Book Review: We Are All Made of Stars, by Rowan Coleman

What if you had just one chance, one letter you could leave behind for the person you love? 
What would you write?

Stella Carey has good reason to only work nights at the hospice where she is a nurse. Married to a war veteran who has returned from Afghanistan brutally injured, Stella leaves the house each night as her husband Vincent, locks himself away, unable to sleep due to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

During her nights at the hospice, Stella writes letters for her patients containing their final wishes, thoughts and feelings – from how to use a washing machine, to advice on how to be a good parent – and usually she delivers each letter to the recipient he or she has died.

That is until Stella writes one letter that she feels compelled to deliver in time to give her patient one final chance of redemption…

Book Review: Secret Santa, by Scarlett Bailey

A self-confessed Christmas queen, Sue Montaigne prides herself on organising the annual nativity pageant in her small Cornish village of Poldore.

But this year, what with having to deal with the repairs on Castle House after it was wrecked by a terrible storm, training a new – and frankly flighty – Virgin Mary and managing a Joseph who is allergic to sheep, she is distinctly lacking a little bit of ‘me time’.

And then there are the auditions for the new Santa. But nothing prepares her for the beautiful man who turns up, a twinkle in his eye and a promise to make her Christmas dreams come true…

Book Review: The Memory Book, by Rowan Coleman

When time is running out, every moment is precious…

 When Claire starts to write her Memory Book, she already knows that this scrapbook of mementoes will soon be all her daughters and husband have of her. But how can she hold onto the past when her future is slipping through her fingers…?

A Sunday Times bestseller and Richard & Judy Autumn Book Club pick, The Memory Book is a critically acclaimed, beautiful novel of mothers and daughters, and what we will do for love.

Holiday Reads – 21 out of 12!

If you saw my previous Holiday Reads post, you’ll know I took a lot of time deciding which books I would read on my two week escape to the sunshine, and after much deliberation, I narrowed it down to 12 carefully selected choices. I was a little worried this was too many for a 14 day holiday where we planned to do quite a lot, but I obviously didn’t need to be. I ended up reading 21 books.

I was SO HAPPY with my choices and read so many amazing, beautiful, wonderful stories. I managed to get through both many review copies and lots that I’d bought for myself but hadn’t had/made time between review copies previously. I’d luckily made sure my kindle was stocked up before leaving, just in case! (Except after reading one particular book I did have to scavenger around for the hotel wifi to buy the other two to read immediately, I’m looking at you Rebecca Raisin!!)

Here’s what I read (in the order I read them):

Holiday Reads!

Only 3 days to go till Mr and I set off to Egypt, and I can’t believe how quickly it’s come around! We started planning a holiday around April, and it felt so far away, but the last month or so has just flown by and now the time is actually here!

Packing is always a bitch, and for the book lover, even more so. It does pose some certain Bookworm Problems. While 2 glorious weeks off in the sun will provide me with lots of lovely reading time by the pool, there’s a couple of things I have to keep in mind.