Showing posts with label Little Brown UK. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Little Brown UK. Show all posts
Title | The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul
Author | Deborah Rodriguez
Publisher | Little Brown, Sphere
Publication Date | 11th April 2013
Source | Review Copy
Rating | 4/5
In a little coffee shop in one of the most dangerous places on earth, five very different women come together.SUNNY, the proud proprietor, who needs an ingenious plan - and fast - to keep her café and customers safe.YAZMINA, a young pregnant woman stolen from her remote village and now abandoned on Kabul's violent streets.CANDACE, a wealthy American who has finally left her husband for her Afghan lover, the enigmatic Wakil.ISABEL, a determined journalist with a secret that might keep her from the biggest story of her life.And HALAJAN, the sixty-year-old den mother, whose long-hidden love affair breaks all the rules.As these five women discover there's more to one another than meets the eye, they form a unique bond that will for ever change their lives and the lives of many others.The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul is the heart-warming and life-affirming fiction debut from the author of the bestselling memoir The Kabul Beauty School.
I have to admit, this is one book that I saw in the bookshops and kept meaning to read it but never got around to it. I heard good things about it and it seemed to be always on show when ever I was in a book shop. I was thrilled when Little Brown offered me the chance to read it along with the new book that follows on Return to the Little Coffee Shop of Kabul.
It took me a while to get into the book but once I did I couldn't put it down. I think i'm one of those readers that struggles to get into a book for the first half and then zoom through the last half of the book utterly gripped!
I love how brave Deborah was with the content of her story, she really brought the life in Kabul alive in the pages, shying away from nothing and revealing all. From the customs and traditions expected and obeyed to the disgusting treatment of women, this book also beautifully captures the friendship and bonds between multi-cultural women and men that centre around the Little Coffee Shop.
Whilst the book does encroach on aspects of romance and forbidden love, I particularly enjoyed how it didn't focus so much on romance, literally teased us with enough information for the romance to be captured beautifully. This book has opened my eyes and my heart to the possibilities and daily life in Kabul.
A wonderful and heartening read that will stay with me forever, I'm looking forward to reading the following book; Return to the Little Coffee Shop in Kabul, and also Deborah's other books.
Title | The Twelve Dates of Christmas
Author | Lisa Dickenson
Publisher | Little Brown UK
Purchase | Amazon UK
A Page of Love Rating | 5/5
At thirty, Claudia's life is stale and the romance with long-term boyfriend, Seth, has disappeared. Determined to inject some festive spark back into their love life, Claudia and Seth go on their first date in a very long time. But when the night ends in disaster, Claudia suddenly finds herself facing life - and Christmas - alone.Life alone is exciting, scary and full of soon-forgotten exercise regimes and ill-advised attempts at crafting sexy underwear. It's also filling up with dates, surprisingly. With best friends Penny and Nick at her side, a surplus of festive markets, mulled wine and Christmas tunes, Claudia attempts to face all this change with gusto. One thing's for certain: this year, Christmas is going to be very different . . .This is the story of Claudia and her twelve dates of Christmas. Hilarious, uplifting and romantic, it's a story about losing love, finding love, and discovering what's been there all along. Expect Christmas sparkle, butterflies-in-your-stomach romance and a lot of very funny moments in The Twelve Dates of Christmas.
I adored this book and even now in January it is still the side of my bed because it makes me smile! The story is funny, and I lost count of the amount of times that I ended up smiling or having a little giggle. The characters are so lovely, I warmed to them instantly.
Claudia is hilarious, and she is so bloody lovely, you can't help but root for her. You can kind of see where it might be going and it's so enjoyable watching a love story play out. It's not overly christmassy, it's just set around that time of year. The opening "date" is so heart wrenchingly funny that you really don't know whether to laugh, cry or join in with her reaction to Seth!
I loved the scene where she threw up on the Big Wheel and ended up being attended to by the St John Ambulance people in the pop up tents. They call her next of kin and Seth & Nick (her best friend) appear... which one does she depend on in her moment of need?
I remember reading the book and each day my beau would text me and say "So what's the date all about today" and it was at a time where we were thinking up date ideas for ourselves. I'm not going to divulge what we got up to, but Claudia gave us some hilarious moments.
I'd read this book again and I know I will be. It's too good not to!
Title | The Italian Wife
Author | Kate Furnivall
Publisher | Sphere / Little Brown UK
Publication Date | 7th May 2015
Source | Review Copy & Purchased
ISBN | 9780751550764
Purchase | Amazon
A Page of Fictional Love Rating | 5/5
Italy, 1932 -- Mussolini's Italy is growing from strength to strength, but at what cost?One bright autumn morning, architect Isabella Berotti sits at a café in the vibrant centre of Bellina, when a woman she's never met asks her to watch her ten-year-old daughter, just for a moment. Reluctantly, Isabella agrees -- and then watches in horror as the woman climbs to the top of the town's clock tower and steps over the edge.This tragic encounter draws vivid memories to the surface, forcing Isabella to probe deeper into the secrets of her own past as she tries to protect the young girl from the authorities. Together with charismatic photographer Roberto Falco, Isabella is about to discover that secrets run deeper, and are more dangerous, than either of them could have possibly imagined . . .From the glittering marble piazzas to the picturesque hillside villages and winding streets of Rome, Kate Furnivall's epic new novel will take you on an breathtaking journey of intrigue, romance and betrayal.
I was drawn to this book based on it's location; Italy. I have always had a love for Italian culture, history and art. It's still a dream of mine to honeymoon in Venice, and Tuscany. This book, The Italian Wife is set in historical Italy, the time of Mussolini, and it's a beautifully emotive novel that touches not only your heart, but gives you a strong appreciation for Italian history.
The first chapter alone, had me wiping away tears in the bathtub. The beautiful picturesque Italy is described in breathtaking detail, so much that you feel that you are there, or at the very least bearing witness to the events that unfold.
The romance aspect to this novel is delectable and warms your heart through and through. At times I was taken aback by the events, fears and intrigue, but still the pages kept on turning. I devoured this book like I would a favourite film; curled up with a blanket, a cup of coffee and a notice that I was not to be disturbed.
I encourage anyone who is interested in Italian culture, lifestyle, romance and history to read this, even those who are not historical fiction fans - as I would not describe myself as such, but this book certainly will stay with me for a very long time. I enjoyed this book so much that I went and purchased the paperback copy too!
Title:The Little Flower Shop by the Sea
Author: Ali McNamara
Publisher: Little Brown UK - Sphere
Purchase: Paperback or Kindle
A Page of Fictional Love OFFICIAL Rating: THE BLURB:
But Poppy Carmichael's spirits aren't lifted by the pretty West Country spring. Inheriting her grandmother's flower shop has forced her to return to Cornwall, a place that holds too many memories.
Poppy is determined to do her best for the sake of her adored grandmother, but she struggles with the responsibility of the more-shabby-than-chic shop. And with the added complication of Jake, the gruff but gorgeous local flower grower, Poppy is very tempted to run away...
The pretty little town has a few surprises in store for Poppy. With new friends to help her and romance blooming, it's time for Poppy to open her heart to St Felix and to the special magic of a little flower shop by the sea!
Let Ali McNamara, author of the much-loved From Notting Hill with Love...Actually, bring some sparkling sunshine into your life
DAWN'S THOUGHTS:
When I finished reading this book I had the worst Book hangover ever... and that my lovely readers is a wonderful thing to have. It really is. I felt lost and had no idea what book to read next (even though as a reviewer I have piles of physical books and eBooks to choose from), because I was afraid that nothing would beat this little floral delight of a book.
This book is so good, you can SMELL it's success... and the fact that it's about the cutest flower shop ever just adds to it's charm. From the word go on this book I have been eagerly awaiting to get my fingers on a copy.. paperback or eBook version, so when I did I simply curled up in the arm chair and devoured - every - single -word!
It's no secret that I have been raving about this book on social media, and I will continue to do for a very long time. It is one of my top 5 of 2015 (it won't be moved from that position) and it's one of my top 10 .... EVER.
I find that this is simply the best blend of both Jenny Colgan's Summer at Little Beach Street Bakery, and Milly Johnson's The Teashop on the Corner.
And yet it still is completely unique! Ali is extremely talented, which is why we get to see her filling up our shelves with her delightful words.
Now, a little about the book itself because I want to tease you a little. We meet Poppy Carmichael when we discover that her beloved Grandmother Rose, has passed away and left Poppy her Flower Shop; The Daisy Chain. The thing with this news is that Poppy can't stand flowers... it brings out her worst fears and panic consumes her. Still, Poppy who went off the rails and ended up in therapy for 15 years agrees to go to the little seaside town and take a look at her inheritance.
While there is so much that can be said about Poppy's story, we meet her new friends, Jake, Amber, and old friend Stan, and we discover how their stories all entwine with other more than a vine of Ivy around a Bride's Bouquet.
There is a rumor that the flower shop; Daisy Chain, is a magical shop, and this rumour goes back to well before Poppy's grandmother Rose was running it. The discovery of flower books helps put not only Daisy Chain on the map, but also St Felix, and the way in which it does this is purely ... magical.
It also features the cutest little dog ever, and I have to say that I needed Kleenex at one point... lots of Kleenex...I still keep a tissue handy for when the moment comes back to me. I especially enjoyed how the characters lives whilst at the start are all singular and separated, but by the end of the story (if fact far before the end of the story) all of the characters are entangled in the most beautiful way and really share a sense of family.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough, and I simply can't wait to see all the top reviews on Amazon, and in book clubs, and in the supermarkets, book shops when people get their hands on this, because the joy it will bring to so many is a testament to Ali's talent and why we can't wait for her next book already!
Any plans yet Ali? Can you share any future book secrets? *Smiles angelically*
Today is my stop on the Blog Tour celebrating the publication of The Happy Ever Afterlife of Rosie Potter (RIP) by Kate Winter.
For my part in the tour I'm going to be sharing my review of the book which I have to say that I simply adored.
For my part in the tour I'm going to be sharing my review of the book which I have to say that I simply adored.
By Kate Winter
Published by Little Brown
Purchase @ Amazon
The Blurb
Falling in love is never simple. Especially when you're dead.
When Rosie Potter wakes up one morning with what she assumes is the world's worst hangover, the last thing she expects is to discover that she's actually dead. With a frustrating case of amnesia, suspicious circumstances surrounding her untimely demise, and stuck wearing her ugliest flannel PJs, Rosie must figure out not only what happened last night, but why on earth she's still here.
Slowly the mystery unravels, but there are many other secrets buried in the quiet Irish village of Ballycarragh, and nobody is as innocent as they first appear. Aided by the unlikeliest of allies in her investigation, Rosie discovers that life after death isn't all it's cracked up to be, particularly when you might just be falling in love . . .
In this hilarious, life-affirming and romantic journey through Rosie Potter's afterlife, she shares the ghostly tale of how she lived, she died, and she loved (in that order).
Dawn's Thoughts:
I was drawn to this book before the Advanced Readers Copy became available, and was so excited when the publishers contacted me and asked me if I wanted to read it AND be a part of the tour. I jumped at the chance and have loved reading every single word.
The book has numerous moments of humour that had me laughing along, and I particularly loved Rosie Potter's sense of humour throughout. We begin meeting Rosie when she 'wakes' up one morning assuming that she has a hangover from hell. She gets up, goes into the kitchen and it hits her that she doesn't have a hangover at all, she is in fact... DEAD - when she realises she's standing right in the middle of the kitchen table. Then her friend Jenny whom she lives with screams an almighty scream to which Rosie realises she's done so at the sight of her dead body laying bloodied on her bed.
The book has numerous moments of humour that had me laughing along, and I particularly loved Rosie Potter's sense of humour throughout. We begin meeting Rosie when she 'wakes' up one morning assuming that she has a hangover from hell. She gets up, goes into the kitchen and it hits her that she doesn't have a hangover at all, she is in fact... DEAD - when she realises she's standing right in the middle of the kitchen table. Then her friend Jenny whom she lives with screams an almighty scream to which Rosie realises she's done so at the sight of her dead body laying bloodied on her bed.
From those very first two chapters I just KNEW this book was going to be a hoot!
We travel with Rosie as she works through the build up to her untimely death, we meet her brother Chris, and his best friend Charlie. Rosie's always been fond of Charles but has never really paid it much attention, especially when she's been in a relationship with someone from Jenny's past. Jenny warned Rosie about him but she wouldn't listen, and over time Rosie realises why she should have listened to Jenny.
I couldn't help but laugh when Rosie explains how she's standing in front of people pulling faces, being really sarcastic and they don't even realise she's there... albeit in spirit form. So no-one can see her, no one can hear her.... can they?
I couldn't help but laugh when Rosie explains how she's standing in front of people pulling faces, being really sarcastic and they don't even realise she's there... albeit in spirit form. So no-one can see her, no one can hear her.... can they?
Charles helps Rosie discover how she died and their connection throughout the book is so heartwarming and tender that I honestly didn't want the book to end. I have to say though that I cried like a baby at the end of the book, real hard tears that made my eyes sting. I will never forget Rosie Potter, she is right up there with Sadie from Sophie Kinsella's Twenties Girl.
I really liked how Kate Winter wrote the epilogue as we discover how life went for the people closest to Rosie after her death, and when we discover how Charles coped without Rosie, well, when you read it you will understand why this is the ultimate Rom-Com cum Tear-Jearker. I have no hesitation to recommend this book, giving it a maximum rating of 5 Page of Fictional Love Hearts, and I know for a fact that I will be absolutely reading this again... and again. (And I don't really re-read books, unless they are off the charts brilliant!).
Title: The Cake Shop in the Garden
Author: Carole Matthews
Publishers: Little Brown Books, Sphere
Format: Hardback / Paperback / Kindle
A Page of Love Rating:
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Fay Merryweather runs her cake shop from her beautiful garden. She whips up airy sponges and scrumptious scones, while her customers enjoy the lovely blossoms and gorgeous blooms. Looking after the cake shop, the garden and her cantankerous mother means Fay is always busy but she accepts her responsibilities because if she doesn't do all this, who will?
Then Danny Wilde walks into her life and makes Fay question every decision she's ever made.
When a sudden tragedy strikes, Fay's entire world is thrown off balance even further and she doesn't know which way to turn. Can Fay find the strength to make a life-changing decision - even if it means giving up the thing she loves the most? Life, love and family are about to collide in The Cake Shop in the Garden.
DAWNS THOUGHTS:
I was so excited to read this book that when it did arrive (courtesy of Sphere, Thank You!!) all I could do was sit there and gaze lovingly at the book cover. I mean look at it, go on, take a few minutes to gaze adoringly at it, you can even stroke the screen if you want to, I won't tell. I do it too, shh!!
When I began reading it, I admit that I struggled to get in to it. I know a lot of people said they sat down to read it and couldn't put it down. But sadly, I did put it down, a few times. I know! I'm sorry! argh!
I got to around 150 pages in and then I gave myself a talking to and said, c'mon! Read this beautiful book! So that's exactly what I did. I sat and I read page after page...after page. Until I finished. I am so glad that I did, it was a really enjoyable story about taking what life deals you and making the best of it, and to do that, sometimes you have to put yourself first.
Fay Merryweather is an adorable character if somewhat a bit of a doormat and for that I feel sorry for her. Her mother, Miranda refuses to get out of bed and in the words of Fay's friend and employee Lija (the latvian who could give sailors a run for their money in terms of language usage!), 'All the Old Bag does is bangbangbang on the ceiling' when there is nothing wrong with her and she could actually get out of bed and do things herself.
Then their is Anthony, Fay's boyfriend of 10 years...dear god I don't know how she put up with him so long. He is perfectly dull and lacks passion. I mean for goodness sakes... his highlight of his life is sodding bell-ringing... when Fay went to one of his practices, I nearly died of boredom right there with her. (Well Done Carole on writing the most realistic dull chapter ever...it really helped to understand the characters). I have to admit I knew he was up to something a while before the bell rang in Fay's head... doormat... naive... or just doing what many women are guilty of doing in life at times (myself included) and refusing to see whats in front of her nose?
Then we have Edie, the 'perfect sister' in her mothers eyes. Far from perfect, and so damn well bloody annoying, (again, this is a credit to Carole because she encapsulates the characters personalities brilliantly). I thought that after a few encounters with Edie, I couldn't get more shocked by her, but when I thought she'd actually pull together with Edie when they lose someone dear to them, she shows that she really can be her mother's daughter, something even she likes to point out, on several occasions. There were many times when I could have swung for Edie, and I think I actually caught myself 'flicking her name' in the book just because I couldn't give her a swift slap! Edie is the 'other' woman, who is kept by a married man, and when he starts to show signs of getting fed up with her, bleeds Fay dry of her money that should have been to do up her fathers pride and joy, the Maid of Merryweather, the canal boat, but of course, Fay is not the most assertive, so Edie gets what Edie wants.
I loved Stan, and the fact that Carole included this wonderful character in this book was truly brilliant. Stan is a 93 year old war hero who has done things, seen things and felt things that so many of us in our lives can never dream of. I loved reading his little stories, and his character is just adorable.
Lija, complete with swearing is just the friend that every woman has, and if she doesn't she wants. There was nothing about Lija that I didn't like or love. I would love to read how she takes hold of the reigns of her new life, and I'm sure that Carole may just gift us that in the future. (If we ask nicely.... and beg.... and offer cake!)
I loved Stan, and the fact that Carole included this wonderful character in this book was truly brilliant. Stan is a 93 year old war hero who has done things, seen things and felt things that so many of us in our lives can never dream of. I loved reading his little stories, and his character is just adorable.
Lija, complete with swearing is just the friend that every woman has, and if she doesn't she wants. There was nothing about Lija that I didn't like or love. I would love to read how she takes hold of the reigns of her new life, and I'm sure that Carole may just gift us that in the future. (If we ask nicely.... and beg.... and offer cake!)
So, when Fay who doesn't grumble about life - although I wished she would have at times - spots delicious eye candy at the bottom of her garden in the form of young hot stud Danny, my heart leaped for her, and with her on occasions. Danny shows Fay what real love is like, and Anthony, well, hes a good guy, just not one to get the old pulse rate up. However, Fay's stuck in her ways and she might not be brave enough to be at one with her desires, Danny leaves, more than once, but will this time be the last time?
Overall, I love the characters, I love the story line, it did drag out in places for me personally, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, and it still has Carole Matthews as one of my favourite authors.
Published: 20 June 2013
Publisher: Sphere (Little Brown UK)
Pages:384
Price: RRP £7.99 Amazon Price £5.75
Author: Carole Matthews
Review Rating: 10/10
Review Rating: 10/10
A Whiff of Scandal was a book that I almost put down and back on the shelf, but something about the blurb, the cover and the way the characters in the village were behaving convinced me to continue on and read their story. I am so glad that I did. It has been such a long time since a book has had me laughing out loud in the bath, on the sofa, in the park, ... basically anywhere I could read, I read this book and this book made me laugh out loud. It was almost ridiculous (my laughing that is) if it wasn't so entertaining!
The book begins with the nosey neighbours across the road spying on the newbie, Rose who is an aromatherapist from London. They are sisters whom live together and are the stereotypical old ladies whom have nothing better to do other than to spy on their neighbours and spread rumours. Rose gets a reputation as a "lady of the night" thanks to one of the ladies, but is later supported by the other sister who changes her mind after visiting Rose for an aromatherapy appointment.
There's something you should know about the people who live in this village - they all have names connected to aromatherapy; Basil, Melissa, Rose, Anise,...etc. The dishy man of the village is Dan (Spikenard) who lives at Builder's Bottom ( the name of his house) with his long term girlfriend Gardenia. Dan and Rose have several encounters, one even involving being dressed like a Viking! But do they get together? Well Rose came to the village to run away from her past - we all do that or at least wish we could, we dream of it - Rose does it! But what is she running away from? Cliff Richard? NO! That's one of those nosey old ladies' rumours again. Don't believe everything you hear. Even Mr Patel at the local shop gets things wrong from time to time.
What about Rose's stalker? Calling her and breathing heavily down the phone? Does she know her stalker? Who is it? And what about when her once dream guy finally offers her the world? Is it enough? Can you really mix your past with your future? Is there such a blend for an aromatherapist?
Rose is very skilled at what she does, so much so that she regularly blends together Passion oils for her new best friend Melissa who is married to the local policeman - but what's Melissa hiding, and is Frank (her husband) the last to know?
And what about the building development proposal to build apartments? Will it cause uproar or will it be welcomed? Will the villagers pull together or will it cause a divide? Then there's the proposal - who is it that is made a romantic offer of marriage? And what will the neighbours say?!
There are more Whiffs of Scandal in this book alone than there ever could be in a year of Corrie! If you want a thrilling laugh out loud, comedy romance, and a reason to smile everyday, then you really must read A Whiff of Scandal. I'd love to know what happens after A Whiff of Scandal, and what becomes of Builder Bottom, and do those old ladies ever stop spying on their neighbours with ladders and binoculars? I guess that's a scent of the future I must simply ponder on... for now... maybe ;)
About the Author : Carole Matthews
Carole Matthews is the Sunday Times Bestselling author of twenty-four novels, including the Top Ten Bestseller A Cottage by the Sea. She is published in more than thirty countries and her books have even sold to Hollywood. In 2013 Carole was shortlisted for the Melissa Nathan award for fiction about Life and Love.
For all the latest news from Carole, visit www.CaroleMatthews.com and follow her on Twitter and connect with her along with thousands of fans via Facebook.
Published : 24 October 2013
Publisher : Sphere (Little Brown UK)
Pages : 482
Price : RRP £7.99 Amazon Price £3.80
Author : Carole Matthews
Reviewer Rating : 10/10
Cassie Smith has been out of work for a while but she has an idea. Drawing on her love of Christmas, she begins charging for small things: wrapping presents; writing cards; tree-decorating. She's soon in huge demand and Cassie's business, Calling Mrs Christmas, is born.
Carter Randall wants to make Christmas special for his children, so he enlists Cassie's help, and his lavish requests start taking up all her time. Thank goodness she can rely on her loving partner Jim to handle the rest of her clients.
When millionaire Carter asks Cassie to join his family on a trip to Lapland, she knows she shouldn't go...Suddenly Cassie finds herself facing a heart-breaking choice that could change her entire life.
If you are looking for a festive read - look no further. Calling Mrs Christmas has the capacity to become a firm festive favourite. From page one of this festive gripping novel you are drawn into the life of Cassie who very quickly becomes known as Cassie Christmas by Carter who demands an awful lot in a very captivating way. Cassie's love of family and that for her partner Jim is evident from the start where she begins working out a plan to get out the mess she and Jim are in financially and internally. You can't help but feel as though Cassie becomes a friend to you as you are allowed into the deepest depths of her heart and soul throughout all 482 pages. You feel her excitement, her determination, her love, her anguish and her pain as she most definitely captivates you on the romantic and emotional rollercoaster ride that is her life.
Alongside Cassie's gripping and heart-rendering journey, you also get a eye-opening insight into the life of her partner Jim who works as a prison officer. Jim has an emotionally charged job that you are gently eased into throughout the book that causes you to meet two young offenders who certainly have the capacity to warm your heart this Christmas and perhaps even alter your outlook - I know I have certainly felt stirrings of warmth, compassion and understanding for two fictional young boys who happen to be young offenders.
Carole Matthews has weaved Christmas magic full of Christmas spirit in this book that has that festive miracle of change, appreciation, compassion and love that could be likened to Charles Dicken's masterpiece that changed the Spirit of Scrooge in the splendid "A Christmas Carol"
I for one have been warmly touched by this story, so much so that it pulled me out of my own Scrooge and Grinch moments and had me on the edge of my seat eager to bring Christmas to my home - but I just had to keep reading! - I am so glad that I did because the twist in the story and the challenges the characters face had me up until all hours eager to find out what happened next, and the decisions the characters made.
I dearly hope that Carole is re-visited by Cassie at some point because I feel that her story is far from over and I for one am already praying for a Christmas Miracle for 2014 - in the guise of a sequel to Calling Mrs Christmas!
Carole Matthews is the Sunday Times Bestselling author of twenty-four novels, including the Top Ten Bestseller A Cottage by the Sea. She is published in more than thirty countries and her books have even sold to Hollywood. In 2013 Carole was shortlisted for the Melissa Nathan award for fiction about Life and Love.
For all the latest news from Carole, visit www.CaroleMatthews.com and follow her on Twitter and connect with her along with thousands of fans via Facebook.
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