Book Review - A Stitch In Time by Amanda James

Title - A Stitch In Time

Author - Amanda James

Publisher - Choc Lit Publishing.

Paperback released 7th April 2013.
E-book now available.

Amazon UK // Amazon US // Book Depository


Book Blurb from Choc Lit Publishing

A stitch in time saves nine …or does it? Sarah Yates is a thirty-something history teacher, divorced, disillusioned and desperate to have more excitement in her life. Making all her dreams come true seems about as likely as climbing Everest in stilettos.

Then one evening the doorbell rings and the handsome and mysterious John Needler brings more excitement than Sarah could ever have imagined. John wants Sarah to go back in time …

Sarah is whisked from the Sheffield Blitz to the suffragette movement in London to the Old American West, trying to make sure people find their happy endings. The only question is, will she ever be able to find hers?

 

MY BOOK REVIEW

 

I loved the cover for this book and I found the book blurb intriguing. I was drawn into this book from the start. Sarah the main character was instantly likeable. She's a teacher and a girl who on the whole loves most of the kids she teaches. She also loves nothing more than grabbing a coffee with her best friend, then going home to her cosy house and husband. Many readers will identify with her. Like real life, this can all end in the blink of an eye.

 

Where the book then takes you is on a fascinating journey back in time to Edwardian England; The Blitz and across the ocean to the original American Homesteaders.

 

The concept of the book "A Stitch in Time" is so imaginative and unbelievable but it works and is at the same time wonderfully fascinating. Sarah is the "Stitch" who is sent back in time to fix things, and safe lives. She has to work out who's life she has to save. Whenever you hear again the phrase "A Stitch in Time" I can guarantee you will always think of this book.

 

Each adventure into the past is seamlessly written and you are instantly drawn into the era that Sarah finds herself in. You can visualise the sights Sarah is faced with due to the vivid descriptions by the author.

 

One of the other main characters is John, who is a Time Needle. He is Sarah's link to the tasks set for her.

 

As bizarre as the subject matter sounds, this book really works and I was hooked.

 

If you're looking for a book that's well written, romantic, imaginative and different from the norm, then I thoroughly recommend it. It's a keeper for me!

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Amanda James (aka Mandy) was born in Sheffield and now lives in Bristol with her husband and two cats. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, singing and spending lots of time with her grandson. She also admits to spending far too much time chatting on Twitter and Facebook! Mandy recently left her teaching role to follow her ambition to liver her life doing what she most enjoys - writing. Lucky for us eh?

 

Follow the author here:
Blog - www.mandykjameswrites.blogspot.co.uk

Facebook - www.facebook.com/mandy.james.33

Twitter - @akjames61

 

 

 

photo's courtesy of choc-lit publishing - http://www.choc-lit.co.uk/index.html

Thank you to choc-lit publishing for giving me this book to read and review. This in no way influenced my review.
 

 

Book Review -- The UnTied Kingdom - Kate Johnson

Title - The UnTied Kingdom

Author - Kate Johnson

Publisher - Choc Lit Publishing

Format - Paperback

This is the first paranormal romance book I have read and I was dubious at the start, but persevered and I'm glad I did.


Eve paraglided off course and landed in the River Thames in London. She was rescued by a man called Harker. It was only after a short while she realised that the London she had crash landed it, was nothing like the London that she left. Things don't ring true and she can't quite work out how she has fallen into a parallel world. One that is under a military rule. Parts of history that she knew happened, never happened in this world. Things like mobile phones don't exist. They think she is a spy and she is sent to Tower Bridge. Lots of events unfold and it makes it a really intriguing read.


It is really well written and the characters are very descriptive and very likeable (on the whole). I do get frustrated towards the end wondering how and if she will ever get back to her own world and the book seems to drag on. Does she get back? You'll have to read it and see for yourself.


A great debut.


My rating - 4/5

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 -- 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