I am so late to the party on reading these books I'm sure the party has literally been cleaned up and almost forgotten about - especially in the fast paced world of Book Bloggers and Influencers. But one of the best things about being a part of the book community online is that there is always someone who is willing to join the conversation about a newly discovered book and indulge in a little bookish chat!
It was only in July 2016 that I fell head over heels in love with the YA genre of books and since then it's been a consistent love of my fictional reading pursuit. I was introduced to the Dystopian world through reading The Selection Series by Kiera Cass which whilst some may roll their eyes at, I actually enjoyed and will always have a soft spot for - for without those books I wouldn't be reading so much YA fiction now. Starting with a soft Dystopian novel really helped me in making the transition to the more Fantasy based genre that Sarah J Maas writes.
The Sarah J Maas obsession and fandom has long been popular amongst the "serious" book bloggers & influencers for some time yet I failed to "get it"...like at all! I say that behind my hands now because having read A Court of Thorns and Roses (referred to as ACOTAR) I totally get it!!! Whilst I've now read the first 2 books in the series and am onto the third, this review is for the first book - ACOTAR so let's refocus.
This book was a bit of a jump for my imagination into the fantasy genre but once I got started I couldn't put it down and picked up my kindle at every available chance I had - and I mean even whilst waiting for the kettle to boil or whilst filling the bathtub to immerse myself into both bath and book!
The main characters in this book (and we do meet a fair few so be aware of that if you're used to reading about 1-2 central characters) are Feyre (Mortal), her sisters and father (mortal), Tamlin (High-Fae Lord of the Spring Court, Lucien (Tamlin's friend), Rhysland (Interesting character - High Fae-Lord of the Night Court, Sexual Slave to Amarantha who is an evil evil ... so and so! and one to watch!).
You'll see that I mentioned a series of "courts" and I should mention that I love how the author has sectioned off the United Kingdom and turned Cornwall and Devon areas into the Mortal Lands, and then the rest of the country is split into various courts such as; Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter, Day, Night, Dawn, etc. Each Court has a High Fae Lord and there has been some discord amongst them.
We see Feyre begin with hunting in the Mortal Lands where she lives and about to make a killing that will send her on a journey she could never have imagined for herself. This one shot means that everything as she knows it will change and it could take some getting used to. We see a romance blossom between Tamlin and Feyre once she adjusts and at points throughout I could see a similarity to the Disney Classic; Beauty and the Beast but in a mashup retelling...sort of... sort of not. I think that's what sold me really as at the time of reading I was heavy into Disney retellings. This romance isn't all that it seems and the twists and turns continue into book 2 and beyond.
The scenes in this book are categorically some of the best written descriptions and in depth character development plots I've ever read, and for that alone it has to be said that Sarah J Maas has got a talent that must be appreciated for its expertise. The graphic nature of these scenes aren't for the faint hearted and all I'd say is don't eat food whilst reading those scenes - not unless you want to see it again that is. This is not a bad thing but rather a compliment to the way in which Sarah develops the plot and characters and brings to life words from a page into the imaginations of the reader.
During the last chapters of ACOTAR I admit that I did cry - I didn't think I would cry during violent scenes of a high fantasy novel set in faeland but alas I did due to the sheer beauty and delicate nature of the intricately woven emotions of the characters.
If you've been wanting to try a YA Fantasy and this one seems to keep popping up and has left you wondering if you should - I would hand on heart say "GO FOR IT". I'm hooked now and book two couldn't arrive quickly enough so upon completing this book I immediately downloaded the next installment. That's a perk to waiting until the hype has hyped down over a big series like this, there's no waiting around a year for the next installment - it's instantly at your finger tips.
I have to award A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas 5/5 stars because it was unputdownable, thrilling, and the work of a pure literary genius.
To buy your copy please use this link and full disclosure; it is an affiliate link so I earn a tiny amount of money if you purchase through me.
**Have you read A Court of Thorns and Roses? What are your thoughts? Have you reviewed it? Leave a comment and/or link below so we can open up a discussion about this book. I'd love to know what your thoughts are on this book**
Speak soon lovely,
Dawn-Tracy
xxx
Having Book-Hangover is not something made up in the fictional world of books but is actually something very real that we book-Bloggers and general bookworms experience often - sometimes a little too often.
So what actually is a book-hangover?
A book hangover is in its most simplistic terms when we have finished reading an absolutely outstanding book that we couldn't put down, didn't want to finish or can't wait for the sequel too (or all of the above). It progresses into the actual 'book-hangover' when try as we might we simply cannot get into reading another book. Why does this happen? Well basically it's that feeling like when we are heartbroken when we're so sure that we'll NEVER experience a love like the one we've just lost... It's all wrong and our only chance of being happy is to have stayed with that person (NEWSFLASH!!! it's really not! I'm actual living proof that there is love after heartbreak - and it tends to be way better than you ever dreamed, hoped or wished for! And the same can be said for your next "current read".
The problem of having a book-hangover
Mostly it's just really frustrating to not be able to read another book without thinking about the one we've just finished reading, especially as a book-blogger because reading books is what we do! We can only blog about books (largely) if we are in fact reading books! If we can't get into the zone of reading a book we'll it's not worth thinking about! It's like being a Baker and not being able to bake bread or cakes, or like being a builder and not able to actually build anything.
Another problem with having Book-Hangover is the feeling of hopelessness. Being a blogger is about reaching out to others and sharing our thoughts, feelings, opinions, reactions and our lives with our readers and audience. When we reach that stage of feeling hopeless and full of despair it has a knock on effect to our confidence as a blogger (you know that feeling of being an imposter? - how can I say I'm a book blogger when im not blogging because I can't get into another book?! 😮 😭).
How can I overcome book-hangover?
Ahhh sorry to disappoint you but if I had the answer to that I'd be a millionaire - JOKING - I actually do have some tips for you that I've used and found to help me.
> let yourself off the hook and take the pressure off of yourself to read straight away. Sure you might usually put one book down and legit pick up the next one (that you secretly started reading before you even finished the last one) but sometimes (again like dating) you actually need time away from books to process what just happened, to talk about it, blog about it, really get into conversation about the book. Allow yourself to take time to almost get fed up of thinking and talking about the book so that you literally leap at the chance of a shiny new book (although I KNOW the problems with book love that lasts forever: The Cruel Prince, A Court of Thorns and Roses, The Lunar Chronicles and more - more about how to deal with this in an upcoming post!)
> find something else to do other than read. This is why I have a few hobbies so that when I get bored or experience hobby hangover or literally lack enthusiasm or creativity I can put one down and pick up the other. My hobbies include; crocheting, home decor/inspiration, blogging (lifestyle over at Our Country Home Comforts), books and spending time exploring new places with my handsome Mr R. I find that time away usually gives me breathing space and enough inspiration to reignite my passion for reading, blogging, crocheting and more!
> try a different genre of book. Sometimes reading a book that isn't in the same genre as the one that's given you book hangover can really help. When I first started my book blog I focused on women's fiction and romance and whilst I absolutely adore those books (you can tell by my blog name - another upcoming post for you) sometimes I get book hangover really quickly and can't face reading another romance novel. When I discovered crime fiction by reading Angie Marsons' Silent Scream I entered a whole new world (totally just sang the Aladdin version of that song in my head) and its one that's stuck with me. I find reading crime fiction, or a good psychological thriller a great escape from romance and life in general. So if you usually read YA sci-fi, try a YA without the sci-fi element or try a adult contemporary, or if you usually read women's contemporary try a YA (I did and I loved it!)
> Blog about related topics. So if you're a book blogger that's lost the mojo (do we still use that word?) for reading right now write about something related to books, or even open up to your audience about your book mojo having took a vacation without warning ⚠ It will make your blog more authentic to your readers and you more relatable. Remember some of the readers of your blog are inspired by you and you have a huge influence on them. Teenage girls (and boys) are more social than we were (if your in the 25-35 age bracket) and therefore it's important I feel that we show them the truth about adulting and blogging! Yes share the highs but think about sharing the lows too because maybe then we can break the stigma and shame about not being happy 24/7, stop comparing ourselves to others and embrace who we are flaws and all, and plus maybe we can reduce our own stress levels by allowing ourselves to be human and not robotic.
> Read until you fall back in love with reading. Yep you can just push your way through the sludge of book hangover like having the "hair of the dog" - which by the way I have no idea if it works alcohol wise as I don't drink and neither does Mr R. Just read and keep reading until the hangover fades and eventually you'll find that you are enjoying another book!
There's no easy way through book hangover, no pill to pop, no magic spell to recite or yoga pose to hold. You simply have to just find your own way through via trial and error and even after many years of doing just that you might have to shake things up and tweek them a little. But that's the joy of being alive right? And as a blogger we're totally used to adapting and changing with the times right?
I hope these tips I've shared with you that have helped me and continue to help me, well I hope they inspire you to pick up your next great read.
If this post has helped you, inspired you to blog or read, and you have actually overcome your book hangover using these tips please come back and share in the comments and let me know! Also, please share this with your friends and bookish friends if you think they'd find it useful 🙏
Also if you have any great tips for overcoming book hangover feel free to share them in the comments below 👇 with the other readers.
I hope your book hangover subsides soon if you're currently experiencing one,
Speak soon lovely,
Dawn-Tracy xxx
Hello my love,
We are officially in Autumn (yay!) which can only really mean on thing in the world of books can't it? Yep you guessed it, we can officially start to read all those scrumptious Christmas themed books that we've been itching to read since the summer went away and we felt that crisp chill in the air.
Today I am beyond excited to share with you the hosting of a very special Blog Tour where I am going to share with you an exclusive extract from Darcie Boleyn's latest novel; "Love at the Northern Lights". I am super excited for this because seeing the Northern Lights is something that I've always wanted to see and as luck has it so does my Mr R. Whilst I can't book a flight to take you all off to see it yourself, I can share with you this extract so let's have a read shall we?
We are officially in Autumn (yay!) which can only really mean on thing in the world of books can't it? Yep you guessed it, we can officially start to read all those scrumptious Christmas themed books that we've been itching to read since the summer went away and we felt that crisp chill in the air.
Today I am beyond excited to share with you the hosting of a very special Blog Tour where I am going to share with you an exclusive extract from Darcie Boleyn's latest novel; "Love at the Northern Lights". I am super excited for this because seeing the Northern Lights is something that I've always wanted to see and as luck has it so does my Mr R. Whilst I can't book a flight to take you all off to see it yourself, I can share with you this extract so let's have a read shall we?
When Frankie was finally allowed to
look in the mirror, she didn’t recognize herself. Gone was her straight brown
hair, pale face and clear skin. Someone who could give the Kardashians a run
for their money had taken her place. Her dark hair was scraped back from her
forehead so tightly that her eyebrows sat at least a centimetre higher than
usual and the genuine diamond and pearl tiara – that had been her grandmother’s
– cut into her now tender scalp. She felt sure that at any moment her hair
would snap and she’d be left with a short spiky fringe.
‘Don’t you look fabulous?’ Jen
squeezed her shoulder. ‘Rolo is going to want to jump your bones as soon as he
sees you.’
Frankie tried to suppress the shudder
that ran through her but her new bright-pink trout pout contorted of its own
accord. Jen met her eyes in the mirror and held her gaze.
‘It’s going to be OK, Frankie.
Married life is pretty darned good. You know… you probably won’t even see him
most of the time. Much as I love my Henry, he’s either at work, playing golf or
off doing funny handshakes. My life is my own and yours can be too.’
Frankie’s heart sank. That sounded
like an awful way to view being a newly-wed like Jen. She was also surprised;
Jen hadn’t admitted anything like this to her before and it made her wonder
again at how close they actually were. There had always been something between
them, a sense of understanding and compassion, but they weren’t exactly bosom
buddies in a Sex and the City or Friends kind of way. Was Jen really
happy with her lot, as Frankie had previously believed, or had she missed what
was right in front of her because she was dealing with her own issues?
‘Come on, Frankie, have some more
champagne.’
They clinked glasses and Frankie
downed hers in one go. She wasn’t a big drinker, unlike Grandma, who called
four in the afternoon gin o’clock, and her father, who kept the wine cellar
very well stocked, and the warmth from the alcohol soon flooded her system,
loosening her inhibitions. She let Jennifer refill her glass several times,
then she was led to the dressing room just off the main bedroom. As well as the
dressing room and bathroom, the bedroom had its own veranda and antechamber,
which had, at one time, been used as a prayer room. Rolo’s ancestral home was
enormous and Frankie knew that it could take an age to walk from one end of the
mansion to the other, especially if you got distracted by the antiques and oil
paintings of his mother’s side of the family. Frankie loved gazing at Rolo’s
ancestors, mainly because she was fascinated by the changing fashions over the
years, intrigued by the fabrics, styles, shoes and hats.
‘There.’ The fashion designer – who
had a name Frankie had been sworn to secrecy about so that no high-society
magazine managed to get a sneak peek at the dress – stood back and admired her
handiwork. ‘Gorgeous!’
‘Absolutely marvellously magical…
like a fairy-tale princess.’ Jen clapped her hands.
‘Oh, Frankie, it’s super!’ Lorna had
been standing in the corner of the dressing room, eyes glued to her mobile
while Frankie had dressed. Now she looked up and her eyes widened as she
scanned Frankie from head to toe. ‘I hope I’ll be just as beautiful on my
wedding day.’
Frankie smiled her thanks, knowing
that Lorna always appeared ravishing, whatever she wore, also knowing that
Lorna was well aware of that fact.
‘Time to see the results!’ Jen said.
‘Use the mirror in the bedroom as the light is better in there.’
Frankie obediently trotted through to
the bedroom and stood in front of the long mirror. The ivory designer dress
fitted her slender frame like a second skin. The strapless corset top pushed
her small breasts up so they resembled two tennis balls. They glistened under
the electric light because of the copious amounts of highlighter that sat on
top of the fake tan she’d had yesterday. The satin of the dress seemed to
shimmer as she moved, and when she turned to look at the back, the fishtail
stretched across the floor making her feel like some sort of mermaid. Whatever
her reservations, she had to admit that the dress was breathtaking. She’d just
prefer to admire it on someone else. With her mind in such turmoil and her
heart squeezing so tight, it was impossible for Frankie to enjoy being so
beautifully clothed. Even thinking about how the designer had created the
dress, about the textures of the material and the painstaking stitching that
held the magnificent handmade creation together couldn’t lift Frankie’s mood.
She was lost indeed.
As she gazed at the unfamiliar woman
in the mirror, she was conscious of the designer, hairdresser and beauticians
leaving the room, until it was just her and Jen.
‘Frankie, you are truly beautiful.
The most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen.’ She smiled. ‘You can do this. I’ll be
with you all the way.’
Frankie turned to her oldest friend
and took her hands.
‘Thanks, Jen. You’ve been really good
to me today… and over the years.’
Jen nodded. ‘I know we haven’t been
as close as we could have been. I always felt you were holding something back.
At times, I wondered if you actually liked me… because, you know, I can be a
bit of a drama queen, a bit self-involved and a bit OTT, I guess. And we didn’t
exactly become friends in an organic way, did we? What with our grandmothers
pushing us together from an early age then being at boarding school together.
But I do care about you. I always have.’
‘I know. Me too.’ Frankie tried to
smile but her face was pulled so tight that she suspected it came out as more
of a grimace.
‘I’m going to give you a moment now
to compose yourself, to find your inner calm, as my personal yogi says. Oh… and
if I forget to mention it later, I packed a few things in your honeymoon case.’
‘Like what?’ Panic seared through
Frankie.
‘You’ll find out when you reach your
destination.’ Jen winked at her. ‘No peeking beforehand!’
When her friend had gone, Frankie
shuffled over to the bed and sank onto the soft coverlet. This was it then. She
was trussed up like a prize turkey, about to make promises of love and fidelity
when her heart wanted to do neither.
A knock at the door made her stomach
lurch. Was it time already?
She tried to stand but the dress was
too restrictive and she was worried about popping the delicate seams if she got
up too quickly.
‘Hello?’ she called. ‘Who is it?’
The door swung open and relief washed
over her when she saw her father, Hugo Ashford.
‘You look so handsome in that suit,’
she squeaked as he approached the bed. ‘I would get up but I can’t.’
He smiled then took her hands and
helped her to her feet.
‘Frances, you are beautiful.’
‘I don’t look like me at all.’
He shook his head. ‘You do,
sweetheart. In fact, you look so much like your m—’ He pressed his lips
together and dropped his gaze to his shiny black shoes.
They stood there for a while, holding
hands. There was so much Frankie wanted to ask and so much she sensed her
father wanted to say, but, as always, they stayed quiet, understanding that
some things were too hard to discuss; some things were best left unsaid.
Finally, he released a shaky sigh.
‘She’d be very proud of you today.’
‘She would?’
He nodded.
Frankie thought about the wedding
invitations she’d written for her mother. Five in total. When it had come to
posting them, she’d torn each one into tiny pieces like confetti then dropped
them into the bin. She’d wanted to invite her mother, yearned to invite her,
but shame and sadness prevented her. After all, her mother had walked away all
those years ago and never looked back. Why would she want to know Frankie now?
Why would she care that her daughter was getting married? She hadn’t been there
for all the other things Frankie had gone through, like getting her first spot
or her first period, nor for her exam results’ days or her university
graduation when she’d gained a first-class honours degree in business
management and accounting. She hadn’t been there when Frankie had cried into
her pillow over disappointments and a deep sense of loneliness, when those
charity adverts about children in Africa – who had no clean water to drink –
broke her heart, or even when she got engaged.
Her mother had never been there for
her.
Never. Ever…
Now, I don't know about you but I just wanted to keep on reading...Love at the Northern Lights sounds like it's going to be a delightful read to curl up with a cosy blanket, hot chocolate and maybe a handsome man too if that extract is anything to go by...That's certainly my plan!
Here's a quick look at all the details you need for this book;
Title: Love at the
Northern Lights
Author Name: Darcie
Boleyn
Previous Books (if
applicable): Love at the Italian
Lake, Christmas at Conwenna Cove, Forever at Conwenna Cove, Summer at Conwenna
Cove and A Very Merry Christmas
Genre: Women’s
Fiction, romcom
Release Date: 17th
September 2018
Publisher: Canelo
Cover Image:
Book Blurb: ‘Climbing out the window in her dress and
tiara wasn’t exactly how Frankie imagined her wedding day…’
Runaway bride Frankie Ashford hops a plane
to Norway with one goal in mind - find her estranged mother and make peace with
the past. But when a slip on the ice in Oslo lands her directly in Jonas
Thorsen’s viking-strong arms, her single-minded focus drifts away in the winter
winds.
When it comes to romance Jonas knows that
anything he and Frankie share has an expiration date - the British heiress has
a life to return to in London that’s a world away from his own. But family is
everything to Jonas and, as the one man who can help Frankie find the answers
she’s seeking, he’ll do whatever it takes to help her reunite with her mother.
Now, as Christmas draws closer and the
northern lights work their magic Frankie and Jonas will have to make a
choice...play it safe or risk heartbreak to take a chance on love.
Links to Book:
Author Bio: Darcie Boleyn has a huge heart and is a real
softy. She never fails to cry at books and movies, whether the ending is happy
or not. Darcie is in possession of an overactive imagination that often keeps
her awake at night. Her childhood dream was to become a Jedi but she hasn’t yet
found suitable transport to take her to a galaxy far, far away. She also has
reservations about how she’d look in a gold bikini, as she rather enjoys red
wine, cheese and loves anything with ginger or cherries in it – especially
chocolate. Darcie fell in love in New York, got married in the snow, rescues
uncoordinated greyhounds and can usually be found reading or typing away on her
laptop.
Author Social Media Links
Twitter: @DarcieBoleyn
Website: https://darcieboleyn.wordpress.com/
Make sure that you check out the other wonderful bloggers who have been taking part in this tour and still have to share with you their wonderful views, and highlights. Thank you to the publishers for asking me to be a part of this promotional online book tour, it's been my pleasure.
Hello My loves,
How are you doing?! It really has been a while since I wrote on here and came to have a little chat with you. I can't believe that my last post was all the way back in February!! Well I'm back now and I have lots to tell you my darling readers. But first can I just tell you just how much I have missed YOU!! Yes YOU!! Ahhh come here and give me a squeeze!
So, as we usually do, we go grab a cuppa and then we come back, make ourselves comfy and we can have a good old catch up, so go pop the kettle on, and then come on back and I'll tell you all about my life and what I've been upto!
How are you doing?! It really has been a while since I wrote on here and came to have a little chat with you. I can't believe that my last post was all the way back in February!! Well I'm back now and I have lots to tell you my darling readers. But first can I just tell you just how much I have missed YOU!! Yes YOU!! Ahhh come here and give me a squeeze!
So, as we usually do, we go grab a cuppa and then we come back, make ourselves comfy and we can have a good old catch up, so go pop the kettle on, and then come on back and I'll tell you all about my life and what I've been upto!
So what do you think of my new hair? Isn't it fab?! I absolutely LOVE it, I'm not sure why I always have the bug to grow my hair to Rapunzel lengths sometimes - perhaps it's because I'm a big Disney girl at heart? But I always feel so much better with this length hair.
Anyway, you want to know what's kept me so busy and distracted that I've not been here for you don't you? Well, let's start at the beginning shall we?
Anyway, you want to know what's kept me so busy and distracted that I've not been here for you don't you? Well, let's start at the beginning shall we?
A year ago, I had my heart broken and my relationship broke down despite my efforts to save it - purely because it was just my efforts and it takes two to tango so they say although I've never actually done the tango because I've never learnt it - but I digress, and now, in hindsight I'm extremely glad it did happen when it happened because well.. you'll see in a minute!
So, then September came and it was back to work for me with my little darlings in Year 2 - bring on every virus you can catch! I had 5-6 bouts of cold, flu, laryngitis, tonsillitis, and chest infections galore up until about April time.
So, whilst I was fitting in reading here and there, I wasn't reading quickly enough or well enough between work and my days off to blog. I literally needed to conserve all my energy especially having asthma it hit me quite badly. I was also knee deep in finishing my degree off and working towards my Specialist Support Teacher qualification.
So, then that led me to Easter time and the run up to May...This is where things got interesting. I partly decided to focus on me and what I wanted out of life, I'd reached that place where I was happy within myself and had gotten used to being single. Then in June...when I was about to jump in the shower I kept getting these annoying notifications on my phone. I looked at them, and just deleted them on sight - I didn't even bother to look at them. Then when I reach the shower I realise I've forgotten my towel - so a quick run to get my towel and my phone bleeps again. You can imagine my annoyance - but something told me to look at it. So I did. And there was a message from this guy. So I opened it, read it, and as a smile spread across my face and I gave a little giggle - I replied.
And, since that day, we haven't had a day without speaking to each other, and we've had some amazing days out and dates away and whilst our first date was as memorable as I think you could ever get one :) every day just gets better and better with this man in my life.
So, now as I'm enjoying my summer holiday from work (YAY!!!) I'm getting back into my reading and blogging (hopefully), as well as a few new exciting things happening.
And, since that day, we haven't had a day without speaking to each other, and we've had some amazing days out and dates away and whilst our first date was as memorable as I think you could ever get one :) every day just gets better and better with this man in my life.
So, now as I'm enjoying my summer holiday from work (YAY!!!) I'm getting back into my reading and blogging (hopefully), as well as a few new exciting things happening.
Firstly, I've created another blog, a sister blog if you like for this one, which is going to be my Lifestyle blog where you can read all about .. well my life, crochet, crafts, my life as a primary school specialist support teacher and HLTA, - basically everything non book related will be on there... well almost everything, I've got to keep areas of my life private but you get the gist. You can find me at Our Country Home Comforts
Secondly, I'm enjoying my life a lot more now, in large part due to the absolutely amazing man I have been so lucky to have found - seriously, he's amazing and yes I'm biased but still! I've honestly never been this happy before my loves, and he is just EVERYTHING.
Thirdly, because I could gush about him all day! - I passed my teaching course! Yay! So, no more studying now for at least 18 months when I decide to begin my actual full on teacher training for a year with Schools Direct. We've even spoken about the fact that I might wait until after I've had our first baby before I do that purely because well... we both want to be parents - but not quite yet - I enjoy having him all to myself and I'm not ready to share him haha.
I also passed my degree - hooray!! That degree was tough and I am SO glad that it's done now.
I've fallen back in love with my teaching career despite the hiccups last year personally and a few this year professionally, I love my job and I love the children I work with. It's a lovely feeling to feel happy with what you have in life and whilst always being open to more success and more life experiences, I'm truly happy with where I am and where we're heading.
So that's me my loves, I think I've updated you with everything, ... *ponders*....hmmm oh, the other thing which you'll probably read more about at Our Country Home Comforts and the instagram account to go with it is that I've recently joined Weightwatchers for 6 months online, to become the healthiest and fittest I've ever been. I've had a lot to deal with over the past year, and a lot of that has caused stress and increased cortisol in my life which has meant I've gone from emotionally eating for comfort, and then to not eating due to heart break. So the body has taken one for the team, and now this is my way of repaying it, of saying thank you for supporting me through the hard times, but I've got you now, and I'm going to take care of you.
That's me definitely done now... so what's been going on with you? I know I've caught up with some of you on the facebook page and had a quick chat with you all, but if you have a few minutes, just say Hi, and let me know you're still about and that you're OK. I'll be back soon with some book posts, some fun, some reviews, and other things in between.
You take care of yourself, and we'll catch up again real soon,
Love Dawn-Tracy xxx
Hello Lovely!
This year is going by SO fast already, I can't believe we're halfway in February already! (basically!)
This year is going by SO fast already, I can't believe we're halfway in February already! (basically!)
Today I am very honoured to host an extract for this gorgeous book by Maddie Please called A Year of New Adventures
The cover is gorgeous, but let's take a look at what it's all about before I leave you to read the extract; A Year of New Adventures is written by Maddie Please, published by HarperCollins and is set to be a fantastic read of 2018
A Year of New Adventures
It’s time for Billie Summers to have an adventure … but it might not be exactly what she expected.
Billie Summers has always been quite content in her little cottage in the Cotswolds, sure half the house hasn’t been renovated, but what’s the point when it’s only her! Working part-time at her uncle’s bookshop and planning 3-4 writer retreats with her best friend allows her to pay the bills. What more could anyone want?
That is until Oliver Forest, the bad boy of the book world, turns up to one of her retreats and points out that Billie hasn’t done anything very adventurous. Couple that with her best friend falling head over heels and beginning to drift away from their Friday night wine and dinner plans, Billie is starting to wonder if it isn’t time she take control of her life.
So she starts a list: get fitted (properly) for a bra, fix up rest of house, find a ‘career’ and well, get a tattoo … Her life might just get the makeover it needs, too bad irritating and far-too-attractive for his own good, Oliver keeps showing up …
Because sometimes you need an adventure!
Let's take a look at the extract;
We broke up soon after that –
I put up with a lot from him in our two years together but even I have my
limits – still, I think he was partly right. I like Mint Clubs. I’m not ashamed
to admit it. OK, I like most things that mix chocolate and biscuits, if I’m
honest. Perhaps that’s why my figure is always slightly out of control.
It wasn’t a very merry
Christmas last year. We had been about to go to New York as he had finally
persuaded me there were holidays to be had outside Europe. I was fizzing with
excitement. These sorts of trips were few and far between but Nan had left me a
small inheritance that I’d been hanging on to and I’d just been paid for some
private pre-Christmas catering, so for once I had some savings.
Unfortunately, I gave the
money for my part of the holiday to Matt and I still haven’t got it back.
Swine. We had been living together in the tumbledown Cotswold stone cottage my
grandmother had been in the middle of renovating when she died. When we split
up he left with my holiday to New York, most of my DVDs and all the decent
towels.
New Year’s resolution: never
do anything spontaneous.
My sister inherited the
picture-perfect holiday house in Cornwall. Typical. In her will Nan said Josie
‘needed’ it more than I did. I guess that’s because Josie and Mark have two
boys and their school has longer holidays than some members of the British
aristocracy, while I had no kids and no prospect of any.
I started trying to write
when I was doing English A level, and had just read Forever Amber. I quite fancied
being a writer of historical fiction. After all, it didn’t need specialist
equipment, formal training, or a particular level of physical fitness; the
only thing it did require was aptitude.
Oh wow! How good does this book sound??!! Seriously! I have to get myself a copy on my kindle...to enjoy!
Here's where you can get your copy also;
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