When I wasn't watching- Michelle Kelly

I have just received this one from Carina UK and Net Galley for a review. It is one of the best page turners that I have read in a long while. It pulls on the heartstrings of all mothers- just a split second not watching your little child and they have disappeared.

This was a real page turner. Eight years ago Lucy's little boy was murdered by a young teenager whilst he was playing in the garden. The Teenager has now been released under a new identity and she really wants to know where he is and what his new name is.

By chance her older son is brought back to the house by the original investigating officer after catching him trying to shoplift locally. They have a spark of attraction and a new relationship is kindled.

Another little boy goes missing and he is on that case- and they think the original lad has struck again. There is a race to find him and the relocated criminal before anything bad happens.

The relationships between Lucy and her elder son, the investigating officer and her ex husband are all fairly dramatic in the book and it is a great paced book.

I didn't see the twists and turns coming and will definately look for more by this author.

It's Monday. What are you reading?

I read a fantastic book this week. I am still reading great selections through NetGalley and this one came from Carina UK. Hopelessly Devoted to You- Jill Steeples.

Ruby is engaged to Finn, who is a highly successful lawyer, good looking, thoughtful. On paper the perfect boyfriend. They have been together since their school days, so why is Ruby wanting to call off their wedding.

On the night she tells him, he has a terrible accident falling down her stairs and they don't know if he will survive. Ruby feels that she has to be there for him- when he finally comes round he is like a totally different man. Is the new man more exciting than the one she wanted to split from, is it his family life that draws her to him, can she still call off the wedding without alienating everyone and risking a severe set back for Finn. Finn has lost his memory and doesn't remember their final night together. He is short with his parents- but the only thing that he really wants in his life is Ruby.

You feel Ruby's turmoil. There are some very charming scenes. I love the narrowboat story and her burgeoning career taking off when she gets commissions to paint the waterside scenes. You are really drawn into the magic of the boat and why it feels so special. 

Will Finn remember everything? You will have to read and find out where this story leads them. I was totally absorbed with this book and can't wait to read more by this author.

Pop over to Book Journey to see what everyone is reading this week.

Summer scavenger hunt- urban street scene

These 'floating statues' are in Birmingham City centre. I love the first one- where the bloke is clearly intrigued by how this is happening. Amy's friend sent a 'physics' explanation- but prefer to go with the magic of the spectacle!

It's Monday. What are you reading?

 I've been busy reading some books from Net Galley which is a review site. I went a bit mad requesting books- so now I need to read them and provide the reviews!

Yesterday I read a couple of very short but fun reads (only 40 pages each).  They are perfect beach reads- describing a round the world trip 3 friends are making after finishing their Uni Degrees. Their first stop is LA and the second is Miami. I think they venture into Europe in the next books

These books really are perfect for an unexpected free half an hour or so - that you need to fill in the best way possible- with a nice, easy read.

 Part 1 of Summer Flings – a fun, flirty and laugh out loud rom com series of short stories.

Armed with a degree from Oxford that she doesn’t have a clue what to do with, Ciara Bree convinces her two best friends, Elle and Gem to spend their first summer of freedom backpacking across the globe. Now it’s time to shop, sunbathe, think about boys for a change, and party hard…

First stop: LA!

The girls hit Tinseltown for a few days of shopping, star spotting, and even a movie premiere!

But their plan to sneak into an exclusive celeb party in West Hollywood backfires. Elle’s gorgeous older cousin, Zack, is called to the rescue and despite knowing she should stay away, Ciara just can’t seem to resist him.
The ideal summer treat for those relaxing days soaking up the sun!

Part 2 of Summer Flings – a fun, flirty and laugh out loud rom com series of short stories.

The girls are off to a beach house to catch some rays – and if they play their cards right – super hot guys!

With drinking games in the name of Gucci, a surprise visit from a very pissed off Zack and hunks galore, Miami is turning into their best stop yet. Not to mention Ciara finally comes up with a way to have her cake and eat it too!

The ideal summer treat for those relaxing days soaking up the sun!

Pop over to the Book Journey to see what everyone is reading.

I'm in love with Net Galley!

I am so pleased that I discovered NetGalley. I have been so lucky to get some preview books- including some by my favourite authors- and others that will now be joining that list! I get disappointed when I get turned down for some- but have more than enough to read on my shelves!

A place for Us- Harriet Evans

Martha is organising a huge party for her 80th birthday- the whole family has been invited. The invitation tells them all that something will be revealed at the party. There are plenty of family secrets- they are scattered in different corners of the world. They all wonder what the secret is. The chapters were all from the characters points of view and with a huge cast of characters this could be a little confusing at first. But the more I read- the more I wanted to know.

This was part one of four parts- and I was left desperate to read the remaining books in the series. I really want to know what has been kept secret and also that the lad responsible for the catering does a wonderful job.

Harriet Evans is one of my favourite authors and I am so looking forward to seeing the rest of this story unfurl.

                                                             The Girl who walked on Air- Emma Carroll
This was a charming story about a girl who was left with a circus as a baby and is desperate to become a show stopping act. She wants to walk the tightrope and practices secretly. She wonders why her mother never came to collect her.

I found the book a little slow starting- but am so glad that I persevered with it - as it really picked up.

Louie manages to stow away on a liner heading for the Niagara Falls where Mr Well Beloved has plans for a show stopping spectacle. She wants to save her friend and offer to go in his place. But are things as they seem and has she made a desperate mistake.

It gave the atmosphere of life in the circus in days gone by- and the spectacle of death defying tricks required to bring in audiences when rival companies are trying to capture the crowds attention

Cherry Red Summer- Carina Barstch

I received a copy of this for review by Net Galley. This was a book about first love aimed at the YA market I think. Emely liked her best friends brother as a youngster- but after a misunderstanding they became estranged. When her friend moves into her brothers appartment they meet up again and she still feels a spark that she is desperate to ignore. They go on a camping trip with several friends and discuss the past and realise that things didn't happen the way they both believed. The characters were interesting and believable and their camping trip was described beautifully. You could imagine the tents and the tension and the passion flying around the site. This book is a prequel and I presume the other book describes Elyas story more.

                                                       Sandpiper Island- Donna Kauffman
Ford works for a conservation project - ensuring that the breeding birds get the best chance at survival. He has constructed a WONDERFUL sounding tree house complex with living quarters, offices and 'sick bays' for the birds.

Dee runs the local diner that is in danger of closure because a yachting club wants the land it is built on. She receives an eviction notice and isn't sure where her future will lead her. She can't afford to take on the yachting club and local dignitaries- but she's built up a loyal customer base over 20 years and doesn't want to have to move.

After a brief relationship as youngsters Dee and Ford are struggling to deny their feelings and this book follows their new romance. She goes over to his tree house complex and helps save a fledgling puffin.

I absolutely loved the characters in the book and was willing them to get together and find a happy future for the diner. I will definately look for more books in this series and others by this author. They transport you to the beautiful setting. 
This is an author that will be joining my fave list- really loved this book.

Hello from The Gillespies- Monica McInerney

I received this book for review from NetGalley with many thanks. This was a real treasure of a book. Angela has lived in the Australian outback with her husband Nick for over 30 years. It was a whirlwind romance and they've been really happy (or have they?). Every year she sends her Christmas email describing their perfect family life and all the wonderful things that have happened that year. This year the email is not flowing. She daydreams and writes what she should be writing- the truth about what is happening to them all. Her children are all embroiled in situations that they'd rather keep secret, her son has an imaginery friend and her husband seems distant. What would have happened if she'd met her childhood sweetheart? The dream flows out on the email- and she means to hit delete. An accident means that she leaves the email standing- and later her husband believing that he's helping sends it to all their family and friends. I loved the characters- each child has a different problem, her best friend provides a lot of support. She's been suffering headaches and is worried that she has something serious. Whilst she is off booking tests an accident means that she suffers amnesia and she doesn't remember who she is. She is living in her wonderful fantasy world. The family all pull together round her and find a way through this situation. I loved the description of life in the outback and wanted to book one of the staycations with them- as long as I picked a week when Aunt Cecelia wasn't visiting. I highly recommend this one.

Summer days

Summer Shopping

I adore Cornish gift shops- especially ones with coastal theme mugs. Two more made their way home with me this year- and I was soooo tempted to buy a duplicate of my favourite mug incase Emma knocks the handle off again.


Summer Food

I look forward to one of these - eaten on the sea front. A treat especially when the weather is lovely.

This was a delicious ice cream from Rick Steins place in Padstow- chocolate peanut butter crunch!!!

Sunset

Amy was out most evening trying to get the perfect sunset photos. Holly loves the early sunset- not so much when it goes dark

Colourful clothes

It is usually the Perranporth Carnival on the first Saturday of our holiday and we went along to take photos. Lots of colourful clothes here!

Summer Water- Holly particularly loves any sort of beach water- sea, rock pools etc- and we had some lovely photos of her. She really makes the most of her holidays..

Summer Scavenger Hunt

I managed to get quite a few of the scavenger hunt photos on holiday

http://gallorganico.blogspot.co.uk/

1- A sign welcoming people to your home town. I've used my 'holiday home'- it's where I'd live if I could afford to!

4. A group of tourists walking around St Michael's Mount

                                                       5- A rack of postcards in Port Isaac

8- A tattoo on a person. This one was proving a challenge. Then we sat on the sea front eating lunch and this man was sitting on the wall directly in front of us!

                                                          9- A bakery in Padstow

                                          11. A horn in the Perranporth Carnival

12- A mascot for a soft play area in the county- part of the carnival

15- A juggler. A bit of a cheat. We did see a juggler in the carnival- but by the time he got to our vantage point he stopped!

14- A parade at the carnival again.

 17- a lampost at the restaurant that we had coffees at in Port Isaac. it was next to the shop they use as the chemist shop in the series Doc Marten

                                       18- A waterfall in the middle of Perranporth boating lake

 19- A public garden- the park in Perranporth is very pretty. This part overlooks the boating lake

21- a photo of me with something that represents the season. Ice creams qualify in this category and this was a particularly delicious one. Chocolate and peanut butter crunch- from the Rick Stein place in Padstow.

The ones I still need to get-
2- a garden gnome
3. Birds on a wire
6. An urban street scene
7 . A rural landscape
10. A photo bomb
13. A sunrise (we tried to take one on our journey down- but they haven't really come out)
16. A sign in a language other than English
20. A bus with something painted on the side.