Tag: monthly challenge

Blogmas 2019 Day Two: My reading challenge, the December edition πŸ“š

We’ve made it to the final month of my reading challenge! I’m honestly surprised I managed to keep this up all year but also very pleased.

I will do a little round up in Jan of everything that I have read this year and perhaps introduce a new challenge for 2020.

Firstly, I will share with you what I read in November…

  • A Christmas gift by Sue Moorcroft
  • T’was the Nightshift before Christmas by Adam Kay
  • A wedding in December by Sarah Morgan

I thoroughly enjoyed all of these books and they have definitely got me into the festive spirit

So, without further ado, for the last time in 2019, here are my reading picks for this month…

The Christmas Wishlist by Heidi Swain

After being let go from her job in a swanky hotel just weeks before Christmas, Hattie is feeling lost. Even more so when her high-flying boyfriend announces he’s landed his dream job in Abu Dhabi and asks her to move with him. Luckily, Hattie’s long-time friend Dolly is on hand to help and invites Hattie to spend one last holiday in the small, festive town of Wynbridge, determined to give her a Christmas to remember . . .
Upon Hattie’s arrival, holiday preparations are in full swing. But for Hattie, whose Christmas cheer has long since run out, it’ll take more than mince pies and mistletoe to open her heart to the season once more. Relishing the task of reigniting Hattie’s Christmas spirit, Dolly suggests they create a wish list of all the things the season can offer, and with the helpful hands of Wynbridge’s resident handyman, Beamish, Hattie finds her frosty exterior is starting to thaw.
As Wynbridge prepares for its most spectacular Christmas yet, will Hattie leave snowy England behind for life in a sunnier clime, or will she in fact realise that her heart’s desire lies much closer to home?

The Christmas Stocking and Other Stories by Katie Fforde

THE CHRISTMAS STOCKING: Romy is all set to join her boyfriend and his family in France for Christmas, though truth be told she isn’t looking forward to it very much. And then she meets Felix – and her plans for the big day suddenly become a lot more interesting.

CANDLELIGHT AT CHRISTMAS: It was meant to be the perfect Christmas – surrounded by friends and family in their beautiful home in the country. But then the lights go out, and Fenella knows she will have to work very hard to keep everyone happy …

THE CHRISTMAS FAIRY: It’s Christmas Eve in Crinan, and a young man is on his own with only his nephew and niece for company. Then Ella arrives. Dressed as a fairy, she is determined to wave her wand and give them all the best Christmas ever.
And many more!

23 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS πŸŽ„

See you tomorrow for Blogmas Day 3!

Ho Ho Ho

Roseanne πŸŽ…πŸ»

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My reading challenge: November β›„πŸ“š

The penultimate installment of my reading challenge is here!

This year has gone seriously quickly.

I’m quite looking forward to reflecting on all the books I’ve read this year though.

So, without further ado, let’s take a look at what I read last month and what I’ll be reading this month…

What did I read last month:

The big little festival by Kellie Hailes

&

The Husbands secret by Liane Moriarty

I enjoyed both of these. The big little festival was a very easy read and I really enjoyed its cosy vibes. The husbands secret took a little bit to get into it and you had to really focus on each character to keep track. When the characters started to link together it was a bit easier to follow and towards the end the chapters were a much more manageable length which I liked, and this made it quite gripping as the story really got going.

This months books:

A Christmas Gift by Sue Moorcroft.

One Christmas can change everything…

‘Georgina loves Christmas. The festive season always brings the little village of Middledip to life. But since her ex-boyfriend walked out, leaving her with crippling debts, Gerorgines struggled to make ends meet.

To keep her mind off her worries, she throws herself into organising the Christmas show at the local school, and when handsome Joe Blackthorn becomes her assistants Georgines grateful for the help. But rheres something about Joe she can’t quite put her finger on. Could there be more to him than meets the eye?

Georgine’s past is going to catch up with her in ways she never expected. But can the help of her friends new and old make this a Christmas to remember after all? ‘

T’was the night shift before Christmas by Adam Kay

‘Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat… but 1.4 million NHS staff are heading off to work. In this perfect present for anyone who has ever set foot in a hospital, Adam Kay delves back into his diaries for a hilarious, horrifying and sometimes heartbreaking peek behind the blue curtain.

T’was the nightshift before Christmas is a love letter to all those who spend their festive season on the front line, removing babies and baubles from the various places they get stuck, at the most wonderful time of the year.’

&

A wedding in December by Sarah Morgan

‘The White family are gathering for Rosie’s whirlwind Christmas wedding. First to arrive are the brides parents, Maggie and Nick. Their daughters marriage is a milestone are determined to celebrate wholeheartedly, but they are hiding a huge secret about their own, they are on the brink of divorce. The last thing they need is to be trapped together on an irresistibly romantic Winter wonderland.

Rosie’s older sister Katie is worries that impulsive, sweet-hearted Rosie is making a mistake so she is determined to save her sister from herself, if only the irritatingly good looking best man, Jordan, would stop interfering with her plans…

Bride-to-be Rosie loves her Fiance but is having serious second thoughts. Except everyone has arrived – how can she tell tell she’s not sure? As the big day gets closer, and emotions run even higher, this is one family Christmas none of them will ever forget.’

I am so ready for cosy Christmassy, festive, reads πŸ“šπŸ“š

This is definatly one of my favourite times of the year to grab a book.

I’m glad I’ve got mine ahead of time as it can get so busy at this time of year and these kinds of books are great for grabbing a few moments of calm in all the Christmas chaos.

Until next time,

Roseanne πŸ™‚

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My reading challenge: October πŸŽƒπŸπŸ‚

We are fully into Autumn now and this is definatly the perfect season for snuggling up, all cosy, with a good book.

What did I read in September…

If you have followed my blog previously, you will know that my reading challenge consists of reading at least two books each month.

Unfortunately, due to an Eye Op in September I wasn’t able to read as much as I would have liked.

However, I did listen to an Audio book instead, in order to complete my two book quota!

Lone Wolf by Jodi Picoult

&

Harry Potter and the Philosphers Stone (Audio book)

I enjoyed this Jodi Picoult book, I havnt read one of hers in a while, although I would say it isnt one of my faves compared to some of her others.

I wasnt 100% sure how it was going to end unil I read it which was good for keeping you going and it was a subject matter that made you think.

Harry potter of course was a winner in my eyes and is an absolute classic. That was my first time listening to the audio book in full and it really helped curb the boredom when I was recovering from my op.

This month I will be reading…

The big little festival by Kellie Hailes

(See previous post for synopsis – September reading challenge) this is the other book that I was supposed to read last month.

The Husbands secret by Liane Moriarty

‘Mother of three and wife of John-Paul, Cecilia discovers an old envelope in the attic. Written in her husband’s hand, it says: to be opened only in the event of my death.

Curious, she opens it – and time stops.

John-Paul’s letter confesses to a terrible mistake which, if revealed, would wreck their family as well as the lives of others.

Cecilia wants to do the right thing, but right for who?

If she protects her family by staying silent, the truth will worm through her heart. But if she reveals her husband’s secret, she will hurt those she loves most . . .’

As always recommendations are welcome!

Until next time,

Roseanne πŸ™‚

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My Reading Challenge: September πŸ“š

I’m a bit late with my update this month, we can blame ‘back to school’ fever. It’s a busy time when you work in a school!!

What did I read in August:

All that she can see by Carrie Hope Fletcher

The Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena

Give me the child by Mel McGrath

&

Two short reads…

The beach wedding by Dorothy Koomson

Full house by Maeve Binchy

I loved Carrie’s book, I wasnt sure to begin with, I dont know why but it took m a while to pick this up off my shelf, one I had though, I couldnt put it down!

It was a very interesting concept and a very different story to one I’ve read befoe. It really made you think about you own emotions and how much control you have over them and they hav over you. I loved the making element to the story, it was very easy reading.

The Unwanted Guest was brilliant, it had a real Agatha Christie feel to it and I was gripped, trying to work out who it could be, what would happen next, how it was all linked. Very good, very well written and definatly a great book for murder mystery fans.

I enjoyed ‘Give me the Child’ and it you wanted to find out what was going to happen, however I do think that it went on for a little bit, then right near the end it all of a sudden got very dramatic and then it just ended. It was a bit too much right at the end when it had dragged on a lot before that.

I really enjoyed the short reads, especially the one by Dorothy Koomson, it may have been shorter but it was just as good as her others and it had great twists and turns.

This months books are…

Lone Wolf by Jodi Picoult

‘A compelling emotional drama of love and guilt that grips from the very first moments.’

‘Luke Warren would sleep in the dirt if it meant he could be under the stars.

He lived by the laws of nature. And would surely want to die that way.

But Luke is in a coma and his family mus make an unbearable decision

As tensions and secrets rise to the surface, the tragic accident which brougt them back together against the odds could well tear Luke’s family apart forever.

They know Luke would not want to live like this . But how can they choose to let him die?’

The big little festival by Kellie Hailes

‘Love happens when you least expect it…

Jody is panicking. Its only weeks until her little village in Devon hosts its first ever festival and everything is falling apart.

Desperate to avoid disaster, she brings in notorious party planner Christian to save the day. Although she wasn’t prepared for just how gorgeous he would be!

Men are off the cards for Jody and surely Christian is the last man she would wlever date? But with tensions risng- along with the bunting and homemade scones- shes about to find out… ‘

Until next time,

Roseanne πŸ™‚

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My reading challenge: July πŸ“š

Into the seventh month we go and with two new books to start.

Both of these are new purchases that I have made recently, I seriously cannot resist a 2 for 1 book offer (WH Smiths what are you trying to do to me!!)

These are two very different books, and one in particular is very different to what I usually read.

What I read in June

  • Poppys recipe for life by Heidi Swain β˜†β˜†β˜†β˜†β˜†
  • The house across the street By Lesley Pearse β˜†β˜†β˜†β˜†

This months reads are…

The Prison Doctor By Dr Amanda Brown

This is the book that is different to my usual but it looks so interesting.

I’ve always enjoyed real life crime and found it fascinating since I studied Jack the Ripper in GCSE History.

I really liked Adam Kay’s dairies of a Junior Doctor, so I thought this would be an intruiging crime version, along a similar theme.

‘MY TIME INSIDE BRITAINS MOST NOTORIOUS JAILS.’

&

To a completely different genre …

Every Breath By Nicholas Sparks

‘Hope Anderson is at a crossroads. At thirty-six, she’s been dating her boyfriend, an orthopedic surgeon, for six years.

With no wedding plans in sight, and her father recently diagnosed with ALS, she decides to use a week at her family’s cottage in Sunset Beach, North Carolina, to ready the house for sale and mull over some difficult decisions about her future.
Tru Walls has never visited North Carolina but is summoned to Sunset Beach by a letter from a man claiming to be his father. A safari guide, born and raised in Zimbabwe, Tru hopes to unravel some of the mysteries surrounding his mother’s early life and recapture memories lost with her death.

When the two strangers cross paths, their connection is as electric as it is unfathomable . . . but in the immersive days that follow, their feelings for each other will give way to choices that pit family duty against personal happiness in devastating ways.

πŸ“šπŸ˜ŠHappy Reading πŸ˜ŠπŸ“š

Until next time,

Roseanne πŸ™‚

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My reading challenge: June!

June is here!

The 6th month of the year is here, halfway!! That’s insane.

So, I have reached the halfway point of my reading challenge too and I’m super happy that I’ve made it this far and am managing to keep it up, and still enjoying it too, which is a bonus!

In May I read…

  • Summer at the Little Duck Pond cafe By Rosie Green β˜†β˜†β˜†β˜†
  • Tell me I’m wrong By Adam Croft β˜†β˜†β˜†

So, what am I going to read this month?

Poppys recipe for life by Heidi Swain

‘Things haven’t always been straightforward in Poppy’s life but her dreams are finally within her reach.

She’s moving into a cottage in beautiful Nightingale Square, close to the local community garden, where she can indulge her passion for making preserves and pickles. She may not have the best relationship with her family but she is surrounded by loving friends, and feels sure that even her grumpy new neighbour, Jacob, has more to him than his steely exterior belies.

But the unexpected arrival of Poppy’s troubled younger brother soon threatens her new-found happiness and as the garden team works together to win community space of the year, Poppy must decide where her priorities lie and what she is prepared to fight for … ‘

I love Heidi Swains books and she is definitely one of my favourite authors.

I love how all her books are stand alone but that the characters from the other stories pop up in them.

They are a lovely read and I always want to read her new ones straight away, anticipating their release for weeks. This book only came out on June 1st so I’m excited to have this to read this month.

&

The house across the street By Lesley Pearse

‘Is there a murder across the street?

Its 1964 and twenty-three year old Katy Speed is fascinated by Gliria and the goings-on at the house over the road.

Who are the mysterious women arriving in a black car most Saturdays?

Then one night, Gloria’s house burns to the ground. In the wreckage, bodies are found.

And Katy’s horror turns to disbelief when her father is arrested and charged with murder.

Determined to prove his innocence Katy sets out to uncover the truth about the mysterious house across the street. But that means uncovering the real murderer and risking her own life…’

My husband chose me this one for my birthday, because, in his words ‘your nosey and you like a good mystery’ πŸ˜‚πŸ€”

I have really got into this one so far and I like how it’s set in the 60s, all the other mysteries and thrillers I read are usually set in modern times so it’s really interesting.

Two very different books again for this months challenge!

Happy reading! πŸ“š

Let me know what books you are loving at the moment 😊

Until next time,

Roseanne πŸ™‚

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My Reading challenge: April

April is here!

& that means it’s time for another two books for my reading challenge this month.

In March I read:

  • Dying breath: The Detective Lucy Harwin series by Helen Phifer.
  • The couple next door by Shari Laperna.

In April I will be reading:

Friend Request by Laura Marshall

“Maria Weston wants to he friends with me.

Maybe that had been the problem all along: Maria Weston had wanted to be friends with me, but I let her down.

She’s been hovering at tbr edge of my consciousness for all of my adult life, although I’ve been good at keeping her out, just a blurred shadow in thr corner of my eyee, almost but not quite out of sight.

Maria Weston wants to be friends. But, Maria Weston has been dead for more than twenty five years.”

&

Spring at The Little Duck Pond Cafe (Book 1) by Rosie Green.

“Fleeing from a romance gone wrong, Ellie Farmer arrives in the pretty little village of Sunnybrook,

Following an unscheduled soak in the village duck pond, she meets Sylvia, who runs the nearby Duck Pond CafΓ©. Renting the little flat above the cafΓ© seems like the answer to Ellie’s prayers. It’s only for six months, which will give her time to sort out her life, far away from cheating boyfriend Richard.

But is running away from your past ever really the answer?
Clashing with the mysterious and brooding Zack Chamberlain, an author with a bad case of writer’s block, is definitely not what Ellie needs right now. And then there’s Sylvia, who’s clinging so hard to her past, she’s in danger of losing the quaint but run-down Duck Pond CafΓ© altogether.

Can Ellie find the answers she desperately needs in Sunnybrook? And will she be able to help save Sylvia’s little Duck Pond CafΓ© from closure?“

I can’t wait to get stuck into these!

Until next time,

Roseanne πŸ™‚

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