A book review: The Christmas Murder Game ๐Ÿ“š

Hi guys ๐Ÿ‘‹๐Ÿผ

So, we have had book club meeting number one of 2023.

(A little later than planned as the madness of Christmas/January meant we all, for the most part needed more time to finish up)

This book was chosen as our December/January read – hence the Christmas theme. Although this was far from my usual cheery, festive fiction jaunt.

The Christmas Murder Game is by Alexandra Benedict.


Here is a brief overview of the plot:


Twelve clues.
Twelve keys.
Twelve days of Christmas.
But who will survive until Twelfth Night?

Lily Armitage never intended to return to Endgame House – the grand family home where her mother died twenty-one Christmases ago. Until she receives a letter from her aunt, asking her to return to take part in an annual tradition: the Christmas Game. The challenge? Solve twelve clues, to find twelve keys. The prize? The deeds to the manor house.


Some opinions on the book:

  • A different, interesting twist to a Christmas book.
  • Easy to read.
  • An interesting plot which made for a really good story.
  • Short chapters.
  • Something different to what I have read before.
  • It would make a really good film.
  • Some points are a little unbelievable.
  • The bonus riddles are so hard to find!!

Out of 5 stats I would give this a โ˜†โ˜†1/2.

Simply, for a Thriller it wasn’t that thrilling. It was an easy read for sure and it was a good story… we were all in agreement that actually it would make a really good film, but I wasn’t personally gripped by it even though it is very easy to read.


Have you read this book? What did you think of it?

Until Next Time,

Roseanne ๐Ÿ™‚

London Baby ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ’‚โ€โ™€๏ธ

Hi guys ๐Ÿ‘‹๐Ÿผ

So 2022 was a fun year – one of my favourite parts being our trips to London.

We had lots of fun days out watching theatre shows, going to exhibitions and concerts.

January

Wicked – Jan 9th

Romesh Ranganathan – Jan 28th

February

Cinderella – 19th Feb

The Titantic Exhibition – 19th Feb

March

Back to the Future: the musical – 20th March

May

Dear Evan Hansen – 21st May

Women in Black – 21st May

June

To Kill a Mockingbird – 19th June

2:22 – 19th June

July

Les Misrable – 30th July

August

Westlife at Wembley Stadium – 6th August

Frozen: the Musical – 10th August

September

Beauty and the Beast – 10th September

Star Wars at the Royal Albert Hall – 25th September

October

The Stranger Things Experience – 15th Oct

Football Away Day, Charlton Athletic – 29th Oct

November

Pretty Women: the musical – 6th Nov

Evanescence and Within Temptation – 14th Nov

Beast in Black and Nightwish – 21st Nov

December

Back to the Future: The Exhibition – 17th Dec

As I said previously, Me and my twin sister love the BTTF films


I wonder what trips we’ll have in 2023!?

Until Next Time,

Roseanne ๐Ÿ™‚

It’s a new year… โœจ๏ธ

Hi guys ๐Ÿ‘‹๐Ÿผ

It’s 2023 and we are now one month in! Its absolute madness really.

All I can keep thinking is, it’s 3 years since 2020!!

Now this isn’t a list of my new years resolutions because in all honesty – making goals or resolutions puts alot of pressure onto things that might otherwise be quite enjoyable.

And then I saw this photo on Facebook…

I just think these are brilliant, monthly selfcare, positive, healthy ‘goals’ that keep you ticking over each month – It’s giving thriving not just surviving and I’m here for it.

So, now all I need to do is print this out and pop it by my bed in order to remind me… because let’s be honest, I never re read last years posts and forgot some of what I pledged (which is kind of annoying as some were great ideas, if only I’d been reminded of my good intentions!!)

And as it says at the top of this list ‘try’ to do these things, so… no pressure…


So, How did January go… โœŒ๐Ÿผ

  • Plan a lunch with friends

I went for dinner instead of lunch as I am at work most days. I went round my friends flat for a lovely dinner in the middle of January.

  • Spend a day outdoors

Me and the hubby reinstated our walks this month so we have been doing a few, despite the cold snap. I feel like we have made a good start with this one, prehaps not a whole day yet but getting back to the walks has been great.

  • 24 Hours without Social Media

Not going to lie, I totally failed at this one ๐Ÿ˜ฌ I might as well be honest.

I’ll try again next month.

  • Have a Movie Night

I took this one a little more literally as I have had several ‘movie nights’ this month. Being an unlimited card holder I love going to the cinema as much as possible and I have just managed to fit in loads of trips this month, the best kinds movie nights. I have been with both my sister and husband a few times as we all have unlimited cards. I normally treat myself to a Starbucks and I took us along treats in the form of leftover Christmas choc. Perfect.

  • Have a day for yourself

I decided to use my afternoon off for my ‘me time’. I spent a couple of hours at my favourite local coffee shop reading our current Book Club book… followed by a trip to the cinema to watch ‘Empire Of Light’.

I really enjoyed the film and Olivia Coleman was brilliant as usual.

  • Write down your favourite memory of the month

So, here’s me writing that down… my favourite memory from January has been…

Going to the Zoo with my husband โ˜บ๏ธ๐Ÿ’—


How has your January been? What is your favourite memory?


Until Next Time,

Roseanne ๐Ÿ™‚

My Top 5 reads of 2022! ๐Ÿ“š

Hi guys! ๐Ÿ‘‹๐Ÿผ

I thought I would share with you some of my favourite books of 2022. I have read these over the course of last year! These have all been brilliant.

1. Wrong Place, Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister

2. The Girls Who Disappeared by Claire Douglas

3. The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller

4. A Christmas Celebration by Heidi Swain

5. The Therapist by B.A Paris


Domestic Fiction and Thrillers are probably my top two favourite genres of books.

Have you read any of these?

Which books have been your favourite of 2022?

Until Next Time,

Roseanne ๐Ÿ™‚

What’s first on my tbr list for 2023 ๐Ÿ“š

Hi guys ๐Ÿ‘‹๐Ÿผ

I hope 2022 was a fun, book filled year for you all!

I am looking forward to starting 2023’s reading adventure – my extensive TBR shelf needs to make space for some new books which I’m sure I will pick up in the coming year (plus, my new Christmas additions)

Let’s take a look at the ones that I would like to get started on first in 2023.

Lots of these I have been waiting to read for a long time or were due to read before I started on my Christmas novels.

[ I will include a short Synopsis of each book from Amazon. ]


The Maid by Nita Prose

It begins like any other day for Molly Gray, silently dusting her way through the luxury rooms at the Regency Grand Hotel. But when she enters suite 401 and discovers an infamous guest dead in his bed, a very messy mystery begins to unfold. And Mollyโ€™s at the heart of it โ€“ because if anyone can uncover the secrets beneath the surface, the fingerprints amongst the filth โ€“ itโ€™s the maid . . .

The Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewell

Midsummer 2017: teenage mum Tallulah heads out on a date, leaving her baby son at home with her mother, Kim.

At 11 p.m. she sends her mum a text message. At 4.30 a.m. Kim awakens to discover that Tallulah has not come home.

Friends tell her that Tallulah was last seen heading to a pool party at a house in the woods nearby called Dark Place.

Tallulah never returns.

2018: walking in the woods behind the boarding school where her boyfriend has just started as a head teacher, Sophie sees a sign nailed to a fence.

A sign that says: DIG HERE . . .

The Murder List by Jackie Kabler

‘When Mary receives a blank diary as a present, she thinks nothing of it. Until she opens the diary, and sees itโ€™s not blank after allโ€ฆ

1st January MURDER LISA, OXFORD
1st February MURDER JANE, BIRMINGHAM
1st March MURDER DAVID, CARDIFF
1st April MURDER MARY, CHELTENHAM

Is this a sick joke? Butโ€ฆitโ€™s the end of January now. And a woman called Lisa was murdered in Oxford on 1st January. Could there really be a killer out there, planning to commit a new murder each month? And is the Mary due to be killed on 1st April her?’

You and me on vacation by Emily Henry

’12 YEARS AGO: Poppy and Alex meet. They hate each other, and are pretty confident they’ll never speak again. 11 YEARS AGO: They’re forced to share a ride home from college and by the end of it a friendship is formed. And a pact: every year, one vacation together. 10 YEARS AGO: Alex discovers his fear of flying on the way to Vancouver.
Poppy holds his hand the whole way. 7 YEARS AGO: They get far too drunk and narrowly avoid getting matching tattoos in New Orleans. 2 YEARS AGO: It all goes wrong. THIS YEAR: Poppy asks Alex to join her on one last trip. A trip that will determine the rest of their lives.’

The Curfew by T.M Logan

The curfew
Andy and Laura are good parents. They tell their son Connor that he can go out with friends to celebrate completing his exams, but he must be home by midnight.
The lie
When Connor misses his curfew, it sets off a series of events that will change the lives of five families forever.
The truth?
Because five teenagers went into the woods that night, but only four came out. And telling the truth might mean losing everything…
WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

The Land of Stories: Worlds Collide by Chris Colfer

In the highly anticipated finale, Conner and Alex must brave the impossible. All of the Land of Stories fairy tale characters – heroes and villains – are no longer confined within their world!
With mayhem brewing in the Big Apple, Conner and Alex will have to win their biggest battle yet. Can the twins restore order between the human and fairy-tale world?’

The Castaways by Lucy Clarke

‘You wake on a beautiful, remote island.
Sparkling blue seas, golden sunsets, barely a footprint in the sand.
Yet this is no ordinary escape.
Next to the wreck of a plane, a stranger paces. Another sharpens a knife, scoring a list of the dead onto a palm tree. Others watch from the shadows of a campfire โ€“ all with untold stories, and closely-guarded secretsโ€ฆ’

The Perfect Lie by Jo Spain

‘Five years ago, Erin Kennedy moved to New York following a family tragedy. She now lives happily with her detective husband in the scenic seaside town of Newport, Long Island. When Erin answers the door to Danny’s police colleagues one morning, it’s the start of an ordinary day. But behind her, Danny walks to the window of their fourth-floor apartment and jumps to his death.
Eighteen months later, Erin is in court, charged with her husband’s murder. Over that year and a half, Erin has learned things about Danny she could never have imagined. She thought he was perfect. She thought their life was perfect.
But it was all built on the perfect lie.’


Beyond the wand by Tom Felton

‘From Borrower to wizard, Tom Felton’s childhood was anything but ordinary. His early rise to fame saw him catapulted into the limelight aged just twelve when he landed the iconic role of Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter films. Speaking with candour and his own trademark humour, Tom shares his experience of growing up on screen and as part of the wizarding world for the very first time. He tells all about his big break, what filming was really like and the lasting friendships he made during ten years with the franchise, as well as the highs and lows of fame and the reality of navigating adult life after filming finished.Prepare to meet a real-life wizard.’

The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams

‘A faded list.
Nine favourite stories.
For two strangers, friendship is only a page away . . . When Mukesh Patel pops to the local library, forgoing his routine of grocery shopping and David Attenborough documentaries, he has no idea his lifeโ€™s about to change. He meets Aleisha, a reluctant librarian and the keeper of a curious reading list โ€“ just a scrappy piece of paper with the names of 9 stories. It doesnโ€™t seem anything special. Yet something tells her to keep it close . . . Story by story, Mukesh and Aleisha work their way through the list โ€“ their worries slipping away with every encounter, with every world discovered in their unlikely book club of two. A fresh chance at life, at friendship, wasnโ€™t on the cards for these lonely souls โ€“ but every story starts somewhere . . .’


What’s on your tbr list this year?

Which book are you going to read first?

Until Next Time,

Roseanne ๐Ÿ™‚

A lovely weekend ๐ŸŒค

Hi guys ๐Ÿ‘‹๐Ÿผ

What a lovely weekend!

Here’s a little diary of what we got up to.

Saturday

We started off the weekend with a lazy start (which was much needed) followed by a lovely cooked breakfast and drinks at a local cafe.

After that we went home and we caught up with the final part of the Thriller we have been watching ‘Riptide’. We really enjoyed that. Whilst we watched this I started my Harry Potter Christmas puzzle.

I then read my book for a bit before playing ‘The Sims’ with my sister.

In the evening I made me and my husband a lovely pie, mash, veg and gravy dinner and we ate it whilst we watched ‘The Masked Singer.’

Sunday

I started off the day enjoying a green tea with mint as I read some more of my book.

We then got up and ready and made our way out for our trip to the zoo.

Before we go to the Zoo we always start off by going to the Sainsbury’s cafe that is en route. Delicious.

We then headed to the zoo.

It was a little wet at times but it held offmost of the time that we were there.

They have really improved the zoo in recent years with regard to the facilities and enclosures – which is great to see.

We usually go to the zoo a few times each year and it was great to discover bits that we hadn’t seen before, had been redeveloped or we just hadn’t visited on our last few trips. We had a lovely time and saw some lovely animals.

We headed home after a few hours and relaxed at home. I wrote a few blog posts, did some social media and then played ‘The Sims’ with my sister again

All in all a calm, restful and fun weekend spent with some of my favourite people.


How did you spend your weekend?

I hope you enjoyed yourself!


Until Next Time,

Roseanne ๐Ÿ™‚

What have I read in 2022… part 2 ๐Ÿ“š

Hi guys ๐Ÿ‘‹๐Ÿผ

So I already posted part one back in July, halfway through the year… that post is below if you would like to take a look at that first…

Here is what I read in the second half of 2022.

Book Lovers by Emily Henry

The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley-Heller

One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest by Ken Kesey

The Therapist by B A Paris

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

The Library by Bella Osborne

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J K Rowling

The Retreat by Sarah Pearse

The 24 Hour Cafe by Libby Page

The Girls Who disappeared by Claire Douglas

A Christmas Celebration by Heidi Swain

An Unfortunate Christmas Murder by Hannah Hendy


I definitely seemed to slow down a little at the end of the year so that’s something I need to work on.

My Top Rated Book: ‘Wrong Place, Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister

Five Books That I would Recommend:

  • Wrong Place, Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister
  • The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller
  • The Therapsist by B A Paris
  • The Girls Who Disappeared by Claire Douglas
  • The Harry Clifton Series by Jeffrey Archer

What has been your favourite book of this year?


Until Next Time,

Roseanne ๐Ÿ™‚

What books did I get for Christmas?

Hi guys ๐Ÿ‘‹๐Ÿผ

I hope you all had a lovely, book filled, reading relaxation filled Christmas.

I thought I would do a blog post on my new books, that I received for Christmas. There’s quite a variety of genres so I have some cool new additions to my bookcase.

Let’s take a look!

The Perfect Lie by Jo Spain.

‘He jumped to his death in front of witnesses. Now his wife is charged with murder.

Five years ago, Erin Kennedy moved to New York following a family tragedy. She now lives happily with her detective husband in the scenic seaside town of Newport, Long Island. When Erin answers the door to Danny’s police colleagues one morning, it’s the start of an ordinary day. But behind her, Danny walks to the window of their fourth-floor apartment and jumps to his death.

Eighteen months later, Erin is in court, charged with her husband’s murder. Over that year and a half, Erin has learned things about Danny she could never have imagined. She thought he was perfect. She thought their life was perfect.

But it was all built on the perfect lie.

Christmas at the Little Waffle Shack by Helen Rolfe

‘Heritage Cove is in full swing for the festive season and as the temperature dips, who will be lucky in love this Christmas?

It’s December in Heritage Cove and along with the village Christmas tree, frosty mornings and the promise of the most wonderful time of the year, the new waffle shack is about to open. And its owner isn’t a stranger to the Cove, because after all this time, Daniel is back to make amends with his brother Harvey โ€“ as well as a few other locals he might have offended along the way.

Fairly new to the village, local blacksmith Lucy has kept up the pretence of being with her ex for the sake of his gran but sheโ€™s fed up with all the lies. Determined to come clean and live the life she wants to live, sheโ€™s devastated to find that her attraction to Daniel is tainted by the fact heโ€™s hiding a few things of his own. And his secrets are ones she isnโ€™t sure sheโ€™ll ever be able to get past.

Heritage Cove is full of friendship and community; itโ€™s a welcoming place people visit and never want to leave. But will it work its magic for Daniel and Lucy?

Beyond the Wand by Tom Felton.

This is Tom Feltons Autobiography. He played Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter series. I am really looking forward to reading this.

Fantastic Beasts and where to find them by JK Rowling.

This is the Original Screenplay of ‘Fantastic Beasts and where to find them’. This is the script of the film. A great addition to my collection.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by JK Rowling.

As the Order of the Phoenix keeps watch over Harry Potter, troubled times have come to Hogwarts in a year filled with secrets, subterfuge and suspicion. The deliciously dark fifth instalment of Jim Kay’s inspired reimagining of J.K. Rowling’s classic series is an epic artistic achievement, featuring over 160 illustrations in an astonishing range of visual styles.

A lovely haul.

I also got a voucher that I can use to buy more books! ๐Ÿ˜


What books did you get this year, for Christmas?

Until Next Time,

Roseanne ๐Ÿ™‚

Harry Potter Christmas Presents ๐ŸŽโšก๏ธ

Hi guys ๐Ÿ‘‹๐Ÿผ

Being the self professed Harry Potter fan that I am, I thought I would share with you guys the Harry Potter inspired gifts that I got for Christmas.

So, lets take a look!

I got three books this year. I got the illustrated version of the fifth Harry Potter book ‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix’. I have the others so this is a great (and a very beautiful) addition to the collection.

I also got a copy of ‘Fantastic Beasts and where to find them’ the original screenplay and the Autobiography of Tom Felton who played Draco Malfoy in the series, its called ‘Beyond the wand.’ I’m really looking forward to reading it.


I got a Harry Potter Lego set – this one is from the Chamber of Secrets film. This scene is when they are brewing the polyjuice potion and Hermione turns into a cat. This has some cool features like the changing characters and the limited edition 20th Anniversary gold Harry Potter minifigure.


I also got this ‘DIY Knight Bus Doorstop Kit’ I have no idea how I am going to make this haha but I will give it a go. I have a friend who is really good at knitting things so I may have to ask her for help.


I got this cute soup bowl from my Mum and Dad. It’s a lovely dark, midnight blue colour and is in the shape of a cauldron!


One of my friends got me this Harry Potter puzzle. The design is really nice and it incorporates all of the films, which is really cool.


I also got this really cool sock & mug set ๐Ÿ˜ƒ


The final thing I got was this cosy Harry Potter throw. I can’t wait to snuggle up with this.


Great gifts, I’m very lucky!

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas.

Until Next Time,

Roseanne ๐Ÿ™‚

Blogmas Day Twenty Five: IT’S CHRISTMASSSSS ๐ŸŽ

Hi guys ๐Ÿ‘‹๐Ÿผ

So it’s finally here – Christmas Day!!

I hope you have a lovely day whatever you do.

I saw this idea online, so here is my ‘ideal Christmas day’

My ideal Christmas Day โค๏ธ

6.00am – Open Stocking

8am Onwards – Get ready, prepare the breakfast pastrys

9am – Open Presents together at our home

10am onwards – Go and visit my Mum and Dad

11.30 onwards – Christmas Lunch at my father in laws

1pm – Christmas Dinner

2pm Onwards – Presents and relaxing

3pm – Kings Speech

4/5pm onwards – Games/Snacks/Cheeseboard

6pm – Seeing more of my Family in the evening, more present opening.

7pm – Buffet Tea

8pm – More Games and Christmas TV.

I hope you enjoyed your Christmas Day.

That’s it for Blogmas 2022! Thanks for all the support, likes and shares of my posts.

And to those who find it difficult at this time of year – I am thinking of you too and hoping that 2024 brings you health and happiness.

Until Next Time,

Roseanne ๐Ÿ™‚