Mrs Quinn’s Rise To Fame – Olivia Ford

Hey Loves!

What a glorious weekend we are having! I hope you’ve all managed to have a peaceful one, whatever you’ve decided to do. I’ve been sitting in the garden, soaking up the sun. It’s been absolutely beautiful. I totally missed the sightings of the Northern Lights as well! What I did manage to do is read a beautiful book that soothed the soul and I can’t wait to share that with you today. I absolutely love Mrs Quinn’s Rise to Fame by Olivia Ford and I think you will as well!

What’s it all about?

Jenny Quinn has become one of my favourite characters! She’s 77, living in Kittlesham with her beloved husband, Bernard. To her, recipes are the heart of every family, connecting the past and family memories together. Each chapter is a different bake ranging from Christmas Cake, bread and butter pudding, Eton mess and tea loaf, just to name a few. As a reader, we find out the importance of that bake and the people involved. We learn about her past and her present life, interweaved together via the bakes she makes.

“The world was your oyster. Baking is as simple as eggs, sugar, butter and flour (most of the time), so why not you?”

Jenny decides to apply for Britain Bakes but does so in secret. Why she does this, she isn’t too sure but it’s partly because she feels like it won’t happen anyway. At the same time as this, we learn that Jenny also had a secret from Bernard from 60 years ago. The pages ooze the love that these two characters have for each other, giving me all kinds of fuzzy feelings.

When Jenny is accepted to the show, her whole world changes. She’s in front of cameras, giving interviews and is enjoying life and the challenges on Britain Bakes. The longer she is on the show, the more she wants it. However, being in the public eye means that her secret is at risk of being exposed. This could mean that she gets everything she ever wanted. But is the risk worth the reward?

“It’s sometimes easy to feel left behind at my age, as if the world has a future and you have no place in it…but I hope to discover that there is meaning and adventure still to be found.”

Without spoiling anything, I found the ending, like the rest of the book, to be utterly delightful.

Final Thoughts

This book soothed my soul and I really loved it. I felt myself being quite teary by the end of it. It reminded me of my own baking memories and the cakes that mean the most to me. It was a joyous book that came at the perfect time.

Big Love all xxx

Book Chat: I Need Your Help Again!

Hey guys!

I really hope you’re enjoying the bank holiday weekend. I did see some glimmers of sunshine today which I welcomed with open arms. I spent some time in the garden with my family which was lovely as well.

Just like last month, I’m hoping the amazing bookish community will help me with what to pick for my reading challenge this month. I’ve got some ideas but I was thinking you’ve probably got some decent suggestions.

For May, the random generator allocated the below:

I’ve got a massive pull to read Peter Pan but I have read it before and I didn’t want to miss out on something that I just have to read. If you’ve got any ideas, do let me know.

Big Love all xxxx

Reading Round-Up: April

Hello Lovelies!

I hope you’re all well. I’m writing this as a delay tactic from getting up and going to work really but I wanted to wish you all a happy 1st of May! I can’t believe where the time has gone to be honest. Anyway, it’s time to celebrate all the books I managed to read in April. You may remember that I was disappointed with my efforts in March and I’m pleased to say that April was better! Not dazzling but better. I read 9 books across the month. Let’s check out the shelves!

I’ve written a couple of reviews last month already but there were some brilliant books actually. My top three are as follows:

1. The Arsenic Eater’s Wife – Tonya Mitchell. I’ve reviewed this one recently but it’s just so good, it deserves a second mention. I loved the whole did she/didn’t she? Until the reveal at the end. A brilliant book!
2. The Fury – Alex Michaelides. Another absolute page turner from this writer and another one that I thoroughly devoured. A Greek island, a famous movie star and a group of friends. What could possibly go wrong?
3. The List of Suspicious Things – Jenny Godfrey. I really enjoyed this one over my Easter holiday. It was a book that I just came across at random but I loved the real historical events that formed part of the narrative. Will Miv and Sharon solve anything though? A super read!

And that’s April! I’m hoping the rain has gone to make way for sunny skies and more reading opportunities. May means exams for me so I’m hoping that I can read a bit more and continue to clear my massive reading pile! See you all next time!

Big love all xxx

York Ghost Merchants

Hey Loves!

It’s the weekend! The sun was lovely today so I had a little mooch to York. I needed my coat really but I am unwilling to admit defeat because I’ve washed, dried and put it away for next autumn… Anyway, I am so excited to tell you about the York Ghost Merchants. Personally, I love York. It’s one of the most beautiful places. I love its cobbled streets, its higgledy-piggledy streets and matchbox sized shops. I must have walked by this shop on the Shambles hundreds of times. But today, I joined the queue…

I didn’t know what to expect. Ghosts are synonymous with York. It’s a history of hundreds of years. I knew they were handmade ghosts in there but that really was it. However, I’ve learnt since that each ghost is made follows traditional values and methods imported by The Sorrowful Guild of Master Ghost Makers. Each is a true original and has an embossed maker’s mark. To top it off, each has a spirit of its own and they’re made upstairs, above the shop. I’m sold. I feel a new obsession coming on.

Inside the shop was a truly unique experience. The staff are informative and lovely. I felt like it would have been perfectly acceptable to spend the day there, seeing which ghosts were going to come and live with me.

There’s secret cupboards, peep holes with secrets behind and a photo booth to take snaps of your lovely ghosts in. I found myself choosing four ghosts that caught my eye for different reasons. I was drawn to them. (A totally normal experience apparently. I did check!)

I then took my little ghosts to my favourite place in York – Bettys! Three big ghosts, one smaller ghost; two with their funky coloured designs, one marbled white and a pumice stone style in blue.

I love the fact that I own a little bit of history. I need to consider very carefully where their home will be in my new house. I do hope they’re happy here. I was assured that they’re all happy ghosts!

If you’re interested in finding out more, please see their website. If you’re visiting York, I highly recommend visiting. Be warned, the queue can be massive. Thankfully, it was only half an hour for me but I did hear the staff say it can be over an hour. If you have accessibility issues, you can book entry. I loved it though. It was so unexpected. I cannot wait to add to my ghostly family.

Big Love all xxxx

Blog Tour: The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou – Eleni Kyriacou

Hello Loves,

I hope you’re all well! Today I’m really excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for the brilliant book The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou by Eleni Kyriacou. I cannot wait to share this with you!

What’s it all about?

The novel centres around Zina Pavlou. Her daughter-in-law, Hedy Pavlou, has died a horrendous death and the spotlight is well and truly on Zina. She protests her innocence but is trapped by the language barrier. She isn’t understood and is effectively silenced.

“A coarse, peasant woman who can’t read or write her own language – let alone English – accused of killing her pretty young daughter-in-law? No prizes for guessing which was the jury will go.”

There is some hope though in the form of translator, Eva. To begin with the job is just some additional income that she so desperately needs. Over time, Eve becomes invested in Zina’s story, feeling empathy with her isolation. Zina’s family are in Cyprus with no view to come back and see her and her son has abandoned her, blaming her for his wife’s murder. Zina is adamant that she is innocent and Eva is concerned that she doesn’t understand what it means if she is found guilty. Zina’s focus is her granddaughter, Anna, the only one to show her any kindness since she came to England.

Meanwhile, Eva’s own relationship with husband Jimmy has become very quiet, all feelings buried deep following their own personal tragedy. Meals are in silence, the two distant and both seem to have non-complimentary shift patterns. However, the more invested she becomes in Zina’s case, the greater the distance between them.

‘In the past year they’ve gradually made their way back to each other; she no longer feels lost when she’s with him, but found.’

As we follow the novel, we edge closer to the trial and then the final outcome. I found myself become increasingly invested and feeling like I just had to know what the truth was. When it’s finally revealed at the end of the book, I was deeply saddened. The true events that inspired this book mean that it’s ultimately tragic but a brilliant read.

Final Thoughts

I genuinely really enjoyed reading this book but it feels like a book that leaves you constantly questioning what is real, who is right and who should you believe. I was desperate to get it completed and to find out exactly where the land lies. This book is also based on a true story (I seem to be enjoying a few of these this month!). For fans of crime and thriller, this is perfect for you!

See you next time!

Big Love xxx

Reading Challenge 2024: Red Queen – Victoria Aveyard

Hello loves!

I hope you’re all well and enjoying the lovely weekend. I am fully settled into my new house and I can’t lie, it’s just so lovely. I’ve got some lovely new garden furniture as well now. It’s all coming together nicely! Today I’m here to share with you my book choice for the reading challenge. The random generator selected: Read a book by someone born the same year as you. Thankfully the blogging community helped me here and my dear blogger pal Josh over at Chai & Biscuits for bringing Victoria Aveyard into my life! Let’s get on with it!

What’s it all about?

This book starts off with a clear division: Reds or Silvers. The colour of their blood. The Silvers seem to be more powerful, embody more supernatural powers, become holy and have the Reds as their impoverished inferior servants. At eighteen years old, if without employment or an apprenticeship, men would be sent to fight in the war between the two sides. Centred around Mare, a 17 year old Red, has a family she adores but her brother is fighting in the war. When Mare learns that her best friend, Kilorn Warren, will be sent to war following the death of his master, Mare plans an escape. She’s directed to Farley, who is the captain of the Scarlet Guard, a rebel group of Reds who want equality between the Reds and the Silvers.

Mare has no choice but to steal in order to make up the money needed for Kilorn’s escape. Clumsily, she get’s caught but instead of turning her in, he decides to give her some money. Who is this elusive man? Cal, a servant from the palace. The following day, Mare is taken to the palace to become employed as a kitchen servant. At first this appears to come out of the blue but the mystery is soon resolved. Cal is actually the crowned Prince. During the Queenstrial, the Silvers nobilities most powerful daughters compete for Cal’s hand in marriage. Unfortunately, Mare accidentally shows her own talents, her electrokinetic powers, against a girl, Evangeline Samos, who eventually becomes Cal’s intended bride.

“Flame and shadow. One cannot exist without the other.”

Mare is captured but because the king fears an uprising should a Red be discovered to have supernatural powers, Mare is engaged to Maven, Cal’s brother with a cover story. She is to be the daughter of a Silver general who died on the battle field and was adopted by the Reds at the war front. Mare feels torn as she realises that she is in love with Cal. However, she soon grows to develop feelings for Maven instead.

Living life as a royal challenges Mare. She acquaints herself with Maven and Cal and also becomes good friends with Julian, Cal’s uncle. He teaches her to control her powers. Cal gives her the opportunity to say goodbye to her family but learns that her brother was killed for desertion. This is a turning point for Mare. She’s furious that her brother has been killed and as a result, joins the Scarlet Guard. She meets Farley to discuss plans but is furious again when she learns that Kilorn joined and Maven too. The brings Mare and Maven closer together and they become lovers. Their plan involves disrupting a royal ball and killing several, targeted important Silvers. This doesn’t quite go to plan, innocent people are killed and Kilorn, Farley and other members of the Scarlet Guard are captured.

By the end of the novel, nothing is as it seems and the majority of characters are betrayed. But this isn’t the end. It’s just the beginning…

“I told you to hide your heart once. You should have listened.”

Final Thoughts

This isn’t my normal go to genre but I really did enjoy branching out and reading it. I absolutely cannot guarantee that I will read the rest of the series (we all know I’m terrible with things like that anyway) but I appreciate the opportunity and the reading experience that this book gave me. I can’t wait to see you all soon. I’ve got a super book review in the week as part of a tour that I know some of you will absolutely love!

Big Love xxxx

The Arsenic Eater‘s Wife – Tonya Mitchell

Morning Loves!

It’s the weekend again. I feel like I’ve blinked and that was another week gone. It’s also nearly the end of my Easter break but we won’t talk about that. I wanted to share with you today I book I was reading deep into the night last night. It’s one of those that I couldn’t put it down because I was so invested in the narrative that I just had to know the outcome! I get to the end only to learn that it’s been inspired by a real historical event. I cannot wait to tell you about The Arsenic Eater’s Wife by Tonya Mitchell.

What’s it all about?

Set in Liverpool in 1889, the protagonist, Constance Sullivan is arrested for the murder of her husband, William Sullivan. His death isn’t natural and it is believed that he has been poisoned, the blame being laid at his wife’s feet. At just 26 years of age, Constance’s life is derailed.

Entwined together, the novel is structured to show Constance in prison, her trial for murder and the events leading up to her husband’s death. Time shifts about, it isn’t linear, and the people Constance thought she could trust surprise her when they give evidence. Her barrister, Sir Charles Kent desperately fights to prove her innocence, her outwardly idyllic marriage is presented in its truest light in the courtroom. After all, publicly they are the image of a perfect couple. However, nothing truly is what it seems.

‘She can’t believe it. She is on trial for the murder of her husband. Of William. How is it she continues to breathe when everything is upside down? It’s as if the world has cracked, the sky opened and rained fire.’

No secrets are going to be revealed in this review but this book is gritty, pacy and compelling. One by one, people come to share their experiences of Constance and William and the evidence appears pretty damming towards her. There is definitely motive and plenty of other characters certainly push a guilty verdict. Is Constance a murderer? Or a naïve, wronged woman? And what happens next? Well, you’ll have to read it to find out!

‘Women have never been judged by the same standards as men. Perhaps one day they will be considered on equal terms. But that day, she fears, is far in the future.’

Final Thoughts

The novel ends in 1904 and I genuinely felt the pace of the book was mere moments. As a reader, we are given everything and more in this book, like it says on the cover: obsession, deception, revenge. I was captivated by Constance’s story and I was even more delighted when my guesses were wrong. This is definitely a stand out book for me and one that I know many of you would enjoy. I absolutely loved it.

Enjoy the weekend everyone! I’m onto my next book.

Big Love xxx

Reading Challenge 2024: Butter – Asako Yuzuki

Hello loves!

I hope the first day of April has treated you well. Today I want to share with you my book choice for my reading challenge this month. The random generator decided on: Read a one word titled book. Whilst doing a little bit of research, I stumbled across this blazing book, the yellow and red literally screaming from the cover. It’s Butter by Asako Yuzuki. I have a soft spot for translated books so I couldn’t resist this!

What’s it all about?

I have to say, this was one of the most uncomfortable reads I’ve ever experienced. I was compelled to finish it, don’t get me wrong, but it wasn’t a book I flew through. I needed time with it.

The novel is, in its simplest terms, about food and women, set in Japan. The narrative voice is that of Rika Machida, a budding journalist, trying to undercover the secrets of a gourmet cook who allegedly killed three men. The murderer in question is Manako Kajii, who is likely to be spending the rest of her life in Tokyo Detention Centre. She is unwilling to communicate with journalists, doesn’t appear to have any friends and speculation about her is rife. Rika is determined to be the journalist that convinced her into giving her side of the story, for once and for all. The men she murdered all appear to have something in common: lonely businessmen, seduced by her exceptional cooking. She cleverly decides to strike up a conversation, and ultimately trust, by asking for her recipe for beef stew. The two women begin one of many conversations about food.

However, it isn’t a friendship. In fact, Manako Kajii even says to her that she wants to be worshipped. It’s a strange play with food and frustrations. Manako Kajii gives Rika little tasks: restaurants to try and dishes to eat specifically before any further information is given. Butter, hence the title, is the main ingredient that runs throughout the whole novel. Butter seems to heighten the taste, the experience each and every time. The two women ultimately are in a game of cat and mouse but with plenty of cooking and food in between. In fact, the majority of the narrative is descriptions of both and how Rika’s relationship with food changes over the course of the novel.

“This was a different kind of deliciousness […] a more blatant, forceful deliciousness, that took hold of her from the tip of her tongue, pinned her down, and carried her off to some unknown place.” 

It’s important to note that this book is a criticism of Japanese views on women. For me personally, there were some uncomfortable parts. With the increase in food and butter Riko eats, it has an impact on her weight. In fact, we see the same criticism said of any women in this book. They’re never described particularly well to show just how impossible the standards are in Japanese culture. Sexism and misogyny are rife and this book also challenges what it means for women to be successful. Our protagonist is unmarried, for example.

By the end it appears that these two women have more in common than they originally thought. But, this comes at a price for Rika and those closest to her. Where does it end? Well, that’s for you to find out.

“There are two things that I simply cannot tolerate,” Kajii tells Rika during their first encounter, “feminists and margarine.” 

Final Thoughts

As I said at the start, this was a startling and unsettling book. I didn’t realise that it was inspired by the real case of “The Konkatsu Killer” so this may be more obvious to same than it was for me personally. I did enjoy reading it though because it’s so much more than a crime and thriller book really. I’m struggling with describing it really! It wasn’t what I expected it to be, that’s for sure. But what I expected it to be, I couldn’t say either.

Enjoy the rest of the week! I’ll be back soon!

Big Love xxxx

Reading Round-Up: March

Hello Loves!

I hope you all had a lovely weekend and celebrated in a way that was appropriate for you. For me, it was spent with family and having an Easter hunt, playing games and baking scones. It’s been delightful. 🐣

However, reading wise, I’ve been fairly rubbish. I do feel really disappointed in myself but it was mock season and I moved house in two days. So, maybe I shouldn’t be so hard on myself. I’m determined to have a better reading month in April! However, I did manage to read 5 books across the month. Let’s check out the shelves!

I’ve reviewed Away Weekend already so making a choice isn’t overly challenging here. However, I did enjoy these five books immensely and that’s what reading is all about; the joy of it.

1. I Am Malala – Malala Yousafzai. I have a Year 8 class at school where this text is part of our curriculum. Her story really overwhelms me and I love to see the reactions of my students. It makes me hope that peace is doable and that education will be there for everyone.
2. The House of Hidden Meanings – Ru Paul. Another Non-Fiction choice but one that I thoroughly enjoyed. Ru Paul is such an icon and inspiration and has done so much for the Drag community. This book gave a little insight into his life which was fascinating.
3. Everybody’s Talking About Jamie – Tom MacRae. When I was having my reading block, this play script pulled me out of it. I’ve been lucky enough to see the show so it was like going back to an old friend. Based on a true story, Jamie is born to stand out and be a star. It’s an uplifting script that came to me at the right point!

And that’s it! As I say, I hope for better in April. I’m nearly at the end of my reading choice for March which is a cracking book to share with you and thank you so much for those comments and suggestions for my April choice! Until then…

Big love all xxxx

Book Chat: I Need Your Help!

Morning Loves!

I hope you’re all well!

I’m working my way through my book for March in terms of my reading challenge but I need your help. It seems I’ve set myself an impossible challenge when making the categories. Being as I get a lot of my reading information from you lovely people, I’m hoping that you can help me.

So for April, the random generator allocated the below:

I can find books written in my birth year but not any writers who were born in the same year as me. So, do any of you know any writers born in 1990? Help please! 🙏

Big Love all xxxx