BLOG TOUR: Christmas at the Home Farm Vets (Hartfell Village Book 2) - Suzanne Snow

Ten years ago, Erin had her heart broken by fellow vet student Oli. Now, she's his landlord.

All Erin wants is independence and security. All Oli does is travel the world after locuming at practices for a few months. So when he comes back into Erin's life, she knows it's temporary, no matter the lingering looks he gives her.

With Christmas approaching, the vet practice is busier than ever, and Erin is surprised at how well she and Oli work together to help the animals of Hartfell. From sharing meals in her cramped cottage to meandering the village fayre, the wall Erin has built around her heart begins to crumble.

But Oli's contract is coming to an end and he's shown no sign of wanting to stay. Has she set herself up for another heartbreak from the only man she's ever loved? Or will she realise that being independent sometimes means relying on others, and security comes with taking risks?

Be whisked away this Christmas to the Yorkshire Dales, for fans of Sue Moorcroft, Trisha Ashley and Heidi Swain.

 

What did I think?

Awwww this book is as beautiful inside as out.  Christmas at the Home Farm Vets is the second book in the Hartfell Village series but it can definitely be read as a standalone as I haven't read the first book but I absolutely loved this one.

Erin is a vet in Hartfell and she has volunteered to house a locum vet for a couple of weeks.  After a last minute change of personnel, the locum turns out to be Oli who was on Erin's course at Cambridge and ended up breaking her heart.  Erin can't back out now and it's all water under the bridge now...isn't it?

To say Erin and Oli have unfinished business is an understatement; the chemistry between them almost fizzes off the page and I had everything crossed that one of them would finally take a leap and declare their feelings.  WIth so many misunderstandings and crossed wires both in the past and present, it's no wonder that neither of them know how the other one feels.  The signs are all there and actions really do speak louder than words.

Captivating, romantic and uplifting, Christmas at the Home Farm Vets is the perfect book to warm your heart over the chilly festive period and I really can't recommend it highly enough.  An easy and well-deserved five stars!

I received a gifted paperback for the Love Books Tours Bookstagram Tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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BLOG TOUR: The Cat Share - Angela Jariwala

Sometimes it’s as simple as meeting the boy next door.

 

Jenni lives alone with her cat Oscar – yes, she’s single but, after breaking up with her boyfriend, she’s more than content to be living alone. Sometimes she worries she might be playing things too safe, but she’s had enough of taking risks.

 

Ben is a firefighter and, if he’s honest, he’s finding life hard. The arrival of a small tabby cat, who Ben decides to call Fred, helps him feel less isolated. But then, one day, Ben decides to take a chance. Wanting to reassure Fred’s owner he’s not stealing their cat, he attaches a note to the cat’s collar. 

 

As the two neighbours start corresponding via the cat, their notes to each other reveal the truths they are hiding from even their closest friends, and themselves.

 

The Cat Share is a warm and joyous romantic comedy about two strangers in love with one very greedy cat, inspired by a true story, for fans of The Flat Share, You’ve Got Mail and Rescue Me.

 

What did I think?

Consider my heart officially warmed after reading The Cat Share by Angela Jariwala.  It is so lovely that it really did leave me feeling like I had a visible warm glow around me.

The two main characters, Jenni and Ben, have both had their hearts broken so they're settling into the safety of a single life.  Jenni has her cat Oscar to keep her company although he keeps going missing and unbeknown to Jenni ends up in Ben's house.  Oscar is so greedy, you'd think he had never been fed the way he cries for food and with Jenni and Ben both feeding him, that cat flap is going to be a tight squeeze very soon.

The romance part of the story is so sweet and it really makes you realise that it's a small world as Jenni and Ben seem to be drawn to each other like magnets (stuck on their hearts by Oscar, no doubt).  I can't tell you how many times I laughed at Oscar's antics; I don't have a cat but I could easily visualise some of his strops and manipulations.

Incredibly heartwarming and delightfully romantic, The Cat Share is a very funny feel-good book that I intend to read again.  A very highly recommended read and one not to be missed for rom-com fans.

I received a gifted paperback to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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BLOG TOUR: Six Tails at Midnight (The No. 2 Feline Detective Agency, book 15) - Mandy Morton

Hettie, Tilly, Bruiser and the Butter sisters set out across the snowy fens to spend Christmas at The Fishgutter’s Arms. Snowed in with no hope of rescue, they find themselves sharing Christmas with some unwanted guests.

Will the ghosts of Christmas Past wreak vengeance on the present? Can our feline detectives dig themselves out of a spooky festive fiasco? And will the sausage rolls and sherry last until midnight?

Jump on board for a cat-a-strophic sleigh ride into a snow drift full of Christmas spirits.

What did I think?

Six Tails at Midnight is the fifteenth book in No. 2 Feline Detective Agency series but it's the first book in the series that I've read so it can definitely be read as a standalone.  It's a short book with 109 pages so it's easy to read in one sitting and perfect for re-reading over the festive period (which I plan to do).

The cat characters are well-developed and although it's the first time I have met them, I took to them straight away.  It is very amusing to see place names, sayings and even author names given a feline twist and I laughed out loud on many occasions.

The storyline is fun and spooky, kind of like A Christmas Carol with cats.  I loved everything about it from the fabulous cover of the pocket-sized hardback to the fabulous characters and the vividly described scenery.

Six Tails at Midnight is a spooky festive tale that is incredibly entertaining and witty.  I will definitely be looking to read the earlier books in the series and can't wait to meet my new feline friends again.

I received a gifted hardback to read and review for the Random Things Tours blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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About the author:

Mandy Morton began her professional life as a musician. More recently, she has worked as an arts journalist for national and local radio. She lives with her partner in Cambridge and Cornwall, where there is always a place for a long-haired tabby cat. Mandy is available for interviews and events.

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BLOG TOUR: Into The Wild Woods: Rookscroft - Book Three - Jayne Siroshton

Spring was in the air that morning, though it was still cold outside. I made a fire in the library, where I spent a happy afternoon with Quentin and Robin, musing about adventure. A writing slope on the mantle had caught Robin's eye, and when I took it down and opened it, we found - much to our delight - a drawing of an enchanting cottage, along with a key and a map marking its location in the Wild Woods.

Of course, Robin wanted to go at once. After some persuasion, Quentin agreed to join us, and so the next morning we set out - across the fields, down the lane, and into the forest. What began as a lighthearted outing, with the promise of a picnic and a cozy night's stay in the cottage, turned to horror the following morning: little Robin was nowhere to be found!

At first, we followed his tiny footprints, but they stopped abruptly at the bank of a swift-flowing stream. From there, we found no trace.

Desperate to find our friend, we journeyed deep into the dark, foreboding Wild Woods - from snowy mountain tops to the churning green sea. Along the way, we met many new companions who guided and helped us in our urgent quest. But were we too late? Would we ever see dear little Robin again? Or would our lives be changed forever?

 

What did I think?

Into The Wild Woods is the third book in the amazing Rookscroft series that continues the adventures of artist Jayne and her feathered friends.  Whilst you can read Into The Wild Woods as a standalone book, this is a series not to be missed and it's much better to read the books in order. 

Jayne, Quentin the golden pheasant and Robin the quail are about to set off into the wild woods armed with a drawing of a cottage, a map and a mysterious key.  The Wild Woods are filled with danger though so it doesn't turn out be quite the charming adventure that they expected as events take a much darker turn.

The book is beautifully illustrated to accompany the evocative prose and I was so worried about some of the characters.  It might be a bit too scary and traumatic for younger readers as I even held my breath on occasion.

Into The Wild Woods is a charming illustrated tale filled with danger and adventure.  This instalment of the Rookscroft series is more dark than magical but I thoroughly enjoyed it.  A very highly recommended read in a very highly recommended series.

I received a gifted hardback to read and review for the Love Books Tours blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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BLOG TOUR: The Circus of the Crescent Moon: Rookscroft - Book Two - Jayne Siroshton

That winter, a tempest blew in from the sea, with wild winds and rain that battered the walls of the old house. I was lonely until dear Quentin came to stay. His rosebush home, once lush and adorned with heady flowers, was now no more than a sodden tangle of thorny branches, and he made himself at home in the kitchen, on a cushion by the fire.

Then others arrived - first sweet Kitty at the kitchen door, who was trying to remember who she was. She was followed by Oleg the Magnificent - elegant, windswept, and in search of lodgings. He was soon joined by the charming Wild Bill the Wanderer, and together they told of shipwrecks and adventures with the circus, as they prepared for the caravans to arrive.

But as snow clouds gathered, and their big top was swept into the sea, what would become of the travelling troupe? Could they ever overcome the loss of their star performer and continue with the show?

Dear friends, please take your seats - and welcome to the Circus of the Crescent Moon.

 

What did I think?

Oh my goodness, I am completely captivated by the Rookscroft books and The Circus of the Crescent Moon is book two in the amazing series.  You can read it as a standalone as this is Kitty's story but I would highly recommend the first book in the series, All Feathers and Hats. 

Quentin the golden pheasant has made himself quite at home in the beautiful old house of Rookscroft with artist Jayne.  Jayne has such a kind heart and she welcomes any visitor to her door.  There's a lot of characters to get to know in this lovely book and they are brought to life via the stunning illustrations throughout the book.

I adored sweet Kitty and I was completely charmed by the circus performers as they gather at Rookscroft to try to save the circus.  It's a book that I read in one sitting as I couldn't put it down and I intend to read it over and over again to re-experience the sights and sounds of this wonderful and unusual circus.

The Circus of the Crescent Moon is a timeless and ageless book for readers of all ages from children to adults.  The illustrations are exquisite, the writing is beautiful and the story is delightful.  Very highly recommended.

I received a gifted hardback to read and review for the Love Books Tours blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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BLOG TOUR: All Feathers and Hats: Rookscroft - Book One - Jayne Siroshton

It began one morning in late summer, when a pheasant appeared at my studio window. At first, I was startled - "but my surprise quickly turned to delight when I noticed he was wearing a top hat, pulled down quite low.

I hurried to the door, hoping to catch a glimpse of him as he fled. But to my astonishment, when I opened it, he was standing there on the mat. There was a pause. He looked me over, blinked - and then, he began to speak.

He introduced himself as Vernon Cotterill and asked if I would be willing to paint his portrait, an offer I joyfully accepted, and that, my friends, is how this whole adventure began.

 

What did I think?

What an absolutely delightful book!  All Feathers and Hats is an illustrated book that is aimed at readers aged 6 to adult and it's a book that everyone will enjoy.  If you think it looks stunning from the outside, just wait until you see inside.  The illustrations are exquisite and they seem to capture the very essence of the characters themselves.

Jayne Siroshton has both imaginatively written and beautifully illustrated the book showing there is no end to her creative talent.  Jayne is also a character in the book which adds an air of authenticity and makes you believe that it could be real...if you believe in talking animals of course and who doesn't?

Vernon Cotterill, a hat wearing pheasant, appears at Jayne's door one day asking her to paint his portrait.  Vernon is so pleased with the result that it isn't long before other animals are appearing at Jayne's door.  As well as lots of fun elements to the story, there's also a sprinkling of romance that is simply lovely.

All Feathers and Hats has the feel of a timeless, ageless classic and it's the first book in a series so there are more delightful tales to come.  Jayne Siroshton reminds me of a modern-day Enid Blyton and I wouldn't be surprised to find Rookscroft books on myriad bookshelves for many years to come.

A very highly recommended read for readers of all ages.  I certainly plan to read it again and it is going straight onto my favourites shelf. 

I received a gifted hardback to read and review for the Love Books Tours blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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BLOG TOUR: Love Forever Lindisfarne - Kimberley Adams

Take a summer break to stunning Northumberland via the pages of this feel-good romantic comedy by award winning writer Kimberley Adams. Full of love and laughter, it will leave you yearning to visit this iconic location in person!

When a stranger appears in the middle of a very important celebration, no one can foresee the island connections that will later come to light. Kittiwake Penaluna is drawn to the island at a sad time in her life; she’s broken, but it doesn’t take long for the islanders to rally round and take her under their wing.

Ellie and Zen are busier than they’ve ever been, jumping from task to task with little time for themselves. Will they ever find a moment together away from all the drama that constantly follows them around the island?

The forthcoming arrival of nine new mini animals puts even more pressure on the islanders, but Bert is resolute, and it’s all hands to the pump to prepare for their arrival. The Mini-Fest fundraiser gets off to a great start, until a despised face from the past appears and throws everything into chaos.

Full of heart, Love Forever Lindisfarne is a story steeped in love and community. You'll reunite with beloved characters who feel like old friends and meet a few lively newcomers with big personalities! Each page will pull you deeper into island life and leave you with a wide smile and a warm glow!

 

What did I think?

I love Kimberley Adams' Lindisfarne books and couldn't wait for the tide to go out so I could cross over to my favourite island once again.  Love Forever Lindisfarne is my third virtual visit to Lindisfarne (although I am lucky enough to have previously visited it in real life) and whilst it can be read as a standalone, the whole series is brilliant and it brings so much more to this book when you have read the others.

It's like catching up with old friends when I opened the first page of Love Forever Lindisfarne and how I loved to read about Ellie and Zen, Bert and Meg and the menagerie of animals that is about to grow a lot bigger.  Those 'little hairy coos' on the front cover melted my heart before I even read about them in the book.  I've also got to take a moment to draw your attention to the stunning cover created by Sarah Farooqi and the Northumberland flag on Zen's top is a lovely touch.

Community spirit plays a huge part in the Love Lindisfarne books but it is even stronger and more evident in Love Forever Lindisfarne.  Not only does the community come together to rescue some new animals, but they also open their hearts to a visitor who is feeling very lost and lonely.  Awww man, I just loved Kittiwake and how the villagers all rally round to make her feel welcome and loved.

Love Forever Lindisfarne is the loveliest and most heartfelt love letter to Northumberland you will ever read.  There's lots of love and laughter sprinkled throughout this cracking book like magical Northumberland fairy dust.  I think everyone will want to visit Holy Island after reading these books and I can honestly say that it is as breathtaking as Kimberley Adams paints it with her beautiful words (just watch out for the tides).  Very highly recommended; unforgettable and unmissable!

I received a digital ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

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About the author:

Kim writes heartwarming romantic comedies which are set in glorious Northumberland on the iconic Holy Island of Lindisfarne. Kim is an award-winning writer and her books are amongst the highest rated romcoms on Amazon. Kim’s beautiful book covers are bespoke artwork by a Northumbrian artist and a representation of a scene within the book!

FACEBOOK Kimberley Adams-Writer or Love Lindisfarne
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INSTAGRAM love_lindisfarne

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Three Bags Full - Leonie Swann

On a hillside near the quaint Irish village of Glennkill, the flock gathers around the dead body of their shepherd, George, who lies pinned to the ground with a spade. George cared deeply for the sheep, reading to them daily, and as a result they are far smarter than your average flock.

Led by Miss Maple, the sharpest sheep in Glennkill (and possibly the world), they set out to find George's killer. With an assortment of woolly investigators on the case, there are furtive missions into the village and a collection of two-legged suspects to chew over.

Dazzingly original, Three Bags Full introduces a band of detectives who are a breed apart.

What did I think?

As soon as I heard that Hugh Jackman was starring in Three Bags Full, a movie about sheep detectives, I just had to read the book that the film is based on and it is every bit as fun and unique as I thought it would be.

I do love a cast of characters in a book and Three Bags Full starts with a 'dramatis oves' to introduce the reader to all of the sheep characters in the book.  I loved this - it adds an element of fun to the book but also reminds us that animals have their own quirks and characteristics too.

The flock love George their shepherd, who reads to them every night and has promised them a trip to Europe, so they are completely distraught to find him dead one day.  There are lots of clues for them to follow to identify the murderer, starting with the spade that has been stuck in him and the hoofprint on his chest.  When the villagers gather round, they don't realise that the sheep are listening...

Oh I did enjoy this book, it is so much fun and I loved all of the sheep characters.  The sheep don't think like humans so I did sometimes struggle with what on earth they were talking about and I still don't know what 'the thing' is but I've had fun trying to work it out.  The mystery of George's death is very well plotted and I would never have worked it out in a million years, so well played Leonie Swann, well played indeed.

Highly original and impossible to predict, Three Bags Full is an unusual, fun and surprising murder mystery.  If you love cosy mysteries and you're looking for something different to read then I would highly recommend Three Bags Full.  I can't wait to see the movie now, even though I know whodunnit.

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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BLOG TOUR: Love Lindisfarne - Kimberley Adams

LOVE LINDISFARNE…Take a Christmas trip to magical Northumberland and find love amongst the stars in this feel-good novel, which will transport you to iconic Holy Island where dreams really can come true!

Dumped at the office Christmas party, Ellie is about to vent her spleen on social media when a photo of a cute little dog advertising a charity catches her eye. Her world suddenly changes dramatically when she is offered a month’s stay in Northumberland to help look after rescue animals.

Ellie isn’t too sure where Northumberland is, but accepts, eager to start a new life away from London. Her destination is Lindisfarne, and her arrival on the small island in the North Sea is terrifying, fearing for her life on the causeway as the tide comes crashing in.

Ellie finds herself living in a hilltop castle, and far from the cats and dogs she expected she would be looking after, she is faced with all kinds of furry and feathery animals - and she doesn’t have a clue about any of them!

Welcomed to island life by the warm-hearted residents, she quickly embraces living in this special place, and from the moment she spots the mesmerising Zen with the gorgeous coffee bean eyes, her plans to stay single and mingle begin to fade fast.

Thanks to a severe storm, Lindisfarne is cut off from the mainland, and the islanders work together to salvage the planned Christmas events. Ellie is kept so busy that she hasn’t much time to think about her future when her time on the island ends.

Will the universe give Ellie its blessing? Will she find her happy ever after on the enchanting island of Lindisfarne? If it’s in the stars, then it’s in the stars…

 

What did I think?

Love Lindisfarne is an absolute joy to read; it's like a romcom coupled with a visitors' guide to Holy Island and I loved every second of my virtual visit to Northumberland.  Although Northumberland is actually on my doorstep so I could just as easily go there in real life too and Holy Island certainly beckons after reading this fabulous book.

Ellie is very brave to up sticks from her life (and her amazing friends) in London and venture north to Lindisfarne to help look after a collection of hilariously named animals.  The names of the animals still have me giggling but I'm not going to share them as they're best discovered for yourself.  I'm surprised my kindle wasn't feeling hot with the amount of welcoming warmth and community spirit that's woven into the story.

Of course Ellie didn't plan to fall in love but Zen is her knight in a campervan who rescues her from the incoming tide on the causeway.  Silly Ellie didn't realise Lindisfarne was an island that's cut off twice a day at high tide.  Both Ellie and Zen have been hurt in the past so it was lovely to see their relationship develop from a firm foundation of friendship.

Funny, festive and romantic, Love Lindisfarne is as warm as it is witty and I feel rather bereft now that I have left the characters behind on the island.  There's only one thing for it...I'll just have to read the book again soon.  It's a hugely entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable read that I really can't recommend highly enough.  I loved it so much that I've already bought a paperback to place on my favourites shelf.

I received a digital ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Purchase links:

Amazon UK

Amazon US

About the author:

Kim might be new on the writing block, but she was first published as a teenager writing happy ever after stories for other teens! She progressed to women's magazines before life and work got in the way. Kim began writing again seriously a few years ago and during that relatively short time has won and been placed in several well-known writing competitions. Love Lindisfarne started off life being shortlisted by Penguin Michael Joseph which gave Kim the impetus to finish it, and Kim turned down the opportunity of traditional publishing because she wanted to keep the cover and content she had dreamed of since the book's concept!  

Like buses that take forever then two come along at once, Kim will also be traditionally published this year too, with just one month between the books. Kim was a finalist in this year's Comedy Women in Print competition, and her prize was to see her work (this time based in Newcastle) in the Book of Witty Women to be published by Farrago in September.

Social Media links:

Twitter:  @kim_adamsWriter 

Instagram: @love_lindisfarne 

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Taking Flight: The Evolutionary Story of Life on the Wing - Lev Parikian

This is the miracle of flight as you’ve never seen it before: the evolutionary story of life on the wing.

A bird flits overhead. It’s an everyday occurrence, repeated hundreds, thousands, millions of times daily by creatures across the world. It’s something so normal, so entirely taken for granted, that sometimes we forget how extraordinary it is. But take that in for a moment. This animal flies. It. Flies. The miracle of flight has evolved in hugely diverse ways, with countless variations of flapping and gliding, hovering and diving, murmurating and migrating.

Conjuring lost worlds, ancient species and ever-shifting ecologies, this exhilarating new book is a mesmerising encounter with fourteen flying species: from the first fluttering insect of 300 million years ago to the crested pterosaurs of the Mesozoic Era, from hummingbirds that co-evolved with rainforest flowers to the wonders of dragonfly, albatross, pipistrelle and monarch butterfly with which we share the planet today.

Taking Flight is a mind-expanding feat of the imagination, a close encounter with flight in its myriad forms, urging us to look up and drink in the spectacle of these gravity-defying marvels that continue to shape life on Earth.

 

What did I think?

Taking Flight is as stunning on the inside as it is on the outside; the cover actually shimmers with the image of a mayfly spread over the front and back cover.  I think it is one of the most accessible and enjoyable non-fiction books I have ever read.  Lev Parikian could be a comedian; I don't think I have ever laughed so much when reading and I'm including humorous books in that statement.

There is a lot of information covered in the 14 chapters and it's a book you could dip in and out of, but it is so entertaining to read (especially the hilarious footnotes) that I couldn't help but read 'just one more chapter'.  I learned so much about flight and I have never felt more insignificant as a human being when reading about these fascinating species.

The chapters cover: mayfly, dragonfly, beetle, fly, bee, butterfly, pterosaur, archaeopteryx, penguin, goose, hummingbird, albatross, pigeon and bat.  Every single chapter is fascinating and I learned something new in each one from the amazing journey of the butterfly to the best way to catch a fly (it really works - thanks, Lev!).

Informative, entertaining and engrossing, Taking Flight is simply magnificent and I can't recommend it highly enough.  It's an easy five stars and it's a book that is going on my 'to be read again' shelf, which doesn't happen often with non-fiction.  

Many thanks to Elliott & Thompson for sending me a beautiful hardback that I chose to read; this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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BLOG TOUR: Needlemouse - Jane O'Connor

Time to come out of hibernation...

Sylvia Penton has been hibernating for years, it's no wonder she's a little prickly...

Sylvia lives alone, dedicating herself to her job at the local university. On weekends, she helps out at a local hedgehog sanctuary because it gives her something to talk about on Mondays - and it makes people think she's nicer than she is.

Only Sylvia has a secret: she's been in love with her boss, Professor Lomax, for over a decade now, and she's sure he's just waiting for the right time to leave his wife. Meanwhile she stores every crumb of his affection and covertly makes trouble for anyone she feels gets in his way.

But when a bright new PhD candidate catches the Professor’s eye, Sylvia’s dreams of the fairy tale ending she has craved for so long, are soon in tatters, driving her to increasingly desperate measures and an uncertain future. 

Sylvia might have been sleep walking through her life but things are about to change now she’s woken up…

What did I think?

To say Sylvia Penton, the protagonist of Needlemouse, is prickly would be an absolutely massive understatement.  What amazes me is how Jane O'Connor manages to get the reader to open their hearts to Sylvia when in reality if we came within 10 yards of her precious 'Prof' we would get the cold shoulder and the death stare from her.

I really wanted to give Sylvia a stern talking to; wasting her life mooning over her boss and thinking that they were meant to be together.  It's almost like she is a love struck teenager and I suppose she is quite innocent and inexperienced in matters of the heart.  As her story unfolds, it is quite heartbreaking at times as it appears that life has passed her by and people have taken advantage of her.  At one stage she talks about 'normal people' with 'proper lives' as if there is something wrong with her because she is a single 52 year old woman.  There's nothing wrong with being single but, having met the love of my life in my mid-forties, I know that it's never too late for love.

Jane O'Connor completely hit the nail on the head with Sylvia's character being shocked at children who were now grown up; there's something about being single that seems to make time stand still.  It's almost like you are still a youngster yourself and you can't believe that the 2 year old little girl that you use to babysit is now a grown woman with a family of her own.  It's amazing how many times this has happened to me and I still continue to be gobsmacked when I find out people's ages...how can they be 40 when I'm just a young whippersnapper...oh wait a minute!

Although Sylvia would rather stay indoors with a good book (I mean, who wouldn't?) she volunteers at a hedgehog sanctuary.  She initially volunteered to make people think she is nicer than she is but she is thought of as part of the family by Jonas and his daughters.  I think amongst her prickly friends at the sanctuary, Sylvia can be who she really is and we soon see her soft underside.  Many years ago, we had a hedgehog nest in the garden and I've been a fan of these strange creatures of the night ever since, so I really liked the seasonal updates from Jonas' book 'The Hedgehog Year', reminding us to be careful when raking piles of leaves or digging under sheds.  Needlemouse is actually the Japanese term for a hedgehog and I loved how the use of this word came about in the book.

Needlemouse is an absolutely stunning and completely flawless debut; it's both a heartbreaking and heartwarming story of life, love, family and friendship and a reminder that it's never too late to start living.  I am in no doubt at all that this book is going to be a HUGE success.  Fans of Eleanor Oliphant definitely need Sylvia Penton in their lives!

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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Needlemouse: The uplifting bestseller featuring the most unlikely heroine of 2019



About the author:

Jane O'Connor is a former primary school teacher turned academic and writer. She was born and brought up in Surrey and lived in London until she moved to the West Midlands in her mid-thirties. Jane's PhD was about child stars and she is now a Reader at Birmingham City University where she researches children's experiences of celebrity, media and everyday life. Jane lives in Sutton Coldfield with her husband and two young sons in a house full of pirates, dinosaurs, superheroes and lots of books. She really likes all animals, especially hedgehogs. Needlemouse is her debut novel.

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Nici's Christmas Tale: A Troubadours short story (The Troubadours Quartet Book 5) - Jean Gill

A stand-alone short story in the multi-award-winning Troubadours Quartet series

1157: Aquitaine. The wolves are coming! At midnight on Christmas Eve, while the blizzard blasts snow through every crack in the castle walls, Nici the Shepherd's Dog stands guard in the sheepfold.

Beside him as usual are his pack and the flock they protect but this night is not usual at all. A small boy braves the snowy night, seeking the protection of his great friend while he is banned from his parents' quarters in the castle.

Nici recalls other times and other dangers, his trials and failures, the reasons why he ran away with a young girl, now the little boy's mother. He would still give his life in a heartbeat for Lady Estela. And yet, on this snowy night, he cannot help her. So, while he waits and comforts Estela's son, he tells his own puppies the story of a dog's life.

What did I think?

What better book to get me in the mood for Christmas than a festive short story from Jean Gill's fantastic Troubadours series.  Jean Gill has such an amazing talent for transporting the reader back in time to the the 12th century and what better hero for this story than Nici, a beautiful white dog, who has been at Estela's side throughout the series.  I have read all of the previous books but this reads so well as a stand-alone that you can most definitely jump into the series at this stage. 

The opening paragraphs gave me goosebumps with their resemblance to the biblical story of Christmas and I could feel the magic in the air as our loyal and brave canine friend, Nici, was finally given a voice.  Through Nici's strong and powerful voice we learn how he came to be by Estela's side, with Estela's own story having a fairytale edge that reminded me of Snow White.  Both of these resemblances gave the story such a magical feel that I forgot that I was listening to a dog's story, although being a Troubadours fan I know that Nici is not just any old dog.

I'm not usually a fan of short stories but Jean Gill has won me over with this perfect length story that gives us a glimpse into the history of Estela and Nici in what I think of as a prequel to Song at Dawn.  This is a book for historical fiction fans and animal lovers alike but I do urge you to pick up the previous books in the series for the full 12th century experience.

From its beautiful festive cover to the magical story inside, Nici's Christmas Tale charms and delights, making it the perfect read for the festive season.

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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