The Antenatal Group

I started reading this book after winning it on Twitter a few weeks back.

The Antenatal Group is a book written by Amy Bratley, who has written a rather lovely letter at the front of the book.

The blurb of the book is

New babies , new problems, new friends!

Seven month pregnant , Mel is dumped by her partner and left stranded outside her first antenatal class.

And so the expectant mother believes that she is about to face parenthood alone. Instead, Mel finds herself introduced to the world of pain relief and labour positions with a group of women who quickly become valuable friends in the terrifying new world of motherhood …..

Each of these women , Mel, Katy, Lexi , Rebecca and Erin  have a different kind of complicated life , but as mums-to-be the five discover together that preparing for the birth of a baby is one time when every women needs four new friends.

This book has been an enjoyable read , funny and sympathetic to mums-to-be and their relatives. The five main characters have all had strong personalities that complimented each other as friends! There were some moments were i was close to tears as scenes were sympathetically and beautifully written that had such an integral part to the storyline.

Amy Bratley has written some wonderful characters who each had an strong identity that made me like and care for them as I read the book. I would recommend this book not only to mothers and mums-to-be , but also to the single ladies like me! There are some very sensitive issues in there to do with motherhood and babies , including miscarriage which some people may find heart-rending but its sensitively written.

This book is a joy to read, and a nice way to spend some time relaxing!

world book night 2013

world book night 2013.

My Love of Tudor History

My Love of Tudor History.

My Love of Tudor History

From a young age I have always been a fan of anything historical and especially to do with King’s and Queen’s of our country England. Being told stories by my adopted Aunt, Auntie Florrie only encouraged what has now become a passion in my life of devouring any historical fiction available.
I have three favourite eras, Arthurian , the Plantagenets and especially Tudor History and one of my hero’s , even if he was a tyrannical one in the form of King Henry Viii!
So my latest read in the historical world of books has been The Crown by Nancy Bilyeau. I spotted this book on the shelves of a certain supermarket whilst food shopping, and my addiction of anything book-related was shrieking inside buy it, buy it.
The Crown is set during the reign of Henry Viii and covers over the time period of his three wives , Katharine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn and Jane Seymour.
The byline is ” A secret carved in stone and buried in blood …. A terrible choice between crown and cross.”
The year is 1537, and London folk are preparing themselves for the burning of the stake of a woman for rebelling against Henry Viii. And this is were we meet Joanna Stafford, whose cousin is about to be burned. Joanna is a novice nun at Dartford Abbey and has travelled to London to support her cousin until her death. Joanna gets locked up in the Tower of London after her father causes havoc at the burning. In trying to save her father, Joanna gets embroiled into discovering the whereabouts of King Athelstan’s crown , which is believed to be at Dartford Abbey by the inquisitor and Henry Viii’s loyal subject and friend.
Joanna meets Brother Edmund, who gets involved in the search whilst he is transferred to Dartford Abbey with a fellow brother following instructions from the King and his cardinal Thomas Cromwell. On their return to Dartford Abbey, murders occur as their search continues. This leads to the discovery of the whereabouts of the crown and a shocking surprise at who the murderers is.
Joanna made a great heroine in this book. I loved the way Nancy Bilyeau made this book an easy read, but kept my attention entirely through put with her exciting storytelling.
Her characters were enjoyable and she set the time period perfectly. Her descriptions of food, drink and even medical interventions provided by the monks were interesting and not that different a world from what we use now!
Nancy Bilyeau created an exciting historical mystery full of love, terror and above all adventure as she set Joanna and Brother Edmund on a path neither them would know would lead them. Her descriptions of the dissolution of the monasteries, church and abbeys was very important to add a feel of the chaos that ensued during Henry Viii’s reign!
I loved this book and would recommend anybody who loves historical fiction, especially Tudor to read this book!

Lost diary

whilst clearing out a cupboard downstairs at the mad time of 0730 hours, I found a diary from 2006. This was one of two diaries that I had, and this diary was my book journal at the time!
Looking back through my reviews and books has given me a very contented 30 minutes as I have updated my reviews on to my now online diary Goodreads!
I felt very nostalgic whilst remembering some of my favourite books, and now have an inclination to reread one or two of them! Books for me are a happiness that I cannot explain. I have been reading I think from the minute I started primary school a year early and have never looked back since.
Some books, like the ones I rediscovered today , have become very good friends over the years!

Peaches for Monsieur Le Cure

Yet again Joanne Harris has written another magical novel.

Vianne returns to Lansquenet at a request from a voice from the past. A letter from the long departed Armande requesting help in Lansquenet , sends Vianne, Anouk and her other daughter Rosette back to a village she thought she would never return to!

This novel was enjoyable from the very start as Joanne Harris introduced you slowly to some old friends and then enticely drawed you into a mystery that was affecting village life.

Who was the lady in lady in black and what did she have to do with the disgrace of Father Reynard?

A gripping novel, and a definite feast not only for fans of Joanne Harris but anyone who loves a good read.

The descriptions of mouth watering food & drink draw you in as Joanne Harris sets a scene of two very different cultures living in one village .

A very pleasurable read , that I have truly enjoyed not only for the plot , but also the language and style of writing. This book is one that I would recommend to many, as a very good read!

Jane Austen

I woke up early this morning and looked out to see a very wet Cornwall today. Whilst pondering about what to do when hiding from the rain, an idea struck me. Jane Austen.

A little indulgence of mine, as she is my favourite authoress of all time. I must admit Persuasion is my favourite novel, and I see so much of Anne in myself . Yes it’s probably unwise to link yourself to a character so , but Anne is a most lovely and worthy character.

So here started a dvd marathon with Persuasion, the Sally Hawkins version. Though I love Amanda Root as Anne Elliot in the original version of Persuasion for me, seeing Sally Hawkins play Anne in the ITV version brings tears to my eyes. I feel that she embodied Anne completely!

Also it allows me to indulge in my love for the city of Bath! And it continues my passion of everything Jane Austen! An ideal way to spend a very wet Sunday indeed!