The term "stan" comes from the song of the same name released by Eminem in 2000. It's written from the POV of a man (named Stan) so deeply obsessed with Eminem that he writes letters to him detailing his descent into anger and rage when Eminem doesn't reply. His actions get increasingly more dangerous as he begs for his idol's attention. The term entered the Oxford English dictionary in June of 2018, listed as <b><i>"an overzealous or obsessive fan, esp. of a particular celebrity."</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In this book, our main character isn't named. Which seems fitting, as she feels like she doesn't really exist in any great sense of the word. She uses the term "every-father" in the opening paragraph of the book - she herself is the "every-office-worker". She's anybody, she's nobody, she's everybody. She works at a job she hates, editing articles she doesn't care about for a website she doesn't read, lives with a roommate she doesn't really know, and doesn't have many friends. She craves love, intimacy, friendship, excitement, and she has all but given up - until she finds Adriana Argento. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Adriana is a pop princess, loved the world over, who is on the brink of releasing her first album after a hiatus due to a tragedy at one of her shows. If this all sounds a bit familiar - you too, may believe God is a Woman. Adriana becomes more and more important to our main character, and as so often happens, the fans find each other and our gal becomes deeply involved with a very intense branch of the Adriana fandom, to the detriment of her and the people around her. But it's exciting. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This really didn't go the way I thought it would, but I found it to be a really engaging read. The whole world of standoms and fandoms is equally terrifying and intriguing to me - I find it a little sad sometimes and one of the lines in the book really summed that up for me: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>"The most efficient way to lose yourself is to idolise somebody else"</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's scary to me how much access people have to celebrities now. Of course as long as there have been celebrities, there have been stans - but I feel like with advances in technology and the ways we use social media, celebrities have gone from being untouchable to being dangerously reachable. Stan Twitter honestly scares the bejaysus out of me, but I've no doubt had I been born ten years later that I'd have absolutely been bang smack in the middle of it. I can see the allure - finding your tribe is one of the hardest things on this earth to do, and many people go through life without ever finding that kind of comraderie or a group of people with whom they can truly be themselves. Fandoms seem like ready-made families, ready and waiting to accept you with open arms - until you step out of line. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I ate this book up in one sitting - I was gutted when it ended, because I could easily have read another hundred pages. It takes celebs, fans, cults, social media, jaded millennials, capitalism, and spins it into a cautionary tale about living vs existing in a world full of online obsession. As a species, we've never been more connected - so why aren't we more connected? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I didn't adore the ending, but I really enjoyed the journey there. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You can read an excerpt from <i>Fan Club</i> below. Thank you to Justine at Harper Collins for having me on the Blog Tour, I really appreciate it. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Fan Club</i> will be released on October 26th, and you can request it from your local indie bookshop, library, or purchase it at the links below: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/fan-club/id1545139327" target="_blank">Apple Books</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/fan-club-4" target="_blank">Kobo</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://amzn.to/3EdnWr5" target="_blank">Kindle UK*</a></b> <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/0778311597?tag=harpercollinsus-20" target="_blank">US</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You can keep up to date with Erin Mayer's work on her <b><a href="http://www.erinmayer.com" target="_blank">website</a></b>, <b><a href="http://twitter.com/mayer_erin" target="_blank">Twitter</a></b>, and <b><a href="http://instagram.com/erinkmayer" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">EXCERPT</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>CHAPTER ONE</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I'm outside for a cumulative ten minutes each day before work. Five to walk from my apartment building to the subway, another five to go from the subway to the anemic obelisk that houses my office. I try to breathe as deeply as I can in those minutes, because I never know how long it will be until I take fresh air into my lungs again. Not that the city air is all that fresh, tinged with the sharp stench of old garbage, pollution's metallic swirl. But it beats the stale oxygen of the office, already filtered through distant respiratory systems. Sometimes, during slow moments at my desk, I inhale and try to imagine those other nostrils and lungs that have already processed this same air. I'm not sure how it works in reality, any knowledge I once had of the intricacies of breathing having been long ago discarded by more useful information, but the image comforts me. Usually, I picture a middle-aged man with greying temples, a fringe of visible nose hair, and a coffee stain on the collar of his baby blue button-down. He looks nothing and everything like my father. An every-father, if you will. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">My office is populated by dyed-blonde or pierced brunette woman in their mid-to-late twenties and early thirties. The occasional man, just a touch older than most of the women, but still young enough to give off the faint impression that he DJs at Meatpacking nightclubs for extra cash on the weekends. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We are the new corporate Americans, the offspring of the grey-templed men. We wear tastefully ripped jeans and cozy sweaters to the office instead of blazers and trousers. Display a tattoo here and there - our supervisors don't mind; in fact, they have the most ink. We eat yogurt for breakfast, work through lunch, leave the office at six if we're lucky, arriving home with just enough time to order dinner from an app and watch two or three hours of Netflix before collapsing into bed from exhaustion we haven't earned. Exhaustion that lives in the brain, not the body, and cannot be relieved by a mere eight hours of sleep.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Nobody understands exactly what it is we do here, and neither do we. I push through revolving glass doors, run my wallet over the card reader, which beeps as my ID scans through the stiff leather, and half-wave in the direction of the uniformed security guard behind the desk, whose face my eyes never quite reach so I can't tell you what he looks like. He's just one of the many set-pieces staging the scene of my days. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The elevator ride to the eleventh floor is long enough to skim one-third of a longform article on my phone. I barely register what it's about, something loosely political, or who is standing next to me in the cramped elevator. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">When the doors slide open on eleven, we both get off. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">In the dim eleventh-floor lobby, a humming neon light shaped like the company logo assaults my sleep-swollen eyes like the prick of a dozen tiny needles. Today, a small section has burned out, creating a skip in the letter W. Below the logo is a tufted cerulean velvet couch where guests wait to be welcomed. To the left there's a mirrored wall reflecting the vestibule; people sometimes pause there to take photos on the way to and from the office, usually on the Friday afternoon before a long weekend. I see the photos later while scrolling through my various feeds at home in bed. They hit me one after another like shots of tequila: See ya Tuesday! *margarita emoji* Peace out for the long weekend! *palm tree emoji* Byeeeeee! *peace sign emoji.*</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">She steps in front of me, my elevator companion. Black Rag & Bone ankle boots gleaming, blade-tipped pixie cut grazing her ears. Her neck piercing taunts me, those winking silver balls on either side of her spine. She's Lexi O'Connell, the website's senior editor. She walks ahead with her head angled down, thumb working her phone's keyboard, and doesn't look up as she shoves the interior door open, palm to the glass. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I trip over the back of one clunky winter boot with the other as I spped up, considering whether to call out for her attention. It's what a good web producer, one who is eager to move on from the endless drudgery of copy-pasting and resizing and into the slightly more thrilling drudgery of writing and rewriting, would do.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">By the time I regain my footing, I come face-to-face with the smear of her handprint as the door glides shut in front of me. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Monday. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I work at a website. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It's like most other websites; we publish content, mostly articles: news stories, essays, interviews, glossed over with the polished opalescent sheen of commercialized feminism. The occasional quiz, video, or photoshoot rounds out our offerings. This is how websites work in the age of ad revenue: Each provides a slightly varied selection of mindless entertainment, news updates and watered-down hot takes about everything from climate change to plus size fashion, hawking their wares on the digital marketplace, leaving The Reader to wander drunkenly through the bazaar, wielding her cursor like an Amex. You can find everything you'd want to read in one place online, dozens of times over. The algorithms have erased choice. Search engines and social media platforms, they know what you want before you do. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">As a web producer, my job is to input article text into the website's proprietary content management system, or CMS. I'm a digitized high school janitor; I clean up the small messes, the litter that misses the rim of the garbage can. I make sure the links are working and the images are high resolution. When anything bigger comes up, it goes to an editor or IT. I'm an expert in nothing, a master of the miniscule fixes. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">There are five of us who produce for the entire website, each handling about 20 articles a day. We sit at a long grey table on display at the very center of the open office, surrounded on all sides by editors and writers. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>The web producer's bullpen,</b> Lexi calls it. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The light fixture above the table buzzes loudly like a nest of bees is trapped inside the fluorescent tubing. I drop my bag on the floor and take a seat, shedding my coat like a layer of skin. My chair faces the beauty editor's desk, the cruelest seat in the house. All day long, I watch Charlotte Miller receive package after package stuffed with pastel tissue paper. Inside those packages: lipstick, foundation, perfume, happiness. A thousand simulacrums of Christmas morning spread across the two-hundred and sixty-one workdays of the year. She has piled the trappings of Brooklyn hipsterdom on top of her blonde, big-toothed, prettiness. Wire-frame glasses, a tattoo of a constellation on her inner left forearm, a rose gold nose ring. She seems Texan, but she's actually from some wholesome upper Midwestern state, I can never remember which one. Right now, she applies red lipstick from a warm golden tube in the flat gleam of the golden mirror next to her monitor. Everything about her is color-coordinated. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I open my laptop. The screen blinks twice and prompts me for my password. I type it in, and the CMS appears, open to where I left it when I signed off the previous evening. Our CMS is called LIZZIE. There's a rumor that it was named after Lizzie Borden, christened during the pre-launch party when the tech team pounded too many shots after they finished coding. As in, "Lizzie Borden took an ax and gave her mother forty whacks." Lizzie Borden rebranded in the 21st century as a symbol of righteous feminine anger. LIZZIE, my best friend, my closest confidant. She's an equally comforting and infuriating presence, constant in her bland attention. She gazes at me, always emotionless, saying nothing as she watches me teeter on the edge, fighting tears or trying not to doze at my desk or simply staring, in search of answers she cannot provide. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">My eyes droop in their sockets as I scan the articles that were submitted before I arrived this morning. The whites threaten to turn liquid and splash onto my keyboard, pool between the keys and jiggle like eggs minus the yolks. Thinking of this causes a tiny laugh to slip out from between my clenched lips. Charlotte slides the cap onto her lipstick, glares at me over the lip of the mirror. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">"Morning."</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">That's Tom, the only male web producer, who sits across and slightly left of me, keeping my view of Charlotte's towering wonderland of boxes and bags clear. He's four years older than me, twenty-eight, but the plush chipmunk curve of his cheeks makes him appear much younger, like he's about to graduate high school. He's cute, though, in the way of a movie star who always gets cast as the geek in teen comedies. Definitely hot but dress him down in an argyle sweater and glasses and he could be a Hollywood nerd. I've always wanted to ask him why he works here, doing this. There isn't really a web producer archetype. We're all different, a true island of misfit toys. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">But if there is a type, Tom doesn't fit it. He seems smart and driven. He's consistently the only person who attends company book club meetings having read that month's selection from cover to cover. I've never asked him why he works here because we don't talk much. No one in our office talks much. Not out loud, anyway. We communicate through a private Morse code, fingers dancing on keys, expressions scanned and evaulated from a distance. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Sometimes I think about flirting with Tom, for something to do, but he wears a wedding ring. Not that I care about his wife; it's more the fear of rebuff and rejection, of hearing the low-voiced Sorry, I'm married, that stops me. He usually sails in a few minutes after I do, smelling like his bodega coffee and the egg sandwich he carefully unwraps and eats at his desk. He nods in my direction. Morning is the only word we've exchanged the entire time I've worked here, which is coming up on a year in January. It's not even a greeting, merely a statement of fact. It is morning and we're both here. Again. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Three hundred and sixty-five days lost to the hum and twitch and click. I can't seem to remember how I got here. It all feels like a dream. The mundane kind, full of banal details, but something slightly off about it all. I don't remember applying for the job, or interviewing. One day, an offer letter appeared in my inbox and I signed.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">And here I am. Day after day, I wait for someone to need me. I open articles. I tweak the formatting, check the links, correct the occasional typo that catches my eye. It isn't really my job to copy edit, or even to read closely, but sometimes I notice things, grammatical errors or awkward phrasing, and I then can't not notice them; I have to put them right or else they nag like a papercut on the soft webbing connecting two fingers. The brain wants to be useful. It craves activity, even after almost three hundred and sixty-five days of operating at its lowest frequency. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I open emails. I download attachments. I insert numbers into spreadsheets. I email those spreadsheets to Lexi and my direct boss, Ashley, who manages the homepage. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">None of it ever seems to add up to anything. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Excerpted from <i>Fan Club</i> by Erin Mayer. Copyright 2021 by Erin Mayer. Published by MIRA books. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujbDNuMWb_E2Zq00ML3TIeRvnogo6P3awp43JuZNqRdXMxzXITxrww-iBlmRMccuKliG-npagP37Ddyjj4OfNNZOO4BrhOgNw5Dzgf4Xoh0m0c8eMZ6ILC_yhkDQMaUXPxeWZuZFlkkY/s800/Erin+Mayer+Author+Bio.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujbDNuMWb_E2Zq00ML3TIeRvnogo6P3awp43JuZNqRdXMxzXITxrww-iBlmRMccuKliG-npagP37Ddyjj4OfNNZOO4BrhOgNw5Dzgf4Xoh0m0c8eMZ6ILC_yhkDQMaUXPxeWZuZFlkkY/w640-h640/Erin+Mayer+Author+Bio.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdop-cMWhESJabV-Dru4Mwy7w1fa8tDWAyZxaMbX5Hu1mAfp4T-sa6yNUwfT7VtkjXaCWWIjxdtiqt9ydkPcK1bQ0BLXY_ZjJwmlfn4S2KoxWEW0HmQ55jXbCZbTs9VKKYn18gybdAkQ/s320/Sharon+Signature.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="86" data-original-width="320" height="86" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdop-cMWhESJabV-Dru4Mwy7w1fa8tDWAyZxaMbX5Hu1mAfp4T-sa6yNUwfT7VtkjXaCWWIjxdtiqt9ydkPcK1bQ0BLXY_ZjJwmlfn4S2KoxWEW0HmQ55jXbCZbTs9VKKYn18gybdAkQ/s0/Sharon+Signature.png" width="320" /></a></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711575350710344963.post-61139448260202673422021-07-22T16:39:00.001+01:002022-04-30T13:39:25.873+01:00Blog Tour: Ghosts by Dolly Alderton<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Review Copy</span><div><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Amazon UK link is an affiliate</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Hi!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Following the success of her memoir <i style="font-weight: bold;">Everything I know about Love,</i> fellow egg mayo sandwich connoisseur (the superior sandwich filling and I WILL fight you) released her debut fictional novel, <i style="font-weight: bold;">Ghosts</i>, in October 2020. It's released in paperback today, July 22nd, and I jumped at the chance to be a part of the blog tour having enjoyed Dolly's writing in the past. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwgmt8KvnHpgvbulfbIfsuPYaP9ObHrFIYbV1hLlHQiZslFJMhcWeg73VU2N0fIFrFS9agCh2IbrR6hMTCsym5mRAO1tco8UhEPtbigOQF1wqrSTmFycbOkcEvOPrHw_Ua099U2WBD8h0/s2048/Ghosts+paperback+cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1334" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwgmt8KvnHpgvbulfbIfsuPYaP9ObHrFIYbV1hLlHQiZslFJMhcWeg73VU2N0fIFrFS9agCh2IbrR6hMTCsym5mRAO1tco8UhEPtbigOQF1wqrSTmFycbOkcEvOPrHw_Ua099U2WBD8h0/w416-h640/Ghosts+paperback+cover.jpg" width="416" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">In <i style="font-weight: bold;">Ghosts</i>, we meed Nina George Dean. She's doing a job she loves (writing about food), living in the city she loves (London) and she has a genuinely lovely family and friend circle. All that's missing is someone to share that with - so Nina agrees to take her friend Lola's suggestion of using dating apps seriously and dives into the murky world of blurry profile pictures and DM roulette to try and find a connection with someone who won't mess her around. Then she meets Max. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I enjoyed this book a lot - it's witty, warm, funny, and Nina is really likeable. I also liked the other characters in her life - in particular it was nice to see a thirtysomething who had a good relationship with her parents. So often we see books where the mother is this stereotypical busybody who gives out about her husband, but not here. Nina's parents are facing a very tough journey together, and I really felt for her mother. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The ghosts in the novel are everywhere (not literally) - we have parents getting old, a friendship that may possibly be coming to an end, an ex moving on, and boyfriends being twats. We go through so many stages in life and each one comes with a new set of challenges. Unfortunately, none come with a guide book - we're all just supposed to know what to do and how to cope with the fact that we're getting older or might need to move on from something that's not making us happy anymore. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Friendships definitely change when one person has children - your day as a parent becomes consumed with trying to keep tiny humans alive and cling on to some semblance of a personality (then dealing with the guilt of wanting to retain your pre-baby personality) and it can be really hard to maintain friendships and remember that everyone is dealing with their own set of responsibilities and expectations. We're all just bloody winging it, really. I appreciated this part of the storyline a lot and really liked where the friendship with Katherine went. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I would be very confident in recommending this to anyone looking for a Summer read with a bit of depth - it made me teary on more than one occasion. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you to Hannah at Penguin Random House for having me on the blog tour, and please do check out the other stops on the tour below if you'd like some more opinions on the book. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Ghosts</i> is out now and available at all good bookshops including:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://gutterbookshop.com/product/ghosts-by-dolly-alderton-oct-2020/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gutter Bookshop</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.kennys.ie/bestsellers/Ghosts-The-Debut-Novel-from-the-Bestselling-Author-of-Everything-I-Know-About-Love-Alderton-Dolly" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kennys.ie</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://charliebyrne.ie/product/ghosts/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Charlie Byrne's Bookshop</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">and of course your local library and on <a href="https://amzn.to/3eIybt6" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Kindle</b></a>. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDrgH_38dDpxMMUiSs0DY3JcV6WlJae96j6SJNyvr6ofoExduBoJHcVfv67thI0gHB4L4n4hMriFUYBtgC9xZZzSew6SF4ubcE3sMEHzZFuQ7DE1Q7d_ZG7w7u_D-aj7zJmqUVmzYW5CY/s1600/Ghosts+by+Dolly+Alderton+Blog+Tour+banner.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDrgH_38dDpxMMUiSs0DY3JcV6WlJae96j6SJNyvr6ofoExduBoJHcVfv67thI0gHB4L4n4hMriFUYBtgC9xZZzSew6SF4ubcE3sMEHzZFuQ7DE1Q7d_ZG7w7u_D-aj7zJmqUVmzYW5CY/w640-h360/Ghosts+by+Dolly+Alderton+Blog+Tour+banner.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwGBbFxROLdSGsnUXKtcFLkskbBqm-LB30h7qu1x_MKhTAs0EawW0CGJB6GccaAEwriGaZfSpDLSLcf537tLVZnoMozkwcI3_DD-nRtaMZnNbNA-VL7vJ1wylsEIsZkdCem2_nqxtmEU/s320/Sharon+Signature.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="86" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwGBbFxROLdSGsnUXKtcFLkskbBqm-LB30h7qu1x_MKhTAs0EawW0CGJB6GccaAEwriGaZfSpDLSLcf537tLVZnoMozkwcI3_DD-nRtaMZnNbNA-VL7vJ1wylsEIsZkdCem2_nqxtmEU/s0/Sharon+Signature.png" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711575350710344963.post-52007991182150424622021-06-22T07:00:00.001+01:002022-04-30T13:39:37.683+01:00Blog Tour: Lady Sunshine by Amy Mason Doan [+ Excerpt]<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Review copy. </span><div><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Amazon UK link (*) is an affiliate.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Hi!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Today I am honoured to be hosting a stop on the blog tour for <i>Lady Sunshine</i> by Amy Mason Doan. You'll find an excerpt at the end of the post, thanks to Graydon House.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHtbC2uQvpvpnlXMONdaA0m3SdLK-_-YiYRovD7sh6ob1Wm2NDDs3SUbi-0uyhWD-h3IlDNBQa4ASYYebvE9f2dAibpD5FnrV0MzwRHpopkKO4EoxWsmMWL6MPEVpQGV538OMO6Bw7pq4/s2048/LADY+SUNSHINE+cover+-+FINAL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1360" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHtbC2uQvpvpnlXMONdaA0m3SdLK-_-YiYRovD7sh6ob1Wm2NDDs3SUbi-0uyhWD-h3IlDNBQa4ASYYebvE9f2dAibpD5FnrV0MzwRHpopkKO4EoxWsmMWL6MPEVpQGV538OMO6Bw7pq4/w424-h640/LADY+SUNSHINE+cover+-+FINAL.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">"Lady Sunshine" is the nickname given to our protagonist, Jackie Pierce, by her musician Uncle Graham in 1979. The book flits between 1999, when Jackie is given the task of dealing with Graham's estate after she inherits it, and 1979 - the Summer that changed everything. </span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The sprawling estate in California was home to Graham, his wife Angela, and their daughter Willa. Jackie is sent there for the Summer when she's seventeen, and after a shaky start, her and Willa forge an incredibly close bond. In the present, Willa doesn't seem to be in the picture at all, so what happened? Jackie is busy packing up the estate for sale, but a promise was made to a group of musicians to allow them record there one last time. The music brings back a lot of memories for Jackie, could this finally give her some closure and help her move on from the events of that Summer? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This has (and will be) compared to <i>Daisy Jones and the Six</i> and I don't entirely disagree - it has that same lazy, hazy seventies vibe and the musical element does play a part - but that's where the similarities end. This book is a look at friendships, families and forgiveness. I really loved this book. I think it's definitely one of my favourites this year and I would highly recommend it as a good Summer read. It's lovely. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Lady Sunshine</i> will be published on June 29th and will be available from all good bookshops, your local library, and at the links below.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Kindle <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lady-Sunshine-Amy-Mason-Doan/dp/1525804677" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">US</a> | </b><a href="https://amzn.to/3vzkrGT" rel="nofollow" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">UK</a>*</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/lady-sunshine-2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kobo</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Amy_Mason_Doan_Lady_Sunshine?id=-ET3DwAAQBAJ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Google Play</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Lady-Sunshine-Amy-Mason-Doan/9781525804670?ref=grid-view&qid=1623952193027&sr=1-3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Book Depository</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheHH2NEHDPqFoGYj-KBx_5rh0aMhnOV97djbs9pZXEEW_QGnQ81vkfetn_Zn9ffhrLTq094tfx0G1Cd67JdprLfYJeDhZV4uIopQHbaNTMEG7k5q54_UeM8mYEu4GixxD7XPdk6Ghd4oI/s800/Author+Bio.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheHH2NEHDPqFoGYj-KBx_5rh0aMhnOV97djbs9pZXEEW_QGnQ81vkfetn_Zn9ffhrLTq094tfx0G1Cd67JdprLfYJeDhZV4uIopQHbaNTMEG7k5q54_UeM8mYEu4GixxD7XPdk6Ghd4oI/w640-h640/Author+Bio.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />You can keep up to date with the author on her <b><a href="https://amymasondoan.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">website</a></b>, or on her socials - <a href="https://twitter.com/AmyLDoan" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/amymasondoanauthor" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/amymasondoan" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16722065.Amy_Mason_Doan" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Goodreads</a>, <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/amydoanla/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">EXCERPT</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">A Girl, Her Cousin and a Waterfall</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">1999</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">I rattle the padlock on the gate, strum my fingers along the cold chain-link fence.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">I own this place.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Maybe if I repeat it often enough I'll believe it.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">All along the base of the fence are tributes: shells, notes, sketches, bunches of flowers. Some still fresh, some so old the petals are crisp as parchment. I follow the fence uphill, along the coast side, and stop at a wooden, waist-high sign marking the path up to the waterfall. It wasn't here the summer I visited.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">The sign is covered in words and drawings, so tattooed-over by fan messages that you can barely read the official one. I run my fingertips over the engravings: initials, peace symbols, <i>Thank you's, I Love You's</i>. Fragments of favorite lyrics. After coming so far to visit the legendary estate, people need to do something, leave their mark, if only with a rock on fog-softened wood.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Song titles from my uncle's final album, <i>Three</i>, are carved everywhere. "Heart, Home, Hope."</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">"Leaf, Shell, Raindrop."</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">"Angel, Lion, Willow." Someone has etched that last one in symbols instead of words. The angel refers to Angela, my aunt. The lion is my uncle Graham. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">And the willow tree. Willa, my cousin.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">I have a pointy metal travel nail file in my suitcase; I could add my message to the rest, my own tribute to this place, to the Kingstons. To try to explain what happened the summer I spent here. I could tell it like one of the campfire tales I used to spin for Willa.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">This is the story of a girl, her cousin, and a waterfall...</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">But there's no time for that, not with only seven days to clear the house for sale. Back at the gate, where Toby's asleep in his cat carrier in the shade, I dig in my overnight bag for the keys. They came in a FedEx with a fat stack of documents I must've read on the plane from Boston a dozen times - thousands of words, all dressed up in legal jargon. When it's so simple, really. Everything inside that fence is mine now, whether I want it or not.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">I unlock the gate, lift the metal shackle, and walk uphill to the highest point, where the gravel widens into a parking lot, then fades away into grass. The field opens out below me just like I remember. We called it "the bowl," because of the way the edges curve up all around it. A golden bowl scooped into the hills, rimmed on three sides by dark green woods. The house, a quarter mile ahead of me at the top of the far slope, is a pale smudge in the fir trees.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">I stop to take it in, this piece of land I now own. The Sandcastle, everyone called it.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Without the neighbours' goats and Graham's guests to keep the grass down, the field has grown wild, many of the yellow weeds high as my belly button.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Willa stood here with me once and showed me how from this angle the estate resembled a sun. The kind a child would draw, with a happy face inside. Once I saw it, it was impossible to un-see:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">The round, straw-colored field, trails squiggling off to the woods in every direction, like rays. The left eye - the campfire circle. The right eye - the blue aboveground pool. The nose was the vertical line of picnic benches in the middle of the circle that served as our communal outdoor dining table. The smile was the curving line of parked cars and motorcycles and campers.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">All that's gone now, save for the pool, which is squinting, collapsed, moldy green instead of its old bright blue.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">I should go back for my bag and Toby but I can't resist - I move on, down to the center of the field. Far to my right in the woods, the brown roofline of the biggest A-frame cabin, Kingfisher, pokes through the firs. But no other cabins are visible, the foliage is so thick now. Good. Each alteration from the place of my memories gives me confidence. I can handle this for a week. One peaceful, private week to box things up and send them away.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">"Sure you don't want me to come help?" Paul had asked when he dropped me to the airport this morning. "We could squeeze in a romantic weekend somewhere. I've always wanted to go to San Francisco."</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">"You have summer school classes, remember? Anyway, it'll be totally boring, believe me."</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">I'd told him - earnest, sweet Paul, who all the sixth-graders at the elementary school where we work hope they get as their teacher and who wants to marry me - that the trip was <i>no big deal</i>. That I'd be away for a week because my aunt in California passed away. That I barely knew her and just had to help pack up her old place to get it ready for sale.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">He believed me.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">I didn't tell him that the "old place" is a stunning, sprawling property perched over the Pacific, studded with cabins and outbuildings and a legendary basement recording studio. That the land bubbles with natural hot springs and creeks and waterfalls.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Or that I've inherited it. All of it. The fields, the woods, the house, the studio. And my uncle's music catalog.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">I didn't tell him that I visited here once as a teenager, or that for a little while, a long time ago, I was sure I'd stay forever.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><i>Excerpted from Lady Sunshine </i><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">© </span><i>2021 by Amy Mason Doan, used with permission by Graydon House.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnFr3dPvNNV9AUhJX-0FeyS1dInj-X2jTqnc4ZOw8EMOL_s9Py6xvf_tr2oWPI_HN1u659TkajvxDhg9F8yHKV8z25W27Sf9md0fNXmoku893zusN1qlscZ3P_UvtHwNLwE2U8XvPVUx8/s320/Sharon+Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="86" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnFr3dPvNNV9AUhJX-0FeyS1dInj-X2jTqnc4ZOw8EMOL_s9Py6xvf_tr2oWPI_HN1u659TkajvxDhg9F8yHKV8z25W27Sf9md0fNXmoku893zusN1qlscZ3P_UvtHwNLwE2U8XvPVUx8/s0/Sharon+Signature.png" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711575350710344963.post-89512067056936210762021-06-05T12:52:00.007+01:002022-05-03T10:59:25.276+01:00Watermelon Sugar, Why? <div><span style="font-size: xx-small;">*Amazon UK link is an affiliate</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Hi!</div><div><br /></div><div>It's not often I want to write a full blog post about a book mere moments after finishing it, but that's exactly where I am with this one. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbBpl3-C_rSRpi3GAIvPlrZ6rYxVC6KMrDZ4KhC5V9ajEEnmPsBBJjkwckVAzALFCjtcLS_jt31guZUM65RQ-AktyiUKe0lFuI-ZxgtYztL8IQiC1YGlpr5DhHu26VYiDRfE-OZfzydpQ/s393/The+Idea+of+You.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="393" data-original-width="255" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbBpl3-C_rSRpi3GAIvPlrZ6rYxVC6KMrDZ4KhC5V9ajEEnmPsBBJjkwckVAzALFCjtcLS_jt31guZUM65RQ-AktyiUKe0lFuI-ZxgtYztL8IQiC1YGlpr5DhHu26VYiDRfE-OZfzydpQ/w415-h640/The+Idea+of+You.png" width="415" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">The Idea of You</i><b style="font-style: italic;"> </b>is creating a bit of a buzz online at the moment. Originally published in 2017, it's being re-released by Penguin Michael Joseph UK in July 2021.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I first heard of this book in a Vogue article from last December that dubbed it "<a href="https://www.vogue.com/article/idea-of-you-book" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>The Sleeper Hit of the Pandemic</b></a>". Described as a "romance novel inspired by Harry Styles", I forgot all about it until I saw a group of people share PR images on Twitter yesterday. The PR package states in bold writing "THIS WILL KEEP YOU UP ALL NIGHT" - I mean, I had to read it after that. I downloaded it on <u><a href="https://amzn.to/3cmmEi3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kindle</a></u>* and tore through it (although it did not, in fact, keep me up). </div><div style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The basic premise is this: Soléne is the thirty-nine year old co-owner of a chic art gallery in L.A. that focuses only on art by women or people of colour. She's divorced, her husband having moved on with a new relationship, and they share custody of a twelve year old daughter, Isabelle. Soléne gets roped into taking Isabelle and a group of her school friends to an August Moon concert and meet-and-greet. August Moon are a five-piece British pop band. One of the members, <strike>Harry Styles</strike> Hayes Campbell, catches Soléne's eye and so begins our affair. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hayes is twenty, a mere eight years older than Isabelle. And therein lies the problem for me. I actually surprised myself with how judgemental I became while reading this - there's a nine year age gap between myself and my own husband. I don't bat an eyelid at an age gap usually. But something about this made me feel really uncomfortable, even though both are consenting adults. Maybe it's because Hayes is only a couple of years older than my own eldest child? I couldn't see Hayes as anything but an older teenager, and those have never been anything but scary to me, even when I WAS a teenager. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Try as I might, I couldn't enjoy this at all, and here's why: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">- Several times, the characters make reference to how Soléne could be Hayes' mother. I don't know how this is supposed to be a turn-on (unless you're Oedipus). It just took me out of the story and reminded me of how young this guy was. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">- Hayes was super immature. This didn't feel like a sexual relationship despite the copious amounts of quite graphic sex. It was very much a codependent mother/son dynamic and that gave me the creeps. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">- I couldn't get past the Harry Styles stuff. A lovely young man by all accounts with some great music, but not my cup of tea personally and not someone I want to fantasize about. I fear that the unthinkable has finally happened - I've aged out of my pop star fantasy. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">- Isabelle, at twelve/thirteen, had more maturity than Hayes. She handled the situation much better even though she felt completely betrayed and embarrassed by her mother. At one point Hayes looks at this literal child and says to Soléne "she has your mouth". Considering the only mention of Sol's mouth up to that point had been how great it looked/felt when it was attached to a certain appendage, VOM. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I read over that <i style="font-weight: bold;">Vogue</i> article again and I fully appreciate where the author is coming from - there's a severe shortage of romance novels or movies that feature women in their late thirties or early forties. At one point in the book, Soléne mentions how dismissive people can be once a woman hits that age - she is reduced to either "mom" or "businesswoman". I completely agree, and I think there is this notion that "women of a certain age" don't enjoy being sexual or passionate. Ultimately, this is a novel about women reclaiming their sexuality and living out their fantasies. This is all fantastic - this just wasn't it for me.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My reaction to this book surprised me, considering the fact that I'm no stranger to a romance novel and I love a good daydream. That's not to say you might not enjoy it - I'm a big fan of reading something for yourself before jumping on a bandwagon going in either direction (it's why I read the <b><i>Fifty Shades</i></b> trilogy back in the day - I wanted to be informed in my ranting) so if you do give it a go, I'd love to hear your thoughts. If the success of books like this and the aforementioned <i style="font-weight: bold;">Fifty Shades</i> series show anything, it's that there's a huge market for rom-coms and erotica featuring women in their thirties and forties. Hopefully this will lead to more being published, and who knows - maybe the next one will be the one I fall for.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJGwsihdu1cGrh63VLh4aqRXJDzQajPysZjyicxmsDT6ZeSSm8xCUs6x8QOPT0BbsXjAqNqOVcN8MkINTxEs-rziJTynjfDuU5tBuOMwuUFbKL74dhSghlWvnx1IpP0h7tfYFz12TBdMY/s320/Sharon+Signature.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="86" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJGwsihdu1cGrh63VLh4aqRXJDzQajPysZjyicxmsDT6ZeSSm8xCUs6x8QOPT0BbsXjAqNqOVcN8MkINTxEs-rziJTynjfDuU5tBuOMwuUFbKL74dhSghlWvnx1IpP0h7tfYFz12TBdMY/s0/Sharon+Signature.png" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711575350710344963.post-74964311232964424632021-05-31T12:29:00.001+01:002022-04-30T13:39:54.556+01:00Blog Tour: Talk Bookish to Me by Kate Bromley<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Review Copy</span><div><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Amazon UK Link is an Affiliate</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Hi!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Today I have the pleasure of shining a spotlight on the debut novel by Kate Bromley, <i>Talk Bookish to Me. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYI_qfVOYkEU4AIIvXcax4Mk8QedtQx5TQSju5-lkIVCFQgZ6em9wRJiA28OumHYmyWODmSNBiZJR0lHCMky_MW6NqxY68Z4y-Wdmm8bfuOTWfY2DWfA9clPDHrCZ3IUw8ijMorP7wA2c/s2048/Book+Cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1360" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYI_qfVOYkEU4AIIvXcax4Mk8QedtQx5TQSju5-lkIVCFQgZ6em9wRJiA28OumHYmyWODmSNBiZJR0lHCMky_MW6NqxY68Z4y-Wdmm8bfuOTWfY2DWfA9clPDHrCZ3IUw8ijMorP7wA2c/w424-h640/Book+Cover.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is a contemporary rom-com fiction centered around romance author/bookstagrammer Kara and her ex<span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 14px;">, </span>Ryan. Kara is struggling to find inspiration to finish writing her historical romance novel, and her deadline is looming. The last thing she needs is for Ryan (and his dog) to come crashing back into her life after the two had a disappointing breakup a decade before. Maybe Ryan will provide the inspo that Kara has so desperately been searching for? </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I mostly enjoyed this. I'm going to get my main negative out of the way - something Ryan does or has been doing is usually a deal breaker for me in books. What saved it for me was the way Kara reacted when she found out about it, and although it still annoyed me that it was included, this is something that people deal with and I thought the resolution was satisfying. The other thing that I didn't find necessary was the inclusion of the book Kara writes. I'm fine with a book within a book but this didn't add anything to the main story for me personally. It's worth saying here that I'm not, for the most part, a fan of historical romance so fans of that genre may enjoy Kara's book.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The positives - I loved the writing style. It reminded me of the writing in some of my other favourite contemporary romcoms - Beth O'Leary, Mandy Baggott, Sophie Kinsella. I liked Kara a lot, but I imagined her very differently to the character depicted on the cover. Annoyingly, I also really liked Ryan despite his shortcomings. I was also a fan of the change in setting towards the last third of the book, I didn't see it coming but I was glad that it happened. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Talk Bookish to Me</i> is available now. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://amzn.to/3vDdjtW" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon UK*</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Talk-Bookish-Me-Kate-Bromley/dp/1525806432/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1N2P2JN2LXIZ5&dchild=1&keywords=talk+bookish+to+me&qid=1620064052&s=books&sprefix=talk+bookish%2Cstripbooks%2C151&sr=1-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon US</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.kobo.com/ie/en/ebook/talk-bookish-to-me-2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kobo</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://librariesireland.iii.com/iii/encore/search/C__Stalk%20bookish%20to%20me__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=def" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Reserve at the Library (Ireland)</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You can learn more about Kate Bromley below, and keep up with her on <b><a href="https://twitter.com/kbromleywrites?lang=en" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/katebromleywrites/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/katebromleywrites" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a></b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/katebromleywrites" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> </a>or her <b><a href="https://www.katebromley.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Website</a>.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9krO82CnzPscirRUM0CLHJYyIAIFh57LhwXUwug0aLZtsLFZGqZuQAbB3x9glXTilKN5b81l8kybtCHa1sTA8VgP0HGKa5ZGQAcWTcBKJFuBz8-rhjhBIPXbLkIQBr6KTeuHuqfBcZZY/s800/Canva+author+bio.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9krO82CnzPscirRUM0CLHJYyIAIFh57LhwXUwug0aLZtsLFZGqZuQAbB3x9glXTilKN5b81l8kybtCHa1sTA8VgP0HGKa5ZGQAcWTcBKJFuBz8-rhjhBIPXbLkIQBr6KTeuHuqfBcZZY/w640-h640/Canva+author+bio.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><div>Thank you to the publisher for having me on the tour and for the advance e-copy via Netgalley. </div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS9Zh8wToff3Q7tnaALX36JXJKbSVFsDDzsykWyr34qbe6l2dEBRP30AVtkjHf45U9IxD-EcAa3J4cCQfnpT2f0-8EKLTtWOYElHF2dB0NQsv12sGDFZ8M7kxCFXsFkEGjHKlQSca4mvk/s320/Sharon+Signature.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="86" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS9Zh8wToff3Q7tnaALX36JXJKbSVFsDDzsykWyr34qbe6l2dEBRP30AVtkjHf45U9IxD-EcAa3J4cCQfnpT2f0-8EKLTtWOYElHF2dB0NQsv12sGDFZ8M7kxCFXsFkEGjHKlQSca4mvk/s0/Sharon+Signature.png" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711575350710344963.post-54090123024071311232021-05-25T08:30:00.001+01:002022-04-30T13:40:06.083+01:00Blog Tour: You Will Remember Me by Hannah Mary McKinnon (Review + Excerpt)<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Review Copy</span><div><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Amazon UK link is an Affiliate</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Hi!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Today I have the new thriller by Hannah Mary McKinnon for your consideration. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLK_W645funauUft1kkNWTDdVfHcZEs7bDng_Wc61GGJhoeU3jeqfCz4_Dx2Za01ScL2p1RTUk679kjbNDHO_hZjyoxqHZcug0F86umLwivlWoUZJHoGnjfpWU_9dfgouQKccFh5xvIwc/s2048/Book+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLK_W645funauUft1kkNWTDdVfHcZEs7bDng_Wc61GGJhoeU3jeqfCz4_Dx2Za01ScL2p1RTUk679kjbNDHO_hZjyoxqHZcug0F86umLwivlWoUZJHoGnjfpWU_9dfgouQKccFh5xvIwc/w426-h640/Book+Cover.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">You Will Remember Me</i> opens with our unnamed protagonist waking up at night on a beach with a head wound and no memory of who he is. All he can recall is one telephone number - he makes a call, but will it save him or put him into even more danger?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Meanwhile, Lily is worried sick about her boyfriend, Jack, who has seemingly gone missing. It's incredibly out of character for him to just disappear, and she is determined to find him. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Miles away in Maine, Maya is searching for her Stepbrother Asher after he vanished without a trace.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm reluctant to tell you much more than that, because I think that's all you need to know going in. This is a thriller, there is a villain (at least one), and that villain is almost cartoonish in their wickedness. This for me made for an enjoyable read, I really love an unapologetic baddie who isn't afraid to let the reader know exactly how evil they are. Jack, as a main character, wasn't hugely interesting to me. I found the women of the story much more fascinating, especially learning about what drove them and how determined they were in their own different ways. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If you're a fan of this genre you'll like this one, I think. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">You Will Remember Me</i> is available now. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://amzn.to/2SJJlG9" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/You-Will-Remember-Me-Novel/dp/0778331814" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon US</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.kobo.com/ie/en/ebook/you-will-remember-me" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kobo</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">You can also request it from your Local Library. There are currently other books by the same author available <b><a href="https://librariesireland.iii.com/iii/encore/search/C__Shannah%20mary%20mckinnon__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=def" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">for request</a></b> and there's one available on audio via <b><a href="https://fe.bolindadigital.com/wldcs_bol_fo/b2i/productDetail.html?productId=HCA_620247&fromPage=1&b2bSite=4826" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Borrowbox</a></b>. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You can keep up to date with the author via her <b><a href="https://twitter.com/hannahmmckinnon" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hannahmarymckinnon/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/hannahmarymckinnon/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/hannahmarymckinnon/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> </a>or <b><a href="https://hannahmarymckinnon.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Website</a>.</b> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you to the publisher for having me on the Blog Tour and for the advance e-copy via Netgalley.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">EXCERPT</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-dd838744-7fff-bbbe-13ab-12b44ab1d98b"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Chapter 1—The Man from the Beach </span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cold</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Cold was the first word that came to mind. The first thing I noticed when I woke up. Not a slight, uncomfortable chill to give me the shivers, but a cramp-inducing, iced-to-the-bone kind of frozen. I lay flat on my stomach, my left ear and cheek pressed into the rough, grainy wet ground beneath me, my entire body shaking. As my thoughts attempted to assemble themselves into some form of understandable order, a wave of icy water nipped at my bare toes and ankles, my instincts pulling my feet out of reach. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I had a sudden urge to get up, a primal need to take in my surroundings and assess the danger—was I in danger?—but the throbbing pain deep in my head made the slightest effort to shift anything seem impossible. Lifting a finger would be too much effort, and I acquiesced, allowing myself to lie still for another few freezing seconds as the frigid water crept over the balls of my feet again. When I blinked my eyes open, I was met by a thick, fuzzy darkness enveloping me like a cloak. Where the hell was I? And wherever it was, what was I doing here? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When I lifted my head a fraction of an inch, I could barely make out anything in front of me. There was hardly a noise either, nothing but a gentle, steady rumble in the background, and the cry of a bird somewhere in the distance. I made my brain work its way backward—bird, rumble, sand, water—and the quartet formed the vaguely cohesive image of a beach. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Searching for confirmation, I inhaled the salty, humid air deep into my lungs as another slosh of water took aim at my calves. This time the discomfort was enough to push me to my feet, and I wrapped my arms around my naked torso, my sopping board shorts clinging to my goose-bump-covered thighs. An explosion of pain in my head threatened to send me back to my knees, and I swayed gently, wishing I had something to steady myself with, willing my body to stay upright. As I pressed a hand to the side of my skull, I let out a quiet yelp, and felt along a two-inch gash in my scalp. My eyes had adjusted somewhat to the lack of light, and my fingertips were covered in something dark that smelled of rust. Blood. How had I…? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another low rumble made me turn around, shuffling slowly in a semicircle. The behemoth effort was rewarded by the sight of a thousand glistening waves dancing under the moonlight like diamonds, the water stretching out and disappearing into the darkness beyond. As my ears tuned in to the rhythmic whoosh of the waves, my mind worked hard to process each scrap of information it took in. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m definitely on a beach. It’s nighttime. I’m alone. What am I doing here? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Before I could answer the single question, a thousand others crowded my brain, an incessant string of chatter I couldn’t stop or get away from. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Where is everyone? Never mind them, where am I? Have I been here long? How did I get here? Where was I before? Where are my clothes? What day is it? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My legs buckled. Not because of the unfamiliar surroundings, the cold burrowing its way deeper into my core, or the pain in my head, which had increased tenfold. No. My knees hit the sand with a dull crunch when I realized I couldn’t answer any of the questions because I couldn’t recall anything. Nothing. Not the tiniest of details.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Including my name.</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Chapter 2—Lily </span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A frown settled over my face as I put my phone on the table, pushed the bowl of unfinished berry oatmeal away and stretched out my legs. It was Saturday morning, and I’d been up for ages, too eager—too hopeful—to spend a day at the beach with Jack, but those plans had been a literal wash-out. The start to the summer felt capricious, with this second storm in the last week of June poised to be much worse than the first. I’d convinced myself the weatherwoman had exaggerated or got her forecast completely wrong, but clouds had rolled in overnight anyway. As a result, I’d been unceremoniously woken up at two thirty by a trio of bright lightning, deafening thunderclaps and heavy raindrops pelting against my bedroom window. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At first, I’d pulled my pillow over my head to deafen the noise, and when that didn’t work, I rolled over and stretched out an arm. The spot next to me was empty and cold, and I groaned. Jack hadn’t come over to my place as I’d hoped he would, slipping into bed and pressing his naked body against mine. I’d buried my face back into my pillow and tried to ignore the tinge of disappointment. We hadn’t seen much of each other this past week, both of us too busy with our jobs to spend more than a night together, and I missed him. Jack had called the day before to tell me he’d be working late, finishing the stain on the cabinets he’d labored on for weeks before his boss had to let him go. Apparently expensive custom kitchens weren’t in as high demand in Brookmount, Maryland as originally thought. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“But you got laid off,” I’d said. “It’s your last day. Why do you care?” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Because I made a commitment. Besides, it’ll help when I need a reference.” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Typical Jack, always keeping his word. He’d bought a lottery ticket once, and the clerk had jokingly asked if he’d give him half of any winnings. Jack had laughed and shaken the man’s hand, and when he won ten bucks on the ticket, had promptly returned to the store, and paid over the share as promised. His loyalty was one of the many things I loved about Jack, although part of me wished he weren’t quite as dedicated to his soon-to-be ex-boss. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You could come over to my place when you’re done,” I said, smiling slowly. “I’ll leave the key under the umbrella stand. I don’t mind you waking me up gently in the middle of the night…or not so gently.” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jack laughed softly. The sound was something I’d fallen in love with eighteen months ago after our eyes had met across a crowded bar, the mother of all uninspired first-encounter clichés, except in this case I’d been forced to admit clichés weren’t always a bad thing. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It’ll be really late, Lily,” he said, his voice deep. His English accent was something of a rarity in our small coastal town, and still capable of making my legs wobble in anticipation of his next words. “I’ll go for a quick swim now, then finish up work. How about I come over in the morning? Around nine? I’ll bring you breakfast in bed.” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Blueberry pancakes from Patti’s? With extra maple syrup?” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“This time I’ll order three stacks to make sure I get some.” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Pancakes or sex?” I said, before telling him how much I loved him, and whispering exactly how I’d thank him for waking me with sweet weekend treats. I’d hoped it might change his mind and he’d come over earlier, except it was ten now, and he still hadn’t showed. It was odd. Jack detested being late as much as he loved being early. He often joked they set Greenwich Mean Time by his father’s old watch, which Jack had worn since his dad passed a little over a decade before we’d met, when Jack was only twenty.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I checked my phone again. Jack hadn’t answered either of my calls, another anomaly, but I tried to talk myself into believing he’d worked late into the night to make the final good impression he wanted, and overslept. Maybe there was a line at Patti’s—the restaurant was slammed every weekend—and perhaps his phone was set to silent. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I picked up my bowl and wandered to the kitchen. My place was the smallest of six apartments, a tiny but well-maintained one-bedroom in a building a few miles from the beach, farther than I’d planned, but the closest I could afford. I’d lived there for almost five years, had furnished it with an eclectic assortment of third-hand furniture, my favorite piece a royal blue microfiber sofa I’d bought for fifty bucks, and which Jack swore was the most comfortable thing he’d ever sat on. Whenever he sank down into it and pulled me on top of him with a contented sigh, I’d tease him about what made him happier; the squishy, well-worn cushions, or me. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The image made my frown deepen. Where was he?</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Excerpted from You Will Remember Me by Hannah Mary McKinnon, Copyright </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">©</span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> 2021 by Hannah McKinnon. Published by MIRA Books</span></p><div><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4rLOVxEuzREN2ZxidrDKJox6gf245SjTqUrEiokl6U7zgjtV80HiUwq6uQjhm3m5_8LBpFxwHwx68G6zV42DAg69TVFruFPhA895q7xafgv3XNujNxhkZPHPEVohccTdr34W7rCCctsg/s800/Hannah+Mary+McKinnon+Canva+Bio.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4rLOVxEuzREN2ZxidrDKJox6gf245SjTqUrEiokl6U7zgjtV80HiUwq6uQjhm3m5_8LBpFxwHwx68G6zV42DAg69TVFruFPhA895q7xafgv3XNujNxhkZPHPEVohccTdr34W7rCCctsg/w640-h640/Hannah+Mary+McKinnon+Canva+Bio.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoEjbMBxOB5FLBvc1huvUECH7Mo8GLRpJOUtrSogLI1tlR9k1rIFFA0kro172EK8zA3gZ3qLWxHrTmxXhUJMw7BLwZAYwGPU74Qrqz5eBFb4W1o2sbMgf972IcvP7PBMYnoxas9PWkUio/s320/Sharon+Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="86" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoEjbMBxOB5FLBvc1huvUECH7Mo8GLRpJOUtrSogLI1tlR9k1rIFFA0kro172EK8zA3gZ3qLWxHrTmxXhUJMw7BLwZAYwGPU74Qrqz5eBFb4W1o2sbMgf972IcvP7PBMYnoxas9PWkUio/s0/Sharon+Signature.png" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711575350710344963.post-56039798658686251372021-04-16T20:33:00.004+01:002022-04-30T13:40:20.742+01:00Blog Tour: Twin Games in Music City by Jules Bennett (+Excerpt)<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Review Copy</span><div><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Amazon UK link is an affiliate</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Hi!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As part of the Harlequin Spring Fling series, today I have a cute little shot of pure escapism for you to enjoy. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYd1XfAtjtAbeH1Eb8PeiVXN72MIHVaDz_5CxN-FnRjJWdKcdx5xyecyuoZmidqACq34WQk0MtiGRKgo6NATvhoct_7Egw0cv3ab6AAXIVY2O3I5WkFUctfzUDtmgpsqIyNi2pKk0ujVk/s2048/Book+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1294" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYd1XfAtjtAbeH1Eb8PeiVXN72MIHVaDz_5CxN-FnRjJWdKcdx5xyecyuoZmidqACq34WQk0MtiGRKgo6NATvhoct_7Egw0cv3ab6AAXIVY2O3I5WkFUctfzUDtmgpsqIyNi2pKk0ujVk/w404-h640/Book+Cover.jpg" width="404" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Twin Games in Music City</i> is set among the bustling world of Nashville's finest country musicians, where two record labels in the haven of Beaumont Bay compete for the best artists. Country star Hannah Banks has recently moved labels, hoping that her new deal will allow her more freedom with her image and the kind of music she records. Unfortunately for Hannah, she falls hard and fast for the label owner, Will. The feeling is mutual, but Hannah and Will getting involved with each other could mean the death of both Hannah's career and Will's reputation. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The "twin" in the title is Hallie, Hannah's sister & manager, who, despite a bit of twin-swapping at the start, thankfully doesn't feature in the actual romance (that's a genre even I won't go near). This is sweet. There are sex scenes, but they're not very explicit and there's no mention of any appendages. It's a fast read, no shocking surprises, perfect if you need to clear your head for an hour or two. I think if you enjoy those insta-romance movies Netflix promotes at Christmas, you might like this. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I did feel like the parts about Hannah's music kind of dropped off, I felt that was somewhat unresolved, but this is a series so maybe that will be mentioned in a future installment. The ending was also rushed, but that's also not unusual for a book like this. My patience for anything involving straight white men is on the floor at the moment, so Will didn't really interest me at all but I liked the Nashville setting, I liked Hannah & Hollie, and I probably would read something else written by this author if I needed something light to escape into. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Harlequin have kindly provided an excerpt which you can read below. Thank you to the publishers for continuing to have me on their tours. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <i style="font-weight: bold;">Twin Games in Music City</i> is available now. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Kindle <a href="https://amzn.to/3svZZFu" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">UK</a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Twin-Games-Music-City-Nashville-ebook/dp/B08K4NGG19/ref=sr_1_1?crid=20EF46YV6UGAA&dchild=1&keywords=twin+games+in+music+city+jules+bennett&qid=1614798113&sprefix=twin+games+in+music+city+Jules+b%2Caps%2C178&sr=8-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">US</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Jules_Bennett_Twin_Games_in_Music_City?id=l33_DwAAQBAJ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Google Play</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/twin-games-in-music-city/id1533522913" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Apple Books</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPezYCtuBJOOsdsR7UoVJhW7MjRkKfxPEwzVjn9NjPwxCAncPvxHGzYNZ3t58xLWLELvRdaojffyADstmiXhyrbfmWxR2jAEJlRQvpkVofTfDfTITf430HgmJSHF7W7pBapK1kPyKir8/s970/Desire+Banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="970" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPezYCtuBJOOsdsR7UoVJhW7MjRkKfxPEwzVjn9NjPwxCAncPvxHGzYNZ3t58xLWLELvRdaojffyADstmiXhyrbfmWxR2jAEJlRQvpkVofTfDfTITf430HgmJSHF7W7pBapK1kPyKir8/w640-h198/Desire+Banner.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><u>EXCERPT</u></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Will Sutherland settled into the corner leather booth and watched as Hallie Banks wound her way through the tables at Rise and Grind. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This little meeting shouldn't already have him irritated, but it did. Will didn't want to meet with Hallie - he wanted to meet with her twin sister, Hannah. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But obviously, Hannah Banks, country superstar and America's sweetheart, couldn't be bothered with such mundane things as setting up her recording schedule for the next album or going over the tour dates and venues. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">He'd only met her a handful of times in passing at various events within the industry. Will had always found her attractive; he'd have to be dead not to. Hannah Banks could make any man do a double take and he was no different. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As far as knowing her personally, he couldn't really say much, but this first official meeting wasn't going as planned. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Her selfish way of thinking might have worked for her old record label, but now that she'd signed with Elite, she was going to have to accept the very real fact that she wasn't in charge. He was. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hallie offered a soft smile and reached to shake his hand. "Good morning. Have you been waiting long?"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Will came to his feet and gripped her hand, surprised by how soft and delicate she seemed. He didn't recell noticing Hallie's hands before... and he shouldn't be noticing them now. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"I just got here myself." He gestured to the seat across from him. "Please, sit."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">She put her bag in the vacant seat and settled into the chair with curved arms. A barista came right over to take their orders before leaving them alone again.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"So where did you say Hannah was and why couldn't she make it today?" he asked, hoping to get a direct answer this time.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hallie blinked up at him. "Oh, I didn't say. She just asked me to meet you. After we talk, I will go over the schedule with her. She did request that she record in her home studio, so that was the main thing I'm supposed to tell you."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Of course. Will shouldn't have been surprised, though. Since that horrific storm had swept through Beaumont Bay only a few weeks ago, the town was still trying to recover. It was all hands on deck in this Nashville bedroom community to rebuild the multimillion-dollar homes that had taken a hit and the few businesses that had been affected.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Bay wouldn't stay down long This lakeside community was where Nashville came to play, where all the deals were done, where the country music elite hid their juciest secrets. And it was a town that legendary music producer Mags Dumond pretty much owned...or thought she did.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But the Sutherland brothers had made a name for themselves in the music industry by pulling themselves up by the bootstraps...and staying out of Mags's way for the most part. The woman had been a thorn in his family's side for decades, but he refused to think about that now. The next step in building his family's music empire was his new star, Hannah Banks, and finishing the renovations to the studio that had been damaged.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"I would have to check out Hannah's recording studio before I could commit to that agreement," Will informed Hallie. "We are going to have to start the production process next week to keep up with the deadlines. Tell Hannah I'll be at her house first thing in the morning to check out this recording room of hers."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hallie pursed her pale pink lips and shook her head. "Tomorrow morning won't work." She pulled out her phone and scrolled, then tapped her finger on the screen. "How about Tuesday at ten?"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Considering this was Friday, there was no way in hell he was waiting until Tuesday. Will pulled in a deep breath and sighed. Was Hallie going to be just as difficult as the country diva? The pout of her lips said yes, and something hard and dark moved inside him.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And that's when he knew something was off here. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"I'm not sure how things went when she worked for Mags at Cheating Hearts, but now that she's with Elite, I run the schedule and say when things are going to get done."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Halile's eyes narrowed. "Is that right? Well, maybe I should've just stayed with Cheating Hearts." Will inched forward, resting his hands on the table. <i>"Hannah?</i> Are you kidding me?"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">She cursed beneath her breath and Will gritted his teeth. He'd known something felt off, but he'd never thought for a second his newest artist would play such a childish game as to pretend to be her twin. No way in hell would he fall for this swapped-twin trap. Hannah Banks was about to learn who was in charge real quick. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711575350710344963.post-88738525089214013682021-03-22T13:00:00.001+00:002022-04-30T13:40:29.727+01:00Blog Tour: The Bookstore on the Beach by Brenda Novak<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Review Copy</span><div><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Amazon UK link is an affiliate.<br /></span><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Hi! </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Today I have "The Bookstore on the Beach", an ideal Summer read by Brenda Novak. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaLeeD2jDb2AwY9QX6DPiqfuXfso_rt4me7nFxhu5a_czhaGdOrKU3l5nw2zUtoY12WLqSNmiNhiZPRiGCOf2_Fpj58fQnYI4WBZCrf5vvjG6_KZjj6DO1t0VMc7xH8Hv3y-LhZV-2fi8/s2048/Book+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1360" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaLeeD2jDb2AwY9QX6DPiqfuXfso_rt4me7nFxhu5a_czhaGdOrKU3l5nw2zUtoY12WLqSNmiNhiZPRiGCOf2_Fpj58fQnYI4WBZCrf5vvjG6_KZjj6DO1t0VMc7xH8Hv3y-LhZV-2fi8/w424-h640/Book+Cover.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mary and Laurie are two friends who own a bookstore in the beautiful location of Sable Beach. Mary's daughter Autumn has had a difficult 18 months - her husband, Nick, has disappeared in his capacity as a Government employee. Autumn isn't ready to give up on him yet, and continues to investigate, but she really needs the comfort of her homeplace so decides to take her teenage son and daughter to Sable Beach for the Summer. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is one of those books about a small town full of characters with secrets - Mary is hiding something enormous that she hoped Autumn would never find out, but that is threatened when a private investigator shows up in town asking questions. Autumn is struggling with the feelings she still harbours for her childhood sweetheart Quinn. Taylor thinks she might be pregnant, and that's the least of her worries when she meets a group of teenagers at the beach and forms a connection with one of the girls. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">This, for me, was almost too much at times. Every single character has an issue or a secret and I felt like it was a drama series that had been condensed down to fit into one book. I mean, what are the odds of two private investigations on in the same family at the same time but with two different people?! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I also would have really loved more of the actual bookstore. From the title, I imagined it to be a central hub for all the goings-on in Sable Beach and it really wasn't that. The notion of having a bustling bookstore in a beach location was the reason why I wanted to read it in the first place. </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">This is sounding a bit negative - it's not a bad book by any means, but it's the second one now that I've read by this author that I thought had a little bit too much going on (the first being <i>A Matter of Grave Concern)</i>. If you DO make it to a beach at any stage this year, and you like these kind of sweeping, drama-filled generational stories, then this could be a really great beach read. I think if you like Lucy Diamond books this may suit you. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">The Bookstore on the Beach</i> is available now. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Kindle (<a href="https://amzn.to/3uTErUJ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">UK</a>)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Kindle (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=0778361055/?tag=brennova09-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">US</a>)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9780778361053" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Book Depository</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The library also have a number of Brenda Novak books <a href="https://librariesireland.iii.com/iii/encore/search/C__SBrenda%20Novak__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=def" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>for reserve</b></a>. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhKmPlIhIkUJ-PM9nvOnQ-RDsfDO0Gk6YEBFEnNTVuBv2neDeaqLOQonDTTTslEGt4saz-PZs2sUK_ZxAK5XjoKfvwJExFUs4MXo5w6d-D3ndxPwK_NFnbpUNWQn6ot0jDvCgNrgv-vb4/s800/Author+Bio.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhKmPlIhIkUJ-PM9nvOnQ-RDsfDO0Gk6YEBFEnNTVuBv2neDeaqLOQonDTTTslEGt4saz-PZs2sUK_ZxAK5XjoKfvwJExFUs4MXo5w6d-D3ndxPwK_NFnbpUNWQn6ot0jDvCgNrgv-vb4/w640-h640/Author+Bio.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you to the publisher for having me on the tour and for providing a digital review copy. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiuOJAAjh4BGzm-wYmZjlxWdWq7wW4faFzztk9xZJYjJWrlk0rtdwcQJY17wEwPbIg_GR8iFyhVBa-eI2xLlaXsTKo1X6Lx3v5aCAHswCiPRMedmNzcRwPqQqI7bPAnxUcJuPVRIo4gwE/s320/Sharon+Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="86" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiuOJAAjh4BGzm-wYmZjlxWdWq7wW4faFzztk9xZJYjJWrlk0rtdwcQJY17wEwPbIg_GR8iFyhVBa-eI2xLlaXsTKo1X6Lx3v5aCAHswCiPRMedmNzcRwPqQqI7bPAnxUcJuPVRIo4gwE/s0/Sharon+Signature.png" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; background-color: white; border: 0px solid; box-sizing: border-box; color: #486581; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif;" /><br /></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711575350710344963.post-62252422051614022202021-03-12T18:00:00.013+00:002022-04-30T13:41:15.185+01:00Blog Tour: The Jigsaw Man by Nadine Matheson<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Review Copy</span><div><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Amazon UK link is an affiliate</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Hi!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Today I bring you the debut crime novel by author & London Criminal Defence Lawyer Nadine Matheson. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhewPGEkNPgDc3-zrzB-X7PqwHbg8E3rEBaGsGxm8CsQhunziYZ5zf_8G2NFkCwjpzaHPAt_2OrvIeCqk962B6otINeEqr8qWyjdJUn5F-S5zwJYLTa6B9TTvs1IOdgdLhvvo97W9XGmMU/s2048/Book+Cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1349" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhewPGEkNPgDc3-zrzB-X7PqwHbg8E3rEBaGsGxm8CsQhunziYZ5zf_8G2NFkCwjpzaHPAt_2OrvIeCqk962B6otINeEqr8qWyjdJUn5F-S5zwJYLTa6B9TTvs1IOdgdLhvvo97W9XGmMU/w422-h640/Book+Cover.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><br /><div><p class="font_8" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: rgb(var(--color_15)); font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; pointer-events: auto; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><b></b></i></span></p><blockquote><p class="font_8" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: rgb(var(--color_15)); font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; pointer-events: auto; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><b></b></i></span></p><blockquote><p class="font_8" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: rgb(var(--color_15)); font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; pointer-events: auto; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><b>There's a serial killer on the loose…</b></i></span></p><p class="font_8" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: rgb(var(--color_15)); font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; pointer-events: auto; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><b>When body parts start washing up along the banks of the river Thames, the Serial Crimes Unit is called to investigate, and it quickly becomes apparent to DI Henley that there isn't just one victim. There are two.</b></i></span></p><p class="font_8" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: rgb(var(--color_15)); font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; pointer-events: auto; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><b>The murders are hauntingly familiar to Henley. The modus operandi matches that of Peter Olivier, the notorious Jigsaw Killer. But Olivier is already behind bars, and Henley was the one who put him there.</b></i></span></p><p class="font_8" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: rgb(var(--color_15)); font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; pointer-events: auto; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><b></b></i></span></p><p class="font_8" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: rgb(var(--color_15)); font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; pointer-events: auto; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><b>Olivier is the last person Henley wants to see but she needs his help. He might be their best chance to stop the copycat before more body parts start turning up. But when Olivier learns of the new murders, helping out Henley and the SCU is the last thing on his mind.</b></i></span></p><p class="font_8" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: rgb(var(--color_15)); font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; pointer-events: auto; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><b></b></i></span></p><p class="font_8" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: rgb(var(--color_15)); font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; pointer-events: auto; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><b>All bets are off and the race is on to catch the killer before the body count rises. But who will get there first – Henley or the Jigsaw Killer?</b></i></span></p></blockquote><p class="font_8" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: rgb(var(--color_15)); font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; pointer-events: auto; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><b></b></i></span></p></blockquote><p class="font_8" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: rgb(var(--color_15)); font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; pointer-events: auto; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><b></b></i></span></p></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">As I've mentioned, this is a debut novel - but you'd never know it. The author describes this as <i>"a macabre love letter to South East London"</i> and it really does come across that way. London itself is a main character in this novel. The smells, the sounds, the eclectic mix of people that make up the city - they all pour off the pages. The author does such a brilliant job with the main characters that I was sure there had been a mistake and that this was at least the second book in a series - but no, it's number one. We get backstory, we get previous case history, we get relationship history, we get a complete picture of who DI Anjelica Henley is and what she has been through. That's impressive in itself but when it's also combined with a world of side characters with their own history and stories, that sets this apart from other crime novels. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The villain, Olivier, is truly disgusting. I've read a lot of crime and thriller novels and rarely does a character make me sick to my stomach. This one most definitely did. It's pretty gruesome (I almost wrote "pretty gruesome in parts" but I feel like that takes puns to another level altogether), so do bear that in mind, but for me it was worth it. It has been a very long time since I put a book down and immediately wanted to read the next one in the series (it has been confirmed!! Yay!!). </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I highly recommend this if you like police procedurals or crime novels but ache for a good female lead. DI Anjelica Henley has shot (boom) right to the top of my favourite fictional investigators. I felt like I got to know her so well, she felt so real. This is, of course, in part down to the fact that this is an #ownvoices novel. The author was born and bred in London and works in the UK Judicial system. The book also highlights the myriad of BS that black women & women of colour are expected to endure (in both professional & non-professional instances), from the microaggressions and misogyny to the differences between resources available to solve (or even the amount of attention given to) missing persons cases when a white woman goes missing versus when a black woman or woman of colour goes missing. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I really enjoyed this. It was a solid crime novel and I hope the first of many for this author and for DI Anjelica Henley. I would love to see it as a TV adaptation too. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you to Lia & Harper Collins for granting me access to a digital copy via NetGalley and for this opportunity to highlight the book on the Blog Tour. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">The Jigsaw Man</i> is available now in Ireland & the UK, and from March 16th in the U.S.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Kindle: <a href="https://amzn.to/3rO8iwD" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">UK</a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Jigsaw-Man-Inspector-Anjelica-Thriller/dp/1335146563/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=jigsaw+man&qid=1612452351&sr=8-2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">US</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://bridgestreetbooks.ie/product/the-jigsaw-man/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bridge Street Books</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.bookstation.ie/product/the-jigsaw-man/?gclid=CjwKCAiA4rGCBhAQEiwAelVti25RMzbXC1994X-AJREDuT33fYxxdwlzLVo1aNHYj3a0UovNlqGTLRoCCvkQAvD_BwE" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bookstation</a> (Free Delivery)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://librariesireland.iii.com/iii/encore/record/C__Rb5272611__Sthe%20jigsaw%20man__Orightresult__U__X6?lang=eng&suite=def" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Reserve at the Library</a> (Ireland)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPYXnPvp-Dd93ahjtQn-nByuUW7_mSQPE8B-b9bfGmsZ2ePGeKEzUAmDDv9pE3iXOFqilJmS6gF2WQMFGQyYowqM567QPE3sbcWlTMOhNu3lo1GcGsb3ZTf1UD94pC-zvzKq70w_9eygk/s800/About+the+Author.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPYXnPvp-Dd93ahjtQn-nByuUW7_mSQPE8B-b9bfGmsZ2ePGeKEzUAmDDv9pE3iXOFqilJmS6gF2WQMFGQyYowqM567QPE3sbcWlTMOhNu3lo1GcGsb3ZTf1UD94pC-zvzKq70w_9eygk/w640-h640/About+the+Author.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />You can keep up to date with Nadine Matheson via her <a href="http://nadinematheson.com" target="_blank">website</a>, <a href="http://twitter.com/nadinematheson" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, & <a href="http://instagram.com/QueenNads" target="_blank">Instagram</a>. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiirYe0idAN204yGUOPBOBm-wiRgsh-Cdx_dogm3Xu8qYRcOsjsz3RmvRNO6KFy0cpaGJsmpWuAeSMifclmXoSqama5Xal_b544aN1lO5qAmFdsShif08NHMaeFsCm8R_Uju5QTQ1TiP-w/s320/Sharon+Signature.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="86" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiirYe0idAN204yGUOPBOBm-wiRgsh-Cdx_dogm3Xu8qYRcOsjsz3RmvRNO6KFy0cpaGJsmpWuAeSMifclmXoSqama5Xal_b544aN1lO5qAmFdsShif08NHMaeFsCm8R_Uju5QTQ1TiP-w/s0/Sharon+Signature.png" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711575350710344963.post-19089029685722394972021-03-01T11:58:00.000+00:002022-04-30T13:41:26.878+01:00Blog Tour: His Secret Starlight Baby by Michelle Major<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Amazon link is an affiliate</span><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hi!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is the second of three blog tour spots I'm doing for Harlequin's March 2021 releases. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This one is a <i>Harlequin Special Edition</i>: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-G2GrkJsrJnkm6GmDxHaIULVDR_YJu_nJYSMcWwwq1b4TefjZcYa-kILoZDyZvqKkqHh3pqXR7VrEyHjCvF7Q2QUmIRaSIDr1V1GSdc6xLyrZOkfJgRAz0awV1B60WZ0jXtW7-2ksQk/s970/Special+Edition+Banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="970" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-G2GrkJsrJnkm6GmDxHaIULVDR_YJu_nJYSMcWwwq1b4TefjZcYa-kILoZDyZvqKkqHh3pqXR7VrEyHjCvF7Q2QUmIRaSIDr1V1GSdc6xLyrZOkfJgRAz0awV1B60WZ0jXtW7-2ksQk/w640-h198/Special+Edition+Banner.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">This is <i style="font-weight: bold;">His Secret Starlight Baby</i> by Michelle Major.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRwB7XDqoyoPzISq7cvZlJMfQbmyz3B-3kU51EPZXbawfk-ugpW7Zz1CfNltSKg41__kw7AywV2QNM5w3rIU1ybYEQVjz1uYRuHOewLI2p8CMV-Ivqr6P_BMbqn3DtDCx7svRjOTADYo8/s2048/His+Secret+Starlight+Baby+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1294" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRwB7XDqoyoPzISq7cvZlJMfQbmyz3B-3kU51EPZXbawfk-ugpW7Zz1CfNltSKg41__kw7AywV2QNM5w3rIU1ybYEQVjz1uYRuHOewLI2p8CMV-Ivqr6P_BMbqn3DtDCx7svRjOTADYo8/w404-h640/His+Secret+Starlight+Baby+cover.jpg" width="404" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is the fourth book set in the small town of Starlight. I haven't read any of the others, but based on this I absolutely would, because I really liked some of the supporting characters (especially the chef, Madi). </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I have two notes for this underlined in my notebook: </div><div style="text-align: center;">1. "confirmed consent - YAY!"</div><div style="text-align: center;">2. "the baby barely makes an appearance - YAY!"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm a mother of three, I have nothing against babies but I'm much more interested in how the couple are getting on (or off, fnar fnar). This was a sweet story, about (what else) an error in communication after a one-night-stand that led Cory to believe that Jordan wanted nothing to do with her, and Jordan convinced that Cory had gone back to her wealthy NFL Player ex. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Of course, none of the above is true, and these two just need something to bring them back together. The something being Jordan's mother, who wants to come and stay with them for a while in Starlight to get to know her Grandchild. Queue a fake relationship, one of my fave things in a romance novel, and a cute story about these two getting to know and care for each other again. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The ending was a little rushed and chaotic for me, sometimes everything doesn't need to be wrapped up with a neat little bow - it's enough to know that the ribbon has been ordered, if you get me? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Cute, fun, just what the doctor ordered. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">His Secret Starlight Baby</i> is available now.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Kindle (<a href="https://amzn.to/3dW3aT3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">UK/Ire</a>) | (<a href="https://www.amazon.com/His-Secret-Starlight-Baby-Welcome/dp/1335404708" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">US</a>)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781335404701_his-secret-starlight-baby.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Harlequin</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781335404701" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Indiebound</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/his-secret-starlight-baby/id1529436858" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Apple Books</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Book 1 in the <i style="font-weight: bold;">Welcome to Starlight</i> series, <b><i>The Best Intentions</i></b> is currently available on Borrowbox. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://fe.bolindadigital.com/wldcs_bol_fo/b2i/productDetail.html?productId=HCU_727476&fromPage=1&b2bSite=4826" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Borrow/Reserve</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You can keep up with Michelle Major by visiting her website <b><a href="http://www.michellemajor.com">www.michellemajor.com</a></b> or following her on Instagram <b>@michellemajorauthor</b> or Twitter <b>@michelle_major1.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div>If you are interested in more Harlequin or Mills & Boon books, there are currently a ton on sale at <b><a href="https://www.bookstation.ie/product-category/clearance/bargain-mills-boon/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #848484; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Bookstation</a></b>, with free delivery within Ireland on orders over €10. If you've never tried one before but would like to, I highly suggest having a look through the titles and seeing if something grabs you. If ever there was a time where a bit of romance and escapism was needed, this is it!</div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you to Harlequin for having me on the Blog Tour. </div><div><br style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8iDr1NYX2M6PA-hUBVM5eENlVd6bxTlSkhcnT0fthyphenhyphensjvGqEhyPbs-moGwWmq3nvWgJsKRRU7hBAw1sEZOaQmJgC1tim9xBBYTRz43BlSz9afNA9s1wrodW8QqdHRKLLgIfiTymt8VR0/s320/Sharon+Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="86" data-original-width="320" height="86" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8iDr1NYX2M6PA-hUBVM5eENlVd6bxTlSkhcnT0fthyphenhyphensjvGqEhyPbs-moGwWmq3nvWgJsKRRU7hBAw1sEZOaQmJgC1tim9xBBYTRz43BlSz9afNA9s1wrodW8QqdHRKLLgIfiTymt8VR0/w320-h86/Sharon+Signature.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711575350710344963.post-4685598265357607952021-02-27T12:00:00.002+00:002022-04-30T13:41:47.134+01:00Blog Tour: The Surprise Bollywood Baby by Tara Pammi<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Amazon link is an affiliate</span><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hi!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Welcome to the first of three Blog Tour stops I'm doing for recent or upcoming Harlequin releases. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This first one falls under the Harlequin Presents umbrella, defined as: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI9EnJdQ4dIWaTA4_yDL7FYpQy_txjh9Yz0K6NSvNyNHWaOcwkvzPB22J1OtLLD5mng5Pdc-tnZAx6BlI-wByR_IunbAS_c4HoNFMdTM4DZiHu27D7aj048gEyWopM7nF2Ugx8WiegnHs/s970/Harlequin+presents+banner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="970" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI9EnJdQ4dIWaTA4_yDL7FYpQy_txjh9Yz0K6NSvNyNHWaOcwkvzPB22J1OtLLD5mng5Pdc-tnZAx6BlI-wByR_IunbAS_c4HoNFMdTM4DZiHu27D7aj048gEyWopM7nF2Ugx8WiegnHs/w400-h124/Harlequin+presents+banner.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Surprise Bollywood Baby</i> by Tara Pammi.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-f0TmOSn7E4AlC_BNGSkjLOA0jtZ-D5np0VyeXKUKl2DNBYls9pmfQpgQkQJbnEhw4oTocZKP2dnztBuCmchQHa4YvpnNsUHcKjA7P87SJhfpEr3q77hECr0XEUnQEk0bqsY7tbQFwT4/s2048/The+Surprise+Bollywood+Baby+cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1294" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-f0TmOSn7E4AlC_BNGSkjLOA0jtZ-D5np0VyeXKUKl2DNBYls9pmfQpgQkQJbnEhw4oTocZKP2dnztBuCmchQHa4YvpnNsUHcKjA7P87SJhfpEr3q77hECr0XEUnQEk0bqsY7tbQFwT4/w404-h640/The+Surprise+Bollywood+Baby+cover.jpg" width="404" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I have to be honest, I had absolutely no intention of reading this book. I only wanted to mention it in passing on a Blog Tour stop because I tend to keep choosing the same type of romance books and wanted to show you that Harlequin release different types every month. I do not find anything related to babies or pregnancy remotely romantic (three kids and two c-sections will do that to you) so if you are of a similar persuasion, you may also be pleasantly surprised like I was. My intention was to skim through a few chapters but I got sucked in to it straight away, mainly because of the female lead.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is book two in a series, which I didn't know, but I don't feel like I missed a whole lot. Anything relevant is explained. Our main characters here are Zara, a 35 year old Bollywood film star, and Virat, a 30 year old movie director & member of a well known family involved in the film industry. Zara takes the lead in the relationship, deciding that a fake engagement with Virat is exactly what they both need to put an end to the sleazy tabloid rumours being published about them. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This was a super fast read (one-sitting) that provided a very welcome hour and a half of escapism. One thing I enjoyed while reading it was searching some of the terms or words I wasn't familiar with and looking at some of the clothing and decor items mentioned online. There were a couple of really lavish social events in this book so it was lovely to be able to picture them. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I also appreciated that, during the sex scenes, consent was established. Even more importantly, (and something I haven't seen in a romance novel before) there was an acknowledgment of a woman not being expected to climax through penetration alone. I have read too many novels where the woman melts into a puddle at the mere suggestion of a shaft, so to read this was honestly very refreshing.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The chemistry was cute, but overall the plot was lacking for me. I don't think the title fits with the story - the pregnancy isn't central to the plot and doesn't set the scene for the whole book. I'm not mad, I just really do not think that the cover or indeed the blurb online fit with the story at all. I found this enjoyable mainly because of Zara - I thought she was a really strong character, and felt like her growth from the woman she was a decade earlier was evident even though we didn't get to see her back then. I don't think we needed all the Vikram stuff, although I do realise that it was necessary to tie the two books together. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The first book in the series, <i><b>Claiming his Bollywood Cinderella</b></i> is available on <b><a href="https://fe.bolindadigital.com/wldcs_bol_fo/b2i/productDetail.html?productId=HCU_973584&fromPage=1&b2bSite=4826" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Borrowbox</a></b> if you'd like to check that out. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>The Surprise Bollywood Baby</b></i> is part of the March 2021 Harlequin new releases and is available now.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://amzn.to/2ZZXDTn" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kindle</a> </b>(Ire/UK)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Surprise-Bollywood-Baby-Born-into/dp/1335403906/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kindle</a> </b>(US)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781335403902_the-surprise-bollywood-baby.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Harlequin</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781335403902" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Indiebound</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-surprise-bollywood-baby/id1522685462" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Apple Books</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You can keep up to date with the author on her website, <b><a href="http://www.tarapammi.com">www.tarapammi.com</a></b> or <b>@TaraPammi</b> on Twitter, <b>@Tara_Pammi</b> on Instagram. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If you are interested in more Harlequin or Mills & Boon books, there are currently a ton on sale at <b><a href="https://www.bookstation.ie/product-category/clearance/bargain-mills-boon/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bookstation</a></b>, with free delivery within Ireland on orders over €10. If you've never tried one before but would like to, I highly suggest having a look through the titles and seeing if something grabs you. If ever there was a time where a bit of romance and escapism was needed, this is it!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXOgL0GgJxRl7bQzgE0BD0wSmA8TpTuXOABN69X4VZDo2stMH1He69u5f_kbO29jDaYXjBpXXoY-qcyfSI9E4FpPEY5-GMKD4h47PMZ9YI8kTVQvBRO0bHpHHkW664kpsXI2J6tZ6100/s320/Sharon+Signature.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="86" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXOgL0GgJxRl7bQzgE0BD0wSmA8TpTuXOABN69X4VZDo2stMH1He69u5f_kbO29jDaYXjBpXXoY-qcyfSI9E4FpPEY5-GMKD4h47PMZ9YI8kTVQvBRO0bHpHHkW664kpsXI2J6tZ6100/s0/Sharon+Signature.png" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711575350710344963.post-36472980763724564672021-02-24T11:43:00.003+00:002022-04-30T13:41:59.526+01:00Blog Tour: Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers<span style="font-size: xx-small;">*Review Copy. </span><div><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Hi!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Welcome to the first blog tour of 2021, for the much anticipated <i>Honey Girl</i> by Morgan Rogers.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_fwpqWI_pkKADuwkraH0k_kSkfcHfax8a4bRzXvvz6gw2bAFi3Kvgm9yaU0rBwlkKEHSw_NUQ_I9Vk-l7N8Kud8bGLy8-CKby4lEd-m7-SjGlHNcQtursORAOUt3Om9fKBslndkAJNBI/s2048/Book+Cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1360" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_fwpqWI_pkKADuwkraH0k_kSkfcHfax8a4bRzXvvz6gw2bAFi3Kvgm9yaU0rBwlkKEHSw_NUQ_I9Vk-l7N8Kud8bGLy8-CKby4lEd-m7-SjGlHNcQtursORAOUt3Om9fKBslndkAJNBI/w424-h640/Book+Cover.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">Grace wakes up slow like molasses. The only difference is molasses is sweet, and this - the dry mouth and the pounding headache - is sour. She wakes up to the blinding desert sun, to heat that infiltrates the windows and warms her brown skin, even in late March.</span></i></div></i><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">Her alarm buzzes as the champagne-bubble dream pops.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">Grace wakes in Las Vegas instead of her apartment in Portland, and she groans.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">She's still in last night's clothes, ripped high-waisted jeans and a cropped, white BRIDE t-shirt she didn't pack. The bed is warm, which isn't surprising. But as Grace moves, shifts and tries to remember how to work her limbs, she notices it's a different kind of warm. The bed, the covers, the smooth cotton pillowcase beside her, is body-warm. Sleep-warm.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">The hotel bed smells like sea-salt and spell herbs. The kind people cut up and put in tea, in bottles, soaking into oil and sealed with a little chant. It smells like kitchen magic.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">She finds the will to roll over into the warm patch. Her memories begin to trickle in from the night before like a movie in rewind. There were bright lights and too-sweet drinks and one club after another. There was a girl with rose-pink cheeks and pitch-black hair and yes, sea-salt and sage behind her ears and over the soft, veiny parts of her wrists. Her name clings to the tip of Grace's tongue but does not pull free. </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">The movie in Grace's head fast-forwards. The girl's hand stayed clutched in hers for the rest of the night. Her mouth was pretty pink. She clung to Grace's elbow and whispered, 'Stay with me,' when Agnes and Ximena decided to go back to the hotel.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">Stay with me, she said, and Grace did. Follow me, she said, like Grace was used to doing. Follow your alarm. Follow your schedule. Follow your rubric. Follow your graduation plan. Follow a salt and sage girl through a city of lights and find yourself at the steps of a church.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">Maybe it wasn't a church. It didn't seem like one. A place with fake flowers and red carpet and a man in a white suit. A fake priest. Two girls giggled through champagne bubbles and said yes. Grace covers her eyes and sees it play out.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">'Jesus,' she mutters, sitting up suddenly and clutching the sheets to keep herself steady. </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: left;">Excerpt copyright Morgan Rogers </span><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">©</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">Grace Porter, newly graduated Doctor of Astronomy, has done something VERY un-Grace-Porter-like. She appears to have met a girl in Vegas and gotten married - but she has no idea who the girl is. Left only with a photo and a business card for a late night radio talkshow in Brooklyn, Grace needs to figure out what happened and work out if she has just made the biggest mistake of her well-planned life, or if her future really was written in the stars. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I adored this book so much. It's beautiful. It's emotional, funny, relatable - the author does such a wonderful job portraying Grace's sheer exhaustion at wanting to stick to "THE PLAN", please her parents, but also find happiness for herself. By Grace's age (28), we're expected to have everything fiured out, but Grace is stuck. Racism and Sexism hinder her job prospects, and she's drowning under the weight of her father's expectations. This beautiful mystery woman may just be the push to the surface she needs - but Grace still has to learn to swim to shore. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is a beautiful story about finding your way even when you have a path, and about defining what "success" actually means for you. It's also a look at mental health, familial & societal pressures, and the extra expectations placed upon Black women entering the workplace. A stunning #ownvoices debut. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This one may be a little harder to track down in Ireland or the UK - but please do, it's worth it. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Honey Girl</i> is published by Park Row books and was released on February 23, 2021. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://librariesireland.iii.com/iii/encore/search/C__Shoney%20girl%20__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=def" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Reserve at the Library (Ire)</b></a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Honey-Girl-Novel-Morgan-Rogers-ebook/dp/B089WGLDQX" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Kindle (US)</b></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9780778311027_honey-girl.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Harlequin (US)</a></b> | <b><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/honey-girl-morgan-rogers/1137156627?ean=9780778311027" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble (US)</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaeaWP9Rg1RL-7k8BPl6y6tFy6E0qcNBOw-kuhb-VyTV72rdPKSbFkFqkYtXAaES3fMwDSXvarbADlV0oCPP_a5Bzm2qroc9AFClWO3kYk_oNQP7-bQ66HnpbVX7m1qTxrNbsvLwMAwMs/s800/Morgan+Rogers+Author+Bio.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaeaWP9Rg1RL-7k8BPl6y6tFy6E0qcNBOw-kuhb-VyTV72rdPKSbFkFqkYtXAaES3fMwDSXvarbADlV0oCPP_a5Bzm2qroc9AFClWO3kYk_oNQP7-bQ66HnpbVX7m1qTxrNbsvLwMAwMs/w640-h640/Morgan+Rogers+Author+Bio.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you to Lia at Harper Collins for having me on this blog tour and for the ARC via Netgalley.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I have linked some of the others on the tour below so you can check out their reviews if you're interested in hearing more about this book (or just interested in finding more book blogs to read). </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://carryabigbook.com/2021/02/19/blog-tour-honey-girl/" target="_blank">Carry a Big Book</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://elliotscribbles.com/honey-girl/" target="_blank">Elliot Scribbles</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://bookswhitme.wordpress.com/2021/02/22/blog-tour-arc-review-honey-girl-by-morgan-rogers-release-date-feb-23-2021/" target="_blank">Books Whit Me</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiqyGl4rlfcWJOutEqeq5Xmov7qL8W0WlNfeZJLDtexwzCpvdFasFND5F9RRD234ImyZ68sP8YE612V7k8XvoFo3reqh23fDWX2lb9q9pua3yFhrboguxTjoym2Sob6FLF4qKsUIdnQ6s/s320/Sharon+Signature.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="86" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiqyGl4rlfcWJOutEqeq5Xmov7qL8W0WlNfeZJLDtexwzCpvdFasFND5F9RRD234ImyZ68sP8YE612V7k8XvoFo3reqh23fDWX2lb9q9pua3yFhrboguxTjoym2Sob6FLF4qKsUIdnQ6s/s0/Sharon+Signature.png" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711575350710344963.post-46608623102206053592021-02-04T18:28:00.001+00:002022-04-30T16:20:22.126+01:00Throwback Thursday: The Babysitters Club #12 - Claudia and the New Girl Hi!<div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I've been really looking forward to getting to this book, mainly because Claudia is my favourite member of the BSC (and probably one of my top book characters in general), but also because the style has been thin on the ground throughout the last few books. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Firstly, the whitewashing is especially strong on the UK/Ireland cover of this one - could be Claudia Kishi, could be Darlene Conner. Who knows. A couple of years ago, blogger Phil Yu (aka Angry Asian Man) <b><a href="http://blog.angryasianman.com/2017/11/claudia-and-baby-sitters-club-books-we.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">re-imagined some of the US covers</a></b> to reflect what Claudia might have actually had to deal with during her time as a sitter, and while they are intentionally very funny, they're also a stark reminder of how Claudia should have been represented on these covers. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhASIIxfeLS6wkB11TPCvH69pT9QgIjIM8zyh_3AobmnvgWEvZroJ-ZxJauKCWTaNKDrOAxo1CdlJqXit1O7fi6WdztgiQgY0pdQ0ul8w3mnR9QTBW1QFo_iOaHLhwQRJjd9LjK5tdSybg/s2048/12+-+Claudia+and+the+New+Girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1212" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhASIIxfeLS6wkB11TPCvH69pT9QgIjIM8zyh_3AobmnvgWEvZroJ-ZxJauKCWTaNKDrOAxo1CdlJqXit1O7fi6WdztgiQgY0pdQ0ul8w3mnR9QTBW1QFo_iOaHLhwQRJjd9LjK5tdSybg/w378-h640/12+-+Claudia+and+the+New+Girl.jpg" width="378" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We kick off with the aformentioned Claudia, who is finding it hard to concentrate in class. We've read in a previous book how Claudia sometimes feels like she's less intelligent than her sister and her peers, and this book is no different. She's struggling with schoolwork and focus. Then, suddenly, all Claudia's prayers are answered when a glam new girl, Ashley, walks into her classroom. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Claudia knows immediately that she wants to be friends with Ashley - they both have very individual styles of fashion, they're both into art, and Claudia feels like at long last, she will have someone her own age who will understand her passion for art. Ashley does - but unfortunately that's ALL she sees. She's really dismissive of the BSC, and she encourages Claudia to try and spend more time on her art than "the uselessness" of babysitting. Frankly, she's a bit up her own arse and entirely too judgemental for a white girl wearing what's described as "an Indian headband". The club members are really upset when Claudia blows them off to spend time with Ashley, and Claudia ends up being pulled in both directions just trying to make everyone happy and find some time to do what she loves. The girls do some really shitty things to Claudia, including eating and/or hiding all her snacks, leaving her some rotten notes and entries in the club notebook, and <b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jzdadheKI8&ab_channel=Repkord" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">short-sheeting her bed</a></b> (which I had never heard of, but sounds like a really irritating sibling prank). </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The fashion in this book is predictably some of the best we've seen so far:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://urstyle.fashion/styles/2858595" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="362" data-original-width="600" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8qIBPalsKMQMtZlqu7zNRrVK8K32JG3mNCMg8mGU8amr0K1W0ZVGv-ndTzPmQbaLfjgcz2KFGDdXrwmcg9r_D8XnP8Ubofh3ZHIJ7dMvtuZc11CGiwaAgOUHKbZp8ttW-9vh6Owza68/w640-h386/12+-+Style+Set.png" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"[Ashley was wearing] a very pretty pink flowered skirt that was full and so long it touched the tops of her shoes - which I soon realized were not shoes, but sort of hiking boots. Her blouse, loose and lacy, was embroidered with pink flowers, and both of her wrists were loaded with silver bangle bracelets."</i></div></i><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"[Ashley] was wearing a long, all-the-way-to-her-ankles dress with three rows of ruffles at the bottom. A strip of black cloth was tied around her head."</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"Ashley was wearing a puffy white blouse, a blue-jean jacket, a long blue-jean skirt, and those hiking boots again. Beaded bracelets circled both wrists, and she'd tied a strip of faded denim around her head, like an Indian headband."</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"[Claudia] was wearing a very short pink cotton dress, white tights, and black ballet slippers. I had swept all of my hair way over to one side, where it was held in place with a piece of pink cloth that matched the dress. Only one ear showed, and in it I had put my big palm tree earring."</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is the first time where we see how passionate Claudia is about art - when Ashley's last name is announced as Wyeth, Claudia asks her if she's related to the famous painter Andrew Wyeth (who painted one of my all time favourite pictures, <b><a href="https://www.moma.org/collection/works/78455" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Christina's World</a></b>). Claudia struggling at school and prioritising her artistic endeavours over her education was important representation - especially in the late 1980s. So important, in fact, that it inspired a generation of Asian women to follow their creative passions and continue to proudly break traditional stereotypes often placed upon them by society. There's an short documentary on Netflix about it, I really recommend you watch it - it's called "<b><a href="https://www.netflix.com/title/81284581" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Claudia Kishi Club</a></b>". </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju5GDX2IklpqTaBjfZbS0nakWNP3b1X_q1opPpgYFNWhhqmyFOydjMZnKIw1G9BJuNnNp00BSPS5ax7l6ugPEx_7ivv9yOyVJpzKJYpF8M_VX3bK5S-7cTN-AqM68xKKMDMYt4Yov17u4/s597/The+Claudia+Kishi+Club.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="597" data-original-width="426" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju5GDX2IklpqTaBjfZbS0nakWNP3b1X_q1opPpgYFNWhhqmyFOydjMZnKIw1G9BJuNnNp00BSPS5ax7l6ugPEx_7ivv9yOyVJpzKJYpF8M_VX3bK5S-7cTN-AqM68xKKMDMYt4Yov17u4/w456-h640/The+Claudia+Kishi+Club.jpg" width="456" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Meanwhile, Dawn's brother Jeff is still having problems adjusting after their parents divorce, and in a frankly bizarre scene, he calls Dawn when she's babysitting the Perkins girls and tells her he has been called in to the Principal's office at school but he can't get a hold of their mother. Dawn rocks up to the office, two little kids in tow, to try and speak to Jeff's teacher. Dawn is twelve? Thirteen? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As usual, everything works out in the end, and Claudia even ends up having a sculpture displayed in a local art gallery. Everyone makes up, and all is right in Stoneybrook once more. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt3cdKWlZ4HbfMmW2FzIXvfC-aLEU8_v7upkZ47hHS3oZ93_9ZYfcD8351PLTRSy40DHEEDj-VeB3_qIZoTtm1N_9anBPze9AYZMxDHvmu15x5_ynvDri54boy_daXi60Jx9SBICZFVZo/s640/Snack+Watch+Updated+2020.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="213" data-original-width="640" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt3cdKWlZ4HbfMmW2FzIXvfC-aLEU8_v7upkZ47hHS3oZ93_9ZYfcD8351PLTRSy40DHEEDj-VeB3_qIZoTtm1N_9anBPze9AYZMxDHvmu15x5_ynvDri54boy_daXi60Jx9SBICZFVZo/w640-h212/Snack+Watch+Updated+2020.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Doritos</b><i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i>(location undisclosed)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Bazooka Bubble Gum</i> in her hollow book</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Cookies</i> under her pillow</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Twinkies</i> in her sock drawer</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Pretzels</i> in an old pajama bag</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Crackers</i> in the Monopoly box</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Marshmallows</i> in a shoe box</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Licorice Sticks</i> under her mattress</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfltkCr_W-39VzkeCPHKLn29q8vHl9i0uO77ATjC7Nx9PwEZneP0cKgUVnSlc_i1qEGx2OP4V6oewcMhttuWaMUvQBeEMgViVOJ9IQecsU71hlz0y-46JA7Po-iK1Cm04VtCWJd9-fp6c/s640/Pop+Culture+Watch+Updated+2020.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="213" data-original-width="640" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfltkCr_W-39VzkeCPHKLn29q8vHl9i0uO77ATjC7Nx9PwEZneP0cKgUVnSlc_i1qEGx2OP4V6oewcMhttuWaMUvQBeEMgViVOJ9IQecsU71hlz0y-46JA7Po-iK1Cm04VtCWJd9-fp6c/w640-h212/Pop+Culture+Watch+Updated+2020.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Claudia's English class are doing a project on a selection of books that have won a <b>Newbery Medal</b>. The Newbery Medals were started by the American Library Association in 1922, named after "the father of children's literature 18th century bookseller John Newbury, who is credited with making children's literature "a sustainable and profitable part of the business market". They are awarded annually to an author who has made "the most distinguishing contribution" to children's literature. You can view the full list of Newbery winners <b><a href="http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/newberymedal/newberyhonors/newberymedal" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a></b>. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Claudia plays a game called <i style="font-weight: bold;">"Red Light, Green Light"</i> with some children she's sitting. We called this game Statues as kids, it's where one person faces away and the others try to creep up behind them before they turn back around. </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Claudia mentions having watched <i style="font-weight: bold;">Woodstock</i>, a 1970s documentary on the famous 1969 New York festival of the same name. I personally prefer the 1995 <b>Wigstock </b>movie, an equally defining moment in culture that can be seen on YouTube across 8 parts starting <b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsWCIsr-UYQ&ab_channel=SometimesHer" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a></b>. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Stacey is wearing <b><i>Moonlight Mist</i></b> perfume and Claudia remarks that it smells like roses. This has to be Helena Rubinstein's Moonlight Mist, a fragrance released in the 1950s under both her main brand and her husband's Gourielli line. There's a beautiful high quality print ad currently listed on eBay that you can view <b><a href="https://www.ebay.com/itm/Helena-Rubinstein-Moonlight-Mist-Bath-in-Enchanted-Forest-1957-Magazine-Ad/233784161545?hash=item366e9f3509:g:dgYAAOSwgtBfswYn#viTabs_0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a></b>. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tissues at the ready for the next book, because Stacey's about to skip town. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6UMOaWu-jVLmtCb8abjJrJNM4IJR4sYXjyadWaAleohv6I59hEZfnxFhPBFgVf9l9aWczm_CUQl6Ytw8nTUvWvdvtKMKgS_Jd3OAusLbfe1ASnCoi-5EQYKTtJNYPGEpAlhGyXFBFpg/s320/Sharon+Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="86" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6UMOaWu-jVLmtCb8abjJrJNM4IJR4sYXjyadWaAleohv6I59hEZfnxFhPBFgVf9l9aWczm_CUQl6Ytw8nTUvWvdvtKMKgS_Jd3OAusLbfe1ASnCoi-5EQYKTtJNYPGEpAlhGyXFBFpg/s0/Sharon+Signature.png" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711575350710344963.post-13355820374662388612021-01-21T14:13:00.006+00:002022-04-30T16:20:29.954+01:00Throwback Thursday: The Babysitters Club #11 - Kristy and the SnobsHi!<div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Remember at the end of the <b><a href="https://www.behindgreeneyes.com/2020/09/throwback-thursday-babysitters-club-10.html" target="_blank">last post</a></b> back in September a whole four months ago when I said "I'll be back next week, I promise, I have it drafted already"? </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgH4CgeeS2ANaruqu24dzplGg_LjxtrXVNZpy9XPz0zoGhqEiXO-DlloZsccG9z2dzm-Y5l4F1wJUhkh6ujx53puKd4kCP1J2MsiynFDzfTc8P1CdQHiGr8dnN9-wkicAkXCwKKV09GUo/w281-h400/IMG_20210121_121100_337.jpg" width="281" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This week we're up to Book 11, with the spotlight on my least favourite sitter.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1FptwLrJWmjO2meXhEKR1IYYrG6Ne9yNTNoCfCmlrBSHYxm1AGAtRgklWso5Tf4YmfgBC9kRv11RWjC7vsm5O2ei-m-wJCL3Rz1cOv4mSfkmFnoHHCIm5v8NB0ujBnZxvDjj8-u372Vo/s850/11+-+Kristy+and+the+Snobs.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="493" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1FptwLrJWmjO2meXhEKR1IYYrG6Ne9yNTNoCfCmlrBSHYxm1AGAtRgklWso5Tf4YmfgBC9kRv11RWjC7vsm5O2ei-m-wJCL3Rz1cOv4mSfkmFnoHHCIm5v8NB0ujBnZxvDjj8-u372Vo/w370-h640/11+-+Kristy+and+the+Snobs.jpg" width="370" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our miniature soccer mom Kristy opens up this book about snobs by being, well, a massive snob. She declares her new neighbourhood to be "full of snobs" because it's an affluent area and the neighbours appear to have money. This book also kicks off with a passing comment about how an elderly dog is limping, WHICH IS NEVER A GOOD SIGN. Louie is taken to the vet who diagnoses him with...being elderly.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Kristy runs into some preppy girls & they have a brief interaction in which they call each other names, and meets one of them later when she's out with Louie. Shannon Louisa Kilbourne and her dog "Princess Astrid of Grenville" slag Louie off, and suddenly I'm #TeamKristy all the way. GET HER, KRISTY. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">When Kristy is sitting for some neighbours, Shannon prank calls her & tells her the house is on fire. Kristy freaks out before she realises what's happening and THIS. MEANS. WAR. Kristy gets Shannon back by sending "a man dressed as a stork" to her house to drop off "a huge package of diapers". Kristy, please. Who paid for this? This pranking goes back and forth, each one more juvenile than the last, until the girls eventually realise that they're not too different from each other after all. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The inevitable happens and Louie passes away, in a very sad scene (I BAWLED) that involves the family making the decision to put him to sleep. Shannon comes through and tells Kristy that she can have one of Astrid's puppies if she wants, the girls all become friends & Shannon joins Logan in becoming an official associate member of the BSC. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The style in this one is thin on the ground, as it tends to be when Kristy is the lead character, but luckily we have Myriah and Style Queen Gabbie Perkins to save us: </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://urstyle.fashion/styles/2842840" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="433" data-original-width="599" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVrSdSeymgEY4pqwbP0x17s3xOxmDje6UYEUsa2MC6F9-blez_DHd-LZ_pIqiegJoQ-7GbLxhopy711MRo3FhmcVlsY0_sHQflLe_Rmoh29iXGhimK9QTThL4U1SMCuqgaDW4X4hiwIEI/w640-h462/11+-+Style+Set.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><i>"In Gabbie's room, she found Myriah wearing a pink party dress with white tights and shiny Mary Jane shoes. But Gabbie had a different idea about getting dressed up. She was wearing one of her mother's slips, a necktie belonging to her father, a feather boa, a straw hat, sunglasses and snow boots" </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Notable events in this book include:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Perkins' shortlisting the names "Randy for a boy, or Randi for a girl" for their new baby. According to the<b><a href="https://www.cso.ie/en/interactivezone/visualisationtools/babynamesofireland/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> CSO</a></b>, there hasn't been a single Randy OR Randi born in Ireland between 1964 and 2019 (There is, however, a mini Sharon resurgence happening - after dropping off the face of the country for three years in 2014, the Sharons are on the rise again with 11 babies named Sharon in 2017, 2018, & 2019. Go team!). </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Pikes all having the Chicken Pox (with Claudia still expected to babysit them) and winding each other up by doing "the bizzer sign", a hand signal they invented to annoy each other. My twins also had something like this, it was a sound that they used to SCREAM at each other until I banned the two of them from saying it, so I can absolutely vouch for how annoying something like this can be. </div><div><br /></div></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggFzn9PZwxf9ROGBaTmNsPn9rDsTKWtATpOTBBFlfHVRYQ1pgVi0CwQ_yZRmy_WcZt7VTu2tU7bXHPfHNl_x0djR4LCAsbU0pBtBBulboUQJgrOr7ACdMF8OpPGP4d2QUTvQw57J1r2Qs/s640/Snack+Watch+Updated+2020.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="213" data-original-width="640" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggFzn9PZwxf9ROGBaTmNsPn9rDsTKWtATpOTBBFlfHVRYQ1pgVi0CwQ_yZRmy_WcZt7VTu2tU7bXHPfHNl_x0djR4LCAsbU0pBtBBulboUQJgrOr7ACdMF8OpPGP4d2QUTvQw57J1r2Qs/w640-h210/Snack+Watch+Updated+2020.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Gummi Bears stashed inside her pillowcase</i></b></div></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>M&Ms (location undisclosed)</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88ta_wU81H5kAIIHCTWAKlUWGuAtF4ebsEIbFRSk-8QZUatHbC93P8lLHyUmWR2ahImWmPFs0iomtU6ajP6Z72wNSZm0J1mtJiAu7M1CzA3rQ4yN8J_HygketbrYjN2XNDN5HhWCcVzM/s640/Pop+Culture+Watch+Updated+2020.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="213" data-original-width="640" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88ta_wU81H5kAIIHCTWAKlUWGuAtF4ebsEIbFRSk-8QZUatHbC93P8lLHyUmWR2ahImWmPFs0iomtU6ajP6Z72wNSZm0J1mtJiAu7M1CzA3rQ4yN8J_HygketbrYjN2XNDN5HhWCcVzM/w640-h210/Pop+Culture+Watch+Updated+2020.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Stacey reads an article called <i>"Getting What You Want: Dealing With Difficult People the Easy Way". </i>This could possibly be a reference to the famous self-help book by Robert M. Bramson entitled <i style="font-weight: bold;">Coping With Difficult People</i>, first published in 1981. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">The Tenth Good Thing about Barney </i>by Judith Viorst is mentioned, it's a children's book about dealing with pet loss.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Stacey knocks over some <i style="font-weight: bold;">Lincoln Logs </i>at the Delaney's house - I had never heard of these but they're very cool little logs used to build toy cabins & houses. They were inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame in 1999.</div><div style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><i style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></i></div><div style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><i style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">Book 12 is up next, Claudia has competition when a new artsy fartsy girl comes to town. What will happen? Excellent style, that's what. </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrupe3cvR7Pk-n4cy6JaiCtUZAvah8qNpyZZioGTcRlMHK-Er75Da703GOgxxXW6BQx5btA1b7UCccEh54zTCE0IUiLuHJlvEjRY_UTSTT-U5LOHjeAfoPtWmUr1Kh7Zs2G7F5BeKCuvM/s320/Sharon+Signature.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="86" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrupe3cvR7Pk-n4cy6JaiCtUZAvah8qNpyZZioGTcRlMHK-Er75Da703GOgxxXW6BQx5btA1b7UCccEh54zTCE0IUiLuHJlvEjRY_UTSTT-U5LOHjeAfoPtWmUr1Kh7Zs2G7F5BeKCuvM/s0/Sharon+Signature.png" /></a></div><br /><i><br /><br /></i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711575350710344963.post-18257841011754193632021-01-17T16:52:00.001+00:002022-04-30T13:43:15.431+01:00Spotlight On: Romance Novels<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Nothing to disclose</span><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Hi!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The urge to call this post "Bridgerton & other books about riding" was shocking.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 2011, I confessed my "<a href="https://www.behindgreeneyes.com/2011/05/dirty-little-secret.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Dirty Little Secret</b></a>" and spoke on here about my love for romance novels. No matter how many reading groups I join, or how many book discussions I'm a part of, someone will always pop their head up and declare that these are not "real" books and scoff "you read 20 books in a month? Ah but not REAL books", declaring all romance "chick-lit" and all YA "children's books". </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">When Fifty Shades of Grey hit the top of the reading charts in 2012, it was dubbed "Mummy Porn". Article upon article surfaced about more and more women wanting to read about romance or sex as if this were a new concept. In reality, the romance novel industry is worth billions of dollars, and according to a Glamour <b><a href="https://www.glamour.com/story/romance-is-a-billion-dollar-industry" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">article</a> </b>from December 2019, made up almost a quarter of all book sales in 2016. It's almost as if it's another dismissal of women and our frivolous little hobbies like the equally valuable cosmetics industry, isn't it? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">With Bridgerton being a worldwide smash hit since Netflix released it in December 2020. the original set of novels by author Julia Quinn are once again getting some attention. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR40qa8WLfX3VfkIEOKn_7Q_wgB8oA2s0IBZRxBKrTv746Urb-qRDeg5HMRJOlVIIvSm8TibVLG5yAbPwS7DzVGkXjfT5qYpUc5sneSa_Nmm7gPDYh8PYoMKaNfihKuy1Co2iLViEIoKc/s500/Bridgerton+collectio+vol1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="332" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR40qa8WLfX3VfkIEOKn_7Q_wgB8oA2s0IBZRxBKrTv746Urb-qRDeg5HMRJOlVIIvSm8TibVLG5yAbPwS7DzVGkXjfT5qYpUc5sneSa_Nmm7gPDYh8PYoMKaNfihKuy1Co2iLViEIoKc/w265-h400/Bridgerton+collectio+vol1.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I haven't read the books - I don't personally like the regency setting, so I won't typically read anything that is classed as historical romance or anything to do with lords and ladies. If you do like this style, Oprah magazine recently published a list of <b><a href="https://www.oprahmag.com/entertainment/g30702189/best-historical-romance-novels/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">24 historical romance novels</a></b> in the same vein, with a brief synopsis of each one. If you want to read the Bridgerton series, this is the order: <i>The Duke and I; The Viscount who Loved Me; An Offer From a Gentleman; Romancing Mr. Bridgerton; To Sir Phillip, With Love; When He Was Wicked; It's In His Kiss; </i>and <i>On The Way to the Wedding;</i> and <i>The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Being a fan of Harlequin and all their imprints, I sometimes review & participate in blog tours for their new releases. I've tagged every one I've toured for, so please have a click on this Harlequin <b><a href="https://www.behindgreeneyes.com/search?q=harlequin" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">tag</a></b> if you'd like to go back and read those. Harlequin also have a really nice free app called <b>Book Breaks</b> that feature hundreds of free stories to read - you can sort by how much time you have to read or by category. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22m9zIEkknA9yzJRGu2n7ubCjkbtunMJUbaYLFCR8QQJOtNRJUa6hkAplVGLFZZAs8JCJVUUzjCBv-_Gk3TBDe094h4J4foQDm-3ngeum7-UIBFghDwq6DnYRcSnUeginXBpEmRrWaQA/s2004/Screenshot_20210117_135344.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"></a><div style="display: inline; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLcudqvhSrPFAu2SykN6PUuZalLsaaN2JuImS1HRi44RVab8NInUQb8YdHg8z-sn8SuUWVFFTwpSx2LH1b77YBYB_iiAfc78h8LMYMMp4wfO6T-i1ajj9T2eqjWii5XdOJMtMh7qEkUw0/s1259/Screenshot_20210117_135405.jpg" style="display: inline; padding: 1em 0px;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLcudqvhSrPFAu2SykN6PUuZalLsaaN2JuImS1HRi44RVab8NInUQb8YdHg8z-sn8SuUWVFFTwpSx2LH1b77YBYB_iiAfc78h8LMYMMp4wfO6T-i1ajj9T2eqjWii5XdOJMtMh7qEkUw0/s1259/Screenshot_20210117_135405.jpg" style="display: inline; padding: 1em 0px;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1259" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLcudqvhSrPFAu2SykN6PUuZalLsaaN2JuImS1HRi44RVab8NInUQb8YdHg8z-sn8SuUWVFFTwpSx2LH1b77YBYB_iiAfc78h8LMYMMp4wfO6T-i1ajj9T2eqjWii5XdOJMtMh7qEkUw0/s320/Screenshot_20210117_135405.jpg" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2004" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22m9zIEkknA9yzJRGu2n7ubCjkbtunMJUbaYLFCR8QQJOtNRJUa6hkAplVGLFZZAs8JCJVUUzjCBv-_Gk3TBDe094h4J4foQDm-3ngeum7-UIBFghDwq6DnYRcSnUeginXBpEmRrWaQA/s320/Screenshot_20210117_135344.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If you prefer physical books, larger Tesco stores sometimes have a decent selection of romance books priced around the €6/€7 mark. Usually after you read a couple you'll discover that you prefer certain authors over others, so the app could come in really handy there. </div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A great source for discovering new authors and book styles is the <b><a href="http://www.bookbub.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BookBub Daily E-mail</a>. </b>You sign up for free, tick a couple of preferences, and you will get an e-mail once a day featuring some free/low priced e-books for whatever platform you choose at sign-up. The daily e-mail isn't intrusive, and it always has a couple of free romance books. I've found some of my favourites this way. I just signed up using a second e-mail purely for this blog post and it has recommended several - it's worth mentioning that it doesn't just recommend straight romance, there are hundreds of LGBTQ+ books too. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Don't forget your library - there is absolutely no reason why you should ever be embarrassed to borrow any kind of book in person, but while *the situation* is ongoing, <b><a href="http://www.borrowbox.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Borrowbox</a></b> have hundreds to loan, and they're incredibly popular going by some of the hold dates. If you have a tablet that can use apps or a smartphone, you can use Borrowbox. It will not work with a Kindle Paperwhite. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The key to enjoying romance novels is to figure out what you like and don't like to read about - for example, I absolutely do not want to read lords & ladies, supernatural romance, anything to do with people getting pregnant ("A Royal Pregnancy" - best of luck, hun, but absolutely not), anything involving gangs or mafia, or BDSM. If you're into any or all of the above, there is a WEALTH of books set around those themes, just have a Google. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Personally, I enjoy rom-com style books, a good ol' fake relationship, someone-returns-to-their-small-town, a childhood pact (all credit to <i>Crossroads</i>) or enemies to lovers. So if you are interested in any of those, I got you. Here's some of the ones I've read & reviewed over the past decade, you should be able to click on any cover to go to my Storygraph review of that book (provided I remember how to do that correctly, it feels like I haven't put together one of these posts in ages).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table style="text-align: center;">
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<td><a href="https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/2e49813b-4701-4a56-8068-f9287b687b02" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvVJsgG1CdcMmdY304HqK_MWcJbqTHBHpbjDcL0w3JuTMbP36BpJJqgk_ynuAhZN4Q0pa-mZncNGNUGAcVXjRWRbuVK1UnxjyUlTu-qRPH_QL9Hjq6Azbb_ClyMhJFmOv8-_wnZLteK0/s320/1.+Rascal+by+Katie+McCoy.jpg" width="200px" /></a> </td>
<td><a href="https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/02fc0a85-e9fa-4e37-b46a-730621e40390" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyqOLSgrSid_s_7tR3qF_NXVsh0B_ZZThGcoNA3g4FFuj164ehwjRIu6n_7wEyqOVbwrIwZFsC2WMCsuHooqxFQ5pCKsgndZXOjEjzgDOC5BCZ9cKsLJNLhbBiMRsb9pG_IyzRd0JW-z4/s320/2.+Play+by+Piper+Lawson.jpg" width="200px" /></a> </td>
<td><a href="https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/821cbe86-654e-4897-92d0-258818f79eb8" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX_7xJiLLOLGZz4einLlbWCmE4aUX84Y7Ym2dLodWpUWRIBz3s89iUnWGsk7KZ53Ly5vkhCTMZrSdslxDsEvVVYhIxd4Oz91gINSkBbVy7dR3wsWOBij2GTaPVD7ArsQRhD0567h2uMZE/s320/3.+The+Day+We+Met+by+Barbara+Bretton.jpg" width="200px" /></a> <br /></td>
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<td> <a href="https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/00eb9724-beb2-4761-aa95-71fa3caf3589" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4BHszeMCmTgf6gg4VBLxskYzafrawbmrXEsxFWSB5sxGjCypqJgq4KI_1cf7cgXW-MCQUCoIsfE5eOXlbL8yuHMzFDQE801RQbLftbf6v6flmSHSDJuzKFa957cKwALkU0pQU63nLWO4/s320/4.+Crazy+Over+You+by+Daisy+Prescott.jpg" width="200px" /></a></td>
<td> <a href="https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/22b1e3c4-f682-41dc-8eab-15be22dd88af" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD3tBH-E78UuK5pJzkLgs5jtkcKiR4AcmoncGBmDo2T9xTb38s0Tq-vGFf9MExr8kuicT9nqzAJOagpRskS-wi1_DvMNkxKI_yeQH12TgjizY3Ns0x7NgToK6GHDDZRR6scv3e_7mJpc4/s320/5.+Her+Homecoming+Wish+by+Jo+McNally.jpg" width="200px" /></a></td>
<td> <a href="https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/8ec81380-2765-4790-99b9-5356485f37cb" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQGAv5DmZdyWBlOqIFYzhS207r8fjRFWlpdzFiI8DMx3flz6mlJj4ndlpvWr-MqP4klJoHb9NW2rCvzk64AtWTPt3tZOCqczTUraTc7Ed1YdwbWOQidQEElkSsM0onOQWZrmI7Y90Hfpo/s320/6.+Temporary+Wife+Temptation+by+Jayci+Lee.jpg" width="200px" /></a></td>
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<td> <a href="https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/b662c205-db73-4a8c-862d-5a898ea78d94" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwa-Ue1PzmMoDVlhGa3A6bHHqeRJhVbEPT8sMFri7QeohpOkSgp8BYTHbiRd9rzjkipsprZREPp0vcYV98etMXuxTK4GHlZ9O2Jb6gioku2QINsync2B11FCogFi80iqnrbrlMTsd2kU8/s320/7.+Tangled+Beauty.jpg" width="200px" /></a></td>
<td> <a href="https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/372c7d27-2b64-41d8-86f7-37ff188920ce" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWU7jheZ_bLyFkDbCCk6zrLK-OLoi5PCT8u3XDly6eAYa46KkFyjYt9_84zX1qHi-W6oC4UcA6dkxpJfk7WI6I5EAXHygu9jfTzDNr1R2Xwo_O7KbWN-OKJhB7KhDvxRBKZOFnNa8pJWA/s320/8.+Bet+Me+by+Lila+Monroe.jpg" width="200px" /></a></td>
<td> <a href="https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/483de797-3ed2-4b79-b68c-06ecc4addb7d" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0qKHt9aXyoJv1Cp-N8mDxfnMYnZ1u5xJagH02TwiFnRarRUD8Dq1egYsyqLmO2UF2OsSdMKh7WIknEUmtWhc079eoc_LLVIx6-XeL2ZGMT2aVxbWwE4dlyD-w52MVEUSdSCPKjRn3aGk/s320/9.+A+Cowboy+to+Remember+by+Barbara+Ankrum.jpg" width="200px" /></a></td>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you'd like to park the smut for now and just read something contemporary & funny that gives you a dose of the warm & fuzzies, then I highly recommend these, or anything Mandy Baggot has written (particularly her Christmas ones):</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><table>
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<td><a href="https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/e04aaee7-6519-49ed-b2d2-8eb538f553a9" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbo9xY3gnja2Ec1U0fdSXxMKRTwUmVThUjSDnhvqfDmqZHOc6kntrNTvlW5PnSPLU2jwv-r3G096tjWYmQPYSQ-mYxWLj4Wx6wq7MkBqojRoPtRPLsvRWZ2DGj7c52RK8MhyphenhyphenGJ-r3LuAs/s320/Bonus+1+-+Don%2527t+You+Forget+About+Me.jpg" width="200px" /></a> </td>
<td><a href="https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/9ca4ab77-a1bc-479b-b6bd-6ca18551a8e6" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiri1T3aadpWi5NwaoHtlRUVp4DGhG6_utiC6F5CP7TTGDkaqo0gqw8BniyOw8vnp45oKBv7vOO_f4kE-YswgadKA2pdSOT_TgiRwpNrecygzunKXiixZSN5zU2NNc1zcwI_nru26oHlcE/w200-h320/Bonus+2+-+Persuading+Austen+by+Brigid+Coady.jpg" width="200px" /></a> </td>
<td><a href="https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/b50ff5ac-b98f-4369-af0a-385b89803c08" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEileiIhPvkplwli2V-wBP8O9256dQYcwV6J4g67NCdE__KPloJz4r1M8On52TzREg_ySa0lb8vDxaZkeEY1ugd17nJyCfvp-zLGjT0tA_NcfgAmi2O4l_ZbgRFo-u_h9O1wkkgTCLhwmXs/s320/Bonus+3+-+The+Accidental+Honeymoon+by+Portia+McIntosh.jpg" width="200px" /></a> </td>
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<br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The bottom line here is - never be embarrassed to read a book, no matter what that book is. Don't let someone on a Twitter thread or a Facebook group make you feel bad about wanting some light escapism at any time, but particularly during what has been one of the most difficult periods of time any of us have endured. As I have said previously - it's fine to want to read every book that has ever been nominated for a literary prize. It's also fine to spend three hours reading about people riding up in the mountains. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Feel free to give me a shout below or via DM on <b><a href="http://instagram.com/sharonleavy1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">instagram </a></b>if you want any more specific recommendations, and I'll see what I can do, no judgement.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifPu4NXb5SvOHwFWyjyv2nH2QpwHF9WFsB5c8FDrhyphenhyphenCfvaXZ7PAgJmf3JG0zlqDXuvZupq451ijyGvEqBqxsVnwyqxeGY3m7j7l7UTuv9rwyuO0vKUxhabVOOkDbA1ONu-0QPLMOVuWC8/s320/Sharon+Signature.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="86" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifPu4NXb5SvOHwFWyjyv2nH2QpwHF9WFsB5c8FDrhyphenhyphenCfvaXZ7PAgJmf3JG0zlqDXuvZupq451ijyGvEqBqxsVnwyqxeGY3m7j7l7UTuv9rwyuO0vKUxhabVOOkDbA1ONu-0QPLMOVuWC8/s0/Sharon+Signature.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711575350710344963.post-90963826205148920682020-10-20T12:59:00.017+01:002022-04-30T15:00:09.404+01:00Small Irish Business Christmas Gift Guide<div><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Nothing to disclose</span></div><div><br /></div>Hi!<div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'll leave aside my usual rambling intro because there's a lot to get to, this is a post featuring almost 60 small Irish independent businesses that sell products online across a wide range of categories. I've broken them down as best as I can. If you have any other small business suggestions please leave them in the comments.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Many of the businesses mentioned have stated on their websites and/or social media that they are happy to gift wrap and/or include a gift message and send directly to the intended recipient. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If you don't have the means to buy anything at the moment, it costs nothing to give a business a follow or like on social media which will help them be more visible so that others may be able to buy something. Thanks so much for reading! </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">BOOKS</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzF_Rha20pZ-DR4NdF6lb2zuXHnY1ufSOlOiuLKOfdlUmJ-RLFoyqFFABslwLoaEkeSwYiyaaGA-NB9X1Uk9d1ciHiRlgLDVyJV6DTUZmH8fzMarq_g73tEwAIBeBlyB9NPpvh8tF64Og/s1024/Books+Collage.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzF_Rha20pZ-DR4NdF6lb2zuXHnY1ufSOlOiuLKOfdlUmJ-RLFoyqFFABslwLoaEkeSwYiyaaGA-NB9X1Uk9d1ciHiRlgLDVyJV6DTUZmH8fzMarq_g73tEwAIBeBlyB9NPpvh8tF64Og/w640-h640/Books+Collage.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">1. The Gutter Bookshop</i> have a huge selection of adult and childrens books. Their customer service is almost as good as a visit to the shop itself, with orders arriving in great time and wrapped carefully. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://gutterbookshop.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gutter Bookshop</a> | </b> <b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/gutterbookshop/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">2. Kennys </i>have an enormous selection of used and new books of all kinds. They also offer free delivery within Ireland so they're a great alternative to some of the UK sites. Their new and second hand books start from just a couple of Euro.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.kennys.ie/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kennys.ie</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kennysbookshop" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">3. The Bookshop.ie</i> are Ireland's largest used book website. They take in tonnes of used books every week, and there are currently tens of thousands of books for sale on their site. This is a great place to find old childhood classics (it's where I bought most of my Point Horror & Babysitters Club books from). They offer free delivery over €20.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.thebookshop.ie" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Web<span> </span>site</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thebookshop.ie/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">4. Charlie Byrnes</i> offer a large range of books, if you've ever been in their gorgeous shop in Galway City you'll know that they stock just about every book you could imagine. If there's a particular book you're looking for, you can message them through their site. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.charliebyrne.ie" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Charlie Byrnes</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/charliebyrnesbookshop" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">FOOD & DRINK</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw2d303AGcSJWR_Aa2VUGZh8FzaLFJNrUTQ2uDCvcSVz7a4z2h8mI4HO6MqSon5twZKOupSCitnRJ57jnVqUftsB97nCSwou5iNJqdhPFH4G39JRVgUaiwfcEFHx-YzyAFZCrkshHGz9w/s1024/Food+Collage.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw2d303AGcSJWR_Aa2VUGZh8FzaLFJNrUTQ2uDCvcSVz7a4z2h8mI4HO6MqSon5twZKOupSCitnRJ57jnVqUftsB97nCSwou5iNJqdhPFH4G39JRVgUaiwfcEFHx-YzyAFZCrkshHGz9w/w640-h640/Food+Collage.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">5. Organico</i> are a Bantry based business who sell a huge range of products online from hundreds of different Irish & worldwide brands. They make it incredibly easy to put together a box of treats for someone and have it delivered, plus their packaging is always sustainable and their customer service second to none.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.organico.ie" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Organico</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/organicobantry" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">6. Picado Mexican</i> are a boutique Mexican grocer who sell a range of Mexican foods and ingredients, perfect for foodies to make authentic dishes. I've bought their dried chillies a few times, the flavour is unmatched by anything you can get in a standard Supermarket. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.picadomexican.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Picado Mexican</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/picadomexican" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">7. McCambridges</i> will be familiar to anyone who has strolled through Galway City. They stock a range of products from many small businesses, and they curate and deliver food and drink hampers within Galway City and nationwide.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.mccambridges.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">McCambridges</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mccambridgesgalway" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i>8. Ardkeen</i> </b>are based in Waterford and stock "the Worlds best selection of Irish artisan food". They have a variety of products but I think the standout for Christmas are the hampers and the option to build your own. This is really good because it covers many different price ranges - you can get a really impressive gift hamper for under €50 or you can go as high as you wish - ideal if a couple of people wanted to go in together on a big present for someone. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.ardkeen.com">Ardkeen</a>| <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ardkeenqualityfoodstore/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">TOYS</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPvR7HLwmSpSQKjyEpwIyor_XHk0TzlOw3P4QTEXcULyT-whOvqTyqxtvxz_HqKGl-hR_SvMYR5yDmenf3R6oldQDYOzhCzWl0U-WeuJ3igKxZ9Sgoj6E_a9SZ_heFswovn7-LNyDgcss/s1024/toyscollage.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPvR7HLwmSpSQKjyEpwIyor_XHk0TzlOw3P4QTEXcULyT-whOvqTyqxtvxz_HqKGl-hR_SvMYR5yDmenf3R6oldQDYOzhCzWl0U-WeuJ3igKxZ9Sgoj6E_a9SZ_heFswovn7-LNyDgcss/w640-h640/toyscollage.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i>9. Mimitoys</i> </b>stock wooden toys, furniture, and arts/crafts supplies for children up to 12 (or any age, really). They have some really stunning "big" presents, including beautiful Dolls Houses and Kitchens. Santa brought my own twins their first play kitchen from Mimitoys a few years ago.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.mimitoys.ie" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mimitoys</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mimitoys.ie" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i>10. Freddie and Millie Toys</i> </b>have toys and books to suit all ages and budgets, featuring some beautiful pieces that I hadn't seen anywhere else. They stock the Miniland doll range, which are known for their inclusivity. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.freddieandmillietoys.ie" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Freddie and Millie Toys</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/freddieandmillietoys" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i>11. Jiminy Toys</i> </b>stock eco friendly & plastic-free toys. They have some really wonderful things to suit most ages, including shadow puppetry, flat-pack playsets, and solar powered toys. They also stock the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/linkilonk.kids/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>linkilonk</b> </a>activity tube, an Irish-designed and made product that features a selection of art activities in a fully recyclable tube. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://Jiminy.ie">Jiminy.ie</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jiminy.ie" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">12. Sensational Kids</i> feature a range of sensory toys ranging from fidget toys to learning aids. They're a company originally started by a mum who had difficulty finding support for her own children. They have sections filtered by skill and ability levels, and they have items to suit even the smallest budget. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.sensationalkids.ie" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sensational Kids</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sensational_kids" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>CLOTHING</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9QqIiIXFBCXXllxNQVSCk9yk5_wSYZeqhr-2mI2ktgCTuNryTeXTERPOPB8qyE4udxgyfs4ek85TmX54HzLbjaBU5IzurHx_JkCgXsX2iGE6OwbbqPphrKgcRMaHZ5xpYixirpe6hShk/s1024/clothingcolage.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9QqIiIXFBCXXllxNQVSCk9yk5_wSYZeqhr-2mI2ktgCTuNryTeXTERPOPB8qyE4udxgyfs4ek85TmX54HzLbjaBU5IzurHx_JkCgXsX2iGE6OwbbqPphrKgcRMaHZ5xpYixirpe6hShk/w640-h640/clothingcolage.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>13. Fauna Kids</b></i> stock organic clothing for children & adults. They have beautiful handprinted designs and their prices are incredibly reasonable for the quality of the clothing. They have free delivery in Ireland on orders over €40, and they also offer stunning gift boxes for babies. </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.faunakids.ie" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Fauna Kids</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/faunakids.ie" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">14. Grey + Ginger</i> are a Galway based clothing company who offer contemporary handpainted designs printed onto t-shirts and sweatshirts. They also offer art prints. I have one of their sweatshirts and it washes really well and has kept its shape. Their recently launched "Mother" collection is particularly beautiful.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.greyandginger.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Grey + Ginger</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/greyandgingerclothing" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">15. Bean an Tí</i> have stunning organic & ethically made t-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies & bags featuring pop culture slogans As Gaeilge. I want everything. They also donate a portion of their profits to some incredible charities including rape crisis, LGBTQI+ & pro choice organisations. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.beanantees.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bean an Tí</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/beanantees" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">16. Gina's Tie Dye</i> stocks a range of tie dyed cotton clothing and accessories, from masks and babygros right up to adult sweatshirts. Gina is happy to ship directly to recipients and include gift notes. The mask I bought from Gina is my favourite, it's the most comfortable one to wear. You can DM her for custom orders. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.etsy.com/ie/shop/GeeniegiiTieDye" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gina's Tie Dye</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ginastiedye/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>KNITTERS & STITCHERS</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQA-O_Zgk98-uqS0_Ytb_GSMkcrLr-ei6iy0qAy43HBgZYzqmNZxVPcwKEim1VX06wbMChq-VcFY9NkflCLNVc3wZf40FgNpkLMNrD_uI3MW7l51MttvXrsEsuoz7zbCk1-3o4EcIUvPQ/s1024/fibre+crafts+collage.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQA-O_Zgk98-uqS0_Ytb_GSMkcrLr-ei6iy0qAy43HBgZYzqmNZxVPcwKEim1VX06wbMChq-VcFY9NkflCLNVc3wZf40FgNpkLMNrD_uI3MW7l51MttvXrsEsuoz7zbCk1-3o4EcIUvPQ/w640-h640/fibre+crafts+collage.png" width="640" /></a></div></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i>17. Girl VS Thread</i> </b>is a Cork-based stitcher who sells embroidery patterns and finished hoops based on feminism, body positivity, Schitt's Creek and My Favourite Murder (all the good stuff). Her crafts are finished beautifully and she also sells personalised Christmas hoops. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.etsy.com/ie/shop/GirlvsThread" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Girl vs Thread</a>| <a href="https://www.instagram.com/girlvsthread/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">18. Golden Stitch Designs</i> have colourful fibre crafts and fat positive art. Combine the two and you get some really beautiful gifts, including embroidered hoops, wall hangings, prints, stickers and more. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.etsy.com/ie/shop/TheGoldenStitchEire" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Golden Stitch Designs</a>| <a href="https://www.instagram.com/goldenstitchdesigns/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">19. Fluffbeag</i> is a knitter and weaver based in Galway who creates the most beautiful knitted items. She makes beanies, wall hangings, doll house miniatures, printed slogan bags, ear minders, and also sells knitting patterns. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.etsy.com/ie/shop/FluffBeag" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Fluffbeag</a>| <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fluffbeag/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b>20. Hooked by Em</b> </i>is a Limerick maker who creates sustainable products for the home. She makes reusable eco-friendly crafts like crochet rounds for face cleansing, soap savers, and ear minders which are really helpful for people who need to wear masks for long periods at a time. DM to order. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/HookedByEmHandmadeinLimerick" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a>|<a href="https://www.instagram.com/hooked_by_em/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Instagram</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you are a knitter/stitcher/ crafter in general or are looking for craft supplies to make a craft pack up as a present, I use and recommend both <b><a href="https://www.craftersbasket.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Crafter's Basket</a></b> and <b><a href="https://www.vibesandscribes.ie" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Vibes and Scribes</a></b>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">CANDLES & WAX MELTS</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">21. Wickcraft & Wickery</i> sell homemade cruelty-free soy wax melts in a variety of scents and shapes. I recently bought some of these myself and can personally recommend them (as with many of the brands in this section). The orders are packaged beautifully using sustainable plastic-free packaging and would make a gorgeous gift. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.etsy.com/ie/shop/WickcraftandWickery" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Wickcraft & Wickery</a>| <a href="https://www.instagram.com/wickcraftandwickery/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">22. Cailleach Candles</i> I've become somewhat addicted to Cailleach Candles this year, especially their Sabbat boxes. Inspired by myth & magick, Nola creates the most beautiful candles, melts and curated seasonal boxes. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.cailleachcandles.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cailleach Candles</a>| <a href="https://www.instagram.com/cailleachcandles" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">23. Cauldron Candles</i> make and stock a range of gothic style soy wax candles and melts. Their pumpkin scent is legendary (and strong, you don't even have to light the candle or burn the melt to smell that one in a room, it's delicious). These products are every bit as good as they look, and they look GOOD. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.cauldroncandlesireland.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cauldron Candles</a></b>| <b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/cauldron.candles/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnzKPfuJ0a5BdNYSc-9hvqnv0VqszLboXBps0HIZDDVmW5DXfgQI-bgR3h_Cd-eYySAZ2sCJxHXjuMLhUpi5AoWBWzc41xEbFTSg3blNDmy6i_ajV1xsdxU-C007tIr2T-pwAJxM4LCIE/s1024/wax+melts+collage+pt+2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnzKPfuJ0a5BdNYSc-9hvqnv0VqszLboXBps0HIZDDVmW5DXfgQI-bgR3h_Cd-eYySAZ2sCJxHXjuMLhUpi5AoWBWzc41xEbFTSg3blNDmy6i_ajV1xsdxU-C007tIr2T-pwAJxM4LCIE/w640-h640/wax+melts+collage+pt+2.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">25. Cloon Keen</i> produce probably my favourite candle of all time, Antique Library. Their candles are truly stunning, and they're all made in Galway. I have never tried their perfumes but their devotion to scent could only indicate that they're every bit as impressive as their candles. An incredibly special, memorable gift to receive. Fun fact - one of my kids still uses the presentation box from one of these candles as a money box and I still use one of my empties to store hair bands because the packaging was too pretty to get rid of. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.cloonkeen.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cloon Keen</a>| <a href="https://www.instagram.com/cloonkeen/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">26. CME Candles</i> produce stunning unique candles based on the human form. Their candles are unlike any I've seen before. They're sustainably sourced, hand poured, and 100% vegan. 5% of all sales are donated to MASI. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.cmedublin.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">CME Candles</a>| <a href="https://www.instagram.com/cmecandledublin/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i>27. Wix and Wax</i> </b>are a Co. Clare based small business who produce wax melts in the form of snap bars & brittle wax in a variety of scents inspired by popular perfumes. They also sell very cute burners and gift sets. €0.50 from every Touch of Pink snap bar sold in October will be donated to Breast Cancer Ireland.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://wixandwaxireland.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Wix & Wax</a>| <a href="https://www.instagram.com/wix_and_wax_ireland/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">28. Kin Candles & Oils</i> is a business owned by two sisters inspired by witchcraft. They have a gorgeous range of eco soy wax candles and skin products. Their twisted Halloween candles are adorable so I can only imagine what they have planned for Christmas!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.etsy.com/ie/shop/KinCandlesOils" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kin Candles & Oils</a>| <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kin.candles.oils/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">ART & PRINTS</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09x6pv3z3Bbk-T5Kk9oyKIHJUKUHZiMghqUktwBRwcP07IK8vyv2hXTHU7hboksic62wjTZI7m11Pv-Hn5-Pgl6K67UmHSOlX6MChfjmW9CwHjJ0HBGjC8I8RKb6trko4LEcIyZWwZqI/s1024/prints2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09x6pv3z3Bbk-T5Kk9oyKIHJUKUHZiMghqUktwBRwcP07IK8vyv2hXTHU7hboksic62wjTZI7m11Pv-Hn5-Pgl6K67UmHSOlX6MChfjmW9CwHjJ0HBGjC8I8RKb6trko4LEcIyZWwZqI/w640-h640/prints2.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">29. Art by TríK</i>, a Dublin based artist/graphic designer, sells beautiful comic book inspired art prints. The detail is incredible. The artwork comes with a protective sheet, in a gift wrapped tube with custom packaging labels and custom gift card. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.etsy.com/ie/shop/ArtByTrikIE" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Art By Trík</a>| <a href="https://www.instagram.com/art.by.trik/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">30. Nially Pea</i> is someone you've probably seen before, his iconic gold prints pop up on my timeline regularly and I have been meaning to order one for a long time. I did just that while typing this up, the "Jesus, Mary and Joseph" one both sums up 2020 AND makes a deadly alternative to a crib, don't you think? He also has a book, an amazing THE NEEECCCKK scarf, cards - just go and look!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.etsy.com/ie/shop/niallypea" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nially Pea</a>| <a href="https://www.instagram.com/niallypea/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">31. Cardigan Jezebel</i> designs contemporary art prints that look really cool. I bought a set from her a few months ago and the quality was excellent. They make really cute gifts and she releases new sets regularly. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/CardiganJezebel" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cardigan Jezebel Prints</a>| <a href="https://www.instagram.com/cardiganjezebel/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">32. Pickled Pom Pom </i>is a gorgeous small business owned by an Irish Mam. Laura produces beautiful prints and cards with really unique & emotional designs (the one pictured made me cry when I saw it online). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.etsy.com/ie/shop/pickledpompom" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pickled Pom Pom</a>| <a href="https://www.instagram.com/pickledpompom/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjki4_GoNZTZLUs1jQlo3erKQjRqNCdbg-0NnwprgArgXqtFJinZmtcMAVVg30oGJMocNhTx08ziT95jwHuO3EWzB5aHYNVNwZ6eGAZFDZHlVxpOq0Ag4yqKrCrv8qiCuGtCn83C7TxnAM/s1024/prints+pt2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjki4_GoNZTZLUs1jQlo3erKQjRqNCdbg-0NnwprgArgXqtFJinZmtcMAVVg30oGJMocNhTx08ziT95jwHuO3EWzB5aHYNVNwZ6eGAZFDZHlVxpOq0Ag4yqKrCrv8qiCuGtCn83C7TxnAM/w640-h640/prints+pt2.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">33. Maria Jordan O'Reilly</i> is a Bailieborough-based artist who creates stunning pieces of art, both one of a kind and in prints. Her art is the kind of work that everyone could see something different in, so if you have an art collector in your life or someone who loves abstract art then Maria could be the one for you. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://mariajordanoreilly.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Maria Jordan O'Reilly</a>| <a href="https://www.instagram.com/maria_jordan_oreilly_artist/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">34. Nocturnal Lines</i> specialises in linocut prints and artwork. Everything is visually striking, the detail is incredible. As well as prints, the shop has printed cosmetics bags and cards.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/nocturnallines" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nocturnal Lines</a>| <a href="https://www.instagram.com/nocturnal_lines/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">35. Josephine Hardiman</i> is a Kildare based artist and illustrator. Her work is beautiful and would make a particularly nice gift for a Grandparent. If my own Nana were still with us I know she'd have loved that Brigid's Blessings print. The shop stocks cards too. Honestly I'd recommend a scroll through her Instagram too, it soothed my soul this evening. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosephineHardiman" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Josephine Hardiman</a>| <a href="https://www.instagram.com/josephinehardiman/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">36. Chloe Doyle Designs</i> is a young graphic designer & illustrator & NCAD student who makes the cutest contemporary prints. Her Michael D Higgins one is adorable, and her body positivity & self love ones would make gorgeous gifts for friends.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.etsy.com/ie/shop/ChloeDoyleDesigns" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Chloe Doyle Designs</a>| <a href="https://www.instagram.com/chloedoyledesigns/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/chloedoyledesigns/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">HUMOUR</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJ80jE_kprxTQ2w0YKfDY5c7wDsqYsAqaNQbwn3yjsXIGJ5XBIfpQOOt-ASdWx9czmgmtfwTdD2MgC-QP35gZk75jiESdTVzgvWDyH1lWOMccLqPD8FoZSqnKNQRLMf0YqqlVwL-hrLM/s1024/humourcollage.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJ80jE_kprxTQ2w0YKfDY5c7wDsqYsAqaNQbwn3yjsXIGJ5XBIfpQOOt-ASdWx9czmgmtfwTdD2MgC-QP35gZk75jiESdTVzgvWDyH1lWOMccLqPD8FoZSqnKNQRLMf0YqqlVwL-hrLM/w640-h640/humourcollage.png" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">37. Maktus</i> are a store that make it very easy to buy multiple gifts at once. They've a huge range of really funny and well made products that would be especially lovely to send to any Irish people abroad who are feeling a bit homesick. They also have the best cards. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://maktus.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Maktus</a>| <a href="https://www.instagram.com/maktus_store/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">38. New Irish Icons</i> have, among other things, candles that make incredible gifts. I received a Panti one myself from someone as a gift and it still makes me smile whenever I see it. Need convincing? "St. Twink of the Gaiety". GENIUS. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://newirishicons.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">New Irish Icons</a>| <a href="https://www.instagram.com/newirishicons/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">39. Jam Art </i>stock prints and gifts by Irish artists and designers. They often have new products in, so keep an eye on their social media. This Roy Keane inspired print is one of my favourite items that they have currently and could definitely apply to more than one situation.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://jamartprints.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jam Art Prints</a>| <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jam_art_factory/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">40. Hairy Baby</i> are well known stockists of uniquely Irish funny gifts and clothing. Ive bought from them for years and have always been incredibly impressed with the quality of everything I've owned, from mugs to kids clothing to sweatshirts. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.hairybaby.com/pinky-and-the-dail-tshirt" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hairy Baby</a>| <a href="https://www.instagram.com/hairybabytees/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">HANDMADE JEWELLERY, STICKERS, PRINTS</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBCImaPq9fcnde7Q2A774v0PFxqnTl2FjnqDH601B7g6816yLq0cLEt-6hOMCvsT-vgR7wwhEGAVydWJL_ZiqLwncj4N7y9em4R3LEkwP1rZh_W551JU55ImOMt-X2qfwp9KLXg92p6H0/s1024/jewelleryprintscollage.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBCImaPq9fcnde7Q2A774v0PFxqnTl2FjnqDH601B7g6816yLq0cLEt-6hOMCvsT-vgR7wwhEGAVydWJL_ZiqLwncj4N7y9em4R3LEkwP1rZh_W551JU55ImOMt-X2qfwp9KLXg92p6H0/w640-h640/jewelleryprintscollage.png" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">41. West Queer Art</i> stock really lovely unique handmade polymer clay jewellery, super cute stickers, pins, prints - they'd make a beautiful gift for anyone, but especially a young LGBTQI+ person in your life to show your support. They also have the option to request custom colours etc through their site. I have some of their earrings, pin and stickers and everything is gorgeous. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://westqueerart.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">West Queer Art</a>| <a href="https://www.instagram.com/westqueerart/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">42. Framing Harley Creations</i> have handmade costume jewellery & prints with a spooky twist. They have mystery bags which would be a perfect addition to a Christmas gift for the spooky gal/guy/ghoul in your life, especially for a teenager.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://framingharleycreations.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Framing Harley Creations</a>| <a href="https://www.instagram.com/framingharleycreations/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">43. Sweet Acid Witch</i> has a host of handmade goodies from masks and other fabric adornments to jewellery, stickers and mystery boxes, including a section with some proceeds going to various human rights charities. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://sweetacidwitch.bigcartel.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sweet Acid Witch</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/acidwitchdesigns/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">44. The Cat and the Moon</i> are a Sligo based retailer who carry a huge range of Irish designed items to suit many different budgets. They have an incredible selection of jewellery, prints, homewares and other gift items. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.thecatandthemoon.ie/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Cat & The Moon</a>| <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thecatandthemoonsligo/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">BABY</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG99gJXxHXBDbzGEFWLhnnSnk9GTDLJ3It2lOhWs0Zs_HCAQN9wl8HwIF8Bb754MSYo9Td9qT2h5YkLmka45cGdk60jfjuMd1Yx0ZU5LxZFsTpJSvP3oXzR_AIK6w2n4jtY4CfWwQp9ls/s1024/babycollage.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG99gJXxHXBDbzGEFWLhnnSnk9GTDLJ3It2lOhWs0Zs_HCAQN9wl8HwIF8Bb754MSYo9Td9qT2h5YkLmka45cGdk60jfjuMd1Yx0ZU5LxZFsTpJSvP3oXzR_AIK6w2n4jtY4CfWwQp9ls/w640-h640/babycollage.png" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">45. All 4 Baby</i> were mentioned a few times when I asked for small business suggestions on Instagram. They're a Galway based business who focus on baby goods, including equipment and gifts. Everyone who mentioned them mentioned their fantastic customer service. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.all4baby.ie" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">All4Baby.ie</a>| <a href="https://www.instagram.com/all4babyireland/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">46. Bébé Personalised</i>, based in Sligo, is a small home business owned by a Mam that makes personalised soother clips and teething rings. You can personalise your items according to your own theme/colour preferences, DM Elaine to discuss & order. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/BEBEpersonalised/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a>| <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bebepersonalised/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">47. Josh & Jenna </i>sell gorgeous soft & wooden toys, furniture and baby products, as well as gifts for older children. They have a luxury build-it-yourself gift hamper that woud be an incredible present for a group of friends to buy together for an expectant parent. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.joshjennakids.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Josh & Jenna Kids</a>| <a href="https://www.instagram.com/joshjennakids/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">48. Stork & Co</i> are a Dublin based business who sell the most beautiful gender neutral baby clothing and accessories. They have several build-your-own gift box options (I keep harping on about gift bags and boxes but honestly they're such a good idea). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.thestorkbox.ie" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Stork & Co</a>| <a href="https://www.instagram.com/stork.co/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">SKINCARE, BATH & BODY</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_w8O1kdc6uBEwevlYW3jDjO4zAVr7pP3suz9ZnCjrXNBTnO7CE4aw-EWlot7eBeCLm16MUbHQJNbVtYRG8i5hgQM-YaE2Sp290O7_3en3zQfxAwQNluXkTAx3UneCi-mbHgNC-4PzsY/s1024/bathbodycollage.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_w8O1kdc6uBEwevlYW3jDjO4zAVr7pP3suz9ZnCjrXNBTnO7CE4aw-EWlot7eBeCLm16MUbHQJNbVtYRG8i5hgQM-YaE2Sp290O7_3en3zQfxAwQNluXkTAx3UneCi-mbHgNC-4PzsY/w640-h640/bathbodycollage.png" width="640" /></a></div></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">49. The Soap & Bubbles Shop</i> are a favourite of mine. Since I discovered them, I haven't bought bath bombs anywhere else. They do other gifts too, including wax melts, burners, and mugs. The quality is every bit as good as more expensive retailers, and they have a huge range with stock coming in all the time. Their customer service is second to none. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.soapandbubbles.eu" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Soap & Bubbles</a>| <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thesoapandbubbles/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">50. Moments Bath & Beauty</i> stock handmade natural bath and body products that focus on relaxation and aromatherapy including pillow mist, body butter, and bath milk. They offer free delivery on orders over €50 within Ireland using an on-site code and gift wrapping is available.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.momentsbathandbeauty.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Moments Bath & Beauty</a>| <a href="https://www.instagram.com/momentsbathandbeauty/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">51. Golden Rootz</i> stock a range of natural handmade hair products. Their ranges are all Curly Girl Method approved and contain no harsh chemicals, instead using essential oils and natural bases. They are currently offering 20% off with an on-site code as part of Black History Month. I just ordered their hair growth oil which sounds lovely. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://golden-rootz.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Golden Rootz</a>| <a href="https://www.instagram.com/_goldenrootz/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">52. Three Witches Skincare</i> are a beautiful sister-owned brand who make and sell handmade skincare products infused with natural oils and herbs. They have a range of other items including soaps and candles. I've personally bought their Witch Cream and some other moisturisers before and I loved them. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.threewitchesskincare.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Three Witches</a>| <a href="https://www.instagram.com/3threewitches/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">PERSONALISED FRAMES</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHbJYT0i-Be6cwuMlq8FpQWOZLmLwC1OPpHprRL_xU1ldSfMHJWE_gzDNRXSKxH7cMWrr8PB7jmDgtJ2r_dA1bwb3zCbZ83fu_scWdNZH02Txkb7ZDL5ibR8hfJgfgJUs9PiGpgUcUr6s/s1024/framescollage.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="1024" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHbJYT0i-Be6cwuMlq8FpQWOZLmLwC1OPpHprRL_xU1ldSfMHJWE_gzDNRXSKxH7cMWrr8PB7jmDgtJ2r_dA1bwb3zCbZ83fu_scWdNZH02Txkb7ZDL5ibR8hfJgfgJUs9PiGpgUcUr6s/w640-h374/framescollage.png" width="640" /></a></div></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b>53. Gary's Wall of Frame</b> </i>make personalised wooden frames, wall plaques and Christmas decorations. They make beautiful gifts and are available to order via DM.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Garyswallofframe/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook </a>| <a href="https://www.instagram.com/garyswallofframe/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">54. A Dainty Detail</i> are a Donegal based small business creating customisable personalised handmade box frames, decorations and wall hangings. They have a huge range including some really lovely Christmas bits. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://adaintydetail.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A Dainty Detail</a>| <a href="https://www.instagram.com/adaintydetail/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">TEXTILES</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJaUcIEvxNpYtpzjKPSrJ0ceP1zK-5comAVZX7A1qejHT1vnnBT101fDVyJF8foipsYi5XjLgG4ySz8wFvZYByDUPxxlHMJVQXiLQB0GnPfrz3HDmiaLEZblHBAZTcU_vxg_rUkCVwO9w/s1024/texxxtiles.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJaUcIEvxNpYtpzjKPSrJ0ceP1zK-5comAVZX7A1qejHT1vnnBT101fDVyJF8foipsYi5XjLgG4ySz8wFvZYByDUPxxlHMJVQXiLQB0GnPfrz3HDmiaLEZblHBAZTcU_vxg_rUkCVwO9w/w640-h640/texxxtiles.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">55. M.I.O</i> - founded by lifestyle blogger Florence Olufemi-Ojo, Moulded Inside Out sell stunning (mostly satin/satin lined) printed hair bonnets, wraps and scarves, pyjama sets and aprons featuring beautiful African Ankara & Kente prints. Keep an eye on their social media for their next stock drop - they will sell out fast. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://shop.mouldedinsideout.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">M.I.O</a>| <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mio_prints/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">56. Pillows and Patterns</i> stock beautiful throw pillows, cushion covers, prints and shirts. I have one of their cushions and it's really lovely, as is the print I bought from them. Their prices are incredibly reasonable and they have a beautiful new "Black" collection in honour of Black History Month. Designer & owner Lizelle describes her patterns as "playful & happy with a flashy nod to the 80s" and I completely agree, I love the vibrancy of them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://pillowsandpatterns.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pillows & Patterns</a>| <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lizellejoseph/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">57. Anzer</i> are a small family-run business who make fabulously sweary barrier masks and beautiful 100% silk satin pillowcases. These have become increasingly more popular over the past few years as more and more people learn about the hair benefits of sleeping on a silk pillowcase, but they can be hard to find. Items are made to order.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://madebyanzer.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Made by Anzer</a>| <a href="https://www.instagram.com/madebyanzer/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/madebyanzer/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Finally,<i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i>I'm going to pop my own Etsy shop in here at the end - I open the shop every year in early November for a month before Christmas and sell handmade cross stitched items, cards and personalised Santa letters. I will not be taking on any custom portrait orders this year but I will be taking custom small frame slogan orders. I am happy to giftwrap, write cards, and send directly to gift recipients. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://etsy.com/shop/sharonleavycrafts" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">My Etsy Shop</a>| <a href="https://instagram.com/sharonleavycrafts" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There are a total of 61 links in this post, and I could have linked 601. There are hundreds of small Irish businesses out there that need your support more than ever right now. I'll never shame anyone for shopping at bigger online retailers but if everyone bought at least one or two gifts from small Irish sellers right now it would give everyone a massive boost. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Stay Safe,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiximpwS9r6C-vg4nNpm9ozrx_orxNfqcL5gza-dNKTx5HuME6eVOgR3rfdNKFBS0vl0EOEdmPFJw9uXILK7oT1vYG44E793Xt3RI-8vBCk9NyaCGwy_M8K56JA8uPtBM2CYLLpCp1U9Wg/s320/Sharon+Signature.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="86" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiximpwS9r6C-vg4nNpm9ozrx_orxNfqcL5gza-dNKTx5HuME6eVOgR3rfdNKFBS0vl0EOEdmPFJw9uXILK7oT1vYG44E793Xt3RI-8vBCk9NyaCGwy_M8K56JA8uPtBM2CYLLpCp1U9Wg/s0/Sharon+Signature.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711575350710344963.post-30209373197770871122020-10-09T20:10:00.000+01:002022-04-30T14:22:02.982+01:00Spooky Reading Recs for Children under 10 & Level 3 Library Info<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Hi!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I recently posted my own Halloween reading recommendations and TBR pile for October. Do you think I've read a single one of them yet? Guess. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is a childrens edition in case you want to read some spooky books with/to your children during Spooky Season. The library is a brilliant resource when it comes to Halloween books for children, because they have such a huge selection to suit all ages. Personally, I used to borrow so many Goosebumps, Fear Street and Point Horror as a kid (which would still all be perfect for a pre-teen to read now).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ireland is currently under Level 3 Restrictions, which unfortunately means that libraries are not open for browsing. However, at the time of posting this, libraries ARE still in operation for click and collect or delivery in some areas (Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown are currently delivering books to coccooners, for example). You can check the <b><a href="https://twitter.com/librariesire?lang=en" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Libraries Ireland Twitter account </a></b>or have a look at your own County library website for more information, but please do continue to use the library during this time. You can also join the library free online at any time of the day or night, and you can use the free Borrowbox app for audiobooks and ebooks on your phone or tablet. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Let's get straight into the books. All of these would be suitable for children under the age of ten, some are scary and some are not, I'll let you know which is which. All bookshops linked are non-affiliate links to independent Irish bookshops. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">ROOM ON THE BROOM</span><i><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOTlKHOZHvTUdeC7CsRxrnBQWhe1bWviiIiODbD_S_w9wehyphenhyphenVNfInf1VuNh9P-0use799HqOIDIqZtmXkoAQXgqFG4SQqV7NS1eEws_08S_fo4-ZPkS0ssNi6kpMTQrHiXS_K5H-xInQE/s318/Room+on+the+Broom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="285" data-original-width="318" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOTlKHOZHvTUdeC7CsRxrnBQWhe1bWviiIiODbD_S_w9wehyphenhyphenVNfInf1VuNh9P-0use799HqOIDIqZtmXkoAQXgqFG4SQqV7NS1eEws_08S_fo4-ZPkS0ssNi6kpMTQrHiXS_K5H-xInQE/w320-h287/Room+on+the+Broom.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The witch and her cat are having a great time flying round on her broom until she loses some of her belongings and needs the help of some animals to help her find them. In return, the animals want a ride on the broom, but is there room? This book doesn't have anything scary in it. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://gutterbookshop.com/product/room-on-the-broom-by-julia-donaldson-paperback-picturebook/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gutter Bookshop</a></b> | <b><a href="https://www.kennys.ie/childrens-teens/room-on-the-broom-4" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kennys.ie</a></b> | <a href="https://librariesireland.iii.com/iii/encore/search/C__Sroom%20on%20the%20broom%20____Orightresult?lang=eng&suite=def" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Reserve at the Library</b></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">HAVE YOU SEEN THE DUBLIN VAMPIRE? </span><i><span style="font-size: medium;">by Úna Woods</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8iReBntb78jLQGee1eg_lbGBMJ2veBrXyYBAaPOZ3odXmTOfhmVGLqrbiO7g_6QM2OevszxQIpvDcrcTEYl4tMOdZHpgntQ24GCIlfoG9A3EtfvyQtVgYNDSQ1IiB0S4RJCqI26SzRY/s389/Have+you+Seen+the+Dublin+Vampire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="389" data-original-width="318" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8iReBntb78jLQGee1eg_lbGBMJ2veBrXyYBAaPOZ3odXmTOfhmVGLqrbiO7g_6QM2OevszxQIpvDcrcTEYl4tMOdZHpgntQ24GCIlfoG9A3EtfvyQtVgYNDSQ1IiB0S4RJCqI26SzRY/w328-h400/Have+you+Seen+the+Dublin+Vampire.jpg" width="328" /></a></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div>Join the vampire as he takes us on a tour all around Dublin City, home of Bram Stoker. This is a gorgeous new book with beautiful illustrations depicting some of the famous City sights. There's nothing scary in this book. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://gutterbookshop.com/product/have-you-seen-the-dublin-vampire-by-una-woods/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gutter Bookshop</a> | <a href="http://https://www.kennys.ie/shop/have-you-seen-the-dublin-vampireKennys.ie" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kennys.ie</a> | <a href="https://librariesireland.iii.com/iii/encore/search/C__Shave%20you%20seen%20the%20dublin%20vampire__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=def" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Reserve at the Library</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">SCARY EDWIN PAGE</span><i><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">by Alec Sillifant, illustrated by Daniel Postgate</span></i><br /></b><i style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNpU648KYblTSE5QmcLiiqFErzQQ9a9Llyzhbk_4bnUI-y73Hg0AFfr7EQ-z5C38afXr77f-Lns9Vqqy6piEiYJTpm2955iiEIjXsffIE0qLd8PHbJRjmNJUOpMj6FI3NHNuowWwH0CFw/s318/Scary+Edwin+Page.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="316" data-original-width="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNpU648KYblTSE5QmcLiiqFErzQQ9a9Llyzhbk_4bnUI-y73Hg0AFfr7EQ-z5C38afXr77f-Lns9Vqqy6piEiYJTpm2955iiEIjXsffIE0qLd8PHbJRjmNJUOpMj6FI3NHNuowWwH0CFw/s0/Scary+Edwin+Page.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div>Edwin Page loves to scare people. His hair is blacker than the night, and he loves Halloween more than anything. Nothing scares Edwin - until he knocks on the door of a nice old lady...</div><div style="text-align: center;">This one is a little scary, the old lady is actually a bug lady and scares Edwin so much that his hair turns white, so if your child is very nervous then stay away from it. My boys are gross and adored it. I bought this book in Dealz, so please do have a look in their book section because they always have really cute Halloween and Christmas books for €1.49.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <b><a href="https://www.kennys.ie/bargain-books/scary-edwin-page-2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kennys.ie</a> | <a href="https://librariesireland.iii.com/iii/encore/search/C__Sscary%20edwin%20page__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=def" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Reserve at the Library</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">MR. MEN HALLOWEEN PARTY</span><i><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">by Roger Hargreaves & Adam Hargreaves</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhep-dINg5VJWSpvFE1UfJkvjJqhB9uDEttUySBCMn9nvPeTV65PiaMkA9tEDGdwOU7ysiPSB5y1azqJH9I0mRTWnXXYBXoFEIHcqOUcVaU9L-CA4mkOJbMV8GWYj-zUhiU_Vm06kEa35U/s400/Mr.+Men+Halloween+Party.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="364" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhep-dINg5VJWSpvFE1UfJkvjJqhB9uDEttUySBCMn9nvPeTV65PiaMkA9tEDGdwOU7ysiPSB5y1azqJH9I0mRTWnXXYBXoFEIHcqOUcVaU9L-CA4mkOJbMV8GWYj-zUhiU_Vm06kEa35U/s320/Mr.+Men+Halloween+Party.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Lots of the Mr. Men and Little Miss characters are having a party. Everyone has their own cool costume, but who is the spooky ghost?? This one isn't scary and is suitable for a 6+ year old to read on their own.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.kennys.ie/childrens-teens/mr-men-halloween-party" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kennys.ie</a> | <a href="https://librariesireland.iii.com/iii/encore/search/C__Smr%20men%20halloween%20party%20__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=def" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Reserve at the Library</a> </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">THIS BOOK IS NOT A BEDTIME STORY </span><i><span style="font-size: medium;">by Eoin McLoughlin, illustrated by Rob Starling</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiIY8H2N2V2xP4bRBucVAAfpSl8KrEddCmvMD2Gvr6SLpkFoB4h7tGpPk1QmeTXakMqhKAcULVAQIlx4s_42Nn9rYwhYvvxp-WcfonBJLaTIwetpdLmK7DzUFrHPgdM_pMDw_HDgd28ns/s281/This+Book+is+Not+a+Bedtime+Story.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="281" data-original-width="220" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiIY8H2N2V2xP4bRBucVAAfpSl8KrEddCmvMD2Gvr6SLpkFoB4h7tGpPk1QmeTXakMqhKAcULVAQIlx4s_42Nn9rYwhYvvxp-WcfonBJLaTIwetpdLmK7DzUFrHPgdM_pMDw_HDgd28ns/w313-h400/This+Book+is+Not+a+Bedtime+Story.jpg" width="313" /></a></div></span></b><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>A very sweet book about some monsters who think they're very scary, but are actually very loveable and cuddly. They tell stories about a haunted house, a creepy wood, and lots of other spooky places - but they're not spooky at all. Spoiler alert - it kinda IS a bedtime story, it's not a scary book.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://gutterbookshop.com/product/this-book-is-not-a-bedtime-story-by-eoin-mclaughlin-rob-starling-oct-2020/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gutter Bookshop</a> | <a href="https://librariesireland.iii.com/iii/encore/search/C__Sthis%20book%20is%20not%20a%20bedtime%20story%20__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=def" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Reserve at the Library</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>If you are on the hunt for Halloween books for young children (why else would you be reading this) then you can find LOADS in a similar vein to the ones above by typing "Halloween" into the search bar on <b><a href="http://Kennys.ie">Kennys.ie</a></b>. They have hundreds of books, all priced really reasonably, with free delivery. </div><div><br /></div><div>There's also <b><a href="http://thebookshop.ie">thebookshop.ie</a></b>, Ireland's largest second hand online book retailer. This is where you'll find books you probably read yourself as a kid - Goosebumps, the Buffy TV tie-ins, Point Horror (search by author, like R.L. Stine or Caroline B Cooney), and more. Prices start at only a couple of euro, you're shopping sustainably AND supporting a small Irish business. The search function can be a little funny so I recommend a good old fashioned browse through your preferred genres instead. Delivery is free on orders over €20.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Do let me know if you have any Halloween reading traditions or any books you love to read every year at Halloween!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQ_9PQi8qgrSqkHX1WtWq5g4Sjw9ilaPFxNaDm_zI-Etzt9jTSx9niMix0smBGeIdPPdwmu_sSKSu2uN4iYUypfilZ4X-AlFmUfw_0R8LTAmrQJBZhAwKeeB8YeuYhBONPMN4Iot7WPo/s320/Sharon+Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="86" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQ_9PQi8qgrSqkHX1WtWq5g4Sjw9ilaPFxNaDm_zI-Etzt9jTSx9niMix0smBGeIdPPdwmu_sSKSu2uN4iYUypfilZ4X-AlFmUfw_0R8LTAmrQJBZhAwKeeB8YeuYhBONPMN4Iot7WPo/s0/Sharon+Signature.png" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711575350710344963.post-80161141500599169182020-10-03T21:14:00.000+01:002020-10-03T21:14:54.347+01:00Ghouls Just Want to Have Fun - Spooky Reading Recs & My October TBR<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Only Kindle links are affiliates.</span><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Hi!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm taking part (or trying to) in the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CFcXOOmgzO4/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Grimdragon Spooktober photo challenge on Instagram</a>, and the prompt for today was the title of this post - Ghouls Just Want to Have Fun. I thought I'd do a round up of some of my favourite spooky reads and tell you the ones I'm most looking forward to reading this month. </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMY7yOffUDHvLY-C98dk3AgPIhFjWkQ-97uIZTh9yuFWBfYC6ikXyjz4Wn5lnG2qUZwhYznjsfZAPSE826ZNnVcCyV2dFNDOoKrGa-4PSN518dRb51dYsGO21Rg_mfPR4v7f1E2VOHtq4/s469/A+Head+full+of+Ghosts.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="469" data-original-width="318" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMY7yOffUDHvLY-C98dk3AgPIhFjWkQ-97uIZTh9yuFWBfYC6ikXyjz4Wn5lnG2qUZwhYznjsfZAPSE826ZNnVcCyV2dFNDOoKrGa-4PSN518dRb51dYsGO21Rg_mfPR4v7f1E2VOHtq4/w301-h400/A+Head+full+of+Ghosts.jpg" width="301" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div><b>A HEAD FULL OF GHOSTS</b></div><div><i>Paul Tremblay</i></div></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A tale, essentially of two sisters. Marjorie and Meredith went through a very harrowing experience fifteen years ago during the filming of a reality TV show based around a possession, and now one of the sisters is telling her side of the story to a horror blogger. I love a story about sisters anyway, but throw in Reality TV and possession and I was hooked. It also made me think about how women with mental illnesses were treated by the church and society and often labelled as being possessed or inhabited by demons.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://amzn.to/2GmSO07" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kindle</a> | <a href="https://www.dubraybooks.ie/A-Head-Full-of-Ghosts_9781785653674" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dubray Books</a> | <a href="https://librariesireland.iii.com/iii/encore/search/C__Sa%20head%20full%20of%20ghosts%20__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=def" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Reserve at the Library</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Wa5uRIoh7P7N049UOB8d4IVxyKKGyaNc1EAFne5VhUB7KvwH6KePAYAz_N5emkT7hLgjVUyPjRfQT_Vj1DWKoQJpgQeONpb6mhpBm8OBTnqM1ldFHHvgKcopVMYKGoZwNHkZkaba-OQ/s475/Rebecca.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="296" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Wa5uRIoh7P7N049UOB8d4IVxyKKGyaNc1EAFne5VhUB7KvwH6KePAYAz_N5emkT7hLgjVUyPjRfQT_Vj1DWKoQJpgQeONpb6mhpBm8OBTnqM1ldFHHvgKcopVMYKGoZwNHkZkaba-OQ/w249-h400/Rebecca.jpg" width="249" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div><b>REBECCA</b></div><div><i>Daphne du Maurier</i></div></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />What better ghost is there than the one of a former lover? In this book, the second Mrs de Winter lives so much in the shadow of her husband's first wife, Rebecca, that we aren't even told her name. The real main character in this novel after Rebecca is the house. Manderley is full of atmosphere and has just the right amount of spookiness going on to give an uneasy feeling throughout. Mrs. Danvers contributes to that too, she's a great villain. I also listened to this on audio and would recommend the Anna Massey version. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://amzn.to/30uRVJM" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kindle </a>| <a href="https://www.dubraybooks.ie/Rebecca_9781844080380" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dubray Books</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/3jo1hyp" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Audible</a>| <a href="https://librariesireland.iii.com/iii/encore/search/C__Srebecca%20daphne%20du%20maurier__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=def" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Reserve at the Library</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihvjCi47iorEME4wfRt5qVIPToQznLuhwgzcPLi5IuODzWs7L_GUGX20hL31iM3drtqTkWPRMlv12ZRbmmIeyogjy8-HprUOSRKJ3ROxwhP6B4we22HoysDnE8REH9cgGjqode11-xk9Q/s461/The+Dead+Summer.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="461" data-original-width="300" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihvjCi47iorEME4wfRt5qVIPToQznLuhwgzcPLi5IuODzWs7L_GUGX20hL31iM3drtqTkWPRMlv12ZRbmmIeyogjy8-HprUOSRKJ3ROxwhP6B4we22HoysDnE8REH9cgGjqode11-xk9Q/w260-h400/The+Dead+Summer.jpg" width="260" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div><b>THE DEAD SUMMER</b></div><div><i>Helen Moorhouse</i></div></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">After her divorce, Martha McKenzie moves to a small village in the English countryside with her baby daughter. But her dream of a quiet life is interrupted by the presence of something strange in her new home - footsteps, scratching, and a general uneasiness that soon develops into some very scary occurrences. Martha begins to unravel the awful history of the house, but will she be too late to save herself and her daughter? This was SO creepy. It's a modern-day gothic horror, and very much worth a read. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://amzn.to/3npxhVo" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kindle </a>| <a href="https://www.kennys.ie/fiction/the-dead-summer" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kennys </a>| <a href="https://librariesireland.iii.com/iii/encore/search/C__Sthe%20dead%20summer%20__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=def" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Reserve at the Library</a> </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkWhR1sqmjS-5MVIGBfdaocNEhvI56c6cX7bZlHEDPnonyS_gKMlbwWKYrrVzxLxJzITusLC0GFT5DWtM1KOl4jWceriOuN8bGfRKAp9yoyiyxnChvha7O97oNaqzd1w5itRIxeXND-zA/s475/The+Upstairs+Room.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="293" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkWhR1sqmjS-5MVIGBfdaocNEhvI56c6cX7bZlHEDPnonyS_gKMlbwWKYrrVzxLxJzITusLC0GFT5DWtM1KOl4jWceriOuN8bGfRKAp9yoyiyxnChvha7O97oNaqzd1w5itRIxeXND-zA/w246-h400/The+Upstairs+Room.jpg" width="246" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div><b>THE UPSTAIRS ROOM</b></div><div><i>Kate Murray-Browne</i></div></td></tr></tbody></table><b><br /></b>Eleanor and Richard are having trouble with their dream home, a Victorian townhouse in London. The name "Emily" begins appearing in random places, and their daughter Rosie begins to exhibit strange behaviour. They take in a lodger, Zoe, who starts to have strange dreams. Is there a spirit in the house, and what does this mean for the residents? Spooky but with a contemporary edge due to Zoe's arc, I enjoyed this one a lot, I'm a big fan of a creepy house.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://amzn.to/36uzJUz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kindle</a>| <a href="https://www.kennys.ie/shop/the-upstairs-room-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kennys </a>| <a href="https://librariesireland.iii.com/iii/encore/search/C__Sthe%20upstairs%20room%20__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=def" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Reserve at the Library</a> </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoLvCieG_8f_eMFikUVvbAkFNT-WnyockFw-hBPSoySWb2SxJee5nWwgWAYoPACUneNb1W5KzfmbizAJztEHKbzsgf0jenkMJ1JVhxUxWz4mvLWBRUFN40hyphenhyphenQzCxgMRkKBOAGD_A4mps8/s475/The+Woman+in+Black.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="307" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoLvCieG_8f_eMFikUVvbAkFNT-WnyockFw-hBPSoySWb2SxJee5nWwgWAYoPACUneNb1W5KzfmbizAJztEHKbzsgf0jenkMJ1JVhxUxWz4mvLWBRUFN40hyphenhyphenQzCxgMRkKBOAGD_A4mps8/w259-h400/The+Woman+in+Black.jpg" width="259" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div><b>THE WOMAN IN BLACK</b></div><div><i>Susan Hill</i></div></td></tr></tbody></table><b><br /></b>I read this book for the first time the night before I had my twins, in 2013. An odd choice for someone preparing for childbirth, but one that takes me right back to that cold, damp Autumn night and another creepy house. Everyone has probably seen the film version at this stage, but I'd really recommend that you give the book a go too. It's deliciously creepy. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://amzn.to/3jxRi9O" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kindle </a>| <a href="https://www.kennys.ie/fiction/woman-in-black-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kennys </a>| <a href="https://librariesireland.iii.com/iii/encore/search/C__Sthe%20woman%20in%20black%20__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=def" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Reserve at the Library</a> </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vx3Ma8LCYZbiFesijnP_GEQd3aUiVsZgGHtPJe87WwOitJ5a3GEgU8kICtjxw4nOk3wDw_3TkofTzI7T9Qpfmn285H5YmrxE-Ao-tuOzEfgFdWu3n3S6V6WIqzgC95ASH5EiNaZxpAo/s475/Practical+Magic.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="305" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vx3Ma8LCYZbiFesijnP_GEQd3aUiVsZgGHtPJe87WwOitJ5a3GEgU8kICtjxw4nOk3wDw_3TkofTzI7T9Qpfmn285H5YmrxE-Ao-tuOzEfgFdWu3n3S6V6WIqzgC95ASH5EiNaZxpAo/w256-h400/Practical+Magic.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div><b>PRACTICAL MAGIC</b></div><div><i>Alice Hoffman</i></div></td></tr></tbody></table><b><br /></b>The film version is one of my favourites, it reminds me so much of my sister. Thankfully, it stayed fairly true to this beautiful novel of two sisters, witches descendant from a long line of sister witches. I also highly recommend the prequel <i>The Rules of Magic</i> if you want to find out more about who the Aunts were when they were younger. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://amzn.to/33s6TlB" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kindle</a> | <a href="https://www.dubraybooks.ie/Practical-Magic_9781471169199" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dubray Books</a> | <a href="https://librariesireland.iii.com/iii/encore/search/C__Spractical%20magic%20__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=def&loginReason=doRequest&actionRecordId=b5248979" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Reserve at the Library</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">MY OCTOBER 2020 TBR</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">I've owned two of these books for ages but just haven't gotten around to reading them, the others I really want to buy or borrow as soon as I can. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvlG7U7oDt3K3P9wY6pOmhSSwpdJ-Z8s5RtSIOmeVFm1j4r4YVYedGCJTyPU71M7uCuhv2sWjqULA7zZ1RuSL3ixdZ3DGZLqtlYVB1DkP5QIJsW8I4_MM1IonPgBliy5sso__Or0jpxtc/s1024/October+TBR.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="379" data-original-width="1024" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvlG7U7oDt3K3P9wY6pOmhSSwpdJ-Z8s5RtSIOmeVFm1j4r4YVYedGCJTyPU71M7uCuhv2sWjqULA7zZ1RuSL3ixdZ3DGZLqtlYVB1DkP5QIJsW8I4_MM1IonPgBliy5sso__Or0jpxtc/w640-h237/October+TBR.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Heart-Shaped Box</b> <i>by Joe Hill</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">A horror story about an ageing rock star who collects really weird, disturbing artefacts. He buys a box that supposedly contains a ghost - and indeed it does, one hell bent on vengeance. I've only read one other Joe Hill book (Horns) but I really enjoyed his writing. I've owned this on my Kindle for years and will read it this month.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://amzn.to/3leRaN1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kindle</a> | <a href="https://www.dubraybooks.ie/Heart-Shaped-Box_9781473222700" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dubray Books</a> | <a href="https://librariesireland.iii.com/iii/encore/search/C__Sheart%20shaped%20box%20__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=def" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Reserve at the Library</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Magic Lessons</b><i> by Alice Hoffman</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">A prequel of a prequel, this is the third book in the <i>Practical Magic</i> series. I have read and loved both of the others so I can't wait to read this. I missed this one on Netgalley but will be buying/borrowing when it's released on October 6th. Shoutout to Rare Opal Reads for reminding me of this one with her <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CF2eRQkgwWp/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">recent TBR post </a>on instagram! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://amzn.to/2HUhsWp" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kindle</a> | <a href="https://gutterbookshop.com/product/magic-lessons-by-alice-hoffman-oct-2020/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gutter Bookshop</a> | <a href="https://gutterbookshop.com/product/magic-lessons-by-alice-hoffman-oct-2020/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Reserve at the Library</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The Familiars</b><i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i><i>by Stacey Hall</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">A fictionalized account of the Pendle witch trials in Lancashire in 1612. I bought this way back when it was released but just never got to it, so I've bumped it to the top of the list for this month. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://amzn.to/2SlDJyn" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kindle</a> | <a href="https://www.kennys.ie/shop/the-familiars-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kennys</a> | <a href="https://librariesireland.iii.com/iii/encore/search/C__Sthe%20familiars__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=def" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Reserve at the Library</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The Haunting of Alma Fielding: A True Ghost Story</b><i> by Kate Summerscale</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">The true story of a woman at the centre of a poltergeist story in London just before World War II and the team who tried to determine whether or not she really was experiencing a haunting. I've heard a bit of buzz around this book recently, so I'll be buying or borrowing this one. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://amzn.to/3jxUQJa" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kindle</a> | <a href="https://gutterbookshop.com/product/the-haunting-of-alma-fielding-a-true-ghost-story-by-kate-summerscale-oct-2020/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gutter Bookshop</a> | <a href="https://librariesireland.iii.com/iii/encore/search/C__Sthe%20haunting%20of%20alma%20fielding__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=def" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Reserve at the Library</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Have you read any of the above? Or are you planning on any spooky reads for October? Would you like a children's version of this post? Let me know what you think below!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDu1vbmLoKibu-52ooZCX7pHL5mxvuUaBNDSY8xZV4eGfKoZn2Hp_GpHTVJqt7-CqXW7HV-FM5kzNu9pBRMOfa0WsxEPse2wqKFQHQqYEm0FfOpTtQmUZk0O_EjQvULpEU_3D6kc_lpkY/s320/Sharon+Signature.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="86" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDu1vbmLoKibu-52ooZCX7pHL5mxvuUaBNDSY8xZV4eGfKoZn2Hp_GpHTVJqt7-CqXW7HV-FM5kzNu9pBRMOfa0WsxEPse2wqKFQHQqYEm0FfOpTtQmUZk0O_EjQvULpEU_3D6kc_lpkY/s0/Sharon+Signature.png" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711575350710344963.post-28984376637529663442020-09-24T08:25:00.004+01:002022-04-30T16:20:38.981+01:00Throwback Thursday: The Babysitters Club #10 - Logan Likes Mary Anne!Hi!<div><br /></div><div>Buckle up, because the lack of style <b><a href="https://www.behindgreeneyes.com/2020/09/throwback-thursday-babysitters-club-9.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">from last week</a></b> is MORE than made up for by the presence of our second school dance so far in the series, the Remember September dance. </div><div><br /></div><div>But first - Logan Bruno. He's the new kid in school, hailing from Louisville, Kentucky (speaking of Kentucky - <b><a href="http://justiceforbreonna.org">justiceforbreonna.org</a></b>). He also just happens to be the spitting image of teen heartthrob Cam Geary, Mary-Anne's #1 Crush. She likes him. And, as is evident by the title, he likes her back.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiuiANmZoe2Dw6ZOwEle0J_xIW1BZzaUhbhIL-Po4BpxqNiiinI4W8g1OgwQ-jlA0u-REi28Ot_r8x8n3USA-9ciWz7C_eZcEke4ZLXDhTsobs_i3iGNW1NZi-U04tJ6yWJVh1ogma66A/s1388/Book+10+Cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1388" data-original-width="798" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiuiANmZoe2Dw6ZOwEle0J_xIW1BZzaUhbhIL-Po4BpxqNiiinI4W8g1OgwQ-jlA0u-REi28Ot_r8x8n3USA-9ciWz7C_eZcEke4ZLXDhTsobs_i3iGNW1NZi-U04tJ6yWJVh1ogma66A/w368-h640/Book+10+Cover.jpg" width="368" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I'm sorry, can we just address this cover for a second? Logan looks like he's sixty years old wearing a Boris Johnson wig. The UK/Ireland cover art never seemed to accurately depict the characters, Stacey and Dawn look nothing like they're described and Claudia is continually whitewashed. But this poor Logan guy takes the biscuit. I can almost hear Brad Mondo shouting "T-18 won't do shit!" at that yellow hair. Also, I had that jacket. </div><div><br /></div><div>So - because Kristy moved to a new neighbourhood when her mother married Watson, she now has access to a whole new babysitting client list. Unfortunately, she gets a little too over-enthusiastic with her advertising and the girls end up with too much work. Enter Logan - he was a sitter back in Kentucky, but can the girls really take a boy into the club? </div><div><br /></div><div>In the end, they agree that Logan will be their official alternate, taking up any jobs the girls can't do, but he won't go to the meetings because of the awkwardness they all felt when he was in Claudia's room when someone said the word "bra". </div><div><br /></div><div>Mary-Anne turns thirteen in this book, and as you can tell from this cover, she's over the MOON about it - the girls throw her a surprise party, and in true Virgo style, she walks out. In Ann M. Martin's letter to the reader, she talks about how Mary-Anne was the last of the group to turn thirteen, and thirteen they would all stay from that point on. She didn't want them to age out of the series, and she also wanted the shyest, most quiet girl in the group to be the first one to have a boyfriend. </div><div><br /></div><div>My favourite thing about this whole book was that one of the boys Mary-Anne and Logan sit for has a pet grasshopper, who is a boy, and who is named Elizabeth. And everyone is just completely accepting of it. Another pet makes his debut, with the arrival of Mary-Anne's first ever pet cat, Tigger. </div><div><br /></div><div>My second favourite thing is that we see the return of the Klondike number, when we learn that Logan's number is KL5-1018. I'm going to link this <b><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/politics/wp/2017/04/07/a-directory-for-klondike-5-the-most-famous-telephone-exchange-in-the-world/" target="_blank">Washington Post article</a></b> about the Klondike-5 phenomenon again, because I adore the whole concept of there being an alternate universe in which phone numbers are this simple. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Remember September Dance prep kicks off with a shopping trip for Mary-Anne, who also has a pretty cute birthday outfit (presumably she's wearing trousers too). </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://urstyle.fashion/styles/2709604" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="382" data-original-width="600" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQqEWqBejtCwDmuAEFwesYxva9hET9PeuyO05RTclCH-xGyKBOwB8uxhSiXPL9upHfuFV1dRW5NBLFCSlser5UW6guEGru0PZNXOTK3ZErbdGuAoecLxDPwetOf4_oxb8zDL_-wx4jnV4/w640-h408/Mary+Anne+Collage.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><b>For her birthday:</b> <i>Tiny hoop earrings and a gold chain bracelet that belonged to her mother, and a bright vest over a short-sleeved white blouse.</i><div><b>For the dance: </b><i>A full white skirt with "London, Paris, Rome" and illustrations of landmarks on it. A pink shirt, baggy pink sweater, and white slip-ons with pink and blue edging. </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>The outfit game is also strong with the other girls, apart from our Queen Claudia who only has one outfit mentioned this time (but it's a cracker). </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://urstyle.fashion/styles/2709642" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="355" data-original-width="600" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4KzmBnF0hFHJqb9lkyY2b7_w4RjcDqCF_dqq5ISyYqKMs7H4suvdHlzDVs8pp4AAQjFmq3dkvBaLP-e2YeS5heEgYAhYa4zeZf0r7qI-zFkJwhunvjfXg_pAhke15CELH4FRmuUbvtbk/w640-h378/Book+10+others+collage.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><b>Mary-Anne's Birthday: </b><i>Dawn wore hot-pink shorts, a big breezy island print shirt, and a white tank top. Claudia wore short, tight black pants and a big white shirt with "Be-Bop" and pictures of rock n' roll dancers on the front. </i><div><i><br /></i></div><div><b>The Dance:</b> <i>Stacey wore a white t-shirt under a hot pink jumpsuit. Dawn wore a green and white oversized sweater and stretchy green pants. Kristy wore a white turtleneck shirt, pink sweater, and blue jeans. </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPI18q78x4H2I9gv_cdS2N0ihEgiDst7Q5A8RKoFNmY1MhF9LMX-uB4Ef2SBz188c8Sr-WOMMgsrJaC-OeOn7pPn3EBLP82EcCATyWUVn-9T1QJZjvy_vnJ2ryVdE8OMyIsgusVjMcFso/s1500/Snack+Watch+Updated+2020.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1500" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPI18q78x4H2I9gv_cdS2N0ihEgiDst7Q5A8RKoFNmY1MhF9LMX-uB4Ef2SBz188c8Sr-WOMMgsrJaC-OeOn7pPn3EBLP82EcCATyWUVn-9T1QJZjvy_vnJ2ryVdE8OMyIsgusVjMcFso/w640-h214/Snack+Watch+Updated+2020.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Gumdrops and pretzels hidden in her pillowcase. </b></i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Doritos.</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">Did you know that Doritos only came to the UK (and by extension, Ireland) in 1994?! This is what the logo on Claudia's bag looked like in 1988: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrDEbgg9GET_3NM7thUd2Gou00AsUFN6ULRb-Ez89OhyOfhBX2qe1Q0SmTJlrNpm9kW6dnprUOX4GSRHSKFUdXlGb2t5Vq-h3JRnZ-qBRPRBbAH2kAFHFzPnS-kwMb7wcndtkBqUQv3sw/s250/doritos+logo+late+80s.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="104" data-original-width="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrDEbgg9GET_3NM7thUd2Gou00AsUFN6ULRb-Ez89OhyOfhBX2qe1Q0SmTJlrNpm9kW6dnprUOX4GSRHSKFUdXlGb2t5Vq-h3JRnZ-qBRPRBbAH2kAFHFzPnS-kwMb7wcndtkBqUQv3sw/s0/doritos+logo+late+80s.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Honourable mention for Dawn's lunch<i style="font-weight: bold;"> - strawberries, granola & yogurt, dried apple slices.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm 99% sure that I didn't know what granola was until I was about 25. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCIKXMU7EKJbkRwV2FvVzZo9oIpx9eQSWHT_aD_wRw_NtEPX6QwkmHxskibBART8zZavLOC80AoQZ3oUW3V0Z8fWeap5krIxlRSq2bq95ScxbYuCfaKZo8FP5-qf8QMwFy6hyphenhyphenz9jra-xw/s1500/Pop+Culture+Watch+Updated+2020.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1500" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCIKXMU7EKJbkRwV2FvVzZo9oIpx9eQSWHT_aD_wRw_NtEPX6QwkmHxskibBART8zZavLOC80AoQZ3oUW3V0Z8fWeap5krIxlRSq2bq95ScxbYuCfaKZo8FP5-qf8QMwFy6hyphenhyphenz9jra-xw/w640-h214/Pop+Culture+Watch+Updated+2020.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The movie <i style="font-weight: bold;">Meatballs</i> is mentioned. Released in 1979, this was the first film to feature Bill Murray in a starring role. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Paddington Takes the Air, Dr. Seuss' Happy Birthday to You</i> </b>and <i><b>Tik Tok of Oz</b> </i>are books that appear in the Kid-Kit. I love how many real childrens books the author references.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Until next week (I promise, I have it drafted already)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid9K_L7wolnysdgbpybRDKArsqwXzfIqff19w84owmbsqERL7lR0M9xAq24DuUI2PRfPP_JkmqiKdnPtGO3l6Ff8GDslcLdC1CgQZKT5zGLzuvAxMcXeaB3kCf_GyA20EOOhBZeu7QH24/s320/Sharon+Signature.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="86" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid9K_L7wolnysdgbpybRDKArsqwXzfIqff19w84owmbsqERL7lR0M9xAq24DuUI2PRfPP_JkmqiKdnPtGO3l6Ff8GDslcLdC1CgQZKT5zGLzuvAxMcXeaB3kCf_GyA20EOOhBZeu7QH24/s0/Sharon+Signature.png" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711575350710344963.post-44325417422666301212020-09-17T13:57:00.004+01:002022-04-30T16:20:48.728+01:00Throwback Thursday: The Babysitters Club #9 - The Ghost at Dawn's House<div>Hi!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Book Nine in the series sees Dawn as the main character/narrator, it's the second book from her. You may remember <a href="http://www.behindgreeneyes.com/2018/04/throwback-thursday-babysitters-club-5.html" target="_blank"><b>from previous recaps</b></a> that her last main storyline was when she became a twelve-year-old personal assistant/secretary/divorce mediator/childminder to Mrs. Barrett, who had impeccable fashion sense but a poor grasp on what "babysitting" actually constitues. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTaChwITk6EUY5webIml_ymmFVcjFoL5whBamaCU9NC_01wQgsmq5XdNJYzIp2HIeeBsrfjtUdytXrtcdkfF17yhrpXRL4pcKDMQVxYR2wx2o3jyvkTz08YbgJYdNlv_Gy-uqXKRl-KvU/s863/Book+9+Cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="863" data-original-width="501" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTaChwITk6EUY5webIml_ymmFVcjFoL5whBamaCU9NC_01wQgsmq5XdNJYzIp2HIeeBsrfjtUdytXrtcdkfF17yhrpXRL4pcKDMQVxYR2wx2o3jyvkTz08YbgJYdNlv_Gy-uqXKRl-KvU/w373-h640/Book+9+Cover.jpg" width="373" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In this book, we hear a little more about Dawn's family life. She lives with her mother Sharon and her nine year old brother Jeff in Stoneybrook, while her Dad lives in California. Dawn and Jeff shun the usual kid-favourite snacks in favour of "health food" like tofu, cottage cheese, salad (all I can hear is that guy from Hocus Pocus saying "they're very health conscious in Los Angeles") and crackers. I should keep track of how many packets of crackers Dawn and Stacey eat over the course of this series, because it's literally all they ever have while the others are eating Rolos from a shoe or wherever Claudia has hidden them. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dawn calls her Dad a "Disneyland Daddy" - a term that was so widespread at one point that it was defined on several legal websites. It's essentially a term used to describe a parent who, due to having less custody of a child, slips into the role of "entertainer" in order to make up for not being around for the mundane parenting tasks. I don't know if this made much of an impression on me as a kid - my own Dad wasn't around but it was highly unlikely he'd ever be taking us to Disneyland (spoiler: he did not) so I don't remember having any particularly strong feelings about Mr Schafer one way or the other. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We pick this book up two weeks after <b><a href="http://www.behindgreeneyes.com/2019/03/throwback-thursday-babysitters-club-8.html" target="_blank">the last book</a></b>, in which we discussed the holiday that saw Stacey have her first kiss (thankfully not with the eighteen year old man she was crushing on), and Dawn is feeling a bit left out because Stacey and Mary-Anne keep talking about the holiday. I can relate, when I was in Secondary School a group of my friends all went to work in Mosney for the Summer (before it was a <b><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/11Wg0itgouIoH7yIstJbOZ" target="_blank">Direct Provision</a></b> centre) and it was all anyone talked about for the first couple of weeks back at school. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The main storyline of this one is that Dawn's house is old and creepy, and she is convinced that there's a secret passage somewhere on the land. There is, and when she finds it, it leads.......straight to her bedroom. The girls all get scared because they think there's a ghost, in particular the ghost of some guy who went missing (it's all very Now and Then-y) that Dawn reads about in the wonderfully titled "A History of Stoneybrooke" by the even more wonderfully titled "Enos Cotterling", who sadly is not real. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As with many of the Babysitters Club books, this one has a couple of incredible life lessons, one being the way Dawn speaks about the children she minds. She describes how the club never ask "what is this?" when looking at a picture or piece of art made by the kids. Instead, they ask "tell me about it" so they don't hurt their feelings and end up calling a picture of someone's Granny "a beautiful drawing of an elephant". This is something I still do with my own children, and it ensures that they are always proud of what they create and never embarrassed or ashamed that they did something "wrong". </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">One thing that I loved about this book, and something I could identify with in every possible way, was that one of the kids Dawn babysat had a cabbage patch doll. The doll was named Cindy Jane but her "real name" was Caroline Eunice. Cabbage Patch dolls were HUGE in the 1980s, and they came with an adoption certificate as opposed to any kind of ownership certificate. The doll would be pre-named, which didn't always go down well. My own Cabbage Patch doll arrived to me christened Avis Freddie. She was, from that day to this, known as Mavis. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">At this point in the proceedings, I feel like I have to mention Babyland General Hospital, which has enjoyed a recent resurgence in popularity due to Tik Tok. The mere thought of it gives me the creeps, but should you want to witness the "live birth" of Cabbage Patch dolls from a "mother cabbage", knock yourself out: </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OmydCmrUjSQ" width="560"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I need to get me some of that imagicillin. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">That's really it for this book - some positive representation for children of divorced parents, with some spook thrown in. And thankfully, very little of Kristy. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Unfortunately, we also get very little of Claudia, which means the style is thin on ground this time, the only mention being:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"A ring with a fierce green dragon's head on it" </i> that I imagine looked exactly like <b><a href="https://www.monvatoo.co.uk/collections/4592397537/silver-emerald-dragon-ring/10947980" target="_blank">this</a></b>. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Snack watch, however, was much more successful.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_JEwoos_mHdgzDPPksBoY-TIInTyNZ7H4BCy8fF-SrNuifk8asFMF7pD9c7Ax2kx8RI4n_nmgBnCwJHy0Obw8UhyFn5lZWSWQaKLF5Jnp0-DBx3xWiRvyS1V7ge0mtHKVunRh-I0Y3g/s1500/Snack+Watch+Updated+2020.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1500" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_JEwoos_mHdgzDPPksBoY-TIInTyNZ7H4BCy8fF-SrNuifk8asFMF7pD9c7Ax2kx8RI4n_nmgBnCwJHy0Obw8UhyFn5lZWSWQaKLF5Jnp0-DBx3xWiRvyS1V7ge0mtHKVunRh-I0Y3g/w640-h214/Snack+Watch+Updated+2020.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i>A bag of chocolate kisses from a hollow book on her shelf</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">I feel like everyone my age, at some point in their life, wanted the following things: A metal detector, A Mr. Frosty, Clarks Magic Steps shoes, and a hollow book. I have still yet to own any one of these things. I'm presuming that chocolate kisses are the Hershey's ones that come wrapped in foil. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyTNS85bbBRth_l_ezkTIARnIjFhEhmI_MCjhf3JWuCXf_-TyFOoQuSANWe5hgoUATAKHhVvZ5wiMQ5r2kICFtWDRwpAwY3xzY9x5_HXaJytE0ja9f3koIeU3d9mWMkxpLe3D4JqjvmSI/s1500/Pop+Culture+Watch+Updated+2020.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1500" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyTNS85bbBRth_l_ezkTIARnIjFhEhmI_MCjhf3JWuCXf_-TyFOoQuSANWe5hgoUATAKHhVvZ5wiMQ5r2kICFtWDRwpAwY3xzY9x5_HXaJytE0ja9f3koIeU3d9mWMkxpLe3D4JqjvmSI/w640-h214/Pop+Culture+Watch+Updated+2020.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">There were a LOT of movies and books mentioned in this installment, the most notable being:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The Odd Couple</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dawn compares her and her mother to Felix and Oscar, the titular couple from the TV Series produced in the 1970s (which, incidentally, was co-created by Garry Marshall, who appeared in Hocus Pocus as the devil)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>European Vacation</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Or to give it the full title, National Lampoon's European Vacation. Released in 1985, starring Chevy Chase, directed by Amy Heckerling (who also directed Clueless).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Originally published in 1930, this book was adapted for film a few times, most recently in 2019.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Harold and the Purple Crayon</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">A children's book by Crockett Johnson originally published in 1955 about a little boy who creates the world he wants with a crayon.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Chutes and Ladders</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">A board game called Moksha Patam that originated in India in the 13th century to teach children Hindu Dharma and Hindu values. The British took the game to England in 1892 and changed it to suit themselves, renaming it to Snakes and Ladders (never not at it). It was then brought to the US by board game giants Milton Bradley in 1943 where it was rebranded "Chutes and Ladders". </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Until next time,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGL54K-hcRPFZqZtyjeqqCEXWDMGE34cuOykIdEhlk36uJPUUNPw0PI8yl3Qx6U5pnGN_9DVg4vV34QeTP1x7vOt7hc0UGdBG3uh5r-KbBr4lNFBV-ABB3x2XKBBDUhxQuQb-77IzeV0/s320/Sharon+Signature.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="86" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGL54K-hcRPFZqZtyjeqqCEXWDMGE34cuOykIdEhlk36uJPUUNPw0PI8yl3Qx6U5pnGN_9DVg4vV34QeTP1x7vOt7hc0UGdBG3uh5r-KbBr4lNFBV-ABB3x2XKBBDUhxQuQb-77IzeV0/s0/Sharon+Signature.png" /></a></div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711575350710344963.post-57412065310170054462020-07-27T17:06:00.000+01:002022-04-30T13:44:55.659+01:00Blog Tour - The Kids Are Gonna Ask by Gretchen Anthony <span style="font-size: xx-small;">Not spon/paid</span><br />
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I have a couple of Blog Tour spots coming your way over the next few weeks, as well as some other book related stuff. Hopefully I'll be able to restart the Babysitters Club recaps again soon, I think I may finally have the collage situation under control!</div>
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Today I'm focusing on <i>The Kids are Gonna Ask</i> by Gretchen Anthony. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbmMrZBPu51uaNx2EiZzDGowwA2wNG4_3yhqMbxnXrkVF5U7ncdlvWbGoW-YK_gq_1MlaDv7sdBELyI4PAyfEjhhwkk_WyFPE6eBoqluxnb7SD8XdyJ04BjjhPXl0vsIfrx0HaDK0C6wg/s2048/Book+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1360" height="781" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbmMrZBPu51uaNx2EiZzDGowwA2wNG4_3yhqMbxnXrkVF5U7ncdlvWbGoW-YK_gq_1MlaDv7sdBELyI4PAyfEjhhwkk_WyFPE6eBoqluxnb7SD8XdyJ04BjjhPXl0vsIfrx0HaDK0C6wg/w518-h781/Book+Cover.jpg" width="518" /></a></div>
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<i>The death of Thomas and Savannah McClair's mother turns their world upside down. Raised to be fiercely curious by their grandmother Maggie, the twins become determined to learn the identity of their biological father. And when their mission goes viral, an eccentric producer offers them a dream platform: a fully sponsored podcased called "The Kids are Gonna Ask". To discover the truth, Thomas and Savannah begin interviewing people from their mother's past and are shocked when the podcast ignites in popularity. As the attention mounts, they get caught in a national debate they never asked for - but nothing compares to the mayhem that ensues when they find him. </i></div>
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I really, really enjoyed this book. I thought the plot was current, and really fresh. As a fan of podcasts, I could see myself listening to something like this - it really made me think about the morality of some of the ones I DO listen to (cough*ToLiveAndDieInLA*cough). We, as a society, are so desperate to know the intimate details of each others lives, that every single undisclosed piece of information, unsolved case or mystery drives people to do hours and hours of deep dives, research, and brew conspiracy theories. It's so easy to find someone now, due to advances in technology, DNA and public social media profiles. This made the story really believable and engaging. </div>
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I enjoyed Maggie, the matriarch of the family, immensely. She struck me as someone who would have lived an incredibly colourful, interesting life, and her dinner parties would have been legendary. I liked the social commentary, which came in the form of the twins juggling their normal lives and their new-found digital fame, and I appreciated that the author also touched on the treatment of young women in the media and how harmful viral content can sometimes be. </div>
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I'd recommend this to anyone who wants something different from their fiction, if any of us were going on holiday I'd say bring it with you, but I enjoyed it every bit as much just sitting on my couch. </div>
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Recommended. </div>
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<i>The Kids are Gonna Ask</i> is published on July 28th and can be found (or ordered in) at any good bookstore, your local library, or at the links below. </div>
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<b><u><a href="https://amzn.to/3hCzjh9" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a></u>*</b></div>
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<b><a href="https://tidd.ly/2WXf3i7" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Book Depository</a>*</b></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Kids-Are-Gonna-Ask-Novel/dp/077830874X" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon US </a></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-kids-are-gonna-ask-gretchen-anthony/1131329819" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Barnes and Noble </a></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Gretchen_Anthony_The_Kids_Are_Gonna_Ask?id=siOYDwAAQBAJ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Google Play Books </a></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-kids-are-gonna-ask/id1460789878" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Apple Books</a></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrx4jEGBJBhphAajAvPYBF8cj7SFkG4jLv0Ulw576KXEBVRB72VLdKxf8zwDdLifLTFNBqptqmJsRDH2ppcDmQnE0hBBlF70BT9zh_fZ5aYjJZ7OKrdiRtVBhd-_WRQl2JCEc2QHEdEo/s800/Author+Bio.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="625" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrx4jEGBJBhphAajAvPYBF8cj7SFkG4jLv0Ulw576KXEBVRB72VLdKxf8zwDdLifLTFNBqptqmJsRDH2ppcDmQnE0hBBlF70BT9zh_fZ5aYjJZ7OKrdiRtVBhd-_WRQl2JCEc2QHEdEo/w625-h625/Author+Bio.png" width="625" /></a></div>
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You can keep up to date with the author on her <b><a href="https://www.blogger.com/www.gretchenanthony.com">Website</a></b>, or follow her on <b><a href="https://twitter.com/granthony">Twitter </a></b>or <b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/gretchenanthony.writer/">Instagram</a></b>. </div>
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Thank you to Harlequin & Park Row Books for having me as part of their Summer Reads Blog Tour. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711575350710344963.post-57454489156131871392020-05-19T20:13:00.000+01:002022-04-30T13:45:15.424+01:00Blog Tour - He Started It by Samantha Downing<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Not Spon/Paid</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Only links marked with * are affiliates. </span><br />
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Today I have another blog tour spot, this time for Samantha Downing's latest thriller, <i>He Started It. </i></div>
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<i>Beth, Portia & Eddie Morgan haven't all been together in years. And for very good reasons - we'll get to those later. But when their wealthy grandfather dies and leaves a cryptic final message in his wake, the siblings and their respective partners must come together for a cross-country road trip to fultill his final wish and - more importantly - secure their inheritance.</i></div>
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<i>But time with your family can be tough. It is for everyone.</i></div>
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<i>It's even harder when you're all keeping secrets and trying to forget a memory - a missing person, an act of revenge, the man in the black truck who won't stop following your car - and especially when at least one of you is a killer and there's a body in the trunk. Just to name a few reasons.</i></div>
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<i>But money is a powerful motivator. It is for everyone.</i></div>
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I don't know if anyone else is currently watching <i>White Lines</i> on Netflix, but the style of this reminded me of it a lot - a slick, twisted, dark crime/thriller/mystery/adventure that revealed itself slowly. It was one of those books that I wanted to keep reading, one that you think about when you're not reading it. </div>
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The characters aren't likeable - but they don't pretend to be. Right from the start, Beth tells you herself that she's no heroine. In fact, this novel doesn't pretend to be anything it isn't - it's just a straightforward, no-nonsense good time. Beth is a great narrator - she's twisted, you can't really trust a word she says, and her utter contempt for her family is hilarious at times in its accuracy (listen, I love my family, but this quarantine is already testing us, never mind the thought of a road trip with them). </div>
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You can order <i>He Started It </i>via the link below. You can also ask your local bookseller, and don't forget your local library (they're due to reopen in Ireland on June 8th, all going well). </div>
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<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/He-Started-Samantha-Downing-ebook/dp/B07XJL1YSM/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kindle/Amazon (US)</a></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/He-Started-It-Samantha-Downing/9780241417348?a_aid=greeneyes" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Book Depository</a>*</b></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.easons.com/he-started-it-samantha-downing-9780241417355" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Easons</a></b></div>
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You can find an excerpt of both the book and audiobook <b><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/570126/he-started-it-by-samantha-downing/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a></b>, and you can check out the other stops on the blog tour by visiting the sites mentioned in the below graphic. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2P71in52hKgMsaz8rcIdqCUhcDqykdY9dS8JRj4FfRL7lM_Vfl-z-DJor8XfwbP-JVb97CVr-oDd6wAoK3xIT8yUDzZ-4sPgCQLrzgqwe6xSgDJxJ6EXFW0UldqvOkqe-RwnNYqtnR9w/s1600/Author+Bio.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2P71in52hKgMsaz8rcIdqCUhcDqykdY9dS8JRj4FfRL7lM_Vfl-z-DJor8XfwbP-JVb97CVr-oDd6wAoK3xIT8yUDzZ-4sPgCQLrzgqwe6xSgDJxJ6EXFW0UldqvOkqe-RwnNYqtnR9w/s640/Author+Bio.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Thank you to the publisher for having me on the blog tour and for the advance copy of the book.</div>
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If you'd like to keep up with Samantha Downing, you can check out her website <b><a href="http://www.samanthadowning.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a></b>. </div>
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