8 photos of happiness

I've seen this post a few times, on Sky's Book Corner and Jenny in Neverland's blogs to name a few. I thought it looked like a really fun thing to do and decided to give it a go myself! I loved going though my photos and whittling it down to 8 was actually much more difficult than I thought. Hope you enjoy :) 

This tag was originally created by Ariel’s Little Corner of the Internet and the intention is simple. Share 8 photos that represent a moment, object, place or feeling that makes you happy. Then tag others to share their own photos! So lo and behold, here are my 8 photos.

1. Christmas dinner with the family

This photograph was taken on Christmas Day 2014. It was a brilliant Christmas spent with my family and the OH (My dads not in the picture as he's in the corner, probably pouring wine!). I've picked this one not only because it was a great day, but also because sadly, it turned out to be the last Christmas we'd have with my Grandma, as she passed away in August. This photo now means even more to me than it did before, and stands proudly in a frame in my living room. 

2. Graduation Day

This is from my graduation day in July 2012. It was a great day to celebrate achieving a 2:1 in my degree, and it made me so happy seeing my parents proud. 

3. University Days

On the Graduation theme, this is a photo with my uni girls :) I had some absolutely brilliant times living with these lovely girls, and  I'm so pleased that we're all still in touch.  We don't see each other as often as we'd like as we're spread across the country, but when we do see each other we have just as much fun as we did during our uni days (although maybe not quite as wild as back then haha). This was one of the last photos we had all together before we graduated. 

4. My 21st Birthday

Another photo from 2012 - this time my 21st birthday! Although this photo itself might not be the most meaningful, I fell it represents the day itself which was honestly one of the best days ever. My mum and dad spent ages organising a party for me at their house, with all my family and friends coming to celebrate. The day was filled with laughter, love and champagne and it was THE best party I've ever had, one I'll always remember.

5. My Boys

This is a pretty old photo - I think 2009?! Anyway, these boys here were my best friends though high school and college (and thankfully still are today, including my OH who you can see at the front!). This photo means a lot to me as it was our final night together before we all left the village for uni. As usual with growing up, once we went to uni everything changed, so this really takes me back to those care-free, fun times we spent together. We spent our last night together having food and drinking at Will's house before some teary goodbyes (mainly on my part). I still love this photo!

6.  My Boys no.2 - Reunited!

Yep, here's the boys again! This photo was taken last Summer. As I mentioned above, everything changed when we went to uni. One of those reasons was Will (far left) went travelling and fell in love with the wonderful Jess, from Chicago. Yep, America. He now lives there with his wife and beautiful daughter, so we don't get to see him as much as we used to and really miss him. This night in particular was really special, as Will had come back to England but not told us! We went to our friend Toms thinking it was just for a normal night out, and there was Will, just sat chillin'. I cried, of course, and was the most surprised I've ever been! It was absolutely brilliant & something I'll never forget. 

7. My Girls

This is me and my two best friends, Livi and Jess, on a night out. We're not massive 'party people' any more, but on this night we'd decided to get dressed up for cocktails and dancing. This picture sums us up really - silly, relaxed in each others company and not taking ourselves too seriously! Fun fact: that night Livi got a free drink from a bartender for being 'really polite'. Never mind looking good ladies, manners are clearly where its at! 

8. Our House... (in the middle of our street)

The final picture is of my house! For you regular readers, you'll probably be sick to death of hearing about this but I am SO happy. In June the OH & I moved into our first house together. It's quite a change to renting a flat in the city centre, but we absolutely love it. It's been a fun few months furnishing and settling in, and we're now at the stage where we've got the bulk of the work done and can actually enjoy it. One of my favourite times is Friday nights - coming in from work, blasting some music and cooking together, before snuggling on the sofa with a box set and a glass of wine. Perfect!

So there you have it, 8 pictures that pretty much sum up my life and what makes me happy. Looking at these has made me realise how lucky I am, and how much my loved ones mean to me. Soppy but true! If you've done this tag, post the link below - I'd love to be nosy! :) 

Book Review: The Misadventures of a Playground Mother by Christie Barlow

"New term. New dramas. New friendships. And that’s just the parents…

After a year of country living, Rachel Young is finally getting into the swing of things. Her four kids are happy and content at the village school, and she’s managed to navigate the choppy (shark-infested) waters of the playground mafia. 

Or… so she thought. 

When playground mum Penelope Kensington moves herself and her kids into Rachel’s home, after discovering husband Rupert has been having an affair, Rachel knows she must ask them politely to leave. The problem is, Penelope never takes no for an answer. 

As Rachel tries to deal with Penelope, she also meets new school mum Melanie. Melanie is a breath of fresh air, but her arrival sends ripples of gossip through the playground. Melanie has a few secrets in her closet, and it seems she’s not the only one…"

So I must admit that the first story in this series, A Year in the Life of a Playground Mother passed me by. But I saw the cover for the second in the series, Misadventures of a Playground Mother, and I was immediately drawn in - it was bright and colourful and once I read the blurb, I knew it was a book I wanted to read. 

The story follows Rachel, who lives in a small village where no piece of gossip is left unheard. Everyone knows everyone, and the village playground is at the centre of the gossip - if anything happens, then you're sure to find out about it at the school gates. You don't need to have read the first book of the series to understand what's going on in this one (I hadn't, and it all made perfect sense.) It could be read as part of the series or a stand-alone and work both ways. 

Rachel is a great main character to follow, she was so down to earth and normal. Actually, the whole story just has a realistic vibe, its the kind of book you read but you forget you're reading, you just feel like you're transported into their world and sat having a cuppa with friends. 

Speaking of friends, one of the other characters in the book, Penelope, made me soooo frustrated! She certainly provoked a reaction from me, I wanted to scream at Rachel to tell her to go away and leave her alone, especially in certain situations, like when her and her family gatecrash their holiday. 

On occasion, I found the dialogue slightly stilted and very formal, it sometimes didn't seem like an actual conversation. Considering how well written the characters are, and how normal they seem, the super-formal language kind of contradicted their character. It wasn't the case throughout the whole book though, so it didn't bother me too much.

A lot happens during the story, the plot is fast paced with a lot of key events. I won't say too many, as I think it's what makes the story so entertaining, but it certainly covers a lot of situations. If I'm completely honest, I didn't think the events of the last few chapters were needed, as it seemed quite rushed. I don't want to spoil it, but I will say that unless its leading somewhere, I don't really see the need. Although there's some brief build-up to it, it didn't  get the focus it deserved - I really think that should be a book in itself. (Maybe, just maybe.... it will be?! - I have no idea by the way, just speculating!) 

I was hooked by the story from the offset and found it so true to life and entertaining. Overall, The Misadventures of a Playground Mother is a really fun, light-hearted read that I really enjoyed. I'm so glad I've been introduced to Christie's writing, it's engaging and well thought-through, and provides a funny take on village life. 

Paperback Summer round-up

Hello there :) 

This is ALOT later than planned, but I've finally managed to edit and upload my Paperback Summer vlog. 

Featuring Jill Mansell, Cathy Bramley, Giovanna Fletcher and many more, I run through the books I read and enjoyed when taking part in the Paperback Summer challenge! 

Reviews of Paperback summer books: 

Dream a Little Dream 

Three Amazing Things About You

Appleby Farm 

Summer at Shell Cottage 

The Love Shack 

Book review: Time to Die by Caroline Mitchell

"He will predict your life… and your death.Don’t ever cross his palm with silver.
He will reveal your most shameful secrets.
He will predict your death.
He is hiding a secret.
He is hiding a monster.
And all his predictions come true.

Investigating a series of chilling murders, Detective Jennifer Knight finds herself tracking a mysterious tarot card reader known only as The Raven.

As the death toll rises, Jennifer and her team build a picture of a serial killer on the edge of sanity, driven by dark forces. But these are not random killings. And the method behind the madness could be the most terrifying thing of all …

Especially when it seems the death of one of their own is on the cards." 

Time to Die is the second book in the DC Knight series, and if you read my review of Don't Turn Around you'll know I'm a big fan of Caroline's writing and it's a series I really, really enjoy.  I was so happy that Time to Die is just as good as the first and was equally as thrilling and gripping. 

The book follows the same kind of plot and pace of Don't Turn Around, following DC Jennifer Knight as she investigates a series of unusual murders. I loved being able to catch up with Jennifer. Like before she is bristly and hard-working but you really warm to her as you can see why she is that way, and as a reader you start to see even more of a vulnerable side to her which makes her seem more human. I really enjoyed watching the relationship between her and her colleague, Will, develop further. Will is a great character, probably one of my favourites, as he is so kind and caring. He brings out a great side to Jennifer and I love the interaction between the two of them. 

As usual, the story is told from two view points - Jennifer and the murderer. I think this is such a clever way to see the crimes and mystery unfold first hand, as well as hearing the killer's thought processes. It gives the books a creepy, almost uncomfortable vibe when focusing on the killer and is a part that I really enjoy - it makes it so entertaining. 

Throughout the book Ravens play a key part to the mystery, following both the murderer and Jennifer around. They are eery and give a slight insight into future events - as soon as you see a raven you just know something bad is going to happen. 

Caroline keeps you on your toes throughout the whole story, even when things seem to make sense there's that part of you that still doesn't feel comfortable and it waiting for a twist. That's what I love most about Caroline's writing - the plots are well thought through, unpredictable and so entertaining, even if it is creepily so. There is a HUGE twist at the end of the story that I really didn't see coming and had me reading through the chapter as quickly as I could, I was so eager to find out what happened. The twist actually makes a lot of sense once you know about it, and it makes you think 'ahhhhhh why didn't I see that?!' but I didnt. I had no idea.

I'm so pleased that Time to Die lives up to expectation and is just as good as the first. Caroline's writing style is brilliant - descriptive, fast-paced and gripping and it is a book I thoroughly enjoyed. I'd strongly recommend this to anyone wanting a creepy, gripping crime thriller to sink their teeth into. 

*A huge thank you to the publishers, Bookouture, for providing me with an advance review copy of Time to Die, in exchange for an honest review. 

Links: 

Buy the book 

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Blog Tour: Rainy Day Sisters by Kate Hewitt

BLURB:

The USA Today bestselling author presents a heartfelt novel about two sisters struggling toward new lives and loves.

"Welcome to Hartley-by-the-Sea in England’s beautiful Lake District, where two sisters who meet as strangers find small miracles tucked into the corners of every day....

When Lucy Bagshaw’s life in Boston falls apart, thanks to a scathing editorial written by her famous artist mother, she accepts her half sister Juliet’s invitation to stay with her in a charming seaside village in northern England. Lucy is expecting quaint cottages and cream teas, but instead finds that her sister is an aloof host, the weather is wet, windy, and cold, and her new boss, Alex Kincaid, is a disapproving widower who only hired her as a favour to Juliet.

Despite the invitation she offered, Juliet is startled by the way Lucy catapults into her orderly life. As Juliet faces her own struggles with both her distant mother and her desire for a child, her sister’s irrepressible optimism begins to take hold. With the help of quirky villagers, these hesitant rainy day sisters begin to forge a new understanding…and find in each other the love of family that makes all the difference."

The thing that struck me early on with Rainy Day Sisters is that it is the perfect read to welcome Autumn. Picture the scene; snuggled on the sofa, sipping on a cuppa, munching on a biscuit and divulging in an entertaining book set in the raining and cold Lake District. All the talk of fleeces and wet weather paired perfectly with the view from outside my window, but I was warm and snug reading (unlike the characters!) perfect, huh? Pretty much, and that's what I experienced when reading Rainy Day Sisters, a book I really enjoyed and absolutely flew through. 

At the start of the story we are introduced to Lucy, a fairly ditzy yet lovable character who is fleeing her problems in America and going to stay with her estranged older sister, Juliet, in the Lake District. When we meet Juliet it's pretty apparent that although she offered for Lucy to stay with her at a time in need, it isn't all welcome. Juliet is rather bristly and stern, in complete contrast to Lucy's quirky and bubbly personality. Although sisters, the two are very estranged and don't really know each other, which provides some awkward and difficult moments. 

I loved watching the relationship with the two sisters pan out. As it is told from both their viewpoints, you really get to know both the sisters and see why they feel the way they do. Personally, I preferred Lucy as she was so loveable and bubbly, but as the story unfolds you understand why Juliet is as prickly as she is and actually begin to sympathise with her, and hope she manages to lighten up and enjoy herself. 

One of the main highlights of Rainy Day Sisters for me was the location. You all know by now that I'm a big fan of stories set in quaint English villages and so this book was immediately a winner in my eyes. The story unfolds in Hartley-by-the-Sea, a small village nestled in the Lake District. There's a tight-knit community feel to the place which at times proves a challenge to Lucy and Juliet, but as a reader I loved it. Another highlight was seeing Lucy in her new job, as a receptionist at the village school. It not only highlighted the community aspect of the story, but also introduced you to Alex, the stern yet handsome headmaster. He isn't all that impressed with Lucy at first and I enjoyed it as they got to know each other more. 

The plot being centred around a sibling relationship as apposed to romance (although that does play a part too) was a slightly different storyline to my usual reads and one I really liked. The characters are interesting and relatable, the location is brilliant and I loved watching the developing and changing relationships with the different characters in this story. 

So get yourself cosy and snug, out of the Autumnal weather, and get yourself settled with this book. It is a true delight - entertaining, light-hearted and fun it will make you smile - it certainly did me!




BIO:

Kate Hewitt is the author of over 40 novels of women’s fiction and romance. She loves telling an emotional story in a variety of genres, and has been nominated for the Romance Writers of America RITA Award twice. An American ex-pat, she lives in the Cotswolds of England with her husband, five children, and an overly affectionate Golden Retriever. You can follow her adventures in village life on her blog, http://www.acumbrianlife.blogspot.co.uk.

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