Monday 31 October 2011

Book Review -- Adopt is a powerful word: How I found my real family - Sandra Kanak

Title:- Adopt is a Powerful Word:How I found my real family
Author:- Sandra Kanak
Edition:- Kindle edition
Publisher:- Dorrance publishing
I was looking at books on adoption for some research. This book was published by Dorrance Publishing and I thought I would have to give it a try. I was more than pleased! This book is not only about how the author herself was in foster care for two years before being adopted at 7, but about a whole lot more.

The author spent many years going through records, books, letters and family memoirs, trying to piece together her family history, and trace her birth parents and some of her siblings. It makes it a most fascinating read. There are stories of how her relatives struggled and came through the War. There is the fascinating story of how one of her relatives became a newspaper magnate in the UK and became one of the first newspaper tycoons to offer giveaways in his paper, increasing it's circulation. There is the moving story of another family member who helped transport numerous Jewish children from overseas to a place of safety, during the war. He committed some heroic feats.

There is so much else that happened in this book that I would hate to put it all down in a review in case of it becoming a spoiler. All the while the author is telling the wonderful tales of her birth family and adopted family and including photos and copies of interesting documents and paper cuttings.

At the same time, she is telling of all the efforts she went to in order to trace two of her siblings and her birth parents. She had amazing adopted parents and this come's across really well in the book. You can tell by her writing the love and admiration she had for her adopted parents.
Her initial upbringing with her birth parents is a sad tale so it is good that some joy came into her life. This book provides lhappiness and tears.

For a book that does not have several hundred pages, this author has packed so much factual and interesting information into the book. I got so much more than I was expecting from this book, making it a wonderful memoir and history book all in one. 

My review 5/5

Saturday 29 October 2011

Countdown to Texas!

Well I am now on countdown to my next wonderful trip overseas. I am off to stay with my good friend in Burleson, Texas.  I have been a few times before, both in my "previous life" and my "current life". It shows what good friends we have become as she is actually the Cousin of my ex-partner of 14 years. We hit it off straight away as soon as we met, despite her being a few years older than me. When my relationship fell apart her and her family welcomed me with open arms and I took my Mum over there to stay for a couple of weeks.



My great American friends.

Since then, I met and married my Husband, and again we were welcomed with open arms and treated like one of the family. Our last visit was in 2009, with us postponing our trip last year due to the airline threatening industrial action. We always fly with American Airlines due to their fantastic service to Dallas Fort Worth.


So in less than 2 weeks we will be stretching ourselves out on the flight and heading towards good ol' USofA... I can't wait.


We have our luggage at the ready, with one of the cases being full of English chocolate. We have a list of what is required including Walnut Whips. I always think this is a good idea as it leaves a case left empty for me to fill with new clothes! Oh and Christmas presents as the shopping is cheaper in the US than the UK.

                                                                                                                    So my biggest decision to make now is not what clothes I need to take with me, or which perfume or toiletries I need, Its "How many books and which books, do I need to load onto my kindle!" So that is my next task! Any light hearted reads you can recommend? Think I'll be heading to Choc Lit publishing to see what wonderful books they may have to offer, since I am so hooked on Sue Moorcroft books. Who are your favourites to take with you when you go on holiday?





Book Review -- Love and Freedom - Sue Moorcroft

Title:-  Love and Freedom

Author:- Sue Moorcroft

Publisher:- Choc Lit Publishing

Format:- Paperback

SYNOPSIS
Honor leaves her home in America, following an incident which left her career in ruins. She leaves her family behind without telling them where she is going.

She decides to go to England and visit Rottingdean near Brighton on the South Coast, to find her birth mother and just escape from her everyday life and problems.

Renting a beautiful house by the sea, she tries to find herself a little job. She becomes friends with Clarissa her landlady, and her family, including her gorgeous brother Martyn. I would love to know who the author modelled him on!

Honor soon immerses herself into the local way of life, enjoying runs along the beach and the quaint antique shops.

Martyn, also loves running and soon becomes attracted to Honor and her quirky American ways and her athletic toned body.

Secrets soon come spilling out which will change the paths of many forever.

REVIEW

I thoroughly enjoyed this light-hearted and warming read. I loved the way that all the lives of the characters were entwined, and the way the author formed the relationships between all the characters.


The book was well written and very descriptive. I love a book where you can actually picture the characters easily as it helps me form the story better in my mind. If I can't connect with the characters I tend to give up easily!


There were many light hearted moments in the book, and I absolutely loved the way the author used the quirkiness of the English language, where many things are lost in Translation.


       "No tan lines! Good boy. Been sunbathing in the nuddy?"
      "Whats the nuddy?"


If you are one of my American friends and you don't know what this means, you really do need to read the book and all will become clear.


I didn't want to put this book down and read it in two settings. This is now the second Sue Moorcroft book I've read and I'll certainly read all the others without hesitation.


If you want a book that's not heavy and will leave you with a smile on your face, then I definately recommend this!


My review rating 5/5

Tuesday 18 October 2011

So much to do - So little time

I don't know about anyone else, but life seems to be running away with me at the moment. I haven't blogged for sometime and have so many books to review! I haven't had much time for reading lately due to having so much to do.

I have been changing the rooms around in my house to make them more functional. So have been spring cleaning.... I know it's Autumn but I like doing things backwards! I have been shifting furniture; sorting out things for charity/thrift shops; freecycling and giving stuff to friends and family. So nothing is going to waste at all. Unfortunately doing this has given me hardly any time for reading. I was still hanging curtains/drapes last night or should I say this morning, at 130am.

I have applied for a new job and it's in a field I've always wanted to get into, so it has taken me a long time to prepare for it, and make sure my application form is perfect. It means me changing from working 18.5 hrs a week to 37 hrs a week, but it's a role I really want to do. I'm currently a police despatcher (as the Americans call it) but I have always wanted to get into the Child Protection/Dangerous Offenders unit. So this is what I have applied for. So please all you keep your fingers crossed for me. I don't think any work colleagues read this blog, but if you do, IT'S A SECRET! I haven't told any of my colleagues at all.

For any other bloggers/book reviewers I have an author who is looking for some people to do book reviews for him. His name is Russell Brooks and he has the book coming out in December. It's a mystery/thriller called Chill Run. Please click here to go to Russells blog and e-mail him directly asking to be a book reviewer for Chill Run. He can provide a mobi copy for those with a kindle or a paper version. Just let him know which is easier for you. He is looking for UK/European reviewers but will be happy from any others Worldwide.

Well I suppose I better get back to my spring cleaning. I will be back to my blog soon to post some more book reviews.


Lisa


Monday 3 October 2011

Book Review -- Weezie The Elephant with Allergies -- Maranda Russell

Oh how I giggled reading this book. I wish books like this had been around when I was young.

Title - Weezie, The Elephant with Allergies

Author - Maranda Russell

Format - E-book

Weezie, is, as the title suggests, an elephant with allergies. No-one wants to adopt him because of his allergies. When he sneezes he tends to cover people with elephant snot and it puts them off and he gets left behind whilst all the other elephants get new homes. Will anyone ever love him enough to adopt him?

I really enjoyed this book even though it's for children. I think young children will love it. It is funny, in an easy to read language for children, and comes with a hidden moral to the story. You really must get it for your young child.

The book was given to me by the author to read and review. I was not paid for my review and the opinions are entirely my own.

My rating 5/5 - Childrens book

Book Review -- The Day No-one Played -- Donalisa Helsley


Title - The Day No One Played Together

Author - Donalisa Helsley
Illustrator - Sarah Harkey

Format - PDF, Paperback
Genre - Childrens book

This is a wonderful book that should be read by parents first and then read to their child. The book tales the tale of Jadyn and Genesis and how they are taught the meaning of compromise, when neither of them wants to play what the other one wants to play. They are taught how to put their heads together to learn to come up with something that suits them both.

I thought it was beautifully written in a language that children can understand whilst teaching them about brainstorming and compromise. It was also beautifully illustrated, with each illustration tying in so well to the story line.

I would recommend this book to anyone working with and teaching children of an early age. Plus I recommend that parents buy it for their children too. A great read.

My rating 5/5 - Childrens book

I was kindly given this book to review by the author. I was not paid for the review and the opinion is entirely my own.


Saturday 1 October 2011

Book Review -- Who Wants to Know A Secret? -- Sue Moorcroft

Title:- Want to Know A Secret?

Author:- Sue Moorcroft

Publishers:- Choc-lit

Format:- Paperback

This book was given to me to review by Choc-Lit publishing. I was not paid for my review and the opinions are entirely my own.

Normally if I was in a book shop, I would avoid this genre I am ashamed to say. No more! I loved this book.

Diana Jenner gets a visit from the Police to say that her husband has been injured in a helicopter crash. She tells them they must have the wrong person as her husband wouldn't be in a helicopter. She is shocked when they confirm that it is her husband. She then discovers that he has been hiding a big secret from her and their daughter Bryony. How many other lies has he told? How many other secrets is he hiding? They are not very well off and she is shocked when she finds out that the lies involve a lot of money.

Diane then meets James North, whilst uncovering many other lies. He has lots of money but also an alcoholic wife who is draining the life out of him. His chance meeting with Diane turns things upside down when they fall for each other.

This is a story of secrets and lies; love and hate; bitterness and intrigue.

Who could believe that chic-lit books could be such a good read? Not me! I couldn't put this down and read it in two days, which is almost a record for me. I loved how all the lies unfolded and how the families lives weaved themselves. The relationships that were formed throughout the book were intriguing.

I knew how I wanted the book to end, but couldn't see it going that way at all, as too many people were getting in the way. There were a lot of characters involved in this book, but unlike other books I have read recently, this didn't put me off and I managed to picture each of these characters in my mind, due to the way the author described them.

I loved how the story came together and enjoyed the intrigue and the way the lies unfolded. I will certainly be reading more of Sue Moorcrofts books, and will never again say never to chic-lit style books. A thoroughly enjoyable read and a book I would read again. I can't wait to share this!

Book rating 5/5

Book Review - The Secrets between us - Louise Douglas


Title:- The Secrets Between Us

Author:- Louise Douglas

Publisher:- Transworld Publishers

Format:- Large Paperback


"I'm part of the Transworld Book Group & this book was provided courtesy of Transworld Publishers" I have not been paid for my review and the opinion and review is entirely my own.

I have to be honest, I had never heard of Louise Douglas before, but the synopsis on this book really intrigued me.


It is about Alex and Sarah. They meet in Sicily where Sarah is on holiday with her Sister and Brother in Law. She has gone to escape a broken relationship and a recent loss. She meets Alex there with his son Jamie and befriends Jamie whilst spending time by the hotel pool. She discovers that Alex is a single parent as his wife Genevieve walked out on him.


After their time in Sicily and after striking up a good friendship, Sarah agrees to go back to Burrington Stoke with Alex and become his housekeeper. Her family are not really happy with the situation but Sarah needs a new start. When she gets back to the village she realises that there are lots of rumours about why Alex's wife Genevieve left, with Genevieve's family convinced that Alex is hiding something. They seemed to have everything. A wonderful house, money and a successful marriage so why would she leave. Sarah experiences some hostility from the villagers, as rumours fly.


I found this book really intriguing and couldn't put it down. I loved the way the characters were written, and felt they were very descriptive and the writing brought them to life. The plot lines were excellent and kept you guessing page and page, right until the very end.  The way the author described the emotions of all the characters added to the intrigue of the book. Just when you think you know which way the story is going to go, it goes in another direction. It really was a great read and I hightly recommend it. I will certainly be looking up more books by Louise Douglas. Thorougly absorbing.

My review 5/5